iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- President Donald Trump is claiming tremendous success" on Twitter -- even as his party loses control of the House to Democrats according to ABC News projections.



Democrats will pick up at least 23 seats. Meanwhile, Republicans will likely retain control of the Senate guaranteeing partisan showdowns and potential gridlock when the new Congress convenes next year.



Here's the latest:



LIVE UPDATES



1:48 a.m. ET -- Democrat Lauren Underwood will become the first black woman to represent her district, in Illinois predominately white 14th Congressional District, ABC News can project based off of exit polls.



1:37 a.m. ET -- 21 congressional districts voted for President Obama and then for President Trump. The GOP was able to hold down 12 of them in Congress. ABC News can project that Democrats will flip six of those seats.



1:30 a.m. ET -- In Georgia, a vote count error in the state has narrowed the lead of Republican candidate Brian Kemp over Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams. Kemp is just above the 50 percent threshold. If his share of the vote falls below 50 percent, Georgia law states that the race would go to a runoff.



The Abrams campaign said that they don't expect to concede tonight, and that they believe there are enough votes still outstanding to force a runoff.



"We are going to make sure every single vote is counted," Abrams said.



1:25 a.m. ET -- Democrat Lizzie Pannill Fletcher has defeated GOP Rep. John Culberson in Texas 7th Congressional District, which includes the Houston suburbs, ABC News can project.



1:00 a.m. ET -- In Maine, another governorship will likely flip in favor of Democrats at the gubernatorial level. Republican candidate Shawn Moody has conceded to Democratic candidate Janet Mills. ABC News has not yet projected a winner in the race.



12:49 a.m. ET -- The Democrats will pick up between 32 and 36 seats in the House, ABC News can project.



12:41 a.m. ET -- GOP Rep. Steve King has won re-election to Iowas 4th Congressional District, fending off Democratic challenger J.D. Scholten, ABC News can project.



12:38 a.m. ET -- Phoenix: The crowd at the Democratic Election Night party in Phoenix was buoyed by hope and lively music earlier in the night, but it's started to thin out as it seems more and more likely that the Arizona Senate race might be too close to call tonight.



The race between Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Rep. Martha McSally to fill Sen. Jeff Flake's seat is neck-and-neck.



Sinema supporter Michelle Rose predicted they'd have a winner by 11 p.m. MST / 1 a.m. EST, and Timothy Bradley said he thought it'd be either by 11 or 12 a.m. Ginny Doherty left a little more wiggle room, telling ABC News she thought it would be closer to 2 a.m. MST.



According to officials, those guesses could be way off.



Part of the problem is that there are still hundreds of thousands of votes that still need to be tabulated in the state's most populous county, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes told ABC News tonight that it could take up to a week or more for Maricopa to have their final results.



Sinema and McSally are battling it out for the Senate seat that's being left open by Sen. Jeff Flake's decision not to seek re-election.



Preliminary exit poll results suggest that Sinema is getting help by moderate Arizonans, with a 27 point margin that has her up 63 percent to McSally's 36 percent.



That appeal, and her perceived independent streak, is what drew Matt Winter to volunteer for Sinema.



"In recent history weve had John McCain and Jeff Flake and Republicans who have a strong independent streak, and shes a Democrat with a strong independent streak," Winter told ABC News.



12:18 a.m. ET -- Whatever the results in any given election, the rise in diversity is nothing short of remarkable. In the 1990 midterm elections, the division of whites and nonwhite voters was 91-9 percent. Today its 72-28 percent. The most non whites voters ever in a midterm, and a scant 1 point shy of the record for any election in 2016. The Hispanic vote came in at 11 percent, again a new midterm high, and matched its all-time high from 2016.



12:15 a.m. ET -- Democrat Antonio Delgado will defeat incumbent GOP Rep. John Faso in New Yorks 19th Congressional District, ABC News can project based off of an analysis of polling data.



12:10 a.m. ET -- In Iowa, ABC News can project incumbent Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has narrowly won re-election in a tight race with Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell.



12:06 a.m. ET -- Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman in Congress, ABC News can project based off of an analysis of polling data.



11:57 p.m. ET -- Democrat Ilhan Omar Ilhan Omar is projected to win Minnesotas 5th Congressional District. Alongside Democrat Rashida Tlaib Rashida Tlaib in Michigans 13th Congressional District, Omar is now one of the two first Muslim women in Congress.



11:53 p.m. ET -- Democrat Deb Haaland is on track to win in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, ABC News projects based on exit polls. Haaland is the first Native American representative from New Mexico and now joins Democrat Sharice Davids, projected to win a House seat in Kansas, in becoming the first two Native American women ever elected to Congress.



There are currently two Native American representatives in the House  both men from Oklahoma.



11:48 p.m. ET -- Republican Josh Hawley has defeated Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, ABC News projects, based on analysis of voting data. McCaskill was one of the ten Democratic Senators running in states President Trump won in 2016.



McCaskill has conceded.



11:46 p.m. ET -- Sen. Heidi Heitkamp conceded to opponent Rep. Kevin Cramer in North Dakota's senate race. Heitkamp called North Dakota a 36 point state, the margin by which Trump won there in 2016, and said she knew it was an uphill battle from the start.



We knew we were in a tough campaign. We knew we took some votes that people were critical of, she said, an apparent reference to her vote against Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court.



But she never intended to to rubber stamp any one party, she said.



This has been the honor of a lifetime, she said, encouraging her supporters not to be bitter about the results.



11:41 p.m. ET -- In a strong display of the range of seats Democrats have been able to flip tonight, ABC News can project a win for the party in the deep red state of Oklahoma, in the state's 5th Congressional District.



Democrat Kendra Horn is projected to defeat incumbent GOP Rep. Steve Russell in another upset, based on vote analysis. The district is anchored by Oklahoma City but also includes more rural areas of the state.



Trump won this district by roughly 13 points in 2016, but won the state of Oklahoma overall by just over 36 points in the 2016 election.



11:38 p.m. ET -- ABC News has now projected all the competitive races in Pennsylvania.



The congressional delegation in Pennsylvania now stands at an even 9-9. Two years ago, election night ended under the previous congressional map, which was redrawn before the 2018 midterm election, at 13-5 in favor of Republicans.



11:37 p.m. ET -- Democrat Abigail Spanberger has defeated GOP Rep. Dave Brat in Virginias 7th Congressional District, ABC News can project based off of exit polls. Brat unseated then-GOP House Minority Leader in the 2014 primary.



11:37 p.m. ET -- Democrat Elaine Luria defeated Republican Scott Taylor in Virginias Second Congressional District, ABC News can report based off of an analysis of polling data.



11:30 p.m. ET -- Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin's projected win in West Virginia tonight comes despite a major effort on the part of President Trump and his family to flip his Senate seat.



Lara Trump and Donald Trump Jr. frequently came to West Virginia to stump for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Republican House candidate Carol Miller and the president's son was in West Virginia with Kimberly Guilfoyle as recently as yesterday. Trump held rallies in West Virginia a whopping five times in an effort to turn a state he won by 42 points red all the way.



11:28 p.m. ET -- Although ABC News can project the senate race in North Dakota for Republican Kevin Cramer, Democratic incumbent Sen. Heidi Heitkamp hasnt conceded just yet. Heitkamp's team says she's not watching the returns -- shes out at the movies. Her choice tonight? According to her campaign: A Star is Born.



11:27 p.m. ET -- Democrat Angie Craig defeated Republican Jason Lewis in the Minneapolis suburb area of Minnesotas 2nd Congressional District, ABC News can project based on analysis of the polls. Democrats also won in the deep red state of Oklahoma in the states 5th Congressional District. Kendra Horn defeated incumbent GOP Rep. Steve Russell in a district anchored by Oklahoma City, but that also includes more rural areas of the state.



11:20 p.m. ET -- In Michigan, ABC News can project that Democrat Gretchen Whitmer has defeated Republican Bill Schuette, flipping the governorship from Republican to Democrat in a state that narrowly went for President Trump in 2016.



11:18 p.m. ET -- The president has weighed in claiming tremendous success, though the House is projected to flip to the Democrats. Republicans will retain the Senate, ABC News projects.



11:05 p.m. ET -- In Florida, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, has conceded to Republican Ron DeSantis.



Gillum said in a speech to supporters that while "we recognize that we didn't win this tonight," that "we still have to be willing to show up every single day and demand a seat at the table."



11:00 p.m. ET -- MI-SEN: Sen. Debbie Stabenow is on track to win re-election in the U.S. Senate race in Michigan, ABC News projects, based on analysis of voting data. Stabenow was one of ten Democratic Senators running in states President Donald Trump won in 2016.



11:00 p.m. ET -- ABC News can project that the U.S. Senate special election in Mississippi has gone to a runoff between Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy, based on exit polls.



10:58 p.m. ET -- ABC News projects that the Democrats will win enough seats to gain control of the House. Democrats will pick up at least 23 seats.



10:55 p.m. ET -- With no Republicans or Independents running for Michigans 13th Congressional District, Rashida Tlaib is favored to win and poised to become the first Muslim-American woman in Congress.



10:40 p.m. ET -- Sources close to the president say among many items the focus right now - hes watching Florida. He campaigned a lot there so if (Gov. Rick Scott) and (Rep. Ron DeSantis) pull this off its all thanks to him, said one high ranking source about the president's efforts in the Sunshine State.



Trump often refers to Florida as his second home.



Sources tell ABC News the president is thrilled with results from states he campaigned in like Indiana and North Dakota.



10:15 p.m. ET -- Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer is on track to win the US Senate race in North Dakota against incumbent Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, ABC News projects, based on analysis of voting data.



10:10 p.m. ET -- Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is on track to win the senate seat in Texas, ABC News can project based on exit polls, defeating Democrat Beto ORourke.



10:10 p.m. ET -- Democrat Mikie Sherrill is on track to win in New Jerseys 11th Congressional District, ABC News can project based on exit polls. Sherrill will take over the seat from Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, who has represented the district for more than two decades. Trump barely won the district in 2016.



10:01 p.m. ET -- ABC News can project that Democrat Dean Phillips has won in Minnesotas 3rd Congressional District and Democrat . The Democrats have now picked up seven seats in the House tonight.



9:57 p.m. ET -- Sharice Davids is on track to win Kansas 2nd Congressional District, ABC News projects, based on exit polls. The political newcomer will be the first Native American lesbian woman elected to Congress. Shes also the second openly lesbian woman in Congress.



Davids is from the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin and has focused her career on the advancement of Native Americans.



Elected to represent Kansas 2nd Congressional District, Davids was a longshot in her campaign against four-term Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder.



9:42 p.m. ET -- In the third Democratic pick-up of the night, Rep. Connor Lambwill win his election against Rep. Keith Rothfus, ABC News can project based on exit polls. It was the only incumbent versus incumbent race in the nation.



9:40 p.m. ET -- In multiple Senate races, Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin are all on track to win their race, ABC News projects, based on voting data.



9:40 p.m. ET -- In Illinois, ABC News can project based on the vote that Democrat J.B. Pritzker will defeat incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. This marks a flip in the statehouse for Illinois.



Pritzker, the brother of former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, will become one of the wealthiest people to ever hold elected office in the U.S.



9:36 p.m. ET -- Jared Polis is on track to win the gubernatorial race in Colorado, ABC News projects, based on exit polls. Polis will be the first openly gay man to win a U.S. gubernatorial election.

9:25 p.m. ET -- In Florida, Amendment 4  which provides voting rights for felons  is on track to pass, according to ABC News projections, based on exit polls. There are currently more disenfranchised felons in that state, more than any other at 1.5 million. Previously, felons had to appeal directly to the governor.



9:23 p.m. ET --



Kim Davis, the county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples in Rowan County, Kentucky lost her bid to a second term Tuesday night.



In an upset, Davis was edged out by Democratic opponent, Elwood Caudill Jr., by about 700 votes, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.



Republican Carol Miller is on track to win the seat in West Virginias 3rd Congressional District, ABC News can project based on exit polls. Miller ran against Democrat Richard Ojeda. Ojeda campaigned hard against big pharmaceutical companies in a deep-red district heavily hit by the opioid crisis.



9:07 p.m. ET -- Incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin is on track to win re-election in the senate race in West Virginia, ABC News projects, based on exit polling and analysis of voting data.



Manchin was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Trump's Supreme Court pick, Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Trump went to West Virginia three times in the last four months.



9:06 p.m. ET -- Incumbent Republican Rep. Andy Barr is on track to win re-election in Kentuckys 6th District, ABC News projects, based on exit polls. Democratic challenger Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, was a key candidate for the party.



9:04 p.m. ET -- Republican Marsha Blackburn is on track to win the senate seat in Tennessee, ABC News projects, based on exit polls. Blackburn will be the first female senator from the state. Trump went to Tennessee three times to rally for the congresswoman.



Blackburn will take over the seat from Republican Sen. Bob Corker, a sharp critic of the president who did not run for re-election.



9:00 p.m. ET -- Polls are now closed in the closely watched states of Texas, North Dakota, Arizona, Michigan, Colorado, Louisiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

8:48 p.m. ET -- We've now seen the first GOP pick-up of the night in the Senate: Indiana.



Incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly is one of 10 Democratic incumbents up for re-election in states that Donald Trump won in 2016, and Indiana is a state Donald Trump campaigned heavily in during the 2018 midterms.



8:47 p.m. ET -- Another state has extended voting. Alabama now joins the list that also includes Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas.



8:43 p.m. ET -- In what will only make it a harder battle for Democrats' effort to retake the Senate, Republican Mike Braun is on track to defeat Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana's U.S. Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polling and analysis of voting data.



8:35 p.m. ET -- ABC News can project, based on the vote, a few more gubernatorial races: in Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who is popular in Massachusetts despite the state's reputation for support of Democrats; in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf; in Tennessee, Republican Bill Lee; and in Arkansas, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.



8:32 p.m. ET -- Democrat Gina Raimondo is on track to win re-election for governor in Rhode Island, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.



8:30 p.m. ET -- The polls have closed in Arkansas. The next big wave comes at 9 p.m.



8:26 p.m. ET -- NJ-SEN: Bob Menendez is on track to win re-election in New Jerseys US Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polling and analysis of voting data.



8:22 p.m. ET -- Health care is the top issue for voters, preliminary exit poll numbers show. 42 percent say health care is the top issue of four facing the country. Trumps pushed immigration hard  but its the top issue to just 26 percent, far trailing health care. The economy comes in at 21 percent.



8:19 p.m. ET -- Preliminary exit poll numbers show nonwhites account for 41 percent of Texas voters, including 24 percent Latinos. These are highs in Texas midterms in available exit polls back to 1984.



Texas Republicans outnumbered Democrats by 9 points in the 2016 presidential election and 12 points in the 2014 midterms. Today its a 5-point gap, 33-38 percent, Democrats-Republicans.



8:10 p.m. ET -- Incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren is on track to win the race for senator in Massachusetts, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.



8:08 p.m. ET -- Democrat Tim Kaine is on track to win Virginia's Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls. Kaine is the incumbent. Kaine, who ran for vice president on the ticket with Hillary Clinton, ran against Republican challenger Corey A. Stewart



8:07 p.m. ET -- Incumbent Bernie Sanders is on track to win in Vermont's Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.



8:00 p.m. ET Polls are now closed in roughly half the country including these notable states: the rest of Florida, most of Kansas, most of Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, the rest of New Hampshire, New Jersey, some counties in North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. As noted, some states have extended polling hours.



7:53 p.m. ET -- Democrat Jennifer Wexton wins Virginias 10th Congressional District, per ABC News projections. Wexton flipped the seat against Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock. Hillary Clinton carried the area by six points in 2016.



7:51 p.m. ET -- Voting hours have been extended in some precincts in at least five states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. High-profile figures and candidates continue to tweet, asking voters to stay in line.



7:39 p.m. ET -- Greg Pence, the older brother of Vice President Mike Pence, has been elected to Indianas 6th Congressional District, per ABC News projections.



The seat was represented by the vice president for more than 10 years before he became governor of the state. Pence is taking over the seat from Rep. Luke Messer, who sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate but lost the primary to Mike Braun.



7:35 p.m. ET -- The polls are now closed in 9 states. At 7:30, polls closed in the closely watched states of Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina.



7:19 p.m. ET -- Hillary Clinton and Democrat Andrew Gillum, who could become Florida's first African American governor, both tweeted to urge voters to stay in line because if they're still waiting after the polls close, they can still cast a ballot.



7:31 p.m. ET --



In Georgia, preliminary exit polls show turnout among nonwhites is a record 40 percent, including 30 percent black voters, in preliminary exit poll results. The previous high among nonwhites was 36 percent in 2014  compared with just 18 percent in 1994.



If elected, Stacey Abrams, the Democrat running for governor in the state, would be the first-ever African American woman to serve as governor in the U.S.



7:17 p.m. ET -- Sources tell ABC News the president and first lady are joined tonight by his three eldest children along with son-in-law Jared Kushner, Kimberly Guilfoyle and daughter-in-law Lara Trump.



The presidents 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale, his first 2016 campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and deputy campaign manager Dave Bossie are there and also joining, longtime friends Tom Barrack and Richard LeFrak along with several mega donors close to the President.



The president's top White House advisors are also in attendance.



7:00 p.m. ET -- Polls have closed in the first wave of closely watched states with competitive races: Indiana, Vermont, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky.



In Indiana, Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly faces Republican challenger Mike Braun in a tight senate race, while in Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams faces Republican Brian Kemp for the governor's seat.

5:59 p.m. ET -- President Donald Trump and which party controls Congress are front and center for voters this election year, according to preliminary results from the national exit poll.



In results so far, 44 percent of voters approve of Trumps job performance, while 55 percent disapprove.



And while the House races will be fought district by district, voters by 53-43 percent say theyd rather see the Democrats than the Republicans in control of the House after this election.



Read more here about why Trump has embraced the election as a referendum, and more here about the preliminary results from the national exit poll.



4:34 p.m. ET -- Dozens of young Native Americans marched to their local polling place on a reservation near Belcourt, North Dakota.



The group of young men and women, members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, carried signs that read, "Dont disenfranchise us," as they chanted in unison, "North Dakota, you cant do that!"



By the time they reached the polls, more than a thousand people had already cast ballots hours before the polls were to close. In comparison, just 950 people voted at the same polling site in 2016, according to an election official there.



Tribal leaders have scrambled to print at least 3,500 new tribal IDs for Native Americans on reservations in North Dakota in response to the states new voter ID law, which requires North Dakotans to provide a state or tribal ID with a residential address in order to vote. Many Native Americans living in rural communities on or near reservations dont have residential addresses.



4:21 p.m. ET -- The issues with electronic poll books in Indiana's Johnson County have been "resolved," election officials said.



The midsize county, which is located south of Indianapolis, will not be extending voting hours but officials will add more voting machines if need be, according to Johnson County election board chairman Phil Barrow.



Election Systems & Software, the electronic voting vendor the county employs, also confirmed in a statement that the issues were fixed.



"The issue in Johnson County, Indiana has been resolved, resulting in faster check-in times for voters," the company said in a statement Tuesday. "Earlier in the day, the poll book, which is used to check in voters but is not related to voting machines themselves, was running slowly. The poll book operation is now significantly improved. We apologize to voters and to elections officials in Johnson County, Indiana for longer wait times than expected, and we thank everyone for their patience."



Johnson County is in a congressional district considered safe for Republicans, but the Senate race in Indiana is considered competitive, with Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly trying to beat back a challenge by Republican Mike Braun.



3:41 p.m. ET -- A 104-year-old woman cast her vote Tuesday.



Margaret Norwood was alive at the time when women did not have the right to vote, according to a tweet from Muriel Bowser, who is running for re-election as mayor of Washington, D.C.



3:19 p.m. ET -- Multiple high-ranking sources in the White House and outside advisers close to President Trump say they are bracing for an interesting evening  all the sources believe it is most likely the House will be in the hands of Democrats after tonights results.



One source said the reality is if there is good news tonight for Republicans, the president will take all the credit; however, he already knows he will get blamed if its not a great night.



2:52 p.m. ET -- Electronic poll books were malfunctioning temporarily on Election Day in Johnson County, a midsize Indiana county south of Indianapolis.



The poll books which are used to check in voters were running slowly during part of the afternoon because of overpopulated servers, the county clerk said.



Johnson County is in a congressional district considered safe for Republicans, with incumbent GOP Rep. Trey Hollingsworth expected to hold his seat against Democrat Liz Watson.



But the Senate race in Indiana is considered competitive, with Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly trying to beat back a challenge by Republican Mike Braun.



2:27 p.m. ET -- Outgoing Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California, who did not run for re-election, predicted a Democrat would win his seat.



"Quite frankly, we know the results already," Issa told Fox News in an interview. "It will be a Democrat representing La Jolla to Solana Beach for the first time in a number of years."



Democrat Mike Levin and Republican Diane Harkey are vying to replace Issa, who has held the seat for eight terms.



1:56 p.m. ET -- Los Angeles voters waiting in line at one polling station at least got serenaded by a mariachi band.



1:49 p.m. ET -- Federal authorities aren't seeing anything out of the ordinary on election a Department of Homeland Security official said.



There has been a typical scanning and probing of some election systems, but authorities haven't seen an "uptick" in cyberactivity, the official told reporters Tuesday afternoon.



1:20 p.m. ET - Two high school seniors were excited to cast their ballots for the first time Tuesday in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp are running in a close race for the state's highest office.



Grace and Claire, both 18, of Decatur, said they spent a lot of time researching candidates before deciding who to vote for.



"It was hard to find an unbiased source, but we did as much research as we could," Claire told ABC News. "It feels good to finally have my opinion out there."



"Im very excited that I got to vote this year," Grace told ABC News. "Its a right that Im very proud of."



Georgia set a record for early voting this year, with 2,079,351 people in the state who cast their ballots before polls opened Tuesday, according to data from the Georgia Secretary of State's office.



1:00 p.m. ET -- Polls are now open across all states, including Hawaii.



12:27 p.m. ET -- Some Arizona voters will be treated to a cute, cuddly surprise at the polls.



The Arizona Humane Society is bringing puppies to some polling sites around the Phoenix area to help lower blood pressure among voters and ease the strain of waiting in long lines.



"Its funny, you see people see the puppies, and they just melt," Bretta Nelson of the Arizona Humane Society told ABC News in Phoenix, adding that it's also a "unique way to get our puppies adopted.



11:59 a.m. ET -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is confident Democrats will win control of that chamber of Congress in Tuesday's election.



When asked at a press conference if she is 100 percent certain her party will become the majority in the House of Representatives, the California Democrat said, "Yes, I am."



11:32 a.m. ET -- Trump retweeted a tweet he had initially posted Monday morning that warned about "illegal voting."



The tweet reads, "Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesdays Election (or Early Voting). Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!"



10:49 a.m. ET -- Humid weather is reportedly causing problems in some election precincts in North Carolina.



North Carolina's state elections office said it has received reports that ballots in some precincts in Wake County and other areas cannot be fed through tabulators. But officials said "procedures are in place for these types of events."



"Initial reports from county elections offices indicate this issue is caused by high humidity levels. When ballots cannot be ready by tabulators, they are stored securely in 'emergency bins' and will be tabulated as soon as possible," the board said in a statement Tuesday morning. "All ballots will be counted."



10:20 a.m. ET -- Democrats in Florida voted prior to Election Day in slightly higher numbers than the state's Republicans.



More than 5.2 million Floridians in total cast ballots either by mail or early voting. Of that number, 2,110,782 were Democrats and 2,088,429 Republicans, according to newly-released data from the Florida Division of Elections.



10:03 a.m. ET -- Newspapers across the U.S. splashed headlines conveying some of the emotion and tension around this election.



Here are a few of them.



- The Columbus Dispatch: "It's up to you now"

- Connecticut Post: "Midterm mania grips nation"

- Chicago Tribune: "A fight for control"

- The Des Moines Register: "IT'S DECISION DAY"

- The Detroit News: "Battle for Congress spirited until the end"

- Houston Chronicle: "DAY OF RECKONING IS HERE"

- Los Angeles Times: "Trump's reputation is on the line"

- New York Daily News: "YOUR CALL, AMERICA

- The Oregonian: "Ready or not, it's finally Election day"

- Orlando Sentinel: "FIERCE RACES AWAIT DECISIONS"

- The Washington Post: "Uncertainty rules as the midterms reach the wire"



9:46 a.m. ET -- Mark Salter, longtime aide and speechwriter for the late Sen. John McCain, a Republican, urged his Twitter followers to "vote for the Democrat (in most cases).



"That feels weird to write," Salter tweeted. "But the bigger the rebuke of Trump the better for the country. Resist."



McCain was one of Trump's most outspoken Republican critics. The Arizona senator died in August at age 85 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.



9:17 a.m. ET -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate who ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election, made a final appeal to voters.



"For the past two years, we've watched this administration attack and undermine our democratic institutions and values. Today, we say enough," Clinton wrote in a series of tweets.



"But we won't just vote against radicalism, bigotry, and corruption today. We'll vote for fantastic candidates all over the countryincluding a historic number of womenwho want to raise wages, fight for justice, and help more people get health care," she tweeted.



"If they win, theyll do great things for America. Let's exercise our birthright as Americans today, put those people in office, and continue the hard work of saving our democracy. It'll take all of us. Happy Election Day."



7:43 a.m. ET -- Authorities in some states are warning voters to be vigilant about possible election problems.



The New Jersey Department of State urged residents via Twitter to beware of "false information regarding your polling locations."



High enthusiasm evident in early voting



The conversation ahead of the midterms has been dominated by talk of Democratic enthusiasm that could bring a "blue wave."



Democrats appear more poised for victory in the House, where they need a net gain of 23 seats to win the majority. In the Senate, Democrats would need a net pickup of two seats to take control, but there are 10 vulnerable Democratic senators running in states Trump won in 2016.



Early voting has also been read as a signal that enthusiasm is up -- though in some states, it's a result of newly-expanded early voting opportunities. According to data from Michael McDonald, an early-voting expert at the University of Florida, 2018 early voting has already significantly surpassed 2014 figures.



As of Friday, over 30 million early ballots were cast, compared to 17 million as of the same day in 2014.



According to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, the top issues driving voters this year are health care and the economy, which are almost tied in importance, followed by immigration. Democrats have made health care -- and especially coverage for people with pre-existing conditions -- a key part of their platform, while Trump has significantly upped his rhetoric on immigration, using a migrant caravan that's weeks away from the U.S. border to bring the topic to the forefront.



A diverse set of candidates



Despite ingrained partisan positions on these issues, the candidates running for election across the country this year are diverse, and many are poised to make history.



If elected, Democrat Stacey Abrams, running for governor in Georgia, will be the first African-American woman governor in U.S. history. Three other states south of the Mason-Dixon line could also elect their first-ever African-American governors.



It could be a historic year for Native American women as well. In the House, Sharice Davids of Kansas and Debra Haaland of New Mexico, both Democrats, could become the first Native American congresswomen. And, Paulette Jordan, a Democrat running for governor of Idaho, could become the country's first Native American governor, as well as her state's first female governor -- and its first Democratic governor since 1999.



There are also two female Muslim congressional candidates, Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and Ilhan Omar in Minnesota, who are poised to make history as well.



And Vermont is poised to make history for the LGBTQ community if voters in the Green Mountain State oust their current governor in favor of first-time candidate Christine Hallquist, who would be the first transgender governor in the nation if elected on Tuesday.



In some states, both candidates on the ticket offer diverse and historic choices.



In New Hampshire, Eddie Edwards, a Republican, would be the states first African-American member of Congress. His opponent, Democrat Chris Pappas, would be its first openly gay member of Congress.



And while many individual candidates could be historic change-makers, taken together, there are also some record-breaking numbers.



More women, for example, are running for Congress than ever seen before.



In the House currently, 84 of the 435 members are women, while a staggering 239 women are on the ballot Tuesday. They range from former fighter pilots to intelligence officers, doctors, nurses and scientists. By a 3-to-1 margin, the women candidates are Democrats.



Veterans are also on the ballot in record numbers. According to a nonpartisan veterans' super PAC, over 200 military veterans are running for Congress  a stark number considering there are fewer veterans in Congress today, at 20 percent, than ever before.



Polls in competitive races begin to close at 7 p.m. EDT and continue through 1 a.m. EDT.



After months of fundraising, advertising, door knocking and block walking, the candidates have made themselves known.



Now it's up to the voters.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.(CNN)  Fox News journalists were outraged and disgusted after Sean Hannity, the network's star host, campaigned with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday night ahead of the midterm elections, more than half a dozen employees told CNN Business.

"People throughout the company think a new line was crossed," one senior Fox News employee told CNN Business on Tuesday.

"It disturbs me to my core," said another senior Fox News employee, who added, "I am so f---ing mad."

"We were all told that Hannity was going to interview the president, but no one that I spoke with expected what happened last night," added a third senior Fox News employee. "I'm aghast as are a number of other people."

The Fox News employees all spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Some of Fox News' biggest names, including Hannity, the hosts of "Fox & Friends," and Jeanine Pirro  who also appeared with Trump on stage Monday night  have turned into full-time Trump supporters on television over the past two years. Some, like Hannity, Pirro and Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs, reportedly even act as unofficial advisers to Trump at times. But Monday night's rally crossed a new line, making explicit what had long been implicit.

The Trump campaign had promoted Hannity over the weekend as a "special guest" at Trump's final rally before Tuesday's midterm election. But a Fox News spokesperson told CNN Business and other news outlets soon after that Hannity would simply be at the rally in Missouri to broadcast his show and cover the event for the network. Hannity offered an identical message in a Monday morning tweet, saying, "To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the president."

Yet just hours later, Hannity and Pirro were both on stage with Trump, energizing the Republican base ahead of Election Day.

After having expressly denied that he would be campaigning on stage with the President, the first move from Hannity when he walked on stage was to slam members of the media stationed at the back of the auditorium as "fake news," apparently not realizing  or caring  that Fox News journalists were among the "people in the back" that he had insulted.

One Fox News employee described to CNN Business the scene at the New York headquarters of Fox News at the time, as a number of journalists inside the company's news division watched the episode unfold live. The person said that the employees were dismayed at what they saw.

Other Fox News employees questioned why network executives have not taken any action.

"The whole thing is just so embarrassing that this guy basically has free rein to do whatever he wants, and management is either helpless or uninterested in doing anything about it," said one Fox News employee.

Another employee said that Hannity's behavior, both Monday night and generally, "continues to make the task of the news side all that much harder."

One former senior Fox News employee told CNN Business that he had spoken to a number of former colleagues who are still at the network about the matter. He described them as "livid."

In a Tuesday afternoon statement, a Fox News spokesperson said, "Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events. We have an extraordinary team of journalists helming our coverage tonight and we are extremely proud of their work. This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed."

Asked by CNN Business exactly how the matter had been addressed, the spokesperson declined to elaborate.

Hope Hicks, chief communications officer for Fox  the soon-to-be parent company of Fox News  did not respond to a Tuesday morning email asking whether Rupert or Lachlan Murdoch, the father and son who control Fox News, had any comment on or approved of Hannity's behavior.

Hannity, for his part, released a statement on Twitter saying, "What I said in my tweet yesterday was 100% truthful. When the POTUS invited me on stage to give a few remarks last night, I was surprised, yet honored by the president's request. This was NOT planned. And to be clear, I was not referring to my journalist colleagues at FOX News in those remarks. They do amazing work day in and day out in a fair and balanced way and it is an honor to work with such great professionals."

Hannity has for years flouted the usual standards required of Fox News employees. In 2016, for instance, he cited unscientific polls on-air after a Fox News executive told network producers that they did not meet the company's editorial standards.

But Monday night's appearance at Trump's rally was one of the clearest examples to date of Hannity's growing invincibility at the network.

While Hannity has been able to get away with breaking normal protocol, the network had previously attempted to reign him in.

When he appeared in a Trump 2016 campaign ad, a Fox News spokesperson said the network "had no knowledge" of Hannity's participation and said he would "not be doing anything along these lines for the remainder of the election."

In 2010, when Fox News executives learned Hannity planned to broadcast his show from a Tea Party rally in Cincinnati, the network took action. Bill Shine, who was at the time executive vice president for programming at Fox News and who is now the White House deputy chief of staff for communications, said in a statement, "When senior executives in New York were made aware of this, we changed our plans for tonight's show."

This story was first published on CNN.com "'It disturbs me to my core': Fox News staffers express outrage over Hannity's rally appearance"Niles police are looking for anyone who may have information or surveillance camera footage of the Olcott Avenue and Greenleaf Street area between approximately 6:15 and 6:25 a.m. Tuesday that who can help in the investigation. Contact the Niles Police Department at 847-588-6500.10.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Now that they have won the House, Democratic sources on the House Ways and Means Committee have announced that Democrats are going to request Trumps tax returns.

Ari Melber reported on MSNBC:

I spoke with the ways and means committee, breaking news, they do intend to request president trumps tax returns. Thats important because, as you know and as we have reported, this is something that does not require the Senate, it does not require even a full House vote. Under federal law, the chair of the ways and means committee has the power to request anyones tax returns. They believe that includes, flatly, the president of the United States. So this is coming to us now.

We are seeing the ramifications of Democrats on these committees who have this kind of power. This is Richard Neal, this is the ranking member of the ways and means committee, who would become chair if our projection holds that they are basically Democrats taking over the house. Getting your hands on those trump tax returns, as everyone knows, would be a big deal for the committee. It doesnt mean they would automatically become public, but it does mean the Democrats are coming out swinging tonight. Theyre not waiting. Theyre putting this marker down right now, and Im reporting this for the first time on MSNBC. They intend to request the returns, and the senior source tells me this is something that Pelosi is in on.

Video:

Now that they have won the House, Democratic sources on the House Ways and Means Committee have announced that Democrats are going to request Trumps tax returns. https://t.co/TfGfuc89ff pic.twitter.com/GldPK4mjlJ  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) November 7, 2018

Trumps tax returns are related to everything

Trumps tax returns relate to the Russia scandal. His foreign policy decisions. Trumps bowing to both Putin and Saudi Arabia. The tax returns will provide a great deal of insight into what is motivating Trump and if this president is conflicted. The tax returns are also something that Trump desperately tried to hide because he has secrets that he doesnt want to have exposed because they will destroy what is left of the myth of Trump.

Democrats are coming for Trump, as this president is about to be held accountable.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Steve Schmidt called Trump a pestilence and a plague of locusts who descended upon Republican candidates at the end of the campaign.

Schmidt said:

When you look at the race, the issue, I think, that were going to see play out over the night is the degree to which Donald Trump and Air Force One and the dramatic rivals in all of the states for these mega rallies where he incited all manner of racial animus, in fact does it turn out to be a pestilence arriving. Was it a plague of locusts arriving for these Republican candidates? in Ohio yesterday Donald Trump came, spent the last day in the campaign trail, campaigning for Mike DeWine, running for governor of Ohio. Did he give Mike DeWine a lifeline or did he push his head under the when we look at these Florida returns right now, it seems to be the case that Donald Trump was an anchor around the ankles of the two Republican candidates?

Video:

Steve Schmidt called Trump a pestilence and a plague of locusts who descended upon Republican candidates at the end of the campaign. https://t.co/7yLu7fJ6v2 pic.twitter.com/ukbqlF2dwL  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) November 7, 2018

At the end of the day, what the race has been about is a referendum on trump and Trumpism. Donald Trump has traveled the country, incited the American people, hes stoked a cold civil war. He has led a campaign of racial animus, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, something that would recognizable to Lester Maddox or George Wallace. What were going to watch play out over the night is whether Trumpism faces its first validation or first repudiation, looking at the early returns, I would bet on repudiation. It will be a long night, well see how it turns out.

The Republican candidates in Florida have rebounded, but there is still no evidence of red wave sweeping the country. At worst, the country is fighting to a draw. Trump hasnt boosted the Republican Party, but what we are watching is a divided nation fighting it out in a slugfest.3.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who will soon be running the House Russia investigation, vowed to protect Robert Mueller and the rule of law after Trump fired Jeff Sessions.

Schiff tweeted:

President Trump just removed Jeff Sessions. He wants an Attorney General to serve his interest, not the public. Mueller's investigation and the independence of the DOJ must be protected. Whitaker and any nominee must commit to doing both. We will protect the rule of law.  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) November 7, 2018

Adam Schiff is warning Trump

Rep. Schiffs tweet was a warning to Trump that if he tries to gut the Mueller investigation and corrupt the DOJ, House Democrats will be coming for him. Trump made his move on Mueller now because in a couple of months, Democrats will be in control of the House and it would be too late for him to act.

What a difference a day makes. Adam Schiffs words now carry the weight of the House Intelligence Committee. Trump is already playing with fire. He understands that he cant get rid of Mueller without getting impeached, so he has installed someone as acting attorney general who will limit the special counsel investigation.

Trump is provoking a confrontation on the Russia investigation with House Democrats. The president is flirting with disaster. Trump doesnt seem to believe that the Democrats will impeach him. Hes wrong, and if he keeps pushing, he is going to find himself the subject of an impeachment investigation.

Adam Schiff isnt playing, and if Donald Trump tests him, the president will soon regret it.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.883 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

To Elijah Cummings, Donald Trump is a person who calls a lie the truth and the truth a lie.

He thinks the president routinely violates the Constitutions emoluments clause every day.

He sees within the Trump administration a dangerous tolerance for corruption and misconduct.

He also has seen, for the past two years, a Republican Congress that has refused to do its constitutionally-mandated duty of providing checks and balances on the president and his administration.

And according to the 67 year-old congressman from Baltimore, all of that will change when Democrats take charge of the House in January.

When that happens, Elijah Cummings will become the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. This powerful role will give him almost unrestricted subpoena power. He will be able to call as many hearings as he wants on any topic he chooses.

In short, Elijah Cummings could become Donald Trumps worst nightmare.

Last night, after it became clear that Democrats would win the House majority, Cummings spoke to CNN. He said that he plans to use his new powers and his committee in a methodical way in order to get answers to many unresolved issues which Republicans completely ignored over the past two years.

He also said he would want to see Trumps tax returns in order to determine if there are conflicts with the emoluments clause, which prohibits federal officials from receiving gifts from foreign governments without the consent of Congress.

Cummings said he would investigate whether Trump violated the emoluments clause with regards to his business with the Trump International Hotel and the FBI headquarters building in Washington. He said he would would need the tax returns to do his job properly.

I dont see how you can look at it, and do a thorough job and do an effective job unless you do. Tax returns may tell you something else  thats why we would like to see them, Cummings said.

The Maryland congressman also said he wants to restore accountability to the Trump administration as chairman of the Oversight Committee.

Right now, we have a President who is accountable to no one, he said, adding that, My plan is to use the subpoena as a method of last resort.

Cummings insists he will work very hard to approach his chairmanship in a deliberative and bipartisan manner.

I dont want people to think we are going to rush in and beat up on Trump, he said.

There are two main areas he said he plans to investigate:

One, he said, would be to defend our democracy, to look into voting rights and limitations facing under-privileged communities. He said they would also look into matters involving the use of security clearances in the Trump administration  whether it was for ex-aides Michael Flynn and Rob Porter as well as for Jared Kushner, the Presidents son-in-law and senior adviser. The other area would be day-to-day issues affecting many Americans, such as the high price of prescription drugs and insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions  as well as the U.S. Postal Service.

Cummings made clear that there will be a lot of coordination between the various House committees to ensure there isnt overlap, and likely Speaker Nancy Pelosi will make sure that happens.

He knows that other committees, such as the House Ways and Means and Financial Services committees will both want to see Trumps tax returns also.

I would expect that this week, we will start to get all of that stuff and begin to organize, Cummings said. And there will be coordination  The last thing we want to do is step on each other.

Elijah Cummings will be in charge of oversight in the new Congress, and the last thing Donald Trump wants is any real oversight of their behavior or their financial dealings.3.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

The pro-Russia Republican who once arm-wrestled with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, has lost his seat to Democrat Harley Rouda. Rohrabacher has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump and he has served for three decades in the heavily Republican 48th House District in California.

BREAKING: Putin loses proxy war in Orange County as his minion Dana Rohrabacher is defeated by Harley Rouda. Rohrabacher was the main person in Congress who determinedly tried to get the Magnitsky Act repealed. A good day for truth and justice. Good riddance. BREAKING: Putin loses proxy war in Orange County as his minion Dana Rohrabacher is defeated by Harley Rouda. Rohrabacher was the main person in Congress who determinedly tried to get the Magnitsky Act repealed. A good day for truth and justice. Good riddance https://t.co/HSNGkIVRux  Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) November 7, 2018

It was just one of many upsets favoring Democratic candidates over the course of the evening.

Rohrabacher has been called Putins favorite congressman because he used information received Russia to promote one of Purins top priorities  removing the name of the murdered Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky from a global anti-corruption law.

FBI agents also once warned him that he was considered a target for recruitment by Russian intelligence operatives because of his close ties to Putin.

Rouda is a former Republican who switched parties because, as she said: President Trump has changed everything.

Here are some other races that ended in surprise defeats for Republican candidates.

A very important win for Democrats in their bid to win back House control occurred in Virginia where Democrat Abigail Spanbergers won over Tea Party Republican Dave Brat in the 7th district. Brat is the right-wing rebel who defeated onetime House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a 2014 GOP primary.

Trump flunkie Kris Kobach lost his race for Kansas governor against Democratic state senator Laura Kelly. Kobach was a close ally of Trump and worked on the election fraud panel. The panel was shut down when they couldnt find cases of widespread voter fraud. Kobach was then scrubbed from the White Houses website.

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) who battled with the teen survivors of the Parkland shooting  lost his seat in the 26th district to Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Mucarsel-Powell is an Ecuadorian immigrant who came to the country with her mother when she was a child. The district was progressively moving blue and Curbelo was not moderate enough to hold the state this time

There was a shocking upset in New Yorks 11th district as GOP Rep. Dan Donovan lost to Max Rose. The district, which voted for President Donald Trump by nine points in 2016, was considered a major stretch for Democrats, as forecasters FiveThirtyEight gave Rose only a 25% chance of winning .

In a stunning loss for National Rifle Association, Democrat Jason Crow has beat Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) in one of the most expensive races in the country. Crow won in Colorados sixth congressional district while openly calling for a ban on assault weapons, expanded background checks and restricting high-capacity magazines.

Kim Davis, the clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, lost her campaign for re-election.

In South Carolinas first district a Democrat won for the first time in 30 years as Joe Cunningham defeated Katie Arrington. The district had voted 53%-41% for Trump in 2016

These were some of the biggest upsets on Tuesday night. And even though Donald Trump had claimed victory, it definitely was a big night for Democrats as the Blue Wave really did happen.383 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives will likely put the leadership of many congressional committees into the hands of some of Republican President Donald Trumps most prominent adversaries on Capitol Hill.

Democratic party leaders in the House will decide on the heads of committees, with seniority one of the major determining factors.

Here is a look at Democrats expected to head 10 powerful House panels.

APPROPRIATIONS  Nita Lowey, 81, would be the first woman to lead Appropriations, which writes spending bills that fund the government. She has long sought to preserve government funding for domestic programs like biomedical research.

A close ally of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the 30-year House veteran from New York would likely back funding for Planned Parenthood, oppose oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and deny the $5 billion Trump wants for a wall on the border with Mexico.

ARMED SERVICES  Adam Smith, 53, a pro-business moderate from Washington, has been the top Armed Services Democrat since 2015.

The panel is known for bipartisanship and he has worked with Republicans on sharply increasing the Pentagons budget. He is not expected to seek significant changes on policies such as improving military readiness and countering Chinese and Russian expansionism.

But Smith likely will seek to rein in Trump initiatives like his deployment of troops to the border with Mexico and the push to create a Space Force.

BUDGET  John Yarmuth, 71, the only congressional Democrat from Republican Kentucky, is front-runner to lead the committee as it addresses the end of the two-year budget deal that expires in September 2019.

Yarmuth has challenged Republican plans to cut domestic spending and boost funding of the military. He has promised to hold a hearing on Medicare for All, a reference to a potential single-payer healthcare system that would largely replace private insurance.

ENERGY AND COMMERCE  Frank Pallone, 67, the likely next chairman of Energy and Commerce, has been a leading Democratic voice on environmental and health issues.

He has promised to hold hearings on the Trump administrations undermining of former President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act and said he will try to lower prescription drug prices.

Pallone has called climate change a critical issue and wants to restore environmental regulations rolled back since Trump took office in January 2017.

FINANCIAL SERVICES  California representative Maxine Waters, 80, has become a liberal favorite  and target of personal attacks from Trump  as she has called repeatedly for his impeachment and tried to obtain documents that might reveal any ties with Russia.

If she leads Financial Services, as expected, Waters wants to strengthen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and crack down on predatory lending.

Major banks warned before the election that Waters ascent on the powerful panel could slow efforts to deregulate banking. But any such legislation would face stiff opposition in a Senate where Trumps Republicans have increased their majority.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS  Eliot Engel, 71, wants to conduct oversight of Trumps foreign policy after what he has described as two years of congressional neglect.

While Engel is likely to spearhead Democratic initiatives such as efforts to punish Russia for its interference in the 2016 U.S. election and to strengthen international alliances, the veteran New York congressman has at times broken from party leadership, particularly on issues related to Israel.

Engel backed Trumps decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and opposed the international nuclear agreement with Iran from which Trump withdrew in May.

INTELLIGENCE  California representative Adam Schiff, 58, has emerged as a foil to Trump as ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

As chairman, he would seek to restore the power of Congress to check and balance the president and return to traditions such as holding annual public hearings on worldwide threats faced by the United States.

Schiff has said an area of particular interest related to investigations of Trump are allegations that Russians might possess financial leverage over him.

JUDICIARY  Jerrold Nadler, 71, has tangled with Trump for years, stemming from the presidents days as a New York real estate developer.

If he becomes Judiciary Committee chairman as expected, the hard-nosed attorney would lead the panel handling any effort to impeach Trump. But Nadler has said he will not rush to drastic action, instead waiting for the outcome of Special Counsel Robert Muellers federal probe.

OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM  Elijah Cummings of Maryland, 67, has promised wide-ranging investigations of the Trump administration if he becomes chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, considered the most powerful investigative panel in Congress.

Cummings has said the panel will also focus on issues including skyrocketing prescription drug costs, the opioid epidemic and voting rights.

WAYS AND MEANS  Richard Neal, 69, is a former city mayor from Massachusetts. Known as one of the partys pro-business leaders on economic policy, he has been ranking Democrat since 2017 on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax laws and oversees trade.

Neal has not publicly clashed with Trump, but as chairman would likely try to roll back some of the presidents tax cuts. Neal also has said he wants Congress to have more of an influence over trade deals.

He has vowed to demand Trumps tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Mary Milliken and Rosalba OBrien)670 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Democrats on virtually every committee in the House of Representatives are ready to take control now that they find themselves in the majority after the midterms.

After nearly a decade in the minority and two years with no power to pursue oversight of the Trump administration, Democrats have prepared themselves to be the ones in charge.

Their biggest concern is that if they pursue Trump administration oversight too aggressively it will hurt their party in the 2020 elections.

Staff level discussions have been taking place for several weeks about how Democratic-led committees would divide the work that needs to be done. For example,

They will investigate whether the Trumps family has profited from his presidency.

They will investigate ethics questions concerning the behavior of his Cabinet secretaries.

They will investigate Trump policies like family separations along the southern border, as well as the improper use of military troops.

One thing Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic House leaders will be doing is helping each committee coordinate their efforts. They cant be seen to overreach in their zeal to hold Trump accountable, so investigations must be targeted and must result in tangible results.

Democrats know that attacking every controversy in the Trump administration could backfire politically and their chances of keeping the majority in 2020.

Here are some of the major areas Democrats will investigate when they take control in January:

Trumps tax returns

A top goal for Democrats has always been to see Trumps personal tax returns. Nancy Pelosi told the the San Francisco Chronicles editorial board last month that getting those returns is one of the first things wed do.

Last night we reported:

Now that they have won the House, Democratic sources on the House Ways and Means Committee have announced that Democrats are going to request Trumps tax returns.

Most Americans want to see these returns, and Trump defied norms when he refused to release them during his campaign.

Also, Democrats are prepared for a legal battle to obtain the returns. The new House Ways and Means Chairman will be Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, and he has also said that getting those returns will be one of his highest priorities.

I think we would all be comfortable if this was done on a voluntary basis, Neal said. If they would resist the overture then I think you could probably see a long and grinding court case.

Contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign

After Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee ended their Russia investigation in March, the committees Democrats said they would continue the probe if they took over control. So they now are poised to ramp up the Russia probe in a major way.

The panels ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff, will be the new committee chairman. He has previously laid out a road map explaining where he would take the investigation.

He will now have the power to call witnesses and issue subpoenas. He said there are eight areas he wants to investigate, and more than 30 officials that Republicans did not interview.

He also has a list of document requests he plans to send to a large number of companies. He said he would subpoenas numerous senior Trump officials, including Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon.

Other matters

Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has also discussed areas he will want to look into when he takes over as chairman. Nadler said he would like to probe Russian meddling, Michael Cohens payments to women, potential obstruction of justice charges, and Trumps personal and business finances. He also may hold hearings looking into various charges against new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Nadlers committee would be in charge of a potential impeachment process but he has been careful to say hes not planning to move forward on impeachment yet.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will be led by Baltimore Rep. Elijah Cummings, and he has often said he plans to immediately open hearings on President Trumps violation of the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution.

There will be other areas that Democrats will want to investigate once they take charge. But just the list presented here should be more than enough to keep Donald Trump awake, and to make him realize that a new day has dawned in Washington, D.C., and he can expect from now on that he will be held accountable for everything that he does.418 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

The 2018 midterm elections will be remembered as The Year of the Woman in more ways than one.

Certainly a major factor is that record numbers of women voters in urban and suburban areas gave control of the House of Representatives to the Democrats.

Also, on Tuesday, 185 Democratic women and 52 Republican women ran for House seats, a record number of candidates. And there were 23 female Senate candidates, 15 Democrats and eight Republicans. (This is an addition to the ten women senators who did not run this year.)

And on top of all of that, a record number of women will be going to Congress after Tuesdays elections.

The next Congress will have a record-breaking number of women. The legislature just surpassed its previous record of 107 women or 20% female representation.

The next Congress will have a record-breaking number of women. The legislature just surpassed its previous record of 107 women or 20% female representation https://t.co/G3Ns3LjWH2  POLITICO (@politico) November 7, 2018

Women won some key governor races as well, in a few cases pulling off big surprises.

Some victories by women were expected, such as Tennessee Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn becoming the first woman to win a seat in the Senate in that state.

It was also expected that many Democratic women won House seats that helped their party regain control of the House of Representatives.

Those female Democratic House wins included the first two Native American women to win seats in Congress  Sharice Davids in Kansas and Deb Haaland in New Mexico. In addition, 2018 saw the first two Muslim women win House seats, Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and Ilhan Omar in Minnesota.

In Texas, Veronica Escobar became the first Hispanic woman to win a congressional seat. She replaced Beto ORourke, who left to take on GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

In New York, Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at age 29, became the youngest woman elected to Congress. In Iowas first district, another 29 year-old woman, Abby Finkenauer, won a House seat, defeating incumbent GOP Rep. Rod Blum.

JUST IN: Dem Abby Finkenauer will become one of the youngest members of the House after flipping GOP seat in Iowa https://t.co/YX4NTqywQ6 pic.twitter.com/Ux0d8Gu2Hw  The Hill (@thehill) November 7, 2018

In January 31 new women will take their seats in the House joining the 65 who won reelection and retained their seats. This total of 96 congresswomen beat the old congressional record of 85 for women in the House, according to CNN.

In the Kansas governors race, Laura Kellys victory over Kris Kobach was something of an upset. Kelly had led narrowly in the polls but she won with 47.8 percent of the vote to Kobachs 43.3. Independent Greg Orman played spoiler, capturing 6.5 percent.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer returned the governors seat to the Democrats in a win over Republican Bill Schuette, winning 53.2 percent of the vote to 44 percent.

Republican Kristi Noem also captured the South Dakota governors race, becoming the first woman ever to win there, beating Democrat Billie Sutton.

All in all it was a good night for women, as voters and as candidates. However, it is clear that the increase in women candidates is not just a flash in the pan. It is no doubt a permanent change that will affect American politics for many years to come.2.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams didnt give up and vowed to fight until every single vote is counted in Georgia.

Abrams said:

But we still have a few more miles to go. Hear me clearly, that, too, is an opportunity to show the world who we are because in Georgia civil rights have always been an act of will and our battle for our souls. And because we have been fighting this fight since our beginnings, we have learned a fundamental truth. Democracy only works when we work for it. When we fight for it.

When we demand it. And apparently, today when we stand in lines for hours to meet it at the ballot box. Thats when democracy works. But Im here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted. There are voices waiting to be heard. Across our state folks are opening up the dreams of voters in absentee ballots and we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach. But we cannot seize it until all voices are heard. And I promise you tonight were going to make sure that every vote is counted. Every single vote. Every vote is getting counted. Because Ill tell you this, in a civilized nation, the machinery of democracy should work for everyone everywhere, not just in certain places and not just on a certain day.

But what lies on the other side of our efforts, our best lives are within reach. Fully funded public education in the state of Georgia. Medicaid expansion. And raising family incomes without raising taxes. Every Georgian we have touched along the way understands the power of the vote. And I will tell you, this election has tested our faith. Im not going to name names, but some have worked hard to take our voices away, to scare us away, to distract us. But our vision is clear and we see the finish line. You have inspired me every single day of this campaign. I know what you sacrificed to make your way to the polls, to volunteer after work or on lunch breaks. And I know you put your faith in me and youll do it again.

Georgia, you put your faith in me but I want you to know tonight, the feeling is mutual. I want you to look around, tonight should be all the proof you need, that when we put our faith in the great state, there is nothing we cant accomplish together. This, this fundamental truth is why we fight on. Because Georgia still has a decision to make. A decision between division and trickery. Or a leadership that defends your rights, your kids, your career, your community and your right to vote in America! Thats whats on the ballot!

Video:

#StaceyAbrams vows to fight until every vote is counted in #Georgia. pic.twitter.com/U6VEufTM3p  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) November 7, 2018

It wouldnt be surprising if after the absentee ballots are counted the Georgia election ends up going to a runoff. One thing is clear. Stacey Abrams is in this for the long haul and she is ready for a fight.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.212 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

By Amanda Becker

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Reuters)  First-time political candidate Jahana Hayes has a simple explanation for why she  and a record number of other women  ran for seats in the U.S. Congress this year.

Many women like me are just tired of waiting for someone else to do it, said Hayes, who was elected Tuesday to represent a broad swath of western Connecticut in the House of Representatives.

In the Nov. 6 elections, there were 237 women on ballots for House seats and at least 96 had won their races as of Wednesday afternoon, shattering the previous record and surpassing the 84 women currently in the House, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Eighty-four of the women who won were Democrats.

The first three House seats Democrats wrested from Republicans were won by women. The enthusiasm for womens candidacies had Democrats on track to pick up around 30 seats, with some races still undecided  more than the 23 they needed to gain control of the chamber.

(For the latest results from Tuesdays election, see https://tmsnrt.rs/2CY9xms)

In dozens of interviews ahead of Tuesdays election, Democratic women candidates and voters told Reuters that they felt Congress was not addressing issues important to them, including education, healthcare, gun control and immigration.

As catalysts for their political engagement, many of them also cited the #MeToo movement against sexual assault, Trumps 2016 election despite multiple sexual misconduct allegations, and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after allegations about his sexual misconduct in high school were made by Christine Blasey Ford.

Nearly 80 percent of the women competing in House races this year were, like Hayes, Democrats, according to the centers data. But their stories, politics and reasons for seeking office were varied.

Women from Michigan and Minnesota will be the first Muslim women in the House. Candidates from Kansas and New Mexico will be the first Native American women in Congress. Texas elected two Latinas to the House for the first time. Some women who won are veterans; others used to work for the CIA.

Hayes, who will be the first black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, grew up in public housing and openly talks about her mothers past substance abuse. At 17, she became pregnant with her first child, but she persisted with her education, graduating from college, getting a masters degree and becoming a teacher.

When it comes to politics, Hayes says her political success was unanticipated. Nothing in my life says I should be here, she has said.

DIFFERENT PATHS

Hayes points to a 2017 meeting in Washington  one of many she attended after being named national Teacher of the Year in 2016  as the point when she started to think beyond her classroom. Trumps Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was there and explained her vision for expanded school choice.

She made the comment Id like to move government out of the way so that parents can make the decision for their kids,' Hayes said in an interview with Reuters.

I didnt have a family that could make those decisions for me. Thats our job as educators: to advocate for kids who dont have anyone else to do it for them, she said.

Wanting to have a broader impact, Hayes, 46, became director of teacher training in Waterbury, Connecticut. Then, less than two weeks before the states Democratic Convention in May 2018, she decided to run for the House seat being vacated by Democrat Elizabeth Esty.

Hayes opponent in an August primary election to choose the Democratic candidate, Mary Glassman, was an experienced politician with official backing from the state party and endorsements from the pro-business U.S. Chamber of Commerce and liberal groups like MoveOn. Hayes nevertheless routed Glassman by a 62-38 vote. She won with more than 55 percent of the vote on Tuesday.

Traditionally, elected officials, especially in Congress, take the same path, rising through the political ranks, Hayes said. Everything about my experience, my background, the way I got here is different.

Some women followed more familiar routes, serving in other elected offices before running for Congress.

Jennifer Wexton, who unseated Republican U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock in a suburban Virginia House district outside Washington, D.C., is a state senator. Ayanna Pressley is a Boston city councilwoman elected on Tuesday to be the first black woman representing Massachusetts in Congress.

Wexton said she opted to make the jump from state legislature to federal office in response to Trumps constant attacks on women, immigrants the environment, free press, the intelligence community, independent judiciary, you name it.

I didnt want to have to look at my kids five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, and say I didnt do everything I could, Wexton said in an interview.

Wextons opponent, Comstock, won their suburban district by more than 5 points in 2016, despite Democrat Hillary Clinton carrying it by nearly 10 points over Trump. This years House race was widely seen as a referendum on the presidents performance.

Lorayne Blacka, 63, was at a Wexton event the week before the elections holding a #ResistandWin sign. She lives in a neighboring safe Democratic district and the first-time political volunteer said she began to engage after attending the March for Our Lives against gun violence this spring.

Then, what really got me going was the thing at the border, Ive never been so angry in my whole life, Blacka said of the Trump administrations now-abandoned policy of separating immigrant families. The policy drew thousands of women to protest at the U.S. Capitol.

This administration has been a wake-up call, Blacka said.

Pressley spoke openly on the campaign trail about surviving sexual assault and the impact of incarceration on her family. She defeated a 10-term Democratic congressman during her primary campaign, but ran unopposed on Tuesday.

Pressley said women are reacting to the Trump administrations divisive rhetoric about race, gender and sexual orientation.

In an interview, she described the administrations policies as a locomotive that has been coming at us to roll back every civil right protection and freedom that weve fought for.

Pressley said women have been emboldened: to vote, to volunteer, to write checks, to run for their first political office or aim for a higher one.

When we stood on the Boston Common (after) the Nov. 2016 elections for the Womens March, we held signs that said: Today we march, tomorrow we run. They just didnt believe us, she said.

(Reporting By Amanda Becker in New Britain, CT and Sterling, VA; editing by Sue Horton and Paul Thomasch)Glowiak said she is an advocate for consolidation and would like to have a conversation about combining the many levels of government and separate pension funds in Illinois to make them more manageable by reducing administrative overhead.On November 5, the Twitter account of the Russian Embassy in Britain tweeted a photo of an article by newspaper columnist Clare Foges, published in the British newspaper "The Times." The subject of the article was the public health risk posed by children who are unvaccinated. The article explained that the anti-vaccine movement grew as a result of propaganda distributed via the internet, and noted that researchers found Russian trolls had also helped spread anti-vaccine propaganda in the West.

The Russian embassy Twitter feed characterized "The Times" article as telling readers that Russia is anti-vaccine, and said this is inaccurate because child vaccination is required by law in Russia. The author did not say or imply that Russia is anti-vaccine.So, Russian law is irrelevant in this instance.

In The Times article, Foges quoted Britains Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, who blames the falling numbers of vaccinated children on social media fake news. Foges herself wrote that Facebook and Twitter are awash with misinformation about MMR -- the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine blamed by anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists for causing autism in children (a claim that has been resolutely debunked by the scientific community).

The author noted that this home-grown misinformation has been amplified by some Russian troll accounts.

These conspiracy theorists are being aided  and whipped up  by the Russians, who, as we know, cannot see a pie without sticking a finger in it, Foges wrote. Kremlin-sponsored social media accounts have spread discredited theories about the jab, including one claim that vaccinations left three quarters of the children in a Mexican village either dead or in hospital.

Nowhere in the article did Foges suggest that Russia, itself, is anti-vaccine. In fact, research shows that the topic of vaccines was pushed in Western countries by some Russian-linked social media accounts and that these Russia-linked accounts spread vaccine-related information from both pro- and anti-vaccine perspectives.

One of the anti-vaccine tweets cited by "The Guardian" newspaper read: Did you know there was secret government database of #Vaccine-damaged child? #VaccinateUS.

The anti-vaccine issue follows the script of Russian disinformation seen by researchers in other issues. In the 2016 U.S. election, the aim was to delegitimize the US political process by amplifying polarized views through social media accounts, according to an Atlantic Council report on Russian interference in elections.

The issue also fits rather neatly in the promotion of conspiracy theories, an element of Russian disinformation noted among experts, and considered common in the anti-vaccine movement.

In this instance, Russias own laws on vaccinations are irrelevant: Russia-linked social media accounts have been known to promote a number of topics in the West which are illegal in Russia, such as calls for separatism, or secession, and autonomy.Get the SC business stories that matter.

Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free.Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native who covers arts & entertainment and food & bev for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival & concert photographer and used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper, among other publications.Barbara Timmons, looks towards the end of the line Charleston Charter School for Math and Science as she been waiting about an hour to vote Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford/StaffFood editor and chief critic

Eating all of the chicken livers just as fast as I can.Basic Kitchen will be handing out sweet and healthy treats to guests who vote on Election Day. Grace Beahm Alford/ Staff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.Republican Gov. Henry McMaster enters Election Day as the favorite to keep his seat, but there are some spots in South Carolina to watch after polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday to see if Democratic state Rep. James Smith could pull off an upset.

Upstate: The 10-county region centered in Greenville is always a key area for Republicans in statewide elections, but the Upstate also is spot to watch for Democrats.

Consider what happened in the past two governor elections.

Democrat Vincent Sheheen came within 5 percent of Republican Nikki Haley in 2010 but was blown out by 15 percent in their 2014 rematch.

Almost half of all the votes Sheheen lost between 2010 and 2014 came in the Republican-rich Upstate, suggesting a strong showing in the region could help a Democratic win.

Of course, winning those counties would be best for Smith, but results around 45 percent, slightly higher than Sheheen's 2010 performance, would put the Democrat in position for an upset.

This is why Smith and McMaster have spent so much time there  and why the governor chose a running mate from Greenville County.

Richland and Charleston counties: The home of the state's two largest cities, Columbia and Charleston, is where Smith should do well.

But he needs to do extra help to combat leads Republicans tend to hold in the Upstate and on along the coast.

Sheheen nabbed two-thirds of the vote in Richland and barely won in Charleston in 2010 and 2014.

Smith could have trouble matching Sheheen in Richland because, McMaster, like his Democratic rival, hails from Columbia.

A wider margin in Charleston of victory looks necessary, but Smith also could use a bigger turnout than the sub-50 percent efforts in the past two governor elections.

Horry and Beaufort counties: The bookends of the South Carolina coasts have become some of the firmest Republican strongholds in the state.

This is where Haley pulled away from Sheheen in 2010.

Like the Upstate, Smith might not need to win but does need at least 45 percent in those counties to have a chance.Please understand that due to privacy laws and in order not to impede the police investigation, the district cannot provide details about such internal investigations, Pruitt-Adams said. Whether persons involved are staff or students, we cannot identify anyone who committed or may have committed racist or other hateful acts, nor can we share any disciplinary consequences that may result. We know you are seeking more information and that this may be very frustrating. Please know, we are taking immediate action, every single time this happens.A court ruling has stopped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from allowing the killing of endangered red wolves that stray from the Alligator River refuge. File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.Angie Jackson covers crime and breaking news for The Post and Courier. She previously covered the same beat for the Grand Rapids Press and MLive.com in Michigan. When shes not reporting, Angie enjoys teaching yoga and exploring the outdoors.Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.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.The tax increase to property owners will appear on tax bills mailed in 2019, but it is anticipated that not all of the $195 million will be borrowed during the first year, the district said. It is likely that borrowing will be staged over several years, according to the district.Assistant Columbia bureau chief

Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill.You have permission to edit this article.

Edit CloseJamie Lovegrove is a political reporter covering the South Carolina Statehouse, congressional delegation and campaigns. He previously covered Texas politics in Washington for The Dallas Morning News and in Austin for the Texas Tribune.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.Political Reporter

Caitlin Byrd is a political reporter at The Post and Courier and author of the Palmetto Politics newsletter. Before moving to Charleston in 2016, her byline appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times. To date, Byrd has won 17 awards for her work.In results likely to shake up South Carolina's political landscape and grab national attention, Democrat Joe Cunningham won the state's coastal seat in Congress.

The outcome, which was not decided until 2 a.m. Wednesday, is a rebuke for both President Donald Trump and Republicans who had held the seat since the Reagan era.

Additionally, Republican hopeful Katie Arrington had been widely favored to win the seat and keep the district in GOP hands but fell victim to the assumption that being a conservative was enough in a district drawn with a built-in red base.

Arrington spent much of the final days trying to nationalize the race and playing up her support for Trump, his border wall and a tougher stance on immigration, something Cunningham avoided.

"We just pulled off a miracle," Cunningham spokesman Tyler Jones said after news outlets called the race in Cunningham's favor.

Unofficial results gave Cunningham 50.56 percent of the vote to Arrington's 49.26 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

The vote difference was 3,509. The percentage margin was 1.3 percent. Any finish with a result under 1 percent difference triggers an automatic recount in South Carolina.

The results will be certified Friday and it would be up to the state Election Commission to determine if a recount is needed.

Most of Cunningham's cushion was attributed to returns from populous Charleston County, the only blue county of the five in the coastal 1st Congressional District.

With the outcome up in the air, both sides closed down their victory celebrations before 1 a.m. and sent their supporters home to await the final outcome. It was decided when Beaufort's count finally came in during the morning hours.

With the seat going blue, it creates a huge shock to state politics. The last time Democrats flipped a House seat in South Carolina was 1986. The 1st District was also drawn to favor Republicans. It includes all or sections of Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Beaufort and Colleton counties.

"This demonstrates that the right candidate at the right time can win in a red district in South Carolina," said Jordan Ragusa, a political science professor at the College of Charleston.

Cunningham, a West Ashley lawyer and political novice, was considered a long shot when he announced his first ever bid for public office last year. But an Arrington victory would have been historic as well, potentially making her the first Republican woman in South Carolina elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The last time a South Carolina woman was elected to Congress was in 1986 when Spartanburg Democrat Liz Patterson won her seat in the Upstate's 4th Congressional District.

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Arrington, a one-term state representative from Summerville, won the GOP nomination earlier this summer by defeating incumbent Mark Sanford in the June Republican primary. For her race then and now, she closely associated herself as a Trump supporter.

In the final 24 hours leading up to the vote, Arrington's Twitter account was sharing news stories about the thousands of Central American migrants traveling in a caravan toward the U.S.-Mexico border.

The caravan has become a talking point used by GOP candidates like Arrington to voice their support for Trump's proposal to build a wall at the border, along with tighter immigration.

By contrast, Cunningham had tried to trip up Arrington with a profoundly local issue  the opening of permits for offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic. Potentially allowing oil and gas exploration is a Trump administration policy that united coastal voters of both parties in opposition, and Arrington initially said she supported the president's plan to open leasing in federal waters.

Her murky initial position also cost her public support from three coastal mayors who identify as Republicans.

Though she spent much of the rest of the campaign softening her stance and characterizing her opponent as a one-issue candidate, it was not enough to claim the seat.

Cunningham spent election day bouncing between voting locations in West Ashley, Hilton Head and Mount Pleasant, greeting voters in line.

When one supporter in line at the Mount Pleasant National Guard Armory commented that he must be tired, Cunningham joked, "Just two and a half hours left, but who's counting?"

But he spent several more hours talking to voters, handing out snacks to people in line at St. Johns High School after the polls had technically closed. That location had people in line hours after voting officially ended, and the final voter tweeted that he had made it through just before 10 p.m.

Spirits remained high at Cunningham's party throughout the night, though results from Charleston County were slow to come in. Cunningham urged the crowd to be patient after he arrived at the American Theater in downtown Charleston around 11:20 p.m.

"The good news is, we are neck and neck in this race, and we are still going to win this thing. The bad news is, it's going to be a long night," he said.

An hour and a half later, most of the remaining ballots in the county were in, and Cunningham took on a more serious demeanorbriefly pacing in the back kitchen with his wife, Amanda. His lead had expanded further, and all that was left was the remaining vote in Beaufort County. The Beaufort vote wouldn't be enough to erase his advantage when it finally came, hours later.

As he walked the kitchen, head bowed, he looked as if the reality of winning the seatand transforming a piece of South Carolina's political landscapehad, for the first time, fully sunk in.Krystle Simmons motivation for running for the state House of Representatives was simple.

As I began to look at the House and the makeup of the House, I didnt feel like there was anybody who looks like me representing me, said Simmons, a Democrat. Wheres my voice? Wheres the working persons voice?

Simmons, 37, was the first person to challenge Republican Rep. Bill Crosby since 2010 when he won the District 117 seat, which includes parts of Ladson, Goose Creek and North Charleston.

In unofficial results, Simmons took 54 percent of the vote to Crosbys 46 percent. She joins Annie McDaniel in District 41  Chester, Fairfield and Richland counties  as the only two new black women representatives.

In all, there are now nine black women in the 124-member House.

I said, You know what? I dont want to be a victim of change. I want to be a catalyst. How do I do that? she said.

Simmons could be the poster child for the changes going on in Berkeley County and across the Lowcountry.

A native of Ohio, she lives in the booming Carnes Crossroads area, which is slated to one day have more than 75,000 residents in the next couple of decades.

She deals daily with traffic chokepoints along Charleston area roads as she travels to her full-time job at Boeing or hauls her five children, ages 4 to 14, to school and activities as a single parent.

I definitely think my winning is indicative of change, she said. I think that people are moving in every day, and youre getting more of a mesh of people. I definitely think the way the county looks is changing, and I think that some of the people are realizing that not all change is bad change.

Even some of the people who have been there their whole lives ... theyre ready for something different. You dont have to lose the integrity of who you are in order to embrace change.

County Democratic Party Chairwoman Melissa Watson said the district has leaned Democrat, supporting Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in the presidential elections.

I always knew that if the party had a candidate on the ballot that we would win that seat, she said. In 20 years, we never had a single Democratic choice. Krystle Simmons was unafraid to step up and say she was a Democrat. People like choices.

That wasnt the only district that flipped Tuesday.

Voters in House District 15, which stretches from Goose Creek to Pimlico on the west side of U.S. Highway 52, also turned that seat to over to a Democrat. Republican Rep. Samuel Rivers, who held the seat since 2013, came up short against J.A. Moore, who received 52 percent of the vote to Rivers 47 percent.

In September, The Post and Courier noted that both seats 117 and 15 were vulnerable to the blue wave Democrats hoped would mobilize voters.

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Even so, Rivers said Wednesday he was surprised by the results.

It wasnt the results I was expecting, however, Im at total peace with everything, he said.

Moore, a professional chef, ran a dynamic campaign and worked really hard, Watson said.

He, too, was unafraid of the Democratic message, she said. When Democrats run as Democrats we have a shot to win more seats. Berkeley County is one of the reddest counties in the state.

She credited the volunteers who worked not only for their candidates, but for the entire ticket.

We will be challenging more seats in the future, she said.

On the flip side, Democrat incumbent Patsy G. Knight lost the upper Dorchester County House 97 seat she has held since 2006 to Republican newcomer Mandy W. Kimmons, by a vote of 54 percent to 46 percent.

In May, Kimmons, a lawyer, had one of the lowest scores doled out, 49 (on a 100-point scale), when a conservative Dorchester County Republican Party vetted the slate of candidates and assigned scores in a move that was seen as controversial within the party.

I really felt like it was the good-old-boy system at its finest, Kimmons said of the interviews at the time. I am unapologetically conservative, and I dont know what else to tell them. If they felt some other way, Im sorry.

Neither Kimmons nor Knight could be reached for comment Wednesday.

In addition, while voters in Charleston Countys House races didnt upset any incumbents, Republican lawmakers in suburban districts had some very close calls.

Incumbent Rep. Peter McCoy barely held off a challenge from Democrat Carol Tempel in a district centered on James Island. He had slightly more than 51 percent.

Lin Bennett, a Republican whose district includes northern West Ashley, had 53 percent.

Meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Leon Stavrinakis had 65 percent in his West Ashley district.The question refers to the penny-per-ounce tax that was leveled last year on all sugary drinks sold in Cook County. It was repealed after just four months and there has not been a discussion about potential reinstatement.Get ready for next fall at Rochester Public Schools Kick Off to Kindergarten. Hosted by PAIIR (the districts Early Childhood Family Education program), the event is designed to introduce families of next years (2019-2020) kindergartners to a variety of school district resources while preparing kids and parents for the kindergarten experience.

"The reason we hold Kick Off to Kindergarten every year is to help families bridge from the world of preschool to the world of K-12," said Amy Ward, PAIIR preschool coordinator. "Theres all of the stuff you need to know about the school district, plus all of the things you can be doing right now to prepare your student for kindergarten in the fall."

The event starts with a sign-in, where families will get a checklist of school district connections they can make  Transportation, Student Nutrition Services, School Age Child Care (SACC), Registration and Records, Early Childhood Screening, and more.

"You can get your childs lunch account set up, see if you qualify for busing, learn about before- and after-school as well as summer SACC, talk to Registration and Records about any missing paperwork, make an appointment for your childs Early Childhood Screening," said Ward. "Its a great one-stop shopping opportunity to touch base with all of the school district departments."

Families also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the districts neighborhood elementary schools as well as the district-wide schools.

"Each school is typically represented by a principal and a kindergarten teacher. That way you get both perspectives," said Ward. "Its a great way to see all of the schools and an excellent opportunity to learn more about your students school."

Families can also learn about current preschool opportunities as well as tips for things you can do right now, at home, to prepare your little one for kindergarten.

"PAIIR parent educators will be there to answer all of your questions," said Ward. "If you want to get your student signed up for a preschool class, well have information on local openings. Well also have handouts on easy ways to help prepare your child and your family for the transition to kindergarten  get familiar with the school by visiting the playground, practice things like sorting, coloring, and cutting, and read, read, read."The 100th anniversary of the first Armistice Day will be marked Saturday with a Rochester Symphony Orchestra concert that features music from the period, and more modern selections.

"Were trying to do two things," said Jere Lantz, orchestra director. "We want to commemorate the first Armistice Day, and also salute veterans from all wars."

Veterans will be recognized during the program, which is heavy on music related in particular to the Great War, also known to history as World War I.

The concert, opens, however, with a rousing piece from World War II, Morton Goulds "American Salute," which was written in 1942. The tune is based on the Civil War song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." "Its a slam-bang opener," Lantz said.

From there, though, the music and the mood become more somber. "The Banks of Green Willow," George Butterworths achingly beautiful music based on English folk songs, was made more bittersweet when the composer was killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Next comes a piece nominated as the saddest music ever wriitten, Barbers Adagio for Strings. "Its a gorgeous piece of music," Lantz said.

The first half of the concert will conclude with Ravels Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, featuring pianist Andrew Staupe on a piece Ravel wrote for an Austrian pianist, Paul Wittgenstein, who had lost his right arm during the war.

"Its very hard to play," Lantz said, "but its a spectacular piece."

Staupe returns after the break to play a suite by Spanish composer Enrique Granados, who lost his life when the ship on which he and his family were traveling from the United States back to Europe in 1916 was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat.

The second half of the concert includes pieces by John Williams for the films "War Horse" and "Saving Private Ryan," as well as the "Colonel Bogey March," by Frederick Ricketts, a song best known from the film "Bridge over the River Kwai."

Finally, the symphony will be joined by the chorale for a selection of songs that were popular in England during the Great War, including "Its a Long Way to Tipperary," "Home Sweet Home," "They Were Only Playing Leapfrog" and "When This Lousy War is Over."

Fittingly, the concert will end with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"We want to bring people together," Lantz said of the concert. "Any time we can do that, its great. There are too many people trying to tear us apart."Gun legislation also played a big role in the campaign. Smolenski, whose campaign ad featured a woman shooting a gun at a range, is the owner of a concealed-carry holster line for women and was viewed during the race as pro-gun rights. Moylan had supported the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner this year, and had called for common sense gun legislation enacted in Springfield.The death of an airman who was found unresponsive Tuesday afternoon in Tumon Bay is under investigation.

The airman was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base.

Andersen's Public Affairs Office stated the name of the service member will be released 24 hours after the next-of-kin has been notified.

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The Guam Fire Department responded to a reported drowning Wednesday afternoon in the waters off the Westin Resort Guam in Tumon, but GFD spokesman Kevin Reilly said protocol was being followed and details would be released at a later time.

Officials have not said if the two incidents are related.Sukraw told police that as he woke up to the smell of smoke, he fled the building "because he had a 'bad feeling' he had caused the fire," the probable cause affidavit said. Later in the interview with police, Sukraw denied being at the apartment and partying, according to the affidavit.Herewith ten miscellaneous thoughts in the form of bullet points (focused almost entirely on candidates rather than issues) amounting to footnotes on the midterm elections.

 I would like to hold myself accountable for my comments on yesterdays races over the past several months. I hope to have informed readers with fact-based analysis rather than misled you with wishful thinking or hopes and fears. If you think I led you astray, Id appreciate hearing from you via our Email Us link at the top of the page.

 I commented on the Senate races in a series of posts under the heading Save the Senate. I would like to note Josh Hawleys victory over the wily and deceptive Claire McCaskill in Missouri. This time around, she was unable to choose her Republican opponent. I met him this past January and found him to be a brilliant and extraordinarily impressive candidate. At the age of 38, he is a star in the making.

 I previewed the North Dakota Senate race in Not high on Heitkamp after I met Rep. Kevin Cramer, Heitkamps opponent, in Minneapolis. I liked him immensely. He is what he appears to be, a forthcoming and decent man who is also a knowledgeable supporter of the American alliance with Israel. I am thrilled that he prevailed over Heitkamp.

 Saturday Night Live disgraced itself with a supposed (but certainly disgusting) joke at the expense of wounded former Navy SEAL and Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw. The Daily Caller reports that Crenshaw won big.

 As I write, Republicans seem to have done about as well as could reasonably have been hoped in the Senate races. How did they do it? Burgess Everett and James Arkin take a look in the Politico story Pretty ballsy: How McConnell and Trump blew away Senate Democrats.

 In one of the nights biggest disappointments, John James lost narrowly in Michigan to Debbie Stabenow. He was by far the superior candidate. We need his like in Congress. I hope he will return as a candidate in the 2020 cycle. Next time around we will know to jump on board early.

 In another of last nights biggest disappointments, Republican candidate Elizabeth Heng lost by nine points to incumbent Democrat Jim Costa in Californias 16th Congressional District. We jumped on board early but it wasnt enough.

 Scott Walker had a great run as governor of Wisconsin over the past eight years. By any reasonable reckoning he deserved reelection, but he fell short the third time around. I am grateful for his demonstration of how much good state policy can accomplish under steadfast leadership.

 I think the man with the best name on the ballot yesterday was Oregon gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler. He was also by far the superior candidate in his race against incumbent Kathleen Brown. Mark Hemingway previewed the race in the Weekly Standard article Surprisingly competitive. I hope Knute Buehler will take another whack at it as well.

 Tom Lifson chronicles MSNBCs various equipment malfunctions covering Floridas Gillum-DeSantis gubernatorial election last night.

That makes ten points, I think, which is where I would like to leave it for the moment.The midterm elections are turning out just about exactly as most observers expected. By historical standards, the Democrats underperformed. They stand to net somewhere between 25 and 35 House seats, a mediocre performance for a new presidents first midterms. Meanwhile, the GOP will gain two to four Senate seats, depending on how Arizona and Montana turn out. Republicans Martha McSally and Matt Rosendale currently lead in those races, which will test the theory that Republicans cant win close elections because the Democrats can always find a few extra votes if they need them.

Democrats lost a number of high-profile races about which they had been hopeful. These races may tell us something about celebrity endorsements. Stacey Abrams lost in Georgia despite Oprah Winfrey stumping for her; Phil Bredesen didnt come close in Tennessee despite Taylor Swifts first-ever venture into politics; and Beto ORourke couldnt unseat Ted Cruz despite the support of pretty much everyone in Hollywood, not to mention more money than had ever been spent on a Senate campaign.

One striking feature of this years elections was the absence of a policy agenda from the Democrats. The partys young upstarts are open socialists; otherwise, what platform did Democrats run on? Hating Republicans, basically, along with scaremongering on health care. Nancy Pelosi wont be able to get much done in the House, but she probably doesnt intend to achieve anything other than harassment of the President through investigations and, perhaps, articles of impeachment. The Democrats are already talking about subpoenaing President Trumps tax returns. Happily, from Pelosis perspective, such petty harassment seems to be all her base wants. But it doesnt shape up as a recipe for long-term electoral success.

As Scott wrote, Minnesota was an outlier, and a disaster for Republicans at the state level. But the states Congressional races followed the national pattern. The Republicans picked up at least one seat, the 8th District in northeastern Minnesota, and in the 1st, a forgettable GOP candidate is clinging to a razor-thin lead. Those pickups (assuming there are two) are balanced by the Democrats winning the 2nd and 3rd districts, both of which are predominantly suburban. This is consistent with national trends. The suburbs are moving toward the Democratsfor predominantly cultural reasons, I thinkwhile rural areas are going massively red.

The Democrats takeover of the House offers a possible silver lining. When President Trump signed the bloated omnibus spending bill in March, he said he was doing so because it increased spending on military preparedness, which was needed. But he vowed that he would never sign another spending bill like it. Few took Trump seriously, but I am not sure why not. He has a good record of doing what he says he intends to do.

It would be hard for Trump to veto an omnibus spending bill cobbled together by Republican majorities in both houses. The story line would be that the Republicans cant get their act together. But if the Democratic House and Republican Senate pass compromise spending bills, Trump can assert fiscal responsibility by vetoing them. The battle then becomes Trump vs. Pelosi, and the increasingly addled Pelosi is an ideal foil. So maybe a Democratic House will give President Trump an opportunity to address what so far has been the Achilles heel of his administration, unconstrained spending and deficits.The Democrats wont be picking up a Senate seat in Tennessee. When Sen. Bob Corker retired, there was plenty of talk that the Dems would claim this seat. They recruited Phil Bredesen, who was a fairly popular governor and somewhat sensible guy, to run. The Republicans were going to nominate Rep. Marsha Blackburn whom the Democrats thought they could paint as an extremist.

Early polls had Bredesen in the lead. However, my very good source in Tennessee told me Blackburn would likely win, so I wasnt too worried.

Eventually, the polls shifted in Blackburns favor, but they remained close enough that, if a Blue Wave truly occurred, it might sweep Bredesen to victory.

There is no Blue Wave and will be no Bredesen victory. The race has been declared in favor of Blackburn.

NOR WILL BETO OROURKE PREVAIL. Texas has been called for Ted Cruz. ORourke was ahead for much of the night, but Cruz never appeared to be in serious trouble given where the counted votes were from.

Well see whether ORourke made a close race out of it. If so, it will be one of the few Senate races in which the Dem outperformed expectations. But when you consider all of the money ORourke raised and spent, it wont be easy for Dems to take much consolation from anything other than a victory or a very narrow defeat.

But they can take consolation from House pick-ups in Texas, a few of which seem likely. Was there a Beto effect in those races?It would have taken a Blue Wave for Heidi Heitkamp to hold her seat in North Dakota. Theres no such wave.

Nate Silver writes:

Heitkamp was a big underdog in the polls, but shes losing by 20 points with 14 percent of precincts reported so far. Its a very rough night for Democrats in very Trumpy areas.

The neighboring state of Montana is Trumpy. Lets hope Jon Tester joins Heitkamp in the ranks of ex-Senators.I dont know whether there will be a blue wave in House races, but I expect Democrats to do very well in more than a few key suburban districts. One such district is Virginias Tenth.

Barbara Comstock, a center-right Republican, has held that seat for two terms, winning with 56 percent of the vote, then 53 percent. Tonight, however, she is being trounced.

The race has already been called for the Democratic challenger. It represents the first flip of the night for Dems, but certainly not the last.

Comstocks defeat was expected. We might have hoped for a closer contest, however.

UPDATE: In Floridas 27th District, Democrat Donna Shalala looks to have picked up the seat held by Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a moderate who is retiring. This result was also expected, and Shalala doesnt seem to be outperforming expectations.

Shalala was Bill Clintons Secretary of HHS and then the long-time president of the University of Miami. In 2015, she became president of the Clinton Foundation.

When she is sworn in, maybe she will say Donna Shalala, THE U.

THE BLUE FIZZLE? FiveThiryEight suddenly says theres just a 39.3% chance that the Democrats take the House. For what its worth.

MAYBE NOT WORTH MUCH: Nate Silver says his operations House projection is too favorable to Republicans and will be revised!

UPDATE: Im getting the sense that the Democrats are doing a workman like job of picking up enough House seats to get a majority. With lots of close races and/or races with few or no returns, I think its too early to say for sure what the outcome will be. However, I believe the Dems will win control of the House when all is said and done.Four years ago, it was right around 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) when a stunned commentariat realized Donald Trump was likely to defeat Hillary Clinton. A nationwide freakout promptly ensued.

Safe spaces were established on college campuses to accommodate tearful undergraduates. Media talking heads could have used such spaces too, but they tried to tough it out  with less than great success.

Now, once again, its 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Election Night. Its not clear what the final outcome will be  not even close to clear. However, its likely that Democratic expectations wont be met. In all likelihood, there will be no Blue Wave.

Democrats fully expected to win the House (most Republicans expected this result too  shades, again, of 2016). Now this victory seems to be in some doubt, though certainly it may occur.

On the Senate side, the Democrats have already lost one toss-up race  Indiana, the one they seemed most likely to win. Florida, which was said to lean Democrat, looks like a toss-up. Some preliminary indicators in Arizona are favorable to the GOPs McSally, though its way too early for Republicans to get excited about this race.

But we can get excited that Democrats so far are underperforming in relation to expectations. The Blue Wave isnt happening. There may be a Blue Fizzle.

In the event of a full fizzle, we should expect another freakout. Will it be of the same order of magnitude as the one in 2016? Probably not. But it wont be pretty.

UPDATE: I just read that Van Jones declared the election results heartbreaking.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: It looks like the Democrats will capture the House, but fail badly in their attempt to take the Senate. This outcome wont please the freakout crowd, but it probably wont cause a meltdown, either.

If it does, then snowflake is too kind a description of the kids.In Minnesota Republicans experienced electoral disaster that verges on disgrace if it doesnt get there. We lost both Senate races by wide margins. We lost the governors race by a wide margin. Indeed, we lost every constitutional office. We even elected former hate cult member and longtime supporter of cop killers Keith Ellison over Republican Doug Wardlow in the contest for attorney general. Ellison was assisted by the fact that his disgraceful views were held in confidence by the reporters at the Star Tribune. Ellisons 4-point margin over Wardlow, however, made for the narrowest statewide win last night.

I should add that Green Party and Legal Marijuana Now/Grassroots Cannabis candidates siphoned votes from Democrats in several of these races. The performance of Republicans statewide last night was pathetic. They were outspent and outgunned. If Republican insiders seriously thought that Karin Housley posed a substantial threat to the vacuous Tina Smith, they might be ripe for the plucking by the Legal Marijuana Now crowd. Soul-searching is always in order, but in this case it is mandatory.

Republicans held the state senate by virtue of their success in a special election for one open senate district, but they lost their majority in the state house.

Democrats Angie Craig and Dean Phillips (my cousin) knocked off incumbent Republicans Jason Lewis and Erik Paulsen in Minnesotas Second and Third Congressional Districts, respectively, but their victories may have been offset by the possible victory of Jim Hagedorn (he leads by 1500 votes with 15 precincts yet to be counted) and the certain victory of Pete Stauber in the First and Eighth Districts, respectively.

Oh, and Ilhan Omar made history by her election to succeed Ellison representing Minnesotas Fifth Congressional District (Minneapolis and inner-ring suburbs). I previewed the race in this Weekly Standard article published just after the special DFL Fifth District endorsing convention this past June. According to the Star Tribune, Omar made history by becoming the first Somali-American elected to Congress. I say she made history by becoming the first person elected to Congress after marrying her brother.As I write in the early morning hours of November 7, the Senate races in Arizona and Montana remain too close to call. Republican candidates Martha McSally and Matt Rosendale hold narrow leads over their Democratic opponents, hippie dippie left-wing flake (and phony moderate) Kyrsten Sinema and incumbent Jon Tester, respectively.

In Arizona, easily hundreds of thousands have yet to be counted, according to a spokesman for the Arizona Secretary of State quoted by The Hill. A winner may not be declared for days.

In Montana, as of 3:10 a.m., Rosendale held a 4,400 vote lead over Tester. Rosendales lead was reported to have widened while the results trickled in overnight. By contrast with the Arizona race, however, at least according to the linked story, the result of the election is expected to be determined today.

UPDATE: Tester is the announced winner of the Montana Senate election.The Valparaiso International Center (The VIC), in conjunction with the Valparaiso University College of Arts and Sciences, will host a presentation by Holocaust survivor Eva Kor at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Valparaiso Universitys Harre Union Ballroom, 1509 Chapel Drive. Following the war, Kor married an American and emigrated to Terre Haute where she established the Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center. The event is open to the public and free of charge. More information about Kor and the Candles Holocaust Museum is at www.candlesholocaustmuseum.org. More information about The VIC is at www.valpovic.org.PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 14:07:13

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FISHERS, INDIANA / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / American Resources Corporation (OTCQB: AREC), a mining company focused on the extraction, processing, transportation and selling of metallurgical and premium thermal coal, is pleased to announce the planned expansion of their Carnegie coal mine in Pike County, Kentucky. The Carnegie mine, an underground mine within the Alma coal seam, produces high-volatile A/B metallurgical coal that is used to make steel in both the domestic and export markets.American Resources has commenced the upgrade process to expand the Carnegie mine plan to support a significantly higher production output under its low-cost, efficient operating strategy. More specifically, the enhanced mine plan will support two super-sections (four continuous miners) and two production shifts per day rather than the one single-section (one continuous miner) and one shift per day that it was previously utilizing. In total, the company expects the production at its Carnegie mine to increase from approximately 4,000 to 6,000 tons per month to approximately 37,000 to 42,000 tons per month once fully implemented and producing. The company expects to complete this expansion plan and restart production at Carnegie in January 2019."We're excited about enhancing productivity at our Carnegie mine and feel that it is coming at a good time for us given the strong demand for our coal qualities as well as the continued strong pricing environment," stated Kirk Taylor, Chief Financial Officer of American Resources Corporation. "We applaud our mining, engineering and development teams for setting this mine up for long-term success." As in the past, all production at the Carnegie mine will be trucked to the company's McCoy Elkhorn Coal facility to be processed and loaded onto rail. Additionally, the enhanced production will give American Resources the ability to blend the coal from its Carnegie mine with other metallurgical production at McCoy Elkhorn to offer its customers a very attractive high-vol metallurgical coal product.American Resources Corporation continues to focus on its growth objective by efficiently leveraging its large number of core mining permits and through identifying strategic, supplemental acquisitions. The company is committed to being one of the lowest cost operators in CAPP and throughout all its coal mining, processing, and transportation operations.About American Resources CorporationAmerican Resources Corporation is a mining company focused on the extraction, processing, transportation and selling of specialty coal qualities serving the metallurgical, industrial, pulverized coal injection (PCI), and premium thermal coal markets. The company is primarily focused on the Central Appalachian coal basin of eastern Kentucky and south-western West Virginia.The company's business model is to capitalize on the changing coal markets to redefine how to create efficient coal mining operations to thrive and prosper in an industry that has less scale and production. By adjusting its operations to fit the market, American Resources Corporation is flexible and dynamic to adjust rapidly to expanding and contracting coal markets.Website:Institutional/Retail/Individual Contact:RedStone Communications, LLCAnthony D. Altavilla, President317-569-1617  Office317-590-3780  Celltony@ redstonecommunications.com Company Contact:Mark LaVerghetta317-855-9926 ext. 0Vice President of Corporate Finance and Communicationsinvestor@ americanresourcescorp.com Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The words "believes," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "continue," "seeks," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.SOURCE: American Resources CorporationPR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 10:05:02

Arion Bank has mandated Nordea, SEB and Swedbank as Joint Lead Managers to explore the possibility to issuing a Swedish krona denominated Tier 2 bond. The bond is expected to be rated BBB- by Standard & Poors and will be issued under Arion Banks EMTN Programme. Investor meetings will be held in Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki on 12 and 13 November. A transaction will follow in the near future, subject to market conditions.

For further information please contact Haraldur Gudni Eidsson of Arion Bank's Communications division at haraldur.eidsson@arionbanki.is, or tel. +354 444 7108.PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 08:01:02

Contact:

International Administration Group (Guernsey) Limited

Company Administrator

Attn: Mark Woodall

Tel: +44 1481 723450

Eurocastle Announces Release Date of the Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended

30 September 2018 on 15 November 2018





Guernsey. 7 November 2018  Eurocastle Investment Limited (Euronext Amsterdam: ECT) (Eurocastle or the Company) today announces that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2018 on 15 November 2018 before the market opens. Management will host an earnings conference call at 2:00 p.m. London time (9:00 a.m. New York time) later that day. All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. You can access the conference call by dialling first +1-844-492-7988 (from within the U.S.) or +1-478-219-0293 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call; please reference Eurocastle Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Call or conference ID number 1787527.

A webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.eurocastleinv.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. A replay of the webcast will be available for three months following the call. For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. New York time on Saturday, 15 December 2018 by dialling +1-855-859-2056 (from within the U.S.) or +1-404-537-3406 (from outside of the U.S.); please reference access code 1787527.

About Eurocastle

Eurocastle Investment Limited is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company that focuses on investing in performing and non-performing loans and other real estate related assets primarily in Italy. The Company is Euro denominated and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol ECT. Eurocastle is managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a leading global investment manager. For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.comPR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 15:21:17

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TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / November 07, 2018 / PJX Resources Inc. ("PJX") is pleased to announce that its recent geophysics program has identified a large target area that may host the extension at depth of the high-grade David Gold Zone on PJX's Gold Shear Property located 29 kilometres ("km") southwest of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. The David Gold Zone is hosted in a shear zone that strikes north toward PJX's adjacent Eddy Property.High-grade gold characteristic of the David zone is supported by recent mapping.Seven of 12 grab samples recently taken from the David Gold Zone trench have returned gold grades over 68 grams/tonne (g/t) with the highest being 193.9 g/t gold (see http://pjxresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/david-gold-zone-map.jpg) High-grade gold mineralization intersected by historical drilling on the David Zone occurs with weak to moderately conductive sulphides (see http://pjxresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/photo-of-historical-core-grading-196-69-gt-gold.jpg) Geophysics has identified a large conductive target area at depth below high-grade gold mineralization in the David Trench (see http://pjxresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/david-trench-vlf-section.jpg "The David Gold Zone was last drilled in the 1990's", states Mr. John Keating, President and CEO of PJX Resources. "According to British Columbia (BC) government data, the David Zone was only tested to a depth of 150 metres. The large conductive target recently identified at depth supports the potential for PJX to explore below the historical drilling and expand the high-grade gold mineralized David Zone as well as testing for potential new zones on strike." High-grade gold mineralization intersected by historical drilling on the David Zone can occur with weak to moderately conductive sulphides. Dr. Fred Cook, of Salt Spring Imaging Ltd., processed and interpreted data from a 3 km VLF geophysical survey line to identify conductivity anomalies along the shear structure that hosts the David Gold Zone. Given the long length of the survey line, Dr. Cook was able to identify multiple target areas with weak to moderate conductivity at depth along the shear structure. These conductivity anomalies may have the potential to host sulphides with high-grade gold mineralization. One large conductive target area occurs at depth below high-grade gold mineralization in the David Trench.PJX has applied for a 5 year permit from the BC government to drill and trench the David zone and other targets on both the Gold Shear and Eddy Properties. Additional geophysics and other work are planned to help define targets prior to drilling.David Gold Zone BackgroundAccording to B.C. Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Minfile data, gold was first discovered in 1990 when an exposure of gold-mineralized quartz veining within a shear zone was chip sampled across 40 centimetres. The samples assayed up to 144 grams per tonne gold. The shear zone occurs within quartzites and siltstones of the Middle Aldridge Formation and has been traced along strike for 1600 metres and 150 metres downdip. The shear is also reported to contain anomalous gold values over this entire length. The shear strikes north toward PJX's adjacent Eddy Property."Drilling outlined one continuous zone of gold mineralization over a strike length of 150 metres and to a depth of more than 100 metres; thickness averages 2.35 metres. Inferred resources for this zone are 96,000 tonnes grading 13.08 grams per tonne gold (uncut) or 7.11 grams per tonne gold (cut). (Property Development Report by Bapty Research Ltd., 1991)." (Quoted from the B.C Ministry of Energy Mines, and Petroleum Resources' Minfile Record Summary (082FSE108)).Bapty Research Ltd.'s resource estimate reported above is a historical estimate and was not prepared using the resource categorizations set out in NI 43-101. PJX management is not aware of any more recent resource estimate for this property and is uncertain as to the relevance or reliability of the historical estimate. PJX is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or reserves, as a qualified person has not done enough work to classify the historical estimate.PROJECT UPDATESDD PropertyTeck Resources Limited, who has an option to earn up to a 75% interest in the DD Property (see March 5, 2018 press release), has drilled a 1,425 metre hole on PJX's zinc-lead DD Property. The drill core is being logged and analyzed. Results of this work and next steps will be announced when the analysis is completed.Zinger PropertyPJX has drilled 6 holes totalling 1,224 metres on PJX's Zinger Gold Property. The drill core is being logged and analyzed. Results of this work and next steps will be announced when the analysis is completed.Vine PropertyDrilling by PJX on the Vine Property's East Gravity anomaly has defined an extensive target horizon with potential to host a massive sulphide body containing zinc, lead and/or copper mineralization (see press release September 19, 2018). Two conductive targets that were identified by a small Magnetotelluric ("MT") geophysical survey were drilled. Both holes encountered conductive iron sulphides with anomalous sphalerite (zinc), galena (lead) and/or chalcopyrite (copper mineralization). Quantec Geoscience has been contracted to complete a larger MT survey. The results of this survey will be used with existing gravity geophysics and geological information to direct the next phase of drilling planned for January and February of 2019.All PJX properties are road-accessible and proximal to power lines, rail lines and the cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada.The foregoing geological disclosure has been reviewed and approved by John Keating P.Geo. (qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Keating is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of PJX.About PJX Resources Inc.PJX is a mineral exploration company focused on building shareholder value and community opportunity through the exploration and development of mineral resources with a focus on gold. PJX's primary properties are located in the historical mining area of Cranbrook and Kimberley, British Columbia.Please refer to our web site http://www.pjxresources.com for additional information.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Linda Brennan, Chief Financial Officer(416) 799-9205info@ pjxresources.com Forward-Looking InformationPR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 13:18:32

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Legends Landscaping Was Exceptionally Busy this Summer, Completing a Record Number of Projects in the Reno and Sparks AreaLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / The founders of Legends Landscaping, a company that provides exceptional landscaping Reno and Sparks residents can rely on, are pleased to announce that they have just finished up an exceptionally successful summer season.To learn more about Legends Landscaping and check out the services that they offer throughout Reno and Sparks, Nevada, please visit https://www.legendslandscaping.com/ As a company spokesperson noted, the friendly and professional crews from Legends Landscaping in Sparks and Reno completed more projects than ever this summer.The fact that Legends Landscaping just had a banner summer season will not surprise the many satisfied clients who have worked with the company over the years. For the last 25 years, the company has prided itself on offering affordable and attractive hardscape and landscaping Sparks and Reno residents can count on.Working with their sister companies, Quality Demolition and Quality Curb, Legends Landscaping is proud to be a one-stop landscaping shop for virtually any type of project."We take your landscape dreams and turn them to reality," the spokesperson noted, adding that in addition to having the expertise and skill to transform any outdoor space, Legends Landscaping has the passion and creativity to ensure that their clients will love their work."Our start-to-finish capabilities mean we can design the space of your dreams and install it. From rock walls and outdoor kitchens to unique plants and irrigation systemswith our landscaping services in Reno we have the expertise to complete your project, no matter where your imagination takes it." In addition to offering information about the many landscaping services that they provide their clients, the Legends Landscaping website also features a number of positive reviews from some of their many satisfied customers.For instance, as one client wrote in her review, Legends Landscaping delivered a high-quality experience that every homeowner hopes to havethis included timely and professional appointments, flexible design and a courteous and efficient work crew."We love our gorgeous patio and fire pit and will continue to recommend Legends to anyone looking to complete any landscaping project," the review noted.About Legends Landscaping:Legends Landscaping has provided professional landscaping service in the Reno and Sparks area for over 25 years. For more information, please visit their website.Contact:Seth Carteradmin@ rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861SOURCE: Legends LandscapingPR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 13:44:21

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Thanks to Melameds Generous Donation, the Children at the Local Ronald McDonald House in Long Island Enjoyed Candy, Trick or Treat Bags and a MagicianLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / Daniel Melamed, a philanthropist and successful real estate investor, is pleased to announce that he hosted a Halloween party at the local Ronald McDonald House on Long Island, New York.To learn more about Melamed, his company and his passion for giving back to the local community whenever possible, please visit https://www.danielmelamed.com/about/ Melamed did not arrive at the Ronald McDonald House by himselfhe brought along a magician to help entertain the children at the Halloween party, and he also brought plenty of candy and trick or treat bags to help make the day as memorable as possible for the children and their families.As a spokesperson for Melamed noted, this is not the first time that the philanthropist has visited the Ronald McDonald House. Recently, he brought in an ice cream truck and treated the children and their parents who were staying there, along with the staff, to a cold and sweet treat. Prior to that, he stopped by the Ronald McDonald House with toys for the kids, as well as food and other snacks."Daniel is a big fan of the foundation's mission and looks forward to spending more time with the families and staff during his continued support of the organization," the spokesperson noted, adding that the Ronald McDonald House is one of several causes and charities that Melamed is happy to support."He is a philanthropist and a great supporter of numerous causes such as the FIDF, Chabbad and his local Temple. He serves as an ongoing mentor and guidance counselor to the youth in his community." For example, earlier this fall, as children were preparing to go back to school, Melamed was happy to donate a large number of backpacks to the children of the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The backpacks were filled with a number of essential school supplies.About Excalibur Equities Corp.:Excalibur Equities Corp., the Property Management division of Daniel Melamed, is a ten-year private family-owned real estate services company. Excalibur Equities prides itself on its hands-on style, which leads to a closer landlord-tenant relationship, and is the key to Excalibur Equities' success. Thanks to Melamed's hard work and dedication, Excalibur Equities has earned a reputation as a compassionate, flexible and reliable management service. For more information, please visit https://www.danielmelamed.com/ Contact:Maxwell Xumxu@ nxtfactor.com (949) 555-2861SOURCE: Excalibur Equities Corp.PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 20:38:43

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / In the course of an interview with the Times yesterday, the CEO of Randgold Resources Limited ("Randgold"), Mark Bristow, was asked to comment on the possible strategic options available to Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") in relation to Acacia Mining plc ("Acacia"), which is majority owned by Barrick. In the context of the discussion, a quotation was subsequently attributed to Mr. Bristow in an article published today under the headline "Barrick 'could buy out Acacia to end Tanzania dispute'" which stated:"One of the options that Barrick has is to roll up Acacia into Barrick itself, in other words issue Barrick's shares to the Acacia minorities, take it back within the company and consolidate it." Randgold, on behalf of Mr. Bristow, wishes to confirm that the views expressed by Mr. Bristow were his own and not those of Barrick and in no way were intended to reflect Barrick's intentions. Randgold also wishes to confirm that Mr. Bristow has held no specific discussions with Barrick or Acacia with regards to the making of a possible offer for Acacia. The Panel Executive has confirmed that there are no Takeover Code implications for Barrick nor its concert parties as a result of this announcement.EnquiriesRandgoldChiefExecutiveMark BristowFinancialDirectorGraham ShuttleworthInvestor& Media RelationsKathy du Plessis+44 20 7557 7738randgold@ dpapr.com Further informationThis announcement is forinformation purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, orform part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase,otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities,or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction.Dealing disclosurerequirementsUnder Rule 8.3(a) of theCode, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevantsecurities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (beingany offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced thatits offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening PositionDisclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later,following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is firstidentified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of theperson's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, anyrelevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securitiesexchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whomRule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, ifappropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business dayfollowing the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is firstidentified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of theofferee company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline formaking an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.Under Rule 8.3(b) of theCode, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class ofrelevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchangeofferor must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevantsecurities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror.A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of theperson's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, anyrelevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securitiesexchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously beendisclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b)applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business dayfollowing the date of the relevant dealing.If two or more personsact together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal orinformal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of anofferee company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be asingle person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.Opening PositionDisclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror andDealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offerorand by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and8.4).Details of the offereeand offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening PositionDisclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the DisclosureTable on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk , includingdetails of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer periodcommenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contactthe Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in anydoubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure ora Dealing Disclosure.The defined terms usedin this section "Dealing disclosure requirements" are defined in theCode which can be found on the Takeover Panel's website.Publication on WebsiteA copy of thisannouncement will be made available (subject to certain restrictions relatingto persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions) on Randgold's website at www.randgoldresources.com by no laterthan 12 noon (London time) on the business day following the date of thisannouncement in accordance with Rule 26.1(a) of the Code. Thecontent of the websites referred to in this announcement are not incorporatedinto and do not form part of this announcement.This announcement willalso be available on SEDAR under Randgold's profile at www.sedar.com andon EDGAR under Randgold's profile at www.sec.gov Requesting hard copydocumentsIn accordance with Rule30.3 of the Code, a person so entitled may request a hard copy of thisannouncement by contacting Computershare during business hours at 03707074040(from within Jersey or the UK) or +44 3707074040 (from outside Jersey or theUK) or by submitting a request in writing to ComputersharePR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 06:18:40

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Montreal internet marketing company OODA Rocket SEO launched an updated range of SEO, reputation management and online branding services to help local businesses improve their digital presence, increase their local Google ranking and expand their market reachMONTREAL, CANADA / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / OODA SEO, a professional marketing agency based in Montreal and subsidiary of OODA Rocket, launched an updated range of SEO, lead generation and reputation management services. The company works with SEO experts, digital marketers and brand journalists and partners with high-authority media agencies to provide cutting-edge services for local businesses in all industries.More information can be found at https://oodaseo.com As more and more consumers turn to the internet to find local businesses, having a reputable digital presence is one of the main goals of modern marketing campaigns. Studies show that SEO investment alone will reach $80 billion by 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing digital industries.To respond to the recent increase in the demand for cutting-edge SEO and lead generation, OODA SEO updated its services according to the latest Google algorithm developments.Local businesses in Montreal and the surrounding areas can contact OODA SEO for full-service search engine optimisation. From domain and competition analysis to content optimisation, HTML data correction and backlinking, the company offers custom solutions to help local businesses improve their Google ranking organically and sustainably.The company works with professional brand journalists and partners with more than 300 high-authority media platforms to provide professional media campaigns highlighting its business clients' products, services and events. Each news piece is optimised for the client's target audience featuring a backlink to its official website. A single campaign thus brings important benefits both in terms of online reputation and SEO.Reputation management services are also available. Clients can contact OODA SEO for complete reputation monitoring, review generation and feedback consulting services. The company offers integrated solutions for companies looking to manage their online profiles on social media, review websites and other relevant platforms.Approved local businesses currently benefit from a free consultation and website analysis.The recent service update is part of the company's efforts to provide cutting-edge digital marketing services for clients in downtown Montreal, Outremont, Westmount and other areas.Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.Contact Info:Name: Lu GravelleOrganization: OODA SEOAddress: 442 Rue Saint Gabriel, Suite 100-119, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2Z9, CanadaPhone: +1-514-418-0605For more information, please visit https://oodaseo.com SOURCE: OODA SEOPR-Inside.com: 2018-11-07 03:07:03





Southfield, MI, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) (the "Company"), a real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns and operates or has an interest in manufactured housing and recreational vehicle communities, today announced a strategic investment in Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA), a leading owner, operator and developer of senior manufactured housing communities and holiday resorts in Australia, as well as a development joint venture with Ingenia.

Sun will invest approximately US$54 million for a 9.9% ownership stake in Ingenia. Sun and Ingenia will also form a 50/50 joint venture to establish and grow a manufactured housing community development program in Australia.

The transaction represents a unique opportunity for Sun shareholders, who will benefit from investments in both Ingenia, which has delivered strong earnings growth over the past few years and has a large existing acquisition and development pipeline, as well as a development joint venture poised to capitalize on the sectors positive trends. Ingenia benefits from Suns meaningful initial capital investment, ongoing financial support through the joint venture and the ability to leverage Suns experience as a leading owner, operator and developer of manufactured housing and recreational vehicle communities.

The Australian Manufactured Housing and RV Community sector is highly fragmented and traditional housing, on a relative basis, is increasingly expensive. Over the past 20 years, median home prices in key Australian capital cities have appreciated between 200% and 400%. Furthermore, there is a limited supply of high quality Manufactured Housing and RV communities. Industry fundamentals and Australian demographic trends provide long term support for the sectors growth prospects. There is a particular need for affordable seniors housing as the over-55 population is expected to grow at twice the rate of the rest of the Australian population.

We are extremely excited about investing in and alongside Ingenia and believe this venture provides a unique opportunity for Sun to strategically invest in the Australian MH and RV sector. Ingenia is a market leading operator, owner and developer of an attractive portfolio of communities across Australia. We have been actively monitoring the Australian market for some time given the sectors similarly attractive attributes to the North American market. The Australian MH and RV sector is early in its growth cycle, is primed for consolidation, benefits from strong demographic trends and has very favorable supply and demand dynamics, stated Gary Shiffman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Communities.

We have spent considerable time with Ingenia Board and management team members and have found their business model and culture to be highly compatible with that of Suns. This transaction provides our shareholders with an attractive opportunity to benefit from the growth potential of an emerging leader in the Australian sector and creates an opportunity for Sun to leverage its expertise to help accelerate that growth. We are pleased to be partnering with Ingenias strong and proven management team as they continue to grow their platform which has the largest development pipeline in Australia, added Mr. Shiffman.

We are pleased to partner with Sun as we capitalize on the exciting opportunities for growth we have identified in the emerging Australian market. Working with a leading operator who has a long history in the mature North American market and is aligned strategically and economically with our objectives will allow Ingenia to accelerate growth as we leverage our platform and pipeline, said Simon Owen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ingenia Communities Group.

Upon completion of the investment, Mr. Shiffman will join Ingenias Board of Directors. Ingenia will manage the development and operations of the communities in the joint venture. This international investment opportunity provides Sun with a well-regarded established partner and the ability to capitalize on highly attractive Australian market dynamics with parallels to that of North America.

About Ingenia Communities

Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) is a leading operator, owner and developer of a growing portfolio of lifestyle and tourism communities across key Australian urban and coastal markets. Ingenia has a diversified portfolio of 61 rental, lifestyle and holiday communities, comprised of over 7,000 income producing sites and a development pipeline of over 3,000 sites.

About Sun Communities

Sun Communities, Inc. is a REIT that, as of September 30, 2018, owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 370 communities comprising over 127,000 developed sites in 31 states and Ontario, Canada.

For more information about Sun Communities, Inc., please visit www.suncommunities.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements will be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will," "may," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "believes," "intends," "should," "plans," "estimates," "approximate," "guidance," and similar expressions in this press release that predict or indicate future events and trends and that do not report historical matters.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include national, regional and local economic climates, the ability to maintain rental rates and occupancy levels, competitive market forces, the performance of recent acquisitions, the ability to integrate future acquisitions smoothly and efficiently, changes in market rates of interest, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the ability of manufactured home buyers to obtain financing and the level of repossessions by manufactured home lenders. Further details of potential risks that may affect the Company are described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to provide public updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect changes in the Company's assumptions, expectations of future events, or trends.The draft of the proposed amendment to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Amendment Bill will be presented before the House of Representatives in the next two weeks, chairman of House Committee on Banking & Currency, Jones Onyereri, stated in Abuja on Tuesday.

The bill is seeking to strengthen AMCON to go after its chronic obligors.

Mr Onyereri was speaking when he led members of his committee to the Head Office of AMCON in Maitama, Abuja on a routine oversight function.

He said the committee owes Nigerians and the countrys constitution a duty to visit critical institutions such as AMCON to review their budget performance within the financial year.

The chairman said the House was ready to support AMCON recover the huge debts in the hands of a few recalcitrant obligors.

The meeting with the lawmakers followeed a 2018 budget performance presentation by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru.

In his presentation, Mr Kuru told the lawmakers how the corporation would aide recovery in the next financial year.

Mr Chairman, as I speak, in the next one or two weeks, we will submit the AMCON Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives for the third reading, Mr Onyereri said.

After that it would be moved to the Senate for final delibration. The committee has worked tirelessly to ensure when the Bill is passed, AMCON will be further empowered to deliver on their mandate.

AMCON, he added, remains an interventionist institution of the Federal Government under the purview of the House Committees oversight function.

He said if AMCON was to deliver on its mandate by recovering the over N5.4trillion outstanding debt, the Corporation would need the support of all other government agencies to succeed.

The Chairman said the lawmakers have reviewed AMCONs 2018 budget performance, particularly what was approved for them.

He said the committee was satisfied with the performance, which would also help the committee make projections and provide guidance as the case may be against their 2019 budget.The election board will be tasked with going through what is essentially three separate stacks of provisional ballots, Bengs said. One will be for voters who cast ballots the morning of Oct. 27 in Portage but whose ballots were not properly initialed by poll workers and could not come back in to vote anew; a second will be for any ballots set aside during normal polling place hours on Election Day; and the third will consist of ballots cast at those 12 precincts after regular voting hours ended at 6 p.m.Democrats have pledged to check U.S. president, Donald Trump, after seizing U.S. house control in Tuesdays polls.

Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America, Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi told cheering Democrats at a Washington victory party, saying House Democrats would be a check on Trump.

We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we cant, Mr Pelosi said.

Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with Mr Trump to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving them the opportunity to block Trumps agenda and open his administration to intense scrutiny.

In midterm elections two years after he won the White House, Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their majority in the U.S. Senate following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues.

But with his party losing its majority in the House, the results represented a bitter setback for Mr Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.

With some races still undecided, Democrats appeared headed to a gain of more than 30 seats, well beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

The newly empowered House Democrats will have the ability to investigate Mr Trumps tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and allegations involving his 2016 campaigns links to Russia.

They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hard-line policies on trade.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Mr Trump if evidence surfaces that he obstructed justice or that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.

But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

House Democrats could be banking on launching an investigation using the results of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Muellers already 18-month-old probe of allegations of Russian interference on Trumps behalf in the 2016 presidential election.

Moscow denies meddling and Mr Trump denies any collusion.

In spite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, Tremendous success tonight.

Mr Trump, a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician called Pelosi, Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer and several of the Republican winners.

Mr Trump had hardened his rhetoric down the stretch on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of liberal American mobs.

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the campaigns final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

In the last two decades there have only been three election cycles where one party picked up 24 or more seats.

Tuesdays gains were the biggest since 2010, when a wave of conservative anger against Democratic President Barack Obama gave Republicans a massive 64-seat pickup.

Every seat in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs.

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map.

Democrats, who picked up Republican-held seats included Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, in Florida.

In the Senate, where Democrats were defending seats in 10 states that Trump won in 2016, Republicans ousted four incumbent Democrats: Bill Nelson in Florida, Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

Some of the campaigns biggest Democratic stars lost.

Liberal House member Beto ORourkes underdog Senate campaign fell short in conservative Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz.

Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become Floridas first black governor.

In gubernatorial races, Republican Kris Kobach, a Trump ally, was beaten by a Democrat in Kansas.

Democrats also captured governorships in Michigan and Illinois.

(Reuters/NAN)Colombian Police found 216 live poisonous frogs hidden in a bathroom at Bogota Airport, the Districts Environment Authority said on Wednesday.

The animals had been packed inside film canisters.

They were meant to be smuggled to Germany to be sold to collectors, the daily El Espectador reported.

The smugglers may have got frightened of being caught and abandoned the animals, according to the daily.

The frogs could have been sold for about 400,000 dollars on the black market, according to the environment authority.

They are believed to have come from Colombias Pacific region, and are from three species: the red-banded poison frog, classified as critically endangered; and the harlequin poison frog and Oophaga sylvatica frog, which are threatened by habitat loss.

(dpa/NAN)Finnish mobile telecom network maker, Nokia, announced on Wednesday that it signed frame deals with China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom worth more than two billion Euros (2.3 billion dollars).

The deals includes deliveries of 4G radio and fixed access equipment, IP routing and optical transport equipment and other services.

It said the deal would run through 2017. (Reuters/NAN)The Nigerian government on Tuesday closed its case in a suit before a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court seeking to recover $110 million from the Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited.

The oil company, owned by Itslisn oik giant, Eni, under-declared the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014 to the tune of $55 million, the government said.

The government is urging the court to compel the oil company to pay the $55 million with an annual interest of 21 percent and another $55 million as exemplary damages.

The judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, adjourned till November 7 for Agip to open its defence.

The Nigerian government instituted several lawsuits in 2016 against Agip, Total E&P Nigeria Plc, and Chevron Nigeria Limited accusing them of under-declaring their crude oil shipments.

Against Total, the government sought to recover $490 million  $245 million being the value of the companys under-declared or undeclared crude oil shipments and another $245 million as general damages.

The government said the lawsuits followed a forensic analysis linking the decline in crude oil export and government revenue at the time to the alleged under-declaration of the volume of crude oil shipped out of the country by the oil companies.

The federal government claimed to have uncovered the alleged illegality using high-technology information technology system, including satellite tracking systems, which were deployed by its consultants.

The statements of claims were backed up with supporting affidavits deposed to by three United States of America-based experts  David Olowokere, a US citizen and Lead Analyst at Loumos Group LLC, US; Jerome Stanley, a lawyer in the law firm of Henchy & Hackenberg; and Micheal Kanko, founder and Chief Executive Officer,Trade Data Services Company, State of Arizona, US.

According to the deponents, about 57 million barrels of crude oil were allegedly illegally exported by Total and sold to buyers in the US between January 2011 and December 2014 without making due remittance to the Federal Government.

The deponents cited, in the court papers, an instance where Total allegedly shipped out 968,784 barrels of crude oil valued at $106,566240 using a vessel named, TRIATHLON, with a bill of lading numbered TCVMTRIATIA 1388 and failed to declare same to the relevant government agency.

The deponents claimed that the said crude oil was sold to Tostsa Total Oil Trading SA of San Felipe Plaza-Suite 2100,5847SAN FELIPE, 770557-HOUSTON, US, at the port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

They cited another instance where about 491,850 barrels of crude oil, valued at $54,103,500, were allegedly shipped out without making remittance to the government.

The said crude oil was allegedly shipped out with a vessel named NORTH STAR, with a bill of lading marked, DROESVD23091101, and sold to BP Products North America of 501 Westlake Park Boulevard, Houston, TX 77079 United States, at the port of Texas City.

They further cited two different occasions where 768,990 barrels of crude oil valued at $84,588,910 was loaded on a vessel named AUTHENTIC with bills of lading marked ALMYSVDM 17041101 and 17041102 and allegedly sold to Socap International Limited of Cannons Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM12.Bermuda at the port of Chester Pennsylvanian, United States, without making due remittance to the government.

The government alleged that the oil companies by-passed the pre-shipment agents appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to inspect crude oil shipments, leading to the failure of the shipment records to be deposited at the Ministry of Finance.On Friday 0ctober 26, the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation released a statement claiming the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next Februarys presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, was endorsed by the influential London-based Economist magazine.

In the statement titled: The Economist Vindicates Atiku Abubakar, his campaign organisation said the endorsement by the Economist, puts to lies the recent ridiculous claims made by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the international media is askance of the candidature of Mr. Abubakar.

The statement was referring to a claim by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that during his recent engagement with journalists from international media organisations such as Reuters, Aljazeera, and the Economist, he was asked why the PDP candidate emerged despite the governments claim to fighting corruption.

They asked me: How can you claim to have succeeded in waging war against corruption when one of the major contestants in the 2019 general elections is actually a man with stupendous wealth but cannot explain the source of his wealth?

That baffled me a lot, because it means that we are still being perceived as a country where corruption thrives, Mr. Mohammed said.

The Atiku campaign claimed the latest endorsement by the Economist, the second in two months, is an endorsement of its candidates superior policies.

An endorsement based on the clarity of vision and the detailed policies of the PDPs candidate when compared to the vague and empty promises of the incumbent All Progressives Congress administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

As the Economist rightly states, the issues in 2019 are popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buharis watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria, the Atiku Campaign Organisation wrote.

When contacted, Paul Ibe, a spokesperson for Mr. Abubakar, reiterated the claim of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation.

It is all a matter of language, he told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone.

The Economist endorsed us, he said. That is not the only endorsement we have received. The Atiku candidacy is getting more and more viable every day. I just told you. I am restating it. Thats an endorsement.

But did the Economist magazine endorse Mr. Abubakar as claimed by his campaign organisation?

Here are the facts:

First, contrary to the claim of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, the reports it cited as containing the endorsements were not written by the Economist Magazine. Rather they were written by a sister company of the newspaper, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The EIU is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, the parent company of the Economist magazine.

Both divisions are independent of each other. While the Economist magazine specialises in international business and world affairs news, the EIU provides forecasting and advisory services through research and analysis.

The EIU publishes monthly country economic forecast, risk services and industrial reports. It was the EIU reports on Nigeria in July and October that the Atiku Campaign organisation was referring to and not a report written by the Economist magazine, as it wrongly claimed.

Endorsement?

As part of its editorial policy, the Economist endorses candidates and political parties ahead of major elections. The magazine, which was first published in September 1843 originally declined to take sides in elections on the ground that a journal that is jealous of its reputation for independence would, in any event, be foolish to compromise it by openly taking sides in a general election.

But in the run-up to the 1955 United Kingdoms parliamentary election, it dropped its neutrality in election matters and endorsed Conservative candidate, Eden Anthony, arguing that [I]n the election of 1955 an elector who tries to reach his conclusion by reason based on observation has no choice. He may not like voting Tory. But there is nothing else he can do.

The magazine has since endorsed several prime ministerial candidates in the UK, American presidential candidates and candidates in other elections elsewhere.

Perhaps the magazines endorsement that many Nigerians will quickly remember was its February 2015 endorsement of Muhammadu Buhari, then the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

After condemning the then incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, and Mr Buhari in almost equal measure, the newspaper grudgingly endorsed the latter for president saying: We are relieved not to have a vote in this election. But were we offered one we wouldwith a heavy heartchoose Mr Buhari.

President Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan

However, unlike the Economist magazine, the EIU is not known to have ever endorsed candidates running for political offices. It merely analyses prevailing realities and trends in countries and forecasts possible political or economic outcomes.

And that was clearly what it did in its July and October country reports on Nigeria. In its October report on Nigeria, which the Atiku Campaign organisation cited as evidence of endorsement, the EIU clearly drew a parallel between the rising insecurity and what it termed economic difficulty and the outcome of next years presidential election.

The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts ongoing severe outbreaks of instability, given slow progress on tackling numerous security and societal challenges at a time of economic difficulty, the report said. With tight national elections expected in 2019, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be focused on intra-party politics and security concerns will be sidelined. The election period itself will be a time of high risk; as a recent by-election in Osun state demonstrated, small-scale violence at the polls is highly likely, as is disputation of the results.

The EIU therefore predicted that Mr Atiku would win the coming election. But this is not an endorsement. It is a prediction that flowed from the internal analysis by EIU personnel.

Our baseline forecast is that the president, Muhammadu Buhari, will lose power, and that the next government will be led by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, the main opposition party), but instability will remain an insoluble challenge.

The organisation then explained that in the event of Mr Atikus victory not all newly defected members of the PDP will be reward with appointments.

The EIU explained that the reason it predicted victory for Mr. Atiku and the PDP are believed to be more popular in the south of the country while the vote from the north would be split between Mr. Buhari and Mr. Atiku because both top contenders are from the north of the country.

Mr Abubakars pledge is to reinvigorate the economy with pro-market reforms. Both candidates are from northern Nigeria, where Mr. Buharis support base lies, presaging a fierce contest there. With the vote likely to be split in the north, Mr Abubakar will find it easier to garner support from the countrys south, which has traditionally been a safe haven for the PDP. This gives Mr Abubakar an edge, as does popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr Buharis watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria.

Nonetheless, strong incumbency advantages in Nigeria imply that it will be a very tight race. If Mr Abubakar losesa distinct downside risk to our forecastthere may be a rejection of the result by the PDP, which is convinced the election will be rigged. In this scenario, a state of national paralysis could arise with severe national security implications, the EIU wrote.

So, did the Economist Magazine endorse Mr Atiku for President as claimed by his campaign organisation?

VERDICT: The claim is false

===============================

READ THE FALSE CLAIM BY THE ATIKU CAMPAIGN BELOW

The Economist Vindicates Atiku Abubakar

The latest endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, by the Economist Magazine, puts to lies the recent ridiculous claims made by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the international media is askance of the candidature of Mr. Abubakar.

This is the second endorsement in as many months by the worlds number one economic and policy magazine. An endorsement based on the clarity of vision and the detailed policies of the PDPs candidate when compared to the vague and empty promises of the incumbent All Progressive Congress administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

As the Economist rightly states, the issues in 2019 are popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buharis watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria.

No other candidate has the capacity to address these challenges, like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, under whose watch as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, Nigeria had her highest growth in job numbers.

Indeed, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, is poised to translate the significant success he has made in his private business empire to the public sector. This anticipation is responsible for the momentum he now enjoys in all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

For the past one year, Mr. Abubakar has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, selling his plans, vision and policies to Nigerians. Unfortunately, rather than do the same, the All Progressive Congress has focused on negative campaigning by slandering Mr. Abubakars past.

We are not surprised by their actions. When a mans future intimidates people, they focus on lying about his past because they cannot compete in the present. However, we thank The Economist for proving that no matter how far and fast falsehood has traveled, it must eventually be overtaken by truth.

For now, we remind Nigerians that Atiku means JOBS. And by providing the atmosphere for Jobs, Opportunity, Being United (JOBS), Atiku Abubakar is ready to Get Nigeria Working Again.

Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization

Plot 120, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent,

Wuse II, Abuja.The Senate has ordered an investigation into an allegation that a government special intervention project fund meant for ordinary Nigerians is now being used as a campaign tool for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, said on Wednesday that the fund had been politicised and its beneficiaries were asked to submit details of their permanent voters cards.

For over thirty minutes, the Senate plenary became chaotic after Mrs Olujimi made the allegation.

She said officials disbursing the fund are circulating forms on which recipients are asked to write their names, gender and details of their PVCs.

She said the such forms are accompanied by another from Access Bank containing details of payment.

Displaying the two forms, Mrs Olujimi urged the Senate to investigate the matter.

Right now the funds are being used for political reasons and they are being dispensed and given freely to those people who can bring up their PVCs and signed several copies and the forms are with me, she said.

One of the forms is here with me and it is being disbursed by the special intervention body. They are now using the fund that is meant for all Nigerians for political reasons.

She said raising one of the forms: This one has I stand with Buhari on it and it has a place where your PVC will be written with your gender and an attachment from Access Bank where money will be disbursed to you.

There is no corruption greater than people using our collective fund to maintain a political party. There is a need for a committee to be set up to look into this issue.

First to show intention of speaking was the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, who was promptly shouted down by opposition senators.

The chamber was soon thrown into confusion as both camps  ruling and opposition lawmakers  argued with senators move around the chamber.

Tinubu has seen you, opposition senators chanted at some APC senators, referring to the former Lagos governor and influential APC leader, Bola Tinubu.

Mr Lawan was finally given time to speak. He said the social intervention programme of this administration is computer-based, very transparent.

He was again cut short by senators who booed him. They have seen you, they have seen you, some lawmakers shouted.

Again, the chamber was thrown into another spell of rowdiness.

In a speech intermittently interrupted by yelling, Mr Lawan praised the SIP as a non-partisan initiative while showing support for investigation of Mrs Olujimis allegation.

The lawmakers finally adopted Mrs Olujimis prayer.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said an ad-hoc committee will be set up to investigate the allegation.

Adopting an additional prayer by Barau Jibrin (Kano North), the lawmakers also agreed to investigate the SURE-P programme of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.The Senate on Wednesday approved that half of the N242 billion budgeted for the 2019 election be removed from the 2018 budget of 30 federal agencies.

Presenting a motion on Wednesday, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, said the election could not be funded entirely from the service wide votes as earlier approved.

The motion, co-sponsored by 18 other senators proposed that N121 billion be removed from the 30 agencies while the other N121 billion be sourced from service wide votes.

Recall the approval of the Virement/Supplementary budget for INEC and Security Agencies for the conduct of the 2019 General elections in the sum of Two Hundred and Forty-Two Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Fifty Thousand, One hundred Naira [N242, 245, 050,100] only, which is to be funded from the Service Wide Votes on the 16th October, 2018-Senate Resolution (S/RS/027/04/8);

The Senate is aware that because of some obvious and imminent issues of national socioeconomic importance, the virement/supplementary request cannot be implemented as earlier approved, Mr Goje said.

Contributing to the motion, Dino Melaye (Kogi-PDP) said the N27.3 billion budgeted for the Nigeria Police during the election was too much. He premised his argument on the fact that the police would be involved in less mobilisation as it is a general election.

He was countered by Mr Goje who said the fund was justifiable as police would have to make mobilisation for the election. Mr Goje added that the Senate had already passed the stage of budgeting for agencies and was only tasked to determine the source of funding.

He said, The only thing different from what we passed on the 16th of October is the source of funding. Initially, the source of funding was to come from the service wide votes but now we reduce the weight by half. That has to come from the MDAs. Otherwise, this Senate took a decision, approved this virement.

The submission, by Mr President, for the police was over 30 billion. It was the appropriation committee that reduced it by three billion. I want to correct the impression that there will be no mobilisation. We all know how elections use to be in this country. Police have to be deployed to different polling units. They are provided vehicles, allowances. Im sure the money is even small.

See the 30 MDAs and amounts to be vired from them below:A humanitarian organisation has launched a back to school programme targetting about two thousand children from internally displaced persons camps and rural communities in Abuja.

Hope For All Foundation, which is based in Abuja, launched the first phase of the scheme on Friday at the Durumi Junior Secondary School with 38 beneficiaries in an IDP camp and a rural settlement near Games Village in the Apo area of Nigerias federal capital city.

The beneficiaries include 28 children from the IDP camp and 10 from outside the camp. Fourteen of them are in JSS1, 18 in JSS2 and six in JSS3.

The group paid the school fees of the students and provided them school bags, textbooks, scandals, socks and other basic materials.

Mathew, a JSS3 student who is one of the beneficiaries said he might not have made it beyond primary six but for the gesture of the foundation.

This is the fourth year that the HFAF has been sponsoring my education, they picked me up from primary six and till date they provide me with books, uniforms and other materials I need at school.

Hadiza Daruge, a woman in the IDP camp, said she had no hope for education of her children until the foundation came into their lives.

According to Mrs Daruge, beyond the education of children like hers, the foundation also provides material support for camp dwellers.

Alhaja Zainab, the co-founder of the foundation, said the target of the foundation is to sponsor a million children to school with special focus on displaced children and the less-privileged.

The first phase of the event which held at the Durumi junior secondary school has 38 beneficiaries from the IDP camps and the less privileged in the community, located at games village Apo area one axis. The beneficiaries include 28 children from IDPs and 10 outside the IDP camps, 14 in JSS1, 18 in JSS2, and 6 in JSS3, the student received a full package which includes school bag, textbooks, scandal socks and other basic material. The foundation paid the school fees of the 38 beneficiaries. Mathew is a JSS3 student benefitting from the program without which he might not have made it beyond primary 6, he said This is my fourth year that the HFAF has been sponsoring my education, they picked me up from primary six and till date, they provide me with books, uniforms and other materials I need at school. Hadiza Ali Daruge, an internally displaced mother with no hopes for education for her children expressed unbridled joy and gratitude to the foundation. According to her, beyond the education of children like hers, the foundation also provides support for camp dwellers providing much relief from the financial difficulties that is typically a lot of internally displaced persons. Alhaja Zainab, the co-founder of the foundation, said the target of the foundation is to sponsor a million children to school with special focus on the displaced children and the less privileged, she added that the organization started from 10 pupils but are now catering to 38 children by paying their tuition.

She said the organisation started with 10 pupils but now caters for 38 and plans to increase the number of beneficiaries steadily.The Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday said the ban on all forms of processions/demonstrations in Kaduna State is still in force.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Sabo, gave the warning in a press statement issued in Kaduna.

Mr Sabo said members of the public should note that the ban on all forms of processions/demonstrations in Kaduna State is still in force.

According to him, the police will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons who deliberately attempt to violate the ban.

In view of the court trial of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on Wednesday November 7, the peace loving and law abiding people of Kaduna State are to note that adequate security has been put in place for a hitch-free court appearance.

Therefore, members of the public are advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town.

As part of the strategy put in place for a smooth process of the court trial, there will be traffic diversion in the following areas during the court session: Independence Way, Bida Road and all other roads leading to Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna.

The command wishes to notify the general public to exercise more security consciousness as they go about their daily chores and other lawful businesses, Mr Sabo said

He appealed to the general public to report suspicious activities or persons around them to the nearest security agency.

In this regard, police emergency numbers: 07039675856 and 08075391105, can be reached in case of any distress/emergency, he added (NAN)A Kubwa Chief Magistrates Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe.

The hearing was adjourned until January 30, 2019 after Abdulwahab Mohammed, who is presiding over the case at Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrates Court, could not make it to the court. He was said to be attending to an urgent matter at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

The police prosecutor was also not present in court for the proceeding, which had earlier been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The court clerk said the prosecutor sought adjournment of the hearing because he was attending to another case elsewhere.

The police first arraigned Mr Ogundipe before the court on August 15, a day after was arrested on unfounded allegations he had stolen secret police documents. The police said the purported offence contradicted the Official Secrets Act, one of the vestiges of a repressive colonial era.

The arrest followed a PREMIUM TIMES story authored by Mr Ogundipe on August 9.

The report was based on a the preliminary findings the police submitted to then-Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on the August 7 siege which men of the State Security Service laid to the National Assembly.

Apparently enraged by the story, Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris ordered Mr Ogundipes arrest and demanded to know how the reporter obtained the polices document. Mr Ogundipe was in detention from August 14 until August 17 when he was granted bail by Mr Mohammed.

The development drew widespread condemnation from prominent local and international rights organisations and personalities, all of whom described the development as an illegal intimidation of a journalist and crude display of police power.

PREMIUM TIMES strongly condemned the repressive tactics of the police took against Mr Ogundipe, and asked them to apologise for their action and immediately drop all criminal charges.

The papers management also vowed to challenge the illegal detention in a separate lawsuit, largely on the basis that a reporter should never be asked to reveal sources.Indiana law provides that a man is presumed to be a childs biological father if the man and the childs mother are or have been married to each other, and the child was born during the marriage or not later than 300 days after the marriage is terminated, Parent said in his order.The Senate has called on the Nigerian government to address the demands of the Academic Staff Union on Universities (ASUU) to end the strike by members of the union.

ASUU on Sunday commenced the industrial action over poor funding of Nigerian universities and alleged plan by the federal government to increase students fees and introduce an education bank.

Led by its national president, Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU declared the strike at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting late on Sunday in Akure, Ondo State.

About 24 hours after the strike commenced, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the federal government does not have the financial power to meet the demands of the union.

He said the crash in the prices of oil globally has affected Nigeria  which he said, had dire consequences on all sectors of the economy, including education.

A senator, Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central), on Wednesday, however described the strike as a national problem. He explained that since 1992, Nigerians have been faced with strike after strike which have led to repeated shutdowns of universities.

He also stated that the issues raised by ASUU are genuine.

The federal government needs to fund public universities. The issues raised by ASUU is in the best interest of education in Nigeria and is also in the best interest of the young people.

Our universities need adequate funding. Our universities need adequate attention. The strike should not be seen as an act of confrontation but an attempt by ASUU to bring to the spotlight, the plight of public universities in Nigeria.

Public universities have been underfunded and sometimes people wonder whether the universities we have are simply glorified secondary schools. This action should be an opportunity for each and every one of us to draw the attention of the authorities that are concerned to fund universities, to listen to ASUU and to see that the issues which they raised, are squarely addressed, he said.

While lamenting that the nation cannot afford to have its public universities closed, he called on his colleagues as well as the federal government to attend to the demands of ASUU as he said, their position is in the best interest of Nigeria.

Mr Sanis comments were sequel to a point of order by Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) who said constant strikes have been the determinants of the relationship between ASUU and the government during past administrations.

Mr Jibrin stated that in the true spirit of its good intention towards ASUU, the federal government in the past two days, promised to release N20 billion to the union.

Describing the nations academy as fragile, he stressed the urgent need for the federal government and the union to resolve through dialogue, all the contending issues and arrive on a common ground of understanding.

In his remark, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said it is important that government honour agreement that has been reached as soon as possible so the strike can be called off. He also urged ASUU to bear in mind, the interest of all Nigerians and ensure that they find an amicable solution to the issue.

The lawmakers, thereafter, resolved to urge the federal ministry of education and its labour and employment counterpart to urgently resolve all the issues that are in contention in order for ASUU to call off the strike.President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is trying its best to organise the country after mind-boggling mismanagement of past administrations.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, said Mr Buhari stated this when he received a group from the South-eastern part of Nigeria under the aegis of One-on-One Nigeria, Tuesday night.

Mr Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted the president as saying: We are trying to organise the country. The extent of mismanagement we met when we came was mind-boggling.

Many times, I have spoken about the tremendous resources available to us between 1999 and 2014, and how it was frittered.

If only they had used just 25 per cent of it on infrastructure; road, rail, power, Nigerians would mind their own businesses, and not bother about whoever was in power.

The casualty figure on our roads daily is simply scandalous. No wonder they are in opposition now, despite all the power they thought they had.

The group, led by Chido Obidiegwu, said it had keenly observed the strides of the Buhari administration nationwide, particularly in the South-east, and it is now pay-back time.

He said: We have seen the work being done on the long-abandoned Second Niger Bridge, roads are being constructed in many parts of the region, and we believe there is every reason to support you for a second term.

While describing Mr Buhari as the grandfather of war against indiscipline and corruption, nightmare of insurgents, Mr Food Security, consolation to pensioners and Mr Frugality, the group said it was going to mobilise South-easterners to massively vote for him.

The group also believed that one good turn would then deserve another in 2023.

One-on-One Nigeria also promised to mobilise youth groups, women, artisans, traders and religious groups to massively vote for Buhari, adding that it has all it takes  courage, drive, verve and vitality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that seven men and two women represented the group during the visit.

(NAN)Flight operations were on Wednesday evening disrupted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos following a power outage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outage occurred at about 6.05pm and lasted for over an hour before it was restored.

The situation placed the nations busiest airport in total darkness, leaving airline officials, passengers and other airport users frustrated as they could not proceed with the boarding processes.

An official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), told NAN on condition of anonymity that the outage was caused by disruptions from the Ayobo and Ikeja Transmission Lines which supplies power to the facility.

What happened was that there was intermittent disruption of power supply and it was unstable during the period it lasted but it was eventually restored, the source said.

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Herrientta Yakubu, who confirmed the development, said power had been restored to the airport.

An aviation expert, John Ojikutu, decried the ugly development, saying as a Category 1 airport, the MMIA ought to have independent power supply, especially in case of emergencies.

FAAN is expected to have independent power line from Ikeja and Ayobo transmission lines as planned for MMIA in 2007; what has happened to that proposal?

This is a shame on all of us including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Again, how did NCAA certify the MMA if the power problem that could affect the airport safety facilities has not been resolved?

We have a long way to go with the NCAA safety oversight functions, he said.

(NAN)The wife of a 38-year-old man detained since January by the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad for alleged involvement in a robbery at a property belonging to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has asked the federal government and Nigerians to help ensure the release of her husband.

The woman, Charity David, spoke in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, after this newspaper reported that the police neglected court hearings regarding the detention of her husband, Inalegwu Ochife.

Mr Ochife was arrested along with others for his alleged offence last December.

The police alleged he was involved a robbery at a property owned by the Mr Magu.

Despite a court order for the release and compensation of Mr Ochife in October, his family said the man has yet to be set free from the SARS detention facility.

A previous directive for the bail of Mr Ochife by an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was also ignored by the police.

Mr Ochife and his co-accused have not been arraigned in court for the alleged offence.

He was paraded with the other suspects in April.

In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Ms David accused the police officers of taking N1,000 from her every time she goes to see her husband.

Each time I come to see my husband, they will ask me to pay N1, 000, she said.

About three months ago, when I came to the station and would not leave until I have been allowed to see my husband, a police officer had me locked up for over four hours.

He accused me of giving a battery to my husband from my phone, Ms David told PREMIUM TIMES.

According to the woman, her husband was badly beaten the day he was arrested and the police officers tortured him to confess to the alleged crime.

My husband was arrested on January, 30. A boy, who worked with him, came home and told me. I quickly called his line. I found that it was ringing, but there was no response, so I called his mother and asked that we go to see him at the station.

When we arrived at the station, we were told to return the following day. When we came back, I saw that my husbands body was swollen. He had been badly beaten up and he told me that they were threatening him to confess to the crime.

My husband is a hardworking man. He takes care of our home. Since his arrest, its been very difficult. We live at the mercy of neighbours and friends, Mrs David told PREMIUM TIMES.

This newspaper made several attempts to contact the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, to respond to Ms Davids allegations.

After repeated calls and messages on Wednesday morning, Mr Moshood promised to revert, saying he was in a meeting.

The spokesman however ignored further calls, Wednesday evening, when PREMIUM TIMES again attempted to speak with him.The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has condemned Mondays reported kidnapping of students and staff of a secondary school in Bamenda, North-West region of Cameroon.

Guterres called for their immediate release and return to their homes and families, in a statement by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

There can be no justification for these crimes against civilians, particularly minors, the UN chief added.

No fewer than 79 students were reportedly abducted on Monday morning with their teacher, the principal and a driver.

The abduction has prompted a massive search operation involving the Cameroonian army.

One student who hid under a bed said that events unfolded quickly as the kidnappers threatened to shoot, rounding up the older boys and leaving the smaller ones behind.

While no group has taken responsibility for the kidnappings, some journalists report that separatists complain that the Cameroon school system suppresses the English-speaking system inherited from the British.

The Secretary-General reiterated the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon through an inclusive dialogue process.

According to him, the UN stands ready to assist in this regard. (NAN)Senators on Wednesday took turns to scold the police for declaring an attack on the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was a burglary.

The senators said the incident was a clear assassination attempt which the police failed to spend enough time to investigate.

Mr Ekweremadu on Tuesday reported to the Senate what he termed an assassination attempt on him, his wife and son.

The lawmaker said the assailants made their way into his bedroom at about 4a.m. causing him to struggle for his life. He added that one of them was eventually arrested.

In their reaction to the attack, the police on their verified Twitter handle said preliminary investigation showed the incident was a burglary.

Preliminary investigation carried out so far did not reveal assassination attempt on the life of the Dep Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his family but a case of Burglary. However, investigation is still ongoing to determine if there is any other motive behind the offence, the police tweeted.

Unsatisfied with this explanation, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-PDP), raised the issue again in a point of order on Wednesday. He alleged the hasty conclusion of the police was a cover up of the incident.

The police said it was a mere burglary, he said. We all know that these days are very ominous days for politicians in Nigeria, especially for those who are politically exposed as each and every one of us is. For the police to quickly without even interviewing the very person for whom this incident happened to- the deputy senate president, wife and his son  and come out and determine that it was a burglary, actually burgles the mind. We know in this country Bola Ige was killed in his home. We know and also It is a fact the former gubernatorial candidate, Funsho Williams was also killed in his home. And the investigations are still ongoing.

Our fear today is why is the police engaging in a cover up? Why is the police continually at any time that it concerns people that do not have presidential oversight or cover, they quickly come out and have a report.

Giving an update, Mr Ekweremadu said he was surprised at the hasty conclusion of the police even without speaking to his son who, he said, is currently hospitalised. He threatened to release the CCTV footage of the incident if the police fail to retract its report.

Next was Mao Ohabunwa (Rivers-PDP) who urged his colleagues to demand a proper investigation into the incident.

What we are asking is that there should be proper investigation. Its quite amazing at the speed and the haste at which the police PRO comes out to give conclusion on serious cases that needs serious investigation.

Now somebody have been arrested, what investigation have you done? Those who escaped, youve not arrested them. So, how can we come to a conclusion? Nobody burgles into any place, without internal compromise and looking at the house of a person like the Deputy Senate President, for anybody to just go for mere burglary, you must be a suicide burglar.

Dino Melaye (Kogi-PDP) alleged that the police were partisan in their approach to the issue. He knocked the police for their myopic approach.

The police adopted a very myopic, porous and intellectually stagnant approach to a very serious matter. To start with, burglary is not mere. Anyone who is engaged in burglary has satanic intention. It is burglary that leads to assassination.

To come out and say its mere burglary shows that the Nigeria Police has identified some individuals that no matter what happen, we will not get their service.

If this has happened to one of the faithfuls of Mr President, this will not be the reaction of the Inspector-General of Police. If this has happened to one of the close friends of the villa, this will not be the reaction of the IGP.

Similarly, Shehu Sani (Kaduna-PRP), alleged the police were covering up something.

We could have a killer burglar and that is what happened at the house of Ike Ekweremadu. For such to happen and for it to be dismissed as mere burglary, it shows that there is an attempt to cover up.

The lawmakers after deliberations urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the assassination attempt.

In an additional prayer, the senators resolved to hasten legislative process on the police reform bill.

I may release CCTV

Mr Ekweremadu said he was surprised the police described the incident as burglary.

In the afternoon the deputy inspector general of operations came to my house and said it was the IG who sent him to come and see me. He came with the Commissioner of police in charge of FCT. I showed them round and of course they were very sympathetic of what happened. I was shocked when I wake up this morning that what happened in my house is a merge case of burglary.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

I am at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken any statement from my son who was hospitialised, they have not gone to the hospital to find out what exactly happened to my son. They have invited security personnel attached to me who reported yesterday some are still reporting this morning. They looked at the CCTV tapes operated by the DSS and a staff of my house, apparently they were not able to figure it out. So it was easy for them to quickly dismiss what really happened.

Mr Ekweremadu threatened he would release footage of the CCTV if the police continues to hold its stance.

Unfortunately to them, later yesterday evening aa technician came and was able to figure out and was able to produce the CCTV footage, including how they gained entrance into my house and how they got a way into my room and the fight between them my wife and my son and all the efforts we made to save our lives. I am happy that we have that in our custody which the police is not aware of.

I am sure that Nigeria will be shocked on what transpired and all the efforts made to save our lives. Now that the police appears to have concluded the case, unless they withdraw the statement that it is a mere case of burglary, I may now be forced to release those footage to the media, international communities so that Nigerians and ordinary people judge whether it was a case of burglary or attempt to kill me or whether they just want to come to my house to have a breakfast or have a handshake with me. I am happy I am alive to tell my story. It appears to me that the man who said it was a mere case of burglary does not know burglary is about.The presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has promised to jail corrupt leaders even if they have a day to live.

He also said he would to promote the export of cannabis if elected next year.

Speaking at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday, he said he has no intention to legalise the controversial drug produced from the Indian hemp plants, All I intend to do is to export and sell the endowed product to people and countries that need them.

This is because Nigeria is having the best of this product. In fact, it has become the oil of the world. It is a big product that can fetch us fortunes in Nigeria.

The publisher of Sahara Reporters online newspaper also dismissed Nigerian leaders as morons who dont think.

Starting from Obasanjos administration, we have been ruled by morons, said Mr Sowore. Our leaders dont have intellect, they dont think.

In an apparent dig at President Muhammadu Buhari, he said: A man who is looking for his certificate at 76 is an idiot. How can you be looking for a certificate that is with Cambridge in WAEC?

Mr Sowore also vowed to jail past officials who misappropriated public funds.

I will be clear about fighting corruption, he said, adding that he had been advised not to talk about fighting corruption.

If we find out that someone stole 20 years ago, we will jail the person even if he only has a day left to live.

If you are collecting Abachas loot, you should be collecting Obasanjos loot, you should be collecting Babangidas loot. Loot is loot!

If we can collect money from Abacha who is dead, why cant we collect our looted money from Obasanjo and Babangida who have embezzled our money while they were in government I will probe them all.

Over the years, Nigerians have been serving the greedy. I think it is the time to serve the needy, we need to draw line to say enough is enough 

On minimum wage, Mr Sowore denied he was advocating for N100,000, saying all he was asking for actually a living wage.The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be trusted to implement the new minimum wage of N30, 000 the tripartite committee recently pushed forward to the federal government.

In a statement issued by his media office, the presidential hopeful said Mr Buhari, who is known for flip-flopping may not have the political will to implement the new wage which he said does not even translate to a living wage.

Our attention has been drawn to a statement from the Presidency denying President Buharis earlier pledge to pay the new minimum wage of 30,000 agreed with the Nigerian Labour Congress and other labour affiliates in a signed communique.

This approbation and reprobation is characteristic of the Buhari administration and is evidence of the lack of leadership at the very top that is putting our economy in peril, the statement said.

It said Mr Buhari has failed to note that the workers are the goose that lay the golden eggs which members of his administration are enjoying. It added that the government has become synonymous with flip-flopping in policy implementation.

Just two weeks ago, two of the worlds largest banks, HSBC and UBS, pulled out of Nigeria citing lack of policy stability as their reason. This same reason was given by Procter and Gamble when they pulled out last year. In the span of the three years that this administration has been in office, more than 500 companies have pulled out of Nigeria for similar reasons. Nigeria under President Buhari has become synonymous with policy flip-flopping.

A government is only as reliable as its word and if its word is not reliable then nothing else about the government will be stable. This is why Nigeria suffered from a recession under this administration and is right now at risk of another recession.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we urge the Buhari administration to note that Nigerian workers are the goose that lays the golden egg that top members of this government are enjoying to the detriment of those laying the egg.

It also questioned the funds accruing to the president and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as wages while Nigerian workers suffer from poverty.

We are aware that both President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo, despite living and feeding at the public expense, collect a hardship allowance of 50 per cent of their annual basic salary, whereas, the long-suffering Nigerian workers, who are the main sufferers of the hardship caused by the incompetence of this administration, do not have any hardship allowance and are expected to live on the unlivable minimum wage of the Buhari government.

It is a testament to how badly we have treated our workforce over the last three years that Nigeria was officially declared the world headquarters for extreme poverty by the World Poverty Clock and the World Economic Forum. We can only change this by paying our workers a living wage as opposed to the starvation wages now paid to them by the Buhari administration.

We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to keep faith with the agreement his government freely reached with labour and affirm the new minimum wage.A police provost, Kadima Useni, attached to Police Mobile Force, Squadron 22 Base, Ikeja was on Wednesday dismissed by the police for getting drunk on duty.

Lagos State Police Commands spokesman, Chike Oti, said that the dismissed policeman was apprehended following a viral video which showed the policeman drunk at Dopemu area of Lagos.

The attention of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, has been drawn to a video of Lagos policeman who got drunk at Akowonjo, Dopemu area of Lagos State.

He, therefore, directed the state Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, to fish out the erring policeman for appropriate disciplinary action.

The policeman, who was stupefied after guzzling large quantity of alcoholic beverage was located and apprehended today 07/11/2018 at Police Mobile Force Squadron 22 Base, Ikeja, where he served as the command provost.

He was identified as Inspector Kadima Useni with appointment number 176219.

During interrogation, the officer affirmed that he was the one in the video; he was therefore tried in orderly room and summarily dismissed to serve as a deterrent to others, he said.

Mr Oti said that the CP also directed the officer in charge of the Command Provost Section to identify and shut all beer parlours within the police community in the state to prevent re-occurrence.

In the same vein, the CP warns against offering policemen alcoholic drinks while on duty by members of the public. He added that henceforth any policeman found drunk on duty will be visited with similar punishment, Mr Oti said. (NAN)Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, has faulted the idea of a uniformed or national minimum wage that was being determined by the federal government, saying each state should be allowed the pegging of its minimum wage according to the level of its income.

He spoke at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Secretariats 4th Annual National Peer Learning Event on Wednesday in Abuja.

The 36 state governors, under the aegis of NGF, had last week proposed N22,500 as the new national minimum wage.

However, in the report it submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, the tripartite committee on the review of the National Minimum Wage recommended N30,000.

Its chairperson, Ama Pepple, said while noting the offer of N24,000 by government, the panel recommends N30,000 as the new National Minimum Wage of the country.

But Mr El Rufai canvassed a review of the laws to allow states to determine what each should pay.

If you look at the 1963 constitution, minimum wage was not in the inclusive list, it was added during the military rule.

There are number of laws that were enacted during the military rule and there is a need to look at them and do something about them.

The governor however said the state had grown its annual IGR of N11.8 billion in 2015 when he assumed office to a total of N26.5 billion in 2017.

In 2015 we collected a total N11.8 billion, in 2015 it jumped to N22.5 billion which was the first year of implementation of tax code; in 2016 it rose to N26.5 billion and as at the end of October 2018, we have collected N24.5 billion.

Mr El-Rufai listed some of the steps taken to increase to states IGR was the establishment of a tax code, the update and consolidation of the state tax laws from 1914 to date, as well as engaging consultants service to reform the state tax agency.

He said that also included the establishment of a new revenue collection agency which eliminated cash collection; as well as the constitution of the Joint Tax Board between the state and its local governments.

Mr El-Rufai said the objective of the state was to live within its means.

Also speaking, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State said it was clear that the new minimum wage was coming with an added responsibility and the current revenue profile was not likely to take it on.

Mr Ahmed added that it was incumbent on all stakeholders in the governance of states to strike the necessary balance between economic and social costs of generating increased internal revenue through taxes, fees, levies and fines.

He said it was necessary as the nation prepared for a new minimum wage law which was expected to put even greater strain on states finances.

He however said his administration had achieved growth in its average monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N600 million in 2015 to N2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2018.

Mr Ahmed said the state was confronted by difficult economic challenges in 2014 when its IGR dropped to an all-time low.

He said in the same year, the defunct Kwara State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) made about N600 million, which could not augment the allocations to pay salaries or fund the state infrastructure.

In that same year, a study of the infrastructure needs of Kwara State identified a N255 billion gap.

This discovery led to the Kwara State Infrastructure and Financing Strategy, a comprehensive and targeted plan to systematically address the infrastructure deficit.

The deficit, according to the governor, made the government to embark on urgent financing strategies and reforms in its revenue generation.

He said the reforms included the passage of some laws, signing of the Kwara State Revenue Administration Law, and replacing the state BIR with Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).

Based on these changes, KWIRS achieved growth in the monthly IGR from N600 million monthly as of 2015 to a monthly average of N1.45 billion in 2016, and a monthly average of 2.2 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

On account of these growths in our internal revenue, we have consistently been able to augment monthly federal allocation to ensure prompt payment of salaries.

It also helped to fund major projects, introduce new ones and pay off existing debts owed to contractors in the state, he said.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Ahmed said the current situation in the country called for sub-nationals to increase the revenue generating capacities.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, in a presentation on Mobilising Domestic Financing for Development said his state had increased its monthly IGR from N600 million to N2.4 billion.

Mr Obaseki said what the state did was to engage revenue agents, consolidate collection into a single account, and to use technology to drive both assessment and collections.

He said the plan of the state was to grow its IGR by 50 per cent year-on-year.

Mr Obaseki added that the state IGR was linked to its infrastructure development plan, saying you cannot improve IGR if there is no economic growth and one of the key drivers of economic growth is infrastructure.

When you build roads, schools, hospitals, things that aid and enable businesses, you begin to see economic growth.

As people do well, income goes up and businesses grow, then you have a basis to levy taxes which you will now have to improve the state.

(NAN)Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.I have fought for these endeavors for most of my career as a member of the minority party in the House, and I will continue to fight for these same priorities as a member of the majority party, he said.The Court of Justice for the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has again postponed judgement in a fundamental rights case brought before it by indigenes of Benue State, Nigeria.

The indigenes including a Catholic priest, Solomon Nfa, have asked the court to order the Nigerian government to pay them N1 trillion, for their losses in the series of killings recorded under the current administration.

The case was brought against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

Other named applicants in the suit are Joseph Dooga, Sam Abah, David Iordaah, Ochepo Yakubu and Terese Tange.

According to the application, the indigenes alleged outright neglect by Mr Buharis administration and accused the military of compromising its constitutional role of protecting the people.

The indigenes likened the killings in their state to an attempted genocide and accused the federal government and the military of watching, while Benue communities were attacked by the herdsmen.

The ECOWAS court had resolved to deliver judgement in the matter since March, but postponed the judgement date twice, before beginning an annual vacation in July.

On Wednesday, the court also noted that the expected judgement could not be delivered because the panel of judges attending to the matter had resigned.

A counsel for the plaintiff, Vembe Terfa, also asked the court for time to submit his final addresses.

Subsequently, the court decided to return in December to deliver the judgement in the matter.

Although the precise date in December was not stated, the court said it would reconvene in the middle of next month.

Benue State was affected by a series of attacks from suspected herdsmen since 2015, with the herders confirming they carried out some of the attacks.

A PREMIUM TIMES investigation in 2016 revealed that the attacks had resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people within the state.

Also in January, 70 victims of suspected herdsmen attacks were buried in mass graves.A Kaduna High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zinat .

The judge, Gideon Kurada, while delivering his ruling, ordered that Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife remain in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) and adjourned the case to January 22 for trial.

The counsel to the plaintiffs, Maxwell Kyom, had earlier applied for bail for his client, citing health grounds.

NAN also reports that journalists were not allowed to go into the court during the proceedings.

Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel told journalists after the proceedings that the court was not convinced that there was not enough medical facilities to take care of the defendants at the SSS.

He has not proved to the court that facilities he enjoys is not sufficient and his wife did not show any sufficient medical challenge per say from past file.

The court has ordered that he remains in custody throughout the trial and the prosecutors to produce most of its witnesses to testify in support of the charges made against them, he said.

He added that the third and fourth defendants Yakubu Yahya and Sunusi Abdulqadir standing trial with Shiite leader were not in court, but a bench warrant was being processed to get them arrested.

Earlier, the defendants counsel stated We are still discussing with our client on what steps and we will soon take a decision on whether to appeal or not.

NAN reports that the Kaduna State Government filed an eight-count charge against the IMN leader, his wife and the two other IMN leaders based in Katsina and Kano.

The IMN leader, his wife, Yahaya and Abdulqadir were charged with alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide, among other related offences.(NAN)A High Court, sitting in Zaria, on Wednesday ordered the Kaduna state government to reinstate all the dethroned 77 district heads, pending the determination of a case filed by them.

Delivering a ruling, Judge Kabir Dabo held that the governor had no constitutional rights to tamper with judicial matters pending in a court of law.

Mr Dabo adjourned the matter until January 16, 2019 for the continuation of hearing.

NAN reports that on June 13, 2017, the Kaduna State government sacked 4776 district and village heads as well as their staff as it began the implementation of the recommendations of the committee it set up to review the number of such personnel in the state.

According to the government, the essence of the sack was to shore up the finances of local government councils in the state.

The judge said in spite of the served notice ordering that the issue of district heads sack was before the court, the governor went ahead to dethrone the 77 district heads.

The judge described the action of the governor as a disrespect for court order which contravened section 6(6) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

He said the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognised three arms of government; the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Mr Dabo said each of arms of government has its constitutional role that should not be tampered with by any other arm, adding; there is a need for the governor to respect a court order.

He ordered that both parties maintain status-quo pending the determination of the case and adjourned the case to January 16, 2019 for the continuation of hearing.

Commenting shortly after the ruling, counsel to plaintiff, Yemi Adekunle said: I was the one who brought the application to set aside the appointment.

Because the appointment was made against lawful order of the same court. That order was served on the defendant, they are aware of it.

Notwithstanding the pendency of the suit, notwithstanding the order made by the court, they decided to act contrary to the terms of that order.

Some people will ask why dont we didnt we file contempt proceedings but it is a choice. It is not all the time that you go for contempt proceedings, the law also permits the same court to set aside whatever was done against an order of a court, he said.

He said at the end of the day the court had done what it considered as most appropriate.

When contacted for his comment, the state counsel, Abdurrahaman Suleiman-Haladu declined comment saying that he was not authorised to speak to reporters.

NAN reports that district heads in 2017, filed a suit seeking an order of court stopping el-Rufai from dethroning them.

The government had argued that apart from paying salaries, the state government was providing official vehicles which had now been purchased for distribution to the third-class chiefs and the maintenance of palaces, 10 of which were recently renovated.

One of the problems the government said it inherited was the practical insolvency of many local government councils. Some local government councils are unable to pay their bills, especially salaries, without support from the state government.

The government said that the bloated wage bills of these councils indicate that they are carrying more than they can bear.

That is why it said, for two years, many local government councils were unable to pay their district and village heads. (NAN)The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Bayero University Kano (BUK) branch, has joined the nationwide strike as directed by the national body of the union.

The ASUU BUK branch chairman, Ibrahim Barde, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday.

We have commenced the indefinite strike as directed by the National body of ASUU, he said.

He said the strike which started around 2pm on Wednesday, would continue indefinitely until all the demands of the union were met.

According to him, the decision to go on the strike follows the failure of the federal government to implement some of the agreements it signed with the union since 2009.

We have also decided to go on the strike because the government did not also meet our demands on the Memorandum of Action signed between the two parties, he said.

NAN reports that the strike had already paralysed academic and socio-economic activities in the institution.

As at the time of filling this report, students had started leaving the school following the commencement of the strike.

(NAN)Southeast governors have called for a thorough investigation of the attack on the Abuja residence of the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, and the tracking down and prosecution of all involved.

Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi stated this on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

He said the governors do not agree with the police that that the incident was a mere burglary.

Mr Ekwerenmadus home was invaded at about 4 a.m on Tuesday by armed assailants who later escaped after a struggle with members of the household. One of the assailants, Yusuf Mohammed, was however arrested, the police said.

But while Ekwerenmadu claimed it was an assassination attempt on his life, the police through their spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said investigation so far showed it was a burglary.

However, Mr Umahi, who is the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 6, Samuel Ogunjimi, in his office said the people of the zone were not satisfied with the police preliminary investigation into the matter and called for full scale investigation.

He said the reason for the call for investigation was to rebuild the confidence of the people in the Nigerian police as being able to protect the lives and property of every Nigerian.

He said the case if not followed to its logical conclusion, may lead to loss of confidence in the security agencies.

Mr Umahi said the police report on the incident was not acceptable, adding that a case that led to the abduction of Ekeremadus son and forcing him to open the door leading to his fathers room was not a mere burglary attempt.

We demand as people of Southeast that Police should do thorough investigation and bring those behind the attack to book. I also on behalf of the entire South East Governors call on the police to try and protect the lives of our people anywhere in the country.

The governor further warned Nigerias continued existence will be determined by free and credible general elections in 2019 even as he warned that the people will resist any attempt to rig election in Ebonyi State.

Let votes of Nigerians count; let us not do something that will endanger the lives of the people or the lives of our security agents because the people are going to resist any form of intimidation to rig election in 2019

Earlier in his address, the AIG in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Samuel Ogunjemi described Governor David Umahi as a man of peace and a security conscious person and assured him of credible and peaceful general election in 2019.

The AIG said the police would remain neutral in the coming general election, adding that their constitutional duty which is maintenance of peace, law and order must be followed to the later.

He said that it is very wrong for people to jump the Commissioner of Police in the state and write petition straight to the AIG.

It is very important to ensure free and fair and peaceful election. It is our promise to assure you that police will be neutral. We dont have any political interest and we are an impartial umpire. All we need is your corporation and encouragement to us with logistics like vehicles to work for effective policing, he said.The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State says it has no plans to compel students to vacate it campus before end-of year holiday.

This is contained in a circular to the University community signed by the Registrar, M. Omosunle and made available by the Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, in Ile-Ife.

MrsOmosunle was reacting to a rumour that the students had been asked to vacate the campus.

The management assured all students that the University Academic Calendar for the 2017/2018 session is very much on course.

There are no plans to compel students to vacate the campus until the end-of year holidays, it said.

The management therefore appealed to all members of the University community to be unanimous in the resolution to ensure that the calendar remains sacrosanct.

The management therefore enjoins all students and staff to continue their normal activities in line with the approved guidelines.

We will like to assure all staff and students of their welfare and safety at all times, it stated.

(NAN)Most importantly to me, I don't believe that anyone has a right or responsibility to paint anyone else with that brush. I think it's silly to assume that the vast majority of our countrymen buy into extremism, especially hate, whatever that is. It seems to be anything you want it to be, which is why it proliferates, Maxey wrote.A 62-year-old homeless man was charged Friday with deception against an elderly person in connection with a Skokie incident, and police are asking for others who think they may have been swindled by him to come forth.They also said Davenport has not been in contact with anyone since Sunday and that he did not give anyone any indication that he was traveling to Kenilworth.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.



ATLANTA, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BIP Capital, one of the premier venture capital firms in the southeastern United States, announced today that Dan Drechsel has joined its team as senior vice president. An experienced entrepreneur with a demonstrated history in the growth and management of emerging technology businesses, Drechsel was most recently CEO at BIP Capital portfolio company Wellview Health.

"Dan has led high-growth venture companies over the course of his 30-year career," said BIP Capital CEO Mark Buffington. "His diverse experience as a software developer, marketer and C-suite executive gives him a unique set of skills to draw fromsomething that our portfolio companies that he has worked with have immediately taken notice of. He's also a great cultural fit with our team."

Drechsel will oversee BIP Capital's investments in SaaS, FinTech and Dev Tools/Architecture. He will also continue to remain active with Wellview Health, having recently moved into the role of executive chairman of the company's board of directors.

"It's always a thrill to participate in the creative growth and management of emerging businesses," said Drechsel. "I'm pleased to join BIP Capital and honored to be given the opportunity to work with promising young companies to help them establish themselves as market innovators and leaders."

Drechsel has been involved throughout his career in growing and operating private equity and venture-funded innovation companies, including S1 and Global Energy Decisions. He has held numerous executive-level sales, marketing and engineering positions at enterprise software, financial technology and tech-enabled services companies, including SAP, ADP and Dun & Bradstreet, both in the United States and internationally. He is also an executive lecturer in Marketing at Mercer University's Stetson School of Business and Economics. Drechsel holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and an M.B.A from Mercer University.

About BIP Capital

BIP Capital is recognized as one of the most active and successful venture investors in the Southeast, serving entrepreneurs, investors and operators to grow the emerging company ecosystem. It applies experience and process to make investment decisions and operational recommendations, allowing its portfolio companies to achieve and stay on a glide path of growth. Areas of focus include Enterprise SaaS, Healthcare IT, Digital Media, Dev Tools and MarTech. For more information, visit www.bip-capital.com or follow BIP Capital on LinkedIn or Twitter @BIPCapital.

Media Contact:

Kathy Berardi

Carabiner Communications

678.644.4122

[email protected]

SOURCE BIP Capital

Related Links

http://www.bip-capital.com

The lab will conduct interdisciplinary research into the crypto-economic implications of blockchain technologies, in collaboration with the university's departments of Finance and Law, as well as the newly formed Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics. The research will cover topics relating to decentralized application architectures, including smart contract development, bonding curves, token-curated registries, oracle and curation services on the Zap platform, and crypto-economic design patterns.

"The rise of blockchain has ushered in an entirely new ecosystem of commoditized trust," said Nick Spanos, the CEO of Blocktech, who also founded the Bitcoin Center in New York City in 2013, the world's first live cryptocurrency trading floor (prominently featured in the Netflix documentary "Banking on Bitcoin"). "Cryptoeconomics is the umbrella field through which we study human behavior and systems design in our new decentralized world. UFAR is the perfect partner for tackling this vital area of research."

Through the Blocktech-UFAR partnership, students at the university will be able to take courses in blockchain and cryptocurrency, both from technical and business angles, and will be mentored by industry technologists while working on real-world projects.

"Technology is a major priority for the French University of Armenia heading into the next decade," said Kristina Sargsyan, Ph.D., from the Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics, who is also the university's Program Coordinator for Industry Partnerships. "We are honored to partner with Blocktech given Nick Spanos's pioneering work in the blockchain industry and we are confident that this will expand opportunities for our students tremendously."

The Blocktech team has been deeply embedded in the Armenian technological ecosystem for the past year, dating back to Spanos's first visit to Yerevan in January, when he was invited to speak at the National Assembly of Armenia and at the American University of Armenia, among other forums.

After Spanos's visit, Blocktech opened an office in Yerevan, directed by Peter Mikkelsen, founder of the Nordic Blockchain Association. "The amount of passion for disruptive technologies and permissionless innovation that I have seen in Armenia is tremendous," said Mikkelsen, "especially in the aftermath of the peaceful velvet revolution. This partnership is exactly what is needed at this critical juncture."

The Blockchain Lab at UFAR is the second lab launched by Blocktech this year. Just last week, Blocktech announced its partnership with Taibah Valley to inaugurate the Blockchain Lab at Taibah University in Madinah. Directed by internationally recognized artificial intelligence expert, Professor Walaa Alharthi, it will be the kingdom's first research and development lab dedicated to blockchain technologies.

Academic interest in blockchain technologies has increased significantly over the past year. One recent study found that "42 percent of the world's top 50 universities offer students at least one course on cryptos or blockchain and 22 percent offer more than one." When including classes in cryptography, that number swells to 70 percent.

The French University of Armenia (UFAR), located in Yerevan, is home to 2,000 students eager to collaborate on blockchain-based technologies. Government officials in Armenia have also identified the potential of this technology and have established a "free economic zone" which will soon host a "state-of-the-art technology center." The students are poised to fill and grow this space through the collaborative efforts of Blocktech Lab and UFAR.

This partnership is as symbolic as it is powerful; indeed, it is only fitting that a distributed and decentralized technology would bring about an increase in global interactions and partnerships. The collaboration here, specifically between Blocktech in New York and the French University in Armenia, will not only teach students about blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, but will provide them immediate projects where they can apply their new education.

About Blocktech

Blocktech is an international blockchain venture studio guided by the leadership of Nick Spanos. Our origins date to the founding of the Bitcoin Center in New York City, the world's first live cryptocurrency exchange, located right next to the New York Stock Exchange. At the Bitcoin Center, we have taught thousands of students, journalists, technologists, and finance professionals about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Now, through the development of our own projects and technology platforms, we are expanding and pioneering permissionless blockchain innovation all around the world.

Find out more at blocktech.com .

About ZAP

Zap is an oracle curation platform monetized by the ZAP utility token, an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token that powers an oracle marketplace for smart contracts. The platform's mission is to foster the creation of a standardized and self-sustained platform-agnostic smart contract data layer enhanced by the world's best open marketplace for oracles, which connect real-world data to the blockchain, dramatically lowering barriers to entry into the multi-billion dollar alternative data industry and the smart contract ecosystem. The Zap project is managed and directed by the Synapse Foundation, whose mission is to oversee development, increase community engagement, and sponsor participation within the Zap ecosystem.

Find out more at zap.org .

Media Contact: Hamdan Azhar

+1-814-880-3988, [email protected]

SOURCE BlockTech

Related Links

http://blocktech.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (US OTC: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM") is pleased to announce the launch of the King Cannabis brand.

The King Cannabis brand is being produced and distributed through Body and Mind and sold throughout dispensaries in Nevada.

Robert Hasman, BaM director stated "King Cannabis has been launched in response to focus groups and feedback from years of working with Body and Mind medical and recreational customers. Body and Mind consumers have become accustomed to premium quality, award winning Body and Mind products and have communicated there are times when a more moderate experience is desired. King Cannabis offers users a milder cannabis experience at value pricing and enables the Company to expand sales through our strong distribution network."

The King Cannabis brand currently offers Royal Oil distillate packaged in top of the line CCELL cartridges for use in CCELL Vape hardware. The cartridges are offered in flavours comprising of Gelato, Do-Si-Do, Blackberry, Watermelon and Cantaloupe. Royal Oil cartridges are offered in half gram and one gram sizes and are being supported through pop-up promotions at Nevada dispensaries.

Additional King Cannabis brand offerings include flower products and may expand into pre-roll and edible offerings in the future.

The King Cannabis brand is currently being offered in Nevada with expected expansion to Ohio when the Body and Mind affiliated production facility is complete.

Visit the King Cannabis web site at http://www.kingcannabis.club .

About Body and Mind

BaM is a publicly traded company investing in high quality medical and recreational cannabis cultivation and production and retail. Our wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary was awarded one of the first medical marijuana cultivation licences and holds cultivation and production licenses in Nevada and partial ownership of a production and dispensary license in Ohio. BaM products include dried flower, edibles, topicals, extracts as well as GPEN Gio cartridges. BaM marijuana strains have won numerous awards including the Las Vegas Hempfest Cup 2016, High Times Top Ten, the NorCal Secret Cup and the Emerald Cup.

BaM continues to expand operations in Nevada and Ohio and is constantly reviewing accretive expansion opportunities.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the Financing and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:



Michael Mills 778-389-0007

[email protected]



SOURCE Body and Mind Inc.NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO), which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service centers in the world, received the prestigious National Excellence in Training Award for its "BSRO Tech Foundations Workshop." BSRO, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is one of only three organizations in the transportation industry honored in 2018 for educational excellence by the ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC). The award reception was held at the Venetian Hotel-Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, 2018.

"By equipping and empowering our employees to deliver best-in-class service across our 2,220 stores, the BSRO Tech Foundations Workshop supports our vision to be the most trusted provider of tire and automotive service in every neighborhood we serve," said Joe Venezia, president, BSRO. "Investing in our employees is integral to providing quality service to our customers. Since the launch in 2016, we have held more than 750 workshops and educated more than 8,600 employees. Over that time, we saw a significant reduction in employee turnover and work-related injuries, which had a positive impact on the overall customer experience."

The week-long workshop was developed to onboard and educate all newly hired BSRO vehicle service employees. Each instructor-led segment is followed by hands-on activities in a shop equipped with state-of-the-art technology to allow students to immediately apply what they learn. Training topics include tire knowledge, fluid services, conducting vehicle inspections, proper equipment and systems usage, following standard operating procedures for various automotive services and learning how to practice Safety First, Always  the BSRO safety mission statement.

ATMC National Excellence in Training Awards submissions are judged by a panel of peers. A mean average of all judges' scores is used to determine the winners. The awards spotlight highly effective and innovative training programs and emphasize the importance of training to the success of the transportation industry.

About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC:

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world  more than 2,220 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States  including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

About the ASE Training Managers Council

The ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of training and professional development within the transportation service industry. A division of ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), the council helps members keep up with innovations in automotive training by facilitating interaction among its members and serves as a leadership forum for training professionals to promote world-class training standards in the automotive, heavy duty and related industries. For more information about ATMC, visit www.atmc.org.

SOURCE Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC

Related Links

http://www.bsro.com

CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) ("Cars.com" or the "Company"), a leading digital automotive marketplace, today released its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Q3 Financial Highlights

Total revenue of $169.3 million , up $9.4 million , or 6%, year-over-year

, up , or 6%, year-over-year Net income of $15.8 million , or $0.23 per diluted share, down $5.2 million , or $0.06 per diluted share, year-over-year

, or per diluted share, down , or per diluted share, year-over-year Adjusted net income of $38.4 million , or $0.55 per diluted share, up $4.1 million , or $0.07 per diluted share, year-over-year

, or per diluted share, up , or per diluted share, year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA of $62.2 million , or 37% of revenue, down $0.9 million year-over-year

, or 37% of revenue, down year-over-year Net cash provided by operating activities of $121.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , with free cash flow of $111.1 million

Q3 Key Metric Highlights

Average monthly unique visitors of 18.9 million, up 10% year-over-year

Traffic (visits) of 113.8 million, up 12% year-over-year

Mobile traffic grew 28% year-over-year and accounted for 68% of total traffic compared to 59% in the third quarter of 2017

Dealer customer count of 20,407 as of September 30, 2018 , compared with 20,720 as of June 30, 2018 ; Direct dealer customers of 17,011 as of September 30, 2018 compared with 16,592 as of June 30, 2018

, compared with 20,720 as of ; Direct dealer customers of 17,011 as of compared with 16,592 as of Direct monthly average revenue per dealer ("ARPD") of $2,116 , up 8% year-over-year; excluding affiliate conversions ARPD grew 1%

, up 8% year-over-year; excluding affiliate conversions ARPD grew 1% Total average vehicle listings of 4.7 million

Operational Highlights

McClatchy, tronc and Washington Post markets fully converted as of October 1, 2018

Dealer Inspire revenue grew 42% in the third quarter of 2018 year-over-year on a pro forma basis

Q3 integrated product marketing effort drove outsized business impact including a 22% growth in conversion and overall brand awareness up 8% year-over-year

Dealer solutions strategy building ARPD and strengthening revenues with franchise dealers:

Dealer Inspire named certified advertising partner by General Motors and enabled to offer co-op digital advertising solutions



DealerRater successful in securing co-op endorsements across multiple OEMs



Launched Social Sales Drive enabling dealers to maximize the value of their listings through leading social channels and a managed chat solution resulting in increased value delivery that led to 70% lower cancellation rates among franchise dealers



Cars Social units grew 30% quarter-over-quarter

Progress on sales transformation:

Automation of next in class sales enablement tools and customer reporting to streamline and increase sales productivity



Cross functional team leveraging third-party expertise on product packaging and pricing strategies to better align with dealer preferences to capture value



Optimizing sales resources and go-to-market strategy

Continued utilization of share repurchase program; 3.0 million shares purchased year to date, at an average price of $25.69

"We can take pride in a number of wins this quarter, including our continued strength in organic traffic, uplift in ARPD, successes with Matchmaker, Social and Dealer Inspire products and winning OEM co-op endorsements that further incentivize dealers to subscribe to our solutions," said Alex Vetter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cars.com. "We recognize that OEM pullbacks and dealer margin pressures have created a challenging environment, yet we remain confident that our strategy to combine our increasing audience with leading digital solutions will improve dealer count and best position our dealers to efficiently compete for sales."

Financial Results

"Our continuing focus on cost optimization and efficiencies are contributing to our industry leading profit margins and cash flow," said Becky Sheehan, Chief Financial Officer of Cars.com. "We completed our externally facilitated technology review and are moving forward with implementation. The resulting operating cash flow benefits will provide us further resources for reinvestment for growth or share repurchases."

Revenue for the third quarter of 2018 was $169.3 million, compared to $159.9 million in the prior year period. Dealer Inspire and LDM contributed $15.8 million to direct revenue. In addition, the conversions of affiliate markets contributed $25.6 million to direct revenue, while reducing wholesale revenue $22.6 million ($5.4 million of this reduction was related to the amortization of unfavorable contracts liability, which is now recorded as a reduction of affiliate revenue share expense).

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $141.0 million, compared to $120.5 million for the prior year period. This increase was driven by the addition of Dealer Inspire ($16.9 million), a $3.5 million increase in non-recurring costs, a $2.0 million increase in stock-based compensation, as well as cost increases related to the affiliate conversions and planned marketing investments. These increases were partially offset by efficiencies in product and technology.

Net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $15.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $21.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $38.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to $34.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2018 was $62.2 million, or 37% of revenue, compared to $63.1 million, or 39% of revenue, for the prior year period.

For the third quarter, average monthly unique visitor count grew 10% year-over-year and total traffic grew 12% year-over-year supported by investments in marketing, brand strength and continued strong SEO growth. Mobile traffic grew 28% year-over-year and accounted for 68% of total traffic compared to 59% in the prior year.

Dealer customers of 20,407 as of September 30, 2018 declined 2% sequentially compared to dealer count of 20,720 as of June 30, 2018. Direct dealer customers of 17,011 increased 419 from June 30, 2018 resulting from 744 dealers converted from affiliate markets, partially offset by higher cancellation rates in previously converted markets and lower overall sales.

Direct ARPD grew 8% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2018, driven by the conversion of affiliate dealer customers in large markets drawing higher price points. Excluding the impact of affiliate market conversions, ARPD was up 1%, driven by new product sales to existing customers.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 was $121.1 million, compared with $147.2 million in the prior year. Free cash flow for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 was $111.1 million, compared with $119.6 million in the same period last year. Impacting current year cash flow was an increase in non-recurring expenses, lower adjusted EBITDA and incremental interest, offset in part by lower capital expenditures.

Cash and cash equivalents was $17.8 million and debt outstanding was $706.9 million as of September 30, 2018. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, the Company utilized its share repurchase program to purchase 3.0 million shares at an average price of $25.69 for a total of $77.2 million. In addition, during the nine-month period, the Company borrowed $165 million to fund the acquisition of Dealer Inspire and paid down $41.9 million of indebtedness, net of revolver borrowings. Net leverage at September 30, 2018 was 2.9x, calculated in accordance with the Company's credit agreement.

2018 Outlook

We anticipate being at the lower end of the previously communicated range for revenue growth of approximately 6 to 7%, with adjusted EBITDA margin remaining unchanged at approximately 34%.

Q3 Earnings Call

As previously announced, management will hold a conference call and webcast today at 7:30 a.m. CST. This webcast may be accessed at investor.cars.com. A replay of the webcast and the slideshow will be available at this website following the conclusion of the call until November 21, 2018.

About Cars.com

Cars.com is a leading two-sided digital automotive marketplace that creates meaningful connections between buyers and sellers. Launched in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers consumers with resources and information to make informed buying decisions and enables advertising partners with innovative digital solutions and data-driven intelligence to increase inventory turn and gain market share. A pioneer in online automotive classifieds, the Company has evolved into one of the largest digital automotive platforms, connecting thousands of local dealers across the country with millions of consumers. In 2018, Cars.com acquired Dealer Inspire, a company that builds technology that helps future-proof dealerships for changing consumer behaviors and makes the car buying process faster and easier.

Cars.com properties include DealerRater, DealerInspire, Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com and NewCars.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release discusses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income and free cash flow. These are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. These financial measures are presented as supplemental measures of operating performance because we believe they provide meaningful information regarding our performance and provide a basis to compare operating results between periods. In addition, we use adjusted EBITDA as a measure for determining incentive compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA also is used as a performance measure under the Company's credit agreement and includes adjustments such as the items defined below and other further adjustments, which are defined in the credit agreement. These non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by our lenders, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry.

Other companies may define or calculate these measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before (1) interest expense (income), net, (2) income tax expense (benefit), (3) depreciation, (4) amortization of intangible assets, (5) stock-based compensation expense, plus (6) certain other items, such as transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, restructuring and other exit costs, costs related to the headquarters move and write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of adjusted EBITDA.

The Company defines adjusted net income as net income (loss) excluding the after-tax impact of (1) amortization of intangible assets, (2) stock-based compensation expense, and (3) certain other items, such as transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, restructuring and other exit costs, costs related to the headquarters move and write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of adjusted net income.

Transaction-related costs are certain expense items resulting from actual or potential transactions such as business combinations, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, spin-offs, financing transactions, and other strategic transactions, including, without limitation, (1) transaction-related bonuses and (2) expenses for advisors and representatives such as investment bankers, consultants, attorneys and accounting firms. Transaction-related costs may also include, without limitation, transition and integration costs such as retention bonuses and acquisition-related milestone payments to acquired employees, in addition to consulting, compensation and other incremental costs associated with integration projects.

The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, including purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software and website development costs.

Key Metric Definitions

Traffic (Visits). Traffic and our ability to generate traffic are key to our business. Tracking our traffic performance is a critical measure. Traffic to the Cars.com network of websites and mobile apps provides value to our advertisers in terms of audience, awareness, consideration and conversion. In addition to tracking traffic volume and sources, we monitor activity on our properties, allowing us to innovate and refine our consumer-facing offerings. Traffic is an internal metric representing the number of visits to Cars.com desktop and mobile properties (web browser and apps). Traffic refers to the number of times visitors accessed Cars.com properties during the period, no matter how many visitors make up those visits. We measure traffic using Adobe Analytics. Traffic provides an indication of our consumer reach. Although our consumer reach does not directly result in revenue, we believe our ability to reach diverse demographic audiences is attractive to our dealer customers and national advertisers.

Dealer Customers. Our value to consumers tracks to our ability to showcase the inventory of our dealer and Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") customers. The larger the advertiser base, the more inventory and options that are available for consumers to review. Dealer Customers represents the car dealerships using our products as of the end of each reporting period. Each dealership location is counted separately, whether it is a single-location proprietorship or part of a large consolidated dealer group. Multi-franchise dealerships at a single location are counted as one dealer. Beginning June 30, 2018, this key operating metric now includes DI dealer customers.

Average Vehicle Listings. Our value to consumers tracks to our ability to showcase the inventory of our dealer and OEM customers. The more vehicle listings that are available for consumers to review, the more traffic we attract and the higher the consumer engagement. Average Vehicle Listings represents the daily average of vehicles listed for sale on Cars.com properties. The daily average is calculated on a monthly basis and averaged for the reporting period.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including those statements under "Financial Objectives." All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our business strategies, plans and objectives, market potential, future financial performance, planned operational and product improvements, liquidity and other matters. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "seek," "will," "may," "would," "should," "could," "forecasts," "mission," "strive," "more," "goal" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions, based on our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we think are appropriate. These statements are expressed in good faith and we believe these judgments are reasonable. However, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, forward-looking statements should not be relied on in making investment decisions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such risks, uncertainties, and other important factors include, among others, risks related to our business, our separation from our parent company and our common stock. For a detailed discussion of many of these risks and uncertainties, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on March 6, 2018 and our other filings with the Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, or changes in future operating results over time or otherwise. Comparisons of results between current and prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Federal securities laws.

Cars.com Inc. Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets (In thousands, except per share data)













September 30, 2018

December 31, 2017



(unaudited)



Assets







Current assets:







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 17,809

$ 20,563 Accounts receivable, net

107,687

100,857 Prepaid expenses

11,662

11,408 Other current assets

9,558

9,811 Total current assets

146,716

142,639 Property and equipment, net

40,850

39,740 Goodwill

884,339

788,107 Intangible assets, net

1,533,442

1,529,500 Investments and other assets

10,451

11,053 Total assets

$ 2,615,798

$ 2,511,039 Liabilities and stockholders' equity







Current liabilities:







Accounts payable

$ 8,040

$ 6,581 Accrued compensation

10,889

14,185 Unfavorable contracts liability

25,185

25,200 Current portion of long-term debt

24,022

21,158 Other accrued liabilities

45,736

23,025 Total current liabilities

113,872

90,149 Noncurrent liabilities:







Unfavorable contracts liability



18,885 Long-term debt

678,426

557,194 Deferred tax liability

168,360

146,482 Other noncurrent liabilities

20,297

19,201 Total noncurrent liabilities

867,083

741,762 Total liabilities

980,955

831,911 Commitments and contingencies







Stockholders' equity:







Preferred Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017



 Common Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 68,926 and 71,628 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

689

716 Additional paid-in capital

1,505,279

1,501,830 Retained earnings

128,875

176,582 Total stockholders' equity

1,634,843

1,679,128 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 2,615,798

$ 2,511,039











Cars.com Inc. Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)





















Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,



2018

2017

2018

2017 Revenues:















Direct

$ 119,510

$ 82,504

$ 336,521

$ 249,412 National advertising

28,107

32,002

82,155

85,379 Other

4,010

4,319

12,152

11,989 Retail

151,627

118,825

430,828

346,780 Wholesale

17,685

41,074

66,953

122,917 Total revenues

169,312

159,899

497,781

469,697 Operating expenses:















Cost of revenues and operations

24,034

18,176

65,924

49,618 Product and technology

15,918

18,422

56,202

56,861 Marketing and sales

56,083

50,733

181,645

160,246 General and administrative

14,345

9,180

45,609

34,364 Affiliate revenue share

4,097

2,121

11,193

6,837 Depreciation and amortization

26,504

21,893

77,154

66,343 Total operating expenses

140,981

120,525

437,727

374,269 Operating income

28,331

39,374

60,054

95,428 Nonoperating (expense) income:















Interest expense, net

(7,005)

(5,431)

(20,305)

(7,160) Other income, net

65

64

76

199 Total nonoperating expense, net

(6,940)

(5,367)

(20,229)

(6,961) Income before income taxes

21,391

34,007

39,825

88,467 Income tax expense

5,594

13,019

10,373

15,782 Net income

$ 15,797

$ 20,988

$ 29,452

$ 72,685 Weighted-average common shares outstanding:















Basic

69,652

71,699

70,900

71,693 Diluted

70,029

71,767

71,153

71,763 Earnings per share:















Basic

$ 0.23

$ 0.29

$ 0.42

$ 1.01 Diluted

0.23

0.29

0.41

1.01

Cars.com Inc. Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited)













Nine Months Ended September 30,



2018

2017 Cash flows from operating activities:







Net income

$ 29,452

$ 72,685 Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities:







Depreciation

9,195

7,941 Amortization of intangible assets

67,959

58,402 Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability

(18,900)

(18,900) Stock-based compensation expense

7,495

1,493 Deferred income taxes

7,137

8,388 Provision for doubtful accounts

3,451

2,561 Amortization of debt issuance costs

971

463 Other, net

762

1,247 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of Acquisition:







Accounts receivable

1,119

2,665 Prepaid expenses

66

(238) Other current assets

330

(5,519) Other assets

602

616 Accounts payable

(2,397)

(209) Accrued compensation

(3,363)

(8,451) Other accrued liabilities

18,306

10,430 Other noncurrent liabilities

(1,104)

3,652 Cash received from lessor for lease incentives



9,970 Net cash provided by operating activities

121,081

147,196 Cash flows from investing activities:







Payment for Acquisition, net

(157,153)

 Purchase of property and equipment

(9,966)

(27,631) Net cash used in investing activities

(167,119)

(27,631) Cash flows from financing activities:







Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

195,000

675,000 Payments of debt issuance costs and other fees



(6,208) Payments of long-term debt

(71,875)

(50,625) Payments related to stock-based compensation plans, net

(477)

 Repurchases of common stock

(76,681)

 Cash distribution to TEGNA related to Separation



(650,000) Transactions with TEGNA, net

(2,683)

(69,200) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

43,284

(101,033) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,754)

18,532 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

20,563

8,896 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 17,809

$ 27,428









Supplemental cash flow information:







Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

$ 500

$ 5,726 Cash paid for interest

19,472

6,826

Cars.com Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliations (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)





















Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,



2018

2017

2018

2017 Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA

































Net income

$ 15,797

$ 20,988

$ 29,452

$ 72,685 Interest expense, net

7,005

5,431

20,305

7,160 Income tax expense

5,594

13,019

10,373

15,782 Depreciation and amortization

26,504

21,893

77,154

66,343 Stock-based compensation expense

3,019

1,012

7,495

1,493 Transaction-related costs

897

321

12,030

4,979 Costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign

2,869



7,766

 Restructuring and other exit costs

175

280

1,272

1,951 Write-off of long-lived assets and other

330

59

691

1,448 Costs related to the headquarters move



130



3,558 Adjusted EBITDA*

$ 62,190

$ 63,133

$ 166,538

$ 175,399



































Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income

































Net income

$ 15,797

$ 20,988

$ 29,452

$ 72,685 Amortization of intangible assets

23,212

19,467

67,959

58,402 Stock-based compensation expense

3,019

1,012

7,495

1,493 Transaction-related costs

897

321

12,030

4,979 Costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign

2,869



7,766

 Restructuring and other exit costs

175

280

1,272

1,951 Write-off of long-lived assets and other

330

59

691

1,448 Costs related to the headquarters move



130



3,558 Tax impact of adjustments

(7,879)

(7,981)

(25,504)

(13,060) Adjusted net income*

$ 38,420

$ 34,276

$ 101,161

$ 131,456 Adjusted net income per share, diluted

$ 0.55

$ 0.48

$ 1.42

$ 1.83 Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted

70,029

71,767

71,153

71,763



































Reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities to Free cash flow

































Net cash provided by operating activities

$ 50,457

$ 50,464

$ 121,081

$ 147,196 Purchase of property and equipment

(3,549)

(8,721)

(9,966)

(27,631) Free cash flow

$ 46,908

$ 41,743

$ 111,115

$ 119,565



* Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted net income.

Cars.com Inc. Supplemental Information (In thousands) (Unaudited)



































Operating expense category for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018:

























As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based

Compensation

As Adjusted Cost of revenues and operations

$ 24,034

$ (226)

$ (76)

$ 23,732 Product and technology

15,918

(302)

(571)

15,045 Marketing and sales

56,083

(258)

(583)

55,242 General and administrative

14,345

(3,485)

(1,789)

9,071 Affiliate revenue share

4,097





4,097 Depreciation and amortization

26,504





26,504 Total operating expenses

$ 140,981

$ (4,271)

$ (3,019)

$ 133,691

















(1) Includes costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, transaction-related costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other, restructuring and other exit costs.

















Operating expense category for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017:

























As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based

Compensation

As Adjusted Cost of revenues and operations

$ 18,176

$ 

$ 

$ 18,176 Product and technology

18,422

(231)



18,191 Marketing and sales

50,733





50,733 General and administrative

9,180

(559)

(1,012)

7,609 Affiliate revenue share

2,121





2,121 Depreciation and amortization

21,893





21,893 Total operating expenses

$ 120,525

$ (790)

$ (1,012)

$ 118,723

















(1) Includes transaction-related costs, restructuring and other exit costs, costs related to the headquarters move, write-off of long-lived assets and other.

















Operating expense category for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018:

























As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based

Compensation

As Adjusted Cost of revenues and operations

$ 65,924

$ (1,631)

$ (175)

$ 64,118 Product and technology

56,202

(4,987)

(1,386)

49,829 Marketing and sales

181,645

(1,477)

(1,351)

178,817 General and administrative

45,609

(13,664)

(4,583)

27,362 Affiliate revenue share

11,193





11,193 Depreciation and amortization

77,154





77,154 Total operating expenses

$ 437,727

$ (21,759)

$ (7,495)

$ 408,473

















(1) Includes transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, restructuring and other exit costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other.

















Operating expense category for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017:

























As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based

Compensation

As Adjusted Cost of revenues and operations

$ 49,618

$ 

$ 

$ 49,618 Product and technology

56,861

(231)



56,630 Marketing and sales

160,246





160,246 General and administrative

34,364

(11,705)

(1,493)

21,166 Affiliate revenue share

6,837





6,837 Depreciation and amortization

66,343





66,343 Total operating expenses

$ 374,269

$ (11,936)

$ (1,493)

$ 360,840

















(1) Includes transaction-related costs, costs related to the headquarters move, restructuring and other exit costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other.

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cars.com

5 endangered black-footed ferrets released on Pueblo West ranch

The Walker Ranch in Pueblo West got a five new critters Nov. 19, 2021 when state wildlife officials brought rare black footed ferrets to a new home.Released in Mexico in August of 2015, Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos quickly became the highest grossing animated film to have been produced in Mexico and the industry's seventh of all time, spending three weeks as the #1 movie in the box-office. Its success only fortified when it shocked the world as the first animated Mexican film to premiere theatrically in the United States, opening at #9 and becoming a surprise box-office success.

The record breaking film tells the story of Toto, (voiced by Bruno Bichir), a small rooster who was born the runt of the litter. But, when an evil rancher threatens to destroy his home and his family, Toto must go from a timid young "chicken" to a brave and scrappy rooster. Toto and his friends (voices include: Angelica Vale, Maite Perroni, Omar Chaparro, Ninel Conde, and Carlos Espejel) must band together on an "Eggs-traordinary" adventure that will prove that big surprises can come from little packages.

"Thanksgiving is a day where families in the U.S. get together and give thanks for all their blessings. Our viewers are our family and we couldn't think of a better way to thank them for being so loyal to our network than by airing this incredibly hilarious, heart-warming film for the whole family to enjoy," said James M. McNamara, Vice Chairman of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc., Cinelatino's parent company. "Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos is one of Pantelion Films' highest grossing movies of all time and the highest-grossing Spanish-language animated film ever released in the U.S., and we have no doubt that our viewers will love every second of this "egg-citing" film."

Since the creation of their Huevocartoon site in 2002, the Riva Palacio brothers have been able to brilliantly showcase the essence of Mexican comedy through their kid-friendly series, films, TV specials, advertisements and even video games, full of double-entendres, which have become a beloved part of Mexican culture. The anthropomorphized eggs, satirizing various sociocultural aspects in a humoristic and irreverent manner, have gained a cult following of over half a billion viewers online and has resulted in three blockbuster hits.

"The Huevocartoon brand is a staple in Mexican culture," said Carolina Bilbao, VP of Programming and Development for Cinelatino. "From their early days as an internet series, Huevos took the comedy scene by storm and captivated millions with their raw and edgy shorts and did not skip a beat when crossing over into the feature film world. As the leading Spanish-language movie network in the U.S., we are thrilled to present our viewers with such a monumental hit that we know they will love."

Cinelatino is distributed by the largest cable, satellite and telecommunications providers in the country. Cinelatino is a subsidiary of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc., the only publicly traded, pure-play U.S. Hispanic TV/cable networks and content platform. For more information, viewers can visit www.cinelatino.com.

About Cinelatino: Cinelatino is a subsidiary of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (HMTV), the only publicly traded pure-play U.S. media company targeting the high growth U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets with leading broadcast and cable television and digital content platforms. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Hemisphere owns and operates five leading U.S. Hispanic cable networks, two Latin American cable networks, and the leading broadcast television network in Puerto Rico, and has ownership interests in Canal 1, the #3 national broadcast television network in Colombia, Pantaya, a Spanish-language OTT service in the U.S., and other digital assets.

SOURCE CinelatinoToday, Cove is announcing its Black Friday deal: a one-time 50% discount off all products and a free camera with every new system purchase.

"We're going to offer one of the most aggressiveif not the single most aggressiveBlack Friday deals in home security. We're a challenger brand, and we want people to try Cove. As a result, this Holiday Season affords consumers a rare opportunity to purchase for their loved ones a gift that is meaningful every single day of the year," said Robert Shelley, President of Cove. "We built Cove on the idea that we can offer every customer exactly what they want: an affordable solution with the combined benefits of professional and DIY systems with none of the drawbacks."

Founded in early 2018, Cove has become an instant favorite with customers and has the highest percentage of 5-star ratings of any national home security company (97% of all customer reviews to date are five stars). While technology has driven huge innovations in other industries, home security consumers have been trapped between two flawed options.

Traditional security companies provide effective, reliable home security but are expensive, lock people into antiquated, long-term contracts and require professional installation and maintenance. Do-it-yourself systems tend to be much less expensive than professional systems, but are also significantly less effective and reliable, can be confusing to install, and lack must-have features like professional-grade monitoring, Smash and Grab Protection, and two-way audio communication through the alarm panel.

Cove offers consumers all the benefits of a professional home security system with the price and flexibility of a DIY system.

How Cove Works

Order online at covesmart.com and the system is customized to each customer's specific needs and shipped within 24 hours.

Cove's innovative technology makes it the easiest-to-install, professionally-monitored home security solution with monitoring as low as $15 per month.

per month. Cove does not require contracts. This approach just makes sense. We only get paid if our customers continue to be happy with our service.

With a 60-day money-back guarantee and the option of a lifetime warranty, customers never have to worry about being stuck with something they do not love or incurring unexpected costs down the road. Anyone can cancel their service anytime without hassle.

Cove's technology also allows customers to easily test and maintain their system rather than being required to pay for costly professional maintenance and repair.

ABOUT COVE Cove is a Utah-based startup company providing consumer-centric service with the very first professional-grade home security solution that has the ease, affordability, and flexibility of DIY technology. 97% of all Cove customer reviews are five stars. Learn more at https://www.covesmart.com/press/

Contact: [email protected]

Phone: 323-379-5180

Online: https://www.covesmart.com/press/

SOURCE Cove

Related Links

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DALLAS, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware has the most robust unclaimed property enforcement program in the country, often targeting companies incorporated in that state for audits that typically last multiple years and become a drain on internal resources. As part of a periodic and ongoing effort, Delaware has, in recent weeks, begun to send out Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) Program invitations to a sizeable number of large companies that are incorporated in Delaware. The VDA Program is a type of unclaimed property amnesty program in which companies can disclose previously unreported unclaimed property in exchange for a waiver of interest and penalties. However, according to the invitation letters, if a company receives one of these invitations and does not respond within 60 days, the company will be referred to the Delaware Department of Finance for audit. In other words, the invitation letters are, in reality, a first step towards a potential audit notice.

The invitation letters are typically sent to high-level executives, such as the CEO or CFO, and tend to not reach the appropriate level recipient in time for the company to make an informed decision about whether or not to enter into the Delaware VDA. For this reason, Ryan is recommending to all its clients that their mail rooms be put on alert for these Delaware VDA invitation letters that are being sent via certified mail by the Delaware Department of State. If your company receives a Delaware VDA invitation letter, please contact one of Ryan's unclaimed property professionals to discuss appropriate options for responding to the invitation.

About Ryan

Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides an integrated suite of federal, state, local, and international tax services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including tax recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is a six-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,200 professionals and associates serves over 14,000 clients in more than 50 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com. "Ryan" and "Firm" refer to the global organizational network and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ryan International, each of which is a separate legal entity.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Mark A. Paolillo

Principal

Ryan

857.288.1976

[email protected]

Susan Han

Principal

Ryan

442.244.2447

[email protected]

SOURCE Ryan

Related Links

http://www.ryan.com

Now, just in time for the 60th anniversary of Moanin' In The Moonlight 's original release, Geffen/UMe has released a special vinyl edition of the original mono album. Remastered from the original flat master tape, this new edition features a high quality 150-gram black vinyl pressing housed in a printed sleeve with scans of the analog tape box and comes in a distinctive tip-on jacket reproducing the album's distinctive original cover art. A perfect tribute to Howlin' Wolf's originality and influence, this anniversary edition of Moanin' In The Moonlight is available now: https://UMe.lnk.to/HowlinWolfMoonlightPR

Howlin' Wolf performed throughout the South in the 1930s and 1940s, having reportedly learned to play guitar and harmonica from legendary bluesman Charlie Patton and Sonny Boy Williamson, respectively. He was discovered in the early 1950s by future Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, who recorded Wolf's early sides, some of which he licensed to Chess. Wolf eventually relocated to Chicago and began recording for Chess directly.

Like many LPs of the period, Moanin' In The Moonlight includes tracks stretching back several years, including a trio of numbers"Moanin' at Midnight," "How Many More Years" and "All Night Boogie"recorded in Memphis in the early '50s with Sam Phillips. The album's nine remaining songs were recorded after Wolf's move to Chicago and produced either by label owners Leonard and Phil Chess, or by staff musician/songwriter Willie Dixon. Moanin' In The Moonlight features four songs that had been hits on Billboard's national R&B charts: "Moanin' at Midnight", "How Many More Years," "Smokestack Lightning" and "I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)."

In the years since his passing in 1976, Howlin' Wolf has been widely recognized for his musical achievements. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked him number 54 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." Meanwhile, the Howlin' Wolf Foundation continues to preserve and extend the artist's legacy.

Moanin' In The Moonlight continues to be singled out for individual praise. In 1987, the album received a prestigious W.C. Handy Award under the category of "Vintage/Reissue Album (US)." Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album as #153 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. And seminal rock critic Robert Palmer cited "How Many More Years" as the first record to feature a distorted power chord.

Although Howlin' Wolf would continue to release new albums for the next decade and a half, it's widely agreed that Moanin' In The Moonlight is the definitive document of his remarkable talent. Now it can be heard once again, in all of its original vinyl glory.

MOANIN' IN THE MOONLIGHT TRACK LISTING

SIDE A

1. Moanin' At Midnight

2. How Many More Years

3. Smokestack Lightnin'

4. Baby, How Long

5. No Place To Go

6. All Night Boogie

SIDE B

1. Evil

2. I'm Leavin' You

3. Moanin' For My Baby

4. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)

5. Forty-Four

6. Somebody In My Home

SOURCE Geffen/UMeLAS VEGAS, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVA Physicians, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of vascular medicine and intervention through education and research, announced the first five of 19 highly anticipated late-breaking clinical trial results on Tuesday morning at VIVA 18, hosted at Wynn Las Vegas.

Below are highlights from the first round of late-breaking clinical trial presentations.

IN.PACT SFA RANDOMIZED TRIAL 5-YEAR RESULTS SHOW SUPERIOR OUTCOMES

Presenter: John R. Laird, MD

The IN.PACT SFA trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-blinded trial that enrolled 331 patients with symptomatic (Rutherford 2-4) femoropopliteal lesions. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to treatment with the In.Pact Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB, Medtronic) or standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Assessments through 5 years included freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and primary safety endpoints. The primary safety endpoint is defined as freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days post procedure, and freedom from target limb major amputation and clinically driven target vessel revascularization (CD-TVR) within 5 years. Major adverse events (composite of all-cause death, CD-TVR, target limb major amputation, and thrombosis) were assessed through 5 years.

Patients treated with the In.Pact Admiral DCB demonstrated a sustained treatment effect with superior freedom from CD-TLR when compared to PTA (74.5% for DCB vs 65.3% for PTA; P = .020) through 5 years. The time to first CD-TLR was significantly longer in the DCB group (807.5  433.9 days) as compared to PTA (474.9  484.3 days; P < .001). The primary safety composite was achieved in 70.7% of subjects in the DCB group and 59.6% in the PTA group (P = .068). The major adverse event rate was 42.9% for DCB and 48.1% for PTA (P = .459). The CD-TLR rate through 5 years was 10.1% lower for the DCB cohort compared to PTA (25.5% for DCB vs 35.6% for PTA). There were no device- or procedure-related deaths in either group as adjudicated by an independent and blinded clinical events committee.

The IN.PACT SFA randomized trial demonstrates that the In.Pact Admiral DCB continues to perform better than PTA through 5 years with a higher rate of freedom from CD-TLR and a longer time to first reintervention. The sustained safety and effectiveness profile of this DCB further supports its use as a first-line treatment choice for femoropopliteal lesions.

TOBA II TRIAL 1-YEAR RESULTS

Presenter: William A. Gray, MD

Dissections are a frequent, clinically problematic outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). TOBA II evaluated the Tack Endovascular System (Intact Vascular, Inc.) for treating post-PTA dissection in the superficial femoral (SFA) and/or proximal popliteal (PPA) arteries.

TOBA II is a prospective, single-arm US and European clinical trial that enrolled 213 patients. Eligibility included Rutherford classification 2 to 4 with de novo or non-stented restenotic target SFA/PPA lesion(s) undergoing standard PTA or drug-coated balloon dilation (Lutonix, BD Interventional). After balloon treatment, lesions with < 30% residual stenosis and presence of  one dissection by angiographic visual estimate were treated with the Tack Endovascular System. The system consists of six preloaded self-expanding nitinol Tack implants on a 6-F catheter. Each implant is 6 mm in length, self-sizes to vessels 2.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter, and uses low radial force to appose dissected tissue against the vessel wall. The 12-month efficacy endpoint of primary patency (freedom from duplex-assessed binary restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularization [CD-TLR]) was compared to a performance goal derived from historical outcomes of standard and drug-coated balloons.

Mean age ( SD) was 68  9 years; 42% of patients were diabetic; 23% of lesions were total occlusions; and > 60% had moderate/severe calcium. Mean lesion length was 74.3  40.6 mm, and more than 69.4% of subjects had a post-PTA dissection  grade C.

The safety endpoint was met with zero major adverse events at 30 days (P < .0001). The 12-month efficacy endpoint was met (P = .0005), and Kaplan-Meier primary patency and freedom from CD-TLR were 79.3% and 86.5%, respectively; 92.1% of all dissections resolved to none.

In conclusion, the TOBA II trial met its primary endpoints of safety and efficacy in a 100% dissected vessel population. High rates of dissection resolution, patency, and freedom from CD-TLR present Tack as an ideal adjunct to PTA.

STELLAREX DCB FOR TREATMENT OF FEMOROPOPLITEAL ARTERY DISEASE: DOES SEX AFFECT OUTCOMES?

Presenter: Maureen Kohi, MD

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate sex-related differences in the outcomes of the Stellarex drug-coated balloon (DCB, Philips) for the treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease. A subgroup analysis of the DCB cohort of the Europe and United States ILLUMENATE trial was performed. The study endpoints included primary safety and efficacy at 12 months and were compared between men and women. To identify predictive factors for patency, a multivariable predictor analysis was performed.

The study included a total of 418 patients with 269 men (64%) and 149 women (36%). The female subgroup was significantly older compared to men. The mean reference vessel diameter was significantly smaller and the lesion length was significantly longer in the female subgroup compared to the male subgroup.

There was no significant difference in the 12-month primary patency rate or clinically driven target lesion revascularization rate between men and women. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that reference vessel diameter, lesion length, previous intervention in study limb, severe calcification, and geographic miss were predictors of patency.

Based on this study, despite older age, more comorbidities, and worse vessel and lesion characteristics, women had similar patency outcomes compared to men after treatment with the Stellarex DCB. As a result, further evaluation of the efficacy of DCBs is necessary to understand the disparate nature of the disease progression and to optimize treatment outcomes in women with peripheral artery disease.

1-YEAR OUTCOMES FOR ELUVIA IN LONG LESIONS: IMPERIAL LONG LESION SUBSTUDY

Presenter: William A. Gray, MD

The clinical effect of a drug-eluting stent (DES) in the femoropopliteal segment has not been investigated in a randomized trial with a contemporary comparator. The IMPERIAL randomized study sought to compare the safety and efficacy of the polymer-coated, paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent (Boston Scientific Corporation) with the polymer-free, paclitaxel-coated Zilver PTX stent (Cook Medical) for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery segment lesions. Results of that trial were recently published and demonstrated superiority of the Eluvia DES over Zilver PTX in lesions of approximately 8 cm in length, with 88.5% patency and 4.5% target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates at 1 year.

In this nonrandomized, single-arm substudy of IMPERIAL, 50 patients with symptomatic lower limb ischemia manifesting as claudication (Rutherford category 2, 3, or 4) with atherosclerotic lesions between 14 cm and 19 cm in length in the native superficial femoral artery or proximal popliteal artery were enrolled and treated with Eluvia. The primary efficacy endpoint was primary patency (defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio  2.4, without clinically driven TLR or bypass of the target lesion), and the primary safety endpoint was major adverse events (all causes of death through 1 month, major amputation of target limb through 12 months, and TLR through 12 months).

The average lesion length was 16.2 cm, approximately twice as long as the main IMPERIAL trial cohort. No deaths, stent thrombosis, or target limb major amputation were reported in this group. One patient had two stent fractures (2.1% of total stents placed). The primary patency at 1 year was 87.9%, with a TLR rate of 6.5%.

In conclusion, in the long lesion subset of the IMPERIAL trial, the device maintained its safety and efficacy profiles similar to the main IMPERIAL study, demonstrating no decrement in this more complex patient cohort.

THE TOTAL IN.PACT DRUG-COATED BALLOON INITIATIVE POOLED ANALYSIS OF ALL SUBJECTS THROUGH 1 YEAR

Presenter: Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD

This analysis sought to examine clinical safety and efficacy of the In.Pact Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB, Medtronic) compared to percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA) in nearly 2,000 patients pooled from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two prospective single-arm studies conducted at 147 sites across six continents and 28 countries. Patient level data from the IN.PACT SFA RCT, IN.PACT SFA Japan RCT, IN.PACT SFA China prospective, multicenter, single-arm study, and IN.PACT Global real-world, prospective, multicenter, single-arm study were combined. A total of 1,837 patients were treated with In.Pact Admiral DCB and 143 with PTA. The primary efficacy endpoint was clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), primary safety was defined as freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days, and freedom from target limb major amputation and CD-TLR within 12 months as adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee in all studies. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to assess safety and efficacy at 1 year. A subgroup analysis compared the efficacy of DCB to PTA by retrospectively dividing the subjects meeting standard inclusion/exclusion criteria typical of an investigational device exemption trial into one standard group, and the remaining subjects were assigned to the broader group.

Subjects treated with the In.Pact Admiral DCB in comparison to those treated with PTA had more advanced symptoms per Rutherford category classification and lower ankle-brachial indexes. Furthermore, DCB-treated patients had more occlusions (35.3% vs 16.1%; P < .001) and longer lesion lengths (11.53 cm vs 9.55 cm, P < .001) compared to those who underwent PTA. The 12-month Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated significantly higher freedom from CD-TLR for the In.Pact Admiral DCB (93.8% vs 80.2%, P < .001). After dividing the patients into the standard and broader use as defined previously, In.Pact Admiral DCB remained clinically superior to PTA in both groups with excellent freedom from CD-TLR.

In the largest multiethnic, pooled, angiographic, and independently adjudicated DCB series to date, In.Pact Admiral DCB demonstrated significantly higher freedom from CD-TLR and safety composite at 1 year compared to PTA.

About VIVA Physicians

VIVA Physicians, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of vascular medicine and intervention through education and research, strives to be the premier educator in the field. Our team of specialists in vascular medicine, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery is driven by the passion to advance the field for optimal patient care. Educational events presented by VIVA Physicians have a distinct spirit of collegiality attained by synergizing collective talents to promote awareness and innovative therapeutic options for vascular disease worldwide. To learn more about VIVA Physicians, visit www.vivaphysicians.org.

SOURCE VIVA Physicians

Related Links

http://www.vivaphysicians.org

FRANKFURT, Germany, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

FRA/gk-rap - Fraport AG closed the first nine months of fiscal 2018 (ending September 30) with a significant 14.3 percent increase in Group revenue to 2.55 billion. Adjusting for revenue recognized in connection with expenses for expansion projects at Fraport's Group companies worldwide (according to the IFRIC 12 accounting standard), revenue grew by 7.2 percent to 2.36 billion.

At the Group's Frankfurt Airport (FRA) home base, strong traffic led to higher proceeds from airport charges and security services, as well as increased parking revenue. With almost 53 million passengers served (up 8.4 percent), FRA achieved a new record high in the first nine months of 2018. Buoyed by strong passenger growth, airports in Fraport's international portfolio also contributed positively to the Group's increased revenue. In particular, major revenue contributions came from the Group companies in Brazil (up 66.1 million) and Greece (up 49.8 million) - both figures adjusted by IFRIC 12.

The operating result or Group EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) improved correspondingly by 9.0 percent to 880.4 million. Group EBIT rose by 7.4 percent to 580.3 million. The Group result (net profit) jumped by 10.4 percent year-on-year to 377.8 million. Free cash flow contracted from 388.0 million in the previous year to 82.2 million in the reporting period. Factors contributing to this included higher capital expenditure at FRA and the international Group companies, as well as changes in net current assets.

Fraport AG's executive board chairman, Dr. Stefan Schulte, said: "During the first nine months of 2018, our Group has continued on its growth path. In particular, the airports in our international portfolio have made major and ever increasing contributions to our positive performance. Expansion projects launched in Greece, Brazil, Lima, and at other Group airports will ensure that this growth trend continues well into the future."

Referring to the Group's Frankfurt Airport global aviation hub, CEO Schulte stated: "This year's strong growth has posed a challenge to the entire aviation industry, including our Frankfurt home base airport. All partners involved are working intensely to restore and enhance punctuality and reliability in air traffic. At Frankfurt, we have hired significantly more staff to achieve this goal. Ultimately, this measure has had a negative impact on our financial performance. At the same time, we are meeting further growth by advancing our infrastructure expansion - with construction work for Pier G and Terminal 3 well underway."

Fraport AG's executive board confirms the outlook for the current 2018 business year. Revenue, EBITDA and the Group result (net profit) are expected to reach the upper level of the margins forecast in the Fraport Annual Report 2017. Taking into account the additional revenue gained from Fraport's sale of its stake in Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen GmbH, Fraport expects to exceed these margins. The divestiture will have a positive impact of about 77 million on the Group result. In view of the ongoing strong passenger growth at Frankfurt, Fraport AG's executive board revised the traffic outlook for FRA upwards when issuing the 2018 half-year interim report, to slightly over 69 million passengers for the full 2018 business year.

Overview of Fraport's Four Business Segments:

Aviation: Revenue in the Aviation business segment rose by 5.9 percent to 763.5 million in the first nine months of 2018. Revenue growth at Frankfurt Airport was primarily driven by higher proceeds from airport charges, resulting from increased passenger traffic. Segment EBITDA soared by 15 percent to 231.5 million, despite higher personnel expenses. Segment EBIT climbed by 11.7 percent to 127.0 million due to higher depreciation and amortization, following an update of the useful life of assets as part of modernization.

Retail & Real Estate: With 367.6 million, revenue in the Retail & Real Estate business segment dropped by 6.7 percent year-on-year. Significant lower proceeds from the sale of land compared to last year were the main reason for the decline. In addition, lower gains in the retail business also impacted the segment's revenue in the first nine months. Net retail revenue per passenger slipped by 10.6 percent year-on-year to 2.96. In contrast, the parking business generated higher revenue. Segment EBITDA increased slightly by 0.6 percent to 290.0 million, while segment EBIT dropped by 0.9 percent to 223.6 million.

Ground Handling: In the first three quarters of 2018, revenue in the Ground Handling business segment improved by 5.4 percent to 508.8 million. This was mainly attributable to increased proceeds from ground services. Due to strong traffic growth, personnel expenses rose significantly. Correspondingly, segment EBITDA shrank by 13.9 percent to 32.8 million, while segment EBIT markedly contracted by 7.9 million to 0.6 million.

International Activities & Services: Revenue in the International Activities & Services business segment soared by 43.8 percent to 907.5 million in the first nine months of 2018. Adjusted by IFRIC 12, this segment posted 19.2 percent growth in revenue to 724.5 million. Major contributions came primarily from the Brazilian Group companies in Fortaleza and Porto Alegre (up 66.1 million) and Fraport Greece (up 49.8 million). Despite rising personnel expenses and cost of materials, segment EBITDA rose significantly by 16.4 percent to 326.1 million. The segment EBIT improved by 19.1 percent to 229.1 million.

The complete Q3/9M 2018 Interim Release is available on Fraport AG's website.

Print-quality photos of Fraport AG and Frankfurt Airport are available for free downloading via the photo library on the Fraport Website. For TV news and information broadcasting purposes only, we also offer free footage material for downloading. If you wish to meet a member of our Media Relations team when at Frankfurt Airport, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our contact details are available here.

Fraport AG

Torben Beckmann

Telephone: +49-69-690-70553

Corporate Communications

E-mail: [email protected]

Media Relations

60547 Frankfurt, Germany

Telephone: +49-69-690-70553

E-mail: [email protected]

Internet: http://www.fraport.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport

For further information about Fraport AG please click here.

SOURCE Fraport AGLOS ANGELES, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenlots, a global provider of EV (electric vehicle) charging software and solutions, today announced it will collaborate with Volvo Trucks, one of the largest heavy-duty truck companies in the world, to deploy charging infrastructure for electric trucks operating out of warehouses in Southern California. This is the first heavy-duty fleet-charging project stemming from a significant public-private partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB awarded $44.8 million to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for Volvo's Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project. As part of this groundbreaking project, Greenlots will outfit warehouses with heavy- and light-duty charging infrastructure, integrate the chargers with onsite solar PV and energy storage systems and leverage Greenlots' charging network management software to deploy Volvo's first electrified trucks in North America.

All of the charging equipment for the project  including both Level 2 chargers and 150kW DC fast-chargers  will operate on Greenlots' SKY enterprise software platform to enable seamless management of Volvo's fleet, charging stations and energy storage systems. Volvo Trucks' connectivity system will also be integrated to provide truck operators with a comprehensive view of their vehicles' operational and charging readiness.

"The benefits of electrifying medium- and heavy-duty fleets are enormous, but so are the power requirements to charge these large vehicles," said Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots. "Our best-in-class solution offers fleet owners the lowest total cost of ownership by managing energy usage to prevent high utility bills and supplying grid operators with the tools needed to safely integrate EVs and renewables into the grid."

Greenlots will work with ABB and other charging station manufacturers to provide the equipment, while partnering with Burns & McDonnell to engineer, construct and install the new EV charging stations. The project will be one of the first in North America to demonstrate a new heavy-duty vehicle charging standard, SAE J3068, in real-world applications.

"This is an excellent opportunity to show the end-to-end potential of electrification," said Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America. "From solar energy harvesting at our customer locations, to electric vehicle uptime services, to potential second uses for batteries, this project will provide invaluable experience and data for the whole value chain."

Volvo LIGHTS is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment  particularly in disadvantaged communities.

About Greenlots

Greenlots is powering the future of electric transportation with industry-leading software and services that equip drivers, site hosts and network operators to efficiently deploy, manage, and leverage EV charging infrastructure at scale. Our technology brings together cutting-edge network management software, integrated charging optimization, grid balancing services and a driver-friendly mobile app  all in a single platform. Committed to advancing the promise of electrified transportation, Greenlots delivers new mobility infrastructure solutions designed to connect people to their destinations in a safer, cleaner and smarter way. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the company's global footprint spans across three continents with deployments in 13 countries. For more information, visit: www.greenlots.com

About Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the globe. In 2017, more than 112,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care

SOURCE Greenlots

Related Links

http://www.greenlots.com

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Helix Homes America announces the acquisition of 33 stabilized rental properties in Oklahoma. The Company, on behalf of its subsidiary American Residential Opportunity Fund, LLC has signed an agreement to purchase an additional 33 Single Family Rental properties for the Company's portfolio of homes for sale.

The new portfolio of homes represents newer-build "A" asset class homes in and throughout the greater Oklahoma City, Oklahoma housing market. The Company expects to close on this newest acquisition in early December, 2018.Britain should follow the Chinese philosopher Confucius and harness music and culture to improve the nation's health, government health secretary Matt Hancock said Tuesday.

Making a key-note speech to the London-based health think-tank, the King's Fund, Hancock described arts and social activities as life-enhancing.

Britain, he said, is to create a National Academy for Social Prescribing to be the champion and setting out the benefits of social prescribing across the board, from the arts to physical exercise, to nutritional advice and community classes.

"You might get by in a world without the arts, but it isn't a world that any of us would choose to live in," he said, adding: "As the great Chinese philosopher Confucius said: Music produces a kind of pleasure, which human nature cannot do without."

Hancock said: "Music and the arts aren't just the foods of love. We shouldn't only value them for the role they play in bringing meaning and dignity to our lives. We should value the arts and social activities because they're essential to our health and wellbeing."

He said Britain needs to find how it can harness the incredible power of the arts and social activities to improve the nation's health and wellbeing.

Family doctors are being encouraged to adopt social prescribing to help shape Britain's health and social care system in the future.

Hancock said a recent All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing found arts and social activities can help keep people well, aid our recovery, and support longer lives better lived. It can also help meet major challenges facing health and social care, ageing, loneliness, mental health, and other long-term conditions.

Hancock cited one example in which a collaboration between Britain's famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a stroke recovery service, used music sessions to help people after they'd had a stroke.

Through learning to play instruments and eventually performing as part of an orchestra, nearly 90 percent of stroke patients felt better.

In Lambeth, in south London, another project used dance as an early intervention against psychosis in young people.

Hancock said hospitals in Gloucestershire are sending patients with lung conditions to singing sessions. The singing helps people, even with chronic lung conditions.

One music therapy charity is helping children with autism communicate, while singing helps people with dementia feel less anxious, and provides comfort to people facing terminal illness. Last year the charity helped almost 8,000 people.

Hancock said: "Those are some of the examples of how the arts have benefited health. And we must remember this is still a very new medical field."

He added: "This is a challenge we have to overcome with arts and health and social prescribing. The arts are for everyone. Taking part. Having a go. Dusting off forgotten skills, or learning new ones.

"I see social prescribing as fundamental to prevention. And I see prevention as fundamental to the future of the NHS. For too long we've been fostering a culture that's popping pills, when what we should be doing is more prevention and perspiration."

He said social prescribing can help combat over-medicalizing people, dishing out drugs when it isn't what's best for the patient.

"I see social prescribing growing in importance, becoming an indispensable tool for doctors, just like a thermometer or a stethoscope may be seen today," said Hancock.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. (CSE: ICAN) (OTCQB: ICNAF) ("Integrated Cannabis"), is pleased to announce the completion of a Definitive Agreement ("the Agreement") to distribute X-SPRAYS products throughout the clinics and doctors' offices of Empower Clinics Inc. (CSE: EPW; FRA: 8EC) ("Empower"), a leading owner and operator of medical cannabis and wellness clinics in the United States (US).

Integrated Cannabis has also received its initial purchase order from Empower for a selection of X-SPRAYS products. Empower has more than 25,000 patients under care across 15 locations with medical cannabis treatments in Oregon, Washington and Illinois. The patient base in Oregon represents approximately one-third of the state's total medical card issuance. In addition, Empower has an historical patient database of which exceeds 120,000 in the three States.

"This milestone marks another significant move for distribution of X-SPRAYS with its' first shipment to the Chicago market. We are excited to align with Empower and the City of Chicago and have our products available for people visiting their clinics in search of relief with issues like opioid addiction, pain, anxiety, sleep issues and people seeking overall well-being," said Mr. John Knapp, CEO of Integrated Cannabis.

"We love the X-SPRAYS products and look forward to expanding our suite of offerings through these innovative CBD sprays. X-SPRAYS state of the art formulations and unique metered dosage combine to consistently deliver a high quality product through our nationwide network of clinics," said Mr. Craig Snyder, CEO of Empower.

On September 12, Empower announced the opening of its flagship Chicago clinic. In Illinois, the company seeks to expand its operations and achieve a leadership position as it executes on parallel national clinic and product strategies. There is currently an opioid epidemic in the United States and the company's announced Chicago facility closely followed the endorsement by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner of medical cannabis as a frontline treatment and alternative for patients with a new statewide measure he signed into law on Aug 28.

About Integrated Cannabis Company

Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. is comprised of dedicated scientists and product engineers who are passionate about health and creating health and lifestyle products utilizing advanced delivery systems and formulations. For more information, please visit the company's website at: http://www.x-sprays.com .

ABOUT EMPOWER

Empower is a leading owner and operator of medical cannabis and wellness clinics, as well as a developer of medical products in the US, focused on enabling individuals to improve and protect their health. The company provides treatment solutions through its physician-staffed clinics that are focused on education, data, and efficacy. Empower is a recognized leader and the first choice for patients seeking quality experience and improved health.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Knapp"

Chief Executive Officer

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

For further information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: +1-778-403-3358

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc.DALLAS, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston First Corporation selected Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) as its architect and engineer to lead a multi-discipline design team for planned improvements at the city's downtown George R. Brown Convention Center. The contract will address opportunities offered by an ambitious 10-year highway project adjacent to the convention center and surrounding area.

An iconic Houston fixture, the George R. Brown Convention Center hosts more than 400 events and approximately 600,000 visitors annually. Its eastern portion currently backs up to the elevated freeway, and the vision is to connect both sides of downtown Houston via a potential deck park. Jacobs will assist Houston First in modifications while ensuring that the convention center remains fully operational during construction and responds appropriately to this challenge.

"We have an opportunity to be part of a project that will embrace a new gateway to East Downtown and make the convention center and its connections to this newly created space unique and versatile, while maintaining operational functionality," said Jacobs Global Director of Built Environment and Vice President Brad Simmons. "Our efforts will focus on helping Houston First continue delivering a positive experience for the community that results in repeat visits in both the business and leisure markets  both during construction of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project and for years to come."

The Jacobs team  which includes convention and exhibition facility design firm Populous, and landscape and architecture firm OJB  will plan, design and deliver visionary and technical solutions for the convention center, which is one of the nation's 10 largest convention centers in a major city that ranks as one of the top 25 cities for convention, conference and seminar travelers.

They will focus their design and engineering services on maximizing the facility's operational efficiencies, maintaining continuous business operations and coordinating efforts with the Texas Department of Transportation, the City of Houston and other entities involved in the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.

"Houston First is very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve the connection and accessibility between Downtown and Eado. Joining these two areas will be a game changer, providing a more enriching experience not only for visitors to the George R. Brown Convention Center in the heart of Avenida Houston, but for all of Houston," said President and CEO of Houston First Brenda Bazan. "We look forward to partnering with the Jacobs team and have every confidence in their expertise to make certain the GRB is able to continue attracting and delivering superior services to its clients during the transformation of an elevated freeway into a multi-use green space for everyone to enjoy."

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.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

Brian Morandi

720.286.0719

SOURCE Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.jacobs.com

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With a strong showing by union-endorsed and pro-worker candidates shifting the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement:

For the last two years, the administration and its allies in Congress have run roughshod over the federal workers who keep this country running, and have launched a series of unprecedented attacks on our union in the process," said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. "Now, thanks to tremendous voter turnout and enthusiasm, we can once again count on Congress to provide checks and balances on the White House"

"For the last two years, the administration and its allies in Congress have run roughshod over the federal workers who keep this country running, and have launched a series of unprecedented attacks on our union in the process. Now, thanks to tremendous voter turnout and enthusiasm, we can once again count on Congress to provide checks and balances on the White House.

"No longer will the president and his Congressional allies have free reign to politicize the civil service and reduce civil service protections or union rights. We expect the new Congress to respect the apolitical civil service and our union rights in order to promote a better tomorrow for federal workers.

"We expect the 116th Congress to respect workers' voices in the workplace, respect the collective bargaining process, and respect the important work federal employees do on behalf of the American people. And with narrow-majority Senate returning, there will be opportunities for bipartisan efforts.

"We look forward to working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to protect union rights and protect federal pay and retirement. We will also work with the bipartisan majority that opposes costly and unaccountable outsourcing of federal government work.

"We are extremely proud of the efforts put forth by our members this year.

"AFGE activists turned out in unprecedented numbers, and spent a tremendous number of hours knocking on doors, mailing literature, holding candidate town halls, making phone calls and texts, and working tirelessly to get out the vote. We endorsed candidates from both major political parties in federal, state, and local races and we know that our efforts had an important impact on tonight's outcome.

"Today is a win for America's workforce, and we look forward to working with members of Congress the next two years on progressive change. This wouldn't have happened without the hard work of our 318,000 members nationwide, and we know tonight they are celebrating the election of Congressional leaders who will stand by their side and fight for them in Washington.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.



SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

Related Links

http://www.afge.org

CARTHAGE, Mo., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Elite Comfort Solutions, Inc. (ECS) for $1.25 billion in cash. The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of Leggett & Platt and is expected to close in January 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

ECS, a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners (Arsenal), is a leader in proprietary specialized foam technology primarily for the bedding and furniture industries. ECS's annual sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 were $611 million. With 16 facilities across the United States, ECS operates a vertically integrated model, producing specialty foam, developing many of the chemicals and additives used in foam production, and manufacturing private-label finished products. These innovative specialty foam products include finished mattresses sold through both traditional and online channels, mattress components, mattress toppers and pillows, and furniture foams.

ECS is expected to generate double-digit sales growth and strong EBITDA margins that should be accretive to company average margins. Due to impacts from purchase accounting, ECS is expected to have a slightly negative effect on consolidated EBIT margins. For modeling purposes, in 2019, Leggett anticipates net interest expense of approximately $90 million, fully diluted shares of 136 million, and an approximate 23% tax rate. Including these factors, the acquisition is expected to be neutral to EPS in 2019 and accretive to EPS beginning in 2020.

CEO and Arsenal Comments

Karl G. Glassman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leggett & Platt, said, "Through the combination of Leggett & Platt and Elite Comfort Solutions, we will become the leading provider of differentiated products for the bedding industry and gain critical capabilities in proprietary foam technology, along with scale in the production of private-label finished mattresses. ECS is uniquely qualified to provide e-commerce, retail and OEM customers the most advanced technology solutions in specialty foams today. With our best-in-class manufacturing capabilities and ECS's proprietary and patented technology, we plan to capitalize on current and future trends in the market. Those trends include growth of the online mattress channel, the emergence of boxed bed brands, and those brands' and traditional mattress manufacturers' increasing use of hybrid and specialty grade foam technology in compressed and conventional mattresses. We look forward to benefiting from ECS's technical expertise and working together to implement manufacturing best practices across the acquired operations. We welcome the talented team of ECS to Leggett & Platt and are excited to work closely together to better serve our customers, drive growth and deliver strong value creation for our shareholders."

"Joining forces with Leggett & Platt enables us to provide a wider range of products and services to both companies' valued customers," said Chris Chrisafides, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Comfort Solutions. "We admire Leggett & Platt's storied history, as well as its global footprint and leading product portfolio. I look forward to working closely with Karl, Perry Davis, and the entire Leggett & Platt team as we work towards a seamless integration of our two companies."

John Televantos, a Partner at Arsenal, added "We have built ECS together with our management team to be the innovator in the polyurethane foam and bedding markets. We are delighted to see a great permanent home for ECS and its employees. Leggett & Platt is uniquely capable of continuing and strengthening the path we set for ECS, and we expect that the long history and great value they bring to the bedding industry will be enhanced with this acquisition."

Transaction Financing

Leggett & Platt plans to fund the acquisition through the expansion of its commercial paper program and related revolving credit agreement. In addition, Leggett plans to enter into a $500 million 5-year term loan with its current bank group. After the transaction closes, Leggett & Platt will evaluate financing alternatives for the reduction of outstanding commercial paper, which may include issuance of notes in the debt capital markets. The company is committed to maintaining a strong, investment grade profile and expects to quickly deleverage (to a target level ratio of debt to trailing 12-months EBITDA of approximately 2.5x) by suspending share repurchases, reducing other acquisition spending, and using part of the combined company's operating cash flow to repay debt. With all of these factors considered, Leggett & Platt is modestly changing its dividend payout target to approximately 50% of earnings (from 50-60% of earnings previously). The company strongly maintains its commitment to long-term dividend growth and expects to extend its 47-year dividend growth track record.

Compelling Strategic and Financial Rationale

Establishes a Global Leader in Bedding Technology and Manufacturing: ECS is a leading provider of proprietary foam technology for the bedding and furniture industries. ECS has a diversified customer mix and a strong position in the high-growth boxed bed market segment. ECS is recognized as the leader in innovative, high-quality specialty foam. Paired with Leggett & Platt's existing bedding capabilities, international footprint and manufacturing competencies, the combined company will be the global leader in bedding technology and manufacturing.

ECS is a leading provider of proprietary foam technology for the bedding and furniture industries. ECS has a diversified customer mix and a strong position in the high-growth boxed bed market segment. ECS is recognized as the leader in innovative, high-quality specialty foam. Paired with Leggett & Platt's existing bedding capabilities, international footprint and manufacturing competencies, the combined company will be the global leader in bedding technology and manufacturing. Adds R&D Capabilities and Proprietary Foam Technologies: ECS's significant proprietary and patented technology is a market differentiator and allows the company to develop unique specialty foam products for individual customers. ECS maintains numerous branded specialty additives designed to enhance foam performance by reducing heat retention, improving durability, and improving air flow. Leggett & Platt will create new hybrid products utilizing the combined company's best-in-class specialty foam innovation and spring technologies. Leggett & Platt plans to leverage ECS's core competency in boxed bed innovation, supply chain, and production to capitalize on this new and growing sales channel.

ECS's significant proprietary and patented technology is a market differentiator and allows the company to develop unique specialty foam products for individual customers. ECS maintains numerous branded specialty additives designed to enhance foam performance by reducing heat retention, improving durability, and improving air flow. Leggett & Platt will create new hybrid products utilizing the combined company's best-in-class specialty foam innovation and spring technologies. Leggett & Platt plans to leverage ECS's core competency in boxed bed innovation, supply chain, and production to capitalize on this new and growing sales channel. Creates Synergies Through Growth of New Hybrid Products: This opportunity to create new hybrid products utilizing the capabilities of Leggett & Platt in Comfort Core innersprings and ECS in premium specialty foam represents strong synergies to the combined company.

This opportunity to create new hybrid products utilizing the capabilities of Leggett & Platt in Comfort Core innersprings and ECS in premium specialty foam represents strong synergies to the combined company. Positions the Company to Grow Internationally: Leggett & Platt sees opportunities to capitalize on ECS's innovative portfolio and expand internationally. The company expects to capture a greater share of global specialty foam for bedding than ECS could achieve on its own.

Leggett & Platt sees opportunities to capitalize on ECS's innovative portfolio and expand internationally. The company expects to capture a greater share of global specialty foam for bedding than ECS could achieve on its own. Supports Achievement of Revenue Growth Target: ECS is an outstanding match with Leggett & Platt's acquisition screening criteria and supports achievement of the company's long-term 6-9% revenue growth target. The acquired business is expected to grow well above Leggett's average for the next several years.

ECS is an outstanding match with Leggett & Platt's acquisition screening criteria and supports achievement of the company's long-term 6-9% revenue growth target. The acquired business is expected to grow well above Leggett's average for the next several years. Enables Strong Cash Flow Generation: The combined company expects 2019 pro forma operating cash flow to approximate $550 million . Leggett & Platt is committed to maintaining a strong, investment grade rating profile and expects to quickly de-lever through operating cash flow to approximately 2.5x debt to trailing 12-months EBITDA in 2020.

Management

Following the closing of the transaction, ECS will become a separate business unit and operate within the Residential Products segment. The ECS management team will continue to lead the business. Leggett & Platt has a history of successfully acquiring and integrating companies and looks forward to welcoming ECS's team members to the Leggett & Platt family. Leggett & Platt plans to maintain all 16 of ECS's manufacturing and warehousing facilities.

Financial Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Leggett & Platt.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern (7:30 a.m. Central) to discuss the transaction. The webcast can be accessed from Leggett & Platt's website. The dial-in number is (201) 689-8341; there is no passcode. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

A set of slides containing transaction details will be available from the Investor Relations section of Leggett & Platt's website at www.leggett.com. The webcast and slides will be archived in the investor relations section of Leggett's website.

About Leggett & Platt

Leggett & Platt creates innovative products that enhance people's lives, generate exceptional returns for our shareholders, and provide sought-after jobs in communities around the world. L&P is a 135-year-old diversified manufacturer that designs and produces engineered products found in most homes and automobiles. The company is comprised of 14 business units, 22,000 employee-partners, and 120 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of: a) bedding components; b) automotive seat support and lumbar systems; c) components for home furniture and work furniture; d) flooring underlayment; e) adjustable beds; f) high-carbon drawn steel wire; and g) bedding industry machinery.

About Elite Comfort Solutions

Headquartered in Newnan, Georgia, Elite Comfort Solutions was formed in 2016 by Arsenal Capital Partners (Arsenal). Through the combination of Pacific Urethanes, Elite Foam, Peterson Chemical Technology, and certain foam pouring assets, Arsenal has built ECS into a leading specialty foam business. Elite Comfort Solutions has a national network of 16 facilities throughout the U.S. With its broad and deep industry position, ECS is uniquely qualified to provide e-commerce, retail and OEM customers the most advanced technology solutions in polyurethane foam today.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including the timing and financing of the transaction, the financial results of ECS and the combined pro forma financial results of the company and ECS. These statements are identified either by the context in which they appear or by use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecasted," "intend," "may," "plan," "should" or the like. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by us or on our behalf, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements described in this provision. Any forward-looking statement reflects only the beliefs of Leggett or its management at the time the statement is made. Because all forward-looking statements deal with the future, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and developments which might cause actual events or results to differ materially from those envisioned or reflected in any forward-looking statement. Moreover, we do not have, and do not undertake, any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement was made. For all of these reasons, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future events, objectives, strategies, trends or results. It is not possible to anticipate and list all risks, uncertainties and developments which may cause actual events or results to differ from forward-looking statements. However, some of these risks and uncertainties include: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement; (ii) that one or more closing conditions to the transaction, including certain regulatory approvals, may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction, or may require conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals; (iii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in the time frame expected by Leggett, Arsenal Capital Partners, or at all; (iv) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; (v) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of ECS following completion of the transaction; (vi) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, including as a result of delay in completing the transaction or integrating the businesses of ECS; (vii) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies of ECS; (viii) inability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers of ECS; (ix) market and other factors that reduce or eliminate the company's ability to obtain bank financing or gain access to the debt capital markets in the expected timeframe; (x) inability to de-leverage post-closing in the expected timeframe; (xi) the company's and ECS's ability to achieve their respective short-term and longer-term operating targets, the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, price and product competition from foreign and domestic competitors, the amount of share repurchases, changes in demand for the company's and ECS's products, cost and availability of raw materials and labor, fuel and energy costs, future growth of acquired companies, general economic conditions, possible goodwill or other asset impairment, foreign currency fluctuation, litigation risks including intellectual property; and (xii) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Leggett's reports filed with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

Contacts

Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or [email protected]

Susan R. McCoy, Vice President, Investor Relations

Wendy M. Watson, Director, Investor Relations

Cassie J. Branscum, Manager, Investor Relations

SOURCE Leggett & Platt

Related Links

http://www.leggett.com

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinic has opened inside the CVS Pharmacy store at 1900 19th Avenue in San Francisco, California, providing the community with convenient access to common health care services. The clinic is the first MinuteClinic location in the city of San Francisco and will be open seven days a week with no appointment necessary. It will provide a wide array of high-quality, affordable wellness services for patients ages 18 months and older. MinuteClinic is the retail medical clinic of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States.

"Our new clinic will help increase access to high-quality, affordable health care for people who live and work in San Francisco," said Sharon Vitti, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, MinuteClinic. "We're excited to bring our unique care model to people in San Francisco and we look forward to being a health care resource for residents, when and where they need us."

MinuteClinic is staffed by nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds and abrasions, and sprains, strains and joint pain are treated, and common vaccinations for conditions such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and hepatitis A and B are available.

Prevention and wellness services offered at MinuteClinic include screening and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, tuberculosis (TB) testing, contraceptive care, motion sickness prevention and smoking cessation. In addition, MinuteClinic nurse practitioners can evaluate and treat common skin conditions, such as acne, dermatitis and rosacea.

At the conclusion of each MinuteClinic visit, patients receive educational material, a prescription (when clinically appropriate) and a visit summary. A copy of the diagnostic record can be sent electronically, or by fax or mail, to a primary care provider with patient permission.

Most major health insurance is accepted at MinuteClinic. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and online at www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most services is between $89 and $129.

Individuals who visit MinuteClinic and do not have a primary care provider are given a list of physicians in the community who are accepting new patients. A new digital tool accessible via www.minuteclinic.com allows patients to view wait times at all MinuteClinic locations. Patients can also hold a place in line or schedule a future appointment from the convenience of their smartphone, computer or tablet.

The new clinic in San Francisco will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

About MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic is the retail medical clinic of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 1,100 locations in 33 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to patient demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has provided care through more than 42 million patient visits, with a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating. MinuteClinic is the only retail health care provider to receive four consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.minuteclinic.com.

Media Contact:

Amy Lanctot

(401) 770-2931

CVS Health

[email protected]

SOURCE MinuteClinicDALLAS, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) (the "Company") today reported its October and year-to-date 2018 preliminary traffic statistics.

The Company flew 11.3 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in October 2018, an increase of 6.0 percent from the 10.7 billion RPMs flown in October 2017. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 7.7 percent to 13.4 billion in October 2018, compared with October 2017 ASMs of 12.4 billion. The October 2018 load factor was 84.5 percent, compared with 85.8 percent in October 2017.

This release, as well as past news releases about Southwest Airlines Co., is available online at Southwest.com.

Southwest Airlines Co. Preliminary Comparative Traffic Statistics













OCTOBER

2018

2017

Change Revenue passengers carried 11,572,256

11,217,905

3.2% Enplaned passengers 14,074,599

13,501,569

4.2% Revenue passenger miles (000s) 11,320,618

10,679,120

6.0% Available seat miles (000s) 13,403,878

12,441,062

7.7% Load factor 84.5%

85.8%

(1.3) pts. Average length of haul 978

952

2.7% Trips flown 116,817

112,049

4.3%













YEAR-TO-DATE

2018

2017

Change Revenue passengers carried 112,030,295

107,779,094

3.9% Enplaned passengers 135,972,992

130,749,903

4.0% Revenue passenger miles (000s) 110,926,956

107,530,702

3.2% Available seat miles (000s) 132,832,134

128,365,320

3.5% Load factor 83.5%

83.8%

(0.3) pts. Average length of haul 990

998

(0.8)% Trips flown 1,144,516

1,122,752

1.9%

SW-T

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com

HAIKOU, China, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the 2018 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road opened in Boao, Hainan, China. 256 guests representing 205 media and institutions from 90 countries and international organizations gathered together to exchange ideas on jointly establishing an alliance for media cooperation and know much more about China's development condition through the visit around Hainan.

With a theme of "Contributions by All and Benefits to All", the forum was hosted by People's Daily and the CPC Hainan Provincial Party Committee and the People's Government of Hainan province. As the host, Liu Cigui, Party chief of Hainan introduced the development of the Hainan Provincial Economic Zone in the past 30 years. He invited the guests to participate in the construction of the Hainan pilot free trade zone and free trade port with Chinese characteristics; and jointly promote economic and trade exchanges and to build an important platform for Belt and Road media cooperation and exchanges.

During the forum, foreign media guests visited several cities of Hainan. "The ecological environment here is really good," said Alejandro Ramos, president of Notimex. He took photos in the Shamei Village of Qionghai City and wanted to know much more about the story and construction experience of this place which he would bring back to his country.

Mohamed Zahar, president of the Tunisian weekly magazine 'Realites', said that Hainan not only has a beautiful ecological environment and a strong humanistic environment, but also has advanced medical tourism service concepts which have already in line with the advanced regions in the world in many aspects.

Benkhaled Abdelkrim, a writer and professor from Algeria, member of the Algerian branch of the Union of Arab Journalists and Writers, Friends and Allies of China, said that he has a systematic and comprehensive understanding of Chinese culture, efficient agriculture, economy, urban development and tourism industry through his trip to Hainan.

SOURCE The People's Government of Hainan ProvinceCLEARWATER BEACH, Fla., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As U.S. states and territories continue to grapple with recovery from devastating catastrophes, the nation's foremost voices in the disaster safety and resilience movement will gather at the 2018 National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC18) November 7-9 in Clearwater Beach, FL.

FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson will open the conference by calling for six common sense reforms to replace the "Build-Destroy-Rebuild" cycle with a culture of "Build to Last." Her address will outline details of how consumer transparency, stronger public policy, and better building practices can save lives and protect property in the face of mounting, billion-dollar events.

"Large-scale disasters bring massive recovery efforts that last for years and often decades. We have a meaningful opportunity right now to not only upgrade homes with resilience in mind, but to improve how we build before the next disaster comes," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "Some of these reforms are surprisingly simple. Some are already in place. All are ready for implementation today."

NDRC18 featured presenters include:

Jim Cantore , On-Camera Meteorologist and Co-Host, "AMHQ", The Weather Channel

, On-Camera Meteorologist and Co-Host, "AMHQ", Leslie Chapman-Henderson , FLASH President and CEO

, FLASH President and CEO Kenneth Graham , Director, National Hurricane Center

, Director, National Hurricane Center Heath Hockenberry , National Fire Weather Program Manager, National Weather Service

, National Fire Weather Program Manager, National Weather Service Dr. Daniel Kaniewski , Deputy Administrator, Resilience, FEMA

Deputy Administrator, Resilience, FEMA Dr. Rick Knabb , Hurricane Expert, The Weather Channel and , former National Hurricane Center Director

, Hurricane Expert, and former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield , former National Hurricane Center Director

, former National Hurricane Center Director Ada Monzon , Meteorologist, CBM - WIPR-TV Puerto Rico

, Meteorologist, CBM - WIPR-TV Puerto Rico Dr. Karthik Ramanathan , Assistant Vice President & Principal Engineer, Research & Modeling, AIR Worldwide

, Assistant Vice President & Principal Engineer, Research & Modeling, AIR Worldwide Bill Read , former National Hurricane Center Director

, former National Hurricane Center Director David Venables , Deputy Director - National Rebuild Program, Team Rubicon

, Deputy Director - National Rebuild Program, Team Rubicon Lt. Col. Kaitlyn Woods , Hurricane Hunter - Chief Meteorologist, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, USAF

, Hurricane Hunter - Chief Meteorologist, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, USAF Roy E. Wright , President & Chief Executive Officer, IBHS

The full agenda is available here.

NDRC18 attendees will hear from BASF Corporation, FEMA, Florida International University, IBHS, International Code Council, James Cook University of Australia, Lightning Protection Institute, MIT, NOAA, Portland Cement Association, Southern California Earthquake Center, Smart Home America, State Farm, The Weather Channel, University of Florida, University of Notre Dame, USAA, and Verisk.

NDRC18 is proud to announce that the International Code Council (ICC) is serving as the Titanium Sponsor alongside Gold Sponsors BASF Corporation and USAA; Silver Sponsors, ISO, National Wildlife Federation, and Portland Cement Association; Bronze Sponsors National Flood Barrier Testing & Certification and Smart Vent; and General Sponsors Comfort Block and Enterprise Community Partners.

NDRC18 is presented by the FLASH Partnership and "Presenting Partners," including the American Meteorological Society, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Central United States Earthquake Consortium, National Fire Protection Association, National Storm Shelter Association, National Weather Association, and Southern California Earthquake Center.

About FLASH

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. The FLASH partnership includes more than 100 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster-resilient nation including: BASF Corporation, FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, National Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, Simpson Strong-Tie, State Farm, and USAA. In 2008, FLASH, and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes, in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Learn more about FLASH and access free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org, calling toll-free (877) 221- SAFE (7233), following @federalalliance on Twitter, on Facebook.com/federalalliance, and the FLASH blog  Protect Your Home in a FLASH.

SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

Related Links

http://www.flash.org

The 2019 Toyota Mirai's new marketing campaign, "Real Power", illustrates the power of hydrogen fuel cell technology to change the world. The vehicle's POWER button takes center stage, supported by joyful, optimistic imagery, to convey the idea that Mirai doesn't just make life better for the driver, it has the potential to make life better for everyone. Mirai customers want to bring smart and purposeful innovation to the mainstream.

"Mirai means 'future' in Japanese and that's where this technology will take us," said Ed Laukes, group vice president, marketing, Toyota Motor North America. "The new marketing campaign shows how Mirai gives drivers the power to move the world forward with the touch of a button."

The geo-targeted campaign features :15 and :30-second digital broadcast spots directed by Academy Award Winner Angus Wall. Said Wall, "The potential of what Mirai and fuel cell technology can bring to the world really set the tone for how we thought about the campaign. We want viewers to take away a sense of optimism and possibility from the spots."

Media Placements

The new Mirai marketing campaign follows the vehicle's innovative lead with a media approach that utilizes precise audience and location-based targeting, applying zip code, behavioral and contextual targeting tactics.

High reach, data-driven partners such as Amazon, WIRED and Hearst Digital Media will build awareness and consideration in the Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. While Asian-American in-language portals such as Sina Weibo, India.com and Apple Daily aim to increase purchase intent specifically among the Asian-American customer. A targeted, full-funnel approach for social channels will align relevant Mirai creative to geo-targeted audiences.

Print and out-of-home content includes billboard as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging station placement. The EV station placement informs drivers that the Mirai is a viable, zero-emission vehicle that boasts a range of more than 300 miles and fuels in about 5 minutes vs. longer charging times for pure battery electric vehicles.

The campaign will run through December 31st in Los Angeles and San Francisco markets, where Mirai is currently available for sale or lease.

About the 2019 Toyota Mirai

The 2019 Toyota Mirai, a four-door, mid-size sedan, is one of the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The Mirai is a zero-emission hydrogen vehicle with an EPA estimated driving range of 312 miles and 67 mpge city/highway combined. Its performance fully competes with traditional internal combustion engines  but uses no gasoline. With a refueling time of approximately five minutes, the Mirai creates electricity using hydrogen, oxygen and a fuel cell, and emits nothing but water vapor in the process. With more than 4,000 vehicles sold in California, Mirai make up more than 76% of all hydrogen fuel cell electrics vehicles on the roads in the United States.

SOURCE ToyotaChinese company COFCO (China Tea) signed a US$1 million contract with Indian company Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd for importing of Indian black tea to China. The contract was signed during the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Nov.6, 2018.

The deal was signed partly due to the constant efforts put by Indian Embassy in Beijing and Indian Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou to promote Indian tea in China and as an immediate outcome of the tea promotion in Beijing two weeks ago.

In 2017, India exported about 8 million KG of Tea valued at US$25 million, registering 29 percent year-on-year export growth in value terms. Most of this growth is due to the rising demand of Assam CTC black tea, known for its strong color and flavour, which goes well with milk-based tea drinks.

The growth momentum seems to be continued with efforts of the Indian Embassy and Consulates bearing fruits in signing of larger export contracts with Chinese companies. As per the contract between Jay Shree Tea and COFCO, the former will supply Assam CTC black tea to the latter.

Currently, China is Indias 10th largest tea export destination. This is poised to be improved with more and more Indian tea finding its way into huge Chinese market.The 1850 Bold Pioneer Contest celebrates the premium coffee brand, 1850, inspired by the year The Folger Coffee Company was founded and embodying the hustle and grind of today's pioneers. Ohanian recently met with the three finalists for one-on-one mentoring sessions to talk through their ideas and address their unique challenges. Afterward, each finalist had 60 seconds to present their bold idea to a panel of experienced professionals, including Chris Guillebeau, New York Times bestselling author and host of daily podcast Side Hustle School, Natalie Uhling, fitness influencer and founder of NUFit, and DJ Willard, Brand Manager, Coffee Marketing, The J.M. Smucker Company. The three pitches are now live on 1850coffee.com/boldpioneers for viewers across the U.S. to vote on their favorite bold idea, with the grand prize winner selected in December. By voting online, viewers can also enter a sweepstakes for an opportunity to win $1,850 in funding1.

"It's exciting to be a part of the early stages of these entrepreneurs' journeys, three finalists who've made conscious decisions to bring their business models to life and make an impact," said Initialized Capital and Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian. "I love how 1850 tapped into its unique heritage to initiate a campaign that's both relevant and important to the pioneers and founders of today. It's evident that the brand is committed to helping make a difference in an individual's life and, in the greater scheme of things, in society. All three finalists have tremendous entrepreneurial spirit and 1850 Brand Coffee is going to help the winner take an integral next step in their journey."

Of the numerous eligible entries received during the 1850 Bold Pioneer Contest entry period, the following were selected as finalists based on their business ideas and the potential they represent:

Alice Kittrell ( Jersey City, N.J. ; age 34): Alice is the founder and CEO of Outgift, an intelligent gift recommendation platform dedicated to finding shoppers the perfect gift ideas in under one minute.

Alice is the founder and CEO of Outgift, an intelligent gift recommendation platform dedicated to finding shoppers the perfect gift ideas in under one minute. Soraya Fouladi ( San Francisco, Calif. ; age 24): Soraya is the CEO of Jara, an organization that provides emergency education to impoverished and disaster-affected communities around the world through the Jara Unit. The Jara Unit is a personal handheld device that can be used anytime, anywhere with educational content customized to each region of deployment.

Soraya is the CEO of Jara, an organization that provides emergency education to impoverished and disaster-affected communities around the world through the Jara Unit. The Jara Unit is a personal handheld device that can be used anytime, anywhere with educational content customized to each region of deployment. Wen-kuni Ceant ( Miramar, Fla. ; age 26) and Jordan Wilson ( Cambridge, Mass. ; age 24): Wen-kuni and Jordan are co-founders of Politicking, a mobile app dedicated to improving and galvanizing the Millennial vote by providing information about micro and macro politics. The app will give users the upper hand by streamlining everything needed to cast an educated vote right from the palm of their hand.

To learn more about the finalists and vote for your favorite entrepreneurial bold idea, visit 1850coffee.com/boldpioneers. The deadline to vote is December 3, 2018.

About The J.M. Smucker Company

For more than 120 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has brought families together to share memorable meals and moments. Guided by a vision to engage, delight, and inspire consumers through trusted food and beverage brands that bring joy throughout their lives, Smucker has grown to be a well-respected North American marketer and manufacturer with a balanced portfolio of leading and emerging, on-trend brands. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker's, Folgers, Jif, Dunkin' Donuts, Crisco, Cafe Bustelo, R.W. Knudsen Family, Sahale Snacks, Smucker's Uncrustables, Robin Hood, and Bick's. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Rachael Ray Nutrish, Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles 'n Bits, Natural Balance, and Nature's Recipe. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about our Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Dunkin' Donuts is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC, and Rachael Ray is a registered trademark of Ray Marks Co. LLC.

Dunkin' Donuts brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin' Donuts restaurants.

1 For 1850 Bold Pioneer Finalist Voting Promotion Official Rules, please visit https://www.1850coffee.com/contest-rules

SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company"Axalta's Global Innovation Center will become the central hub for our global research, product development, and technology initiatives where we develop and deliver the most innovative coatings products in the world," said Robert Bryant, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Axalta. "Whether in color technology, polymer and formulation chemistry, or application knowledge, the world-class capabilities and talent at Axalta's Global Innovation Center will fuel new products and deliver the solutions that our customers want to grow their businesses into the future."

Bryant and Axalta Chief Technology Officer Barry Snyder were joined at today's ceremony by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, PIDC President John Grady, Liberty Property Trust Senior Vice President and Regional Director John Gattuso, and Axalta employees. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf also provided remarks, heralding Axalta's economic contributions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with current and future jobs planned for the Global Innovation Center, in addition to those presently provided by the Company in Philadelphia, Glen Mills, and Exton.

"The City of Philadelphia is known for the innovative spirit that founded our nation. This spirit still permeates today with countless companies choosing our city to put down roots for growth," said Mayor Kenney. "Five years ago, Axalta showed its commitment to Philadelphia by relocating its global headquarters to Center City. Today, they open the doors to the Global Innovation Center, bringing new, highly-skilled jobs to Philadelphia. I thank Axalta for their contributions to our region and wish the company many prosperous years at the Navy Yard."

The Navy Yard location offers an attractive workplace for new talent, and the Axalta campus was built with researchers in mind, modeling an academic setting with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to foster teamwork and creativity.

"Axalta's team of scientists and technicians at the Global Innovation Center will develop next generation coatings products and keep pace with emerging application needs," said Barry Snyder, Axalta's Chief Technology Officer. "Regulations and customer demands call for newer technologically advanced coatings. The increasing use of light-weight plastic and composite materials in vehicles to save fuel require new coatings formulations. Developing products to suit these and other needs will be the mission of the Global Innovation Center and Axalta's worldwide research and development network."

"There has been a long history of innovation at the Navy Yard, from the design and construction of state-of-the-art battleships and commercial vessels to today's leading companies working on innovations like therapies to treat cancer, electric microgrids, energy efficiency buildings, and now coatings and color technologies that are used on products all around the world," said John Grady, President of PIDC. "We are proud to gather today with our partners to cut the ribbon on Axalta's Global Innovation Center at the Navy Yard and continue this tradition of innovation for years to come."

The building, which is owned and developed by Liberty Property/Synterra, was designed by Erdy McHenry and merges design elements present throughout the Navy Yard. The front of the building is reminiscent of the classically inspired buildings preserved in the adjacent historic core of the Navy Yard, while the back of the building resembles the lofts and warehouse facilities nearby. The front of the building also features a two-story glass facade to maximize daylight while utilizing angled vanes to reduce glare and shade staff from the low angles of the late afternoon sun.

"Today we celebrate this exceptional new building and our strong partnership with Axalta, which entrusted Liberty with the important job of designing and developing their first Global Innovation Center," said John Gattuso, senior vice president and regional director for Liberty Property Trust. "As the hub for vital research and development functions, every detail of the building has been arranged with the intention to excite and inspire all who work or visit. In the Navy Yard, Axalta will also benefit from the campus-like and collaborative environment set among many other leading-edge companies in their respective fields."

The morning ribbon cutting began with a ceremonial rendition of the national anthem by the choir of Serviam Girls Academy, based in New Castle, Delaware. Axalta has partnered with Serviam as part of its commitment to STEM education, which includes the Axalta All-Pro Teachers Program with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Science Festival with the Franklin Institute, and several other programs that honor STEM educators and students throughout Greater Philadelphia, North America, and other regions globally.

After the public ribbon cutting ceremony, Axalta hosted more than 100 customers for a first look of the Global Innovation Center with tours of the facility. For more information about Axalta's Global Innovation Center, please visit Axalta.com.

About Axalta

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications, to industrial electric motors, buildings, and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 14,000 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn .

For more information about the Navy Yard, please visit www.navyyard.org and follow us @NavyYardPhila on Twitter.

For more information about PIDC, visit www.PIDCphila.com and follow us @PIDCphila on Twitter.

For more information about Liberty Property Trust, visit www.libertyproperty.com.

For more information about Synterra, visit synterraltd.com.

Contact

Robert C. Ferris

D +1 215-255-7981

[email protected]

axaltacoatingsystems.com

SOURCE Axalta

Related Links

http://www.axalta.com

BERLIN, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

- The school aims to create local employment in higher education, working with academic and business partners to provide far-reaching opportunities for students

- Royal Patronage announced to help guide the future direction of BSBI art programmes

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) officially opened on Tuesday 6 November in Berlin. The ceremonial event celebrated the first achievements of the young institution, as well as announcing future developments.

BSBI launched earlier in 2018 with bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration; tourism, hospitality and events management; marketing; finance, fashion retail and luxury management. The school welcomed its second intake in October, reaching over a 100 new students coming from India, Mexico, Pakistan, Italy, Greece, Jordan, China, Azerbaijani, Lebanese, Nepal, Tadzhikistan, France; and it is currently expanding its portfolio of courses and collaborations.

The event was hosted by Alexander Zeitelhack, recently appointed Associate Dean at BSBI, who outlined the vision of the institution in his opening speech. "Our mission is to educate, train and integrate students from all over the world into the German culture and economic landscape.

"Working with international educational and commercial partners, we aim to grow our presence in the higher education sector in Germany. This will benefit our students, who will have access to many career opportunities, and support the industry in the country by generating employment."

As a testament to BSBI's commitment in opening new opportunities to students, the event saw the participation of representatives of businesses, education providers and employment sector who share the schools' values and attention for innovation. The keynote speakers included Professor Marco De Marco, Dean of Economy Faculty at International Telematic University UNINETTUNO, and Andreas Gall, Chief Innovation Officer at Red Bull Media House.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the school was led by His Royal Highness Prince Paul Philippe Hohenzollern of Romania and Her Royal Highness Princess Lia of Romania, Patrons of BSBI. They were introduced alongside Her Serene Highness Princess Madeleine of Bentheim and Steinfurt, Honorary Patron of BSBI.

The school's patrons will play an instrumental role in helping the institution deliver its vision of inclusive business education. Thanks to their support, the school has launched the BSBI Patron Scholarship, a grant designed to give domestic, European and international students the opportunity to study in Berlin.

"We believe in making higher education truly accessible for everybody, and we are confident that we can create affordable programmes that deliver in quality and employment prospects for our students," said Alexander. "With this scholarship, we can offer talented individuals the unique opportunity to study in Germany and enjoy the learning experience we have created at BSBI."

Berlin School of Business and Innovation combines traditional classroom-based teaching and blended learning. The school also works with several partners to provide students with dedicated services, learning resources outside the classroom and career opportunities.

Sagi Hartov, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of BSBI, recognised the support given to the school by these collaborations: "Our students are our main focus and we believe that we need to provide for them beyond the academic offer.

"Working with leading companies we ensure every aspect of their experience is taken care of, so that they can truly focus on their studies. Most importantly, our partners provide guest speakers, visits and internships to give our students a practical understanding of how the concepts they are learning apply to real businesses."

For more information, please visit https://berlinsbi.com/

About Berlin School of Business and Innovation

The Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) is located in the heart of Berlin, on Potsdamer Strasse. The cosmopolitan Schoneberg area will provide graduates with the opportunity to be close to some of the biggest international corporations, enhancing their chances to become exceptional leaders in their chosen field.

Every course is designed with three principles in mind - Enterprise, Leadership and Success - which is why each programme focuses on improving practical business skills and understanding of the industry. Students will receive the tools and information they need for professional success, as well as support from industry focused academics who are at the top of their field. They will also benefit from extensive career support for guidance and advice.

SOURCE Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization representing 3 million members, celebrated historic victories for HRC-endorsed LGBTQ candidates and pro-equality allies in key races across the nation. Dozens of HRC-backed candidates declared victory tonight, following 18 months of unprecedented engagement and voter mobilization in more than 70 congressional races and key state-level races from governor to state legislature in 23 states from coast-to-coast.

In the summer of 2017, the Human Rights Campaign launched HRC Rising, the largest grassroots expansion in the organization's 38-year history. Since then, HRC has endorsed more than 480 pro-equality candidates nationwide, and deployed 150 staff to organize and mobilize voters in more than 70 congressional, targeted senate and key statewide races across 23 states. HRC also backed more women and people of color than in any election cycle in its history: 45 percent of HRC's endorsees were women -- including 55 percent of non-incumbent candidates -- and nearly one-third were people of color.

Tonight, a record number of LGBTQ lawmakers were elected at all levels. Notably, Senator Tammy Baldwin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate. Jared Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected governor in the United States. Oregon Governor Kate Brown, the first LGBTQ governor in history, was re-elected. Sharice Davids became the first gay Native American lawmaker in Congress. And a record number of out LGBTQ candidates were elected and re-elected to the U.S. Congress.

HRC helped register more than 32,000 voters and recruited more than 4,200 volunteers, who worked over 8,500 shifts and clocked more than 30,000 volunteer hours. In the critical final four days of the campaign, HRC staff and volunteers in get-out-the-vote efforts alone knocked on more than 80,000 doors, and held 36,400 conversations with voters at their doors and by phone on behalf of our endorsed candidates.

Since June, HRC President Chad Griffin has barnstormed the country campaigning for 50 pro-equality candidates at more than 70 events in 47 cities across 23 states.

"Tonight, millions of LGBTQ voters and allies across the nation rejected the politics of hate and fear and put Donald Trump and Mike Pence on notice," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The days of attacking LGBTQ people for political gain are over, and the American people will not stand for lawmakers who try to drum up votes by trafficking in hate. Thanks to millions of Americans who stood up and fought back, we have succeeded in restoring a sane, pro-equality majority to the House and placing a check on this administration's hateful agenda. To the 3 million members of the Human Rights Campaign who have worked tirelessly for the last 18 months to out-organize and out-mobilize anti-LGBTQ extremists nationwide, thank you for making history tonight. Together we have sent a loud and clear message that if you come for us, then we will come for you on Election Day."

HRC's unprecedented grassroots mobilization represented an investment of approximately $26 million to recruit volunteers, mobilize constituents, register voters and grow the organization's grassroots army in an all-out effort to pull the emergency brake on the hateful anti-LGBTQ agenda of the Trump-Pence administration and elect a Congress that would hold them accountable.

HRC's Equality Votes PAC spent $3.2 million to drive turnout through direct mail and digital ads in priority races including Senator Tammy Baldwin, Jacky Rosen, Kyrsten Sinema, Harley Rouda, Mike Levin, and Representatives-elect Sharice Davids and Angie Craig. HRC also invested in six-figure GOTV ads in Georgia and Florida. Through tested digital ads, HRC was able to reach a total of 4.6 million voters across priority races.

We also celebrate a historic victory in Massachusetts where voters upheld non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public spaces. Question 3 - which asked voters whether to maintain a 2016 law protecting transgender people from discrimination in critical public accommodations including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, stores and public transportation - was the first time gender identity non-discrimination protections were on a statewide ballot independent of protections based on sexual orientation. HRC serves as a founding executive committee member of Freedom for All Massachusetts, a coalition of national and state equal rights organizations, which led the successful Yes on 3 Campaign.

Over the last two years, the Trump-Pence administration has relentlessly attacked the LGBTQ community, from a "license-to-discriminate" executive order to revoking protections for transgender students to unconscionably attempting to ban brave transgender troops from serving openly. Within the last two weeks, the New York Times reported that the administration was secretly planning to redefine "sex" to exclude transgender people in an intentional effort to eliminate federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. A list of the administration's attacks over the last two years can be found here .

Tonight, HRC has released a number of statements on major victories for top HRC-backed candidates. See below for comment on specific races so far -- for up-to-the-minute reaction and information on HRC's engagement in additional races please email [email protected] :

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

SOURCE Human Rights Campaign

Related Links

http://www.hrc.org

MONTREAL, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Reed as a new member of its Board of Directors. Mrs. Reed spent more than 20 years at Marks & Spencer, where she held senior management roles, including Chief Financial Officer. She also previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Standard Life Assurance Company and Standard Life plc.

"We are honored to have Alison on our Board of Directors," said Founder and Executive Chairman Serge Godin. "Her decades of leadership experience in the financial, retail and insurance sectors will be a valuable asset as we continue to focus on expanding our business globally for the benefit of our clients, professionals and shareholders."

Mrs. Reed is currently a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chairman of British Airways plc, a Director of NewDay Ltd and a member of the council of Exeter University. She has previously served on the Boards of Directors of Darty plc and HSBC Bank plc. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Exeter University and is a Chartered Accountant.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 74,000 professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from IT and business consulting to systems integration, outsourcing services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With annual revenue of C$11.5 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cgi.com/

This workshop is a part of Project Passport, a partnership between CIEE and CMSI created to increase access to study abroad opportunities for MSI students by facilitating dialogue about the importance of international education at all levels of MSIs, including presidents, faculty, and students.

The following MSI presidents will be participating in this year's workshop:

Michael Amiridis, University of Illinois  Chicago

 Roslyn Artis , Benedict College

, Rudolph Crew , CUNY Medgar Evers College

, Cynthia Jackson-Hammond , Central State University

, Ann McElaney-Johnson , Mount St. Mary's University Los Angeles

, Los Angeles Patricia McGuire , Trinity Washington College

, Anthony E. Monroe , Essex County College

, Eduardo J. Padron , Miami Dade College

, Miami Dade College David Thomas , Morehouse College

, Beverly Wade Hogan , Tougaloo College

"We are so proud that these institutional leaders who are dedicated to expanding international education on their campus and are leading by example and engaging in dialogue about the significance of immersive and intentional programming for MSI students," said Marybeth Gasman, the Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor of Education and the Director of the Center for Minority Serving Institutions.



Among other topics, the workshop will teach the presidents techniques for improving campus access to international education and integrating international education into their institutional strategic plans.



Presidents will also hear from alumni of the highly-selective Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship program that is also part of the partnership between CMSI and CIEE. Carmen Crusoe and Juan Duran, two of ten 2018 Frederick Douglass Fellows, will share what they learned while participating in a four-week intercultural leadership program held in Cape Town, South Africa this summer.



"The Presidential Leadership Workshop dissects the difficult task of internationalizing the college campus by sharing strategies that can help MSI presidents break down barriers of cost, curriculum, and culture to expand study abroad opportunities at their institutions," said Keshia Abraham, Director of Strategic Initiatives at CIEE.



In addition to the Presidential Leadership Workshop, the MSI presidents are invited as special guests to CIEE's Annual Conference Study Abroad, Leading Innovation: Educating Global Citizens in the Digital Age , which will be held in Barcelona from November 7-10, 2018.

About CIEE

CIEE, the country's oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, transforms lives and builds bridges by promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences. To help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, CIEE sponsors a wide variety of opportunities for cultural exchange, including work exchange programs, teach abroad programs, and a worldwide portfolio of study abroad and internship programs for college and high school students. Visit www.ciee.org.

About the Center for Minority Serving Institutions

The Center for Minority Serving Institutions brings together researchers and practitioners from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. CMSI's goals include: elevating the educational contributions of MSIs; ensuring that they are a part of national conversations; bringing awareness to the vital role MSIs play in the nation's economic development; increasing the rigorous scholarship of MSIs; connecting MSIs' academic and administrative leadership to promote reform initiatives; and strengthening efforts to close educational achievement gaps among disadvantaged communities. For further information about CMSI, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu/cmsi .

Contact:

Leslie Taylor

(207) 553-4274

[email protected]

SOURCE Council On International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

Related Links

www.ciee.org

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The First Annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) takes place in Shanghai on 5th  10th November 2018, with suppliers coming from around the world to attend. On the 6th November COFCO Womai Limited, a well-known and trusted Chinese food e-commerce brand, held a ceremony to celebrate the signing of import agreements of foodstuff with suppliers from Canada, South Africa, Norway, Japan, Thailand amongst other countries. Accordingly, it will now be able to offer consumers an increasingly diverse selection of products from around the world enhancing its global supply chain for imported food.

COFCO Womai Limited hosts signing ceremony to enhance global supply chain

Becoming more interconnected is a constant driving force for China's economic growth. At the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May 2017 China announced that it would hold the inaugural CIIE in 2018. At the opening ceremony, held on 5th November, the Chinese leader re-emphasized China's desire to deepen supply-side structural reforms throughout its economy. COFCO Womai Limited, as one of China's most trusted importers of foodstuffs, is leading the government's call by taking a prominent role at CIIE.

COFCO Womai Limited held a ceremony of signing agreements with international high-quality food suppliers in the afternoon on the 6th day of November, with the Canadian and South African counsels attending this event. The signed agreements extend and deepen cooperation ranging from fruit and aquatic products, to meat, dairy products and snacks. These partnerships include: the Thailand-leading coconut maker Asiatic Agro; the South African apple and orange supplier Chenshia Granary (PTY); and the Canadian french fries maker Cavendish Farms among other world-famous companies. By sourcing high-quality food directly from abroad, COFCO Womai Limited is steadily building a global food industry chain.

COFCO Womai Limited expands direct purchasing from outside China to increase customers access to high quality food

A pioneer in the field of raw and fresh food e-commerce in China, COFCO Womai Limited currently relies on COFCO's global supply chain to drive expansion in its food supply chain. With the signing ceremony, COFCO Womai Limited will establish partnerships that cement its own global supply chain with an ever increasing number of countries enhancing customers options to buy high quality food from abroad.

COFCO Womai Limited also took the opportunity during CIIE 2018 to launch online sales promotions for international brands it has specific agreements with. It offered consumers extensive discounts for Cocoway 100% coconut water from Thailand; nougat containing salted yolk from Taiwan; Baby Star Ramen snacks from Japan; and other best-selling products.

These agreements, signify COFCO Womai Limited is expanding its global supply chain by establishing partnerships directly with suppliers to bring the highest quality goods from around the world to local consumers and driving the growth of imported food in China for years to come.

SOURCE COFCO WomaiFLORHAM PARK, N.J., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Key Quarterly Highlights

Revenue of $1,304 million

GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations of $(1.16) , down $(1.07) ; adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.28 , up 27%

, down ; adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of , up 27% Net Income of $(237) million ; Adjusted net income of $61 million

; Adjusted net income of Adjusted EBITDA of $157 million , up 10%, excluding impact from ASC 606 and divestitures

, up 10%, excluding impact from ASC 606 and divestitures Significant progress on divestiture plan, resulting in a further strengthened balance sheet

Completed tender offer for 10.5% Senior Notes due 2024 ( $476 million tendered)

Conduent (NYSE: CNDT), a digital interactions company, today announced its third quarter 2018 financial results.

"We made meaningful progress in our core business this past quarter. We recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire Health Solutions Plus, a leading digital Core Administration Processing System (CAPS) provider in the healthcare space. We also completed three divestitures and signed an agreement to sell a portfolio of non-core standalone customer care contracts," said Ashok Vemuri, CEO of Conduent. "With these portfolio actions, Conduent's transformation over the last two years, our robust pipeline and maturing go-to-market capability, we have created a strong foundation for future growth."

Third Quarter 2018 Results

Third quarter 2018 revenue was $1,304 million, down 11.9% compared to Q3 2017. Adjusting for the impact of the 606 accounting standard and excluding divestitures completed in Q3 2017 and 2018, revenue was down 4.0% compared with Q3 2017.

Pre-tax income was $(252) million compared to $13 million in Q3 2017. GAAP operating margin as reported was (19.3)% compared to 0.9% in Q3 2017. The company reported Q3 2018 GAAP net income of $(237) million compared to $(17) million in Q3 2017. Diluted EPS from continuing operations was ($1.16) versus ($0.09) in the same period last year, driven primarily by an impairment related to the pending stand-alone customer care divestiture, increased litigation reserves and charges associated with the tendering of the 10.5% Senior Notes.

Third quarter adjusted operating income was $104 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 8.0% as compared to adjusted operating income of $111 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 7.5% in Q3 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $157 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.0%, as compared to $174 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.8% in Q3 2017. Furthering adjusting for the impact of the 606 accounting standard and excluding divestitures completed in Q3 2017 and 2018, Adjusted EBITDA improved 9.8% compared with Q3 2017.

The company reported adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.28 compared to $0.22 in Q3 2017. Further adjusting for the impact of the 606 accounting standard and excluding divestitures completed in Q3 2017 and 2018, Adjusted EPS improved 180% compared with Q3 2017

Conduent had a use of cash flow from operations of $(30) million during the third quarter 2018 and ended the quarter with a cash balance of $586 million. Total debt was $1,577 million as of September 30, 2018.

Excluding funds that are associated with the termination of the deferred compensation plan that have been disbursed to participants in Q4 2018, Conduent ended the quarter with an adjusted cash balance of $509 million.

On July 27, 2018, the Company closed the tender offer for $476 million or 93.3% of the 10.5% Senior Notes due 2024.

Headcount of approximately 84,000 as of September 30, 2018 compared with approximately 90,000 as of December 31, 2017.

Total contract value (TCV) signings of $738 million for the quarter were down (20)% compared with Q3 2017, due to lower new business signings impacted by deal timing and slippage, and lower renewal signings opportunities.

Financial and Strategic Outlook

Conduent provided the following guidance ranges for FY 2018:

(in millions)

Adjusted FY 2017(3)

Prior FY 2018

Guidance

Updated FY 2018

Guidance



















Revenue

(constant currency)(1)

$5.6B

$5.41 - $5.61B

$5.34 - $5.40B







Yr/yr flat excluding

strategic actions

























Adj. EBITDA(2)

$598M

$662 - $688M

$640 - $650M







Up 7 - 9%

















Adj. EBITDA Margin(2)

10.6%

11.8 - 12.7%

11.9 - 12.2%



















Adj. Free Cash Flow(2)





$166 - $241M

$160 - $195M

% of Adj. EBITDA

~30%

25 - 35%

25 - 30%





(1) Year-over-year revenue comparison at constant currency (2) Refer to Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA / margin and adjusted FCF and for impact from ASC 606 accounting change and divestitures (3) Adjusted for accounting 606 and 2017 and 2018 divestitures

"Profitability continued to improve with expanding adjusted margins and strong adjusted EPS this past quarter," said Brian Webb-Walsh, CFO of Conduent. "In addition, the progress we've made on divestitures and debt pay down have led to a stronger balance sheet, which gives us flexibility for acquisitions and investment in our core business. Our updated guidance reflects recent technology and infrastructure performance issues which are being addressed, divestiture impacts, and timing and slippage of new business. However, we remain confident about the core business and expect to see it grow in 2019."

Conference Call

Management will present the results during a conference call and webcast on November 7, 2018 at 10 a.m. ET.

The call will be available by live audio webcast with the news release and online presentation slides at https://investor.conduent.com/.

The conference call will also be available by calling 877-883-0383 (international dial-in 412-902-6506) at approximately 9:45 a.m. ET. The entry number for this call is 3758954.

A recording of the conference call will be available by calling 877-344-7529, or 412-317-0088 one hour after the conference call concludes on November 7, 2018. The replay ID is 10124576.

For international calls, please select a dial-in number from:

https://services.choruscall.com/ccforms/replay.html

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About Conduent

Conduent creates digital platforms and services for businesses and governments to manage millions of interactions every day for those they serve. We are leveraging the power of cloud, mobile and IoT, combined with technologies such as automation, cognitive and blockchain to elevate every constituent interaction, driving modern digital experiences that are more efficient, helpful and satisfying.

Conduent's differentiated offerings touch millions of lives every day, including two-thirds of all insured patients in the U.S. and nearly nine million people who travel through toll systems daily. Whether it's digital payments, claims processing, benefit administration, automated tolling, customer care or distributed learning - Conduent serves a majority of the Fortune 100 companies and more than 500 government entities. Learn more at www.conduent.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

We have reported our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In addition, we have discussed our financial results using non-GAAP measures. We believe these non-GAAP measures allow investors to better understand the trends in our business and to better understand and compare our results. Accordingly, we believe it is necessary to adjust several reported amounts, determined in accordance with GAAP, to exclude the effects of certain items as well as their related tax effects. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide an additional means of analyzing the current periods' results against the corresponding prior periods' results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our management regularly uses supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions, and providing such non-GAAP financial measures to investors allows for a further level of transparency as to how management reviews and evaluates our business results and trends. These non-GAAP measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Compensation of our executives is based in part on the performance of our business based on certain non-GAAP measures. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section attached to this release for a discussion of these non-GAAP measures and their reconciliation to the reported GAAP measures.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Report and any exhibits to this Report may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. Such factors include, but are not limited to: termination rights contained in our government contracts; our ability to renew commercial and government contracts awarded through competitive bidding processes; our ability to recover capital and other investments in connection with our contracts; our ability to attract and retain necessary technical personnel and qualified subcontractors; our ability to deliver on our contractual obligations properly and on time; competitive pressures; our significant indebtedness; changes in interest in outsourced business process services; our ability to obtain adequate pricing for our services and to improve our cost structure; claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights; the failure to comply with laws relating to individually identifiable information, and personal health information and laws relating to processing certain financial transactions, including payment card transactions and debit or credit card transactions; breaches of our information systems or security systems or any service interruptions; our ability to estimate the scope of work or the costs of performance in our contracts; our ability to collect our receivables for unbilled services; a decline in revenues from or a loss or failure of significant clients; fluctuations in our non-recurring revenue; our failure to maintain a satisfactory credit rating; our ability to attract and retain key employees; increases in the cost of telephone and data services or significant interruptions in such services; our failure to develop new service offerings; our ability to receive dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries; changes in tax and other laws and regulations; changes in government regulation and economic, strategic, political and social conditions; changes in U.S. GAAP or other applicable accounting policies; and other factors that are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section, the "Legal Proceedings" section, the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section and other sections in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this report speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.



CONDUENT INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)





Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30, (in millions, except per share data)

2018

2017

2018

2017 Revenue

$ 1,304



$ 1,480



$ 4,111



$ 4,529

Cost of Services

1,054



1,219



3,347



3,766

Gross Margin

250



261



764



763



















Operating Costs and Expenses















Research and development

3



4



8



11

Selling, general and administrative

142



144



436



466

Restructuring and related costs

31



22



68



76

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60



60



181



182

Interest expense

22



35



92



105

Separation costs





2







8

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54



(16)



9



(41)

Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78



6



113



(14)

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108







108





Other (income) expenses, net

4



(9)



1



(10)

Total Operating Costs and Expenses

502



248



1,016



783



















Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

(252)



13



(252)



(20)

Income tax expense (benefit)

(15)



30



24



11

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations

(237)



(17)



(276)



(31)



















Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax













4

Net Income (Loss)

$ (237)



$ (17)



$ (276)



$ (27)



















Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share:















Continuing operations

$ (1.16)



$ (0.09)



$ (1.38)



$ (0.19)

Discontinued operations













0.02

Total Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share

$ (1.16)



$ (0.09)



$ (1.38)



$ (0.17)



















Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share:















Continuing operations

$ (1.16)



$ (0.09)



$ (1.38)



$ (0.19)

Discontinued operations













0.02

Total Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

$ (1.16)



$ (0.09)



$ (1.38)



$ (0.17)



CONDUENT INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)





Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30, (in millions)

2018

2017

2018

2017 Net Income (Loss)

$ (237)



$ (17)



$ (276)



$ (27)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net















Currency translation adjustments, net

(4)



8



(27)



34

Reclassification of currency translation adjustments on divestitures

36







41





Reclassification of divested benefit plans and other

61







64





Unrecognized gains (loss), net









(3)



2

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net

93



8



75



36



















Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net

$ (144)



$ (9)



$ (201)



$ 9



CONDUENT INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(in millions, except share data in thousands)

September 30,

2018

December 31,

2017 Assets







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 586



$ 658

Accounts receivable, net

951



1,114

Assets held for sale

35



757

Contract assets

191





Other current assets

230



181

Total current assets

1,993



2,710

Land, buildings and equipment, net

297



257

Intangible assets, net

711



891

Goodwill

3,417



3,366

Other long-term assets

312



324

Total Assets

$ 6,730



$ 7,548

Liabilities and Equity







Current portion of long-term debt

$ 49



$ 82

Accounts payable

216



138

Accrued compensation and benefits costs

233



335

Unearned income

119



151

Liabilities held for sale

21



169

Other current liabilities

613



493

Total current liabilities

1,251



1,368

Long-term debt

1,528



1,979

Deferred taxes

320



384

Other long-term liabilities

130



146

Total Liabilities

3,229



3,877











Contingencies







Series A convertible preferred stock

142



142











Common stock

2



2

Additional paid-in capital

3,871



3,850

Retained earnings (deficit)

(90)



171

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(424)



(494)

Total Equity

3,359



3,529

Total Liabilities and Equity

$ 6,730



$ 7,548











Shares of common stock issued and outstanding

211,277



210,440

Shares of series A convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding

120



120



CONDUENT INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)





Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30, (in millions)

2018

2017

2018

2017 Cash Flows from Operating Activities:















Net income (loss)

$ (237)



$ (17)



$ (276)



$ (27)

Adjustments required to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:















Depreciation and amortization

113



123



347



378

Deferred income taxes

(43)



24



(90)



(7)

(Gain) loss from investments





(3)



(1)



(10)

Amortization of debt financing costs

1



3



9



7

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108







108





(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54



(16)



9



(48)

Stock-based compensation

11



8



30



26

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

(37)



(15)



(102)



(249)

Other operating, net





(3)



(4)



(6)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(30)



104



30



64

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:















Cost of additions to land, buildings and equipment

(43)



(20)



(119)



(57)

Proceeds from sale of land, buildings and equipment









12



33

Cost of additions to internal use software

(17)



(11)



(31)



(26)

Proceeds from investments





117







117

Proceeds from divestitures and sale of assets

272



56



672



56

Other investing, net





(1)







(1)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

212



141



534



122

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:















Proceeds on long-term debt













306

Debt issuance fee payments









(3)



(9)

Payments on debt

(484)



(79)



(513)



(232)

Premium on debt redemption

(95)







(95)





Net (payments to) transfer from former parent company













(161)

Taxes paid for settlement of stock based compensation

(6)



(3)



(9)



(5)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

(2)



(2)



(7)



(7)

Other financing





(2)







(3)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(587)



(86)



(627)



(111)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(3)







(9)



2

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(408)



159



(72)



77

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period(1)

1,003



334



667



416

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of period(2)

$ 595



$ 493



$ 595



$ 493













(1) Includes $10 million and $25 million of restricted cash as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and $9 million and $26 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, that were included in Other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) Includes $9 million and $25 million of restricted cash as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, that were included in Other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We have reported our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, we have discussed our results using non-GAAP measures.

We believe these non-GAAP measures allow investors to better understand the trends in our business and to better understand and compare our results. Accordingly, we believe it is necessary to adjust several reported amounts, determined in accordance with GAAP, to exclude the effects of certain items as well as their related tax effects. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide an additional means of analyzing the current periods' results against the corresponding prior periods' results. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our management regularly uses our supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions, and providing such non-GAAP financial measures to investors allows for a further level of transparency as to how management reviews and evaluates our business results and trends. These non-GAAP measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods . Compensation of our executives is based in part on the performance of our business based on certain non-GAAP measures.

A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below.

These reconciliations also include the income tax effects for our non-GAAP performance measures in total, to the extent applicable. The income tax effects are calculated under the same accounting principles as applied to our reported pre-tax performance measures under ASC 740, which employs an annual effective tax rate method including an adjustment for estimated Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT). The noted income tax effect for our non-GAAP performance measures is effectively the difference in income taxes for reported and adjusted pre-tax income calculated under the annual effective tax rate method. The tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments was calculated based upon evaluation of the statutory tax treatment and the applicable statutory tax rate in the jurisdictions in which such charges were incurred.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Earnings per Share and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

We make adjustments to Income (Loss) before Income Taxes for the following items for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Earnings per Share and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

Restructuring and related costs. Restructuring and related costs include restructuring and asset impairment charges as well as costs associated with our strategic transformation program.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets. The amortization of acquired intangible assets is driven by acquisition activity, which can vary in size, nature and timing as compared to other companies within our industry and from period to period.

Separation costs. Separation costs are expenses incurred in connection with separation from Xerox Corporation into a separate, independent, publicly traded company. These costs primarily relate to third-party investment banking, accounting, legal, consulting and other similar types of services related to the separation transaction as well as costs associated with the operational separation of the two companies.

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs. Represents (gain) loss on divested businesses and transaction costs.

Litigation costs (recoveries), net. Litigation costs (recoveries), net represents reserves for certain terminated contracts that are subject to litigation.

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt. Represents premium on debt extinguishment and write down of the associated unamortized discount and issuance costs.

Other (income) expenses, net. Other (income) expenses, net includes currency (gains) losses, net and all other (income) expenses, net.

NY MMIS charge (credit). Costs associated with the Company not fully completing the State of New York Health Enterprise Platform project.

HE charge (credit). Costs associated with not fully completing the Health Enterprise Medical platform projects in California and Montana .

The Company provides adjusted net income and adjusted EPS financial measures to assist our investors in evaluating our ongoing operating performance for the current reporting period and, where provided, over different reporting periods, by adjusting for certain items which may be recurring or non-recurring and which in our view do not necessarily reflect ongoing performance. We also internally use these measures to assess our operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and in evaluating or making selected compensation decisions.

Management believes that adjusted effective tax rate, provided as supplemental information, facilitates a comparison by investors of our actual effective tax rate with an adjusted effective tax rate which reflects the impact of the items which are excluded in providing adjusted net income, and may provide added insight into our underlying business results and how effective tax rates impact our ongoing business.

Adjusted Revenue and Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin

We make adjustments to Revenue, Costs and Expenses and Operating Margin for the following items, for the purpose of calculating, Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin:

Restructuring and related costs.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets.

Interest expense. Interest expense includes interest on long-term debt and amortization of debt issuance costs.

Separation costs.

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs.

Litigation costs (recoveries), net.

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt.

Other (income) expenses, net.

NY MMIS charge (credit).

HE charge (credit).

ASC 606 adjustment.

(Revenue) / (Income) loss from divestitures.

We provide our investors with adjusted revenue, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin information, as supplemental information, because we believe it offers added insight, by itself and for comparability between periods, by adjusting for certain non-cash items as well as certain other identified items which we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing business, and may also provide added insight on trends in our ongoing business.

Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA Margin

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin as an additional way of assessing certain aspects of our operations that, when viewed with the GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our on-going business. Adjusted EBITDA represents income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for the following items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by adjusted revenue.

Restructuring and related costs.

Separation costs.

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs.

Litigation costs (recoveries), net.

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt.

Other (income) expenses, net.

NY MMIS charge (credit).

HE charge (credit).

ASC 606 adjustment.

(Revenue) / (Income) loss from divestitures.

Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows from operations, operating income (loss) or net income (loss) as defined by U.S. GAAP as indicators of operating performances. Management cautions that amounts presented in accordance with Conduent's definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies because not all companies calculate Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin in the same manner.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities as reported on the consolidated statement of cash flows, less cost of additions to land, buildings and equipment, cost of additions to internal use software, tax payments related to divestitures, vendor financed capital lease additions and proceeds from sales of land, buildings and equipment. We use the non-GAAP measure of Free Cash Flow as a criterion of liquidity and performance-based components of employee compensation. We use Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity to determine, after principal payments on debt, amounts we can reinvest in our core businesses, such as amounts available to make acquisitions, invest in land, buildings and equipment and internal use software. In order to provide a meaningful basis for comparison, we are providing information with respect to our Free Cash Flow reconciled to cash flow provided by operating activities, which we believe to be the most directly comparable measure under U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow from above plus deferred compensation payments and transaction costs.

Adjusted Cash

Adjusted cash is defined as the cash and cash equivalents less cash from terminated deferred compensation to be paid to plan participants. We believe this provides added insight into cash and cash equivalents taking into account this particular cash obligation.

Constant Currency

To better understand trends in our business, we believe that it is helpful to adjust revenue to exclude the impact of changes in the translation of foreign currencies into U.S. Dollars. We refer to this adjusted revenue as "constant currency." Currency impact is the difference between actual growth rates and constant currency growth rates and is calculated by translating current period activity in local currency using the comparable prior period's currency translation rate.

Non-GAAP Outlook

In providing outlook for adjusted EBITDA we exclude certain items which are otherwise included in determining the comparable GAAP financial measure. A description of the adjustments which historically have been applicable in determining adjusted EBITDA are reflected in the table below. We are providing such outlook only on a non-GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the totality or ultimate outcome or occurrence of these adjustments for the forward-looking period, such as amortization, restructuring, separation costs, NY MMIS, HE charge, and certain other adjusted items, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to reported results. We have provided and outlook for revenue on a constant currency basis due to the inability to accurately predict foreign currency impact on revenues.

Net Income (Loss) and EPS Reconciliation:





Three Months Ended



September 30, 2018

September 30, 2017 (in millions, except earnings per share)

Net Income

(Loss)

Diluted EPS

Net Income

(Loss)

Diluted EPS GAAP as Reported From Continuing Operations

$ (237)



$ (1.16)



$ (17)



$ (0.09)

Adjustments:















Restructuring and related costs

31







22





Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60







60





Separation costs









2





(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54







(16)





Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78







6





(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108













Other (income) expenses, net

4







(9)





NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)







1





HE charge (credit)









(3)





Less: Income tax adjustments(1)

(36)







2





Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and EPS

$ 61



$ 0.28



$ 48



$ 0.22

(GAAP shares)















Weighted average common shares outstanding





207







204

Restricted stock and performance units / shares















Adjusted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding(2)





207







204

(Non-GAAP shares)















Weighted average common shares outstanding





207







204

Restricted stock and performance shares





3







3

Adjusted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding(2)





210







207









Three Months Ended



Adjusted for 606 and Divestitures



September 30, 2018

September 30, 2017 (in millions, except earnings per share)

Net Income

(Loss)

Diluted EPS

Net Income

(Loss)

Diluted EPS GAAP as Reported From Continuing Operations

$ (237)



$ (1.16)



$ (42)



$ (0.20)

Adjustments:















Restructuring and related costs

31







22





Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60







60





Separation costs









2





(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54







(16)





Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78







6





(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108













Other (income) expenses, net

4







(9)





NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)







1





HE charge (credit)









(3)





Less: Income tax adjustments(1)

(36)







2





Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and EPS

$ 61



$ 0.28



$ 23



$ 0.10

(GAAP shares)















Weighted average common shares outstanding





207







204

Restricted stock and performance units / shares















Adjusted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding(2)





207







204

(Non-GAAP shares)















Weighted average common shares outstanding





207







204

Restricted stock and performance shares





3







3

Adjusted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding(2)





210







207













(1) Reflects the income tax (expense) benefit of the adjustments. Refer to Effective Tax Rate reconciliation below for details. (2) Average shares for the 2018 and 2017 calculation of adjusted EPS excludes 5 million shares associated with our Series A convertible preferred stock and includes the impact of the preferred stock dividend of $2.4 million for both of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $7 million for both of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation:





Three Months Ended September 30,

2018

Three Months Ended September 30,

2017 (in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

(Loss)

Income Tax

(Benefit)

Expense

Effective

Tax Rate

Pre-Tax

Income

(Loss)

Income Tax

(Benefit)

Expense

Effective

Tax Rate GAAP as Reported From Continuing Operations

$ (252)



$ (15)



6.0 %

$ 13



$ 30



230.8 % Non-GAAP adjustments(1)

334



36







63



(2)





Adjusted(2)

$ 82



$ 21



25.6 %

$ 76



$ 28



36.8 %











(1) Refer to Net Income (Loss) reconciliation for details of non-GAAP adjustments. (2) The tax impact of Adjusted Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations was calculated under the same accounting principles applied to the 'As Reported' pre-tax income (loss), which employs an annual effective tax rate method to the results with an adjustment for the accounting of BEAT and without regard to the business divestitures, the State of Texas litigation reserve, loss on extinguishment of debt, charges for amortization of intangible assets, restructuring and divestiture related costs.

Revenue and Operating Income / Margin Reconciliation:





Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in millions)

Profit (Loss)

Revenue

Margin

Profit (Loss)

Revenue

Margin GAAP as Reported(1)

$ (252)



$ 1,304



(19.3) %

$ 13



$ 1,480



0.9 % Adjustments:























Restructuring and related costs

31











22









Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60











60









Interest expense

22











35









Separation costs













2









(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54











(16)









Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78











6









(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108





















Other (income) expenses, net

4











(9)









NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)











1









HE charge (credit)













(3)









Adjusted Operating Income/Margin

$ 104



$ 1,304



8.0 %

$ 111



$ 1,480



7.5 %







Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017



Adjusted for 606 and Divestitures (in millions)

Profit (Loss)

Revenue

Margin

Profit (Loss)

Revenue

Margin GAAP as Reported(1)

$ (252)



$ 1,304



(19.3) %

$ 13



$ 1,480



0.9 % Adjustments:























Restructuring and related costs

31











22









Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60











60









Interest expense

22











35









Separation costs













2









(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54











(16)









Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78











6









(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108





















Other (income) expenses, net

4











(9)









NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)











1









HE charge (credit)













(3)









ASC 606 adjustment













(2)



(39)





2017 divestitures













(2)



(14)





Operating Income Adjusted for 606 and 2017 Divestitures

104



1,304



8.0 %

107



1,427



7.5 % 2018 divestitures













(27)



(69)





Adjusted Operating Income/Margin

$ 104



$ 1,304



8.0 %

$ 80



$ 1,358



5.9 %











(1) Pre-Tax Income (Loss) and revenue from continuing operations.

Adjusted EBITDA / Margin Reconciliation:





Three Months Ended September 30, (in millions)

2018

2017 GAAP Revenue As Reported

$ 1,304



$ 1,480

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA







GAAP Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

(237)



(17)

Interest expense

22



35

Income tax expense (benefit)

(15)



30

Segment depreciation and amortization

53



63

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60



60

EBITDA

(117)



171

EBITDA Margin

(9.0) %

11.6 % EBITDA

$ (117)



$ 171

Adjustments:







Restructuring and related costs

31



22

Separation costs





2

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54



(16)

Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78



6

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108





Other (income) expenses, net

4



(9)

NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)



1

HE charge (credit)





(3)

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 157



$ 174

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

12.0 %

11.8 %







Three Months Ended September 30, (in millions)

2018

2017



Adjusted for 606 and Divestitures GAAP Revenue As Reported

$ 1,304



$ 1,480

ASC 606 adjustment





(39)

2017 divestitures





(14)

Revenue Adjusted for 606 and 2017 Divestitures

1,304



1,427

2018 divestitures





(69)

Adjusted Revenue

$ 1,304



$ 1,358

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA







GAAP Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

(237)



(17)

Interest expense

22



35

Income tax expense (benefit)

(15)



30

Segment depreciation and amortization

53



63

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

60



60

ASC 606 adjustment





(2)

2017 divestitures





(2)

2017 divestitures depreciation and amortization







EBITDA Adjusted for 606 and 2017 Divestitures

(117)



167

2018 divestitures





(27)

2018 divestitures depreciation and amortization







EBITDA

(117)



140

EBITDA Margin

(9.0) %

10.3 % EBITDA

$ (117)



$ 140

Adjustments:







Restructuring and related costs

31



22

Separation costs





2

(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs

54



(16)

Litigation costs (recoveries), net

78



6

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

108





Other (income) expenses, net

4



(9)

NY MMIS charge (credit)

(1)



1

HE charge (credit)





(3)

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 157



$ 143

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

12.0 %

10.5 %

Free Cash Flow Reconciliation:





Three Months Ended September 30, (in millions)

2018

2017 Operating Cash Flow

$ (30)



$ 104

Cost of additions to land, buildings and equipment

(43)



(20)

Proceeds from sales of land, buildings and equipment







Cost of additions to internal use software

(17)



(11)

Tax payment related to divestitures

30





Vendor financed capital leases







Free Cash Flow

$ (60)



$ 73

Free Cash Flow

$ (60)



$ 73

Transaction costs

15





Deferred compensation payments and adjustments

13



7

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$ (32)



$ 80



Cash / Adjusted Cash Reconciliation:

(in millions)

As of September 30, 2018

As of December 31, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents

$ 586



$ 658

Deferred compensation payments and adjustments

22



17

Deferred compensation payable

(99)



(116)

Adjusted cash and cash equivalents

$ 509



$ 559



SOURCE Conduent Incorporated

Related Links

https://www.conduent.com

MANASSAS, Va., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservative direct marketing pioneer Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of FedUp PAC and ConservativeHQ.com, today shared his post-election views on how conservative issues nationalized the election.



"President Trump and conservatives using conservative issues to nationalize the election and built a big red wall that stopped a blue wave. Republicans never win elections, unless they are nationalized around conservative issues."



"Democrats have to follow Tip O'Neill's famous adage  all politics are local. Democrats can't run and win on their national issues."



"A few months ago, the Republicans were facing a blue tsunami, because too many Republican candidates and their consultants were running content-free campaigns."



"House Majority Leader Congressman Kevin McCarthy advised Republican House candidates in this election to focus on local issues, not national issues. If all the Republican candidates had followed Majority Leader Congressman McCarthy's advice, it would have been a disaster for the Republican party and the cause of liberty."

"Voters never go to the polls to thank you. Ask Mr. Churchill  he had his party was thrown out of office a few weeks after the end of the war in Europe, and after saving the British people's very lives."



"Every electionno exceptionis about the future."



"A couple of months ago under the leadership of President Trump and conservatives, the election began to be nationalized, including explaining what a future under Democrat rule would look like."



"President Trump and conservatives began to brand Democrats as mean-spirited and unfair during the Kavanaugh hearings."



"Also, Democrats were branded as wanting to open borders, give citizenship, voting rights and welfare to tens of millions of illegals."



"Democrats favored repeal of the Trump tax cuts. Then they proposed they would raise taxes and increase regulation of individuals and businesses, which will stop the current economic boom and throw America back into a recession or even a depression."

"Democrats favored abolishing private health insurance and putting all Americans into government controlled and operated Medicare, which will quickly lead to its bankruptcy and rationing especially for seniors."

"Democrats favored abolishing our 2nd Amendment rights."

"Many Democrats have become anti-God, anti-Christian, many want to abolish our 1st Amendment right of religious liberty."

"In a real sense, yesterday Americans, including many former Democrats, cast a culture vote against the far-left social agenda of the new Democrat Party."

"It's clear the Republicans need new leadership in the House of Representatives. The House was lost because of the failure of most Republican leaders. For many years House Republican leaders have been AWOL in the political wars, including the cultural wars. Conservatives are like the Biblical Jews who had to wander through the desert for 40 years until that generation of failed/flawed leaders had passed. Conservatives and Republicans will never get to the political promise land until we get new House of Representative leadership."

RICHARD A. VIGUERIE, is often called the "Funding Father of the conservative movement." Viguerie transformed American politics in the 1960s and '70s by pioneering the use of direct mail as a means for conservatives to bypass the mainstream media. He serves as the chairman of American Target Advertising a 75-person direct marketing firm and of www.ConservativeHQ.com. The author of a number of books on politics and the conservative movement, Viguerie's latest book is TAKEOVER: the 100-year War for the Soul of the GOP and How Conservatives Can Finally Win It. As Chairman of FedUp PAC, Mr. Viguerie's pre-election appeal to Catholic voters in the key states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio are credited by many with helping swing the 2016 election to Donald Trump.

Paid for by FedUp PAC

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee www.FedUp.org Contributions may be used to cover costs of communications and fundraising for FedUp PAC's projects to achieve a governing constitutional conservative majority. FedUp PAC is an independent expenditure PAC and can accept contributions of any amount and from corporations.



FedUp PAC is a political action committee registered with the Federal Election Committee. It is not affiliated with any candidate or party committee. Its address is 9625 Surveyor Court, Suite 400, Manassas, VA 20110. Contributions to FedUp PAC are not tax deductible. This message is not authorized by any candidate for office, or candidate or party committee.



Contact: Richard A. Viguerie (703) 392-7676

SOURCE FedUp PAC

Related Links

http://www.FedUp.org

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction technology startup Boxabl announces it has begun prototype production of a fireproof home system referred to by the company as the "Universal Building Box." The Box is described as a method of modular home construction. Individual rooms are built in the Boxabl factory using advanced manufacturing methods and shipped to site where they are assembled into a completed building.

To learn how Boxabl plans to stop one more house from burning down, check out the website at www.boxabl.com.

This new product has an impressive feature list that could make it immune to natural disasters happening all around the USA and the world.

Boxabl claims that its buildings are completely fire-resistant, offering an A1 0/0 flame rating.

Fires aren't the only natural disaster to cause millions of dollars of damage this year; property damage tolls due to disaster flooding are also a huge issue.

Boxabl's claims of the product are impressive: energy-efficient, affordable, flood-resistant, bug-resistant, wind-resistant, impact-resistant and mold-resistant. To top it off, Boxabl also plans to offer these buildings at a lower price than traditional construction.

Galiano Tiramani, in charge of business development at Boxabl, said, "We believe our home-building technology should be the default for builders in areas prone to fire risk. If people are rebuilding homes that were previously burned by a wildfire, they need to consider fireproof building methods. No more homes need to burn."

Related Files

Box flier.pdf

Executive Summary-Boxabl.pdf

Related Images

boxabl-logo.png

folded-boxabl.png

boxabl-apartment.jpg

boxabl-house.jpg

Related Links

Boxabl

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46eAbR7olY0

Media Contact: Galiano Tiramani, business development manager, [email protected] /

2035504493

SOURCE Boxabl

Related Links

http://www.boxabl.com

China's pioneering company in the development of new energy vehicles, BYD, has gained further international recognition through its founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu being invited to be a member of the jury choosing 10 winners for the 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize awarded by the United Arab Emirates.

Established in 2008 and formerly known as the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the annual award recognizes companies, schools, non-profit and non-governmental organizations around the world, in honor of the sustainability legacy of the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Mr. Wang's appointment this year coincided with a decision by the Prize to expand its strategic focus beyond renewable energy to include health, food and water. At the same time, it is retaining its Global High Schools category.

Together with the other eight jury members, which included a number of former world leaders, UAE ministers and similarly renowned international businesspersons and philanthropists, Mr. Wang assessed the community impact of various sustainability solutions for announcement at the Prize's annual awards ceremony on January 14, 2019.

The BYD chairman said: "We are heartened to see the increasing participation of small and medium enterprises in sustainability initiatives, especially where these efforts contribute to the improvement of people's lives in remote areas. We hope that the Zayed Sustainability Prize will provide a platform for some of the greatest minds to create solutions for us all."

Since its establishment as a maker of renewable energy batteries in 1995, BYD has expanded its operations to include the manufacturing of new energy vehicles for private, public and industrial use, electronics, affordable solar and energy storage system, as well as rail transit. During this time, BYD has won accolades for its sustainability efforts.IRVING, Texas, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) today announced that it has acquired the stock of PPH Conto Ltd., a food grade animal fat processing facility in Lubien Kujawski, Poland.

"Poland is one of the fastest growing meat production areas in Europe," said Mr. Randall C. Stuewe, Darling Ingredients Chairman and CEO. " The acquisition of Conto provides us the opportunity to strengthen our current position in this important growth area and enlarge our production portfolio with high end food grade fats. This will enable us to expand our service portfolio not only in Poland but across Europe for both our customers as well as to our suppliers," concluded Mr. Stuewe.

ABOUT DARLING

Darling Ingredients Inc. is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, creating a wide range of ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries. With operations on five continents, the Company collects and transforms all aspects of animal by-product streams into useable and specialty ingredients, such as gelatin, edible fats, feed-grade fats, animal proteins and meals, plasma, pet food ingredients, organic fertilizers, yellow grease, fuel feedstocks, green energy, natural casings and hides. The Company also recovers and converts recycled oils (used cooking oil and animal fats) into valuable feed and fuel ingredients, and collects and processes residual bakery products into feed ingredients. In addition, the Company provides environmental services, such as grease trap collection and disposal services to food service establishments and disposal services for waste solids from the wastewater treatment systems of industrial food processing plants. The Company sells its products domestically and internationally and operates within three industry segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients and Fuel Ingredients. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://www.darlingii.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Darling Ingredients' business opportunities and anticipated results of operations. Please bear in mind that forward-looking information is subject to many risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from what is projected. Many of these risks and uncertainties are described in Darling's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 30, 2017 and our other filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs and we do not take any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements made in this press release or otherwise.

For More Information, contact:

Melissa A. Gaither, VP Investor Relations 251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300 & Global Communications Irving, Texas 75038

Phone: 972-717-0300

SOURCE Darling Ingredients Inc.

Related Links

http://www.darlingii.com

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation announced today that it recently awarded Nevada Health Centers a $76,580 grant to improve oral health in Nevada.

Nevada Health Centers is a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare services to more than 50,000 Nevadans each year. The grant will be used to support the purchase of dental equipment, dental supplies and to offset the cost of providing preventive and restorative dental care to low-income children and adults at its Eastern Dental Center in Las Vegas, Elko Dental Center in Elko, and a mobile dental unit that travels throughout Nevada's rural, geographically isolated communities.

"We're delighted to collaborate with Nevada Health Centers in improving the oral health of underserved children and adults," said Karen Robinson, vice president of corporate affairs for Delta Dental and executive director of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation. "Our impact is only as strong as our partnerships, and we could not make a difference without the hard work and dedication of the organizations we support."

The grant is one of six given in Nevada this year by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to help improve the oral health of disadvantaged children and adults by removing barriers to quality dental care. Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to organizations throughout Nevada.

About Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental Insurance Company and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $39 million in funding and support to increase access to quality dental care, oral health education, and advance scientific research across the company's 15-state service area and the District of Columbia.

Media Contact:

Megan Grabos

[email protected]

415-808-6946

SOURCE Delta Dental Community Care FoundationCOSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Model-year closeouts and manufacturer incentives are two reasons why car shopping experts affirm that fall is the best time of year to purchase a new or used vehicle. With the new year looming, JDPower.com today announced the highest-rated 2018 models at price points below $65,000, with sedans accounting for 18 of the top 20 vehicles in terms of overall ownership satisfaction.

"When it comes time to choosing one's next vehicle, JDPower.com is the ultimate resource for actual, verified car-ownership experiences," said Troy Snyder, Vice President, Consumer Division at J.D. Power. "Whether shopping for vehicles in the same segment or deciding if it's worth springing for a more premium model, shoppers who use our new Compare Cars tool can make a wiser purchase decision."

The Compare Cars tool allows users to match three different models to simultaneously evaluate 100-point overall scores as well as other metrics including quality, dependability, performance and depreciation. To make research user-friendly, selected models remain saved within a digital tray as visitors browse from one page to another.

"While consumer interest continues to shift towards crossovers, many cars are still proving extremely satisfying to own," said Dave Sargent, Vice President, Global Automotive at J.D. Power. "The very best cars often score better for quality and appeal than crossovers at the same price point. We also see that more expensive vehicles score better, which is not surprising. These vehicles tend to be larger, more comfortable, more powerful, have better interiors and have more of the features that today's consumers crave."

The four categories, based on price points, in the JDPower.com comparison are:

Top Vehicles $15,000-$19,999

2018 Kia Soul (79 points out of 100) 2018 Kia Rio (79) 2018 Hyundai Elantra (77) 2018 Kia Forte (76) 2018 Chevrolet Sonic (75)

Top Vehicles $20,000-$32,999

2018 MINI Countryman (83) 2018 Toyota Corolla (83) 2018 Nissan Altima (83) 2018 Chevrolet Impala (83) 2018 Chevrolet Cruz (82)

Top Vehicles $33,000-$44,999

2018 Infiniti Q60 (87) 2018 Lincoln MKC (87) 2018 Lexus ES (87) 2018 Lexus IS (87) 2018 Audi A5 Coupe (86)

Top Vehicles $45,000-$65,000

2018 Lincoln Continental (92) 2018 Lexus RX (91) 2018 Lexus GS (90) 2018 Genesis G80 (90) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC (89)

The site's data is sourced from more than 3.2 million verified ownership experiences from J.D. Power studies. To compare vehicle ratings, rankings, reviews and awards, visit JDPower.com .

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.

Media Relations Contacts

Geno Effler; J.D. Power; 714-621-6224; [email protected]

Shane Smith; East Coast; 424-903-3665; [email protected]

About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info

SOURCE J.D. Power

Related Links

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LEHI, Utah, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiCert, Inc. , the world's leading provider of TLS/SSL, PKI and IoT security solutions, has successfully executed a major transfer of online trust, marked by the recent stable release of Chrome 70 that signals the end of Google's Symantec root distrust plan. In the year since acquiring Symantec's Website Security and PKI businesses, DigiCert has managed a certificate replacement program leading to the wholesale exchange of Symantec CA infrastructure and replacing more than 5 million certificates.

Over the last year, DigiCert has helped companies affected by the distrust action by replacing impacted certificates for free before the Chrome 70 stable release. An extensive outreach program, working with partners, and a comprehensive validation process have led to replacing certificates for 99 percent of the Alexa 1 Million websites. For those few remaining sites that have not reissued and replaced their certificates, DigiCert strongly encourages them to act now to avoid browser warnings.

"DigiCert, along with our partners and customers, has executed an extraordinary certificate replacement process for a large segment of our industry. Our teams have worked many long hours to ensure this event had minimal impact to our customers and the Internet in general, and I am very grateful for their efforts," said DigiCert CEO John Merrill. "This could have been an extremely disruptive event to online commerce. But one year after DigiCert closed the acquisition of Symantec's Website Security business, we have successfully completed our requirements for Chrome. And even with the intense focus on the replacement process, we are excited to be showing growth in 2018."

Continued Merrill, "Now that we can turn our focus to moving forward, we are strongly positioned to lead the market with next-generation TLS and PKI solutions, and work with the CA community to improve industry standards."

A brief overview of the replacement task and what DigiCert accomplished includes:

Managing wholesale replacement of Symantec's multiple CA backend systems in one month between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, 2017 .

. Combining validation teams and training employees on DigiCert's compliant CA processes.

Revalidating domains and issuing more than 5 million replacement certificates for Symantec, VeriSign, Thawte, GeoTrust and RapidSSL customers.

Revalidating more than 550,000 organizational identities that moved to DigiCert trusted roots.

Providing support, tools and information to partners and customers to facilitate free replacements for all impacted TLS certificates. These efforts have included millions of emails, in-console messages, and uncounted outbound phone calls to reach all affected.

Redesigning and improving validation systems and automation across the CA infrastructure to improve scaling and provide a consistent, customer-centric, fast experience.

DigiCert remains committed to being a best-in-class CA operation, providing customers with confidence in the company's processes and the TLS industry in general. In addition to scaling and redesigning its validation processes, DigiCert has focused on improving its operations and technologies, including:

Making a major investment into improved infrastructure, data centers and new architecture to achieve secure agility and scale.

Establishing partnerships to provide certificates with post-quantum cryptography that will be resistant to quantum computers. This is especially important as many IoT devices have lifecycles that will last well into the era of quantum computers.

Developing secure solutions on top of blockchain technology.

Investing resources to drive improvements within industry standards bodies.

Said Merrill, "With the completion of our part of this unprecendented distrust management event, we want to thank our partners and customers, as well as the browser and security communities, for working with us. Moving forward, we are excited about refocusing our talented teams to produce needed advancements in trustworthy communications for the web PKI and a variety of emerging markets and technologies. As we do, we will stay true to the values that have made DigiCert the most trusted brand in our industry."

About DigiCert, Inc.

DigiCert is the world's leading provider of scalable PKI solutions for identity and encryption. The most innovative companies, including the Global 2000, choose DigiCert for its expertise in identity and encryption for web servers and Internet of Things devices. DigiCert supports TLS/SSL and other digital certificates for PKI deployments at any scale through its certificate lifecycle management platform, CertCentral . The company has been recognized with dozens of awards for its enterprise-grade management platform, fast and knowledgeable customer support, and market-leading growth. For the latest DigiCert news and updates, visit digicert.com or follow @digicert .

SOURCE DigiCert, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.digicert.com

BEIJING, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From November 1 to 7, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (the "Company" or "New Oriental") (NYSE: EDU), the largest provider of private educational services in China, held an installation art show themed "Life Lies in Learning" at Eslite Spectrum, interpreting the meaning of "learning" with new installation art.

Life Lies in Learning, Interpreting Learning with Art

The primary installation artwork at the show is a hollowed-out statue wearing doctorial hat and gown. Created with steel, the statue is composed of more than 15,000 laser-engraved English letters, digits and symbols. It took more than 50,000 welds and 7 months to finally take shape. Around the statue, there are 26 English letter installations built with 1.6m high steel frames featuring warm light source inside and canvas outside. Except the letter X which represents the "unknown you", every other letter installation has an English word - starting from the letter - on it. Below the word, it's the story of a learner which reflects the word's meaning. Together, the 25 stories tell the 25-history of New Oriental.

Xie Yong, creator of this installation and dean of the School of Fine Art at Shenyang University, once won international awards including gold Effie Award with works like "Pain from Thousands of Needles." He said: "The art work was created through hammering, polishing, connecting and casting, much like the learning process. The final installation is a statue and can also be seen as life."

New Oriental Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Art

As an "Art + Education" crossover innovation, it is the first art show in the education industry that uses installation art for an education theme, celebrating the 25th anniversary of New Oriental.

"This installation art show reflects New Oriental's education philosophy of 'lifetime learning, global vision, independent personality and social responsibility,'" said Michael Yu, founder of New Oriental. Educate and art are closely related to each other. Art is an integral part of the education for all-around development that China is strongly promoting. "Education of all children should start from art. If children can better discover, express and create beauty, they will love the world more and better address difficulties and frustrations in their life."

The "Life Lies in Learning" Installation Art Show demonstrates the power of "Art + Education." All visitors of this show have their own understanding and interpretation of "learning" based what they see and feel, which is the charm of art.

SOURCE New OrientalFORT WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellison Bakery (or "Ellison"), a portfolio company of Blackford Capital and a leading manufacturer of cookie and snack products for the industrial market, food service, and retail private label space, is proud to have welcomed Stephanie Chattillion as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Since acquiring Ellison Bakery in January of 2017, Blackford Capital has driven tremendous growth at the Company. Chattillion was brought on board in July of 2018 to lead Ellison and execute profitable growth moving forward.

Chattillion brings fourteen years of senior executive experience and has been providing leadership to a wide range of industries, including seven years in Bakery. Prior to joining Ellison, Chattillion held leadership roles with Dawn Foods Products, CSM Bakery Supplies NA, and Newell Rubbermaid.

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Ellison team and build upon its well-established reputation for quality and customer service," said Stephanie Chattillion. "I look forward to leading Ellison in its next chapter of the growth and operational execution." Since joining Ellison, Chattillion has been focused on improving business processes and employee engagement.

"We are excited to have Stephanie leading the team at Ellison and look forward to the valuable impact she will have on the organization," said Jeff Johnson, Managing Director at Blackford Capital and Chairman of the Board. "Stephanie has an outstanding track record and reputation in the industry, and we have no doubt that her strong background in business processes will be a great contribution to Ellison's growth initiatives moving forward."

About Ellison Bakery

Founded in 1945, Ellison Bakery is a leading industrial bakery located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ellison produces cookie, snack bar, crunch and inclusion, and other products for the industrial market, food service industry, and retail and private label space. Ellison maintains several baking lines with a diverse set of capabilities that allow it to deliver exceptional quality and customer service. For more information, visit ebakery.com.

About Blackford Capital

Founded in 2000, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford Capital makes majority control investments in founder and family-owned, lower middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and services companies. For more information, visit blackfordcapital.com.

Contact:

Melanie Jaroch

Blackford Capital

[email protected]

SOURCE Blackford Capital

Related Links

http://www.blackfordcapital.com

ROCKLAND, Mass., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Embracing Carers, the global initiative designed to increase awareness, discussion, and action about the often-overlooked needs of caregivers, joined the American Cancer Society today to announce a collaboration that will support unpaid family caregivers who care for patients with cancer. Embracing Carers is an initiative of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates its biopharmaceutical business as EMD Serono in the US and Canada.

The collaboration will focus on two critical areas of need for cancer patient caregivers: the increasing responsibilities in managing medical-related tasks at home and the need for self-care to prevent burnout, depression, and isolation. Caregivers typically do not receive instruction or support for these topics, instead developing critical skills through trial and error. Caregivers also generally experience higher rates of clinical depression, premature aging, and chronic health conditions than the non-caregiving population, demonstrating the impact that the stresses associated with caregiving can have.

An eleven-part video series providing instruction on side effect management and medical best practices, will include topics such as treatment side effects, medication management, drain care, port care, maintaining sterility in bandage care, identifying signs of infection, managing pain and other treatment side effects, and medication management.

The video series will also provide advice on self-care and communication, including coping and stress management (anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, anger), communication skills (how to ask for help, speaking with health professionals), intentional exercise, nutritious meal preparation, deep breathing and meditation, and seeking respite care.

"Across the world, countless caregivers care for loved ones with cancer every day and in every country," said Rachel Cannady, Strategic Director of Cancer Caregiver Support at the American Cancer Society. "In many situations, they do not know who to turn to  or are even aware that there are resources out there to help them. Aside from the patients themselves, their caregivers are often the only people who know everything that is going on with the patient. They link with the physician and health care team, coordinate the patient's care, and serve as the primary communicator to family, friends, and medical staff, all while trying to help their loved one live as normal a life as possible."

"Once the patient returns home from surgery or recurrent treatments, their caregivers perform at-home, medical-related tasks that they aren't trained or prepared for," Cannady continued. "This new partnership with Embracing Carers is a practical way to give caregivers new skills that will benefit the patient and themselves, enhancing the ability of the caregiver and the overall care of cancer patients."

"What we have seen is that the experience of caregiving is a universal one, but the specific skills that caregivers need can vary widely by illness," said Joe Horvat, Senior Vice President, Oncology for EMD Serono. "The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 1.7 million new cancer cases this year alone, which means millions of affected caregivers. We hope that the video series that we are unveiling today will make a difference in the lives of those who care for people living with cancer."

"We see caregiving as one of the most substantial  and yet largely unaddressed  public health issues of our time," Horvat continued. "Caregivers are the lynchpin of the health care system, and we want to shine a light on their roles, their needs, and the fact that there is help and support out there for them. We do this by collaborating with organizations that support caregiver initiatives, driving greater visibility and awareness of caregiver challenges, supporting increased policy attention and action, and creating innovative opportunities for health care system integration."

The development of this video package fills a deep gap. Consultation on the video content was provided by leading experts in the field of caregiving and employees of the American Cancer Society. To watch and share the video series please visit: www.cancer.org/caregivervideos.

About Embracing Carers

Embracing Carers is a global initiative led by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operating as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore, and EMD Performance Materials in the United States and Canada. It is a collaboration with leading caregiver organizations around the world designed to increase awareness, discussion, and action about the often-overlooked needs of caregivers. Given that caregivers need support and often do not know where to turn for help, Embracing Carers was created to fill that void.

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono - the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada  is engaged in the discovery, research and development of medicines for patients with difficult to treat diseases. The business is committed to transforming lives by developing and delivering meaningful solutions that help address the therapeutic and support needs of individual patients. Building on a proven legacy and deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, EMD Serono is developing potential new oncology and immuno-oncology medicines while continuing to explore potential therapeutic options for diseases such as psoriasis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. Today, the business has approximately 1,300 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts. www.emdserono.com

Your Contact





Lisa Buffington 1 781 681 2340

SOURCE EMD Serono

Related Links

http://www.emdserono.com

BOYTON BEACH, FL, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - EPHS Holdings Inc. (OTCQB:STNN) ("EPHS" or the "Company"), together with its joint venture partner, Merritt Valley Cannabis Corporation ("MVC") is pleased to announce it has signed a Share Exchange Agreement (the "Agreement") with MVC and its shareholders. In conjunction with the Agreement, the Board of Directors of EPHS (the "Board") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Stevan Perry as the new EPHS President.

Mr. Perry is a senior executive and business development leader with over 20 years of corporate, operational, and project management experience. He has had a progressive career specializing in the business development of major projects, scaled energy solutions, and corporate development for energy intensive start-ups, Fortune 100, and cannabis companies. Mr. Perry is the founder and a partner of MVC. Prior to MVC, Mr. Perry was Vice President of Energy and Major Projects for The Green Organic Dutchman ("TGOD"). Prior to his appointment to TGOD, Mr. Perry acted as the Energy Solution Team Leader for Eaton Corporation ("Eaton").

Mr. Perry stated "I am excited to be joining the EPHS team during this pivotal time within the cannabis industry. Just three weeks after legalization there is an incredible opportunity to further and develop the EPHS brand and business plan. Our vision is to be different, the EPHS business model is built on simplicity and focus. It is our objective to build with efficiency and to deliver cannabis to the under-supplied Canadian and global markets. A recent Bank of Montreal report projected the cannabis industry to have a valuation of $194 billion Canadian dollars within the next seven years. I would like to thank the entire MVC team and industry peers I have worked with over the past several years within the cannabis industry."

EPHS's CEO, Gianfranco Bentivoglio, stated "I am honored to appoint Stevan Perry as our President. Having Mr. Perry, on board provides the proven experience with the cannabis industry vital to scaling supply to serve the high demand market. This is a great time for the company and for the Company's shareholders."

About EPHS Holdings Inc.

EPHS Holdings Inc., together with its joint venture partner, Merritt Valley Cannabis, is a licensed commercial cannabis cultivator engaging in the cultivation, possession, research, processing, sales, and distribution of medicinal and recreational cannabis under the laws of Health Canada Licensed Producer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimations, and projections at the time the statements are made, and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those currently anticipated, including, but not limited to, delays, difficulties, changed strategies, or unanticipated factors or circumstances affecting EPHS Holdings Inc. and its business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which the statement is made, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, one should be mindful of the risk factors and other cautionary statements found in the Company's filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, its Form 10, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The risk factors and other factors noted in the Company's SEC filings could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

About Emerald Plants Health Source

www.ephsholdings.com

SOURCE EPHS Holdings Inc.Compelling Micro-Ultrasound Results from Seven Clinics is featured in Unprecedented

Eight Clinical Posters, Three Clinical Presentations and in Two Hands-On Training Sessions

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Exact Imaging (www.exactimaging.com), the world's leader in high resolution micro-ultrasound systems enabling real-time imaging and biopsy guidance for the prostate, announced that compelling results derived from the ExactVu micro-ultrasound systemare featured in an unprecedented eight Clinical Posters, three Clinical Presentations and in two Hands-On Training Sessions at EAU's 7th Meeting of the EAU Section of Urological Imaging (ESUI).

The 7th ESUI meeting will be held on November 8, 2018 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in conjunction with the 10th European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers (EMUC). ESUI's 2018 theme is "Getting it right: Indications for modern urological imaging" and the meeting highlights the latest developments in urological imaging.

"We are thrilled to have such a significant presence at ESUI, the largest annual meeting in urological imaging", says Randy AuCoin, Exact Imaging's President and CEO. "The large number of Clinical Posters and Clinical Presentations citing compelling results from the ExactVu platform is reflective of the quick growth in adoption and clinical utility of micro-ultrasound. In addition, the ExactVu system's rapid learning curve, the consistency of results across seven urological clinics in different settings represented at ESUI, and the very positive detection rates provides strong clinical evidence for micro-ultrasound as a leading solution for guiding real-time targeted prostate biopsies".

The posters and talks include clinical results from ExactVu customers at Ordensklinikum Linz (Linz, Austria), Polyclinique de Reims Bezannes (Reims, France), Urology of Virginia (Virginia Beach, USA), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, Canada), Humanitas (Milan, Italy), Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, USA) and Urologia Clinica (Bilbao, Spain).

The Clinical Presentations citing the ExactVu platform are:

Micro-ultrasound: Down to 100 microns, does it help? (G. Lughezzani)

(G. Lughezzani) Accuracy of Micro-Ultrasound for Identification of Prostate Cancer: A Comparative Study with Whole Mount Pathology (B. Wodlinger)

(B. Wodlinger) Diagnostic Accuracy of Targeted Prostate Biopsies: A Prospective Trial Comparing

Micro-Ultrasound with Multiparametric MRI for the Detection of Prostate Cancer (G. Lughezzani)

The Clinical Posters include the following:

The ExactVu / FusionVu platform will also be demonstrated live at the ESUI Hands-on Training in MRI Fusion Biopsy Workshops on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 10.00 and 14.00.

About Exact Imaging:

Exact Imaging (www.exactimaging.com) is the world's leader in high-resolution micro-ultrasound systems enabling real-time imaging and guided biopsies in the urological market for prostate cancer. Exact Imaging's ExactVu micro-ultrasound platform operates at 29 MHz and enables a whole new level of resolution with the benefits of ease of use, affordability, and is an extension of the current urological workflow. Using the Exact Imaging platform, urologists are able to visualize areas of interest in the prostate and specifically target biopsies at those areas. For the minority of cases where MRI might assist (i.e., prior negative biopsies), the FusionVu micro-US/MRI fusion application operates on the ExactVu micro-ultrasound platform and facilitates MRI fusion-based targeting. The ExactVu micro-ultrasound system including the FusionVu application have received regulatory approval in the European Union (CE Mark), the United States (FDA 510(k)) and Canada (Health Canada medical device license).

SOURCE Exact Imaging

Related Links

www.exactimaging.com

CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FLEx Lighting , the world leader in front lighting for low power displays, announced today the close of a $9 million Series B financing round led by venture capital fund Energy Foundry with participation from SABIC Ventures, Bascom Ventures, and others. This round of financing will help FLEx expand their product lineup with new tablet-sized displays, as well as widen distribution channels and global representation.

FLEx frontlit technology is changing the way we look at our devices. Founded in 2004, FLEx developed a front light system for device displays that's power-efficient and sunlight-readable. These front lighting products provide critical solutions for the rapidly expanding category of Reflective LCDs for mobile devices.

This round of financing enables FLEx to grow their product portfolio into 7"+ displays for tablets, consumer applications, and other larger personal information displays. Having a supplier, SABIC, as an investor in this round expands FLEx's supply chain and materials expertise for display products as well as for future applications in automotive and general lighting.

"While others are focusing on improvements to the battery, FLEx's technology delivers a 5x reduction on the consumption side of the equation by reducing energy drain by the display components," said Sara Chamberlain, Managing Director, Energy Foundry. "We are thrilled to support this exceptional team in their next phase of growth."

"We remain focused on delivering the best displays in the world to our customers, ones which provide high resolution, full color, sunlight readability and ultra-low power consumption," said Mike Casper, FLEx Lighting CEO. "This round of capital will allow us to expand our product offerings; enter the education, consumer and commercial displays market; and increase our global manufacturing and sales networks. We look forward to continuing to partner with our customers and investors to deliver more efficient displays and illumination."

About FLEx Lighting

FLEx Lighting is changing the way we see and experience light. FLEx's technologies have created the world's thinnest lighting system, which is now powering next generation electronic displays, LED luminaires and other lighting applications. For more information, visit www.flexlighting.com.

About Energy Foundry

Energy Foundry invests venture capital in today's most promising energy innovators and works with the world's leading energy companies to build and scale new ventures. Their approach merges venture capital with the perks of partnership and includes an arsenal of essential tools and relationships to help bring great ideas to market. For additional information, visit www.energyfoundry.com.

About SABIC Ventures

SABIC Ventures is venture arm of SABIC, one of the world's largest petrochemical companies, headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SABIC Ventures is focused on providing venture capital financing to innovative companies in the fund's sectors of interest on a global scale.

Media Contact:

Benjamin Wagner

[email protected]

773-295-0305

SOURCE FLEx Lighting, LLC

Related Links

http://www.flexlighting.com

Chinese buyers placed massive orders for a wide variety of foreign goods during the first two days of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), being held Nov. 5-10, in Shanghai.





The first batch of orders from China's State-owned enterprises came from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Ten companies affiliated to CASC signed 16 deals worth about 5 billion yuan (US$ 721.28 million) with 13 companies from 11 countries and regions on Tuesday.





The contracts were not limited to aerospace projects, but also involved leasing contracts worth 2.6 billion yuan with Russian air company Sky Gate Airlines and two U.S. cargo airlines, as the CASC seeks to expand its business scope to the international air freight sector and seize opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative.





CASC also planned to sign 24 other deals worth a total of 6 billion yuan with companies from Germany, the United States, the Czech Republic, Japan, Switzerland, etc. before Saturday.





In the healthcare sector, the da Vinci Surgical System attracted much attention. Within one day, 21 Chinese public hospitals showed their intention to purchase the state-of-the-art surgery robot, with the value of all potential orders surpassing US$60 million.





Chinese private enterprises also announced enormous purchase plans.





On the opening day, the Chinese online retail giant JD.com announced it would sign purchase contracts worth nearly 100 billion yuan during the event.





On the following day, its major rival, Alibaba Group, announced a plan to purchase US$200 billion-worth of foreign goods from 120 countries and regions spread over the next five years.





Other Chinese e-commerce platforms also revealed their own huge purchase plans. The cross-border online retailer Kaola.com announced a plan to place orders worth 20 billion yuan with about 110 foreign firms, while Ymatou.com intends to purchase goods worth some 100 million yuan.





The Chinese buyers' enthusiasm stunned foreign participants at the expo, elevating their interest in entering the enormous Chinese market.





"There are 80 Polish exhibitors at the expo this year. The work is too exhausting. We need to draw lessons from this and bring more people to the expo next year. The number of Polish exhibitors has to surpass 100 next year," said Tomasz Pisula, president of the management board of Polish Investment and Trade Agency.





Brazilian food company JBS has placed the largest beef order ever between China and Brazil, worth US$1.5 billion, with Alibaba Group. "We will surely come back next year," said the chief executive officer in charge of the JBS beef business.





More than 100 exhibitors from Russia are attending the expo. Andrey Slepnev, general director of the Russian Export Center, inaugurated the center's Shanghai office on the sidelines of the CIIE on Tuesday. "This will inject great power into Russia's exports to China," he said.





The CIIE is the world's first import-themed national-level exhibition.





More than 3,000 companies from over 130 countries and regions are participating in the event, bringing with them more than 5,000 new products and technologies.NEW YORK and EVRY, France, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Bioenergies (Euronext Growth: ALGBE) a leader in industrial biotechnology developing a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation, will be attending the Goldman Sachs Sustainable Finance Innovation Forum. The event is being held on November 13, 2018 in New York City.

Marc Delcourt, Chief Executive Officer of Global Bioenergies, will be conducting one-on-one meetings with investors surrounding the event. Investors interested in arranging one-on-one meetings should contact Lytham Partners at (602) 889-9700 or [email protected].

About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and the only one in Europe, that is developing a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The Company initially focused its efforts on the production of isobutene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into fuels, plastics, organic glass and elastomers. Global Bioenergies continues to improve the performance of its process, to operate its demo plant in Germany, and to prepare the first full- scale plant through a joint venture with Cristal Union, named IBN-One. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0011052257  ALGBE).

Stay informed! Subscribe to our newsfeed on

www.global-bioenergies.com

Follow us on Twitter: @GlobalBioenergi

Contact

GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

Jean-Baptiste Barbaroux

Head of Business Development

Phone: +33 1 64 98 20 50

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Bioenergies

Related Links

http://www.global-bioenergies.com

LONDON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Rare Disease Diagnostics Market to Reach $86.15 billion by 2025, Reports BIS Research



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5612791



Rare diseases, also known as orphan diseases, have become a major health burden in the recent times.Comprising 6000-7000 life threatening diseases, rare diseases affect small percentage of the population.



Every country has their own definition of rare disease based on the country's population.In the initial years, pharmaceutical companies were less interested in adopting them to develop treatments for such a small patient population, therefore the US FDA started giving orphan drug designations to the drug candidates intended to treat rare diseases.



Orphan drug designations benefit companies from incentives for the development of these products until the marketing approval. The major challenge in rare diseases treatment is the lack of diagnosis, government policies, awareness and funding for R&D, along with long diagnostic delays.



The increasing patient pool for rare disease cancer, government funding to accelerate research in rare diseases, and interest of big pharmaceutical companies in manufacturing orphan drugs and orphan disease diagnostic devices are expected to be the major factors for the growth of the market.Pharmaceutical giants such as Shire and Qiagen are investing in the R&D for the development of innovative and improved diagnostic devices and assays for rare disease.



Rise in the awareness level among people on rare diseases is also expected to fuel the growth of the market.The rare disease has different definitions across different countries.



Rare diseases are genetically inherited and is difficult and expensive to diagnose and with are few treatment options. A disease is known as rare in the United States if it affects fewer to 200,000 people, and in Europe, a disease is referred to as rare if it affects one in 2000 people. Rare diseases are also referred to those diseases that are underappreciated or ignored by the medical community and drug companies



The global rare disease diagnostic market is segmented based on disease type, test type, age, trait, end-user, and region. The disease type segment is further sub-segmented into gastroenterology, endocrine and metabolism disorders, cardiovascular disorders, neurology, hematology and oncology, dermatology, and other therapeutic areas. The test type segment is further segmented as genetic tests, general lab tests, imaging, and other physical tests for rare diseases. On the basis of trait type, the rare disease diagnostic market is segmented as inherited and acquired. Based on the age group, the rare disease diagnostic market is segmented into children and adults. On the basis of end user, the rare disease diagnostic marker is segmented as hospital laboratories, diagnostic laboratory, genetic testing laboratories, cancer research laboratories, and others genetic services area. The market analysis includes an in-depth examination of the key ecosystem players, key strategies, and developments taking place in this market. Additionally, it includes market dynamics (market drivers, opportunities, and challenges) and industry analysis. Geographically, the market can be segmented into five distinct regions including, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East Africa (MEA).



The purpose of the study is to gain a holistic view of the global rare disease diagnostic market in terms of various factors influencing it such as key market trends, competitive and regulatory aspects of the market, and scientific innovations with respect to gene sequencing.The scope of the report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the diagnostic devices/services and assays used to diagnose rare disease.



It involves wide range of diagnostic tests such as genetic tests (genome sequencing and exome sequencing), lab tests, imaging, and physical examinations that are performed in diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, cancer research institutes and other gene sequencing institutes/companies.



The rare disease diagnostic market is divided into six different segments: diseases, test type, 'trait, age, end user, and region.The report offers the reader with an opportunity to unlock comprehensive insights with respect to the market and helps in forming well informed strategic decisions.



The research uncovers some of the substantial parameters that must be taken into consideration before entering the market.



This research report aims at answering questions related to various aspects of the global market with the help of the key factors driving the market, threats that can possibly inhibit the overall market growth, and the current growth opportunities that are going to shape the future trajectory of the market expansion.The study considers the growth-share matrix model for a comprehensive study of the global enzyme market, and assesses the factors governing the same.



Opportunity matrix and detailed product mapping have been included in the report. The market by region has been further sub-segmented in various countries, and in each sub-segment the key market trends, list of the key players, and recent developments, have been discussed.



Key questions answered in the report:

 What are the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global rare disease diagnostic market?

 What were the market shares of the leading segments and sub-segments of the global rare disease diagnostic market in 2017, and what will be shares in 2025?

 How will each segment of the global rare disease diagnostic market grow during the forecast period, and what will be the revenue generated by each of the segments by the end of 2025?

 What are the influencing factors that may affect the market share of the key players?

 What are the key developmental strategies implemented by the key players to stand out in this market?

 What are the major regulatory authorities/associations/consortiums affecting the global rare disease diagnostic market, and who are the key authorities facilitating development and approval of diagnostic products/services?

 Which companies are holding gene sequencing services, and what is the epidemiology of the rare diseases?

 What are the types of genetic tests involved in the diagnosis of rare diseases, and what is the market share for various test types performed in the diagnosis of rare diseases?

 Which test type will be dominant among physicians for diagnosing rare diseases in terms of revenue?

 Which disease type is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period?

 Which test type is expected to register the highest CAGR for the global rare disease diagnostic market?

 Which end user is expected to register the highest CAGR for the global rare disease diagnostic market?

 Which geographical region will contribute to the highest revenue for rare disease diagnosis during the forecast period?



The report also profiles 15 companies including several key players that have been contributing significantly to the market. They key players of the market include Retrophin, Inc., 3billion, Inc., 23andMe, Inc., QIAGEN N.V., Illumina Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., BGI, Partek, Inc., GENEWIZ, Centogene A.G., Strand Life Sciences Pvt Ltd., Eurofins Scientific, Laboratory Corporation of America, and Laboratory Corporation of America, among others.



Executive Summary

Rare diseases have become a major health burden in the recent times.Also known as orphan diseases, rare diseases are a group of 6000-7000 life threatening diseases affecting a small percentage of the population.



Countries also have their own definition of rare disease based on the population.Rare diseases are also known as orphan diseases because pharmaceutical companies were less interested in adopting them to develop treatments for small patient population.



The US FDA then decided to design drugs as orphan drugs and give incentives to encourage companies to develop diagnostics and treatment options for rare diseases. The major challenge in the case of rare diseases is the lack of diagnosis and treatment options, government policies, and funding for research and development.



The global rare disease diagnostics market was valued $45.18 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to reach $86.15 billion by 2025. Factors such as high incidence of rare diseases, presence of large numbers of research and development facilities for rare diseases, significant number of rare disease registries, high diagnosis rare of rare diseases in countries of North America, and extensive investments in different therapeutic areas are driving the growth of the North America rare disease diagnostics market. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to register the highest CAGR of 9.22% during the forecast period 2018-2025.



The purpose of the study is to gain a holistic view of the global rare disease diagnostics market in terms of various factors influencing it such as key market trends, competitive and regulatory aspects of the market, and scientific innovations with respect to gene sequencing.The scope of the report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the diagnostic devices/services, assays used to diagnose rare diseases.



Rare disease diagnosis involves wide range of diagnostic tests such as genetic tests, lab tests, imaging, physical examinations performed in diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, cancer research institutes and others.The rare disease diagnostics market is divided into six different segments: diseases, test type, trait, age, end user, and region.



The report offers the reader with an opportunity to unlock comprehensive insights with respect to the market and helps in forming well-informed strategic decisions. The research uncovers some of the substantial parameters that must be taken into consideration before entering the market.



The global rare disease diagnostics market (by disease type) is currently dominated by hematology and oncology segment. The contribution of hematology and oncology segment was valued $10.0 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $20.5 billion by 2025, witnessing a CAGR of 9.35% during the forecast period.



Based on test type, the market is segmented into genetic tests, general lab tests, imaging, and other physical tests for rare diseases. Rare diseases are difficult to diagnose and according to NIH, as many as 80 % of rare diseases are genetic in origin, thus often requiring genetic test for diagnosis



Based on the trait type, the market is segmented into inherited and acquired.Based on the age group, the market is segmented into children and adults.



About 80% of rare diseases are not acquired, they are inherited or has predisposition of faulty gene.The average time to diagnosis is approximately 5-6 years and 40% of rare diseases are misdiagnosed.



Children account for 50 % of rare disease patients.According to the Canadian Organization of Rare Diseases, two-third of Canadians suffering from rare disease are children.



Another extremely unfortunate fact is that thirty percent of children with rare diseases are not likely to reach their fifth birthday.



Geographically, the market is segmented into five distinct regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East Africa (MEA).North America, followed by Europe, is the leading contributor of the market.



Within North America, the U.S. contributed for almost 91.12% of the total share, and the rest was occupied by Canada in 2017. Within Europe, the U.K dominated the market in 2017. However, the market for the Asia-pacific region is expected to demonstrate high growth rate during the forecast period from 2018 to 2025, as compared to other regions, and the region holds a strong potential for market expansion in the future.



The rare disease diagnostics market (by genetic tests) has a promising potential for growth in the coming years.The report provides an in-depth SWOT analysis of different key players of the market, supported by extensive financial summary of each company.



The key players of the market include Retrophin, Inc., QIAGEN N.V., Illumina Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., BGI, Partek, Inc., Centogene A.G., Strand Life Sciences Pvt Ltd., Eurofins Scientific, Laboratory Corporation of America, and Laboratory Corporation of America, among others.



Countries Covered

 North America

 U.S.

 Canada

 Europe

 U.K

 Germany

 France

 Russia

 Italy

 Spain

 Rest-of-Europe

 Latin America

 Brazil

 Mexico

 Rest-of-Latin America

 Asia Pacific

 China

 Japan

 India

 Australia

 Singapore

 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

 MEA

 GCC Country

 South Africa

 Rest-of-MEA



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5612791



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NEW YORK, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Green Africa Airways recently announced that it has appointed Nathan Smith, Lara Yusuff, Kristof Hegedus and Jasmine Dhillon as Directors of Maintenance & Engineering, Quality & Safety, Ground Operations and Cabin Services, respectively.

Nathan Smith is a seasoned industry leader with almost 40 years of aviation experience. He most recently established Maintenance, Engineering and the Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Organization (CAMO) program at flyadeal airlines, the low-cost subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines. Flyadeal received its AOC in less than 12 months and commenced flight operations in late 2017. Prior to flyadeal, Nathan served as SVP of Maintenance & Engineering at SpiceJet Airlines in India. As a Nominated Postholder at SpiceJet, he had overall responsibility for the technical function and establishment of safety and airworthiness standards for the airline fleet under the guidance and directions of the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) India. Nathan spent 27 years at American Airlines before embarking on the international phase of his career. At American, he held various positions within aircraft maintenance and engineering. In his last years at American Airlines, he had overall maintenance & engineering responsibilities for American Airlines' West Coast Operations.

Lara Yusuff currently serves as Regulatory Support Manager (Directorate of Safety, Compliance & AOC) at TUI Airways UK & I. She has responsibility for ensuring that TUI Aviation's regulatory requirements are met and standards upheld across its AOCs, design, maintenance and training organizations within Europe. Prior to joining TUI Aviation, Lara worked at British Airways (Directorate of Engineering) where she served as a Quality Engineer, Approvals & Authorizations Manager and Project Implementation Manager. She also served as Senior Quality Engineer and Deputy Chief of Airworthiness at MGR Foamtex, a leading manufacturer of advanced passenger upholstery systems for premium cabin seating. During the much earlier days of her career, Lara served as an Aviation Safety Inspector at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Kristof Hegedus most recently served as the Director of Ground Operations (and nominated postholder) at Primera Air where he had overall management responsibilities for the Ground Operations, Security and Operations Control Center (OCC) departments. Prior to Primera, Kristof was the Compliance Manager for Ground Operations at Wizz Air. In this role, he led ground handling and airport operations for Wizz Air in Italy, Lithuania and Latvia. He was also responsible for designing and managing compliance monitoring audits, maintaining all Ground Operations Manuals, setting up stations, and training handling agents. Before joining Wizz Air, Kristof was Head of Operations at Goldair Handling Bulgaria, and prior to that, he spent six years at easyJet in various roles including Crew Control Officer and Airport Operations Officer.

Jasmine Dhillon, an industry veteran with over 24 years of experience, most recently led the Cabin Crew Department at Air Asia India. In this role, Jasmine had responsibilities for hiring and training cabin crew, cabin crew operations and maintaining a customer-focused environment across the company while keeping a close eye on revenue generation and cost efficiency. Prior to Air Asia, Jasmine was Deputy General Manager of Inflight Services at SpiceJet. At SpiceJet, she oversaw the airline's inflight department across India and had responsibility for a team of 20+ managers and nearly 900 crew members. Before joining SpiceJet, Jasmine served as Assistant Base Manager at Kingfisher Airlines. Jasmine's earlier experiences include serving as a flight attendant with Tower Air, ModiLuft and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

"We are incredibly delighted to welcome Nathan, Lara, Kristof and Jasmine to the Founding gTeam. They are a group of talented industry leaders with a shared vision to build Green Africa Airways into a world-class carrier that will help create a better future for several millions of customers in Nigeria and Africa at large. Not only that, they are committed to tapping into their top-notch base of knowledge and industry relationships to help train the next generation of leaders in the Nigerian commercial aviation industry," said Green Africa Airways.

About Green Africa Airways

Green Africa Airways is a value airline start-up headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Through safe, quality and affordable air travel, Green Africa Airways seeks to be a significant contributor to the economic development of Nigeria and the African continent.

SOURCE Green Africa AirwaysNEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, celebrated a win for the gun safety movement tonight as voters elected gun sense champions up and down the ballot. In races across the country, Americans turned out to support candidates who will make gun safety a priority and rejected NRA-backed candidates and the gun lobby's extreme, out-of-touch agenda. Of the 110 Everytown-supported races that have been called so far, nearly 80 percent of candidates have won.

In total, Everytown spent $30 million this cycle on targeted contributions, independent expenditures and voter motivation and mobilization. Everytown invested strategically to elect members of Congress, governors and state legislators who will pass and enforce stronger gun safety laws. Whether it was holding adversaries accountable for blocking progress on gun safety bills, supporting allies who will stand up to the NRA or ensuring new gun sense champions are in a position to advocate for public safety, Everytown focused on races that matter for legislation in 2019.

Everytown's strategy this cycle included reaching young voters, women and communities of color. One way Everytown did this was through a voter motivation and mobilization campaign " Not One More ," which reached more than 10.3 million voters through digital advertising in 16 critical congressional districts. Moms Demand Action volunteers, who spent months phone banking and canvassing, also had conversations with more than 1.2 million voters this cycle.

The NRA once was an electoral kingmaker but, this cycle its support was a liability in many races. This year candidates in many races ran away from the NRA and its dangerous agenda. And NRA darlings including gubernatorial candidates Kris Kobach in Kansas, Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado and Rep. Barbara Comstock in Virginia lost their races. Tonight showed more and more voters are siding with gun safety and rejecting the NRA's extreme agenda.

Voters made it clear in pre-election polling that gun safety is a top priority , with 61 percent of voters favoring stronger gun laws. Now, lawmakers must heed the call to take action. Pre-election polling also showed that by a two-to-one margin, voters preferred candidates who do not take gun lobby money. Polling also showed there were twice as many single-issue gun safety voters as single-issue NRA voters.

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

"It's official: The 2018 midterms represent a significant victory for the gun violence prevention movement. Gun safety advocates helped gain control of the House and elect new gun sense champions to statehouses across the country. In the process, we established new gun safety strongholds. The NRA has gone from a political kingmaker to a liability, and that's because Americans are fed up with its divisive rhetoric and extreme policies. Now it's time for lawmakers to listen to voters and pass common-sense gun laws."

STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

"The hard work of Moms Demand Action volunteers and gun violence survivors, many of whom put their lives on hold to elect gun sense champions, paid off and we'll carry that momentum into 2019. Now is the time to double down, and our grassroots army will make sure the leaders we fought so hard to elect follow through on their commitment to pass stronger gun laws. And we'll show the nation what a gun sense majority can do."

Federal Work

Everytown focused primarily on voter motivation and mobilization among youth, women and communities of color in 16 critical congressional districts through our $5-million " Not One More " digital advertising campaign. From September to November, it reached more than 10.3 million voters. Produced by Wieden+Kennedy, the campaign urged Americans to "vote gun safety" through provocative videos, billboards and banner ads. Districts included: CA-48, CA-49, CO-06, GA-06, KS-03, MN-03, NV-03, NV-04, FL-27, MI-08, MI-11, MO-02, NJ-03, NJ-11, VA-10 and WA-08.

In addition, in CO-06, Everytown spent more than $700,000 to elect veteran Jason Crow and oust NRA-supported Rep. Mike Coffman, who had taken more NRA PAC money than anyone in Colorado's congressional delegation. Everytown also spent significantly to support gun violence survivor and gun safety movement leader Lucy McBath in GA-06, a district that was home to the most expensive congressional race ever in 2017. McBath is running against NRA A-rated incumbent Karen Handel in a district that leans Republican. As of now, the race is too close to call.

State Work

Everytown devoted its resources to support candidates in states where there is an opportunity to pass good bills or block bad bills. They include: Colorado (governor), Kansas (governor), Michigan (governor), Minnesota (governor), Nevada (governor), New Mexico (governor), Oregon (governor), Pennsylvania (governor) and Rhode Island (governor).

Everytown also helped elect gun sense majorities in three statehouses: the Colorado Senate, the New Hampshire Senate and the Minnesota State House.

In addition, Everytown contributed $1.5 million to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) this cycle. The DGA was involved in critical races, including in states like Colorado, Michigan and Rhode Island. Everytown's significant contributions helped the DGA elect gun sense champions and educate voters about their candidates' stance on gun safety laws. Everytown also contributed to the Democratic Attorneys General Association this cycle.

Volunteer Mobilization

To achieve its electoral goals, Everytown harnessed the grassroots power of more than 5 million supporters. Volunteers from Moms Demand Action spent months talking to candidates about gun safety as well as registering voters, phonebanking, canvassing and getting out the vote for gun safety champions. Volunteers from Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network had more than 1,200,000 conversations with voters and helped register more than 100,000 voters across the country, along with partner organizations . As part of our electoral program, more than 3,000 candidates sought and received a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction this cycle, pledging to stand up for gun safety if elected into office. Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund also endorsed 196 key gun sense champions this cycle.

Additionally, Everytown produced three videos to encourage participation and turnout that reached more than 1.7 million voters, Enough! , Make a Plan and a video with ATTN .

Everytown's Role in Key States + Races

IN NEVADA, where voters passed a background check initiative backed by Everytown in 2016 that Attorney General Adam Laxalt opposed and has said he cannot implement, voters  68 percent of whom want to see the background check law implemented  elected gun sense champions:

Jacky Rosen , U.S. Senate

Steve Sisolak , governor, who defeated NRA A+ rated Laxalt

governor, who defeated NRA A+ rated Laxalt Susie Lee , NV-03

NV-03 Steven Horsford , NV-04

In all, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund spent $2.8 million in support of Sisolak. Everytown also supported Jacky Rosen for U.S. Senate. Everytown spent more than $100,000 on NV-03 as part of Everytown's $5-million dollar advertising campaign called " Not One More ," which targeted critical congressional districts.

IN MICHIGAN, where the state legislature has introduced, but not yet passed, a bill to alert law enforcement when a person tries to buy a gun and fails a background check, voters elected gun sense champions including:

Gretchen Whitmer , governor, who defeated NRA A+ rated candidate Bill Schuette

governor, who defeated NRA A+ rated candidate Haley Stevens , MI-11

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund spent more $760,000 in support of Whitmer and more than $400,000 to include MI-11 as part of Everytown's $5-million dollar advertising campaign called " Not One More ," which targeted critical congressional districts.

IN COLORADO, a purple state where the gun lobby has vied for power for years, voters elected gun sense champions:

Jared Polis , governor, who defeated NRA A-rated Walker Stapleton

, governor, who defeated NRA A-rated Jason Crow , CO-06, who defeated NRA A-rated Rep. Mike Coffman

Additionally, Everytown helped elect a gun sense majority in the Colorado Senate.

In total, Everytown spent nearly $1.6 million to elect gun safety candidates in Colorado, including contributing $400,000 to Colorado for Fairness, $300,000 to Our Colorado Values and $50,000 to Coloradans Creating Opportunities to help take back the state Senate and retain a majority in the state House. Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund also spent more than $150,000 in CO-06 as part of Everytown's $5-million dollar advertising campaign called " Not One More ," which targeted critical congressional districts. Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund's spending also included more than $700,000 on a TV ad holding Rep. Mike Coffman accountable for not doing enough to prevent gun violence during nearly a decade representing Colorado in Congress.

IN KANSAS, a deeply red state that has recently made bipartisan progress on gun safety legislation, voters elected gun sense candidates:

Laura Kelly , governor, whose platform included support for common-sense gun safety measures as she defeated her extreme, NRA A-rated opponent Kris Kobach , who once drove a truck mounted with a replica machine gun during a holiday parade

governor, whose platform included support for common-sense gun safety measures as she defeated her extreme, NRA A-rated opponent , who once drove a truck mounted with a replica machine gun during a holiday parade Sharice Davids , KS-03, who stood up to the gun lobby during her campaign

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund spent more than $1 million to support candidates in Kansas, including more than $800,000 towards ads highlighting Kelly and Kobach's policy positions. Everytown also spent nearly $245,000 in KS-03 as part of Everytown's $5-million dollar advertising campaign called " Not One More ," which targeted critical congressional districts.

IN OREGON, a state with a strong history of passing gun safety legislation, voters re-elected:

Kate Brown , governor, a long-time gun safety champion who has prioritized gun violence prevention legislation

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund contributed $750,000 in support of Brown's re-election.

IN MINNESOTA, a state that has stalled Red Flag and background check bills in the statehouse, voters elected gun sense champions:

Tim Walz , governor, a formerly NRA A-rated lawmaker who rejected the NRA and this year ran on common-sense gun safety and his 2018 NRA F Rating

, governor, a formerly NRA A-rated lawmaker who rejected the NRA and this year ran on common-sense gun safety and his 2018 NRA F Rating Angie Craig , MN-02

MN-02 Dean Phillips , MN-03

Additionally, Everytown helped elect a gun sense majority in the Minnesota State House.

Everytown spent more than $470,000 to support Walz. Everytown spent more than $130,000 on MN-03 as part of Everytown's $5-million dollar advertising campaign called " Not One More ," which targeted critical congressional districts.

IN NEW MEXICO, a state that came close to passing a bill closing the background check loophole in 2017, voters elected gun sense champion:

Michelle Lujan Grisham , governor, whose platform included support for common-sense gun safety measures as she beat her NRA A-rated opponent Steve Pearce

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund contributed more than $250,000 in support of Lujan Grisham's campaign.

IN PENNSYLVANIA, a state that passed key gun safety legislation this year, voters re-elected gun safety champions:

Bob Casey , U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate Tom Wolf , governor, who recently signed a life-saving bill to disarm domestic abusers

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Spent more than $200,000 in support of re-electing Governor Tom Wolf.

IN RHODE ISLAND, a state with strong gun safety laws, voters re-elected:

Gina Raimondo , governor, a gun safety champion who recently signed into law Red Flag legislation

About Everytown for Gun Safety

Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 5 million supporters and more than 350,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that can save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and the Everytown Survivor Network. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can save lives. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and, along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Everytown Survivor Network, it is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 5 million supporters and more than 350,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org . Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand

SOURCE Everytown for Gun Safety

Related Links

http://www.everytown.org

VIENNA, Va., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This Veterans Day, Hair Cuttery, the largest family-owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, will honor former military with its November Share-A-Haircut program. For every haircut purchased by Hair Cuttery patrons on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11 and the observed holiday on Monday, Nov. 12, a free haircut certificate will be donated back to aveteran in the same community to say, "thank you." Hair Cuttery partners with veteran's organizations across the U.S., including, the American Red Cross, Operation Sacred Trust and regional Veterans Affairs offices to distribute the free haircut certificates.

"Our Veterans are amongst the greatest heroes of this country," said Dennis Ratner, Hair Cuttery founder and CEO. "Dedicating November's Share-A-Haircut program to former servicemen and women is a small way of honoring their service."

Since 1999, the Share-A-Haircut program has donated 2.4 million free haircut certificates valued at more than $35.9 million to various causes including the homeless, survivors of domestic violence and disadvantaged children. This November, Hair Cuttery hopes to reach thousands more with its veterans-focused campaign.

Hair Cuttery has an established history of charitable giving, supporting a range of local and national causes including, St. Baldrick's Foundation, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Girls on the Run and The National Network to End Domestic Violence.

About Hair Cuttery

Hair Cuttery is the largest family-owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, with nearly 900 company-owned locations on the East Coast, in New England and the Midwest. A full-service, value-priced salon, Hair Cuttery offers a full complement of cuts and styling, coloring, waxing and texturizing services with no appointment necessary, as well as a full line of professional hair care products. Hair Cuttery is committed to delivering a delightful client experience through WOW Service including a Smile Back Guarantee. Hair Cuttery is a division of Ratner Companies, based in Vienna, VA. For more information visit: www.haircuttery.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Diane Daly

Ratner Companies

703-269-5338

[email protected]

Emily Noto

TBC for Hair Cuttery

410-986-1209

[email protected]

SOURCE Hair Cuttery

Related Links

http://www.haircuttery.com

HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hershey Trust Company today announced the sale of 4.5 million shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) common stock.

Specifically, Hershey Trust Company reached an agreement to sell 4,050,000 shares of common stock to Morgan Stanley. An additional 450,000 shares are being sold by Hershey Trust Company to The Hershey Company.

Hershey Trust Company is the Trustee of the Milton Hershey School Trust, which under Milton and Catherine Hershey's 1909 Deed of Trust funds the Milton Hershey School.

Today's common stock sale will not change the Trust's majority voting control of The Hershey Company, but will provide additional diversification of School Trust resources.

"The Boards of Hershey Trust Company/Milton Hershey School approved today's sale of the common shares of The Hershey Company to further diversify the assets that support the Milton Hershey School," said Robert Heist, Chairman of the Boards. "These resources will help advance Milton and Catherine's mission to fund the Milton Hershey School in perpetuity, in an effort to end the cycle of poverty for thousands of children who attend it each and every year."

Mr. Heist added, "Today's action demonstrates the Trust's continuing confidence in the performance of The Hershey Company, and is consistent with the objective of Trust portfolio diversification, without affecting the Trust's voting control of The Hershey Company."

The School Trust will continue to own over 3.8 million shares of The Hershey Company common stock, as well as over 60 million shares of B stock. This will provide the Trust with over 80 percent of the total shareholder vote for The Hershey Company.

SOURCE Hershey Trust CompanyBEIJING, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HuiyiHuiying (HY), a leading medical imaging artificial intelligence (AI) company in China, today announced the previous close of a strategic investment led by Intel Capital with participation of Beijing Singularity Power Investment Fund (SPC), marking the first investments by the firms in the medical AI sector in China. HY will use the funding proceeds to support its business development, product innovation and talent recruitment initiatives.

HY is a medical imaging AI company committed to implementing innovative computer vision and deep learning technologies in the medical sector. The company has achieved rapid growth since its establishment in 2015 and has received investments from CDH, Delta Capital, Bluerun Ventures and Yield Capital. HY is collaborating with more than 800 medical institutions in China in clinical applications and scientific research projects, including the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing Friendship Hospital and several medical associations. The company is expanding its business into overseas markets including the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Europe.

"After three years of dedicated development efforts, HY is leading medical AI business model implementation by building up data links and service platforms on the digitalization, mobility and intelligence of medical imaging," said Dr. Xiangfei Chai, Founder and CEO of HY. "HY launched a series of innovative solutions based on our new patient-oriented product design principle, including the AI research platform for aortic dissection, which is the world's first automatic segmentation of type B aortic dissection. Committed to cross-disciplinary talent development, HY sets up joint laboratories with leading medical and research institutions in China to cultivate professionals with both engineering and medical know-how."

HY and Intel previously established a joint AI laboratory and this new investment from Intel Capital further extends their collaboration. In September 2018, Intel and HY announced the two companies will work together to develop an AI full-cycle breast health management cloud platform to support breast cancer screening and diagnosis. HY will use the investment from Intel Capital to help enhance its R&D capabilities, broaden its market reach and further grow its business as a leading medical AI solution provider.

Anthony Lin, Vice President and Managing Director of Intel Capital International, said: "Intel is committed to promoting data-driven technological innovation and supporting the exploration of AI breakthroughs and application implementation in China's high-technology industry. HY is a leading company in the development and implementation of AI in the medical sector. We believe data combined with smart technology applications can help address major challenges within the medical industry and we look forward to working with HY to find AI-led solutions that contribute to improved health outcomes."

SPC was established in 2015 by the National IC Industry Investment Fund, BOE Technology Group and Yizhuang SDIC. Jiaheng Wang, Managing Director of SPC, said: "We focus on investing in leading AI companies with promising prospects and maturing business models. HY has a comprehensive team with deep knowledge and insights of the medical industry. Clear development strategies, leading R&D ability, strong market expansion capability, and fully recognized customer core values all contribute to HY's success of implementing AI in the medical industry. SPC will collaborate with HY to advance the development of AI for China's medical industry."

About HuiyiHuiying (HY)

Established in 2015, HuiyiHuiying is a medical imaging artificial intelligence company focused on computer vision and deep learning. Headquartered in Beijing, HY has offices in Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, Suzhou and Guangzhou. With strong R&D and business implementation capabilities, HY is an industry leader offering product lines from scientific research to clinical practice. HY implements AI in the full medical process for single disease, from screening, diagnosis to a complete prognosis prediction. HY's multi-modal, full imaging data link is leading the industry in China. For more information regarding HY, please visit www.huiyihuiying.com.

About Intel Capital

Intel Capital invests in innovative startups targeting artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, workload accelerators, 5G connectivity, virtual reality and a wide range of other disruptive technologies. Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested US $12.3 billion in over 1,530 companies worldwide, and more than 660 portfolio companies have gone public or been acquired. For more information on what makes Intel Capital one of the world's most powerful venture capital firms, visit www.intelcapital.com.

About Beijing Singularity Power Investment Fund L.P. (SPC)

Beijing Singularity Power Investment Fund L.P. (SPC) was established in 2015 by the BOE Technology Group, National IC Industry Investment Fund, Yizhuang SDIC, and industry leaders. SPC is headquartered in Yizhuang, Beijing, and has research centers in different IC innovation areas including Zhongguancun in Beijing and Silicon Valley in the USA. The initial investable funds of SPC totaled RMB 4 billion (USD 600m). SPC's investments mainly focus on integrated-circuit design, human-computer interaction, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence.

SOURCE Huiyihuiying

Related Links

http://www.huiyihuiying.com/

TORONTO and SPOKANE, WA, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Hydro One Limited ("Hydro One") (TSX: H) and Avista Corporation ("Avista") (NYSE: AVA) today announced the five independent directors selected to serve on the new Avista Board of Directors, if the proposed merger is approved by utility commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The proposed merger has received regulatory approval from the Alaska and Montana commissions and other federal agencies. As outlined in the proposed merger commitments pending before the commissions, two independent directors were selected by Avista and three independent directors were selected by Hydro One.

All five selections are independent of both organizations, as defined by New York Stock Exchange rules, and have ties to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The four remaining directors will include Avista's current CEO and chairman, Scott Morris, continuing in his role as chairman, current Avista president and director Dennis Vermillion, the CEO of Hydro One and one other senior executive from Hydro One, to be named. Seven of the nine total directors have ties to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, with six of these serving as current Avista directors or employees, ensuring that these directors are familiar with Avista's service territory.

"As we move through the regulatory process, the selection of these independent board members is a vital step in affirming that we will have strong oversight and leadership in place and ready to engage once the transaction closes," Avista Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott L. Morris said. "These individuals are highly experienced, well-versed in our business, understand the needs of our communities and have demonstrated outstanding commitment to our region. We're also pleased that members of Avista's current board have agreed to serve on the future board, and we believe this benefits both organizations and provides for continuity of leadership. We look forward to working with this strong group of leaders as we lead Avista into the future."

"This selection of independent directors brings a strong combination of impressive credentials, depth of experience and a connection to the people and communities of the U.S. Pacific Northwest," said Paul Dobson, acting President and CEO, Hydro One. "This Board of Directors will be well-equipped to guide the long-term health and success of Avista and preserve the identity, culture and proud legacy of this historic company."

The independent directors were selected at this time so that the Avista board of directors would be prepared and ready to begin serving their terms assuming the proposed transaction is approved and closes, which is requested by the end of this year. The newly selected directors are:

Kristianne Blake (Avista selection): Ms. Blake serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as lead director and has been an Avista Director since 2000. She is a long-time resident of Spokane, Washington and has a rich history of involvement in the Spokane community. She has been the president of the accounting firm of Kristianne Gates Blake , P.S. since 1987 and has an extensive background in public accounting. She was a Certified Public Accountant for 33 years, and she worked for 13 years for an international accounting firm. She has served for 22 years on various boards of public companies and registered investment companies. Ms. Blake is also currently serving as board chair for the Russell Investment Company and the Russell investment Funds.

Ms. Blake serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as lead director and has been an Avista Director since 2000. She is a long-time resident of and has a rich history of involvement in the community. She has been the president of the accounting firm of , P.S. since 1987 and has an extensive background in public accounting. She was a Certified Public Accountant for 33 years, and she worked for 13 years for an international accounting firm. She has served for 22 years on various boards of public companies and registered investment companies. Ms. Blake is also currently serving as board chair for the Russell Investment Company and the Russell investment Funds. Donald Burke (Avista selection): Mr. Burke serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as the chair of the audit committee and has been an Avista Director since 2011. As a director, he serves as the Board's designated financial expert. He also currently serves as an independent director for the Virtus mutual fund complex and Duff & Phelps closed-end funds complex. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Burke served as a trustee for numerous global funds that were advised by BlackRock, Inc. From 2006 to 2009, he was a managing director of BlackRock and served as the president and CEO of the BlackRock U.S. mutual funds. In this role, Mr. Burke was responsible for all of the accounting, tax and regulatory reporting requirements for over 300 open and closed-end mutual funds. Mr. Burke joined BlackRock in connection with the merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers ("MLIM"), taking a lead role in the integration of the two firms' operating infrastructures. While at MLIM, Mr. Burke was the Head of Global Operations and Client Services and also served as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of the MLIM mutual funds. He brings significant financial experience to the board from his years in public accounting and his role as the treasurer and CFO of numerous mutual funds. He has extensive board experience, having served on the audit, compliance, governance & nominating, and contract review committees of various boards. Through his service as an Avista director, Mr. Burke has demonstrated his commitment to the Pacific Northwest region.

Mr. Burke serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as the chair of the audit committee and has been an Avista Director since 2011. As a director, he serves as the Board's designated financial expert. He also currently serves as an independent director for the Virtus mutual fund complex and Duff & Phelps closed-end funds complex. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Burke served as a trustee for numerous global funds that were advised by BlackRock, Inc. From 2006 to 2009, he was a managing director of BlackRock and served as the president and CEO of the BlackRock U.S. mutual funds. In this role, Mr. Burke was responsible for all of the accounting, tax and regulatory reporting requirements for over 300 open and closed-end mutual funds. Mr. Burke joined BlackRock in connection with the merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers ("MLIM"), taking a lead role in the integration of the two firms' operating infrastructures. While at MLIM, Mr. Burke was the Head of Global Operations and Client Services and also served as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of the MLIM mutual funds. He brings significant financial experience to the board from his years in public accounting and his role as the treasurer and CFO of numerous mutual funds. He has extensive board experience, having served on the audit, compliance, governance & nominating, and contract review committees of various boards. Through his service as an Avista director, Mr. Burke has demonstrated his commitment to the Pacific Northwest region. Christine Gregoire (Hydro One selection): Ms. Gregoire is the CEO for Challenge Seattle, an organization comprised of 18 major international companies and non-profits located in the Seattle region. Previously, she served for two terms as Governor of the State of Washington with a $32B biennial budget and over 60,000 employees. In her first term as Governor, she created the Department of Early Learning and led on reforms to the K-12 system and investment in higher education. She led the state in a historical investment in infrastructure, addressed the water wars in the state, led an historic number of trade missions, reformed the foster care system to protect children and was among the first to lead in health care reform. During her second term, Ms. Gregoire led the state in major reforms, management and budgeting to position the state as one of the most financially secure to come out of the "Great Recession." Prior to becoming Governor, she served for three terms as Attorney General for the State and prior to becoming Attorney General, she served four years as the Director of the State Department of Ecology. She is also a member of the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and the Bipartisan Governor's Council, and on the advisory boards of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and the Progressive Coalition for American Jobs. Ms. Gregoire recently completed her third year as Chair on the National Export-Import Bank Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, and she and her husband also have a home in north Idaho .

Ms. Gregoire is the CEO for Challenge Seattle, an organization comprised of 18 major international companies and non-profits located in the region. Previously, she served for two terms as Governor of the with a biennial budget and over 60,000 employees. In her first term as Governor, she created the Department of Early Learning and led on reforms to the K-12 system and investment in higher education. She led the state in a historical investment in infrastructure, addressed the water wars in the state, led an historic number of trade missions, reformed the foster care system to protect children and was among the first to lead in health care reform. During her second term, Ms. Gregoire led the state in major reforms, management and budgeting to position the state as one of the most financially secure to come out of the "Great Recession." Prior to becoming Governor, she served for three terms as Attorney General for the State and prior to becoming Attorney General, she served four years as the Director of the State Department of Ecology. She is also a member of the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and the Bipartisan Governor's Council, and on the advisory boards of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and the Progressive Coalition for American Jobs. Ms. Gregoire recently completed her third year as Chair on the National Export-Import Bank Advisory Board. She is a graduate of School of Law, and she and her husband also have a home in north . Scott Maw (Hydro One selection): Mr. Maw serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2016. He has been executive vice president and CFO for Starbucks Coffee Company since February 2014 . He is responsible for Starbucks' Global Finance organization. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of Corporate Finance for Starbucks where he was responsible for corporate finance, including accounting, tax and treasury. Mr. Maw also had oversight for all financial and securities-related regulatory filings. He joined Starbucks as global controller in 2011. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Maw served as CFO of SeaBright Insurance Company from 2010 to 2011. From 2008 to February 2010 he served as CFO of the Consumer Banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is a Seattle, Wash. resident, with roots in Eastern Washington . He graduated from Deer Park High School, just north of Spokane , and is a graduate of Gonzaga University .

Mr. Maw serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2016. He has been executive vice president and CFO for Starbucks Coffee Company since . He is responsible for Starbucks' Global Finance organization. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of Corporate Finance for Starbucks where he was responsible for corporate finance, including accounting, tax and treasury. Mr. Maw also had oversight for all financial and securities-related regulatory filings. He joined Starbucks as global controller in 2011. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Maw served as CFO of SeaBright Insurance Company from 2010 to 2011. From 2008 to he served as CFO of the Consumer Banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is a resident, with roots in . He graduated from Deer Park High School, just north of , and is a graduate of . Marc Racicot (Hydro One selection): Mr. Racicot serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2009. He served as president and CEO of the American Insurance Association from August, 2005 to February, 2009. Prior to that, he was a partner at the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP from 2001 to 2005. He is a former governor (1993 to 2001) and attorney general (1989 to 1993) of the state of Montana . Mr. Racicot was nominated by President Bush and unanimously elected to serve as the chair of the Republican National Committee from 2002 to 2003 prior to assuming the position of chair of the Bush/Cheney Re-election Committee from 2003 to 2004. He previously served as a director for Siebel Systems, Allied Capital Corporation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Plum Creek Timber Company, and The Washington Companies, and presently serves as a director for Weyerhaeuser Company and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In addition, throughout his career, Mr. Racicot has strongly committed himself to children, education and community issues. He was appointed to the board of The Corporation for National and Community Service by President Clinton and has also served on the boards of Carroll College , Jobs for America's Graduates and United Way in Helena, Montana . He is a life-long resident of Montana and a graduate of Carroll College .

Applications for regulatory approval of the transaction are still pending with utility commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. All approvals have been requested by December 14, 2018; however the utility commissions will determine when they issue their final orders.

About Hydro One Limited

We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, over C$25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly C$6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network through Hydro One Telecom Inc. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "attempt", "may", "plan", "will", "can", "believe", "seek", "estimate", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

About Avista Corporation

Avista Corporation is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 383,000 customers and natural gas to 348,000 customers. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company . Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.myAvista.com .

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2018.

SOURCE Hydro One Limited

Related Links

http://www.hydroone.com

PALM BEACH, Florida, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

The cannabis sector is currently riding a notable high as legalization continues to sweep the globe, with Canada becoming the most recent and largest country to date to legalize the substance for recreational use. As the industry has emerged as a unit capable of generating annual revenues in the billions, there have been a number of indirect effects and opportunities for businesses and investors alike. One of those is the operations side of the industry, as leaders need enhanced operations in order to maintain and increase the needed level of production to meet the rising consumer demand. By leveraging advanced cultivation services, leaders in the industry are able to focus on growing their business while their operations continue to improve seamlessly behind the scenes. Another appealing factor of this niche is the job creation associated with expanding grow services and operations, as the industry will add thousands of jobs over the next few years. As the cannabis market continues its rapid ascent into the multi-billion dollar stratosphere, the number of opportunities and spinoffs from the sector is most definitely expected to ascend as well. Active cannabis stocks in the markets today include: CROP Infrastructure Corp. (CSE:CROP) (OTC:CRXPF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB), The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (OTC:SPRWF) (TSX-V:FIRE), Isodiol International Inc. (OTC:ISOLF) (CSE:ISOL), Namaste Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:N) (OTC:NXTTF).

CROP Infrastructure Corp. (CSE:CROP) (OTCPK:CRXPF) BREAKING NEWS: CROP Infrastructure announced today that it is working towards complete vertical integration in California. Processing continues unchecked at Humboldt Farm and new automation equipment has arrived to increase efficiencies and continually increase return on investment (ROI) of finished inventory.

Additionally, CROP's Emerald Heights retail brand has just completed the stage three interview process with the City of San Bernardino which is a major hurdle before the final licensing review to open its first California retail location. CROP is currently going through the process of opening two Emerald Heights locations in Italy, one in Nevada and one at the aforementioned location in California.

The company's tenant is currently accepting and reviewing bids from distributors to represent the company's production under its Hempire, Evolution and White Rhino brands. The tenant has also applied for its own distribution license to represent its own production and the production of other complimentary producers in the region which will result in another license in the growing portfolio of tenant licensees.

CROP has also been notified that the tenants are preparing an extraction license application for Humboldt Farm which will maximize the ROI and broaden the range of Stock Keeping Units ('SKUs') available to retail locations.

CROP has submitted its building plans to the Humboldt County Building and Planning Department to increase the production of the California facility at a cost of $1,000,000 of which $250,000 has already been spent. The increased production will result in an additional ~12,000 pounds of high-quality cannabis and 3,000 pounds of secondary material per year.

CROP Infrastructure CEO, Michael Yorke, stated: "The significance of fully vertically integrating cannot be understated and we are working towards that end as rapidly as is practicable. As with CROP's worldwide tenant strategy, production is always focused on high quality at low cost. With extraction and retail verticals now in process, the opportunity to maximize ROI on a significant scale presents the opportunity to control CROP's tenant destiny and maximize future profits." Read this full announcement and more news for CROP Infrastructure at: http://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-crop/



Additional cannabis industry related developments from around the markets:

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB) Choom Holdings Inc. ("Choom") (CSE: CHOO;OTCQB: CHOOF) recently announced they have completed a non-brokered private placement of a debenture (the "Offering") in the principal amount of $20,000,000 in Choom by Aurora, convertible into common shares of Choom ("Common Shares") at a conversion price of $1.25 per Common Share, with a four year maturity date. Aurora has also secured the right to acquire up to 40% of the Company at $2.75 per Common Share. Choom is currently developing a network of retail stores which will feature a curated selection of products from various licensed producers with a strong focus on elevated customer experiences. Choom has secured the rights to 45 retail opportunities across Western Canada, rapidly expanding its commercial presence in highly strategic locations. This includes a total of 45 applications submitted, with 27 development permits and 18 building permits received from the various municipalities. In all cases the retail opportunities are subject to the necessary provincial and municipal government approvals.

The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (OTCQX:SPRWF) (TSX-V:FIRE.V) recently announced that 7ACRES branded High-End Cannabis is available exclusively through Canada's provincially regulated adult-use channels. More information about 7ACRES and its products can be found at 7ACRES.com. 7ACRES' Jean Guy strain is now available online in British Columbia, and the Company expects that Jean Guy will be online in Alberta , Ontario , Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island next week, and in Manitoba in early November. The balance of 7ACRES' full product lineup will be available shortly thereafter online and in brick-and-mortar stores. "In 2013 we started our journey to develop 7ACRES into Canada's leading brand for premium cannabis flower, delivering on consumer expectations for aroma, visual appeal and flavour," said John Fowler , President of Supreme Cannabis & Founder of 7ACRES. "We're now excited to make 7ACRES available to adult cannabis enthusiasts and consumers looking for a superior sensory experience when consuming cannabis. Our mantra at 7ACRES is 'RESPECT THE PLANT'. We believe that by respecting the plant, the people who care for it and the people who ultimately consume it, we have built a culture of continual improvement where consumers can expect that each flower experience is better than the last."

Isodiol International Inc. (OTCQB:ISOLF) (CSE:ISOL.CN) announced it is set to debut its newest CBD raw ingredient, Heneplex p200, at Supply Side West in Las Vegas November 8th and 9th, 2018, booth 1557, to meet the new demand and market trend in the beverage sector. Heneplex p200 has the advantage of being far more versatile than traditional CBD hemp extracts and oils, which can be difficult to formulate and use to manufacture consumer good products. CBD hemp extract in an oil form sticks to just about everything, tastes bad to many users, and dissolves in few substances besides alcohols and oils. In short, formulating with CBD hemp extracts is challenging. p200 by contrast, can simply be mixed into food and beverage products, almost without exception, including protein shakes, juices, soda, coffee, tea, baked goods or frozen goods, or simply added to a glass of water. Management would also like to provide an update to its shareholders around the volatility of the stock and would like to address recent investor inquiries. The Company has not deviated from its business plan announced on June 29, 2018 and believes it is executing on its business strategies in each division with new revenue opportunities being added on a consistent basis. Further, management believes some of the Company's business strategies are in front of market trends that will soon be recognized by the market, particularly as legalization continues to trend in a favourable direction in the United States and Mexico.

Namaste Technologies Inc. (OTCQB:NXTTF) (TSX-V: N.V) last week announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cannmart Inc. ("Cannmart") has signed a Product Acquisition Agreement (the "Agreement") with Custom Cannabis Inc. ("Custom Cannabis"), whereby Cannmart will purchase packaged and tested cannabis products from Custom Cannabis to offer in Cannmart's online marketplace. Cannmart's "sales-only" license is the first of its kind in Canada to be issued to a non-cultivator, which allows Namaste to leverage its technology platforms and e-commerce expertise to sell medical cannabis procured from a variety of licensed producers throughout Canada. The addition of Custom Cannabis through this Agreement will further enhance Cannmart's offering of high-quality products. The Company continues to focus on securing supply agreements with licensed producers that will ensure product availability for the future.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com (FNM) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued above by CROP Infrastructure Corp. by a non affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.comBOSTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- iProspect, a leading global digital performance agency, announced today the promotion of Charlotte Polci to the newly created role of Vice President of Integrated Solutions. Effective immediately, Polci will report directly to Jeremy Hull, SVP of Innovation at iProspect US.

"iProspect has always embraced the rapid evolution of the digital and media spaces, and we are constantly looking for ways to build out our employees' roles and unlock opportunities that leverage their unique strengths and aspirations to better serve our clients," said Hull. "In her time at iProspect, Charlotte has proven her ability to provide excellent client service and successfully manage teams and I have no doubt that she will excel even more in this new role."

Polci, who works out of iProspect's Boston, Massachusetts office, is responsible for adding value and integrated resources for iProspect's more than 100 clients in the US. In this new role, she will work closely across a number of teams to evolve iProspect's story and offering and showcase how the agency's holistic expertise across digital media channels make iProspect the best partner for brands. Additionally, she will work with key partners  such as Facebook, Amazon, and Google  to unlock value for clients and enable strategic initiatives across the board. Polci will also be tasked with creating strong thought leadership  both for clients and internal purposes  that showcases the agency's expertise and knowledge in performance marketing and the media landscape as a whole.

Polci has been with iProspect for more than eight years and previously served as Group Account Director, where she led the consumer performance division for Microsoft's global business. Prior to that position, Polci served as Regional Director of Paid Search, where she oversaw the Boston and New York offices and managed more than 30 clients and 80 of the agency's directors. In each of these positions, she had the opportunity to work within both client services and product services and gain a unique understanding of each of the agency's service lines, departments and clients.

"When clients come to iProspect, they aren't just working with one team, rather they're working with all of the information and ideas that have been shared with that team from the entire company," said Polci. "I'm thrilled to be in this overarching agency role where I can have a broad impact on a wide range of our clients and teams."

Polci joins iProspect's leadership team, which has largely expanded with several new hires. This month, the agency named Adam Kasper EVP, Managing Director. iProspect also named Joel Grossman Chief Technology Officer, and Belle Lenz Chief Marketing Officer earlier this year. The strong additions to the team further allow iProspect to offer unmatched performance solutions across digital and media to clients and advance its growth in the marketplace.

For further information, contact:

Gabriella Berman

Director, Public Relations

646.880.3187

[email protected]

About iProspect

iProspect is the first truly global digital marketing agency, with 4,200+ employees in 91 offices across 55 countries. A trusted partner with an in-depth understanding of consumer behavior, iProspect reshapes brand strategies to meet the fast-paced demands of the convergent world with a focus on exceeding the client's business objectives.

Our global reach, in-depth knowledge of diverse local markets, and expertise produce award-winning, performance-based marketing strategies for leading brands such as General Motors, Hilton, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, and many others. In 2017, iProspect was named a leader in Forrester Research Inc.'s "The Forrester Wave" Report for search marketing agencies. iProspect has also been listed as the "Best Agency for Performance Marketing" by iMedia three years in a row, MediaPost's 2015 Search Agency of the Year and iMedia's Best Agency for Search.

For more information, visit www.iProspect.com or follow us on Twitter @iProspect.

SOURCE iProspect

Related Links

https://www.iprospect.com/en/us

(CNN)  Spending on prisons and security-related construction in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang doubled between 2016 and 2017 new research has revealed, undermining China's denial of the existence of mass internment camps.

Up to a million ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have reportedly been detained in the past year inside enormous "re-education camps" in the tightly-controlled province, where former detainees say they were forced to endure intensive "brainwashing" sessions.

The claims, which have been made by activists for months, were confirmed as "broadly accurate" by the UK government in October.

After initially denying the reports vehemently at the United Nations, China later changed its story without explanation to claim the camps were "vocational training centers", and the "students" were happy to be there and free to leave on completing their courses.

But the report released by the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington-based research and analysis institute on Monday, revealed that spending on security-related construction in Xinjiang rose by nearly 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion), or 213 percent, between 2016 and 2017.

According to local budget documents analyzed by the report, expenditure on total domestic security surged by 92 percent in the one year period, which included a 239 percent increase in spending for "detention center management" and 118 percent increase in spending for the "justice system."

In fact the report found that vocational spending in Xinjiang dropped by 2017, falling 7 percent in total.

The largest jump was categorized under the vague definition of "other domestic security expenditure," which skyrocketed between 2016 and 2017 by 351 percent.

"These facts do not support the notion of a large campaign to improve vocational skills," report author Adrian Zenz wrote in his conclusion.

"Rather, the mass disappearances of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, beginning in early 2017, almost certainly resulted in their imprisonment in de facto political re-education institutions administered by public security or justice system authorities."

Activists accuse Beijing of attempting to eradicate the Uyghur culture and way of life over the past year through harsh new measures, passing regulations banning face coverings and long beards as well as mandating house visits by Communist Party officials.

The Chinese government has been working hard in the past month to deflect criticism of its detention centers in Xinjiang, which it quietly legalized for the first time in early October.

In a lengthy interview with state-run Xinhua news agency published on October 16, Xinjiang Governor Shohrat Zakir, himself an ethnic Uyghur, said the Chinese government was fighting "terrorism and extremism" in its own way, and in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

"Today's Xinjiang is not only beautiful but also safe and stable. No matter where they are or at what time of the day, people are no longer afraid of going out, shopping, dining and traveling," he told Xinhua.

The official added there was "still a long way to go" in some parts of the province to eradicate "extremism."

At the same time, state broadcaster CCTV released a documentary ostensibly showing excerpts of life inside the camps, including inmates learning vocational skills and enjoying outdoor activities.

"I can't imagine the outcome if I hadn't come here to study," one interviewee told CCTV. "I may follow those religious extremists and step on the path of committing crimes. The Party and the government discovered me and saved me."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Uyghur crackdown in Xinjiang doubles security spending in one year."The 6th International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Early Child Development was held in Beijing from Nov. 5 to 6 to promote international exchanges and cooperation on early child development, an integral part of global poverty reduction.

With the theme "Towards a Poverty-free Future", the event brought together about 300 participants from governments, academia, international organizations, the business community and civil society to discuss subjects concerning different stages of a child's life, such as parenting models, nutrition interventions and preschool education.

Li Bin, vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the opening of the conference that a central contributing factor of poverty is insufficient investment in the early stages of childhood, the most vulnerable group in society.

The 2018 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index released by United Nations Development Programme and Oxford University shows that more than half of all children under the age of 18 live in extreme or moderate poverty in emerging and developing countries.

In high-income countries, one in five children lives in relative income poverty and an average of one in eight faces food insecurity, according to a Report Card issued by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund last year.

Over the past four decades, China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, accounting for over 70 percent of global poverty reduction.

The development-oriented poverty-reduction approach has played an essential role in delivering this achievement, Li Bin said, adding that China has been focusing on improving the capabilities of the impoverished to develop independently to stop poverty being passed on to further generations.

She said that China issued a national plan for child development in poverty-stricken areas in 2014, and subsequently carried out a series of targeted policies in education, health care and other fields.

According to Li, more than 37 million students in China's deprived rural areas have improved their nutrition while nearly 6 million infants aged 6 to 24 months enjoy free "nutrition sachets".

Li Wei, chairman of the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), said that the "Village Early Education Centers" (VEECs) project initiated by CDRF in 2009 won this year's WISE (the World Innovation Summit for Education) award for offering preschool education to children aged 3 to 6 in underdeveloped counties in central and western China.

Statistics provided by the CDRF show that by August 2017, over 1,800 village preschools had been established in 18 counties of nine provinces in China, with over 45,000 children receiving early education at VEECs.

Despite the progress in early child development and poverty reduction, both Li Bin and Li Wei noted the challenges China is still facing in achieving the goal of eliminating extreme poverty by 2020.

Li Wei said that there is a growing trend of intergenerational transmission of poverty in China, with most of the remaining households unable to provide good nutrition, education and health care for next generations.

Ensuring high quality education and health care services for all children in poverty-stricken areas holds the key to winning the battle against poverty, contends Li Bin, adding that China is willing to work with other countries to safeguard the interests and enhance the welfare of children.

The conference was sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council and hosted by the CDRF. It had been held five times between 2010 and 2016.WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, KaBOOM! announced Landscape Structures as its next "Partner in Play," with a three-year partnership set to begin on January 1, 2019. The Partner in Play serves as the primary supplier of playground equipment and partner in building hundreds of playspaces in communities in need across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to ensuring all kids have great, safe places to play, will work with Landscape Structures to provide innovative playspaces that will enable kids and families, regardless of zip code, to make play the easy choice.

"Landscape Structures has built a strong reputation based on their commitment to innovative playspace design and safe, challenging equipment that improves how kids can play," said James Siegal, CEO of KaBOOM!. "They also share our belief that kid-designed, community-built playspaces have the power to bring people together from all walks of life and to give all kids, regardless of where they live, the childhood they deserve filled with play."

Landscape Structures, an employee-owned company that designs and manufactures playground equipment based in Delano, MN, has designed, manufactured and installed more than 80,000 playgrounds worldwide. A leader of the industry, Landscape Structures has focused on designing and producing innovative playground equipment that ensures kids of all abilities can play side by side. The partnership will catalyze opportunities to bring innovative playspace designs into the communities that need it most.

"We have always been impressed with the KaBOOM! commitment to play and social equity," said Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures Inc. "We want to honor their commitment in new ways, and are excited to significantly impact communities together."

Landscape Structures and KaBOOM! will work to build innovative, inclusive playspaces throughout communities  schools, parks, housing and beyond  so that all kids feel valued and loved, and their potential is supported, nurtured and celebrated. Over the course of the three year agreement, the partners are expected to build more than 400 playspaces across North America.

About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids  especially those living in poverty  the childhood they deserve through great, safe places to play. KaBOOM! inspires communities to make play the easy choice and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of PLAYces. KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build or improve more than 17,000 playspaces, engaged more than 1.5 million volunteers and served over 9 million kids. To learn why play matters for all kids, visit kaboom.org and join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom , facebook.com/kaboom and instagram.com/kaboom . #playmatters #PLAYceforKids

About Landscape Structures

Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment in the world. Our employee-owned company designs community and school playgrounds that encourage kids of all ages and abilities to learn persistence, leadership, competition, bravery, support and empathy through play. We push the limitsof design, inclusion, playto help kids realize there is no limit to what they can do today and in the future. For a better tomorrow, we play today.

SOURCE KaBOOM!

Related Links

http://www.kaboom.org

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC), a diversified global media and advertising technology company serving Latino consumers, today announced that Mario M. Carrera has decided to step down as Chief Revenue Officer. Entravision has commenced a search for a successor and Mr. Carrera will remain in his position until a replacement is named.

"For the past 15 years, Mario has been a valuable member of the Entravision team and a tremendous resource as we executed on our strategic initiatives," said Walter F. Ulloa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Entravision. "On behalf of everyone at Entravision I want to personally thank him for his service and dedication to our company, our employees and the Latino community. We hold Mario in the highest regard and wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life."

"I am proud to have been part of Entravision, an outstanding organization that continues to play a critical role in the development of the Hispanic media industry, and more importantly in our local communities," said Carrera. "This was truly a difficult decision, but one made with the input and support of my family. I want to express my appreciation to Walter for his leadership, friendship, and belief in my abilities, and it has been my pleasure to serve with an exceptional team of colleagues and dedicated professionals."

Mr. Carrera joined Entravision in 2003 and served as the Vice President and General Manager leading Entravision's radio, television and interactive assets in Colorado. Under his tenure in Colorado, Entravision's Noticias Univision Colorado won 14 Emmys, in addition to KCEC-TV winning the Best 2010 Public Service Award Campaign from the Colorado Broadcasters Association. In 2012, Carrera was elevated into corporate roles, serving first as Entravision's Senior Vice President of Spanish Language Television, and then as Chief Revenue Officer from August 2012 to present. Carrera is a graduate of Harvard University.

About Entravision Communications Corporation

Entravision is a diversified global media, advertising technology and data analytics company that reaches and engages Latino consumers in the U.S. and other markets primarily including Mexico, Latin America and Spain. Entravision's portfolio includes digital media properties and advertising technology platforms that deliver performance-based solutions and data insights, along with 55 television stations and 49 radio stations. Entravision's digital and technology businesses include Headway, a leading global provider of mobile, programmatic, data and performance digital marketing solutions, as well as Pulpo Media, the top-ranked online advertising platform in connecting businesses with U.S. Latinos. Entravision is the largest affiliate group of both the Univision and UniMas television networks, and its Spanish-language radio stations feature its nationally recognized talent. Entravision also operates Entravision Solutions, a national sales and marketing organization representing over 300 owned and affiliated radio stations, radio networks and digital media platforms, and Headway's audio advertising platform, AudioEngage. Entravision shares of Class A Common Stock are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: EVC. Learn more at: www.entravision.com.

SOURCE Entravision

Related Links

http://www.entravision.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018, MedPro Healthcare Staffing and Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc. will host the Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot along Fort Lauderdale beach for the eighth year. Approximately 3,000 runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate and kick off their Thanksgiving Day to a healthy and exciting start.

In addition to supporting the community by inspiring individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices, the event will raise money for Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc. and the Helena Ramsay Soaring Leader Scholarship.

"This event is so much more than just a 5K race," said Dr. Patrick Taylor, President and CEO of Holy Cross Hospital, a full-service, non-profit hospital in Fort Lauderdale. "It is a community tradition that brings together family and friends, promotes health and fitness, and raises money for two very worthy causes."

Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the exclusive leadership organization offering youth and local business and community leaders at all levels the opportunity to connect to each other, develop valuable skills and make a positive impact on their organizations and community.

"Leadership Broward is all about fostering community engagement and the Turkey Trot does just that," said Andrew Zullo, Executive Director of Leadership Broward. "We are excited to lace up our running shoes and kick off Thanksgiving Day with an invigorating run-walk along the beach."



The Helena Ramsay Soaring Leader Scholarship was created by MedPro Healthcare Staffing in memory of Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Helena Ramsay to celebrate her vision for a better global society. Helena was very aware of the challenges faced in communities across the globe such as inequality and discrimination and had an appreciation for other cultures. This legacy scholarship will recognize an MSD student who shows a passion for leadership and a commitment to Helena's dream of a united world.



"MedPro is excited to be part of this family-fun Fort Lauderdale tradition this year and even more grateful to be able to honor the life and vision of such an extraordinary young woman," said Liz Tonkin, President and CEO of MedPro Healthcare Staffing.



The 5k run/walk will begin at DC Alexander Park and continue north on A1A alongside Fort Lauderdale Beach. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. sharp and will conclude with a Kid's Dash at 8:30 a.m., and an awards presentation at 8:45 a.m. The awards ceremony will recognize the top three overall male and female athletes as well as the first, second, and third place age group winners.



Early registration runs through October 31 at $35 per person with discounted rates for students, military personnel and children under 12. Registration costs $40 pp after November 1. Online registration will run through November 18. Packet pick up will take place at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304) from November 19  November 21, 2018 and participants may also register at packet pick up. On-site registration the day of the event will be available from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.

Both sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available for those looking to support this positive and motivational community event. For more information or to register, please visit http://bit.ly/TurkeyTrot18. Follow the Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TurkeyTrotFTL/ for event updates.



About MedPro Healthcare Staffing

MedPro Healthcare Staffing is a Joint Commission-certified provider of temporary and contract staffing services. Since 1983, the company has placed thousands of U.S. travel nurses, Allied health, and foreign-educated healthcare professionals in top facilities nationwide. The company strives to work smart, promote individual growth, and have fun while working as a team to deliver a valued service to its clients and employees.

About Leadership Broward Foundation Inc.

The Leadership Broward Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is Broward County's premier leadership development training organization with a 36-year history of helping emerging and established leaders to expand their leadership skills, enhance their knowledge of local and state issues, and leverage their individual passions to initiate positive change in the Broward County community. Its mission, "to develop and inspire individuals to serve our community," is accomplished through a range of programs starting with its signature Leadership Broward program, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at issues affecting the Broward County in the areas of government, education, business, media, transportation, criminal justice, history, environment, culture, arts, recreation, and health and community services. Youth Leadership Broward and Women Leading Broward round out the organization's program offerings. For more information, visit www.LeadershipBroward.org or call 954-767-8866.

About Holy Cross Hospital

A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale, FL-based Holy Cross Hospital is a full-service, non-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross Hospital has been named one of the top three hospitals of 64 in the Miami metro area and one of the top 10 in the state in U.S. News and World Report's 2017-2018 Best Hospital rankings. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community's trusted health partner for life. To learn more about Holy Cross Hospital, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl.

MEDIA RELEASE CONTACT: Aimee Adler, (561) 302-6902 (or) [email protected]

SOURCE Fort Lauderdale Turkey TrotHOUSTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Millar, Inc., OEM solutions partner for MEMS pressure sensors, is pleased to announce the company will be working with Indus Instruments, an innovator in preclinical research equipment, as a life sciences OEM customer. Millar enhances innovation in the life sciences market through OEM sensor integration and is collaborating with Indus to provide 1F pressure sensors for use with their existing implantable mouse telemetry system.

Sridhar Madala, Founder and President at Indus, stated, "I recognize Millar's pressure measurement capabilities as the gold standard for high-fidelity pressure monitoring and I am eager to introduce the technology into Indus' devices now that the sensors are available for OEM integration." Indus Instruments is currently testing the Millar sensors with their equipment and plans to go into animal trials by the end of year.

With Millar's recent departure from selling an implantable telemetry system directly, the company has the opportunity to impact more researchers by integrating high-fidelity pressure sensors into a broader range of life sciences technology platforms.

Supporting the life sciences industry is an integral part of Millar's business strategy. Millar's goal is to build OEM partnerships in life sciences as well as clinical medical device development. Incorporating highly accurate pressure measurements into devices can enable advanced research discoveries and improve diagnostic accuracy. While it can be a challenge to bring one device to market, Millar seeks to be a core or complementary technology component of many devices and improve medical innovation at a more rapid pace.

About Millar, Inc.

Since 1969, Millar, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, has led the development of catheter-based, solid-state pressure sensors and is known worldwide as the leader in MEMS pressure sensors that advance medical understanding. Millar OEM serves the medical device and life sciences industries through our MEMS pressure sensors, ISO 13485 precision manufacturing and wireless pressure technology, resulting in cost savings and rapid time to market for device integration. http://millaroem.com

About Indus Instruments

Indus Instruments is a 25+ year old engineering and manufacturing company which has reached high standards of excellence in designing and producing sophisticated products for both medical and other high tech clients in aerospace, chemical and oil and gas industries. Indus manufactures small animal based preclinical products such as rodent surgical vital signs monitors, pulsed Doppler cardiovascular measurement systems, and implantable telemetric biopotential, activity, and temperature sensors. Indus products are exclusively distributed through Scintica Instrumentation Inc.

About Scintica Instrumentation Inc.

Scintica Instrumentation Inc., a medical device distributor, was created as a joint venture between two companies, Indus Instruments and ONS Projects Inc., both with long standing experience in the medical device instrumentation field. Scintica distributes for manufacturers in multiple countries and sells to scientists around the world through our network of local offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and additional authorized distributors. Our team consists of scientists, applications experts, engineers and sales professionals from a cross section of backgrounds, who excel at simplifying transactions and ensuring that scientists have the best equipment for achieving research excellence.

Other Links: Millar, Inc.

SOURCE Millar, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.millarinstruments.com

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain (HPC), a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Waldorf, MD, has recently been awarded twelve U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) contracts, totaling a cumulative $4.5 million, to begin throughout the 4th quarter of 2018 and early 2019. The projects, which are all located at Ft. Sam Houston in Austin, Texas, include various repairs and upgrades to patient-heavy departments of the Brooke Army Medical Center and Pharmacy at Camp Bullis.

These recent awards further cement HPC's importance as a leading fixture in veteran health care and support. The projects are slated to deliver better quality care environments to disabled veterans across a wide variety of departments including oncology and pharmacy.

Of the MEDCOMs, HPC's Executive Vice President and disabled veteran, Paul Hamilton, said, "Our work in San Antonio has been and continues to be some of our best so far. The San Antonio VA Medical Center has been greatly improved through HPC's hard work and due diligence. We strive to deliver the best possible care environments for our great veterans, and these new MEDCOM projects are no exception."

The recent MEDCOM awards come just after HPC's receiving an Exceptional Rating from the Danville VA Medical Center, in Illinois, for their repairs and upgrades to the facility. HPC has been the recipient of multiple high ratings from various government facilities for their work, as well as multiple state organizations for their impeccable safety standards.

Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain is a Federal Government contractor headquartered in Waldorf, Maryland. HPC focuses on renovations, demolition, and new construction of government and military structures. To learn more about Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain and its work with government and military structures, visit www.hpcvet.com.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain

Related Links

http://www.hpcvet.com/

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The use of newspapers in academic research is growing, according to a recent study commissioned by ProQuest and conducted by Dr. Eric T. Meyer, Dean of the School of Information at University of Texas at Austin.

Meyer's study, "The Scholarly Impacts of Newspapers," examines the frequency of newspaper citations in scholarly journal articles. Meyer tracked how often four globally recognized titles  The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Guardian  were cited in academic journals between 2000 and 2017. The study revealed several notable trends, including:

The use of newspapers in research is steadily climbing. The highest-ever number of newspaper citations was recorded in 2013, with a slight downward trend in recent years.





The highest-ever number of newspaper citations was recorded in 2013, with a slight downward trend in recent years. Newspapers are most often cited in social sciences, health and medicine, business and the hard sciences , although they are cited in every academic discipline.





, although they are cited in every academic discipline. Newspapers are used in research globally. Each of the four titles was most frequently cited by scholars from universities in North America , Europe , Australia , Asia and Africa .





Each of the four titles was most frequently cited by scholars from universities in , , , and . Each newspaper title shows distinctive patterns across disciplines. For example, The New York Times is most influential to research in international and diplomatic studies, psychology, culture, technology, business, and health and medicine. In comparison, citations from The Wall Street Journal are clustered around areas of business, finance and management.



"From the data collected in this study, we're able to determine that newspapers are an important resource for researchers," said Meyer, who was a Professor of Social Informatics and Director of Graduate Studies at Oxford Internet Institute when the report was published. "Their content is relevant across disciplines, institutions and countries. Whether a researcher is looking for information on a historical or current event, they often turn to news coverage as an important scholarly source."

"Dr. Meyer's findings substantiate what ProQuest has heard from our customers and end-users for years: that primary sources, including newspapers, are crucial at all levels of the research, teaching and learning process," said Susan Bokern, Vice President, Product Management, ProQuest. "Today's libraries need a substantial collection of news to support their patrons and their research."

Meyer will be presenting a summary of his research at the Charleston Conference, an academic library conference, on November 7.

For more detail on Meyer's study, download the summary or the full report.

About ProQuest

ProQuest is committed to supporting the important work happening in the world's research and learning communities. The company curates content that matters to the advancement of knowledge, assembling an archive of billions of vetted, indexed documents. It simplifies workflows so that people and institutions use time effectively. And because ProQuest connects information communities, complex networks of systems and processes work together efficiently. With ProQuest, finding answers and deriving insights is straightforward and leads to extraordinary outcomes.

ProQuest and its companies and affiliates  Ex Libris, Alexander Street, Bowker  stand for better research, better learning, better insights. ProQuest enables people to change their world.

Visit us to learn more. www.proquest.com.

SOURCE ProQuest

Related Links

http://www.proquest.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextep's commitment to company culture has played a part in its success at the corporate headquarters in Norman, Oklahoma. Now, the company is investing in its local sales teams by providing co-working spaces in Tulsa, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Denver, and Nashville.

Nextep now has a home base for its sales professionals that live and work in Nextep's primary markets. The office spaces allow teams to work closely with their clients, cultivate relationships, problem solve, and build a local network of resources. Nextep has always worked to make the lives of its employees and clients easier. With the new offices, the company is elevating the local team culture to mirror the main office atmosphere.

"The decision to put our professionals in a local office was an easy one to make," says Brian Fayak, Nextep's President and CEO. "We believe it will give us a much stronger local presence and help with the development of our teams."

Organizations like WeWork and 36 Degrees North provide shared workspaces for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Utilizing spaces like these create base hubs for Nextep's clients and business consultants while establishing firmer roots in the community.

Nextep chose locations that are modern and dynamic, similar to their corporate office. Bringing employees together in this way encourages camaraderie and makes it easier to share ideas. As a Best Place to Work in Oklahoma, Nextep believes it's important to extend the company culture outside the walls of their corporate headquarters and into the new collaborative work environments.

At Nextep, going beyond the status quo is a distinct corporate culture characteristic. The company's decision to be closer to clients is just another example of its commitment to investing in people, culture, and the community. With continuous growth and future expansion, Nextep will continue to make strategic decisions that elevate the employment experience and enrich people's lives.

About Nextep

As a certified professional employer organization (CPEO), Nextep provides comprehensive HR, benefits, payroll, and risk & compliance solutions for businesses throughout the United States. Through the PEO relationship, clients and their employees gain access to big-business benefits, technology, and support delivered by friendly experts. Nextep takes on the liability while clients maintain worksite direction and control, getting back to doing what they do best: growing their businesses. For more information about how PEO helps small business, visit go.nextep.com/peo-perks.

The IRS does not endorse any particular certified professional employer organization. For more information on certified professional employer organizations, please visit www.IRS.gov.

Nextep, Inc.

1800 N. Interstate Dr.

Norman, OK 73072

www.nextep.com

Phone 888.811.5150

[email protected]

Contact

Adam Graham

Office 405.928.2361

[email protected]

SOURCE Nextep, Inc.Anti-Pebble Ballot Measure 1 goes down to defeat

VANCOUVER, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX: NDM; NYSE MKT: NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") reports that with 98% of precincts reporting, Alaska voters in a November 6, 2018 state-wide election have elected a new Governor, Republican Mike Dunleavy.

A former State Senator, Governor-elect Dunleavy is a strong proponent of encouraging investment and responsible development of the state's natural resources to address the significant fiscal and economic challenges facing Alaska. In electing Dunleavy, Alaska voters rejected the candidacy of a Democratic challenger who opposed development of the Pebble Project.

Dunleavy has stated that permitting decisions about resource development proposals in Alaska, including the Pebble Project, should be based on objective science and comprehensive reviews led by expert state and federal regulatory agencies.

In the key US Congressional House Representative election, incumbent Republican Don Young was the winner.

Alaska voters on November 6 also rejected Ballot Measure 1, known as the Stand For Salmon initiative, which would have fundamentally re-written the state's regulatory framework and habitat protections for anadramous fish, and was positioned by its supporters as a vote against the Pebble Project.

The anti-resource development initiative was opposed by a broad coalition of Alaskans who coalesced behind the Stand for Alaska campaign to defeat Ballot Measure 1, including resource companies and other business interests, community and political leaders, individuals, and a majority of Alaska Native regional corporations. With 98% of precincts reporting, more than 60% of Alaska voters had cast ballots in opposition to Ballot Measure 1.

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly-owned Alaska-based US subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership and other wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 2,402 mineral claims in southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project, an initiative to develop one of the world's most important mineral resources.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Review Canadian public filings at www.sedar.com and US public filings at www.sec.gov.

Ronald W. Thiessen

President & CEO

Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of the ultimate size, quality or commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project or of the Company's future performance or the outcome of litigation.

Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and development of the Pebble Project will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. The likelihood of a partnering transaction is subject to risks related to the satisfactory completion of due diligence and negotiations, including finalization of definitive agreements and fulfilment of conditions precedent therein, including receipt of all necessary approvals. Such process may not be successfully completed or completed on terms satisfactory to the Company. The likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, approvals, licenses and title on a timely basis and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, the final outcome of any litigation, completion of pre-feasibility and final feasibility studies, preparation of all necessary engineering for surface or underground mining and processing facilities as well as receipt of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. Such funding may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. There is no known ore at the Pebble Project and there is no assurance that the mineralization at the Pebble Project will ever be classified as ore. The need for compliance with extensive environmental and socio-economic rules and practices and the requirement for the Company to obtain government permitting can cause a delay or even abandonment of a mineral project. The Company is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Related Links

www.northerndynastyminerals.com

PROVO, Utah, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.365 per share, which will be paid on Dec. 12, 2018, to stockholders of record on Nov. 30, 2018.

About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Founded more than 30 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. develops and distributes innovative consumer products, offering a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions. The company builds upon its scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition to continually develop innovative product brands that include the Nu Skin personal care brand, the Pharmanex nutrition brand, and most recently, the ageLOC anti-aging brand. The ageLOC brand has generated a loyal following for such products as the ageLOC LumiSpa skin cleansing and treatment device, ageLOC Youth nutritional supplement, the ageLOC Me customized skin care system, as well as the ageLOC TR90 weight management and body shaping system. Nu Skin sells its products through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. As a long-standing member of direct selling associations globally, Nu Skin is committed to the industry's consumer guidelines that protect and support those who sell and purchase its products through the direct selling channel. Nu Skin is also traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskin.com.

Nu Skin Social Media Channels

fb.com/nuskin twitter.com/nuskin instagram.com/nuskin

SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nuskin.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OneAmerica annual retirement plan sales have surpassed the $2 billion mark for the first time in its history as the mid-size carrier continues to deliver relevant and impactful retirement plan solutions through the support of a strong relationship-oriented team.

The milestone was reached as sales of workplace-provided plans increased 37 percent year-over-year, with $2.34 billion in sales expected by year's end, a nearly 20 percent increase from $1.93 billion at the end of 2017.

Specifically, OneAmerica continued to see success in its core focus of tax-exempt, professional services and manufacturing. Tax-exempt, in particular, has seen long-standing growth for the last several years, with this year being particularly strong as it comprises over 50 percent of new business.1 OneAmerica continues to be a leader in the tax-exempt market and serve as a knowledge resource for advisors who want to learn more about the opportunities in this space.

"Achieving the $2 billion milestone is beyond symbolic  it is a recognition that retirement plan advisors and plan sponsors are eager to do business with a company that has a strong footprint in the retirement services market and one that is a good cultural fit with what's important to them," said Sandra McCarthy, president of OneAmerica Retirement Services division.

OneAmerica provides award-winning administrative and participant services in support of nearly 12,000 plans with over $63 billion in assets under administration2. A nationwide network of regional sales directors work with a diverse mix of advisors and advisor firms covering a range of organizations with plan-participant assets between $3 million to $250 million.

"We continue to be at the table because we are a company that is growing and evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients," said Pete Welsh, vice president of distribution. "Our recent announcements of OnePension and Personal Retirement Accounts, through Russell Investments, are just two examples of how we are helping participants prepare for retirement through a next-gen default investment solution and guaranteed lifetime income option."

For financial professionals specializing in retirement services and looking to work with the companies of OneAmerica or to learn more about its retirement services offerings, contact OneAmerica at (866) 313-7355.

OneAmerica is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.

Products issued and underwritten by American United Life Insurance Company (AUL), a OneAmerica company. Administrative and recordkeeping services provided by McCready and Keene, Inc. or OneAmerica Retirement Services LLC, companies of OneAmerica which are not broker/dealers or investment advisors. Provided content is for overview and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be relied upon as individualized tax, legal, fiduciary, or investment advice.

Lifetime income is not the only annuity payout option and the individual should consider with care their specific needs and financial situation prior to annuitizing.

Russell Investments is not a OneAmerica company or an affiliate of any OneAmerica company.

About OneAmerica

A national leader in the insurance and financial services marketplace for more than 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset-based long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. Products are issued and underwritten by the companies of OneAmerica and distributed through a nationwide network of employees, agents, brokers and other sources who are committed to providing value to our customers. To learn more about our products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit OneAmerica.com/companies.

1 As of 9/30/2018

2 As of 6/30/2018

SOURCE OneAmerica

Related Links

http://www.oneamerica.com

The project begins with a selection of works, including Vincent van Gogh's iconic The Starry Night and James Turrell's celebrated Meeting . Commuters will be able to take in beloved works of art from MoMA's collection featured on OUTFRONT's Liveboard digital displays in subway stations throughout New York City, as well as Metro North Railroad and Long Island Railroad stations and within cars, as the screens are fitted. MoMA will share a new compilation every month, including paintings, sculpture, animation and full motion video.

"We are excited by this opportunity to bring our collection out into the city. We hope it brings a moment of inspiration and enjoyment to New Yorkers as well as visitors to our city," said Rob Baker, Director of Marketing and Creative Strategy at MoMA.

OUTFRONT is championing the use of the out-of-home to improve the quality of audiences' on-the-go experiences with more than just engaging advertising content.

"The growth of digital out-of-home allows the media to become a vibrant channel that informs and entertains audiences with compelling and relevant content. We're always honored to partner with organizations like MoMA that are just as passionate about what they do as we are," said Jason Kuperman, Chief Product Experience Officer of OUTFRONT Media. "Being able to deliver museum-worthy art installations in a transit environment improves people's experiences in these spaces and provides value for the entire ecosystem of content partners, audiences, transit authorities and advertisers."

Not limited to New York City, OUTFRONT plans to include similar content across its digital network for consumers in metros and towns across the country. OUTFRONT plans to expand the types of curated content categories based on the needs and interests of transit riders.

"At the MTA, we are always looking for ways to improve our commuters' journeys and OUTFRONT's digital displays and the added content that comes along with them are a big part of this'" said Janno Lieber, Chief Development Officer at the State of NY MTA. "With these screens we are able to share moments of interest and fun with our riders, similar to the art and poetry they have come to expect from our system."

About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its ON Smart Media platform, OUTFRONT is implementing digital technology that will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

Related Links

http://www.outfrontmedia.com

HOUSTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: PARR) ("Par Pacific") today announced that its management team will participate in one-on-one meetings at Seaport Global's 8th Annual San Francisco 1x1 Day on November 12, 2018.

Investors attending the conference will have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one and small group meetings with Will Monteleone, Chief Financial Officer of Par Pacific. The accompanying investor presentation will be posted in the Investor Relations section of the Par Pacific website at www.parpacific.com.

About Par Pacific Holdings

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, owns and operates market-leading energy and infrastructure businesses. Par Pacific's strategy is to acquire and develop energy and infrastructure businesses in logistically complex markets. Par Pacific owns and operates one of the largest energy networks in Hawaii with a 94,000-bpd refinery, a logistics system supplying the major islands of the state and 91 retail locations. In the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, Par Pacific owns and operates an 18,000-bpd refinery, a logistics system and 33 retail locations. Par Pacific also owns 46% of Laramie Energy, LLC, a natural gas production company with operations and assets concentrated in Western Colorado. More information is available at www.parpacific.com.

For more information contact:

Suneel Mandava

Senior Vice President, Finance

(713) 969-2136

[email protected]

SOURCE Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.parpacific.com

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Xtract, part of Precision Value & Health, today announced Zac Stillerman, acclaimed healthcare industry operator and strategist, as new president and general manager. Responsible for leading Precision Xtract through its next phase of growth, Stillerman has a proven ability to translate vision and strategy into dynamic collaboration and first-class execution. He joins Precision Xtract at a time of growing demand from innovative life sciences companies for essential consulting activities, including health economic outcomes research, value demonstration, pricing and market access, and commercialization.

Stillerman comes to Precision Xtract from the Advisory Board Company, a best practices firm that uses a combination of research, technology, and consulting to improve the performance of healthcare organizations around the world. While at Advisory Board, Stillerman served as chief operating officer of its market-leading consulting services group, which generated more than $130 million in annual revenues. Prior to that role, he co-led Advisory Board's new product development group and launched several analytics-based, innovative product lines that delivered optimized performance and commercialization support for healthcare organizations during his tenure. Stillerman's extensive knowledge base includes mastery of core system optimization, clinical operations, value-based care, physician practice management, financial reporting, and revenue cycle.

Discussing Stillerman's unique experience and qualifications, Precision Medicine Group CEO Mark Clein commented, "Zac's reputation, background, and drive make him uniquely positioned to spur innovation while ensuring that our global pharma, biotech, and device clients will continue to receive the highest level of guidance and scalable support."

As part of his responsibilities at the helm of Precision Xtract, Stillerman will also lead Precision Health Economics which is well known in the market for its high-level, rigorous health policy research and consultation, including novel approaches to quantifying the value of innovative therapies and expert ICER review navigation.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Stillerman explains, "I am excited to be joining Precision Xtract as president at this important time. Helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies get therapies in the hands of patients who need them most is a passion of mine, and I look forward to working with all of my Precision colleagues to support our clients in this critical effort."

About Precision Xtract

Precision Xtract, the health economics, market access, and payer analytics consulting arm of Precision Value & Health, is comprised of top-tier talent including scientists, former payer and pharma executives, and world-respected academicians ready to partner with clients throughout the United States, Europe, and beyond. With over 140 employees in 7 offices worldwide, Precision Xtract's breadth and depth of expertise complements an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to informing and guiding pharma, biotech, and device clients to commercial success.

About Precision Health Economics

Precision Health Economics (PHE), a Precision Value & Health company, combines the scientific expertise of academic researchers with the practical insights of a professional consulting firm. As a leader in advancing evidence-based health policy, PHE produces highly impactful research on the economic and social value of innovative treatments and care delivery to reach payers, healthcare providers, policymakers, patients, and other key stakeholders. PHE's work has been published extensively in leading outlets such as Health Affairs, JAMA, and the American Journal of Managed Care.

To learn more about PHE, please visit precisionhealthecononics.com.

Media Contact:

Louis Landon, Precision Medicine Group Media Relations

310-984-7707

[email protected]

SOURCE Precision Xtract"There's decades of history behind these keyboards," said Yasunari Shimizu, President and CEO, Fujitsu Computer Products of America. "The HHKB is an iconic piece of hardware that inspired a movement, redefining what a professional keyboard is and how it should look, feel and function, right down to the layout and shape of the keys. Today's versions harken back to the classic 1990s model, representing a natural evolution from the original design."

Providing an unrivaled keying experience, the compact 60-key HHKB Professional 2 was designed for speed, accuracy and endurance for UNIX and Linux professionals and advanced programmers. The keyboard is customizable and can be easily modified, meaning it fits the purpose of any high-end user wanting to improve their performance.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Key Features

Core to HHKB's design is its compact size while maintaining the standard 19.05mm key pitch, near-symmetrical key layout and cylindrical step sculpted frame and key settings that reduces hand and finger fatigue

Comprised of a mechanical conic spring and an electrostatic capacitive sensor, the key switches eliminate chatter while providing supreme tactility, extra comfort and keystroke precision

High-quality PBT keys* keys are sublimation dyed and will never shine or fade

Intelligently designed layout keep users' hands on the home row, making for greater speed and accuracy

The keyboard frame is designed to provide greater ergonomics and a more natural, comfortable feeling for long hours of use

The Type-S model features silent keys for those who prefer a quieter experience

Customizable features include several DIP switch settings for user preference, three height options and models with printed or blank keycaps

Key Lifetime  tested to withstand 50 million keystrokes

*Space bar and frame is ABS

Happy Hacking Keyboard Pricing and Availability

Available now in charcoal and white, the HHKB Professional 2 retails for $241.00, and the HHKB Professional Type-S retails for $322.00.

For users who want a premium keying or gaming experience, "REALFORCE keyboards are created to keep up with any number of keystrokes in any application," said Yasunari Shimizu, President and CEO, Fujitsu Computer Products of America. "Its unique capacitive switches were designed to provide an excellent tactile experience while providing speed and efficiency for long hours of typing." Keyboard enthusiasts who need accuracy and speed for data entry, office work and gaming will benefit from the quality of REALFORCE keyboards.

REALFORCE Keyboard Key Features

Models come in standard full-size or tenkeyless layout for supporting a wide range of uses

Electrostatic Capacitive Key Switch - Comprised of a mechanical conic spring and an electrostatic capacitive sensor, these key switches eliminate chatter while providing supreme tactility, extra comfort and keystroke precision

Actuation Point Changer*  allows users to change the point at which the key registers. Set it to 1.5mm for fast gaming or 3.0mm for accuracy*

Silent Key Switch*  dramatically reduces typing sound for users who prefer a quieter environment

High-quality PBT keys and frame  keys are sublimation dyed and will never shine or fade.

Key Lifetime  tested to withstand 50 million keystrokes

Step sculpture design allowing for smooth movement across keys and comfortable typing over long play time

*REALFORCE R2 PFU Limited Edition models only

REALFORCE Keyboard Pricing and Availability

Available now in ivory and black, the REALFORCE R2 retails for $258.00. Also available in ivory and black, the REALFORCE R2 PFU Limited Edition retails for $348.00. REALFORCE R2 RGB models are coming soon in early 2019.

Both HHKB Professional 2 and REALFORCE models include FCPA's industry leading U.S. based technical support, a 2-year Advanced Exchange warranty and U.S. certifications.

Visit www.hhkeyboard.us for more information and how to buy.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 140,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers.

For more information, visit http://www.fujitsu.com and on social at @Fujitsu_Global .

About Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.

Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. is an established leader in the computer hardware industry, delivering innovative solutions and services that enable users to solve critical business productivity issues and streamline operations. Fujitsu provides cutting-edge solutions for business and personal environments, backed by a comprehensive portfolio of service and support programs. For more information about Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. solutions and services, visit http://us.fujitsu.com/fcpa or call 800-626-4686.

Media Contact:

BAM Communications for Fujitsu Computer Products of America

[email protected]

C: 516.567.3036

SOURCE Fujitsu

Related Links

http://www.fujitsu.com

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) today announced that its subsidiaries Infraestructura Energetica Nova S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova) (BMV: IENOVA) and Sempra LNG & Midstream have signed three Heads of Agreements (HOAs) with affiliates of Total S.A. (Total), Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Gas) for the full export capacity of Phase 1 of the Energia Costa Azul liquefied natural gas (ECA LNG) project located in Baja California, Mexico.

ECA LNG Phase 1 is a single-train liquefaction facility to be located adjacent to the existing LNG receipt terminal and expected to produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG for export to global markets.

"These three HOAs mark a significant milestone for the development of the ECA liquefaction export-project, supporting Sempra Energy's strategic vision of becoming North America's premier energy infrastructure company," said Joseph A. Householder, president and chief operating officer of Sempra Energy.

"We look forward to working with three world-class and well-respected LNG companies to develop a project that should provide low-cost, flexible operations and reliable LNG to the Pacific Basin market and to supply the Baja California peninsula market in Mexico," said Carlos Ruiz Sacristan, CEO of the Sempra North American Infrastructure group and executive chairman of IEnova.

"We are pleased to work with Sempra Energy and IEnova to participate in the development of ECA LNG, which will benefit from synergies with existing infrastructure and from a significant shipping cost advantage for our customers in Asia," said Philippe Sauquet, president of gas, renewables and power for Total S.A.

"We are pleased to work with Sempra Energy and IEnova for ECA LNG, which is another significant milestone to further strengthen the strategic partnership with Sempra LNG and IEnova in a broad range of business opportunities," said Hirotatsu Fujiwara, executive managing officer, chief operating officer of Energy Business Unit II, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

"Tokyo Gas looks forward to working with the Sempra Energy team to advance the ECA LNG project and to provide the benefits of North American LNG supplies to our customers," said Kentaro Kimoto, managing executive officer, chief executive of the Gas Resources & Energy Production Division of Tokyo Gas.

The three HOAs for ECA LNG Phase 1 contemplate the parties negotiating and finalizing definitive 20-year LNG sales-and-purchase agreements. The three companies each will potentially purchase approximately 0.8 Mtpa of LNG from ECA LNG Phase 1. A final investment decision for ECA LNG is targeted in late 2019 with potential first LNG deliveries in 2023.

In June, TechnipFMC and Kiewit were selected as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPC) contractor for the ECA LNG project, subject to reaching a definitive agreement on the EPC contract.

The ECA LNG receipt terminal was the first LNG receipt terminal constructed on North America's West Coast. Located about 15 miles north of Ensenada, Baja California, it began commercial operations in 2008 and is capable of processing up to 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

In addition to the ECA LNG Phase 1 and 2 export projects, Sempra Energy is developing Port Arthur LNG export project in Texas and Cameron LNG Phase 1 and 2 export projects in Louisiana. Cameron LNG Phase 1 currently is under construction and Total and Mitsui are two of Sempra Energy's joint-venture partners in the project.

Development of the ECA LNG Phase 1 and 2, Port Arthur LNG and Cameron LNG Phase 2 export projects are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including obtaining binding customer commitments, required regulatory approvals and permits, securing financing, completing the required commercial agreements and other factors, as well as reaching a final investment decision. The ultimate participation of Total, Mitsui and Tokyo Gas in the ECA LNG project remains subject to finalization of definitive agreements, among other factors.

About Sempra Energy

Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based energy services holding company with 2017 revenues of more than $11 billion, is the utility holding company with the largest U.S. customer base. The Sempra Energy companies' approximately 20,000 employees serve more than 40 million consumers worldwide.

About IEnova

IEnova develops, builds and operates energy infrastructure in Mexico. As of the end of 2017, the company has invested more than US$7.6 billion in operating assets and projects under construction in Mexico, making it one of the largest private energy companies in the country. IEnova is the first energy infrastructure company to be listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

About Total, S.A.

With a portfolio of 15.6 million tons managed in 2017, Total is one of the world's leading players in the sector, with solid and diversified positions across the LNG value chain. Through its stakes in liquefaction plants located in Qatar, Nigeria, Russia, Norway, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Australia, Angola and Yemen, the Group sells LNG in all global markets. Following the acquisition of Engie's LNG business, Total became the second-largest private global LNG player among the majors, with an overall LNG portfolio of around 40 Mtpa by 2020 and a worldwide market share of 10 percent. LNG development is a key element of the Group strategy, which is strengthening its upstream positions in the major production regions with projects in Russia, the Middle East, the U.S. and Australasia, as well as its downstream positions in all markets.

About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is one of the world's most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment and service enterprises. Headquartered in Tokyo, Mitsui maintains a global network of 138 offices in 66 countries and regions and has 472 subsidiaries and associated companies worldwide. (As of March 31, 2018) Visit www.mitsui.com to learn more.

About Tokyo Gas

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd is Japan's largest provider of city gas, serving more than 11 million for gas customers, and 1.5 million for electricity customers primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area and surrounding Kanto region. Tokyo Gas is committed to be a leader in this new era of energy liberalization through our Gas, Power, and Services mission on a Global level while continuing to promote a low-carbon society. Tokyo Gas received Japan's very first LNG cargo in 1969, and 2019 marks its 50th anniversary.

This press release contains statements that are not historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "contemplates," "assumes," "depends," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "can," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "target," "pursue," "outlook," "maintain," or similar expressions or discussions of guidance, strategies, plans, goals, opportunities, projections, initiatives, objectives or intentions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: actions and the timing of actions, including decisions, new regulations, and issuances of permits and other authorizations by the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, states, cities and counties, and other regulatory and governmental bodies in the United States and other countries in which we operate; the timing and success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks in obtaining or maintaining permits and other authorizations on a timely basis, risks in completing construction projects on schedule and on budget, and risks in obtaining the consent and participation of partners; the availability of natural gas and liquefied natural gas, and natural gas pipeline and storage capacity; equipment failures; changes in energy markets; volatility in commodity prices; moves to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; risks posed by actions of third parties who control the operations of our investments, and risks that our partners or counterparties will be unable or unwilling to fulfill their contractual commitments; weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, equipment failures, computer system outages, explosions, terrorist attacks and other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities and systems, cause the release of greenhouse gases and harmful emissions, and subject us to third-party liability for property damage or personal injuries, fines and penalties, some of which may not be covered by insurance (including costs in excess of applicable policy limits) or may be disputed by insurers; cybersecurity threats to storage and pipeline infrastructure, the information and systems used to operate our businesses; the impact of recent federal tax reform and uncertainty as to how it may be applied, and our ability to mitigate adverse impacts; changes in foreign and domestic trade policies and laws, including border tariffs, revisions to international trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, that make us less competitive or impair our ability to resolve trade disputes; and other uncertainties, some of which may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.

These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that Sempra Energy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra Energy's website at www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to update or revise these forecasts or projections or other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energetica Nova, S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

SOURCE Sempra Energy

Related Links

http://www.sempra.com

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against AbbVie Inc. ("AbbVie" or the "Company") (NYSE: ABBV) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and index under 18-cv-06790, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired the publicly traded securities of AbbVie between October 25, 2013 and September 18, 2018, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Plaintiff seeks to recover compensable damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased AbbVie securities between October 25, 2013, and September 18, 2018, both dates inclusive, you have until November 20, 2018, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

AbbVie discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide. HUMIRA is AbbVie's blockbuster drug, which is used to treat Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and other ailments.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose that: (1) AbbVie's strategy to increase the sales growth of its blockbuster drug, HUMIRA, relied in part upon illegal kickbacks and unlawful sales and marketing tactics; (2) such practices would foreseeably lead to heightened scrutiny by state governments and agencies; and (3) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On September 18, 2018, the State of California, through its Insurance Commissioner, filed suit against AbbVie, alleging that the Company "systematically and repeatedly" violated anti-kickback laws by "pa[ying] healthcare providers to prescribe HUMIRA far in excess of the amount that they would have prescribed this expensive and dangerous drug absent the illegal kickbacks."

On this news, AbbVie's stock price fell $4.35 per share, or over 4.5%, over the next two trading days, to close at $91.02 per share on September 19, 2018.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 9980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

http://www.pomerantzlaw.com

SmileDirectClub now provides Canadian customers access to care and a new, more affordable option for a straighter smile

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SmileDirectClub, the pioneer of at-home, doctor-directed invisible aligner therapy, announced today that it is bringing to Canada its teledentistry platform, which empowers consumers to straighten their teeth for 60% less than the price of other teeth straightening options. Canadian customers can now begin their journey to a better smile by visiting the SmileDirectClub website (SmileDirectClub.ca) or by visiting one of the brand's new SmileShops, which opened today in Vancouver and Toronto. SmileDirectClub will open additional SmileShops in Calgary, Ottawa, and Edmonton in the upcoming months.

SmileDirectClub has democratized orthodontics in the United States by providing its service in over 80% of counties that didn't previously have access to orthodontic care. In Canada, 6 of the 10 Canadian provinces have access to less than one orthodontist per 10,000 square km (3,861 square miles), an area of land the size of Jamaica. SmileDirectClub is working to close that gap through its teledentistry model by bringing a new, affordable option for orthodontic care to Canada.

"We believe the whole world deserves a smile they love, and we're eager to expand our mission of increasing access to care by launching in Canada," said Alex Fenkell, co-founder of SmileDirectClub. "More than 300,000 customers in the US have used SmileDirectClub to become more confident with their improved smile, and we want to bring that newfound confidence to Canadians."

Founded four years ago, SmileDirectClub is revolutionizing the process for getting a straighter smile. Today, the company is valued at $3.2 billion US, up from $275 million US just two years ago, and employs more than 3,000 people. SmileDirectClub continues to grow by reaching new customers searching for affordable access to a straighter and more confident smile.

To begin the SmileDirectClub journey to a better smile, customers have the option to visit a SmileShop in their area to have digital photos captured of their smile, or they can request an impression kit from an affiliated, duly licensed dentist or orthodontist. The treating dentist or orthodontist will then create a 3D custom treatment plan and prescribe custom-made, invisible aligners, which are shipped directly to the customer.

Customers are directed to follow the simple instructions for wearing their aligners during the course of their treatment without the inconvenience of having to visit the dentist's or orthodontist's office for checkups. Instead, the dentists and orthodontists who use the SmileDirectClub teledentistry platform are able to monitor progress remotely, saving time and money for customers throughout North America.

"Across Canada, our customers will have access to dentists and orthodontists who are licensed in the province where they live," said Jeffrey Sulitzer, DMD, chief clinical officer at SmileDirectClub. "The treatment is doctor-prescribed and doctor-directed. Every customer's case is overseen and monitored by a doctor through our teledentistry model. We are making orthodontic solutions more affordable and convenient than ever before."

SmileDirectClub offers two ways to pay: a one-time payment of $2,350 CAD or the SmilePay program with $300 CAD down and convenient monthly payments of $99 CAD over 24 months. No credit check is required.

About SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub was founded on a simple belief: Everyone deserves a smile they love. Recognizing an opportunity to increase access to dental care, the company pioneered the creation of cutting-edge platforms and technology for doctor-directed, teledentistry aligner therapy. With a digital network of more than 200 affiliated licensed dentists and orthodontists overseeing customer treatment plans, SmileDirectClub has made orthodontic solutions more affordable and convenient than ever before. SmileDirectClub was founded in 2014 by Alex Fenkell and Jordan Katzman in partnership with Camelot Venture Group, whose portfolio companies include 1-800 CONTACTS and Quicken Loans, and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit SmileDirectClub.com.

SOURCE SmileDirectClubROHNERT PARK, Calif., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It's said that a college degree can increase a person's net worth; however, the loans brought on by student loans can decrease a student's net worth by 75 percent for borrowers over the age of 35, according to a recent report by MagnifyMoney. Student loans can restrict a student's opportunities after leaving college by discouraging risks and forcing borrowers into safer options. This financial reality can force borrowers into the same routines and vocations they were in before higher education with a large portion of their check paying for their education. Ameritech Financial, a document preparation company, would like to help student loan borrowers find a brighter future by applying for a repayment plan that may help them regain their net worth over time.

Ameritech Financial

"Most people know that student loans are a burden, but many people do not realize that they are life-changing," said Tom Knickerbocker, Executive Vice President of Ameritech Financial. "Luckily, most student loan borrowers have access to several repayment plans that might help them reclaim their net worth and their control over their finances in the long-term."

Many student loan borrowers may have access to income-driven repayment plans (IDR) and not realize it. IDRs allow a borrower to pay only 10 to 15 percent of their monthly discretionary income toward their student loans per month. This can be as low as $0. While interest may continue to accrue on an IDR over time, IDRs result in loan forgiveness after 20 to 25 years of repayment. Many borrowers may not realize that an IDR is available to them because of miscommunication by their student loan servicer, and may want to seek assistance from an ombudsman or another outside source.

Ameritech Financial would like to assist borrowers by advocating for their student loans. They plan on helping them by looking at their student loan finances and helping them apply for the IDR that may work best for them. After a client finds the IDR that works best for them, Ameritech can assist not only in the application process, but also in completing the annual recertification for the client's benefit, and inform them if anything goes wrong with their repayment plan. If a client is unsatisfied with an IDR they can change back to a different student loan repayment plan at any time.

By enrolling in an IDR, student loan borrowers should be able to better afford to pursue the vocation or lifestyle that they want while still affording their student loans. In 20 or 25 years a borrower's student loans may be either forgiven or paid off in full and the debt that was lowering the borrower's net worth will no longer be a barrier. During that time, the borrower may use any money that was saved by switching to an IDR to build their financial future. The investments made during this time may help student loan borrowers build the same net worth as their peers.

"Many borrowers feel like they are compelled into paying their student loans with a standard repayment plan, but that isn't the only option," said Knickerbocker. "Ameritech Financial wants to help student loan borrowers align with the repayment options that may help them afford the future that inefficient student loan repayment plans are stealing from them."

About Ameritech Financial

Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of consumers with financial analysis and student loan document preparation to apply for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education.

Each Ameritech Financial telephone representative has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional Customer Service.

Ameritech Financial Newsroom

Contact

To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact:

Ameritech Financial

5789 State Farm Drive #265

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

1-800-792-8621

[email protected]

Related Images

dream-big-and-make-it-happen.jpg

Dream Big and Make it Happen

image2.png

Related Links

Ameritech Financial home page

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRza8MbLvuM

SOURCE Ameritech Financial

Related Links

http://www.ameritechfinancial.com

GUANGZHOU, China, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

SURE Universal Ltd. announced the first IoT platform based on the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) standard at the OCF China workshop held in Guangzhou on November 9-10. The OCF standard provides a single language for IoT devices and appliances, enabling them to communicate regardless of the appliance brand and radio communication technology.

Revenue from the global smart home and smart building markets is rapidly increasing and forecast to reach over US$100 billion by 2022 (Statista). The OCF standard is the key to interoperability and therefore essential to IoT adoption by end-users, appliance vendors, and service operators. In September 2018 at IFA (Berlin), the OCF announced a new effort to advance interoperability together with Electrolux, Haier, LG, and Samsung-underlining the vital need for a collaborative platform that furnishes a common communication infrastructure.

At the OCF China workshop, SURE is demonstrating a production-ready smart home solution together with Skyworth Digital (Shenzhen), one of the largest digital set-top-box (STB) vendors in the world.

The SURE Universal platform consists of three components, which together harmonize the IoT experience for consumers, manufacturers, and operators: the SURE smartphone remote app, SURE IoT cloud, and SURE STB gateway. The SURE IoT platform is independent of hardware devices and IoT radio protocols. Using a software bridge between OCF and various communication protocols it enables radio interoperability with WiFi, BlueTooth, Zwave, and other communication protocols. The SURE Platform uses OCF-based security, offering the device discovery, authentication and data encryption specified by the standard.

"Specifically designed for smart appliance manufacturers, the SURE Universal IoT Platform delivers a production-ready, easy to use, standard-compliant IoT solution," said Viktor Ariel, CEO of SURE Universal. "With OCF, our customers can be confident that their IoT solution will be future-proof. Appliance vendors are invited to use the SURE IoT platform for testing their IoT solutions since it represents a complete, customer-tested implementation of the OCF standard," he said.

"It is very good to see a production level OCF solution at the OCF China workshop, which demonstrates that the OCF protocol is mature and ready for adoption by appliance vendors and communications suppliers," said Betty Zhao of Haier Goup, organizer of the OCF China Workshop.

SURE Universal software IoT platform is available for evaluation and testing immediately and will be launched for mass-production in Q1-2019.

About SURE Universal

SURE Universal Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel, is the creator of next-generation software solutions for IoT smart home and smart building. SURE Platform is the Soul of IoT: A complete Software-Defined IoT (SD-IoT) solution that brings IoT hardware to life. SURE software platform is based on the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) protocol, it is also the only software of its kind currently certified by OCF. Learn more at www.sureuniversal.com

Contact Details:

Viktor Ariel

[email protected]

+972-54-434-8362

SOURCE SURE UniversalLONDON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Swarm Intelligence Market is Anticipated to Reach $348.2 million by 2028, Reports BIS Research



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The global swarm intelligence market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2018-2028 due to the rising demand from drone and robot applications across various industries including commercial, and military, among others. The increasing number of drones for defense and need for higher efficiency are some of the key drivers for the growth of the global swarm intelligence market.



The rising demand of swarms in autonomous vehicles and swarm intelligence for parcel delivery through drones are some of the future opportunities.The global swarm intelligence market has been classified into three platforms: robot swarm, drone swarm, and human swarm.



Drone swarm market is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period 2018-2028 due to the extensive demand from commercial and military end-users. Furthermore, the global swarm intelligence market has been classified into three different algorithm models including Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Others (Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm and Bee based Algorithms).



According to BIS Research analysis, the global swarm intelligence market generated $10.5 million in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 37.49% during 2018-2028. North America dominated the global swarm intelligence market in 2017 with the U.S. acquiring the most significant market share, globally. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period 2018-2028.



Following points provide a detailed description of the report content and the topics covered in the report:

 This report identifies the global swarm intelligence market under different segments such as platform, algorithm model, and region.



 It examines the prime supply-side factors, which affect the growth of the market, and the current and future trends, market drivers, restraints, and challenges prevalent in the global swarm intelligence market.



 The report also highlights the value chain of the industry.



 Detailed competitive analysis has been included in this report which focuses on the key market developments and strategies followed by the top players in the market. Additionally, the competitive benchmarking map has been included in the existing study which analyzes the competitive strength of the players in the global swarm intelligence market.



 The market for different platforms such as robot swarm, drone swarm, and human swarm, has been estimated and analyzed.



 The market for different algorithm models such as Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Others (Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm and Bee based Algorithms) has been estimated and analyzed.



 The global swarm intelligence market has been analyzed in the report for the major regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest-of-the-World.



 A detailed Porter's Five Forces analysis has been included in the report. Furthermore, the report also focuses on providing information on the key participants and future opportunities in the global swarm intelligence market.



 The study provides detailed analysis of the 12 key players in the global swarm intelligence market including ConvergentAI, DoBots, Enswarm, Hydromea SA, Power-Blox AG, Sentien Robotics, LLC, Swarm Technology, LLC, Unanimous A.I., Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Inc., Northrop Grumman, and Valutico in the Company Profiles section. This section covers business financials, company snapshots, key products and services, major developments, future programs (if any), and the individual SWOT analysis.



Executive Summary

The commercial and non-commercial industries are growing at a rapid pace with the development of automated technologies.The deployment of drones, robots, and automated software solutions, help to carry out operations at higher efficiency and accuracy as compared to the humans.



Robots and drones replace human efforts by automating the routine tasks.Drones are used for some of the applications such as capturing data through aerial photography, parcel delivery, emergency relief operations, and surveillance.



Similarly, robots can also perform numerous tasks including surveillance, transport, and farming, among others.Therefore, to allow a group of drones or robots to carry out a task requires a communication link among each other.



This enables the robots or drones to attain the higher efficiency at a low cost. Therefore, the emergence of swarm intelligence helps the group of robots, drones, and humans to perform a task collectively.



Swarm intelligence is a growing technology which is inspired from the behavior of social elements such as bees, ants, and wasps, among others.Swarm intelligence represents the artificial network of agents that communicate with each other with the help of simple rules based on different algorithms.



Swarming is a field of artificial intelligence which is based on de-centralized and self-organized systems.It focuses on the collective behavior through the local interactions among the individuals with in a group.



The swam intelligence could also be used to get the common outcome which has the involvement of humans through their collective decisions.This can be achieved through the software tool that allows the humans to work together collectively to reach to a common solution.



Thus, swarm intelligence plays a vital role in achieving the coordination among all the agents of a group. In addition, the growing number of drones and robots across the globe is one of the most important factors contributing to the growth of the global swarm intelligence market. For instance, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the global sales of industrial robots have been increased by 29% and recorded 380,550 units in the year 2017. In addition, as per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the total number drones sold in the U.S. is expected to cross 7 million by the year 2020.



Commercial, defense, and government sectors are the end-users of the swarm intelligence applications.There are many research and development organizations such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), among others, that are continuously putting their efforts in developing swarm intelligence solutions.



Furthermore, swarm intelligence could foresee potential applications on the platforms that requires the involvement of humans to reach an outcome based on the collective behavior. Some of the leading players in the global swarm intelligence market includes ConvergentAI, DoBots, Enswarm, Hydromea SA, Power-Blox AG, Sentien Robotics, LLC, Swarm Technology, LLC, Unanimous A.I., Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Inc., Northrop Grumman, and Valutico.



The preceding figure illustrates the increasing revenue generation of the global swarm intelligence market over the years. The market reported a revenue of $10.5 million, in 2017 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period 2018-2028. The global swarm intelligence market has been segmented into three platforms: robot swarm, drone swarm, and human swarm. The robot swarm market acquired the largest share; however, drone swarm market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, 2018-2028. In addition, the global swarm intelligence market is also classified into its algorithm model such as Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Others (Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm and Bee based Algorithms). Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) reported the highest revenue in 2017; however, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, 2018-2028.



North America acquired the largest share of the global swarm intelligence market followed by Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of-the-World (RoW). The U.S. and Canada are some of the prominent countries in North America for the development of the swarm intelligence market. The U.S. dominates the overall market of the swarm intelligence in the year 2017. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, 2018-2028. In Europe, Germany is one of the prominent countries which is currently focusing on the deployment of swarm intelligence. Some of the other prominent countries include the U.K. and France.



The Asia-Pacific region majorly consists of China, Japan, and Australia in the swarm intelligence market.China, currently, is having the largest share of the swarm intelligence market while Japan is expected to grow at the highest rate in Asia-Pacific region.



Moreover, there are ample opportunities for new entrants in this region as the demand for swarm intelligence is increasing for commercial as well as military applications.



Countries Covered

 North America

 The U.S.

 Canada

 Europe

 Germany

 France

 The U.K

 Asia-Pacific

 China

 Japan

 Australia

 Rest-of-the-World



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NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The military drones market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.00% from 2018 to 2025.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05609423





The military drones market is projected to grow from USD 12.1 billion in 2018 to USD 26.8 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 12.00% during the forecast period. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are remotely piloted aerial vehicles, which are increasingly being used in the defense sector for a number of applications such as border surveillance, monitoring, surveying and mapping, combat operations, and product delivery. The rising use of drones in military applications is fueling the growth of the military drones market across the globe. The European and Latin American regions are expected to be the new revenue-generating markets for unmanned aerial vehicles. Rising defense budgets and increasing adoption of UAVs in various military applications are contributing to the growth of the military drones market across the globe.



Based on type, the fixed-wing segment is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018.

Based on type, the fixed-wing segment is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018.Fixed-wing drones have longer endurance as compared to other types of UAVs, thereby making them suitable for use in military applications.



Fixed-wing drones can cover longer distances as compared to rotary-wing drones.These drones generally use gas engines as power sources, which also provide them with endurance to cover long distances.



Several fixed-wing drones can fly for over 15 hours without the need to land for refueling. These drones are used in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations to record information about potential targets that are otherwise difficult to detect.



Based on application, the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition (ISRT) segment is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018.

Based on application, the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition (ISRT) segment is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing transnational and regional instability across the globe due to rising instances of terrorist activities.



North America is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018.

The North American region is expected to lead the military drones market in 2018.The US and Canada are key countries considered for the market analysis in this region.



Increase in defense expenditures of the US and Canada and the presence of major UAV manufacturers in North America are key factors contributing to the growth of the military drones market in this region.



Break-up of profiles of primary participants for this report:

 By Company Type: Tier 1  35%, Tier 2  45%, and Tier 3  20%

 By Designation: C Level  35%, and Director Level  25%, and Others  40%,

 By Region: North America  45%, Europe  20%, Asia Pacific  30%, and RoW  5%



Key players operating in the military drones market include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (Israel), AeroVironment, Inc. (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), and Boeing (US).



Research Coverage

This research study covers the segmentation of the military drones market based on type (fixed-wing, rotary-wing, hybrid/transitional), application (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition, delivery and transportation, combat operations, and battle damage management), Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) (<25 kilograms, 25150 kilograms, and >150 kilograms), endurance (<12 hours, 26 hours, and >6 hours), range (Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS), and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS)), propulsion type (battery powered, fuel cell, and hybrid cell), and launching mode (vertical take-off, automatic take-off and landing, catapult launcher, and hand launched). These segments and subsegments are mapped across various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. The report provides in-depth market intelligence regarding key factors such as drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the military drones market across the globe. It also offers an analysis of micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall military drones market.



Reasons to buy the report:

From an insight perspective, the military drones market report focuses on various levels of analysesindustry analysis, market share analysis of top players, and company profiles. These insights together comprise and discuss basic views on the competitive landscape; high-growth regions and countries and their respective regulatory policies; and drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the military drones market.



The military drones market report provides insights on the following pointers:

 Market Penetration: Information regarding the competitive landscape of the military drones market

 Market Sizing: The estimated size of the market in 2018 and its projection from 2018 to 2025

 Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product launches in the military drones market

 Market Overview: Market dynamics and subsequent analysis of associated trends as well as drivers, opportunities, and challenges prevailing in the military drones market

 Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets  the report analyzes the market for military drones across various regions

 Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the military drones market

 Regional Analysis: Factors influencing the growth of the military drones market in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa

 Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of leading market players



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TRONDHEIM, Norway, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Reference is made to Aker BP's acquisition of Hess Norge in 2017. In relation to this acquisition, the company obtained a USD 1.5 billion bank facility secured by pledge in the shares of Hess Norge AS. The terms of the bank facility stipulated that a settlement of the tax losses in Hess Norge would trigger a mandatory repayment of the facility. The company has now been informed by Norwegian tax authorities that such settlement will take place by the end of November 2018. The bank facility will subsequently be repaid in full.

Contacts:

Kjetil Bakken, VP Investor Relations, tel.: +47-918-89-889

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/aker-bp-asa/r/update-on-financing,c2644505

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Aker BP ASAOMAHA, Neb., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Army Specialist Scott West will receive the Wounded Warriors Family Support's High Five Tour mobility-equipped 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor during a live "Fox & Friends" Veterans Day presentation in New York.

Wounded Warriors Family Support founder and president Col. John Folsom, USMCR (Ret.), will award West the vehicle at 6:50 a.m. CST Sunday on the Fox News Channel. West, a three-time Purple Heart recipient during his Iraq war service from December 2004 to December 2005, lost both his legs in an IED blast.

West, who is from Rogers, Arkansas, and his wife Bridgette have only one vehicle. The West's recently were blessed with a newborn son. The Military Order of the Purple Heart nominated West for the Raptor.

The High Five Tour vehicle features the Bruno Valet Plus transfer seat, Bruno Out-Rider lift, Clock Mobility AccessATop to protect a wheelchair from the elements and the MPS Monarch hand control that allows a paraplegic driver to control the throttle and brake with confidence.

"The High Five Tour 2018 Raptor will go a long way to assisting the West family toward meeting their needs for employment, life support and leisure," Folsom said.

West works for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, an organization made up of mostly volunteers (veterans, law enforcement, fire-EMS and medical) who deploy when a natural disaster occurs. The organization's disaster teams provide devastated communities help through tree and debris removal, covering roofs and windows, distributing food and water and other meaningful tasks.

In addition, West is called to lead other wounded and disabled veterans on adventure trips that include mountain climbing, skydiving, scuba diving, hunting, fishing and sporting events. West counsels veterans to assist them with their rehabilitation progress, restore independence and self-confidence, as well as re-engage them in living life to the fullest.

The ninth annual Wounded Warriors Family Support High Five Tour has covered more than 25,000 miles in 45 states since early April. The High Five Tour is the quintessential road trip to thank Americans for their appreciation and support of our nation's military families for the sacrifices that they make when America goes to war.

During High Five Tour stops at Omaha Steaks, various Ford dealerships and events, individuals were encouraged to write messages of support for military members. This year's tour accumulated more than 40,000 signatures from Americans who love and support their veterans.

About Wounded Warriors Family Support

Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot. For more information about Wounded Warriors Family Support, visit www.wwfs.org.

SOURCE Wounded Warriors Family Support

Related Links

http://www.wwfs.org

TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Offering thousands of hours of premium prime-time series from Russia's leading production houses, TotalNow (available at www.totalnow.tv and mobile AppStores), this "Netflix of Russian TV" is catering to the growing audience both within Russia and globally who wishes to consume the best prime-time TV series in an On-Demand, always-available form, via streaming on their PC/Mac browsers, mobile apps and soon all popular Smart TV platforms.

The service will include new-run seasons of Russia's top TV series in genres such as action, detective, suspense, thriller and action-comedy, as well as back seasons of leading franchises.

Examples of leading titles available in TotalNOW include "Cop Wars" new season 12, The Web, The Professional, Cop Saga, Internal Investigation and dozens more.

TotalNOW is available for a monthly subscription and Vonetize's leading OTT platform technology supports payments in various major currencies and payment methods globally.

Vonetize estimates the potential global Russian speaking audience at 50 million households, with main markets located in Russia, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Germany and Israel.

About Vonetize

Vonetize (TASE: VNTZ) offers video on demand (VOD) and over-the-top (OTT) content services, and technology platforms as fully-managed services for set-top boxes, smartphones, smart TVs and other Internet-connected devices. The company offers multiscreen end-to-end video content solutions including premium content from Hollywood studios; cloud-based digital video delivery of live and VOD content; content management systems; billing; CRM; and marketing/business intelligence (BI) analysis systems.

Media Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (323) 207-7416

SOURCE Vonetize

Related Links

http://site.vonetize.com/

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- We Stand With Seniors, a statewide campaign focused on educating state leaders on issues facing California's older adult population, congratulates Governor-elect Gavin Newsom on his victory. West Health and The SCAN Foundation, the nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations behind We Stand With Seniors, look forward to working with him and his administration on delivering on his campaign promise to "lead the charge" in developing and implementing a Master Plan for Aging that addresses the state's looming senior care crisis.

In the next decade, four million more seniors are expected to need health and supportive services throughout the state. The public infrastructure, already under tremendous pressure, cannot address the growing demand for these services without significant policy changes. Currently, one in five older adults in California lives in poverty.

"I congratulate Governor-elect Newsom on his victory, and most importantly, on pledging his support for a comprehensive Master Plan for Aging in California where the situation is critical and the need is urgent," said Shelley Lyford, president and CEO of West Health. "We stand ready to work with Governor-elect Newsom to turn his words into action, to spur transformational change for seniors along with their families and caregivers, and to ensure a better future for generations to come."

During the campaign, We Stand With Seniors called on state leaders to prioritize senior issues and collaborate on long-term solutions. As a result, during the campaign, Lieutenant Governor Newsom pledged to develop a Master Plan for Aging so all Californians can age safely and with dignity.

"For too long, California has been awash with fragmented services that may mean well but are ultimately not responsive to the needs of consumers and families. This lack of an overarching strategy has pushed millions of older Californians into poverty, unable to access high-quality, affordable health and supportive services," said Bruce Chernof, president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation. "We look forward to working with Governor-elect Newsom's transition team on developing the state's first Master Plan for Aging, and also invite runner-up John Cox to help shape this effort for our fellow Californians."

About We Stand With Seniors

West Health and The SCAN Foundation's We Stand With SeniorsWill You? nonpartisan, public awareness and education campaign focuses on the specific challenges seniors and their families face in accessing high-quality, affordable healthcare, dental care and supportive services and the cost to the state if these challenges are not addressed. Keep up with #StandWithSeniors by visiting www.WeStandWithSeniors.org and following on Facebook @WeStandWithSeniors and Twitter @WeStandWSeniors.

SOURCE We Stand With Seniors

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LEHI, Utah, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Young Living Essential Oils, the world leader in essential oils, celebrated its official expansion of making its products available in China with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Young Living Guangzhou Experience Centre in Guangzhou, China, on Friday, October 19.

"Making our products available in China is a major step toward fulfilling Gary Young's mission to bring Young Living Essential Oils to every home in the world," said Mary Young, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Young Living Essential Oils. "It's fitting that we're beginning Young Living's journey in China with the people of Guangzhou. Botanicals in our essential oils such as Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger, and Sandalwood were an important part of the ancient spice and Silk Road trade here and have been used by the local community for thousands of years."

The China headquarters (also known as Youlefang, ) will be based in Guangzhou in Southeast China. Customers in China will have access to a dedicated Young Living China support team, a division of Nanjing Joymain Development Co., one of the largest direct selling companies in China. Young Living products offered in China will maintain the strong brand standards, identity, and vibrant culture seen around the world.

"We're excited to open new paths toward health and wellness for the billion people in China," said Tai Tolman, Asia Pacific Regional President, Young Living Essential Oils. "For the first time, Young Living is able to deliver the purest essential oils and essential oil products under our Seed to Seal commitment to quality to the most populous country in the world."

As the world leader in essential oils and essential oil distillation, Young Living is a $1.5 billion global enterprise with more than 5 million customers that ships to more than 130 countries, now including China. As the only company in the essential oils industry with its own farms, Young Living is continually improving its corporate and partner farms worldwide and building new global partnerships that adhere to the Seed to Seal quality commitment. Young Living is dedicated to creating pure, high-quality essential oils and products through environmentally conscious methods.

To learn more about Young Living's global presence, please visit YoungLiving.com.

About Young Living Essential Oils

Young Living Essential Oils, LC, based in Lehi, Utah, is the world leader in essential oils, offering the highest quality oil-infused products available. Young Living takes its industry leadership seriously, setting the standard with its proprietary Seed to Seal quality commitment, which involves three critical pillars: Sourcing, Science and Standards. These guiding principles help Young Living protect the planet and provide pure, authentic products that its members can feel confident about using and sharing with friends and family. Young Living's productswhich all come from corporate-owned farms, partner farms, and Seed to Seal-certified suppliersnot only support a healthy lifestyle, but also provide opportunities for over five million global members to find a sense of purpose and whole-life wellness by aligning their work with their values and passions. For more information, visit YoungLiving.com, follow @younglivingeo on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Young Living Essential OilsVienna, Nov 7 : Actress Tilda Swinton made a rare appearance with beau Sandro Kopp here.

They attended the Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and other Treasures exhibition opening in Vienna, Austria earlier this week, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actress slipped into a cream and purple wrap dress, embellished with an animal print sleeve. She accessorised with a pair of green evening gloves.

Meanwhile, visual artist Kopp rocked up to the event in a purple three-piece suit, complemented with a textured fuschia tie.

The Scottish actress has been in a relationship with the artist for over 14 years, following her split from John Byrne.

She shares her children Honor and Xavier Swinton Byrne, 21, with her former partner Byrne. The pair struck up a relationship in 1989, but eventually called it quits in 2003.Mumbai, Nov 7 : Electronic music producer Nucleya, known for his unique brand of desi dubstep, will set out on a Sunburn Arena Tota Myna Tour, which will be spread out across six cities from November 10.

The tour, in support of Nucleya's new album "Tota Myna", will travel to places like Mumbai (November 10), Bengaluru (November 17), Guwahati (November 18), Chennai (November 25), Jaipur (December 16), before culminating in Kochi (December 22).

The Mumbai free capacity showcase will be supported by Shruti Hassan, Foreign Beggars, RITVIZ, and Shiva Manvi and will host approximately 25,000 fans. This unique event is set to mark the Indian bass heavyweight's first show of his 2018 season, read a statement.

Nucleya's album is a composition of a long coming idea that he had envisioned through his signature style of Indian bass, reggae and dance music; along his profound love for experimental sounds of pop.

The tracks include collaborations with A-list artists from the industry, including Shruti Hassan and hip-hop star Raftaar, as well as prominent indie artists such as Rashmeet Kaur, Avneet Kurmi and Vibha Saraf.

A series of singles will be released over the coming week.

The album artwork is done by his wife Smriti Choudary aka pinksoda.

"My mother called Smriti and me 'tota myna' when we were younger; we were the inseparable love birds," the Goa-based producer/DJ said in a statement.

No wonder then that the album art is inspired by the love birds seen on the trucks travelling in India.

"To my fans, I'm discovering and growing every day and hope to do more shows and get more artistes featured and invite as many homegrown talents as possible for this album," Nucleya said.Dehradun, Nov 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with the personnel of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), mandated to guard 3,488 km Sino-India border, in Uttarakhand.

The Prime Minister reached Harshil village at around 7.50 a.m. in a special Indian Air Force plane and distributed sweets to the personnel before leaving for Kedarnath around 9.10 a.m., according to an ITBP spokesperson.

Harshil is situated at the confluence of Jalandhari Gadh and Bhagirathi rivers and at the foot of the mountain that lies at the head of the Baspa Valley at the height of around 8,000 feet.

On the occasion, Modi said he still remember his Kailash Mansarovar Yatra long back and how ITBP troops helped him and other pilgrims in the holy yatra.

The Prime Minister is also slated to offer prayers at the Kedarnath shrine.New York, Nov 7 : US President Donald Trump broke a 15-year tradition of holding formal Diwali celebrations at the White House this year with the festival falling amid the crucial midterm polls.

The Diwali celebration was started by former President George W. Bush in 2003 and was carried on by his successor Barack Obama.

Continuing the tradition, Trump held the celebration at the Oval Office, where he lit a traditional lamp last year.

This year, however, he is caught up in the elections, which took place on Tuesday after a whirlwind of campaigning that ended on Monday.

On Wednesday, he will be tied up dealing with the aftermath of the elections, which saw his Republican Party lose control of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his Diwali greeting issued on Wednesday hailed the contributions of Indian Americans.

"As those celebrating decorate their homes with vibrant lights, I would also like to recognize the achievements of our friends in the United States observing Diwali who make important contributions to our country on a daily basis," said in his message.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)New Delhi : Book: Red Birds; Author: Mohammed Hanif; Publisher: Bloomsbury; Price: Rs 599; Pages: 304 With a fallen pilot, an ambitious, but floundering, teenager and a dog as the three narrators, Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif, in his latest book "Red Birds", takes the reader to a new literary perch, one that is unfamiliar and at the same time precarious.

Still riding on the success of his critically acclaimed first novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes", Hanif's latest book lures readers into a large field laden with abstract crops without a compass, hoping that they would find their way back with a harvest of whatever they can find in its vastness.

The title "Red Birds" is derived from a delicate and tragic reality of canaries in the region -- Hanif does not identify it as any particular country -- which serves as the ravaged landscape in the novel. The drinking water is contaminated with depleted uranium, and thus take on a red colour. The title and the recurring reference to the phenomenon is one of the more elegant -- but few in number -- aspects of the much-anticipated book.

The novel opens with Ellie, an American fighter pilot distracted by problems with his missus back home, crashing into the desert in an unknown but familiar terrain while on a run to bomb a village harbouring enemies of the state.

The "village", which had been in his cross-hairs for destruction, turns out to be a refugee camp, where the reader encounters the novel's second narrator Momo -- a young boy who harbours ambition but is weighed down by his own inadequate and harebrained business plans, one of them being using falcons for an ethical hunting programme (part of the dollops of irony which appear a little too liberally fastened to the pages) as well as bad luck. Momo is also on the lookout for his dog, Mutt, who is the novel's third major narrator.

"Another reason I am reluctant to tell Momo about the red birds is that at heart he is a businessman. Even when he is watching television, even when his jeep breaks down, even when he is having murderous thoughts about his Father Dear, he is always working on a business plan which will make him fabulously rich. He has traded in nothing but junk but he is waiting for the 'markets to open up, for the situation to stabilise, for the reconstruction phase to begin' before he cam embark on his financial adventures".

Yes, that's the dog talking -- narrating to the reader the nature of his master. One of the book's best lines is also reserved for Mutt, when he analyses the anguish in Momo's father, after he loses his other son. "Regret," says Mutt, "smells like burnt bread."

The book is overwhelming fashioned as a black farce playing out in the backdrop of war, but amid its flashes of brilliance, "Red Birds" ends up stomping on its own tail; with everyone and their dog (in this case the character Mutt) routinely pontificating with a touch of jaded wit.

What one needs to look forward to in "Red Birds", however, is the portrayal of a region grappling with conflict and occupation and how different the grassroots' realities really are, compared to the blistering and propaganda-laden images of war, broadcast on mass media.

That and the turns of phrase, which made Hanif one of the most sought after Asian writers in recent times.

(Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in)Los Angeles, Nov 7 : "Ghostbusters" actress Melissa McCarthy will receive the first People's Icon award.

McCarthy will receive the honour at the E! People's Choice Awards on Sunday, reported hollywoodreporter.com.

The actress is being honoured for her television and film work, which includes playing the titular character on the sitcom "Mike and Molly", as well as her roles in "Spy", "Ghostbusters" and "Bridesmaids".

"Melissa McCarthy is a multi-talented actor, writer, producer and director and who has starred in some of the most iconic movies and television shows of the past decade," said Jen Neal, executive producer of live events and executive vice president - marketing at E!A

"She is beloved by the people, and we couldn't think of anyone more fitting or deserving to honour as the People's Icon of 2018," Neal added.

McCarthy has won two Emmys, for best lead actress in a comedy series for "Mike and Molly" and best guest actress in a comedy series for her appearances as former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on "Saturday Night Live". She also garnered an Oscar nomination for "Bridesmaids".

McCarthy currently stars in the biographical drama "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" as real-life forger Lee Israel, and played a detective in the puppet comedy "The Happytime Murders", released earlier this year.

The actress has also won four People's Choice Awards, three in the comedic movie actress category and one in the comedic TV actress category.

The kudocast will be broadcast live on Sunday from 9-11 p.m. from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. It is produced by Wilshire Studios and Den of Thieves, with executive producers Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager.Dehradun, Nov 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with the personnel of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), mandated to guard 3,488 km Sino-India border, in Uttarakhand and said that India was taking great strides forward in the defence sector.

The Prime Minister reached Harshil village at around 7.50 a.m. in a special Indian Air Force plane and distributed sweets to the personnel, according to an ITBP spokesperson.

Harshil is situated at the confluence of Jalandhari Gadh and Bhagirathi rivers and at the foot of the mountain that lies at the head of the Baspa Valley at the height of around 8,000 feet.

Modi was flanked by Army chief Bipin Rawat.

Greeting the Army and ITBP personnel on the occasion, Modi said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights was enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians.

"Diwali is the festival of lights which spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. The jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people," Modi said.

The Prime Minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the ITBP personnel, years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Modi said: "India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector" and spoke of various measures being taken for welfare of ex-servicemen, including OROP (One Rank, One Pension)."

He said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world and in UN Peacekeeping operations.

The Prime Minister also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him.

Later, Modi left for the Kedarnath shrine where he is scheduled to offer prayers and review the reconstruction of the shrine.

Many parts around the shrine were devastated in the 2013 flash floods.

The Prime Minister has taken personal interest in the reconstruction and has visited the shrine twice in the last six months.

It has been snowing in the region for the past few days and the road from the VIP helipad to the shrine that had been covered with snow has been cleared.

Modi is also scheduled to watch a video presentation prepared by the state government officials on the reconstruction work of the guesthouse near the shrine.Guwahati, Nov 7 : The United Liberation Front of Asom's (Ulfa) pro-talk faction's General Secretary, Anup Chetia on Wednesday dismissed media reports that said Paresh Baruah, the commander-in-chief of the rebel group's anti-talk faction, has died.

Assam-based news portals on Wednesday reported that Baruah met with an accident and succumbed to his injuries last week in Ruili, located on the Myanmar-China border.

"I do not think that there is truth in the news. Paresh Baruah met with an accident about three months back in Ruili while he was on a motorcycle. However, he called me up at least three times after that and told me that he was recovering," Chetia told IANS on phone.

"He told me that there some of his bones and a toe was fratctured. I received a call from him last Sunday which I could not receive as I was in a meeting. So, considering all these facts I do not think that the news of his death is true."

Chetia said that it was basically a one way communication between him and Paresh Baruah always.

"We cannot contact him, it is always he who contacts me. I think nothing untoward has happened with him," Chetia said.

Assam Police and intelligence officials were yet to confirm the news of death of the Ulfa leader.

The Ulfa was divided into two factions after some leaders of the outfit including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, were arrested in Bangladesh and were handed over to Indian authorities.

These leaders later decided to sit for peace talks while the faction led by Baruah decided to continue the armed struggle for a "sovereign" Assam.

Chetia, who was in a jail in Bangladesh, was extradited to India later and he also decided to join the faction who is negotiating the peace talks.New Delhi : As the retail industry story unfolds in India, new strategies come to the fore. Recent news of Amazon acquiring a stake in Future Retail is an indication that the strategy will be differentiated given the nature of the market and consumption trends.

Amazon's acquisition of a stake in Future Retail is in addition to the stake it took in Shoppers Stop, and the earlier Aditya Birla-backed "More" chain. These acquisitions are an indication that large retail players think that, to gain a greater market share, the online strategy will have to be complemented with an offline route as well.

Online retail sales as a percentage of total sales have shown a tremendous rise, going from 0.8 percent in 2014 to 3.6 percent of total retail sales in 2017. While the growth has been enormous and will continue to be fast, the fact that 95 percent of the market is still with the offline sector drives home a few important points. Access to offline stores provides a vast distribution network and brand accessibility, especially beyond the Tier 1 cities. Therefore, for a player interested in a higher market share, an offline presence is non-negotiable.

Additionally, besides the offline versus online demarcation, it is essential to understand that 90 percent of all retail in India is in the unorganised sector. The unorganised sector A primarily, physical stores -- thrives due to an extensive last-mile distribution network and long-term relationships. The key for new players is not necessarily the disruption of the unorganised sector but having access to retail stores that provide organised players with the same distribution networks and concomitant advantages.

Quite often discussions focus on the market share of online versus offline retail. While it is a relevant topic, the more pertinent discussion is the overall retail market growth rate. The retail market in India is expected to cross $1 trillion in the next three years. The greatest value generation for retail businesses is in capturing market growth as greater cash is generated by retail consumption.

A 2007 analysis by McKinsey titled "The Granularity of Growth" had some interesting lessons. A study of 200 large companies around the world showed that almost 80 percent of growth for the companies was driven by growth in the industry segments and successful mergers and acquisition strategies while only 20 percent was through gaining market share. The key learning for Indian retail players is that while market share matters, being a direct beneficiary of rising incomes in India is a lot more advantageous.

Given the industry dynamics in the last decade, retail e-commerce has dominated headlines. While e-commerce will continue to be a significant sector, the question is: What other exciting opportunities exist in Indian retail?

The creation of niche, sector-focused "digital first" businesses backed by consolidated research-driven manufacturing and distribution platforms hold potential. In the West, businesses such as "Seed Beauty" and "Hatch Beauty" are redefining the retail landscape. Given the creation of "digital first" brands driven especially by social media influencers, businesses such as Seed and Hatch have been able to speed up product research, development and fulfillment.

The division between manufacturing and branding businesses is what Poornima Vardhan, CEO of 335th, a luxury-focused platform, describes as the "delineation of product development and manufacturing from the branding and marketing". In common parlance, separation of the R&D and product development from branding creates the potential for business opportunities through specialisation. Such focused businesses hold promise in the Indian retail landscape.

The next decades might also herald the creation of retail platform businesses that "corporatise" a portfolio of Indian brands. The likes of Kering, Richemont and LVMH are examples of hugely successful global retail platforms that have delivered value. While Indian beauty products, jewellery and fragrances have been marketed to some extent, now is the time to create large scalable platforms that can combine front-to-back retail operations with global scalability for Indian brands. The ability to match Indian entrepreneurship with global capital and distribution will be the vital driver to create sustainable retail platforms.

There are many "markets" that offer opportunities in the Indian retail space. Therefore, while online mass retailers will look to create an offline presence, online "digital first" niche brands, backed by specialised manufacturing businesses, also hold value. It is vital to realise that given the diverse customer segments, different pockets of opportunities will require an agile approach.

In India, access to the online world has happened synonymously with rising incomes while the developed countries had significantly higher income levels when they got access to the internet. Therefore, a business strategy that deals with local dynamics and trends will determine the eventual winners.

(Taponeel Mukherjee heads Development Tracks, an infrastructure advisory firm. Views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at taponeel.mukherjee@development-tracks.com or @Taponeel on Twitter)New Delhi, Nov 7 : Artist Rekha Rodwittiya, whose art is "free, feisty, feminist and more" and yet is the "everyday woman", consciously placed the female figure at the centre of her work "as an endorsement of female victory".

An ongoing exhibition here looks back at her repertoire that celebrates collective female histories -- and alters the politics of the gaze that rests on women.

Rodwittiya's exhibition, "Rekha@Sixty: Transient Worlds of Belonging", at the Sakshi Gallery, explores the ideas of womanhood. It does so through the autobiographical lens of the artist, who positions the female form in her work as unrelenting.

"I see the female figure as being emblematic of being a life-giving force through the centuries. The unflinching gaze and the frontal posture of the female protagonist demands that the viewer is obliged to participate and engage with her presence," the 60-year-old artist told IANS in an email interview.

"Stark and arresting in demeanor, these figures with their unrelenting gaze stand... free, feisty, feminist and more."

In response to a popular statement made by art historian John Berger on the gender dynamic in artworks -- "Men act and women appear" -- Rodwittiya said she abhors the "gaze that suggests consumption" and that her attempt is to bring out accountability in the gaze.

Calling herself a proud feminist, Rodwittiya rewinds her life for one to better understand the personal politics that governs her art.

She recalled the nights she spent as a child, listening to her mother and aunts talk about their lives "lived with independence and courage to stand up for what they believed in", which became the "lullabies" for Rodwittiya's feminist belonging.

With a non-conformist upbringing, "unfettered by restrictive boundaries of community affiliation and religious" diktat, the artist, born in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), knew from the age of five that she would paint.

She said that, when asked how it feels like to be a woman in India, her answer is that she views herself as "empowered" -- an inheritance "precious enough to not be squandered".

Through her easily-identified, bold style of painting, Rodwittiya brings alive the ordinary through this lens of the cultural self -- something especially visible in her 1995 seminal work "Songs From the Blood of the Weary" created for a Geneva exhibition commemorating 50 years of the United Nations.

"As a feminist, it isn't the theoretical pedagogic that I wish to engage with in my art. My content is culled from the life of the everyday woman... It is through the lives of the ordinary that we best witness any ideology."

A former student of London's Royal College of Art, Rodwittiya commends the indomitable spirit of women.

"The female figure as a central image is neither accidental, nor arrived at by chance in my work. It is consciously placed as an endorsement of female victory -- as a totemic trophy of the self for the self -- to reinforce the embodiment of the female spirit as a vital axis to life itself," she explained.

On the #MeToo movement rising to a fever pitch in India, the widely-exhibited artist, who has previously argued on social media that "men from cultural spaces of authority, who have behaved sexually inappropriately with women, (be) held accountable", said the movement is a stage for everyone.

"Power hierarchies of all types must be questioned. The #Metoo movement is everyone's stage to celebrate this emboldened moment of truth and freedom, through stories of survivors, and to work for the change.

"Sexual harassment and oppression must be viewed as criminal acts and legislation (to deal with this) must not only be structured, but also implemented with visible results for all," she stated.

"Rekha@60" will run till November 30.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)Rome, Nov 7 : Italy is working behind the scenes with other Western nations to help a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, amid fears for her safety in Pakistan following her acquittal in a blasphemy case after eight years on death row.

"We are working discreetly with other Western countries. This is necessary to protect her and her family," Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini told Italy's Rtl 102.5 radio station.

"We cannot allow a situation like this in 2018... women and children should not be in danger."

Bibi, who had been sentenced to hang, cannot leave Pakistan after violent protests by the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party after Pakistan's Supreme Court cleared her of all charges last week.

Her husband Ashiq Masih says the family could be killed by Islamists and has pleaded for asylum in the UK, the US or Canada.

Bibi's case has galvanised Christian and human rights groups outraged by Pakistan's treatment of religious minorities including its tiny Christian population. Scores of Christians have been convicted of blasphemy since the 1990s in Pakistan.

"It is definitely a priority for me to guarantee a future to that poor woman and her family. There are many Italians working in Pakistan and we have major trade ties with the country," Salvini said.

"Pakistan is certainly not an enemy and we are operating with a high level of discretion and care, but we will fight every form of fanaticism," he said.

Salvini is also Italy's Interior Minister and leader of the rightwing League party, which has been critical of Islam.

Asia Bibi has been invited with her family to visit the European Parliament, its President Antonio Tajani said.

"I call on Pakistan's authorities to issue the necessary documents. European rules require protection to be granted to those who are under threat due to their faith," Tajani tweeted.

Pakistan's government on Friday struck a deal with the TLP that included a pledge not to oppose a review petition filed against the Supreme Court judgment that acquitted Bibi.

The government also agreed not to oppose a TLP application to add Bibi to a list preventing her from leaving the country.Canberra, Nov 7 : A juvenile detention facility in Australia has been set ablaze during an attempted mass breakout, police said on Wednesday.

The police deployed tear gas to contain a major disturbance at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre on Tuesday night after inmates who escaped from their cells set the facility's school on fire, reports Xinhua news agency.

Rob Farmer, Northern Territory Police Deputy Superintendent, said that the incident began at 6.45 p.m. on Tuesday after an inmate stole a set of keys from a staff member and used them to release 24 fellow detainees.

The inmates were able to access accelerants that they used to start the fire as well as power tools that were used to cut through the exterior fence.

"The youths had access to power tools from the workshop and some were making attempts to cut fences using grinders," Farmer told reporters on Wednesday.

"(They) were also throwing batteries and other items at police around the perimeter fence.

The disturbance was resolved by 3 a.m. with 12 of the detainees taken into police custody.

The Northern Territory government has agreed to close Don Dale after a Royal Commission into protection and detention of children uncovered evidence of "shocking and systemic failures" within the facility.Mumbai, Nov 7 : On the occasion of Diwali on Wednesday, members of the film fraternity wished their fans and followers a happy and eco-friendly Diwali and urged them to avoid bursting loud crackers.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, in New York for work, tweeted: "My dear countrymen, Happy Diwali to all of you. May God fulfil all your wishes."

Filmmaker Karan Johar too greeted everyone and asked people to stay positive -- always.

Actor Akshay Kumar treated his fans to a picture of post Diwali puja, featuring his wife and author Twinkle Khanna, his daughter Nitara and his office team.

Apart from wishing the people, actresses Anushka Sharma and Sunny Leone urged their fans to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali.

"Let's make this Diwali memorable. Avoid bursting loud crackers as animals and small kids get scared and those toxic fumes will only hurt everyone," Sunny tweeted.

Anushka posted a short animated video of a dog thanking humans for "bursting less crackers this time".

Here's what others said:

Kajol: Wishing everyone a light filled bright happy prosperous Diwali. Let the light in your houses echo in your hearts and let's light up the world with our positivity instead of crackers.

Arjun Kapoor: Love and happiness to you all.

Kajal Aggarwal: Wishing you love, light and happiness all through the year.

Sunil Shetty: Let the lights Shine On. Stay happy and healthy.Aizawl, Nov 7 : An apex body of NGOs continued to protest here for a second day on Wednesday against the removal of Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and demanding the removal of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in election-bound Mizoram.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, called the CEO to discuss the situation, which was said to be returning to normalcy after the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (MNCC) called for state-wide protests for the sacking of CEO S.B. Shashank after Chuaungo was removed on an Election Commission order.

A three-member Election Commission team comprising Jharkhand CEO L. Khiangte, Election Commission Director Nikhil Kumar and Commission Secretary S.B. Joshi arrived here on Tuesday and left Aizawl on Wednesday after meeting leaders of the MNCC, Church bodies, Election officials and civil and police officers to normalise the situation.

According to officials of the state election department, Shashank left here on Wednesday afternoon to meet Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat and other Election Commissioners in New Delhi.

"Hundreds of MNCC activists peacefully demonstrating in front of the CEO's office here in support of their demands," a police official said.

The MNCC, led by Mizoram's most powerful NGO Young Mizo Association, in a statement urged the people to continue their protests until Shashank was removed as the CEO and Chuaungo, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was reinstated.

The Election Commission last week removed the Principal Secretary (Home) Chuaungo from his post for dereliction of duty and interference in the election process.

The CEO in his report to the Election Commission reportedly said that Chuaungo was creating obstacles in allowing the Reang tribals, sheltered in Tripura for over 21 years, to vote in the November 28 polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly.

The 35,000 Reang tribals, taking shelter in Tripura for over 21 years, have demanded setting up of polling stations in refugee camps.

Among the refugees, just over 11,000 are eligible to vote in Mizoram.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh strongly opposed the removal of Chuaungo.

Meanwhile, Mizoram CEO Shashank said that he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the local people.

"I strictly adhereed by the rules and the Election Commission's guidelines and order," he told the media.

The two main political parties in the state, the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP, are also backing the protests.

Christian-dominated Mizoram is the only state ruled by the Congress in northeast India.Beijing, Nov 7 : China on Wednesday didn't reveal if it offered any financial aid to Pakistan after its Prime Minister Imran Khan wrapped up his visit, meant to seek fresh Chinese loans to tide over the country's economic crisis.

A day after Khan's four-day China visit ended, Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar said that Beijing has offered $6 billion loans Islamabad to resolve country's economic crisis.

"We had told you about the $12 billion financing gap, of which $6 billion have come from Saudi Arabia, and the rest has come from China. So the immediate balance of payments crisis of Pakistan has ended. I want to make that clear in unequivocal terms that we do not have any balance of payments crisis now," said Umar, who accompanied Khan to China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not give a clear answer when asked about it.

"Pakistan is China's all-weather partners. We enjoy a very good relationship. A relationship that has been operating at a high level and we have been offering our assistance to Pakistan in the best of our capacity." Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"In the light of Pakistan's need in future as per the mutual agreement, we will continue to help economically and in other sectors," Hua added.

During Khan's visit, China said it would do its best to help its ally Pakistan "tide over" financial difficulties.

Pakistan's is in a deep economic mess with ever increasing foreign debt. Khan had made the visit to seek fresh Chinese loans after he secured $6 billion from Saudi Arabia.

Hua said that China was satisfied with Khan's visit during which the two countries agreed to deepen their ties and to complete the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a stronger commitment.New Delhi, Nov 7 : The Election Commission on Wednesday deputed a high-level team led by a Deputy Election Commissioner to hold further talks with the Mizoram NGOs demanding the axing of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S.B. Shashank.

The EC said that while it accepted the "broad contours" of the joint resolution passed by the NGOs, it had decided to depute a "higher-level team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain", in-charge of Mizoram, to have "further discussions" on November 9 at Aizwal.

The other members of the team would be Jharkhand CEO Lalbiakthanga Khiangte, EC Secretary S.B. Joshi and Mizoram Additional CEO Lalzarmawii.

"Considering the urgency of the matter, a full Commission meeting was convened today (Wednesday) to further build on this mutual understanding (with NGOs). After due deliberations, the Commission, while accepting broad contours of the resolution passed by the NGOs, decided to depute a higher-level EC team," the EC said.

The Mizoram NGOs Coordination Committee (MNCC) has urged the people to continue their protests until Shashank was removed as the CEO and Principal Secretary (Home) Chuaungo, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was reinstated.

The Election Commission last week removed Chuaungo from his post for dereliction of duty and interference in the election process.

Chuaungo was accused of creating obstacles in allowing the Reang tribals, sheltered in Tripura for over 21 years, to vote in the November 28 polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly.Barcelona (Spain), Nov 7 : Spanish police evacuated passengers from a major railway station in Madrid and from two high-speed trains in Barcelona on Wednesday following security alerts that proved to be false alarms, authorities said.

Regional police in Catalonia ordered passengers off two high-speed trains at Barcelona's Sants railway station in the morning and bomb disposal units carried out an investigation after security scanners detected a suspicious package inside a suitcase, reports Efe news.

Two hours later, National Police in the capital Madrid ordered the full evacuation of the city's Atocha station, which serves both long-distance and suburban railway systems.

"Our agents carried out relevant checks at the Atocha station in Madrid and it turns out to be a false alarm," the National Police said in a statement on Twitter. "Everything has returned to normal."

The Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police force, said checks confirmed the suspicious package discovered by the luggage scanner, sparking concerns that an explosive device was concealed inside a suitcase, did not, in fact, pose any danger to the public.

One high-speed train destined for Madrid and another for Paris were evacuated during the security operation.

Spain's terror alert has been at set at the second-highest level in since 2015.

In August 2017, 16 people were killed in terror attacks in Catalonia.

On the afternoon of August 17, a 22-year-old assailant ran a van into pedestrians on the city's iconic tree-lined La Rambla mall, killing 15 and injuring over 100 more in an attack allegedly inspired by the Islamic State terror organization.

It was the bloodiest terror attack on Spanish soil since the coordinated bombing attack at the Atocha train station that on March 11, 2004, killed 193 people.Ayodhya, Nov 7 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the union government was working on "various options within the ambit of the Constitution to build a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya".

On the second-day of his visit to the temple town of Ayodhya, the monk-politician prayed at the Hanumangarhi temple and declared that Ayodhya was the abode of "Ram Lalla' and that there "was a temple (at Ayodhya) and will always be there".

He also visited the makeshift Ram Lalla temple at the disputed site where once stood the Babri mosque which was razed in 1992.

Adityanath also met seers at the Digambar Akhara, visited the Saryu ghat, Sugreev Fort and also met Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

The Chief Minister also inspected the site where a 150 metre tall statue of Lord Ram would be installed on a 50 feet pedestal.

"We have grand plans for Ayodhya and we are working in that direction" he later told reporters. He also announced that a shelter home for widows and orphaned children would be set up in Ayodhya.

On Tuesday, the state government had rolled out a never-seen-before spectacle of lights on the ghats of the holy river Saryu where more than 3 lakh earthern lamps were lit up.

The First Lady of South Korea was present at the event.Vatican City, Nov 7 : Pope Francis on Wednesday decried the existence of poverty in the world and said it did not stem from a lack of resources but rather from an economic culture lacking in equity and human solidarity.

The head of the Catholic church made his remarks during the weekly General Audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, reports Efe news.

"Our world has sufficient resources to meet the primary needs of all its inhabitants," Francis told the gathered crowd.

"Yet so many members of our human family continue to suffer extreme want and even starvation for lack of sound economic decisions inspired by solidarity and justice," he added.

"The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race," Francis said. "What is lacking is a free and visionary business spirit capable of ensuring an adequate production, a humanitarian focus, and a fair distribution."

Pope Francis continued his ongoing catechesis on the Ten Commandments, and focused on the seventh commandment dealing specifically with both theft and respect for the property of others: "Thou shalt not steal".

The Pope said the faithful congregated at St Peter's Square should take heed of the example set by Jesus Christ, who, although rich, became poor at the service of love, freedom and human dignity.New Delhi, Nov 7 : Actor Saif Ali Khan, who has launched his own ethnic fashion brand 'House of Pataudi' with Flipkart-owned online fashion retailer Myntra, wants to bring the idea of old heritage through his clothing line.

"I just love clothes. I have a certain sense of ethnic style in clothes. I feel there is a gap in the market and there are more people looking for Indian clothes online. So I talked to Myntra's CEO ... and we came up with the idea of 'House of Pataudi'," Saif told IANS here.

While on the subject of fashion, Saif could not resist complimenting wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, considered a fashion icon.

"(Kareena) has an amazing fashion statement. She has always been interested in clothes. When we met, she would shop cool dresses to wear at functions. I think she must have started the benchmark of cool dresses, and then everyone started sourcing it and getting such dresses."

Asked if Kareena shops for him too, Saif smiled and said: "No, of course not. I select my clothes on my own... If you understand women's clothes, it does not mean you understand men's clothes too. They are very different. Sometimes, they are even more complicated."Rome, Nov 7 : The Italian Senate or upper house of Parliament on Wednesday backed the populist government's controversial security and immigration bill in a confidence motion with 163 votes in favour, 59 votes against and 19 abstentions.

Senators from the ruling far-right League and anti-establishment Five-Star Movement voted in favour while opposition centre-Left Democratic Party and Free and Equal party voted against the bill, which toughens immigration, anti-terrorism and anti-mafia rules.

The conservative Brothers of Italy party abstained from the vote while its conservative ally Forza Italia party did not take part, along with four Five-Star rebel senators.

In the Italian Senate, abstentions are counted as votes against.

Had the government lost the motion, it would have been forced to resign.

The decree must now be debated in the lower house of Parliament ahead of a vote in the chamber.

Italy's anti-migrant Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hailed the passage of the decree as "an historic day".

"An historic day for Salvini's Decree," Salvini tweeted, later telling reporters at the upper house of parliament that the government would last its full five-year term.

"The doom-mongering jackals must come to terms with this," said Salvini, who is also the Deputy Premier.Dhaka, Nov 7 : The Bangladeshi Hindu community celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

The festival brought Tuesday night more Hindus to the temples in the old part of Dhaka than at almost any other day of the year, reports Xinhua news agency.

Like previous years, Bengali Hindus observed the festival lighting earthen lamps in their homes, bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.

Hindus believe that Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.

As part of preparations to mark the festival of lights, Hindu people renovate and decorate their homes and offices.

On Diwali night, they dress up in new clothes or their best outfits, light up lamps and candles inside and outside their homes, and participate in family prayers.Tawang, Nov 7 : The Indian Army and the China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday held ceremonial border personnel meeting to commemorate joint celebrations of Diwali organised by the Indian Army at Bum-La, a military official said.

A Ceremonial Border Personal Meeting (BPM), the last of 2018 to commemorate joint celebrations of Diwali, was organised by the Indian Army at Bum La.

The Indian delegation was led by Colonel Prasenjit Kar. Colonel Yang Zi Ming headed the PLA team.

Both the delegations interacted and exchanged greetings in a cordial atmosphere, a sign of improving military-to-military ties at ground level.

The meeting began with the hoisting of the national flags and lighting of traditional Diwali lamps.

Both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining peace along border areas.

The highlight of the border personnel meeting was the colourful and impressive performances by cultural troupes showcasing 'Real India'.Kolkata, Nov 7 : The people of West Bengal on Wednesday plunged into the festive fervour of Diwali celebrations, carrying on with their joyous mood of Kali Puja observed across the state a day ago.

People across the state exchanged sweets and savouries with friends, neighbours and relatives. The festival saw the mingling of sizeable population of non-Bengali communities (Marwari, Gujarati, Bihari) and Bengalis across the state to celebrate Diwali.

After worshiping Goddess Kali till the wee hours on Wednesday, thousands of people visited Kalighat and Dakshineswar Kali temples since morning to offer prayers to the deity.

In preparation for the evening festivities, people were seen drying their stock of crackers outside. Children helped their parents put up glittery decorations in their homes. Rows of earthen lamps dotted entrances and other areas of many homes.

Girls and women showcased their artistic skills through variety of colourful Rangoli (folk art in which patterns are created on the floor using materials such as coloured rice, flour, coloured sand and flower petals) designs.

Youngsters dressed in their best went out with family members and loved ones for pandal hopping.

The festivities have kept the city administration on its toes since Tuesday. Authorities have banned crackers emitting over 90 decibel of sound to control noise pollution.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has urged the residents to observe the norms for a safe Diwali. Flash

On the eve of the first electoral battle since U.S. President Donald Trump's win in 2016, the race for the House is tight. Experts believed all remains uncertain in this hotly-contested race which could come down to the wire.



"The race is tightening in a highly polarized electorate," said Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency.

According to the non-partisan Cook Political Report, in recent weeks, the Democratic party has made gains even in areas which lean toward Republicans while the Republican party has gained ground in rural areas.

"The House elections are competitive because the country is closely polarized between the two parties," said Darrell West, senior fellow with Brookings Institution.

"America still is a 50-50 nation between Republicans and Democrats. A number of recent campaigns have been very close and neither party has managed to score a knockout blow over the other," West said.

The immigration issue forms the core of Trump's strategy to gain support for the Republican party.

Many white working class voters, a large chunk of Trump's supporters, resent the decades-long influx of illegal immigrants into the United States, claiming they lower wages and create more competition.

In recent days, Trump has focused his campaign speeches on the issue at rallies in the city of Macon, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

But Trump's tactic could backfire, some analysts said.

"Democrats have gained in recent weeks because of a backlash to Trump's nativist appeals," said West.

"Instead of talking about the strong economy, which could appeal to a broad range of people, he has focused on immigration and race issues, which are very divisive. That has helped Democrats pull into the lead in several states," West said.

Experts also predicted that there will be political gridlock if the Democratic party wins the race because investigations into Trump will be possible.

Mahaffee said with the control of the House's oversight committee, Democrats will be able to launch investigations into the Trump administration.

"Political deadlock probably will take place if Democrats do well because they will stymie Trump's policy agenda and investigate his various activities," West said.

Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College said that "if Democrats win control of the House, the Trump presidency is over in terms of conservative legislation."

The question then becomes whether a compromise is possible, said Galdieri, adding that Democratic control of one or both chambers will mean lots of investigations into Trump and his administration."Agra : Agra Nov 7 (IANS) Mesmerised by the exquisite beauty of the monument of love, the Taj Mahal, South Korean First Lady Kim Jung Sook said she would return with her husband.

Instead of the scheduled 45 minutes, she spent 90 minutes asking questions about architecture, intricate inlay work and historical perspectives. She spent 20 minutes inside the mausoleum.

She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the visit.

According to her guide Nitin Chwla, she said she was much impressed with the cultural programmes at Ayodhya and the grand arti at the Saryu river. Cultural exchanges will bring the two countries closer, she added.

UP ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Srikant Sharma welcomed her at the Kheria airport and accompanied her during her visit to the Taj Mahal.New Delhi, Nov 7 : The Congress On Wednesday released its fourth candidate list for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections fielding BJP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani.

The party has named 29 nominees, including Masani, who recently joined the Congress. He will be contesting from Waraseoni constituency in Balaghat district.

The Congress thus far has announced 213 nominees for the 230 assembly constituencies which vote on November 28.

The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP government which is in power for the last 15 years.Lucknow, Nov 7 : Commoners, political heavyweights and social bigwigs came together on Diwali, and celebrated the festival of lights, which marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, across Uttar Pradesh with traditional fervor and gaiety on Wednesday. As soon as the sun set, people retired to their homes after shopping and prayed before the idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi.

In Lucknow, the sky lit up with fire crackers and lights as people burst crackers, unmindful of the restrictions imposed by law. High-decibel crackers were also burst across the state though no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere, a police spokesman informed IANS.

State-owned buses were choc a'bloc with passengers as they ran to capacity due to the last minute rush on the festival. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Ayodhya during the festival where he met seers and paid obeisance to Lord Ram at the makeshift temple and to Lord Hanuman, the money god, at Hanumangarhi.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav spent the festival with the Yadav clan at his native village Saifai in Etawah. Family patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav drove to his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav's house to bless him on Diwali, family sources informed. Several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spent time in their native places or assembly constituencies.

Governor Ram Naik wished the people of the state on the festival of lights and so did the three-time UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati. In a message issued by her party, the Dalit leader specially greeted the army troopers who were away safeguarding the borders, far from their families on the festival.Tripoli, Nov 7 : Libyan Coast Guard rescued 315 migrants in the Mediterranean on Wednesday who were trying to cross to Europe aboard three inflatable boats, according to a Libyan navy spokesman.

The migrants included 275 men, 32 women and eight children from various sub-Saharan countries, from Syria and from Bangladesh, navy spokesman Ayoub Qasim said.

A group of 116 people were picked up off the town of Zawiya, west of the capital Tripoli, and a 199 people were rescued from two boats off Tripoli, he added.

All of the rescued migrants were transferred to detention centres, Qasim stated.

Backed by the European Union, Libya's coastguard has stepped up its patrols in the Mediterranean, intercepting over 14,000 migrants between January and October, according to the United Nations migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Chaos-wracked Libya's western coast is a main departure point for migrants fleeing wars and poverty, although the number of crossings have fallen sharply since last year.New York, Nov 8 : After a midterm election loss of Republican majority in the House of Representatives, US President Donald Trump offered the olive branch of bipartisanship to the Democrats at a news conference that quickly deteriorated into a confrontation with the media.

There "could be a beautiful bipartisan situation," he said on Wednesday citing infrastructure tax cuts for the middle class and healthcare as areas where they could work together.

He welcomed the offer to work across the divide by Democratic Party leader Nancy Pelosi, who is likely to reclaim speakership. She had had said, "We will have accountability and strive for bipartisanship."

At the same time, Trump said that if the Democrats took a "warlike approach" to investigating him, he would respond in kind unleashing counter probes.

Criticised for backing out of the Paris climate change agreement, he even said, "Environment is very important to me."

But he added that he would not do anything on climate change that would affect the US jobs or the economy.

On immigration, he said that "we need people coming to the country," but they have to come in legally.

With companies relocating to the US and the economy expanding, the US needed more legal immigrants, he added.

But it was questions about immigration that brought the rift with the media to the fore.

Reporters' questions about him calling a caravan of several thousand Central Americans marching to the US "invaders" and airing advertisements portraying illegal immigrants scaling the border barriers, brought an angry response that he believed they were invaders.

As a reporter persisted, Trump accused the reporter and the media of being hostile to him.

Repeating his controversial statement, he said, "When you report fake news you are enemy of the people.

Trump denied that the loss of the House of Representatives was a defeat for him and compared his performance to that of his predecessor Barack Obama.

He boasted about the Republicans picking up two Senate seats -- and possibly three -- while in 2010 the Democrats lost six, and said that his party lost only 27 House seats versus the 63 lost by Democrats during Obama's midterm.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)Washington, Nov 8 : US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will be acting attorney general.

Sessions announced his resignation in a letter to Trump, saying that the resignation came "at your request", Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States," Trump tweeted.

"We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date," Trump said in a Twitter post.

The move took place shortly after a press conference Trump gave at the White House during which he said Sessions' fate was under consideration. It marked the first cabinet member exit from the Trump administration after the midterm elections, which ended late Tuesday.

Sessions, a former Senator from Alabama, has been a staunch Trump supporter since early stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, and was one of the first nominated to the Trump cabinet.

Sessions' relationship with Trump soured after he recused himself from the investigation into potential coordination between the president's Republican campaign and Russia, which prompted Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel leading the inquiry.CBA and subsidiary Bankwest are axing reverse mortgages, making them the last of the major lenders to pull out of the $3.1 billion sector.

Beginning next year, the service will no longer be offered, however, it will continue providing it to existing borrowers.

It follows in the footsteps of Westpac Group and Macquarie Bank who withdrew from the market late last year.

This leaves only Heartlands Seniors' Finance, IMB Bank and P&N Bank as the remaining significant players, according to Canstar analysis.

However, the federal government is entering the sector with a low-cost reverse mortgage scheme providing a public sector alternative.

Demand for the products is predicted to grow in an ageing community where seniors have billions of dollars in equity in their family home that can be tapped by a reverse mortgage, according to regulators.

CBA predicts 20% of Australians will be over 65 within 12 years.

Selling of the products, recently came under fire from regulators concerned about the quality of advice.

Improved scrutiny and advice and tougher regulations are expected, particularly in the wake of expected improvements to borrowing standards in the wake of the banking royal commission.Following their recent move to Canberra, the owners of a family home on a 2.02 hectare parcel of land with views across the Yass Valley and surrounds, are hoping the recent popularity of the town will entice more buyers to their upcoming auction.

The home at 108 Kirkton Road, Yass is one of a number of properties looking to benefit from the surge of interest in relocating to the community of Yass.

According to commercialrealestate.com.au data, Yass is the most searched area in rural Australia followed by Goulburn, Mildura, Bathurst and Cooma.

Rounding out the top 10 were McLaren Vale in South Australia, then the central west towns of Orange, Dubbo and Mudgee. Singleton in the Hunter Valley ranked tenth.

Ray White Yass and Rural Canberra agent Dominic Johns said "Yass has become gradually more and more attractive to non-locals".

"Were only 10 minutes to Murrumbateman, half an hour to Canberra. You can create a rural lifestyle and the quaint community with all benefits of being within a short commute to the cations capital," he noted.

Yass is a historic town within the capital region, which has seen a growth rate of 11.6% within the last year, Johns said.

The home features a large kitchen which opens into formal and casual living areas, plus the five acres are fenced into paddocks and a house yard, ideal for a couple horses or a few sheep.

Theres also a large shed with room for vehicles and storage.

Johns said there was water as not an issue on the property.

"155,000 litres of storage is available from three tanks," he said.

"A community bore also connects water to the property, plus a licensed private bore is on the property.

"The home is kept comfortable year round with ducted gas heating as well as evaporative cooling."

The auction is scheduled for 15 November in the Old Parliament House.Almost 70 Queensland suburbs delivered double digit house price growth over 12 months to June, according to the latest REIQ research from the Queensland Market Monitor report.

There were 11 suburbs that reached an annual house price growth of more than 20 percent.

The top performing was Blackwater in the Central Highlands region not far from Rockhampton, which saw its prices soar 151%.

Spring Mountain near Ipswich grew over 103%, while there was more success all along the Queensland coast.

House prices in Collinsville, inland from the Whitsundays rose 46% over the year, during which Minyama (45%), Hollywell (30%), Mount Coolum (pictured above, 22%), Dundooran in Hervey Bay (21%) and Idalia in Townsville (21%) grew as the coasts best performers.

Hamilton (33%), Miles (23%), and Boonah (21%) were the inlands best performers also secured over the 20 percent growth mark.

Click here to enlarge the full list.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said while many headlines predicted doom and gloom for the property market, the reality was very different with many markets in Queensland performing exceptionally well.

A total of 68 suburbs throughout Queensland have delivered double-digit growth over 12 months, which is a really strong result, Mercorella said.

And there are m any more suburbs delivering strong single-digit growth. Its a great market to be in at the moment.

The top area delivering the strongest growth has been Blackwater, with 151 per cent growth. This is a results of the resurgence in coal prices and the low base starting point."

A total of 41 suburbs in the southeast corner dominated the list of top performers for capital growth in Queensland, comprising around 60 percent of all 68 suburbs included on the list.

Mercorella however suggested the suburbs delivering good growth are not all focused in the southeast corner, with a liberal sprinkling of suburbs throughout central and northern Queensland.

This spread of suburbs is a good indication that Queensland real estate is delivering steady sustainable growth across the board. Were seeing growth outside the southeast corner, Ms Mercorella said.

Mercorella cautioned against celebrating another boom.

While were definitely seeing prices come back in western Queensland mining towns, such as Blackwater, these prices are still below their peak. Its unlikely well see a return to pre-2013 prices in those areas anytime soon, she said.

A total of 13 suburbs in Brisbane LGA made the list of top performers for the past year. Hamilton was the fifth strongest performer in Queensland and the best performer in Brisbane LGA.

House prices in Hamilton increased 32.9 per cent for the past year, to $1,442,000. Hamilton was also the most expensive suburb included on the list of Queensland top performers.

Other suburbs in Brisbane LGA reaching a capital growth for houses of 10 per cent or higher were Sandgate, Paddington, Mount Ommaney, Sunnybank, Graceville, Hendra, Shorncliffe, Seven Hills, NUNDAH, Kedron, Bulimba and Auchenflower.

Ipswich had six suburbs on the list, the Gold Coast had four and Moreton Bay had three. Redland and Logan had not suburbs on the list.

Hollywell in the Gold Coast is listed as the sixth performer in Queensland, with houses reaching a capital growth of 30.5 per cent for the past year taking its median to $810,000.

The top performer in regional Queensland was Townsville, where there were four suburbs reaching double digit house price growth.

Cairns and Gympie had three suburbs on the list of top performers.

Palm Cove was the best performer in Cairns, ranking 26th within the Queensland tally. House prices in Palm Cove increased 14.3 per cent, to $606,000 in June 2018.

The Whitsunday only reported Collinsville on the list, which is ranked third throughout the state. Collinsville is a mining town, reporting an annual capital growth for houses of 46.2 per cent, to $95,000 in June 2018.Some of the highest concentrations of property investors with negatively geared investment properties are in Labor-held electorates, analysis released by the federal government to News ltd papers show.

The income and tax statistics-based report by the Australian Taxation Office was published along with a coalition attack on Labors policy to phase out negative gearing.

Some 1.3 million Australians take advantage of the tax break on investment properties, with 640,000 living in coalition electorates and 570,000 in Labor-held seats.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Labors property plan would punish investors, he told The Australian.

According to a nationwide seat-by-seat study by the government, the most recent income and tax statistics from the Australian Taxation Office shows that more people residing in Labor-held seats had negatively geared rental properties than in Coalition-held seats, in five out of the eight states and territories.

Josh Frydenberg said the ATO data showed that in the biggest property market, NSW, the number of people who negatively geared rental properties was divided equally among Labor and Coalition-held seats, with deputy ALP leader Tanya Pliberseks seat of Sydney featuring in the countrys top 10.

The electorates with the highest number of investors were the two seats in the ACT, both of which are held by Labor.

The latest data shows about 254,000 Queenslanders claimed a loss in 2015-16.

Some regional Queensland electorates have been hit with huge slumps in property prices since the mining downturn, The Courier Mail has noted.

In Capricornia and Flynn in central Queensland, along with Dawson, which has a strong mining and tourism workforce, have about one in 10 voters who claim for a net rental loss.

In NSW The Telegraph published data from Treasury revealing 374,000 Sydneysiders are claiming the benefit.

No real estate market will be harder hit by Labors ill-conceived property tax than the NSW market, the Treasurer said.

Treasury data reveals about 10,000 people in each of the Labor electorates of Parramatta, Greenway, Barton, Sydney and Kingsford Smith claimed the tax discount.

The 8655 people using the concession in deputy opposition leader Anthony Albaneses Grayndler electorate is more than the 8195 people in former prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls old electorate of Wentworth, the paper noted.

Labor's proposed rules apply to properties bought after the policy start date: either July 1 next year or July 1, 2020, depending on the timing of the next election.

The government claims that investors already holding negatively geared property will feel the impact of the grandfathered policy by trying to sell into a depressed market with less interest coming from investors.

Labors policy to restrict negative gearing to new dwellings - and to cut the capital gains discount from 50 per cent to 25 per cent - has come under sharper scrutiny, The Australian reported.

Master Builders Australia has warned that it would result in a $12bn hit to building activity in the sector and lead to 42,000 fewer new homes being built over five years.

There are 120,000 investors with three or more properties, up from 116,700 just a year prior.

This week the Westpac boss Brian Hartzer noted a factor weighing on property uncertainty was the Labor policy, although he stopped short of blaming the proposed policy as a reason for falling prices.

"Clearly negative gearing is a significant feature in investors' decisions on property investment, or certainly, it has been over recent years. So a change in negative gearing policy would be viewed by many investors as a significant issue to be thought through before they make a further property investment," Mr Hartzer said.You are here: World

 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will pay an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and attend a series of meetings from Nov. 12 to 16, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced here Tuesday.





Li will attend the 21st China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 21st ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 13th East Asia Summit during this visit, the spokesperson added.EXPERT OBSERVATION

A big jump in listings in Melbourne and Canberra this month, with Melbourne's available stock now comfortably exceeding 39,000, according to SQM Research's latest data and media release.

There were small declines in October for Brisbane, Adelaide, and notably Darwin and Perth.



But the two major capital cities are well up from last year.



It took a bit longer to get there, but Melbourne has now well and truly joined Sydney with its slowing market, with stock levels leaping 5.9 per cent higher in the month of October alone.

From a year earlier, Melbourne listings are up by 24.3 per cent, suggesting very slow sales activity in the Victorian capital.Trusted House Buyers (https://www.trustedhousebuyers.com/) announces that they will pay all closing costs on any homes that they buy from now until the end of the year to help homeowners during the hectic Holiday Season. It disrupts the conventional model of selling a home where costs are traditionally split between the seller and the buyer.

The Holiday Season is already upon us! On this note, weve come to recognize that for many this can represent the most financially stressful time of year, explains Company President Brian Mollo. Our intention here is to help out as much as we can during a few months that can be demanding and overwhelming.

This means that if anyone is interested in selling a house in San Diego County, that this additional benefit of working with Trusted House Buyers will put more money in a sellers pocket and still allow them to transact in a hassle free, fair, and fast way. Brian continues, Most folks have enough on their plates from now until the end of the year, so we figured if someone is considering selling in San Diego County, why not try to maximize the money that they will receive while relieving themselves of extra cost burdens?

A lof of our past clients have told us they chose to work with us for many reasons (https://www.trustedhousebuyers.com/testimonials/). They've felt comfortable working with a local, family run business; one that can buy homes quickly, for cash, no matter the condition and without the realtor fees and costs of a traditional transaction (https://www.trustedhousebuyers.com/compare/). Theres no waiting with months of uncertainly, no repair or prep work to be done, and they can leave any unwanted items behind.

Working with an honest and dependable company in selling an unwanted house or one that needs repairs is critical to the successful transaction outcome. Thats why working with Trusted House Buyers will help ease any uncertainty as they will explain everything in detail to ensure there are no misunderstandings or confusion; especially if its time to move on and sell a house in San Diego fast. Theyre one of the most reputable We Buy Houses San Diego type of companies around.

Brian adds, Even if someone is unsure if this opportunity is for them or not, they should reach out to our company. Theres no obligation to speak with us and they're not even obligated to sell if they receive our offer.

To learn more, visit https://www.trustedhousebuyers.com/sell-your-house/

About Trusted House Buyers

Trusted House Buyers is a San Diego based real estate company that specializes in helping homeowners sell their San Diego property in a hassle-free, fair, and fast manner. They will buy your house for cash, no matter its condition. Their top goal is to help you find a fair way to sell your home, by offering a cash transaction to eliminate headaches and delays. Trusted House Buyers will listen and then we give you a custom-tailored solution so you can decide if its right for you. They can close quickly, or on the date of your choosing and you can leave any items behind that you wish. Contact them today to receive a fair, all-cash offer within 24 hours.Stanton Optical - Shreveport, LA Stanton Optical is excited and passionate about the newest technology we bring with us to the Shreveport community

Stanton Optical, known for being a national leader in the eye health industry by developing an accessible alternative to overpriced eye care services, will open its first store in Shreveport, bringing its easy eye care to the people of Louisiana. The new store, located at 1655 E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop #100, is scheduled to open in mid-November.

The newest Stanton Optical location will offer great deals and amazing services, with a wide range of affordable frames, prescription lenses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses for men, women and children.

Stanton Optical is excited and passionate about the newest technology we bring with us to the Shreveport community," said Daniel Stanton, CEO of Stanton Optical.

Vision Precision Holdings, parent company to My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, has seen explosive growth, with a combined 115 corporate and franchise locations, offering fast, friendly and affordable eye care services to people across the country. Shreveport is Stanton Opticals 1st location in the ShreveportBossier City market.

Visit the new Stanton Optical location at 1655 E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop #100 for a special offer on two pairs of eyeglasses for $59.95 plus a FREE eye exam, or visit StantonOptical.com for more information. Also available at Stanton Optical is a contact lens value pack, which includes an eye exam and contact lenses, starting at just $129.

About Stanton Optical

For over a decade, Stanton Optical has become a national leader in the eye health industry by developing an accessible alternative to overpriced eye care services. To circumvent costly markups traditionally associated with national brick-and-mortar stores, Stanton Optical works directly with designer eyewear manufacturers and equips a majority of its stores with optical labs that produce quality prescription eyeglasses in as little as 15 minutes. That's why Stanton Optical retail stores feature over 3,000 designer frames for men, women, and children, popular brands of contact lenses like Acuvue, Air Optix, Biomedics, PureVision, SofLens and Proclear, and same-day services. For more information, visit StantonOptical.com.AccentCare, managed by Veteran leadership, is proud to serve all patients and clients, including those who have served our nation.

We thank Veterans everywhere for ensuring our freedom and are humbled every day by the honor to serve them and to meet their particular home healthcare needs, said AccentCare CEO Steve Rodgers, who was a Special Forces Medic in the U.S. Army.

AccentCare offers a number of programs across the full continuum of home care, many of which address the unique needs of Veterans. These programs reflect dedication to service, help to ensure independence, and preservation of dignity in the delivery and design of specialized care.

For some Veterans, post-acute care is necessary for them to live independently. Loss of physical functionality or psychological issues often requires in-home healthcare. AccentCare not only offers home-based skilled care including nursing and rehabilitative therapies, it also provides skilled behavioral healthcare including their proprietary RightPath program for Late Life Depression. In addition, AccentCares personal care services division equips Care Partner attendants with special training to improve interactions with clients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army, I worked to support soldiers in military operations and as a leader at AccentCare, I proudly support our Mission to deliver consistently exceptional care, said Scott Roberts, Vice President of Operations, Personal Care Services. It is a privilege to serve all clients, including those who serve, or have served, our country. Giving them the support they need in order to have independence at home, is a very fulfilling experience for our Care Partner attendants.

Of course, maintaining dignity at the end of life is a critical part of healthcare for all patients. However, for Veterans, distinct circumstances should be addressed. Through AccentCares partnership with We Honor Veterans, a program belonging to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Department of Veterans Affairs, the company provides educational tools and resources uniquely designed for Veterans, including special procedures for transitioning Veterans across venues of care, including VA medical centers, Veteran-specific outreach presentations, and Veteran-to-Veteran volunteers. The latter matches volunteers who have served in the military with hospice patients who have also served. Their common backgrounds create special bonds that are especially valued by patients reviewing their military memories near the end of life.

Chris Mitchell, Vice President and General Manager, Hospice, who served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army said, We are so proud of our programs, local events, and volunteer work that show respect for Veterans by offering quality care that respects their dignity.

AccentCare develops individualized plans of care for each person and family it serves, including some that are uniquely crafted for Veteran patients and clients.

The men and women of Americas military dedicate themselves to our freedom, and its an honor to show them our dedication to their service, independence, and dignity, said AccentCares Dan Buning, Chief Operating Officer, West Point graduate and 20-year officer in the U.S. Army.

About AccentCare

AccentCare, Inc. is a nationwide leader in post-acute healthcare as well as specialized care management prior to acute episodes. Its wide variety of innovative services ranges from personal, non-medical care to skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies, hospice, private duty, and care management. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AccentCare has over 23,000 compassionate professionals in more than 190 locations across 14 states, serving over 17,000 physicians and 2,000 facilities.

AccentCare is committed to improving the quality of living for more than 97,000 individuals each year. Its approach to care, including proprietary RightPath disease-specific programs, consistently exceeds the industry in avoidance of unplanned re-hospitalizations, faster starts of care, and quality performance. Among its distinctions, AccentCare has a 4.3-star quality rating for legacy home health agencies, many of which have earned the HomeCare Elite distinction. All legacy hospice locations are CHAP-accredited, many with advanced designations from the We Honor Veterans program.Top key players mentioned in this Aerospace Coatings Market report include PPG Industries, Merck Group, Sherwin-Williams, Zodiac Aerospace, BASF, Hentzen Coatings, AkzoNobel, Henkel, Argosy International Inc, Ionbond IHI Group, International Aerospace Coatings, Hohman Plating & Mfg., LLC & 8 others.

Global Aerospace coatings market share is expected to cross 16 kilo tons till 2024. High usage of these coatings in various aircrafts such as military, space, and commercial will primarily drive the industry over the forecast timeframe. Frequent rising air passenger traffic across the globe has led to increased deliveries of aircrafts, further positively influencing the industry demand.

Aerospace Coatings Market size is estimated to surpass USD 1 billion revenue by 2024. Flourishing growth in international trade has resulted in the development of commercial aircraft, propelling the industry size. Various government bodies across the globe are investing significantly in aerospace sector, contributing towards revenue generation.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2091.

The product segment of aerospace coatings market mainly includes epoxy and polyurethane resins. Currently, polyurethane resins are extensively used in the next-generation aircrafts such as Boeing 787, pertaining to the advantages they provide, such as high resistance to UV rays and ability to prohibit abrasion, chemical, and staining damages. Polyurethane resins will hold 55% of the overall aerospace coatings market share by 2024, driven by its excessive sales and growing popularity.

Polyurethane resins will account for over 55% revenue share in the aerospace coatings market over the forecast timeframe. High preference towards this resin can be attributed to its advantages such as high resistance to the UV rays and other damages including staining, chemicals, and abrasion. Extensive usage of these resins in new generation aircrafts such as Boeing 787 will further support the segments dominance.

Epoxy resins are anticipated to generate a demand of approximately 8 kilo tons by 2024. High usage of these resins in traditional aircrafts has resulted in high demand from maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), fostering the industry growth. Additionally, consumer preference can be attributed to its cost effectiveness as compared to the counterparts.

Browse key Aerospace Coatings Marketinsights from the 2018 report spread across 610 pages offering 877 market data tables as well as 11 figures & charts along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/aerospace-coatings-market

Solvent based coatings will account for over 60% share till 2024. These coatings are less prone to environmental damages due to humidity and temperature. Moreover, the technology leads to considerable reduction in drying time which in turn drive the aerospace coatings market share over the forecast timeline. Water based coatings will exhibit over 6% CAGR from 2017 to 2024 owing to high usage in aircrafts. Environmental and regulatory compliance is another factor significantly contributing to the segment demand.

OEM is expected to register over USD 580 million till 2024. High usage of coatings in aircraft manufacturing will primarily escalate the revenue generation. Rising number of aircraft deliveries has led to increased production of aircrafts, further strengthening the product penetration.

Regionally, North America aerospace coatings industry is predicted to collect a revenue of more than USD 350 million by 2024, owing to the fact that the region houses some of the biggest players. Moreover, increasing development of next-generation aircrafts such as Airbus A350, Boeing 737, and Boeing 787, mainly for commercial applications, will also push the product demand across North America.

Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2091.

Top key players mentioned in this Aerospace Coatings Market report include PPG Industries, Merck Group, Sherwin-Williams, Zodiac Aerospace, BASF, Hentzen Coatings, AkzoNobel, Henkel, Argosy International Inc., Ionbond IHI Group, International Aerospace Coatings, Hohman Plating & Mfg., LLC, Zircotec Group, Mapaero, Mankiewicz Gebr. & Co., BryCoat Inc., NVSC Speciality Coatings, Cheaerospacel, Asahi Kinzoku Kogyo Inc., and AHC Oberflachentechnik GmbH

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Plating on Plastics Market size was valued at over US$450 million in 2017 and industry expects consumption of above 150 million square meters by 2024. Read more at

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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.Vertical Bridge Holdings, LLC, the largest private owner and operator of communications infrastructure in the United States, today announced that Allan Tantillo has joined the company as Vice President of New Technologies. In his new role, Tantillo will focus on identifying and creating opportunities that help clients deploy new wireless technologies utilizing Vertical Bridges wide range of assets.

These are exciting times in the wireless industry as new technologies such as 5G, CBRS and edge computing become available, providing new opportunities for Vertical Bridge to support our clients and partners, said Bernard Borghei, Executive Vice President of Operations and Co-Founder of Vertical Bridge. Were extremely excited to have Allan join our team. His understanding of carrier needs and network development will be invaluable as we continue to offer wireless operators new ways to build out faster, more robust networks.

Tantillo comes to Vertical Bridge with nearly two decades of experience in the wireless industry. Most recently, he served as Senior Director for National Site Development at T-Mobile USA, the nations third largest telecommunications carrier. Tantillo has also held additional management roles at T-Mobile including Director for T-Mobile Towers, Senior Manager of National Development and Area Development Manager.

Vertical Bridge is an innovator in its space and has a unique understanding of how the industry will be impacted by new technologies  in-building wireless networks and micro data centers are just two examples, said Tantillo. I am thrilled to join the company and look forward to helping our partners take advantage of the industrys new technological advances.

About Vertical Bridge

Vertical Bridge is the largest private owner and operator of communications towers and locations in the United States. The company owns, operates and master leases over 134,000 tower, rooftop, billboard, utility attachment and other site locations in support of wireless network deployments. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Vertical Bridge was founded in 2014 by key executives from Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC and former senior officers of Global Tower Partners. The senior management team at Vertical Bridge has over 200 years of collective experience in tower infrastructure and related sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.verticalbridge.com.

Contact:

Erica Robertson, (561) 406-4032 or ERobertson(at)VerticalBridge.comA rendering of the entrance to AHN Cancer Institute-Hempfield, part of AHN's neighborhood hospital in Westmoreland County. "At AHN, we believe cancer patients and their families deserve one-stop access to comprehensive clinical and support services in locations that are most convenient to them." Cynthia Hundorfean, AHNs President and Chief Executive Officer.

Allegheny Health Network Announces Plans for Community Cancer Center in Hempfield Township

Facility Set to Open in Late 2019 as part of Neighborhood Hospital on Agnew Road

HEMPFIELD TWP., PA (Nov. 7, 2018)  Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced plans to open a cancer center in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, as part of a neighborhood hospital complex the Network is building at the junction of Agnew Road and Route 30. AHN Cancer Institute

 Hempfield will be the fifth community cancer center AHN expects to open in 2019, joining others already being developed in Monroeville, Erie, Butler and Beaver County. All are part of AHNs commitment to providing high quality cancer care in closer-to-home settings for patients throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.

At AHN, we believe cancer patients and their families deserve one-stop access to comprehensive clinical and support services in locations that are most convenient to them, said Cynthia Hundorfean, AHNs President and Chief Executive Officer. We are excited to bring a high level of cancer care to our patients who live in Westmoreland County, and to see our network of cancer treatment sites continue to grow across western Pennsylvania.

As the U.S. population continues to grow older, the number of cancer diagnoses is rising. About 1.7 million new cancer cases  81,000 in Pennsylvania alone - are expected to be diagnosed in 2018, a two percent hike from 2015, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. is expected to rise to from 15.5 million to 20.3 million in 2026.

In Pennsylvania, about 80 percent of new cancer diagnoses happen outside Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, said David Parda, MD, Chair, AHN Cancer Institute. We are committed to addressing the increasing cancer care needs of the western Pennsylvania community in the most effective and affordable manner by investing in more services close to where our patients live and by closely integrating them with our affiliated academic and quaternary cancer programs at AGH, West Penn and Johns Hopkins.

Designed to support a patient-centered care model, the 55,000 square foot cancer center will provide a wide array of services, including; comprehensive diagnostic imaging  such as MRI, ultrasound, CT Scan, X-Ray, DEXA  Bone Density Scans and mammography; radiation oncology; medical oncology and infusion therapy; an on-site pharmacy; nutritional counseling; social services; and access to cancer clinical trials. The centers decor will incorporate natural light and soft colors to create a calming atmosphere for patients and their families, with quiet exam rooms and comfortable waiting areas.

Expected to employ approximately 50 health care professionals, the cancer center is the latest in a number of steps taken over the past year to expand access to AHN physicians and programs in Westmoreland County. Earlier in 2018, the AHN Outpatient Center  Westmoreland opened on Nature Park Road in Hempfield Township, offering access to a variety of medical and surgical specialists, as well as physical and occupational therapy and lab testing and imaging services.

AHN Hempfield-Neighborhood Hospital is one of four new, smaller format hospitals that the network is building across western Pennsylvania. The facilities will be fully licensed hospitals that are open 24/7 and offer an assortment of onsite clinical care, including an emergency department, 10-12 inpatient beds, diagnostic care and other complementary medical services.

The AHN Cancer Institute provides leading oncology expertise and programs at the networks hospitals and affiliated clinics that serve patients from western Pennsylvania, Erie, West Virginia and Ohio.

AHN Cancer Institute  Hempfield is part of a nearly $300 million investment being made by Highmark Health and AHN to expand and enhance cancer care options in the western PA region. In addition to the five new community cancer centers, AHN is also building a new academic cancer center at Allegheny General Hospital and further strengthening its unique collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, offering enhanced local access to Hopkins cancer expertise and clinical trials.

###

About Allegheny Health Network

Allegheny Health Network, a Highmark Health Company, is a western Pennsylvania-based integrated healthcare system that serves patients from across a five state region that includes Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The Networks Cancer Institute employs more than 200 physicians and 500 oncology professionals who provide a complete spectrum of oncology care at more than 20 affiliated oncology clinics, including access to state-of-the-art technologies and new therapies being explored in clinical cancer trials. The Cancer Institute has the only cancer program in the Pittsburgh region with Integrated Network Cancer Program accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and its radiation oncology program is the largest in the country accredited by the American College of Radiology. AHN Cancer Institute is a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative certified practice, and is accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. AHN also has a formal affiliation with the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, one of the nations 41 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute, for research, medical education and clinical services. To schedule an appointment with an AHN oncologist, please call 412.DOCTORS or visit http://www.ahn.org/find-a-doctor.These events are part of an ongoing effort by the Navy Memorial to promote public understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the Sea Services.

The United States Navy Memorial will host a Wreath Laying Ceremony, panel discussion, and book signing on Monday, November 12th in observance of Veterans Day:

November 12th, 2018 from 11:00am  2:00pm

U.S. Navy Memorial

701 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20004

Pre-ceremony events will begin at 11:00am inside of the Navy Memorials Visitor Center. There will be a panel discussion followed by a book signing with Patricia Walters Anderson, author of the Nautilus Trilogy. The discussion will include former crew members from the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony at will begin at 1:00pm on U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza* and will include remarks from Navy Memorial and Naval District Washington officials. Captain Alan McCurry, USN (Ret.), who served aboard the USS Nautilus, will be the honored speaker for the ceremony. Following tradition, the U.S. Navy Band and Ceremonial Guard will perform.

These events are part of an ongoing effort by the Navy Memorial to promote public understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the Sea Services. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, giving them an opportunity to take advantage of the Navy Memorials free exhibits that celebrate the rich naval heritage of the United States.

*In the case of foul weather, the ceremony will be moved from the outdoor plaza to the Burke Theater, located in Navy Memorials adjacent Visitor Center

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For over 31 years, until his death in 2007, Pat was the wife and business partner of Captain William R. Anderson, the commander of USS Nautilus (SSN-571) during the first under-ice explorations in 1957 as well as Nautilus historic top-secret mission to transit the Arctic Ocean from the Pacific to the Atlantic in 1958.

For more information about Veterans Day at the Navy Memorial, contact Robert Parker at rparker(at)navymemorial.org or 202-380-0723.

ABOUT THE NAVY MEMORIAL

The Navy Memorial, located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, consists of a large plaza with a granite map of the world, the iconic Lone Sailor statue, 3,500 square-foot museum area, a 240-person theater, the Ships Store which sells Navy memorabilia and the Navy Log, the nations largest publicly available data base of sea service veterans. Our mission is to Honor, Recognize and Celebrate the men and women of the Sea Services, past, present and future; and to Inform the public about their service. We do that mission with the support of tens of thousands of members and Corporate Partners, including Huntington Ingalls Industry, USAA, Veritas, CACI, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Money Reserve, California Water Service Group, General Dynamics Information Technology, Perspecta, Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition, BAE Systems, Capital Bank, Ernst & Young, General Dynamics, L3 Technologies, Navy Mutual Aid, NewDay USA, and Pratt & Whitney. To learn more, visit navymemorial.orgAppRev: Gain confidence in your hospital revenue cycle. AppRev will provide an IPPS Final Rule solution for any provider who needs support for this pricing transparency requirement.

In August 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule to enable patients to have a better overall health care experience.

The Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule creates a requirement that hospitals under IPPS publish and update their prices. The following guidance is included in the rule:



May be the chargemaster or another form

Update at least annually

Machine readable format

Not payer specific

Requirement begins January 1, 2019

Current standard charges (CMS does not define a standard charge.")

AppRevs recommended solution is to add a reduced version of the chargemaster that would include the price(s) and description of the service to the providers current website. If there are package prices, it would make sense to include a list of those.

We would like to offer this vital service to any interested provider at no additional charge, said AppRev President, Seth Avery. At AppRev, we strive to extend value to the healthcare finance industry.

AppRev will provide a solution for any provider who needs support for this requirement. If a provider wishes to add a link on their website to the companys pricing transparency page, AppRev will store the appropriate files online to gain compliance with this requirement. Any interested parties can contact AppRev if they would like assistance at no charge.

More information on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1694-F) can be found on the CMS website.

AppRev, an OSG Billing company based in Temple, Texas, provides services and technology to more than 130 hospitals throughout the United States and Bermuda. AppRev delivers results through services and technology that allow hospitals and clinics to improve revenue cycle performance. The companys solutions are provided via web delivered Service Supported Software and in Charge Accuracy, Charge Review, Denials Intelligence, Pricing Analytics, CDM and DSH services. All AppRev solutions employ ongoing measurement of revenue cycle improvements and can be tailored to meet customer-specific requirements.The Ashworth College program, which launched in 2016, now joins a list of only 12 distance education vet tech programs to be accredited by the AVMA CVTEA.

After evaluation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA), Ashworth College proudly announces the AVMA CVTEA accreditation of its Associate of Applied Science Veterinary Technician online degree program.

We're so proud to make the announcement, said Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, CVT, RVT, LAT, VTES, director of veterinary technician programs at Ashworth College. The CVTEA are our peers and their reviews are comprehensive. We developed an extremely high-quality curriculum in order to best prepare our students for their respective state licenses and credentials that will help them secure employment after they graduate.

The Ashworth College program, which launched in 2016, now joins a list of only 12 distance education vet tech programs to be accredited by the AVMA CVTEA.

To earn accreditation, the Ashworth College Veterinary Technician program team hosted site visits by the CVTEA in February and August. During the visits, the committee interviewed current vet tech program students, toured administrative facilities, evaluated student resources, reviewed program curricula, and spoke with faculty members about program standards and expectations for ongoing evaluations.

For more information about the Ashworth College Associate of Applied Science Veterinary Technician online degree program, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/associate-degrees/veterinary-technician-degree-online.

About Ashworth College

Ashworth College is a nationally-accredited online institution that provides flexible and affordable education to students located around the world. Areas of study include more than 125 career-focused programs in the high-demand fields of healthcare, technology, business, creative services, education, legal studies and trades. Since its founding 30 years ago, more than 300,000 students have graduated from Ashworth College with diplomas, professional certificates, associate, bachelors and masters degrees. In a 2016 survey by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, 95 percent of graduates said they were satisfied with their studies and would recommend Ashworth College to a friend. For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu.

Ashworth College is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

About the American Veterinary Medical Association

The American Veterinary Medical Association's vision is to be the trusted leader in protecting, promoting and advancing a strong, unified veterinary profession that meets the needs of society. Founded in 1863, the AVMA is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 91,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine. To learn more, visit http://www.avma.org. Flash

China will join hands with Africa to promote bilateral cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, top political advisor Wang Yang said on Tuesday.





Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when meeting a delegation of Economic and Social Councils Union of Africa.





"The success of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September has led the relationship between China and Africa to a new era," Wang said.





China will join hands with the African side, upholding the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, to promote construction cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to consolidate the basis of the China-Africa Community with a shared future, Wang said.





He said the CPPCC will continue to support cooperation between China Economic and Social Council and relevant institutions of Africa, to push for in-depth development of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.





Boulkassoum Haidara, president of the delegation, said the African side is willing to let economic and social councils play a bigger role in promoting mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two sides in various fields.We hope to empower people living with eczema to become active participants in their health and live their best life.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and PlatformQ Health have partnered to produce a new live-online program designed for people managing ezema. Eczema: A Potential Lifetime of Itch, will stream live-online November 8, 2018 at 3pm ET and be available on demand through November 2019. To encourage patients to become active participants in their health, the program will feature a live panel discussion showcasing patient, advocate, and expert clinician perspectives, real-time Q&A, audience polls, and more. Participants have already begun submitting questions for the panel on the programs QBoard.

Eczema brings tremendous suffering for affected patients and families. We hope this program will educate and empower patients about eczema, separating fact from fiction, and showcasing the new horizon for treatment and understanding of this disease, remarked Dr. Peter Lio of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, course chair and moderator for the upcoming session. By shining a light on eczema, it is our hope that more patients will seek safe and effective treatments and more practitioners will be interested in learning about them as well.

In addition to Dr. Lio, the panel for the program will include Lidia Pomaville, PC-A, Physician Assistant at Forefront Dermatology & Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Marquette University, Sanaz Eftekhari, Director of Corporate Affairs at AAFA, and a patient presenter, who will share insights and personal experiences with her co-presenters and peer learners. The one-hour program will focus on



What causes eczema in the human body

What types of medicines and lifestyle habits can help manage eczema

How to communicate with health care professionals, and participate in treatment decisions

Other conditions that often come along with eczema

Social and financial burdens than can accompany eczema, and how to address them

Were thrilled to collaborate with Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America on this program, to bring approachable and accurate education to people living with Eczema, said PlatformQ Health SVP of Education Kathryn Pucci. Across all our patient channels, we work with the countrys top specialists and real patients to help affected communities gain the right knowledge so they can participate and make good healthcare decisions. AAFAs commitment to delivering patient-centric resources and practical help is inspiring people and improving their lives.

Sanaz Eftekhari, program panelist and representative from AAFA, echoed her excitement. I am proud to join a distinguished panel to help share resources, insights and clinical information about eczema. We hope to empower people living with eczema to become active participants in their health and live their best life. We are thrilled to find a partner in PlatformQ Health, who is driving innovation in education, to deliver the best information directly to the people living with their disease.

Patients and caregivers interested in participating in the free educational program can sign-up to attend this free program here.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

About AAFA

Founded in 1953 and celebrating 65 years of service, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through research, education, advocacy and support. AAFA provides practical information and community-based services through its digital communities and national network of local chapters and educational support groups. Through its Kids With Food Allergies division, AAFA offers the most extensive online support community for families raising children with food allergies. AAFA also helps consumers identify products suitable for those with asthma and allergies through the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program. For more information, visit aafa.org.

About PlatformQ Health

PlatformQ Health is the leading provider of live, online medical education, operating 18 therapeutically aligned learning channels dedicated to providing clinicians, patients, caregivers, advocates and administrators rigorous, outcomes-centric education aimed at improving patient care. The companys unique education platform allows patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals to connect online from anywhere, to learn about the latest treatment options, and engage in real-time discussion with scientific, research and patient care experts.The Stem Cell "Emperor's New Clothes" ...in reality, no previously used method can count tissue stem cells accurately.

Since September of this year, stem cell biotechnology company Asymmetrex has been leading a campaign to increase awareness of the adult tissue stem cell counting problem in stem cell medicine and the stem cell supply industry. During the month of November, the company is intensifying this effort with new educational publications and presentations at clinical trial supply conferences, at meetings of standards development agencies, and at university laboratories.

The greatest barrier to progress in stem cell medicine is not the lack of a means to count adult tissue stem cells, corrects James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D., founder and director of Asymmetrex. Instead, the more debilitating barrier is the presently poor awareness that the problem exists. Even experts in many disciplines of stem cell research and stem cell medicines think we can, or act as if we can, count therapeutic tissue stem cells. But in reality, no previously used method can count tissue stem cells accurately.

During the month of November, Sherley is undertaking several endeavors to increase awareness of the tissue stem cell counting problem, which he defines as a problem that Asymmetrex has now solved with its recently introduced AlphaSTEM Test service, which provides specific and accurate counting of stem cells from any perinatal or postnatal organs and tissues. At November events, Sherley intends to continue focusing on increasing awareness and understanding of the long-standing unmet need for a means to count tissue stem cells.

On November 6, Sherley delivered a lecture at the 2018 10th Annual Outsourcing Clinical Trials New England Conference in Boston to relate how the need for stem cell counting impacts the regulatory landscape for supplying tissue stem cells to clinical trials. On November 8, he will introduce the AlphaSTEM Test to attendees at the American Society for Testing and Materials International 2018 Committee Week in Washington, DC to begin a discussion of developing standards for tissue stem cell counting and dose determination. Later in Boston, on November 14-15 at the 2018 3rd Annual Preclinical Development Operations Summit, he will discuss the need for development and adoption of an industry-wide regulatory standard for tissue stem cell counting, dose determination, and stem cell supply quality control.

To further illuminate the challenges of the poor level of awareness of the tissue stem cell counting problem, in an invited essay published November 6 on the Arena International Clinical Trials Supply website, Sherley compares the present state of the industrys treatment of the issue to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale the Emperors New Clothes. He argues that, for the stem cell industry, the debilitating consequences of this situation are more than just a fairy tale.

In the Andersen story, swindlers convince a towns emperor that they can weave fabrics so finely that they will be invisible to anyone who is stupid or unfit for their position. The emperor empties out the town treasury to pay to have clothes made from these remarkable linens. Of course, the swindlers weave only air and outfit the emperor with nothing at all, leaving him to walk about in only his undergarments. Fearing possible discovery as being stupid and unfit, the emperors most trusted advisors, also seeing nothing, join the emperors feigned amazement and praise garments that are not there. When a young boy speaks honestly about seeing the emperor parading down the street in his underwear, the townspeople acknowledge the deception; but the emperor and his elite courtiers persist in their pretense to avoid further embarrassment.

Sherley writes, In the [stem cell industry], quantification of adult tissue stem cells has been the emperors new clothes for many years. Though many in the industry are misinformed about, or unaware of the need for stem cell counting, there are many industry leaders who perpetuate the myth that it is possible to count tissue stem cells either knowingly or unwittingly. Sherley points out that an internet search will identify many examples of claims of tissue stem cell counting, tissue stem cell assays, tissue stem cell dose, and tissue stem cell reagents that the authors could not possibly know to be true, because they have not counted tissue stem cells specificallyyet. This is the limiting state of affairs that Asymmetrex is working to change with its first-in-kind technology for counting adult tissue stem cells.

About Asymmetrex

Asymmetrex, LLC is a Massachusetts life sciences company with a focus on developing technologies to advance stem cell medicine. Asymmetrexs founder and director, James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert on the unique properties of adult tissue stem cells. The companys patent portfolio contains biotechnologies that solve the two main technical problems  production and quantification  that have stood in the way of successful commercialization of human adult tissue stem cells for regenerative medicine and drug development. In addition, the portfolio includes novel technologies for isolating cancer stem cells and producing induced pluripotent stem cells for disease research purposes. Asymmetrex markets the first technology for determination of the dose and quality of tissue stem cell preparations (the AlphaSTEM Test) for use in stem cell transplantation therapies and pre-clinical drug evaluations.BrightWave announced today it was named a leader among email marketing agencies by The Relevancy Group in its fourth annual Email Agency Buyers Guide, cited for its best-in-class capabilities.

The accolades handed down by The Relevancy Group were plentiful, summarizing that BrightWave is an excellent choice for organizations that seek an email marketing specialist with a passion for solving complicated data, creative and analytical challenges.

I am really proud of our team for being recognized as a critical business partner for our clients, proving our entire agency is at the forefront of the email marketing industry, said Simms Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of BrightWave. Its a great honor. The Relevancy Groups report provides important validation for our business and how we will continue to best serve our clients in a dynamic industry.

The report highlighted BrightWaves key strengths and areas of differentiation:

BrightWave Takes Home the Most Satisfaction Medals and Highest Scorecard Ranking

BrightWave achieved the highest scores in the Relevancy Ring Scorecard data and Client Satisfaction Awards, taking home the most medals. The agency was called out for its tech agnostic approach with the deepest relationships in the industry. In fact, BrightWave has official 21 partnerships, three times higher than the next competitor, showcasing BrightWaves deep and wide roster that provides its clients with the right solution.

BrightWave Redefines The Modern Email Marketing Agency

The Relevancy Group noted the modern email marketing agency is adapting to customer-centric experiences and embracing digital transformation. They defined the following attributes which make up the capabilities of the modern email marketing agency: Data Driven, Experience Focused, Digital Transformation, Measurement Obsessed, Strategic Optimization.

BrightWave showed itself to be better positioned to take advantage of these changing needs for its core customer base, which is the data-driven enterprise marketer. The report awarded BrightWave perfect scores in Strategy and Data Management.

BrightWave Leads in Innovation, Strategic Services, Deliverability and Account Management

The Relevancy Group stated BrightWaves creative innovations impressed us the most and we liked their data-driven creative enhancements, which for one client delivered 2,000 permutations to one mailing. The Relevancy Group added showcasing the completeness of their data management capabilities, BrightWave has developed propensity algorithms to suggest next best offers and content.

The agency was given the highest Satisfaction Awards for Strategic Services, Deliverability and Account Management and won the Silver Medals for Analytical Services, Creative Services and Educational Resources.

BrightWave Receives Glowing Customer Reviews

The Relevancy Group said, We spoke with new BrightWave customers, as well as some with significant tenure. All were highly satisfied with their relationship and gave the agency glowing reviews. Customers appreciate how BrightWave helps [them] think out of the box and focuses on understanding and addressing key business challenges. The approach at BrightWave is truly collaborative and the creative team has completely knocked it out of the park. Another felt constricted by our five-point satisfaction scale, remarking that shed give them a six if she could.

Experienced Team, Industry Leading Culture and Educational Resources

BrightWave continues to scale its offering and growth by investing in its team and culture, making it one of Atlantas best places to work (as recognized by The Atlanta Business Chronicle this year), which the Relevancy Group noted.

The report also called BrightWave out for being an independent thought leader and noted the importance of BrightWave created events like EiQ, Email Spotlight and Rising Tide. BrightWave continues to lead the industry on this front, taking a proactive move to shift the conversation to innovation and performance.

The Email Agency of Choice for Financial Services and Healthcare

BrightWave historically has had a strong record of successful relationships with leading brands in the financial services and healthcare industries. As BrightWave moves further into the Healthcare and Financial Services markets, they are readying their SOC 2 Audits. SOC 2 is necessary to demonstrate enterprise data privacy requirements, the report noted.

BrightWave has been a leader in privacy, data and international compliance issues and continues to be a critical business advisor on these fronts to some of the worlds leading brands.

More information on these findings is located at https://www.brightwave.com/2018-email-agency-report and the full report is available on The Relevancy Groups website http://www.relevancygroup.com/shop/email-agency-buyers-guide-2018

About BrightWave

BrightWave is the leading email marketing agency. With over 15 years of experience managing the best email programs in the country, BrightWave elevates eCRM and cross-channel programs through industry-leading innovation, relationship orchestration and pioneering inbox experiences. Learn more at http://www.BrightWave.com.

BrightWave also is the creator of EiQ, the intelligent email gathering. This one-day event on March 14, 2019 is where the industry community convenes and focuses on innovation and business impact. For more information on the event, please visit http://www.eiqgathering.com.

About The Relevancy Group

Founded in 2010, The Relevancy Group (TRG) combines market research with specialized advisory services to help marketers and marketing technologists operate more efficiently and effectively. TRG works with many of Americas top vendors and brands as well as early stage companies, defining market requirements and driving thought leadership. TRG produces dozens of surveys, research reports and webinars annually, and publishes the digital magazine for marketers, by marketers, The Marketer Quarterly. http://www.marketerquarterly.com/subscribeDuring this holiday season, the C&S Wholesale Grocers Family of Companies has donated

8,580 turkeys to 25 Feeding America member food banks. The turkeys, weighing an average of 13 pounds each, will be distributed to families in need, providing approximately 220,000 servings. This is the 16th consecutive year in a row that the company has donated turkeys through Feeding America.

A USDA report released in September indicated that more than 40 million Americans 1 in 8 households  are struggling to meet their daily nutritional requirements. The report also found that 12.5 million are children.

Additionally, C&S offers free holiday turkeys to its employees. Many choose to donate their turkey to their local food bank to share the spirit of the holiday season with families who might not otherwise have a Thanksgiving meal.

Feeding America is thankful to C&S Wholesale Grocers for their commitment to helping children and families in need, especially during the holiday season. This generous donation will help thousands of families who struggle to put food on the table, said Nancy Curby, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America.

About C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., based in Keene, NH, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 14,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions with over 140,000 different products. We are an engaged corporate citizen, supporting causes that positively impact our communities. To learn more, please visit http://cswg.com.

C&S community involvement programs support initiatives to fight hunger and to promote the health and enrichment of communities that are homes to the company's employees and workplaces. To learn more, visit http://community.cswg.com.This acquisition is a strategic combination of capabilities. With SPEAR, CALIBRE now offers a more diverse set of IT solutions and certified resources, enabling us to capitalize on synergies, expand our connections, and better serve our current and future clients.

CALIBRE Systems, Inc. (CALIBRE) is pleased to announce that it has acquired SPEAR Incorporated (SPEAR), a Virginia-based IT solutions and management consulting company.

SPEAR delivers superior IT solutions, cybersecurity, and data analytics services for business partners and federal agency clients. Their depth of experience coupled with personalized attention leads to timely response, innovative decision making, and flexibility to market needs, changes, and trends for clients. SPEAR was named Washington Technologys 2017 and 2018 Fast 50, Inc. 500/5000 in 2017 and 2018, GovCon 2017 Federal Contractor of the Year, SECAF 2017 Government Contractor of the Year, ACG 2017 Emerging Growth Company of the Year, and earned a spot as one of the 2018 Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work.

Richard Pineda, SPEARs Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, will assume the role of President at CALIBRE and President of SPEAR, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary of CALIBRE. Pineda said in a statement, I, along with our Spearmates delivering across the nation, am thrilled with the opportunity to join CALIBRE at such an exciting time. The IT services industry is dynamic and ever-changing. I look forward to leading a very accomplished group of professionals and making a marked impression in the industries we serve. The collaboration of our solutions, technologies and staff will significantly enhance our ability to serve our clients and build a platform for continued success and growth.

CALIBREs President & CEO, Joe Martore, expressed the importance of the acquisition, saying, This acquisition is a strategic combination of capabilities. With SPEAR, CALIBRE now offers a more diverse set of IT solutions and certified resources, enabling us to capitalize on synergies, expand our connections, and better serve our current and future clients. Like CALIBRE, SPEAR focuses on delivering the highest quality solutions for clients.

About CALIBRE

Alexandria, Virginia-based CALIBRE Systems, Inc. is an employee-owned management consulting and information technology solutions company supporting government and industry. CALIBRE is committed to the success of our clients, and delivers enduring solutions that solve management, technology, and program challenges.

For more information about CALIBRE, please visit http://www.calibresys.com.

Contact: Craig College, Executive Vice President & CFO

Telephone: 703.797.8733

E-mail: Craig.College(at)calibresys.comCallTower, a global leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class unified communications and collaboration solutions, announced today a modernized and streamlined White Label Program. This enhancement delivers both a new and innovative white label exclusive website and a newly established reseller administrative control portal. CallTower enhanced their white label program to empower resellers further to own their brand and expand their scope. CallTowers program emboldens white label partners to sell the most advanced, enterprise-grade, native Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, Cisco HCS, and/or CT Cloud Voice communications solutions, through a vetted turn-key program.

According to CallTower's Director of Wholesale, Brad Nichols, "Over the past two years we have worked very hard to deliver a full-service white label program to our resellers, and today we are proud to announce that our program now fully empowers our resellers with all of the tools they need to be successful in today's rapidly growing UCaaS marketplace."

CallTower recently announced additional enhancements to their white label program through their Billing as a Service (BaaS) platform, which enables partners to build a predictable monthly recurring revenue base they own. BaaS makes it easy for white label partners to sell their brand of Unified Communications with a built-in quoting, billing, reporting, and tax management platform.

Our white label program has become a game-changer under the guidance of our Director of Wholesale, Brad Nichols, says CallTowers Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. We are thrilled to deliver our renovated white label program with full enablement tools to resellers who want to deliver own brand.

About CallTower

CallTower exists to enable people to easily connect to transact business communications. Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has become a leading provider of cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications solutions for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading, cloud-based, Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions, including Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Microsoft Skype for Business, CT Cloud, CT Cloud Boost, Office 365 and Zoom Video Communications for business customers.

CallTower enhances our clients strategic and operational capabilities by integrating VoIP service, mobile applications, email hosting, unified messaging, instant messaging, audio, web and video conferencing, collaboration tools, contact center, cloud services and global networks solutions into one reliable platform.CanAm Enterprises CanAm and DCED, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias economic development agency, were very proud to support retaining and growing an important manufacturing company to the region, said Tom Rosenfeld, CanAms President and CEO.

CanAm Enterprises (CanAm) is pleased to announce that its 35th EB-5 partnership has repaid on October 31, 2018. This marks more than 1,800 investor-families fully repaid by CanAm projects, further establishing CanAm as one of the leading sponsors of EB-5 investments.

The $35 million EB-5 loan through CanAms Pennsylvania DCED Regional Center helped finance the expansion of a copper tubing manufacturing facility in Reading, Pennsylvania. The manufacturing industry, once the backbone of the American economy, has played an especially important role in Pennsylvanias history. CanAm and DCED, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias economic development agency, were very proud to support retaining and growing an important manufacturing company to the region, said Tom Rosenfeld, CanAms President and CEO.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Program provides qualified foreign investors with the opportunity to earn conditional or temporary two-year visas in return for investing $500,000 in businesses located in high unemployment areas that create or retain at least ten permanent full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

About CanAm Enterprises

With three decades of experience promoting immigration-linked investments in the United States and Canada, CanAm has a long and established track record. Based its work on a reputation of credibility and trust, CanAm has financed more than 55 project loans and raised over $2.7 billion in EB-5 investments. CanAm exclusively operates seven USCIS-designated regional centers that are located in the city of Philadelphia, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the county of Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Region of New York, the states of Hawaii, Florida and Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.canamenterprises.com.Great networking event and a way to get the pulse of other radiology practices.

Canopy Partners, a North Carolina based healthcare technology company, hosted its fifth annual Imaging Summit on Thursday and Friday, October 18th and 19th, 2018 at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina. The Umstead is North Carolina's only Forbes Five Star and AAA Diamond Hotel and Restaurant.

The theme for the 2018 Canopy Summit was Imaging Re-Imagined. Radiology and Imaging executives from across the country were invited to this one-of-a-kind industry event which focused on putting radiology back in the center of healthcare. The educational sessions were designed to help imaging businesses position themselves for future survival, growth and success in a rapidly evolving healthcare market. The event featured an all-star lineup of industry experts and thought leaders.

The Summit was attended by 145 imaging executives representing 83 imaging businesses from 29 states and three countries. The attendee demographic breakdown was 63% private practice radiology, 16% outpatient imaging centers, 5% health system based imaging and 16% other. Twenty one of the Top 100 independent U.S. radiology practices (according to 2018 Radiology Business rankings - http://www.radiologybusiness.com) were represented, including 5 of the Top 10.

Keynote speakers included:



Robert Dusty Staub, Staub Leadership International

Lea Halim, Senior Consultant, The Advisory Board Company

Dr. Michael Brown, Managing Partner, Carolina Radiology Associates

The event also featured a series of Imaging Innovation Labs that devoted to topics including:

How to determine the valuation of your imaging business

Growth and business development strategies

Merger, joint venture and acquisition options

The pros and cons of remaining independent vs selling your practice

Sharpening your competitive edge

Artificial Intelligence: fact vs fiction

Unified radiology IT platforms

The conference received an overall Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 97 out of 100 from attendees. Heres what a few participants had to say:

"Great networking event and a way to get the pulse of other radiology practices."

Dr. Satish Mathan - President & Managing Partner, Raleigh Radiology

Absolutely awesome event and educational for radiology practices' strategic planning and continued success with infrastructure/tools for more efficiency, etc.

Cindy Keesee - Practice Administrator, High Plains Radiological Association

The event is first rate in all facets. Well attended and organized, excellent content.

Parke Keith - Practice Administrator, Radiology of Huntsville

To learn more about this event or to add your name to the distribution list for the 2019 Imaging Summit, please visit the Canopy Partners website or contact Event Manager, Mallory Mast, at 336-235-2257.

About Canopy Partners

Canopy Partners is a privately held healthcare technology company that specializes in medical billing, business analytics, information technology, and management consulting services. The company is focused on elevating the role of medical imaging in the healthcare value chain. Canopy creates flexible, customer-driven business solutions that improve its clients productivity, profitability, and patient care.

To learn more, please visit http://www.canopy-partners.comThe media wall is not just arresting in its beauty, it has become a place where teams spontaneously meet to hold presentations and get feedback from others. We saw an instant change in how people worked

One of the worlds largest media companies selected Christie for both its LED video wall and the content management system.

Renowned for its portfolio of magazines including Vogue, GQ, Wired and many more, Conde Nast International is making an even greater push into digital media and recently added two floors of London office space to house the expansion.

The two floors feature contemporary workspaces including open-concept offices, huddle spaces, boardrooms and designated quiet rooms. At the heart of the space sits The Well  a stunning stairwell-cum-informal presentation space featuring a 6 x 14 Christie Velvet Apex Series video wall with a 2.5mm pixel pitch. Content for the display is managed by Christie Pandoras Box and processed by a Christie Spyder X20.

MiX Consultancy, MCM, and projector integrator Focus 21 collaborate with Christie

MiX Consultancy worked with MCM Architecture Ltd., and Focus 21 (now part of AVMI) to ensure the technical aspects met the overall vision.

This building represents Conde Nast Internationals digital future, said Deepak Parma, design director, MCM. Looking at the floorplate early on, we realized that this building is ultimately a series of pockets where people work, and what it needed was a heart space to bring people together, to collaborate, to celebrate, and to inspire them. The stairwell is the natural centrepiece of the building. Once we knew we were going to work with a multi-storey building, we came up with some ideas of having this staircase which would double up as bleacher seating, enabling not only presentations, but also town hall meetings.

We looked at projection, LCD, tiled screens, and ultra-thin bezel video wall options, said Phil Hallchurch, AV consultant, MiX Consultancy. Given the architecture and what they hoped to achieve for a collaboration area, Hallchurch said it quickly became clear that Christies LED technology would provide the greatest impact.

We have a good relationship with Christie and it came down to knowing that we could coordinate help when we needed it as the project progresses, said Hallchurch. Theres a strong local Christie presence in terms of support, which we knew was going to be important. The Apex (LED) product has remote power supplies which are redundant, so if one fails the other one kicks in. If theres a failure, its serviced somewhere other than the wall. It (Apex Series) is also front serviceable, so we were able to build it into a recess without worrying about accessing it from behind later or having to make access panels. All those things led us towards Christie.

Christie Pandoras Box and Spyder X20 managing and processing the content

To create a powerful yet simple content management system, MiX Consultancy, as recommended by Christie, brought Amigo on board as the content management and creative partner. Amigo then utilized the Spyder X20 and Pandoras Box to create a robust content management and processing ecosystem.

Those pixels for the videowall are completely custom, said Hallchurch. Amigo worked with Conde Nast International to create a template structure, and used Spyder X20 and Pandoras Box, but also creating middleware, a custom interface for the digital teams to drop their content onto in a nice and easy to use way allowing content to be pulled into a slideshow which is displayed on the videowall.

Collaboration area creates powerful impact on employees

According to senior staff at Conde Nast International, the new collaborative work environment is having a powerful impact on employees.

The team managed to create more than just a stairwell, said Aidan Geary, director of operations, Conde Nast International Digital. They created the beating heart of the office. The impact has been two-fold: the media wall is not just arresting in its beauty, it has become a place where teams spontaneously meet to hold presentations and get feedback from others. We saw an instant change in how people worked.

The screen played a pivotal part in that; its the center point of the space, and everyone walks through this and gets to see the impact of the screen, added Parma. The Christie system is very smart because it comes in a tile format, the maintenance point is easy, and the heat load isnt very much. The client realized that this was the perfect solution.

About Christie

Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio Inc., Japan (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the worlds most advanced projectors, complete system displays, and cinema audio solutions; Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centres to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images, accompanied by awe-inspiring sound. Visit http://www.christieemea.com.Thanks to sinus augmentation procedures, more patients can reclaim their smile and oral health with dental implants "Thanks to sinus augmentation procedures, more patients can reclaim their smile and oral health with dental implants" - Dr. Todd Britten

Dr. Britten, an implant specialist and periodontist in Clearwater, Florida, says that sinus augmentation procedures are making it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option besides wearing loose dentures.

The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Sinuses are like empty rooms. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth, says Dr. Todd Britten. He explained that dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone. For this situation, Dr. Britten says he would recommend a sinus augmentation graft to create a stable bone environment for implants to be placed.

A second procedure, known as an indirect sinus lift, is a less invasive than a direct or lateral sinus augmentation and is performed by preparing the bone for the dental implant as normal. Once the floor of the sinus has been reached, bone is gently packed in the preparation and pressed upward. This motion will tent the membrane of the sinus upward and create additional room for the full length of the implant. Care will be taken not to damage the sinus and this procedure will have no effect on sinus pressure or affect people that suffer from seasonal allergies, says Dr. Britten.

The sinus augmentation procedure must be allowed to heal completely prior to other procedures, such as the placement of dental implants. This will generally take about four to six months. Once the area has completely healed, the patient can be reevaluated for the placement of dental implants.

Dr. Todd Britten provides the latest technology and techniques in ridge augmentation, ridge preservation, sinus lift or sinus augmentation procedures in his Clearwater, Florida, periodontal practice. He says these advancements mean this an exciting time for patients missing teeth to be able to have dental implants that may have been excluded before.

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Masters Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association.

To learn more about Dr. Britten and his dental services, call us (727) 586-2681. For more information about sinus augmentation from the American Academy of Periodontics visit https://www.perio.org/consumer/sinus-augmentation. Flash

The United States on Monday officially slapped sanctions on Iran's oil exports and banking industries, a tough move that has ratcheted up pressure on Iran while meeting with strong oppositions.





The latest sanctions by the Trump administration was the second batch of its kind after the United States announced its withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May, signaling the revival of all sanction measures that had previously been lifted under the landmark pact.





U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters at a press conference on Monday morning that the newly added sanctions, which have been strongly opposed by Iran, will curb Tehran's energy, banking, shipping and shipbuilding industries.





Washington saw the new move in coherence with its campaign to continue impeding Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile development as well as restraining its "malign activities" in the Middle East.





"We hope a new agreement with Iran is possible, but until Iran makes changes in the 12 ways that I listed in May, we will be relentless in exerting pressure on the regime," said Pompeo.





The U.S. Treasury announced in a statement on Monday that more than 700 Iran-related individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels were added to its blacklist as part of the move.





The designated targets include 50 Iranian banks and their subsidiaries, over 200 persons and vessels in Iran's shipping and energy sectors, one Iranian airline and more than 65 of its aircraft, according to the statement.





Three nonproliferation projects currently underway in Iran have got temporary waivers. The exemptions are designed to last up to 180 days.





According to Pompeo, more than 20 importing countries and regions have "zeroed out" their imports of crude oil already.





Iran on Monday strongly opposed U.S. sanctions on its pillar industries, saying that the United States will not be able to stop Iran's oil exports.





Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will continue to sell its crude oil in the international market despite "cruel" U.S. sanctions.





Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed U.S. defiance of the international conventions in a tweet on Monday, dismissing the reimposed sanctions as targeting "ordinary people" and defying the UN Security Council.





China expressed regret over Washington's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran.





Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told a daily briefing that the international community has shown widespread opposition to unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.





"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multilateral agreement ratified by the UN Security Council and should be implemented in a comprehensive and effective way," said Hua.





"This is conducive to upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the Middle East and serves the common interests of the international community," she added.





To keep the Iran nuclear accord alive, some remaining parties to the deal are trying to maintain trade relations with Tehran. The European Union (EU) has been reportedly establishing a new mechanism to facilitate payments for Iranian oil exports, which will not be operational until early next year.





Meanwhile, it has been noticed that the EU did not get a waiver for continuing oil imports from Iran.





"The refusal of EU waivers is punitive," former U.S. State Department official Wayne White said, adding that Washington wanted to force the European parties "to rupture sufficient ties with Iran to render the remaining benefits of the agreement of little value to Iran."





Meanwhile, the expert was not optimistic about the possibility that Iran would negotiate another deal with the United States.





"Iran will be very reluctant to return to negotiations because Tehran believes it already signed an agreement, but the U.S. broke it," noted White, who once served as deputy director of the Middle East Intelligence Office of the State Department.





"The whole situation is likely to make nuclear non-proliferation much more difficult in the future," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West said.Jeff Reifman, Area Director of Club Z! of Boise With the individualized and undivided attention of our tutors, our students will have the opportunity to reach their highest potential and the confidence to succeed.

Club Z! Tutoring of Boise, proudly serving families in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Star is celebrating its official grand opening with special offers, including FREE SAT or ACT test preparation programs. Local families are encouraged to like and follow the Club Z! Tutoring of Boise Facebook page to participate in all of its grand opening special offers and promotions or call 208-639-0227 to register.

Club Z! Tutoring of Boise offers in-home and online tutoring for all subjects, including SAT and ACT test preparation and study skills development. In addition, Club Z! Tutoring of Boise has services and programs to support students of all ages, from Kindergarten readiness through college admissions counseling. Club Z! services are also available year-round, with everything from test prep classes to online reading camps available during the summer and early fall.

Club Z! is the nations largest in-home and online tutoring and test prep organization, with more than 450 offices in North America. Club Z! Tutoring of Boise is owned and operated by Jeff Reifman, who has much expertise in the field of education already and provides much of the consulting services for Club Z! himself given his extensive educational experience and background. Reifmans 10 years of teaching in the public schools in the Boise area along with a Masters degree from Boise State University plans to use his background to help guide him in the operations of Club Z! across the Treasure Valley. Adds Reifman:

As an educator, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of receiving a well rounded and thorough education. Club Z! has given me the chance to continue contributing to the education of our children. With the individualized and undivided attention of our tutors, our students will have the opportunity to reach their highest potential and the confidence to succeed.

Club Z! Tutoring of Boise tutors are all highly qualified, professional educators who are passionate about education. In addition, all Club Z! tutors are thoroughly screened and background checked prior to hire, and students are carefully matched to a Club Z! tutor using the companys proven Z! Tutor Match process. The Z! Tutor Match is based on academic qualifications, personality traits, and other factors that help foster student success. Club Z! even offers a 100% satisfaction Z! Guarantee backing their tutor match. And each student receives a customized learning plan, based on his/her academic goals, timeframe, and level of current achievement, which is implemented using the students classroom curriculum or one of Club Z!s proprietary curriculum options.

Mr. Reifman is particularly excited to bring Club Z!s proven SAT and ACT test prep programs to Boise families, having firsthand experience with the intensely competitive nature of college admissions. That is why they are especially confident in the companys Z! Prep Score Booster, its SAT and ACT diagnostic test and study tool. Club Z! of Boise is offering all Boise families a free 30 day trial of the Score Booster program, now through December 7th. Adds Reifman:

Students will receive instant feedback on their test performance, including videos with top notch tutors demonstrating the correct way to answer each and every question on each and every test. In addition, students will get 30 days of access to our Z Prep! Online study tools, which include video modules for topics ranging from linear equations to solving word problems. The Score Booster has had a tremendous impact on our students results for test prep, with average gains of 200 points on the SAT and 4-5 points on the ACT, and were excited for our local families to try it out.

Club Z! Tutoring of Boise is also extending free online homework help to students in and around Boise, now through December 7th, in recognition of the companys grand opening. The online homework help program is one of Club Z!s most popular services, providing one-on-one access to a highly qualified tutor, to help with homework assignments in all subjects, ranging from reading to science and math. Club Z! online homework help is available Monday-Thursday from 8 pm to 11 pm MST, and students will have unlimited access during the promotional period.

Families are encouraged to like and follow Club Z! of Boise on Facebook, follow @clubztutorboise on Instagram and Twitter, or call 208-639-0227 to take advantage of the free offers, as well as all of the other exciting grand opening promotions.Europe Connected Lighting Market is projected to hold a dominant position in the industry by 2024 with a share of over 30%.

The Asia Pacific connected lighting market is projected to exhibit fastest growth between 2018 and 2024 due to increasing awareness regarding the benefits of energy efficient lighting systems among the countries in the region to achieve energy security and sustainability objectives. Also, favorable government initiatives to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient LED lights is also expected to accelerate the growth of Asia Pacific connected lighting market.

Europe is projected to hold a dominant position in the connected lighting market by 2024 with a market share over 30%. This market dominance is attributed to growing emphasis on developing smart city infrastructure in the region and the large-sale installation of connected lighting system across the commercial and residential sectors. The European Union (EU) is consistently focusing on developing highly connected smart city infrastructure across the region while encouraging participation from public and private stakeholders.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/413

The communication technology segment in connected lighting market is expected to exhibit excellent growth between 2018 and 2024 due to rapid advancements in wireless communication technologies such as LPWAN, Wi-Fi, and hybrid technologies. With the increasing popularity of highly interconnected IoT-based smart city ecosystem, these technologies are expected to play a critical role in enabling such intelligent and data-driven infrastructure.

In the light control market, sensors are expected to exhibit the fastest adoption over the forecast period. This accelerated adoption can be attributed to technological advancements in different types of sensors, such as occupancy sensors and motion sensors, which enhance the ability of connected lighting systems to effectively react to the surrounding conditions. Also, as these sensors enable remote operability of lighting systems through mobile devices, their utility in connected lighting solutions is likely to increase substantially over the forecast timeline.

With the rapid adoption of LED bulbs to replace traditionally used incandescent lighting systems, the LED segment is projected to exhibit accelerated growth in connected lighting market with a CAGR of over 20% between 2018 and 2024. As LED light bulbs enable significant cost savings (more than 50%) compared to traditional bulbs, their adoption in connected lighting systems is expected to grow exponentially over the forecast timeline.

Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/413

The outdoor lighting market is projected to register a fast growth over the forecast period due to the increasing popularity of intelligent street lighting systems in the smart city infrastructure. With embedded sensors and digital networks, these systems collect and transmit information that helps city administrators to monitor and respond to any circumstances related to air quality, traffic levels, and noise levels on the streets. Also, by intelligently controlling the operating period of lights, substantial cost savings can be realized by minimizing the energy wastage.

Some of the key payers operating in the connected lighting market are, Bridgelux, Cree, Digital Lumens, Echelon, Schneider Electric, Acuity Brands, Honeywell, GE Lighting, Secil, Cooper Industries (Eaton), OSRAM, Lutron, Hubbell, Philips Lighting, Silver Spring Networks, Legrand, Tvilight, and Zumtobel.

Browse key industry insights spread across 440 pages with 698 market data tables & 25 figures & charts from the report, Smart Lighting Market Size By Component (Product [Luminaires {Smart Bulbs, Fixtures}, Light Control {Sensors, Switches & Dimmers, Relays, Router & Gateways, LED Driver & Ballasts}], Technology [Wired {PLC (Power Line Control), PoE (Power over Ethernet), DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), Hybrid}, Wireless {Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, EnOcean, Hybrid}]), By Lighting Source (LED, Fluorescent Lamp, CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light), HIDL(High Intensity Discharge Lamp), By Application (Indoor Lighting [Residential, Commercial, Industrial], Outdoor Lighting [Highways & Roadways, Public Places, Bridges & Tunnels]), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, China, Japan, Australia & New Zealand (ANZ), South Korea, India, Singapore, Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, GCC, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 - 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/smart-lighting-market

Table of Contents (ToC) of the report:

Chapter 3 Smart Lighting Industry Insights

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Industry segmentation

3.3 Industry landscape

3.4 Evolution of smart lighting technology

3.5 Addressable/opportunity market

3.6 Market news

3.7 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.8 Technology & innovation landscape

3.8.1 Technological advancements in IoT

3.8.2 Innovation in LED technology

3.9 Regulatory landscape

3.9.1 Energy efficiency requirement standard GB 30255-2013 for LED lamps (China)

3.9.2 Performance requirement standard GB/T24908 standard for non-directional self-ballasted LED luminaire (China)

3.9.3 The European Directive ErP (Energy-related Products) 2009/125/EC

3.9.4 EU No. 874/2012 energy label standards

3.9.5 EU No 1194/2012 regulation for directional LED luminaire energy efficiency standards

3.9.6 ENERGY STAR LABEL (U.S.)

3.10 Industry impact forces

3.10.1 Growth drivers

3.10.1.1 Increasing demand for energy-efficient lighting systems

3.10.1.2 Growing popularity of smart cities

3.10.1.3 Increasing popularity of Li-Fi networked communication technology

3.10.1.4 Increasing awareness regarding intelligent street lighting systems

3.10.2 Industry pitfalls and challenges

3.10.2.1 Security concerns related to smart lighting systems

3.10.2.2 Challenges of cost, performance, and thermal design

3.11 Growth potential analysis

3.12 Porters analysis

3.13 PESTEL analysis

Browse Full TOC @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/smart-lighting-market

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Web: https://www.gminsights.comThe integrated solution with McAfee product suite, enables a comprehensive security offering with synergistic and complimentary state of the art technologies for discovery & visibility, continuous monitoring, the ability to proactively prevent data loss, and to resolve threats faster

DB CyberTech, a pioneer in machine learning based predictive data loss prevention, today announced that it has joined the McAfee Security Innovation Alliance (SIA) partner program. As part of the McAfee SIA program, DB CyberTech plans to integrate its Predictive Data Loss Prevention for Databases solution with McAfee solutions to jointly address the target of recent high-value data breaches  the database.

The integration will provide comprehensive visibility as well as benefits for security and compliancy such as non-intrusive database asset discovery complementing McAfees solution, high-value structured data classification, and detection of suspicious activity in the data tier. Detection of such suspicious activity will enable cross-infrastructure alarm correlation and also aid in initiating the appropriate remediation response.

McAfee understands that no single company can prevent every threat, but with the Security Innovation Alliance program businesses are able to utilize products and solutions from multiple vendors in a seamless manner, said D.J. Long, vice president, strategic business development at McAfee. We look forward to working with DB CyberTech on a future certified integration to help enable common customers to protect data and minimize risk with fewer resources.

DB CyberTechs patented solution non-intrusively analyzes data in motion to discover, classify high-value data, and identify imminent threats of data loss before any data loss has occurred," said Ali Hedayati, COO and President of DB CyberTech. The integrated solution with McAfee product suite, enables a comprehensive security offering with synergistic and complimentary state of the art technologies for discovery & visibility, continuous monitoring, the ability to proactively prevent data loss, and to resolve threats faster.

About DB CyberTech

DB CyberTech innovates predictive data loss prevention for databases. Its customers include the world's largest financial institutions, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and governments. DB CyberTechs technology non-intrusively assesses database to client conversations through deep protocol extraction, machine learning, and behavioral analysis. Customers gain insights by discovering information assets including sensitive data, identifying tables being accessed, and mapping the specific applications accessing the databases. In addition, machine learning technology immediately pinpoints and alerts to insider threats and external database threats before data is stolen. DB CyberTech is a privately held company headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information, call (800) 598-0450 or visit the company's website at http://www.dbcybertech.comSOC 2 Type 2 Report Working with a document scanning company that has received its SOC 2 Type 2 Report mitigates that concern. We are committed to providing exceptional service to our clients and the report demonstrates our ability to securely handle their vital business documents and data while in our possession.

Digiscribe, a leading provider of digital mailroom services, document scanning, cloud document management software and workflow automation services, is proud to announce the company received its SOC 2 Type 2 Report for the sixth consecutive year. Digiscribe became one of the first SOC (Service Organization Control) 2 Type 2 document scanning providers in the New York tri-state area when it received its first report in 2013.

This report is given based upon an objective audit by an independent CPA of a service organizations controls that are documented, implemented, and audited across systems and processes in one or more of five trust principles. The principles tested are most relevant to the business service offerings. Digiscribes SOC 2 Type 2 reports on the following principles:



Security: the system is protected against unauthorized access (both physical and logical)

Confidentiality: information designated as confidential is protected as committed or agreed

Availability: the system is available for operation and use as committed or agreed

Digiscribe CEO Mitch Taube says, Businesses of all sizes are increasingly concerned with the security of their documents and data. Working with a document scanning company that has received its SOC 2 Type 2 Report mitigates that concern. We are committed to providing exceptional service to our clients and the report demonstrates our ability to securely handle their vital business documents and data while in our possession.

Digiscribe also has a disaster recovery plan in place to ensure client and internal data are readily available and accessible during a power failure, severe storm, or other unforeseeable event that may interrupt business. The companys document conversion production facility is located just north of New York City and central to New Jersey and Connecticut.

About Digiscribe

Digiscribe delivers paperless office solutions that eliminate manual and inefficient business processes in accounts payable, human resources, and other critical business areas. Our clients engage us to lower costs, improve efficiency, and mitigate compliance risk throughout their organizations. We offer cost-effective services and software including outsourced digital mailrooms, mailroom scanning, workflow automation, cloud document management software, and document scanning. Digiscribes New York office is one of the first SOC 2 Type 2 document conversion centers in the tri-state area, and our New England office is a Massachusetts Privacy Law compliant facility. Both offer award winning technical support and customer service, more than 30 years of experience, and a HIPAA compliance trained staff.

For more information call 800.686.7577 x1102, email Ellen Rothschild at efrothschild@digiscribe.info or visit http://www.digiscribe.info.Dude Solutions Dude Solutions technology provides true value to our end users and their communities. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in the markets we serve and I am excited to work alongside both a talented leadership team and passionate employees to reach new heights.

Dude Solutions, the leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of operations management solutions, today announced Jodi McDermott is joining the company in a new role as Chief Product Officer. She will report directly to Dude Solutions CEO, Ed Roshitsh.

The CPO role will focus on driving the next phase of growth for the company. McDermott, a seasoned product executive, will lead all aspects of product strategy and product management. This key hire comes just one year after Ed Roshitsh joined the company as CEO in November 2017.

Dude Solutions continues to grow and evolve, and while planning for the future, it became clear that a Chief Product Officer was necessary to help us reach our full potential, said Ed Roshitsh, CEO of Dude Solutions. Not only does Jodi possess the skillset to elevate The Dude in the areas of product, including buy, build, partner decisions, I am confident her leadership will be invaluable at all levels of our organization.

With over 20 years of experience in digital technology, analytics and product management, McDermott has led building products from idea to market launch with expertise in driving growth and leading successful divestures. Prior to joining Dude Solutions, she worked at both start-up and established firms, including SHL (formerly a business unit of CEB, now Gartner), comScore, USA TODAY, Visual Sciences (acquired by Adobe) and AddThis (acquired by Oracle). She graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and holds an MBA from American University.

I was really struck by the culture at The Dude. The people are genuine and care deeply about their clients and the company, observed McDermott. Dude Solutions technology provides true value to our end users and their communities. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in the markets we serve and I am excited to work alongside both a talented leadership team and passionate employees to reach new heights.

Already this year Dude Solutions unveiled a new brand strategy, announced west coast headquarters in Poulsbo, Washington, opened an office in Grand Junction, Colorado, and introduced SmartGov, a cloud-based solution for local governments to streamline processes associated with permitting and licensing. With McDermott at the helm to lead strategic product initiatives, the company is well positioned to deliver improved capabilities on current products and expanded offerings aligned with market challenges.

For more information about Dude Solutions, visit dudesolutions.com

ABOUT DUDE SOLUTIONS

Dude Solutions is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of operations management solutions to education, government, healthcare, senior living, manufacturing and membership-based organizations. For nearly two decades, Dude Solutions has inspired clients to create better work and better lives. We combine innovative, user-friendly technology with the worlds smartest operations engine, empowering operations leaders to transform the most important places in our lives. Today, more than 11,000 organizations use our award-winning software to manage maintenance, assets, energy, safety, IT, events and more. For more information, visit dudesolutions.com.Edward Roske, interRel CEO and Oracle ACE Director, joins the Oracle Groundbreakers APAC Tour to evangelize Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC) and how computer-driven analytics is changing the world of business.

The Asia Pacific Oracle Users Group Community (APACOUC) was formed to bring together all Oracle user groups in the Asia Pacific region with the goal of promoting knowledge exchange and growing user groups in the region. The 2018 tour takes place from November 8 to 23 across five countries and eight cities in the Asia Pacific region. Roske will be presenting on November 8 in Seoul, South Korea, delivering a session on The Future of Reporting & Analysis: The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

South Korea has become an economic engine for Asia and they want to become an analytics powerhouse as well, said Roske. The quantity of data being generated around the world is doubling every two years. Seoul knows that the future is computer-driven analytics  artificial intelligence and machine learning  and they want to be at the forefront. Im excited to be here helping share how reporting and analysis will drive their long term prosperity.

Roske is an Oracle ACE Director and has spoken in 47 countries on six continents, including Oracle Groundbreakers tours throughout Latin America, Asia Pacific, India, and the Middle East & North Africa. He has also presented with various Oracle user groups in South Africa, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Asia, as well as major Oracle conferences such as Oracle OpenWorld, ODTUG Kscope, and OAUG Collaborate. He is a co-author of 10+ books in the Look Smarter Than You Are with Oracle EPM series, creator of 60+ YouTube videos on EPM & BI, and is an active member of the EPM/BI community on Twitter (@ERoske).

About interRel Consulting

Founded in 1997, interRel Consulting is the longest-standing partner dedicated solely to implementing Oracle Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Cloud and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. interRel is an Oracle Platinum Partner, Cloud Select Partner, and Cloud Excellence Implementer. The company is a winner of Oracles Global Cloud Partner of the Year for EPM and the only four-time winner of North America Partner of the Year for EPM and BI. The company is a nine-time Inc. 5000 honoree committed to education with a platform that includes 10+ books in its best-selling technical reference series, Look Smarter Than You Are with Hyperion, free weekly webcasts, and the free-access video education platform on YouTube, Play it Forward. Home to four Oracle ACE Directors and two ACEs, interRel frequently participates in international tours with Oracle Groundbreakers. To learn more about interRel Consulting, please visit interRel.com.

Contact

Rachel Holle

(972) 735-8716

rholle@interrel.comWe were happy to see so many of our member-borrowers and industry leaders come together to help us celebrate our new building, says Darin Miller, regional lending manager for MidAtlantic Farm Credit.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit hosted an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at their new office in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania on November 2. More than 350 customers and community members attended for tours of the office space, light refreshments and fellowship.

We were happy to see so many of our member-borrowers and industry leaders come together to help us celebrate our new building, says Darin Miller, regional lending manager for MidAtlantic Farm Credit. Our team is excited about the numerous opportunities this new building will provide our customers and the community, as it is easily accessible to major roadways and provides adequate meeting space.

Farm Credit presented a check for $5,000 to Feeding Pennsylvania to go toward the Fill a Glass with Hope campaign. An additional $300 was raised during the open house for the campaign through donations from attendees as they enjoyed Pennsylvania Dairymans Association milkshakes.

On behalf of Feeding Pennsylvanias member food banks, we are so grateful for this generous donation to our Fill a Glass with Hope program, the nations first statewide charitable fresh milk program, says Jane Clements-Smith, Executive Director, Feeding Pennsylvania. With the help of our great dairy farmers and generous donors like MidAtlantic Farm Credit, Fill a Glass With Hope has distributed nearly 10 million servings of fresh milk to families in need since its inception in 2015.

The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony with MidAtlantic Farm Credit board members and senior management. Its an honor for the Lancaster Chamber to be a part of this great celebration, says Josh Enders, Chamber Business Relations Director. We cannot thank MidAtlantic Farm Credit enough for over 35 years of membership. With this new location, it shows Farm Credits commitment and dedication to Lancaster County and the agriculture industry.

The office was purchased in November of 2017, and has since undergone tremendous renovations. The building is a total of 25,000 square feet and is equipped with a community room, which is available for local organizations to use for off-site meetings. The office was officially open to the public on October 1.

For more information please call 888.339.3334, or visit mafc.com.

About MidAtlantic Farm Credit

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its memberborrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 11,300 members and over $2.68 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America.Learn how to set up a legally-compliant website from this panel of seasoned experts.

In today's economic environment, intellectual property (IP) rights have become increasingly important assets for both individual and corporate entities. More and more, both are recognizing the economic importance of IP rights--whether those rights consist of a single patent--or whether they consist of an entire portfolio also including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

This information-packed Financial Poise INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-201 2018 webinar series focuses on the intricacies of IP rights as they relate to the specific areas of brand protection, IP transactions, internet marketing, and other IP issues that are critical when representing innovators and inventors. Join some of the leading attorneys in the world, as they discussin plain English for the non-expertsome specific IP challenges that individuals, businesses, and those who represent them are likely to face.

The third episode of the series, Setting Up a Website, airs on November 7th at 2:00 PM CST (Register Here) and features Moderator Cristina Nolan of Financial Poise. She is joined by Joshua Lyons of CRE Marketing Group and Joshua Lyons Marketing and Darren Spielman of Kain Spielman, P.A.

As e-commerce continues to become increasingly important, more and more individuals and companies are finding it necessary to market themselves through a personal or company website. But setting up a legally-compliant website is often trickier than it sounds. This webinar discusses some of the legal issues that individuals and companies need to know to avoid potential liability when establishing a website. It also discusses laws that can be used to effectively protect website content.

The INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-201 2018 webinar series is produced by Financial Poise. The final episode of the series is "Legal Issues for Innovators & Inventors" airing on December 12th. Each episode airs at 2:00 PM CST. All episodes premiere live through West LegalEdCenter and then are made available on-demand.

As with every Financial Poise Webinar, each episode is delivered in Plain English understandable to investors, business owners, and executives without much background in these areas, yet is also valuable to attorneys, accountants, and other seasoned professionals. And, as with every Financial Poise Webinar, each episode brings you into engaging, sometimes humorous, conversations designed to entertain as it teaches. Each episode in the series is designed to be viewed independently of the other episodes, so that participants will enhance their knowledge of this area whether they attend one, some, or all episodes.

About Financial Poise

Financial Poise has one mission: to provide reliable plain English business, financial and legal education to investors, private business owners and executives, and their respective trusted advisors. Financial Poise content is created by seasoned, respected experts who are invited to join our Faculty only after being recommended by current Faculty Members. Our editorial staff then works to make sure that all content is easily digestible. Financial Poise is a meritocracy; nobody can buy her way onto the Financial Poise Faculty. Start learning today at https://www.financialpoise.com/Past News Releases RSS

As the first author to directly involve readers in his novels, in this case historical mysteries, James Musgrave, a self-published and independent entrepreneur and retired college professor, held a recent Rafflecopter raffle. Five of his readers were chosen to become suspects and/or red herrings in his third mystery. THE STOCKTON INSANE ASYLUM MURDER will feature his five readers, by name and by physical description. They will also have some of their admitted "strange idiosyncrasies" expanded upon in these portrayals. "We are all, after all, wearing our various masks each moment," he said. "This is just one more mask I will give my reader to wear for the fun and excitement of being insane."

They will be crafted on his series Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/portiaofpacific in a private group. After completing the characterizations, Musgrave will then post the results to the main followers on the web.

Musgrave has taken on the misogynous and anti-immigrant policies of Nineteenth Century California in this new series, and his first two mysteries have been reviewed favorably by Kirkus and other media. If this experiment goes as well as it seems to be doing, he plans to do it again in his fourth mystery, which will be about a nominee to the Supreme Court who is murdered, and the team of investigators from San Francisco, led by Clara Shortridge Foltz, Esq., the first woman admitted to the California State Bar, will discover that this nominee was also a rapist and womanizer.

All visitors to the Portia of the Pacific Facebook fan page will be able to follow along with the author every step of the way in his innovative and creative journey. Musgrave hopes he gets many more followers and readers to pay homage to his wife, Ellen, and to mystery lovers everywhere. Proceeds will also be going to fight Alzheimer's Disease.Partnering with such a prestigious building as The Montana is exciting and continues a tremendous growth trend in our mid- and high-rise portfolio across California, said Bob Cardoza, president of FirstService Residential, West Region and California.

FirstService Residential, Californias leading property management firm, was awarded the management contract for The Montana 1 Owners Association. Built in 2007, The Montana is centrally located in Pasadena at East Colorado Boulevard and N. Euclid Avenue.

The Montana 1 Owners Association recently transitioned from developer control to owner control, prompting the board to conduct due diligence on professional management partners. FirstService Residential was selected to provide day-to-day operational support, oversight and development of on-site staff to enhance resident experience, engineering services and preventative maintenance planning, as well as finance and accounting expertise.

The property features high-end furnishings, sculptures by Gwynn Murrill, large residences, doorman service, 24/7 security, private parking and 7,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor. Residents have access to several amenities, including a fitness center and pool, spa and on-site library.

Partnering with such a prestigious building as The Montana is exciting and continues a tremendous growth trend in our mid- and high-rise portfolio across California, said Bob Cardoza, president of FirstService Residential, West Region and California. We attribute this success to what customer feedback is telling us, indicating a need for unparalleled depth and quality of resources in order to serve this market.

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential is recognized as Californias leading and most experienced full-service association management firm. For more than 35 years, FirstService Residential has continued to provide the best-in-class association management solutions and genuinely helpful service to its over 950 commercial and residential associations encompassing more than 240,000 homes and commercial units throughout California.

FirstService Residential is North America's largest manager of residential communities and the preferred partner of HOAs, community associations and strata corporations in the U.S. and Canada. FirstService Residential's managed communities include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives, single-family homes, master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities, and rental and commercial properties.

With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit http://www.fsresidential.com. Flash

Visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg assured the military alliance's firm support to Afghanistan's security forces here on Tuesday.





Talking to reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani here at the Presidential Palace, the NATO chief said that the alliance is committed to continuing its support to Afghan security forces and the Afghan people.





"NATO is determined to see Afghanistan succeed, that's why around 16,000 troops from 39 countries serve in our resolute support mission, together we train, advise and assist the Afghan forces, as we work to make this country safer and more secure," Stoltenberg said.





He also called upon the Taliban outfit to give up fighting and join the government-initiated peace talks to boost national reconciliation and bring to an end of the lingering conflict in the insurgency-plagued Afghanistan, saying Taliban should understand they can't win the war.





"The potential for peace is great now than was in the past many years, so we need an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and it must be inclusive," Stoltenberg went on to say.





Expressing support to the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, the NATO chief said he wants regional countries to help the Afghans in achieving peace in their country.





He said that NATO had decided to boost its presence and send more advisors to Afghanistan as the United States did to reduce Afghan forces' losses.





The NATO chief also stated that the alliance is here to help the Afghans and to save the alliance member states from terrorist attacks.





Speaking at the press conference, President Ghani expressed his gratitude to NATO for its support and said that Afghan Security and Defense forces is no more dependent but rather a partner to the alliance in the war on terror.





"The people of Afghanistan wants peace and the lasting peace can be achieved through regional cooperation and the world," he said.Built on a Nobel Prize-winning framework, Riskalyze quantifies the semantics of the financial advice industry, replacing confusing and subjective terms like moderately conservative and moderately aggressive with the Risk Number, a number between 1 and 99 that pinpoints a clients exact comfort zone for downside risk and potential upside gain. Advisors then build an investment portfolio to match the clients Risk Number and chart a clearly defined path to the clients goals.

Riskalyze was twice named one of the worlds 10 most innovative companies in finance by Fast Company Magazine and has appeared twice on the Forbes FinTech50 list.

Utilizing the sophistication of the Riskalyze Systems in tandem with portfolio management and other planning needs such as retirement, wealth accumulation, income needs and more will be a tremendous benefit to our current and future clients. GPS can still tactically allocate portfolios to the proper areas and still ensure the portfolio risk level is appropriate for each client: Jim Goodland, President GPS Wealth Management, LLC

GPS Wealth Management has ushered in a new era of predictability and reliability for their clients by investing in the worlds first risk alignment platform to pinpoint a clients Risk Number and align their portfolio to fit, says Aaron Klein, CEO at Riskalyze. We love working with advisory firms like GPS Wealth Management who are committed to investing in the success of their clients by empowering fearless investing.

About GPS Wealth Management

GPS is a leading independent wealth management firm located in Plymouth, Minnesota. With an in-house team of over 20 professionals GPS focuses on wealth management including portfolio management, tax planning, estate planning, insurance planning and business planning. GPS specializes in investment planning with a strict discipline in planning for their clients success. Managing risk is a key component of GPS philosophy and paramount to their clients success. More can be found at http://www.gpswealthmn.com

About Riskalyze

Riskalyze is the company that invented the Risk Number, which powers the world's first Risk Alignment Platform, empowers advisors to execute the digital advice business model with Autopilot and enables compliance teams to spot issues, develop real-time visibility and navigate changing fiduciary rules with Compliance Cloud. Advisors, broker-dealers, RIAs, asset managers, custodians and clearing firms use Riskalyze to align the world's investments with each investor's Risk Number. To learn more, visit http://www.riskalyze.com.

###

Media Contacts

Jason Lahita

FiComm Partners (for Riskalyze)

310-593-4222

riskalyze(at)ficommpartners.com

Caroline Burgmeier

GPS Wealth Management, LLC

763-231-7880

caroline(at)gpswealthmn.com

Investment Advisory services are offered through Spire Wealth Management, LLC a Federally Registered Investment Advisor. Securities are offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC a FINRA member broker/dealer and member of SIPC.Gregory Anton Ethical business practices are the foundation of a strong and sustainable community.

The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the University of Colorado Denver Business School will award Gregory Anton, Chairman and CEO of Anton Collins Mitchell LLP, the 2018 Bill Daniels Ethical Leader of the Year November 7, 2018. Now in its fourth year, the award will be presented to Mr. Anton at the State of Small Business Breakfast, hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the University of Colorado Denver Business School.

The Bill Daniels Ethical Leader of the Year Award is presented by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, and recognizes a local business leader whose accomplishments reflect Bill Daniels commitment to integrity, fairness and respect in all that they do, said Business School Dean Dr. Rohan Christie-David. We are honored to present Gregory Anton with this much deserved award.

A student selection committee considered the largest pool of nominations to date consisting of local leaders committed to ethical business practices and evaluated each nominee based on the eight Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative (DFEI) Principles:

Integrity  Act with honesty in all situations.

Trust  Build trust in all stakeholder relationships.

Accountability  Accept responsibility for all decisions.

Transparency  Maintain open and truthful communications.

Fairness  Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships.

Respect  Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others.

Rule of Law  Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations.

Viability  Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders.

Trust, ethics and integrity are core values for me personally and professionally, said Gregory Anton. Im very honored to be receiving the Bill Daniels Ethical Leader of the Year Award. Ethical business practices are the foundation of a strong and sustainable community. Im committed to continuing to serve the public interest as a practicing CPA and am humbled by this recognition.

Anton is a founding partner of Anton Collins Mitchell LLP, a Denver based CPA firm with offices in Boulder, Denver, Northern Colorado and Laramie, WY. The 170-plus member firm has been recognized by multiple outlets for its positive workplace environment and consistent growth.

Anton has consistently earned recognition in his field. For instance, in 2015, he received the AICPAs 2015 Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service, the highest award granted by the AICPA and given to CPAs who have made major contributions to the profession. Anton is also the founder of the AICPAs Whats at Stake? The CPA Profession on Federal Fiscal Responsibility initiative. This initiative offers a transparent analysis of the U.S. governments financial statements: whats in them, how theyre different from the budget, and how they can be utilized to manage the finances of our country.

Much like Bill Daniels, Gregory Antons ethical principles guide his leadership style and business practices, said Ira Selkowitz, Director of the DFEI at CU Denver Business School. He knows that as a CPA, integrity and trust are integral in maintaining public confidence and he ensures that he and his partners set the necessary tone from the top. For instance, during the financial crisis, rather than laying off employees, management in Mr. Antons CPA firm voted to decline pay increases and bonuses, while reducing expenses with an eye toward the long term, exhibiting accountability, respect and fairness to a variety of the firms stakeholders.Stock exchange is a place where ethics are often flouted. Practice of underhanded techniques manipulate stock prices resulting in loss of confidence in the integrity of market, unreliability of justice in capital asset pricing, reduced liquidity of stock, and deduction in investment. All in all, it decelerates economic growth.

HashCash Consultants has come up with a service to counter this. It has focused its expertise in Distributed Ledger technology to custom build blockchain platforms for high-end industries such as that of luxury jewelry and diamonds. HashCash Consultants has collaborated with the team behind Diamante to create a decentralized distributed ledger to support a consortium with widespread participation. Among the members of the consortium running under the name Diamante Blockchain would be enterprises that trade in diamonds, manufacturers, retailers, and end consumers. They will store and share transactional data on this blockchain ledger where each input will be marked with a unique encrypted code that will render it immutable.

Blockchain is a technological innovation which was mainly aimed at reforming the financial sector and is widely used by banks and corporate houses to facilitate quick and low cost remittance. Its USP is the unparalleled security and transparency it provides to the digital data cache, removing any scope of foul play. These transactions are validated via smart contracts, which is a self generated receipt in the blockchain network. The existence of an immutable and easily accessible record of how a company is performing in the market makes it difficult for fabricated reports to pass without scrutiny.

The global diamond market is worth billions, with sales from diamond exports totalling to USD 118.5 billion in 2017. Moreover, the market value of diamond jewellery has risen from USD 64 billion in 2009 to USD 82 billion in 2017. Manipulation by even the smallest percent would translate into a fortune in loss to the public. New age technology like blockchain can close this gap between stats reported and actual market performance of assets in the diamond industry.

About HashCash Consultants

HashCash Consultants started as a blockchain consulting company in California. Today, HashCash products enable enterprises to move assets and settle payments across borders in real-time using blockchain technology. Banks, corporate houses, domestic payment networks, FinTech companies, and currency exchanges use the HC Network for retail remittances, corporate payments, trade finance, and payment processing.

Its services include complete ICO solutions, setting up white label cryptocurrency exchange platforms for clients, coin listing, utility coin offering, and providing white label bitcoin payment processors.

HashCash Consultants is extensively involved in the gaming, insurance and supply chain industries.Home Power Systems owner, Jim Swetman states with our only focus on standby generators, we have perfected the methods of execution services for new installs as well as our laser-focused process and procedures for service."

Home Power Systems, in business for 15 years, and Generac Premier reseller for the last 9 years, has been named number 22 of the 100 top businesses in the area. The 32nd annual list, determined by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the most rapidly excelling, privately owned companies in the Rochester region. Selling and servicing Generac home generators throughout central and western New York, Home Power Systems surpasses Generac Premier Dealer status requirements, essentially representing the Generac brand at large to their customers.

To achieve this recognition, Home Power Systems has maintained their private status, operating out of the Finger Lakes region and grossing at minimum $1 million in the last three consecutive fiscal years. In conjunction with the other 99 businesses on the list, Home Power Systems has contributed to providing over 30 people with employment in the Rochester area.

Home Power Systems maintains 16 certified generator technicians along with work in its Commercial Power Systems division. Backed by 35 years of experience and a team mainly comprised of those holding electrical master licenses, their dedication to quality, integrity, and trust has garnered them over 6000 customers in New York State.

Home Power Systems owner, Jim Swetman, largely credits the companys emphasis on customer service for their success, stating with our only focus on standby generators, we have perfected the methods of execution services for new installs as well as our laser-focused process and procedures for service, maintenance, and warranty repairs. This culture has allowed Home Power Systems to be the top 10 Generac Dealer in the nation and provide our customers the best customer service....

The Rochester Chamber of Commerce Top 100 list celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. The standard of excellence held at Home Power Systems rightfully exceeds this expectation. For further information regarding Home Power Systems and the services they provide, visit http://www.homepowersystems.net, or call 1-877-421-0203.Were thrilled to have once again earned this recognition from ILTA as the #1 mobile time entry solution in legal

Bellefield Systems, the providers of the fastest path to revenue through its time entry solutions, continues to defend its title as the #1 mobile time entry platform solution for the sixth consecutive year, according to the 2018 International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) Survey of more than 500 law firms. The survey also included results on iTimeKeep adoption as a primary time entry solution, which increased by 5x.

Were thrilled to have once again earned this recognition from ILTA as the #1 mobile time entry solution in legal. Were honored to be recognized for our passionate commitment to helping law firms stop losing revenue due to inefficiencies in time entry through One Experience timekeeping, said Gabriela Isturiz, Co-Founder and President of Bellefield Systems. Bellefields One Experience timekeeping, launched earlier this year, provides timekeepers with a consistent experience through which to enter time and understand their time entry performance regardless of device, OS, location, time, etc.

Bellefield maintains its commitment to delivering on an aggressive release schedule, which includes first-in-legal innovations to help firms empower their attorneys to achieve better timekeeping performance, better engagement with their timekeepers in order to drive the firms financial performance and comply with client expectations. Were more committed than ever before to helping firms tackle todays biggest challenges, such as preventing lost revenue through decreasing rejections and improving collection realization by way of a healthy timecard inventory through our suite of products included in our platform, continued Isturiz.

Of course, mobile time entry is only the beginning of Bellefields story. After launching in 2012, iTimeKeep quickly became the most-widely used mobile time entry solution for attorneys. Today, Bellefield delivers value to its customers through the iTimeKeep platform, which includes solutions to help firms increase top-line revenue through better time entry performance and compliance with internal firm policies and Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCG).

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 six 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.Dr. Valerie Goldburt Todays options for restoring collagen include new forms of bio-identical collagen, which do not require lengthy allergy tests. But there is also an increasing number of ways to stimulate the bodys own production of collagen.

Like sand through an hourglass, so go the days of our lives  and the collagen fibers below our skin. Wrinkles are the outward sign of our skins underlying loss of collagen, explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Valerie Goldburt of Advanced Dermatology PC. As we get older, the collagen that supports our skins structure and keeps it smooth ebbs, and wrinkles settle in.

For decades, dermatologists have sought ways to replenish collagen and erase wrinkles. Starting in the 1970s, doctors were able to use collagen from animals, notes Dr. Goldburt. Since then, weve seen incredible advances, with safer bio-identical collagen, as well as the potential for combining complementary procedures. Today, patients face the fortunate challenge of myriad choices to customize the approach best suited to them.

Collagen  our bodys most plentiful protein  is a key connective fiber that helps support our bones, muscles and skin. Under our skin, collagen fibers build the framework that keeps the surface taut and wrinkle-free. Over time, as collagen fibers are lost, our skin sags into the gaps left behind, creating wrinkles.

Todays options for restoring collagen include new forms of bio-identical collagen, which do not require lengthy allergy tests, observes Dr. Goldburt. But there is also an increasing number of ways to stimulate the bodys own production of collagen.

Wrinkle treatment injections  including collagen-based dermal fillers  are by far the most popular cosmetic procedure today, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2017 alone, there were close to 2.7 million dermal-filler injections, an increase of more than 300 percent from 2000.

In addition to replacement collagen, notes Dr. Goldburt, we also have new ways to trigger collagen production. These include injectables such as Sculptra, as well as surface techniques like microneedling and lasers. With the guidance of an experienced doctor, patients have increased opportunity to achieve the results they want.

With that in mind, Dr. Goldburt offers the following tips on how to make the most of todays collagen-replacing breakthroughs:

Five Tips to Make the Most of Todays Collagen Treatments

1. Choose a doctor you can communicate with: To make the most of the range of options that exist, you need to feel really comfortable explaining what you want  and also fully understanding what your doctor is presenting, emphasizes Dr. Goldburt. Thats the starting point for customizing an approach thats best for you.

2. Consider short-term versus long-term goals: Todays choices, observes Dr. Goldburt, include fast-acting collagen-replacement injections, such as CosmoDerm, as well as collagen-stimulating procedures, such as Sculptra injections and microneedling, that have a delayed cumulative impact.

3. Be clear about how long the results will last: Staying power varies, explains Dr. Goldburt. With collagen injections, the replacement collagen will gradually diminish, too. To maintain rejuvenation, patients typically need ongoing touch ups after several months. Other approaches, those that stimulate collagen production such as microneedling and Sculptra, can last a year or longer. And some procedures, such as Bellafill injections, can be permanent.

4. Consider adding a plus: Weve seen that combining different procedures  for example botox plus collagen or hyaluronic acid plus microneedling  creates synergistic results, notes Dr. Goldburt. Each procedure can accentuate the other to achieve a greater overall impact. Its another reason communicating your big-picture goals to your doctor is so important for a truly individualized plan instead of a piecemeal, a la carte approach.

5. Stay realistic about the results: Collagen provides support for the skin and can address wrinkles, says Dr. Goldburt, but it can not address more extensive issues, like excess or loose skin. In these cases, collagen can support additional interventions, such as a facelift.

The increasing options for restoring aging skin underscore the importance of the doctor-patient relationship: More than ever, Dr. Goldburt reflects, your dermatologists office is an essential resource for skin rejuvenation.

Valerie Goldburt, MD, PhD, is board-certified and specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Advanced Dermatology P.C.

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com.Merilyn Fennell, a devout follower of Jesus Christ and a dedicated writer and author, has completed her new book Midnight Hour Saved Just in Time: an inspiring masterpiece that conveys moments of personal spiritual rescue by God in the authors life.

Author Fennell presents and reminds of the resounding wisdom of being relentlessly trustful in God and his will: After sixteen years of being deceived by Satan that I had committed the unpardonable sin, God gave me a dream one night and told me exactly what was wrong with my mind. Supernatural deliverance came as a great man of God prayed for me (T. L. Lowery) under a big tent with sawdust everywhere. God has called me to visit people who dont have long to live and share the gospel. Most thought they were ready to die but realized they were not saved. God would place them on my heart, and he would have their hearts prepared for his loving visitation to them, saving them from the fires of hellthats what this book is aboutquite a bunch of characters who accepted Christ and so many are already in heaven today. Some are still aliveanyone who gets saved is saved just in time. Good moral people, alcoholics, so many God has placed in my path, seeing Jesus in the rooms with them before death. If we will always keep our ears open to hear God 24/7, we will always hear his voice of instruction. This book also tells of my familys supernatural journeys to get to God. The dark fought us all the way. Daddy prayed to get savedcouldnt reach that point of faithhe lay back in bed and felt like a wooly worm was beginning to roll up his legs to get inside his heart. He cried out to Godit left and he became a Christian that 3:30 a.m. The devil tried the same tactic with me the night I was saved. Under a tent, starting to creep up my legs, telling me that the minister was going to tell me that I could never be saved because I had gone too far.

Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Merilyn Fennells exalting opus truly edifies the human faith in braving through the endless torrent of sinfulness, temptation, and torment brought about by evil forces.

Readers who wish to experience this stirring work can purchase Midnight Hour Saved Just in Time at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.Manuel Godoy, VP MicroSilicon, and Hussein Sultan Lootah, CEO Soghan Energy, at GOTECH 2018 "GOTECH 2018 was the perfect location to display the MicroSilicon Quantum RF System," Hussein Sultan Lootah, CEO Soghan Energy

MicroSilicon Inc exhibited its Quantum RF* system at the recent GOTECH 2018 convention in Dubai hosted by Dragon Oil. The Quantum RF system provides real-time digital analysis of chemical properties of the oil as it flows through the wellhead. The information can be used to manage complex flow-assurance problems such as those involving asphaltene accumulation. MicroSilicon was invited to display their system within the booth of Soghan Energy, who is the partner for MicroSilicon in the Gulf countries.

Having MicroSilicon as part of our portfolio is allowing us to better serve needs of the local operators, said Mr. Hussein Sultan Lootah, CEO of Soghan Energy. GOTECH 2018 was the perfect location to display this example of co-development of technology between local and global providers.

The contribution of international companies to the event was not missed by the GOTECH sponsors.

Mr. Fareed AlHashmi, Executive Director - Petroleum Development at Dragon Oil, said "GOTECH has been a tremendous success this year. We are delighted to see state-of-the-art oil and gas technologies presented in this conference. In addition to the presence of the large service companies, we are also pleased to see the many innovative technologies presented by small high-tech companies that are focusing their efforts on needs of this area. For example, MicroSilicon Inc. has demonstrated solid progress on tackling complex flow-assurance challenges with their new Quantum-RF system. This is an exciting time for advanced sensor technologies that combine the digital revolution with artificial intelligence to pave the way toward a bright future for the energy industry"

Following this successful technology event, MicroSilicon and Soghan Energy will work together to secure commitment from local E&P operators to deploy additional systems.

*Mark of MicroSilicon

About MicroSilicon

MicroSilicon Inc is the world's innovation leader for real-time fluid characterization using electromagnetic and quantum chemical technology. They are now developing a range of flow assurance products and services including corrosion, scale and asphaltene sensing. MicroSilicon is based in Houston, TX. http://www.microsiliconinc.com/

#asphaltene_and_beyondWithin more than 100 submissions, Monarch Air Group obtained the 2018 editions first place, by representing a Pilatus PC-12 executive aircraft on its Fort Lauderdale base. We are thrilled of the first place obtained in such a prestigious contest and publication, and well be looking forward to repeat this success in 2019s edition, states David Gitman, Executive Director of Monarch Air Group.

Business aviation has historically been the centerpiece of great pictures. Private aircraft, whether on land or air, combine perfectly with natural landscapes and skyscraping buildings. The NBAA rewards annually those companies that achieve to engrave business aviations traits in one photograph; via the Business Aviation Insider Photo Contest.

Within more than 100 submissions, Monarch Air Group (https://monarchairgroup.com) obtained the 2018 editions first place, by representing a Pilatus PC-12 executive aircraft on its Fort Lauderdale base. The photo was part of a professional session from last year, produced by experienced aviation photographers. With this specific picture, the company wanted to represent not only the beautiful South Florida skies, but also to remind just how important are turboprops for the business, especially the single engine planes.

The PC-12, according Argus first quarter TRAQPak report, led all aircraft types by flights in 2017 with more that 226,000, so photographing the leading performer in the business was key in determining which photo we would submit to the NBAA. Some players give too much attention to business jets but tend to forget that almost 80% of al flights in the country are two hours or less, therefore perfect for turboprops. We are thrilled of the first place obtained in such a prestigious contest and publication, and well be looking forward to repeat this success in 2019s edition, states David Gitman, Executive Director of Monarch Air Group.

Business Aviation Insider is the markets leading magazine, with in-depth analysis, tailored tips for all actors in the segment (brokers, operators, owners and flight departments), as well as news involving NBAA members. With the first price, Monarch Air Group received an American Express Gift Card and had the photo showcased in the latest Issue of NBAA's magazine, distributed at NBAA's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, held during October at Orlando Executive Airport.

Established in 2005, Monarch Air Group is a leading provider of on demand private jet charter, aircraft management and long-term aircraft lease. Among Monarchs customers are Fortune 500 corporations, leading entrepreneurs, Government agencies and world leading NGOs.Nightingale College learners collaborate during an experiential learning activity. Nightingale Colleges delivery model was designed to provide the best possible chance of keeping graduates working locally after program completion. Evidence shows that smaller communities struggle to recruit newly graduated nurses, our local model is a potential solution.

With the help of local health care facilities in and around Brigham City, Nightingale College is the newest institution to launch its accredited associate and bachelors degree nursing programs.

Pioneer Care Center is excited for the opportunity to partner with Nightingale College to be the host site for the clinical practice for both new nurses and experienced LPNs and RNs looking to advance their career, said Richard Anderson, Administrator of Pioneer Care Center. As our population continues to age, the health care profession will continue to need clinically astute nurses that have the knowledge, experience, and compassion to care for those in need. Pioneer Care Center has proudly served the Brigham City area for over 50 years and is happy for the opportunity to provide additional nursing education and training in our local community.

Nightingale Colleges unique education model combines online classroom instruction and local, on-ground learning activities under the supervision of a faculty member to deliver its nursing program courses. Learners complete classroom assignments and lectures online then commute to their designated experiential learning hub to practice the hands-on portion requirements of the courses.

Nursing college acceptance and admittance remains competitive and attending a nursing program is not always feasible for some community residents while others travel, even relocate, to attend a nursing program.

Health care facilities struggle to employ enough nurses due to potential nurses relocating for school and the current nursing workforce reaching retirement age. These factors make it difficult for health care facilities to meet the communitys needs. Alongside the demand for registered nurses is the rising need for accessible educational optionsa necessity recognized by Nightingale College.

Nightingale Colleges delivery model was designed to provide the best possible chance of keeping graduates working locally after program completion, said Jonathan Tanner, Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development at Nightingale College. Evidence shows that smaller communities struggle to recruit newly graduated nurses, our local model is a potential solution.

Health care employers like Pioneer Care Center in Brigham City partnered with Nightingale College to provide an educational opportunity designed to expand the pool of local ready-to-work registered nurses and supply an additional advanced degree nursing program that is available to the community.

These health care employers investing in local education and employment prepare their communities to support fully staffed and safe nursing units while contributing to the increase in the number of qualified RN applicants in the area.

Maple Springs of North Logan is thrilled to be partnering with the learners of Nightingale College for their long-term care clinical experiences. We feel that both our residents and our staff will enjoy the compassion and selfless service that the learners will bring to our community, said Lindsay Christensen, Director of Nursing at Maple Springs of North Logan, another local partner of Nightingale Colleges Brigham City DDC. There continues to be a nursing shortage here in Cache Valley, and Nightingale College will help to fill this gap by admitting cohorts three times a year.

As of October 2018, Brigham City joins Nightingale Colleges three other partnership cohorts in Utah and becomes the tenth Dedicated Distance Cohort (DDC) area.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue partnering with facilities in Utah and expanding our nursing programs reach to provide a solution that will not only assist our partners in supporting competent RNs in their facilities but help improve the communitys health care, said Tanner.

Nightingale Colleges is currently enrolling in both the associate and bachelors degree nursing programs.

ABOUT NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE

Nightingale College pioneers a unique and innovative delivery of nursing education focused on helping communities grow and maintain a pool of confident, competent, and compassionate nurses. Through the partnerships with numerous health care facilities across multiple states, accessibility of its accredited nursing degree programs (associate and bachelors degree nursing programs), and with collaboration of a dedicated staff of innovative thinkers, the College enables communities and health care facilities to better manage safe and effective patient care with local nurses dedicated to serving their community. This unique education model and collaboration with partners increase the pool of qualified nurses in the area, provides an additional pathway to a nursing degree where there may have not been one, and promotes quality patient care and safety. To find out more about Nightingale College, its programs, and how the College is reshaping nursing education, visit https://nightingale.edu/.Cape, the leading cloud platform for drone telepresence and data management, today announced new, national data that shows Americans increasing expectations of public safety agencies in light of growing safety concerns. Among the findings, the report revealed that nearly three out of four Americans support law enforcements use of drones to improve community safety. The study, Superheroes in the Sky, also uncovered a major gap in consumer drone knowledge today, and the impact of education on driving support and adoption in the U.S.

Safety concerns are on the rise and consumers expect their local law enforcement and public safety agencies to leverage the very best tools and technology to keep them safe, said Chris Rittler, CEO of Cape. Today, drones are among the most powerful tools for providing law enforcement and first response agencies with access to the aerial visibility and intelligence needed to ensure the safety of first responders, local residents and visitors. Americans understand that technology, responsibly used, will increase safety for them and their communities.The agencies that fully leverage these critical tools will be leading the way when it comes to keeping our country safe.

The study uncovered the influence of the perception of safety in nearly every facet of life, with consumers citing safety as a key consideration when choosing where to live (95%), where to vacation (93%) and which public events to attend (82%). Whats more, recent domestic terrorist attacks have heightened safety concerns, with 69% agreeing the attacks have increased their concern about safety when attending public events. In fact, Americans are now two times more likely to avoid traveling to certain U.S. vacation destinations than foreign destinations due to safety concerns.

Increased Expectations Demand Improved Technology Investments

These rising concerns are impacting consumers expectations of law enforcement and the resources used to protect and serve. Today, 93% of consumers say they expect law enforcement to be present and visible in and around town. In the event of an emergency, 89% expect law enforcement and first responders to be able to reach them quickly, with 85% expecting them to be able to access and gain total control of any area, regardless of terrain.

As a result, citizens are demanding increased investment in improved public safety tools and technology, with 84% of Americans saying they expect local law enforcement agencies and first responders to leverage the best possible technology and tools to ensure their safety. In fact, citizens rank the investment in local public safety tools as the most important area for city budget allocation.

Most notably, the study revealed existing widespread support of drone use for public safety, with 71% of Americans saying they support the use of drones for law enforcement, and 62% revealing they would feel safer if drones were used in their communities.

Building Community Support With Transparency & Education

While Americans are ready to embrace drones as a tool for improving public safety, the study uncovered a major gap in consumer drone knowledge today, with 55% of Americans admitting they know very little about drones, and 76% saying they view them as toys.

But after being educated on the impact of drone integration in one Mexican city, support increased significantly, with 94% of Americans saying they believe drones have the ability to improve public safety. Additionally, after education, consumers were 26% more likely to say the use of drones in their community would make them feel safer.

As additional agencies across the country turn to drones to improve the safety of their officers and communities, and drive internal operations and efficiencies, the study underscores the critical role that communication and education will play in driving consumer support. Respondents agreed that better education (84%) and transparency (88%) about drone use and impact would make them more comfortable with the tools being used by first responders.

Drones are a powerful and innovative resource for officers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand, and to better assess unknown environments before our team arrives on the scene, said Roxana Kennedy, Chief of Police in Chula Vista, California, where Cape-enabled drones are integrated into daily operations, acting as first responder for more than 10 hours per day to help drive operational efficiencies and improve safety.

For additional study findings and to learn more about how public safety agencies around the world are improving operations and safety through drone integration with the help of Cape Aerial Telepresence, visit https://www.cape.com/superheroes-in-the-sky.

About Cape

Cape unlocks the full potential of commercial drones, giving companies all of the benefits with none of the traditional hassle. Every day, Cape users log in to the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform, connect to physical drones around the world, and safely conduct flights with remote visibility to capture live, high-resolution video. The only cloud-based system for drone telepresence and data management, Cape provides secure, real-time visualization that increases productivity and operational efficiency and improves safety. Since its founding in 2014, Cape has been a leader in software for drone usability, and the trusted drone software solution for a wide range of use cases, from construction and public safety to oil & gas and agriculture. More than 100,000 Cape-enabled drone flights have been completed to date. For more information about Cape, please visit http://www.cape.com.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact

Jessica Pauletto, Account Manager

jessica(at)theabbiagency.com

775.323.2977

North Lake Tahoe continues to expand its global resonance by investing in key international markets, partnering with statewide tourism entities, the Regional Air Service Corporation (RASC) and major ski resorts and hotel properties to increase tourism in 2018-19.

In the 2017-18 fiscal year, North Lake Tahoes paid marketing campaign influenced $154 million in incremental visitor spending for a return on investment of $182 for every $1 spent on paid media. Earned media garnered 37.3 million impressions, with an increase of $6.78 million in dollar impact. Internationally, the region saw a 19.7 percent increase in visitor spending from 2016 to 2017.

Its important to keep a pulse on the quickly expanding markets in 2019, and capitalize on our tourism messages nationally and internationally, said Andy Chapman, president and CEO of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau. Every year, the demographics of our travelers change, which shows that were gaining momentum from coast to coast and overseas.

North Lake Tahoe completed a SMARI study (Strategic Marketing and Research Insights), conducting 1,424 surveys in the markets of Los Angeles, New York, Austin, San Francisco and Sacramento to better understand psychographic travel trends and visitor spending in the region. The activities and attractions that ranked highest among travelers include North Lake Tahoes accessibility, family programs, hiking, dining and value. North Lake Tahoe is considered a year-round destination for its superior product in both winter and summer, compared to competitive destinations which are known primarily as either a warm weather or cold weather destination.

The SMARI research allows us to better understand the behaviors of our travelers, and how to sculpt paid and earned media strategies in the future, said Daphne Lange, director of tourism for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

The North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative, established in 2006, is a joint initiative funded by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (Placer County, Calif.) and the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau (Washoe County, Nev.). It is designed to promote the entire North Lake Tahoe region as a single travel destination, from Tahoma on the West Shore to Sand Harbor on the East Shore.

The marketing coop works closely with Visit California, which has representation in 14 countries; and Travel Nevada, which has representation in eight countries, to disseminate content and news, and to assist with domestic and international media tours to North Lake Tahoe.

North Lake Tahoe signed a new contract with Development Counsellors International (DCI) in Canada, to support travel trade between countries. DCI works with tour operators, wholesalers, conference organizers, event management companies and travel agents to educate and encourage tourism to the destination. North Lake Tahoe also renewed contracts with Black Diamond, an international agency that promotes travel trade from the United Kingdom and Ireland; and Gate 7, which supports trade and public relations from Australia.

The UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia are our fastest growing international markets to the US, and we want to shape traveler perspective before they arrive, said Lange. Weve recognized travelers in these markets as having similar interests to the culture of North Lake Tahoe, enjoying outdoor recreation, wellness and natural beauty.

Other emerging international markets include China and India, in which North Lake Tahoe continues to spread awareness of the region by working with key journalists in these markets. According to Trekk Soft, Indian travelers spent $15.9 billion on outbound travel in 2015, which is predicted to hit $40.7 billion by 2025. Similarly, the number of Chinese outbound travelers is predicted to grow by 8.4 percent from 2017 to 2022, when it will reach 128 million outbound trips.

North Lake Tahoes continued involvement with RASC encourages the strategic growth of new air service routes and airlines to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Our ongoing commitment to securing new flights is vital to North Lake Tahoes global tourism initiative, said Cindy Gustafson, CEO and executive director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The airport works tirelessly to make the region more accessible.

Last year, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport launched a nonstop flight to Denver via Frontier Airlines; and a nonstop to San Jose via Southwest Airlines, contributing to 4 million total passengers in 2017 and a 9.6 increase compared to 2016. This year, the airport launched a nonstop flight to Austin via Frontier Airlines, totaling 24 nonstop flight destinations.

Tourism is a joint initiative between interested entities in the area, said Chapman. If we can prove the domestic and international interest in North Lake Tahoe, were more likely to add new air services.

North Lake Tahoes major ski resorts and lodging partnersincluding Northstar California, Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows, Hyatt Regency, Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe and Resort at Squaw Creek leverage the marketing support of outside agencies to increase tourism year over year. North Lake Tahoe helps fund media tours and regional events, such as WinterWonderGrass and the Wanderlust Festival, to these destinations to increase the diversity of travelers, year-round.

We are appreciative of the collaborative and research-driven work by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau in marketing our region holistically, said Christy Beck, general manager at The Village at Squaw Valley. It is critical that we are aligned and working towards the same goals on tourism and community.

About North Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of the Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails, half a dozen communities, and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. For more information, visit: gotahoenorth.com.

About SMARI Insights

SMARI Insights provides individualized consultation grounded in a fully integrated marketing research service that yields actionable results  every time. Innovation and creativity are essential ingredients in developing and maintaining relevant and actionable research programs in a changing environment. As a small, full-service research consulting firm, in continually chooses techniques that work the best for the situation, considering effectiveness, accuracy in representation, limitations, value and applicability for each client.

###PMG "With the new office in Dallas, PMG have the opportunity to attract some of the brightest minds that the DFW area has to offer.

PMG, one of advertisings top independent agencies and ranked by Ad Age as the best place to work at in Texas three years in a row, officially opened the doors to its new Dallas office. Dallas is PMGs third Texas location, joining Austin and the companys headquarters in Fort Worth, and embodies PMGs commitment to its employee-first culture.

The Dallas location positions PMG to better retain existing employees and attract talent who live in the greater Dallas area. It comes on the heels of PMGs corporate brand relaunch earlier this year that resulted in the agencys mantra of Digital Made for Humans.

Our view on this is very simple. An employee-first culture drives client success, said George Popstefanov, founder and CEO of PMG. He added, We always look for ways to live out our human-centric mantra first, and trust that doing so enables our team to deliver the best service and results to our diverse set of clients. With the new office in Dallas, we will have the opportunity to attract some of the brightest minds that the DFW area has to offer.

Dallas leads what Forbes calls the surging south, as the magazine ranked it first in job growth (greater than 25% increase) since 2006. In recent years, companies like Toyota, JP Morgan Chase, Liberty Mutual, Boeing, Jamba Juice, Pei Wei, Smoothie King and Jet Suite have either relocated their headquarters or opened major hubs within the Dallas-Plano-Irving region. Those led to jobs, which led to incredible population growth for Dallas and its suburbs. In other words, theres a lot of new talent in DFW.

Adding Dallas points to PMGs growth and success as the nations leading independent digital marketing agency. In the past year, PMG has grown its staff by 25% and its revenue by 36% with the addition of some of the innovative retail and travel brands. Additionally, PMG is looking to hire 25-30 new roles specifically in Dallas.

Many of the current Dallas-based employees and recruits will now enjoy the cost and time savings of a local commute and instead will work out of a 5,000 square foot office located at the recently remodeled Centrum building in Uptown (3102 Oak Lawn Avenue). Other tenants in the building include Salesforce, Capital Factory, rewardStyle, OSCAR and the University of Texas System.

About PMG

PMG is a digital agency that seeks to inspire people and brands that anything is possible. Driven by shared success, PMG uses strategy, creative, media, and insights to deliver against its mantra of Digital Made for Humans. Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, PMG's work for brands like Apple, Beats by Dre, Sephora, Cirque du Soleil, GAP and OpenTable runs across 50+ countries globally and has received top industry recognition from Cannes Lions to Adweek Media Plan of the Year. PMGs Texas-based client partners include Hotels.com, Motel 6, The Container Store, Cheap Caribbean, and Cook Children's Hospital. PMG also has locations in Fort Worth (HQ), Austin, Los Angeles, New York and London.Steve looks forward to serving the community where he grew up and making a positive difference for area residents. The Milford Chamber of Commerce supports a balanced economic development of the Greater Milford area by promoting civic, industrial, commercial, educational, agri-business, social, and quality of life interests in the community.

Steve is the Immediate Past President of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and now serves as a Legislative Co-Chair for the organization. He is the prior Chair of the Delaware State Bar Association Workers Compensation Section and presents at seminars focused on workers compensation practice and procedure. In addition, Steve continues to serve as a guardian ad litem for children before the Family Court of the State of Delaware.

Rhoades & Morrow fights tirelessly for justice on behalf of their clients, obtaining substantial recoveries for individuals injured in motor vehicle and premises liability accidents. In addition, Rhoades & Morrow works to protect the rights of their clients, who are injured in workplace accidents, by ensuring that they receive the fair and just compensation they deserve. You can visit their website at http://www.rhoadeslegal.com or call 302-427-9500 to learn more. Rhoades & Morrow offers free consultations at their offices in Wilmington, Bear, and Milford, where they serve clients throughout the state of Delaware.Author Robert Shemeld Shemelds protagonist, Steele is routinely affable, even boring under everyday circumstances, but when the lives of his family and friends are threatened, he morphs into a formidable being . . . a predator.

The PenCraft Awards committee is proud to announce that two of its 1st place winning authors are also combated veterans. Robert Shemeld the author of The Narraganset Files which took 1st place in Fiction - Suspense, was a Marine who served in Vietnam during two of its most volatile years. Some of his experiences during his 1967 and 1968 tour are woven into his book.

Philip Derrick, the author of Facing the Dragon and 1st Place winner in the category, Fiction Thriller - General is a veteran who served in the Army during the Vietnam war. PenCraft Awards salutes them for their service. Mark Wulf, a coordinator of the November 10th PenCraft Awards ceremony, stated, Were happy to be able to celebrate their success as authors during Veterans month as recently declared by President Trump.

Author Robert Shemeld describes his novel as a modern love story between two typical people who become entangled in untenable, terrifying circumstances. Shemelds protagonist, Steele is routinely affable, even boring under everyday circumstances, but when the lives of his family and friends are threatened, he morphs into a formidable being . . . a predator. Shemeld gave his main characters some of his own DNA. In fact, Shemeld stated he wove some of the best attributes of his closest friends into his novels cast of heroes and villains. His book is a fast-paced thriller with suspense, intrigue and political challenges, a worthy read.

Shemeld's numerous life experiences as a Marine, an investigator, a sailing aficionado, finance expert and more - clearly qualified him to write his novel with authority which in turn created that feeling of authenticity as you read it.

Shemeld, a resident of Virginia, will be attending the 2nd Annual PenCraft Awards Ceremony and Dinner. He will be joined by Vietnam Veteran Philip Derrick from the great state of Washington. Philips award-winning novel is a fictional story about a young 15-year-old boy, Jim Peterson, who takes on the identity of a soldier murdered on his way to serve in Vietnam. Could a fifteen-year-old boy have the ability to pull off the switch? Yes, one could. In 1968 Dan Bullock, who was only 14, forged his birth certificate and became a marine. He was killed at age 15 in Vietnam on June 7, 1969. In Derricks novel the 15-year-old impersonator does not only take up the identity of a murdered soldier and goes to Vietnam, but hes also there to find the man he believes responsible for the death of PFC Travis Nickels.

Philip Derrick has a Ph.D. in Education/History from the University of Idaho. He currently lives in the Cascade Mountains just an hour from Seattle, teaches high school history and watches the deer pass by his living room window on a daily basis. He not only writes books, but loves them; in his study are more than 1,000 of them. Much of what Derrick wrote comes from his own experiences in Vietnam. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Robert Shemeld and Philip Derrick were chosen as the best in their categories out of hundreds of submitted books.

The PenCraft Award winners were selected by a judging criterion that incorporated a recommendation from the initial AuthorsReaders reviewer or PenCraft Award reviewer and then a further evaluation by our judges. An important criterion considered for the 2018 PenCraft Award Competition was the marketplace popularity of the submitted book and the effort the publisher or author appeared to be taking in promoting their book. From this criterion, the winners of each category were chosen.

For more infirmation or tickets to the 2nd Annual PenCraft Awards visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-pencraft-award-ceremony-for-literary-excellence-public-invited-tickets-51495825400In partnership with Gordon James, we look forward to continuing to help more startup businesses secure the capital they need to launch or grow their business

Seek Capital, the leading provider of start up business financing in the United States, is proud to announce a new partnership with Gordon James Financial Solutions.

Seek Capital has a long, successful track record funding new businesses, even pre-revenue. Since 2014, the company has helped fund over $250 million for startup businesses in the form of unsecured lines of credit.

Gordon James Financial Solutions has a very hands-on approach to finding businesses funding solutions based on specific needs. Gordon James takes time to find out every single detail about its clients before coming up with the best and most viable solution.

According to Seek Capital CEO, Roy Ferman, We are very excited about our partnership with Gordon James Financial Solutions.

Ferman further stated, Our mission here at Seek Capital is to help fund as many startup businesses as possible. While there might be a lot of options for established businesses, the startup market is still significantly under-serviced. In partnership with Gordon James, we look forward to continuing to help more startup businesses secure the capital they need to launch or grow their business.



ABOUT SEEK CAPITAL

Seek Capital is the leader in startup business funding. Launched in 2015, Seek Capital has helped solve the challenge of early-stage business owners obtaining capital to launch or grow their small business.

The company has grown by combining the Seek Capital proprietary lender matching platform, Capital Seeker, with its dedication to providing a hands-on, consultative approach to each client. By utilizing the Capital Seeker the company is able to provide real-time underwriting decisions allowing business owners to instantly know their funding options.

To date, the company has matched over 20,000 successful applications across the United States. Seek Capital has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, is a consistent Top 3 rated or Winner of LendingTrees Lender Award and was Ranked #44 by Glassdoor Best Place to Work 2017. For more information, visit Seek Capital.

ABOUT GORDON JAMES FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

Keith Dillihunt is the president of Gordon James Financial Solutions. Mr. Dillihunt has a long history of success working as a commercial lender and SVP of business banking. Gordon James specializes in owner occupied real estate loans, lines of credit, invoice financing and equipment purchases.Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, a U.S.-based religious movement, recently traveled to Iran and spoke to Iranian students and others. Below is a statement he issued regarding that trip and correcting false and inflammatory media reports.

I am not and have never been an enemy to America, nor the people of America. However, I love America enough to speak unpleasant truths that are in the best interests of an erring nation that perhaps she may change her conduct and course. I have an abiding love for the right to free speech, the right to a free press and the right every human being has to hear the truth. It is only truth spoken in season that can bring us what we desire of freedom, justice, equality and, ultimately, peace.

I was invited to Tehran University to speak to students and engage in a dialogue with Iranian students. I was also invited to meet with other members of Iranian society for discussions about their concerns for their nation and concerns about world affairs, in particular the sanctions placed on Iran by President Donald Trump and his advisors.

I never led a chant that called for the death of America or Israel, contrary to misreporting in U.S., British and Jewish publications and the intentional, malicious and false reinterpretation of my words. There is nothing more important than truth today. The truth of anyone and anything is enough to condemn any individual or institution. But to make media mischief by altering my words from their places is a betrayal of the right to free speech, the blessing of a free press and a violation of the peoples right to know. It is wrong and shameful that journalists and news organizations that should seek the truth would traffic in such lies.

I never led a chant calling for death to America. To say otherwise is a blatant falsehood and an attempt to paint me as an enemy in a very dangerous time as tension rises between America and Iran and nations around the earth reject unjust sanctions and heavy-handed U.S. foreign policy. I asked a question about how to pronounce the chant in Farsi during my meeting with Iranian students and an examination of the video shows just that. My point was to engage students in a talk about what gives a nation perpetuity versus that which undermines and destroys a nation. Evil, falsehood and violation of divine law doom nations to destruction, and the holy books of the worlds three greatest monotheistic religions warn us of such. So if Iran is moving as a nation to obey Gods law, to respect and educate women and to pursue righteousness, she is on a right course. And, if America has violated the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the indigenous people and destroyed them, and if she has done the same for the Black and the Poor, America has not only violated Constitutional principles, she has disobeyed divine law and stands to be judged by God for her wrongdoing. And, American democracy, unfortunately, has always leaned toward and protected the interests of the White, the Rich and the Powerful.

So to stand with Iran against unjust sanctions and mass punishment is to stand in the proper place. To warn America that these sanctionswhich have been rejected by the European Union, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China and other countriesare wrong is to stand in the proper place. I am trying to help America face the error of her ways and see the enmity she is sparking across the globe alongside a growing loss of friendship. This is not good for America, nor the world and only marches us steadily to acrimony, conflict and the final war of Armageddon spoken of in the bible. America can no longer act unilaterally in the world and be successful. Success can only come from righting old wrongs and purposing just and progressive policies.

Some 40 years ago, Iranian students threw off the yoke of American domination through the overthrow of the Shah of Iran, a brutal dictator and tool of U.S. foreign policy. While the Iranians have problems to solve, as do every nation and people on earth, they are a proud and independent people. They do not wish to be under the thumb of America again. As I said several times in Tehran, the U.S. sanctions are a mistake. And, while dialogue should be a good thing, the U.S. has a history of lying and breaking her commitments. To survive, America must turn away from yesterdays policies, go forward in a new spirit and seek a new direction.

America will never be undone by the angry chants of Iranians, or others who suffer under U.S. foreign policy. No foreign enemy will destroy America, but she faces divine judgment from God Himself. She faces an internal rot with her huge fiscal deficits, her fractured political system, her ugly political and public discourse, her frayed social networks, her rejection of spiritual values and a penchant for violence and mass shootings. She is a troubled nation. Her leadership is spiritually blind to the hour at hand and it appears as though they have the hearts of beasts.

Despite U.S. efforts to foment disunity and rebellion inside of Iran, the Iranian people may not be as gullible as America believes. Iranians have the right to resolve their own problems without outside interference, just as the U.S. has claimed its right to conduct elections free of Russian influence. Self-determination is a right of every nation.

The Muslim World needs unity and must find the path to reconciliation despite efforts to pit Muslims against one another. Satan seeks to divide Muslims and wants them to kill each other, while Allah God tells us in the Quran to be united.

It is also shameful that my visit to Iran was used by political hucksters and cynics to try to affect the recent political elections in the United States. The demonization of Louis Farrakhan will not solve serious U.S. problems and will not heal serious political and social divisions. So despite Donald Trump Jr.s call for Democrats to disavow me and unjust criticism of me from some Democrats who reject me based on lies and political expediency, America needs a clear warner, who will speak the truth without compromise and without fearing the censure of any censurer. I am neither Right, Left nor Center. I stand on the side of Truth and wherever the Truth may be found. No political party or political leader has an exclusive lock on the Truth. They should stand for Truth whatever the Truth brings. Standing on truth is what will bring America perpetuity and if she refuses to change, she is destined for days of suffering and sorrow.

When God raises a Warner in a powerful nation, it is a blessing and a mercy. But rarely do the powerful rulers of such nations see the Warner or the Warning as valuable until it is too late. May Allah bless the powerful ones in America and those who control America to heed this warning. Medicine often has a slightly bitter taste but when taken in the proper dosage medicine can bring about a healing. The United States, a sin-sick nation, needs a healing and Allah God is offering a healing today provided that His guidance is followed and his Warner is heard.

The choice, however, remains with the American people and those who are in leadership. May Allah God bless this people and nation to make the proper choice.Sharan joins Tatari from Facebook, where he most recently led outbound marketing for media ad products. Prior to Facebook, Sharan led all global marketing initiatives for LiveRail, a video ad tech platform that powered over 25 percent of all online video ads.

Tatari, a leading technology company specializing in TV advertising announced that Amit Sharan will join the company as Head of Marketing.

As Head of Marketing, Sharan will be responsible for expanding the adoption of Tataris new OTT and connected TV advertising offerings, continuing the growth of Tataris platform for linear TV, and driving awareness of the Tatari brand. He will also oversee all marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives for Tatari.

Sharan joins Tatari from Facebook, where he most recently led outbound marketing for media ad products. Prior to Facebook, Sharan led all global marketing initiatives for LiveRail, a video ad tech platform that powered over 25 percent of all online video ads. He effectively built a brand that stood out in a crowded space, which was instrumental in LiveRails eventual acquisition by Facebook in 2014.

Were experiencing significant growth at Tatari, and Amit has been there before with LiveRail, a company he grew from a small tech company to a leading brand in the ad-tech category. His experience with digital video advertising will be especially valuable as Tatari is rapidly expanding its OTT and Connected TV offerings, said Philip Inghelbrecht, CEO, Tatari.

Over the last two years, Tatari has delivered to TV advertisers what they have been yearning for: a way to measure and optimize their buys just like they do with online video, said Sharan. Their industry traction is unparalleled and I am looking forward to continuing to grow and scale their market share. Above all, I am extremely excited to help Tatari raise the bar again, this time in OTT and Connected TV. This is an amazing opportunity and Tatari has the right ingredients to reshape and redefine the TV landscape.

About Tatari

Founded in 2016, Tatari measures TV advertising and helps companies optimize and scale their campaigns using real-time metrics. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with further offices in Santa Monica and Toronto, Canada. Clients include established brands such as Monster.com or Mrs. Fields cookies, as well as many fast-rising companies such as MVMT, Roman, Turo, TouchNote, Rent the Runway, Keeps, and Quip.Insurance companies are eager to leverage the benefits that blockchain can bring to their business but still need standards and guidelines to support implementation, said Christopher McDaniel, president of the RiskBlock Alliance.

The Institutes RiskBlock Alliance, a global blockchain consortium representing 31 risk management and insurance companies, announced today that it will chair ACORDs new Blockchain Standards Project Group, which will bring together early blockchain adopters and leaders in insurance blockchain to develop standards for the application of blockchain capabilities by the insurance industry.

Established by ACORD, the global standards-setting body for the insurance industry, the group will create standards and roadmaps that insurance companies can use to effectively implement blockchain technology to create cost efficiencies and deliver a superior customer experience. Standards will focus on data formats and interfaces to be used in blockchain-based transactions. They will also be aligned with existing and future ACORD standards which address other technologies requiring shared input and access, such as telematics and Internet of Things applications.

Insurance companies are eager to leverage the benefits that blockchain can bring to their business but still need standards and guidelines to support implementation, said Christopher McDaniel, president of the RiskBlock Alliance. We will work closely with ACORD and this new working group to advance the adoption of these powerful capabilities across the insurance industry.

The RiskBlock Alliance plans to employ the new standards for all transactions conducted on Canopy, the industrys first end-to-end reusable blockchain framework and a key component of the RiskBlock Alliance.

Blockchain has been a catalyst for a new wave of collaboration and cooperation among industry stakeholders, said Bill Pieroni, President and CEO of ACORD. This is also ACORDs mission, so were pleased that all the major blockchain initiatives are built around ACORD standards. Were excited that RiskBlock Alliance will be working with us to develop clear, actionable standards around this revolutionary technology.

The Blockchain Standards Project Group is open to all interested ACORD members and associations. To participate, please visit acord.org/contribute.

More information is available at TheInstitutes.org/RiskBlock.

###

About The Institutes RiskBlock Alliance

The Institutes RiskBlock Alliance is the risk management and insurance industrys first enterprise-level blockchain consortium that brings together industry experts and developers to advance insurance-specific use cases via Canopy, RiskBlock's interoperable blockchain architecture. The RiskBlock Alliance is committed to equipping organizations to work together to inspire product innovation, enable efficiencies and open new technological frontiers. Learn more at TheInstitutes.org/RiskBlock.

About The Institutes | Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group

The Institutes are committed to meeting the evolving professional development needs of the risk management and insurance industry. We prepare people to fulfill their professional and ethical responsibilities via innovative education, research, networking and career resources. We offer 28 designation programs, including the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) program, along with introductory, foundation, and leadership programs; online and continuing education courses; custom solutions; assessment tools and industry consortiums.

About ACORD

ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) is the global standards-setting body for the insurance and related financial services industries. ACORD facilitates fast, accurate data exchange and efficient workflows through the development of electronic standards, standardized forms and tools to support their use. ACORD members worldwide include hundreds of insurance and reinsurance companies, agents and brokers, software providers, financial services organizations, and industry associations. ACORD maintains offices in New York and London. Learn more at http://www.acord.org.The Tile Doctor logo

The Tile Doctor, a leading provider of innovative, sustainable products for the tile industry, has appointed Kleber & Associates (K&A) as its agency of record. A full-service marketing and public relations firm with more than 30 years of experience in the building products industry, K&A will strategically promote The Tile Doctors eco-friendly and high performance tile grouting, sealing and maintenance solutions along with the companys thin stone veneer products.

Weve been following the growth of K&A for a number of years and appreciate the opportunity to finally work together, said Curt Rapp, founder and CEO of The Tile Doctor. The K&A team has a wealth of experience in reaching key influencers and specifiers and knows how to execute on a PR strategy and achieve results. Were excited about our mutual collaboration and getting The Tile Doctors offerings in front of a wider audience.

Founded in 2000 in response to consumer demand for information related to tile products and installation, The Tile Doctor has evolved from a nationally-recognized educational website to a provider of a complete line of environmentally-conscious products for the tile industry  including Starlike designer grout, Crystal Glass Grout Jewels, Express Finish maintenance products, and sealers and cleaners.

The Tile Doctor is the exclusive North American distributor for Litokol, an Italian-based manufacturer of premier tile setting and grouting products. Developed to have the lowest possible impact on health and the environment, Litokol products are used extensively for both residential and commercial tile installations, and are also a leading product for the pool industry.

The Tile Doctor is creating a paradigm shift in the tile industry with its fashion forward, non-toxic and eco-friendly products, said Steve Kleber, founder and president of Kleber & Associates. Were looking forward to showcasing the companys growing line of innovative products, which are already taking the industry by storm.

The Tile Doctor also offers VersaLite Stone, a thin, lightweight natural stone veneer available in panels, backlit panels and flexible fabric, which can be used for a variety of design and architectural applications.

To learn more about K&A and its marketing and public relations services, visit http://www.kleberandassociates.com.

About Kleber & Associates

Kleber & Associates (K&A) is a leading full-service marketing and public relations agency specializing in the home and building products industries. Based in Atlanta, K&A has more than 30 years of experience delivery compelling, creative and measureable results. The agencys mantra is Right@HomeSM, with a focus on promoting brands that build better homes. K&A is a privately owned agency run by founder Steve Kleber, president of the National Remodeling Foundation and immediate-past president of the National Kitchen & Bath Associations Center for Kitchen and Bath Education and Research. For more information, visit http://www.kleberandassociates.com.

About The Tile Doctor

The Tile Doctor, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, offers a full line of groundbreaking and eco-friendly products for the tile industry. Founded in 2000, the company began as an informational resource on tile. Today, The Tile Doctor is a leading brand in the tile industry that manufactures eco-conscious and fashion forward, high-performance products for industry professionals and consumers. For more information, visit http://www.tiledoctor.com.The Touchpoint Solution announced today that it was selected as one of 25 semifinalists for the Fall 2018 round of the Arizona Innovation Challenge, a bi-annual business plan competition for promising early-stage companies in high-growth industries. As many as ten recipients in each round will receive up to $150,000 each in capital to grow their businesses, advancing innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona. Touchpoint Solution CEO Vicki Mayo can be seen explaining the technology here.

Weve implemented enhancements to the Arizona Innovation Challenge in order to support a greater number of innovative Arizona startups in commercializing their technologies, said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. These modifications will also ensure all participants receive the Venture Ready mentorship experience, a rigorous process designed to equip them with the skills theyll need as they continue scaling their ventures.

Every applicant that meets the Challenges eligibility requirements receives constructive feedback generated from the rigorous online evaluation and scoring process. Semifinalists will participate in another round of judging and 20 finalists will be selected to continue on to the next round of the Challenge. Up to ten awardees will then be selected from that group of finalists.

All awardees will participate in Venture Ready, the ACAs mentor program that connects early stage companies with high-level CEOs to further refine business plans and investor pitches. In order for the awardees to receive all of their grant funding, they will be required to successfully graduate from Venture Ready within 12 months.

About TouchPoint Solution

Neuropsychologist Amy Serin, Ph.D., and child advocate Vicki Mayo founded The Touchpoint Solution in late 2015 with the mission of bringing relief to the millions of people who suffer from stress and anxiety. Over the last decade, Dr. Serins work in therapy and neuroscience led to the discovery that a component of successful PTSD treatment could be used as a stand-alone product for a range of individuals whose stress and intensities hamper performance, relaxation, sleep, and their ability to cope with sensory stimuli. Dr. Serin recognized that this method was too powerful to be confined to doctors' offices and partnered with long-time friend and entrepreneur Vicki Mayo to bring TouchPoints to the world. For more information, please visit http://www.ilovetouchpoints.com.Says Hajra, The Prime Minister only visited two stands during the event, which speaks volumes about the Facebook brand. Were honored that Facebook Gaming has entrusted us with its gaming show needs and cant wait until the next event.

Facebook Gaming, the social media giants live streaming platform and hub for gamers, has been making the rounds at top video gaming shows worldwide. Since its launch earlier this year, the company has relied on The Trade Group for exhibit design, installation and onsite support for its trade show efforts.

In October, The Trade Group traveled with Facebook Gaming to Bangkok, Thailand for the Thailand Game Show at the Royal Paragon Hall, the largest gaming event in Southeast Asia. During the three-day event, the Facebook Gaming booth won the Best Exhibitor Award.

According to Neeshu Hajra, VP of Business Development at The Trade Group, We were delighted to create this award-winning exhibit for Facebook Gaming. The client really wanted to exceed fan expectations at the show, which we were able to accomplish with the amped up exhibit we designed.

While the booth was similar to exhibits Facebook Gaming has used at other gaming shows, it was larger and more robust. The 225 sq. meters of space included a large content stage, two creator corners for live streaming, four gaming stations, two Oculus virtual reality stations and more.

The exhibit really stood out because the design was truly stunning and there was so much for attendees to do in the space. It wasnt just a stage. It wasnt just seeing popular influencers streaming. It was so much more. We even had to build a second story to accommodate everything, Hajra explains.

The Best Exhibitor Award was followed by a visit from Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, who drew a packed crowd of gaming fans as he checked out various aspects of the Facebook Gaming booth.

Says Hajra, The Prime Minister only visited two stands during the event, which speaks volumes about the Facebook brand. Were honored that Facebook Gaming has entrusted us with its gaming show needs and cant wait until the next event.

To learn more about The Trade Groups trade show exhibit design, event marketing and esports consulting services call 800-343-2005 or visit http://www.tradegroup.com.

About The Trade Group

The Trade Group is an award winning, full-service event marketing and creative design firm, specializing in trade shows, esports events and activations, corporate events, brand activations, retail merchandising, commercial graphics and experiential solutions. Since 1986, the companys team of live event, design and engineering experts has helped thousands of clients amplify their brands and successfully navigate a wide range of events and experiences. Clients rely on The Trade Group for: event ideation, creation and production; esports expertise; exhibit design and fabrication; graphic design and production; strategic marketing solutions; technology integration and more.Moving the microbiome into personalized medicine is an exciting frontier, and I am happy to lend my expertise to further this endeavor. - Dr. Lozupone, PhD

uBiome, the leader in microbial genomics, announces the addition of Dr. Catherine Lozupone, PhD, faculty of the Computational Biosciences Program within the Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, to its Scientific Advisory Board. Joining the board of leading scientists and doctors from around the world, Dr. Lozupone will bring to uBiome an expertise on the factors that shape human microbiota composition in health and disease, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. The appointment will help uBiome continue its advancement in human microbiome research.

Through her extensive career, Dr. Lozupone has advanced clinical implications of the human microbiome and our understanding of health and disease, Dr. Jessica Richman, PhD, co-founder and CEO of uBiome, said. Her research background will be an immense asset to uBiome, and we are fortunate to have her as a member of the uBiome Scientific Advisory Board.

In addition to her post with the Computational Biosciences Program, Dr. Lozupone is also an Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine at the Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver. Her ongoing projects explore mechanistic relationships between the human microbiota and chronic inflammation and metabolic and lung co-morbidity in individuals infected with HIV, interactions between gut microbiota and the human immune system, and novel bioinformatics tools for multi-omic data analysis. Dr. Lozupone pursued her PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has authored over 50 scientific publications and currently serves as a Editor in Chief of npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, as Associate Editor of mSystems, and as a peer reviewer for respected journals including Nature, Nature Microbiology, Cell Host and Microbe, BMC Microbiology, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, International Microbiology, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Molecular Ecology, PLoS One, PLoS Pathogens, and more.

About joining uBiome's Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Lozupone said, Moving the microbiome into personalized medicine is an exciting frontier, and I am happy to lend my expertise to further this endeavor.

In addition to Dr. Lozupone, the uBiome Scientific Advisory Board also includes Dr. Joseph DeRisi (MacArthur Genius and UCSF professor), Dr. Atul Butte (head of the Institute for Computational Health Sciences at UCSF), Dr. Katherine Pollard (Director, Gladstone Institute for Data Science and Biotechnology), Dr. Joel Palefsky (UCSF School of Medicine professor), Dr. George Church (leading geneticist at Harvard University), Dr. Liz Lipski (Academic Director of Nutrition and Integrative Health Programs at Maryland University of Integrative Health), Dr. Elaine Hsiao, PhD (UCLA), and other leading scientists. The companys Medical Advisory Board includes Dr. Alan Green (Society for Participatory Medicine), Dr. Leo Treyzon (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Dr. Cynthia Geyer (Medical Director of Canyon Ranch, Lenox), Dr. Robynne Chutkan (Georgetown University Hospital), Michael Docktor (Boston Childrens Hospital), Dr. Tiffany Lester (Medical Director of Parsley Health in San Francisco), Dr. Joel Kahn (Founder of of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity), as well as other accomplished clinicians.

_____

About uBiome

Founded in 2012, uBiome is the leader in microbial genomics. The Companys mission is to advance the science of the microbiome and make it useful to people. uBiome combines its patented proprietary precision sequencing with machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop wellness products, clinical tests, and therapeutic targets. uBiome has filed for over 250 patents on its technology, which includes sample preparation, computational analysis, molecular techniques, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

uBiomes commercial products include SmartGut, the worlds first sequencing-based clinical microbiome test, which identifies microbes in the gut for patients with chronic gut conditions such as IBD, IBS, Crohns Disease, and ulcerative colitis; SmartJane, the first sequencing-based womens health screening test, which genotypes all 19 clinically relevant strains of HPV, identifies four common STDs, and surveys more than 20 vaginal microbes associated with bacterial vaginosis and other conditions; and Explorer, a health and wellness product to understand the role that food and lifestyle can play in wellness.

uBiomes platform has been used by hundreds of thousands of consumers, patients, and doctors and more than 200 research institutions around the world, including the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, San Francisco, Oxford University, and the University of Sydney.

Since its launch, the company has received widespread recognition including CNN 10: Startups to Watch, the IVY Technology Award, CNN Future 30, and was named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare in 2016 and in Data Science in 2018, as well as a Technology Pioneer from the World Economic Forum in 2018. For more information, visit http://www.uBiome.com.Students representing all nine WesternU colleges served as masters of ceremony for "A Tribute to Caring," WesternU's annual gala fundraiser Nov. 3, 2018. (Jeff Malet, WesternU)

Western University of Health Sciences biggest annual fundraising event honored one of its founders and shone a spotlight on its stars  the students who will become compassionate health care professionals.

More than 600 guests at A Tribute to Caring, held Nov. 3, 2018 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, helped WesternU raise money for student scholarships. The University honored osteopathic pioneer and one of its founders, Ethan Allen, DO, as well as entrepreneur Leo Chu.

WesternU is expanding its international partnerships and strategic alignments with local, regional and national education and health care entities through its new University Strategic Plan Achieving Aspirations.

These initiatives, and the bright future they reflect, are made possible because of the support and friendship WesternU has enjoyed from all of you and others who share in our mission, vision and values, said WesternU President Daniel R. Wilson, MD, PhD. Our festivities tonight acknowledge the outstanding work being done by our amazing students, faculty and staff. They are also a vivid demonstration of support for them.

But we are here also to celebrate you, he added. By supporting A Tribute to Caring and WesternU as a whole, you help ensure our University continues to produce highly skilled healers, biomedical researchers, and community servants, all in a tradition of compassion and care and our ethos of humanistic science. Your support helps light the way for generations of caregivers  and care  to come. For this we thank you profusely.

International entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Chu received WesternUs Global Health Education Ambassador Award. Chu was born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong. His father received only a fourth-grade education and could not communicate with foreign customers at his textile business because he did not speak English. He implored his son to get a good education and learn English. Chu did both, immigrated to the U.S. in 1975 and started a successful clothing company, and then went into the casino business, becoming the first Asian American to own casinos in California.

Chu has served as a board member of the Special Olympics for 24 years, and is chairman of the Morning Light Foundation, which builds schools in poor and remote areas of China and provides 400 scholarships every year. Education and health care are most important in life, he said. Health care improves peoples lives and the U.S. attracts the best people in the world with education.

Eighty to 90 percent of them stay here and become American citizens. Immigrants make this country, still today, Chu said. We make the world a better place to live by educating other people, not just ourselves.

Chu said he met WesternU Founding President Philip Pumerantz in the 1990s, and he re-established his connection to WesternU by meeting with Dr. Wilson and touring the campus recently.

We look forward to deepening our relationship with you in the future, said WesternU Vice President for University Advancement Diane M. Abraham, PhD, CFRE.

Abraham welcomed guests to ATC and served as master of ceremonies along with student scholarship recipients representing all of WesternUs nine colleges. Supporting scholarships makes dreams come true, said College of Health Sciences student Randee Lynn Palmer, a first-generation college graduate.

Without the finances, no matter how smart you are, you cant accomplish what you want to accomplish, said Palmer, who is in the Master of Science in Health Sciences program. I couldnt have done it without financial help from others. Every generation is changed (by scholarships). Now my children go to college because people helped me be the first person to go to college.

College of Optometry student Joshua Dalley said he felt blessed to be able to receive scholarships and to be part of the event.

This makes me want to give back more, Dalley said. Seeing everybody who is here supporting us, how many people there are, makes me want to give back someday.

WesternU honored osteopathic pioneer Ethan R. Allen, DO, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Allen was a pivotal advocate for doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) maintaining their degrees and licenses in California when some chose to convert to MDs in the 1960s. He was a major force in the creation of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, which helped re-establish osteopathic medical education in California, and has served on the COMP (now WesternU) Board of Trustees since its inception in 1977. He retired from practice after 65 years and continues to teach COMP students Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) techniques during his volunteer Saturday sessions.

Allen graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1943 with an electrical engineering degree and made electric motors for the B-29 airplane for General Electric. He was recruited, along with 30 other young engineers, for the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. He was drafted into the military in 1944 and trained in the Navy in San Diego and Corpus Christi, Texas. He served in the Navy Air Corps as a radio and radar technician.

He was discharged in 1946 and obtained his DO degree in 1951 from the College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons in Los Angeles.

His career change from engineer to osteopathic physician took place because of a happenance, which Allen explained is a conversation, a book, or an event that changes the course of your life.

He was talking with another engineer about the book The Phenomena of Life: A Radio-Electric Interpretation by George Crile. His colleague said, Well, if youre thinking about your electrical engineering being able to help people, maybe you ought to become a doctor.

That book and that conversation changed the course of Allens life, and as a result, affected all who graduated from and work for WesternU.

So I hope sometime you may look back on your lives, each and every one of you, and think about what happened, by someone, or some event that changed the course of where you were going and have a happenance, Allen said. And I hope even this evening with all of the students and their activities and their participation and their visible presentations, that all of you have a happenance tonight.We are delighted to add the US Army and NCI Agency to our customer roster, and look forward to working with acquisition teams on both sides of the Atlantic to bring needed capabilities to the warfighter.

Windmill International, Inc. was recently awarded two Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contracts with new customers that will accelerate its professional services growth strategy and expand its reach internationally.

Windmill successfully partnered with the NCIM Groep, headquartered in the Netherlands, to provide Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) under one of 10 new Framework Contracts with the NATO Communications Information Agency (NCI Agency). The new contracts will enable the Agency to hire over 400 interim workers, ensuring that the organization always has access to top industry talent at short notice during surge periods. Windmill will provide a broad spectrum of engineering, project management, acquisition, logistics, cost estimating, cyber security, configuration management, information technology, financial and military operations expertise. The majority of the work will be performed at NCI Agency headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and key operating locations at The Hague, Netherlands and Mons, Belgium. The NCI Agency A&AS award will enable Windmill to broaden its long-standing support to the NATO community.

In the US, Windmill won a spot on the U.S. Armys 10  year, $37.4 billion Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) RS3 Contract. RS3 has a five-year base ordering period and five, 1 - year option periods. Windmill will vie for task orders that support multiple C4ISR professional service areas  including engineering; research, development, test and evaluation; logistics; acquisition, strategic planning and education and training services. The RS3 award will enable Windmill to expand its professional services offerings from its U.S Air Force core to the U.S. Army.

About Windmill International Inc.

For three decades, Windmill International Inc. has been one of the defense industry's leaders in providing Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) to a diverse set of U.S. Defense Department and international defense customers. It delivers comprehensive program management, engineering, logistics and training support to major defense acquisition programs across the globe. A veteran-founded, employee-owned company, Windmill is headquartered in Nashua, NH.Cookies

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A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.Website use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google") to help analyse the use of this website. For this purpose, Google Analytics uses"cookies", which are text files placed on your computer.The information generated by the cookies about your use of this website - standard internet log information (including your IP address) and visitor behaviour information in an anonymous form - will be transmitted to and stored by Google including on servers in the United States. Google will anonymize the information sent by removing the last octet of your IP address prior to its storage.According to Google Analytics terms of service, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website and compiling reports on website activity.We not use, and not allow any third party to use the statistical analytics tool to track or to collect any personally identifiable information of visitors to this site. Google may transfer the information collected by Google Analytics to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google`s behalf.According to Google Analytics terms of service, Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.You may refuse the use of Google Analytics cookies by downloading and installing Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. The add-on communicates with the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js) to indicate that information about the website visit should not be sent to Google Analytics.Cookies are also used to record if you have agreed (or not) to our use of cookies on this site, so that you are not asked the question every time you visit the site.You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed.Most browsers allow you to:If you chose to delete cookies, you should be aware that any preferences will be lost. Also, if you block cookies completely many websites (including ours) will not work properly and webcasts will not work at all. For these reasons, we do not recommend turning cookies off when using our webcasting services.ece-auto-gen

READ MORE: Kumawood actor Abass reportedly stabbed to deathKumawood actor Abass reportedly stabbed to death

According to the insider, he was stabbed multiple times. He collapsed in the process and was rushed to the Manhyia District Hospital where he gave up the ghost.

Lil Win, upon hearing the news, broke down in tears in an Instagram post.The actress posted an eye-popping photo of herself on Instagram donned in an orange floral leotard which exposes her voluptuops physique beaming of the richness of the black skin. She sure looks like a tall caramel bar.

Princess Shyngle after her interview on the Delay Show where she made known her intentions to settle with a man who can take care of her, perhaps have been trying to gain the attention of her dream man as she keeps showing raunchy photos of herself on social media.Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!Pastor Kelechi Iwuanyanwu and his alleged mistress and Woman Leader in the church, Ruth Eze as well as the assistant pastor, Kalu Ikeagwu were reportedly murdered at his residence, located at Umuobia Housing Estate of Abia State in the early hours of October 14.

The founder of Winds of Glory Ministry, Umuahia and his two others members were reportedly slaughtered by assailants who attacked them with machetes.

However, investigations have led to the arrest of Prosper Peter Okwandu who admitted to the offence, but explained that he had taken the pastor to a fetish priest who helped him draw crowd to his ministry. The News Agency of Nigeria reports him as saying the deceased has not shown any appreciation to him after his success, but started avoiding me.

READ ALSO: Gay man dies after injecting silicon into his balls

When his ministry was not doing well, he approached me for help and I took him to a native doctor in Ikare, Ondo state, who prepared a charm for him, the suspect revealed.

The suspect said when Pastor Kelechi Iwuanyanwu begun to make money as a result of the catalyst role he had played by taking him to a native doctor, he had been expecting a financial reward in return as was agreed, but the deceased was enjoying the wealth alone.

Okwandu disclosed that he became bitter and hired the services of some assailants who laid ambush in front of Mr Iwuanyanwus residence around midnight.

In his own word, the suspect said: As soon as he came back and opened the gate, the boys went into the apartment, where they matcheted the three of them to death.

According to him, his original plan was not to kill, but to just rob the pastor of some of his belongings and share the booty with his contract killers. However, it became necessary in their wisdom to kill them because one of the deceased had recognised them.Morocco, Egypt and Guinea top the countries with the safest banks in Africa and the world, according to the World Economic Forum's recently-released Global Competitiveness Survey.

The Report, The Global Competitiveness Index, assesses the competitiveness landscape of 137 economies, providing unique insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity.

According to the report, only countries like Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda are improving over the last decade in sub-Saharan Africas global competitiveness index.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) used executive opinion survey to ask how people perceive the soundness of banks in general.

The measure is purely based on the perception of the population and not on any objective economic or accounting measure.

The countries are ranked from 1 (extremely low - banks may require recapitalisation) to 7 (extremely high - banks are generally healthy with sound balance sheets).

These are the top 20 African countries with the safest banks:

1. Morocco

Rank: 5.7

2. Egypt

Rank: 5.6

3. Guinea

Rank: 5.4

4. South Africa

Rank: 5.2

5. The Gambia

Rank: 5.1

6. Eswatini

Rank: 5.1

7. Seychelles

Rank: 4.7

8. Cote d'Ivoire

Rank: 4.6

9. Senegal

Rank: 4.6

10. Kenya

Rank: 4.4

Others are:

11. Uganda 4.3

12. Rwanda 4.3

13. Ghana 4.3

14. Burkina Faso 4.2

15. Malawi 4.2

16. Cameroon 4.1

17. Cape Verde 4.1

18. Nigeria 4.1

19. Liberia 4.0According to NAN, ATBU students who started their examinations last week continued with the exams when ASUU strike started on Monday, November 4, 2018.

A student who spoke with the news agency said the students of the university do not know ASUU is on strike.

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ALSO READ: All the times ASUU has gone on strike since 1999

We are in our second week of exams, the exams will be concluded on the 19th of this month November.

As a matter of fact, we dont know ASUU is on strike because our exams are going on smoothly. We are only aware of the labour strike which was suspended.

All the same we are begging them to allow us to finish our exams before joining the strike.

However, the chairman, ASUU ATBU Bauchi chapter, Adamu Babayo, the university would soon hold a congress to decide whether to join the strike or not.

UNILORIN refuses to join ASUU strike

Meanwhile, the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN has refused to join the nationwide strike

According to Channels Television, the branch chairman of ASUU, Uthman Abdulraheem at the University of Ilorin said UNILORIN didnt join the strike because the school was not officially communicated to by the union.

ece-auto-genAs ASUU strike enters day three, academic activities have been paralysed at some tertiary institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the University of Benin, UNIBEN.

The ASUU Chairman, UNN chapter, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Abada while addressing journalists after the union's Congress reiterated ASUU's position that the strike is total and indefinite till federal government adheres to do the needful.

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Abada according to Vanguard said ASUU would not continue signing MoU without implementation, explaining that the ones of 2012, 2013 and 2017 have not been attended to for the past seven years.

He said, we have written to the vice-chancellor, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Prof Benjamin Ozumba informing management of the total and comprehensive strike as no lecturer would attend classes and academic board meetings both at the department and faculties till ASUU sees the green light of her demand based on the memorandum of action MoA of 2017

UNIBEN joins ASUU strike

Another Federal Government-owned tertiary institution, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) too has reportedly joined ASUU strike.

Speaking to newsmen about the strike, the institutions ASUU chairman, Prof Julius Iyasele reportedly said the strike was prompted by the government's insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and public tertiary institutions.

He said the government after reaching an agreement with the union reneged on its promises adding that ASUU members would not return to work until the government meet their demands.

Some of the universities that have joined the strike include the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) and Lagos State University, (LASU).The caretaker of that daycare centre had called 911 to report the baby unresponsive and bleeding from the head. The baby was rushed to the St. Paul hospital in Minnesota where he was pronounced dead.

ALSO READ:

According to Metro UK, the four adults who were questioned all accused the 10-year-old girl who later confessed to dropping the baby by mistake, it hit his head on a footstool and started bleeding.He allegedly killed his neighbour, one Umar Mohammed with a cutlass over accumulated grievances that he couldnt forgive him for. Mohammed movement had earlier been reported by his older brother, Hassan Mohammed.

Northern City News reports Garba Maru as saying, Im a Fulani man; I hardly forgive somebody that offends me. I will always remember and Im ready to kill the person at any given time. I am such a person, if you wronged me in January and I see you in December, I will retaliate.

ALSO READ: Lekki Sex Tape Pastor changes church locationsHe is captured in the video with a pair of youths who made sure he had his fill of alcohol.

While his company were making jest of the situation, the officer is seen holding his service rifle face down.

On social media the incident invited comments criticizing policemen who have failed to serve in the force with dignity.

The youths were also dragged for complicity.

Two policemen caught beating LASTMA official who corrected them

Road users travelling around Obanikoro bus-stop in Lagos were treated to a mild drama following a fight between police officers and a LASTMA official.

Two policemen were shown in a video while dealing with the outnumbered traffic maintenance official who struggled to defend himself beside a parked official vehicle.

ALSO READ: Driver goes to Ghana to hide after hitting LASTMA officer

Some pedestrians went about their business without any distraction while others took a moment to observe.All the fashion weeks this year were packed with Nigerian faces. These young exports from Nigeria made us proud by strutting their stuff in all the top shows from We take a look at the 5 news faces that made an impact on the global industry and who you should watch out for as the next big thing.

Amarachi Ironkwe

Amarachi is a Nigerian model who also loves writing and aromotherapy. The model was first spotted when she was one of the selected 20 finalists for Elite Model Look in 2016. Though she didn't win, she got her big break thanks to Few Models and has worked with brands including Adidas and J.W Anderson.

Bola Edun

Bola Edun is signed to al the top agencies; Elite in New York, Select in London and Few in Lagos. The stunning model now enjoy the jetset life, flying between all the fashion capitals for various jobs. She recently landed a coveted campaign with US lingerie giants Victoria Secret and we are sure, there's much more to come from this rising star.

Eniola Abioro

2018 has been Eniola's year to say the least. The model absolutely killed it at fashion week, walking in all the major shows and making history by being the the first Nigerian to make an international debut at Prada.

Vogue profiled the model and said, 'The latest beauty to make the ultimate career change is Eniola Abioro, the 19-year-old Nigerian newcomer who has spent the last few months working for brands like Loewe, Miu Miu, and Off-White. In photo shoots and at shows, Abioro has made an impact with her elegant walk and refined good looks.'

Ruth Akele

Originally signed to Beth model management, Ruth made the leap to Few model which propelled her into the international modelling game. Having just been signed to Select model management in London, Ruth's career has gone into overdrive..

Coming in at slightly under 6ft, the statuesque model has modelled for brands including Burberry, Ottolinger and Lisa Folawiyo.

Ayobami Okekunle

Ayobami, fondly known as BamBam, is taking the modelling world by storm. She was headhunted by Few Models owner, Bolajo Fawehinmi, who reached out to her on Instagram.Nigeria's tier-2 bank, Unity Bank Plc, says it is currently concluding talks with prospective foreign investors to recapitalise after missing a regulatory deadline last year.

Oluwatomi Somefun, Unity Bank Managing Director, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in Lagos.

Somefun stated that the bank will soon finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will lead to the anticipated capital injection in the commercial bank.

She said one of the parties in the deal is the second largest infrastructure finance institution in Asia without providing further details.

All I can assure you is that this time around, it is very clear and it is not Milost. All I can say is that one of the parties is the second largest infrastructure finance institution in Asia.

Even though we have closed the process, some of the parties we had engaged before are saying they want to invest because the bank is now looking good.

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Earlier in the year, a $1 billion investment deal between Global Inc., a New York-based private equity firm and Unity bank Plc failed over what the equity firm termed 'threats' from well-connected politicians.

The managing director's media parley came barely a week after the Nigerian stock market authority placed the bank on suspension over the delay in submission of its financial statements.

Mohammed Shehu, Unity Bank's secretary had explained that the delay was occasioned by certain corporate actions, including ongoing discussions with the banks prospective investors.

ALSO READ: Three local banks fail to meet minimum banking requirements

The bank has now submitted its audited financial statements for 2017 financial year and 2018 quarterly unaudited financial statements up to September 30, 2018, and suspension lifted.

Unity Bank's financial bookThe accused were charged alongside a company, Great James Oil and Gas Ltd, before Justice Saliu Saidu, on Oct. 11, on counts of conspiracy, illegal importation of firearms, alteration of import forms, forgery and false declaration.

On Wednesday, defence counsel Messrs Mahmud Mogaji (SAN) and Wale Adesokan (SAN), urged the court to admit the accused persons to bails on liberal terms, as the prosecution had not been able to contradict all the depositions in their affidavits.

They, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the prosecution's counter-affidavit, and grant bails to the accused.

Opposing their applications, the prosecutor, Ajakaiye, urged the court to dismiss the bail applications on grounds of National Security.

Citing a plethora of court decisions, Ajakaiye argued that bail applications on related offences, had preciously been dismissed on similar grounds.

He, told the court that the third accused, Ifeuwa, who is the alleged shipper of the firearms, had been elusive for more than 12 months, before he was arrested by the men of the Nigerian Customs Service, and other security agencies.

He, vehemently opposed the applications for bail, and urged the court to discountenance and dismiss same.

After listening to submissions of counsel, Justice Saidu adjourned until Nov. 21, to deliver his ruling on the bail applications.

Meanwhile, a co-accused Festus Emeka, who was earlier described as being at large in the charge, was on Wednesday produced and arraigned.

But the court ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending a consolidation of the charge against all the accused.

According to the charge, the prosecution told the court that between Sept. 6 and 20, 2017, the accused conspired to unlawfully import a total of 1570 pump action rifles into Nigeria, through the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.

He told the court that the rifles were loaded in two 20 ft containers, marked GESU 2555208 and CMAU 1878178.

Ajakaiye, told the court that the in a bid to illegally bring in the weapons, the accused altered and forged a bill of lading, issued on July 28, 2017, to read Guandong, China, instead of Istanbul, Turkey, which was written on the conveying container.

He said that the accused also altered form M (application for Import) and a Pre-arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), issued on Aug.28, 2017, with number MF 20170080364 and CN 20170768490/001, respectively, to read Guandong, China instead of Istanbul, Turkey, as country of origin.

The accused were also alleged to have altered a bill of lading numbered ISB0281398, issued on July 28, 2017, to read 230 packages of wash hand basin and W/C, as the content in the container used in shipping in the illegal firearms.

The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 1 (14) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation 2004.The new minimum wage report was submitted to Buhariby the chairman of the committee, Amal Pepple at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

According to Daily Post, the PDP Presidential candidate said Our attention has been drawn to a statement from the Presidency denying President Buharis earlier pledge to pay the new minimum wage of 30,000 agreed with the Nigerian Labour Congress and other labour affiliates in a signed communique.

This approbation and reprobation is characteristic of the Buhari administration and is evidence of the lack of leadership at the very top that is putting our economy in peril.

Just two weeks ago, two of the worlds largest banks, HSBC and UBS, pulled out of Nigeria citing lack of policy stability as their reason. This same reason was given by Procter and Gamble when they pulled out last year. In the span of the three years that this administration has been in office, more than 500 companies have pulled out of Nigeria for similar reasons. Nigeria under President Buhari has become synonymous with policy flip-flopping.

ALSO READ:8 things Buhari said while receiving the new minimum wage report

A government is only as reliable as its word and if its word is not reliable then nothing else about the government will be stable. This is why Nigeria suffered from a recession under this administration and is right now at risk of another recession.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we urge the Buhari administration to note that Nigerian workers are the goose that lays the golden egg that top members of this government are enjoying to the detriment of those laying the egg.The director-general told newsmen that it was imperative to protect the lives of corps members who become easy targets for insurgents and disgruntled persons.

The NYSC boss said the scheme was already working in tandem with various security agencies to ensure peaceful proceedings at the election exercise across the nation.

He advised corps members to curtail illegal movements outside their areas of primary assignments, saying accidents accounted for most cases of deaths involving corps members.

Kazaure said the scheme was always evolving strategies to ensure adequate security for its members and urged corps members to also be cooperative to ensure efficiency of interventions.

I have told them that they must always be security conscious and mindful of happenings in their environments.

Your safety starts firstly by respecting the traditions of your host communities and being at peace with the people for which youve been called to serve.

Then you must always look out for one another and try to always move in groups. Unnecessary travelling should also be curtailed as this is not ideal of the NYSC scheme.

At the elections, they must refrain from being partisan. As ad-hoc INEC staff, they must be neutral always and shun material or financial inducements from politicians for their own good and safety.

I want to also state it here that no corps member will be used as ad-hoc staff in the volatile regions during the elections as their safety is of paramount concern to the scheme, the director-general said.

Kazaure, who had earlier given cash rewards to the various performing groups of corps members who welcomed him, said he was most impressed by the attitude of the corps members.

This is one camp I like visiting based on their template for excellence in all activities. For one, they have the best band in the nation and Im always highly impressed,  Kazaure said.

Earlier, the State NYSC Coordinator, Josephine Bakare, said the state needed more hostel accommodation to cater for the growing population of corps members who attend the orientation programme.

She, however, promised to address the accommodation challenge in the camp by initiating the construction of new hostels before the director-generals next visit to the camp.

Bakare said that a total of 2,464 corps members registered for the orientation which began on Oct. 23.

She said the corps members comprised: 1, 207 males and 1, 257 females.During a media parade of the six suspects in Kaduna on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, the Kaduna DSS Director, Mahmud Ningi, disclosed that the suspects were tracked and arrested at different locations in Igabi, Soba, Kachia in Kaduna, and Jos in Plateau State.

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Ningi disclosed that the gang is a 20-man gang and promised to chase down other suspects still on the run. He revealed that the mastermind of the operation is 36-year-old Adamu Sani who was arrested in Igabi on October 31.

The other suspects are identified as Adamu Saidu, Adamu Isya, Yusuf Bello, Dahiru Muhammad Bello and Mohammed Aminu. Ningi disclosed that the DSS would later hand over the suspects to the Plateau State Police Command for further investigations.

Four people, including a police officer, were killed when Galadima, his wife and driver were abducted at Maikyali village, along Kaduna-Kachia road, in Kachia LGA on October 19.

Even though his wife and driver were later released, the monarch was killed by his abductors on October 26. The DSS disclosed on Wednesday that the gang had asked for a N100 million ransom, but got N6,850,000 from the monarch's family before he was killed.

The gang dumped his body by the roadside at Kateri village, on Kaduna-Abuja highway.According to a statement signed by the lawmaker's spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu, gunmen evaded security agents and gained entry into his home around 4 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

One of the members of the gang was eventually apprehended before any damage could be done and handed over to the Police.

While responding to the incident late on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, disclosed that the four officers arrested were on duty at Ekweremadu's residence at the time of the incidence and have been detained pending investigation.

A personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who was also on duty at the same time is also in detention.

Attack on Ekweremadu's home not an assassination attempt - Police

Moshood also revealed that the alleged assassination attempt was actually a robbery as the lawmaker's neighbour had previously been robbed by the same gang yesterday morning. He revealed that the neighbour, identified as Haliru Adamu, lost his cell phones and jewelry to the gang.

"Investigation so far carried out in the incident does not have any link to assassination attempt," he said.

The Police spokesperson also revealed that the apprehended member of the gang, identified as Mohammed Yusuf, is assisting in hunting down other members of the gang who escaped after the failed attack.

"The suspect has been assisting the police in the investigation into the matter. We have intensified efforts to arrest other suspects who escaped from the crime scene," he said.

How I escaped assassination - Ekweremadu

While narrating the attack to fellow lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday, Ekweremadu failed to give a detailed account but revealed that there was commotion in his room before one of the attackers was arrested.

He said, "It was about 4 am this morning. Some people evaded the security in my house and got all the way to my room where I was sleeping with my wife.

"There was a struggle, there was a fight, with heavy commotion and by the grace of God we eventually caught one of them. The rest escaped.

The lawmaker also expressed displeasure with how the Police responded to the case, noting that he'd been largely ignored by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

He narrated, "The annoying aspect of it or the one that is worrisome is that at that point I called the Inspector-General of police (IGP), his phone was off. I called some of his aides, their phones rang out and nobody replied, till now. I called DIG operations, till I left my house, nobody showed up.

"I now had my people invite the DPO in charge of Apo police station. We didn't see him till about 5:30, he sent his 2nd-in-command who came and he saw the dangerous weapons that they left behind, he left and sent that the DPO was coming. Until I left my house by 9 am, the DPO had not come."On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Ekweremadu reportedly escaped an alleged assassination attempt on his life when gunmen reportedly invaded his home in Apo Legislative Quarters around 4:00 am.

Speaking further, Frank said the incident backs a statement which he made earlier saying that the lives of top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are in danger.

The former APC spokesman made this known in a statement which he issued on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.

In a statement made available to on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, Frank said; When I raised the alarm some months back, some people called me names. They said I was raising an unnecessary alarm. The current event, regarding the assasination attempt on the Deputy Senate President has vindicated me and the information at our disposal shows that the APC government is still desperate to eliminate all the strong voices through whatever means, to ensure the party wins presidency in 2019.

Of recent, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and some of his family members were threatened with death by some apologists of the APC but surprisingly nothing has come out of the investigation into the matter despite a letter written to the President himself and the reported arrest of a suspect responsible for the heinous plot.

We are worried that democracy under the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari is getting another meaning. Buhari and his party know that they have lost the goodwill of Nigerians and have resorted to desperate measures to sustain their waning appeal.

ALSO READ:Dogara condemns alleged assassination attempt on Ekweremadu

The desperation is evident in the alleged certificate scandal which the President himself has not been able to defend. Tne struggle to defend his so called integrity has led him to allegedly forge his Olevel certificate which he could not present during the 2015 election. So, what has changed?

We are calling on Nigerians to be vigilant and get ready to protect their votes because this government will do everything possible to steal the mandate of the people in 2019.

Police dismiss Ekweremadus claim

The Nigerian Police Force dismissed the Deputy Senate Presidents claim, describing the incident at his home as a robbery and not an assassination attempt.NAN also recalls that Ekweremadu narrowly escaped an alleged attempt on his life in Abuja on Nov. 17, 2015.

Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the officers were being investigated.

Moshood said that there was no cover-up by the police in the investigation of the crime.

The four policemen and one personnel of the NSCDC on duty at the residence of the deputy senate president at the time of the incidence have been arrested and detained,vhe said.

He said that it was not correct that the police responded after seven hours when the incident happened.

The spokesman said that further investigation shows that the incident was not an assassination attempt on the life of Ekweremadu.

Update on further investigation did not reveal assassination attempt but a burglary attempt, he said.

He said that the investigation carried out so far showed that the suspects in the case did not have idea that the residence belong to the deputy senate president.

Moshood said that efforts are being intensified to arrest the second suspect, Dan Ali, who escaped from the scene of the crime.

Speaking to newsmen, the principal suspect, Mohammed Yusuf, 25, said that they only went there to steal and not to assassinate him.

We did not go to the residence of Ekweremadu to assassinate him or any body in the house, he said.

He said that he has being into this act of stealing for five years without using gun, adding that his colleague (Dan Ali) escaped while he was caught.

Moshood said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed the upgrade of Apo legislative quarters outpost to a divisional police headquarters.

Others upgraded include Supreme Court, Kabusa and Trademore estate.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage chaired by former Head of Service, Ama Pepple, had on Tuesday submitted its report to President Buhari with a recommendation of N30,000 as new National Minimum Wage.

While receiving the Tripartite Committee Report, President Buhari pledged that the Federal Government would soon transmit an Executive Bill (on National Minimum Wage) to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

He said: Our plan is to transmit the Executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

To this end, some traditional media outfits and the social media reported that the president had endorsed the Pepples recommendation of N30,000 minimum wage.

But, the minister said the president was only in receipt of the recommendations of the Ama Pepples Report, and he would consider it before making his views known to the public.

He said: I think it was a recommendation. So, Mr President will consider it and would make his views known in due course.

So, like I said recommendations have been made and Mr President would get back to the committee after he has studied the recommendations.

It would be recalled that the Presidency had also frowned at the misinterpretation of President Muhammadu Buharis remarks when he received the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage from the committees chairman, Ama Pepple, on Tuesday.

It said that the president did not endorse N30,000 as proposed by committee as being reported by some sections of the media.

But the presidents speech at the event was immediately made available to the media and nowhere indicated that the president endorsed N30,000 Minimum wage, a presidential source maintained.

President Buhari had also expressed delight that the Amal Pepple committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful and non-controversial manner.

Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organised labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your hard work.

The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report.

I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.

The president, however, enjoined the leadership of the labour unions as well as the Nigerian workers to avoid being used as political weapons.The spiritual leader of the Shia Muslim sect, also called Shiites, is on trial for unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

El-Zakzaky was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna in 2015 after soldiers killed over 300 members of the sect after allegedly throwing stones at the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, an act declared by the Army to be an assassination attempt.

During an invasion of his home, he was arrested and imprisoned with his wife, Zeenah, without any official court charges until he was charged to court in May 2018.

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During the hearing of the sect leader's bail application on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, rejected the application. In his ruling, he noted that El-Zakzaky has failed to show any substantial medical evidence to back his claims for bail on health grounds.

The case was then adjourned to January 22, 2019 for commencement of trial.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had previously ordered El-Zakzaky's release from custody in a December 2016 ruling, but the order was ignored by the government.

This has led to allegations of persecution by members of the sect who have also taken to the streets several times to protest El-Zakzaky's detention, leading to clashes with authorities, most notably the Army.

Dozens of Shiites killed in clashes with Army

400 IMN members were arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force for disturbance of public peace and law and order in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. They were alleged to have set a Police vehicle on fire, and arrested with 31 bottles of petrol bombs and other dangerous weapons.

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A previous clash on Saturday, October 27, where the Army accused Shiite protesters of attacking a convoy carrying ammunitions, resulted in the death of three people, with a couple of soldiers also wounded.He said although the intervention and action of the government was long overdue but Buhari must still be commended for his recent action in putting an end to the issue of minimum wage.

I must also commend the National leaders of NLC for deciding to suspend the strike since the tripartite committee had shown interest in convening and concluding their report.

The decision to suspend the strike was the best thing the NLC leadership did because what is the essence of the strike again when our demand that prompted the planned strike had been met.

If we had gone ahead with the strike pending the time the wage would be implemented, Nigerians will see us as insensitive to national issues and causing economic sabotage.

The Chairman said he was optimistic that the minimum wage would be fully implemented before the end of the month if the government was really sincere and interested in redeeming its image.

He, therefore, urged that the speed with which the government had employed in addressing the issue should be maintained until its full implementation.

The Chairman said there would be mechanisms to ensure full enforcement and compliance at the state level if the minimum wage should be eventually implemented.

There will be no sacred cow when it comes to the implementation of the new minimum wage regardless of whether the state governors agree or not, he said.

Nwobodo said workers in Enugu State were happy with NLC for its commitment at bettering the lives of workers as well as the president for wasting no time in signing the new minimum wage.

He allayed the fears of those that are skeptical that such benefit was meant for the federal workers only and not the state since the governors had proposed a different amount.He said that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, also briefed NEC and FAAC on the NLNG dividends, which was paid to the corporation as a major shareholder.

It will be recalled that the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, had faulted the reported use of $1.05 billion, by the NNPC from its dividends from the NLNG for fuel subsidy.

Saraki expressed concern over Barus claim that the illegal diversion of dividends from the NLNG was done in compliance with the National Assemblys directive that NNPC as the supplier of last resort should, and has maintained robust petrol supply.

According to the senate president, the money ought to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for disbursement to the three tiers of government.

Another source, at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), confirmed to NAN that NNPC had sourced 1.05 billion dollars, a revolving loan, to finance the importation of Premium Motor Spirit, known as petrol into the country in 2018.

He said that Section 7 of the NNPC Act empowers the NNPC to defray costs from its revenue.

He further explained that the NNPC had fully complied and had implemented the approved Treasury Single Account (TSA) laws in utilising the money, which was domiciled in CBN account.

According to the him, the fund is managed by inter-governmental agencies such as Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Finance, Department of Petroleum Resources, Petroleum Equalisation Fund, among others.

He added that it was unfortunate for anybody to say NNPC had misappropriated the fund.

There is nothing like 3.5 billion dollar subsidy claim; it is not true and it is also false alarm that the NNPC was mismanaging such account, the dividends of NLNG as we know is being properly managed, he said.

Also, spokesperson of the NNPC, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, confirmed to NAN that the corporation operates a regime of under recovery, since it is only the National Assembly that could appropriate on fuel subsidy.

He said that the NNPC was a major shareholder of NLNG and the dividends of NLNG were paid into the corporation account, which the corporation manages.

I want you to know that in this situation, there is nothing like subsidy payment as the Senate President had mentioned.

The GMD had briefed both NEC and FAAC on this NLNG dividend; also you know that the National Assembly had asked the corporation to ensure adequate supply of products in the country.

We used the 1.05 billion dollars revolving loan in question, to finance importation of product in the country, he said.In a point of order raised at plenary, Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi expressed concerns over the politicization over the SIP funds which was set aside for all Nigerians.

Olujimi alleged that beneficiaries of the SIP were required to provide details of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on an I stand with Buhari forms.

Right now the funds are being used for political reasons and they are being dispensed and given freely to those people who can bring out their PVCs and signed several copies of issuance and the forms are with me, Olujimi said.

One of the forms is here is here with me and it is being disbursed by the special intervention body. They are using the fund that is meant for This one has 'I stand with Buhari' and it has a place where your PVC will be written, with your gender and an attachment from the bank where the funds will be paid into.

There is no greater corruption than people using our collective purse to maintain a political party, she stated.

Olujimi called for an investigation into the matter; a prayer which Senate President Bukola Saraki granted after it was put to a voice vote.

This was followed loud arguments between both APC and PDP lawmakers which lasted well over ten minutes.According to him, the police are working hard to rescue the victims, adding that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the crime within the area where the incident happened.

The victims were alleged to have been kidnapped on Tuesday on their way to Ekpoma in Edo.

The kidnappers have started calling, but you know, we do not encourage paying ransom.

 We will definitely ensure that they are released. One suspect has been arrested within the area of the incident,  the CP said.

A reliable source said the the priest was in charge of St. Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe, the administrative headquarters of Okpe Local Government area of Delta.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Charles and his entourage arrived aboard a B737 aircraft with registration number CS-TFY, which landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, at 12.08pm.

He was received by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Idiat Adebule, officials of the United Kingdom Consulate and security chiefs.

The princes visit to Lagos is in continuation of his three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria and also to mark the 75th Anniversary of the British Council in Nigeria.

He is scheduled to attend a display by the Nigerian Navy at Victoria Island and also meet with the business community in Lagos before returning to Abuja.

Charles had arrived Nigeria on Tuesday alongside his wife, Camilla and were received by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.He said the intruders made it to his bedroom where he was sleeping with his wife at the time.

The lawmaker had alleged that the police poorly responded to his distress calls during the incident.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia South), who faulted the preliminary report of the police on the incident.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday evening, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood, had said the incident was a burglary and not an assassination attempt.

Moshood said that a similar incident also took place at the residence of Haliru Adamu, a neighbour of the deputy president.

Investigation so far carried out in the incident does not have any link to assignation attempt, he said.

But senators took exception to the report during the debate of Abaribes motion, accusing the police of carrying out a hurried investigation without getting to the root of the matter.

In the motion, Abaribe stated that the preliminary investigation claimed to have been undertaken by the police was not thorough.

He alleged that the police arrived at their conclusion that the incident was a burglary without getting the statements of Ekweremadu, his wife and son, said to be at home at the time.

In his contribution, Ekweremadu gave his colleagues an update on the incident.

He said the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations (Habila Joshak) finally came to his house at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The DIG, according to him, came in company with the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, and said he was sent by the Inspector-General of Police.

I showed them round, and of course they were very sympathetic over what happened.

So, I was shocked when I woke up this morning to read that police said what happened in my house was a mere case of burglary.

Im at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken statements from my son, who was hospitalised; they have not gone to the hospital to find out exactly what happened to my son.

They have invited security personnel attached to me, few reported yesterday, some are still reporting this morning, including my ADC.

They have not taken their statements, and they came to the conclusion that what happened was a mere case of burglary.

Ekweremadu said the police examined the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage operated by a DSS staff in his house, but apparently could not figure out what happened.

That, he alleged, was why it was easy for them to quickly dismiss the incident as a case of burglary.

Unfortunately for them, later yesterday evening, the technician came and was able to produce the CCTV footage of everything that happened.

This includes how the people gained entry into my house, how they got all the way up to my room, the fight that ensued between them, myself, my wife, my son, and all the efforts we made to save our lives.

I am happy we have that in our custody which the police is not aware of, and I am sure Nigerians will be shocked by what transpired, he said.

The Senate deputy president threatened to release the footage to the public if the police did not withdraw the report that it was a mere burglary.

He said after seeing the footage, Nigerians should be able to judge whether it was a case of burglary or an attempt to kill him.

Ekweremadu said all he wanted was for the police to get to the root of the matter to be properly guided on how to protect the lives of other Nigerians.

Also dismissing the police report, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP-Abia North) said a mere burglar would not take the risk of invading a highly secure placed like the residence of the deputy president of the Senate.

Ohuabunwa urged the police to be more professional by conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

On his part, Sen. Dino Melaye (PDP-Kogi West) said by dismissing the invasion as a mere burglary, the police were telling Nigerians that it was a normal thing.

He described the matter as a very serious issue that should not be treated with levity.

Also contributing, Sen. Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna Central) said the police needed to be alive to their responsibilities.

Ruling on the motion, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said there was need to address the issue of professionalism in the police, in the Police Reform Bill currently before the Senate.INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Ibrahim said that 41 of the over 50 registered political parties had submitted candidates to the commission for the governorship election in the state.

He explained that the parties also submitted 104 senatorial; 244 House of Representatives and 478 State House of Assembly candidates to the commission.

We have a total of 867 candidates submitted by 41 political parties contesting various elective positions for the 2019 general elections, he said.

The commissioner also said that the commission had displayed credentials of candidates for the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections, and that arrangements were concluded for similar exercise for the governorship and House of Assembly candidates.

According to him, the commission had also embarked on display of voters register in all the Polling Units (PUs) in the 27 local government areas of the state.

He said the exercise was also conducted at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps for registered voters in Abadam, Guzamala and Marte local government areas.

The exercise is being conducted simultaneously in 24 local government areas, while similar exercise is ongoing at IDPs camps due to security challenges in the affected three local councils, Ibrahim said.

He called on the people to collect their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and preserve it, to enable them to exercise their franchise.

He also called on political parties to support the commission by mobilising people to participate in the exercise.

Political parties are the bedrock of democracy; without them you can virtually go nowhere in democracy, we need their cooperation, we want them to assist us in mobilising people to come out and collect their PVCs.In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, the President of Aba Ngwa Youth Congress, Mr Greg Obi, said that the community was ready to forfeit rents for tenants to ensure total withdrawal of support for the party.

According to him, the election was rigged in favour of Mr Uzo Azubuike as against the interest of the people and preferred candidate, Dr Blessing Nwagba.

He said that they had been dominated by non-indigenes over the years as only people from neighbouring Local Government Areas occupied the seat.

The president said the community supported two of its indigenes to contest in the just-concluded PDP primary election but one died mysteriously after purchasing the form.

According to him, the community then threw its weight behind Nwagba, a serving member of the Abia State House of Assembly to clinch the ticket but that the primaries were rigged.

Since 2009, no member of Aba-Ngwa community had been given the opportunity to represent the constituency either at the House of Reps or at the Senate.

It is not that we have not been contesting but the results do not always favour us, he said.

In a separate interview with NAN, Nwagba alleged that she was being marginalised by the party because she is a woman.

Nwagba said that she had reported the irregularities at the primaries to the appeal panel and to the partys leadership.

She said that she had not been invited neither by the members of the appeal panel or party leadership and that the report of the panel had not been made public.

The aspirant said neither her grievances nor those of Aba-Ngwa community had been addressed by the party and that no explanation whatsoever had been given for the silence.

The aspirant said women were not meant for the kitchen alone as they were equally endowed to add value to society through good governance.

Nwagba said if due process was followed, she would have won the election because she worked hard and did all that was required to emerge victorious.

Responding, the PDP Chairman in Abia, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, told NAN that he was aware of Nwagbas complaint.

He said Nwagba submitted her complaint and had met with the appeal panel which was saddled with the responsibility to listen to aggrieved aspirants and resolve issues.

According to him, Nwagba was interviewed by the panel in the state office of the Deputy Chairman of the party.

He said that the report submitted by those who conducted the primary showed that the election was free, fair, credible and verifiable.

Onuigbo said unlike in other climes, people in this part of the world hardly accept defeat in any competition.

According to him, if Nwagba has won the election, she would not be protesting and challenging the process.

The chairman said that it would be very unfair for the residents of Aba-Ngwa community to withdraw their support for the party.

According to him, the PDP made Nwagba, and that she cannot win everyday.

He said that Nwagba losing this time did not mean she should turn against the party, that is not the spirit of sportsmanship.

Onuigbo described the plan by the community to forfeit rents for tenants to ensure maximum withdrawal of support for the party as a strategy to sabotage PDP.

Reacting to the issue of Aba-Ngwa indigenous representation at the National Assembly, the chairman said that power was not given based on asking but contested, struggled for and taken.

He said the PDP preaches free, fair, credible and verifiable primary elections and that the party does not allocate power to anybody or community.

According to him, while we agree on morals grounds that every community gets an indigenous rep, this is a struggle for power in line with the Constitution.

He said no law stops anybody from contesting for a seat at the National Assembly as many times as the people allowed him or her to do so.

We cannot as a party say it is your turn since no law bars a lawmaker from seeking re-election just because we want power to go round.

We have to look at the law, legally speaking, it is unfair to do so, we do not dash it, we cannot say it is your turn, take it.The state Administrative Secretary, Mrs RoseOriaran-Anthony, made the assertion in Agbor, Delta on Wednesday while monitoring the displayed voters register.

Oriaran-Anthony said that monitoring of the voters register was one of the strategies that had been put in place to ensure a free and fair election.

She said that at the end of the display by Nov. 12, the commission expected to have a clean register.

The secretary said that the purpose of monitoring the display of the voters register was to ensure that people were actually coming out to check for data capturing error and for claims and objections.

She said that the turnout was impressive but the commission expected a more robust turnout as time goes on.

Oriaran-Anthony advised the electorate to check for any name that was not on the register as well as dead persons, underage persons and non-Nigerians.Ohikere who doubles as the National Coordinator of the Broom Platform, another APC media support group, stated this while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that there was the need to project the administrations achievements to the public ahead of the 2019 general elections.

This, he said, was the reason the platform was planning to undertake a media tour of the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He, however, said that the tour which was earlier schedule to commence on Nov. 5, had been rescheduled to a date to be made public later.

He explained that the reason the tour was rescheduled, was for the platform to streamline its activities with that of the APC as it prepares for the 2019 electioneering campaign.

According to him, the rescheduling is necessary to conform to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline on campaign time table.

Ohikere said the tour would produce physical evidence to authenticate the development claims of the APC across the states of the federation.

He added that the tour would ensure a comprehensive media appraisal and documentary of the laudable projects of Buhari and the APC governors.

He said that it was also to complement APC on publicity, saying that the team would focus on achievements on infrastructure development.

He said that they would focus on areas of housing, health, power, transportation, agriculture and education.

We are going to show Nigerians the impact analysis of what the government has done and its policy of continuity.

President Buhari has continued the projects left and abandoned by successive governments and this is a landmark achievement, he said.

Ohikere stressed that the platform owed the APC a moral obligation to contribute its quota towards its electoral victory in 2019.

He maintained that the APC-led Federal Government had recorded tremendous successes in governance by investing huge financial resources in key sectors of the economy.

He said it was, however, regrettable that the achievements of the administration was under reported, adding that the public had been misinformed most times.

It is therefore, our observation that a lot still needs to be done in the areas of public awareness and citizens orientation on the monumental achievements of our great party across the country, he said.

Ohikere said the media tour, which would include both local and international media organisations, would provide an excellent opportunity to ascertain the stages of infrastructure provided by the Federal Government.

According to him, pictorial facts collected during the tour will be compiled in a publication to be circulated during the APC Presidential and governorship campaigns ahead of 2019 general elections.

He said the platform had planned to host the APC International Media Stakeholders Summit to address the media challenges inherent in the elections.

This, he said, was aimed at initiating capable platforms for combating fake news and hate speeches as well as mobilising media support.

We promise to make this public project evaluation a very robust infrastructure impact benefits analysis of the APC administration, he said.

Ohikere, also said that the platform had already entered into a partnership with NAN to give visibility to the tour as well as project the APC-led administrations achievements.Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu's running mate, nursed governorship ambitions of his own in 2015.

On October 2, 2018, Sanwo-Olu defeated incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to emerge the APC governorship candidate for Lagos, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

On Monday, November 5, 2018, the APC formally announced Hamzat as Sanwo-Olus running mate.

'God's plan'

During an interactive session with the online in Lagos on Tuesday, November 6, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that it could all have panned out differently, however, and marveled at how the tables have turned.

In 2015, I was lobbying to become Hamzats Chief of Staff when he ran for the Lagos governorship primary. We have been close friends now for 12 years or so and I totally trust him. Whatever God says will be, will be. We will work together to deliver a Lagos that works, Sanwo-Olu promised.

Hamzat contested the APC governorship ticket with Ambode (who went on to win at the general election) and Olasupo Shasore.

While thanking God for a change in his fortunes, Sanwo-olu described Hamzat as a fair minded, straightforward gentleman with whom he enjoys plenty of chemistry and who wont be afraid to level up with him and tell him the truth should the APC win the Lagos governorship election.

Mending fences

Sanwo-Olu, 53, has since mended fences with Ambode after what turned out a bitter primary contest in which names were called and tempers flared for effect.The presidential candidate made the remark while speaking at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, as he took digs at former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, "Starting from Obasanjo's administration, we have been ruled by morons. Our leaders don't have intellect, they don't think.

"A man who is looking for his certificate at 76 is an idiot. How can you be looking for a certificate that is with Cambridge in WAEC?"

I'll jail looters - Sowore

The Sahara Reporters publisher, running for president on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), also vowed to jail past leaders who have looted the country.

He said he'll not spare any leader whose greed had put the nation in jeopardy and vowed to recover loot from living and dead looters.

He said, "I will be clear about fighting corruption. If we find out that someone stole 20 years ago, we will jail the person even if he only has a day left to live.

"If you are collecting Abacha's loot, you should be collecting Obasanjo's loot, you should be collecting Babangida's loot. Loot is loot!

"If we can collect money from Abacha who is dead, why can't we collect our looted money from Obasanjo and Babangida who have embezzled our money while they were in government I will probe them all.

"Over the years, Nigerians have been serving the greedy. I think it is the time to serve the needy, we need to draw line to say enough is enough."

2019 presidential election

The 2019 presidential election, scheduled for February 16, 2019, is billed to be closely-fought between President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Alongside Sowore in the chasing pack is Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

Others are Tope Fasua of the Abundance Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Eunice Atuejide of the National Interest Party (NIP), Olusegun Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Adesina Fagbenro-Byron of the Kowa Party (KP), Chike Ukaegbu of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP), Hamza Al-Mustapha of the People's Party of Nigeria (PPN), Obadiah Mailafia of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and many more.Around 12,000 people are still not accounted for out of the 40,000 missing from the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia, according to the ICMP, which helps with DNA testing and the exchange of data.

"It's an investment in peace and stability, definitely," ICMP director general Kathryne Bomberger told AFP in an interview at the non-governmental group's headquarters in The Hague.

"The fact that they came together to form a missing persons group and to sign a work plan to commit themselves to finding the remaining 12,000 missing persons is a big deal," she added.

"That's not an easy feat in an era now of populism and nationalism," said Bomberger.

The deal came despite lasting tensions in the region, which during the 1990s formed the battleground to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

More than 70 percent of people missing after the conflict have now been identified, giving closure to loved ones and also providing evidence for international trials.

The agreement will now see the countries step up work to identify the rest, to share information, and to even carry out joint exhumations.

"I am sure there will be hiccups, there always are, but genuinely I think they're all committed," Bomberger said.

'Return to barbarism'

The ICMP was set up in 1996 in Sarajevo by then US president Bill Clinton and moved to The Hague in 2016, where it now hosts laboratories with DNA testing technology.

Work to identify the missing in the Balkans has been gruelling, covering mass graves such as those from the 1995 massacre of nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in Bosnia.

The ICMP also has a programme in Iraq, is involved in identifying migrants missing in the Mediterranean, and has helped identify victims from crimes and disasters including the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

The group sees itself as part of a wider network of The Hague-based institutions of international justice, such as the now-defunct Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.

Both the ICJ and ICC have come under attack from US President Donald Trump's administration as it rails against multilateral bodies deemed hostile to American sovereignty.

The US assault comes at a time when rights groups say that authoritarianism, nationalism and populism are on the rise around the world.

"In today's world unfortunately the rule of law is being undermined... I personally think we have nothing else but the rule of law, if you don't respect the need to uphold that then we return to barbarism," said Bomberger.But on Tuesday, he reeled in his plans claiming "it hasn't yet been decided."

The far-right politician was responding to a question from reporters about Egypt postponing a scheduled visit from Brazil's Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes.

"From what I know, it's due to a calendar problem," Bolsonaro said during his first visit to the capital Brasilia since winning the October 28 election runoff against leftist opponent Fernando Haddad. He is due to take office on January 1.

"It would be premature for a country to take retaliatory measures against something that hasn't yet been decided."

Bolsonaro's announcement of the embassy move on Thursday provoked ire in the Arab world, with a senior Palestinian official branding the move "provocative and illegal," while a spokesman for Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called it "hostile."

Bolsonaro tried to downplay the importance of his own plans, claiming "it's not a question of honor" but that "those who decide where the capital of Israel is, are the people, the state of Israel."

Such a move could prove risky for Brazil, though, as it is a major exporter of hallal meat to the Arab world.

Jerusalem's status is hotly disputed. Israel occupied the eastern portion of the city, then under Jordanian control, at the end of the Six-Day War in 1967, which pitted it against Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

It later annexed that part of the city in the reunification of Jerusalem, a move that has not been internationally recognized.

An official United Nations resolution from 1947 still proposes the creation of an international regime to run the city, while later ideas have suggested it should be a shared capital for both Israelis and Palestinians.Otegi was one of five people sentenced in 2010 over accusations of ETA-related crimes, and he was also given a two-year prison term on charges of encouraging terrorism.

But the plaintiffs contested the rulings, saying one of the three judges overseeing their trials had shown a lack of impartiality.

When asked by the judge whether he condemned violence by ETA during its decades-long fight for independence from Spain, Otegi had refused to reply.

The European court said the judge, Angela Murillo, had then responded that she "already knew that he was not going to give an answer to that question."

Such a statement could have impacted the conclusions reached by the other judges, as well as their findings in the trials of the other militants, they said.

As a result, "the three-judge court panel had not been impartial" and thus violated the plaintiffs' rights to a fair trial.

Their decision was unanimous, but they did not order any payment of damages or legal costs.

"Nobody can give me back those six years in prison," Otegi said after the verdict at a press conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, noting that his mother had died while he was behind bars.

Otegi, now 60, is a former spokesman for Batasuna, ETA's outlawed political wing, and now serves as secretary general of the Basque Sortu party.The three frontrunners are former presidents and here are their profiles:

Ravalomanana: milkman-turned-millionaire

Marc Ravalomanana, 68, was ejected from power in 2009 and is looking to get his revenge at the ballot box.

A former milkman born to a peasant family, he went on to form an agro empire after creating Tiko yoghurt.

The newly wealthy self-made man became the mayor of Antananarivo in 1999.

Two years later he took power from outgoing president Didier Ratsiraka following violent street protests.

He was reelected in 2006 in the first round of voting and secured the cancellation of Madagascar's debt.

While his supporters lauded his indefatigable energy, critics accused him of acting like a dictator and criticism mounted from the end of 2008.

On February 7, 2009, his presidential guard opened fire on supporters of then Antananarivo mayor, Andry Rajoelina, as they marched on the presidential palace.

Ravalomanana was forced to hand power to the army who subsequently passed the presidential reins to his rival Rajoelina.

He then went into exile, not returning to the Indian Ocean island nation until the election of Hery Rajaonarimampianina in 2014.

Asked how he would react to a Rajoelina win, Ravalomanana told AFP: "I would accept the results, within limits".

Rajoelina: return of 'the disc jockey'?

Andry Rajoelina, 44, is the pollsters' favourite and has attracted impressive numbers to his rallies, which have featured performance artists and fireworks.

His policies have attracted ridicule from his rivals, such as a proposal to fit zebu cows with trackers to battle rustling, and a scheme to convert Tamatave port into a "Malagasy Miami".

Rajoelina burst onto the political scene in 2007.

He was previously known for promoting parties in the capital, earning him the nickname "the disc jockey", but caused an upset when he won the city's mayoral race.

Helped by his own Viva broadcasting channel and strong communications skills, he quickly established himself as the leading voice of opposition to then-president Ravalomanana.

His supporters openly defied the regime with the tacit support of the military, who helped oust Ravalomanana in 2009.

Rajoelina defended his elevation to the presidential palace on the wave of a coup d'etat.

"It was a popular uprising," he told AFP.

The handsome then thirty-something struggled to lead the country out of crisis as its unelected leader.

His rivals also accused him of turning a blind eye to the pillage of the country's natural resources.

His failings won him the nickname "crayfish" -- a crustacean that walks backwards.

Under international pressure, Rajoelina did not contest the 2013 election and backed his victorious former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

The two men fell out shortly after and will face off at polls for the first time this year.

Rajaonarimampianina: economist and poet

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who turns 60 on Tuesday prides himself on his low-key demeanour and is perhaps the most understated of the leading contenders.

As president, the economist hoped to turn the page on years of turmoil.

But his term from 2014 to 2018 did not escape the instability that has rocked the country since independence.

Rajaonarimampianina survived parliamentary manoeuvres to oust him as well as a mass protest movement earlier this year that claimed the lives of two people.

Before winning the top job, he served as Rajoelina's finance minister, overhauling the country's finances and integrating aid and private spending into the fiscal mix.

He also restored stability to the local currency.

But critics, especially in Rajoelina's camp, accuse him of having closed his eyes to the trafficking of endangered rosewood and precious stones.

He was a virtual unknown in 2013 but benefited from the election bans imposed on Ravalomanana and Rajoelina.

In line with the constitution, he resigned on September 7 to contest this year's polls.

He has promised the profoundly poor nation "a new phase in its development" if elected.The rewards of up to $5 million (4.4 million euros) could help ease tensions with Ankara which has long urged its Western allies to take a tougher line against the PKK, banned as a terror group not just by Turkey but also the United States and the EU.

Information about Karayilan could be worth up to $5 million, concerning Bayik $4 million and Kalkan $3 million, he added in a statement released by the US embassy in Ankara.

'Received with caution'

While the State Department has designated the PKK as a terror group since 1997, Turkey has been hugely unhappy over cooperation in Syria between the United States and the People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a branch of the PKK.

Bilateral ties also suffered over the detention in Turkey of American pastor Andrew Brunson, which lasted more than two years.

But Brunson was released in October and both sides appear keen on improving the key relationship between the NATO allies.

"The United States values its counterterrorism cooperation with our NATO ally Turkey," said Palmer, adding that the rewards were being issued as part of the State Department's Rewards for Justice scheme.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey greeted the news "with caution" and described the decision as "late".

"They could not fool us by saying that the YPG was different from the PKK," he told HaberTurk television. "It will soon become clear if this is a cover for the YPG."

After two successful military operations inside Syria, Turkey now has its sights on the area of Manbij which is controlled by the YPG and has a US presence.

On its official Twitter feed, the Rewards for Justice programme posted pictures of the three men under the headline "Reward for Information".

"Provide information and payment may be possible. 100% confidentiality guaranteed. Relocation may be possible," it said.

Karayilan and Bayik are seen as the de facto leaders of the PKK on the ground following the capture by Turkey of its founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999.

Ocalan is serving a life sentence on a prison island off Istanbul. Karayilan and Bayik are believed by analysts to be in the remote Qandil mountains region of northern Iraq where the PKK has its rear bases, although some experts think it is possible that senior PKK figures also slip on occasion into neighbouring Iran.

The PKK has waged a three-and-a-half decade insurgency against the Turkish state seeking independence, and more recently autonomy, for Turkey's Kurdish minority.Ilhan Omar, a 36-year-old Somali refugee, who immigrated to the United States as a teenager, beat Republican Jennifer Zielinski to take Ellisons seat.

My success is not only for me but for every Somali, Muslim and minority group, particularly the young girls in the Dadaab refugee camp, where I lived before coming to the US, Ms Omar declared.

Omars family fled Somalia in 1991 due to civil war. She spent four years in Dadaab until her family was cleared to emigrate to the US.

ece-auto-gen

They settled in Minnesota, which now has a large Somali-American community.

Ms Omar did not know English when she went to the US at the age 12. Eventually, she learnt the language by watching television.

Omar stated that President Trumps politics of fear motivated her to vie for the seat.

She also faced Islamophobic attacks during her campaign from some conservative media outlets.

Some of those conservative media outlets claimed that she was once married to her brother and had ties to terrorists.

ece-auto-gen

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the Federal government of the United States.Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.Published on:

6 November 2018





They say the findings present the opportunity to precisely target violence reduction strategies, as part of a public health approach to sustainably reduce youth violence.

In research published today in BMJ Open, researchers and doctors from Queen Mary and The Royal London Hospital call on parents, schools, community organisations and the police to join forces in a nationwide public health approach.

Long-term community approach

This year has seen a sharp increase in the number of knife crimes in Britain, with the Office for National Statistics last month releasing data showing for the year to June 2018, police recorded 14,987 knife crimes - a 15 per cent rise in 12 months. This year there have been 119 murders in London, 74 of which were stabbings.

Karim Brohi, Professor of Trauma Sciences at Queen Marys Blizard Institute and Consultant Trauma Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust said: This work shows that children and young people in London are at risk simply due to where they live and go to school. A long-term multi-agency and community approach is needed if we are to change the culture of violence that now permeates socio-economically deprived areas of London.





Public Health approaches to violence, such as with this study, can show who is at risk and allow the community and police to respond effectively - such as through after school activities and targeted policing.

Spike in attacks after school

The doctors assessed the 1,824 people aged under 25 treated with emergency care for stab wounds at The Royal London Hospital's major trauma centre from 2004 to 2014. Of these, 172 (around 10 per cent) were children under 16, 861 (around 47 per cent) were aged 16-19, and 791 (around 43 per cent) were in their early twenties.

They found that the frequency of attacks in children aged under 16 spiked between 4pm and 6pm on school days. Almost half of injuries (47 per cent) in children occurred within a 1-5 km radius from home, reflecting the average distance from home to school for children living in London.

The report also shows that children have a higher overall risk of death compared with young adults despite comparable injuries.

Helping young people reintegrate

Dr Paul Vulliamy, Clinical Lecturer at Queen Marys Centre for Trauma Sciences said: We have demonstrated that there are age-specific epidemiological patterns of stabbings among young people, providing evidence for schools and children as specific targets for violence reduction strategies. We can reduce knife violence and unnecessary child deaths, but need long term evidence-based interventions in education, policing, the community and at home.

The trauma team, working with charity St Giles Trust, have been reducing the number stab injuries by helping young people reintegrate with education, employment and family. They are now calling for the public and other agencies to join London's Major Trauma Centres in taking the approach beyond the hospital, and into sustained school and community-driven public health action.

More informationIn amongst all the fashion and fluttering at Flemmington on Tuesday, there was tragedy on the racecourse.

Star Northern Hemisphere horse The Cliffsofmoher, prepared by master trainer Aidan OBrien, was tragically euthanised after suffering a shoulder fracture early in the race.

The star European horse pulled up lame, as the field passed the finishing post first time around.

The 5-year-old Irish stayer had won $1.7m for his owners. But his death on the track is not a rarity.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses says every three days a horse is killed on an Australian racetrack.The head of the Immunisation Advisory Centre says an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Northland isnt out of the ordinary.

Dr Nicky Turner told RadioLIVEs Morning Talk that while there has been a steady increase in cases, the number of people with the bacterial disease isnt out of the ordinary.

Nothing has suddenly changed. Meningococcal rates have been climbing over the last couple of years. [Numbers] are still relatively low, up to this year, weve had just under a hundred cases - but thats still worrying.

We are seeing an increase in a particular type of meningococcal disease.

Dr Turner says its a terrifying disease which can present itself quite suddenly, and what New Zealand is seeing at the moment is a new strain which is slightly different than traditional strains.



We are seeing an increase in a particular type of meningococcal disease that can present a little bit differently from other types.

Dr Turner says there are certain signs of meningococcal disease to look out for.

Traditional meningococcal disease [can cause] meningitis [inflammation of the sac surrounding the brain], you get unwell, you get high fevers, nausea, headaches.

Meningococcal can cause a rash that can look like blood blisters, bruises or little red spots. Meningococcal can also appear like flu.

Listen to the full interview with Dr Nicky Turner above.

Morning Talk with Mark Sainsbury, 9am - 12pm Weekdays and streaming live on 'rova' channel 9 - available on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.As the claims of threats towards Department of Conservation (DoC) staff continue, an anti-1080 activist says the threats appear to him to be manufactured or false and wants to see the evidence.

On Tuesday a Newshub exclusive revealed that violence and threats of violence by anti-1080 extremists have spiked  including multiple threats against the Prime Minister and DoC workers.

In January, five incidents were recorded. That number peaked at 93 incidents last month, according to Newshub.

Jacinda Ardern says shes received at least one death threat from anti-1080 protestors.

But Graham Carter, editor of Fishing and Outdoors Newspaper, believes the threats have been hyped by the media and there is no real evidence to suggest such threats have been made.

If the threats were genuine and real, the police wouldve been involved, and there would have probably been arrests or some statement from the police supporting these allegations, he told RadioLIVE.

Mr Carter believes the majority of New Zealanders are against the use and dropping of 1080.

When you talk to people in the street, and mention 1080, they are up in arms about it.

Speaking to Mark Sainsbury, Mr Carter agreed that violence and threats of violence in protest is not acceptable.

It requires protest  it doesnt require violence or threats.

There are activists amongst the anti-1080 people that have taken things into their own hand, and they need to be sorted out by the police. Thats what the police are for, Mr Carter said.

He accepts there are people within the anti-1080 movement with extremist agendas.

Look at the clowns that dumped those dead birds on the steps of Parliament  that was a stupid thing to do.

But mainstream media took it out of proportion and blamed all anti-1080 people. That is a lie, Mr Carter told RadioLIVE.

It was just a small extremist group amongst the protestors.

Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man from New Plymouth has been arrested and charged with four counts of blackmail after threatening letters were sent to the Department of Conservation.

Four letters relating to the use of 1080 were received by DoC between September 25 2017 and November 6 2018.

Police launched an "extensive investigation" and arrested the man in New Plymouth on Tuesday.

Central District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Ross McKay says the arrest sends a clear message:

"While we understand the strength of feeling by some in our community about the use of 1080, it is never acceptable for this to be expressed in the form of threats to individuals," he says.

"DoC staff should be able to go about their lawful business without the fear of threats and intimidation."

DoC says these letters were "extremely nasty" and this particular case has been "harrowing".But its not a trip for the time-poor traveller.

Roger Grant, director of the Great Southern Touring Route, says the route is something that people should take their time to enjoy.

The wildlife encounters along the way really make the trip something that people need to slow down and savour, Mr Grant told RadioLIVE.

Its not something we encourage people to do as just a day trip.

Next week, RadioLIVEs Mark Sainsbury will be taking off on a five-day tour along the Great Southern Touring Route with his daughter, Arabella.

Some highlights that can be found along the Great Southern Touring Route are:

Dramatic landscapes at the Twelve Apostles

Cruise along the Great Ocean Road past the Bay of Islands

Head to Ballarat and experience boutique wineries

Explore the scenic Grampians National Park by road or walking trail

Whale spotting in Warrnambool (from June to September)

Spa Country at Daylesford and Hepburn Springs

Hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk

Visit Victoria also offers the Sydney Melbourne Heritage Drive and Go Beyond Melbourne.

This content was sponsored by our friends at Visit Victoria.

Listen to the full interview with Roger Grant above.

Morning Talk with Mark Sainsbury, 9am - 12pm Weekdays and streaming live on 'rova' channel 9 - available on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.A public health expert is calling for synthetic drugs to be decriminalised in New Zealand.

There's been a spike in deaths linked to synthetics in New Zealand, with a report in July revealing 45 deaths over the last year were linked to the drugs.

AUT psychology and public health Professor Max Abbott told RadioLIVE that incarcerating people is more likely to be a health hazard than decriminalisation.

"It's totally outrageous that we've had something like 50 people kill themselves this past year with so-called synthetic cannabis," he said on Tuesday.

New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are calling for a health response to encourage more people to seek help.

The MoH says it's not aware of any evidence that increased penalties deter use and supply.

But despite this, the Government has promised a major crackdown and to reclassify synthetics as class A drugs.

"Reclassification would increase maximum penalties," says Health Minister David Clark.

"The primary motivator for reclassification would be to ensure that we have those wider search and surveillance powers so that we can interrupt supply."

Prof Abbott warns that hardline criminal penalties regarding synthetic usage will only cause more damage.

"If what goes with that is a very harsh response to people who use those substances then I think that's totally counterproductive."

Newshub/RadioLIVE.EUROPE: A 'rail motorway' service carrying unaccompanied lorry trailers between Calais and Torino was inaugurated with a ceremony at the Channel port on November 6. This is the fourth route to be launched by SNCFs rail motorway subsidiary VIIA.ITALY: FS Group freight subsidiary Mercitalia is to launch its first high speed freight service on November 7. FS says the Mercitalia Fast service is designed to meet the needs of express courier companies, logistics operators, producers and distributors.GERMANY: Transdev announced an order for 64 Stadler Flirt electric multiple-units on November 7, after its NordWestBahn subsidiary was confirmed as the winner of the contract to operate Hannover S-Bahn services from December 2021 until June 2034.SVOD leader Netflix has set 2019 as the release date for its first Indian preschool animated series Mighty Little Bheem.





Currently in production with Green Gold Animation in India, the series is directed by Rajiv Chilaka (Chhota Bheem).Created by Rajiv Chilaka and based on the mythological character Bheem from the Indian epic the Mahabharata, the Chhota Bheem action comedy animated series aired on Turner Broadcastings Pogo TV channel in India from 2008. The franchise has since given rise to TV films and three feature films. Netflix said Mighty Little Bheem will be the first preschool series of the popular Bheem franchise.It is a non-verbal slapstick adventure comedy in which its ultra strong, brave and intelligent hero, Mighty Little Bheem travels through his hometown on crazy adventures, often in search of ladoos (his favourite treat) the US streaming giant said in a statement.Netflix has targeted India as a priority market, with its latest Indian Original, Selection Day , slated for global launch on 28 December.The US president and his savvy national security team have made it clear to Beijing that the old ways of doing business are over.China is holding a weeklong event called the China International Import Expo in Shanghai this week meant to encourage trade, sell China as an import market and send the message that the Chinese economy is open for business. Chinas motivation for doing this is obvious: Its a nation dependent on exports, and American tariffs have decreased demand for its goods. In his opening address, President Xi Jinping stressed that China was prepared to open its markets even further to international trade  with the United States and the rest of the world. His remarks were clearly directed at the U.S., as he looks toward his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G-20 meeting in Argentina later this month. But the conference has also raised questions about Chinas relations with another country thats experienced its own setbacks in U.S. relations: Russia. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the expo that Moscow and Beijing are now closer than ever, and the Chinese emphatically agreed. Indeed, there has been much talk of a Russo-Chinese alliance, and the Shanghai extravaganza is a good opportunity to look closer at what this could mean.

China and Russia both have serious economic problems that have been exacerbated by the United States. Russias problems derive from the decline in the price of oil, a resource on which the Russian economy is heavily dependent. The United States, along with the EU, has compounded Moscows economic woes by imposing sanctions following Russian incursions in Ukraine and meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. Chinas problems derive, at least in part, from its dependency on exports. This year, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, and according to Bloomberg, its preparing to announce new duties on all remaining Chinese imports by December if trade talks dont go well.

On the surface, that Russia and China share a common, powerful adversary should be the foundation of a strong alliance. Both countries are significant military powers, and they ought to be able to support each other economically. But appearances can be deceptive.

On the economic front, developing stronger ties with each other wouldnt fully solve any of their problems. Russia needs to sell raw materials, particularly oil, in massive amounts to keep its economy running. Between January and August 2018, crude oil accounted for 28.8 percent of Russias total exports and natural gas accounted for 10.9 percent, according to Russias statistics agency. China was its biggest oil importer at 22 percent, though it purchased only 1 percent of Russias natural gas exports. (As a whole, however, the European Union imported more Russian oil than China did.) Indeed, China is a big oil importer and overtook the U.S. as the worlds largest crude buyer in 2017, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The problem, however, is that Chinese imports are limited by the lack of energy infrastructure between the two countries. Pipelines are costly and take a long time to build. China, therefore, might be able to ease a bit of Russias demand for oil consumers, but it cant buy enough to keep prices high or ease the risk of further sanctions that could target its energy exports.

China, meanwhile, needs to find buyers for its manufactured goods. In 2017, exports made up nearly 20 percent of its gross domestic product, according to the World Bank. The United States is its largest market, accounting for 19 percent of its goods exports, according to the International Trade Centre. With U.S. tariffs cutting into these exports and intensified competition from other exporters, Beijing needs to find new buyers for its goods. But Russia is in no position to consume enough Chinese exports to make up for these losses  it purchased only 2 percent of Chinas total exports in 2017. Neither country, therefore, can provide meaningful economic support to the other.

On the military front, its true that the two countries have increased cooperation in recent years. Since the end of the Cold War, China has been Russias largest arms purchaser, and according to Russian media, Beijing acquired a Russian-made S-400 air defense system in July of this year. In addition, Russias largest military exercises since the Cold War, held in September, were attended by thousands of Chinese troops. This had many speculating that the two countries were on the verge of forging a military alliance. The problem is that alliances are based on shared interests, and Russia and China have a history of mutual distrust. The two have clashed over border issues several times throughout the years and competed for influence in Asia throughout the Cold War.

They also have different strategic priorities. Russia is facing what it sees as intense pressure along its western frontier and, to a lesser extent, in the Middle East. China has little interest in expending its resources to protect Russias European buffer. They might share the worlds sixth-longest international border but deploying troops and resources to Russias west, where its major population centers are located, would be a logistical nightmare for China, to say the least. (Nor would Moscow welcome or be able to support such a deployment.)

China, on the other hand, faces a challenge from the United States in the South China Sea, where Beijing is trying to prevent any possible future blockade of its access to maritime shipping lanes by stationing military and naval assets on its artificial islands off its southeastern coast. The U.S. often conducts freedom of navigation operations in contested waters there to make the point that the Chinese buildup wont prevent others from traveling freely through the region and to reassure its allies in Southeast Asia. The Chinese could undoubtedly use naval support there and in the Western Pacific, but the ability of the Russians to project significant naval power in these areas is limited. The Russians do have a naval base at Vladivostok, but its blocked from ready access to the Pacific by Japan, as well as U.S. air power. While a blockade of Vladivostok isnt likely, any military action must take into account the worst-case scenario, and Vladivostok can easily become a trap for Russias fleet.

It might be far-fetched, but the only way the Russians and Chinese could coordinate to thwart their major threats would be through a simultaneous attack by Russia toward the west and by China on U.S. naval assets in the east. The problem is that whereas Europe is an army issue, the South China Sea is a naval issue. The U.S. could concentrate its naval forces against China without diverting land forces from Europe. But infinitely more important is the fact that, considering all their economic problems, neither China nor Russia intends to start a world war, which this certainly would do.

Though a Sino-Russian alliance would seem to be a logical counter to their common adversary, its just an illusion. All the warm gestures in Shanghai cant hide the fact that Russia and China cant help each other get out of their serious economic and strategic problems. Its an alliance that works only on paper, at best.Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

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We're sorry, this article is not currently availableBy Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/06/2018



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

pro Alan Bersten has finally expressed how he feels about his celebrity partner, Alexis Ren Alexis admitted she was "developing feelings" for Alan and discussed the "elephant in the room" with her professional partner backstage last week, but Alan didn't have much to say in reply.Alan wanted to be certain of how he felt before opening up, and then a source told Us Weekly he hoped to keep things professional while competing on this fall.But all of that changed on Monday night's broadcast on ABC.In a video package that played before Alexis and Alan took the stage with a samba for "Country Night," Alan apparently took the model and Cover Girl horseback riding to get her in the country mood."Last week I decided to open up about my feelings. I am developing feelings for Alan, but I haven't really been clear on how Alan is feeling," Alexis told the cameras.Footage then flashed to Alexis and Alan sitting on a wooden fence together."Last week, some things were said. I'm in a place where we've worked so hard for this amazing journey together, I'm afraid I would mess that up in some way," Alan told Alexis."But I've never had an experience like this. It's so easy to just hang out with you, have fun, and not worry about everything else."Alan continued, "I know you put yourself out there last weekend, and I do have feelings for you."Alexis flashed a big smile and sighed, "Awww."The professional dancer then really put his heart out on the line by saying, "And I really feel like I am falling for you" before kissing Alexis' hand.The couple appeared totally smitten with each other, and all reservations or concerns seemed to disappear in the moment."After I opened up last week, I felt a little embarrassed, but now that we had this talk this week, I feel really good that everything is out in the open," Alexis said.The package ended with Alan and Alexis sharing a sweet kiss on the lips.Alan and Alexis avoided elimination during Monday night's broadcast and will return next week for ' Season 27 semifinals.The couple, who consistently receive high judges' scores, appear to have a real shot at the mirrorball trophy.To view cute behind-the-scenes photos of Alan and Alexis' obvious chemistry, click hereKandi Burruss and her husband have found a surrogate for baby No. 3.

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The 42-year-old "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star said in an interview Monday with Us Weekly she's "in the process" of hiring someone to carry her embryo with Todd Tucker.

"Yeah, we're moving forward," Burruss told the magazine. "We've decided we want to ... get a surrogate."

"We did find someone and right now we are in the process -- you know it hasn't been done -- but we're in the process," she said.

Burruss is parent to 16-year-old daughter Riley with Russell "Block" Spencer and 2-year-old son Ace with Tucker.

The surrogate will carry one of the two embryos Burruss has left from using in vitro fertilization to conceive Ace.

"We have girls," the star said. "We have two embryos that are still left from when we had Ace. So, we have two embryos left and we know they're girls."

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star had told Essence magazine in October she was exploring ways to have another child.

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"We're definitely trying to figure out ways to grow our family," Burruss confirmed. "I know a lot of people thought that meant that I was pregnant. But I'm not pregnant. Let's be clear."

"Unfortunately, it's not happening," she said of her fertility issues. "So obviously we're just going to be talking about what that means for our family."

Burruss came to fame with the girl group Xscape and joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta in Season 2.

The Bravo series premiered its 11th season Sunday.By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/03/2021



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Which couples are still together and which MAFS couples have split up and divorced? And where are they now?

has featured 44 different couples getting married at first sight during it's first twelve seasons -- so which couples are still together, who has split up and divorced, and where are they all now?Each season of -- which premiered in the United States seven years ago and is based on a Danish series -- features couples (previously three couples, but four couples on Seasons 8 and 9, and five couples beginning with Season 10) being matched together by relationship experts and agree to marry when they first meet.Complete strangers become husband and wife in a matter of minutes, and the couples' lives are then documented by TV cameras over the course of the next four to eight weeks (eight weeks, in the case of 's most recent seasons).The couples typically enjoy their first night together in a hotel after exchanging vows -- with some couples deciding to consummate their marriage immediately -- and then embark on a honeymoon, move in together, and simply attempt to deal with the struggles of daily life as man and wife.At the end of the extreme marriage experiment, each couple must decide whether they'd like to stay married or get a divorce on "Decision Day."has experienced very mixed results over the years. While a significant number of couples decide to stay together and continue their new marriage at the end of their season, the real world seems to hit them hard after the cameras leave, resulting in the couple splitting up only months later.Do cast members see a different side of their spouses once cameras are gone, or do the romances naturally fizzle over time?Some couples are still together to this day and are extremely happy. Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner from Season 1, for example, have had two children.Several other couples have also had children -- including Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico Shawniece Jackson and Jephte Pierre Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd , and Deonna McNeill and Greg Okotie However, there are also relationships that ended badly. Jessica Castro from Season 2, for instance, accused Ryan De Nino of alleged death threats, and she went on to file a restraining order and lawsuit against him.Some couples have also never even made it to "Decision Day" and ended their marriage prematurely, including Season 4 couple Heather Seidel and Derek Schwartz as well as Season 6 couple Molly Duff and Jonathan Francetic Are the remaining couples now lovers, friends or enemies?! What about early season couples like Cortney Hendrix and Jason Carrion, Jaclyn Methuen and Ryan Ranellone, Vanessa Nelson and Tres Russell, Sonia Granados and Nick Pendergrast, and Lillian Vilchez and Tom Wilson?And how about more recent season couples like Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon Jaclyn Schwartzberg and Ryan Buckley Dave Flaherty and Amber Martorana , and Tristan Thompson and Mia Bally Keith Dewar and Kristine Killingsworth , and AJ Vollmoeller and Stephanie Sersen Click thelink below to see photos of each couple and find out!

BEGIN GALLERY >>

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.Teresa Giudice says husband Joe Giudice's deportation order is "heartbreaking" for her family.

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The 46-year-old "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star spoke out on Tuesday's episode of "Good Morning America" after a judge ruled Joe will return to Italy after his prison sentence.

"It's heartbreaking. Very sad," she told host Michael Strahan, adding her four daughters were "really upset" by the ruling.

"Adults can handle anything. It's hard for children to go through this."

Joe is serving a 41-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud with Teresa in 2014.

Teresa, who completed her sentence in December 2015, said the situation has been a strain on their 19-year marriage.

"It's very difficult. We've been through a lot. I've gone through ups and downs of being angry," the star said.

"I have to stay strong. I have four beautiful daughters and they need their mommy," she added.

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Gia and Milania vowed to fight Joe's deportation order in Instagram posts in October.

"My dad, who is the best dad in the world, needs to come home," Milania wrote.

"We are gonna do everything we can to fight this daddy!! I love you with all my heart buddy #heartbroken."

Teresa shared a photo with her four daughters following Gabriella's 14th birthday in October.

"Love this pic of me and my girls from Gabriella's birthday! I also love watching American Ninja Warrior Junior with my daughters, it's our new favorite show to watch together!" she wrote.This article originally appeared in RECOIL Issue 35

Once Hiram Maxims machine gun had been adopted by British, American, and Russian armed forces, the hunt was on for an equally reliable automatic weapon that didnt require six men, a mule, and several small boys to operate. Theres an almost watertight case for the first successfully fielded light machine gun being the 1914 Lewis gun, though at 28 pounds, light is a relative term. Relative to the 60 pounds of the Maxim, that is.

Despite being a quantum leap in portability, the Lewis, like the BAR in American service, suffered from its lack of a replaceable barrel, severely limiting the number of rounds that could be fired in support of assaulting infantry. While the requirement for a squad automatic weapon was identified all the way back in 1917, at least in U.S. service, it seemed as if the magic combination of quick-change barrel, belt feed, and being chambered in the same ammunition as the rest of the squads individual weapons wasnt ever going to happen in the same gun.

At least not for long  there was a brief period of sanity in the early 60s when the M60 and M14 were issued together, but then 5.56 became the flavor du jour, and infantry squads were stuck with a SAW that required ammo which couldnt be used in their rifles, and vice versa. It took until 1984, and the adoption of the FNH Minimi, before soldiers finally got the weapon theyd been asking for.

The prospect of a lucrative contract from Big Army was a pretty sizeable carrot, spurring 80s designers the world over to sharpen their pencils. Several submissions from overseas were in the ballpark  the CETME Ameli and Daewoo K3 checked all the boxes, while the Singaporean Ultimax designed by Jim Sullivan was the lightest of the bunch. Also in contention was the Ares LMG designed by Sullivans boss at Fairchild, none other than the prophet Eugene Stoner.

Reed Knight was a personal friend of the maestros, and so it came to pass that Stoners final design was refined and tweaked by Knights Armament in order to meet the needs of the modern warfighter. Now, those needs might not as yet have been articulated as requiring the adoption of an ultralight SAW, but that hasnt stopped KAC from putting the gun into production.

As of press time, the third iteration of a project that started life in 1986 weighs in at a feathery 9 pounds (and change) unloaded, balancing like a bull-barreled M4. Despite its pretensions, the M249 most definitely handles like a machine gun. With the LAMG, you could almost forget you have 200 rounds on tap, until you need it.

From the outside, it looks like a prop from Aliens. Its deep handguards have multiple M-LOK slots on both flanks and Pic rails top and bottom to accept all manner of lights, lasers, rangefinders, bipods, and, if youre feeling froggy, a rail-mounted under-barrel grenade launcher isnt out of the question. Lightening cuts feature prominently on the sides of the aluminum receiver, which is longer than youd expect for a 5.56 weapon  more on that later.

Its charging handle can be swapped from left to right side operation, depending on user preference and training. And while M240 and 249 gunners may want to run it with their right hand, the rest of us will probably opt for keeping our paws on the standard, AR pistol grip. Stripping the gun reveals a mixture of features found elsewhere, though nowhere in this exact ratio. Press in a latch, and the buttstock slides downward for removal like a M240, while the trigger mechanism housing slides backward like a BREN. Barrel change is M249-ish, but the barrel extension will be familiar to anyone whos ever stripped an AR.

According to SGM (Ret) Dan Brokos, the current inventory of machine guns leaves a lot to be desired, especially when attempting to use them in the tight confines of the urban battle space. Special Forces doesnt currently use the M249 SAW in the assaulter role. While we love the firepower it brings to the fight, its old and heavy, and once you put a decent optic on the topcover, it becomes difficult to reload and clear malfunctions. Ive used the LAMG, and can shoot that motherf*cker off the shoulder all day.

Although it points like a rifle, its most definitely an MG, and as it fires from an open bolt, its worth taking a detailed look at the mechanism. Its full-auto only, with a sear that, when cocked, engages a ledge on the lower surface of the carrier, holding it fully to the rear against pressure from the recoil spring. On release, the carrier flies forward and a lug at the 12 oclock position on its multi-lugged bolt (hey, its a Stoner design  what did you expect?) strips a round from the first M27 link on the feed tray and pushes it into the chamber.

A sinusoidal cam track in the carrier cams the bolt into its locked position, and theres about a 14 inch of dwell between full lock up and when the carrier finishes its travel, at the end of which a fixed ring pin slams into the primer. While all of this is happening, the guns feed pawls are pushed leftward and ratchet themselves under the next links in the ammo belt.

Once the round fires and the bullet passes a gas port close to the muzzle, propellant is tapped off into a gas block, which lies above the barrel. This acts on a long-stroke piston for about 14 inch, driving it backward until it reaches four radial ports. Then the gas is vented to the atmosphere, and the carrier with its attached bolt run under momentum to complete the rest of the extraction and feeding cycle.

As the carrier moves rearward, it acts on a feed arm, and its here that the design deviates from just about every western, post-WWII belt fed. Rather than reinvent the wheel, most late 20th century engineers simply recycled features from the most successful and iconic machine gun they faced across the field of battle. The MG42 has spawned more imitators than even the CZ-75, and its feed mechanism has been ripped off the world over. Just not in the LAMG. Instead of the usual roller-bearing cam running in a track inside an elongated top cover, the Stoner LMG uses a feed arm that rides in a cutout in the carrier, reducing parts count. This feed arm does double duty as a fixed ejector at the end of the carriers stroke, kicking empties out the right side after dragging the next link across the feed tray and into position for the cartridge its wrapped around to be fed into the chamber. Rinse and repeat 199 times.

When its time to replenish the ammo supply, the user has the option of using a standard SAW box, a 150-round nutsack, or a loose belt. Knight also has a 150-round box that serves to monopod the gun, like ring an AR from a 30-round magazine; speaking of which, theres no ability to use rifle mags in an emergency.

Of course, after a couple of belts, its probably a good idea to also change barrels. To do so, the gunner yanks on the charging handle, applies the safety, lifts the feed tray, and presses the barrel latch. We handled two versions of the gun, the latest of which had a modification to the feed tray, allowing it to be used as a lever to press harder on a stubborn latch  a good thing as it locks up tighter than a M249. Once free, the barrel can then be pulled out forward, out of the handguard, and a new one swapped in. Note that our test gun didnt have a carrying handle installed, though there was an attachment point milled into the double-pinned gas block.

ROUNDS DOWNRANGE

We took the opportunity to shoot the LAMG at Knights sprawling facility in Florida, though time and travel constraints didnt permit a full, RECOIL-esque evaluation where we got to beat the ever-loving sh*t out of it. Blame the NFA.

Getting it up and running is a process that should be familiar to any machine gunner. Lock bolt to the rear, lift top cover, lay belt over feed pawls, slap the top cover closed, then proceed to rock n roll, pulling a trigger that feels like it came out of Belgium  heavy, mushy, and with no distinct break when the carrier falls off the sear.

Remember that elongated receiver? Well, in order to increase reliability without adding mass to the bolt carrier group, the assembly recoils way further than youd expect  a distance almost twice as long as a red 5.56 case.

This gives two very desirable benefits. First, the BCG takes a long run up to the chamber. Just like a dude shoulder charging a door, more run up means more momentum, which in this case can be used to drag a dirty ammo belt up off the floor, strip a round out of the link, and jam it into the chamber. The second benefit is that on the other end of the cycle, the BCG never actually contacts the rear of the receiver  it just sort of runs out of steam against the recoil spring. A similar system is used in the granddaddy of assault rifles, the StG44, and unsurprisingly theres a similar recoil impulse in both examples. While the 5.56 NATO round isnt exactly punishing, everything counts in large amounts, and the LAMGs long and soft shove, coupled with a slower-than-usual 550-rpm cyclic rate, means its a piece of cake to hold the gun on target during sustained bursts.

This being a development gun with a lot of rounds through it, we werent expecting the kind of reliability KAC is known for in their ARs. In the course of several belts, we experienced a couple of stoppages caused by (we think) an extractor that lost contact with the case rim, probably due to worn-out springs. Which brought up an interesting problem. Using a short top cover may give a lot more solid real estate on which to mount optics, but it also limits access to the receiver when you need to clear a case  small fingers are a decided advantage.

Its perhaps fitting that Eugene Stoners last design is finally being placed into production by one of his closest associates. The LAMG is the embodiment of his design principles of lightweight, aluminum construction, enclosed receiver, and multi-lug bolt. It remains to be seen whether our armed forces adopt it, especially with LSAT waiting in the wings, but should they do so, our troops will have a significant weight advantage over existing platforms, with all the functionality theyve been asking for.

Visit Knight's Armament online at https://www.knightarmco.com/Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.All the campaigning, political ads and election-related articles from The Red & Black will near its end come Nov. 6  hopefully. To celebrate the long midterm season, here are the details for election night watch parties you can attend.Brian Kemp delivers a victory-like speech to a crowd of supporters at the Brian Kemp election night watch party on the morning of Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. The event went into the early hours of Wednesday morning as supporters and candidates alike closely watched the polling numbers. The Kemp Campaign claimed victory at the end of the night despite their opponents, Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, decision to not concede, citing alleged voter suppression. (Photo/Christina Matacotta)Among the bipartisanship of Senate and House races, Georgia voters were able to agree on changes to the state constitution with relatively larMost of the votes have been counted. While the 2018 governor's election was a close one, more people voted than ever before. This paints a positive future for citizen participation in American democracy.STAMFORD  Rep. Jim Himes won re-election over challenger Harry Arora, as results started coming in Tuesday night.

The final vote results were still unavailable late Tuesday, but the Associated Press called the race in Himes favor shortly before 10 p.m.

Democratic organizers at the Sheraton Stamford had anticipated victory and a sixth term in office for Himes, a Greenwich resident.

Himes, mounting the podium with family members, called for Americans to come together and fight the divisiveness he said was coming from the White House.

Today its about winning, but tomorrow its about coming together, said Himes.

The re-elected representative said it was a pretty dark cloud for Democrats two years ago, when President Donald Trump was elected. He said it was up to Democrats in the House of Representatives to provide a counter-weight to Trumps executive authority.

We are going to do what the Constitution set out for us to do  provide checks and balances on the power of the president, he said.

Himes also sounded a note of unity, not partisanship in his victory speech. We are all Americans, and we extend a hand to each other, and we help each other, Himes said,

Himes chairs a national coalition of moderate Democrats and is a member of the House Committees on Financial Services and Intelligence. Born in Peru, Himes speaks Spanish and worked at Goldman Sachs in Latin America. Following his career in finance, he entered the field of non-profits and affordable housing, through the Enterprise Community Partners, prior to his election in 2008.

Before 2008, the 4th District Congressional seat was held by Republicans since 1989.

Arora trailed Himes in fundraising throughout the race. Arora, who immigrated to the U.S. from India, is a commodities trader who launched a Greenwich hedge fund after working at Enron and Amaranth Advisors. This was his first run for public office.LITCHFIELD  Chabad of Northwest CT will hold a community-wide memorial vigil to honor the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Litchfield Firehouse, Route 202/West Street.

Due to increased security, reservations are required and may be made at chabadNW.org/vigilState Rep. McGorty, R-122, has won a third full term in the state legislature on Tuesday in a district that includes pieces of Trumbull, Stratford and a large swath of Shelton.

My opponent ran a good race, McGorty said of the unofficial results. He worked hard. I continued my momentum.

His opponent was Democrat Jose Goncalves, who is in his first term as a member of the Shelton Board of Education.

I knew it would be an uphill battle, said Goncalves. The seat has been held by a Republican for the last 40 years. I was hoping for a big blue wave.

Both candidates are from Shelton, where more than half of the voters in the district live.

McGorty said he has never stopped campaigning since his first race. Though happy with his victory, McGorty said he worries about the political makeup of legislature going forward.

A lot of Dems are taking seats, I hear, McGorty said. I guess people want tolls and taxes.

As a realtor, McGorty said it will be harder for him to sell houses.

McGorty, the husband of Alderwoman Noreen McGorty, ran on a platform of no new taxes, no tolls, no new fees and no unfunded mandates.

I dont want to see any more jobs leaving Connecticut, McGorty said. I dont want to see our retirees leaving Connecticut because they cant afford to live here.

In the legislature, McGorty serves on the legislatures Judiciary and Environment Committees, as well as the Transportation Committee.Hundreds of Cambodian villagers trying to submit petitions over land disputes were blocked from approaching government offices and the residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday, with some ordered into minivans to be taken back to their home provinces, sources said.



One group, consisting of about 300 villagers from Sihanoukville, Svay Rieng, and Tboung Khmum and Kandal provinces, had attempted to march to government ministries but were stopped and surrounded by security forces, who ordered them home.



Over a hundred were left behind after refusing to leave Phnom Penh, sources said.



In a statement, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said that the petitioners had timed their presence in the city to coincide with the visit of U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia Rhona Smith.



I have observed that this is a movement. When Rhona Smith visits, they always provoke problems, Phay Siphan said.



Meanwhile, Theng Savoeunsecretary general of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Communitysaid after observing the protests that the villagers had come to Phnom Penh because appeals to local authorities had brought no result.



Contrary to government assertions, the petitioners had not been organized by outside groups, he said.



Long-running dispute



In a separate protest Tuesday, 11 ethnic Kuoy families representing 300 other ethnic families in Preah Vihear province were stopped from delivering petitions at the home of Hun Sen by police, who asked them instead to submit their complaints to local authorities.



Their dispute over land lost to a government concession made to a Chinese company has dragged on for years without resolution, though, a village representative named Kei Hun said, with villagers losing their rights to rice fields, communal forests, water resources, and resin trees.



We wanted to petition [Hun Sen] to demand our land back, Kei Hun said.



Another villager, Khoeun Hun, meanwhile said that villagers had already appealed for help to the Chinese embassy in Cambodia without result.



After hearing that Hun Sen had promised to accept petitions at the cabinet office in his residence, the villagers had raised money to travel to the capital, only to find out that their petitions would not be received, he said.



We tried to petition because we have lost our land since 2014. We have already petitioned in many places, but without any solution, he said.



No claim to the land



In a statement, Cambodian cabinet official Kong Chamroeun said that petitioning villagers have no title to the land they claim.



They have no documents. They have lied, he said.



Land disputes are a bitter problem for Cambodia, where rural villagers and urban dwellers alike have been mired in conflicts that the U.N.s special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia has warned could threaten the countrys stability.



The countrys land issues date from the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime, which forced large-scale evacuations and relocations, followed by a period of mass confusion over land rights and the formation of squatter communities when the refugees returned in the 1990s after a decade of civil war.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney.Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen denied on Wednesday he has plans to free opposition leader Kem Sokha, rejecting comments made on Facebook by former opposition chief Sam Rainsy, who said the move will be made in December.



No, I wont release him, Hun Sen said, addressing a gathering of hundreds of workers in southwestern Cambodias Takeo province and adding that the former opposition leader, now living in exile in France, believes Kem Sokha will be freed in response to international pressure.



Because Kem Sokha has not yet been convicted of a crime, the prime minister has no power to apply to Cambodias King Norodom Sihamoni for a pardon that would free him, Hun Sen said.



Hun Sen also rejected a suggestion made by Sam Rainsy that Kem Sokha, arrested in September 2017 for treason charges widely seen as politically motivated, would be released on Dec. 29 during a 20-year anniversary celebration of Hun Sens Win Win Policy taking credit for the ending in 1998 of a long-running civil war.



Please wait and see, Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen said.



Reached by RFAs Khmer Service, Kem Sokhas lawyer Peng Heng declined to comment on the case.



Sam Rainsy, who has been living in self-imposed exile for nearly three years to avoid a string of convictions by courts seen as beholden to Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, stepped down as head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in February last year to prevent a state-ordered dissolution of the party.



But the Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP anyway in November, saying the party had played a role in an alleged plot by Kem Sokha to overthrow the government, and opposition candidates were banned from taking part in the countrys July 29, 2018 general election, which Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won handily in the absence of a viable political opposition.



Hun Sen, who secured another five-year term to add to his 33 years in office after official election results were announced on Aug. 15, has made a practice of heavy-handed crackdowns on his critics, followed by a relaxation of restrictions after facing international condemnation.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney.A former editor-in-chief of ruling Chinese Communist Party newspaper the Peoples Daily has died in an apparent suicide after falling 19 floors from the paper's headquarters.

Hu Xin, 66, died on Tuesday after being pronounced dead at the scene of the fall, which came after reports that she had been suffering from insomnia and depression.

A source inside state broadcaster CCTV said Hu had been suffering from depression for at least a decade, and had retired a few years ago.

Journalists were unable to contact her family, and government censors had banned photographs taken at the scene of Hu's death, the source said.

A journalist surnamed Zheng with a state media organization told RFA that Hu was a well-known figure in the party's tightly controlled official media and propaganda system, where many people suffer mental strain from having to repeat the party line rather than reporting on the issues of the day.

"I think she was pretty well-known; maybe this had something to do with her work, or maybe with her family," Zheng said. "It has to be one of the two, right?"

"Depression is very common in the media, because the amount of fakery we have to write gets to us psychologically," she said. "Maybe she felt that she was still a person of conscience. Who knows? It's complicated."

"She's not the only servant of the state to suffer from depression, either," Zheng said.

Last month, Zheng Xiaosong, the Communist Party official in charge of Beijing's representative office in the former Portuguese enclave of Macau died after a fall from his apartment block, "because he was suffering from depression."

Zheng's death came on the eve of a reported visit to neighboring Zhuhai by China's president, Xi Jinping, to open the world's longest sea-bridge connecting Zhuhai, Macau, and the former British colony of Hong Kong across the Pearl River estuary.

'A divided sense of self'

A Guizhou-based journalist surnamed Zhou said many others in China's tightly controlled media doubt the reports of Hu's "depression."

"It's more likely to be part of a divided sense of self, and they are just blaming it on depression," Zhou said. "These propaganda types are so rigid in their thinking, but once they start letting it out, there's no holding them."

Hu held a master's degree from Peking Universitys Department of Philosophy, and first began working for the Peoples Daily in 1990 at the paper's "theory department."

She had served as editor-in-chief of the paper and of its sister publication Frontline News, and won several Chinese press awards, as well as having articles reprinted in The New York Times.

President Xi Jinping, who was elected to an indefinite term by the country's rubber-stamp parliament last March, has said the state media are an extension of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, sharing its aims and political goals, and acting as its mouthpiece.

Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.A civil society organization (CSO) in Laos has called on the government to proceed with its case against ten villagers jailed for more than a year over a land dispute in a transparent manner and demanded an update on their health conditions in prison.



In July 2017, 14 residents of Yeub village in Sekong provinces Thateng district were taken into custody by police for obstructing workers and cutting down trees on land granted by the government to a Vietnamese rubber company in what is believed to have been a 50-year concession.



Several of those now held in detention were beaten or subjected to electric shocks in the days following their arrest, and many are now malnourished and in failing health, relatives told RFA in earlier reports.



Three of the residents were released in June this year and anothera man named Somsavanhdied in jail on Jan. 29 in what authorities described as a suicide, though a relative said the mans funeral was later arranged by authorities, leaving family members unable to participate or perform religious rites.



An official from a local CSO recently told RFAs Lao Service that his group is concerned about the status of the 10 residents who remain in prison, and called for transparency in the cases against them.



[I] would like to see the government provide a clear explanation on this case to the public about how the prosecution is proceeding, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.



International agencies, relatives of the detainees and humanitarian groups are following up with this issue, but there have been no clear answers from the Lao authorities.



The official said that in normal circumstances, the prosecution should proceed according to a clear timeline, but that no information on the 10 had been forthcoming from authorities.



I have no idea about who is [currently] responsible for themwhether the police have finished filing the lawsuits and the prosecutors have begun their case, the official said, adding that there is only silence.



Meanwhile, the detainees are facing poor conditions are in jail. They arent provided with enough food and they are being held in filthy cells.



One of the relatives of the jailed residents echoed the CSO officials concerns over their situation in prison.



They are facing difficult circumstances and only allowed to meet with family members once a month, plus they lack nourishment and adequate food, the relative said.



Additionally, family members must pay the police 20,000 kip [U.S. $2.34] each time they seek permission to meet with the detainees, despite being poor.



Speaking to RFA, Sekong deputy governor Leklay Sivilay said on May 31 that the court case against the residents was proceeding according to law and would soon be settled.



Speaking later to Lao state media, however, Leklay appeared to deny all facts connected to the case, condemning RFA for what he called its untrue and unacceptable reporting on the villagers complaints and arrests.



Revised land law



Meanwhile, observers expressed concern over government revisions to the countrys land law, saying the proposed legislation is likely to be pushed through the National AssemblyLaos rubber stamp parliamentwithout provisions that adequately protect the rights of the public.



The revised law says nothing about whether land owners have the right to refuse compensation from developers if they feel it is unfair, said one Lao law expert, who declined to be named, noting that certain development projects such as special economic zones are not in the public interest and only take into account business interests.



The expert added that the revised law refers to land as collective, meaning that the government can take it over as it sees fit.



Phil Robertson, deputy director of New York-based Human Rights Watchs Asia division, told RFA that Laos routinely enacts new laws in a top-down, non-participatory process that ignores the rights of ordinary people, and that the proposed revisions to the land law are no exception.



If the government mishandles land titling in a way that ignores customary land rights, it will be a disaster for Lao people who could face an onslaught of influential, well-connected companies and government officials seizing the best lands for themselves, he said.



On land reform, Laos should take it slow, involve all the stakeholders in a truly participatory process, and ensure that the customary land rights of ordinary Lao are respected. The people of Laos are highly dependent on their access to land and so any action that mishandles land ownership will be a rights disaster for the country.



Despite the concerns, officials in Laos said they are optimistic that the revised land law will better empower the people.



The public will benefit from the revised land law once it is approved because it will provide them with a broader set of land rights, Bounty, a ranking official from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recently told RFA, without providing details.



Much of Laoss economic growth is generated through land concessions for natural resources, including timber, agricultural products, minerals, and energy, even though these come at a cost for those who lose their land and may not receive proper compensation.



Land grabs and the appropriation of public property to turn over to foreign and domestic companies are common in Laos, and villagers affected by them often refuse to speak out publicly because they fear retribution.



In an Oct. 23, 2017 speech to Laoss National Assembly, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that loopholes in Lao land laws must be closed to ensure that the interests of the countrys common people are not ignored as individuals and business groups scramble for wealth.



Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh for RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.Myanmar is gearing up to take back more than 2,260 Rohingya Muslim and Hindu refugees who fled to Bangladesh during a military crackdown in Rakhine state as its first group of returnees in mid-November under a bilateral repatriation deal made nearly a year ago, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday.

Soe Han, director general of the ASEAN Affairs Department at Myanmars Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said officials will process 300 returnees daily at the two reception centers in Taung Pho Letwe and Nga Khu Ya villages in northern Rakhines Maungdaw district.

Myanmar and Bangladeshs joint working group [on repatriations] held a meeting a few days ago and agreed to start the first repatriations in mid-November, he said.

Refugees arriving by boat will be processed at the Nga Khu Ya center, while those returning by land routes will be processed at the Taung Pyo Letwe center, he said.

The two reception centers are ready to accept them, said Ye Htoo, deputy administrator of Maungdaw district. We will hold them at the reception centers only overnight to fill out the necessary forms.

The Myanmar government is working on accepting more refugees than the number stated in the agreement it signed with Bangladesh last Nov. 23, Soe Han added.

The second group of returnees will include 2,000 refugees, government officials said.

Those set to return were among the 720,000 Rohingya who fled the 2017 crackdown amid a campaign of violence by the Myanmar military that included indiscriminate killings, torture, rape, and the burning of Rohingya communities.

Bangladesh originally sent Myanmar a list of names of 8,032 refugees, of whom Myanmar government officials verified about 6,000 as eligible to return.

The roughly 2,260 Rohingya refugees who will return in the first group are among the 6,000 verified refugees.

After the refugees are processed at the two centers, they will be sent to a transit camp in Hla Pho Khaung village for an unspecified amount of time before returning to their previous places of residence.

The transit camps 625 buildings, each with eight rooms, can house 30,000 people, Ye Htoo said.

The camp and both reception centers have health clinics, each with a group of 10 health care workers, said Than Tun Aung, deputy director general of Myanmars Ministry of Health.

We have to work very carefully while the government is working on the resettlement process for refugees, he said. We will examine all of [them], vaccinate children, and provide health care to pregnant women.

We will also provide urgent care at clinics and have ambulances to transfer patients to Maungdaw Hospital, he said.

Safety concerns remain

During a visit to Bangladesh at the beginning of November to discuss the repatriation program and to meet with Rohingya and Hindus from Myanmar who are living in refugee camps, Myint Thu, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pledged to begin the returns by mid-month.

Rohingya living in the camps in southeastern Bangladesh have demanded that Myanmar accept them as an official ethnic group and give them full citizenship rights before they return to northern Rakhine.

Human rights groups and the United Nations have warned that conditions in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the Rohingya are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and face systematic discrimination, are not ripe for their safe return.

More than 1,500 ethnic Rakhine Buddhists from Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung districts  the focal points of the 2017 crackdown  staged a street protest in Maungdaw on Nov. 4 against the resettlement of Rohingya refugees, Hong Kong-based Union of Catholic Asian News reported.

Yanghee Lee, the U.N.s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, appealed to Bangladesh on Tuesday to stop plans to start repatriating Rohingya refugees, saying that the Myanmar government had failed to provide guarantees that they will not again be subjected to persecution and violence.

I have not seen any evidence of the government of Myanmar taking concrete and visible measures to create an environment where the Rohingya can return to their place of origin and live there safely with their fundamental rights guaranteed, Lee said in a statement issued by the U.N.s human rights agency.

Lee has received credible information from refugees living in camps in southeastern Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar that they are deeply distressed about their names appearing on a list of those to be repatriated, the statement said.

Bangladeshs refugee relief and rehabilitation commissioner told Human Rights Watch last week that his country had selected the names of refugees on registration lists at random without consulting them to see if they wanted to return or to have their personal details shared with Myanmar officials.

A woman sleeps next to a baby on the floor of a makeshift camp for displaced Hindus at a disused soccer stadium in Sittwe, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Sept. 22, 2017. Credit: AFP Hindus struggle to survive

Meanwhile, more than 1,200 Hindus displaced inside Myanmar by the Rakhine violence have accused the Myanmar government, the U.N., and domestic and international NGOs of neglecting them by failing to provide enough support for their survival.

The displaced Hindus have been living in temporary huts behind Maungdaw districts administrative offices since fleeing their homes during the crackdown.

We had some food provided by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement for only a month and a half at the beginning, said displaced Hindu Maung Hla. After that, it stopped helping us, and no one else helped us for almost four months. We are in trouble.

A Hindu named Amina said the Rakhine state government gave them only 15 bamboo poles each to build huts, but the supplies were not enough to construct adequate shelters.

We had to find whatever we needed for our huts by ourselves, she said.

Myint Khine said that Myanmar officials do not want Hindu refugees to depend only on the governments help, but rather work for their survival.

But Hla Tun Kyaw, a lower house lawmaker from Maungdaw township, said the government should not ignore Hindu refugees who have been living together with local ethnic Rakhine Buddhists for a long time in the multiethnic state.

Hindu leaders said more than 290 families lost their homes in northern Rakhine state, though government officials have approved only 226 of them for new homes.

Myint Khine, administrator of Maungdaw township, said authorities will place all of them in 200 houses in the towns Myoma East Quarter, Shwezar village, and Kyein Chaung village by the end of November.

The houses in Myoma East Quarter and Kyein Chaung village have been finished, while the structures in Shwezar village are only half-completed, he added.

Hindus residing in northern Rakhine suffered violence at the hands of Muslim militants who invaded their villages and drove out or killed them following deadly attacks on police outposts that sparked the 2017 crackdown on Rohingya communities.

The militants detained nearly 100 people from several Hindu villages in the Kha Maung Seik village tract in August 2017, killed most of them, and dumped their corpses in mass graves. They also forced the young Hindu women to convert to Islam and took them to a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, the Hindus told reporters at the time.

International human rights groups have condemned the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) for its attacks on Myanmar police outposts and Hindu villages, while pointing out that Myanmar security forces backed by ethnic Rakhine villagers committed widespread atrocities against Rohingya civilians that came in response to the ARSA attacks.

Reported by Thiri Min Zin and Min Thein Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.Rohingya Muslim leaders appealed on Wednesday to a visiting U.S. State Department official to press the Myanmar government to grant basic rights, including citizenship and freedom of movement, to members of the ethnic minority group who live in the vicinity of Rakhine states capital Sittwe, a Muslim who was part of the group said.

Richard Albright, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state who is responsible for humanitarian assistance programs in Asia, is visiting the ethnically and religiously divided region with U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar Scot Marciel.

The Rohingya leaders told the two diplomats during a stop in Thet Kae Pyin village that the Myanmar government is focusing on providing National Verification Cards (NVCs) to the Rohingya, and they expressed a desire to see the delayed process for citizenship applications pick up speed, said Maung Maung, who participated in the meeting.

The cards are the first step before the scrutinization of citizenship in accordance with the countrys 1982 Citizenship Law, which defines citizenship based on ethnicity, thereby excluding the Rohingya, who are not included on the government's list of official ethnic groups. Though the NVCs do not guarantee citizenship, they allow holders to apply for citizenship at a later date.

The leaders also added that the government had said that recommendations by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by late former United Nations chief Kofi Annan are being implemented, though there have been few visible signs of this and authorities have been tightening travel restrictions on the Rohingya.

The advisory commission called for reviews of the countrys Citizenship Law and an end to restrictions on the stateless minority to prevent further violence in the beleaguered multiethnic region. The recommendations in the panels final report were issued in August 2017 after a year-long review of ethnic and religious strife in the western state.

The government of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who set up the commission, has said it has implemented 81 of the reports 88 recommendations.

Albright promised to raise the issue with Myanmar officials when he meets them in the capital Naypyidaw, Maung Maung said. There was no comment available from the U.S. delegation on the meetings in Sittwe.

The U.S. diplomatic team also met privately with members of the Arakan National Party, which represents the interests of ethnic Rakhine Buddhists who live in the multiethnic state, at the partys headquarters in Sittwe.

To fulfill one of the advisory commissions recommendations, Myanmar has been shutting down camps that house Rohingya displaced by violence in Sittwe district and in two townships, where members of the group were confined following waves of clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Muslims in the divided state in 2012.

A similar call

The call by the Rohingya leaders in Sittwe echoed demands made by a group of Rohingya leaders at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh a week ago during a visit by Myint Thu, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a letter handed to Myint Thu but addressed to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the Rohingya called for the Myanmar government to accept them as an official ethnic group and restore their full citizenship rights as two of several key conditions for their return to northern Rakhine under a repatriation program set to begin in mid-November.

They also called for the lifting of restrictions on their movement and on access to services such as health care and education.

The Rohingya maintain that they were recognized as an ethnic group in Myanmar with rights to full citizenship prior to the Citizenship Law.

In mid-November, Myanmar will begin taking back more than 2,260 Rohingya Muslim and Hindu refugees who fled to Bangladesh during a military crackdown in northern Rakhine state in 2017 as its first group of returnees under a bilateral repatriation deal made nearly a year ago.

The refugees were part of an exodus of 720,000 Rohingya who fled the crackdown, which the government deemed necessary to fight off attacks by Muslim militants in the region.

The U.N. and others have said that atrocities committed by the military amounted to ethnic cleansing and genocide, and they have further warned that conditions in the Buddhist-majority country, where the Rohingya are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and face systematic discrimination, are not yet ripe for the refugees safe return.

The U.S. is among a handful of countries that have imposed sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuses concerning the Rohingya.

In August, the U.S. imposed targeted sanctions against four Myanmar military and border guard commanders and two military units for their roles in ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya and human rights abuses against other ethnic minority groups.

The U.S. had previously blacklisted only General Maung Maung Soe, 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.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nandar Chann. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.Fifteen Vietnamese protesters handed jail terms for their role in mass protests in Bien Hoa city in June will go before a judge on Thursday to appeal their sentences, sources said.



The 15, part of a larger group of 20 convicted on July 30 on charges of disrupting public order, are the only members of the group to appeal their sentences, which ranged from eight months to one and a half years.



Speaking to RFAs Vietnamese Service on Wednesday, defense lawyer Dang Dinh Manh said the 15 are not guilty of the charges made against them.

They only held flags and banners, which read Against the cybersecurity law and the law on special economic zones, Manh said.

They simply expressed their opinions and did not disrupt public order. Our argument is that they are innocent, he said.



Meanwhile, Manh and two other lawyers representing the 15 protesters appealing their sentences were attacked on Tuesday, two days before the scheduled hearing, by an object thrown at their car that shattered a window on the vehicles right side, the Vietnamese rights group Defend the Defenders said on Nov. 6.



Nationwide protests



The June 10 protest in Bien Hoa was one of several held in cities and provinces around the country over two days to express public opposition to the proposed law that would grant 99-year leases for the economic zones to foreign investors.



Many feared that the leases would be snapped up by investors from neighboring China, with which Vietnam has had tense bilateral relations in recent years, in part due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.



Some of the demonstrations also focused on a proposed cybersecurity law that protesters said would limit free speech in one-party communist Vietnam, where dissent is rarely tolerated and public unrest is quickly suppressed.



About 100 people have been tried and convicted so far for their involvement in the protests, with more likely to be tried in coming weeks, Defend the Defenders said.



Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney.A rights group in Russia has brought to attention another alleged case of violence by guards against an inmate in a prison in Yaroslavl, the city that made headlines in July after the video of a detainee being beaten by prison guards caused a public outcry.

The Public Verdict NGO said on November 6 that its lawyer, Irina Biryukova, had obtained information that Yegor Grigoryev, an inmate at the Correctional Colony No. 2, was severely beaten recently and rushed to a prison hospital in another Yaroslavl penitentiary after guards allegedly broke his ribs and an arm.

It was not immediately clear when exactly he was beaten.

According to Biryukova, when Grigoryev said after the beating that he plans to file a complaint with the local prosecutors office, employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) threatened him and urged him not to complain.

However, Grigoryev filed a complaint, mentioning both repeated beatings and threats, the right group said, adding that on November 3, Grigoryev was transferred from the prison hospital to an unknown location.

Biryukova suggests that he may have been returned to the prison where he was beaten.

The Public Verdict group has officially asked the Investigative Committee to check the information.

It was Public Verdict that provided the Novaya Gazeta newspaper with a video in July that showed the beating of an inmate by at least 17 guards in another prison in Yaroslavl.

Fifteen guards from that prison have been arrested following the wave of public outcry after the video became public.EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says she is planning to host a new round of normalization talks between the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels on November 8, two days after Pristina announced its decision to impose tariffs on Serbian goods.



Kosovos move prompted anger in Serbia, where Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic accused Pristina of undermining the ongoing EU-mediated process to normalize relations with Belgrade.



The two neighbors have had tense relations since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Although more than 110 countries recognize Kosovo, Serbia does not.



Both Serbia and Kosovo have been told they must resolve their differences in order to make progress toward European Union membership. However, the EU-sponsored talks between the two countries' leaders have been stop-and-go in recent months.



At the planned Brussels meeting, Mogherinis office said on November 7 that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovar President Hashim Thaci were expected to confirm their readiness to intensify work to reach a legally binding agreement on comprehensive normalization.



On my way to Brussels for yet another difficult meeting with counterpart from Serbia, but a necessary one to achieve the final, comprehensive legally binding deal between Kosovo and Serbia, Thaci tweeted.





Only this will open EU perspective for our countries and ensure UN membership for Kosovo.

Amid talk of land swaps between Serbia and Kosovo, Vucic in September refused to hold face-to-face talks with his Kosovar counterpart in Brussels, casting new doubt over prospects for a landmark agreement between the countries.



In another sign of renewed tension in the region, Kosovos government on November 7 announced it had decided to slap a 10 percent tax on Serbian and Bosnian products in retaliation for what it said was the two countries' hostility toward the young republic.



Officials in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which also does not recognize Kosovos independence, blasted Pristinas decision, arguing that it violates the terms of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).



Bosnian Foreign Trade Minister Mirko Sarovic called the move "intolerable," while Dacic said Kosovos unilateral decision showed that Pristina is not willing to continue dialogue with Belgrade.



European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic called on the Kosovar government to revoke the new measures, saying they undermine regional cooperation and are in "clear violation" of the country's obligations under CEFTA.



The regional grouping, which comprises Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Moldova, aims at stimulating its members economic development and EU path.



With reporting by Balkan InsightWASHINGTON -- Preliminary unofficial results in the U.S. congressional elections show that Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans will retain control of the Senate.

The outcome from the November 6 elections underscores how divided Americans are about their government, and also poses a serious risk for the next two years of President Donald Trump's administration.

House Democrats are expected to open new investigations into White House decision making, including interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election.

In a post to Twitter late on November 6, Trump called the election results a tremendous success," while House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi -- who is likely to become the next House Speaker -- declared that "tomorrow will be a new day for America."

Underscoring the intensity of U.S. voters, early and same-day voting exceeded many past midterm elections.

Reports from U.S. news media, state election departments, and political experts predicted that Democrats would take more than the 23 seats they needed to take control of the House from the Republicans.

Predictions also showed that Republicans would take at least three Senate seats from Democrats, highlighting the overall mixed message to be drawn from the elections, which were widely seen as as referendum on the first two years of Trump's presidency.

There were scattered reports of problems in some places around the country, including long lines and malfunctioning computer scanners. Still, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told reporters that there was no indication of compromise to our nations election infrastructure.

Many pre-election polls had predicted that Democrats had a strong chance of taking control of the House. The Senate, however, had been widely expected to remain in Republican control.

In addition to restarting investigations into Trump's Russia connections, House Democrats are also likely to focus on the ethical problems some of Trumps Cabinet members have faced. That means the final two years of Trump's first term will likely be shadowed by a stream of bad news.

Nonetheless, Pelosi said Democrats will seek to cooperate with Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate in areas like infrastructure, where they share similar goals with the president.

"We will have accountability and we will strive for bipartisanship. We have all had enough of division," she said.

U.S. midterm elections usually draw fewer voters to the polls than presidential election, but this year the turnout was significantly higher than usual.

Even before polling precincts opened, a surge in early voting in many states highlighted how electrified the U.S. voters are about a range of issues -- first and foremost, Trumps presidency.

An analysis published November 6 by the Associated Press found that more than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states.

According to data compiled by University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, at least 44 states had exceeded their total number of early votes cast in the last midterm election, in 2014.

A coalition of some 100 groups monitoring polling irregularities said problems with voting machines had been reported in at least 12 states during the day.

Election Day Difficulties



Among the Election Day difficulties, long lines and defective voting machines were reported in the state of Georgia, site of a hotly contested battle for the governors post.

In Fulton County, which includes Georgia's largest city, Atlanta, unusually long lines of voters prompted a local judge to order three polling stations to stay open beyond the scheduled closing deadline.

A judge in another neighboring county also extended hours in three locations. And, in the city of Snellville, technical difficulties with voting machines forced dozens of people to wait in line for more than four hours to vote, with many laying on the floor until their turn to cast a ballot.

In New York City, broken ballot scanners caused delays at several locations. Lines at one precinct on Manhattan's Upper West Side stretched down the street and around a school gymnasium.



A judge in Porter County, Indiana, ordered 12 polling places in the region to stay open late after voting didn't start as scheduled. The cities of Houston, Sarasota, Florida; and Phoenix, Arizona, were among other locations reporting confusion at polling stations.



In addition to Congress, many states are choosing governors, and new members of state legislatures. Some states also were holding referendums on specific issues such as taxes, animal cruelty, legalizing marijuana, or increasing the minimum wage.

Colorado voters elected Democrat Jared Polis as governor, making him the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a U.S. state.

For his part, Trump and his wife Melania voted in New York State -- their primary residence -- via absentee ballot several weeks ago, according to the White House.



By all accounts, the election campaign has been rancorous to a degree not seen in years.

A strong economy and low unemployment would ordinarily be good news for a president and his party in midterm congressional elections, which occur every two years and are all called midterms when they fall at the midway point of a president's four-year term, like this year.



But Trumps hard-line approach to policy-making and social issues has dented the ability of Republicans to claim full credit for the strong economy.

Trump's job approval is also at a near-record low: 40 percent according to Gallup, which the pollster said was the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era.

On the eve of Election Day, senior U.S. security and intelligence officials issued a joint statement saying that so far "we have no indication of compromise of our nation's election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes."



The midterm campaign was roiled by a wave of attempted mail bombings, allegedly committed by a Florida man who regularly posted vitriolic statements on social media, and who appeared to be a staunch Trump supporter. A shooting massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 people on October 27 has also darkened the national mood; the gunman allegedly shouted anti-Semitic slurs as he opened fire.Media reports in Russia says that the acting mayor of Makhachkala, the capital of the North Caucasus region of Daghestan, has been detained after his office was searched.

News agencies quoted sources close to the regional government as saying that Abusupyan Gasanov was detained on November 7 on suspicion of abuse of office.

According to the unnamed sources, the search was linked to an investigation based on allegations of the illegal allocation of land for private needs in 2017-2018.

Gasanov, a former deputy mayor, became acting mayor after Mayor Musa Musayev was arrested in January on the same charges.

In February, Daghestan's Prime Minister Abdusamad Gamidov and acting deputy prime ministers Shamil Isayev and Rayudin Yusufov were detained on suspicion of misuse of federal funds allocated for social programs.

Last year, President Vladimir Putin for the first time after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 appointed an outsider, the chief of the ruling United Russia party's parliamentary group, Vladimir Vasilyev, as Daghestan's leader.

The appointment of Vasilyev, a police lieutenant-general and a former deputy interior minister, has been seen by many as an attempt by Moscow to tackle corruption in the volatile region.

Daghestan has been at the epicenter of a wave of violence by organized criminal groups linked to business turf wars, political disputes, clan rivalry, and the spread of militant Islam in recent years.

Based on reporting by Kavkazsky Uzel, TASS, and InterfaxFor the past two years, U.S. foreign policy has been roiled by Donald Trump's presidency as he questioned long-standing tenets of Washington's alliances and relationships.

Now it's about be roiled yet again as Democrats, having won control of the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives, are poised to wield more influence on foreign and domestic policy.

The way the U.S. political system is structured, the executive branch -- the White House -- is dominant where U.S. foreign policy is concerned.

But congressional legislators have the most influence where money is concerned, controlling the budget strings to fund war, diplomacy, and intelligence operations, among other things.

Democrats in the House will be able to determine what bills can be considered in the chamber, and will have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation. That may include harder positions on Russia, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere.

To be sure, the Democrats' victory in the House is counterbalanced by the Republicans' hold on the Senate, a hold that only tightened with the outcome of the November 6 vote.

At the very least, according to Marvin Kalb, a research fellow at the Brookings Institute and a former foreign correspondent, it may mean more confusion, and less coherence for foreign policy.

"There will be a great deal of talking, a great deal more of investigations, and meetings. But the more you have of those, the less chance there is of a formulated, counterargument, or counter-strategy that could be suggested to the president," he says.

David Wade, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State John Kerry, said in a commentary published before the vote that Democrats will have to lay out a vision of their own.

"The Democrats will have to define a foreign policy...navigating thorny issues that include articulating an alternative to Trumpism globally while still reconnecting with persuadable Trump voters who feel left behind by globalization," he wrote.

Ian Bond, who served as ambassador to Russia, NATO, and other posts in the British Foreign Office, says the U.S. midterms are seen in Europe as an indicator of where Washington is headed.

"Those in London, in Brussels who believe in the decades-old transatlantic relationship between Europe and North America are hoping that the midterms produce a Congress that values America's European allies and puts some limits on President Trump's ability to disrupt the transatlantic partnership," he said.

Here's a look at some foreign-policy issues that may or not shift in the new Congress.

Russia

Under Republican control, the two chambers of Congress had largely been united on the question of Russia going back to 2014, when Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and fomented separatism in eastern Ukraine.

The 2017 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions bill (CAATSA) was passed nearly unanimously by each chamber of Congress.

Under a Democratic-controlled House, that unity is unlikely to change. Representative Eliot Engel (Democrat-New York), an outspoken critic of the Kremlin and defender of Russia's beleaguered human rights community, is likely to take chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Another Russia critic, Adam Smith (Democrat-Washington), is likely to take over as head of the House Armed Services Committee.

Prior to the election, the Senate was already losing a key figure in the effort -- pushed by Republicans and Democrats alike -- to keep pressure on Moscow. Bob Corker (Republican-Tennessee), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, decided to retire rather than face a challenge in the primary election.

As the senior Republican on that committee, Jim Risch of Idaho is widely expected to succeed Corker. He is not considered to be as hawkish on Russia policy as Corker, or as the other Republican who has expressed interest in the chairmanship -- Marco Rubio of Florida. Risch is not known for challenging the White House, whereas Rubio ran against Trump in 2016 and may run again in 2020.

The Senate also lost one of its most authoritative voices on Russia -- John McCain (Republican-Arizona), who died in August. As the chairman of the chamber's Armed Services Committee, he also helped steer U.S. defense policy, including in Europe, where Washington has conducted a slow buildup of forces and equipment in response to Russian actions in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Chairmanship of that committee was taken over by James Inhofe (Republican-Oklahoma) following McCain's death, and he's expected to remain in that position. Inhofe has voted alongside his Republican colleagues in favor of CAATSA, but is not nearly as outspoken as was McCain.

Some Senate Democrats, including Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who barely won reelection, have pushed to ratchet up pressure on Russia by, among other things, making it harder for Russia to issue sovereign debt.

Little change, if any, is expected in the congressional approach toward Ukraine, which has had mostly solid backing from both Republicans and Democrats over the past two years. House Democrats may consider funding for more weapons supplies to Ukraine's armed forces.

Iran

The U.S. approach to Iran took a sharp tack to the right not long after Trump took office. Many Republican lawmakers, as well as many of Trump's top advisers, were deeply skeptical of President Barack Obama's approach toward Tehran, which included the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Many Democrats were supportive of the deal, under which world powers lifted crippling economic sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear ambitions.

Trump has since reimposed the U.S. measures dropped under the 2015 deal, and further targeted Iran's ballistic-missile program and involvement in the Middle East with what his administration has called the "toughest-ever" U.S. sanctions against Tehran for its actions in the Middle East.

Even with the Democrats in control in the House, given that the authority to impose economic and other sanctions falls primarily to the White House, Trump is expected to continue tightening the screws on Iran.

Still, as with other matters, House Democrats will be able to call in Trump advisers to testify and explain the administration's reasoning -- potentially under oath -- regarding Iran-related policy.

In Congress, Iran was included in the CAATSA legislation, and leading Republican senators such as Tom Cotton of Arkansas have endorsed the hard-line approach and pushed for even more punitive measures.

Still other Republican senators, such as Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, have been adamantly against any financing for any war effort that Trump's most anti-Iranian advisers may be pushing.

The White House And The House Of Saud

Saudi Arabia is Washington's closest Muslim ally in the Middle East, buying billions of dollars in U.S. armaments, keeping world oil markets stable, and playing an often behind-the-scenes role in the Middle East's conflicts.

But relations with the United States have been severely strained following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who was a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Khashoggi, who also had legal residency in the United States, was allegedly killed by a special team of Saudi agents after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Trump is facing bipartisan pressure to take action against Riyadh. Last month, 20 senators, Democrat and Republican, signed a letter to the White House suggesting that sanctions be imposed on Saudi officials linked to Khashoggi's killing under human rights legislation known as the Global Magnitsky Act.

As with other foreign-policy areas under Trump, relations with the Saudi kingdom have been managed largely through the White House; Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has had the portfolio over managing a large part of U.S. policy in the Middle East, and he cultivated close ties with Saudi leaders.

On the House side, expect Democrats to not only push the White House on the Khashoggi killing, but also pry deep into Kushner's dealings with the Saudi leadership and business leaders.

Meanwhile, the civil war in neighboring Yemen -- where U.S.-supplied jets are used by the Saudi Air Force to attack Iranian-backed Huthi rebels -- is increasingly becoming a humanitarian disaster. A growing number of lawmakers have spoken about reining in Saudi-led operations, including Engel, the likely next chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

A Democratic-led House could do myriad things to punish Riyadh, including voting to block arms deals or stymie any effort by the Saudis to reach a nuclear energy deal with the United States -- something that has reportedly been discussed in the administration.

Still, in a further indication that the administration's attitude to the Yemeni war may have already started shifting, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on October 31 called for participants in the Yemen war to agree to a cease-fire.

The Mueller Factor

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election -- as well as interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials -- is the darkest shadow hanging over the Trump administration.

Mueller took over an existing FBI investigation that was started four months before the November 2016 election and his continuing efforts have infuriated Trump.

To date, Mueller's team has netted seven guilty pleas or convictions and brought indictments against 26 more individuals and three Russian companies.

House Republicans have shown little inclination to buttress Mueller's probes. Some Republicans have asserted that Mueller's team is biased against Trump because, for example, some may have made campaign donations to Democratic political candidates in the past.

Under the leadership of Mike Conaway of Texas, House Republicans ended the Intelligence Committee investigation in March, concluding there was "no collusion" between Trump's election campaign and Russian officials. Democrats on the panel largely boycotted the findings.

That will change immediately under House Democratic leadership.

Representative Adam Schiff of California is expected to take over leadership of the Intelligence Committee, and with many House Democrats -- not to mention Democratic voters -- pushing hard for aggressive digging, he'll be under pressure to start subpoenaing witnesses and documents.

On the Senate side, the Intelligence Committee has worked more diligently, as the Republican chairman, Richard Burr of North Carolina, and the ranking Democrat, Mark Warner of Virginia, have forged a collegial relationship. Warner is expected to assume control of the panel; Burr's presence may or may not continue.

Regardless, the first test of the willingness of House Democrats and Senate Republicans to push back against Trump is expected to come within weeks. Trump has signaled he plans to fire, or push out, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who angered Trump when he recused himself from oversight of the Mueller probe.

If Sessions is forced out, the fate of his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, who does have authority over Mueller's probe, will also become an open question.

And if Trump moves to fire or otherwise pressure Mueller, House Democrats can be expected to initiate impeachment proceedings.WASHINGTON -- Democrats have won majority control of the House of Representatives, vowing to hold U.S. President Donald Trump accountable, while Republicans have retained their control of the Senate, according to official results from the November 6 midterm elections.

House Democrats were on track to gain more than two dozen seats in the 435-seat House, bringing an end to the Republicans' control over both chambers of the legislature and raising the likelihood that Trump will face increased pressure over the next two years.

That's because Democrats will have ways to check his executive powers -- including opportunities to block legislation and launch investigations into issues like Trump's tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest, and allegations of links between Trump associates and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence emerges that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia or that he obstructed justice.

But Trump can't be removed from office without a vote against him by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Late on November 6, Trump declared on Twitter that the vote was a tremendous success" in an election widely seen as a referendum on his presidency.

Despite the Republican loss of the House, Trump late on November 6 declared victory on Twitter where he described the results as a tremendous success" in an election widely seen as a referendum on his presidency.

"Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well. Those that did not, say goodbye!" Trump wrote on Twitter on November 7. "Yesterday was such a very Big Win, and all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!"

'Historic' Gains

With Republicans on track to expand their narrow majority in the Senate by at least two seats, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump called the Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "to congratulate him on the historic Senate gains."

Trump was scheduled to give a post-election news conference in Washington at 11:30 a.m. local time.

Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi -- seen as the likely next House speaker -- declared victory for Democrats in a speech late on November 6, saying "tomorrow will be a new day for America."

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans," Pelosi said. "It's about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration."

Still, Pelosi said Democrats will seek to cooperate with Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate in areas like infrastructure, where they share similar goals with the president.

"We will have accountability and we will strive for bipartisanship. We have all had enough of division," she said.

Trump Tweeted later on November 7 that if the Democrats plan to "waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," then Republicans "will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level."



"Two can play that game!" Trump said, without clarifying what leaks he was referring to.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 7 that relations between Russia and the United States cannot get much worse, but also suggested that prospects for improvement are hard to discern following the U.S. midterm elections.



Peskov did not predict that relations would deteriorate further. But, he said, "one can suggest with a high degree of certainty that, of course, rosy prospects for the normalization of Russian-American relations are not visible on the horizon."

U.S. midterm elections usually draw fewer voters to the polls than presidential elections, but this year the turnout was significantly higher than usual.

There were scattered reports of problems in some places around the country, including long lines and malfunctioning computer scanners.

Still, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told reporters there was no indication of "compromise to our nations election infrastructure."

In addition to U.S. congressional posts, voters in many states also cast ballots for governors and new members of state legislatures.

Democratic candidates flipped control of governors offices by winning in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Maine, and Nevada.

Democrats also retained the governors offices in California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Oregon, Hawaii, and Colorado.

In Colorado, voters elected Democrat Jared Polis as governor -- making him the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a U.S. state.

Republicans retained control of the governors offices in Iowa, Idaho, Vermont, Florida, Massachusetts, and South Dakota.

Some states were also holding referendums on specific issues such as taxes, animal cruelty, legalizing marijuana, or increasing the minimum wage.

With reporting by Mike Eckel in Washington, AP, Reuters, dpa, AFP, CNN-TV, NBC-TVDanish authorities say they have detained three members of an Iranian exile opposition group on suspicion of supporting terrorism.

Police said on November 7 that the trio was accused of having praised those behind a deadly attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz in September.

The suspects were held on preliminary charges. If convicted, they would face fines or up to two years in prison.

The three are members of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), an Iranian ethnic Arab separatist group that Iran has blamed for the September attack.

Late last month, the Danish PET security service accused the Iranian intelligence service of plotting to assassinate the leader of the group's Danish branch. Tehran denied the allegation, calling it a conspiracy aimed at damaging Tehran's relations with the European Union.

Danish police spokesman Bjoerke Kierkegaard said the three detained Iranian suspects were accused of praising the five commandos who attacked a military parade in Ahvaz on September 22, spraying the crowd with gunfire and killing at least 25 people.

ASMLA, which seeks a separate state for ethnic Arabs in Iran's oil-producing southwestern province of Khuzestan, has condemned the violence and said it was not involved.

A Norwegian citizen of Iranian background has been detained in Sweden in connection with the alleged Iranian plot to kill the opposition activist on Danish soil and extradited to Denmark. The suspect, who remains in pretrial detention, denies any involvement.

Copenhagen has recalled its ambassador to Iran for consultations and summoned the Iranian ambassador. Denmark said it was also consulting with its allies about possible sanctions against Tehran.

Kierkegaard said that ASMLA members remained under Danish police protection out of fears they still may be targeted.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and dpaItalian officials say they are working to help relocate a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan to a country where she and her family would be safe from death threats.

"We are working with other Western countries. We must do it discreetly and carefully," Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told an Italian radio station on November 6.

"I want women and children whose lives are at risk to be able to have a secure future, in our country or in other Western countries, so I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee that," he said.

Asia Bibi last week was acquitted of blasphemy charges by the Pakistani Supreme Court, but her case prompted three days of protests by hard-line Islamist groups demanding that she and the judges who ruled in her favor be put to death.

Authorities arrested hundreds during the protests, which produced gridlock in major cities in Pakistan. But in a deal to end the demonstrations, the government agreed to keep Bibi in custody pending an appeal of the court decision.

Salvini, a populist politician known for his hard-line stance against illegal immigration, said Italy does not blame Pakistan's government for Bibi's plight. "The enemy is violence, extremism, and fanaticism," he told the radio station.

"Obviously this goes hand in hand with rejecting illegal immigration, which otherwise risks bringing chaos to Rome or Milan," he said.

Salvini spoke after the Italian branch of Aid to the Church in Need, a Vatican organization which helps persecuted Christians, released a message from Bibi's husband.

"I ask and appeal to the Italian government to help me and my family leave Pakistan because we are in danger," Ashiq Masih was quoted as saying by the organization.

Masih said he has had trouble feeding his family because he fears being attacked if he leaves his place of hiding.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani -- an Italian- - tweeted that he invited Masih and his family to Brussels or Strasbourg to "discuss how I can concretely facilitate the release" of his wife.

"We have asked the Pakistani authorities to guarantee your safety and of those protecting you," Tajani wrote in a letter to Masih, promising his personal intervention in the affair.

Bibi was sentenced to death in 2011 by a district court in the central province of Punjab for allegedly committing blasphemy in a dispute with Muslim women while working at a farm. Bibi, who sat on Pakistan's death row for eight years, always denied the charges.

Meanwhile, Bibi's lawyer, who fled to The Netherlands earlier this week because of death threats, said on November 6 that he was seeking asylum there.

"I am waiting for an offer from the Dutch government," the Dutch news website NU.nl quoted lawyer Saiful Mulook as saying.

With reporting by AP, dpa, AFP, and Reuters

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has denied reports that Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was acquitted of blasphemy last week, has left the country.

Bibi was freed from prison on November 7, according to her lawyer, Saiful Mulook, and the president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani.

"Asia Bibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place!" Tajani tweeted on November 7. "I thank the Pakistani authorities. I look forward meeting her and her family, in the European Parliament as soon as possible."

Mulook was quoted as saying Bibi was being flown out of Pakistan with her immediate family but he did not know where they were going.

But Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal told the media on November 8. "There is no truth in reports of her leaving the country -- it is fake news."

Unidentified security officials said Bibi was released from a prison in Multan, a city in southern Punjab Province, and was flown to an undisclosed location in Islamabad for fear of attacks on her, according to the Associated Press and Reuters.

Bibi, whose real name is Aasiya Noreen, had spent eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad before the Supreme Court overturned her conviction on October 31, triggering violent protests by hard-line Islamists calling for her execution.

In a deal with the hard-line Tehrik-e Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party that ended the protests, the government on November 3 indicated that it would bar Bibi from traveling abroad pending a "review" of the Supreme Court's decision to acquit her.

Bibi, a mother of five, has denied the blasphemy charges against her.

Her husband, Ashiq Masih, has pleaded for asylum from Western countries, saying his family was in great danger in Pakistan. Her lawyer, Mulook, has fled to the Netherlands.

On November 6, Italian officials said they were working to help relocate Bibi to a country where she and her family would be safe from death threats.

"We are working with other Western countries. We must do it discreetly and carefully," Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told an Italian radio station.

Insulting Islam is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere rumor of blasphemy can lead to lynchings by mobs.

With reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and the BBCThe Russian government has approved regulation aimed at tightening control over popular anonymous messenger services by identifying users through their cell phone numbers.

The rules signed on November 6 by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev are the latest Russian measures to clamp down on smartphone messenger services like Telegram that authorities claim have been used by criminals and terrorists.

Mobile phone network operators will be required to confirm the authenticity of a user's phone numbers within 20 minutes. If a number cannot be verified, messenger services are required to block users from their platforms.

The Russian government will also require network operators to keep track of which messenger apps their users have registered for. The decree goes into effect after 180 days.

Over the past few years, Russia has adopted legislation aimed at curtailing Internet freedom and limiting data privacy. One of the laws requires mobile phone operators to store data on voice calls and messages for several months. Other legislation allows authorities to target activists by fining and even sending them to prison for social media posts.

In April, Russian authorities sought to block Telegram over its refusal to hand over keys to its data encryption. Telegram, which was developed by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov, had refused to share data.

In a battle to cripple Telegram's operations, the Russian communications watchdog blocked some servers owned by tech giants Google and Amazon, affecting millions of Russian websites.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax

MOSCOW -- Russian theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov is on trial in Moscow, facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted on an embezzlement charge he has called unfounded and "absurd."

After a two-week delay, the trial of Serebrennikov and three co-defendants in the so-called Seventh Studio case began at the Meshchansky district court on November 7.

"I am not guilty," Serebrennikov told the court.



"I have never stolen anything from anyone, have not embezzled, and never formed any...group except a theatrical one," he said, responding to the charge that he created a "criminal group."

Serebrennikov's arrest sent a chill through Russia's creative community, caused outrage in the West, and prompted accusations that the authorities were targeting cultural figures who are at odds with President Vladimir Putin's government.

Initially treated as a witness in an investigation targeting the Gogol Center theater, Serebrennikov was arrested in August 2017 and charged with organizing the embezzlement of 68 million rubles ($1 million) in state funds granted to Seventh Studio, a nonprofit organization he established, from 2011 to 2014.

The 49-year-old has been under house arrest since then, and in a show of defiance is now directing a Mozart opera production in Zurich, Switzerland, while confined to his Moscow home. The amount he and his co-defendants are accused of stealing from the state was increased to 133 million rubles ($2 million) in January 2018.

Reading out the charges, state prosecutor Oleg Lavrov said Serebrennikov and his three co-defendants "created a...criminal group with a clear distribution of roles" and "stole 133,237,000 rubles" in what he called "financial fraud of extremely significant proportions."

All four defendants -- Serebrennikov, producers Yury Itin and Aleksei Malobrodsky and former Culture Ministry employee Sofia Apfelbaum, have said they are innocent.

"The charges are not only absurd but actually unclear," Serebrennikov told the court. "You can understand the words but you can't understand the meaning."

Wearing thick-rimmed glasses and his trademark dark skullcap, Serebrennikov argued that he "stood aside from financial operations" at Seventh Studio, saying: "I do not understand them and they are outside of my competence."

A fifth person charged in the case, accountant Nina Maslyayeva, has pleaded guilty and has provided testimony used by prosecutors as evidence against the defendants. She is to be tried separately.

Supporters of Serebrennikov have called the case part of a politically motivated crackdown on the arts community ahead of the March 2018 election in which Putin, a longtime Soviet KGB officer who has been president or prime minister since 1999, won a fourth Kremlin term.

Serebrennikov in the past took part in antigovernment protests and voiced concern about the increasing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose ties with the state have gotten tighter under Putin.

The director was unable to attend the Cannes Film Festival premiere of his much-praised film Leto (Summer) in May 2018.

At an October 17 hearing, the judge in the case, Yelena Akkuratova, granted a prosecution request to extend house arrest for Serebrennikov, Itin, and Apfelbaum until April 3.

Malobrodsky was jailed until May 2018, when he was released for health reasons, but is barred from leaving Moscow.

With reporting by Current Time TV, Rapsinews.ru, RIA Novosti, and MeduzaThe car of a Russian human rights lawyer who is involved in cases against law enforcement agencies has been set on fire, a rights watchdog reports.

Lyudmila Aleksandrova, whose car was set on fire on November 4 near her house in the southern city of Krasnodar, is representing the only defense witness in the case of human rights activist Mikhail Benyash, Dublin-based Front Line Defenders said in a statement.

Benyash was arrested on September 9 in Krasnodar, where he went to provide legal assistance to participants in an unsanctioned protest against Russia's pension reform, it said. Benyash was beaten up by police and was sentenced for administrative offenses, and is currently facing allegations in two criminal cases.

Aleksandrovas client witnessed the ill-treatment of Benyash by police officers.

Front Line Defenders said it believes that the arson attack was in a reprisal for Aleksandrova's legal work in criminal and administrative cases against law enforcement agencies.

The group said Aleksandrova was also subjected to harassment between 2008 and 2016, and her license was withdrawn at one point following a criminal conviction for slander in connection to a complaint she sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin about police violence.



"Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned about the arson attack against the human rights defender Lyudmila Aleksandrova," the group said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has sought to cast doubt on a newspaper report alleging top-level corruption at Tactical Missiles Corporation, the state-controlled weapons manufacturer known as KTRV.

The independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported on November 7 that the 29-year-old daughter of the missile corporation's director owns a large stake in the business from which the state-controlled organization makes much of its supply purchases.

The report said that Olga Zorikova, daughter of KTRV Director Boris Obnosov, works as a makeup artist and hairstylist at weddings and fashion shows, but also owns 20 percent of TRV-Engineering through a complicated series of ownership structures under the Zvezda-Strela name.

In the past five years, it said, TRV-Engineering had signed contracts with KTRV worth about $91 million.

The newspaper cited a court ruling that indicates TRV-Engineering collects a 12 percent broker's fee for every contract with a KTRV-connected factory. It alleged that on one occasion, goods delivered to a defense plant proved to be counterfeit.

The 65-year-old Obnosov has frequently met with President Vladimir Putin and advised him on new weapons, the report said.

"It is his relatives and subordinates who get the billions of rubles that the state allocates for the production of the latest high-precision weapons," Novaya Gazeta alleged in its report.

Neither Obnosov nor his daughter has responded to the newspaper's request for comment, it reported.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on November 7 that the government was aware of the report and that law enforcement authorities will look into the matter "if it presents some interest to them" to do so.



Peskov did not comment on the substance of the report, but said that people should "retain sobriety and not...believe unsubstantiated declarations."

The Novaya Gazeta report also alleged that another 20 percent of TRV-Engineering is owned by Vladimir Maslensky, who is also a board member of KTRV. Maslensky has not responded to a request for comment from the newspaper.

KTRV, founded in 2002, develops and produces hypersonic weapon systems, aviation circuitry for air-to-air weapons, and naval armament systems for the Russian military.

Novaya Gazeta said its report was the result of a months-long investigation into public-source information on the activities of KTRV and affiliated companies.

With reporting by Novaya Gazeta, AP, TASS, and MeduzaWASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the regime of former President Barack Obama for Ukraines loss of its Crimean Peninsula, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014.

Trump made the comments during a wide-ranging and sometimes hostile news conference at the White House on November 7 to comment on the U.S. midterm election results.

When asked about his relations with Russia, Trump reminded reporters of the face-to-face meeting he had with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July.

The fact is I had a very, very good meeting with President Putin," he said. A lot was discussed -- about Syria, about security, about Ukraine.

About the fact that President Obama allowed a very large part of Ukraine to be taken [by Russia]," he added.

When a reporter stated that it was President Putin who annexed Crimea, Trump responded by saying, That was President Obamas regime. That was during President Obama. Right?

It was President Obama that allowed it to happen, he said.

U.S. and other Western countries criticized Moscow and imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Ukraines Crimea region in March 2013 and its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed more than 10,300 people since April 2014.

During the two leaders last meeting in Helsinki, Trump was widely criticized, by Democrats and Republicans alike, for not taking a harder line with Putin and for refusing to press him on several matters, including Russias alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

At the White House news conference, Trump reiterated that he had no meetings scheduled with Putin at the November 11 commemoration ceremonies in Paris marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

He also repeated that he will likely meet the Russian leader during a G20 summit in Argentina later this month.

In Moscow, the Kremlin said Russian and U.S. officials agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid causing a distraction during the WWI commemorations.

With reporting by APWASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump declared victory in the midterm elections, although rival Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives from his Republican Party and created a divided Congress for the first time in his administration.

Trump on November 7 said the Republicans defied history and had a big day in the elections, citing results that showed the party had increased its narrow majority in the Senate.

With some races still too close to call from the November 6 vote, results show that Democrats have taken the edge in the House. With 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-member chamber, Democrats have won at least 220 to the Republicans 193, with winners still to be determined in 22 races.

In the Senate, Republicans will hold their majority with at least 52 seats in the 100-seat chamber and could gain further seats with three races still too close to call. They held 51 seats in the previous Senate.

The party of sitting presidents generally loses support in Congress during midterm elections, sometimes in numbers larger than those recorded in this vote.

At his press conference in the White House, Trump blamed retirements and the media for losses in the House and called reporters "hostile."

Still, he called for Republicans and Democrats to cooperate on passing legislation in the new Congress.

"Hopefully, we can all work together next year to continue delivering for the American people, including on economic growth, infrastructure, trade, lowering the cost of prescription drugs," he told reporters.

"There's a lot of great things we can do together," he added during the news conference, which became heated at times between the president and some journalists.

The president said Republicans succeeded despite "very dramatic spending by rich Democratic donors and that history will really see what a good job we did in the final couple of weeks [of the campaign].

He also named and criticized Republicans who did not ask for his support or embrace him during the campaign and lost, saying to some of them, Too bad."

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi of California, set to become the House speaker when her Democratic Party takes over leadership in January, appeared to get the backing of Trump, who has long criticized the California lawmaker.

"In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen speaker of the House by the Democrats," he wrote on Twitter. "If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!"

During his news conference, Trump praised Pelosi and said he was looking forward to working with her on legislation, such as with infrastructure projects and health care.

Pelosi, currently the minority leader, appears to have enough votes to win the speakers seat despite the regular attacks by Republicans who have assailed her policies as too liberal. Even some Democratic lawmakers said before the midterms that they would not vote for her as speaker.

Pelosi served as speaker from 2007-11 as she became the first woman to ever hold that powerful position. The House speaker is second in the line of presidential succession after the vice president should something happen to a president.

In a victory celebration late on November 6, Pelosi said a Democratic-led House "will work for solutions that bring us together because we have all had enough of division.

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans. It's about restoring the constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration," said Pelosi, who is expected to hold a news conference at some point on November 7.

With the majority in the House, Democrats have vowed to serve as a check on the president and launch investigations Trumps tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest, and allegations of links between Trump associates and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election.

They will be able to call witnesses and subpoena administration officials for any investigation, something Republicans routinely refused to do as the majority party.

Democrats will also have ways to block Trump-backed legislation, such as tax cuts and major changes in U.S. health-care laws.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence emerges that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia or that he obstructed justice.

But Trump cant be removed from office without a vote against him by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Democrats could also provide further support for the separate investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 elections and possible interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials. Both Moscow and Trump deny the allegations.

Trump warned Democrats about excessive investigations, saying it would bring government to a halt. I would blame them, he said.

Earlier on November 7, he tweeted that if the Democrats plan to "waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," then Republicans "will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level."

"Two can play that game!" Trump said.

During the White House news conference, Trump assailed CNN reporter Jim Acosta, telling him to "put down the mic" and "just sit down" when he asked about the Russia investigation. A staffer grabbed the microphone from the reporter.

He also told an NBC reporter to "sit down" after asking a question.

U.S. midterm elections usually draw fewer voters to the polls than presidential elections, but this year the turnout was significantly higher than usual.

In addition to U.S. congressional posts, voters in many states also cast ballots for governors and new members of state legislatures.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, dpa, AFP, CNN, and NBCU.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned as the country's chief law enforcement officer at the request of President Donald Trump, throwing the future of the special counsel's Russia investigation into uncertainty.

The White House said Sessions resigned in a letter to Trump on November 7 and that the president had accepted his resignation as chief of the Justice Department -- a move that immediately raised concerns from Democrats, who called for protection for the probe conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called it a "blatant attempt" to undermine the Russia probe, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that "clearly, the president has something to hide."

The Justice Department has the ultimate authority over Mueller's investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election and interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials.

Russia denies meddling in the election, and Trump denies any "collusion" with Russia.

Sessions, a Republican and former Alabama senator, has been the focus of public attacks by Trump, who criticized him for recusing himself from the Russia investigation because of his role on the Trump campaign team before becoming attorney general.

Trump announced in a tweet that Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will become the new acting attorney general. Whitaker, a former Republican politician, has publicly called for limits on the Mueller probe.

As Sessions' deputy, Rod Rosenstein has been the authority over Mueller's probe, but multiple media outlets are reporting that he has officially been removed from oversight of the investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Justice Department said that the acting attorney general -- meaning Whitaker -- was in charge of "all matters" within the department, including the Russia probe.

Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler, who will likely become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee -- which has congressional oversight over the Mueller probe -- immediately responded to Sessions' resignation by demanding an explanation for the change.

"Americans must have answers immediately as to the reasoning behind" Trumps move to remove Sessions, he said.

"Why is the President making this change and who has authority over Special Counsel Muellers investigation? We will be holding people accountable," he tweeted.

Schumer called it "paramount" that Mueller's status be protected by the new attorney general.

The senator said he found the timing of Sessions' departure "very suspect" and suggested it would cause a "constitutional crisis" if Trump made the move as a "prelude" to limiting the Russia investigation.

He called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the Russia probe because of previous comments about the investigation, echoing calls from other top Democrats.

In her tweet, Pelosi, who is likely to become House speaker under the new Democratic-controlled Congress, wrote that "It is impossible to read Attorney General Sessions' firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by Donald Trump to undermine & end Special Counsel Mueller's investigation."

Earlier, at a White House news conference, Trump said the Mueller investigation was not good for the United States.

"It should end, because it is very bad for the country," Trump told reporters.

When asked if he would fire Mueller, as some critics have feared, Trump said, "I could have ended it any time I wanted, [but] I didn't."

"I could fire everybody right now, but I don't want to stop it because, politically, I don't like stopping it."

He said he was "not concerned about anything with the Russian investigation, because it is a hoax."

"They're wasting a lot of money, but I let it go on. I could end it right now," he added.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, MSNBC, and dpaTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Turkey will not honor renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil and shipping industries when waivers granted by Washington expire in six months.

"These are steps aimed at unbalancing the world. We don't want to live in an imperialist world," Erdogan told reporters in Ankara on November 6.

"We will absolutely not abide by such sanctions. We buy 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas. We cannot freeze our people in the cold," he said.

Washington reimposed the sanctions on November 5 after abandoning Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers.

Erdogan suggested he would discuss the matter when he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at a summit to commemorate the end of World War I in Paris over the weekend.

Turkey was one of several major Iranian oil customers that was granted a temporary waiver from the sanctions, enabling it to continue buying Iranian crude for another six months.

NATO member Turkey depends heavily on imports to meet its energy needs and neighboring Iran has long been one of its main suppliers of oil and natural gas.

Speaking in Japan earlier on November 6, Turkey's foreign minister said it would be dangerous to isolate Iran and it was not easy for countries like Turkey and Japan to find other suppliers for their fuel needs.

"We do not believe any result can be reached with sanctions. I think meaningful dialogue and talks are more useful than sanctions," Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

The United States is hitting Iran's economy with sanctions to try to force Tehran to further curb its nuclear activities and stop supporting allied militant groups in Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says that relations with the United States cannot get much worse, but also suggests that prospects for improvement are hard to discern following the midterm elections in the United States.

Dmitry Peskov spoke on November 7, after results from the U.S. election showed that the Democratic Party has won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives but President Donald Trump's Republican Party has retained control over the Senate.

"It would be hard to make [the relationship] much more difficult," Peskov told reporters when asked whether the results -- which had been widely predicted ahead of the November 6 elections -- could complicate Russia's ties with the United States. "Everything is pretty difficult as it is."

Substantial unity on sanctions against Russia over its interference in Ukraine and other actions is unlikely to decrease when the Democrats take control of the House in January. Representatives Eliot Engel and Adam Smith, both Kremlin critics, are likely to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, respectively.

Peskov did not predict that relations would deteriorate further, but said "one can suggest with a high degree of certainty that, of course, rosy prospects for the normalization of Russian-American relations are not visible on the horizon."

"But this does not mean that we are not seeking dialogue or don't want dialogue," Peskov said. "There are many issues that demand Russian-American communication -- the issues of strategic stability and arms control," he said. "These issues will not fade away [on their own] without a conversation."

Trump has repeatedly expressed hope for improvement in ties with Russia, which have been badly strained by disputes over issues that also include Moscow's military interference in Ukraine and the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. But his term has been clouded by investigations into the alleged Russian meddling and whether his associates colluded with Moscow during and after the campaign.

Trump faced widespread criticism for comments at a July 16 summit in Helsinki in which he suggested that he believed Putin's denials about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election that put him in office, contradicting conclusions by the U.S. intelligence community.

The Helsinki summit is the only full-scale meeting the two presidents have held since Trump took office in January 2017. Tentative plans for a substantive meeting on November 11, during ceremonies in Paris commemorating the end of World War I, have been abandoned.

A foreign policy adviser to Putin, Yury Ushakov, told journalists on November 7 that the United States and Russia have agreed that Trump and Putin "will talk only briefly in Paris. It will be a standing meeting."

One U.S. House lawmaker who has praised Putin and called for warmer ties with Russia, Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, lost his seat to a Democrat in a close race after nearly 30 years in the lower house of Congress.

With reporting by AP, TASS, and InterfaxUkrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko has submitted his resignation to President Petro Poroshenko amid public outrage over the handling of an investigation into an acid attack that killed anticorruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk, whose funeral was held the same day.

However, it remains uncertain whether Lutsenko will actually step down after Iryna Herashchenko, the first deputy parliament speaker, a day earlier said Poroshenko's governing coalition would not support his resignation and a later vote in parliament showed little support for his departure.

Larysa Sarhan, Lutsenko's press secretary, said the prosecutor's resignation letter was sent to the presidential office on November 7. Poroshenko has not publicly commented on whether he will accept the resignation and submit it to parliament for a vote.

Lutsenko had earlier said he would offer his resignation in order to eliminate concerns that he was "clinging to power."

Mustafa Nayyem, a prominent critic of the law enforcement authorities, called Lutsenko's resignation announcement a "lie" and a piece of politically motivated PR.

Less than five months before a presidential election, Lutsenko's surprise offer to resign added to the turmoil over the death of Handzyuk, whose assault underscored the risks faced by activists and journalists who challenge those holding power in Ukraine.

Handzyuk's death came amid a wave of attacks against Ukraine's civic activists, with rights campaigners claiming law enforcement agencies have failed to thoroughly investigate the cases and may even be complicit in some of the attacks.

Dozens of Ukrainian human rights groups and civic organizations have called for the resignation of the country's top law enforcement officials over the handling of the investigation into the case.

WATCH: A Ukrainian Activist's Deathbed Plea

Meanwhile, a public viewing of Handzyuk's casket and funeral services were held in Kherson, the southern city where the activist known for scathing criticism of police corruption was doused with sulfuric acid outside of her home on July 31.

The 33-year-old died on November 4 at a Kyiv hospital where she was being treated for burns from the attack.

Five suspects, including a police officer, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack, but authorities have not yet described a potential motive for the attack.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Lutsenko on November 6 as saying law enforcement agencies were looking into the possible involvement of 12 people suspected in ordering the attack.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Ukrayinska Pravda, the BBC, and UNIANMourners paid their respects to slain Ukrainian activist Kateryna Handzyuk in the Black Sea port city of Kherson. They laid flowers at Handzyuk's casket during a public viewing ahead of her funeral on November 7. The 33-year-old activist died three days earlier from wounds she suffered from an acid attack in July.The U.S. State Department says it is exempting Iran's big port project in Chabahar from sanctions in recognition of its importance to landlocked Afghanistan.

President Donald Trump's "South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," a State Department spokesman said on November 6.

Iran late last year inaugurated the port on the Indian Ocean, which is being built largely by India and is expected to provide a key supply route for Afghanistan while allowing India to bypass rival Pakistan to trade with Central Asia and Africa.

The State Department said it was carving exemptions from its sanctions on Iran's economy for the development of Chabahar along with an attached railway project and Iranian petroleum shipments to Afghanistan.

Iran has plans to link the port by railway through Zahedan on the Pakistani border up to Mashhad in the northeast, near the borders with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

"This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief," the spokesman said.

The U.S. sanctions had threatened India's ability to obtain financing for the development of Chabahar, which could potentially end Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistan's port of Karachi.

The effort to build up Afghanistan's economy is also aimed at reducing Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and putting a major dent in the illicit opium trade that has been a major source of revenue for the Taliban insurgency.

The United States has been building closer relations with New Delhi since the late 1990s and also temporarily exempted India from sanctions on Iran's oil sector which took effect on November 5.

The sanctions are intended to exert pressure on Iran to renegotiate its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Trump walked away from this year.

India has warm relations with Iran and has joined China and European powers in saying it was not obligated to comply with the unilateral U.S. sanctions, although it has sought to appease Washington by curbing some of its Iranian oil imports.

New Delhi has poured $2 billion into development in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban government. It sees the Chabahar port as a key way of both sending supplies to Afghanistan and stepping up trade with Central Asia and Africa.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Mexican navy intercepts vessel near Acapulco carrying ton of cocaine

Acapulco, Guerrero  The Navy of Mexico says they have seized a vessel and its cargo after it was found transporting drugs off the coast of Acapulco.

During a surveillance operation, an aircraft of the Mexican Navy saw a vessel with suspicious cargo. With support from ships, naval units and personnel, the boat was intercepted on a beach near the town of El Calvario, approximately 148 kilometers northeast of Acapulco, where the crew fled.

Photo: Secretaria de Marina-Armada de Mexico

In a press release, the Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico reports that personnel from the Eighth Naval Region based in Acapulco secured the small vessel which, after inspection, they found contained 19 bags with an estimated one-ton of cocaine.

Photo: Secretaria de Marina-Armada de Mexico

Naval personnel also seized two high-power motors and 42 50-liter drums of fuel from the boat.

The cocaine, fuel and boat were delivered to authorities.Were sorry

An error occurred while processing your request. The page you are looking for on this website is unavailable, has moved, or does not exist. We recently migrated content to collinsaerospace.com, and we encourage you to visit that site to find the product or service you are looking for.American Bridge 21st Century, the super PAC that grew out of David Brocks media watchdog of the left, has become the opposition research hub of the Democratic fundraising apparatus, following Republican candidates on the trail, rooting around their closets for skeletons and furiously pumping out snarky Web videos.

Representatives from the group are in communication daily with the top Democratic independent expenditure committees: Priorities USA, Majority PAC and House Majority PAC.

Our research helps to inform their polling; their polling helps us decide where we want to do our media hits, said Chris Harris, communications director of American Bridge 21st Century. Our existence means that they dont have to put trackers out there and they dont have to do research.

Much of the organizations most effective work goes on behind the scenes, as it quietly feeds material to reporters all over the country.

In August, Bridge videographers caught Nebraska Senate candidate and Attorney General Jon Bruning comparing welfare recipients to raccoons. The film yielded 26 news stories.VIRTUAL reality models showed how Boeings new 40 million factory can increase productivity by 50 per cent  even before it launched.

Simulation experts at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre calculated potential targets for the aircraft facility, which opened in Sheffield two weeks ago.

The new factory will produce components for Boeings Next-Generation 737 and 767 aircraft, with the aim of increasing efficiency and quality while reducing costs.

Dr Ruby Hughes, AMRC head of manufacturing intelligence (pictured), said: We created a work package to simulate the proposed workflow on the factory floor to validate productivity targets, examine any uncertainties and identify resources such as machines and materials required in a risk-free environment before the factory went live.

She said the project has already validated that Boeing will be able to increase productivity by up to 50 per cent in the future.

Tim Underwood, a manufacturing engineer at Boeing, said: This technology allowed us to look at whether we were investing in the right number of machines for the workshop floor.

It allowed us to check we had an adequate workforce and the resources available to support operations and identify any bottle-necks in production, saving us both time and money during the planning and construction phases of the new facility.TWO girls have been safeguarded from female genital mutilation (FGM) following a court order.

The interim FGM protection orders were granted by Sheffield Family Court to safeguard two girls from Rotherham following an application by South Yorkshire Police and its legal team, a spokeswoman for the police force said.

Under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, it is illegal for FGM to be performed in the UK.

It is also an offence for a UK national or UK resident to carry out FGM even outside the UK, or help and enable someone else to carry out FGM.

This applies even when the victim is taken to a country where this practice is legal.

If convicted, the perpetrator can face up to 14 years in prison.

The interim FGM protection orders give specific stipulations to those subject to the order about their behaviour and conduct, all intended to protect the girls from harm, said the police spokeswoman.

Failure to comply with the court order is a criminal offence and can result in a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Force lead for honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM, Det Insp Suzanne Jackson, said: FGM protection orders are a powerful and preventative means of protecting females from FGM.

It is a serious and violent crime, which we want to prevent happening, to safeguard victims from a lifetime of physical and psychological damage.

Harmful cultural practices are sadly still continuing in countries where this is seen as normal.

Parents are often faced with family and community pressure and isolation if they dont comply with FGM and mothers themselves have been victims as children.

Our aim is to intervene and ensure that this cycle of abuse does not continue.

Partner agencies will report to us where they identify a potential risk of harm and it is important that they continue to do this.

That way, we can work together to ensure children are safeguarded, parents are educated and sanctions are in place should the orders be disregarded.

The practise of FGM involves any procedure that removes part or all of the external female genitalia, or any procedure that involves injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

While it is thought that the practice predominantly takes place outside the UK, police believe it remains an under-reported crime.

Anyone wishing to report any concerns about FGM in South Yorkshire should contact 101.

Further information, advice and support is available by contacting the NSPCC FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550 or emailing fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

Alternatively, contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk, or visit the Daughters of Eve website at www.dofeve.org

You can also contact Karma Nirvana, a national charity that specialises in help and support for victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage, on 0800 5999 247 or Ashiana can be contacted on 0114 255 5740.We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America, Mr. Macron said on French radio. Europe is the main victim, Mr. Macron said, of Mr. Trumps decision to withdraw from the landmark 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty which prohibits the use of intermediate- and shorter-range rockets, as well as testing, producing or fielding new ground-based missiles. Tensions between European leaders and the U.S. have escalated at a time when the Trump administration has increased its defense spending in Europe.

Until now no significant merging of European forces has ever been achieved outside of specific European Union military missions. Previously, following Russias annexation of Crimea, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in March 2015 said the bloc needs its own military force to be taken seriously in international affairs. The EU has launched a fund for defense research. We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States, in a more sovereign manner, said Mr. Macron. France will remain the strongest and most vocal proponent of an EU army. On Tuesday, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas welcomed the French presidents ambitions. However, the European vision is not to achieve this right now. Under the new Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) initiative legislated for in 2009 and activated in 2017, 25 of the 28 European armed forces are in the process of stepping up cooperation between their militaries.Collecting data ethically means gathering enough customer information to glean insight  but not so much that it raises privacy concerns. How do you know how much data is too much?[CAPE TOWN] Improved housing with piped water and keeping animals out of the home may be the key to improving childhood nutrition, a study suggests.



According to the 2017 WHO Africa Nutrition Report, 58.5 million children suffered stunting being too short for ones age  in 2016. The WHO global targets include a 40 per cent reduction by 2025 in low weight-for height children under five years old.



This study highlights the critical importance of combining nutrition-specific interventions such as nutritional supplementation, with sanitary interventions, says study co-author Andrew Prentice, professor of international nutrition at the Medical Research Centre unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the Gambia.



Published in the journal BMC Medicine last week (1 November), the study analysed 230 children of Gambian staff living at the Medical Research Unit in rural Keneba between 1993 and 2009. The staff included scientists, physicians, laboratory technicians and fieldworkers and support staff such as cleaners. The population was chosen because of its diversity of wealth, education housing conditions and access to free health services.

This study highlights the critical importance of combining nutrition-specific interventions, such as nutritional supplementation, with sanitary interventions. Andrew Prentice, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Researchers assigned five socio-economic scores to the children and compared growth data which was routinely taken at the units clinic, and found that height-for-age outcomes were strongly predicted by the scores.



Not surprising, those with the lowest socio-economic scores had the shortest, most stunted children, and the gradient wasnt as big as wed expected, says Prentice. The group at the top, however, had the widest variation.



Half of children in this upper grouping lived in Western-style housing with running water, flush toilets and kept animals out of the home. The other half lived within the village without similar amenities.



Comparisons of these children showed that those living in Western-style houses grew well with no incidents of stunting or underweight. Children in the village fared less well, with below average height and weight.



Based on this, researchers suggest a very high socio-economic and hygienic threshold before rates of stunting and underweight can be eliminated. We speculate the key issue is piped water and keeping animals out of the home, says Prentice.



Keeping animals such as poultry, which can be disease carriers, free range in the home can contribute to childhood diseases that exacerbate malnutrition, Prentice explains.



We need investment in infrastructure, including water supply, and investment in populations economic development to improve stunting and childhood growth, he adds.



Doug Momberg, doctoral fellow at the Development Pathways for Health Research Unit at the University of the Witwaterstrand in South Africa, says that context and cultures vary significantly on the African continent.

But he explains that policymakers would benefit from integrating the studys findings into their policies and implementation plans to better articulate and address the intricacies of water, sanitation and hygiene in various contexts.Targeted research on the governance of WASH [water, sanitation and hygiene] in relation to health-related outcomes is imperative to address the burden of child undernutrition, Momberg says.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.Here's another reason you might be exhausted after that preschool birthday party: Your brain had to work to figure out who actually asked for more ice cream.

"What we found with two-and-a-half-year-olds is that it's amazingly hard for adults to identify who's talking," said Angela Cooper, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto.

Cooper's co-authored research will be presented in the poster session at the Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week in Canada, Nov. 5-9 at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, Canada.

The study, with University of Toronto professor Elizabeth K. Johnson and postdoctoral researcher Natalie Fecher, used a space alien interactive game created by Cooper to elicit recordings from over 50 native English-speaking Toronto-area two-and-a-half-year-old children individually saying 32 common words like tree, dog, ball and elephant. The same words were recorded by the children's mothers.

In the experiment, University of Toronto undergraduate students aged 18-25 each listened to 80 pairs of words spoken by 20 of the children and indicated whether the words were spoken by the same or a different individual. They did the same for 20 of the adult voices.

"Listeners were significantly worse at telling apart child voices relative to adult voices," Cooper said. Participants correctly identified different adult voices 65 percent of the time, but only about 40 percent of the time with the squeaky preschooler voices.

"I find it particularly interesting that the participants' ability to identify adult voices was not related to their ability to identify children's voices," Cooper said. "You're maybe using different information or you're processing things slightly differently when you're listening to an adult voice versus when you're listening to a child's voice."

In a second stage of the study, the researchers found that after a training session that included listening to just four different child and four different adult voices, participants had improved voice identification skills, though the improvement was less for children's voices than adult voices.

"Part of this training process is retuning what speech cues we need to pay attention to," she said. "Often children have particular mispronunciations. Some kids will say 'poon' instead of spoon, or elephant becomes 'ephant'. We might be actually cuing in to which child makes different kinds of errors."

In one of a series of follow-up studies, the researchers are using pupillometry, a measure of pupil dilation, to quantify adult cognitive effort involved in trying to differentiate between the voices of two-and-a-half-year-old children.

As for the next kids' birthday party?

"What I'd like to say to parents is that with exposure it does get easier over time," Cooper said.Mount Sinai researchers have developed a novel type of immunotherapy based on innovative nanotechnology that induces long-term organ transplant acceptance in mice. Their study, published in the November 6 online issue of Immunity, could transform patient care and help to overcome barriers that prevent successful long-term transplant outcomes.

"Our findings and the development of a novel nano-immunotherapy platform represent a revolutionary approach to prevent organ transplant rejection," said co-lead investigator Jordi Ochando, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Oncological Sciences, Pathology, and Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "If this can be successfully translated to the clinic, this may eliminate the need for lifelong, continuous immunosuppressive medication and provide a promising solution for successful organ transplantation."

The body rejects transplants because of innate immune cells known as myeloid cells, which initiate the immune response by activating T-cells that attack the transplanted organ. To suppress this immune response, organ recipients must take medication that suppresses the T-cells activity. But these drugs break down the patients' immune systems, putting them at risk of infection and cancer. Also, organ recipients must take more than a dozen pills daily for the rest of their lives.

A team of researchers from Mount Sinai's Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute (TMII) and investigators from across the world identified trained immunity (an activation state of myeloid cells) as playing an important role in organ rejection.

The Mount Sinai researchers then developed a nano-immunotherapy that directly targets myeloid cells without affecting T-cells, and inhibits trained immunity. When the transplant takes place, the nano-immunotherapy immediately prevents myeloid cells from being activated. That eliminates the triggering of T-cells, so they cannot attack the transplanted organ and cause organ rejection and results in the preservation of T-cell function. Normal T-cell function is important for the body's defense against infections and cancer.

"Instead of suppressing the effects of organ transplantation (activated T-cells), we are preventing the cause (myeloid cell activation) in a highly specific yet short-term fashion. It's a completely different approach that can be employed to other conditions that are characterized by maladaptive trained immunity, such as autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases," said co-lead investigator Willem J.M. Mulder, PhD, Professor of Radiology and Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director of the Nanomedicine Program at TMII. "We hope in time this could be the standard care for organ transplant recipients, eliminating the need for medication and further treatment. It may increase the success rate of organ transplantation and makes it safer and easier process for patients."

Investigators tested this nano-immunotherapy on mice undergoing heart transplants using a very short-term regimen, and did not give these mice standard anti-rejection drugs. The researchers compared those mice with different groups, including mice that underwent heart transplants and were given no nano-immunotherapy or common anti-rejection drugs, and mice that had heart transplants without nano-immunotherapy, but with consistent anti-rejection medication long-term. One hundred days after the procedure, 75 percent of mice in the first group (with nano-immumotherapy but no standard anti-rejection drugs) accepted the heart transplant. All animals that received no nano-immunotherapy treatment or standard anti-rejection medication rejected the transplant before day 10. All mice with only the standard anti-rejection therapy rejected the transplant within 50 days.

Mount Sinai investigators are evaluating similar nano-immunotherapy approaches in different cardiovascular disease models and initial results are very promising.

"For the past two years, we have been working very intensively towards developing a program for clinical translation of our nano-immunotherapy. With the strong support of the Mount Sinai leadership and Mount Sinai Innovation Partners, we hope to achieve our goal of patient trials within five years," said Zahi Fayad, PhD, Director, TMII, Professor, Medical Imaging and Bioengineering, Radiology, and Medicine (Cardiology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Researchers from MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed a predictive model that could guide clinicians in deciding when to give potentially life-saving drugs to patients being treated for sepsis in the emergency room.

Sepsis is one of the most frequent causes of admission, and one of the most common causes of death, in the intensive care unit. But the vast majority of these patients first come in through the ER. Treatment usually begins with antibiotics and intravenous fluids, a couple liters at a time. If patients don't respond well, they may go into septic shock, where their blood pressure drops dangerously low and organs fail. Then it's often off to the ICU, where clinicians may reduce or stop the fluids and begin vasopressor medications such as norepinephrine and dopamine, to raise and maintain the patient's blood pressure.

That's where things can get tricky. Administering fluids for too long may not be useful and could even cause organ damage, so early vasopressor intervention may be beneficial. In fact, early vasopressor administration has been linked to improved mortality in septic shock. On the other hand, administering vasopressors too early, or when not needed, carries its own negative health consequences, such as heart arrhythmias and cell damage. But there's no clear-cut answer on when to make this transition; clinicians typically must closely monitor the patient's blood pressure and other symptoms, and then make a judgment call.

In a paper being presented this week at the American Medical Informatics Association's Annual Symposium, the MIT and MGH researchers describe a model that "learns" from health data on emergency-care sepsis patients and predicts whether a patient will need vasopressors within the next few hours. For the study, the researchers compiled the first-ever dataset of its kind for ER sepsis patients. In testing, the model could predict a need for a vasopressor more than 80 percent of the time.

Early prediction could, among other things, prevent an unnecessary ICU stay for a patient that doesn't need vasopressors, or start early preparation for the ICU for a patient that does, the researchers say.

"It's important to have good discriminating ability between who needs vasopressors and who doesn't [in the ER]," says first author Varesh Prasad, a PhD student in the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology. "We can predict within a couple of hours if a patient needs vasopressors. If, in that time, patients got three liters of IV fluid, that might be excessive. If we knew in advance those liters weren't going to help anyway, they could have started on vasopressors earlier."

In a clinical setting, the model could be implemented in a bedside monitor, for example, that tracks patients and sends alerts to clinicians in the often-hectic ER about when to start vasopressors and reduce fluids. "This model would be a vigilance or surveillance system working in the background," says co-author Thomas Heldt, the W. M. Keck Career Development Professor in the MIT Institute of Medical Engineering and Science. "There are many cases of sepsis that [clinicians] clearly understand, or don't need any support with. The patients might be so sick at initial presentation that the physicians know exactly what to do. But there's also a 'gray zone,' where these kinds of tools become very important."

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Co-authors on the paper are James C. Lynch, an MIT graduate student; and Trent D. Gillingham, Saurav Nepal, Michael R. Filbin, and Andrew T. Reisner, all of MGH. Heldt is also an assistant professor of electrical and biomedical engineering in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a principal investigator in the Research Laboratory of Electronics.

Other models have been built to predict which patients are at risk for sepsis, or when to administer vasopressors, in ICUs. But this is the first model trained on the task for the ER, Heldt says. "[The ICU] is a later stage for most sepsis patients. The ER is the first point of patient contact, where you can make important decisions that can make a difference in outcome," Heldt says.

The primary challenge has been a lack of an ER database. The researchers worked with MGH clinicians over several years to compile medical records of nearly 186,000 patients who were treated in the MGH emergency room from 2014 to 2016. Some patients in the dataset had received vasopressors within the first 48 hours of their hospital visit, while others hadn't. Two researchers manually reviewed all records of patients with likely septic shock to include the exact time of vasopressor administration, and other annotations. (The average time from presentation of sepsis symptoms to vasopressor initiation was around six hours.)

The records were randomly split, with 70 percent used for training the model and 30 percent for testing it. In training, the model extracted up to 28 of 58 possible features from patients who needed or didn't need vasopressors. Features included blood pressure, elapsed time from initial ER admission, total fluid volume administered, respiratory rate, mental status, oxygen saturation, and changes in cardiac stroke volume -- how much blood the heart pumps in each beat.

In testing, the model analyzes many or all of those features in a new patient at set time intervals and looks for patterns indicative of a patient that ultimately needed vasopressors or didn't. Based on that information, it makes a prediction, at each interval, about whether the patient will need a vasopressor. In predicting whether patients needed vasopressors in the next two or more hours, the model was correct 80 to 90 percent of the time, which could prevent an excessive half a liter or more of administered fluids, on average.

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"The model basically takes a set of current vital signs, and a little bit of what the trajectory looks like, and determines that this current observation suggests this patient might need vasopressors, or this set of variables suggests this patient would not need them," Prasad says.

Next, the researchers aim to expand the work to produce more tools that predict, in real-time, if ER patients may initially be at risk for sepsis or septic shock. "The idea is to integrate all these tools into one pipeline that will help manage care from when they first come into the ER," Prasad says.

The idea is to help clinicians at emergency departments in major hospitals such as MGH, which sees about 110,000 patients annually, focus on the most at-risk populations for sepsis. "The problem with sepsis is the presentation of the patient often belies the seriousness of the underlying disease process," Heldt says. "If someone comes in with weakness and doesn't feel right, a little bit of fluids may often do the trick. But, in some cases, they have underlying sepsis and can deteriorate very quickly. We want to be able to tell which patients have become better and which are on a critical path if left untreated."

The work was supported, in part, by a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, the MIT-MGH Strategic Partnership, and by CRICO Risk Management Foundation and Nihon Kohden Corporation.Financial institutions, such as banks and pension funds, have a key role to play in efforts to avoid dangerous climate change. And it is not only about redirecting investments to renewable energy and low-carbon businesses, but also to bolster the resilience and stability of the Brazilian Amazon and boreal forests in Russia and Canada, two known 'tipping elements' in the Earth system. Such tipping elements have also been referred to as 'Sleeping Giants', because once "awakened" they can have pivotal impacts on the global climate by becoming large-scale emitters of carbon dioxide, as opposed to storing carbon in soil and vegetation.

This is the message of a new study published in the latest issue of Global Environmental Change.

"In contrast to standard approaches in green finance, we elaborate the ways in which financial actors are linked to economic activities that modify large ecosystems of key importance for stabilizing the planet's climate," explains author Victor Galaz, deputy director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.

The article is based on a study done by a team of researchers from the Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere programme (GEDB) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, the Australian National University and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

"Our research allows us to identify a small set of international financial players who can influence climate stability through their ownership of stock in economic sectors that modify both the Amazon rainforest and boreal forests," says co-author Beatrice Crona, Executive Director of GEDB and researcher at Stockholm Resilience Centre.

These financial institutions are denoted "Financial Giants" in the new study that also explores how incentives and disincentives currently influence their potential to bolster or undermine the stability of the climate.

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"The study is the first of its kind to link data on global investors and the science on tipping points in the Earth system," says co-author Will Steffen from the Australian National University in Canberra.

The pivotal role of investors

In recent decades, scientists have begun to use the term 'tipping elements' or 'Sleeping Giants' to describe a limited number of biomes and processes on the planet that are exceptionally important for maintaining global climate stability. These biomes and processes can change rapidly when human pressures reach a critical level. The new study makes explicit the links between stock ownership, global institutional investors and two of these tipping elements: the Amazon rainforest and the boreal forests of Russia and Canada.

"We focus on these forested areas because they represent tipping elements that are highly vulnerable to tipping in the next few decades, and where the financial sector plays a crucial role," explains Victor Galaz.

This implies that the financial system can provide an important lever to help ensure the stability of these tipping elements in the near term and the long term.

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The study concludes that the Amazon rainforest, boreal forests and other tipping elements are now systemic risks for the global financial system. If the internal dynamics of these large regions change, leading to the emission of large volumes of carbon into the atmosphere from soils and vegetation, then stabilizing the climate in the future will become significantly more difficult, in turn affecting financial stability.

A handful of stockholders

As the study shows, financial investments are already today contributing to economic activities that are pushing some Sleeping Giants towards their tipping points. For example, investors provide capital to, or own shares in, companies that produce soy, beef, timber and other commodities that require extensive deforestation and forest degradation.

The authors find that a handful of stockholders own substantial shares across the largest companies in the most significant sectors. The total holdings of these investors reach above the 10% threshold in three out of eight companies in the Amazon, five out of sixteen in Canadian boreal forests, and three out of five in Russian boreal forests, they write.

These institutional investors with a global reach are called 'Financial Giants' by the authors because they have a great but unrealized power to influence the resilience of several of the planet's 'Sleeping Giants'.

"Investors have several means at their disposal to influence the companies in their portfolio: They can require explicit targets to be met regarding reforestation and rehabilitation, as well as protecting and improving biodiversity. They also can credibly threaten to divest from the companies in case the interests and objectives would be too far apart. Next to reputational damage, this may affect the cost of equity for the divested firms," says Bert Scholtens from the University of Groningen.

In conclusion, the study emphasises that finance cannot be made solely responsible for a transition to climate sustainability, but the sector plays a critical role. More responsible leadership could contribute meaningfully to better management of these large forests, and hence contribute to climate stability.Common sight along road sides in south Cameroon and western Gabon, and growing in hard-to-be-missed dense colonies, it remains a mystery how this locally useful new palm species Raphia zamiana (locally known as "Zam") has been missed by botanists until now, with its first collection dating to 2012. The overlooked giant has been recently described in the open access journal PhytoKeys, alongside a shy and rare endemic from the same genus.

Curiously, it might have been exactly the large size of Raphia zamiana that has discouraged botanists from collecting and cataloguing this species, according to the multinational team of researchers from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, National Herbarium of Gabon, Gabon, the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques -- Ville de Geneve, Switzerland, the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France.

While this theory might sound strange at first, it is plausible, given that a single leaf of this large palm can reach up to 21 meters long and forms dense colonies in swampy areas. Large leaves are not uncommon among the representatives of, what is known as the most diverse genus of African palms, Raphia, with one species, R. regalis, having leaves up to 25 meters, a record in the plant kingdom!

Newly described and named to science, this species is, just like many other representatives of the genus, well-known and heavily used across its range. Uses, of what is locally known as "Zam" include: timber, locally referred to as "bamboo," used for construction, and fruits -- for consumption and medicine. Finally, Zam is also used for wine tapping in certain parts.

"It is indeed incredible that such a large and useful palm has remained unknown to science until now," comments author Thomas Couvreur, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France..

"This curious fact, however, underlines a bigger problem. While biodiversity is being destroyed at unprecedented rates, we still have a lot to discover and describe, even species that are common, well known and useful. This comes as a surprise to many people and underlines how much remains to be discovered in the tropics. Scientifically describing species, especially useful ones, is very important, as it "puts then on the map," which allows them to be studied and managed. In this sense, field work remains key.," concludes Thomas Couvreur.

The need to further study and conserve this group of palms is evidenced by a second newly described species in the same PhytoKeys paper. Named after its country of origin, Raphia gabonica, is restricted to only two small populations from central Gabon, where it occurs on hillsides and along small rivers.

Right upon description, R. gabonica is already threatened by extinction. It was assigned a preliminary IUCN status of "Endangered," because it is found in small unprotected pockets of forest along roadsides. It is now amongst the five most threatened palm species for the whole of Africa.

"Our study shows that, despite their economic and cultural importance across tropical Africa and for Africans, we still know too little about Raphia palms. This is very paradoxal and a gap that we need to fill, quickly" adds University of Yaounde PhD student Suzanne K Mogue.

"We hope that our amazing discoveries continue to stimulate further botanical studies and promote conservation efforts across Cameroon, Gabon and central Africa in general," concludes Professor Bonaventure Sonke of the University of Yaounde.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The former Army infantryman who killed three staff members and himself at a rehabilitation center for war veterans in Yountville entered through the buildings back loading dock carrying a shotgun and a semiautomatic rifle and wearing safety glasses and ear protection, the California Highway Patrol said.

In a brief synopsis of its investigative report, released Tuesday, the CHP suggested Albert Wong acted quickly and deliberately when he attacked Pathway Home on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville just after 10 a.m. on March 9. Wong had been a client at the center.

On the second floor of Madison Hall, Wong entered a room where a small gathering of Pathway Home staff was taking place, the CHP said. Wong ordered the veterans to exit the room, and one of the staff members in the room dialed 911 and reported an active shooter incident.

Wong ordered all staffers to leave except three women  clinical psychologist Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, who was seven months pregnant, clinical director Jennifer Golick and Executive Director Christine Loeber  whom he took hostage, the report said.

Soon after, a Napa County sheriffs deputy entered the center and exchanged gunfire with Wong. Wong then killed the three clinicians before turning one of his guns on himself. He acted alone, the CHP said.

The Napa County district attorneys office said this week that its review of the evidence in the case led it to conclude that the officers actions were legally justified, because he feared for the lives of the women being held hostage and his own life.

The CHPs full report has yet to be released. While the agency gave some detail, it left much unknown, including what it found about security at the veterans center and about Wongs motives.

While many people still grieve and are still processing this incident, even though it was many months ago, this report does answer some additional questions, said Pathway Home spokesman Larry Kamer. We hope to find some closure and some comfort to people who really are looking for answers on what happened on March 9.

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.

Wong, a Sacramento resident, had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at Pathway Home but was separated from the program shortly before the killings, the center said.

Military records show Wong was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army from April 2011 to March 2012, with the rank of specialist E4. He was in active service from May 2010 to August 2013 and previously was in the Army Reserve from 1998 to 2002.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Pathway Home announced it would not reopen. On Aug. 31, the nonprofit center terminated its lease at the state-run campus, where it had treated more than 500 veterans since it was founded a decade ago.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnnSan Francisco voters passed Proposition C by a wide margin Tuesday night, turning on a fountain of tax money to pay for expanded homelessness programs starting next year. But those programs are going to have to wait a while  possibly years.

On Wednesday, Controller Ben Rosenfield sent a letter to Mayor London Breed and the Board of Supervisors indicating that the city wont spend the hundreds of millions of dollars Prop. C would bring in annually until a prickly legal dispute is resolved. The tax money will be collected, but it will sit in reserve.

After a contentious campaign that drew national attention, the measures success is now largely out of its supporters hands. Unlocking up to $300 million a year to combat the citys enduring homelessness crisis now rests with City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

The legal uncertainties prompting Rosenfields decision stem from a lawsuit over a June ballot measure that sought to bring in about $146 million a year for child care services and early education by raising taxes on commercial rents. It was also designated Proposition C.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a coalition of commercial property owners sued the city in August, claiming that the simple-majority voter threshold used to pass the child care measure violated the state Constitution.

For more than two decades, since voters approved Proposition 218, passing a new tax measure where the proceeds are used for specific purposes has required a two-thirds majority. But last year, a memo from the city attorneys office interpreting a recent state Supreme Court ruling argued that proposed tax measures put on the ballot by citizens  and not government officials  required only a simple majority to pass. On Tuesdays ballot, Prop. C required 50 percent plus one vote to pass.

The San Francisco Department of Elections had about 139,000 ballots left to count as of Wednesday morning. Prop. C, which was at 60 percent yes votes, would need to pick up nearly seven more percentage points to be insulated from a similar legal challenge. That appeared unlikely.

To date, the city attorneys rationale around the simple-majority voter thresholds has been applied to the child care and homelessness measures and Proposition G, another initiative from the June election that would generate $50 million a year to boost teachers salaries by levying a $298 parcel tax.

In September, Herrera made a pre-emptive strike to get the courts to validate the use of the simple-majority threshold to pass Prop. G  before anyone decided to file a lawsuit over that measure, too. Because the cases are somewhat intertwined, if the courts side with Herrera over Prop. G, it would provide ammunition in the citys defense against the taxpayers association.

Rosenfield has taken a similar tack on the child care measure and Prop. G. Conservatively, that means that up to $500 million in annual revenue flowing from voter-approved ballot measures could be entangled in legal proceedings for years.

Spending the money brought in from any of the ballot measures would be highly risky: If the courts disagree with Herreras memo, the city would be forced to pay back the money out of its general fund.

Herrera remains sanguine about his chances in court.

San Francisco is confident that when voters exercise their constitutional rights of direct democracy to place an initiative on the ballot, a simple majority vote is required for approval, he said in an email sent by a spokesman.

The California Supreme Court clarified ... that certain restrictions bind local officials but do not bind the voters themselves. A two-thirds majority is required when local officials  not the voters  place an initiative on the ballot. Proposition C was placed on the ballot by the voters. We take our duty to protect the will of the voters very seriously. A clear majority of voters passed Proposition C, and we will defend their decision in court, he said.

Breed, who had opposed Tuesdays Prop. C, took an upbeat tone Wednesday as she toured the citys newly opened Bayshore Navigation Center.

She said she had spoken with representatives of both sides of Prop. C after its win, and that although it appears its funding will be tied up for at least a while, she would like both sides input into how to move forward  with or without the new $300 million a year.

Its clear the voters have spoken, she said. Theres no doubt we all want to address the serious challenge of homelessness, and my goal is to bring all the stakeholders together, because ultimately we all want the same things.

Unfortunately, I dont know what the answers are on the legalities, she said. There is still some uncertainty, but we cant wait for Prop. C to move forward. The election is over, and now its time to address this issue, talk about real solutions.

She said part of those conversations will involve regional approaches to providing housing and services, and that she has already spoken extensively with the mayors of San Jose and Oakland.

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.

In the meantime, anticipating that the funds will remain frozen until any lawsuits work their way through the courts, Jeff Kositsky, director of the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, said his office will work with the resources it has.

Our focus is going to be on continuing to use the funds we have as efficiently as possible. Were going to continue to implement our strategic plan and continue to be accountable to the goals in that plan as we house homeless San Franciscans, he said.

Breed, like Kositsky, said any delay in Prop. C would not affect the citys five-year plan to cut the number of hard-core homeless people in half and end large tent encampments. The plan is in its second year, and Breed recently added the goal of adding 1,000 new shelter beds by the end of next year.

We cant wait. Weve got to move forward, she said.

At the new Navigation Center, which brings the citys total back to four after the closure last month of the original Mission Street facility, sentiment among the residents was firmly in favor of batting down legal challenges quickly and replicating the services like the one that now put a roof over their heads.

I dont trust the courts, but they should do the right thing and let this proposition thing go through right now, said Michael Kane, 54, whod been homeless for eight years in San Francisco before scoring a bed at the Navigation Center this week. The big companies are making so much money here, they might as well give some of it back. I mean, really, we need the help.

You think we actually want to be homeless? No. Its very hard out there.

Dominic Fracassa and Kevin Fagan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com, kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa @KevinChronFrom the Grand Canyon to the California coast, Meenakshi Moorthy and Vishnu Viswanath documented a life of travel and and natural beauty in their adopted homeland for more than 10,000 Instagram followers.

The pair had immigrated to Silicon Valley from India. Moorthy described herself as the high-spirited storyteller who wrote their social media entries. Viswanath, she said, was the head photographer of our most pretty pics. Posting online was about more than just receiving likes, she often remarked. And she warned about the dangers of scaling high places just for photographs.

On Oct. 25, the couples bodies were recovered after tourists came across their abandoned camera equipment at the top of Taft Point, a granite outcropping 1,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. It is unclear whether the couple died while taking a selfie. Although in posts Moorthy described herself as a fan of daredevilry and an adrenaline junky, friends and family said the married couple were usually very cautious.

A lot of us including yours truly is a fan of daredevilry attempts of standing at the edge of cliffs and skyscrapers, but did you know that wind gusts can be FATAL??? Moorthy wrote on a post with a photo of her sitting on a cliff overlooking the Grand Canyon. Is our life just worth one photo?

Viswanath and Moorthy met while they were both studying in the western Indian state of Kerala. Viswanath had wanted to be a doctor or an engineer. He used to be a chess player and loved math, his brother Jishnu remembers.

Like so many young Indians, Viswanath was drawn to software engineering and the promise it held of a lucrative career overseas. After graduating, he and Moorthy, by then his girlfriend, moved to Illinois so that he could study at Bradley University.

Chris Nikolopoulos, a professor there, instructed Viswanath in artificial intelligence and later hired him as a research assistant. He said Viswanath was one of the brightest young programmers hed encountered in 30 years of teaching. He had a very dynamic personality and a very active mind, Nikolopoulos said. He was the kind of person who could have changed the world.

An expert in big data and artificial intelligence, Viswanath had recently landed a job at Cisco. A friend, Mageshwaran Mohan, said that since Moorthy wasnt permitted to work after accompanying Viswanath to the U.S., she threw her energy into blogging.

The couple launched their latest blog and Instagram account, titled Holidays and Happily Ever Afters, last year, describing it as the happy place where wishful wanderlust meets vistas of positivity. Moorthys effusively upbeat posts, sprinkled with happy-face emojis, rainbows and unicorn references, were complemented by Viswanaths colorful photographs, in which Moorthy was unmistakable thanks to her bright-pink hair.

One friend, Ameena Badarudeen, said that Moorthy had written to her: The world has soooo many beautiful places out there and I feel we have soo little time to see them all.

While Moorthy posted about the wonders of discovering new places, she acknowledged the difficulties of the couples mobile lifestyle. She mentioned the hardships of finding an apartment in New York and then packing all the couples boxes for the move to California.

Sometimes she stopped posting for months, then mentioned the dark times she had experienced, and promoted an internet campaign to #stopthestigma of mental illness. There are days in my life ... when unicorns sparkling in rainbow glitter are dancing around me and still I am buried in my blanket for weeks together hurting in a whirl of hopeless dark thoughts, she wrote.

Their friend Mohan said that, despite the ups and downs that come with immigrating to a new country, the couple felt as if they were living a dream. They were loving what they were doing, he said. She loved the fall colors and the snow, which we had never seen before in India. Even I am sad sometimes because I cant go back and see my parents. But they were happy.

The circumstances of their death are under investigation. Sean Matteson, a visitor who was at Taft Point on the night of the couples deaths, realized that he had unintentionally captured Moorthy in a photo he took of himself and a friend. She appeared to be closer to the edge than any other tourist.

Initially, Viswanaths brother, Jishnu, was widely reported to have said that the couple were taking a selfie when they died. But in an interview with the Guardian this week he said that was not strictly true. They had set up a camera separately, he said; he had not meant to imply that the couple fell as they were holding a camera in their hands.

In any event, selfies have been blamed for numerous deaths in Yosemite. In September, an 18-year-old Israeli man, Tomer Frankfurter, fell from an 800-foot cliff and died while taking one. In 2011, three young people died while trying to get pictures of Vernal Falls.

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.

A recent study documented 259 deaths worldwide caused by people taking selfies  dubbed selficides by the researchers  between October 2011 and November 2017. The vast majority of victims were young people ages 10 to 29. The most common causes of death were drowning, transportation accidents and falls from high places.

The deaths of Viswanath and Moorthy pierce the benign image of national parks, which remain wild and sometimes unforgiving places despite their record popularity. According to a 2017 analysis by Outside magazine, just over 1,000 people died in U.S. national parks between 2006 and 2016, excluding suicides.

People might be deciding, Do I want to go to Disney World or on a cruise or to a national park? said Graham Ottley, the general manager of Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, a private guiding company. And, for people who are used to being in very regulated settings with guardrails and smooth pathways, it may not be clear what is a safe place and what is an unsafe place.

For those close to the couple, recent events still have an air of unreality. Nikolopoulos, the professor, said that it is hard to believe Viswanath may have died over something as trivial as a photograph. They are still investigating, but who knows what happened. Maybe a deer or a bear came along. He is looking into starting a scholarship program for graduate students in Viswanaths name.

Jishnu, Viswanaths brother, said that Viswanath and Moorthy had been planning to return to India at the start of next year for a wedding. He remembers his brother as an amazing person, almost perfect in every aspect. And he remembers the bond the couple shared, saying, They loved each other like no one has loved anyone else.

Erin McCormick and Michael Safi are Guardian staff writers.The election of Gavin Newsom as California governor has pole-vaulted the former San Francisco mayor into one of the oddest political positions in the country.

As one of the nations leading Democrats, Newsom will be bashing Donald Trump by day but praying for Trumps re-election in 2020 at night  because if Trump doesnt get re-elected, Newsoms presidential aspirations will go up in smoke, said Bill Whalen, a Republican strategist and research fellow at the Hoover Institution.

That may be the cynical way of looking at it  given the challenges Newsom will face steering the state, having a Democratic ally in the White House after 2020 would do him far more good than harm. Newsom will be better off if he gets results on California issues such as water delivery, oil drilling off the coast and greenhouse gas regulation than if he has to complain about how all his efforts were blocked in Washington.

Its just that if a Democrat wins in 2020, the next opening for other aspiring Democratic candidates probably wont come until 2028.

Newsom knows that 2020 is too soon for him to run. He will, however, definitely be part of the national conversation, said longtime friend and former media adviser Peter Ragone.

Hes bold and he pushes the envelope, and now he is going to have the biggest role on the national stage this side of the presidency, Ragone said.

Add in his Hollywood looks, his gift of gab, and his eye for seizing on cutting-edge issues like same-sex marriage and legalizing pot, and Newsom will command his share of attention leading up to 2020.

He gets to occupy the outsider role, which he does very well, Ragone said, citing in particular Newsoms 2004 decision to let gay and lesbian couples marry at San Francisco City Hall.

It was a role that outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown played as well. Brown regularly crossed swords with Trump on global warming, immigration and a host of other issues. He mounted three campaigns for president over the years, but at age 80 ran out of time for a fourth.

The question now is, how will time play for the 51-year-old Newsom?

If Trump stays in office until 2024, Newsom will have one term as governor under his belt  and plenty of national exposure  and be ready to run.

But if a Democrat wins in 2020, it all goes on hold until 2028, Whalen said.

Gavins digs: If you think Gavin Newsom is already measuring the drapes at the governors mansion in Sacramento  think again.

Newsom has hesitated when asked if he plans to move into the restored 25-room mansion, making it clear that his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and four children  all younger than 10  may be happy to stay put in Marin County.

We havent decided, Newsom said. Jen hasnt seen the house. And we have the kids and schools to think about. Its all too much to get our arms around.

Plus, now they live only a couple of blocks from Newsoms sister, Hilary Newsom, and her husband, Geoff Callan.

Not to mention that the governor-elects filmmaker wife has an office a half mile from home, in Ross, and her parents also live nearby.

Gov. Jerry Brown, during his first stint as governor starting in 1975, famously eschewed the 17-room governors residence built (but never lived in) by Ronald and Nancy Reagan in the suburb of Carmichael. Instead, Brown rented a $250-per-month apartment near downtown Sacramento.

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.

His successor, George Deukmejian, formed a foundation that purchased another suburban house where first he and then-Govs. Pete Wilson and Gray Davis lived  at least when they werent at their homes in Southern California. And Arnold Schwarzenegger kept a 2,000-square-foot hotel penthouse across from the state Capitol for a spell during his time as governor before opting to commute home nightly to L.A. on his private jet.

When Brown began his second stint as governor, he decidedly upgraded  splitting his time between a $3,000-a-month Sacramento loft leased by his friends and a home he purchased in the Oakland hills. But after the century-old, three-story governors mansion occupied by his late father, Gov. Pat Brown, back in the 1960s underwent a $4.1 million renovation, Jerry Brown  along with his wife, Anne Gust Brown, and their two dogs  moved in three years ago.

For Newsom, however, the old mansion apparently doesnt have the same sentimental pull. While he hasnt ruled out house-hunting in Sacramento, he may well continue the routine he developed as lieutenant governor, having a California Highway Patrol driver shuttle him from Kentfield to the capital and back.

Of course, now hell have additional companions  as governor, hell have a full security entourage wherever he goes.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandrossThe most ardent supporters of Proposition C, a San Francisco ballot measure aimed at slashing homelessness, celebrated their victory inside a Mission District nightclub Tuesday.

Organizers of the Yes on C campaign threw a bash at Roccapulco to watch election results come in. An estimated 300 people packed the club to eat tacos, drink and show thanks to donors and volunteers.

In the case of Prop. C, that included Salesforce chief Marc Benioff, who committed $7.9 million in personal and corporate money to the Yes on C campaign.

Benioff, who watched the results from home with his family, tweeted: Let the city come together in love for those who need it most! after early returns showed the measure passing.

Marion Wellington, who campaigned for the measure, said she believes Benioffs involvement helped push the vote in its favor.

Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle

I think that leveraging his personal brand and also his vision as one of the biggest tech CEOs was really critical, said Wellington, who left a startup and now runs communications at TechEquity Collaborative, a group with a mission to encourage the tech industry to spread its wealth.

Benioff, she said, added a face to a community of tech workers who want to see the industry do more to help people who have been left out of the economic boom.

2 1 of 2 Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less



I think the (measure) has become an opportunity for tech workers to self-evaluate and see where they stand on these type of issues, Wellington said.

Julian Ostrow, a tech worker and campaign organizer for Yes on C, credited Benioffs barnstorming and his public tiff with Jack Dorsey with creating buzz around Prop. C.

He hopes that other tech leaders follow the example set by Benioff to demand action from the industry.

There almost certainly will be a right side of history, Ostrow said.

Prop. C was not considered an easy winner. In September, a poll of 800 likely voters conducted by EMC Research showed 56 percent supporting it, 42 percent opposed and 3 percent undecided. But support dropped to 47 percent when the tax was characterized as the largest tax increase in the citys history.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

In the weeks that followed, tech CEOs entered the debate, lobbing millions of dollars at campaigns on both sides of the measure and attracting national and international media coverage.

Benioff chewed out fellow billionaires Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square; Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe; and Mark Pincus, the co-founder of Zynga, for opposing the new business tax. Benioff said in tweets that companies have a moral obligation to support their homeless neighbors.

The tech industry appeared torn over the issue, with many employees opposing their bosses. At least 65 tech professionals donated more than $100 each to Yes on C, according to public campaign records. A handful of employees from Square and online-payments startup Stripe, which spent $419,000 to defeat the measure, were among the donors to the Yes on C campaign.

Ostrow said he was aware of employees at Square and Stripe who wore Yes on C buttons to the office Tuesday as a pseudo-open revolt. Both companies, as well as their leaders, opposed the tax measure. A Square spokesman said the company would continue to work with City Hall. A Stripe spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

Sam Lew, policy director for the Coalition on Homelessness, said shes excited to see more conversations like these.

We know that this is a crisis. We know that people are dying on our streets, Lew said. But sometimes it takes corporate money and power to really get people talking about it.

Melia Russell is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: melia.russell@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meliarobinWelcome back to Tech Chronicle. If you dont already subscribe to the newsletter, let me lead you to the right spot.

Who speaks for tech?

Jack Dorsey started it.

On a Friday in mid-October, weeks before San Francisco voters would head to the polls, Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter and Square, quote-tweeted Salesforce chief Marc Benioff about his support for Proposition C, a measure that would tax big businesses to fund homeless services.

If you know the subtle byways of Twitter, then you know that quote-tweeting is widely regarded as passive-aggressive behavior  a bit of a jerk move, publicly broadcasting your response versus just replying. Dorsey, of all people should know this  he invented Twitter, after all.

As I write this late Tuesday evening, Prop. C has passed, though with a margin that leaves it vulnerable to legal challenges. But the rifts it revealed in San Franciscos tech community could be its real legacy.

Benioffs strategy has been to name and shame his fellow San Francisco billionaires, pointing out how valuable they and their companies are. This resonates with a public increasingly suspicious of tech titans  but it doesnt do much in terms of coalition-building. Dorsey accused Benioff of distracting, and Stripe CEO Patrick Collison, another Prop. C opponent and Benioff target, decried his rhetoric as a facile falsehood.

Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

Over the weekend, Benioff squabbled with Zynga co-founder Mark Pincus; Pincus noted he had arranged for his company to donate $500,000 in 2014 to back a charitable anti-poverty campaign at Benioffs behest but opposed Prop. C because of the way it was designed.

Its a far cry from 2012, when tech leaders, including Dorsey, rallied around Proposition E, which sought to replace the citys payroll tax with a gross receipts tax. (In a small irony, some of todays opponents of Prop. C are complaining about features of the gross receipts tax that were put in place with the specific backing of the business community.)

Ron Conway, the San Francisco investor who helped spearhead Prop. Es landslide victory, has been far more quiet of late, both in politics and in the tech community. His SV Angel fund is no longer tapping outside investors, facing a landscape thats awash with money, and as Matier & Ross noted, he was noticeably inactive in San Francisco races this cycle. And Mayor London Breed seems determined to show her independence from tech.

I spoke to Benioff Tuesday right after San Francisco released early results showed Prop. C leading 55 percent to 45 percent. He regrets nothing about his no-holds-barred approach: Everyone was ignoring it, and I had to do what I had to do, which was step in and elevate the conversation.

Dorsey and Collison, Benioff said, may have opposed Prop. C, but they ended up aiding his cause. At the end of the day, it will be Jack Dorsey and Patrick Collison that helped the homeless more than anyone, Benioff said.

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And if that leaves the tech community divided? Im really not focused on the tech community. Im focused on the homeless, he said. Im not worried about the tech community. Theyre doing just fine.

A Square spokesman said of Prop. Cs victory: We look forward to continuing to work with City Hall to build a better San Francisco. Stripe did not respond to a request for comment.

It may be that there simply isnt a business leader or politician who can rally San Franciscos tech companies around a single cause. Thats a pity, because tech companies are becoming not just a sign of San Franciscos innovation but pillars of the local economy. Benioffs Salesforce is already the citys largest private employer, overtaking Wells Fargo, and Uber is growing so quickly it may soon be no. 2.

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle 2018

Benioff appears to have won the Prop. C battle. But in the process, he has proved himself too combative; the us-versus-them rhetoric that works so well for selling software hasnt earned him political allies. Dorsey and Collison have shown themselves to be ludicrously tone-deaf. The fact that their opposition to Prop. C was rooted in the particular tax treatment of the financial services companies they run makes them look self-serving, if not venal.

Who else? Ubers Dara Khosrowshahi, a newcomer to the Bay Area, has battles to fight around the world, and ethical challenges of his own, like the huge stake Saudi Arabias ruling family has in his company. Uber was neutral on Prop. C. Perhaps Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky? His company also stayed out of the Prop. C fight and has largely ended its feud with its hometown over regulation of short-term rentals. Perhaps its time for a new player, like Stitch Fixs Katrina Lake; having taken her company public, could she give back to San Francisco by stepping up to a leadership role in the industry?

The problem, though, is that even if someone emerges to become the voice of this vital local industry, its not clear what San Franciscos tech sector wants. An end to homelessness? Better public transit? (Benioff pleaded with Elon Musk Tuesday to bring his Boring Co.s tunnels to the Bay Area.) More affordable housing? Functional roads?

There are so many issues in techs hometown. What does the industry think about them? Theres no one person to call. And that may be the biggest problem of all.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

 Owen Thomas (othomas@sfchronicle.com)

Quote of the week

Memo to the genius leaking info about Crystal City, VA as #HQ2 selection. Youre not doing Crystal City, VA any favors. And stop treating the NDA you signed like a used napkin.  Mike Grella, Amazons director of economic development public policy, weighing in on a report that a suburb of Washington is under consideration for a large Amazon office

Coming up

Sunday through Tuesday, the Techonomy conference runs in Half Moon Bay. On the agenda: a debate on whether Silicon Valley Has Lost Its Soul and a panel asking Can Facebook Recover? Funny, those sound related.

What Im reading

Eric Newcomer delivers the inside story of how Uber got tangled up with Saudi Arabia. (Bloomberg)

A Waymo robot car injured a motorcyclist last month: The car was in manual mode, being driven by a human backup driver, and Waymo says a simulation shows the cars artificial intelligence would have avoided the accident. The crucial context: Waymo has been granted a permit to operate cars without humans behind the wheel, Carolyn Said reports. (San Francisco Chronicle)

The one weird trick Bird is using to operate scooters in London, where they are banned because of a law that dates to 1835. (Forbes)

Square has looked at Uptown Station, the former Sears building in Oakland, Roland Li reports. Space is tight in San Francisco  and because of the way San Franciscos gross receipts tax works, expanding outside the city would lower its local tax bill. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Tech Chronicle is a thrice-weekly newsletter from Owen Thomas, The Chronicles business editor, and the rest of the tech team. Follow along on Twitter: @techchronicle and Instagram: @techchronicleFifty years ago, students at what was then San Francisco State College fought back and changed academia forever.

A student-led strike on the campus began Nov. 6, 1968, and lasted 134 days. By the time an agreement was finally reached, students and police had violently clashed many times and about 500 protesters had been arrested. A recent trip to The Chronicles archive turned up dozens of photos  many not published in decades, if ever  that show the sacrifices the protesters made and the savagery of police trying to quell the uprising.

Dig deep into Chronicle Vault Like what you're reading? Subscribe to the Chronicle Vault newsletter, and get classic archive stories in your inbox twice a week. Read hundreds of historical stories, see thousands of archive photos, and sort through 153 years of classic Chronicle front pages at SFChronicle.com/vault. See More Collapse

Several student-administration conflicts had started during the 1967 school year, but the suspension of Black Panther George Murray, a graduate student and instructor who urged students to bring guns to campus, escalated the protests into a full-blown effort to close the college.

On the Monday after Murrays suspension, roving bands of students representing several organizations such as the Black Student Union and the Third World Liberation Front interrupted classrooms, exhorting their fellow students to leave in support of the strike. By the time 35 police officers arrived from the nearby Taraval Station, the campus was in chaos.

Over several days faculty support grew, as did the violence between police and strikers. A midday campus skirmish on Nov. 13, 1968, saw eight youths arrested and several injured, prompting San Francisco State President Robert Smith to suspend classes.

Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh and Gov. Ronald Reagan demanded the college be reopened. The governor called Smiths actions an act of capitulation. Reagan said: Professors are paid to teach, not lead or encourage violent forays. If they refuse to honor the trust our citizens have placed in them, they should look for work elsewhere.

Smith resigned on Nov. 26, and S.I. Hayakawa was installed as president of the college. Hayakawa announced he would open the college on Dec. 2 under a state of emergency. Three hundred police officers were on hand to enforce tough new rules.

Ten people were arrested, and standoffs defined the first day as Hayakawa attempted to reopen the college. A day later, nine were injured and 31 arrested. The Dec. 4 Chronicle headline called it the worst day yet. Hayakawa, for his part, stood strong in his convictions: I want to make it clear to everyone that I will break up this reign of terror.

How rough did it get? Chronicle photographer Vince Maggiora was clubbed by police while photographing the action. A second blow was stopped when he identified himself as a member of the press.

As mediation broke down and violence continued, Hayakawa announced that Christmas break would begin a week early, giving the situation three weeks to cool down. The college attempted to reopen Jan. 6, 1969.

The new year brought a teacher strike in support of the students demands. Reagan, responding to the teachers action, declared, I think it has to be kept open, if you have to surround with whatever force is necessary. ... Those who want to get an education, those who want to teach should be protected at the point of a bayonet if necessary.

On March 4, after weeks of picketing, protesting and negotiating, most teachers returned to work, under terms of a settlement approved by the union and college authorities.

Two weeks later, an official administration statement read, Dr. Hayakawa will announce specific plans for establishing a school of ethnic studies, to include a black studies department. He will also announce plans for expanding minority programs and for extending educational opportunities to a broader spectrum of the San Francisco community.

Soon after, Black Student Union leaders Benny Stewart and Jerry Varnado climbed on cafeteria chairs at midday, cupped their hands and told the 1,000 students gathered around, The central committee has decided to accept the agreement.

The strike is over.

United Press International 1968

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

More from Chronicle Vault

Chronicle Covers: Read more about the San Francisco State strike of 1968, through the lens of The Chronicles front page from Nov. 22 of that year.

A salute to the BSU: The Black Student Union at San Francisco State University was the first organization of its kind in the U.S., and it set the standard for how these groups could help students and the community at large. Read about Jimmy Garrett and Jerry Varnado, who were part of the group in the mid-1960s.

A clash in history: Five decades ago, Vietnam War protesters took a stand, shutting down the Oakland Induction Center, a governmental hub where draftees were processed before being sent to the armed services. The response from authorities was swift and, at times, savage. The images from the conflict in mid-October 1967 remain stunning.

In their words: Free Speech Movement activists reflect on their accomplishments in the 1960s. Question: What is the event you remember most? One respondents answer: Sitting in a police car for 32 hours, from noon on Oct. 1, 1964, until 8 p.m. on Oct. 2.

From the Archive is a weekly column by Bill Van Niekerken, the library director of The Chronicle, exploring the depths of the newspapers archive. Its part of Chronicle Vault, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting more than 150 years of San Francisco stories. It is edited by Tim ORourke, The Chronicles assistant managing editor and executive producer of SFChronicle.com. Sign up for the newsletter here and follow Chronicle Vault on Instagram. Contact Bill at bvanniekerken@sfchronicle.com and Tim at torourke@sfchronicle.com.An Oakland man who spent seven years in prison for a double murder in 2010 has been declared factually innocent by a judge and can seek compensation from the state.

An Alameda County jury convicted Deshawn Reed, now 34, of the gang shootings of Victor Johns and John Jones in a West Oakland neighborhood in March 2010. A second jury found that he had been the gunman, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Reed had been arrested after the shootings and identified by two witnesses, one of them a police officer, as the man who was picked up by a nearby car and driven from the scene. He denied being there, and the prosecutions case against him has since unraveled.

A state appeals court in San Francisco overturned Reeds convictions in January 2017 and said jurors should have heard evidence pointing to another man, Al Collins, who is now dead, as the shooter.

Collins palm print was found in the getaway car, and a police officer saw him nearby shortly after the shootings, said the First District Court of Appeal. The court said most witnesses descriptions of the gunmans facial appearance and clothing resembled Collins, not Reed.

Collins also had a potential motive, the court said, as one of the victims had shot one of Collins friends. Reed, who suffered from mental disabilities, had no record of violence, and prosecutors did not assert that he had a motive.

The court also said Reeds lawyer had failed to call witnesses whose description of the passenger resembled Collins or to obtain other evidence that might have incriminated Collins and cleared Reed.

Reed was released from prison in May 2017 after the Alameda County district attorney decided not to retry him. The driver of the getaway car, Jason Watts, was convicted of murder in a separate trial and sentenced to life without parole.

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Reeds appellate lawyer then sought a finding of innocence, saying Reed had no connection to gangs and had been described by a police officer who had known him for more than a decade as someone who was not violent. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson said the evidence showed Reed to be factually innocent.

The finding makes Reed eligible for state compensation of $140 for every day he spent in prison, or about $350,000, said the attorney, Ronald Kaye. He said Reed now lives with family members in Oakland and hopes to be able to work and enjoy life again.

The injustice that Mr. Reed suffered is difficult to comprehend, Kaye said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelkoIn this centenary of Ingmar Bergman, the great Swedish directors admirers  both professional and personal  have been traveling the world, bringing him to life by telling tales etched in their memories.

He wasnt exactly an easygoing man, said Katinka Farago, who has been described as his right hand. Farago has been in the Bay Area since late last week, speaking and being interviewed at Bergman-centric events hosted by the California Film Institute, the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive and San Francisco State. She worked with the filmmaker for more than 30 years, beginning in a menial role while she was a teenager and serving eventually as script supervisor, production manager and producer.

The first event on her busy Bay Area agenda was dinner on Friday, Nov. 2, at the home of Honorable Consul General of Sweden Barbro Osher and Bernard Osher.

Place cards indicated we were dinner partners, and as we sat down and said hello, I asked how she had met Bergman. Is this an interview? she asked. From the tone, it sounded as though she wasnt exactly ready for that, so I closed the cover of my notebook, which was in my lap.

But after what seemed like a rebuff, she described going to meet him, and the advice shed been given by other staffers whod known him well. If he stares at you, you stare back. If he spits at you, you spit back. I opened my notebook and started scribbling, as the conversation lurched forward.

In 1960, five years after she came to work with Bergman, she recalled, James Baldwin went to Sweden to interview Bergman for Esquire magazine. He had a cold, she said. Bergman said, I am not going to see him. (Almost 60 years later, she said, she still feels uneasy  worried about her boss disapproval  when she has to cough.)

So Bergman didnt do the interview the day they had said. Absolutely not. Instead, he asked Farago to take Baldwin to a projection room in the studio and show him the 1913 silent movie Ingeborg Holm, and to translate into English its titles, which were, of course, in Swedish. The movie, a tragic tale about the misery of a poor family, was so moving, she said, that she started to cry. Overcome with emotion, she was unable to translate, she said. I am sorry, said Baldwin, could you please tell me whats going on?

The Baldwin profile that came out of their initial conversation was forwarded to me by Amanda Doxtater, a Scandinavian scholar at the University of Washington, who was at the dinner, too. Baldwin paints a vivid picture of Bergman. When the writer and subject meet, Bergman is solicitous about Baldwins flu, and then gets right to the point: Well, are you for me or against me?

The writer also quoted an unnamed woman he describes as having worked with the filmmaker for several years. Hes improved, she says of Bergman, but he was impossible. He could say the most terrible things, he could make you wish you were dead. Especially if you were a woman.

In conversation, Farago described watching Bergman and the director Andrei Tarkovsky (for whom she worked later in her career), walking past each other at the Filmstaden, where they were both working. Bergman had expressed an eagerness to meet Tarkovsky, who had moved to Sweden from his native Russia. But walking by each other, neither so much as acknowledged each others presence.

It was a lavish dinner on an enclosed patio high up in an apartment near downtown. All around us was the glimmer of lighted windows, and a bit farther away, silhouettes flickering around the Jim Campbell sculpture atop the Salesforce Tower.

Near its end, Farago clinked on a glass to call the guests to attention. I am just trying to prove that I am not mute, she said, by saying thank you. Ive been so well taken care of. And then, it was that time when the guests stand up, collect themselves and prepare to go home and put on their pajamas.

You must be jet-lagged, I said to the guest of honor, whod arrived from Europe the day before. Definitely not, she said.

PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING

I visited all the booths and engaged in several superficial conversations, my favorite type.

Woman at a yoga and music festival in Squaw Valley, overheard by Rick Sylvester

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, 415-777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchikSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he's ready to work with the new House Democratic majority to fund infrastructure and make health-care improvements, including lower prescription drug prices.

McConnell, who is slated to continue as leader in January, told reporters he spoke Tuesday night with Nancy Pelosi, in line to return as speaker of the House after eight years in the minority.

"We discussed ways we might be able to find a way forward," said McConnell of Kentucky, who also said Senate Republicans "had a very good day" in the midterm elections. The GOP is on track to increase its 51-49 majority, with several races still undecided.

He also said a lame-duck session of the current Congress will seek to avoid a partial government shutdown and reach an agreement on funding President Donald Trump's wall on the Mexican border.

When Democrats take over the House in January, "it's pretty obvious" they won't be interested in the GOP goals of repealing Obamacare, the majority leader said, adding that there may be some bipartisan changes in health care. Regarding prescription drug prices, he said, "I can't imagine that that won't be on the agenda."

McConnell said he doesn't expect to seek cuts in entitlement programs amid Democratic opposition.

In January, Republican Mike Braun will take over Democrat Joe Donnelly's Indiana seat, Republican Kevin Cramer ousted Democrat Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Josh Hawley defeated Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

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.

Those three victories were tempered by Republican Dean Heller's loss of his Nevada seat to Democrat Jacky Rosen.

Three races are still too close to call: Arizona, where Democrats could pick up a seat, and Florida and Montana, where they may lose two more. The Senate race in Mississippi is headed to a runoff between Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy, but the Republican is widely expected to prevail.Few Cabinet members have had as contentious a relationship with the presidents they serve as did Jeff Sessions, attorney general until approximately 13 hours after the last polls closed in the 2018 midterm elections. Sessions endured President Trump's frequent critiques on Twitter and was the target of Trump's frustration both in interviews and in West Wing conversations that were later reported by the media.

The primary reason for Trump's irritation was Sessions's decision in March of last year to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. That recusal stemmed from a recommendation by Justice Department attorneys, who noted Sessions's involvement in Trump's 2016 campaign posed a potential conflict with an investigation into that campaign. For Trump, though, the recusal was a betrayal that left him exposed. Trump apparently hoped for an attorney general as loyal to his personal interests as Robert Kennedy was (per Trump's assessment) when he served in his brother's administration. Sessions should have told him he planned to recuse, Trump said on more than one occasion, and then Trump would not have picked him in the first place.

Sessions's departure changes that calculus dramatically.

It is unclear how close the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election is to being completed, much less the arm of that probe run by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III which is looking at any overlap with Trump's campaign. There are signs it is nearing completion -- but that could mean we are on the brink of substantial revelations or indictments. For example, in recent weeks, Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. has reportedly told friends he expects to face an indictment. (Experts who spoke with The Washington Post speculated this would explain why Mueller has not yet interviewed Trump Jr.)

In other words, there may still be good reason for Trump to want to curtail Mueller's work. With Sessions gone, that became much easier in two ways.

The first is installing a new attorney general would mean that control of the Mueller probe shifts away from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller under the authority of leading the probe following Sessions's recusal. Appointing a new attorney general is not trivial, since that person would need Senate confirmation to start work. Except that, under the terms of the Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, Trump does not need to have a new attorney general go through that process. Because Sessions technically resigned (at Trump's request), there is no question Trump could use the Act to simply move any other administration official who's already been confirmed by the Senate into Sessions's former position. In other words, Trump could in short order name Energy Secretary Rick Perry as attorney general if he wanted to. There are nearly 400 people who have been Senate confirmed, any of whom could presumably be moved over.

He may not need to do that. Trump tweeted news about Sessions's departure, mentioning the acting attorney general would be Matt Whitaker, previously Sessions's chief of staff. As our Aaron Blake noted, Whitaker offered his opinion about the Mueller probe shortly before being hired by Sessions: Broadly echoing Trump's rhetoric about the need to wind down the probe and, perhaps more importantly, defending Trump Jr.'s involvement in a meeting with a Kremlin-linked attorney at Trump Tower in June 2016.

So what could a new Justice Department head hostile to the investigation do? A lot. Earlier this year, we spoke with Louis Seidman, Carmack Waterhouse professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University, who outlined the ways in which Mueller's wings could be clipped.

The main leverage that person gains:

"First and foremost, whoever is the Department of Justice staffer overseeing the probe is granted the power to 'request that the Special Counsel provide an explanation for any investigative or prosecutorial step, and may after review conclude that the action is so inappropriate or unwarranted under established Departmental practices that it should not be pursued.' In other words, if Mueller wants to bring forward a new indictment, the person in charge at DOJ could nix it.

"They could also go further.

" 'Depending on how aggressive this person wanted to be, they could dismiss the criminal cases, they could get rid of the grand jury,' Seidman said at the time. 'In the end, if Trump is determined, the people he appoints could shut [the probe] down.' "

If Mueller wants to indict Trump Jr., he has to ask the Justice Department official overseeing the probe. NBC reports Rosenstein has already agreed to transfer his oversight to Whitaker, meaning Whitaker is now the one who would answer Mueller's question.

If Whitaker is true to what he wrote before joining the government, he will simply say "no" -- and such an indictment would come to a halt.

Marcy Wheeler, a journalist who has been tracking the legal issues involving the Mueller probe, notes that existing, sealed indictments may be out of reach for any Sessions replacement.On Monday, the Trump administration made good on its threats to re-establish punishing sanctions against Iran.

The sanctions  which the administration imposed in the face of widespread criticism from our allies and expert predictions that the sanctions could backfire  are part of President Trumps decision to abandon the painstakingly negotiated 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

Under the terms of the accord, Iran agreed to limit its provocative nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions by the international community.

Trump called the deal, which the Obama administration considered one of its major foreign policy successes, the worst deal ever. The White House is calculating that reimposing sanctions will force Iran back to the negotiating table for stricter terms.

The Trump administration may be sorely disappointed.

The administration also issued waivers to eight countries  including huge economies like China and Japan  that will allow them to temporarily trade with Iran in certain areas without suffering retaliation.

Thats part of the reason why Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was able to dismiss the economic threat of Trumps sanctions on Monday, stating, We should break the sanctions very well, and we will do that.

Sanctions create suffering, and the Iranian government is already confronting growing political unrest at home.

But the Iranian public has no love for the Trump administration, either. Any regime change in Tehran could lead to a government thats more hostile to negotiation, not less.

Meanwhile, none of the other signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal wanted to scrap it.

While few foreign banks will dare risk the wrath of the U.S. by openly doing business with Iran, the European Union is planning to set up a special entity to protect non-American companies from the United States actions.

Its a remarkable and unusual show of defiance from our staunchest traditional geopolitical partners, and it shows the danger of Trumps strategy: By insisting he can cut a better deal with the Iranians, he might strand the U.S. out in the cold.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.Americans voted Tuesday in one of the most anticipated midterm elections in recent memory, preceded by months of tensions, anxiety and a spike in hate crimes that threatened to tear apart the social fabric of our country. No matter the outcome of the elections, there are certain, fundamental actions that must now be taken to stem the tide of white supremacy and move toward a pluralistic society in which we recognize our differences and see them as enhancing who we are, not as a threat.

The first thing we must do is to call on all our political leaders, especially those on the right, to unequivocally denounce the calculated race-baiting and fear-mongering led by President Trump that manifested in the recent hate crimes and attempted bombings, including the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people, as well as the murder of two black people at a Kentucky grocery store three days earlier  both carried out by avowed racists.

Those attacks, along with the killing of Heather Heyer last year in Charlottesville, Va., by a white supremacist, are the outcomes of weaponized hate deployed by the political elite  intentionally and strategically  to increase fear and deepen divisions for political gain.

Calling out white supremacy and hate is not about being a Democrat or a Republican. Its about the soul of our country and who we are as a people. Its about reclaiming our democracy and resisting our shift toward authoritarianism. Instead we must give voice to what Abraham Lincoln called a new birth of freedom, in his call to our better angels.

In refusing to denounce white supremacy, but instead renewing attacks against the media and vulnerable immigrants even after the horrific killings, Trump is deliberately roiling his base, increasing their levels of fear, and radicalizing them to a point where they react with organized violence. Even when a group of rabbis demanded Trump denounce white supremacy before visiting Pittsburgh in the wake of the killings, he refused.

This is strategic, not coincidental. What impelled the synagogue shooter to carry out the heinous murders was not a sense of anti-Semitism alone. The members of the synagogue were actively involved in providing support for another racialized and demonized group: the immigrants en route to the U.S.-Mexico border from Honduras and El Salvador whom the shooter had described as invaders, mimicking language used by Trump. Trump took it a step further when he claimed last month, without any evidence, that the caravan was carrying unknown Middle Easterners, a clear allusion to terrorism.

The compounding of hatred for these different groups that were connected through an elaborate, yet fictionalized, conspiracy to hurt America was a recipe for the massacre in Pittsburgh. Then, showing no signs of repentance, Trump unveiled an anti-immigration campaign ad just days after the synagogue attack, an ad so grotesque that even Fox News announced it would no longer run it.

Trump and the hardliners in his party want the public to be afraid. They want people to be divided. They want us to live under constant stress and erode any fragments of civic trust we have in each other and with our neighbors. Trust that is necessary for our democracy. Our response must be to refuse to play into the hands of the political strategists who are mainstreaming hate, who are turning neighbor against neighbor, and who are stoking racial anxiety to dangerous levels for their own personal gain.

With the elections over, we now have an obligation to take a step back and engage in a national conversation about the direction in which we are heading. We can set aside a day and time for dialogue in a structured manner, at locations across the country, through our institutions, in our schools, universities, workplaces, places of worship and community centers. There we can take a deep examination of our social crises that have been unfolding, our eroding democracy, and whether or not our trajectory as a country matches up to core values of love and humanity many of us hold. We need to ask ourselves about our collective aspirations as a country despite shortcomings and disappointments.

Such a conversation would provide us with an opportunity to bridge with one another, at both an individual and institutional level, and to hear other peoples perspectives as our citizenship requires of us.

As an African American whose parents were sharecroppers, I know how it feels to be ignored, mistreated, and disrespected. But that doesnt excuse violence or hatred toward other groups. And despite the spread of weaponized hate, we dont have the option of quitting or giving up. We owe this to those who came before us and to those who will come after us. We owe this to each other and to ourselves. Dialogue alone is insufficient to heal our wounds of the past and unite as a country. But dialogue with the courage to listen is a start.

john a. powell, a professor of law, is an internationally recognized expert in civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty and democracy, and the director of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley.Democrats seized control of the House Tuesday night, putting themselves in position to challenge President Trump and his policies for the next two years.

Read the latest story on the House midterm elections by clicking here.

How are you feeling? a grinning House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi asked cheering supporters at party headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, said the San Francisco congresswoman, who is in line to regain the House speakership after eight years as minority leader. The Democrats victory, she said, is about restoring checks and balances to the Trump administration.

But Pelosi also held out an olive branch to Trump and the Republicans, saying Americans want to see things get done in Washington.

Democrats have a responsibility to find common ground when we can, and stand our ground when we cant, Pelosi said. Theres also a need to bring us together because weve all had enough of division, she said.

Trump mentioned that call for cooperation when he called Pelosi late Tuesday, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet.

President Trump called Leader Pelosi at 11:45 p.m. this evening to extend his congratulations on winning a Democratic House Majority, Hammill tweeted. He acknowledged the Leaders call for bipartisanship in her victory remarks.

Democrats needed to flip a net of 23 seats nationwide, and they got there just about the time the polls closed in California. Even without Californias results, they had won in 25 GOP-held districts and led in a number of others.

When all the votes are counted, Democrats probably will flip more than 30 Republican seats, said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University.

Thats a solid wave, not a huge wave, he said. But now Democrats have to deal with reality. Its not going to be enough to be just anti-Trump  they have to accomplish things, and that wont be easy, especially with Republicans adding to their strength in the Senate.

With California holding several of the most highly contested seats  seven of them in districts that were won by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016  it could be days before Democrats know how big their House margin will be. Thats because thousands of mail ballots will be counted as long as they arrive by Friday, along with an unknown number of provisional ballots.

In the Central Valley district held by Republican Rep. Jeff Denham of Turlock (Stanislaus County), for example, the incumbent was clinging to a slim lead  50.6 percent of the vote  over Democrat Josh Harder with 100 percent of precincts partially reporting.

In another hard-fought contest, this one in Southern California, Democratic challenger Katie Hill defeated GOP Rep. Steve Knight. The incumbent conceded Wednesday.

In Orange County, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, 30-year GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher trailed Democrat Harley Rouda by 1.4 percentage points. Republican Young Kim led Democrat Gil Cisneros 51.3 to 48.7 percent, in the Fullerton areas 39th District in Orange County, a seat vacated by retiring GOP Rep. Ed Royce.

Democrat Mike Levin defeated Republican Diane Harkey for a seat straddling the Orange and San Diego county border. The seat was left vacant by the retirement of Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who had despaired of keeping his district Republican. In an interview with Fox News before the polls closed Tuesday, he said his district was never really in play, and that it will be a Democrat representing La Jolla to Solana Beach for the first time in a number of years.

Republicans, though, looked likely to hold Rep. David Valadaos Central Valley seat. The Hanford (Kings County) resident had a strong lead over Democrat T.J. Cox with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

And Republicans also held on in a couple of GOP-friendly districts where Democrats had long-shot hopes. Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare, one of the presidents fiercest defenders in Congress, beat back a well-funded challenge by Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz. And Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove (Sacramento County), defeated Democrat Jessica Morse in a district that runs along the east side of the Central Valley and into the Sierra foothills.

Democrats came into election day brimming with confidence. With plenty of campaign cash, upbeat polls and a president who is historically unpopular in much of the country, party leaders were poised for an election that could sweep Pelosi back into the House speakership she surrendered to Republicans after the Tea Party blitz of 2010.

Pelosi has been telling party leaders and supporters privately that she expected Democrats to take back the House, and last week she went public with her prediction.

Let me say this: Up until today, I would have said if the election were held today, we will win, Pelosi told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on CBS. What now Im saying is, we will win, we will win, we will win.

In California, Republicans vulnerability extended even into the core of their longtime stronghold of Orange County, showing the depth of state voters distaste for Trump. His weakness there was exposed in 2016, when Clinton became the first Democratic presidential candidate since Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 to carry the county.

Thirteen-term GOP Rep. Royce of Fullerton joined Issa in retiring rather than run for re-election. Kim, a one-term Republican assemblywoman who spent 20 years as a district aide to Royce, finished on top of the June primary for Royces seat and faced Cisneros, a businessman and former Navy officer.

Issas seat became a contest between Harkey, a member of the state Board of Equalization and a former assemblywoman, and Levin, an environmental attorney.

Other Republican incumbents chose to fight it out, including Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa (Orange County), who was first elected in 1988.

Democratic voters took a chance in the June primary by choosing progressive and left-leaning candidates with no political experience to run in generally conservative districts. Katie Porter, for example, the Democrat challenging GOP Rep. Mimi Walters of Irvine, is a longtime friend and associate of Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, whom the Trump administration has denounced as a socialist. Walters was running ahead of her Tuesday. By early Wednesday, Walters had etched out a 51.7 to 48.3 percent lead, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Hill, the Democrat who defeated Knight, is only 31, making her one of the youngest congressional candidates in the nation.

Democrats pumped millions into the California campaigns, with their rookie candidates outraising many of the GOP veterans. Rouda, for example, had taken in $6.7 million as of Oct. 17, compared with $2.3 million for Rohrabacher. In Denhams San Joaquin Valley district, Harder had raised $7 million to the incumbents $4.4 million.

Then theres the 50th district in San Diego, where Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar collected $3.1 million to the $1 million raised by GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, who is under federal indictment for alleged misuse of campaign funds. Despite that, Hunter was winning early Wednesday morning.

Along with the money, the Democrats got plenty of support from party leaders. Former President Barack Obama was in Orange County in September, appearing with a number of California candidates and bringing an anti-Trump message.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, confident that he would be Californias next governor, spent more time talking about the need to elect Democrats to Congress than about his own campaign against Republican John Cox.

Newsom joined Sen. Kamala Harris last weekend in Orange County for a get-out-the-vote effort with the congressional candidates.

Republicans, in contrast, saw few party leaders in the state. A visit to Las Vegas was been as close as Trump came to California.

Ronna McDaniel, head of the Republican National Committee, was in California last month for an Orange County campaign appearance with Rohrabacher, telling volunteers how important the state and the county were to the GOPs future.

Nancy Pelosis path to take back the speakership runs through California, McDaniel told the campaign workers. You can sleep on Nov. 7. But we need you to work as hard as you can until Nov. 6.

Trumps absence wasnt an accident. Democrats in California ran against the president and pushed to tie Republicans to his stands on such issues as immigration, the environment, offshore drilling and tax reform, all unpopular in much of California.

Just last Thursday, for example, the Cisneros campaign fired out a press release charging that the office manager for his Republican opponent, Kim, was executive director of a pro-Trump political action committee.

That group backs conservative Republicans and often retweets pro-Trump propaganda, the campaign charged.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuthUpcoming political events in the Bay Area.

SUNDAY

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.

Election analysis: East Bay Peace Action sponsors a gathering featuring Eric See presenting a post-election analysis. 2 p.m. at the Fred Weaver Residence Center, St. Pauls Tower, 100 Bay Place, Oakland. More information is here.

Unite Against Hate: A week of programs, art, and community events centered on combatting hate violence begins in Castro Valley. Full schedule of events and other information is here.

MONDAY

Climate change meetup: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientist Mark Levine presents an insiders view of the science behind the latest International Panel on Climate Change special report, Global Warming of 1.5C. $8. Sponsored by Climate Reality. Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics, 518 Valencia St., San Francisco. More information is here.

TUESDAY

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.

Climate zeroes: A discusssion on stabilizing the climate through a zero-carbon grid, zero-emission vehicles, zero net energy buildings and zero-waste manufacturing. Speakers include Kate Gordon, sustainability partner at Ridge-Lane LP; Hal Harvey, CEO of Energy Innovation; and Arun Majumdar, mechanical engineering professor and co-director of the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University. $20 for Commonwealth Club members, $7 for students. 6:30-8 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

WEDNESDAY

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.

THURSDAY

Digital government: Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka, California CIO Amy Tong and California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Michael Wilkening discuss the future of digital government in California. $15. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Code for America, 155 Ninth St., San Francisco. More information is here.

FRIDAY

Higher education priorities: College Futures Foundation president Monica Lozano and Mark Baldassare, head of the Public Policy Institute of California, discuss the institutes new higher education survey and priorities for the new governor. Free. 9-10 a.m., Bechtel Conference Center at PPIC, 500 Washington St., San Francisco. 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.

NOV. 27

Ginsburg biographer: Jane Sherron De Hart discusses her book Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life. $15. 7 p.m., Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St. More information is here.

NOV. 29

Fake news: Alexander Sangerlaub, project director of Misinformation in Digital Media leads a panel discussion on the terminology of fake news in a transnational framework and ways to check the spread of misinformation. Free. 6:30-9 p.m. at the Goethe-Institut San Francisco, 530 Bush St., No. 204. More information is here.

Palestinian rights: Benefit screening of Imprisoning a Generation, a documentary film that follows the stories of four young Palestinians who have been imprisoned under the Israeli military system. Film director Zelda Edmunds will give a presentation. Benefit for Middle East Childrens Alliance. Tickets are $15-$50. 7 p.m., Berkeley City College auditorium, 2050 Center St., Berkeley. More information is here.

To list an event, email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.comBillionaire-backed political newcomer Marshall Tuck held a tight lead early Wednesday in the hotly contested race to be Californias superintendent of schools.

Tuck had 50.6 percent of the vote to Tony Thurmonds 49.4 percent, with 97 percent of precincts reporting the results.

Takeaway: In past elections, the endorsement from the California Teachers Association has propelled candidates to victory. Thurmond had the unions backing this year, but the ostensibly nonpartisan race turned into a costly ideological struggle between labor and advocates of education reform. Both candidates are Democrats. The superintendents power lies in persuading lawmakers and the Board of Education to enact changes.

Background: The contest was contentious and costly, with record spending in the campaign exceeding $50 million. The two ran against each other in the June primary, with Tuck coming out on top.

Tuck was backed by deep-pocketed education reformers, including Gap co-founder Doris Fisher and philanthropist and education reformer Eli Broad. Between direct contributions to his campaign and outside committees, his campaign leveraged $37 million.

Thurmond, who had the backing of the education establishment and the powerful teachers union, had less than half that, with $15 million combined in direct contributions and support from outside committees.

Tuck campaigned as an outsider, calling for real change in the state education system. He supported giving traditional public schools the same kind of flexibility in scheduling and hiring that charter schools have. He opposed a moratorium on charter school growth, but promised to increase accountability among the alternative public schools.

Thurmond, a state assemblyman representing Richmond, campaigned as the candidate who would stand up to the Trump administration on issues related to student debt and civil rights. He also said that his experience in Sacramento would allow him to sponsor legislation related to his top priorities, including the cost of college, literacy and universal preschool.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltuckerThe Bay Areas lone Republican legislator in Sacramento appeared to hang onto her seat early Wednesday morning, while the more moderate Democrat in an adjacent East Bay race for state Assembly defeated her progressive competitor.

With 100 percent of precincts partially reporting, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, R-San Ramon, had 51.2 percent of the vote to Democratic challenger Rebecca Bauer-Kahans 48.8 percent in the contest to represent Assembly District 16, which stretches from Walnut Creek to Livermore.

In the East Bays Assembly District 15, which extends from north of Richmond into Oakland, Buffy Wicks defeated Jovanka Beckles, 56 percent to 44 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. They were running for the open seat vacated by Tony Thurmond.

Takeaway: Baker has tried to distance herself from President Trump in her Democratic-leaning district. It worked when she was elected to a second term in 2016, and appeared to be succeeding Wednesday as well.

In her far more progressive district, Beckles late endorsement by Sen. Bernie Sanders looked like it wasnt going to be enough to beat Wicks, who had the backing of the Democratic establishment. In a tweet Tuesday, Beckles said shed been dropped from the voter rolls and had to vote for herself provisionally.

Background: Baker, 47, who calls herself pro-choice, pro-environment and pro-gun control despite the GOP label, touted her bipartisan legislation during the campaign.

Bauer-Kahan, a law professor at Santa Clara University and Golden Gate University, was a first-time candidate. She said she ran because Baker was insufficiently progressive.

Wicks, 41, another first-time candidate, had the backing of former President Barack Obama and other Democratic heavyweights. She directed Hillary Clintons presidential campaign in California in 2016 and worked in the Obama White House on passing the Affordable Care Act.

Wicks outraised and outspent Beckles, a Richmond City Council member and youth mental health counselor who got support from progressive organizations in addition to Sanders.

Lizzie Johnson and Kimberly Veklerov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com, kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @lizziejohnsonnn, @kveklerovWhile the elections were a decidedly mixed bag for Democrats, there was one clear winner: Nancy Pelosi.

The San Francisco Democrat guided her party back to power in the House after eight years, urging them (relentlessly, as we wrote) to stick to a message of health care and pocketbook issues. Every indication is that she will again be speaker of the House, a job she lost to the Republicans after the Tea Party landslide of 2010.

Senior Democratic congressional aides told The Chronicle that although some of the partys candidates called for new leadership during the campaign, that wasnt likely to derail her when the Democratic caucus picks leaders Nov. 28. First of all, she was victorious on a night when Democrats lost ground in the Senate and had some deflating losses on the state level to go with some victories. And she did it despite Republicans aiming a large amount of their advertising fire at her.

Whats more, many of the candidates who ran against her ended up losing. And many of those who didnt embrace her on the trail and won left themselves wiggle room to vote for her on the floor of the House, if she wins a majority of Democrats within the caucus.

Still, she hasnt won yet. Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who unsuccessfully challenged her for party leadership in 2016, told multiple news outlets that he was leaving his options open. Some Democrats privately still doubt Pelosi has the numbers to seal the deal. But no clear challenger has emerged.

One of her potential vulnerabilities evaporated Wednesday when South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, unequivocally backed her.

She has earned it, Clyburn told CNN. I have said from day one: Nancy Pelosi has been a great speaker, I support her, and as long as she is in pursuit of the gavel, Ill be in support of her.

The Congressional Black Caucus had circulated a letter from its chairman last week saying that if there was a challenge to Pelosi or her No. 2, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the group would want one of its own members in those jobs. Clyburn, a senior member, is the third-ranking Democrat.

Pelosi was also getting backing from an unexpected source: President Trump.

Evan Vucci / Associated Press

In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor! Trump tweeted Wednesday morning.

He echoed that in his news conference later in the day, praising Pelosis calls for bipartisanship and agreeing with her that infrastructure, trade and prescription drug prices are all potential areas of compromise.

A lot of people thought I was being sarcastic, Trump said of his tweet. I wasnt. She deserved it. ... She worked very hard.

Pelosi answered back at a news conference of her own, saying, I heard the President say I deserve to the speaker. I dont think anybody deserves anything. Its not about what you have done, its about what you can do.

She added, I think Im the best person to go forward to unify, to negotiate.

Deep dives and late takes

What do we do now? A housing crisis, homelessness spreading from cities into rural areas, an underperforming school system: Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom has plenty on his plate.

Yimby report: One of the Bay Area ballot measures most important to Yimby advocates, who favor more more and bigger housing developments in more places, was passing. But in San Francisco itself, the movements standard-bearer was drubbed in her race for supervisor.

Schaaf in, Brooks out: In Oakland, Libby Schaaf became the citys first mayor since Jerry Brown to win re-election. One of Oaklands most controversial politicians, City Councilwoman Desley Brooks, didnt fare as well.

GOP favorite

Reed Saxon / Associated Press

Kevin de Leon lost every single California county to Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the June primary. It was a different story in the general election, although he was still defeated: On Wednesday, he was ahead in 40 of Californias 58 counties.

With no GOP candidate on the ballot in the Senate race, Republicans had a choice if they didnt want to vote for Feinstein. They could sit it out, or they could vote for the Democratic state senator from Los Angeles who authored Californias main sanctuary law and ran to Feinsteins left, arguing that she wasnt tough enough in taking on President Trump.

Between June and November came Brett Kavanaugh, and Palo Alto University Professor Christine Blasey Fords letter accusing him of attempted rape when they were in high school, which found its way to Feinstein. It eventually leaked to the media. Feinstein denied she had done it, but Trump often sounded like he didnt believe her.

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A lot of California Republicans may not have believed her, either. Nearly all the counties de Leon won were outside the Democratic strongholds of the Bay Area and Los Angeles. In Lassen County, the county that gave Trump his most lopsided margin of victory in California in 2016, de Leon defeated Feinstein by an equally lopsided margin, 70 percent to 30 percent.

Many Republicans, however, clearly did take a pass on the race. As of Wednesday, the number of votes in the Senate contest was running nearly 1 million behind the total for governor, where Republicans had someone in their party to support.

Bad day

Jovana Beckles, the Bernie Sanders-endorsed progressive running for the Assembly seat in the East Bay that was vacated by Tony Thurmond, arrived at the polls in Richmond on Tuesday to find she wasnt listed as an eligible voter. She had to cast a provisional ballot, meaning it will be tabulated if and when shes validated as properly registered.

It wont help much. Beckles opponent, fellow Democrat Buffy Wicks, defeated her by 12 points.

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Californias new gas tax hike, which pays for new freeway lanes, girders, streets that gleam with fresh asphalt and well-functioning transit systems throughout the state, isnt going anywhere.

Voters on Tuesday shot down a measure to repeal the hike, which trailed throughout the night with 55 percent of voters opposed and 45 percent in favor.

Proposition 6 takes aim at a $5 billion annual funding stream to pave potholed highways, repair crumbling bridges and purchase new bus fleets, among other things. The money comes from a 12-cents-per-gallon gas tax, a 20-cents-per gallon diesel fuel tax, a $25 to $175 vehicle registration fee and a $100 clean air vehicle fee that the Legislature enacted last year as SB1, all of which would have vaporized if voters had approved the repeal measure.

Carl DeMaio, a San Diego talk radio personality and chairman of the Prop. 6 campaign, conceded defeat late Tuesday, but insisted the fight is not over.

Millions of Californians who wanted to see a gas tax repeal are going to wake up tomorrow morning and be shocked to find out that a) it failed, and b) that it was on the ballot, he said. And were hoping those Californians will join our movement. Were putting everything on the table, including recalls.

Backers of the initiative successfully used that strategy in June, by persuading Orange County voters to oust state Sen. Josh Newman, who supported SB1. They replaced him with a Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, ending the Democrats supermajority in the Senate.

DeMaio then led a spirited battle that culminated with a nine-day bus tour from San Diego to Sacramento, punctuated by rallies at auto repair shops and in strip mall parking lots.

SB1 accounts for a significant share of Californias $35 billion annual transportation budget  a mix of state, federal and local dollars. The state kicks in roughly a third of that sum from various fuel taxes and registration fees, with the average California driver paying $265 a year, according to a report published last month by the Mineta Transportation Institute. Drivers contributions will likely increase to $310 by 2020 if SB1 survives.

Prop. 6 would have wiped out many of those taxes and fees, along with the revenue they generate to replace shabby buses, realign highway lanes to reduce congestion, add bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and fix dilapidated roads that spread across the state, said Asha Weinstein Agrawal, director of the Mineta Transportation Institutes National Transportation Finance Center and a co-author of the new report.

The future of transportation in California would be a bleak picture indeed, said Agrawal, who said she was voting against Prop. 6. She noted that the cost of maintaining streets and highways would increase when the state pulls back $5 billion a year in funding, because roads are more expensive to fix once they deteriorate.

Intent on protecting those funds, state agencies have turned highways into campaign ads, speckling them with signs bearing the slogan, Your tax dollars at work. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the American Society of Civil Engineers have decried Prop. 6 in their infrastructure reports. When the California Transportation Commission directed $669 million toward roads, bridges and new drainage systems, it touted SB1 as the funding source.

Where else have people voted to tax themselves to pay for what they need? Gov. Jerry Brown asked at a No on 6 rally Tuesday night in a ballroom of the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento. He was among the measures fiercest critics.

But proponents of the ballot initiative say they have taxpayers interests at heart. They contend that the price of gasoline would drop if their measure passes, assuming that oil companies pass the savings along to consumers.

The Prop. 6 campaign also had bigger goals. It was conceived to energize Republican voters, in the hope of boosting turnout for gubernatorial candidate John Cox  who spent the last several months stumping for the gas tax repeal  and Republican contestants in several key House races.

To that end, GOP political action committees and donors pumped in more than $1 million to get Prop. 6 on the ballot. Then they walked away, leaving DeMaios campaign to fend for itself. All told, DeMaio and his allies amassed about $4.8 million  a fraction of the $45 million raised by their opponents.

In an interview days before the election, DeMaio took the stance of a scrappy populist.

This has always been a grassroots effort, he said. It shows that individuals can be a force in politics.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswanSen. Dianne Feinstein won re-election Tuesday night, but will return to a Senate that remains in Republican control.

With Feinstein squaring off against a fellow Democrat, Los Angeles state Sen. Kevin de Leon, Californias seat was never in play for the GOP. But Republicans across the country took advantage of President Trumps popularity in red-hued states to increase their 51-49 advantage in the Senate.

Feinstein was leading with 54 percent of the vote to de Leons 46 percent with 29 percent of precincts reporting.

At her election night party at the Presidio Officers Club  where the San Francisco Girls Chorus sang I left My Heart in San Francisco  Feinstein said the political climate is far different in Washington than when she was first elected to the Senate in 1992.

This is such a great country, and its been fractionalized and trivialized and threatened, Feinstein said. We must stop that. We must come together as the great power that we are, for the good of the nation, and I think, mankind.

Across the nation, Democrats started at a disadvantage Tuesday, defending seats in 10 states Trump carried in 2016. The bad news for them in those races came early in the night, with Republicans picking off incumbent Democrats in Indiana and North Dakota. A Republican then toppled a third Democratic incumbent in Missouri.

To take control of the Senate, they had to successfully defend all 26 Democratic seats up for re-election and win two held by Republicans. Instead, Republicans flipped the three seats and effectively held off Democratic challenges in others. In Florida, Republican Rick Scott seemed poised to topple incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, but the race was too close to call late into the night.

Republicans pulled off their first pickup in Indiana, where Republican challenger Mike Braun defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly. North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamps seat followed, with Rep. Kevin Cramer defeating her handily. In Missouri, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill lost to Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley.

In Texas, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz fended off a tighter-than-expected challenge from Democrat, Rep. Beto ORourke.

Keeping control of the Senate will give Republicans a major bright spot in what is otherwise shaping up to be a rough election year. With Democrats taking control of the House, a Republican majority in the Senate will ensure no Democratic-led legislation reaches Trumps desk.

The Senate also exclusively holds pivotal powers in Washington. The upper chamber confirms all nominees  judicial and Cabinet. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been determined to help Trump remake the federal judiciary by confirming as many conservative judges as possible to the lifetime positions.

And with a raft of Cabinet departures expected from the administration, the party in power will dictate who replaces them. In the rare case of impeachment, the Senate also serves as the trial body, ultimately deciding on any potential verdict.

In California, Feinstein never trailed in any of the pre-election polls, which found her with strong across-the-board support from virtually every group in every part of the state. Much of de Leons backing in those surveys came from Republicans, even though the former state Senate leader argued throughout the campaign that Feinstein should be replaced because she was too willing to work with Trump and the GOP.

For the 85-year-old Feinstein, her battle against de Leon, 51, was a contest she never expected. The former San Francisco mayor has rolled to victory every six years since edging GOP Rep. Michael Huffington in 1994 and was poised for another low-key, no-campaigning campaign this year.

But Trumps 2016 election changed everything, igniting an opposition movement in California that energized progressives in the Democratic Party. Those activists, many of whom supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary, took control of much of the state party machinery, freezing out many of Feinsteins longtime supporters and prompting de Leon to challenge her from the left.

This race has been a fight for Californias future, and for the future of the Democratic Party, de Leon told supporters in Los Angeles on Tuesday night after his bid came to a close. Weve shown that you cant just elect Democrats that walk like Democrats; we have to fight for Democrats who share our values  who arent afraid to stand up, speak out, and fight every day for the most vulnerable.

In San Francisco, Feinsteins supporters celebrated her win and said her leadership was needed more than ever.

She really influenced my career, said Cynthia Nimmo of Sausalito, a former Feinstein staffer who attended the senators election night party.

I learned so much from watching her, said Nimmo, who is CEO of Womens Funding Network, which invests in projects supporting gender equity around the world. She always held herself with such confidence and integrity.

Kathryn Totah of Pacifica said she was hoping to see country-wide change come out of Tuesdays election.

This election feels very important, Totah said during Feinsteins election party.

Democrats taking control of the House helps, said her husband Paul Totah, even if Republicans maintained their dominance in the Senate.

We need to figure out a way to survive the Trump years and this will certainly help, he said.

Chronicle staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.

John Wildermuth and Tal Kopan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com, tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @jfwildermuth @TalKopanSan Francisco voters Tuesday gave a solid thumbs-up to Proposition C, which is designed to inject the most money ever directed at city homeless programs by taxing big businesses to raise hundreds of millions of dollars.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, the measure won 60 percent to 40 percent  a solid majority, but one that might not be big enough to avoid legal entanglements tying up or even eliminating the funding the proposition aims to to raise.

The measure was easily the most contentious on the city ballot, dividing political leaders and pitting the Chamber of Commerce and the owner of tech giant Twitter against nonprofit programs and the owner of the citys largest private employer, Salesforce.

It will charge corporations with revenue above $50 million about 0.5 percent in gross receipts tax, with the proceeds going entirely toward homeless programs. Budget analysts estimate it will raise between $250 million and $300 million a year  nearly doubling the amount already being spent on homeless services and housing.

Prop. C, also referred to as the Our City, Our Home initiative, needed one vote over 50 percent to pass, but proponents were hoping for two-thirds to avoid legal challenges from those who believe anything less might violate state law. Some form of that challenge now seems nearly inevitable, delaying the implementation for months or years

Billionaire Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff, who poured at least $7 million of his own and his companys money into the campaign for Prop. C, proclaimed he was delighted the voters agree that this was what the city so badly needed.

He said that despite not meeting two-thirds vote, the city should press full speed ahead, and that he will lend the full capabilities of his legal team to help that happen.

Fifty percent is all we need  there is (California) Supreme Court precedent on this, he said. We will fight whatever challenge comes up.

Homelessness has long been considered San Franciscos No. 1 problem, driving away tourists and mortifying residents with the daily spectacle of ranting mentally ill people, addled addicts and tent camps. So there was little disagreement at the idea that more funding could help.

The heated debate was about how much money that should be, how it would be spent and monitored, and whether dipping a new hand into business pockets would drive away jobs and damage the citys burgeoning economy.

The highest-profile battle over the initiative kicked off when billionaire Benioff and his company pitched in their funding and challenged other business leaders to join them. Jack Dorsey, head of Square and Twitter, fired back on  yes, Twitter  that the tax would be unfair, tamp down growth in the city and wasnt thought out well enough.

Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness and a principal architect of Prop. C, said the argument that the plan wasnt detailed enough didnt hold water.

Its a comprehensive plan thats been carefully thought through, she said.

Any legal challenge, she added, will just delay things, and more homeless people will die in the meantime. But we will prevail.

Opponents said they were confident a legal challenge now making its way through the courts to similar 50-plus-one percent votes, including a June San Francisco measure to boost teacher salaries, will delay if not outright kill Prop. C by setting a new negative precedent.

Meanwhile, it is probable that the tax will be collected and merely banked  not spent  while the legalities are worked out. That could result in a whopping pot of built-up cash that becomes suddenly available down the line if the challenge takes one or two years.

Despite an unprecedented, all-out $10 million campaign, the Yes on C campaign failed to earn two-thirds support, and as a result San Francisco stands to never see a penny for what Prop. C promised, said Jess Montejano, spokesman for the No on C campaign, which was led by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He said opponents would work with Mayor London Breed, who also opposed the measure  for other solutions to the homelessness crisis.

The citys chief economist estimated that the taxs impact on the economy and the job market would be small, costing the city as many as 875 jobs over the next two decades.

Prop. C mandated that at least half of the $300 million be spent on permanent housing for homeless people. About 25 percent was blocked out for mental health services, up to 15 percent for services to help those who recently became homeless or are at risk of becoming so, and up to 10 percent for emergency shelter and hygiene programs. Proponents said the new money can create housing for at least 5,000 people and 1,000 new emergency shelter beds.

As many as 400 companies, making up 15 to 20 percent of the citys job base, will be subject to the new tax. The citys chief economist estimated that the taxs impact on the economy and the job market would be small, costing the city as many as 875 jobs over the next two decades.

The analysis could not project, however, the difficult math of how much business and employment might be generated by a reduction in the vexing homeless problem  something proponents said would happen.

Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChronA ballot measure that would give San Francisco the money to start rebuilding the Embarcadero seawall was approved by voters Tuesday by a comfortable margin.

Proposition A, which needed a two-thirds vote to pass, had nearly 82 percent support, with 206,446 ballots tabulated.

Takeaway: The $425 million bond wont pay for the entire upgrade to the 3-mile-long structure, which is mostly submerged and curls from Fishermans Wharf to China Basin. That cost is estimated as being at least $2 billion.

Instead, it allows work to start on shoring up sections of the seawall that are most vulnerable to heavy damage in a major earthquake. This is crucial, since the seawall was erected a century ago as the fixed dividing line between the Port of San Francisco and the bay waters beyond.

Seismic safety is important and resonates a lot with San Francisco voters, said David Lewis, executive director of Save the Bay, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that supported the measure. Voters understand that climate change is here, and we need to adapt for our cities to thrive.

Background: Even before Prop. A went on the ballot, the port and the city allocated $40 million to a 10-year contract with a team of structural and engineering consultants. The team will analyze the seawall and do the design and environmental studies necessary for large-scale improvements.

In addition to the seismic concerns related to the structure, which was built in 21 sections with varying methods, climate change is an issue. Sea level rise in coming decades is likely to send water spilling into downtown as high tides and storms coincide, experts say, and at increasing levels after 2050.

There was no organized resistance to Prop. A. Even so, more than $1.3 million was raised for the Yes on A campaign, much of it from developers and local businesses, including Dignity Health, Facebook and Salesforce.

John King is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchronCalifornias most important surfing spots, from Frosty Hesson

Mavericks, San Mateo County

Mavericks is a deadly 30- to 60-foot wave about a quarter-mile off Pillar Point, just north of Half Moon Bay. Hesson hasn't paddled out in a few years; now that he's pushing 70, it's hard to maintain the physical condition needed to handle the beating, he says.

"Mavericks is big, cold, out-of-control and challenging," Hesson says.

The wave typically breaks in winter months on a big west-northwest swell driven by storms over the Pacific Ocean. Since 1999, a one-day invitational surf contest has been held at Mavericks where 24 big wave surfers from all over the world test their skill on the monstrous wave. But ocean conditions don't always cooperate, so the contest isn't held every year.

"When Mavericks breaks, it detonates," Hesson says. "It makes a sound I have not heard anywhere else."

Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz County

From the most dangerous break, Hesson decided his next choice would be the most accessible wave on the list to "round out" the Central Coast surf experience.

"Cowell's is warm, crowded, predictable and soft." Hesson says. "It's a great place to learn."

Cowell Beach, in the heart of Santa Cruz, with the boardwalk and Giant Dipper roller coaster within sight, is still too gentle for his tastes, but it's where he directs a lot of people just getting their feet wet. The beach is tucked around the corner from another iconic break, Steamer Lane.

"Somebody said long ago you start at Cowell's and you end up back at Cowell's," he said. "I haven't ended back at Cowell's yet."

Rincon Point State Beach, Santa Barbara/Ventura counties

Rincon is a smooth right point break that goes on forever, all within view of Highway 1 above, making it one of the most famous surf spots in California. The wave, along with Hesson's next two picks, have been part of surfing lore for more than half a century with the Beach Boys even singing about them in the 1962 song "Surfin' Safari."

RIncon is known as the "Queen of the Coast" with a beach and ocean floor littered with round stones smoothed out over the ages by the ocean. It sits on the border of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and attracts people from all over the world when it's firing on a west-northwest swell during the winter months.

"Rincon is iconic Southern California style," Hesson says. "It's not nearly as raw and wild as what we have here (in Northern California), but it's a very special, magical wave."

Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach), Los Angeles County

If Rincon exudes Southern Californian style, Malibu does "even more so," Hesson says. There are actors, celebrities, big crowds and a lot of ego in the water.

"You gotta look cool," Hesson says. "I don't look so cool, at least when I'm not surfing."

There are three points that offer different breaks: first point, second point and third point. Third point is the steepest wave, where the "shortboarders hang out," Hesson says. First point is the dominant break that takes some time to learn.

"Malibu has a soft summertime wave that can be really long and very crowded," Hesson says. "It's a playful wave that many call one of the best longboard waves in the world."

The last time Hesson surfed Malibu he had made the trip south to speak with Hollywood producers about the film that would become "Chasing Mavericks."

Huntington Beach, Orange County

For a look at the socioeconomic and cultural diversity of surfing, look no further than Huntington Beach in Orange County, Hesson says. He points to Kanoa Igarashi, who won the Vans U.S. Open of surfing in August, as an example of just that: Igarashi is a Huntington Beach local who competes for Japan in the Olympics.

It also boasts miles of beach break and parties up and down the beach with more than 500 fire pits for post-surfing barbecues and festivities.

"You'll find everybody in Huntington Beach," Hesson says. "It's seedy, yet there's affluence, and you get every culture and every country represented in one spot. It's incredible to see all the community come together on the beach and in the water. It's a blast."

San Onofre State Beach (aka Trestles), San Diego County

The final stop south from Santa Cruz on Hesson's list is San Onofre State Beach and five breaks collectively known as Trestles. Each break has a different character and from north-to-south they are named: Cottons, Uppers, Lowers, Middles and Church.

"It has a bunch of fun little reef breaks." Hesson says. "You take off and go left for a while, then right and back to the left."

San Onofre State Beach falls between San Clemente to the north and the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to the south. The terrain in the area is mostly scrub brush that has been untouched by development other than a decommissioned nuclear power plant.

"It's the essence of what surfing is," Hesson says. "You have a surf, then go to a hut to barbeque, chill, hang, then go for a surf again, come back in and do it all over again."From the Grand Canyon to the California coast, Meenakshi Moorthy and Vishnu Viswanath documented a life of travel and and natural beauty in their adopted homeland for more than 10,000 Instagram followers.

The pair had immigrated to Silicon Valley from India. Moorthy described herself as the high-spirited storyteller who wrote their social media entries. Viswanath, she said, was the head photographer of our most pretty pics. Posting online was about more than just receiving likes, she often remarked. And she warned about the dangers of scaling high places just for photographs.

On Oct. 25, the couples bodies were recovered after tourists came across their abandoned camera equipment at the top of Taft Point, a granite outcropping 1,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. It is unclear whether the couple died while taking a selfie. Although in posts Moorthy described herself as a fan of daredevilry and an adrenaline junky, friends and family said the married couple were usually very cautious.

A lot of us including yours truly is a fan of daredevilry attempts of standing at the edge of cliffs and skyscrapers, but did you know that wind gusts can be FATAL??? Moorthy wrote on a post with a photo of her sitting on a cliff overlooking the Grand Canyon. Is our life just worth one photo?

Viswanath and Moorthy met while they were both studying in the western Indian state of Kerala. Viswanath had wanted to be a doctor or an engineer. He used to be a chess player and loved math, his brother Jishnu remembers.

Like so many young Indians, Viswanath was drawn to software engineering and the promise it held of a lucrative career overseas. After graduating, he and Moorthy, by then his girlfriend, moved to Illinois so that he could study at Bradley University.

Chris Nikolopoulos, a professor there, instructed Viswanath in artificial intelligence and later hired him as a research assistant. He said Viswanath was one of the brightest young programmers hed encountered in 30 years of teaching. He had a very dynamic personality and a very active mind, Nikolopoulos said. He was the kind of person who could have changed the world.

An expert in big data and artificial intelligence, Viswanath had recently landed a job at Cisco. A friend, Mageshwaran Mohan, said that since Moorthy wasnt permitted to work after accompanying Viswanath to the U.S., she threw her energy into blogging.

The couple launched their latest blog and Instagram account, titled Holidays and Happily Ever Afters, last year, describing it as the happy place where wishful wanderlust meets vistas of positivity. Moorthys effusively upbeat posts, sprinkled with happy-face emojis, rainbows and unicorn references, were complemented by Viswanaths colorful photographs, in which Moorthy was unmistakable thanks to her bright-pink hair.

One friend, Ameena Badarudeen, said that Moorthy had written to her: The world has soooo many beautiful places out there and I feel we have soo little time to see them all.

While Moorthy posted about the wonders of discovering new places, she acknowledged the difficulties of the couples mobile lifestyle. She mentioned the hardships of finding an apartment in New York and then packing all the couples boxes for the move to California.

Sometimes she stopped posting for months, then mentioned the dark times she had experienced, and promoted an internet campaign to #stopthestigma of mental illness. There are days in my life ... when unicorns sparkling in rainbow glitter are dancing around me and still I am buried in my blanket for weeks together hurting in a whirl of hopeless dark thoughts, she wrote.

Their friend Mohan said that, despite the ups and downs that come with immigrating to a new country, the couple felt as if they were living a dream. They were loving what they were doing, he said. She loved the fall colors and the snow, which we had never seen before in India. Even I am sad sometimes because I cant go back and see my parents. But they were happy.

The circumstances of their death are under investigation. Sean Matteson, a visitor who was at Taft Point on the night of the couples deaths, realized that he had unintentionally captured Moorthy in a photo he took of himself and a friend. She appeared to be closer to the edge than any other tourist.

Initially, Viswanaths brother, Jishnu, was widely reported to have said that the couple were taking a selfie when they died. But in an interview with the Guardian this week he said that was not strictly true. They had set up a camera separately, he said; he had not meant to imply that the couple fell as they were holding a camera in their hands.

In any event, selfies have been blamed for numerous deaths in Yosemite. In September, an 18-year-old Israeli man, Tomer Frankfurter, fell from an 800-foot cliff and died while taking one. In 2011, three young people died while trying to get pictures of Vernal Falls.

A recent study documented 259 deaths worldwide caused by people taking selfies  dubbed selficides by the researchers  between October 2011 and November 2017. The vast majority of victims were young people ages 10 to 29. The most common causes of death were drowning, transportation accidents and falls from high places.

The deaths of Viswanath and Moorthy pierce the benign image of national parks, which remain wild and sometimes unforgiving places despite their record popularity. According to a 2017 analysis by Outside magazine, just over 1,000 people died in U.S. national parks between 2006 and 2016, excluding suicides.

People might be deciding, Do I want to go to Disney World or on a cruise or to a national park? said Graham Ottley, the general manager of Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, a private guiding company. And, for people who are used to being in very regulated settings with guardrails and smooth pathways, it may not be clear what is a safe place and what is an unsafe place.

For those close to the couple, recent events still have an air of unreality. Nikolopoulos, the professor, said that it is hard to believe Viswanath may have died over something as trivial as a photograph. They are still investigating, but who knows what happened. Maybe a deer or a bear came along. He is looking into starting a scholarship program for graduate students in Viswanaths name.

Jishnu, Viswanaths brother, said that Viswanath and Moorthy had been planning to return to India at the start of next year for a wedding. He remembers his brother as an amazing person, almost perfect in every aspect. And he remembers the bond the couple shared, saying, They loved each other like no one has loved anyone else.

Erin McCormick and Michael Safi are Guardian staff writers.Every Wednesday morning, SFGATE finds the biggest headlines in local (and sometimes national) beer. Check back here weekly for news, events, and information about special releases from your favorite local breweries.

SFGATE has a biweekly beer newsletter! Called the Taploid, it contains key stories from this column, as well as other, more nationally-spanning industry news. To sign up, head here, enter your email at the top, and check the box marked "Taploid."

The snowflake lights may be lit up along Market Street, but really, there's just one true bellwether of Christmas season: the release of Anchor Brewing's Christmas Ale. This year, the beer has just been released in two sizes  gold-foiled magnum-sized bottles and in six packs  and per a press release, it's "complex and full in flavor, packed with toasty cocoa notes, roasted malts and strong aromas of resinous pine."

Much is afoot at HenHouse. The North Bay brewery has an ambitious $4.5 million plan to grow and expand the company, announcing the forthcoming hire of more than 40 people over the next two years as well as an objective to get beer into even more bars and restaurants. Additionally, as founder Collin McDonnell tells SFGATE, the brewery is planning to eventually kick off a bottle club program "as soon as we can keep up with the demand for sour and wood aged beer in our tasting rooms." With all the changes though, fans shouldn't worry that the brewery will forget its main priority: freshness. As McDonnell tells the Press Democrat, "We have the most aggressive shelf life of any brewery out there."

At last, the deep East Bay will get their very own Fieldwork location this week. Roughly nine months after SFGATE reported that the Berkeley brewery would be opening a taproom in San Ramon, that day will finally arrive on Thursday, November 8 at 11 a.m. Follow their Instagram for updates.

South Bay locals and carnivores may want to consider heading over to AT&T Park this Saturday, November 10, when a number of local breweries and restaurants will serve up bacon and beer at the, well, Bacon and Beer Classic. Get more details here.

The free beer shuttle is back for November this Wednesday, Nov. 7, when the San Francisco Brewers Guild brings around the buses to take beer fans to a bunch of "South Side" breweries: Harmonic, Magnolia (the Dogpatch location), Triple Voodoo, Barebottle, Ferment.Drink.Repeat, or Laughing Monk and Seven Stills. The night begins with a "Meet the Brewers" event at Speakeasy, where its head brewer Phil Cutti will be hanging for the release of their South Side Rye beer.

Homebrewers from all over Oakland will convene at Old Kan this Sunday, Nov. 11 for the 2nd Annual Oakland Unified School District Dad's Club Homebrew Competition & Fundraiser. The fest raises money for the A-Z Fund, which "gives grants to Oakland's high-need public schools for field trips, art, music, sports, and other underfunded activities." Tickets for the event are on sale now.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

When John Vrionis and Jyoti Bansal set out to raise money this year for their first venture capital fund, Unusual Ventures, industry peers advised them to go after the easy money  sovereign wealth funds like those managed by Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, which have become major investors in Silicon Valley.

People would say, Its really easy  theyll give you as much money as you want, Vrionis said.

But the pair said they didnt feel comfortable making investments on behalf of repressive governments. Instead, they sought investments from nonprofit groups, historically black universities and childrens hospitals.

That move has helped them avoid difficult conversations in recent weeks, as gruesome details emerged about the slaying in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who had been critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Last week, the chief prosecutor of Istanbul said Khashoggi had been strangled almost as soon as he stepped into the Saudi Consulate in the city. Some of the agents who have been detained in connection with the killing have been linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This has started the conversation of Where is the money coming from? Bansal said.

Other Silicon Valley investors are in a more uncomfortable position. Some startup founders are asking their investors whether they have financial connections to a foreign government with a poor human rights record. Others say that from now on, they will demand to know the source of investment money.

But it is easy for founders to ask where the money is coming from, and much harder for them to take action. Often, it is difficult to figure out where venture capital firms are getting their money, because the firms rarely disclose that information. And even if startup executives discover that some of their money is from an unwelcome source, it is tricky to give back money already accepted  and possibly spent.

The efforts and calls for action are nascent. Luis von Ahn, CEO of language-learning app Duolingo, said he had recently taken a closer look at the more than $100 million his company had raised from investors, including Union Square Venture and Kleiner Perkins. He does not believe any of it came from Saudi Arabia, he said, but he added that he could not be sure, given the complex, opaque network of investment vehicles that back venture capital funds.

Von Ahn said the information was more useful for evaluating potential future investments than reassessing past ones, and that he plans to raise the question with potential investors if Duolingo seeks more investment.

There are all kinds of places I personally wouldnt want to have money from, he said.

Amol Sarva, a founder of Knotel, a co-working startup, said he had been telling bankers and fundraising advisers that he wants to avoid money from certain groups, including evil governments.

All money is green, but there is plenty of it all around, he said. If we can choose who we talk to, we will.

Fred Wilson, a partner at Union Square Ventures, a prominent firm in New York, wrote on his blog last month that the CEO of a company in its portfolio had, for the first time, asked about the firms financial ties. He said he expected more emails like that in the coming weeks.

Wilson wrote that he didnt have completely clean hands, because his firm had once sold shares in a portfolio company to a buyer who was fronting for gulf interests. But he said Union Square Ventures funds had not raised money from repressive governments, and he called for venture capital firms and startups to find out whether they could be proud of their investors.

Sadly, the answer for many will be no and it will not be easy to unwind those relationships, Wilson wrote.

Venture capital investors raise money from a variety of sources, including pension funds, college endowments, sovereign wealth funds, wealthy individuals and family fortunes. They then use the money to invest in startups with the potential for fast growth.

Since the venture capital funds are privately held, they are under little obligation to disclose information about their activities. Some executives at the firms say they keep the information private for competitive reasons. Others do so at the request of the people and organizations, known as limited partners, that invest.

Some top-tier firms, including Menlo Park companies Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins, are so secretive that they do not accept investments from public pension funds, which publish the results of their investments. These disclosures allow the public to know how much  or little  money the firms earned for their investors.

The lack of required disclosures makes following the money difficult. When reached for this article, many of the top firms including Accel of Palo Alto, Benchmark of San Francisco and Woodside, and Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed, Greylock and New Enterprise Associates  all of Menlo Park  along with Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins, declined to publicly discuss their limited partners.

But Saudi Arabia has been a big investor in tech. The kingdoms Public Investment Fund has made investments directly in some startups, like San Franciscos Uber and Floridas Magic Leap, an augmented-reality headset company. Neither company has given any indication that it would return the money.

The kingdom has also invested in top venture firms. It sometimes strikes these deals through other entities, like the endowment fund of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, a Saudi research university that bears the name of the former ruler who created it. Only the largest and most powerful startup investor, SoftBank, which raised $45 billion from Saudi Arabia for its Vision Fund, has made its association public.

After the news of Khashoggis death, David Gutelius, a partner at the Data Guild, a San Francisco boutique venture outfit that incubates and invests in startups, began asking prospective investors about the sources of their money. Finding them out was more difficult than he expected, Gutelius said, because many investments into the venture funds came from shell companies and other entities. But he said he had found pervasive ties to governments with poor human rights records, including Russia, China and Saudi Arabia.

As a result of his discoveries, Gutelius said, he ended fundraising conversations with three groups, including venture capital funds, and plans to cut off two more. He declined to name the groups. Last month, he announced that his firm would not take money from repressive regimes or have partnerships with any firms or companies that counted them as customers, investors or board members.

I want to get back to building companies that matter to the world without worrying about which board is beholden to which regime, Gutelius said. Thats not something we should even be having to discuss.

Roy Bahat, an investor at Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg, said the questions were part of a growing realization in Silicon Valley about the global nature of investment money. He said some founders started asking him about venture fund limited partners about a year ago, when sovereign wealth funds became more aggressive in the technology industry. Bloomberg Beta has one limited partner, its parent company, Bloomberg.

Founders now really care, and theyre getting more sophisticated on it, Bahat said.

It is unclear to what extent these concerns will stick. Past revelations of such connections have barely made waves among startups.

Last year, an investigation of offshore banking documents known as the Paradise Papers revealed that an investment in San Franciscos Twitter by DST Global, founded by Yuri Milner, was backed by VTB, a Kremlin-controlled bank often used for politically strategic deals. Milner has built a reputation for savvy dealmaking in Silicon Valley, and the revelation did not hurt his standing among startups. Several companies that raised money from the firm  which were not revealed to be connected to any deal involving an investment from the Russian government  defended him at the time.

But Gutelius at the Data Guild said he thought the technology industry was in a different place now. Technology companies face a backlash against their addictive products, privacy violations and their role in the spread of misinformation.

He said the source of the tech industrys funding matters, because the profits you generate go directly back to supporting that regime and everything it stands for.

Erin Griffith is a New York Times writer.Takeda Pharmaceutical CEO Christophe Weber pushed back against dissident shareholders seeking to stop the Japanese drugmakers acquisition of Shire, saying he wont release minutes of boardroom discussions.

A group including members of Takedas founding family opposes the planned $62 billion acquisition of the British biotech firm, which would rank as the biggest overseas takeover by a Japanese company. The investors plan to sue Takeda to obtain details of the board talks leading up to the May deal, trade publication DealReporter said last week.

We discuss many confidential topics, and we think board minutes should remain confidential, Weber said in an interview in London.

The planned transaction, which would vault the maker of cancer drug Ninlaro into the ranks of the worlds largest pharmaceutical giants and boost its pipeline of new medicines, is on track toward closing, Weber said. Authorities in the United States, China, Brazil and Japan have cleared the deal, leaving the European Union as the last major regulator needing to issue a decision. Takeda has offered to dispose of an experimental Shire treatment for Crohns disease, a malady of the digestive system, to win approval and is in discussions with the European Commission on the matter, Weber said.

Takeda plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting by Jan. 18 for shareholders to vote on the deal; Shire investors would get a separate vote around the same time. The dissident group represents fewer than 100 people and holds less than 1 percent of Takeda, Weber said.

The opponents of the deal plan to step up their campaign, targeting retail investors by sending an open letter to the Japanese company in coming days to detail their objections, said Shigeru Mishima, a financial analyst whos advising the group.

Takeda shares jumped in Tokyo trading Tuesday. While the Japanese companys shares are down about 16 percent since its intentions were first made public at the end of March, Shires stock has gained 47 percent. Shire shares slipped slightly in London trading Monday.

Takeda said last week that Webers management team informed the board of its interest in Shire as early as September 2017. Directors were regularly briefed on the Japanese companys due-diligence procedures and the takeover talks, according to Weber.

They have a different vision of what Takeda should become, Weber said. Its a question of being a global company versus a local company.

The only way the company would relent on the request to release the board minutes, the CEO said, is if a court orders it. So far, he said, hes unaware of any legal action by the dissidents, who argue that Weber railroaded the deal past directors with insufficient scrutiny.

Eric Pfanner and William Canny are Bloomberg writers. Email: epfanner1@bloomberg.net, wcanny3@bloomberg.netExtreme fire danger in Northern California this week prompted PG&E on Wednesday to warn of possible power outages as the company considers shutting off electricity to keep downed wires from sparking a blaze.

About 70,000 customers across nine counties, including parts of the North Bay, were scheduled to receive notifications about the preemptive blackouts, which would begin Thursday and mark just the second time the utility has employed such a fire-prevention tactic.

Last month, officials at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. turned off power for two days for up to 60,000 people during a period of strong winds. The utility was widely praised for heeding the lessons of last years deadly Northern California wildfires, many of which were blamed on sparks from power lines, though some criticized the outages as an unnecessary inconvenience.

Obviously this is something we do only as a last resort when we really feel like its essential to protecting the safety of our customers and communities, said PG&E spokeswoman Jennifer Robison.

Since last year, the company has expanded its forecasting abilities with a series of weather stations that continuously monitor fire danger across the many microclimates of its service area.

Officials said expectations of high winds Thursday, on top of a red-flag warning issued by the National Weather Service, could bring preemptive outages as early as sunrise

Customers and communities should be prepared to wake up Thursday morning with the potential of not having power, Robison said.

The areas affected include the Napa County communities of St. Helena, Angwin and Pope Valley and unincorporated areas in northeast Sonoma County. Also on alert are parts of Butte, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra and Yuba counties.

PG&E officials said they try to confine the outages to places where theyre absolutely warranted. While the size of an area where PG&E can shut off power varies, the company does not reveal how many customers are affected by an individual switch, for privacy reasons.

When a preemptive outage is initiated, PG&E officials say that as a matter of policy they inspect every mile of line where the power was out to ensure no wind damage was sustained and that power can be restored safely.

Its not as simple as flipping a switch, Robison said.

Kathy Flamson, a clerk for the city of Calistoga, experienced last months power shutoff and said it was most inconvenient during meal times.

We didnt want to lose the food in the fridge, she said. In the future, Flamson said her family would use a cooler instead of relying on the refrigerator.

Gusty northern winds, dry vegetation and low humidity across Northern California have created prime circumstances for wildfires.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued the red-flag warning to take effect from Wednesday night to Friday morning in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills. Those areas are expecting wind gusts up to 45 mph, and any fires that spark could spread rapidly. The biggest threats exist in the hills of eastern Napa County and areas around Atlas Peak, Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton, officials said.

Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said crews are preparing for possible wildfires by increasing staff in affected areas and making sure engines and aircraft are ready to go.

Those in affected areas with these predicted severe winds tonight and tomorrow morning need to be ready to evacuate, McLean said. Have your go kits ready to go and make sure to have a full tank of gas.

While some residents felt PG&E was evading responsibility with the shutoffs, Flamson said after the Tubbs Fire that a plan for shutting off power when conditions are unsafe was one recommendation she heard.

Short of undergrounding all the wires, this seems like what weve asked PG&E to do, she said. Its part of living in this area at this point. Its our new normal.

Ashley McBride and Kurtis Alexander are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb @kurtisalexanderTravelSkills has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission from card issuers.

Right now is probably the best time of year to sign up for a new credit card.

Why? Because it's the easiest time of year to score big sign-up bonuses offered by banks.

One of the biggest hurdles to getting those fat 40,000-75,000 point or mile sign-up bonuses are the sometimes steep "minimum spend requirements" - you know, the base amount you have to spend in the first three months to get the points or miles.

During the holidays, when expenses rise for travel, gifts, entertaining and dining out, it's easier than ever to hit that minimum spend.

So if you are bored with your current cards, and worried that you are leaving points or miles on the table...or if you've been scared off by a big minimum spend requirement, now's the time to look again.

Take some time this week to explore your options now before the hectic holidays begin and you don't have time. Go ahead and get the process started now and get the card before the holiday spending spree begins.

Here's a list of the bonuses and cards we've written about recently- see if you can find one that's right for you:

65,000 United miles: Chase/United Explorer card- best for United frequent flyers who don't stray to other carriers. (65K is a limited time offer- standard offer is usually 40K)

50,000 Ultimate Rewards points: Chase Sapphire Preferred card- rewards points can be redeemed on wide variety of airlines

75,000 Starwood SPG points: SPG Luxury card from Amex- high fee, but its paid back easily in benefits that can greatly improve your trips and hotel stays

40,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards: Southwest Airlines Priority Card - those points will help get you to Hawaii when SWA flights take off next year

25,ooo Membership Rewards points + 20% off restaurant charges: American Express Gold Card- recently revamps for foodie-focused travelers

60,000 Membership Rewards Points: American Express Platinum card - perennial favorite among true frequent travelers, especially those who appreciate a nice airport lounge

$100 (10,000 points): Uber Visa Card by Barclays - best no-annual-fee card going when you consider this card's rich benefits

Two free nights at Marriott hotels (up to 35K points each): Marriott Premier Plus card - free nights and elite status

50,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard- a perfect way to save up for a Hawaiian vacation

What credit card do you carry? Why does it work for you? Please leave your advice for others in the comments.

TravelSkills has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission from card issuers.

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, Samsung's foldable phone is real and extends into a tablet, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Samsung on Wednesday gave the first glimpse of its upcoming foldable phone, saying it'll be mass produced "in the coming months."

Justin Denison, Samsung senior vice president of mobile marketing, showed off the phone, which is a tablet when it's fully opened and then a phone when it's closed. It uses a new display technology called Infinity Flex Display that lets you open and close the device over and over without any degradation.

"The Infinity Flex Display represents an entirely new mobile platform," Denison said. "We've been living in a world where the size of your screen can only be as large as the device itself. We've added a new dimension to help you browse, watch and multitask like never before."

More for you Cuddlr joins ranks of Tinder, Grindr as platonic cuddling app for strangers

The foldable phone can run up to three apps at the same time, something Samsung calls Multi Active Window. Google's Glen Murphy, head of Android UX, took the stage after Denison and said Android will support the new foldable display technology.

Denison added that Samsung's also working on technology for rollable and stretchable displays.

Samsung made the announcements at its fifth annual developers conference, taking place Wednesday and Thursday in San Francisco. The event, which started off small at a San Francisco hotel, in 2016 expanded to Moscone Center West, where Apple previously held its developer conference. Last year, 5,000 people attended SDC.

Juan Garzon/CNET

SDC reflects Samsung's big push to get developers to make software specifically for its devices. In the past, that's meant making apps that work on the edge of Samsung's curved smartphone displays or take advantage of its S Pen stylus. This year, that focus has turned to Bixby and artificial intelligence.

Samsung has been chasing the holy grail of a foldable phone since it teased one at CES 2013 by showing off a flexible OLED display. The device comes at a tough time for the mobile market. Apple and Samsung handset sales are slowing down, and the global smartphone market is said to be in recession. Foldable phones could mark the next big innovation in mobile devices -- as long as they're not too gimmicky.

Angela Lang/CNET

D.J. Koh, CEO of Samsung's mobile business, told CNET in an October interview that you'll be able to use the device as a tablet with multitasking capability before being able to fold it up into a more portable phone. He once again stressed that the foldable phone wouldn't be a "gimmick product" that would "disappear after six to nine months after it's delivered."

"When we deliver a foldable phone, it has to be really meaningful to our customers," Koh said last month.

5G is your next big upgrade: Everything you need to know about the 5G revolution.

Taking It to Extremes: Mix insane situations -- erupting volcanoes, nuclear meltdowns, 30-foot waves -- with everyday tech. Here's what happens.Looking to slake your thirst for democracy? We've got you covered with this roundup of happy hours and watch parties for the 2018 midterm election results around the San Francisco Bay Area.

WATCH LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: 2018 Midterm Election Results SF, CA, U.S. Live Tracker

San Francisco

SoMa:

SoMa StrEat Food Park - 428 11th Street,

"I Voted" Happy Hour

11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

There will be seven food trucks, six screens, and happy hour drink specials for voters. Dog-friendly.

OASIS - 298 11th St.

Election Night Party with Matt Haney and the SF Democratic Party

8:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Mission:

Zeitgeist - 199 Valencia St.

Election Results Watch Party

4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Results will be shown inside and projected on the back wall outside. Show your "I voted" sticker to the bartender and get a free cocktail.

El Rio - 3158 Mission St.

League of Pissed Off Voters Election Night Party

8 p.m.

The Lab - 2948 16th St.

Prop E Election Results Watch Party

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Hosted by Yes on Prop. E.

Manny's - 3092 16th St.

6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Will be showing results on TV and feature "flip the house" drinking games.

FiDi:

The Barrel Room - 415 Sansome St.

Post-Election Party: You Voted. Now Let's Drink.

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Get a free shot with your "I voted" sticker and choose from a list of election-themed cocktails.

The Wing - 115 Sansome St., Suite 200

Election Night Live + Wine

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The event at this women's coworking space will screen CNN coverage and serve wine.

Free with Eventbrite RSVP

Tenderloin:

PianoFight

Wave Watch - An Election Night Extravaganza

8 p.m.

Justin Robert Young will do a live recording of the Politics Politics Politics podcast, recapping races and discussing results.

$18

NoPa

University of San Francisco - 2130 Fulton St.

USF Votes Election Watch Party

4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Free food, games, prizes.

East Bay

Oakland:

Club BNB Nightclub - 2120 Broadway

LGBTQ Election Night Viewing Party

4 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Free pizza.

Heart and Dagger Saloon - 504 Lake Park Ave.

"I Vote for Alcohol" Election Night Party

9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Get a $1 Tecate with your "I voted" sticker.

The New Parkway - 474 24th St.

KPFA Election Results Viewing Party

5 p.m. -11 p.m.

Admission $7; Get $2 off food with "I voted" sticker

Starline Social Club - 2236 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

"Can Democracy Work?"

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

In addition to screening the returns, two professors of politics and philosophy will discuss their work.

Berkeley

Spats - 1974 Shattuck Ave.

6 p.m.

Hosted by Indivisible Berkeley, Flip the 14, Sister District Project CA 13 and Together We Will Albany-Berkeley

South Bay and Peninsula

Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. - 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

$3 pints all night, get a free appetizer with purchase of beer if you show your voting sticker.

Art Boutiki - 44 Race St., San Jose

6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

This music venue inside a comics shop will have folk music and "some other cool stuff."

Did we miss anything good? Shoot us an email to let us know.

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on TwitterIt's called the Fleet of the Future, and aptly so. The shiny new BART cars are a rare sight on the transit system's 121 miles of railway, and the days when we'll all be riding them around the Bay Area are still a ways off.

Here's what it means if your BART seats are flipped over

The fleet was first shown off to the media back in July 2017. It was a bumpy ride, to say the least, but there were noticeable improvements; the trains were quieter, more spacious, and best of all, clean.

When the first train of the new fleet started traveling the Richmond to Warm Springs line (the BART line with the lowest ridership), those lucky enough to score a ride were pretty pleased. That was in Jan. 2018. Ten months later, on Oct. 24, the new model debuted on a transbay route, from Daly City to Warm Springs.

That's two trains in 10 months.

So, what's taking so long? There are a couple key factors slowing the fleet's rollout to a glacial pace.

First off, BART is inconveniently unique. The tracks are wider than standard gauge, which is the width used on the overwhelming majority of transit systems around the world.

"This means that the new rail cars can't be tested at the factory  they need to be shipped to BART property and tested on tracks here," said BART spokesperson Jim Allison. The new cars had to be brought from where they were manufactured in upstate New York all the way to Hayward, where they were tested and modified.

When they arrived in the Bay Area, Allison says "the first 10 pilot cars were far from a finished product."

"Once we got the pilot rail cars on our test track, we began putting them through the paces and found numerous changes we wanted to make before the production line ramped up," said Allison. "Each car has 30 microprocessors and 180 distinct software packages. That's lot of components to test and modify."

BART eventually identified 2,900 modifications that needed to be made to the pilot cars.

The technological upgrade is so significant that training operators is also taking some time.

"Imagine comparing a 2018 automobile to a 1972 auto. Both have engines and four wheels but think of all the electronic and computer components of a modern automobile compared to a '72 Pinto," Allison said.

BART approved 30 new cars to carry passengers, but 20 cars (the equivalent of two 10-car trains) are being used to train operators. Allison says half of BART train operators have completed the training so far.

All this means: It could be a while until you're riding one of the clean, new trains to and from work

BART hopes to have five 10-car trains in service by the end of the year, one on each line. Next year, you should be seeing more of them  260 new cars will be in rotation by the end of 2019, says BART spokesperson Alicia Trost. But the entire fleet of 775 cars won't be in action until spring 2022.

"The time we've spent doing this is well worth it if you consider we need these cars to carry passengers for the next half century," says Allison.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.

Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.WASHINGTON  The energy and outrage of the Democratic resistance faced off against the brute strength of President Trumps GOP on Tuesday as voters across America decided whether Democrats should control at least one chamber of Congress for the first time in the Trump era.

Fundraising, polls and history were not on the presidents side. But two years after an election that proved polls and prognosticators wrong, an air of uncertainty  and stormy weather across parts of the country  clouded the outcome of high-stakes elections from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between.

With most of the country still voting, at least one lower-profile election with presidential implications was decided after the first major wave of polls closed in the East. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders easily won his third term.

Other 2020 Democratic prospects on Tuesdays ballot included Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House was slipping away. The GOPs grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Everything we have achieved is at stake, Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested gubernatorial election. More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early-voting records across 37 states, according to an Associated Press analysis.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

The nationwide survey indicated that nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction.

Two issues more than any others were on voters minds: 25 percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the presidents favorite, Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

The presidents current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, was the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were five points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive. Thirty-five Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

Trump spent Tuesday at the White House, tweeting, making calls, monitoring the races and meeting with his political team.

He and the first lady were to host an evening watch party for family and friends. Among those expected: Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal adviser to the president.

Democrats, whose very relevance in the Trump era depended on winning at least one chamber of Congress, were laser-focused on health care as they predicted victories that would break up the GOPs monopoly in Washington and state governments.

Jay Hutchins, a 49-year-old Democrat who voted in the Washington suburb of Silver Spring, Md., was among those dissatisfied with Trump and the Republican-led Congress.

Im not pleased with Trumps leadership at all. I think hes trying to divide this country, said Hutchins, acting executive director of a group that advocates on labor issues. I think hes preying upon peoples fears. I think we need a president and leadership that appeals to the better angels of folks. I dont think Trump has done that at all.

But in Ohio, Judy Jenkins, a 60-year-old Republican, said she was voting exclusively for GOP candidates. She said she used to vote for candidates from both major parties, but vowed never to support a Democrat because she was so upset by how new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was treated in his confirmation process. She also backs Trump and said Republicans are moving in the right direction on health care.

Republicans have actually brought the change, she said. Thats why our economy is growing like it is. They may not be perfect, but who is?

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

Democrats could derail Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate. Perhaps more important, they would claim subpoena power to investigate Trumps personal and professional dealings.

Steve Peoples is an Associated Press writer.CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.  The show onstage might well have been called Fox & Friend. As President Trump wrapped up the midterm election cycle with a late-night rally in southeast Missouri on Monday, he was joined by a trio of conservative media rock stars.

Introducing the president as he stumped for Republican candidates was Rush Limbaugh, the radio host who was born and raised in Cape Girardeau. Then after Trump took the microphone, he invited two Fox News personalities, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro, to join him on stage, where each also delivered a short speech backing the president.

The participation of the Fox hosts in a political rally struck even executives at the network as inappropriate.

Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events, the network said in a statement Tuesday. We have an extraordinary team of journalists helming our coverage tonight, and we are extremely proud of their work. This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed.

How it was addressed the network did not say. Hannity followed up with his own statement saying that Trumps invitation to come on stage was spontaneous, but the popular conservative host expressed no regret about accepting. The only thing he lamented was that some took his onstage attack on the fake news to include his colleagues from Fox.

Pirro did not immediately issue a statement.

The line between the Trump White House and Fox has always been a little blurry, but in that moment, the fusion of president and network seemed complete.

Trump has long relied on the network as his outlet of choice. His vice president, Cabinet secretaries and staff members appear with great regularity.

The pipeline also works the other way. The president recruited his current national security adviser, John Bolton, from Fox, and he is considering naming another former Fox personality, Heather Nauert, as his new ambassador to the United Nations as early as this week. His son Donald Trump Jr. is dating Kimberly Guilfoyle, who left her position as a Fox host last summer to dedicate myself full time to supporting the presidents political activities.

Peter Baker is a New York Times writer.From closed polling sites to malfunctioning machines, election day brought frustration for some voters in a contest shadowed by questions about the security and fairness of the electoral system.

In Gwinnett County, Ga., four precincts  out of 156  suffered prolonged technical delays, while some voting machines in South Carolina lacked power or devices needed to activate them.

There was also confusion in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, which includes Pittsburgh, where at least four polling places were changed in the past two days.

And in Chandler, Ariz., a Phoenix suburb, voters who went to a polling place in the Gila precinct found the doors locked and a legal notice stating that the building had been closed overnight for failure to pay rent. (Officials later reopened the location.)

Problems with casting ballots are a regular feature of election day, and making sense of the number of problems reported will take days and weeks. But the number of calls to voting hotlines maintained by a collection of advocacy groups quickly outpaced those received in the last midterm election of 2014.

The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonprofit that oversees 20 election call centers, said that as of noon Tuesday, it had received close to 12,000 phone calls, more than double the volume four years ago.

Four states  Georgia, Florida, Texas and Arizona  stood out as particularly problematic, said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee.

In Georgia, the states elections system had already been a highly contentious issue during the campaign between Stacey Abrams, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Brian Kemp, her Republican opponent, who is also the secretary of state and thus the states chief elections administrator.

Abrams has accused Kemp and his allies of trying to suppress the vote through overzealous interpretations of state laws and procedures. Kemp has argued that he is simply trying to make it hard to cheat, and he has called allegations of voter suppression a farce.

Although there were long lines at some polling places, other Georgia voters moved in and out with ease, casting their ballots during stops that lasted maybe 15 minutes.

Kemp said Tuesday afternoon, Its been very smooth all day long, adding: Were getting the normal questions of people calling asking where do they go vote, are they registered. Nothing unusual at all.

But some Georgia voters had a much different experience. At Annistown Elementary School in Snellville, voters reported standing in line for hours as poll workers tried to resolve a problem with the voting machines.

One voter, Ontaria Woods, said it took her nearly five hours to vote after arriving around 7 a.m., when the polls opened. After 30 to 45 minutes, poll workers alerted those standing in line to an issue with the ExpressPoll voting machines, she said. Technicians arrived, but they could not sort out the problem, either.

People were not surprised, she said. Of course, the term voter suppression was used many, many times.

Several voters declined provisional ballots after worrying that they would not be counted until after election day, she said. As the morning wore on, some people gave up and some left to buy food and water.

The machines were finally fixed around 11 a.m., Woods said. She cast her ballot about 45 minutes later and then headed to work  hours late for her job.

Gwinnett, a rapidly diversifying patchwork of suburbs near Atlanta, has long been a Republican stronghold, but Hillary Clinton carried the county in 2016. Just more than half of the countys residents are white, and about a fifth are Latino.

Joe Sorenson, a spokesman for the county government, said the four problematic precincts reported issues with the system that creates voter access cards for Georgias electronic polling system. At the three where problems lingered at midmorning, people were being allowed to cast paper ballots. At the countys request, a judge extended polling at one location.

Weve got people who are voting with the paper ballots, and weve got people who are standing to wait for the machines to be fixed, and weve got people who said they are planning to come back, Sorenson said.

Although county elections officials appeared at fault for some of the issues in Georgia, a spokeswoman for Abrams campaign, Abigail Collazo, blamed Kemp for the days troubles.

Were incredibly inspired by how many Georgians are turning out to vote and are staying in line to cast their ballot, despite the fact that some polling locations were not properly prepared by the secretary of states office, she said in a text message.

In Arizona, voting-rights monitors reported major delays at some polling places because of problems with printing ballots. Early reports suggested that the problems were centered in Maricopa County, the states most populous, where a shift from local polling places to regional voting centers caused chaos during the 2016 election.

Voters at the regional centers were being turned away or forced to wait for long periods after printers that produce ballots tailored to their home precincts malfunctioned, according to Common Cause.

Clarke said the Maricopa County problems were among the most significant weve seen today and involved unusually large numbers of minority voters. The printer problems appear to affect nine voting centers in the county, she said.

In four of them, registered minorities  Latinos, African Americans and Native Americans  outnumbered white voters by roughly 15,700 to 2,800. Clarke said the committee was investigating options for remedying the problem, including a call to extend voting hours at the sites.

In South Carolina, a spokesman for the State Election Commission said problems with malfunctioning voting machines were far from pervasive and quickly addressed.

These issues were attributable to human error in preparation of the system, and in most cases, were resolved earlier this morning, the spokesman, Chris Whitmire, said in an email. We expect these types of isolated issues in any statewide election.

Any issues experienced this year are more likely to jangle an electorate already unnerved by the fraught backdrop of the 2016 election, whose aftermath has been picked over amid concerns of Russian interference and President Trumps repeated warnings, without evidence, of widespread voter fraud.

Tensions have also been exacerbated amid a fierce battle over how easily Americans can register, vote early and gain access to polling sites. Election experts point to a declining enforcement of voting rights for minorities since the Supreme Court struck down the core of the 1965 Voting Rights Act five years ago.

We are dealing with a very different climate in 2018, said Karen Flynn, the president of Common Cause. We do not have a Department of Justice that is working hand in hand with our network to be solving these problems; we dont have the protections of the Voting Rights Act, and we have a president that is putting out messages that can feel threatening to many voters.

Danny Hakim, Alan Blinder and Michael Wines are New York Times writers.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Ana Maria Gallegos family has called this part of the West home for centuries. But after growing horrified by the resurgent racism she has seen across the United States, she reviewed her options and decided on a plan: emigrate to Spain.

Gallegos joined a growing number of Latinos from the United States benefiting from a 2015 Spanish law seeking to atone for one of the grimmest chapters in Spains history: the expulsion of thousands of Sephardic Jews in 1492. The law offers citizenship to descendants of those Jews, many of whom converted to Catholicism but secretly adhered to Jewish traditions as they settled in New Mexico and other frontiers of the Spanish Empire.

I had neighbors start spewing the same racist talk as the president of the United States, said Gallegos, 54, a court reporter raised here in a Catholic family. All this hatred just scared the wits out of me but, fortunately, I had this ancestral connection. She left New Mexico this year with her husband and 12-year-old daughter, moving to Malaga in southern Spain.

Americans pursuing Spanish citizenship often cite a mixture of reasons, including the chance to experience the different cultures of Spain, access to public health care, or the lower cost of higher education at European universities. But many also express alarm over a recent surge in hate crimes and harassment targeting Latinos, and President Trumps demonization of Latin American immigrants as criminals and invaders.

Their efforts to obtain Spanish citizenship reflect a troubling new twist in the Latino experience in the United States: Some whose families have been here for centuries now feel so vulnerable about their place in society that they are finding refuge in the country that expelled their ancestors five centuries ago.

Such fears seem to be growing more acute. Sixty-seven percent of Latinos in the United States say the Trump administrations polices have been harmful to Latinos, compared with 15 percent during the Obama administration, according to a poll released in October by the Pew Research Center. Forty-nine percent say they have serious concerns about their place in American society, up from 41 percent in 2017, the poll showed.

Our applications jump every time Trump says something scary, said Sara Koplik, director of community outreach at the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, an organization vetting applicants for the Spanish government.

The Spanish law does not require applicants to give up their existing citizenship and they do not have to be practicing Jews, but they must have their Sephardic ancestry confirmed by established Jewish organizations and pass demanding language and civics exams. Scholars who specialize in Sephardic migration say that people with such ancestry number in the hundreds of thousands in the United States, if not more.

Simon Romero is a New York Times writer.Olivier Douliery / Tribune News Service

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court in its first decision of the new term ruled Tuesday that the federal ban on age discrimination applies broadly to state and local governments, even to a small fire department that has only few employees.

The unanimous decision clears the way for two laid-off firefighters in Mount Lemmon, Ariz., to sue the fire department for age discrimination. They were the two oldest full-time firefighters, but the citys lawyers argued the federal law did not cover them.WASHINGTON  Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out Wednesday as the countrys chief law enforcement officer after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks from President Trump over his recusal from the Russia investigation.

Sessions told the president in a one-page letter that he was submitting his resignation at your request.

Trump announced in a tweet that he was naming Sessions Chief of Staff Matthew Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney from Iowa, as acting attorney general. Whitaker has criticized Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into potential coordination between the presidents Republican campaign and Russia.

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into the attorney generals tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the Mueller investigation.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trumps hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

Asked whether Whitaker would assume control over Muellers investigation, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Flores said Whitaker would be in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice. The Justice Department did not announce a departure for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller more than a year and a half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

Whitaker once opined about a situation in which Trump could fire Sessions and then appoint an acting attorney general who could stifle the funding of Muellers probe.

So I could see a scenario where Jeff Sessions is replaced with a recess appointment and that attorney general doesnt fire Bob Mueller, but he just reduces his budget to so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt, Whitaker said during an interview with CNN in July 2017.

Asked if that would be to dwindle the special counsels resources, Whitaker responded, Right.

In an opinion piece for CNN, Whitaker wrote: Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing.

The relentless attacks on Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump and despite the fact that his crime-fighting agenda and priorities  particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies  largely mirrored the presidents.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

The decision infuriated Trump, who repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse. The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel two months later after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

The rift lingered for the duration of Sessions tenure, and the attorney general, despite praising the presidents agenda and hewing to his priorities, never managed to return to Trumps good graces.

Eric Tucker is an Associated Press writer.Changzhi, Singapore chemical businesses form partnership ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2018-11-07

Tianji Group, based in Changzhi city, Shanxi province, and Gemoil (Singapore) Pty Ltd signed a processing trade project for 20,000 tons of aniline at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai Nov 5.

A leading company in China's chemical sector, Tianji Group sells products to Australia, Mongolia and many Southeast Asia countries.

The partnership with the Singapore trading company, which specializes in international trade in petrochemicals and petrochemical equipment, will bring the two sides economic and industrial benefits.

It's expected that Tianji Group will produce 20,000 tons of aniline from imported pure benzene annually, with aniline exports exceeding 100 million yuan ($14.45 million).

Changzhi city has accelerated industrial transformation in recent years with emerging industries such as modern coal chemicals, equipment manufacturing, new energy vehicles, photovoltaic products and biomedicine developing rapidly.

The city's chemical products, electromechanical equipment, new energy vehicles, photovoltaic modules and agricultural specialties have been exported to over 40 countries.

During the China International Import Expo, other companies from Changzhi city will also deal in medical equipment, food, farm produce and daily necessities.NASA has begun a series of quiet supersonic research flights off the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston to test how the community responds to the noise from a new experimental aircraft that could eventually cut commercial flight times by half.

The space agency on Monday began testing "quiet sonic booms" near the island community using F/A-18 jets as part of its Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018, or QSF18, campaign. The jets are flying over the Gulf of Mexico in a unique maneuver as part of a two-week project to assess public reactions to the noise.

"QSF18 is a big step in NASA's efforts to understand what is required for acceptable supersonic overland flight," said Peter Coen, NASA's commercial supersonic technology project manager, in a statement.

"This is the first time in decades that we have reached out to a large community as part of our supersonic research," Coen said. "NASA has performed similar tests at our Armstrong Flight Research Center, using similar sounds created by the same F/A-18. We've measured the noise levels and the impact on structures, as well as surveyed people for annoyance, to make certain that these tests are safe and well-planned. We greatly appreciate Galveston's interest and support."

NASA officials hope the Galveston tests will help further the agency's goal of perfecting supersonic flight  an elusive goal marred by previous efforts decades ago with the Concorde, an aircraft that could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours by traveling twice the speed of sound. It was eventually banned by federal aviation officials after residents complained about noise from the plane's sonic boom.

The public response data that NASA collects will be provided to the Federal Aviation Administration for use in developing new rules about potential supersonic passenger flights that could cut cross-country commercial flight times in half. Currently, the FAA bans these flights over land, in part because of concerns about how they would affect communities and infrastructure on the ground.

The F/A-18's supersonic dive maneuver starts out over the water. At around 50,000 feet the aircraft are put into a special dive that still creates a regular sonic boom, however when the sound reaches land it should be heard as a quieter "thump" instead.

GALVESTON: Company awarded $145 million to construct 6-miles of Texas border wall

While the "quiet thumps" produced by the F/A-18 present no risk of causing physical damage to people or structures, NASA has learned that elements such as atmospheric turbulence and humidity can influence how certain areas may perceive the sound. NASA will operate a number of microphone stations in the area to match up the community's response with the decibel level of each sonic thump.

The agency will be conducting community surveys to get feedback on the sound levels of the sonic booms.

NASA recruited 500 volunteer residents in Galveston to participate. If they hear the thumps, they will define the level at which they were able to perceive the sound.

"Galveston is both honored and excited to be part of this project," Galveston Mayor James Yarbrough said in a written statement. "This is the type of project that motivates engineers and innovators"

The data will be used to help NASA better understand successful data-collection methods for future flights using an experimental aircraft called the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology, or QueSST, demonstrator. Starting in 2022, the X-59 will fly directly over yet-to-be-selected communities to collect data using lessons learned from QSF18.

The "quiet thumps" produced by the F/A-18 present no risk of causing physical damage to people or structures.

A handful of Galveston residents posted on Facebook about the sonic booms on the first day of testing.

"I heard the 'quiet thump' this morning," wrote Jeff Daniels underneath a Facebook post from the City of Galveston about the sonic boom testing. "It's definitely much better than a traditional sonic boom but I wouldn't want to listen to it all the time such as regular commercial air flights. It still rattles the windows."

Jerry Baker, another commenter on the same Facebook post, wrote, "I just heard LOUD boom. East end, near beach. Windows lightly rattled in this old house."

Want to know more? Individuals can report information and feedback about the booms by calling the NASA hotline at 281-483-5111. They can learn more about the program by visiting the information booth at McGuire Dent Recreation Center at 28th Street and Seawall Boulevard in Galveston.

Staff writer Alex Stuckey contributed to this report.

Nick Powell covers Galveston County for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.comWe're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to formBodied: A comedy-drama set in the hip-hop subculture of battle rap, competitions featuring bragging and insults. It stars Calum Worthy and was directed by Joseph Kahn.

The Grinch: A new animated feature based on the perennial holiday favorite by Dr. Seuss about a creature who hates Christmas. With the voices of Angela Lansbury, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rashida Jones.

Fail State: A documentary by Alexander Shebanow about the rise of for-profit colleges in America.

The Great Buster: A Celebration: Veteran director Peter Bogdanovich salutes the genius of filmmaker and comedian Buster Keaton. The movie offers restored archival footage of Keatons work, plus interviews with the likes of Mel Brooks, Werner Herzog, Dick Van Dyke and Quentin Tarantino.

In a Relationship: Emma Roberts and Michael Angarano play a young L.A. couple in this romantic comedy addressing many contemporary relationship issues.

Maria by Callas: The life and work of the Greek American opera diva are recounted in this documentary by Tom Volf, which includes excerpts from Callas journal, audio recordings, home movies and news footage.

Monrovia, Indiana: This documentary from the esteemed Frederick Wiseman is a portrait of small-town America today.

Outlaw King: Action drama starring Chris Pine as the 14th century Scottish leader Robert the Bruce, who drives off a much larger British army.

Overlord: A mixture of horror and action, this fantasy set during World War II concerns two American soldiers behind enemy lines who encounter the murderous results of Nazi experiments.

A Private War: Biographical drama about American journalist Marie Colvin, who covered conflicts in many parts of the world and was eventually killed in Syria. She is portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

The Girl in the Spiders Web: A thriller based on the fourth novel in the Millennium series featuring the character Lisbeth Salander, this time portrayed by Claire Foy. The story involves cybercrime and government corruption.

 Walter Addiego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.All Souls Requiem Service/WWI Centennial Remembrance Service A, 11 a.m. service honoring the dead featuring the cathedrals choir of men and boys singing Faures Requiem, as well as a 3 p.m. service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and those who have lost their lives in armed conflict, and featuring the Royal British Legion. Sun., Nov. 11. Free. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F. 415-749-6300. www.gracecathedral.org

Alameda Elks Lodge Veterans Day Dinner 5 p.m. cocktails; 6 p.m. dinner. Sat., Nov. 10. $40. Elks Lodge Ballroom, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. 510-410-4387. www.alamedaelks.org

2018 API Veterans Ceremony 10 a.m.-noon. Sat., Nov. 10. Free. Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center, 640 Old Mason St., Presidio, S.F.

Black Oak Casino Resort Veterans Day Salute Dining and gaming specials for those who have and are currently serving in the military as well as an 11 a.m. presentation of colors by Vietnam Veterans of America. 11a.m.-11 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Black Oak Casino, 19400 Tuolumne Rd. N., Tuolumne. www.blackoakcasino.com

City College S.F. Veterans' Job and Resource Fair 2:30-6 p.m. Fri., Nov. 9. Free. Multiuse Bldg. Room 140, City College, 50 Phelan Ave., S.F. www.ccsf.edu

Honor on the Row Following the City of San Jose Veterans Day Parade, this event will feature a gold star memorial to honor the fallen; military vehicles and classic cars display; collection booth for care packages. 2-6 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Free. Santana Row, 333 Santana Row, San Jose. www.santanarow.com

Honoring Veterans: The Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers Presidio Trust and the National Park Service, along with members of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association, will pay tribute to veterans, the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, and their service to our country. Discussion and walk. 10:30 a.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Free. Presidio Officers Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. www.presidio.org

Salute to Veterans Day Veterans expo; memorial service; veteran community service booths; food vendors. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri., Nov. 9. Free. Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond. www.eventbrite.com9

San Francisco Salute to Veterans Parade Bay Area motorcycle club veterans, 100th commemoration World War I tribute. 11 a.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Free. Starts at North Point Street and the Embarcadero, S.F.

UCSF Veterans Job Fair and Open House 1-4 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 8. Free. UCSF Millberry Union, 500 Parnassus Ave., S.F. www.ucsf.edu

USS Pampanito & SS Jeremiah O'Brien 75th Anniversary Dockside celebration; period costume encouraged; live music and dance; horsdouvres and cocktails, and cake. 6 p.m.-midnight Sat., Nov. 10. $60-$75. Historic Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf, www.maritime.org/events

U.S.S. Hornet Community Day and Veterans Day Celebration A Veterans Day Ceremony as well as the grand opening of three Hornet anniversary exhibitions, American Legion Poppy Program, knot tying, White Glove table, letter writing to veterans, and more. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11. 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. www.uss-hornet.org/calendar/hornet-anniversary-community-day-veterans-day-celebration

Veterans Day Kayaking Tour Kayak by the USS Hornet, and Navy MARAD fleet. 9 a.m.-noon Sun., Nov. 11. $65-$110. Encinal Boat Ramp, 190 Central Ave., Alameda. www.stackedadventures.com

Veterans Day Memorial Service Program begins in the veterans auditorium with live music; military exercises; commentary; service in front of outdoor memorials. 9:30 a.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Free. Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 10 Ave. of the Flags, San Rafael. www.marincounty.org

Veterans Day Parade Route begins at Embarcadero and North Point St., west on Jefferson to Leavenworth. This years parade occurs on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. 11 a.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Fishermans Wharf, S.F. www.visitfishermanswharf.com/eventsSAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



The Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced today that Chevron USA Inc. has agreed to pay $225,500 to settle violations of air quality regulations at its Richmond refinery.



District executive officer Jack Broadbent said the settlement covered 51 notices of violations, most of which occurred in 2015 and 2016. He said most of the violations were corrected soon after they were discovered.



Broadbent said the settlement money will be used to fund inspection and enforcement activities by the air quality agency.



A Chevron spokesman was not immediately available for comment.



The settlement covers several different types of violations of rules and regulations. They included:



*Several violations of the federal limit on the amount of hydrogen sulfide that can be burned at combustion sources.



*A public nuisance violation for flaring associated with an unplanned shutdown.



*Violation of the opacity standard for smoke associated with flaring.



*Three violations of a requirement to monitor fuel flow to furnaces to control nitrogen oxide emissions.



*Failure to include certain components in the leak detection and repair program.



*Emissions of nitrogen oxides that exceeded the limits established in an air district permit for furnace emissions



*Failure to monitor during vessel depressurization.



Broadbent said in a statement, "The air district treats every violation of air quality rules very seriously. Dedicated refinery inspectors and regular inspections help to ensure that violations are corrected quickly and air quality and the public are protected."



The district, which has its headquarters in San Francisco, adopts and enforces air pollution control regulations for stationary sources in the nine-county Bay Area.





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)



Proposition C, which would tax San Francisco's wealthiest companies to provide funds for housing and rehabilitating the city's homeless population, appears To have passed in Tuesday's election.



According to preliminary results, 124,365 voters, or 59.87 percent, agreed to the tax, while 83,353, or 40.13 percent, said no.



The hotly contested measure aims to alleviate the city's homeless crisis but was opposed by Mayor London Breed, state Sen. Scott Weiner, and Assemblymember David Chiu.



Proposition C would tax San Francisco companies that gross more than $50 million, collecting between $250 to $300 million annually.



From those funds, 50 percent, or about $150 million, would go toward housing and 25 percent, or about $75 million, toward mental health and substance abuse services. The rest of the funds would go toward homelessness prevention and providing more shelter beds.



Although Breed said in a statement last month that "Proposition C sounds appealing," she argued that its lacks fiscal oversight, although part of its plan requires an oversight committee.



The proposition, however, had the support of several other elected officials, including U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, Public Defender Jeff Adachi and San Francisco Supervisors Vallie Brown, Hillary Ronen, Aaron Peskin, Norman Yee, Rafael Mandelman, Sandra Lee Fewer and Jane Kim.



In the months leading up to the election, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey blasted the measure, complaining that his smaller companies, Square and Stripe, "would be taxed at a significantly larger total contribution than much larger companies like Salesforce."



Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has voiced support for Prop. C, having an exchange with Dorsey on Twitter about it and committing $1 million to the campaign.



According to the No on Proposition C campaign, the proposition needed two-thirds voter approval for the funding and is facing pending legal challenges.



"From day one, both sides knew that two-thirds voter support was necessary because of pending litigation from this year's June primary election," No on C spokesman Jess Montejano said in a statement. "Proposition C was full of empty promises from the start."



In other San Francisco measures, Proposition A, which would allow the city to issue $425 million in bonds to strengthen the city's 100-year-old 3-mile seawall, appears heading to victory Tuesday night, according to preliminary election results. More than 81 percent of voters approved the bond, early numbers indicated.



Also, Proposition B, which would provide guidelines for supervisors to address the collection, storage, sharing and use of personal information, appears to have narrowly passed, with 56.79 percent of voters for it.



Proposition D, which would impose a tax on new cannabis businesses and cannabis business that don't have a physical presence in the city, also appears to have passed, with yes votes accounting for 65 percent, according to early results.



Finally, Proposition E also appears to have passed, with yes garnering 74 percent of the votes. The measure would put a 1.5 percent of funds raised by a hotel tax toward arts and cultural purposes, including supporting non-profit cultural organizations and community cultural centers.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.BERKELEY (BCN)



Berkeley voters appear to have approved two related measures in Tuesday's election that will raise funds to address affordable housing and homelessness.



With 85 percent of precincts reporting as of early this morning, Measure O, a $135 million bond measure that aims to create more affordable housing in Berkeley, had 75 percent of the vote, more than the two-thirds margin needed for victory.



Measure P, which is expected to bring in $6 million to $8 million annually for homeless services by increasing the transfer tax for the top third of residential and commercial property sales by 1 percent annually, only needs a simple approval but had 70 percent of the vote.



Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said early this morning, "I want to say thank you to the voters of Berkeley for promoting the needs of our most vulnerable people and making sure our city has an equitable future."



Arreguin, former Mayor Tom Bates and other supporters of Measure O said in their ballot argument that the bond measure is needed because, "Many in Berkeley are struggling to find or keep their homes and longtime residents are being displaced."



They said the measure will create and preserve affordable housing for working people and their families, support affordable ownership opportunities such as co=ops and land trusts and protect seniors, the homeless and others by ensuring they have access to safe housing with necessary services.



"We have projects that are shovel-ready," Arreguin said early this morning.



Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley said the city expects Measure O to cost property owners $22 per $100,000 of assessed value until 2025, when it will jump to $33 per $100,000.



Dan Walden, the executive director of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, and Marcus Crawley, an Oakland resident who describes himself as a "concerned taxpayer," said in their argument opposing the measure that it has "bad accountability by design" and alleged that the city "is already planning to play fast and loose with the bond funds."



Arreguin, Bates and other supporters of Measure P said it's needed because "Berkeley is facing a crisis, with homelessness rising almost 20 percent in just two years."



Supporters said the measure will generate general funds that can be used for navigation centers, mental health and substance abuse services, housing subsidies and job training for the homeless.



Arreguin said this morning, "Within a year Berkeley will have a plan to provide shelter for out entire unsheltered population. Housing first is the solution to homelessness."



Walden and Crawley, who also opposed Measure P, said, "Homelessness is a very important issue for our community but using the homelessness issue merely to pass a new tax is dishonest and unethical."



They said, "Berkeley already has California's highest transfer tax and raising it will ensure only the rich will be able to survive in Berkeley."





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.House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi pledged to work with Republicans on a number of issues -- among them building infrastructure and lowering prescription drug costs -- after Democrats won control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.



Pelosi, a San Francisco politician who has worked her way up in the Democratic Party, held a news conference this morning to discuss the midterm election.



She said Democrats won by focusing on healthcare and avoiding President Donald Trump's heated rhetoric on immigration in the weeks leading up to the midterms.



"It was a great night for the American people," Pelosi said. "We won because from the beginning we focused on healthcare."



Pelosi said she spoke with Trump Tuesday night about issues the two can work together on.



One of those issues is rebuilding the nation's infrastructure by building roads, schools and housing while also revamping the nation's broadband networks.



"He talked about it during his campaign but didn't come through on it during his first two years in office," Pelosi said during the news conference.



Another issue Democrats would like to tackle, and that the President may support, is lowering prescription drug costs, Pelosi said.



"We hope to get that done now because that has a big impact on American families' budgets," she said.



But she also promised that House Democrats will check the president's power, launching investigations and issuing subpoenas if necessary.



"We have a responsibility to honor our oversight responsibilities," Pelosi said.



Pelosi is likely to become Speaker of the House, despite some calls for her to make way for new leadership.



Pelosi rejected those calls during the news conference.



"I think I'm the best person to go forward to unify and negotiate," she 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.Interest in voting in today's election has hit historic levels in at least two Bay Area counties and statewide, according to officials in San Francisco, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties and Sacramento.



Elections officials in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties over the past two days confirmed that the number of registered voters in their jurisdictions reached historic levels.



In Contra Costa County, a record 620,400 voters have registered, according to election officials.



In addition, Contra Costa County turnout may hit a record.



"We are excited with the initial turnout," Joe Canciamilla, Contra Costa County clerk-recorder-registrar, said in a statement. "If we continue at this pace we should set a new record countywide."



Jim Irizarry, San Mateo County's assistant chief elections officer & assessor-county clerk-recorder, said for the first time more than 400,000 eligible voters registered.



About 401,000 of the 503,000 eligible voters have registered, Irizarry said.



Statewide 19.6 million Californians had registered as of the deadline, according to Secretary of State Alex Padilla's office.



That's up by nearly 1.9 million voters compared with the numbers for the 2014 gubernatorial election.



"It is nearly unprecedented for California to set a voter registration record in a midterm election," Padilla said on Friday.



The percentage of registered voters in the state is now 78 percent, the highest since 1950, according to Padilla.



In Marin County, turnout is expected to be higher than the last mid-term election when 60 percent of voters turned out.



Marin County registrar Lynda Roberts said, "I expect the turnout to rival the 2010 mid-term election, which was 76 percent."



According to students with the Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit that aims to effect liberal political change, turnout among young voters is up over the 2014 election. Turnout may be double the 2014 turnout, according to the group.



In San Francisco, 500,566 eligible voters had registered as of Monday, which is not a record, according to campaign service manager Gregory Slocum.



But Slocum said registration has been up and anecdotally it's been a busy election day.





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.Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith is poised to begin her sixth term in office as preliminary election results show her with a double-digit lead against opponent John Hirokawa.



As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Smith had 56.71 percent of the votes to Hirokawa's 43.29 percent with 45 percent of precincts reporting. The race moved to a runoff election after neither candidate was able to secure a majority vote during the June election.



The heated race pitted Smith against Hirokawa, her former undersheriff. He vowed to prioritize accountability and transparency for the sheriff's office, which has faced multiple controversies during Smith's 20-year tenure.



Three jail guards were convicted last year of second-degree murder in the 2015 beating death of mentally ill inmate Michael Tyree, and inmates went on a two-week strike in April after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were "accidentally" allowed into jails.



Smith has responded with a call for jail reform and accountability for her office, adding to a platform that includes protecting schools, addressing mental health issues, homelessness and advocating for victims of sexual assault.



Smith is famously the first woman to be elected sheriff in California, and appears ready to carry the title into another four-year term.



Hirokawa said late Tuesday that less than 50 percent of votes had been tabulated, and he hopes to wait out the rest of the precincts to see the results.



"It was pretty much a grassroots campaign," Hirokawa said of his race, which posed the first runoff election in Smith's career.



He said his Election Night party was a positive atmosphere to thank volunteers and community members who helped him during the campaign.



"We'll wait to see what the morning brings," he added.





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 LEANDRO (BCN)



A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hatchet attack last week on a 56-year-old man, San Leandro police said today.



Trevor Vee, a transient with ties to Berkeley, was taken into custody on Friday, said San Leandro police Lt. Issac Benabou.



Police were first alerted to the attack early Thursday morning, when the victim showed up at a San Leandro hospital with a serious head wound on his forehead and a fractured skull, Benabou said.



Vee is suspected of attacking the victim, who is also a transient, in the 1600 block of Alvarado Street, according to police. Video surveillance from a nearby business shows a male suspect and a female friend assaulting the victim, Benabou said.



A description was released and on Friday, patrol officers located the suspect and woman at a gas station in the 1100 block of East 14th Street, a few blocks from the crime scene.



Vee was charged Monday by the Alameda County District Attorney with assault with a deadly weapon to include great bodily injury, with several felony enhancement charges. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 13 to enter a plea.



Vee, a third-strike offender, is in custody at Santa Rita Jail.





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.ANTIOCH (BCN)



Two high-powered BB rifles and a BB replica automatic pistol were seized today at an Antioch home after a suspect shot an officer in the head and held police at bay for five hours, Antioch police said.



The 32-year-old suspect, whose name was not released, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm on a peace officer, criminal threats, and brandishing a deadly weapon at a peace officer.



Police were first called at 7:26 p.m. Monday to the home in the 4500 block of Deerfield Way by a neighbor who said the suspect had threatened him with a firearm, police said in a news release.



When officers approached the suspect's home, he called to them from an upstairs window and said he would be right down. When the front door opened, however, the officers were immediately fired upon with what turned out to be a high-powered BB firearm, police said.



One officer was hit in the head, and was taken to John Muir Hospital in Concord, bleeding profusely, according to Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks. The officer was treated and released, police said.



After the officer was shot police sent backup, including a hostage negotiation team, and the area was cordoned off and a shelter in place was established for the neighborhood.



During the standoff, one family member left the home and another stayed inside. Police didn't know whether the second person was being held against their will, Brooks said. It was also discovered that the suspect had a history of law enforcement contact in another city and that a firearm was currently registered to him.



Negotiators worked with family members to build a rapport with the suspect, leading to his peaceful surrender sometime after midnight.



A subsequent search warrant was served at the home, where two high-powered BB-type rifles were recovered, along with a BB-type replica of a black full-sized automatic pistol, BB ammunition and live pistol ammunition, according to police.



Anyone with information is asked to call Antioch police at (925) 778-2441 or Detective Gonzalez at (925) 779-6923. Tips may also be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.





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.Concurs de granturi adresat COMUNITATILOR (APL) pentru sporirea rezilientei lor la schimbarile climatice si FEMEILOR ANTREPRENOARE in vederea dezvoltarii unor afaceri prietenoase mediuluiNow that the Democrats have taken back the House of Representatives, Americans will finally get to see President Donald Trump's tax returns, right?

Not so fast.

Last month, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told The Chronicle's editorial board that obtaining president's tax returns "is one of the first things we'd do  that's the easiest thing in the world. That's nothing."

Both the House Financial Services Committee and House Ways and Means Committee could request Trump's tax returns, which the president promised to "absolutely" release in 2014, but has since adamantly refused to do so.

On Wednesday, Trump said he won't turn over his tax returns because they are under audit. He has repeatedly used the excuse in the past, saying that he is not permitted to, which is not accurate. But this time he added a new reason for withholding the returns: No one would understand them  and there are a lot of pages.

Under a law passed in 1924, Congress has the right to inspect tax returns from any taxpayer  including high-ranking officials. While the probable new chairpersons of the Financial Services and Ways and Means committees, Reps. Maxine Walters and Richard Neal, respectively, can subpoena Trump's tax records from the Internal Revenue Service, that doesn't mean Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will hand them over.

If he doesn't, a long court fight could ensue.

"Then they'll be trapped into appealing to the Supreme Court, and we'll see whether or not the Kavanaugh fight was worth it," former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said last month.

Even if Democrats do get to investigate the president's tax returns, they might not be able to disclose any sensitive information publicly.

MORE: Democratic House could probe Trump business ties abroad

"Leaking private tax information of anyone, even that of the president or other high profile officials, comes with stiff penalties, primarily up to five years in prison," Colin Wilhelm noted last month in the Washington Examiner. "That may put congressional Democrats in the awkward spot of obtaining politically damaging information about Trump that would be a felony to divulge."

The House could hold a closed-door executive session for members to discuss the tax returns, but it's unclear how much information about Trump's taxes they could then speak freely about out of session.

Trump claimed Monday he does not care about House Democrats obtaining and releasing his tax returns.

"They can do whatever they want, and I can do whatever I want," the president told reporters in Indiana.

---

Read Mike Moffitt's latest stories and send him news tips at mmoffitt@sfchronicle.com.

Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.A month before joining the Justice Department in 2017, the new acting attorney general wrote an opinion piece for CNN claiming that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had gone too far in his Russia investigation.

Matthew G. Whitaker, who was Attorney General Jeff Session's chief of staff, became the acting attorney general following Session's sudden resignation Wednesday, giving him authority over the investigation into meddling in the 2016 election.

Mueller "has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing," in regards to inquiries into President Donald Trump's finances, Whittaker wrote.

In August of 2017, Whitaker, a former U.S. Attorney from Iowa's Southern District  who was then a CNN legal commentator and former federal attorney and Republican campaign operative  argued that Mueller appeared to be operating beyond the mandate of his appointment.

"It does not take a lawyer or even a former federal prosecutor like myself to conclude that investigating Donald Trump's finances or his family's finances falls completely outside of the realm of his 2016 campaign and allegations that the campaign coordinated with the Russian government or anyone else," Whitaker wrote.

Whitaker went on to say that, unless Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein broadened the scope of the investigation, it would "raise serious concerns that the special counsel's investigation was a mere witch hunt," echoing a common critique of the investigation used by President Trump.

While it is not immediately clear how Whitaker will proceed with regards to the Mueller investigation, some are reading the Op-Ed as evidence that Whitaker will be more friendly to Trump's position on the scope of the investigation than Sessions. You can read the full document for yourself here.A California congressional race closely watched by many in the San Francisco Bay Area remains uncalled.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting in the 10th District, Republican incumbent Jeff Denham led 50.6 percent to Democratic challenger Josh Harder's 49.4. The margin is tight with Denham ahead by only 1,287 votes among 112,115 tallied so far. Election officials still need to count tens of thousands of absentee, provisional and conditional ballots.

"We feel really confident with the returns so far," says Josh Whitfield, campaign manager for the Denham campaign. "The registrar's office is telling us to buckle up for the long-haul, especially with the holiday coming up. It could be days, weeks until all ballots are counted. But there's a number in our margin that we're looking for and if we reach it, we'll declare victory."

The Harder campaign holds hope. "We've known from the beginning this wasn't going to be resolved on election night. We are encouraged by the results so far and we will be watching the results closely in days to come," a statement from the Harder campaign reads.

ALSO: Trump ally Devin Nunes wins congressional race in California

California's 10th District is in farm-belt country, anchored by Modesto and spreading across the conservative-leaning Central Valley.

While 32-year-old Harder was born and raised in Turlock, the race caught the attention of many in San Francisco. Harder has Bay Area ties, attending Stanford University and working for a short time as a venture capitalist at Bessemer Venture Partners in Silicon Valley.

MORE: California House races that are still too close to call

In his campaign, Harder focused on his family's long-time Central Valley roots and argued Republican policies in Washington have hurt many residents. He emphasized that Denham voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which Harder supports. His brother was born 10 weeks early and has pre-existing conditions that could be lost without protections under the Affordable Care Act. When Denham voted to repeal Obama's health care plan, Harder decided to run.

An almond farmer and Trump ally, Denham cast himself as the opposite of Harder and played up his opponent as a Silicon Valley insider and referred to him as "Bay Area Harder" in campaign speeches. He emphasized his involvement in the agricultural region's water issues. Representing a district with a large Hispanic population, Denham has pushed for Congress to consider a pathway for citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and stayed here illegally.

Pre-election polling showed Harder had a slight edge, but Denham has proven tough to beat and held onto a seat in the California Senate for eight years before being elected into the house in 2010. Denham won by 3 percentage points in 2016.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.There was a lot going on at Trump's first press conference after Democrats took back control of the House of Representatives in the midterms.

Wednesday's press conference in the East Room on Wednesday saw a series of meandering answers that at times veered into outright confrontation with reporters, as when Trump yelled at CNN's Jim Acosta and called him a "rude, terrible person" and called an African-American reporter racist for asking him about white nationalism.

MORE: Trump goes off on CNN's Jim Acosta for defying him at presser

"That's such a racist question," he said three times.

"During this press conference, the president seemed to be time and again attacking journalists of color," Acosta later observed on CNN.

Click through the gallery above to read about more standout moments from the press conference

A bizarre assortment of topics was addressed. Trump broke a long stretch of calling on solely male reporters by asking a female reporter if she was "together" with a neighboring male colleague and told another female reporter to sit down.

WHAT'S NEXT: House Dems plan to launch immediate investigation of Trump

Asked about allegations that he called Lil Jon "Uncle Tom" during filming of The Celebrity Apprentice, he denied knowing who Lil Jon was, even though there is a picture of the two of them together from when Lil Jon was on the show.

"I don't know who Little Jon is," he said.

It wasn't all negative. Trump also had some compliments for Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who appears poised to retake her former role as Speaker of the House. During her victory speech on Tuesday night, Pelosi said the Democrats would strive for bipartisanship when possible, drawing condemnation from some in her own party but warm comments from Trump.

MADAM SPEAKER: Why Pelosi's victory speech angered many Democrats

"She's fought long and hard," he said of Pelosi. "She's a very capable person."

Multiple times throughout the press conference, Trump complained that he couldn't understand questions  in three cases, observers pointed out, the questions were asked by reporters with accents, prompting Trump to respond, "I can't understand you."

After one such exchange, the next reporter to ask a question riffed on it.

"Mr. President, I'm from Brooklyn, so you'll understand me," he said.

"I understand you very well," the president replied.

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on TwitterZHUHAI, China  A Chinese state-owned company says it is developing a stealth combat drone in the latest sign of the countrys growing aerospace prowess.

The CH-7 unmanned aerial vehicle also underscores Chinas growing competitiveness in the expanding global market for drones. China has won sales in the Middle East and elsewhere by offering drones at lower prices and without the political conditions attached by the U.S.

The CH-7s chief designer Shi Wen says the aircraft can fly long hours, scout and strike the target when necessary.

Very soon, I believe, in the next one to two years, (we) can see the CH-7 flying in the blue skies, gradually being a practical and usable product in the future, said Shi.

Shi said manufacturer Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation plans to test fly the drone next year and begin mass production by 2022. He said the drone will likely be sold abroad but had no information on potential clients.

A model of the aircraft is being displayed at this weeks Zhuhai air show in southern China, a biannual event that showcases Chinas latest advancements in military and civilian aviation.

With a wingspan of 72 feet and a length of 33 feet, the swept-wing CH-7 is the size of a combat aircraft and its single engine can propel it at roughly the speed of a commercial jet airliner.

The U.S., Russia and France are also developing stealth drones, while Israel has long been a leader in the UAV field.

However, low prices and a willingness to transfer technology have endowed China with a strong position, in the UAV market, said Phil Finnegan, director of corporate analysis at the Teal Group Corp. in Fairfax, Va.

The U.S. has been extremely cautious about selling its higher-end unmanned system, even to NATO member states, opening up an opportunity to China in the export market, said Justin Bronk, an expert on such technologies at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies in London.

It would represent an area of Chinese arms export offerings which no other country offers, Bronk said.

Dake Kang and Christopher Bodeen are Associated Press writers.PARIS  The Democratic victory in the U.S. House of Representatives could echo from Moscow to Beijing to Riyadh, with empowered Democrats now able to launch new investigations into President Trumps international business empire and his political dealings with other nations.

Overturning control of the House in Tuesdays midterm elections has given the Democrats a new weapon to wield against Trump: the subpoena. The Democratic leaders of many House committees will have subpoena powers enabling them to obtain documents, emails and testimony.

The White House would likely fight many such requests in court, but the subpoenas reach could extend far beyond Washington.

That means Democrats could look into such issues as the 18 trademarks that China has granted in recent months to companies linked to Trump and his daughter Ivanka and whether they were conflicts of interest. China says it handles all trademark applications equally, but House committees could probe whether Beijing can exploit the Trump familys substantial intellectual property holdings in China to its political or diplomatic advantage.

On Wednesday, China would not comment directly on the U.S. election results.

For Moscow, the Democratic victory means a probable reopening of the congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The Republican-led Intelligence Committee closed its probe into Russian meddling, saying it had found no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Democrats, though, have long said that the Republicans ignored many key facts and witnesses.

A congressional probe would be more public than special counsel Robert Muellers current investigation into Russian election interference and wouldnt run the risk of being shut down by Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any involvement in Trumps election victory, but he may quietly favor a renewed investigation, seeing them as a way to sow chaos and division in Americas bitterly divided political arena. What he would not favor, though, would be investigations or sanctions that would further damage the well-connected Russian oligarchs believed to have helped fund the U.S. election meddling efforts.

Then theres Saudi Arabia, and the relationship between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The ties between the two men, who are said to communicate frequently, could come under increased scrutiny by Democrats.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have long been key allies, and Trump made the country his first stop abroad as president.

But the crown prince has lost supporters in Congress since the Oct. 2 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the crown prince, inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The slaying was allegedly carried out by agents close to the prince.

The fallout for Saudi Arabia from the U.S. election could be immense, with Democrats possibly trying to block major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and curtail U.S. support for Saudi Arabias war in Yemen, which the prince launched as defense minister in 2015.

The U.S. assists the Saudi-led coalition with in-air refueling and intelligence on targets, and supplies the kingdom with fighter jets and bombs used in the war.

Tim Sullivan and Angela Charlton are Associated Press writers.BERLIN  Jewish students in Berlin on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, when Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

Some 30 students from the Jewish Traditional School lit candles and recited prayers at their school as Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal urged them to jointly overcome Germanys past by building a secure future for Jews in the country.

This is the city where the Holocaust was planned and executed from, said Teichtal, a community rabbi and the head of the Jewish outreach group Chabad in the German capital.

What better answer is there than that, in this very city, the students of the Jewish school from Berlin should jointly pray and light candles showing that the answer to darkness and the evil of the past is to create education for the present and the future, he said.

Eighty years ago this week, on Nov. 9, 1938, the Nazis killed at least 91 people, burned down hundreds of synagogues, vandalized and looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and arrested up to 30,000 Jewish men, many of whom were taken away to concentration camps.

On Wednesday, students assembled under a maple tree in front of their school building. They prayed in Hebrew and German and lit six white candles to commemorate the synagogues that were burned down, as well as the 6 million people who perished in the Holocaust.

I lost a big part of my family ... my great-grandparents, their siblings, and therefore it is all very special for me, said 15-year-old student Clara Eljaschewitsch. It is sad ... I think a lot about it.

Kristallnacht  which got its name for the shattered glass from Jewish-owned store windows that covered German streets  is often referred to as the beginning of the Holocaust. Still it would be years before the Nazis formally adopted their Final Solution for the Jews of Europe, which would evolve into a policy of mass murder.

Teichtal also condemned the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh last month in which 11 people were gunned down in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.

Its a terrible shock ... for the Jewish community worldwide. And it shows once again that the ugly head of anti-Semitism can show itself anywhere in the world and we have to actively combat it, he said.

Berlins top security official took a step in this direction on Wednesday, banning a far-right protest planned for Friday, the exact anniversary of Kristallnacht.

In explaining his decision, state interior minister Andreas Geisel said such a demonstration would in a blatant way negate the moral and ethical significance of this memorial day, the German news agency dpa reported.

Also Wednesday, Austria took a step closer to building a memorial to some 66,000 Austrian Jews who were killed during the Nazi era.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurzs government agreed to finance most of the cost of a memorial wall, which would feature the names of the victims.

Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938.

Kirsten Grieshaber is an Associated Press writer.MEXICO CITY  Central American migrants on Wednesday continued to straggle in for a rest stop at a Mexico City stadium, where about 4,500 continue to weigh offers to stay in Mexico against the desire of many to reach the U.S. border.

Mexico City officials said they expected as many as 1,000 more might arrive at the Jesus Martinez stadium as lagging members of the caravan trail in, their journeys slowed by difficulties in getting rides or by hopping aboard trucks that veered off their route.

Angel Eduardo Cubas of La Ceiba, Honduras, reached the shelter early Wednesday after being split off from the caravan. Like many migrants, he had to find his way back to the relative safety of the caravan in an unfamiliar country, with no money.

There were a lot of people who got dropped off somewhere else, said Cubas, who at one point lost his two children, 2 and 6, before finding them again.

Members of the caravans of migrants, which President Trump made a central issue in U.S. midterm elections, declined to take an immediate decision Tuesday night on whether to stay in Mexico or continue north.

Nobody is in more of a hurry than me to get going, but we have to go all together, said Sara Rodriguez of Colon, Honduras.

Rodriguez, 34, fled her country with her 16-year-old daughter Emily, after the girl began to draw unwanted attention from a drug trafficker who just got of prison and pledged to go after her. Rodriguez left her 7-year-old son with her husband in Honduras. Even though it hurts to leave my son ... I had to protect her, Rodriguez said, weeping.

Mexico has offered refuge, asylum or work visas to the migrants and the government said 2,697 temporary visas had been issued to individuals and families to cover them while they wait for the 45-day application process for a more permanent status.

Rina Valenzuela, who is from El Salvador, listened attentively to aid workers from the nonprofit Institute for Women in Migration as they explained the difficulties of applying for and securing asylum in the U.S. Valenzuela decided she would better off applying for refuge in Mexico.

Why go fight there, with as much effort and as much suffering as we have gone through, just for them to turn me back? Well, no, she said.

Maria Verza and Christopher Sherman are Associated Press writers.SANAA, Yemen  Troops from a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition pounded Houthi rebel positions in Yemens Hodeida with air strikes and a ground assault on Wednesday and now control a major road leading into the city, military officials and witnesses on both sides of the front line said.

An Emirati-trained force known as the Giants, backed by Apache attack helicopters, secured an urban area along 50th Street, which leads to the citys key Red Sea port facilities some 3 miles away, they added.

Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals or lack of authorization to brief journalists, they said that the Iran-backed Shiite rebels had been firing mainly from elevated and rooftop sniper positions, and have now resorted to burning tires to obscure the gunships view. Most civilians have fled the area, they said.

Dozens of fighters have been killed and hundreds wounded from both sides since a renewed coalition offensive on the city began five days ago, following calls by the Trump administration for a cease-fire by late November.

The fighting has left dead bodies lying on the ground and inside burnt-out vehicles at the citys edge, according to witnesses. They said several civilians have been killed by shelling in residential areas.

The Saudi-led coalition, which seeks to restore to power the internationally recognized Yemeni government, has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015. The stalemated conflict has generated the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

Hodeida, the main portal for humanitarian aid to the suffering population, has become the epicenter of the conflict.

A Save the Children supported health facility in Hodeida came under attack on Tuesday morning, damaging one of the pharmacies that supply life-saving medicines, the charity said in a statement.

The group said shelling has also hit residential areas in Hodeida, where the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, roughly half of them children, are in danger.

The head of the U.N.s food and agriculture agency and other groups say the conflict has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine, underlining how the international community is failing to end hunger.

We are watching before our eyes an unprecedented human tragedy, Food and Agriculture Organization chief Jose Graziano da Silva told a high-level briefing on food insecurity at the United Nations in New York.

Yemen is living proof of an apocalyptical equation: conflicts and food security go hand in hand, and when there is an overlap of climate change and conflict, famine is already on the horizon, he said.

Ahmed al-Haj and Brian Rohan are Associated Press writers.Nepal's 'day of the dogs' took place yesterday, November 6, in a festival of colour that saw canines decorated with colourful dye and garlands to celebrate that special relationship with humans.



Footage of the festival shows dogs from the Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu, Nepal. These dogs are used for investigation, finding explosive or drugs and even in riot control and crime patrol.



So to celebrate on this day, the police dogs get the day off from being law-enforcers and instead are showered with love and affection. They are also given special treats including milk, eggs, meat or high-quality dog food.



Kukur Tihar - or 'day of the dogs' - takes place on the second day of the annual weeklong autumn Hindu festival of Tihar. Nepalese Hindus celebrate the 'day of the dogs' the day before Diwali every year.



The filmer said of the day: "[Day of the dogs] is dedicated solely to the celebration and pampering of canines for their cherished relationship with humans."



Dogs are believed by tradition to be messengers and guard-dogs for Lord Yamaraj, the Hindu god of death.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Max Rose, a Democrat and Army veteran, scored an extraordinary upset in Staten Islands House election on Tuesday, becoming only the second Democrat to win the boroughs congressional seat in three decades.

As it neared midnight, with 96 percent of votes tallied, Rose held more than a five-point lead, with 93,762 votes to Rep. Daniel Donovans 83,925 in the battle for New Yorks 11th congressional district, which includes Staten Island and a portion of southern Brooklyn.

66 Midterm elections 2018: Staten Island votes

In a packed room of supporters, volunteers, and local organizers, Rose declared victory at The Vanderbilt in South Beach.

We launched this campaign to do things differently, said Rose with tears welling up in his eyes. We werent just trying to earn votes in Staten Island and south Brooklyn, we were trying to earn peoples trust. You dont need special interests, you dont need lobbyists. You just need the people.

Shortly afterward, the crowd began chanting keep your damn money.

BREAKING: Max Rose wins S.I. Congressional race, Donovan concedes Posted by Staten Island Advance on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

A 31-year-old former health care executive, Rose joined a wave of Democratic candidates who flipped Republican-held seats to take control of the House of Representatives, in a tense midterm election season that was widely considered a referendum on President Donald Trump.

Rose had an uphill race from the start, challenging Donovan, a three-year incumbent and Staten Islands former prosecutor, who already handily beat back two Democratic challengers in a congressional district that overwhelmingly voted forTrump in 2016.

But a New York Times/Sienna College poll released in October found Rose within reach, with Donovan leading 44-40, and 15 percent of voters in the district undecided. Rose, a St. George resident, also proved to be a prolific fundraiser and earned attention and endorsements from top Democrats in Washington, D.C.

The political newcomer out-fundraised Donovan throughout the campaign, garnering just over $4 million while Donovan raised $2.28 million.

ROSES TOP ISSUES

Rose largely campaigned on local issues, such as completing the Staten Island Expressways HOV lane, building light rails in the borough, and expanding ferry service.

He also resisted some of the more liberal campaign issues that have bubbled up throughout the year, including abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, impeaching President Trump, and calls for Medicare for all.

Rose often stumped on anti-Washington rhetoric, saying that Donovan, Republicans and Democrats have failed voters in the district. His congressional campaign also pledged to reject campaign donations for corporate Political Action Committees and Rose has committed to vote for a package of bills focused on reforming campaign finance and expanding voter participation.

The Rose campaign also emphasized grassroots organizing and had more than 100 volunteers who knocked on thousands of doors, according to the campaign.

Rose frequently accused Donovan of failing Staten Island in televised ads and took to attacking him for taking campaign contributions from former executives of Purdue Pharma, the makers of the addictive opioid OxyContin, in the last month of the campaign.

Donovan, in turn, continuously tried to peg Rose as an outsider and tie him to liberal Democrats in D.C.

Rose earned endorsements from Democratic House leaders and was named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Red-to-Blue program, which provides support to seats they hope to flip.

Donovan -- who has been a mainstay in Staten Island politics for two decades -- was the lone Republican member of Congress representing New York City since he was elected in May 2015. In the GOP congressional primary, Donovan often touted his relationship with President Trump.

Rose told the crowd of supporters that Donovan told him, Max you are not my enemy."

Make no bones about it, tonight we party, Rose said at the end of his speech. But tomorrow we get to work.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Four types of Duncan Hines cake mixes are being recalled because they may contain salmonella.

Conagra Brands, the parent company of Duncan Hines, is recalling specific 15.25-ounce Duncan Hines cake mixes, out of an abundance of caution they may contain salmonella.

The recall involves approximately 2.4 million boxes of the cake mixes, including Classic White, Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow.

Conagra is collaborating with health officials in connection with a positive finding of salmonella in a sample of the cake mix. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating the product to learn if its linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Five cases of salmonella are being investigated by the FDA and CDC. The agencies are interviewing individuals who reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed the products raw and not baked.

The FDA reminds consumers to not eat any raw batter, because cake mixes and batter can be made with ingredients like eggs and flour that carry risks of bacteria.

The products covered by the recall were distributed for retail sale in the United States. No other Duncan Hines or Conagra Brands were impacted by the recall.

Here are the products that were affected:

Duncan Hines Classic White Cake 15.25-ounce, with a product UPC number of 644209307500, and best buy dates of March 7-13, 2019.

Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake 15.25-ounce, with a product UPC number of 644209307494, and best buy dates of March 9-13, 2019.

Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake 15.25-ounce, with a product UPC number of 644209307593, and best buy dates of March 7-9, 2019.

Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake 15.25-ounce, with a product UPC number of 644209414550, and best buy dates of March 12-13, 2019.

Consumers who have purchased items are advised not to consume them and to return them to the store where originally purchased. Conagra is working with the FDA and customers to ensure affected packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed.

Those with questions can call Conagras Consumer Care team at 1-888-299-7646, or visit duncanhines.com.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, it can produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A former high-ranking NYPD official from Staten Island was bought and paid for by a Brooklyn businessman who lured the veteran cop into a long-running and mutually beneficial bribery scheme, authorities allege.

Former Deputy Inspector James Grant was allegedly treated to a trip to Las Vegas via a private plane, where a prostitute was on board; a two-night suite at a hotel room in Rome; and countless lavish gifts, dinners and home improvement projects in exchange for granting special favors to Borough Park businessman Jeremy Reichberg, prosecutors said.

James Grant let himself be bought, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Lonergan during opening arguments in the NYPD corruption trial Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. He betrayed his oath as an officer of the NYPD and broke the law.

The now-retired Grant and Reichberg were busted in 2016 during an FBI probe into NYPD corruption. The defendants are accused of fraud and bribery in the scheme that began back in 2008, authorities said.

Prosecutors claim the Hasidic businessman paid for new windows and railings at Grants home, and bought his wife and kids expensive Christmas gifts, including jewelry and a Nintendo gaming system.

Reichberg allegedly spent thousands lining the pockets of police officers, including Grant, in return for special favors, including access to police escorts, helicopters, expediting an application for gun license and helping his friends finagle out of arrests.

He was a businessman trying to buy cops, Lonergan said.

In 2008, Reichberg met business partner Jona Rechnitz -- a wealthy real estate developer who testified he made large donations to Mayor Bill de Blasio and other politicians and received special treatment -- and the two teamed-up to get favors and NYPD access. De Blasio has denied Rechnitzs allegations.

Rechnitz has since pleaded guilty to his role in the bribery scheme in exchange for cooperating with the feds. Defense attorneys painted Rechnitz -- the governments star witness -- as a wanna-be rich guy who bribed cops to elevate his status in the community.

Jona bankrolled the gifts, trips, diners and private planes, said Reichbergs lawyer, Susan Necheles.

Jona is a master manipulator, said Grants attorney, John Meringolo. He bribed politicians, including the mayor."

Meringolo contends Reichberg -- the Jewish man from Borough Park -- and Grant -- the Irish boy from Coney Island -- were merely good friends. Grant paid for his vacations and home improvement projects, said the defense.

There was nothing improper, said Meringolo.

Grant, the lawyer said, spent 19 years on the force without a single complaint while quickly rising through the ranks, from sergeant to lieutenant, captain and commanding officer at the 19th Precinct on the Upper East Side.

Thats his career. Thats who he is, Meringolo said.

The trial is expected to last several weeks.Shira Stoll, a Multimedia Specialist for the Advance/SILive.com, is the filmmaker behind the Where Life Leads You documentary and the Staten Island Holocaust Survivor series.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When I first arrived at Shirley Gottesmans home to interview her, she greeted me at the door with a question.

Can you help me figure out what to wear?

There were various outfits perfectly laid out on top of her bed. She was still in the process of pulling out shirts from her closet, and asked me which I liked better -- those in her hand or those on her bed. I wanted her to feel comfortable, so we settled on one of her favorite multicolored shirts and a black skirt.

Then I set up the cameras.

Growing up in Zaluz, Czechoslovakia, Shirley Gottesman lived on a farm with her family, including: parents Laizer Berger and Blima Weinberg Gottesman; four siblings, Moshe Lieb (Martin), Fiaga, Ester and Rifka; grandparents Malka and Zalman Berger; two aunts, Helen and Pepe Burger, and Uncle Leib Berger.

With a constant supply of potatoes, beans, vegetables and fruit, her father was a farmer. Cows, chickens and geese roamed the fields. Shirleys mother was a seamstress.

But in April 1944, everything changed.

Shirleys family was forced to pack up and move to the ghetto.

She vividly remembers looking out from the horse and wagon and thinking to herself: Will I ever see it again, or thats it?

At that moment, she never thought that her life would lead her to Auschwitz, where she lost everyone in her family, except for her brother Martin, a few aunts, and an uncle.

Shirleys riveting book, A Red Polka-Dotted Dress: A Memoir of Kanada II, details her experiences in Auschwitz and Kanada II.

Kanada was a warehouse in Auschwitz that collected the belongings of those who were killed, according to ushmm.org. Auschwitz prisoners who worked in Kanada had to sort through the valuables and ship them back to Germany. Because Shirley worked there, she had access to extra clothes, shoes and food.

Each of the barracks in which the prisoners lived had a leader, known as the blockova. Shirleys aunt was bullied by her blockova and asked Shirley if she would bring her a red polka dotted dress from Kanada so that she could give the blockava something to make her leave her alone.

Shirley wanted to help her aunt, so she agreed.

She found the dress and put it on underneath her grey prison dress. As she started to walk toward her aunts barrack, the guards announced they would be doing a random search and all prisoners had to take off their clothes.

Shirley froze. She didnt know what to do.

If I throw down the dress, theyre going to ask who brought it. I could tell them I did it and they would kill me, or if I dont tell, they would punish everybody, she recalled.

Shirley quickly took off the dresses and wrapped the red one inside the grey one, so that the red color wouldnt show. She draped the carefully folded dresses over her arm with her shoes on top of them, and walked through without being stopped.

For some reason, I dont know, thank God they didnt see it, she said.

She was able to give her aunt the dress, but she recalled that it was a very foolish thing to do because, while she wanted to help her aunt, she hadnt thought about the consequences if she were caught.

It [wouldve been] very severe. A bullet was the best way, but first you would probably get 25 lashes, she explained.

The nearly two-hour interview with Shirley ended with a powerful quote. Life Leads you. You are put places that you have a chance to survive. Is it good or bad? God knows.

A SPECIAL PROJECT

This quote is not only her philosophy on how the Holocaust occurred, but it has become a major theme in every film and the inspiration for the documentary projects name, Where Life Leads You: Stories of Staten Islands Holocaust survivors," because it asks the question, Where does your life lead you, and why?

The documentary film and series began in June 2017, when I first met the survivors at Cafe Europa at the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC on Staten Island. The 24-minute documentary, featuring 10 Staten Island residents who are Holocaust survivors, premiered on April 11, 2018, in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

All of these survivors started in Europe and their lives led them to Staten Island. While the journey wasnt easy, they were able to rebuild a new life with children, grandchildren and great-children -- in a place that welcomed them.

Their life led them right here: To our community.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In addition to sending prayers to those affected by the tragic Oct. 27 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Staten Island and others of all faiths will conduct an Island-wide food drive in their honor this month.

The Tree of Life Community Food Drive is an interfaith act of kindness, performed in the victims memory, said Ruth Lasser, communications director of the JCC of Staten Island.

"It grew out of a desire to positively impact our community,'' she said. "Its really a way of paying tribute in a way that these people would have appreciated. They were all involved in doing good works for their community.''

Throughout November, the JCC, along with Catholic Charities and Project Hospitality, will collect canned fish, baby formula, cereal, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, powdered milk and canned soups, vegetables, fruits and juices at several Staten Island locations.

Lasser noted that schools and churches continue to join in the effort and others are encouraged to do so.

One aspect of the Jewish religion is Tikkum Olam, loosely translated to mean "repairing the world,'' Lasser said, and it is especially needed in this time of grief, and as the holiday season approaches.

"We thought, What can we do to give people something to do in a positive way?' Wed like to encourage participation by all Staten Islanders, whether by donating food or funds to benefit those in need.

The Kosher items collected will be distributed to the JCC Kosher Food Pantry or the Council of Jewish Organizations Food Pantry. Non-kosher foods will be delivered to Project Hospitality, Catholic Charities and other Island pantries. For more information, or to make monetary donations, contact Neshama Marcus at 718-475-5228 or by email at nmarcus@sijcc.com.

The initial collections sites are:The Latest on New Yorks election (all times local):

11:00 p.m.

Democrat Letitia James has defeated Republican lawyer Keith Wofford in New York's attorney general race.

With her victory Tuesday, James becomes the first black woman elected to statewide office in New York.

The 60-year-old will also be the state's first black attorney general.

James is in her second term as New York City's public advocate, a post similar to an ombudsman.

The Democrat has vowed to use her powers to oppose policies of President Donald Trump.

Pending state suits challenge administration policies on immigration and the environment. Another accuses Trump's charitable foundation of breaking the law.

James will take over from Attorney General Barbara Underwood, who was appointed in May after elected Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned following allegations he physically abused women.

Underwood wasn't a candidate in the election.

___

10:05 p.m.

Democrat Max Rose has defeated U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, unseating the only Republican member of New York City's congressional delegation.

Rose is an Army veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2013. He beat the odds in defeating Donovan in a district that covers Staten Island and a small part of Brooklyn.

New York's 11th Congressional District was Trump Country in the last national election.

Unlike other Democratic candidates in liberal New York, Rose didn't make President Donald Trump's leadership a central issue of his campaign, campaigning instead on nonpartisan issues like fixing national infrastructure and fighting the opioid addiction epidemic.

Donovan was Staten Island's district attorney before being elected to Congress in 2015 in a special election. He was re-elected for a full term in 2016.

___

9:45 p.m.

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has defeated a little-known Republican opponent in a district representing part of New York City.

Her victory Tuesday over economics professor Anthony Pappas was widely expected after Ocasio-Cortez scored an unanticipated upset over 10-term U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary in June.

At 29 years old, Ocasio-Cortez could become the youngest member of Congress.

She is one of a handful of Congressional candidates who identified as democratic socialists.

Ocasio-Cortez has promised to try and push the Democratic party further to the left.

She supports government-paid health care for all, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition and the abolition of the federal department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

___

9:06 p.m.

Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York, has defeated Republican challenger Chele Farley to win re-election to the U.S. Senate.

Gillibrand was heavily favored in Tuesday's election and has been talked about as a potential presidential candidate in 2020.

At a recent debate, Gillibrand pledged to serve her entire six-year Senate term.

Gillibrand was appointed in 2009 to the Senate seat vacated when Hillary Clinton was nominated secretary of state.

She rose to prominence in the #MeToo movement last year when she was the first Democratic senator to publicly call for fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations.

She has also focused on sexual assault in the military and on college campuses.

Farley works in the financial services industry. She's never held elected office.

___

9:05 p.m.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has won a third term by beating Republican Marc Molinaro.

The Democrat was seen from the start as the prohibitive favorite in the race, with big advantages in fundraising and name-recognition.

He worked throughout the campaign to link Molinaro to President Donald Trump, who is unpopular with many New Yorkers.

Cuomo also touted his administration's work rebuilding airports and bridges and boosting the upstate economy.

The victory would give Cuomo the same number of terms as his father, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo.

Cuomo has been talked about as a potential 2020 presidential candidate but said he would serve out his entire term if re-elected.

Molinaro is the county executive in Dutchess County.

Cuomo is the 10th New York governor elected to a third term.

___

3:30 p.m.

New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is calling for the resignation of the city's Board of Elections director amid reports of malfunctioning ballot scanning machines and hours-long lines at some polling stations.

Johnson said in a Tweet that "voting should not be this difficult."

He called for the resignation of elections director Michael Ryan and "a full top to bottom review of what went wrong today."

A Board of Elections spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to inquiries.

Hard numbers on the extent of the city's problems weren't immediately available, but voters took to social media to complain about multiple locations where scanners were having trouble reading ballots or had stopped working entirely, leading to severe bottlenecks.

New York's attorney general says by mid-afternoon it had received 225 complaints about voting problems.

___

11:30 a.m.

Rainy, windy weather in New York City and around the state hasn't seemed to deter voters, with higher-than-usual turnout reported at some polling places.

Turnout was so heavy at one packed precinct on Manhattan's Upper West Side that the line to scan ballots stretched around a junior high school gym on Tuesday morning.

Poll workers there told voters that two of the roughly half-dozen scanners were malfunctioning. Repairs were underway. Reports of broken scanners were surfacing at other New York City polling places as well.

Voters across the state are deciding on candidates for governor, senator, attorney general, state legislature and 27 seats in the U.S. House.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is seeking a third term, and Republicans and Democrats are battling over the makeup of the state's congressional delegation.

___

6:45 a.m.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo seeks a third term and Republicans and Democrats battle over the makeup of the state's congressional delegation as the caustic election midterm election campaign reaches its climax.

Voters across the state will decide Tuesday on candidates for governor, senator, attorney general, state legislature and 27 seats in the U.S. House.

New York has more than 12 million registered voters. Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Unlike many other states where millions of votes have already been cast, New York doesn't have early voting, though many have mailed in absentee ballots.

Some of the most watched races this year involve incumbent Republican members of congress fighting an unusual number of Democratic challengers.

___

12:15 a.m.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo seeks a third term and Republicans and Democrats battle over the makeup of the state's congressional delegation as the caustic election midterm election campaign reaches its climax.

Voters across the state will decide Tuesday on candidates for governor, senator, attorney general, state legislature and 27 seats in the U.S. House.

New York has more than 12 million registered voters. Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Unlike many other states where millions of votes have already been cast, New York doesn't have early voting, though many have mailed in absentee ballots.

Some of the most watched races this year involve incumbent Republican members of congress fighting an unusual number of Democratic challengers.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Matt Titone, Surrogate Court candidate and former Democratic North Shore Assemblyman, was victorious in Tuesday nights election with 50.7 percent of the vote.

His opponent, former Republican South Shore Assemblyman Ron Castorina, held on hopefully, not conceding until 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

With 98.5 percent of scanners reported, Castorina had 49.2 percent of the vote. The total vote count was 65,733 for Titone to 63,803 for Castorina.

Castorina told the Advance he called Titone to congratulate him, saying there were no sour grapes and he wished him the best in his new position.

Richmond County Surrogate Court oversees the validity of wills and the distribution of estate assets according to terms of a will. Surrogate Robert Gigante, turning 70 this year, is required by law to retire at the end of 2018.

History, thats what I said on the evening of March 27, 2007 and Im going to say it again -- history, Titone said to an enthusiastic crowd at Violettes Cellar in Grant City.

Titones victory over Castorina did make history. He is the first openly gay assemblyman on Staten Island and now the first openly gay Surrogate Court judge in New York state.

Who would have thought an openly gay, liberal, Democrat like me would win an Islandwide race? he asked.

I was never expecting to be here -- even though it came at the most inopportune time but when opportunity knocks you look long and hard at it. It was a risk coming into this, it created a lot of turmoil within my own party. From day one Ive always been the underdog, my campaign has always been the underdog. We hit it hard and did everything we were supposed to do and now were here. Oh my goodness, we won an Islandwide race, he said, near tears.

Dennis Brown, who is on the executive committee of the Staten Island Democratic Association, said he thought Titone would have won by a larger margin.

In politics we strive to talk truth to power. Castorina had a chance back then to tell Richard Luthmann to stop and he attempted to placate him. Judicial temperament isnt placating one day, sorry the next day, and then you get to go to the court, Brown said. (Luthmann, an attorney, is facing a slew of charges, including kidnapping, kidnapping conspiracy, money laundering, brandishing a firearm to commit a crime, aggravated identity theft and extortion conspiracy.)

Brown said Gigante has left a great legacy on the Island that Titone is ready to continue.

Titone winning means the people have spoken. He speaks for the underdog, the youth, the people with disabilities  he speaks for everybody, he said.

Graniteville resident Caroline Salerno Labita said she knew the race would be close because of the Republican side of the Island.

I am so happy tonight because I was a Republican but I switched to the Democratic party after Obama and Im happy Im here, Salerno Labita said.

POLICY POSITIONS

Titone began practicing law in 1992 at a Wall Street law firm and began managing the firms labor law litigation department in 1993.

He launched his own general practice law firm on Staten Island in 1998, and was first elected to the state Assembly in March 2007 in a special election race following the death of John Lavelle.

He told the Advance editorial board that, if elected to Surrogate Court, increased transparency would be an important policy initiative for the court.

He said he would also like the transform the way foreclosures are handled to get rid of a backlog of cases.

HEATED RACE

Titone won the primary in June over Staten Islands Public Administrator Anthony Catalano, who won the endorsement of the Staten Island Democratic Party with 75 votes over Titones 58 votes.

Of the two general election candidates, Titone was approved for the Staten Island court by the New York City Bar Association and the Richmond County Bar; both did not approve Castorina and called him a controversial politician.

Castorina cried foul after the approval of Titone when a mailer, paid for by the New York State Democratic Committee and read Not Approved by the New York City Bar Association was in mailboxes the next day.

Castorina alleged that Titones campaign knew that he wasnt approved before the Bar Association released its decision publicly, pointing to the length of time it takes to design, produce, print, and deliver through the Postal Service the political post card.

Theres no way in the world this piece went through that whole process within 12 hours, Castorina said.

Titone denied having anything to do with the mailer, but vocally defended it, saying that it was fair and accurate.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Voters on Staten Island allege Max Rose campaign workers were electioneering too close to polling sites at several locations across the borough on Tuesday.

Campaign workers were seen standing in front of polling entrances and around the perimeter with Max Rose posters and literature, as well as approaching people making their way to the polls.

This is the first time Ive ever seen [electioneering] in all my years of voting, said Barry, a Bulls Head resident, who voted at Moore Catholic High School on Tuesday.

Its disturbing to see whats going on. Some people found it intimidating -- I just found it annoying. Is that what its come down too? Has it come this far? Whats next?" Barry said.

Joyce Rafano of West Brighton said she saw campaign workers outside of PS 29 in Castleton Corners.

A couple of [campaign workers] were walking up to the building and yelling, Vote for Max Rose! and they were handing out flyers and hanging them on the fence, Rafano said.

Other residents said Max Rose signs were on the fences of PS 55, PS 23, PS 8 and PS 48.

Another voter said a campaign worker said Drop dead, I can be anywhere I want, when told he was not allowed to be at the entrance to a polling location.

THE BOARD OF ELECTION RULES

Hanging and distributing campaign literature and approaching voters are forms of electioneering and are in violation of New York states Election Law, a Board of Elections (BOE) spokeswoman told the Advance.

Multiple BOE employees confirmed to the Advance that electioneering is not allowed within 100 feet of a polling site.

The New York State Election Law states: Electioneers on election day or on days of registration within one hundred feet, as defined herin, from a polling place. For the purposes of this section, the one hundred feet distance shall be deemed to include a one hundred foot radial measured from the entrances, designated by the inspectors of elections, to a building where the election or registration is being held.

ROSE CAMPAIGN RESPONDS

Jennifer Blatus, communications director for Max Rose, said any signs that may have been posted within 100 feet from the entrance of a poll site were immediately addressed.

In any political issue we have spoken with our volunteers, reinforced the rules and maintained constant contact with the Board of Elections to ensure compliance, Blatus said.

These are volunteers, many of whom are volunteering for the first time, and are sometimes in need of extra guidance, she said.

When asked about aggressive comments that were made, Blatus said she has not seen any evidence of harassment and would not comment on hearsay.STATEN ISLAND -- In a stunning blow, incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan lost his congressional seat to political newcomer Max Rose on Tuesday, walking away with 47 percent of the vote in New York Citys only competitive Congressional race.

With his daughter and partner Serena Stonick by his side, Donovan briefly thanked supporters for allowing him to serve NY-11 for the past three years and congratulated Rose in his victory.

I just got off the phone with Max Rose and I asked him to do a good job for my family and yours, and he promised me that he would, Donovan said to a crowd of supporters at Prive in Annadale. I congratulated him on a hard fought effort, its been an amazing ride for our family.

The last 22 years of my entire adult life Ive served this community, and its been an honor and a privilege, something I will never forget, and I will never forget you for giving me that opportunity.

Rose won 52.5 percent of the vote

CONSIDERING THE NEXT CHAPTER

During a gathering of Republicans at Prive in Annadale, Donovan said he would take the next couple of days off from politics, go "somewhere warm with his family, and come back to see "what the next chapter of our life is going to be.

Heading into Tuesdays midterm elections, there were 205,507 registered Democrats and 119,731 registered Republicans in NY-11 as of Nov. 1, with 70 percent of those voters from Staten Island, home to 48 percent more Democrats than Republicans.

HIS YEARS OF SERVICE

Donovan first took office in May 2015 after winning a special election to replace former Rep. Michael Grimm, who resigned after pleading guilty in a federal tax evasion case.

Since that time, Donovan made helping victims of Superstorm Sandy and 9/11 top priorities of his.

Though an avid Trump supporter who won the presidents endorsement over the summer in the lead up to the primary election, Donovan at times broke away from the president on key issues.

Donovan voted against Trump on three of the presidents key agenda items including the tax reform bill, the Affordable Care Act repeal and punishing sanctuary cities. The incumbent said those bills were bad for Staten Island and South Brooklyn.

The citys only Republican borough can often be tough to predict. Democratic President Barack Obama won the Island in 2012 and former Rep. Michael Grimm was still re-elected to Congress that same year.

Donovan had served as New York Citys lone Republican member of Congress since 2015.

THE 'BLUE WAVE

Following Donovans defeat, some supporters said they were upset by Roses victory, but conceded that a blue wave was bound to happen.

Weve seen red for so long, we were bound for a correction .. life goes on, Brian Mcgowan of Tottenville said.

Others, were frustrated to see a longtime Staten Island politician they said they trusted, go.

I think [Donovans] opponent was less than honest in the way he ran his campaign, said Allan Katz of Pleasant Plains.

Katz said he thought it was disingenuous for Rose to say he would not take campaign money from corporations, but to accept funding from big name national Democrats.

MONEY AND MANPOWER

Donovans Tuesday night defeat also showed that money and manpower were key in the citys only Republican stronghold, which voted for Trump in 2016.

Rose out fundraised Donovan during the campaign and often times, it appeared the Army veteran had more political volunteers too, who could be spotted canvassing for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient all around the borough.

In the latest campaign contribution filings, Rose had a little over $1 million in his campaign coffers, while Donovan had just a little over $250,000.

Ahead of the midterm elections, a New York Times/Siena College poll showed the candidates neck and neck with Donovan leading Rose 44-40 within a 4.7 percent margin of error and 15 percent of voters surveyed saying they were undecided.

A FLOOD OF CAMPAIGN ADS

Leading up the election, the candidates had also put out a slew of attack ads.

Roses campaign slammed Donovan in an ad for taking campaign contributions from Purdue Pharma executives (Donovan has since pledged to donate the contributions to Island drug treatment centers).

While Donovan sought to tie Rose to liberal campaign issues that have emerged in the midterms and commissioned a televised ad calling Rose not one of us.

Rose, who last worked in health care, supported passing a federal infrastructure bill to finish expanding the Staten Island Expressway, building a light rail to New Jersey, and expanding ferry service.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.STATEN ISLAND -- As voters across New York City reported running into broken voting machines, wet ballots and long lines at the polls, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for Michael Ryan, a native Staten Islander and the executive director of the citys Board of Elections, to resign.

Every election is like Groundhog Day: long lines, polling site issues, huge problems. Now were blaming the weather? Its unacceptable & unfair to voters. Michael Ryan should resign & we should begin a top to bottom review of how this happened, Johnson said on Twitter. Its time for new leadership at BOE.

On Tuesday, voters from virtually all around New York City took to Twitter to express frustration over scanners not working at polling sites.

Hey @NYSBOE all of the scanners are down at the Brooklyn Public Library and the line to run in ballots is 2 hours long, this is not cool pic.twitter.com/ULBUNDD3H2  Dilettante Zombie Army (@DilettanteArmy) November 6, 2018

The single scanner at PS 207 in the #Bronx (Godwin Terrace) is down, & poll workers dont know what to do. So ... loooong line to place our ballots into the only 1 of 4 ballot boxes theyre allowing people to use. Cant say Im filled with confidence that my vote actually counts.  Dora the Explorer (@GinaAndrews6) November 6, 2018

In an interview Tuesday, Ryan blamed the weather, high voter turnout, and a having a two-page ballot for some of the delays voters were experiencing.

When you have higher turnout and you have more paper passing through the system youre going to have some issues, Ryan said. What has just been suggested to me here, and seems to make sense is, that the weather, and people having wet clothing and perhaps ballots getting wet is contributing to that. The dryer, the crisper the ballot is, the less issues youre going to have with the machine.

So, were working on it. We did encourage people before Election Day to stay patient, We had a feeling that it was going to be a high-turnout election and its turning out to be that way. We have a two-page ballot. We really need everyone to stay as calm as they can and to participate in the process. And well do our job on our end, he added.

The Advance did not receive any calls or emails to complain about technical issues at polling sites on Staten Island.

Staten Island was the only borough with a one-page ballot -- with the candidates for office on the front and the three ballot questions on the back. All other voters across the city had a ballot that was two or more pages long and needed to be filled in on both sides.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Democrat Max Rose came to fight. And GOP Rep. Dan Donovan went down to defeat. Its a new world in Staten Island politics.

Rose is the new representative for the 11th Congressional District, just the second Democrat to win the congressional seat here since 1980.

And Donovans long career in Staten Island politics could be over after more than two decades.

The energetic Rose, with the support of national Democrats and party members looking to send a message to GOP President Donald Trump, vastly out-raised Donovan. He outworked Donovan throughout the campaign. And now he will take Donovans place in the newly Democratic House of Representatives.

The upset win was decisive, with Rose taking 53 percent of the vote to Donovans 47 percent, according to city Board of Elections figures.

Rose was smart. While other Democrats nationwide were running far to the left, Rose took a more moderate stance. He rejected calls to impeach Trump. He didnt call for the abolition of ICE.

He hit Donovan for taking campaign contributions from corporate PACs and opioid manufacturers. He practically blamed Donovan for the opioid crisis itself. He called Donovan a coward.

The message resonated. He offered loyal Democrats and those Democrats whove been voting GOP all these years an alternative.

More amazing was that Rose was an unknown on Staten Island before taking on the House race, and a recent transplant to the borough. That led to charges of carpetbagging from the Donovan side. Its been tough enough for Democrats to claim the Congress seat here, never mind someone without a deep Island pedigree.

After all, the last Democrat to triumph in a House race here, current District Attorney Michael McMahon, had a long record of civic service to the Island.

But the relentless Rose, an Army combat veteran of the Afghanistan war, turned that conventional thinking on its head.

Donovan has been one of the most popular officials in recent borough political history. He easily won election and re-election as district attorney. He won the seat in Congress when former GOP Rep. Michael Grimm left after being convicted for tax evasion. He beat back a challenge from Grimm in a party primary earlier this year.

Donovan was steady and non-controversial where Grimm was pugnacious. It served Donovan well then. But that steadiness had become more like stodginess more recently, and was no match for the Roses frenetic style. Every time you looked at the TV or logged onto the Internet, there was a Rose commercial.

Even though Donovan had the support of Trump (the president made a robo call on the congressmans behalf on Election Day), a certain Donovan fatigue had set in among voters. Donovan never seemed to acknowledge that he was in the political fights of his life this year, first against Grimm, then against Rose. Even GOP colleagues on the Island wanted to see him show more fire. But Donovans expression rarely seemed to change.

Donovan made it through the primary after Trump endorsed the congressman, effectively cutting the legs out from under Grimms campaign.

But that wouldnt be enough to hold off Rose, even if few but those in the Rose camp saw an upset coming. Republicans here thought that Donovan would squeak it out. And with turnout high all over the Island, they still clung to that hope late. The national GOP didnt see fit to do anything extraordinary to defend the seat.

Donovan wasnt able to counter a huge Rose vote in the Democrat-dominated North Shore. The congressmans numbers in the GOPs South Shore stronghold just werent enough. Rose crushed Donovan on the Brooklyn side of the district as well.

So, Max Rose goes to Washington, and Dan Donovan goes home.

Democrats ponder what the new electoral world will bring. The congressional representative is generally seen as the boroughs top elected official. Its been a while since a Democrat enjoyed that lofty perch. Rose seems more than eager to embrace it. Now hell have to fulfill all those campaign promises about throwing all those Dem and GOP leaders out of Washington. And not voting for Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House.

Republicans, meanwhile, will look to regroup, their eyes already on 2020, when Rose will look to hold the seat with Trump at the top of the ticket. Democrat McMahon won the seat in 2008, but lost it to Republican Grimm two years later. How will Rose fare?

Questions for another day.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!Call it the big stick or the big squeeze - the Coalition governments emissary, Angus Taylor, was sent to at the very least create the appearance that power companies would be bludgeoned into lowering energy bills within a politically motivated timetable.

His meeting with the energy retailers, network transmitters and various interested parties in Sydney on Wednesday was another heavy-handed move to ram home the need for companies to get moving on the first leg of lowering prices - that is to adjust down the prices for loyal customers who are paying high tariffs because they havent shopped around for cheaper deals.

Taylor characterised the meeting as a big win for the government, explaining that energy companies have now seen that the government is serious.

The energy round table felt more like a public relations exercise for the government. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The only thing missing from a round table on pricing was an actual detailed discussion on pricing.Network Tens rebrand has triggered a trademark dispute with Fairfax Media, which raised objections that a logo lodged by the free-to-air network for multi-channel 10 Boss looked too similar to the newspaper publishers logo for BOSS magazine.

The CBS-owned television broadcaster revealed new branding at its annual upfronts event last week, with a new overall Ten logo launched alongside multichannels 10 Peach and 10 Boss to a crowd of advertisers and brands.

Ten chief sales officer Rod Prosser, CEO Paul Anderson, and chief programming officer Beverley McGarvey launched the new brand recently at the broadcaster's upfronts. Credit:Louise Douvis

The change of the channels (formerly known as Eleven and One) marks the first major rebrand in over two decades and is part of a broader strategy shift from Ten under its US-owner, with chief executive Paul Anderson hoping to focus specifically on attracting a younger demographic.

Ten lodged logos for trade mark with the government on November 2, with the word boss capitalised next to the new Ten logo of the number 10 in a red circle. One of the logos had a solidly coloured in "O", which television-focused website DeciderTV reported was a result of a complaint from Fairfax Media (owner of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review).He was just 10 months old when his grandmother died but Russian pianist Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev says Tatiana Nikolaeva was the most significant influence on his rapidly accelerating career.

Nikolaeva won the Stalin Prize, first class, in 1951 when the Soviet dictator was still alive  and became a People's Artist of the USSR in 1983, just seven years before the demolition of the Berlin Wall.

Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev credits his illustrious grandmother for much of his talent.

She died in 1993 in San Francisco after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage on stage while performing works by her close friend Dimitri Shostakovich.

Now Tarasevich-Nikolaev, 25, joins fellow Russian Andrey Gugnin, 31, in two recitals in Sydney and Melbourne showcasing the contemporary face of Russian musicianship.Sky News did not break the television industry's code of practice by airing an interview with Blair Cottrell, the TV watchdog has ruled.

In August, former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles invited Cottrell onto the 24-hour news channel to talk about immigration. The United Patriots Front leader has previously called for a picture of Adolf Hitler to be hung in every Australian classroom.

After intense backlash  including from its own presenters  Sky suspended The Adam Giles Show and banned Cottrell from appearing on the network ever again. Fairfax Media later revealed that Sky News boss Greg Byrnes knew about the interview beforehand and gave the segment the green light.

The incident also led to the Victorian transport minister banishing Sky News bulletins from Melbourne's busiest train stations.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has now handed down its findings into the controversial interview. The TV watchdog found Sky did not provoke "intense dislike" or "serious contempt" on the grounds of race or religion because Cottrell's comments about Islam were brief and he did not identify specific nationalities other than white South Africans.An estimated 60 per cent of Australians struggle with loneliness, and the festive period is when these feelings peak. And yet, while there is no shortage of think pieces on how to survive the post-Christmas blues  when were expected to feel flat because all the funs over  the lead up is often more problematic. For me, its a time that brings into sharp focus lifes biggest questions: What does it mean to belong? Where is home? Who will be by my side in my old age? I first came to Australia 17 years ago as a wide-eyed, 20-something backpacker pursuing a romance that began in Edinburgh, my hometown. It was not my intention to stay here permanently but, as John Lennon astutely observed, life is what happens while youre busy making other plans.

Loading By the time my eight-year relationship ended Id laid down roots in Melbourne and it felt more wrenching to return to Scotland than it did to stay in Australia. Today, Im grateful for the wonderful friends and rewarding work opportunities that make life here fulfilling and rich with possibility. But I still struggle with that heartsick migrant experience of feeling torn between two places  an endless yearning for home when youre already home. Christmas heightens this sense of fractured belonging. When youre single and your family lives on the other side of the world, a fortnight of enforced festivity where everyone seems to return to their tribe, can be a particularly lonely time.

As people make plans for the holidays it feels like a high stakes game of musical chairs where the music stops and Im the last one standing. And yet it feels silly that as a devout atheist I should be so wedded to an occasion I have no obligation to celebrate. But although I have learned to embraced the benefits of self-reliance  even eschewing the annual frivolities of New Years Eve for a nourishing night of solitude  opting out of Christmas remains a far tougher proposition. Perhaps its because its no longer just one day but several weeks of inescapable hype, or that choosing to do your own thing is harder when so much of the city shuts down. Thankfully, Ive never never had to spend Christmas alone and Im lucky to have been welcomed into the homes of my friends with warmth and kindness.

But Im always acutely aware that Im a tourist taking a trip through another familys Christmas without ever really being a true member of the fold. I also know that having somewhere to go doesnt necessarily make the day a stress-free celebration. For some people with fraught family relationships, being confined in an enclosed space with their relatives for the whole day can feel like being strapped to an operating table and slowly water-boarded. Research from Relationships Australia shows the festive period is a peak time for people to experience anxiety and depression, particularly those who are recently separated, grieving or socially isolated. Like many big life events, the expectation that we should be blissfully happy is partly what makes this time of year hard for so many people.Alice Fergusons voice softened when she was asked why she volunteers for Safe Shelter ACT

"When you see these guys ... they have had a hard life," Ms Ferguson said.

"It is a good thing for people to give. It's about sharing and mutual respect."

Alice Ferguson has compiled a report on Safe Shelter attendance in the ACT. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Ms Ferguson - a retired librarian - helped write up Safe Shelter ACT's 2018 report which estimated a 30-bed shelter could meet all of Canberra's needs for overnight emergency shelter.An early hearing about how to handle sensitive matters in the trial of a former spy and his lawyer accused of conspiring to breach national intelligence laws will be held in a closed court, if the Commonwealth has its way.

But barristers for Witness K and his lawyer Bernard Collaery argued on Wednesday for a different path - one that would not include the "startling" proposition that even defence lawyers might be precluded from the closed hearing.

Mr Collaery's barrister Christopher Ward SC, far right, and Witness K's barrister Haydn Carmichael, far left, arriving at court earlier this year. Credit:Jamila Toderas

The East Timor bugging case made only its second appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court and the parties now appear agreed that they cannot agree on a set of procedural orders that would govern how sensitive information is handled during the case.

The determination of the orders will now fall to the court in a preliminary hearing at a future date.Groovin the Moo will return to Canberra next year but its location has yet to be revealed, after the University of Canberra backed out of its contract to host the music festival.

Promoter for the event Cattleyard confirmed on Wednesday the festival would return to the capital in 2019, but said details of a new venue would not be revealed until next week.

Groovin the Moo will return to Canberra next year, despite its long-time host the University of Canberra backing out. Credit:Jamila Toderas

On Tuesday, University of Canberra vice-chancellor Deep Saini told an ACT assembly hearing a mutual decision had been reached with Cattleyard to end the contract after almost a decade hosting Groovin the Moo.

The revelation came as Canberra Liberal Andrew Wall questioned how the university's zero tolerance policy on drugs could be reconciled with the Australian-first pill testing trial conducted on campus at the festival in April.People living on toxic land surrounding the Richmond RAAF Base have been warned the consumption of large amounts of locally-grown meat, eggs and fish could pose an unacceptable risk to their health.

But levels of the potentially carcinogenic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl [PFAS] chemicals in livestock reared in the area and sold to the general public remains an area of "uncertainty", according to risk assessments released by Defence on Wednesday.

The reports, by consultancy AECOM, examined the risks to humans and wildlife from the base's use of firefighting foams containing PFAS over several decades.

Overseas studies have linked the chemicals  historically manufactured by 3M  to a slew of health effects including immune suppression and kidney dysfunction.A Qantas flight from Sydney bound for Chile was forced to turn back overnight due to engine trouble, delaying travel plans for hundreds of passengers.

Passengers on flight QF27 say the Boeing 747 was less than three hours into the trip when it was forced to turn around and land at Melbourne Airport, shortly before midnight.

A Qantas flight from Sydney bound for Chile was forced to turn back overnight due to engine trouble. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

One passenger, Timothy Neale, took to Twitter to vent his frustration.

"After my Qantas connection in Sydney was delayed 5hrs, we were 3 hrs into a flight to Santiago when they turned us around for an engine malfunction," he wrote. "And now, Im back in MELBOURNE."The Governor-General's office faced a difficult choice: Save a Moreton Bay fig tree that towered over Admiralty House for decades, or preserve the 1850s Marine Barracks at the edge of Sydney Harbour.

Kirribilli Point's historic barracks building won, much to the alarm of North Sydney residents and ferry passengers who watched in horror as the century-old tree was chopped down on Tuesday.

The mature Moreton Bay fig tree was cut down on Tuesday. Credit:Zara Hall

However, the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General said the fig threatened to destroy the barracks. Its removal was "critical" to "protect and preserve" the sandstone building, which had been crushed by the tree and its roots.

Among residents surprised at the fig's demise was North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson, whose home overlooks the grounds of Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove's Sydney residence.Rock star Angry Anderson says his youngest son Liam was not best friends with his accused killer Mathew Flame, as reported in the media, but had been trying to help the man when he was attacked.

"They were not best friends," a devastated Anderson told The Daily Telegraph.

"He wasn't even in Liam's main group of friends."

Angry Anderson has spoken about his son's death. Credit:Danielle Smith

Anderson, frontman of the band Rose Tattoo, said he had raised his children to do the right thing and look after people.A six-year-old boy who was subjected to "slapping healing" was not given insulin, was forced to fast for three days, and had his arms and legs slapped as he laid on a Sydney hotel bed dying and unable to breathe, a court has heard.

The child, who cannot be named, had Type 1 diabetes and was given his final insulin injection on April 22, 2015, at the beginning of a traditional Chinese medicine workshop at Hurstville in Sydney's south.

Hongchi Xiao has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a six-year-old boy. Credit:Facebook

His health deteriorated and he died five days later from diabetic ketoacidosis, a build-up of acid in the body after no insulin is administered.

The boy's mother, father, maternal grandmother and Chinese medicine practitioner Hongchi Xiao have been charged with manslaughter, with the Crown alleging each owed a duty of care to the boy that they breached through gross negligence. All have pleaded not guilty.A Dubai health cafe owner who admitted to a key role in an international smuggling syndicate once tried to import drugs into Australia by welding a container to the bottom of a ship, a court has heard.

But the novel plot by Koder Jomaa came adrift after the drugs fell into the ocean, his brother Abbas allegedly told an undercover police officer in the months leading up to their high-profile arrests.

The alleged conversation was revealed in a NSW District Court bail application for Abbas, one of three Jomaa brothers charged with orchestrating a tobacco and drug importation racket that employed customs officials to help the operation fly under the radar of law enforcement.

Abbas Jomaa has been refused bail over his alleged role in a tobacco and drug importation syndicate.

Judge Sharron Norton heard the covert operative, known as "Sammy", played a major role in arranging the large shipments of contraband and transactions involving hundreds of thousands of dollars.A Brisbane masseur who degraded and sexually preyed on female clients who had come to him for remedial therapy is fighting his conviction and sentence.

Charles William Davidson, a permanent resident from the UK, was sentenced in March to at least two years and six months in jail for sexually assaulting 10 female clients between the ages of 23 and 70, and raping one.

Instead of helping their illnesses during treatments in 2014 and 2015, the 68-year-old rubbed their breasts and genitals, and raped one woman.

He is appealing his conviction and sentence on grounds including that the charges should not have been joined at trial.

Davidson's lawyer, James Cremin, told an appeal hearing on Wednesday that the sheer scale of the case at trial would have overwhelmed the jury and forced them to find him guilty.Ruth Gates, a renowned marine biologist who made it her lifes work to save the worlds fragile coral reefs from the deadening effects of warming water temperatures, died on October 25 in Kailua, Hawaii. She was 56.

The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in Manoa, where Dr Gates was director, announced her death, at Castle Hospital. Robin Burton-Gates, her wife, said the cause was complications of surgery for diverticulitis. Dr Gates also had cancer that had spread to her brain, she said.

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology director Ruth Gates talks about her project to create "super coral" near her lab on Coconut Island in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Credit:AP

Gates had wanted to be a marine biologist since she was a child, having been entranced by coral reefs when she saw them on the televised exploits of the underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau.

I have the utmost respect for corals, she said in the Netflix documentary Chasing Coral, which was released in 2017 and won an Emmy. Theyre really sophisticated animals.Western Healths director of surgery broke down as she paid tribute to the trainee Melbourne surgeon killed in a shark attack in the Whitsundays on Monday, describing him as a consummate professional who displayed rare emotional intelligence.

Speaking at Footscray Hospital, where 33-year-old shark attack victim Dr Daniel Christidis, worked as a surgical registrar in urology, Professor Helen OConnell, described the popular doctor as like the glue among the close-knit team.

Daniel ... brought people together, Professor OConnell said on Wednesday.

Hes a rare individual who was constantly enthusiastic and positive, almost no matter what the circumstance  just an incredibly positive force.It was 1am and Eric Victorsen was trying to get his passenger out of the crashed car.



"Let's go, let's go, let's go," he urged her.

Across the Wantirna South intersection Matt Goland, 38, and wife Bita Zaeim, 32, were fatally injured. Their Holden Commodore had been hit by a stolen Lexus SUV driven by Victorsen as the couple returned home from a night out with friends. The pair had been married for about a year.



Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim's Commodore after the crash. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Victorsen had no intention of helping them. He was focused on getting away and taking his passenger  a 15-year-old girl  with him.A royal commission into more than two decades of dodgy planning decisions by Coalition and Labor state governments will be a central plank of an integrity package promised by the Victorian Greens.

The 18-month inquiry would take in contentious projects dating back to Docklands in the Kennett years, and include Opposition leader Matthew Guys handling of rezonings at Ventnor on Phillip Island and Fishermans Bend in inner Melbourne.

It would look at major expansions of Melbournes urban growth boundary, including under the Brumby Labor government in 2009. The Andrews government's support for a proposed Apple store at Federation Square would also come under scrutiny.

Docklands in Melbourne Credit:Simon Schluter

The Greens say questionable decisions to rezone large swathes of farm and other land have handed windfalls to landbankers, speculators and developers  in some cases hundreds of millions of dollars in profit.One of Victoria's most notorious fraudsters who created a myriad of false documents for criminals and bikies, defrauded banks and stole identities has been jailed for two years.

Andrew Ng, 29, who was caught during the sting that led to a raid on Mark 'Bomber' Thompson's house, created a web of false medical certificates, credit card applications and paperwork used in alibis for one of the states most frightening criminals.

The County Court heard Ng's lengthy crime spree also included stealing the identity of a man recently deported from Australia.

Another man, an ex-bikie enforcer, was able to stay out of prison and continue running an alleged ice trafficking empire.James Gargasoulas is seen arriving at the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday Credit:AAP

Accused Bourke Street driver James Gargasoulas has pleaded not guilty to six charges of murder and 27 charges of reckless conduct endangering life ahead of a criminal trial due to begin tomorrow.

The 28-year-old was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon shortly before jury selection began for the proceeding, which is expected to last more than a week.

Mr Gargasoulas did not comment other than to enter his plea 33 consecutive times relating to the incident in Bourke Street Mall on January 20, 2017.

Justice Mark Weinberg told the potential jurors that the case was well known in Melbourne.An elderly woman has been rushed to hospital after crashing her mobility scooter into the wall of a Kalamunda shopfront on Wednesday.

The incident occurred near a newsagency on Barber Street in the town centre about 1pm.

St John Ambulance paramedics rushed the 82-year-old to Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries.

More to come...Police found meth, a gun and cash in a raid of a Port Kennedy home on Tuesday.

Rockingham detectives have charged two people as part of their ongoing operation to disrupt organised crime networks and reduce the supply of illicit drugs in the Mandurah area.

Police found meth and weapons at the house.

Detectives and gang crime squad detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Delaney Parkway, Port Kennedy.

It will be alleged during the search police seized 33.24 grams of meth, a Glock pistol, several weapons including a flick knife and baton, $4000 in cash and various drug paraphernalia.A builder has copped a $22,000 fine after an apprentice fell six metres while working on a two-storey house in Perth's northern suburbs last year.

Stephen John Gregson was trading as Gregson Constructions when he took a qualified carpenter and an apprentice carpenter to work on a timber-framed house in Two Rocks.

Further information on safe work at heights and the code of practice can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307 877 or on the Worksafe website. Credit:File photo

On the morning of August 23, the two workers were instructed to set carpenters' trestles so they could install barge boards to the roof gable at the front of the house.

The incident happened when the apprentice was installing a barge board.What makes Sarah's case all the more tragic is the fact her and Kate's mum, Trish,died last year after a battle with cancer. She died not knowing what happened to her daughter, or where she was. "When we found out my mum was terminally ill, I thought that may have spurred on someone to finally come forward but again, nothing," Kate said. "Its incredibly difficult for us all left behind. We will never be the same. "I often wonder what our lives wouldve been like if Sarah had never been taken from us, but now our only consolation may be to find out where she rests.

"As a parent now, I couldnt imagine losing my son and not knowing what happened to him." A young Sarah on the left with her mum Trish, who has since passed away. Credit:McMahon Family Mobile phone records released during the 2012 inquest found Sarah received four phone calls on her mobile the day she went missing. Of these four calls, one was from a friend, another was from Kate and two were from a man called Donald Victor Morey. More questions than answers

Morey, 63, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in jail with no parole over the attempted murder of a Perth sex worker in 2003. Morey attacked the woman shortly after she got into his Holden Commodore station wagon late at night. He drove her to Helena Valley where he tried to put a rope around her neck, but she fought back and escaped. Morey denied the offence but his DNA was found on the woman's hair extensions. There was a one in 10 billion chance the DNA could have been from someone else, court documents from his sentencing in 2005 show.

He was found guilty of attempted murder, unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm, deprivation of liberty and making threats. Morey walked free from a WA jail on September 17 after serving his full sentence. He's been released under a Post Sentence Supervision Order (PSSO) by the Prisoners Review Board, meaning he must abide by a range of supervision requirements for two years. According to the board's decision to release Morey on a PSSO, he has "unmet treatment needs" relating to violence and consequential thinking. The board's decision, published online, reads: "You were assessed as requiring an intensive violent offender treatment program and think first program. You refused to participate in the treatment programmes.

"The board is of the opinion that a period of community supervision will enable further work to be undertaken ... to address your outstanding treatment needs and reduce the risk of you committing a serious violent offence and the risk that poses to the safety of the community." Court records show Morey appeared in the Armadale Magistrates Court on November 1. He was charged with carrying an article with intent to injure and breaching his PSSO. He pleaded guilty and was fined $2000. Police refused a request from WAtoday to provide further information on these offences. 'The evidence is complex'

Morey denies any involvement in Sarah's disappearance, although he has been interviewed several times by detectives. He gave evidence at the 2012 inquest, at which he claimed Sarah was alive and living overseas. But he's also admitted that much of what he has told police over the years was made up. "Quite a lot of things that I said to the police were obviously mumbo jumbo. But as far as Sarah being alive, she is alive," he told the inquest. Mr Hope did not make any adverse findings in relation to Morey in his final coronial report.

In this case, the evidence is complex and there are many credibility issues which would need to be resolved in making any such determination, Mr Hope said in the report. Trish McMahon with Sarah in 1999. Credit:McMahon Family Sarah's car and her mobile phone were the only personal items belonging to her which were ever recovered. Her Ford Meteor sedan was found in the carpark of Swan District Hospital in Middle Swan, 12 days after she went missing. Her mobile phone was found on the median strip of the Great Northern Highway.

Inquiries with the Australian Taxation Office reveal there had been no activity recorded in relation to her since October 2000. Her bank account has not been touched. A WA Police spokesperson confirmed the cold case homicide squad still had carriage of the investigation. "The recent announcement of a reward for information regarding Ms McMahons disappearance may prove an incentive for people who have previously been reluctant to provide information to now come forward," the spokesman said. "Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem in isolation, may be crucial to resolving this investigation."Ellie's experience "She was self harming rather badly. She was cutting herself constantly, swallowing things ... it was mainly Panadol overdoses - just supermarket over-the-counter type stuff," Grant said. "She used to overdose on Panadol constantly. Ellie relied on over-the-counter medicine to try and overdose. Credit:Viki Yemettas "You couldn't take your eyes off her. There were a couple of times where she was in hospital and I searched her room and I found about 20 razor blades stuck to bottoms of drawers, and hidden everywhere. She'd hidden them all over her room with sticky tape in very hard to find spots.

"There were times where I had to stop her from running in front of cars. I've had to physically restrain her. "Initially when I first brought her across, the psychiatrists were quite good. "They were trying to help her, but she didn't want help. She just wanted to die." It was clear Ellie needed immediate attention, and Grant sought it out for her in WA's mental health system. She would often find herself in hospital emergency departments due to the nature of her self-harming; an area Grant maintains is not suitable for those already in the throes of their mental illness.

During Ellie's time in WA, she was formally diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder. According to Grant, this was when he saw her treatment plan become more confused. "Once you get diagnosed with a personality disorder, they will say this is better off treated in the community," Grant said. Ellie says she was sexually abused for much of her time in Queensland. Credit:John Donegan "But if the person is too unstable to be treated, and they're suicidal, what are you supposed to do? You can't do anything."

So Grant was forced to send his daughter back over east where she would have access to one of the country's best mental health facilities. He is separated from his daughter by thousands of kilometres but he said it was worth every moment. "At [Ellie's new facility], they have been treating mood disorders for maybe 20 to 30 years. The difference in the nursing and the psychiatrists was amazing. "They knew what to do, how to treat the patients, they asked the family what triggers your daughter ... they go right through it and they make sure all of the staff know. "There's a huge difference in competency between a hospital like that and the public system.

"There's just no competent treatment here. "One of the main problems is that the public system is at least 10 years behind what is happening in psychiatry." Grant's story is not unusual, and National Drug Research Group director doctor Steve Allsop said the WA health system still had a long way to go before it was able to help cases like Ellie's. "Reviews indicate that the main issue is the complexity of the system," Dr Khorshid wrote. Credit:Glenn Hunt "We're well aware that in both centres - in drug treatment and mental health treatment - we're still catching up with what's actually required," he said.

"Worldwide as well as locally, we know that a significant proportion of people who are affected by drugs or mental health problems, or co-existing problems - we still need to improve access to treatment." Dr Khorshid wrote for WAtoday last month. He said it wasn't just the barriers that were stopping patients from seeking help, but the 'impossible to navigate' system. "We are rightly encouraging people to speak out and get help for their mental health issues," he said. "But when they do reach out, they learn the WA mental health system is failing. "Patients and families feel they have been set up to fail. They report the current system is not working. Our most vulnerable patients feel traumatised by a system that is hard to get into, impossible to navigate and poorly co-ordinated.

Loading "Patients tell stories of endlessly trying to find the right section, organisation or department that will help them  with no success. Effectively, the system rejects and abandons patients and families, leaving them shattered. "There are tragic and devastating outcomes." Dr Khorshid said emergency departments were overflowing due to the crushing weight of dual diagnosis patients, and new technology, reform and a review of clinical governance was the only way the system could improve.

Dr Allsop said access was one of the crucial barriers the WA health system needed to overcome in order to spur on meaningful reform in the health sector. "I remember in another state, an Aboriginal woman worked on the board of a treatment service," he said. "They had relatively low return rates for a second appointment, so she bought a mini bus. "She made it easier for people to get there. She picked them up and took them home, and she saw her treatment engagement go up dramatically. The ongoing implementation of the Mental Health Act 2014 recognises the need to improve family experiences and the Act sets out a number of rights for families and carers, the Mental Health Commission says. Credit:Glen McCurtayne GPM

Loading "I remember when I was working with colleagues at a not-for-profit agency ... instead of closing its doors at 5.30pm it closed at 8.30 to 9pm at night. "Suddenly there were people able to come who otherwise couldn't come because they were working. If you have a service that's not perceived as youth friendly, or women friendly, or a secure place for Aboriginal people - all these things make a difference." Is the system recovering or stalling? The WA Mental Health Commission office acknowledged there was a long way to go.

"Although, as with all illnesses, the health sector works to accommodate demand based on those most in need, the commission recognises that there are still long waits in emergency departments for mental health patients which are not the most appropriate clinical care setting for patients in distress," a spokeswoman said. "The commission is continuing to work with the Department of Health, government, and non-government services to progress improvement in how co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug issues are addressed. "This includes initiating advice from the Mental Health Network which comprises of clinicians, consumers and carers to help inform mental health policy and reform. Mr Marney said the health sector had made leaps and bounds following the release of the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-25 was released. Of the 112 "actions and sub-actions" laid out in the plan, 24 are finished, 74 are on their way and 11 are pending commencement.Delay and financial stress have marred veterans' dealings with the federal agency deciding their compensation, in accounts shared by advocates, lawyers and psychiatrists in two national inquiries.

The groups, dealing directly with ex-services personnel making claims for injuries acquired in service, have urged overhaul to the government's compensation program for veterans.

Away from national attention, trained earlier this week on Virgin Australia's plan to thank veterans on flights and give them priority boarding, the inquiries into compensation and rehabilitation for ex-military personnel have received hundreds of submissions.

Among 150 sent to the government's economic advisory body, the Productivity Commission, law firms have called for a compulsory time limit to stop prolonged waits for financially stressed veterans seeking compensation. Advocates for ex-services personnel want an end to problems in claims handling at the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The department, using injections of federal money to improve the compensation program, said it had cut claim wait times and that technology upgrades were speeding up decisions.Health Minister Greg Hunt has unveiled long-awaited changes to the government's My Health Record legislation to address privacy concerns, protect young people and domestic violence victims.

The changes will include increased penalties - with fines more than doubling to $315,000, or up to five years jail - for those that misuse the e-health system.

The government will also conduct a review to consider whether it is appropriate that parents have default access to the records of children aged 14 to 17-years-old, after the founder of a free school

clinic said it was "too risky" to operate under the My Health Record system.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has outlined changes to the government's controversial e-health records system. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

The founder of Rosny College in Hobart, Dr Robert Walker told Fairfax Media, he had decided to end the services after deciding it was "too risky to operate" under the My Health Record system because he couldn't guarantee to students that their records would be protected.The Liberal Party has launched a funding blitz to fill its coffers for the federal election campaign amid signs that some donors are reluctant to help after the sudden removal of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister.

The party is asking corporate Australia to come to its aid in the wake of the federal governments leadership spill in August, charging $12,500 for lobbyists and executives to attend a policy exchange later this month.

The Liberal Party has taken a fundraising hit following the replacement of big donor Malcolm Turnbull with Scott Morrison. Credit:AAP

The effort is crucial to filling the gap in the partys finances from the departure of Mr Turnbull, who contributed $1.75 million to the 2016 election campaign but is now estranged from the party.

Liberals are increasingly anxious about Mr Turnbulls appearance on the ABCs Q&A program on Thursday night, not knowing if he will criticise government policy or blame Prime Minister Scott Morrison for any part of the leadership spill.Psychiatrist and youth mental health advocate Patrick McGorry has called for "a radical reform of the structure and culture" of mental health services, as the Productivity Commission prepares to look at the economic cost of mental illness.

The former Australian of the Year said previous reviews had resulted in no more than "Band-Aids and confetti", calling for a significant funding boost to bring mental health treatment in line with that directed at illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

Professor Patrick McGorry says more funding is needed for mental health. Credit:Alex Murray

Allan Fels, former chairman of the ACCC and the National Mental Health Commission and who lobbied for the Productivity Commission inquiry, said mental health reform could boost the economy by a massive $18.4 billion a year. Among the benefits would be a marked improvement in workforce participation by Australians with a mental illness.

The push comes after the Australian Bureau of Statistics last month revealed the suicide rate had spiked by 9 per cent to 3128 deaths last year, with 262 more lives lost than in 2016.Prime Minister Scott Morrison will pledge $3 billion towards much-needed infrastructure in Pacific nations as part of a frank admission Australia has sometimes taken its neighbours for granted and amid concerns that China is building its influence on Australias doorstep.

In what he badges a "step-up to the Pacific", Mr Morrison will on Thursday also announce the establishment of an Australian Defence Force mobile training team that can travel to Pacific nations to help them with skills including infantry fighting, peacekeeping and disaster response.

The announcements in a speech to soldiers in Townsville will be widely read as aiming to edge out growing Chinese infrastructure-building in Pacific nations and will come shortly after Foreign Minister Marise Payne arrives in Beijing for talks that signal a thaw in the year-long diplomatic frostiness between the two countries.

"Australia has an abiding interest in a south-west Pacific that is secure strategically, stable economically and sovereign politically," Mr Morrison says, according to speech notes provided by his office.NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has made an extraordinary bid to save embattled North Shore MP Felicity Wilson, urging Liberal preselectors to support her in a knife-edge preselection showdown next week.

In a letter to be distributed to more than 200 preselectors, Ms Berejiklian described Ms Wilson as "a fighter" and the candidate "best placed to represent the Liberal Party at the 2019 state election".

"I am asking directly for your support to ensure Felicity can continue to make a valuable contribution to her constituents and my government," the letter stated.

North Shore MP Felicity Wilson is facing down Tim James, of the partys conservative wing, to be the Liberal candidate come the state election in March. Credit:James Alcock

"As the neighbouring Member, I constantly hear from community groups, constituents and North Shore locals of Felicity's tireless efforts in delivering results."A National Party MP representing a must-win electorate is facing the threat of bankruptcy after refusing for years to pay the family of his dead business partner hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Michael Johnsen, who represents the marginal seat of Upper Hunter central to the Berejiklian government's hope of re-election in March, is alleged to owe $302,000 to the "distraught" children of Chris Walker, who are "struggling financially" after his death.

Michael Johnsen is alleged to owe $302,000 to the estate of his former business partner. Credit:Max Mason-Hubers

Mr Walker died in January 2011, and his family have pursued Mr Johnsen for their 40 per cent share of the mortgage broking practice ever since, threatening in April to take the matter to the Federal Court and seek orders for bankruptcy, deferring that action due to concerns about the impact on his career.

Anyone who is bankrupt cannot serve in Parliament.The NSW government has been forced to dip into its own coffers to save face and avoid a potentially "catastrophic" school funding war with the Commonwealth and the Catholic Church in the lead-up to a state election.

After almost two months of negotiations, NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes failed to convince the federal government to give NSW state schools more money to match the Commonwealth's recent billion-dollar funding boost to private schools.

So the state government will use $712 million from its own budget to ensure equity across the sectors.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes announced the funding during a visit to Seven Hills North Public School. Credit:AAP

"The issue here was one of principle," said Mr Stokes. "When it became clear that the federal government was unwilling to provide equivalent funding [to public schools], we determined to make sure that money was provided."Asked whether the Together Queensland union's announcement of its two-week statewide industrial action one day after the attack was appropriate, Mr Furner initially said it was a matter for the union.

A 33-year-old Victorian tourist died after being bitten on his left thigh, right calf and wrist while he was in the water near a chartered yacht just after 5.30pm on Monday.

Officers announced they would halt boat patrols over a pay dispute one day after a fatal shark attack in the Whitsundays, although an exception would be made for the site of the attack.

"That's something the union should answer, I'm not going to respond to that," he said.

"They've been taking this action for several weeks now, I'm unfamiliar with the type of that action, the length of that action, but certainly that's action notices that have been in put in place for several weeks now."

Mr Furner said the industrial action would also not impact on the shark-control program for the rest of Queensland, which includes shark nets and drumlines at 86 of the state's most popular beaches.

"With the program, it's a combination of not only Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers, but it's also contractors, so a lot of the contractors go out and inspect the lines and the nets so they are not covered by the action," he said.

"There should be no impact."We will release these contracts at an appropriate time, says Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit:Photo: Wayne Taylor

Then on Tuesday, Channel 9 arked up because Andrews government wouldnt supply the TV station with a copy of the agreement and all of a sudden Belt and Road was all anybody wanted to talk about.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Daniel Andrews bragged about his memorandum of understanding with China for Victoria to get involved in that nations ambitious Belt and Road Initiative and no-one took much notice.

Sometimes these things come from nowhere.

But there is a real nerviness, both here in Australia and in the broader region, about China and it shouldnt have come as a surprise to the Premier that this story now has some legs on it.

Belt and Road is taking on ominous overtones as some nations begin to push back against the terms Beijing is attaching to its massive nation-building investments.

At home, accusations are flying about China conducting electronic warfare, industrial espionage, mass surveillance on its citizens living in Australia and various other activities.

So maybe now is not the best time for a state government, facing an election in 17 days, to cut a deal with the Chinese government, not bother looping in the feds to any significant degree, and then try to keep the details of the agreement on the down low.

It just doesn't look great.Half of Victorias energy could come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro power within 12 years, if the Andrews government is re-elected.

The Age can reveal that Labor will promise to raise Victorias renewable energy target from 40 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030 if it wins this months election.

The move would enhance Labor's green credentials and cement the state's transition away from coal as its primary power source.

Victoria has already legislated renewable energy targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025, although the Coalition has promised to scrap the targets if it wins the November 24 election.Victorian school enrolments are growing and we need to plan ahead," Mr Merlino said. "All the Liberal Party do is talk about moving people to regional Victoria - but we know the best way to handle population growth is to build new schools and invest in the infrastructure people need, he said. The package is expected to create about 2500 construction jobs and 1,700 teaching and support staff rolls over the next four years, according to the government. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and wife Catherine Andrews board the Labor bus in Noble Park on Wednesday. Credit:AAP A new kindergarten will also be built at or next to every new primary school in the state, Labor said, putting an end to "the dreaded double drop-off" for many parents.

Labor has promised to spend almost $5 billion in the next 10 years on rolling out three-year old kinder. Schools in Melbourne's inner suburbs and growth corridors are already feeling the squeeze. Some are staggering lunch times or rolling out three-storey portables to accommodate an influx of students. Daniel Andrews with students at the Bridgewater Intergrated Child and Family Centre in Berwick on Wednesday. Credit:AAP State, independent and Catholic schools will have to accommodate a record 1 million students by 2020. Research from the Grattan Institute found that 220 new state, independent and Catholic schools needed to be built in Victoria over the next decade to cope with an explosion in student numbers.

The Grattan Institute's school education program director Peter Goss said Labor's school building proposal was in line with his projections. "This is the first time I have seen a Victorian political party propose a school building program that genuinely matches the scale of the population growth ahead," he said. He said the locations for the new schools made sense, as did buying land when it was cheaper. "It is more likely that the schools will be there when this current generation of young people need it." Australian Principals Federation president Julie Podbury said the new schools would help meet demand.

She said ideally, secondary schools should have no more than 1200 students and primary schools should be between 600 to 800 students. "Otherwise you tend to lose track of who your community is," she said. Ms Podbury said having a kindergarten at every new state primary school made a lot of sense. "It helps with the transition to prep, she said. It eases congestion and eases parent anxieties getting from A to B." Australian Education Union Victorian branch president Meredith Peace also welcomed the election pledge, and said population growth was putting intense pressure on schools in growth areas.

"If we dont have the new schools being built quickly enough it can put pressure on schools in terms of accommodating those kids, having enough ground space for the kids to play on and having class sizes increasing," she said. "The population is growing so rapidly." Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said a one-stop shop for primary school and early childhood services would be of great benefit to families. While new schools are always a good thing, Ms McHardy said many existing schools desperately needed upgrades. "Older school communities are still waiting for upgrades," she said. "This is a big issue for parents."Commuters were advised to find alternative travel arrangements after 115 bus drivers called in sick in Sydney's north west on Wednesday, causing a number of service cancellations.

People traveling from the CBD to the north west faced the longest delays, with Hillsbus urging customers to leave work early if possible.

"We are working to operate as many services as possible, however, there will be some cancellations and delays," a Hillsbus spokesman said.

"Hillsbus sincerely regrets the disruption and inconvenience caused to our customers."The ancient slab, which is engraved with three languages and unlocked the secret of Egyptian hieroglyphs, has been a long-running source of tension between Cairo and London.

Cairo: An Egyptian museum has renewed calls for the Rosetta Stone to be returned after more than 200 years in the British Museum in London.

British soldiers captured the stone in 1801 after defeating Napoleon's army in Egypt and took it to the British Museum, where it has long been the most-visited object. Tarek Tawfik, the director of Giza's new Grand Egyptian Museum, said: "It would be great to have the Rosetta Stone back in Egypt, but this is something that will still need a lot of discussion and cooperation."

He said he was involved in "vivid discussions" about its possible return, but a British Museum spokesman said: "We have not received a request for the return of the Rosetta Stone."

Telegraph, LondonShanghai: Australia has urged China to end the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in its vast western province of Xinjiang, at a United Nations review of Chinas human rights practices.

The focus on Chinas new policy to systemically detain hundreds of thousands of Uighurs for re-education came on the eve of foreign affairs minister Marise Paynes first visit to Beijing.

Police stand guard in a Uighur neighbourhood in the Xinjiang region. Credit:Photo: New York Times

Australia was among 13 countries to raise the treatment of Uighurs during Chinas third Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Speeches were limited to 45 seconds, but in its full written statement, Australia was more scathing, noting "significant regression" in China's civil and political rights since the last review five years ago.Beijing: It is the same state guesthouse where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was entertained by Chinese president Xi Jinping as Kim made his first secret visit abroad in March.

That was a significant thaw for China. Now the Australian thaw will be tested at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Bound for China: Marise Payne. Credit:Andrew Meares

Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne arrived to a chilly Beijing late on Wednesday evening, the first day of winter in the ancient Chinese solar calendar.

Today Payne will attend the fifth Australia-China foreign and strategic dialogue, the highest level bilateral meeting to be held on Chinese soil this year.Jakarta: The signing of the Indonesia-Australia free trade agreement, due in Singapore next week, will "revolutionise" business relationships between the two nations according to the Australia-Indonesia Business Council.

AIBC national president Phil Turtle admitted to some nerves that the signing of the deal could be delayed, after the Morrison government flagged last month that it might move Australia's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Scott Morrison talking Australia-Indonesia business in September. Credit:AAP

But Mr Turtle said he was delighted the deal was set to be signed.

Labor Treasury spokesman Chris Bowen welcomed the imminent signing of the deal, but lashed the Morrison government for putting the deal at risk with the embassy move "thought bubble".Baghdad: More than 200 mass graves holding as many as 12,000 bodies have been found in areas of Iraq that were once controlled by Islamic State, UN investigators have said.

The 202 graves verified by investigators are concentrated in northern and western Iraq, areas that Islamic State controlled from 2014 to 2017. A joint report by the UN mission to Iraq and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called the sites the militants' legacy of terror.

Women visit a Yazidi shrine overlooking at Kankhe Camp for the internally displaced in Dahuk, northern Iraq. Credit:AP

The deaths occurred in what the United Nations has labelled systematic and widespread violence, a campaign that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible genocide.First published in The Age on November 11, 1994

President Bill Clinton faces a dramatically weakened political future today after his Democratic Party suffered one of its worst defeats this century in yesterday's congressional elections.

Bill and Hillary Clinton visit Sydney in 1996. Credit:Mike Bowers

In a far worse rout than predicted, the Democrats ceded control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to the Republicans for the first time in 40 years.

The elections also saw Republicans win the governorships of seven of the eight biggest States, tearing up the Democrats' traditional dominance of the 50 state governors' mansions for the first time since 1970.PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Claude Chacho Peterson is continuing to honour the pledge made by the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) during their 2018 election campaign to donate 15 percent of the salary of their parliamentarians. To date, MP Peterson has donated to two foundations in support of their efforts in the community. This is the alternative chosen until a voluntary reduction is adopted by his colleagues in Parliament.

MP Peterson made his second donation on Monday to Be The Change Foundation, a community-based organisation that has proven through their projects and activities to be making a significant contribution to the lives of many on the island. The Member of Parliament made a transfer of 2,900 guilders to the Foundation to assist them with their upcoming and ongoing activities. Recently, Be The Change Foundation completed the painting of the vending booths located in the Philipsburg area.

I have observed the consistency of this organisations work, and the humility with which they approach making a positive change in our community. I admire the way they involve everyone- young and old, in what they do. They show that we all can make a difference if we are willing to be the change, said MP Peterson. I feel they have done an excellent job in our community coordinating and carrying out beautification and improvement projects. They have done an excellent job in getting persons in our community to volunteer their time to work on projects that uplift our community.

Since taking the oath of office in July 2018, Peterson has been actively seeking opportunities to give back to the community from his voluntary deduction of 15 percent of his salary. In September 2018, Peterson made his first donation of 770 guilders to the White and Yellow Cross Foundation in support of their celebrations of the International Day of the Elderly held on October 6, 2018. The event honoured the senior citizens and residents of the Sint Maarten Home, many of whom spent their lives building our country, noted Peterson.

MP Peterson has taken note of the Ministers recent decision to voluntarily lower their salary by 10% and hopes that very soon, the Parliamentarians will also see the importance of making this symbolic gesture at a time when our country is still combating the devastating effects of Irma while many in our community remain jobless and roofless. This represents an opportunity for not only SMCP but all other political parties to demonstrate solidarity with our people to face the challenging times ahead.ANNAPOLIS (, 2018)Tuesday night in Maryland was historic: Gov. Larry Hogan, the popular incumbent, won a decisive victory against his Democratic challenger to become the state's first two-term Republican governor in more than a half century.



The Associated Press called the race at 9:07 p.m. with Hogan leading Benjamin T. Jealous, the former NAACP president. Unofficial results from the Maryland Board of Elections Wednesday morning put Hogan at 56.2 percent and Jealous at 42.7 with nearly all precincts reporting.



Reports on Tuesday night indicated that voters were in line late in Prince George's County due to a lack of paper ballots in some polling stations.



Ian Schlakman of the Green Party tallied 0.5 percent of the vote and Libertarian Shawn Quinn garnered 0.6 percent, according to preliminary results.



Hogan stepped on stage at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis just after 10 p.m. before a boisterous crowd to declare victory.



"They said it was impossible. They said it couldn't be done in Maryland but thanks to you we just went out and did it," Hogan said. "Tonight in this deep blue state, in this blue year, with a blue wave, it turns out I can surf."



The race never appeared close, with polls showing the governor leading Jealous by double digits from the Democratic primary in June (Hogan ran unopposed in the Republican primary) until October when a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll had him winning by 20 points.



Jealous and his running mate Susie Turnbull conceded just before 11 p.m.



"We looked at the numbers," Jealous said to his supporters gathered at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore. "Calling right now is the right thing to do."



In his victory speech, Hogan thanked Jealous for running a "spirited" campaign and "giving Maryland a real choice."



"While we disagree on the issues he has my respect and I sincerely wish him well in his future pursuits," he said.



Hogan's approval rating topped 70 percent in Augustin a state in which voters from his party are outnumbered by Democrats by a more than two-to-one margin.



The governor's victory was helped by a cash-rich re-election campaign that spent millions on ads touting Hogan's first-term achievements, including surpassing funding quotas for the state's education system, fighting the opioid epidemic, enacting business-friendly policies, putting the brakes on tax increases handed down by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration and lowering tolls and fees.



Solomon Wiltshire, a 30-year-old Libertarian from Baltimore said, "I voted for Hogan because my business (printing) has done well since he has been governor. Ben Jealous stands for what I believe in. But, I gotta pay the bills."



As for Jealous, he began the general race at a significant financial disadvantage. The former head of the NAACP spent nearly all of his campaign funds to win a crowded Democratic primary. In the early stages of the general election, polls showed Hogan with a double-digit advantage and campaign donations soon dried up, leaving Jealous unable to effectively introduce himself to voters.



Jealous eventually released ads touting his accomplishments both as president of the NAACP and as a businessman, as well as his plans to fund education and other parts of his agenda. The Democratic Governors Association released an ad campaign in October.



Hogan was further aided by several gaffes by Jealous, including inexplicably vetoing a reporter from being a panelist for the race's lone debate. After receiving criticism, his campaign withdrew the veto.



Voter enthusiasm has appeared uncommonly high for a midterm election. More than 660,000 Marylanders voted earlyDouble the total that turned out in the last Maryland gubernatorial election in 2014.



Some voters said they participated in response to Republican President Donald Trump whose policiesnamely immigrationhave been seen as divisive and polarizing.



Bridget Hilder said she doesn't normally vote in midterms but her daughter voting for the first time encouraged her to do the same.



Hilder voted in Pasadena, Maryland, for Hogan, and said she likes how he doesn't get involved in controversies. "He's brought Maryland back to where it's not in the bad news anymore," she said.



Hogan has managed to shed most if not all association with President Donald Trump, despite Democrats' efforts to link the two.



Hogan has made a point to contrast his brand of politics to those in Washington, D.C.



"Tonight the voters of Maryland put aside divisive partisan politics and the people in our great state voted for civility, for bipartisanship and for common sense leadership," Hogan said. "What unites us as Marylanders and as Americans is always greater than that which divides us."



"Tonight," he continued, "Maryland sent a loud and clear message to Washington that they will hear all across America."



Linking Hogan to Trump has not worked as well as some Democrats would have hoped, said Mileah Kromer, associate professor of political science and director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College, not only because of his policy decisions, but also his temperament.



"Hogan needs to be a moderate to appeal to moderate voters and Trump has helped him to look like a moderate," Kromer told Capital News Service last month.



Ada Joya, a Hyattsville, Maryland, resident, said President Trump's agendaspecifically immigrationhas brought out a lot of people to vote in the area.



"Especially in my community, a lot of people are more excited (about this year's election)," she said. "Before people would ignore it but now they're waking up. Even if they're not being affected they're going out for other people that are suffering."



Much like his first term, Hogan will have to work with a heavily Democratic Maryland General Assembly, which maintained its veto-proof majority.



Republicans targeted six seats in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Frederick counties and the Eastern Shorecalled the "Drive for Five"to break the Democrats' ability to override any veto that Hogan issues. With all precincts in, the GOP appears to have won two of those racesMary Beth Carozza defeated Jim Mathias in District 38; and Chris West, a Republican, won District 42, a seat previously held by Democrat Jim Brochin, who stepped down.



Hogan has been applauded for his bipartisanship in his first term, so that voters like James Minor, a Hyattsville resident who said he's worked for the Department of Homeland Security for 15 years, told Capital News Service on Tuesday afternoon he voted for Hogan despite identifying as a Democrat.



"He doesn't seem like he has a big 'R' on his forehead to me," said Minor, adding that he appreciated Hogan's goals of giving more money to school systems in Maryland, and said Hogan seemed to have the state's best interests at heart.



But later at that same polling place, some voters experienced frustration and long waits.



While Hogan was declared victory, Prince George's County was still awaiting some results due to a ballot shortage. On Wednesday morning, the state Board of Elections had not yet reported all precincts in Prince George's and Baltimore City.



Marjee Chmiel, 42, of Hyattsville, on Tuesday night said the line was short when she and her husband got to the polls around 5:30 p.m., but it quickly grew when the polling place, Hyattsville Middle School, ran out of paper ballots.



Chmiel said she was one of the last few to get an electronic ballot, and soon after, the line built up to more than 200 people as everyone was waiting for more ballots to be delivered.



Despite this, Chmiel said, voters were not deterred.



Chmiel estimated she and her husband waited nearly two hours to vote. Others in line behind them likely had to wait longer for the additional ballots to be delivered.



"Everyone really hung in there," Chmiel said. "They said there was a widespread shortage in the county" where African-Americans make up about 65 percent of the population. "It's concerning the county had this issue knowing it's a majority-minority county."



Calls to the state board of elections and to the Maryland Democratic Party on Tuesday night were not returned.



Historic victory



Not since the Eisenhower administration have Maryland voters re-elected a Republican governorwhen Theodore McKeldin won a second term in 1954. Hogan did what Spiro Agnew never attempted and Bob Ehrlich failed to do.



Agnew never made a re-election bid, instead he was elected the 39th vice president of the United States with President Richard Nixon in 1968 and eventually resigned after pleading no contest to charges of tax evasion. In 2006, incumbent Gov. Bob Ehrlich lost decisively to Martin O'Malley despite a high approval rating.



Ballot Questions



Voters decided on two ballot questionsboth amendments to the Maryland Constitutionin the general election. Both passed with nearly all state precincts reporting.



The first question, which had garnered 89 percent to 11 percent with most precincts reporting, specifies that, starting in 2020, the education funding from gaming revenues must be supplemental, and cannot be used as a substitute for other schools funding that is already required by law.



The new amendment requires the governor to allocate at least $125 million in fiscal year 2020, $250 million in fiscal year 2021, and $375 million in fiscal year 2022.



The second question amends the state constitution to allow qualified individuals to register and vote on the same day. It appeared at press time to have passed 67 percent to 33 percent.



Current law allows same-day registration and voting during the early voting period, the second Thursday before the election through the Thursday before the election. The amendment expands that to include Election Day, according to the Board of Elections.



Frosh and Franchot



Two of Maryland's most prominent Democrats won re-election Tuesday.



Attorney General Brian Frosh defeated Republican challenger Craig Wolf 64 percent to 36 percent at press time with a large majority of precincts reporting.



The state's top financial officer, Comptroller Peter Franchot, trounced Anjali Reed Phukan nearly 72 percent to 28 percent with most precincts reporting, winning a fourth term in office.



Franchot's victory ensures that Hogan retains perhaps his strongest Democratic ally. The pair have forged an unlikely friendship while serving on the Board of Public Works together, to the ire of some Democratic leaders.



Capital News Service correspondents Howard Fletcher, Harrison Cann and Savannah Williams contributed to this report.Fertility specialists Irina Kapshuk, Miroslava Vatsik, Natalia Alipova and Natalia Redko completed training at EXCEMED WORKSHOP

On September 21, 2018, the largest conference within fertility specialists was held in Kyiv - EXCEMED WORKSHOP Improving success in ART: how to define it and key strategies to get the best outcomes. This event was dedicated to the questions of improving the success of ART programs, in particular, identifying ways and opportunities to get better results, and the conference lecturers were well-known scientists and fertility practitioners from all around the world.

Representatives of ISIDA clinic also took part in the work of this event: Miroslava Vatsik, fertility specialist, obstetrician/gynecologist; Irina Kapshuk, fertility specialist, obstetrician/gynecologist; Natalia Redko, fertility specialist, obstetrician/gynecologist, endocrinologist; Natalia Alipova, fertility specialist, obstetrician/gynecologist.

During the conference we discussed the indicators that must become general guidance in the work of reproductive clinic (live birth rate, time to pregnancy, multiple birth), as well as ways to improve these indicators, - Natalia Redko comments on her participation in the conference. - One of the possible ways is to obtain the optimal number of eggs to get an euploid embryo. The conference guests also discussed ways of optimization. This is a personalized protocol of a controlled ovarian stimulation, an individual selection of a drug for controlled ovarian stimulation, the choice of which depends upon assessment of a womans potential response to it based on the number of antral follicles and Anti-Mullerian Hormone.

Also, event presenters developed the POSEIDON criteria, which helps individually select the stimulation protocol. In addition, the questions of single embryo transfer and preimplantation genetic diagnosis of embryos by NGS method were actively discussed. The conference participants came to the unanimous conclusion that thanks to the transfer of examined embryos, the level of live birth significantly increases, and the eSET method serves as a valid prevention of multiple pregnancy and its severe complications.

Particularly interesting was specific report on the strategy for improving the manufacturability of biolaboratory, thereby improving the quality of embryo cultivation. Nowadays, the whole world perform embryo transfer at the blastocyst stage, and this is possible thanks to the development of modern embryology. Also for freezing and preservation of embryos, we use vitrification method. This made possible to apply the Freez all strategy more widely within patients with PCOS in order to prevent possible ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, - Irina Kapshuk shares her thoughts on the event.

Participation in such seminars, face-to-face communication with the best fertility specialists in the world allows participants to improve their knowledge, learn from the experience of foreign colleagues and share their own practical achievements and ideas. The EXCEMED WORKSHOP gave our specialists an opportunity to discuss the topics of their concern with the scientists, to determine their opinion on the topics that were the subject of controversy and innovative discoveries of the best fertility scientists in the world. We hope that the knowledge and experience gained during this event will help them in reaching new professional heights and giving desired happiness to even more childless couples.

Contact us!

Phone: +380 (44) 455 88 14; (044) 490-95-24

Viber: +380 (67) 333 88 14

Skype: ISIDA International

Address: 65, Vatslava Gavela Blvd, Kyiv, Ukraine

https://isida-ivf.com



"Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space" (Smithsonian Books, 2018) is a stunning new book, released Oct. 30, that combines striking images with captivating space history to tell the tale of space stations throughout history, covering everything from Sputnik to Walt Disney and the to-be-seen future of space stations.

Space.com caught up with Robert Pearlman, a space historian and Space.com contributing writer as well as one of the authors on the new book, which combines the authors' expertise to stretch from pop culture and comics to technical specifications.

"The book came together as an idea of how to tell the history of what's become a major focus of space exploration  how we live and work in space and how that's been envisioned even before we sent anything into space and where that might go into the future," Pearlman told Space.com. The book opens with a foreword from NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist Nicole Stott, who remarks on the long and brilliant history of humanity's presence in space. [Far Out NASA Space Station Concepts from the Past!]

Pearlman wrote in a collaboration with, Ron Miller, a space artist and science fiction illustrator and author, and Gary Kitmacher, who has worked for NASA's Johnson Space Center since 1981. The authors' varied experiences contribute to a book that serves as a comprehensive tour of space stations through the years.

Some might think that the International Space Station, which houses astronauts in space, is the extent of humanity's history building and using space stations. But this book shows just how long we have been planning, designing and building space stations and just how varied they have been.

Pearlman, citing the Soviet Union's Salyut program and the United States' Skylab, remarked that "those early efforts established the baseline for how we would create the International Space Station."

The launch of the last Saturn V rocket and Skylab, the first United States space station. (Image credit: Courtesy of NASA)

Additionally, there are a variety of lesser-known pieces of history discussed in the book. For example, Walt Disney worked with German rocket scientist Wernher von Braunon the "Man in Space" television program that was tied to the "Tomorrowland" section of Disneyland, which he was building at the time. Disney felt that communicating about spaceflight to the public with this program could help the public to better understand "Tomorrowland," the book explains.

The book doesn't just cover missions and collaborations with scientists, however. It begins before humans had ever traveled to space and reaches far past what we've so far accomplished. This book begins by exploring the earliest ideas about space and space stations, from early astronomy to cartoons to science fiction. It showcases brilliant artwork, including original space station designs, cartoons and spectacular photographs of the International Space Station and humanity's space station attempts throughout history.

Stanford Torus cutaway view. A retro-futuristic view of how humans might live in space (Image credit: Painting by Rick Guidice/ courtesy of NASA)

After journeying through history, leaving no stone unturned, the team of authors leaves the reader with a look at what humanity's presence in space might resemble in the future. From commercialization to inflatable structures and space colonies, the book dives deep into what we think and hope our role in space might be in the near and far-flung future.

Astronaut Edward H. White, who piloted the Gemini IV spaceflight, floats in space during the first spacewalk by an American. (Image credit: Courtesy of NASA)

"If there is a surprise to be had," Pearlman said about the book, "it's that we've been at this for so long  trying to develop a permanent platform in low Earth orbit as such that there will always be humans in space. Hopefully, we will never have another day in anyone's lives when we will not have humans in space."

"Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space" is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Follow Chelsea Gohd on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.A new life-support system that can recycle breathable air is being installed at the International Space Station, promising to dramatically decrease the amount of water that needs to be brought to the orbital outpost to make oxygen.

The system represents an important step toward so-called closed-loop life-support systems that could one day sustain space crews indefinitely without supply missions from Earth. Such systems will be crucial for future long-duration missions to the moon and Mars.

The newly installed Advanced Closed Loop System (ACLS), developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), arrived at the space station in late September aboard the Japanese HTV-7 cargo ship. This system could slash the amount of water needed for the oxygen system by 400 liters (100 gallons). [The International Space Station: Inside and Out (Infographic)]

The 750-kilogram (1,650 lbs.) system, housed in a payload rack 2 meters by 1 m by 90 centimeters in size (6.5 by 3.3 by 3 feet), recycles 50 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by the astronauts back into oxygen. As the air passes through the system, the CO2 is trapped in small beads made of amine, an organic compound similar to ammonia.

"Once we remove CO2 from the cabin air, we extract it from these materials and we get almost pure CO2," Daniele Laurini, who led the ESA team that developed the system, told Space.com. "Then, we react the CO2 with hydrogen and we extract water and methane."

Water is further split into hydrogen and  more importantly  oxygen, which the astronauts can breathe. In the past, all water for making oxygen would have to be brought from Earth. The new process extracts an equal amount of water and methane, Laurini said. But there is currently no use for the methane, which is produced in the form of carbon dust.

"Processing pure methane in orbit and getting something useable out of it is quite challenging," said Laurini. "Dust in microgravity is messy. So, we just vent the methane to space."

Laurini said that his team doesn't plan to increase the efficiency of the system to recycle more than the current 50 percent of the exhaled CO2. However, next year, the team will test the system in conjunction with an algae photo-bioreactor developed by the German aerospace agency, DLR.

"The extracted CO2 will be then fed to the algae. The algae will grow with the CO2 and through photosynthesis release oxygen," said Laurini. "In the more distant future, we would have algae directly picking up the CO2 from the cabin atmosphere."

ACLS will be installed inside the US Destiny module in November and will provide half of the oxygen needed for three astronauts, ESA officials said in a statement. (A fully-staffed space station has six crewmembers, and as many as nine can live there.) The agency plans to test the system for one or two years. The station already uses a system that recycles urine back into drinkable water.

A system similar to ACLS might be used in the future to help regenerate breathable air inside the Lunar Gateway. That proposed moon-orbiting station is currently being considered by the world's space agencies. Laurini, however, said that having a system such as the ACLS aboard any spacecraft would make sense only for longer-duration missions.

"There is a trade-off between launch mass and the number of days you spend in the place," he said. Traveling on Earth, "if you go only for a couple of weeks, you don't need to bring with you a washing machine. [Similarly, in space] it would only make sense if you are going for longer-duration missions  90, 120 days  then the trade-off between recovery and an open-loop system becomes convenient."

For a future mission to Mars, which could take years to complete, a closed-loop system would be a necessity; resupply missions would not be possible, and carrying resources that would last for the entire mission would be too costly, according to experts.

ESA is already working on a closed-loop system called Melissa that would recycle all the resources the crew would need to survive on Mars: food, water and oxygen. This system would take exhaled air, human waste and wastewater and use bacteria, algae and higher plants create drinkable water and breathable oxygen. The system would also grow plants for the astronauts to eat.

Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com.Sometimes, boring is best  and that's certainly true when you're trying to set a lander down on the surface of Mars, where any eventfulness is likely bad news.

That's why scientists carefully chose a flat, featureless expanse of the Red Planet called Elysium Planitia for NASA's InSight mission to touch down on to maximize the odds of everything going smoothly. The lander will arrive after a six-month cruise on Nov. 26.

"If Elysium Planitia were a salad, it would consist of romaine lettuce and kale  no dressing," Bruce Banerdt, NASA's principal investigator for the InSight mission, said in a statement. "If it were an ice cream, it would be vanilla." [Launch Photos: NASA's InSight Mars Lander Blasts Off on Atlas V Rocket]

Landing on Mars is challenging under the best of circumstances, requiring a carefully choreographed insertion into the atmosphere, a hefty heat shield and an extremely durable parachute. Then there's the matter of actually touching down, which is where flat terrain like that around Elysium Planitia becomes important, so that the spacecraft doesn't accidentally topple over or get caught in a crevasse.

An artist's depiction of the Mars InSight lander on Elysium Planitia, where it will land on Nov. 26. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Unlike the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers, InSight will be stuck in the same place for its entire stay on Mars  it doesn't have any way to move across the planet's surface. That means that it needs to be able to accomplish all its scientific research precisely where it lands.

In the case of the InSight lander, that science is focused on studying the interior of the planet rather than its surface. Among its instrument suite is a probe that buries itself 16 feet (5 meters) below the surface, which means the team needed to find a landing site with rock the probe could drill through.

"Picking a good landing site on Mars is a lot like picking a good home: It's all about location, location, location," Tom Hoffman, InSight project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in the same statement. "And for the first time ever, the evaluation for a Mars landing site had to consider what lay below the surface of Mars."

Out of 22 initial contenders, the team eventually narrowed it down to just Elysium Planitia, or rather, an oval 81 miles (130 kilometers) long and 17 miles (27 km) wide across that plain. And while it may not make for the most stunning postcard, the view doesn't matter to the InSight team nearly as much as the science does.

"If you were a Martian coming to explore Earth's interior like we are exploring Mars' interior, it wouldn't matter if you put down in the middle of Kansas or the beaches of Oahu," Banerdt said in the statement. "While I'm looking forward to those first images from the surface, I am even more eager to see the first data sets revealing what is happening deep below our landing pads. The beauty of this mission is happening below the surface. Elysium Planitia is perfect."

Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.A NASA mission to loft a satellite from an airplane to probe Earth's atmosphere at the edge of space has been delayed at least one more day due to a glitch with its rocket that was detected just before launch early Wednesday (Nov. 7).

The Stargazer L-1011 carrier plane carrying NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer satellite, or ICON, had already taken off from its staging ground at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when an issue was detected on the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket that was to have launched the satellite from the air at 3:05 a.m. EST (0705 GMT). The next launch opportunity for ICON is on Thursday (Nov. 8), NASA officials said.

"NASA and Northrop Grumman scrubbed today's launch of #PegasusXL due to off-nominal data received during the captive carry flight," representatives with Northrop Grumman, which built the rocket, said in a Twitter update after the launch scrub. The L-1011 Stargazer carrier aircraft has returned to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and an investigation into the anomaly will begin soon, they added.

An artist's depiction of the ICON spacecraft at work studying the boundary between Earth and space. (Image credit: NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab/B. Monroe)

The launch scrub is the latest in a string of delays for the ICON mission over the last year. The satellite was originally scheduled for a launch on Dec. 8, 2017, before rocket issues forced NASA to postpone it deep into 2018. The initial launch plan for ICON called for its Stargazer L-1011 to take off from a U.S. Army base on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean. After the initial delays last year, NASA moved the staging ground for the launch to Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA's ICON satellite is in good health as engineers assess the issue with its Pegasus XL booster, Northrop Grumman representatives said.

Northrop Grumman's Stargazer L-1011 carrier plane carrying the Pegasus XL rocket that will launch NASA's ICON satellite into orbit arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 19, 2018. The satellite was scheduled to be air-launched from the Stargazer using the Pegasus XL on Nov. 7, 2018, but a technical glitch delayed the flight. (Image credit: Kim Shiflett/NASA)

ICON is a $252 million mission to study Earth's ionosphere, a level of Earth's uppermost atmosphere ionized by the sun's radiation, like never before. The satellite will orbit about 360 miles (575 km) above Earth and use four different instruments to track how terrestrial winds and the sun's own solar wind shape the ionosphere, which covers a region roughly 50 to 400 miles (80 to 645 km) above the planet. Scientists hope the spacecraft will help understand how those winds impact the communications and GPS signals we send through the ionosphere, as well as the satellites and spacecraft in low-Earth orbit (like the International Space Station) that fly through parts of the atmospheric layer, NASA officials said.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.The final stage of a merger between two galactic nuclei lurk in the galaxy NGC 6240. The black holes at the cores are growing quickly devouring the merger's gas and dust.

For the first time, astronomers have observed the final stages of galactic mergers, peering through thick walls of gas and dust to see pairs of supermassive black holes drawing closer together and the black holes' rapid growth.

At the centers of most, if not all, galaxies are supermassive black holes with masses that are millions to billions of times that of Earth's sun. For instance, at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy lies Sagittarius A*, which is about 4.5 million solar masses in size.

Previous work found that mergers of galaxies might help fuel the growth of supermassive black holes. That research suggested that black holes at the cores of colliding galaxies may combine to become even larger black holes. [When Galaxies Collide: Photos of Great Galactic Crashes]

Galactic mergers likely give supermassive black holes ample opportunities to rip apart stars and devour matter. Such destruction releases extraordinary amounts of light and likely serves as the driving force behind quasars, which rank among the brightest objects in the universe.

However, support for the merger-based model of the growth of supermassive black holes has proven mixed, the new work's authors said. While some research has shown a link between quasars and merging galaxies, other studies have found no such association.

One possible explanation for the apparent lack of a link between quasars and merging galaxies is that gas and dust swirling around these galaxies is likely to heavily obscure the black holes. This would be true even during the early stages of mergers, when the galaxies are separated by more than 16,000 light-years of space. Computer simulations suggest that such concealment peaks during the final stages of mergers, when galactic cores are less than 10,000 light-years apart, the study authors said.

Now, the researchers have observed several pairs of galaxies in the late stages of merging, their core supermassive black holes pulling closer. The findings shed light on how even more-massive black holes might come about.

The scientists first searched for hidden black holes by sifting through 10 years' worth of X-ray data from NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. When black holes devour matter, such "active" black holes can generate high-energy X-rays visible even through thick clouds of gas and dust.

Next, the researchers looked for galaxies matching these X-ray finds by combing through data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. Deformable mirrors controlled by computer, a technology called adaptive optics at the Keck Observatory help sharpen images of stars, "leading to a huge increase in resolution," study lead author Michael Koss told Space.com. Koss is an astrophysicist at scientific research company Eureka Scientific in Oakland, California.

"It would be like going from 20/200 vision, where you are legally blind, to 20/20 vision, helping us see galaxies in incredible detail," he said.

The messy cores of these colliding galaxies hide the final stage of two merging galactic nuclei. Top: NGC 6240, as imaged by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, paired with a close-up of the galactic cores in infrared light by the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. The other four galaxies are imaged by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) as well as Keck. (Image credit: M. Koss (Eureka Scientific, Inc.)/NASA/ESA;Keck images: M. Koss (Eureka Scientific, Inc.)/W.M. Keck Observatory; Pan-STARRS images: M. Koss (Eureka Scientific, Inc.)/Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System)

All in all, the scientists analyzed 96 galaxies observed with the Keck Observatory and 385 galaxies from the Hubble archive. All of those galaxies are located an average of 330 million light-years from Earth, relatively close by in cosmic terms, with many similar in size to the Milky Way.

The researchers found that more than 17 percent of these galaxies hosted a pair of black holes at their centers, signs of the late stages of a galactic merger. These findings matched the researchers' computer simulations, which suggested that highly active but heavily obscured black holes hidden within gas- and dust-rich galaxies are responsible for many mergers of supermassive black holes.

"Galactic mergers might be a key way of growing black holes," Koss said.

Our own Milky Way galaxy is currently undergoing a merger with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, and the supermassive black holes at the two galactic cores will eventually smash together, Koss said.

"Right now, the galaxies are separated by millions of light-years, but we're moving toward Andromeda at 250,000 mph [400,000 km/h]," Koss said. "In 6 billion years, there will be no Milky Way galaxy or Andromeda galaxy  just one big galaxy."

An even better view of mergers in dusty, heavily obscured galaxies may come from NASA's highly anticipated James Webb Space Telescope, slated for launch in 2021. Improved images could also come from adaptive-optics systems in the next generation of very large ground-based telescopes, such as the Thirty Meter Telescope, the European Extremely Large Telescope and the Giant Magellan Telescope, Koss said. The James Webb Space Telescope should also be capable of measuring the masses, growth rates and other physical features for each member of nearby black hole pairs, according to the researchers.

The new work was detailed online today (Nov. 7) in the journal Nature.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com.A robotic Japanese cargo ship cast off from the International Space Station Wednesday (Nov. 7) for a weekend date with oblivion to wrap up a successful resupply mission.

Astronauts on the station released the HTV-7 supply ship from the station using a robotic arm at 11:51 a.m. EST (1651 GMT) as both spacecraft sailed 254 miles above the northern Pacific Ocean. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the cargo ship to the station in late September to deliver more than 5 tons (4.5 metric tons) of fresh food, science gear and other supplies.

"The Expedition 57 crew would like thank the entire JAXA program and engineering teams for the flawless design and execution of the HTV-7 resupply mission," station commander Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency radioed Mission Control after the successful undocking. The cargo ship, he added, is a vital part of a truly international effort to support the world's only outpost in space. Gerst used the robotic arm to release HTV-7 with support from NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor. [Japan's Huge HTV Space Truck Explained (Infographic)]

JAXA's HTV cargo ships (short for H-2 Transfer Vehicles) are disposable spacecraft designed to haul tons of supplies to the space station, and then depart and intentionally burn up in Earth's atmosphere at mission's end. The spacecraft, also known as Kounotori (Japanese for "white stork") are part of a fleet of robotic cargo ships from Japan, Russia, Europe and the United States that have kept the station stocked with supplies over the last 18 years.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's HTV-7 cargo ship is seen departing the International Space Station on Nov. 7, 2018. It delivered more than 5 tons of supplies to the orbiting lab. (Image credit: NASA TV)

HTV-7 delivered some critical supplies for the International Space Station's crew, including six new batteries for the orbiting lab's solar power grid. It also carried two tiny cubesats for a space elevator experiment (which were deployed Oct. 6) and a small re-entry capsule that, in a first for Japan, will attempt to return experiments to Earth. If all goes well, the capsule will be deployed just before HTV-7 falls back to Earth over the South Pacific on Saturday (Nov. 10), NASA officials said.

Called the HTV Small Return Capsule, the cone-shaped vehicle is 2.7 feet wide (0.8 meters), 2.1 feet tall (0.6 m) and weighs 397 pounds (180 kilograms).

This NASA graphic shows the location and relative size of Japan's HTV Small Return Capsule on the HTV-7 cargo ship. The capsule will test sample return technologies when it falls to Earth on Nov. 10, 2018. (Image credit: NASA TV)

"The return capsule will be ejected from a hatchway after the deorbit burn," NASA officials said in a statement. "The experimental capsule will perform a parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Japan, where a JAXA ship will be standing by for its recovery."

NASA officials said the capsule is carrying protein crystal growth experiment results.

Gerst wished the team behind the re-entry capsule luck in their upcoming technology test. It was he and his Expedition 57 crewmates who packed the capsule with its experiment cargo and attached it to the HTV-7 hatch.

"We congratulate all the participating engineers for the successful design and assembly of the small return capsule, and we wish all the best for the upcoming, most interesting, phase of the return capsule mission: the re-entry and descent."

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.BARCELONA, Spain, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The app is home to a global photography community where everyone votes for the contest winnerA AGORA images is the photography contest app with the biggest prizes on earth; up to date over 40,000 euros have been handed out in prizes. With over 2 million users in a 193 countries and more than 10 million photos uploaded, the free app is rapidly becoming the place to see the world's best visual content, where photographers or amateurs can win money for their best photos. How contests workA Photo contests are sponsored by brands seeking original content and engagement with their target audiences. As Octavi Royo, CEO and Co-founder of AGORA images explains, "On Instagram people share their lives. On AGORA people share their point of view. We believe everyone's point of view is unique, and important." It is exactly this uniqueness and freshness that contest sponsors turn to, understanding how their audiences perceive their brand through user-generated content. As AGORA's name leads one to think, democracy is a vital element of the app: not only do users upload their best images in the hopes of becoming a Hero (contest winner), they are also active voters in the community. In this way the best visual content in the world will be created and curated by the community of photographers. Contests are launched weekly and last two months; during the first everyone can participate while during the second users vote for their favorite images amongst the 50 finalists. The contests are driven by their creative concept, 52 universal hashtags tied to a sponsor brand. Hashtags range from seasonal events such as #Spring or #Summer to more abstract concepts such as #Love, #Happiness and #Blue. Thanks to these static hashtags users and brands will be able to witness how the same concept can evolve visually one year after another. AGORA also collaborates with NGOs to make this world a better place, working closely with social, environmental and animal initiatives. With all of these successes in just over a year of existence, it is no surprise AGORA has ranked in the Top 5 of several app stores around the world. New contests are launched every Fridaya will you be the next Hero? For more information download the app in the App Store or Google Play and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. AGORA images visual material:A https://projects.invisionapp.com/boards/QK3FV3F4D7MUCWSAHINGTON - The Democratic takeover of the House poses challenges to the Trump administration's plans to create a Space Force, augment the American nuclear arsenal and draw on military funds to build parts of the border wall, as the Pentagon faces an era of greater scrutiny and tighter funding.

Leading the charge for the Democrats on military issues is likely to be longtime Seattle-area congressman Adam Smith, who is poised to take over as chairman of the powerful House committee that oversees the American armed forces and their funding.

Smith has established a reputation as a defense budget hawk, regularly pressing Republicans on the committee on how the country can afford to reduce government tax revenue while increasing expenditures on defense. The annual defense budget reached $716 billion this year and included the largest baseline budget excluding active overseas deployments since World War II.

Even before the Democrats won the House on Tuesday, the Trump administration was pursuing plans to reduce spending on the military by 4.5 percent less than it had planned for next year. The move came in response to a 17 percent increase in the federal deficit in 2018, the largest jump in six years, which resulted in part from the confluence of factors Smith predicted.

How much gets spent on defense will depend on what caps the Republican-controlled Senate and the Trump administration broker with House Democrats for next year. House Democrats will likely push for a greater share of nondefense spending to fund domestic priorities.

The most high-profile military expenditure Smith has taken aim at in recent years is a vast overhaul of the nation's nuclear forces estimated to cost some $1.2 trillion over 30 years including sustainment.

President Barack Obama signed off on the modernization plans as part of a deal to secure the Republican-controlled Senate's ratification of the New START Treaty in 2010.

But Smith has described the overhaul - which includes introducing a new air-launch cruise missile in addition to new nuclear bombers, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missile systems - as too expensive and unnecessary. He also opposes the low-yield nuclear warheads and cruise missiles the Trump administration wants to put on submarines.

Smith is also against Trump's proposal to create a Space Force. He agrees with prioritizing space as a military domain but says the Pentagon doesn't need an entirely new and costly bureaucracy that would come with creating a separate military branch.

"We must do a better job of dealing with space as a national security priority," he said in a statement. "I will continue to work toward a smarter, more effective approach."

Apart from trying to scale back what he sees as unnecessary expenditures, Smith will likely focus on forcing the Pentagon to answer more questions in public about its military programs and deployments, including president Donald Trump's recent order to send active-duty forces to the border with Mexico.

In an Oct. 28 op-ed, Smith argued that the Trump administration had wrapped the Pentagon in "a blanked of unaccountability" by seeking to roll back "transparency norms that have been in effect and functioning well since the mid-twentieth century."

He said the administration had curtailed the Pentagon's interactions with the news media, prevented the public release of cost schedules and weapons systems assessments and sought to prevent defense officials from testifying before Congress.

"The message from the top has been to withhold information from Congress, the public, and the press, even as President Trump has simultaneously taken inappropriate steps to politicize the military," Smith wrote in Defense One.

In particular, Smith recently promised to get answers from the Pentagon about the justification for Trump's border deployment.

"We would ask the Pentagon to come in and explain to us in an open public hearing what they're doing and why," Smith told Washington Post opinion writer Greg Sargent. "I don't think we should let the president get away with this type of policy with no justification and no explanation for it."

Smith led a letter sent by 108 House Democrats questioning the border deployment and separately decrying the use of Pentagon funds to build a wall along a stretch of the border in Arizona where a military bombing range abuts Mexican territory.

The letter criticized the Pentagon for approving $7.5 million in advanced planning funds for a roughly 30-mile border barrier at the Barry M. Goldwater Range, which House Democrats said could cost as much as $450 million. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has justified the barrier as a way to protect any migrants who may endanger themselves by crossing the range.

Smith is also concerned about the money the Pentagon shells out on bases and other infrastructure that the military has formally said it doesn't need. He has been pushing for Congress to begin a Base Realignment and Closure, better known as a BRAC, which would get rid of excess military infrastructure.

Mattis followed previous secretaries of defense in calling for a BRAC in 2017, but he didn't do so amid the budget largesse of 2018. The issue is likely to resurface as the Pentagon looks to economize under increased budget pressure.

Congress hasn't permitted the Pentagon to do a BRAC since 2005, largely because lawmakers haven't wanted to risk the closure of bases in their districts. In 2016, the Pentagon predicted some 22 percent of its bases would qualify as excess capacity by 2019, what defense officials have described as billions of dollars of wasted money.

While the Democrats favor retaining the Obama administration's policy of permitting transgender individuals to serve in the military, the matter remains tied up in the courts and it's unclear whether leverage in the House will allow the party to press the matter.

Democrats have also been particularly vocal about the Pentagon's failure to properly account for civilian casualties caused by U.S. military airstrikes. They are likely to press the Defense Department to implement measures in this year's annual defense policy bill aimed at stepping up accountability and oversight of the process for identifying whether the military caused such deaths.The following editorial was published in Wednesday's Washington Post:

The Democrats' return to control over the House of Representatives is much more than a victory for one party. It is a sign of health for American democracy.

Distrustful of untrammeled majorities, the authors of the Constitution favored checks and balances, including, crucially, the check that the legislative branch might place upon the executive. Over the past two years, the Republican majorities in the House and Senate have failed to exercise reasonable oversight. Now the constitutional system has a fresh chance to work as intended.

The Democratic victory is also a sign of political health, to the extent it is a form of pushback against the excesses, rhetorical and in terms of policy, committed by the Trump administration and propounded by President Donald Trump during this fall's campaign. Turning against the dominant party in Washington even in a moment of economic prosperity, voters from Key West to Kansas refused to accept the continued degradation of their nation's political culture. Republicans retained control of the Senate, where the map this year favored their defense. But voters nationwide refused Trump's invitation to vote on the basis of fear of immigrants; they did not respond to his depiction of his opposition as dangerous enemies.

Now the House will be in a position to investigate any number of potential administration transgressions and demand accountability: the awful separation of migrant children from their parents; the dubious decision to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 Census; the president's harassment of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

The new majority also has an opportunity to offer a positive legislative agenda. The Democrats achieved their victory Tuesday night in large part by promising to protect health-care coverage, especially for Americans with preexisting conditions. Though effective in winning over moderate voters, the campaign did not establish a clear mandate for much beyond that - eminently valid - objective. And of course, even if the Democrats set forth a list of specific proposals for the House, before or after Election Day, the Senate and Trump's veto pen could block it.

Still, the party can outline an alternative policy direction for the country. It can begin with measures to shore up the Affordable Care Act but then move to reforms of federal gun laws. Where the Republican majority has denied science, the Democrats can offer an approach to climate change. They can propose relief to the "dreamers" and, ideally, other undocumented immigrants, along with generous but not unlimited opportunities for future legal immigration. They should propose to restore the United States to its rightful place as a welcomer of refugees; to end the disgraceful denial of congressional representation to citizens in the District of Columbia; to repeal the most egregious giveaways to the rich in the 2017 tax bill.

Tuesday was a good day for Democrats. It may also be a good day for Republicans, if they take the lessons of their House defeat to heart and reconsider the devil's bargain they have made with Trump. Indeed, if the results help lead to a reemergence of that party's better angels, then it will have been good day for America as a whole.Last week's call by the Trump administration for a cease-fire in the war in Yemen "in the next 30 days" is welcome but long overdue. A similar demand could have been made at any time during the more than three years of Saudi intervention there, which has caused more than 17,000 civilian casualties, most of them because of Saudi/United Arab Emirates air strikes carried out with U.S.-supplied bombs and aircraft.

Unfortunately, there is reason to question the sincerity of the administration's proposal. A similar statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in April of last year ended up being empty rhetoric not backed up by forceful action. And it was only back in September that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified, against overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that our Saudi allies were taking due care to avoid civilian casualties in Yemen. The certification was required by legislation promoted by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Todd C. Young, R-Ind., as a condition for continued U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition. The decision was cast in further doubt when it was revealed that members of the State Department's legislative affairs department pressed for a pro-Saudi ruling, arguing that doing otherwise would jeopardize lucrative arms deals with the kingdom. The office in question is run by Charles Faulkner, a former lobbyist for Raytheon, which is a major supplier of bombs to Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo's endorsement of Saudi conduct contradicts the reality of the country's indiscriminate bombing campaign in Yemen - a campaign that has targeted hospitals, civilian marketplaces, weddings, a funeral and even a school bus carrying 40 children. Does this seem like the record of a country that is taking due care to avoid killing civilians?

The administration's reversal on the issue of the Saudi role in Yemen is clearly tied to the outpouring of negative publicity the regime has rightly received for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has spilled over into a surge of scrutiny of the U.S. role in enabling Saudi behavior in Yemen. The killing of Khashoggi has prompted growing opposition to U.S. arms sales and military support for the Saudi regime on both sides of the aisle in Congress. Promising to end the killing in Yemen is the best way for the Trump administration to take the heat off of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. But how can we tell if the promise is genuine?

One thing the administration can and should do is to end U.S. arms sales and logistical support for the Saudi war effort in Yemen immediately, as leverage to get Riyadh to the peace table. Why wait 30 days and risk more civilian deaths in a war that has already killed far too many people?

There is also a suggestion in the State Department's official statement calling for the cease-fire that the Houthi rebels should stop first. For those who haven't been following the conflict, perhaps this seems like a reasonable demand. But Saudi air strikes on civilians are not a legitimate quid pro quo for Houthi actions - they should be stopped in their own right. Doing otherwise could spark a "you first" approach that would allow the devastating bombing to go on for an indefinite period of wrangling, charges and counter-charges.

The best way to make sure the current opening for peace in Yemen isn't allowed to pass is for Congress to persist in its efforts to end U.S. support for the Saudi war effort. In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Adam Smith, D-Wash., and more than 70 colleagues have introduced a measure that would end U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen under the War Powers resolution, which requires congressional authorization for U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is poised to introduce a similar measure in the Senate. The last time he did so, in partnership with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, their measure garnered 44 votes. In the new climate created by the Saudi assassination of Khashoggi - and the increased scrutiny of the Saudis' role in Yemen - a renewed proposal could well pass in the Senate.

Congressional action to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen is the best way to hold the Trump administration to its pledge to use its leverage with Riyadh to promote a peaceful conclusion to the war in Yemen. There is no time to lose.

- - -

Hartung is the director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy.UPDATE: Making history, Democrat William Tong narrowly defeated Republican Sue Hatfield to become the states next attorney general.

In doing so Tong became the first Asian American constitutional officer in Connecticut and the second elected Asian American attorney general in the United States, his campaign said. Hatfield conceded late Wednesday morning.

I am grateful to the people of this state for giving us a chance as immigrants to make it in this state and to succeed in a historic candidacy, Tong said late Wednesday morning at the Hartford Hilton Hotel, joined by his wife, children and parents. I want to thank Connecticut for your confidence. I am so excited to be your lawyer.

The race was the most closest of any of the underticket contests, all of which were won by Democrats. Secretary of the State Denise Merill was re-elected to a third term, as was state comptroller Kevin Lembo. Democrat Shawn Wooden won the race for state treasurer.

The attorney generals race was an unusually tight contest that pitted Democrat William Tong, one of President Donald Trumps staunchest critics, against one of Trumps vocal supporters, Republican Sue Hatfield.

Slim margins are a rarity in Connecticut attorney general races, where in the past five elections Democrats have defeated their Republican opponents by at least 10 points.

Tong has been the state representative for Stamford and Darien for six terms and chaired the General Assemblys Judiciary Committee. Tong is also a commercial litigator at Finn, Dixon and Herling in Stamford.

Hatfield is a state prosecutor from Pomfret, with a masters of law in taxation. She has also worked as a registered nurse. This was her first run for office.

We worked hard, and made many friend along the way, but we fell just short, Hatfield said in a statement on Facebook Wednesday morning.

Like the governors race, Hatfield and Tong have linked each other to deeply polarizing figures, Trump and unpopular Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Tong has vowed to be a firewall against Trumps policies, whereas Hatfield is a loyal supporter of the president. Hatfield pointed out that Tong was endorsed by Malloy when Tong ran for Stamford mayor in 2013. Tong and Malloy have worked closely in the legislature.

The Connecticut attorney general, a post now held by Democrat George Jepsen, is the states top civil litigator.

The secretary of the State and comptroller races were the only two statewide offices that had incumbents seeking re-election.

Secretary of the State Merrill defeated Republican Sue Chapman. Merrill has been secretary of the State since 2011 and served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2016 and 2017. Chapman is the former first selectman of New Fairfield.

Thank you to the voters of Connecticut for trusting me with the honor of serving as your secretary of the State, said Merrill in a statement Wednesydat morning.

In the comptrollers race, Lembo won over Republican Kurt Miller. Lembo, who became comptroller in 2011, is the first openly gay statewide official elected in Connecticut and spent decades working as a public health advocate. Miller, the first selectman of Seymour, has attacked Lembo as a rubberstamp for Malloy.

Thank you to the voters who have supported the fights Ive taken on for the people of Connecticut to reduce pharmaceutical costs, to save money on health care, to stop the tax give-aways to multi-million dollar corporations and to bring transparency to state government spending, said Lembo in a statement. Ive always believed that when you get the policy right, the politics will take care of itself, and weve seen that again tonight.

Fighting for the treasurers office  an open seat for the first time in 20 years  Democrat Shawn Wooden triumphed over Republican Thad Gray. Wooden had been shown trailing by 20 points in a poll as recently as Friday.

Did the poll rattle me? No, said Wooden at 1:30 a.m.. Ive been on the campaign trail all year talking to voters in every corner of the state. I know that the energy that I felt was pretty tremenduous. And standing at the polls today all over the state, seeing all that enthusiasm, I was very encouraged.

It was very special standing here tonight with this victory, said Wooden, referring to Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, a place that became a flash point on the campaign trail between Wooden and Gray, as Gray criticized Wooden for championing the $72 million project at a time when the city was broke.

Wooden, a former Hartford city council president, is an attorney for Day Pitney who assists public pension funds with investments and securities law. Prior to a recent retirement, Gray was chief investment officer for Abbott Capital Management, which oversees private equity investments on behalf of public pension funds. Gray lives in Salisbury.

Each candidate claims they have the right experience to properly run the treasurers office, even if they largely agree when it comes to the states massive pension debt and growing reliance on borrowing.

Denise Nappier, state treasurer since 1999, is the first African-American woman elected to serve as a State Treasurer in the United States and the first African-American woman elected to a statewide office in Connecticut.

All the underticket candidates spent time campaigning with the top of their ticket in the run up to Tuesdays election. For Democrats, that was Ned Lamont, a Greenwich cable entrepreneur. For Republicans, it meant time on the trail with Republican Bob Stefanowski, a former UBS and payday loan company executive.STAMFORD  Voter enthusiasm was palpable in the city, where turnout eclipsed the total figure for the 2014 election well before polls closed Tuesday night.

More than 40,000 Stamford voters cast a ballots, easily topping the 30,000 who voted in the last midterm election four years ago.

David Michel, a Democratic state representative candidate, said about 30 people were waiting to vote at First Presbyterian Church as polls opened at 6 a.m.

One voter at First Presbyterian, however, was not able to get in line.

She was struggling to get out of her car, so poll workers brought a ballot to her.

The lady was having difficulties coming out of her car and didnt look like she could walk much, so I said, Get back in the car and well get them out because they can do curbside voting, said Michel, who witnessed the incident. She voted in the car. Its the first time Ive seen it in my life.

At Dolan Middle School, moderator Ryan Teeples said nearly 2,000 people had voted there by mid-afternoon Tuesday. Things were busy, but smooth, Teeples said  scanners were working without a glitch, despite the high volume of ballots.

But Teeples said he found himself helping out with something poll workers usually handle.

Crowd control, said Teeples, who regularly moderates Stamford polling places. Directing people where to go, making sure theres no line-jumping. I dont usually have to do that.

Everyone is paying more attention

Karina Davila, 19, was voting for the first time. Most of her friends were doing the same, Davila said  word is out that its the thing to do.

Voting is everywhere. Its on Twitter, on Instagram, people are talking about it, said Davila, a Norwalk Community College student. My parents push it. My mom is an educator and she always tells me, Its important to speak up for what I believe in and that every vote counts.

Davila said the contentious national political scene was not on her mind as she voted in the Dolan gymnasium. Her issue is closer to home.

Taxes, said Davila, who works as a babysitter in between classes. Its all the money you pay in taxes.

At Springdale Elementary School, voters came in at a steady clip from morning through the afternoon.

Several outside the poll location appeared to lean blue. Democratic campaigners outside outnumbered Republicans 2-to-1 in the afternoon drizzle.

One outlier was Colleen Bonina, who said she voted for a straight Republican ticket, including gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski.

Im tired of the Democrats. I want to see the Republicans get in there and change things, she said. Cmon, Bob!

While the gubernatorial race was at the forefront of many voters minds, some in Stamford seemed focused on other issues such as education and the second question on the ballot, which would require public hearings for the transfer or sale of state-owned properties.

Its a good thing, said Doris Bournes, a resident of Stamford for more than 40 years. They shouldnt have a right to do that without everyone knowing.

Bournes, who was voting at Westover Magnet Elementary School in the late afternoon, said she votes often and with issues like health care and education in mind.

I want to check the government, she said. The way its going, its not good for me or my family.

Pat Kellogg, a Stamford native and public school teacher, said she was voting due to concerns about education issues at the state level such as pensions and unions.

I feel its my duty, she said. Im an educator so I have a lot on the line. I want to make sure teachers have a voice. We always have something at stake.

Westover School, the polling place for district 10, has been closed to students and teachers due to severe mold conditions but was open for voters on Tuesday.

The location also served UConn-Stamford students, several of whom showed up hoping for same-day registration, only to be sent to the Stamford Government Center. Confusion over absentee ballots and the same-day registration process sent many of the students back to campus without casting a vote.

We didnt want to drive all the way back home to vote, said Sherman native Annika Moberg, 19, who showed up at Westover with fellow UConn student, Ian Landis, 23, a Fairfield native.

About a half hour later, Anthony Cavuoto, a UConn student from New Milford, showed up with two other students who were also told to go to the Government Center.

Government Center was busy all day with voters hoping to register at the last minute.

Ben Stang and Liz Winter, who moved to Stamford in September, were in line trying to register a few hours before the polls closed.

I think everyone is paying more attention lately, Stang said of the political climate.

And we hate Trump, Winter added.

Alourde Bernard Pierre, a Haitian native who moved here from Florida, also registered in Stamford the day of the election.

She called Tuesdays midterms an important election.

Its time for change, she said.

Absentee ballots soar

The U.S. Postal Service worked with Stamford City & Town Clerk Lyda Ruijter to make sure absentee ballots arrived in time to be counted. Changes in the Postal Service distribution system have slowed mail delivery in recent years.

Absentee ballots are particularly significant this election, Ruijter said. As of late Tuesday afternoon, her office received 2,696 ballots by mail  50 percent more than they got in the last midterm election four years ago.

Ruijter became concerned about ballots after noticing that a much smaller volume of mail arrives on Tuesdays. During the Aug. 14 primary, 29 absentee ballots arrived a day late and were not counted.

As part of a consolidation designed to help the Postal Service operate more efficiently, the Stamford distribution center was closed in 2012, and mail now is routed through a plant in Westchester County, N.Y., a spokeswoman has said. Delivery of stamped mail now take s a minimum of two days.

Erin Kayata, Angela Carella, Barry Lytton and Sophie Vaughan contributed to this reportP iers Pottinger has stepped down as chairman at AIM-listed MySQUAR amid an ongoing internal inquiry into financial irregularities at the app developer.

Pottinger had been leading the inquiry but he believes interim chief executive Stephen Chong and Stephen Austin, a non-executive director, are better placed to find out what went wrong.

Pottinger  formerly of collapsed PR firm Bell Pottinger  had been absent from the company through illness and as a result he was not made fully aware of expenditure and financing details at MySQUAR.

A source close to Pottinger said: Piers thought about it overnight and thought what am I adding here?

It is believed as much as 1 million is unaccounted for and there are fears that, should the funds not be retrieved, the company could go bust.

MySQUAR develops childrens gaming apps including Wushu King, MyFish and My Hero  Bo Lattae.

On Monday the company said it had sought to draw down on a $1 million loan facility from Rising Dragon Singapore Limited without success.

The firm has also cancelled its proposed 600,000 placing, which was announced last week.A ddison Lee moved a step closer to unleashing driverless taxis on Londons roads today after it successfully mapped Canary Wharf.

The taxi firm has tied up with driverless software specialist Oxbotica, which used a vehicle equipped with mapping technology to record every kerb, road sign, landmark and traffic light in Canary Wharfs 128-acre estate.

Mapping is key to autonomous taxi development as it allows engineers to programme the vehicles so that they know where they are going.

Oxbotica will eventually map all of Londons 250,000 miles of public roads as it looks to roll out a fully driverless service by 2021.

Oxford University spin-out Oxbotica signed a deal to work with Addison Lee last month.

Oxbotica chief executive Graeme Smith said: We look forward to bringing autonomous vehicles into mainstream use on the streets of London in the very near future.

Smith said the company could undertake a full pilot in Canary Wharf in first half of next year, having already carried out trials in Greenwich, Gatwick and Heathrow.T he saying goes that Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language.

They have, over the past couple of decades, been two democracies divided by a different politics too. British Conservatives found the anti-abortion, pro-gun enthusiasm of Republicans alienating; many in the Labour Party felt the Democrats to be too Right-wing for their taste.

But that is changing  and last nights mixed results from the midterm US elections confirmed some interesting patterns that are emerging on both sides of the Atlantic.

First, Donald Trumps economic nationalism and anti-immigration rhetoric continues to reach parts of America that the Left has lost touch with.

He helped the Republicans gain Senate seats in states such as Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota, where communities feel left behind and have little in common with the cosmopolitan metropolises of New York and California.

It was a formidable achievement for a President who, we were told, would be overwhelmed by a blue wave (blue, in the US, being the colour of the Democrats).

There are parallels with the British Conservatives, who at last years election found their own message of Brexit protectionism and anti-immigration winning in former industrial towns such as Mansfield, Walsall and Stoke-on-Trent.

The traditional working-class supporters of Labour look at Jeremy Corbyn and dont see someone who understands their anxieties about a changing country and a loss of identity.

The leading faces of the Democrats have the same problem in the US.

Culture war

Second, however, President Trumps culture war cost the Republicans significantly among affluent voters in suburban areas of states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas.

That is why the Democrats won control of the House of Representatives  a major achievement, which a year ago pundits said they had only a 50 per cent chance of pulling off.

Professional women, younger voters and minority communities are being mobilised in opposition to the Republicans culture war.

A similar trend is discernible here. British Conservative support among urban voters, middle-class graduates, ethnic minorities and gay people  which was rising until two years ago  has gone into reverse.

The scarcely disguised scorn for what they call metropolitan elites, dog whistles on immigration while dismissing Remain voter concerns have seen the Conservatives lose in prosperous middle-class communities such as Battersea, Brighton, Reading, Oxford, Bath, Kingston, Canterbury and Kensington.

As all the leading contenders for the Tory leadership fall over themselves to prove how Brexity they are, there is no sign of this trend being reversed.

Third, power is now split in the US political system  the White House will have to work with the Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom they have vilified, if they want to pass any new legislation.

She, in turn, leads a party seemingly more interested in stepping up the inquiries into Mr Trump than delivering real change for middle America.

In Britain, a hung Parliament means that Downing Street is hamstrung, and Brexit means that the chance of delivering a meaningful domestic programme is non-existent.

Labour and the Democrats are moving further to the Left; Republicans and Conservatives are moving more to the Right.

All are chasing their existing bases rather than trying to build new coalitions of support. Opponents are decried as traitors; media outlets that disagree are dismissed as fake news; institutions that offer a check on power are labelled enemies of the people.

The centre ground in both democracies is shrinking not growing.

The result in Britain and the US will be more gridlocked Congresses, more hung Parliaments and two nations that share a worrying trend towards greater division.I swore that I wouldnt do it again but found myself up all night glued to the mid-terms with a bunch of fellow nerds in north London arguing about which network to watch and yelling out random tweets with the authority of CNNs Wolf Blitzer. We stayed up so late that even our host went to bed, but we were lost in the grip of election mania.

We care about these mid-term elections because were all obsessed with the American political psycho-drama, but we also look for clues about how things will affect us and what lessons we can learn.

The result showed how divided America still is. It reminded me of our last election  everyone could claim a victory of sorts, which really translated into political gridlock. Donald Trump gained in the Senate while the Democrats won back the House of Representatives. As a liberal Leftie, it wasnt the blue wave that we hoped for  more of a blue rinse  but it wasnt all bad.

The Democrats fielded vibrant, fresh faces from different walks of life and a record number of female and minority candidates ran. It felt like some life had come back to American politics, and its worth remembering that new talent rooted in their communities can excite and energise the electorate. Diversity in politics is not just the right thing to do, it can deliver results.

Turnout was high. Trump mobilised his base but the Democrats made a huge effort to educate people about voting rights and they got people to the ballot box, despite voter suppression and gerrymandering. The campaign to get out and vote is vital, especially in urban areas.

But the big lesson for the Left is that while liberal disgust at Trump was a powerful driver, it isnt enough. Watching Ted Cruz hold his seat in Texas after a close contest against Beto ORourke was a sobering moment. Cruzs victory speech was instructive. This is a battle of ideas, who we are and what we believe. Even if you loathe Trump and the Republicans, you know their script. Low taxes, low regulation, jobs, borders, traditional values and guns. Make America Great Again. Not one political geek in the room knew what the core positive Democrat message was, or if one even existed.

Clarity of message matters, especially in heated, divided times. Labour had a much sharper political message at the last election but the Left in Britain shouldnt underestimate the Conservatives mimicking aspects of the Trump playbook.

But the biggest lesson for us here is that when politics is so divided, its not about specific policies or the old economic rules  its about emotion and culture. A battle between hope and fear.

"Not one political geek in the room knew what the core positive Democrat message was, or if one even existed"

Last night, Liberal America began its fightback and the British Left will surely feel energised by it. But the journey back to power is still long  and beware a false dawn.

Despite everything, Trump still mobilised his base, including women, and still stands a fighting chance of winning a second term. Moral outrage is not enough.

The real political beat is more house of carbs than regal Claire in her high heels

In an alternative reality there is a female President, although shes so dark-hearted that she makes Trump look wet. In the final series of House of Cards, Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, has finally vanquished her rivals, landed the top job, and its a sight to behold.

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood in the final season of House of Cards / AP

Some people are moaning about how unrealistic the plots are now but given who we have in the Oval Office I can live with it. But the one thing Im not buying are the heels every woman on the show totters about in. Ive worked in politics for years  youre often on your feet for ages working the room at receptions, walking around factories and standing up making speeches.

The best advice I got in politics was from one of Tony Blairs senior female advisers: Get some decent flats  if you cant walk as fast as the chaps, youll never keep up. Claire needs to be more Angela Merkel. A sludge-coloured trouser suit, some comfy shoes and a plate of frites. House of carbs is more my style.

No one deserves abuse over poppies

Wearing a poppy used to be a simple pleasure and an act of remembrance. But like everything in these hysterical times its become a cultural war zone.

ITV presenter Charlene White was forced to defend her decision to not wear a poppy on screen, even though she does so off screen and comes from a forces family. She got a load of abuse for it, much of it racist and sexist.

I can sympathise. Ive had poppy abuse even when Ive worn one.W itness, then, the difference between a bad night and a disaster. All US midterm elections are a referendum on the presidency they interrupt  and these were no exception.

Donald Trump was certainly scolded by the voters, who handed control of the House of Representatives to the Democrats. The pussy-grabbing President had to watch as, for the first time, more than 100 women were elected to the Lower House. Though the pollsters are still sifting the results, there is evidence of a suburban recoil from Trump and his rebarbative style.

As Adam Schiff (Democrat, Californias 28th district) assumes presumptive control of the House intelligence committee and Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, New Yorks 10th district) is poised to take over the judiciary committee, the President can expect investigations into his tax affairs, relationship with Russia and the inner workings of his shabby administration. The risk of legislative gridlock is clear and present. And, looming over the remaining two years of his presidency, will be the spectre of impeachment: the House needs only to vote by a simple majority for this process to begin.

So Trump has lost the freedom of manoeuvre that has marked the first, imperial phase of his years in the White House. But there is a difference between an electoral scolding and a tornado of public fury. Even the most partisan opponent of the President would be hard pushed to describe these elections as transformational in character.

Yes, there were many symbolically or statistically significant victories for the Democrats. In the 14th district of New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever to be elected to the House of Representatives. In Colorado, Jared Polis will be Americas first openly gay governor. Rashida Tlaib (Michigans 13th district) and Ilhan Omar (Minnesotas 5th district) are the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress.

Matthew d'Ancona

But there were disappointments, too. Beto ORourke, who captured global attention with his audacious bid to represent Texas in the Senate, failed to topple Ted Cruz. Andrew Gillum, tipped, like ORourke, as a potential presidential candidate, did not manage to win the governorship of Florida.

No less important: the Republicans have tightened their grip on the Senate. They can block congressional proposals on (for instance) immigration, healthcare and tax-cut repeal. And, crucially, it is the Upper House that acts as the court of the American Republic in a presidential impeachment. These results mean, crudely, that Trump might well be impeached but is unlikely to be convicted.

US Midterm Elections - In pictures 1 /29 US Midterm Elections - In pictures House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party AP Supporters cry as Aftab Pureval concedes defeat to US Rep Steve Chabot in the Ohio first district 2018 midterm EPA Ted Cruz supporter Marie Rice sheds tears of joy as Cruz declares victory EPA Supporters of Democrat Chrissy Houlahan gather for an election results watch-party at her election night headquarters EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to her supporters during her election night party AFP/Getty Images Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husband's mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis Reuters A supporter for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis poses during his midterm election night party in Orlando Reuters Arizona State University freshman Catie Colvson-Bucher wears voting related stickers on her midriff as she waits in line at the ASU Palo Verde West polling station during the U.S. midterm elections in Tempe, Arizona Reuters Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race at her election night watch party EPA Dean Samuels reacts as CNN predicts Republicans will maintain control of the Senate during an election viewing party at a bar called Piano Fight in San Francisco, California AFP/Getty Images U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's grandson Paul covers his eyes as he and his brother Thomas (2nd L) join with their grandmother as well as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (L) and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (R) as the Democrats celebrate winning a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives Reuters United States Congresswoman-Elect Ayanna Pressley addresses the audience at the Massachusetts Democrats Election Night Rally at the Fairmont Hotel in Boston EPA Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids (L) and her mom Crystal (R) celebrate after Davids won her race at her election night watch party at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Olathe, Kansas EPA Lawrence Malloy, a supporter of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, shows off socks adorned with an image of Abrams outside the site of a midterm election night party in Atlanta Reuters US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher addresses the media and supporters and relays that the race against his democratic opponent Harley Rouda is too close to call EPA Supporters of Republican US Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for Mississippi cheer at a post-election party following the 2018 mid-term general election in Jackson, Mississippi, EPA Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Axne hugs Iowa St. Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad after speaking at her midterm election night party in Des Moines, Iowa Reuters Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke (R) embraces his wife Amy at his election night watch party in the 2018 midterm general election at the Southwest University Ballpark in El Paso, Texas EPA Democratic congressional candidate Jahana Hayes reacts after appearing at her midterm election night party in Waterbury, Connecticut Reuters Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds a Puerto Rico flag as she greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City Reuters U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Deb Haaland hugs her daughter Somah (R) after winning her midterm election in Albuquerque, New Mexico Reuters A supporter of Senator Joe Manchin wears campaign buttons after he won the 2018 midterm election in Charlestown, West Virginia Reuters A United States Senator Sherrod Brown sign is covered in confetti at the Ohio Democratic election night party Reuters Debbie Dingell, Michigan U.S. Representative for 12th district and Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th District declare victory in their midterm election night party in Detroit, Michigan Reuters Matt Gnojek, a.k.a. Colorado Captain, hands out stickers to a voter in front of the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorad AFP/Getty Images Voters cast their midterm ballots at the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorado AFP/Getty Images Jeff Paley (R) of Boulder, Colorado encourages students on the University of Colorado campus to vote in the midterm elections AFP/Getty Images Nina Williams wipes away a tear as she awaits the results of the Georgia Gubernatorial race at Stacey Abrams' election night headquarters at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta EPA A vote sign points people to a local poling location during midterm elections in Newport Beach, California Reuters

It is partly true, as House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi declared in the early hours, that these elections had been about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances. There was much animated talk about Trump being compelled by the new political realities into a new pragmatism, if not outright bipartisanship. Some commentators even expressed the hope that the President would now ease off his battle with the media and engage in a more conventional negotiating process between Congress and White House.

But this is to misunderstand how Trump operates. As he never ceases to remind his audience, he is not averse to deals. But the notion that he is now, suddenly and contritely, going to sue for peace with the fake news mainstream media  his most reliable foil since he announced his candidacy in June 2015  is laughable. The old battles will continue.

"In the past two years Trump has ripped up the rule-book, governed by Twitter and nurtured division"

The President will also be able to claim  with cause  that he is not the electoral liability many predicted. Where he campaigned, Republican candidates tended to prosper. These elections were an expression of widespread discontent. But they cannot plausibly be presented as the first surge of a serious resistance movement. From which Trump can, regrettably, take comfort.

In the course of this campaign he explicitly praised a congressman who had body-slammed a journalist; he promoted anti-immigration adverts so toxic in their bigotry that major television channels, including Fox News, stopped running them; he shrugged off questions about the ad by telling a reporter, Your questions are offensive; he warned in a tweet this week that ILLEGAL VOTING would be punished with the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law; and, worst of all, he promised to send 15,000 troops to the US-Mexican border to fend off the approaching caravan of migrants, warning that they would be authorised to fire live bullets at those who threw stones.

In the past two years Trump has ripped up the rule-book of the presidency, borrowed the language of authoritarian leadership and governed via Twitter rather than the institutional machinery. He has nurtured division, equated the neo-Nazis who rioted in Charlottesville with those who opposed them, separated hundreds of migrant families at the Mexican-US border and, with the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, plunged the Supreme Court into the most bitter and controversial ratification in modern times.

The charge sheet is extraordinary. And Trump was indeed chastised by the US electorate: but scarcely to the extent that he might have feared and many hoped. The resilience of his political base and the strength of the US economy  which has recorded growth near or above three per cent in five of the seven quarters since he took office  saw him through: bruised but still standing.M illions of people around the world will commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War as part of Remembrance Sunday events this weekend.

London is playing host to a series of memorial services and tributes, offering people in the capital the chance to pay their respects.

The UK will hold a two minute silence at 11am on Armistice Day, which falls on November 11, commemorating the end to fighting which took place at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1918.

Cenotaph memorial service and parade

The most high-profile memorial event in London is the service taking place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, with the Royal British Legion coordinating the March Past.

Paying respects: Prince Charles lays a wreath on behalf of the Queen at the Remembrance Sunday Service / PA Archive/PA Images

The service begins at 11am, although the Cenotaph will be open to the public from 8am, for those wishing to secure a position near the monument.

The Royal British Legion detachments forum on House Guards Parade in Whitehall will take place at 9am, before the two minute silence at 11am.

AFP/Getty Images

St Paul's Cathedral remembrance service

Therell also be a service of remembrance at St Pauls Cathedral, honouring those that made the ultimate sacrifice. All are welcome to attend the service, which begins at 10.15am on Sunday.

Battle of the Somme exhibition at the Olympic Park

Artist Rob Heard's exhibition Shrouds of the Somme at the Olympic Park in Stratford features 72,396 small figures, representing every Commonwealth serviceman who died in the Battle of the Somme and whose bodies were never found. The tribute can be visited until November 18.

Moving tribute: Rob Heard's Shrouds of the Somme installation / PA

The Imperial War Museum armistice ceremony

The Imperial War Museum, which this week revealed an artefact that shows the exact moment that guns fell silent at the end of the First World War, is hosting an Armistice Ceremony this Sunday at 11am.

The service will feature a performance of The Last Post bugle call, before a violin recital from Sinead Barton of the Lambeth Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Westminster Abbey remembrance service and field

Westminster Abbey is also hosting a remembrance service at 11am on Sunday, as well as offering visitors the chance to visit the Field of Remembrance  a field of scarlet poppies on crosses across the Abbeys grounds recognising those lost in the Great War. The field is open from 8am-2.30pm.

The Tower of London flames

The Tower of London is home to moving memorials this week, hosting ceremonies every night. Ten thousand flames light up the moat around the tower, marking 100 years since the end of the war. The ceremony takes place daily from 5-9m up to and including Sunday.O ptimistically, if you squint a little, a hangover can be an opportunity to see and taste the world in a new way.

But such a spirit of adventure is hard to conjure when your head is pounding, knees are knocking, nerves jangling, and your brain is screaming at your raucous anatomy to please, please, just keep it down. So forget the world and stay local. For every festive party morning-after this winter there is the gluttonous promise of a hangover cure sandwich within staggering distance. The formula varies but redemption is assured.

Max Halley, of Maxs Sandwich Shop in Finsbury Park, is wheeling out Maxs Morning Reviver for the Christmas season. Its a saucy number that will also be touring the UK with the help of a commercial partnership with Tabasco (from a street food van in Victoria Station on December 7, followed by Leeds and Birmingham).

Between slabs of focaccia youll find smoked turkey, Bloody Mary ketchup, baby gem lettuce, a fried egg, shoestring fries and turkey gravy mayo, with lashings of  yes  tabasco (theres also a vegetarian option).

A hangover should feel like the sun coming up, says Halley, although he stresses this turkey-based hunk is just as restorative for those not on the sauce. We all struggle in the mornings when its dark and cold, and you just need a pick-me-up.

Hangover cure: Maxs Morning Reviver is new this Christmas

Further north, at Holly Chavess Wine & Rind market stall, which pops up at a plot on Holcombe Market in Tottenham, Wednesday to Saturday, cheese is the thing to get you back on your feet again. Chavess toasties are filled with tallegio and mushroom, vacherin, truffle, honey and garlic  youll be right as rain in no time.

Meanwhile, the ham and cheese toasties at Jolene, in Stoke Newington, are deaths-door defying. Each is made from rich Naroques wheat milled on site. In Stroud Green, new cafe Common Ground offers more saintly alternatives, such as almond hummus  yes, really  on sourdough, with a side of grilled halloumi.

Out east, supply meets demand. The Marksman pub, on Hackney Road, is all about excess: a Welsh rarebit bun with salty cheddar, chestnut mushrooms for texture and tangy Hendersons sauce (basically a posh Worcester sauce without anchovy) keeps vegetarians happy, while the enriched butter dough on its bacon doorstops are a fillip for the bleary-eyed.

Our ideal hangover cure formula is something salty, fatty and with an added bit of acidity to cut through the grease, say co-founders Jon Rotheram and Tom Harris (theyre now coming to Market Halls, Victoria, where new venture Bunshop will be serving the same sandwiches with builders tea).

The best sandwiches in London 1 /14 The best sandwiches in London For the world in a sarnie  Bodega Ritas Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd For overall bliss  Max's Sandwich Shop Matt Writtle For subs  Sub Cult For a katsu sando  Tata Eatery For something fancy  Quo Vadis For salt beef  Montys Deli For steak - Hawksmoor For naan  Dishoom For Spanish simplicity  Brindisa Chorizo Grill For lobster rolls  Claw For bao  Bao For bagels  Beigel Bake Brick Lane Getty Images For grilled cheese  Kappacasein For barbecue  Smokestak

Vegans could do worse than head to the new Flipside in Farringdon, the self-proclaimed fully plant-based Grab-&-Go, and sink their teeth into a grilled sausage stack filled with scrambled tofu, crispy rashers of bacon, tomato, red onion and hollandaise.

Neighbouring Pitta Bun boasts slow-cooked lamb shoulder, chargrilled chicken thighs, slow-cooked pork belly, panko-crusted fried cod fillets and chargrilled beef short rib options in bouncy buns. For a basic bacon sarnie, Quality Chop House, around the corner, serves a Little Bread Pedlar  white pan loaf bread with smoked streaky and unsmoked back bacon from Tamworth pigs, with lashings of brown sauce.

To see off that headcannon in the south-east, feast your eyes on the croque monsieurs at newly opened restaurant Levan, the follow-up to Salon, next to Peckham Rye station. These are made with Flock & Herd ham, bechamel, sourdough, green salad and a fried egg. Pique Nique, which lives in an unassuming re-purposed park kiosk in Bermondsey, opens at 9am with restorative, butter-lathered beurre jambon baguettes made in-house.

In Camberwell, the iconic furniture-storefront-cum-cafe Fowlds is a mouthful in two respects, with its ever-popular Victorian cheese ploughmans, with seasonal chutney (pear and date, for now).

The queues at Milk in Balham are a giveaway that this is a hangover specialist in demand. The Convict, for instance, is an English muffin with dry cured bacon, sausage, egg, hash brown and hangover sauce, a spicy ketchup-relish.

The best bacon sandwiches in London - In pictures 1 /4 The best bacon sandwiches in London - In pictures Coal Rooms St John Bread and Wine Dishoom Hawksmoor Guildhall

Also helping to close the loop, head west to Dan Dohertys The Royal Oak in Marylebone. Pair a hair of the dog with sandwiches using up ingredients from the a la carte menu, such as the roast chicken, bacon, tomato, homemade crisps and a chervil mayo showstopper.

If youre marooned of an early morning in central London, salt beef sandwiches at Shoop, near Charlotte Street, are some of the finest in the city. For something hot, the spicy at Harris HT in Fitzrovia packs in chorizo, mozzarella, rocket and special sauce.J yotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi  also known as JKS  have an impressive portfolio of London restaurants to their name, and this November the family celebrate 10 years in the business.

The group includes the Michelin-starred Indian restaurants Trishna and Gymkhana, as well as popular Sri Lankan spot Hoppers.

Other independent restaurants in the group, known as JKS partners, include Lyles, Kitchen Table, BAO, XU and Bubbledogs.

To celebrate their 10 year anniversary, weve rounded up our favourite dishes. Much as we love them, we've left out James Knappett's plates at Fitzrovia's Kitchen Table and those at Shoreditch's Lyle's, as menus change so frequently.

Egg hopper at Hoppers

The showstopper dish at this spot is (unsurprisingly) the dish the restaurant is named after  the egg hopper. Each beautifully fried bowl is made with fermented rice and coconut milk and features a perfectly contained soft-middled yolk in the middle. Divine.

49 Frith St, W1D 4SG, hopperslondon.com

Wild muntjac biryani at Gymkhana

The Sethi siblings know how to create a cult dish and the plate at Gymkhana is the wild muntjac biryani, which comes served with pomegranate and mint raita. It arrives with a flaky pastry top embellished with nigella seeds thats calling out to be smashed open. Inside awaits fragrant rice that is perfectly spiced with hidden slivers of venison hiding in the grains. Its a showstopper, and a messy one at that.

42 Albemarle St, W1S 4JH, gymkhanalondon.com

Confit pork belly at BAO

Rob Greig

Named after the Taiwanese rice buns that it sells, this place delivers on steamed goods and is well worth the queue. BAO was the restaurant of Shing-Tat Chung, Wai-Ting Chung and Erchen Chang, and was backed by JKS back in 2014. Every cloud-like bun on the menu here is noteworthy but the confit pork belly bao brings home the bacon. Its served with crispy shallots and a sweety-meets-sticky hot sauce. Blink twice and it's over  youll just have to order another one, or five.

53 Lexington St, W1F 9AS, baolondon.com

Sucking pig at Sabor

Nieves Barragans restaurant Sabor is backed by the Sethi family, making it one of its partners. Segovian suckling pig is the standout plate here. Its slow-cooked for three hours in a traditional Castilian wood oven with a bit of bay and a dash of lemon, and is served whole on the plate, alongside meat juices for pouring over. Its definitely not for the faint-hearted  or for those looking to save the pennies, coming in at a huge 190 for an entire pig.

35-37 Heddon St, W1B 4BR, saborrestaurants.co.uk

BBQ Butter Chicken Wing at Brigadiers

Inspired by the army mess bars of India, where military regiments went to eat, drink and hang out, this restaurant offers an Indian barbecue twist, which sets it apart from its contemporaries. The star of the show here is the BBQ butter chicken wings. The dish gives an old favourite a new lease of life, with a rich double cream and cashew nut sauce and succulent smoked chicken pieces that fall off the bone.

1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR, brigadierslondon.com

Dorset crab at Trishna

While fellow Indian haunts often offer meat-heavy plates, Trishna celebrates the coastal cuisine of southwest India. The dish perfectly balances earthy ingredients, like coconut oil, with pepper, garlic and curry leaf. Its so good that its younger sister Gymkhana even pinched the dish for its own menu. A true sibling.

15-17 Blandford St, W1U 3DG, trishnalondon.com

Shou Pa Chicken at XU

This is the third restaurant from the BAO team backed by JKS, and offers a glimpse into Taiwanese culture through its food, cocktails and tea offerings. The succulent Shou Pa Chicken is the must-try plate here and is a highlight of the restaurant's pre theatre offering. It's fresh with a strong undertones of fiery ginger and punchy spring onion, and comes in a crunchy chicken skin sauce.

30 Rupert St, W1D 6DL, xulondon.com

Koobideh Kebab at Berenjak

Former Gymkhana and Brigadiers chef Kian Samyani is the man in the kitchen at this Soho spot and his menu aims to recreate rustic Persian cuisine found in traditional kebab houses. Try the peppery Koobideh kebab. It's made with minced cabrito goat shoulder and paired with onions for a beautifully complimentary finish.

27 Romilly St, W1D 5AL, berenjaklondon.com

Jose at Bubbledogs

Unsurprisingly the folks at Bubbledogs fuse champagne and hot dogs to form one hearty DIY menu. The meat in each dog can be customised  be it pork, beef or a veggie substitute  and there's 11 types to choose from. The standout dish has to be the Mexican-inspired Jose, which is served with a tangy tomato salsa, generous helpings of avocado, a dollop of sour cream and a decorative sprinkling of pickled jalapeno. Just don't forget the bubbles to accompany it.P arty season is just around the corner, which means our calendars will be filling up with drinks parties and events. But the booze-fuelled period can also present the opportunity to get drunk and make mistakes.

And while many people believe that the best way to deal with having cheated on your partner is to immediately tell them what you've done, not everyone agrees this is the right course of action.

Megan Fleming, a New York-based marriage counsellor and sex therapist, told Refinery29 that you should actually keep it to yourself.

Telling your partner and therefore immediately unburdening yourself of your mistake is actually pretty selfish, she says.

"You're the one sitting with the guilt, and if [the affair] is over and done, you absolutely don't want to then put that on your partner," she told the site.

Instead, assuming it was a drunken one-off or that the affair is over and you want to salvage your relationship, Fleming suggests you use this as an opportunity to take a long, hard look at why youve committed this unfaithful act.

Ask yourself if you have needs, emotional or physical, that are not being met? See this as an opportunity to acknowledge and address underlying issues in your relationship.

"A lot of times, the crisis is the opportunity," she said. "So, the affair in some ways was a crisis, and it's the opportunity to repair the relationship and make it better."

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

There will, of course, be situations, when honesty is the best policy, if say an affair has been going on for a long time, or your partner suspects something.

Psychiatrist and addiction therapist Dr Ken Rosenberg, says he believes only around 10 per cent of people who have affairs get caught. But he firmly believes that a relationship can thrive after the discovery or disclosure of an affair if you avoid a few common pitfalls in the immediate aftermath. The key is to avoid the urge to be impulsive.

"Impulsivity is what got you into this mess and now acting impulsively will just make it worse," he previously told the Standard, adding that this includes not immediately jumping into bed with each other.

"People may decide they're just going to have lots of sex to forget about this and make it go away. That doesnt usually work," he said.

"In an odd way someone having an affair can actually turn the couple on," he went on. "Theyve ignored each other or may have taken each other for granted and now all of a sudden theres this third person in the relationship and this may infuriate them but it may in an odd way turn them on and make them more attracted to each other."I f you're not already thinking about your 2019 holidays , today is the perfect day to start.

Eurostar has just launched its winter seat sale and is selling 60,000 tickets to Paris and Brussels for just 29 each way and 3,000 tickets to Amsterdam for just 35 each way.

The sale is running from November 7 until November 20, meaning you've now got just under a week to book your break.

These price points will be valid for travel on dates between January 8 and April 3, 2019 - perfect for a post-festive season holiday or an early spring jaunt.

Currently, there is high seat availability for January and February with more limited availability for March. There are also no cheap seats available to Paris in February for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays which could be because this is close to Valentine's Day, a busy time for the City of Love.

Whether you're after a weekend break to France, Belgium or the Netherlands, now is the ideal time to book.A chic design hotel, it epitomises old school glamour reflecting the heritage of its famously bohemian neighbourhood, whilst giving guests a taste of living like a real New Yorker.

Where is it?

Situated in the upmarket Manhattan neighbourhood of Greenwich Village, the trendy streets of Soho and Meatpacking district are just a few blocks on either side. The convenient location offers a balance of eclectic nightlife and cultural sights partnered with the sophisticated quieter streets of desirable Greenwich Village.

One of New Yorks most historic districts, Greenwich Village was considered a bohemian catalyst of culture in the '60s. An open-minded neighbourhood, it attracted an array of artistic individuals and was home to the citys most creative minds - including Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan.

Adjacent to the east and west villages, Greenwich Village is home to the new location of the Whitney Museum of American Art, where the high-line ends its weaving metropolis journey and where Washington Park can be found. A mix of plush residential streets with quaint neighbourhood restaurants with livelier areas dotted with cosmopolitan bars and designer shops - Greenwich Village accommodates a varying pace of city life.

(Walker Hotel Greenwich Village)

Style

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village reflects the 1920s heritage of New York with particular inspiration taken from the Georgian revival towers found on the famous fifth avenue. A tall, multi-storey building with unmissable views of the skyline on the top floors, the facade features copper clad bay windows, a cast stone trim and fully restored antique glass which is illuminated by gas lanterns reminiscent of the days gone by.

Interiors are decadent. On arrival a cosy lobby frames a large flickering fireplace and is reminiscent of a smart reception room with art-deco inspired fabrics. This leads onto the Society Cafe which leans towards more of a contemporary concept for dining. A mix of antique mirrored glass, walnut finishes, travertine tables and a stunning white marble bar with contemporary paintings lining the walls; the restaurant is a hot spot for a catering for both locals and hotel guests.

Turning our attention to the rooms. These are designed to allow guests to live like real New Yorkers.' In-room amenities are from the citys oldest apothecary, C.O. Bigelow, and en-suite bathrooms feature classic black and white subway tiles whilst beds are dressed with luxury Italian bedding.

Facilities

The life and soul of Walker Hotel Greenwich Village lives downstairs in its bar and restaurant: Society Cafe. Taken from the neighbourhoods first jazz bar  Cafe Society, which was the first racially integrated venue in the United States, the contemporary dining space is filled with natural light courtesy of a large skylight and serves seasonal dishes with local ingredients. Its so local in fact, the kitchen sources meat and fish from the neighbouring Union Square Green Market four days a week and a selection of local wines and spirits also frequent the bar menu.



A popular breakfast spot, each morning those who stay can get a real taste of local life among the early morning meetings over fresh juices and eggs benedict. The restaurant is also currently in the process of promoting one of its talented chefs to become the new Executive. An all-day dining destination to watch.

Downstairs a fitness centre is hidden away whilst upstairs is The Parlour Cocktail Lounge, oozing old school glamour amongst the relaxed ambience.

(Walker Hotel Greenwich Village)

Which room?

For a real sense of place, youll want to book a room on one of the higher floors. Up on the eighteenth floor, The Waverley Queen frames the New York skyline centred by the Empire State Building. This view doesnt fade - from the morning when the city wakes and throughout the night as the city sparkles. The en-suite bathroom is small but comfortable with a stand-alone shower and a large porcelain console sink.

Playing on the distinctive and creative energy that is "The Village" - other rooms vary in size and layout with some including private terraces. Each showcase a vintage charm with old style phones and glossy ebony beds and desks with hidden flat screen TVs. The internal hallways of the hotel arent somewhere to spend much time in, dark and with no natural light, they simply act as a corridor to nip out of the lift and into your room.

What to Instagram

A view of the skyline framed by one of the bay windows or the large fireplace with one of the deep velvet armchairs in the lobby. The perfect way to epitomise life in Greenwich Village in one snapshot.

Best for?

Business travellers who appreciate old world charm, locals after a local bottle of wine and convenient meeting spot or romantic couples looking for great food and cocktails with rooms to slip away to.

DetailsT he family of a Romanian man stabbed to death three weeks after moving to Britain have returned home, calling London a place where if you say the wrong thing to the wrong person you could end up dead.

Beniamin Pieknyi, 21, was knifed in the chest in an unprovoked attack while walking through the Stratford Centre with a friend in March.

Five men were today jailed over the attack, including Vladyslav Yakymchuk, 23, who was sentenced to 24 years behind bars after pleading guilty to murder.

The victims sister Iulia, who lived with him and their other brother in Milton Keynes, said the tragedy had changed her view on life in the capital.

I've come to realise that terrible things can happen in the blink of an eye, and if you say the wrong thing to the wrong person you could end up dead, she told the BBC.

Vladyslav Yakymchuk was jailed for 24 years over the killing / Met Police

It comes after five people were killed in the latest wave of knife violence , forcing police to step up patrols to combat the surge in deaths.

The first was father Rocky Djelal, 38, stabbed in a targeted attack in Rotherhithe. The next day, Jay Hughes, 15, died of knife wounds in Bellingham, then Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was knifed on Friday outside Clapham South Tube station.

On Sunday, Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, from Dagenham, was fatally stabbed by a group of four or five young men who attacked him in daylight in Anerley.

And on Monday, a 16-year-old boy, named locally only as John, was killed on an estate in Tulse Hill in front of his distraught parents.

Two teenagers were also fighting for their life on Tuesday, including a 17-year-old attacked in West Hampstead and a young man knifed in Shepherds Bush.

Murder victim: 'Entirely innocent' Beniamin Pieknyi was stabbed to death in a shopping centre in March / Met Police

Mr Pieknyi, a takeaway worker, had travelled to Stratford to meet his friend Alexander Suciu on March 20.

His brother Michael, who worked at the same takeaway, said he was waiting for him all night but didnt hear anything.

"I thought this was odd. I waited all night and heard nothing until I got a call from his friend's sister," Mr Pieknyi said.

"She was crying and told me Beniamin 'was no more'."

Kevin Duarte was jailed for 12 years for manslaughter / Met Police

CCTV footage form the Stratford Centre showed a gang of five men hassling members of the public in the build-up to the attack. They were Yakymchuk, Alexis Varela, 19, Moses Kasule, 20, Kevin Duarte, 19, and 18-year-old Mario Zvavamwe.

Police said the group were known to loiter around the shopping centre and harass innocent people, with one heard shouting this is our area on the day Mr Pieknyi was killed.

A row broke out after Mr Suciu was hit on the head by Duarte, with Yakymchuk then grabbing his glasses and refusing to give them back, the Old Bailey heard.

Moses Kasule was jailed for 12 years for manslaughter / Met Police

It escalated into a fight before a security guard intervened and ushered the two friends towards the exit, but Yakymchuk wanted further violence and the gang ran after them.

They reached Mr Pieknyi as he reached the exit and cornered him in a Subway restaurant before beating and punching him in an abhorrent attack.

Yakymchuk then stabbed him in the chest with a long knife before they all fled, while members of the public tried in vain to administer CPR to the victim.

Alexis Varela was jailed for 40 months for violent disorder / Met Police

A post-mortem examination confirmed he had died of stab wound to the heart.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Duarte and Kasule were both jailed for 12 years for manslaughter. Varela was jailed for 40 months for violent disorder and Zvavamwe got 30 months for violent disorder.

Mr Pieknyis mother Irina said in a statement: I am a mother of eight children, and they have all been amazing children. Since the day of 20 March 2018, is not feeling like a human anymore. I cannot get over the fact that only seven of my children are still around.

Mario Zvavamwe was jailed for 30 months for violent disorder / Met Police

Its not easy bringing them up and giving them an education. Its so unfair that one of them was taken away and part of my heart was taken with him. The pain I feel since that day will stay with me forever. I am asking if the ones who did this are even aware that their actions have destroyed a family?

Whos given them the right to take away my sons life? Are they aware of the pain, the tears and destruction they left behind? Are they aware that our family is not the same as before and will never be whole again? Im at a loss. I have no words to describe how I feel. What made them do this to my son? I cannot find the strength to face them and its breaking my heart.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Titterrell, said the sentences handed down were a reflection of the devastation and upset that has been caused so needlessly to Beniamins family.

Teenager stabbed to death in London's fifth knife murder in six days

He said: Beniamin and his companion were two entirely innocent friends who had arranged to meet and catch up with each other. They had every right to go about socialising with each other in peace and had done nothing at all to deserve the ire of their aggressors.

They were attacked by a group hell bent on causing as much torment and misery as they could that evening, to anyone in particular.

In Beniamin and his friend they found two people who they thought would be an easy target to sate their urge for violence, being outnumbered and not eager to fight.A Liberal Democrat contender for London Mayor has pledged to reopen closed police stations in the capital by combining them with libraries or post offices.

Siobhan Benita is one of four Liberal Democrats who hope to be adopted by the party as its candidate for the 2020 mayoral election.

The former civil servant, who stood as an independent in the 2012 election, claimed Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan was running down community policing by closing police stations and creating larger borough command units.

She said: All of that is sending a signal that police officers have no place in the community, you are getting fewer and fewer police officers who work day to day in their local area who know the local people and who people trust.

One option, she said, was to locate police stations in other public service buildings at risk of closure such as libraries or post offices.

A forensic officer examines evidence in Bromley after a 22-year-old man was stabbed too death / NIGEL HOWARD 

There are lots of public services that people are trying to protect such as libraries and post offices. I think we should be looking at shared facilities, how we can combine them. Some of these local police stations are very small with a front counter but you do need that presence in the community, she said.

Ms Benita, 47, who is being supported by former Met officer Leroy Logan, a one-time adviser to Mr Khan, added: I realise there is not much money around so we have to think more creatively.

Ms Benita, who is pro EU, co-authored the Youth Violence Commission report which recommended that London should adopt a public health-focused approach to tackling violence.

She said: You cannot talk about the public health approach, which is about the community working together, if at the same time you are decimating community policing.

She said the Mayor needed to put more emphasis on helping young people avoid a life of crime, while also carrying out enforcement to stop offending. Otherwise you will end up doing enforcement for ever, she said. She also wants a youth mayor and a London Youth Assembly to represent the views of young Londoners.

Her other priorities include tackling the number of empty properties in the capital, abolishing single-use plastic and launching Tidy Up London campaigns in local boroughs.A young man in his 20s has become the latest victim of violence in the capital after he was found with multiple stab wounds.

The victim was found outside of a residential block on Weybridge Point, in Battersea, south-west London, and was rushed to hospital at about 7.10pm on Tuesday night.

Officers have made no arrests following the stabbing and a crime scene was put in place into Wednesday morning.

The mans condition, police said, is not thought to be life-threatening.

It is the latest incident of violent crime in the capital after five men and boys lost their lives in six days after being stabbed.

A murder investigation was launched for a 16-year-old schoolboy on Monday, after he was stabbed in Tulse Hill.

A 22-year-old man was knifed to death on Sunday, just after midday, in Anerley, south east London.

On Friday, 17-year-old Malcolm Mide-Madariola was stabbed to death in Wandsworth as well, outside Clapham South station.

Jay Hughes , 15, also known as Jai Sewell, was also stabbed to death in Bellingham, south-east London, on Thursday.

And on Wednesday, Rocky Djelal, 38, died from fatal knife wounds next to a childrens playground at Southwark Park.

Following the violence, a Section 60 order was put in place for the whole of Lambeth until 5am on Wednesday.A teenager was fighting for his life today after he was stabbed in broad daylight in west London.

Police were called at noon to the attack in Willow Vale, a residential street in Shepherd's Bush.

The stabbing was close to a nursery school in the same street, as well as the Loftus Road ground of Queens Park Rangers FC.

Officers and paramedics found the victim with stab wounds and he was taken to hospital.

The Met said he was in a life-threatening condition. Officers said his next-of-kin have been informed.

A crime scene remained in place on Wednesday afternoon. No arrests have been made.

The latest bloodshed follows a series of five fatal stabbings in the capital in the space of just six days.

The latest victims include a teenager who was stabbed to death in front of his parents on Monday night in Tulse Hill, south London.T he family of a man stabbed to death in Southwark Park have paid tribute to him saying he had a "heart of gold."

Rocky Djelal, 38, was fatally knifed as children played nearby in a calculated and brazen attack around lunchtime on Halloween in Southwark Park.

His death comes amid a week of violence in the capital with five people killed in just six days.

In a statement, his family paid tribute to him adding that they were absolutely grief stricken.

We have lost our boy, our son who we adored. A father who was idolised by his daughter, a brother who was loved dearly and an uncle, nephew, and friend who was loved and respected.

We are broken-hearted, we miss you so much and you will live in our hearts forever, we are so proud of you.

Metropolitan Police release footage of a suspect they want to trace

"Daddy/Rocky our hearts are broken and will never be the same again. We have always loved you and we always will. We will miss you forever, your baby Macy and Jane.

The family also thanked those who rushed to give Mr Djelal first aid and stayed with him during his final moments.

Detectives investigating the murder of the 38-year-old are returning to the scene of the murder today to launch a direct appeal to the local community for information.

They will be issuing witness appeal leaflets and will be in the area from 1pm  4pm.

Investigators previously released a short clip of CCTV footage of the man police wish to peak to in relation to the fatal stabbing.

The suspect walks away after Rocky Djelal had been stabbed to death / Met Police

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: Im sure that someone would have walked past him and I need these sorts of witnesses to come forward and help us piece together his movements.

I would also like to hear from anyone who may have taken pictures of video on their mobile phones whilst in Southwark Park between 11am and 2.15pm on Wednesday 31 October.

"It was a clear sunny day and was of course Halloween which may make the public remember where they were."

Witnesses said a fight broke out in the park next to the play area before a man was heard screaming in agony" / NIGEL HOWARD 

Witnesses described the suspect as a white man aged between 20 and 35 wearing dark clothing underneath a high-vis vest, with a hood covering his face.

Mr Djelal was jailed for six years in 2014 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to cause GBH in the mistaken identity murder of City porter Christopher Foster.

The knifeman who murdered Mr Foster in a revenge attack against the wrong man, Aytach Lisani, was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years at the Old Bailey.A pensioner aged 98 is fighting for his life in hospital after being beaten and robbed by raiders who ransacked his home in a brutal and senseless attack.

Peter Gouldstone, a retired Post Office engineer, was found with multiple bruising and a head injury when his son went to the house in New Southgate yesterday morning.

The frail widower was taken to hospital in east London where he remained critically ill today.

His son Simon Gouldstone, 67, said: I had a call from a neighbour to say that the garage door was open and the fence had been knocked down. I dashed around and found the house in a mess and my father on the bedroom floor. He was semi-conscious. I called an ambulance and luckily they were there very, very quickly.

Mr Gouldstone, a retired civil servant, said his father had lived alone since his wife died about five years ago.

A widower is fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked in his own home

He added: I noticed the TV was gone but that was 10 years old, I did not see if anything else had been taken but there was nothing of real value in there. I am just shocked that someone could do something like this to such a vulnerable person. As a member of the human race I am not on the same wavelength as people who can do a thing like that. It is horrible.

The neighbour who raised the alarm said: I saw his garage door open yesterday morning. I rang his son, so he came, and the police and ambulance were here all day.

Ive known him for many years. Ive lived here 66 years and hes been here a couple of years shorter. They were a charming family. 

Police said officers were called to the address in Evesham Road at 10.06am yesterday where a man was being treated for serious injuries by ambulance staff.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from North Area CID, said: This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner. The level of violence used was completely excessive.

There were no valuables in the house so the use of force was completely disproportionate.

Police believe the attack took place between Monday at 2pm and when the victim was discovered. There have been no arrests.A business consultant who discovered she had a brain tumour after blacking out as she cycled through Soho is raising funds to improve cancer survival.

Christine OConnell, 45, from Fulham, was told by doctors that the tumour was linked to an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.

Last month she led 27 cyclists on a 390-mile, three-day ride from Paris to Amsterdam for the One More City challenge, raising almost 40,000 to fund breast cancer research at Imperial College.

The event will be repeated every year, with riders starting at the end point of the previous years ride, reflecting the ongoing challenge of living with secondary cancer  when the disease moves to other parts of the body, normally meaning a cure is impossible.

The aim is to raise 80,000 through the JustGiving website to fund a PhD student investigating secondary breast cancer. Some 20 to 30 per cent of primary cancers spread.

In February Ms OConnell woke up in an ambulance in Oxford Street after collapsing as she cycled to a meeting. Tests showed her cancer had returned and spread to her brain and bones.

Ms OConnell said: The ethos of One More City is that the journey is never over  there are always more climbs to conquer and more challenges to face. Just like anyone living with secondary cancer  there are always more treatments to endure, more scans to face, more side-effects to manage.F amilies of victims of the Croydon tram crash in 2016 today criticised the two-year wait for a decision on whether to bring charges against the driver.

They want to be able to question transport chiefs at an inquest, but one cannot be held until prosecutors decide whether to charge driver Alfred Dorris, 44, from Beckenham.

Seven people died and 61 were injured, 19 seriously, in the early-morning crash at Sandilands junction on November 9, 2016.

Lawyer Ben Posford represents Andrzej Rynkiewicz, 41, whose wife Dorota, 35, was killed in the crash. The Polish couple, from New Addington, had two daughters together.

Disaster: the tram derailed on a sharp bend in Croydon in November 2016. / Getty Images

Mr Posford branded the delay disgraceful, adding: We are two years on. What on earth is going on? The CPS needs to make a decision. If they dont charge him, let the inquest proceed.

What the families want to do is look these people in the eye and ask, Why didnt you have an automatic braking system? Two weeks before the crash, somebody took that bend at 45kmph, almost overturning the tram. It was known there were problems with that bend. There were no systems for reporting problems.

These are really important questions for the families to ask face-to-face. Irrespective of whether there is a prosecution, the families deserve answers.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are said to have worked hard gathering evidence but have faced repeated requests from the Crown Prosecution Service for more information.

A CPS spokeswoman said it was unable to make a charging decision until all requested information was received, and we are still awaiting a full file of evidence from the BTP.

BTP said its extremely complex inquiry was continuing and the driver remains under police investigation.

An accident report a year ago said the crash was probably caused by Mr Dorris losing concentration during a microsleep. It said the tram was travelling too fast  46mph  to negotiate a sharp bend, causing it to overturn. The speed limit for the bend is 13mph. The report also criticised the management culture in which Mr Dorris operated, and the signalling system.

Transport for London today said that a contract to fit trams with an automatic braking system would be awarded next month, with the work to be done by the end of next year.D evelopers today unveiled 900 million plans for a major new creative industries hub, shop and restaurant complex on a site in Shoreditch at the centre of a bitter planning battle.

The designs are a radically scaled-down version of proposals to build 1,350 homes in skyscrapers up to 46 storeys tall on the Bishopsgate Goodsyard site, which lies between Brick Lane and Shoreditch High Street.

Those plans were thrown out by then mayor of London Boris Johnson in 2016 amid fierce protests from residents and conservation groups who claimed the series of high-rises would kill the soul of Shoreditch.

Developers Hammerson and Ballymore went back to the drawing board and today unveiled revamped plans for the former railway goods yard, which has lain derelict since a fire in 1964.

The tallest building is now 29 storeys. And with the housing market in the doldrums the number of homes has been reduced to just 250, in mid-rise mansion block-style buildings on Sclater Street. Around a third will be affordable and aimed at first-time buyers priced out of the area.

The site is now envisaged as a business hub for creative industries with 1.4m sq ft of workspace, plus shops, cafes, restaurants, and a hotel. Hammerson estimates that 10,000 jobs will be created at the goods yard.

Meanwhile, the Braithwaite Viaduct, Londons second oldest surviving railway structure dating from 1839, will be renovated and an elevated linear park  modelled on New Yorks High Line  will be created above its arches.

The revised proposals offer a development that brings a more human sense of scale with reduced heights, and greater provision for affordable and creative workspace, said Nicola Zech-Behrens, senior development manager at Ballymore.

The amendments  support the areas reputation as a hub for tech and entrepreneurs. Thanks to smaller retail units, studios and workshops, this part of London will continue to innovate and grow.

Rupert Wheeler, chairman of the Spitalfields Society and principal of Mackenzie Wheeler architects, said that the plans were moving in the right direction. He added: We didnt actually mind 1,350 residential units; what we objected to was high-end flats for people who were probably not going to live there.

One of the things that was particularly offensive was not so much the height of the buildings but the way they were arranged to form a wall along Bethnal Green Road casting an enormous shadow over the homes around it. We will have to look closely at how the new proposals are arranged.A huge fire has broken out sparking evacuations at a block of flats in north London.

Dramatic footage showed the flames tearing through the roof of the block at Grange Estate in East Finchley.

About 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze. London Fire Brigade were called to scene just after midnight on Wednesday.

Some 60 people left the building before the London Fire Brigade (LFB) arrived.

Fire crews from Barnet, Hornsey, Southgate, Holloway, Kentish Town and surrounding fire stations are in attendance.

Scotland Yard said officers attended at that an evacuation process was under way.

Surrounding roads are closed as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.

A Met Police spokesman said the force was not aware of any injuries.O ne of the men arrested over the burning of a Grenfell Tower model is a party animal whose father was killed and stuffed into a suitcase.

Paul Bussetti, 46, handed himself in to police after footage emerged of a group laughing and mocking as the effigy went up in flames.

Scaffolder Bobbi Connell, 19, and his welder father Clifford Smith, 49, who hosted the party, were arrested along with Mr Bussetti and three other men. The group are said to be friends who take regular fishing trips.

Mr Bussettis father, Lorenzo Bussetti, a landlord, was shot dead following an argument with a tenant in Brixton in 2002, when he was 55.

Mr Bussettis late father Lorenzo

His body was put in a suitcase and dumped in Hackney Marshes.

Paul Bussetti, one of three children, inherited part of his fathers fortune.

Shocking footage shows crowd light miniature version of Grenfell Tower on fire

A sign fixed to his 500,000 house in South Norwood, one street away from Mr Smiths house, reads: The Bussetti Family: Party Animals.

His wife Gemma declined to speak publicly about the video or his arrest.

Fury: Bobbi Connell, 19, and father Cliff handed themselves in

Mr Bussetti is understood to work in the scaffolding business, along with his son. He is said to drive a black Range Rover with a personalised number-plate.

The six men were released under investigation after being questioned by police on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress, Scotland Yard said. Detectives from the Mets Grenfell Tower investigation team have also searched Mr Smiths property.

It was reported that removals company director Steven Bull, 55, built the Grenfell model with his teacher partner to win an effigy contest among his friends. It is understood that Mr Bull was previously married to a sister of Mr Smith. A source told The Sun: They were having an effigy competition and obviously they took it way, way too far.

Video shows police going through bins of a father and son who are being questioned by police about burning the Grenfell Tower effigy

These are business owners and respectable adults. They are parents for goodness sake. What they are being investigated for shows completely shocking judgement. Bobbi Connells mother Louise Connell, 40, from Lee, said she has been shaking since hearing the news, and denied her son was racist. She said: Making the effigy was obviously premeditated, and by the sounds of things it was all racial. But this is not Bobbi. Hes never racially abused anyone.H ome Secretary Sajid Javid has called on the Met police to step up its response to knife killings after five people were stabbed to death in London in six days.

Mr Javid urged Scotland Yard to make full use of police powers, including stop and search, as its officers seek to end the bloodshed.

On Wednesday Mr Javid called Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick for an update on the recent series of knife-related deaths in the capital.

He acknowledged that it was a national issue, while recognising the particular challenge in London.

The Home Secretary, who is currently in the US for talks with social media companies about their efforts to combat online child abuse, told the Commissioner: "We must act together, and I stand with you as we face this challenge.

Five killed: (Clockwise from left) A boy named only as John, 16, Malcolm Mide-Madariola, Jay Hughes, Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, and Rocky Djelal

"Alongside tough law enforcement we will not let up on our work to prevent young people getting drawn into knife crime in the first place.

"But we must step up the police response to get the situation under control so that these measures have time to work."

Mr Javid told the Commissioner he was "deeply worried" by the level of violent crime faced by officers on the streets and reiterated his commitment to focus on driving it down, the Home Office said.

Mr Javid called Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, pictured here with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, for a briefing on knife crime / PA

He also stressed his determination to make sure the police have the powers and tools they need and said he would do everything within in his power to support them, the department added.

The Home Secretary thanked Ms Dick and her officers for their commitment and hard work, while also making clear that police must make full use of their powers, including targeted stop and search.

The scene where a 22-year-old was stabbed to death in Anerley (NIGEL HOWARD ) / Nigel Howard

A 17-year-old boy was also fighting for his life today after being stabbed in West Hampstead last night.

Rocky Djelal, 38, was stabbed in a targeted attack in Rotherhithe. The next day, Jay Hughes, 15, died of knife wounds in Bellingham, then Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was knifed on Friday outside Clapham South Tube station.

On Sunday, Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, from Dagenham, was fatally stabbed by a group of four or five young men who attacked him in daylight in Anerley.

And on Monday, a 16-year-old boy, named locally only as John, was killed on an estate in Tulse Hill in front of his distraught parents.

Home Office figures released last month revealed that forces in England and Wales conducted 282,248 stops and searches in the 12 months to March - the lowest number since current data collection started 17 years ago.

The tactics have previously attracted controversy amid criticism they unfairly focused on black and minority ethnic individuals.

Reforms were introduced in 2014 by then home secretary Theresa May to ensure stop and search was used in a more targeted way.A memorial plaque honouring the memory of Lee Rigby has been saved by Greenwich Council after rumours emerged online that it was going to be removed.

The unofficial memorial was placed at the site in Woolwich where Lee Rigby was killed.

The flagstone memorial was placed as a tribute to the soldier who was brutally murdered by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adeboale in May 2013.

Some well-wishers of Mr Rigby were left in uproar however, as it was thought the local council had plans to remove the tribute.

The council was today forced to issue a statement that they have no plans to alter or remove the memorial.

A tribute had been set up calling for Greenwich Council to save the tribute and had amassed over 400 signatures.

It read: Recently a memorial stone was laid where British soldier Lee Rigby was brutally murdered by terrorist scum in Greenwich South London.

The stone is harming nobody, yet Greenwich council have decided to remove it.

Glenn Nicholls wrote on Twitter: Greenwich Council threatening to remove [the] Lee Rigby memorial stone  a man murdered on the streets of Britain who served in the army protecting our freedoms. DISGUSTING

The council, however, have said this is not true and also pointed out there was an existing memorial for Mr Rigby.

Greenwich Council leader, Councillor Danny Thorpe said: The Royal Borough of Greenwich installed a permanent local memorial to Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2015 in accordance with the wishes of his family and the families of other soldiers and civilians who had died as a result of conflict.

That memorial is at St George's Garrison Church in Woolwich, opposite Woolwich Barracks, in a serene location where people can pay their respects in line with the wishes of his family.

"Over the weekend a member of the public replaced a paving slab by the site of Fusilier Rigby's murder with a memorial stone.

Rumours are circulating on social media that we are planning to remove that memorial this week - these rumours are not true.R ail users across the capital have been sharing their favourite quirks about the London Underground online.

After one Reddit user pointed out one particular quirk at Kings Cross station, Tube enthusiasts across the capital shared weird and wonderful nuances about the Underground network that only the most seasoned commuters would pick up on.

Posting on Tuesday afternoon, one Reddit user wrote: Start at Kings Cross. Take the Northern line and head north for one stop. You are now at Euston.

Change to the Victoria line. Go north for one stop. You are now at Kings Cross.

Commuters outside King's Cross railway station / PA Archive/PA Images

The quirk prompted scores of people to share their own Tube discoveries, with one writing: You can depart [from] Kennington and three minutes later arrive at Kennington.

It's one of the few places like that you can stay on as a passenger, another explained.

Generally passengers are banned from reversing sidings, but because there are a large number of trains arriving at Kennington that need to turn around, the loop is cleared for passengers.

Another, who said he experienced the same quirk at Kennington station, said: Did it for the first time last week, inspired by reading about the Kennington loop on here.

The train has to stop a few times so that it begins its journey north from Kennington at the correct moment so the full loop actually takes about 5 minutes and lots of the tunnel is lit up for some reason.

Rail users have been sharing quirks they have noticed on the London Underground / PA Archive/PA Images

Others highlighted the fact journeys can become counter-intuitive because of the Victoria line, with one explaining: If you want to travel from Stockwell to Camden Town (direct journey on the Northern), its quicker to take the Victoria line to Warren Street or Euston and change back to the Northern line there.

He added: If you want to travel from one end of the Piccadilly Line to the other, e.g. Hammersmith to Cockfosters (direct journey on the Piccadilly), it's faster to take the District Line to Victoria, the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park, and switch back to the Piccadilly there.

Another confusing quirk was posted about the signs at Green Park and Westminster.

According to the signs at Green Park, I go south to get to Westminster. According to the signs at Westminster, I go west to get to Green Park, the Reddit user commented.

Escalator oddities left others baffled, with one pointing out when doing the District to Jubilee change in Westminster the handrail conveyor moves slightly faster than the stairs.T he Observer newsroom is to be brought to life by an all-star Hollywood cast next spring with the release of Official Secrets  a film about a GCHQ translator-turned-whistleblower set during the outbreak of the Iraq war  but how will the journalists be portrayed?

The film tells the story of Katharine Gun, played by Keira Knightley, who leaked a memo to the newspaper about an illegal NSA operation that aimed to persuade the UN Security Council into sanctioning the Iraq invasion in 2003.

This means that a number of hacks working on the Observer at the time will be depicted, including Roger Alton, the barrel-chested and booming former editor, and Kamal Ahmed, then political editor, now the BBCs editorial director.

Ralph Fiennes plays Ben Emmerson QC, while Matt Smith takes the role of reporter Martin Bright, who was on the team that broke the story.

Its based on my stories from the Observer in 2003, Bright told us, adding that although he didnt write the script the director has been very generous and incredibly collaborative, involving me and Katharine as well.

Ahmed, played by Ray Panthaki, is portrayed, according to a source on set, as the fairly useless political editor.

But Bright says: Hopefully, Kamal is played as he is, which is a very serious journalist.

Alton, were told, will be played camp. Last night the former Observer editor told us: I was thrilled to see myself described [in the press release] as legendary, which is absolute bulls*** but extremely nice.

He asked The Londoner if the actor who plays him  Conleth Hill, from Game of Thrones  is famous for playing handsome men who are devilishly attractive to women?

Told he played a meddling eunuch, Alton replies: Oh f***.

But Bright offers reassurance. Roger is a huge character and his portrayal is very true to life.

Abramovich gift

Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea FC, became an Israeli citizen this year after his British visa extension was denied. But hes still investing in London culture.

To coincide with Remembrance Sunday he has made a generous contribution to the Imperial War Museum in support of the new Holocaust Galleries. The amount is undisclosed but museum director Diane Lees says it is enough to reinterpret these galleries, which will present critical insights into the Holocaust, as well as integrate the devastating events of the Holocaust into the broader history of the Second World War.

--

Howard Raymond, son of the late pornographer Paul Raymond, launches his King of Soho gin pop-up bar on Windmill Street on Thursday night. At the same time the Paul Raymond Awards  aka the Porn Oscars  are scheduled down the road. Would Paul have chosen booze or sex? A source says: Hed have found a way to attend both.

--

Last month we revealed that Daniel Johnson was stepping down as editor of centre-Right monthly Standpoint. The race is on to appoint a successor but the team cant decide who. Frontrunners include Spectator columnist Douglas Murray, Edward Lucas, formerly of The Economist, and even Leftie Nick Cohen of the Observer, we hear.

Starkers for 10...

Dolly Alderton, author of the memoir Everything I Know About Love, has seen another side to stern University Challenge host Jeremy Paxman.

Alderton and Paxman were at Sothebys recently for a sale of erotica and we got quite drunk at lunch, Alderton recalls.

Postprandial, she and the fearsome interviewer got up to inspect the artwork.

We wandered round looking at everything and he was absolutely appalled, she told Daisy Buchanan on her Youre Booked podcast.

What upset him so? That there was no pubic hair.

Stephen and Hugh's Roundhouse revival

Laughs all round at the Roundhouse: Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry treated guests to a surprise revival of A Bit of Fry and Laurie for the first time in nearly a decade at the SeriousFun Gala last night, where their audience included Orlando Bloom and Boy George.

Hawes replaces her bodyguard: Keeley Hawes and Alexandra Shulman. / WireImage

Over in Notting Hill, Bodyguard star Keeley Hawes joined former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and Isabel Spearman  former special adviser to Samantha Cameron  for Bodens Autumn Dinner at 108 Garage. At La Galleria on Pall Mall, celebrity guests attended Art in the Aftermath, an exhibition of painting, poetry and photography by recently injured service personnel, hosted by designer Emma Willis. There were lighter moments at this moving event: as Willis stood on a platform to address the guests, Game of Thrones star Charles Dance murmured to The Londoner: Emma Willis on a pedestal... Right where she belongs. Sweet.

SW1A

David Davis former chief of staff, Stewart Jackson, attacked Downing Streets Gavin Barwell last night, accusing him and colleagues of collective amnesia and bouncing the Cabinet into Brexit in Name Only at Chequers. The latest display of chest-puffing came in response to Barwells exception to Jacksons suggestion that the UK could simply fall back on WTO rules in a no-deal Brexit.

--

Staff at Parliament are being offered Instagram training courses, it was revealed yesterday. But civil servants are flocking to another class: Leading in Ambiguity. It includes exercises on briefing ministers how to handle interviews when they dont have all of the information.

--

Tim Loughton MP must have been fun to work for as an Education minister. I operated a fines box in the DfE for just that, he said in response to broadcaster Iain Dales criticism of people who begin their sentences with So. So pedantic.

DJ duo: Charlotte de Carle (left) and Ashley James / Dave Benett/Getty Images

Were off to Bedfordshire. DJs Charlotte de Carle and Ashley James were at the grand opening of bed-maker Hastens in Notting Hill. James rekindled her romance with David Walliams last week. We hope she enjoys his pillow talk.

Quote of the DayT he Democrats have taken back control of the House of Representatives in a tense midterm election battle, once again raising questions over the possible impeachment of President Donald Trump.

The US commander-in-chief has dodged numerous calls to be removed from office in the two years since he was elected as president.

Ever since he won the 2016 election, critics have accused him of reached power through political dark arts, Russian backers and a tilted voting system which is not completely representative of the public.

He faced heat after his former lawyer and campaign chief were both found guilty of violating campaign finance laws and was embroiled in a scandal over the payment of "hush money" to porn star Stormy Daniels

Donald Trump at a rally in Indiana / AP

A possible impeachment may have hinged on a huge political shift in the American government. So what does the outcome of the midterm elections mean for the President's?

Voters cast their ballots in America ahead of the midterm elections / AFP/Getty Images

What is impeachment?

Impeachment in the United States is the process by which charges are brought against a civil officer in Congress, including the President, which will form the basis for a trial and possible removal from office.

The US constitution states: "The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanours."

It is not a criminal trial  fines and potential jail time for crimes committed while in office are left to civil courts.

Democrat supporters cheer as they learn candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids wins her race for a seat in the House of Representatives. The Democrats took control of the House from Republicans in the midterm elections yesterday. / EPA

The process of impeachment

The process of impeachment has to start from the lower chamber of Congress, known as the House of Representatives. It will then move to the upper chamber, known as the Senate.

Article 1, section 2 of the Constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach (make formal charges against) officials.

While Article 1, section 3 of the Constitution gives the Senate the sole power to try impeachments.

This means that the House must accuse the president of one offence, which needs a simple majority of the 435 members to pass.

The trial will then be held in the Senate, with a two-thirds majority of the 100 senators required.

Who has been impeached?

Only two presidents have ever actually been impeached.

Former US president Bill Clinton was impeached / AFP/Getty Images

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, was impeached in December 1998 on the grounds of lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstruction of justice.

This came after he lied about the nature of his affair with Monica Lewinsky and then allegedly asked her to lie about it as well.

The House voted 228 to 206 in favour of impeaching the president for the first charge, and 221 to 212 on the second.

Mr Clinton was subsequently acquitted of these charges by the Senate in February 1999, and remained in office.

The second president to have been impeached was Andrew Johnson, the 17th person to hold the role.

He was impeached by the House in in 1868 on charges of criminal disregard for his office and accepting payments in exchange for making official appointments.

The Democrat president had clashed with Congress over his ideology in the aftermath of the American Civil War.

He had formulated a plan of reconstruction, the rebuilding of the southern states after the Souths defeat in the war.

Richard Nixon was not impeached, rather he resigned following the Watergate scandal / Getty Images

Richard Nixon, the former president who was at the centre of the Watergate corruption scandal, was not impeached by the House, as is often stated.

He resigned from the presidency before there was a trial of impeachment.

So how likely is it that Trump could be impeached?

Last year, a half-dozen Democrats introduced articles of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of obstruction of justice related to the FBI investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. But Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement saying that it was not the time to consider articles of impeachment.

However, "the chances of a president being removed from official are small to nil, as one researcher in US politics at the University of Toronto, John McAndrews, said previously.

American media was stating in August that impeachment could be back on the cards if Democrats took back the House of Representatives. There were a half a dozen articles of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of obstruction of justice related to the FBI investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

But Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said it was "not the time" to consider articles of impeachment.

The House could vote to charge Mr Trump, but then they would need to take their vote to the Senate, which the Republicans still control.

Does that mean Trump is not in danger?

Keeping the Senate could be crucial to maintaining the Oval Office, as Robert Singh, Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, told the Standard.

As long as Trump keeps one-third of the Senate on his side (34 senators), hell survive, said Prof. Singh.

Barring some dramatic collapse of support among ordinary Republicans, he is in little danger.

A lot of people think [impeachment] is a legal thing, but its a completely political act.

The lecturer said it is in the Republicans own interest to support Mr Trump, who in July tweeted that a poll said his approval rating was more than 90 per cent among his own party.

For most its not in their own interest to go against Trump because they dont want to lose their own voters, he added.

Is there any other other way a president can be removed from office?

Yes. The 25th amendment, created following John F Kennedys assassination, provides the procedures for replacing the president or vice president in the event of death, removal, resignation, or incapacitation.

It means that the vice-president and a majority of Congress may remove the president if he is seen unfit to carry out office.J udges at the European Union's highest court are to decide if the UK can "unilaterally' cancel Brexit.

The European Court of Justice is to hear a case this month reviewing whether Britain could withdraw its decision to leave the EU without the approval of other member states.

Luxembourg justices announced today they will sit on November 27 to hear the "Wightman case" from a Scottish court after anti-Brexit politicians sought clarification on Article 50 of the EU treaty.

There are suggestions this may be the same date Theresa May hopes to put her Brexit plans before parliament.

The news comes as Theresa May faces tense backlash over prolonged negotiations, which have hit a stalemate on the issue of an "Irish backstop".

Establishing that reversing the Brexit process can be done without the approval of other EU states could, argue those who brought the case, boost remainers' argument that British lawmakers should block the withdrawal before it happens on March 29.

It is not clear when the ECJ might rule on the issue, named after Scottish Green party member Andy Wightman, who led the action.

Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured in Westminster on November 6. / EPA

A court official said that typically, under the court's "expedited procedure" for urgent matters, a ruling would be made three to six months after such a hearing.

However, the ECJ noted in an order last month that there was "undeniably" a need for an urgent ruling before the British parliament votes on whether or not to accept a treaty with the EU setting out divorce terms.

Judges will hear a case on the Brexit process at the end of November / AFP/Getty Images

The government is pushing for a "Backstop" which would extend agreements for the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland until the divorce settlement can be agreed. Almost all other areas of the negotiations have been broadly agreed.

The Prime Minister will face a battle in parliament to approve any potential treaty, requiring a majority vote from MPs to back her plan. Dozens of Tories are reported to be rebelling, with some calling for a vote of no confidence.

A leaked government memo published by the BBC yesterday suggested Mrs May could be asking parliament to vote on the same day as the Luxembourg hearing, which would effectively make their ruling redundant.

A government spokeswoman said it was seeking to appeal the decision by Scotland's Court of Session to go to the ECJ.

"It remains a matter of firm policy that we will not be revoking the Article 50 notice, and we will not comment further on ongoing litigation," she added.

The cabinet submitted written observations to the ECJ on Tuesday, the spokeswoman said - restating its position that the ECJ should dismiss the case as it has long refused to rule on hypothetical questions or provide advisory opinions.

The Scottish Court of Session decided in September to pass on the case to the ECJ.B ritain will damage its potential as a nation and forfeit up to 150 billion of economic growth in less than a decade if it fails to ensure gender equality in the workplace, the Justice Secretary warned today.

David Gauke told a conference of female lawyers in London that there had already been some encouraging progress in helping more women reach the top of the legal profession.

But he said there was still more to do and that men also needed to act as agents of change to join women in their fight for equality in all sectors.

He added that he was not making the call because it was the trendy thing to say but because it would be foolish to maintain the tired and outdated status quo. He also cited estimates from management consultants McKinsey suggesting that achieving gender equality could add 150 billion to the British economy by 2025, as he set out a range of measures intended to improve diversity in the law.

Gender inequality is an issue that affects all people and is not just a struggle for women by women, Mr Gauke told the conference organised by the charity Spark 21.

Maintaining the status quo could damage our potential as a nation ... 150 billion is a figure that we simply cannot afford to ignore. Whats more, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15 per cent more likely to have profits above their industry average. Those are astonishing figures and should serve as a call to arms to all of us that committing to gender equality is the smart thing to do.

Mr Gauke said that in the legal profession there was much to celebrate with the Supreme Court now having three female justices, including the President Baroness Hale, and women representing more than 50 per cent of practising solicitors.

But only 37 per cent of barristers and 15 per cent of QCs were female, and women accounted for just a third or less of partners in law firms. He said there were also still too few female judges, and he and the senior judiciary would be encouraging women who were solicitors or legal academics to apply.D onald Trump was not on the ballot when Americans went to the polls in the midterms but the election results will shape the rest of his presidency.

In a huge blow for the US president, the Republicans lost the House of Representatives to the Democrats which could mean gridlock for the next two years and little legislation passed.

Previously, both Houses of Congress  the House of Representatives and the Senate  were controlled by Mr Trumps Republican party.

As the Democrats have taken back control of the House, they can severely limit what Mr Trump can do in the final two years of his term.

The Democrats now control committees in the House, including the Intelligence Committee which is responsible for looking at potential Russian meddling in the last presidential election.

They will have much more oversight and will have key committees which are able to look into allegations of collusion between the Russian government and Donald Trumps presidential campaign, his personal finances and possible corruption by officials within his administration.

Democrats leader in the House Nancy Pelosi celebrates the Democrats winning a majority in the US House of Representatives / REUTERS

The Democrats will have the capacity to look into all of the above and possibly embarrass the administration.

It will also be harder for Republicans to make changes to health legislation including Obamacare and also dashes their plans for a reinvigorated approach to Mr Trumps plan to build a border wall with Mexico.

Donald Trump at a rally in Indiana / AP

Democrats can start blocking Mr Trumps legislative agenda and begin passing laws out of the house and forcing Republican senators to take uncomfortable votes on subjects such as minimum wage and increased social spending.

Republicans do maintain control of the Senate meaning that with a simple majority  and if they stick together  they can confirm any of Mr Trumps appointments to his administration or to the judiciary and confirm any of his replacements of officials.

Democratic Florida gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum concedes the Florida Governor's race to U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis as Gillum's wife R. Jai (R) wipes away tears and his running mate Chris King and King's wife Kristin look on at his midterm election night rally in Tallahassee, Florida / REUTERS

Midterm elections tend to act as a referendum for the current president and that can usually mean bad news for the party that controls the White House. In the 21 midterm elections that have been held since 1934, the presidents party has only ever made gains in the house three times and in the Senate five times.

In the 2010 midterms when Barack Obama was president, the Democrats saw some of their biggest electoral losses in US history.

In this years midterms, voters were choosing members of Congress  35 senators and all 435 members of the House of Representatives plus 36 state governors and dozens of local legislative officials.

Brandi Bergstrom (L) reacts as CNN predicts Republicans will maintain control of the Senate during an election viewing party at a bar called Piano Fight in San Francisco, California / AFP/Getty Images

The elections matter because previously both the House and the Senate were controlled by the Republicans.

The primary role of Congress is to make and pass laws and is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Congress and the Senate is the upper chamber. If a legislative proposal is passed by both the House and the Senate and then approved by the President, it becomes law.

Could a US government shutdown occur?

A rainbow forms over the US Capitol building as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington / REUTERS

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass a budget.

Generally, federal civil service workers do not report to work and are put on leave until the impasse is solved. They work for essential services like law enforcement, the military, air traffic control and social security.

Those who do work risk not being paid until the impasse is solved and funding is restored.

It is much more likely that there will be a government shutdown now that different parties control the House and the Senate as they are much more likely to disagree.T heresa May has rejected a supposedly leaked Brexit timetable which said she would give a speech confirming a deal on November 19.

The document has been reported by the BBC, which described it "as a suggested detailed timetable of how the Government might try to sell a Brexit deal to the public and parliament".

These notes, apparently leaked to the broadcaster by an official, state that the Prime Minister would give a speech stating: "We have delivered on the referendum."

A spokesperson for her has denied this and said: "The misspelling and childish language in this document should be enough to make clear it doesn't represent the government's thinking.

The document also said Brexit secretary Dominic Raab woild make an announcement / EPA

"You would expect the government to have plans for all situations to be clear, this isn't one of them."

The BBC cited the document as stating Brexit Minister Dominic Raab will put a statement on the withdrawal and framework on the same date.

It then states multiple plans for communications in the days that follow.

This report comes after the Prime Minister told her Cabinet she is not going to accept a Brexit deal at any cost on Tuesday.

Mrs May informed the ministers that an agreement with the European Union will depend upon an acceptable framework for the future.F ormer Prime Minister David Cameron says he fully supports Theresa May as she battles to negotiate Brexit.

He made the comments to Sky News as he was seen walking past Number 10 on Wednesday.

Mr Cameron said: Im on my way to the Treasury. I fully support what shes doing and want to let her get on with the job.

He added that he was in Westminster to work on his book.

David Cameron pictured outside his 25,000 shed / PA

Mr Cameron was awarded an 800,000 contract to pen his memoirs.

He hit the headlines after it was reported that he had installed a luxury 25,000 shed at his home in which he hopes to spend his time writing a book.

The former prime minister apparently confided that he was bored two years after resigning following the Brexit referendum and would like a spell as foreign secretary.

The source told The Sun: David is dedicated to public service and has often said he wouldnt rule out a public role, domestically or internationally. He is still a young man.E leven children have been found on a refrigerated lorry entering the UK.

In total, 21 people were found after Border Force officers intercepted the lorry. It had arrived at Newhaven Port, east Sussex, on a ferry from Dieppe, France.

They had been concealed within a load of sparkling water, the Home Office said. A man has been charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK.

The people were believed to be from Vietnam, and were found on November 1.

The 11 children were passed into the care of social services.

The remaining 10 adults  five women and five men  were interviewed by immigration officials.

The Home Office said two, an 18-year-old man and a woman aged 27, have since been removed from the UK.

The remaining eight, aged between 21 and 28, must now report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are progressed in line with the UK immigration rules.

On Friday, Romanian national Andrut Mihai Duma, 29, was charged in relation to the case.T he boss whose 100 million bonus sparked outrage bowed to pressure to quit today after housebuilding giant Persimmon said distraction over the payout was damaging its reputation.

Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn, who later voluntarily agreed to cut the award to 76 million, is stepping down next month at the request of the company. He will keep the bonus, but will not get a pay-off.

Mr Fairburn had hoped to ride out the storm by setting up a charitable trust to hand out part of the windfall.

But a car-crash TV interview last month in which he walked away from a BBC interviewer questioning his mammoth payment went viral on social media and is understood to have sealed his fate.

Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn / PA Archive/PA Images

The company said: The board believes that the distraction around his remuneration continues to have a negative impact on the reputation of the business and consequently on Jeffs ability to continue in his role.

The controversy stems from an uncapped long-term share bonus scheme set up in 2012 when the housing market was in the doldrums in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

But shares in Persimmon and a host of other builders soared in 2013 with the advent of the Governments Help to Buy initiative to spur the market, generating fortunes for Mr Fairburn and others. Almost half the companys shareholders voted against the pay plans in April.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said of Mr Fairburns departure: Its about time  and I hope the lesson has been learned by other executives not to be greedy. It does send a positive sign that boards are taking a firmer grip on excessive executive pay.T he sheer scale of the slaughter on the Western Front was remembered today in a moving new memorial to the thousands of men whose bodies were never found after the Battle of the Somme.

Artist Rob Heard, 53, has spent the last three-and-a-half years hand-sewing calico shrouds and binding them over 72,396 small figures to represent every Commonwealth serviceman who died in the First World War battle and has no known grave.

They have been laid out next to each other at the Olympic Park in a temporary memorial.

The Somerset-based artist said: The key to this is about the individual, so that is why the way weve chosen to lay these figures out there  with a gap between them. It is an ordered gap which is so important because they are individuals. Theyre not a mass, and each one is made to a name.

Shroud of the Somme - In pictures 1 /9 Shroud of the Somme - In pictures Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, London Reuters

The thousands of figures can be seen at the park from tomorrow until Sunday next week. They will then be sold off in aid of military charities.

Heard started the project after injuring his hands in a car crash, which meant he could not continue his work as a wood carver.

The Shrouds of the Somme installation at the Olympic Park / PA

He said: I was feeling sorry for myself post-surgery, and I was just looking at the guys coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq at the time without their legs and with arms off, and just started thinking, Come off it, get it together.

The idea for making the shrouds was just an epiphany, I cant actually remember how that came around. I just started to do it. I wasnt commissioned or asked to do it.

Heard, who finished the last figure only five days ago, said the project had become like an immense freight train as it captured the public imagination.

Volunteers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians help to lay some of the 72,396 shrouded figures that form part of the 'Shroud of the Somme' exhibition / REUTERS

He said: I liken it strangely to a prison sentence, I never had to think about what I was doing the next minute, the next hour, the next day, the next month, the next year. I knew exactly what I was doing every day and I did it for 12 hours a day for three-and-a-half years, every single day.

The display in Stratford is part of a nationwide commemoration of the centenary of the end of the war. Other events include 100 veterans and serving military walking 100 miles from the battlefield at Ypres to the Cenotaph.

Organised by the military housing charity Haig Housing Trust, the Long Walk Home will finish on Remembrance Sunday in time for the memorial service. Veterans began walking from the Menin Gate war memorial this morning.A student said she has been inundated with marriage proposals after spectacularly eye rolling behind Nigel Farages back during a Brexit debate.

Harriet Ellis, a 21-year-old Classics student at University of Birmingham, said she has been overwhelmed with messages of support and followers on Twitter.

"I've had marriage proposals too, which my boyfriend definitely isn't too happy about," she told Radio 1 Newsbeat.

Ms Ellis said before the video went viral, she only had twelve followers on the social media site.

Now she has over five thousand and has asked people to stop following her.

Ms Ellis reacted spectacularly when Mr Farage began describing what he called a Remainers Brexit during Channel 4s Brexit debate on Monday.

She told the BBC that her boyfriend definitely isnt too happy about the marriage proposals.

Ms Ellis also claimed that she had been labelled a hero. She said: Theres even people calling me a hero, which Im not. Theres people who are much more deserving of that title.

She said that she voted for Brexit in 2016 and her reaction was prompted by Mr Farages claims that Theresa May was giving the UK a remainers Brexit.

Weve got a Brexit fuelled by the wishes of the Leave campaign and Theresa May is not giving us a Remainers Brexit at all.

Mr Farage was representing Leave Means Leave. The debate also featured Justice Secretary David Gauke, Shadow Trade Sceretary Barry Gardiner and Caroline Lucas on behalf of The Peoples Vote.

It was hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy in Birmingham, the most evenly split city in the 2016 referendum, from 8pm.A leading academic has told how a project to digitally archive unique records from the First World War will give fascinating insight into the life and career of soldiers on the front line.

The "Casualty Books" of the 1/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (TF) reveal the individual stories of some 3,000 soldiers who served overseas between 1914 and 1918.

Professor Ian Beckett of the University of Kent, who is co-leading a project to digitise and transcribe the records, told the Standard the books are a unique survival for their detailed account of life in a battalion.

The books chart an individuals time in the battalion, including leave and training, wounds and illnesses, transfers, and disciplinary record.

Captain Martin Bowen, from Stoke Poges, joined the battalion in 1916. He was awarded a Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty / Stewkley Local History Society

In cases where individuals were killed, there is often also a map reference for the original grave or location of the body, including for many of those whose body was subsequently not recovered.

The Bucks Battalion served on the Western Front from May 1915 to November 1917, and in Italy from November 1917 to February 1918.

Captain Martin Bowen's record

The professor said the project, in partnership with the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies in Aylesbury, is significant as a huge number of mens personnel files were destroyed during the Blitz - making it difficult to find information about certain individuals.

More than nine million men and women are estimated to have served in the British armed forces during the First World War.

Captain Martin Bowen 1/1st Bucks Battalion Born Stoke Poges, Bucks and educated at Stoke House (Parrys Prep School) and Rossall School. Commissioned and joined 1/1st Battalion, August 20, 1916 as Second Lieutenant, with promotion to Lieutenant January, 11 1916. [Battalion history says he first served with 48th Division Cyclists and was wounded 23 August 1916 before re-joining 10 September 1916. Casualty Book only starts entry for him in March 1917.] Posted as Assistant Town Major at Peronne, March 28, 1917 Promoted Acting Captain whilst commanding company, March 27, 1917 Promoted Captain June 16, 1917 with precedence backdated to 1 June 1916 Awarded Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty (at Tombois Farm). He led his Company in the most gallant manner and in spite of very difficult conditions succeeded in gaining his objective. He set a fine example to his men Wounded October 2, 1917 with gunshot wound to spine and admitted to No 4 Casualty Clearing Station. Died of wounds, October 9, 1917. Buried Wimereux Communal Cemetery. Aged 21.

Many of the surviving service records from this period can be found in The National Archives, and can be used for tracing an ancestor who fought in the Great War.

But more than half their service records were destroyed in September 1940.

"These casualty books are a unique survival," Professor Beckett said.

The casualty books include crucial details such as when someone arrived in the unit, when they were ill or wounded, if they went on leave, if they were attached to another unit and when they were killed.

Bugler Bertram Mead, an agricultural labourer who was posted to 1/1st Bucks Battalion in 1917. He was killed on August 16, 1917 / Stewkley Local History Society

And the professor said the information has offered researchers key information to back up historical assumptions about subjects including illness, discipline and training during WWI.

He said: "We suspected many things about the First World War but nobody has been able to put any statistics to these assumptions.

"Although it's one battalion it's a way of verifying these."

Notably the records document a large amount of disease and illness within the battalion - allowing historians to pinpoint cases of trench foot, sexually transmitted diseases, or the onset of influenza in 1918-19.

Private Stanley Stonehill. Born in Waddesdon, Bucks, Stonehill enlisted in August 1914 and posted overseas with the battalion in March 1915 (Bucks Military Museum Trust ) / Bucks Military Museum Trust

"One thing we know is that people were wounded but what's interesting is the amount of illness, said Professor Beckett.

"If you look at any particular month some would be killed, some wounded or some would return home, but whats extraordinary is just how much illness there was."

He added that the records show the soldiers suffered from illnesses ranging from scabies, impetigo, abscesses, ulcers and venereal diseases to problems with their mental health.

The battalion was also badly affected by the flu in June 1918, coinciding with a major Austria Hungary attack in Italy.

Private Stanley Stonehill 1/1st Bucks Battalion Born Waddesdon, Bucks, 1893. Father agricultural labourer. Mother schoolmistress at public elementary school. Employed as labourer on the Rothschild Waddesdon Estate. Enlisted in August 1914 and posted overseas with the battalion in March 1915. Attached for ammunition duty, 9 April 1916 Rejoined battalion, 17 June 1916 Wounded at Pozieres, 21 July 1916. Recorded as shrapnel wound to neck at 1/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance that day but then recorded as gunshot wound to the neck at 1/1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station, 22 July and also at No 8 General Hospital at Rouen, 23 July 1916. Arrived back 55 Infantry Base Depot at Rouen, 27 July but then posted to 2/1st Bucks Battalion, 6 August 1916. Granted 1st Class Proficiency Pay, 31 August 1916. That concludes his records in the 1/1st Bucks Battalion. However, Stanley Stonehill was killed with 2/1st Bucks Battalion at Ypres, 22 August 1917 aged 23. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

The database also reveals how a large number of men left the battalion to undertake training courses.

Professor Beckett said this "reinforces the idea [among historians that] not everyone is on the front line" during the war.

Men were sent on courses ranging from pigeon handling (one of the main ways of communicating in the trenches), to cooking or machine gun training.

Soldiers were also sent on attachments, in sanitation or laundry, for example.

Arthur Chappell, Sidney Keen and Henry Green (L-R), all from Stewkley, Bucks. The group enlisted in November 1914 and arrived in France with the battalion on March 30, 1915 / Stewkley Local History Society

"There was a constant change of personnel," the professor said.

And Professor Beckett said he was struck by how many men returned to the battalion after injury.

"You can look at any one month and there's this big turnover," he said.

But he added that the records show how the battalion greatly changed composition with the influx of drafts from other units after heavy casualties in 1916 and 1917.

He said that this affected discipline among the ranks.

Professor Beckett said: "There were lots of casualties in Passchendaele and then you had this big draft.

"What's interesting about that is the discipline."

He said there was a change in behaviour evident in the autumn of 1917, leading to more soldiers getting drunk and talking back. And there were many repeat offenders.

Professor Beckett said these entries allow historians to better understand the type of disciplinary offences and the sentences that were imposed in the war.

Interestingly soldiers were "not quite getting the length of punishment we had been expecting in the war", he added.

Aside from the academic value of the casualty records, the professor said they hold "tremendous personal value" to any individual looking for a particular person in the battalion.

"Normally we are grasping for details," he said. "But if that individual served in the Bucks battalion you have got all this information - full details of their age, how many children, all this information which is not really available about someone else.

The digital records and transcriptions will be available on the Buckinghamshire Great War website from next year.

The team working to transcribe the abbreviated documents into a readable format has completed two out of four books, while the images are ready to go on to the website.A ll 79 children and a driver kidnapped from a boarding school in Cameroon by a militia have been released, negotiators announced today.

Meditators were still trying to free a principal and one teacher who were also snatched and taken into the bush two days ago. The terrified group were abducted from Presbyterian Secondary School in Bamenda, the capital of English-speaking North-West region, which is at the centre of a separatist struggle with the government.

A video of some of the children was shared on social media by men believed to be the kidnappers. No group has claimed responsibility.

Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator of Cameroons Presbyterian Church, revealed the breakthrough today after taking part in talks with the abductors. Praise God [the] children and the driver have been released. The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying, he said.

Communication minister Issa Bakary Tchiroma told AFP news agency all 79 students have been released, but did not give further details. Cameroons government and English-speaking separatists have accused each other of orchestrating the kidnapping.

Cameroon is mainly French-speaking but two regions bordering Nigeria, North-West and South-West, are mainly Anglophone and a separatist movement has grown up with English speakers saying they face discrimination and protests suppressed by the government. Militias demanding independence have called for a school boycott.

In the video, the pupils, aged 10 to 17, were seen crammed into a tiny room looking nervous as they were ordered to say their names and where they were from. They repeated the phrase: I was taken from school last night by the Amba boys, I dont know where I am.

Amba is short for Ambazonia, the name of the new country the separatists want to create. At one point a voice in the background, believed to be that of a kidnapper, said: Tu perds ton temps, French for Youre wasting your time.U S President Donald Trump today made personal attacks on journalists who quizzed him over the results of the midterm elections.

Mr Trump unloaded a tirade towards CNN's White House correspondent Jim Acosta, calling him a terrible person as he stonewalled questions over his midterm campaign.

"CNN should be ashamed of themselves having you working for them. You are rude, terrible person. You should not be working for CNN," said the President of the United States.

Peter Alexander, the White House Correspondent for NBC News, leapt to Mr Acosta's defence, with Trump firing back: "I'm not a big fan of yours either, to be honest."

US President Donald Trump points to CNN's Jim Acosta as a White House aide takes the microphone from him / AP

Mr Acosta had asked the president about the immigrant caravan, the tone of his campaign videos and investigations into Russian interference in elections.

However, in the angry exchange he slammed each question one-by-one before telling Mr Acosta to let me run the country and you run CNN.

Mr Trump reacts to a question from Mr Acosta during a press conference on Wednesday / EPA

He then told him if he did a better job his ratings would be better.

After this the President said the broadcaster should be ashamed to employ someone like Mr Acosta.

Mr Trump also further reiterated his comments on CNN being the enemies of the people, as he claimed when they reported fake news they were.

The clash broke out when Mr Acosta questioned Mr Trumps description of the so-called migrant caravan as an invasion and suggested he had demonised immigrants.

Following his questions, Mr Trump started the personal attack and said: I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings would be better.

Donald Trump says Republican party 'defied history'

Mr Acosta tried to then ask about the Russian investigation, the basis of which Mr Trump called a hoax and said he was not worried about, with the President shouting thats enough then put down the mic.

An assistant to the President tried to take the microphone from Mr Acosta as well at this point.

Reporters hold up their hands to ask questions to Mr Trump / REUTERS

CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person and you shouldnt be working for CNN, Mr Trump told him. And the way you treat Sarah Huckabee [the White House press secretary] is horrible and the way you treat other people are [sic] horrible. You shouldnt treat people that way.

A fellow journalist then defended Mr Acosta and Mr Trump told them Im not a big fan of yours either.

After lashing out at the Mr Acosta and Mr Alexander, Mr Trump turned to American Urban Radio Networks April Ryan.

The president told her to sit down and scolded her for rudely interrupting another reporter.

Very hostile. Such a hostile media. Its so sad, he said, interrupting the same reporter he accused Ms Ryan of talking over.

The president lashed out at journalists / REUTERS

You ask me  no, you rudely interrupted him. You rudely interrupted him. Go ahead.

The terse exchanges came following the US midterm election which saw the Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives.

During his speech, Mr Trump also took the unprecedented step of naming Republican candidates who were defeated in the midterms, saying their losses occurred because they did not "embrace" him.

He mocked candidates including US Representative Barbara Comstock of Virginia after they said they would not run with him for the polls, saying they "did very poorly".

Speaking of Utah Representative Mia Love's loss on Tuesday, he said: "Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost," adding, "Sorry about that, Mia."

Representative Ryan Costello, also named by Mr Trump, said he was "disgusted" by the president's words.

He tweeted: "Different people can be disgusted by different things. This is one such thing for me. And I dont use the word disgusted lightly."

It came as Mr Trump hailed the Republican Party's "tremendous success" at the midterm elections despite losing the House of Representatives to the Democrats.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Trump said it had been "a big day, an incredible day" despite very hostile media coverage, to put it mildly, and a staggering number of House retirements.

He said: "Last night the Republicans defied history to expand our Senate majority while significantly beating expectations in the House for the midterms."

His speech followed election results that saw a major blow for the US president, with the Republicans losing the majority in the House of Representatives.A woman threatened to detonate a bomb at a major hospital in Dunkirk, northern France, sparking a major police operation.

The woman made the threat after entering the Dunkirk Hospital Centre's emergency care unit on Wednesday morning, police said.

She reportedly claimed to have explosives in her suitcase.

Hospital workers alerted the police, who evacuated part of the hospital and put a large cordon in place. A bomb disposal team was deployed.

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Local newspaper La Voix du Nord reported that the woman was threatening to detonate a bomb.

Photos posted on the newspaper's social media showed police vehicles sealing off the area.

Police later said the woman had been detained. The person is under police control, a statement said.T his is the heartfelt moment a man gave Stacey Abrams flowers from all the women in his family who did not live to witness her accomplishments.

Charlie Matthews, 73, presented the Georgia candidate, who is running to become the first black female governor in the midterm elections, with the red roses as part of her bid to become the states first black governor.

During a campaign stop in Buena Vista before the polls had closed, Mr Matthews approached Ms Abrams platform. He dedicated the flowers to the Democratic candidate and all the deceased women in his family, reporter Alyssa Pointer said.

On Wednesday morning, Ms Abrams was refusing to concede the election to Republican Brian Kemp.

Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters and refuses to concede at her election night headquarters / Tami Chappell/EPA

It had been too close to call as the polling stations closed, but 44-year-old Ms Abrams was reportedly behind Mr Kemp.

Republican candidate Brian Kemp at an election night event in Athens, Georgia / Kevin Cox/Getty Images

But both candidates were awaiting the final accounting of absentee and provisional ballots.

Ms Abrams, who had received heavy backing from Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, said votes remain to be counted and voices are waiting to be heard.hese beautiful scenes were captured during the celebration of the festival of lights in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya.

The record-breaking display saw more than 300,000 oil lights glinting simultaneously on the banks of a river for the magnificent Diwali celebration.

301,152 lamps were set ablaze beside the Sarayu river. They glistened simultaneously for five minutes.

This broke the world record of around 190,000 previously set in a neighbouring region.

A slum colony is decorated with lanterns and lights as they celebrate the Hindu festival Diwali Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

South Korea's first lady Kim Jung-sook (L) shows off a henna tattoo on her palm while attending the opening of the Diwali festival at Ayodhya in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, in India, on 06 November 2018.

Indian people light lamps on the occasion of the Diwali Festival at the Akshardham Temple, in Gandhinagar, about 30 km north of Ahmedabad, India, 06 November 2018.

View of the Akshardham Temple on the occasion of the Diwali Festival, in Gandhinagar, about 30 km north of Ahmedabad, India, 06 November 2018.

Indian people watch a firework display on the banks of the River Sarayu on the eve of 'Diwali' festival during a 'Deepotsav' event organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in Ayodhya on November 6, 2018.

The Akshardham Mandir is seen illuminated with some 10,000 oil lamps during "Diwali" festival celebrations in Gandhinagar, some 30 kms from Ahmedabad on November 6, 2018.

Indian workers light oil lamps during "Diwali" festival celebrations in Gandhinagar, some 30 kms from Ahmedabad on November 6, 2018.

Indian people light the lamps with a painted floor as a part of Diwali or Festival of Lights in Kolkata, Eastern India, 06 November 2018.

Indian people light earthen lamps on the banks of the River Sarayu on the eve of "Diwali" festival during a "Deepotsav" event organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in Ayodhya on November 6, 2018.

Indian vendor arranges idols of Hindu goddess Lakshmi and other decorative articles at a road side market ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights in Hyderabad, India

Indian women prepare marigold garlands on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Amritsar on November 6, 2018

Devotees light earthen lamps on the banks of the River Sarayu as part of Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India, India, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

The spectacle marks another historic moment for the city, which is already famed in Hindu culture, as it is believed to be the birthplace of the god Rama.U S Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned as the country's chief law enforcement officer after months of criticism from President Trump.

Mr Sessions announced he would resign at the president's request in a letter to the White House on Wednesday following the midterm elections.

Donald Trump announced on Twitter that Mr Sessions' chief of staff Matt Whitaker would become the new acting attorney general.

He said: "We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well!"

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into Mr Sessions' tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential co-ordination between the president's campaign and Russia.

Donald Trump blasted reporters at a press conference following the midterm elections / Getty Images

Mr Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Mr Trump's hectoring of Mr Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

Jeff Sessions told the president he was resigning "at your request" / AP

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the timing of the resignation is "very suspect" and a new attorney general must not interfere with the Mueller probe.

He added the president would create a "constitutional crisis" if he were to impede the investigation into possible Russian collusion in the presidential election.

Jeff Sessions is sworn along side his wife Mary in the Oval Office in February 2017 / AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump's outspoken stance on Mr Sessions earned the president accusations that he was trying to interfere in the legal system of the United States.

In September, the president said he does not "have an attorney general" in a fierce attack on Mr Sessions. He also criticised him for his stance on immigration.

US midterm elections - Key things we learned

In August, Mr Sessions said: "While I am attorney general, the actions of the Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations."

President Trump had raised the prospect of firing Mr Sessions as far back as September.

Asked whether he would consider firing Mr Sessions in an interview with political website Hill.TV, he said: "We'll see what happens. A lot of people have asked me to do that."Jim Acosta was branded rude and a terrible person by Donald Trump on Wednesday at a news conference following the midterm elections.

He also claimed the broadcaster should be ashamed to have him as an employee.

Mr Acosta had asked the president questions about the immigrant caravan, the tone of his campaign videos and investigations into Russian interference in elections.

The media outlet has since hit back and given its unwavering support to Mr Acosta after he was targeted by Trump, who branded him "fake news."

Jim Acosta was blasted by the President during a press conference / AP

A statement from CNN said: This Presidents ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far. They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American. While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press, he has a sworn obligation to protect it.

A free press is vital to democracy, and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere.

A CNN office in New York was one of many targets sent pipe bombs in October by a fanatical Trump supporter.

Mr Acosta asked about this and Mr Trump said: "When you report fake news, you are the enemy of the people."

Directly after Wednesdays attack on Mr Acosta, NBC reporter Peter Alexander also defended him.

He said: I think thats unfair.

I've travelled with him and watched him, he's a diligent reporter who busts his butt like the rest of us."

Jim Acosta (L) hugs Peter Alexander of NBC after the tense exchange / REUTERS

NBC has since shared this quote and Mr Acosta thanked him on Twitter.

At the time, Mr Trump told Mr Alexander: "I'm not a big fan of yours either, to be honest."

The altercation, which led to a White House aide attempting to wrangle a microphone from Mr Acosta as Mr Trump shouted thats enough, began when the journalist quizzed the midterm election campaign.

Since the incident, hundreds of people have supported Mr Acosta on Twitter, with the hashtag StandWithAcosta gaining some traction.

There have been detractors, though, with some stating that he was disrespectful and questions raised over him physically stopping the female aide from taking the microphone.

Mr Acosta began his journalism career in 1994, working for a radio station in Washington DC.

Shortly after this he moved in front of the camera and has presented for a variety of outlets since.K anye West has donated $200,000 to a Democrat mayoral candidate Amara Enyia.

The rapper last week donated $73,540 to the Chicago candidate for her to pay off a campaign fine, according to the Chicago Tribune.

He then donated a further $126,460 to the activist and PhD in education policy.

The two appeared together for a rally in his home city of Chicago last week, although West did not speak. He has appeared as a supported of Ms Enyia in a number of political events previously.

It comes after West announced a fortnight ago he is distancing himself from politics in a series of tweets, claiming he has been used to "spread messages [he] don't believe in".

He said: "I walk through the hotel and I walk down the street and people look at me... like I'm Hitler."

West tweeted to his 28m followers on October 30: "I support creating jobs and opportunities for people who need them the most, I support prison reform, I support common-sense gun laws that will make our world safer.

"I support those who risk their lives to serve and protect us and I support holding people who misuse their power accountable.

File photo: US President Donald Trump met with rapper Kanye West in the Oval Office of the White House on October 11. West was roundly criticised for cozying up to the President. / AFP/Getty Images

"I believe in love and compassion for people seeking asylum and parents who are fighting to protect their children from violence and war."

"I would like to thank my family, loved ones, and community for supporting my ACTUAL beliefs and my vision for a better world."

Ms Enyia said of West at a rally last week: I also have to give a shoutout and kudos to Ye, who is from the South Side and is invested and committed to giving back to our city."

Ms Enyia is an activist who began her career in journalism, before earning a Masters degree in education, a law degree focused on international and environmental law, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy.

The move comes shortly after West declared his love for the president at a long meeting in the Oval Office, where he wore his own cap with Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again".

The two talked politics in front of a crowd of media and a long-winded rant by West made some even doubt the state of his mental health.F or young Democrats in Brooklyn the midterms were not so much a blue wave as the first small step to taking back their country.

At one election night party in this Democratic stronghold there was cautious optimism about a rising momentum to kick Donald Trump out of the White House in 2020.

Activists said they wanted the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives to force Mr Trump to release his tax returns.

But they cautioned against impeaching Mr Trump as the Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, which would decide whether or not he was guilty.

US Midterm Elections - In pictures 1 /29 US Midterm Elections - In pictures House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party AP Supporters cry as Aftab Pureval concedes defeat to US Rep Steve Chabot in the Ohio first district 2018 midterm EPA Ted Cruz supporter Marie Rice sheds tears of joy as Cruz declares victory EPA Supporters of Democrat Chrissy Houlahan gather for an election results watch-party at her election night headquarters EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to her supporters during her election night party AFP/Getty Images Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husband's mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis Reuters A supporter for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis poses during his midterm election night party in Orlando Reuters Arizona State University freshman Catie Colvson-Bucher wears voting related stickers on her midriff as she waits in line at the ASU Palo Verde West polling station during the U.S. midterm elections in Tempe, Arizona Reuters Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race at her election night watch party EPA Dean Samuels reacts as CNN predicts Republicans will maintain control of the Senate during an election viewing party at a bar called Piano Fight in San Francisco, California AFP/Getty Images U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's grandson Paul covers his eyes as he and his brother Thomas (2nd L) join with their grandmother as well as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (L) and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (R) as the Democrats celebrate winning a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives Reuters United States Congresswoman-Elect Ayanna Pressley addresses the audience at the Massachusetts Democrats Election Night Rally at the Fairmont Hotel in Boston EPA Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids (L) and her mom Crystal (R) celebrate after Davids won her race at her election night watch party at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Olathe, Kansas EPA Lawrence Malloy, a supporter of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, shows off socks adorned with an image of Abrams outside the site of a midterm election night party in Atlanta Reuters US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher addresses the media and supporters and relays that the race against his democratic opponent Harley Rouda is too close to call EPA Supporters of Republican US Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for Mississippi cheer at a post-election party following the 2018 mid-term general election in Jackson, Mississippi, EPA Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Axne hugs Iowa St. Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad after speaking at her midterm election night party in Des Moines, Iowa Reuters Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke (R) embraces his wife Amy at his election night watch party in the 2018 midterm general election at the Southwest University Ballpark in El Paso, Texas EPA Democratic congressional candidate Jahana Hayes reacts after appearing at her midterm election night party in Waterbury, Connecticut Reuters Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds a Puerto Rico flag as she greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City Reuters U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Deb Haaland hugs her daughter Somah (R) after winning her midterm election in Albuquerque, New Mexico Reuters A supporter of Senator Joe Manchin wears campaign buttons after he won the 2018 midterm election in Charlestown, West Virginia Reuters A United States Senator Sherrod Brown sign is covered in confetti at the Ohio Democratic election night party Reuters Debbie Dingell, Michigan U.S. Representative for 12th district and Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th District declare victory in their midterm election night party in Detroit, Michigan Reuters Matt Gnojek, a.k.a. Colorado Captain, hands out stickers to a voter in front of the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorad AFP/Getty Images Voters cast their midterm ballots at the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorado AFP/Getty Images Jeff Paley (R) of Boulder, Colorado encourages students on the University of Colorado campus to vote in the midterm elections AFP/Getty Images Nina Williams wipes away a tear as she awaits the results of the Georgia Gubernatorial race at Stacey Abrams' election night headquarters at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta EPA A vote sign points people to a local poling location during midterm elections in Newport Beach, California Reuters

Film producer Kryssa Schemmerling, 55, said: I dont think they should impeach Trump because it will make him more popular just like it did with Bill Clinton. What I want is proper oversight.

"Right now the Senate is covering for Trump. With the House there will be real investigations, it will be death by 1,000 cuts and they will force him to show his tax returns.

Nicole Hunt, 40, said: Its a bittersweet night. We won some races but lost some others. Our country is a critical care patient and tonight we stopped the bleeding.

Others celebrating the results said they hoped that Democrats taking control of powerful House committees could put Mr Trump in check.

US midterm elections - Key things we learned

Kate Pforedresher, 64, a trade union worker, said: The main project is keeping things from getting worse.

Theres only so much you can do with only one chamber but you can slow things down.

The election night party was organised by several Democratic groups including Brooklyn Young Democrats and Indivisible, a grassroots organisation which aims to lead the resistance against Mr Trump.

It took place at the Bell House, a comedy and party venue in the Gowanus neighbourhood which hosts the hipster storytelling night The Moth.The crowd was a mixture of activists, Democrat politicians and volunteers and young professionals.

The warm-up acts included a 16-year-old comedian called Meave Press who began her set by asking: What the hell is happening?

There was also a Hillary Clinton impersonator who sang a song calling Mr Trump a schmuck and a d*** and joked about being Americas witch.

As the results came in, the crowd roared as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an icon for liberal voters, became the youngest woman elected to Congress at 29.

There was another huge cheer when Max Rose won a House seat for the Democrats in a New York district that includes mostly-Republican Staten Island.

One man called Alfred said: Its not a blue wave, its a blue sprinkle and its a sign of what will happen in 2020 if the economy slows down. Right now people feel there are more jobs and their pensions are growing with the stock market and that means a lot.

The most incendiary speaker was Scott Stringer, New Yorks chief fiscal officer, who called for America to end this fascist regime once and for all. He rallied the crowd by asking: Are you ready to fight this son of a bitch?

The biggest roar of the night came when the MSNBC channel called the House for the Democrats.The US president went on Twitter this morning to proclaim the Republicans success in strengthening their grip on the Senate, defying the trends of past decades.

Received so many Congratulations from so many on our Big Victory last night... Now we can all get back to work and get things done! he tweeted.

But the threat of political gridlock loomed large over Washington even though the blue wave appeared to have stopped short of giving the Democrats a big majority in the House.

They will still be able to use their new-won power to launch probes into Mr Trumps finances, escalate investigations into alleged links between his election campaign and Russia and also scupper some controversial policies.

The conflicting results in the House and the Senate also laid bare the stark political rift dividing America with many better-off, liberal, diverse and urban communities aghast at Mr Trumps presidency  which is backed by many people in mostly white working-class areas of rural America.

US Midterm Elections - In pictures 1 /29 US Midterm Elections - In pictures House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party AP Supporters cry as Aftab Pureval concedes defeat to US Rep Steve Chabot in the Ohio first district 2018 midterm EPA Ted Cruz supporter Marie Rice sheds tears of joy as Cruz declares victory EPA Supporters of Democrat Chrissy Houlahan gather for an election results watch-party at her election night headquarters EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to her supporters during her election night party AFP/Getty Images Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husband's mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis Reuters A supporter for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis poses during his midterm election night party in Orlando Reuters Arizona State University freshman Catie Colvson-Bucher wears voting related stickers on her midriff as she waits in line at the ASU Palo Verde West polling station during the U.S. midterm elections in Tempe, Arizona Reuters Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race at her election night watch party EPA Dean Samuels reacts as CNN predicts Republicans will maintain control of the Senate during an election viewing party at a bar called Piano Fight in San Francisco, California AFP/Getty Images U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's grandson Paul covers his eyes as he and his brother Thomas (2nd L) join with their grandmother as well as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (L) and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (R) as the Democrats celebrate winning a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives Reuters United States Congresswoman-Elect Ayanna Pressley addresses the audience at the Massachusetts Democrats Election Night Rally at the Fairmont Hotel in Boston EPA Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids (L) and her mom Crystal (R) celebrate after Davids won her race at her election night watch party at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Olathe, Kansas EPA Lawrence Malloy, a supporter of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, shows off socks adorned with an image of Abrams outside the site of a midterm election night party in Atlanta Reuters US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher addresses the media and supporters and relays that the race against his democratic opponent Harley Rouda is too close to call EPA Supporters of Republican US Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for Mississippi cheer at a post-election party following the 2018 mid-term general election in Jackson, Mississippi, EPA Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Axne hugs Iowa St. Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad after speaking at her midterm election night party in Des Moines, Iowa Reuters Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke (R) embraces his wife Amy at his election night watch party in the 2018 midterm general election at the Southwest University Ballpark in El Paso, Texas EPA Democratic congressional candidate Jahana Hayes reacts after appearing at her midterm election night party in Waterbury, Connecticut Reuters Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds a Puerto Rico flag as she greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City Reuters U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Deb Haaland hugs her daughter Somah (R) after winning her midterm election in Albuquerque, New Mexico Reuters A supporter of Senator Joe Manchin wears campaign buttons after he won the 2018 midterm election in Charlestown, West Virginia Reuters A United States Senator Sherrod Brown sign is covered in confetti at the Ohio Democratic election night party Reuters Debbie Dingell, Michigan U.S. Representative for 12th district and Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th District declare victory in their midterm election night party in Detroit, Michigan Reuters Matt Gnojek, a.k.a. Colorado Captain, hands out stickers to a voter in front of the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorad AFP/Getty Images Voters cast their midterm ballots at the Denver Elections Commission building in Denver, Colorado AFP/Getty Images Jeff Paley (R) of Boulder, Colorado encourages students on the University of Colorado campus to vote in the midterm elections AFP/Getty Images Nina Williams wipes away a tear as she awaits the results of the Georgia Gubernatorial race at Stacey Abrams' election night headquarters at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta EPA A vote sign points people to a local poling location during midterm elections in Newport Beach, California Reuters

The president had kept uncharacteristically quiet as the election results started to filter in overnight but took to Twitter this morning as the overall results became clear.

In the last three decades, 2002 was the only midterm election when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well. Those that did not, say goodbye! Yesterday was such a very Big Win..., he messaged.

He hailed the results as a tremendous success and pumped up praise that Republican gains were down to the Trump magic.

With the Republicans strengthening their grip on the Senate and America bitterly split over the countrys direction the threat of political gridlock is now hovering over Washington.

After two years of the Trump presidency without an effective voice in the corridors of power, and eight years in the wilderness as the minority party in the House, Democrats finally have a mandate to challenge his administration.

A Democrat-run House is likely to launch probes into the presidents finances, including making new demands for his tax returns, as well as ramping up the investigations into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election.

At the very least, by controlling the lower chamber of Congress, the Democrats will be able to thwart and stifle Mr Trumps political agenda including, possibly, choking off funding for his proposed wall along the Mexican border.

With special counsel Robert Mueller yet to reveal the results of his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, several Democrats who celebrated victories last night said they would support demands for the president to be impeached if he is implicated.

However, impeachment requires the backing of at least two thirds of the Senate, which appears highly unlikely.

All of the Houses 435 seats were up for grabs and by early this morning the Democrats had flipped at least 27 to hold a majority over the Republicans. Counting was continuing in 19 districts. Nancy Pelosi, the 78-year-old Democrat leader in the House, said the victory was about restoring the constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration and hailed a new day in America.

She added: We have all had enough of division. Mr Trump phoned Ms Pelosi and her office said it included congratulations and a nod to her call for bipartisanship. Having kept an uncharacteristic silence for long periods last night, the president soon hit Twitter, messaging: Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!

He later quoted conservative commentator Ben Stein saying: Its all the Trump magic  Trump is the magic man.

Incredible, hes got the entire media against him, attacking him every day, and he pulls out these enormous wins.

Just 35 out of the 100 seats in the Senate were being contested. Of those, Democrats were defending 26 and the Republicans only nine, making it a much tougher battle for the Democrats to make enough gains to challenge the Republican majority. Latest figures put the Democrats on 222 and the Republicans 199 in the House, according to CNN, with just over a dozen seats still to declare.

Mr Trump had managed to hold onto the 100-strong Senate, winning at least 51 seats, compared to 45 for the Democrats, according to CNN, with a handful still counting. As the returns came in, voters were on track to send at least 100 women to the House, shattering the current record of 84.

Among the most notable wins in the House race was New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest- ever Congresswoman at 29. In one of the most closely watched contests, former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz beat off a strong Senate challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke in Texas. A record $5 billion dollars (3.8 billion) was spent by each side during the contest.

Mr Trump will take heart from the Republicans beefing up their slim Senate majority to support his policies, along with a number of key wins in tight races for governorships in states such as Florida and Alabama.

Increased support from college- educated women, youth and Hispanic voters gave Democrats their boost, according to one poll.

The results mean power will be divided on Capitol Hill when the newly elected lawmakers take their seats in January. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Mr Trumps agenda isnt going to change regardless of whose party is there.T wo Muslim women and an openly gay candidate in the United States have made minority firsts in the midterms which have also seen a record number of women elected to the House.

The victories by two Muslim Democrats - Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan - came on an election night when members of multiple minority groups had a chance to score electoral firsts.

Voters in Colorado elected gay Democrat Jared Polis as governor, meaning he is set to become the first openly gay man to be voted into the position.

Also making history was the record number of women elected to the House during Tuesday's midterms.

Two Muslim women and an openly gay candidate in the United States have made minority firsts / EPA

In Minnesota, Muslim state representative Ilhan Omar will succeed US Congressman Keith Ellison, who in 2006 became the first Muslim elected to Congress.

He is now stepping down to run for state attorney general.

The Minneapolis woman campaigned on policies embraced by the Democratic Partys most liberal wing  universal healthcare, free college tuition and robust public housing.

Omar won the race for Minnesota's 5th congressional district seat against Republican candidate Jennifer Zielinski / Getty Images

"I did not expect to come to the United States and go to school with kids who were worried about food as much as I was worried about it in a refugee camp," Ms Omar said in an interview last month.

She fled Somalia's civil war and spent four years of her childhood in a refugee camp in Kenya.

Two years ago, she became the first Somali-American to win a seat in a state legislature, on the same night Donald Trump won the presidency after a campaign in which he called for a ban on all Muslims entering the US.

Ms Omar will also be the first Congress member to wear a Muslim hijab, or headscarf.

Ilhan Omar waves to supporters at an election night results party / Getty Images

In Michigan, Ms Tlaib also has a history of breaking barriers - in 2008 she became the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan Legislature.

The oldest of 14 children, Ms Tlaib was born to a family of Palestinian immigrants in Detroit, where her father worked at a Ford Motor Co plant.

The former state representative also ran on a liberal platform, backing Medicare for All, immigration reform and a call to overturn President Trump's executive order banning most people from five Muslim-majority nations from entering the country.

Rashida Tlaib addresses supporters at a mid-term campaign rally in Detroit / REUTERS

Both women ran in heavily Democratic districts. Minnesota state data showed Ms Omar winning by a large margin, and Michigan media reported that Ms Tlaib had won.

Ms Tlaib linked her campaign to the surge of female political activism in the US following Trump's stunning 2016 victory, alluding to the millions of women that took to the streets of Washington and major cities across the country after his inauguration.S cientists have been speculating that a huge cigar-shaped object hurtling through our solar system could have been sent here by aliens.

Harvard professors Shmuel Bialy and Abraham Loeb have suggested that the mysterious interstellar asteroid Oumuamua is on a "reconnaissance mission".

Oumuamua, the first known interstellar object to travel through our solar system, was first spotted by observers in Hawaii in October 2017 and has since fascinated astronomers, who have been trying to work out what it really is.

Here's what we know about this strange object that has been "tumbling" through space.

What does Oumuamua mean?

Astronomers from the University of Hawaii first spotted Oumuamua and named it after the Hawaiian term for "scout" or "messenger".

What is Oumuamua ?

The Green Bank radio telescope in West Virginia, US, which has tracked the object. / PA

Oumamua is a mysterious object which is thought to be roughly the same size and shape as London's Gherkin building.

It is the first object discovered in the solar system that appears to have originated from another part of the galaxy.

Although thought to be an asteroid, Oumuamua's elongated cigar shape - hundreds of metres in length but only one tenth as wide - is highly unusual for a space rock.

When it was discovered, the 400 metre (1,312ft) long object was tumbling and travelling at 30 kilometres per second on a trajectory taking it through and out of the solar system.

Most asteroids or comets do not tumble through space, while its angled orbit is different to comets which usually orbit in an ellipse around the sun.

At its closest point it passed about 33 million kilometres from Earth and is thought to have first entered our solar system in September 2017.

Scientists believe the rock, which first flew past earth in November 2017, is coated with a carbon-based compound and not ice or rock.

When is was first spotted by astronomers from the University of Hawaii, it was travelling at nearly 60,000 mph, suggesting it is not gravitationally bound to the sun and it is destined to head back out of our solar system.

It passed the Earth at about 85 times the distance to the moon.

Earlier this year scientists were baffled after the rock suddenly started speeding up unexpectedly, hurtling away from the sun at speeds of around 70,000mph.

At its closest point it passed about 33 million kilometres from Earth.

Where did it come from? Has Oumuamua been sent by aliens?

An artist's impression of the huge cigar-shaped object / PA

Experts are trying to identify the rock's origins and debate has raged on this point.

Before he died, Professor Stephen Hawking said the most likely shape for an interstellar spacecraft would be a "cigar or needle" as this would minimise friction and damage from interstellar gas and dust.

Some have suggested that it was an asteroid from interstellar space which entered the solar system after a journey that may have lasted millions of years.

But scientists are the University of Toronto believe it was expelled from a binary star system, one with two stars orbiting around each other.

Lead researcher Dr Alan Jackson, from the University of Toronto in Canada, said: "It's really odd that the first object we would see from outside our system would be an asteroid, because a comet would be a lot easier to spot and the solar system ejects many more comets than asteroids."

Analysing the trajectory of the interstellar visitor, co-author Davide Farnocchia of the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said the unexpected speed boost earlier this year was consistent with the behaviour of a comet.

Researchers at SETI, the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, used a telescope in West Virginia to listen in on the body and said "there is "no evidence of artificial signals emanating from the object".

Dr Michele Bannister, whose research was published in Astrophysical Journal Letters said the only "alien" element is that the rock has come from elsewhere in the galaxy.

But astronomers from the Harvard Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics (CfA) concluded recently that the asteroid might be a lightsail of artificial origin using solar radiation to propel itself forward and has been sent to look for signs of life.D onald Trump has been a dominant force in the midterm elections as attitudes towards the polarising president influenced decisions of more than half of all voters, exit polls have showed.

Almost 40 per cent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the US leader, while about 20 per cent said they stepped out to support Mr Trump, according to VoteCast.

Exiting polling from news network CNN showed that more than half (56 per cent) said the country is on the wrong track, compared to the 41 per cent saying it is going in the right direction.

The figures come as the first polls closed for the elections, widely considered a referendum on the president, in a dramatic fight for Congress results began to emerge early on Wednesday.

Donald Trump at the rally in Tennessee / Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

While Mr Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election.

Democrats have been activated in opposition to Mr Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks the president has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration.

The outcomes of the races stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

The US has gone to the polls for the 2018 midterms / AFP/Getty Images

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favour of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favour of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republicans by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Anti-Trump protesters demonstrate on November 4 / Getty Images

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

Both parties' closing messages appeared to have animated their respective bases, according to VoteCast, with health care and immigration each described as the most important issues in the election by about 25 percent of voters.

Of those who listed health care as the most important issue facing the nation, about 3 in 4 voted for the Democratic candidate. About the same percentage who described immigration as the most important issue cast ballots for the Republican.

Opposition to Trump proved to be more a motivating factor for Democrats than support for the president a factor for Republicans. Still, Republican voters tended to be overwhelmingly supportive of the president.

More voters disapproved of Trump's job performance than approved - a finding that is largely consistent with recent polling.

Similar figures emerged in CNNs polling, with some 44 per cent aproving of Mr Trump, and 55 per cent disapproving, according to voters in the networks exit poll.D onald Trump has claimed victory in the midterm elections despite the Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives in a huge blow to his presidency.

Republicans retained control of the US Senate with key victories in Indiana, Texas and North Dakota as the count continued after Tuesdays contest.

The US President declared himself the "magic man" and said the results were a "tremendous success". The vote was seen as a referendum on a polarising US leader.

The Democrats will now sweep into Washington with significant new power to shape the presidents agenda and to mount investigations that could change the nature of his presidency.

US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi celebrates the Democratic House wins / REUTERS

But the partys dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them to a Senate majority were shattered as it was announced the presidents Republicans retained control.

Sarah Sanders, Trump's White House press secretary, takes questions from the media as midterm results come in / EPA

Democrats were facing an uphill battle in the Senate this year because they were defending 26 seats, while only nine Republican seats were up for grabs.

Democrat supporters react as the party gained control of the House of Representatives / Getty Images

But after two years of the Trump presidency without an effective voice in the corridors of power - and eight years in the wilderness as the minority party in the House - Democrats finally have a mandate to challenge the administration.

At the very least, by controlling the lower chamber of Congress they will be able to thwart and stifle Mr Trumps political agenda.

But the Democrat-run House is also now likely to launch probes into Mr Trumps finances, including making new demands for his tax returns, as well as ramping up the investigations into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election.

With Special Counsel Robert Mueller yet to reveal the results of his probe into the alleged Russia ties, several Democrats who celebrated congressional victories last night said they would support demands for the president to be impeached if he is implicated in the findings.

Even though he is not up for re-election until 2020, yesterdays vote with a record turn-out was seen as a referendum on Mr Trumps polarising presidency.

He will take heart from the Republicans beefing up their slim Senate majority to support his executive and judicial appointments and a number of key wins in tight races for governorships in states like Florida and Alabama.

Mr Trump was quick to celebrate his party's gains, taking to Twitter overnight to thank supporters of his party.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said "the president's agenda isn't going to change regardless of whose party is there."

While the predicted "blue wave" Democrat landslide turned out to be more of a ripple, the party needed a shift of just 23 House seats to claim the gavel and could end up with a much bigger majority.

Nancy Pelosi, the 78-year-old Democrat leader in the House, said the victory was "about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration and hailed a new day in America."

"We have all had enough of division,' she declared in a thinly-veiled jab at the White House.

"Americans can have confidence in everything their Congress works on, from healthcare to taxes to guns to clean air, clean water for our children, when they know the people's interest will prevail, not the dark special interests, added Ms Pelosi, who faces a personal battle to return as House Speaker amid challenges from new members.

Democrats attracted a higher proportion of younger voters and their new lawmakers will make the House younger, more female and more diverse.

A rainbow forms over the US Capitol building as evening set in on midterm Election Day in Washington / REUTERS

Record numbers of women were standing for seats and with seats still undeclared, 89 women were elected to the House - beating the current record of 84.

Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who is expected to steer the key House Judiciary Committee, warned that the election was about accountability for Mr Trump.

"He's going to learn that he's not above the law," Mr Nadler told CNN.

Among the most notable wins in the House race was New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest ever congresswoman at 29. Democrats Ilhan Olmar in Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib, from Michigan, were projected to become the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

Brandi Bergstrom (L) reacts as CNN predicts Republicans will maintain control of the Senate during an election viewing party at a bar called Piano Fight in San Francisco, California / AFP/Getty Images

Democrat candidates Sharice Davids, from Kansas, and Deb Haaland, from New Mexico,also broke new ground, becoming the first Native American congresswomen.

In one of the most closely-watched contests, former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz beat off a strong challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke.

While all 435 seats in the House were up for grabs yesterday, just 35 were being contested in the Senate, where members face re-election every six years. Of those, Democrats were defending 26 and the Republicans only nine, making it a much tougher battle for the Democrats to make enough gains to challenge the Republican majority.

Ted Cruz fended off a spirited challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn triumphed in Tennessee.

Democratic Florida gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum concedes the Florida Governor's race to U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis as Gillum's wife R. Jai (R) wipes away tears and his running mate Chris King and King's wife Kristin look on at his midterm election night rally in Tallahassee, Florida / REUTERS

Republican Brian Kemp looked set to survive a challenge from Democrat Stacey Abrams in a bitter contest to become Georgia's next governor.

Ms Abrams was seeking to become the first African-American woman elected governor in American history but trailed by three points with 96 per cent of the vote counted.

Democratic Florida gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a fierce, fierce critic of Mr Trump, conceding the Florida Governor's race to US representative Ron Desantis.

In the lead-up to the election, Republicans had privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away.

The US went to the polls on Tuesday / AFP/Getty Images

The Republicans' grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well. "Everything we have achieved is at stake," Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested gubernatorial election.

More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Mr Trump, speaking in Indiana / Getty Images

Nearly 40 per cent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.D emocrats win control of House in historic midterms

The Democrats have gained control of the House of Representatives in the US midterm elections, dealing a huge blow to President Donald Trump.

The win means the party has taken control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years.

But the US leaders Republicans have retained control of the US Senate with key victories in Indiana, Texas and North Dakota.

You can keep up to date with the latest results and reactions this morning here.

Police release Grenfell effigy suspects

Six men arrested over the sick Grenfell Tower effigy video have been released under investigation.

The suspects, the youngest of which is 19, were all detained after attending a south London police station on Monday.

Scotland Yard is investigating after the shocking footage emerged this week.

Technical issue sparks chaos at Heathrow

Travellers were warned this morning to check with their airlines over delays because of a fault with runway lights at Heathrow.

The airport said at 4.30am it was working to fix what it described as a technical issue with the lighting system and apologised for any delays.

Children most at risk of being stabbed after school

Children may be more vulnerable to becoming a stabbing victim on their way home from school, London trauma doctors have warned.

The period immediately after classes end accounts for a large proportion of stabbings involving young victims, according to new research.

The follows widespread concern about violence on the streets of the capital and across the country.

Attenborough most loved person among Brits, data shows

Sir David Attenborough is the most popular person with the British public, according to a new survey.

The naturalist and television presenter beat Tom Hanks to the prize of being most loved, according to data compiled by YouGov.

Steven Speilberg and Roald Dahl were third and fourth respectively and Morgan Freeman and Dame Judi Dench shared fifth place.

On this day

1783: The last public hanging in England took place at Tyburn (now Marble Arch in London) - forger John Austin was the last to die there.

1917: The Bolshevik Revolution, led by Lenin, overthrew prime minister Alexander Kerensky's government.

1935: Australian pilot Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith flew over Calcutta on a flight from England - and was never seen again.

1967: Henry Cooper beat Billy Walker and became the first and only boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright.

1980: Actor Steve McQueen died.T escos Christmas advert for 2018 celebrates the different ways families and friends celebrate the festive period.

The clip shows a variety of gatherings with attendees at each debating traditions during the holiday season.

This discussion on what Christmas is about is accompanied by an instrumental rendition of You Can Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac.

Points of contention are on what fat to use to cook a Turkey, staying in or going out and much-debated Brussels sprouts.

The advert first aired on Tuesday evening / Tesco

One person tells those gathered around a table: Relax, its Christmas, anything goes.

It is then signed off with: However you do Christmas, everyones welcome at Tesco.

The advert first aired on the evening of Tuesday, November 6, on ITV and is one of a series promoting the same message.

Alessandra Bellini, Tesco chief customer officer said: We know our customers each have their own Christmas traditions to help them celebrate.

Whether its choosing turkey or goose, a full vegetarian or vegan option or having Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner, this year our campaign celebrates the festive favourites and little quirks that make Christmas so special.

The advert joins seasonal offerings from a multitude of retailers so far including Lidl, Aldi, Argos and Asda.

Speculation has also been rife over the release date for the 2018 John Lewis Christmas advert after a clip which some suggested gives a first glimpse of it appeared online.C heryl has hit back at claims that a lyric in her new single Love Made Me Do It is a sly dig at her ex-boyfriend Liam Payne.

The former Girls Aloud star will drop the track on Friday, months after the pair called time on their two-and-a-half-year relationship.

The song features the lyric: Oh my god, Im such a sucker, I fall in love with every f*****.

"Love made me do it... and Id do it again.

Split: The pair called time on their relationship earlier this year (Splash News) / WeirPhotos / Splash News

The lyric led some to believe she was taking a shot at Payne, but she blasted the speculation, insisting it isn't about anybody.

According to the Mirror, Cheryl said: Thats the easiest thing for the critics to write.

But actually, all the music and songs Ive got ready were done way before we split, none of them are about anybody.

She shared a clip on Instagram alongside the caption: #LoveMadeMeDoIt 09.11.2018.

The post marks her first since she deleted everything from her page and unfollowed everyone last weekend.

Cheryl and Liam Payne announce split after two-and-a-half years

Fans went wild for the teaser with many struggling to cope with her imminent comeback.

One commented: My body had never been more ready!!!

Another posted: I was missing you so hard!!!!!

A third wrote: Queen of pop returns 9th Nov.E mily Blunt led the fashion-forward crowd with a chic black and white polka-dot outfit on the red carpet at the 15th annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards.

The British actress was joined by newlywed supermodel Karlie Kloss and Victorias Secret star Stella Maxwell at the fundraising event in New York last night.

Madonnas daughter Lourdes Leon wore a cut-out dress while actor Ezra Miller, star of Harry Potter spin-off series Fantastic Beasts, opted for a patchwork jacket and Victorian scarf.

The $400,000 top prize went to Kerby Jean-Raymond of fashion label Pyer Mos. Judges praised its celebration of black culture and its activism  it has raised issues such as police brutality and racism in its shows.M el B has trolled fans once again with the promise of more tour dates and brand new music from the Spice Girls.

The legendary group will embark on a six-date summer UK tour in June, which will wrap up at Londons Wembley Stadium on the 15th.

He said: At this stage that is it? Do we know if there is going to be anymore?

Mel B replied: Dont LOOK at me because Im going to get myself into trouble. Im doing a world tour as far as Im concerned.

After the girls confirmed it will be the six dates, Mel B shouted: Liar, liar pants on fire.

Reunite: The girls discussed a reunion after performing at the London Olympic Games / PA

She also joked they are recording an album next week.

Shutting down the short-lived hope, she told listeners: I will tell you everything  and I'll slightly exaggerate it too.

Spice Girls in first interview with Heart 1 /13 Spice Girls in first interview with Heart Spice Girls on Heart Radio at Global Radio in Leicester Square PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton PA Spice Girls (left to right) Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton at a live appearance this morning on the Heart Breakfast show with host Jamie Theakston at Global Radio in Leicester Square PA Geri Horner with fans outside Global Radio studios in Leicester Square PA Melanie Chisholm is surrounded by fans outside Global Radio studios in Leicester Square PA Melanie Brown speaks to fans outside Global Radio studios PA Geri Horner and Melanie Brown sign autographs as they leave Global Radio studios PA Melanie Chisholm leaving Global Radio PA

The group bounded into the studio after arriving late from an interview with Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2.

It marked the first time they had been pictured together since announcing their reunion with a mock news bulletin which saw them try their hand at presenting as they transformed into their Spice Girls alter egos.

Speaking on Heart, they revealed the idea to reunite was sparked in 2012 after they performed at the London Olympic Games  but Mel C wasnt keen to get involved, saying: There were times when I wasn't excited about doing it.

Mel B said she harassed them every year until eventually she agreed and they decided to go ahead despite Victoria Beckham refusing to take part.

Spice Girls - In pictures 1 /48 Spice Girls - In pictures Spice Girls at Wembley in 2019 Andrew Timms Best looks Sporty, Baby, Scary, Ginger and Posh sing as The Spice Girls PA The Spice Girls reunite for tour rehearsals Spice Girls Instagram Spice Up Your Life The Spice Girls officially launch Channel Five at Marble Arch in 1997 Rex Viva Forever The Spice Girls - Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham AT 'Viva Forever!' Spice Girls musical launch in 2012 The Spice Girls reunite for the first time since 2012 Victoria Beckham/Instagram Prince Harry meets The Spice Girls PA Reuniting Victoria Beckham, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown pose for a photocall at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich ahead of their news conference on June 28, 2007 in London Getty Images Doppelgangers The Spice Girls with their wax doubles at The Rock Circus In The West End, London in 1999 Jeremy Selwyn Book launch The Spice Girls launch their book 'Forever Spice' PA Summer ball The Spice Girls at Capital Radio Summer Jam, Clapham Common in 1996 Rex Patriotic Geri Halliwell at The Brit Awards in 1997 wearing her famous Union Jack dress Rex Features Movie stars Spice Girls 'Spice World' Los Angeles Premiere in 1998 Rex Going for gold The Spice Girls performing at The 2012 London Olympic Games, Closing Ceremony Rex Charitable Spice Girls pose for Comic Relief Red Nose Day Launch in 1997 Alex Lentati Iconic Auction of outfits owned by Geri Halliwell. Her Spice Girls memorabilia auctioned at Sotheby's. All proceed's for The Sargent Cancer Care For Children in 1998 David Crump/Daily Mail Onset The girls filming Spice Girls: Spice World Spice Productions Undercover Ginger and Baby Spice star in Spice Girls: Spice World Spice Productions On tour British pop band, The Spice Girls, perform the first concert of the UK leg of their world tour at the O2 Arena, 15 December 2007 Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images Flying high The Spice Girls pose after naming a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 plane "Spice One" in their honor at Los Angeles International Airport, 12 December 2007 AFP/Getty Images Jet setters The Spice Girls unveiling the new name, Spice One, of a Virgin Atlantic Jet at the Flight Path Museum at Los Angeles Airport PA Model looks The Spice Girls, Emma Burton, Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham (L to R) perform during the Victoria's Secret fashion show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, 15 November 2007 AFP/Getty Images West End debut Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Melanie Brown attend the press night of 'Viva Forever', a musical based on the music of The Spice Girls at Piccadilly Theatre on December 11, 2012 in London Stuart Wilson/Getty Images Selfie stick The Spice Girls: Victoria Bekcham, Melanie Chisholm, Emman Bunton, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell Stage stars Spice Girls - Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham during 'Viva Forever!' musical press night at The Piccadilly Theatre, London, Britain MTV Europe Music Awards Spice Girls at the Globe Arena in Stockholm. PA Throwback The Spice Girls: Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) Victoria Adams (Posh Spice) Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) and Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) Girl power The Spice Girls in Spice World (1997) London calling Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls performs during the first date of their 17-date residency, part of their reunion world tour Getty Images Raising money The Spice Girls raise money for Children in Need First reunion The Spice Girls reunited in 2007 Jeremy Selwyn Fashionable flare The Spice Girls at 12th Annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles in 2007 Spice and Vinegar Gary Lineker with the Spice Girls promote Walkers Crisps with limited edition Spice Girls range Mini me's The Spice Girls Dolls hit the market in 1997 Rex Risque Victoria Beckham (Adams) and Geri Halliwell perform with The Spice Girls in Dublin in 1999 Rex One down British pop band The Spice Girls. Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham), Sporty Spice (Melanie Chisholm), Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) and Scary Spice (Melanie Brown) Virgin Records BRIT Awards The Spice Girls perform at The Brit Awards in 2000 and win an award for thier outstanding contribution to British music Back stage snaps The Spice Girls take a twitter snap at Olympic Games London 2012 Closing Ceremony. Charming the royals Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls greets Prince Charles at the Prince's Trust Charity Concert Gala at the Manchester Opera House Rex The Spice Girls meet Prince Charles Prince of Wales with the Spice Girls at the Royal Gala celebrating the Princes Trust 21st Anniversary PA The Spice Girls World Tour Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown perform The Spice Girls World Tour in 2008 Rex The Spice Girls at The MTV Europe Awards The Spice Girls at The MTV Europe Awards in Sweden IN 2000 Rex Award winners The Spice Girls at The Brit Awards in 1998 Rex Collecting gongs The Spice Girls at The Brit Awards in 1997 Rex With her majesty Queen Elizabeth II meeting Emma Bunton, Victoria Adams, Mel C, Geri Halliwell, Mel B of The Spice Girls at The Royal Variety Performance in 1997 Rex Film debut The Spice Girls take center stage in their feature film debut, the Columbia Pictures Presentation of 'Spice World' in 1997 Getty Images Meeting Mandela Spice Girls Mel B and Geri Halliwell meet Nelson Mandela in 1997 as part of the British Royal tour in 1997 Rex Pepsi promotions The Spice Girls promote Pepsi in 1997 RexI fear I have something of a spiritual cameo in the first episode of Grand Designs House of the Year, where the inimitable Kevin McCloud helps the Royal Institute of British Architects find 2018s most impressive building from a varied longlist.

He starts at a large, grey, concrete block of a home, striking and bold to some, an eyesore to others.

One neighbour, somewhere in between, labels it gulag chic. Its owner, Jess, runs the cafe next door, and admits that one patron has called the structure the ugliest building in Hackney.

A regular at the establishment in question, I cannot promise that this anonymous critic was not, in fact, me.

Channel 4

Perhaps, though, a divisive building is better than a boring one, which is why this showcase comes under a Dare to Be Different banner. So Jesss is not the only home in this episodes five-strong selection to have caused a deep intake of breath.

One of the buildings, for example, led to a major court case which delayed a seven-year-build but led to a strangely beautiful, brutalist home. So most of the longlist will cause discussion: there are unusual building materials and unexpected structures  but as always in a programme of this type its all about personal preference, and viewers at home will doubtless have their own favourites.

Luckily, McCloud is a reliable and charming guide in this fascinating exploration of taste, showing no signs of losing his typical twinkle as he arrives, as awestruck as a child and gesturing wildly, at each destination.

He is adorably old-fashioned in some ways  he seems to stumble over his pronunciation when describing one designs DJing room as if it may as well be a Tardis  and shows very likeable obliviousness to the eroticism of some of his language. He refers to the selection as thrustingly ambitious, with the same passion with which Nigella Lawson may describe, say, a creme brulee.

It is impressive that, even after all his years hosting the programme and touring an unending conveyor belt of houses, McCloud is still a coiled spring of energy, so much so that two guest hosts  Damion Burrows and Michelle Ogundehin, both enthusiastic but less endearing  undeniably pale in comparison.

The nature of the series  20 finished designs are explored over four episodes, competing for the title  means that those seeking the usual Grand Designs format may be left dissatisfied by the short segments. For surely the best thing about the regular programme is taking glee in the misfortune of people far richer than us who have bitten off more than they can chew, gone way over budget and have to celebrate Christmas in a caravan because the Italian marble fell off the aircraft carrier.

Such conflict is naturally missing from these glimpses, but there is still much to enjoy in the balking. One inhabitant, showing off their home, marvels at the ceiling. Its very warm, they remark, craning upwards at what seems pretty conclusively to be grey concrete. We didnt want grey concrete.

Later, questions arise: why would you put a bath beneath a glass terrace, for example? Does half a million to build a flat actually constitute a steal? Are there really people who like their neighbours enough to accommodate them in their renovations? Who knew?

Pick of the day

Law & Order : Special Victims Unit - Universal TV, 9pm

Now into its 20th season, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a show with its own momentum.

It rivals Gunsmoke and its own parent series, Law & Order, as one of the longest-running dramas on US television, and constantly keeps things fresh with a host of gripping storylines.

This weeks story, Zero Tolerance, has a topical hue to it, as it centres on a young girl separated from her mother at the US-Mexico border.

The unfortunate girl then ends up in a child trafficking ring in New York, which then becomes a case for the Special Victims Unit. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stone (Philip Winchester) have to take dramatic action to try to rescue the girl and reunite her with her mother.

To move things along, Stone decides to contact an old friend for help  Carl Weathers reprises his role from Chicago Justice, playing States Attorney Mark Jefferies.

On a more domestic level, Rollins (Kelli Giddish) decides to have another go at her relationship with Pollack (George Newbern).

Screen time

Trust - BBC2, 9pm

As this stylish kidnap saga nears its end, this penultimate episode at last allows Hilary Swank  as Gail Getty  to do a bit of proper acting.

The tone of the drama remains a bit uneven. Donald Sutherland looks like thunder in a bag when hes discussing the artistic merits of a picture purporting to show the detached ear of his grandson, while Swank is all quivering empathy. And the ear itself provides a few moments of black comedy  getting stuck in transit, thanks to a postal strike in Naples, and prompting the line: Its not prosciutto, from Gail.

Still, as accidental comedy goes, nothing quite matches the sudden appearance of Rob Brydon, playing President Nixon. If only Steve Coogan could have joined in as David Frost.

Undercover Hooligan - London Live, 11.15pm

Straight from the fight fire with fire or fight the fire made with fire with more fire school of strategy is recruiting disgraced rozzer Michael Clarke (Kris Johnson) into an off-the-books undercover police unit.

A blunt instrument is whats needed to take down gang boss Terence Turner, a man who hates coppers as much as Clarke hates paperwork.

Spooks - London Live, 10pm

At least when Britain is menaced by a lethal plague, as it is in this episode, medical supplies wont have to be shipped in by government-charted vessels because Kents a pay-and-display car park, as it looks like being after Brexit.

At the start of this concluding two-part mystery Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) is close to needing a doctors note and then a meeting with a will writer, and hes ordered to remain in quarantine.

Adam isnt one to sit down with a bowl of grapes  the team mobilise to identify which nation has engineered the plague and, with it, a vaccine. With the clock ticking, a round of kidnapping and interrogation of foreign spies is deemed the fastest way to locate a cure

Deep dish

Theyll Love Me When Im Dead/The Other Side of The Wind - Netflix

The Other Side of the Wind is the unfinished last movie of Orson Welles, below, which has been brought to life by the directors disciples. The result is a dated indulgence, but the accompanying documentary  presented by actor Alan Cumming  is a fascinating portrait of lost promise and thwarted creativity.

Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin - Netflix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.A mobile phone with a foldable screen allowing it to switch into a tablet-style device has been unveiled by Samsung at a conference in San Francisco.

Tech giant Samsung showcased the product as it encouraged software developers to start programming for it.

The advancement would allow users to do more complex work than before possible on such a compact device.

Analysts expect it to be launched by the South Korean manufacturer in 2019, though the company itself has been quiet on any official date.

The phone will fold from a normal handset into a tablet-style device / REUTERS

Samsung is among a handful of firms to have stated that foldable phones will be coming to market soon.

Dave Burke, vice president of engineering for Android, confirmed the 2019 timeframe at a Google conference being held in California.

"It's an exciting concept and we expect to see foldable products from several Android manufacturers," he said.

"In fact, we're already working closely with Samsung on a new device they plan to launch early next year."

Analysts believe it could be available next year, though no date has been announced / REUTERS

However, there has been some critical feedback, as new technologies will require developers to tweak apps to ensure they run smoothly when the phone folds out into tablet form.

Both Samsung and Huawei appear to have been beaten to the market by Royole, a Chinese display making start-up.

It last week unveiled a foldable phone with a 7.8 inch screen, priced from around $1,300.

The firm said it will start filling orders from late December, although little is known about the firm's projected sales.

High price tags are expected to prevent foldable phones from immediately becoming big hits, and some analysts doubt there is huge appetite for such products.Countries & Areas

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Under the Definitive Collaboration Agreement, IAR is the lead contractor for the H215M helicopter for any future order from the Romanian Defense Ministry intended to replace the obsolete fleet.

This understanding reflects the joint commitment of Airbus and IAR to contribute to the modernization of the multi-role helicopter fleet. The document provides for close collaboration, over the next 15 years, Airbus being the exclusive partner of IAR in the Ghimbav Aerospace Cluster, Brasov County, reads the press release."We have proudly supported Romania for almost 50 years, not just by assembling and maintaining helicopters, but also by investing continually and contributing to the shaping of the aeronautics industry through unique educational programmes for the young generation. We are now looking to the future through this partnership with IAR for the H215M helicopter before a decision by the Romanian Government to implement our cooperation and to deliver to the Romanian Defense Ministry a truly cost-effective multi-role helicopter produced in Romania," Olivier Michalon, Senior Vice President - Head of Europe at Airbus Helicopters said.In his turn, the Director General of IAR Brasov also underlined that the signing of the final agreement takes the partnership between the two companies to a higher level."We share a rich past and we are eager to develop what we have been able to do together so far. We are glad that Airbus is a solid partner, eager to further invest in Romania. We need involvement, know-how and modern technology to develop the Romanian aeronautics and meet the requirements of the Ministry of Defense in relation to the matter of helicopters, and Airbus is here in the long term. We consider that the IAR-H215M helicopter is the best solution for the Romanian aeronautical industry, the Ministry of Defense and for other clients all over the world. IAR and Romania are looking forward to becoming helicopter manufacturers again. This contract represents a new chapter of the cooperation between France and Romania in the field of aeronautics," said Neculai Banea.Airbus and IAR have been partners for more than 15 years within Airbus Helicopters Romania (51 percent Airbus, 49 percent IAR), a successful maintenance and repair service center for a wide range of civil and military helicopters in Romania and other countries . As much as 75 percent of Airbus Helicopters Romania's turnover is represented by export contracts. In 2016, the Airbus Helicopters Industries plant was inaugurated for the production of the H215M helicopters.Airbus's relationship with IAR means over 50 years of successful collaboration resulting in the production of more than 360 helicopters under the Airbus license.IAR Brasov, a state-owned company, is one of the national aeronautics leaders of Romania, specialized in the manufacture and maintenance of helicopters.The General Mayor of the Capital City, Gabriela Firea, and her Madrilenian counterpart, Manuela Carmena Castrillo, on Wednesday, signed in the Spanish Capital a memorandum of collaboration in fields as sustainable development, from the perspective of the Agenda 2030, infrastructure development, education, culture and tourism, Bucharest City Hall (PMB) informed in a release to AGERPRES.

"This is a document that is full of meaning, with a special symbolism, especially as this year Romania is celebrating the Greater Union Centennial, which means that this is not only a partnership for the present, but one for the future too. In Madrid and in the metropolitan area lives one of the most dynamic and numerous Romanian communities abroad. Very many Romanians are exceptionally integrated here, plus, and this is very important to us, their rights are respected here, the same as their cultural and linguistic identity. We believe Spain is a model at European level in terms of how it manages to integrate its citizens, at both governmental and society level," said Firea.

She also showed that the signing of the memorandum will contribute to the strengthening of cooperation in the modernization of the local public administration field and remarked that the Spanish model can be the premises for a new law of the Capital City.

"In Spain they have a law dedicated to the capital city, which solves a series of incompatibilities and inconsistencies that appear in the relation between the local public administration and the central authority, which is why I believe it would be a good idea to take over this administrative model," said Firea, quoted in the press release.

The General Mayor highlighted the fact that Madrid is a model of implementation of the "smart-city" concept, which can also be implemented in Bucharest. She mentioned that Manuela Carmena Castrillo will pay a visit to Bucharest next week, when they will initiate the implementation stage of several projects in fields that are subject to the memorandum.

Gabriela Firea also appreciated the manner in which they solved the traffic problem in Madrid and said it could be used as an inspiration for Bucharest too.

"One of the examples, in terms of infrastructure, is the construction of underground passages that cross the city and contribute to the fluidization of the traffic. Of interest is also the experience of Spain in what concerns the environment infrastructure and European funds absorption, as all these are a factor that stimulates the relations between the local authorities in Bucharest and Madrid," said PMB.

In her turn, according to the release, Manuela Carmena Castrillo stated that the administration in Madrid is very interested in an exchange of experience in various fields with the authorities in Bucharest. She mentioned that her visit to Romania will also include villages where people now in Spain with a precarious situation.

According to the latest statistical data published by the Permanent Immigration Monitor (March 28 2018), 1,030,054 Romanian citizens have legal residence in Spain. The geographical distribution of the Romanians in Spain shows a preference for the capital city area, with the Madrid community numbering more than fifth of them (214,000). The average age of the Romanians in Spain continues to slightly increase, reaching up to 36 years, compared to 34.5 years a year ago and 31 years ten years ago. Romanians continue to be not just below the average age of foreigners from EU countries living in Spain (40.6 per cent), but also the youngest larger community of citizens from the European Economic Area living in Spain.

"The Spanish authorities, through the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and through the Departments for Education of the Autonomous Communities offered a substantial support for the integration of the Romanian children, contributing to the implementation, starting with the year 2007, of the programme Romanian Language, Culture and Civilization in the School Units in Spain (including 71 teachers, 3,500 pupils and 171 localities). The programme facilitates mobility between the two countries of the young from the Romanian families," mentioned PMB.

AGERPRES .The High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) is in an "unprecedented situation" where it has to explain why it applied the law "in both its letter and spirit," top court President Cristina Tarcea said during debates this Wednesday at the Constitutional Court regarding Prime Minister Viorica Dancila's notification of a constitutional legal conflict between Parliament and the ICCJ over the five-judge panel.

"I have to confess that the High Court is in an unprecedented situation where it has to explain the reasons why it applied the law in both its letter and spirit. Because the letter and the spirit of the law mean (...) observing the deadlines imposed by the law on someone with a particular obligation. Of course, whenever we talk of a legal conflict of a constitutional nature, we implicitly talk about loyal cooperation among authorities, but loyal cooperation among the authorities implies not only diligence in avoiding institutional gridlocks, but also correctness in citing and reading the law, and I am referring to citing and reading the legal texts in their entirety, and I also have in mind the corroborated presentation of the situations that may result from different, sometimes contradictory texts," Tarcea said.

The head of the supreme court said that although she did not make any reference to the capacity to pursue proceedings of the initiator of the challenge, "it seems a bit odd that, when a gridlock between two authorities is invoked, it's another authority that files this challenge."The Constitutional Court of Romania discusses on Wednesday, in public session, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila's challenge regarding a constitutional legal conflict between Parliament and the High Court of Cassation and Justice in relation to the five-judge panel.The government is represented by head of the Government's Secretariat General and former constitutional judge Toni Grebla, ICCJ - by the court's President Cristina Tarcea, and the Senate by Cristian Ionescu. The representative of the Chamber of Deputies is absent from debates.Deputy PM Ana Birchall on Tuesday and Wednesday participated in Singapore in the first edition of the Economic Forum organised by Bloomberg Foundation, in which context she highlighted Romania's role as an important regional player, with a potential to become a main route of the international trade corridors.

According to a press release of the Government on Wednesday sent to AGERPRES, the Deputy PM delivered a speech to the round table entitled "New Trade Routes," as well as to the seminary dedicated to artificial-intelligence based technologies' impact on societies. Moreover, Birchall participated in the dinner offered to the participants by the Singaporean PM, Lee Hsien Loong.

In her message at the beginning of the meeting, Ana Birchall highlighted the importance of launching Bloomberg New Economy Forum.

"I have no doubt that Bloomberg Forum, at its first edition this year, will become one of the most prestigious debate platforms worldwide, where there will be identified and debated the global challenges, opportunities and the related solutions - either if we talk of energy, digitization, cyber security, interconnectivity and infrastructure, new trade routes, climate changes," stated the Romanian Deputy PM.

During the session "New Trade Routes," Birchall emphasized on the strategic role of Romania, "of a bridge between Europe and Asia," as well as our country's potential "of becoming an exceptionally important regional hub."

She presented the projects promoted at the Tree Seas Initiative Summit, organised in Bucharest in September this year.

On the sidelines of the forum, Birchall had a series of meetings and discussions with high officials in attendance at the event.

During her meeting with the Singaporean PM, she relayed a message from PM Viorica Dancila, emphasizing on the importance of developing and strengthening cooperation between the two countries, including in the context of the signing of the EU-Singapore Agreement on October 19 2018. At the same time, the Romanian head of the Executive reiterated the Romanian side's desire to strengthen the economic relation between the two countries.

At the meeting with Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy PM of the Republic of Singapore, and Ong Ye Kung, the Singaporean Minister of Education, they established concrete collaboration measures, including by considering the fact that Romania is preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, while Singapore will be the coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations in 2018-2021.

The Deputy PM Birchall also discussed with the general manager of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, on which occasion she highlighted and promoted Romania's energy potential, including from the perspective of Romania's strategic role.

Ana Birchall also had discussions with Danny Alexander, the Vice President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Lim Chow Kiat, CEO of the Government Investment Corporation Singapore, Abu Hassan Mahmood Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and Giorgi Kobulia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

AGERPRES .Chief-prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) sent to Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar a request to notify the Senate on drawing up a request for the initiation of criminal proceedings for bribe-taking against Senate President Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, judiciary sources told AGERPRES.

According to the same sources, the accusation refers to the period when Tariceanu was member of the Government. AGERPRES .Romania's absorption rate of European funds is about 20.3pct, as compared to the EU average of 22pct, EU Funds Minister Rovana Plumb said on Tuesday at Victoria Palace.

"At present, through the Cohesion Policy, 6.4 billion euro entered Romania and, in total, together with direct funding, the direct payments to farmers, 11 billion euro. We have launched funding lines of 25.3 billion euro and projects worth 33 billion euro have been submitted. The 25.3 billion euro represents 90pct of the total allocation from the cohesion funds managed by the Ministry of European Funds and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration. The contracting rate has risen since 2017 from 5pct to 53.3pct, so 10 times," Plumb explained.

She added that "the absorption rate of European funds in Romania is 20.3pct, compared to the European average of 22pct"."We have sent 14 major projects to the European Commission, of which 13 are already signed, approved and one is currently under evaluation in the European Commission. Of the 14 major projects submitted to the European Commission on transport infrastructure, a major project of 2 billion euro stands out, namely the Gurasada-Simeria railway infrastructure, and the other major project, which is the largest in the European Union, relates to the water and waste water infrastructure, has a value of 499 million euro and is managed by the water company in Constanta, RAJA," said Rovana Plumb.Regarding the statement that no major project has been sent to the European Commission so far in the transport sector, she said that "Romania has sent to the European Commission 14 major projects amounting to 3.78 billion euro, that is 75pct of the total allocation".According to the minister, among the applications submitted, "all were approved, except for the 6th Metro Line"."By the end of the year, we will send major infrastructure projects worth 2.5 billion euro," Plumb said.She added that all the figures presented were "the effort made by the PSD-ALDE [Social Democratic Party, major at rule, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, minor at rule, ed.n.] government." "In other words, what has not been done since the start of the current programming period, we have managed since taking over power. I also remind you that PSD, when in power, since May 2012, made up for the delays in the previous programming period, which was nine years, during which time the European money could be spent," Rovana Plumb mentioned.The minister reminded that in May 2012, the sixth year of programming, the absorption rate was 7pct, and in three years Romania reached 90pct."In the current programming period, we are in the fifth year since the beginning of this period and we have a 20pct absorption rate of European funds and we still have five years to spend the cohesion policy allocation for Romania," Minister Plumb said.Minister of European Funds Rovana Plumb, declared on Tuesday that, at governmental level, it was decided to phase in the construction of the three regional hospitals, given the allocation from European funds from the current scheduling period, as well as the national allocation of 150 million euro.

"Regarding the regional hospitals, in order to avoid any sort of confusion - the Ministry of Health benefits from technical assistance from the European Investment Bank. This technical assistance provides both the technical documentation required for the construction and the endowment of the hospitals, as well as the actual way in which these hospitals should be built. The technical documentation, namely the feasibility studies, technical projects, execution project, design, mapping out services, amounts to 120 million euro for all three hospitals. (...) The construction and endowment costs for each hospital brings us to an average of 400 million euro per hospital. And then, given the financial allocation from European funds, on the current scheduling period, for the three regional hospitals, of 150 million euro EU contribution and 150 million euro Romania's contribution, we have decided to phase in the construction of these hospitals in the sense that from the current scheduling period we will pay the technical documentation, the entire preparation package for the construction of the hospitals, given the period of time that stretches somewhere to the half of 2020 with the preparation of these hospitals' construction, we have taken into account the phasing in for the next scheduling period as well, that is due to begin in 2021," Rovana Plumb explained, at Victoria Palace.

According to the minister, the Government "does not rule out the construction of regional hospitals that are financed through the public-private partnership." "Why? Because this year we adopted the public-private partnership Law, and from the public budget, the public money, the state budget, from non-reimbursable European funds we can ensure this type of financing. Let us not forget that Romania has in its governing program of PSD [Social Democratic Party, major at rule, ed.n.] a number of eight regional hospitals and one republican hospital," Rovana Plumb mentioned.The InvestEU Programme and the Structural Reform Support Programme represent a priority on the agenda of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union Romania will ensure in the first semester of 2019, Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici announced at a meeting with Caroline Nagtegaal, the European Parliament's rapporteur for the Structural Reform Support Programme.

According to a press release of the Finance Ministry sent to AGERPRES, the Finance minister met on Tuesday in Brussels, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), with several officials of the European Parliament. Talks revolved around Romania's priorities at the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the future of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

"During the meeting with Caroline Nagtegaal, the European Parliament's rapporteur for the Structural Reform Support Programme, the Romanian Finance minister talked about ensuring equal treatment between member states. As regards the proposals for deepening the Economic and Monetary Union within the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Eugen Teodorovici underscored that the InvestEU programme and Structural Reform Support Programme are a priority on the agenda of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union Romania will ensure in the first semester of 2019. In context, the Romanian minister reiterated the support for the Convergence Facility that would help the non-euro states in the process of accession to the euro zone, on condition that this instrument does not generate additional barriers in the process of accession to the euro," the cited release specifies.Minister Teodorovici and Jean Arthuis, the Chair of the Committee on Budgets talked about Romania's objective of ensuring a swift advancement of the negotiations regarding the future Multiannual Financial Framework, in cooperation with the European Parliament. Minister Teodorovici also highlighted Romania's intention to facilitate the adoption of the guidelines on the EU budget for 2020 at the ECOFIN meeting in February 2019.At the meeting with Roberto Gualtieri, the Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament, the Romanian Finance minister emphasised Romania's objective of contributing to the swift advancement of the file concerning the Multiannual Financial Framework, but also the promotion of a package regarding the Economic and Monetary Union and the Banking Union that should concurrently take into account the interests of the euro and non-euro states.Prime Minister Viorica Dancila chaired on Wednesday an economic forum organised in Doha, on the occasion of her official visit to Qatar, context in which she presented Romania's main investment opportunities, in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and healthcare.

According to a release of the Government, the event gathered numerous Qatari businessmen, whose delegation was headed by First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Mohammed bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari.

The economic forum aimed to promote private-public projects approved by Romania's Government, as well as to analyse the outlooks of the Romanian-Qatari bilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on economic and investment cooperation, the Executive release mentions.

The Romanian PM pointed out the interest to deepen and diversify the economic relations, including by strengthening the relations between the business milieus of the two states. Moreover, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila underscored the latest regulation and implementation of the public-private law, which opens new opportunities of economic collaboration between Romania and its partners, the release shows.

The Romanian Executive head highlighted that Qatar is an important trade partner of Romania in the Gulf region and presented "Romania's main investment opportunities."

"Furthermore, she actively encouraged Qatari businessmen to invest in our country's sectors of interest, such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and healthcare, mentioning a series of priority projects. In this regard, the Romanian PM evoked the geo-strategic position of our country and the growing trend of the Romanian economy, over the past years, as arguments to support the attractiveness of the Romanian market for investments," according to the quoted source.

First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Mohammed bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari underscored the good bilateral relation between Qatar and Romania, since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, back in 1990.

He mentioned the openness of the Qatari side for boosting investment relations and the wish to increase the commercial exchanges between the two countries.

"Mohammed bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari also presented the manner in which the authorities in Doha managed to transform the economic blockade imposed on Qatar in 2017, in a way to boost economic growth. Thus, by expanding sea routes, interconnecting ports and boosting businessmen to invest in the industrial sector, Qatar succeeded to create new production facilities and increase investment opportunities for its foreign partners," the Gov't release mentions.

Both the Romanian PM and the First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber invited businessmen to visit Romania, namely Qatar in order to convince themselves of the existing cooperation potential between the two states, while also voicing the belief that the economic forum will contribute to boosting commercial relations and mutual investments between the two countries.

AGERPRES .Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Wednesday, during her official visit to Doha, had a meeting with the representatives of the leadership of Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Foundation and of the Qatari Businessmen Association, in which context she presented a series of projects the Romanian state intends to develop in public-private partnership.

According to a Government release, the Romanian head of the Executive presented the main projects the Romanian state wants to develop under a public-private partnership, which she mentioned that are guaranteed by the Romanian state, to the President of QIA, the sovereign fund of Qatar, established in 2005, playing an important part in the shaping of "The National Vision 2030" of this state.

Later on, she had a meeting with the leadership of the Qatar Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that supports the development of the next generations of leaders of Qatar, by focusing on the education, research and community development fields.

"The meeting occasioned an exchange of opinions on the current status of the bilateral relation between Romania and Qatar, with emphasis on such sectoral elements represented by health, education and culture. The Romanian PM voiced her appreciation for the activity of the Qatar Foundation in the education and women's rights fields, by evoking the special efforts of the organisation to make schools and universities especially dedicated to women in Qatar. At the same time, PM Viorica Dancila voiced Romania's interest in creating a regional research-development center in biology and biomedicine, considering the vast experience of Qatar in this field. The Qatari side voiced interest in cooperation in the research and innovation field and invited Romanian students to participate in the programmes organised by the foundation," specified the Government.

In the context of her desire to strengthen economic relations between the two states, Viorica Dancila had a meeting with Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, the President of the Qatari Businessmen Association, who offered a dinner in honour of the Romanian PM.

AGERPRES .President Klaus Iohannis signed on Tuesday the decoration decree of Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Yuli-Yoel Edelstein with the National Order of "the Star of Romania."

According to a release of the Presidential Administration, the head of state bestowed upon Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Yuli-Yoel Edelstein the National Order "Star of Romania" in rank of Grand Officer, as a sign "of high appreciation for the support granted to Romania, for the exceptional personal contribution to supporting and promoting the relations, on multiple levels, between our country and the State of Israel."

The decoration was made at the proposal of Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu.On Tuesday also, President Klaus Iohannis signed the decoration decree of Turkey's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Romania Osman Koray Ertas.Thus, "as a sign of appreciation for the important contribution that he had to supporting and promoting the economic and political relations between Romania and the Republic of Turkey, for the respect and friendship shown to our country," the head of state bestowed upon the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Romania the National Order for "Merit," in rank of Grade Cross.The decoration was also made at the proposal of Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu.President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday, at the 25th edition of the National Ranking of Companies gala, when referring to the scarce infrastructure, that "we can no longer accept a Romania with multiple speeds, just as we cannot accept a European Union with multiple speeds."

"Another problem is the scarce infrastructure, which isn't just an impediment for the development of the business milieu, but also for the progress of regions and local communities," he said.

According to the head of state "in lack of transport infrastructure, some of the country's regions get bypassed by investors, which is implicitly reflected in the decline of work places and living standards."

"The dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of these regions is obviously justified and manifested through more and more frequent protests, in their attempt to somehow determine the political decision-makers to wake up and take action," Iohannis stated.

In his view, infrastructure should be treated as a "first priority," with seriousness, professionalism and responsibility, because it directly and decisively influences the future of the country.

"I believe that the current situation, in which much, very much is been said about infrastructure, but little is done, should change rapidly," Iohannis underscored.

AGERPRES .The collaboration between the Qatar Ports Management Company "Mwani Qatar" and the National Company "Maritime Ports Administration" SA (CNAPM), as well as the mutual recognition of maritime certificates, in agreement with the International Convention regarding the training standards of navigators (WTCW), were some of the topics discussed by the minister of Transport, Lucian Sova, with his counterpart from Qatar, the Ministry of Transport informs in a release.

The minister of Transport, who is carrying out an official visit in Qatar with the delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Romanian gov't, met on Tuesday, November 6, in Doha, with Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, the minister of Transport and Communications from the State of Qatar.

"The two officials discussed about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the collaboration between the Ports Management Company "Mwani Qatar" and the National Company "Maritime Ports Administration" SA Constanta. Another topic of discussion was the MoU for the mutual recognition of maritime certificates, in agreement with the International Convention for the training standards of navigators (WTCW). This memorandum proposal was analyzed by the Romanian Naval Authority (ANR), the central select authority within the Ministry of Transport, in the field of navigation safety and ship security," according to the press release.The two officials also addressed the ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in terms of transport infrastructure. The investments in this sector are long-term sustainable regardless of how much the technology in the field will evolve.Minister Lucian Sova declared that the investments considered by the Romanian Government ensure our country's possibility of being long-term present in the international market.Romania's Interior Minister Carmen Dan will be in the United States on November 8 and 9 to attend an EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

At this summit, expected to be also attended by the US attorney general, Dan will present the priorities of the forthcoming Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of home affairs, according to a press statement released by the Romanian Interior Ministry on Wednesday.

The EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting is held once every half year by the country that holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council.

The November 8-9 meeting is organised by the Austrian presidency of the EU Council in Washington DC, according to the custom that the venue of the meeting in the first half of the year is the country of holding the rotating presidency, while the US capital city is the venue for the meeting in the second half of the year.

The EU is currently represented in Washington by the interior and justice ministers of the Austria, a Romanian delegation, given that the country assumes the presidency on January 1, 2019, and the European commissioners for migration, home affairs and security. The US Delegation is headed by the attorney general and the head of the Homeland Security Department.

Agerpres .Rector of the University of Bucharest Mircea Dumitru said on Tuesday evening that "Romania is not at its best", and that "we are going through a political and cultural crisis."

"I believe that when we talk about important historical facts like this extraordinary event - 100 years since the accomplishment of the Greater Union - this is because we are interested into how it fits into the order of the present, into the order of the event's significance. Or, today - although I don't think this panel should turn to that kind of rhetoric that is being played on television channels - we still find that Romania is not at its best, to put it euphemistically," Dumitru said at the premises of the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR).

Professor Mircea Dumitru attended on Tuesday evening the debate "Moral Values in the Year of the Centennial," organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in partnership with the University of Bucharest, via the Center for Applied Ethics Research.In Professor Dumitru's opinion, "there is a stark contrast between our representations of the country's potentiality to do with its resources - educated, intelligent, motivated youth - and what it truly does and produces.""Perhaps some will counter that these are only subjective, fleeting impressions. ... There has been however, at least recently, a certain convergence of increasingly wider segments of the country's population towards the idea that we are going through a profound crisis, which I think is not just political. It is undoubtedly a political crisis of the institutions of democracy, but I think it is also a cultural crisis," Mircea Dumitru said.He remarked that "today, and particularly in Romania, we live in a cultural style that has as an obsessive, dominant rhetoric the idea that everyone is entitled to express an opinion, speak his mind and not to be censored.""It is very good that it is so. (...) Some of us have also lived in a time when we were not allowed to express our opinions freely. But sometimes these opinions are blasted out without the rigorous arguments they should have behind, that is, not even with the intention of targeting justification, let aside truth. (...) And then, the question follows: doesn't this indistinct chorus of opinions completely silence those who, beside opinions, also possess knowledge, knowledge that could be highly useful for public life, for social life? (...) Ideally, and taking it to the limit, this multitude of opinions could be either a harmonious, polyphonic chorus, but it can also turn into a disharmonic cacophony," said the Rector of the University of Bucharest.Emphasizing that he "very much likes diversity", Professor Dumitru pointed out that "sometimes, expressing opinions without them having a certain coordination, without a minimal discernment and a certain stylistic hygiene can be just as damaging as the tyrannical model where alone one system of opinions is valid."Also addressing the attendance at ICR were Emilian Mihailov - Executive Director of the Center for Applied Ethics Research, Valentin Muresan, Viorel Vizureanu, Cristian Iftode, from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Bucharest.The debate was an opportunity to consider the progress and moral values that marked Romania's historical course in the past 100 years, with the participants evoking the connection between the Greater Union Centennial and the aspects of moral values, reflecting the double dimension of the Greater Union ideal, which was not just political, but moral as well. The debate was at the same time a challenge to reflect on the Romanian present, 100 years on from the Greater Union, with the participants in the event attempting to answer the questions: "How much have we learned together in the last hundred years, where do we stand now, and especially what are the moral prospects of Romanian society?"A yes vote for independence from France in New Caledonias November 4 referendum was always an uphill climb for the pro-independence forces in the French-owned South Pacific island group. Some 57 percent of New Caledonian voters, many of them white European residents of the island territory, the so-called Caldoches, voted against independence. Fearful for their comfortable life styles, expensive villas, foreign-owned nickel industry, and boutique tourist shops in an independent nation governed largely by the indigenous Kanak people, the Europeans ensured a no result. Areas of the island territory that are heavily populated by the native Kanaks overwhelmingly voted in favor of independence.

The Kanaks are in the same position as the native Hawaiians. An influx of white Europeans from the U.S. mainland doomed any chance that Hawaii would ever regain its independence, stolen by unscrupulous American colonizers and missionaries in the late 19th century.

French Polynesia has also seen its hopes for independence dashed by the interests of the white European settler community. Oscar Manutahi Temaru, the leader of the pro-independence Maohi people of French Polynesia, flew to New Caledonia in advance of its referendum, to campaign for a yes vote. Kanak and Maohi independence leaders were surprised to see a few Corsican Assembly members fly all the way from Ajaccio to assist their Kanak friends. Not all white Europeans in New Caledonia support the colonial status of the territory. In addition to Corsicans, Bretons, Basques, and Occitanians, mindful of French cultural and political imperialism in metropolitan France, rallied to support the yes vote for independence.

The Kanaks also received support from their fellow Melanesians. The West Papua National Committee, which is fighting for independence from Indonesia, urged all Kanaks to vote yes for independence. Support also came from political leaders in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

While Temarus Tavini Huiraatira no Te Ao Maohi movement and New Caledonias Front de Liberation National Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) are united in their desire for France to sever its colonial overseer role in the South Pacific, it may be too late. These island groups, along with the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, have seen too many white Europeans, along with their tourist-oriented businesses, take up residence on the islands.

After 165 years of being a French colony, voters in New Caledonia voted yes or no on the question: Do you want New Caledonia to accede to full sovereignty and become independent? Prior to the referendum, media in Australia, most notably, that owned by neo-conservative war monger Rupert Murdoch, warned that an independent New Caledonia could fall prey to Chinese domination. The anti-China meme is being hyped by Australia as China flexes its military muscle against hostile moves by the Donald Trump kleptocracy in the Asia-Pacific region. These include provocations by the U.S. Navy in the Strait of Taiwan, South China Sea, and East China Sea.

Just prior to the New Caledonian independence referendum, the United States and Australia made two significant military moves in the region. They served two purposes. The first was a signal to China that the Western powers consider the South Pacific to be in their geo-political sphere of influence. The second was to send a message to the voters in New Caledonia that independence, as far as Washington and Canberra were concerned, was not an option.

The United States dispatched the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) to its South Pacific territory of American Samoa as a show of force in the region. Although American Samoa is 1595 miles northeast of New Caledonia, it was a rare visit by a well-armed U.S. warship to the territory. At the same time of the U.S. ship visit, Australias neo-conservative and evangelical Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, hammered out a naval agreement in Sydney with visiting Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter ONeill. Australia will redevelop the Lombrum naval base on the Papua New Guinea island of Manus. It was not a coincidence that the Australian-PNG agreement occurred while Admiral John Richardson, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, was visiting Australia. Richardson said he hoped that American Navy ships will be able to use the new naval base, alongside Australian naval vessels. The United States is currently expanding a U.S. Marine Corps training base in Darwin in northwestern Australia , as well as its presence at Tindal Royal Australian Air Force Bases in the Northern Territory.

The United States and Australia have been working to block any attempts by China to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries warned that China was interested in establishing a South Pacific naval base after it agreed to invest $114 million on re-developing a World War II-era wharf in Luganville, on the Vanuatu island of Espiritu Santo. The reports of Chinese military interest in the Luganville wharf resulted in a delegation of U.S. officials, including U.S. Marines, paying a visit to the Luganville harbor master. The Americans were interested in using the deep-water wharf, redeveloped in 2016 by the Shanghai Construction Company, to accommodate a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Whereas the outcome of the New Caledonia independence referendum was never in doubt  since the territorys European population, coupled with pressure from Paris, Canberra, and Washington  ensured a no vote, next years independence referendum in nearby Bougainville is another story. Scheduled for June 15, 2019, the referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea is expected to pass overwhelmingly. That has Australia and the United States concerned, with China being used, once again, as the bogeyman. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister ONeill, in violation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, is beginning to drag his feet on holding the referendum. Independence is strongly opposed by Rio Tinto, Inc., the foreign owner of Bougainvilles highly-productive Panguna copper mine. Rio Tinto has at its disposal an army of lobbyists in Port Moresby, Canberra, and Washington ready to indefinitely postpone the referendum.

In the 1990s, Bougainville was plagued by the presence of foreign mercenaries fighting the pro-independence rebels on the island. Some of these mercenaries are now found working for Erik Prince, the founder of the infamous Blackwater and brother of Trumps Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. Princes new firm, Reflex Responses (R2), based in Abu Dhabi, is providing mercenary support to mining and oil companies interesting in quelling local rebellions where they have installations and other vested interests.

The South Pacific has always been considered a serene zone of tranquility. World War II, followed by Cold War testing by the Americans, British, and French of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the regions waters, served as a catastrophic change for the native islanders of the region. South Pacific islanders deserve to be left alone by European colonizers and white European settlers and squatters. France should quit Kanaky, Maohi, and Wallis and Futuna. The United States should vacate Guahan (Guam), Eastern Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Hawaii. Australia should return to Norfolk Island its self-governance and grant the Torres Strait Islands self-determination. New Zealand must free Niue, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Rekohu (Chatham Islands). And neo-colonizers should also get the message. Indonesia should free West Papua, Papua New Guinea recognize Bougainvilles independence, and Chile grant self-determination to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

The South Pacific should be permitted to become, as its name implies, pacific.Twitter, the popular messaging app, began in 2006 and it soon became a favorite tool for Russian dezinformatsiya (disinformation) operations. That was because it was easier to conceal Russian involvement. Messages were limited to 140 characters, meaning Russian dezinformatsiya operatives could be convincing even if their written English was not fluent. This aspect of Twitter and its relationship with Russian dezinformatsiya operations received little attention in the West until 2016 and even then it was inaccurately described. But often that was because of local politics and the use of disinformation. Meanwhile, Twitter has become a media powerhouse. Six years after Twitter began they had over 100 million users who were posting over 340 million tweets a day. At that point, Russian disinformation operations were increasingly using Twitter as their primary international messaging platform. It was cheap, anonymous and Russians with a basic knowledge could convincingly use it.

How this Russian dependence on dezinformatsiya came about went something like this. During the Cold War the communist rulers of the Soviet Union invented or expanded on all sorts of propaganda, deception and indoctrination techniques that are still widely copied (and often condemned) because they work. At least sometimes. In the end, all that dezinformatsiya did not prevent the Soviet empire from collapsing and disintegrating. Some of those techniques have been updated and continue to serve the current rulers of Russia. One of them involves the Internet and is believed particularly useful (or at least thought to be) in Russia as well as worldwide.

How Russian dezinformatsiya worked in the United States became easier to understand in October 2018 when Twitter released a 350 GB file containing over 10 million tweets from 3,800 accounts belonging to Russian organizations that engage in media manipulation. There were also one million tweets by Iranian trolls seeking to influence public opinion. These tweets date from 2013. Actually, Russia has been using information war techniques like this for over a decade and Iran followed the Russian example.

Early on the term for the Russian paid disinformation posters (commonly called trolls) was the 50 ruble or 50 cent army and they were a known problem on Internet newsgroups and message boards since the 1990s.

After 2001 the Russian use of online disinformation grew, especially with the appearance of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. The mass media in the United States only discovered the existence of this Russian troll army in 2016. By 2017 American media discovered that the Chinese and Iranians were also doing this sort of thing, but not as effectively as the Russians. That was because China has long banned Twitter (and substituted a local, heavily monitored and censored, clone) while Russians still use Twitter, mostly in Russian. But there are a larger number of unemployed English speaking (or writing) Russians who know their way around Twitter than is the case with China.

Twitter released this archive for civilian researchers. Facebook also releases foreign troll account data but to a more restricted audience. Intelligence agencies and veteran BBS (bulletin board system) Usenet and Internet posters have known about this highly organized trolling since the 1980s but it was never big news like it is now. Thats because since late 2016 there have been frequent accusations of Russia interfering in American elections. This was accomplished by using government directed messages to be posted, on a massive scale, in social media and other online sites. One aspect of this that didnt attract much media attention was that this technique, and its use by foreign governments in the United States, was nothing new. This sort of thing has been widely used on the Internet for over a decade and for generations before that there was astroturfing (creating fake grassroots support with a variety pre-Internet techniques) and more lavishly funded Soviet efforts called dezinformatsiya operations.

While technically a democracy, modern Russia has evolved into yet another dictatorship. This is because out of the ashes of the Soviet Union there arose an oligarchy with enough cash and propaganda skills, not to mention control of most mass media, to get elected and make most Russians support what the new government wants. A key tool in this was using freewheeling Internet-based message boards to mold and manipulate public opinion. This sort of thing has been around since the Internet began its explosive growth in 2001, as it went from 500 million users to four billion now.

It wasnt long before many Internet users noticed that messages posted by propagandists (or PR specialists) were showing up in social media and messaging areas throughout the Internet. This was especially true in China. There is where it all began; the idea of quietly paying Internet users a small fee to post pro-government (or company) responses on message boards where some company or the government is being criticized or maligned. For some members of the original Chinese "50 Cent Party" it was a full-time job, receiving up to 50 cents (two yuan) each for up to a hundred pro-government messages posted a day, using several dozen different accounts. But most of the posters were volunteers or just did it to earn a little extra money. If you could post in foreign languages, especially colloquial English, you made more. Very few members of the "50 Cent Army" (as the mercenary posters were also known) made lots of money and most were reviled by their online peers as a bunch of loathsome trolls (those who leave messages to annoy rather than inform or amuse).

By 2015 Russia had turned Internet trolling into a profession with full-time workers getting paid $700 to $1,000 a month (plus bonuses for especially effective efforts) and working in office settings rather than from home. These professional trolls mainly write in Russian, to encourage pro-government opinions among Russian Internet users. The government also has an international program that pays a lot more because of the need for good foreign language skills. That means the ability to write like a native not only in terms of grammar but in terms of the Internet idioms unique to each language or country. The key here is not to come off as a Russian troll but a local. That was much easier to do on Twitter.

Even before Russia had turned Internet trolling into a profession Israel kicked this process up a level in 2013 by establishing a special tuition assistance program for university students who agreed to regularly post messages on the Internet to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda. While Israel is unique in being one of the few countries to admit doing this, many others have been caught at it and continue to deny any official involvement. One example is North Korea, which South Korea believes has had (since at least 2014) several hundred operatives who are basically full-time Internet Apes, whose sole task is to battle anti-North Korean sentiments on South Korean Internet message areas and push the idea that North Korea is a better place to live than it actually is.

By now many Internet users automatically recognize and ignore the paid messages and go out of their way to teach others what to look for. In the West, many moderators of message boards have tools that allow them to instantly delete the accounts of Internet Apes (paid posters) and all their paid-for posts. In China you can get arrested for doing that but not for just ignoring the paid propaganda. Israel leaves it up to the operators to reveal they are semi-official or keep quiet about that. By using carefully selected university students the Israelis are better able to avoid detection and deliver more effective messages. This could be a key advantage of this program

The Chinese began to use this practice in 2005 when propaganda officials sought ways to deal with growing anti-government activity on Internet message boards. One idea was to organize the pro-government posters already out there. The propaganda bureaucracy (which is huge in China) did so and got so many volunteers that they soon developed a test to select the most capable posters and also set up training classes to improve the skills of these volunteers. Cash bonuses were offered for the most effective work. At one point, the government had nearly 100,000 volunteers and paid posters operating. This quickly evolved into the 50 Cent Army. By 2010 the Russian government adopted the practice and before long there was the 50 Ruble Army in Russia.

The Chinese eventually realized that quality was better than quantity because the less articulate posters were easily spotted, and ridiculed, as members of the "50 Cent Army," "Internet Apes," or the Water (because of the zombie accounts used for posting) Army. This was especially the case outside China. Inside China people just learned to ignore the government posters. But the more skilled Internet Apes often appear convincing to many people following Internet-based discussions. The 50 Cent Army was often a very worthwhile investment, especially when experienced and skilled posters were used. In this area, quantity does not really match quality.

In the United States, the same techniques were adopted to push political candidates or commercial products. There it was called "viral marketing." The CIA has used a similar technique to counter anti-American, or pro-terrorist, activity on the Internet. This activity also made it easier to spot potential terrorists or potential informants.

Russia adopted the Chinese technique of harnessing the enthusiasm of pro-government volunteers. As happened elsewhere, bloggers and posters with a large following were also enticed to be pro-government, for a fee (or perhaps because of a few threats).

This practice of buying favorable attention in the media is nothing new and is centuries old. The U.S. is unique in that, for about a century, the American mass media was largely free of this blatant bribery. But in most of the world, a clever journalist quickly attracts the attention of people who will pay for some favorable comments. It's no secret, although many journalists insist they are not bought.by Austin Bay November 7, 2018

In two of Congo's anarchic eastern provinces, War and Plague combine to inflict local horrors and seed conditions for a "breakout epidemic" with lethal regional and possibly global health consequences.

Unpacking that first sentence illustrates why War and Plague in Congo are a legitimate American national security concern.

The War is eastern Congo's episodic slaughter that since 1996 has waned then waxed. The Plague is the deadly Ebola virus. Spread by direct contact with body fluids, about 50 percent of its victims die within six to 16 days of contracting it.

Ebola periodically escapes its geographic reservoir in Central and West Central Africa. Infected passengers on commercial jets can and do transmit the disease internationally. In 2014, Ebola victims contracted the virus in Africa and then flew to Texas and New York. The American medical and public health system (the world's best) made an overdrive effort to contain the Ebola threat and it succeeded. Only two people in the U.S. contracted the virus, and neither died.

Ebola's 2014 visit to America could have been an epidemic and the Centers for Disease Control experts know this. An outbreak occurs when a virulent, highly contagious disease escapes medical and public health efforts to disrupt disease transmission by treating and isolating (quarantining) current victims and -- if a vaccine exists and is available in sufficient quantities -- vaccinating potential victims.

The two specific Congolese provinces I'm talking about are North Kivu and Ituri. Understand, political suspicion and ethnic distrust disturb every Congolese province. However, in Ituri, North Kivu and neighboring South Kivu provinces, an estimated 40 armed groups, ranging from criminal gangs to local tribal militias to a Ugandan Islamist rebel group known as the Allied Democratic Forces, wage low-level warfare against an incompetent and corrupt Congolese Army. Every so often, crack U.N. peacekeepers from South Africa and Tanzania intervene. The day-to-day reality for Congolese civilians, however, is fear-ridden chaos.

Additional fact: Ugandan, Kenyan and various western intelligence agencies believe the ADF has ties to Somalia's Al Shabaab terrorists, an al-Qaida ally.

So far Ebola hasn't appeared in South Kivu -- but an epidemic has broken out in North Kivu and Ituri.

War and Plague's capital letters invoke the Book of Revelations Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Though theological and cultural interpretations clash, the White Horse symbolized Pestilence (infectious disease) and the Red Horse was War.

Before accusing me of biblical hyperbole, consider this thoughtful quote from a recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies:

"When an outbreak occurs in an active war zone, it demands a different level of security thinking: how is risk to be estimated, how much risk is acceptable, and how is risk to be managed effectively? The security challenges now appear bigger than WHO, the DRC Ministry of Health, and other partners can handle. So realistically, what more needs to happen, and what additional capacities are possible? A second vital question is how much does the threat of an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, in a war zone, matter to major powers?"

Well stated.

On Oct. 22, the World Health Organization said that the Ebola epidemic in eastern Congo was "not yet severe enough to be declared a global emergency. ... The risk of international spread is low." However a global emergency warning might be issued if Ebola spread to another country.

On Oct. 31, Strategypage.com reported that "Ugandan health service personnel are screening from 8,000 to 20,000 people a day along its border with Congo... Congolese health officials say attacks by the Ugandan Islamist rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia and other violence in North Kivu province have disrupted efforts to control the epidemic."

On Nov. 1 WHO reported that the disease could spread to South Sudan.

Even in the 21st century, War spreads Plague.in the South China Sea China has established weather stations on three artificial islands and is continuing to increase the military capabilities of these artificial islands. This has caused problems in the Philippines where public opinion favors vigorously opposing these moves while the government does not want to offend the Chinese and endanger the growing number of Chinese economic programs in the Philippines. The government is accused of being bought by the Chinese while the government points out that opposing the Chinese claims in the South China Sea and off the Filipino cost is futile because the Chinese are much more powerful militarily and economically.

Local Communists

The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) has not only abandoned peace talks (as of early 2018) but is trying to revive its military force in the Philippines (the NPA or New Peoples Army) with a secret plan to raise money and obtain more weapons and recruits to provide it with the ability to finally carry out the CPP revolution the NPA supports. Captured documents revealed details (including a planned uprising to replace the current government) as well as proof that the revival plan is not working. The plan involves raising more cash (by going after large companies operating in the countryside) and obtaining more weapons. The police and army were alerted when details of these plans were uncovered. That made it even more difficult for the NPA revival plan to work.

The leftist NPA is in trouble because more and more rural communities are organizing self-defense militias to not only keep the NPA out of villages but to also carry out patrols to gather information for the army. For more than two years this has resulted in many more NPA men not only deserting but also accepting the government amnesty program. As a result of this, there are only a few thousand armed NPA men out there and many are fighting to survive, not win the revolution. That 50 year old struggle has left over 100,000 people dead and there is little popular support for the NPA anymore. All this is lost on most of the CPP leaders who control the NPA because those CPP leaders have long been living in exile in Europe. The senior leadership in the Philippines, essential for keeping the NPA operational and loyal, has suffered heavy losses in the last decade and that loss is one reason for the NPA falling apart. The main reason the peace talks broke down was that the CPP leaders demanded the release of over 300 imprisoned CPP and NPA members, including many of the leaders that the NPA needed to revive itself, or simply to survive. The government understood what this was all about and refused to release anyone from jail unless there were a peace deal and general disarmament.

Running the NPA has been more difficult since the 1989 collapse of popular support worldwide for communism. These leftist rebels have been fighting, in one form or another, since the end of World War II, trying to establish a communist dictatorship in the Philippines. They have not been very successful despite lots of economic and social problems they could promise to fix if they were in charge. Enthusiasm for a "communist solution" has gone downhill since the collapse of the Soviet Union and its East European communist allies in 1989-91. That massive failure of communist states left NPA much weaker ideologically and vulnerable to the current amnesty program. Even NPA leaders admit that they currently have only about a tenth of their peak (in the 1980s) strength of 26,000 armed members. There have been recent attempts to reverse the decline in popularity. NPA men are instructed to behave better around civilians and the NPA has been found giving some civilians (especially health or aid workers) compensation (a few hundred dollars each) for wounds received during NPA attacks on soldiers or police. The government has increased its efforts to provide medical care for such victims of NPA violence and the NPA is trying to compete. But NPA really cant compete. Out in the bush they survive by acting like bandits. The call their stealing revolutionary taxes or, if a large company is being attacked, revolutionary justice but most Filipinos see it all as crimes by another name. The NPA said it was willing to negotiate a peace deal, but found that the CPP and NPA had factions which disagreed on what sort of agreement was acceptable. That remains an issue, as does the fact that support for the CPP and NPA continues to fade.

November 4, 2018: In the south (Negros Oriental), NPA gunmen killed a soldier while in the north (Quezon province) there were two clashes with NPA rebels that left one soldier dead.

November 1, 2018: In the last three days ten Filipino crewmen on two commercial vessels operating off the west coast of Africa were taken hostage by pirates. This area, largely in the Gulf of Guinea, has replaced Southeast Asia as the area of highest piracy activity. Since there is no safe space to take a captured ship the West African pirates board any vulnerable commercial ship at night, round up the crew, loot the ship of portable valuables and sometimes take members of the crew that might yield a ransom. The loot and hostages are then taken ashore and hidden away in camps deep inside the Niger River Delta or other remote coastal areas.

During 2016, in large part because of increased seaborne attacks by Abu Sayyaf off the southern Philippines, Southeast Asia replaced the coasts of Somalia and Nigeria as the area with the worst piracy problem. In 2015 there were 178 attacks on ships at sea worldwide but none off Somalia and less than a hundred off Nigeria. The most active area was Southeast Asia. In 2016 Southeast Asia accounted for over 35 percent of the pirate attacks worldwide.

This shift in pirate activity was not sudden. Worldwide piracy has been declining since 2012 because most of the Somali pirates were shut down. At that point, activity shifted back to the coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia and areas near the Malacca Strait. In the first eight months of 2015, some 80 percent of the pirate attacks on the planet occurred in this area. That came to nearly ten attacks a month. Nearly all of them are robberies of the crew and stealing of portable valuables. The crewmen are usually not hurt and based on their experience it appears most of the pirates come from Malaysia and Indonesia and were largely amateurs. There were some professionals in action in 2014. These fellows were able to hijack ships long enough for cargo to be transferred at sea to someone who could resell it and this provided far more money for the pirates than the more common robbery incidents. But those professional pirates are gone, in part because theft that large left a data trail that police and intelligence agencies could pick up and follow. In 2015 Malaysia and Indonesia joined forces to run more helicopter and warship patrols through areas where most of these less costly robbery attacks were taking place. This sort of quick reaction patrol could move in quickly enough to catch pirates before they and their loot could disappear into one of the many coves or villages that dot the Malaysian and Indonesian coasts. Police also went after the middlemen (fences) who buy the valuable (and portable) electronics these grab and go pirates prefer. If you find the fence you can often find his suppliers. In any event, these robber pirates are more numerous and being amateurs can quickly drop out and, as far as the police are concerned disappear. Some of these small time pirates are believed to have been in the business, on and off, for over a decade. The police want to make some arrests and well-publicized prosecutions (and convictions) to discourage many of these amateur pirates from returning to robbery.

Then Islamic terrorist pirates became active and did not play by the usual rules. Abu Sayyaf had always engaged in some piracy in the waters between Indonesia, Malaysia and the southern Philippines. But in 2016 Abu Sayyaf pirates became much more active. By mid-2016 Indonesia and Malaysia were putting a lot of pressure on the Philippines to do something about the Abu Sayyaf pirates based in the Philippines and threatened to curb seaborne trade with the Philippines Abu Sayyaf pirates were not shut down soon. Such a ban would hurt the economy in the southern Philippines. One result of those complaints is Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines agreeing to allow their air and naval forces to freely enter each others territorial waters and airspace when pursuing pirates. By 2017 the Abu Sayyaf pirates were on the defensive and now they are much reduced in numbers and activity. Meanwhile, the West African pirates are still active but only get global publicity when they kidnap non-Africans and hold them for ransom.

October 26, 2018: In the south (Negros Oriental) police arrested the NPA regional head of training and recruiting along with four new recruits she was taking to a training base.

October 25, 2018: President Duterte fired the head of the Bureau of Customs and ordered more than a dozen senior officials in customs to be replaced as soon as possible because of corruption in the Bureau of Customs that made it easy to import illegal drugs. This wholesale replacement of senior management was due to a senior drug cartel member agreeing, in late 2017, to enter the Witness Protection Program and provide details of drug operations in the Philippines and about senior government officials who accepting bribes to keep the drug trade operational. The government is apparently building cases against a number of senior officials and their subordinates. This is expected to reveal the infrastructure of lawyers and corrupt judges that make it so difficult to prosecute senior officials.

October 22, 2018: The national police have ordered 700 commercial UAVs at a cost of $1,500 each. Details were not released but for that price, it is probably a high-end (long endurance, high rez vidcam) commercial quad-copter. These are popular for police work worldwide and China is the largest producer.

October 21, 2018: In the south (Bukidnon province), soldiers acting on a tip found and fought a small group of armed NPA rebels. Most of the communist gunmen got away but one body and his weapon were recovered.

October 20, 2018: In Britain, a team of Filipino Scout Rangers placed 4th in the annual (since 1959) Exercise Cambrian Patrol (EX CP) held annually in to see who has the best long-range patrol forces. This event began as British only event but soon went international. This year there were 139 teams competing, most of them from Britain but also many from 31 nations. The Philippines had long had formidable special operations forces and this was more evidence of that. These began as the Scout Rangers in 1950, formed with the help of the U.S. Army which was then reviving its World War II ranger force and creating the U.S. Special Forces. The Scout Rangers were similar to the American Ranger Regiment, but with more emphasis on scouting. This comes from the Alamo Scouts, a special recon unit created by the U.S. 6th Army during World War II. The 6th Army played a major role in driving the Japanese out of the Philippines and the Alamo Scouts were often sent in to collect information on the Japanese and work with Filipino guerillas. The Filipinos were impressed by the Alamo Scouts, thus their Ranger regiment became Scout Rangers. U.S. Army Special Forces troops eventually helped train and organize the Special Forces Regiment that contained commandos and troops similar to the American Special Forces. In the 1970s the Philippines formed Special Operations Command but it was disbanded in 1989 after some of the special operations troops took part in an attempted coup. In 1995 a new Special Operations Command was organized with the Special Forces Regiment and Scout Ranger. Both of these units had been rebuilt after a post-coup purge.

October 18, 2018: In the south (Camarines Sur province), NPA gunmen ambushed a police convoy, killing three policemen but not harming the senior government official the police were escorting.

October 15, 2018: In the north (Laguna province), a senior political official of the NPA and four associates were arrested.

October 12, 2018: In the central Philippines (Panay Island), the local (regional) NPA leader was arrested.

October 10, 2018: In the south (Sulu Island), police encountered armed resistance when they went to arrest two known Abu Sayyaf members. Two Abu Sayyaf men were killed and four others arrested and their weapons seized.Police in Thames have arrested a senior member of the Killer Beez gang for methamphetamine and firearms offences. The 31-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday and has been held in custody to appear at Hamilton District Court today. Detective Sergeant Matt Rawson says it's pleasing to hold offenders like this to account. "We don't tolerate gangs in our area, and organised crime brings a huge amount of social harm to members of our community. "We urge anyone with information about illegal activity to come forward and let Police know, anonymously if necessary. We rely on the community to help us by being our eyes and ears, so we can stop this activity taking place."A total of 320 large-scale poppies, painted by students from local intermediate schools, will be placed around the cenotaph at Memorial Park for the commemoration of the centenary of Armistice Day at 11am on Sunday.



This moving tribute is a collaboration between Tauranga City Council, The Incubator Creative Hub and schools in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty with the poppies providing an emotive setting for the marking of the centenary of Armistice Day.



Peta Elliott, Xara Murray, Lekroop Kaur and Grace Gibson from Tauranga Intermediate are taking part in the poppy project, that aims to engage students in the history and meaning of Armistice Day.



After four horrific years of tragedy and suffering, the First World War came to an end with the signing armistice between Germany and the allied countries on November 11 1918. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the gory battlefields fell silent.



As a group of keen artists, weve recreated the poppies that lay amongst the fallen soldiers who died whilst fighting for their countrys rights. We have used a bright red colour to represent the blood of the wounded and dead soldiers. Each poppy has been made unique like all the soldiers on the battlefields risking their lives for the generations to come.



Come together and commemorate Armistice Day on 11 November at Memorial Park:



Armistice Centenary Service

Sunday, 11 November 2018 at 11am

The citys official Armistice Centenary service will begin with a march on at 10.45am, led by the Tauranga Pipe Band. A minute silence will be observed at 11am, followed by a karakia, a welcome by Mayor Greg Brownless, prayers and scripture readings, and the Roll of Honour with local students laying poppies and rosemary on the corresponding 109 white crosses.



Field of Remembrance

Friday, 9 November to Friday, 16 November

Visit the Field of Remembrance with 109 named crosses representing Taurangas men who died in the First World War.



Homecomings: From Tauranga to the Trenches

Friday, 9 November to Monday, 12 November

Explore the stories of our soldiers who made it back to Aotearoa in this unique exhibition.



Armistice Poppy installation

Sunday, 11 November to Friday, 16 November



Find out more at www.tauranga.govt.nz/armisticedayWellington

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View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzA hugely popular fair, capturing the essence of childhood and the uniqueness of Tauranga Waldorf School will be held this weekend.

Tauranga Waldorf School is hosting its fair and open Day in Welcome Bay this Sunday November 11 from 10am-3pm.

The event, which attracts families from as far as Waikato, Rotorua and Auckland, promises a showcase of the Waldorf ethos, with visitors set to experience a special fair flair with favourite stalls such as stack a crate, candle dipping and catch-a-rat.

New stalls have been implemented this year including a relaxing lavender footbath and a fire pit feast where damper is cooked and popcorn is popped on an open fire.

At the center of the fair is the main stage showcasing talent from the school and beyond, including local talent EmRiver.

A range of gourmet treats will be on-hand including Indian fusion, an Asian noodle cart, Mexican, Spanish, Gourmet Sausages, crepes and mouth-watering raw treats, says fair co-ordinator Meg Grawburg.

In addition there will be handmade crafts and artisan stalls perfect to stock up on unique Christmas gifts.

The fair follows the schools environmentally friendly aim of generating zero waste, with 4.1kg in 2016 and just over two kilograms of non-recyclables generated last year (less than one per cent of total waste).

Fair visitors are warmly invited to bring a reusable cup with them for the purchase of drinks at the fair. Help us achieve this feel-good goal of reducing our environmental footprint, says Meg.

In addition to enjoying the fair, visitors can also view a Waldorf classroom and speak with teachers about what makes a Waldorf education unique.

Tours will be offered of the school grounds, including the farm and the details of the Omata Stream replanting project.

The Tauranga Waldorf School Fair and Open Day will be held Sunday 11 November from 10am - 3pm at 364 Welcome Bay Rd, Welcome Bay.Doctors and emergency departments are on alert for a rare strain of meningococcal disease that has killed six people this year.

The number of cases of group W meningococcal disease (MenW) has doubled over the last 12 months and health officials are at a loss to explain why.

The country was hit with an epidemic of meningococcal B (MenB) in the early 2000s, sparking a nationwide vaccination programme.

Sarah Moore remembered lining up in the hall at her Auckland primary school to get her shots more than a decade ago.

She is now a university student, but as a child, having to get three separate jabs and learning about the disease was scary.

"My parents stressed a lot to me that it was a very serious disease and there was a lot of talk about how you shouldn't share drink bottles," she says.

"The teachers promoted it as being quite a serious disease and I think kids were kind of scared by that - I was scared by that."

But a senior lecturer of vaccinology at Auckland University, Helen Petousis-Harris, says the protection from that mass vaccination had faded.

Most people wouldn't be currently immunised against any form of meningococcal disease, she says.

"There would be very, very few people.

"Unless they've been recently vaccinated with one of the vaccines that protect against these types, would they be protected - [but] most people won't be."

Cases of all strains of meningococcal infection have more than doubled since 2014 - with 96 cases so far this year.

MenB is still the most common but the MenW strain is the one doctors are most worried about.

Ministry of Health said normally there could be up to to six cases a year, but last year there were 12, with three deaths, and already this year 24 people had become sick and six of those died.

That included a teenager who died last month after being at a youth camp on Motutapu Island.

Dr Petousis-Harris says it's unclear why the strain was having such a big impact.

"It seems to be ... hypervirulent, so particularly nasty for people who are infected with this strain," she said.

"Why is it increasing? I don't think we really know, it's often the way of ... man versus microbe.

"It just seems to have found a niche and I don't know why."

Ministry of Health's director of Public Health Caroline McElnay says the MenW strain was hitting all age groups.

"We want GPS and EDs [emergency departments] to be alert to the fact that ... this strain is there at the moment and [to] have a high level of suspicion for the disease and treat appropriately."

Dr McElnay says there were vaccinations for all strains of meningococcal disease but they were not on the ministry's immunisation schedule.

"Those vaccines, at the moment, you either have to purchase through your GP or they are funded for some high-risk groups."

She says the ministry was looking at whether it could make the vaccines more accessible.

Symptoms of the disease included fever, vomiting, a sore neck, sensitivity to light and a rash.Bay of Plenty

Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of hammerhands for an immediate start.The successful...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzLodgepoles Lions Club is preparing to honor local veterans with a ham and bean soup supper with cornbread on Veterans Day.

The supper will be at the Lodgepole Community Hall from 5-6:30 p.m. It is a free will event for the community and a chance for community members to recognize and thank veterans for their service. Drinks will also be provided.

Veterans will be honored with special gifts from a drawing, and there will also be a silent auction.

...Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Fred Wiedeburg, left, was appointed Monday morning as the new Veterans Service Officer. He will be working part-time in the Veterans Service Office through December as a transition period, and part-time with the sheriff's office until he takes the reigns full time in January. Until then, Veteran Services Officer Ron Gusman, right, will remain on duty full-time.

The Veterans Service Committee met with the Cheyenne County Commissioners Monday, announcing their choice for a new county Veterans Service Officer.

Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Fred Wiedeburg will be assuming the duties of Veterans Service Officer Jan. 1. Veterans Service Officer Ron Gusman announced his retirement earlier this fall.

Wiedeburg will share his duties between the Sheriff's Office and Veterans Service Office through the transition period of November and December. During that time, Gusman will continue as the full-time Veterans Service Officer.

Gusman said Mon...FSA County Committee Elections to Begin

LINCOLN  Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Nancy Johner announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots Monday to eligible agricultural producers for the 2018 FSA county committee elections. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 3 to ensure their vote is counted.

County committee members represent the farmers, ranchers and foresters in our Nebraska communities, said Johner. Producers elected to these committees have always played a vital role in local agricultural decisions. It is a valued partnership...Warren Phelps didnt waste any time with niceties. He pointedly said the county likewise shouldnt waste money in its noxious weed management.

Cheyenne County contracts it's noxious weed control to Cris Burks, C-Weed Management LLC. The problem, according to Phelps, is her time is shared with three other counties.

Our current weed superintendent is inadequate, he said. I dont think theres any way she can do four counties.

He cited examples of Canada Thistle not treated until it went to seed.

It doesnt do any good to spray after it has gone to seed, he said.

T...NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man walked into a Rite Aid in North Syracuse on Tuesday evening and grabbed a drink.

Then, he walked up to a cashier and -- after hinting he had a weapon -- demanded money, troopers said. After the cashier gave the man money from a register, the robber left the 114 N. Main St. store, troopers said.

The robbery was reported at 8:39 p.m. Less than two hours later, the suspect was arrested close to Rite Aid, arrest records show.

William R. Green, 39, of 116 Church St., North Syracuse, was arrested Tuesday night by the New York State Police and charged with felony third-degree robbery. He was arrested at his home less than 800 feet from the store he robbed, troopers said.

State police, the North Syracuse Police Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office responded to the robbery.

"Due to the quick response of all officers in this multi-agency effort, the suspect was apprehended quickly and a portion of the proceeds were recovered," troopers said.

Green is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail on a bench warrant. For the robbery charge, his bail was set at $15,000.KIRKLAND, N.Y. -- An Oneida County woman was charged with animal cruelty today after more than 100 cats were removed from her home last month, according to the Central New York SPCA.

CNY SPCA animal cruelty investigators charged Roberta Graziadei, 54, of Millstream Court, in Kirkland, with animal cruelty under Section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

Graziadei was charged for harboring more than 100 animals in "unhealthy and unsanitary conditions at her residence," CNY SPCA said in a news release. CNY SPCA described Graziadei as an "overwhelmed breeder" on its Facebook page.

The Ragdoll cats were removed from Graziadei's home and taken to the CNY SPCA in Syracuse on Oct. 31. The Ragdoll breed is known for its blue eyes and pointed coat, which means its body fur is lighter in color than its face, legs, tail and ears.

The animal shelter, which closed for a few days to deal with the influx of animals, has been overwhelmed with applications, phone calls and requests to adopt the 116 cats, according to posts on its Facebook page. The CNY SPCA said it was no longer accepting applications for the cats and that the cats were not available to be viewed by the general public, according to the post.

CNY SPCA officials did not respond to inquires from The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com.

The adoption fee for the Ragdoll cats was increased to $250. This "particular case will cost us roughly $25,000," the shelter wrote on Facebook. Normally the SPCA charges $75 for cats and $100 for kittens.

Many of the cats "are going to require costly antibiotics, others will require extensive medical care," according to the shelter's Facebook post.

The shelter, which has more than 100 other cats that need homes, asked the community for help, the online post said. In return they received donations of litter, food and more, the post said.Syracuse.com staff writer Samantha House contributed to this report.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said it was terrible to tell the victims' families that Anthony Saccone's sentencing was delayed again.

Saccone was due to be sentenced this morning for the Feb. 23 crash that killed three young adults near Onondaga Community College. The sentencing was delayed until Nov. 19 because Saccone's lawyer was unable to attend for medical reasons.

Family members of Baylie Rose, 19, Michael Walker, 18, and Samra Osmanovic, 20, were in court this morning and left knowing that they would have to return again. Some traveled from Florida to attend the sentencing, Fitzpatrick said.

"I gave them my word at the last court appearance that he would be sentenced today and I didn't keep my word," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said he understood why Judge Matthew Doran delayed sentencing.

"He had no choice," Fitzpatrick said.

Saccone's new lawyer, Randel Scharf, told the court that he was in the emergency room on Tuesday due to a previous motor vehicle crash. Scharf practices in Cooperstown. Saccone hired him after he fired his previous lawyer, William Sullivan.

The delay was out of the court's control, but it's still painful and disappointing for the families of the those killed, Fitzpatrick said.

Frustrated family members of the victims quickly left the courtroom after Saccone's short appearance this morning.

Gigi Meyers, Rose's stepmom, said the continued delays won't change Saccone's sentence: He will spend at least a decade in prison.

"There's a lot of frustration, honestly - a lot of anger," she said. "But, you know, that was there before all of the sentencing delays. It's going to be there long after."

Saccone is now scheduled to be sentenced to 10 to 30 years later this month. He has repeatedly tried to withdraw his July guilty plea, but Doran has denied those requests.Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse boy, 16, will spend 18 years in prison for the shooting death of an 18-year-old from a rival gang.

Lamar Murray, 16, was called a "gang leader" recently by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick. Murray was originally charged with murder in the Dec. 8, 2017 shooting death of Jaquan Moore on South Geddes Street.

As part of his plea, the charge was reduced to manslaughter. That means Murray will spend a specific sentence -- 18 years -- as opposed the having the chance of life behind bars that is required by a murder plea.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle has said that the homicide stemmed from a war between two Syracuse gangs: the Richmond Zoo and the 18th street gangs.

McGunnigle said earlier this year that members of the Richmond Zoo might try to intimidate witnesses on Murray's behalf.

Fitzpatrick identified Murray as being a member of the Richmond Zoo. The victim was apparently killed in a war with the rival 18th Street gang.

Neither of those gangs have made headlines in the past, and a longtime prosecutor-turned-judge, Stephen Dougherty, who is presiding over this case, said he was not familiar with them.

Murray was due to go to trial next week. Instead, he will remain in custody until sentencing in December.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Police Department is investigating a shooting reported on the city's South Side.

A shooting was reported at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday at 2850 S. Salina St., according to Onondaga County 911 dispatch logs. Police, the Syracuse Fire Department and American Medical Response were called to the scene.

Shortly before 1 p.m., four marked police cars were parked in a line on South Salina Street between East Brighton and West LaFayette avenues. Officers spoke to passing residents and congregated in front of a shuttered shop.

Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

More information will be shared when it is available.Syracuse, NY -- Anthony Saccone won't be sentenced today for causing a fatal crash near Onondaga Community College that killed three people, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said.

This time, it appears to be an issue out of the control of Saccone and the victims' families.

Saccone's new lawyer, Randel Scharf, told people that he's ill and in a Cooperstown hospital, Fitzpatrick said. Scharf practices in Cooperstown. He's a former public defender who represented death row clients.

Scharf had filed last-ditch arguments in an attempt to convince a judge to let Saccone withdraw his plea. Judge Matthew Doran has previously denied arguments from Saccone's previous lawyer, who Saccone fired before sentencing.

Saccone will be sent to prison for 10 to 30 years when he is eventually sentenced unless the he is allowed to withdraw his plea. This is at least the fourth postponement.

Michael Walker, Baylie Rose and Samra Osmanovic were killed early Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 in a hit-and-run DWI crash near Onondaga Community College.

Sentencing was postponed for weeks after Saccone attempted to withdraw his plea. It was postponed again after he fired his first lawyer. The fourth time came at the request of the victims' families, some who are traveling from out of town.

Now, it's postponed so Saccone's new lawyer can be present.

Killed in the Feb. 23 crash at Onondaga Road and Onondaga Boulevard wer Baylie Rose, 19, Michael Walker, 18, and Samra Osmanovic, 20.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has said Saccone was drunk and high on cocaine, going more than 80 mph when he blew through a red light and crashed into the victims' car.

A throng of people was gathered outside Judge Matthew Doran's courtroom. Saccone is still scheduled to appear for his case to be officially adjourned.

The parole board will be able to consider the transcript of whatever is said in court at sentencing in determining their decisions.

The 10-to-30-year prison sentence means Saccone will get a parole hearing every two years, starting in a decade, until he's released on parole or serves his sentence. If he's still there after 30 years, he will be released automatically without parole.

Saccone has argued that he was coerced into pleading guilty after being detained following an arrest during Syracuse Nationals weekend. He was accused of drinking in a vehicle and reckless driving on Electronics Parkway, but those charges were later dropped after video showed someone else at the wheel.

Saccone, his wife and his mother then filed lawsuits against the county, claiming that Saccone was maliciously arrested. Among others, it named the Onondaga County sheriff's deputy who said he saw Saccone behind the wheel.

Saccone has been jailed ever since the the July 22 arrest after being freed on $1 million bail bond on the fatal crash.

Check back to Syracuse.com for further details.Utica, N.Y. -- Anthony Brindisi, who holds a narrow lead in the 22nd Congressional District race, told cheering supporters Tuesday his highest priority in Congress would be to help heal a divided nation.

"Most importantly, we have got to restore decency and civility and respect to Washington and our country," Brindisi said, as the crowd of several hundred people in the Delta Hotel in Utica roared. "We can't go on divided like this. We have got to start healing this country again."

While Brindisi claimed victory, the race is far from over. With all 565 districts counted, Brindisi has 49.54 percent of the vote to incumbent Republican Claudia Tenney's 48.94 percent, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Brindisi holds a slim margin of just over 1,400 votes: 117,779 to Tenney's 116,357. That's a difference of only six-tenths of a percent.

The boards of elections in the 22nd Congressional District have mailed at least 16,000 absentee ballots to voters. At least 11,400 had been returned by Monday afternoon. Those ballots will not be opened and counted for at least a week.



Assuming every ballot is returned, Tenney would need to win about 55 percent to take back the lead. She has not conceded.

"We have a lot of absentee ballots out there, but I think we're going to be victorious tonight!" said Brindisi, who has represented the 119th State Assembly District since 2011.

Brindisi told Syracuse.com he is confident the absentee ballots will fall along the same lines as tonight's vote, giving him the victory.

The race was a bitter battle for a House seat that was one of the most competitive and expensive races in the nation. President Trump and several members of his family campaigned for Tenney, a strong and early supporter of Trump.

Public polls consistently showed Tenney and Brindisi locked in a dead heat since August, prompting Democrats and Republicans to make the 22nd Congressional District election one of their top 10 priorities nationwide.

Tenney, R-New Hartford, had been viewed by Democrats and political analysts as one of the most vulnerable House members for more than a year.

Brindisi told supporters he will push for stronger health care laws.

"We have to make health care affordable and accessible to everyone in this country," he said. "We have to protect pre-existing conditions. We have to do something about the cost of prescription drugs."

Brindisi said he will work to help college graduates struggling with student loan debt and will work for campaign finance reform.

"We have to end the era of Citizens United and get the dark corporate money out of politics," he said, to one of the biggest cheers of the night.

Brindisi urged his supporters to reach across the aisle and work with Republicans.

"This is not the time to settle scores," he said. "This is not the time for retribution."

Contact Glenn Coin: Email | Twitter | Google + | (315) 470-3251Charles Driscoll is University Professor of Environmental Systems and Distinguished Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Syracuse University. He was part of a team studying the health impacts of EPA's Clean Power Plan.



By Charles Driscoll | Special to Syracuse.com



Air quality in the U.S. is generally good, but it hasn't always been this way. In the 1950s and 1960s, air quality was poor in many areas due to powerplant, industrial and motor vehicle emissions. In 1963, Congress established the Clean Air Act and air quality has been steadily improving ever since.

Clean air is cost-effective. According to the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU, annual costs of clean air regulations were $20 billion in 2000, increasing to $65 billion in 2020, while the health benefits from improved air quality were $770 billion in 2000 and are expected to increase to $1.2 trillion in 2020, more than a 30-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio. Not considered are ecosystem benefits important to New York state, such as recovery of the Adirondacks and Catskills from acid rain impacts and improved crop and tree production. Recent improvements in air quality have been supported by new technologies, resulting in a shift from coal to cheaper, cleaner fuels, including natural gas and renewables, and improved energy efficiency. Although much progress has been made, many areas still do not meet air quality standards, particularly in highly urbanized regions.

Unfortunately, efforts are underway by the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to roll back aspects of the Clean Air Act. The administration is proposing to repeal the current Clean Power Plan, which would control carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change, replacing it with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) plan. The "ACE" is a limited alternative which improves the heat rate efficiency of coal plants, causing them to operate longer and emit greater quantities of air pollution. Why would the administration incentivize coal when an energy transition is underway and technologies and economic drivers are moving us toward cleaner, more modern and sustainable energy solutions? The ACE would decrease carbon dioxide emissions by a paltry 0.7% by 2030, compared to a no policy option. Moreover, under ACE, we would not realize health benefits projected under the Clean Power Plan. By the EPA's own analysis, under ACE by 2030 up to 1,498 premature deaths would occur due to poor air quality every year, compared with the Clean Power Plan.

EPA is also proposing to weaken the Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) rule. Mercury is a naturally occurring toxin. Health effects of mercury include neurodevelopmental impacts, reductions in IQ and cardiovascular impacts. There are no safe concentrations of mercury. There are also adverse effects on the reproductive and behavioral health of wildlife at low levels of environmental exposure.



In the U.S., coal plants are the major source of mercury to the atmosphere; subsequently, the atmosphere is a large source of mercury contamination in fish. Human and wildlife exposure to mercury largely occurs from consumption of mercury-contaminated fish. In New York, there are 102 fish consumption advisories for lakes and rivers, as well as blanket advisories for the Adirondack and Catskill regions. These freshwater advisories do not address ocean fish, which is the major source of fish people consume.



Since the MATS rule was finalized in 2011, there have been marked decreases in mercury pollution and we are seeing decreases in mercury in fish, including fish in the Adirondacks and tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted decreases in mercury in the blood of U.S. women of child-bearing age. Despite these successes, EPA is now concerned with the cost to industry.



At the heart of the EPAs concern is: What should be considered a benefit? In 2011, EPA found annual compliance costs of $9.6 billion for MATS. The EPA also found the direct benefits from decreasing mercury would be only $4 million to $6 million per year. However, this analysis was based on a single health endpoint associated with decreases in exposure from only freshwater fish for a small part of the U.S. population. Controlling mercury in power plants would also reduce other air pollutants that cause soot and smog. In its original analysis, EPA concluded that total benefits for all air pollutants (both mercury and other pollutants) from MATS would range between $37 billion and $90 billion annually, far exceeding the costs of regulation. EPA now considers it inappropriate to include benefits other than those solely from mercury. However, a recent, comprehensive analysis by MIT researchers found that cumulative U.S. economy wide benefits associated with decreases in mercury exposure from MATS exceeds $43 billion.



So what are the implications of these policy changes? We have long benefited from improvements in air quality with decreases in health consequences (premature deaths, hospitalizations, heart attacks, childhood asthma), natural resource effects (crops, trees, aquatic) and exposure to mercury. Rolling back these air quality rules will halt this progress. The Clean Power Plan is the first significant federal effort to decrease carbon dioxide emissions to help mitigate climate change. It is important that the U.S. demonstrate to the world its commitment and leadership on this important issue. Finally, underneath these policy actions would be fundamental changes in way we implement the Clean Air Act. These changes would limit the effectiveness of the Clean Air Act to protect our air resources, and public health and welfare.SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In a victory speech Tuesday night to a cheering throng of supporters, Republican Bob Antonacci said he is confident that his lead in the race for the 50th NY Senate District will hold up after absentee ballots are counted.

Antonacci said he is ready to start work in Albany.

Speaking with a reporter after his speech, Antonacci said it appeared that Democrats would seize majority control of the Senate. But he promised to collaborate with Democrats regardless of which party takes control.

Without legislative progress, the economic malaise of Upstate is likely to spread to Downstate, he said.

"The bottom line is, I'm going to work hard,'' Antonacci said. "I'm going to talk to anybody who wants to talk about good policy to move New York state forward. I'll work with Democrats out of New York City, because they're going to start to be affected. . . . The economic malaise that we've seen up here, is going to affect New York City at some point.''

Antonacci finished the night 2,829 votes ahead of Democrat John Mannion. Antonacci received 58,694 votes to Mannion's 55,865.

In his victory speech, Antonacci jokingly referred to his "landslide victory."

But Antonacci said he was confident that the victory would hold after every vote is counted. He noted that there are roughly equal numbers of absentee ballots among Democrats and Republicans. Typically, absentee ballots follow the pattern of the election night results, he said.

Mannion did not concede the race Tuesday night, saying he would wait for the absentee ballots to be counted.

The race to replace veteran state Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is retiring, was hard fought. It attracted heavy spending from statewide groups as both parties wrestled for control of the Senate.

''This was a tough race,'' Antonacci told the crowd.

Antonacci said Mannion was a "gentleman.'' But he blamed outside interests for a wave of negative advertising during the campaign.

"A lot of outside money came into this race and really took it for a bad turn with the negativity,'' Antonacci said. "I think it's our positive message that resonated tonight - in our landslide victory.''

Mannion "ran a heck of a race for a first-timer,'' Antonacci said. "He's a good man, and I wish him all the best.''

Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023A candidate with Upstate New York roots made an unsuccessful run for the Vermont governor's seat Tuesday. Despite the loss, she made history as the first transgender candidate to be nominated by a major party for a gubernatorial race.

Democrat Christine Hallquist, 62, a Baldwinsville, N.Y., native, lost to Republican incumbent Phil Scott. In a race with seven candidates. Scott gathered 149,312 votes (54.56 percent), followed by Hallquist at 108,639 (39.70 percent)

Hallquist, the ex-CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative in Johnson, Vermont, ran on a platform that included raising the state's minimum wage, instituting a taxpayer-funded family leave program, creating a tuition-free college program and mandating that electric utilities build high-speed internet networks in rural areas, according to The Burlington Free Press.

Critics pointed out she had minimal political experience and that she was light on details concerning how she'd pay for her proposals. Hallquist, in a debate last month, insisted she was up to the task, reported suncommunitynews.com.

"I've had a long history of leadership that didn't start with the Vermont Electric Cooperative," she said. " ... I have a long history of collaborative leadership and have done some pretty impressive things. ... I served on my local school board, mental health board, and served as town moderator. I do believe my experience qualifies me."

Hallquist, formerly known as David Hallquist, said in the debate that she voted for Scott in 2016 but grew disappointed with the governor's performance in office.

Scott, the former CEO of construction company, was elected to his second term. He ran on his record of refusing to raise taxes or fees and continuing with his argument that the state could meet all its needs by "moving money around within the existing budget," reported The Burlington Free Press.

Born in Baldwinsville, Hallquist was one of seven children and went to Catholic school.

She attended Mohawk Community College, where she received an associate's degree in electrical engineering. She served as CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative from 2005 to March 2018. Her previous employment included consulting and management roles at S.B. Electronics and Digital Equipment Cooperation, the Burlington Free Press said.

She is married to Pat Hallquist and has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Hallquist transitioned from living as a man to woman in December 2015. Her transition was documented in "Denial," an award-winning documentary made by her son.

A Facebook page, CNY for Christine, was created to support her candidacy in the Vermont governor's race.UTICA, N.Y. -- Democrat Anthony Brindisi leads U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, a one-term Republican, in the 22nd Congressional District. But absentee ballots could swing the race.

With 100 percent of districts reporting, Brindisi held a slim margin of almost 1,300 votes, 117,931 to Tenney's 116,638 -- a difference of only six tenths of a percent.

The boards of elections in the 22nd Congressional District have mailed at least 16,000 absentee ballots to voters. At least 11,400 had been returned by Monday afternoon. Those ballots will not be opened and counted for at least a week.

Assuming every ballot is returned, Tenney would need to win about 55 percent to take back the lead.

Brindisi claimed victory.

"We have got to restore decency and civility and respect back to Washington and our country," he said. "We can't go on divided like this."

Tears of joy as TV calls race for Brindisi. pic.twitter.com/u8UhXMLztu  Glenn Coin (@glenncoin) November 7, 2018

The election ends a bitter battle for a House seat that was one of the most competitive and expensive races in the nation.

Public polls consistently showed Tenney and Brindisi locked in a dead heat since August, prompting Democrats and Republicans to make the 22nd Congressional District election one of their top 10 priorities nationwide.

Tenney, R-New Hartford, had been viewed by Democrats and political analysts as one of the most vulnerable House members for more than a year.

Tenney holds one of two GOP House seats in New York that Democrats counted on winning as part of a strategy to gain majority control of the House from Republicans for the first time since 2010.

The national attention attracted a record amount of money ($22 million) and campaign ads for a Central New York congressional district.

The two political parties and independent political groups funneled about $16 million into the campaign, as of Tuesday, the most for any House race in New York and seventh most in the nation.

Brindisi and Tenney raised a combined $6 million on their own.

The influx of money led to more TV ads airing in the eight-county district stretching from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border than any of the 435 House races across the country, according to the Wesleyan Media Project.

During local TV newscasts, viewers were bombarded with multiple ads for Tenney and Brindisi.

Tenney, a first-term congresswoman, made the election a referendum on President Donald Trump and his policies in a district that Trump carried by more than 15 percentage point in the 2016 election.

Brindisi, D-Utica, a three-term member of the state Assembly, mostly stayed clear of making Trump an issue.

Instead, Brindisi focused on local issues and touted his ability to work across party lines. He criticized Spectrum cable over rate increases and said the company had poor service quality.

Brindisi presented himself as a moderate Democrat more in line with a district that elected moderate Republicans and Democrats to office for 34 years before Tenney won the open seat in 2016.

The last two Republicans to hold the seat, former Reps. Sherwood Boehlert (who served 24 years) and Richard Hanna (six years) both endorsed Brindisi.

But Tenney never wavered from her own conservative brand of provocative politics and her loyalty to Trump and his agenda.

Trump rewarded her, becoming the first sitting president to visit Utica in about 70 years when he headlined a fundraiser for Tenney in August.

The president's daughter, Ivanka, and sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, stopped in the 22nd District to make appearances with Tenney.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and National Rifle Association President Oliver North also campaigned in the district with Tenney, who described herself as a political outsider during her previous career in the state Assembly.

Brindisi stayed clear of national Democratic figures during the campaign. Vice President Joe Biden visited New York to endorse two other House members, and the No. 2 House Democrat, Steny Hoyer, stopped in neighboring Syracuse to endorse Dana Balter.

Brindisi said early in the race that he would not vote for Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi for Speaker if his party wins control of the House.

The strategy made sense in a district that has a Republican enrollment advantage of about 30,000 voters. As of Nov. 1, the district had 158,376 active Republican voters, 129,863 Democrats and 83,379 independent voters who are not enrolled in a political party.

The district covers all of Madison, Oneida, Cortland and Chenango counties and part of Oswego, Broome, Herkimer, and Tioga counties.

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Democratic challenger Dana Balter conceded the 24th Congressional race, but in her speech refused to portray her efforts as a loss.

"This is our political renaissance," she said. "And it continues."

Balter, 42, earned 47 percent of the vote compared to Republican incumbent John Katko's 53 percent.

She congratulated Katko on a hard-fought race and said she hoped he would fight for Central New York in a newly-elected Democratic Congress.

"I am proud to be part of the movement all across the country of regular people saying 'we're better than this,'" she said. "I am especially proud to be among the record number of women running."

Balter urged supporters to continue pushing for progressive causes including education, healthcare and climate change.

Balter did not take questions from reporters after her concession speech. Surrounded by tearful attendees of the Onondaga County Democrats' Election Night Party at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse, she said she needed to be with her supporters.

She spent about half of her 10-minute speech thanking supporters.

"You are this," she said. "You are this campaign and we are the change. You inspire me every day. .... I am calling on all Central and Western New Yorkers -- Democrats, Republicans, independents, Working Families, conservatives -- remember what unites us is far stronger than what divides us."

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992NEW YORK (AP) -- An Army veteran beat the odds Tuesday in unseating New York City's only Republican member of congress.

Max Rose, a moderate Democrat who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2013, defeated U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan in a district that covers Staten Island and a small part of Brooklyn.

New York's 11th Congressional District was Trump Country in 2016 and the president remains popular in much of suburban Staten Island, but Rose zigged from other liberal candidates by not making President Donald Trump's leadership a central issue of his campaign.

Instead, the 31-year-old campaigned on nonpartisan issues like fixing infrastructure and fighting the opioid addiction epidemic. He took two weeks off from his campaign in August for National Guard training.

"The story of this country has always been that no matter our differences, no matter the challenges in our way, we do what others said was impossible and they said this was impossible," an enthusiastic Rose told supporters in Staten Island.

Donovan, who turned 62 on Tuesday, was Staten Island's district attorney before being elected to Congress in 2015 in a special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and served prison time.

"I don't look at this as a sad occasion," an emotional Donovan told his supporters. "I look at this as the end of something that I have enjoyed so much."

Votes were still being counted in other key U.S. House contests Tuesday in New York, where a handful of vulnerable Republicans are hoping to beat back invigorated, well-funded Democratic challengers.

The most unusual race could be in western New York, where Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Collins is trying to win a fourth term three months after he was indicted on federal insider trading charges.

Collins, who had been expected to cruise to victory in one of the most Republican parts of New York, initially dropped out of the race, then made a surprise return to the campaign trail a month later as party leaders deliberated who would replace him on the ballot.

"The stakes are too high to allow the radical left to take control of this seat in Congress," he said.

He is accused of leaking inside information about a biopharmaceutical company, allowing his son and others to avoid nearly $800,000 in stock losses.

His opponent, Democrat Nate McMurray, is the town supervisor of Grand Island, a suburb between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

In the center of the state, an early supporter of President Donald Trump, Republican U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, is facing a tough challenge from Democrat Anthony Brindisi, a state assemblyman from Utica.

Tenney, 57, has drawn some comparisons with Trump for a hyperpartisan approach. She called for the imprisonment of Hillary Clinton and once suggested in an interview that many mass murderers are Democrats. But she softened her tone a bit on the campaign trail, saying there were plenty of good Democrats in the House and that her past comments were exaggerated by the media.

And in the Hudson Valley , Republican U.S. Rep. John Faso, 66, is locked in a tough fight with Antonio Delgado, 41, a Democratic lawyer who has never before held public office.

Faso is trying for a second term representing a district evenly split among Democrats, Republicans and independents. Delgado, who was a Rhodes scholar and earned a Harvard law degree before joining an international law firm, collected nearly $8 million in campaign contributions in a bid to oust Faso.

Delgado, who is black, is running in a district that is 90 percent white.

Tuesday's election will also select a successor for the late U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, who died in March at age 88. She had been in Congress, representing the Rochester area, since 1987.

Democrat Joseph Morelle, majority leader of New York's assembly, faces Republican doctor Jim Maxwell in that race.

Currently, New York is represented in Congress by nine Republicans and 17 Democrats, with Slaughter's seat vacant.

In another early result, Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be on her way to becoming the youngest member of Congress.

The 29-year-old, who gained national attention for upsetting incumbent Democrat Joe Crowley in the primary, secured a House seat with a win over a little-known Republican opponent in a district representing part of New York City.More than 100 women were projected to win seats in the House of Representatives, easily shattering the record. Overwhelmingly, they awere Democrats who helped the party take control of the chamber.

Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House. By 1 a.m. Wednesday as the votes were still being counted, 85 had already been declared winners.

"Women made history in a number of ways and were a significant force in flipping many districts from red to blue," said Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

Many of the winning candidates campaigned on the need for better health care for all Americans. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds - from military veterans to teachers - and many had never run for office before.

Women made inroads in gubernatorial races, too, which are particularly important because of the upcoming redistricting battles. In Kansas and Michigan, women flipped states that had been under GOP control.

Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach, whom Trump had campaigned with recently in Kansas.

Gretchen Whitmer, a former state senator in Michigan, won her race after campaigning on a promise to fix the state's roads and aging drinking water infrastructure, and to expand Medicaid to lower-income adults.

Notably, Michigan Democrats selected a woman for every statewide office on Tuesday's ballot: governor, U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of state.

Georgia had the most high-profile governor's race. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who won the backing of former president Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, was aiming to be the first black female governor in the nation.

But she was trailing Wednesday behind Trump-backed candidate Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state, who cast himself as a "politically incorrect" hard-line immigration candidate like the president.

The women who ran this year were remarkably diverse - black, Latina, Native American. But noticeably absent on ballots were more Republican women.

"We need to go out and get our women engaged," said Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership. "We are being dwarfed by the Democrats. This is something we are going to focus on."

Chamberlain said she hears voters in key districts talking mostly about an affordable health-care system that serves everyone, even those with preexisting medical conditions. That has been the loud and clear message of many Democratic candidates.

Among the new faces coming to Congress:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, 29, a Latina who defeated incumbent Joseph Crowley in a decisive primary, will head to the House.

In Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton unseated Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock.

Deb Haaland, a Democrat in New Mexico, became the first Native American woman to serve in Congress.

In Florida, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Ecuador and educator, focused her campaign largely on health care and toppled Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the Republican incumbent. Curbelo had voted to repeal Obamacare in a district that contains thousands of people who benefited from it.

Michigan's Rashida Tlaib, born in Detroit to Palestinian parents, and Minnesota's Ilhan Omar, who arrived in the United States from Somalia at 14, won their House races, becoming the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

At a rally in Minneapolis on Monday night, Omar was cheered wildly and danced as she was introduced.

"The opportunity to be here, to participate in this democracy, has made me want to dance, and door-knock and talk to people and invite people to the joy of what it means to participate in a democracy," she told a crowd of volunteers.

"What I want to do for you is have my energy be contagious," she said.

Some Republican women won key races.

Marsha Blackburn, who called herself a "hardcore, card-carrying conservative," became the first female senator ever elected from Tennessee. Backed by Trump in the Republican state, she defeated Phil Bredesen, a centrist Democrat and former governor.

While men with military backgrounds have long been recruited to run for office, this year's candidates include several female veterans.

One of the most well known, Kentucky Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, became a national sensation when her online video ads went viral. But she lost a close race to GOP incumbent Andy Barr. Trump had won that district handily.

Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and first-time candidate, won in Pennsylvania's 6th District, replacing retiring Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican.

Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and Democrat, won in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. She said she was motivated to run for office by what she calls a "lack of respect" for women by the Trump administration. and was astounded to see an all-male Senate panel debating whether to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative, pulled off a big win in Virginia by unseating Republican Rep. Dave Brat, a rising star among conservatives. Four years ago, Brat upended Eric Cantor, then House majority leader, in a huge upset. Brat was part of the House Freedom Caucus.

In Arizona, a close race between Republican Martha McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot, and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who is openly bisexual, means Arizona will have its first female senator no matter who wins. They are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

A record 33 of the Tuesday's matchups for Congress were women vs. women. In Florida, Democrat Donna Shalala, the former president of the University of Miami and Cabinet member in the Clinton administration, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, a broadcast journalist, of Cuban heritage, according to early results.

"Are women fired up? That is putting it mildly," said Jen Cox, a founder of PaveItBlue. Her group, one of many formed since Trump's election and after the Women's March, connected thousands of Atlanta-area women interested in becoming more politically active.

"It's historic. It's our turn in having a say in changing the face of politics," Cox said.

Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, said the female candidates did not fit any particular mold.

"They have disrupted public expectations of how they behave, and what credentials and attributes they bring to politics," Dittmar said. "And that could have long-term effects."

Along with better health care, other key issues that helped propel women were their pledges to better protect the environment and to help stop the rising incivility and divisions among Americans.

"This is only just the beginning," said Schriock, president of Emily's List. "I think we are going to see a historical turnout of women in 2020 - this is not dying down."

(c) 2018, The Washington Post, written by Mary Jordan. The Washington Post's Torey Van Oot contributed to this report.U.S. Rep. John Katko declared victory Tuesday night over Dana Balter in the 24th Congressional District, holding his seat as his party lost majority control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2010.

Katko, R-Camillus, defeated Balter, a Syracuse, by about 25,000 votes in the four-county district, according to unofficial election returns from the state Board of Elections.

Katko received 129,276 votes (53.1 percent) to Balter's 114,102 (46.9 percent). The only county with votes to be counted was Oswego, where Katko won convincingly in the past.

Balter finished with more votes in Onondaga County (83,886-82,007), the largest county in the district. More than 9,000 absentee ballots will still need to be counted.

The race gained national attention as Katko and Balter battled down to the wire in an election that both Republicans and Democrats viewed as a key to winning a majority in the House of Representatives.

Katko had been considered vulnerable because he is among only 25 House Republicans to represent a district that Hillary Clinton carried in the 2016 presidential election.

Balter, 42, of Syracuse, ran an insurgent campaign from the beginning, defying the odds to win a divisive Democratic primary in June.

The visiting assistant teaching professor at Syracuse University was a political novice who became active with local grassroots groups that formed after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.

Democratic Party leaders, worried that Balter would be a weak fundraiser and had little name recognition with voters, lined up in April behind Syracuse lawyer Juanita Perez Williams.

But Balter surprised party leaders as she motivated an energized base to win the Democratic primary election by 26 points, 63-37 percent.

Balter started the campaign against Katko as an underdog but quickly gained momentum with Democratic donors. She silenced critics when she raised $1.5 million in the third quarter, a new quarterly record for fundraising in a local congressional campaign.

All told, the candidates, their political parties and independent political groups spent more than $8 million on the election, with most of the money going toward TV ads that dominated commercial air time in recent weeks.

Independent groups from outside Central New York spent a combined $4.4 million on the election, supporting or opposing Balter and Katko, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Katko raised $2.53 million and Balter raised $2.36 million for the campaign through Oct. 17, FEC records show.

On the campaign trail and in his ads, Katko attempted to define Balter as radical and too extreme in her political views for Central New York.

Katko's ads portrayed Balter, a Connecticut native who moved to Syracuse in 2003 and teaches at Syracuse University, as an outsider who is not familiar with Central New York or the issues that people care about.

Balter fought back, claiming Katko had deceived voters by trying to build an image as a Republican moderate who worked with Democrats.

Balter said Katko is a loyal supporter of Trump's agenda, despite his efforts to distance himself on key issues such as immigration reform and the Affordable Care Act.

The 24th Congressional District has been a key battleground for the two parties since former GOP Rep. James Walsh retired at the end of 2008.

The seat bounced between Republicans and Democrats four consecutive times from 2008 to 2014, making it the No. 1 swing district in the nation.

Katko, 55, of Camillus, managed to break the streak when he was re-elected in 2016. He easily won both of his previous elections by about 20 percentage points.

The 24th Congressional District covers all of Onondaga, Cayuga and Wayne counties, and the western half of Oswego County, including the cities of Fulton and Oswego.

The district leans Democratic, with 147,481 active Democratic voters, 138,960 Republicans and 107,660 independent voters who are not enrolled in a political party.

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751Watch live: Election night results for New York's 22nd and 24th Congressional Districts. Posted by syracuse.com on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Central New Yorkers today voted in two of the most competitive House races in the 2018 midterm elections.

U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, is trying to win a third term by holding off a challenge from Democrat Dana Balter of Syracuse in the 24th Congressional District.

U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, is seeking a second term in a tightly-contested race against Democrat Anthony Brindisi in the 22nd Congressional District.

Follow the results of those races above live.

Notes: Results are unofficial. Percentages reflect share of votes cast for candidates on ballot; write-ins, blanks and voids not included.SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Republican Bob Antonacci has declared victory in the hotly contested state Senate 50th district race. He held a sizable lead Tuesday night and his opponent would need to win a huge swath of absentee ballots to overcome that lead.

"A win's a win," Antonacci said.

After the polls closed Tuesday, Antonacci led Democrat John Mannion by 2,829 votes.

Bob Antonacci acknowledges that absentee ballots remain, but declares victory in 50th NY Senate District race. "A win's a win," he said. pic.twitter.com/1mH2sEuYeP

-- Tim Knauss (@TimKnauss)

As of Tuesday, 8,805 absentee ballots had been mailed out to voters enrolled in the 50th district and 7,565 of those ballots had been returned.

Antonacci received 58,694 votes compared to Mannion's 55,865 votes.

Mannion would need to win about three-quarters of the absentee ballots to overcome Antonacci's lead.

Antonacci thanked his opponent, Mannion, during a speech at the Onondaga County GOP election party Tuesday. He called Mannion a "gentleman."

The race was hotly contested because it was the first time the seat has been open in 26 years.

It is being vacated by Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, who is retiring. The seat has been in Republican hands 53 years. Before DeFrancisco, Tarky Lombardi Jr. occupied it for 27 years.

The seat was highly coveted by Democrats. They wanted to wrest control of the state Senate away from Republicans, who have a one-seat majority.

Antonacci, 53, of the town of Onondaga, has served as Onondaga County Comptroller for 11 years.

Mannion, 50, of Geddes, is a high school biology teacher and president of the West Genesee school district's teachers union. He had never run for office before.

Lots of money poured into the race; campaign spending may top a record $3 million. Much of the money has come from independent political action committees that have spent heavily to support candidates without coordinating with their campaigns.

Mannion's campaign was a top priority for the New York United Teachers union, whose political action committee spent more than $1 million supporting him.

Antonacci also attracted financial support from outside groups, including Balance New York, a Republican-funded group; the NY State Senate Republican Campaign Committee; and the Upstate Jobs Committee.

Excluding the outside groups, Antonacci raised $638,350 while Mannion raised $408,544, according to their latest campaign finance reports.

The campaign featured a barrage of TV commercials and mailers, many of them negative attack ads.

The state Republican Senate Committee used a fake photo of Mannion and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a mailer accusing Mannion of being too liberal and supporting the "far left, radical NYC agenda."

The photo in the mailer was actually a picture of Mannion and his campaign manager, Ian Phillips. In the doctored photo, Phillips' head was removed and replaced with de Blasio's.

Meanwhile, the state Senate Democratic Campaign Committee sent out a mailer to let voters know what Antonacci thinks of a state bill that would strengthen New York's abortion law. The only problem was the mailer attributed a statement about the bill to Antonacci that was made by Rick Guy, a former state Senate candidate who was removed from the ballot because of invalid petitions.

The 50th district includes a small part of Syracuse's North Side, most of Onondaga County and parts of Cayuga County. As of April 1, the district had 59,991 enrolled Democrats and 59,825 Republicans.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- John Mannion, the Democratic candidate for the 50th Senate district seat, refused to concede the race Tuesday night until absentee ballots are counted.

Republican Bob Antonacci, his opponent, declared victory with a lead of 2,829 votes after the polls closed.

As of Tuesday, 8,805 absentee ballots had been mailed out to voters enrolled in the 50th district and 7,565 of those ballots had been returned.

Antonacci received 58,694 votes to Mannion's 55,865 votes.

"There are a lot of ballots out there and we are going to sit on this for a night," Mannion told supporters at Democratic headquarters in the Hotel Syracuse.

While Mannion was speaking, the crowd started chanting, 'You won, you won,' after a television station erroneously reported he beat Antonacci.

Mannion, 50, of Geddes, is a West Genesee High School biology teacher who has never run for office before. He's also president of the West Genesee district teachers union.

He and Antonacci engaged in a hard fought-campaign for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt. It was the first time in 26 years the seat was open.

The New York State United Teachers Union was a major backer of Mannion's campaign. Its political action committee spent more than $1 million supporting him. Antonacci also attracted money from outside groups. Campaign spending by both sides in the race may top $3 million.

Mannion said he was proud of fellow Democrat Rachel May who won the state Senate's 53rd district seat. "Meaningful legislation will now get through the New York state Senate," he said.

Mannion thanked his family, his campaign manager Ian Phillips, his volunteers and voters in the 50th district.

Mannion took an unpaid leave of absence from West Genesee three weeks ago so he could devote all his energy to the final leg of the campaign.

He will return to the classroom Thursday and teach his students Mendelian genetics, a set of theories that explain inheritance.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Democrats have taken over the majority in the New York State Senate.

For the first time since 2010, Democrats will control the entire state government.

Senate Democratic Leader Andrew Stewart Cousins, D-Yonkers, claimed victory in a statement, according to the Buffalo News.

Current Sen. Majority Leader John Flanagan said the results were disappointing, but the Republican conference would continue to stand up for policies that help businesses and create jobs.

The party flip could have major political and economic consequences for the state.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he wants a Democratic Senate to help pass laws that would protect the state against some of President Trump's policies.

The change in power could affect many issues from education to health care.

Senate Republicans have been big supporters of charter schools, while many Democrats want to limit expansion of charter schools.

Senate Democrats have proposed making charter schools enroll specific percentages of students with disabilities and English-as-a-second language students. Republicans are not keen on the idea. Passage would be much more likely in a Democrat-controlled Senate.

The Assembly passed a bill in the last legislative session repealing parts of a state law that could tie teacher evaluations to test scores. The measure died in the Senate. The chances of that bill getting passed will improve with Democrats in charge of the Senate.

Similarly, a bill that would create a state-run single-payer health care system has been approved by the Democrat-controlled Assembly in each of the last five years, but rejected by the GOP-controlled Senate.

Its chances of being law will improve now that the Senate is controlled by Democrats, many of whom promised to support the bill during their campaigns.

Gov. Cuomo, however, has expressed reservations about the bill because a study showed New York would have to increase taxes by 156 percent to pay for it.

Cuomo has said the federal government should create a national single-payer program. Doing it on the state level would be too expensive, he said.

During the campaign Democrats have said if they win control of the Senate a top priority will be passing a bill to strengthen the state's abortion law.

The bill, that's been passed in the Assembly, would incorporate protections into state law that are contained in the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade decision, which affirmed a woman's right to have an abortion.

The bill's backers say the measure will protect women if the Supreme Court overturns Roe as promised by President Trump.Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner succeeded Tuesday in her effort to win a recognized ballot line for a new party called the Serve America Movement.

She won 50,672 votes across the state, according to unofficial results from the New York State Board of Elections. That's 672 more than she needed for SAM to be a recognized party in New York state for the next four years.

In Syracuse, Miner, a two-term mayor, trailed fellow Syracusan Howie Hawkins who also ran for governor.

She won 5,314 votes, or 3.2 percent of the vote, in Onondaga County, her home. She won 1,252 votes in Syracuse, according to the Onondaga County Board of Election's unofficial results.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo won re-election with 58 percent of the vote. Across the state, more people left their ballots blank than voted for Miner. There were about 89,000 blanks in the race for governor.

Miner was polling at about 2 percent in her independent race against incumbent and fellow Democrat Cuomo, Republican Marc Molinaro, Green party candidate Hawkins and Libertarian Larry Sharpe.

Hawkins won 94,839 votes statewide to secure the Green Party a ballot line for the next four years. In Onondaga County, Hawkins won 3 percent of the vote. He won 463 more votes than Miner in Syracuse.

Miner issued a press release 13 minutes after the polls closed. She congratulated Cuomo and said there is no doubt the SAM party will continue a conversation about "better politics and better results."

SAM, which coincidentally are also her initials, is based in Denver, Colorado and was founded in 2017 by people tired of the two major political parties. She was SAM's first candidate.

The party's stated purpose is to "build a new political party for a new American majority." That includes investing in health care, education and infrastructure; using science and facts to guide environmental policy; ending mass incarceration; ensuring fair access to voting and disrupting the "political status quo." It also champions free markets, free trade and fiscal responsibility.

Miner, a labor lawyer, started her career in politics as a regional representative for the late Gov. Mario Cuomo, father of the current governor.

Miner was the first female mayor of any major city in New York.

In 2011, she won 11,820 votes in a race that included Republican Steve Kimatian, Otis Jennings, who ran as a Conservative.

In 2013, Miner won 11,000 votes in 2013 to be mayor of Syracuse over Conservative and Green party candidates. There was no Republican.

Her lieutenant governor running mate was Republican Michael Volpe, the mayor of the village of Pelham, in Westchester County.

Contact Michelle Breidenbach anytime:

|

| 315-470-3186.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Tuesday's midterm elections saw shifts of power in the New York Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, where Democrats wrested control from Republicans.

Locally, several races came down to narrow margins and Republicans won in two of the three most hard-fought contests.

Here are nine takeaways from Tuesday's elections:

1. Blue wave not enough in CNY

Nationwide, Democrats turned out in droves to flip the U.S. House of Representatives. But high turnout and a national narrative wasn't enough to help the party win a pair of close races around Syracuse.

Despite higher turnout than the 2014 and 2016 elections, Democrats weren't able to retake the 24th Congressional District or the 50th State Senate District.

In each race, neophyte Democrats came in over-matched against name-brand Republicans with a history in public office. Each received gobs of money from their party and a swell of ground support to mount a challenge, but came up short.

Dana Balter lost her underdog fight to unseat U.S. Rep. John Katko. She outperformed polls and many expectations -- coming within six percent despite entering the race with minimal name recognition against a popular, well-funded opponent.

Democrat John Mannion failed to take down Bob Antonacci in the race for the state Senate's 50th District. Antonacci, the county comptroller, is a familiar face with a long record in public office. Mannion is a high school teacher at West Genesee High School.

Mannion lost by 2,829 votes, but is waiting to call it quits until absentee ballots are counted.

2. Katko in the minority

After four years with the majority, Congressman Katko will return to Washington in January where Democrats are preparing to take over.

It's the first time in his Congressional career that he won't be part of the dominant party in the House of Representatives.

Tuesday night, he acknowledged the challenge that will present. Katko pitched himself in this race as an independent, willing to work on bipartisan legislation. That promise will be put to the test in his next term.

"From the moment I went to Congress I said I'm going to work in a bipartisan manner and I'm going to continue to do that," Katko said to supporters Tuesday. "The far right and the far left argue and fight and don't want to help the other side. We've got to get back to the point where Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil could strike deals."

Katko promised to listen to Republicans and Democrats, including the people who supported his opponent, Balter.

3. Democrats rule NY

The Democratic Party officially has both hands on the wheel in New York State government. Democrats seized control of the state Senate Tuesday and maintained power in the Assembly, the governor's office and all other statewide offices.

It's the first time since 2010 Democrats have controlled all of state government.

That shift in power could have long-lasting consequences as lawmakers consider the future of issues like marijuana, education, health care and opposition of policies made by President Donald Trump.

In Central New York, Democrat Rachel May won the 53rd district seat formerly held by Democrat Dave Valesky. Republican Bob Antonacci will replace outgoing Republican Sen. John DeFrancisco.

4. Miner finishes last in governor's race

Stephanie Miner, who spent eight years as Syracuse's mayor, finished last in the race for New York governor. She earned less than one percent of the vote, coming in fifth behind Democrat Andrew Cuomo, Republican Mark Molinaro, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Larry Sharpe.

More voters left their ballot blank than voted for Miner.

One silver lining for the former Democrat was she earned a ballot line for an upstart political party, the Serve America Movement. She got just more than the 50,000 votes needed to ensure ballot access for the next four years.

5. NY elects first black woman to state office

Letitia "Tish" James was elected New York Attorney General Tuesday. She is the first black woman to be elected to statewide office in New York history and also the first black attorney general.

James also takes over an office that has generated two recent governors. Cuomo was attorney general for two terms before making his first successful bid for the governor's mansion in 2010. Eliot Spitzer also spent two terms as attorney general before being elected governor.

6. Brindisi shows big in Trump territory

Democrat Anthony Brindisi finished Tuesday with a lead in New York's 22nd Congressional District, which leans heavily to the right.

Brindisi led incumbent Republican Claudia Tenney by 1,400 votes at the end of the night -- about six-tenths of a percent. The race will ultimately be decided by more than 10,000 absentee ballots.

Brindisi's performance -- win or lose -- marks a huge swing in a district that voted for President Donald Trump by 16 points in 2016.

The race likely won't be decided for several weeks and could lead to a court fight.

7. Libertarians get on the ballot in NY

Libertarians officially have a ballot line in New York.

Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe earned more than 90,000 votes in his first-ever run for public office. He ran as an outsider offering to eliminate huge chunks of state government and make New York more business friendly, among other things.

Sharpe's performance ensures the Libertarian Party ballot access until at least the next gubernatorial election in 2022.

Miner's Serve America Movement will also get ballot access for four years.

Meanwhile, the Women's Equality Party (which nominated Cuomo) and the Reform Party (which nominated Molinaro) will each lose their spot on the ballot. Each failed to generate 50,000 votes.

8. History repeats itself

This year's midterms showed a familiar trend.

An incumbent president's party almost always loses Congressional seats in midterm elections. The 2002 midterms were a rare modern exception. Republicans gained seats while George W. Bush was in office. Those elections came just more than a year after the Sept. 11 attacks and were heavily influenced by the burgeoning war on terror.

After Barack Obama was elected president, Republican voters in 2010 organized an active opposition (known as the Tea Party). The GOP gained 63 seats in the House, where they took control, and increased their minority in the Senate by six seats.

This year, Democrats will take back the House, winning at least 24 seats (likely more). Republicans will expand their majority in the Senate by at least one seat.

President Trump, like many of his predecessors, will now have to learn to govern alongside his opposition. For his first two years he's benefited from a friendly Senate and House, each controlled by his party.

Democrats in the House will almost certainly look to curtail the president's power and resist his policy proposals. And Trump has often mocked and belittled Nancy Pelosi, who is poised to become House Speaker.

9. With third term, Cuomo matches dad

Gov. Andrew Cuomo matched his father, Mario's, electoral success Tuesday by winning a third term in office. Mario Cuomo was governor of New York from 1983 1994.

Andrew Cuomo is the first governor since George Pataki to be elected to three terms in office.NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney had just finished giving an all-but-concession speech on Tuesday night when she apparently got some new information.

"There might be a recount," she said, drawing cheers from the watch party crowd at the Cavallo's restaurant in New Hartford.

Her staff later said it's too close to call the race despite Democratic opponent Anthony Brindisi giving what sounded like a victory speech about an hour earlier. The race tightened to a 1,400-vote lead for Brindisi in its last minutes, staffers said.

So Tenney, the New York 22nd Congressional District's Republican incumbent, and her staff will examine whether the 16,000-plus absentee ballots that are outstanding give her a path to victory.

"There might be some good news," Tenney said to the crowd before disappearing into the back room of the restaurant's top floor, where she and campaign staff had been poring over election returns most of Tuesday night.

The dramatic ending comes to one of the nation's most expensive and contentious contests.

"This is a wild race," Tenney spokeswoman Kate Kelly said.

According to unofficial election results, Brindisi earned 117,779 votes and Tenney earned 116,357 on Tuesday.

The boards of elections in the 22nd Congressional District have mailed at least 16,000 absentee ballots to voters. At least 11,400 had been returned by Monday afternoon. Those ballots will not be opened and counted for at least a week.

Assuming every ballot is returned, Tenney would need to win about 55 percent to take back the lead.

During Tuesday's contest, more than 120 people packed into the watch party for Tenney's event. The crowd was at times celebratory and morose as various election returns came in on large TV screens showing Fox News election returns.

In the 22nd District race, Brindisi increasingly looked like he was pulling away with the race. When 506 of 565 precincts reported, Brindisi had a lead of about 7,000 votes.

CNN and the Associated Press also called the race for Brindisi.

His celebratory speech was projected onto a local news channel, and Tenney supporters appeared distraught.

When Tenney took the stage about an hour later, she never gave a full concession. Her supporters shouted at her not to.

"No concession! You can't count the damn illegals!" one man shouted, repeating an allegation President Donald Trump made without evidence that illegal immigrants voted in the 2016 election.

In her speech, Tenney said she was an underdog facing stiff challenges: Her being an "outsider" to the local Republican establishment, the vast amount of money spent on the race and a local newspaper she said that was biased against her.

Kate Kelly, left, and another staffer for U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney speak to the media just after midnight about Tenney staying in the race.

She said at one point that she didn't know if she had the margins to win the race and warned the crowd about the challenges of the next two years of Democratic control of the House of Representatives.

She repeated that she was "not conceding" but also appeared surprised and elated to announce to the crowd that there might be a recount and "good news."

Just after midnight, Kelly and another Tenney staffer emerged from the restaurant's back room to say Tenney was not giving up.

There will be more information about Tenney's plans later Wednesday, the staff members said.President Donald Trump is calling out Republican candidates who apparently did not support him enough and lost congressional seats in Tuesday's elections.

At a news conference in the White House East Room on Wednesday, Trump crowed that Republicans held control of the Senate and then took aim at members of the House, where the GOP lost.

Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado blames his loss on resentment toward Trump in his Denver-area district. The president responded: "Too bad, Mike."

As for Utah Rep. Mia Love's loss Tuesday, Trump said: "Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost," adding, "Sorry about that, Mia."

Trump says his vigorous campaigning stopped a so-called "blue wave," ''if there ever was such a thing."

The GOP is expected to add to its Senate edge, but Democrats regained control of the House.

Trump is now calling out and mocking incumbent Republicans who lost their races who "decided for their own reason not to embrace" him or what he stands for.



"Mia Love gave me no love."

"Too bad, Mike" Coffman.  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 7, 2018

Btw @RepMiaLoves race has yet to be called https://t.co/q9zn4sK1Mi  Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 7, 2018

Trump now dissing GOP House lawmakers who lost:



Mike Coffman: "Too bad, Mike."

Carlos Curbelo: (mispronounces it) "Quebella"

Mia love :"Gave me no love."

Barbara Comstock: "She didn't want to have any embrace."

Peter Roskam: "Didn't want the embrace."  Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) November 7, 2018Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has won re-election in West Virginia in the heart of Trump country, dispatching Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

With 69 percent of precincts reporting, Manchin led Morrisey 50 percent to 46 percent when The Associated Press called the race.

President Donald Trump carried the Mountain State by 42 points in 2016, and a Manchin victory here helps his party narrow its Senate losses in a year when Democrats in Trump states are on defense.

One of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, Manchin held the edge in this race since the summer. Some GOP polling continued to show Morrisey competitive, but by late fall, Republicans had largely conceded this seat was out of reach, with Senate Leadership Fund going dark here in the final week of the race.

Manchin played up his willingness to work with the president and buck his own party. He was the only Democrat in the Senate to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, and he ran ads touting his support for a border wall. He made health care and his support for protections for people with pre-existing health conditions a central part of his campaign.

Morrisey provided a convenient foil on that issue: As state attorney general, he had signed on to a Texas lawsuit that is challenging the 2010 health care law. (Manchin filmed an ad of him shooting a copy of the lawsuit, which was reminiscent of a 2010 spot in which he shot the cap-and-trade bill.)

Morrisey ran as anti-Washington outsider, touting his lawsuits against former President Barack Obama's environmental regulations. He also tried to tie Manchin to Hillary Clinton, whom the incumbent had supported in 2016 but backed away from this year.

But Morrisey's punches against the former two-term governor were largely mitigated by his own vulnerabilities. A former Capitol Hill staffer, he spent much of his career in the nation's capital. His and his wife's previous lobbying work gave Democrats plenty of ammunition, especially when it came to pharmaceutical companies and the opioid crisis.

Manchin played up his West Virginia roots, while Democrats reminded voters that Morrisey was not a Mountain State native. He first ran for Congress in New Jersey, and later moved into the eastern panhandle in 2006.

National Democrats invested early in this race, playing a major role in the three-way GOP primary. They spent nearly $2 million against GOP Rep. Evan Jenkins, whom they believed would give Manchin the toughest challenge. National Republicans, meanwhile, had to spend here against former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship to make sure he wasn't the nominee.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway easily won a second term in office after fending off a challenge from Mark Montes.

Conway, a Republican, won 56 percent of the vote to Montes' 44 percent, according to unofficial results, with 100 percent reporting. Conway won by nearly 20,000 votes.

Conway delivered his victory speech around 10:45 p.m.

Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway gives victory speech after winning re-election pic.twitter.com/4exJszyri6  Tim Knauss (@TimKnauss) November 7, 2018

"I am tremendously grateful to the community for their support to serve as their sheriff and I look forward to the next four years," Conway told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

A Democrat has not served as Onondaga County's sheriff since Patrick Corbett left office in 1978.

Conway, 65, of Camillus, was first elected in 2014 to become the county's top cop.

He has worked in law enforcement for four decades -- serving as a village police officer, a deputy, a captain and a police chief before taking over as Onondaga County's top cop.

Montes, 50, spent 27 years in federal law enforcement before retiring in 2016. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1999 and takes over as commanding officer of the Navy reserve unit in Rome this month.

In 2017, the sheriff was paid $111,221.

By the day before Election Day, the Friends of Mike Montes campaign had raised $32,285, according to the state Board of Elections. The Gene Conway For Sheriff campaign had raised $124,449.Syracuse, NY -- One Republican and one Democrat joined two incumbent Republicans in filling four state Supreme Court justice seats in Central New York.

State justices fill a variety of roles in the local trial courts, mainly in non-criminal litigation. They can also substitute for any trial judge -- including criminal -- in the court system.

The 14-year terms pay $208,000 a year.

Republican Gerry Neri, 60, of Liverpool, claimed one of the open seats by a wide margin in the six-county race that spans Onondaga, Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and Herkimer counties.

Democrat Scott DelConte, 45, of Oswego, took the other open seat, coming in fourth in the eight-way race.

Incumbents Donald Greenwood, 61, of Jamesville, and James Murphy, 59, of Skaneateles, retained their jobs by comfortable margins.

DelConte beat the fifth place finisher, Republican Karen Brandt, by roughly 10,000 votes, according to unofficial results from the counties' board of elections.

Coming up short were Brandt, as well as Democrats Ted Limpert, Christina Cagnina and Joseph Cote.

Overall, Murphy and Neri each garnered more than 168,000 votes across the six-county judicial district. Greenwood came in third with 164,963 votes. DelConte scored 160,844.

By comparison, Brandt won 150,357 votes and none of the other Democrats cracked 140,000 votes.

There are roughly 211,000 registered Republicans and 193,000 Democrats in the district. Democrats Limpert and Cagnina prevailed in their home county of Onondaga, but could not make up for losses in the surrounding counties.

The race was thrust into the headlines about a month before the election after Limpert's brother challenged the validity of the entire Republican nomination process. The lawsuit, based on a technicality of election law, took more than a week to be decided and raised concern that it would delay the mailing of absentee ballots.

In the end, absentee ballots were mailed one day late and the lawsuit itself was thrown out on appeal.

Of the four open seats, two were vacated by judges who have reached the retirement age of 70. The new judges can be assigned anywhere in the six-county district.

Here's a little about each of the winners:

Greenwood, 61, of Jamesville, has served one 14-year term. He is member of the court's commercial division, handling corporate law, business and contract disputes. He also is the primary judge handling local tax disputes. He is also chairman of the Onondaga County Jury Board.

Murphy, 59, of Skaneateles, has served one 14-year term on state Supreme Court. Previously was elected to three terms on the Onondaga County legislature, was a civil lawyer for 20 years and worked early in his career as an assistant prosecutor. He is district coordinating judge for town and village courts.

Neri, 60, of Liverpool, is a court referee, hearing and adjudicating trials in Family and Supreme courts. As special counsel to the courts, he also coordinates training for judges and employees. Formerly, Neri was Liverpool police chief, assuming the position at age 26. He later went to law school and worked as a trial lawyer for 17 years.

DelConte, 45, of Oswego, is a civil lawyer who practices in state Supreme Court, began his career at Syracuse's Bond, Schoeneck & King, advancing to become a partner and managing one of the firm's offices. He has since started his own civil law firm. He's a past Oswego County Bar Association president and general counsel to the regional United Methodist Church. His family also runs a farm.

Brandt, 43, of Phoenix, is a local town justice. Limpert, 59, of Syracuse, is a current City Court judge. Cagnina, 50, and Cote, 57, are private practice attorneys.Syracuse, NY -- Ann Magnarelli, an assistant Onondaga County attorney, won a seat on Syracuse's City Court by a wide margin against her Democratic primary opponent and a Republican challenger.

Magnarelli won 69.5 percent of the city's vote with 22,453 votes, according to unofficial results, with 100 percent reporting.

That's nearly 16,500 votes more than her closest rival, Republican Jason Zeigler, who had 18.5 percent of the vote. Magnarelli's primary challenger, Shadia Tadros, came in third with 12 percent.

The general election comes after a hard-fought, nail-biting victory for Magnarelli in the Democratic primary. She narrowly prevailed over Tadros and a third candidate, Felicia Pitts Davis, once absentee ballots had been counted. Tadros stayed in the race on the Working Families line.

Magnarelli, 39, of Sedgwick, comes from a well-known Democratic family and has clerked for state and federal judges, worked as a city of Syracuse lawyer and currently is employed as a deputy Onondaga County attorney. She's appeared before the state's highest court and argued many times in federal court.

Her father is state Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse. Her brother is a schoolteacher, as his mother was before him.

Tadros, 37, of outer Strathmore, is a first-generation Arab-American from the South Side whose father worked as a security guard and her grandfather owned a store. Her family immigrated from Jordan looking for a better life.

Tadros runs her own Syracuse law firm, focusing on criminal, traffic and immigration issues. Her work has taken her into city, state, federal and administrative courts, as well as civil court.

Zeigler, 41, of Eastwood, is an Army veteran who came to Syracuse after his service at Fort Drum. Zeigler touted his track record of a dozen years practicing in Syracuse City Court.

He also pointed to his years-long fight with the county's assigned counsel program for adequate pay and resources as proof he's willing to fight for justice. A landmark court decision in 2014 largely addressed Zeigler's concerns, pumping millions and adding oversight into the system that pays to defend poor people charged with crimes.

There are 36,166 voters enrolled as Democrats vs. 9,415 as Republicans, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Another 14,661 are not enrolled in any party. There are 64,375 registered voters in the city.

All nine current City Court judges are Democrats. Magnarelli replaces the retiring Judge Karen Uplinger.

The 10-year term pays $175.032 a year.Frederick, Colo. -- The Colorado man charged with killing his pregnant wife and two daughters pleaded guilty Tuesday in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.



Christopher Watts murdered his wife Shanann, 34, and their daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, in August. Authorities took him into custody several days after Shanann and the girls were reported missing.



Watts pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder, unlawful termination of a pregnancy and tampering with a deceased human body, according to The Denver Post. He'll be sentenced Nov. 19.



Watts will serve consecutive life sentences for the three murders, the Post said. Shanann Watts' parents signed off on the deal to spare the family the emotions of a death penalty case.



Investigators found the bodies on the property of Anadarko Petroleum, where Watts worked, according to the Post. His wife's body was found in a shallow grave at the site and the girls' bodies were found in an oil tank.



Prosecutors believe Watts killed his wife and daughters inside the family's home in Frederick, according to Denver 7.



Arrest records state Watts was having an affair and trying to separate from Shanann at the time of the murders, Denver 7 said.



He claimed his wife strangled their daughters when he told her of his plans to leave her. Watts said he then killed her in a rage.



Prosecutor Michael Rourke called Watts a liar during a news conference after the plea, according to Denver 7.



"The spotlight shines directly where it belongs: on him," Rourke said, according to Denver 7. "He deserves a life sentence for each and every act on top of the other. It was important that each of those beautiful human beings was respected in that sentence."

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-282-8598Whether you're going home for the holidays or trying to get out of town, the Transportation Security Administration is warning travelers that this Thanksgiving will be crazy busy.

The TSA said Tuesday that it expects 25 million people to be traveling from Friday, November 16 through Monday, November 26, for the 2018 holiday. That's an increase from 7 percent last year, making it one of the TSA's busiest Thanksgivings ever.

JFK Airport in New York City is expected to be the worst this year, with more than 100,000 passengers per day leading up to Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 22. Newark Liberty International Airport will screen about 70,000 people daily and NYC's LaGuardia Airport will have about 48,000 passing through TSA checkpoints.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving will be especially busy, when most people are returning from trips. The TSA predicts it will be one of the 10 busiest days ever at airports.

Some people may try to avoid the rush with early flights, but it might not make a difference.

"People are trying to get a jump-start, head start on the crowds, but actually it's just as busy the Friday before Thanksgiving and the Monday before Thanksgiving," TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told CBS. "It starts to ramp up on Tuesday (Nov. 20). Wednesday is huge, of course, the day before Thanksgiving. And Sunday, right after Thanksgiving, is probably one of the busiest days."

As a a result, the TSA is encouraging everyone to arrive early and "prepare, prepare, prepare." Travelers are advised to have correct IDs ready; remove laptops and large electronics from carry-on bags; put large liquids such as shampoo and suntan lotion in checked bags; follow the "3-1-1 liquids rule" for carry-on bags; and contact TSA ahead of time if you have any questions.

CBS reports popular Thanksgiving food items like turkey, stuffing, pies and cakes are allowed in carry-on bags, but gravy, mashed potatoes and wet yams are considered liquids and must be checked. Wrapped gifts are also allowed, but not recommended because TSA agents may have to unwrap the present if it sets off an X-ray machine.

By the way, if you haven't already booked a plane, USA Today reports the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the worst, both for traffic and costs. Air fares for those days are 50 to 130 percent more than the same days a week before Thanksgiving; traveling on Thanksgiving Day is the cheapest.

If you're traveling by car, you won't have to deal with long lines at the airport, but the roads will still be busy. AAA hasn't revealed its 2018 projections yet, but more than 50 million Americans drove 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving last year -- up 3.3 percent from 2016 and the busiest since 2005.Sir Vince Cable is probably the most high-profile figure the Liberal Democrats have. Still languishing on 10% or less of the vote, the party needs all the big names it can get. Cable was Business Secretary under the Coalition government, famous for irritating his Tory counterparts with his left-leaning views and obstinacy when he believed that David Cameron and co. were leading the country astray. His popularity was perhaps at its greatest when he chided Gordon Brown in 2007 for a transformation from Stalin to Mr Bean. Now he is trying to rebuild support as leader of a party that many believe to be staring down the barrel of irrelevance, yet which has tried to establish a niche for itself in British politics by being avowedly pro-European, and one of the loudest voices calling for a referendum on the final terms of the Brexit deal. We meet in the aftermath of his recent appearance at the Cambridge Union, and I begin by asking what, in the light of an extensive new Channel 4 poll showing that 54% of people would now vote Remain, has changed since 2016.

The first thing is actually demographic. Theres a vast difference between the voting preferences of older people and younger people. In the two-and-a-bit years since the last vote theres been a lot more younger people coming through the system, and many of the older people are no longer here. Thats a rather brutal fact but its one of the key factors. He goes on to explain that many of the arguments advanced in favour of Brexit  more money for the NHS, in particular [the argument] that Britain was going to get all these wonderful trade agreements around the world  have been undermined in recent months. Also, [Arron] Banks involvement in dirty money and so on is, I think, damaging the credibility of the Brexit case. Hes now saying hed vote Remain next time, its bizarre!

Arron Banks is a British businessman who rose to prominence in 2014 after donating 1 million to UKIP. Extensively involved with Leave.EU, the pro-Brexit group endorsed by Nigel Farage, last week it was revealed that he is being investigated by the National Crime Agency for irregularities in the spending of the campaign. Banks is scheduled to talk at Cambridge University Conservative Association later this month, although some have questioned the invitation in the light of these allegations. Cable denies that the invitation should be withdrawn.

I dont think that would be sensible. He should speak because thats his spiritual home. The Tory party are being basically taken over by UKIP, and by those prejudices, and Banks represents those, so why wouldnt he? He hasnt yet been convicted of a criminal offence, theres no reason why he shouldnt speak, I think its entirely appropriate that he should be speaking to local Tories.

Sticking with the European theme, I wonder whether the Brexit issue could cause a major re-alignment of British politics, reminiscent of the split endured by Labour in the 1980s. Yes, theres some hope [] There are a large number of Labour MPs and Labour activists who are deeply, deeply disillusioned with Corbyn and McDonnell and the new Labour Party who may break away; I dont know how many. And [the same is true] for a lot of Tories, depending on what happens after Brexit  if a new leader such as Rees-Mogg or Johnson took over I think they would be split, so the potential is there, but I think a lot of people are just waiting to see how Brexit plays out.

We move onto his role in the Coalition government, during which the Lib Dems (infamously, or not, depending on your view) governed for five years with the Conservatives. I ask whether or not the party is closer to Labour or the Tories. Were not close to either, Cable tells me. Obviously in 2010 we could have worked with Camerons lot, which we did, or Gordon Brown had we had the numbers. But now I think the differences [we have] with both parties are too profound.

The fact that Britain is becoming more ideologically polarised perhaps explains why the Liberal Democrats, so often called centrists or moderates  although this view is not shared by much of the partys membership  are failing to attract mass support in a world of extremes. I finish by asking whether the past few years, particularly his experiences in government, have changed Sir Vinces political views in any way. [As a result of being a minister] I think I was less economically liberal than when I started. I mean, I did realise the importance and the effectiveness of the right kind of government intervention. We had some successes with the Industrial Strategy and the British Business Bank, and lots of other things but Ive become more inclined now towards government working as a [positive influence] on the private sector rather than stepping back.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.Quantum-dot technology is hard to beat when it comes to vibrant and accurate color. Even when its in a less-expensive QLED, such as the 65-inch-class Samsung Q8FN reviewed here. By cheaper, I mean a street price of $2,300 as opposed to the $3,000 that the Q9FN will set you back. Thats still a pretty heft sum, but its only $300 more than the Q7FNand its $100 less than the Q7FN was just a couple of months ago. Yup, its getting to be that time of year again.

Lets examine the major differences between the three: The least-expensive modelthe Q7FNuses edge backlighting, while the Q8FN has full array direct backlighting (so it delivers better blacks than the Q7FN). The top-of-the-line Q9FN, meanwhile, nets you full array direct backlighting, Samsungs nifty One Connect box (which will save you some cable wrangling), and 25-percent higher dynamic range than the Q8FN).

Considering the Q8FNs narrower dynamic range is far wider than what youll encounter in most other TVs on the marketapart from the Q9FN, of courseand cables arent all that hard to wrangle, I consider the compromise pretty easy to live with given the Q8FNs lower price tag.

Design and features

The Q8FN I tested is of the 65-inch class (55-, 75-, and 82-inch models are also available), with a 64.5-inch panel running at 120Hz. Resolution is 3840x2160, aka, 4K UHD or 2160p. The TV is a thin-bezel design that weighs in at right around 60 pounds and is VESA wall-mountable. Samsung wont say how many lights or zones there are in the backlighting. Why the reticence, I cant say, but there are a lot.

I was surprised to discover that the Q8FNs ports are on the TV, as opposed to the aforementioned One Connect box, since Samsung bundles that with both the less-expensive Q7FN and the top-of-the-line Q9FN. Plugging all the required cables into the TV itself is slightly more awkward, but you easily save enough money to come up with another hidden solution, such as a cable raceway painted to match the wall. And if youre not wall-mounting, the absence of the One Connect box is a moot point anyway.

Samsung The Q8FN doesnt have the One Connect breakout box featured by the Q7FN and Q9FN, instead opting for onboard ports. Considering you get much the same picture as the Q9FN for a lot lesswe can live with that.

The TV is equipped with four 60Hz HDMI ports, with one supporting ARC (Audio Return Channel; a coax connector for cable or an OTA antenna (there is a tuner on board); two USB ports; an ethernet port; and an optical audio output. A/V and component input is supported via 3.5mm ports and adapter cables. There are also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters onboard.

Alas, that means its now time for my Samsung-doesnt-support-Dolby-Vision warning. I still havent seen any meaningful amount of content encoded in HDR10+ (Samsungs Dolby Vision equivalent, with dynamic metadata but without the 12-bit color palette). Content encoded with Dolby Vision, on the other hand, has become very common, and in my experience, it generally looks better than HDR10. Its not light years better, but its better.

The Q8FN does support Samsungs ambient mode, where you use the Samsung app to take a picture of the TVs surroundings, then create an on-display wallpaper with it so that the display disappears into its background. Its a neat party trick, but its not as valuable as supporting Dolby Vision.

Interface and remote

Ive complained mildly in previous reviews about the Samsung Smart Hub interface not always returning you to where you left off. But having just spent some time with Android TV, I have a renewed appreciation for Smart Hubs clean design and thoughtfully logical organization. With just a few tweaks, it could be the best interface available.

Samsung The clever and minimalist One Remote universal remote control. Our test unit arrived with the slightly classier silver model, but the two are functionally identical.

I also think the One Remote universal remote errs just a hair on the side of minimalism. Add a full complement of dedicated transport buttons and a real escape function to close all menus in one stroke, and it would be perfect. Regardless, its still one of my favorites and a joy to use compared to most. It supports voice navigation as well as Samsungs Bixby digital assistant.

Performance and picture

Before I nitpick, the Q8FNs picture easily makes the 95th percentile. After living with other brands for most of the last two months, viewing it reminded me just how good the QLEDs are. Great black (for an LED-backlit LCD) along with great peak brightness, and the best color in the business. Since I no longer have the Q9FN to make a side-by-side comparison, take this with a grain of salt, but I was actually happier with the Q8FNs image that I remember being with the Q9FNs.

It might have something to do with the array backlighting, which supposedly isnt quite as granular and produces 25-percent less peak brightness. I still measured 1600 nits at one point, and the blacks were largely spot on. Perhaps theres a sweet spot the Q8FN hits that the Q9FN doesnt.

In addition to being quite bright, the array backlighting also proved largely artifact free. Theres very little blooming or other artifacts with bright objects on a black background, and the blacks, as I already mentioned, are pretty darn good. There are times when you can see some mild bleed, but its nothing compared to what you see from lesser TVs.

The Q8FNs color is every bit as accurate as the Q9FNs thanks to a layer of quantum dots. Straight LED/filter technologies are getting closer to true reds and greens, but QLEDs are already there. Indeed, you must retreat to the old CLF-backlight days to find color thats a vibrant and true.

The only other difference Samsung talks about is that the audio is only a 4.1-channel speaker system with a 40-watt amplifier onboard, compared to the 4.2-channel, 70-watt amp on the more expensive model.

I do have two minor complaints. The first is that the backlight and other optimizations arent always instantaneous. In other words, youll see some slight blooming or judder for an instant before the Q8FN figures out whats going on in the video and compensates.

Samsung Samsung doesnt want you to forget that this is a photo of a QLED TV. Considering the picture the unit delivers, were pretty sure you wouldnt forget it even if there wasnt a logo on the photo.

The other nitpick has to do with the panning of highly detailed patterns, which is a complaint I have with nearly all LED-backlit LCD TVs. Theres often a slight shimmer or indistinct moire. You can dial this out of most material, but not without loss of sharpness and detail. The only TVs Ive seen that handle this particular type of artifact well are from Sony, which are otherwise, not quite in QLEDs class.

HDR renderings offered plenty of pop in the highlights. With all of our test material being HDR10, however, there is compromise. HDR10 relays adjustment information to the TV only once, at the beginning. HDR10 palettes tend to be darker than that of the Dolby Vision equivalents Ive seen on other TVs.

I wish Samsung would bite the bullet and pay to license Dolby Visionat least until HDR10+ gains traction. Assuming it does. Note that I have asked Samsung for HDR10+ files, but they dont seem to exist at the moment. Only Amazon streams HDR10+ the last time it checked.

Stated maximum power draw of the Q8FN is around 280 watts, though I never saw more than around 200 with HDR (High Dynamic Range) material. With standard dynamic range, power consumption was about half that.

The sound from the Q8FN isnt bad at all, and you could probably live with it if youre not too picky about such things. I mentioned 4.1-channel audio, but thats simply the onboard speaker count. Via HDMI or other outputs, the Q8FN will drive larger setups.

Top banana

Of all the 65-inch TVs Ive tested in the $2,000 to $2,500 price range, the Q8FN is easily the best. Actually, it can hold its own with the finest TVs at any price point. The HDR is vibrant, the colors true, and the blacks very dark. The only caveat is the lack of support for Dolby Vision.What just happened? AT&T is breaking precedent by cutting off internet service to those who have been accused of pirating content. Numerous warnings were sent out previously, but this does welcome a new era of how customers can be treated without necessarily following strict procedures.

For the first time ever, AT&T is about to stop providing internet services to more than a dozen subscribers over piracy related matters. Of the accused, each customer should have received no less than nine warnings of their activities from owners of content.

Back in 2013, many ISPs adopted a six strike system in conjunction with the Recording Industry Association of America and Motion Picture Association of America. Last year, the six strike system was shut down due to its overall lack of effectiveness. Since then, ISPs have had to come up with their own new policies on how to handle piracy cases.

During the time of six strikes, AT&T stated that it would never throttle connections or cancel a customers service even after the first six alleged violations. Its intent was to educated people about what they were doing wrong.

"A small number of customers who continue to receive additional copyright infringement notifications from content owners despite our efforts to educate them, will have their service discontinued."

As part of AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner, several Time Warner segments could potentially be responsible for filing complaints against internet subscribers. AT&T did confirm that content owners indicated that they had evidence of users sharing copyrighted materials. However, AT&T would not confirm or deny that a former Time Warner business was the group making a complaint.

Given that this is the first time that end users are actually having their services cut off, it is likely that the alleged offenders have been repeatedly downloading and/or distributing copyrighted materials on a large scale. It is still highly unlikely that finding a song or two from shady sources will get your internet cutoff, but sharing hundreds of files may now be more thoroughly investigated.

Image Credit: ShutterstockIn brief: Researchers at the University of California at Riverside have discovered three ways that hackers can use graphics processing units to compromise users security and privacy. The techniques can be used to spy on browser activity, steal passwords, and to attack cloud-based applications.

In a paper titled Rendered Insecure: GPU Side Channel Attacks are Practical, the computer scientists describe how they were able to reverse engineer an Nvidia GPU to compromise both graphics and computational stacks. They contend that this is the first time anyone has successfully used side channel attacks on a GPU.

There are a couple of requirements to execute these types of exploits. First, the victim must install a spyware program. This malicious code could be embedded in an otherwise innocuous application. Second, the attackers must have a machine-learning algorithm that can analyze memory allocations of the GPU. Both the spyware and the ML program utilize existing graphics APIs such as OpenGL or WebGL to execute the attacks.

Once the user opens the malicious application, it uses the APIs to analyze the browser as it is being rendered by the GPU. Memory allocations and performance counters from the GPU are monitored and fed into the machine-learning algorithm, which interprets the data to create a fingerprint of the website.

Every website has a unique trace in terms of GPU memory utilization due to the different number of objects and different sizes of objects being rendered, notes UC Riverside. This signal is consistent across loading the same website several times and is unaffected by caching.

According to the researchers, they have been able to achieve very high accuracy using this website fingerprinting method. This technique could allow hackers to monitor all web activity.

The team was also able to extract passwords from the GPU data. As a user types in their password, the entire text box is sent to the graphics processing unit for rendering. This passing of data occurs for each keystroke.

Monitoring the interval time of consecutive memory allocation events leaked the number of password characters and inter-keystroke timing, well-established techniques for learning passwords, they said.

The third technique is used to attack cloud-based applications. It is a bit more complicated than the other methods.

The attack targets a computational application in the cloud. The attacker launches a malicious computational workload on the GPU which operates alongside the victims application. Depending on neural network parameters, the intensity and pattern of contention on the cache, memory and functional units differ over time, creating measurable leakage. The attacker uses machine learning-based classification on performance counter traces to extract the victims secret neural network structure, such as number of neurons in a specific layer of a deep neural network.

The team already informed Nvidia of their findings and were told that the company would be rolling out a patch to system administrators that would give them the option to disable access to performance counters from user-level processes. They also communicated their research to AMD and Intel security teams so that they could assess whether these vulnerabilities could be exploited on their respective GPUs.

If you are interested, the researchers have uploaded their paper to the UCR website. The group now plans to test against Android phones to see if GPU side-channel attacks are possible.SpaceX GO Searcher, a recovery ship fitted with its own helipad and medical treatment facility, completed a successful test run this weekend.

The private spaceflight company founded and led by Elon Musk recently performed landing and patient-loading rehearsals on the ship, including how to pick up astronauts via a helicopter to be flown to a nearby hospital.

The drill was made in preparation for the Crew Dragon spacecraft's first manned orbital mission to the International Space Station.

SpaceX GO Searcher Unveiled

Here's how a successful flight from the ISS will work: the Crew Dragon capsule will descend from the ISS and land on the waters off the coast of Florida. The GO Searcher, which is equipped with its own crane, will retrieve the capsule from the water and bring it to the main deck.

The medical personnel onboard the ship will evaluate the astronauts and send them to the hospital via a helicopter if needed. Otherwise, if the astronauts were declared unharmed from the descent, the ship will head toward Cape Canaveral in Florida. A team from SpaceX will then accompany the astronauts to the nearby airport and they fly back to Houston.

GO Searcher is one of the ocean vessels that the company has acquired over the years to aid in its spaceflight efforts. Over the past three months, engineers have been upgrading GO Searchers as part of the operational transport and recovery mission of astronauts. Another vessel, the GO Navigator, will also be part of the mission.

SpaceX To Ferry NASA Astronauts To The ISS

The Crew Dragon is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which is meant to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. Since 2011, the U.S. has been hitchhiking to Russia's Soyuz programs to send astronauts to space and then bring them back home.

The Commercial Crew Program aims to make the journey to and from the ISS safe, reliable, and cost-effective. NASA has also teamed up with Boeing as part of the program.

The first flight of the Crew Dragon is expected to take place in January, but no astronauts will be onboard the capsule yet. The first manned flight is scheduled in June 2019.

Meanwhile, Boeing's uncrewed Orbital Flight Test is scheduled for March 2019.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.An Australian man, who ate a slug eight years ago as a dare by friends, has died after contracting rat lungworm disease.

Sam Ballard, a promising rugby player, took his final breath on Friday, Nov. 2, in a hospital in Sydney surrounded by family and friends. He was 28 years old.

Eating A Slug As A Dare

Ballard was only 19 when he ate the slug that will eventually cause his death. In 2010, the young man was drinking with friends in Sydney when they saw a slug crawling across the patio.

After downing the slug, Ballard complained of severe pain in his legs. At first, they suspected that the young man had multiple sclerosis just like his father, but upon assessment by doctors, they discovered that he developed rat lungworm disease.

From there, his situation only became worse. He developed eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, a form of meningitis, and fell into a coma for 420 days. When the doctors revived him, he was paralyzed and in need of constant care. Ballard's brain received serious brain injury.

What Is Rat Lungworm Disease?

Rat lungworm disease, as the name suggests, is caused by a parasite called Angiostronjilus cantonensis that often affects rats. The parasite lodges inside the lungs of the infected rat, but are later excreted through poop.

When another animal, like a slug, gets exposed to the rat's poop, they also get infected with the parasite. Humans can get the disease from eating the animal uncooked.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rat lungworm disease is common in Southeast Asia and the tropical Pacific Island. Cases have also been reported in the United States.

To avoid getting infected, refrain from eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs, frogs, shrimps, and prawns. Public health officials also warned about fresh produce. They say always wash vegetables thoroughly.

Symptoms include a headache, stiff neck, tingling under the skin, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In most cases, the infection does not need to be treated because it goes away on its own.

However, it is best to see a healthcare provider if someone suspects of an exposure to the disease. A blood test can be performed to check for meningitis.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

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Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.A grain ship takes on cargo from the grain export elevator at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. Exports from Baton Rouge hit $10.5 billion in 2018, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department. Thats up 19% from $8.8 billion in exports reported in 2017.A statue stands as monument to the Confederate soldiers of east Feliciana Parish in this 2010 photo. The East Feliciana Courthouse was being repaired at the time. On Monday, May 2, 2016, the Police Jury sent to committee a request to consider moving the statue to the Clinton Confederate cemetery.State Rep. Kenny Havard has been elected as the second person to serve as West Feliciana Parish president, replacing Kevin Couhig, who is stepping down next month with about a year left in his term.

Havard, a Republican, won with 58 percent of the vote, according to complete but unofficial returns.

The parish transitioned from a police jury system of government to a parish council in 2013. Couhig took office that year and pushed growth and economic development for the region, although some officials and residents said they preferred to preserve the parishs historic roots and rural lifestyle.

Havard, 47, had won a House district seat serving parts of East Baton Rouge and East and West Feliciana parishes in 2011. His current term ends in 2020. Two years ago, he questioned during a debate in the House chamber about strippers whether Louisiana should require them to be younger than 28 and not overweight. He said he was attempting to make a point: "I was making a comment about overregulation and the overreach of government, and they get that. Some people dont have a sense of humor and I feel bad for them really.

Rep. Kenny Havard ignites controversy in legislature again, this time with testy gender debate An effort to describe how Louisiana's female prisoners should be treated sparked testy exchanges in the House, as a male lawmaker criticized t

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Lauren Field, 52, had pledged to work for small businesses after opening a women's clothing store. In 2007 she took her position as executive director of the St. Francisville Area Foundation.

We have great businesses here but we need to have traffic for them to thrive. We need to focus on marketing and tourism for that to happen, Field, a Republican, said ahead of the election.

John Thompson, a Republican who represents District B on the West Feliciana Parish Council, had said he would work with others to improve the parish.

I work with everyone in the parish, rich and poor and across racial lines," said Thompson, who is also a Baptist preacher.

Full results of those races are available on the Louisiana Secretary of States website, voterportal.sos.la.gov/graphical.A Baton Rouge judge did not abuse his discretion in sentencing a Walker woman to 35 years behind bars in the gruesome 2015 slaying of a man who two weeks earlier had been placed on probation after pleading no contest" to molesting her as a child, a state appeals court ruled.

Brittany Monk, 21, who faced up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the killing of Robert Noce Jr., claims the sentence imposed on her in January by then-state District Judge Tony Marabella was illegally excessive.

+3 Walker woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2015 slaying of her convicted molester A 19-year-old woman admitted Monday that she helped kill her convicted molester two years ago in Zachary, agreeing to plead guilty to manslaug

A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal disagreed with Monk on Tuesday, saying the facts of the case would have supported a second-degree murder conviction. Such a conviction could have carried a term of life in prison without parole.

"The sentence imposed was not grossly disproportionate to the severity of the offense, and thus, was not unconstitutionally excessive," Circuit Judge Michael McDonald wrote for the appellate court panel that included fellow Circuit Judges William Crain and Guy Holdridge.

+5 Judge decries 'vigilante justice' of Jace Crehan, Brittany Monk after sentencing in slaying of Monk's molester In a Baton Rouge courtroom raw with emotion, Jace Crehan was sentenced Friday to life in prison without parole and his girlfriend, Brittany Mo

The panels ruling came a day after a different 1st Circuit panel affirmed the second-degree murder conviction and life prison term given to Monk's boyfriend, Jace Crehan, 24, of Walker.

Noce, 47, of Zachary, was a former boyfriend of Monk's mother and raised Monk for about 10 years after her mother abandoned her.

+4 In slaying of girlfriend's convicted molester, Walker man's conviction, life sentence affirmed A state appeals court has affirmed a Walker man's second-degree murder conviction and life prison term in the 2015 vigilante-style stabbing an

Monk was 17 and seven months pregnant with Crehans child when she and Crehan broke into Noce's trailer the night of July 4, 2015. Noce was stabbed and strangled to death and stuffed inside a 55-gallon container.

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In upholding Crehans conviction and sentence, the 1st Circuit on Monday rejected his argument that his killing of Noce was manslaughter  a heat of passion crime  rather than second-degree murder, which requires specific intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm.

+4 Jace Crehan trial: Girlfriend gives chilling account of fatal stabbing, strangulation of convicted molester A Walker woman testified calmly but in chilling detail Tuesday how she and her boyfriend, Jace Crehan, broke into the Zachary trailer of her c

Monk, the court noted, admitted that neither she nor Crehan had any contact with Noce from his 2012 arrest until his death and that Noce posed no threat to them. Monk also testified at Crehans trial in December that Crehan was not upset by the resolution of Noces case.

The jury rejected defendants assertion that essentially he was 'forced' to kill Noce because of a 'failure of the judicial system,' and that his vigilante justice was somehow justified as a result, the appeals court said of Crehan in its ruling in his case.

In her appeal, Monk cited the sexual abuse she suffered at Noce's hands, her status as a juvenile at the time of his killing and Crehans manipulation and control over her as reasons for not deserving the harsh sentence she received.

The appeals court noted that high and maximum sentences have been imposed in the past on first-time or young offenders convicted of manslaughter under a variety of circumstances.

Crehan admitted to law enforcement authorities that he choked and stabbed Noce after dragging a sleeping Noce from his bed. Crehan said the knife he used was retrieved from Noces kitchen by Monk, at Crehans direction.

Monk testified she sprayed Noce in the face with a mans body spray while Crehan wrestled with him and that she also punched Noce 10 to 15 times while Crehan held him down.Police on Wednesday released the name of the man who was found dead in his home after a shooting on Sycamore Street the night before.

Tavoris Smith, 27, was fatally shot around 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 4700 block of Sycamore Street, Baton Rouge police spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. said. Smith was pronounced dead on the scene.

Coppola said Wednesday investigators have not identified any suspects or motives.

At the scene Tuesday night, detectives appeared to be focusing on a house not far from the intersection of Sycamore and Beechwood Drive. Neighbors reported having head three shots and said they believe someone fired into the house.

This is the scene on Sycamore Street where one person was fatally shot around 8pm. Lots of people here but few details have been released. pic.twitter.com/rqdqYFiSqm  Lea Skene (@lea_skene) November 7, 2018

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They said the victim was a young man in his 20s who lived there.

A large group of people  including dozens of the victim's family and friends  gathered on the scene and stayed for hours after the shooting, comforting each other while still expressing disbelief at what had happened.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Baton Rouge police Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.WASHINGTON  Louisiana voters decided against changing the states congressional delegation but the rest of the country had different ideas, overturning a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and giving control of the speakership to Democrats for the first time since 2010.

The states six incumbent congressmen all coasted to re-election Tuesday, but when they return to Capitol Hill theyll find a new landscape to navigate.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a Republican from the New Orleans area, once had his eyes on the speakers gavel. With current GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, retiring at the end of the year, Scalise spent the last six months jockeying with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, for the inside track to replace him.

But Tuesdays election means Scalise no longer has a Republican majority to whip, much less one to make him speaker. Scalise told colleagues in an email Wednesday hed be running for minority whip, putting to bed rumors he might directly challenge McCarthy for the minority leader job.

In the email, obtained by The Advocate, Scalise said election results were a tremendous disappointment but added he sees an opportunity to highlight the GOP's "proven conservative principles."

"We have to do a better job of letting people know what we stand for, and how our ideas are better to improve the lives of hard-working families," Scalise wrote in asking fellow Republicans for support.

+2 Grace Notes: Louisiana's congressional members get ready to play musical chairs For members of Congress who are expected to return to Washington next year  a category that includes all six of Louisianas House members  t

Just what that ends up meaning for Scalises political future remains unclear.

There are fewer options, said Bob Livingston, a fellow Louisiana Republican who previously held Scalises seat.

The minority whip job amounts to a step up the party ranks  itd make him the Houses No. 2 Republican  but a significant step down in terms of political power and influence.

The House, where a simple majority rules and the speaker holds almost complete control of the agenda, allots little power to minority members and gives them very limited ability to shape legislation or steer hearings.

Scalises position as majority whip has put him right in the middle of controlling the agenda in the House, said former longtime U.S. Sen. John Breaux, a Democrat from Crowley who now works as a lobbyist in Washington.

All of a sudden, come January, all of that will instantly change for him, said Breaux, who also spent 14 years in the House. I cannot overemphasize the change from being in the majority to the minority. If youre in the minority, youre in the minority, and you dont control the legislation in any way, shape or form.

Scalise, a 53-year-old former Louisiana state lawmaker, has been considered a rising star of the Republican Party. Hes a close ally of President Donald Trump and is well-regarded among the GOPs right wing.

The smaller Republican minority in the House appears much more conservative and much more loyal to Trump. Democratic gains in swing districts and well-to-do suburbs knocked of many of the more moderate Republican members  like South Floridas Carlos Curbelo. A wave of others are retiring.

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That potentially bodes well for Scalises position among House Republicans. McCarthy, though tight with Trump, isnt as popular with the partys right wing, which came out of Tuesdays election largely unscathed and now make up a large share of the remaining Republicans in the House.

Although Scalise isnt running against McCarthy, the California Republican faces at least one opponent in his bid for leadership. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a founder of the conservative Freedom Caucus, announced Tuesday morning hes also running for minority leader.

Jordan is considered a longshot to win but a number of analysts have seen his candidacy as a sign of conservative discontent with McCarthy  which helped scuttle McCarthys failed 2015 bid for the speakership  and could still force a reshuffling of the leadership ranks, potentially offering an opening for Scalise to broker a compromise.

There have also been rumors among some Louisiana Republicans that Scalise could leave Washington to challenge current Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, in 2019. Scalise has repeatedly denied any interest in running for governor  telling reporters no way at one public event  but some of his fans hope that answer might change now that his prospects in Congress have dimmed for the moment.

Breaux said he hasnt spoken with Scalise since the election but doubted hed leave the House  especially when hed be well-positioned to engineer a Republican resurgence in a future election.

I think hed want to stay and try to lead his troops back into the majority in two years, Breaux said. I think obviously thats going to be one of his big goals.

Louisianas lone Democrat in the House, New Orleans Rep. Cedric Richmond, stands to gain significantly from his partys takeover  and might become the states most influential congressman in a Democratic House as he begins his fifth term in office.

Theres no obvious next landing spot for Richmond, the outgoing chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. CBC chairs serve a single two-year term.

Richmond has positioned the CBC to play a big role in Democratic leadership elections  currently set for December  and has loudly advocated for more black members in top posts.

In a letter to colleagues just before the election, Richmond indicated hed want a Black Caucus member to hold at least one of the Houses top two spots  either speaker or majority leader  if theres any shakeup of the top posts.

Just how thatll play out remains to be seen. All three top House Democrats  Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn of South Carolina  announced theyre running for the top three spots in the new Congress.

A spokesperson for Richmond didnt respond to an interview request Wednesday.

Its unclear if Richmond  who will hand off the CBC chairmanship in January  will secure a major promotion. Richmond is a close ally of Clyburn, whos running for whip, and is unlikely to challenge the longtime congressman and current highest-ranking black member.

But there have been rumblings among some Democrats about their partys aging House leadership  Pelosi and Clyburn are both 78 and Hoyer is 79  and the 45-year-old Richmond is seen by many as a potentially influential member of the next generation of younger congressional Democrats.Voters approved all six constitutional amendments on Tuesday's ballot, including two measures on criminal justice and one to restrict state highway spending.

A measure to abolish split-jury verdicts on serious felonies  Constitutional Amendment No. 2  and one to prevent felons from seeking public office until five years after their sentence is finished  Constitutional Amendment No. 1  were winning lopsided approval with 97 percent of the vote in.

The jury change would make Louisiana the 49th to do so, leaving Oregon as the lone state to allow split verdicts.

The previous rules allowed defendants here to be convicted of serious felonies with 10 of 12 jury votes  a holdover from the era of white supremacy as a way to convict black citizens more easily.

The change easily piqued the heaviest attention of the six amendments.

A measure on felons seeking public office was sponsored by Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, after the state Supreme Court struck down a 15-year ban for technical reasons in 2016.

Also, voters were giving thumbs up to a plan that would ban the use of state road and bridge funds from going to State Police for traffic control.

See New Orleans-area election results See complete election results from New Orleans-area races via the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office...

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Backers said that, while the practice was stopped by Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016, a ban is needed to prevent a rerun of years when road and bridge dollars were routinely redirected to State Police.

The state has a $14 billion backlog of road and bridge needs, and Constitutional Amendment No. 4 is seen as one way to help restore voter confidence in transportation spending.

Three other amendments on Tuesday's ballot that won little attention were also winning support.

Constitutional Amendment No. 6 was touted as a way to protect homeowners, especially in New Orleans and Lake Charles, from suffering huge property tax hikes.

Under the plan, if a property reassessment on a primary residence rises by more than 50 percent, homeowners would see the increases phased in over four years.

Short-term rentals in New Orleans are one reason property tax rates are shooting up in some New Orleans neighborhoods.

Another measure  Constitutional Amendment No. 3  would allow municipalities, water districts and other political subdivisions to donate and loan equipment to each other.

The change stemmed from an episode when officials in Denham Springs loaned equipment to the city of Walker, sparking criticism in a legislative audit.

The final proposal, Constitutional Amendment No. 5, would allow homeowners to put their property in a trust, such as those who want to leave homes for their grandchildren, to ensure property tax exemptions.Could Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry be in the running to replace Jeff Sessions, who resigned from his post as U.S. attorney general eWASHINGTON  Voters in all six of Louisianas congressional districts re-elected their incumbent congressmen, sending the states five Republicans and one Democrat back to Washington for new two-year terms.

The sweep for the incumbents was largely expected with all six congressmen running for re-election and the states congressional districts sharply tilted along partisan lines.

Republicans Ralph Abraham, of Alto; Garret Graves, of Baton Rouge; Clay Higgins, of Port Barre; Mike Johnson, of Bossier; and Steve Scalise, of Jefferson Parish, each easily defeated their challengers to win without a runoff. So did Cedric Richmond, of New Orleans, the states lone Democrat in Washington.

Higgins, who swept into office as a political outsider in 2016 by knocking off longtime Acadiana Republican politico Scott Angelle, had perhaps the toughest road to re-election, facing six opponents.

I stand before you still a very humbled man, Higgins told supporters Tuesday night, but, damn, if we didnt do what they said we couldnt do tonight.

The challengers, on both the right and left, raised substantial sums to campaign against Higgins, a 57-year-old former St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office spokesman who rose to viral fame through tough-talking Crime Stoppers segments on local TV.

But Higgins, whom President Donald Trump endorsed with a tweet earlier this year, managed to beat all six opponents to claim outright victory and avoid a runoff.

See New Orleans-area election results See complete election results from New Orleans-area races via the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office...

Although their own re-elections werent in significant doubt, the outcome of Tuesdays vote nationwide presents significant implications for several Louisiana lawmakers with other political ambitions. A strong Democratic showing appeared almost certain to flip control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Scalise, who as majority whip is the current No. 3 Republican in the House, stands to lose significant clout with Republicans out of power. If Republicans had held the majority, Scalise was almost certain to move up the leadership ranks with Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, retiring.

Instead, Scalises political future is now an open question. He could likely hold on as House minority whip or potentially challenge current House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, for the leadership of the minority.

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In a speech thanking his supporters for returning him to Washington, Scalise touted the nation's strong economy and said he was hopeful that the Louisiana delegation could continue to work together.

We work incredibly well together. This is a tradition that goes back generations, Scalise said. When it comes to issues that are important to the state of Louisiana, Republican or Democrat, we always come together and will continue to come together on issues that are critical to our state.

The national Democratic gains bode well for Richmond, the states lone Democrat in Washington and the outgoing chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, wholl likely be in line for a promotion. Richmond has positioned the influential and generally tight-knit caucus to be a potential powerbroker in settling Democratic leadership contests.

Richmond said the Democratic Party did well but could have fared even better if it had dealt with issues that connect with everyday people.

We did a much better job of messaging. I think that people who are not necessarily always voting at midterms, its not the voters fault, he told WWL-TV in New Orleans. Its our fault because we did not give them a message that inspired them to vote.

Louisianas other four congressional Republicans  Abraham, Graves, Higgins and Johnson  could also see their clout diminished with their party out of power.

In a video posted to his Facebook page Tuesday night, Abraham promised to push for better health care and benefits for military veterans as well as agricultural measures to benefit local farmers. He also acknowledged the new controlling majority Democrats will have in the House.

Weve got a little bit of a challenge ahead of us, he said. Weve got to find common ground with those on the other side of the aisle.

Graves anticipated a different political landscape over the next two years with Democrats controlling the lower chamber.

"It will change the chemistry of the House of Representatives and Congress as a whole, but it does not mean we can't continue working," he said.

Advocate reporters Caroline Grueskin, Terry Jones and David Mitchell contributed to this report from Baton Rouge.State voters jettisoned a 120-year-old mainstay of Louisiana justice Tuesday, overwhelmingly passing a constitutional amendment to require unanimous juries in all felony trials and ending an aberrant practice rooted in the Jim Crow era.

Passage of Amendment 2 to the state constitution means future juries must come to unanimous verdicts in serious felony cases  from second-degree murder to marijuana distribution  or else declare themselves deadlocked. Unanimity already was required in capital trials and those for lesser felonies decided by six-member juries.

Since 1974, a verdict  for conviction or acquittal  has been considered valid as long as 10 of 12 jurors agreed. In the laws original 1898 conception, just nine votes were required. Before 1898, Louisiana required complete consensus.

Louisianas rejection of split verdicts, the product of a remarkable bipartisan coalition, leaves Oregon as the only state not to require unanimity in felony cases.

The change to the law wont take effect immediately. It will apply only to trials involving crimes committed on or after Jan. 1, 2019. Given that felony cases typically take months and sometimes years to try, Louisiana could still be churning out split verdicts for a couple more years, even while the new rules come into play.

See New Orleans-area election results See complete election results from New Orleans-area races via the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office...

The road to Tuesdays vote was a remarkable one, requiring that a resolution to put the measure on the ballot pass both chambers of the state Legislature by a two-thirds margin.

The bills primary sponsor, state Sen. JP Morrell, D-New Orleans, didnt give the initiative much of a shot when he introduced it in March. Not since the ratification of the current constitution in 1974 had there been a serious push to change the law.

Changing it had long been advocated by liberal groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, mainly because the 10-of-12 system generally makes it easier for prosecutors to win convictions.

But Morrell was joined early on by some conservatives, including Ed Tarpley, the former district attorney for rural Grant Parish, who invoked the framers in their framing of the matter. Tarpley and others noted that unanimity had been required in jury verdicts for hundreds of years in Anglo-American jurisprudence and argued that a high bar for conviction was needed to check prosecutors formidable power to deprive citizens of liberty.

As debate on the issue began, The Advocate published the results of a yearlong investigation that found that 40 percent of convictions in Louisiana jury trials came with one or two dissenters. According to the newspapers data, black defendants  who make up nearly two-thirds of inmates in the state  were 30 percent more likely than white ones to be convicted by split jury verdicts.

Moreover, the newspaper found that black people were significantly underrepresented on juries, and black jurors were 2 times more likely than white ones to dissent with a conviction.

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The powerful Louisiana District Attorneys Association, representing the states 42 district attorneys, initially took a strong stance against the proposal. But then the association  after internal discussions  decided to remain neutral, removing what could have been a strong countervailing force.

And suddenly the measure began to gain momentum. After narrowly passing the Senate, it easily cleared a House committee and then passed the full House by a much wider margin than it needed.

The key was a bipartisan coalition that developed during the session. The liberals who backed the bill initially were joined by Republicans, including state Rep. Sherman Mack, R-Albany, who carried the bill in the House, and conservative groups like the Louisiana Family Forum and Americans for Prosperity.

The coalition resembled the one that had formed a year earlier to pass the Justice Reinvestment Act, a reform package intended to reduce Louisianas world-leading incarceration rate and ease ex-convicts transition back into civilian life.

Eventually, a handful of district attorneys  including those from Louisiana's two biggest parishes  came out in support of unanimous verdicts.

A hundred years of nonunanimous juries has not been a beneficial thing for Louisiana. Its time for that change to happen, said Morgan Clevenger, who cast a vote about 7 p.m. at St. Peters Presbyterian Church on North Dorgenois Street in the 6th Ward.

Clevenger said she was impressed with the effort to educate voters on the amendment, something she said shed like to see replicated on other, often confusing ballot measures. She also found cause for hope in the bipartisan consensus around the ballot measure.

When people are at such extremes  when people can come together around something like this, that is quite a good thing, she said. It is a big deal to be one of two states to have this 100-year-old law that doesnt seem fair.

Ben Cohen, an attorney with the Promise of Justice Initiative who has filed numerous legal challenges to the state's split verdict law at the U.S. Supreme Court, harkened to the work of New Orleans civil rights attorney Louis Martinet, whose pleas for the U.S. attorney general to investigate Jim Crow juries in the late 1800s went unfulfilled.

This last year has been us trying to make good on our failed promises, Cohen said. Its been a recognition from white and black, prosecutor and defense lawyer, Republican and Democrat, Catholic and Jew, that our rights and liberties matter (and) hold us together as a civilized society.

An early analysis of voting patterns from Tuesdays election suggests that liberals overwhelmingly supported Amendment 2 while conservatives offered less-monolithic but still robust support in a state where Donald Trump took 58 percent of the vote in 2016.

There was a rough correlation between the 2016 presidential contest and the vote on Amendment 2, with parishes won by Hillary Clinton tending to support the measure by wider margins. For instance, in Orleans Parish, where Clinton won 81 percent of the vote in 2016, 85 percent of voters supported Amendment 2 on Tuesday. And in tiny Lasalle Parish, where Clinton got just 9 percent of the vote, 40 percent of voters endorsed Amendment 2  the worst result the measure saw in any parish.

The amendment also appeared to pass more narrowly in the rural northern parishes of the state than in the south. But in the end, 61 of 64 parishes voted to put an end to the controversial vestige of another time.WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats seized the House majority from President Donald Trumps Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened whats left of the presidents governing agenda. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a blue wave that never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trumps young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in Americas evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nations suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion.

Blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances. The new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Partys dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trumps first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

But the Democrats edge in the House is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority, Democrats have won 219 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races.

+9 Election Day photos: Baton Rouge residents head to polls with kids, dogs in tow Louisianians flocked to the polls on Tuesday to cast their votes for a number of elected positions and constituional amendments.

The presidents party will maintain control of the executive and judicial branches of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trumps personal and professional missteps  and his long-withheld tax returns.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillums bid to become the states first African-American governor.

The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.

The GOPs successes were fueled by a coalition thats decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

+3 Election Day in south Louisiana: Biggest takeaways from a busy slate of races As the final Election Day 2018 results were tabulated across Louisiana, there were no major upsets in the southern part of the state. But the 

Women won at least 85 seats in the House, a record. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Three candidates had hoped to become their states first African-American governors, although just one  Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams  was still in the running.

Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their blue wall Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

+21 Photos: New Orleans voters cast ballots on election day Voters in New Orleans headed to the polls Tuesday for mid-term election day 2018.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

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Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOPs Senate majority, even as the partys foothold in the House was slipping.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! Trump tweeted.

The White House announced that Trump would hold a post-election news conference at 11:30 a.m.

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate: The presidents party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the presidents favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trumps most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trumps now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

+12 Photos: Steve Scalise celebrates dominant re-election victory in Metairie U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, the Houses third-ranking Republican, has beaten five opponents to win re-election to his 1st District seat represent

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. A handful of others played outsized roles in their parties midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.

Said Warren: This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight.

Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Zeke Miller in Washington, Kantele Franko in Westerville, Ohio and Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report.Take one glance at the time sheets of a Louisiana state senator at his day job, and you would have to conclude he has some serious health probHonduran-born Wilmer Toro, speaks with Congress of Day Laborers organizer Chloe Sigal about the multitude of reasons Honduran and Guatemalan immigrants have fled their respective countries at First Grace Methodist Church in New Orleans, La., Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Immigrants from both countries have formed a walking caravan through Mexico to seek asylum in the United States, a process made harder by increases in border security put in place by the Trump administration.Officials at a New Orleans school that is doubling as a polling location are refusing to open the school's parking lot to accommodate voters with disabilities, an election official claims. But the school punched back Tuesday evening, saying they're compliant.

The polling site, the former McDonogh No. 28 Elementary School on Esplanade Avenue, had opened its parking lot to those voters for years, long before the current charter school operator, Foundation Preparatory Charter School, moved in this summer.

But the new charter operator did not make the same accommodation for residents voting in the Nov. 6 congressional midterms, said Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal Court and Chief Elections Officer Arthur Morrell. The school's handicapped accessible ramp is located inside its parking lot.

Morrell reached out to the charter school's board Tuesday, after he received calls from disabled voters who were frustrated because they had no way to climb the steps to the school building's entrance. As of Tuesday afternoon, the issue was not remedied.

"In the past, accessibility to the building was through the parking lot or school yard, but this new administration through this new charter school refused to open the gate," Morrell said.

"We have some handicapped voters who have called, and they are just not going to vote, because they can't get in the building."

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Foundation Preparatory said Tuesday night that it complied with the Orleans Parish School Board's requirement to allow their school to be used as a polling site and with federal laws that require adequate accommodations for disabled residents in public buildings.

"The school met with officials from the Clerk of Court's office on multiple occasions in order to learn what would be necessary to accommodate the Clerk's request. Additionally, Foundation Prep reconfirmed with the Clerk's office their needs for election day," school spokesman Gary Watson said.

"The school met every requirement to support strong voter participation and is 100 percent compliant with all (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements."

The charter school parking lot issue was not the only problem voters across the state faced when heading to the polls. A polling place at JI Watson Elementary School in Iowa in Calcasieu Parish and one at Metarie Manor in Jefferson Parish each opened an hour after the 6 a.m. start of voting in Louisiana this morning.

In the Metairie case, a facility custodian who was supposed to unlock the doors at the polling site arrived to work after the polls officially opened at 6 a.m., Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court Jon Gegenheimer said.

The delays prompted Louisiana Democrats to call for an extension of voting hours in those two parishes.The United States is the most dangerous nation in the developed world in which to give birth, and Louisiana is among the states with the highest maternal death rates.

A researcher with Tulane University aims to figure out why.

Maeve Wallace, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Tulane's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, has received two grants totaling $2.4 million to study pregnancy-associated mortality, university officials announced Tuesday.

The grants, which come from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, also will examine state-level policies that could be contributing to the higher death rates.

Wallace's studies come amid increased concern about rising maternal mortality in Louisiana and nationwide.

According to a 2018 report by the United Health Foundation, Louisiana ranked second only to Georgia in maternal mortality, with 44.8 deaths of mothers, out of every 100,000 live births, that are related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. That's more than double the national average of 20.7 deaths per 100,000 births.

The report used data from the Centers for Disease Control for the years 2011 to 2015.

In September, the Louisiana Department of Health also released a report on maternal mortality, summarizing data accumulated by the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, which tries to understand pregnancy-associated deaths to prevent future ones.

Researchers for that report found that the number of maternal deaths, defined by the World Health Organization as happening during or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy, increased exponentially in Louisiana between 2011 and 2016.

Not only did maternal deaths increase at a substantially higher rate in Louisiana than elsewhere in the country, but the researchers found that during that time, a whopping 45 percent of pregnancy-related deaths were deemed preventable.

Race and age, researchers have found, are huge factors in the deaths.

The state's experts found that black women were four times more likely than white women to experience pregnancy-related death, consistent with national trends. Women over age 35 were almost three times more likely to die pregnancy-related deaths.

In Louisiana, the most common causes of pregnancy-related death were hemorrhage, cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular disease, and almost half the deaths happened between 24 hours and 42 days after delivery.

According to the state's Health Department, the most common contributing factor among all deaths was a lack of access to health care providers or facilities.

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Many women failed to undergo screenings or get assessed for pregnancy-related risks, even when they suffered chronic diseases, state officials said.

Now, the Tulane study will also examine why black women are more likely than white women to die during pregnancy or post-partum periods.

Wallace and her team will look at how factors including income inequality, structural racism and residential segregation play a role, and hope to discover ways to reduce the racial disparity.

The team will also look at how state-level policies play a role, Tulane officials said.

Tulane researchers believe policies such as expanded Medicaid eligibility, mandated provision of reasonable accommodations for pregnant women and paid family leave all have a positive influence on maternal health, the university said in a release.

The study also will examine whether state restrictions on abortion have an impact on maternal mortality.

Wallace will use data from every state with a special focus on Louisiana.

State legislatures are passing womens health and social policies at an unprecedented rate, often without any information about potential impacts on maternal and child health," Wallace said in the Tulane release.

"It is critical that we understand how policies can support or harm the health of the population so that we can hold policymakers accountable for addressing the maternal mortality crisis in this country.

Meanwhile, in September, the state Health Department said it would seek to reduce maternal deaths in three ways.

The Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, consisting of 32 birth facilities in the state, launched an initiative called Reducing Maternal Morbidity, vowing to better address hemorrhage and hypertension. It also will focus on reducing racial disparities in life-threatening complications, officials said.

The Health Department also launched the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council, made up of experts and stakeholders determined to better inform communities on how to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity.

Finally, Louisianas Medicaid expansion under Gov. John Bel Edwards allows for better access to the kind of care that can prevent these deaths, according to Dr. Rebekah Gee, the state health secretary. The expansion allows for home visits and other reforms that can address maternal health outside of hospital settings, she said.

No woman should die because they want to be a mother, Gee said earlier this year. The governor and the Louisiana Department of Health are doing everything we can to prevent pregnancy-related deaths by working with hospitals, doctors and community partners.Louisiana has one statewide position on the Election 2018 ballot Tuesday, a special election to fill a secretary of state seat vacated because of a sexual harassment scandal, but the crowded primary competition has lacked the attention-grabbing nature of other states' races around the country.

Beyond filling the election chief's job, Louisiana voters were deciding whether to return six U.S. House incumbents to Washington for another term and whether to rewrite six provisions in the state constitution. One constitutional amendment has attracted intense support across the political spectrum, to require unanimous jury verdicts for all felony convictions.

Follow below for live updates from area races. Can't see module below? Click here.

Runoff elections, as needed, will be Dec. 8.A woman has been flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a three-car collision in Melbourne's south-east.

Police, SES crews and paramedics attended the scene of the crash on Skye Road in Frankston on Wednesday afternoon.

Sommerville Highway Patrol police believe a blue Nissan Micra was trying to make a right-hand turn onto Dalpura Circuit when a second car - a silver Holden Commodore - crashed into the Nissan's rear.

The force of the crash pushed the Nissan into the oncoming lane, where it was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser.Police have released the name and image of a man they believe can help with an investigation into an incident in South Perth on Wednesday.

Police are seeking the whereabouts of 24 year old Arron Leigh Rebbeck. Credit:WA Police

Detectives believe Arron Leigh Rebbeck, 24, can help them piece together how a 45-year-old man received critical injuries near a public housing block of flats on Mill Point Road around midday.

The victim was reportedly punched in the head, and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

"The victim was struck to the side of the head with such force he was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground hitting his head a second time," 9 News Perth's Jerrie Demasi reported.The Canberra Liberals' racing spokesman Mark Parton accepted $300 worth of free venue hire from the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, despite the members' code of conduct urging all ACT politicians to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

The club gave Mr Parton the free venue hire for a political fundraiser he held in late April this year, while holding the shadow portfolio for racing and gaming, a portfolio he still holds.

Canberra Liberals Mark Parton would not respond to questions about his acceptance of the club's gift. Credit:Jamila Toderas

It is unclear why Mr Parton accepted the gift, given the Assembly's code of conduct for all MLAs demands elected politicians actively seek to avoid or prevent any conflict of interest arising between their duties as a member and their personal affairs and interests.

Mr Parton, a vocal opponent of the Barr government's efforts to ban greyhound racing in the territory, held a party fundraiser at the club in late April this year, for which the club donated as much as $300 worth of free venue hire.Opposition is mounting to a looming policy that will force workers to put an extra 2.5 per cent of their salary into superannuation.

Amid sluggish wages growth, a report by the Grattan Institute calls on the federal government to permanently scrap an increase in the existing 9.5 per cent Super Guarantee, which is scheduled to increase by half a percentage point from July 1, 2021 until it hits 12 per cent in mid 2025.

Raising the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent will reduce wages today and do little to boost the retirement incomes of many low-income workers tomorrow, the report said.

Despite widespread anxiety, many Australians were set to enjoy even higher incomes in retirement than during their working lives, modelling by the Grattan Institute found.A class action law firm representing thousands of workers allegedly owed more than $320 million in entitlements will apply to intervene in a casual worker test case.

ACT-based law firm Adero will on Thursday apply in the Federal Court to intervene in the case between mining industry labour hire firm WorkPac and its former worker Robert Rossato, which seeks to clarify the definition of a casual worker.

Rory Markham of Adero Law is preparing class actions against Australia's biggest mining labour hire firms. Credit:Simon McCarthy

WorkPac is seeking a declaration that Mr Rossato was a casual employee and not entitled to annual leave, after being hit with an earlier ruling that a truck driver it employed on a casual basis, Paul Skene, was entitled to leave.

It comes after Federal Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O'Dwyer last month applied to intervene in the case on behalf of the Commonwealth, saying the law must be clarified to prevent workers from "double dipping" by claiming leave on top of casual loadings.Suddenly doctors, that is medical practitioners, seem to be everywhere in politics. The attention given to the success of Dr Kerryn Phelps in the Wentworth by-election has been followed by the pre-selection of Dr Brian Owler by Labor to contest the seat of Bennelong at the next federal election. Furthermore, at the centre of the centenary of WW1 celebrations and the controversy over the development of the Australian War Memorial is another doctor, Dr Brendan Nelson, the former Coalition minister and opposition leader.

These three are not just any doctors, as each is a former president of the "doctors union", the Australian Medical Association, a position that is a conveyor belt into political life for medical practitioners. Nelson was association president in 1993-95 before entering the federal parliament in the seat of Bradfield in 1996. Phelps was president from 2000 to 2003 and is also an elected member of Sydney City Council. Owler, known for his road safety campaign advertisements, was president more recently, from 2014 to 2016.

Other association presidents who have aimed for federal parliament include Dr Bill Glasson, 2003-05, who stood unsuccessfully for the Liberal Party against Kevin Rudd in Griffith in 2013 and again in the February 2014 by-election after Rudds retirement.

Their status has made them celebrity candidates because of their high public profile. That comes from the fact their function as association president has them constantly in the news. Not only is health policy, including hospitals, one of the three or four big ticket items at the centre of the Australian federal budget but health, including both physical and mental health, is relevant to many other areas of public life including veterans affairs, refugees and asylum seekers, education, drought policies and social welfare, as well as life and death issues like euthanasia and abortion.The Victorian Greens fear a near-wipe-out of their upper house MPs in the state election and have reached out to Labor for a preference-swap lifeline.

Greens insiders say they face the loss of three of their five Legislative Council members and have offered to preference Labor in several marginal seats, in exchange for Labors preferences in the upper house.

The Greens fear upper house MPs including Samantha Dunn and Nina Springle could lose their seats without a Labor preference deal. Credit:Benjamin Preiss

The party believes that without Labors preferences, upper house MPs Samantha Dunn, Nina Springle and Huong Truong could lose their seats, potentially from right-wing minor parties that have done preference swap deals.

Labor is yet to respond to the Greens proposal.Self-styled preference whisperer Glenn Druery faces a potential criminal investigation as police consider a complaint about his cash-for-votes operation ahead of this months state election.

As The Age revealed last month, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten lodged a complaint with the Victorian Electoral Commission against Mr Druery, who also works as a staffer to Justice Party founder Senator Derryn Hinch.

Ms Patten raised questions about the blurring of Mr Druery's roles as both a businessman dealing in votes and a taxpayer-funded adviser to Senator Hinch.

She said Mr Druery asked her team for a $5000 upfront fee to join his "family" of minor parties and a success fee of $50,000 for each candidate elected.Members of the Alliance of Hong Kong Media with statements and a petition during a rally outside the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong. Credit:Bloomberg Asked whether Leung had anything to do with the expulsion, Lam replied, "Certainly not." But she offered a less categorical denial when pressed on Beijing's role in visa decisions. "I am responsible to the Hong Kong SAR and the people," she said, referring to the city's status as a special administrative region. "I am also accountable to the central people's government." Most people in Hong Kong had never heard of Chan or his Hong Kong National Party when the government proposed outlawing the group. "The only reason we initially thought of inviting this 28-year-old interior designer was actually that he was in the news," Florence de Changy, the French journalist who is the president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club, wrote in its magazine.

With its restaurants, bar and meeting rooms, the club has been a fixture amid Hong Kong's skyscrapers since the colonial era. Though most members are lawyers, bankers and other professionals, journalists run the organisation and host events featuring speakers from a variety of backgrounds. Days after Chan's talk was announced, two officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry visited the club and met Mallet, who was acting as president because de Changy was out of town. They objected to the event and told him they wanted it cancelled. The demand leaked the next day. A day later, Leung took to Facebook to denounce the club, saying that hosting an advocate of independence would be tantamount to inviting a Nazi or terrorist to speak and cross an "absolute and clear red line". In more than a dozen posts in the following days, he criticised the club's leaders and urged scrutiny of what he called a "special deal" that allowed the club to rent its building from the government at discounted rates. But Lam publicly contradicted her predecessor by saying the club paid market rent. And while she criticised the decision to host Chan as "completely unsuitable," she declined to endorse Leung's demand that the speech be cancelled.

On August 14, with protesters outside the club, the event went ahead. "The nature of China is oppression," Chan declared. A month later, the government outlawed his party, setting a precedent that critics warned could be used against the pro-democracy opposition. Then, in the first week of October, the government rejected a routine request to renew Mallet's work visa. The decision stirred fears because Hong Kong had never expelled a journalist before  and because the move came straight from Beijing's play book. The Chinese government has expelled several foreign reporters from the mainland in recent years after objecting to their coverage. Hong Kong had always been different, a critical listening post where journalists could write freely about events in China.

In recent years, local media outlets have come under some pressure to censor themselves, but foreign news organisations using Hong Kong as a regional hub  including The Financial Times, The New York Times and CNN  have largely been immune. Mallet's expulsion, however, could change that. "They have moved the goal posts," said Zoher Abdoolcarim, the former Asia editor for Time International. The decision has also cast a shadow over Hong Kong's future as a capital of international finance and commerce, with some in the business community saying privately that it could tip the balance for companies already being wooed to relocate to Singapore. None of the big banks and law firms in Hong Kong have spoken out about the expulsion. The silence can be attributed in part to hope that new pressure on foreign journalists will not affect foreign companies. But there is also reluctance to say anything that may put business in China at risk. In a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong this year, more than half of respondents said they believed rule of law in the city had eroded.

Tara Joseph, the president of the chamber, initially appeared to play down Mallet's expulsion. But she issued a statement the next day saying it sent "a worrying signal". Xi Jinping, China's top leader, made his concerns about Hong Kong independence clear during a visit to the city last year, when he warned that challenging the authority of the central government was "absolutely impermissible." Management of Hong Kong affairs is usually handled by another member of the Politburo, but Xi seems to have taken the lead in setting policy, as he has on most major issues in China. Tian Feilong, executive director of a research institute on Hong Kong policy in Beijing, said the territory must be more humble and accept that it is like other local governments in China. "In the 'new era' of China," he said, referring to one of Xi's slogans, "Hong Kong must follow the main strategy of China." He added: "This requires Hong Kong to change its original proud attitude."

Support for Hong Kong independence was largely unheard of a few years ago. Newspapers that backed or were controlled by Beijing were the first to use the phrase frequently, deploying it as an epithet to attack the pro-democracy opposition, said Ying-ho Kwong, a PhD candidate at the University of Hong Kong studying local politics. That changed in 2014 with the Umbrella Movement, the student-led street demonstrations demanding free elections. When Beijing refused to make concessions, some young activists  including Chan  concluded that independence was the only way Hong Kong could become a democracy. Loading Last month, after Hong Kong Polytechnic University covered up a few pro-independence posters and stickers, three students staged a hunger strike and more than 2000 others signed a statement of protest. Two days later, the university allowed students to regain control of the space where the posters were hung, known as the Democracy Wall. "Freedom of expression is one of the things that has always separated Hong Kong from China," said Lam Wing-hang, 21, president of the student union and one of the hunger strikers. "I don't want to see Hong Kong become just another mainland city."President Donald Trump will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia this weekend after all, the Kremlin said Wednesday, but they will make it an abbreviated discussion in deference to their French hosts and hold off more detailed talks until another meeting later in the month.

The on-again, off-again, on-again meeting will come just days after Democrats seized control of the House in midterm elections and vowed to reopen the chamber's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election and any ties with Trump's campaign. An inquiry on the same subjects by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, continues.

It will be the first meeting between the US and Russian presidents since they got together in Helsinki in July  and Trump, with Putin at his side, publicly challenged the conclusion of his own intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered in the election. After bipartisan condemnation back home, Trump said he misspoke and did not mean to undercut the agencies' conclusion.

Trump has sought for weeks to sit down again with Putin and at one point sent his national security adviser, John R. Bolton, to arrange for a meeting in Paris this weekend when both leaders will attend an event to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. But earlier this week, the two sides appeared to call off the meeting, saying they would wait to get together until another international summit meeting in Buenos Aires later in November.Though he was not on the ballot in the midterm elections Donald Trump instinctively understood them to be a referendum on his performance as President so he played to his strength. Race.

Ignoring calls from within to champion a strong economy, Trump had the party he has recrafted in his own image campaign as a white ethno-nationalist movement, a party more reminiscent of the European right rather than the American.

A campaign of lies and divisive claims about immigrants. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit:

There were dissenters, of course, particularly from never-Trumpers patrolling the neoconservative wilderness, but in the closing weeks of his campaign Trump cast an exhausted group of would-be asylum seekers 1000 miles from America as an invading force and made them a central plank of the GOP platform.

Trumps bleak messaging was amplified by his indefatigable supporters at Fox News, and once fears had been sufficiently stoked the President announced the deployment of elements of the 101st and 82nd Airborne and the 4th Infantry Division to the southern border to defend the homeland against the confected threat.Washington: George W. Bush saw a "thumpin'." Barack Obama saw a "shellacking." Donald Trump sees a "Big Victory." Never one to admit defeat, even in the face of a major setback, President Trump wasted little time on Wednesday morning trying to frame his party's election losses as a win even though Democrats seized control of the House of Representatives.

But even as he claimed victory, he quickly went on the offence against the newly elected Democratic House, threatening to retaliate if the opposition uses its new subpoena power to investigate him for corruption and obstruction of justice in an early foreshadowing of the bitter partisan warfare that could dominate the next two years.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level," he wrote. "Two can play that game!"

Then, in a head-spinning pivot, Trump shortly afterward endorsed Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for House speaker and even volunteered Republican votes if she cannot muster enough in her own caucus.Australian brand Chief Products is launching a line of engineering products for JL Wrangler in 2019!







November 2018

PASSION MEETS QUALITY FOR THE ULTIMATE OFF-ROADING EXPERIENCE

Off-roading enthusiasts and adventure seekers can now enjoy a range of innovative products thanks to Chief Products, an Australian company producing aftermarket accessories for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Launching five years ago on the Gold Coast and tapping into a growing Australian SUV market, Chief Products is focused on designing accessories for modern off-road vehicle platforms and firmly aligning themselves with their go-anywhere ethos.

Creating accessories including front and rear off-road bumpers, nudge bars, roof racks, recovery points, rock rails, fender flares and protection plates, Chief Products is building a portfolio of products based on their design-centric approach, passion for life and enthusiastic pursuit of adventure.

Australians alone spend $5.6 billion each year on aftermarket parts and accessories; and founder Bill Mackin has identified a niche in this market, creating products that allow his customers to customise their vehicles with style and purpose. Whilst aftermarket is big business and very competitive, Chief Products has garnered a very enthusiastic following with their niche Jeep Grand Cherokee range.

"When we started, we set out to build something bigger than a brand; a culture inspired by creativity, openness and a rumbling appetite for adventure. We believe products built by people who are passionate will always better and more authentic," Bill said.

Going from strength to strength in terms of growth, the team launched a US distribution centre earlier this year to better service to the multi-billion dollar US off-road industry. Expanding their range over the past few years has yielded positive results with their latest product addition; the WK2 Rock Rails selling out in just weeks in the US and a global waiting list exceeding 1000 customers across their range.

The niche aftermarket brand combines a passionate love of the great outdoors with a design-centric approach to deliver rugged products that provide styling normally reserved for OEMs.

Chief Products are designed and engineered by a team who are led by ex-Holden Concept Car developer, Ben Grams, using a collection of materials from high strength steel to lightweight aluminum. Going from concept to prototype and testing to public release can take anywhere from 3-12 months depending on the complexity of the product.

"We're lucky enough to be one of a handful of companies worldwide with access to CAD data for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which ensures our products integrate seamlessly with the vehicle," Bill said.

The company's passion to explore also drives them to investigate new products, announcing they intend to expand the business into new vehicle platforms in 2019.

"We plan to launch a line of carefully engineered products for the JL Wrangler in 2019, which is the most accessorised off-road vehicle in the world," Bill said.

Future expansion plans also include the booming off-road market in China. Bill and his team are showing they have no intention of slowing down, their enthusiastic approach and passion for innovation are proving to be a winning combination.

"People are finding out about our products through word of mouth and in 4WD forums; it's these enthusiastic customer testimonies that assure us that we are creating products that people want. We aren't a one size fits all business, we create products that integrate with the design and character of the vehicle, much like an automaker would," Bill said.Gasoline Prices Plunge Ahead of Midterm Elections







The Oil Price Information Service calls it a colossal collapse as gas prices head toward $2 per gallon.

WASHINGTON, D.C. November 06, 2018; USA Today reports that gas prices are sliding down quickly ahead of the midterm elections today, falling from a national average of $2.78 per gallon to as low as $2.50 by November 6, according to the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS).

OPIS analyst Tom Kloza said the sharp decline is a colossal collapse.  Theres the possibility you could see some prices flirt with $2 a gallon in the next 10 days or so in some of the low-tax areas.  For now it's going to be a great break.

In October, gas prices reached a national average of $2.90 per gallon. AAA reported gas prices at 6 cents lower than last week, but still 27 cents higher than a year ago. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported the average retail gas price at $2.75 per gallon on November 5. Kloza predicted that at least 1,500 stations would post prices of less than $2.25 per gallon by Election Day, November 6.

Oil production around the globe has been on the rise, creating stockpiles. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) output hit a two-year high, and U.S. oil output has also increased. This surge has driven the market into oversupply, and decreased prices at the pump, said Jason Gammel, an analyst with Jefferies.

Some analysts cautioned that this could be a temporary low for gas prices, especially if President Trump orders U.S. sanctions on Iran, which could curtail Iranian oil exports. I think there will be a reversal of fortunes, said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst.INFINITI Engineering Academy crowns 2018 U.S. winner

INFINITI names Sabre Cook, a Mechanical Engineering student from Colorado School of MINES as the 2018 USA winner of its acclaimed INFINITI Engineering Academy

She will begin her 12-month placement with INFINITI and Renault Sport Formula One Team in January 2019

Cook was chosen by an esteemed panel of judges from INFINITI, Renault Sport Formula One Team and Harvard University

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE  Mechanical Engineering student Sabre Cook recently earned her title as the USA Final winner of the INFINITI Engineering Academy 2018, securing a highly-coveted and exclusive opportunity to work in automotive and Formula One with INFINITI and Renault Sport Formula One Team.

The 24-year-old Colorado School of MINES student from Grand Junction, Colorado, was selected from thousands of applications.

Tommaso Volpe, Director, INFINITI Global Motorsport and Performance Projects, said: "The INFINITI Engineering Academy has grown every year, and now in our fifth year, competition for our limited number of slots is intense. Our partners at Renault Sport Formula One Team and Harvard University have helped us select the brightest engineering students from around the globe who will contribute to the future of the sport and the automotive industry."

The INFINITI Engineering Academy is INFINITI's global search for bright engineering talent to work across automotive and Formula One. It is the only recruitment program of its kind in the world, bringing an array of young, diverse and fresh thinking engineering talent who will gain first-hand knowledge and experience working alongside seasoned automotive and racetrack engineers in the exciting world of Formula One.

Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director, Renault Sport Racing, also commented: "Attracting top new talent is crucial for success in Formula One, so we want to make sure that together with INFINITI we select the best engineers to work for this program. Each one of these young engineers brings fresh perspectives and new ideas to the race team, which are vital."

Competing against nine other finalists from around the USA, Cook demonstrated to be a worthy winner as she tackled the numerous tests involved in the final event, including an engineering exam, one-to-one interviews with the judges, a dragster car build, challenges especially designed for the occasion by a team from Harvard University and by Renault Sport Formula One Team, and facing the media in a tough Q&A session where journalists from different industries evaluated her communication skills.



"When I met the other candidates, I was aware how smart they were and the passion they had for engineering, so I knew that was going to be very difficult to win! I am absolutely delighted to have won and I'm really thankful to INFINITI for this opportunity," said Cook.

Cook will relocate to the U.K. in January 2019 and be provided with a competitive salary, an INFINITI company car, travel and accommodations for one year. She will spend six months working at the Renault Sport Formula One Team's Technical Center in the U.K. (Enstone) and six months at INFINITI's European Technical Center (Cranfield). She will play a key role in the ongoing transfer of technical knowledge and expertise between Renault Sport Formula One Team and INFINITI.

For the 2018 edition of the Academy, INFINITI has partnered with Harvard University Professor Dr. Julia Minson, who specializes in decision science. Dr. Minson is working with the INFINITI Engineering Academy to conduct ground-breaking research into decision making in engineering, and how the very best engineers perform under pressure to make decisions when faced with vast amounts of complex data. The learnings from the research will then be incorporated by both the INFINITI engineering and motorsport teams to optimize their decision-making processes.



For more information on the INFINITI Engineering Academy, please visit academy.infiniti.com.

# # #

About INFINITI

INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with representations in 50 markets around the world. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of luxury automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America, United Kingdom and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing. INFINITI will electrify its entire lineup from 2021 onward. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its industry-leading client services, ranking #1 in customer satisfaction with Dealer Service among Luxury Brands by J.D. Power and being a most trusted luxury brand according to AMCI, as well as its world's first driver assistance technologies and daring designs. From the 2016 season, INFINITI is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.Aston Martin Named Luxury Brand of the Year

 Luxury Briefing Awards names Aston Martin Luxury Brand of the Year



 Aston Martin Cambridge also honored for Outstanding Contribution to Charity after raising 1.5 million for RAF Benevolent Fund

LONDON - November 7, 2018: Aston Martin has been named Luxury Brand of the Year at the Luxury Briefing Awards. Heralded as the Oscars of the Luxury Industry, the aim of the annual event is to reward and celebrate excellence and innovation.

Presenting the award, Sir Eric Peacock described Aston Martin as a powerful, hugely aspirational brand that is the epitome of luxury and defied anyone in the room not to covet it. He went on to say the last 12 months have been an Annus Magnificus for the brand as it soared into profit, increasing sales by an astonishing 8% in the first half of the year aloneit has been one of the fastest turnarounds and renaissances the luxury industry has ever seen.

Aston Martin Lagonda Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule, was at The Savoy in central London to collect the award. He said: Its a great honour to be named Luxury Brand of the Year. At Aston Martin Lagonda we have a fantastic team that lives and breathes this beautiful brand, working to grow and develop our presence across the world. With each car launch, each new brand partnership or lifestyle event, we get closer to our current and future customers. At a time when the automotive industry is facing incredible challenges we are pushing constantly to make sure the Aston Martin brand, and soon the Lagonda brand, not only stands the test of time but flourishes during this period of change.

Aston Martin are also delighted that the award for Outstanding Contribution to Charity was made to Aston Martin Cambridge, for the special edition Vanquish S that helped raise 1.5 million for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The raffle for Red 10, the 10th car from a limited edition run of the Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows edition raised an astonishing 1.5 million for the RAF Benevolent Fund, which works to support the men and women of the RAF and their families.

The eminent Luxury Briefing judging panel described the Aston Martins Red 10 raffle as a charitable gesture that was tangible, solid and funa highly visible but straightforward and simple initiative that provided an excellent blueprint for other brands to imitate.

The Vanquish S Red Arrows was pioneered and commissioned by Aston Martin Cambridge, whose Dealer Principal Simon Lane accepted the award, saying: What started as an idea to pay tribute to the spectacular aviation skills of the Red Arrows, quickly became an opportunity to do some great work for charity. Nine very happy customers now own Red 1 to Red 9 and Red 10 has gone on to raise a significant sum for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The whole team at Aston Martin Cambridge is very proud of this project and delighted to accept this award.2019 Camaro Makes South American Debut at Sao Paulo Motor Show

Powered by E27 ethanol-gasoline blend - Varoom!

SAO PAULO, Brazil - November 7, 2018: The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro will make its first public appearance in front of a South American crowd at this week's 2018 Sao Paulo International Motor Show, running from now through the November 18th. The motor show is the fourth-largest in the world, according to its organizers, drawing three quarters of a million visitors in its 2014 edition, making it the perfect place to introduce the latest version of Brazils best-selling sportscar: the 2019 Camaro.

Brazils import duty on foreign-made cars makes the Chevrolet Camaro an expensive proposition there, with a price tag of about 315k Brazilian Reais  roughly $85k U.S. Even still, the car has managed to outsell every other sportscar in the market, according to Chevrolet, even beating out the globally-popular Ford Mustang.

Granted, Fords two-door pony car only added Brazil to its list of export markets last year, but the Camaros popularity there is impressive nonetheless.

The 2019 Camaro represents the first model year of the sixth-generation sportscars mid-cycle update. It still rides on the same GM Alpha platform, shared with the Cadillac ATS and CTS, but a number of notable changes have been implemented, including new, model-specific front- and rear-end styling, a new 3LT trim, and the expansion of the 1LE track performance package option to cars with the 2.0-liter turbo I4 Ecotec LTG engine.

GMs ten-speed automatic transmission has also trickled down from the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the V8-powered SS, and the car now has an available Rear Camera Mirror and third-generation infotainment.

Only a few of the 2019 Camaros changes will impact the Brazilian market, however, as the two-door sportscar is only available there in SS spec, coupe or convertible, exclusively with an automatic transmission. Thats because all sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaros are assembled at GMs Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Michigan, and Brazils hefty import duties would make turbo-4 and V6 Camaros too expensive to be feasible.SCRANTON, Pa.--Carvana , a leading e-commerce platform for buying used cars, launched today in Scranton, with as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery, growing its market count in the state to seven. In as little as 10 minutes, Scranton customers can shop more than 10,000 vehicles on Carvana.com, finance, purchase, sell their current vehicle to Carvana and now schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery.

Carvana customers save valuable time and money by shopping online, whether from the comfort of home or on the go via their mobile device. Visitors to Carvana.com can browse high-definition, 360-degree photos, with the confidence that comes with a 7-day return policy for every vehicle. By putting customers in control of the purchase process, they have the time to ensure the vehicle fits their life. All Carvana vehicles are Carvana Certified, have undergone a rigorous 150-point inspection, have no frame damage and have never been in a reported accident. Features, imperfections and updated information about open safety recalls are listed on every cars vehicle description page.

As weve continued to grow our presence in Pennsylvania, were looking forward to now providing as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery to Scranton, said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana. Were confident area customers will embrace the new way to buy a car.

Carvana first launched as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in Pennsylvania in October 2016, and in just two years, has grown to seven markets and one Car Vending Machine in the state. Scranton joins Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, York-Hanover and Philadelphia, and is the 82nd Carvana market, nationwide.

About Carvana

Founded in 2012 and based in Phoenix, Carvanas mission is to change the way people buy cars. By removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service, Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and convenient online car buying and financing platform. Carvana.com enables consumers to quickly and easily shop more than 10,000 vehicles, finance, trade-in or sell their current vehicle to Carvana, sign contracts, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery or pickup at one of Carvanas proprietary automated Car Vending Machines.Ford Ranger is Back! 2019 Ford Ranger Close-up Look From Steve Purdy +VIDEO

LEARN MORE: 2019 Ford Ranger News Archive

Ford Ranger is Back!

BySteve Purdy

The Auto Channel

Michigan Bureau

We heard the lament often over the years questioning why Fords mid-size Ranger pickup was sold in a variety of places around the world but we could not have it here. GM brought back its Colorado and Canyon, and Toyota kept the Tacoma competitive with regular updates and enhancements. So, why didnt Ford want a part of that action?

The question might still interest auto historians, scholars and a few media inquisitors, but neednt bother pickup buyers: Theyll be able to get a new Ranger soon, so they can quit fretting and head to their Ford dealers.

A swarm of journalists, dealers, executives, plant workers, UAW bosses and hangers-on recently gathered on a crisp but sunny fall morning to celebrate the beginning of Rangers U.S. production at the Wayne, MI assembly plant just west of Detroit. The Wayne plant first built lumbering, garish station wagons in the 1950s and 60s, then other products came from this sprawling factory, including F-150s. The world, and the light vehicle market was way different in those days. This plant goes back to the days when the automakers and the unions took pride in how adversarial they could be.

That is fortunately no longer the case. Ford reportedly spent $850 million converting the plant from Focus and C-Max production to making thee Ranger. The UAW led as much of the program as did the Ford guys, and both patted each other on their respective backs touting the relationships between the workers and the company. Ford execs were in attendance included the big boss, Jim Hackett, with his business people, manufacturing execs, and lots of PR and communications folks. Much was made of the benefits of worker/company cooperation and the advantages of Ford being a family-owned company.

The Ford guys created a little obstacle course in the big front parking lot of the factory to demonstrate the capabilities of the new-for-the-U.S. smaller pickup. One pile of dirt was used to tip the Ranger sideways at a 25-degree angle, another pile had to be ascended and descended at angles you might not think possible. Well strive to arrange a real off-road test one day soon for your edification and my fun.

Rangers profile is virtually identical to Tacoma and the GM offerings. The front fascia and interior details will set the Ranger apart, as will the powertrain. If youre shopping these trucks youll want to look at them all and read the reviews, because they are so similar in many ways and more obscurely different in others. Overall capabilities - the numbers, shall we say  will not vary much.

You can have a simple work truck with two doors, rear-wheel drive and fabric seats, or you can have a loaded off-roader with four doors, nice vinyl seats and dressed up for the opera. Three trim levels and plenty of options and accessories will allow buyers to customize their truck. Beginning with the bottom end XL starting at 24-grand, you could load up the top-level Lariat to get it over 40-grand, if you like. Off-roady stuff like a low range, skid plates, electronic assist with trail and rock climbing can be had. The off-road version of Tacoma was benchmarked, were told.

As we expect, the Ranger can be had with all the infotainment, connectivity and other electronic stuff we demand today including an 8-inch touch-screen.

Only one powertrain can be had in the Ranger  Fords amazing little 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbo four-cylinder that makes 300 pound-feet of torque and around 280 horsepower, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The fully boxed frame and leaf spring rear suspension should give it the capability to act like a truck (towing up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped) and still have good road manners. Well not be able to assess that until we have one in our driveway for a few days.

We were also pleased to hear talk of the next product to come from the Wayne plant  Bronco  expected sometime during calendar 2020. The first-generation Broncos from 1966 to 1977 have been bringing surprising prices at collector car auctions and it will be fascinating to see if Ford can capture that character and ambiance with the new one.

 Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions, All Rights ReservedAlabama Voters Support Rights of Unborn Life, and Support Ten Commandments to Display on Public Properties

Alabama voters have approved two amendments to its constitution, regarding the display of the Ten Commandments on public property and the sanctity of unborn life.

The majority 71.8 percent of voters in Alabama supported the Alabama Ten Commandments Amendment, Amendment 1, meaning they are letting the state constitution allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property, which includes public schools and government buildings.

This would mean that the Ten Commandments can be shown on public property as long as it is in a way that complies with constitutional requirements, such as being posted alongside historical documents.

The amendment was on the ballot in Alabama on Nov. 6 as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, which means that Alabama lawmakers opted to put the decision before voters.

Do the people of Alabama want to acknowledge God, the God of the Old and New Testament, the Christian God? Do we want to acknowledge the God that our nation was founded upon? said Dean Young, chairman of the Ten Commandments Amendment political action committee, AP reported.

Young said he had been fighting for the amendment for 17 years.

Alabamians will vote, they will reckon on that day with God how they vote on this, thats how serious this is, Young said previously, AP reported. Either we stand for God or we wont.

Supporters of Amendment 1 say it will encourage schools and towns to post the Ten Commandments. One promoter, Dean Young, says the amendment sends a message that Alabama wants to acknowledge God, the Associated Press reported.

The amendment will also add to the states constitution the following three statements about religious rights:

Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his or her consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel. The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious belief.

The support for the amendment comes more than a decade after Roy Moore, the chief justice of Alabamas Supreme Court at the time, refused to follow a court order to remove a 5,280-pound stone slab of the Ten Commandments from the lobby of the state judicial building in Montgomery in 2003. Following this, Moore was ousted by state judicial authorities.

He previously unveiled the stone in August 2001 without prior knowledge of the other justices in the Alabama Supreme Court.

Moore was the Republican nominee in Nov. 2017 in the Senate special election in Alabama to fill the seat that had been vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but lost to Doug Jones (D). In the same month, nine women accused him of sexual misconduct, allegations that he has denied.

Randall Marshall of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama said the amendment doesnt signify any major change, because the displays have to follow certain constitutional restrictions, according to AP.

Unborn Babies Right to Life

In Alabama, 58.9 percent of voters said, Yes on Nov. 6 to Alabama State Abortion Policy Amendment 2. This adds wording to the states 1901 constitution to say it that will recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life.

The amendment changes here do not affect the publics access to abortion in the United States. However, the amendments would become the states top legal guidance if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to overturn or change the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The Roe v. Wade ruling made it legal to have an abortion nationwide by prohibiting states from banning abortions prior to when the fetus is deemed viable, that is, potentially able to live outside its mothers womb.

The amendment will also ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate.

Furthermore, it states, Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.

In West Virginia, 51.7 percent of voters approved to add the same above phrase to its state constitution on Nov. 6.

Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama was the one committee that had registered in support of the amendment in Alabama, and had raised almost $8,000 and spent only $303.45 on its campaign, according to Ballotpedia.

Planned Parenthood was the top donor to the committees that campaigned against the amendment in Alabama. It had donated $1.38 million in total to Alabama for Healthy Families and Alabama Students Voting No on Amendment 2, according to Ballotpedia.

In West Virginia, there was no known group that had registered in opposition to the amendment. A group called West Virginians for Life had led the campaign to support the amendment. It reported receiving about $9,300 in cash contributions, and spent $7,300 in cash, according to Ballotpedia.

From NTD Newsa2 Milk, from New Zealand-based The a2 Milk Company, is the most widely available brand in the U.S. (Courtesy of The a2 Milk Company)

All About A2 Milk, the Easier-to-Digest Cows Milk Disrupting Stomach Discomfort

I got tested for lactose intolerance because overindulging in dairy seemed to make me feel queasy. My tests were negative but I steered clear of cows milk for years, thinking perhaps my half-Asian ethnicity made me kind of intolerant. Like many, perceived but unproven dairy issuescompounded by the media demonizing dairyresulted in my taking what could have been a permanent break.

But when I heard about a2 Milk from The a2 Milk Company, with a protein that is supposedly easier on digestion, I eagerly volunteered as tribute, digging up some interesting facts along the way. If you too suffer from a belly ache upon consuming dairy, but would very much like to be reunited with it, read on.

Bovine Background

First and foremost, none of what Im discussing is the product of a technological process or genetic engineering. This is real milk.

New Zealand scientist Corran McLachlan founded the a2 Milk Company in 2000 after discovering that cows produce different types of milk proteins: A1 and A2. Some cows milk contains both proteins, and some only A2. Follow-up research suggested that the latter is easier to digest, resulting in less stomach discomfort for consumers.

By identifying A2 milk-producing cows with DNA tests and selling their milk, the a2 Milk Company built a successful business that expanded from down under to California in 2015. Early this year, a2 Milk arrived in the northeastern United States.

Impact on American Farmers

Cows milk that more people can comfortably consume could potentially mooove up dairy sales.

Americans have increasingly turned to dairy alternatives as plant-based foods grow in popularity. According to the American Farm Bureau, U.S. milk consumption fell by 25 percent from 1980 to 2015, while almond and coconut milk consumption increased by 66 percent and 111 percent, respectively.

Many American dairy farmers struggling to stay in business have considered, or already started exploring, A2 milk as a way to expand their shrinking profits. Any farmer or facility with A2 cows can make A2 milk. They can breed the cows, resulting in A2 calves, and build a separate herd that produces only A2 milk.

Interestingly, as consumers are re-discovering the joys of milk, industry players such as the National Dairy Council, which supposedly represents U.S. dairy farmers interests, have not openly embraced A1-free milk. They claim studies have methodological flaws or may have issues because they are funded by those in the industry who stand to gain.

Naysayers might be persuaded by trying A2 milk, consumer testimonials suggest. Dairy farmer Dan Ripley of central New York, for instance, had been skeptical, but changed his mind after discovering his own children could drink A2 milk without the digestion problems they had with regular milk.

The National Institute of Health previously conducted a short study ending in 2015 that supported the a2 Milk Companys claims, but the subjects were all of Chinese descent. Another ongoing study, several years in the making, will hopefully shed some more data-filtered light on the debate.

My Verdict

I drank several glasses of this milk per day for a week, and to my surprise, even on days I had three (for science!) I had no stomach issues! Im going with my gut on this one, and thankfully, it agrees with a2 Milk.

Tested alongside regular cows milk, a2 Milk tastes the same, has the same thickness I love, and offers the exact same nutritional value. My morning smoothie is now made with cows milk, which to me tastes better than the almond and cashew milks Ive used the past few years. Bonus: Ive even returned to a big bowl of cereal from time to time. Why not milk it?

Where to Buy A2 Milk

In the United States, a2 Milk is the most widely available brand. Its sold in over 6,000 locations including Walmart, Wegmans, Publix, Costco, Whole Foods, and my local NYC Fairway, where I got whole, 2 percent, and 1 percent cartons on my first milk binge. I am patiently waiting for chocolate.

Amanda Burrill sees through an adventurous lens, typically focused on culinary and travel. Her education includes a bachelors in archaeology, a masters in journalism, a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu, and wine and spirits credentials earned while living in Paris. She is a U.S. Navy veteran, Ironman triathlete, high-alpine mountaineer, and injury connoisseur who ruminates on UnchartedLifestyleMag.comAustralian Youth Detention Centre Goes up in Flames After Escape Attempt

Buildings at Australias Don Dale Youth Detention Centre were set alight on Nov. 6 after inmates tried to escape the facility.

According to Territory Families who run the centre in Darwin, detainees aged between 14 and 17 years old overpowered a staff member, before stealing their keys, accessing other inmates cells and arming themselves in an attempt to escape.

Some detainees were taken into police custody. None of them were injured but one staff member required medical treatment.

A police investigation continues.This undated file photo provided by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission shows Akayed Ullah, (New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission via AP)

Bangladeshi Immigrant Convicted in NYC Subway Bombing

NEW YORKA Bangladeshi immigrant was convicted on Nov. 6 for supporting a terrorist group after setting off a pipe bomb in New York Citys busiest subway station let the jury leave before saying he was angry at President Donald Trump and didnt plan the attack for the ISIS group.

The unusual outburst by Akayed Ullah in Manhattan federal court capped a trial in which the defense maintained he intended to kill only himself last Dec. 11. Nobody died, and most of the injuries were not serious.

Just after jurors left the Manhattan federal courtroom, Ullah announced he had something to say and repeatedly insisted he did not act on the ISIS groups behalf.

I was angry with Donald Trump because he says he will bomb the Middle East and then he will protect his nation. So I said: Donald Trump, you cannot do like this. Nobody likes bombing, your honor.

Judge Richard J. Sullivan told him: Right now is not the time for a statement. Trump has made statements about bombing ISIS targets in the Middle East for many years.

#ISIS is making $400M/year on oil. I have been saying it for years. We need to bomb the oil! https://t.co/vObIAhilWs pic.twitter.com/teKBaKdXzK  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2015

He also commented on former president Obamas plans to bomb Syria during the past administration.

What will we get for bombing Syria besides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

Prosecutors said Ullah sought to maim or kill commuters in response to calls for lone wolf terrorist attacks by the terror group.

Your honor, you heard what the government is trying to do. They are trying to put me in the group, which I dont support, your honor, Ullah told Sullivan.

Mr. Ullah, now is not the time for this, said the judge, who set sentencing for April 5. Ullah faces a mandatory 30-year prison sentence and could be sent to prison for life.

Hearing about Ullahs claims as she left court, juror Linda Artis told reporters that Ullah may have swayed some jurors if he had taken the witness stand.

He did it. The big question was why, she said. And a lot of it couldnt be answered because he didnt testify. That was the big hang-up for me.

Artis, 38, of Manhattan, said she worried that some laws used against Ullah were too vague.

She said she didnt want a lot of people to be labeled a terrorist if they are just a random whack job.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said the Election Day verdict after an attack in which Ullah sought to make a political statement through deadly violence fittingly underscores the core principles of American democracy and spirit: Americans engage in the political process through votes, not violence.

At trial, prosecutors said Ullah would not have worn a bomb had he wanted to kill only himself. They also cited Ullahs social media postings and said he told an investigator: I did it for the Islamic State [ISIS].

The verdict capped a weeklong trial that featured surveillance video of Ullah the morning when his pipe bomb sputtered, seriously burning him in a corridor beneath Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal, where most subway lines converge.

Ullah, 28, of Brooklyn, was confronted with his post-arrest statements and his social media comments, such as when he taunted Trump on Facebook before the attack.

Within hours of Ullahs blast, Trump was assailing the immigration system that had allowed Ullahand multitudes of law-abiding Bangladeshisto enter the U.S.

Ullah got an entry visa in 2011 because he had an uncle who was already a U.S. citizen. Trump said allowing foreigners to follow relatives to the U.S. was incompatible with national security.

Authorities said Ullahs radicalization began in 2014 when he started viewing materials online, including a video instructing ISIS supporters to carry out attacks in their homelands.

In closing arguments Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney George Turner said Ullah told investigators after his arrest that he wanted to avenge U.S. aggression toward the ISIS group and had chosen a busy weekday morning to attack so he could terrorize as many people as possible.

Ullahs attorney, Amy Gallicchio told jurors in closings that Ullah was not a terrorist and wanted to die alone.

Assistant U.S. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Crowley disputed the claim.

It was about martyrdom, not suicide, she said.Bernie Sanders Re-Elected to Senate: AP

Sen. Bernie Sanders won his reelection bid in Vermont, according to early projections.

Sanders, an independent, defeated Lawrence Zupan, a Republican and real estate broker from Manchester. His campaign drew little attention, The Associated Press and NBC News reported.

Sanders didnt focus much on his reelection bid and instead traveled around the country to support Democratic candidate seeking reelection.

The now-three-term senator was expected to easily win his race.

Sanders has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the states lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Zupan had campaigned against what he felt was big government and social welfare programs.

AP reported that Vermont poll workers saw a strong turnout for the 2018 midterm elections.

It added that a record turnout was expected in Pittsford, and the Vermont Secretary of States Office said more than 69,000 residents voted early.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, meanwhile, said that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are watching the election results with friends and family at the White House. She said the presidents rally schedule triggered an extraordinary ground game geared toward defying midterm history and protecting the GOPs majorities.

The president and first lady look forward to watching the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence, she added, NBC reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Boeing Issues Safety Warning on 737 Max After Lion Air Crash

Following the fatal crash of a Lion Air jet in Indonesia last week, Boeing has issued a warning to airlines operating its new 737 MAX about what to do in the event of an angle-of-attack sensor failure and avoid a dangerous nose-dive.

The warning follows preliminary findings from the Lion Air crash that the angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor malfunctioned.

The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee has indicated that Lion Air flight 610 experienced erroneous input from one of its AOA (Angle of Attack) sensors, Boeing said in a statement.

Malfunctioning AOA sensors could cause the 737 MAX to try and automatically push down the nose of the airplane if they detect that an aerodynamic stall is possible, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

An aerodynamic stall is when the wings of an aircraft cant produce enough lift and the plane starts to dive.

Boeings Instructions for Pilots

Boeing said that the warning directs operators to existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor.

An unnamed source familiar with the Boeings technical bulletin described how the sensor error could cause pilots to lose control of the plane.

If the nose is trimmed down on an aircraft, it becomes difficult for the crew to hold it, said a person briefed on Boeings bulletin, SeattleTimes reported. The nose is turning itself down and they are having to fight it. It takes a lot of effort to keep it from diving. Especially if you have a crew thats confused and doesnt know whats going on.

Boeing says in the bulletin that if this failure arises, initially, higher control forces may be needed to overcome any nose-down stabilizer trim.

Pilots should then switch off the automatic trim system and carry out trim adjustments manually, the instructions say.

This is all coming from the Indonesian crash, said the person briefed on the Boeing bulletin. Im not aware of any other operator having this problem.

Boeing added that issuing bulletins or recommendations regarding the operation of its planes is a usual process.

Lion Air Disaster

The Lion Air 737 Max 8 jetliner plummeted towards the Java Sea minutes after takeoff from Jakarta airport in Indonesia on Oct. 29.

Safety investigators said the plane may have hit speeds of 600 mph before hitting the water.

All 189 people aboard the plane were killed.

Moments earlier, the pilots radioed a request to return to Jakarta to land, but never turned back toward the airport, according to Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee and flight-track data, as cited by Bloomberg.

Erratic speed and altitude on the planes previous flight, from Denpasar on Bali to Jakarta, were reported and when we opened the black box, yes indeed the technical problem was the airspeed or the speed of the plane, National Transportation Safety Committee chairman Soerjanto Tjahjono told a news conference.

The probe into what happened with the Lion Air plane is ongoing and Boeing continues to cooperate fully and provide technical assistance at the request and under the direction of government authorities investigating the accident, the company said in the statement.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it would require airlines to follow Boeings newly released safety bulletin, reminding pilots how to handle erroneous data from the sensor.

The FAA said it plans to mandate the bulletin by issuing an airworthiness directive and will take further appropriate actions depending on the results of the investigation.

Boeing says that the 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in the companys history, with over 4,700 orders to date.A conceptual image of Target, which is part of an apparatus developed by Astroscale for space debris removal. (Courtesy of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.)

Childhood Encounter Leads to Multimillion-Dollar Space Waste Removal Venture

TOKYOIT industry veteran Nobu Okadas first venture into the space industry came at the age of 40, when he was going through a midlife crisis at the same time the tech bubble was bursting.

The CEO of Astroscale, the worlds first privately-owned space debris-removal enterprise, recalled at the time his visit to NASA as a 15-year-old, when he received an autograph from Japans first astronaut, Mamoru Mohri.

The autograph came with a note to Okada, Space is waiting for your challenge.

In the process of researching space through his attendance at seminars and conferences, he came across the issue of space debris, and its potential effects on orbiting spacecraft and satellites.

But the lack of a regulatory authority, available technology, and a commercial market put the issue out of sight and out of mind to other space-industry players.

That life-changing autograph from Mohri now decorates a hallway of Astroscales office in suburban Tokyo, where engineers are working on its first debris-capture demonstration mission, called the End of Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration, or ELSA-d.

All eyes will be on the launch, which is scheduled in early 2020.

Blind Optimism

When Okada first started the venture, there was no such market or commercial awareness of space debris. In his research, he found that while space debris of over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter can be detected from the Earth and hence can be avoided by calibrating a spacecrafts flight path, smaller undetectable particles are causing substantial damage to orbiting craft.

It was precisely because he was an outsider to the industry that he was undeterred by the boundaries of space.

I started the business with nothing but blind optimism. I set myself a target on Day 1 that, within seven years, Astroscale would solve the technological issues, develop a working business model, and iron out the regulatory issues regarding space, Okada said.

Thankfully, weve been on target in clearing our goals, and Im confident that were on course.

Just last month, Astroscale, which is headquartered in Singapore and has a research center in Japan, announced it raised an additional $50 million in funding to bring its total investment capital to $102 million. The injection comes from funds managed by investment companies, real estate conglomerates, and blockchain funds.

The Japanese-owned company now has a team of around 70 people, mostly engineers, in its offices located in Singapore, Japan, and the UKfor whom watching movies such as Star Wars leaves them imagining how much more space debris is being created with each destroyed X-Wing.

Space Waste

Its not something that most people would worry about every day, but the issue of space debris has been getting more serious since the first rocket was launched 60 years ago.

Imagine 750,000 pieces of space debris of over a half-inch in diameter circling the earthat speeds 10 times that of a bulletand one can understand the safety hazard that the particles pose to an active spacecraft.

In fact, the International Space Station has encountered several near-misses with space debris; in May 2016, a small object hit the station and caused a small crack in a window.

Government officials and the private sector are now ready to support debris removal as a business, Odaka said.

Sustainable Space

Astroscales business idea is for public and private satellite operators and space agencies that launch rockets to employ its services, to ensure that each launch doesnt add to space debris.

The ELSA-d has two stacked parts: a Chaser and a Target, working together to demonstrate a retrieval service for satellite operators.

The Chaser, equipped with a magnetic capture mechanism, will repeatedly release and capture the Target, to show off the technology.

Meanwhile, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is pursuing a special tether technology, similar to a fishing net, to capture and haul space debris into the atmosphere, where the debris would disintegrate upon re-entry. That system failed a field test in 2017.

Astronomical Potential

The current space industry is valued at about $350 billion, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which projects growth to $2.7 trillion over the next three decades.

Technical issues aside, one of the biggest hurdles for the space debris market is the question of who should take responsibility for removing the debris.

Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, a basic international framework of space law, states that any object in space, regardless of whether it is an active satellite or space debris, belongs to the nation that originally launched it. This puts a hurdle in the path of active debris removal.

Another hurdle is the potential cost: Each space debris-retrieval mission could cost between $2 billion to $7 billion.

Countering the spirit of that law is that people all over the world benefit from the use of satellites.

Nevertheless, Okada is confident the issue of space regulation will be solved within the next three to five years. Currently, guidelines are set by the United Nations and bodies such as GVF, a non-profit international association of satellite communication industry leaders.

I think we will see a convergence in global best practices and standards that will facilitate future in-orbit servicing activities in the next three to five years, Okada said.John Chhan and his wife Stella own the doughnut shop Donut City in Seal Beach, Calif. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

Customers Buy Out Doughnut Shop Early Every Day After Owners Wife Gets Sick

A doughnut shop owner was deeply moved after his customers starting buying up all of his pastries early in the morning every day, which has allowed him to spend more time with his sick wife.

John Chhan and his wife, Stella have run a doughnut shop in Seal Beach, California for the past 30 years. After fleeing Cambodia and arriving in Orange County as refugees in 1979, John and Stella opened their shop, Donut City, back in 1990.

However, things changed recently after Stella became ill at a wedding party.

I thought it was a normal kind of illness, John told ABC News. However, after an hour [at home], she could not talk. I was worried.

Stella was sent to an emergency room at a nearby hospital, and John was told that his wife had suffered an aneurysm in the brain.

She did not open her eyes for 10 days, John Chhan said. She only touched my hand lightly when she was half-awake.

During those days, some of Johns customers noticed that he was alone in the shop. When they found out Stella was sick, and John needed to sell out of his doughnuts before leaving to take care of his wife, customers began to spread the words to help the couple.

Evan and I have been stopping into Donut City for years to snag their ham and cheese croissants. Due to their    Meilani Cottrell     

John said some customers wanted to help him create a GoFundMe account. But he refused, saying all he wanted to do was spend more time with his wife. Then many customers from the community began to show up early and buy more doughnuts than usual to allow John to go home earlier.

[Theyre buying] one or two dozen doughnuts for their friends and relatives, John Chhan told ABC News. Before they [would buy] one, two or three donuts.

Before Stella got sick, the shop was open from 4:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. With the customers help, John said he was able to sell all the doughnuts and go see his wife by 8:30 a.m. Some customers found the doughnuts were sold out as early as 6:30 a.m.

I came to Donut City to pick up two dozen donuts for my department. It is 6:30am. They are sold out of donuts. This is crazy!!    Matt Zucker     

We all just put the word out there that we should go into the doughnut shop and buy as many doughnuts as we can, so he can sell through thoroughly, close up the shop and get to the facility to work with his wife, Marc Loopesko, one of Johns customers, told ABC News.

Were very close knit. When there is a need, we really step forward and bond together, put our differences aside and we help one another.

John greatly appreciated the efforts from the community to help him and his wife in their time of need.

I would like to thank neighbors in the community who helped me since my wife fell sick, John said. The community has been helping me and supporting me.

John said his wife is gradually recovering and now has the strength to eat and write.Democrats on Track to Win Majority in House, Split Congress Likely After Midterms

A Democrat majority in the House has been projected after preliminary results of the midterm elections came in midnight ET, predicting a split congress.

Real Clear Politics projected a gain of 26 seats for the Democrats, who needed a gain of at least 23 seats to secure the 218 seats needed for a House majority.

The announcement was made by major media around midnight, with some of the 435 races still undecided.

If confirmed, Democrats say the swing of power in the House will help them keep a check on the Trump administrations policies where they could block further tax cuts, deregulation, and changes to Americas immigration laws, as well as the building of a U.S.Mexico border wall.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters earlier in the evening that no matter the result in the House, the Trump administrations agenda was not going to change and was still focused on lowering taxes, growing the economy, creating jobs, defeating ISIS, remaking the judiciary, and tackling the opioid crisis. She said they would also continue looking at boosting infrastructure and trying to get the Democrats to come to the table on tackling illegal immigration.

Reuters reported that Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives and cited the Republican campaign as divisive, without passing comment on the campaign strategy of the Democrats.

According to a POLITICO/Morning Consult poll taken just two weeks before the election, 67 percent of Americans said they believed the media had done more to divide the country than unite the people since the time that Trump took office. The same poll showed that 56 percent of these pollsters believed that the president had done more to divide the country than unite it.

At a campaign rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Nov. 5, Trump shared his observations of the political climate in the United States with the crowd. Every day since [his win in 2016], the failed old ruling class have been trying to claw back their way into power.

Theyre not having an easy time, the president added. I shouldnt say this because I do want to unite  but the fact is were driving them crazy.

Despite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, Tremendous success tonight.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

Midterm election results typically go against the incumbent administration. In the 2014 midterm elections, the Obama administration suffered a loss of 13 seats in a House of 188 Democrats and a loss of nine seats in the Senate.

Earlier in the evening, major media and political commentators announced that the GOP had likely secured its Republican majority in the Senate and was looking to extend the lead by four to five seats.

As of midnight election night, Real Clear Politics projected a 52 seat Republican Senate.

Projected results in the 36 gubernatorial races projected a blue creep, with the Democrats likely picking up five governors seats, according to Real Clear Politics. Before the midterm election, Republicans held 33 of the 50 governors seats while the Democrats held 16. Gov. Bill Walker in Alaska was an independent but has stood down from re-election in the midterms.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD NewsDemocrats Pick Up Governorships but Lose Florida and Ohio

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.Democrats won governorships on Nov. 6 in several states but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio, as voters cast ballots in dozens of gubernatorial contests across the country.

The hotly contested race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum suffered a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis.

Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohios governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray, who served as the first director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers pulled off a narrow win in unseating Republican incumbent Scott Walker, according to data provider DDHQ. The two-term governor, who also survived a Democratic-driven recall election in 2012 after ending collective bargaining for public workers, briefly ran for president in 2016.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette in the contest to replace Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who could not run again due to term limits. In Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, where outgoing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback suffered from low approval ratings.

Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. All told, Democrats had flipped at least seven Republican-held governorships without suffering any losses as of early morning on Nov. 7.

While much of focus of the elections was on which party would win control of the U.S. Congress, Republicans and Democrats were battling across the country for state-level power, which could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and health care.

Every Vote Counted

In Georgia, Abrams, 44, was locked in a tight battle with Republican Brian Kemp, the states secretary of state. By 5 a.m. EST, Kemp held a two-point lead and cleared the 50 percent threshold necessary to avoid a runoff. Abrams told her supporters that she expected a runoff once all votes were counted.

Democrat Ben Jealous lost his bid to become Marylands governor to incumbent Republican Larry Hogan.

The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters.

Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who traveled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energize Republicans at Make America Great Again rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats, and media star Oprah Winfrey visited Georgia on behalf of Abrams.

Neither Georgia nor Florida has elected a Democratic governor in 20 years.

Republican Dominance

Going into Nov. 6, Republicans controlled 33 governors mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

The Democratic Party said it flipped at least six state legislative chambers on the strength of local races. Democrats now have complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine, and New Mexico.

Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades.

The outcome of elections for state positions could also affect future control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional districts are redrawn after the 2020 Census. In some states, a governors power to sign or veto congressional maps could decide the partisan balance.

Republicans were eyeing a potential pickup in Connecticut, traditionally a Democratic state, where the contest was too close to call on Wednesday morning.

By Letitia Stein

Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.Democrats Seize House Majority in 2018 Midterm Elections

While Republicans extended their majority in the Senate in the midterm elections, Democrats seized Congress after flipping dozens of seats on Nov. 6.

The new majority means Democrats will head all the committees in the House and gain subpoena power.

Ending eight years of Republican control that began with the tea party revolt of 2010, Democrats picked off more than two dozen GOP-held districts in suburbs across the nation on the way to securing the 218 seats needed for a majority.

As of early Wednesday, two dozen races had yet to be decided, meaning the tally could grow slightly larger. But the final count is likely to leave Democrats with a narrow majority that could be difficult to manage and preserve.

Upsets came in for Democrats in districts across the nation even as Republicans held more seats than some forecasters believed possible. The two biggest upsets were Kendra Horn over Rep. Steven Russell in Oklahomas 5th district and Joe Cunningham over Katie Arrington in South Carolinas 1st district, according to Dave Wasserman of Cook Political Report.

In locking down a majority, Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Denver, and Dallas that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Democrats made only slight inroads in Trump country.

Investigations

Democrats have already vowed to launch investigations into various aspects of President Donald Trumps life, including his tax returns and his businesses.

A probe into possible collusion with Russians during the 2016 election is already underway but has turned up nothing linking Trump or any other American to Russian efforts to influence the vote that year. Instead, evidence has emerged of a widescale effort by the U.S. government to prevent Trump from winning.

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) will become the head of Ways and Means Committee. He said he wants to formally request the presidents tax returns. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who will become the head of the Oversight Committee, is also expected to probe Trumps businesses for possible ethics issues.

The tax code includes a provision that lets select officials, such as the chairmen of those two committees, to request specific tax returns from individuals or entities, reported the Washington Examiner. But the law poses difficulties because it doesnt allow the public release of the tax returns unless the person agrees to it, something Trump is unlikely to do. Leaking carries penalties, including a prison sentence of up to five years.

Still, Democrats have vowed to probe Trumps personal finances and do what they can to make their findings public.

The more and more you get into the investigation, whether its obstruction of justice, whether its colluding with the Russians, whatever, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) said. The deeper that you get into those investigations the more you realize the key to all of this is his economic operations.

Trump has appeared unconcerned, telling reporters this week: I dont care. They can do whatever they want and I can do whatever I want.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who will become head of the Judiciary Committee, is also planning investigations of Trumps policies on immigration, including at the border, and the Intelligence Committee could reopen a probe into potential Russia interference in the 2016 election after the committee closed its probe, saying it found no evidence of collusion.

While Democrats are excited about probing Trump, others noted that that could backfire by sending independent voters to Trumps camp. Many Trump supporters already believe investigations into him have gone too far, and a string of new subpoenas could end up alienating voters.

I dont know that there will be much of an appetite for members of Congress to spend their time investigating, instigating, trying to impeach, and subpoena people, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters late Tuesday night.

Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel. #Gaza #Palestine #Israel  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 16, 2012

Anti-Semitism

Even as many hailed the gains by Democrats, others pointed out that their ranks included at least two newly elected congresswomen who have radical views on Jews and Israel.

Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) both made history by becoming the first two Muslim congresswomen, but face heavy criticism about views some said are clearly anti-semitic.

Omar, a self-described intersectional feminist who wears a hijab in public, once said in tweet, Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.

Responding to criticism of the missive, she refused to apologize. Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews. You are a hateful sad man, I pray to Allah you get the help you need and find happiness, she told someone who pointed out her comments.

Omar also opposed a bill in the Minnesota Legislature that would have barred the state from working with companies that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, reported the Times of Israel.

Omar has also come under fire for appearing to marry her brother for immigration purposes.

Tlaib has expressed support for BDS, wants Israel to become one state, and wants United States aid to the country cut in the meanwhile, reported JDS. Shes a close friend of Linda Sarsour, the Womens March co-leader who has expressed support for Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam head who recently said Jews are Termites and appeared in Iran to chant Death to Israel.

Sarsour has described Tlaib as a mentor.

Confusion over Tlaibs views on Israel led the lobby group J Street to ultimately withdraw its endorsement of her in August.

After closely consulting with Rashida Tlaibs campaign to clarify her most current views on various aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that a significant divergence in perspectives requires JStreetPAC to withdraw our endorsement of her candidacy, J Street announced.

We cannot endorse candidates who conclude that they can no longer publicly express unequivocal support for a two-state solution and other core principles to which our organization is dedicated, it continued.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

From NTD NewsGOP Senate candidate Rep. Marsha Blackburn at a Make America Great Again rally in Johnson City, Tenn., on Oct. 1, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Election Consolidates Senate Support for Trumps Agenda

President Donald Trump has solidified his position in the Republican Party as the midterm elections filled the ranks with supporters of his agenda.

Not only have the Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, but within that majority, several so-called never-Trump Republicans disappeared.

Anti-Trump Sen. Bob Corker didnt seek reelection in Tennessee and was replaced by staunchly pro-Trump Marsha Blackburn.

In Arizona, anti-Trump Jeff Flake also didnt seek reelection and will be replaced either by pro-Trump Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. McSally was slightly ahead on Nov. 7 afternoon with some 75 percent of the ballot counted.

Sinema is a closet progressive, according to some of her staffers, and unlikely to lend Trump her vote. But either way, the concentration of Trump supporters in the Senate GOP has increased.

Trump even took credit for Flakes retirement.

I retired him. Im very proud of it. I did the country a great service, he said during a Nov. 7 press conference. He is retired. Id like to call it another word but were going to treat him with great respect.

The top anti-Trump Republican, Sen. John McCain, passed away Aug. 25.

Mitt Romney, who won the Senate race in Utah, spoke strongly against Trump in 2016 but has since toned down the rhetoric and expressed somewhat measured support for several key points of Trumps agenda.

In the House, Speaker Paul Ryan, who split with Trump on immigration policy, didnt seek reelection and his Wisconsin seat will be taken by Trump endorsee Bryan Steil.

Overall, 43 House Republicans didnt seek re-election, the most GOP has seen in 88 years, Trump said.

Democrats took over some of those seats. Nonetheless, a number of those criticizing or distancing themselves from Trump are leaving, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.).

Of the 20 Republicans that voted against the bill to repeal and replace Obamacarea major promise of Trumpsonly 10 will return to Capitol Hill in January. Of the 13 Republicans that said nay on Trumps tax cuts, just six will return.

On the other hand, of the 11 candidates Trump campaigned with over the last week, nine won.

Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well. Those that did not, say goodbye! Trump said in a Nov. 7 tweet.

The president campaigned on behalf of the candidates, pulling off 26 rallies since Oct. 1, and nine in the last four days before the election.

He said he focused on the Senate races, as touring the individual districts for House races would require too much travel.

While losing the House represents a partial loss of power for Republicans, it also removes part of the responsibility Democrats have placed on Trump for delays in passing legislation. He can now wait for the Democrats to come to him for votes on legislative proposals.

The Democrats will come to us with a plan for infrastructure, a plan for health care, a plan for whatever they are looking at [and] well negotiate, he said at the press conference.

A stronger supporter base in the Senate, on the other hand, suggests the chamber will provide him smoother confirmations of judicial and other appointments.Election Day Problems Reported Across New York City Polling Stations

A number of problems have been reported at New York City polling stations on Nov. 6, with long lines, malfunctioning scanners, and other issues. And in one case, like the top video, a polling station was locked, forcing firefighters to open it for voters.

The City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, called on Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan to resign from his position over the issues, NBC New York reported.

Bad weather and high turnout are no excuse when we have forecasts for both, Johnson said. Michael Ryan needs to resign and we need a full top to bottom review of what went wrong today.

One scanner was completely fine, one was temporarily down but quickly fixed and the third and last scanner was not working at all as of 6:30, a voter told Pix11 about the machines at a station in Sunnyside, Queens.

All voting machines are broken at PS 130 In Brooklyn right now, Brooklyn voter Scott Teplin added. Waiting for a tech to arrive.

Voters at a station in Crown Heights said it was complete chaos and the line went down the sidewalk with waits of more than an hour, the NBC affiliate reported.

ALL SCANNERS ARE BROKEN AT PS 22. They just announced that they will be collecting ballots in an emergency collection box to scan later, voter Barry Hott wrote, NBC reported. People are very skeptical. Totally unacceptable.

A voter told NBC that she and her daughter waited two hours to vote.

The lines were crazy and the staff was arguing, Jennifer Gaston said. [F]inally they told us that all of the machines were not working and that we should do an emergency ballot. What a mess.

Some noted that polling sites werent open yet.

Endless spiraling lines. Everyone is mad. This is my nightmare. #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/PgGK8Y63lV  Barry Hott (@binghott) November 6, 2018

Excuse me, @BOENYC. Why did my friend just go to his polling site in #Brooklyn to be told its not open yet?  Its 7 am and this his only time to vote due to work, wrote user A. Mikaelson.

Angela Velez and Barry Hott described ballot errors.

Velez wrote: 6am this morning, Already problems with the ballot scannor [sic]. 1st error message ballot not readable 2nd ballot didnt drop in the box. 3rd your vote was counted. ?????????. Sunset Park Brooklyn.

ALL SCANNERS ARE BROKEN AT PS 22. They just announced that they will be collecting ballots in an emergency collection box to scan later, Hott tweeted. People are very skeptical. Totally unacceptable. He also wrote: Endless spiraling lines. Everyone is mad. This is my nightmare.

Meanwhile, one woman on Twitter said that workers werent able to get inside the polling station building in Brooklyn. Jaleesa Parris uploaded a video showing firefighters prying open the doors at the Breukelen Community Center as people wait, Storyful reported. Other details about the incident are not clear.Farmers Almanac Predicting Harsh Winter Across US

The Farmers Almanac is predicting a teeth-chattering cold winter with plenty of snow, contrasting the National Weather Services outlook.

Contrary to the stories storming the web, our time-tested, long-range formula is pointing toward a very long, cold, and snow-filled winter. We stand by our forecast and formula, which accurately predicted the many storms last winter, as well as this summers steamy, hot conditions, said Farmers Almanac editor Peter Geiger.

The Almanac said the winter of 2018-2019 will be colder than normal and namely from the Continental Divide east through the Appalachians.

So just how cold will it be? The real teeth-chattering arrives mid-February especially in the following zones: Northeast/New England, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest, and Southeast (yes, even the Southeast will be in the chill zone!), it said.

The forecast predicts that an Arctic cold front at that time will create a sharp drop in temperature. At that time, widespread snow showers/squall activity will form along a frontal line. Blustery and bitter winds will be the norm, it said.

Regarding snowfall, there will be above-normal amounts for the Great Lakes, Midwest, New England, and Pacific Northwest, the Almanac forecasted. The Almanac also forecasts an unusually snowy and/or wet winter across the Pacific Northwest, Northeast, and mid-Atlantic States; in these regions, the thermometer will be hovering just above or just below the freezing mark, which means some of the precipitation may fall as either ice or rain/freezing rain, it said.

And, Winter will hang on with stormy conditions up through the official start of spring, especially for the East Coast, forecasters said.

At the start of spring, the Almanac predicted, snow, sleet, gusty winds, and rain could hit many areas.

In particular, we are red-flagging March 2023 for a potent East Coast storm that could deliver a wide variety of wintry precipitation just as we are making the transition from winter to spring. So, no matter what the groundhog says in February, youll know winter isnt going anywhere anytime soon, said the Almanac.

Contrasts NOAA Forecast

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), however, predicted a milder winter across much of the United States.

In the U.S. Winter Outlook for December through February, higher-than-normal temperatures are expected across the western and northern U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. It also said the El Nino will have a 70 percent to 75 percent chance of happening.

We expect El Nino to be in place in late fall to early winter, said Mike Halpert, who is the deputy director of NOAAs Climate Prediction Center. Although a weak El Nino is expected, it may still influence the winter season by bringing wetter conditions across the southern United States, and warmer, drier conditions to parts of the North.Florida Restores Voting Rights to More Than 1.4 Million Ex-Felons

Approximately 1.4 million convicted felons will have the right to vote due to a ballot that received about 65 percent of the vote on Nov. 6.

At least 60 percent of voters had to approve it for it to become a law.

We showed that every ballot cast was a ballot cast with love, said Desmond Meade, President of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, reported the Orlando Sentinel.

We showed what can happen when we come together along the lines of humanity and reach each other where were at. Thats what happens when we transcend partisan lines and bickering, when we transcend racial anxieties and when we come together as Gods children. Thats what happens.

Meade gathered around 766,200 verified signatures and led the effort to get Amendment 4 on the ballot.

Republicans such as gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis and Gov. Rick Scott said they were opposed to the matter. Scott has said, If you are a convicted felon part of what you did is you lose your rights and there ought to be a process to get those rights back. I think it is fair to the rest of the citizens of the state, according to the Miami Herald.

Democratic candidates said they supported the measure. Meanwhile, the ACLU paid more than $5 million in advertising on TV and via social media to get it passed, according to CNBC.

Florida was one of three states that had a lifetime voting ban for people with felonies. Kentucky and Iowa are the others.

This didnt only impact those who couldnt vote. This impacted the communities they came from, Angel Sanchez, a former gang member, who has several felonies on his record, CNBC reported. If you look at all these elections that are happening right now, theyre all being decided by less than 100,000 votes, maybe less than 200,000.  If only 10 percent of the individuals re-enfranchised today turn out to vote, these elections could be impacted.Germany Foreign Minister Heiko Maas speaks to the media with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (not in picture) in Berlin on June 19, 2020. (Bernd von Jutrczenka - Pool / Getty Images)

Germany to Press China on Arms Control

BERLINGerman Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he will press China to embrace arms controls during upcoming meetings in Beijing, citing the need to regulate robotic and space-based weapons that could soon shift from science fiction to reality.

Maas told German newspaper Die Welt that Germany would continue to press Moscow to adhere to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and said it made sense to include China in future agreements.

President Donald Trump on Oct. 20 announced plans to quit the INF Treaty, citing what he sees as Russian violations of the pact and concerns about Chinas development of new weapons since it was not party to the treaty. Trump has hinted that he seeks to instead seal a trilateral deal with Russia and China.

Maas said it was imperative to create a disarmament regime that included emerging weapons systems and China.

Space weapons and autonomous weapons will soon no longer be science fiction, but possible reality, he told the newspaper. We need rules that keep pace with the technological development of new weapons systems.

Maas gave no details of his plans to visit China, but said he would use his discussions with Chinese officials in the next days to advocate for greater transparency and arms controls.

He said Germany remained in close discussions with the United States and its partners in NATO about the INF Treaty and wants to prevent a new arms race.

NATO foreign ministers are due to discuss the issue in December.

Maas said he had also urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to stick to the INF Treaty and be transparent about its development of new weapons, something that had not occurred to date.

China Unbound by the INF Treaty

The INF, signed by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, was intended to reduce tensions in Europe, which, at the time, was divided into communist and non-communist camps. The pact eliminated thousands of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) from the arsenals of both superpowers.

Both countries agreed to stop the production, testing, and deployment of any new cruise and ballistic missiles with ranges between 310 miles and 3,418 miles.

Meanwhile, unbound by the treaty, China has built up its nuclear arsenal. While China claims to possess only a few hundred warheads, international observers estimate that the true size could be in the thousands, putting it on par with the United States and Russia.

There has been growing pressure on China to join the agreement, especially following revelations in recent years of a subterranean nuclear great wall, consisting of tunnels able to hide as many as 3,600 nuclear missiles.

Chinas Rocket Forces field a number of IRBMs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM)s. This year, the Rocket Forces deployed the Dong Feng-26 IRBM, which has a range of 1,864 to 2,485 miles and equips nuclear warheads. The DF-26 can reach critical U.S. military installations on Guam, which is part of the U.S. militarys so-called second island chain in the Pacific. That has earned the missile the moniker of Guam Killer or Guam Express.

To date, Beijing has developed eight operational nuclear-capable missile systemswith effective ranges between 300 and 3,400 milesthat are prohibited under the INF treaty, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

By Andrea Shalal. The Epoch Times contributed to this report.Girls from Cub Scout Den 13, a suburban Virginia Cub Scout unit made up of girls who are on their way to next year becoming the first female Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America as part of the the newly named "Scouts BSA" program, participate in a hike in this still image from video shot in McLean, Virginia, on May 20, 2018. (Greg Savoy/File Photo/Reuters)

Girl Scouts Sues Boy Scouts Over Trademark as Boys Welcome Girls

NEW YORKThe Girl Scouts of the United States of America filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America on Nov. 6, after the Boy Scouts decided to drop Boy from its namesake program and start welcoming older girls.

The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court is an attempt by the Girl Scouts, founded in 1912, to avert an erosion of its brand and membership as the Boy Scouts, founded two years earlier, tries to reverse its own decades-long membership decline.

Six months ago the Boy Scouts, which accepts children 11 to 17 years old, said it would in February 2019 change its name to Scouts BSA and make girls eligible to earn its highest rank, Eagle Scout.

The organization also launched a Scout Me In campaign, which features boys and girls.

Neither the Boy Scouts nor its general counsel responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against trademark infringement.

The Boy Scouts, based in Irving, Texas, recently had about 2.28 million members, less than half its peak in the 1970s, while the Girl Scouts, based in Manhattan, said it has about 2 million.

In the complaint, the Girl Scouts said the Boy Scouts have no monopoly over such terms as scouts and scouting when it offers services to girls. It said the name change threatens to marginalize Girl Scouts activities and has already sown confusion, with families, schools, and communities nationwide being told the organization no longer exists, or merged with the Boy Scouts.

Only GSUSA has the right to use the Girl Scouts and Scouts trademarks with leadership development services for girls, and the Boy Scouts infringements are new and uniquely damaging to GSUSA, the complaint said.

We did what any brand, company, corporation, or organization would do to protect its intellectual property, the value of its brand in the marketplace, and to defend its good name, the Girl Scouts said in a statement.

The Boy Scouts has said its rebranding was part of a single-name approach it adopted when it decided in October 2017 to let girls enroll in the Cub Scouts, for children 7 to 10 years old.

By Jonathan StempelGOP to Retain Majority in US Senate

Early wins in key Senate swing states have political commentators and media outlets projecting a comfortable Republican majority in the U.S. Senate.

According to Real Clear Politics, the GOP has likely secured the 51 seats needed for a majority in the 100 seat Senate, and is projected to win more.

Indianas Senate seat went to Republican Mike Braun, who unseated Sen. Joe Donnelly, in an important flip for the GOP.

Braun, who is putting on hold his life as a businessman, said at a campaign rally with President Donald Trump on Nov. 5, Im doing this, I think, for the right reasons. Not the pay and the perks, not the nessling in D.C.  its to help somebody thats shaking up Washington.

Other important GOP wins were seen in North Dakota, with Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) projected to unseat Sen. Heidi Heitkamp; Tennessee, with Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) leading over former Gov. Phil Bredesen (D); and Texas, with Sen. Ted Cruz (R) leading over Rep. Beto ORourke (D). The lastest flip for the Republicans was called in Missouri, with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) losing support in favor of Attorney General Josh Hawley (R).

The wait continues! Energy is still up Sugas Deep South Cuisine & Jazz Bar as all eyes are on the big screen waiting for the #Election results. @12NewsNow Governor Greg Abbott just gave his victory speech.

NBC and ABC projected the Senate race in favor of Ted Cruz. #SETXvotes pic.twitter.com/1oIWHnJrOn  Lauren Hensley (@LaurenHensleyTV) November 7, 2018

The Democrats saw some positive results with Sen. Joe Manchin (D) retaining his seat of West Virginia against competitor Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) in what was seen as being a tight race.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Manchin makes remarks after he was projected to keep his seat in Congress and defeat his Republican challenger, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, in West Virginias Senate race on Tuesday. https://t.co/vLvu9Z7Jvm https://t.co/pVXZriBCaU  Fox News (@FoxNews) November 7, 2018

Many are eagerly awaiting results for the razor-edge Senate race in Florida as Gov. Rick Scott (R) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D) battle it out. The states of Arizona and Nevada are also being closely watched to see how far the purple bleeds.

The outcome is less clear for the House of Representatives.

From NTD NewsGreg Pence, Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives and brother of Vice President Mike Pence, speaks at a campaign rally in Indianapolis, Indiana on Nov. 2, 2018. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Greg Pence, Mike Pences Brother, Projected to Win Indiana Congressional Seat

Greg Pence, the brother of Vice President Mike Pence, is projected to win a Congressional seat in Indiana in the 2018 midterm elections.

With 31 percent of the votes tallied, Pence had received 52,277, or 62 percent, the Associated Press reported at 7:44 p.m. EST.

His Democrat challenger, Jeannine Lake, had gotten just 29,254, or just under 35 percent of the votes. A third-party candidate had received around 3 percent of the votes.

Indianas polls closed at 6 p.m. ET, the earliest in the nation along with Kentucky.

Get out and VOTE! Incredibly proud to have the opportunity to represent the 6th District in Washington, DC. Im Ready to Serve, Again! pic.twitter.com/W5jcw7GpNi  Greg Pence (@GregPenceIN) November 6, 2018

Mike Pence's brother, Greg Pence, will win his brother's former congressional seat in Indiana https://t.co/BxsJvCzp2Y  andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) November 7, 2018

CNN, among other news outlets, was also forecasting a win for Greg Pence.

According to Pences website, hes a former U.S. Marine and current businessman.

He is an unwavering pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and faith-driven conservative whose roots in the Sixth District date back nearly 60 years, the website says. Greg is a staunch supporter of the Trump-Pence agenda and will fight alongside the President to Make America Great Again. Greg Pence will ensure Indianas Sixth District continues its strong tradition of leadership in Congress.

Pence, 61, is older than Mike Pence, 59, and one of the vice presidents three brothers.

The Congressional seat, IN-06, was held by Mike Pence from 2003 through 2013 before Pence became governor of the state. Republican Luke Messer held the seat from 2013 until now.

Messer tried running for Senate in the midterms but lost in the May primary to Mike Braun.

From NTD.tvChristopher Martinez, 47, was arrested after attempting to steal a school bus full of children near Jensen Avenue and Highway 99 in Fresno, Calif. on Nov. 5, 2018. (Fresno Police Department)

Homeless Man Attempts to Steal Bus Full of Children on Field Trip

A homeless man reportedly attempted to hijack a school bus full of children in a frightening incident in south Fresno, California, on the evening of Nov. 5.

Police said 47-year-old Christopher Martinez approached the bus at around 6:30 p.m. in a parking lot near Jensen Avenue and Highway 99, and the man was behaving erratically.

The bus was carrying 41 students from Reagan Elementary School in the Kingsburg School District on its way back from a field trip to a science camp in Oakhurst, police told the Fresno Bee. The bus had stopped at a local business so that several children could use the restroom, and their teacher had escorted them inside.

Martinez, who is suspected of having mental health problems, then stepped on the bus and said he needed to go to a San Gabriel mission in Southern California.

He insisted he had to go to the mission  Jesus is coming! yelled the man, according to the police report.

Martinez than grabbed and hit the bus driver and tried to pull her out of her seat. However, she quickly snatched the keys out of the ignition so the bus was not drivable.

Martinez then walked up and down the bus while the driver and the teacher continuously shouted at him to leave. They told him he was not going to take the bus to San Gabriel, which is more than 200 miles from Fresno, or anywhere else.

Fortunately he did not touch any of the children, but he refused to get off the bus.

Meanwhile, a gas station clerk noticed the commotion and came to help. Eventually, they convinced the man to exit the bus, and the police soon arrived. The clerk and the others were hailed as heroes for protecting the children and resolving the situation.

The homeless man was later arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail on attempted carjacking charges, according to the Fresno Bee. His bail was set at $2,500.An Indian polling station official applies ink to the finger of a disabled Indian voter as he is carried into a polling booth in Ghaziabad on May 7, 2009. (Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images)

Indias Disabled Millions Finally Get Real Chance to Vote

Sudharani, a 48-year-old visually impaired mother of two, has never voted in secrecy in India. She has always required an escort to help her exercise her choice.

The right to vote in secrecy is an electoral right, defined by Indias Representation of the People Act, but in Sudharanis case it never worked because there was no braille on the voting machines.

Sudharani is a physiotherapist and a disability rights activist with an NGO called SAMA Foundation. She worries if her votes were rigged. She says she has no way to know the truth.

I feel somewhat guilty because Im visually challenged! Why am I not able to vote all by myself? said Sudharani of her recent electoral experience in the southern state of Karnataka.

Sudharani is just one of 27 million disabled people in India, a country where the total number of voters is about 2.5 times that of United States population (834 million).

In advance of the 2019 national elections, India has committed to making its elections accessible so that it can keep its constitutional promise to voters with disabilities.

Democracy is about open, broad consultation with all stakeholders, and India has much at stake considering it hasnt paid much attention to its disabled population until recently, having only begun to track disabilities in its 2011 census.

Most Disabled Voters in the World

Indias elections are the biggest democratic, electoral events in the world. Getting it right requires massive preparation and coordination between its various democratic institutions at the grassroots, state, and national levels.

To elect its 16th Parliament in 2014, the Election Commission set up 930,000 polling stations, 1.4 million electronic voting machines, and 11 million police and security officers, according to the British online newspaper, Independent. Voting took place on nine separate days.

Compare this with the 2016 national elections in the United States. There were 867 polling places for over 235 million eligible voters, and 16 million people with disabilities voted, while 65 percent of the polling stations had an accessible voting system, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Indias official statistics of 27 million disabled people lacks credibility according to ElectionAccess, a global NGO. It cites massive under-reporting, and calculates the actual numbers to be more like 60 million to 80 million.

Small Steps Towards Accessibility

The Election Commission of India recently took a few significant steps to make its elections accessible. These include community level initiatives and meetings, and consultations at the national and state levels to draft a countrywide policy on the matter.

Eight months ago, the commission signed an agreement with two NGOs, Child Rights Trust (CRT), and Action for Promoting Social Awareness, to produce educational election resources.

The two NGOs produced a book of 15 community songs and 20 street play scripts that includes messages to encourage people with disabilities to vote, according to J. Satish, the project coordinator of CRTs Right to Education Task Force.

Karnataka is one of two states where the commission introduced these resources. India has 29 states, and it has a mammoth task ahead of its 2019 vote.

The Election Commission of India declared Accessible Elections the theme of its 2018 National Voters Day (January 25).

The very foundation of a democracy lies in the representation of all stakeholders, and an indispensable part of nation-building starts with the inclusion of all in its electoral process, the commission said in a release.

The commission also announced that it would introduce braille features on electoral photo identity cards and distribute them to all visually challenged people, so next time, Sudharani will get to vote on her own.

According to the Times of India, the commission has also offered to look into alternative voting methods for people with disabilities, like advance voting or early voting, voting from home, postal voting, transport assistance, and mobile polling stations.Information About Chinas Territory Is a State Secret, Says Regime Judiciary

Chinese vet's complaints about land ceded to Russia rebuffed by communist authorities

Yin Minhong, a Peoples Liberation Army veteran, has been rebuffed by Chinese judges for the second time after filing complaints demanding an official explanation about the diplomatic status of Chinas northern territories.

Beginning in the 1800s, a number of foreign powers imposed their will on a weak and unstable imperial China, painfully reflected in various unequal treaties and territorial concessions  including a coercive agreement with Czarist Russia in which the Chinese Qing Dynasty gave up massive portions of Manchuria, Mongolia (then a Chinese imperial province), and Central Asia. Today, these regions are part of the Russian Far East, Mongolia, and other countries.

While most of the colonial indignities were reversed by the Chinese republican government during and around World War II, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has held power since 1949, has declined to address Russias role in what ordinary Chinese are taught to view as a Century of Humiliation.

According to Taiwans Liberty Times, Yin filed two complaints against the Chinese authorities for concealing the history of Chinas lost northern territories.

In an initial case filed with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs last August, Yin asked whether the Peoples Republic of China had signed an agreement to cede the Chinese territory [of Tannu Uriankhai] after 1949. He received an answer the next month, which stated that data about national territory was classified material and not open for public access.

Tannu Uriankhai was a region of about 168,600 square kilometers (65,000 square miles) in Russia that borders the modern state of Mongolia. Until its occupation by Russia in the 1800s, Tannu Uriankhai was sovereign territory of Qing China. In 1921, Russian communist revolutionaries established the Tuvan Peoples Republic, which was then annexed to the Soviet Union in 1944.

The Republic of China, which was driven out of mainland China by the CCP in 1949, has never formally given up its claims of sovereignty on the lost Qing territories.

The Foreign Ministry had also noted that if Yin was not satisfied with its response, he could apply for an administrative review or file a lawsuit in court. In March, Yin filed his second case with the Beijing No. 3 Intermediate Peoples Court, which dismissed the lawsuit. Yin appealed, but on Sept. 10, the case was dismissed again, this time by the High Peoples Court.

In 1999, then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin signed a protocol with former Russian president Boris Yeltsin to permanently settle the matter of land ceded by Qing China in the unequal treaties.

As a result of the agreement between Jiang and Yeltsin, the Peoples Republic of China acknowledged Russias sovereignty to over 1 million square kilometers (about 386,000 square miles) of disputed territory, including Tannu Uriankhai.

Yin Minhongs rejected legal actions have drawn public attention.

Why do they have to make such a simple question so complicated? a Nov. 5 WeChat social media post by Chinas Luku Law Service Company said. The response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [is equivalent to saying] that Chinas territory is confidential information, so the Chinese people have no right to this knowledge. The Beijing High Courts reply confirms that the Foreign Ministrys response was correct, so they wont take care of it.  If even the Chinese people themselves have no right to know about Chinas territory, who is allowed to know?

The law firm also noted that Article 282 of the Chinese Criminal Law stipulates that the crime of illegally obtaining state secrets is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, criminal detention, administrative control, or deprivation of political rights; for serious cases, the law calls for a sentence of between three and seven years imprisonment.

Certain people should take care, the law firm added satirically, because if you know the actual map of China, you are at risk of being held criminally liable.Italy Offers Asylum to Christian Pakistani Woman Facing Death Threats After Blasphemy Acquittal

A Christian Pakistani woman who is facing death threats in her home country has been offered asylum in Italy.

While her conviction and death sentence for blasphemy against Islam was overturned last month by Pakistans Supreme Court, Asia Bibi and her husband, Ashiq Masih, have been barred from leaving the country. The decision sparked protests by Islamic groups, with calls for Bibis execution and the murder of the judges.

Pakistan has a tiny Christian population, and Bibis case has been taken up by a number of Christian and human-rights groups.

I want women and children whose lives are at risk to be able to have a secure future, in our country or in other Western countries, so I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee that [for Bibi], Italys Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said. It is not permissible that in 2018 someone can risk losing their life for a  hypothesis of blasphemy.

Bibi, 47, and the mother of five, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 after she allegedly made derogatory remarks about Islam to her neighbors. They reportedly objected to her drinking water from their glass because she isnt Muslim. Bibi denies the charges.

After being convicted and sentenced to death, she spent eight years on death row. Following her acquittal on appeal, the Tehreek-e-Labaik party blocked major roads in Pakistans biggest cities for three days, demanding the murder of the Supreme Court judges who made the decision.

International Appeals for Help

Her husband turned to Italy after previously appealing to the United States, Britain, and Canada.

The international Catholic agency Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) quoted Masih as saying in a telephone call, I appeal to the Italian government to help me and my family leave Pakistan.

We are extremely worried because our lives are in danger. We dont even have enough to eat because we cant go out to buy food, he told the agency.

The ACN is demanding protection for Christians in countries where they are a minority. In Pakistan, Islam is the state religion and practiced by 95 percent of the population, according to a 1998 government census.

Charges of blasphemy are so serious in Pakistan there have been cases of parents murdering their children if they have been accused of it.

Amnesty International said that the blasphemy law has been exploited by people in Pakistan to settle personal scores.

Bibis lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands because of fears for the safety of his family, and two Pakistani politicians who spoke out in Bibis defense were assassinated in 2011.

Salvini said Italy had nothing against the Pakistani government.

The enemy is violence, extremism, and fanaticism, he said.

Salvini has been critical of Islam before, saying in Feb. 2018, according to the Times of London, The problem with Islam is that it is a law, not a religion. In the name of God, it imposes a law which according to me is incompatible with our values, our rights, and our liberty.

Canada has urged Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Bibi and her family.

Its a very important issue, a central priority for our government, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Nov. 6. Canada is prepared to do everything we can and is extremely engaged in this issue.

Several members of the Dutch government have said they would support providing temporary shelter to Bibi if she manages to flee Pakistan.

Mulook said Nov. 6 that he is waiting for an offer from the Dutch government on his petition for political asylum, website NU.nl reported.

Reuters contributed to this report.Project Veritas Founder OKeefe on Pre-Election Exposes: We Go After Sacred Cows

Anyone tracking the tight races in battleground states during the runup to the midterm elections would have been hard-pressed to overlook the series of exposes by Project Veritas Action (PVA).

From Florida to North Dakota, PVAs undercover journalists revealed dishonesty and outright deception behind the closed doors of campaign offices.

In one of the largest undercover operations in the history of journalism, about a dozen reporters joined the campaigns of Democratic candidates in seven states during a six-month-long operation. All in competitive races, five of the candidates lost and one is more likely to lose, based on the current ballot count.

Undercover journalism is a force to be reckoned with, and the national media should take notice, PVA founder James OKeefe said during an interview with The Epoch Times.

The reporters were able to obtain, using hidden cameras, honest answers about the candidates political leanings, as well as their positions on hot-button issues, including gun control, abortion, unions, and the border wall. Again and again, the reporters were instructed not to divulge that information to voters, or to at least avoid being transparent about it.

The level of access afforded to the reporters revealed a stunning level of preparation, said political pundit Brian Cates, a contributor to The Epoch Times.

Nobody is going to make the kind of casual confessions you see being constantly made in these videos to some campaign staffer they barely know, who just joined the team a few weeks ago, he wrote in a Nov. 3 op-ed.

For example, Rob Mills, campaign deputy regional field director for Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), revealed the senator had a secret deal of mutual cooperation with a gun-control group.

Shes worked out stuff with Moms Demand Action to make sure that she can support their goals without supporting the organization openly, Mills told an undercover reporter. And, you know, Moms Demand Action does the exact same thing. A lot of our volunteers are actually from there.

Some campaign staffers of Senate candidate Beto ORourke, including field manager Dominic Chacon, even openly described illegally using campaign funds to buy supplies for participants in the Central American migrant caravans.

How they were talking about breaking the law and not having anybody find out  I think that was pretty shocking, OKeefe said.

Long in the Making

PVA released 17 videos as part of its pre-election series, all of them featuring Democrats in states that were won by President Donald Trump in 2016.

But the idea was born long before Trump announced his candidacy, OKeefe said.

During the 2014 campaign, Kentucky State Secretary Alison Grimes ran for Senate against Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Grimes said she would support the coal industry, but people associated with the states Democratic Party were caught by PVA saying she was only saying that to get elected.

Its a lying game, unfortunately, said Juanita Rodriguez, who in the video was identified as a Warren County Democrat operative. Grimess spokeswoman said at the time that the people in the video were not Grimes staffers.

Since we got one proof of concept, we set out to confirm that it was happening in other places, OKeefe said.

Why Democrats?

OKeefe said his work has mostly targeted Democrats because the monolithic media tends to only investigate one political party.

We go after the sacred cows. I mean, Beto ORourke is a sacred cow. Hes beloved by The Texas Tribune, hes beloved by these outlets. So we tend to investigate the groups and individuals that the media doesnt, he said.

Protecting Their Own

PVA usually keeps the identities of its reporters secret, but they are likely well-known to the people featured in the videos. That puts them at risk of possible retaliation. OKeefe said his organization is looking out for these people, but declined to be more specific.

I cant divulge how or what specifically, but I will go to jail to protect our investigators, he said.Jeff Sessions Is Out as Attorney General, Replaced by Matthew Whitaker

Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump on Nov. 7, according to reports.

Trump issued a statement, saying that we thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.

In a follow-up statement, Trump said his administration is pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, who was the chief of staff under Sessions, will become acting attorney general.

He will serve our Country well, said Trump of Whitaker.

The Associated Press and Fox News reported that Sessions, who was an early Trump supporter during the 2016 election and wore a Make America Great Again hat at a rally, submitted his resignation letter to Trump, ending his two-year tenure as head of the Department of Justice.

Sessions had faced pressure from Trump and other Republicans for his recusal from the investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into alleged Russian election interference during the 2016 election.

Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else, Trump told the New York Times in an interview last year. So why arent the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations? he also asked on Twitter, with A.G. referring to Sessions.

In November 2017, Trump told reporters that a lot of people are disappointed in the Justice Department, including me. Meanwhile, several members of the House Freedom Caucus wrote in 2018 that it would appear [Sessions] has no control at all of the premier law enforcement agency in the world.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the Russia investigation, but it would appear he has no control at all of the premier law enforcement agency in the world. It is time for Sessions to start managing in a spirit of transparency to bring all of this improper behavior to light and stop further violations. If Sessions cant address this issue immediately, then we have one final question needing an answer: When is it time for a new attorney general? wrote Rep. Mark Meadows and Rep. Jim Jordan in the Washington Examiner.

In July 2017, Sessions, while speaking in El Salvador during several anti-gang meetings, said that he was blessed to be attorney general.

It is an honor I never expected nor one I ever would have thought possible, Sessions said. And while there are good days and bad days in any job, one thing has been clear to me, it is a privilege to serve ones country in law enforcement to wake up each morning and fight the fight for the rule of law.

He also stated: That is what you do. It is hard work and often thankless, but the right to be safe in your community is the right on which all the others are based.Kevin Cramer Projected to Defeat Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota

Cramer's win effectively clinches Senate for GOP

Rep. Kevin Cramer is projected to defeat incumbent Democratic North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp for the states Senate seat.

The Associated Press, CNN, and others projected that Cramer, who was touted heavily by President Donald Trump, would win.

Thank you North Dakota. Representing you in the United States Senate will be the honor of a lifetime, Cramer tweeted.

When the networks called the race for him, Cramer was beating Heitkamp 58 percent to 42 percent.

His victory essentially clinched the Senate for Republicans, Politico noted.

North Dakota voted heavily in favor of President Trump. Ahead of the election, Heitkamp said she would try to work with the president.

But several weeks ago, a reporter from Project Veritas Action recorded a Heitkamp staffer saying that Heitkamp would lean further to the left if she were re-elected.

Its election year for her. Shes being careful about [expletive] people off and, its funny, she said basically, like, after the election, if and when she gets re-elected, shes going to be super liberal, Jesse Overton, digital director for Heitkamp, said while laughing.

If theres a blue wave in November, I am sure that her voting record will shift a lot and will shift away from the Presidents campaign, her staff assistant, Prescott Robinson also said in the video.

According to CNBC, Cramer has been a strong proponent with a trade war with China.Parents await for news of their children at a school where 79 pupils were kidnapped in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Blaise Eyong/Reuters)

Kidnappers Release 78 Children Abducted in Cameroon

BAMENDA, CameroonAll 78 children and a driver kidnapped from a boarding school in Cameroon have been freed, school authorities said on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The school principal and one teacher are still being held captive, a priest conducting negotiations said.

The group was abducted on Monday in Bamenda, a commercial hub of Cameroons restive English-speaking region, according to military and government sources.

Praise God 78 children and the driver have been released. The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying, Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, said.

One other child had escaped earlier, he added.

The priest did not say precisely when the children were freed, or whether any deal had been made with the kidnappers. He had earlier said another 11 school children were kidnapped by the same armed group on Oct. 31, then released after the school paid a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs ($4,400).

Fonki and the Cameroonian military have accused anglophone separatists of carrying out the kidnappings, but a separatist spokesman denied involvement.

The secessionists have imposed curfews and closed schools as part of their protest against Biyas French-speaking government and its perceived marginalization of the English-speaking minority.

Cameroons separatist movement turned violent in 2017 after a government crackdown on initially peaceful demonstrations by English-speakers. The linguistic divide is a legacy of a former German colony in central Africa that was divided between allies France and Britain at the end of World War One.

The attack on children, which recalled the 2014 abduction of more than 200 girls by Islamist Militant group Boko Haram in Chibok in neighboring Nigeria, was criticized by human rights groups.

By Blaise EyongStreet and food vendors approach passengers on a train in northern Mozambique on March 10, 2018. Malawian NGOs and opposition parties are asking why an election kit for the countrys elections next year were found on a train in neighboring Mozambique. (Adrien Barbier/AFP/Getty Images)

Malawian Vote-Registration Kit Found in Mozambique, Worrying Opposition Parties, NGOs

BLANTYRE, MalawiAhead of next years general elections in Malawi, opposition groups and NGOs are questioning why a voter-registration kit was found in neighboring Mozambique.

The southeastern African nations government, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has adopted a biometric system of vote administration for the first time. But late last month, one of the kitswhich includes a laptop to store voter data, a fingerprint scanner, and a camerawere discovered on a train in Mozambique.

The train belongs to Vale, a Brazilian engineering and construction company previously contracted to construct a multibillion-dollar rail line between Malawi and Mozambique.

While the electoral body, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), admitted that the kit was missing, local NGOs questioned why this was only admitted after the story was brought to light in media reports. Its not known why the kit was found in Mozambique.

National Police Spokesperson James Kadazera told The Epoch Times that police received a complaint from the electoral body about the lost but found kit, but refused to give more details, saying they would be released after further investigation.

Following the revelation, political parties in the country called for the MEC chairperson and CEO to step down, and asked for an independent investigation into the matter.

Adding to the concern was that a laptop used in the registration process was reported as missing a short while after the revelations of the missing kit.

MEC Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah refused to step aside, and downplayed any impacts to the election from the missing kit and the missing laptop, saying the missing of the equipment has no effect on the registration process and that there is no data lost.

On Nov. 6, five political opposition parties set to take part in the election held a press conference, reiterating calls for MEC officials to step down, and calling for an investigation into the matter.

Cassim Chilumpha, a former vice president and now a leader for the political party Democracy and Development (ADD), speaking on behalf of the other party representatives, said what is happening in the country is increasingly putting a doubt on the credibility of next years election.

In the past, Afrobarometer did research that showed over half of Malawians dont have trust on the election system. The missing of the kits further is contributing contributes to this, he said.

As parties gathered here, were doubting whether the elections will be credible. We are not being told what happened and we dont even know whether they are the only machines that were missing.

UNDP, one of the partners supporting the technical administration of the election, said it has taken note of the missing and recovery of the registration kits.

The matter is being investigated by relevant national institutions. MEC has assured that its voter-registration system and data is safe due to data protection and security protocols, which are built-in customized software developed within Malawiare implemented, U.N. resident coordinator Maria Jose Torres said in an emailed response.

Malawians will head to the polls in May 2019 to elect their representatives for the president, National Assembly, and local governments.

Malawis incumbent president, Peter Mutharika, who recently dismissed corruption reports against him by the countrys Anti-Corruption Bureau are fakes, is seeking re-election for a second term.McConnell Warns Democrats That Presidential Harassment Might Backfire

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned House Democrats on Nov. 7 that pursuing a campaign of harassing President Donald Trump under their new majority over the next two years might not be a smart strategy.

The whole issue of presidential harassment is interesting, he told reporters Wednesday, responding to a question about what Senate Republicans would do if Democrats tried to obtain the presidents tax returns. I remember when we tried it in the late 90s. We impeached President Clinton. His numbers went up and ours went down, and we underperformed in the next election.

So the Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is a good strategy, McConnell said. Im not so sure itll work for them.

McConnell said he was far from giving the Democrats tips on strategy, but was merely making a historical observation that the GOPs investigations of Clinton improved the presidents approval rating and tanked ours.

Tuesdays midterm election saw Democrats picking up more than two dozen seats in the House, more than the 23 needed to take the majority.

McConnells comments come as Democrats plan to use their new powers to investigate the president and his administration.

Democrats have already vowed to launch investigations into various aspects of Trumps life, including his tax returns and his businesses.

Investigations

A probe into possible collusion with Russians during the 2016 election is already underway but has turned up nothing linking Trump or any other American to Russian efforts to influence the vote that year. Instead, evidence has emerged of a widescale effort by the U.S. government to prevent Trump from winning.

The Ways and Means Committee, to be headed by Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), is one of several House panels that could seek to obtain Trumps tax returns. Neal has said he wants to formally request the documents.

A Democratic aide to the committee told NBC that other committees could also be brought to bearnamely the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxationand request the tax returns under the tax code.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who will become the head of the Oversight Committee, is also expected to probe Trumps businesses for possible ethics issues.

But while Democrats have expressed enthusiasm to begin investigating Trump, execution may be more muted if the tactic is seen to backfire.

I dont know that there will be much of an appetite for members of Congress to spend their time investigating, instigating, trying to impeach and subpoena people, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters late Tuesday night.

Points of Convergence

McConnell suggested that what drove a Democratic resurgence in the House was not so much voter desire for a check on the GOP, but rather because people want both parties to overcome differences and work together on important issues.

I think the message is, Figure out what you can do together, and do it,' McConnell said.

He pointed to reducing the cost of prescription drugs and improving the nations infrastructure as potential areas of collaboration with a Democrat-led House, according to USA Today.

McConnell reiterated that placing conservative judges on the federal bench would continue to be a top priority.

We intend to keep confirming as many as we possibly can, he said, for as long as were in a position to do it.Mike Braun Projected to Win Indiana Senate Race Over Incumbent Donnelly

Businessman Mike Braun is projected to win the Indiana Senate race, according to an analysis of the vote totals, unseating incumbent Joe Donnelly in a huge win for the Republicans.

Donnelly was one of 10 Democratic Senate incumbents battling for re-election in states that President Donald Trump won in 2016.

Trump campaigned multiple times in recent days in Indiana with Braun, including on Nov. 5 in Fort Wayne.

More than 13,000 people traveled to Memorial Coliseum to see the pair.

Trump told them: A vote for Mike Braun is a vote to keep your jobs going, to keep your wages going up and to take care once and for all of health care reform.

JUST IN: Republican Mike Braun will win the U.S. Senate race in Indiana, @ABC projects based on vote analysis. https://t.co/QF15MHa8Bu #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/shodjgmqKd  ABC News (@ABC) November 7, 2018

Joe Donnelly (D) has lost to challenger Mike Braun (R) in IN-SEN. First Republican pickup of the night in the Senate, and one that a lot of forecasters had as Lean D. All my contacts inside the IN GOP & Braun campaign insisted he was going to pummel Donnelly. They were right.  Jeff B. (@EsotericCD) November 7, 2018

#INSEN: Mike Braun (R) defeats Joe Donnelly (D). GOP flip. Indiana voted 57%-38% for Trump in 2016.  CookPoliticalReport (@CookPolitical) November 7, 2018

#BREAKING: GOP challenger Mike Braun beats Donnelly in Indiana Senate race https://t.co/wFrY2l1B5C pic.twitter.com/7IPiWoEE36  The Hill (@thehill) November 7, 2018

He said Donnelly, who voted against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, is an extreme liberal Democrat.

Donnelly will be totally against us, hell never vote for us, he will never, ever vote for us, Trump added.

Braun told the crowd he wants to help Trump shake up Washington and drain the swamp.

We need more reinforcements (in Congress) from the real world. People that have done something, Braun said, who owns a national auto parts distribution company in Jasper and has never served in elected office.

The Democrats had a narrow path to seize control of the Senate, and with Brauns win, that path has pretty much closed.

Close races are projected in other toss-up states, including Florida, where incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is battling Gov. Rick Scott for the Senate seat.

From NTD NewsMitt Romney Elected to US Senate in Utah

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney won a seat in the U.S. Senate for Utah, according to The Associated Press and NBC News projections.

Romney, a Republican, was also a former governor of Massachusetts. He defeated Democrat Jenny Wilson in the Senate race.

He will replace longtime Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who earlier this year said he would not seek another term in the Senate.

Romney, who is from Michigan, has deep ties to Utah. He was credited with getting Salt Lake City the 2002 Winter Olympics.

First of all, anyone who was the presidential nominee of their party is going to have an outsized role as a United States senator, Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution told The New York Post.

Every candidate in Utah is walking a line where theyre saying, I will support the president on the policies that I agree with and I will oppose him on the others. That is how Mitt Romney has approached this entire campaign, Jason Perry, the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, told the Post.

In 2008, Romney ran for president and lost the GOP nomination to John McCain. In 2012, he lost the general election to former President Barack Obama.Voters cast ballots at the Arlington Central Library during the 2018 mid-term election on Nov. 6, 2018 in Arlington, VA. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Momentous Election Too Close to Call as Polls Close Across US

Outcome uncertain in tight races across the nation, with the future of the president's 'America First' agenda on the ballot

As polls closed in more than half of U.S. states late on Nov. 6, one of the most consequential elections in a generation was still too close to call.

Ballots poured in from key races across the nation in tight races, the outcomes of which will determine the future of President Donald Trumps ambitious America First agenda. As of press time, a final call could not be made. A decision in a close contest could be delayed by days or weeks because of recounts and legal challenges.

Democrats struck first in the battle for the House of Representatives, with Jennifer Wexton ousting two-term incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock in a suburban Virginia district outside Washington to pick up the first of the 23 seats the party needs to gain a House majority, according to data provider DDHQ and U.S. media outlets.

With 62 percent of the electorate reported, Republican Mike Braun was holding a 12 percent lead in the crucial Senate showdown in Indiana with incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly, although the race is considered still too close to call.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a 2016 presidential contender, and Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Hillary Clintons vice presidential nominee in 2016, easily won re-election, news networks projected. Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown was projected to hold his seat in Ohio.

Tightly contested Senate races in Florida and West Virginia also were too close to call, as were high-profile races for governor in Ohio, Georgia, and Florida.

With a jam-packed rally schedule and a spirited message to his supporters, Trump made the first election since he captured the White House in 2016 a referendum on his agenda. Democrats, meanwhile, bet the partys future on a hard left turn, with several candidates openly running as socialists.

While some election forecasts favored Democrats, Rasmussen, the pollster that most accurately predicted Trumps 2016 victory, had the two parties locked in a statistical tie on a generic ballot. A separate Rasmussen poll suggested a repeat of the 2016 upset delivered by the so-called silent majority.

All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs when polls opened.

In the final stretch of the presidents campaign for GOP candidates, Trump crystallized his message as a choice between the liberal mobs and the socialist agenda of the left, and the rights focus on freedom, a roaring economy, secure borders, and jobs. Most Democratic campaigns focused on health care and steered clear of the president.

If Democrats can capture a majority in the House, they could block Trumps policy agenda and launch congressional investigations into the Trump administration. Ongoing investigations into surveillance abuses unleashed on the Trump campaign would inevitably be shut down.

Democratic control of either chamber would also complicate the approval of the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement and snuff out any chance of securing funds for a wall on the southern border, which was Trumps signature campaign promise.

A Republican victory in both chambers of Congress would hand Trump a powerful mandate a month after he solidified a conservative majority on the Supreme Court when Senate confirmed his nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

Ahead of the results, U.S. stocks closed higher, with the benchmark S&P 500 Index ending the day at a two-week high. U.S. Treasury securities prices fell, and the 10-year yield closed at its highest level since 2011.

Problems with voting machines prevented Americans from casting ballots in a dozen states, U.S. rights advocates said, citing complaints about registration problems, faulty equipment, and intimidation they have received throughout early balloting.

But a Department of Homeland Security official said the reports of voting technology failures appeared so far to have had no significant impact in preventing people from voting.

Voter turnout, normally lower when the presidency isnt at stake, could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes.

I have worked at this poll the last three elections and this is the biggest turnout ever, said Bev Heidgerken, 67, a volunteer at a polling place in Davenport, Iowa.

Reuters contributed to this report.More Potential El Chapo Jurors Excused for Safety Fears

NEW YORKThe pool of potential jurors for the U.S. drug trafficking trial of accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman continued to shrink on Nov. 6, with two people who expressed fears about their safety and one self-described fan of the defendant cut from the running.

A total of 10 potential jurors were excused from the case during the second day of jury selection in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

Guzman, 61, watched from a table in the courtroom with his lawyers, wearing a dark suit and tie in place of the open-collared dress shirt he sported Nov. 5.

Guzman formerly led the Sinaloa Cartel, based in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, which became one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. He was extradited to the United States from Mexico on Jan. 19, 2017, after escaping twice from Mexican prisons before being captured again.

A total of 27 people have so far been dismissed as potential jurors, out of nearly 60 who have been questioned. The 12 jurors and six alternate jurors eventually chosen will remain anonymous and be escorted to and from court by armed federal marshals during the trial, which is expected to last up to four months.

One of the people dismissed on Nov. 6 after expressing fear about the case said she had come across news reports that Guzman promised not to kill jurors, which made her pretty anxious.

One man was let go after saying he had some emotions mixed with fear about the case.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan, who is overseeing the case, said another woman told him privately, in tears, that her mother, with whom she lives, said they would have to move and get a new house, drawing a laugh from Guzman.

Cogan said the woman was worried the strain would affect her mothers health, and excused her.

Cogan also reported that one man, who was allowed to stay after being questioned on Nov. 5, had asked a court officer if he could get Guzmans autograph.

A prosecutor said he should be dismissed, while one of Guzmans lawyers, Jeffrey Lichtman, initially objected.

I have the autograph of Charles Manson, and the two leaders of Hamas, and obviously Im not a big fan of them, Lichtman said.

After Cogan called the man into the courtroom and asked why he wanted the autograph, he said: Im a bit of a fan. He was dismissed.

By Brendan PiersonMost Democrats Who Voted Against Brett Kavanaugh Ousted in Midterms

Republicans gained seats in the Senate in the midterm elections as most Democratic Senators who voted against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh lost.

The so-called Kavanaugh effect bolstered Republican candidates in the red states of Indiana, North Dakota, Missouri, and Florida.

Joe Donnelly was beaten by Mike Braun. Heidi Heitkamp lost to Kevin Cramer. Claire McCaskill lost to Josh Hawley. And Bill Nelson lost to Rick Scott.

All four voted against Kavanaugh, as did Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is in a tight race that could also see him lose by the time all the votes are counted.

Meanwhile, the only Democrat that did vote for Kavanaugh, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Va.), won re-election.

Kavanaugh Ordeal

Kavanaugh was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump. After a meeting with dozens of Senators privately, and a week of contentious public hearings, the Senate appeared ready to confirm him.

But a last-minute sexual assault allegation emerged just days before the scheduled vote, after being withheld by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) for months. The Senate scheduled a hearing allowing the accuser to testify, but the woman was unable to provide evidence and changed key aspects of her story multiple times.

An FBI investigation turned up no corroboration of the allegation and a Senate Judiciary Committee probe on the accusers is ongoing. The latter has resulted in four referrals for possible criminal charges, including two women who later accused Kavanaugh of assault but either changed their story or admitted they lied.

Despite the lack of evidence and witnesses, Senate Democrats urged Trump to withdraw Kavanaughs nomination, claiming that all women should be believed no matter what. Trump refused, and the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm the judge to the Supreme Court.

What has been referred to as the #KavanaughEffect should actually be called: #KavanaughsRevenge  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 7, 2018

Democrat Senators gave various reasons for voting against Kavanaugh. Some, like Nelson, didnt explain their rationale. Donnelly of Indiana said he was swayed by testimony given by Kavanaughs accuser, reported the Indianapolis Star. Heitkamp of Missouri said the allegations concerned her but her no vote was about other issues.

The guilty until proven innocent treatment of Kavanaugh left people shocked, appearing to produce a so-called Kavanaugh effect that toppled the Democrat Senators.

Liberal Democratic Senators and activists efforts to destroy Brett Kavanaugh ended up destroying Red State Democrats. Hopefully this resounding rejection of the smear campaign by voters will make it less likely that this will occur again in the future, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Nov. 7.

Finally, the lone Democrat who voted for Brett KavanaughWest Virginias Joe Manchinwon re-election by three points. Im confident that if he had voted NO, he would have lost his race too.

From NTD NewsThe office of Peru's Prosecutor-General released photos of some of the individuals detained in a raid, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Ministerio Publico Fiscalia de la Nacion via Twitter)

Peru Arrests Ex-police Chief and 13 Others on Baby Trafficking Charges

LIMA, PeruAuthorities in Peru said the countrys former police chief Gen. Raul Becerra is among the 14 people arrested for allegedly trafficking babies.

Police arrested Becerra and his romantic partner Cintia Tello in a raid on the former police chiefs home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Peruvian Prosecutors Office said on Tuesday, according to the BBC.

Authorities accused the pair of membership in a gang dubbed the Soulless Human Traffickers. The criminal group is said to have preyed on poor pregnant women and persuaded them to give up their children.

Officials said they believe Tello was the gangs ringleader.

Series of Simultaneous Raids

One 5-month-old baby was rescued in what officials said was a series of coordinated raids targeting 18 properties in the southern city of Arequipa.

The Guardian reported that members of the gang included hospital workers whose role was to identify mothers that could be exploited. Among those arrested and accused of being members of the criminal group were a pediatrician and a gynecologist.

Also part of the gang were two women who, according to The Guardian, looked for poor pregnant women who were considering having abortions.

Abortion is illegal in Peru unless the mothers health is at risk.

The two accused women allegedly persuaded the women to carry the babies to term and then to hand the newborn infants over in exchange for payment.

The cost of a baby was around 4,000 Peruvian soles ($1,187), local media reported, citing the Prosecutors Office.

Some of the members of the criminal organization allegedly cared for the babies in a variety of locations, while the groups leaders looked for customers and presided over transactions.

Investigators are reportedly looking into whether the babies were offered for illegal adoption to foreigners or, possibly, for organ trafficking.

#Arequipa | Una bebe de 5 meses rescatada y 14 personas detenidas fue el resultado de un operativo desplegado esta madrugada por @FiscaliaPeru, que permitio desarticular una #OrganizacionCriminal dedicada a la venta de menores. https://t.co/EIqDtW9xmo (1/2) pic.twitter.com/mpn9jPSgOI  Ministerio Publico (@FiscaliaPeru) November 6, 2018

Becerra became head of Perus national police force in November 2010, during the government of former President Alan Garcia. He served for about a year, and was replaced in October 2011, after a subordinate accused him of sexual harassment, according to local newspaper El Comercio. Becerra denied the sexual harassment accusations.

All those arrested are being investigated for organized crime, human trafficking, and crimes against life and health, according to The Guardian.

Police said 500 officers took part in the sting.

Reuters contributed to this report.Ron DeSantis Defeats Andrew Gillum to Become Floridas Governor

Republican Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum to become Floridas next governor on Nov. 6.

Gillum conceded the Florida governor race. I sincerely regret that I couldnt bring it home for you, but I can guarantee you this: Im not going anywhere. Were going to fight, he said.

DeSantis, a 40-year-old former congressman, told a crowd: Not bad for a kid who started making $6 an hour. Throughout the campaign I knew the only thing I could control was how hard I worked, the Naples News reported.

We didnt shrink from the challenges, we didnt shrink from power, Gillum added, according to TampaBay.com. We stood up, we stood strong, we spoke out.

The Miami Herald reported that he won Florida by about 56,000 votes.

I spent a lot of time working on this campaign with Ron and the team. It was a little dicey at times but Im really happy about where we are, said state Rep. Byron Donalds. This shows the new wave of Republican leadership in our country. Rons a young guy, Im a young guy, Gaetz is a young guy, so its really about what the future of our party looks like.

The great thing about our country is the people have that one day in November where the elites dont call the shots, DeSantis said, TampaBay.com reported. On Election Day its the voice of the people that rule.

He also thanked President Donald Trump for standing by when it wasnt probably the smart thing to do.Ryanair Fires Crew Who Staged Photo of Sleeping on Airport Floor

Six Ryanair crew members who staged a controversial photograph of themselves sleeping on the floor in an airport after being stranded overnight have been fired.

Ryanair said that the six crew members were dismissed for gross misconduct, damaging the reputation of the company, and because of a breach of trust.

The photograph was widely circulated online after 24 crew members from different aircraft stayed overnight at a Spanish airport on Oct. 13 after being grounded in bad weather.

Circulated initially by critics of Ryanair and campaign groups, the image was accompanied by the suggestion that the crew was forced to sleep on the floor because the airline failed to book hotels, and had put them in a room without enough chairs.

This is Porto crew last night stranded on the floor of Malaga crew room. They were diverted due to the storm and the company left them there.#RyanairMUSTChange    Ryanair MUST Change     

The airline said it was staged, and later released a CCTV video that it claimed proved so. Some campaigners said the crew never claimed it was intended to appear anything other than staged, and that they had said so all along.

Ryanair said in an emailed statement on Nov. 7, All six cabin crew members in Porto were dismissed on Monday, Nov. 5 for breach of contract on grounds of gross misconduct, after staging a fake photograph to support a false claim (widely reported in international media outlets) that they were forced to sleep on the floor of the Malaga crew room.

According to the statement, this was behavior which damaged their employers reputation and caused an irreparable breach of trust with these six persons.

The image appears to have first been widely circulated on Twitter by Jim Atkinson, an outspoken former Ryanair pilot.

This is a Ryanair 737 crew based in Portugal, stranded in Malaga, Spain, a couple of nights ago due to storms. They are sleeping on the floor of the Ryanair crew room, he wrote.

Peter Bellew, Ryanairs chief operations officer, replied, writing, Unfortunately, all hotels were completely booked out in Malaga. The storm created huge damage in Portugal. Later after this, the crew moved to VIP lounge. Apologies to the crew we could not find accommodation.

In a later statement, Ryanair said the crew returned to Porto the next day, but didnt operate any flights.

Due to storms in Porto (Oct. 13) a number of flights diverted to Malaga and as this was a Spanish national holiday, hotels were fully booked, said the Ryanair statement via email.

Despite initially describing the crew as sleeping on the floor, Atkinson later wrote on Twitter, It is openly admitted by the people in the photo that it is a protest picture.

The Portuguese Union SNPVAC said that the crew was stranded in the crew room from 1:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. and that Ryanair had failed in its legal responsibility to provide a hotel room.

In a statement posted to RyanAir protest group RyanAir Must Change, the union said that the crew had no access to food or drink and that there were only only eight seats available for the 24 crew.

However, SNPVAC acknowledged that the staffers were moved to a VIP lounge at 6 a.m.The San Francisco Coalition for Good Neighborhoods protests permits for recreational marijuana stores in front of city hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Nov. 2, 2018. (Nathan Su/The Epoch Times)

San Francisco Residents Rally for a Drug-Free America

SAN FRANCISCOA group of San Francisco residents protested in front of City Hall on Nov. 2 after learning that the city may issue more permits for recreational marijuana stores.

The organizer of the protest, San Francisco Coalition for Good Neighborhoods (SFCGN), which supports a Drug Free America, said the rally was dedicated to protecting children, families, and workers, according to an SFCGN press release.

The crowd at the rally repeatedly yelled enough is enough and illegal is illegal. The gathering attracted many people to stop and take photos, while many who passed by gave a thumbs-up to the protesters.

The city currently has 50 recreational cannabis businesses in operation, although a quick search on Yelp indicates there may be more than that In a city of about 47 square miles, that means there is at least one cannabis store per square mile.

Ellen Lee Zhou, a city social worker who was also a mayoral candidate in this years primary election, said the city had 247 pending applications for pot stores by the end of last month.

While California voters approved the legal use of recreational marijuana through Prop. 64 in 2016, it is considered illegal by federal law, based on the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Marijuana is classified as Schedule I controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Just because it is legal in California, it doesnt mean it is safe, said Lou Ann Bassan, a candidate running for Sunset District (District No. 4) supervisor. Bassan said that she was the only candidate in her district whos been against recreational marijuana since the beginning.

Bassan said that she represents a majority of residents in Sunset District who want recreational marijuana banned in the district.

We want what Chinatown already has, Bassan said.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at the end of July to ban any cannabis stores in Chinatown in response to vehement opposition from the Chinese community.

Why do we have a federal government with a war on drugs, and a San Francisco government turning around, condoning and putting out a red carpet for cannabis? Bassan said.

Bassan says the city government allowed the marijuana dispensaries for the purpose of collecting tax money, while the opioid crisis nationwide indicated that cannabis should not only be regulated, but be banned.

The rally in front of the city hall attracted many people to stop and take photos. Many others who passed by the rally gave participants the thumbs up.

We will continue our fight even with one last person standing, said Zhou.

In the midterm elections on Nov. 6, three states voted to relax marijuana laws. Marijuana now will be available recreationally in Michigan and medicinally in Missouri and Utah. A recreational measure in North Dakota was defeated; medical use of cannabis was already legal in that state.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have passed laws broadly legalizing marijuana in some form.School Bus Crashes in Maryland, Injuries Reported

Video: Officials pull bus upright

A school bus overturned in Maryland with children inside, said officials on Nov. 7. Three suffered minor injuries.

The Washington Post reported that at least 12 children in all were on the bus in Anne Arundel County, and the crash occurred at around 7 a.m. local time.

Anne Arundel County Fire officials told WUSA that the bus driver, a bus aide, a student, and the driver of the SUV were taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with minor injuries. But WTOP reported that none of the 11 students on board the bus were hurt.

No other information is available at this time.

Helicopter video footage showed officials pulling the bus upright after a period of time.

School Bus Driver Tries to Enter Flooded Road, Gets Swept

Several days ago, a video posted by Texas officials shows the moment a school bus was swept away in floodwaters in Williamson County.

The dashboard camera showed the driver, identified as Nathan DeYoung, entering a flooded roadway before floating down the creek, KXAN reported.

The Leander Police Department has elected to release a portion of the forward-facing video from the bus in an effort to illustrate the dangers of attempting to drive across a low-water crossing during flood conditions, police told the station. The incident took place Oct. 16.

DeYoung was fired after the incident.

The child was telling me he loves me and that he is scared and thinking he was going to die, Ringstaff said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I hope no one ever has to listen to their child or loved one preparing to die because of a stupid decision that should of never have happened.Study Finds Clear Evidence Linking Cellphone Radiation to Tumors in Rats

A study of the effects of cellphone radiation on rats and mice, conducted by the U.S. government, found that there is clear evidence that the radio frequencies like that used for 2G and 3G mobile phones caused cancerous heart tumors in male rats.

The study, the conclusion of which was released Nov. 1, exposed 1080 rats and 1080 mice to nonionizing radio-frequency radiation used in GSM and CDMA networks for about nine hours a day, alternating 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, seven days a week for two years (the study was conducted over 10 years).

In addition to heart tumors, the study also found some evidence of malignant brain tumors, as well as benign and malignant tumors in the adrenal glands of the male rats.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the body that oversaw the study, categorized its findings as being in the highest category for evidence of causation.

What is puzzling about the study is the equivocal results in female rats and mice, whose cancer rates werent correlated with radiation exposure. And the study also noted a longer lifespan in the radiation-exposed rats than the control group that wasnt.

This may be explained by an observed decrease in chronic kidney problems that are often the cause of death in older rats, a fact sheet of the study says.

However, the NTP couldnt say whether the radiation had any effect on the rats kidneys. Chambers at the IIT Research Institute in Chicago where the studies took place. (U.S. National Toxicology Program) A similar study in Italy by the nonprofit Ramazzini Institute also found an elevated rate of malignant heart schwannomas, tumors in the nerve tissue, after exposing 2,448 rats to GSM cellphone carrier frequencies over their lifespans. GSM is a more common cellphone frequency in Europe than in the United States. The radiation frequencies in the Italian study were of a lower intensity than those in the NTP study, because it sought to measure the environmental effects of mobile phones versus close-range exposure, such as holding a phone to the head. After the initial results of the NTP study were released earlier this year, notably before they were peer-reviewed, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) used the difference in the two studies to warn that, when it comes to the studies relevance to humans, potential limitations need to be carefully considered. ICNIRP considers that the NTP (2018a, b) and Falcioni et al. (2018) studies do not provide a consistent, reliable and generalizable body of evidence that can be used as a basis for revising current human exposure guidelines, it says in a statement on its website. Researcher Ronald Melnick, who designed the NTP study, wrote in a rebuttal to the studys critics that while more research can and should be done on the topic, the findings are significant for humans. Results from well-conducted animal studies have been and will continue to be used to quantify the health risks, including cancer risks, under various human exposure conditions, he writes. In the interest of public health, government agencies must utilize results from these well-conducted health effects studies and issue clear recommendations to the public on how to reduce exposures to agents that are hazardous to our health. The NTP study was commissioned in 1999 by the Food and Drug Administration to research the impact of growing cellphone usage in the United States. Over 80 million Americans currently use wireless communications devices (e.g., cellular phones) with about 25 thousand new users daily, the FDA liaison to the NTP wrote in a letter requesting the study. There is currently insufficient scientific basis for concluding either that wireless communication technologies are safe or that they pose a risk to millions of users. In the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Russia, and other nations, wireless usersespecially childrenare urged to minimize their exposure to microwave radiation. But in the United States, public health officials have been hesitant to sound the alarm. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control issued a public statement urging caution with cellphone use, but retracted the statement a few weeks later. Last year, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released consumer guidelines on how to lessen exposure to wireless radiation, particularly for children, citing a possible link to harmful health conditions such as cancer and lower sperm count. But it almost didnt happen. The CDPH made their recommendations in 2009, but refused to release them to the public until a lawsuit forced the issue in 2017.

An international group of over 240 scientists has submitted an appeal to the United Nations to adopt stronger regulations on and issue public safety warnings for electromagnetic fields (EMF), which encompasses cellphone frequencies.

The appeal was initially submitted in May 2015. The appeal website now includes a section with the NTP findings that there is a clear evidence between high levels of radio frequency radiation and cancerous heart tumors in rats.

Epoch Times staff member Conan Milner contributed to this report.

Corrections: A previous version of this article failed to mention that the tumors, or heart schwannoma, referred to were malignant. Further, it misstated the number of rats and mice exposed to nonionizing radio-frequency radiation and for how long. There were 1,080 rats and 1,080 mice, and each lived up to two years in the NTP study. The entirety of the NTP study took over 10 years. Regarding the Ramazzini Institute study, the rats lived until their natural death (around two years). The Ramazzini study went on for over two decades. In talking about a group of more than 240 scientists who submitted an appeal to the U.N., the article misstated their request. The scientists were asking for stronger regulations and safety warnings. Lastly, the article misstated where the NTP study results were located in regard to the appeal. The results were on the appeal website. The Epoch Times regrets the errors.A woman in Texas hands out "I voted" stickers to voters at the Rummel Creek Elementary polling place in Houston, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Texas Poll Worker Tells Undercover Journalist: Weve Got Tons of DACA Voters

A Texas poll worker told an undercover journalist on Nov. 6, that she had seen tons of non-citizen voters who werent legally supposed to vote.

The female Project Veritas journalist, posing as a girlfriend of a potential Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) voter, told the worker that she was worried her boyfriend wouldnt be able to vote.

If he has his ID thats all he needs. If hes registered, an election worker told her.

It doesnt matter that hes not a citizen? she responded.

No, Dont pay any attention to that. Bring him up here, the official said.

Another woman chimed in, telling the journalist that We got a lot of em.

The journalist asked her for clarification, which she was happy to give.

From early voter. Weve got tons of them. Tons of DACA voters. Okay, the second worker said.

Non-citizens voting in federal elections is illegal. Federal officials have been cracking down on foreign nationals voting, charging 19 people for illegally voting in the 2016 presidential election in August. They faced prison sentences and fines if convicted.

I can't verify if this is accurate. I CAN verify that it will be investigated and if it IS accurate, illegal votes will be tossed out and wrongdoers will be prosecuted. #txlege #tcot #PJNEThttps://t.co/CdrhV8YonH via @gatewaypundit  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 6, 2018

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott noticed the undercover video and said he was looking into it.

I cant verify if this is accurate. I CAN verify that it will be investigated and if it IS accurate, illegal votes will be tossed out and wrongdoers will be prosecuted, he said via Twitter.

I can testify to this videos authenticity. This was recorded on Election Day in Texas. @Project_Veritas is able and willing to assist in providing any materials to the Attorney Generals office! Project Veritas founder James OKeefe responded on the social media website.

Project Veritas also released videos from the midterms capturing poll workers recommending people to vote for Democrats, which is also illegal.

DACA Recipients Urge People to Vote

While some apparently voted illegally, other DACA recipients were aware that voting was illegal for them.

They tried to take other measures, such as urging people who can legally vote to vote.

People who are able to vote dont realize just how amazing it is, Roa Santoyo, who was born in Mexico, told the Daily Texan. The day Ill be able to vote is the day Ill feel like a citizen. Until that day, I wont feel fully welcome.

Laws that affect meI cant vote on them even though there are direct implications on me, Roa Santoya added. Its just frustrating.

Saul Rascon Salazar, a 17-year-old high school senior, told CNS that he hopes people remember DACA recipients when voting. Keep us in mind, he said.

From NTD NewsTim Kaine of Virginia Re-Elected to US Senate: AP

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) won his reelection bid against Republican Corey Stewart, according to The Associated Press projections for the race.

Kaine, who campaigned with Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, was widely expected to win the reelection bid. AP noted that he had a large cash advantage over his opponent.

With 63 percent of votes counted, Kaine had a 5-point lead over Stewart and was projected to win.

Kaine is a former governor who was elected to the Senate in 2012. He was also the mayor of Richmond; the state capital.

Stewart serves as the chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, NBC12 noted.

Tim knows that to have a strong Virginia, we need access to good jobs for all, education for all, health care for all, and true equality for all. Together, we can make that happen. So lets keep up the momentum, move Virginia forward, and re-elect Tim in November, reads Kaines website.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, meanwhile, said that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are watching the election results with friends and family at the White House. She said the presidents rally schedule triggered an extraordinary ground game geared toward defying midterm history and protecting the GOPs majorities.

The president and first lady look forward to watching the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence, she added, NBC reported.Chinese Vice-chair Wang Qishan speaks during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on November 6, 2018. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

To Ease Market Fears, Beijing Signals Readiness to Talk

China shows a willingness to compromise on trade in an effort to bring back investor confidence

WASHINGTONA top Chinese official offered an olive branch to America, saying that Beijing wants to resume trade talks with Washington.

The Chinese side is ready to have a discussion with the United States on issues of mutual concern and work for a solution on trade acceptable to both sides, Chinese Vice Chairman Wang Qishan said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on Nov. 6.

Wangs speech came amid an effort by top Communist Party leaders to calm global investors disturbed by the U.S.China trade war and a worsening economic slowdown in the worlds second-largest economy.

Escalation of the trade war and a collapsing economy caused panic selling in the Chinese stock market this year. Overall, the Shanghai Composite has lost almost 25 percent of its value since hitting a peak in January. And the smaller-cap Shenzhen Composite Index declined more than 30 percent. Both benchmarks are now deep in bear-market territory.

China and the U.S. will both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our relationship will have a direct impact on global stability, Wang said, adding that negativity and anger arent the way to address problems that have emerged from globalization. He also noted that China has rejected a Cold War mentality and power politics.

Asia stocks had a mixed response to Wangs comments. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index gained 0.8 percent while mainland Chinas markets ended the trading day lower on Nov. 6.

Wangs speech had a more conciliatory tone than Xis confrontational remarks at the opening of an international business fair in Shanghai on Nov. 5.

In his speech, the Chinese leader criticized Trumps trade approach, denouncing law of the jungle and beggar-thy-neighbor trade practices. Xis comments dented hopes that both sides could end the tension at the G20 summit in Argentina this month.

Xi also tried to ease concerns about Chinas economic situation.

The Chinese economy is not a pond but an ocean, Xi said. High winds and storms may upset a pond, but never an ocean.

Promises for Liberalization and Compromise

Both Wang and Xi portrayed themselves as free traders, promising to lower import tariffs and improve access to the Chinese market.

China will stay committed to its policy of opening up, letting the market work its charm, Wang said, adding that Beijing would implement trade and investment liberalization and support immediate reform of the World Trade Organization.

Chinese officials, however, have given no indication that theyre ready to meet Washingtons long list of trade demands, such as ending cyber theft, forced joint ventures, and intellectual theft.

According to experts, agreeing to those demands would undermine the communist regimes plans to achieve dominance in high-technology industries, as outlined in the economic blueprint Made in China 2025.

Wangs promises for more liberalization and compromise werent convincing enough, according to Scott Kennedy, head of China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Following Wangs speech, he wrote on Twitter that Eurasia Group President and founder Ian Bremmer, who was a moderator at the forum in Singapore, asked audience members to raise their hands if they thought Wangs speech showed a new willingness by Beijing for more liberalization and compromise.

Almost no one raised their hand. Wang didnt win the room over, Kennedy wrote.

Concrete Actions

Europe is also aligned with Washington in its efforts to end the unfair economic and trade policies of Beijing.

European companies are concerned about Chinas rules requiring forced joint ventures, intellectual property theft, and unequal treatment of foreign companies, said Carlo DAndrea, vice-president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

What matters is that concrete actions are forthcoming and that reforms are clearly timetabled, DAndrea told Financial Times on Nov. 5. If China really will continue to open up, we would have expected additional and specific commitments to have been announced by President Xi today.

For decades, Beijing hasnt taken any concrete actions to fulfill its promises. And thats the reason why the Trump administration has chosen to take a tougher stance on Chinas decadeslong protectionist and trade-distorting policies.

To end Chinas economic aggression, Washington has levied duties on roughly $250 billion worth of Chinese goods and imposed restrictions on Chinese investments.

We had all these dialogues that went on for 15 to 16 years, and nothing was accomplished, said Patrick Mulloy, a former member of the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission and a former assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The administrations way in addressing these issues has certainly gotten people to think that weve got to resolve this matter.

The last round of trade talks with China ended in August with no concrete steps toward a deal.

Trump said in a tweet on Nov. 1 that he had a long and very good conversation with Xi, offering some hope that trade tensions may cool after the G20 meeting.Transcending Genres and Creating Music

Michael Thurber is a musician and composer pushing the boundaries of creativity

NEW YORKAs a 2-year-old, musician Michael Thurber vividly remembers hearing three songs while his mother practiced a new aerobics routine for a class she taught: September by Earth Wind and Fire, Bad by Michael Jackson, and Part-Time Lover by Stevie Wonder.

That was my first exposure to music, and I would dance around the living room and really loved it, and really reacted to it in like a visceral way right away, Thurber told The Epoch Times.

By the time Thurber was 4 years old, he was playing piano. By elementary school, he was playing electric guitar. When he turned 11, his passion for music got serious. Thurber began playing the bass at his school, and immediately was hooked.

Growing up, he got into a whole range of genres, from 90s grunge to hip hop, as well as studying Classical music, so its little wonder the 31-year-old has gone on to be a genre-defying musician, collaborating on diverse theater projects, playing in The Late Show house band, and becoming a YouTube phenomenon.

Expanding Horizons

As a teenager, Thurber was interested in music compositionwriting songs as well as orchestral concert musicand started thinking about making a career out of music. The route to a professional career seemed to be via Classical music, so after his time at the Interlochen Arts Academy boarding school in Michigan, Thurber attended The Juilliard School in New York to hone his skills and expand his horizons.

His experience at the world-renowned conservatory helped him grow as a musician and composer.

It was amazing. I mean you wind up in this situation where you have some of the most talented instrumentalists in the world in Jazz and in Classical music from all continents coming together in this one building, Thurber recalled. You really get to know everybody, and you really see everybodys talent up close. And that was really humbling and very intense.

Unfortunately, Thurber developed a serious shoulder injury in the middle of his time at Juilliard. He couldnt play bass for two years, but that was the turning point for his career in music composition. Since he couldnt play, he had to turn to another talent in his repertoire.

YouTube Success

In 2011, at age 25, Thurber found himself involved in numerous projects. But three experiences culminated in making it the most influential year in the young musician and composers life. First, a video maker named Joe Sabia met Thurber at one of his concerts, and the two hit it off.

Sabia came to Thurber with an idea to make a medley of songs that told a chronology of non-lyrics in popular musicoohs, aahs, na nas, and other such sounds that make up key parts of a song. The pair got together with Matt McCorkle who had a recording studio in Times Square. The three produced and then posted the video on YouTube. Overnight, it had approximately 600,000 views.

McCorkle, Sabia, and Thurber continued to make these types of humorous and experimental music videos, and developed a fan base. After the first year, they were doing live shows for YouTube and Google events. The trio produced a YouTube series involving a collective of over 150 musicians called CDZA, which they were able to turn into a profitable business.

At the same time, Thurber met a theater director named Saheem Ali and a playwright named Tarell McCraney during a project they were working on together. Working with Ali and McCraney led to multiple theater projects. Tarell had a residency at the Royal Shakespeare Company in England, and he hired Thurber to write the score for Antony and Cleopatra that he was directing.

It was an amazing experience. It was really my first time working on a production of that size, and it was just amazing to see all of the moving parts, Thurber recalled about his time in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Theres so many different elements to it, and watching all of that and how that all works together was the experience of a lifetime for me.  I learned a lot as a professional, but I also really learned how much I loved the theater, and how much I wanted to be there and be a part of it, Thurber said.

Celebrating Culture

Working with the Royal Shakespeare Company raised his profile and led to subsequent work at the Public Theater, which was also staging Antony and Cleopatra back in New York.

Really significant things happened at that point, and it was so cool because all of those things at the time, all of us were just hustling, and everybody was just sort of showing potential, and was very brilliant, but nobody had hit it huge yet, Thurber recalled.

Fast forward, and McCraney had won an Oscar for best screenplay for the film Moonlight. Ali is currently working at almost every off-Broadway theater, and Sabia is the vice president of Creative Development at Conde Nast.

However, the idea of collaboration didnt disappear.

Thurber is a very open-minded musician and composer, and one of the projects he has undertaken is called Thurber Theater at Joes Pub, which he started on his 30th birthday. The musical variety show is about bringing different musicians from different genres together on one stage in a celebration of diversity.

As obvious as it sounds, its very rare for an audience to hear such an eclectic program all in one setting, he explained.

Something thats very central to all of my work is trying to be a bridge between different types of musicians and different musical traditions.

He feels a responsibility to bring people together from different genres and traditions to show audiences that music has the same roots the world over.

Before we were all as connected as we are now, just as humans we are all drawn to a lot of the same sounds. Its unbelievable: Every single culture has a version of a plucked stringed instrument, every single culture has a version of a hand drum, every single culture has a version of a keyboard or a guitar, he explained.

When it comes to the creative side of music, the actual mechanics of whats happening are very similar to one another, and culturally all of these influences, especially in America, really collided, at times willingly and at times unwillingly, to make these sort of new traditions that we deal with.

Experimentation

Thurber has explored different genres, instruments, and disciplines, but one of his most unique productions was a one-man show. The commission parameters were that the musical had to be a sung monologue, and couldnt last for more than 40 minutes.

I was really terrified but I also was excited, and so I thought If Im going to do this, Im going to go really big, and go really scary, and Im going to write something for myself,' Thurber remembered.

Thurber was single at the time, and he and his male friends would sometimes talk privately about vulnerable emotions, for example, anxieties around intimacy and connecting with people. One night he was out with some female friends, and they were surprised to learn that men talked about such issues, or could be sensitive.

As a result, his performance became a musical that explored and challenged the myths about machismo and male libido, among other topics, in a humorous way.

Hes currently working on a new expanded version.

Old Friends, New Gig

Thurber has also performed with Jon Batiste and Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show. It was a great opportunity to play with former college friends, and to do something different and see how a television show functions.

Its essentially like making a Broadway show every single night from scratch, Thurber explained. The show is broadcast live, and always gave Thurber a thrill.

Every night, no matter how many times you did it, youd get the butterflies in your stomach, because youd just be like, wow, theres 3 million people watching this right now, he said with a chuckle.

He has had the opportunity to play with guests like James Taylor, Cee Lo Green, Willy Nelson, and John Mellencamp. He played with the band for one season, but then returned to his passion projects.

Right now, Thurber is juggling multiple jobs, as usual. However, there are two that he is most ardent about. Hes producing two different records with two different artists. The first one is a collaboration with concert violinist Tessa Lark, his girlfriend. The duo is working on a record that will be half original music and half Bach.

The other record is a collaboration with jazz vocalist Lauren Henderson. All of the music is original, and the duo wrote half of the material each, with some other songs they wrote together. Its half in English and half in Spanish and pulls from many different influences.

It may seem like a lot to juggle, but for Thurber the balancing act is worth it.

Being in music is a spiritual pursuit. Its a pursuit of perfection and actualizing your potential, he said.

It takes so much to make good music, he explained. You have to be healthy and clear mentally, you have to be as healthy and clear physically as you can, you have to have technical ability,  you have to have a generosity of spirit.

The pursuit of making good music makes you a better person; youre just constantly raising your potential all the time.

His ultimate goal is to keep collaborating and exploring genres.

If I can continue to do that for the rest of my life, it will be a great life.Trump Praises Nancy Pelosi, Calls for Bipartisanship After House Loss

Video: Trump spars with CNN reporter

President Donald Trump said on Nov. 7 he wasnt being sarcastic and praised Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for being the likely Speaker of the House now that the Democrats have taken a majority in the House.

I give her a lot of credit, she works very hard and shes worked long and hard. I give her a great deal of credit for what shes done and what shes accomplished, he said.

The president also stated that hes looking forward to working with Democratic leadership in the House. We actually have a great relationship, Trump said of Pelosi in the White House press conference.

I really think and I really respected what Nancy said last night about bipartisanship and getting together and uniting, Trump also said. She used the word uniting and she used the bipartisanship statement which is so important because thats what we should be doing.

In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor! Trump wrote on Twitter.

But Trump stressed that if Democrats think they are going to waste taxpayer money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of classified information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!

Trump, along with other Republicans, have made Pelosi a target in ads.

In a victory speech, the 78-year-old California lawmaker said there is a bipartisan responsibility in Congress while the Democrats now have a responsibility to find our common ground when we can, stand our ground where we can.

Well have a bipartisan marketplace of ideas that makes our democracy strong, she said.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Nov. 7, that Trump called several Republican winners to congratulate them.

Tonight, President Trump called Leader Mitch McConnell to congratulate him on the historic Senate gains. He also spoke with Speaker Paul Ryan. The President called to congratulate Rick Scott, Mike DeWine, Kevin Cramer, Josh Hawley, Brian Kemp, and Ron DeSantis, she told the White House press pool.

Pelosi faces some resistance to become the next speaker of the House, but she still remains the prohibitive favorite to win.

Pelosi served as the first female Speaker of the House between 2007 to 2011 before Republicans took over.

Subpoena power is interesting, to use it or not to use it, Pelosi said in October, Fox News reported. It is a great arrow to have in your quiver in terms of negotiating on other subjects. She added that she would use the power strategically.Sen. Mark Begich (D-Ala.) (L) delivers several medals to Randy Clifford in 2014 that were awarded to him but were lost when he was flown back to San Francisco from Vietnam after being shot. (Photo Courtesy of Randy Clifford)

Vietnam Veterans Share Bittersweet Memories as Veterans Day Approaches

During the war, they experienced pride and loyalty, but often returned home to a thankless reception from protesters

Forty-three years after its conclusion, the Vietnam War remains arguably the most controversial conflict in American history.

To some, the 20-year struggle was a misguided and ill-planned attempt by the United States to meddle in foreign affairs. To others, the war began as a noble American attempt to protect South Vietnam from the communist North, and ended in a shameful betrayal of the South.

The Epoch Times spoke with some Vietnam veterans to get their opinions as to why we were in Vietnam, and to hear their personal experiences fighting and coming home to a nation that largely gave them a cold, and often hostile, reception.

Band of Brothers

When Randy Clifford started high school in 1964, he had never even heard of Vietnam. By the time he graduated, five boys from his town who were a few grades ahead of him had been killed there.

After high school, Clifford attended one semester of college, and then he got bored and joined the army.

Back then, we were angry at the Viet Cong and NVA [North Vietnamese Army] for shooting our friends, he said.

Clifford served as a door gunner on a helicopter that rescued wounded Americans. He spoke of the pride and teamwork of military service.

The military teaches you to work as a team and to take care of each other. In Vietnam, we were a true band of brothers. We thought nothing of risking death to rescue fellow soldiers, he said.

Clifford said that he and his team heard of the anti-war protests back home.

[However], we ignored them and made sure we protected and rescued any American that needed help. If we had to lose five helicopters and crews to rescue one American, thats what would happen, he said.

On March 21, 1971, Clifford was hit in the back with an AK-47 round while flying an air attack against the NVA.

Flown directly to a hospital, Clifford didnt encounter any protesters upon his return home. However, he spoke of many of his friends who were verbally or physically assaulted upon arrival.

It was bad. So many of my buddies came home to ridicule, abuse, and assault. That was the thanks they were given for risking their lives for their country. It harmed many of them in a big way, he said.

Finally, Clifford spoke of the pride he feels for having served his country as a sergeant in the 1st Cavalry Division.

While some hid in college, some ran to Canada, and others burned their draft cards while they marched and protested, I had the honor of serving with the bravest of my generation.

Sense of Responsibility

Airman 1st Class Mark A. Kuehner served in the Vietnam conflict from 1966 to 1967 for the U.S. Air Force with the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Da Nang AFB. He worked on the flight line, servicing, maintaining, and repairing the squadrons aircraft, sometimes working on F-4 fighter jets, sometimes being drenched with Agent Orange, which was sprayed in Operation Ranch Hand.

Kuehner, who is currently in the hospital waiting for a diagnosis of an illness that has left him gravely ill, spoke slowly and sincerely, often with a catch in his voice.

He talked of enlisting to go to Vietnam.

I needed a roof over my head, and Uncle Sam needed soldiers, he said. But seriously, it was the time of the Eisenhower Doctrine, and we believed we were trying to help those people [the South Vietnamese]. We believed that we were trying to prevent the spread of communism.

It was my patriotic responsibility. I was patriotic and thought I was doing a service for my country. Im still patriotic.

The doctrine that Kuehner referred to was announced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in January 1957 and approved by Congress in March of the same year.

Under the doctrine, a country could request American economic assistance or military aid if it was being threatened by armed aggression from another state.

The doctrine singled out the Soviet threat by promising to secure and protect the territorial integrity and political independence of such nations requesting aid against overt armed aggression from any nation controlled by international communism.

North Vietnam was a communist country backed by the Soviet Union, and South Vietnam requested the help of the United States.

Like Clifford, Kuehner spoke of the bond he and his fellow soldiers shared.

There was an unbelievably strong spirit in the units there. There was such a strong bond of pride and loyalty and honor and doing the best you could. Those kids gave so much. Sometimes they gave more than their all. It was something you dont see among people in normal life, he said.

When asked about his reaction to the reception soldiers received upon coming home, he reflected quietly: I started college under the GI Bill, but it was a bad scene. I thought, these kids dont know whats really going on in the world. I figured, so thats how it is, and went out and got a job.

Kuehner said he thinks that the veterans lives turned out better than non-veterans.

The veterans from Vietnam ended up doing better than the kids who stayed home. We took our values and sense of responsibility out into society, and we have done very well in business, even in the higher levels of government, in our towns and churches. I think that sense of responsibility and those values are what makes America a great country. We have our ups and downs, but its still the best place to live in this world.

Saddened

Karl Buder immigrated to the United States from Germany with his parents at the age of 13, after his father obtained a job in Georgia. In 1958, his father was transferred to Sunnyvale, California. After graduation, Buder attended Menlo College, where he received a degree in business.

Buder was aware of the escalating war in Vietnam. He was drafted, and because of his fluency in German, was assigned to a teaching job in the switchboard operator school in Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Feeling rather smug about being in a relatively good job, I was shocked into reality when I received orders to report to Travis Air Force Base for further deployment to Vietnam on Dec. 16, 1966, Buder said.

Needless to say, when I informed my parents, they were devastated and even suggested that I return to Germany. It was something I could have easily done, as I was still a German citizen, but after much reflection, I decided to stick to my enlistment commitment and follow my orders.

When asked why he thought the United States went to Vietnam, Buder said that he believed it was to stop the spread of communism.

After spending a few months in Vietnam, I changed my mind and felt that any involvement in this type of warfare was futile, as our troops just werent adept at jungle warfare against far more seasoned opponents. I am still saddened that 55,000 young, productive lives were lost, he said.

When asked what it was like to come back to America, Buder said that he was thrilled to be home.

My father, having been solely responsible for bringing our family to the U.S., was clearly relieved that I was home safe, and as I stepped into our home, he gave me a hug that I had never experienced before. I could see tears of joy running down his face.

Protesters

Robert Piazza went to school at the California Maritime Academy. He enlisted and went to Vietnam in November 1965.

Patriotism was a major factor in my opinions and feelings, and the threat of communism spreading into Southeast Asia was certainly the reason for our being there, he said.

Piazza said he is concerned that the younger generation does not have a correct understanding of what communism is.

Younger people dont have an appreciation for what communism and socialism are. There are a lot of folks your age and younger who unfortunately dont get it, he told The Epoch Times interviewer, who is 40 years old.

Piazza spent a year and a half in Vietnam and finished out the last five months of his time working for the Military Sea Transport Service, transporting troops and materials from Oakland to Vietnam.

During this time, Piazza was confronted by anti-war protesters.

When we came back to [San Francisco] and Vallejo, that was sort of the hotbed of that sort of stuff [anti-war protests], he said.

The only time I was directly confronted was when I had to arrive at the troop ship. Obviously, I had to drive down to Oakland, and there were always protesters at the gate, actually trying to keep you from going to work, which really pissed me off because I had to feed my family and certainly did not share their opinions about what they were protesting about.

Looking back, Piazza remembers having mixed feelings about the protestersanger at their attempt to block him from doing his job, and sympathy because he felt they were victims of brainwashing by their college professors.Wisconsin Girl, 10, Charged With Homicide in Daycare Killing of Infant

A 10-year-old Wisconsin girl was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of a six-month-old child, and she told investigators that she panicked after dropping the infant and tried to silence her by stomping on the girl.

The girl appeared in Chippewa County Circuit Court on Nov. 5, The Associated Press reported. A judge set her bond at $50,000.

Wisconsin state law requires that the girl initially should be held in an adult court, prosecutors told AP.

Girl, aged 10, appears in Wisconsin court charged with killing six-month-old boy at home of foster parents https://t.co/LupyynePOm  Sky News (@SkyNews) November 6, 2018

First responders were sent to a daycare in the Town of Tilden near Chippewa Falls, where they found the child unresponsive and bleeding from the head, AP reported.

Later that afternoon the sheriffs department received a call from medical personnel, a doctor, attending this youth and indicated that his belief was that the injuries sustained by the 6-month boy was not an accident, Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk told WEAU-TV.

The girl, who lives with foster parents at the licensed home daycare, then confessed to her involvement in the situation, Kowalczyk said. Officials said she had been removed from the home of her bbiological parents and was placed in a foster home.

She would like to return home, and given her age, that may be appropriate, defense attorney Kirby Harless said.

In the incident, the infant hit its head on the footstool and then the child started crying, District Attorney Wade Newell said, according to WEAU.

The 10-year-old then didnt know what to do and didnt want to get into trouble and then she proceeded to stomp on the 6-month-olds head, he said.

Neither the girl or the infant were identified in media reports.Woman Who Spent $21 Million at Harrods Arrested Under New UK Powers

LONDONA woman who spent 16 million pounds ($21 million) at the London luxury department store Harrods over the span of a decade became the first person arrested in the UK under new investigative powers that target unexplained wealth.

Zamira Hajiyeva was revealed last month as the first target of the UKs new Unexplained Wealth Orders. She now faces extradition to stand trial for embezzlement. She denies wrongdoing.

Her husband was convicted in 2016 of defrauding a state-controlled Azerbaijan bank, which he once ran, out of millions of pounds.

On Oct. 30, the National Crime Agency seized more than 400,000 pounds worth of jewelry, and she has been ordered by the courts to explain how she could afford property worth 22 million pounds in the UK.

New Powers

Hajiyeva is the first person to be subjected to new crime-fighting powers aimed at sniffing out the endless trails of dirty money that flow through the capital. The UWOs are new powers that allow investigators to demand that people explain how they have acquired property items worth more than 50,000 pounds if their income seems to be insufficient to afford that.

According to the Financial Times, the Azeri government is now asking the UK to extradite Hajiyeva to stand trial on embezzlement charges, a London court was told on Nov. 6.

The court case also revealed that she had been arrested by appointment after a warrant was activated last week. Her lawyer described her arrest as an appalling shock to her, according to the Financial Times. The court case will be heard in June.

The judge was prepared to grant her bail, on the condition of 500,000 pounds for security. However, the crown prosecution, acting on behalf of the Azeri government, appealed, pushing the bail decision to the High Court, which will make a decision Nov. 8.

Hajiyevas husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, who was formerly chair of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence in Azerbaijan for his part in embezzling $138 million.

UWOs are an investigative power only available to the National Crime Agency, Revenue and Customs, the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office, or the Crown Prosecution Service.

4.4 Billion Pounds of Suspicious Wealth

Announcing the new powers in February, the Home Office said in a statement, A UWO requires a person who is reasonably suspected of involvement in, or of being connected to a person involved in, serious crime to explain the nature and extent of their interest in particular property, and to explain how the property was obtained, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the respondents known lawfully obtained income would be insufficient to allow the respondent to obtain the property.

Transparency International praised the use of the new powers, saying that it had identified more than 4.4 billion pounds worth of suspicious wealth in the UK.

Duncan Hames, director of policy at Transparency International UK, said in a statement last month, The UK has been long identified as a safe haven for corrupt money and despite successive governments recognizing this, money launderers have continued to hide their ill-gotten gains here.

This case raises serious questions about the conduct of those who provided services for the Hajiyevs luxury lifestyle, added Hames in a later statement, after Hajiyevs identity was revealed.

Alarm bells should be ringing when public servants on state salaries start amassing high-end real estate, luxury goods, even a private jet, and a million-pound Tier 1 investment visa, he said.Republican Bob Stefanowski conceded the election for governor this morning on the Chaz and AJ Show, WPLRs morning drive-time talk show.

The concession makes Democrat Ned Lamont the winner of the race to lead the state, and will become Connecticuts 89th governor.

Lamont was ahead by tens of thousands of votes in unofficial results. It was a straight-up election, Stefanowski said. He won fair and square.

Shortly after 9:35 a.m., Lamont issued a statement recalling the concession call he received earlier from Stefanowski.

After a long campaign, he could not have been more gracious, and I could not be more appreciative, Lamont said in a statement. I look forward to working with him, because we all need to come together - regardless of party - to solve our states biggest challenges. Im humbled and I want every resident to know how grateful I am for this extraordinary honor. I will work every day - honestly and thoughtfully - to move this state forward and be a champion for Connecticut.

While late Tuesday Democrats realized they had regained control of the General Assembly, it wasnt until the predawn on Wednesday, at 5:42 a.m., that the Secretary of the States office showed the Greenwich entrepreneur pulling ahead of Stefanowski, as results from the major cities came in.

Shortly after 7:30 a.m., the unofficial results showed Lamont leading Stefanowski by about 18,000 votes, 658,353 to 640,369. But those did not include New Haven, the states largest Democratic stronghold, where unofficial results, published by the New Haven Independent, showed Lamont with more than 22,000 votes, and Stefanowski with slightly more than 3,900.

The Associated Press reported a lead of just over 9,000 with some municipalities still to report.

Officials with the Lamont campaign declined comment at 6 a.m. and it was unclear whether Lamont had heard from Stefanowski, a Madison millionaire in his first elective race.

With the apparent likelihood that Democrat William Tong, a state representative from Stamford who is co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee, will emerge victorious over Sue Hatfield of Pomfret, a state prosecutor, in the race for attorney general, Democrats appear to have run the table: winning all top statewide races and working majorities in the General Assembly.

In the first analysis of an election that will determine how Connecticut will deal with a massive state budget deficit and $100 billion in decades of under-funded pension funds, an unsettled electorate decided to elect Lamont, a veteran Democratic also-ran, and reject an untested conservative Republicans simple, partially explained promise to cut taxes.

Rain caused some headaches

While rain didnt dampen turnout Tuesday, it did cause some amount of headaches for local voting officials who had to deal with wet ballots that became hard to insert in the scanners.

Democrats held control of the state House and regained the majority of the state Senate with stunning losses for Sen. Toni Boucher, of Wilton, Sen. Michael McLachlan, of Danbury, and Sen. Len Suzio, of Meriden, all conservative veterans of the legislature, victims of an early evening blue tsunami thanks to an apparent rise in suburban activism that dislodged them. Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, was more than 600 votes behind Democratic challenger Alexandra Bergstein early Wednesday.

In particular, Will Haskell, a young college graduate, worked hard throughout the year in Bouchers 90,000-resident, multi-town district, which includes Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield and Westport.

Democrats picked up seats in the House, expanding on their 79-72 edge to as many as 90 seats, while the 18-18 tie in the Senate became at least a 21-15 Democratic majority when the next legislature convenes in January.

Both Democrats and Republicans suspended their Hartford-area celebration parties at about 1:30 a.m., with votes from the major cities still only partially counted, or wet from the Election Day weather. Ballots from the same-day registration that resulted in long lines at New Haven City Hall and the University of Connecticut, became the subject of a Republican lawsuit, but are unlikely to change the outcome.

Things are going to have to wait a little bit longer, said Marc Bradley, campaign manager for Lamont, on stage at 1:10 a.m. at the Yard Goats Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford where Democrats took in the results. When the votes are counted, we are confident that Ned Lamont is going to be the next governor of the state of Connecticut.

Well see you tomorrow, he told supporters.

The Republicans called it a night a little later.

Tonight, we are being denied a result, said GOP Chairman J.R. Romano, addressing a small crowd of mostly press and a few supporters whod lingered for more than five hours after the polls closed in hopes of seeing Stefanowski declared a winner.

Several cities are withholding ballots, Romano said. The Connecticut Republican Party and Bob Stefanowski are on top of this. We are ahead by 20,000 votes.

Cities made the difference

The neck-and-neck duel continued through the evening as local officials in 169 towns and cities tallied up the support of Connecticut voters at a decisive, divisive moment in the state and nations history that was reflected in higher-than-average turnout.

Just as it was for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in 2010 and 2014, it came down to Democratic turnout in the slow-to-report major cities, who made the difference.

While rain didnt seem to dampen turnout, it did cause some amount of headaches for local voting officials who had to deal with wet ballots that became hard to insert in the scanners.

By mid-evening, as the General Assembly turned more blue, it became less likely that Connecticut Republicans were galvanized for President Donald Trump and that the state would take a sharp turn to the right. In fact, only the governors race and the battle for attorney general remained in doubt by 2 a.m.

Richard Oz Griebel, the third-party candidate, conceded around 9:30, with about 4 percent of the unofficial vote.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy easily won a second term over Matthew Corey, a Republican business owner from Manchester. Democrat Jahana Hayes, a former National Teacher of the Year, won the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Elizabeth Esty to become the first black woman to win a congressional seat in New England.

In New Haven and Storrs, the Stefanowski campaign filed legal complaints challenging hundreds of same-day voter registrations, with a court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Stefanowski counted on linking Lamont to a pervasive dislike of Malloy, who in 2010 took over a state that was still staggering from the Great Recession. But with two massive concessions from tens of thousands of unionized state workers and billions of dollars in investments in the underfunded state pension plans, Malloy could not turn a corner on multibillion-dollar annual budget deficits that shackled lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The Republican, a consultant and former corporate CEO, preached an ultra-conservative, supply-side, tax-cutting plan that failed spectacularly in Kansas, where public schools suffered and which the GOP legislature repudiated.

Republican ran outside party apparatus

A 30-year business executive who spent time at Price Waterhouse, General Electric, UBS Investment Bank and Dollar Financial Group, a controversial payday lending company, Stefanowski promised smaller government and wanted to privatize state services like the Department of Motor Vehicles and Bradley International Airport.

Stefanowski waged his campaign on a promise to eliminate the states personal income tax, and lower taxes overall. But he offered few details and in debates, he often changed the subject when pressed. He often repeated the promise to find millions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse in the two-year operating budget that state officials have been scouring for years.

The deficit that will greet Lamont on Jan. 9 is projected at $4.5 billion in the budget starting July 1.

More than anything, Stefanowski, who never held a news conference during a tightly controlled campaign that in recent weeks featured a security detail of retired state troopers, depended on the words tax cuts to entice voters in millions of dollars in TV ads dating back to January. His daily schedule was rarely released and his public appearances were often restricted to small local GOP groups or quick hits at seasonal fairs and parades.

Stefanowski stressed the importance of forcing massive concessions from the 45,000 state workers, and more than hinted he was willing to test their viability in court to possibly renege on the promises made to generations of employees.

Lamont, a Greenwich investor who was a cable entrepreneur in 2006 when he upset U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, has highlighted his small-business experience and endorsements from the state unions as a way to coax further concessions, including higher deductibles on health insurance and prescriptions. Lamont also lost to Malloy in the 2010 Democratic primary for governor.

Lamont, Democrats face big challenges

Lamont ran more of a traditional campaign, holding several news conferences every week, meeting reporters and voters, while painting a public picture contrasting his openness with Stefanowskis aloof campaign.

Lamont stressed public education and the dozens of Connecticut colleges and universities with proximity to the merging high-tech industry.

He has also assembled a team of business advisers and wants the next generation of high-speed Internet, 5G, to help cities including New Haven take off in the 21st Century.

Lamont favors further gun-safety measures, a $15 minimum wage, legalized recreational marijuana, the continuance of the states participation in the Affordable Care Act, and a variety of other issues. He also wants to give property owners $400 credits on their personal income taxes.

On TV in January, Stefanowski loaned his campaign $2 million to solidify name recognition. He then avoided the Republican State Convention in May, but in mid-August won the party primary over Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the endorsed candidate.

Stefanowski was supplemented by political action committees, including the Republican Governors Association, with another $8 million that was mostly spent on advertising attacking Lamont, trying to label him as a clone of Malloy.

Lamonts campaign was self-funded, outside the states voluntary public financing program. The great grandson of Thomas Lamont, a top adviser to banker J.P. Morgan in the early years of the 20th Century, Lamont invested at least $12 million of his personal fortune in the campaign.

Now, the challenge facing Lamont and Democrats is to govern their way out of the states fiscal mess, attract new businesses and jobs, while somehow reducing the cost of living in the state.

Kaitlyn Krasselt and Emilie Munson contributed to this report.NORWALK  Democrat Lucy Dathan claimed victory Tuesday evening over Republican incumbent Fred Wilms in the race for the 142th District seat in the state House of Representatives.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m., Dathan said preliminary results from all precincts showed her leading Wilms by about 840 votes.

I am delighted. I feel over the moon, said Dathan, joined by other Democrats at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center. Im the first Democrat to have won this district in history. Its a very strong-held seat. I have total respect for my opponent. Hes done a wonderful job, but I just have different ideas and Im looking to bring a fresh perspective up to Hartford.

Results tallied by Democrats showed Dathan leading Wilms 1,466 to 1,110 votes, based upon one of three Norwalk precincts in the district, which includes West Norwalk and part of New Canaan.

Obviously, Im very disappointed and very sad, Wilms said Tuesday night. I worked very hard during my four years to serve Norwalk and turn our state around. I appears a lot of new voters came out and they voted Democrat.

As a candidate, Dathan promised to bring a fresh perspective to Hartford and use her 25 years of experience in accounting and finance to solve Connecticuts budget crisis just as she had helped venture capital-backed technology companies as a chief finance officer.

During her campaign, she called for strategic investment in education, transportation and growing the states middle class and vowed to focus on health care, education and climate change preparedness if elected. She strongly defended the Affordable Care Act from Republican attacks while pushing for a public option.

Wilms, a father and former city councilman, was first elected to represent the district in November 2014.

He is a senior vice president at Webster Bank and member of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Norwalk Board of Estimate Taxation from 2005 until 2013, ultimately as its chairman.NORWALK  Democratic incumbent Bob Duff defeated Republican challenger Marc DAmelio in Tuesdays election for the 25th District seat in the Connecticut Senate, based on unofficial results from the Secretary of States office.

With all 16 precincts reporting in, Duff garnered 24,437 votes to DAmelios 14,25.

The Norwalk Democrat declared victory shortly after 9 p.m. among cheering supporters at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center on East Avenue.

I want to thank the voters in Norwalk and Darien for their overwhelming confidence in me. It seems like a very strong result based on the fact that I ran a positive campaign, Duff said. Im excited to roll up my sleeves and get back to work.

Duff, a realtor, served three years in the state House before being elected to his first term representing the 25th State Senate District in 2004. Senate Majority Leader since 2015, he launched his bid for an eighth two-year term in January and said a passion for public service had driven him to seek re-election.

He named growing the economy, fighting for the middle class and holding true to our values as the top issues for Norwalk, Darien and the state. Moving Connecticut forward means supporting Earned Family Medical Leave, a livable minimum wage, an affordable college education and affordable health care, especially for seniors, according to Duff.

We are going to move our state forward, we are going to grow our tax base and we are going to make sure that we fight for the things and the values... for the middle class, Duff said.

DAmelio, joined by his family, watched the election returns with fellow Republicans at SoNo Ice House on Wilson Avenue in South Norwalk.

I think people in Norwalk are concerned. Theres a lot of people that want some change, and thats what this campaign was all about, DAmelio said.

DAmelio, who earned about 37 percent on the vote, officially conceded at 9:45 p.m.

A businessman and former Norwalk Board of Education candidate, DAmelio registered himself as a candidate with the Secretary of the States Office on Jan. 27 but withdrew a week later citing career and family commitments. He re-entered the race in April, saying the stakes are too high for me to sit on the sideline and watch the city and state I love decimated by our current leadership and their policies.

The Norwalk Republican vowed, if elected, to enact legislation that would benefit Norwalk, Darien and the state regardless of party or political affiliation. He identified improving Connecticuts competitiveness, adequately funding infrastructure and bringing more state aid to Norwalk schools as his priorities.

Connecticuts budget deficit and looming unfunded liabilities remained DAmelios foremost concerns. He said the state has a spending, rather than revenue problem, and called for expense cuts, structural changes, tax reform and innovation to create a business-friendly environment.

DAmelio ran for the Norwalk Board of Education in 2017. He was the top vote-getter among Republicans running for four at-large school board seats but lost by placing fifth in the overall race.

 Staff writer Robert Koch contributed to this story.WILTON  Republican Gail Lavielle will be back for a fifth term as state representative for Wilton, Norwalk and Westport after winning a close decision over Democratic challenger Stephanie Thomas, according to unofficial results.

Lavielle received 6,085 votes to Thomas 5,721. The vote count went into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Lavielle has represented the 143rd district since 2010, following 26 years in business communications. She ran unopposed in 2016 after two lopsided victories over her last two opponents, Keith Rodgerson in 2014 and Ted Hofstatter in 2012.

During her fifth term, she hopes to reduce state taxes and expenditures, revive the state economy and focus on restoring the failing infrastructure. She also campaigned widely on solving the inequities of the states educational funding system and increase funding to Connecticuts Department of Developmental Services.

Lavielle has served as the assistant minority leader, a House ranking member of the General Assemblys Education Committee and a member of the Appropriations and Transportation committees. With this experience, she is confident she will continue to enact change in those areas.

The longer youre around, the better feel you get for things, and in my time here, Ive built a lot of exceptional relationships on both sides of the aisle, she said.

Late Tuesday, a voting machine malfunction at Wolfpit School in Norwalk causing delays in the tally.

I wont call it until I get the last machine. Theres a machine at Wolfpit that broke, Lavielle said. I am 465 votes ahead and there is one machine at Wolfpit for which we still do not have the results. I did win the other machine at Wolfpit.

Lavielle ran unopposed in 2016 after two lopsided victories over her last two opponents, Keith Rodgerson in 2014 and Ted Hofstatter in 2012.

Thomas campaigned on a promise of working across the aisle, standing up for strong gun laws and fighting for womens reproductive rights.NORWALK  Democrat Chris Perone has defeated Republican challenger Frank Page on Tuesday for the District 137 seat in the state House of Representatives, according to unofficial results from Republican headquarters.

With his win Tuesday, Perone secured his sixth term representing the district in East Norwalk. As of 9:45 p.m., Page had 2,599 to Perones 5,846 votes.

I think what people responded to wasnt rhetoric, Perone said, from the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center on East Avenue, where he arrived just before 9:30 p.m. He preached during his campaign his ability to work across the aisle. At the end of the day, not one side can do it alone. Both sides have to work together to make it work.

Perone has been involved politically since 2001, at which time he left his New York City marketing job and vied for a spot on the Norwalk Common Council. Hes been a state representative since 2004, representing a large swath of the eastern part of the city.

He was appointed Transportation Czar in 2017 by House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and based much of his campaign on related issues.

Page, on the other hand, touted his business acumen while campaigning, citing his long career with the Eaton Corporation and more recent work as a consultant to a local telecommunications company, private investor and licensed real estate agent.

The people here have spoken and thats all there is to it. Im not a sour grapes type of guy, Page said. I got in this to try and do better for the state of Connecticut, so my kids could stay here, but the people have spoken.

It was Pages first attempt seeking elected office.Contributed / Norwalk Police Department

NORWALK  A 24-year-old Norwalk man was charged with identity theft, illegal use of a credit card and other charges Tuesday morning.

Police said they received a call Oct. 4 from a person who said credit cards had been stolen from their vehicle while parked near their home on Orchard Hill Road.WESTPORT  Democrat Jonathan Steinberg has claimed victory to the state House for a fifth term, after defeating Republican challenger Greg Kraut.

A seasoned state representative, Steinberg ascended to the state assemblys 136th district seat, which includes most of Westport, in 2010. A lifelong Westporter, Steinberg, 62, told voters he understands Westports values better than Kraut, 42, a novice candidate who moved to Westport in 2016 and won a spot on the Representative Town Meeting for the first time last year.

Any election is its own experience, and this one had its own unique challenges, Steinberg said at Little Barn in Westport Tuesday night. I cant tell you how grateful I am to go back to a fifth term in Hartford and to all the people who made it possible.

Unofficial numbers from the Democratic Town Committee had Steinberg winning with 6,727, or 61 percent, of the vote to Krauts 4,328.

I want to thank all my supporters and everybody who voted for me. Hopefully I raised awareness of some very important state issues facing Westport and I will continue to fight for you on the RTM for the coming years, Kraut said.

At its heart, the race was a battle of ideas about how to resuscitate the states crumbling economy. 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 plan, an idea executed in Europe but never before tried in the U.S.

Kraut, who changed his registration from unaffiliated to Republican in April to earn the Republican nomination, lobbied for the support of independent voters with his 21-point plan for economic recovery. The plan includeed proposal to sell state-owned properties and rent them back as the tenant, a strategy known as sale-leasebacks that Kraut said could generate $1 billion in new revenue.

The ideas were clouded, however, by a fray of personal attacks flying between the two candidates. Steinberg accused Kraut, a Manhattan real estate manager, of predatory development. Kraut claimed Steinberg is an incompetent representative with little to show of his eight years in office.

Despite the noise, voters made a clear choice to return Steinberg to Hartford.

I had all the confidence in Jonathan because he has experience, leadership and Westports values, said Lisa Newman, Steinbergs campaign manager.

svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1The U.S. gave a stark warning to companies around the world: Evading sanctions on Iran will hurt.

"I promise you that doing business in Iran in defiance of our sanctions will ultimately be a much more painful business decision than pulling out of Iran," Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Monday at a news conference in Washington, after the U.S. imposed penalties on 700 individuals, banks, ships, aircraft and companies tied to Iran's energy and financial industries.

Vowing "swift, severe penalties" to those caught violating sanctions, Pompeo said the U.S. pressure's campaign has cost Iran $2.5 billion in oil revenue since May. But oil traded close to a six-month low as Pompeo's tough talk was softened by his announcement of temporary waivers from penalties for eight nations.

President Donald Trump is trying to force Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions and what he calls its support for terrorism in the Middle East by choking off its oil revenue. The move came after he abandoned the deal that the U.S. and five other world powers reached in 2015 to ease sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program.

Pompeo confirmed that the eight countries granted waivers from oil sanctions are China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. He said the waivers were only temporary measures to ease their transition from Iranian crude and avoid destabilizing the energy market. But some Republicans in Congress have vowed legislation to eliminate the waivers, and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani ridiculed them on Monday.

"That the U.S. is forced to exempt eight nations from sanctions on oil sales when it had previously said it wants to cut Iran's oil sales to zero, isn't that as sign of Iran's victory and the U.S. backing off," Rouhani said.

The waivers largely confirmed expectations in the energy market and eased concerns about the prospects of a tight global market at the end of the year. West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery dropped as much as 1 percent to $62.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest since April 9, before recovering 0.6 percent to $63.52 as of 1:51 p.m. London time.

While Iran and all of the other nations in the 2015 nuclear agreement have vowed to stand by its provisions, Pompeo said more than 100 companies have canceled their plans to do business with Iran since Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal in May.

The administration's pledges to be "aggressive" in enforcement of the sanctions indicates that U.S. individuals and companies in violation could face high penalties or even the threat of jail time, according to John Smith, who left Treasury in May as a civil servant leading the unit that issues and enforces sanctions and is now a partner at the law firm Morrison & Foerster.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin added 700 entities to the sanctions list on Monday bringing it to 900. Among those listed for the first time Monday were 50 Iranian banks, 200 individuals, and shipping vessels tied to Iran's shipping and energy sector and more than 65 Iranian aircraft. The only path to sanctions relief is for Iran's leaders to halt its support for terrorism and abandon its nuclear ambitions "immediately," Mnuchin said, adding that the U.S. is watching the Iranian regime with "laser focus."

The administration had signaled that its enforcement of sanctions would include targeting Swift, the global financial messaging network, for any violations of the new restrictions.

In a statement Monday, Swift said it would suspend "certain Iranian banks' access" to its system.

"This step, while regrettable, has been taken in the interest of the stability and integrity of the wider global financial system," according to the statement. "Our mission remains to be a global neutral messaging provider."

On Friday, Trump said he is open to a deal with Iran that blocks its nuclear-weapons program and that his so-called maximum pressure campaign targets Iran's government, not its people. But more sanctions will come until Iran's government decides to "either abandon its destructive behavior or continue down the path toward economic disaster," the president said.

But Rouhani said his country would engage in talks only if the U.S. honored its commitments in the Iran deal.

"Respect your commitments, then we will talk," Rouhani said in a meeting with economy officials, according to state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. "We have no issues with talks if the opposing side is a party that values its word, promise and pact."

- - -

Bloomberg's Ladane Nasseri, Golnar Motevalli, Grant Smith and Viktoria Dendrinou contributed.Rajitha Dissanayakes newest play Hithala Gaththu Theeranayak, (A well-made decision), premiers at the Lionel Wendt Theatre tomorrow (Friday) and on Saturday 10th November, at 7.00 pm. This is Dissanayakes 11th full-length play, and it promises to be a high-quality drama that addresses current socio-political issues. Dissanayakes plays have won critical review, popular support and notable awards. Some of his well-loved plays are Weeraya Merila, Sihina Horu Arang, Apahu Harenna Ba, Aadara Wasthuwa and Nethuwa Bari Minhek. Dissanayake spoke to Daily Mirror on several wide-ranging issues, including art, politics, and the current socio-political environment in Sri Lanka.

The economic pressures felt by society are being felt very seriously by artists as well

As a citizen I feel the way the recent change of government happened is completely unacceptable

Political leaders are supposed to represent the interests of the people

The challenge for us is to maintain standards in the spaces where we still wield some influence and control

Q Its been two years since you produced your last play. What can audiences expect from your new play Hithala Gaththu Theeranayak ?

The play explores how people make so called well-made decisions in life, and in love, and how they react when such decisions go wrong. Such situations can spiral out of control, and go from bad to worse. In contrast, there can be hastily made decisions that turn out good. I attempt to hold a mirror to society, to ourselves, to examine different elements of human nature and their impact on human relationships.

The story takes place in contemporary society, and the characters we see are familiar to us. So the play is very much bound to the current socio-political context of the country, especially with regards to how power complicates all human relationships. We cannot escape the current corrupt socio-political situation engulfing us. So Hithala Gaththu Theeranayak is a sort of extension of my previous plays.

Q Your plays usually draw a line between the personal and the political. Does your new play also attempt this?

I try to tell stories through my characters and the various situations they confront. I use dialogue and the characters behavioural traits to achieve this. But the play does not limit itself to the characters actions. It also examines the wider society they inhabit.

We have yet to see a government that takes principled decisions for the betterment of society

Q What kind of understanding or insight will the audience gain from watching this play at this particular political juncture?

The play has no direct connection to the current political games being played out. But its not completely disconnected from them either. The play focuses on the human condition, and ultimately the actions of individual characters are meant to transcend the stage and impact the audience.

So I hope this will compel audiences to reflect on themselves, as well as on the current political moment we are all experiencing.

Q How important is it for your audience to reflect on this current political moment ?

The current political moment were experiencing demands deep introspection from us all. We need to examine how we behave in different relationships. How do relationships change when agreements are broken, or when someone betrays us? How do people react when theres a breakdown of trust? How do we react when we lose love, or when we want to be loved? What kind of a pain does all this elicit? And how do we cope with that pain? Actually, the play addresses these conflicts in a more civilised manner than what we are seeing in society today. If such conflicts are not handled in a civilised manner, a society can face a major crisis. In our politics the act of gaining power and losing power is not handled in a civilised manner. In society we see actors who cannot control their pain. But in the play we see characters who cope much better with their pain. So the action outside the play is, in many ways, more dramatic than the play itself.

Q Can you elaborate on that?

The happenings in the outside world are more absurd than the situations depicted in the play. If I had incorporated into the script some of the scenarios happening outside, audiences may well have found them unbelievable. Thats because these happenings are quite unbelievable. In more developed societies governance happens within an accepted framework of laws and norms. These determine crucial matters such as the transfer of power, the changing of governments, appointments made to state institutions, policies regarding public health and education, and other important issues that affect the people. Theres a system in place, and an accepted method is followed. The situation here is more serious. In fact, its unacceptable. Its also unbelievable. We, as a society, are witnessing the unbelievable. Its both incomprehensible and absurd.

Q What do you find significant about the current happenings in the political arena?

What I find significant about this current political moment is the complete breakdown of trust between people. We see leaders signing affidavits and pledging allegiance to one side on one day, and then crossing over to the other side the next day. In doing so they are violating their contract with their voters who backed them to uphold certain policies and programmes. As a citizen I feel the way the recent change of government happened is completely unacceptable. It was done flouting all democratic norms and standards. Theres a way power should change hands. Thats either through an election,or through the defeat of the budget in parliament. Its only after the composition of parliament changes that other changes can be made. But right now, attempts are being made to change the composition of parliament by forcibly taking over the state media, state institutions, the police and other state bodies. This is neither civilised, nor virtuous. But while we condemn such actions, there are certain intellectuals and lawyers who condone them, and call them constitutional. Then theres another group of academics and lawyers who call it illegal. Who are the people to believe?

Q What do you believe?

I believe that what happened was immoral and unethical. It happened in a secretive and blatantly conspiratorial manner. But regrettably, these acts are accepted by some people, and even have the blessings of religious leaders. Are these religious leaders following their religious teachings? Are they speaking on behalf of their devotees? Or are they furthering the political and power interests of politicians? Religious leaders have failed to alert the people to the dangers of such political manoeuvrings. Meanwhile, intellectuals and lawyers are justifying both sides. Political leaders are supposed to represent the interests of the people. But they only care about their own power, their own interests and their own safety.

People have run out of options to ease their pain. So they find various outlets and methods to express their despair. They are living under tremendous economic pressure. Consumerism is making more and more demands on our lives

Q But theres a section of the population that endorses such acts.

Yes. And this is very problematic. As a society we have faced some very painful and bitter experiences. Despite this, most people dont seem to have any strong opinions on freedom. Instead whats foremost for them is fulfilling their economic needs to cope with the demands of todays consumerist society. People appear to be watching whats going on as if it had no impact on them. Maybe if they accepted that all this impacted them directly, they would not be able to cope with the pain that realisation brings. People have run out of options to ease their pain. So they find various outlets and methods to express their despair. They are living under tremendous economic pressure. Consumerism is making more and more demands on our lives. With no solution in sight, people are being fed with large doses of false morals, nationalism and religion. These three intoxicants are used to tame and control people. We are used to teaching lessons, but we dont seem to learn lessons from our own past experiences. We keep repeating the same mistakes.

Q What is the role of the artist in such a situation?

Artists must try and understand the human condition. We must ask why people respond to certain situations in the way they do. Why are people letting go of norms and values in this country? How has the world overcome such unbecoming impulses? Sri Lanka has a significant population that respects the rule of law, that doesnt endorse violence and that aspires to a better society. All is not lost. But theres a tendency for people to endorse everything committed by their own party, and condemn everything from the rival camp. This is a narrow, limited and selfish approach. Leaders switch parties, and say the exact opposite, without an iota of shame. Artists must hold a mirror to society to reflect on and expose such behaviour. We must ask whether this situation can be mended, and if so how? Thats the role of art and artists in this current situation.

Q In addition to being a dramatist, you also work in the media and in the university system. How has the media and the education sector in Sri Lanka contributed to the breakdown of norms and standards you mention?

The media today is dominated by a largely untrained workforce. Media personnel today dont undergo any rigorous professional training as in the past. Media companies dont encourage this because they fear a well-trained journalist would be picked up by a rival network. In our universities, especially in the Humanities, were seeing fewer and fewer undergraduates who truly love the subjects they are learning. Their focus is more on earning a certificate. So the challenge for us is to maintain standards in the spaces where we still wield some influence and control. We must try and prevent the falling standards in other areas from seeping into our spaces of work and study. After all, there are four important pillars that hold up a society. They are teachers, journalists, artists and religious leaders. If these four pillars are strong,then politicians can be held accountable, and the kind of political decline we are seeing today can be lessened significantly.

Q How has this political decline evolved over your lifetime, since you were a youth in the 1980s, moving on to the 1990s and 2000s, and now the present?

I remember our parents talking about falling norms and standards, and increasing violence and suppression in the 1980s. The change promised in 1994 never really materialised, and the situation degenerated to previous conditions. The continuing war also changed peoples values, especially regarding the value of human life. Even today many people die in tragic and violent circumstances. But this has become normalized. We have yet to see a government that takes principled decisions for the betterment of society. All we have seen are leaders who tighten their grip on power by exploiting resources and flouting the law. So the real problems of the people are not being addressed, and the truth is being shielded from them.

Q Are politicians the only ones to blame?

Theres another category of people, mainly high-ranking public officials, who exploit the political situation to plunder the countrys resources. They operate through various means, even rising through the ranks of trade unions, to gain prestige and status. The state sector has declined because the main criteria for appointments and power within them is political affiliation, not skill or competence. We saw this clearly in the last few days. One group of employees hijacks power, and another group is cast aside. When such selfish and politically motivated people occupy the state sector, more independent and non-partisan workers are silenced, or they maintain a distance from workplace politics.

Sri Lanka has a significant population that respects the rule of law

Q Money changing hands in politics is a major topic these days. Theres talk of bribery, corruption and commissions. What do you make of this nexus between politics and money?

Supporting the two major parties has become a business investment. Most political sponsors have a vested business interest. Very few engage in politics out of a sense of duty or vocation, or based on sound principles. Now politicians themselves engage in business. They use politics for maximum commercial profit. We see this phenomenon from local to national level politics. Leaders may talk about nationalism, but they depend on money to retain power. Money is even used to influence public opinion. Everyone in the party machinery - from ordinary supporters, to sponsors, to members and leaders - they all have a price. So if a larger sum if offered by the opposing camp, they outright switch sides. Portfolios dont just benefit ministers. They benefit their families, friends and other associates, bestowing them with tremendous privileges. This entire process naturally erodes trust, which I spoke of earlier.

Q This is your eleventh play. Producing a play is a process. As an artist, what changes have you seen in this process over the last couple of decades?

I have been able to sustain my plays over a long period due to the continuing support of a group of artists, both old and new,who love the stage and are committed to this art form. Over the years we have built a good understanding and work ethic. Their support and dedication has been vital to the running of my plays. We also have a dedicated audience that has supported our work over the years. But with time, these situations encounter challenges as well. Although the dedication and commitment of my fellow artists has not diminished, they have grown more fatigued with time. Many go for dubbing after rehearsals, or for shoots before rehearsals. Their capacity to be selective artistically has diminished. Earlier they could refuse offers, and focus on one project. But that is not the case now. The economic pressures felt by society are being felt very seriously by artists as well. But even under such trying circumstances the artists in my play have committed themselves to perfect their craft and put together the best possible production. Even the audience faces economic challenges, but they still gather to watch plays. The winds of decline may have swept away some roofs, from some houses. But there are still some houses with their roofs intact. There is hope, and we must hold on to that hope and reclaim what has been taken from us.

The cast of Hithala Gaththu Theeranayak will feature Shyam Fernando, Dharmapriya Dias, Samadhi Laksiri, Tharuni Ashangsa and Anuradha Mallawarachchi. Music is by Kapila Poogalarachchi, the set design is by Anuradha Mallawarachchi, costume design by Nalin Lusena, make-up by Priyantha Dissanayake, lighting design by Ranga Samarakoon and Anuradha Mallawarachchi , and the stage manager is Vijith Nuwan.Rs. 7bn net foreign outflows since political crisis

Market hopeful of return of State-run institutions/funds



By Nishel Fernando

Sri Lankas stock market stakeholders expect the bourse to stagnate for the next few days amid accelerated foreign outflows due to the prevailing political uncertainty, and are of the view that a majority government would be critical to retain the enthusiasm at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).



The All Share Price Index (ASPI) declined by 0.49 percent while more liquid S&P SL20 declined by 0.56 percent on Monday with a net foreign outflow of Rs 3.15 billion. The days turnover was Rs.4.1 billion.



We are seeing foreign selling getting absorbed by retail investors at the moment. There will be a wait and see mode as there is no confirmation on the majority of the government. That will be the critical factor.



Since there seems to be no majority for either party at the moment, the market is going to stagnate over the next few days and possibly turn positive if either party upholds the majority, Head of Research at First Capital, Dimantha Mathew told Mirror Business.



He further said that once the political crisis normalises, the foreign outflows will also normalise to levels in early or mid-October, which was around Rs 0.5 billion.

However, he noted that net outflows would continue due to emerging market selloffs.



Candor Group Director Ravi Abeysuriya opined that as the sentiment has changed, the market will continue to rise, and expressed confidence that the political crisis would be resolved shortly.



The trigger is that the current regime will stay in power and will be more business-friendly. I think, soon, we will see the institutional investors joining the bandwagon, and it will have a good impact on the market, he said.



JKH contributed to nearly Rs.3 billion of foreign outflows on Monday, driving the local ownership structure of JKH closer to 50 percent, from earlier 40 percent.

The foreign selling in JKH seems to be getting absorbed by a local buyer, which is also pushing the turnover. There seem to be 1 or 2 buyers who are heavily buying into JKH at the moment, Mathew remarked.

Brokers said business tycoon Harry Jayawardane had been aggressively purchasing JKH stocks.



According to First Capital, around Rs.7 billion net foreign outflows have been recorded at CSE since the beginning of the current political crisis on October 26, while net foreign outflows year-to-date has been recorded at Rs. 16.46 billion.



Mathew pointed out that although the foreign selling side has been available for some time due to the foreign outflow trend from emerging markets to the US, the buyers were not available for the transactions to go through until the change of government takes effect.



Mathew said that if the new government appointed by the President was able to get the majority of MPs on their side, it will positively impact the market.



If the new government manages to get the majority, then of course, it will tilt to the positive side, because we will see someone having the majority after a long time. This means the decision making in next one and half years will be easier and clear. Thats what is being reflected in the overall market, he added.



However, if the sacked UNP-led government is able to form a minority government, he opined that the market would return to pre-crisis levels.



Mathew revealed that several State institutions will shortly return to the market as several of them have commenced recruiting fund managers.



Mirror Business learns that the Sri Lanka Insurance (SLIC) has already begun reviewing stocks to play an active role in the market, while several other State institutions have also started reaching out to stock brokers.



Mathew noted that the market players are widely expecting Employees Provident Funds (EPF) return to CSE by December, as it had already entered the secondary government securities market in October.For many years now, Rosamund Pike has elevated nearly everything she's in, often from the sidelines, whether as the beautiful, good-hearted Jane Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice" or the sublimely ditsy Helen in "An Education." Her work is so specific, so subtly on point regardless of its placement, that it registers almost subliminally. It's only in the fullness of time that the viewer realizes it was Pike - not the nominal star - who was the best thing about the movie they've seen her in.

This isn't to say that Pike hasn't had her share of lead roles: She has delivered adept, alert performances in such high-profile projects as David Fincher's "Gone Girl," as well as in smaller roles - in "A United Kingdom," "Hostiles" and "Beirut," for example. But "A Private War" is in another league altogether.

As the real-life war correspondent Marie Colvin, Pike erases every trace of her delicate natural beauty to deliver the toughest, most uncompromising and vanity-free performance of her career. Finally, one of our finest actresses has been given material that calls on her to utterly transform herself - vocally, physically, seemingly existentially - and prove how gifted she's been all along.

"A Private War" begins in 2012, in the rubble of a building that has just been bombed by Syrian forces in the embattled city of Homs. This is where Colvin would meet her death, but the film quickly backtracks to earlier in her career, during which her fearless, swashbuckling temperament draws her to the world's most scorching hot spots.

We see her lose an eye covering the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, after which she affects an appropriately piratical eye patch. Meanwhile, she's feted by her fellow journalists and living the high life in London, where she writes for the Sunday Times. She chain-smokes, drinks far too much and embarks on a series of ill-fated love affairs, including one with her own ex-husband.

At one point during "A Private War," Colvin invokes the World War II correspondent Martha Gellhorn, whose courage and integrity she clearly wants to emulate. But the strength of the movie - which is based on a Vanity Fair article by Marie Brenner - is that it doesn't uncritically accept the comparison. Colvin is propelled by compassion and humanist concern, clearly; unlike her colleagues who focus solely on strategy and statistics, she seeks to make "suffering part of the record," as she puts it. But she's also driven by straight-up compulsion and an addictive personality at constant odds with her personal and professional judgment.

Directed by Matthew Heineman - best known for the urgent, timely documentaries "Cartel Land" and "City of Ghosts" - "A Private War" is gratifyingly unfussy. Like its subject, it gets to the point, toggling between Colvin's stints in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan with her well-heeled life in England. Eschewing fancy camera moves or other attention-getting devices, Heineman handles the transitions gracefully, punctuating the action with shard-like montages of flashbacks and anxiety attacks that eventually send Colvin to rehab for post-traumatic stress.

It's during this passage that Pike delivers the most bravura moment of "A Private War," when she confesses her doubts and contradictions to her trusted photographer Paul Conroy, played in a gallantly self-effacing performance by Jamie Dornan. It's a quiet, unforced moment - in which Colvin's self-mythologizing bravado momentarily gives way to genuine doubt - all the more powerful for being so simple and unadorned.

"A Private War" suffers from one or two cliches: Colvin actually delivers a solemn reminder that journalism is "the rough draft of history," and a scene of one of her breakdowns, when she wanders desperately through her apartment and drinks vodka straight from the bottle, has the unconvincing air of an improv exercise. Such brief missteps aside, "A Private War" gains credibility and assurance as it plays, largely thanks to Pike's thoroughly inhabited portrayal, which includes an angular, lanky comportment, a stiff, loping gait and a spot-on Long Island drawl that melds easily with the tapes of Colvin's real-life interviews that open and close the film.

At a time when the press is regularly libeled the "enemy of the people," Heineman and screenwriter Arash Amel remind the audience not just of the humanism that drives so many reporters, but also the extreme danger they put themselves in to bring us the truth. Like "First Man" before it, this is a movie that examines its heroes not with a tone of vicarious swagger or abject worship, but one that emphasizes pain, sacrifice and often fatal stakes.

To its credit, "A Private War" doesn't shy away from the more disturbing questions raised by Colvin's attraction to risk. As she seeks to banish her demons by engaging in increasingly reckless behavior, it's clear that she wasn't just endangering herself, but the colleagues she hectored to go along with her. By the time "A Private War" circles back to Homs, the film has made a strong case for the enormity of the loss of Colvin and Remi Ochlik, the French photographer who died with her.

If viewers find themselves grieving and also questioning Colvin's judgment in that episode, it's because they've been given space to do so by a movie as tough and honest as its complicated protagonist.

---

Three and one-half stars. Rated R. Contains disturbing violent images, crude language throughout, brief sexuality and nudity. 106 minutes.

Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.CHICAGO (AP)  Democrats were dominating in Illinois on Tuesday, winning all statewide offices and flipping two Republican-held congressional seats, including one that's been in GOP hands for decades.

Billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker defeated Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who conceded the race less than an hour after polls closed, while Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul topped Republican attorney Erika Harold for the open attorney general seat.

Republican Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton lost his bid for a seventh term to Democrat Sean Casten in a suburban Chicago district, while Democrat Lauren Underwood defeated GOP Rep. Randy Hultgren in another Chicago-area district the party had targeted in its effort to win House control.

Other Democrats who won re-election statewide: Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Secretary of State Jesse White and Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

The election saw higher-than-normal turnout, as Democrats pushed back against President Donald Trump and his policies and Republicans tried to hold on to some power in the left-leaning state.

Here's a look:

CONGRESS

Casten, a scientist and businessman from Downers Grove, defeated Roskam, arguing that he was too conservative and too cozy with the president to continue representing Illinois' 6th District, which supported Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016. He criticized Roskam for his long record of opposing abortion and for helping draft the GOP tax plan, which Casten said hurts the district's residents. Roskam warned Casten wants to raise taxes and criticized the first-time candidate for name-calling and "embracing the politics of ridicule," saying he uses the same kind of divisive talk  and tweets  that has turned the district's voters against Trump.

Underwood, a 32-year-old African-American nurse from Naperville, topped Hultgren to become the first woman and first minority to win the congressional seat once held by GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Underwood said she was motivated to run for her first political office after Hultgren supported health care legislation that would've made coverage of pre-existing conditions more expensive. She also criticized him for not being accessible to district residents. Hultgren argued voters knew his track record of getting things done for the district, a rural and suburban area north and west of Chicago that backed Trump by 4 points over Clinton.

In central Illinois, three-term Republican Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville had a slight lead over Springfield Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. Londrigan also made health care a central focus of her campaign, recounting her son's life-threatening illness and saying her family could have faced bankruptcy if they hadn't had health insurance. She's criticized Davis for supporting legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, then joining a White House celebration of the House vote. Davis argued Londrigan is too extreme for the 13th District. Vice President Mike Pence headlined a fundraiser for Davis in October, and Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, campaigned with him.

Republican Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro was ahead of St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly of Swansea in southern Illinois' 12th District. The once reliably Democratic district strongly backed Trump in 2016, and the president campaigned for Bost last month. Trump also was in the district in August, where he touted his trade policies at U.S. Steel in Granite City. Bost is a former state representative first elected to the House in 2014. Both he and Kelly are veterans  Kelly served in the Navy and Bost in the Marines. Green Party nominee Randy Auxier of Murphysboro also is running.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Raoul, who was appointed to the state Senate in 2004 to replace the U.S. Senate-bound Barack Obama, pledged to fight Trump and his policies as attorney general.

"We reject the hate that has come from Donald Trump," he told supporters at a victory party in Chicago after winning the seat vacated by Democrat Lisa Madigan.

Raoul, 54, boasts a variety of legal experiences, including as an assistant Cook County state's attorney, and he criticized Harold's lack of experience as a prosecutor.

Harold, an Urbana lawyer who used scholarship winnings as Miss America 2003 to get a degree from Harvard Law School, is a civil litigator who dismissed Raoul's complaints and posits herself as an able administrator willing to take on public corruption.

Harold wished Raoul well in her concession speech.

"We need an attorney general who will be able to take the politics out of the office and to be able to bring us all together," she told her supporters.

Raoul has built a record in the Legislature of fighting illegal guns and restructuring workers' compensation laws to curb abuses.

He said the attorney general's role has expanded in modern times to include defending taxpayers against federal overreach on issues such as the Muslim travel ban and keeping immigrant families together. He pledged to expand the post's vigilance in fighting online sexual predators and fighting gun violence with better trauma treatment of victims who research shows sometimes become perpetrators.

Libertarian Bubba Harsy of DuQuoin also was on the ballot.

___

LEGISLATURE

Democrats, who have controlled both houses of the General Assembly for 30 of the past 42 years, were looking to expand their majorities after a rare and minor setback in 2016.

The biggest question for the majority party was whether it will regain a 71-seat supermajority in the House, which would give Democrats enough votes to override any veto by the governor. Senate Democrats have enjoyed a supermajority of 36 or more seats since 2007.

The biggest issue for Republicans, struggling to maintain the six seats, including four in the House, they picked off in 2016, is what they don't have: Gov. Bruce Rauner's money. The wealthy former private-equity investor and his top backers poured more than $40 million into legislative races in 2016. But Rauner focused more this election on his own bid for re-election.

Rauner produced $16 million to help GOP candidates this year, no small change. But it's a fraction of his contribution two years ago and is offset by more than $22 million in Democratic party-building contributions from Pritzker.

___

O'Connor reported from Springfield. Associated Press reporter Michael Tarm contributed.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsEdwardsville  Pet owners of newly adopted animals from the Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) shelter will now receive a complimentary wellness exam for their new family member from Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital (HLAH).

The exam, a Healthy Pet Warranty, is a part of a new partnership between MEHS and HLAH and is available free to MEHS pet parents when performed within 10 days of adoption.

HLAH, located at 5230 Horseshoe Lake Road in Collinsville, provides general veterinary care, emergency/critical care, oncology, sonography, and surgical services, all delivered by team members with years of experience and a wide breadth of expertise.

In addition, the hospital is staffed with specialists who can accommodate just about any pet care need, including cold laser therapy, canine massage, dog obedience classes, boarding, and grooming.

Kelly Thompson, an MEHS board member, noted that shes been taking her pets to HLAH for 12 years. All the vets are fantastic with my pets, and the entire staff makes me feel like Im part of the family, she said. This new partnership ensures that the high-quality care pets received from MEHS while waiting for their forever homes continues once theyre adopted out to a loving family.

MEHS provides adoption, spay/neuter, humane investigation, and education services to a five-county area in southwestern Illinois. Throughout its 30-year history, MEHS has placed thousands of dogs and cats with forever families, including more than 900 dogs and cats in 2017.

The organization hosts a few fundraisers every year to help defray expenses. One of its major fundraisers is its upcoming Rock & Roll Bingo which will take place Nov. 17 at the Moose Lodge located at 7371 Marine Rd. in Edwardsville.

Presented by Purina, Rock & Roll Bingo, is a game where players identify music artists after a short clip. Participants must get a row, column or diagonal of five artists for a win. Rounds will include a little something for everyone with rounds such as oldies, 90s, and television theme songs.

Over $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, lottery ticket raffle, MEHS merchandise, and a silent auction. A cash bar will be available. No outside beverages will be allowed, but guests can bring their own snacks.

Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7 p.m. To make a reservation, call (618) 656-4405 or email developmentmgr@mehs.org for more information.

Community support for our events is essential to our ability to rescue stray and unwanted dogs and cats, MEHS Executive Director Anne Schmidt said. Because MEHS is a no-kill shelter, animals stay with us until they find a forever family. As a result, we spend nearly $600 caring for each animal during their stay with us.

MEHS also has just launched a new holiday fundraising campaign called Yappy Pawlidays. This multifaceted fundraising event gives Metro East residents and business leaders the opportunity to get involved in MEHSs mission in various ways throughout the giving season.

Giving is easy and fun with Yappy Pawlidays  from MEHS staff and volunteers managing their own fundraising campaigns to area businesses collecting cash and supply donations on our behalf or donating a percentage of their sales, anyone can participate at any level, Stephanie Pfaff, development manager of MEHS explained.

Several local businesses will be supporting the Yappy Pawlidays campaign. Club Whisker Bones in Glen Carbon will have a giving tree inside their facility where customers can take an ornament off of the tree and make a donation to support an animal at MEHS.

Four Muddy Paws in Edwardsville hosted its annual Pictures with Santa Benefit on Nov. 4. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to MEHS.

Four Muddy Paws and LaBest Pet Resort in Edwardsville will have a giving tree inside their stores as well as a donation box, and Unleashed in Troy will have a donation box to benefit MEHS.Sacred Grounds, located in downtown Edwardsville, will have a MEHS donation box inside their

cafe and they will also be donating 20 percent of their Nov. 24 sales to MEHS.

Cleveland Heath, located in downtown Edwardsville, will be donating to MEHS 10 percent of its sales from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Yappy Pawlidays will also consist of a 25 Days of Christmas where each day from Dec. 1 through

Dec. 25 a specific MEHS donation request will be posted on the Metro East Humane Society Facebook page as well as on their website, www.mehs.org.Kolbie (centre) with the happy couple

When Texan woman Kolbie Sanders, 24, called off her wedding at the last minute, she decided that instead of wasting her venue she would donate it to another couple. With only six days until the planned date of the wedding, Kolbie put it out on Facebook that she was looking to donate her wedding venue. With my engagement ending, Ive come to find tremendous peace in knowing that I did the right thing for both of us. With that being said, now I want to do the right thing by others and let some good come out of this decision, Sanders wrote on October 14. This is a long shot but since my wedding venue has been paid for in full already, I have decided to donate my venue valued at $3,500 to a couple to use for their wedding day! she added.



Kolbie then asked people to send her a private message with a brief history of their relationship. The post went viral with local businesses also getting involved offering services for free including photography, food and beauty packages. Out of the hundreds of messages Kolbie received, she eventually chose Hailie Hipsher, whose wedding was planned for next year but with a grandfather diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, she was unsure if he would make it to see her walk down the aisle.



When I chose her name, I was really excited, Sanders told The Washington Post. I immediately remembered her story, so I was really happy for her.CHICAGO (AP)  Democrat J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire who campaigned on making wealthy taxpayers pay more in income taxes as part of a plan to move Illinois past the political bitterness of the past four years, was elected governor Tuesday over Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose legacy will be his role in a record-long budget standoff with a Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Rauner conceded the race less than an hour after polls closed Tuesday night, sounding a clarion call of teamwork often missing from his heated tilts with Democrats in Springfield.

Now we stand not as Republicans or Democrats, we stand as the people of Illinois, Rauner said. Now we move forward together to come up with solutions to create a better future. I encourage all of us to put aside partisan politics, rancor and hard feelings. Now is the time to move forward.

Rauner said he had called Pritzker to concede.

Pritzker, the 53-year-old heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune who largely self-financed his campaign, will take his first elective office when he is inaugurated in January. He led Rauner in polls for months and capitalized not only on Rauners lack of popularity but broader dissatisfaction with GOP President Donald Trump.

Rauner, a 61-year-old former private equity investor whose campaign bravado four years ago included the contention that a government shutdown might be in order to get Illinois back on track, was trying to avoid becoming only the fourth Illinois governor since 1900 to win and serve one four-year term before being ousted. Incumbents lost in 1912 and 1972, and a sitting governor was defeated in a 1976 primary.

Dan Bitner of Springfield cast his early ballot on Monday for Pritzker.

After four years, Rauner hasnt gotten much of anything done, Bitner said. We had a budget crisis and I think Pritzker can straighten it out.

It was a battle of wealthy titans spending their way through one of the costliest races for governor in U.S. history. In a 2010 race in California, $280 million was spent. Combined, the candidates had raised $259 million by late last week.

Pritzker raised $176 million. The $171 million hes chipped in from his own pocket is the most ever by a U.S. gubernatorial candidate. Rauner has raised $79 million and Republican state Sen. Sam McCann, the Conservative Party candidate who has billed himself as a conservative alternative to Rauner, has brought in $4.8 million.

A focal point of debate was taxes. Pritzker promises to overhaul the states income-tax system to allow for a graduated tax rate that requires the wealthy to pay more. But he says that the specific rates would be a matter for negotiations with the Legislature.

Rauner, who promises to roll back the income tax increase that lawmakers adopted last year to fund the breakthrough budget, calls Pritzkers plan a tax increase and asserts that Pritzker plans $11 billion in new spending.

Both promise increased education spending and have proposed billions of dollars for infrastructure work.

Chris Hansen of Elburn, west of Chicago, said he voted for Rauner because hes worried Pritzker will raise taxes to fix Illinois financial problems.

I cant afford any more taxes, said Hansen, who is parts manager at Heritage Harley Davidson in Lisle. I honestly believe Rauner is the one guy who wants to bring businesses and jobs to Illinois, and God knows we need it.

Scandal has chased both contenders. Rauner has been on the defensive for months over his handling of a 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires disease at the state-run veterans home in Quincy, which has led to the deaths of 14 residents, including a dozen that first summer. Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan opened a criminal probe into the Republicans management of the crisis .

Last month, the Cook County inspector general issued a report alleging that Pritzker and his family engaged in a scheme to defraud taxpayers by ripping toilets out of a Chicago mansion they were renovating to make it technically uninhabitable and save him $330,000 in property taxes. The report contends that those involved could have illegally misled authorities about the reason for removing the plumbing. Pritzker has paid the money back but denies wrongdoing.CHICAGO (AP)  Democrat J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire who campaigned on moving Illinois past the political bitterness of the past four years, was elected governor Tuesday over Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, declaring, "We make no small plans."

The 53-year-old heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, who largely self-financed a campaign to his first elective office, rode to victory on the unpopularity of an incumbent whose legacy will be his role in a record-long budget standoff with a Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Greeting supporters, Pritzker invoked the theme of a state rising above hardship and long odds, from rebuilding Chicago after the 1871 fire to catapulting home-state hero Barack Obama to become the first black president.

"That is Illinois, full of light that comes from the people who endure and overcome struggle," Pritzker said. "That light brought triumph tonight."

The triumph appeared complete. Democrats won every statewide race and were on their way to maintaining healthy majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. It was an appropriate outcome, Pritzker said, for a party where immigrants and minorities and women help build a "bigger table."

"Who we are is how we overcome our biggest challenges," Pritzker said. "We ... recognize that there is grace and courage and pride in the struggle to rise. And ladies and gentlemen, rise we will. We make no small plans for the state of Illinois."

Rauner, a 61-year-old former private equity investor whose campaign bravado four years ago included the contention that a government shutdown might be in order to get Illinois back on track, became only the fourth Illinois governor since 1900 to win and serve just one four-year term before being ousted. Incumbents lost in 1912 and 1972, and a sitting governor was defeated in a 1976 primary.

Rauner conceded the race less than an hour after polls closed, sounding a clarion call of teamwork often missing from his heated tilts with Democrats in Springfield.

"Now we stand not as Republicans or Democrats, we stand as the people of Illinois," Rauner said. "Now we move forward together to come up with solutions to create a better future. I encourage all of us to put aside partisan politics, rancor and hard feelings. Now is the time to move forward."

It was a battle of wealthy titans spending their way through one of the costliest races for governor in U.S. history. In a 2010 race in California, $280 million was spent. Combined, the candidates had raised $259 million by late last week.

Pritzker raised $176 million. The $171 million he chipped in from his own pocket is the most ever by a U.S. gubernatorial candidate. Rauner raised $79 million and Republican state Sen. Sam McCann, the Conservative Party candidate who billed himself as a conservative alternative to Rauner, brought in $4.8 million.

A focal point of debate was taxes. Pritzker promises to overhaul the state's income-tax system to allow for a graduated tax rate that requires the wealthy to pay more. But he says that the specific rates would be a matter for negotiations with the Legislature.

Rauner, who promised to roll back the income tax increase that lawmakers adopted last year to fund the breakthrough budget, called Pritzker's plan a tax increase and asserted that Pritzker plans $11 billion in new spending.

Voters appeared to be out of patience. Dan Bitner of Springfield cast his early ballot on Monday for Pritzker.

"After four years, Rauner hasn't gotten much of anything done," Bitner said.

Both promised increased education spending and proposed billions of dollars for infrastructure work.

Chris Hansen of Elburn, west of Chicago, said he voted for Rauner because he's worried Pritzker will raise taxes to fix Illinois' financial problems.

"I can't afford any more taxes," said Hansen, who is parts manager at Heritage Harley Davidson in Lisle. "I honestly believe Rauner is the one guy who wants to bring businesses and jobs to Illinois, and God knows we need it."

Scandal chased both contenders. Rauner has been on the defensive for months over his handling of a 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the state-run veterans' home in Quincy, which has led to the deaths of 14 residents, including a dozen that first summer. Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan opened a criminal probe into the Republican's management of the crisis .

Last month, the Cook County inspector general issued a report alleging that Pritzker and his family engaged in a "scheme to defraud" taxpayers by ripping toilets out of a Chicago mansion they were renovating to make it technically uninhabitable and save him $330,000 in property taxes. The report contends that those involved could have illegally misled authorities about the reason for removing the plumbing. Pritzker has paid the money back but denies wrongdoing.

___

O'Connor reported from Springfield.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsEDWARDSVILLE  Voters in Alton and Godfrey split on the abolition of township government, while referendums supporting Second Amendment rights and abolishing the Madison County Recorder and merging that office with the County Clerk appeared to be heading toward easy victory in Tuesdays election.

Also approved was a referendum to elect members of the Fosterburg Water District; while referendums to abolish the Collinsville Area Recreation District and calling for advisory referendums for bond debt appeared to be easily passing.

Godfrey voters approved dissolving the township 4,947 to 2,946. In Alton the referendum failed 4,733 to 3,586 with all precincts reporting.

The dissolution of Godfrey and Alton townships have been touted by supporters as a way to save money and eliminate an unnecessary level of government.

In March, the Godfrey Village Board approved moving ahead with plans to start the process to eliminate the township. The efforts were aided by recent passage of state legislation making elimination of townships coterminous, or having the same boundaries, as municipalities easier.

Townships have long been criticized as being unneeded, especially in urban areas. The primary functions they serve are road maintenance, assess property and provide public assistance programs, which can be taken over by other governmental agencies. In the case of Godfrey, the villages Street Department takes care of roads and the county deals with assessments.

The board had considered abolishing the township almost two decades ago.

Elsewhere, the referendum declaring Madison County a Sanctuary County for gun owners passed overwhelmingly, 67,351 to 33,160.

The referendum reads Shall Madison County become a sanctuary county for law abiding gun owners to protect them from unconstitutional gun laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly?

The move to make Madison County a sanctuary county for law abiding gun owners came up as a way to send a message to upstate politicians. Supporters have said the passage of the referendum is symbolic, and has no practical impact other than sending the message, which would become more important with the expected election of J.B. Pritzker as governor.

In general the question of gun control is split more along geographical lines than party lines, with most state politicians south of Chicago and the Collar Counties supporting gun rights.

A referendum to eliminate the office of Recorder and merge those functions with the County Clerks Office also passed with overwhelming approval 63,548 to 34,243.

The questions reads Shall the office of the Madison County Recorder of Deeds be eliminated and all duties and responsibilities of the office of the Madison County Recorder of Deeds be transferred to, and assumed by, the Office of the Madison County Clerk by December 7, 2020?

The measure was proposed as a way to cut some costs, primarily the salary and benefits of the Madison County Recorder. Most of the opposition to the proposal came from Recorder Amy Meyer.

Although discussed in the past, the issue has been seriously floating around since Board Member Chrissy Dutton, R-Bethalto, brought it up in December.

Also gaining easy approval was an advisory referendum asking for advisory referendums on bond issues by local units of government, 91,473 to 8,341.

The referendum reads Shall all units of government within Madison County first seek approval from the voters by advisory referendum before incurring any bond debt?

Because the referendum itself is advisory, it sets no requirements for those local taxing districts to hold referendums, but would give voters a chance to weigh in on backdoor referendums.

A backdoor referendum usually takes the form of a bond issue approved by governments, which can be challenged by voters who can place it on the ballot if they obtain enough signatures on petitions.

The proposed referendum asks that governmental bodies hold an advisory referendum before approving bonds that would increase taxes.

In the Fosterburg Water District the binding referendum on changing the districts board to an elected board rather than being appointed by the Madison County Board chairman was approved 2,823-449.

It comes after some controversy on Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzlers appointments to that board.

In 2017 Prenzler was criticized for replacing two members of the board. At the time one of the ousted officials said they had filled out paperwork to be reappointed, but county officials said they never received it.

Earlier this year two members of the water district board took the unusual step of appearing before the Madison County Board to ask that they be reappointed when their terms expire in May.

The watchdog group Edgar County Watchdogs had also heavily criticized district officials for what it characterized as unnecessary spending and improper contracts with Water Board members.

The referendum to dissolve CARD was winning 7,813-1,921 with 18 of 30 precincts reporting.COLLINSVILLE  Democrat incumbent Katie Stuart has successfully defended her seat in the 112th District by defeating challenger Dwight Kay.

Stuart, who unseated Kay in 2016, defeated her opponent 20,456 votes to 16,585.

Surrounded by family, friends, and volunteers at her campaign office in Collinsville, Stuart said while she enjoys campaigning and getting out and meeting the resident of the 112th District, shes ready to get back to work.

I have to thank the volunteers and the people who worked so hard helping me in the campaign, Stuart said. Its been a long campaign and I am really looking forward to getting back to work for the people in the 112th District of Illinois.

Stuart ran on a platform calling for equal funding for schools in the Metro East and a fair funding formula for Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

I look forward to getting back to work and continue the work Ive done with the higher education working group and doing things to help keep out students here in Illinois, she said.

Dwight Kay was not available for comment at the time of publication.

The 112th District covers areas in both Madison and St. Clair County, including Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville, and Caseyville.IGP Pujith Jayasundara said today that he would only act according to the orders given by President Maithripala Sirisena, who now handles the Law and Order Ministry.

He expressed these views at a media briefing held at the Police Headquarters in Colombo.

Responding to a request made by former Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara to provide additional security to former Prime Minister, the IGP said he could not do so.

UNP MPs Nalin Bandara, Daya Gamage and Palitha Thewarapperuma on Tuesday handed over a letter of former Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara to the IGP directing to provide security personnel and other facilities given to the former Prime Minister and former Ministers as given before October 26 saying that they were still Ministers of the Government.

The UNP MPs handed over a letter requesting to reinstate their security personnel as before. But the President had appointed a new Prime Minister and new Ministers.

In line with new appointments, we have already provided required security personnel for the Prime Minister, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, State Ministers and Parliamentarians according to the IGP provision of the Police circular issued on 2015-11-09.

Therefore the Police could not act on the request of the MP Ranjith Maddumabandara, the IGP said.

He said that he had informed the UNP MPs that the Police could not implement their written request.

We will act only according to the instructions and the directions of the President as the Law and Order Ministry is now comes under the Defence Ministry, which is handled by the President, the IGP said.

However, when asked about the Speakers Statement that he would only recognise the status quo that prevailed in Parliament before the appointment of the new Prime Minister, the IGP refrained from commenting. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

Video by Susantha

Pix by Damith WickramasinghaThe Democrats have taken control of the US House of Representatives in the mid-term elections dealing a blow to President Donald Trump, BBC reported a short while ago.

Taking control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years will enable the Democrats to thwart the President's agenda.

However, Mr. Trump's Republicans are set to strengthen their grip on the Senate.

Tuesday's vote was seen as a referendum on a polarising President, even though he is not up for re-election till 2020.

The election confirms a historical trend for the party that is not in the White House to make gains in the mid-terms.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - who is set to become Speaker, a position she held from 2007 to 2011 - said told cheering supporters in Washington: "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America."

The BBC's US partner network CBS projected the Democrats will win the 23 seats they need to take over the lower chamber of Congress. Americans voted for all 435 seats in the House.

The Democrats could now launch investigations into Mr Trump's administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

They could also more effectively block his legislative plans, dooming his signature promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Female candidates performed particularly well in an election cycle that had been billed as the Year of the Woman.

Two 29-year-old Democrats, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Abby Finkenauer - are due to be the youngest women ever to win House seats.

Ilhan OImar and Rashida Tlaib are the first Muslim women and Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. All are Democrats. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

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 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.This was a poster or rather sentiments that appeared to be popular at the demonstration in Kollupitiya last week following President Maithripala Sirisenas decision to sack Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.

Hafeel Farisz posted an interesting rejoinder on Facebook: Why havent the  democracy  activists called for an election yet? If they werent there for Ranil but for democracy, then this really should be the call no? HOLD THE DAMN ELECTION NOW - PARLIAMENT IS HORSE TRADING shouldve been the slogan innit? Or am I reading democracy wrong?

One of the better definitions of democracy is that it refers to a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. And yet, this definition does not speak to the political economy in which the democratic process unfolds. For example, we know that people have to vote only for those who actually contest, and candidacy is not a squeaky clean matter. Only a certain kind of person can contest or rather only a certain kind of person has a good chance of winning. There are exceptions, but this is the rule.

Different countries have different systems where representation is obtained. The United States of America, for example, selects rather than elects its Presidents. There are other realities which rebel against the fundamental tenets of a sound democratic process best exemplified by the outright robbery that took place in the 2000 US Presidential Election. Malcolm X saw this early. Well, it was not a secret as far as African Americans and other non-white peoples in that country were concerned. Malcolm X didnt mince his words: This is American democracy and those of you who are familiar with it know that in America, democracy is hypocrisy.

More caustic was the following observation which factored in the reality of an uneven, unequal and unjust polity: Democracy is an exercise in which the majority of people choose the sauce with which they are to be eaten.

Nevertheless, democracy is the word in the streets. To put it more accurately, democracy is the word in the Opposition Street. Democracy does not begin when parliament is dissolved and does not end when results are announced. However, since its representation through elections thats being talked of it is good to think about how democracy has been played (and ignored) over the years.

When the first post-Independence elections were held, the Father of the Nation, so-called, stood at the ballot box with a club in hand to protect democracy. Intimidation, tampering with ballot-boxes and such became part of the story thereafter. And yet on that occasion and thereafter whenever democracy came under threat or was subverted, the beneficiaries and their loyalists were quiet for the most part. Many have to say sorry. Indeed it would be possible to come up with a list of the sorrowful IF remorse was part of their civic make-up.

Democracy does not begin when parliament is dissolved and does not end when results are announced

Note: For reasons of space, we will not detail abuse thats common such as intimidation of voters, violence against opponents, misuse of state resources etc., and we shall leave out the squeaky clean gurus of Democracy and Decency in the International Community who are no different from the kinds of people mentioned below. We will not talk of those for whom extrajudicial killing of thousands upon thousands in the eighties was ok. We will not talk of those for whom similar excesses in the North and East during the war against terrorism was ok. We wont talk of those who uttered not a word when the LTTE blew up buses, trains and carried out suicide attacks on civilians].

So, here goes: the COLLECTIVE APOLOGY TO DEMOCRACY.

Those of us who knew of D.S. Senanayakes strange notions of democracy and were silent

Those of us who were silent when Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike abused parliamentary numbers and constitutional provisions in 1975 to extend the life of Parliament by two years, are sorry. Democracy, please forgive us.

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when J.R. Jayewardene and the United National Party promulgated the Second Republican Constitution in 1978 which is widely recognized as being responsible for much of the democratic deficits on account of which theres been much suffering, are sorry.

Democracy, please forgive us. Forgive us also for silence over the skulduggery and horrendous violation of basic democratic principles in the Referendum and Presidential Election of 1982.

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the Constitution was amended no less than 16 times during the J.R. Jayewardena years, mostly for partisan reasons, including the 13th Amendment that gave credence to Eelamist myth-modeling among other tragedies

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) warned that the first person who dared vote at each polling station in the various elections held in 1988 and 1989 would be shot dead and did in fact shoot hundreds

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the Chandrika Kumaratunga regime orchestrated a move to get Chief Justice Sarath N Silva to facilitate crossovers in Parliament

Those of us who were silent when a group of Parliamentarians crossed over to the UNP in 2001, thereby tilting numbers against the elected government

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, regarding the flaws of the well-intentioned 17th Amendment in 2001

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the United National Front (UNF) Government of Ranil Wickremesinghe, with the support of President Kumaratunga, bypassed Parliament and the people to sign an agreement with the LTTE in February 2001

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, President Kumaratunga took over three key ministries and thereby scuttled the UNF Government in 2003

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when Mahinda Rajapaksa introduced and got Parliament to pass the patently anti-democracy 18th Amendment in September 2010

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, in all party elections under constitutions that favored the particular leader, especially that of the United National Party

Those of us who were silent Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when President Sirisena appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister in January 2015 when, at that time, he commanded a parliamentary strength of only a little over 40

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when parliamentarians of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) expressed support to the Yahapalana Government, again in January 2015

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the Yahapalana Government Sirisena and Wickremesinghe in April 2015 promulgated the horrendously flawed 19th Amendment and especially the deliberately vaguely-worded term National Government which is at the heart of the current political and constitutional imbroglio

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when the Yahapalana Government dissolved Parliament in June 2015 to stop the damning COPE report on the Central Bank bond scam was to be presented to Parliament

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when President Sirisena arbitrarily sacked the Secretaries of the SLFP and the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), appointed loyalists in their place and effectively crucified the relevant Central Committees through a court order days before the General Election in 2015

Those of us who were silent, on account of political loyalty, when President Sirisena arbitrarily sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister on October 26, 2018

Those of us who were silent when Ranil Wickremesinghe (on behalf of the UNP) and Maithripala Sirisena (on behalf of the SLFP) postponed local government elections and provincial council elections

All of us, without exception, individually and collectively, are sorry. Sorry, democracy, we have abused your name, we have ranted and raved about you being violated only when we found ourselves at the receiving end of villainy and were silent and indeed not averse to cheering when such violence benefited the camps we belonged to or supported.

Perhaps every single citizen who has voiced objections in the name of democracy and good governance selectively, can converge on Galle Face Green one of these days, each carrying a placard with the following legend: I ONLY SAY IM HERE FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE, BUT I AM REALLY HERE FOR .

Bottom line, if you are serious about democracy, you just cannot be a hypocrite. It just sounds stupid.

Malinda Seneviratne is a political analyst and freelance writer. malindasenevi@gmail.com. www.malindawords.blogspot.comFrom left: Gayan Anthony  Accountant, LLF; Marco Weidemann  Director, LLF; Sanith de S. Wijeyeratne  CEO, CCC; Sajeewa Ranasinghe  Project Lead, Carbon & Energy Management, CCC; Ruwanthi Halwala  Project Lead, Client Relationship Management, CCC.

Leading high-end leather garment manufacturer, Lanka Leather Fashion (LLF), was awarded CarbonNeutral status for a fourth consecutive year by the independent sustainability verification, validation, and assurance body  The Sustainable Future Group (SFG).

With the assistance of The Carbon Consulting Company (CCC)  Sri Lankas leader in Integrated Sustainability Solutions  LLF underwent a comprehensive assessment of their organisational greenhouse gases (GHGs) to determine its environmental impact. The impact was then compensated for through the reinvestment in a renewable energy project in the Ratnapura and Kandy districts of Sri Lanka, in return for registered Carbon Credits to match their Carbon Footprint.

LLF continues to push the boundaries when it comes to introducing diverse initiatives to tackle social and environmental issues within the workplace and communities in Sri Lanka. Through the introduction of new technologies and adaptation of newer, greener and more efficient business practices, LLF has been able to continuously lower its operational expenses and enhance employee engagement. From using discarded leather waste to create new products for clients to joining forces with a local fashion designer to create upcycled leather jewellery, LLF is helping create a sustainable culture within its communities.

Sanith de S Wijeyeratne, CEO of CCC, congratulated LLF on their efforts by stating, LLF is an noteworthy example of what a company can achieve when focusing on getting the balance right between the social, environmental and economic impacts of its business operations. Marco, along with his team, have done an extraordinary job leveraging their niche position in the market to change the conversation in its supply chain across the globe. We are a proud partner and hope to continue this fruitful relationship as they continue on their sustainability journey.

Marco Weidemann, Director of Lanka Leather Fashion, added, With the ever-evolving business landscape, we are proud to be on the forefront of sustainable innovation, methodically finding ways to reduce our global footprint in the luxury leather market. Apart from an environmental benefit, we are starting to see the economic benefits in cutting our energy spend while improving other business processes. Our aim is to build a greener future, and appreciate the guidance The Carbon Consulting Company has provided us over the past four years.MP Mano Ganesan today said that he and his five other Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MPs cannot accept the Presidents invitation to join the new government.

MP Ganesan met with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss about the present situation in the country at the Presidents secretariat this morning.

In a Tweet, the MP said that they were invited by the President to join the new government. But we rejected the invitation, he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem denied reports that he and his party have extended support to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

MP Hakeem said that the SLMC will continue to hold Mr.Rajapaksas appointment as inconsistent with parliamentary democratic principles until his majority is proven in Parliament.It is not necessary to take instructions from anyone, when allocating seats for the new Prime Minister and the Cabinet, the Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardene said.

He said as it had already been gazetted, the appointment of the new Prime Minister and the Cabinet, it is the responsibility of the Sergeant-at-arms to allocate the seats as soon as possible.

Mr. Gunawardene was replying to a question asked about the statement made by the Sergeant-at-arms that he is awaiting instructions from the Speaker to allocate seats and in accordance with the gazette notification.

He also said that this matter would be raised at the party leaders meeting to be held today. (Sujith Hewa Julige)Assistant Prosecutor Stuart Black narrowly won the race for Isabella County probate judge on Tuesday.

Black defeated Mt. Pleasant attorney Sara Spencer-Noggle 51 percent to 49 percent (10,125 to 9,557), with 28 out of 29 precincts reporting at 2 a.m.

With a countywide voter turnout of 63 percent, the race was close all evening as precinct results came in.

Its pretty amazing. A lot of emotions. Its all starting to sink in, Black said at 1:30 a.m. I think it was a very close race, which is great, because it was a credit to Sara too, who I think is a good attorney.

Im pretty happy, pretty excited and looking forward to doing some positive things in Isabella County, he added.

Black, 43, ran on a platform of starting a mental health court in Isabella County. He also emphasized his experience in the prosecutors office in handling child abuse and neglect cases.

The door to door, talking to the people, connecting with the community, paid off, he said.

I think the platform of experience, being lead prosecutor for the abuse and neglect cases, the mental health court that Ive been working on for about a year, was really important. I think that message resonated with a lot of the voters and I think at the end of the day, that made a difference, he said.

He is the first African American judge elected in the county.

Spencer-Noggle won in Mt. Pleasant, 2,811 to 2,743.

Black won in Union Township, 1,612 to 1,505.

In the other townships in the county, the race was competitive.

In Nottawa Township, Black won 507 to 355. In Denver Township, Spencer-Noggle won 178 to 174 and in Gilmore Township, she won 245 to 243.

Black will replace current Probate Judge William Ervin, who is retiring.A 34-year-old man was injured in a shooting incident at Prakrama Mawatha in Grandpass this evening, police said.

They said the victim was shot at when he was driving his car. He was admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

The victim was identified as M.A. Niprash, a resident of Gnanawimala Road, Dematagoda. The Grandpass Police are conducting investigations.As you read this, the election is over. Likely, all the results are not in yet. This notwithstanding, the nation is changed for better or worse. What we as citizens must realize is that the structure of our nation has been evolving. Slave-holding white male Protestants were replaced with agrarians, were replaced with Industrial Revolutionists, were replaced with a more cosmopolitan, less rural, more educated electorate. Whites were once dominant and are becoming another minority in a more diversified and worldly community.

True Americans do not send pipe-bombs to political opponents. True Americans do not murder 11 worshipers with an AR-15 because of their faith. They do not gun down couples in front of a grocery store because of their skin color. As Joe Biden said, we are better than that. If not, we must become so. The major faiths tell us to love one another. Why cant we?

Unless we all comprehend this, life will continue full of rear, hatred, and greed. Complexity in the United States has increased because of technology, global interconnectedness, and demographics. Technical advancements have made many jobs easier, but others obsolete. Sometimes it helps us, but often it hinders us: social media may inform correctly but often tells us lies or speaks only to our echo chamber. It makes us slaves to its constant murmurings. Many cant cope with inevitable change.

Our economy is linked totally to those of other countries. Partnered nations find it difficult to war with one another. We must not be isolated from the world. You can see that tariffs are causing damage to a number of businesses and our prices to rise. We are at full employment. We need immigrants of all skills to take vacancies in agribusiness, and the building trades.

The word Globalism has nasty connotations. Internationalism speaks better to the current situation. Nationalism can be defined as the strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance and that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should be an independent nation. It may also be defined as radical political, protectionist.

White nationalist groups believe that white identity must be the organizing principle for Western civilization. They want an absolute, white majority. They want to end non-white immigration, both legal and illegal, as well as multiculturalism and miscegenation. They would undermine the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Iowa Republican Representative Steve King is a hardline white nationalist.

Without multiculturalism, dining would be boring without Italian spaghetti, Irish stew, English Earl Grey tea, German strudel, Japanese sushi, Polish sausage, French toast, Belgian waffles, Mexican tacos or Chinese Peeking duck. And this is only food. Think art, music, poetry, literature, philosophy, scientific discovery. Everything is connected to everything.

White families are producing fewer children and are retiring earlier in life. We need immigrants to fill the gap and pump taxes into the system for healthcare, Social Security, and infrastructure. We must all share in the pain and in the gain.

Early last week, Donald Trump said he planned to negate the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution with an Executive order. Ratified in 1868, the First Section begins: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the Unites States wherein they reside. My parents were immigrants. I was born here. I am, they were citizens. Fortunately, the Founding Fathers made it more difficult to change the Constitution than by Executive order.

As a people of the UNITED States, we can do better together. We must do better. We will do better for everyone.

Ed Fisher writes a weekly column for The Morning Sun.Rauff Hakeem, Rishad Bathiudeen and Sampanthan appearing on the same podium with majority Sinhalese parliamentarians, declare that all that happened since President Sirisenas premeditated coup is undemocratic and that the parliament should be called into session immediately. In the annals of modern political history what the President did in Sri Lanka goes against all principles of democracy and a total disregard for the constitution of the country. An independent supreme judicial body is sure to condemn his action and declare it illegal. The civilized world is no doubt outraged.

It was the Tamil and Muslim minority votes that played the crucial role in ending Mahinda Rajapaksas undemocratic and tyrannical regime to save Sri Lankas democracy in 2015. Sirisena, the man who was prepared to back-stab Rajapaksa in the name of democracy in 2015 has now back-stabbed democracy itself to bring back the one he betrayed, but through the back door.

This president who claims to be a staunch Buddhist has now lost his moral right to remain in that esteemed office.

Likewise, this is also not to argue against the right of Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest for prime ministership or presidency. What is being argued is that he should seek his position and enter the parliament through the front door. If the majority supports him who can deny his victory?

What Hakeem, Bathiudeen, Sampanthan and the Sinhalese majority have done in this context will be remembered by future generations as an event that saved democracy and freedom in Sri Lanka.

This is not to argue in support of Ranil Wickremesinghe and his incompetent government. His inaction and procrastination to deliver on promises he made to the voters mark him as the most unproductive prime minister the country ever produced since independence.

He allowed corruption to rule, the guilty to escape, rule of law to debilitate, and budget deficits to balloon and drive down the value of local currency, while cost of living shot through the roof to drown his voters in poverty and debt. No wonder the people punished his administration severely at the recent local council elections. However, a prime minister elected by the majority should also be thrown out by the majority and not by a capricious president who treats his office like a village headman trampling over the lives of his fellow villagers.

Sri Lanka has a proud history of engineering peaceful political changes and respect for democracy and justice. That comes from its pluralist culture. Let that glorious past not be ruined by a gamarala president

Likewise, this is also not to argue against the right of Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest for prime ministership or presidency. What is being argued is that he should seek his position and enter the parliament through the front door. If the majority supports him who can deny his victory?

In many of my writings on Muslim politics in Sri Lanka I have been constantly critical of Muslim politicians for their opportunistic behaviour, status consciousness and lack of patriotism. On this occasion however, the action of Hakeem and Bathiudeen throwing their weight behind Sampanthan and his TNA to Show solidarity with the Sinhalese majority is a commendable act. To save democracy and freedom of the people is an act of patriotism and they should stand steadfast in their decision.

No sooner the backdoor cabinet assumed power, it has unleashed a series of populist measures in the name of reducing the cost of living.

Did any of them think of the impact those measures are going to have on the national budget? There is no word about how budget revenue is going to be raised to cover the escalating deficit. Is more borrowing and higher level of national debt the solution?

It was the Tamil and Muslim minority votes that played the crucial role in ending Mahinda Rajapaksas undemocratic and tyrannical regime to save Sri Lankas democracy in 2015. Sirisena, the man who was prepared to back-stab Rajapaksa in the name of democracy in 2015 has now back-stabbed democracy itself to bring back the one he betrayed, but through the back door

The president also seems to think that by dismissing an elected prime minister and installing in his place his former adversary, that he has protected his presidency for a second term.

He is going to have a nightmare. True, there is no permanent friend and foe in politics. But the presidents renewed friendship with Rajapaksa does not guarantee a second term for Sirisena, because there is another from the Rajapaksa clan waiting in the wing with presidential aspirations.

Finally, Indias hand in this coup is becoming clear by the day. How else can one explain Subramanyaswamy advising Sampanthan to join hands with Rajapaksa in the interest of the Tamil community? How will China react to this drama is another story for another time.

Sri Lanka has a proud history of engineering peaceful political changes and respect for democracy and justice. That comes from its pluralist culture. Let that glorious past not be ruined by a gamarala president.President Maithripala Sirisena should apologize to the LGBTQI+ community over his remark made at Governments rally on Monday in Colombo where he said he was promoting homophobia and public incitement of homophobic hatred.

Members of the Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ community categorically condemned President Maithripala Sirisenas statement made at Governments rally in Colombo saying he was promoting homophobia and public incitement of homophobic hatred.

Addressing a news briefing yesterday, LGBTQI+ activist and a lecturer at the Colombo University of Colombo Thiyagaraja Waradas said the President should be held responsible for any injustice that would happen to any LGBTQ+ community following this remark.

It is the minority LGBTQI+ community in rural areas, who have to undergo the repercussions because of this statement, Waradas said.

It is not a matter that can be taken lightly. The President used this term called butterfly life with a deliberate purpose to insult the LGBTQI+ community. Although it is a laughing matter for President Sirisena and the audience gathered, it is a huge blow to the entire LGBTQI+ community in Sri Lanka.

He said this was not the first occasion where he disregarded the community.

When a Cabinet Paper was brought to the Cabinet regarding the LGBTQI+ community rights, President Sirisena showed his agitation and prevented it from being approved in the Cabinet.

It is unfathomable as to why the President wanted to compare the LGBTQ+ community with the previous Cabinet and Ranil Wickremesinghe, Waradas added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Video by Sanath Desmond

Pic by Nimalsiri EdirisingheWhile Tuesday night was not a complete win for Republicans, there was no blue wave, either. By most measures, Republicans beat the odds of history and nearly everyones expectations, while Democrats were left disappointed as the fantasy of Beto ORourke, Andrew Gillum, Stacey Abrams and others winning fizzled. Not one new progressive Democrat was successful bursting onto the scene. It will take a few days to process the meaning of this years election returns, but the instant analysis is clear: Democrats may have won the House, but Trump won the election.

As I always say, in politics, what is supposed to happen tends to happen. I predicted in August that the Democrats would take the House but that alone was not enough for most Democrats. As much as this years midterms offered an obvious opportunity to rebuke President Trump, little of what the arrogant Democrats and members of the mainstream media expected would happen actually did. So much of what they said turned out to be wrong that it will take a while before the significance becomes clear. And if the 2018 midterms prove anything, it is that Trump is standing strong while Democrats and their allies who thought Trump would have been affirmatively rejected are in fact the ones who have themselves been denied.

Democrats have underperformed in comparison with the historical markers and general expectations of a midterm cycle. The presidents party loses 37 seats in the House on average in midterm elections when his approval is below 50 percent  but Democrats arent projected to pick up nearly that many seats. No liberal will want to admit it, but Trump is an asset to the Republican Party, while President Barack Obama was a disaster for the Democratic Party.

Let the message be clear: Voters had a chance to repudiate Trump and they did not. Much of the commentariat has said this years elections are about who we are as a country and what America is all about. Well, a lot of America seems to be about supporting Trump. The Democrats thought Trumps negatives would be enough to propel them to victory. The 2018 results show it is clear they need a different plan if they think they can win in 2020.

The midterms largely followed the conventional wisdom of how midterms are supposed to go. The presidents party lost some seats, but by and large what happened was far from the blue-wave rebuke that Democrats and their allies in the media said was going to happen. So if the midterms were supposed to be bad for the GOP and all eyes were on Trump this year, the big question is whether anything about Tuesday nights results supports the idea that Trump was a weight on Republican candidates. Is Trumpism a political blight on the Republican Party? The answer is that Trumpism is a net plus. What that says about the GOP and America is unclear. But for the purposes of the 2018 midterms, Trump is a winner.

Trump and his allies have an appeal that the elites in New York and Hollywood cannot dismiss or combat. All of the 2018 Democratic heartthrobs lost. That must sap the enthusiasm of the resistance. For the most part, when voters had to decide, the angry left was rejected and Trump was rewarded.

Rogers is a political consultant and a veteran of the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush White Houses and several national campaigns. He is the chairman of the lobbying and communications firm BGR Group, which he founded with former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour in 1991.UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, who confirmed that President Maithripala Sirisena had invited him to take over the Prime Minister Post, said today that he would not accept it even if President made another request, but would work towards settling the present crisis.

Mr Premadasa expressed this sentiment at a media briefing last morning.

The President asked me to take over the Premiership but I declined as my sole objective was to see the Yahapalana Government continued with the leadership of Mr Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, he said.

I will not accept it even if President made another request as my sole effort is to see that the crisis is resolved, Mr Premadasa said.

He said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya also held the same policy.

What matters today is the welfare of the people and not the person, who holds Premiership, he added.

Asked whether he was scared to confront the UNP leader, Mr Premadasa said he was only scared of the negative impact, which the country was going to suffer as a result of this crisis.

At the same time, he said the move by President Sirisena to appoint former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was unconstitutional.

He said the matter should be resolved through Parliament. However, he said who sits in Prime Ministers chair when the House is convened does not matter as the issue could be resolved by the MPs. (Yohan Perera)

Video by RM

Pix by Pradeep PathiranaHeavy weather warning issued for Phuket

PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has today issued a heavy weather warning for provinces in the Andaman region including Phuket from today (Nov 7) through Sunday (Nov 10).

weatherSafetymarine

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 7 November 2018, 02:00PM

A copy of the weather warning warning issued by the TMD today (Nov ). Photo.: TMD

Affected provinces include Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun.

The low-pressure system is moving across the Andaman Sea and will even reach the Gulf of Thailand, creating waves of up to two metres high in the Andaman Sea, the warning said. The TMD calls on all residents and officials in high-risk areas of Phuket and throughout Southern Thailand to be on full alert for possible floods and landslides. Waves are forecast to reach two meters high in the Andaman Sea. All ship captains are advised to monitor the weather forecast closely and proceed with caution, while smaller vessels are advised to stay ashore. Please follow the warning announcement closely on the website http://www.tmd.go.th or the TMD call center 1182 in 24 hours.Phukets beach-touring croc still waiting for a new home

PHUKET: The female crocodile caught offshore from Layan Beach, on Phukets west coast, in July remains held at the marine life research centre in Thalang, now more than a month after experts confirmed that the reptile is a saltwater species.

marineanimalsenvironment

By Tavee Adam

Wednesday 7 November 2018, 10:06AM

The crocodile is in good health, but remains in a pen in marine wildlife research centre in northern Phuket. Photo: Phuket Fisheries Dept

The crocodile gained attention after first being spotted at Yanui Beach, at the southern end of the island, and then eluding capture for 11 days as it toured the beaches along Phukets west coast, including the tourist-popular Kata and Karon beaches, and was even spotted just south of Patong.

The amphibian was finally snared in nets by the Kraithong Lumnamtapi team of experts from the Department of Fisheries in Surat Thani, brought to Phuket especially to catch the reptile, at about 5:30am on July 29. (See story here.)

The crocodile, measuring about 2.3 metres long and weighing about 150 kilograms, now awaits a decision by Department of Fisheries officials in Bangkok as to where she will go next.

Of note, the male mixed-species crocodile Leypang caught at Leypang Beach, right next to Layan and Bang Tao Beaches, in September last year is now kept at Phuket Zoo.

The crocodile is still being kept at the marine life research centre at Baan Laem Sai in Mai Khao under the care of the Phuket Fisheries office, Phuket Fisheries Chief Kowit Kao-ian confirmed to The Phuket News yesterday (Nov 6).

She is fine, and still eating chicken as usual, he added.

The Phuket Fisheries office is still waiting for an order from our central office before we can release her. They are thinking about where is the most appropriate place that the crocodile should go to stay, Chief Kowit explained.

Chief Kowit also noted that he understood that the process of deciding what is to be done with the crocodile appears to be taking a long time.

I cannot tell you when we will know, but I am trying to speed them up because the marine life research centre also needs to use the place where the crocodile is being kept for caring for other marine life, he said.

For me, I would like to move her as fast as possible to the proper place, but I have to wait for the order from our head office, he said.PM to resolve assets rule row

BANGKOK: The government will resolve the controversy surrounding a new regulation announced by the anti-graft agency that requires senior civil servants to declare their assets and liabilities, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

corruptionpolitics

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 7 November 2018, 08:54AM

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the new rule requiring senior academics to list their assets for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was the hot topic at yesterdays cabinet meeting. Photo: Post Today

Gen Prayut said yesterday (Nov 6) that he had ordered Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam to discuss a solution to the regulation and its effect on civil servants with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The NACCs new regulation is upsetting many officials, and some have even threatened to resign.

He said the issue was a hot topic at yesterdays cabinet meeting, and the problem could not be ignored because more civil servants will be required to declare their assets under the new regulation.

The immediate concern is that university council members affected by the new rule are set to quit their jobs, Gen Prayut said.

There is still time to solve the problem because the new regulation will not take effect until Dec 2.

The regulation has been heavily criticised by state universities, which fear it will lead to university council members leaving their positions in droves. Many people from the private sector sit on university councils and are reluctant to declare their assets.

The Council of Rajabhat and Rajamangkala University Presidents of Thailand will this week file a petition asking the NACC to revise the new regulation, saying many of their council members would quit their positions because of the requirement, thus creating a power vacuum in universities.

Viroj Limkaisang, president of the Council of Rajamangala University Presidents of Thailand, previously said many council members at nine Rajamangala universities wanted to resign from their positions due to the new rule.

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin urged university council members to delay their resignation decisions. The government has acknowledged the problem and is trying to find a way around it, he said.

Some council members receive a monthly meeting allowance of only B2,000 but they will now have to deal with the burden of submitting declarations of their assets, Dr Teerakiat said.

Most of the council members get next to nothing apart from meeting allowances, so when they are required to declare their assets, it is a bit too much for them, Mr Viroj said.

The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette last Thursday (Nov 1).

It was issued under a new anti-corruption law which authorises the NACC to order political office holders, Constitutional Court judges, members of independent bodies, the Ombudsman, state officials, their spouses and children, including those who are not yet of age, to submit declarations of their assets and debts to the NACC.

Most office holders who are required to submit to the regulation are senior officials holding the ranks of ministerial deputy permanent secretaries, department deputy directors-general, deputy university rectors and other officials holding equivalent positions.

Read original story here.Healthy eating ,exercise offer benefits even if pounds don't come offSaturday November 10 is the United Nations World Science Day for Peace and Development and the UN in a statement says the organization of a focused event related to the commitment to science and society was one of the positive outcomes of the 1999 Budapest World Conference on Science. It was considered an opportunity to reaffirm each year the commitment to attaining the goals proclaimed in the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge and to follow up the recommendations of the Science Agenda: Framework for Action.

According to the UN, since its proclamation by UNESCO in 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development has generated many concrete projects, programmes and funding for science around the world. The Day has also helped foster cooperation among scientists living in regions marred by conflict, one example being the UNESCO-supported creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO).

The UN says the rationale of celebrating a World Science Day for Peace and Development has its roots in the importance of the role of science and scientists for sustainable societies and in the need to inform and involve citizens in science. In this sense, the occasion will offer an opportunity to show the people the relevance of science in their lives and to engage them in discussions. Such a venture will also bring a wider perspective to the global search for peace and development.

The first World Science Day for Peace and Development was celebrated worldwide on November 10, 2002 under UNESCO auspices. The celebration involved many partners, such as governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, UNESCO National Commissions, scientific and research institutions, professional associations, the media, science teachers and schools.

According to the Technology Times website, this years World Science Day theme is, Science a Human Right to acknowledge the contribution of science and scientists toward development of society. The theme highlights the relation between science and society. It aims to create communal awareness of how science contributes to sustainable societies, international solidarity, international collaboration in science for the benefit of society and raising support to encounter challenges that science faces today, the website says. It is a good starting point for the scientists to better understand human rights and it brings focus to be familiar with the right of everyone to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress including the rights to health, food, a clean environment, and as the universal assertion of Human Rights.

Noting that children as young as two or three are naturally curious and see possibilities in even the simplest devices, we can create engaging science activities using everyday materials like cups, pieces of paper, straws and even vegetables and fruits. While not all children have to become scientists, we have to make sure that all children get on an equal footing early on. Basic science literacy with which we make sense of the world around us should not be a privilege  it should be a human right.

In a statement, UNESCO says that by linking science more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable.

UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay says this right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, but it is only when we use this right to join and support scientific endeavours that we can transition to stronger science and reinforce scientific culture in our societies. UNESCO also calls on governments, businesses, civil society and scientists to fully embrace the values of responsible and ethical science, by implementing the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers. Together, we should strive for greater access to science education - particularly for girls and support Open Science and innovative ways for advancing research, he said.

In Sri Lanka, it is sad that we rarely find young people who are passionate about Science, its creative, innovative, imaginative and enterprising dimensions. The government, whoever is in office now, needs to do much more to promote among schoolchildren a desire to be innovative and creative so that they could promote peace and sustainable development.A federal judge dealt a setback Tuesday to Qualcomm Inc.s defense against an antitrust lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission, ruling that the chip maker must license some of its industry-essential patents to rival chip suppliers.

The ruling Tuesday by U.S. District Justice Lucy Koh in San Jose, Calif., poses a threat to the Qualcomms business model, analysts said. Its technology is widely used in smartphones, but the San Diego-based company hasnt licensed patents for that technology to chip-making rivals like Intel Corp. Instead, it has included licenses only for manufacturers or device makers, charging a percentage of the price of a smartphone.

When Qualcomms intellectual property was incorporated into cellular communications standards, the company made commitments to standard-setting organizations that it would make its relevant patents available for use. Qualcomm has argued that the agreements didnt require it to license technology to rivals.

Judge Koh rejected that argument. She said court precedent established that Qualcomms commitments include an obligation to license to all comers, including competing modem chip suppliers. And those licenses have to be offered on fair and reasonable terms, the judge said.

This is a game-changer for the industry, said Florian Mueller, an intellectual-property analyst who studies patent litigation.

Qualcomm historically has licensed patents by charging device makers a percentage of the sales price up to $400 (U.S.) on handsets. The ruling means that it could only assess fees based on the $15 to $20 cost of modem chips in the future, Mr. Mueller said.

Qualcomm didnt immediately provide comment. The FTC declined to comment.

The decision could indirectly benefit Apple Inc., which filed a lawsuit in January 2017 alleging the chip supplier demanded unfair terms for patents and required manufacturers license its patents to get Qualcomm chips. This year, Apple dropped Qualcomm as a supplier of modem chips for its latest lineup of iPhones, relying instead on chips from Intel.

Apple and Intel declined to comment on the decision.

The FTC-Qualcomm case hasnt yet gone to trial, so is far from over. But it resolves in the governments favor one of several important issues in Qualcomms ongoing legal fight.

The FTC sued Qualcomm in early 2017, alleging the company engaged in unlawful tactics to maintain a monopoly on baseband processors used in cellphones. The commission made several allegations, some of which werent a subject of Tuesdays ruling. The trial is set to begin in January, though the FTC and Qualcomm have engaged in settlement negotiations. The two sides had asked Judge Koh to hold off on issuing her ruling while they continued those talks, but the judge declined. Her ruling potentially could give more leverage to the FTC.

The FTC and Apple complaints have weighed on Qualcomm. After filing suit, Apple and Huawei Technologies Co., a Chinese smartphone maker, began withholding payments for royalties that Qualcomm depended on for more than half of its pretax profits.

Qualcomms shares, which have rebounded in recent months on its plans to repurchase $30 billion in shares, rose 0.25% to $63.63 on Tuesday.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Amit Daryanani said he expects Qualcomm to appeal the case. He said that a future settlement of the FTC case could signal start of resolution in its dispute with Apple, as well.

Qualcomm reports third quarter results on Wednesday and will likely address the FTC decision during a call with analysts, who expect the company to explain its implications.

Write to Brent Kendall at brent.kendall@wsj.com and Tripp Mickle at Tripp.Mickle@wsj.com

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Graphic Reference:China is finally getting a taste of Canadian crude, if only for a couple of months.

At least five tankers hauling as much as a combined 3.76 million barrels of crude have departed Vancouver for China since the start of September, Bloomberg ship-tracking data show. The cargoes could push Chinas purchases beyond 4 million barrels for the year, the most since 2012, government data show.

While this increase in shipments is largely due to lower demand from refiners along the U.S. West Coast that have shut temporarily for maintenance, its a sneak preview of the future Canadian oil producers envision after the long-awaited expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline is completed, giving them greater access to markets other than the U.S.

It behooves Canada to have more buyers for their crude, Jennifer Rowland, an analyst at Edward Jones & Co., said by phone. Getting that expansion pushed through is a way for them to tap another buyer.

The U.S. takes about 99 per cent of Canadas crude exports, leaving the countrys oil producers hostage to a single market. U.S. West Coast refineries, particularly in Washington state, take the bulk of the oil that travels down the existing 300,000 barrel-a-day Trans Mountain pipeline.

A planned expansion of the line to 890,000 barrels a day would open up increased access to Asia, allowing Canada to diversify away from the U.S. But that project has been delayed by a court-ordered review and fierce opposition from British Columbia.

Connected to the U.S. by a network of pipelines and rail tracks, Canada sends the majority of its crude to refineries in the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast, National Energy Board data show. About six per cent goes to refineries in California and Washington.

Chinese buyers have benefited from the cheapest Canadian crude prices in at least a decade. Heavy Western Canadian Select, an oilsands benchmark, fell to more than $50 below West Texas Intermediate futures last month and light Edmonton Mixed Sweet dropped to a $40 discount on Nov. 1, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Prices have since improved somewhat, with some Midwest refineries starting back up.

Chinese importers would have to pay enough to make it worth the while of U.S. West Coast refiners to sell the Canadian barrels, said Sandy Fielden, director of research for the commodities group at Morningstar Inc. Otherwise, given how cheap Canadian crude has become, U.S. West Coast refiners are going to process as much as they can, making money hand over foot, he said.

U.S. West Coast refiners took less than 161,000 barrels of water-borne Canadian shipments during September and October, the lowest volumes since 2015, Customs data show. Those plants, as well as refiners in the rest of the country, are ramping up after fall maintenance.

The current surge of shipments to China probably wont last much longer, Rowland said. It makes sense right now for Asian buyers to step in while the U.S. buyers arent buying as much.

Read more about:SINGAPOREWomen, unite. One of the worlds most influential women is calling for more females to become business leaders as a way to address the issue of corporations being too myopic.

Bring more women to the business. That is an imperative. Its true, Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said during a panel discussion at the New Economy Forum in Singapore, responding to a question about how to fix this short-term focus.

More than three-quarters of large organizations globally are looking to add women to their upper echelons. Still, as of April, women held only one in four positions at the manager level or higher in Asia, a McKinsey & Co. report shows. That compares with more than one in three at companies in the U.S. and Europe, according to Catalyst, a non-profit organization that advises firms on diversity and inclusion.

Speaking alongside KKR & Co. co-founder Henry Kravis and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. chief executive officer David Solomon, Lagarde lamented the gender gap in the financial sector  only 2 per cent of women are CEOs, and 20 per cent are executives. Her exhortation prompted her fellow panelists to concur. Kravis said organizations that are more diverse at the executive level have better results, while Solomon said: We havent gone fast enough, and we have to go faster.

Lagardes call for more women in power was echoed by others at the conference.

The more senior you get, the less you experience discrimination, Minouche Shafik, director of the London School of Economics and the former deputy governor at Bank of England, said at another session. Its hardest when you are young and junior, so the answer is to get more women into power. Less than a third of central bank governors and deputy governors worldwide are women, and their representation in governance bodies has been stagnant in the past 15 years.VANCOUVERTwo weeks after the CEO of Vancouver-based Mountain Equipment Co-op apologized for whitewashing its advertisements, David Labistour said he will step down from the company next summer.

Shona McGlashan, chief governance officer at the outdoor gear company, told StarMetro on Wednesday that Labistours decision is not connected to a recent apology for predominantly using white models in its advertisements  despite MECs own research showing that people of colour are more actively involved in outdoor activities than white people.

Any CEO transition will be a lengthy process that will take a while to work through, so the timing is not related to the diversity initiative, McGlashan said. There isnt currently a successor identified.

The company said in a statement that Labistour, who served as CEO for 11 years, would leave MEC in June. The company said that while hes been CEO, the company grew from 2.7 million to 5.1 million members, with 11 new stores.

Ellen Pekeles, MEC board chair, said in a statement that its proud of his pledge to broaden the co-ops vision of getting all Canadians active outdoors. Pekeles added that Labistour further demonstrated that MEC is a values-driven organization by signing the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge.

Some of the commitments in the pledge include hiring a diverse workforce, including in executive positions, and showing diversity in its marketing material.

Read more:

Outdoor retailer MEC apologizes for whitewashing ads  and nature enthusiasts agree

In the open letter issued Oct. 22, Labistour acknowledged the companys past practice of using only white models in its ads that perpetuated the vastly incorrect notion that people of colour in Canada dont ski, hike, climb or camp.

We have let our members down, the letter reads. This letter is about recognizing the role weve played in under-representing people of colour in the outdoors and committing to change. Its not OK.

In Labistours departure statement, he said the company will aim to become more relevant to more Canadians for many years to come.

Labistour, who joined the company in 2003 as a senior manager of buying and design, did not disclose his plans after leaving MEC.

Correction  Nov. 7, 2018: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of David Labistour.

With files from Kashmala Fida and Andrew Jeffrey

Read more about:CALGARYThe looming, multibillion-dollar cost of cleaning up Albertas oilpatch isnt an emergency, the governing NDP and the official Opposition told the provincial legislature Tuesday.

The NDP and the United Conservative Party made the statements as they teamed up to shut down an emergency debate on the issue, proposed by Liberal MLA David Swann. The oil industry could face an estimated $260 billion in financial liabilities, a joint investigation by National Observer, Global News, the Toronto Star and StarMetro Calgary revealed last week  a price tag Swann said could be a silent financial tsunami.

This is a huge liability for our environment, for our provincial budget, for the oil and gas industry and for future generations, said Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan, who doesnt have a seat in the legislature.

Its really concerning that the government which controls the legislative agenda is not willing to effectively address this, and the official Opposition is not ... holding the government to account on a such a critical issue.

Last Thursday, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) apologized for a staggering presentation, made last February by one of its highest-ranking officials, which warned the provinces energy sector about the $260-billion estimate. That calculation is more than $200 billion greater than the previous calculation made public by the regulator  $58.65 billion.

The liability estimate factors in the costs of shutting down and cleaning up oil-and-gas sites at the end of their usefulness. That includes inactive wells, pipelines and tailings ponds in the oilsands.

Read more: What would it cost to clean up Albertas oilpatch? $260 billion, a top official warns

The details of the presentation were made public by the joint investigation Thursday. In response, the AER said the number in the presentation was based on a worst-case scenario of a complete industry shutdown, and using it was an error in judgment and one we deeply regret.

It also said the higher estimate had not been validated by AER. That appeared to contradict the presentation, which said the $260-billion figure was likely to be a low estimate.

On Friday, AER CEO and president Jim Ellis announced his resignation  a move the regulator said was unrelated to the joint investigations findings.

The issue was raised during question period in the House of Commons last week as federal politicians sparred over the joint investigations findings. However, Swanns remarks Tuesday were the first time an MLA has raised the figure in the Alberta legislature.

Any MLA can ask to hold an emergency debate in the legislature. But before that happens, the Speaker must allow MLAs to debate whether the issue qualifies, then decide if the assembly should vote to hold the debate.

Swann argued that the price of cleaning up the energy sector is a pressing issue, calling it a financial and environmental crisis that could affect generations. So far, companies have only submitted about $1.6 billion in security deposits to cover the cost, he noted.

If not now, when will we ... address this silent financial tsunami? Swann said. The time for denial and inaction is over.

However, the NDP and UCP said the issue is significant but long-standing, and not acute enough for an emergency debate.

This government has in fact addressed it, which means it is not an (emergency), said NDP MLA Richard Feehan, adding that the current government has started improving practices.

I did not hear anything (in Swanns remarks) that would indicate the urgency that is required, said UCP MLA Jason Nixon.

The Speaker sided with Nixon and Feehan, deciding not to put the possibility of debate to a vote.

Khan said that, if left unaddressed, taxpayers could be left paying the $260-billion estimate  something that could triple Albertas debt, which is forecast to reach $71.1 billion by 2019-20.

Its a failure of leadership, said Khan. They just want to put their heads in the sand and not address the issue and kick the can down the road as other governments have done.

Emma McIntosh is an environment, justice and investigative reporter with StarMetro Calgary. Follow her on Twitter at @EmmaMci

Read more about:OTTAWAA Conservative MP is stepping down from Canadas fledgling National Security Committee after he says he sent sexually explicit messages and a video to an unknown source.

Tony Clement informed the Privy Council Office, the department that supports the prime minister, days ago that he had sent inappropriate text messages to someone he believed to be a consenting adult. Both the Prime Ministers Office and the RCMP have been informed of the issue.

Clement released a statement Tuesday night saying he was stepping down as the Conservatives justice critic, as well as from his role on the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and other committee work.

Over the last three weeks, I have shared sexually explicit images and a video of myself to someone who I believed was a consenting female recipient, Clement wrote in the statement.

The recipient was, in fact, an individual or party who targeted me for the purpose of financial extortion. The RCMP are currently investigating the matter to determine the identity of the party responsible for the extortion attempt.

The RCMP confirmed they were investigating Clements claims, but would offer no further comment Tuesday night. A message to Clement was not returned. He has asked for privacy. A message to Conservative Leader Andrew Scheers office was not returned.

Clement, who held several posts in Stephen Harpers cabinet, remains in the Conservative caucus. In a statement Tuesday, Scheer said deputy leader Lisa Raitt will be assuming his committee roles.

Its unclear if Raitt will sit on the National Security Committee, a brand new and tightly-guarded body to provide civilian oversight of Canadas national security apparatus.

While Im greatly disappointed with Mr. Clements actions, I am encouraged that he has decided to seek help and I wish him all the best in doing so, Scheer wrote in a statement.

Its unclear what Clement is seeking help for. Hes known in Ottawa as a straitlaced, teetotalling MP. Under Harper, he served as Treasury Board President, industry minister, and economic minister for northern Ontario.

Clement found himself in controversy in 2010 after the Conservative government invested some $50 million in infrastructure in his Muskoka riding, ostensibly for the G20 meeting. Critics argued that the projects, such as a particularly expensive gazebo, seemed to have little to do with the summit. Still, Clement has been a stalwart of Ontario Progressive Conservative and federal Conservative politics for decades.

He ran against Stephen Harper to lead the new Conservative Party back in 2004, and remains highly regarded at Queens Park, where he was a PC MPP from 1995 to 2003. He helped Premier Doug Fords successful election campaign earlier this year. Federally, while he joined Maxime Berniers leadership campaign in 2017, he still received a plum appointment to Scheers shadow cabinet.

Clements statement said he would stay on as MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka.

First and foremost, I apologize to my family for the needless pain and humiliation my actions have caused, Clements statement read. I also apologize to my colleagues and my constituents for letting them down.

Read more about:The Kang Ning University in Tainan, Taiwan has been reprimanded by the Education Ministry for allowing over 40 of its Sri Lankan students to work in slaughterhouses in Taipei and Tainan, Taiwan News reported quoting China Times.

Sri Lankan students have said that, at the end of last year, senior officials from the university, travel agents, and government officials from Sri Lanka went to seven or eight high schools in their hometown to give presentations on the study opportunities in Taiwan.

Kang Ning senior officials reportedly said to the students, "As long as you pay for your air tickets, you can go to Taiwan to study for free, and you can earn money by working part-time."

Yu Jung-hui, chairman of the Union of Private School Educators (UPRISE), said on Tuesday that more than 60 Sri Lankan students came to Taiwan and received admission permits from Kang Ning, but strangely, they entered the country on sightseeing visas. Once they entered Taiwan, many did not go to school, but were instead sent directly to work ,while others worked after class.

Yu said that perhaps because of the different relationships between departments, some students were sent to Taipei to work, some were sent to Tainan to work instead.

Yu said that the director of the Tainan campus of Kang Ning coordinated with brokers in dispatching the Sri Lankan students to work in underground factories and poultry slaughterhouses. It was illegal at first, so they all worked in the middle of the night, and the work was unstable. For this reason, one student may end up working at several different jobs over a short period of time.

The students had been told that they would receive a monthly salary of NT$ 22,000 (New Taiwan Dollars), but only actually received NT$6,000 to NT$8,000 per month.

The students believed that the remainder of their salaries was being paid by the brokers to the school to cover tuition, however, the university said it never received such tuition payments.

A Sri Lankan student, who went by the pseudonym Roger, told the United Daily News that, in the six months since he came to Taiwan, he felt he was not studying, but rather working, and said, "I regret studying in Taiwan, and I don't trust Taiwanese anymore."

After the news broke about the Sri Lankan students being exploited at Kang Ning, they had to make the difficult decision of staying or returning to their home country. Yu said that each of the Sri Lankan students on average owed about NT$40,000 in fees to the school.

As the school felt they were innocent, all the tuition fees for their first year at the university were waived. However, if these students cannot pay their tuition fees for their second year of college by August of next year, they will have no choice but to return to Sri Lanka.

Yu pointed out that many universities are facing the dilemma of inadequate enrollment. After the government introduced the New Southbound Policy, they recruited students through brokers, but they also fell victim to fraud rings.

In the case of Kang Ning, the broker it used to recruit the Sri Lankan students, a Mr. Chu, had already become notorious for bringing a Chinese acrobat troupe to Taiwan to engage in prostitution.

Yen Kang-tsung, Chief Secretary of the University of Kang Ning said that some Sri Lankan students wrote letters to the Education Ministry complaining about the situation.

The Ministry then asked the school to carry out an investigation, after which it found that Chu had been using a fake name and suspected him of being a fraudster, making the school also a victim, said Yen.

Yen emphasized that arrangements had been made for the students to work illegally by the "fake brokers" before they came to the university to attend classes, and the school had issued work permits. Yen said the school was completely unaware of the situation.

Of the 61 students from Sri Lanka originally enrolled at the university, 20 have since returned home, while 41 still remain.OTTAWAFrench fighter-jet maker Dassault is pulling out of the high-stakes competition to replace Canadas CF-18s.

Multiple sources tell The Canadian Press that the French government is sending a letter to Canadas federal procurement department notifying it that Dassault will withdraw from bidding.

Dassault makes the Rafale fighter jet, which was one of five designs expected to compete for the $19-billion contract to replace the CF-18s.

The surprise decision comes just over a week after the federal government published the militarys requirements for a new fighter jet and a draft process by which a winner is expected to be chosen.

Sources say Dassaults decision is because France is not a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which comprises Canada, the U.S., Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Dassaults withdrawal narrows the competition for the contract, which is to be awarded in the early 2020s, to U.S. aerospace giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing, British firm BAE and Swedish company Saab.OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed Wednesday that his government would do more to protect synagogues and other places of worship from violence as part of an apology for anti-Semitic policies that denied refuge in Canada to Jews fleeing the Holocaust.

Trudeau said Holocaust deniers still exist and anti-Semitism remains a problem in Canada, noting the latest numbers from Statistics Canada show Jews are the most frequent targets of religiously motivated hate crimes.

The prevalence of anti-Semitism in contemporary society showed itself almost two weeks ago when a gunman killed 11 worshippers inside a Pittsburgh synagogue simply because they were Jewish, Trudeau said.

The ensuing days have seen countrywide vigils and calls for the government to do more through a federal program that funds security improvements at places at risk of hate-motivated crimes, such as synagogues.

I pledge to you all now we will do more, Trudeau said, without providing more details.

Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement that his organization would work with the government on the details of the pledge and on other practical policies to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms today.

Read more:

Trudeau says Canada will formally apologize for turning away German Jews in 1939

Opinion | My history surviving the Holocaust is a legacy for future generations

Canada has the tools to fight back against hatred and racism. We should use them

The head of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Avi Benlolo, said it is up to governments to take serious measures that help counter hate crimes against minority groups.

It was 79 years ago that the government of William Lyon Mackenzie King rejected an asylum request from an ocean liner carrying more than 900 German Jews as it neared Halifax, forcing it back to Europe.

Most of the passengers scattered across the continent and more than 250 of them died in the Holocaust.

A handful of surviving passengers from the ship were on hand in the House of Commons to hear the apology and opposition parties responses.

Between 1933 and 1945, Canada admitted the fewest Jews of any Allied country, Trudeau said. Of those Canada did let in, some 7,000 Jews were held as prisoners of war and jailed alongside Germans captured on battlefields, he said.

Opposition party leaders also called Canadas policies at the time unacceptable in speeches on the week marking the 80th anniversary of what is known as Kristallnacht. In November 1938, Nazi agitators attacked Jews and vandalized synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses, scattering broken glass that glittered in the streets like crystal.

The rejection of the St. Louis the next year helped Hitler sell his final solution that ended with the murders of six million Jews: Jews couldnt be expelled from German territory because nobody would accept them.

The whole premise of the St. Louis was the culmination of bigotry and hatred that is rearing its ugly head again and I think this is a very poignant part of this, said Eva Wiener, who was a child aboard the St. Louis.

Ana Maria Gordon, who was also aboard the St. Louis and survived a concentration camp, said the apology was very meaningful for her.

I firmly believe that to recognize an error publicly leads towards better understanding and healing, she told a reception following the apology.

I try not to dwell on the horrors of war and the Holocaust but the scars run deep and the memories and the fears persist.

Gordon said history continues to repeat itself and even today many people are discriminated against, starving or running for their lives. She urged Canada not to fail them as it failed the passengers on the St. Louis.

We all must, as individuals, communities and as a nation, help these people in every way we can.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the apology for past wrongs should be a reminder that anti-Semitism is not a relic of the 1930s.

This apology should not make us comfortable. On the contrary, it should grab us and shake us. It should be an alarm that jolts us out of our daily routines and demands that we look at our world today through the lens of that experience.

Guy Caron, who leads the NDP in the House of Commons, said hints of the racist policies that helped Hitler rise to power can be seen around the world. He called for a focus on tackling anti-immigrant and hate speech, particularly online.

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who first called for an apology for the St. Louis incident, said politicians needed to call out any racist talk even if it comes from their own supporters.

There is speech out there that we tolerate  that we sometimes nod-nod, wink-wink to...and we shouldnt be tolerating that speech, he said outside the House of Commons.

The story of the St. Louis gained renewed attention last year when picture and stories of the victims circulated on social media in response to U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to ban immigration and refugee settlement from certain countries.

The Liberals new immigration plan calls for up accepting to 16,500 protected persons in 2019, a category that includes refugees, growing to 20,000 in 2021. Critics say the figures are far too low while debate rages about irregular border crossers walking over from the United States.

The Canadian Council for Refugees said many refugees trying to get into Canada are often fleeing persecution just like the St. Louis passengers.

History will judge us by whether we respond in ways that respect the rights and dignity of refugee claimants, just as we today judge those who turned away the St. Louis and other Jewish refugees, the council said.

Read more about:The pending closures of courthouse-based centres that help unrepresented individuals navigate civil and small claims court will make access to justice even more difficult in Ontario, lawyers say.

The three centres, run by registered charity Pro Bono Ontario, are located at two courthouses in Toronto and one in Ottawa where lawyers volunteer their time to assist people with everything from filling out court forms to providing advice on the potential success of a claim.

Pro Bono Ontario has said the centres will be closing in December due to lack of funding to cover costs such as paying rent and administrative staff. The charity has been able to keep them open so far by using its core funding, provided by the Law Foundation of Ontario, which is in turn primarily funded by the interest on lawyers mixed-trust accounts.

As demand has grown exponentially for the centres services  Pro Bono says they serve nearly 18,000 people a year  the charity says so has its need for financial assistance. It recently asked the provincial government for $500,000 to keep the centres open for the next year.

The request was denied, as it was under the previous Liberal government.

Weve had usually generous funding from the Law Foundation and theyve helped us with some bridge financing as we got into this tight spot, but the Law Foundation has a very broad constituency and they cant be expected to support law help centres because there are other people who need the money as well, said David Scott, chair emeritus of Pro Bono Ontario.

Our position is that its the responsibility of the provincial government (to provide funding), more specifically the attorney general, because the attorney general is responsible for access to justice in the province and for the moment, the attorney general does not agree.

A ministry spokesperson said Attorney General Caroline Mulroney recognizes the importance of pro bono services and wants to preserve access to justice, adding the government provides Pro Bono Ontario rent-free space worth $580,000 at courthouses in Toronto and Ottawa and is prepared to continue with that arrangement.

(Pro Bono said it does pay rent at one courthouse in Toronto and contributes to rent in Ottawa.)

The attorney general and officials from the ministry have met with Pro Bono Ontario three times since July of this year to encourage Pro Bono Ontario to work with its private sector partners, Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and the Law Society of Ontario, to find solutions to its long-term funding issues, said ministry spokesman Philip Klassen.

Those who have volunteered in the centres say there has never been a shortage of lawyers willing to do the work, and say the centres help to make the courts more efficient, as a self-represented person trying to navigate the system on their own can inevitably cause delays.

This isnt just affecting the individuals who will no longer have access to the services, it really threatens the efficiency of the system as a whole, said Toronto lawyer Lindsay Scott, who has volunteered at the centre at 393 University Ave., which houses the citys civil courts.

Of course theres a way to fix this, and its an obvious answer. Its just a question as to whether the political will exists.

An external study by a U.S. consulting firm found that Pro Bono Ontarios services overall to self-represented litigants provided a $10 return for every dollar invested. Among other things, the study identified $2.29 million in savings to the Ontario government  which funds and operates the courts  which were achieved by Pro Bono helping to keep claims of doubtful merit out of the system.

To have this disappear would be a significant detriment to justice in Ontario, said lawyer Erin Pleet, who has also volunteered in a centre. These are people who couldnt afford lawyers rates and shouldnt be a burden to the system just because they cant afford a lawyer.A Toronto sentencing judge has given a convicted killer enhanced credit for pretrial custody because of the hardships and abuse she faced as the first transgender woman held at the all-male Toronto South Detention Centre.

On Tuesday, Superior Court Justice Robert Clark sentenced sex worker Moka Dawkins to eight years in prison for fatally stabbing a client, Jamie Foster, 27, in his downtown Toronto apartment on Aug. 3, 2015. Dawkins was with Foster when he instigated a brawl by stabbing her under the eye with a knife when she tried to leave.

A jury last month found Dawkins, 28, not guilty of second-degree murder but guilty of manslaughter, rejecting her testimony that she stabbed him eight times because she feared for her life and should be acquitted.

Clark said it was clear Dawkins was initially provoked but she went beyond legitimate self-defence and inflicted in anger the wounds that resulted in Mr. Fosters death resulting in her conviction for manslaughter. The judge also said he accepted the prosecutions position that Dawkins stabbed Foster during two distinct bloodletting incidents, in the living room and bedroom.

Dawkins called 911 that evening  too late to help Foster, noted the judge  and has been in custody ever since.

In an affidavit filed in court, Dawkins, who was tried as a man under her birth name, described the challenges of being locked up in an all-male facility, where she chose to go rather than be forced into segregation in a womens institution because she has not fully transitioned.

Dawkins wrote she was verbally abused and physically attacked specifically because of my identity and sexual orientation. Of note, she wrote inmates suggested alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur should come gun me down and wrote guards also insult me and make fun of me.

In addition to enduring hundreds of lockdowns in the jail, Dawkins wrote she has had to fight to be given programs and support meant for individuals in the LGTBQ community, and only recently was allowed to wear a wig.

The attacks, discrimination and constant fights to be able to express my own identity have made my time at the institution particularly difficult mentally, emotionally and physically.

The judge said because of the harsh conditions he was prepared to credit her two days for every one served prior to conviction.

That brings Dawkins time served to six-and-a-half years, more than what the defence was seeking but not unwarranted, Clark said.

Subtracting that time from her eight-year sentence, Dawkins is left with a further 18 months in custody.

Convicted offenders typically receive credit for time served at a rate of 1.5 days for every one held in pretrial custody. Those who have received particularly harsh treatment can seek additional remedy.

Hopefully, Ms. Dawkins will find herself in better circumstances once committed to prison to serve her sentence than she has experienced in detention centres to date, Clark said.

Given that she is transgender, I would expect that her time in prison would be more difficult certainly than it would be if that werent the case.

He also imposed a period of two-year probation and said her prospects for rehabilitation were good.

Prosecutors were asking for a sentence in the 10- to 11-year range, while the defence wanted Clark to impose a six-year sentence, which, when factoring in credit for pretrial custody, would have amounted to time served.

Before he passed the sentence, Clark asked Dawkins if she had anything to say to the court.

Im so sorry, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, Dawkins said addressing Fosters family, including his parents, who were sitting in the courtroom and described their anguish in victim impact statements.

Defence lawyer Jennifer Penman said she will be receiving instructions from her client on whether to launch an appeal.In an unusual public rebuke, a senior Toronto judge last week vented his frustration in court over the federal governments slow pace at filling judicial vacancies.

There are currently seven empty spots on the Superior Court bench in this city, a number that has critics concerned more criminal cases may be tossed due to delay.

Last Monday, Justice John McMahon was hearing updates on a number of criminal cases, including homicides, that are moving through the system toward trial, when he ordered that one of them be sent to another courtroom.

Were going to put the matter over before Justice MacDonnell, once they can find a courtroom for him which theyll have no problem doing because were down six judges the federal government hasnt appointed, McMahon said, according to a court recording obtained by the Star.

His comment represents the latest complaint from the judiciary over the long-standing vacancies.

Although McMahon pointed to six vacancies, the up-to-date number is seven, according to the court. That tally takes into account recent vacancies and an appointment to Toronto made Friday by federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.

Thats almost half of the total number of vacancies  16  at the Superior Court-level provincewide. The court has 236 full-time and 103 part-time judges and hears all civil cases and the most serious criminal matters including murder.

Filling judicial vacancies is an easy and immediate solution to the delay problems plaguing the Toronto criminal courts, said Daniel Brown, vice-president of the Criminal Lawyers Association. There is no shortage of suitable judicial applicants. More must be done to address this long-standing problem before the public completely loses confidence in the justice system.

Story Behind the Story delivers insights into how the Star investigates, reports, and produces stories.

McMahon has sounded the alarm before on the judge shortage. In March, he complained that no judge was available to hear a $13-million fraud case involving five men until January 2019, nearly five years after their arrest. It is frustrating, but we can only deal with what we have, he said.

The case was tossed just months later, when a different judge, Bonnie Croll, found the mens constitutional right to a trial within a reasonable time had been violated. Croll also lamented in her ruling the lack of judges, saying it is axiomatic that courts have the proper number of jurists in order to ensure timely trials.

The delays in filling vacancies have caused tension between the court and the federal government. The dispute hit a crescendo in September when Superior Court Chief Justice Heather Smith called out the rising number of vacancies in her speech at the opening of the courts ceremony in Toronto, and just days later Wilson-Raybould defended her approach to appointing judges in an op-ed to the Star.

There is no rationale for this delay in filling vacancies, since a minimum six-months notice is provided to the minister of justice of upcoming vacancies, Smith said in her speech on Sept. 13, before addressing federal lawyer Sean Gaudet, who was representing Wilson-Raybould at the ceremony.

Mr. Gaudet, I have written to the minister of justice about this issue, urging that a new system be established for filling judicial vacancies immediately and seamlessly as they arise. I ask that you please, again, pass on this message. An improved process is necessary to keep our courts complement at full-strength so that it can continue with the important business of delivering timely access to justice.

In her op-ed, published Sept. 17, Wilson-Raybould said she must conduct due diligence to ensure I name only the most meritorious candidates to the bench and also ensure that the bench reflects the diversity of the country.

Some, including senior members of the judiciary, have argued that the long-standing problem of court delays would be solved if I filled all vacancies at the same time. They say too much due diligence is getting in the way of faster appointments. That assertion demands a response, Wilson-Raybould wrote.

The minister spoke about the topic of diversity in the courts at an event for members of the legal community at the University of Toronto law school almost two weeks ago. The event was closed to the media and the Star was told the minister was not available for an interview.

Her spokesman David Taylor told the Star Monday that Wilson-Raybould has appointed 58 judges to Ontario since becoming minister in 2015 and 14 since August. Her most recent appointments include six criminal law experts sought by the chief justice, he said.

Chief Justice Smiths office said that since she made her remarks in September, Smith has had several discussions with the federal judicial affairs adviser in Wilson-Rayboulds office and has been given assurances that the minister is making efforts to fill all the vacancies as quickly as possible.

All of this comes as the Advocates Society, a Toronto-based legal organization, is embarking on a project to obtain and receive data from all provinces and territories, such as relating to judges working hours and caseloads, to come up with an evidence-based approach to determine which areas need more, or less, judicial resources.

Im suggesting that anecdotal evidence indicates that more judges are required, but I think we need to have a deeper analysis of the data in order to determine where those additional judicial positions should be allocated, said society president Brian Gover, who said his organization was encouraged to proceed by Wilson-Rayboulds office.

Read more about:GRAVENHURST, ONT. The man who killed her children and father in a drunk driving crash may have been denied release from prison Wednesday, but for Jennifer Neville-Lake, her own life sentence continues without the possibility of a reprieve.

I dont and wont get parole from this life sentence of misery and despair, Neville-Lake said in an emotional statement to a two-member parole board panel, from whom killer drunk driver Marco Muzzo was requesting his release on day parole.

After deliberating for about 20 minutes, the panel came back and denied both day and full parole.

You sabotaged your progress you may have otherwise made by underestimating your problem with substance misuse, if not abuse, board member Kevin Corcoran told Muzzo, 32, in a packed hearing room at Beaver Creek prison.

We dont question your remorse, Corcoran said, adding Muzzo would need to pursue counselling in prison, especially regarding substance abuse. He can reapply for parole in one year, and he has two months to decide whether he wants to appeal Wednesdays decision to the boards appeal division.

Before we can grant you parole, we need to have confidence that you will not be a risk to yourself and the community, Corcoran said. A full parole decision from the board will be released within two weeks.

Muzzo was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March 2016 after pleading guilty to several counts of impaired driving causing death for the crash that killed Daniel Neville-Lake, 9, Harrison, 5, Milagros, 2, and their 65-year-old grandfather Gary Neville. The crash also seriously injured the childrens great-grandmother and grandmother, who was driving the minivan carrying the family when Muzzo blew through a stop sign.

Court heard after his guilty plea that Muzzo had nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system at the time of the crash in September 2015 in Vaughan, having just arrived back from his bachelor party in Miami on a private plane.

The case attracted widespread attention due to the young age of many of the victims and the Muzzo familys enormous wealth  estimated at $1.8 billion, according to Canadian Business magazine.

It was both an emotional and tense morning at the parole hearing Wednesday, as the childrens parents and aunt spoke of their deep sense of loss, while the parole board vigorously questioned Muzzo on whether he did indeed have an addiction issue and was properly addressing it.

I firmly believe Im not an addict, Muzzo told the parole board, saying he believes he has only ever been really drunk nine to 10 times in his life.

While in prison, he has been employed, has no history of violence, attended a few Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, gets spiritual counselling at chapel, and has been granted escorted temporary absences to work in the community, including volunteering at a childrens camp.

That last revelation led Neville-Lake, who was sitting directly behind Muzzo, to briefly leave the room. She had previously told the board she could not bring herself to write Muzzos name in her statement, as the sight of it is beyond sickening to me and remains a psychological trigger.

Muzzos parole officer, Lynn Dubciak, told the board that Muzzo did not meet the criteria for substance abuse treatment in prison. She said Muzzos case management team supported his release to a halfway house on day parole and eventually his release on full parole.

There are high levels of accountability and his potential for reintegration is high, she said. Mr. Muzzos risk is considered manageable on day parole and full parole next year.

Muzzo said that he wanted to become an advocate if released, hoping to raise awareness around the dangers of drinking and driving  a message that had clearly escaped him, the judge at his sentencing said in her ruling.

From the get-go, I knew exactly what I had done, Muzzo told the board, at times getting emotional. Spending more time in here, I dont think will contribute to me learning anything that I havent already learned.

The board had concerns that Muzzo was downplaying his history with alcohol. Corcoran raised an incident involving Muzzo in 2012, in which he and a friend were denied entry to a Vaughan strip club for being too intoxicated. They began fighting with the bouncers and threatening their lives. When the police came to take Muzzo to the station to sober up, he tried to kick the windows out while sitting in the back seat.

He ended up being ticketed for being drunk in public, a non-criminal offence. Muzzo did not tell the psychiatrist evaluating him ahead of his 2016 sentencing about the incident, and claimed Wednesday that he only remembered it when his case management team told him about it once he was in prison.

This speaks to a history around alcohol misuse, said Corcoran, who contended Muzzo did remember the 2012 incident but didnt want anyone to find out. This also spoke to a lack of transparency, Corcoran later said.

The board was also concerned with the number of speeding tickets Muzzo received between 2008 and 2015, and the fact that in many of the instances police reduced the fines and he received no demerit points on his licence.

Youve gotten a lot of breaks from the police in relation to your speeding, Corcoran said to Muzzo, who agreed this meant there was no consequence to alter his driving behaviour.

Earlier Wednesday, the family of Muzzos victims vehemently urged the board not to release him. Edward Lake, the childrens father, demanded that a photo of his children and father-in-law be placed in Muzzos cell, so he can see daily what he destroyed.

Denying Muzzo parole was no victory for the victims family, Jennifer Neville-Lake told reporters afterward, as she and her husband returned to an empty house.

Whether or not hes on day or full parole, it doesnt change what I go home to every night, it doesnt change how I live, it doesnt change anything around me, she told reporters, surrounded by photos of her deceased loved ones. So it doesnt matter. If he gets parole  theres no more of my family left to kill, no more children who will be riding in grandparents car anymore.A man and woman were stabbed and suffered non-life threatening injuries in Scarborough Wednesday morning, according to Toronto police.

Toronto paramedics responded to a call at 6:50 a.m. regarding a stabbing in the Glen Everest Rd. and Wynnview area.

Police have a man in custody and are continuing to investigate.

Marjan Asadullah is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marjanasadullahA Brampton woman who posed as a registered nurse and administered Botox to three patients will undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment to determine if she is mentally fit to be sentenced.

Shiva Ashkani was in Superior Court on Wednesday for her sentencing hearing after being found guilty last December of eight charges including assaulting three women, one count of aggravated assault, fraud under $5,000 and uttering a threat to one woman.

Ashkanis advertisement on Kijiji falsely stated she was registered nurse with 13 years of experience working with surgeons and 21 years as a medical cosmetician in Beverly Hills, Vancouver and Toronto providing Botox and collagen filler by syringe.

After a trial, Superior Court Justice Alfred OMarra found three women experienced various adverse reactions after receiving treatment from Ashkani. The accused assaulted each of them with a weapon (a syringe), by injecting substances into them through their skin without consent, having fraudulently misrepresented herself as a registered nurse, OMarra wrote in his judgment.

Botox is a poison used to reduce facial lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the underlying muscles. It is administered by syringe. The Regulated Health Professions Act specifies that only a regulated health professional may administer a substance by injection, though a doctor can delegate the task to a registered nurse.

Ashkanis mental fitness was not an issue at the trial. But defence lawyer Maureen Addie, who was not the trial lawyer and has been appointed by the court to represent Ashkani, asked that a forensic psychiatrist meet and evaluate her prior to the sentencing hearing.

Dr. Derek Pallandi had a lengthy meeting with Ashkani in August. He prepared a report  submitted to the court  raising concerns about her mental state and recommended she undergo a 30-day in-patient assessment.

After watching Ashkani act in totally inappropriate ways in court, Pallandi testified his concerns were still valid.

Before the hearing began, Ashkani muttered loudly, suggested a television reporter could benefit from plastic surgery and ignored Addies warning to stop talking.

That causes me very, very significant concerns about her core ability to appreciate the nature and object of the proceedings, and to instruct counsel in an appropriate fashion, the physician testified.

Given the gravity of the potential penalty she faces, it would be prudent to have her fitness re-evaluated to make sure she is quite, very clearly and durably fit to face the sentencing that shes facing, he said.

Crown attorney Cheryl Blondell asked Pallandi if it is possible Ashkani was malingering.

Is it a possibility? Yes, is it a likelihood, no, its a very low likelihood, Pallandi said. He told court Ashkani has a mental health history and has been prescribed medication for bipolar disorder.

He added that unfitness, of course, does not confer any advantage to anything, it simply delays (the) legal process.

Addie said if Ashkani is found unfit, theres a provision in the Criminal Code that allows a judge to order a person to receive treatment so he or she can engage in the legal process.

Addie added it is very unusual to raise the question of mental fitness between a finding of guilt and sentencing.

OMarra adjourned the case until next week to give Addie time to find a mental health facility that can conduct the evaluation. When thats finalized, OMarra said he will make the assessment order.WASHINGTON  U.S. President Donald Trump has fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions and replaced him with a public critic of Robert Muellers investigation into the Trump campaigns relationship with Russia, significantly increasing the chances that Mueller will be fired or otherwise thwarted.

Trump forced Sessionss resignation the day after the midterm congressional elections in which Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives. He named Matthew Whitaker, a Republican lawyer who has called for Mueller to be ordered to narrow his work, as the acting attorney general.

Trump did not explain himself, but he had long fumed about Sessionss decision to recuse himself from the Russia matter. Because of the recusal, Mueller was being supervised by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who had appeared to give the special counsel free rein.

With Sessions out of the picture, Mueller will likely now report to Whitaker, a former federal prosecutor and Republican political candidate who had served as Sessionss chief of staff.

Democrats were generally opposed to Sessions. But they responded with alarm to Sessionss ouster and to Whitakers appointment, worried Trumps moves were the beginning of an effort to use his office to thwart or terminate Mueller.

Its clear that AG Sessions resignation is the first step toward removing the special counsel and burying his findings before Democrats take power next year. We cant let that happen, Rep. Ted Deutch, the top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, said on Twitter.

The American Civil Liberties Union said on Twitter: Jeff Sessions was the worst attorney general in modern American history. Period. But the dismissal of the nations top law enforcement official shouldnt be based on political motives.

Subscribe to the Star to support our reporting on U.S. political news  and what it means for Canada.

A month before he was hired as Sessionss chief of staff last year, Whitaker wrote an article in which he argued that Mueller was on the verge of going too far, by delving into Trumps finances, and that he should be ordered by Rosenstein to narrow his work.

He also mused on television about slashing Muellers budget to a level so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt  it was not clear if he endorsed the idea  and he defended Donald Trump Jr.s 2016 decision, being investigated by Mueller, to take a meeting with a Russian lawyer offering damaging information about Hillary Clinton. On Twitter, he shared an article that urged Trumps legal team not to co-operate with the Mueller lynch mob.

And Whitaker, who unsuccessfully ran in the Iowa Republican primary for Senate in 2014, served as chairman for the 2014 Iowa treasurer campaign of Sam Clovis, who later became co-chairman of the Trump 2016 campaign. Clovis has reportedly been a witness in the Mueller investigation.

Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

Republican Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, also from Iowa, said in a statement that Whitaker would make the country proud. The Justice Department is in good hands during this time of transition, he said.

Whitaker can remain in his acting post for up to seven months. A permanent replacement for Sessions will have to be approved by the Senate.

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Sessions, a once-fringe former Alabama senator and federal prosecutor, was the first sitting member of the Senate to endorse Trump. He used his job as head of the Department of Justice to turn their shared hard-line views on immigration and criminal justice into policy.

Sessions was widely seen as one of Trumps most effective appointees. But Trump was fixated on the recusal decision, which allowed Rosenstein to appoint Mueller and start the investigation Trump calls a witch hunt.

Rosenstein had expressed hostility to the idea of firing Mueller. Now, Trump can theoretically have Whitaker do the firing for him  though a federal regulation says the attorney general needs a good cause: misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause, including violation of departmental policies.

Firing Mueller would likely cause the biggest firestorm of Trumps presidency, producing a democratic crisis that would increase the chances that Trump could eventually be impeached.

Whitaker could sharply limit Mueller without a firing. If he is indeed put in charge of the investigation, as planned, he will have authority over Muellers decisions on who to subpoena and who to charge with crimes, and he will decide what to do with any final report Mueller produces.

Trump had blasted Sessions in an unprecedented months-long series of angry tweets, public statements and private rants. In an Oval Office meeting in May 2017, he berated Sessions so forcefully over the recusal that Sessions wrote a letter of resignation, according to multiple news reports and former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Trump, persuaded not to accept, settled for taunting Sessions on Twitter.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers! he wrote in July. I have never seen anything so Rigged in my life. Our A.G. is scared stiff and Missing in Action, he wrote in August of the Mueller investigation.

Sessions had made a major mark. An opponent of a bipartisan push toward the liberalization of justice policy, he reversed a series of Obama-era efforts that sought to reform policing and prosecution practices.

Sessions told prosecutors to seek the harshest possible sentences for drug offences, reversing the Obama-era guidance that favoured more leniency for non-violent crimes. He had the Justice Department pull back from their Obama-era push to compel rights-violating local police forces to change their practices. He rescinded an Obama-era directive that sought to reduce the use of private prisons. And he rescinded another Obama-era directive that told the federal government to take a hands-off approach to states that have legalized marijuana.

Read more about:KANSAS CITY, MO.Abortion clinics across the country were taking extra precautions Wednesday after the anti-abortion activist who shot Wichita, Kan., physician George Tiller in 1993 and committed a string of clinic attacks in several states was released from prison.

Rachelle Shelley Shannon, the Oregon woman whose actions once triggered a federal investigation into the possible existence of a national conspiracy of anti-abortion terrorists, had been living in a halfway house in Portland, Ore., since May. She has spent 25 years in custody.

Were extremely concerned, said Katherine Spillar, executive director of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Were alerting providers, briefing them and making sure they have enough security precautions in place.

We know by her own writings and the writings of those who went on to commit violence that this is a woman who inspired three murders.

Shannons release was confirmed Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. She will be on supervised release for three years, but the conditions of her release are not public information, the bureau said.

Shes going on probation, said the Rev. Donald Spitz, an anti-abortion activist who has remained in regular contact with Shannon. She said the conditions of release are going to be very strict.

Read more:

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Spitz, leader of Pro-Life Virginia and sponsor of the Army of God website, which supports those who have committed violence against abortion clinics and doctors, said the fears of abortion-rights advocates are unfounded.

I dont think shell be doing anything violent, he said. Of course, no one knows, but Id be very surprised.

Spitz said he had an hourlong phone conversation with Shannon on Monday.

Shes very upbeat, he said. Shes glad to be getting out, shes going to church again. Just doing everyday things.

He said Shannon told him she will likely be prohibited from communicating with anti-abortion extremists for some time.

Its a very common thing that they do that, Spitz said. So I wont be able to speak to her again once she leaves the halfway house for 2 1/2 years. I dont know how closely they monitor that, but shes not going to take any chances. Shes not going to contact anybody.

Spitz said he had no details on Shannons plans: Shell probably be trying to get her own place to live and looking for a job.

Shannon, now 62, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for shooting and wounding Tiller and 20 years for six fire-bombings and two acid attacks at abortion clinics in California, Oregon and Nevada.

The former assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted Shannon also has concerns about her being released.

Shes completely unrehabilitated and totally incorrigible, said Stephen Peifer, the lead prosecutor on Shannons federal case in Portland in 1995. She has the same mentality and goals that she had when she was convicted.

She may do something violent herself, he said, but thats not as likely as her counseling and advising other people to do it. Thats her track record.

Thats why stringent conditions will be placed on her during her probation period, he said.

The probation office is going to be very careful in terms of her associates and naming people that she specifically cannot associate with, he said. Im sure shell have strict supervision. They were very concerned.

News of Shannons release has clinic operators on edge. In addition to showing no remorse for her actions, they say, Shannon has been visited in prison by several activists who believe that killing abortion doctors is an act of justifiable homicide.

Clinic supporters also note that Tiller, a regular target of abortion protesters because he was one of a handful of doctors in the country who performed late-term abortions, was shot to death in 2009 by Kansas City-area anti-abortion extremist Scott Roeder, who had admired Shannon and visited her many times in prison.

Among Shannons other prison visitors in recent years: Kansas City-area activist Regina Dinwiddie, who made headlines in 1995 when a federal judge ordered her to stop using a bullhorn within 500 feet of any abortion clinic. Dinwiddie attended Roeders murder trial and spoke on his behalf at his sentencing, telling the court that Scott loved our country and he knew the terror of our Lord regarding the shedding of innocent blood.

Another of Shannons visitors was Dave Leach, an activist from Des Moines, Iowa, and another advocate of the justifiable homicide position. Leach, speaking to The Kansas City Star on Tuesday as he worked at an Iowa polling booth, said he visited Shannon once a year when she was incarcerated at the Waseca Federal Correctional Facility in Minnesota.

Some prison visits for Shannons supporters, he said, were funded by a doctor from Ohio who opposes abortion.

He gave a bunch of money to allow several of us to go visit her, Leach said.

Leach said he last spoke to Shannon about a month ago. He said the concerns that she might commit violence again were silly, then added, Well, I guess anythings possible with human beings.

But I cant imagine Shelley, after all this time, he said. Theyll be watching her pretty closely.

So will clinic operators.

Shelley Shannons release absolutely makes us nervous, said the Very Rev. Katherine H. Ragsdale, interim president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation. Shes not only committed multiple acts of violence herself, but has encouraged violence in others.

Ragsdale said clinics have seen a spike in violence and disruption of services in the past year.

Trespassing more than tripled, threats of harm have nearly doubled, and incidents of obstruction rose from 580 in 2016 to more than 1,700 in 2017, she said. Theyre testing the waters, checking to see what they can get away with. And that emboldens the Shelley Shannons of the world.

Julie Burkhart, a former employee of Tillers and founder and CEO of Trust Women Foundation, which operates the Trust Women Wichita clinic as well as clinics in Oklahoma City and Seattle, said Shannons release raises deep concerns.

She tried to murder my boss, Burkhart said. And I absolutely do not believe under any circumstances that Shelley Shannon is reformed. She is still as dangerous today as she was in August of 1993.

Shannon was a 37-year-old Oregon homemaker when she boarded a Greyhound bus in her hometown of Grants Pass and went to Oklahoma City. There, she rented a car and headed to Tillers clinic in Wichita. The clinic, Womens Health Care Services, had been the target of numerous protests, was bombed in 1986 and was the focus of Operation Rescues 46-day Summer of Mercy campaign in 1991 that resulted in more than 2,600 arrests.

Shannon shot Tiller as he drove out of the clinic parking lot, striking him in both arms. Tiller was injured but returned to work the next day.

The shooting was the second attack on an abortion doctor in five months. In March 1993, Michael Griffin shot a physician to death outside a clinic in Pensacola, Fla.

Shannon was arrested in Oklahoma City several hours after shooting Tiller as she tried to return her rental car. When she was booked into jail, police found a letter shed written to her daughter describing what shed done.

Im not denying I shot Tiller, she wrote. But I deny that it was wrong. It was the most holy, most righteous thing Ive ever done. I have no regrets.Mr. Pradeep Edward- President of SLIM Brand Excellence & Mr. Roshan Fernando- Vice President of SLIM Brand Excellence

As the curtain comes up on one of its major events - the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, the luminaries of the countrys National Body for Marketing, apprised the public on the role of the organization and the successful re-launch of its event for 2018. The President of SLIM, Mr. Pradeep Edward and the Vice President, Mr. Roshan Fernando recently addressed queries from the media about the organizations success in implementing new developments to help the local industry stand among the biggest and best players in the international arena.

Q: Describe the inception of SLIM and its foremost purpose

P: The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing was founded in 1970 as a means of building a cohesive network amongst the countrys marketing fraternity. It was incorporated by an act of Parliament, recognizing it as the National Body for Marketing. The difference between SLIM and any other institute is its open environment, which welcomes marketers from all backgrounds and companies. We have had Presidents who are graduates from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, PIM and CIM among other groves of academe. As such, SLIM could be considered the Maha Gedara of Marketing in Sri Lanka, bringing all of the countrys marketers together under a single banner.

How do events by SLIM contribute to the development and growth of professionals in the Marketing fraternity?

VP: We organize several national level events. Apart from Brand Excellence we have the Effies, the SLIM Nielsen Peoples Awards and NASCO. This year we have initiated two new events  the SLIM DIGIs, which will be held next year in January, and Brand Week, which is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka and will serve as a link to SLIM Brand Excellence. These are the national level awards programs organized and hosted by SLIM to provide platforms of recognition and education to various sectors of the industry. We have also introduced a special CSR project titled Gamata Marketing as a means of boosting entrepreneurship, and Marketing Rocks a program for school children, which is dedicated to encouraging and educating the next generation of marketers. In all, we have eight major events through which we contribute to the growth of the Marketing fraternity.

What kind of developments do you see in the countrys Marketing and economic sphere due to the efforts of SLIM?

P: The activities of SLIM are segmented into two primary parts  events and education. However, most of SLIMs events consist of an educational segment. At SLIM we dont just introduce a product, we ensure its continuity. For example, the Brand Excellence program includes a number of informative workshops in order to educate participants on the best practices in the industry and most effective methods by which to boost their brands. It is not just about organizing an awards ceremony but about ensuring that those who participate in our events leave with much more than a trophy.

We have always made sure that the projects, programs and products we introduce are relevant to the industry. In the case of Brand Excellence, our objective is to introduce Sri Lankan brands to the global Marketing community. Before the inception of Brand Excellence, we noticed that Sri Lankan brands took a back seat to Indian, and other foreign and multinational brands. Following the introduction of Brand Excellence, we have seen many Sri Lankan brands that have won awards, go global, build their presence in other countries and become market leaders across the world.

What are the most significant changes made to SLIM Brand Excellence over the past seventeen years?

VP: The original SLIM Brand Excellence blue print was devised by the late Professor Uditha Liyanage. Brand Excellence was launched in 2002 under the presidency of Mr. Taslim Rahman. This year we will be celebrating the 17th anniversary of Brand Excellence. At its inception SLIM Brand Excellence was the primary platform for brands to judge their performance and effectiveness. The past seventeen years have witnessed major brands battle it out amongst themselves for the ultimate prize.

As the National Body for Marketing we asked ourselves what is our next step? The obvious next level is to encourage local brands to compete with global brands, to be recognized as international players. We realized that the next stage of Brand Excellence is to open a star gate for our local brands to reach the global sphere. To do so we decided on a 360-degree re-launch of the entire process including the award itself and the logo. I would like to thank Mr. Thushara Perera and the Blue Print Committee for their hard work in coming up with and implementing all the relevant changes.

One of the main changes is the inclusion of SMEs. We simplified the entry kit and encouraged members of the SME sector to present their brands with no language barrier whatsoever. We simplified the entry kit to give them a basic knowledge of branding, and how to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of their brands. This time we reached out to all twenty-five districts, with our committee fanning out and conducting many presentations and training programs. This was a tremendous achievement for us, as it serves as a testament to the fact that as the National Body for Marketing we have spread the message of Brand Excellence throughout the entire country.

What post-event results do you hope to see following the conclusion of this years SLIM Brand Excellence campaign?

P: I look forward to seeing more Sri Lankan brands enter the global community. Our infrastructure is currently laid out in such a way, with the ports and infrastructure development, which this is the ideal time for exports to flourish. I personally believe that tourism and exports have the potential to become two of the fastest growth areas for Sri Lanka.

One main result we hope to see is the development of the SME sector. We made significant changes to this years SLIM Brand Excellence blue print to make sure that it was not only for the big boys but for the smaller players of the industry as well. So we would definitely like to see a lot more SMEs coming up to the level of global brands.

We have also seen a significant number of new entries this year, so maybe we will witness some significant changes in the results of this years Brand Excellence. We are also confident that we will see a number of brands going global.

As the President of SLIM, I would like to thank Mr. Thushara Perera, a past president and his team who were in charge of the entire turn-around process. I would also like to offer my gratitude to Mr. Dinesh Nalliah the Head of the Judging Panel and all the judges for their commitment, and the Brand Excellence Committee headed by the Vice President of SLIM, Mr. Roshan Fernando.

What do you foresee for the future of SLIM Brand Excellence?

VP: In the near future we will set up the platform and begin the journey towards taking SLIM Brand Excellence out to the region. We hope to develop and expand the new model further next year, beginning with the CMO Forum, including Brand Week and concluding with the Brand Excellence Awards.BERLINJewish students in Berlin on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, when Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

Some 30 students from the Jewish Traditional School lit candles and recited prayers at their school as Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal urged them to jointly overcome Germanys past by building a secure future for Jews in the country.

This is the city where the Holocaust was planned and executed from, said Teichtal, a community rabbi and the head of the Jewish outreach group Chabad in the German capital.

What better answer is there than that, in this very city, the students of the Jewish school from Berlin should jointly pray and light candles showing that the answer to darkness and the evil of the past is to create education for the present and the future, he said.

Eighty years ago this week, on Nov. 9, 1938, the Nazis killed at least 91 people, burned down hundreds of synagogues, vandalized and looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and arrested up to 30,000 Jewish men, many of whom were taken away to concentration camps.

On Wednesday, students assembled under a maple tree in front of their school building. They prayed in Hebrew and German and lit six white candles to commemorate the synagogues that were burned down, as well as the 6 million people who perished in the Holocaust.

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I lost a big part of my family ... my great-grandparents, their siblings, and therefore it is all very special for me, said 15-year-old student Clara Eljaschewitsch. It is sad ... I think a lot about it.

Kristallnacht  which got its name for the shattered glass from Jewish-owned store windows that covered German streets  is often referred to as the beginning of the Holocaust. Still it would be years before the Nazis formally adopted their Final Solution for the Jews of Europe, which would evolve into a policy of mass murder.

Teichtal also condemned the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh last month in which 11 people were gunned down in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.

Its a terrible shock ... for the Jewish community worldwide. And it shows once again that the ugly head of anti-Semitism can show itself anywhere in the world and we have to actively combat it, he said.

Berlins top security official took a step in this direction on Wednesday, banning a far-right protest planned for Friday, the exact anniversary of Kristallnacht.

In explaining his decision, state interior minister Andreas Geisel said such a demonstration would in a blatant way negate the moral and ethical significance of this Memorial Day, the German news agency DPA reported.

Read more about:PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron waded onto controversial ground Wednesday by praising a First World War general who subsequently collaborated with the Nazis in the Second World War.

Macron made the comments about Marshal Philippe Petain on a stop in the northern town of Charleville-Mezieres as part of his six-day tour of battlefields to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Marshal Petain was also a great soldier during World War I even though he made fatal choices during the Second World War, Macron said

My role isnt to understand that its shocking or to comment about people. My role is to try to explain, be firm in my convictions, face our history, he added.

Petain led the French army to victory in Verdun in 1916, but gained infamy and a conviction for treason for his actions as leader of Vichy France from 1940 to 1944. He is despised for his complicity in the Holocaust, among other things, and notably the 1942 deportation of 13,000 Jews from France, a third of whom were children, in the Vel dHiv roundup.

The unusual presidential praise was criticized by Frances leading Jewish group, known by the initials CRIF.

I am shocked by this statement by Macron, CRIF president Francis Kalifat told the Associated Press.

Petain was the person who allowed the deportation of 76,000 French Jews to death camps. Petain signed the (law on) the status of Jews that meant Jews were excluded from public function, education and forced to wear the Jewish star, he added.

Kalifat said that it was an insult that a French president could honour Petain on the same level as the other generals. But he acknowledged the marshals pivotal role in the Great War that earned him the nickname Lion of Verdun.

French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux played down the issue as false controversy.

Read more about:LIMA, PERUAuthorities in Peru say a former head of the national police force is under arrest, accused of involvement in a baby trafficking ring.

Prosecutors say that Gen. Raul Becerra is among 15 people suspected of selling babies and children taken from poor women.

Authorities say that a gynecologist and a pediatrician also were detained in early morning raids Tuesday in the industrial city of Arequipa, 560 miles (900 kilometres) south of Lima.

Police Gen. Walter Ortiz says the suspected ring leader is Cintia Tello, the partner of the former police force director.

Investigators say they raided 18 homes and rescued a 5-month-old baby.

The Associated Press could not immediately reach Becerra, Tello or attorneys representing them for comment.WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S. is in no rush after talks between his top diplomat and a senior North Korean envoy were postponed, throwing stalled diplomacy over the Norths nuclear weapons into further uncertainty.

Trump said the meeting, which had been due to take place on Thursday in New York, would be rescheduled, and that he still expected to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un early next year.

Neither side has properly explained why the planned talks between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol, a key aide of the North Korean leader, were postponed.

State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino described it as purely a matter of scheduling but refused to elaborate.

The department said the meeting would take place at an unspecified later date, when our respective schedules permit. North Koreas propaganda services have not mentioned the meeting.

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Theres been little diplomatic progress in the five months since the June summit in Singapore where the U.S. and North Korean leaders committed to denuclearization of the divided Korean Peninsula.

Signs are growing of an impasse over how to achieve that goal.

News of the postponement came after North Koreas Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. on Friday for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

During a news conference on Wednesday mostly focused on midterm U.S. elections, Trump contended he had made more progress with North Korea than past administrations, and said that with sanctions still in place, he was not in a hurry to reach a deal with Pyongyang, which has halted nuclear and missile tests for the past year.

I would love to take the sanctions off, but they have to be responsive too. Its a two-way street. But were not in any rush at all. Theres no rush whatsoever, Trump told reporters at the White House.

In Seoul, South Korean presidential spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said his government doesnt believe U.S.-North Korea negotiations have completely broken down or lost their momentum because of the postponement. Seouls Foreign Ministry also expressed hope that the U.S. and North Korea can quickly reschedule a high-level meeting.

South Koreas presidential Blue House said the United States had informed it of the talks postponement in advance. But the Blue House would not reveal the reason for the postponement, referring questions to the State Department.

Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea that spiked last year when Trump and Kim were trading insults and dire threats have ebbed this year, but the North has not taken irreversible steps to give up the nukes it spent decades making and which it views as key to its security.

The two sides are deadlocked over when sanctions should be eased, with the U.S. maintaining that it should only happen after denuclearization. The North wants concessions sooner.

Read more about:Saudi Arabian Military Industries and Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia started a joint venture to manufacture warships in the kingdom, preserving a deal threatened by a global outcry over the murder of government critic Jamal Khashoggi.

SAMI Navantia Naval Industries will design and build five corvettes of the Avanti 2200 class, equipped with a combat management system, for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The two parties came to the agreement during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans visit to Spain in April, SPA said. It didnt provide a value for the deal.

Navantia earlier said the total cost will reach 1.8 billion euros ($2.1 billion), making it the biggest contract ever signed by Spains public shipyards with a foreign client.

The pact shows how Saudi Arabia is trying to ride out criticism and international condemnation that followed the killing of Khashoggi at the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul last month. Still, Chancellor Angela Merkel has signalled that Germany will suspend exports of military equipment to Saudi Arabia pending investigations into the death.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last month that Spain shares the international outrage but will also take into account the interests of its strategic industries. While Spain has exemplary standards on human rights, it must also consider the legality of existing contracts and protect jobs, Sanchez said.

The issue of suspending arms sales to Saudi Arabia is politically sensitive in Spain. Navantia will supply warships to the kingdom from its shipyards in Cadiz in Andalusia, a stronghold of the ruling Socialist Party. In September, Spain considered suspending sales of high-precision bombs to Riyadh but opted not to do so.

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Military contracts like the one with Navantia are important for Saudi economic plans, which include ensuring that more than half of the kingdoms total military spending goes toward local production. Saudi Arabian Military Industries plans to manufacture equipment and provide maintenance services across units, including air and land systems, weapons and missiles, and defence electronics, mainly in joint ventures.

Read more about:WASHINGTONFor more than seven weeks, special counsel Robert Mueller has been silent.

In the run-up to Election Day, there were no indictments or public pronouncements by the special counsels office, in keeping with Justice Department guidelines that prosecutors should avoid taking steps that could be perceived as intending to influence the outcome of the vote.

With the midterm elections now over, Mueller faces key decision points in his 18-month-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign  a probe that has already led to charges against 32 people, including 26 Russians. Four aides to U.S. President Donald Trump have pleaded guilty to various charges, most recently his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort in September.

Among the most pressing matters now before the special counsel: a probe into longtime Trump adviser Roger Stones activities and ongoing negotiations with Trumps legal team over a request to interview him.

For months, Mueller has been seeking to question Trump as part of his investigation, which is also examining whether the president has sought to obstruct the probe.

Shadowing the special counsels team is the looming likelihood that Trump could soon dismiss Attorney General Jeff Sessions  a shakeup that could spell the end of Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosensteins oversight of the investigation.

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Rosenstein appointed Mueller last May and has since supervised his work because Sessions, a key Trump surrogate in 2016, recused himself from dealing with matters involving the campaign. Trump has repeatedly expressed ire at Sessionss decision and talked openly about his desire to dismiss his attorney general.

Jacob Frenkel, a former state and federal prosecutor who is now in private practice at Dickinson Wright, noted that by keeping a low profile, Mueller avoided the widespread criticism that then-FBI Director James Comey faced when he made announcements about an investigation into Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons email practices in the final weeks of the 2016 race.

But Frenkel said he did not expect Muellers silence to continue for long.

For me, the question is, How many indictments and who?  Frenkel said. It is not an if. 

A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.

Muellers prosecutors have already laid out detailed allegations of how Russia sought to manipulate Americans through social media, break into state voting systems and hack the email accounts of Democratic committees and party leaders.

But the special counsels team has not indicated publicly that it has drawn any conclusions about whether Trump associates conspired with the Russians or whether the president obstructed justice.

At some point, the special counsel is expected to issue a confidential report to Rosenstein containing his conclusions about both matters.

Those findings  which could be shared with Congress  are eagerly awaited by Democrats, who on Tuesday regained control of the House. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, has said that Muellers conclusions will affect whether the party pursues impeachment proceedings against Trump.

Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said there have been some signs that Mueller may be wrapping up. She noted that he has shed staff members and handed off investigations to prosecutors in New York and Washington.

But, she added, it is difficult to predict when Mueller might conclude the probe. If Stone or others were to be charged, McQuade said, Mueller might spend time trying to persuade them to co-operate and then use the information they provide to chase new leads.

It seems that the end is in sight, she said, but I dont know whether that is a matter of weeks or months.

Behind the scenes, Muellers investigators have been intensively gathering evidence and questioning witnesses in recent weeks.

The grand jury hearing evidence in the Russia investigation has been seen meeting at a federal courthouse in Washington on six of the last eight Fridays.

Based on witnesses who have been called to the grand jury, the special counsel appears to be intensely focused on Stone.

The longtime Trump friend and former adviser is under scrutiny for claims he made in the 2016 campaign that suggested he was in contact with WikiLeaks. In the final months of the White House race, the group published Democratic emails that prosecutors allege were hacked by Russian military operatives.

Stone has repeatedly maintained that he was not in touch with WikiLeaks and did not have advance knowledge of its plans. He said he based his comments on publicly available interviews with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and tips from associates, including New York comedian and radio host Randy Credico, who interviewed Assange on his program in August 2016.

Credico has denied serving as a back-channel to Assange for Stone.

In recent weeks, two more Stone associates testified before the grand jury  among at least nine people connected to Stone who have been contacted by prosecutors so far.

Filmmaker David Lugo and lawyer Tyler Nixon both told The Washington Post last month that Credico acknowledged to them that he gave Stone information from Assange. Lugo, who appeared before the grand jury Oct. 19, said he turned over text messages and emails to Muellers team. Nixon said he testified last week.

Separately, conservative writer Jerome Corsi was interviewed by investigators over three days last week and appears to be emerging as a key witness in the Mueller investigation into Stones activities.

In an appearance on his live-streamed internet show Monday, Corsi told viewers that he has been in near-continuous contact with Muellers team in recent weeks.

Its been two months, on a really constant basis in the Mueller investigation. Its been one of the biggest pushes of my life, said Corsi, who added that he could provide no specifics of his interactions with Mueller.

David Gray, an attorney for Corsi, declined to comment.

Mueller faces significant legal battles in the coming weeks.

Andrew Miller, a longtime aide to Stone, has refused to comply with a subpoena to appear before the grand jury, arguing that Muellers probe is unconstitutional. A judge has held him in contempt but stayed that ruling until the matter is resolved. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, the special counsel must decide whether to accept only written answers from the president or to fight for an interview. Such a move would likely require issuing a subpoena to the president, which would then draw a legal challenge from Trumps team.

By mid-November, the presidents attorneys plan to turn over Trumps written answers to roughly a dozen questions the special counsel has posed  including the presidents knowledge of the hacked Democratic emails and his advisers contacts with Russians during the campaign and transition, according to two people familiar with the decision.

In September, after eight months of negotiations over a possible interview with Trump, the two sides agreed that Mueller would accept written answers to a subset of questions as a partial first step.

The presidents answers have not been completed yet, according to the people, in part because his attorneys had trouble getting time with Trump amid a series of crises, including the death of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi, the mailing of pipe bombs to Democratic leaders, and a fatal shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Trumps legal team has repeatedly resisted Muellers request for a sit-down interview with the president since he first proposed it in December 2017. But they have never flatly rejected it.

Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has said he opposes the idea of the interview, worried that Mueller would accuse Trump of perjury. The president  who once voiced eagerness to set the record straight  is now cool to the notion of speaking to the special counsel, according to people familiar with his views.

Muellers probe could be dramatically reshaped by Sessionss status.

If Trump were to fire Sessions but take no other action, Muellers probe would likely continue unabated. That is because Sessionss deputy, Rosenstein, would be elevated to the position of acting attorney general and would retain oversight of the special counsel investigation.

But Trump could appoint an acting attorney general to take Sessionss place. That person would take over supervision of the probe, unless he or she had a conflict.

Trump also could fire both Sessions and Rosenstein  a possibility for which officials at the Justice Department are bracing, although it is widely believed that Sessions faces more immediate peril.

In that case, supervision of the Mueller probe would default to Solicitor General Noel Francisco if Trump did not appoint a different acting attorney general.

One possible interim replacement for Sessions could be Matthew Whitaker, the attorney generals chief of staff.

However, comments he has made about Muellers investigations could put pressure on Whitaker to recuse himself, as Sessions did.

A legal commentator before he came into the Justice Department, Whitaker has mused publicly about how a Sessions replacement might reduce Muellers budget so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt.

He wrote in a September 2017 column that Mueller had come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing, after CNN reported that the special counsel could be looking into Trump and his associates financial ties to Russia.

Read more about:LONDONFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected a request to appear before an international parliamentary committee delving into the questions around fake news.

The rebuff came after Damian Collins, the head of the U.K. parliaments media committee, joined forces with his Canadian counterpart in hopes of pressuring Zuckerberg to testify, as he did before the U.S Congress. Facebook rejected the invitation to appear before the so-called international grand committee session Nov. 27, arguing it wasnt possible for Zuckerberg to appear before all parliaments.

Collins says pressure is building, with counterparts in Australia, Argentina and Ireland having joined the grand committee in the time since Zuckerberg was invited.

He says five parliaments are now calling on you to do the right thing by the 170 million users in the countries they represent.

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Read more about:While Americans were rendering their verdict on Donald Trumps politics on Tuesday, Justin Trudeau was on CNN, talking about the elephant and moose relationship between Canada and the United States.

Canada is still massively outweighed in that metaphor, Trudeau told CNN interviewer Poppy Harlow, but will stand securely in our own strength and our own approach.

Trudeau has been talking about Canada as a moose  not a mouse, as his father once described the country  ever since last summer; around the same time that Trump-Trudeau relations started to get tense.

Although both leaders have declared theyve moved past their disagreement, the legacy of that flame-out was evident in Trudeaus cautious non-answers to his American interviewer.

Where once this Prime Minister might have been tempted to sharply underline his differences with Trumps brand of populist politics, Trudeau wouldnt take the bait this time  no pointed comments about the midterms, no backhand swipes at how Trump has been stoking up fear of immigration in recent days.

Americans will make the choice that they need to make, Trudeau said, noting that Canadas long history with Quebec-referendum politics taught our citizens to appreciate the value of outsiders keeping their own opinions to themselves.

Still, in a week that marks three years since Trudeau was sworn into office and two years since Trump won his election, its hard not to notice how the two leaders stand sharply divided on how to handle the populist sentiments surging around the globe.

Here in Canada, Trudeaus government was rolling out a series of anti-poverty measures on Tuesday with some fanfare  the idea being that populism has root causes that government can help fix.

Legislation has been introduced in the Commons to make an official poverty line in Canada, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos used the occasion to repackage a number of previously announced programs as a poverty reduction strategy.

For Trudeaus Liberals, and indeed, progressives worldwide, this is how sensible politicians handle the public discontent that simmers into populist anger. Its a policy-heavy response, and most of it is focused on domestic economic conditions.

Is this sensible, though, or simply naive? Can a government really harness this surge of public anger with policy declarations and promises to measure the problem more effectively?

Trumps populism, on the other hand, is a totally different beast  a rampaging elephant, you might say.

While Trudeau and other progressives see populism as a homegrown phenomenon, Trump has been blaming actors outside the United States for the rise of public discontent among Americans. Throughout the lead-up to the midterms, Trump kept the focus on migrant caravans coming up through Mexico, or bad trading partners (i.e. Canada) who have been allegedly taking the United States for granted.

It was the pressure of looming midterms, well recall, that lit a fire under Trumps bid to get Canada and Mexico signed up to a new trade deal before campaigning got under way in earnest.

Funnily enough, though, no one seemed to be seeing these midterms as a referendum on the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA.) Bloomberg published a fascinating map late last week, charting the biggest midterm issues based on an analysis of more than 3 million election ads that have been running on TV in local markets.

Overwhelmingly, the concerns were domestic: jobs, taxes and health care, with immigration and public safety, perhaps predictably, show up at the border with Mexico.

In states along the Canadian border, health care was the biggest issue in the TV ads, demonstrating maybe that this moose, with a national medicare program, does cast a bit of a shadow over the elephant.

Trudeau was telling CNN this week that Canada stands resolutely apart from the U.S. and its midterm politics, but make no mistake  his government was watching to see whether Trumps brand of populism was going to be contained or encouraged in Tuesdays voting.

Any kind of victory for the elephant would make a mouse  or a moose  nervous.

Susan Delacourt is the Star's Ottawa bureau chief and a columnist covering national politics. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @susandelacourt

Read more about:TRENTON, ONT.Premier Doug Ford says he did not reveal former cabinet minister Jim Wilson abruptly resigned Friday over sexual misconduct allegations to protect the privacy of the accuser.

Denying NDP charges there was a cover up of the true reason for the dramatic departure, Ford said Wednesday he personally approved a press release stating the veteran legislator was leaving only to seek treatment for alcohol addiction.

When we sat down with the person that gave the allegations, they repeatedly asked us not to make this a media story, the premier told reporters in his first public comments since the scandal began unfolding at 6 p.m. Friday.

Read more:

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It takes courage to come forward to put truth to power and I commend them, Ford added, speaking of Wilsons accuser and others who made sexual misconduct allegations about Andrew Kimber, the premiers former executive director of issues management and legislative affairs, who also left the government suddenly Friday.

Theyre a prioritywith all due respect to the media, they trump the media.

Ford said an independent firm, which he would not name, was hired immediately Friday to conduct investigations of the allegations against Wilson and Kimber. Investigators have begun interviewing people.

He added the accusers are free to go to the police if they wanted to. They havent as of yet. They dont want to.

The departure of Kimber was not mentioned in the Wilson press release, which also stated the minister had gone a step further from resigning his portfolio to quit the Progressive Conservative caucus. Wilson, a Tory MPP since 1990, will sit as an independent.

That was a red flag for reporters and political insiders suggesting there was more to his exit than drinking.

He was asked to resign, Ford said of Wilson, noting that if the minister had not quit he would have been fired immediately and that his addiction is a real issue.

The premier declined to reveal his conversation with Wilson but added he understoodthe situation. He understood he needed to leave the party.

Ford, who was at the air force museum at CFB Trenton to talk about an upcoming program to help members of the military in Ontario, also had stern words for Kimber.

He lasted about a minute when we found out, the premier said before referencing both men.

Theyre gone, theyre done. See ya later.

But Ford would not commit to publicly releasing the results of the third-party investigation of the two men and could not provide a time line for how long it would take.

Were going to turn over every single stone, talk to every single person and that takes a while.

Ford stressed he has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in the government and said workers have the right to feel safe in their jobs.

NDP MPP Sara Singh (Brampton Centre) said the premier absolutely could have been honest and told Ontarians that there were serious allegations against his most senior minister  and could have done that without revealing the identity of anyone impacted.

Protecting a victim of sexual misconduct is the right thing to do. Protecting a powerful man accused of sexual misconduct isnt. Pretending that those things are at odds with each other is wrong, said Singh.

Our thoughts are with anyone impacted by Mr. Wilsons alleged misconduct. We believe its absolutely right to protect their identity and their privacy if thats their wish. And we continue to think its wrong that Mr. Ford tried to protect the person that allegedly hurt them, she said.

Wilson was the premiers most experienced minister and Kimber one of Fords top advisers.

Sources told the Star that Wilson stepped down from cabinet and caucus after a complaint from a male PC staffer about inappropriate behaviour.

Behind closed doors, cabinet ministers were being assured that was the public story while the real story was the staffers complaint.

Similarly, Kimber, the premiers executive director of issues management and legislative affairs, left Friday after it emerged that texts of a sexual nature had been sent to female PC staffers in the past.

The allegations against the rising star emerged as he was gaining Fords trust. That burgeoning relationship left some rivals feeling threatened, sources told the Star.

However, insiders emphasize it was a coincidence that the departure of Wilson, whose chief of staff is Kimbers wife, came on the same day as allegations surfaced about the issues manager.

Neither Wilson nor Kimber have returned messages seeking comment.

The ministers exit triggered a hasty cabinet shuffle Monday, which was held behind closed doors at Queens Park early in the morning to avoid media attention.

All six of the shuffled ministers as well as the premier ducked reporters by leaving the swearing-in ceremony at Queens Park from a side entrance.

Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

Read more about:VANCOUVERBritish Columbias new anti-money-laundering laws, not racial profiling, may have been what prevented Drake from gambling in Vancouver last weekend, according to several sources  including an online post purporting to be from an employee at the casino.

The Toronto rapper, full name Aubrey Drake Graham, just turned 32 on Oct. 24 and has a penchant for visiting casinos around the date, according to previous social-media posts.

On Instagram, Drake wrote: Parq Casino is the worst run business I have ever witnessed  Profiling me and not allowing me to gamble when I had everything they originally asked me for.

Drakes account was disputed by a Reddit user who claimed he is a Parq casino employee, though StarMetro could not independently verify the truth of that claim. The user didnt respond to an email requesting more information. CTV News, however, said it verified the events described with another unnamed source.

The user, O-A-N, alleged that Drake ran afoul of rules requiring he produce proof he withdrew funds of more than $10,000 the same day and declare its source.

Basically, you need a bank receipt for the same day you buy in, the Reddit post said. He was refused service because of (the British Columbia Lottery Corporations) policy that requires source of funds from any player trying to buy in for more than $10,000 in cash.

Read more:

Drake accuses Vancouver casino of racial profiling

How the laundering of dirty money in B.C. casinos was exposed

B.C. casinos are laundromats for infusion of dirty money, report says

Parq tried to do everything they could to allow him to gamble  including calling up BCLC. Drake and his entourage were well informed of this policy when they were refused service. If Parq allowed Drake to break this law, they could lose their gambling licence.

According to an update from the same Reddit user, Drake did end up gambling both that night and the next day.

He was there for at least six hours that I know of, the user wrote. Drake did in fact gamble for a while. Not only did he have his own ($10,000) buy-in, he had a friend at one point wire him money to Parq, which they accepted, and he gambled some more.

When he lost that, he tried to buy in again with cash and he was refused again. Seems like after losing everything, he left and threw and made that post.

A spokesperson for Parq Vancouver told StarMetro she cant comment on specific customers for privacy reasons but said that Parq Vancouver is responsible for following all of the regulations set out by B.C. (Lotteries Corp). We follow these guidelines for every customer.

The casino said in a Saturday post on its Instagram account it is constantly improving our communications process to ensure that these new regulations are better understood by all guests ... We are operating in one of the most complex, highly regulated industries and are always looking to better our communication and customer service.

We categorically stand against racism of any kind.

In a statement on its website, B.C. Lotteries Corporation says it requires reporting of any cash buy-in of $10,000 or more, including the customers identification and a bank receipt.

All cash and bank draft/certified cheque buy-ins for $10,000 or more, in one or more transactions within a 24-hour period, will require a source of funds receipt, the Crown corporation said. The original receipt must be from the same day of the transaction and show the financial institution, branch number and account number.

This information will be required before a customer is allowed to buy in.

After Attorney General David Eby took office last year, he described being shown video footage of hundreds of thousands of dollars  in elastic-bound $20s  being dumped from duffel bags at casino teller wickets. He responded by ordering a report by former RCMP regional commissioner Peter German.

Germans bombshell report was titled Dirty Money. Compared to other jurisdictions, B.C. had allowed money laundering and organized criminal activity to flourish over a decade in its casinos, the report said, and the previous government had shuttered an anti-money-laundering enforcement unit despite insiders warnings about the problem.

As a result, Eby tabled and passed a revamp of B.C.s casino legislation, including measures to force gaming businesses to flag all transactions over $10,000 to authorities and require them to prove where they got the cash on the same day.

And according to Eby on Monday, the new laws have worked, causing a remarkable and sharp decline in suspicious transactions, adding theres been a reduction of about 100 times from the peak of suspicious cash transactions.

For that reason, Eby said, there can be no exceptions regarding disclosure.

B.C.s rules are by no means unique. Had Drake or any celebrity walked into, say, a Las Vegas casino owned by Parqs operator, Paragon Gaming, he would have discovered a tight net of laws and regulations also govern cash transactions there.

German visited Las Vegas, the hub of gaming on the continent, and met with enforcement officials and regulators there. His recommendations were largely inspired by Nevadas model, including encouraging alternatives to cash and requiring identification and detailed record-keeping on large transactions.

I hypothesized that a box of cash arrived with rubber bands at a cash cage, German wrote about his meetings with Las Vegas deputy chief of the enforcement division and a casino investigator. What would occur? The officers doubted that this would occur in Las Vegas.

According to the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (the equivalent of Canadas FinTRAC), a casino is required to file a (Currency Transaction Report by Casinos) on currency transactions by or on behalf of any customer that, alone or when aggregated, exceed $10,000 in a gaming day.

The same law applies to poker players buying in with more than $10,000 in chips with currency, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions in the same gaming day.

Violations in the U.S. could cost a casino $25,000 every day of the violation occurring, up to $100,000 per violation.

Drizzy has said nothing beyond his call-out on Instagram. But in his song Diplomatic Immunity, released on Jan. 19, he sings about a previous incident at a casino in Detroit:

I refuse to comply with regulations  Motor City Casino, Im at the cage with my old licence. They tell me, Dont worry, I got your money.

With files from The Canadian Press

Read more about:Ambassador Kumararatne and Jagath Perera, Marketing Officer in charge of the Swiss Market at Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, present tokens of appreciation to Mayor of Lugano Marco Borradori and Lugano Exhibition chief organizer Marco Peon

Takes part in Swiss International Holiday Exhibition iViaggiatori

Swiss Air chartered flights twice a week to facilitate Swiss tourists

Sri Lanka expects to lure in high spending Swiss tourists as the country recently took part in the Swiss International Holiday Exhibition known as iViaggiatori.

iViaggiatori is the prestigious tourism event that takes place annually in the Italian speaking canton in Switzerland, and is recognized as one of the prominent tourism trade fairs in Europe.

The Sri Lanka pavilion at iViaggiatori was inaugurated by Marco Borradori - Mayor of Lugano, Marco Peon - chief Organizer of Lugano Exhibition and Ambassdor R.D.S. Kumararatne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the World Trade Organization on November 1.



The Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva in collaborating with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized Sri Lankas participation at the holiday exhibition which was held from November 1st to 4th at the Lugano Exhibition Centre in Switzerland.



Switzerland is a well-developed economy with a GDP of CHF 668 billion and a per capita of CHF 79,000, the second highest in the world. The households disposal income is estimated to be CHF 400 billion with an average saving rate of 14 percent. Swiss tourists are considered high spenders in leisure travel.



The joint effort made by the Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is considered timely as Sri Lanka is gradually becoming a popular destination for Swiss tourists.



This is further facilitated with the introduction of Swiss Air chartered flights (Edelweiss Air) twice a week starting from 03rd November this year for Zurich-Colombo-Zurich sectors.



Sri Lankas recognition as the number one popular tourist destination for 2019 by Lonely Planet will complement Sri Lankas promotional efforts in the Swiss market.

The Swiss International Holiday Exhibition attracts around 20,000 participants from among travel agents, tour operators, tourism-related professionals.



This annual exhibition was started in 2003, and the exhibition area has expanded over 30 percent with the increasing number of exhibitors from all-over the world.

The 2018 edition was attended by over 250 exhibitors from the countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, India, Spain, Cyprus, Canada, Germany, Tanzania, Croatia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Chile, Austria, Maldives, Lithuania, Greece, South Africa, Indonesia, Uganda, and Mongolia.



This year, altogether six companies represented Sri Lankas tourism business sector in this exhibition namely, Karusan Travels, A. Baur & Company Travel (Pvt) Ltd., Lets travel, Ayu in the Wild Holidays, Coral Sands Hotel Ltd., and The choice - Gem & Jewellery.



CaptionWhy Religion?: A Personal Story

By Elaine Pagels

Ecco. 256 pp. $27.99

---

A rare lung disease killed Elaine Pagels's 6-year-old son, and then about a year later her husband fell to his death while mountain climbing. After that Job-like run of tragedies, no one would have blamed Pagels if she had decided to "curse God and die."

But she held on. Through rage and terror and despair so overwhelming that it made her faint, she held on.

"I had to look into that darkness," she says at the opening of her new memoir, "Why Religion?" "I could not continue to live fully while refusing to recall what happened."

Pagels acknowledges that "no one escapes terrible loss," but as the country's most popular historian of religion, she brings a unique reservoir of spiritual wisdom to bear on the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. A MacArthur "genius" and a professor at Princeton University, she has long been one of those rare bilingual academics capable of speaking to lay and scholarly readers. Her foundational work, "The Gnostic Gospels" (1979), revolutionized our concept of early Christianity, won a National Book Award and became a best-seller. Her subsequent books, including "Adam, Eve and the Serpent," "The Origin of Satan" and "Revelations," have continued to complicate conventional understandings of Christianity and trace the persistence of ancient attitudes in modern society.

Now, at 75, with disdain for "the facile comfort that churches often dole out like Kleenex," Pagels leads us through the remarkable events of her life by considering the consolations (BEGIN ITAL)and(END ITAL) the tortures of faith. "Why Religion?" is, as its subtitle states, a personal story, but it's also a wide-ranging work of cultural reflection and a brisk tour of the most exciting religion scholarship over the past 40 years.

Given Pagels' famously ecumenical approach, it's surprising to hear that her spiritual journey began at a stadium revival preached by Billy Graham. At 15, vaguely curious, she tagged along with some Christian friends to the Cow Palace outside San Francisco. Her family was ferociously secular, but when Graham invited the assembled crowd of 23,000 people to be born again, Pagels found his invitation irresistible. In tears, she stepped forward to be saved. "That day opened up vast spaces of imagination," she writes. "It changed my life, as the preacher promised it would - although not entirely as he intended."

That reference to "imagination" - the first of many laced through this memoir - foreshadows her eventual break from orthodox Christianity, but it also suggests her determination to think creatively about sacred texts and the influence they wield. One of the bedrocks of her philosophy is that "what we imagine is enormously consequential." While others, like her parents, simply dismissed religion as a chaotic system of fairy tales, Pagels has felt impelled to keep asking, "Why is religion still around in the twenty-first century?" It's a question that has sent her searching around the world and across millennia.

But in her 20s, while studying modern dance with Martha Graham, she was interested in many things. With a childlike sense of awe, she applied to five graduate schools in five fields. She never says so (she's far too modest), but it's clear she could have excelled in any of them. Harvard University told her they already had too many women in their religion program - (BEGIN ITAL)Why waste openings on the flighty sex?(END ITAL) - but if she were still interested a year later, she could apply again. Fortunately, she did, and before long she was working on a "top secret" cache of Egyptian documents discovered in 1945 - heretical gospels long rumored but considered lost in the sands of time. "I was amazed," she writes, "to find that some of these texts spoke words I'd never heard before yet longed to understand."

"Why Religion?" - a counterpoint of sorts to Huston Smith's "Why Religion Matters" (2000) - moves freely among the intimate details of Pagels' life, her marriage to the brilliant physicist Heinz Pagels and the challenges of upending centuries of calcified belief. Along the way, she describes the terrors of raising a terminally ill child, considers the ethics of futile medical interventions and testifies to the temptation and havoc of denial.

She is consistently, sometimes hilariously humble. She mentions that she started reading Greek the way one of us might mention that we started watching "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." World-famous acquaintances - Jerry Garcia, Andrei Sakharov, Oprah Winfrey - are noted without a whiff of arrogance. Her controversial professional triumphs and critical discoveries are recounted with head-spinning speed. Indeed, Elaine Pagels' previous books, which are concise to a fault, are not always well served by being so aggressively summarized in this new book. As she speaks of profound spiritual and religious matters, I pined for a more poetic and contemplative style, something along the order of Marilynne Robinson or Christian Wiman.

But when the memoir arrives at the death of her little boy, Pagels' tone feels bracingly appropriate. "I can tell only the husk of the story." It felt, she says, "like being burned alive." Grasping for some explanation, pricked with the cruel sense that illness is the punishment for sin, she began to search for the source of this self-recrimination. Suddenly, the Bible texts seemed stained with dread:

"Working hard to stay steady, or seem to, I could no longer afford to look through a lens that heaps guilt upon grief," she writes. "Although I wasn't a traditional believer and didn't take such stories literally, somehow their premises had shaped my unconscious assumptions. Now I had to divest myself of the illusion that we (BEGIN ITAL)deserved(END ITAL) what had happened; believing it would have crushed us."

That unspeakable experience confirmed her understanding of the influence of the Bible's stories. "Whether we believe them or not, they are transmitted in our cultural DNA, powerfully shaping our attitudes toward work, gender, sexuality, and death," she writes. "I sought to untangle my own responses, while sensing how powerfully our culture shapes them." One gets the impression that studying herself in the crucible of grief was often the lone activity that kept her sane.

Feeling confused and overwhelmed, she turned to the New Testament, the Gnostic gospels of the Nag Hammadi library and Buddhism. In theory and practice, her life demonstrates the freedom that comes from breaching the boundaries of orthodoxy and accepting insight wherever it might be hiding.

Those include mystical places that most academics would be reluctant to enter. But Pagels is as fearless as she is candid. In the depths of her sorrow, she recalls uncanny coincidences, acts of precognition, ghostly visitations and even a confrontation with a demon one night in the hospital. These episodes are never submitted as factual evidence of supernatural intervention. Instead, Pagels offers her subjective experiences to demonstrate the way our lives are molded by ancient stories, consciously and unconsciously.

Still, the facts are as hard as a gravestone: No saint interceded to fill her son's lungs. No angel caught her husband as he fell from Pyramid Peak. And no ray of divine inspiration eventually illuminates a greater good in their deaths. But that's not the end of the story for Pagels. With the twinned spirits of seeker and scholar, she kept studying the Gospels, the letters of Paul, the Gnostic texts and the insights of Buddhism and Trappist monks until she understood that suffering is an essential and common element of human life. Toward the end, she writes, "My own experience of the 'nightmare' - the agony of feeling isolated, vulnerable, and terrified - has shown that only awareness of that sense of interconnection restores equanimity, even joy."

When that ray of happiness finally pierces the gloom in her life, "Why Religion?" feels miraculous and yet entirely believable.I know what you're thinking: "Bah! Humbug!" Can a Christmas movie that's being released in November, well before Thanksgiving, be any good? It just so happens that the new animated version of the Dr. Seuss classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a welcome, if early, Christmas gift. You'd have to be a Scrooge to resist it.

The Grinch (voice of Benedict Cumberbatch) lives in a spacious mountaintop lair, high above the town of Whoville, with his faithful mutt, Max. When we meet him, five days before Christmas, he's bitter and alone, a grumpy fur ball who just doesn't feel the holiday spirit. What's worse, he doesn't want anybody else to feel it. Yet no matter what mischief he throws at the Whovillians - everything from refusing to accept their cheery wishes to knocking over their groceries - they take it in stride.

When the Grinch learns that the Mayor of Whoville (Angela Lansbury) has decreed that this year's Christmas celebration be three times bigger than ever before, he lays plans for a major disruption.

He's not the only one anxious about the holiday. Little Cindy Lou Who (Cameron Seely) has an urgent wish for Santa. But this wide-eyed tyke doesn't want toys. Rather, her wish is for relief for her overworked mother (Rashida Jones).

Can Cindy Lou's selflessness teach the Grinch something about Christmas spirit?

Working from a script by Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow, directors Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier stay close to the tone of the 1966 TV special based on Dr. Seuss's book, even as they take liberties with backstory and character development. The Grinch's aversion to holiday crowds, for instance, serves an unusual purpose here: helping you identify with the villain. That may be unexpected for a children's movie, but what adult - or at least the introverted ones - hasn't felt apprehension about the sometimes overly hectic holiday season?

Such empathy for the Grinch is, ironically, very much in the Christmas spirit. Like Cindy Lou, can't we feel a little generosity of heart, even to those who wish us harm?

In an odd way, "The Grinch" feels like a kid's version of last year's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," a heavy drama that invited us to see an unpleasant supporting character (Oscar winner Sam Rockwell) not as a monster, but as a human being, worthy of redemption.

With its charming character animation and inventive art direction, "The Grinch" is a vast improvement over Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of the same story. That garish 2000 film, which starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch, looked like the cat that ate German Expressionism, the paintings of Thomas Kinkade and the Target holiday aisle, and then threw up a 100-minute hairball.

Compared with that travesty, this new "Grinch" is "Citizen Kane." (In fact, the movie references Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece when we see the Grinch sharing a meal with Max, each of them at opposite ends of a long banquet table.) This endearing update of a holiday classic reminds us that the Christmas season can be hard for the lonely. It offers up an optimistic message that the Grinches of the world might melt their hard hearts if we meet them face to face - not with rancor, but with love.

---

Three stars. Rated PG. Contains brief rude humor. 90 minutes.

Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.

Advance for thur nov 8Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) yesterday lodged a complaint at the Commission to Investigate and Alleviate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to investigate into the alleged inducements offered to MP Palitha Range Bandara and several politicians. They also produced a CD of selected voice recordings highlighting alleged offers of Rs. 500 million for MP crossovers. Pix by Damith WickramasingheALTON  The 111th District has elected to send Monica Bristow back to Springfield.

Bristow beat out Republican challenger Mike Babcock for the 111th Districts Illinois House of Representatives seat Tuesday. With all 97 precincts reporting, Bristow edged Babcock by a final vote of 18,583 to 18,215.

I am relieved that the hard-fought fight is finally over, Bristow said. I am looking forward to continuing to represent the district.

Bristow was appointed to the Illinois House of Representative last December to serve out the remaining term of retiring state Rep. Dan Beiser of Alton. Beiser won re-election in 2016 to a familiar foe, as Babcock opposed him in a race that was decided by 2,455 votes.

Now, as then, he fell just short, with a mere 368 votes separating he and Bristow. Nearly 37,000 votes were cast in the race.

I want to thank my wife and three boys for going through this process with me. It has been a long six year journey, Babcock said in a prepared statement. I also want to thank all of those who supported me at the doors, on Facebook and throughout the campaign.

The loss was his third in recent years, as he previously ran for the District 56th state Senate seat in 2012, falling to then-Sen. Bill Haine.

Bristow was appointed to the representative seat after years as president of the RiverBend Growth Association, where she worked to bring local business, labor and community members together to help build a stronger economy in the area.

The race was contentious, with both sides lobbing accusatory advertisements at the other. Babcock linked Bristow to reviled Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, while Bristow ran an ad early in the campaign suggesting Babcock might not keep children safe from predators.EDWARDSVILLE  An ordinance making some changes to the Madison County Boards policy regarding citizen comments during board meetings was discussed Monday, and plans are to fine-tune the changes before taking it to the full board.

The committee did not have a quorum, which is why the change was discussed but no official action was taken.

The current board policy allows up to five speakers three minutes each to talk. One of the issues is that they must register 48 hours in advance, before the meetings agenda has to be made public.

The issue came up in August when a member of the watchdog group Edgar County Watchdogs attempted to speak on the issue without signing up.

Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said at the time that he had wanted board action to waive the rules to allow the speaker, but after consulting with Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons said that the ordinance does not allow that.

Gibbons noted that state law requires allowing public speakers, but can be regulated.

Committee Chairman Don Moore, R-Troy, said the only major change in the proposed ordinance would be to cut the registration deadline to 24 hours before the meeting.

Part of the discussion on Monday was that the chairman should have some discretion in the order in which speakers talk, that topics being acted on by the board at that meeting have priority over other topics, and that if more than one speaker wants to talk on a single subject that those be limited in favor of others discussing different subjects.

Moore also said he wants the States Attorneys Office to look over the proposed ordinance, which will probably be considered by the committee in January.

The committee also heard a presentation from representatives of ILLINOISouth Tourism. ILLINOISouth Tourism and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, formerly the Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, split the promotion of tourism in Madison County.

The Great Rivers & Routes area includes the northern half of the county, and Calhoun and Jersey. ILLINOISouth covers 22 counties from the Mississippi to the Wabash rivers, including the southern portion of Madison County.

However, Great Rivers & Routes recently took over promotion of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Collinsville areas, and has pushed to be the sole tourism agency in Madison County.

Part of the issue is that the two agencies have different marketing strategies.

The two agencies split approximately $5,000 in county tourism funding. However, a larger issue is state money that comes to each agency because of the designation.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.Republican Rep. Rodney Davis has won a fourth term representing a central Illinois congressional district.

Davis on Tuesday defeated Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, a first-time candidate from Springfield.

The seat was one of four in Illinois that Democrats targeted in their effort to win House control. The 14-county district includes swaths of rural areas as well as the University of Illinois and Illinois State University.

Davis, of Taylorville, credited GOP policies such as the tax system overhaul for recent economic growth. Vice President Mike Pence held a campaign fundraiser with him in October.

Londrigan criticized Davis for supporting legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, saying her son had a life-threatening illness as a child and without insurance coverage the family couldve faced bankruptcy.Deepavali is observed by Hindus that symbolizes victory of Light over Darkness, hope over despair, but today as the ruling class continues with its pre-colonial feudal system of rule of keeping a distance between the rulers and the ruled with us and them feeling.

Also today many Sri Lankans venerate late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the influential Buddhist monk who passed away this day three years ago on November 6, 2015, who aided the wind of change in 2015 to put the Unity Government to change the way country was ruled, yet there is no hope for the Sri Lankan ruled class that includes Hindus. Regrettably, with the loss of this true nonviolent revolutionary monk respected by all communities, there was nobody to guide the ruling class to produce the desired results. Perhaps if the monk had lived longer, respecting the diversity of a multi-class, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society the change might have happened and certainly would have prevented the present constitutional crisis. Perhaps the country is not ready for a change yet, with the insistence of the Sri Lankan rulers to maintain the unitary status undermining fundamental rights of all the minorities. Not surprisingly the ruled class expressed their disappointment clearly at the 2018 Local Government polls to rock the foundation of the unity government and its ruling class leaders mindful of the concerns of the people, reacted separately.

While the rejected regime interpreted the results as their victory and are attempting to take control of the government with the help of a few turncoat legislators when parliament reconvenes next week. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), having expressed its willingness for a political solution within a united country should request the future government to resolve some of the basic issues of their people in exchange for their support, failing that should take a neutral stance and leave it to the ruling class to resolve their crisis.

Bitter truth is this crisis will end when the House resumes its sessions with new rulers, but not the problems of the majority poor people being ruled; to them the past or the present government makes no difference as both are from the corrupt pool of legislators belonging to same ruling class. A proper weeding out that was stressed many times in Northern Breeze is the best option available to the majority poor people at the General Elections due in 2020 to clean up the poor administration at the centre. Weeding out from the ruling class all dishonest common men turned politicians regardless of which political party they belong to and replace them by voting in many new law makers to any political party of their choice to govern the country and get the country out of its present mess.EDWARDSVILLE  Results from Tuesday nights midterm election have leaders of both major political parties in Madison County pondering the political leanings of their county.

A number of Republican candidates carried the county, including incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner, who was beaten soundly by Chicago Democrat JB Pritzker in the statewide race. Republican challengers Erika Harold and Jim Dodge, running for Illinois Attorney General and Treasurer, respectively, also won the county despite losing the bigger picture.

But locally, two Democratic candidates for state legislature won election on the strength of Madison County votes, as incumbent Monica Bristow and upstart Rachelle Aud Crowe defeated Republican challenger Mike Babcock and Downstate United Party candidate Hal Patton for the area state Representative and Senate seats, respectively.

It was a year that women did particularly well, and it showed in Madison County, said Mark Von Nida, the Madison County Democratic Party Chairman, regarding his thoughts on Tuesdays results.

Von Nida answered his phone from the side of a roadway while picking up signs that were campaigning for people like Bristow. While he says hes happy with the results, hes most excited about voter turnout.

Turnout was incredible, Von Nida said. I consider that an effort on the Democratic parties side to get people out to vote early we really worked hard with the state to get people out there.

Von Nida said that his team was more focused on getting people to the polls than it was about who they were voting for. He claims that there were a few races he wished would have gone the other way, but overall he felt great about it.

He went on to say with the trend in the counties right leaning voting pattern, he wasnt particularly shocked about any of the election results.

Jeremy Plank, Madison County Republican Chairman, felt a little differently.

Im a little disappointed with the results, but looking at the big picture we feel pretty good. We had some pretty big wins and we were able to maintain majority on the county board, Plank said.

Local results will bring a few new faces to the Madison County Board, but little will change in the dynamic of the now- Republican-dominated board.

Before the election, the board was split 15 Republican, 12 Democrat and 1 Independent, who usually aligned with Democrats.

Two incumbent board members, Democrat Art Asadorian and Republican James Futrell, were defeated Tuesday, and Independent Robert Pollard switched to the Democratic party.

Chris Hankins was elected to fill Helen Hawkins seat in the 16th District, and Chris Guy won the seat now occupied by Lisa Ciampoli, who did not run this year.

This will not be a major change like the year before, said Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler.

Not much unlike the rest on the counties political swift, last year, the board switched from being dominated by 18 Democrats and the sitting board chairman to the current configuration.

We had a lot of new county board members, Prenzler added. That was a major change, this is not a big change.

The split remains 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats. However, Asadorian, who came from what was traditionally a very strong Democratic area, was one of those Democrats who was often sharply critical of Prenzler.

Art has never been mean-spirited with me, Prenzler said. Yes weve disagreed on issues but weve had a fine personal relationship.

Another issue is the continued absence of Alton Democrat Jim Dodd. Because of health issues, Dodd, who ran unopposed in the Nov. 6 election, has only attended four County Board meetings since March 2017, and several times his absence on various committees has created problems from all of his board committees to avoid problems with having quorums.

Currently, both Von Nida and Plank say their candidates have no intention of challenging results at this time, however both Babcock and Michael Sabolo Jr. of Madison County Board District 15 could challenge results as they both lost be a margin of less than five percent.

Reach reporter Riley Newton at 618-208-6460.The United States today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene parliament immediately to resolve the political crisis.

In a tweet, Spokesperson for the US State Department Heather Nauert said further delay compounds uncertainty in Sri Lanka and undermines its international reputation and the aspirations of its people for good governance, stability and prosperity.GLEN CARBON  AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking to expand its team of volunteers for the upcoming tax season.

Tax-Aide, celebrating its 50th year, offers free in-person preparation and assistance to anyone, especially those 50 and older, who cant afford a tax preparation service. Volunteers make a difference in their communities by assisting many older, lower-income taxpayers, and their families, who might otherwise miss out on the tax credits and deductions theyve earned.Commenting on the current political developments in Sri Lanka, UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field has said the position of the UK is that it recognises states and not governments.

He has said this in response to a question asked by Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry on Monday whether the British Government recognises Ranil Wickremesinghe or Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

State Minister Field said they were deeply concerned by the political situation in Sri Lanka.

I have called on all parties to ensure that the constitution is respected and due political and legal process upheld. On October 29, I made a public statement urging the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to reconvene parliament immediately to give the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people their voice, he said.I was born and raised in Edwardsville and have lived here for most of my life.

I grew up building and riding in floats with my friends family in the Halloween Parade each year. Then, I was blessed enough to help manage/run the parade when I worked for the chamber of commerce for three years in college.

I also grew up in a military family. My grandfather served during World War II in the U.S. Army. My father served during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. My brother spoke for years about joining and 11 days after 9/11, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. I then met my husband-to-be in 2011 and hes a USAF Iraq veteran. My father-in-law is a USAF vet and served during the Vietnam War as well.

I say all of this to bring some context to the disappointment I feel with the community I grew up in. I attended the Halloween Parade last year and saw people come out in droves to attend. I think the estimate is usually 20,000 in attendance each year. People get out early and line the streets with their chairs and blankets to save seats and show up two hours in advance to see the 100-plus-year-old parade.

A short 12 days later, my family and I attended the Veterans Day Parade. The amount of people who attended the parade was staggeringin a bad way. There were no chairs or blankets lining the streets in the morning and 30 minutes prior to the parade, there was still barely anyone there to view the parade.

Part of me sees this as a disappointment in the community; that we take more pride in dressing up our kids and taking them to see ghouls and goblins at Halloween instead of taking them to show pride in our military, thanks to our military, support for our military. Am I wrong? Please tell me Im wrong!

And then I did something; I googled the Edwardsville, IL Veterans Day Parade and I couldnt find anything. I found information on Veterans Day parades for other communities, but couldnt find anything for Edwardsville.

After a little more digging, eureka! I found a posting on the City of Edwardsvilles website. On their events page, there it was clearly written, Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade, Sunday November 11 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the American Legions website.

I then went to the American Legions website and again, couldnt find anything. Why would I expect people to show up to something they know nothing about?! Maybe its not a disappointment in my community then. Maybe instead, its a disappointment in the organizers of the Edwardsville Veterans Day parade.

So, to the City of Edwardsville and to the American Legion Post 199, please honor our military by promoting this event as it should be promoted. A flyer simply will not work. Promote on social media, your websites, billboards, newspapers and yes,the old standby, flyers. And, to my community, please bring your chairs and blankets and line the streets to show support of our veterans!

My family and I will see you there!

Julie Koonce

EdwardsvilleMore than 38 million ballots were cast before Election Day arrived this year, shattering the midterm election record for early voting. That was nearly double the level of early voting in the last midterm election, in 2014, when 21 million voted early.

Yet few genuinely benefit from this early voting fad, except political machines and the better-funded candidates. That means early voting boosts the Democrats, who held an enormous fundraising advantage this year along with their political machine that has long dominated Chicago and other big cities.

In the traditionally red states of Texas and Florida, early voting causes many races there to be decided prior to Election Day. Both states now have extensive early voting, and as a result both were targeted by massive cash for Democrats this election cycle.

The influx of tens of millions of dollars by liberals to fund Beto ORourke in his campaign for U.S. Senate in Texas baffled some, but not those familiar with the circus of extended early voting that is allowed in the Lone Star State. By herding traditionally Democratic constituents to the polls during the two-week period of early voting, well-funded Democrats in Texas have the hope of winning elections they would otherwise lose in that conservative state.

In Texas, early voting increased everywhere, but particularly skyrocketed in heavily Democratic areas such as Austin and Dallas. Casualties could include down-ballot Republicans, including state legislators and local officials.

Similarly, in the other large red state of Florida, more than five million votes were cast early this fall. That was 38.4 percent of the entire Florida electorate, and more than the number that voted on Election Day.

Smart liberal money flowed in a big way against Republican candidates in both states, attracted by the opportunity to herd people to vote early and tip the outcome. The candidate who raises the most money is more likely to win in elections decided by expensive early voting efforts.

The voting this past Sunday morning in Miami-Dade, Floridas largest county, tells the story. A record 40,000 ballots were cast, many bused from churches as part of the Democrats souls to the polls campaign.

That Sunday burst in voting gave the Democrats in Florida the lead in overall ballots cast early. Meanwhile independent voters, on whom Republicans often rely to get elected, are shut out of the early voting gamesmanship and thereby become less significant, particularly in non-presidential elections.

Last year Hans von Spakovsky released a report for the Heritage Foundation in which he concluded that early voting can increase the cost of campaigns, and actually decrease overall turnout. For example, early voting removes the social pressure to vote on Election Day.

Add to that how early voting has become the new form of machine-style politics that distorts the election process and changes results. The integrity and excitement of Election Day are undermined by the enormous spending to push people to vote early.

The average American in Florida, Texas, and other early voting states would be fine in getting their lives back, without the tiresome robocalls and other efforts to urge them to vote early. The vast majority of early voters would otherwise vote on Election Day, and having both sides spend millions to move those ballots a week or so early is wasteful.

There was no line to vote at many election polling precincts on Tuesday, which detracts from the experience and could result in fewer people voting next time. Early voting undermines the patriotic value of a unified Election Day.

The early voters had less information, including major economic data not released until last Friday. In some states, such as Montana, the libertarian candidate for Senate pulled out of the race and endorsed the Republican candidate after many votes had already been cast early.

In California, its mail-in balloting means that election outcomes can remain uncertain until long after Election Day, when ballots are finally received by election officials. It becomes impossible to check against voter fraud, and there is no place for precinct monitors.

Nevada is a state where elections are decided by early voting, and it has a tight Senate race for a seat held by a Republican. Yet ballots had already been cast by 40 percent of active voters there prior to Election Day, and Democrats defeated Republicans by a 41-38 percent margin in early ballots.

Republicans have controlled the Florida and Texas statehouse and governorship for years, so it is baffling why they allow pervasive early voting there, including Sunday voting in Florida which Democrats exploited. Other Republican states, such as Ohio and North Carolina, have sensibly tried to rein in rampant early voting.

There is a constitutional right to vote. But there is no constitutional right to vote early, and it is time to restore integrity and significance to Election Day by reining in early voting.

John and Andy Schlafly are sons of Phyllis Schlafly (1924-2016)The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has taken a firm decision to vote against the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaka as the Prime Minister and the prorogation of Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena in Parliament, the Politburo member of the JVP, Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Mr. Herath told Daily Mirror that the JVP would not protect any politician, political party or group in this political cum Constitutional crisis but the Constitution and democracy.

We are not ready to protect President Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe or Mahinda Rajapaksa. Our prime concern is to safeguard democracy and uphold democratic principles. Our position is that the appointment of Rajapaksa and prorogation of Parliament by President Sirisena is a violation of the Constitution and against the democratic way of governance. Therefore, all six members of the JVP will vote against this action in Parliament when a vote is taken, Mr. Herath told Daily Mirror.

He added that if a No Confidence Motion was brought against the new government or against Prime Minister Rajapaksa in Parliament, the JVP would also support it. (Sandun A Jayasekera)Keeping up the heat on the RBI, the government will continue to press the central bank to relax norms to boost lending and transfer at least a third of its Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserve, sources familiar with the discussions said.

In recent weeks, the rift between the RBI and the government has been widening over various issues.

Recently, the government cited never-used before provisions of law that gives it powers to issue directions to the RBI on mattes of public interest to resolve certain issues.

Citing Section 7 of the RBI Actan unprecedented move in the 80-year history of RBIthe government wants RBI Governor Urjit Patel to address three prime concerns. They pertain to transfer of surplus funds, easing of NPA norms to kick start lending and support growth, and easing liquidity crisis facing non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), sources had said.

These issues may figure during the RBI's board meeting on November 19.

According to the sources, the government would continue to press the RBI to relax norms to boost lending and transfer at least a third of its Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserve.

The government wants the RBI to part with most of its profit as dividend. The central bank, however, feels that it needs to retain a share of profits to make its balance sheet stronger, as per media reports.

The government wants Rs 3.6 lakh crore of surplus to be transferred to it, the reports said.

In its attempt to clean up the banking system, the RBI introduced Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework that places curbs on lending, expanding branch network and dividend distribution on weak banks.

It has also mandated banks to declare a delinquent borrower even if payments were overdue by a day.

The government wants some of these strictures to be eased to kick start lending and support growth, the sources said.

One of the nominee director on RBI's Central Board S. Gurumurthy has reportedly written to RBI Governor Urjit Patel regarding Deputy Governor Viral Acharya raising the issue of the bank's autonomy at a public event recently.

Sources had said that the RBI's board meeting on November 19 was pre-scheduled and routine. The last meeting of the board was held in October.

Apart from Patel and his four deputies, there are 13 nominated directors on the RBI's board.

The reports of rift between the central bank and the government surfaced last month following which the finance ministry reportedly started discussion with the RBI under the never-used before Section 7 of the RBI Act.

In a statement last week, the ministry said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured".

Last week, Economic Affairs Seceretary Subhash Chandra Garg and government nominee on the Board took an apparent dig at Acharya's 'wrath of financial markets' comment in a tweet saying vital indicators of the economy were showing improvement.

Acharya, in his much talked about speech last month, raised the issue of autonomy of the central bank and said that undermining the central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic".

"Governments that do not respect central bank independence will sooner or later incur the wrath of financial markets, ignite economic fire, and come to rue the day they undermined an important regulatory institution; their wiser counterparts who invest in central bank independence will enjoy lower costs of borrowing, the love of international investors, and longer life spans," Acharya had said.

The deputy governor's comment had generated controversy, hinting at the growing rift between the government and the central bank.

Taking a cue from Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Gujarat is mulling the renaming of Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the city would be renamed as Karnavati if the demand gets enough support from the people.

Patel's comment came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath renamed Faizabad district as Ayodhya. A few days ago the Yogi government had changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj.

For a long time, there has been a demand to change the name of Ahmedabad and name it to Karnavati. If we get the support of people for the legal process, we are ready to change the name of the city. People of Ahmedabad like the name of Karnavati. We will change the name at an appropriate time, Patel said, according to an ANI report.

He further said: Karnavati has been in use in numerous ways and people are used to it. People of Gujarat and people of Amdavad like the name. So, it can always be considered.

Patel also welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to rename the cities.

The opposition, however, Congress hit out at the government's move, calling it another poll gimmick.

For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus, said Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi.

Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the river Sabarmati, 30km from the state capital Gandhinagar.

Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval. Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil King of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed.A Hindu outfit has urged Karnataka government to drop its plan to celebrate the birth anniversary of controversial 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan on November 10. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a sister outfit of radical Hindu organisation, Sanatan Sanstha, said the decision to celebrate the Tipu Jayanti was a clear and premeditated attempt to appease the minorities and instigate Hindus.

For the last few years, the birth anniversary of Mughal ruler Tipu is being celebrated in Karnataka. Along with Karnataka, the same phenomenon has now spread to other parts of the country too. This is the same Tipu who changed the name of a Hindu village to Mysore and declared it as an Islamic state, the release said.

The Karnataka government had on Monday decided to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanti', bringing the state under a thick security blanket, amid threats of protest by the BJP. The state BJP, meanwhile, has urged the government to drop its decision to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanti' and not to stand on "prestige" or "ego".

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti's release further said: He (Tipu) pledged to convert all the Kafirs into Islam. He had given written instructions to his men for Islamic knowledge to be imparted to all men and women; forcibly convert or kill those who refuse to voluntarily convert to Islam; and to capture Hindu women, tarnish their sanctity and distribute them among Muslim men.

The outfit claimed that Tipu was responsible for the destruction of thousands of temples. If the birth anniversary of a super-villain like Tipu continues to be celebrated, then soon the birth anniversaries of the likes of Akbar, Babar and Afzal Khan will also follow suit, thereby marking the commencement of Islamisation of Bharat, it said.

This will be first such celebration of 'Tipu Jayanti' after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government came to power in the state.

The previous Congress government, led by Siddaramaiah, began celebrating 'Tipu Jayanti' on November 10 every year since 2015, amid stiff opposition by the BJP, several Hindu organisations and some individuals.

Widespread protests and violence had marred the celebrations during the first two years.

While the BJP and some Hindu outfits see Tipu as a "religious bigot" and a "brutal killer", some Kannada outfits call him anti-Kannada, saying that he had promoted Persian at the cost of the local language.

With inputs from agenciesDressed in heavy mountain gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

Greeting the jawans in the Harshil cantonment area, Modi said they, through their commitment and discipline, are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

Modi said that Diwali is the festival of lights, and it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear.

Modi recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the ITBP, years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Modi said India was taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said that the Indian armed forces earned admiration and appreciation across the world in UN peacekeeping operations.

Modi offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

Modi later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had borne the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works were in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. Modi interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex.

The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.

The last time Modi had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with ITBP personnel at an outpost.

Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers in Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he would celebrate Diwali on Wednesday with Army jawans and share pictures of his experience.

Responding to Diwali greetings from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special."

Modi said he would share the photos of the same on Wednesday evening. Modi also thanked Bibi, as Netanyahu is called, for the Diwali wishes.

Sources in the government had on Monday said Modi would offer prayers at the Kedarnath shrine on Wednesday. Modi arrived in Dehradun early on Wednesday morning.

"On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to wish my dear friend @narendramodi and the people of India a joyous Diwali. May this luminous festival of lights bring you happiness and prosperity. Reply to this tweet with the name of the city where you're celebrating!," the Israel premier had tweeted.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent Diwali at Siachen with Army jawans.

In 2015, Modi had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit had coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh, where he spent time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost.

Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday termed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to rename Faizabad district as Ayodhya as "Tughlaqi" (autocratic) and said it should have taken people's opinion.

The rechristening of Faizabad was announced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier on Tuesday. The decision comes close on the heels of the state's BJP-led government renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj.

Taking a dig at Aditynath, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the chief minister should first change his name to Ajay Singh Bisht if he is so "fond" of changing names.

"The opinion of the local residents of a place should be taken before changing its name. India is a democratic country. It's a 'Tughlaqi' decision," he said.

Singh said despite the efforts of a nawab to rename Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district as Mustafabad, the local people, most of whom are Muslims, stuck to the old name.

Earlier this year, the Uttar Pradesh government had also renamed the Mughalsarai railway station as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station.Will the Parliamentarians who travel on this road have large hearts that release the fragrance of flowers? (Pix AFP)

There was a time in Sri Lanka when the elite and the poorest of poor steered clear of politics. These two segments of the society couldnt be influenced by the agenda of others and the secret of their stability in thinking was the fact that they had formed contentment in life. But the elite have changed now and members from this section of the society feel the need to stand up and throw their weight behind moves that support democracy and human rights in the field of politics.

Politicians have always preyed on the middle class and forced them or lured them into taking to politics or doing the dirty work for them. But even in this segment of the society there are changes which augurs well for the future. A son of an SLFPer might team up with an UNPer, a chain-smokers son might never touch a cigarette, a farmers son might see better prospects outside the paddy field and a Mahinda Rajapaksa fan might see a better future for the country in the event there is a better organised UNP. However, politicians are not fans of change when people change for the better.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya claiming that he is compelled to accept the status quo prior to October 26 has the effect of oxygen on democratic forces in the island who are gasping for fresh air

Which is the correct way to live?

The present political crisis in Sri Lanka has brought the elite and the middle class to a platform where there is a debate now going on as to what is good for Sri Lanka. A privileged Buddhist monk in the island said recently on television that he fancied foreign forces imposing sanctions on Sri Lanka because that would make the countrys citizens work harder. Many who support the opinion of the priest dont give a damn to what image Sri Lanka builds within the international community and the repercussions that follow. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith came under fire recently for making the statement that there is no need for human rights if the people live in a correct manner. There seems to be much confusion about what is the correct way to live given that Sri Lanka is a multiethnic and multicultural country.

President Sirisena thinks it was right in sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe as Premier and appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa to fill the void. This move earned the wrath of academics, a large section of the middleclass and most importantly almost the entire international community. The only country to congratulate Sri Lankas new premier was the islands business partner China. Isnt this enough indication that Sri Lanka is on the path once again to isolate itself from the worlds developed countries; like during the Rajapaksa regime?

The worlds democratic forces are urging Sri Lanka to reconvene Parliament. This could be one of the reasons why President Sirisena issued a proclamation to reconvene parliament on November 14. According to sources the UNP can still muster the support in Parliament to bring a no-confidence motion against the new Premier Rajapaksa. What people of this country have to be concerned about is the unpredictable nature of Sirisena. The u-turns he has made in his political career make us view him with skepticism!

Just now we are celebrating Dewali, but there is only a faint light all-round in the country in the presence of the chaos caused by the unhealthy political situation. By next month well be getting ready for Christmas followed by the ushering in of a new year, in January. December is the month for analysing; a time to look back and see whether we gained or lost. One thing is for sure; our politicians have gained so much at the expense of the voters (the people).

According to sources the UNP can still muster the support in Parliament to bring a no-confidence motion against the new Premier Rajapaksa.

On Monday (October 5) the support rally backing Rajapaksa and held at Parliament round about drew large crowds. UNP critics point out that Rajapaksa can still draw larger crowds than Wickremesinghe at a political rally. Canteen owners and tuk tuk taxi drivers slashed their prices in support of Rajapaksa being sworn in as prime minister. Even the trees along Parliament Road are greener these days, thanks to the showers which we receive in abundance. Everything from the trees to the small man on this road seems to greet this man called Rajapaksa, who has got another lifeline in politics after he was voted out in 2015. But whether he has the same support in his second home, the Parliament, is left to be seen. Many feel that the chances of the scale now tilting in Rajapaksas favour are slim because the JVP, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and TNA teaming up to support democracy and fair play will once again make Wickremesinghe the winner by default. If one looks back, Wickremesinghe has never sweated for the premiers post and has been presented with this portfolio on a platter.

Momentum of social media

The TNA reps, like all the right thinking citizens of this country, have voiced that remaining neutral at this juncture would pave the way to achieve whats undemocratic by force. President Sirisena chairing an SLFP Central Committee meeting has requested party members to cooperate with him to form a stable Government. Anyone supporting anything thats Sirisena from now on would endorse all the wrong decisions taken by this man. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya claiming that he is compelled to accept the status quo prior to October 26 has the effect of oxygen on democratic forces in the island who are gasping for fresh air.

The debate whether Sirisena is to blame or whether Ranil buckled the plans for the country has gathered momentum on social media. One recent post said, Ranil is not an option, Mahinda is a chance. This writer opines that only women ask men to take their chance on them in the context of marriage. This system doesnt work in politics. Many liken the Wickremesinghe- Sirisena affair to a marriage that never clicked. Wickremesinghes sophisticated thinking and Sirsenas nature to place his feet on the ground and walk along with the common man caused a gulf between the two which later triggered a political tsunami.

Sirisena at Mondays rally said that the countrys decisions were taken by Wickremesinghe and his flutter of butterflies; taking swipe at the ousted premiers allies engaged in politics. Three years ago he saw much fault in Rajapaksa and called him a dictator. How this man changes his opinion like this questions the decision taken by those who proposed him as the common candidate at the presidential elections in 2015.

Many feel that the chances of the scale now tilting in Rajapaksas favour are slim because the JVP, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and TNA teaming up to support democracy and fair play

Sirisena revealing he first made the offer to Karu Jayasuriya and then to Sajith Premadasa to be the Premier and adding that the duo turned down these requests confirms that the UNPers saw what was wrong as wrong rather than as opportunities. UNP national organiser Navin Dissanayake said the other day that people must stand together for a democratic and disciplined country.

If this country lacks anything its discipline. The road that leads to Parliament from the road-about close-by will be all green and luscious and might even bloom with flowers. But whether the Parliamentarians who travel on this road will have large hearts that release the fragrance of flowers is left to be desired!The blue wave has swept the House of Representatives as Democrats seized control of the lower house in midterm elections on Tuesday. In a strong blow to President Donald Trump and his conservative supporters, Democrats will now be able to block legislation and put Trump in an uncomfortable position with a possible impeachment bid.

Reports by Fox and NBC claim that Trump's Republicans meanwhile retain control of the Senate.

The result, while upending the balance of power in Washington, will also prove to be a counter to Trump's polarizing politics. Since his unexpected win in the 2016 election, Trump has enjoyed an easy ride thanks to the Republican dominance in both houses of Congress.

Investigations of his finances and Russian interference in his 2016 election are just some of actions that Democrats might be looking forward to, other than the impeachment.

Though some of the media houses have already called the results, the verdicts were based on incomplete results as vote counting continued across the country and some states were still voting in a congressional election cast as an unofficial referendum on Trump.

Trump was watching the results roll in from the White House, where he spent the day holed up with friends and family.

Americans voted enthusiastically, with long lines quickly forming at polling stations from New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Democrats quickly made important gains in the House, but Republicans defended in crucial races, like incumbent Andy Barr of Kentucky, whose House seat had seemed at risk.

In the Senate, Republican Mike Braun snatched the seat from Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, but corruption scandal-tainted Senator Bob Menendez saved his seat for the Democrats in New Jersey.

Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 presidential prediction wrong, urged caution.

Trump had fought hard before polling day, crisscrossing the country to claim that Democrats would introduce socialism and making incendiary attacks on illegal immigration that opponents denounced as racist.

Even so, Democrats were highly confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory." Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd have been "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

Results were to continue trickling in through the night, with the last polls closing in Alaska at 0600 GMT Wednesday.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz all day.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, said.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidatesand his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."

Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."

But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."

Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat who lost in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees."Colombo, Nov 7 (PTI) Sri Lankan police chief Pujith Jayasundera said on Wednesday that he was taking orders from President Maithripala Sirisena and he was not in a position to take orders from the law and order minister of ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jayasundera was responding to a letter sent to him by Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the Wickremesinghe government's law and order minister, who had directed that all ministers who were in office before October 26 be provided police security.

Jayasundera said that the Ministerial Security could only be provided on the recommendations of President Sirisena. He added that it could not be provided based on requests made by Ministers or other officials.

President Sirisena on October 26 sacked Wickremesinghe as the prime minister and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, triggering a constitutional crisis in the island.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on Monday slammed Sirisena's "unconstitutional and undemocratic" actions to sack Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and suspend Parliament, saying he will not recognise Rajapaksa as the new premier unless he wins a floor test.

Madduma Bandara had written to Jayasundera following Jayasuriyas recognition of the Wickremesinghe government.

Several MPs of Wickremesinghe's camp have also requested the police chief to provide them with Ministerial Security, saying they were still ministers of the government.

Rajapaksa needs 113 seats in the 225-member assembly to prove simple majority.

In a setback to President Sirisena, deputy minister Manusha Nanayakkara of his United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government resigned Tuesday and backed ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe in the ongoing political crisis.

Nanayakkara's defection came hours after Sirisena announced publicly that people should not doubt his majority - 113 in the 225-member legislature.

Meanwhile, the main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - said Sirisena met the party leaders this morning to urge them to change their stance of opposing the Rajapaksa appointment.

The TNA leader MA Sumanthiran said they told Sirisena that their stance stood and there will be no reversal.

The party also urged Sirisena to reconvene parliament at an earlier date than the scheduled November 14. Sirisena said their request would be considered. PTI CORR ZH

ZHNew Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI): Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours



FGN13 US-MIDTERM-5THLD-POLLS

Democrats take control of House, GOP retains Senate

Washington: Opposition Democrats captured the House of Representatives on Wednesday in the crucial midterm elections while President Donald Trump's Republican Party retained its majority in the Senate, an outcome likely to intensify the political bitterness and fighting between the two major parties in the run up to the 2020 presidential poll. By Lalit K Jha



FGN14 US-MIDTERM-INDIANAMERICANS

'Samosa Caucus' fails to increase its strength in US midterm

Washington: The so-called Samosa Caucus - an informal group of the Indian-Americans in the US Congress - failed to increase its strength, even as its all four incumbent members were most likely to be re-elected to the House of Representatives in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday. By Lalit K Jha



FGN15 LANKA-POLITICS-POLICE

Sri Lanka police chief says he's taking orders from President

Colombo: Sri Lankan police chief Pujith Jayasundera said on Wednesday that he was taking orders from President Maithripala Sirisena and he was not in a position to take orders from the law and order minister of ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.



FGN10 US-DIWALI-POMPEO

Diwali celebrates triumph of light over darkness: Pompeo

Washington: Greeting people across the world observing Diwali, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said that it is a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. By Lalit K Jha



US-CHABAHAR-LD EXEMPTION

US exempts India from certain sanctions for development of strategic Chabahar Port in Iran

Washington: The United States has exempted India from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar Port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan, a State Department spokesperson said. By Lalit K Jha



FGN12 NKOREA-US-LD TALKS

US abruptly postpones top-level N. Korea talks

Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal. (AFP) RUP

RUPMoscow, Nov 7 (AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak "briefly" with his US counterpart Donald Trump when they meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday.

"It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," foreign policy advisor Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported. (AFP) MRJ

MRJIslamabad, Nov 7 (AFP) Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail, her lawyer said.

"I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land," lawyer Saif-ul-Malook said in a message sent to AFP.

Pakistan's highest court ordered Bibi's release last week after overturning her conviction, triggering protests by hardline Islamists in a case that underscored divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim nation. (AFP) NSD

NSDNew Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) A drunk man reportedly set 18 vehicles, including four cars, on fire in south Delhi's Madangir area Tuesday, police said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC against the man, who is in his mid 20s, they said.

The police said 14 two-wheelers and four cars were set on fire by the accused.

In a video of the incident which has gone viral, the man can be seen setting fire to the vehicles after opening the fuel pipe of the motorcycles.

Petrol overflowed from the tanks of six motorcycles after which they were set on fire by a match stick. The cars parked nearby also caught fire, a senior police official said.

The police rushed to the spot after receiving information of the incident at around 3.05 am Tuesday and doused the fire.

Police said efforts are on to trace the accused who is on the run.

Among the burnt vehicles, eight two-wheelers and two cars were completely gutted, while six motorcycles and two cars were affected partially.

PTI NIT TDS SRYMumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) A veterinary services association has questioned the absence of a veterinary doctor during an operation in which "man-eater" tigress Avni was killed in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district.

The Pashu Chikitsak Mahasangh, in a letter to the state's chief wildlife warden, alleged that the order to tranquilise and capture the tigress was a "serious breach" of

Section 30(b) of the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984 as the task was entrusted to a private hunter, who is not a registered veterinarian.

It said Section 30(b) of the Act indicates that only veterinary practitioners registered either with the Veterinary Council of India or the Maharashtra State Veterinary Council are allowed to practice veterinary medicine.

The Pashu Chikitsak Mahasangh is a Haryana-based apex organisation of state veterinary associations.

The tigress, officially known as T1, was believed to be responsible for the death of 13 people in the last two years.

She was killed on November 2 by Asgar Ali, son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, at compartment no 149 of Borati forest in Yavatmal as part of an operation.

The big cat is survived by two cubs, which are 10 months' old.

"Even though the order mentions that there are two veterinarians in his team, reports from the field indicate that neither of them was present during this operation, and allowing Ali to operate in this manner is a wilful breach of the law," the veterinary association alleged in the letter written on Tuesday.

The incident is claimed to have taken place from a distance of 8-10 metres from the tigress. No veterinarian was present on the spot and it seems very unlikely that the

shooter may have had time to wait for the drug to work, it said.

"The whole exercise, as reported, seems to be extremely unscientific and illegally conducted," the body alleged.

Chirantan Kadian, president of the Mahasangh, told PTI that the dose (tranquiliser) calculation and drug administration is the sole authority of a registered qualified

veterinary doctor, while a hunter "is simply a quack".

"If a veterinary doctor needs shooting expertise of a hunter he may get the job done under his supervision. Not only tranquilising, a veterinary doctor also has to revive the animal through a drug antidote," he said.

"No private hunter is in any way qualified and trained to manage the overdose consequences of drug, manage shock, dehydration, overexertion of the animals, that is frequent in such cases," Kadian said.

He further said the order to shoot the tigress should not be taken as a precedent and that in future, only services of registered veterinarians be used.

The killing of the tigress had sparked a war of words between Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, with the former publicly criticising the latter over the operation and seeking his ouster from the state cabinet.

As the row escalated, Mungantiwar Tuesday asked Gandhi to take moral responsibility of deaths of children due to malnutrition during her tenure and resign.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said there was no need for Mungantiwar to resign and that he would speak to Gandhi over the issue. PTI MM GK AQS

AQSAhmedabad, Nov 7 (PTI) As many as 36 lions rescued after a deadly virus killed over a dozen big cats in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary are doing fine but will be kept under observation for some more time, a senior official said Wednesday.

The lions were rescued from areas surrounding the Dalkhaniya range of the Gir forest division in Amreli district following an outbreak of the canine distemper virus (CDV) infection that resulted in 17 out of 23 lion deaths that occurred in the area during mid-September.

The rescued lions have been kept in three different centres run by the state Forest Department and are being vaccinated to ensure they do not contract the CDV, the official said.

"The lions have been under observation of experts since September-end and are doing fine," Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, Dushyant Vasavada said.

He said the felines were being administered booster doses of a vaccine at an interval of three weeks.

"The vaccine is to be given in a course and not as a single dose. Once we complete the course, we will ensure they are in a position to be relocated, and we will take a call after that. We are waiting for the completion of the vaccination process," he said.

The state government was caught off guard after 23 lions, an endangered species, were found dead in a single area of the Gir forest, the last abode of the lions in the country.

Laboratory tests had confirmed that 17 out of these lions had died due to CDV, which is highly contagious.

The Gujarat High Court had later directed the state government to ensure that no further death of lions is reported due to the virus.

The high court had also ordered the government to take steps to prevent lion deaths due to causes like electrocution, falling into wells, getting run over by trains or vehicles, among other reasons.

CDV is considered a dangerous virus and is blamed for wiping out about 30 per cent of the lion population in east African forests. PTI KA GK IJTMumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray claimed Wednesday he had learnt that tigress Avni was killed by the BJP-led Maharashtra government to "save" a proposed project of industrialist Anil Ambani in Yavatmal, a charge denied by the corporate group as well as a district official.

A spokesperson of the Anil Ambani group, when contacted, said the group has no project in Yavatmal district.

A district official in Yavatmal also said the site of the proposed project by the Ambani group is far away from the area where the tigress was shot.

There is no connection between the project and the decision to kill the animal, the official said.

The tigress, which was believed to have turned a man-eater and killed 13 people in the district's Pandharkawda area in the last two years, was shot dead by a marksman hired by the government last Friday.

"I have learnt that Avni was killed to save Anil Ambani's project. The government has sold its conscience to Ambani," Thackeray told reporters here.

"I feel sad about the deaths of people (killed by the tigress). But it happens across the world. When people encroach on forest land and in the periphery of habitats of wild animals, they attack humans," he said.

"There was no need to kill the tigress. She could have been tranquilised. (Forest Minister Sudhir) Mungantiwar is making reckless statements which can cost him his cabinet berth," Thackeray said.

The killing of the tigress, officially known as T1, led to an outrage among animal lovers and wildlife organisation. Union minister Maneka Gandhi had lashed out at the Maharashtra government calling it a "ghastly murder".

A source in the Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, claimed that party president Uddhav Thackeray had asked Sena ministers to raise the issue in the next cabinet meeting.

Sena mouthpiece Saamana had slammed the government over the killing earlier this week.

The tigress was killed on November 2 by Asgar Ali, son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, in Borati forest in Yavatmal district.

She left behind two ten-month-old cubs. PTI MM BEN KRK ANB

ANBAizawl, Nov 7 (PTI) Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission.

Shashank said he would meet the poll panel Thursday in the national capital.

Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) continued their picketing in front of the CEO's office from 8 am.

The chairman of the NGO Coordination Committee, Vanlalruata, said the picketing would be called off only after the departure of Shashank.

The meeting of a visiting Election Commission team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the EC team said that the final call would be made by the commission.

The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

Vanlalruata said that Shashank should be transferred from Mizoram and the Bru voters in the Tripura relief camps should exercise their franchise in their respective polling stations in Mizoram.

Thousands of people from the Bru community fled Mizoram in the late 1990s following ethnic clashes. They have been lodged in relief camps in Tripura.

The agitators are also protesting the removal of the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

The state observed a bandh Tuesday in response to a call by the Mizoram Merchants' Association (MiMA) to extend support to the agitation.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Lal thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him, the only solution for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly is scheduled for November 28. PTI HCV PR SMN

SMNAizawl, Nov 7 (PTI) Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who is contesting from two seats, could not file his nomination papers in Serchhip as agitators demanding the removal of the state chief electoral officer (CEO) continued their picketing in front of the office of the returning officer.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Chuauhnuna told PTI that the chief minister had to change his plan to file nomination in his home turf on Tuesday considering the situation around the deputy commissioner's office which also houses the office of the returning officer.

Chuauhnuna said Lal Thanhawla was not forced by anybody to not file his documents. It was the latter's choice, he added.

Several NGOs have been demanding the removal of CEO S B Shashank for his alleged bias for 'Bru' voters and removal of Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaung, a native of the state. The chief minister too had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Shashank as the "people have lost faith in him."

The chief minister Wednesday left Serchhip town to campaign in Champhai South constituency where he is also contesting, officials said.

The last date for filing of nomination papers is November 9. The tenure of the present 40-member Assembly in Mizoram, the only Congress-ruled state in the north eastern region, expires on December 15.

The state goes to poll on November 28. PTI HCV PR IJTUttarkashi (Uttarakhand), Nov 7 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel on Wednesday.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said.

He said that Diwali is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said that the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The prime minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

The prime minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The prime minister is scheduled to go to Kedarnath later in the day to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013 which killed thousands of people.

Responding to Diwali greeting from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, Modi had said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special." PTI NAB ALM CORR SMN

SMNNew Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday shared glimpses of his Uttarakhand visit to celebrate Diwali with soldiers with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu had conveyed Diwali greetings to Modi Tuesday. In reply, the prime minister had said he would celebrate the day with soldiers and share pictures of the same Wednesday evening.

"Dear PM @netanyahu, as promised yesterday, here are some glimpses of how I celebrated Diwali.

"I went to the magnificent state of Uttarakhand, where I paid a surprise visit to our brave troops in Harsil, followed by prayers at Kedarnath, one of the holiest places in India," the Modi said in a tweet.

Responding to Netanyahu's Diwali greetings, Modi had said Tuesday, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special." PTI NAB RCNew Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) Dashing hopes of a cracker-free festivities, Delhiites chose to celebrate a noisy and hazy Diwali Wednesday with people in many areas bursting fire crackers beyond the 8 pm to 10 pm time frame, stipulated by the Supreme Court.

Admitting "sporadic" breaches of the apex court order on bursting crackers beyond the time frame fixed by it, senior Delhi police officials said, "We are monitoring the situation."

"There have been sporadic cases of violations. In some areas, people have been found burning firecrackers beyond 8pm-10pm time frame. The exact number of violation is yet to be ascertained. But, we will take strict action against them," said an official.

The Supreme Court had allowed bursting firecrackers only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali, while permitting manufacturing and sale of only "green crackers" with low emission of light, sound and smoke.

The court had asked police to ensure that there is no sale of banned firecrackers and in case of any violation, the station house officers of the police stations concerned would be held "personally liable".

This would amount to committing the contempt of court, the apex court had ruled.

Some of the areas where the people were seen bursting crackers beyond the apex court-stipulated time frame included Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi's Lutyens Zone, IP extension, Dwarka, Noida-Sector 78. The intensity of the crackers burst before 8 PM, however, remained low.

The online indicators of the city's pollution monitoring stations indicated poor and 'very poor' air quality as the volume of ultra fine particulate materials PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose from around 8 pm.

The pollutants had breached the corresponding 24-hour safe limits of 60 and 100 respectively by up to three times.

While it is difficult to quantify the immediate effect of the ban on firecrackers, residents across the national capital felt the beginning was promising with the neighbourhoods reporting much lesser noise and smoke till about 8 pm.

But as the festivities picked up, the faint echo of crackers started growing louder.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 146 and 275 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.

The SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) has forecast "bad" air quality on Thursday even if partially toxic crackers, as compared to 2017, is burned. It also said the pollution level will peak between 11 AM and 3 AM on Wednesday and Thursday.

The situation was similar, if not worse, in the neighbouring regions of Delhi such as Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad, where crackers were burst as usual, raising question marks on the efficacy of the administration in enforcing the apex court's ban.

A 'very poor' air quality index (AQI) essentially means that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn 'severe', which may trouble even those with sound health conditions and seriously affect those with ailments.

The Centre, in collaboration with the Delhi government, has launched an aggressive 10-day-long 'Clean Air Campaign' from November 1 to 10 to monitor and report polluting activities as well as to ensure quick action.

About 52 teams deployed under the campaign are visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida.

The teams comprise the local sub divisional magistrate (SDM) as the team leader, senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and representatives from the CPCB, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DPCC. PTI UZM UZM RAX

RAXNew Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) JSW Group commenced the reconstruction of the samadhi of renowned Indian philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarpuri in Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

"JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal performed the ground-breaking ceremony to commence reconstruction of Adi Shankaracharya samadhi," the company said in a statement.

The auspicious ceremony marked the first step of JSW Group's commitment to reconstruct and restore the Shankaracharya Kutir which was ravaged by flash floods in 2013.

JSW Group will also set up a museum to provide pilgrims a glimpse into the life Of the renowned Indian philosopher.

The reconstruction of the samadhi and the museum is expected to be completed by 2020.

JSW Group had last year signed a pact with Government of Uttarakhand for the reconstruction and restoration of Kedarnath. PTI SID SMNBhubaneswar, Nov 7 (PTI) A camp court at the special jail here had reserved its verdict on the bail plea of Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra and extended his jail custody by 14 days, a government advocate said Wednesday.

Camp courts are being held in the jails of Odisha as lawyers are on strike for the last two months.

The sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Bhubaneswar, Tuesday held a camp court at the special jail, where the scribe is lodged after his arrest from his residence in New Delhi on October 23, the advocate said.

Iyer Mitra was sent to jail for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the people of Odisha by issuing derogatory remarks against the Sun Temple at Konark, Lord

Jagannath and the state.

His initial 14-day judicial remand had ended on November 5. His lawyer had thereafter moved the bail plea before the camp court Tuesday.

Iyer Mitra was arrested in connection with a case filed at the Sahid Nagar police station under Indian Penal Code sections 294 (obscene acts and songs), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc.) 500 (defamation), 506 (criminal intimidation) and section 67 (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.

Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat had set up a House committee on September 20 for an inquiry into the alleged breach of privilege by the journalist following his alleged derogatory remarks against the state, its culture and the lawmakers.

Iyer Mitra had appeared before the House Committee of Odisha Assembly on October 23 and tendered an unconditional apology for his remarks on the legislators.

He was asked to submit an affidavit on November 2. He had requested time for an additional day and complied with the orders the next day.

The Konark police had also secured a four-day remand of the journalist for questioning him over his alleged offensive remarks on the Sun Temple. PTI AAM KK RCPolice on look out for 'absconding' Janardhan Reddy in a ponzi

scheme case

(Eds: Updates with search at Reddy's house)

Bengaluru, Nov 7 (PTI) Ballari-based mining baron and

former Karnataka minister G Janardhan Reddy was absconding as

police were on the look out for him in connection with a money

transaction worth crores of rupees allegedly linked to a ponzi

scheme, top officials said Wednesday.

The Central Crime Branch police here is also hunting

for Reddy's close aide Ali Khan, who allegedly struck a Rs 20

crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing pvt

Ltd, a company accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme, to

bail him out from Enforcement Directorate investigation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said Reddy

was absconding and police were looking for him to question him

in connection with the case.

"Based on the information gathered the investigation is

going on further...CCB is after Ali Khan and Janardhan Reddy,"

he told reporters here.

CCB sleuths conducted a search at Reddy's Bengaluru

residence and seized some documents, Deputy Commissioner of

Police Girish S said.

He also said teams of CCB had gone to various places,

but declined to divulge more details.

The development comes a day after Reddy's close

confidant Sriramulu's sister J Shantha, a BJP candidate, lost

in the by-polls from Ballari Lok Sabha constituency,

considered a strong hold of the Reddy brothers.

The Congress won the seat breaking BJP's grip over

Ballari since 2004.

However, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok

Kumar said there was no political connection to the probe.

He said his team had been working on the case for the

last 20 days, but waited till November 3 for the bypolls to be

over for further action, so that it was not politicised.

Reddy, a Minister during the previous BJP rule, had been

arrested by the CBI in 2011 over alleged multi-crore illegal

mining scam and granted bail three years later.

Reacting to the latest development, Sriramulu claimed he

did not have any information about the case and whereabouts of

Reddy, but added and no one was above law.

"I don't have complete information...I have been saying

no one is above law. Let law take its own course," he said.

Asked whether Reddy was an accused or a suspect, the

police commissioner said, Fareed's claim is that he paid the

money, because he was promised help by Janardhan Reddy in

connection with the ED probe and Reddy will have to respond to

these claims.

"We also have to verify whether it is a fact, whether ED

has got any cases registered against Fareed... we have to

recover the public money that was part of the transaction," he

added.

The commissioner, however, clarified that as of now

there was no evidence to prove about Reddy bribing any ED

official.

He said "we will have to investigate it and will get in

touch with ED... We cannot straight away say that ED officials

are involved. If there is solid evidence, we will not spare

anybody."

Detailing about the case, police said Fareed set up

Ambidant around 2017 promising returns of about 40 to 50 per

cent for investment.

Responding to this, thousands of people invested their

money into the company, which initially paid good returns,

attracting more and more investors.

On the company failing to pay returns as promised, cases

were registered against it, officials said, adding that,

during January or February ED had also raided it.

They said, meanwhile, Fareed had met Reddy through Ali

Khan requesting for help in bailing him out of ED the case,

and Rs 20 crore was demanded in the form of gold through a

jeweller known to them in Ballari.

Explaining about the investigation, the Commissioner

said, during investigation CCB found a particular transaction

of Rs 18 crore being paid by Ambidant to one Ramesh Kothari,

who runs Ambika Jewellers in Bengaluru.

Kothari on questioning said he had given 57 kg of gold

to a jeweller named Ramesh, who runs Raj Mahal Fancy Jewellers

in Ballari.

Ramesh had claimed that the gold was handed over to

Reddy's associate Ali Khan, he said.

He said there was no arrest warrant against Reddy,

adding that CCB officials have conducted searches at a few

places in Bengaluru and Ballari in connection with the case.

On reports about Reddy and associates trying to get

anticipatory bail in Hyderabad, he said, he got to know about

it only through the media.

Police said they have photographs of some meetings to

prove Reddy's direct link to this case, about which they will

seek clarification from him during investigation.

Reddy would soon be issued summons in the course of

investigation.

Police said they have arrested Ramesh and gathered

several 'crucial' documents from him.

Fareed was also arrested, but currently out on bail.

PTI KSU

VS VSNew Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) A massive fire at a factory in the Bawana area here, was among the over 200 fire-related incidents received by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Diwali, officials said.

No casualties have been reported in the incident at the factory and 18 fire tenders have been pressed into service to douse the blaze, the Delhi Fire Services (DFC) said.

"The fire broke out at a factory in outer Delhi's Bawana locality. The call about the fire was received at 6:37 pm and immediately 18 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

"The fire team is trying the bring the situation under control. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported so far," a senior DFS officer said.

He said a fire also broke out in an ATM in Delhi's Laxmi Nagar.

Officials said at least 209 fire-related calls were received until 10 pm Wednesday. Fires from crackers were less this year, they said.

Out of the total calls, 89 were fire at garbage and dump yards. Fires were also reported from factories and at houses due to domestic items and those related to electricity wires, officials said.

There has been no decline in the number of calls related to fire-incidents this year. Last year it was 200, they said.

The 209 calls were made from midnight of November 6 to November 7 until 10 pm, the official said.

Maximum calls were received from west and northwest districts of Delhi.

"We have been receiving frequent calls from across the city. However, maximum calls have been received from west and northwest parts of Delhi until now," the official said.

"Even last year, there was a ban on sale of firecrackers but we got close to 200 calls. This year, there were time restrictions on bursting of firecrackers and only green firecrackers were sold in the market but there has been frequent calls related to fire-incidents," he said.

There has been frequent calls coming in from various parts of the city. There has been no decline in calls. However, calls related to fire-crackers have been comparatively less, the official said.

Besides the 59 permanent fire stations in the national capital, the department has set up temporary stations at different locations across the city. PTI AMP

ANB

ANBChandigarh, Nov 7 (PTI) Agitating teachers in Punjab Wednesday observed a "black" Diwali and held protests at several places across the state over the government's refusal to regularise their jobs without pay cut.

Donning black dresses and carrying placards, the teachers took out protest marches at various places, including Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Mohali, Faridkot and Jalandhar.

The teachers are against the state government's decision to fix their monthly salary at Rs 15,000 during three years of probation period for regularisation of their services. They are demanding regularisation with full pay.

At present, contractual teachers in the state are getting Rs 42,300 per month.

Shouted slogans against the Congress-led Punjab government, the teachers also blocked roads at a few places.

In Patiala, teachers clashed with police when they were approaching towards the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. They were stopped at barricades installed near the house.

"We will continue with our stir till our demands are not met," said Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha's state committee member Bikramjit Singh.

The contractual teachers, under the banner of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, have been holding a sit-in at Patiala, the chief minister's constituency, in support of their demands since October 7.

On October 3, the Punjab cabinet had given its go ahead to the regularisation of the services of 8,886 teachers recruited under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), as well as in adarsh and model schools.

However, those whose services would be regularised in school education department would be paid Rs 15,000 for first three years. PTI CHS VSD AQS

AQS(Eds: Updating with latest pollution level in Delhi)

New Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) Earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people celebrated Diwali amid some restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on bursting of firecrackers.

People visited their kith and kin, exchanged festive greetings and sweets while social media, including the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, was flooded with Diwali messages as many took the virtual route to convey their wishes.

President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his greetings to the people, urging citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged.

He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights.

"On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world.

"This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us," the president said in his Diwali message Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat joined soldiers Wednesday on the occasion.

Modi celebrated his Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

"You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians," Modi, dressed in heavy mountain gear, told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief Rawat.

Sitharaman celebrated the occasion with Army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-India border.

In a tweet, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said, "My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness."

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings on the festival of lights at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, officials said.

The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture.

In the national capital, a thick haze engulfed the city Wednesday night with the air quality deteriorating to the "very poor" category as Delhiites continued to burst firecrackers long after the deadline set by the Supreme Court, the authorities said.

Eyeing rising pollution levels in cities across the country, the Supreme Court last month said people can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals.

The court had only allowed manufacture and sale of just the "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 302 at 11 pm, which fell in the very poor category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

There were reports of its violation from many areas long after 10 pm, despite the Supreme Courts order and several areas showed a spike in the air pollution.

To mark the festival of lights, the United Nations Wednesday issued special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali. The stamps were released by the UN Postal Administration.

The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps, diyas.

The Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, was illuminated with a newly-installed special lighting system and traditional 'diyas'.

It witnessed a huge rush of devotees who took a dip in its holy tank and offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum and Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat).

Bollywood turned to Twitter to greet people on the occasion .

"Greetings for a happy prosperous and successful Diwali ..," actor Amitabh Bachchan said.

Director Karan Johar said, "Happy Diwali to all of you! Love and light for life.....stay as positive as you can this year."

Greeting people on the occasion, actor Anushka Sharma in a tweet said, "Happy Diwali to all . Hope you all find the light in you . Be happy , be kind, be safe." PTI TEAM



ANB

ANBBritain's undercover army of scam-busting pensioners is to grow after being given an extra 100,000 funding by the Home Office.

Earlier this year, Money Mail revealed how Trading Standards has recruited hundreds of so-called Scam Marshals to help it clamp down on postal fraud.

Most of the marshals, who have an average age of 75, have fallen victim to mail scams themselves.

Threat: Overseas criminals send an estimated 3.2 million pieces of scam mail to people in Britain every year

Once recruited, they are trained in how to spot scams and told to forward any letters they receive on to Trading Standards. They are also encouraged to share their experiences to stop others falling victim.

Overseas criminals send an estimated 3.2 million pieces of scam mail to people in Britain every year.

Typical ploys include luring people into investing in fake money-making schemes or convincing them they have won a big prize that they can claim by sending cash in the post.

Once someone falls victim to one of these scams, their personal details are put on so-called suckers lists and traded online.

Earlier this year, evidence gathered by the marshals led to hundreds of arrests by U.S. and Canadian authorities.

To help fight fraudsters, email: FriendsAgainstScams@SurreyCC.gov.uk, call National Trading Standards on 01323 463484, or write to: Mail Marshals, National Trading Scams Team, 5th Floor St Marys House, 52 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3UU.Martin Eldridge had been a loyal Virgin Media customer for 13 years. So when he moved house, he was disappointed to find the telecoms giant could not provide a service at his new home, in Weymouth, Dorset.

He was then shocked to discover he would be hit with a 240 bill for cancelling his internet and television contract early.

It is common practice for telecoms providers to charge exit fees if customers switch mid-way through contracts, but Virgin is the only major firm to charge a penalty when customers are forced to cancel if they move to an area it does not supply.

This is despite the company providing a service that covers only around half of the UK, when other companies, such as Sky, TalkTalk and BT, are available nationwide.

Martin Eldridge, 52, was charged an exit fee of 240 plus a final bill worth 34 for cancelling his Virgin Media contract because the company couldn't provide service in his new home

Its rules over exit fees are not the only area in which Virgin Media is out of kilter with its rivals  experts say its charges are also punishing. For example, Martin was charged more than three times his monthly 71 bill when it hadnt been his choice to leave.

The telecoms watchdog, Ofcom, is so concerned about the scale of the firms early termination charges that it launched an investigation 18 months ago.

In May this year, it provisionally ruled that Virgin Medias hefty fees are unlawful because they are likely to deter customers from switching and therefore stifle market competition. Yet, despite this, they have still not been banned.

Ofcom has failed to clarify whether it considers it fair to charge customers exit fees if they move to an area their provider does not supply, and says it is still investigating this issue.

And it remains unclear whether customers who have already paid these hefty fees will be reimbursed retrospectively, if the charges are found to be unlawful when Ofcom publishes a final decision.

Martin, 52, had signed up for a new 12-month contract with Virgin Media in June 2015, when he was living in Witney, Oxfordshire, with his partner Liz, 48. But his health began to deteriorate, forcing him to give up his job as a market trader.

Eventually, the couple moved to Dorset, an area they had fallen in love with after several holidays there. They had no idea the area was not supplied by Virgin Media.

Despite this, Virgin insisted Martin pay an exit fee of 240  plus a final bill of 34  as he had seven months remaining on his contract.

He complained to the independent ombudsman in 2016, but to no avail. Martin told the firm that he couldnt afford the bill, but it simply passed his case to a debt collection agency.

At that point he agreed to pay 5 a month until the debt was cleared.

Some months later, he received a letter from a different company about his debt, so he got in touch.

Martin says: They asked me if I classed myself as a vulnerable person and I said: Yes, Im disabled and on very little income. 

Virgin Media are the only major broadband firm to charge customers when they move into an area which they don't cover

After that, Martin didnt hear another word about the debt and his direct debit was cancelled.

Assuming it had been written off, he thought nothing more of it until last month, when he and Liz, who is now also his carer, wanted to remortgage to get a better rate.

Their mortgage adviser told them that Virgin Media had registered a default against Martin which affected his credit rating, and the loan application failed.

Martin used a credit card to clear the debt, then 211, but the firm refused to remove the black mark against his name.

Its disgusting, says Martin. It is an unjust fee. Virgin has ruined my credit rating for six years.

Martyn James, of online consumer complaints service Resolver, says: Im amazed that some businesses are still insisting that charging huge exit fees are justified, despite not being able to offer the service the customer is paying for.

Its outrageous that this is still happening  and also that customers personal circumstances are not being taken into consideration when pursuing the penalty fee.

Given the watchdogs views, broadband providers should do the right thing now, not when theyre forced to.

An Ofcom spokesman says: We always want to see customers fairly treated, and were concerned to hear about Mr Eldridges experience.

We are continuing to investigate the fairness of Virgin Medias terms for people who move house mid-contract, and will provide an update in due course.

Virgin Media says it works out its exit fees by multiplying the customers monthly bill by the number of months remaining on the contract, up to maximum of 240.

A Virgin Media spokesman says: The independent ombudsman found Virgin Media correctly applied an early disconnection fee after Mr Eldridge left his contract early.

We make it clear to customers that early disconnection fees may be applicable and we also offer 30-day rolling contracts for those who do not want to sign up for a minimum period, such as 12 months, and need more flexibility.Please can you put a halt to Scottish Power taking an unauthorised 85.51 from my bank account every other month? The latest payment was taken on September 27, and it was the third time this has happened since March.

On the two previous occasions, I had to make a special trip to the bank to get it repaid. I wrote to the firms chief executive, but I did not get a reply.

However, I did get a phone call from customer services and 20 compensation, but only after I had a long and upsetting talk with someone who did not seem to understand accounting.

My gas and electric bills are up to date; I give my meter readings via my internet account and know right away how much I am going to pay.

Mrs E. C., by email.

Scottish Power has been subtracting 85.51 from a customer's account every two months despite her choosing to pay her bills online

It seems you like to pay your bills in what would now be seen as the old-fashioned way, by submitting a meter reading and then paying what is owed. The last one you sent was on February 19  presumably because none has been requested since then.

So what could possibly have gone wrong? Well, you selected a new product on March 19 and Scottish Power automatically requested from your bank account the amount then owing, which was 85.51. But when you saw the money go out, you assumed it was a mistake and claimed it back via your banks direct debit indemnity system.

Scottish Powers system then automatically requested the payment again. So you claimed it back again. This seems to have happened in a two-month cycle.

Someone from Scottish Power has now spoken with you and apologised for the way the payment was taken. You should have been offered the option of carrying forward what was owed, or being billed up to the date of the product change.

It has refunded the 85.51 and, by way of an apology, added 50.

Incidentally, when you write to the chief executive of a very large organisation, I dont think you can expect a personal reply. The idea is to jolt them into action.

This worked to an extent with the 20 payment, but how much more it would have helped if the person dealing with your complaint had taken a proper look at your account and uncovered the cause of confusion.

You have YOUR say Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters about our stories. Here are some from our article on how the Budget smallprint could mean you might not save as much as you think from the promised tax break... Given the current circumstances, I thought the Budget was much better than I anticipated. Raising the personal allowance will help the lowest paid and the move to take more people out of the 40 per cent tax-rate band is long overdue. D. P., East Anglia. The devil is always in the detail. But its also becoming increasingly apparent that what the Chancellor says in the Commons bears little resemblance to the legislation that is eventually implemented. J. R., Warrington. Everyone was cheering for the Chancellor last week, but now we can see what the Budget really means. A parent on the cusp of getting more than 50,000 will soon be hit with higher National Insurance contributions, lower child benefit and a higher tax rate. T. O., Solihull, West Midlands. There is little point in complaining about the Budget every year. There will always be winners and losers, no matter what is announced. No government or chancellor is going to be able to please all of the electorate all of the time. O. L., Glasgow. When has anyone ever been better off after a Budget? They give with one hand and take with the other  its just how it is. I. S., Frinton-on-sea, Essex. A pensioner on 100,000 will have paid a lot of tax over their lifetime. And, in my opinion, theyre not getting anything back, just keeping a little more of their own money. If you earn a lot, you should pay more tax  but not over and over again. D. O., Manchester. Hammonds Budget is nothing more than joke. The real economy is represented by a credit-caused housing price crisis and the fact wages have fallen by 30 per cent in the past 20 years. UK living standards have dropped, too. I. W., London.

I made a reservation via hotels.com for one nights accommodation at a pub. It said it would take payment on arrival.

Once there, we decided to stay another night. The proprietor then demanded 160 for the two nights. I explained the original night was being paid via hotels.com, but she insisted the full amount should be paid to her.

Our bank statement shows hotels.com took 70 and the pub took 160. I have had numerous frustrating conversations with hotels.com, which initially said the pub had no record of our payment.

It is blaming the pub, and keeps saying I need to speak to the pub proprietors, but they have been very unhelpful.

A. G., via email.

Having seen your full email trail, Im sure youve made a note never again to visit the pub in question.

If these people want to survive in the hospitality business, they will need to work on their customer service.

I think the pub is 100 per cent in the wrong. It should never have taken payment for two nights and, once the error was known, it should have refunded one night.

Having said that, I felt it would be simpler to deal with hotels.com and let it handle the pub.

The website looked at your case again and offered you a full refund and goodwill gesture.

Im sure youll be writing a full review of the pub and its staffs obstinate attitude for a few travel websites. I certainly would.

Straight to the point Ive held a bond with The Jockey Club for five years. When it expired in June, I was told if I didnt want to withdraw my money, I should do nothing. Now Ive received another letter telling me my bond will be cancelled next year  but I want to keep my money invested. E. A., by email. A spokesman for the club says it wrote to bond-holders nine months before the end of the five-year term, telling them that when the bond expired, they could request their money back, do nothing and allow it to roll over for one more year, or ask for the money to be reinvested for a further three years. By doing nothing, you received the extra one year. To discuss options, call 0345 6055244. *** I ordered several dresses from Debenhams using my store card account, but I didnt like them. A Hermes courier collected three parcels to return to the shop, but Debenhams claims to have received only two. It says I wont get a refund for the missing items worth 580. L. C., by email. Debenhams says it investigated a number of avenues, but the parcel could not be traced. The retail ombudsman told the store no refund was required, but after you sent footage from your home security camera of all three parcels being collected by Hermes, it offered you a full refund. *** I have lived alone in the same property since 2012. In January this year, I received a Barclaycard statement belonging to a man I do not know. I told Barclaycard it had sent the statement to the wrong address, but it has since sent another four statements. When I complained, I was told it had to keep sending this paperwork to the last-known address, and it gave me 50 for the inconvenience. Is this right? J. G., Reading. Barclaycard does have an obligation, under the Consumer Credit Act, to send monthly statements to the most up-to-date address on its records. It is possible you didnt receive any before this year because the customer only recently requested them  though youd think hed have noticed they werent arriving. I am told the account has now been closed in the hope the customer contacts the firm. A spokesman apologises for the inconvenience.

On August 6, I rang the AA to take up membership and 109 was taken from my account. On August 13, I rang to cancel.

I was told my money would be returned, except 20 for administration costs.

On August 26, I received a letter saying that my money had been returned to my account, but when I checked, it was not there.

I contacted the AA, which said I would have to send a copy of my bank statement to show I had not received the money.

On September 1, I received paperwork and a membership card. I called the complaints department, but I was kept on hold for 30 minutes before I gave up and rang off.

I am a widow, living alone and suffer from Parkinsons disease. As you can imagine, I find this very stressful.

Mrs C. W., Cumbria.

No doubt at periodic times during those 30 minutes on hold, you had to listen to messages saying how important your call was to the AA.

The firm says that some miscommunication led to your refund not being paid promptly, once you had decided within the cooling-off period that you did not want membership.

It appears that one of the agents with whom you spoke didnt complete the process to authorise your refund.

The AA has now refunded your 109, waiving the 20 administration fee. It has also sent you a cheque for 50 for the distress you suffered.

A spokesman said: We have been in touch with Mrs W. She is happy that we have made the refund and sent a cheque for 50, for the obvious distress she suffered in trying to sort out the issue, along with our best wishes and a sincere apology for the delay.

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.American tech stocks may be going through a rotten patch, but the transformation of British business into the digital space knows no bounds.

The investment in digital is evident in a range of companies from online estate agent Purplebricks to food-to-the-home firm Deliveroo.

In spite of the slowing property market, particularly in London and the south-east, Purplebricks, backed by investment guru Neil Woodford, recorded a 20 per cent lift in revenues in the six months to October.

On a roll: Deliveroo, is going great guns and has just added Azzurri, Pizza Express and Wagamama to its list of suppliers

The company says that it is on course to meet its target of 165million-to-185million of turnover in the current year.

Purplebricks is looking to be a winner in a marketplace where traditional estate agents such as Countrywide are struggling and smaller digital competitors, most notably Emoov, are wobbling.

What is happening in the residential market is true across the piece.

Lloyds Bank revealed a big change with the elimination of 6,240 traditional jobs and the creation of 8,240 in online banking as it seeks to lift the UK's most dominant retail bank into the digital age.

The change, which will see some existing staff retrained, is part of the group's 3billion commitment to invest in technology.

RBS is also known to have embarked on a high-tech future now that the worst of the legacy of the financial crisis is over.

In efforts to persuade the Competition & Markets Authority to go easy on the proposed 7.3billion merger of Sainsbury's with Asda, the grocers have cited the rise of online cooked food-delivery services as a threat. They may well have a point.

One of those services, Deliveroo, is going great guns and has just added Azzurri, Pizza Express and Wagamama to its list of suppliers, meaning that it works with 17,000 UK restaurants and food outlets and is sourcing 25,000 pizzas a week to customers.

And it aims to lift those numbers.

Elsewhere bookies William Hill, struggling with Chancellor Philip Hammond's recent tax changes, is hoping online betting takes off in the United States, with a 120million to 130million investment in 2019 where it is building a relationship with Eldorado Resorts.

The current burst of energy in the search for digital success is a remainder of the bursting of the dot.com bubble of 2000.

This time around the block, there looks to be a sensible chance of catching the tiger by its tail.

Family affairs

The advantages over the longer-term of being a 'family' enterprise are outlined by Comcast chief Brian Roberts here.

George Weston of Associated British Food, where the family controls 54.5 per cent of the stock, could sing from the same hymn sheet.

Were the ownership of ABF more widely distributed, one could imagine activists demanding an end to the group's sugar follies and a refocus on retail phenomena Primark.

Weston can afford to sit on his hands and ride out the dip in demand and prices for its beet sugar following the end of the EU price fixing regime.

Big swings in commodity cycles are not unknown, and by investing in better technology and eliminating costs, the company hopes to be in a better position when sugar comes back.

The worry must be that measures such as Britain's sugar tax and the perceived obesity crisis in many advanced countries does not signal peak sugar.

There is still much to admire at ABF. Primark sales may have been a bit below par because of strange weather patterns but fuelled by new openings they were still up by 5.5 per cent, profit margins rose and there were market share gains.

Marks & Spencer, struggling with all three, must look on enviously.

Pre-tax profits may be down 19 per cent at 1.3billion. But ABF with its strong Primark, grocery and ingredients enterprises is capable of riding out the bumps.

Down the hatch

The job-span of chief executives is remarkably short at just five years among the FTSE 100.

One of the big exceptions to the rule in the second FTSE tier is Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, who is calling it a day after 14 years in an era when Britain's pubs have been closing as if there were no tomorrow.

His record is impressive with the workforce more than doubling to 39,000, the number of pubs up to 2,800 and shareholder returns 200 per cent higher in a decade.

IPA and Speckled Hen are not bad either.Ryanair has refused to waive its 55 charge for passengers who check in at the airport, despite shutting down its website for 12 hours this evening.

The budget airline announced on Monday that passengers will be unable to check in online during a 12-hour 'systems upgrade' over night tonight.

The Dublin-based carrier's website and mobile app will be taken offline from 5pm on Wednesday until about 5am on Thursday.

Ryanair will shut down their website from 5pm on Wednesday until about 5am on Thursday and have warned their passengers to check in before then if they want to avoid a 55 fee

The airline said it has sent emails and text messages to all customers flying today or tomorrow to advise them to check-in online.

Ryanair's policy is to charge passengers 55 if they check-in at an airport.

The firm's online check-in facility is only open between 48 hours and two hours before a flight for passengers who have not paid extra to select a seat.

But, despite reducing the window from 46 hours to 34 hours, a spokesman for Ryanair confirmed the usual additional fees for paying at the airport, rather than online, apply.

Robin Kiely, Ryanair's head of communications, says: 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this upgrade, which will further improve Ryanair.com, Europe's largest travel website.'The former chief executive of the London Stock Exchange has joined pharmaceuticals company Verseon as a non-executive director.

This is the second boardroom role that Frenchman Xavier Rolet has taken on since he was ousted from his position at the helm of the LSE a year ago.

He will help London-listed Verseon, which uses computer programmes to mimic the behaviour of molecules in order to discover drugs, pull in investment from City institutions.

Shares did not budge, remaining flat at 106.5p.Around 570 jobs in the UK are under threat after a German manufacturer announced plans to close two sites amid 'uncertainty surrounding Brexit'.

Automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler said the sites in Plymouth and Llanelli, South Wales, will close within two years.

The Plymouth site has 350 staff while there are 220 at the Llanelli plant. The company said production will be relocated to the United States, China, South Korea and Germany.

Brexit blow: Automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler said the sites in Plymouth and Llanelli (pictured), South Wales, will close within two years

The company, which employs just over 1,000 workers in the UK, said its biggest site in Sheffield will be retained in its current form.

Work at two logistics centre in Hereford and Sutton Coldfield will be combined at Hereford.

Juergen Ziegler, Schaeffler's regional chief executive, Europe, said: 'The proposed measures we have taken for the UK reflect this business reality.

'However, we remain committed to keeping certain activities in the UK, a country that will continue to be important to us.

'Brexit is clearly not the single decisive factor behind our decision-making for the UK market, but the need to plan for various complex scenarios has brought forward the timing.'IHS Markit is at its weakest index of activity in the eurozone since September 2016

EURO WOE IHS Markits index of activity in the eurozone, where scores above 50 show growth, fell to 53.1 in October, the weakest since September 2016, as trade tensions and political uncertainty start to bite.

DRUGS DEAL Pharma firm Astrazeneca has sold the remaining rights to three asthma and hay fever treatments to Swiss company Covis Pharma for 268million.

ASSET FEARS Alexander Friedman, chief executive of crisis-riven Swiss fund manager GAM, stepped down yesterday as it rushes to stem billions in asset outflows after director Tim Haywood was suspended.

STALL WARNING Growth in domestic orders among 331 small-to-medium sized companies (SMEs) is expected to stall in the coming months, according to the CBI.

CUTS COMING Bjorn Kjos, the boss of low-cost carrier Norwegian, has warned it must cut costs due to tough competition and high oil prices as it enters the quieter winter months, despite recording an 8 per cent growth in passengers last month.

MENU CHOICE Food deliverer Deliveroo has signed deals with Pizza Express, Barburrito, Wagamama and Azzurri and now works with 17,000 restaurants and takeaways.

HIGH FLYING Passengers travelling with Easyjet jumped by 14.1 per cent to 8.6million last month compared to a year earlier.

Rival Wizz Air carried 15 per cent more passengers compared with a year earlier, taking the total to 3.6million.

SALES LIFT Sales at the John Lewis Partnership edged up 1.1 per cent last week as both John Lewis and Waitrose managed to grow sales.

JOBS FREEZE Ad group WPP has reportedly ordered a hiring freeze at its agencies to help boost profits, according to reports.

CITY SELECTION Dallas, New York and Crystal City in Virginia are said to be in the running as Amazon plans to split its proposed second US headquarters between two cities.

CASH AIM Investment manager Albion Capital is planning to raise 36million to top up its six venture capital trusts. The trusts invest in small, fast-growing companies.

FAST MOVE Abu Dhabis investment fund, Mubadala Investment Company, has bought a minority stake in the UKs fastest broadband provider Hyperoptic.British telecoms firms could be banned from using Chinese equipment as they build 5G networks amid spying fears.

The Government has warned companies including BT, Vodafone, O2 owner Telefonica and Three that they may have to switch suppliers following a review into telecoms infrastructure, including fifth generation mobile services.

The review could see rules introduced that would stop certain suppliers being involved in the UKs planned 5G mobile network. That could spell trouble for Chinese firms including Huawei, which has already been barred from work in the United States and Australia on security grounds.

Huawei is only one of many Chinese companies that could be stopped from entering the UK's planned 5G mobile network

In a letter to telecoms firms, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the National Cyber Security Centre said it was paramount that Britains critical national infrastructure remains resilient and secure.

It warned that the outcome of the review may lead to changes in the current rules.

A Government spokesman insisted the review  expected in the spring was not targeted at any one company or country.

But it comes after the National Cyber Security Centre, part of spy agency GCHQ, raised concerns about growing Chinese involvement in important national infrastructure.

At the centre of the controversy has been Huawei, the largest telecoms company in the world, which is trying to win contracts to build the networks.

The firm is already deeply involved in the UKs broadband network but operates under the supervision of GCHQ officials.

Network of the future 5G is the next generation of mobile connections

It offers download speeds ten times faster than 4G

5G users will be able to download high-definition films in seconds

It will cut out delays from live-streaming

Surgeons could carry out operations using gloves controlling robot equipment

Ambulances could use it to get advice from hospitals by video

Driverless cars  which need huge amounts of real-time data  will also benefit

It wants to build 5G networks here as well and has already been chosen as a partner by Three.

Huawei is also running a test network with BT-owned EE in London and has teamed up with the University of Surrey on research efforts. Its technology has been favoured by telecoms firms because it is cheaper and more advanced than that of rivals.

But Dr John Hemmings, an Asia and security expert at the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said the review of 5G supplier rules was a sign there was growing concern about Huawei.

Critics claim the firm is subject to laws in China which require private companies to hand over data requested by the security services, although Huawei denies this. Hemmings said: While Huawei is not directly named, it has been increasingly unwelcome in developing the networks of other countries. This is down to the fact that Chinese firms have come increasingly under pressure to work for the Chinese government.

Speaking in the House of Lords last month, Lord Young, a Cabinet Office spokesman, said: The National Cyber Security Centre has raised its concerns about the ability to manage the risk of having more Chinese-supplied equipment on UK infrastructure, including those around Huawei.

But Huawei executive Ken Hu yesterday rejected security concerns, saying: Technology issues should not be politicised.

BT defended its use of Huawei saying it has rigorous security controls. Vodafone also said it has a rigorous process in place and Telefonica said it worked closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, while Three is understood to have briefed security officials on its discussions with Huawei before it agreed a partnership.A Lincolnshire crisp maker that vowed never to supply the UKs big supermarkets has been sold to US food and drinks group Pepsico for more than 20million.

Pipers Crisps was set up in 2004 by three farmers, Alex Albone, 55, Simon Herring, 54, and James Sweeting, 48.

Its crisps are made using local potatoes and are mainly sold at independent retailers rather than large supermarkets. In 2008 Albone said: As long as I live, I wont sell to Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda or Waitrose.

Alex Albone, 55, a farmer from Lincolnshire, is one of the founders of Pipers Crisps, company that was just bought by US

But the company has been bought by Pepsico, which owns Walkers Crisps and Doritos, as well as Pepsi.

The US firm plans to expand the crisp maker in the UK while developing its business overseas. It is unclear whether the crisps will be sold in supermarkets.

Pipers managing director James McKinney said more people will be able to enjoy their crisps after the deal.

Ian Ellington, UK general manager at Pepsico, said: Pipers share our uncompromising commitment to delivering on taste and quality and weve long-admired their entrepreneurial spirit.Shares in G4S have fallen over 17 per cent after the company warned it is not expecting any annual growth in profits.

The FTSE 250 listed security firm reported revenue growth of 2.5 per cent for the third quarter, which was below analyst expectations.

At around the 181p mark, the firm's share price is the lowest it has been since the EU Referendum vote in June 2016.

Falling: Shares in G4S fell by over 17% earlier today amid a revelation of faltering profits

Earlier today, the shares were down over 17 per cent. At present, they are down 16.11 per cent or 34.87p to 181.53p.

The share price fall comes after the Government was forced to step in and take control of a jail run by the firm earlier this year.

HMP Birmingham was found to have 'slipped into crisis' after an inspection uncovered 'appalling' squalor and violence, the UK's prisons watchdog said in August.

The Ministry of Justice has now taken control of the establishment from G4S for at least six months.

On an underlying basis, pre-tax profits fell 8 per cent from 173million to 158million.

The company is undergoing an efficiency plan meant to deliver up to 100million in cost savings by 2020.

Around 20million in savings has been reached through refinancing completed this year, which G4S has previously said will start to 'flow through to profits in 2019.'

In terms of its latest figures, G4S said revenues were being hit by a tight jobs market in Benelux, adding that full-year underlying earnings are now expected to remain flat.

Analysts had been expecting earnings to rise to 480million, up from from 464million in 2017.

G4S, which employs 570,000 people globally, said it had been selective about the contracts it pursued.

Fluctuations: The share price of G4S since 2016

Boss Ashley Almanza said: 'We continue to exercise commercial discipline in markets where labor supply is tight and whilst this is expected to constrain revenue growth in 2018, our new contract wins and substantial, high quality pipeline provide good momentum into 2019.'

Some analysts are questioning whether Almanza, who has been at the helm since 2013, has made sufficient progress.

'After five years of turnaround strategy, G4S still struggles to gain momentum,' analysts at Jefferies said.

'Given the CEO has been there for around 5 years and has not created any value, we wonder whether it is time for something more radical,' said Andrew Brook, head of business services equity research at RBC, said.Many insurers are using the small print in their policies to try to avoid paying up

Home insurers are unfairly refusing claims from customers who have been burgled, Money Mail research reveals.

It means customers who have suffered a break-in are being forced to wait for months to get a payout.

In one case an insurer declined a customer's claim because they left their keys in the hallway, where burglars fished them out through the letterbox.

In another, a customer was denied a payout because they did not lock their porch door  even though they had set their burglar alarm and thieves had smashed the main door to enter the property.

November is typically the busiest month for burglary claims, according to research by Lloyds Home Insurance.

But many insurers are using the small print in their policies to try to avoid paying up. And with the average home insurance policy more than 22,000 words long  around the length of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll  customers are being caught out.

Money Mail analysis of complaints made to the Financial Ombudsman over the past four years reveals that insurers have declined claims by arguing that victims breached the terms of their policies.

But in more than a quarter of complaints about contents insurance, the Ombudsman made the insurer pay up.

Around 87 per cent of home contents policies say there must be evidence of 'force', 'violence' or a 'break-in' if you want to make a burglary claim, according to financial information firm Defaqto.

Many also won't pay out if keys are 'left in view' or if you forget to set the burglar alarm.

Experts warn that insurers are increasingly exploiting these clauses to decline legitimate claims. Last year, Elite Insurance refused to pay when a burglar left a house by 'grabbing' a window, 'flinging' it open and jumping out.

How they dodge payouts 1. Burglars didn't use 'force' or 'violence' to enter or exit the property. Many insurers demand proof that thieves smashed a window or broke down the door. 2. You forgot to set the burglar alarm. If you have a security system installed, you must ensure it is turned on every time you go out. 3. The keys were 'left in view'. If burglars could see where you left your keys through the window or letterbox, insurers may refuse your claim. 4. Forgetting to lock the porch door. Even if the main door was secure and burglars smashed the glass, this could still invalidate your policy. 5. You don't have receipts for all your belongings. As well as proof of purchase for expensive items such as jewellery, some insurers require receipts for anything from clothing to toiletries.

The insurer claimed this did not count as force. The Ombudsman, however, ruled that 'flinging' was violent, adding: 'I can't imagine that an escaping thief would hop delicately through/from a window.'

Elite Insurance also refused to pay out in a case where a family were burgled while they slept.

Police suspected burglars had broken in by 'fishing' keys through the letterbox. Elite said they must have been 'left in view', and that no force was used.

The Ombudsman said: 'I think they would only have been in view had the letterbox been opened by the thieves. In itself that would represent force.'

Meanwhile, Admiral refused to pay up when a couple did not lock their porch door, even though they had locked the main door and set their burglar alarm.

The thieves opened the porch door and smashed the glass of the main door. The policy said homeowners must ensure 'all the security devices fitted to your home are put into operation'.

The Ombudsman said: 'That means if the porch door had no lock the claim would have been paid . . . that can't be fair.'

The Ombudsman also ruled against Admiral when it refused to compensate a man after burglars broke the glass of a back door and entered using keys left in the lock.

Around 87 per cent of home contents policies say there must be evidence of 'force', 'violence' or a 'break-in' if you want to make a burglary claim

The policy said customers must remove keys from locks when not at home. But Admiral admitted it couldn't read all of the details over the phone and did not post a copy, so had only sent a link to its terms online. The Ombudsman ruled that it should have been 'more clearly' highlighted.

UK Insurance, which underwrites Direct Line and Churchill, wouldn't pay for a man's stolen Kindle, cash, jewellery or clothing because he couldn't prove he owned them.

The Ombudsman, which must judge whether an insurer is being 'fair and reasonable', told Direct Line to pay out. It said: 'I do not think the average person should be expected to have proof of ownership for everything they own.'

This year, the Ombudsman has received 1,421 complaints about home contents insurance, including burglary claims. Of these one in four (26 per cent) were upheld.

Insurers received 152,128 claims for burglary in 2017, a fall from 159,204 in 2015, according to the Association of British Insurers. Some 12.9 million a day was paid out in property claims in 2016.

James Daley, director of Fairer Finance, says: 'The length and complexity of policies is a problem. Even the shortest home insurance policy is just under 9,000 words.

'The good news is that the Ombudsman sides with customers in a lot of these cases. It's no longer okay to point to the small print.'

Elite Insurance closed to new business last year. A spokesman for Armour Risk Management, which is looking after Elite's existing policies, says the insurer is 'committed to treating customers fairly'.

A spokesman for Admiral says: 'We sometimes include specific endorsements requiring a customer to take reasonable measures, [which] will be read out by our agent or displayed online.'

A spokesman for UK Insurance says: 'We try to take a pragmatic approach when it comes to proof of ownership. This can be provided in a multitude of ways including a bank statement showing the transaction for an item, or a photo.'

l.eccles@dailymail.co.ukA pair of fake poppy brooches confiscated by customs officers

Households are being urged to watch out for fake poppy merchandise ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Every year opportunistic fraudsters flog copycat poppy pins and larger brooches, scarves and jewellery to cash in on the charitable cause.

Remembrance donations are intended to support Army veterans, people still serving and their families through the Royal British Legion (RBL) charity.

But the Governments Intellectual Property Office and the RBL warn that your cash may be going straight into the pockets of the crooks selling copycat goods.

Last autumn Border Force officers at Tilbury, Essex, confiscated 150,000 of fake poppy merchandise.

The Government says the counterfeit items are likely to be in the shape of the RBLs two-petal poppy or Poppy Scotlands four-petal poppy.

A full list of official suppliers can be found here: britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/partner-with-us/our-partners.

If in doubt, buy from the RBL directly at poppyshop.org.uk or via its official eBay and Amazon pages.

There is no evidence to suggest paper poppies have been faked.

If you spot someone selling fakes call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or contact crimestoppers-uk.org.

a.murray@dailymail.co.ukSavers must monitor takeovers and mergers to ensure their cash stays safe if their bank or building society goes bust.

Last month, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group bought Virgin Money, while Holmesdale BS merged with Skipton BS.

While those with Virgin Money wont see any change in their compensation limit, savers with Holmesdale could find that some of their money is no longer covered.

Under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, savers are guaranteed to get the first 85,000 of their savings back (170,000 for joint accounts), in the unlikely event that their bank or building society collapses.

Under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, savers are guaranteed to get the first 85,000 of their savings back in the unlikely event that their bank or building society collapses

The limit covers all of the money you have with that institution  easy-access accounts, fixed-rate bonds, Isas, notice accounts and even your current account.

You get extra protection after a significant event, such as selling a home or receiving a big insurance policy payout. There is a 1 million limit for savers in this position.

Most confusing for many, however, is what counts as an institution. This all comes down to its banking licence, issued by the City watchdog.

Many banks share a licence with others in the same group, while others operate on their own.

The CYBG takeover of Virgin Money created the UKs sixth-largest bank, with 84billion in assets and around six million customers.

Over the next three years, all customers will move to the better-known Virgin Money brand. Branches will also be renamed Virgin Money.

However, the message from both CYBG and Virgin Money is that savers dont need to do anything, as their compensation cover stays the same as before the takeover.

This is because the combined group will still operate under two separate licences  one for Virgin Money, one for CYBG. Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks already share a licence.

This could all change in the future. But a Virgin Money spokesman told Money Mail: Should there be any changes, we would notify customers.

But savers with Holmesdale BS, now part of Skipton BS, should act now if their combined savings with both the societies breaches the compensation limit following the merger.

Skipton says savers in this position can move money out of their accounts without giving the usual notice.

It will also waive any penalty charges customers would usually stump up for making early withdrawals.

However, savers must move their money before December 31. Wait any longer and you will face the usual penalties.

Any money you put into the new easy- access account at 1 per cent from Monzo Bank, out last week, comes under the same licence as Investec Bank, which is where your money ends up.

But the rest of your money with Monzo  for example, in your current account  comes under its own licence, so has its own 85,000 limit.

sy.morris@dailymail.co.ukMcDermott International, Inc. provides engineering, procurement, construction and installation, and technology solutions to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through five segments: North, Central and South America; Europe, Africa, Russia and Caspian; the Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Technology. It designs, engineers, and constructs upstream offshore oil and gas facilities, downstream oil and gas facilities, gas-fired power plants, liquefied natural gas import and export terminals, atmospheric and refrigerated storage vessels and terminals, water storage and treatment facilities, pipe and module fabrication, hydrocarbon processing facilities, pipe fabrication and manufacturing, and refining and petrochemical facilities. The company also provides gas processing, refining, petrochemical and coal gasification technologies, as well as a supplies catalysts, equipment, and related engineering services. It serves national, integrated, and other oil and gas companies, as well as producers of petrochemicals and electric power. McDermott International, Inc. was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Read MoreChina Telecom Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireline and mobile telecommunications services primarily in the People's Republic of China. It offers wireline voice services, including local wireline telephone services and long distance wireline services; CDMA mobile voice services, such as local calls, domestic and international long distance calls, intra-provincial roaming, and inter-provincial roaming and international roaming; wireline Internet access services comprising dial-up and broadband services; wireless Internet access services; and wireline, Internet, and mobile value-added services. The company also provides Best Tone information services; and information technology-based integrated solutions, such as system integration and consulting, outsourcing, special advisory, information application, knowledge, and software development services. In addition, it offers managed data services that include digital data network, frame relay, and asynchronous transfer mode services for government agencies, large corporations, and institutions; and leased line services, as well as sells, repairs, and maintains customer-end equipment. Further, the company provides international telecommunications services, including network, Internet access and transit, Internet data center, and mobile virtual network services in various countries, including the Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, South America, and North America; and music production and related information, instant messenger, finance leasing, capital and financial management, and e-commerce services, as well as sells telecommunications terminals. As of December 31, 2019, it had approximately 336 million mobile subscribers; 153 million wireline broadband subscribers; and 111 million access lines in service. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Wanchai, Hong Kong. China Telecom Corporation Limited is a subsidiary of China Telecommunications Corporation.

Read MoreNORRISTOWN  There wasnt exactly a blue wave across Pennsylvania on election night, but there was enough of a Democratic storm surge in Montgomery County to propel Pa. State Rep Madeleine Dean (D-153) to a decisive win in her bid to become the first U.S. House representative elected to the newly formed 4th Congressional District.

Dean captured close to 64 percent of the vote, besting Republican challenger Dan David by more than 27 percentage points  207,381 votes to 116,954 votes  in unofficial poll results.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, both incumbent Democrats, won their respective races by similar margins in the county, helping them each cruise to statewide victories.

The 4th Congressional District, which encompasses the majority of Montgomery County, was redrawn in January after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that former Congressional District boundaries were the product of unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering.

Dean will become a member of the 116th United States Congress which is projected to have a Democratic majority for the first time in eight years as a result of Tuesdays election.

In the race for Pennsylvanias 70th Legislative District, which includes Norristown, East Norriton, Worcester and part of Plymouth Township, Democratic incumbent Matt Bradford defeated Republican challenger Chris Mudiath by nearly 9,000 votes, winning by nearly 39 percentage points.

The race to fill the 150th State Legislative District seat vacated by Republican Michael Corr, was a significantly tighter, but Democratic nominee Joe Webster, a former Air Force Colonel and U.S. Department of Defense liaison, managed to hold off Republican Skippack Township Supervisor Nick Fountain to flip the seat, winning 56 percent of the vote in the district comprised of Skippack, Lower Providence, Collegeville, and portions of Upper Providence and West Norriton.

State Reps Mary Jo Daley (D-148) and Tim Briggs (D-149) ran unopposed.

In the closest area race, Katie Muth is projected to have unseated incumbent State Sen. John Rafferty in the 44th Senatorial District.

With more than 99 percent of precincts counted, Muth (62,444 votes) had a lead just shy of 4 percentage points over Rafferty (57,733 votes) in the district which includes parts of Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties.Justice Brett Kavanaugh is on the Supreme Court, but the fight over his nomination goes on.

The battle is not being fought by Democratic dead-enders who cannot accept that Kavanaugh won confirmation despite the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Instead, the fight is being led by Sen. Charles Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who is still angry at the way those unverified and, in some cases, evidence-free allegations sidetracked his committees work, and nearly the nomination itself.

Grassleys unhappiness comes through in every page of a new 28-page report, accompanied by 386 pages of supporting documents, outlining the committees handling of the Kavanaugh case. One key point that comes out in the report is that Grassley and his staff of investigators on the Republican side took each allegation against Kavanaugh seriously, no matter how far-fetched. Thats how the confirmation process almost ground to a halt.

The allegations covered in the report start with Christine Blasey Ford, who came forward just before the committees scheduled vote on Kavanaugh to say that 36 years ago, when she was 15 years old, a drunken 17-year-old Kavanaugh forced her onto a bed, tried to undress her, and, when she tried to scream, covered her mouth with his hand.

Committee investigators found no verifiable evidence that supported Dr. Fords allegation against Justice Kavanaugh, Grassley wrote.

The allegations continued with Deborah Ramirez, who claimed that 35 years ago, when she was a student at Yale, a drunken Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party.

The committee found no verifiable evidence to support Ramirezs allegations, Grassley wrote.

Then there was Julie Swetnick, the woman who alleged that Kavanaugh, 36 years ago, took part in drugging women and gang-raping them at high school parties.

The committee found no verifiable evidence to support Swetnicks allegations, Grassley wrote.

Then there was the so-called Rhode Island allegation, in which an anonymous accuser said Kavanaugh and friend Mark Judge sexually assaulted a woman on a boat in 1985.

The committee found no verifiable evidence to support the allegations, Grassley wrote.

Then there was the anonymous accuser in Colorado, who said that in 1998, Kavanaugh shoved a woman he was dating very aggressively and sexually.

The committee found no evidence to support the allegations in the anonymous Colorado letter, Grassley wrote.

Finally, there was the so-called Jane Doe allegation, in which an anonymous accuser claimed that in an unspecified year, in an unspecified place, Kavanaugh hit her, forced her to perform oral sex, and, along with another man, raped her several times.

The committee found no evidence to support the allegations in the Jane Doe letter, Grassley wrote.

When Grassley said the committee found no evidence, he did not mean it did not try to find evidence. The committees efforts to substantiate the Ford allegation are well-known; investigators got in touch with 17 people who might have had information relevant to Fords story. The FBI interviewed more. No one ever found any contemporaneous corroboration, or much corroboration at all, for Fords 36-year-old accusation.

In the Ramirez matter, the committee got in touch with eight people who might have had some information regarding the accusation; the FBI did more. Likewise, the committee contacted several people in relation to the Swetnick allegation and found nothing to support her story. That work was in addition to the FBI investigation demanded by Democrats.

The committee also dutifully chased information for the Rhode Island, Colorado and Jane Doe allegations. The end result was nothing.

All of this investigating was done during the key days of a Supreme Court confirmation process, when committee staff is already pressed to handle all the work that must be done. Directing investigators to chase down this or that accusation placed a huge burden on the committee as it exercised its most important responsibilities.

Now, the chairman clearly believes he and the committee were being jerked around. He is not happy about it. And he is determined to ensure that it not happen again.

Grassley has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Swetnick and her lawyer, 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Michael Avenatti, made false statements to the committee. Grassley has also referred a woman named Judy Munro-Leighton, who claimed she wrote the Jane Doe letter, for a false-statements investigation as well.

Such conduct wastes committee time and resources, has the potential to significantly interfere with congressional investigations, and greatly hinders the committees ability to assist the Senate in performing its constitutional responsibilities, Grassley wrote in the report. The committee is ready and willing to speak with any individual who comes forward with critical information in good faith. However, the committee will not tolerate efforts to obstruct its work.

Given what happened with Kavanaugh, it seems reasonable to predict that if President Trump has another Supreme Court opening, the opposition will throw everything it has at the nominee. The Judiciary Committee is prepared to handle accusations backed by evidence. But Grassley wants to make sure everybody knows it will not take part in another circus.

(Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.)ALBANY  The Democratic wave that hit parts of New York on Election Day wasn't strong enough to topple the two GOP Assembly members who narrowly won special elections in April.

Republican incumbent Jake Ashby held off a challenge from Democrat Tistrya Houghtling in a race for the 107th Assembly District, which includes parts of Columbia, Rensselaer and Washington counties. The seat was previously represented by Republican Steve McLaughlin, who resigned the post following his election last year as Rensselaer County executive.

Turnout in the race grew by more than 25 percent from the previous midterm election, with Ashby collecting 27,514 votes and Houghtling garnering 25,903 votes.

In a rematch for the 102nd Assembly District, which was represented by Republican Peter Lopez until he left the post last year to serve as regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Republican Chris Tague earned 28,053 votes and Democrat Aidan O'Connor pulled in 20,858. Their special in the spring, by contrast, was decided by just 159 votes.

Around the region

The Democratic incumbents in the Capital Region held off their challengers, with Phil Steck, Patricia Fahy and Angelo Santabarbara winning their fourth terms and Carrie Woerner securing a third term.

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, a Ballston Republican, was unopposed in her bid for a second term, and Assemblyman John McDonald, a Cohoes Democrat, didn't have an opponent for his fourth election.

The veteran Democratic members will return to Albany in January having climbed another rung on the seniority ladder, which will boost the Capital Region's clout in the chamber.

"Our upstate voices have mattered, and will continue to matter moving forward," McDonald said. "We're at the halfway point in seniority."

Control of the 150-member chamber was never in doubt on Tuesday, with Democrats only playing defense in a handful of their 105 seats.

107th Assembly District

This seat was represented by McLaughlin since 2011, and Ashby took over the job in May after winning an April special election against Democrat Cindy Doran, a Rensselaer County legislator, by 174 votes.

Ashby, who grew up in Castleton and lives in Schodack, was deployed twice to Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves and runs an occupational therapy practice. He won his first election last year with a seat on the Rensselaer County Legislature, and has been serving in the state Assembly since May.

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In the Assembly, Ashby introduced legislation regulating 1,4-Dioxane in water, making it easier for occupational therapists to provide treatment, and codifying a grace period for pistol permit certifications. Before the session ended, he saw the passage of his bills naming a bridge and highway, and providing tax-exempt status to a local nonprofit.

While the three bills weren't controversial and are generally the types of legislation Republican members pass in the Democrat-controlled chamber, Ashby is confident he can get more done "given two years."

102nd Assembly District

Tague prioritized an ethics reform package championed by Assembly Republicans, which includes transparency and accountability measures for the state's economic development programs. He also supports term limits for elected officials.

Since taking office in May, Tague says he has repeatedly voted against any proposals in the Assembly that could increase taxes or fees. He cites his endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Business as evidence of his support for pro-growth policies.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com  518.454.5427 - @poozer87ALBANY  Democratic congressional candidate Antonio Delgado beat freshman Republican U.S. Rep. John Faso on Tuesday in one of the most closely watched and expensive congressional races in the nation.

The victory for Delgado in the Hudson Valley's 19th Congressional District  along with Democratic victories in two other congressional districts in New York  helped Democrats seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The fierce battle between Faso and Delgado galvanized voters in the geographically sprawling district, with early polling showing Faso with a slight lead, and later polling locking the candidates in a statistical tie. The contest drew national attention as Democrats fought to wrest control of the House from the GOP.

NY-19 by the numbers 446,000 active registered voters.

About 25,000 absentee ballots were issued as of Friday.

Democrats have a slight enrollment advantage over Republicans.

Includes Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, and parts of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Rensselaer. See More Collapse

In a tearful speech late Tuesday, Delgado thanked his family and his supporters, and called for unity following a contentious fight for the seat.

"This is a new day for NY-19," he said. "It is a new day built upon our shared values. Values I was raised with in upstate New York. Values that I learned when was raised in Schenectady, values I came across all across this district."

While Democrats gained a slim majority in the house, the gains were not achieved through the forceful Democratic wave in response to the election President Donald J. Trump that some pundits had predicted. As the night wore on, it was not immediately clear that Democrats would gain the 23 seats needed to retake the chamber. Republicans soundly retained their control of the U.S. Senate.

In the Capital Region's 20th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, easily fended off his Republican challenger Joe Vitollo for the second time. Tonko, a former state assemblyman and engineer, serves on the House Energy Committee and has held the post since 2009.

The 21st Congressional District, situated to the north of Albany, remained safely in Republican control, with incumbent U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik handily defeating her Democratic opponent Tedra Cobb, with 56 percent of the vote to Cobb's 41.

Faso, a former state assemblyman and lobbyist who was elected to Congress in 2016, was seen as especially vulnerable, and faced heat for his party-line vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act  though the measure did not pass the U.S. Senate  and for his support of more stringent food-stamp requirements in the U.S. House Farm Bill. He was also also criticized for making few appearances in the district in his first term.

Delgado, a Rhodes scholar and corporate lawyer from Rhinebeck, prevailed despite attempts by opponents to paint him as an outsider who does not share the values of the district, including citing lyrics from a rap album he recorded in 2007. Though he grew up in Schenectady, just outside the NY-19, and his wife is from Woodstock, he was criticized for moving to the district from New York City in 2016 to run for office.

Both candidates raised and spent millions of dollars, with Delgado outpacing Faso by $3.6 million. Faso's campaign was aided by the National Republican Campaign Committee and the Congressional Leadership Fund, a GOP super PAC, which spent millions on anti-Delgado ads.

While he refused during the campaign to denounce the controversial ads sponsored by outside groups that some perceived as a racial dog whistle, Faso struck a conciliatory note calling for healing in his concession speech.

"Remember that through 242 years of this great republic, we've had many times when Americans were polarized and divided and campaigns were fought vigorously. At the same time we have to recognize .. that America is great because the American people are good," he said just after 11 p.m.

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County boards of elections across the state reported "presidential" voter turnout levels on Tuesday and least 25,000 absentee ballots from within 19th Congressional District are yet to be counted.

Other upstate races

Other too-close-to-call races in upstate New York had mixed results. In the 22nd Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney was defeated by her Democratic challenger, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.

U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, who represents the most Republican district in the state, was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump and has since aligned himself with the president 99 percent of the time. He beat Nate McMurray by a smaller margin than initially anticipated, in part, due to his indictment on federal insider trading charges.

The contest between U.S. Rep. John Katko and Dana Balter in Syracuse's 24th Congressional District seemed like a toss-up in the polls leading up to Tuesday's midterm election. But Katko kept his seat with 51 percent of the vote, according to late results.

All eyes on the suburbs

Democrats were laser-focused on reclaiming several House seats in the increasingly Democratic suburbs of New York City, though Tuesday's results allowed Republicans to maintain control in two longtime GOP strongholds.

Staten Island's 11th Congressional District saw a major upset, as second-term Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan was unseated by Democratic contender Max Rose, an Army veteran and former healthcare executive, who drew 52 percent of the vote.ALBANY - Democrats took commanding control of the state Senate on Tuesday night, wresting power from Republicans for the first time in a decade.

With election results still trickling in, Democratic candidates had leads in Republican-controlled seats on Long Island, Brooklyn, and the Hudson Valley. Democrats successfully defended their only vulnerable member, and just needed to win one seat for a majority in the 63-seat chamber.

"The voters of New York state have spoken and they have elected a clear Democratic majority to the state Senate," said Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who is poised to become the first female to lead the chamber.

"I am confident our majority will grow even larger after all results are counted, and we will finally give New Yorkers the progressive leadership they have been demanding," she added.

Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan issued a statement late Tuesday calling the results "disappointing" and saying "the Senate Republican Conference will continue to be a strong and important voice in Albany - - standing up for hardworking taxpayers, advancing policies that help businesses create new jobs and new opportunities, and working every day to keep our families secure and safe."

"When we need to push back, we will push back," Flanagan added. "And where we can find common ground, we will always seek it. This election is over, but our mission is not. Senate Republicans will never stop advocating for the principles we believe in or the agenda that New Yorkers and their families deserve."

In the last half century, Democrats have only controlled the Senate chamber in 2009 and 2010. After the two years of chaotic rule, Republicans regained control and have stayed in power by forming alliances with wayward Democrats.

On Long Island, Democrats toppled veteran Republican Carl Marcellino in a rematch from 2016, won at least two other seats and had a strong lead in another. In the Hudson Valley, they picked up two seats and were likely heading to a third victory.

In Brooklyn, embattled GOP incumbent Marty Golden was narrowly trailing his Democratic challenger.

Capital Region

The political landscape in the Capital Region appeared unlikely to change, as Republican Daphne Jordan had a solid lead in the race to succeed retiring state Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon.

Late Tuesday, Jordan, a Halfmoon councilwoman, had garnered 63,540 votes to Brunswick Democrat Aaron Gladd's 53,902 votes. Republican senators George Amedore and Jim Tedisco, and long-time Democratic incumbent Neil Breslin, cruised to re-election.

The 43rd Senate District, which includes Columbia County and parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington counties, was thrust into the Senate battleground after Marchione abruptly announced her retirement in April. Numerous Republicans expressed interest in the post, but Jordan, Marchione's long-time legislative director, emerged with the party's endorsement aided by the senator's backing.

The campaign was dominated by Republican attacks on Gladd for his work in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's policy shop. In the waning days of the campaign, a GOP-aligned Super PAC invested more than $250,000 promoting the message, which was in addition to spending by Jordan's campaign.

Senate agenda

In the campaign to try and maintain their majority, Senate Republicans had championed their role as the check on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Democrats. They warned voters that a Democratic majority could lead to increased taxes, a state takeover of health care and expanded rights for undocumented immigrants.

Democratic control of the Senate may drastically change the agenda in Albany, as a progressive wish list long championed by the Democratic state Assembly could suddenly be within reach.

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"Some things will be done very quickly, like the Reproductive Health Act and gun control," said Karen Scharff, co-chair of the liberal Working Families Party, which has its roots in the protracted battle for the chamber.

She anticipated criminal justice reform, increased funding for education and election reforms will also be priorities during the legislative session.

More for you Battle for the state Senate

Tuesday's result will drastically alter the makeup of the Senate next year. Seven Democratic incumbents were defeated in their September primaries, and five Republicans are stepping down.

Additionally, the chamber will welcome five more women to their ranks, an increase of 33 percent.

Special interest spending

More than $10 million was spent by special interests hoping to influence competitive races in the Senate, with a majority of the funding directed at gaining control of the chamber.

The biggest single spender was the state's teachers' union, NYSUT, which invested more than $3.8 million through its Super PAC to boost Democratic candidates. Republican candidates were boosted by more than $1.5 million from a Super PAC largely funded by the Republican State Leadership Committee, and $1.2 million from a campaign funded by state realtors.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87SCHENECTADY - The city is on track to record the lowest number of homicides in years and an anti-violence group is getting some of the credit.

The Youth L.I.F.E. Support Network's "One Life of Live" program deploys so-called violence interrupters and outreach-and-intervention workers onto the city's streets in a bid to short circuit disputes and control violence.

In the past, the program was funded with about $190,000 in government grants but the funding is beginning to dry up.

On Thursday, the group, which received money from the city, county, and state, will hold its inaugural fundraiser dinner where it will also hand out awards recognizing officials and some of their sponsors.

Jamel Muhammad, Youth L.I.F.E.'s president and CEO, said that they hope to utilize the gathering to also spread more awareness of the anti-gun violence and other programs the group offers to youngsters.

"It is a challenge sustaining the organization and program just off of program grants that may come our way," said Muhammad, adding "all of our work is around public safety."

The city of Schenectady averaged just over six homicides between 2013 and 2017. So far this year, Ryane Puleski, a 3-month-old allegedly killed by his mother Heaven Puleski, 38, is the city's only homicide victim, police said.

The anti-violence program three workers in the field but fiscal programs forced them to cut one of the positions.

Besides the Schenectady-based gun and gang violence intervention initiative, Muhammad's group also offers lacrosse to inner city youngsters and a program in Albany that assistants troubled juveniles. Muhammad was previously involved with Albany SUNG, that city's anti-gun violence program.

Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino said Tuesday that perhaps the best way to gauge the program's effectiveness is to note there has been one gun-related homicide in the past two years

He said the program initially focused on preventing retaliatory shootings but has evolved over time.

While he lauded the "One Life to Live" program, Dagostino also acknowledged the work of the Schenectady police department and other anti-gun and crime-deterrence programs in the county.

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"It's a non-traditional way of dealing with some of the violence issues and I think it's been effective," he said, adding that he would like to get the program to a point where it's financially sustainable.

The program, said the sheriff, is currently operating on a roughly $250,000 annual budget.

"Our goal is to still to get to that $400,000 a year annual budget, or at least to that level of staffing, which would allow us to run a more holistic program," Dagostino said.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Thursday at Mallozzi's Banquet and Ballrooms, 1930 Curry Road in Rotterdam.

Anyone wanting more information can contact Muhammad at (518) 229-1015.Gasoline prices in the Capital Region have been falling in recent weeks, down nine cents in the past month and two cents in the past week, according to GasBuddy.com.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, says Albany's prices have further to fall.

"The national average is down 20 cents in the past month, and seven cents in the past week," DeHaan said. "You've got a little catching up to do."

Gasoline prices in the Capital Region on Wednesday were averaging $2.801 for a gallon of unleaded regular, according to GasBuddy.com. a separate survey, AAA's Fuel Gauge Report, showed prices averaging $2.806.

Prices were more volatile earlier this autumn, but crude has fallen sharply since then, from $76 a barrel in October to $61 currently, as inventories have built for the past seven weeks.

Diesel hasn't seen the same price decline, however.

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"Diesel fuel on the wholesale market is 55 cents higher," said DeHaan. Driving prices higher is a move by the International Maritime Organization to require by 2020 less sulfur in fuel that's burned by large shipping companies, he said.

The switch from what's known as "bunker" fuel is expected to boost demand, and prices, for diesel. That's on top of demand coming from the trucking industry.

"Diesel is very bullish right now," DeHaan said, calling it the "fuel of economic prosperity."EAST GREENBUSH  Last month East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway and others expressed frustration with the process surrounding the approval of nearly $16 million in state and local tax breaks being offered to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, one of the fastest-growing companies in Rensselaer County.

Regeneron is asking for the tax benefits in connection with the construction of its second campus on Tempel Lane, a few miles away from its current manufacturing facilities on Discovery Drive next to the University at Albany's Health Sciences Campus.

After building a 212,000-square-foot warehouse at the Tempel Lane property, Regeneron is moving forward with plans to build a 346,110-square-foot factory that would be used to make the company's drugs.

At an Oct. 3 public hearing held by the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency at the East Greenbush town hall to solicit comments about the incentive package, Conway said that Regeneron was a "good company" and "this was a good project," according to a copy of the minutes from the meeting.

But Conway also said he was disappointed that the IDA had not sent the town a copy of Regeneron's application that detailed the scope of the tax benefits the drug company is requesting, including the so-called PILOT, or payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, that outlines the company's reduced annual property taxes.

"This would be the last (IDA) hearing to be held in town hall unless the town received advance notice on the PILOT," Conway said, according to the minutes.

Several other local residents also expressed their frustration that the IDA was not being transparent with the process of offering tax breaks to companies.

"Based on past experience, I don't have very high expectations about the IDA hearing or listening to what we might say," said Lee Cookson, who lives near Tempel Lane.

Things appear to have been smoothed over between Conway and officials at the Rensselaer County IDA at least since that evening.

"It's always on file," Rensselaer County IDA Executive Director Bob Pasinella said about the PILOT agreement, a copy of which was given to Conway.

"The IDA was very responsive to my concerns," Conway told the Times Union on Wednesday. "We asked for information after that meeting and it was provided in short order, so at the moment we're good."

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That's a good thing because the town of East Greenbush is holding its own public hearing on the construction of the new building on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. at town hall.

The new building is expected to house 300 workers and cost $188 million to build. BBL Construction of Albany will be the general contractor on the project, according to IDA documents.

Regeneron, which has its headquarters in Tarrytown, currently has 2,500 employees in the Capital Region.

"We are looking forward to the public hearing scheduled for Nov. 14," Regeneron spokeswoman Ella Campbell said when asked about the permitting process, which has taken longer than initially expected.

New York state has offered Regeneron $140 million in incentives for the full build-out of the Tempel Lane campus, which is expected to cost Regeneron $800 million and would be home to 1,500 employees.

A 240,000 square-foot office and lab building is also listed on plans for the Tempel Lane campus, although that would likely be build later on.Albany

While the Capital Region's homeless population dipped slightly last year, experts say the need for shelter is still "significant."

This week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced awards totaling $40 million to 11 organizations around the state, with the goal of adding 276 more housing units for homeless New Yorkers.

The funding comes through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program  which is allotted $64 million from the state budget to address homelessness, according to Anthony Farmer, a spokesman for OTDA.

Three Capital Region organizations will receive just under $10 million in funds to construct 39 housing units.

Elsewhere in the state, four organizations in New York City will receive funding, as will organizations in the Finger Lakes, western New York, Long Island and Ithaca.

Locally, St. Catherine's Center for Children will receive $5.6 million to construct 20 permanent housing units for homeless families whose head of household suffers from drug addiction or a mental illness.

Twelve of the units will be reserved for families, and eight for individuals, according to Frank Pindiak, executive director of St. Catherine's Center for Children.

The goal for the housing projects is to provide "supportive" housing, which is aimed at helping tenants get treatment for addiction or other mental disorders that may be contributing to the person's or family's homelessness, according to Farmer.

"We understand the need of supporting housing for people," Pindiak said. "A place where people can get support and services while living in a very safe, caring environment."

Another group, Rehabilitation Support Services, was awarded $2.5 million to help in constructing 10 permanent housing units for homeless individuals with a serious mental illness.

And the Albany Housing Coalition, which finds housing for veterans, will receive $1.8 million to construct nine one-bedroom units for homeless former service members.

The effort is part of Cuomo's five-year, $20 billion Homelessness and Affordable Housing Action Plan announced in 2016 to combat homelessness. The plan's goal is to construct 100,000 affordable housing units and 6,000 supportive housing units by 2021.

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In the Capital Region, the homeless population decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017, according to the Capital Region Coalition to End Homelessness.

In a report released in late 2017, the organization found that over 1,500 people in the Capital Region are considered homeless, meaning they lack an adequate, fixed nighttime residence, or rely on a shelter or other temporary living accommodations.

Of the 1,517 homeless citizens, 361 were children and 75 were unsheltered in 2017. In 2016, there were 1,540 homeless persons, 357 of them children, and 123 unsheltered, according to the report.

But there remains much to do.

Homelessness "is still a significant issue in our community," said Pindiak. "We could easily use 200 more units. There's that kind of need."This article, Harvard scientists: Strange asteroid could be an alien 'probe', originally appeared on CNET.com.

Oumuamua has been confusing scientists ever since astronomers first sighted it back in 2017.

It's most likely a skyscraper-sized asteroid from another part of the galaxy, but what if it's actually [checks notes] "a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization."

That's the most "exotic" explanation provided in a paper set to be published Nov. 12 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, written by researchers from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Oumuamua is interesting for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it's the first interstellar asteroid of its kind ever seen by humans. Secondly, it's an odd shape, being flat and elongated. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it moves strangely. As per the paper, it shows "deviations from a Keplerian orbit at a high statistical significance". In short: It doesn't move like a regular comet or asteroid.

The paper attempts to explain that strange movement and comes up with a number of possible scenarios. The first: solar radiation pressure.

But here's where it gets weird.

"If radiation pressure is the accelerating force," states the paper, "then 'Oumuamua represents a new class of thin interstellar material, either produced naturally, through a yet unknown process in the ISM or in proto-planetary disks, or of an artificial origin."

Artificial. Origin.

More for you NASA flying saucer crash photo has a real history behind it

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The paper goes on to explore the idea that Oumuamua could possibly be a broken off part of an alien probe. That it could be a "lightsail, floating in interstellar space" not unlike the type being built on Earth as part of the Starshot Initiative.

But here's the best part: "Alternatively, a more exotic scenario is that Oumuamua may be a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization."



It's too late to confirm this theory with chemical rockets or using telescopes, concludes the paper. Our only hope in proving or disproving Oumuamua's potential alien origins lies is finding another similar object, floating through space.

We might be waiting a while.

NASA turns 60: The space agency has taken humanity farther than anyone else, and it has plans to go further.

Taking It to Extremes: Mix insane situations -- erupting volcanoes, nuclear meltdowns, 30-foot waves -- with everyday tech. Here's what happens.David Hochstein was already a prominent young violinist when, scant months before the Nov. 11 armistice that ended the Great War, he brought his fiddle with him to the front. "Hochstein's Violin Cheers Soldiers Near Battle Line," declared a headline from the era.

But he didn't just play. He fought. He died. And the musical community, including a small, tight clutch of eminent violin soloists, mourned and paid tribute, deeply affected by the loss of one of their own.

"They were all attending each other's concerts. They were making chamber music together. There was a real sense of community among them  rather than competition," said Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, violinist and director of the Musicians Of Ma'alwyck chamber ensemble. In those days, she said, "There was the collegiality of the concert violinists. ... I think that's why the loss hit them so much harder."

That sense of mourning underscores "To a Soldier: A Great Life Lost," a Musicians of Ma'alwyck concert set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the First Reformed Church in Schenectady. The program  to be repeated at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie  is part of the Albany Symphony's Armistice Centennial observation and one among scads of events being presented by various institutions around the region in the coming weeks. (See accompanying box.)

With the concert, Barker Schwartz said, "I'm trying to get a snatch of the picture of this period  and the intensity of the feeling, and just how affected people were by the war, though it wasn't in our homeland. And I think the music captures that sense of loss in a way that I think maybe other things can't capture it."

Among the pieces on the program are a piano quintet honoring Hochstein, who was from Rochester, by Samuel Gardner, a violinist and composer who won the first Pulitzer Prize for music in 1918; some of Hochstein's own music; and "Leibesleid" by Fritz Kreisler, who also fought in World War I. Performers include special guest artists Theodore Arm on violin, Andrew Snow on viola and pianist-composer Max Caplan; in addition, Musicians of Ma'alwyck flutist Thibodeau will join First Reformed pastor William Levering in reading selections by Hochstein and Willa Cather, whose novel "One of Ours" features a character based on the violinist.

Opening the concert: "Under Four Flags," a 1918 American documentary that will screen with a new score by Caplan. Produced by the U.S. Committee on Public Information in one of the last propaganda efforts of the war, the 25-minute film was shot in France in September and October of 1918  "exactly when Hochstein was there," Barker Schwartz noted. It was released in December 1918, just weeks after the armistice was signed, and offers glimpses  through an American lens  of the war's final chapter.

"As you might expect of a government-issued film of the day, that narrative is highly patriotic, glorifies the fighting, and glosses over much or the horror and tragedy," said Caplan in an email.

That sheen of patriotism creates a tension "between the largely sugar-coated version that we see on the screen, and the stark reality just beyond it. This tension is something that I really wanted to capture with the music, by creating a score that would not so much support the film as deliberately clash with it."

To that end, Caplan's score plays out in multiple movements and transitions, drawing its themes and rhythms "from military idioms  bugle calls, march music, etc.  but reconceived and distorted," he said, "to emphasize the darker side of the war."

Meanwhile, the Gardner quintet is "an honest, poignant, very moving piece in four movements, with a funeral march that will just devastate you," Barker Schwartz said. Written in 1919 as a musical response to Hochstein's life and death, "The piece is a true tribute to Hochstein, and also shows how much his death affected the musical community in the United States."

Barker Schwartz became familiar with the work through Musicians of Ma'alwyck board member Eric Wiener, Gardner's grandson. When she finally looked at it, she said, "I first of all realized what a superb composer he was  and I also found an interesting body of music."

A nephew of the anarchist Emma Goldman, Hochstein initially obtained an exemption from fighting "because his father passed away, and he was supporting his family," Barker Schwartz said.

But he was torn. He wanted to serve his country. Ultimately he asked the draft board to withdraw the exemption, and he was assigned to Camp Upton on Long Island  the same place, at the same time, as Irving Berlin. There he conducted a band for the camp's vaudeville troupe, "and that didn't sit well with him," she said.

Hochstein asked to be sent to the front. In the fall of 1918 he joined the American forces in France, quickly rising to captain before dying in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in October 1918. But his body was never found, and his death wasn't announced until the start of 1919.

The patriotism that motivated a world-class performer to serve  and die  in battle can seem a world apart, Barker Schwartz said. But Jacques Thibaud fought for France, getting wounded. Kreisler fought briefly with the Austro-Hungarian army in 1914 until he, too, was wounded. He returned to the States and continued to perform before the U.S. entered the war and the American Legion protested his concerts.

These days, Barker Schwartz said, the thought of musicians taking up arms in wartime might be hard to grasp. "It's easy to forget," she said, "how many of these musicians  who we think of as pacifists, in a way  how strongly they felt about doing their duty."

abiancolli@timesunion.com  518-454-5439  @AmyBiancolli

If you go

Events marking World War I and the Nov.11 armistice

"Together Until the End: Schenectady in World War I"

Where: Fenimore Gallery, second floor of Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady

When: Through Sunday, Nov. 11

Admission: free

Info: proctors.org; 518-346-6204

"Their Glory Can Never Fade: The Legacy of the Harlem Hellfighters," exhibit showcasing the African-American regiment's contributions to World War I

Where: Abrams Building for Law and Justice, Empire State Plaza, Albany

When: Through Feb. 28, 2019

Admission: free

Info: ogs.ny.gov

Pre-concert Talk on the Britten Requiem, with David Alan Miller and Jose Daniel Flores-Caraballo

Where: Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave., Albany

When: 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9

Info: albanysymphony.com; 518-694-3300

"T.R.'s Last War," lecture by David Pietrusza, author of "TR's Last War: Theodore Roosevelt, the Great War, and a Journey of Triumph and Tragedy."

Where: Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park; and the University Club, 141 Washington Ave., Albany

When: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9 (Clifton Park); 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 (Albany)

Admission: free

Info: cphlibrary.org; universityclubalbany.com; davidpietrusza.com

"All Quiet on the Western Front," film screening

Where: Proctors

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10

Tickets: $6

Info: proctors.org; 518-346-6204

"To a Soldier: A Great Life Lost," Musicians of Ma'alwyck concert, with screening of "Under Four Flags"

Where: First Reformed Church, 8 N. Church St., Schenectady; and the Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 (Schenectady); 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 (Canajoharie)

Tickets: $25 adults, $10 students (Schenectady); free, but donations welcome (Canajoharie)

Info: musiciansofmaalwyck.org; 814-441-0852; arkellmuseum.org; 518 673 2314

Britten's War Requiem in Concert, with the Albany Symphony, Albany Pro Musica and the Cathedral of All Saints boys choir

Where: Proctors

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10

Tickets: Start at $19

Info: albanysymphony.com; 518-694-3300

"Pride of Our Nation, Pride of Our College," exhibit showcasing alumni veterans, with special focus on World War I

Where: Marvin Library, Hudson Valley Community College, 80 Vandenburgh Ave., Troy

When: Saturday, Nov. 10 - Friday, Dec. 7

Admission: free

Info: hvcc.edu; 518-629-8071

"The 'Great' War, It was Terrible," pop-up exhibit

Where: Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany

When: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11

Admission: Included with museum admission ($10 adults, $8 students and seniors, $6 age 6-12, free for members and children under 6)

Phone: albanyinstitute.org; 518-463-4478

Talk and book signing, Ed Lengel, author of "Never In Finer Company: The Men of the Great War's Lost Battalion"

Where: University Club

When: Noon Friday, Nov. 16.

Admission: $20, including lunch buffet

Info: 518-463-1151

"Dutch," play by Krysta Dennis based on Capt. Herbert Rankin, of the Cherry Hill family, and his experiences in France during World War I. With WWI-themed reception.

Where: Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2 S. Pearl St., Albany

When: Nov. 30-Dec. 9

Tickets: $30 general admission, $25 for members

Info: historiccherryhill.org; 518-434-4791Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo easily won re-election Tuesday evening in a campaign the Democrat framed throughout as a rebuke to President Donald J. Trump's presidency.

In keeping with that theme, Cuomo's acceptance speech never mentioned his Republican opponent, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, but instead delivered a scathing broadside against the president.

Democrats had more reason to celebrate as Letitia James was elected as the state's first African-American attorney general, and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli won re-election by equally wide margins.

Cuomo's election to a third term matches the number won by his late father, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo.

With two-thirds of precincts reporting at 11:30 p.m., Cuomo held 59 percent of the vote to 35 percent for Molinaro.

In his victory speech to supporters in New York City, Cuomo repeatedly slammed Trump and framed himself as a Democrat who not just espouses liberal ideology, but gets results ranging from the move to a $15 minimum wage to major infrastructure projects.

"Once again, New York State defines what it means to be the progressive capital of the nation," Cuomo said.

The 60-year-old incumbent easily defeated Molinaro and trio of minor-party candidates. With the easy victory in hand, speculation is likely to ramp up regarding a possible Cuomo presidential run in 2020, though Cuomo promised during the campaign to finish out another four-year term.

"The president said he would make America great again, but he doesn't understand what made America great in the first place," Cuomo told supporters on Tuesday. "At the end of the day, love is stronger than hate. It always has been and it always will be. And New Yorkers proved that once again tonight."

In his uphill bid to become the first Republican elected to statewide office in New York since 2002, the moderate Molinaro was dogged by the unpopularity of Trump in New York.

The 43-year-old tried to focus the race on problems during Cuomo's two terms as governor, such as the flailing New York City subway system, a struggling upstate economy and rampant corruption in state government. Cuomo cast Molinaro as a "Trump mini-me" and claimed he would not protect New Yorkers from either Trump or a conservative U.S. Supreme Court.

The more than $100 million Cuomo has amassed from affluent donors over eight years  many of them with billions in business before his administration  allowed Cuomo to largely drown out Molinaro, who during this campaign raised about $2 million.

In his concession speech, Molinaro said that he had learned during the campaign that there was not just a divide between upstate and downstate New York, but also between the "inside" and "outside."

"I challenge Gov. Cuomo to work with all those New Yorkers who feel like they're on the outside looking in," Molinaro said.

Cuomo's running mate was Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who now has won a second term as the person second in line to the governorship.

In the race for state attorney general, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, a Democrat, became the first African-American elected to the office, as well as the first woman.

James, who won a contentious four-way Democratic primary in September, defeated bankruptcy lawyer Keith Wofford, who himself would have been the first black man elected to the office. By 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, James was leading Wofford 61-33 percent.

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James had the crucial support of Cuomo, although it brought charges from opponents that she would not be sufficiently independent of the governor. James disputed that characterization and emphasized that she would use the office to stand up to Trump.

James will replace Barbara Underwood, who assumed the position after former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman  considered a lock for reelection  was accused by multiple women of physical abuse in an explosive New Yorker article. Schneiderman resigned in May just hours after the article's publication.

In the race for state comptroller, Democrat Tom DiNapoli was easily elected to a third full term over Jonathan Trichter, a political consultant who only registered as a Republican as he sought the party's nomination this year. DiNapoli led by more than two to one (65-30 percent) by 11:30 p.m.

Cuomo has offered only limited detail on his plans for a third term, instead focusing his campaign on past accomplishments such as same-sex marriage legislation that passed in 2011 and, more recently, his push for the $15 minimum wage.

This year, Cuomo weathered the conviction of his longtime close friend and former top aide, Joseph Percoco. That trial unfolded as another sprawling corruption case led to the convictions of former close associates of Cuomo's in a bid-rigging case that tainted the State University of New York and Cuomo's signature "Buffalo Billion" initiative.

The Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, ran again to Cuomo's left. While the Green Party gained well over the 50,000 votes needed to maintain a ballot line in New York, Hawkins was not set to match his 5 percent showing in the 2014 elections. (As of 11:30 p.m., Hawkins had cleared 83,000 votes.) The Libertarian Party candidate, business consultant Larry Sharpe, cleared the same hurdle to give the party ballot status for the first time. (Sharpe had won more than 78,000 votes at the same hour.)

Stephanie Miner, the popular former Democratic mayor of Syracuse and one-time Cuomo ally, passed on challenging Cuomo in the Democratic primary. She instead ran a quixotic independent bid on the line of a new, non-partisan political party, the Serve America Movement, and used her platform to critique Cuomo's economic development policies as favoring his big donors.

Miner, who like the other minor-party candidates was winning only a small share of the vote, said that it was her hope that Cuomo "uses his third term to fulfill promises made long ago: enact meaningful reforms to laws regarding ethics, campaign finance and voting. Now that the election is over, the governor must focus his economic development efforts on serving people, not donors."

It was still unclear Tuesday evening if Miner would get the 50,000 votes necessary to give the Serve America Movement a ballot line in New York.U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand cruised to victory in her third election since being appointed to the Senate in 2009, beating her Republican opponent Chele Chiavacci Farley by a two-to-one margin.

Just before midnight, Gillibrand led Farley 64-32 percent with more than 5.4 million votes cast statewide.

Tuesday's results continued Gillibrand's run of pummeling victories: In a 2010 special election to fill out the remainder of former U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's term, Gillibrand beat Republican Joseph DioGuardi 63 percent to 35 percent. Two years later in her first bid for a full term, Gillibrand bested Republican Wendy Long by an ever wider margin of 71.9 percent to 26.7 percent.

In remarks prepared for her victory celebration in a midtown Manhattan hotel, Gillibrand excoriated President Donald J. Trump for "dividing this country by racial, religious, ethnic, and culture lines  sowing hate and fear."

But she acknowledged Farley's run in complimentary terms: "Having two women on the ballot is a good thing," Gillibrand said. "I hope this will become the norm for years to come."

Farley, a private equity executive and GOP fundraiser married to a prominent Democrat, funneled her own money into the campaign and took big donations from Wall Street. But she never managed to overcome poor name recognition: A Siena Research Institute poll released just days before Tuesday's vote found that she was unknown to 86 percent of voters; in a Siena poll from February, the number was 89 percent.

The candidates debated just once, and then for only a half-hour. A planned hour-long televised debate at Skidmore College on Oct. 21 was canceled after Gillibrand pulled out because of a labor dispute involving Charter Communications, the parent corporation of the debate's broadcast sponsor.

Farley built her campaign around the contention that Gillibrand was more interested in the 2020 presidential race rather than in racking up legislative accomplishments for New York. (Farley's ads featured a campaign headquarters bedecked with "Gillibrand for President.")

But in the debate with Farley, Gillibrand insisted she planned to serve out her six-year term. Through the campaign, she tied Farley to Trump, playing on the president's unpopularity in his home state.

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Gillibrand was initially elected to the House in 2006 to represent the 19th Congressional District, which then as now includes the upper Hudson Valley. Then-Gov. David Paterson appointed her to fill Clinton's Senate seat in 2009 after President Barack Obama nominated her as secretary of state.

In nine years in the Senate, Gillibrand has stayed close to the issues she cares about, many with particular appeal to female voters, such as paid family leave and combating sexual assault in the military and on campus.

The cultural reckoning of the #MeToo movement saw Gillibrand break with the Clintons when she said in an interview last year that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned over the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal. A few weeks later, Gillibrand was the first Democratic senator to call for then-U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., to quit after several women came forward to say the former "Saturday Night Live" cast member had groped them.New York State Police

CLIFTON PARK - A man who crashed a car into a guardrail on the Northway faces an aggravated driving while intoxicated charge, State Police said.

State troopers were called to the Thruway early Sunday, finding a crash scene and Brandon Barker, 34, of Hartford in his vehicle.RENSSELAER  The Republican chairman of the county legislature alleged on social media Tuesday that "some weak minded democratic supporter" was responsible for the gray paint splashed on two of his vehicles overnight.

The Facebook post by Michael Stammel included a picture of the two cars, and Stammel's claim that he knows "in my heart who is responsible and behind it this cowardly attack and in time I'll find out who did it and you all will go to jail."

Stammel said in the post that the unnamed Democratic supporter "who has DA signs on all his properties through the city," had someone else perpetrate the vandalism.

Stammel told the Times Union he wrote it after finding his vehicles vandalized at 5:30 a.m. He was preparing to check on things at various polling places in Rensselaer County.

"When you first see something like that, you shoot from the hip," he said, referring to his post.

Both of the vehicles were parked outside his girlfriend's home in the City of Rensselaer.

Stammel said he has an idea of who might be responsible, but no proof. He believes the vandalism was politically motivated based on the remarks he has heard from voters in the heavily Democratic city in recent weeks and the contentious political climate nationwide.

"I get comments from naysayers  you're Republican, you're chastised," Stammel said. "We live in the state of New York, which is very much Democrat."

"The message got across someone is not happy," Stammel said. "In this day and age, it would appear to be more political than personal."

The county chairman said he believes the vandalism might also be linked to his strong support for the re-election of Renssealer County DA Republican Joel Abelove.

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Abelove, who is facing former East Greenbush town justice Democrat Mary Pat Donnelly, has faced controversies while in office, including being indicted for perjury and official misconduct for allegedly rushing a Troy police shooting case to a grand jury. A judge dismissed the case; the state attorney general's office is appeal the dismissal.

Stammel has also been the center of controversy himself in the City of Rensselaer, as he and other volunteer firefighters recently alleged that the city was blocking their access to training. The city's fire chief retired amid the dispute.

But Stammel said city officials have since met with the volunteer firefighters, and he does not believe any vitriol would be targeted at him related to that issue.

Stammel said in the post he's offering a $500 reward for information that would lead to an arrest.

Rensselaer city police referred all questions to its spokesman, who also was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.The National Guard's Maj. Brent Taylor took a leave of absence from his job as North Ogden, Utah mayor when he was deployed to Afghanistan in January.

On Saturday , Taylor, 39 was killed in a suspected insider attack. His wife, Jennie Taylor, and two oldest sons were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Tuesday as military personnel carried Taylor's remains from a plane early in the morning.

Taylor was killed while stationed in Kabul. He was on his fourth war-zone deployment  twice to Iraq, and twice to Afghanistan.

The couple had seven children: Lincoln, 11, and Alex, 9, Megan, 13; Jacob 7; Ellie, 5; Jonathan, 2; and Caroline, 11 months.

Taylor often told his wife he wished Americans would use their right to vote.

"It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come home to U.S. soil in a flag-draped casket on our Election Day," she said.

She added that whether Democrats or Republicans won Tuesday's election, they would remember that more unites Americans than divides them.

In a letter to Jennie Taylor shared on Twitter, Afghan National Army pilot Maj. Abdul Rahman Rahmani said he had flown with Taylor and trained Afghan forces with him.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

"Please pass my words to your seven children, whom I consider as brothers and sisters to my own five children," the letter reads.

"Tell them their father was a loving, caring, compassionate man whose life was not just meaningful, it was inspirational... I am a better person having met him."A man who crashed his car into two police cars is among the fugitives State Police said they are searching for as part of their Warrant Wednesday initiative.

Eric J. Sisto, 26, is wanted by State Police in Massena on a reckless endangerment charge tied to a car chase in 2013. Troopers said Sisto crashed his vehicle into a state trooper's patrol car and a St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police patrol vehicle on March 7, 2013. State Police said Sisto had two babies in his vehicle at the time.

Michael G. Brown, 48, is wanted by State Police in Oneonta on a driving while intoxicated charge that stems from an Aug. 13, 2017, traffic stop on Interstate 88.

Dwayne F. Liguori, 56, is wanted by State Police in Highland on a felony assault charge that accuses him of striking a trooper several times before he was taken into custody.

Christine L. Williams-Baker, 56, is wanted by State Police in Herkimer on a bench warrant issued for writing bad checks in 2011 that were worth a total of $615, troopers said.

Robert A. Mitchell, 43, is wanted by State Police in Colonie on a misdemeanor drug possession charge for failing to answer the charge in Albany City Court.

Elshamar T. Thornton, 25, is wanted by State Police in Livingston on a felony drug possession charge that stems from a July 2017 arrest. The warrant was issued after Thornton failed to appear in Columbia County Court.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Michael Costa, 43, is wanted by the State Police in Rochester on driving while intoxicated and reckless driving charges that stem from a traffic stop in the city.

Shane J. Coffey, 43, is wanted by State Police in Albany on a bench warrant that accuses him of driving while intoxicated 13 years ago. Troopers said Coffey was stopped on the Thruway on Jan. 27, 2004, and charged with DWI.

Chan E. Lee, 60, is wanted by State Police in East Meadow on a driving while intoxicated charge connected to a Sept. 16, 2007, arrest.Rural Tipperary is being terrorised by gangs roaming farmland with lurcher dogs, an IFA organised meeting on the issue was told this week.

And the gathering heard that the fight against crime is being hampered by new laws around data protection and archaic rules on trespassing.

Cameras installed in Littleton over 12 months ago have yet to be switched on over a dispute about who should control the data.

The meeting, attended by close to 100 people, was told by six-time crime victim Clive Clarke from Dunkerrin that he had farm machinery stolen, his butchering business had been broken into and a dog had been beaten to death by raiders who left his other dog with horrific injuries.

The meeting called on the Government to change the laws around trespassing to halt roaming gangs coming on to farmland with lurcher dogs and committing crimes.

The IFA met new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris this week, and its deputy president Richard Kennedy told this Monday's meeting in Nenagh that they were seeking a higher Garda presence, a better resourced force and a special Garda taskforce to tackle rural crime.

Commissioner Harris has taken this on board, he said.

The meeting was organised in response to an incident in Toomevara in October when a farmer was threatened by a gang hunting hares with lurcher dogs.

We have people coming on to land with lurchers who when challenged will intimidate and issue threats, said Mr Kennedy. "Attacks by people walking on land without permission has to stop.

He knew of one farmer who shot a dog but was now afraid to sleep in case his property was set on fire.

Mr Kennedy said the Commissioner was also going to look at issues surrounding Garda boundary divisions.

The meeting heard that there were major concerns around CCTV and data protection, with Littleton left without CCTV coverage for over 12 months because of issues around who should control the data.

The legislation won't allow the Gardai to be the guardians of data, revealed Tipperary crime prevention officer Tom O'Dwyer. It has to be the local authority.

He said the Gardai were willing to house it in the local station .

Many speakers called for changes to the law on trespass, with one woman saying they had come across five people with 14 lurchers on their land in the past two weeks.

Last week four people from Cork were caught on land in the Ballymackey / Kilkeary area, and, said Sgt Declan O'Carroll, hopefully they would be prosecuted.

He revealed the Gardai can't seize dogs without the dog warden being present.

Sgt O'Carroll also said the trespass law needed to be changed to a more simple format.

The meeting heard calls for a march on Dublin to highlight the problem with North Tipperary IFA chair Imelda Walsh saying: The message needs to go out that rural Ireland needs to be safe and the fear and intimidatIon has to stop.Bournea Reaching Out historical group has erected two new Interpretive Maps in the parish of Bournea showcasing the parish's proud history and natural beauty.

The maps, located in Clonakenny and Couraguneen, show five self-guided Heritage Walks.

Since the commencement of the Bournea Reaching group in 2013, members have introduced a heritage walk each year and now have five wonderful routes. The parish is rich in folklore and wonderful scenery, so the group decided last year to make these routes available to tourist, visitors and the wider community.

Designed to help you see the down-to-earth rural countryside of North Tipperary at your own pace, the routes take you along the public roads to historic sites, points of interest & landmarks. There is no access to land or farms. The routes can also be cycled or travelled by car. Among the many historical sites are three OMeachair castles, three churches, forges, lime kilns, ancient wells, and many more.

We have 15 to 20 unusual and extraordinary points of interest along each route through Clonakenny, Couraguneen, Borrisnoe, Bawnadrum and Shanakill, said a committee member.

Bournea Reaching Out are affiliated to Ireland Reaching Out, who are a global network for people of Irish heritage, who help people trace their roots back to Ireland. Volunteers worldwide are networking with people of Irish descent in their local areas, helping to build bridges between the present and the past by connecting people with the home parishes of their ancestors.

Each parish has their own parish page, and the use of their website to answer queries that are posted from overseas looking for help in tracing their families.

Bournea Reaching Out also promote the parish through the local guide, and this is where you will find all the information on the self-guided Heritage Walks in Bournea (www.irelandxo.com).

With the present-day popularity of technology we decided that this would be the best format for walkers to access the information. Using a smart phone to access the detailed historical information about each point of interest along each route, with GPS location the walker can scan the QR code symbol, or log on to the URL web address on the interpretive maps signs with a smart phone.

The routes are colour coded 1 to 5 and correspond with the map and all information is on the website.

The idea came from Christine Timoney, one of our visitors from Australia who after participating in one of our historical walks when home on holidays in 2015 thought it would be great if tourists could come and experience the local history as she had.

Christine has traced her relatives back to the 17th century in the Clonakenny, Couraguneen, Clonmore and Killea areas. This project would not have been possible without the help of Tipperary County Council who printed and erected the interpretive maps, Ireland Reaching Out who support us on an ongoing basis with the use of their website, our local council representative Cllr. Michael Smith, Dick Conroy who helped us with I.T. and Ordnance Survey Ireland.

The interpretive map itself is clear and extremely detailed and gives you a wonderful sense of place and location.

The map extends beyond the parish boundaries and shows the landscape surrounding the parish. This map stretches from Templemore (south) to Roscrea (north) and from the Laois border (east) to the Devils Bit Mountain (west).

It details the paths of the river Nore and the river Suir, two of the three sister rivers that rise in the Borrisnoe Mountain near the Devil's Bit. It features many natural features and historic sites like ancient graveyards, churches, castles and the famous Timoney Standing Stones. These self-guided walks will give tourists a glimpse into of what life was like in the past for their ancestors, and a sense of belonging to the Clonakenny and Couraguneen localities of the parish of Bournea.

We welcome you all from both far and near to come and experience it for yourself. It is a ramble in the Tipperary countryside with an interesting twist.Genomics Medicine Ireland (GMI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tipperary woman Dr. Anne Jones as Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Jones brings to GMI 25 years experience working in the life science, chemical analysis and diagnostics arenas in Ireland, the UK and the USA, working across a broad range of markets, products and functions.

A native of Tipperary, Dr. Jones joins GMI from US-based Danaher Corporation, where she was Vice President and General Manager for Pall Corporations Lab, Food & Beverage business. In this role, she had P&L accountability leading a team of up to 800 people for three business units spanning drug discovery research & development through to the food & beverage market.

Prior to that, she was VP Strategy and Business Development at Agilent Technologies. There, she led the strategy development and strategic planning process for the majority of Agilents $4bn revenues; led business development and M&A activities for Agilents $2.3bn Life Sciences & Applied Markets division; and developed the strategy for Agilents successful entry into cell analysis. She also identified the acquisition of Seahorse Biosciences and successfully handled the integration before then acting as General Manager for the acquired business. Prior to these positions, Anne had various general management and marketing roles at Agilent with a focus on the life sciences consumables markets.

Dr. Jones also worked with Amersham Biosciences in the UK and GE Healthcare Life Sciences in the UK and USA in marketing and R&D roles. A graduate of National University of Ireland Galway in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Dr. Jones completed her PhD at Cancer Research UK, studying protein biochemistry and molecular biology with focus on human DNA repair. During her work there she isolated a critical protein and elucidated its function in DNA repair, publishing this work in the highly-cited journals, Nature and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Jones said: GMI is a fantastic company which has achieved significant milestones in its short history, including launching population-wide genomic studies in a number of disease areas as well as building Irelands first purpose-built genomic sequencing centre. I am excited to be joining the company as it continues to expand into new research areas. The promise of genomic research is recognised globally and GMI and Ireland have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of genomics and precision medicine in a very direct and unique way.

I consider being a part of this journey to advance drug discovery, clinical diagnostics and potentially wellness in my home country of Ireland a privilege. I love to work with great teams and I am very confident that this is the right team to advance science and medicine in a very meaningful way.

Dan Crowley, who is a Co-Founder and has been Acting CEO of GMI, said: We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of Annes considerable talent and track record to GMI. We're excited to have Anne join GMI to spearhead the company's mission of solving disease through genomics. I wish her and GMI every success.

Founded in 2015, Genomics Medicine Ireland has pioneered population-based genomics in Ireland, leading a number of research studies across the island examining the relationship between genetics, health and disease spanning a spectrum of disease areas. It is building a preeminent disease-specific database of population genomics. GMI works in collaboration with clinicians, patients, academic researchers and global biotech and pharmaceutical sectors to discover pathways to new treatments and new diagnostics for people both here in Ireland and around the world.

GMI has enjoyed early success in establishing genomic research studies in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. GMI is currently undertaking research into a range of diseases such as: Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, brain tumours, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rare Diseases, and the GenoFit study with UCD Institute for Sport and Health examining the relationship between genetics and fitness. The company also opened Irelands first purpose-built genomics centre which includes state-of-art sequencing and sample processing equipment.[November 07, 2018] CIIE shows both China's charm and sense of responsibility

BEIJING, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on the China International Import Expo: The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is currently underway in Shanghai. Its most distinctive feature is that it is the first State-level exhibition in the world promoting imports, with all the exhibitors and goods coming from overseas and domestic enterprises present as potential purchasers. The event is one of the concrete actions China is taking to shoulder its growing responsibilities as a big country. With vast scale and huge potential, the Chinese market has been turned into the "world's market" ready to open its doors to the goods of other countries so as to share the benefits of its development with the outside world. Lithuania was the first country to sign up to participate in the CIIE, and the event's importance is shown by the country's delegation being headed by President Dalia Grybauskaite. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite: "Especially now that we are seeing these tensions, and emergence of trans-national, trans-trade nationalism and isolationist elements in some regions, the new initiatives of China are interesting and unique. Even 10 years ago, nobody would have imagined China would be the frontrunner for open trade and for open cooperation with all states in the world." Presently the global economy is witnessing various twists and turns, and countries all over the world are trying to find ways and means to cope with the situation. China's solution is to unswervingly expand its opening up, work to cooperate with other countries to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, and build an international community with a shared future for all humanity. Tis is well described by the saying of Mencius, an ancient Chinese philosopher: "Enjoying happiness alone is not as good as sharing it." Moreover, given the pursuit of trade protectionism by some powers in the world today, it seems hardly possible to even attain the objective of "enjoying happiness alone."



A great variety of exhibits from different countries are making their debut at this first China International Import Expo, including traditional special local products, sophisticated high-tech equipment, and rare treasures representing distinctive brand names known far and wide. After a long, difficult journey, over 3,600 enterprises have finally set up shop at the expo, along with their latest and best products. They have come here because they are optimistic about the Chinese market, and, what is more, they agree with and accept China's solution to economic issues. Even before the first expo has come to an end, many enterprises have already signed up for the second one. Since November 1, China has also reduced its most favored nation (MFN) tax rate for more than 1,500 items as well. By putting all these measures into practice, China is continuously accelerating and increasing its opening up and helping to ensure a more open world.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm CIIE shows both China's charm and sense of responsibility

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2018-11/07/content_70803362.htm About China.org.cn Founded in 2000, China Internet Information Center (China.org.cn/China.com.cn) is a key state news website under the auspices of the State Council Information Office, and is managed by China International Publishing Group. We provide round-the-clock news service in ten languages. With users from more than 200 countries and regions, we have become China's leading multi-lingual news outlet introducing the country to the outside world.

We are one of the country's authoritative outlets for government press releases and are authorized to cover various major events. "Live Webcast" is our online webcasting service to present State Council Information Office press conferences in both Chinese and English languages. We are reputed for timely and accurate delivery of news and information, and wide interactions with audiences. In addition, we are authorized to publish and live broadcast major events and press conferences of ministries, local government agencies and institutions as well as enterprises.

In the era of mobile internet, we endeavor to create an array of products for mobile devices headed by the multilingual WAP platform and the mobile APP. We also use Chinese and international social media to publish information for different user groups.

In the future, CIIC will continue to offer authoritative information about China, tell China's stories, voice China's opinions, and introduce a vivid, panoramic and multicultural China to the world through multi-language, multi-media and multi-platforms. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ciie-shows-both-chinas-charm-and-sense-of-responsibility-300745548.html SOURCE China.org.cn

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. Announces the Establishment of New World Headquarters in Orlando, Florida

FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc., a newly formed restaurant company whose mission is to provide Good Food for the Planet TM, has established its headquarters in downtown Orlando, Florida. The company is building a platform to own a variety of brands and businesses in the restaurant and food industry. Its first two brands are BRIO Tuscan Grille, which is being repositioned in the polished, upscale segment of casual dining as BRIO Italian Mediterranean and BRAVO Cucina Italiana, which will be renamed BRAVO Fresh Italian as a core casual dining brand. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005856/en/ Brad Blum, Owner-Partner, Chairman & CEO of FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire) "This is a dream come true for me, said Founder, Owner-Partner, Chairman & CEO Brad Blum. "It is important to have The Right Purpose, to have The Right Leaders and to have The Right Owners. We have all three. Everyone is aligned around the same values, vision and strategy. And now, we have chosen an exciting high-quality environment in which to build our strong and dynamic company." As for The Right Purpose, each brand and business that makes up part of FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. will be committed to the philosophy of Good Food for the Planet TM. It is something Blum developed with five principles, to provide restaurant food in this country, and around the world, that is: 1. Exceptionally GOOD tasting

2. Remarkably GOOD for you

3. You feel GOOD afterwards

4. A GOOD everyday value

5. GOOD for the environment As for the Right Leaders, Orlando ill be the primary base of operation for FoodFirst Global's executive team including: Blum; Chief Culinary Officer, John Imbriolo; newly appointed President & Chief Operations Officer, Dave Pickens; Board Director, Strategic Partner, Chief Marketing & Technology Officer, John Wong; Chief Development Officer, Mike Ellis; Chief Financial Officer, Diane Reed and a number of other key leaders. FoodFirst Global Restaurants has uniquely structured its leadership team so that the Chief Culinary Officer reports directly to the CEO alongside the Chief Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Beverages & Global Distribution, a decision which the company believes will make it better able to craft the optimal guest experience and grow guest counts profitably.



As for the Right Owners, GP Investments, Ltd. is a leading alternative global investment firm with a strong track record and who is also working effectively with progressive restaurant companies. Having offices currently in Sao Paulo, London, New York and Bermuda, they are individual investors who are partnering closely with Blum, who is also a major investor, and his executive team, each taking a long-term view to build this business in a highly valuable way. Antonio Bonchristiano, who is the CEO of GP Investments, serves as the Vice Chairman of FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. Danilo Gamboa and Felipe Ohanian also serve as FoodFirst board directors. Said Blum, "I am thrilled to be working with a global partner with the qualities of GP Investments and look forward to building something quite special together. They are great owners." The decision of where to locate the new headquarters is rooted in the accessibility of Orlando from an international travel and infrastructure standpoint and the quality of life in Central Florida, coupled with Blum's personal ties to the Greater Orlando area. The area offers a thriving economy and a culture of innovation known to attract families and millennials alike. "As a long-time resident of Winter Park, FL, I have been an admirer of the way in which the greater Orlando area has grown," said Blum. "Our new company headquarters will be an excellent environment as we work together to foster innovation. It is a diverse community and has a great deal of international tourism."

The current support center based in Columbus, Ohio, the birthplace of both BRAVO and BRIO, will continue to play an important role in certain parts of support operations for FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. Making up the current portfolio, 17% of the BRAVO and BRIO restaurants are located in Ohio and 16% are located in Florida. The company sees excellent growth potential for these two brands throughout the United States and eventually internationally. For more information, please visit us at www.foodfirst.com. About FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. FoodFirst Global Restaurants, Inc. is a collaboration between restaurateur/owner-partner Brad Blum and GP Investments, Ltd. At FoodFirst Global Restaurants, we are building a platform to own a variety of brands and businesses. The mission for each of these brands and businesses is to provide Good Food for the Planet. We are passionate about good food, know good food, enjoy good food, and are dedicated to always improving upon and consistently providing good food. For more information, visit www.foodfirst.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005856/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 06, 2018] Linse Capital, Together With Oppenheimer Asset Management, Invested $63M in Valens

HOD HASHARON, Israel, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest funding will speed up development and shorten time-to-market of Valens' automotive portfolio to meet customer demands for autonomous vehicles Valens, the developer of HDBaseT technology for the audiovisual and automotive markets, announced today that Linse Capital, joined by Oppenheimer Asset Management, invested a total amount of $63 million as part of this financing round. The company, whose chipsets simplify in-vehicle connectivity, is looking to accelerate the development of its portfolio for the autonomous vehicle sector and address the ongoing requirements of its automotive partners. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/174155/valens_logo.jpg )

Since its latest funding in 2017, Valens, with strategic partnerships with leading OEMs and tier-1s, has identified significant opportunities in the autonomous sector. By raising additional capital, the company will be ramping up its activities in the sector, addressing in-vehicle high-performance computing, smart architectures and PCIe transmssion, to realize the vision of the autonomous car.



"Valens continues to drive the innovation required to enable the future of autonomous vehicles," said Dror Jerushalmi, CEO and Co-Founder of Valens. "The autonomous and connected vehicles that automakers are designing today depend on advanced chipsets to enable high-speed data transmission. Our technology is leading the pack, optimizing in-vehicle connectivity to handle increased bandwidth with less complexity." "We are excited to support Valens as they design the most advanced technological solutions for today's in-vehicle connectivity challenges," said Michael Linse, Managing Director at Linse Capital. "Valens' technology is ahead of its time and will revolutionize how car manufacturers design and deliver the autonomous and connected car of the future."

"Oppenheimer recognizes that the rapid technological evolution happening in the automotive industry requires high-speed connectivity. Investing in Valens allows Oppenheimer's clients to participate in that evolution," said Robin Graham, Head of Technology Investment Banking at Oppenheimer. "We believe Valens' technology will enable the automotive industry to meet the increasingly stringent design requirements of advanced connectivity and autonomous driving." About Valens Valens Automotive, a division of Valens, was established in 2015 with the singular goal of delivering the world's most advanced audio/visual chipset technology to the automotive world. Valens HDBaseT Automotive chip technology enables unparalleled in-vehicle connectivity, converging audio & video, Ethernet, USB, controls, PCIe, and power over a single cable. Valens' patented HDBaseT technology is used by the world's largest audio/video component manufacturers, enabling the highest quality of connectivity without the limitations of legacy infrastructure. Valens is a private company headquartered in Israel. For more information, visit https://www.valens.com/automotive-solutions, or follow @ValensAuto. Contact:

Brandon Weinstock

Headline Media

[email protected]

(914) 336-4878 SOURCE Valens

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 06, 2018] Data Revolution Backlash: Digital Privacy Angst Grips US, According to Latest Privitar Study

US consumers believe technological advancements pose a risk to their data privacy; believe it is the responsibility of organisations to make the purpose of data use clear and say organisations that fail to protect people's data should face immediate penalties from regulators. 'Privitar Privacy Pulse' (News - Alert), an inaugural study published today, has researched the views of thousands of consumers and businesses across the UK, France and the US, shining a light on widespread concerns on the march of the digital revolution. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181106006003/en/ The research found that the majority of US consumers not only have a punitive mindset when it comes to data breaches but are also prepared to take decisive action where organisations mishandle data, stating that they would stop using a brand if they did not protect their data. Jason du Preez, CEO of Privitar, commented: "What we're seeing is a real backlash against the data revolution. Our extensive study has shown that most consumers in the UK, US and France have real fears around the use of their data and will stop engaging with organisations they do not trust. The research also points to a lack of privacy literacy amongst consumers, leading to a breakdown of communication and trust." In the US, the research shows a contradiction between the fears of consumers and the confidence of business. More pronounced than British and French consumers, 70% of US consumers are concerned about the ways companies are using their data. This contrasts starkly with the views of US business, which are more confident than their counterparts in the UK and France. While 68% of French upper level management feel the risks associated with using company data outweigh the potential benefits, only 38% of their US equivalents agree. Similarly, 79% of French businesses say preventing data breaches is a top priority for the next year, whereas only 66% of US businesses agree. du Preez added: "While we see universal privacy concerns across the UK, US and France, there are clear points of difference. US consumers are distinctly more concerned about how companies use their data. However, US businesses are more comfortable with privacy risk and it is less of a priority compared with French and British businesses. Apple (News - Alert) may have made privacy a key selling point of its products but many US organisations are not as progressed. Given public sentiment and, of course, the high profile Cambridge Analytica scandal, it is no surprise that regulatory moves are being made in the US. Headline research findings: Global consumers 90% believe technological advancements pose a risk to their data privacy ( US: 92% / France: 90% / UK: 89%)

/ France: 90% / UK: 89%) 77% believe it is the responsibility of organisations to make the purpose of data use clear ( UK: 81% / US: 76% / France: 73%)

/ US: 76% / France: 73%) 23% believe it is their own responsibility to manage their dta privacy ( UK: 19% / US: 24% / France: 27%)

/ US: 24% / France: 27%) 68% would stop using a brand if they did not protect their data ( UK: 73% / US: 68% / France: 65%)

/ US: 68% / France: 65%) 79% say organisations that fail to protect people's data should face immediate penalties from regulators (UK: 83% / US: 78% / France: 76%)



Global businesses 74% say preventing data breaches is a top priority for the business in the next year ( France: 79% / UK: 75% / US: 66%)

/ UK: 75% / US: 66%) 74% recognise risking the loss of customer trust and reputation damage if they fail to protect their customer's data ( France: 78% / UK: 76% / US: 69%)

/ UK: 76% / US: 69%) 72% say they need more support in protecting their customers' data ( France 77% / UK: 72% / US: 67%)

/ UK: 72% / US: 67%) 57% of senior executives say that risks associated with using company data are not worth the potential benefits to the organisation ( France: 64% / UK: 57% / US: 53%)

/ UK: 57% / US: 53%) 46% say organisations that fail to protect people's data should face immediate penalties from regulators (US: 50% / UK: 45% / France: 42%) The research also shines a light on the lack of understanding of technology and data privacy protection. Most worrying is the lack of awareness of the big data revolution prizes such as tackling climate change and improving healthcare.

The big social opportunity 33% of consumers are aware their data is used to create innovative solutions to tackle climate change ( UK: 32% / France: 33% / US: 34%)

/ France: 33% / US: 34%) 41% of consumers are aware their data is used to find cures for common preventable diseases (France: 36% / UK: 42% / US: 45%) du Preez went on to say: "Policy-makers, data scientists and businesses should heed the inherent warning of this research. Around the world, data scientists are working to improve healthcare outcomes - be they curative or improving services - and working on the transition from carbon to clean energy. Our research shows neither the purpose, nor the existence, of this work is well understood by the population at large. Consumers, who feel ill-informed and have legitimate privacy fears, are prepared to withdraw data use consent. The data revolution amounts to nothing without the trust and support of consumers. "There are important education and communications battles to be won. It is vital that the public feels knowledgeable and onside. We know that this is possible when we compare the so-called digital natives (18-34 year olds) against the over 55s. Younger generations, who feel more comfortable managing their privacy and understand how their data is used, have not only grown up with technology but have many have experienced focussed education in schools. Education and communication will be crucial for public sector organisations and businesses engaging with the older generation, in particular, who feel most fearful of a data-led world. "Data science needs to inspire, reassure and explain clearly its purpose to engage individuals and support innovation." Notes to editors Privitar Privacy Pulse methodology: Privitar commissioned Edelman (News - Alert) Intelligence to survey 2000 consumers the UK and US and 1000 consumers in France (total 5000 respondents). The respondents were aged over 18 and representative of gender, age region and income. Edelman Intelligence also surveyed 500 business respondents in each of the three markets (total 1,500 respondents). The respondents all have an influence in decisions about their organisation's data management, from departments such as IT, data analytics, data management and security. The respondents also reflected a spread across 6 industry sectors: banking and financial services, telecoms, healthcare, civil and social services and local government, retail and utilities. The headline findings are available as a separate infographic. A full report with updated findings will be presented at Privitar's annual privacy community event - In:Confidence - in Spring 2019. Updated findings will be published annually. About Privitar Privitar provides data-privacy software to companies and public sector organisations around the world to protect sensitive data and enable ethical data analysis. Privitar's software accelerates and automates the provision of privacy-preserving data, helping customers extract more business value from their data, generate data-driven insights, and drive innovation. Privitar was established in 2014 with headquarters in London and offices in New York and Paris. The company raised $16m in a Series A funding round in July 2017, with support from existing investors IQ Capital, 24Haymarket and Illuminate Financial and new funding from Partech Ventures, CME Ventures and Salesforce Ventures. Privitar hosts an annual community event - In:Confidence - with luminary privacy experts and commentators and contributes regularly to the public discourse on privacy matters. You can read and subscribe to the latest news and opinions from Privitar here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181106006003/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 06, 2018] China's Largest Airline, China Southern Airlines, Signs FlightSense On-Site Support Agreement With UTC Aerospace Systems

CHINA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, ZHUHAI, China, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced that China Southern Airlines signed a 10-year FlightSense On-Site Support (OSS)agreement. This agreement will simplify the airline's supply chain operations by applying cutting edge technology and inventory support to shorten the airline's repair times. This new agreement builds upon a more than 10-year relationship between the two companies and reinforces UTC Aerospace Systems' commitment to the region. UTC Aerospace's exclusive FlightSense offerings use predictive and actionable data in a customizable way that allow airlines to implement the service that works best for them. With FlightSense OSS, UTC Aerospace leverages extensive knowledge of supply chain operations best practices with minimal upfront investment to the airline. In this agreement with China Southern Airlines, UTC Aerospace's global aftermarket supply chain team will now manage the availability and distribution of parts for the airline's Integrated Drive Generator (IDG), provide 24/7 technical support to the airline's Shenyang facility and guarantee service levels for available parts. UTC Aerospace's deep understanding of IDGs, and commitment to quality custoer service, brings distinct value to the airlines operations.



"We've been proud to support China Southern's growth over the last decade," said Steve Ribaudo, Senior Director, FlightSense Programs, UTC Aerospace Systems. "We are dedicated to providing world-class customer service and improved operations over the next 10 years  and beyond." Wang Shaonian, Deputy General Manager of the Shenyang facility of China Southern Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Department, said: "The sound cooperation with UTC Aerospace Systems in the past ten years has given us the confidence to expand the operations at the Shenyang facility. The signing of this agreement provides sufficient support that we need for the work in the future. We will work together to provide domestic customers with products with higher quality and a shorter cycle."

About UTC Aerospace Systems

UTC Aerospace Systems is one of the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products. UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries, supporting a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities. For more information about the company, visit our website at www.utcaerospacesystems.com or follow us on Twitter: @utcaerosystems About United Technologies Corporation

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. For more information about the company, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinas-largest-airline-china-southern-airlines-signs-flightsense-on-site-support-agreement-with-utc-aerospace-systems-300745267.html SOURCE UTC Aerospace Systems

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 06, 2018] iKala "GCP.expert" Launches 3 Big Data & AI Solutions with Google Cloud Data Analytics Specialization

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Derived from big data, AI has eternally changed the way we operate business. As a Google Cloud Premier Partner and Technology Partner, iKala "GCP.expert" pursues an AI-first strategy to enforce the speedy construction and deployment of AI applications at scale. Today iKala "GCP.expert" announces that it is authorized as the only Data Analytics Specialization partner in Greater China region by Google, less than a month after it got Infrastructure Specialization. Meanwhile, iKala "GCP.expert" officially launches 3 novel Big Data & AI Solutions: LTV (Life Time Value) Solution, Smart Recommendation Engine Solution, and Advanced Chatbot Solution. Expanding Your Business with Big Data & AI Solutions LTV (Life Time Value) Solution, also called CLV (Customer Life Time Value), is a prediction of the net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer. Ideally, companies can predict and assess the value of target audiences through data analytics. However, the complexity and difficulty of building prediction models drive companies away from big data. With over 40 professional architects, iKala "GCP.expert" utilize GCP machine learning tools, such as AutoML and TensorFlow, to help corporates build precise customer analytics model from their data. It helps companies identify customers of high life time value with precision. Applications in finance, atech, e-commerce and gaming sectors can all benefit from this solution and corporates can allocate their marketing budgets more wisely, boosting the conversion rate.



Smart Recommendation Engine Solution provides off-the-box and generalized recommendation engines to corporates. It is currently used in iKala's flagship influencer marketing product "KOL Radar" to automatically match suitable KOLs through AI technology. The generalized solution can also be used in a wide spectrum of applications including the ones in retail, e-ccommerce, and adtech. Lastly, iKala "GCP.expert" has been offering chatbot solutions, helping companies provide 24/7 automatic customer service. The newly announced Advanced Chatbot Solution augments the existing offering with voice recognition interfaces, as well as advanced analytics for self-training and improvement of the bots. The well-known social sellers' tool provider "Shoplus" has adopted the Advanced Chatbot Solution and successfully launched their latest Facebook sellers' chatbot services in Thailand.

Sharing Latest AI Trends & Solutions at Google Cloud Summit TW 2018 On November 7th, iKala "GCP.expert" attended Google Cloud Summit Taiwan 2018 as a platinum partner. Sega Cheng, iKala's CEO, shared the latest global AI trends and how to build scalable AI products through its successful showcases in social commerce and influencer marketing markets. In addition, during the cloud summit, iKala "GCP.expert" showcased its chatbot solution and an AutoML vision demo that achieved amazing accuracy of classifying dog pictures. In the era of data-driven AI, iKala "GCP.expert" will continue to provide even more big data & AI solutions to its customers. Media contacts Yvonne Yen, [email protected], +886-2-8768-1110#326 [About iKala GCP.expert] iKala "GCP.expert" is the only Taiwan-based Google Cloud Premier Partner with Technology Partner recognition. With over 4 years of first-hand professional and solid experiences, they have enabled over 200 businesses across APAC in 12+ industries including gaming, media, Ad tech, e-commerce and finance to implement GCP. Having over 40 professional architects with 20+ cloud certifications, they provide in-depth GCP-centric solutions such as technical consulting, billing support, service migration, and enterprise training solutions. Website: https://gcp.expert/

Technical Blog: https://blog.gcp.expert/ Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181107/2288049-1 SOURCE iKala

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 06, 2018] HK-Based Tech Startup PressLogic Raises $10M USD Series A+ Funding

The round was closed by Meitu, Inc. (SEHK:1357), China's leading image processing and social sharing platform

Funds will be used to expand overseas female lifestyle content and user-generated content (UGC) markets, optimize its self-developed data-driven analytics software, as well as to exploit the e-commerce sector harnessing its own precise traffic and data HONG KONG, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PressLogic, a HK-based technology start-up, today announced it has raised Series A+ funding of 10 million USD from Meitu, Inc. (SEHK.1357), China's leading image processing and social sharing platform. The funding will allow PressLogic to build the female lifestyle content and the UGC community in different world-class cities, accelerate the growth of its audiences and improve its services and self-developed data-driven analytics technology to resonate with its company's motto of "continually evolving". It shall also expand into the e-commerce sector harnessing its own precise traffic and data. The Background Story None was willing to buy the unique data-driven analytic service invented by PressLogic for optimizing ROI performances in various social media about two years ago. In order to show its powers, two young founders of PressLogic then decided to step into the digital media and content marketing businesses in Hong Kong with exceptional coverage in lifestyle contents, covering Female Beauty & Fashion, Traveling and Lifestyle, Business & Finance, Men Lifestyle, Parenting, Cooking, Cats and Korean Star Interest. Its initial product was simple: PressLogic builds highly effective marketing networks and community in various audiences vertically to deliver client's messages to their favourable audiences. Use of Funding "PressLogic that we see and experience today has only reflected part of our future businesses. We are very excited with the Series A+ investment, as it allows us to expand massively globally and grow to become the largest female lifestyle digital media & community player in Asia Pacific. "In addition, with the raise in the capital from Meitu, we will launch our first UGC mobile app 'GirlStyle' and website under GirlStyle.com branding in Hong Kong plus 5 other places in Taiwan, Singapore, India, Korea, and Malaysia by the end of 2018. This user-generated content platform will enable users to post contents and comments within the female community. It empowers female to record every day of their life and everyone can share their feelings and comments in the same community," said Ryan Cheung, PressLogic's founder and Chief Executive Officer. According to Alexa, a member of Amazon that measures website popularity, PressLogic.com was currently ranked 23 in Hong Kong. Approximately 75% of its visitors are 18-34 years old. PressLogic has risen to become the leading lifestyle digital media for Millennials in Hong Kong. (Source from Facebook & Google) Accumulating almost 8 million Facebook & Instagram fans and followers (with or without carrying PressLogic and GirlStyle branding across regions) and over 700 million monthly content impressions on its social media presences & websites, PressLogic not only showed its capabilities and effectiveness, it unprecedented fast-growing record also attracted the market's attention and content marketing opportunities.



PressLogic's proprietary methodology of studying social media market and algorithms of predicting viral topics have proven to be working very well. Not only has it reached a wide-ranging and loyal audience, but it has also built strong business fundamentals with significant growth in revenue and profit with strong partnerships with brands. PressLogic has been committed to delivering marketing value to its branded content partner by its data-driven publishing and community management. With the fresh funding from Meitu, PressLogic will continue to evolve and produce more high quality original contents and create more impactful branded contents with partners. MediaLens -- Data-driven analytics software

About 80% traffic of PressLogic.com is from mobile, and the percentage is still growing. Across its social media channels and website, PressLogic is generating over 700 million monthly content impressions. MediaLens, the self-developed data-driven analytics software combined with machine learning capabilities for optimizing ROI performances in various social media. It sources popular feeds, news, comments and hot topics from the internet 24/7. By analysing popular topics in each interest community, the system has the ability to suggest specific content that are likely to go viral for the specific interest community. It reinforces itself recursively from the content published, as well as facilitates the creative process to optimize results. Backed up by in-house editorial and creative experts, PressLogic keeps delivering high-quality content. PressLogic revealed that, in the future, its data-driven analytics system would be opened up to all other social media operators including marketers and influencers to broaden the company's revenue source, assisting them to harness the data insight for better content analysis so as to improve the overall ROI on contenting. Meanwhile, PressLogic would like to enhance the data collections and foster the system learning predictive power on content virality. Next Stage Moving forward, PressLogic will continue to upgrade its core technology -- MediaLens through data collections and content optimization. This will be the foundation to build the UGC platform and grow the effective female community in different places. By leveraging its precise traffic and data, PressLogic will extend its business into the e-commerce frontier, achieving its motto of "continually evolving". With over 140 team members worldwide, PressLogic now operates MediaLens (analytics technology), GirlStyle (UGC community), and Digital Media & Content Marketing in several major Asian places including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Korea and Malaysia. Founders Ryan Cheung as CEO and Edward Chow as CTO, founders of PressLogic, were born in 1988 in Hong Kong. Both of them were graduated from the University of Hong Kong in different streams. Ryan has graduated with a degree in BBA (Accounting and Finance), worked in various investment bank's Equity Markets and Commodities Division while responsible for the sales and structuring of derivatives and structured products. At the age of 26, he joined Leonteq Securities AG (formerly EFG Bank Financial Products) as Director in Asia, responsible for structured solutions business and expanding its Asia franchise. Leonteq is a leading and disruptive expert for structured investment products supported by its market-leading technology platform, listed in SIX Swiss Exchange. Edward has graduated with a degree in BBA (Information System), worked in Deloitte and various IT consulting firms. He was responsible for large amount of system implementation and auditing tasks for clients including HK Government and traditional banks. He has been a Certified Information Systems Auditor since 2013. About PressLogic PressLogic, a technology start-up company based in Hong Kong, was established in 2016 and started from MediaLens, its self-developed data-driven analytics system combined with machine learning capabilities for optimising ROI performances in various social media, that uses data to build highly effective media networks in the digital world. Its unprecedented fast-growing record on social media publishing business, accumulating almost 8 million Facebook & Instagram fans and followers, as well as over 700 million monthly content impressions on its social media accounts & websites, attracted the market's attention. In 2018, PressLogic has successfully raised its Series A+ funding of USD 10 million from Meitu (SEHK:1357), China's leading image processing and social sharing platform. Its core business areas include MediaLens (technology & data), GirlStyle (user-generated content (UGC) female community), and Digital Media & Content Marketing, boasting operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Korea and Malaysia. Official website: www.presslogic.com About Meitu Inc. Established in October 2008, Meitu, Inc. is China's leading AI-driven photo/video processing and sharing platform. With a mission "to inspire more people to express their beauty", the company has developed a rich portfolio of software and smart products based on the concept of beauty, including but not limited to the Meitu app (social network), BeautyCam (photo editing & selfie camera app), Meipai (pan-knowledge short video platform), MeituBeauty (e-commerce platform) and Meitu Smartphones. On 15 December 2016, Meitu, Inc. was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 1357). Media Enquiry Contact: Ms. Joey Wong

Title: Assistant Manager, Public Relations & Corporate Communications

Tel: +852 3612 9665

Email: [email protected] Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181106/2290734-1 SOURCE PressLogic-BusinessFocus

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Retail Sector Braces for Digital Retail Forum 2019 in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Harnessing Digital Technology for Next-Level Customer Centred Retailing On 30 January 2019, IT News Africa will host Digital Retail Forum 2019 ( www.digitalretailforum.co.za ) at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. African retailers are facing a rapid evolution of technology and online players like Take-A-Lot in South Africa, Konga in Nigeria and Jumia Kenya have entered the market, which has created huge competition for brick-and-mortar incumbents. The internet and customer expectations are forcing retailers to reassess the service they provide, not just in terms of convenience and pace, but engagement and enjoyability. Themed Harnessing Digital Technology for Next-Level Customer Centred Retailing, DRF2019 will focus on how emerging technologies such as Ai, IoT, drones, digital payment solutions, new eCommerce models and mobility are disrupting the retail sector. This event will also delve into how to survive by harnessing new technology to improve both Customer Experience and Operational Efficiency . A variety of rofessionals will visit #DigitalRetailForum looking for products and services that will help them increase productivity, reduce costs, attract more customers, improve customer experience, enhance security and sell more - whether they are small independent retailers or large retail groups.







Key topics to be discussed: Leveraging data to understand customer segments, manage risks and enhance decision making.

Mapping your journey from brick-and-mortar to eCommerce.

Leveraging mobile technology to enhance your in-store experience.

Making Mobile Payment for Everything a reality.

a reality. Leveraging AI to impact your bottom line and CX.

Real-World retail digital transformation stories.

Order Fulfilment: Improving efficiency and speed of delivery.

Improving efficiency and speed of delivery. Understanding the key drivers within the South African retail sector.

Understanding the digital customer's journey.

Utilising technology to identify customer pain-points.

Optimizing inventory management and supply chains with technology.

Closing the gap between technology and personalization.

Customer engagement with interactive digital signage and point-of-sale (POS) solutions.

Delivering a technology platform that empowers the business and delights customers.

Assessing emerging retail models and technologies that will define 2019 and beyond.

Adapting to Generation Z - " the digital shopper " .

. The store of the future. To register, speak or exhibit at the conference, visit:www.digitalretailforum.co.za



About IT News Africa

IT News Africa is a dynamic media company that specialises in publishing, events as well as marketing and advertising solutions for the information age. We have a global publishing network and international client base, which we service from offices in Johannesburg. Publishing and Events: Publishing: ITNewsAfrica.com Events: Healthcare Innovation Summit, IoT Forum Africa, Digital Transformation Congress



Media Contact:

[t]: +27-11-026-0982

[e]: [email protected]



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Business Continuity Institute Names Tracey Forbes Rice Honorary MBCI

Fusion Risk Management, Inc. ("Fusion"), a leading provider of business continuity and risk management software and services, today announced its Vice President of Customer Engagement, Tracey Forbes Rice, has been named an Honorary Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI). BCI is a nonprofit organization that sets guidelines, trains professionals, and gathers research for the business continuity industry. The Honorary MBCI, a part of BCI's Gifted Grades Awards, recognizes those who have been members of BCI for more than seven years and made significant contributions to the industry for more than 10 years. "Tracey is a huge asset to our team and shows her passion for Fusion's success every day," said Fusion CEO and Founder David Nolan. "I can't think of anyone else more deserving of this recognition from the BCI. Not only does she give her all to our company, she is also eager to help others in the industry grow and succeed in their careers." Forbes Rice has more than 20 years of experience in business continuity, product development, and product management. At Fusion, she leads customer engagement to ensure customer success and Fusion growth. She is the Chairperson of the Disaster Recovery Journal Career Development Committee and an active member of the Philadelphia Network of Women in Careers in Technology. <> "This industry has given me a lot during the past 20 plus years, and I am honored to be able to pay that forward," Forbes Rice said. "It is incredibly humbling to be recognized by the BCI among a group of such talented and dedicated individuals in the business continuity industry. I sincerely share this award with all of the mentors and peers who have given me guidance and inspiration throughout my career. I love the work I do at Fusion, and it is rewarding to see the initiatives of our talented team pay off with unprecedented growth and success. I am also looking forward to continuing my work alongside others who are passionate about helping people grow as business continuity professionals."



Fusion has also been inducted into the BCI Hall of Fame, which is reserved for people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the industry and have won three BCI awards in the same category. The company won the Continuity & Resilience Provider, Americas in 2013 and 2016, and Continuity & Resilience Provider, Global 2016. For more information, visit www.fusionrm.com, or follow Fusion (@FusionRiskMgmt) and Tracey Forbes Rice (@TForbesRice) on Twitter (News - Alert).

About Fusion Risk Management, Inc. Fusion Risk Management is a leading industry provider of cloud-based software solutions for business continuity, integrated risk management, IT disaster recovery, and crisis and incident management. Its products and services take organizations beyond legacy solutions and empowers them to make data-driven decisions with a comprehensive and flexible approach through one system. Fusion and its team of experts are dedicated to helping companies achieve greater organizational resilience and mitigate risks within their businesses. For more information, visit www.fusionrm.com. Business Continuity Institute With over 8,000 members in more than 100 countries, BCI's network of business continuity and resilience professionals help to keep the world's organizations on track, no matter what happens. For more information, visit www.thebci.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181106006107/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Jinergy's 1500V High-voltage Polycrystalline Modules Successfully Registered in BIS

GREATER NOIDA, India, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jinneng Clean Energy Technology Ltd (Jinergy), the China-based leading PV module manufacturer, announced Jinergy's high-efficiency polycrystalline solar modules have been registered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), meaning the quality and safety of Jinergy modules met Indian standards and are officially permitted to enter the Indian market. After acquiring Korean KS certification in August, Jinergy was once again highly recognized by the international market. The products granted were 60-cell (265W - 295W) and 72-cell (320W - 360W) 1500V high-voltage polycrystalline modules and were tested in accordance with IS 14286:2010, IEC 61215:2005, IS/IEC 61730 (Part 1):2004 and IS/IEC 61730 (Part 2):2004. Jinergy's high-efficiency polycrystalline modules feature excellent anti-PID performance and can fully adapt to hot and humid environments in India. Meanwhile, 1500V highvoltage modules could significantly increase system voltage, reduce overall cost of system construction, and guarantee high profitability for solar power stations.



As a photovoltaic enterprise committed to the "go-global" strategy, Jinergy has accelerated the pace of developing overseas markets. Currently, Jinergy exports high-quality modules to India, Pakistan, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Ukraine and other countries and regions. The Indian market has become one of Jinergy's key target markets because of abundant solar energy resources and the government's stimulation of the ambitious 100GW PV initiative. In the first half of 2018, Jinergy's overseas shipments accounted for 30% of the company's total shipments, and they shipped more than 7% of all China-made modules exported to India. Dr. Liyou YANG, general manager of Jinergy, said, "The successful acquisition of BIS certification will help us further expand in the Indian market and we're expecting to export more than 600MW modules to India by the end of this year."

About Jinergy JINERGY, the leading PV cell and module manufacturer headquartered in Shanxi Province, China, follows the technology iteration strategy and has deployed three generations of cutting-edge technology, i.e. polycrystalline, Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) monocrystalline and HJT. By the end of 2017, Jinergy had 1.3GW production capacity in Wenshui manufacture base, and realized mass production of Poly C-Si Modules and PERC Mono C-Si Modules. In 2017, the company also commercialized the high efficiency HJT cell & module in the Jinzhong manufacture base, and will expand its production capacity to GW scale and reduce the cost of breakthroughs to decrease LCOE. Learn more at http://en.jinergy.com. Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180528/2144424-1LOGO

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] OpenGate Capital to Acquire AICO S.p.A. as an Accretive Add-on to Jtul Group

OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire AICO S.p.A. ("AICO"), an Italian manufacturer of residential stoves, fireplaces, boilers and cookers from Ambienta SGR, a European private equity group. Closing is expected by the middle of November, 2018. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. AICO offers a wide range of premium home heating products that are energy efficient and utilize pellets, a renewable energy source. The business features two well-established brands, Ravelli and Elledi, and they are exported to more than 40 countries. Headquartered in Palazzolo sull'Oglio, Italy, AICO's 150 employees oversee the design, manufacturing and in-house testing to ensure all products comply with European quality, safety and environmental compliance standards. Upon completion of the transaction, AICO will be a synergistic add-on to Jtul Group ("Jtul"), a business acquired by OpenGate in March of 2018. Jtul is a Norwegian manufacturer of home heating products, primarily inserts, fireplaces and wood stoves, with four brands that are distributed across 45 countries, including Europe, North America and Asia. AICO will enhance the Jtul product portfolio with pellet technology products, a growing market for consumers demanding an alternative to wood-based home heating products. Fabien Marcantetti, Managing Director at OpenGate Capital, led the transaction from the irm's Paris office and stated, "A key aspect in OpenGate's acquisition of Jtul is to identify both organic and inorganic opportunities for growth. Through AICO, we will immediately enhance Jtul and create synergies, enrich the product portfolio and expand into new markets. From an OpenGate perspective, this acquisition will mark an important step toward achieving our full potential plan for Jtul."



"We have been working closely with OpenGate's team of professionals on the AICO transaction, and we are happy with this add-on to our existing business. Upon completion of this investment, AICO's products will expand the Jtul portfolio, and enable the business to be a more complete supplier to the many exclusive and multi-brand specialty dealers. This is especially important in the Latin European Market, where use of pellets technology for heating is growing. This transaction will create synergies and give AICO the possibility to expand into new markets," said Jtul CEO, Nils Agnar Brunborg. Jtul was the eighth acquisition through OpenGate Capital's first institutional fund, following the firm's previous acquisitions of Power Partners, Energi Fenestration Solutions, Bois & Materiaux, Alfatherm, EverZinc, Hufcor and Mersive Technologies.

About OpenGate Capital OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate's professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions, including corporate carve-outs, management buy-outs, special situations and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com. About Jtul Jtul is one of the world's oldest producers of stoves, inserts and fireplaces. Building on a proud Norwegian heritage, Jtul combines fine craftsmanship with the art of coping with the cold for 160 years. Jtul is headquartered in Fredrikstad, Norway and features four prominent brands Jtul, Scan, Ild and Atra, and proudly sells to 45 countries around the world. To learn more about Jtul, please visit: www.jotul.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005172/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] RGK Mobile to Provide Direct Carrier Billing to Vodafone Romania Subscribers

BARCELONA, Spain, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Company will provide uniquely quick, simple and secure carrier billing for high-value mobile services - enhancing Vodafone revenues and customer loyalty RGK Mobile, a leading global provider of mobile carrier payment solutions, today announced that it will provide carrier billing services to Vodafone Romania's subscribers. The agreement with Vodafone, which came into force on 1st October 2018, joins a growing list of recent, similar agreements signed by RGK Mobile with Swisscom, Sunrise, Airtel, all of Norway's mobile operators and others. RGK Mobile offers mobile carriers a complete suite of payment technologies, conecting them directly to leading service providers. This creates new revenue channels and helps ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty in a turbulent and competitive market. RGK's unique billing processing technology allows for seamless and safe direct carrier-billing, with only one click. With RGK, customers no longer need credit cards for mobile purchases. Rather, they simply click to confirm a purchase and are charged directly to their mobile operator bill. This eliminates the complexity and hassle of credit cards - avoiding processing errors and mistyping - and is also highly suited to developing economies wherein credit card usage is not prevalent.



For Vodafone Romania, RGK will initially handle billing for mobile services that include Wellness (a fitness app), LetMeDance (a dancing tutorial), SunnyGames (a game portal) and a fitness service for renowned personal trainer Lazar Angelov. RGK will also provide local customer support to all service subscribers. "We're extremely proud to partner with a major European mobile operator like Vodafone, and to play a role in expanding the growing culture of mobile payments in Romania and the European Union as a whole," noted Roman Taranov, CEO of RGK Mobile. "It's a classic win-win for both companies - Vodafone gains greater traction for lucrative premium mobile services, and RGK enjoys the potential for future growth within the Vodafone network," he concluded.

About RGK Mobile RGK is a global provider of mobile carrier payment solutions, specializing in payment aggregation. Our ground-breaking direct carrier billing (DCB) technology allows users for a quick, simple and secure payment process while our direct integration with world-leading mobile operators makes this an attractive offering to service merchants; allowing them access to millions of new users, through one, simple integration. Founded in 2014, RGK Mobile is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, with current branches across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The company is funded by UK-based K&T Capital. For more information, please visit www.rgkmobile.com. Media Contact: Diane McKaye

[email protected] SOURCE RGK Mobile

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Global Shipments of Smart Speakers to Grow by 53% YoY, Reaching 95.25 Million Units in 2019, Says TrendForce

TrendForce has published a new report profiling the latest trends in the global smart speaker market. According to data in the report, the global shipments of smart speakers are expected to reach 62.25 million units in 2018. Driven by the expansion of Google (News - Alert) Home into more regions and the growth of smart speaker market in China, the shipments would increase further by 53% YoY, reaching 95.25 million units in 2019. With the strongest growth momentum among all categories of consumer electronics, smart speakers have emerged as a major application of voice interactions and are fast becoming the gateway to other smart-home products as well as the vast ecosystems. Companies including Apple, Facebook (News - Alert), Baidu, and Tencent have all entered the market this year, in addition to first movers. "Currently, Amazon accounts for around 70% of the US market, therefore, Google has to turn to explore the overseas markets", says TrendForce analyst Tom Tien. With outstanding AI speech recognition, Google is actively developing the voice-user interface for multiple languages, with Google Home supporting 6 languages since 2018, an improvement from 4 languages in 2017. Google Home is now available in 13 countries, up from 6 last year. For 2019, it is expected to be available in more than 18 countries and to support more than 11 languages as well, driving its 2019 global shipment to 30.96 million units, a YoY growth of 72%. Chinese market anticipates a reshuffle and will experience a period of rapid growth in 2019 As for the Chinese market, China anticipates a fast growth of smart speakers in 2019, but may go through low price competitions before that, says Tien. The aggressive prices offered by major companies may eliminate smaller smart speaker brands out of the market. In the upcoming online shopping event in China on November 11th, major smart speaker brands tend to offer more competitive prices to expand their market shares. For example, Alibaba's smart speaer, Tmall Genie series, and Baidu's Xiaodu speaker are available at lower prices this month. Tmall Genie Fang Tang has an original price tag (News - Alert) of RMB199, and is available at RMB149 for pre-orders from October 20th to November 10th, and down to RMB69 on November 11th. For Tmall Genie X1, the original price tag and the pre-order price are RMB499 and RMB239 respectively. The price of Xiaodu speaker will decrease from RMB249 to RMB79.



The aggressive prices offered by these leading companies will make other smaller brands less competitive, and thus withdraw from the market or transfer to niche market due to the cost pressure and loss. TrendForce anticipates that the Chinese market will experience a reshuffle and enter a period of rapid growth in 2019, when the customers shrug off their conservative attitudes and become more positive about smart speakers. TrendForce forecasts that Chinese smart speaker brands would record shipments of 28.71 million units in 2019, a significant YoY growth of 101.2% from 14.27 million units in 2018.

In terms of market strategies, the major Chinese smart speaker brands not only offer competitive deals but also appeal to customers by showcasing their respective advantages. For instance, Alibaba focuses on AI applications, Xiaomi emphasizes on building its hardware ecosystem; Baidu, on the other hand, is ramping up in both AI and ecosystem investments to catch up with its rivals. For the coming years, the major brands share a common goal to build their AI speech recognition systems and comprehensive ecosystems of hardware, services, and application to lock users in. Therefore, TrendForce expects to see a boost in demand for smart speakers in China soon. As for the international brands, smart speakers produced by Amazon, Apple (News - Alert), and Google are all unavailable in China. Due to the lack of access to the Chinese language in their products, it is difficult to expand their services in China. For the further details of the press release and the Figure - Global Smart Speaker Shipments, 2016~2019, please visit: https://press.trendforce.com/press/20181107-3175.html About TrendForce (www.trendforce.com) TrendForce is a global provider of market intelligence on the technology industries. Having served businesses for over a decade, the company has built up a strong membership base of 500,000 subscribers residing the technology and financial services sectors. TrendForce has established a reputation as an organization that offers insightful and accurate analysis of the technology industry through five major research divisions: DRAMeXchange, WitsView, LEDinside, EnergyTrend and Topology Research Institute. Founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 2000, TrendForce has extended its presence in China since 2004 with offices in Shenzhen and Beijing. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005343/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Jerome Razniewski Joins Shift Technology as Chief Information Security Officer

Shift Technology, a solution provider with a focus on enabling insurance organizations to successfully tackle the ongoing and growing claims fraud challenge, today announced the appointment of Jerome Razniewski as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In this role, Razniewski will report to Shift Co-Founder and CTO David Durrleman and will drive the company's efforts focused on data security, data integrity, and adherence to global industry regulations and best practices. A proven and highly-experienced data and systems security professional, Razniewski joins Shift from La Banque Postale, a 5.7 billion banking subsidiary of the La Poste group, where he served as the organization's information systems security officer. Razniewski will operate from the company's Paris headquarters and oversee all data security strategies and nitiatives while expanding Shift's global team of data security experts.



An information security veteran, Razniewski has held a number of data and systems security positions including leadership roles with DIFENSO and France Telecom (News - Alert). "Data is at the heart of what we do at Shift. Our clients have entrusted us with their data and we take that responsibility seriously," explained Durrleman. "Jerome is a proven information and systems security professional, which includes having expertise in the protection of financial services data. This level of expertise is incredibly important as we continue to expand globally. Jerome is the right CISO to spearhead the expansion of our data security team and continue to make good on our unwavering commitment to data security and integrity."

About Shift Technology Shift Technology is reinventing insurance claims processing. Using industry proven artificial intelligence (AI), the company's fraud detection solution Force provides insurance fraud handlers with a powerful decision-making platform speci?cally designed to scale their capacity and detect a wide spectrum of fraudulent behaviours. Since its launch in 2014, the company has raised more than $40M, expanded its global footprint and signed contracts with more than 60 insurers throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The company has received industry recognition for its proprietary advances in Artificial Intelligence as it relates to the insurance industry, including being named a global AI Top 100 company for 2018 by CB Insights. Shift's team of talented data scientists, developers, and insurance industry veterans are applying their expertise to not only tackling the insurance fraud problem, but also improving the overall claims automation process. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005045/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Uniregistry Calls for Domain Name 'Bill of Rights' in the Wake of Call for Universal Web Contract

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniregistry, the world-renowned domain name registration company called today for the creation of a domain name "Bill of Rights" to guarantee every domain name owner a formal "due process" when being faced with accusations and demands for censorship. Such a bill would be an effort to bring assurances to domain name owners around the world that they would not lose their platform to speak - their domain name - without due process and an appropriate investigation defined by clear guidelines and the rule of law. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, has recently called for a new social contract to guarantee a Internet that is safe and accessible for all. A Domain Bill of Rights would be an indispensable part of such a contract.



"Uniregistry is diverse company whose culture is built on the ideology of one planet + one people and we reject hatred, bigotry and discrimination in any shape or form. We also believe strongly in the importance of free speech and expression as an inalienable human right. History has proven time and time again that these ideologies will inevitably clash. In keeping with Sir Berners-Lee's call for a 'Magna Carta for the web', we would urge a Bill of Rights to provide clarity and assurances to domain registrants around the world. At Uniregistry, our mission is to provide a domain name to every global citizen and we believe the introduction of a domain name "Bill of Rights' would bring us one step closer to that vision, explains Kanchan Mhatre, Chief Operating Officer at Uniregistry. About Uniregistry

Uniregistry brings unique, meaningful online naming solutions to end-users. Launched to the public in 2014, Uniregistry reflects our vision for an intuitive and reliable user domain name experience on top of world-class infrastructure. We sell domain names in new extensions as well as the classics. This full-service model allows us to provide customers with an easier, more exciting experience. Uniregistry also provides a full spectrum of Brand Services, including backend registry services to brands, ccTLDs, and other generic top-level domain (gTLD) applicants. To learn more about Uniregistry and Domain Perks visit https://uniregistry.com today.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uniregistry-calls-for-domain-name-bill-of-rights-in-the-wake-of-call-for-universal-web-contract-300745418.html SOURCE Uniregistry

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Sentinel Offender Services Announces New Director of Engineering

Sentinel Offender Services LLC, one of the nation's leading providers of offender management programs and electronic monitoring services, has announced the appointment of Vannin Gale as the Company's Director of Engineering. Mr. Gale will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of new hardware and firmware for Sentinel's line of proprietary electronic monitoring products. Mr. Gale brings to Sentinel a remarkable record of accomplishment in the development of innovative technologies for use in the consumer space that includes having 29 patents issued. During his 30-year career in research and development and product engineering, Mr. Gale has held numerous engineering, technology and leadership positions in the high-tech consumer electronic space. Prior to joining Sentinel, he served as Vice President of Technology for Lynx Innovation in Irvine, California. Mr. Gale has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Electrical Engineering from London Polytechnic University. "We are extremely excited about having Vannin join our team," said Salman Qureshi, Chief Tecnology Officer for Sentinel, "his experience as a developer of innovative technologies coupled with his strong leadership skills and high energy level are a winning combination that will serve our internal and external customers well. We are confident that his experience in the highly competitive market of consumer electronics will bring new perspectives to accelerate Sentinel's growth as a leader in the electronic monitoring solutions space."



Sentinel Offender Services, LLC has been a trusted partner of community corrections, courts and law enforcement since 1993. Sentinel's rich history of innovation includes the pioneering of an offender-funded electronic monitoring model now used extensively across the United States. For more than 25 years, Sentinel has focused on one goal: Reducing recidivism rates through comprehensive monitoring and effective supervision of offender populations. Sentinel's continued growth and success can be attributed to its breadth of experience and its ability to consistently deliver world-class customer service, innovative products and programs and creating effective solutions to meet the needs of our clients and the communities they serve. To learn more, please visit www.sentineladvantage.com or YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005013/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Mixpanel expands business offerings to include programs geared at startups and nonprofit companies

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mixpanel, the world's leading user analytics platform, today announced the launch of a special initiative to unlock advanced analytic insights for startups and nonprofits. With this initiative, Mixpanel is bolstering its commitment to help organizations grow by improving their end users' experience and helping them make data-informed product & marketing decisions. Startups and nonprofits have the opportunity to take advantage of the same industry-leading user analytics capabilities already employed by Mixpanel's growing worldwide customer base of 26,000 companies, including Shutterfly, DocuSign, Lemonade, and Hinge. Through this initiative, startups will receive 90% off of Mixpanel's Enterprise price, and nonprofits will receive up to 10,000 free Monthly Tracked Users, plus an 80% discount for additional tracked users. "Building a product that customers can't live without starts with a deep understanding of their needs," said Amir Movafaghi, CEO of Mixpanel. "With access to Mixpanel's most advanced features, startups can do complex behavioral analysis and collaborate across their teams to unlock faster growth." Nonprofits have the ability to tap into Mixpanel's advanced analytics to answer complex questions about donor and constituent behavior and then use that knowledge to invest in the areas with thebiggest potential impact for good.



David Hunt, Head of Digital at Breast Cancer Care, a UK-wide charity providing support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer, says: "Breast Cancer Care is absolutely delighted with Mixpanel's new initiative, allowing us to access advanced insights. As we're currently developing ways to improve the experience of women with breast cancer who use our app, BECCA, these in-depth analytics and targeted engagements are vital." Mixpanel's goal is to help emerging organizations and nonprofits get their start and place data at the center of their operations. With advanced user behavior analysis, automatic insights and A/B testing, to help grow and retain their user bases and evolve their products.

For additional information and qualifying details for startups, visit: https://mixpanel.com/startups/

For additional information and qualifying details for nonprofits, visit: discover.mixpanel.com/nonprofit.html For regular news and information about Mixpanel and the analytics industry, like and follow the company on: The Signal: https://mixpanel.com/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mixpanel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mixpanel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mixpanel-inc-/ About Mixpanel

Mixpanel is helping the world learn from its data by translating user behavior into actionable knowledge. As the leading user analytics platform, Mixpanel tracks interactions to surface information that provides valuable insights which enable businesses to make smarter decisions, break down knowledge silos and drive data-informed innovation. Mixpanel is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Seattle, Salt Lake City, London, and Singapore. For more information about Mixpanel, visit: www.mixpanel.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mixpanel-expands-business-offerings-to-include-programs-geared-at-startups-and-nonprofit-companies-300744592.html SOURCE Mixpanel

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Partners REIT Class Action Notice of Hearing for Settlement Approval

This notice is directed to all persons and entities, wherever they may reside or be domiciled, who held units of Partners Real Estate Investment Trust ("Partners REIT" or the "REIT") as of the close of trading on April 1, 2014, other than Excluded Persons (the "Class" or "Class Members"). Excluded Persons are the defendants, and any entities owned or controlled by the defendants; past or present subsidiaries or affiliates of Partners REIT and Holyrood Holdings Limited ("Holyrood"); and past or present officers, directors, senior employees, partners, legal representatives, heirs, predecessors, successors and assigns of the defendants and their immediate family members. THE CLASS ACTION On November 28, 2014, the plaintiff Daniel Locking (the "Plaintiff") commenced this action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the "Court") against certain former trustees and former officer of Partners REIT, and certain third parties (the "Defendants"). Partners REIT is not a defendant in the class action. On November 8, 2016, the Court certified the action, styled Locking v. McCowan et al., Court File No. CV-14-517117-00CP (the "Class Action") as a class proceeding. The Class Action relates to the circumstances surrounding Partner REIT's decision to enter a transaction, announced on April 2, 2014 (the "Transaction"), for the purchase of three Ontario properties from Holyrood Holdings Limited. It was alleged that Holyrood was not dealing at arm's length with Partners REIT's then CEO and that the Transaction violated the REIT's Declaration of Trust and applicable rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange requiring unitholder approval. THE SETTLEMENT On October 9, 2018, the parties reached a settlement of the Class Action and subsequently executed Minutes of Settlement (the "Settlement"). The Settlement, which is subject to the approval of the Court, provides for the payment of $4,950,000.00 (the "Settlement Funds") in consideration for full and final settlement of the claims of Class Members. The Settlement Funds are inclusive of all legal fees, disbursements, taxes and administration expenses. In return for the Settlement Funds, the Defendantswill receive releases and a dismissal of the class action. The Settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and is not an admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault on the part of any of the Defendants, all of whom have denied, and continue to deny, the allegations against them.



The Settlement Funds will be distributed to Class Members after deduction of all legal fees, disbursements, applicable taxes, administration expenses, a levy to the Class Proceedings Fund, and a honourarium to the Plaintiff (the "Net Settlement Amount"). The amount of each Class Member's actual compensation from the Net Settlement Amount will depend on: (i) the number of units the Class Member owned at the close of trading on April 1, 2014 and (ii) the total number and value of claims for compensation filed by Class Members with the Administrator. It is therefore not possible to predict what any individual Class Member's share of the Net Settlement Amount will be.

A copy of the Settlement may be found at www.investigationcounsel.com or by contacting Investigation Counsel P.C. at the contact information provided below. THE HEARING FOR SETTLEMENT APPROVAL The Settlement must be approved by the Court before it can be implemented. Class Members may, but are not required to, attend at the settlement approval hearing (the "Approval Hearing") which will be held on December 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., at the Toronto Courthouse, 130 Queen St West, Toronto, Ontario. If the Settlement is approved, another notice to Class Members will be published which will provide instructions on how to make a claim to receive compensation from the Settlement. Class Members who approve of, or do not oppose, the Settlement do not need to appear at the Approval Hearing or take any other action at this time. In addition to seeking the Court's approval of the Settlement, Class Counsel will seek the Court's approval of its legal fees not to exceed 33% of the Settlement Amount, plus disbursements and applicable taxes at the Approval Hearing. Class Counsel will also seek approval of a $15,000 honourarium payment to the Plaintiff. CLASS MEMBERS MAY OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT Class Members who wish to comment on or object to the Settlement should do so in writing. All objections should be received by Investigation Counsel P.C. (at the address below) no later than December 10, 2018. You may attend at the Approval Hearing whether or not you deliver an objection. The Court may permit you to participate at the hearing whether or not you deliver an objection. A written objection should use the heading "Partners REIT Class Action" and include all of the following information: (i) The number of units of Partners REIT you held as of the close of trading on April 1, 2014; (ii) Your name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and signature. If you are submitting an objection on behalf of a corporation or other entity, you must state your position and authority to bind the corporation or entity; and (iii) a brief statement outlining the nature of, and reasons for, the objection; Your objection should be sent by email, fax or mail to: Investigation Counsel P.C. Re: Partners REIT Class Action 350 Bay Street, Suite 300 Toronto ON (News - Alert) M5H 2S6 Email: [email protected] Fax: 416-637-3445 PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT WITH INQUIRIES ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION OR THE SETTLEMENT. All inquiries should be directed to Investigation Counsel P.C. PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005051/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Impact Announces Opening of Singapore Office to Further Extend Global Footprint

Today, Impact, a natively-integrated suite of products for fraud protection, marketing attribution and analytics, and performance partnership management, announces the opening of a Singapore office. With this new expansion, Impact further extends its global footprint in APAC; providing digital marketers from global Fortune 100 brands who operate there, as well as regional brands, access to a leading global marketing platform. Impact also announces the appointment of Antoine Gross as the region's first Country Manager for Southeast Asia (SEA), reporting to Adam Furness, APAC Managing Director, Impact. Antoine joins the organization with over 15 years of experience across several marketing and digital companies. Prior to joining Impact, Antoine served as Vice President of Sales APAC at Synthesio, a leading social listening platform, where he led the expansion of the APAC business with a particular focus on SEA. Adam Furness said: "The appointment of Antoine and Impact's further expansion throughout APAC demonstrates our commitment to servicing brands with localised success infrastructure across a global footprint. Think global, act local is our mantra. Antoine has a passion for technology, solving problems, driving business outcomes and building high performing teams, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the team. There is so much demand and opportunity in SEA for our offering that opening an office in Singapre was a very natural next step. Antoine, will be joined by Yuci Xu in the position of Customer Success Manager SEA, and he has his eye out for more exceptional talent. I envisage the Singapore office will be 8 to 10 people with-in 6 months."



"Mobile usage in Southeast Asia is set to continue growing at a phenomenal rate," said Antoine Gross, SEA Country Manager, Impact. "In such context the digital marketers of the region are in constant need of technologies which tackle the new challenges this trend brings. At Impact we strongly believe the whole local marketing ecosystem will greatly benefit from our integrated platform across ad fraud protection, unified marketing measurement, performance partnerships and our ability to embrace the mobile revolution currently in progress across Asia." "Impact has experienced phenomenal growth internationally, having just announced the opening of our Nordics office earlier this month, and now Southeast Asia with our newest office in Singapore," said David A. Yovanno, CEO, Impact. "At Impact, we're committed to growing our clients' businesses globally and that means supporting our customers everywhere they conduct their business. This is why we continue to invest in our leading marketing technology platform and people around the world. Antoine's rich experience in martech will provide strong leadership and support to our partners throughout Southeast Asia."

About Impact

Impact is a marketing technology company helping brands grow by optimizing their paid marketing and media spend. The Impact platform was designed to respond to marketers' demands for simplicity, transparency, performance, and confidence to drive growth through marketing. Impact's platform is the first native integration of leading solutions to stop ad fraud, enable more confident decisions through media measurement, attribution, and mix optimization, and create new performance partnerships, including with influencers and strategic partners. Founded in Santa Barbara, CA (News - Alert) in 2008, Impact has grown to over 375 employees and ten offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. To learn more visit www.impact.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005261/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Global Integration Specialist Yenlo Expands Partnership with WSO2 to Become a Value-Added Reseller

Netherlands, Amsterdam and Mountain View, CA, USA, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yenlo and WSO2 today announced that they have entered into an agreement in which Yenlo is now a WSO2 Value-Added Reseller (VAR). The move builds on the strong, multi-year partnership between WSO2, the leading open source integration vendor, and Yenlo a global integration specialist and certified WSO2 Premier Partner. Yenlo brings more than 20 years of expertise in delivering solutions for enterprise applications, middleware and database platforms for traditional servers, private clouds, and public clouds. Under the VAR agreement, Yenlo will sell solutions based on the WSO2 Integration Agile Platform, along with services and support. Designed to run both on-premises and in the cloud, the WSO2 Integration Agile Platform includes WSO2 Enterprise Integrator, WSO2 API Manager, WSO2 Stream Processor, and WSO2 Identity Server for identity and access management (IAM). The rollout of the VAR agreement follows the recent recognition of WSO2 by Forrester Research, Inc. as a Leader in The Forrester Wave(TM): API Management Solutions, Q4 2018 report(1) published on October 29, 2018. In its evaluation of WSO2 API Manager, the report(1) states, As the only fully open source solution in our Forrester Wave analysis, WSO2 provides good breadth across all evaluation criteria. Particular strengths include formal life-cycle management and non-REST APIs, both of which facilitate mature and disciplined enterprise API strategies. We saw early on the value that WSO2 brings with its innovative, open source approach to connecting applications and services. We have since grown to become a global WSO2 Premier Partner with the largest number f certified WSO2 product experts and WSO2 integration consultants. And with offices across the United States and Europe, we are able to deliver first-class craftsmanship to Fortune 500 enterprises in their digital transformation journey, said Yenlo Co-founder and CEO Ruben van der Zwan. The addition of our WSO2 Value-Added Reseller partnership is a strategic part of our global expansion that will bring a new level of ease to us and our customers in doing business together as we deliver on a global scale consultancy, implementation, support and training services for the WSO2 Integration Agile Platform.



Yenlo is a valued, long-time partner that has been instrumental in growing the community around our WSO2 Integration Agile Platformboth in building its extensive team of WSO2 experts and in empowering enterprises across Europe and North America to integrate the systems, services and apps that drive their digital businesses, said WSO2 COO Shevan Goonetilleke. We are thrilled to now have Yenlo as both a WSO2 Premier Partner and Value-Added Reseller. Through the new VAR agreement, we will strengthen our collaboration in providing organizations the technologies, services, and processes to realize their digital transformation goals by becoming integration agile. About WSO2

WSO2 is the worlds #1 open source integration vendor, helping digital-driven organizations become integration agile. Customers choose us for our broad integrated platform, approach to open source, and agile transformation methodology. The companys hybrid platform for developing, reusing, running and managing integrations prevents lock-in through open source software that runs on-premises or in the cloud. Today, hundreds of leading brands and thousands of global projects execute 6 trillion transactions annually using WSO2 integration technologies. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more. About Yenlo Yenlo is a global system integrator and specialist in enabling digital transformation with open source and agile technology. Yenlo is the most advanced Certified Premier Partner (CPP) and official Value Added Reseller (VAR) of WSO2. Our business is founded on the belief that enterprises need to regain their agility and become digital agencies to optimize their customer intimacy; achieve operational excellence; or add new services, products, or business models. We believe this agilityin technology, knowledge and financecan be created by applying an open source-first, API-first, and cloud-first strategy. At Yenlo, we bring agility to enterprises by delivering first-class professional services based on deep expertise. Our services range from enterprise and solution architecture to software development; operational support; and WSO2 product support, training and certification programs. These are complemented by our pre-built solution-as-a-service offerings, including our Yenlo Interconnect services, a fully managed middleware-platform-as-a-service. Visit www.yenlo.com for more information. (1)Forrester Research, Inc. The Forrester Wave(TM): API Management Solutions, Q4 2018, by Randy Heffner with Christopher Mines, Allison Vizgaitis, and Diane Lynch, October 29, 2018. Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Tamara de Lange Yenlo Office: +31 20 2700 700 Email: [email protected] Shifali Erasmus Kinetic.PR for WSO2 Mobile: +1 650-655-6424 Email: [email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Blocktech launches partnership with French University of Armenia to research cryptoeconomics and curation markets

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Blocktech, the New York-based blockchain technologies company, and the French University of Armenia (UFAR) have announced that they are partnering to launch Armenia's first academic Blockchain Lab. The lab will conduct interdisciplinary research into the crypto-economic implications of blockchain technologies, in collaboration with the university's departments of Finance and Law, as well as the newly formed Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics. The research will cover topics relating to decentralized application architectures, including smart contract development, bonding curves, token-curated registries, oracle and curation services on the Zap platform, and crypto-economic design patterns. "The rise of blockchain has ushered in an entirely new ecosystem of commoditized trust," said Nick Spanos, the CEO of Blocktech, who also founded the Bitcoin Center in New York City in 2013, the world's first live cryptocurrency trading floor (prominently featured in the Netflix documentary "Banking on Bitcoin"). "Cryptoeconomics is the umbrella field through which we study human behavior and systems design in our new decentralized world. UFAR is the perfect partner for tackling this vital area of research." Through the Blocktech-UFAR partnership, students at the university will be able to take courses in blockchain and cryptocurrency, both from technical and business angles, and will be mentored by industry technologists while working on real-world projects. "Technology is a major priority for the French University of Armenia heading into the next decade," said Kristina Sargsyan, Ph.D., from the Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics, who is also the university's Program Coordinator for Industry Partnerships. "We are honored to partner with Blocktech given Nick Spanos's pioneering work in the blockchain industry and we are confident that this will expand opportunities for our students tremendously." The Blocktech team has been deeply embedded in the Armenian technological ecosystem for the past year, dating back to Spanos's first visit to Yerevan in January, when he was invited to speak at the National Assembly of ArmeniaAmerican University of Armenia, among other forums.



After Spanos's visit, Blocktech opened an office in Yerevan, directed by Peter Mikkelsen, founder of the Nordic Blockchain Association. "The amount of passion for disruptive technologies and permissionless innovation that I have seen in Armenia is tremendous," said Mikkelsen, "especially in the aftermath of the peaceful velvet revolution. This partnership is exactly what is needed at this critical juncture." The Blockchain Lab at UFAR is the second lab launched by Blocktech this year. Just last week, Blocktech announced its partnership with Taibah Valley to inaugurate the Blockchain Lab at Taibah University in Madinah. Directed by internationally recognized artificial intelligence expert, Professor Walaa Alharthi, it will be the kingdom's first research and development lab dedicated to blockchain technologies.

Academic interest in blockchain technologies has increased significantly over the past year. One recent study found that "42 percent of the world's top 50 universities offer students at least one course on cryptos or blockchain and 22 percent offer more than one." When including classes in cryptography, that number swells to 70 percent. The French University of Armenia (UFAR), located in Yerevan, is home to 2,000 students eager to collaborate on blockchain-based technologies. Government officials in Armenia have also identified the potential of this technology and have established a "free economic zone" which will soon host a "state-of-the-art technology center." The students are poised to fill and grow this space through the collaborative efforts of Blocktech Lab and UFAR. This partnership is as symbolic as it is powerful; indeed, it is only fitting that a distributed and decentralized technology would bring about an increase in global interactions and partnerships. The collaboration here, specifically between Blocktech in New York and the French University in Armenia, will not only teach students about blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, but will provide them immediate projects where they can apply their new education. About Blocktech Blocktech is an international blockchain venture studio guided by the leadership of Nick Spanos. Our origins date to the founding of the Bitcoin Center in New York City, the world's first live cryptocurrency exchange, located right next to the New York Stock Exchange. At the Bitcoin Center, we have taught thousands of students, journalists, technologists, and finance professionals about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Now, through the development of our own projects and technology platforms, we are expanding and pioneering permissionless blockchain innovation all around the world. Find out more at blocktech.com . About ZAP Zap is an oracle curation platform monetized by the ZAP utility token, an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token that powers an oracle marketplace for smart contracts. The platform's mission is to foster the creation of a standardized and self-sustained platform-agnostic smart contract data layer enhanced by the world's best open marketplace for oracles, which connect real-world data to the blockchain, dramatically lowering barriers to entry into the multi-billion dollar alternative data industry and the smart contract ecosystem. The Zap project is managed and directed by the Synapse Foundation, whose mission is to oversee development, increase community engagement, and sponsor participation within the Zap ecosystem. Find out more at zap.org . Media Contact: Hamdan Azhar

+1-814-880-3988, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blocktech-launches-partnership-with-french-university-of-armenia-to-research-cryptoeconomics-and-curation-markets-300745434.html SOURCE BlockTech

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] LLumin Announces READYAsset and READYMaterial - Industry's Most Comprehensive Enterprise Asset and Maintenance Software Suites

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LLumin, formerly known as eRPortal Software, announces it newest products  READYAsset and READYMaterial  software as a service (SaaS) and on-premise software designed to manage strategic assets and operations. Incorporating nearly 15 years of expertise, customer, and partner input these products provide an unprecedented level of flexibility and ease of use for the industrial, municipal/utility, and higher education market segments, where managing physical infrastructure and preventing operations downtime are critical. "We remain committed to introducing products to fit the needs of customers that in turn need more functionality for mobile personnel, including improved real-time, visibility, analysis and reporting," said Ed Garibian, president of LLumin. "The addition of embedded self-service business intelligence and rich messaging ensures that our customers operating in highly competitive marketplaces can easily track and manage essential equipment. We know that even brief down time can result in deep financial impacts." Features, Functions and Benefits

Features to both suites provide customers with a rich, scalable HTML5 software application environment, coupled with the industry's most powerful suite of mobile applications. The user interface (UI) is an HTML5 platform that is rendered to provide users with a visual and symbol-centric view of any element with the enterprise that is critical to managing strategic assets, materials, and the operations logistics. This includes a graphical object view of the infrastructure and assets managed, and a powerful visualization display that clearly shows the status and availability of any element or entity required to support the organization's operations and infrastructure strategy. The software suites offer a full set of mobile applications via the HTML5 architecture, and also integrated with native device, off-line applications, that work in full-disconnected mode. Device support includes Apple, Android, and MS SurfacePro tablets. Integrated self-serve HTML5 business analytics and reporting capabilities follow the user to whatever device or browser from which they login. READYAsset Offers native mobility, integrated analytics, an data visualization

Highly configurable and usable in any environment where maintaining physical assets and infrastructure are critical

CMMS that use machine conditions to eliminate production and operations downtime

Deployed at the machine / OEM level, or at the enterprise scale

Offers ease of use and sophisticated notification and approval workflow functionality

Any event of combination of events and conditions can be staged to trigger multi-level workflow and action sequences



READYMaterial Easy-to-use world class parts, tool, and item tracking  equipment, parts, consumable, chemicals, haz mat, and instrumentation  all in one system

Superior cradle-to-grave materials management

Flexible and easily configurable to track the location and inventory levels of any materials or item entity

Each material or item entity is easily described in attributes native to the type

Offers sophisticated procurement, vendor management, valuation, and usage chargeback functionality

Notification and approval workflows with built-in escalation

Ability to integrate with all standard financial, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and eCommerce platforms

Native HTML5 mobility, and an off-line application suite for disconnected users in the field LLumin's new products also dramatically add a rich workflow feature set that includes ad-hoc drop-in of notification, approval, and messaging escalation rules. Any event, such as an out of spec SCADA, DCS, or Production system output, can now be used to trigger highly specific, accurate, and immediate, corrective action, work orders, and instructions. This is all coupled with time, location, and rules-based SMS, email, and voice-based notifications.

LLumin at Rockwell Automation Fair

The team at LLumin looks forward to sharing the vision of its READYAsset and READYMaterial software and SaaS solution suites. See LLumin at the Automation Fair by Rockwell Automation, November 14-15 in Philadelphia, Penn., in the LLumin booth #1449. LLumin will also present "Adding Value to FactoryTalk with TPM and Workflow" at its Tech Session on November 14 and 15 at 10 AM. Pricing and Availability

LLumin's solution suites are available directly from LLumin and a network of distributors and service providers worldwide. Deployed in either a SaaS or on-premise installation model, customers can take advantage of a pricing model that scales from a simple three-user, entry level set of feature requirements on up to an enterprise level implementation. LLumin

Founded in 2004 as eRPortal Software, LLumin provides high performance, web-enabled, enterprise asset management, maintenance management, and materials tracking software solutions for managing strategic assets and operations. The company's technology maximizes operations efficiencies and asset utilization level. The company serves customers in industrial and manufacturing, and higher education markets, as well as utilities and municipalities. They include Badger Meter, Caterpillar, Flowserve Corp, Rockwell Automation, Sunny Delight Beverages, NC State University, Princeton University, UCLA, and the cities of Columbus, Indiana; Ft. Meyers, Florida; Lubbock, Texas; Natick, Mass.; and Olathe, Kansas. LLumin is a privately held corporation headquartered in West Springfield, Mass. More information about the company and its products is available at www.LLumin.com. Contacts:

Lauren Curley

617 529 6463

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/llumin-announces-readyasset-and-readymaterial--industrys-most-comprehensive-enterprise-asset-and-maintenance-software-suites-300745411.html SOURCE LLumin, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] NetDiligence Releases Data-Driven Analysis on Cyber Claims

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDiligence, a leading provider of cyber risk readiness and response services, announced today it has published its eighth annual Cyber Claims Study, a study of actual losses for data breaches and other cyber-related events covered by leading cyber insurance carriers. This year's study analyzes 1,201 claims for incidents that occurred from 2013-2017. The aggregated data from these claims has been analyzed from many angles, including records exposed, crisis services cost, total breach cost and per-record cost. In addition, the study features analyses of more than twenty unique categorizations of the data, including type of data, sector, revenue size, and cause of loss; losses caused by business interruption; losses for incidents that exposed no records; and losses caused by criminal and non-criminal activity. The aggregated average total breach cost in this year's study was $604K, while the aggregated average payout for Crisis Services was $307K. The average claim for a large company was $8.8 million. The average claim in the Healthcare sector was $555K. The average claim for ransomware was $229K. "As an independent and trusted partner to the cyber insurance industry, NetDiligence is uniquely positioned to consolidate claims data from multiple insurers," said Mark Greisiger, president of NetDiligence. "We collected more than 500 new claims this year, a greater than 40% increase over last year. We are honored that our insurance carrier and broker partners are willing to share a sampling of their loss data with us. Without them, the valuable insights this study provides would not be possible." Sponsoring this year's NetDiligence Cyber Claims Study are AllClear ID and RSM,.



The 2018 Cyber Claims Study is available for download at the NetDiligence website (https://netdiligence.com/portfolio/cyber-claims-study/). About NetDiligence

NetDiligence specializes in Cyber Risk Readiness & Response services. With more than 15 years of experience in cyber, NetDiligence is an award-winning provider of innovative cyber risk management software and services to the insurance industry, including QuietAudit Cyber Risk Assessments, the eRiskHub cyber risk management portal (https://eriskhub.com), and Breach Plan Connect (https://breachplanconnect.com/) software-as-a-service (SaaS) to help policyholders with data breach response planning. NetDiligence publishes an annual Cyber Claims Study and hosts annual Cyber Risk Conferences in Philadelphia, Santa Monica, Toronto, London and Bermuda. For more information, visit https://netdiligence.com.

About AllClear ID

AllClear ID provides comprehensive breach response services to help businesses protect their greatest asset: their customers. With over 10 years of experience helping thousands of businesses prepare, respond, and recover from the most destructive, complex breaches in history, AllClear ID is recognized for our expertise, partnership, and innovative solutions. Learn more: www.allclearid.com/business or email [email protected] About RSM

RSM US LLP is the leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, with 9,000 people in 90 offices nationwide. It is a licensed CPA firm and the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 41,000 people in over 120 countries. RSM uses its deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of clients to help them succeed. For more information, visit rsmus.com. Media Contact :

Mark Greisiger

President, NetDiligence

610.525.6383

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netdiligence-releases-data-driven-analysis-on-cyber-claims-300745407.html SOURCE NetDiligence

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Evolve Formulas Transdermal NanoSerum CBD Met with Unprecedented Response across Colorado Market

NanoSphere Health Sciences, Inc. (CSE: NSHS) (OTC: NSHSF), the biotechnology leader behind the patented NanoSphere Delivery System, today announced the expansion of its CBD-dominant product-the Evolve Formulas Transdermal NanoSerum CBD with Resveratrol-across Colorado due to considerable public demand. The company has already moved more than 1,000 units in the market in less than a month. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005272/en/ The Evolve Formulas Transdermal NanoSerum CBD utilizes a combination formula of synergistic cannabinoids, with each precision-metered dose containing 15mg of CBD and 1.5mg of THC. In addition, the unique, research-backed scientific formulation includes terpenes and resveratrol for maximum therapeutic benefit. Studies show that CBD can aid in relieving inflammation, anxiety, pain and insomnia, while restorative ingredient resveratrol is lauded in the health, wellness and beauty worlds for its antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-aging and cognitive enhancement benefits. The new item has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from consumers across the state. "NanoSphere takes great pride in developing world-class offerings that not only utilize our cutting edge, patented technology, but that include thoughtful formulations with the consumer in mind. Our goal is to deliver unparalleled relief and ensure customers receive the most consistent, trustworthy and effective product possible," said Robert Sutton, Chairman and CEO of NanoSphere Health Sciences and Evolve Formulas. "Seeing the public's tremendous response to our CBD-dominant NanoSerum has been nothing short of rewarding, motivating us to continue innovating and expanding our industry-leading solutions across the state, country and continent." "As a mom of two toddlers, my days are hectic and long, and unwinding at night is a challenge. I am thinking of all the tasks that tomorrow will bring-so getting to sleep has been difficult for me. Now, I use Evolve's CBD and it's fantastic. It reduces my stress and anxiety and helps me get a full night's rest," said Kelly S., Evolve Formulas customer. "Plus, it's natural and there are no side effects. Honestly, I don't think there's a better product out there for me." The Transdermal NanoSerum CBD is now available in 40 of the 200 total dispensaries that Evolve Formulas products are currently in across the state, including all Lucy Sky Cannabis Boutique locations. Within the next month, the CBD product is expected to be in all 200 dispensaries.



For more information on Nanosphere Health Sciences, Inc. or to schedule an interview, please contact Gabrielle Wesseldyk at [email protected] or 212-255-0945. NanoSphere's Commitment to Licensing IP

NanoSphere launched its IP licensing program in 2015 and is entertaining several licensing opportunities via a rigorous evaluation process. For more information about NanoSphere's licensing program, please visit: https://www.nanospherehealth.com/licensing/ About NanoSphere NanoSphere Health Sciences, Inc. is a biotechnology firm specializing in the creation of the patented NanoSphere Delivery System, a revolutionary platform using nanotechnology in the biodelivery of supplements, nutraceuticals and over-the-counter medications for the cannabis, pharmaceutical and animal health industries, and beyond. Covered by U.S. Patent No. 10,028,919 and U.S. Patent No. 9,925,149, NanoSphere Delivery System represents one of the most important developments for advancing the non-invasive and user-friendly delivery of biological agents in over 25 years. NanoSphere was awarded the 2018 Frost and Sullivan Technology Innovation Award and was recognized by ACQ5 Global Awards as Company of the Year for Nano-Biotechnology, Innovative Company of the Year for Healthcare, and its CEO Robert Sutton was honored as Gamechanger of the Year. For more information on NanoSphere, please visit http://www.nanospherehealth.com. About Evolve Formulas Evolve Formulas is the provider of the world's first and only scientifically proven nanoparticle delivery system in cannabis. Evolve's pioneering product, Transdermal NanoSerum, is a fast-acting, ultra-strength transdermal formula infused with nano-encapsulated cannabis and cannabis extracts. NanoSerum immediately penetrates the skin to deliver direct-focused results and intelligently carries a full spectrum of cannabinoids and phytochemicals to receptors throughout the body for systemic healing. Evolve Formula products leverage NanoSphere Health Sciences patented NanoSphere Delivery System. The NanoSphere Delivery System is a revolutionary platform using nanotechnology in the biodelivery of supplements, nutraceuticals and over-the-counter medications for the cannabis, pharmaceutical and animal health industries, and beyond. For more information on Evolve Formulas, visit https://www.evolveformulas.com/. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statement Caution 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, expectations or beliefs regarding the future. Although the Company believes that any forward looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward looking statements 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, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005272/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] THE Journal Readers Recognize Lexia Core5 Reading as a Top Ed Tech Product in Schools

BOSTON, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The results are in and? ?Lexia Learning?, a Rosetta Stone Company (NYSE: RST), announced that its? ?Lexia Core5 Reading? (Core5) product earned top platinum honors in? ?THE Journals? 2018 Readers Choice Awards? ?program including being named the Best Reading Program. Nominated by educators across the U.S., Lexia also earned platinum standing in several other categories including Favorite Adaptive/Personalized Learning Tool and Top Educational game or Gamified Learning Tool.

Hi-res Lexia logo



According to ?THE Journal?, when readers were asked to name their favorite technology product currently in use by education professionals, Lexia once again took top honors. In addition, readers also wrote in recognizing Core5 as the most valuable product their school or district added this year. And the accolades didnt stop there. Core5 also received a silver honor under he Favorite Interventions and Remediation software section.



For its fourth annual Readers Choice Awards program, ?THE Journal?s staff invited members of the education community to submit the best products, providers and services in any category of their choosing and share their views on the significance they play in schools and districts across the country. More than 1,100 education technology professionals, including IT staff and educators, spoke out about the tools they think have the most positive impact on the mission of education.

Lexia is a company that is dedicated to solving K-12 literacy issues through our personalized and blended learning solutions said Nick Gaehde, Lexia president. What a remarkable testament to our flagship product Core5 to be recognized this year - just like last year  by so many educators who took the time to share their opinions on whats working in their classrooms. We are thrilled to have done so well across so many categories and honored to be recognized by the educators who read ?THE Journal?. As the cornerstone of Lexias expanding portfolio of K-12 literacy products, Core5 is a research-proven, technology-based program that accelerates the development of fundamental literacy skills for students of all abilities in grades pre-K5. The program provides explicit, systematic instruction through personalized learning paths in six areas of reading and seamlessly adapts with student performance, targeting skill gaps as they emerge, and equipping teachers with the data and instructional resources they need to personalize instruction for every student. Earlier this year, the company added? ?Lexia PowerUp LiteracyTM (PowerUp) to its suite of literacy offerings. Developed specifically to enhance core English Language Arts instruction for non-proficient readers in grades 6 and above, PowerUp identifies skill gaps and provides personalized learning paths in word study, grammar and comprehension. In 2016, Lexia introduced a computer-adaptive universal screener,? ?Lexia RAPIDTM Assessment? for K-12 students that assesses the skills most predictive of end-of-year reading success.

With more than 30 years of experience in reading pedagogy and research and several peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the efficacy of our instructional approach, we have always put the needs of teachers and students at the core of what we do, added Gaehde. And, we will continue to do so in the years to come. For more information, go to? h?ttps://www.lexialearning.com/products. ### About Lexia Learning Lexia Learning, a Rosetta Stone company, empowers educators through adaptive assessment and personalized instruction. For more than 30 years, the company has been on the leading edge of research and product development as it relates to student reading skills. With a robust offering that includes solutions for differentiated instruction, personalized learning, and assessment, Lexia Learning provides educators with the tools to intensify and accelerate literacy skills development for students of all abilities. For more information, visit? ?www.lexialearning.com About Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE: RST) is dedicated to changing peoples lives through the power of language and literacy education. The companys innovative digital solutions drive positive learning outcomes for the inspired learner at home or in schools and workplaces around the world. Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stones language division uses cloud-based solutions to help all types of learners read, write, and speak more than 30 languages. Lexia Learning, Rosetta Stone's literacy education division, was founded more than 30 years ago and is a leader in the literacy education space. Today, Lexia helps students build fundamental reading skills through its rigorously researched, independently evaluated, and widely respected instruction and assessment programs. For more information, visit? ?www.rosettastone.com?. Rosetta Stone is a registered trademark or trademark of Rosetta Stone Ltd. in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact: Charlotte Andrist 770-310-5244 [email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Digerati Technologies Awarded $1.78 Million in Multi-Year Contracts

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) ("Digerati" or the "Company"), a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the small-to-medium-sized-business (SMB) market, announced today that it has signed multi-year contracts totaling $1.78 million in its two most recent fiscal quarters.

The awarded contracts of its subsidiary operations, T3 Communications, Inc. (T3) and Synergy Telecom (Synergy) span various market verticals such as Government, Municipalities, Healthcare, Professional Services, Private Schools and Churches. Through its subsidiaries, Digerati maintains over 640 business customers serving over 10,000 business users in Texas and Florida, with an average monthly revenue per customer (ARPU) of $824, of which 95% is contracted and monthly recurring. Charlie Slaughter, Synergys Chief Revenue Officer, stated, We are excited that more and more users of legacy phone systems across various market verticals are realizing the reliability, ease of deployment, and cost-saving benefits of moving their communication systems to the cloud via our platform and network. Synergys customer comes first focus is ramping-up revenue nicely and proving that we are on the right path. Ryan McDowell, T3s Vice President of Business Development, said, "At T3, we are committed to be the leaing UCaaS provider throughout South Florida. To continue expanding our market share, T3 has developed an Agent and Partner program to help develop relationships with those who influence business owners and decision makers for our services. Through these efforts and other sales channels, we are witnessing fast growth in the ratio of high margin products being sold by T3 Communications.



About Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) is a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the business market. Through its subsidiaries Synergy Telecom (www.synergytele.com) and T3 Communications (www.T3com.com), the Company is meeting the needs of businesses seeking simple, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective communication and network solutions, including cloud PBX, cloud mobile, Internet broadband, cloud WAN, SIP trunking, and customized VoIP services, all delivered on its global carrier-grade network and Only in the Cloud. For more information about Digerati Technologies, please visit www.digerati-inc.com. Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements related to the future financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful execution of growth strategies, product development and acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing, general economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors:

Hayden IR

Stephen Hart

[email protected]

(917) 658-7878 Contact:

The Eversull Group

Jack Eversull

[email protected]

(972) 571-1624



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Stephanie Fohn, President & CEO of Rundeck, Named Finalist in 15th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business

Rundeck, Inc., the Self-Service Operations software company, today announced that Stephanie Fohn, president & CEO, was named a finalist in the 'Female Executive of the Year' and 'Women Helping Women' categories in the 15th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Additionally, Rundeck was named a finalist in the 'Startup of the Year - Business Products Industries' category. Both Fohn and Rundeck will ultimately be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Award winner in the program and their respective finalist categories. Winners will be announced at a gala event taking place at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel on November 16, 2018. The event will be complemented by a new one-day educational and networking event called the Women|Future Conference, also taking place at the hotel. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business awards. More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year for consideration in more than 90 categories, including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women, and Women Run Workplace of the Year. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees and the companies they run worldwide. "I'm deeply committed to supporting women's professional and personal growth, and empowering them to achieve their goals," said Stephanie Fohn, president & CEO at Rundeck. "I'm prud to serve as a mentor to many female entrepreneurs and honored to be recognized for my achievements as Rundeck CEO by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business."



"In its fifteenth year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business received a record number of nominations. With the new Women|Future Conference preceding the announcement of winners on November 16, it will be a day to celebrate the achievements of working women around the world," said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards. "We're looking forward to recognizing the Stevie Award winners next month." Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on five juries. Their scores will also determine the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements that will be revealed at the awards dinner. Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women.

About Rundeck Rundeck is the champion of IT Operations - the unsung heroes of modern business. The Rundeck Self-Service Operations platform protects Ops teams from interruptions, while allowing them to work smarter and empower other users in the organization. Global organizations deploy Rundeck to modernize their IT Operations and accelerate business productivity. Rundeck, Inc. was founded in 2015 by the team behind the Rundeck open source project. To learn more, visit Rundeck.com. About The Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005122/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] AppRiver Offers Guidance and Training for MSPs and Resellers on Microsoft's Nonprofit Program

Gulf Breeze, Florida, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For most nonprofit organizations, it is difficult to purchase the technologies needed to run an efficient organization. AppRiver and Microsoft are working to break this cycle by helping nonprofits acquire the newest software and remain competitive.



AppRiver, the leading channel-first provider of cloud-enabled cybersecurity and productivity, today released a complimentary whitepaper titled, Technology for the Greater Good: New Opportunities Through Microsofts Nonprofit Program. and an accompanying podcast. These essential resources will help managed service providers (MSPs), consultants and resellers participate in Microsoft's Technology for Social Impact initiative and help nonprofits leverage cutting-edge tools to better serve their communities.



Microsofts program greatly helps nonprofit organizations while creating multiple business opportunities for direct resellers to serve these clients with everything from products to ongoing service contracts. Most resellers just need guidance and support to get started, said Scott Paul, Senior Director - Microsoft Alliance for AppRiver.



AppRivers whitepaper and podcast will help resellers join, manage, and succeed with the Microsoft nonprofit program. AppRiverfurther supports partners with robust onboarding and educational programs to help resellers thrive in the nonprofit market.







AppRiver has a long-standing dedication to delivering enterprise-grade applications to organizations innovating on limited budgets, including nonprofits, Paul added. AppRiver has been a Microsoft partner for more than a decade and was a launch partner with Microsofts initial nonprofit program in 2011. Weve on-boarded more than 20,000 businesses to Microsofts cloud solutions, and we look forward to helping many more MSPs play a significant role in supporting worthy organizations and succeeding in the nonprofit market.



To get started with the Microsoft nonprofit program, download the whitepaper, listen to the podcast, then enroll as a reseller. AppRiver supports Microsoft nonprofit resellers with the Phenomenal Care program, providing 24/7/365 immediate engagement with a person (not an automated response), achieving the highest levels of service, as measured by Microsoft.





About AppRiver

AppRiver is a channel-first provider of cloud-based cybersecurity and productivity services, with a 4,500-strong reseller community that serves 60,000 companies worldwide. Launched in 2002, with spam and virus filtering as its flagship service, AppRiver has since added web protection, email encryption, secure archiving, and email continuity solutions to its suite of cloud-based security services. The company has also established itself among the worlds top providers of Office 365 and Secure Hosted Exchange solutions. All services are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis and backed by award-winning 24/7 white-glove Phenomenal Care customer service. AppRiver is headquartered in Gulf Breeze, Florida and maintains offices in Georgia, Texas, Canada, Switzerland and Spain. For more information, please visit www.appriver.com.



###

Media Contacts:

[email protected]

781-684-0770





Jim McClellan AppRiver 850-932-5338 jmcclella[email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Millennia Patient Services Names New CEO, Announces Strategic Investment from Eir Partners

Millennia Patient Services ("MPS"), the leader in comprehensive, PMS agnostic, technology-enabled patient revenue solutions, announced today the appointment of Tom Ormondroyd as Chief Executive Officer and an investment from Eir Partners, a New York City based health care technology focused investment firm. Mr. Ormondroyd joins from nThrive, where he was previously the President of Education and Analytics. As part of the announcement, Samara Keaton, current CEO of MPS, will continue to direct all substantive technology development and platform enhancement that will continue to deliver market-leading patient receivable and technology solutions to the Company's rapidly expanding base of physician practices, hospitals and health systems. Mr. Ormondroyd has nearly a decade of healthcare revenue cycle experience, helping organizations solidly scale their operational capacities to meet market demand while concurrently exceeding customer expectations. Prior to nThrive, Mr. Ormondroyd was the Senior Vice President of Education and Analytics at Precyse, one of the country's largest health information management technology and services vendors. "Tom has demonstrated impressive entrepreneurship nd innovation within larger revenue cycle operations," said Samara Keaton, current CEO at Millennia Patient Services. "His extensive knowledge of medical revenue cycle management solution delivery and expertise in creating highly scalable, "best of breed" operational capacity will accelerate MPS's ability to scale, innovate, and deliver comprehensive patient revenue solutions to all healthcare providers."



The announcement is being made at a time when MPS is undergoing a period of rapid and exciting growth and in conjunction with an investment partnership with Eir Partners, a growth-oriented investment firm focused exclusively in the health care technology marketplace. Eir has partnered with MPS to provide the company significant strategic resources to support the growing demand for consumer-friendly patient revenue solutions. "We are appreciative of the outstanding leadership that Samara has provided and excited to welcome Tom as MPS enters its next stage of growth," added Brett Carlson, MPS Board Member and CEO at Eir Partners. "We have an incredible opportunity to build a single solution to help providers timely realize patient direct-pay revenue and most importantly - greatly enhance the consumer financial experience."

"I am thankful to be able to join a high-growth, innovation-driven organization that has filled a significant gap in the market and has demonstrated measurable and impactful results for its customers," said Mr. Ormondroyd. "I share the MPS vision for revolutionizing and modernizing the healthcare patient revenue cycle and look forward to leading the company and its provider partners to continued success." "MPS joins Revint as two companies in the Eir Partners portfolio helping providers realize and accelerate timely revenue receipt and/or reimbursement," said John Woody, Chief Operating Partner at Eir Partners. "Between the two, we are helping over 2,000 health care organizations with this acute challenge." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005092/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Avanti Way Launches New Platform That Will Forever Upgrade the Real Estate Experience

MIAMI, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanti Way, the Miami-based company quickly rising to become the top real estate brokerage in all of Florida, has launched a unique, upgraded, and revolutionary platform that will forever change the entire real estate process for agents, buyers, sellers, and investors. Only founded a decade ago, Avanti Way already has more than 500 real estate agents across six different locations between Miami Dade and Broward counties who have completed more than $2.5 Billion in transactions. Avanti Way is always iterating to constantly challenge the industry status quo, bringing innovation to the real estate space by providing a unique tech and educational driven experience for agents and consumers alike. In a market that is consistently flooded with new systems and tools, the true value of what is being offered has become confusing, and the space has been begging for a tool that reduces the complexity, increases transparency, and makes the value proposition easier to understand and take advantage of. Avanti Way's newly-launched platform is much more than just a new tool. The platform provides an upgraded experience, simplifies cluttered and time-consuming processes, and incorporates valuable data points from many of the platforms already out there in one place. The platform is able to do this by using a smart collaboration system to make the processes easier, faster, and more transparent than any tool to date. The system is powered by artificial intelligence, smart data analytics and presents everything in a single, dynamic, and stylish portal for agents and consumers can make smarter decisions working together. For an overview of the newly-launched platform, view this video: Your Way Home. Faster. Smarter. "As the fastest-growing player in the Miami, we are always looking for ways to up our game and upgrade the industry. The business has changed, and consumers now have great data but no real guidance on the interpretation of such data in what's become a very crowded space, so we had to develop a new kind of platform," stated Enrique Teran, co-founder of Avanti Way. "Simply stated, this new experience makes the many complexities easy to understand so the real estate agent can provide the right value to the consumer in this fast-paced, dat-driven era." "Since our official launch of this new tech a few weeks ago in October at Miami Beach to an audience of over 300 professionals at an awe-inspiring event at the renowned Colony Theatre, our agents have begun using the tool and elevated their role within the real estate process for buyers, sellers or investors. We can't wait to see where this takes the industry!", added Andres Korda, co-founder of Avanti Way.



For a quick video sizzle and photographs of the launch event visit: Click Here for event trailer Video

Click Here for Event Photos For Eduardo Sanchez, one of the company's top agents, "The tool is like nothing out there, taking care of all the current pain points for real estate agents and consumers in a way that saves time and generates total value to meet today's consumer demands," he states. Avanti Way has received multiple awards over the course of its existence including the Real Estate Leaders and Achievers Award, given by the Miami Chamber of Commerce, as well as being recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as the 3rd Fastest Growing Company in South Florida for 2016. As part of its alliance with Techo.org, its agents are dedicated to giving back having donated more than 25 homes to unprivileged communities in Latin America over the course of just the last two years, made possible by contributions from their commissions. About Avanti Way More than a company, Avanti Way is a way of life for real estate agents. It offers a unique and forward-looking culture founded on the highest principles of innovation and collaboration that allows agents to achieve new levels of efficiency and provide unprecedented customer value for real estate related transactions and services. At Avanti Way, agents become "Agentpreneurs" and are the center of what is called "The Avanti Way", a comprehensive business model that combines breakthrough technologies, effective support systems, knowledge sharing initiatives, and advanced marketing efforts that help agents manage more sales in a faster, better, and easier way to gain a new edge as real estate professionals. Learn More About Avanti Way Contact Maria Gouveia Marketing & Communications Director Avanti Way [email protected] 305-229-1146 Related Images event-gran-finale.jpg

Event gran finale

The full house standing ovation enrique-teran.jpeg

Enrique Teran

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Andres Korda

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AVEX 2.0 Technology Related Links Event Pictures Technology Promo Video Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgeEglkVcqE View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avanti-way-launches-new-platform-that-will-forever-upgrade-the-real-estate-experience-300745451.html SOURCE Avanti Way Realty

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Third Point Sends Letter to Shareholders Detailing Campbell's Unacceptable Executive Compensation Policies and Record of Rewarding Failure

Third Point LLC (LSE: TPOU) ("Third Point"), a New York-based investment firm managing approximately $17 billion in assets and a holder of approximately 7% of the outstanding common shares of Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) ("Campbell" or the "Company"), has mailed a detailed letter to shareholders regarding Campbell's record of wantonly spending shareholder money for poor CEO performance that is not linked to positive performance. The full text of the letter can be found here and below. As a reminder, we encourage all shareholders to also review our Case for Change to understand more about why the Independent Slate will respect shareholder voices, end the Entrenched Board's reign of error, and set Campbell on a new and profitable path. We urge all shareholders to VOTE THE WHITE CARD to elect the Independent Slate. *** November 7, 2018 Dear Fellow Campbell's Shareholder, When we read that CEO Denise Morrison - who "resigned" in May - had taken over $60 million and run while the stock price barely moved during her seven years in charge, we knew shareholders had been taken for a ride. We write today to ask you to VOTE THE WHITE CARD because the Incumbent Board has carelessly given tens of millions of dollars to lousy leaders. You deserve a Board who spends your money carefully and wisely on CEOs who create shareholder value and promote employee interests. The Facts on Executive Compensation: The Incumbent Board boasts that it has created an executive compensation program that is aligned to performance. One of a board's most important responsibilities is to have a program that sets compensation fairly and thoughtfully, while carefully stewarding shareholder capital. We were skeptical when we saw the results of this Board's "processes" with ex-CEO Morrison. Considering how wastefully the Incumbent Board uses shareholder money in areas like protecting their own secrets rather than being transparent with shareholders,1 we decided we should investigate how they pay their CEOs. WE WERE RIGHT: THE COMPENSATION PROGRAM SERVES EXECUTIVES, NOT SHAREHOLDERS OR EMPLOYEES. The compensation program has failed. We believe it failed because the Incumbent Board was either asleep at the wheel or made affirmatively horrendous decisions to continue awarding million-ollar payments to executives who were not driving long-term value.



Overpaying the Last CEO This failure is abundantly clear when reviewing the last CEO's excessive compensation. Ms. Morrison became CEO effective July 31, 2011, and the stock price on the previous day was $33.05. On the day she "retired", May 18, 2018, the closing stock price was a little over $1 higher, while the S&P had more than doubled. Yet, during her tenure, Campbell's Board saw fit to lavish Ms. Morrison with discretionary "performance" bonuses EVERY year. Exactly what performance were they paying for?

In Ms. Morrison's final two years at the company, long after it should have become clear to any competent board that she had committed a series of strategic, financial and operational blunders that put your Company at risk, she pocketed almost $16 million in total compensation. As if that were not enough, in connection with her "retirement," the Incumbent Board handed her another $2.3 million on the way out the door. The Board referred to this sum as "104 weeks of severance pay," which is odd considering that she allegedly decided to "retire". We have heard of company-sponsored retirement parties with ice cream cakes, but never a company-sponsored showering of over $2 million in shareholder money to a retiree. A CEO performing so poorly should have been fired, not awarded $16 million over her last two years and handed an extra $2 million just to leave. Instead, the Incumbent Board let her take the money and run. Shareholders deserve better. Did the Board Learn From Its Mistakes? No! When Ms. Morrison left, the Incumbent Board responded by installing one of its own, Keith McLoughlin, former chief executive of a vacuum cleaner company. While a board member stepping in as an interim CEO should, in our view, receive an appropriate stipend, we are shocked at the amount this Board has decided to bestow on an insider to simply hold the wheel while the Company takes its time - nearly six months and counting - to find a permanent leader after finding itself left in the lurch when it failed in its essential duty to plan for succession. Once again, this Board is giving away your money without any connection to performance. Mr. McLoughlin is being paid a base salary of more than $1 million and received a shockingly high $3 million restricted stock grant, which vests in full when a successor CEO is appointed (or, if earlier, 12 months from the date of the grant). What has Mr. McLoughlin done to show shareholders he deserves this compensation package? It cannot be that the Incumbent Board believed Mr. McLoughlin would instill a sense of confidence in the market; the stock lost $1.5 billion in value on the day he was appointed. The Incumbent Board's failure to plan for Ms. Morrison's successor has resulted in a windfall for one of their own. Shareholders deserve better. The Facts on the Independent Slate's Plan: Third Point is confident we can identify a world-class CEO who will modernize products, improve employee morale, and help shareholders. We have done this before, serving on the compensation committees of other public companies and looking out for shareholder interests first. Third Point is determined to bring a culture of accountability, with greater board engagement and fair pay for performance. No one minds paying fairly for a CEO who benefits everyone but paying tens of millions of dollars to a CEO who benefitted almost no one is just insulting. The Independent Slate is running to replace the Incumbent Board because we believe that with a flat stock price over 20 years, Campbell has been focused on serving someone other than its public shareholders and employees. *** Your Vote Is Important, No Matter How Many or How Few Shares You Own! PLEASE REMEMBER TO CAN THE COMPANY'S CARD! If you return a Campbell's proxy card - even by simply indicating "withhold" on the Company's slate - you will revoke any vote you had previously submitted for the Third Point nominees on the WHITE proxy card. IMPORTANT INFORMATION On September 28, 2018, Third Point LLC filed a definitive proxy statement and on October 1, 2018 filed Supplement No. 1 thereto and on October 9, 2018 filed Supplement No. 2 thereto (collectively, the "Definitive Proxy Statement") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC (News - Alert)") to solicit proxies from stockholders of Campbell Soup Company (the "Company") for use at the Company's 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. THIRD POINT STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE THIRD POINT SOLICITATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS THEREIN. The Definitive Proxy Statement is available at no charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and is also available, without charge, on request from Third Point LLC's proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners LLC, at (855) 208-8902 or via email at [email protected]. __________________________

1 Third Point is currently pursuing a case in a New Jersey court asking the Incumbent Board to provide full and fair disclosures about a number of issues, including the Board's decision to lavish Ms. Morrison with a generous severance package despite the Company's abysmal performance during her tenure. Rather than making these important disclosures to you, the Company's owners, it is spending hundreds of thousands of Company dollars - and counting - to keep this information from you. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005587/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] KBRA Releases European CMBS Rating Methodology

Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited (KBRA) is pleased to release its methodology for rating securities backed by European commercial mortgages. The European CMBS Methodology addresses KBRA's approach to rating mortgage securitisations consisting of commercial real estate collateral originated in European countries. The publication outlines several determinants used in formulating KBRA ratings, which include the following: (i) KBRA property analysis; (ii) Determination of KBRA Net Cash Flow (KNCF) and KBRA Value; (iii) Evaluation of loan-level ratable proceeds, including the KBRA Tranching Template and adjustments to account for property and loan characteristics; (iv) Assessment of the securitisation framework from a structural and legal perspective; and (v) Ongoing surveillance of the transaction. For more details, please click here. p> CONNECT WITH KBRA



Twitter

LinkedIn

Download the iOS App

YouTube About KBRA and KBRA Europe

KBRA is a full service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus, is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider, and is a certified Credit Rating Agency (CRA) by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered with ESMA as a CRA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005608/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] MobileTogether 5.0 Launches with New Functionality and Flexibility for Building Apps

BEVERLY, Mass., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Altova (https://www.altova.com) announced the release of version 5.0 of MobileTogether, its framework for cross-platform mobile app development. This new release introduces a completely re-designed web client, numerous new UI design options, support for configuring borders in tables, support for LDAP, and much more. "In this release we've added new functionality based on input from our customers building native mobile apps and web apps in MobileTogether. These new features give developers even more flexibility to refine their app UIs and define sophisticated app behavior," said Alexander Falk, President and CEO for Altova. Here are a few highlights of the new features now available in MobileTogether 5.0: Major rewrite of MobileTogether web client. Controls and icons have been redesigned with a fresh, modern look, and overall the UI of customers' web apps will be crisp, clean, and attractive. Numerous new UI design options such as configuring borders in tables, support for padding, buttons with images and text, and more.

New Actions, including the ability to read/write to text files (adding to existing support for JSON and XML) and many others.

Several new functions for manipulating data and defining sophisticated app behavior.

New database functionality including support for the latest versions of several supported databases and the ability to retrieve a DB structure at runtime.

Usability updates including a new Find & Replace Pane for searhing for strings across all XPath expressions, functions, and action groups in a design to make developing and refactoring apps easier.

Updates to MobileTogether Server including added support for authentication via any LDAP server. MobileTogether Server Advanced Edition now offers automated backup of the MobileTogether Server internal database.



https://www.altova.com/mobiletogether/whatsnew About Altova

Altova is a software company specializing in tools that assist developers with data management, software and application development, mobile development, and data integration. The creator of XMLSpy and other award-winning products, Altova is a key player in the software tools industry and the leader in XML solution development tools. The company offers a complete line of desktop developer software for XML, SQL, and UML; high-performance workflow automation server products; and a cross-platform mobile development platform. Altova focuses on its customers' needs by offering a product line that fulfills a broad spectrum of requirements for software development teams. With over 5.2 million users worldwide, including 91% of Fortune 500 organizations, Altova is honored to serve clients from one-person shops to the world's largest organizations. Altova is committed to delivering standards-based, platform-independent solutions that are powerful, affordable and easy-to-use. Founded in 1992, Altova is headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts and Vienna, Austria. Altova, MobileTogether, MissionKit, XMLSpy, MapForce, FlowForce, RaptorXML, StyleVision, UModel, DatabaseSpy, DiffDog, SchemaAgent, and Authentic are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Altova GmbH in the United States and other countries. The names of and references to other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Sales Information:

[email protected]

USA: 978-816-1600

EU: +43 (1) 545 5155 -0 Media Contact:

Cynthia L Neely

PR & Marketing Communications Manager

[email protected]mail4pr.com

978-816-1567 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mobiletogether-5-0-launches-with-new-functionality-and-flexibility-for-building-apps-300745762.html SOURCE Altova

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Digital Marketing Agencies and SEO Providers Boost Business and Lead Generation with New Software Powered by Fastbase

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Competition for Online Advertisers and SEO Agencies Grows

Google, the most popular search engine in the world, has about 94% of the mobile search engine market share worldwide and a 92% share on all platforms.1 About 800 million people use the service every month helping the search engine giant to sell over $100 billion dollars of online ads in 2018 alone.2 A large part of Google's revenue comes from digital agencies, but competition has grown in the ever-expanding online advertising marketplace. One of the reasons for the big competition between both digital agencies and the company itself is that Google Ads is built on the auction principle, which makes many popular keywords expensive to advertise. Because of this, most advertisers have to constantly monitor keywords and regularly optimize campaigns in order to maximize ad spend. New Software identifies what businesses are searching for on Google

The software company, Fastbase, has just released a beta version of its new tool that can identify what companies are searching for on Google. Fastbase has developed a popular extension to oogle Analytics that analyzes more than 1.5 billion website visits each week. This useful information can give both digital marketing and SEO agencies new opportunities to improve their online campaigns and generate even more leads for their agency and their clients. The tool, named "Google InMarket Leads", allows users to view the companies searching for any brand, product, or service online in nearly real-time. This helps digital marketing agencies to better understand which keywords attract the best leads.



What Information does Google InMarket Leads provide?

Google InMarket Leads allows users to search by keywords, location, and the time period the search was performed. The tool then generates detailed information about the companies that have made the searches, including company name, address, website, industry, phone number, key employee names, email addresses, and more. Digital marketing agencies can access the new tool and get the first 100 leads for free by signing in with their Google Analytics account. https://googleanalytics.fastbase.com/invitation

Prices per lead varies and are calculated by the same principle as Google ads, depending on keywords and search periods, starting at around $20 per lead. The new InMarket Leads can be found at https://inmarketleads.fastbase.com 1 http://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share/mobile/worldwide

2 https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/googles-interest-focused-discover-feed-makes-mobile-web-debut/540898/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-marketing-agencies-and-seo-providers-boost-business-and-lead-generation-with-new-software-powered-by-fastbase-300745787.html SOURCE Fastbase

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] OUTFRONT Media Kicks Off its New York Content Program with the Museum of Modern Art as Launch Partner

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) today announced the launch of its content program aimed at providing curated content to entertain, inform and engage audiences in transit environments. The material has been designed to earn the attention of subway riders with content that is visually engaging, relevant and of value to the transit rider. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will kick off the program, bringing renowned works from their collection out into the city for its residents and visitors to enjoy. The project begins with a selection of works, including Vincent van Gogh's iconic The Starry Night and James Turrell's celebrated Meeting. Commuters will be able to take in beloved works of art from MoMA's collection featured on OUTFRONT's Liveboard digital displays in subway stations throughout New York City, as well as Metro North Railroad and Long Island Railroad stations and within cars, as the screens are fitted. MoMA will share a new compilation every month, including paintings, sculpture, animation and full motion video. "We are excited by this opportunity to bring our collection out into the city. We hope it brings a moment of inspiration and enjoyment to New Yorkers as well as visitors to our city," said Rob Baker, Director of Marketing and Creative Strategy at MoMA. OUTFRONT is championing the use of the out-of-home to improve the quality of audiences' on-the-go experiences with more than just engaging advertising content. "The growth of digital out-of-home allows the media to become a vibrant channel that informs and entertains audiences with compelling and relevant content. We're always honored to partner with organizations like MoMA that are just as passionate about what they do as we are," said Jason Kuperman, Chief Product Experience Officer of OUTFRONT Media. "Being able to deliver museum-worthy art installations in a transit environment improves people's experiences in these spaces and provides value for the entire ecosystem of content partners, audiences, transit authorities and advertisers." Not limited to New York City, OUTFRONT plans to include similar content across its digital network for consumers in metros and towns across the country. OUTFRONT plans to expand the types of curated content categories based on the needs and interests of transit riders. "At the MTA, we are always looking for ways to improve our commuters' journeys and OUTFRONT's digital displays and the added content that comes along with them are a big part of this'" said Janno Lieber, Chief Development Officer at the State of NY MTA. "With these screens we are able to share moments of interest and fun with our riders, similar to the art and poetry they have come to expect from our system." About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its ON Smart Media platform, OUTFRONT is implementing digital technology that will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.







Contacts:

OUTFRONT Investors: OUTFRONT Press: Gregory Lundberg Carly Zipp (212) 297-6441 (212) 297-6479 [email protected] [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-kicks-off-its-new-york-content-program-with-the-museum-of-modern-art-as-launch-partner-300745483.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Contrast Security Joins the Cybersecurity Tech Accord To Promote a Safer Online World

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Contrast Security , the pioneer in self-protecting software, today announced it has joined more than 60 global companies in a commitment to defend all customers from malicious attacks by cybercriminals. Contrast Security is one of the youngest security firms to join the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, which promotes a safer online world by fostering collaboration among global technology companies committed to protecting their customers and users and helping them defend against malicious threats and breaches. Web application and application program interface (API) vulnerabilities are the leading cause of enterprise breaches today. To prevent these kinds of attacks, Contrast Security provides a new and innovative approach of self-protecting software that enables development and security teams to pinpoint vulnerabilities before deployment and to protect applications while in production. "Digital transformation has expanded and accelerated software development to the point where most organizations struggle to perform even basic application security blocking and tackling across their application and API portfolio," said Jeff Williams, Co-Founder and CTO, Contrast Security. "We are proud to join some of the largest enterprises in the Cybersecurity Tech Accord and make this commitment to protecting customers and users from malicious threats. We've already taken steps as a company to ensure that every developer in the world has free access to industry-leading security testing and protection tools for their code with Contrast Community Edition." Contrast Community Edition is a completely free, full-featured, DevSecOps solution that allows development, security and operations teams to deliver secure software on time to meet growing business requirements. The solution is designed to help small teams building Java applications and APIs proect against the most common security flaws, including the top 10 vulnerabilities outlined in the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). The solution enables organizations to assess open source libraries and frameworks as well as custom code for security vulnerabilities, and to stop attacks by preventing vulnerabilities from being exploited in production applications.



"By making this pledge to the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, we are excited to join forces with industry leaders to hone in on the dialogue, discovery and decisive action to create a secure and stable digital world," said Alan Naumann, Chairman and CEO, Contrast Security. "We will continue to provide our customers with a fast, accurate, easy and scalable way to eliminate serious risks facing enterprises today." "The world as we know it is consumed by ongoing cyber threats and we should do whatever we can to protect it," said Ron Gula, President and Co-Founder, Gula Tech Adventures. "As an industry, it is increasingly important that businesses join forces to fight cybercriminals and prevent future attacks from causing any more damage to consumers. With Contrast joining the Tech Accord initiative, security will be put at the forefront of developers to help us secure the internet."

Through a shared commitment and collective action, signatories of The Cybersecurity Tech Accord aim to more effectively: Provide their customers, users and the developer ecosystem with information and tools that enable them to understand current and future threats and better protect themselves.

Protect their customers and users everywhere by designing, developing and delivering products and services that prioritize security, privacy, integrity and reliability, and in turn reduce the likelihood, frequency, exploitability and severity of vulnerabilities.

Work with each other and likeminded groups to enhance cybersecurity best practices, such as improving technical collaboration, coordinated vulnerability disclosure and threat sharing, as well as ensuring flexible responses for the wider global technology ecosystem.

Oppose efforts to attack citizens and enterprises by protecting against exploitation of technology products and services during their development, design, distribution and use. The Tech Accord signatories include leading organizations such as Atlassian, Cloudflare, DocuSign, Facebook, HP Inc., Intuit, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, Tenable, VMware, among others. About Contrast Security: Contrast Security is the world's leading provider of security technology that enables software applications to protect themselves against cyberattacks, heralding the new era of self-protecting software. Contrast's patented deep security instrumentation is the breakthrough technology that enables highly accurate assessment and always-on protection of an entire application portfolio, without disruptive scanning or expensive security experts. Only Contrast has sensors that work actively inside applications to uncover vulnerabilities, prevent data breaches, and secure the entire enterprise from development, to operations, to production. More information can be found at www.contrastsecurity.com or by following Contrast on Twitter at @ContrastSec . For more information: Jacklyn Kellick

LEWIS Communications for Contrast Security

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contrast-security-joins-the-cybersecurity-tech-accord-to-promote-a-safer-online-world-300745518.html SOURCE Contrast Security

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] NEC Display Hosts Inaugural AVIXA Women's Group Fall Ball

NEC (News - Alert) Display Solutions of America, Inc., a leading provider of commercial-grade digital signage solutions, is hosting the inaugural Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) Women Chicago Metro Group's Fall Ball, giving women in the local AV industry a new outlet for networking and support. The free event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at NEC Display's new state-of-the-art headquarters and Briefing Center, located at 3250 Lacey Road in Downers Grove, Illinois. The 2018 Fall Ball will create a forum for Chicago-area women in the AV and tech industry to discuss industry trends and share professional development opportunities, according to Jennifer Cheh, NEC Display Vice President of Marketing and member of AVIXA. "At the Fall Ball, we'll come together to set a vision for our regional Chicago group to provide much-needed support for the women in our industry," Cheh said. "The AVIXA Women Chicago Metro Group's inaugural event will give female AV professionals an opportunity to learn, network and build lasting relationships with their peers." AVIXA Women's Council Local Groups meet regularly in a physical location, with additional groups around the world still forming. While the events are geared toward women, men are also welcome to attend and support fellow professionals in the industry. "We need to empower and uplift each other, and hosting quarterly events like these helps us keep the conversation going all year long," Cheh said. "We're thrilled to host this inaugural event, and we especially thank our fellow sponsors who are helping to make the Fall Ball a success." Besides NEC Display, the AVIXA Women Chicago Metro Group Fall Ball is sponsored by Crimson AV, Peerless-AV, Shure, and Netrix, LLC. Admission to the event is free of charge, and participants may RSVP here. For additional information on NEC Display products and solutions, please contact your NEC Display sales representative or visit the NEC Display Solutions website.



About NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc. NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc., a leading designer and provider of innovative displays, offers the widest range of products on the market, such as commercial- and professional-grade large-screen LCD displays, desktop LCD monitors, direct view LED displays, a diverse line of multimedia and digital cinema projectors, and integrated display solutions. Benefitting from the technologies of NEC Corporation and its own Research and Development, NEC produces leading-edge visual technology and customer-focused solutions for a wide variety of markets, including education, retail, transportation, broadcast, enterprise, healthcare, houses of worship, and many more. NEC is orchestrating a brighter world with the quality and reliability of its products and outstanding customer service. For additional information about NEC Display Solutions of America products, call (866) NEC-MORE, or visit the website at www.necdisplay.com. Follow us on our social media channels: Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About NEC Corporation NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at www.nec.com. The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. 2018 NEC Corporation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005161/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Canadian Ethnic Media Association announces Toronto Star's John Honderich winner of Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award at 40th annual CEMA Awards Gala

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Awards Gala celebrates its 40th Anniversary on November 9, 2018 with the presentation of the prestigious lifetime achievement award, named posthumously after CEMA founder Sierhey Khmara Ziniak, to John Honderich, Chair of Toronto Star's Board of Directors, for his dedication to Multiculturalism and its expression and reflection through media. John Honderich began his newspaper career with the Ottawa Citizen in 1973, moving to the Toronto Star three years later as a reporter. He became chief of the Star's Ottawa Bureau, chief of the Washington Bureau, and later was appointed Business Editor of the Star in 1984. Mr. Honderich took a leave of absence in 1986 to pursue post-graduate studies in economics and international trade at the London School of Economics. He returned to the Toronto Star as Editor from 1988-94, and Publisher from 1994-2004. He currently serves on several boards including the board of the Atkinson Fellowship. Mr. Honderich was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2004, a Member of the Order of Ontario in 2006, and a Member of the Canadian News Hall of Fame in 2014. CEMA Award Winners

In keeping with its highly anticipated annual practice of recognizing journalistic excellence among its national members, CEMA is proud toannounce the award winners for 2018 in the following categories:



PRINT

WENLI CHANG, Writer, and Editor-in-Chief, for Pure Deluxe Magazine, in Toronto, showcased the annual International Photography Festival, CONTACT, featuring two striking photo exhibits from China: "Ice Collectors" and "Contrast". DOCUMENTARY

STAN PAPULKAS, Writer/Producer for "Denes I Utre: The Macedonians of Edmonton", tells the story of that northern Canadian city's small, but vibrant community of approximately 50 Macedonian families who maintain and cherish their cultural roots.

RADIO

ADONIA TSAKALAS and VASILIKI CARATHANASSIS co-host and co-produce the Vixen and Jackal Show for Agape Greek Radio in Calgary. They tell the story of one woman's struggle to overcome an eating disorder through "Healthy Eating". TELEVISION

CUNEYT BIROL, Producer for TV Turkuaz, produces the series, "Wishing Dreams Come True", showcasing the stories of successful immigrant entrepreneurs who defy the odds to make their dreams of financial success come true. PODCAST

PAUL NGUYEN, Director for the Jane-Finch.com Community Website, speaks to LGBTQ activist, and transperson, Ziva Gorani who recounts her harrowing tale of survival and escape from Syria to Canada. INTERNET

ALEXANDRA GERSON, Host/Producer for Radio Vera, the only daily Russian and English radio programme in Western Canada, from Vancouver, presents the popular radio segment, "Freedom of Expression", offered both online as well as over the air. INNOVATION

DR. VIBE (also known as Ed Gough Jr.) hosts and produces The Dr. Vibe Show, a podcast featuring topical issues such as "Black Masculinity", with Warren Clarke, in the Barber Shop Talk Series, Vol. 2. The 40th Annual CEMA Awards Gala takes place on Friday, November 9, 2018, beginning with a reception at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and awards at 7:30 pm, at Toronto's Westin Prince Hotel on York Mills Road. As CEMA celebrates its milestone 40th Anniversary, its members will come together to salute its past achievements and to toast its future viability at a time when the worldwide industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Visit our website: www.canadianethnicmedia.com SOURCE Canadian Ethnic Media Association

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Global Deregulation in Cannabinoid Market Sparks Flurry of Innovation From Dynamic Startups

Analysis of Derwent patent data conducted by Clarivate Analytics indicates startups in the US, Canada, and Australia are the market leaders in the research and commercialization of cannabinoids PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 7, 2018 /CNW/ -- Clarivate Analytics, the global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation, today launched the Money in the Pot report, a comprehensive analysis of patent data and activity in the global cannabinoid market from 2005 onward. Utilizing the authoritative and accurate patent data from Derwent World Patents Index , the report explores the innovative use of cannabis and commercialization of the plant in the context of progressive global deregulation. Changes in the regulatory environment of countries like the US, Canada, and Australia act as the catalyst for new ideas in cannabinoids, particularly patents delivering innovations in cannabidiol (CBD), a key ingredient in the marijuana plant, for therapeutic and commercial use. Mark Markley, Patent Analyst at Clarivate Analytics said: "Analyzing data provides a powerful viewpoint into innovation trends. The cannabinoid market is unique, showing an unusual pattern of sharp decrease in patent activity followed by a significant recovery. In the timeline of global cannabis innovation, 2012 is a pivot point. Deregulation in parts of the US sparked a shift in the cannabinoid market from therapeutic-centric innovations originating from large pharma companies to dynamic startups focused on delivering commercial innovations for recreational uses such as cannabis-infused sodas and vape pens." Other key findings from the Money in the Pot report: Innovation in the cannabinoid sector is undergoing significant change as cannabis becomes more widely accepte by global governments for both medicinal and recreational purposes. This indicates further deregulation to be a catalyst for both innovation and commercialization.

The pattern of patent filings in the cannabinoid space is highly unusual. It is not often we see a patent timeline with a sharp downturn followed by an equally sharp recovery.

Accounting for over 50% of the patent activity in cannabinoids, the US sparked the recovery in the market in 2012 due to deregulations in Colorado and Washington , the first two states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. This naturally shifted innovations from medicinal to recreational patents focused on the creative ways someone can consume cannabis.

and , the first two states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. This naturally shifted innovations from medicinal to recreational patents focused on the creative ways someone can consume cannabis. Today, the cannabinoids industry is dominated by corporate entities with small patent portfolios, illustrating an early "wild west" market  highly competitive and not yet settled. Dynamic startups have the edge and are responsible for the commercial heart of the sector delivering innovations in CBD and devices for both therapeutic and recreational purposes.

Cannabinoid devices, such as vape pens and vending machines strongly identifies as the key emerging technology in the sector.



here and join the conversation using #MoneyInThePotIP About Derwent

Derwent powers the innovation lifecycle from idea to commercialization  with trusted patent data, applications and services including Derwent Innovation, Derwent World Patents Index, Derwent Patents Citation Index and Derwent Data Analyzer. We build solutions for inventors, patent attorneys and licensing specialists at start-ups and the largest global innovators, legal professionals at the leading intellectual property practices, and patent examiners at more than 40 patent offices. Our solutions are used to monitor technology trends and competitive landscapes, inform FTO opinions, prosecute patents, monetize and license assets and support litigation activities.

About Clarivate Analytics

Clarivate Analytics is the global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation. Building on a heritage going back more than a century and a half, we have built some of the most trusted brands across the innovation lifecycle, including Web of Science, Cortellis, Derwent, CompuMark, MarkMonitor, and Techstreet. Today, Clarivate Analytics is a new and independent company on a bold entrepreneurial mission to help our clients radically reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing innovations. For more information, please visit clarivate.com / https://www.facebook.com/clarivate/ T: @clarivate Media Contact:

Jessica Stanek

External Communications Manager

[email protected]

215-823-1821 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-deregulation-in-cannabinoid-market-sparks-flurry-of-innovation-from-dynamic-startups-300745828.html SOURCE Clarivate Analytics

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Who's Good Launches a News-Based Risk Analysis Product for Investors

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Who's Good, AI-based corporate environment, social and governance (ESG) data provider, announced the launch of Who's Good ESG Incident Analysis, a news-based solution that allows financial professionals and investors to track corporate risk in real time. The use of AI in the financial industry is becoming more common. But investment robo-advisors and stock trading platforms only use quantitative data, Who's Good created a unique robo-analyst for dynamic qualitative data analysis. This allows big institutional investors like pension funds to uncover potential risks from unstructured data. Leveraging news big data with AI, ESG Incident Analysis collects information about the nature of corporate ESG incidents concerning all 2225 Korea Exchange listed companies from 93 Korean media sources. The extracted information is further categorized into seventeen sub-categories to draw ESG incident patterns per company and to make tracking long-term (up to five years - risk analysis availability is subjected to the news data availability) incident trends possible. The long-term ESG incident trend patterns are visualized to make a side-by-side comparison with stock price changes to demonstrate the impact of ESG incident has on the corporate financial performance. "A minor corporate ESG incident can signal a bigger ESG problem hidden under and this, in turn, can pose as a major risk for investors. Hence, we believe it is important for investors to be aware of the full extent of impact and potential risk of such incident can pose on a company they want to invest in," said Thomas Yoon, CEO of Who's Good. "By merging Who's Good's expertise in corporate ESG analysis in the context of Korea with AI-based text analysis, we optimize algorithms to collect all ESG incident and evaluate their impact or risk such incident poses. We automated the entire process from article collection to analysis to ensure accurcy and impartiality in the analysis. Automation also allowed the product to be time-sensitive to best serve the needs of investors."



Who's Good ESG Incident Analysis is available via Who's Good platform. About Who's Good

Who's Good was founded in 2014 by Thomas Yoon, it has successfully raised $1 million for its pre-series A round in beginning of 2018. Who's Good is a fin-tech social venture based in Seoul, South Korea. It helps institutional investors reduce their investment risks by providing extra-financial information on corporates. Who's Good works with major banks, asset management companies, financial information providers, government organizations in Korea and internationally. Who's Good uses AI and big data to disclose, compare and analyze corporate ESG performance of KRX listed companies. It also offers ESG Performance Analysis, a complementary product to ESG Incident analysis that provides an extensive corporate ESG analysis of 700 listed companies. ESG Performance Analysis is updated annually and the reports can be purchased via Who's Good platform and FactSet. Contact Information Maxim Nam Business Development Manager / [email protected] Website Demo video Brochure LinkedIn Page Related Files Who's Good - Brochure [2018].pdf Related Images whos-good.jpg

Who's Good

A News-based Risk Analysis Product for Investors whos-good-analysis-process.jpg

Who's Good: Analysis Process whos-good-platform.png

Who's Good: Platform whos-good-logo.png

Who's Good: Logo Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEKg9pe-1-o View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whos-good-launches-a-news-based-risk-analysis-product-for-investors-300745796.html SOURCE Who's Good

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]Ford Motor Company to Share Update on Operational Efficiency Improvements at Barclays Global Automotive Conference

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Company's (News - Alert) executive vice president and president, global operations will present at Barclays Global Automotive Conference in New York.

Hinrichs will provide an update on the company's previously announced fitness initiatives, as well as progress the company is making to redesign its global operations by focusing on the following three key initiatives:

Complexity Management

Capital Equipment Reuse

Yield Management

Hinrichs will discuss how Ford is working across the company to become more operationally fit and how each of these redesign initiatives has a dedicated team in place, focused on optimizing products, processes and margins.

Ford's presentation will take place from 12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET at Barclays' office in New York City (745 Seventh Ave.) and can be accessed at shareholder.ford.com or by clicking on this link.







About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005825/en/[November 07, 2018] Datatrak International, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results of 2018

CLEVELAND, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Datatrak International, Inc. (OTC Markets: DTRK), a software-as-a-service provider and innovation leader of cloud-based technologies for the life sciences industry, today announced its operating results for the third quarter of 2018. Financial Highlights: Datatrak saw an increase in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $1,847,000 compared to $1,737,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017. While direct costs increased by 4% during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 due to higher employee costs, ISP and pass through costs, the Company's gross margin remained stable at 81% for both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. SG&A expenses decreased by $12,000, or 1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. As a result of the items discussed, Datatrak had income from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 of $92,000 compared to an operating loss of ($5,000) for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The Company's net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $92,000 compared to a net loss of ($42,000) for the third quarter of 2017. Datatrak's backlog at September 30, 2018 was $16.1 million compared to a backlog of $18.9 million at December 31, 2017, which is a 15% decrease. Backlog consists of future value from authorization letters to commence services, statements of work, technology and services agreements, change orders and other customer contracts, billed and unbilled. All contracts are subject to possible delays or cancellation or can change in scope in a positive or negative direction. Therefore, current backlog is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future quarterly or annual revenue. Historically, backlog has not always been an accurate predictor of the Company's short-term revenue. Executive Highlights: Following up on its success at the Drug Information Association (DIA) Annual Meeting in June, Datatrak attended two more industry events, both of which led to a growing interest in its EDC and CTMS solutions. Interest in Business Intelligence and Imaging also appears to be on the rise. The first industry event was the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) regional conference in San Diego, which Datatrak helped to sponsor. Jim Bob Ward, CEO of Datatrak, spoke to the attendees on Business Intelligence in clinical trials, and how Big Data and the power of data insights are helping clinical professionals like them. "A tsunami of Big Data will require that we change the way we warehouse, analyze, and distribute actionable information across the enterprise. Successful businesses will develop strategic plans based on objective goals that can be measured with the integration of business intelligence," said Jim Bob. Datatrak also exhibited at the annual Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) conference in Seattle. Over the two day event, Datatrak conducted product demonstrations, discussed upcoming projects and met with corporate executives of more than 30 companies. As at the DIA event this summer, the attendees continued to express a growing frustration with existing integrated systems, high costs, and the limited functionality of low cost providers. "This frustration with the status quo has been a benefit for us. We are seeing a quickly growing trend in companies seeking us out for their next trial," said Scott DeMell, VP of Sales and Marketing of Datatrak. "We are also receiving an increased number of requests for our Image Data Capture, ePRO and Business Analytics products, especially as we see more safety and clinical operations teams getting involved in the technology decision process." Interest in CTMS continues to grow as well. Requests for CTMS product demonstrations are now equal to those for EDC. Scott DeMell, VP Sales and Marketing of Datatrak added, "Overall, CTMS requests are up over 300% from this point last year. As a result, we are seeing sizeable increase in the number of new CTMS implementations. This includes sales in both Japan and China with the recent CTMS translation release." Join Datatrak Thought Leaders: Twitter

LinkedIn

Datatrak Resources Tweet: Datatrak Reports Results for Third Quarter of 2018 https://bit.ly/2SUrPKD About Datatrak International, Inc.

Datatrak International, Inc. is a software-as-a-service provider of enterprise cloud-based technologies for the life sciences industry. Datatrak's unified eClinical solutions and related services help improve cost and time efficiencies for the clinical trials industry. Datatrak built its multi-component, comprehensive solution on a single, unified platform and expanded this concept to include services delivery via Datatrak's Clinical and Consulting Services group. The Company delivers a complete portfolio of software products designed to accelerate the reporting of clinical research data from sites to sponsors and ultimately regulatory authorities, faster and more efficiently than loosely integrated technologies. The Datatrak ONE software solution, deployed worldwide through an ASP or Enterprise Transfer offering, supports Preclinical and Phase I - Phase IV drug and device studies in multiple languages throughout the world. Datatrak is located in Cleveland, Ohio and College Station, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.datatrak.com. Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the statements made in this release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on management's expectations, assumptions, estimates and current beliefs concerning the operations, future results and prospects of the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond the control of the Company, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that management anticipates will occur in the future, including statements related to future revenue, profits, expenses, cost reductions, cash management alternatives and working capital requirements, market share, strategic alternatives, raising additional funds, income and earnings per share or statements expressing general opinion about future results, are forward-looking statements. For a list of certain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward looking statements, please see the Company's report filed with the OTC Markets on March 21, 2018 announcing its results for the full-year period ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent filings with the OTC Markets. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.







Datatrak International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited)



September 30, 2018

December 31, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $1,783,500

$2,528,796 Marketable securities 10,140

7,550 Certificate of deposit 225,121

304,270 Accounts receivable, net 702,345

762,317 Property & equipment, net 1,489,276

1,493,610 Other 523,010

414,382 Total assets $4,733,392

$5,510,925







Accounts payable and other current liabilities $1,218,573

$1,009,387 Deferred revenue 2,916,503

4,258,912 Other long-term liabilities 152,514

155,865 Shareholders' equity 445,802

86,761 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $4,733,392

$5,510,925









Datatrak International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)





For the 3 Months Ended September 30,

2018

2017 Revenue $1,846,940

$1,736,872 Direct costs 346,257

333,172 Gross profit 1,500,683

1,403,700







Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,235,386

1,247,636 Depreciation and amortization 173,428

160,937 Income (loss) from operations 91,869

(4,873)







Interest income 746

911 Interest expense (1,145)

(38,096) Gain on marketable securities 80

 Net income (loss) before income taxes $ 91,550

$ (42,058) Income taxes 

 Net income (loss) $ 91,550

$ (42,058) Net income (loss) per share:





Net income (loss) per share, basic $ 0.04

$ (0.02) Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 2,304,195

1,924,778 Net income (loss) per share, diluted $ 0.04

$ (0.02) Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 2,336,975

1,924,778







View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/datatrak-international-inc-reports-third-quarter-results-of-2018-300745934.html SOURCE DATATRAK International, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] AI, Data and Analytics, and Cybersecurity Among Topics Focused on at Wolters Kluwer's ELM18 User Conference

Artificial intelligence, data and analytics and cybersecurity are among the topics discussed at ELM18, which kicked off this week. More than 200 corporate legal and claims professionals will attend Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions fourth annual user conference being held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 6-8, 2018. Experts from some of the world's largest and most successful organizations, including Dell, Nationwide, and PNC (News - Alert) Bank, will take part in an agenda filled with panels, workshops and roundtables. Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, will provide the keynote address. The conference also includes a full day of free training for users of ELM Solutions' Passport, TyMetrix 360, and LegalVIEW platforms to help ensure they are optimizing their use of these enterprise legal management solutions. An awards ceremony will recognize client success and innovation, highlighting how the winners have transformed their legal or claims organizations.



"ELM18 is invaluable to myself and my team on two fronts," said Craig Hartsuyker, Regional Head of Claims Litigation at Farmers Insurance. "First, we have all of the technology and subject matter experts from ELM in one place to discuss what's been working well and how we can better utilize data and analytics to help address new business and operational challenges. Second, this event provides us with the opportunity to share our experiences and learn from some of the best corporate legal departments in the world." Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions is the market-leading provider of enterprise legal spend and matter management and legal analytics solutions. Corporate legal and insurance claims departments and their law firms worldwide trust our flexible, multi-solution approach to help ensure compliance, control costs and collaborate more effectively. This includes Passport, the highest rated ELM solution in the 2017 Hyperion Marketview Legal Market Intelligence Report; TyMetrix 360, the industry's leading SaaS (News - Alert)-based e-billing and matter management solution; and the LegalVIEW portfolio of legal analytics solutions based upon the industry's largest and most comprehensive legal spend database, with more than $100 billion in invoices.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005881/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Square Announces Third Quarter 2018 Results

Square, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) has posted its financial results for the third quarter of 2018 on the Financial Information section of its Investor Relations website at square.com/investors. Square will host a conference call and earnings webcast at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time/5:00 p.m. Eastern time today to discuss these financial results. The domestic dial-in for the call is (866) 393-4306. The Conference ID is 9088228. To listen to a live audio webcast, please visit Square's Investor Relaions website at square.com/investors. A replay will be available on the same website following the call.



About Square, Inc. Square, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) creates tools that help sellers start, run, and grow their businesses. Square enables sellers to accept card payments and also provides reporting and analytics, next-day settlement, and chargeback protection. Square's point-of-sale software and other business services help sellers manage inventory, locations, and employees; access financing; engage buyers; build a website or online store; and grow sales. The Cash App is an easy way to send, spend, and receive money, and Caviar is a food-ordering platform. Square was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005814/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] NAMIC Announces Collaboration with Wiivv at Global Additive Manufacturing Summit to Develop High Performance Biometric Insoles

The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) today signed a memorandum of understanding with Wiivv, a global market leader in 3D printed insoles based in the United States and Canada. The ceremony was held at the Global Additive Manufacturing Summit in conjunction with Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific (ITAP), witnessed by guest of honour Dr. Lam Pin Min, the Senior Minister of State in both the Transport and Health Ministries, and Ms. Choy Sauw Kook, the Assistant Chief Executive and Director-General of Quality and Excellence for Enterprise Singapore. Wiivv co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Shamil Hargovan represented the brand at the ceremony. Wiivv focuses on developing solutions that enable mass customization of high-performance lifestyle and tactical products, including footwear and wearables. In collaboration with NAMIC and its network of research performers and strategic partners, the company will embark on the development of its next generation of customized biometric insoles to enhance individual performance. 3D pinting is particularly suited for orthotics, with its ability to translate digital designs to direct manufacture of customized supports, based on an individual's measurements to ensure optimized fit and performance.



Shamil Hargovan of Wiivv said, "It's a great honour to be in this partnership. We are proud to have this opportunity to bring Wiivv's groundbreaking technologies and products to the Singapore market. We look forward to a long and productive partnership." Dr. Ho Chaw Sing, NAMIC's Managing Director, said, "Wiivv exemplifies how new businesses should aspire to be, riding on market trends like hypermobility, mass customization and wellness needs, building personalized and highly desirable solutions enabled by technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. We are excited and honoured to be partnering with Wiivv to support their growth plans in Singapore."

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is one of the key technologies in the Industry 4.0 ecosystem. In Singapore, interest in and adoption of 3D printing has been growing in the industrial sectors over the past few years, notably in precision engineering, marine offshore, maritime, military, aerospace and biomedical. Beyond the industrial sectors, NAMIC is placing big bets on the wearables and footwear market due to increasing mass customization needs. Today, for example, both hearing aids and clear aligner solutions used in orthodontics are manufactured using 3D printing technology. About WIIVV Wiivv is a technology company transforming footwear, apparel and wellness for every human body, so that you can move, feel and live your best. Current products-insoles and sandals-are created on-demand for one customer at a time using measurements taken from the award-winning Wiivv mobile app and a smart phone's camera. In addition, the world's leading brands and creators use the proprietary Wiivv Fit Technology platform, which combines state-of-the-art computer vision, biomechanics research, artificial intelligence and digital manufacturing fulfillment management services, to scale the customization of their products for the masses. About NAMIC The National Additive Manufacturing Cluster (NAMIC) is a pan-national initiative led by NTUitive, supported by Singapore's National Research Foundation and in partnership with Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board. NAMIC aims to increase Singapore's adoption of additive manufacturing technologies to enhance competitiveness in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital industrialization. This is accomplished by nurturing promising additive manufacturing technologies and start-ups, as well as accelerating translation R&D from public sector funded institutions with a focus on commercial applications. NAMIC seeds and enables public-private cross-collaboration, acting as a connector between industry, research performers and public agencies. It also assists companies seeking capital injection either through project joint-funding or leveraging its investor networks. NTUitive is the innovation and enterprise company of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005962/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][November 07, 2018] Deadline Alert: The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against Jianpu Technology Inc.

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the December 24, 2018 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors that purchased Jianpu Technology Inc. ("Jianpu" or the "Company") (NYSE: JT) American Depositary Shares ("ADS") in and/or traceable to the Company's initial public offering (the "IPO") on or about November 16, 2017. Jianpu investors have until December 24, 2018 to file a lead plaintiff motion. Investors suffering losses on their Jianpu investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected]. On November 16, 2017, Jianpu conducted its initial public offering of American depositary shares at a price of $8.00 per share. On November 21, 2017, however, Chinese regulators banned the issuance of new online peer-to-peer licenses, citing improper and illegal practices by lenders such as Qudin and PPDAI. On this news, Jianpu's share price fell more than 30%, to close at just $4.90 per share on November 24, 2017, thereby injuring investors.



The complaint filed in this class action alleges that the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Prior to Jianpu's IPO in 2017, the China Banking Regulatory Commission and other regulators issued rules in 2016 requiring peer-to-peer (P2P) lending companies to appoint institutional banking custodians and disclose usage of deposits. The country also set out to create the Financial Stability and Development Committee to oversee reform and industry policy. These government changes combined to result in a large reduction in the number of current and potential peer-to-peer lending providers, the main source of Jianpu's revenue. Based on these facts, Jianpu's public comments and the Company's IPO Registration Statement are alleged to be false and materially misleading. If you purchased shares of Jianpu during the Class Period you may move the Court no later than December 24, 2018 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at http://www.howardsmithlaw.com.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005977/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]Now that it's waterproof, the Kindle Paperwhite is the only e-reader you need to know about.

Now that it's waterproof, the Kindle Paperwhite is the only e-reader you need to know about.

Kindle sales! For a limited time, the Kindle Paperwhite is down to $95 at Amazon ($35 off). Also, the normal Kindle is back on sale, marked down to $65 at Amazon. Other deals include the Kindle Kids Edition is $79 at Amazon ($30 off).

The day before Amazon announced the new Kindle Paperwhite, I asked a colleague if the e-reader was "done." Not that e-readers are inherently bad, but I wondered if Amazon had already made the best affordable midrange e-reader that it could.

And then Amazon one-upped itself by giving the Paperwhite ($129/119) some of the best features from its high-end Kindle Oasis: waterproofing, more storage and a display that's flush to its bezels. While it may not make every Paperwhite user run out to upgrade today, this Kindle Paperwhite review will show why it sat atop our best Kindle page.

Editor's note: Amazon has a new version of this model, so check out our Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review to learn more about it.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Price and configurations

While I'm not happy to see that the Paperwhite costs more than it used to  see below for more  right now Amazon's got a $30 off deal, so the Kindle Paperwhite is now just $99. Take advantage of this deal now, as it might not last long.

The one downside about this year's Paperwhite is that it costs $10 more than it used to, at $129/119, although the waterproofing is well worth it. Everything else is business as usual, or improved.

Paperwhite 2015 with special offers, Paperwhite 2018 without special offers

The default Paperwhite comes with 8GB of storage: twice as much as the previous Paperwhite packed. Want four times that much, so you never ever have to think twice about downloading all the audiobooks and graphic novels you want? A 32 GB Paperwhite costs $30/30 extra, at $159/149. LTE connectivity with free cellular connections (for when you want a book, but you're away from Wi-Fi) costs an extra $70/70, but that option is available for only the 32GB model, which makes for a $249/219 Paperwhite.

Of all these upgrades, the only one I'd consider is spending $20/10 to remove the Special Offers(aka ads) from Amazon for other books. Amazon doesn't take the user's reading habits into consideration, and just spams you with popular novels.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Design

The new Paperwhite is nearly identical to the previous model. Its soft-touch matte-black case looks and feels just like its predecessor's, though the Kindle logo is now a light gray that contrasts with the case instead of a matching black.

The new Paperwhite is 0.32 inches thick and weighs 6.4 ounces, making it a slimmer version of the 2015 Paperwhite (0.36 inches, 7.2 ounces). Amazon's $79 Kindle is thicker and lighter, but it doesn't pack a backlight, which means it's a no-no for nighttime.

The new Paperwhite is closer in size to the graphite-aluminum Kindle Oasis (0.33 inches, 6.7 ounces), while the Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 3 (0.35 inches, 7.0 ounces) is slightly thicker and heavier. The Nook, however,also offers buttons for turning the page, which the Paperwhite could stand to add. Rakuten, a Japanese electronics company that recently partnered with Walmart, just announced the Kobo Clara HD, a similarly priced e-reader that we're looking to test soon.

Paperwhite 2015 (left), Paperwhite 2018 (center), Oasis (right)

The Oasis's larger size (a 7-inch display vs. the Paperwhite's 6-inch screen) is still a point in its favor, but the Paperwhite has caught up in one key way. The Paperwhite's screen is finally flush with the bezel around it. This looks a lot nicer than the previous Paperwhites, which framed the screen with a chunky, shadow box-like bezel that stood out.

Handing the new Paperwhite to my mom, who doesn't spend more than a couple of hours away from her own Paperwhite, I got a surprising reaction. She said she likes the chunky bezel because it's a good place to rest her fingers, but this new model's screen puts your fingers too close to the touch screen. Accidental page turns weren't an issue during my testing, though I do understand the reaction.

Then I remembered why I prefer the Oasis' design over the Paperwhite's. Unlike the Paperwhite, the Oasis is asymmetrical, with one thin bezel on one side, and clickable buttons and a wider bezel on the other side. This makes it easier to hold. The Paperwhite's slightly curved backside is also much simpler than the Oasis', which offers a bump meant to be cradled with your gripping fingers.

One positive design change is that there's no hump on the back where the power button and microUSB port rest. They're just a part of the bottom edge.

Both Kindles charge over microUSB, don't offer headphone jacks (Bluetooth is needed for audiobooks) and feature a small power button that you'll have to squint to notice. Annoyingly, Amazon doesn't include a USB power adapter. Sure, you've probably got one lying around, but for $129, Amazon should have included one.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Durability

The biggest new feature of the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is its waterproof design, which earned an IPX8 rating. That's up to 60 minutes of submergence in 2 meters of water. You don't need to worry about it falling into your bath, the pool or even the ocean at a beach (though that's riskier, as saltwater is more corrosive).

Not only did I splash water on the Paperwhite during a photoshoot; I dropped the Paperwhite in a foot-tall bucket of tap water, then removed it after 20 minutes. The device continued to work and offer responsive page-turning, as if it had been dry the whole time.



Technically speaking, the IPX8 classification means we could have waited another 40 minutes, and dunked it even deeper.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Display

The Paperwhite's 6-inch, 300 ppi display is just as sharp and easy to read as its predecessor's: a true example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The screen's anti-glare display is also still great for reading in a variety of lighting situations.

Our light gun rated the screen for a maximum of 78 nits, which is slightly lower than the 92-nit 2015 Paperwhite, and well below the 137-nit Oasis. This Kindle packs 5 LED backlights, one more than the 2015 Paperwhite (which packed 4), and seven fewer than the Oasis (which packed 12), as well as an adaptive sensor.

The Paperwhite 2015 (left) and Paperwhite 2018 (right) both feature the same great display.

As I devoured a particularly tense section of Stephen King's The Outsider on the Paperwhite, I noticed a small gap between the screen and the bezel. This gap is also there on the Kindle Oasis, and it's the kind of thing that many smartphones used to have. It's a small thing, and not that important, but it's an area in which E-ink displays can still advance.

Reading Andrew Sean Greer's novel Less in Bryant Park one sunny morning, I noted the Paperwhite's super-legible display. Even in direct sunlight the page was easy to read.

The Paperwhite is even suitable for reading graphic novels, I found as I paged through Kieron Gillen's The Wicked and The Divine. The e-readers grayscale display is a bit unfriendly to color publications, though.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: User experience

Overall, the Paperwhite is still a joy to use. Pages refresh and searches load with a prompt speed that's limited only by the E-ink itself. Contrast that with the slow, sluggish performance of the Nook GlowLight 3, and you'll understand why the word "Nook" became an afterthought in the e-reader market.

As I turned the lights off in my bedroom, getting ready to read a chapter of Jennifer Egan's Manhattan Beach before I went to sleep, I noticed the Paperwhite's lack of automatically adjusting backlighting. It's not the biggest issue  it took two taps to get to the brightness menu, and some fiddling to get it right  but I missed the Oasis, which knew when I'd entered a dark room and compensated without prompting.

Per a question from Tom's Guide forum member derek87, I compared the 2018 Paperwhite's lighting in pitch-dark lighting to that of the 2015 Paperwhite. The newer model provided a more even, uniform lighting, even at the lower end of the brightness settings (set between 5 and 8). Also, the 2018 model was brighter at 1 notch of brightness than the 2015 model was at 5 notches. And don't worry, this 2015 Paperwhite wasn't burned out, it's a pretty recent purchase, acquired in July 2018.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Battery Life

Amazon rates the new Kindle Paperwhite as lasting up to six weeks on a charge. That's based on 30 minutes "of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 13." The uber-retailer says your time may vary, due to use of wireless connectivity, Bluetooth and lighting.

Based on my experience, I believe that estimate. After three days of using the Paperwhite rigorously for a few hours every day, including multiple hours at full brightness, as well as using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and LTE, I knocked the on-screen battery life estimate down to 50 percent.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Content

Judging by raw numbers, you'd have a hard time going wrong with Amazon's library, which the company claims has "millions" of books (Tom's Guide editor Marshall Honorof pegs it at "about 4 million"), including "over 1 million Kindle exclusive titles." Barnes and Noble on the other hand, claims its library is around 4.5 million books.

Of course, though, we're all unique individuals, and we each have tastes that can find the holes in an online library. For example, neither the Kindle store nor the Nook store sells the hardcover book currently on my bedside table, I'm Sorry, I Love You, a recently released history of pro wrestling by Briton Jim Smallman.

Amazon's also got Kindle Unlimited, a $9.99 Netflix-for-books with "over 1 million titles and thousands of audiobooks." Authors whose work appears in Kindle Unlimited include Michael Crichton, Neil Gaiman and George Orwell. Graphic novels, including Saga and Captain Marvel, also appear. For a limited time, a Paperwhite purchase includes a 6-month free trial.

In case you're not made of money, the Kindle Paperwhite still supports borrowing books from public libraries for free, using the Overdrive service.

Prime members can take advantage of First Reads (formerly Kindle First), which grants early access to editor's picks. Members can also get two Kindle books a month for $1.99 each, and get discounts on hardcover books, which knock pricing down to $9.99 or less.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Audiobooks

Amazon has also added audiobook support to the Paperwhite. This option comes via Bluetooth headphone support, and was once restricted to the other Kindles (both the cheaper $80 Kindle and the $250 Oasis), or customers willing to shell out $20 for Amazon's micro- USB-to-headphone-jack adapter.

As I listened to Emma Galvin read Edan Lepucki's post-global disaster-relationship novel California over my AirPods, I wandered around my living room with no loss in audio quality. Only when I reached the far end of my medium-size loft did the audio crackle with disruption.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: Verdict

This Kindle Paperwhite review tested the durability of Amazon's mid-range e-reader and showed why it's a winner.

With water-resistance and a flush-to-screen display, Amazon's taken the Paperwhite and made it even more compelling. The only downside is that it costs $10 more now.

The metallic Kindle Oasis offers physical buttons and automatically adjusts to your lighting conditions, but its $250 price is mighty high. But we're betting that at $129, the new Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader for most readers. And as to whether or not existing Paperwhite owners need to upgrade, that depends on how much time you spend around water.

Credit: Tom's Guide

Get the Note 9 if you want a big-screen phone with a pen and strong cameras. But you may want to splurge on the Note 10 for all the bells and whistles.

Get the Note 9 if you want a big-screen phone with a pen and strong cameras. But you may want to splurge on the Note 10 for all the bells and whistles.

The Galaxy Note 10 is here, but last year's Note 9 is worth a look if you're looking for a powerful Android phone, especially when that are plenty of good Note 9 deals.

We expect to see huge savings on the Note 9 over the holidays, so check out our Samsung Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to stay up-to-date on the latest prices.

The Galaxy Note 9 (starting at $899) has plenty of things going for it, including an S Pen that doubles as a remote control. After spending some time with Samsung's new flagship, most of the key highlights this time around feel more like refinements of a great phablet than bold steps forward, but this is still one of the best Android phones and best big-screen phones you can buy.

If you're not sure which Samsung phone to get, check out our Galaxy Note 9 vs. Galaxy Note 10 face-off and Galaxy Note 9 vs. Galaxy Note 20 comparison to see which of Samsung's most recent phablet generations is worth buying.



Cheat Sheet: What's new with the Note 9?

S Pen is a remote control: The stylus now has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use it for taking selfies, giving presentations, skipping music tracks and more.

The stylus now has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use it for taking selfies, giving presentations, skipping music tracks and more. Huge battery: The 4,000 mAh battery is the biggest ever in a Samsung handset, which is a big step up from the Note 8 and its 3,300 mAh power pack. However, our testing has produced only marginal improvements so far.

The 4,000 mAh battery is the biggest ever in a Samsung handset, which is a big step up from the Note 8 and its 3,300 mAh power pack. However, our testing has produced only marginal improvements so far. AI camera: The dual camera on the Note 9 can automatically recognize more than 20 different types of scenes (food, plants, etc.) and adjust the settings to get the best shot.

The dual camera on the Note 9 can automatically recognize more than 20 different types of scenes (food, plants, etc.) and adjust the settings to get the best shot. DeX without the dock. You only need an adapter and an HDMI cable to turn the Note 9 into a mini PC rather than a $69 accessory. The phone doubles as a touchpad.

You only need an adapter and an HDMI cable to turn the Note 9 into a mini PC rather than a $69 accessory. The phone doubles as a touchpad. Water cooled. The Note 9 uses a water carbon fiber cooling system to prevent overheating and deliver sustained high performance, though our testing didn't yield impressive results.

Pricing and availability

When it debuted in August 2018, the Note 9 cost $999 for the 6GB model with 128GB of storage. Several months after its initial release, though, it's not hard to find discounts on the Note 9. As of this writing, Samsung is offering $100 to $200 off the phone depending on which carrier you opt for; the unlocked version of the Note 9 is $100 off at Samsung, too.

The 512GB Galaxy Note 9 costs $1,249, with those same $100 to $200 discounts available at the moment.

AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Xfinity carry the Galaxy Note 9. You can also get it through Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Sams Club, Straight Talk Wireless, Target and Walmart, as well as Samsung.com.

MORE: Best Galaxy Note 9 Deals



Design: Mostly unchanged

The boldest thing about the Note 9's design is that it now comes in more vibrant hues. The deeper Lavender Purple model pops more than the Ocean Blue version. However, the Ocean Blue comes with a yellow S Pen, which writes in yellow on the display in Screen-Off memo mode, a nice, subtle touch.

Shortly after the phone's release last year, Samsung announced the availability of new Cloud Silver and Midnight Black versions of the Note 9. Cloud Silver is exclusively sold through Best Buy and Samsung's own website, while the Midnight Black variant will be carried at all retailers.

If you can tell the Note 8 and Note 9 apart at a glance, kudos to you: The differences between them are so slight as to be imperceptible.

The Note 9 and Note 8 have identical bodies  both are 6.4 inches long and 0.34 inches deep. The Note 9s display is a smidge larger at 6.4 inches to the Note 8s 6.3-inch panel, which makes it the largest screen Samsungs ever put in a Note device, but youd be forgiven for not noticing.

The new phone is a tiny bit heavier than the Note 8 (7.1 ounces versus 6.9 ounces), but I couldnt feel the difference when holding both devices.

The biggest change is the fingerprint sensor, which Samsung wisely moved from beside the dual-lens camera to beneath it. This makes it easier for those of us with small hands to easily unlock the phone without straining our stubby fingers. Just be aware that the back of the new phone smudges easily.

Galaxy Note 9 specs

Debut Price

$999 (128GB), $1,249 (512GB)

Display 6.4 inches Super AMOLED (2960 x 1440) OS

Android 8.1 Oreo CPU

Snapdragon 845 RAM

6GB, 8GB Storage

128GB, 512GB microSD

Up to 512GB Rear Camera

Dual 12 MP Cameras (f/1.5 and f/2.4) Front Camera

8 MP (f/1.7) Battery

4,000 mAH Battery Life (Hrs:Mins)

11:26

Size

6.3 x 3 x 0.34 inches Weight

7.1 ounces Colors

Lavender Purple, Ocean Blue, Cloud Silver, Midnight Black



Display: Another winner

If theres one thing Samsung excels at, its stunning smartphone screens. The same Super AMOLED panel with quad-HD resolution that you find in the Note 8 and Galaxy S9 is what you get with the Note 9, but then again, its pretty hard to improve upon perfection.

I havent had time to catch up on the second season of Jessica Jones, which I would prefer to watch on my 55-inch TV in the comfort of my living room. But the Note 9s screen is massive, and OLED lends itself to deep, rich colors (moreso than LED panels, which are brighter). Catching up on my favorite Marvel anti-hero series was fully immersive, though I still prefer a TV for my streaming needs.

MORE: Galaxy Note 9 Specs - What You Get

OLED panels are now rivaling LED screens when it comes to brightness, at least when in direct sunlight. Thats definitely true of the Note 9, which hit 604 nits on the light meter in our lab tests. That easily beats the Pixel 2 XLs 438 nits and the iPhone Xs 474 nits, though the S9+ edged out the Note 9 at 630 nits, and nothing really approaches the LG G7 ThinQ, which can clear 900 nits when you max out is brightness settings.

The Note 9 is also incredibly colorful: It reproduces 224 percent of the sRGB color gamut, which is better than the Note 8 (204.8 percent), the Galaxy S9 (220 percent), the Pixel 2 XL (120 percent) and the iPhone X (128.6 percent). But the S9+ proves it has the panel to beat, covering an eye-popping 231 percent of the color spectrum.

When it comes to the true-to-life nature of those hues, the Note 9 notched a 0.34 on the Delta-E rating (numbers closer to 0 are more accurate). The Note 8 scored a 0.5. The iPhone Xs OLED panel isnt quite as rich or colorful as the Note 9s, but its colors are more true to life with a Delta-E score of 0.27 (or 0.21 when the iPhones True Tone setting is toggled on).

Overall, the Note 9s display is one of the best around. At its size and price, it should be.



S Pen: More than a stylus

The Notes S Pen seems to get better with every new version of the Note, and the Note 9s iteration is the best yet. Samsung added Bluetooth connectivity so the new S Pen can be used as a remote control for your phone instead of just a simple stylus.

I was surprised at how much I liked using the S Pen remote button. The feature is endlessly customizable and should become even more so now that third-party app developers have access to an S Pen Remote SDK (though Samsung has done a lackluster job at promoting any third-party S Pen improvements that have come out since then). A long press of the stylus button can open any app you choose in the S Pen Remote settings, and then you can assign actions to a single click and double click of the button for any app thats compatible with the S Pen. There are few to start, but we expect a variety of apps to add support for S Pen actions in the future.

I found myself using the S Pen primarily as a camera remote, because pressing the shutter when taking a selfie is a constant struggle for me, especially on a phone as big as the Note 9. With the S Pen in hand, I could hold the Note at any angle and and capture a great photo without dropping the phone just by pressing the remote button.

I also never worried about the S Pens battery, because the pen is usually slotted into the bottom of the phone, which keeps it charged up. If it does die (which it didnt during my use), then sliding it back into the Note for 40 seconds juices it back up to 100 percent.

The Note 9s S Pen offers all the other great little features that the Note 8s version does, including the ability to write notes while the screen is off, translate languages by highlighting text and turn your notes into animated GIFs with the Live Message tool.

As soon as developers are on board with the S Pens remote feature, that might be the best reason to buy a Note 9.

Camera: AI makes photos pop

The Note 9s rear camera is essentially the same 12-megapixel dual-lens shooter Samsung put in the Galaxy S9+, which means you can capture portraits with blurred backgrounds. The camera also sports a dual aperture, which can automatically open at either f/1.5 to f/2.4 for brighter low-light images or crisper shots, depending on your shooting conditions.

But Samsung added artificial intelligence to the Note 9s camera software to set it apart from the other Galaxies. And it really makes a difference.

Samsung isnt the first company to make its camera smart  LG and Huawei flagships both have intelligence baked in for automatically configuring the camera settings depending on what youre shooting. The Note 9 recognizes 20 scenes, including snow, sunsets, beaches and backlit subjects, and adjusts the contrast, brightness, saturation, white balance and other settings youd normally have to manually configure in the cameras Pro mode. You can turn off Scene Optimizer if youd rather take photos without its intervention.

The good news: The Note 9s Scene Optimizer takes your photos to the next level compared to images shot without the feature turned on. In each photo we took, Scene Optimizer increased the contrast and saturation significantly, which made almost every photo look better.

For instance, a dimly lit shot of the gold clock in the center of Grand Central Station looked more vivid with the AI setting, which categorized the train station as nighttime. (An icon appears on-screen in the camera preview to tell you when the Note has recognized the scene type.) The gold clock gleamed in contrast to the window behind it, like a scene out of a Harry Potter film.

In a photo of foliage in Bryant Park, Scene Optimizer brought out the details in the leaves cascading over the planter. The pink petals were more sharply contrasted against the shrubbery in the AI-assisted image.

But sometimes the AI camera goes overboard, like in a photo of a cinnamon-filled pastry. The twisted dough appeared almost orange in the photo, which the camera recognized as food, and the image was overall flat. The pastrys sheen was more accurately captured in the non-optimized image, and you could see the rivers of cinnamon more clearly.

Now, the bad news: Even with AI, the Note 9s camera still falls short of not only Googles Pixel 3, but the previous-generation Pixel 2 as well. In a photo of backlit buildings in midtown Manhattan contrasted against a lawn filled with people relaxing after work, the Pixel 2 XL captured the shade variation in the sky and the light reflected in the building windows, and more accurately painted the deep green trees.

In a photo of me taken using Pixels Portrait mode and the Note 9s version of Portrait mode, called Live Focus, the Pixel picked up the freckles on my shoulders and the detail in my face moreso than the Note 9, which smoothed out my skin but made it look cooler than it is in real life.

The Note 9's camera shines when shooting at night, thanks to the Dual Aperture feature that automatically widens to allow more light in when shooting in dim settings. I took a photo of a rose in my garden at 8:30 p.m. using the Note 9, Pixel 2 XL and iPhone X, and the Note 9's result was the clear winner. The pink petals are saturated and bright, despite the lack of light, and contrast crisply against the green of the leaves. You can also see water droplets from the storm earlier that day. I took the same photo with the Note 9's Scene Optimizer turned on and off, and found the AI didn't improve the detail or saturation in the flower. This is noteworthy because the Galaxy S9+ has the same exact camera as the Note 9, but doesn't have the AI-assisted software in its camera. Turns out you don't need that to capture great nighttime shots.

Since the Note 9 released, Google has introduced a new flagship of its own, as well as a revolutionary new feature called Night Sight. This mode  which is reaching the Pixel 2 as well  improves low-light shooting to rival the Note 9s own capabilities in the dark, even with the AI Scene Optimizer switched on. In the Winter Village at New Yorks Bryant Park, Samsungs handset failed to properly illuminate the trees, the walkway and the side of the New York Public Library. The Pixel 3s Night Sight mode delivered a more impressive image overall, though it did blow out the lighting in some of the storefronts.



Here we see a comparison with Apples iPhone XS, where both devices employed 2x optical zoom to crop in on this picturesque winter scene on the banks of the Delaware River at New Jerseys Washington Crossing State Park. The Note 9s attempt is better exposed overall but cooler, while Apples handset opted for a warmer white balance and did a slightly better job with the highlights, as illustrated by the green traffic light. One notable difference is the way each handset dealt with the falling snow. The iPhone automatically adopted a faster shutter speed, suspending the snowflakes in midair. Meanwhile, the Note 9s slower-acting shutter blended everything together, making the precipitation more reminiscent of rain.



The Note 9 has one smart feature that other AI-assisted cams dont: Flaw Detection. This feature tells you as soon as you snap a pic if something is wrong with it. The camera recognizes if a subject is blinking, if theres too much blur, if your lens is smudged, or if the image is backlit, so you can quickly reshoot in the moment instead of cursing yourself afterward. This really worked  we were able to reshoot a blurry portrait that, at first glance, seemed perfectly fine.

Overall, the Note 9s camera is solid, but its not the best around, even with Scene Optimizer activated. However, being able to ditch AI and shoot in Pro mode when you want to is a nice touch for professional photogs who dont need a boost.

Performance: Fast, powerful, but not any cooler

Like all Android flagships these days, the Galaxy Note 9 packs a Snapdragon 845 processor, but Samsung ups the ante with 6GB of RAM on the standard configuration of the phone, which also offers 128GB of storage. If you want more memory and storage, you can order a Note 9 with 8GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of storage. But that's not the most interesting part.

Samsung says it's employing a water/carbon fiber cooling so the Note 9 can deliver faster performance over extended periods without throttling, such as when you're playing games. There's a 3x bigger thermal spreader (or heat sink) than in the Note 8, which is designed for better cooling performance. We put that to the test  four tests, to be exact  to see how the addition of water/carbon fiber cooling performs in real life. The verdict: It doesn't. There was no noticeable temperature difference between the Note 9 and Note 8, which has a smaller thermal spreader and lacks water/carbon fiber cooling. We reached out to Samsung for comment on our results, and we'll update this review if they respond.



In terms of how that translates to performance, our test results prove the Note 9 is indeed a powerful phone, though not the fastest Android device around. We ran Geekbench 4, which measures a phone's general performance, on the 6GB version of the Galaxy Note 9 and came up with a multicore score of 8,876. That's a definite improvement over the Note 8 and its Snapdragon 835 processor, which produced a 6,564 score, and the Note 9 outperformed the Galaxy S9+ (8,295) as well.

But the Note 9 didn't match the OnePlus 6 model with 8GB of RAM remains the fastest Android device, with its 9,098 score. We haven't tested the 8GB model of the Note 9, which comes with 512GB of storage and costs $1,249, but it's possible the more expensive Note can rival the OnePlus 6.

As for the iPhone X, which runs on Apple's blazing-fast A11 Bionic CPU, it remains a no-contest. The iPhone X scores 10,357 on Geekbench 4. Its single-core result of 4,055 also tops the 2,452 single-core score turned in by the Note 9. Android phones continue to lag behind Apple's offerings in terms of performance, and the Note 9 doesn't change that.



When it comes to graphics performance, the Galaxy Note 9 pulled ahead of the Galaxy S9+ on 3DMark's Slingshot Extreme 3.1 benchmark with a score of 4,639 compared to 4,634. However, the Note 9 lagged behind the iPhone X (4,994) and the OnePlus 6 (5,124) with 8GB of RAM.



The Note 9 should offer some of the fastest LTE speeds around, as it sports a Cat 18 modem from Qualcomm. This is the same modem in the Galaxy S9 that ran circles around the iPhone X on downloads and uploads, but we'll put the Note 9 through its paces to see if it achieves the same speeds.





Battery: Good, but short of expectations

Samsung put a giant 4,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy Note 9, which means it should last much longer than the companys other phones.

But the Note 9 didnt turn in the best results on the Toms Guide Battery Test (continuous web-surfing over T-Mobiles LTE network until the phone dies) initially lasting 11 hours and 16 minutes. We turned off the phone's adaptive display feature, and retested: the Note 9 lasted an extra 10 minutes on the test.

Dont get me wrong, thats solid enough to land the device on our list of longest-lasting smartphones, where its best time of 11:26 lands it in the top 20. Its also 90 minutes better than the average smartphones battery life (9:48).

However, the Note 9 lasted just 15 minutes longer than the Note 8, which has a much smaller 3,300 mAh battery. The Pixel 2 XL lasted 12:09 on our test, more than a half-hour longer than the Note 9's best time (and Googles flagship has a better camera, to boot). The Galaxy S9+ hits 10:59.

Bixby: Can't rival Siri, let alone Alexa

Samsung is improving its Bixby voice assistant by integrating with more third-party apps and making it more aware of context.

But Bixby is still playing catch-up with rival assistants, such as Amazons Alexa, Google Assistant and even Apples Siri, which still balks at tasks like setting multiple timers. Bixbys new additions, which include the ability to make a restaurant reservation and call an Uber without installing those apps or pressing any buttons at all, are still buggy at this point.

Bixby couldnt understand my requests to book reservations at the popular new bistro Frenchette or an udon noodle shop in midtown. Specifically, Bixby didnt understand the name Frenchette, which it heard as French at or friendship, or the word udon, which it heard as wood-on  instead, it showed me nearby furniture stores. When I asked Bixby to make a reservation for lunch at 2 p.m. nearby, plenty of restaurants close to my office popped up, but most of them were fast-casual spots that dont take reservations.

I tried a different approach: Make a reservation tonight for French.

French restaurants in midtown Manhattan popped up. Bixby asked which one I wanted. At the top of the list was Per Se, so I said, Per Se. Bixby heard, Persei, and I still was no closer to making dinner plans.

Eventually, I mustve overwhelmed the assistant, because an error message popped up: Cant talk to Bixby right now.

Fine. I didnt want to talk to Bixby anyway.

MORE: Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri

Calling an Uber was much more seamless. After connecting my Uber account to Bixby, I had the assistant hail an UberX to JFK Airport with no issues, and I even knew how much it would cost in advance.

But there are still bugs to be worked out. Bixby doesnt respond quickly, and often mishears what you ask about (as in the restaurant kerfuffle above). If Bixby is going to be the foundation of Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Home speaker, its gonna need a whole lot of work to compete with Alexa.

Bottom line

Samsung has been an innovator with the Galaxy Note lineup, with past models setting the bar for productivity powerhouses with huge screens. But these days, nearly every flagship phone is now giant. Having a cutting-edge processor, pro-level camera and lengthy battery life is no longer special.

Where the Note 9 shines is as a high-performance phone. If your productivity depends on a device that has a giant display and the ability to get more work done with the powerful S Pen, Samsungs latest phone is the one for you. And its ability to connect to an external display with just a cable makes ideal for power users.

The Note 9 is an excellent phone, to be sure, but its not breaking any molds. The battery life is good, but not industry-leading. The camera is good, but Googles 10-month-old Pixel 2 XL is still better, and phones released after the Note 9 came out have raised the bar even higher. Bixby still needs serious work, though no one is buying a Samsung device for its assistant

So, unless you love the idea of using an S Pen, you may want to wait until this fall to compare all of the latest flagships before you buy-including the expected trio of new iPhones. But if you need a big-screen phone, the Note 9 should not disappoint.

Credit: Tom's Guide

Editors' Note: Updated on Nov. 9 with Samsung's clarification that OneUI will release on the Galaxy S8 and Note 8.



Samsungs recent smartphones have been beautiful on the outside, but the companys industrial design advances have always been at odds with its somewhat cluttered UI design.

(Image credit: Samsung)

Not anymore. At Samsungs Developer Conference in San Francisco on Nov. 7, the company introduced an entirely new software experience called OneUI. Based around promoting simplicity and ease of use, OneUI is designed to address problems specific to the increasing size and complexity of today's smartphones.

Built on Android 9 Pie, OneUI will launch beginning January of next year for the Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9. Initially, a spokesperson from the company told Tom's Guide that the software wouldn't arrive on the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8, but since then the company has clarified and confirmed to us that those older flagships will get OneUI  just not the beta. It's a relief too, as owners of Samsung's 2017 premium handsets must have felt pretty burned after those first announcements.



But, back to the software itself. Evidently Samsung has put a lot of thought into delivering an interface that perfectly complements the look and feel of its devices. OneUI heavily features rounded corners to buttons and graphics that evoke the Galaxy series curved edges, and comes with colorful themes so that the phones software matches the color of the hardware.

Presumably OneUI will also be the interface for Samsung phones launched in the coming year, including the Galaxy S10 which is likely to debut in Spring 2019. It's also going to be the interface for the new foldable smartphone Samsung also showed off at its developer conference.





(Image credit: Samsung)

Its also dynamic, responding real time to users needs while stripping actions and features from the display that are nonessential to the task at hand. For example, OneUIs dialer removes the contact search bar once you begin typing a number. Additionally, settings inside submenus are now grouped together in categories for similar functions, and reordered so that the most commonly adjusted settings always appear at the top.

But what makes OneUI truly distinctive from Samsung Android skins of old is that everything you see has been shuffled around to exist within reach of your fingers. Jee Won Lee, Samsungs Senior Designer of UX Design, noted on stage that the increasing size of smartphone displays have complicated one-handed use.





(Image credit: Samsung)

To address that, the actionable area of most OneUI screens lives within the center of the display. For example, the new Messages app puts the first and latest thread about two-thirds of the way up the display, while the Clock app does the same for alarms.

MORE: Samsung Opens Up Bixby to Developers But Fails to Excite

That means you dont have to stretch your thumb all the way to the upper corners to interact with icons and menus. Additionally, pop-up elements now consume only the bottom portion of the display, so that they too are easier to reach and dont completely obscure critical content.

We had a chance to play around with a beta version of OneUI at the Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco today. And while the interface definitely feels like a beta that will go through some tweaks between now and next year, we like much of what we've seen so far.



Take the Messages app. Instead of a list of message starting at the top of the phone's screen and scrolling downward, the messages started in the lower half of the screen, within easy reach of our thumb. The tradeoff is a lot of unused space at the top of the screen, but we imagine getting used to that (assuming Samsung doesn't further refine that area.) When we tapped on the message, it would appear starting in the top part of the screen, giving us a clear view of the message to read, while our thumb was able to scroll below.

Likewise, we appreciated how the Clock app grouped together functions like World Clock and Stopwatch at the bottom of the screen within easy reach of the fingers on our lone hand gripping the phone. And poking around Settings, it was easy to find items in OneUI's streamlined groupings.

The Galaxy S9+ running OneUI isn't the easiest phone to use one-handed, especially if your hands are on the small sized. But it was definitely more manageable with OneUI.



OneUI looks to be a comprehensive and radical change for Samsungs software and visual language, the likes of which the companys smartphones have never seen before. And seeing as how Samsungs flavor of Android is the only flavor most Android users around the world ever experience, OneUIs existence bears wide-reaching implications.

While it wont launch until early next year, Samsung says it will distribute a OneUI beta later this month for Galaxy S9 and Note 9 users and developers in the U.S., Germany and Korea first, with other countries to follow.



Senior editor Philip Michaels contributed to this report from San Francisco.

(Image credit: Qualcomm)

A U.S. federal court has ruled in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which monitors acts of commerce, against Qualcomm over its alleged anti-competitive practices and abuse of FRAND patents. The ruling means Qualcomm must license its modem patents to competitors.

The Purpose of FRAND Patents

The courts ruling should not be surprising, considering what FRAND patents mean. FRAND stands for fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, and these terms are agreed upon by industry players whenever there are multiple competing technologies fighting to define a new standard.

Each industry player may have a preferred technology that theyre developing and can also have multiple patents for that technology. However, for a standard to be defined, one of those technologies needs to be chosen.

The issue is that the companies that havent been working on the technology that is proposed to be used as standard and dont have any patents for it could object to adopting it as a standard. As a resolution, the company or companies developing the technology to be used as standard agree to license these patents to competitors under FRAND terms.

Without this agreement in place there would be no standard, as the other companies wouldnt want to use the technology for which one of their competitors could charge exorbitant royalties and thus be forced to offer noncompetitive products to consumers.

Qualcomm Went Off-Course With its Licensing

When the LTE technology was chosen as a standard for 4G wireless communications, Qualcomm was one of the primary developers and agreed to share its patents with other companies under FRAND terms. However, since then, as Qualcomm has gained a near-monopoly in the market through its integrated CPU+modem systems-on-chip (SoCs), it has also started increasing its licensing fees to both customers and competitors.

Besides the U.S. FTC, multiple antitrust agencies, including from South Korea, Taiwan, China and the European Union, as well as some companies, such as Apple, Samsung and Intel, have accused Qualcomm of violating the FRAND agreement.

The federal court agreed with the FTC's claims that Qualcomm has been violating FRAND terms and must start offering modem patents to competitors. It noted that if Qualcomm were allowed to keep its modem patents to itself, it would enable the company to achieve a monopoly in the modem chip market and limit competing implementations of those components.

The court has yet to rule if the company also has to offer these patents for reasonable prices, as the FRAND terms require. In its lawsuit, FTC accused Qualcomm of overcharging customers, such as Apple, for its patents. Apple is also suing Qualcomm over the same issue.

The current ruling should allow more companies to build high-performance wireless modems and increase competition, all of which should benefit the consumer in the end. And the ruling's impact should be even more positive for shoppers if the court eventually rules that Qualcomm should charge reasonable rates for those modem patents.(Image credit: sakkmesterke/Shutterstock)



Quantum physicists from the University of Alberta, Canada, announced this week that they have developed a new technique for storing quantum information into pulses of light.

The physicists created "a new way to store pulses of lightdown to the single-photon levelin clouds of ultracold rubidium atoms, and to later retrieve them on demand by shining a control' pulse of light, Lindsay LeBlanc, assistant professor of physics and Canada Research Chair in Ultracold Gases for Quantum Simulation, said.

Quantum Drive

Quantum computers will need to not only process information, but also to store it. The University of Alberta academics found a way to store the quantum information within the photons from pulses of light. Photons are the basic particles in a ray of light and have zero rest mass.

The pulses of light that are used to store the quantum information pass through clouds of ultracold rubidium atoms to make the system more stable. In general, quantum computers can only process information in ultracold environments (near-absolute zero Kelvin temperatures). The colder environments reduce the amount of noise at the quantum level, allowing for quantum computation with fewer errors.

LeBlanc and postdoctoral fellow Erhan Saglamyurek said their new quantum storage technique is best-suited for key applications requiring high-speed operation. It also has considerably fewer technical requirements compared to other quantum storage methods.

The amount of power needed, for example, is significantly lower than current options, and these reduced requirements make it easier to implement in other labs. This discovery will allow for the crucial scaling up of quantum technologies, which has proven the biggest challenge to date in the emerging field," Saglamyurek explained.

Quantum Computing Keeps Growing

Over the past few years, weve seen major technology companies start to aggressively compete with each other in developing quantum computers that could soon achieve quantum supremacy." This is the idea that a quantum computer can be faster at one or multiple tasks than any classical supercomputer. Other companies and governmental agencies are also interested in developing quantum internet or secure quantum communications.

All of these quantum systems will require information storage capabilities, just as classical computers need hard drives (or SSDs). The quantum storage technology the University of Alberta physicists developed may bring us one step closer to more practical quantum computer systems and networks.Source: Seagate

Seagate wants to help you build your own Library of Alexandria--or maybe just store your entire Steam library locally. According to a company roadmap published by Hexus, the company plans to introduce 50TB hard drives "early next decade," with HDDs boasting capacities up to 100TB expected to arrive sometime around 2025.

Those future high-capacity HDDs would be made using Seagate's Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. Or at least HAMR would be used to establish the foundation--the proposed 100TB drives would have to combine the technology with bit-patterned media to create the Heated-Dot Magnetic Recording (HDMR) technology that promises to enable even greater storage density at the cost of a much-less-catchy acronym.

HAMR essentially uses tiny lasers to rapidly heat recording bits over 400C, making it easier to magnetize the media. The bits cool just as rapidly--they're only subjected to the heat for a nanosecond--but the effects linger. (See more on HAMR and how it works in our previous coverage.) In 2017 Seagate announced its plans to release 20TB drives in 2019 and 40TB drives in 2023. Now those expectations are even higher.

Not that Seagate's the only company pushing HDD capacities over the next few years. Western Digital has a competitive technology called Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR) that offers similar promises of massive amounts of storage. The company doesn't plan to bring MAMR hard drives to the consumer market, though, with its focus remaining on high capacity HDDs for enterprise use and SSDs for consumers.

The enterprise market is where these high-capacity hard drives are likely to have the most impact anyway. Many consumers have shifted over to SSDs in recent years for several reasons, including declining prices and their appeal to our collective impatience. HDDs still have their place--especially when it comes to backing up large amounts of data. But unless you have several terabytes of files that you need to store locally, we still recommend SSDs for most consumers.

Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see these high capacity HDDs trickle down to consumers eventually. As people continue to shift to digital media and accumulate decades of family photos and video, hard drives will still have their place because they offer the best dollars-to-data ratio. We'll know more about these future bit buckets as Seagate and Western Digital's HAMR and MAMR (and eventually HDMR) hard drives get closer to reality in the coming years.AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS IN MISSOURI DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR YET ANOTHER RICH WHITE LADY!!!

Opinion: How an experienced and moderate Democrat lost a Missouri race that should have been easy The results of the Missouri senate race tell us something important: Midwesterners aren't quite ready for the blue wave. In the closely watched race, Democrat incumbent Claire McCaskill lost to Republican Missouri Attorney Josh Hawley by nearly 6 percent of the vote.

She says she'swhich is usually the swan song of every newbie socialite.In her aftermath we learned something very important about Missouri politics . . .Among TKC commenters, the Hillary Clinton analogy proved apt.This isn't a bad thing altogether and possibly a sign that Show-Me State Democratic Party leaders must examine their often divisive tactics that are both condescending and off-putting to minority communities and the majority population in Missouri.Read more . . .KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI VOTER TURNOUT HAS BEEN EPIC!!!

THIS IS THE MOST CROWDED WE'VE SEEN MIDTOWN POLLING PLACES SINCE THE 2008 PREZ OBAMA ELECTION!!!

Anonymous ballots rely on the reptilian brain. People rarely march to the polls to defend something, voting has always been a form of action against the status quo. More people voting has historically been a sign of unrest and a demand for change. Only time, about two hours, will tell . . .

All Predictions Worthless In Two Hours

PSA: Don't Worry About Exit Polls Plus some thoughts on anxiety and how people handle chaos and suspense.

Market Call

Wall Street veteran who predicted 2016 sees a GOP midterm sweep thanks to the Trump economy Many Americans have been "helped by this economy," B. Riley FBR's Mark Grant says. "They don't want to jeopardize it."

Your Phone Is Lying

Election Hoax of Democrats Burning Flags to Celebrate 'Blue Wave' Goes Viral on Twitter and Facebook The polls hadn't even opened in parts of America before disinformation, this time pretending to be CNN, started circulating online.

The Prez Rebranded???

Trump Begins Midterm Election Day Bracing for Grim Political News, Aides Say Voters across the country cast ballots in midterm contests that will deliver the first nationwide referendum on Mr. Trump's presidency since he assumed office nearly two years ago.

Kansas City Votes Uncounted???

Ballot scanner problems in KC cause voters to wait, feel uneasy about leaving ballots in pile KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Strong turnout for Tuesday's election also prompted some voters to report having trouble casting their ballots. For a time Tuesday morning, some worried if their votes would be counted at one polling place on Ruskin Way. People who lined up at 6 a.m.

Double Take: Meth Town Voting Politico Fight Reported & Now CONFIRMED!!!

Capitalism Trumps Voting???

A look at some freebies you can get on Election Day KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Turnout has been strong Tuesday morning with long lines of people showing up to vote at many polling places across the metro. A few places are even offering special deals to celebrate Election Day.

Kansas City Grid FAILS Democracy

Northland power outage alters vote processing Platte County Election officials say a northland polling place off of Barry Road was affected by a power outage Tuesday morning that forced voters to place their completed ballots in a safety box...

Show-Me ID Trouble???

Kansas City Voting Stampede

As expected, long lines reported at polling sites Long lines were already reported before polls opened for midterm elections in Missouri at 6 a.m. Tuesday.For people in Jackson County, wait times were expected to be especially long, because of a 19-inch long, front and back, complicated ballot.

The Whole World Is Watching

World markets turn lower as eyes turn to US midterm election Global stock markets have turned lower and Wall Street is expected to dip on the open as investors await the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections.

Make Or Break Money Vote

How the midterm elections could affect the economy Key issues on the line this Election Day include taxes, health care costs and the nation's ballooning federal deficit

We'll be back when some of the more notable local returns start tumbling in but for now here's a look at local voter issues and a round-up right now . . .First and foremost . . .Moreover . . .And while this blog desperately tries to avoid predictions or endorsements . . . Please allow one observation:Now, some headlines worthy of consideration:Developing . . .The North American version of the vehicle will be nearly identical in terms of specs and look to the one revealed in Paris.

Instead, it uses a single fixed-gear ratio that sounds quite similar to what the Koenigsegg Regera uses, albeit in a less fancy package - one gear and plenty of electric boost at lower speeds before the engine starts to pick up. Honda offers the CR-V hybrid in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations with the latter only incurring a minimal fuel efficiency penalty.

Hondas first electrified crossover for the European market is the new CR-V hybrid which it introduced at the 2018 Paris motor show. It is the second powertrain option that Honda offers on the Old Continent, after the 1.5-liter turbo shown at the Geneva motor show, and it promises decent performance with excellent economy thanks to its combination of a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and two electric motors - it also does away with a conventional gearbox.

Exterior

On the outside, the CR-V hybrid is pretty much identical to any other CR-V variant - that means it gets chunky modern small SUV looks, but it looks toned down and restrained compared to some rival models - its biggest rival is the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, and that model looks edgier and more modern, and alongside it the CR-V looks a bit dated.

But its not a bad look by any means and Honda has worked to keep it looking like a CR-V - it will be instantly recognizable to owners of older models bearing the nameplate.

The boldest thing about its design are the huge rear light clusters which not only extend up the C-pillar but also towards the rear part of the side glass and onto the rear hatch as well.

The hybrid doesnt get any differentiating features over other models in the range, apart from hybrid badges on the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. All-wheel drive versions also get an AWD badge on the back.

Honda says it tested the CR-V in the wind tunnel and the model even has an active shutter grille system.

Interior

Honda has kept interior changes minimal for the CR-V hybrid and, aside from the different dials and EV mode button on the center console, below the infotainment screen and climate controls, there are no distinguishing features.

Plenty of bits are shared with the latest Civic, namely the steering wheel, infotainment screen, as well as most of its buttons and gear shifter.

The cabin itself is quite spacious and feels airy, and theres ample room in all directions for passengers sitting in the front or the rear.

The manufacturer has tried to lift the cabin ambiance slightly with the addition of wood trim on the doors and dashboard, and overall it does feel slightly more upmarket than the Civic. Just like the non-hybrid CR-V, it offers seating for up to seven passengers, although the third row might feel cramped, begging for more knee room; headroom all throughout the cabin is excellent, though.

Honda says that while the two- and three-row CR-V uses the exact same body and wheelbase, seven-seaters have a flattened fuel tank which improves interior space, as well as springs inside the rear seats for added comfort.

Drivetrain

The Honda CR-V hybrid combines a 2.0-liter, Atkinson-cycle, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined power output of 181 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque (315 Nm). Three driving modes are available: Engine Drive, Hybrid Drive, and EV Drive.

Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions are offered, and opting for the latter only marginally affects fuel efficiency which drops from 44.4 mpg (5.3 l/100km) combined to 42.8 mpg (5.5 l/100km).

Smoothness is another strong point of the CR-V hybrid which Honda promises will seamlessly shift between fully electric driving and gasoline-aided driving all on its own - the model is said to have no driveline shunt either.

Honda has significantly increased body rigidity over the previous CR-V while also lowering the center of gravity - this is said to provide sporty and stable driving which is further enhanced by the quick, variable gear ratio electric power steering.

Even engine note was deemed important for this model, which is why it has been specifically engineered to be pleasant on all the different powertrain options.

Prices

Pricing for the CR-V hybrid has not been announced, but other engine variants are already available starting from $24,250, although in the States if you want the new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, youre going to have to step up to EX grade and its $27,050 starting price.

Competition

Toyota has reinvented its RAV4 for the current generation, bestowing its excellent selling small SUV with daring styling and a more sporty, youthful attitude. And this extends to the new hybrid model too, which looks just as sharp as any other version of the model - the RAV4 hybrid is definitely the CR-V hybrids toughest competitor.

The hybrid RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-pot which is aided by electricity to make 218 horsepower - plenty of power to give a vehicle its size lively performance.

And were assured its not just designed to look like it drives well since great effort has been put into perfecting its ride and handling. Its center of gravity is lower, it has smaller overhangs than before, and its hybrid drivetrain can send up to 80 percent of its power to the rear wheels.

Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Nissan Rogue Hybrid is down on power compared to the CR-V and RAV4 hybrids, with only 176 horsepower, and its really not enough oomph to give it any kind of meaningful acceleration. It also uses a continuously variable transmission which the Honda has ditched and that further dulls the enjoyment that can be derived from driving it.

It does make up points in the ride comfort department, where it actually excels, its interior is very well screwed together, and materials are pretty good too. But its interior design looks a bit dated compared to that of the newer CR-V and RAV4, and the infotainment can be frustrating sometimes too.

Read our full review on the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid

If hybrids arent your thing, but youre still into efficient high riders roughly the same size as a CR-V, then the diesel-powered Chevrolet Equinox could be for you. It runs a 1.6-liter, turbodiesel, four-cylinder which puts out 137 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, and is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It can achieve as much as 45 mpg on the highway (more than the advertised 38 mpg).

Performance is leisurely given its relatively low power output, but being a diesel its torque helps motivate the vehicle quicker than you might expect - it takes around 10 seconds to go from naught to sixty, which is respectable given its specs. Other plus points are its decent range of standard equipment, good fit and finish quality and the predictable handling.

Read our full driven review on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

Conclusion

The Honda CR-V hybrid proposes an interesting technical solution, with its one-geared transmission and extended reliance on electric boost. Its claimed efficiency numbers are great, and the promised improved refinement and premium feel certainly help make a case for it in the segment.

It is going up against the newer and more daring looking Toyota RAV4 hybrid, but the CR-V has plenty going for it to entice buyers in this crowded sector of the market. Back in 2016, it was the best-selling high rider in America, and it still stands a chance to achieve that performance.

Buyers will still appreciate its fairly restrained look, large cargo area, great ride and handling (with what is said to be the sharpest and most direct steering in its class) and high-quality cabin and plenty of safety features. The only area where it really excels is interior space, but it does plenty of other things well enough that many people find it a perfect fit to their lifestyles.

Love it Quality of interior fit and finish Great all-rounder

Leave it Doesnt excel at anything in particular



Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Honda CR-V Hybrid Prototype.

Read our full review on the 2018 Honda CR-V.Regardless, the French board decided that enough was enough and the P1 program was canned before the 908-HY could turn a wheel in anger. This led the way to Toyotas hurried entry into the WEC midway through 2012, one year earlier than originally intended.

The 908, which changed quite a bit during its five-seasons-long racing career, was vastly quicker than the Audis almost anywhere, beating Team Joest and Audi Sport North-America both in the European Le Mans Series and the American Le Mans Series on numerous occasions. However, Le Mans glory was achieved only once, in 2009, when Peugeot Sport Total scored a historic 1-2 finish ahead of the brand-new Audi R15. Peugeot abruptly ended their involvement in global endurance racing before the kick-off of the new-for-2012 World Endurance Championship, although their hybrid 908 was already in testing and seemed to come together as a fine piece of kit.

The mid-00s heralded the introduction of the LMP1 category at the top of the FIA/ACO prototype endurance racing ladder. This set of rules came in effect in 2004 as a replacement to the LMP900 rules, but older LMP900 machinery was to be grandfathered in Europe and the U.S. until 2006. The Peugeot 908, announced in 2005, debuted in 2007, one year later after Audis own diesel LMP1 car, and became the formers biggest nemesis as the only other diesel prototype until the end of this era.

The 908 HDI FAP was Peugeots first top-flight Le Mans prototype in over a decade and was designed to take on the might of Audi in sports car endurance racing on both sides of the Atlantic. It was a 750-horsepower diesel beast with over 850 pound-feet of torque that requires an army of men to run even today.

2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype Exterior

The Peugeot 908 HDI FAP exhibits the then-current trends of building a prototype Le Mans racer. It featured a closed-top construction for better aerodynamics, an F1-style elevated nose at the front, and a massive diffuser sticking out at the back coupled with a wing rising high on two struts. While its nothing particularly innovative going on with the design of the 908, the French manufacturer produced a car that was in every way capable to topple the dominance of Audi whod been the benchmark in endurance racing for over half a decade by that point.

The whole building process of the 908 was led by Bruno Famin who started working on the project in late 2005.

Paolo Catone was drafted in to lead the design department, Guillaume Cattelani was in charge with everything aero-related while the work on the chassis fell into the hands of Jean-Marc Schmits team. The diesel engine was the brainchild of Claude Guillois and his men. By Spring of 2006, Peugeot already decided that they were going to take a different approach compared to Audi and would make the 908 a closed-top prototype, in contrast with the open-top R8 and R10 that were Audis weapons of choice at the time.

The first full-scale prototype of the upcoming car was presented in October 2006 at the Paris Motor Show. While it differed to the finished product, the basic design ideas were in place. The finished product made its first public appearance at Paul Ricard in late March of 2007 during the official pre-season test sessions at Paul Ricard. There, the new 908 was quickest of all, but Audi wasnt on hand.

However, the car that was auctioned off by RM/Sothebys, which is chassis number 5 out of just 9 built, features a different aerodynamic kit to the car from 2007.

Up front, the nose, which gets narrower from the end of the bulkhead to its tip just above the edge of the splitter, is raised on two curved struts and theres a small air duct right on the pointed end. It supposedly aids cooling of the power steering system. The lifted nose design was used to help the splitter do its job.

The car as seen today is fitted with the Le Mans-specific low-downforce aerodynamic package.

Up front, this is noticeable due to the fact that the ducts on either side of the nose are covered up by some panels that direct the air over the suspension and not through it like on the high-downforce setup. There are, though, two air inlets that open up next to the wheel arches on both sides of the front fascia. Another element that makes it clear that the car has the low-downforce package is the presence of only one set of winglets on the edges of the front bodywork, instead of two which is how the car appeared on the more technical race tracks.

The wheel arches themselves arent the sleekest youll ever see and thats primarily because the 908 employs some huge rubber at the front as well. The fenders, which extend back to follow the line of the monocoques sidepods, feature louvers at the top for both cooling and added downforce. The water-droplet-shaped external rear-view mirrors are placed aft of the fender louvers. The Hawkeye-like headlights are placed on the fenders. The shape of the headlight units was changed as the years went by, the car displaying the 2010-spec setup.

When viewing the car from its side, you can see theres an opening between the fender itself and the monocoque to allow the air to follow its path out. The sidepods on either side feature some louvered air vents for the water coolers that are placed inside.

Youll notice that the bodywork just before the rear wheel arch curves upwards then blend back with the wheel arch.

Thats because the two large-size circular ducts placed on the bodywork can raise no more than 7.8 inches compared to the rest of the bodywork around. Peugeot wanted them to stick higher up, so they raised the bodywork itself around that particular area, quite ingenious.

The sleek bodywork covering the cockpit is actually very narrow, measuring just 31.4 inches wide at the base. Supposedly, ACO requires these cars to be two-seaters which is why open-top prototypes at the time had to have two roll hoops. Its unlikely that anyone can actually sit in the passenger compartment of the 908 but, then again, its a French car that had to pass the rules drawn out by a French organization, so they strained through.

You actually enter the car through the side windows by climbing on the bodywork then jumping inside. For safety reasons, the drivers were required to complete ingress or egress in just 7 seconds. It would take us, regular people, minutes, if we did manage to get in at all.

The bodywork over the cockpit actually gets narrower behind the driver and also lowers to the point it blends with the rear deck. This is all in an attempt to direct air to the rear wing. The rear wing itself is narrower than the original 78.7 inches-wide design due to some changes in regulations that mandated the maximum rear wing width at just 63 inches. It features a higher angle of attack compared to the original wing as a way to reduce some of the downforce losses that came about due to the narrower wing. In exchange, the wing endplates are larger.

The tail of the 908 curves upwards towards its trailing edge which, on some tracks, is fitted with a Gurney flap that runs all the way across the rear.

The rear fender itself is also narrower at the back and is squared off in shape. The taillights are actually fitted to carbon fiber extensions of the lower outer bodywork which look like mud flaps of sorts. There isnt, otherwise, much going on at the back, the whole bodywork opening up huge holes across its width.

Since the car as seen here features most of the updates applied to the 908 HDI FAP over time, the rear section including the wing, are made out of carbon fiber. Earlier on, the wing struts were made out of aluminum as well as much of the detachable rear section.

The car, as seen in the pictures, is dressed in the 2010 Peugeot Sport Total works livery which, although nice, is incorrect.

The car ran under the factory colors between 2008 and 2009 but spent its last year of active racing in the hands of ORECA which ran a multi-colored livery thanks to their Matmut sponsor.

2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype Interior

The cramped interior of the 908 is not overly complicated and has two core centers of interest: the steering wheel and the knob stack on drivers left.

The steering is covered in a multitude of knobs which control such functions as the traction control  which has eight levels of interference  or the engine mode with eight maps available, the 8th presumably only useful in qualifying. You also have the high-beam button, the team radio button, a button that changes whats being displayed on the digital micro-screen located in the middle of the steering wheel and a boost button which is self-explanatory (no, its not NOS, though). You get rev lights at the top of the carbon-fiber wheel and some flappy paddles to shift through the six-speed gearbox. You can also control the brake bias without taking your hands off the wheel.

The knob stack on drivers left controls other features that are not that important to the driver like the main switch, another wiper switch, the pit speed limiter switch, the A/C knob and a yellow button for reverse, among others.

Cold or hot air fills up the cockpit rapidly thanks to a heavy-duty fan in the middle of the cockpit which is tilted in such a way that it blows air right in your face as you sit in that molded bucket seat.

One thing you wont notice unless you get behind the wheel of one of these prototypes is how narrow a vision you get looking ahead. For starters, the A-pillar is very thick and then there are the tall front wheel arches that block some of the vision. Whats more, you dont sit particularly close to the sloping windshield so one can imagine how difficult it mustve been to tackle multi-class racing which is defined by traffic management in this car. The open-top Audi, on the other hand, offered unimpeded visibility ahead.

2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype Drivetrain

The 5.5-liter DOHC diesel V-12 is the pounding heart of the Peugeot 908.

Like Audi, Peugeot decided to go with a 12-cylinder architecture for their diesel engine, the cylinders sitting at a 100-degree angle to lower the engines center of gravity.

The engine on this car features the latest carbon fiber intake plenums with a swirl pattern across them. They are there to act as a continuation of the intake trumpets which, in this way, were kept shorter to minimize the height of the rear bodywork that covers the engine.

The engine is fitted with a pair of turbochargers and Bosch common-rail fuel injection. It breathes through two air intake restrictors put in place to limit the cars performance; The Balance of Performance (BoP) was in place even back then as the ACO tried in vain to create a level playing field between the gas-powered prototypes and the diesel-powered ones. The ECU is also by Bosch.

The longitudinally-mounted 6-speed transmission at the back has a multi-plate cerametallic clutch. As expected, the 908 comes with a limited-slip differential and power steering. The exhaust system was equipped with a particulate filter to make the huge diesel more eco-friendly. Which is something very ironic to say in the light of the Dieselgate scandal.

Suspension is by independent double wishbones front and rear with pushrods and torsion bars with adjustable dampers. The two-circuit hydraulic brakes are made up of carbon fiber discs with alloy calipers and are almost 15 inches wide up front and almost 14 inches wide at the back. They sit behind 18-inch magnesium wheels made by BBS.

Its not clear how powerful the 908 was, because the ACO kept changing the size of the air intake restrictors.

Its safe to say that, in race trim, the V-12 pushed out over 700-horsepower with some sources stating that the figure was close to 1,000-horsepower when the engine was unhinged for qualifying.

The torque figure was close to 900 pound-feet. Thats almost one pound-feet of torque for every kilogram the car weighed. To be precise, the car weighed around 2,072 pounds which is about 940 kilograms.

2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype Pricing

Old race cars may seem useless as technology and regulations moved on, but many collectors and vintage racers are interested in such machinery. The 908, along with its Audi arch-rival, was the pinnacle of the diesel era and, as such, is a very sought-after model. Its also very rare with only nine chassis ever made between 2007 and 2009. A few other Porsche 908s were subsequently built for the 2011 regulations, but those lost the HDI FAP designation from their name and are simply referred to as Peugeot 908s.

The 908 we see here, chassis #05, was built for the 2008 season and was, at the time of its sale, in Monaco in 2016, only the second Peugeot of its kind to appear at a public auction.

It was slated to sell for anywhere between $1,300,000 and $1,800,000, so thats the ballpark youre looking at when looking to acquire a 908. But youve also got to add to that the extensive running costs and servicing costs as the car must be shipped to Peugeot Sport themselves for a careful check-up periodically.

Now, obviously, the price of any race car depends on its racing record and whether or not it was involved in a tub-damaging crash during its lifetime. This particular car wasnt crashed and racked up a few wins in its three seasons of racing.

It debuted at the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours race where, thanks to heavy rain, Audi produced a massive upset victory. This car, driven by former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, Nicolas Minassian, and Marc Gene, was runner-up after starting from third overall. It recorded another second place after starting from pole in the Nurburgring 1,000-kilometer race being beaten to the flag by its sister car.

Minassian and Gene were put together up again for the Silverstone round of the ELMS, but the duo crashed out, and the car reemerged next year for the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida. There, the car was classified 5th although mechanical gremlins meant that it didnt actually see the checkered flag.

However, at the Petit Le Mans event that capped off the 2009 ALMS season, the No. 08 driven by Franck Montagny and Stephane Sarrazin broke through and claimed victory in the wet.

After that, the Peugeot was sold to ORECA, Hugues Du Chaunacs outfit which became a partner of the Peugeot program. Nicolas Lapierre, Stephane Sarrazin, and Olivier Panis steered chassis #05 to a debut victory when it first appeared in the ELMS, in July 2010 at the Algarve 1000-kilometer race. Another runner-up finish was on the cards for this chassis, in the ILMC/ELMS Silverstone round, before it was retired and ORECA switched to chassis #10 for 2011.

2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype Competition

The Audi R10 was the worlds first successful diesel-powered Le Mans prototype. It awed crowds at the 2006 Sebring 12 Hours where it first showed up and grabbed the victory. It then recorded three straight Le Mans 24 Hours wins, benefitting from Peugeots misfortunes in 2007 and 2008. However, elsewhere, the R10 showed its weaknesses in its second and third seasons of competition.

The Peugeot proved the better car in Europe during 2008, when they raced head-to-head in the ELMS, while Porsche and Acura HPD often had the better of it in 2007 and 2008 in the ALMS. Still, it was the pole-bearer for Audi in LMP1 until it was replaced by the R15 in 2009. Peugeot also battled the latter but its widely regarded that the R10 was the better car. It was also powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-12 that produced around 700-horsepower. The R10 weighed about 2,040 pounds.

Read our full review on the 2006 Audi R10 TDI

Its only fair to mention a gas-powered LMP1 car when talking about the 908s rivals on the track. The Lola Aston-Martin, which debuted in 2009, was a vastly modified version of Lolas own LMP1-spec prototype, the B09/60. It was so good that, when the AMR-One open-top prototype turned out to be a huge farce at Le Mans in 2011, Aston-Martin Racing actually reverted to using the AMR1-2 until they retired from prototype competition at the end of 2011.

The Lola chassis, just like the Peugeot, featured an enclosed honeycomb monocoque, but power came from a naturally-aspirated 6.0-liter V-12. The car was successful straight out of the box winning at Barcelona on its debut as the Peugeots did not show up. Further down the road, the Aston-Martin was the best of the rest at Le Mans in 2009 with a 4th place finish and won again overall in the Nurburgring 1,000-kilometer race that year. Its worth noting that, while the Aston-Martin wasnt able to beat the Peugeot when Peugeot Sport did show up, they did beat the privately-entered Audi R10s that raced in the ELMS in 2009 and 2010 and won the ELMS title in 2009.

The Lola Aston-Martin proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the ALMS, team Muscle Milk Pickett Racing winning three times in 2011 but ultimately missing out on the title which went the way of Dyson Racing who ran stock Lola cars. The car developed upwards of 650-horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque which reached the back wheels through a 6-speed XTrac transmission.

Read our full review on the Lola Aston-Martin DBR1-2

Final Thoughts

The Peugeot 908 HDI FAP is one of the most amazing prototype racing cars of the noughties. It is the car that scored Peugeots last (to date) Le Mans victory, and it was the car that proved Audi wasnt unbeatable after years of dominance with the R8.

While some argue that modern prototypes such as the 908 are essentially ugly compared to older closed-top prototypes from the Group C era, they start to look better as they age, especially since the prototypes we see today in the FIA WEC are uglier still.

Love it Brutal power and torque from the 5.5-liter V-12 diesel engine The peak of the diesel technology in endurance racing Peugeots successful answer to the Audi armada

Leave it Massively expensive to buy Complicated to run and maintain if you dont own a race team Only eligible for vintage racing events



Further reading

Read our full review on the 2008 Peugeot 908 HY.

Read our full review on the 2011 Peugeot 908 HYbrid4 LMP1 Racecar.

Read our full review on the 2007 Peugeot 908 V12 HDI.

Special thanks to mulsannescorner

Source: RM SothebysThe Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, says foreign investment if targeted and nurtured can drive economic growth and in turn contribute to much needed job creation and economic inclusion for all.

Davies was addressing the South African Investment Seminar on the margins of the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, in the Peoples Republic of China.

The purpose of the Investment Seminar was to expand on the investment opportunities that exist in South Africa with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector. The seminar was organised jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

Minister Davies told the Chinese investors that South Africas investment pitch is based on active improvement of the investment climate, active solving of any problem that investors may have, active presentation of the opportunities that exist, and building partnerships with investors.

Minister Davies indicated that the countrys investment climate is also improving.

We have made in-roads to improving our investment environment, we have been working diligently towards ensuring policy certainty and consistency, improving the performance of state owned enterprises and consolidating fiscal debt. South Africa is energised and government together with its social partners, business, labour and civil society is moving towards an inclusive economic growth path. The work of government, business, labour and civil society is progressing well, stated Davies.

Currently there are 58 Chinese companies who have invested in South Africa with a capital expenditure of R69,4 billion between January 2003 and January 2018. These investments are mainly in the automotives, electronics, metals, building and construction sectors, financial services.

Chinas first major investment took place in October 2007 when Chinas largest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), purchased a 20% stake in Standard Bank. The majority state-owned ICBC paid cash for the stake, estimated at R36.7 billion.

However, over the period, the trade surplus is in favour of China. The trade deficit is due to the imbalances in the composition of trade between the two countries where South Africa continues to export primary products and commodities to China, and import manufactured and high-tech products from China. Minister Davies said that events such as the China International Import Expo will create opportunities to address the imbalance.

Exhibitions like China International Import Expo give us an advantage in that we can display products, goods and services that we can supply the Chinese market. We look forward and hope that our exhibitors will be able to find a way to enhance the relationship with procurers from China, added Minister Davies.

Minister Davies is leading a delegation of 27 South African organisations which include provincial investment agencies, Special Economic Zones, Export Councils, as well as private companies. The delegation is being funded by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme.



South Africa is participating in the 3 main platforms of the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE), namely Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment, Enterprise and Business as well as Fair International Trade Forum. These platforms will enable us to promote South Africas trade and investment capabilities. Minister Davies also visited the South African businesses that are showingcasing at the International Import Expo.African Presidents have been saluted at the inaugural Africa Investment Forum (AIF) for embracing the continents economic growth project, with event organisers on Wednesday saying this will go a long way in attracting tangible investment.

The African Development Banks (AfDB) Africa Investment Forum, which is a world-class initiative positioned to transform the continents economy and infrastructure development landscape, kicked off on Wednesday morning. The three-day event is being held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg under the theme All set for Africas first investment marketplace.

At a panel discussion this morning, AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina described the current crop of African leaders as being the chief executive officers of their countries. African leaders are doing business differently. We are seeing our leaders as CEOs of their own corporations, if you will, he said.

Adesina emphasised that the Africa Investment Forum is not an event but a platform on which African governments, the private sector, project promoters and investors can converge to give impetus to a number of crucial deals. Its all about transactions, the AfDB head added.

This is not a show and tell event. We are coming together to develop quality bankable projects, to make sure that we can de-risk those projects and fast track the closure of those deals so we can collectively work together to ensure that the policy, and the legal and regulatory environment happens, said Adesina.

He assured delegates that working together, the African continent will fast track development. We are not here to discuss aid. We are here to discuss investment because every country develops through investment.

Several Heads of State and Government from across the African continent are expected to attend the forum. Among those expected to attend are Angolas Joao Lourenco, Benins Patrice Talon, Cameroons Paul Biya, Kenyas Uhuru Kenyatta, Nigerias Muhammadu Buhari and Rwandas Paul Kagame. President Cyril Ramaphosa will address a gala dinner on Wednesday.

The forum provides an open platform to multilateral institutions, governments and the private sector to improve the pipeline of projects that can transform the continent. About 28 boardroom sessions will deliberate on 61 bankable projects worth $40 billion across the continent. Working with several global partners and stakeholders, the bank hopes to make the forum the springboard for African economic transformation.

For South Africa, the forum complements the governments various initiatives to support economic recovery, increase domestic and international investment, and create and protect jobs.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura in his address said the province and South Africa were fully behind efforts to aggressively attract investment.

South Africa is poised for great times ahead. President Cyril Ramaphosa has identified investment as one of the centrepieces of his Presidency. Two weeks ago, he hosted the Investment Conference and R290 billion was raised out of that. We are convinced that this conference builds momentum around investment.

It is time for the continent to move away from aid to investment. It is time for Africa to transition to prosperity and we believe this must be achieved by this generation. Aid places Africa in a dependency trap. We know that today, Africa is the investment frontier so the Africa Investment Forum is in many ways the Davos of Africa.

On behalf of government and policy makers, we also want things to be done differently. We have to ensure policy certainty in the African environment for investors. There is a host of other things that we need to fix. We have to ease the way of doing business and the regulatory environment. We have to fix public institutions, Makhura said.

The Premier said there are additional projects provincial government wants investors to look at in Gauteng, as well as in the rest of the country.

We are not here just to talk  we want transactions. Weve got projects that are ready to be looked at. We want to leave here counting the investments that this forum has brought into our economy, he said. We want something off the forum, we want jobs to be created. We want Africa to showcase what we can do.

According to the AfDB, the forum will be 100% transaction-based. The focus is on structuring deals, screening and enhancing projects, attracting co-investors, and facilitating transactions to unlock Africas multi-billion dollar investment opportunities.

Patrick Dlamini, the chief executive of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), said it is critical for the continent to begin to reflect on what lies ahead for its future.

It is key that we begin to understand that things happen because leadership has been provided. When there is leadership, you feel the difference. When there is leadership, you feel people begin to have hope because they can see that things are coming and their lives are going to change for the better.

When we speak of leadership 2022... its this type of leadership coming together, making things happen for the continent, he said.

Although brimming with investment opportunities, the AfDB says there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between Africas available capital and bankable projects.

Financing Africas development needs will require an estimated US$600-700 billion per annum. Of this, about US$130-170 billion a year is needed for infrastructure, according to the AfDBs African Economic Outlook 2018.Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m. the county commissioners will consider extending the lease of the Courthouse Annex Building to the WNC Military History Museum.

The museum opened in this facility in August 2017 and has been growing from the beginning. While the courthouse location is under close scrutiny by both commissioners and citizens, the museums continued location in the once vacated annex is critical to its future growth potential.

In the short time that the Military History Museum has been open, more than 9,000 visitors have visited and have been impressed by the exhibits a...Enjoy the vibrancy of the festive season with Indian Fusion Special menu at The Glass House - 24 Hour Multi Cuisine Restaurant.

(TRAVPR.COM) Vadodara, 6th November 2018: Eastin Residences Vadodara - A Premium Boutique Serviced Residences in Alkapuri is all set to brighten up the festival of lights by presenting Indian Fusion Special menu starting tomorrow, 7th November to 11th November from 07.00 pm - 10:30 pm at The Glass House - 24 Hour Multi Cuisine Restaurant.

This Diwali head to Eastin Residences Vadodara and relish the Diwali Special offerings! Available at only INR 650 per person, with inclusions of:

Selection of Soup (Any One)

 Roasted Tamatar Soup with Coriander Pesto

 Curried Chicken Corn Chowder

Selection of Salad (Any One)

 Curry Cabbage Coleslaw

 Tandoori Chicken Salad with Pineapple Vinaigrette

Selection of Starters (Any Two Veg or Non-Veg)

 Stuffed Cottage Cheese Rosti with Tamarind Couli

 Char Grilled Stuffed Potato with Chilli Cheese Sauce

 Murgh Tikka with Schezwan Sauce

 Masala Fried Chicken Wings with Sweet and Spiced pepper Sauce

Selection of Main Course (Any Two Veg or Non-Veg)

 Cheese Corn Ball in Makhani Gravy

 Grilled Cottage Cheese in Basil Flavour Spicy Tomato Sauce

 Penne Pasta with Murgh Makhani Sauce

 Spaghetti Pasta with Masala Keema Bolognaise

Accompaniments

 Papad / Pickle / Chutney

Assorted Bread Basket

 Roti / Naan / Laccha Paratha/ Rice

Dessert

 Basundi Panna Cotta

What: Indian Fusion Special menu @ Eastin Residences - Vadodara

Date: 7th November to 11th November 2018

Time: 07.00 pm - 10:30 pm

Where: The Glass House, Eastin Residences,

78, Sampatrao Colony, Off RC Dutt Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara, Gujarat  390007

For Reservations: Call+91 265 6707777 / 99, +91 7211124630 or email on afbm@eastinvadodara.com

About Eastin Residences Vadodara

www.eastinvadodara.com

Eastin Residences Vadodara is A Premium 4 Star Boutique Serviced Residences located in the central Alkapuri, with convenient access to downtown shopping, family attractions and commercial center. It is the 1st International Brand to introduce the concept of serviced residences in Vadodara. The hotel residence is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from the airport and 5 mins from the railway station. All the 44 residences have contemporary and stylish decor with kitchenette facilities, which is a unique feature of the property. Facilities and services provide value, as well as flexibility to both business and leisure travelers. These include a gym, reasonably priced mini bar in each room and an all- day dining restaurant serving local, regional and international favorites.

About Eastin Hotels & Residences

www.eastinhotelsresidences.com

Eastin Hotels & Residences is a deluxe commercial hotel brand created to base on relevance to market and the needs of targeted customers. We provide you hotels throughout Asia. The brand provides value and consistency through flexible venues and services with added value to serve the needs of business and leisure travelers. If you're travelling to South East Asia or Middle East, seek for Eastin Hotels & Residences or Eastin Easy, our budget brand hotel. The whole purpose of our being is for you to fully enjoy your stay with us anywhere anytime.

Locations: Thailand I Vietnam I Indonesia I Oman I India

###(TRAVPR.COM) USA - November 6th, 2018 - Atlanta, Georgia (Nov 6, 2018)  Hilton Hotels Worldwide is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Koleros as director of sales, worldwide accounts. Koleros will be responsible for creating and implementing revenue  generating strategies and sales to drive revenues and achieve objectives across the international portfolio of the Hilton brand.

Prior to joining Hilton, Koleros served as area director of sales and marketing, commercial sales europe for InterContinental Hotels Group. He worked with a team of partners and professionals to grow business opportunities for the european market and his leadership led to a recordbreaking production performance. A long-term veteran of the hotel and hospitality industry, Koleros has held multiple leadership roles at properties in the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide family, where he started his career in Toronto, Canada.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 15 world-class brands comprising more than 5,500 properties with nearly 895,000 rooms, in 109 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the worlds most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 worlds best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors, nearly 82 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

###German & Florida travel partnership



(TRAVPR.COM) FL - November 6th, 2018 - Frankfurt, Germany and Hollywood, FL (November 6,2018)- WorldHotels, a management company with 350 luxury, elite and distinctive properties across 250 destinations, signs with ICE Portal to manage, distribute and curate their online visual content for all of their properties worldwide.

WorldHotels, a trusted mark of honor for nearly half a century, was founded by hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality. The WorldHotels Collection presents upscale to luxury hotels each reflective of the locale and with a refined sense of character.

WorldHotels will integrate their visuals into ICE Portals cloud-based content management system (CMS). ICE Portal connects to thousands of leading global distribution channels as well as thousands of affiliated travel sites (including DHISCO, GDSs, OTAs, and search sites) in twelve languages.

We are thrilled to be working with WorldHotels providing the technical solutions to manage and deliver their visual content everywhere, said Henry Woodman, president of ICE Portal.

ICE Portal will work with WorldHotels to optimize their visuals (category, languages, meta-data, geo-codes and mapped IDs) that will increase engagement and booking conversions.

We are delighted to announce our partnership with ICE Portal to optimize the images of our hotel properties. Pictures drive conversion. The partnership will help our hotels to ensure that customers are always up-to-date with fresh visual content, said Torsten Rolke, Vice President Operations & Distributionof WorldHotels.

# # #

About ICE Portal

ICE Portal is a technology and marketing company that helps travel suppliers manage, curate and deliver their visuals to 1000s of online travel and travel related websites  including major OTAs, GDSs, DHISCO (Formerly Pegasus,) Search Engines & Local Directories, and Social Networks. To find out how ICE Portal can work for you or to learn more about our company please visit www.ICEPortal.com

For more information about ICE Portal please contact:

Michael Pardo, SVP Sales & Marketing ICE Portal Inc.

+1(954)893-6778

Mike@ICEportal.com

About WorldHotels International

Newly relaunched, the WorldHotels Collection delivers proven soft brand solutions for a curated global offering of 350 of the finest independent hotels and resorts. Founded by hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, only WorldHotels curates the best independent properties around the globe, each reflective of the locale by offering intuitive service, and a refined sense of character. Geared to both business and leisure travelers, the WorldHotels Collection is classified into three tiers allowing guests to select the offering that meets their needs: WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Distinctive.

Sophie Neubauer

Manager PR and Communication

WorldHotels

phone: +49 69 66056-252

e-mail: sneubauer@worldhotels.com

###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)Dassault Wont Bid to Replace Canadas CF-18 Hornet Fighters



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editorial@tribune.com

HVM Convent School, New Subash Nagar, celebrated clean and green Diwali with festive gusto. The day started with a special morning assembly wherein students delivered speeches on the significance of the festival and the relevance of eco-friendly celebrations. Various other activities such as inter-house Rangoli-making, candle and diya decoration, paper decoration, paper lanterns, best out of waste creations, flower arrangement, and card-making contests were organised in all the classes.

Malwa Khalsa Sr Sec School

Diwali was celebrated at the school by the NCC cadets and NSS volunteers. Principal Karanjit Singh said Diwali is a festival of communal harmony, wherein Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Ram at Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, while Sikhs observe Bandhi Chorr Divas. Students competed in candle making, colour decoration competitions at the school. They also expressed their views on pollution-free Diwali and presented a play on drug menace.

Atam Devki Niketan School

To mark Diwali celebrations, the school organised various activities and competitions. Various competitons, including diya and thali decoration, gift packing, paper lamp-making and rangoli competitions were held. Along with this, poem recitation and speech competitions were also organised to aware the students about green Diwali.

Govt High School, Jawaddi

A seminar was conducted by MS Aulakh on the topic No crackers please, under the banner of The Young Minds in collaboration with Rotary Club Ludhiana (Greater), at Government High School, Jawaddi. The students from classes VI to X attended the event. Aulakh remembered late Bhagat Puran Singh, founder of Pingalwara, Amritsar, and expressed concern on the rising pollution-levels in the state and country.

Babies Paradise Playway School

The school celebrated Diwali on its premises. Many activities were held in the school. The children painted diyas, made rangoli with help of the teachers. They also decorated candles and lighted the diyas. At the end, prasad was distributed by the principal to all the kids.

BCM School, Basant City

Students of the school celebrated Diwali with fervour. Tiny tots came dressed up in different characters from Ramayana. The students presented various scenes from the life of Lord Rama and made beautiful rangolis. They presented a Nukkad Natak (Street Play) at Dugri market Phase 1 and Sarabha Nagar, Kipps Market, to create awareness among citizens about the harmful effects of fire crackers on human health.

MGM School

The school celebrated Diwali with religious zeal. Singing of Shabad was followed by melodious songs, one-act play, candle decoration and diya decoration. The function ended with a speech by the principal who expressed her deep concern about the environment and advised the students to celebrate Green Diwali.

BCM Kindergarten, Basant Vihar

Diwali was celebrated at the school with devotion and religious zeal. The school wore a festive look with deacorated pots, diyas and lanterns adorning the reception and corridors of the school. Students were briefed on ill-effects of burning crackers and were urged to celebrate the festival with candles, sweets and non-polluting green crackers.

Peace Public School

Students celebrated Green Diwali. An assembly was organised in which students emphasised on the urge for them to act responsibly and be sensitive towards the essence of their environment and safety of animals. Speakers apprised the audience about the adverse effects of fireworks. They promoted the use of eco-friendly colours for making rangoli.

Green Land School

The festival of lights was celebrated with great pleasure at the school. An lnter-House Rangoli competition was conducted for students. The stunning design of rangoli were alluring and fascinated the.spectators. Candle and Diya-Making Competition was held for classes, colourful wall hangings prepared by the students were also one of the brilliant attractions of the competition. Students organized a rally to spread the message to "Celebrate pollution free Diwali and say no to crackers. The celebrations were held at different branches of the school.amansharma@tribunemail.com

United Nations, November 7

India on Wednesday thanked the UN Postal Administration for issuing special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

The United Nations Postal Administration issued a special event sheet on October 19 to commemorate the festival of Diwali.

"The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN. Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

The special event sheet in the denomination of $1.15 contains 10 stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.

The background of the sheet features the United Nations Headquarters building illuminated with the message of "Happy Diwali" to celebrate the spirit of the festival.

"Diwali, also known as Deepawali is the joyous and popular festival of lights, which is celebrated in India and by followers of many faiths across the world," the UN agency had said in its description accompanying information about the stamps.

During the celebration clay lamps known as diyas are lit to signify the victory of good over evil. The festival also symbolises the start of a New year for many communities, it said.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) had in October 2016 launched a commemorative stamp in honour of the festival of Diwali.

The USPS Diwali stamp became a reality after seven-year long efforts and advocacy by the Indian-American community and several Congressional resolutions by influential American lawmakers such as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. - PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand), November 7

Dressed in heavy mountain gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

Greeting the jawans in the Harshil cantonment area, the prime minister said they, through their commitment and discipline, are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The Prime Minister remained with troops for about an-hour-and-a-half.

He said Diwali is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The Prime Minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. PM Modi said he still remembers his Kailash Mansarovar Yatra long back and that how ITBP jawans helped him and other pilgrims in the pilgrimage.

He extended Diwali wishes to the jawans and their families and offered sweets to the personnel.

Modi said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali. PM Modi landed at Harshil at 7.50 am and left at 9.10 am.

The PM said the country is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

The Prime Minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The Prime Minister later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. He interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex.

The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.

The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.

Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers in Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.  With PTI inputsgspannu7@gmail.com

Jakarta, November 7

Indonesia will extend by three days its search for the bodies of passengers from the ill-fated Lion Air plane, an official said on Wednesday, as authorities struggle to identify victims of the crash.

The Lion Air plane was en route from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang city on Sumatra island ten days ago when it plunged into the water, killing all 189 people onboard.

Search teams have filled some 186 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 44 victims have been identified so far, Muhammad Syaugi, the head of the national search and rescue agency said at a press conference.

The navy, police and volunteers that have also been involved in the search will be stood down, he added.

Hundreds of mourners aboard a pair of Indonesian navy vessels tossed bouquets and scattered flower petals into the Java Sea on Tuesday, near the spot where the brand new jet crashed.

Divers have retrieved the planes engines, wheels and one of its two black boxesthe flight data recorderbut are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder.

A preliminary report on the cause of the accident is expected at the end of the month.

The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee said Monday that flight recorder data has so far revealed the planes air speed indicator had not been working properly on its last four journeys, including on the fatal flight.

The JT610 flight sped up as it suddenly lost altitude and then vanished from radar just minutes after take-off. AFPamansharma@tribunemail.com

Washington, November 7

The opposition Democratic Party is projected to regain control of the House of Representatives while the ruling Republican Party is all set to retain its majority in the Senate in the critical midterm elections held on Tuesday, according to projections made by major US media outlets.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, 78, is expected to be re-elected as Speaker of 435-member House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in Indian parliament.

In the outgoing House, the Republicans had 235 seats while the Democrats 193. The new House would come into being next January.

However, the ruling Republican Party led by President Donald Trump appeared to be all set to retain majority in the 100-member Senate where it currently has a razor thin majority of 51-49 seats. The GOP is expected to increase its tally, as counting of votes were still going on when reports last came in.

In his first tweet after election results started coming in Trump claimed success. "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!".

Trump in campaign rallies had said he was on the ballot and made it a referendum on his nearly two years rule.

The US President who headlined an unprecedented 50 rallies -- 30 in the last two months alone -- and has campaigned for dozens of candidates at all levels of government, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, watched the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence.

"The President has energised a staggering number of Americans at packed arenas and in overflow crowds at rallies across the country," Sanders said.

"Under Trump's leadership, the Republican National Committee has raised more than a quarter billion dollars, fuelling an extraordinary ground game geared toward defying midterm history and protecting the GOP's majorities," she said.

In her victory speech in Washington DC, Pelosi said: "Tomorrow will be a new day in America".

The former House speaker said the election result is about "restoring the system of checks and balances" in Trump administration thus indicating that the new Democratic party would play the role of a strong opponent in for the US President.

In victory, The Washington Post said Democrats regained some of the confidence although less of the power they lost in 2016, when Trump won a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton.

"In this election, they sought to energise groups that Clinton did not: young voters, Latinos, African Americans and infrequent voters," the daily said.

According to The New York Times, amid signs that the nation's deep political and cultural divisions that lifted Trump in 2016 may only be deepening, "rural voters were breaking sharply" with their counterparts in the suburban districts and metropolitan areas, as turnout soared in a midterm election that came to serve as a national referendum on the president.

The Democrats also won some of the high-profile governor's race including Kansas, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. The GOP retained its governorship in Florida.

The elections also resulted in Rashida Tlaib becoming the first Muslim woman elected to the House of Representatives along with Somali-American Ilhan Omar. - PTIgspannu7@gmail.com

Seoul, November 7

South Koreas defence ministry on Wednesday broke decades of silence to apologise for martial law troops raping women, including teenagers, when they crushed a pro-democracy uprising in 1980.

Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo issued a public apology for the inflicting of unspeakable, deep scars and pain on innocent women who were raped and subjected to sex torture by soldiers cracking down on protests against a military coup by general Chun Doo-hwan.

Demonstrators in the southern city of Gwangju and passers-by were beaten to death, tortured, bayonetted and disembowelled or riddled with bullets.

Conservatives in the South continue to condemn the uprising as a Communist-inspired rebellion.

According to official figures, more than 200 people were left dead or missing, while activists say the toll may have been three times as much.

Chuns troops were believed to have also carried out widespread sexual assaults against women but the issue has long been swept under the carpet as traumatised victims remained reluctant to come forward.

The mood changed following the election of liberal current President Moon Jae-in, who made uncovering the truth about Gwangju a campaign issue, and when one of the victims was emboldened by South Koreas growing #MeToo movement.

Protestor Kim Sun-ok told a television interviewer in May that she had been raped by an interrogator in 1980, prompting authorities to launch an investigation that confirmed 17 cases.

The investigation has confirmed rapes, sexual assaults and sex tortures were committed by martial law troops, the defence minister said in a statement.

Victims included teenagers and young women, including young students and a pregnant woman who were not even taking part in the protests, he told a press conference.

On behalf of the government and military, I bow deeply and offer my words of apology for the unspeakable, deep scars and pain inflicted on innocent victims, Jeong said.

But Kim rejected the apology.

I didnt listen to it because of my traumatic experience, she told AFP. But unless those responsible are brought to justice and duly punished, a million apologies would be meaningless.  AFPgspannu7@gmail.com

Washington, November 7

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trumps top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, will now take place at a later date, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit, she added in a statement.

State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay to the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions.

The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Cholone of the North Korean leaders right-hand mento discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following historic talks between Trump and Kim in June.

Despite warm words from Trump since meeting Kim in Singapore, his administration has insisted on maintaining pressure on Pyongyang until a final agreement is reached.

North Korea said last week that it would seriously consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions.

The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible, said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply, it added.

Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was not worried about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective.

But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that the postponement was a bad sign.

This last-minute announcement of a delay is not a good signal as it indicates negotiations were not going well enough to go ahead with the planned meeting, he said.

Pompeo has travelled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord.

The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening fire and fury after Pyongyangs nuclear and missile tests.

Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world.

US critics say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions and it has rejected demands for what it described as its unilateral disarmament.

Pompeos postponement of talks came amid emerging differences between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

In contrast to Washingtons approach, the Souths dovish president Moon Jae-in, who brokered the Singapore summit, has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization.

South Koreas foreign ministry said the meeting delay was regrettable but insisted that excessively pessimistic interpretation was unnecessary.

There have been cases in the past when US-North Korea talks were delayed, so there is no need to shift between hope and fear, a senior ministry official told reporters.

Kim Yong Chol is a general and former top intelligence chief. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades.

The diplomacy on North Korea has seen a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly to Pyongyang.

The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday.

Trump heads over the next month to international gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.  AFPTWO cousins were ambushed and shot dead and then the body of one of them, a young girl, was Given the low rate of vaccination, our population is wide open to death or hospitalisation from the Delta variant.

That was bluntly stated in my column of September 5, ten weeks ago, with the foresight that the Government would helplessly wait around, self-praise tying up its brain, while its bouffs and bullying failed miserably to motivate the population to get vaccinated in sufficient numbers. No attempt at a creative legislative intervention to support vaccination was made.At the San Dieguito Union High School Districts Nov. 1 meeting, parents, students and staff had some tough conversations following two tragic incidents at Canyon Crest Academy. The high school experienced the suicide of a student on Oct. 25 and an incident in which a student harmed himself on campus on Oct. 30.

We have been severely tested by recent events but we are pulling together and looking out for one another, said Melody Li, the CCA student board representative. There are more questions than answers at the moment but I do want to say that Im proud of our school. Im proud of who we are and aspire to be. The conversations we are having now and continue to have are made easier by the work weve been doing in the past two years with Yellow Ribbon Week and social emotional learning.

On the morning of Oct. 25, new Superintendent Robert Haley said he was having his first meeting with all of the school principals when Canyon Crest Academy Principal Brett Killeen had to accept a phone call informing him of the loss of his student. The following week on Oct. 30, a CCA student injured himself on campus and was admitted to the hospital, according to a message sent out to parents. With respect to the privacy of students, the district was unable to share more details.

Its very difficult to say the word suicide. Its not easy. Its something that has impacted me both professionally and personally, Haley said, growing emotional speaking to a board room of parents and students. I know that everybody here tonight wants every life that can be saved to be saved.

On Oct. 31, Haley sent a letter to all district families regarding the incidents and SDUHSD Vice President Mo Muir thanked him for his leadership, empathy and compassion on one of his first weeks on the job.

We care deeply about the issue of self-harm and suicide. We want to give everyone in our community information and tools to have conversations about self-harm and suicide so that we can help save lives, Haley said.

On Nov. 7 at CCA, the district held a presentation with Stan Collins, a suicide prevention specialist at the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council and will hold another one on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at La Costa Canyon High School at 5:45 p.m. The presentation will give parents a toolkit on how they can increase connectedness with their child as well as tips on self-harm and suicide prevention.

In a video message posted to students on Oct. 31, Principal Killeen spoke about how CCAs success is often measured by AP tests, rankings, college acceptances and test scores.

These numbers, rankings, measurements and labels add up to a lot of expectations and its not healthy nor sustainable, Killeen said. You have the right to be a kid. You have the right to make mistakesYou have a right to be healthy, happy, well-rounded and balanced. You are special and that has nothing to do with academic achievement.

Killeen said CCA students and staff work to make a big school feel small and ensure students feel inclusion, connection, acceptance, kindness and the freedom to be silly and weird.

Were going to be there for each other, Killeen said encouraging his students to be themselves, to celebrate wins with humility, to learn, reflect and grow when they lose. Ask for help when you need it.

During public comment, district parent Rita Raden was critical of the district and principals response.

Leaders address problems head on, Raden said, noting Killeens message was disappointing because he never used the word suicide and only offered platitudes. She said a real leader would work to meet with students on what the next steps should be and how they can improve student support.

Canyon Crest Academy students Ashley Jabro and Jasmine Werry said it has been hard to see their friends and the whole community mourning.

To pretend CCA doesnt have areas of improvement is wrong, Ashley and Jasmine said. Without a cohesive statement from the district, it puts everyone at unease and leads to state of confusion and gossip.

The girls said even there at the meeting, people were spreading rumors about attempted suicides and what they are going through as students.

The students said what they are looking for is support from the district and they have felt it at school-level from staff as midterms were cancelled in one class following the students death. Ashley and Jasmine also said most students reaction to Killeens video was gratitude.

Adults needlessly fighting and repeating empty platitudes about our safety while screaming at each other doesnt do anything but disappoint us and stress us out more, said Ashley and Jasmine about what they have witnessed in attending board meetings. What we need is action and real change in how we address this culture of toxic competition and insane amounts of stress.

CCA teacher Stacy Yates spoke about the work that the Raven Wellness Team of parents, staff and students do with social and emotional learning. They have partnered with The You School, a program that promotes self-awareness, self-confidence and self-direction for weekly workshops and the Raven Advisory Council gives students a voice with administration on issues that arise.

Stephanie Kowac, the parent leader of the Raven Wellness Team, said following the tragedies, she has asked herself what more couldve been done.

Im so proud of what we do at CCA but will it ever be enough to protect our kids? We are the highest-ranked public school in California but at what cost? Kowac said.

Kowac told a story about visiting her daughter in college over the weekend and how her daughter said college was so much easier than high school, where she took seven AP classes at CCA. Kowac said parents and the district can help alleviate some of that pressure on students.

We need to regroup and make sure were providing a safe place for our kids. They need a break from the constant stress of the next A, Kowac said. As a district we should consider limiting the number of AP classes students take.

Torrey Pines High School parent Heather Dugdale agreed that the pressures of over-achievement are staggering at the school, where the average GPA is 3.8 and 82 percent of students at the school are in one to five AP classes. As Dugdale noted in the last two years, two Torrey Pines students have taken their own lives.

During public comment, parent Lea Wolf said during her campaign for the school board she learned that some students feel the district may say it cares about mental health but their current measures are not effective. She said with Superintendent Haley, she would like to see a shift in the districts culture and for them to make meaningful changes with action.

The students, like Wolf, said they, too, would return to the board to ask for change.

People have told us that were pawns of some teacher conspiracy and were not. Were just students. We love our school, we care about our peers and we badly want to express what were feeling and make the changes that we know that we need, the girls said. We are here, we are talking and we careWhen we come to you in the next few weeks asking for changes to be made at school, we want your support.

Reach out for help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or Youth Crisis Line 800-843-5200. More resources can be found at the Society for the Prevention for Teen Suicide sptsusa.org/teens/ and sduhsd.net/Parents--Students/Student-Support--Wellness/Suicide-Prevention/index.htmlYou posted in the general forum for all of NY State; repost in the NY City forum to attract more readers.

Times Square is best seen at night when it's all lit up, not 1st thing in the morning.

If you have pedestal SOL tickets and also plan to get off the ferry at Ellis Island, allow about 4 hours.

Some of your days are quite light.Hi TA folks!

My husband and I are traveling to Panama and Costa Rica this month. We have two weeks and

are planning something like the below, but are undecided on how to reach MA from Bocas. We have to be in MA on a specific date to meet friends, and were hoping to take advantage of a regional flight to from Bocas to San Jose to meet there instead but looks like a wonky time for this (with airlines just ramping up).

Panama City-- 2 days, fly to Bocas

Bocas-- 3 days

Transit from Bocas - MA- 1 day (this is where the ? Comes in-- Bocas to David to MA? Bocas to Puerto Viejo to MA? Other options we aren't considering?)

MA-- 2 days

Monteverde-- 1 day

Arenal-- 2 to 4 days

Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated! So very excited for this adventure.Re: 7 Days over Christmas - Need help on itinerary and locations

6. Re: 7 Days over Christmas - Need help on itinerary and locations

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We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.We just decided today to spend 11 days in Vietnam over the Christmas holiday and need to book something quickly. Would appreciate any advice. Here's what we are thinking.

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi late morning from San Francisco. So have a half day here but not sure what our energy level will be. Suggestions?

Day 2: Full Day in Hanoi (motorcycle tour? Food tour in the eve?)

Day 3: Travel on fast road to Halong Bay for a one night cruise

Day 4: Fly to Danang. Should we go to Hue or Hoi An? We have 3 nights here to decide where to go. Is there time to visit both??

Day 5: ?

Day 6: ?

Day 7: Fly to Phu Quoc Island from Danang via Ho Chi Min City? Best way to get there?

Day 8: Full day in Phu Quoc

Day 9: Full day in Phu Quoc

Day 10: Fly to Ho Chi Min City - half day here

Day 11: Full Day - Ho Chi Min City (Cu Chi Tunnels? Is there time for Mekong Delta too?)

Day 12: Fly back to SF, may have some morning time before going to airport for something local

I had read reviews on TA about the pluses and minues of Hoi An vs Phu Quoc. We chose PQ because in December its warmer and dryer there - better beach weather. But also read that Hoi An and surrounding area (and Hue) is very interesting. So we have 3 days in the middle to "assign" to some place(s).

Thanks for any and all advice. Hotel suggestions and cruise/ship suggestions in Halong also appreciated plus any "must do" tours.

Edited: 3 years agoYes it has been answered before.

After you have secured your multi-entry VOA on arriving in Hanoi (or other international airport), you can leave and re-enter Vietnam as many times as you like for the duration of the Visa period be it 30 days or 3 months. At that initial entry you will have the Visa stamped in your passport - you do not need to secure anything further after leaving and re-entering as long as it is within the designated time of the visa.

Is that clear enough?

Edited: 3 years agoI need help so I don't try to cram too much. So far I plan on flying I to HCMC December 1 and flying out of Hanoi on December 10.

So far my trip breaks down as follows:

December 1-5 HCMC explore city and take a trip to the tunnels.

December 5-10 fly to Hanoi, explore the city. I plan to spend 2 of the 5 days on Halong Bay cruise.

It doesn't sound like an ambitious itinerary because I like to take my time and chill. Does this seem reasonable or does it seem like too much down time?You haven't said what time of year you want to go. In summer the weather is Hokkaido is not nearly as hot and humid as the more southern parts of Japan. (although an American resident in Japan suggested that Hokkaido was rather like the Rockies in the US and perhaps not sufficiently Japanese for some visitors)

In winter the cranes dance in Tsururi in Hokkaido. (I am going to see them this January)

If your trip is in May or October/November I would consider Kyushu, Shikoku or Tohoku.

Nagasaki is a favourite city of mine and Yakushima, to which you travel by jet-foil from Kagoshima (which in itself is a delightful city) is quite magical.

Again, for May or October/November Shikoku is a delight. Matsuyama has the oldest osen in Japan, Dogo Osen, although from 15 January 2019 it will be partially closed at times. The osen looks like the one in spirited away, although without the monsters.

I found the temple at Kotohiro a pleasant challenge to climb with amazing views at the top and Tokushima was a delight with bunraku puppets, a dance demonstration and a very person museum of of the local lord whose castle was torn down during the Meji Restoration.

The garden at Takamatsu is lovely, Naoshima, the art island, might interest you and from Takamatsu it is an easy day trip to Okayama and the wonderful Korakuen garden.

Edited: 3 years agoAbsolutely I do not want to limit myself to Chelsea, however I will be staying there.

I guess I did not express my question very well. I would like to know what are the places to see in Chelsea and other areas close by such Gramercy, Stuyvesant Town, East Village, Greenwich Village, West Village and possibly Soho (as my following trip will be lower in Manhattan).

I like art (I have already been to the Whitney and the FIT) but am looking for art gallery recommendations. I like places to walk (I did walk the highline but will probably go back at sunset).

I am also looking for parks, markets, and tourist attractions in these areas as I have not visited them much except maybe to walk through when walking from Midtown to FiDi.How do I get from the airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Manhattan?

What To Do During Layovers?

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Trip Reports: Families of Adults - Add yours!- Kimani Mbugua was filming the officers take bribe from a boda boda operator

- He was taken to Fire Station offices where he received several slaps and had his head banged

- Kimani noted the officers were from Nairobi County government as they had produced their identity

Nairobi County officials rained blows and kicks on a journalist who was filming them as they were demanding for a bribe from a boda boda operator in the city centre.

Kimani Mbugua of Citizen TV was left nursing head and neck injuries at a Nairobi hospital after the officers assaulted him.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Safaricom enters deal with Western Union, spreading M-Pesa all over the World

Kimani Mbugua of Citizen TV was left nursing head and neck injuries at a Nairobi hospital after the officers assaulted him. Photo: Citizen

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: NYS begins process to produce controversial new police uniforms

In a report by Citizen, Kimani was shooting the video using his phone as the officers were demanding for bribe from the boda boda rider who had flouted the ban of motorcycles in the city.

Its unfortunate what happened and what has been happening, I was recording the incident using my phone as I awaited the cameraman. An officer roughed me up and and took me to Fire Station offices where I received several slaps and had my head banged against the wall, said Kimani.

The poor newsman was given a break from the heavy slaps after identifying himself as a journalist and demanded he be taken to Central Police Station.

READ ALSO: ICC confirms receiving fresh evidence against William Ruto

Realising they were dealing with a member of the fourth estate, the officers freaked out and released him after forcing him to delete all the videos and photos he had recorded.

Kimani noted the officers were from Nairobi County government as they had produced their identity cards but they were not in their uniforms.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News LatestBy Nathan Hodge and Mary Ilyushina

6 November 2018

MOSCOW (CNN)  Russian prosecutors in the far eastern city of Vladivostok are investigating the capture of beluga whales and orcas after reports emerged of marine mammals penned inside what some have dubbed a whale jail, Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday.

According to local media and the investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, more than 100 whales are being held in pens in Srednyaya Bay, near the city of Nakhodka.RIA-Novosti, citing the Vladivostok environmental prosecutors office, said 11 orcas (or killer whales) and several dozen belugas were being kept in cages.Commercial capture of killer whales is strictly regulated and allowed solely for educational and scientific purposes, RIA-Novosti added.

Packed in cages

The reports have caused a stir in the Russian Far East. VL.ru, a Vladivostok-based internet portal, published still photographs showing the holding pens. RIA-Novosti reported that a local animal-rights activist launched a complaint with the police after unknown individuals stopped her from taking a picture of Srednyaya Bay.A reporter for Primorye TV, a local state-owned network, posted footage from a drone showing the marine mammals crowded in the cages. That video, hashtagged whale jail and whales4sale, has been shared over 1,800 times.- Currently, M-Pesa customers can only transact a maximum of KSh 140,000 in a day

- The customers can also not hold more than KSh 100,000 in their M-Pesa accounts

- Safaricom expects customer satisfaction to increase if CBK approves its proposal

M-Pesa users may start transacting more than KSh 140,000 daily if the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) gives nod current talks Safaricom is having with the regulator.

TUKO.co.ke understands the current limit as prescribed by CBK, stand at KSh 70,000 per transaction and a maximum account balance of KSh 100,000.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens.

READ ALSO: Safaricom records KSh 31 billion profit in first half of 2018, 20% more than 2017

Safaricom Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge (r), said that if the proposal is approved, it will go a long way in bettering financial experience of the telco's customers. Photo: TUKO.co.ke

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Retailer Nakumatt management dismisses fraud claims from former landlord

Safaricom Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge, said that if the proposal is approved, it will go along way in bettering financial experience of the telco's customers.

We are engaging with central bank and I hope they will consider our application favourably.because it is the cry of Kenyans to transact more, said Mulinge.

READ ALSO: Safaricom enters deal with Western Union, spreads M-Pesa all over the World

Mulinge made the remarks on Tuesday, November 6, during the launch of M-Pesa - Western Union partnership.

The recent deal will see M-Pesa users send money to any part of the world directly into different bank accounts or via Western Union outlets.

Mulinge, however, said that the country was doing better in terms of mobile money transfer revealing that users transacted to a maximum of KSh 100,000 overseas.

But if you look at volume of transactions oversees, people send between KSh 10,000, KSh 50,000 to KSh 100, 000 daily, so we are not feeling that the current limit is curtailing us, but as people get opportunities to send more, the higher the limit the better the opportunities, stated Mulinge.

This emerges hardly a week after the telecommunication giant announced that M-Pesa revenue grew from KSh 30.05 billion to KSh 35.52 billion. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Over 250 tourists land in Mombasa from Poland

This emerges hardly a week after the telecommunication giant announced that M-Pesa revenue grew from KSh 30.05 billion to KSh 35.52 billion.

This was recorded between September 2017 and same month in 2018 thus translating to a 18.2% increase.

Data from communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) indicated that transaction worth KSh 1.9 trillion were carried out between April and June 2018 and M-Pesa accounted for KSh 556 billion in transactions.

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.

From a House girl to an MCA. Tuko / Tuco - Kenya.

Source: Tuko.co.ke- Majority of Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party snubbed Deputy President William Ruto's functions in Migori county

- Some of the MPs said they were kept in the dark over the visit by the DP in a move aimed at frustrating him

- Ruto took a swipe at leader who were unwilling to work with Jubilee government saying their score cards would fail them by the next General Election

- The DP said no leader in between who could stop him and President Uhuru Kenyatta from embracing all Kenyans and working with Raila

Deputy President William has taken a swipe at a section of Opposition MPs who snubbed his public functions in Nyanza region saying they could not stand in the way of uniting the country.

The DP who launched numerous projects in the area perceived to be Opposition leader Raila Odinga's stronghold on Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6 was given a cold shoulder by ODM MPs.

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READ ALSO: Raila Odinga can help William Ruto become president in 2022 - Kipchumba Murkomen

Deputy President William Ruto said nobody could stand in the way of the new found cooperation between Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Jubilee government. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Retailer Nakumatt management dismisses fraud claims from former landlord

Speaking in Migori County, Ruto who was unmoved by the absence of the legislators said he was in the region in his capacity as Kenya's deputy president and in the spirit of the Building Bridges initiative between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The DP was categorical that all leaders needed to join hands, speak in unison, work together and enhance service delivery to the public irrespective of their political affiliations.

He hit out at those leaders who showed resistance to Jubilee government insinuating his tours were political, saying they would regret their decision after four years because they will not have fulfilled the needs of the voters.

"We can only better lives through unity of purpose, dedication to duty and engaging in politics of development," Ruto said.

William Ruto said it was time for all leaders to speak in unison and enhance service delivery to the public. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Rapists send death threats to pregnant Nairobi mum they abused in front of child

Ruto said those who thought they could intimidate the new found cooperation between Raila and the Opposition had gotten it all wrong.

"Let's unite and serve the citizens. Raila himself has accepted we need to work together and we are happy working with him. If Agwambo (Raila) has agreed we need to cooperate, who are you to stand in the way this unity pact," Ruto said.

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who did not join Ruto in a function in his native Migori county said he had not been invited further dismissing the DP's tour as a political event disguised in the launch of government development projects.

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Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Kenyan Breaking News- Africans traveling to Ethiopia will now receive their visa on arrival

- The introduction of visa-on-arrival is aimed at attracting more visitors to the country

- The service took effect on Thursday, November 1

In an effort to attract more Africans to visit Ethiopia, the East Africa country has launched a visa-on-arrival service for all African travellers.

The service which was launched at a ceremony held at the African Union (AU) took effect on November 1, 2018, aims at making it easy for Africans to visit the country.

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READ ALSO: Easier travel as South Africa scraps short-term visa requirement for Kenyans

Ethiopia introduces visa-on-arrival for African travellers

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: KCSE supervisor, invigilators, principal arrested with chemistry paper on day 2 of national exam

According to the CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, the service comes as a boost for the airline which command the lions share of the intra-African network, Daily Nation reported.

"Visa on arrival for fellow African brothers and sisters and more importantly, visa online, will greatly boost cross-border tourism, trade and investment, further deepening African integration, he said.

The CEO further noted the Ethiopian Airlines has been bringing Africa together and closer to the world for over seven decades.

READ ALSO: Kenyans express anger as quack doctor Mugo Wa Wairimu makes comeback for all wrong reasons

"Today, Ethiopian Airlines flies to 60 African destinations and connects the continent to over 50 major international cities in 5 continents," he said.

As a result of its unwavering commitments and efforts to bridge the air connectivity vacuum in the African skies, Ethiopian serves 59 cities across the continent.

The Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department, in collaboration with the national carrier, launched an e-visa service for all international visitors to Ethiopia in June, 2018.

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Kenya News Today: Ken Okoth Is Fighting For Marijuana Legalization | Tuko TV.

Source: Tuko- Kimani was planning a traditional wedding but bride's parents rejected him

- They were alarmed that he had ditched another woman whom they have children with

- The parents also wondered how and why Kimani controlled their daughter's business

- He has since sued his lover for claiming ownership of a business not belonging to her

- He claims the woman forged documents and minutes to acquire his property

- She has accused Kimani of theft of millions of shillings

On Saturday, September 8, 2018, Daniel Kimani, a controversial businessman from Kiambu went to meet his would be in-laws in Kinangop, Nyandarua County so he can plan for bride negotiations.

It was never to be, in-laws were concerned by the fact he had dumped his first wife with whom they have two children.

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READ ALSO: Gikomba market on fire again

Daniel Kimani when he appeared before a court where he face assault and theft charges. Photo: UGC

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Rapists send death threats to pregnant Nairobi mum they abused in front of child

They believed their daughter, Sylvia Wambui Karanja, would not be happy in such a marriage.

They also took issue with how Kimani had become majority shareholder in a business their daughter previously controlled.

READ ALSO: Hawa ndio wanaume 8 wanaovutia zaidi duniani?

Kimani is the founder and former CEO of collapsed Kiambu-based Kenya Entrepreneurship Empowerment Foundation.

His firm had created an impression of mobilising funds and later extending soft loans primarily to the rural and peri-urban women groups.

But it mysteriously went under with claims of fraud from Danish-based micro-lender MYC4. Over KSh 100 million was apparently lost under Kimanis watch.

So bad was the situation that the Danish government in January 2016 had to write to Kenyas criminal investigation department to speed up investigations into the matter. Not much came of it though.

READ ALSO: Ruto tells Nyanza politicians Raila's handshake effect is unstoppable

Sylvia Wambui Karanja (pictured) accused Kimani off theft of over KSh 100,000, assault and taking over her property. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

TUKO.co.ke understands Kimani later led a lavish lifestyle and even bought over 200 dairy cows to start a dairy business in Kiambu where he had a reserved parking in Kiambu town.

His established empire did not last long, his new-found business venture of farming did not pick up as expected and soon he could not finance his lavish lifestyle.

According to those who know the pharmacist by training, he has a way of spotting and seizing opportunities to the maximum.

He is even on spot for swindling a distant relative to Uhuru Kenyatta about KSh 7 million

Back at home in Kiambu, neighbours give tales of how Kimani kicked his brothers from their fathers home so he can have it all by himself.

READ ALSO: Ruto tells Nyanza politicians Raila's handshake effect is unstoppable

Kimani has since sued his lover for forging documents to wrestle the business (Ridgeways Inn- The Yard) from him. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

Now, events which followed Kimanis visit to his would-be in-laws in Nyandarua exposes a deep struggle for control of Nairobis popular multi-million club, Ridgeways Inn- The Yard.

Apparently the business originally belonged to Wambui Karanjas father but it remains unclear how Kiamani became the majority shareholder of the business said to be raking in KSh 18 million a month.

After the failed visit to his in-laws, Wambui asked Kimani not to go to their business, maybe she had sensed something or maybe not. She even packed her items and left the house they had been living in.

Kimani has since sued his lover for forging documents to wrestle the business (Ridgeways Inn- The Yard) from him just days to his visit to her parents in preparation for a traditional wedding.

In the court documents seen by TUKO.co.ke, Kimani claims his Australia-educated lover forged share transfer documents and minutes of a board meeting with a resolution her partners- who include Kimanis niece- resigned from the company and sold their stake to her.

READ ALSO: Raila Odinga bows out of 2022 succession politics following African Union appointment

Wambui Karanja (pictured) was arrested at her parents home in Kinangop and detained at Engineer Police Station ahead of before being arraigned. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

Kimani enjoined in the suit a firm apparently incorporate by Wambui. The firm is called The Ridgeways Yard Company.

However, Wambuis lawyers and Ridgeways objected being listed in the suit on grounds Kimani is no longer a director of Bebadis Ltd- a company registered in 2015 by Wambui, Kimani and his niece to own the posh night club as well as other businesses.

Wambui Karanja was arrested at her parents home in Kinangop and detained at Engineer Police Station ahead of the suit.

It is noteworthy to remember that in September 17, 2018, Kimani denied four counts of assault and theft of over KSh 140,000 from the same Ridgeways-Inn.

Court heard that he stole a phone valued at KSh 40,000 and some KSh 100,000 hard cash from the clubs safe.

In the matter set to be mentioned in November 26, Kariuki is said to have stormed the premise with 15 men dressed in black and told Wambui Karanja he wanted to take over ownership of the management.

He was armed with a court order number 145/2018.

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.

Kenya's Former Gangsters Now Cleaning Nairobi City - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV.

Source: Tuko News- Omollo and 34 other suspects are expected to take pleas afresh after prosecution amended charges

- The prosecution also consolidated the cases against all the accused persons in the second NYS graft scandal

- The suspects are facing economic crime charges in connection with the loss of KSh 167 million at NYS

- Omollo was also accused of abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds besides economic crime charges

Former Youth and Gender Principal Secretary (PS) Lilian Omollo and 34 others are set to take pleas afresh after the prosecution amended charges in connection with the second National Youth Service (NYS) graft scandal.

The prosecution also consolidated the cases of all the 35 suspects who are expected back in court on November 30, 2018, to face the revised charges.

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READ ALSO: High Court freezes 10 bank accounts belonging to former PS Lilian Omollo implicated in NYS 2 scandal

Former PS Lilian Omollo (R) shares a word with co-accused, former NYS Director General Richard Ndubai (L). The two are facing charges relating to loss of billions from NYS. Photo: Nation.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Government suspends all NYS officials implicated in alleged Ksh 9 billion scam

Appearing in a Nairobi court on Tuesday, November 6, the prosecution accused the suspects of conspiracy to commit economic crime that led to loss of over KSh 167 million from the NYS coffer.

The prosecution alleged the accused persons, among them Omollo and former NYS Director General Richard Ndubai, facilitated payment of the said amount to three companies identified as Ameritrade Limited, Firstling Limited, and Kunjiwa Enterprises.

READ ALSO: This Are The Faces Behind 791 Million NYS Scandal

Omollo was slapped with additional charges including willful failure to comply with procedures and guidelines regarding management of public funds and abuse of office.

The prosecution alleged the ex-PS authorised payment of KSh 115 million to Firstling Limited and approved payment of KSh 28.7 million to Ameritrade Limited.

She also allegedly okayed payment of KSh 23.4 million to Kunjiwa Enterprises.

READ ALSO: Public Service PS and NYS heist suspect Lilian Omollo rushed to hospital after fainting

The current NYS scandal started in 2017 when the DCI, EACC and the police opened new investigations at the NYS following fresh fraud allegations within the youth empowerment programme.

The investigative authorities reportedly combed through payments made to suppliers for the past six years, during which it emerged some of the companies that purportedly received money from NYS did not even exist.

READ ALSO: Photos of lady who supplied air to NYS at KSh 59 million slaying AF with her baby

In light of the fresh dossier, the DPP forwarded names of the individuals implicated in the fraud to the DCI for prosecution.

Close to 50 suspects, including Omollo who surrendered to the police in May 2018, and Ndabuki, were arrested and arraigned in connection with the new theft scandal at NYS.

The accused were later released on bail after spending weeks in remand.

The prosecution dropped charges against some of the suspects.

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Anne Ngirita at The Center of The NYS Scam Probe - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- US voters went to the polls to participate in the midterm elections

- Ilhan Omar said she was motivated to contest for Congress by Trump's politics of fear against immigrants

- Ilhan lived as a refugee in Dadaab in Kenya for four years before moving to the US

- Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib was another Muslim woman elected to the US Congress

Voters in the United States (US) went to the polls on Tuesday, November 6, to participate in midterm elections that will help define the fate of President Donald Trump's first term in office after two years.

Among those elected was Somali-American, Ilhan Omar, who easily won the election in Minnesota district becoming one of the first Muslim women elected to US Congress, .

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READ ALSO: Gikomba market on fire again

Among those elected was Somali-American, Ilhan Omar, who easily won the election in Minnesota district.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Taita Taveta KCSE student turns blind hours to exams, doctors, prayers fail to help

According to the former refugee, President Trumps politics of fear motivated her to get in the race, Aljazeera reported on Wednesday, November 7.

Omar, who arrived in the US at the age of 14 after fleeing civil war in Somalia and lived in Kenyas Dadaab camp, campaigned on a platform which called for universal healthcare and tuition-free colleges.

She said her political life began after attending local Democratic Farmer Labor party caucuses with her grandfather after arriving in the US.

READ ALSO: Rapists send death threats to pregnant Nairobi mum they abused in front of child

It is a district that is very much interested in making sure our progressive values are represented, she said in an interview with MinnPost.

.They know the only way they will continue to be represented is if we have people who are not going to just think about getting themselves to Washington, but think about getting other progressives to Washington, added.

Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim to be elected to the Minnesota legislature or any elected office in the United States, is also part of a historic wave of women looking to clinch higher posts.

READ ALSO: Ethiopia introduces visa-on-arrival for African travellers

READ ALSO: Tanzania government demands over KSh 1.5 million to release detained Kenyan fishermen

Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib was another Muslim woman elected to the US Congress.

The 42-year-old was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents.

She made history in 2008 by winning a seat on the Michigan Legislature, becoming the first Muslim woman to do so.

Her campaign platform included pledges to secure a $15 (KSh 1,528) minimum wage, preventing cuts to welfare programmes, as well as stopping tax relief to large corporations.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News- Maina is suspected to be among three Kenyans who executed the theft

- They worked for a Dubai security firm charged with transporting money

- The money was destined for an ATM but one suspect made away with it

- One suspect was arrested in March and police recovered KSh 13 million

- He is likely to be extradited to Dubai once police complete investigations

- A Nairobi court on Wednesday directed that he be detained for two months

A man believed to be among three Kenyans who stole KSh 140 million in Dubai has been arrested.

George Gitau Maina was arrested by detectives on Tuesday, November 6, following an earlier warrant of arrest issued by International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).

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READ ALSO: Kenyan woman linked with theft of KSh 140 million in Dubai arrested, KSh 13 million recovered

George Gitau Maina was arrested by detectives on Tuesday, November 6, following an earlier warrant of arrest issued by International Criminal Police Organisation. Photo: DCI's Twitter

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Ruto tells Nyanza politicians Raila's handshake effect is unstoppable

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), said Maina was the second suspect detectives had netted as one remains at large.

"The second suspect in the Dubai cash in transit theft; where millions of shillings were stolen by 3 Kenyans, was arrested yesterday afternoon and and will be arraigned in court today. The first suspect; Rebecca Musau had already been arrested and charged," DCI stated.

READ ALSO: Hawa ndio wanaume 8 wanaovutia zaidi duniani?

As earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke, the first suspect in the case, Rebecca Musau Mueni was arrested in July while trying to make her way to Tanzania.

According to DCI boss George Kinoti, the suspects were part of six private security firm guards who were transporting the money to a Dubai based ATM on the day the incident happened.

The theft happened in Dubai on Saturday, March 3, and Charles Karanja (still at large) was identified as the prime suspect.

When Mueni was arrested in July, police recovered to a tune of KSh 13 million from her Nairobi home.

READ ALSO: ICC confirms receiving fresh evidence against William Ruto

Maina was arraigned in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 7. The court directed that he be detained for two months to allow investigations to be conducted. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

She, however, claimed the money was legally acquired and she planed to use it developing some of her properties.

"The cash was found in her Nairobi home. She argued she had legally acquired the cash which she intended to use on developing some property in the city. Once investigations, are complete they could be extradited," Kinoti earlier said.

Karanja, the main suspect, is said to have distracted his colleagues when they were transporting the cash before making away with it.

It is reported that he lied to his colleagues that he had gone to the restroom but mysteriously made away with the money.

It is not clear how he was linked to Mueni (first suspect to be arrested).

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: Breaking News- The court was told the suspect had a heated exchange with her late employer

- She was killed and her body locked in her bedroom as the suspect enjoyed a meal of chips

- Her husband narrated how he frantically tried to reach her on phone in vain but hoped she was fine

- The househelp maintains she did not commit kill her employer even as she remains in police custody

The househelp accused of murdering her employer and her son in Muhoroni in June 2018, bitterly argued with her the day she may have been killed, a Kisumu court heard.

Pricilla Otieno, a neighbour of the slain woman, told Justice Fred Ochieng on Wednesday, November 7, that Jackline Auma engaged her employer Elizabeth Achieng in a loud verbal exchange a day before her body and that of her son were discovered.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

Otieno told the court that the next day when she went to inquire what had transpired that evening, Auma, a Ugandan national told her everything was okay.

READ ALSO: Top bank manager fired over sex harassment claim

I found her seated in the sitting room munching on chips. When I asked on the whereabouts of Achieng, she told me she had taken her son Benedict Okoth to the hospital, she said.

It was only after concerned neighbours failed to trace her at a nearby dispensary that they again stormed the house only to find the bodies locked in the bedroom. By then, the maid had disappeared as earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke.

Achiengs husband Evans Okoth, a clinical officer in Nyamasaria, broke down as he narrated how he frantically tried to reach her wife with little success on the fateful evening.

He said he grew wary after successive calls went unanswered moments after Achiengs colleagues called him to ask why she did not report to work the next day.

READ ALSO: Githurai man behind KSh 140 million theft in Dubai arrested

When her colleagues told me they could not reach her, I got more anxious since I had been trying to call her without success. I silently hoped they were okay but I was extremely unsettled, he recounted.

He said the horror that hit him when he went and found his wife lying in a pool of blood with a rope around her neck has refused to fade from his mind.

I want justice for my wife and son. They did not deserve to die like that, he told the court.

READ ALSO: Controversial Kiambu businessmans failed marriage proposal sparks fallout with rich lover

Auma has denied the allegations but was denied bail on grounds that she is a flight risk.

She is said to have strangled the three-month old boy and stabbed Achieng severally and strangled her too. She later fled to Uganda where she was arrested and hauled back to face charges.

Hearing continues on January 29, 2019.

Story by Fred Okul, Kisumu 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

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: TukoBeloved 13-year-old acrobat Wendy Waeni has bagged herself a lucrative deal after she was appointed UNICEF's Inspirational and Enthusiastic Young Champion Ambassador.

The talented and flexible beauty will be called upon to champion for free, equal and quality education opportunities for kids around the world.

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READ ALSO: Ugandan man takes own life after pressure from parents to marry

READ ALSO: Lupita Nyong'o's brother surprises revelers after stepping out in dress at Blankets and Wines festival

Through her Twitter page, Wendy enthusiastically announced her new appointment as she dedicated herself to ensuring children end up achieving their dreams.

"I am Proud to be appointed as a Inspirational & Enthusiastic Young Champion Ambassador by UNICEF. This year's World Children's Day on November, 20 2018, we advocate a world where every child is in school to achieve their dreams," she wrote.

READ ALSO: Musician Syd publicly shows off his affair with socialite Amber Ray while still wearing wedding ring

The young gymnast stated her role will help ensure people from humble backgrounds are not locked out from acquiring proper education because of their economic status.

Kenyans on social media were beyond excited and could not help but sing Wendy's praises as they reminded her the only way to go from here is upwards.

Wendy became an overnight sweetheart after capturing the hearts of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rwandan President Paul Kagame with her amazing acrobatic skills.

Her Jamuri Day performance back in 2014 earned her an invite to Rwanda after Kagame was completely taken by her prowess.

In just one day, the talented beauty visited State House for the first time and captured the attention of two iconic leaders.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- The woman was living on a social welfare but she stayed with the man in a high-end rented house

- While entering the court, she was seen busy smiling and waving at television cameramen

- Case is set to start on Friday, November 9, after the court rejected her medical attention request

A 50-year-old Kenyan woman has been arraigned in Ireland for chopping off her lover's private parts before stabbing the man to death.

Grace Miano was charged with murder of 27-year-old Malawian national Limbani Mzoma in their high-end rented house in Dublin.

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READ ALSO: CS Kiunjuri says ready to resign over rot in Agriculture ministry to maintain his dignity

Autopsy report indicated the mans genitals and eyelids were hacked off. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Kenyans who board overloaded matatus now risk jail term as Michuki Rules roar back to life

Autopsy reports indicated Mzoma's eyelids and genitals were missing when his body was collected from their house, Dublin Live reported.

While entering the court, Miano was seen busy smiling and waving at television cameramen.

Hit with the reality of the courtroom, when she got into the dock the poor suspect in a blonde wig bent forward and started praying.

READ ALSO: Top bank manager fired over sex harassment claim

The relationship between the victim and the suspect is not clear as the latter was surviving on a social welfare scheme.

The defense lawyer requested the suspect be given medical attention as she had complained of pain in the legs and head while in custody.

The judge turned down the request and Miano was taken back to custody until Friday, November 9, when she will be presented to court for hearing of her case.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Breaking NewsSubscriber content preview

By PAN PYLAS

Associated Press

LONDON  China is set to overtake France as the world's number one tourist destination by 2030 as a growing middle class in Asia looks to spend more on travel, according to experts at market research group Euromonitor International.

In a report published Tuesday at an industry conference in London, Euromonitor said it is predicting there will be 1.4 billion trips made in 2018, up 5 percent from last year. Stronger growth in many major economies mean industry receipts will rise by an estimated 11 percent.





. . .- The parcel would be given to parents who produce the three children by 2021

- The offer is however limited to married Italian couples

- Foreign couples who have lived in Italy for at least 10 years are also eligible

- Italy has the second highest population of elderly people in the world

- The government is trying to reverse the country's birth rate which is one of the lowest globally

As most African countries like Kenya continue to roll out aggressive family planning campaigns to tame explosive population growth, things are quite the opposite in Italy where the government has resorted to rewarding women with fertile land to give birth.

The Italian government recently announced it would be rewarding every couple who gives birth to at least three children with an agricultural land.

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READ ALSO: Types of family planning methods

The land-for-children idea was reportedly hatched by the Italian Minister of Family, Lorenzo Fontana, who clarified the incentives will be restricted to married Italian couples.Photo: Aleteia.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Government's plan to listen to your private phone conversations declared illegal

TUKO.co.ke on Wednesday, November 7, learnt there were deliberate efforts by the government to reverse the country's birth rate which had dropped to an alarming level, the lowest in the whole of Europe.

According to the country's minister of agriculture, Gian Marco Centinaio, Italian women were giving birth to very few children and something needed to be done to turn things around to avert a looming demographic disaster.

READ ALSO: Majority of new mothers dont want babies for the next 2 years - Report

Centinaio disclosed the government was ready to give land to parents who would give birth to three children between 2019 and 2021 and that the parcel would remain theirs for 20 years.

The idea was reportedly hatched by the Italian minister of family and disability, Lorenzo Fontana, who clarified the incentives would be restricted to married Italian couples.

READ ALSO: Government speaks of 'plan to tap' phone conversations and text messages

Foreign couples who have lived in Italy for over 10 years are also be qualified for the land-for children incentives.

Italy currently has the second highest population of elderly people in the world after Japan according to WorldAtlas.com.

The country also has one of the lowest birth rates globally and is in the same league with countries like Japan, Monaco and Hong Kong.

READ ALSO: Chinese nationals jailed in Kenya over cyber fraud freed

In contrast, Angola has the highest birth rate in the world, followed by Niger, Mali and Uganda respectively, all of which are African countries.

In terms of population, Nigeria has the highest number of human beings in Africa, with China being the most populated country globally according Internet world Stats.

The stats show Nigeria was ranked seventh in the world with about 195 million people.

China topped with some 1.2 billion people, followed by India with one billion and the United States of America (USA) with 326 million people as of 2018.

Indonesia, Brazil and Pakistan came fourth, fifth and sixth.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Top 3 Worst Medical Mistakes In Africa - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- Malcolm's grandfather changed his name to Kenyatta in honour of Kenya's founding president

- The LGBTQ advocate trounced his closest challenger to win Philadelphia seat

- In 2016, he was elected as Delegate to the 2016 Democratic Convention with the second highest vote total of any delegate

A 27-year-old Democrat whose grandfather changed his name to Muhammad Kenyatta to honour Kenya's founding president Jomo Kenyatta has become the first publicly recognised gay to be elected to the US Congress.

Malcolm Kenyatta, a renowned LGBTQ community advocate, trounced his closest challenger Milton Street to win State Representative of the 181st District in Philadelphia.

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READ ALSO: Somali woman who lived in Kenyan refugee camp elected to US Congress

Malcolm Kenyatta is a fierce civic and community advocate. Photo: Malcolm Kenyatta/Facebook.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: CORD leader casts a vote in the American Election

"Nothing is impossible. Im so humbled to be the next State Representative for the 181st District of Pennsylvania. Together we made history!" he posted on Wednesday, November 7.

As a blood grandchild of Muhammad Kenyatta, a civil rights leader, minister and a politician who ran for mayor in 1975, Malcolm's passion for activism started way back when he was just 11.

READ ALSO: Hawa ndio wanaume 8 wanaovutia zaidi duniani?

Muhammad, born as Donald Brooks Jackson changed his name to honour Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam and Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta.

In 2016, Malcolm was elected as Delegate to the 2016 Democratic Convention with just under 82,000 votes, garnering the second highest vote, total of any delegate in the Commonwealth.

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Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News- Kenyans feel Mugo wa Wairimu should never have walked free after he was charged in 2015

- Victims have decried denied justice, saying they have walked in and out or courts since 2015 in vain.

- Chief Justice David Maraga is facing the tough burden of proving his courts are not in bed with criminals.

On October 2, 2015, Kenyans were treated to what appeared to be an open-and-shut case, not least in the court of public opinion.

Fake doctor Mugo wa Wairimu was arraigned and charged with 12 counts.

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They included rape, administration of a substance with the intent to commit rape, operating a clinic without a license and masquerading as a medical practitioner.

READ ALSO: Kenyans express anger as quack doctor Mugo Wa Wairimu makes comeback for all wrong reasons

Judiciary under fire as untouchable fake doctor Mugo Wa Wairimu strikes again

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Kenya nurses' union disown controversial quack medic Mugo wa Wairimu

The prosecution was armed with video evidence showing Mugo sexually assaulting a sedated patient while posing as a medical doctor.

Through State Counsel Jacinta Nyamosi, the prosecution gave three solid grounds as to why Mugo should be denied bail during trial.

It argued that Mugo was a flight risk as he had gone into hiding after the rape scandal was exposed.

It also claimed he ought to remain in custody for his own safety as the public was baying for his blood, and that he was likely to interfere with witnesses.

READ ALSO: Quack doctor urged to run for MCA

But Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo dismissed the arguments as not compelling and released him on bail.

Mugo was soon a free man after it was claimed witnesses shied away from testifying in the case, confirming the prosecutions fears.

One of Mugos victims, has come out to dispute this argument, saying she personally recorded a statement at Kasarani Police Station and walked in and out of Milimani Law Courts for over two years seeking justice.

Im a sad woman right now I was denied justice, Mitchelle Brenda post on Twitter on Monday November 5, 2018.

READ ALSO: Arrested Quack Doctor Accepts He Forged Papers For Practising Certificate

The expose by NTV this week revealing the fake doctor is still operating clinics, engaging in his old wicked ways, and terming himself untouchable has predictably infuriated Kenyans.

Many of them are now accusing the Judiciary of failing them while claiming the judges and magistrates are incurably corrupt and will set free any rich suspect, regardless of the gravity of charges against them.

#NTVInvestigates #QuackClinic Blame it on @dkmaraga rogue judiciary. Justice is based on the highest bidder, Antony Wambua said on Twitter, wholly shoving the blame to Chief Justice David Maragas door.

READ ALSO: Drama as fake doctor who worked for 10 years unnoticed tries to jump through window amid arrest

Another twitter user stated the Judiciary has terribly failed Kenyans while another user by the name Marigiri blamed the Mugo scam on a weak judiciary system that releases criminals back to the streets.

Preposterous and unbelievable! What a country to live in? Judiciary should not release such people even for a single day, fumed Collins Mwatati.

Below is a sample of what Kenyans had to say about the Judiciarys failure with regard to Mugo wa Wairimus wicked yet unpunished acts.

READ ALSO: Ray of hope as study finds fully effective drug for deadly HIV/AIDS

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Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- The US midterm congressional polls ended in favour of 29-year-old Democrat, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

- Ocasio-Cortez has made history as she is now the youngest female to be elected to the US congress

- She defeated the Republican, Anthony Pappas with 74.3% of votes in the polls that were held in New York

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has emerged the youngest woman in history to be elected to US Congress.

Ocasio-Cortez who is 29-years-old, won the congressional polls held in New York with 74.3% of votes.

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READ ALSO: Two women make history in America as they become first Muslim women elected to congress

Ocasio-Cortez, 29-years-old, won the congressional polls held in New York with 74.3% of votes. Photo: Telegraph.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Somali woman who lived in Kenyan refugee camp elected to US Congress

Although Ocasio-Cortez is reported to have been highly favoured to win, she did not relent in her campaign efforts until the final moments.

"I am so thankful for every single person who contributed, amplified, and worked to establish this movement. Never forget the hard work it took to get us here. No matter what happens, this is what it takes."

Ocasio-Cortez defeated her opponent, Republican Anthony Pappas, who was characterised as very unusual.

READ ALSO: Tanzania government demands over KSh 1.5 million to release detained Kenyan fishermen

Pappas' most noted point was his belief that citizens should be able to sue judges and was quoted saying citizens were living under a judicial dictatorship.

In an effort to corroborate his argument, he often cited his own contentious divorce in which his wife accused him of punching her in the face, a charge he denies, that has lasted for over a decade.

"Can't help but reflect this Election Day: As my family in Puerto Rico watches me run for Congress, they still don't have the right to vote in federal elections , despite being subject to federal lawmakers," he said before the elections.

READ ALSO: Ethiopia introduces visa-on-arrival for African travellers

Earlier reports indicated that in what appeared to be a historic midterm elections in the US, a democrat in Kansas and another in New Mexico had become first native American women to be elected to Congress.

Democrat Sharice Davids, a member of Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk Nation tribe coasted home to victory after defeating four-term Republican incumbent Kevi Yoder in Kansas on Tuesday, November 6.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- John Waluke said National Super Alliance had done nothing to reciprocate Western Kenya support

- He accused Opposition leader Raila odinga of abandoning his faithful supporters in their time of need

- The legislator argued that Raila had traded the advocacy for his people's interest for his personal gain

- According to Waluke, Raila had stopped putting the government on toes since he got the African Union appointment

Sirisia MP John Waluke has branded Opposition leader Raila Odinga a traitor saying he had turned his back against National Super Alliance (NASA) supporters after securing the Africa Union's plum appointment.

Waluke who was elected on a Jubilee ticket specifically said the Luhya community had gotten a raw deal from NASA a situation which had been worsened by Raila's decision to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

READ ALSO: Agony for family of Alliance girls KCSE candidate with mysterious illness as bill hits KSh 10.9 million

Sirisia MP John Waluke said Opposition leader Raila Odinga had sold out his supporters for an appointment at the AU. Photo: The Standard

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Bodies of 2 students who drowned while taking selfies recovered after relatives perform rituals

Speaking in Kakamega during a public event, Waluke said there was nothing for NASA to reciprocate for the overwhelming votes they received from their supporters.

"What did you harvest in NASA now? Raila Odinga is drinking all the milk all by himself as you continue to suffer," Waluke mocked the Opposition leader's supporters.

He challenged the locals to review their decision to support Raila because he had stopped advocating for their needs as he used to do before because he had gotten what he wanted as the High Representative of Infrastructure and Development at the AU.

The Sirisia MP said since Raila Odinga was given the AU job he stopped advocating for the needs of maize and sugarcane farmers. Photo: Raila Odinga/Twitter.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Uhuru Kenyatta started receiving my calls after handshake with Raila - Kakamega governor Oparanya

"Raila has now been given about 10 offices across the world making him unreachable. Maize prices have nosedived, sugarcane farmers are wallowing in poverty but he is not talking the way he used to stand up for them. It is because his belly is full," Waluke said.

The MP observed it was time for Western Kenya to reconsider its political stance and abandon Raila because he had just used them to get a lucrative placing for himself.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala however, differed with Waluke saying his Jubilee party was the cause of all problems farmers were facing.

"You should stop criticising Raila. We support his handshake with the president because it has restored unity and peace and sealed loopholes used by greedy leaders to steal form the public.Yiu need to begin be facing Deputy President WIlliam Ruto because his allies are the ones behind the maize scandal," Malala responded.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.keUgandan sweetheart Zari Hassan has left her fans in awe after deciding to rock Yeezy designer boots which could easily pay their rent.

The beauty is currently undertaking her duties as her motherland's tourism ambassador.

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READ ALSO: Eric Omondi's fiance sends message suggesting all is not well in their relationship

READ ALSO: 17 super easy ways to revamp your love life after giving birth

Scrolling through her Instagram TUKO.co.ke spotted the mother of five flaunting her pricey kicks as she walked around Uganda.

She paired the designer boots with a form-fitting-jungle green dungaree as she showed off her flawless figure and taste for finer things.

READ ALSO: 13-year-old acrobat Wendy Waeni appointed inspirational ambassador by UNICEF

If you know Zari then you are well aware that style is second to nature when it comes to her.

This is not the first time the beauty has been spotted rocking an expensive pair of kicks as she often prefers to flaunt her pricey taste.

Diamond's ex-wife was recently granted a government appointment and has been enjoying perks like long convoys and heavy protection.

Her Ugandan visit has been marked with class, grace and extravagance.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Kenya Breaking News Today- The family of Nikita Koyier is expected to raise a minimum of KSh 10.9 million to settle her medical bill

- The Form Four student at Alliance Girls' High School is admitted at Aga Khan hospital's ICU

- She developed persistent severe headaches to an extent she could not get sleep

- Doctors at various medical facilities she was taken to were unable to establish her ailment

- The current medical bill stands at KSh 6.7 million with KSh 4.2 million required for her diagnosis in three weeks' time

In normal circumstances, Nikita Koyier would be sitting for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations after four years of hard work at Alliance Girls' High School.

Unfortunately though, the teenage girl is instead fighting for her life at Aga Khan University Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to a mysterious disease doctors are trying to unravel.

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READ ALSO: Snake bites pastor on mission to exorcise witchcraft in Kakamega county

Nikita Sally Koyier is a Form Four student at Alliance Girls' High School and was expected to be sitting for her KCSE exam. The hospital bill is estimated at KSh 10.9 million. Photo:Talifique/Twitter.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: ODM MPs explain why they skipped William Rutos tour of South Nyanza

According to information posted on social media sites by Koyier's friends, her family is required to raise a medical bill of KSh 10.9 million in three weeks in order to have her diagnosed and commence treatment.

In a Facebook appeal posted by Jacinta Mumbi on Tuesday, November 6, Koyier's medical bill had hit KSh 6.7 million prior to the diagnosis set to be complete in three weeks and estimated to cost KSh 4.2 million.

"As at Sunday, November 4, her hospital bill had risen to KSh 6.7 Million. What's worse though is not the rising bill but the fact that doctors are yet to give a diagnosis which will bring the bill to at least KSh 10.9 million. Nikita needs our help in deed and in kind," read the post by Mumbi.

Nikita Sally Koyier began experiencing persistent severe headaches and lost the ability to sleep. Photo: Jacinta Mumbi/Facebook.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Uhuru Kenyatta started receiving my calls after handshake with Raila - Kakamega governor Oparanya

She narrated that Koyier began experiencing persistent severe headaches to an extent she could not sleep while in school and was picked up by her parents for treatment.

Mumbi said her parents had sampled different hospitals among them MP Shah before getting to Aga Khan but medics were unable to explicitly indicate what the young girl was ailing from.

READ ALSO: Pastor storms clinic forcefully removes drip from KCSE candidate he can pray for him

Koyier's kin and friends are now appealing on well wishers to help them raise the required sum in order to have their beloved daughter treated and get another chance to complete her studies.

Contributions can be channeled to Paybill Number :529507, Account Name: Nikita Sally Koyier. Inquiries can be made to 0722436059.

.Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- Salome Shikanda fainted immediately after receiving the call and started speaking in tongues

- Her husband said his wife was in good health and had not shown any signs of ill health

- Shocked family members and relatives tried First Aid on the deceased but could not help

A sombre mood has engulfed Shikoti village in Kakamega County following the death of a 23-year-old mother who died after receiving a call from a private number.

Salome Shikanda fainted immediately after receiving the call and started speaking in a unfamiliar and unknown language to the residents.

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READ ALSO: Snake bites pastor on mission to exorcise witchcraft in Kakamega county

Friends and relatives gathered for the funeral service of Salome Shikanda in Lurambi Constituency. Photo: K24

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Uhuru Kenyatta started receiving my calls after handshake with Raila - Kakamega governor Oparanya

In a report by K24 TV, the mother of three died while on the way to hospital as the family members were trying to come to terms with what had transpired after the call.

"She was very healthy, she even cooked lunch on that day and she had not shown any signs of sickness," said Rodgers Shikanda, her husband.

Shocked family members and relatives tried First Aid on the deceased but could not help and decided to take her to hospital.

READ ALSO: Nairobi City dwellers rank affordable housing most important factor when looking for home

"We tried to calm her down as she was talking several things we could not understand. We even poured water on her but we realised it was not helping and we decided to take her to hospital," said a neighbour.

The area residents were left with many questions not knowing who called Salome and have no idea what the content of the conversation was.

The family hurriedly buried the body on Thursday, November 7, without taking the deceased to the morgue.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.keDeputy Director of Communications at the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) Laban Cliff Onserio has become a laughing stock after announcing his plans to hold a fundraiser for his upcoming wedding.

Of course after bagging a hefty state job everyone assumed his status had gone up and he now mixes and mingles with the whos who in the society.

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READ ALSO: Diamond Platnumz's ex-wife Zari steps out in KSh 60k Yeezy shoes during Ugandan tour

READ ALSO: 17 very obvious tell tale signs you are dating a super play boy

However, all that glitters is not gold. According to a Facebook post shared by journalist Peter Oduor, the former NTV reporter received quite the beating after a flyer of his upcoming fundraising made rounds on the internet.

Labans flyer welcomed his friends and family to the event and urged them to come bearing monetary gifts suggesting the guy and his fiance badly needed the money for their nuptials.

READ ALSO: 17 super easy ways to revamp your love life after giving birth

What left people scratching their heads was how a man who is loaded has the audacity to hold a harambee for his wedding.

Apparently it is completely unwise to plan a wedding you cannot afford because it is your wedding and not the societys.

According to Peter, it is foolhardy to stress the community and your friends with such expenses when you can simply live without throwing a grand ceremony.

Plus, it is wrong for a woman to allow her bae to go to hell and back just to give her a celebrity style event.

Kenyans termed Labans move as superfluous and vane as no one really needed a wedding that is too extravagant.

This is absolute nonsense! I can't even attend such a fundraiser, the most sickening is that they make u part of the committee unwittingly, Fei Dee, a Facebook user wrote.

Laban popped the question to his fiance early 2018 when the two were out on a Rwandan trip.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV

Source: Kenya Breaking News TodaySubscriber content preview

By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

Associated Press

BEIJING  Placing a jar of feces on a pedestal next to him, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates made a plea Tuesday for the safe disposal of human waste as he kicked off a Reinvented Toilet Expo in China.

You might guess what's in this beaker  and you'd be right. Human feces, the former CEO of software giant Microsoft said. This small amount of feces could contain as many as 200 trillion rotavirus cells, 20 billion Shigella bacteria, and 100,000 parasitic worm eggs.





. . .Subscriber content preview

GRANITE FALLS (AP)  Charging documents say timber poachers were caught cutting 18 trees on Washington forest land off the Mountain Loop Highway.

The Everett Herald reports one Everett man is accused of trying to steal $12,000 worth of live Douglas fir and Western hemlock earlier this year east of Granite Falls.





. . .November 30th is an important date for those in this country who are vaccinated with AstrazeUkrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak, First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleh Hladkovsky and Head of the Ukroboronprom State Concern Pavlo Bukin have signed an agreement with Turkey regarding the purchase of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, according to the Ukrainian Military Portal.

"Negotiations on the purchase of these UAVs lasted for about two years. Over this time, representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry visited Turkey and familiarized themselves with various stages of the Bayraktar TB2 tests," the portal said.

The agreement was signed during the visit by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to Turkey on November 3-4.

The report notes that Ukraine will buy Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicles Bayraktar TB2 produced by Baykar Makina, which are the holders of the flight endurance record.

The possibility of producing some Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles at the facilities of the Antonov State Company, part of the Ukroboronprom State Concern, is also being considered.

These combat drones can carry guided anti-tank missiles and aerial bombs.

opCooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the military and technical field is productive and mutually beneficial.

"Cooperation in the military and technical field does not like publicity. However, I can say that cooperation in these areas is mutually beneficial for both states," President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said in an interview with the Turkish Anadolu Agency, the press service of the Head of State reports.

The President recalled the productive meetings on a wide range of issues, in particular security, defense, military and technical cooperation, economy, tourism and culture, contacts between people and the governments.

"We held very productive talks in Turkey, which are of utmost importance in many areas," the President of Ukraine commented on the results of his official visit.

As reported, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko made the official visit to Turkey on November 3-4.

olUkrainian Joint Forces Commander Serhiy Nayev has briefed an Austrian delegation headed by Ambassador to Ukraine Hermine Poppeller on the security and operational situation in Donbas, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.

"The number of civilians killed or injured in the blasting of explosive devices in the territory beyond Ukraine's control has increased in the past month. This is a result of the neglect by the Russian aggressor of any mine safety standards. Five civilians, three of them children, were killed when they hit enemy mines, and one more boy was seriously wounded," Nayev said, speaking with the Austrian delegation.

He also said that the enemy continues shelling settlements, including with the use of heavy weapons. Five civilians have been killed and ten more wounded in 58 shelling attacks on settlements and one attack on an area since the beginning of the Joint Forces Operation (April 30, 2018), he said.

During the meeting, Nayev presented to the guests the irrefutable evidence of the presence of Russian troops in Donbas, in particular, a Russian Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle, which was shot down by the Ukrainian air defense forces on October 12. The Austrian side was informed that the Joint Forces have shot down five Russian Orlan-10 UAVs since the beginning of the operation, the statement said.

opThe heads of the border guard services of Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Georgia and Bulgaria discuss in Odesa the cooperation in countering international terrorism, drug and arms smuggling, illegal migration.

Colonel General Petro Tsyhykal, the Chairman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, opened the 19th meeting of the heads of the border guard services of the Black Sea region countries, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Today we need to make a realistic assessment of the existing problems and prospects of partnership of the coastal countries of the Black Sea region. Due to the military aggression of Russia, Ukraine and other countries have radically revised their approaches towards protection of their borders, including at sea. Ukraine has launched the maritime security reform. In particular, the Maritime Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service headed by Rear Admiral Oleh Kostur was established in Odesa city. In the spirit of trust and constructive dialogue we continue to strengthen cooperation with the leadership of the border guard services of the neighboring countries for the sake of countering modern threats to the security on the Black Sea," Tsyhykal said.

Ukraine has organized such a meeting within the framework of the agreement on cooperation between the border guard services of the Black Sea region countries for the third time already.

The representatives of the Russian Federation were not invited to the meeting "because of non-compliance with their obligations and violations of the international law."

When asked by an Ukrinform correspondent about the agreed agenda of the meeting, Colonel General Tsyhykal said: "We will specify the challenges and threats, which have arisen in the Black Sea region. We will consider the issue of planning joint operations by the border guard services, sharing experience in countering terrorism and smuggling. We will do everything for closer cooperation with the partners, normalization of the situation and restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia."

olUkrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with a delegation from Louis Dreyfus Company, one of the largest traders and exporters of agricultural products from Ukraine, the press service of the head of state said.

"President Petro Poroshenko has met with a delegation from Louis Dreyfus Company headed by Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Louis Dreyfus Holding B.V. Margarita Louis-Dreyfus," the report says.

Poroshenko said that Louis Dreyfus Company had already been working in Ukraine for more than 20 years and expressed hope that the company would increase investment in the country.

"You believe, invest and promote Ukraine in the world," the president said.

At the same time, Poroshenko spoke about the course of reforms in Ukraine aimed at improving the investment climate.

Louis-Dreyfus, in turn, noted that over the last four years, there have been positive changes in Ukraine and the company feels it in its work. According to her, the company plans to significantly increase the investment in Ukraine in the coming years.

According to the Presidential Administration, Louis Dreyfus Company is one of the largest food traders in the world, enjoying 10% of the world's turnover. The company operates in a hundred countries. Major areas of activity are trade, agriculture, and finance.

Louis Dreyfus Company has been operating in Ukraine since 1998 and is one of the largest traders and exporters of agricultural products from Ukraine. In 2016, it exported 4.4 million tonnes of grain. The company owns grain elevators in the Vinnytsia, Cherkasy and Zaporizhia regions.

opSubscriber content preview

Amazon's HQ2 may be in New York, Virginia

If Amazon decides to split 50,000 jobs between two places, each would be smaller than the Seattle headquarters, which has more than 40,000 employees.



By JOSEPH PISANI, DAVID KLEPPER and ALAN SUDERMAN

Associated Press

NEW YORK  After a yearlong search for a second home, Amazon is now reportedly looking to build offices in two cities instead of one, a surprise move that could still have a major impact on the communities it ultimately selects. New York's Long Island City as well as Crystal City in northern Virginia have emerged as the front runners, according to sources familiar with the talks with Amazon.



. . .

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Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Interior of Hungary Sandor Pinter assured of the unchanged support for the territorial integrity and restoration of peace in Ukraine.

I have thoroughly informed about the situation in eastern Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian aggression and the situation in Crimea, which is temporarily occupied by Russia. The Hungarian side assured of the unchanged support for the territorial integrity and the restoration of peace in Ukraine, Ambassador of Ukraine to Hungary Liubov Nepop wrote on Facebook upon the meeting with Sandor Pinter.

According to her, the issues of cooperation in law enforcement, border security and improving the border crossing conditions, including through the introduction of joint border and customs control, prevention and countering natural disasters were discussed during the meeting.

olThe meeting, which took place in Montreal on Tuesday, was co-chaired by Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini.

"The JMC acknowledged the importance of the transatlantic relationship for peace, security and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. The partnership, based on mutual respect and shared values and interests, remains indispensable-especially at a time of major geopolitical challenges that no individual country can resolve on its own. The JMC reiterated the shared commitment to cooperate closely on all pressing international humanitarian crises and peace and security challenges, including in Russia and Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, DPRK and Mali, Venezuela and Myanmar/Burma," reads the document.

The sides emphasized that cooperation in security and defense constitutes an integral pillar of the Canada-EU strategic partnership, as confirmed by the dedicated annual Security and Defense Dialogue, held most recently on October 23, 2018, in Ottawa.

"The EU appreciates Canada's continued support of EU missions and operations and welcomes the participation of Canadian police in EU missions in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) and the West Bank (EUPOLCOPPS)," the declaration reads.

opThe Council of Europe has called on Ukraine to uphold the voting rights of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the uncontrolled regions of Donbas and occupied Crimea.

This was discussed on the first day of the 35th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which takes place in Strasbourg on November 6-8, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In Ukraine, IDPs who fled the areas affected by foreign military intervention in the Eastern part of the country and, to a lesser extent, Crimea after illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, make up a population of almost 1.7 million. The large number of IDPs and their extremely vulnerable situation posed significant challenges to upholding their rights, inter alia, their voting rights in the 2014 parliamentary elections and the 2015 local elections, reads the report of Jos Wienen, the rapporteur from the Netherlands, which was adopted on Tuesday.

As noted, the IDPs have to be given de facto opportunity to electoral participation, by removal of barriers such as excessive residency requirements.

IDPs should be able to make their own individual choices about the constituency of registration, the report underscores.

olThe Japanese Government has declared that it considers the so-called elections in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions illegitimate.

The Japanese Embassy in Ukraine published the corresponding statement on its Facebook page.

"The so-called elections scheduled for November 11 and declared by the "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" are not governed by the Minsk agreements, as well as the laws and regulations of Ukraine. The Japanese Government considers these elections as illegal and believes that such unilateral actions should not be taken," the statement reads.

The Japanese Government notes that elections in the temporarily occupied territories should be held in accordance with the Minsk agreements and the Ukrainian legislation.

The statement also says that Japan does not recognize any attempts to change the situation by force, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

As reported, pro-Russian militants in Donbas announced the holding of the so-called "elections" in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions scheduled for November 11.

ishThe Cabinet of Ministers has supported the draft decree of the Ukrainian president, which approved the composition and directives of a Ukrainian delegation for participating in the negotiations on an agreement on social security between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey.

Earlier, Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey agreed to hold negotiations on the conclusion of a bilateral agreement on social security with its further signing.

The purpose of the agreement is to develop friendly relations and to protect the social and labor rights of Ukrainian citizens, who reside in the territory of the Republic of Turkey, and Turkish citizens, who reside in the territory of Ukraine.

ishOn November 7, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Rozenko met with Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education of the State of Kuwait H.E. Dr. Hamed Mohammad Al-Azmi.

"Ukraine is interested in developing cooperation with Kuwait in the field of higher education," Rozenko stressed, the Government portal reported.

He stressed the need for in-depth discussion and search for a mutually beneficial solution for the entrants from Kuwait coming to study in Ukrainian universities. "Ukrainian leading universities are highly valued abroad, and we invite students from Kuwait to study a wide range of professions. As the experience of previous years shows, the mutual exchange of students positively influences the development of friendly relations between our states in general," the vice prime minister said.

Rozenko invited Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Hamed Mohammad Al-Azmi to visit Ukraine in order to get acquainted with the higher education system and the functioning of the leading universities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odesa with the aim of further their accreditation by the Ministry of Higher Education of Kuwait.

The Ukrainian vice prime minister also emphasized the importance of expanding the contractual and legal basis of bilateral relations in the field of education and science and initiated the signing of a number of documents in the near future.

"The Ukrainian side is interested in implementing joint scientific projects," Rozenko summed up.

ishThe Vice Prime Minister of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Liu He, visited the Ukrainian national stand at China International Import Expo 2018.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine informed this on Twitter.

"The Vice Prime Minister of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Liu He, visited our national stand at CIIE 2018. He noted a high level of Ukrainian companies and said that Chinese business was interested in cooperation with Ukraine," the report reads.

As reported, Ukraine first presented its national stand, trade, investment and tourism potential at China International Import Expo 2018, which takes place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

ishRepresentatives of the Ukrainian community in the capital of Ethiopia joined the international action Light a candle of remembrance! dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-33 in Ukraine.

The commemorative event took place on November 4, the Embassy of Ukraine in Ethiopia posted on Facebook.

The event, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor, was held at the St. Frumentius Orthodox Greek Church. During the liturgy, the Reverend Father Christosimus Barberis read the prayer for all who died during 1932-1933. After the liturgy, community lit a candle of memory and commemorated the victims of this tragedy, the statement reads.

Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine Mykhailo Kyrychenko in his speech to the Ukrainian community underscored the terrible scale of the Holodomor  man-made famine  that had taken place in Ukraine. "We must always remember and honor the history of our people," he said.

All the participants in the action also received the information brochures about one of the most terrible crimes of the communist regime in the 20th century.

As reported, the global action "Light a candle of remembrance!" started on September 1. It is held daily by the embassies and general consulates of Ukraine in different countries of the world, will last for 85 days and end in Kyiv on November 24.

olAt the same time, Russia is trying to meddle in Ukraine's election campaign.

The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk on Tuesday raised the issue of exchange of hostages and Kremlin's political prisoner, while Moscow's destructive position has blocked the negotiations, that's according to First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's humanitarian envoy to the TCG, Iryna Gerashchenko.

The Ukrainian side today once again appealed to the representatives of the Russian Federation to immediately provide a formal response to the proposal to hand over to them 23 Russian criminals in exchange for the Kremlin's political prisoners. We are also ready to pardon several dozen separatists in exchange for 20 Ukrainians  civilians and military  who have for years been illegally held in custody in the occupied Donbas, Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook.

In addition, the Ukrainian representatives appealed to OSCE coordinator Tony Frisch over the fate of Yasinuvata teenagers, whom the militants promised their parents to release 2 years ago but never did so.

Read alsoAt Minsk talks, Russia officially recognizes elections" in occupied Donbas - Gerashchenko

Unfortunately, the destructive position of Moscow  which frankly announced the holding of 'elections' in the occupied areas of Donbas is trying to strongly meddle in the election campaign in Ukraine, placing their bets on candidates loyal to them, just to make sure it's not Poroshenko  completely blocked the issue of the hostage release. The whole world is fighting for Sentsov, while Moscow shows the whole world its contempt and incompetence, summed up Gerashchenko.

Earlier, U.S. State Department Special Representative for Ukraine negotiations, Kurt Volker, called on the Russian authorities to agree to an exchange of hostages held by militants in Donbas.Russia conducted a missile-firing exercise in occupied Crimea in October.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that temporarily occupied Crimea has become the base for Russian cruise missiles.

"Crimea that is currently occupied has become the base for Russian cruise missiles. Where will they head to? Only to Ukraine? Or they will be headed to Syria, or they will be headed to the countries of the Mediterranean basin to outline the Russian zone of influence, the control zone?" the president wondered at an international conference, titled: "The Hybrid War Decade: Lessons Learned to Move Forward Successfully" in Kyiv on November 7.

Read alsoRussia shows military might in Black Sea and beyond - media

Being obsessed with its geopolitical ideas, Russia has been honing its technologies both in occupied Donbas and Crimea that can be used outside Ukraine, he said.

In October, Russia conducted a missile-firing exercise in occupied Crimea. A "massive attack of cruise missiles" on an imaginary enemy was repulsed during the drills, the Russian Defense Ministry reported after the event.

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.President Petro Poroshenko has said that the authorities in Ukraine clearly follow the principle of non-interference of the state in church affairs, while Russia has long been interfering.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko believes Russian army and Russian church "have nothing to do" in Ukraine.

"You have nothing to do here. Your church, your army, your weaponry have nothing to do here. Go home, to Russia," Poroshenko said, speaking at the International Conference The Hybrid War Decade: Lessons Learned to Move Forward Successfully in Kyiv Wednesday.

"The Russian Orthodox Church is an element of the Russian political system. Who said that? It was Putin who said that Russia stands on two pillars  Russian Orthodox Church and nuclear weapons. We have to draw conclusions from this. After all, is it okay when the Russian security council convenes in the Kremlin under Putin's chairmanship with a single issue on the agenda  ways to protect the ROC in Ukraine? the president said.

Poroshenko reminded that during his visit to Istanbul, he signed a historic agreement on cooperation and interaction between Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the document supporting the creation of the autocephalous Orthodox church in Ukraine. The president expressed hope that the holding of the Unification Council would not be delayed and after the election of the primate, the Ukrainian church would receive the tomos confirming its spiritual independence.

Read alsoPoroshenko enacts transfer of Kyiv church to Ecumenical Patriarchate

"The appearance of an independent Orthodox church, recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch, in Ukraine is compared with the proclamation of state independence 27 years ago. And it's true. For us, this is a matter of the same weight as the visa-free travel, the Association Agreement with the European Union, or our struggle for membership in NATO and the EU," Petro Poroshenko stressed.The Bloc reminds of its irreversible position.

The European Union on Wednesday reaffirmed its stance toward the sham elections set to be held by Russian puppet authorities in the occupied areas of Donbas November 11, stressing the fact that the Bloc does not recognize such illegal elections.

"You would remember that we already discussed this last week where I recalled to you the position first when it comes to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Maja Kosijancic, a spokesperson for the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told a news briefing in Brussels Wednesday.

"I [] also said we do not recognize the so-called elections," the spokesperson stressed.

Read alsoAt Minsk talks, Russia officially recognizes elections" in occupied Donbas - Gerashchenko

As UNIAN reported earlier, sham elections of "DPR-LPR heads" and "parliament deputies" are scheduled to be held in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions Nov 11.

The EU and U.S. stated that appointing the "elections" in the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" was a violation of Minsk agreements.

In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the issue of who will lead the occupation administrations is of "extreme importance," also claiming that the "elections" did not contradict the Minsk accords.When asked about his relations with Russia, Trump reminded reporters of the face-to-face meeting he had with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July.

U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the regime of former President Barack Obama for Ukraines loss of its Crimean Peninsula, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014.

Trump made the comments during a wide-ranging and sometimes hostile news conference at the White House on November 7 to comment on the U.S. midterm election results, according to RFE/RL.

When asked about his relations with Russia, Trump reminded reporters of the face-to-face meeting he had with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July.

The fact is I had a very, very good meeting with President Putin," he said. A lot was discussed -- about Syria, about security, about Ukraine.

About the fact that President Obama allowed a very large part of Ukraine to be taken [by Russia]," he added.

When a reporter stated that it was President Putin who annexed Crimea, Trump responded by saying, That was President Obamas regime. That was during President Obama. Right?

It was President Obama that allowed it to happen, he said.

Read alsoEnvoy: U.S. willing to consider further lethal aid to Ukraine  media

During the Trump-Putin last meeting in Helsinki, Trump was widely criticized for not taking a harder line with Putin and for refusing to press him on several matters, including Russias alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

At the White House news conference, Trump reiterated that he had no meetings scheduled with Putin at the November 11 commemoration ceremonies in Paris marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

He also repeated that he will likely meet the Russian leader during a G20 summit in Argentina later this month.

In Moscow, the Kremlin said Russian and U.S. officials agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid causing a distraction during the WWI commemorations.The investigation is not yet ready to affirm the type of an explosive used by a sabotage group or name the culprits.

Sabotage was the cause of the explosions that led to a massive fire at the defense ministry's ammunition depot near Ichnya, Chernihiv region, that's according to a military prosecutor of the Central Region, Hryhory Ryabenko.

"Now we can say that the cause of the explosions is sabotage with physical penetration of the technical territory of the 6th Arsenal by persons who have not yet been identified," the prosecutor told a briefing Wednesday.

As of today, demining efforts at the arsenal's premises are still ongoing therefore the final amount of damages cannot be established. Also, lab tests are continuing to address unresolved military, technical, and ballistic questions.

Read also"Explosives were planted": Witnesses spotted suspicious men near Ichnya ammo depot

The investigation is not yet ready to affirm the type of an explosive used by a sabotage group or name the culprits.

The SBU [Security Service of Ukraine] is working on IDing members of the sabotage group but it is impossible today to name any names.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on the night of October 9, a series of explosions caused a massive fire at the ammo depot near Ichnya, Chernihiv region. More than 12,500 people were evacuated in the area and a no-fly zone was established.

The fire was fully put out only on October 24.Two enemy troops were killed and another two were wounded, intelligence reports say.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action (WIA).

Read alsoExperts estimate probability of Russia's large-scale offensive in Donbas ahead of Ukrainian elections

"One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in the past day. According to intelligence reports, two occupiers were killed and another two were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update published on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on November 7, 2018.

The Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers and heavy machine guns at the defenders of the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Krymske, Zaitseve, Shumy, Novhorodske, Verkhniotoretske, Pisky, Starohnativka, and Pavlopil.

The enemy also resorted to 82mm mortars to shell the Ukrainian positions near Krasnohorivka, which is in the Mariupol sector.

"Since Wednesday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked the Ukrainian positions yet," the report said.The violations in Donetsk region were recorded near Svitlodarsk, Hnutove, and Yasynuvata.

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has reported that its monitors recorded 245 explosions in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the country's east, within 24 hours.

Read alsoDonbas update: One Ukrainian soldier wounded in past 24 hours

"In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including, however, fewer explosions (about 235), compared with the previous 24 hours (about 260 explosions)," it said in an update based on information received as of 19:30 local time on November 5, 2018.

The violations in Donetsk region were recorded near Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), Hnutove (government-controlled, 20km north-east of Mariupol), and Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk).

"In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including 10 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 420 explosions)," the update said.Despite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, "Tremendous success tonight."

Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, giving them the opportunity to block Trump's agenda and open his administration to intense scrutiny.

In midterm elections two years after he won the White House, Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their majority in the U.S. Senate following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, as reported by Reuters.

Read alsoFacebook boots 115 accounts on eve of U.S. election after tip  media

But with his party losing its majority in the House, the results represented a bitter setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership. With some races still undecided, Democrats appeared headed to a gain of more than 30 seats, well beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

The newly empowered House Democrats will have the ability to investigate Trump's tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and allegations involving his 2016 campaign's links to Russia.

They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaces that he obstructed justice or that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

House Democrats could be banking on launching an investigation using the results of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's already 18-month-old probe of allegations of Russian interference on Trump's behalf in the 2016 presidential election. Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.

"Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America," Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi told cheering Democrats at a Washington victory party, saying House Democrats would be a check on Trump.

"We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we can't," Pelosi said.

Despite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, "Tremendous success tonight."

Trump called Pelosi, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and several of the Republican winners.The Russian Orthodox Church has previously said its priests were forbidden to serve in the churches of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and believers who prayed there should confess.

Exarch of Attaleia and Side, Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia has said acts of the Russian Orthodox Church, which decided to sever relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the background of the process of granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, give joy only to the Anti-Christ.

Read alsoPatriarch Bartholomew calls on Russia to accept Ukrainians' right to autocephaly

"My beloved spiritual children, for those of you who belong to the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia and the Exarchate of Attaleia and Side no outside Bishop, Metropolitan, or Patriarch has any right to go around or behind the back of your local Metropolitan and to give you orders  or issue threats  regarding which church you should attend and where you should receive Holy Communion. None of these hierarchs has any authority over you before Christ and His One Holy Church. If you were to disregard such prohibitions and directions, you are not culpable and should not feel any guilt," he said in a message.

The Russian Orthodox Church has previously said its priests were forbidden to serve in the churches of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and believers who prayed there should confess.

"Those who have high ecclesiastical rank are the ones who are responsible, and guilty before God, for trying  through uncanonical acts and threats  to pull you away from the Church and from your priest and Bishop, telling you neither to go to confession nor to receive Holy Communion. Acts such as these give joy only to the Anti-Christ, who fights Christ and His Church. All reasonable people are harmed deeply by such satanic efforts," the exarch said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church ruled on October 15 to sever eucharistic communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople after the latter's Holy Synod on October 11 announced a decision to grant autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine.Peskov did not predict that relations would deteriorate further, but said "one can suggest with a high degree of certainty that, of course, rosy prospects for the normalization of Russian-American relations are not visible on the horizon."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says that relations with the United States cannot get much worse, but also suggests that prospects for improvement are hard to discern following the midterm elections in the United States.

Dmitry Peskov spoke on November 7, after results from the U.S. election showed that the Democratic Party has won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives but President Donald Trump's Republican Party has retained control over the Senate, RFE/RL reported.

"It would be hard to make [the relationship] much more difficult," Peskov told reporters when asked whether the results  which had been widely predicted ahead of the November 6 elections  could complicate Russia's ties with the United States. "Everything is pretty difficult as it is."

Read alsoIn setback for Trump, Democrats seize U.S. House control  Reuters

Substantial unity on sanctions against Russia over its interference in Ukraine and other actions is unlikely to decrease when the Democrats take control of the House in January. Representatives Eliot Engel and Adam Smith, both Kremlin critics, are likely to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, respectively.

Peskov did not predict that relations would deteriorate further, but said "one can suggest with a high degree of certainty that, of course, rosy prospects for the normalization of Russian-American relations are not visible on the horizon."

"But this does not mean that we are not seeking dialogue or don't want dialogue," Peskov said. "There are many issues that demand Russian-American communication  the issues of strategic stability and arms control," he said. "These issues will not fade away [on their own] without a conversation."

Trump has repeatedly expressed hope for improvement in ties with Russia, which have been badly strained by disputes over issues that also include Moscow's military interference in Ukraine and the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. But his term has been clouded by investigations into the alleged Russian meddling and whether his associates colluded with Moscow during and after the campaign.

Trump faced widespread criticism for comments at a July 16 summit in Helsinki in which he suggested that he believed Putin's denials about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election that put him in office, contradicting conclusions by the U.S. intelligence community.

The Helsinki summit is the only full-scale meeting the two presidents have held since Trump took office in January 2017. Tentative plans for a substantive meeting on November 11, during ceremonies in Paris commemorating the end of World War I, have been abandoned.

One U.S. House lawmaker who has praised Putin and called for warmer ties with Russia, Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, lost his seat to a Democrat in a close race after nearly 30 years in the lower house of Congress.Poland's ZPP says only a coordinated migration policy aimed largely at reasonable absorption of economic migrants can mend the situation.

The outflow of Ukrainian migrants from Poland to Western Europe can lead to a 1.6% loss of that country's GDP.

"The implementation of the plan presented by the Germans will have a definite impact on the Polish economy. One can forecast and there is research on this subject that a large share of Ukrainian workers staying in Poland will choose to go to the West. This means a large part of the workforce we need will move to Germany, which will cause major problems for entrepreneurs, but will also create macroeconomic challenges," the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers of Poland, also known as ZPP, said in a statement on November 6.

According to ZPP's base-case scenario, which foresees the outflow of 500,000 Ukrainian migrants from Poland's labor market, the possible loss will be 1.6% of GDP, which is one-third of GDP growth in 2017.

"In the context of the imminent economic downturn, this loss would be even greater," it said.

Read alsoNBU expects Ukrainians' labor migration to Poland to decline in medium term

"We are worried about the situation that is related to the problem of insufficient supply of workforce in Poland and hence the associated lack of workers, which is increasingly covered by the nationwide media," ZPP quotes Secretary of its Law and Legislation Department Jakub Binkowski as saying.

"From 2016, we propose the creation of a coordinated migration policy, providing for a simplified procedure for recruiting citizens of Ukraine and other countries whose representatives have already been working in Poland and contributing to the creation of GDP," he added.

According to Binkowski, the next step in the economic context that is related to the lack of workforce is to create a transparent procedure for migrants from across the eastern border of Poland to get permanent residence permits and subsequently citizenship.Country

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Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and 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The move is an abrupt end to what had been a tumultuous tenure for Sessions, originally one of Trump's earliest and most loyal surrogates as an Alabama Republican senator.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"At your request I am submitting my resignation," Sessions wrote in a letter to White House chief of staff John Kelly, according to CNN.

Whitaker is expected to take charge of the Russia investigation and special counsel Robert Mueller from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Whitaker has been openly critical of Mueller and the investigation and Democrats immediately called on him to recuse himself, just as Sessions had.

"We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well ...We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date," Trump tweeted.

Read alsoIn setback for Trump, Democrats seize U.S. House control  Reuters

The move is an abrupt end to what had been a tumultuous tenure for Sessions, originally one of Trump's earliest and most loyal surrogates as an Alabama Republican senator. He was a key figure in implementing Trump's vision for America and significantly rolled back Obama-era policies on immigration, police reform and civil rights.

Sessions was an enforcer of much of the Trump administration's hardline approach on immigration and regularly praised the President's tough words on crime. But even as he continued to carry out the Trump agenda, his relationship with the President remained strained and fraught for months due to the ongoing Mueller investigation.

Sessions received the request to resign from Kelly, not the President, on Wednesday morning, an administration official said. It is not clear whether Mueller was told ahead of time.November 7 2018

Reiach & Hall Architects have won the prestigious RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award for 2018 courtesy of Nucleus, The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Caithness Archive in Wick.

The industrial-scale intervention in a remote landscape won over the judging team which included Ryder Architecture partner Gordon Murray, Anna Lui, director of Tonkin Liu Architects and Murray Kerr, director of Denizen Works.

In a statement the panel remarked: As well as a national archive of the UKs nuclear power industry, it is also the repository of the social history of Caithness. This building has many stories to tell.

In an effort to give some depth of context to the rather anonymous site for the building on the edge of an industrial estate, the architects have drawn an allegorical tale on the landscape and big skies of the floe country and the magnificent horizontal light on which is founded the disposition of elements of the building- the pools of water and the triangular forms. However, for this jury, the rootedness of such a building firmly in the social and cultural history was a much more significant allegory. The building is a physical manifestation of the metaphysical, capturing both the identity and the nature of the space of its location.

At a basic level the building is a sophisticated storage facility ordered along a logical system of servant and served spaces- the archive bunkers. However, it is with the addition of the support facilities and public archive in the triangulated forms, the planes of which shift in the vertical and the horizontal, and in the lochans - the pools which signify each progressive level of security in the building, that the building comes alive. The long, triangulated prow creates a unique public space with a grand sense of arrival  this is indeed a public building. The immediate enclosure gives a sense of place where there was no context before.

Nucleus was chosen as the winner from a shortlist of 12 projects.(@FahadShabbir)

The Bank of Khyber (BOK) has always strived to ensure safe banking experience for its customers.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The Bank of Khyber (BOK) has always strived to ensure safe banking experience for its customers.

A spokesman of the BOK Wednesday said that in the wake of recent cyber security breach incidents, they had assured valued customers that their data has remained secured and uncompromised, said a press release issued here.

It said that the same has been affirmed by Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PakCERT) threat intelligence report dated 4th November 2018.

The BOK is playing a proactive role in preventing bank pilferage. Moreover, the bank has state of the art information technology, security system that has capacity to meet any future challenges in cyber security breaches.

The BOK acknowledges the confidence showed by its customers and expressed gratitude for theirsupport.Turkey's Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) opened a representative office in Tanzania, an East African country, the business body announced on Wednesday.

ANKARA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Turkey's Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) opened a representative office in Tanzania , an East African country, the business body announced on Wednesday.

As part of the association's trade diplomacy vision - to have branches in 100 countries by the end of 2018 -- the number of MUSIAD's representative offices in 81 countries reached 211 with the branch in Tanzania.

Ibrahim Uyar, the head of MUSIAD's foreign organization and development commission, said Tanzania has a great importance in trade and business relations between Turkey and Africa.

Calling Tanzania as one of the most reliable and stable country in Africa, Uyar said: "With its almost 60 million population and investment opportunities, the country is an attraction center for business people.

" "The trade volume between the two countries posts an upward trend," he said. "Although the current trade volume is below the desired level, the efforts are promising."In the January-September period this year, the trade volume between Turkey and Tanzania recorded an annual growth of 61 percent, reaching nearly $190 million, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Over the past five years, Turkey's exports to Tanzania amounted to $620.3 million, while the country's imports from Tanzania were $184.4 million.LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Tuesday the creation of five advisory councils at once to ensure the best conditions for UK businesses and to advise the country's authorities after Brexit.

"Brexit presents a huge opportunity to build a better, stronger economy for people all over the country. So I've asked these new councils to advise us on the opportunities and challenges facing business as we shape the UK for the future," May said, commenting on the initiative.

The five councils will be Telecoms, Creative, Technology and Media; Industrial, Infrastructure and Manufacturing; Small Business, Scale ups and Entrepreneurs; Financial, Professional and education Services; and Consumer, Retail and Life Sciences, the government said.

It is planned that each council will meet three times a year: twice with the participation of the prime minister, and once with a senior cabinet minister.

The councils will also be a platform for the government to develop policy initiatives and evaluate them, the government said.

Each of the councils will have two co-chairs and about ten participants representing key sectors of UK economy, as well as representatives of key business associations.

The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on March 29, 2019, with the transition period set to end in December 2020. Nevertheless, London and Brussels still have not reached an agreement on a number of issues, such as the Irish border and the post-Brexit economic relations.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Punjab Healthcare Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 350,000 on four Health Care Establishments (HCEs) for carrying out two unsuccessful procedures and having no registration and license from the commission.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :The Punjab Healthcare Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 350,000 on four Health Care Establishments (HCEs) for carrying out two unsuccessful procedures and having no registration and license from the commission.

According to available information, a complainant, Bashir Ahmed, had submitted an application with the PHC maintaining that Dr Kashif Ali had carried out the laparoscopic operation and an open surgery at the Niazi Medical Complex Sargodha to remove stones from his son Irfan Bashir's gall bladder. He also alleged that the patient's condition had also worsened after operations, and was treated at another HCE where tests and treatment proved that the stones were not removed despite two procedures.

The PHC investigation and experts opinion found complainant's allegation to be true, and the commission imposed Rs 200,000 fine on the complex.

The PHC board had also directed the HCE to stop all procedures, being performed by such incompetent doctors.

On the other hand, the commission also imposed Rs 50,000 fine to Wajahat Hospital Sargodha for not getting license from the PHC and maintaining documentation of the treated patients.

Moreover, the Hussain Hospital Jhang was also fined Rs 100,000 for not getting the PHC registration. Both the HCEs have been directed to complete the processes as well.Andri Anastasiades, First Lady of Cyprus, has honoured Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, in appreciation of her prominent humanitarian role in fighting thalassaemia.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) Andri Anastasiades, First Lady of Cyprus, has honoured Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, in appreciation of her prominent humanitarian role in fighting thalassaemia.

The honouring is in appreciation of the prominent humanitarian role of Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who is also the Permanent Member of the Thalassaemia International Federation, in supporting thalassaemia patients locally and internationally through the foundation, as well as for launching the Sultan bin Khalifa International Thalassaemia Award Programme.

The recognition of Sheikha Sheikha, the Vice-President of the H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation, and President of the Emirates Thalassaemia Society, came at a dinner gala held in Cyprus in her honour, in the presence of Sultan Ahmed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Cyprus, and Panos Englezos, President of the International Thalassaemia Federation, as well as several UAE diplomatic corps members.

Sheikha Sheikha and her delegation also visited the Thalassaemia Centre in Cyprus, toured its departments, and met its patients and their families, as well as the centres medical and administrative staff.

She expressed her happiness at seeing the centres advanced medical services, noting that the healthcare sector in Cyprus is being prioritised by the countrys government.

She spoke with the centres medical and therapeutic staff and thanked its doctors and nurses for their efforts, perseverance and sacrifices for thalassaemia patients.

She visited the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics in the capital, Nicosia, and listened to a presentation about the institutes genetic treatment for thalassaemia patients and the other services it offers.

Sheikha Sheikha praised the level of healthcare and social services offered to patients in Cyprus while valuing the role of the Federation in promoting volunteer work around the world.DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development, DED, participated in SIAL, the leading trade fair for European and global food industry, for the 5th year alongside Sharjah Exports Development Centre of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SCCI, displaying the diversity and global competitiveness of the food industry and allied sectors in Dubai.

The exhibition, held from 21st to 25th October in Paris, was a meeting place for 7,000 companies from 109 countries to display their innovative products and services across 21 categories to retail and food sector professionals, importers and distributors. Altogether there were 22 companies from the UAE exhibiting 575 diverse products at SIAL this year.

Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports, said SIAL Paris has always provided a valuable platform for Dubai Exports to reiterate its commitment to be a preferred source market for Europe in the food and beverages sector.

"Food and beverages, F&B, is one of the most important manufacturing sectors in the UAE, contributing to 12 percent of the manufacturing value added. F&B is also one of the six focus industries in the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and with its existing strengths and future direction, local manufacturers and exports will continue to have vast opportunities in Europe where demand for foods has grown and diversified substantially in recent years," said Al Awadi.

Together, EU countries account for the largest imports as well as exports of foodstuffs. In 2016, EU countries imported 93 million tonnes of foods worth AED423 billion (101 billion Euros) but in 2017, imports rose to AED492 billion despite subdued global trade. The UAE exported AED12 billion worth of goods to EU in 2017 with foods alone accounting for AED723 million.

Mohamed Ahmed Amin, Acting Director-General of SCCI, said that the Sharjah Export Development Centre participated in SIAL as part of promoting, marketing and upgrading local food trade and supporting the UAE private sector.

"SIAL enabled UAE companies to make a strong presence overseas and have their diverse capabilities recognised at a global forum, in addition to establishing contacts with potential customers. The experience thus gained will help local companies adopt global best practices to develop and expand their business. Through participating in SIAL we underlined our commitment to working together with local and Federal entities, including Dubai Exports, to support and grow UAE exports," Amin concluded.(@rukhshanmir)

Dubai Municipality has organised the 6th International Conference for Sustainable Construction Materials under the theme, "Building the Future  Construction Technology of Tomorrow" at Conrad Dubai Hotel in the presence of Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, CEO of Dubai Municipality for Environment, Health and Safety Sector and a number of researchers and experts in the field of sustainable construction materials.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) Dubai Municipality has organised the 6th International Conference for Sustainable Construction Materials under the theme, "Building the Future  Construction Technology of Tomorrow" at Conrad Dubai Hotel in the presence of Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, CEO of Dubai Municipality for Environment, Health and Safety Sector and a number of researchers and experts in the field of sustainable construction materials.

Al Awadhi, who delivered the opening speech in the conference which is concluding today, stressed the pivotal role played by Dubai Municipality in the use of modern digital technologies and advanced technological applications, which have reflected positively on the services of testing and issuing conformity certificates and labels for construction materials, products and systems, which has a significant impact on enhancing the performance of the construction sector in accordance with the highest standards of quality and sustainability.

He pointed out that this year, the conference focused on ways to look ahead in terms of finding alternatives and smart technologies in the development of construction materials, products and systems.

Al Awadhi said the conference will support in enhancing the ways of benefiting from scientific and knowledge expertise and development opportunities that will be presented in this distinguished scientific gathering, which will help in the process of inventing creative and sustainable solutions that support the efforts to address environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

He added that Dubai Municipality has implemented several initiatives, projects and laws related to sustainability, including in many areas such as sustainable urban planning, environment, waste water treatment, solid waste management, thermal insulation, energy conservation, green building and its evaluation system (Al Saafaat), in order to reach the ultimate goal of making Dubai a sustainable green city.

Al Awadhi also opened the exhibition, which was held alongside the conference. The exhibition was participated by a number of establishments and companies in the field of sustainable construction materials. It exhibits a number of sustainable construction products that are environment friendly. The exhibition also highlighted the results of studies and research carried out by the Dubai Central Laboratory such as study on the use of nanotechnology in dyes and study on the design of 3D concrete mixtures using locally available materials.

On the second day, the conference programme included a field visit to Expo 2020 site, where participants were briefed on the progress of the important global event, especially the construction work, as well as a field visit to the Sustainable City site to learn about the most important techniques used there.Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, Empower, is on its way to establishing the worlds largest district cooling project by increasing its capacity of district cooling in Business Bay. The Empower endeavour is based on a contract signed in 2005, which stipulates providing Business Bay with 350,000 Refrigeration Tons, in completion of its expansion plans to cover the entire district.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, Empower, is on its way to establishing the worlds largest district cooling project by increasing its capacity of district cooling in business Bay. The Empower endeavour is based on a contract signed in 2005, which stipulates providing Business Bay with 350,000 Refrigeration Tons, in completion of its expansion plans to cover the entire district.

Currently, Business Bay is served by three major district cooling plants with a total capacity of 135,000 RT, owned by Empower named as Business Bays 1, 2 and 3 located within the district. As part of the expansion plan, three more plants in Business Bays 4, 5 and 6 are upcoming in the same district with the capacity of meeting the increased demand on district cooling services in Business Bay.

The collective capacity is expected to reach 350,000 RT by the completion of all stages of this project, which is the largest project of its kind worldwide.

Commenting on the new project, Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said,"The new plants, Business Bay 4, 5 and 6 that Empower is working on completing will be using advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence application.

These plants will also be connected to the Monitoring and Control Centre which will be providing instantaneous information to adjust supply and consumption rates with a single keystroke."

The Business Bay 2 and Business Bay 3 plants were built according to the US Green Building Standards, and have also obtained the certificate of LEED GOLD Standards. All plants in Business Bay project are following sustainable methodologies by using Treated Sewage Effluent and Thermal Energy Storage technologies and connected to Empowers Centralised Command Centre, which provides real-time information and overview about plant operations.

To maintain the overall attire of the district, a special attention has been given in the architectural design of all plants which goes along with the comprehensive architectural development of this area.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, of the UAE, and the Cote dIvoires National Agency for the Universal Service of Telecommunications -TIC (ANSUT), have agreed to foster cooperation in the information and communications technology, ICT, sector development, promoting digitisation, and facilitating digital development in the Arab and the West African economies.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, of the UAE, and the Cote dIvoires National Agency for the Universal Service of Telecommunications -TIC (ANSUT), have agreed to foster cooperation in the information and communications technology, ICT, sector development, promoting digitisation, and facilitating digital development in the Arab and the West African economies.

To this effect, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the International Telecommunications Unions, ITUs, Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18), which is currently being organised by the TRA and will run until 16th November at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC.

The TRA-UAE, represented by Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of TRA, and ANSUT represented by CEO Euloge Soro-Kipeya and Diemeleou Amon Gabriel Bile, Director-General of ARTCI, signed the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Mansoori said, "The TRA is keen on cooperating with all the bodies working in the field of ICT, with the aim of reaching the highest level of international coordination, in a way that helps bring benefit to everyone. We, in the UAE, seek to share our experience in developing ICT with various countries in the world, according to the directives of our wise leadership, which encourages co-operation and consultation to enhance human interaction to achieve greater success in digital service development.

"

"PP-18 provides a golden opportunity for knowledge exchange and for arriving at practical solutions that can accelerate the march towards sustainable development," Al Mansoori added.

Euloge Soro-Kipeya said, "Cote d'Ivoire sees this important collaboration agreement as a new springboard for unleashing a wave of co-operation with the UAE in the field of ICT. Cote d'Ivoire's thriving and digital communications-driven economy, in part, can be attributed to the role that ANSUT has been playing in the country ever since it was created by the government in March 2012."

He added, "Through this international co-operation agreement signed with the TRA-UAE, ANSUT and the Cote d'Ivoire government look forward to creating new possibilities with the UAE on a bilateral basis, to help fulfil the United Nations sustainable development agenda. The UAE has deep-rooted experience in ICT development and its uses, and in upgrading the government digitally in different sectors. We, in Cote d'Ivoire, look forward to benefiting from the Emirati experience in such tech-led socio-economic development."(@FahadShabbir)

Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, met with Chiril Gaburici, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure of Moldova, and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Nov, 2018) Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, met with Chiril Gaburici, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure of Moldova, and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday.

During the meeting, held at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development headquarters in Dubai, the two sides discussed means of developing ties in the infrastructure development sector.

Dr. Al Nuaimi praised the overall bilateral ties between the two countries, including in the areas of infrastructure and transport, while stressing the importance of their meetings to enhancing their cooperation and serving their interests.

The Minister also presented the main pillars of the UAE Vision 2021, which include the infrastructure sector that is key to the process of comprehensive development.

Jabourisi praised the development witnessed by the UAE in all areas, including in infrastructure and roads while noting that the UAE has become an international model to follow.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force attended the opening ceremony of Zhuhai Air Show, China.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force attended the opening ceremony of Zhuhai Air Show, China. A large number of delegations from different countries were also present at the occasion. The Air chief along with other high ranking officials and dignitaries witnessed the stunning aerial display of 'Pride of Pakistan' JF-17 Thunder aircraft, said a message received here.

The Air chief visited the Pakistan Pavilion, being set up by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, where he interacted with the PAF contingent participating in the show.

He appreciated the performance of PAF personnel in the show and said the participation of Pakistan Air Force in this air show was a matter of pride for the nation.

He also visited the static display of JF-17 Thunder aircraft where he met the pilots and ground crew and lauded their performance during the show.

Availing the opportunity, the air chief also met with the air chiefs of other air forces and discussed with them matters of professional interest.

The Air chief also called on Lieutenant General Ding Laihang, Commander Peoples Liberation Army (Air Force). Both the dignitaries agreed to further enhance the mutual cooperation in training and capability enhancement between the two friendly air forces. Later on he also visited various stalls at the show and met the high ranking officials of the air forces of various countries.Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that heart of the people of Pakistan and Turkey beat together and both brotherly Muslims countries has always stood together in the times of need.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that heart of the people of Pakistan and Turkey beat together and both brotherly Muslims countries has always stood together in the times of need.

He expressed these views while talking to Ambassador of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, who called on him at the Parliament House on Wednesday.

The Speaker said that Pakistan and Turkey were tied in the bond of common religion, culture and history.

He said that both the countries have similar perceptions on regional and global issues and always support each other at regional and global forums.

Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan was proud of its unique friendship with people and leadership of Turkey and wanted to bring the existing bilateral relations to new heights.

He further said that the parliamentarian of both the countries could play important role for promoting harmony and bringing both the nations more closer.

Asad Qaiser said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would be beneficial for all the countries of the region and would prove helpful to overcome poverty and unemployment.

The Speaker also invited Turkey to take part China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul said that Turkey gives great importance to its friendly relations with Pakistan and committed to further strengthening the existing relations.

He said that people of Turkey considered Pakistan their second home and wanted to see a strong and prosperous Pakistan. He appreciated Pakistan's role for peace and prosperity of the region.

Ihsan Mustafa accepted the invitation of Asad Qaiser to Turkey's participation in CPEC projects and further said that he would convey the message of Speaker to his leadership.

He also extended invitation to Asad Qaiser to attend 2nd League of Parliamentarian Conference for Al Quds, which will be held on December 14 in Istanbul.Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday called on President Dr Arif Alvi here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday called on President Dr Arif Alvi here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

They discussed matters related to the national security.

The president commended unmatched sacrifices rendered by the armed forces in the fight against terrorism and extremism, a press release said.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan on Tuesday hailing performance of the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) Punjab, urged the officials to uplift the department's progress by exploiting latest public relations trends and technology.

According to a handout, addressing a review meeting with the DGPR officials at Al-Hamra, Chohan noted the department's energetic team had the potential to further enhance its performance by hard work and dedication.

Director General of DGPR Amjad Hussain Bhatti and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

He said the government was providing all possible resources including manpower and equipment to enhance the DGPR's working capacity in the fields of print, electronic and social media.

A separate cell should be set up at the DGPR to work to use the social media as a communication tool on the government level, he said, adding the proposed cell must not act as a tool for the PTI or any other political party, instead, it should act effectively and professionally no matter which party ruled the country.

Underlining the need for a close coordination among different DGPR departments, the minister urged the information officers to effectively use print, electronic and social media.

He said the PTI government believed in merit and supremacy of law. The information officers, he added, should play an active role to highlight and convey the PTI government's vision to the grass-root level.

There would be zero tolerance for corruption and undue expenses, the minister said and added, therefore, the officers should follow the policy of less expenses more results while presenting their proposals.

Briefing the minister on department's performance and functioning, DG of DGPR Amjad Hussain Bhatti said the officers and the other staff were putting in their best to fulfill their responsibilities despite limited resources.Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Wednesday greeted Hindu community on the occasion of festival of lights, Diwali.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Wednesday greeted Hindu community on the occasion of festival of lights, Diwali.

In a tweet,the minister said, "Happy Diwali to Hindus in Pakistan and around the world, Diwali symbolizes victory of good over evil, the struggle is continuing".(@FahadShabbir)

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The lawyers on Wednesday staged a protest to press for their demand of new Lahore High Court (LHC) regional benches in three divisions.

The lawyers from Sargodha, Gujranwala and Faisalabad converged at LHC's Mall gate and then reached to LHC chief justice courtroom while crossing all barriers.

Later, they marched to the Punjab Assembly and staged a protest there. They were carrying placards inscribed with slogans for their demands.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed on the occasion. The police implemented an alternate plan for the smooth flow of traffic.Ministry of Human Resource has drafted an action plan for ending child abuse in the country focusing on prevention, protection, recovery and reintegration, participation in society and Monitoring and Coordination.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Ministry of Human Resource has drafted an action plan for ending child abuse in the country focusing on prevention, protection, recovery and reintegration, participation in society and Monitoring and Coordination.

The action plan is formulated for the welfare and ensuring rights of children under the provisions of United Nations Convention on Rights of Child (UNCRC) ratified by Pakistan in 1990.

For prevention of child abuse, the ministry planned to hold multimedia awareness raising for general public, conduct workshops, ensure access to education for all, hold workshops and seminars, Integration of Child Rights and personal health, protection education, awareness raising and sensitization of high ranking officials and members of the parliament and provincial assemblies, said an documents presented before the special committee on the issues of increasing number of child abuse".

Besides this the plan included integration of children rights and personal health, protection education for self-defence, awareness raising and sensitization of high ranking officials and members of the parliament and provincial assemblies, sensitization of police and court officials, community mobilization to develop local vigilance and protection system and establishment of school protection committees through PTAs.

For protection, the ministry is considering to ensure effective implementation of Juvenile Justice System and establishment of child-friendly courts, conduct training of law enforcement personnel and judiciary on improved implementation mechanism, publicity of laws and mechanism against child abuse, take special measures against child pornography, monitoring of regional trafficking mafias and networks.

For recovery and reintegration, under the action plan the ministry would develop a national core group of master trainers on psychosocial recovery and rehabilitation of victims of child abuse, develop training packages for healthcare providers, train multi-disciplinary service providers, establish child protection committees/units in all major hospitals and reports.

Development of referral system for victims of child abuse, publicize the available services, develop and implement a code of conduct for shelter homes, provision of life skills-based education and training for survivors of child assault, publicize the available services, develop peer support groups to encourage children's participation in their recovery and re-integration and establishment of document centre on child abuse and exploitation.

For participation, under the new action plan Ministry of Human Rights planned to consult children on their needs and priorities when developing policies and implementing activities besides providing support, information and training of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other partners to the enable those to support children's active participation in implementing and monitoring of action plan.

While for monitoring and coordination, the ministry would work on strengthening the institutional capacity of the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development.The students from various schools and colleges at a declamation contest on Wednesday spoke against corruption as they tested their oratory skills, organised by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore at Alhamrah Arts Council.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The students from various schools and colleges at a declamation contest on Wednesday spoke against corruption as they tested their oratory skills, organised by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore at Alhamrah Arts Council.

The declamation contest was held under NAB's month-long anti-corruption awareness drive to aware and encourage the youth to stand firm against corruption.

Provincial Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht was the chief guest of the event, whereas King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Khalid Masud Gondal was guest of honour.

Addressing the ceremony, the minister appreciated the efforts of NAB to root out corruption from society and said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was working day and night to bring progress and prosperity of the country.

He said that special measures were being put in place to provide peaceful environment to the youth where they can nurture themselves for the bright future of the country.

The minister said that NAB being premier anti-corruption department playing a key role in eradication of corruption.

He also stressed upon all segments of society to fight against the menace of corruption.

The event was attended by people from different walks of life, including students.Ambassador of Belgium, Frederic Verheyden here on Tuesday said Pakistan needs to rightly portrait its economic potential and security environment, and counter negative perception about it in Europe as the investors are still hesitant to come in the country.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Ambassador of Belgium, Frederic Verheyden here on Tuesday said Pakistan needs to rightly portrait its economic potential and security environment, and counter negative perception about it in Europe as the investors are still hesitant to come in the country.

He was addressing the members of English Speaking Union at a local hotel.

Prominent businessmen and elite of the city attended the event. A group of foreign diplomats in Karachi including Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Noor-e-Halal Saifur Rahman, Head of Political and Economic Affairs in United States' Consulate, Jimmy R.Mauldin, and the Consul General of Turkey in Karachi.

Belgian Ambassador said more investment from European countries, especially from his country, could be attracted to Pakistan if its potential in various economic sectors and the improved security situation were dully presented over there through special campaign and lobbying by Pakistan government.

The bilateral trade had grown over the passage of time, but there was a big room to increase the trade and economic cooperation by taking sector-specific measures.

Belgium is 10th largest export destination of Pakistan after getting GSP-plus facility (tax free access) for Pakistani goods in European markets.

And, after GSP-plus, the trade was in favor of Pakistan, he said.

He said there was need for more interaction between the two governments and the business communities, and it would enhance trade and economic cooperation.

"I hope, more B2B meetings would be held for joint ventures," he said adding that there was big possibility for joint ventures.

The ambassador said that he was in Karachi for last three days to hold meetings with the representatives of the Belgian companies operating in Sindh. He also met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday to talk on the trade and investment, and had meeting with NED University management to develop understanding/cooperation for a joint research on earthquakes.

He said it was his fifth visit to Karachi since 2015 after his posting as ambassador to Pakistan. He praised the hospitality of Karachiites.

He said Belgium was a small country with population of only eleven million but she had high gross domestic product (GDP) rate. It was export-oriented country. Belgium had enjoyed great importance as it housed the headquarters of European Union.

In Pakistan, the Europe had high profile and positive image. Pakistan liked to visit and work in EU. There was also good number of Pakistani students in Belgium only.

He said Pakistanis were very patient people and the energetic youth was the country's great asset.

To a question, he said the Pakistani businessmen would be given priority and would be extended maximum facilitation in issuance of visa to Belgium.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Wednesday said philanthropy was the height of humanity and an integral part of the Muslim faith.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Wednesday said philanthropy was the height of humanity and an integral part of the Muslim faith.

Talking to thalassemia patients and their families during his visit of Sundas Foundation here, he said the people who dedicated their lives for the ailing humanity became immortal.

The Punjab governor visited various parts of Sundas Foundation and inquired after the health of patients. He also distributed fruit baskets and gifts among the ailing children.

He urged the philanthropists and the affluent to come forward and play their role in empowering children with disabilities.

Sundas Foundation President Yasin Khan and actors Sohail Ahmed and Khalid Abbas Dar received the Punjab governor.

The governor said it was a yeoman's service to help the people in distress, adding that Pakistanis always took active part in welfare work.

The Punjab governor said he would extend maximum help to the Sundas Foundation and urged all segments of society to play their role in helping the thalassemia patients.

He said, "It is our national responsibility to help such patients." He added that health and education sectors were the top priority of the government.

Ch Sarwar hailed good work by the Foundation, adding that it had saved thousands of children from the clutches of death. He also paid glowing tributes to late chairman Sundas Foundation Munno Bhai who had dedicated latter part of his life to the service and welfare of thalassemia patients in Pakistan.

The governor hailed philanthropists for their invaluable donations to save precious human lives.

He admired the services of Sundas Foundation in creating awareness and eradication of thalassemia.

He also invited thalassemia patients to visit the governor house, adding doors of the Punjab governor house were open for them.

Later, Ch Sarwar gave away mementos and certificates among the renowned philanthropists who have been supporting Sundas Foundation over the years.(@rukhshanmir)

ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday constituted a five-member Advisory Committee for Good Governance for evaluating the performance of government functionaries and recommending various measures to improve the government's performance.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Secretary General Arshad Dad would be the committee chairman and Ejaz Minhas secretary with Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Naeem-ul-Haq, Ejaz Chaudhry and Rabia Zia members, a PTI press release said here Tuesday.

The committee has been assigned to prepare proposals to help improving governance, besides finding members of integrity and capability from the public for various advisory roles to different government departments.

The committee will monitor and evaluate the performance of public officer bearers and report to Imran Khan, who is also PTI's chairman. The committee will take input and from and communicate with the relevant elected members of the parliament and provincial assemblies.Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar paid rich tributes to the bravery and courage of Capt.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar paid rich tributes to the bravery and courage of Capt.

Zarghaam Fareed who embraced martyrdom while defusing the landmine in Mohmand Agency.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the chief minister extended heartfelt condolences to his heirs and prayed for early recovery of injured Sepoy Rehan.

He said, another brave officer of the Pak-Army had sacrificed his life for the beloved motherland and whole nation was proud of his courage.

"The nation will never forget the great sacrifices rendered by brave sons like Capt. Zarghaam Fareed as they have written a history of courage with their blood.

Martyrs are, in fact, the pride of the nation and their sacrifices will never be forgotten," the chief minister concluded.The food safety teams of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), during the ongoing special campaign in educational institutions, sealed 16 canteens of public and private schools.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :The food safety teams of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), during the ongoing special campaign in educational institutions, sealed 16 canteens of public and private schools.

The teams also served warning notices on 346 and penalised 17 food business operators (FBOs) in a daylong operation.

Out of 16, the PFA sealed four canteens in Rawalpindi and six each in Lahore and Multan regions.

Director General Food Authority Muhammad Usman paid visits to Divisional Public school (DPS) and Lahore Grammar School (LGS) to inspect the food quality and standards at canteens.

The PFA sealed LGS's canteen and imposed fine on four canteens of DPS over non-compliance of authority'sinstructions.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir on Wednesday said that under investigation corruption cases were made during previous governments by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir on Wednesday said that under investigation corruption cases were made during previous governments by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Talking to media outside the Parliament House, she said that NAB was an independent institution and mandated to investigate anybody in corruption charges.

She said that those involved in corruption should be brought to justice to bring back the looted money.

She said that Opposition parties wanted to utilize all the time for protecting its corruption in NA and Senate sessions.

Replying to a question, the minister expressed the hope that Pak-China bilateral ties would further strengthen with Prime Minister Imran Khan's successful visit to China.

She said that government was required financial assistance to pay back previous loans which were taken by previous governments.As many as 2,000 migrants have been reported drowned in the Mediterranean so far this year, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said

ROME, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :As many as 2,000 migrants have been reported drowned in the Mediterranean so far this year, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said.

Some 100,000 asylum seekers and migrants have reached European coasts this year, returning to pre-2014 levels, it said.

The over 2,000 deaths by drowning indicate that the death rate has sharply risen, the UNHCR said.

In September, one in eight people making the crossing lost their lives, above all because of areduced rescue capacity.(@rukhshanmir)

The Central African Republic (CAR) has reached a level of stability that makes it possible to "envisage the dialogue" among the conflicting parties in the country, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th November, 2018) The Central African Republic CAR ) has reached a level of stability that makes it possible to "envisage the dialogue" among the conflicting parties in the country, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), told Sputnik.

"I'd say that the country has been generally stabilized. There is a relatively acceptable level of stability, which allows us to envisage the dialogue. This did not reduce the pockets of tension, here and there, and the presence of the military groups, which still have relative influence on the zones important for the country. This requires the continuation of the efforts to be able to convince each other that peace in the country would be profitable for everyone," Onanga-Anyanga, who serves as the UN Special Representative for the CAR, said.

The UN special envoy stressed that there were a number of initiatives helping promote peace, such as programs against community violence as well as youth projects. Onanga-Anyanga conceded that there still was a risk that violence might flare up again.

"We cannot deny it; it is a real risk.

But we put in place a mechanism to secure the state, which allows us today to maintain the balance," the MINUSCA head said.

Onanga-Anyanga stressed that the peace process in the car was "a long-term work."

'What we should avoid thinking is, firstly, that there will be a rapid solution, which will sort out the problem. It's not true, it doesn't exist. Secondly, think that there will be only military solution. The state is still very weak; we need to help it get back on its feet, which will require long-term investments," the UN special envoy said.

Onanga-Anyanga added that the international community would need to remain united and committed to a common vision of "helping the reconstruction of the state."

"We need the international community to agree to invest in the CAR in the long-term; we will not resolve the crisis in the CAR in three, five years," the MINUSCA head said.

Since 2012, the CAR has been gripped by an internal conflict involving the government and armed militias.

MINUSCA was established in 2014 to promote disarmament and demobilization and to promote human rights in the conflict-torn country.Croatia will host the 21st annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Dubrovnik on November 12-19, the Agriculture Ministry has announced.

ZAGREB, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Croatia will host the 21st annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Dubrovnik on November 12-19, the Agriculture Ministry has announced.

The meeting will bring together 750 participants from 52 countries, representatives of administrations, science, and non-governmental organizations.

The cost of the seven-day event will be covered by the European Union.

Work within the ICCAT Commission is of great importance for Croatia given that the bluefin tuna is the economically most important species for Croatian fisheries, the Economy Ministry said.

Tuna breeding constitutes the backbone of Croatian fisheries, and since this activity takes place on islands, from the socioeconomic aspect it is very important for local island communities, Agriculture Minister Tomislav Tolusic said.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Special Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases in Croatia's capital Zagreb has been given an international healthcare accreditation, and the hospital organised a ceremony on Tuesday after it became the first Croatian recipient of the CHKS Healthcare Accreditation.

ZAGREB, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The Special Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases in Croatia's capital Zagreb has been given an international healthcare accreditation, and the hospital organised a ceremony on Tuesday after it became the first Croatian recipient of the CHKS Healthcare Accreditation.

The hospital currently has 34 beds for palliative care and this is the biggest hospital capacity for palliative patients in Croatia. The hospital operates in compliance with international standards, the hospital's manager Marino Artukovic said today.

"Our work is in accordance with optimum standards for the activities we perform," he said, adding that the palliative care ward was established in late 2015.

The head of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) director, Lucijan Vukelic, said that in the last two years this hospital had improved its results by 80%, which he described as an exceptional achievement, which has been acknowledged by this international accreditation, too.

He expects the process of accreditation of other public healthcare institutions to start next year.

Minister Milan Kujundzic also congratulated the special hospital for lung diseases on this achievement.Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said Wednesday that he had been entrusted by the country's government to prepare a draft decision on the country's plan to abandon talks on the UN Global Compact for Migration (GCM), set to be signed later this year, by the cabinet's next meeting.

PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said Wednesday that he had been entrusted by the country's government to prepare a draft decision on the country's plan to abandon talks on the UN Global Compact for Migration (GCM), set to be signed later this year, by the cabinet 's next meeting.

"The government will consider a document on the withdrawal from [the negotiations on] the UN Global Compact for Migration next week. Today the ministers discussed the issue and tasked me with preparing a document in order to adopt a final relevant decision," Petricek said.

Last week, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis expressed his discontent with the UN agreement and announced his intention to reject it, following the example of Austria, Hungary and the United States.

The Global Compact for Migration, scheduled to be adopted at an intergovernmental conference in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on December 10-11, represents the international community's attempt to establish a global common approach to all aspects of international migration.

The paper comprises 23 objectives for better managing migration at local, national, regional and global levels.

The United States departed from the negotiations as early as 2017, with US President Donald Trump arguing that the document was incompatible with the country's migration policies. In summer, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also criticized the document, saying that it contradicted the country's security interests.

Last Wednesday, Austria announced its decision to refrain from signing the document and voting on it at the 2019 UN General Assembly.The Syrian government is creating a rehabilitation and psychological support center for former militants, a representative of the Syrian Ministry for Reconciliation Affairs said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) The Syrian government is creating a rehabilitation and psychological support center for former militants, a representative of the Syrian Ministry for Reconciliation Affairs said Wednesday.

"Now we are working to create a center for rehabilitation, psychological support and reintegration of former militants who have settled their status and returned to their homeland," Yana Haddour said during a joint meeting of the Russian and Syrian interdepartmental headquarters on refugee repatriation.

Haddour added that this center needed to be fully equipped to deal with special cases while receiving refugees who had been living in poor conditions in countries of temporary residence.

"Such citizens should be provided with rehabilitation, as well as additional support and social security for displaced families .

.. Efforts are also being made to attract residents of the northeastern regions to resolve issues on their status in cooperation with the authorities," Haddour said.

The ministry's spokeswoman noted that the second phase of the post-conflict national program was being prepared.

"An appropriate strategy and a step-by-step plan for the reconstruction of the country has already been developed, and includes several areas, while the main focuses are social and cultural," Haddour explained.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Russia, along with Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire in the country, and also provides humanitarian assistance to Syrian civilians and is actively engaged in the settlement dialogue.(@FahadShabbir)

The European Union on Tuesday extended sanctions against Venezuela by a year to keep up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government as the oil-rich country lurches deeper into crisis.

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :The European Union on Tuesday extended sanctions against Venezuela by a year to keep up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government as the oil-rich country lurches deeper into crisis.

An embargo on arms and equipment that can be used for political repression was extended to November 14 next year, along with asset freezes and travel bans on 18 senior members of the Maduro regime blamed for rights abuses.

The European move comes less than a week after Washington slapped tough new sanctions on Venezuela targeting particularly the gold sector and denounced Caracas as being part of a "troika of tyranny" with Cuba and Nicaragua.

The European Council, which groups the 28 member states, said the decision to extend the sanctions was taken "in view of the continuing deterioration of the situation in Venezuela".

"These measures are intended to help encourage democratic shared solutions in order to bring political stability to the country and allow it to address the pressing needs of the population," the council said in a statement.

"These targeted measures are flexible and reversible and designed not to harm the Venezuelan population."The EU imposed the arms embargo in November last year and added various officials to the sanctions list over the course of 2018, most recently in June in response to Maduro's controversial re-election as president.

Economic collapse in Venezuela has led to chronic shortages of food and medicine and, according to the UN, prompted 1.9 million Venezuelans to flee the country since 2015.Europe is the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid, offering relief assistance to millions of people in need around the world as a result of conflicts or natural disasters, European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said on Wednesday.

BRUSSELS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Europe is the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid, offering relief assistance to millions of people in need around the world as a result of conflicts or natural disasters, European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Cypriot journalists who participated in a joint press seminar in Brussels on the Future of Europe and European Elections 2019 organised by the European Parliament's Office in Nicosia and the European Commision's Representation in Nicosia said the European citizens should feel proud of the work that is being done.

Stylianides said the annual budget for humanitarian aid was two billion euro, adding this could be increased according to the needs.

As regards the refugee crisis, he said that indeed influx of immigrants had increased in Cyprus and said that the EU was ready to help this Mediterranean island to tackle the issue.

He referred to the EU -Turkey agreement for addressing the refugee crisis due to the war in Syria and said that it was a very important agreement, expressing the view that Greece and Cyprus benefit the most from this agreement.

The most important challenge in the future as regards humanitarian crisis and development aid would be Africa, he said, noting that projections estimate that the population in the continent would jump to 2,5 billion in 2050 compared to 1,4 billion today.(@rukhshanmir)

Activists of the Green Action non-governmental organisation on Wednesday staged a protest performance outside the city administration in Zagreb to draw attention to "an alarming situation" with rubbish piling up in the streets of the capital.

ZAGREB, Croatia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Activists of the Green Action non-governmental organisation on Wednesday staged a protest performance outside the city administration in Zagreb to draw attention to "an alarming situation" with rubbish piling up in the streets of the capital.

The organisation blamed the situation on Mayor Milan Bandic and the Cistoca municipal sanitation utility, and demanded a controlled system of waste separation, reorganisation of refuse collection and a fair charge for municipal services.

The collection of plastic waste has been suspended after the expiry of the agreement between the municipal multi-utility conglomerate Zagrebacki Holding and the CIOS company, as a result of which containers have been left overflowing with rubbish. An annex to the agreement was signed on Monday, and Mario Kosak of Green Action said it was regrettable that the utility resumed its work only after pressure from the media and the public.

Green Action activists protesting outside the city administration were covered in plastic waste, wore gas masks and carried banners saying "This is the result of your (in)action" and "Zagreb, European capital of rubbish". They urged the city authorities to change the decision on municipal waste collection and the waste management plan.

Kosak said that by allowing plastic waste to pile up, the City of Zagreb generated a loss for the benefit of the CIOS company. He warned that the USKOK anti-corruption body has charged Bandic over the favourable treatment of CIOS, "which is persistently engaged in the waste management business in Zagreb."(@rukhshanmir)

Hungary's borders are protected from refugees, but anything could happen if a large group starts "an attack," Director-General of Hungary's Counter Terrorism Center (TEK) Brig. Gen. Janos Hajdu said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) Hungary's borders are protected from refugees, but anything could happen if a large group starts "an attack," Director-General of Hungary's Counter Terrorism Center (TEK) Brig. Gen. Janos Hajdu said Wednesday.

"The southern border of Hungary is very strongly protected. The police along with the army are controlling it. The fence is there, the signal system is operational, and we are prepared for any situation. But I can't say right now that we could stop a big crowd it if was attacking. But this is unlikely to happen," Hajdu told a press conference in Moscow dedicated to a meeting of law enforcement agencies.

He noted that Hungarian security services had seen media reports about a large number of refugees in Bosnia who were allegedly preparing to "break into" the European Union, but so far have been unable to either confirm or deny this.

The European Union has been experiencing a large-scale migration crisis since 2015 due to the influx of thousands of migrants and refugees fleeing crises in the middle East and North Africa.

The countries of the Visegrad Group the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are known for their tough stance on refugee intake, which has repeatedly been harshly criticized by EU bodies and many European politicians.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Croatia's Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek has called the need for adopting a legislative framework for media to address the issue of hate speech particularly in a digital environment.

ZAGREB, Croatia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Croatia's Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek has called the need for adopting a legislative framework for media to address the issue of hate speech particularly in a digital environment.

Addressing at the two-day international conference titled "Addressing hate speech in the media: the role of regulatory authorities and the judiciary", organised by the Council of Europe and the Croatian Agency for Electronic Media, the Minister said hate speech has a negative impact on society.

The conference is being attended by legal and media experts, judges, prosecutors, representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and numerous European regulatory and media self-regulatory bodies and civil society organisations.

Minister Korzinek underscored the need for education and media literacy and to motivate citizens to critically analyse news and information.

Head of Information Society Department at the Council of Europe, Patrick Penninckx underlined that it was crucial to recognize hate speech in the global context because without that, it was impossible to define.

"We live in an age of populism and rise of nationalism and extremism, which is a worrying tendency. As such, we have to educate citizens and particularly young people as well as reporters, and I dare say, politicians, about the use of speech not for populist objectives but to achieve harmony in our societies," Penninckx told Hina.

Assistant Foreign and European Affairs Minister Mario Horvatic emphasised the significance of the Zagreb conference in light of Croatia's chairmanship of the Council of Europe.

Tanja Kersevan Smokvina, a lecturer at Maribor University, spoke about recognising and penalising hate speech in the media.(@FahadShabbir)

Quito, Nov 7 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Nov, 2018 ) :Jailed former Ecuadoran vice president Jorge Glas, who has been on hunger strike for 17 days, was taken to hospital Wednesday amid concerns over his deteriorating health, the justice ministry announced.

Glas, who is serving a six-year prison sentence for corruption, began a hunger-strike on October 21 after he was moved from a prison in the capital Quito to another in the southern town of Latacunga.

His health "has deteriorated a lot," his lawyer Eduardo Franco said.

Glas was taken to a hospital in Quito where Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo said security had been increased over "flight concerns."Glas was jailed for receiving $13.5 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.Production of a modernized version of Russia's Ilyushin Il-103 light aircraft may soon begin in Kazakhstan, a source in the Russian aircraft industry told Sputnik on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) Production of a modernized version of Russia's Ilyushin Il-103 light aircraft may soon begin in Kazakhstan, a source in the Russian aircraft industry told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"Kazakhstan is interested in creating a joint venture [to manufacture Il-103M] on its territory. This will ensure the demand for small aircraft, and will provide new jobs in the region. It is expected that the joint venture will be launched next year," the source said, adding that a relevant agreement could be signed in the next few days.

Il-103 is a light multipurpose aircraft for general aviation. The aircraft combines high aerodynamic performance, comfortable and spacious cockpit, reliable engine and modern avionics.

According to the Ilyushin company, the plane can be used as an air taxi, a patrol coastal guard aircraft, or an environmental monitoring vehicle. It is also designed for use by flying schools as the Primary trainer.CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) King Mohammed VI of Morocco called on Tuesday for open and frank dialogue with neighboring Algeria to restore normal relations between the two Arab states.

"I should like to say today, in a very straightforward and responsible way, that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with our sister nation, Algeria, in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries," the king said, as quoted by Moroccan news agency MAP.

He proposed the creation of a bilateral political dialogue mechanism between the two states.

"The mission of this mechanism would be to analyze all the issues on hand in good faith and in a very frank, objective and honest way, using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions," the king explained.

It will also contribute to cooperation in such regional issues as the fight against terrorism and illegal migration, he added.

The conflict in Western Sahara has been poisoning the relations between Algeria and Morocco, the two largest countries of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), for many years. Morocco considers Western Sahara, which is the former Spanish colony, its territory, while Algeria stands for its self-determination. Since 1994, the land border between the two countries has been closed.

Morocco claimed control of most of Western Sahara after the Spanish colonial administration of the territory ended in 1976. Fighting later broke out between Morocco and the Western Sahara independence movement Polisario Front, ending in a ceasefire in September 1991. The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara was deployed the same year in an attempt to achieve lasting and mutually acceptable solution that would provide for self-determination of Western Saharan people. Polisario still cannot agree with Morocco on the status of Western Sahara, demanding a referendum on self-determination.The Kosovo government has raised by 10 percent import taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, prompting Belgrade to discontinue its dialogue with Pristina and the European Union to ask for an explanation of what it described as an unexpected decision.

ZAGREB, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The Kosovo government has raised by 10 percent import taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, prompting Belgrade to discontinue its dialogue with Pristina and the European Union to ask for an explanation of what it described as an unexpected decision.

"Pristina's decision is contrary to existing rules and agreements and the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement), and it is harmful to all ethnic groups in Kosovo. A crucial precondition for the continuation of the EU-sponsored dialogue is the immediate cancellation of this harmful and unlawful decision," said the head of the Serbian government's office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric.

Addressing a special news conference in Belgade, Djuric said that Kosovo's "dangerous and unlawful" decision had blocked the EU-sponsored dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade at all levels.

The decision was made by "people who are frustrated about not being able to find a way to achieve their political goals", Djuric said.

He noted that he had discussed the latest developments with President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Trade and Tourism Minister Rasim Ljajic.

Serbia has notified the EU, international organisations and CEFTA and expects their response, he said.

Meanwhile the EU has asked Kosovo for a prompt explanation of its unexpected decision to raise import taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, has said that Pristina's decision is a clear violation of CEFTA, according to Radio Free Europe.

The EU expects Kosovo, the current CEFTA chair, to fully comply with its commitments arising from CEFTA and to withdraw this measure, Kocijancic said.

Kosovo's decision undermines regional cooperation, including cooperation in the field of economy, and is not in line with principles envisaged by the EU-Kosovo Agreement on Stabilisation and Association, the EU said.

Kosovo's decision to raise taxes on imports from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina refers to all goods produced in the two countries except for international brands made in the territory of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.(@FahadShabbir)

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has said that Serbia's joining the EU is possible only if Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement and harmonise the solution for Kosovo.

ZAGREB, Croatia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has said that Serbia 's joining the EU is possible only if Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement and harmonise the solution for Kosovo.

During separate talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, the Austrian Chancellor called upon the Serbian citizens to support all politicians who want to take that path.

He stressed that Austria's position was clear, namely if an agreement that will secure lasting peace in the region was reached, Vienna will not stand in a way, but it will support it.

Encouraging both sides to resume negotiations, Kurz said Belgrade and Pristina had a unique opportunity to leave the past and together head towards a more successful future.

Asked about Austria's decision to back out of the migration agreement, Kurz said in 2015 alone more than one million migrants arrived in Austria and approximately 900,000 requested asylum, while at the same time only 70,000 foreigners requested asylum in the United States.

Serbian President Vucic agreed a compromise solution between Belgrade and Pristina was necessary, warning however that more that 60 per cent of people in Serbia wee against an agreement with the Albanians.

"We are ready to seek a new future, fight for the future, but it is important that Serbia is not humiliated, he said. We cannot have the Albanians get everything and Serbia nothing," he added.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Nouakchott, Nov 7 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Eleven people were killed and 44 injured Wednesday when two buses collided on a road between Mauritania's capital Nouakchott and the central city of Aleg, doctors and police said.

Five passengers died in the crash and six more on their way to hospital in Aleg, a doctor said.

The 11 comprised six Mauritanians, two Ivorians, two Togolese and an 11th individual who has not been identified.

One of the buses had come from the Malian capital Bamako, and most of its passengers were Malians and Guineans as well as Mauritanians returning home, a security source said.

Witnesses said the two vehicles had been travelling at high speed before they collided.(@rukhshanmir)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday discussed the sanctions the United States has reimposed on Iran, the State Department said in a press release.

"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed a number of global and bilateral issues," the release said. "They also discussed Iran sanctions, the situation in Nicaragua, and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement."

The diplomats also discussed the importance of finding out all of the facts in the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

Both Pompeo and Freeland agreed all those involved in Khashoggi's death must be held accountable.

Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, went missing in Istanbul a month ago after a visit to the Saudi Consulate to obtain papers he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Just days after his vanishing, Turkish media cited police sources who said he had been killed and his body dismembered inside the consulate by a Saudi hit squad.

The kingdom initially denied any role in this but eventually admitted under international pressure that Khashoggi had been murdered in a rogue operation. His body has not been found.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey are conducting two separate inquiries. Eighteen suspects were detained by Saudi authorities in connection with the case but Riyadh refused to hand them over to Ankara for trialPreparations for the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, set to be held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, are already underway, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) Preparations for the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, set to be held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, are already underway, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday.

Putin and Tump are expected to confirm the meeting following their on-the-go talks set to be held in Paris on Sunday.

"Such a meeting in Buenos Aires is already being agreed upon. We are coordinating with the US side the time and the date of the meeting, and we are obviously also going to coordinate the substantial components of this contact," Ushakov said.

He specified that the two sides were currently discussing only the time and the date of the meeting.

The G20 Summit will be held in Buenos Aires from November 30 to December 1.The ministries of transport of Qatar and Romania have agreed to cooperate in shipping sector.

BUCHAREST, Romania, Nov 7 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :The ministries of transport of Qatar and Romania have agreed to cooperate in shipping sector.

The collaboration between the Qatar Ports Management Company 'Mwani Qatar' and the National Company 'Maritime Ports Administration' SA (CNAPM), as well as the mutual recognition of maritime certificates, in agreement with International Convention regarding the training standards of navigators, were some of the topics discussed by the minister of Transport, Lucian Sova, with his Qatari counterpart during the former's visit to Doha.

'The two officials discussed about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding collaboration between the Ports Management Company 'Mwani Qatar' and the National Company 'Maritime Ports Administration' SA Constanta.

Another topic of discussion was the MoU for the mutual recognition of maritime certificates, in agreement with the International Convention for the training standards of navigators (WTCW).

The memorandum proposal was analyzed by the Romanian Naval Authority (ANR), the central select authority within the Ministry of Transport, in the field of navigation safety and ship security.

The two officials also addressed the ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in terms of transport infrastructure.

Minister Lucian Sova declared that the investments considered by the Romanian Government ensure our country's possibility of being long-term present in the international market.Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday held meetings and discussed cooperation of their countries in the field of economy and security.

BUCHAREST, Romania,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Nov, 2018 ) :Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday held meetings and discussed cooperation of their countries in the field of economy and security.

The two leaders sought to identify the best ways to deepen bilateral economic and sectoral cooperation, and to exchange views on security developments at regional and international level.

"Emir Al Thani highlighted the openness displayed by Qatar to intensifying bilateral cooperation with Romania, including by increasing the level of economic and commercial exchanges, and invited the Romanian side to propose concrete areas for interaction to be discussed at the Doha meetings both within a governmental framework and the business-to-business setting," reads a press statement released on Tuesday by the Romanian Government.

Dancila reaffirmed her Government's commitment to strengthening Romania's relations with the Arab world as a whole, a goal highlighted in the 2017-2020 governing programme, which provides for intensifying political and diplomatic efforts in this direction.

She commented that the bilateral relationship with Qatar is at an important stage of its evolution, which the Romanian Government intends to use for mutual benefit.

She added that Romania has a stable and predictable economy, voicing interest in co-operating with the Qatari side in priority areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and tourism.

The meeting also occasioned an exchange of views on topics of common interest in international and regional affairs, with Dancila reiterating Romania's support for the resumption of dialogue between the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a very important organisation for the regional security architecture.

She also pointed out that Romania, which will take over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2019, will continue to attach special importance to the development of relations with this region, while promoting the political settlement of the disputes in the middle East and North Africa.(@rukhshanmir)

The Russian Helicopters company has delivered two Mi-172 transport helicopters to Equatorial Guinea, the company's press service said on Wednesday.

ZHUHAI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) The Russian Helicopters company has delivered two Mi-172 transport helicopters to Equatorial Guinea, the company's press service said on Wednesday.

"Under the contract with the authorities of Equatorial Guinea, Russian Helicopters manufactured two Mi-172 helicopters at Kazan Helicopters plant and handed them over to the customer. The machines have already been sent to Central Africa. One of the helicopters manufactured under the contract, comes in a 'VIP salon' modification. The aircraft is designed to carry up to 12 passengers in conditions of increased comfort. The second helicopter Mi-172 is transferred in a passenger modification. Up to 26 people can be transported on board in comfortable conditions," the press release said.

According to Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky, the first contract on Mi-172 deliveries to the Central African country was implemented in 2006. Boginsky expressed confidence that new deals with Equatorial Guinea would follow this delivery.

The Mi-172 is a certified helicopter for passenger transportation of Mi-8/17 family, which has proved itself as a reliable aircraft with a high level of safety. In addition to passenger and VIP modifications, there are also transport, medical-evacuation, search and rescue, as well as fire-fighting modifications. The helicopter can be fitted with a wide range of additional equipment to tackle a variety of missions.

Over 700 helicopters of the Mi-8/17 family are currently operating on the African continent.(@FahadShabbir)

Russian mine clearance specialists have defused over 100 cluster munitions in Laos, which remained on the country's territory since the US bombardments of 1964-1973, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th November, 2018) Russian mine clearance specialists have defused over 100 cluster munitions in Laos, which remained on the country's territory since the US bombardments of 1964-1973, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"Since the beginning of the work to fully clean up the forested area in Khamket district, 10.8 hectares of land have been cleared of explosive remnants. Over 100 explosive devices of BLU-26 cluster munitions type have been defused," the ministry said.

According to the Russian ministry, earlier on Wednesday, representatives of the Laotian Defense Ministry visited the detachment of the Russian International Mine Action Center in the village of Lak Sao, Bolikhamsay province.

The sides also discussed the training of the servicemen of the Lao People's Armed Forces at the branch of the Russian International Mine Action Center.

The Russian mine clearance specialists began their demining mission, which is expected to last for five months, on October 15. The detachment of the Russian International Mine Action Center comprises 36 Russian specialists.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed Tuesday with Djibouti's Ambassador Mohamed Kamil issues relating to the development of bilateral ties along with the resolution of conflicts on the Horn of Africa, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th November, 2018) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed Tuesday with Djibouti's Ambassador Mohamed Kamil issues relating to the development of bilateral ties along with the resolution of conflicts on the Horn of Africa, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Horn of Africa region contains four countries Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. Disagreements between Horn of Africa states have recently begun subsiding amid the establishment of diplomatic ties between Eritrea and Somalia, and the abandonment of the decades-long state of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

"On November 6, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of Republic of Djibouti in Moscow Mohamed Kamil at the latter's request .

.. While considering the regional agenda, [the parties] gave priority to the issue of rapid settlement of conflicts on the Horn of Africa, including with the use of the relevant UN mechanisms," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the two parties have also discussed the pressing issues relating to the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, including the deepening of the political dialogue and increasing cooperation in economy and trade.

In late October, Bogdanov met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. Following the meeting the two sides have also stated the need to consolidate the international efforts in order to support the elimination of all disagreements existing among the countries of the region and strengthen good relations, stability and security on the peninsula.Turkey on Wednesday inaugurated its embassy in the capital of Lao People's Democratic Republic.

ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Turkey on Wednesday inaugurated its embassy in the capital of Lao People's Democratic Republic.

"Through this embassy, this mission, we serve for the interest of both countries Laos and Turkey," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the opening ceremony in the southeast Asian country.

Cavusoglu, who is currently in a two-day visit to capital Vientiane, is the first foreign minister who pays a visit to Laos from Turkey.

"This is my first visit. Actually this is the first visit of any Turkish foreign minister [to Laos] and I hope it will not be the last one," Cavusoglu said.

Turkey has now embassies in all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries with the inauguration of Laos embassy, the minister added.

"For us this region, ASEAN region and Asia are so important. With this embassy, now we have reached 240 missions, including the consulate missions, in all over the world," Cavusoglu said.

He added Turkey wants to increase the number to 269 in two years.

Laotian Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said he was pleased to welcome his Turkish counterpart in Vientiane.

"We look forward to working closely with you and your embassy here and to further enhance our bilateral relations and cooperation," Kommasith said.Visiting Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday expressed confidence in Conakry that blossoming relations between Zimbabwe and Guinea would translate into greater economic cooperation.

HARARE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Visiting Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday expressed confidence in Conakry that blossoming relations between Zimbabwe and Guinea would translate into greater economic cooperation.

"I am confident that the friendship and fraternal relations will translate into strong economic ties through our bilateral relations as well as the various frameworks within the African Union and United Nations," he said at a dinner held in his honor by his counterpart Alpha Conde, the state-run news agency New Ziana reported.

During Mnangagwa's visit to Guinea, the two countries signed four memoranda of agreements aimed at creating a framework for diplomatic cooperation.

These include the framework agreement of cooperation, agreement on the establishment of a joint commission, agreement on reciprocal exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports and memorandum of understanding for the establishment of political and diplomatic consultation between the two ministries in charge of foreign affairs.

Mnangagwa said the agreements mark the framework for furthering and deepening cooperation.

Speaking through an interpreter, Conde commended the first visit from his Zimbabwean counterpart.

In a communique released at the end of the two-day visit, the two countries also agreed to exchange experts in agriculture and to explore opportunities in mining, technical cooperation and tourism.

The two leaders also welcomed the principle of speaking with one voice on all regional and international forums.

Mnangagwa extended an invitation to Conde to visit Zimbabwe, which he accepted.The breakage of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been reported to be one of the mechanisms required for tumor invasion, and the expression of MMP-7 in serum is correlated with poor prognosis of urinary bladder cancer patients. However, the role of the MMP-7 genotypes has been seldom examined among bladder cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the promoter polymorphic MMP-7 genotypes A-181G and C-153T among Taiwanese bladder cancer patients and evaluate the contribution of the genotypic variants of MMP-7 to bladder cancer risk in Taiwan.

Three hundred and seventy-five bladder cancer patients and the same number of gender- and age-matched healthy controls were genotyped for A-181G and C-153T in the promoter of MMP-7 via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology.

The frequencies of AA, AG and GG at A-181G of the promoter of MMP-7 were 89.1, 8.8 and 2.1% in the bladder cancer patient group and 87.5, 10.9 and 1.6% in the matched healthy control group, respectively (p for trend=0.5475). There was no polymorphic genotype for MMP-7 C-153T among the Taiwanese population. The comparisons in allelic frequency distribution also support the findings that the G allele may not be the determinant allele for bladder cancer in Taiwan. In addition, the results showed that there is no significant association of the bladder risk with the MMP-7 A-181G genotype, even after adjustment for the possible confounding factors. Furthermore, there is no interaction of the genotypes of MMP-7 with age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption on bladder cancer risk.

The results of this study suggest that the two MMP-7 polymorphisms, - A-181G and C-153T, do not play a major role in determining personal susceptibility to bladder cancer in Taiwan.

In vivo (Athens, Greece). 0000 Jan [Epub]

Cheng-Hsi Liao, Wen-Shin Chang, Chia-Wen Tsai, Pei-Shin Hu, Hsi-Chin Wu, Shih-Wei Hsu, Guan-Liang Chen, Te-Cheng Yueh, Te-Chun Shen, Te-Chun Hsia, DA-Tian Bau

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C., Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C., Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C., Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. .

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30388078Archbishop Bernadito Auza, the Holy Sees Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, on Nov. 6 addressed a UN General Assembly meeting on the effects of atomic radiation.

By Robin Gomes

The Holy See has commended the work of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), saying its studies and findings will help in a deeper understanding of the effects of atomic radiation and their impact on life and the environment.

Archbishop Bernadito Auza, the Holy Sees Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, expressed his appreciation in an address on Tuesday at a UN General Assembly meeting on the effects of atomic radiation.

Commenting on the nuclear accidents of Chernobyl (Ukraine) and Fukushima (Japan), he said they are a reminder that the use of nuclear energy comes with very severe risks at times. Hence the need for the international community to take great precaution in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Holy See diplomat lamented the deaths and injuries caused by exposure to ionizing radiation after the use of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki , and hoped they will never be repeated.

Archbishop Auza noted that the Committees update on the Fukushima disaster will be of great value in learning more about the longer-term effects of exposure to radiation.

The Filipino archbishop expressed the Holy Sees appreciation for the Committees close cooperation with other UN entities, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), in providing the international community with new data for a deeper understanding of the effects of atomic radiation and their impact on the lives of those affected and on the environment.

Archbishop Auza wished the Committee every success in its work for the good of all and of our common home.A large group of school children kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from a school in Cameroon have been released, but two of the three staff members abducted are still being held. An official from the Presbyterian Church that runs the school said the children were returned on Tuesday night to one of their churches near Bamenda, the regional capital.

By Linda Bordoni

Fonki Samuel Forba, the leader of Cameroons Presbyterian Church, told reporters the 79 released children, aged between 11 and 17, look tired and psychologically tortured. He said he has pleaded with the kidnappers to "free the staff still in their keeping."

Forba also said he has asked parents and guardians to take home all 700 students of Bamendas Presbyterian Secondary School as, he said, "Their security is not assured by the State, and they are constantly under threat by armed groups who attack and kidnap them."

It is not the first time students have been kidnapped from this, and from other schools in the region, but Forba said the Church cannot afford to continue paying ransoms.

Separatist stratetgy

The unrest in Cameroon's northwest and southwest areas is caused by Anglophone separatist militants  the so-called Amba boys  who are protesting economic and political exclusion by Cameroon's French-speaking majority.

Its where about one fifth of the entire Cameroonian population lives and for decades the English speakers have complained of lack of investment and development by the French speakers, including Paul Biya who has been President for the past 36 years.

In the past year, hundreds have been killed and over 200,000 have been displaced in fighting between government forces and separatists who have vowed to destabilize the regions as part of a strategy for creating a breakaway state, which - they say - will be called Ambazonia.

The separatists have also attacked civilians who do not support their cause, including teachers some of whom were killed for disobeying orders to keep schools closed.

Appeal from Church leaders

In view of Presidential elections last October, religious leaders of Cameroon, including the President of the nations Catholic Bishops Conference, appealed to the government and to political parties to address the problems and give priority to resolving the crisis in the impoverished north-west and southwest regions.

It is good news of course that the students have been released, but with so much injustice and unresolved conflict in surrounding areas, there is bound to be more violence and more death before anyone takes any notice.Colourland Paints will strengthen AkzoNobel's paints and coatings business in Malaysia

AkzoNobel, a leading global paints and coatings company, has announced the acquisition of 100 per cent shares in Colourland Paints, a home-grown paints and coatings manufacturer widely distributed across Malaysia.

The acquisition of Colourland Paints will bring a well-loved local brand to complement AkzoNobels global portfolio. This purchase will also better serve the needs of customers and provide better customer experience through an expanded product portfolio and distribution network.

As a leading global paints and coatings company we are proud to add the well-established brands and expertise of Colourland Paints to our business, said AkzoNobel CEO Thierry Vanlancker. We are looking forward to unlocking the value it will bring and increasing our footprint in this fast-growing region.

Commenting on the acquisition, managing director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, Southeast & South Asia, Middle East, Oscar Wezeenbek said, The acquisition of Colourland Paints marks another milestone in ensuring that we continue to deliver the best brand and customer experience. The combination of global and local expertise is an excellent strategic fit and will accelerate our development and further build our strong market position in Malaysia.

The transaction includes all relevant technologies, patents, trademarks, and assets of Colourland Paints.

Colourland Paints' products

Khoo Sue Khek, managing director of Colourland Paints Sdn., Bhd., said, Since our establishment in 1999, Colourland Paints has been widely accepted as a symbol of quality and reliability across local and export markets in the region. Given the positive track record that AkzoNobel has earned over the years, we are honoured to hand over the keys to our doors to one of the biggest, most established paints and coatings manufacturer in the world. With that, we also hope that our customers will benefit from the combined expertise and product offerings.

AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. They are experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in colour and protection since 1792. The companys world class portfolio of brands  including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon  is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, AkzoNobel operates in over 80 countries and employ around 35,000 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high performance products and services customers expect.Voters cast their ballots for early voting at the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office in Norwalk, California, a day ahead of the Nov 6 midterm elections in the United States. (AFP/Frederic J. BROWN)

About three quarters of the 50 states in the east and centre of the country were already voting as polls began opening at 6.00am for the day-long ballot.

Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his political agenda over the next two years.

At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country.

For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the mid-terms could finally see his wings clipped.

According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate.

But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises.

After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper.

"It's a consequential election," said Yorgo Koutsogiogasi, 64, who was among 17 people ready to cast ballots at a downtown Chicago polling station when doors opened at 6:00 am.

"Divisiveness in the country is really tearing the country apart," said the Greek immigrant, a company CEO.

First in line was a retiree, Jerry, who did not want to give his last name and said he was voting for the first time in mid-term elections.

"The Dems are insane," he said. "I heard Democrats want to give illegals the right to vote."

AFP reporters saw a steady flow of early voters at the Brooklyn Museum polling station in New York, and many voters at a station in Arlington, Virginia.

US television networks showed lines of voters at stations elsewhere, following high turnout by those who voted ahead of election day itself.

Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies - in three states on Monday alone.

Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans".

Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms.

Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, a former punk band member challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas.

HOT ECONOMY, HOT RHETORIC

At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win."

But as he touched down in Indiana on Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp.

"We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber.

The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favors the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern.

New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth."

But to the dismay of some Republicans he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasise a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants.

Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole.

Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans.

Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out on Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar."

"He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio.

Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colorful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims.

However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter was charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump.

Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead.

He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States - in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.Accordingly, the HSBC report finds that some 86 per cent of ASEAN firms are positive about their companys prospects in foreign trade  more than any other trade bloc and higher than the global average of 77 per cent. What is more, 75 per cent of ASEAN businesses in the survey say they believe that governments are becoming more protectionist in their key export markets  the highest reported of all trade blocs and much greater than the global average of 63 per cent.

ASEAN firms anticipate more protectionism, yet are more optimistic than the rest of the world

These findings come from HSBC Navigator conducted in the autumn of 2018  a global survey involving more than 8,500 businesses in 34 markets. Within Southeast Asia, more than 1,000 views were sought across five ASEAN markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The ASEAN is thus one of the most bullish regions for trade and commercial activity, despite having the highest proportion of corporates who expect protectionism to rise.

Commenting on the report, HSBC Vietnam CEO Pham Hong Hai said, ASEAN corporates are bullish on their commercial prospects while staying alert to rising protectionism. On the positive side, we can see the trade tensions may prompt an acceleration of production in lower-cost ASEAN countries. Countries with existing production capacity like the Philippines and Vietnam will benefit from this trend and from trade diversion.

HSBC Navigator highlights that China and the US have so far been the focus of protectionist trade policies, but that there may be an indirect impact on the ASEAN bloc given the regions high level of exports to both countries.

The report, however, finds that tariffs also open up opportunities for ASEAN markets in areas like electronics, textiles, and automobiles.

ASEAN countries like Thailand and Malaysia already have existing production networks in electronics, especially in hard disk drive (HDD) assembly. Thailand exports about the same amount of finished storage units to the US as China does, which would make it relatively easy to shift assembly there, especially since Chinese shipments of HDDs to the US are now subject to at least 10 per cent of US tariff.

Other members of the bloc like Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam also produce a variety of electronic components, while Vietnam and Indonesia have become increasingly competitive in light manufacturing and textile exports.

Vietnam has strong commercial ties with both China and the US. While some local industries, like textiles and garments, may benefit through a demand shift from China, other industries, like machinery and steel, may see a tapering, noted Hai.

Meanwhile, businesses around the world are becoming increasingly aware that all aspects of performance, from supply chain efficiency to overall technology innovation, can be improved through the use of data and analytics. Many ASEAN firms (84 per cent of survey respondents) are reporting the use of data to optimise their business, higher than the global average of 75 per cent, according to HSBC Navigator.

Technology is also a key element that ASEAN businesses believe will help boost supply chain efficiency. 37 per cent of survey respondents in the ASEAN are focused on increasing the use of digital solutions and technology within their business (versus 28 per cent globally). Moreover, the increasing use of technology is the top change planned to supply chains in the next three years amongst ASEAN respondents (34 per cent), which is higher than the global average (27 per cent).

Despite some economies gain, a trade tension can be a lose-lose situation and ASEAN corporates should prepare for all scenarios. For those who consider to shift their supply chain, they need to assess a lot of factors, including the capacity of the receivers. Amongst all, technology will be a common thread for consideration and will be key to increasing competitiveness and appeal, said Hai.

HSBC: Local businesses cash in on international trade Vietnamese businesses are among the worlds most optimistic about international trade pacts and prospects and they are also among the most confident when it comes ...Georgia Coffee Max, photo source: mtv.vn

Only a few months after launching a coffee drink infused with the iconic taste of Coca-Cola in Vietnam, the company has entered the canned coffee market with Georgia Coffee Max.

The move is in line with the companys strategy as coffee has become a key thrust for Coca-Cola to rejuvenate growth in the Asia-Pacific. The rising consumption of coffee has created a demand, including the ready-to-drink (RTD) variety, and this opportunity is captured by Georgia Coffee Maxs fresh or canned products. A representative of Coca-Cola said, Though there are other brands in the market, the pie is large enough for new players to enter.

Le Trung Tin, director of the Georgia Coffee Max line, stressed the secret to success is capturing the Vietnamese taste in canned coffee. He said, Coca-Colas use of 100 per cent Vietnamese-sourced coffee helps to structure the stages of cultivation and production in accordance with international standards, support stable output, as well as confirm the quality and position of Vietnamese coffee beans. This demonstrates Coca-Colas development commitment, supporting capacity building in the local value chain in order to enter the global supply chain.

Meanwhile, Nestle has showed ambition in the sector too, affirming that through one of the leading coffee processors in Vietnam, the canned Nescafe from Nestle Vietnam will be the firm step in exploring a new market segment for young and dynamic Vietnamese, and bring a new vitality for Vietnamese coffee beans.

RTD coffee in Vietnam has also witnessed new products from other well-known brands such as Suntory PepsiCo, Highlands Coffee, and Ajinomoto. Other early birds include local dairy giant Vinamilk, which started putting up RTD coffee production facilities, followed by Tan Hiep Phat and Highlands Coffee.

However, though those brands initially ran aggressive marketing campaigns, the sector gradually fizzled out, with some disappearing. For instance, in 2013 local coffee giant Trung Nguyen launched a range of fresh coffee products in bottles and cartons, in sizes ranging from 500 millilitres to a litre. Within two years these too disappeared from grocery stores and supermarket shelves.

RTD coffee is far down customers shopping lists and is often not bought for weeks at a time, failing to alter consumer purchasing habits as most still prefer fresh roasted coffee.

Though it has not released any specific figures for RTD coffee so far, according to London-based Euromonitor International, it was still showing no signs of a breakthrough in Vietnam last year, and remained a niche category with slow growth in both the off-trade and on-trade channels. In fact, total sales of RTD coffee were amongst the lowest in non-alcoholic drinks, despite their long presence.

The research revealed that, despite the fairly weak performance in 2017, RTD coffee is expected to see better growth rates in Vietnam over the forecast period. The main target groups for RTD coffee are young office workers and young urban consumers, who are more willing to try out new concepts. It also predicted that the current leading players in the market expect to be threatened by the entry of other major brands in the forecast period, making the future of modern, canned coffee in Vietnam unpredictable and interesting.

PepsiCo was one of the most notable new players in 2017, and it is expected to continue carrying out more marketing campaigns in the next few years to raise awareness of its My Cafe brand, noted Euromonitor.

The My Cafe is a combination of Vietnamese milk coffee and Japanese matcha.

In the same way, Birdy, which has been distributed in Vietnam, is the creation of Ajinomoto. Produced by Calpis Corporation in Thailand, Birdy is trying to become more familiar with domestic customers, aiming to exploit other market segments and attempting to expand market share, according to the Japanese companys recent announcement.The General Statistics Office (GSO) last week reported that the economys index for industrial production (IIP) rose by 10.4 per cent in the first 10 months of this year, the highest rise since 2011, when the 10-month IIP rate climbed 7 per cent on-year (see chart).

The IIP is on a strong uptrend, reflecting the fact that a more business friendly climate has been created. Enterprises have been finding it more convenient to perform in Vietnam, said GSO head Nguyen Bich Lam.

In industrial production, the manufacturing and processing sector, which creates 80 per cent of Vietnams industrial growth, rose 12.7 per cent on-year, while the production and distribution of electricity climbed 9.6 per cent on-year. One of the key contributors to 10-month IIP growth is Taiwanese steelmaker Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation (FHS) in the central province of Ha Tinh.

The 10-month IPP growth of all 63 cities and provinces nationwide has increased on-year. However, Ha Tinhs IIP growth has been the highest at 105.6 per cent on-year, largely thanks to contributions from FHS, followed by Thanh Hoa province (up 30.3 per cent on-year) owing to the $9 billion Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical complex, which came into operation on a trial basis in mid-2018, said a GSO report released last week.

In the first seven months of this year, FHS produced 1.9 million tonnes of hot iron and is expected to reach the goal of five million tonnes in 2018. With the full capacity of the second blast furnace, its annual production output is expected to reach 6.71 million tonnes with sales revenue reaching $3.5 billion.

Pham Van Can, director of Van Phu An JSC which specialises in producing garments and textiles in the northern province of Hai Duong, told VIR that in the first 10 months of this year, his companys total production value increased by 23 per cent on-year to about $8.5 million, with export turnover ascending 20 per cent on-year.

The economic situation is getting far better than in previous years. We have been benefiting from the governments more pro-business policies since early last year, Can said. The time for us to conduct customs clearance has also been reduced by 30 per cent on-year.

This companys optimism is also reflected in the GSOs figures showing that the production of local textiles and garments has witnessed an on-month increase of 18.1 per cent in October and 12.2 per cent in the first 10 months.

The production of many other industrial products has enjoyed high on-year growth, such as petrol (47.4 per cent), steel (40.5 per cent), TV sets (26.3 per cent), liquefied natural gas (24.6 per cent), aluminum (23.5 per cent), cloth from artificial fibres (21.4 per cent), mobile phone spare parts (18.8 per cent), and aquatic feed (17.2 per cent).

However, notably, unlike during the same period last year, the production of mobile phones since early this year has reduced by 3 per cent on-year. South Koreas Samsung contributes most to the production of mobile phones in Vietnam. In the same period last year, the output of this product rose by 4 per cent on-year.

According to the government, the economy will reach its 6.7 per cent growth target this year, thanks to on-year strong growth in the economys key sectors. This includes the agro-forestry-fishery, up 3.3 per cent  a fourfold increase against 2016 to hit a record $41 billion in export turnover; industry and construction (up 7.59 per cent); and services (up 7.35 per cent  the highest since 2008).Despite the US withdrawal, Vietnam is well-placed to benefit from other markets when the CPTPP comes into force, photo: Le Toan

Raymond Mallon

The Comprehensive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), or TPP-11, is an economic integration treaty signed by 11 countries in March following 10 years of negotiations. After the withdrawal of the US from the original TPP in 2017, the remaining members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Together, they account for nearly 15 per cent of global trade, and just over 13 per cent of global GDP. The agreement is expected to come into force by the end of this year, 60 days after at least half of the original signatories confirm the completion of national treaty-making procedures.

The deal allows for more economies to join the CPTPP in the future. Within the Asian region, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand have indicated an interest in joining. Columbia and the United Kingdom have also expressed interest.

The CPTPP includes chapters that go beyond the scope of traditional free trade agreement (FTAs) to include policy issues related to state-owned enterprises, competition, trade in services, public procurement, transparency and anti-corruption, environment, labour, the digital economy, gender and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Future reform direction for Vietnam

Some observers argue that external institutions play a pivotal role in Vietnams reform agenda. While Vietnam actively studies international experience when formulating its development plans and policies, my experience has been that few reforms have been introduced without broad national consensus on the need for those reforms. And even fewer reforms have been successfully implemented in Vietnam without a national consensus.

Participation in the CPTPP is just another step in a reform process that has broad-based national support. Past reforms have resulted in Vietnams transformation from a closed country, with little movement of goods, capital and people in the mid-1980s, to an open economy with one of the highest ratios of trade and foreign direct investment to GDP in the world.

This transformation has brought dramatic benefits to Vietnamese businesses, improving their access to export markets, technology, capital and ideas from all over the world, and building links with global production networks. Employment and income-generating opportunities have expanded. The decline in poverty over the last three decades has been unprecedented internationally. Enhanced economic integration under the CPTPP should help sustain progress towards broad-based improvements in living standards.

While there will be direct benefits from reduced tariff rates, the impact of reductions will be relatively modest for most sectors which already face modest rates. Some of the more significant benefits are an expected result from reducing non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in all CPTPP countries ensuring competitive neutrality, meaning a level playing field for all investors, and transparency and anti-corruption measures.

These reforms should help reduce the costs and risks of engaging in business and trade in Vietnam, and provide increased opportunities for companies to access new markets and diversify export markets and sources of foreign investment. Reforms should also ensure that business success will be less dependent on access to bureaucratic decision-makers.

Easier access to capital and technology should stimulate innovation and productivity growth and facilitate deeper business integration into global production chains. This will help create new, higher income, and more interesting employment opportunities. Harmonisation and simplification of rules of origin and other trade facilitation measures will help reduce the transaction costs faced by businesses in trying to understand a multitude of individual bilateral free trade agreements. This should be particularly beneficial in making regional trade and investment more accessible to smaller firms.

Increased and lower cost market access, public procurement reforms, and regional cooperation to address barriers to competition are expected to increase the range and competitiveness of goods and services available to Vietnamese consumers. The quality of goods and services should also improve as a result of increased competition and innovation.

The CPTPP also requires that countries consider supporting activities to enhance the ability of women, including workers and business owners, to access and benefit from CPTPP opportunities.

Realisation of the potential gains from the treaty will depend on Vietnam continuing its efforts to develop market institutions, property rights and improve economic regulations and regulatory processes. Renewed efforts are also needed to strengthen labour force skills, to develop national infrastructure and services, and to better manage the environment. The CPTPP should provide additional national incentives to progress implementation of such reforms.

Will the benefits from the new treaty be equally distributed?

No. Some sectors will face increased competition, some businesses may have to close, and some people may lose their jobs. Some of those adversely impact by integration will require support, for example training or relocation support, to move into higher productivity, employment or economic opportunities.

Trade and investment-related economic growth can also exacerbate environmental problems, adding to urban congestion and pollution that negatively impacts on living standards. Given these social and environmental challenges, Vietnamese people sometimes question whether the benefits of international economic integration outweigh the costs.

Societies require assurances that social and environmental costs can be better managed, and that development will generate equitable outcomes.

The impact of the US withdrawal on Vietnam

The withdrawal of the US reduces the potential economic benefits to Vietnam. The US was, by far, the largest economy in the original TPP and is one of Vietnams major trading partners.

Easier access to the US market would have been particularly beneficial for Vietnamese companies, especially those engaged in the garment, footwear, furniture and agriculture industries. Nevertheless, CPTPP membership will still help improve Vietnams access to a large number of important markets.

Moreover, Vietnam may benefit from the relaxation of contentious provisions on intellectual property and investor state dispute resolution following the US withdrawal.

Challenges ahead

One challenge will be providing information on, and facilitating business access to, the preferential access provisions of the treaty.

Difficulties in accessing information, a lack of clarity in requirements, high cost of learning, and adapting to new procedures are typical barriers to business utilisation of FTAs. Close consultation with businesses will be important in identifying and addressing these bottlenecks.

Another key challenge will be building the national institutional capacity needed to effectively implement the agreed commitments. For example, the recently amended Competition Law ensures that this legislation is more consistent with CPTPP commitments.

But, the bigger challenge will be building the capacity of the Vietnam Competition Authority to effectively implement the strengthened law. Sharing experiences and skills with development partners, including Australia, can help build this capacity.

It will be important for policymakers to identify groups that are adversely affected by the CPTPP, and then work with these groups to identify options to ameliorate adverse impacts. Evidence-based research on distribution costs and benefits of globalisation can help create policies to ensure more equitable impacts from integration.

The Australia-Vietnam economic reform programme (Aus4Reform) supports actions needed to effectively implement the CPTPP in Vietnam, including support for the development of an equitable playing field for all enterprises (competitive neutrality), regulatory reforms, state enterprise reform, and competition policy and law reforms.

Aus4Reform plans to support the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys efforts to disseminate information to business about the opportunities presented by the CPTPP and on steps needed to realise these opportunities. Finally, Aus4Reform is supporting studies to better understand the impacts of the economic integration on different groups of society and sub-sectors in the economy, and to help identify and assess options for mitigating adverse impacts.Cross-border service firms may have to establish representative offices in Vietnam from 2019

Key provisions

Enterprises providing e-commerce, e-payment, social networks, and online video games like Facebook and Google will have to archive data and establish a representative office in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Public Security has released the draft decree detailing some articles of the Law on Cyber Security to gather comments from November 2 to December 2.

One of the notable contents of the draft is the provision that data pertaining to Vietnamese users must be archived in Vietnam (Article 24).

The personal information of Vietnamese users includes their full name, date and place of birth, nationality, occupation, title, place of residence, email address, telephone number, identity card number, personal identification number (instead of family register number), citizenship number, passport number, social security card number, credit card number, health status, medical records, and biometric data.

Data provided by users in Vietnam can be created by uploading, syncing or importing information from any kind of device. Data on the users relations in Vietnam need to store include: friends, groups that users connect or interact.

In addition, the draft decree also stipulates that enterprises must archive data and set up branches or representative offices in Vietnam (Article 25).

The companies subject to the law are domestic and foreign companies providing services to customers in Vietnam over telecom networks or the internet, such as: telecommunications services; hosting services, sharing data on cyberspace; providing national or international domain names to service users in Vietnam; ecommerce; online payment; intermediary payment; transport services conducted via cyberspace; social networking and social media; online video games; and email. Besides, a series of special enterprises will be tasked by the government to gather, exploit, analyse, and process data of kinds stipulated in Article 24 of this decree.

Further clarity on issues such as the duration of storing users data and restrictions on the cross-border transfer of data may be provided through subsequent decrees and circulars.

In addition, the draft also regulates the duration of data storage. Accordingly, the time users information is stored depends on the operation time of the business or until the service is no longer available, but at least 12 months.

The data generated by users in Vietnam, including uploading, synchronisation or input from equipment or data on the relations of users in Vietnam, including friends and groups that users connect or interact with, must be archived within 36 months.

Within 12 months from the requirement date of the Minister of Public Security, enterprises must archive data, set up branches or representative offices in Vietnam.

Illegal content and acts

Illegal content under the Law on Cyber Security is mainly addressed in the following articles:

Article 8: Prohibited acts such as inciting people against the state, distorting history, gender discrimination, religious offenses, racism, posting untruthful information, and human trafficking. In addition, it includes network terrorism, cybercrimes, and network attacks on information systems critical to national security;

Article 16: Prevention and handling of information in cyberspace that are used for propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, instigating violent disturbances, disrupt security or disturb public order, are embarrassing or slanderous, or are in violation of the economic management order;

Article 17: Prevention of and fighting against cyberespionage, protection of state secrets, work secrets, trade secrets, personal secrets, family secrets, and private life on cyberspace;

Article 18: Prevention and handling of uses of cyberspace, information technology or electronic means in violation of legislation on national security, public safety and order;

Article 29: Protection of children on cyberspace.

The government believes that this law is necessary for national security and the protection of citizens, as Vietnam lacks a legal framework for cybersecurity issues.

The full reaction of international companies operating in the field is yet to be seen. The draft decree, if adopted, will take effect from January 1, 2019.Dung Quat oil refinery looks for special incentives

The Danang Peoples Committee has recently submitted a document to the government to report on the difficulties that the managing board of Dung Quat oil refinery are facing, requesting similar incentives that are applied to Nghi Son oil refinery.

Notably, according to chairman of Danang Peoples Committee Tran Ngoc Cang, there is an oversupply of petroleum and oil in the market due to the two oil refineries, which makes it difficult for Dung Quat to sell its products.

Nghi Son oil refinery sold its first batch of products in May 2018, at a time when the demand for petroleum and oil products was low, while the supply of Dung Quat oil refinery was plentiful, heavily impacting the sales of Dung Quat, the report stated.

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2020 and upon completion, the refinerys capacity will increase by 30 per cent, or two million tonnes a year, to 8.5 million tonnes. This will be able to meet half of Vietnams fuel demand.

Besides, Dung Quat oil refinery is not given an exemption from the 5 per cent import tax on crude oil. Meanwhile, Nghi Son enjoys import tax exemption for its products.

Furthermore, Dung Quat oil refinery is facing difficulties in upgrading its production lines because the government refused to guarantee its loans. In addition, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has yet to approve the refinerys environmental impact assessment report, even though the company claims to have completed all procedures.

In order to deal with the above difficulties, the Danang Peoples Committee asked the government to adjust the import tax for crude oil from Azerbaijan  the main crude oil import market of Dung Quat  from the current 5 per cent to zero.

Besides, the city also proposed removing products processed from crude oil from the list of products not applied VAT for the refinerys export products.

The refinery also wants to have financial autonomy in order to ensure fair competition.

Finally, the citys leader proposed the government to issue another support policy, replacing the guarantee for loans, so that the refinery can mobilise capital to upgrade its refinery. Simultaneously, the leader of Danang asked the MoNRE to approve its environmental impact assessment report.

Opened in 2009, Dung Quat is the first-ever oil refinery in Vietnam with the capacity of 6.5 million tonnes of crude oil annually. So far the refinery has refined and sold more than 47.2 million tonnes of petroleum, meeting 40 per cent of the market demand.

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2020 and upon completion, the refinerys capacity will increase by 30 per cent, or two million tonnes a year, to 8.5 million tonnes. This will be able to meet half of Vietnams fuel demand.WHA Hemaraj IZ Nghe An

According to Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, general director of Dai Phuc Land, as the trade war with the US escalates, many investors are withdrawing from China to neighbouring countries like Vietnam.

Foreign investment into Vietnam will strongly increase for a couple of years starting from the end of this year, Huong said. This trade war will be an opportunity for industrial properties and storage houses. Development in these property segments will affect several related areas, such as residential properties,

She added that the negative impacts of the US-China trade war on industrial real estate are not yet clear.

John Campbell, industrial services consultant of Savills Vietnam, commented that foreign and mainland Chinese companies are racing to secure manufacturing capacity in Southeast Asia. As one of the fastest growing industrial markets in the region, Vietnam is ready to accommodate the influx of foreign investors, Campbell said, citing the example of Apple manufacturers who have shown interest in moving to Vietnam to avoid the US $200 billion tariffs.

However, imposing broader tariffs on China will affect cross-border supply chains which can hurt Vietnam as a supplier, he warned, recommending Vietnam to increase exports to alternative markets.

Vietnams regional competiveness is driven by low labour costs, affordable land, favourable corporate income tax rates, a dynamic workforce, and a geographical location near source and destination markets. The low labour costs continue to attract companies from China, especially those in labour-intensive industries.

Ryan Severino, chief economist at JLL, also commented that as the tit-for-tat trade dispute escalates, foreign investors are leaving China to save on manufacturing costs.

The trade war will incite many large-scale manufacturers to set up their factory systems in Vietnam. Increasing land rent for industrial properties in China has put forward Vietnam as the next destination for investors, as it is near China and has reasonable labour costs, Severino said.

While this expected onslaught of relocating investors is expected to put significant pressure on the industrial property market, it comes just as the market is seeing frenzied activities by ambitious newcomers and efficiency improvements from established industrial zones (IZs).

BW Industrial Development JSC, a joint venture between Warburg Pincus and Becamex IDC, was recently established to invest an initial $200 million in an industrial park (IP) in Vietnam to meet incoming multinational corporations and e-commerce companies.

According to deputy CEO Greg Ohan, BW Industrial Development has bought land for nine projects in five localities in key economic zones, including Haiphong, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Hai Duong, and Bac Ninh. In Vietnam, many IPs are at full capacity and are expanding. However, in key industrial areas like in Binh Duong there is not much industrial land available and demand is very strong, Ohan told VIR.

Similarly, Singaporean real estate solutions provider Boustead has entered into a co-operation with Thao Dien Real Estate Corporation to develop a leasehold property in the southern province of Dong Nai.

According to Wong Yu Wei, deputy chairman and executive director of Boustead Projects, the company was encouraged by its growth in Vietnam and by receiving a contract for a power solutions manufacturing facility. Diversifying our business outside Singapore remains one of our priorities and we will continue to work hard to develop in Vietnam and other target overseas markets, he said.

Meanwhile, China Fortune Land Development entered into negotiations to acquire land in the Mekong Delta province of Long An, a strategically-positioned hub in the southern key economic zone.

The shortage of land near Ho Chi Minh City is driving developers like Sepzone, TTC, and Saigon Hi-Tech Park to building multi-level factories to optimise land use. Upcoming supply includes Hiep Phuoc Phase III and Vinh Loc 1 Phase III, supplying 500 and 200 hectares.

Thailands WHA Hemaraj Group began work on its $1 billion IZ in the central province of Nghe An earlier this year. With the total area of 3,200ha upon completion, WHA Hemaraj IZ Nghe An will be the largest IZ in north-central Vietnam.

Amata, another leading Thai IP developer, has so far undertaken two developments in southern Vietnam, in Bien Hoa and Dong Nai provinces. Amata City Bien Hoa IP is located on 700ha, 19ha of which is reserved for commercial purposes. Amata City Dong Nai stretches over 1,265ha and consists of three elements: a hi-tech park, a mixed-use development, and a service zone. Expanding its portfolio in Vietnam, Amata was licensed in March to build a large-scale smart city project in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. The project would use 714ha, with the investment capital of $1.6 billion.

Vietnam is establishing itself as the industrial powerhouse of Southeast Asia. We expect the industrial property market to enter into a new phase and climb higher the value chain in the future, moving away from labour to capital-intensive projects, said Severino from JLL.Observers wary of Grab suit outcome, illustration photo

Last week, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Economic Court had yet to reach a final verdict on the lawsuit between taxi operator Vinasun and ride-hailing app company Grab due to a lack of solid evidence. The hearing has been adjourned until November 22, when the court is expected to collect more evidence from the taxi business.

As previously reported by VIR, Vinasun brought the lawsuit against Grab, claiming that alleged illegal operations of the tech firm were to blame for a loss of VND42 billion ($1.82 million) in the companys revenues in 2016 and 2017.

Grab, in response, called the accusations baseless and the lawsuit against it an abuse of the court system. In addition to refuting all of Vinasuns allegations, Grab also called for an adjournment when a court-appointed damage assessor, Cuu Long Inspection Valuation, was not represented in court.

At the hearing on October 29, the judging committee focused on a clarification of Vinasuns losses as well as the causal link that exists between Grabs operation and Vinasuns losses. According to the committee, lost earnings from Vinasun can happen for a variety of reasons such as the demand of customers and general competition in the market.

Meanwhile, court damage assessor Cuu Long remains out of sight and therefore out of reach to respond to issues related to the 5,000-page report. It is complex for the court to verify and validate the content of the report. Therefore, the verdict has been delayed so that the court can verify and supplement the documents and evidence related to the assessment results.

While the lawsuit has yet to be resolved, debate rages about the competition between ride-hailing app firms and traditional taxi operators. The rapid proliferation of ride-hailing app firms has left the taxi industry struggling, with a number of taxi companies going bankrupt. This has led to the first-ever lawsuit between a traditional taxi operator and a ride-hailing app firm over supposed loss of earnings in Vietnam.

On the other hand, ride-hailers claimed that they have brought about greater economic and social benefits for the country and citizens. They are also proud of their cutting-edge technology that will drive Industry 4.0 forward in

Vietnam. Due to the growing controversy, experts and companies have raised their voices on the issue.

Tran Hoang Ngan, National Assembly deputy, Ho Chi Minh City

This case is a quite sensitive one and it is forecast that the domestic judiciary sector will face similar situations in the future, when the Fourth Industrial Revolution takes a stronger hold in Vietnam.

This case is difficult to solve and not commonly found anywhere else in the world.

Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, even nations with a developed judiciary system will find it difficult to settle cases like this one, between technological taxi firms and traditional ones. In many countries, there has been a conflict in interest between these types of companies. Thus a court is needed to solve this case in order to ensure the interests of all parties. I also think that if a business operates in the transport sector, it must be managed as a transport business. The thing here is that any business with strong competitiveness and the most impressive technology will always win.

Nguyen Chien, Lawyer, National Assembly deputy, Hanoi

In this case, the plaintiff has to prove how and what violations the defendant has made, and what legal regulations the violations refer to, as well as what the aftermath will be for the plaintiff from the violations.

The claim for compensation must be based on specific legal foundations and in line with regulations of the law, so that the court can accept it. If the plaintiff has no sufficient legal groundwork, the court can only partly accept.

In addition, in order to show that the plaintiff suffers from losses caused by the defendant, there would need to be an agency recognised by the state to appraise the loss.

Nguyen Ngoc Ha, 25, Hanoi

I use Grabs services regularly because it is much more convenient than traditional taxis.

I often receive many unexpected tasks, so I need the services to meet my travel demands of short taxi times and safety. Before Grab and Uber entered into Vietnam, I had to use traditional taxies with several disadvantages.

There can be a long time to wait for a car, and drivers tended to travel longer routes to earn more money from customers.

So for me, traditional taxi services like Vinasun filing a lawsuit against Grab due to the impact on its business is completely baseless.

Julien Brun, Managing partner, CEL Consulting

This specific battle between traditional taxi companies and platforms such as Grab is not specific to Vietnam. Many other countries including the US, where the model was developed first through Uber, have had to resolve this legislation ambiguity.

The underlying trade off behind such a decision is: how to ensure that the traditional taxi companies maintain a decent level of activities while allowing other companies to innovate in order to offer better value for money to the consumers.

Such a case highlights the challenge behind disruptive businesses (using technology as an accessory) that follow a completely new economical model which doesnt typically fit exactly in the legislation framework. Should the framework evolve or should companies try to fit in what has been defined in the past? Politically it is about the balance between favouring innovation versus ensuring compliance.

This new competition also required taxi companies to innovate themselves to remain attractive and competitive to consumers. This is the benefit of competition. But fair competition also requires a set of clear rules. The issue here is whether these companies are comparable and whether they should follow the same fair competition rules.

From a consumers standpoint, the outcome of taking a traditional taxi and a Grab, Uber or GoViet ride is the same. You got transported where you wanted for a certain fee. So regardless of the business models of these companies, they have the same mission, address the same market, and thus can be considered as competitors and should follow the same fair competition rules, in theory.

Whether these fair competition rules are clear enough is the question. If they are not clear enough in the law as it exists today, then penalising a company for not following unclear rules will set a precedent that could impede the trust of companies with regard to their chance of being successful in the Vietnamese market.

So the outcome of this trial will be interesting to observe and whether Grab is penalised or not, the outcome of the decision is less important than the message it will convey, being either:

- Fair competition rules need to be clear.

- Regardless of the business model, the rules need to be respected provided that they are clear.

The press and media will need to explain what the underlying reasons are behind this justice decision, and also to avoid sending a negative message that could be wrongly interpreted as Vietnam over-protecting traditional companies at the expense of innovation - potentially impacting the ability of consumers to have access to better and cheaper services.

Nguyen Viet Ha, Managing director, Vietnam Office of public policy and consulting firm BowerGroupAsia Inc

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is creating enormous economic opportunities for anyone who knows how to leverage technology application. There are and will be more applications, like Grab and Uber, which connect between demand and supply not only in transportation but also in other services such as finance, healthcare, and education. Any countries which are able to adopt and facilitate the developments will be the winners in this revolution. The case of Vinasun and Grab has raised the question of whether Vietnam has been ready for such developments of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It has been more than four years since Grab launched its application, but there has not yet been a clear legal framework for them and other companies, which use similar apps to connect drivers and riders. There are still controversies in determining whether they are a taxi or a technology company, and whether they compete unfairly with taxi companies. No matter what they are and how they do, consumers have benefited from a new choice and great experience in their daily commutes. They forced traditional taxi companies to review and improve themselves in order to survive and compete. That is how technology works.

Ralf Matthaes, Managing director, Infocus Mekong

The lawsuit is not surprising, as this is happening around the world. Many traditional taxi companies are being decimated by these Rider Platforms, which are not being held accountable to the same industry standards. Vinasun is a respectable company that invests substantially in vehicles, technology training and safety for the benefit of their customers. Hence, all competitors should be held to the same operational regulations.

I do not believe this would be a setback but rather sends a message to future investors that as long as companies are following Vietnams labour and safety laws, you are welcome to invest.

The best result would be to enforce the same rules and regulations governing the transportation and labour sectors, for all operators. This would at least create a fair and equitable playing field.

Ultimately, competitions and innovation are incredible business catalysts and welcome in any market capital driven economy, as long as the rules of engagement are the same for all players.

Nguyen Dinh Cung, director, Central Institute for Economic Management

Some people say that Grab lacks responsibility in that it does not buy social insurance for its driver partners, while traditional taxi companies do.

The drivers working for traditional taxi companies are hired employees, so under the current law, the employer  here traditional taxi companies  are obliged to buy social insurance for them.

Meanwhile, Grabs drivers are not hired employees, they are the masters of their own business (doing business with Grab). Their motorbikes or cars are their own assets. In western countries, they are categorised as self-employed, thus buying social insurance is entirely up to them.

The state also has a voluntary social insurance scheme that people who have an income can register to buy. Motorbike taxi drivers have been present in Vietnam for years, and most of them have yet to buy social insurance for themselves.

The only thing they changed was to install the Grab app on their phones to boost the efficiency of their work. I find it is completely irrational to force Grab to buy social insurance for these drivers as the nature of the business is wholly different from traditional taxi companies.Social insurance in cross-hairs, illustration photo

Mac Van Tien, Director, Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs National Institute for Vocational Education

Applying compulsory social insurance on foreign employees is such a new policy for Vietnam. Currently, compulsory social insurance on local employees is very difficult to administer, with 30 per cent of the total workforce contributing to the policy, so carrying out a similar policy on foreign employees will be much more difficult because Vietnamese supervision on foreign employees has not been tightened.

Currently, with a huge number of foreign workers in Vietnam, supervision of them in industrial zones, in companies hiring workers from their countries headquarters or from other countries is quite hard for the local government. As a result, despite their obligations to the decree in Vietnam, I consider that the number of foreign workers contributing to the compulsory social insurance will be much smaller than the total number of foreign employees in Vietnam.

Compulsory social insurance on foreign employees is a good policy because it helps to protect foreign employees from hitting unexpected risks in Vietnam, but much more importantly, we have to administer foreign workers well by catching the job trends which lure them to come to Vietnam. Once we hold the detailed information on their jobs, administrating them will be easier. Regarding the efficiency of the decree, this is the policy of the coming years, so we need to wait at least five years to acknowledge its efficiency.

Pham Thi Hoai Linh, Personnel manager of Navigos Group

Navigos has been prepared to adapt to the decree on compulsory social insurance for foreign employees since it was a draft several years ago. In fact, the firm pays a significant amount of money  3 per cent  for foreign employees health insurance and severance packages as they leave their jobs.

Thus, the additional 0.5 per cent rate into the occupational accidents and hazards funds, our total insurance payments after foreign employees will not change much. As a result, the decree will not impact Navigos operations, and we do not see the need to change our human resources strategy.

Navigos offers equal job opportunities for local and foreign employees, irrespective of the new decree.

According to our research, a significant number of positions are difficult to fill with local employees as they do not meet the employers recruitment, which makes the recruitment of foreign employees an understandable necessity.

When it comes to positions suitable for local employees, we always give them priority.

Tamas Bay Nguyen, Foreign language consultant

While an 8 per cent charge is somewhat of a burden, I can understand the sentiment behind the charge.

It has been essential to attract foreign experts to Vietnam to bring in key know-how and expertise. However, the Vietnamese labour force has been developing at a steady pace, and while there are still positions for which foreign experts are better suited, in many areas Vietnamese experts are ready to take the stage and replace their foreign mentors.

In this sense, it is understandable that the Vietnamese government is evening out employment conditions.

On the other hand, I find it a drawback that the move affects foreign workers universally, even at positions which require an actual foreigner and can hardly be filled by Vietnamese personnel. The Vietnamese government needs to tread a fine line in attracting foreign experts and opening more opportunities for domestic personnel  although I have concerns that the initiative may be premature, especially in certain technology-intensive areas.

Mikio Masawaki, General director, Sapporo Vietnam

According to Decree 143, we understand that foreign workers working in Vietnam in the form of internal staff transfer are not subject to this application. However, we still do not know what the specific definition of internal transfer is. In particular, what type of documents that the company and workers need to provide to prove that it is an internal transfer? In addition, there should be general guidelines for all areas, avoiding the situation where each agency in each province understands and sets out different regulations.

At Sapporo Vietnam, we have a number of experienced Japanese professionals who are transferred to Vietnam by Sapporo Group to be in charge of the companys activities such as business management, production management, business strategy and sales. Our human resources policy is to promote the empowerment of our Vietnamese staff, but before that we need to train our Vietnamese staff with a variety of professional skills and soft skills. In addition to external training, within our company, foreign experts play an extremely important role where they can pass on their experience and skills to the young employees in Vietnam.

In terms of overall economy, we consider that the new regulation could be a barrier for enterprises, not just foreign-invested enterprises but also Vietnamese enterprises, to approach high-level professionals of many fields, especially in fields where Vietnams human resources are still lacking in quantity and quality.

In the long run, it would be ideal if businesses could find the human resources in Vietnam that meet the requirements of quantity and quality. However, at this stage, it is our observation that Vietnams labour market needs to be invested methodically in the long run so that it can create human resources to meet the demand of enterprises.

Brittany Chong, Global Mobility Services partner, PwC Vietnam

Clearly, compulsory contribution of social insurance for foreign employees will have an impact on companies employment costs. It may not be significant now due to its stepped application, but it will be significant when the 8 per cent employees and 17.5 per cent employers contribution for retirement and death funds takes effect from January 2022.

When the contributions from employees start in January 2022, employees may be concerned about the additional deduction of their monthly salary for the social insurance scheme. Still, they should note that the statutory employer contributions do not constitute a taxable benefit to the employee, and the employee contributions are deductible for personal income tax purposes.

Hopefully, this tax treatment will remain when the employees contributions take effect in 2022. Decree 143 clarifies some uncertainties and made the requirement of foreigners subject to a mandatory social insurance scheme clearer. However, there are still areas where additional guidance should be provided.

For instance, a clearer withdrawal policy of the one-off payment on the contributed amount from the social insurance agency and its claim procedures should be provided. Questions such as whether the claim amount will be returned in VND to the foreigners should be addressed.

If so, it could be problematic for the foreigners as they need to continue to maintain their VND account for this purpose before the amount is received. Questions on exemption policy should be addressed. In general, citizens of countries with bilateral agreements in place may be exempted/partially exempted if they can prove they are liable for the contributions in their home country.

Godfrey Andrea, KPMGs Executive Director, Tax and Legal

Where the expatriates have a labour contract in Vietnam for a term of at least 1 year and a work permit, practicing licence or practicing certificate, the 3.5 per cent contribution by the employer is capped at a salary of VND 27.8 million ($1,208), so the total amount of contributions would be capped at VND11,676 000, approximately $500 per year, or VND 973,000 ($41.70) per month. Therefore, the additional marginal cost of employment for expatriates is likely to increase less than 3.5 per cent of the current salary and additional fixed payments. Where the expatriates have no local labour contract, and instead come to Vietnam as secondees, or where expatriates have reached the Vietnamese retirement age there is no impact.

However, the impact of cost increase, due to the acquisition of locally unavailable skills, although only at 3.5 per cent, will lead to an increase of products/services costs provided. In the local quest to go global this will make VN products less attractive in the global market. Would the local firm start thinking of setting up a spin-off somewhere else (like Singapore) to have globally acquired people assets working there to support local operation? If this happened, it would harm the economy as a whole.

Local workers are already subject to social insurance contributions at the full rates of 17.5 per cent from the employer-side, and 8 per cent from the employee-side, so replacing foreign workers with local ones would not reduce the amount of social insurance contributions payable. Moreover, social insurance contributions are capped at a salary of VND 27.8 million ($1,208), so even if foreign workers demand higher salaries this would be unlikely to affect the amount of social insurance contributions payable per worker unless the local worker would be willing to accept a salary of less than VND 27.8 million ($1,208). Nonetheless, as of January 1, 2022, employees will be required to contribute 8 per cent of their salaries, capped at 20 times the general minimum wage (which is currently VND 27.8 million, but will likely increase by 2022), so this will be a significant cost. At the current capped rate, this would amount to approximately VND 26,688,000 ($1,160). Many foreign workers may demand their potential employers bear this cost as well as the employer-side contribution in order to accept employment in Vietnam. Therefore, if and when local expertise are readily available, local firms may give their preference to local hires. However, as the country is developing, we would still see the need for imported expertise. Furthermore, globalization will see more movement of people assets in the market and the replacement of local for foreign might not always work.

To adapt to this new decree, companies may instead consider to bring their foreign employees under secondment arrangements instead of placing foreign employees under local contracts or structure their remuneration packages differently to potentially reduce compliance costs.TIPPAH/BENTON - In honor of Veteran's Day on Nov 11, several Veteran's Day programs are scheduled to go on in the next few days to honor and sCambodian-Americans have called on the signatories of the Paris Peace Accord to ensure Cambodia returns to a multi-party democratic system following controversial elections that saw Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling party win all seats in the legislature.

The appeal was made at a meeting of the Overseas Khmer Summit (OKS) in Washington, DC, attended by Cambodian-Americans from several US states.

Yung Yap, secretary general of the OKS, said respect for the tenets of the accord, which ended Cambodias civil war and enshrined pluralist democracy in the newly forged Cambodian democratic system, was more vital than ever.

Because of the Paris Peace Agreement, all parties ceased quarreling, he said.

The accord was signed in 1991 by 19 countries, including the United States.

Rany Lushinski, deputy president of Cambodian Americans for Human Rights and Democracy, an advocacy group, said: We, the Cambodians outside the country, appeal for the international community not to abandon our country as they did in the Pol Pot era.

Cambodias July general elections drew international criticism after Hun Sen dissolved the countrys main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, jailed its leader, Kem Sokha, and banned more than 100 CNRP officials from politics for five years.

Independent media outlets, rights activists and civil society groups were also targeted in the purge.

Eng Chhay Eang, vice president of the CNRP, told VOA Khmer at the event that Hun Sens Cambodia was a communist regime because the Hun Sen regime is now leading Cambodia towards absolute authoritarianism.

The United States has placed visa restrictions on several high-ranking government officials and placed sanctions on the head of Hun Sens bodyguard unit. The European Union is also considering removing Cambodia from a preferential trade scheme if the situation does not improve.

But Phay Siphan, a government spokesman, said the government was prepared to weather the storm. The Paris accord nations had vowed not to interfere with Cambodias sovereignty, he said, claiming the crackdown on dissent was about Cambodia defending its independence and deciding its fate by itself.

But it will take a lot to convince OKS attendees such as Seng Sophan, head of the Canada-based Committee for Election Rights of Overseas Cambodians.

No matter how they say it, no-one believes it, he said, responding to the governments position.

The more severely you violate the constitution, the more divisive our country becomes.

Sok Sakoun, another OKS participant, said the government is not fully legitimate.

Based on de facto theory, its not fully legitimate, yet operational, he said. Only the Cambodian people and the international community are the ones to determine whether the sixth mandate government can proceed until the end of this mandate.Cambodian-Americans voting in Tuesdays US midterm elections have said they were motivated by a need for more checks and balances on President Trumps power going to the polls.

President Trumps Republican Party had held the balance of power in all three branches of government prior to the vote, which saw the Democrats win control of the House of Representatives.

Janet Seng, a Cambodian-American voter in Pennsylvania, said she thought it was important for the Democrats to win control of both the House and Senate to provide a check against the power of the office of the president.

I want to see the changes because I want the Democratic Party to hold the House and the Senate with checks and balances, she said.

And if we do not go to help, if we do not vote, they do not know who we are, they cannot help us and we cannot help our country, so it's related. We are Americans, we are here, we have full rights, we live in a country, we can express our voice and we have to strongly take part in the elections and American society, she said.

Kuch Schanley, a Cambodian-American political analyst, also hoped that Congress would swing to the Democrats.

The Republicans retained control of the Senate.

If ... the president has a racist idea to discriminate against a race, then it would be racism; there's no opposition, no resistance, and law-making is just so slanted, he said of a situation where all three branches of government are under the control of a single party.

Muy Chamroeun, a Cambodian-American voter from Washington, DC, said Trump was now more popular than anyone else because of his anti-immigrant policies.

Trump is the best president ... in the history of America. He reforms many things, he said.Prime Minister Hun Sen has created a task force to deal with complaints from civil society groups over government suppression of their activities.

The premier made the announcement on Friday, assigning eight officials to the group, which will be led by Interior Minister Sar Kheng.

Gather information; study the requests and proposal and share ideas with government, ministries and relevant stakeholders to resolve it. Promote and raise civil societys awareness and relevant stakeholders [awareness] about associations and NGOs law and regulations, he wrote.

The statement came as Rhona Smith, the UNs rights envoy to Cambodia, was visiting the country on a fact-finding mission and amid continued criticism from the United States and European Union over the suppression of basic freedoms in the country.

The EU is currently considering removing Cambodia from its duty-free trade scheme, known as Everything But Arms, over its blatant disregard for human and labor rights, which could have a significant impact on the garment industry in Cambodia, according to experts.

Civil society representatives said the decision to create the task force was likely made in response to international pressure.

Am Sam Ath, a senior investigator with Licadho, a local rights group, said the plan would only be effective if proposals from civil society were taken seriously and acted on.

Whats important is their true willingness in the culture of blame. And we want more freedom for civil society to do their job.

In the months leading up to and following Julys general election, several civil society groups were the target of government pressure over their activities.Since the start of the #MeToo Movement in late 2017, the hashtag has been used to demonstrate sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace around the globe. American actor Rose McGowan and South Korean poet Choi Young-me discuss the movement and the challenges that still remain. VOAs Steve Miller reports from Seoul.The Afghan pilot who penned a moving letter to the wife and seven children of a U.S. service member and city mayor killed in Afghanistan told VOA he wrote the tribute to let them know how much their husband and father had inspired him.

Maj. Abdul Rahman Rahmani, a special mission pilot who served alongside slain Utah National Guardsman Maj. Brent Taylor on multiple missions, said Taylor would give his Afghan counterparts "pages for positivity" and often had discussions about the future of Afghanistan.

"You would be motivated throughout the day," Rahmani said. "He was an amazing guy. He was really, really incredible."

In the letter, which Rahmani said he never expected to go viral, he told Taylor's wife, Jennie, that Taylor "taught me to love my wife, Hamida, as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts."

Importance of kindness

When Taylor overheard him quarreling with Hamida over the phone one day, Rahmani said the American told him about the importance of being "respectful and kind" to family.

"In fact, he encouraged me to apologize to my wife, and that was the first time I apologized to her," Rahmani said.

Taylor, 39, was killed last Saturday while on patrol when an Afghan soldier attacked him. Other Afghan fighters quickly killed the assailant, according to NATO.

A friend of Taylors who serves in the same political circles as the North Ogden Mayor Adam Gardiner said the soldier was "100% for doing what he thought was right, all the time."

Gardiner said many times the two would start talking or texting about politics but would end up talking about their families.

"I know how much those kids and his wife meant to him," he said, calling Taylor's death "the definition of selfless sacrifice."

The body of the fallen soldier, mayor, husband and father returned to the United States as millions of Americans voted in local, state and national elections. In a Facebook post just days before his death, Taylor pleaded with Americans to vote, stressing that there was "far more as Americans that unites us than divides us."

'Only fitting'

"It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents so much more, something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come home to U.S. soil in a flag-draped casket on our Election Day," Jennie Taylor told reporters as she received his body.

Gardiner, who is running for Salt Lake County recorder, choked up when talking about Jennie's comments.

How could you do anything but not try and do your best on Election Day? To sit around and mope or not focus is something that would be unrelateable to Brent, he said.

Thousands of miles away in Afghanistan, Rahmani told VOA he hoped the Taliban would see his letter and realize that the "bonds" of "unity" formed between U.S. and Afghan service members "would not be shaken by these kinds of incidents."

Rahmani, who has been wounded twice and has lost several family members during the war, vowed to persevere in the fight for his homeland.

"This country needs people to defend it. You know, if I leave this country, if I quit, who is going to take this responsibility?" he said. "I want to be one."

Rahmani spoke with VOA's News Center and VOA's Afghan service for this report.Officials in Afghanistan have hailed a U.S. decision to exempt from anti-Iran sanctions the development of the Iranian port of Chabahar in recognition of its role to grow the Afghan economy.

The exception granted by the Trump administration on Tuesday will allow the construction of a railway line connecting the port to Afghanistan. In addition the war-shattered country will be allowed to continue importing petroleum products from Iran.

President Ashraf Ghanis engagement with the U.S. government in the past six months in regards to Chabahar has accomplished the objective, his spokesman tweeted (@hchakhansuri) Wednesday.

Monday, Washington reimposed the sanctions on Irans oil exports, financial, shipping and ship building sectors that had previously been lifted as part of the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran.

The India-led development of Chabahar port is aimed at opening a new transportation corridor for Afghanistans international trade and reduce the countrys dependence on Pakistans land routes and sea ports.

Kabul's tense relations with Islamabad are blamed for hampering Afghan trading activity through the neighboring country.

U.S. officials argued the sanctions exception granted to Chabahar underscored Washingtons support of Afghanistans economic growth and development as well as the close partnership with India.

But the sanctions threatened New Delhis ability to obtain funds for the development of the Iranian port. Moreover, an intensified Taliban-led insurgency also poses a major challenge for international-backed efforts aimed at stabilizing and developing Afghanistan.

Insurgents have staged fresh attacks across the country during the past few days, killing scores of Afghan security forces and overrunning important military bases in several Afghan provinces. The Taliban controls or hotly contests nearly half of Afghanistan.

U.S. backed international efforts to initiate a peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban have not produced results.Results were disappointing for two Democratic candidates who vied to become the first African-American state governors of Florida and Georgia, after closely contested campaigns where race and identity politics were highly divisive issues.

In Florida, Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum, the former mayor of Tallahassee, conceded the race to his Republican rival Ron DeSantis, but he vowed to remain politically active.

"I want you to know that in spite of our congratulating him on his victory this evening, nothing that we believe in is compromised," Gillum told his supporters Tuesday evening.

DeSantis, a former U.S. Congressman, was closely aligned with President Donald Trump, who came twice to Florida to campaign with him.

"The great thing about our country is that every two years, the people have that one day in November where the elites don't call the shots, where they don't get to craft the narrative and where they don't get to set the agenda," DeSantis said.

WATCH: African American Hopeful Falls Short in Florida Governor Race; Georgia Too Close to Call

In Georgia, the race for governor is too close to call, but Republican candidate Brian Kemp holds a narrow lead.

"There are votes left to be counted, but we have a very strong lead. And folks, make no mistake, the math is on our side to win this election," Kemp told supporters gathered in Athens, Georgia.

However, Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams has not conceded and says the race could come down to a run-off election if neither candidate wins 50 percent of the vote.

"But I'm here to tell you tonight, votes remain to be counted. There are voices that are waiting to be heard," Abrams told her supporters in Atlanta.

In other parts of the country, race and gender barriers were overcome as Native American and Muslim candidates won congressional elections. Massachusetts and Connecticut will also send black women to Congress as firsts for their states.

Progressive strategies

Both Abrams and Gillum hoped to become the first African-American governors in Georgia and Florida, southern states with legacies of racial division, and where Democrats have not held the state leadership position in over a decade.

Both Democratic candidates ran as progressives. Both campaigns promised to make health care more affordable and focused on increasing voter participation from the growing number of young people and minorities in the state that often don't participate in elections.

Abrams attracted high-profile support from influential talk show host and billionaire philanthropist Oprah Winfrey.

"I believe that everybody should have the right to vote their values, and vote their conscience regardless of the party," Winfrey said when endorsing Abrams for governor.

In Florida, Gillum campaigned with former President Barack Obama.

Identity politics

Both Abrams and Gillum were targeted by racist robo-calls to voters from a white supremacist group that both parties denounced.

Kemp, Abrams' Republican rival, has been accused of trying to suppress the vote in his current role as Georgia's secretary of state in charge of overseeing the election.

Last week, a federal judge put on hold an "exact match" voter registration law enforced by his office, after lawsuits alleged that 80 percent of voters disqualified for slight ID variations were African-American, Latino or Asian-American.

Kemp has refused to recuse himself to avoid possible conflict of interest charges. And on the eve of the election, Kemp opened an investigation into the Georgia Democratic Party for possibly tampering with the state's voter registration system. Abrams called the investigation a "witch hunt" and "abuse of power."

Many Georgia voters from both parties on Tuesday said racial politics was not a deciding factor in this election.

"I don't think it had anything to do with race. It has to do with what the individuals are saying and how they're going to help the people in the state of Georgia," said Linda Crumpton, who voted for Kemp.

In Florida, DeSantis was criticized for using coded racist language when he said Gillum would "monkey the state up" in an interview. The Republican nominee also struggled to explain his alleged association and support from white supremacist groups.

"I'm simply saying the racists think he is a racist," said Gillum in a debate with DeSantis, who in turn criticized Gillum's alleged association with a left-wing activist group that compared the police to "slave catchers."International aid groups pled Wednesday for the residents of a Yemeni port city trapped between warring government forces and Iranian-backed rebels to be allowed safe passage out of the crossfire.

The non-governmental organization Save the Children said one of its medical clinics had been damaged in the fighting in the densely-populated Red Sea city of Hodeida, home to a population of about 600,000.

One of the citys biggest hospitals is now meters away from an active frontline, according to a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Spokespeople for UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders expressed similar concerns that the fighting had reached too close for comfort to the civilian population, obstructing their humanitarian efforts.

Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, has been wracked by brutal infighting since a Saudi-led coalition joined forces with the government in 2015 against Houthi rebels, an armed theological movement of mostly Shi'ite and some Sunni Muslims. Regime forces have ended Houthi control of a string of coastal towns, but the rebels still hold Hodeida and Sanaa, Yemens largest city and capital.

Hodeida, whose port receives the vast majority of the countrys aid deliveries and food and fuel imports, is a critical location in the conflict.

Years of heavy fighting have exacted a heavy toll on the countrys population. The United Nations has said that 14 million Yemenis, half the population, are on the brink of starvation.

UNICEF says 30,000 children die every year from malnutrition, and 400,000 children under age five are currently at risk of the same fate. Malnutrition rates, among the worlds highest before the conflict, have soared higher. The U.N. has called the conflict the worst humanitarian and security crisis in the world.A Presbyterian Church official in Cameroon says 79 students who were abducted from their school along with their principal have been freed.

Suspected English-speaking militants allegedly kidnapped the students Monday from the church school in the town of Bamenda, in troubled northwestern Cameroon.

The official said the boys, between the ages of 11 and 17, are psychologically tortured but otherwise in good health.



The exact reasons why they were freed are unclear, but three school staffers kidnapped with the students were still being held captive Wednesday.

Eleven students were also kidnapped Oct. 31 and were later freed.

In a video of the students released on social media, the kidnappers called themselves Amba boys, a reference to the self-declared English-speaking region of Ambazonia where armed separatists are fighting for independence.

The fighting erupted in the English-speaking northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon in 2016, when teachers and lawyers complained of discrimination in education and the justice system by the French-speaking majority.Some 5,000 people seeking refuge in a hospital in Central African Republic (CAR) risk being attacked by armed groups, a medical charity said Tuesday, amid ongoing clashes.

About 10,000 people ran to the hospital in Batangafo, some 400 km (250 miles) north of the capital Bangui, last week, after armed groups looted and burned thousands of homes, three camps hosting 27,000 displaced and a market in the city.

Half of those camped out in the hospital grounds have since joined others hiding in the bush or other villages, Omar Ahmed Abenza, head of mission for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in CAR, told Reuters from Bangui.

"People don't feel safe anywhere in the city," he said, adding that MSF staff working in the town regularly heard gunshots and grenades in and around Batangafo.

CAR has faced near-constant armed conflict since 2013, when a mostly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition overthrew then-president Francois Bozize, prompting reprisals from Christian and animist "anti-balaka" militias.

Despite electing a new leader in 2016, the country has been mired in tit-for-tat inter-communal violence and political instability.

CAR is one of the world's most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers, with MSF suffering an average of three attacks a month on its facilities, vehicles and staff last year.

Abenza said the hospital cannot guarantee the safety of the thousands of people sleeping on the grounds in temporary shelters hastily built from carpets, clothing and other belongings.

"For us, it's almost impossible to control who goes in and out. We can't deny access to the population," he said. "Our security is basically ensured through the constant conversations with the leaders of the armed groups."

The situation is also dire in Bambari, in central CAR, where there were also clashes last week, with many people "too scared to leave their homes to seek medical treatment," he said.

The World Food Program (WFP) said Tuesday that 1.9 million people in CAR do not have enough to eat  the highest figure since 2014, when the country was rocked by widespread sectarian violence.

"Fresh, ever more harrowing, reports continue to emerge suggesting only continuing exacerbation of an already profoundly grave situation," WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel said.

"Prompt international and regional attention and action are urgently needed to ward off a human tragedy."





Jamesway welcomes new sales director of Latin America and Spain





Jamesway Incubator Company has appointed Dr. Jesus Campa as sales director of Latin America and Spain.



Dr. Campa has been with Jamesway since 2001, and served as sales manager in those regions. In that time, he was instrumental for bringing together key stakeholders of the hatchery industry.



Dr. Campa's appointment reflects Jamesway's current momentum in Latin America and Spain as it continues to enhance its commitment to current customers while supporting new growth, especially as the interest in its Platinum 2.0 single-stage machine flourishes, the company said.



Dr. Campa will be responsible for expanding sales outlets, while servicing and consolidating jamesway agents, as well as enlarging its sales team in that region as it continues to grow, according to the company.



"Our customers know Dr. Campa as a passionate and dedicated professional who brings an attention to detail to every project. He has a degree in veterinary medicine and over 33 years actively working in the hatchery industry, including many years as a hatchery general manager," a Jamesway press release stated.



Dr. Campa has been involved in all areas of production, from finance to technical service.



His interests and knowledge are broad and involve a thorough understanding of the poultry industry, the needs of a hatchery and the importance of committed customer service. "This experience and perception is not only an asset to his customers, it also makes him an important advisor on the Jamesway staff," the press release added.



"I think that the single most important service that Jamesway brings to the table is the ability to design the hatchery exactly according to each customer's needs; like a tailor-made suit," Dr. Campa remarked.



"I work with our team to customise the most reliable, highest performing and easily managed incubation systems... we also throw in superior technical advice to ensure optimal performance. I look forward to continuing in this capacity as Jamesway continues to expand its footprint in Latin America and Spain."



- JameswayWorld leaders have been reacting to the U.S. midterm election results, as America's partners and rivals try to decipher what the Democratic Party's new majority in the House of Representatives could mean for the future of President Donald Trump's foreign policy agenda over the coming years.

Democrats say their victory in the House marks a new day in America. However, that doesn't mean a new dawn for American foreign policy, says analyst Peter Trubowitz, professor of international relations and director of the U.S. Center at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

"The main play that Donald Trump now has is on the foreign policy side, where he has much more discretionary authority and room to maneuver than he does on the domestic side. So I would actually look for Trump to double down on trade with China, on Iran, and on the border with Mexico," he said.

Trubowitz adds that Democrats in the House may offer support for Trump's stance on China. Washington has imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion of Chinese imports, accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices. Chinese officials refused to comment on the election results Wednesday.

Europe also fears U.S. tariffs on its key exports, like cars. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday the election results are unlikely to ease tensions.

"On this side of the Atlantic we have to find an answer to the U.S. motto of 'America first,' which to me can only be 'Europe united,'" Heiko Maas told reporters at a Berlin press conference.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said relations with the U.S. would not change as it would be hard to make the relationship any worse. "It could be assumed, with a high degree of certainty, let's say, there are no bright prospects for the normalization of the U.S.-Russia relations on the horizon," Peskov told the Associated Press news agency.

In the Middle East, U.S. policy is unlikely to change radically  though the Democrats could seek to pressure Trump over his regional alliances, according to analyst Kamel Wazne of the Center for American Strategic Studies in Beirut.

"When it comes to the selling of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, we may hear some voices and there may be a call to end the war in Yemen," said Wazne.

An Israeli official urged Trump not to allow electoral losses to derail peace plans for the region, which has seen the U.S. controversially move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which the Palestinians also claim as the capital of a future state. Nabil Shaath, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was hopeful there would be a change of course.

"The Democrats in the United States are getting closer to a position that may lead eventually to a peace process," Shaath said Wednesday.

There was global praise for the record number of women and minorities elected to the House. Frans Timmermans, the first vice president of the European Commission, wrote on Twitter that he was "inspired by voters in the U.S. who chose hope over fear, civility over rudeness, inclusion over racism."

World leaders will now be wondering what comes next, says analyst Trubowitz.

"Whether to wait Donald Trump out. In other words, whether to play for time over the next two years. This will be the calculation being made in Tehran, in Beijing, and perhaps in some European capitals, as well."

That assessment would appear tough to solve, with U.S. politics seen as increasingly volatile and polarized.Key to Jair Bolsonaro's recent election victory was the support of Brazil's business community, which coalesced around him because he promised to overhaul Latin America's largest economy and address its worrying budget deficit. But the president-elect has been stingy with the details, and many wonder if he'll stick to his recent conversion to market-friendly reforms or if the dormant nationalist in him might reappear.



Even if he holds fast to the agenda set forth by his economic guru Paulo Guedes, a University of Chicago-trained economist and the man who convinced many investors to take a chance on Bolsonaro, the former army captain could face fierce opposition in Congress and from labor unions to what will be undoubtedly unpopular measures. His economic agenda will also have to compete for priority with his better-known promises to crack down on crime and corruption, and the latter are much dearer to his heart  and his base.



"It's really unclear what Bolsonaro is when it comes to economic policy," said Matthew Taylor, an associate professor at American University's School of International Service. "He himself has admitted to ignorance on the economic front, but he's also an extraordinary statist and a nationalist."



For years, Bolsonaro, who will be inaugurated Jan. 1, supported heavy involvement of the state in the economy, and he remains an admirer of Brazil's 1964-1985 military regime, which supported nationalist policies. But during the campaign, he espoused free-market principles.



It's not clear how complete his conversion is. For instance, after Guedes told reporters that he supported privatizing all of Brazil's dozens of state companies, Bolsonaro walked that back, saying he would sell off many but keep "strategic" ones, including big names like Petrobras and Banco do Brasil.



Amid this swirl of doubt, one thing is clear: Brazil must quickly cut its deficit or it risks heading back into crisis. A World Bank analysis concluded last year that Brazil spends more than it can afford and spends poorly.



Brazil's central government deficit was 7 percent of gross domestic product in 2017, according to the Central Bank, and has been above 5 percent in recent years. A large portion is interest payments on debt, but even excluding those, Brazil still had a primary deficit of 1.8 percent of GDP last year  which economists say is unsustainable because it means the already high debt level will continue to grow.



The new administration will have only a narrow window to show investors that it's serious about addressing this problem  by cutting spending or raising taxes  before they will begin to balk, making an adjustment more difficult because it could drive up borrowing costs.



Compounding the challenge, Brazil is only just beginning to emerge from a two-year-long recession, and growth remains stagnant. That means it can't rely on big increases in tax revenues to help it plug the hole  and Bolsonaro has even promised to cut tax rates.

Guedes, who will lead the Economy Ministry, appeared to be sending just that signal hours after Bolsonaro's victory on Oct. 28. He laid out a three-part plan to reduce Brazil's public spending by passing a pension reform, privatizing state companies to draw down the debt and enacting other unspecified reforms that will reduce "privileges and waste."



Pension reform will be the linchpin in reducing Brazil's state spending for two reasons: Brazil's government spends more on pensions than anything else, and many other parts of the budget can't be altered because they're mandated by the constitution.



Attempts to reform the pension system will likely face stiff resistance from labor unions and other groups since any measure will force Brazilians to work longer and receive fewer benefits. Bolsonaro, who in 27 years in Congress didn't show any particular gift for building consensus, will have to build a broad coalition to get a reform through. His Social Liberal Party holds about 10 percent of the seats in next Congress, but so does the Workers' Party, which is against such a reform and has vowed tough opposition.

President Michel Temer, who is known for his ability to negotiate with Congress, failed at that task. Still, Glauco Legat, the chief analyst at the brokerage Spinelli, points out that Bolsonaro's decisive win gives him more legitimacy than Temer, who came to power after his predecessor was impeached in controversial proceedings.



Any reform will be whittled away at in order to win votes, but Monica de Bolle, director of Latin American Studies at Johns Hopkins University, says she fears Bolsonaro's proposal will lack ambition right out of the gate since he has indicated he will leave military personnel out of it. That could also mean he will exclude other civil service sectors, which are key to taking a bite out of the problem.



"The watering down process is going to take place on the basis of an already diluted reform," she said.



Beyond pension reform, Bolsonaro has promised to reduce the size of the state, including halving the number of ministries, and selling off state companies. Reducing the number of ministries could yield some savings, but other presidents have struggled to do that in more than name. And Bolsonaro has already taken off the table many state companies that would yield the most cash.



Instead, economists say that many of the savings lie in eliminating inefficiencies. Guedes didn't give details, but if he's serious about reducing waste, there's plenty of it: The World Bank analysis highlighted Brazil's high civil service salaries, a constitutional mandate on education spending that often results in spending for spending's sake, overlapping social welfare programs and a proliferation of small hospitals in the public health system.



Despite the challenges, Legat said it's important to remember that just by virtue of saying he'll take on Brazil's thorny issues, Bolsonaro has built momentum, which can have real-world effects.



"He brings optimism that's very important for the economy in this moment," he said. "This increase in confidence is reflected in real numbers.''Facebook says it has blocked more than 100 accounts with potential ties to a so-called Russian "troll farm" that may have sought to interfere with Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections.

The social media giant said in a statement Wednesday that it had blocked the Facebook and Instagram accounts ahead of the vote. Facebook said it made the move after a tip from law enforcement officials.

Facebook's head of cybersecurity, Nathaniel Gleicher, said in a statement that the accounts were blocked late Monday over suspicions they were "engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior, which is banned from our services." Among those accounts blocked were 85 Instagram accounts and 30 Facebook pages, most of which were in French or Russian languages. The Instagram accounts were mostly English-language, Facebook said.

Investigators say the accounts may be linked to a group known as the Internet Research Agency, which is based in St. Petersburg, Russia. In February, a federal grand jury indicted the group over allegations of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Gleicher called the recent discovery "a timely reminder that these bad actors won't give up  and why it is so important we work with the U.S. government and other technology companies to stay ahead."

Before Gleicher's statement, the Internet Research Agency said in a statement that it was responsible for the accounts, although that has not been verified.

In its statement, the organization said, "Citizens of the United States of America! Your intelligence agencies are powerless. Despite all their efforts, we have thousands of accounts registered on Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit spreading political propaganda." The message was written in capital letters.

The statement also included a list of accounts to which the organization was supposedly attached.

In April, Facebook closed some 270 accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency. Facebook also recently banned 82 accounts linked to Iran, that were posting politically charged memes.When the worst floods in a century swept through India's southern Kerala state in August, they killed more than 480 people and left behind more than $5 billion in damage.

But one thing survived unscathed: India's first floating solar panels, on one of the country's largest water reservoirs.

As India grapples with wilder weather, surging demand for power and a goal to nearly quintuple the use of solar energy in just four years, "we are very much excited about floating solar," said Shailesh K. Mishra, director of power systems at the government Solar Energy Corporation of India.

India is planning new large-scale installations of the technology on hydropower reservoirs and other water bodies in Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand states, and in the Lakshadweep islands, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The cost is coming almost to the same level as ground solar, and then it will go (forward) very fast," he predicted.

As countries move to swiftly scale up solar power, to meet growing demand for energy and to try to curb climate change, floating solar panels - installed on reservoirs or along coastal areas - are fast gaining popularity, particularly in Asia, experts say.

The panels - now in place from China to the Maldives to Britain - get around some of the biggest problems facing traditional solar farms, particularly a lack of available land, said Oliver Knight, a senior energy specialist with the World Bank.

"The water body is already there - you don't need to go out and find it," he said in a telephone interview.

And siting solar arrays on water - most cover up to 10 percent of a reservoir - can cut evaporation as well, a significant benefit in water-short places, Knight said.

Pakistan's new government, for instance, is talking about using floating solar panels on water reservoirs near Karachi and Hyderabad, both to provide much-needed power and to curb water losses as climate change brings hotter temperatures and more evaporation, he said.

Solar arrays on hydropower dams also can take advantage of existing power transmission lines, and excess solar can be used to pump water, effectively storing it as hydropower potential.

Big Potential

China currently has the most of the 1.1 gigawatts of floating solar generating capacity now installed, according to the World Bank.

But the technology's potential is much bigger - about 400 gigawatts, or about as much generating capacity as all the solar photovoltaic panels installed in the world through 2017, the bank said.

"If you covered 1 percent of manmade water bodies, you're already looking at 400 gigawatts," Knight said. "That's very significant."

Growing use of the technology has raised fears that it could block sun into reservoirs, affecting wildlife and ecosystems, or that electrical systems might not stand up to a watery environment - particularly in salty coastal waters.

But backers say that while environmental concerns need to be better studied, the relatively small amount of surface area covered by the panels - at least at the moment - doesn't appear to create significant problems.

"People worried what will happen to fish, to water quality," said India's Mishra. "Now all that attention has gone."

What may be more challenging is keeping panels working - and free of colonizing sea creatures - in corrosively salty coastal installations, which account for a relatively small percentage of total projects so far, noted Thomas Reindl of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore.

He said he expects the technology will draw more investment "when durability and reliability has been proven in real world installations."

Currently floating solar arrays cost about 18 percent more than traditional solar photovoltaic arrays, Knight said - but that cost is often offset by other lower costs.

"In many places one has to pay for land, for resettlement of people or preparing and leveling land and building roads," he said. With floating solar, "you avoid quite a bit of that."

Solar panels used on water, which cools them, also can produce about 5 percent more electricity, he said.

Mishra said that while, in his view, India has sufficient land for traditional solar installations, much of it is in remote areas inhospitable to agriculture, including deserts.

Putting solar panels on water, by comparison, cuts transmission costs by moving power generation closer to the people who need the energy, he said.

He said India already makes the solar panels it needs, and is now setting up manufacturing for the floats and anchors needed for floating solar systems.

When that capacity is in place, "then the cost will automatically come down," he predicted.The 2018 U.S. midterm elections wound to a close Tuesday amid voter frustration in some parts of the country as worries about cyberattacks gave way to concerns about voting irregularities in a handful of states.

From Florida to Georgia to Texas, election monitors reported a gamut of glitches, from broken voting machines and a shortage of paper ballots to unexpectedly shuttered polling stations and agonizingly long lines.

Officials were quick to note, though, that problems were isolated and rapidly addressed by election officials. If so, it was little consolation to those voters who in some cases spent hours lined up to cast a ballot  and sometimes never got to do so.

In Georgia, Ontaria Woods said she waited more than three hours at a Gwinnett County polling place and saw two dozen people who had come to vote leave because of the lines.

"We've been trying to tell them to wait, but people have children,'" Woods said. "People are getting hungry. People are tired."

Nowhere was the frustration more palpable than in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Adams was running to be the countrys first female black governor against Republican Brian Kemp, the secretary of state whose oversight of elections was a central campaign issue.

Voters reported showing up only to find that their names were not on active voter registration rolls. Others said theyd been denied provisional ballots, Sara Henderson, executive director Common Cause of Georgia, told VOA.

After numerous reports of long lines, malfunctioning equipment and other issues, Common Cause got two local judges to extend voting hours at several precincts.

But Henderson said the results in close contests may not be known for several days or longer. That is because voters who cast provisional ballots would have to return to their election boards within three days to have their ballots validated.

"I think were in for a few days of trying to figure all this out," Henderson said.

Well before Tuesdays vote, Georgias electoral system had drawn the scrutiny of voting rights advocates. Last month, Common Cause petitioned a court to block a state law requiring voter registration forms to exactly match data on file with state agencies.

The law had potentially barred more than 53,000 Georgians from registering to vote.

Many of those affected by the ruling were later allowed to register after a court issued an injunction temporarily suspending the match rules.

Elsewhere, reports of broken ballot scanners surfaced at several polling places in New York City, the Associated Press reported.

Turnout was so heavy at one packed precinct on Manhattan's Upper West Side that the line to scan ballots stretched around a junior high school gym. Voters arriving at two separate polling stations discovered that most scanners had broken down, forcing some people to drop their ballots in "emergency ballot boxes" or vote with an affidavit ballot.

"There are broken scanners everywhere in Brooklyn," Stefan Ringel, spokesman for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, said.

In Phoenix, a polling site was foreclosed on overnight. The owners of the property locked the doors, taking election officials by surprise.

Voters had been sent to another precinct nearby, but Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes said the location in Chandler was up and running shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday.

For about an hour after polls opened Tuesday morning, a Sarasota County, Florida, precinct had to tell voters to come back later because their ballots were not available.

Computer problems snarled voting for hours in Indiana, where a judge ordered 12 polling places in one northwestern county to stay open late after voting didn't start on time.

In Texas, home of a narrowly contested U.S. Senate race, delays were reported in Houston after apparent issues with registration check-in machines.

The U.S. Border Patrol also canceled a "crowd control exercise" that was scheduled for Tuesday in El Paso after criticism from civil liberties groups that it was too close to a polling center and could scare voters away.

Federal officials said there were no signs of any foreign cyberattacks on critical election systems, although social media trolls targeted some voters with misinformation.

Several hours before polls closed, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen cautioned that the Russians "have a full court press through many means."

Still, officials insisted that two years of preparations are paying off as intrusion sensors had found no evidence of hacked systems.

There were "no tie-backs to any foreign actors that weve seen," said Chris Krebs, undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Securitys protection directorate.

WATCH: No foreign meddling

Social media companies acted swiftly to take down what appeared to be deliberate misinformation, Krebs said. Several incidents were referred to law enforcement for investigation.

Nearly 100 million Americans were expected to take to the polls in an election that was widely seen as a referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump. A record 36 million Americans cast their ballots during early voting.

National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press.Hundreds of Afghan civilians in eastern Nangarhar province took up arms and joined the Afghan security forces in the fight against the Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan. The nearly 400 civilians will take part in a newly launched anti-IS operation by the government in the region. VOA's Zabihullah Ghazi reports from Nangarhar.Through the wind and rain, and longer than usual lines, casting a vote for former state lawmaker and Congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib wasnt about making history for Detroit voter David White it was about making a difference.

Rashida represents everything that undermines those stereotypes, he told VOA outside the Detroit fire station that doubles as a polling site on election days. She doesnt just appeal to a Muslim community. She appeals to a wide swath of individuals, and it just happens to be that she is Muslim, so I think it is important for the Muslim community, but important for other communities.. any community really to see Rashida and her effectiveness and advocacy as an outstanding public servant as an example that your race doesnt define you.

It also didnt define Somali refugee and Minnesota Congressional candidate Democrat Ilhan Omar to a diverse coalition of voters that helped her secure a victory over the Republican challenger in her Minneapolis district.

"I stand here before you tonight as your congresswoman-elect, with many firsts behind my name, she told a crowd of supporters at her mid term election victory party. The first woman of color to represent our state in Congress. The first woman to wear a hijab to represent our state in Congress. The first refugee ever elected to Congress. And one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress."

Riding solid gains for Democratic candidates in the U.S midterm elections, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar are now set to make history when they become the first Muslim American congresswomen when the next U.S. legislative body convenes in January. Expectations are high for both women as they seek to influence U.S. policy on issues ranging from immigration reform to foreign policy at a time when their faith is under increasing hostility.

While both were elected in districts that could be considered liberal and progressive - heavily favoring their political party - voters like Allyson Brooks, who cast her ballot in the same Detroit polling location as Tlaib, says this historic moment was a long time coming. Its crazy that its 2018 and this could possibly be the first time that this is happening. We need more Muslims in the Congress, in the Senate and in the House.

Being Arab and being Muslim is always going to be a part of who I am, Tlaib told VOA in between last-minute campaign activities on election day. But just like prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, he was all about justice, so, so much of my thinking is embedded in justice.

Tlaib, who also becomes the first Palestinian American in Congress, promises her reputation as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and his administrations policies isnt going to change as she makes the transition from candidate to Congresswoman.

Its never going to happen. Its just not in me. I think people say to me all the time, we wanted different and thats why we voted for you. We need someone whos going to go in and fight.

A fight voter David White is confident she is prepared for, even if he isnt.

My personal style is not Rashidas style standing up in the middle of a speech and shouting him down, he explained, referencing Tlaibs August 2016 encounter at then-candidate Donald Trumps appearance before the Detroit Economic Club. During Trumps speech, Tlaib spoke out from the crowd and was forcibly removed from the event by security. We need some of that, White insisted, We need some of that strong resistance even though I dont necessarily identify with that style.

A style that will be put to the test come January, when Tlaib and Omar enter Congress as freshman lawmakers in a chamber their party will control.Conservative new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday joined liberal colleagues in raising concerns about Missouri's plan to use lethal injection to execute a murderer with a rare medical condition.

Lawyers for Russell Bucklew, 50, have argued that because of a congenital condition called cavernous hemangioma that leaves him with blood-filled tumors on his body, the lethal injection could cause undue agony in violation of the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Based on the one-hour oral argument, it is not clear how the court will rule in Bucklew's case but Kavanaugh's comments in his first death penalty-related oral argument since joining the court last month suggest he could potentially break with fellow conservatives.

If he joins the court's four liberals, the court could issue a narrow decision sending the case back to lower courts to determine whether the state can accommodate Bucklew's medical issues.

Kavanaugh, a conservative appeals court judge, was appointed by President Donald Trump and joined the court last month after a fierce Senate confirmation battle.

During the argument he appeared to question Supreme Court precedent that requires inmates to come up with an alternative method of execution if they think the state's preferred method is too painful.

"So you're saying that even if the method imposes gruesome, brutal pain, you can still go forward?" Kavanaugh asked the state's lawyer, John Sauer. "Is there any limit on that?"

His comments seemed to address two previous rulings in which the court has declined to invalidate lethal injection procedures but said inmates can propose less painful alternatives.

In Missouri, execution is authorized using either injection or gas but the state in practice uses only lethal injection.

Bucklew, whose appeal is neither contesting his guilt nor seeking to avoid execution, has suggested being put to death by gas. Lawyers for the state say that although lethal gas is authorized, it has never been used and there are no protocols for it.

The high court on March 20 blocked Bucklew's execution on a 5-4 vote, with four of the court's five conservative justices voting to deny the request. The conservative justice who voted with the court's four liberals to grant the stay, Anthony Kennedy, has since retired and was replaced by Kavanaugh.

Bucklew was convicted of the 1996 murder in southeastern Missouri of Michael Sanders, who was living with Bucklew's former girlfriend Stephanie Ray at the time. Bucklew fatally shot Sanders at his trailer home, kidnapped and raped Ray, shot at Sanders' 6-year-old son and wounded a police officer before being apprehended, according to court papers.

Bucklew's condition has caused large, blood-filled tumors to grow on his face, head, neck and throat, according to court papers.

A ruling is due by the end of June.U.N. agencies warn hundreds of thousands of severely malnourished children in war-torn Yemen could die because of food shortages and lack of money to provide life-saving therapeutic treatment.

Years of prolonged conflict in Yemen are taking a heavy toll, especially on the children. The United Nations calls Yemen the worst humanitarian and security crisis in the world. It warns 14 million people, or one half of the population, are on the brink of famine. The main casualties are the children.

Before the war, the country had one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. Since the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign of airstrikes against Houthi rebels in support of the government in March 2015, malnutrition levels have soared.

The U.N. childrens fund warns 400,000 children under age five are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and are at risk of dying. UNICEF spokesman, Christophe Boulierac said every year, 30,000 children under age five are dying from malnutrition related diseases. He said one half of Yemens young children are chronically malnourished.

One-point-one million pregnant or lactating women are anemic and that is a vicious cycle. When giving birth, these women know that their children will be of low birth-weight starting that cycle of malnutrition. And, as we all know, chronic malnutrition has an incredibly important impact on child brain development. Every 10 minutes a child is dying from diseases that can be easily prevented, he said.

Fighting in Yemen has led to the almost total collapse of the countrys health system. It also has prevented the import of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies critical for the well-being of the population.

For example, the World Health Organization reports the current supply of fuel imports through the port of Hudaydah only cover about half of the countrys needs. It adds the fuel is vital to keep hospitals running. It says these hospitals house the therapeutic feeding centers that could save the lives of severely malnourished children.The U.N. refugee agency reports a growing number of refugees and migrants are dying on the Mediterranean Sea crossing to Europe because non-governmental organizations are being prevented from conducting search and rescue missions.

The U.N. refugee agency reports more than 2,000 refugees and migrants have lost their lives on the Mediterranean this year. It says the number of drownings has escalated sharply, mainly in the central Mediterranean.

In September, it notes one of every eight people making the dangerous journey toward Italy died.

UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxlie blames the increasing loss of life largely on the substantially reduced search and rescue operations.

In light of this, UNHCR continues to be very concerned about the legal and logistical restrictions that have been placed on a number of NGOs wishing to conduct search and rescue operations, including the Aquarius," he said. "These have had the cumulative effect of the central Mediterranean currently having no NGO vessels conducting search and rescue.

Yaxlie says the Libyan Coast Guard has assumed primary responsibility for search and rescue missions within its territorial waters. He says these efforts have saved many lives. While welcoming that, he tells VOA the UNHCR is concerned people who are rescued are being taken back to Libya where conditions are not safe.

I think it has been well documented that for those that are returned to Libya, they face the routine use of being held in detention. And, there have been reports of various human rights violations. So, we are advocating to states and particularly to resettlement countries to assist us with evacuating people out of those places.

The UNHCR says any vessel that has the capability to assist search and rescue operations should be allowed to come to the aid of those in need. To do otherwise, it warns, will doom many people fleeing persecution, violence, and poverty to death.



Nutriad attends Aquaexpo Ecuador, underscores importance of Ecuadorian market





Nutriad recently participated in the International AquaExpo 2018 in Guyaquil, Ecuador.



The event was organised by the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).



AquaExpo has become a reference in the shrimp industry in the Americas and receives increasing global attention, due to the importance of Ecuador in global shrimp production, Nutriad said.



The shrimp sector employs an estimated 200,000 people directly and indirectly in Ecuador. In 2017, the country produced and exported more than 400,000 tonnes of shrimp with industry expecting to grow 4-5% in 2018.



This year's event attracted more than 750 attendants, who mostly came from South America. Other attendants came from Europe and Asia. In addition, 31 international speakers presented various topics on nutrition, health, genetics, diseases, biosecurity and management practices oriented to the farming of white leg shrimp.



In Ecuador, Nutriad is working with BIOBAC, which distributes the company's aquaculture specialties. Nutriad's aqua team supported the BIOBAC booth with a focus on programmes for aquaculture additives (SANACORE GM and BACTINIL AQUA) that support the prevention of shrimp diseases and species-specific digestive/metabolic enhancers (AQUAGEST and LIPOGEST) which help reduce feed cost and improve performance in shrimp.



"Nutriad has been working with producers in South America in general and in Ecuador for many years. Our philosophy of sharing insights and working together with local professionals has helped us establish a leading position in the aquaculture markets," Peter Coutteau, Nutriad's business unit director of aquaculture, said.



- NutriadA new Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives will be eager to assert itself on foreign affairs and provide a check on the Trump administration when the new Congress convenes in January.



From diplomatic initiatives to refugee quotas to regional concerns spanning the globe, House Democrats have signaled they will work 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, have warned 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.



Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, who is expected to become the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Reuters the panel will provide thorough oversight of the administration's dealings abroad, including with Russia, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

"If the Saudis want our [U.S.] support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," Engel said.

Tuesday's midterm elections boosted Republicans' Senate majority, but Democrats serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee acknowledged the importance of controlling at least one chamber of Congress.



"We [members of Congress] are the appropriators," Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said ahead of the vote. "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 majority



Ahead of the election, Republicans didn't dispute that a Democratic majority in either chamber 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 Senate's No. 2 Republican, John Cornyn of Texas, told VOA.



"The Democrats could do a great deal with power in Congress," said Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "The president, by the Constitution, is granted diplomatic power. He's 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 don't need to worry about a dull period," said national security expert Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I don't know that control [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."



The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, California Rep. Adam Schiff, consistently has demanded a more thorough accounting of Russian election meddling, as well as ties between Trump's inner circle and Moscow, often chafing with the panel's current chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, who often has defended the president.



As chairman, Schiff will have a free hand to renew and invigorate probes and to subpoena witnesses. He also would have a more prominent platform from which to critique the White House.



Last week, Schiff pointed a finger at Trump after Nigerian troops opened fire on protesters, suggesting the president's pronouncements and actions at home and abroad have made authoritarian responses more likely on the world stage.



"This [incident in Nigeria] is what happens when you abdicate leadership of the free world. Not to mention basic decency," Schiff tweeted.



Meanwhile, the likely incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, has been a leading critic of the president's decision to send troops to the U.S. border with Mexico ahead of the expected arrival of a caravan of Central American migrants.



"The United States can maintain a secure border and the rule of law while still upholding our country's values to protect those fleeing persecution and violence. The use of military personnel, however, will not help us meet this challenge and only exacerbates the potential to unnecessarily escalate the situation," Smith and more than 100 other House Democrats wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last week.



Oversight role



Analysts said, beginning in January, House Democrats will exercise broad power to scrutinize and draw attention to the administration's decisions and initiatives, including a potential nuclear deal with North Korea.



"A lot of Democrats are critical of President Trump on North Korea policy," O'Hanlon said. "Certainly many Democrats think he's been too friendly to Kim Jong Un or too unpredictable in his bluster and his tweets."



"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. It's going to depend on how people perceive the opportunity."



For their part, Republicans said lawmakers of both parties should work cooperatively with the administration on foreign affairs.



"There's 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. "There's a lot of stake. I have not been encouraged by what we've seen of late. They [Democrats] seem more of the sand-in-the-gears mindset. This is a different political environment than any I've encountered during my adult life."



Another Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, scoffed when asked about Democrats asserting themselves on global affairs.

"I don't know what their foreign policy is," Graham said. "I know what Trump's is. But what is the Democratic view of foreign policy? I don't think they have one. They don't 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



Cordesman said the next Congress will confront multiple questions about ongoing U.S. military engagements at a time when America's 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 what's 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," O'Hanlon said.



"But even more importantly, as much as they complain about Mr. Trump's style and worry about his overall steadiness, it's 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 nation's basic foreign policy course," he said.This is part of "Ocean Shock," a Reuters series exploring climate change's impact on sea creatures and the people who depend on them.

Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" drifts from Karroll Tillett's workshop, a wooden shed about half a mile from where he was born.

Tillett, known as "Frog" to everyone here, has lived most of his 75 years on the water, much of it chasing summer flounder. But the chasing got harder and harder, and now he spends his time making nets for other fishermen at his workshop, at the end of a dirt path next to his ex-wife's house.

The house is on CB Daniels Sr. Road, one of several named after two of the fishing clans that have held sway for decades in this small coastal town. Besides CB Daniels Sr. Road, there's ER Daniels Road and just plain Daniels Road. In Frog's family, there's Tink Tillett Road and Rondal Tillett Road.

Once upon a time, these fishing families were pioneers. In the 1970s and 1980s, they built summer flounder into a major catch for the region. The 15 brothers and sisters of the Daniels clan parlayed the business into a multinational fishing company, and three years ago they sold it to a Canadian outfit for tens of millions of dollars.

But for Frog Tillett and almost everyone else in these parts, there's not much money to be made fishing offshore here anymore.

Forty years ago, Tillett fished for summer flounder in December and January in waters near Wanchese, then followed the fish north as the weather warmed. In recent years, however, fewer summer flounder have traveled as far south in the winter, and the most productive area has shifted north, closer to Martha's Vineyard and the southern shore of Long Island.

Reuters has spent more than a year scouring decades of maritime temperature readings, fishery records and other little-used data to create a portrait of the planet's hidden climate disruption  in the rarely explored depths of the seas that cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. The reporting has come to a disturbing conclusion: Marine life is facing an epic dislocation.

The U.S. North Atlantic is a prime example. In recent years, at least 85 percent of the nearly 70 federally tracked species there had shifted north or deeper, or both, when compared to the norm over the past half-century, according to the Reuters analysis of U.S. fisheries data. But this great migration is not just off the coast of America. Pushed out of their traditional habitats by the dramatically rising ocean temperatures and other fallout from climate change, summer flounder are part of a global disruption of marine species that threatens livelihoods, cultures and the delicate balance of the oceans themselves.

A mirror image of the flotillas of desperate people trying to escape deadly conflicts, this is a refugee crisis going on beneath the surface of the seas. And much of it has happened in the time it took a child to be born and graduate from high school.

Tillett, threading lead weights onto the bottom of a net, remembers the days of plenty up and down the Atlantic coast, catching summer flounder up north but knowing there were plenty more back home.

"Then, all of a sudden, everything starts moving that way, and nothing is left down here."

'There ain't no flounder around here no more'

Few tourists traveling on Route 64 from the North Carolina mainland to the Hatteras beaches venture into Wanchese.

It isn't even a town, officially. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, says 1,600 people live here, many of them in one-story cinder-block homes, not the big beach houses on stilts, known euphemistically as cottages, a few miles away.

Most mornings, Danielses and Tilletts and Etheridges, another of the fishing clans, crowd the restaurant down by the marina.

Longtime flounder skipper Steve Daniels pulls up. Steve bought his first trawler in 1978 and started flounder fishing that summer. That was the year Wanchese fishermen decided there was money in the fish. In 1977, they had caught zero pounds. In 1978, they caught 12 million pounds, and in 1979, their catch approached 17 million pounds. And that doesn't count the millions of pounds they landed during the warmer months in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey ports.

Over the years, however, the longer trips north needed to find the fish, among other factors, made the fishing increasingly unprofitable.

"There ain't no flounder around here no more  they all up there in Rhode Island," Steve says. "I got the hell out of it three years ago."

In the early 1990s, summer flounder stocks were on the verge of collapse after being overfished in the 1970s and 1980s, primarily by Wanchese and other North Carolina fishermen.

Today, after years of severe limits on catches, the species is relatively healthy. Unfortunately for Wanchese, it has rebounded in an area well north of where the crews here started fishing for summer flounder.

But that hasn't made a difference to arcane rules on summer flounder catches.

Nearly a quarter-century ago, when the fishermen of Wanchese were riding high, the U.S. government set quotas for summer flounder. It dictated that about a quarter of all the flounder caught in U.S. waters must be "landed," or brought to shore, in North Carolina, no matter where they were caught.

Some modest changes being considered for next year could reduce North Carolina's landings to one-fifth of the national total. But the very makeup of federal fishery-management bodies has stymied greater changes.

Summer flounder is managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of three federally mandated councils that operate along the East Coast. Each council has about 20 members made up of fishermen, scientists, regulators, ecologists and a strong bloc of wholesale fish dealers. The councils' size and the members' competing interests make them slow to act. And often, the fishermen and especially the dealers are reluctant to shift an economic benefit from one region to another, as in the case of summer flounder, whose stock has shifted away from mid-Atlantic waters.

Kiley Dancy, a fishery management specialist with the mid-Atlantic council, says there has been much resistance to shifting the landings to states closer to where the fish are now located.

"Many would like for it to stay the same," she says. The proposed changes, she says, "better reflect the location of the biomass"  that is, the area where the species is most likely to be found.

If adopted, the changes could take effect in late 2019 or early 2020.

In the meantime, summer flounder continue their inexorable move north. Is it, as with so many other species, because of the warming of the water?

"Absolutely. Looking at the data panorama, actually, I think this is fairly well established. I think that any intelligent conversation kind of starts with that just as a matter of fact," says Joel Fodrie of the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina.

Rutgers University fish ecologist Malin Pinsky has been studying how fisheries have shifted around the North Atlantic for the better part of a decade. It was his work, adapting federal trawler sampling dating to 1968, that first identified where the centers of various species were located and illustrated the wholesale shift of species north.

Pinsky is well aware that fish, which can swim wherever they want, live in complex ecosystems, and attributing those shifts simply to climate change would be oversimplifying matters.

Still, he says, his work shows that temperature change is almost certainly the single largest factor. In 2013, he published a research paper that calculated that 40 percent of the northerly shift was attributed to temperature change.

"Actually, that's impressively high ... that something as simple as temperature explained a lot of the pattern, given that there's fishing, there's predators, there's prey, de-oxygenation, pollution and changing currents. There's so much going on."

In the case of flounder, the slow rebuilding of the stock has also resulted in a more mature population than the one that existed in the 1980s, according to trawling surveys conducted by the federal government. And older and larger summer flounder tend to live farther north than younger fish, says Fodrie, the UNC professor, who's been working these waters for the better part of 20 years.

Regulators vs. fishermen

Among the Wanchese breakfast crowd, few names elicit a lengthier string of expletives than Louis Daniel, former executive director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Many fishermen feel he imposed overly strict management of the local catches when he was in charge.

Daniel, unrelated to the Daniels family, knows he is an unpopular man among commercial fishermen. "They think I wanted to put them out of business, that profit should always be put ahead of protecting the resource," he says.

But, he says, there is little doubt that there are fewer fish in this region than there once were. And some species have clearly been affected by climate change in the region.

Consider striped bass, which he says is a perfect example of how climate change can dislocate fisheries management.

There was a time, not too long ago, when recreational anglers routinely caught striped bass along the beaches in North Carolina. But since the beginning of the century, the number of striped bass has steadily declined.

"North Carolina has not caught any striped bass in five or six years or more," he says. "There has been nothing on the beach."

They are, however, routinely found in Canadian waters, which was unheard of a generation ago.

In early 2010, a small population of the fish was still wintering off the Carolina coast. Steve Daniels took his trawler three miles offshore into federal waters. Over a 10-day period, he illegally caught about 12,000 pounds of striped bass, landing the fish here in Wanchese, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Last August, Steve pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to pay $95,000 in restitution. He was sentenced to five years' probation.

Gambles pay off

Through the years, the families in Wanchese haven't been afraid to gamble on a hunch.

Mikey Daniels was in high school when a local named Willie Etheridge Jr. decided to make a go at longlining for swordfish.

"That was '63, '64," he says. "We were stacking them up like cordwood. I mean, three or four hundred fish in a stack, and they did it by hand."

On Dec. 23, 1970, however, the Food and Drug Administration announced that tests showed that swordfish flesh was tainted with extremely high levels of mercury, a toxic metal. And overnight, the swordfish boom went bust.

It took a few years, but Wanchese's entrepreneurial fishermen got to work on summer flounder. This time it was Mikey's father, Malcolm Daniels, who took the lead, after struggling for years. At one point, Mikey remembers, his father was so poor there was a collection in town to raise money to help the family.

Eventually, though, his father bought a 65-foot wooden boat that he converted into a trawler that could drag large nets behind it. And before long, he was buying metal shrimp boats from Texas and converting them to trawlers too.

The family also added a trucking company to drive fish to New York and Boston.

"I was 16 years old driving tractor-trailers. My brothers were too," he says. "We would get to New York, traveling in a group, you know.

The Daniels siblings took over the Wanchese Seafood Company when their father died in 1986. By the time their mother died in 2006, the family had expanded into boats and seafood wholesalers in Virginia, Massachusetts, Alaska and Argentina. When they sold up, they all became millionaires  a rarity in Wanchese.

The Wanchese fishermen fought hard for their place in the flounder business, but they started fading this decade.

In 2013, fishermen from North Carolina accounted for 64 percent of the summer flounder landed in the state, down from 80 percent just a few years earlier.

By 2016, it was less than half. Fishermen from New Jersey and Massachusetts accounted for 35 percent that year, up from nothing a decade earlier.

A winner in New England

On a cold December day hundreds of miles north of Wanchese, snow whips through the New Bedford, Mass., fishing fleet. The wind howls and bangs through the rigging of the boats docked two or three deep along the city's working piers.

Most of the boats are dark. But the Sao Paulo's wheelhouse glows orange. Inside, skipper Antonio Borges is preparing to leave as soon as the weather breaks.

The 60-year-old has just returned from 11 days at sea. It could have been a three-day trip if he were allowed to land his catch in Massachusetts, but the law prohibits that.

Instead, he left New Bedford and steamed less than a day before reaching the waters south of Long Island. He dragged his nets in about 50 fathoms of water and filled his hold with summer flounder. Then he turned south for a couple of days to offload some fish in Virginia. Two days after that, he offloaded flounder at the Beaufort, N.C., docks, before turning around and heading home.

A day after tying up in New Bedford, he's back on the boat getting ready to go to sea.

Borges is fortunate that he can even catch the summer flounder: He bought landing permits from North Carolina and Virginia fishermen. In a perfect world, he says, Massachusetts and other New England and mid-Atlantic states would have a bigger quota.

Still, Borges says he doesn't mind. He owns a boat large enough to make those trips, even in the foulest of winter weather. And besides, he's invested in the status quo  he paid for one of those landing permits.

So, even though his time on the seas would be much shorter, he said the distributions of landings shouldn't change. "It's not going to happen, and it shouldn't happen," he says. "Because the states that we bought the license from, we already knew that we had to go to those states and deliver the fish."

Traveling the distance from the Northeast to North Carolina benefits fishermen like Borges in bigger boats. At 75 feet and specifically designed for fishing on the high seas, his would loom over many of the flounder trawlers that steamed out of Wanchese in the 1980s.

Plus, he says, the Wanchese fishermen established the business and the North Carolina economy is entitled to benefit from that work, even if it's no longer feasible for the fishermen to work the waters as much as they once did, he said.

"We go to North Carolina, we bring jobs," he says. "Wherever we go, we bring business: lumpers to unload the fish, truckers to truck the fish, fuel, food. The economy grows wherever a fishing boat goes. It brings business, and we shouldn't change that."

Outside, the snow turns the docks and the decks white. The Portuguese immigrant shrugs.

"Look, it is 21 degrees today. Oh my God, it's cold. You know what? This harbor used to freeze every single winter. It would freeze for weeks on end."

Now it doesn't.

Borges was 18 when his father took delivery of the Sao Paulo in 1977 from a Louisiana shipyard.

Since then, he has married and had two daughters. They married and had three daughters. Now, at the tail end of his career, he reflects on what has changed.

"Forty-two years I have been doing this, 60 years old, and I still love it."

The most notable change, he says, is that fishermen are no longer the biggest threat to fisheries.

"We were the problem, in the '70s and '80s. We grew so much that we became a problem, and if the laws didn't change, yeah, we were going to catch the last fish, I guarantee you we were.

"But you know what? We're not the problem now. Climate change is the problem now. It is climate; it is water temperature. There are southern species that are coming north, and the species that were here have moved north."Pakistan has released a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, from a prison in the city of Multan, following her acquittal on charges of blasphemy.

Pakistani officials said she left the prison facility Wednesday and was flown to an undisclosed location. Officials say her whereabouts are being kept secret because of threats on her life.

Her attorney, Saif-ul-Malook, who has fled to the Netherlands, confirmed her release but said he did not know her location.

In a landmark ruling October 31, Pakistan's Supreme Court overturned her 2010 conviction for insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.



The acquittal sparked three days of widespread protests by Islamists, who demanded that Bibi's death sentence be reinstated. Members of the militant Islamist group Tehreek e-Labbaik ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) blocked main roads in Pakistan's largest cites and called for the deaths of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Bibi.



Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, told VOA last week the family has requested asylum in Spain and France, and is waiting for a response.

Bibi's family said she is innocent of the charges.Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker has called the president's sacking of the prime minister to bring a former leader back to power a nonviolent coup d'etat.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is a key figure in the political standoff that started on Oct. 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe is refusing to vacate his prime ministerial residence and insists he remains in office until voted out by parliament. The president had suspended parliament, a move Rajapaksa's opponents say is aimed at preventing it from rejecting his return to power.

"The entire series of events can only be described as a coup, albeit one without the use of tanks and guns," Jayasuriya said in a letter dated Nov. 5 to diplomats and foreign missions, adding the "entire matter was pre-planned."

Jayasuriya says most parliamentarians view the change in prime minister as unconstitutional. In the letter he said some of them were offered bribes and ministerial jobs to support the new government.

He accused Sirisena of acting "contrary to all norms of transparency, decency, democracy and good governance, and contrary to the constitution which he has sworn to uphold and defend."

Sirisena says he fired Wickremesinghe because he was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment," and he denies that he acted unconstitutionally.

Seen as hero

Rajapaksa, under whose rule Sri Lanka achieved its 2009 victory in a decades-long conflict against rebels from the Tamil minority, is seen as a hero by many among Sri Lanka's Buddhist majority. He has been accused by diplomats of human rights abuses during the war, which he denies.

India and Western countries also worry about his close ties to China, which loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects during his rule.

A foreign ministry official told Reuters that some foreign envoys have said they will recognize Rajapaksa as prime minister only after he can prove he has the support of a majority in parliament.

Sirisena has recalled the parliament on Nov. 14. Independent political analysts told Reuters a majority in the 225-member legislature is against the sudden sacking of Wickremesinghe.

At least eight lawmakers have deserted Wickremesinghe and accepted ministerial posts under Rajapaksa, while one deputy minister resigned and joined Wickremesinghe.Mentioning the words "student debt" to millennials and younger people is like dropping a match on a trail of gasoline.

"Our total debt for credit cards and student loans combined is almost $150,000," said Matt Porter, 31, who lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, with his fiancee. "It's absolutely insane and makes it really hard to move forward with life goals."

Porter and other millennials say being bogged down by massive student debt makes it difficult to buy a house or start a family.

The first in his family to attend college, Porter took out $80,000 in loans to attend Boston College in 2005, hoping to become a journalist. He worked five unpaid internships, finding housing and food at his own expense. After getting his bachelor's degree in 2009 and a master's in 2012, he struggled for four years in television news. He made $22,000 a year, working at least 60 hours per week.

In July 2016, he called it quits.

Porter switched to a roof over his head, a wedding, and relative financial stability when he landed a job developing multimedia content and working with the press at the JFK Library Foundation.

He and his fiancee recently bought a condo and are finally planning the wedding they had long hoped for.

"It's very challenging as a millennial to buy a home. I delayed a lot of milestones in my 20s, like getting married, buying a house, having kids, saving for retirement," Porter said. "I should have been saving, but I had the student loans."

American colleges and universities are significantly more expensive today than when earlier generations attended. Between 1980 and 2014, the average annual increase in college tuition grew by nearly 260 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"There was a time when a small amount of savings and a part-time job could get students through college with little or no debt," wrote Mary Clare Anselem, policy analyst for the Heritage Foundation's Center for Education Policy. "But today, more students than ever are turning to federal loans to finance their college education."

Between 1990 and 2012, college enrollment increased 62 percent, according to the think tank's website. But the volume of borrowing for school increased 352 percent. By the end of 2017, according to the Federal Reserve Bank, national student loan debt in the United States was $1.48 trillion. By comparison, mortgage, or housing, debt was $13 trillion.

"This weighty increase in student loan debt presents problems for both students and taxpayers. A recent survey found that 56 percent of young people put off milestones such as getting married or buying a home because of student loan debt," Anselem wrote.

"Only in the last two years have I really made any dent in the principal of my student loans," lamented Porter.

Never ask a millennial "how much debt they're in," tweeted @bghsclarigirl from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Twitter user Kayla Muldoon, a student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, took a tongue-in-cheek poke at the plight of student debt.

"Imagine the amount of homeowners if universities were free," posted Realtor Ben Clough on social media.Democratic lawmakers taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives in January are vowing to launch wide-ranging investigations of President Donald Trump's business empire and policies he has adopted during the first two years in office.



Republicans who have controlled both houses of Congress since the Republican Trump assumed power in early 2017 have largely given him a pass, declining to hold hearings that might reflect badly on him or the officials he has appointed.



But Congressman Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat once described by Trump as "one of the most egregious hacks in contemporary politics," said the election results show "the American people have demanded accountability from their government and sent a clear message of what they want from Congress."

Nadler said Trump "may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people."

New investigations?



Trump told a White House news conference that if Democrats start numerous new investigations, "We're going to do the same thing, and government comes to a halt."



He decried, as he often has for months, special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Trump 2016 campaign links to Russia and whether Trump, as president, obstructed justice by trying to thwart the investigation.



"It's a disgrace," he said. "It's an embarrassment to our country."



Two other key Democratic lawmakers, Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who will almost certainly head the House Oversight Committee, and Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, have both called for new oversight of Trump and his administration, probes often blocked by majority Republicans in the past two years.



"I plan to shine a light on waste, fraud and abuse in the Trump administration," Cummings said Wednesday. "I want to probe senior administration officials across the government who have abused their positions of power and wasted taxpayer money, as well as President Trump's decisions to act in his own financial self-interest."

Unilateral subpoenas power



Control of the committees  where the three lawmakers are currently the highest-ranking Democrats  will hand them the unilateral power to issue subpoenas if they wish, as well as to demand documents and testimony from White House officials and important figures in Trump's campaign team and businesses.With control of the legislative apparatus in the House, they will also have more money and staff for investigations.



Democrats have called for investigations of Cabinet officials' alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, Trump's immigration policies that have separated hundreds of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexican border, the handling of last year's Hurricane Maria crisis in the island territory of Puerto Rico, and alleged conflicts of interest between Trump's businesses and his presidency.



Some Democrats have also called for starting impeachment hearings against Trump, but mostly appear willing to wait to see what information Mueller produces from his 18-month investigation.

Mueller's move



Washington analysts say they expect that Mueller, now that the election is over, will soon release more information from his investigation and possibly indict more figures tied to Trump's 2016 campaign.



Trump, well aware of the Democratic intentions to investigate his personal taxes, which he has repeatedly declined to divulge, possible business connections with the government he oversees, and his administration's policies, assailed the looming Democratic-led House probes and the Mueller investigation on Twitter even as he boasted about Republican Senate candidates who ousted Democratic incumbents.

Would-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the chamber, talked about political bipartisanship in a congratulatory call from Trump and has said Democrats could embrace Trump's call for infrastructure spending across the United States to fix crumbling roads and bridges and new regulations to cut the cost of prescription drugs.



But Pelosi pointedly told supporters the Democratic victory was about "restoring the Constitution and checks and balance to the Trump administration.It is about stopping the [Republicans] and Trump administration's assault" on two government-run medical insurance programs for older and impoverished Americans "and people living with pre-existing medical conditions."U.S. President Donald Trump is boasting of "a Very Big Win" in Tuesday's national congressional elections, after Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, even as Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years.

"Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well," Trump said on Twitter early Wednesday ahead of his White House news conference on the election. "Those that did not, say goodbye! Yesterday was such a very Big Win, and all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!"

But at a contentious White House news conference, Trump sparred with reporters over his assessment of the election. He contended that Republicans "defied history" by picking up several Senate seats in ousting incumbent Democratic lawmakers during the first national congressional elections after his 2016 presidential election.

"History will see what a good job we did in getting people over the finish line," Trump said, noting that nine of the 11 candidates he campaigned for in the last week won their contests.

WATCH: Midterm Aftermath Could Lead to Cooperation and Conflict



The results, however, make it more difficult for Trump to win approval for his legislative initiatives. House Democrats are also vowing to launch numerous investigations of Trump's finances and his administration's policies, which the U.S. leader said would be matched with Senate Republican probes of Democrats.

Trump said he could embrace legislative compromises with Democrats, but said that if Democrats carry out an array of investigations, "I think I'm better at that game than they are."

Trump called House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi to congratulate her on the Democratic takeover in the House. He said Democratic lawmakers, some of whom have said the party needs new and younger leadership, should again make her the House speaker, the top position in the chamber and second in line to the presidency.

The 78-year-old Pelosi was the first woman to be House speaker, from 2007 to 2011, when Democrats last held a House majority.

"In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats," Trump said. "If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!"

Trump appeared determined to take credit for Republican victories, tweeting, "To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words - FAKE NEWS!"

The split congressional outcome, which independent pollsters and analysts had been predicting for weeks, serves as at least a partial rebuke of Trump, who staged 11 political rallies in eight states in the last week of the campaign, repeatedly telling his most fervent Republican supporters the election was essentially a referendum on his 22-month presidency.

Pelosi, in claiming a House victory for Democrats, said the election was more than about Democrats and Republicans. Rather, she said, "It's about restoring constitutional checks and balances to the Trump administration."

In the House, legislative committees have strong investigatory powers. Some Democrats have suggested they will investigate whether Trump has any personal or financial conflicts of interest by demanding to see his tax returns, which he has refused to release, and look into his financial and business interests, as well as his 2016 presidential election campaign's alleged ties to Russia.

Some Democrats have called for Trump's impeachment and are waiting to see what special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concludes about the 2016 election, and whether Trump, as president, obstructed justice by trying to thwart the probe, University of Virginia analyst Larry Sabato said, "Big legislation with an ideological tint, left or right, won't pass for the next two years. Democrats now have the power of subpoena so Trump and his administration can expect to be investigated rather than protected by the House."

But by retaining control of the Senate, Republicans will preserve the ability to confirm Trump's judicial nominations and other key appointments. The Republican-led Senate also could prevent Congress from removing Trump from office, if the Democratic-controlled House decides to move forward with impeachment proceedings.

Enthusiasm and large turnout

Though votes are still being counted in 21 congressional districts, Democrats are projected to pick up more than 30 seats in the House, more than the 23 seats they needed to claim the majority. That is consistent with many pre-election polls.

Democrats drew largely on a coalition of minority voters, young people and those in urban and suburban swing districts, many of whom were upset over Trump's style of leadership and harsh language about immigrants and minorities.

"The demographic crisis has finally hit," says Evan Siegfried, a Republican analyst. "And in a way that is brutal and is decimating the Republican Party."

Though polls had suggested healthcare and the economy were main issues for voters, Trump was never far from voters' minds.

A CNN national exit poll suggested 55 percent of voters disapprove of Trump's performance while 44 percent approve of it. Moreover, 56 percent of those surveyed believe the country is on the wrong track and only 41 percent said it was on the right track.

However, Republicans secured at least the 51 to 49 seat majority they hold now in the Senate and are expected to add a few more seats once the final results are in.



The White House said early Wednesday that Trump called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "to congratulate him on the historic Senate gains."

Precincts across the country reported strong voter numbers for a midterm election.

The New York Times and Michael McDonald of the United States Election Project both estimated national turnout of at least 111 million, far surpassing the 83 million people who voted in the 2014 midterms.Voters on Tuesday delivered their first verdict of President Donald Trump's tumultuous tenure in a midterm that was expected to draw historic numbers to the polls.

Immigration, the economy, women's issues, partisanship  all weighed heavily on voters' minds as they cast ballots to decide control of Congress and put Trumpism to the test. Though not on the ballot, the president loomed large over decision day, among both supporters and detractors. Across the country, people talked about this election as one of the most momentous in their lifetimes  a fight for the very soul of America.



Here's what some of them had to say.



First-timers



The extreme divisions in politics helped motivate Lance Whatley, 29, to vote for the first time in his life Tuesday. Whatley was among dozens of people standing in line as a cold rain drenched their clothes outside the Vinings Library northwest of Atlanta.

"I feel like there's a lot of polarization with the rhetoric you're hearing on both sides,'' he said. Whatley, a software engineer, was still unsure whom he would vote for in the hotly contested race for Georgia governor. His wife favored Democrat Stacey Abrams, but he was leaning toward the Republican, Brian Kemp. "It might be a game-time decision for me when I get in the voting booth.''

Rafael Acosta, a college student in McAllen, Texas, rose early on the first day of early voting in his state. The 22-year-old wanted to be sure he was at the head of the line for his first time voting. In doing so, he said he was making a statement for his many friends who are part of the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrival, or DACA, program that has protected young immigrants from deportation.

The son of Mexican immigrants, Acosta watched as Trump stirred fears of the migrant caravan in Mexico, and it troubled him that troops have been dispatched to his community. "I think [the Republicans] are exaggerating, he said. They don't need the Army here.''

Washington out of control?

Bonnie Slade, 45, a federal employee who lives in Potomac, Md., said politics in the nearby nation's capital shaped her vote this year. "Washington is out of control,'' she said. "The politics are kind of dirty always, but this time is a bit much ... like do I want to vote? Does it really make a difference? But I felt like it's my duty.''

Slade, who is black, said Trump was part of what motivated her to vote. "He doesn't stand for anything that I believe in, period,'' Slade said. "I'm a minority. I'm a woman. And he's just not the best choice for me, personally, or my family.''



Keith Lesage, 50, a design engineer in Plainfield, Conn., said he was focused more on state issues but was concerned about the division he saw in the country. "It's horrible, some of the rhetoric that's coming out of Washington, he said. I'm not picking on Republicans or Democrats, but we're all adults. Let's come together for the American people  not this is what the red side wants, this is what the blue side wants. It's getting to the point where it's just dividing the country  and it's real sad to watch.''



Stay the economic course



Richard and Aleshia Murphy took their 7-month-old daughter when they voted early in suburban Los Angeles. The couple, who moved seven months ago from Reno, Nevada, to Lakewood, Calif., said the economy was foremost on their minds.

"I want to keep things going,'' said Richard, a Republican train operations manager. "My work feels the booming economy. We're hiring more people, all positions, from the bottom to the top.''

Both Murphy and his wife, an independent, voted for Trump in 2016 and like where the country's headed. "I'd rather have somebody who's going to come off as a complete jerk  but you know exactly what they're thinking because they have no filter  than a slick-haired politician that literally tells you anything you want to hear just so that you support them,'' Aleshia Murphy said.

Republican Susan Riebold, 53, who owns a homebuilding business in Imperial, Mo., described herself as a nationalist and called Trump's tariffs "amazing.'' She said business in Imperial, south of St. Louis, was thriving, and she decried Democrats  including Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill  for voting against the recent tax overhaul.

"Trump has fought for the middle class and the small businesses, and Claire voted against everything that is benefiting us in the middle class,'' Riebold said. "The country is more strong, confident and unified than it's ever been, and most of the confidence and people feeling unified and patriotic again has come right before Trump got in and since he's been in.''

Switching sides

Josh Rent, 43, a small-business owner and registered Republican in Portland, Maine, voted mostly for Democrats this time as "a protest vote to Trump.''

"I'm generally a fairly reliable Republican,'' he said. "This is the first time I ever voted pretty much Democrat all the way down the ballot.'' Of the president, he said: "I don't think that dividing us is getting us anywhere. We need to actually solve this stuff.''

Kevin Benson, 38, a graphic designer from Westerville, Ohio, said he's registered as a Republican, considers himself an independent, and voted all Democrat on Tuesday. Why? "Mostly Trump, just as a check. I'm frustrated with the way he's acting, he said. Plus, just Republicans in general. ... I'm just kind of dissatisfied across the board with them.''

Benson said health care was his No. 1 issue and that he'd like to see a single-payer system. "We're heading in the wrong direction.''



Health care concerns

Fred Hoy, 61, of Reno, Nevada, said he'd been out of work for 13 years but was scraping by to pay his rent and care for several ill family members and friends. Hoy has diabetes and is on Medicaid. He was taking care of his aunt in California but returned to Reno to make sure he could vote in time  and he was voting Democratic because he was worried Republicans will cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security and threaten protections for pre-existing conditions.

"If we don't have some kind of medical,'' he said, "we're going to collapse as a nation.''

In Juneau, Alaska, Will Muldoon, 34, considers himself nonpartisan. Health care is an issue he'd like to see Congress take up, "but that's scary. It's almost an I don't know that they could come up with better than what we have right now type of thing. My confidence in them having the competency to do OK on that's not too high,'' said Muldoon, a mainframe technician.

Cordell Chaney, 30, works at Superior Essex, a company that manufactures wire and cable products in Fort Wayne, Ind. A member of the steelworkers union, Chaney is a father of four with a fifth on the way. He said affordable health care  including maintaining coverage of pre-existing conditions  was the most important issue for him. He voted straight Democratic Tuesday, which included supporting U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Chaney worries that if the Republicans remain in control of Congress, they'll get rid of Obamacare: "It really upsets me. ... Decent health insurance should be a right. Everybody should have that. Right now, it's endangered.''

At odds over immigration

Rachel Geiger's purple hair matched her black and purple dress and helped her stand out among hundreds of people waiting to get into an arena in Orlando, Fla., where U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke ahead of the election on behalf of Florida's Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Geiger, 33, a blogger from Ocala, said "Trump and immigration'' were the two motivating issues for her when she early-voted.

"It's completely inhumane what he's doing,'' she said, referring to policies that have included sending troops to the border, separating immigrant children from their parents and efforts to build a wall. She voted a straight Democratic ticket.

In Phoenix, substitute teacher and lifelong Republican Kay Matthews said that while the economy was important to her, immigration was just as important. She's troubled by any influx of immigrants entering the country illegally.

"I've been taught as a young child that you respect the law. You don't have to always agree with it, but you do respect it,'' the 72-year-old said. Matthews doesn't want Democrats taking control of either chamber of Congress, because she fears they would try to impeach Trump.

Melvin Rubi Avila, 19, voted in his first national election Tuesday, and he was mindful of what weight that carried. The son of a Mexican mother and Honduran father, the Raleigh, N.C., native said he was voting for an America that won't see people like them as a threat.

"They are very proud,'' Avila said, an "I Voted'' sticker shining brightly from the breast of his black leather jacket. "They feel like me voting is them voting as well. His father has temporary protected status, but Trump's rhetoric has made him fearful that his parents will be deported. "I sometimes have nightmares about it.'' And as a so-called "birthright citizen,'' Avila is disturbed by the president's recent attacks on the 14th Amendment. "That's not what America's all about.''

A few miles north in the town of Wake Forest, N.C., Diana Zambrano  also a child of immigrants  had a different take. Wake Forest is in the 2nd Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Rep. George Holding was facing a serious Democratic challenge from Linda Coleman, an African-American. The GOP has run ads criticizing Coleman's support of sanctuary cities. Zambrano's mother is from the Dominican Republic, and her father is from Venezuela. Both came legally, and she was born here.

"This country provides a lot of opportunities,'' she said. "So if you're able to come here legally ... I think that that should be something that is open to you. But for those that sort of circumvent that system, I don't necessarily agree with that.'' Zambrano, 43, wouldn't reveal how she voted, other than to say "conservative.''



#MeToo still on minds



Lea Grover, 34, a mother of three young daughters in Cary, Ill., saw the midterms as a referendum on Trump and "a referendum on empathy, and whether or not we as a nation have any.''

Grover, a former independent and now a registered Democrat, was particularly outraged by the hearings over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct. "The Kavanaugh hearings were so upsetting, for every woman I know, not just because of Kavanaugh specifically but because it was an opportunity for the entire Republican establishment to say [to women], 'We don't care.' Not 'We don't believe you,' but 'We don't care.' ''

Grover is a victim of sexual violence and works for a nonprofit that helps survivors. "My congressman has refused to speak out in defense of survivors of sexual violence. He refused to speak out against Brett Kavanaugh. He refused to speak out against the president. He has been utterly silent in the face of #MeToo.''



Natalie Pig, 31, an attorney in Arnold, Mo., said she'd back Republican candidates because she wanted to see Congress do more to support Trump. She cited what she called the "smear campaign'' against Kavanaugh, calling him "a victim of the current political environment.''

"If there are facts that someone has committed a crime, I'm the first person to want to hear all about that,'' she said. "But at the same time, if we're taking measures to slander someone or defame them in a way that is going to inhibit the American process, then that's not helping us. So we need people who are going to support President Trump.''



Moment for young voters?



At 22, Porter Nelson considers himself an independent and says he is a regular voter, but a ballot measure in Washington state creating a carbon tax motivated him even more this year.

"It seems kind of like the world's ending and if we don't do something pretty quick, you know, I would like to have kids that have a planet. I would like to have a planet. So anything on any ballot anywhere that I see as being for the environment ... I'm all for that,'' he said.

Nelson thinks Congress, too, needs to take climate change more seriously. "I would love to see our political body finally get it through their heads that the gerrymandering, the politicking, the races, the runoffs don't matter if in 20 years the whole West Coast is on fire."

Adam Alhanti was a typical high school student looking forward to graduating. Turning 18 and voting wasn't really on his mind. But after his classmates and teachers were gunned down at his Parkland, Fla., school in February, everything changed.

"I realized there's so much more going on than what's in my city," he said. "There are so many things that we need to take charge of, and we can really make a difference  not just in our nation but right down to our local communities with who represents us in office.'' He'd like to see Congress take up gun reform. "Gun violence ... is something we really need to talk about more. Even though it seems like it's something being spoken about day after day, there's nothing being done  not a single thing that will really save the lives of American citizens.''

A steady stream of voters turned out in a light drizzle in the Albany suburb of Guilderland, N.Y., Tuesday morning. Lauryn Schrom, 27, a graphic designer, did not vote in the last off-year election but made a point to do it this time because of her dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. She said recent political events had "opened my eyes'' on issues like civil rights and women's rights.

"If you are not engaged enough in the political process, then you can lose your rights,'' she said, holding an "I Voted'' sticker. "I have a significant number of friends who are LGBT, and it's disturbing that they could lose civil rights as well.''

Straight ticket



Keri Cook, 47, a Democrat from Westerville, Ohio, said she voted for Democrats straight down her ballot, including Danny O'Connor in his U.S. House rematch against Republican Rep. Troy Balderson. "I'm hoping that the House flips,'' Cook said, adding that Democrats' stances on health care and gun control factored into her vote and she wanted Trump out of office. "I think he's poison. ... His stance on the LGBTQ community, on women, on African-Americans, on immigrants  is just, to me, hate.''



Judy Jenkins, 60, a Republican who works in accounting, also cast her ballot in Westerville, Ohio, and also went straight ticket: for all GOP candidates. She said she used to vote for people from both major parties but was so upset by how Kavanaugh was treated that she vowed not to vote for a Democrat again. "I'm not even going to consider it because of the hell they put his family through. No one should have to go through that, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican.''

Test of Trumpism

If the midterm elections are a referendum on Trump, then Patricia Maynard, a 63-year-old retired teacher in Skowhegan, Maine, is clear: "I think he's doing a great job. ... He's doing better than I expected. I'm not saying that I always like his rhetoric; I wince when I hear that. But I feel like he really loves this country and has a good head on his shoulders as far as his ability to get things done.''

She goes on: "I think he's very capable and very smart, a lot smarter than people think he is. Some people think he is too high and mighty to get along with the common people, but I think that's where he feels most comfortable, with average people. And he feels their pain.''



Republican Tina Kazee, a 50-year-old hospital worker from Canal Winchester, Ohio, said she stuck with her party when voting early. She said Trump has "his flaws,'' but she feels he and the Republicans have done a good job for the country. "I think he's helped our economy. I think there's more for him than there is against him, as far as my standards and my beliefs. I don't think he's a perfect man, but I think he loves America  I think his heart is for America  and I stand for that. ... It's just that his tone needs to be turned down a little bit. Speak from the heart, but do it a little bit softer.''



Morris Lee Williams, a 67-year-old member of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis and an Army veteran, said he's worried the country "is going down the tubes.''

"We've forgotten our decency. We've forgotten the truth. We're supposed to be a group of people, Americans, who are supposed to be that light in the world. Instead of a light, it's turned into a nightmare.'' Williams said Trump is the catalyst "for a lot of crazy stuff going on, inciting people into hatred, to doing things that go against what this country stands for. It's just so divisive. It's almost as if he wants the country to go back to the way it was in the 1920s and before. Everybody's got their place and a certain group of people rule. ... This is supposed to be a place where if you have the desire, the education, the guts and the fortitude to do better, you can do better.''

Mourning the lost middle

Family law attorney Patrick Markey, 43, voted in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. He generally votes Democratic but has supported Republican candidates in Illinois, including in this election. Markey dislikes the two-party system because the polarization that dominates Capitol Hill creates a logjam. "It's almost two tribal camps. I'd like to see more [elected officials] with middle-ground views who can vote conservatively sometimes and sometimes more liberally. ... I think that most of the country is like that. But in order to get into politics, you have to kiss the ring of the party. ... A lot of the normal moderate people just feel left out.''

Virginia Gollin, 75, describes herself as a moderate Republican but says she changed parties to become a Democrat because moderates are "like a dinosaur.''

"I'm not by nature a progressive. But we're at a point in our country where all of the things I think we should have are being fiercely attacked,'' said Gollin, a retired airline worker in Hopatcong, N.J. She cited as an example the Affordable Care Act, which she does not want to see gutted.



Tory Dibbins, a physical therapist from Portland, Maine, said she'd like to see more independent candidates, but she understands that many voters believe there's too much at stake to risk vote-splitting. The 53-year-old Democrat cast her ballot Tuesday. If Democrats do win big, she said, they should show they're willing to compromise. "If you're going to talk about 'Let's end the divisiveness and be inclusive,' then you have to try to get people to be more bipartisan. ... You have to win people back to the center.''President Donald Trump says he is in "no rush" to finalize a deal with North Korea and remove sanctions.

"I would love to take the sanctions off, but they have to be responsive too. It's a two-way street," Trump said during a lengthy White House news conference Wednesday.

He told reporters he has made more progress with North Korea than any other administration and that he still plans another summit with Kim Jong Un early next year.

Trump spoke just hours after Thursday's scheduled meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Kim adviser Kim Yong Chol was called off.

Neither side gave any firm reason why the talks were postponed other than State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino calling it "purely a matter of scheduling."

"We're in a pretty good place right now. We are confident going forward," Palladino told reporters. "We're not going to be driven into artificial timelines."

The talks in New York were largely seen as paving the way for the second Trump-Kim summit. They first met in Singapore in June.

In announcing the now postponed meeting, the State Department said the two men would discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea.

Kim and Trump signed an agreement in June to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons. However, the two sides have been at odds over the pace of Pyongyang's efforts to end its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea warned last week that it will consider reviving its nuclear weapons program if the United States fails to lift its crippling economic sanctions against the regime. North Korea is also seeking a peace treaty with the United States and South Korea that will formally end the 1950-53 Korean War that split the communist North from the democratic South.

The fighting ended with an armistice. The North and South never signed a peace treaty and are still technically at war.

Meanwhile, Russia has asked the U.N. Security Council to meet Thursday to discuss U.N. sanctions against the North.

It is unclear exactly why Russia called the meeting and what it wants to talk about.

Both Russia and China have said they believe the North should be rewarded for stopping missile tests and opening a dialogue with the United States.

Inter-Korean relations

While both the U.S. and South Korea want peace and stability on the Korea peninsula, there is a "fear" that fast-developing inter-Korean relations may get out of step with Washington, according to former U.S. officials and experts.

"The fear from America's perspective would be that the South Koreans might go too fast and agree to things that would involve, for example, our troops, our economic postures that we wouldn't be prepared to give [at this stage], without perhaps getting significant concessions on reductions of weapons testing," retired U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney said Wednesday.

"You could have a situation that South Korea and North Korea come to some kind of agreement and then suddenly there's an expectation that we would fall into line with that we would be willing to put scarce budget dollars into helping North Korea economically ... without having laid the groundwork or gotten enough concessions to make that possible," Kenney said at an Asia Society event that discussed U.S. policy toward Asia after the midterm elections.

"Keeping these things in sync is always a challenge," said former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel.

"It's a lot easier when the North Koreans are misbehaving, that tends to promote solidarity between Washington and Seoul," Russel said. "When the North Koreans are seemingly opening the door, then those differences in priorities and perspective can create tensions."

"The immediate priorities of reconciliation, family visit, and potential for infrastructure and trade between North and South [Korea] look a lot different from Seoul and from Washington as does the global non-proliferation agenda," he added.U.S. President Donald Trump forced out the country's top law enforcement officer on Wednesday, a move Democrats warned could be a prelude to stopping the special counsel investigation.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in a resignation letter to Trump, said he was stepping down at the president's "request," suggesting he'd been pushed out of a job he'd refused to leave despite enduring a steady onslaught of presidential humiliations and insults over his recusal from the probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump, in a pair of tweets, said the attorney general's chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, would take over as the Justice Department's acting head; thanked Sessions, whom he once called his "embattled attorney general"; and said a permanent replacement would be named later.

The firing of Sessions, 71, a former Republican senator from Alabama and an early supporter of and adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, fueled Democratic fears that Trump may be maneuvering to shut down special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Congressional probe urged

Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee and a frequent Trump critic, urged Congress to investigate "the real reason" for the attorney general's "termination."

WATCH: Trump's Attorney General Forced to Resign

Cummings, in light of Whitaker's past vocal criticism of the Russia probe, also pushed Congress to "confirm" that Whitaker will recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation.

At a testy White House press conference earlier Wednesday, Trump said he could end the Mueller investigation "right now," but "I stay away from it ... I let it just go on."

Other Democratic leaders also urged Whitaker to give up oversight of the investigation.

"Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, tweeted.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California fired off a similar tweet: "Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Mueller's investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts."

In an opinion piece for CNN.com in July 2017, two months after Mueller's appointment, Whitaker took Mueller to task for what Whitaker saw as exceeding his mandate by investigating "non-Russian-related leads" as part of the probe.

Whitaker then urged Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversaw the special counsel's investigation after Sessions recusal, to limit Mueller's mandate.

'In charge of all matters'

Asked whether Whitaker would take control of the Russia probe, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said, "The acting attorney general is in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice."

Flores did not directly answer questions about whether Whitaker had consulted or planned to consult Justice Department ethics experts on whether he should recuse himself from the Russia probe.

"We're following regular order here," she wrote via email.

But John Malcolm, a former federal prosecutor now with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative research group, said he saw no reason for Whitaker to step aside from the Russia probe.

"He is the acting attorney general. He has no reason to recuse himself," Malcolm said.

Whitaker, a U.S. attorney during the administration of former President George W. Bush, joined the Justice Department as chief of staff and senior counselor in late 2017. It remains to be seen whether Trump will tap him for the job permanently and send his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Republican support

Graham, whose name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the top Justice Department post, defended Sessions against Trump's criticism last year. But in recent months, as Trump's relationship with Sessions deteriorated, Graham said Trump was entitled to have an attorney general he could trust.

Sessions' departure capped a turbulent 20-month tenure at the helm of the Justice Department that got off to a rough start when he recused himself from overseeing the Russia investigation in March 2017. He did so on the advice of Justice Department ethics officials, who said he should not be involved in the investigation of any presidential campaign of which he was a part.

The move led to the swift appointment of the special counsel, infuriating Trump, who repeatedly blamed Sessions for allowing a "witch hunt" to occur during his watch and refusing to defend him.

Sessions' refusal to politicize the investigation in the face of intense pressure from Trump won him plaudits even from his critics.

While steadfastly implementing the president's tough-on-crime and immigration agendas, Sessions grew increasingly isolated from Trump in recent months, to the point that Trump told an interviewer earlier this year, "I don't have an attorney general."U.S. foreign policy hawks who backed the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions on Iran's energy and banking sectors say there are several ways in which U.S. sanctions may get even tougher.

U.S. officials sanctioned Iran's energy and banking sectors Monday, completing a process of reimposing U.S. sanctions that were lifted under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with the Barack Obama administration and five other world powers. Speaking to U.S. TV network Fox Business the same day, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said more sanctions were coming.

"We're not simply going to be content with the level of sanctions that existed under Obama in 2015," Bolton said.

The Trump administration has said it is using sanctions to try to pressure Iran into negotiating a new deal that would permanently end what the U.S. sees as Iranian nuclear weapons ambitions and other malign activities. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

In a Tuesday interview with VOA Persian in Washington, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz said he believes the next rounds of U.S. sanctions will target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its dominant role in the Iranian economy.

"They are going to go after companies that are traded on the Tehran stock exchange and controlled by the IRGC or the armed forces," he said. "They also are going to go after the corporate conglomerates of Iran's Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]." Dubowitz is an adviser to the Trump administration on Iran issues.

Two possible targets

U.S. officials have yet to provide details on future Iran sanctions. But Dubowitz highlighted two potential targets of such sanctions: Iran's Mostazavan Foundation and Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, both directly supervised by Khamenei. FDD has said the two foundations, plus a state-owned enterprise named Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO), have a financial interest in nearly every Iranian industry and are worth approximately $200 billion.

"These are the kinds of foundations that I would like to see designated [for sanctions] because of their corruption and because the money is being used to enrich the supreme leader, the Revolutionary Guards and those responsible for the repression of the Iranian people," Dubowitz said. "So I think the [next] sanctions will get broader, deeper and even more targeted with respect to the supreme leader, the IRGC and their vast system of domestic repression."

Another supporter of tough Iran sanctions, U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), says it sees an imminent end to temporary U.S. waivers granted to eight governments to keep buying Iranian oil without facing U.S. penalties.

In a Monday briefing in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo identified the eight as China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.

"Each of those countries has already demonstrated significant reductions of the purchase of Iranian crude over the past six months," Pompeo said. "We continue negotiations to get all of the nations to zero."

In a Monday statement, UANI said it was "encouraged that these waivers will only be temporary and one-time." UANI is led by Iran policy experts and former U.S. government officials. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, Washington can spare international governments from sanctions for 180 days if they make a "significant reduction" to their purchases of Iranian oil. Pompeo did not indicate in his briefing if any of the eight governments that he named would get an extension of the six-month grace period.

SWIFT action sought

UANI also has urged the Trump administration to pressure the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) to "sever ties with Iranian banks and financial institutions."

The Belgium-based messaging system that connects more than 11,000 financial institutions around the world said Monday that it would suspend "certain Iranian banks" in the interest of the "stability and integrity of the wider global financial system."

Its announcement coincided with the Trump administrations sanctioning of 50 Iranian banks and their foreign and domestic subsidiaries.

Speaking to reporters last Friday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said SWIFT could face U.S. sanctions if it did not disconnect any Iranian financial institution designated by the U.S. "as soon as technologically feasible."

SWIFT did not specify whether it disconnected only some or all of the Iranian banks sanctioned by Washington. U.S. advocates for tough Iran sanctions have said all U.S.-designated banks must be disconnected from SWIFT in order for the sanctions policy to be effective.

In his Friday remarks, Mnuchin said Washington would allow some Iranian financial institutions to use SWIFT for humanitarian transactions. But he said international banks must be "very careful" that such transactions are not disguised for other purposes. UANI has called on the Trump administration to clarify its policy toward Iranian banks that facilitate both humanitarian trade and illicit activities.

Lifting waivers

Iran foreign policy hawks also are calling on the Trump administration to speedily lift temporary waivers granted to foreign companies to continue work on civilian nuclear projects at Iran's Arak, Bushehr and Fordow facilities. In Pompeo's Monday briefing, he said allowing these activities to continue for the time being without sanctioning them "will improve ongoing oversight of Iran's civil nuclear program and make these facilities less susceptible to illicit and illegal nuclear uses." That oversight is a part of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Washington Examiner executive editor Philip Klein, writing in a Monday op-ed, criticized the Trump administration's waivers for Iran's civil nuclear projects, saying they "merely perpetuate the global connection to Iran's nuclear program, thus keeping it more entrenched."

Klein urged Iran policy experts and U.S. lawmakers to use the coming weeks and months to demand that the Trump administration "follow through with full sanctions and kill the Iran deal once and for all."



This article originated in VOA's Persian service.The largest-ever U.S. sanctions list targeting Iran drew mockery from Iranian officials Tuesday for including mothballed Boeing 747s, a bank that closed years earlier and a sunken oil tanker that exploded off China months ago.

However, the new list of sanctions, which also aims to cut Irans vital oil industry off from international sales, also included for the first time its state airline and its atomic energy commission, further highlighting the maximalist approach of President Donald Trumps administration.

Trump pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers in May. United Nations monitors say Iran still abides by the deal, in which it agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

Hundreds sanctioned

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed penalties on more than 700 Iranian and Iranian-linked individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels in the new sanctions. Among those are 50 Iranian banks and subsidiaries, and more than 200 people and ships.

However, scattered among the list are surprising entries, like the crude oil tanker Sanchi. That vessel collided with a bulk freighter and caught fire off Chinas east coast in January, killing all 32 sailors aboard.

Another entry was Irans Tat Bank, which closed in 2012.

Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif took to Twitter to mock some of the targets of the sanctions, describing it as a desperate psychological ploy.

The U.S. designated a bank that was closed 6 years ago, and a ship that sank in a widely televised saga, he wrote, ending the tweet with #USisIsolated.

Iran Air, nuclear agency

But for the first time, the United States targeted Iran Air. It also sanctioned the state carriers mothballed fleet of Boeing 747s, which were manufactured in the 1970s.

It also appeared that the U.S., in another first, was directly sanctioning the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the government agency that oversees Irans nuclear program. Prior sanctions targeted specific subsidiaries of the organization.

Eshaq Jahangiri, President Hassan Rouhanis senior vice president, also criticized the sanctions.

Americans think their list is more effective if it is longer, Jahangiri said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. He said he had discussed the list with other officials, with many saying it was less than what we expected.

Still, Jahangiri warned that Americans intend to damage economy of the country through psychological warfare.

Iran, Russia criticism

Zarif later issued an online video criticizing Americas indiscriminate assault on his country.

The U.S. administration appears to believe that imposing illegal draconian sanctions on Iran will bring about such pain to our nation that it will force us to submit to its will, no matter how absurd, unlawful or fundamentally flawed its demands are.

Zarif urged America to re-examine its catastrophes in the Mideast, including its support for Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Iran is already in the grip of an economic crisis. Its national currency, the rial, now trades at 150,000 to $1; a year ago, it was about 40,500. The economic chaos sparked mass anti-government protests at the end of last year, resulting in nearly 5,000 reported arrests and at least 25 people being killed.

Sporadic smaller demonstrations still reportedly erupt from time to time.

The new sanctions particularly hurt Irans vital oil industry, which provides a crucial source of hard currency. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sanctions had cost Iran the sale of more than 1 million barrels of crude oil a day.

Analysts feared in the run-up to the sanctions that global oil prices could spike on tight supply and increasing demand. However, the Trump administration allowed some of its allies  Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey  as well as rival China to continue to purchase Iranian oil as long as they work to reduce imports to zero. The price of benchmark Brent crude has dropped from more than $80 a barrel in recent days.

During a visit to Madrid Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran was not legitimate and that the rest of the parties to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington are working to make economic cooperation with Tehran possible.

Lavrovs remarks were Russias first reaction to Washingtons new list of sanctions against Iran. The Russian diplomat said the sanctions go against international law and practices, and that the U.S. policies of issuing an ultimatum and making unilateral moves are unacceptable these days.\U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's planned meeting with a senior North Korean official Thursday in New York City has been postponed.

The State Department issued a statement early Wednesday morning saying the meeting "will now take place at a later date. We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit." The statement did not give a reason why the meeting was called off.

"We are going to make it another day," President Donald Trump said Wednesday when asked about the development at a news conference. He added that "there is no rush whatsoever" to conclude a denuclearization pact with North Korea, adding that he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again sometime early next year.

Pompeo was slated to hold talks with Kim Yong Chol, a senior adviser to the North Korean leader. In announcing the meeting earlier this week, the State Department said the two men would discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea.

Kim and Trump signed an agreement at their landmark summit in June to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, but the two sides have been at odds over the pace of Pyongyang's efforts to end its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea warned last week that it will consider reviving its nuclear weapons program if the United States fails to lift its crippling economic sanctions against the regime. It is also seeking a peace treaty with the United States and South Korea that will formally end the 1950-53 Korean War that split the communist North from the democratic South.The United States on Tuesday offered rewards for information on three senior members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state for decades.

The move could help Washington repair strained ties with NATO ally Ankara.

However, Turkey said it would approach Washington's move with caution and that Turkey expected the United States to fully cut off its ties with the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.

Turkey has been infuriated by U.S. support for the YPG in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the PKK.

On Tuesday, Washington authorized rewards of up to $5 million for information "leading to the identification or location" of Murat Karayilan, up to $4 million for Cemil Bayik and up to $3 million for Duran Kalkan.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara after a visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer.

The three PKK figures also appear on Turkey's "most wanted terrorists" list, according to the Interior Ministry, which describes them as being among the leaders of the organization.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told broadcaster Haberturk: "They [United States] say they hold the YPG separate from the PKK, but they can't fool anyone with this.

"It is a very delayed move. If they follow through, we will see it positively, but if, in the big picture, this is to veil engagement with the YPG, it will come out in a few days."

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has fought the Turkish state since 1984.

Relations between Turkey and the United States have begun to thaw since the release from jail last month of American evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson.

Last week, the two countries mutually lifted sanctions on government officials, imposed in August over the Brunson case.

Washington announced this week that Turkey would receive a temporary waiver from re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that talks with the United States regarding state-owned lender Halkbank, which had been facing a U.S. fine over allegations of evasion of sanctions on Iran, were on a positive track.

U.S. and Turkish troops last week began conducting joint patrols in Syria's Manbij, which the two sides have agreed to clear of militants. Turkey had previously said the United States was delaying implementation of the plan.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Erdogan are to meet this weekend at a summit in Paris.Washington will focus on pressuring Iran financially and contesting its activities in Syria, Iraq and Yemen where the Persian nation enjoys broad influence, the U.S. envoy to Syria said Wednesday, adding that Tehran should eventually withdraw all Iran-commanded forces from Syria.

Ambassador James Jeffrey told a group of journalists via a telephone conference that Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that President Donald Trump pulled America out of in May had a bad effect on Iran's behavior that "accelerated its activities."

Iran enjoys influence in several countries in the region where it backs well-armed militias that are deployed in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Speaking about Iran's future in Syria, Jeffrey said: "Iranians are part of the problem not part of the solution."

Jeffrey said the Trump administration is now focusing on putting financial pressure on Iran and "secondly contesting more actively Iran's activities particularly in Iraq, Syria and Yemen."

Washington this week imposed a new list of sanctions against Iran's vital oil exports, banking and transport industries.

Jeffrey expressed concerns about Russia's delivery last month to Syria of the sophisticated S-300 air defense systems, weeks after the downing of a Russian plane by Syria forces responding to an Israeli airstrike, a friendly fire incident that stoked regional tensions.

"We are concerned very much about the S-300 system being deployed to Syria. The issue is at the detail level. Who will control it? What role will it play?" Jeffrey said.

"In the past, Russia has been permissive in consultations with the Israelis about Israeli strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria," he said. "We certainly hope that that permissive approach will continue."

Jeffrey said Israel has an "existential interest in blocking Iran from deploying long-range power projection systems such as surface-to-surface missiles" and drones aimed at and used against Israel.

Israel rarely acknowledges attacks inside Syria but has said it would use military action to prevent weapons transfers to its enemies.

In September, an Israeli military official said the Jewish state has struck over 200 Iranian targets in Syria over the past 18 months. Since the delivery of the S-300 there has been no reports of Israeli airstrikes in Syria.

Islamic State

Jeffrey said that recent retreats by U.S.-backed fighters in eastern Syria against members of the Islamic State group besieged in a pocket near the Iraq border was "a tactical reverse." He said "it's nothing serious. The Daesh or ISIS forces there basically are still surrounded and reinforcements are coming in," he said using terms to refer to IS.

IS launched several counteroffensives in recent weeks against the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who have been trying to take the area from the extremists since early September, killing scores of them and capturing others. The counterattacks were carried out during sandstorms in the mostly desert area.

"One other reason for the reverse there was unusually bad and sustained weather that limited our use of air power which is very important for our fight against Daesh," he said. "As the weather changes and as additional troops are introduced, I expect the situation will change and we'll see advances against Daesh."

He added that after IS is defeated, concerns about the group as an insurgent force will remain "and also ISIS's ability to infiltrate back into areas as a terrorist force both in Iraq and in Syria in particular."

Jeffrey said that when American officials say that U.S. troops will stay in Syria, "we say until the enduring defeat of ISIS," which means to establish the conditions so that local forces, local populations and local governments can deal with IS as a terrorist or as an insurgent movement.

"We're not there yet," he said.The United States is rallying Southeast Asian countries to continue a maximum pressure campaign against North Korea, until the Korean Peninsula achieves complete denuclearization.



Ahead of the annual ASEAN summit that begins November 11 in Singapore, Washington is urging the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) not to ease United Nations sanctions, and instead continue to deny the revenue streams that North Korea has enjoyed around the region.



"The United States continues to work with governments around the world, including the countries of ASEAN, to ensure all nations are fully implementing U.N. sanctions obligations," a State Department spokesperson told VOA recently. "The pressure campaign will continue until the DPRK denuclearizes."



Washington warned it would continue the enforcement to punish companies and individuals that engage in illegal trading with Pyongyang.



"We expect all member states to fully implement U.N. sanctions, including sectorial goods banned under U.N. Security Council resolution, and expect all nations to take their responsibilities seriously to help end the DPRK's illegal nuclear and missile programs," added the State Department spokesperson, who used the official name for North Korea.



The comments come as the talks this week between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean official Kim Yong Chol in New York were postponed, with no reason given.



On October 25, the U.S. Treasury Department designated and accused two Singapore-based entities and one individual of money laundering through the U.S. financial system to evade sanctions against North Korea. As a result, their interests in property in the U.S. are blocked and Americans are generally prohibited from dealing with the designated persons.



Most ASEAN members maintain good relations with North Korea. Many of the nations host North Korean embassies and five have embassies in Pyongyang. And experts say ASEAN has not seen it as a priority to entirely cut off North Korean access to economic activities.



"ASEAN has been great at taking verbal positions at its vacuous regional fora, but has not been so helpful in cutting access to North Korea. Even in Singapore, we have seen incidents where North Korean operatives conducted business" and had free reign gathering intelligence," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.



A recent ASEAN statement was seen as toning down language on North Korea's nuclear program.



On August 4, a joint statement by foreign ministers from the Southeastern Asian bloc urged North Korea to fulfill its stated commitment to "complete denuclearization," and dropped the terms "verifiable" and "irreversible," which were found in a 2017 statement. The seemingly toned down language comes after U.S. President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a June summit at Singapore.



Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest in Washington, says many ASEAN diplomats in Washington do not know what to make of the Trump administration's stance on North Korea.



"On the one hand, they see Washington continuing to push the maximum pressure sanctions campaign, but at the same time, the administration is eager for meetings and dialogue while South Korea presses for stronger ties with the Kim regime," Kazianis said. "ASEAN leaders, at best, see a lot of mixed signals and little clarity coming out of the Trump Administration, and I think that worries them."

The mayor of Warsaw banned a march that radical Polish nationalists planned on the centennial of Polish independence, saying Wednesday she made the decision from security concerns and to curb "aggressive nationalism."

Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said she wanted to put a stop to extremist displays that have appeared during the past decade at far-right marches that have drawn tens of thousands of people on Poland's Nov. 11 Independence Day holiday.

At a march in Warsaw last year, some nationalists carried racist and anti-Islamic calling for a "White Europe," and white supremacist symbols like the Celtic Cross.

The event drew international criticism, and lawmakers in the European Parliament called the participants "fascists"  a label that infuriated the Polish government.

This year, Poland is celebrating the centenary of its independence, gained in 1918 at the end of World War I.

"This is not how the celebrations should look on the 100th anniversary of regaining our independence," Gronkiewicz-Waltz said at a news conference.

"Warsaw has suffered enough because of aggressive nationalism," she said.

She noted that the chief organizer of the Warsaw march is a leader of the National Radical Camp, a group she has appealed to the justice minister to outlaw. That organization traces its roots to an anti-Semitic movement of the 1930s.

A similar ban was announced Tuesday by the mayor of the western Polish city of Wroclaw, who cited the risk that participants might incite racial and ethnic hatred.

The bans followed signals that radical far-right groups planned to travel to Poland for Sunday's march in the capital. Mass walk-outs by police officers in recent days also raised concerns that clashes between participants and counter-protesters could get out of hand without officers to intervene.

The authorities in the two cities are likely to be praised by some for trying to push back against extremism. But they also face the risk of being accused of trying to suppress free speech as well as encouraging the far right even more.

Krzysztof Bosak, the deputy head of the National Movement, a far-right party that is also a co-organizer, said the march would take place despite the ban, which will be appealed.

In Wroclaw, a key organizer, former priest Jacek Miedlar, also vowed to defy the ban there, writing on Twitter that "no leftie or Jew will forbid us from this!"

Meanwhile, a controversial statue of late President Lech Kaczynski was installed in a central Warsaw square ahead of its weekend unveiling as part of the centennial celebrations.

Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the identical twin of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the right-wing Law and Justice party that is currently in power.

While Poles universally mourned the deaths of the president and the 95 people who perished with him, they remain divided on how to evaluate his presidency and on whether he deserves hero status now.

More than 140 memorials to him already exist across the nation of 37 million people.

Authorities in Warsaw's local government  in the hands of the centrist political opposition  opposed the statue and its central location. Pro-government provincial authorities were in favor. It's a clash playing out in the courts even as the 7-meter (23-foot) statue went up.

The end of World War I is also being marked on Sunday in Paris, where dozens of world leaders will gather, including host French President Emmanuel Macron and counterparts Donald Trump of the United States, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.At least 95 women won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives during Tuesdays midterm elections, easily eclipsing the previous record of 84 women in the lower chamber.

Most of the women who won congressional seats were Democrats who helped propel the party to a majority in the House. Nearly 80-percent of the women who competed in House races were Democrats, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

A record 237 women ran in House races across the country, with nearly 100 emerging as winners by Wednesday morning, the center said.

When the next Congress convenes in early January, House Democrats will be in the majority for the first time in eight years.

Victories by women are likely to boost their representation in Congress beyond 20-percent for the first time. Many stepped up as candidates in the last two years, energized by reports of Trump's behavior toward women, the rise of the #MeToo movement that has publicized the pervasiveness of sexual assault, and Republican policy platforms on issues including abortion rights.

Christopher Borick, a political science professor and director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, says the role women played in this election lived up to expectations.

"We're seeing a vast increase in the percentage of women that will be within in the House of Representatives. I'll give you an example in Pennsylvania, which is kind of the one of the most striking scenes. Before this election we had zero, not one member of an 18-seat congressional delegation that was a woman. Tonight, just in suburban Philadelphia, in the Lehigh Valley where I'm speaking from, four women won in a really tight area," Borick said.

Winners also included the first two Muslim women in Congress, Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan, and the first Native American woman, Sharice Davids from Kansas. First-time female congressional candidates also won in states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

A record 33 House races featured women opposing other women. Democrat Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet member in President Bill Clintons administration, beat Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, a journalist of Cuban descent.

Democratic women did not have the same success in the Senate as they did in the House.

Incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri was defeated by state Attorney General Josh Hawley. And Senator Heidi Heitkamp lost her re-election bid in North Dakota.

Some Republican women won key Senate races, including U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, a self-described hardcore, card carrying conservative. Blackburn became the first woman to win a senate seat in Tennessee, defeating former Democratic governor Phil Bredesen.

Women were also victorious in gubernatorial races, which are significant in light of the influence governors will wield in upcoming redistricting fights.

In Kansas and Michigan, Democratic women won gubernatorial contests that had been held by Republicans.

Political gains by Democratic women were particularly noteworthy in Michigan, where they won every major statewide office. In addition to the governors seat, they won races for U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of state.

When the 116th Congress convenes in January, women will have more political power in the House. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who easily won re-election Tuesday, was expected to announce her run for speaker on Wednesday. Pelosi previously served as speaker, the only woman every to hold the powerful post.

CNN's exit poll indicated 80 percent of voters said it was important for more women to be elected.

Many of the political gains by women came in Republican-controlled suburban districts where Trumps popularity has declined, allowing Democrats to recapture some power in Washington.At first glance in the dappled forest light, the plateau of Le Chene Tondu appears as a typical slice of rural France. The woodland tranquillity is occasionally punctured by the sound of hunters targeting the wild boar that roam the Argonne Forest.

But beneath the November carpet of fallen leaves hides a network of German military installations. Man-size craters mark the foxholes and machine gun positions dug as a desperate last defense of the ridge against the oncoming American soldiers. Nearby, a signals bunker is buried under layers of moss, while the trunk of an ancient oak is studded with iron hooks, the remnants of a lookout post.

The Americans would have been coming up from the other side  the 28th Division, the Pennsylvanians  trying to get a foothold on this plateau, explained Randy Gaulke, a battlefield guide who has been investigating these scars of war for decades.

At the plateau summit lies the Apremont German Military Cemetery, one of the few surviving wartime graveyards. Exactly 1,111 German soldiers are buried beneath solemn iron crosses  a fraction of the 1.7 million Germans who died fighting in the war.

In villages, towns and cities across Europe, remembrance ceremonies will be held Sunday to mark 100 years since the armistice brought an end to the conflict. But in Germany, there will be no such grand commemorations.

Defeat in 1918 brought about years of economic and political chaos, conditions that would give rise to the darkest period in German history as the Nazi Party came to power in the 1930s.

Many Germans say they reflect instead on the lessons learned from the two world wars, as their country has emerged as a key power at the heart of Europe.

Unlike France, Germany was largely unscathed by the war, professor William Philpott of King's College London explained.

It didnt suffer the devastation of aerial bombing, for example, that we see in the Second World War," Philpott said.

In the years following 1918, the victorious powers attempted to negotiate peace treaties to stabilize Europe, redrawing the map where empires once ruled.

The settlements that follow the war leave issues, legacies, that will underpin essentially the outbreak of World War II. Particularly in eastern Europe, where youve lost the three powerful empires  the Romanovs in Russia, the Habsburgs in Austria-Hungary and the Hohenzollerns in Prussia. And youve created a number of smaller, rather fragile, protoliberal, but essentially not liberal states, out of those places. And the same thing happens in the Middle East with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Philpott said.

Under the peace treaties, Germany was forced to pay huge reparations, its colonies were confiscated, and its territory divided. Philpott said resentment among the population created fertile ground for the rise of Adolf Hitler.

When the Nazis came to power, (they) repudiated the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty, stopped paying the reparations to France. And in some ways, Germany demonstrated that as a large nation in the center of Europe with lots of natural resources and a large population, she could rise again," he added.

Defeat in 1945 came at a higher cost than in 1918, with the destruction of swaths of Germanys industrial heartlands. German historian Markus Klauer said the country was able to turn the destruction to its advantage.

We had the chance to rebuild everything from scratch. So, in the 1960s and '70s, we had the great advantage to have a powerful industry once more. And then we took profit from this peacetime and the geopolitical situation Germany was embedded in. And in addition to this, it also had the geographical position that facilitated Germanys development," Klauer said.

Economically and politically, Germany emerged as the driving force behind European integration, Philpott said.

The international institutions created since the 1950s which have led to the European Union, have allowed Germany to exercise influence, financial power, economic strength, in a much more benign way than Germany was able to do before that," he added.

Klauer is more succinct.

We learned the lessons out of these two world wars  that no nation in Europe can stand alone, he said.Reaching for the stars will no longer be impossible for girls and young women in Kyrgyzstan, who aim to build and launch the country's first satellite before 2020.

A dozen budding female scientists have been tinkering with computers, 3-D printers and soldering irons since March to build a CubeSat, which U.S. space agency NASA describes as being the smallest and cheapest satellite used for space exploration.

"I feel very proud that it's going to be the first satellite of the country. I'm doing this program because I want to empower other girls," student Kyzzhibek Batyrkanova, 23, said during a Skype interview from the capital, Bishkek. "Your gender doesn't have to determine what you have to do in this life."

It is a rare path for any Kyrgyz, let alone a woman, given that nearly two-thirds of the people in the mountainous Central Asian country live in rural areas, and the economy relies on farming, according to the United Nations.

Women make up less than 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's graduates in science, technology, engineering, math, construction and manufacturing graduates, the U.N. Development Program says.

'Not very common'

"Some girls don't have the courage to pursue such studies because it's not very common in our country, and the majority of parents discourage their daughters from pursuing this," said Alina Anisimova, 19, who is leading the satellite project.

"I wish that in the future, people will not consider it so surprising to see young women who do welding or who are involved in engineering," said the computer programmer.

She is one of the young women, aged 17 to 24, working on the project, which was started by Kloop Media, a local media group, after a chance meeting with senior NASA staff Alexander MacDonald, who suggested the ambitious idea.

According to Kloop's crowdfunding page for the project, the construction and launch of Kyrgyzstan's first CubeSat will cost up to $150,000. The final stages of the build will be made in partnership with a Lithuanian company.

"[Building a satellite] can serve as a powerful social and political signal," MacDonald told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. He said it could send important messages about who is able to participate and build the future."

Even though the number of women in STEM has increased in recent years, they still account for only about 30 percent of the world's researchers, the U.N cultural agency UNESCO says.

Marriage expected



Aidana Aidarbekova, a 19-year-old student participating in the project, said girls and women in her country are expected to marry instead of pursuing careers.

"There are a lot of people who don't believe that girls are capable of doing anything else but cleaning and cooking and giving birth to children," said Aidarbekova.

Nearly one in 10 girls in Kyrgyzstan is married off before age 18, according to global charity Girls Not Brides, even though bride kidnapping was outlawed in 2013.

Aidarbekova said she hopes the space project will inspire girls in her country and beyond.

"We are doing this program because we want to prove that girls can actually do it," she said.   Maybe our project will give hope to girls all around the world."Democrats have taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives in mid term elections in the United States, but it looks like Republicans will still control the U.S. Senate as vote counting continues across the country.



Each of the 435 seats in the House were being contested while 35 of 100 Senate seats were being fought over. There also are a number of state races and ballot issues that were voted on.



Several key Democrats won their re-election campaigns, including Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, both of whom are considered contenders for the party's 2020 presidential nomination.

But Democrats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota lost their re-election efforts, while a key Senate race in Florida between Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and Republican Rick Scott, the state's outgoing governor, remains too close to call. Republican Ted Cruz fended off a strong challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke to keep his U.S. Senate seat in the southwestern state of Texas.



The Democrats apparent takeover of control in the U.S. House -- they needed a net gain of 23 seats to take control -- means they will be able to keep a check on Republican President Donald Trump's agenda.



It also means the House will be able to launch investigations of the Trump administration.



Turnout at the polls on Tuesday in the United States was reported to be high despite rainy, chilly weather in much of the country. There were a record number of early votes cast in the past week.



Many voters see this mid term election as a referendum on President Trump's first two years in office.



Pre-election surveys indicate Democrats are concerned about health care and the economy while immigration seemed to be the major issue for Republicans.

Former Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanziwa, who is facing two charges of abuse of office, was on Wednesday granted bail with stringent conditions.

Former Home Affairs Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Robert Mugabes son-in-law Simba Chikore and businessman Wickell Chivayo also appeared in court facing various charges.

Mandiwanzira handed himself to then police Tuesday and was detained overnight at Matapi Police Station in Harare over allegations that he unprocedurally hired Megawatt and a personal aide Tawanda Chinembiri to the board of telecommunications giant Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

Prosecutor Michael Chakandida claimed that Mandiwanzira hired the company, which was supposed to be paid $5 million for services rendered, without following laid down tender rules and regulations.

In appointing Chinembiri to the POTRAZ board, the state claims that the company was prejudiced by up to $35,000 in allowances.

Mandiwanziras attorneys Selby Hwacha and Brian Hungwe told the court that their client was subjected to horrific conditions at Matapi Police Station, which was once condemned by the courts as a place not fit for human habitation.

In granting bail, magistrate Mishord Guvamombe ordered Mandiwanzira to pay $2,000 bail, surrender his passport, report regularly to the police and surrender title deeds of his residence.

At the same time, Kasukuwere appeared before in court also facing charges of abuse of office.

The state claims that he improperly sold land to Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma, a relative of former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

He is also charged with hiring a company, Brainworks, to monitor the transfer of empowerment credits from companies like Unki Mine and Zimplats into bank accounts under the countrys indigenization program.

Kasukuwere allegedly flouted tender regulations in hiring Brainworks.

In another court case Chivayo, who is being accusing of allegedly siphoning millions of dollars from state coffers through getting suspicious contracts, appeared in court facing various charges.

Mugabes son-in-law Chikore also appeared before a local magistrate facing charges of abducting his former work colleague Tsitsi Zakeyo of Zimbabwe Airways.Democrats won several key races Tuesday, but appeared short of a sweeping "blue wave" midterm election victory that many had predicted would bring a rebuke to the presidency of Donald Trump.

The Democrats' chances of retaking the Senate from Republicans appeared nearly impossible after suffering key losses in Indiana and Tennessee, two states that Trump won easily in 2016.

However, West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin kept his seat and defeated Republican Patrick Morrisey, the states attorney general. Manchin, who voted with Republicans to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, slammed Morriseys work as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical companies saying he profited off the states opioid crisis.

With polls closed in much of the country, the control of the House of Representatives appeared to be shifting from the Republicans to the Democrats.

Democrats picked up their first big win of the night in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state senator, defeated the Republican incumbent, Representative Barbara Comstock.

Comstock had been expected to lose, but her defeat may be indicative of wider Democratic success, especially in the suburbs, where polls show women strongly favoring Democratic candidates.

With the Comstock result and another Democratic pickup in Florida, Democrats now need to pick up 21 more seats to retake the House of Representatives. Democrat Donna Shalala, a former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar for a seat being vacated by veteran Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.

A record 237 women are running in House and 23 in Senate races across the country, including 185 Democrats and 52 Republicans.

Their wins are likely to boost the percentage of women in Congress beyond 20 percent for the first time. Many stepped up as candidates across the country in the past two years, energized by reports of Donald Trumps behavior toward women, the rise of the #MeToo movement that has publicized the pervasiveness of sexual assault, and Republican policy platforms on issues including the right to abortion.

Referendum on Trump

Public opinion polls suggest opposition Democrats will retake the House but will be unable to seize the Senate from Republicans in a congressional and gubernatorial election that evolved into a referendum on President Trump's first two years in office.

Democrats need to retake only two seats to gain the Senate, but the odds of doing so are slim since they are defending many more seats than Republicans.

Democrats' Senate chances were dealt a major blow in Indiana, where incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly lost to Republican Mike Braun. In Tennessee, Democrat Phil Bredesen, the state's ex-governor, lost to Republican Marsha Blackburn, who will become Tennessee's first female senator.

But Democrats appeared close to pulling off a major Senate upset in Texas, one of the closest watched races in the country. Beto O'Rourke, who just months ago was a relatively unknown congressman, narrowly lost to Republican Senator Ted Cruz.

High Voter Turnout

Voter turnout appeared to be very high, despite bad weather in virtually the entire Eastern United States. Polling stations across the country saw long lines, and in some cases there were problems with voting machines, in part because of wet conditions.

Main issues for voters are health care, immigration and the economy, according to polls. However, Trump, who has barnstormed across the country spurring fear of a cavalcade of Central American immigrants moving north toward the U.S.-Mexico border, was also on the minds of most voters, according to exit polling.

"Of course it's motivation. I mean, I only became a citizen last year," said Kevin Ombija, a first-time voter originally from Kenya who now lives in Washington, D.C. "Issues of immigrants are very dear to me. ... I definitely want to vote everything against (Trump)."

In Orange County, California, William Moody cast his vote for Republicans, even while offering qualified support for Trump.

"I defend his belief that the border has to be protected, (but) maybe not as severe as he would do it," Moody said. "The president is his own worst enemy with some of his remarks. If he'd tone it down and just do his job quietly, it'd help us all."

Immigration focus

Midterm elections are traditionally seen as a referendum on a sitting president, but this election seems especially so -- in part because Trump has held an unusually large number of rallies in support of Republicans and urged supporters to treat the election as a confirmation of his policies.

At those rallies, Trump has consistently stoked fear of immigrants, insisting his political opponents support things like "open borders" and crime. The strategy could backfire, however, if preliminary results from exit polls are accurate.

Trump conceded in an interview on Monday that he could have taken a softer tone in his rhetoric, but denied any suggestion that his stump speeches had fostered racism in the country.

About half of voters say Trump's immigration policies are too tough, while around a third think they're just right, according to a CNN national exit poll.

The CNN poll suggested 55 percent of voters disapprove of Trump's performance, while 44 percent approve of it. Moreover, 56 percent of those surveyed believe the country is on the wrong track and only 41 percent said it was on the right track.

Power balance

If Democrats do win enough House seats to reclaim the majority, Trump would be forced to deal with a shift in the balance of power in Washington.

"The House has been a rubber stamp for the Trump agenda. It will no longer be a rubber stamp," said Jim Kessler of the centrist Democratic group Third Way. "Anything that gets done will have to be a bipartisan basis."

Democrats are hoping for a wave election that would bring them control of the House and gubernatorial victories in key states such as Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Voters are also deciding governor races in 36 states, as well as local positions.Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives in midterm elections in the United States, while Republicans gained seats that solidify their control of the Senate.

As of Wednesday morning, the Democrats were on track to win at least 26 seats previously held by Republicans, with several races still undecided, which could give them as many as 230 seats in the 435-seat chamber. Among the winners were several first-time candidates, including two Native American women -- one of them openly gay -- and two Muslim women, a first in both categories. They will be among the 100 women who will be sworn in when the new Congress takes over in January, another first.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Washington Tuesday night, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "Thanks to you, tomorrow, there will be a new day in America." The veteran California lawmaker, who served as the nation's first female House speaker from 2007-2011, said the victory was not about Democrats or Republicans, but about "restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration." Democrats will now be able to launch numerous investigations of President Donald Trump, including his personal finances and allegations of his presidential campaign's collusion with Russia to win the 2016 race.

WATCH: Election results

Despite the setback in the House, President Trump issued a self-congratulatory tweet Wednesday morning.

"Received so many Congratulations from so many on our Big Victory last night, including from foreign nations (friends) that were waiting me out, and hoping, on Trade Deals. Now we can all get back to work and get things done!"

"It is a critical check on Trump," says University of Virginia analyst Larry Sabato. "Big legislation with an ideological tint, left or right, won't pass for the next two years. Democrats now have the power of subpoena so Trump and his administration can expect to be investigated rather than protected by the House."

Senate races



In the Senate, Republican challengers handily defeated Democratic incumbents in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota, while two Republican challengers in Florida and Montana held razor-thin leads as vote counting stretched into Wednesday morning. The race for an open Senate seat in Arizona was also undecided.

In one of the most watched races, Republican Ted Cruz fended off a strong challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke to keep his Senate seat in Texas.

And former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, easily won an open Senate seat in Utah. The Mormon-dominated state has embraced Romney, who is himself a Mormon. Romney also helped turn around the scandal-plagued 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Each of the 435 seats in the House was being contested, as were 35 of 100 Senate seats.

Voter enthusiasm

Precincts across the country reported strong voter numbers for a midterm election.

The New York Times and Michael McDonald of the United States Election Project both estimated national turnout of at least 111 million, far surpassing the 83 million people who voted in the 2014 midterms.

Rebecca Gill, an associate professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said voter enthusiasm was the unusual aspect of Tuesday's election.

"This probably has something to do with some of the rhetoric, particularly from the president. It's been intended to rally his base, but at the same time, it ends up also rallying the base of the Democrats. It sort of polarizes folks, and it gets more people engaged on both sides," Gill said.LaVon Rapp, age 95, of Alexandria, died on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.For each month since July 2012, we publish a summary of quake activity world-wide: find the list of largest quake, a map showing all significant quakes as well as detailed statistics on seismic activity during this time.CNN projects that Republicans will keep control of the Senate, a result that was not unexpected but still never assured in this unpredictable political environment until voters had their say. The outcome represents a significant victory for the GOP and President Donald Trump.

Despite a seemingly energized grassroots electorate, the Democratic Party has been viewed as a long shot to take back control of the Senate where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority of 51 seats to 49 seats for Democrats.

Democrats face a daunting Senate map in the 2018 midterms and have been forced to defend 10 seats in states that President Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election, including North Dakota, Montana, West Virginia, Indiana and Missouri.

Maintaining control of the Senate paves the way for Republicans to continue advancing the President's agenda in the upper chamber.

It allows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to push ahead with the ongoing GOP effort to re-shape the federal courts by aggressively confirming conservative judges, a key priority for both the Majority Leader and the President. It also means Senate Republicans can continue to confirm new appointments that may arise for members of the President's Cabinet. A simple majority is all that's needed in the Senate to confirm judicial nominees -- Supreme Court and lower court picks -- and executive branch appointments.

A fight over funding for the President's signature campaign trail promise of a wall along the US-Mexico border looms large when lawmakers return to Washington after the midterms and along with it, the threat of a partial government shutdown.

The outcome of the midterms will also mark the culmination of a bitter partisan battle for control of Congress and set the stage for the 2020 elections, where an expansive field of Democratic presidential candidates is expected to challenge Trump after his first term in office. Some high profile senators are expected to be among that growing pool of candidates in the Democratic presidential primary.

The closing days of the midterm campaign have played out with split screen images of Democrats and Republicans emphasizing different messages to the voters they hope will show up to the polls on Tuesday.

Trump has framed the elections as a choice between law and order maintained by Republicans and an out-of-control Democratic mob, while focusing heavily on hardline immigration campaign promises, including a legally dubious pledge to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants born in the US.

In contrast, Democrats have largely maintained a nearly unwavering focus on health care in their closing message to voters. Democratic congressional leaders and candidates have vowed on the campaign trail that their party will protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, while warning that Republicans will not.

The final weeks of the campaign season were upended when, in a shocking development, authorities intercepted potential explosive devices targeting top Democratic Party leaders, including former President Barack Obama and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Just days later, tragedy gripped the nation after 11 people were killed in a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

The White House and congressional leaders condemned the incidents, but the events have sparked questions and recriminations over whether heated political rhetoric contributed to the violence.

Trump has defiantly rejected the idea that his own rhetoric contributed to the incidents and lamented the week before Election Day that the attacks slowed Republican momentum.

"We did have two maniacs stop a momentum that was incredible, because for seven days nobody talked about the elections," the President said at a Missouri rally last week. "It stopped a tremendous momentum."

This story has been updated.Starbucks wants to be big in China, and even bigger in the United States. To do that, the coffee company is making some changes.

After years of aggressive growth, the coffee company has locations all over the world. But now, CEO Kevin Johnson wants to focus on growing in the two coffee-loving countries where it thinks its efforts will pay off the most.

Asia China Companies Continents and regions East Asia Starbucks Corp Business figures Kevin Johnson Beverages Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Coffee Consumer products Food and drink Kinds of foods and beverages North America The Americas United States

To drive that growth, Starbucks freed up cash and resources by closing its Teavana retail stores, partnering with Nestle to create a "global coffee alliance" and reorganizing its corporate team.

"I tend to bring a much more disciplined approach to picking the priorities," Johnson said during the Oppenheimer Consumer Conference in June. "If you pick the right priorities and you put the resources and energy behind them, you move the needle."

Since taking over from Howard Schultz in April of last year, Johnson has outlined a plan to trim fat and bolster the company in its two largest markets. So far, it's working.

Starbucks (SBUX) beat Wall Street's expectations for its fourth-quarter earnings. Revenue grew to $6.3 billion in the quarter that ended in September, up 11% from the same time last year. In the three months ending in September, comparable store sales grew by 4% in the United States and 1% in China. The good results sent shares of the company soaring.

Recently, Starbucks announced that it is handing over the ownership and management of its stores in the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Luxembourg to its partner Alsea, which operates restaurants in Latin America.

The decision to step back from those markets in Western Europe may have been driven by how competitive the market is there, said Robert Salomon, a professor of international management at NYU's Stern business school.

"It's very difficult for them to enter with a proposition to say 'Hey, we're the espresso coffee company,'" he noted. But in China, Starbucks can set itself up as a coffee destination.

Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999. "They are certainly ahead of the curve," he said.

But Starbucks has only recently decided to lean into the Chinese market. That may be because now, Chinese customers may be more amenable to what Starbucks has to offer, Saloman said. Today, consumers in China have an "increasing affinity for Western goods, especially more luxury goods," said Saloman. "Starbucks has that high-end appeal, so they're capitalizing on that trend."

To build up its presence in China, Starbucks is opening stores at a rapid pace. The company said in May that it plans to nearly double its number of coffee shops to 6,000 before the end of 2022. And it's making sure that people who don't come into stores have easy access to Starbucks coffee: Over the past few months, Starbucks has been steadily building up its delivery capabilities in the country.

Johnson said during the Oppenheimer conference that he plans to introduce Starbucks coffee to a whole new generation of coffee drinkers in China.

The efforts are paying off. "Results in China are extraordinary," noted Nick Setyan, a restaurant analyst with Wedbush.

But China isn't a sure bet, Saloman said. If political ties worsen, or if China's economy takes a hit and people have less disposable income, customers may take their business elsewhere.

"China presents a tremendous amount of risk, but also a lot of upside potential," Saloman said. Expanding in the United States, on the other hand, is a lot less risky, in part because Starbucks already knows what US consumers like.

In the United States, Starbucks is growing at a slower pace than it has in the past. But it's still going after new markets.

"All of the space in middle America, in the Midwest and down through the South, is wide open," Johnson said during the conference. "A large proportion of our new store growth are going in the areas where we are under-penetrated."

And it's opening more drive-thrus, which tend to perform better than regular Starbucks cafes.

Starbucks has also been tweaking its menu to entice more health-conscious customers with lower-sugar Frappuccinos and more non-blended alternatives like cold brew and iced teas.

The company has also focused on connecting with more customers through its digital platforms. More than 15 million people are now active US members in its loyalty program. Starbucks says that those members offer helpful feedback on what they want  like really Christmasy holiday cups.Governor Kay Ivey took the stage in Montgomery to a crowd of cheering supporters Tuesday night after winning the Governor's race.

She beat Tuscaloosa Mayor, Walt Maddox, with about 60% of votes. Ivey addressed her supporters saying, The people of Alabama have spoken loud and clear: we want to keep Alabama on the right track and keep Alabama working!"

A large crowd was with Ivey as she gave her acceptance speech. She made history becoming the first Republican woman to be elected Governor of Alabama.UPDATE: Kay Ivey is the projected winner.

The people of Alabama have spoken loud and clear: we want to keep Alabama on the right track and keep Alabama working," Ivey said. It is with immense gratitude that I stand before you tonight as the next Governor of Alabama. I am ever so grateful for your steadfast support, prayers and votes."

---

Governor Kay Ivey made several campaign stops after she voted Tuesday morning in Montgomery. She told reporters it's the longest line she's had to wait in since 1980.

Ivey took over in 2017 after Governor Robert Bentley resigned amid controversy. She's led a campaign focused on jobs. Most recently, she issued an executive order to the Alabama Parole Board. She says her main focus has been jobs and passing bills that protect.

Tuesday night, the doors will open to the public at 7:00 p.m. for Ivey's watch party at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery. WAAY 31 is told she will address the crowd once results start to come in. If she wins the race for governor, she will be the state's second elected female governor.

Democrat Walt Maddox was just six years old when Ivey entered the political arena. He says his youth is an advantage. The latest polling data shows Ivey well ahead of Maddox by about 30 points.

Ivey has served in Alabama politics for nearly four decades. She was first appointed to a state cabinet position back in 1979. From there, she ran for state treasurer in 2003 and served in that position until 2011. Ivey then went on to serve as lieutenant governor and on to assume the governor role in 2017.Mo Brooks will continue to represent Alabama's fifth congressional district after beating democratic candidate, Peter Joffrion.

WAAY 31 was at Joffrion's watch party Tuesday night. He said that with the support north Alabama gave Doug Jones, he thought he and his team had a chance at flipping the congressional seat from red to blue.

Joffrion spent more money than other democrats who recently made a run at the seat. Even though he lost, Joffrion said his team still wants to see more democrats in office nationwide.

"It's not like you can flip a switch and everything changes. It takes time and it's a process, and we are beginning that process in the state of Alabama and there's no turning back," Joffrion said.

Joffrion said he's not sure what his next move is, but he will continue to support the democratic party.

Joffrion is a north Alabama native. After graduating from law school at the University of Alabama, he came back to Huntsville and started his 22-year career as the Huntsville city attorney.

During Joffrion's time as city attorney, Huntsville saw major economic developments like Bridge Street Town Centre, Parkway Place Mall and Remington coming to Huntsville. He retired from the position in 2015 and remains an active community and church member.Tennessee voters elected Republican Marsha Blackburn as their next United States Senator. Blackburn beat Democrat and Former Governor Phil Bredesen.

Blackburn is the first woman to be elected as a U.S. senator in the state. She represented middle Tennessee as a congresswoman for the past 16 years. She credited President Donald Trump and Mike Pence for helping her attain her new title as Senator. The President was in Chattanooga on Sunday and held a campaign rally. He took the stage with Blackburn and gave his support to her.

In her victory speech, Blackburn talked about the five most important things to her: faith, family, freedom, hope and opportunity. She told supporters that's why she thinks voters picked her for the job. The race was called about two hours after polls closed on Tuesday.

Topics she's focused on during her campaign were keeping existing immigration laws, stopping sanctuary cities and keeping a simple tax code that encourages job creation.

Country music artists, John Rich from Big and Rich along with Gretchen Wilson, attended Blackburn's victory party. Both artists sang and joined her on the stage for her speech.

Republican Bob Corker currently holds the senate seat, and he did not attend Blackburn's victory party.On Wednesday, hundreds of students had the chance to hear from several of our nation's heroes. Several veterans who served in the Vietnam War and World War II spent the day sharing their military experiences at Westminster Christian Academy.

This is the third year for the event, organized by "Forever Young Senior Veterans." The goal of the non-profit is to help veterans heal and recover by giving them an opportunity to visit the places where they once fought.

The organization has taken several veterans on "Trips of Honor" to places like Pearl Harbor and Italy. Students say they are soaking in the opportunity to learn from those who fight for their freedoms.

"We're hearing a lot of stories about men who were storming Normandy and buddies they lived with a couple of years, just right next to them, with each-other just instantly dying at that point. For the people who have served and for the people who are serving right now, it's consistently a good reminder to be thinking about them," said Noah Keeter, a student at Westminster.

One of the veterans who shared his story was Cecil Brunson from Memphis. Brunson was a pilot in Vietnam whose plane was shot down. He spent several months as a prisoner of war. Brunson is also the uncle of Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was released in October from a prison in Turkey.A Private War begins in 2012, in the rubble of a building that has just been bombed by Syrian forces in the embattled city of Homs. This is where Colvin would meet her death, but the film quickly backtracks to earlier in her career, during which her fearless, swashbuckling temperament draws her to the worlds most scorching hot spots. We see her lose an eye covering the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, after which she affects an appropriately piratical eye patch. Meanwhile, shes feted by her fellow journalists and living the high life in London, where she writes for the Sunday Times. She chain-smokes, drinks far too much and embarks on a series of ill-fated love affairs, including one with her own ex-husband.Todays Headlines

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By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyIf the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, Trump tweeted, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game! It wasnt clear what leaks he was referring to.You cant be what you dont see, is how AShanti Gholar explains it. Gholar is the political director at Emerge America, an organization that trains Democratic women to run for office. She talked about Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress, and how Chisholm inspired other women after her. She talked about Stacey Abrams, the first black woman to win in the Georgia gubernatorial primaries, just this year. Abrams may have fallen short in the general but will probably inspire the next generation.If you like this recipe and want more ideas to make unusual tea and coffee to surprise your friends and family, send for my Heloises Flavored Coffees and Teas pamphlet. Include $3, along with a stamped (71 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, and mail to: Heloise/Coffee & Tea, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Or you can order it online at Heloise.com. Heres a hint for those chilly nights in the fall and winter: Try heating up apple cider and steeping an orange-spiced tea bag in it. Yummy!Silvermans win was further vindication for the Districts progressives after a number of victories in recent years, most notable being the passage in 2016 of one of the nations most generous policies guaranteeing workers paid family and medical leave. Reeder had criticized that law  which Silverman championed  arguing that it directed too much of the citys money to people who work in the District but live in Maryland or Virginia.That means District residents over 21 can legally grow and use marijuana, and possess up to two ounces. But it must be used and grown on private property and cannot be exchanged for money, goods or services. Residents cannot buy marijuana as they can in six states that have legalized the drug, and the District is not able to tax transactions, losing what could be millions in revenue annually.It reminded me that back in the 1980s, 16th Street NW had a reversible lane for all vehicles that was much longer than what we have now near Columbia Road  or will have in 2020. I seem to remember it started right at the D.C.-Maryland border. Three lanes in, two lanes out in the morning. And in the afternoon, three lanes out, two in. I remember this because I was a delivery driver for a photo lab at the time.In interviews with The Washington Post, most of the candidates endorsed by the Washington Teachers Union said that the mayors power should be curtailed and that they supported efforts to remove the state superintendents office from mayoral control. The other candidates said the governance structure should remain the same or undergo slight changes.Stewart says he may not even run for reelection as chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors next year. And his brand of Trumpism  Stewart liked to say that he was Trump before Trump was Trump  doesnt appear to sell in the commonwealth.Asked whether he could have done more to campaign for down-ballot Republicans, Hogan said we got pretty involved in a lot of these races, pointing to fundraising dollars and campaign appearances he made on behalf of some candidates.I want the Democrats to take the House, and Trone is a Democrat, said Stanton Gildenhorn, a Montgomery County Democrat, explaining his support for the businessman whom he opposed in the primary. The issue I had with him in the primary was the expenditure of his own money. I thought that was outrageous. Thats over. Now the main aim is to take back the House. You dont unless you vote for Democrats.David Naimon, a member of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, said the scanner broke early in the day, leaving the Praisner center with just one working machine. The center also had been an early voting site, meaning anyone could vote there, regardless of where in the county they live  leading to confusion on Election Day, when that was no longer the case.Collingham Pl., 14500 block, 4:16 a.m. Oct. 28. A man and a female acquaintance were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. He threw a glass bowl that struck the woman on the back of the head and caused a deep laceration. The man fled in a vehicle where he later drove into a tree. The woman went to a hospital. A 26-year-old Woodbridge man was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, driving while intoxicated, unreasonable refusal, resisting arrest, felony hit and run, and driving with a revoked license.It is impossible to flip a seat to the Democrats without flipping it away from the Republicans, Niemeyer wrote. There can be no doubt that at every stage of the process, the States Democratic officials who put the 2011 redistricting plan in place specifically intended to flip control of the Sixth District from Republicans to Democrats and then acted on that intent.The two persons who were fatally shot in a car have been identified as Christopher Jermaine Williams, 28, of Woodbridge, and Israel Gamez, Jr.18, of Stafford, Va. On In a statement released Tuesday, the police indicated that Williams was one of two people who were to buy the shoes. According to police, Gamez was one of two other people who had arranged to sell the shoes.Other analysts said that in todays politically polarized environment, it was harder for Comstock to cooperate with Democrats than it had been for Wolf and another longtime Northern Virginia Republican congressman, Tom Davis III. Bipartisan cooperation in the region played a key role in getting federal funding to rebuild the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, for instance, and Davis helped lead the successful campaign for federal funding for Metro 10 years ago.It was most important for her to rally her base and not commit any unforced errors, said Del. Marcus B. Simon (D-Fairfax), a friend who serves with her in the legislature. That kind of a strategy doesnt look exciting. Its not Beto ORourke live-streaming lunch at Whataburger, but she wasnt running to close a gap. She had a lead to protect.In the face of millions and millions of dollars of money from around this country that poured into Virginia to attack my record, I stayed true to my principles and did what I told the voters I would do, he wrote. I am proud of what we did to get this economy moving again. Virginians have more money in their pockets and more job opportunities at higher wages. I am also proud of my work to stop online human trafficking and to fight back against the [opioid] epidemic. We are also rebuilding our military, giving them a much needed raise, and have taken care of our veterans by improving their health care system. Despite the fact the media would not report it, this is a record of results, not resistance.Its hard to go back to voters in Prince William County and say: I want to be on the Board of Supervisors when all youve spent your time doing for the past several years is running for other offices, and embarrassing a lot of residents in Prince William County along the way, Kidd said.Im a veteran of the blue wave of 2017. Its clear the blue wave is still around, said John Whitbeck, former chairman of the Virginia GOP, referring to Democratic gains in last years state election. Republicans have to figure out how theyre going to respond. Its clear we didnt this time around. I cant think of a better candidate and message than Barbara Comstock. Weve just got to figure out how to be better than weve been in this climate.The pre-abortion transvaginal ultrasound proposal was so absurd that one of the dudes advocating for it was put on the deep freeze in his own marital bed when the topic came up. Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax) thought this was so hilarious, he brought a boombox to the Assembly floor and blasted wacka-wacka-wonk music when he told the story.I think redistricting reform has become a sexier issue because I think people understand it, said Michael Li, senior counsel for the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. You go back 10, 15 years ago, and it was a really esoteric issue, it was dry, and thats completely changed. People understand what we currently have doesnt work and we need to fix something. And hopefully we can have a robust, nonpartisan debate about what that is.Uganda starts vaccinating medics amid Ebola fears: Uganda has started vaccinating health workers against Ebola in a border district near the outbreak in Congo, where the highly infectious viral disease has killed 189 people. The inoculations, using an experimental vaccine, are part of a wider Ebola prevention plan in a country that has faced multiple outbreaks since 2000. In recent months, Ebola cases have been confirmed near the heavily traveled border between Uganda and Congo, where 270 cases have been reported since August. Health workers are usually among the first to be infected in an outbreak.Or almost never. On Election Night, there was one unmitigated bright spot for Democrats and civil rights advocates in Florida: felony disenfranchisement  a relic of the Jim Crow era designed to prevent blacks from voting  was abolished with the passage of Amendment 4, which automatically restores voting rights to more than 1 million convicted felons  disproportionately people of color  in Florida who have completed their sentences. This landmark ballot referendum came too late for Gillum to capitalize on in his historic run for governor, but those voters will be able to make their voices known next time around.At his post-election news conference Wednesday, Trump unsurprisingly bragged about Republican gains in the Senate and ascribed the victories to his own campaigning. But the clear pickups, coming in the core conservative states of North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri, also defined the limits of Trumps strategy. Even as Trumpism was receding in swing areas and among moderate and suburban voters  well-educated women, above all  his party was being more and more defined in his image.I went home to a restful nights sleep, because there was some good news to cheer, even though the midterm results were not all that I had hoped for. I wanted to see a root-and-branch repudiation of the Trumpist transformation of the Republican Party. The race-baiting and immigrant-bashing were particularly squalid in the last weeks of the campaign  and President Trump was hardly the sole culprit. Other Republicans did not denounce his despicable tactics and even imitated them. A friend in Florida, for example, sent me a last-minute email from the Palm Beach County Republican Party warning GOP voters that George Soros, Andrew Gillum and their people are looking for pay back for our 2016 victory! Dont allow their money, influence or tricks to ruin this election or your familys future! Their people? Their money? This wasnt dog-whistling. This was a wolf-whistle to white voters suspicious of wealthy Jews such as Soros and powerful African Americans such as Gillum. Sadly, it worked: Gillum lost after leading in pre-election polls.California voters have reclaimed their time. Or, more accurately, theyve taken a big step to do away with an anachronistic policy that does nothing but mess with circadian rhythms: daylight saving time. On Tuesday, Californians passed Proposition 7, which will attempt to establish daylight saving year-round. Who knows if it will actually happen, as implementing the policy will require Congress to approve the change, and everyone knows how good Congress is at doing such tasks. Florida attempted the same thing earlier this year, and its still waiting for Congress to take up the issue. But in any case, Prop 7 is a sensible recognition that, no, daylight saving time doesnt really save us much money on energy, as its proponents have long argued, and, yes, jostling with the hours of our day reduces productivity and is associated with higher traffic fatalities. So thank you, California. Now everyone else should follow its lead. Robert GebelhoffDay after day, Trump did what Trump does: said preposterous things so the media would break out in hives and move away from unpleasantness, such as whether the United States would hold the Saudis accountable for Khashoggis murder. The House and Senate have discussed curtailing the arms sales about which Trump has boasted, but otherwise, the status quo is relaxed and tanned.Imagine yourself as a child hearing from your mom that you must leave your house before the landlord comes and throws your belongings on the front lawn. Youre told that you must pack only the things you need and the rest will have to go to a storage unit. You watch as your bed is taken apart and your toys are boxed up and locked away  not knowing when youll see them again. Now imagine you lose that storage unit and everything in it because youre unable to pay the monthly storage fees.Voter access remained a concern in Georgia into the evening given the policies that Kemp tried to push through. His current position as secretary of state puts him in charge of election operations  essentially making him both competitor and referee. According to preliminary results by AP VoteCasts Georgia survey, nearly 3 in 10 voters in that race said they were not confident that people eligible to vote would be allowed to do so.Some House races, including those in California where Democrats hoped to pick up seats, remained to be counted, and Democrats fell short in some districts they had hoped to win. But overall, they did what they set out to do, which was to find a way to put a check on the president and a Republican Party that had held all the levers of power in Washington since 2016.I have to say . . . that would be my first thought: Why dont I deliver it to the embassy? said Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Mailing it to the foreign minister in some country and assuming its going to get there in any reasonable time, I think youre much more likely to reach them through the embassy.Blumenthal was among several Democrats and a handful of Republicans who pushed for Congress to pass a bill protect a special counsel from indiscriminate firing, by giving that counsel the ability to swiftly appeal that decision in the courts. But momentum around the bill flagged over the several months since it was introduced  and even the Republican co-sponsors of the legislation declared last month that there was no need to pass the measure to constrain the president.The Republican governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, was also term-limited, and will be replaced by Democrat Steve Sisolak, who won out over Republican Adam Laxalt. Today, people from every corner of the state stood up and turned out to stay its time to bring people together, Sisolak, a businessman and county commissioner, told supporters in a victory speech. Its time to prioritize our schools, our jobs and our health care. Its time to stop the petty politics and get things done.

Walker, 51, first elected in 2010, has been one of the most polarizing governors in the states history, beginning with his first months in office when he rode an early clash with organized labor to fame and survived a heated recall campaign the following year. Hes a hero to many conservatives, but voter after voter, especially teachers, will still say how angry and bitter they are about that union-busting episode.House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman, celebrate Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington. (Evelyn Hockstein for The Washington Post)

Democrats seized control of the House while Republicans held the Senate on Tuesday in a national referendum on President Trump that drew record numbers of voters to the polls and opened the door to tougher oversight of the White House over the next two years.

The dramatic conclusion of the most expensive and consequential midterms in modern times fell short of delivering the sweeping repudiation of Trump wished for by Democrats and the resistance movement. But Democrats win of the House still portended serious changes in Washington, as the party prepared to block Trumps agenda and investigate his personal finances and potential ties to Russia.

An immediate post-election change to Trumps Cabinet came Wednesday when Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the presidents request. The move threw the future of the special counsels Russia investigation into uncertainty and clarified partisan battle lines after light talk of compromise following the election.

[Midterm election updates: Live coverage]

Trump had declined to answer a question about Sessionss fate hours earlier at a combative news conference where he vowed to adopt a warlike posture in response to any attempt by House Democrats to investigate his administration.

Democrats have gained more than the 23 House seats needed to win a majority. But some other key races remained too close to call, including the Senate contests in Arizona and Florida and the gubernatorial matchup in Georgia. Republicans appeared to lead in all three as of Wednesday afternoon.

House Democrats are prepared to launch investigations of Trump and to closely scrutinize his policies on immigration, education and health care. But they are wary of immediately pursuing impeachment, concerned that such a move would undermine lawmakers who represent districts that Trump won in 2016.

Trump said that investigations launched by the House would jeopardize prospects for bipartisan deals on issues such as trade, infrastructure and prescription drug costs.

[Midterm elections: Democrats flip House as GOP expands Senate majority]

They can play that game, but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate, Trump said, referring to GOP control of the upper chamber.  . . . I think Im better at that game than they are, actually, but well find out.

At her own news conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Democrats have a responsibility for oversight but said committees efforts would not be scattershot.

Well know what we are doing and well do it right, she said.

Jockeying for House leadership positions began in earnest Wednesday. Pelosi is widely considered to be the front-runner to retake the speakers gavel, despite dozens of Democratic candidates calling for new leadership during the campaign.

Trump, who demonized Pelosi on the campaign trail, threw his support behind her bid.

I think she deserves it, he told reporters. Shes fought long and hard. Shes a very capable person.

On the Republican side, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio) said in an interview with Hill.TV that he would challenge Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) for the role of minority leader. The move, while expected, underscored conservatives desire to expand their power within the GOP conference after a bruising election.

McCarthy announced his bid later in the day.

[Republicans retain control of Senate with candidates who embraced Trump]

Lawmakers will return to Capitol Hill next week, and both parties will hold leadership elections this month.

In a new talking point, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) cautioned Democrats against engaging in presidential harassment in the form of overly aggressive oversight.

The Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment is good strategy. Im not sure it will work for them, he told reporters Wednesday.

Trump sought to make Tuesdays elections a referendum on his presidency. Returning to his 2016 campaign playbook, he delivered fiery speeches that drew massive and enthusiastic crowds but were full of falsehoods, invective and demagoguery.

Key suburban districts rejected his pitch, along with most women.

Democrats won womens support by 19 points, the largest margin in the history of midterm exit polling, compared with their margin of four points in 2014, according to network exit surveys from CNN. Independent women voted for Democratic candidates by a 17-point margin after narrowly supporting Republicans in 2014. And white women, a reliable voting bloc for the GOP, split their votes evenly between the two parties this year, after favoring Republicans by 14 points in 2014 and by 19 points in 2010.

Voters under 30 also favored Democrats this year by a 35-point margin over Republicans, compared with an 11-point margin in 2014, the polls found.

[Conservatives now wonder if transactional Trump might leave them in the cold]

Democrats, who picked up at least seven governorships, performed well in several states Trump won. In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers bested Gov. Scott Walker, the onetime Republican star who ran for president in 2016. Even Kansas elected a Democratic governor, rejecting Trump ally Kris Kobach.

But while the party held onto its Senate seats in West Virginia and Montana  and picked up one more in Nevada  it was disappointed elsewhere.

Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Claire McCaskill of Missouri all lost their seats to Republicans who campaigned as Trump allies. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), with his reelection in doubt, said Wednesday that his race was proceeding to a recount.

In some ways, the outcome was similar to that of 2016, with late polls overestimating Democratic enthusiasm and Republicans showing unanticipated resilience.

The liberal movements biggest stars this election cycle struggled against the odds. Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally. In Texas, Rep. Beto ORourke (D) failed to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R). And in Kentucky, former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, a Democrat, was defeated by incumbent Rep. Garland Andy Barr (R).

[Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor and former GOP presidential candidate, loses reelection bid]

Some Democrats held out hope for Georgia, where gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams refused to concede her too-close-to-call race against Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp. The race might be headed for a recount.

Abrams and Gillum, both African American, confronted some of the most overt racial attacks since the civil rights era as they sought to make history as their states first black governors.

Robo-calls in Georgia featured a voice impersonating Oprah Winfrey and calling Abrams a poor mans Aunt Jemima. In Florida, robo-calls mimicked Gillum as jungle sounds and chimpanzee noises were heard in the background.

Trump contributed to the simmering racial tension. Describing himself as a nationalist, he vilified a migrant caravan headed slowly toward the U.S. border with Mexico and released a television ad on immigration that was rejected as offensive by the major networks.

Trump also called Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, not equipped, and Abrams, a leader in the Georgia state legislature, not qualified to be governors.

[Meet the 116 women who won their midterms]

The racial overtones put that explosive form of politics on the ballot, with major stakes for Republicans. The GOP is now overwhelmingly white, while Democrats have a much more multiracial coalition that represents the direction in which the countrys demographics are heading.

Tuesdays results were set to transform the House in terms of gender, age and ethnicity. The new Democratic majority will be more female and more racially diverse, with several history-making members, including two Muslim women and two Native American women.

The House Republican Conference will be more white and more male as several GOP women depart.

Philip Bump, Scott Clement, Karoun Demirjian, David A. Fahrenthold, Amy Gardner, Anne Gearan, Emily Guskin, Paul Kane, Beth Reinhard and John Wagner contributed to this report.

Read more coverage

Midterm election live updates

Think youll know who won on election night? Not so fast.This was an election brimming with paradoxes. In a country where nearly eight in 10 voters say the economy is doing well, a solid 54 percent of voters also believe that the nation is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll of 69 battleground districts. Over and over on a day when Americans appeared to make a split decision about control of Congress, people with wildly different perceptions of reality expressed a common belief that the country is in trouble and needs urgent care.More than 100 women were projected to win seats in the House of Representatives, easily shattering the record. Overwhelmingly they were Democrats who helped the party take control of the chamber.

Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House. With votes still being counted Thursday, 100 women had been officially declared winners.

Women made history in a number of ways and were a significant force in flipping many districts from red to blue, said Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

Many of the winning candidates campaigned on the need for better health care for all Americans. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds  from military veterans to teachers  and many had never run for office before.

Women also made inroads in gubernatorial races, which are particularly important because of upcoming redistricting battles.

In Kansas and Michigan, women flipped states that had been under Republican control.



Democrat Jennifer Wexton, center, unseated Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach, with whom Trump had campaigned in Kansas last month.

Gretchen Whitmer, a former state senator in Michigan, won her race after campaigning on a promise to fix the states roads and aging drinking-water infrastructure, and to expand Medicaid to lower-income adults.

Notably, Michigan Democrats selected a woman for every statewide office on Tuesdays ballot: governor, U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of state.

[We are tracking all 277 female candidates for Congress and governor]

Georgia had the highest-profile governors race. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who won the backing of former president Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, was aiming to be the first black female governor in the nation.

But she was trailing early Wednesday behind Trump-backed candidate Brian Kemp, Georgias secretary of state, who cast himself as a politically incorrect hard-line immigration candidate like the president.

The women who ran this year were remarkably diverse  black, Latina, Native American. But noticeably absent on ballots were more Republican women.

We need to go out and get our women engaged, said Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership. We are being dwarfed by the Democrats. This is something we are going to focus on.

Chamberlain said she hears voters in key districts talking mostly about an affordable health-care system that serves everyone, even those with preexisting medical conditions. That has been the loud and clear message of many Democratic candidates.

The new faces coming to Congress include:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, 29, a Latina who defeated incumbent Joseph Crowley in a decisive primary, is heading to the House.

In Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton unseated Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock.

Deb Haaland, a Democrat in New Mexico, will be one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress.

In Florida, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Ecuador and an educator, focused her campaign largely on health care and toppled Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo. Curbelo had voted to repeal Obamacare in a district that contains thousands of people who benefited from it.

Michigans Rashida Tlaib, born in Detroit to Palestinian parents, and Minnesotas Ilhan Omar, who arrived in the United States from Somalia at age 14, won their House races, becoming the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

At a rally in Minneapolis on Monday night, Omar was cheered wildly, and danced as she was introduced.

The opportunity to be here, to participate in this democracy, has made me want to dance, and door-knock and talk to people and invite people to the joy of what it means to participate in a democracy, she told a crowd of volunteers.

What I want to do for you is have my energy be contagious, she said.

Some GOP women won key races.

Marsha Blackburn, who called herself a hardcore, card-carrying conservative, became the first female senator ever elected from Tennessee. Backed by Trump in the Republican state, she defeated Phil Bredesen, a centrist Democrat and former governor.

Democrats did not fare well as well in the Senate as they did in the House.

In Missouri, one of the few Democratic women in the Senate, Claire McCaskill, was defeated by Republican state attorney general Josh Hawley.

While men with military backgrounds have long been recruited to run for office, this year many of the candidates who drew the most attention were female veterans.

Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and first-time Democratic candidate, won in Pennsylvanias 6th Congressional District race, replacing retiring Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican.

Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and Democrat, won in New Jerseys 11th Congressional District. She said she was motivated to run for office by what she calls a lack of respect for women by the Trump administration and was astounded to see an all-male Senate panel debating whether to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year.

But one of the most well known, Kentucky Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, lost a close race to Republican incumbent Andy Barr. Trump had won that district handily.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative, pulled off a big win in Virginia by unseating Republican Rep. Dave Brat, a rising star among conservatives.

Four years ago, Brat defeated Eric Cantor, then the House majority leader, in a stunning upset. Brat was part of the House Freedom Caucus.

In Arizona, a close race between Republican Martha McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot, and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who is openly bisexual, means that Arizona will have its first female senator no matter who wins.

They are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

A record 33 of the Tuesdays matchups for Congress were women vs. women. In Florida, Democrat Donna Shalala, the former president of the University of Miami and Cabinet member during the Clinton administration, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, a broadcast journalist of Cuban heritage, according to early results.

Are women fired up? That is putting it mildly, said Jen Cox, a founder of PaveItBlue. Her group, one of many formed since Trumps election and after the Womens March, connected thousands of women in the Atlanta area interested in becoming more politically active.

Its historic. Its our turn in having a say in changing the face of politics, Cox said.

Dittmar, from Rutgers, said the female candidates in 2018 did not fit any particular mold. She noted that even with the gains, women were still underrepresented.

The United States trails behind many other countries, from Mexico to Britain, in the legislative representation of women.

Still, Dittmar said Tuesdays election was a significant jump, it wasnt incremental.

Along with better health care, other key issues that helped propel women were their pledges to better protect the environment and to help stop the rising incivility and divisions among Americans.

This is only just the beginning, said Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emilys List, an influential Democratic-leaning group that supports women in politics. I think we are going to see a historical turnout of women in 2020  this is not dying down.

Torey Van Oot in Minneapolis contributed to this report.Hanging over the House is the question of whether Democrats will pursue an effort to impeach Trump. It is possible a report by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III will make a case for impeachment. That is what happened in 1998, when independent counsel Kenneth Starr sent a report to Congress that presented the grounds for the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. The report was written in part by Brett M. Kavanaugh, a Starr aide who is now a Supreme Court justice chosen by Trump.There is no mistaking what this means, and what is at stake: this is a constitutionally perilous moment for our country and for the President, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) said in a statement. He is set to take over in January as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, the panel that would oversee any impeachment proceedings.They were able to pick up at least one seat in the Sun Belt, where Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) unseated Sen. Dean Heller (R), a onetime Trump critic who warmed up to the president during the campaign. Conceding defeat late Tuesday, Heller said, I take the blame, while Rosen, who is Jewish, cast her victory as a rejoinder to all the hate that Ive seen recently, that weve all seen.Although panel Democrats have not yet determined how many investigations they will open in January, any number would be going up from zero, one Democratic committee staff member said, complaining that literally not one document, not one subpoena was issued to the White House by Republicans.The pilots had a battle on their hands for a few minutes, she said. They couldnt get above 5,000 feet at a time when they should have been over [10,000]. Something happened three to four minutes into the flight. They called to turn back to the airport, but they didnt call mayday, which means they didnt have time. They were fighting something.Even before the Democrats won the House on Tuesday, the Trump administration was pursuing plans to spend by 4.5 percent less on the military than it had initially planned for next year. The move came in response to a 17 percent increase in the federal deficit in 2018, the largest jump in six years, which resulted in part from the confluence of factors Smith predicted.There has not been a single case brought by this administration to enforce the Voting Rights Act or to take up the crisis with voter suppression that we are seeing in the country right now, and that is deeply troubling, said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. What we have seen from the Justice Department is the agency reversing course on cases involving the Texas ID law and Ohios voter purge program.In the past few weeks, the two sides appear to have grown further apart. North Korea has increased its demands: It had been asking the United States to formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, but now it is arguing it needs sanctions relief before it takes any further steps.Since taking office, Trudeau has delivered several high-profile apologies, so many that he has faced the charge of apologizing too much. Critics wonder what work an apology does, who benefits and whether saying sorry is ever really enough.US offers up reward for PKK terrorists

The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program offers up to $12 million reward for 3 senior PKK terrorists.

The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program has authorized up to $12 million of rewards for information leading to the identification or location of the senior members of the PKK terrorist group, according to a statement made Tuesday by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer, who was in Turkey for a visit.

WASHINGTON APPROVED

Released by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the statement said Washington approved up to $5 million for information on PKK's acting leader Murat Karaylan, $4 million for Cemil Bayk and $3 million for Duran Kalkan.

KARAYILAN HAS BEEN THE PKK'S ACTING LEADER

Karaylan has been the PKK's acting leader ever since the organization's founder and leader, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured by Turkish security forces in 1999. Founding member and senior leader of the PKK, Bayk is also among the members of the Koma Civaken Kurdistan (KCK), an umbrella group covering the PKK and its offshoots in the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq; Iran and Syria. Bayk is the main culprit of a car bomb attack which killed 35 people in Ankara's central Kzlay Square in March 2016.

DURAN KALKAN IS THE ANOTHER SENIOR LEADER

Duran Kalkan, another senior leader of the terrorist group, is responsible for an attack that killed seven Turkish soldiers in December 2009. Palmer arrived in Turkey on Sunday and met with a number of high-level Turkish government officials, business leaders, and members of Parliament, exchanging views on issues of mutual interest and concern.

The announcement came after ties between the two countries started to normalize as both countries lifted sanctions against their top officials on Sunday. U.S. Treasury Department removed Turkey's Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu from its global Magnitsky Act sanctions list. Following Washington's move, Turkey reciprocated by lifting sanctions against Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Formed in 1978, the PKK terrorist group has been fighting the Turkish government for an independent state. Its terror campaign has caused the deaths of more than 40,000 people. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union. The PKK resumed its decades-old campaign in July 2015 after a three-year cease-fire collapsed. Since then more than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks.

WASHINGTON SUPPORTS YPG

Despite its latest move to offer rewards for information about senior PKK officials, Washington continues to support the PKK's offshoot the People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has long told Washington that the YPG is no different from the PKK and partnering with one terrorist group against another is not acceptable.

Turkey has repeatedly criticized the U.S. for delivering weapons and military equipment to PKK's Syrian affiliate the YPG and its decision to perform joint patrols with the terrorist group. To date the U.S. has sent a total of 4,700 heavy weapons and armored vehicles to the YPG. The YPG was the focus of Turkey's cross-border counterterrorism operation Operation Olive Branch,in Afrin, Syria, near Turley's southern border.The man fatally mauled by a shark in the Whitsunday Island's Cid Harbour on Monday has been identified as 33-year-old Victorian doctor Daniel Christidis.

A spokeswoman for Austin Health in Melbourne, where Dr Christidis worked as a research fellow in the urology department, said the organisation was "devastated by the news" and that it was making arrangements to support staff and his family after the tragedy.

Daniel Christidis was a research fellow at Austin Health in Melbourne. Credit:Twitter

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr Daniel Christidis who was a research fellow with Austin Health," the organisation said in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with his family during this extremely difficult time. We are reaching out to his colleagues and will provide counselling support to anyone who needs it."Police have issued a public plea to help find a woman last seen leaving a medical facility in Perth on Tuesday morning.

Ms Cecez was last seen on Tuesday morning.

Senada Cecez left the facility about 5am and the 54-year-old has not been seen since.

She is described as fair skinned with a medium build about 164cm tall.

Ms Cecez has blonde/greying hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink jumper and a grey, long-sleeved top with dark blue jeans, navy shoes and a small brown handbag.Paris: Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has called for a "real European army" to defend the continent against Russia, China and even the US.

French President Emmanuel Macron. Credit:AP

Mr Macron, who has pushed for a joint EU military force since his election last year, issued the call in northern France in the run-up to the centenary of the end of the First World War.

"We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army," Mr Macron said in the interview at Verdun, the scene of France's most bloody battle.

His call came as he was due to welcome Donald Trump, the US president, and other world leaders, including Theresa May and Russia's Vladimir Putin, to France to commemorate Armistice centenary this weekend.The body of slain gangster John Macris will be laid to rest at Sydney's Rookwood cemetery next to that of his little sister Vicki who died of leukemia in the 1980s.

His second wife, model Viktoria Karyda, boarded a flight for Sydney from Athens on Wednesday along with Macris' Australian teenage son from his first marriage.

Macris' parents, who by the end of the week will have buried two of their three children, are also accompanying his body home. Their last remaining child, Alex Macris, is also on the flight to Sydney.

Karyda and Macris' two children, Achilles and Alexandra, are staying in Greece after attending their father's funeral service in Voula, south of Athens on Sunday.

Wild Atlantic Way Attractions Putting Irish Food and Drink at the TOP of their Menu

Bringing the finest in local culinary practices to the menu is one of the aims of the Taste of Place programme run by Failte Ireland for attractions on the Wild Atlantic Way. As part of the programme, the National Tourism Development Authority this week held a workshop in the Good Things Cafe Cookery School in Skibbereen to highlight how providing visitors with locally sourced food can drive revenue growth.



The programme includes an introduction to how food motivates the visitor with participants discovering the latest in tourist trends and culinary concepts together with best practice examples of where local authentic food offerings drive revenue growth in business and enhance value perception. They will also get a variety of cookery demonstrations from industry leaders and take part in working sessions to inspire change and deliver a renewed food and beverage offering.



The programme aims to support catering teams to deliver an authentic and quality food and beverage experience that is rooted in place by:

 Introducing more menu options that reflect the culinary traditions of a local area.

 Sourcing ingredients from local Irish suppliers.

 Linking elements of the food offering to the wider destination brands.



Sinead Hennessey, Food Tourism Officer at Failte Ireland said:



Taste of Place is a certification programme that recognizes tourism attractions that are committed to sourcing local Irish food and drink. We can all accept that food is more important than ever as consumers continue to become more conscious around their choices and it is great to see so many visitor experiences capitalizing on this growing trend. Since its inception, Taste of Place has worked with over 70 visitor attractions all across our programmes including Irelands Ancient East to advance the local offering, making a significant impact on visitor satisfaction and revenue growth



Food and beverages are integral to the overall tourism experience in Ireland and Failte Ireland research shows that 80% of visitors believe it is an important part of their visit and has a significant impact on their overall satisfaction levels in a destination.





List of Participants:



Mizen Head Visitor Centre

Clonakilty Distillery

Clonakilty Black Pudding

Allihies Copper Mine Museum - The Copper Cafe

Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Meditation Centre

Louis Mulcahy Cafe

Dun Beag Fort

Burren Smokehouse

Wild Kitchen

Julia's Lobster Truck

The Burren Centre, Kilfenora

Jump to topDear Mr. Editor,

Please allow me space to take issue with certain comments by the REV. Frederick McAlpine, MP. If McAlpine was my Member of Parliament I would be doing everything possible to have him unseated. It would appear his word is of far more importance than the needs of his constituents and all other Bahamian citizens.

Bahamians have been waiting for 15 YEARS, that is 10 years of PLP governments and 5 years of an FNM government, for an operational Post Office. At the start of another FNM government, one of whose election platforms was a new Post Office, one of its members, albeit an exceedingly wealthy one, has volunteered to make space available in his family-owned shopping centre as a temporary home for the Main Post Office, at a substantially reduced rent to boot.

Sorry, there is no conflict of interest. Firstly it is unlikely that Mr. Symonettes ownership interest in the Town Centre Mall is a state secret and, anyway he pre-empted any calls for conflict by announcing such interest to all members of the House in an open session.

I must also wonder if Rev. McAlpine was one of those calling for Minister Symonettes resignation, because he, Symonette, cannot serve two masters.

Would Reverend McAlpine also consider resignation, and any other MPs who have their own churches, as I understand this applies to one of the other fearsome four, for the very same reason?

George FrancisThe kill that started it all. This deer and the others found to be taken illegally were confiscated.

Two Kimball County residents face multiple charges, an open investigation continues.

According to police reports, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at approximately 11 a.m., Deputy Jason Hottell of the Kimball County Sheriffs Office was on call when he noticed a Ford pickup driving west on County Road 6 south of Dix with what looked to be a buck in the bed of the pickup. Seeing the antlers, Hottell turned around and began to follow the vehicle suspicious that the buck was taken on private property.

"I noticed the antlers and, knowing this is only archery season and that there is no concealment along County Road 6, and there is not public hunting areas in that part of the county, my suspicions were raised, and I began to follow in attempts to gain more detail," said Deputy Hottell.

Hottell was assisted in this investigation by Wildlife Conservation Officer Jim Zimmerman of the Nebraska Game and Parks, along with Henderson Bryson of the Kimball Police Department.

Once in Kimball the Ford pulled over and Hottell questioned the driver, Brandon Barker, and passenger, Cecilia Biberos, both of Kimball.

Hottell asked Barker if he had a archery deer permit, Barker responded yes and that he had shot this deer with his bow. Hottell examined the 4x4 Mule deer buck and found no evidence of blood, which would be associated with a shot of the broadhead tip Barker claimed to be using.

Barker was asked if he had any other weapons in the vehicle, he responded yes, a .22 rifle. Hottell asked if that is what the deer was shot with and Barker stated no, at first, then later admitted to the illegal method of take with a firearm during archery season.

Hottell and Zimmerman wondered if this was the sole deer Barker had taken illegally this season.

Following up on this hunch, law enforcement officials uncovered information about more deer illegally taken, two from 2017 and three from this year.

During the ensuing investigation officials noted a total of six Mule deer, to date, however this matter is still under investigation and awaiting more possible charges including a total of six people,from Kimball County Attorney Dave Wilson.

"Everything just snowballed after Barker admitted to the illegal take down of the buck, he admitted to everything else regarding the others," Hottell said.

Barker is currently charged with; illegal method of take, a class two misdemeanor, hunting without permission, a class three misdemeanor, shoot onto or across land without permission, a class five misdemeanor, as well as wildlife prohibited acts-liquidation damages $2,000 per Mule deer.

Biberos is currently charged with accessory to; illegal method of take, hunting without permission, shoot onto or across land with out permission with the same possible sentences as Barker.

Law enforcement seized two rifles, a compound bow, two deer including the 4x4 buck that initiated the stop as well as one set of 4x5 antlers.

In addition to the misdemeanor charges and fines of $2,000 per Mule deer, Barker and one other may face $12,000 in pending charges of liquidation of damages. This money, if received, will be issued to the Nebraska Game and Parks to help supply proper equipment and funds to patrol the wildlife and hunting areas.

"This 4x4 that we initially found was just two inches short of being considered a trophy buck," Hottell added.

Courtsey Photo This deer was shot at the beginning of October 2018. Firearm season does not open until Nov. 10, 2018. All illegal kills, or parts thereor, were confiscated.

According to Nebraska Legislature, a trophy buck Mule deer in the state of Nebraska is a minimum of eight total points and an inside spread between beams of at least 22 inches. The fine for taking a trophy buck Mule deer illegally is $10,000 per deer for liquidation damages.

A trophy buck Whitetail deer is a minimum of eight total points and an inside spread between beams of at least 16 inches. A fine $10,000 per deer is assessed for any animal taken unlawfully.

A reminder to Kimball County residents that the Kimball County Sheriffs Office covers a wide spread area, approximately 952 miles. They will continue to patrol areas and enforce laws and regulations especially during firearm season, with an opening day of Nov. 10 through Nov. 18.

"The responsibility to know and understand the rules and regulations of hunting and fishing in Nebraska is up to to the harvester," said Hottell.Karen DeBoer introduced Blanke to the Kimball County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Nov. 5. Pictured, from left, are Daria Anderson-Faden, DeBoer, Blanke, Larry Engstrom and Tim Nolting.

Home is where the heart is... this motto rings true to many, no matter their differences. For Jennifer Blanke home is where ever the life and love for agriculture may take her.

Born and raised just down the road in Sidney, Jennifer grew up in a farming and ranching lifestyle, from the love of the open ranges to 4-H during high school and beyond.

She graduated from Leyton High School in 2010 then began to further her education at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. She graduated NJC with an Associates degree in Ag Business and Animal Science then moved on to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Jennifer graduated CSU in 2018 with a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Education and concentrated in Agriculture literacy.

Also while attending CSU she was part of the Professional Agriculture Sorority, Sigma Alpha and had the opportunity to volunteer in many aspects of agriculture.

"We volunteered in a lot of agriculture classes, we had the chance to plan programs and present them into different school systems," she said.

Over the past two years Jennifer has been a jack of all trades as she explained, from a cowboyin' lifestyle with her two horses Ace and Coley, to a coffee barista, and a paraprofessional. However as of Monday, Nov. 5, her heart may have finally found home.

Jennifer accepted a position as the new Extension Program 4-H Assistant in Kimball and Banner Counties.

"I am thrilled to get to work with kids of all ages, and I want to focus on empowering the younger generation to want to do better," she said.

Jennifer is thrilled to have been greeted with open arms from the Kimball community thus far, and being familiar with the small town atmosphere she can't wait to dive right in.

Courtsey Photo Jennifer and her two horses Ace and Coley

"I want expand what great improvements the community of Kimball has made in the past and to get more engagement between Kimball and Banner Counties and 4-H," she said. "I think it is vital for people, young and old, to learn how we, as a country and a community, need all of the different aspects of agriculture in every day life and the major importance of agriculture as a whole. These kids are our future of agriculture and I want to improve and continue to educate all that want to learn."

The community of Kimball would like to welcome Jennifer and wish her all the best in her new career.With a number of contested races, Kimball County and City of Kimball voters turned out last Tuesday to decide who will be on the local boards.

The number of registered voters in Kimball County totaled 2,824 and 1,402 cast their ballots. Though the number is about half of the total of registered voters, County Clerk Cathy Sibal said that the number is increased from previous midterm elections. There was also an increase in absentee ballots cast this year, with many voting early.

Contested races include the partisan county races for Clerk of the District Court, Kimball County Board of Commissioners as well as non-partisan races for Kimball City Council, the Village of Dix Board of Trustees, the Village of Bushnell Board of Trustees and Kimball Board of Education.

The contested race for Kimball Mayor was close with incumbent Keith Prunty earning 477 votes compared to challenger James Cederburg's 348, thereby maintaining the position.

City Council member Christy Warner retained her position on the council with 495 votes and will be joined by Matt Bright who earned 516 votes. Former councilman John Morrison took 461 votes.

Longtime Kimball School Board member Lynn Vogel earned 516 votes and will retain her position on the board. She will be joined by current board member Matt Shoup who got a staggering 819 votes and newcomer Travis Cook, with 721 votes. Jared Reich got 486 votes, Brad Reader got 433 and Renee Castagna 308.

Clerk of the District Court for Kimball County will be Deb Diemoz with 900 votes, her challenger, Diana Engstrom earned 478.

Kimball County Commissioner Larry Engstrom retained his seat on the board with 683 votes and Daria Anderson-Faden was ousted by challenger Brandon Mossberg with 640 votes to his 913.

Wayne Elliott and Jesse Williamson will sit on the Village of Dix Board of Trustees and the Village of Bushnell Board of Trustees will be Tim Nolting and Colleen Howington.

Ryan McElroy and John Ferguson both retain their seats on the Airport Authority Board.

Keri Rasmussen Mendoza, Linda S. Shoemaker and Joseph Nicklas will sit on the Potter-Dix School Board.

In addition to local decisions, and the Nebraska Gubernatorial race between incumbents Ricketts/Foley and challengers Krist/Walz, the 2018 midterm elections decided winners in the United States Senator race between Deb Fischer, Jane Raybould and Jim Schultz and the Congressional race for District 3 between Adrian Smith and Paul Theobald.

In those races Ricketts, Smith, Fischer and Secretary of State Bob Evnen retained their positions.

The Village of Dix proposed imposing a one-half percent sales and use tax on transactions made within Village limits if the transaction is already taxed by the State of Nebraska. Voters in the village defeated the proposal 47/31.

Initiative Measure 427, proposed by petition, would expand eligibility for medical assistance to adults aged 19 through 64 if certain requirements are met, including an income eligibility of 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Voters defeated the initiative.In Trinidad, at the recent Massy Business Integrity Framework Workshop, group senior VP and general counsel Angelique Parisot-Potter talked about open secrets, the ones that everyone knows, yet no one talks about.

In our anti-bribery compliance world, those open secrets abound.

As I often say, when it comes to graft, cooking the books, other forms of fraud, it takes a village to do it, and another village to look the other way.

We sometimes call those who engage in such acts as co-conspirators, and you can find them in plea bargains and other public regulatory filings (in my own case, there were plenty, even if unindicted). At the Massy event, Angelique focused on the village that looks the other way, what I think of as gatekeepers to open secrets.

Ive written for the FCPA Blog about the link between accounting and anti-bribery violations. In the Alere enforcement action, for example, the SEC documented how Alere improperly inflated revenues by prematurely recording sales for products that were still being stored at warehouses or otherwise not yet delivered to the customers, adding that Alere engaged in improper revenue recognition practices at several other subsidiaries.

That kind of conduct is more common than many realize, especially in publicly listed companies. When I proffered to the SEC in 2007 about distribution stuffing  not writing down bad-debt and other accounting maneuvers  the SEC lawyers mentioned how often theyd seen those practices and others like them.

In thinking about those acts, first, someone in the organization had to place the orders, others had to manufacture them, book the sales, and then ship and store the products. Some or many of those in organizations like Alere, my former employer, and others like them, likely knew the open secrets about the conduct. But no one spoke up about it, at least not until the very end.

Sure, once the secret is out and the investigators show up, the gatekeepers might start talking. But by then its too late. The damage to the company is done.

In an anti-corruption setting, perhaps sales samples are misused as a way of unduly influencing officials. Again, samples had to be produced, shipped somewhere, and handed out to foreign officials as an inducement to win or keep business. With so many functions involved in those processes, there will be open-secret gatekeepers looking the other way.

I once circumvented trade controls to get armored products to coalition forces in Iraq that were understandably desperate for deliveries. While I thought of my law-breaking as virtuous (as awful as that sounds), there were those that conspired with me to bypass the controls, but there was another group that knew about it, and kept the open secret of my lawless behavior.

How do we get the gatekeepers of open secrets to speak up?

At the Massy event, Angelique and Wendy Addison, the CEO of SpeakOut SpeakUp, role played, where psychological mind traps and negative automatic thoughts were shown to inhibit speaking up. They addressed those issues to reduce the behavioral resistance to speaking up.

Angelique Parisot-Potter speaking at the Massy Business Integrity Framework Workshop

Any organization would do well to start talking about the issue of open secrets, by first acknowledging they exist. That conversation shouldnt be limited to commercial personnel. It should include support functions, from finance to shipping, so that those former or would-be gatekeepers instead feel deputized and inspired to be ethics and integrity ambassadors.

There will always be impediments to speaking-up. Complaining in this organization is futile and meaningless  nothing ever changes, some will think. Or theres the fear of personal and professional retribution. Or losing ones friends at the company. Or simple thinking, its none of my business.

But as I learned once again at the Massy event, keeping an open secret is easier than talking about one. So, its a good idea for me to end this post the way Ive finished other posts: Its time to talk.

____

Richard Bistrong, pictured above, is a contributing editor of the FCPA Blog. His popular real-life compliance training video, Behind the Bribe, produced in cooperation with Mastercard, was released in 2017. To request a demo of the full eleven-minute video or a licensing fee schedule, please click here.The corporate compliance community glimpsed a rare event in August: a federal court decision, U.S. v. Hoskins, tried to define the limits of individual liability under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Court rulings about the scope of the FCPA are rare. This decision is even more important because of its potential reach, as it came from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, the jurisdiction thats home to a large number of global corporations.

In this case, the defendant Lawrence Hoskins worked for Alstom S.A., a French construction conglomerate that doesnt trade on U.S. stock exchanges. Hoskins is a British citizen who was employed by Alstoms UK subsidiary and also worked for another Alstom subsidiary in Paris  where, U.S. prosecutors alleged, he helped to arrange bribes that an American subsidiary of Alstom paid to government officials in Indonesia.

Hoskins was charged with conspiracy to violate the FCPA for his role in the bribery scheme. Ultimately, the question on appeal became: Can a foreign national, working for a foreign company and never setting foot in the United States, be held liable for aiding and abetting others to violate the FCPA based on theories of conspiracy and complicity?

The Second Circuit said no; that such an extra-territorial reach extended beyond what lawmakers originally intended for the FCPA.

The appellate court, however, left open the question of whether Hoskins was acting as an agent of the U.S.-based Alstom subsidiary, and remanded this back to the trial court in Connecticut.

Based on the Hoskins ruling, what are the implications for a companys compliance program?

First, Hoskins increases the importance of monitoring a companys third parties, beyond initial onboarding. The ruling creates different standards of liability for intermediaries who are ultimately deemed agents and those who arent, so an individual who moves between those two categories may change the amount of corruption risk he or she brings to an organization. A compliance function needs to know when that happens.

For example, some intermediaries who believe they are agents might try to change their relationship with the company to some lesser status  under the logic that they would then be beyond the reach of the FCPA, giving them more discretion to pay bribes.

Compliance officers may want to revisit their policies for third-party governance: Who has permission to change the status of an intermediary, such as the services that party performs? What approvals are necessary? What new due diligence checks are required, if any?

An organization may also want to ensure that its analytics of intermediaries activity (transactions done, payments received, and so forth) stays sharp enough to provide the monitoring assurance needed.

Second, compliance officers will also need to police against opportunists inside and outside the organization. The Hoskins ruling created a class of at least some (possibly many) foreign intermediaries beyond the reach of the FCPA. So some employees and third parties might try to exploit that distinction, where those foreign nationals beyond reach do the dirty work of operating a bribery scheme.

Compliance officers will need to prevent that bad practice from taking root with clear training and attestations from employees and third parties. For example, compliance programs may want to acknowledge that the Hoskins limit exists, and then still demand high ethical standards for all individuals working in its orbit regardless.

What are the limits of the Hoskins ruling?

Hoskins determined that there are limits to the liability a companys overseas intermediaries might face under the FCPA, but didnt specify exactly where that line falls. Some foreign nationals may no longer be liable under conspiracy or aiding and abetting theories of FCPA prosecution. However, what Hoskins did leave open was potential agency liability; Hoskins could be prosecuted for FCPA violations if the government could establish that he was acting as an agent of Alstoms U.S. subsidiary.

What does agent in this context mean? Lower courts will need to answer that question.

Moreover, the Hoskins ruling only applies to cases in the Second Circuit. The Justice Department may still argue its expansive theories of personal liability in other jurisdictions. Courts in other parts of the country might reach different conclusions than the Second Circuit did.

Finally, corporate liability under the FCPA remains unchanged. Many foreign nationals will still be personally liable under other theories of prosecution the Justice Department can still pursue, as the Hoskins ruling applies only to a small subset of potential defendants. Those foreign nationals may also face prosecution under their home countrys anti-bribery laws  and drag a companys liability along with them.

___



In the practical challenges of running a modern compliance department, the Hoskins ruling reinforces the importance of strong third-party governance: thoughtful policies, implemented comprehensively; effective due diligence programs; monitoring of third parties, with analytics capability up to that task; and training for employees and intermediaries alike.

That was all true before the Hoskins ruling. Its still true today.

___

Eric Lochner, pictured above, @ELochner1 is the President and CEO of global intelligence and software firm Steele Compliance Solutions, Inc. | @SteeleGlobal. Steele provides comprehensive third-party due diligence, software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that help organizations comply with regulatory third-party compliance requirements, and engaging compliance training, and integrated risk management. Eric has more than two decades of experience building successful global technology companies.

Please download Steeles whitepaper, Managing Third-Party Risk in a World of Changing Compliance, to learn more.Crowdcube, an Exeter, UK-based equity crowdfunding platform, raised 8.5m in funding.

The round was led by Draper Esprit, which invested 6m, including 2m in secondaries, with participation from Channel 4, which is investing via its Commercial Growth Fund, and Balderton Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and continue its drive towards profitability in 2019. To this end, Crowdcube is also launching a crowdfunding campaign, on 14 November, which will supplement the institutional investment.

Led by Darren Westlake, CEO, Crowdcube provides an equity crowdfunding platform that allows businesses to secure funding from investors. Over 355m has been invested into more than 600 startup, early and growth-stage businesses on the platform since 2011. Through its operation based in the UK and Spain and via a partnership with US crowdfunder, SeedInvest, more than 90 overseas businesses have raised on Crowdcube.

The funding comes as the company achieved a record quarter for revenue, which reached 1.6m for Q3 2018, an increase of 60% on the same quarter last year.

FinSMEs

07/11/2018Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 41F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not[Read More]

MassMutual Ventures has launched a US$50M fund dedicated to investing in Southeast Asian startups.

Backed by the general investment account of parent company Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, MassMutual Ventures Southeast Asia (MMV SEA) will make investments in 10 to 15 startup companies throughout the region over the next three years.

The fund is targeting Series A and Series B round investments companies in the following sectors:

 digital health,

 fintech,

 insurtech, and

 enterprise software.

Led by two Managing Directors  Ryan Collins and Anvesh Ramineni, MMV SEA will also work with MassMutual International  MassMutuals international insurance holding company  leveraging its relationships in the region, to identify potential investments and opportunities for MMVs portfolio companies.

Doug Russell, MMV Managing Director, will oversee MMV SEAs operations.

MassMutual Ventures is a return-focused venture capital fund investing in seed to growth stage companies in North America, Europe, Israel and (now) Southeast Asia. Key areas of investment focus include fintech, insurtech, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital health and enterprise software. Today, MassMutual Ventures manages US$250m across Boston-based MMV and Singapore based MMV SEA.

The new funding brings the total capital under management for four-year old MMV  a return focused fund investing in dynamic and innovative seed to growth stage companies in North America, Europe, Israel, and now Southeast Asia  to US$250m.

Prior to joining MMV SEA, Collins was Head of Asia at Manulifes LOFT incubator, developing new business models and technologies in insurance and investment services. Before LOFT, he was Asia Managing Director at Essentia Analytics, a data analytics SaaS company. Formerly an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs in Tokyo and Hong Kong, Collins has advised on and executed multiple capital markets transactions across Asia-Pacific.

He holds a BSc in Computer Science and an MSc in Psychology.

Ramineni was most recently Head of the Investments Team at OpenSpace Ventures (formerly NSI Ventures), Singapore, where he was a founding member of the firm and led investments in 12 companies. Prior to OpenSpace, he was a TMT investment banker at Citigroup Global Markets in Hong Kong, where he worked on strategic financial advisory mandates and executed marquee M&A and capital markets transactions across Asia.

Ramineni holds a bachelors degree in Electronics & Communications Engineering, and an MBA with a concentration in Finance.

Entrepreneurs interested in working with the MMV SEA team can contact the investment team directly at [email protected]

FinSMEs

07/11/2018Vt5 million worth of office equipment donated recently by China to the office of the Speaker and Parliament.Mirum Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego, CA-based clinical-stage therapeutics company, secured $120m in Series A financing.

The round was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) with participation from Deerfield Management, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Novo Holdings A/S, Pappas Capital, RiverVest Venture Partners and Rock Springs Capital.

In conjunction with the funding, Mirums board of directors appointed:

 Ed Mathers, partner NEA;

 Patrick Heron, managing general partner, Frazier Healthcare Partners;

 Jonathan Leff, partner, Deerfield;

 Tiba Aynechi, Ph.D., partner, Novo Ventures; and

 Niall ODonnell, Ph.D., managing director, RiverVest.

The company intends to use the funds for continued development of its lead drug candidate maralixibat for rare cholestatic liver diseases.

Led by Mike Grey, chairman and CEO, Chris Peetz, president, Vig, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, Lara Longpre chief development officer, Shelly Xiong, Ph.D., senior vice president of regulatory, Mirum Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage therapeutics company developing a novel approach for treating cholestatic liver diseases, with an immediate focus on rare pediatric conditions. The companys lead product candidate, maralixibat, is a Phase 3-ready investigational oral drug with an established safety profile and efficacy data in several indications, including Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC).

Mirum has entered into an agreement with Shire for the exclusive global rights to develop and market maralixibat, an oral inhibitor of the apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). Shire will receive an upfront payment, an equity position in the company and potential future milestone payments and royalties. Maralixibat is being developed for Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC).

FinSMEs

07/11/2018WASHINGTON - States and storylines for Canadian observers to keep an eye on Tuesday as voters in the U.S. head to the polls for midterm elections:

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WASHINGTON - States and storylines for Canadian observers to keep an eye on Tuesday as voters in the U.S. head to the polls for midterm elections:

WOMEN

President Donald Trump acknowledges the crowd as he leaves a rally Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. With voter turnout in the U.S. expected to test record levels Tuesday, women are expected to vote in the midterm elections en masse, energized by widespread anger towards Donald Trump. (Mark Humphrey / The Associated Press)

He's not on the ballot, but Donald Trump might as well be  which is why Democrats have been focusing their campaigns on college-educated white women, arguably the most motivated segment of the American electorate after two years of a famously divisive and misogynist president.

Add to the mix the against-all-odds confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in spite of high-school sexual-assault allegations from psychologist Christine Blasey Ford, and you have a powerful voting bloc capable of  and widely expected to  overturn the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

Can Trump's all-out effort to mobilize his base, comprised heavily of non-college-educated men, break up the so-called Blue Wave?

MICHIGAN

Thanks to term limits, change is coming to Michigan regardless of the outcome.

Related Items Click to Expand Poll Loading... How do you think the U.S. midterm elections will shake out? Democrats win majority in the House, Republicans win majority in Senate Democrats win majority in House and Senate Republicans win majority in House and Senate Republicans somehow win the House, Democrats somehow win Senate How do you think the U.S. midterm elections will shake out? Democrats win majority in the House, Republicans win majority in Senate 69% (94 votes) Democrats win majority in House and Senate 12% (16 votes) Republicans win majority in House and Senate 14% (19 votes) Republicans somehow win the House, Democrats somehow win Senate 6% (8 votes) Total Votes: 137 View ResultsHide Results

Former Democratic Senate minority leader Gretchen Whitmer is battling rival Bill Schuette to succeed Republican Gov. Rick Snyder (barred from running again by a term limit), while some polls suggest Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, is facing a challenge from Republican challenger John James.

Michigan is one of eight states that belong to the 2008 Great Lakes Compact, an agreement with Ontario and Quebec to monitor the quality and quantity of Great Lakes water.

"Usually it's a relatively bipartisan issue, but it could be impacted by who wins the gubernatorial races in particular," said Capri Cafaro, executive in residence at American University's School of Public Affairs and a former state-senate Democrat in Ohio, another member state.

MARIJUANA

Also on the ballot in Michigan  as well as another key border state, North Dakota  are measures to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana.

The drug remains illegal at the federal level, which is why crossing the border has become more complicated for Canadians working or partaking in the newly legalized pot industry.

But as legalization looks poised to spread to more and more states, it can only help expedite action on the federal front, which some observers, including former Trump spokesman Anthony Scaramucci, expect the president to take after the midterms.

TURNOUT

While midterm elections typically generate less voter interest than their presidential counterparts, 2018 is bucking the trend in a big way. In the 37 states plus Washington, D.C., where some form of early voting is allowed, 36 million ballots had already been cast as of Monday, with 25 states and D.C. exceeding turnout levels from 2014.

Indeed, in Utah, Texas, Arizona and Nevada the advance ballots cast to date exceed the total number of midterm ballots cast four years ago.

OHIO

One of the most critical elements of Donald Trump's remarkable 2016 victory was his ability to flip blue-collar Ohio, long a critical battleground that the Republicans won by eight points two years ago, thanks in large measure to his "America First" trade mantra.

Whether Democrat challenger Richard Cordray can wrest the governorship away from opponent Mike DeWine  two-term Gov. John Kasich, a moderate Republican, has reached his term limit  depends largely on whether Cordray's focus on workers' rights can top working-class fondness for the president.

TEXAS

Texas U.S. Senate candidates in the November 2018 election: incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz (left) and Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke. (Tom Fox / The Associated Press)

This traditionally Republican bastion has one of the marquee matchups of the 2018 midterms: the Canadian-born Republican senator and Trump tormentor-turned-ally Ted Cruz versus upstart Democrat challenger Beto O'Rourke.

Cruz has consistently led in the polls but not by a huge margin, and the very fact that O'Rourke has given Cruz a scare underscores the fact that Democrats, fuelled in part by O'Rourke's surge and energized young and Latino voters, are challenging Republicans all over in the increasingly progressive Lone Star state.

NAFTA/USMCA

It's not a ballot issue for Americans, who have long since moved on. But with the deal still requiring ratification in all three member countries and Section 232 tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum exports still in place, there are more than enough loose ends to keep stakeholders near the edges of their seats.

Few experts anticipate any problems in Congress even if the Republicans lose the House; approval is less an issue of 'if' than of 'when.'

And 'when' is important, given the ongoing impact of tariffs  hidden, to a degree, by a strong domestic economy  and U.S. farmers keen to have access to export markets in Mexico and Canada.

FLORIDA

Always central to America's political narrative, Florida will again be in the spotlight Tuesday.

Zoe Saldana, from left, Eva Longoria, Gina Rodriguez, America Ferrera and Rosario Dawson join the New Florida Majority, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Center for Popular Democracy Action and the Latino Victory Project to host "Latinas en Marcha," a rally encouraging registered Latino voters to turn out to vote in the midterm elections on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Ball and Chain in Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. (Patrick Farrell / The Associated Press)

With a number of districts where the Democrats hope to make gains, experts say the gubernatorial campaign by Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a black Democrat, has helped to mobilize young and minority voices.

The Democrats are counting on those voters to help Bill Nelson, the incumbent senator facing a considerable challenge from Rick Scott, the state's outgoing Republican governor.

WISCONSIN

When Canadians contemplate all their recent NAFTA angst, the dairy-drenched border state of Wisconsin often springs to mind  and gratitude to Trump for a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that provides better access to export markets could well play a role Tuesday.

But Wisconsin is intriguing for a different issue, one near and dear to Canada's heart: health care.

Republicans like Gov. Scott Walker, a Trump ally and a vociferous critic of the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, have been desperately trying to convince voters they won't eliminate Obamacare's protection for people with pre-existing health conditions.

Walker is in a pitched battle with Democratic rival Tony Evers.

GEORGIA

Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia Stacey Abrams (left) speaks as her Republican opponent Secretary of State Brian Kemp looks on during a debate in Atlanta. (John Bazemore / The Associated Press)

In addition to a number of key House races, Democrat Stacey Abrams is mounting a high-profile effort to become America's first black female governor as she battles Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

VIRGINIA

The state slogan may be "Virginia is for lovers" but there's no love lost here between Republicans and Democrats, who are eyeing a number of districts as ripe for the taking  most notably that of Rep. Barbara Comstock, a Trump ally who is trying to fend off a strong challenger in Democrat Jennifer Wexton.Amazon.coms yearlong search for a second headquarters is nearing an end, people with knowledge of the matter said.

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This article was published 7/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Amazon.coms yearlong search for a second headquarters is nearing an end, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The e-commerce giant is close to agreements that would split the new headquarters between two locales, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing non-public matters. One will be the Crystal City area of Arlington, in northern Virginia, two people said. Another will be Long Island City, in the New York borough of Queens, other people said. An Amazon spokesman declined to comment.

Amazon last year announced plans to invest US$5 billion in a second HQ and hire as many as 50,000 people, setting off a frenzy of interest from cities in the U.S. and Canada. It has announced 20 finalists and is scheduled to make a final decision by the end of the year.

The New York Times earlier reported that Amazon was near a deal to pick Long Island City, and the Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Amazon will choose two locations after deciding that one location lacked sufficient technology talent. The Washington Post had previously reported that Amazon was in advanced talks to locate its second headquarters in Crystal City, which is across the Potomac River from Washington. The neighbourhood features a concentration of highrise offices, hotels and residential buildings.

Amazon has fuelled an economic boom in its hometown of Seattle, where it is also often blamed for traffic problems and skyrocketing housing costs that squeeze some residents out of the city. By choosing more than a single location, it may be seeking to avoid criticism that its arrival will burden local infrastructure.

"You could look to Seattle and see that its had great positive consequences, but it also probably has had some unintended ones that maybe arent as well received," SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. real-estate analyst Michael Lewis said. "You can see what its done to the cost of living in Seattle."

Kevin Law, president of the Long Island Association business group, said the move would be "great news for our region, as many of their employees will choose to live in less expensive homes and apartments in Nassau and Suffolk counties, while bringing back their disposable income to spend in our downtowns supporting local businesses."

Stuart Applebaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said his union is concerned about the use of taxpayer subsidies for Amazon to move to New York City.

"Amazon, one of the wealthiest and largest companies in history, needs the city more than the city needs Amazon  plain and simple," Applebaum said in a statement. "If Amazon wants to come here, they can afford to do so on their own."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with top Amazon executives two weeks ago to discuss the company moving to Long Island City, a person with knowledge of the matter said. That would place the operations in an area of Queens directly across the East River from Manhattan. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also met with Amazon executives around the same time, a city official said. The mayors office has been leading tours of the area since April and convened officials from several New York City universities to outline ways to meet Amazons needs, this person said.

Long Island City, New York Citys fastest-growing neighbourhood, will get a US$180-million infusion of capital to build and improve schools, streets and parks, de Blasio said last week. The plan is part of an investment strategy under development for three years, a period in which the Queens neighbourhood has led a citywide building boom. Apartment towers have sprung up in Long Island City, with 1,436 new housing units approved in the 12 months ending July 1.

Long Island City is served by eight subway lines, 13 bus lines, the East River Ferry, the Long Island Railroad, two bridges and a tunnel linking it with Manhattan. Its also got quick access to LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports.

Amazon has more employees in the two selected areas than anywhere else outside of Seattle, home of its main headquarters, and the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the New York Times.

The company had originally promised to bring 50,000 new high-paying jobs to one location, which founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said would be "a full equal" to its Seattle home base. Amazon may now split those jobs equally between two locations, the Wall Street Journal reported, with each getting 25,000.

Other locations that were on Amazons list of 20 either declined to comment or said they havent heard from the online retailer.

The company already employs 600,000. Thats expected to increase as it builds more warehouses across the country to keep up with online orders.

Amazon recently announced that it would pay all its workers at least US$15 an hour, but the employees at its second headquarters will be paid a lot more  an average of more than US$100,000 a year.

Earlier this month, Bezos said during an onstage interview in New York that the final decision will come down to intuition.

"You immerse yourself in that data, but then you make that decision with your heart," he said.

In his meeting with Amazon executives, Cuomo said hes prepared to offer the company hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives, the person said.

"I am doing everything I can," Cuomo told reporters when asked Monday about the states efforts to lure the company. "We have a great incentive package," he said.

"Ill change my name to Amazon Cuomo if thats what it takes," Cuomo said. "Because it would be a great economic boost."

 from Free Press news servicesHey there, time traveller!

This article was published 7/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chaos in the restaurant business has been averted.

A federal court in Miami dismissed a lawsuit claiming fast-food giant McDonalds overcharged customers who ordered cheese-less Quarter Pounders by forcing them to pay its full normal price for the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

McDonalds had argued that a ruling favouring plaintiffs Cynthia Kissner and Leonard Werner would set a precedent forcing restaurants to reduce menu item prices to reflect a customers decision to hold or delete an ingredient. And that would unleash "utter chaos" in the retail food business, the chain told the court.

Kissner and Werner said it was unfair that McDonalds failed to give a break to cheese-less Quarter Pounder customers ordering at the chains restaurant counters because the plain version was available through the chains mobile apps for 30 cents to 90 cents less than the version with cheese.

Quarter Pounders without cheese were available as a standard menu item for years, but disappeared from the companys menu boards in recent years, the plaintiffs said. They were seeking class-action certification and damages exceeding US$5 million.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas said the plaintiffs failed to establish that they were entitled to relief for their "unwanted cheese vexation" based on any of the three legal standards they claimed McDonalds violated.

The claim that McDonalds violated federal antitrust laws by tying the sale of cheese to the burger "is absurd and fails," the judge wrote, because the plaintiffs did not establish that cheese is a stand-alone item offered for sale.

"Under any common sense analysis, there is no market for a customer to come into a McDonalds restaurant and order a slice or two of cheese as a product that is separate, distinct and independent from any other product or menu item. Nor is there a separate product market for a customer to order a slice of tomato, or a slice of lettuce or a slice of pickle, etc.," Dimitrouleas wrote.

The plaintiffs claim that McDonalds violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act "fails from the start," the judge wrote. "If a particular McDonalds restaurant does not list an item on its counter or drive-thru menu, and a customer placing his order at the counter or drive-thru requests a customization of the offered product, a customer is not being deceived or otherwise treated unfairly by not being charged less."

While the judge called the claim that McDonalds was unjustly enriched by the policy "nonsensical," he added that even if it met a legal standard, it would also be barred by Floridas voluntary payment doctrine that provides that "where one makes a payment of any sum under a claim of right with knowledge of the facts, such a payment is voluntary and cannot be recovered."

McDonalds attorneys from Miami-based Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C. declined to comment on the court ruling.

Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Russell B. Adler, a member of the legal team that filed the suit on behalf of Kissner and Werner, said he was disappointed by the courts ruling, but happy that McDonalds customers can save money by ordering the cheeseless Quarter Pounder through its mobile app.

 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)The war of words between the Manitoba government and Ottawa over carbon pricing and a $67-million federal fund for green projects continued Tuesday.

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This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The war of words between the Manitoba government and Ottawa over carbon pricing and a $67-million federal fund for green projects continued Tuesday.

Premier Brian Pallister rejected an assertion by federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna that the province had yet to send Ottawa a list of proposed projects for consideration under its Low Carbon Economy Fund.

Not only has his government submitted proposals to Ottawa, he said, but the feds have rejected some of its ideas.

"Ottawa has rejected four of our proposals already -- and without good explanation," the premier said after question period.

When Pallister rose earlier in the legislature to speak about the state of negotiations with Ottawa on climate change policies, observers expected he might announce Manitoba was mounting a legal challenge to the federal carbon pricing plan.

"We will take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Manitoba consumers, Manitoba families, Manitoba businesses," he told the house, while remaining silent on any potential court action.

The premier has been especially critical of Ottawa's plan to escalate the tax from $20 per tonne initially to $50 in a few years.

Pallister told reporters talks continue between the two levels of government, although he still wasn't ruling out court action.

"We're continuing to have that dialogue that we hope will lead to Ottawa arriving at a reasonable position -- the one that we've been advocating for some time (a flat $25-a-tonne tax, with no escalator clause)," he said.

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the federal provincial talks, who was not authorized to detail them to the media, said Manitoba has indeed been discussing ideas for green projects with Ottawa, but had yet to submit a formal list of proposals.

A spokeswoman for McKenna would only say the two sides are actively talking.

"There have been early discussions between officials, and those discussions continue," wrote Caroline Theriault.

-- with files from Dylan Robertson

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.caMonths after proposing legal changes aimed at keeping similar cases out of court, the regulatory body representing registered social workers in Manitoba is asking a judge to force a child-welfare agency to turn over its records.

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This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Months after proposing legal changes aimed at keeping similar cases out of court, the regulatory body representing registered social workers in Manitoba is asking a judge to force a child-welfare agency to turn over its records.

A year-and-a-half ago, the Manitoba College of Social Workers received a complaint about a registered social worker employed by Winnipeg Child and Family Services. The complaint has yet to be fully investigated  before it can happen, a court needs to order the child-welfare agency to release the information needed to investigate the complaint.

BRUCE BUMSTEAD / BRANDON SUN FILES Barb Temmerman, executive director of the Manitoba College of Social Workers says her organization doesn't want the confidentiality provision to stand in the way of a social worker being able to be accountable to the college.

The same process plays out in Manitoba's courts over and over  including in criminal, civil and child-protection cases  because most CFS records are confidential, unless a court orders otherwise, as per provincial law. But the court-order requirement has raised concerns when it comes to investigating public complaints.

"Under the CFS act, if they are using the confidentiality provision as a reason (not to disclose), we dont want that to stand in the way of a social worker being able to be accountable to the college. And that is their wish, to be accountable, because theyve chosen to be registered," said Barb Temmerman, executive director of the Manitoba College of Social Workers.

As part of their recommendations to the province's child-welfare legislative review committee earlier this year, the college asked for the Child and Family Services Act to be changed so CFS records could be disclosed, without a court order, for the purposes of a regulatory investigation. That recommendation wasn't included in the committee's final report to Families Minister Heather Stefanson, and it doesn't seem likely to be adopted in the new legislation, Temmerman said.

"It did not make their final report to the minister, so thats unfortunate, and were not sure yet what the impact of that will be," she said, saying the college is more concerned the provincial government still doesn't require all of those employed in social-work roles to be called social workers or to be professionally registered and regulated.

To get the information it needs to investigate the May 2017 complaint against a registered social worker who works for Winnipeg CFS, the Manitoba College of Social Workers filed a legal application against the province's CFS director on Oct. 30.

'Child and Family Services records contain very sensitive information. So to have unfettered access to someone's record is potentially violating other people's rights'  Darryl Buxton, a lawyer at Meyers LLP who has worked in child-protection law for 18 years

On Tuesday, the case landed in front of Court of Queen's Bench Justice Colleen Suche, who is expected to sign a court order compelling CFS to release certain records.

The details of this particular complaint haven't been made public, but it's one of a small number against registered social workers the regulatory body receives, Temmerman said.

The college has received complaints against about one per cent of registered social workers since it started operating three years ago, Temmerman said, noting not all registered social workers work for child-welfare agencies and not all CFS workers are required to be social workers.

It's just one example of the courts being called upon to order CFS disclosure -- requests that happen often.

"I would say they are extremely common," said Darryl Buxton, a lawyer at Meyers LLP who has worked in child-protection law for 18 years. "It is done on a fairly regular basis."

And for good reason, said Buxton, who has represented child-welfare agencies. If the agencies release the records without a court order, they could be breaking the law.

"Child and Family Services records contain very sensitive information," he said. "So to have unfettered access to someone's record is potentially violating other people's rights who may be named in those records... other foster children, other foster parents, care providers  contained within an agency record are so many other records."

When a court order is granted, a judge will typically impose conditions to ensure only relevant information is released, and agencies most often follow the court order without a lengthy legal battle.

"It's not to be difficult and it's not that Child and Family Services agencies don't want to co-operate, it's not that there's anything to hide by not providing those," he said. "There's a process, there's the law, and we need to ensure the privacy rights of third parties."

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemayXplore Mobile, the company that regulators mandated to become the fourth wireless competitor in Manitoba after the Bell acquisition of MTS, will officially go live on Nov. 14.

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This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Xplore Mobile, the company that regulators mandated to become the fourth wireless competitor in Manitoba after the Bell acquisition of MTS, will officially go live on Nov. 14.

And when it does, its 20,000 new customers -- all former Bell MTS wireless customers -- will be able to take advantage of a first-of-its-kind feature in Canada. They will be able to roll unused data over to the next month and use it then.

Xplore Mobile, a division of privately held Xplornet Communications Inc., will be transitioning customers gradually over the next several months to its new network and do not expect to complete the process until next March.

In the lead up to the launch, Xplore Mobile officials hinted that the company would have some special offerings to make a good first impression as the new guy in the market, one that is dominated in Manitoba and across the country by three national players -- Bell, Rogers and Telus.

The data rollover plan is definitely new. It means that if you have paid for a plan giving you five gigabytes of data per month -- 1GB of data lets you send or receive about 1,000 emails and browse the Internet for about 20 hours every month -- and only use three the remaining two will be rolled over and will be the first to be charged to your account the next month.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Xplore Mobile is about to become the fourth wireless service provider in the province.

Sebastien Bouchard, director of communications at Xplore Mobile, said, "We believe this is the first time that it has been offered in Canada. People use more and more data every year. With the Rollover plan people will always get what they pay for."

The original arrangement as per the Competition Bureau's ruling on the Bell-MTS deal, was that Xplore Mobile's 20,000 customers would be able to have access to Bell MTS's 4G LTE+ network for two years. In the meantime, Xplore Mobile has been building up its own network here with core switching infrastructure now in place as well as building a number of cell towers that Bouchard estimates would represent about 25 per cent of its network in Manitoba.

"We wanted to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible so that our customers will have a good experience and that they are happy to come to Xplore Mobile," he said. "They will be getting the best of both worlds. Yes, they are getting a brand new core and infrastructure, and also benefiting from an established 4G LTE+ network."

But it's one thing to have a mandated head start with 20,000 customers, it will be another thing for Xplore Mobile to retain them and attract more customers from the established players who are already battle-hardened in a very competitive marketplace.

Lawrence Surtees, research vice-president with International Data Corporation (IDC) said, "There is an established tri-opoly of Bell Telus and Rogers. If a new player enters the market they have to do something different. They have to incent customers to come to them or leave the other guys. And this is one of the few ways to do it... and it's not going to bust the bank."

"If a new player enters the market they have to do something different. They have to incent customers to come to them or leave the other guys."  Lawrence Surtees, research vicepresident with International Data Corporation

He said, "Customers will say, 'Why should I come to you?' If they do the same thing the other three guys do no one is going to go to them."

Similar data rollover features are available elsewhere in the world, including the U.S., Europe, the U.K. and Australia.

Andrew Parkinson, a spokesman for Bell MTS, said it will always be competitive in the marketplace with its own Bell MTS Mobile brand, pre-paid subsidiary Lucky Mobile and Virgin Mobile that use Bell's network, offering plans to match different usage requirement and budget.

He said, "Data rollovers are pretty rare these days. Its an older concept from an era when mobile users didnt tend to use all of their data and often had plenty to roll over each month. With the rise of social media, video streaming and other data-intensive applications, thats changed  customers tend to use a lot more data now and they choose plans to match."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.caThe union that represents Winnipeg Transit employees says time is running out for city hall to deal with the issue of transit-related violence.

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This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The union that represents Winnipeg Transit employees says time is running out for city hall to deal with the issue of transit-related violence.

Aleem Chaudhary, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said data recently released by the Winnipeg Police Service shows the problem of transit-related safety goes beyond operator concerns.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 president Aleem Chaudhary said data recently released by the Winnipeg Police Service shows the problem of transit-related safety goes beyond operator concerns.

"The facts show the situation is getting worse every year, and its not a surprise to us," Chaudhary said Tuesday. "This mayor and council have to accept the responsibility to ensure safety is the top priority for Transit."

Chaudhary was responding to numbers provided by the WPS that show all incidents of violence -- including assaults, robberies, sexual assaults, homicides, and threats -- not only involving Transit operators but all incidents occurring on buses and at or near stops and shelters.

In 2017, while Winnipeg Transit's numbers reported 51 assaults on drivers, the WPS said there had been 126 incidents of transit-related violence for the same year.

"Its not a surprise to us," Chaudhary said. "We know this is happening."

The WPS said there were 62 transit-related violent incidents to the end of August this year.

"The incidents of violence tends to increase at this time of year," Chaudhary said. "People find themselves under pressure, emotional and financially, and the number of assaults increases."

Joseph Kornelsen, president of the advocacy group Functional Transit Winnipeg, said safety concerns now rival those of the need for greater investment and improved service.

"Crime and safety across Winnipeg isnt the sole responsibility of Transit but Transit has to take responsibility and steps to deal with violence when it occurs on their buses and bus stops," Kornelsen said, adding the group supports the unions call for the establishment of a dedicated security force.

A WPS spokesman said the downtown foot patrol is focusing on the Graham Avenue bus corridor and Portage Avenue bus stops, where many of the violent incidents are occurring.

"Efforts have been made to increase officer presence during high-volume transit hours such as daily rush hours, where people are coming to and from work and other events in our downtown area," Const. Jay Murray said, adding police are working with Winnipeg Transit to identify other routes prone to transit-related incidents.

However, Chaudhary said police can't be everywhere.

"The incidents of violence is higher on some routes than others, but these situations are happening in all areas of the city: in Southdale, Transcona, Charleswood, Westwood." Chaudhary said. "There is no place or time that you can say is really bad compared to others -- it happens everywhere."

Chaudhary said he supports the proposal to have the inner-city safety volunteer group, the Bear Clan Patrol, include Transit buses on their patrols, but he said that only be considered a stop-gap measure.

Representatives of the Bear Clan Patrol met Monday with representatives from the police and Transit, after one of the group's off-duty members was stabbed Sunday while trying to stop an assault on a passenger.

The Bear Clan had offered to post uniformed members on buses earlier this year, but the committee opted to hire nine additional supervisors to beef up security.

Public works chairman Coun. Matt Allard told reporters Monday he expects the Bear Clan proposal will be considered again by the transit advisory committee.

However, Chaudhary said hes been disappointed with the work of that committee, which was established in the wake of the 2017 killing of Transit operator Irvine Jubal Fraser to develop safety initiatives.

The ability of the advisory committee to find appropriate solutions is restricted because it doesn't control the funding, he said.

"All these things cost money, but the committee really doesnt control the finances," Chaudhary said. "We need better security on buses. We need shields for the drivers.

"If you dont spent the money now, when will you? The situation is getting worse every year."

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.caThursday, Nov. 7, 1918  100 years ago today  was a pleasant fall day in Winnipeg, with the temperature hovering around 0 C. Based on todays boundaries, Winnipeg was then a city of about 220,000 and had been, in the decade leading up to 1914, one of the fastest-growing cities in North America.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thursday, Nov. 7, 1918  100 years ago today  was a pleasant fall day in Winnipeg, with the temperature hovering around 0 C. Based on todays boundaries, Winnipeg was then a city of about 220,000 and had been, in the decade leading up to 1914, one of the fastest-growing cities in North America.

Three daily newspapers were published here  the Free Press, the Tribune and the Telegram. And, for a number of days, all three papers had brought news from Europe that indicated the Great War was likely nearing its conclusion.

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Nov. 7, the Manitoba Free Press (as it was then called) published an extra edition that was sold downtown, with a banner headline proclaiming that an armistice had been signed. The Great War was over! Downtown stores and offices closed their doors. People converged on Portage and Main to celebrate.

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY The Manitoba Free Press Evening Bulletin on Nov. 7, 1918, added a question mark as to whether the First World War was actually over. An earlier edition of the Free Press had reported that an armistice had been signed.

There was only one problem: the report wasnt true. The war did not actually end until Nov. 11, four days later.

What happened?

The three Winnipeg daily newspapers had all been part of the early history of the formation of The Canadian Press, through which they also received international news from The Associated Press. But many newspapers also subscribed to other news services, or "wire services" as they were then called (because the news was delivered to them over telegraph lines).

In this case, the incorrect (or premature) news came to the Free Press in a United Press report that originated in Paris. And so, before noon on Nov. 7, Free Press newsboys were selling an extra edition of the paper, with news of the great victory.

Shortly after the extra edition was published, the spontaneous celebrations began. Crowds gathered at Portage and Main. The downtown Eatons store was overrun with people wanting to buy flags to wave as part of those celebrations.

And then the Winnipeg Tribune added to the confusion, because of a comedy of errors. The Tribune had pre-printed a stock of extra papers to be ready when the news of peace actually came. A Tribune newsboy, seeing the Free Press on the street with its news about the end of the war, grabbed those pre-printed extras and started selling them. The later, real editions of the Tribune would cast doubt on the Free Press report.

Finally, an edition of the Telegram appeared, stating that the Free Press report was likely a mistake, and that the war was not over.

By the time the Free Press issued its Evening Bulletin, later that day, the headline had been changed to "ARMISTICE IS SIGNED?" (Note the question mark.)

The Free Press Evening Bulletin also carried news of similar celebrations in other cities, along with a statement by United Press, and another front page article headlined "Winnipeg Goes Wild With Joy Of Peace."

Its competitors  the Tribune and the Telegram  jumped at the chance to criticize the Free Press, which then had a circulation greater than the combined circulation of the other two papers.

The Tribune said: "The Free Press perpetrated upon the Winnipeg public today the biggest hoax in the history of the city."

The 5 p.m. edition of the Telegram called the Free Press report "A Heartless Fraud."

By the next day, Nov. 8, reality had intervened, and the Free Press ran "A Statement to the Public" explaining how the error had occurred.

What was it like to be in the middle of the confusion and celebration in Winnipeg that day?

Many months after Nov. 7, 1918, an article about the events in Winnipeg appeared in a British newspaper, the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer. It was an eyewitness account by Frederick Bending, who was born in Hastings in 1888, emigrated to Canada in 1904 and was, in 1918, employed as a clerk by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Bending had the day off on Nov. 7, and decided to take the streetcar downtown. When he got there, the Free Press extra edition was just being distributed, and he wrote about what he saw.

He described the main floor of Eatons on Portage Avenue as a "mass of humans. Almost every one of the hundreds of stalls had been swept clear of their rightful wares, and salesmen were selling flags of all nations, all sizes, and horns, trumpets, and in fact anything that would make a noise, by the thousand."

He tells of meeting a friend, purchasing some flags and horns, and how he joined in "the riotous jubilee, the replica of which will never be seen in Winnipeg again  joined in a celebration that will go down in history  a celebration based on fake news."

Bending also described what happened when the Telegrams extra edition appeared, with news that the war was not over. "Take that fake away! yelled the crowds, and the papers were snatched away, torn up and thrown to the winds. The people could not believe that they were being hoaxed  would not believe it."

A hundred years ago, Fred Bending used the term "fake news" to describe the premature reports of the end of the First World War. Today, the term "fake news" is used, or even overused, on a regular basis.

But todays problem with fake news is not the same as it was then. There is no question the early news of peace was fake. But it was a mistake that was available for all to see. It was distributed in the main medium of communications  a daily newspaper  and competing dailies had both a journalistic duty and competitive motive to offer a correction. The impact  while chaotic and confusing  was relatively short-lived.

Todays "fake news" is different. Much of it is received in private, via social media, and not subject to the same fact-checking and counter-arguing that took place when information was more commonly received.

In 1918, news, even fake news, was part of our shared experience. Today, when media are fragmented, fake news often flourishes in the small darkened corners of the internet, unchallenged by a counter-argument in an extra edition.

Ken Goldstein is a Winnipeg-based media economist and historian.It's a phrase that is often employed in these rhetorically overheated times:

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It's a phrase that is often employed in these rhetorically overheated times:

Words matter.

That's the reason many in this country will be watching with great interest on Wednesday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises in the House of Commons to issue an official apology on behalf of Canadians for the 1939 decision to deny asylum to 907 German Jews aboard the MS St. Louis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will issue an official apology on behalf of Canadians for the 1939 decision to deny asylum to 907 German Jews aboard the MS St. Louis. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)

The passengers, German citizens who had boarded the ship on May 13 in a desperate effort to escape persecution and probable extermination at the hands of the Nazis in the lead-up to the Second World War, were seeking a safe place to restart their lives. First denied permission to disembark in Cuba, they travelled to the United States and were denied entry there as well. The ship continued northward to Canada, and once again, their request for asylum was refused  Canada, at the time, had adopted a "none is too many" immigration policy when it came to Jewish refugees.

With nowhere else to turn, the St. Louis returned to Europe, where many of the asylum-seekers were condemned to concentration camps. More than one-quarter, 254 in all, were murdered during the Holocaust.

When Mr. Trudeau stands to address Parliament, he will make reference to these historical facts. But for his words to have any real significance in the current context, in which incidents of anti-Semitism are rising at an appalling rate, the prime minister's statement must be much more than a recognition of past wrongs.

It must be, in no uncertain terms, a call to action.

Earlier this year, an analysis released by B'Nai Brith Canada stated that 2017 represented the fifth consecutive year in which incidents of anti-Semitism had risen in this country  this, despite an overall decline in the number of such incidents worldwide. In assessing the data, analysts Amanda Hohman and Aidan Fishman said the numbers suggest anti-Semitism "is becoming mainstream" in Canada.

The MS St. Louis was denied entry into Cuba, the United States and Canada in 1939. (The Canadian Press files)

Meanwhile, south of the border, the U.S. is still reeling in the aftermath of the Oct. 27 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 dead and seven wounded and put a glaring spotlight on the link between inflamed political rhetoric, rising nationalist (read: racist) sentiment and the seeming unwillingness of some elected officials to condemn the collection of toxic attitudes and behaviours commonly covered by the "alt-right" descriptor.

In apologizing for Canada's role in the fate of the 907 aboard the St. Louis  and, one presumes, for the deeply entrenched anti-Semitic policies and actions that remained part of the Canadian conversation for decades after the Second World War's end  Mr. Trudeau must also declare that his government and, by extension, the nation it represents are taking positive and active steps to address the discrimination that continues to infect 21st-century Canadian society.

As evidenced by the posting of several "It's OK to be white" posters on walls at the University of Manitoba last week, discrimination in our communities is not limited to anti-Semitism. And racism in all forms must be challenged and rejected.

The prime minister's apology for Canada's treatment of the passengers of the MS St. Louis can be a meaningful element in that effort, but only if his words are made to matter by clearly connecting a past misdeed with a present in which simmering anti-Semitism remains an inescapable part of what defines us as a nation.Illinois Midterm Elections Clear Path for Ambitious Environmental Standards

New Yorkers Voted for a Cleaner, Safer Future

Pennsylvanians Voted for a Clean Energy Economy

Michigan Became a National Leader on Democracy Reform

Sentencing Reform Should Be One of Congresss Top Post-Election Priorities

"Love Prevails": Floridians Celebrate Massive Restoration of Voting Rights to People with Felonies

Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: We Need to Confront Trump's Creeping Authoritarianism

Katrina vanden Heuvel: Democrats Must Offer Bold, Progressive Plan While Holding Trump Accountable

Carol Anderson: Massive Voter Suppression Could Be Deciding Factor in Georgia Governor's RaceThe following companies are subsidiares of Sealed Air: A.P.S. (Holdings) Limited, AFP Trading (China) Co. Ltd., AFPTOH LTD, APS Automated Packaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, APS Verwaltungs-GmbH, Air Ride Pallets Hong Kong Limited, Austin Foam Plastics Inc. (dba AFP Inc.), Automated Packaging Systems, Automated Packaging Systems Asia Holding Company Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Comerciale Importacao do Brasil Ltda., Automated Packaging Systems Europe, Automated Packaging Systems LLC, Automated Packaging Systems Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Southeast Asia Co. Ltd., B+ Equipment, B+ Equipment SAS, Beacon Holdings LLC, Biosphere Industries, BluPack (New Zealand), Blue Dot Packaging Pty Ltd., Cactus (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Cryovac (Malaysia) SDN. 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Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC.The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. 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Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. 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Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.iShares MSCI Japan ETF shares reverse split on the morning of Monday, November 7th 2016. The 1-4 reverse split was announced on Friday, October 14th 2016. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the closing bell on Friday, November 4th 2016. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock prior to the reverse split would have 25 shares after the split.There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund.

4.4 Community Rank

Outperform Votes BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund has received 68 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund has received 35 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund has received 66.02% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe FRA will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe FRA will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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Next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..First American Financial Corp. operates as an insurance company. It provides title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries. The company operates its business through the following segments: Title Insurance & Services and Specialty Insurance. The Title Insurance & Services segment provides title insurance, escrow, closing services and similar or related financial services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Specialty Insurance segment issues property & casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. It also provides title plant management services, which include title and other real property records and images, valuation products and services, home warranty products, property and casualty insurance and banking, trust and investment advisory services. First American Financial was founded in January, 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA.

Read MoreMedtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Read MoreWells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Read MoreFreeport-McMoRan, Inc. engages in the mining of copper, gold and molybdenum. It operates through the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Mining; Indonesia Mining, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining and Corporate, Other and Eliminations. The North America Copper Mines segment operates open-pit copper mines in Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. The South America Mining segment includes Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. The Indonesia Mining segment handles the operations of Grasberg minerals district that produces copper concentrate that contains significant quantities of gold and silver. The Molybdenum Mines segment includes the Henderson underground mine and Climax open-pit mine, both in Colorado. The Rod and Refining segment consists of copper conversion facilities located in North America and includes a refinery, rod mills, and a specialty copper products facility. The Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining segment smelts and refines copper concentrate and markets refined copper and precious metals in slimes. The Corporate, Other and Eliminations segment

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Brinker International: BI INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LLC, BI MEXICO HOLDING CORPORATION, BIPC GLOBAL PAYROLL COMPANY LLC, BIPC INVESTMENTS LLC, BIPC MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER AIRPORTS LLC, BRINKER ALABAMA INC., BRINKER ARKANSAS INC., BRINKER ASIA INC., BRINKER BRAZIL LLC, BRINKER CANADIAN HOLDING CO. ULC, BRINKER CANADIAN RESTAURANT CO. ULC, BRINKER CB LP, BRINKER CB MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER FHC B.V., BRINKER FLORIDA INC., BRINKER FREEHOLD INC., BRINKER GEORGIA INC., BRINKER INTERNATIONAL PAYROLL COMPANY L.P., BRINKER LOUISIANA INC., BRINKER MICHIGAN INC., BRINKER MISSISSIPPI INC., BRINKER MISSOURI INC., BRINKER NEVADA INC., BRINKER NEW JERSEY INC., BRINKER NORTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CARROLL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CECIL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OKLAHOMA INC., BRINKER OPCO LLC, BRINKER PENN TRUST, BRINKER PROPCO FLORIDA INC., BRINKER PROPERTY CORPORATION, BRINKER PURCHASING INC., BRINKER RESTAURANT CORPORATION, BRINKER RHODE ISLAND INC., BRINKER SERVICES CORPORATION, BRINKER SOUTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER TEXAS INC., BRINKER VIRGINIA INC., CHILIS BEVERAGE COMPANY INC., CHILIS INC. a Delaware corporation, CHILIS INC. a Tennessee corporation, CHILIS INTERNATIONAL BASES B.V., CHILIS OF BEL AIR INC., CHILIS OF KANSAS INC., CHILIS OF MARYLAND INC., CHILIS OF WEST VIRGINIA INC., Grady's Inc., MAGGIANO'S OF ANNAPOLIS INC., MAGGIANO'S OF HOWARD COUNTY INC., MAGGIANO'S OF KANSAS INC., MAGGIANOS BEVERAGE COMPANY, MAGGIANOS HOLDING CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS INC., MAGGIANOS OF TYSONS INC., MAGGIANOS PROPERTY CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS TEXAS INC., PEPPER DINING HOLDING CORP., PEPPER DINING Inc., and PEPPER DINING VERMONT INC..Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Central Europe. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, municipal, civil and industrial markets, and commercial sectors for repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI), as well as new construction markets. The company also distributes pipes, valves, fittings, hydrants, meters, and related water management products, as well as offers related services, such as water line tapping and pipe fusion services. In addition, it distributes heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration equipment, and parts and supplies to specialist contractors in the residential and commercial markets for repair and replacement; and PVF products to industrial customers. Further, the company fabricates and supplies fire protection systems and bespoke fabrication services to commercial contractors for new construction and renovation projects, as well as offers products, services, and solutions to enable maintenance of facilities across various RMI markets. Additionally, it offers supply chain management solutions for PVF; and industrial maintenance, repair, and operations specializing in delivering automation, instrumentation, engineered products, and turn-key solutions. The company also sells its home improvement products directly to consumers, as well as through a network of online stores. In addition, it operates its B2B business primarily under the Ferguson brand; and B2C business under the Build.com brand. Further, the company provides products and services for maintenance of multi-family properties, government agencies, hospitality, education, healthcare, and other facilities. It operates a network of 2,194 branches and 19 distribution centers. Ferguson plc was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Wokingham, the United Kingdom.

Read More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.

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NextThere is not enough analysis data for Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust.

4.8 Community Rank

Outperform Votes Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust has received 64 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust has received 25 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust has received 71.91% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe CEV will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe CEV will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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NextThe following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. Ltd., Ascotech S.A. de C.V., Ascoval Industria e Commercio Ltda, Automatic Switch Company, Aventics, Aventics, Aventics AB, Aventics AG, Aventics AS, Aventics ApS, Aventics B.V., Aventics Corporation, Aventics Holding S.A.S., Aventics Holding S.a.r.l., Aventics Hungary Kft, Aventics Inc., Aventics India Private Limited, Aventics Limited, Aventics Ltd., Aventics Oy, Aventics Pneumatics Equipment (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Aventics Pneumatics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aventics S.A.S., Aventics S.R.L., Aventics Services Germany GmbH, Aventics Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aventics Sp. z.o.o., Aventics Spain S.L., Aventics spol. s.r.o., Avtron LoadBank, Bannerscientific Limited, Beckman Industrial B.V., Beijing Rosemount Far East Instrument Co. Ltd., Bettis Canada Ltd., Bettis Holdings Limited, Bettis UK Limited, Biffi Italia S.r.l., Bioproduction Group, Branson Korea Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonic S.A., Branson Ultrasonics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonics B.V., Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Branson Ultrasonics a.s., Branson Ultrasonidos S.A.E., Branson Ultrasons SAS, Branson Ultrasuoni S.R.L., Branson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Bray Lectroheat Limited, Bristol Babcock Limited, Bristol Inc., Buehler Europe Limited, Buehler UK Limited, CR Compressors LLC, CSA Consulting Engineers Ltd., California Emerson LLC, Cascade Technologies, Cascade Technologies Holdings Limited, Cascade Technologies Limited, Chemat GmbH Armaturen fur Industrie - und Nuklearanlage, Chloride Koexa S.A., Componentes Avanzados de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Computational Systems, Computational Systems Incorporated, Conception et Representation de Technologies de Controle C.R.T. Controle SAS, Control Products Inc., Controles de Temperatura S.A. de C.V., Cooligy Inc., Cooper-Atkins, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Cooper-Atkins Pte. Ltd., Copeland Access + Inc., Copeland Compresores Hermeticos S.A. de C.V., Copeland Corporation, Copeland Corporation LLC, Copeland Limited, Copeland Redevelopment Corporation, Copeland Scroll Compresores de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copeland de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copesub Inc., Crosby Valve LLC, Damcos A/S, Damcos Holding A/S, Daniel Automation Company, Daniel Europe Limited, Daniel Industrial Inc., Daniel Industries, Daniel Industries Canada Inc., Daniel Industries Inc., Daniel Industries Limited, Daniel International Limited, Daniel Measurement Solutions Private Limited, Daniel Measurement and Control Inc., Daniel Measurement and Control S. de R.L. de C.V., Danmasa S.A. de C.V., Dar Ibtikar Al Iraq for General Services and General Trade LLC, Decision Management International, Dieterich Standard Inc., Digital Appliance Controls (UK) Limited, Dixell North America Inc., Dixell S.R.L., Do+Able Products, E. Business Development E.B.D.Com Ltd., E.G.P. Corporation, EECO Inc., EGS Comercializadora Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Private Ltd., EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES s.r.o., EMR (Asia) Limited, EMR (Mauritius) Ltd., EMR Emerson Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, EMR Europe Holdings Inc., EMR Foundation Inc., EMR Holdings (France) SAS, EMR Holdings Inc., EMR Worldwide B.V., EMR Worldwide Inc., EMRSN HLDG B.V., EMRSN Process Management Morocco Sarl, ENPDOR2012A Limited, ENPESNA Inc., EPM Tulsa Holdings Corp., EPMCO Holdings Inc., ETC International Holdings Ltd., Easy Heat Europe SAS, Easy Heat Inc., El-O-Matic B.V., El-O-Matic Valve Actuators (F.E.) Pte. Ltd., Electrische Apparatenfabriek Capax B.V., Emerald Advanced Technology Limited, Emerson (Philippines) Corporation, Emerson (Taiwan) Limited, Emerson (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Arabia Inc., Emerson Argentina S.A., Emerson Asia Pacific Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Holdings Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Taiwan) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Thailand) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Czech Republic s.r.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Denmark A/S, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control France SARL, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Germany GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hong Kong Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hungary Kft, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.r.l., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Middle East FZE, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Netherlands B.V., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Polska Sp. Z.o.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Holding LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK II Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Automation Solutions GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Automation Solutions Ireland Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Isolation Valves Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions SSC UK Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Beijing Instrument Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Services LLC, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Private Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies (Shenyang) Refrigeration Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Transportation Solutions ApS, Emerson Climate Technologies Arabia Limited Co., Emerson Climate Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies FZE, Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Climate Technologies Refrigeration S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Europe S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Sarl, Emerson Commercial & Residential Tools LLC, Emerson Commerical & Residential Asia Limited, Emerson Comres de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson DHC B.V., Emerson Dietzenbach GmbH, Emerson Dominicana Srl, Emerson Egypt LLC, Emerson Electric (Asia) Limited, Emerson Electric (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Electric (Mauritius) Ltd., Emerson Electric (South Asia) Pte. Ltd., Emerson Electric (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Electric (Tongling) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation, Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada, Emerson Electric (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric CR Limitada, Emerson Electric Canada Limited, Emerson Electric Company (India) Private Limited, Emerson Electric Company Lanka (Private) Limited, Emerson Electric Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, Emerson Electric II C.A., Emerson Electric International Inc., Emerson Electric Ireland Limited, Emerson Electric Korea Ltd., Emerson Electric Nederland B.V., Emerson Electric Overseas Finance Corp., Emerson Electric Poland Sp. z o.o., Emerson Electric U.K. Limited, Emerson Electric de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Electric do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Energy Systems (UK) Limited, Emerson FZE, Emerson Final Control US Holding LLC, Emerson Finance LLC, Emerson Fusite Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Gabon SARL, Emerson Hazardous Electrical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Holding Company Limited, Emerson Holding Sweden AB, Emerson InSinkErator Appliance (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Industrial Automation USA Inc., Emerson International Holding Company Limited, Emerson Japan Ltd., Emerson Junkang Enterprise (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Korea Limited, Emerson LLC, Emerson LLP, Emerson Machinery Equipment (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Mexico Finance S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Emerson Middle East Inc., Emerson Network Power DHC B.V., Emerson Paradigm Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management (India) Private Limited, Emerson Process Management (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management A/S (Denmark), Emerson Process Management AB, Emerson Process Management AG, Emerson Process Management AS, Emerson Process Management Angola Lda, Emerson Process Management Arabia Limited, Emerson Process Management Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Process Management B.V., Emerson Process Management Chennai Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Distribution Limited, Emerson Process Management Europe GmbH, Emerson Process Management Flow B.V., Emerson Process Management Flow Technologies Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Process Management Holding AG, Emerson Process Management Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management Kft., Emerson Process Management LLLP, Emerson Process Management Lda, Emerson Process Management Limited, Emerson Process Management Ltda, Emerson Process Management Magyarorszag Kft., Emerson Process Management Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management NV, Emerson Process Management New Zealand Limited, Emerson Process Management Nigeria Limited, Emerson Process Management Oy, Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions India Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Qatar W.L.L., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Inc., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa LLC, Emerson Process Management Romania S.R.L., Emerson Process Management S.A., Emerson Process Management S.A. de C.V., Emerson Process Management S.L., Emerson Process Management S.R.L., Emerson Process Management SAS, Emerson Process Management Shared Services Limited, Emerson Process Management Sp. z o.o., Emerson Process Management Ticaret Limited Sirket, Emerson Process Management UAB, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Fisher Regulators (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Sanmar Limited, Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc., Flow Control Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Flow Control Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Flow Control US Holding Corporation, Francel SAS, Fromex S.A. de C.V., Fusite B.V., Fusite Corporation, Fusite Land Company, GSEG LLC, General Equipment and Manufacturing Company Inc., Generale de Robinetterie Industrielle et de Sytemes de Surete, GeoFields, GeoFields Inc., Greenex Ltd., Greenfield (UK) Limited, Greenlee, Greenlee Communications, Greenlee Tools Inc., Gulf Valve FZE, Gustav Klauke GmbH, H.T.E. Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW.ENGIE SA engages in the power, natural gas, and energy services businesses. The company operates through France Excluding Infrastructures, France Infrastructures, Rest of Europe, Latin America, USA & Canada, Middle East, Asia, & Africa, and Others segments. It provides energy sales and services for buildings and industry, cities and regions, and infrastructures, as well as to individual and professional customers; and operates natural gas transportation, storage, and distribution networks and facilities, and LNG terminals primarily in France, as well as sells access rights to these terminals. The company also engages in the design, financing, building, and operation of decentralized energy production and distribution facilities; and development, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of various renewable power generation assets, including hydraulic, wind, and photovoltaic. In addition, it is involved in the generation and sale of power through nuclear, thermal, solar, wind, biogas, and biomass resources; seawater desalination activities, as well as offers engineering services in the areas of energy, hydraulics, and infrastructure; and design of cryogenic membrane confinement systems for sea transportation and storage of LNG onshore and offshore. The company was formerly known as GDF SUEZ S.A. and changed its name to ENGIE SA in April 2015. ENGIE SA was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Courbevoie, France.

Read MoreEquinox Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral deposits. The company's principal properties include the Aurizona project covering a total land package of approximately 223,160 hectares located in Maranhao State, Brazil; and the Castle Mountain property situated in California, the United States. It primarily explores for gold, copper, and silver deposits. The company was formerly known as Trek Mining Inc. and changed its name to Equinox Gold Corp. in December 2017. Equinox Gold Corp. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Read MoreDelta Galil Industries Ltd. engages in development, design, production, marketing and sale of underwear, socks, children's wear, leisure wear and Activewear as well as in development, design, marketing, distribution and sale of branded products in the category of men's and women's jeans and outerwear and related products. It operates through the following segments: Delta USA, Global Upper Market, Schiesser, Delta Israel, and Delta Premium Brands. The Delta USA Segment engages in the development, design and marketing of lingerie, socks and Activewear to Private Labels. The Global Upper Market segment develops, designs, manufactures and markets men's and women's underwear, socks and Activewear manufactured at the Company's plants and sold to retail chains and to brands in Europe and the United States. The Schiesser segment covers the development, design, manufacture and marketing of labeled women's, men's and children's underwear and Activewear under the Schiesser brand. The Delta Israel segment is involved in the development, design and marketing of labeled women's and men's underwear, socks and Activewear products, as well as children's wear under the Delta brand. The Delta Premium Brands segment engages in development, design, marketing, distribution and sale of premium products under the brands 7 For All Mankind, Splendid, Ella moss. The company was founded by Dov Lautman and Eliezer Peleg in 1975 and is headquartered in Caesarea, Israel.

Read MoreImperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut and smokeless tobacco, papers, and cigars; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, as well as oral nicotine and heated tobacco products. The company sells its products under various brands, including Davidoff, Gauloises, JPS, West, L&B, Bastos, Fine, Winston, News, Parker & Simpson, blu, Kool, Horizon, Jade, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, Backwoods, Skruf, Golden Virginia, Rizla, and Knox in approximately 160 countries worldwide. It also provides logistics services that include the distribution of tobacco and NGP products for tobacco and NGP product manufacturers; and various non-tobacco and NGP products and services. In addition, the company is involved in the management of a golf course; marketing of papers; restaurant business; distribution of pharmaceuticals, POS software, and published materials and other products; printing and publishing activities; and provision of long haul transportation, industrial parcel and express delivery, advertising, and support management services. Further, it owns the trademarks; and retails its products. The company was formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group PLC and changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in February 2016. Imperial Brands PLC was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreIntact Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and businesses in Canada and the United States. It offers personal auto insurance; insurance for motor homes, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles; personal property insurance, such as protection for homes and contents from risks, such as fire, theft, vandalism, water damage, and other damages, as well as personal liability coverage; and property coverage for tenants, condominium owners, non-owner occupied residences, and seasonal residences. The company also provides insurance products for commercial lines for a group of small and medium sized businesses; commercial property insurance for the protection of physical assets of the business; and liability coverages, including commercial general, product, and professional liability, as well as cyber endorsement. In addition, it offers commercial vehicle insurance coverages for the protection for commercial auto, fleets, garage operations, light trucks, public vehicles, and the transportation needs of the sharing economy. Further, the company provides specialty products for various customers or industry groups, including accident and health, technology, ocean and inland marine, public entities, and entertainment, as well as financial services and institutions ; and various products and coverages to, specialty property, surety, tuition reimbursement, management liability, environmental, and financial institutions. It offers its products and services under the Intact Insurance, belairdirect, Brokerlink, and OneBeacon brands through a network of brokers, independent agencies, wholesalers, and managing general agencies, as well as directly to consumers. The company was formerly known as ING Canada Inc. and changed its name to Intact Financial Corporation in 2009. Intact Financial Corporation was founded in 1809 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Read MoreSPDR S&P Retail ETF's stock was trading at $34.97 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, XRT shares have increased by 189.0% and is now trading at $101.05.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.iShares MSCI Brazil ETF's stock was trading at $29.68 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWZ stock has decreased by 1.7% and is now trading at $29.17.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.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Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical flow control and compression equipment; and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three segments: Industrials, Energy, and Medical. The Industrials segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of air compression, vacuum, and blower products, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. Its products are used in process-critical applications, such as the operation of industrial air tools, vacuum packaging of food products, aeration of waste water, and others. This segment sells its products through an integrated network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors under the Gardner Denver, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle, Robuschi, and other brand names. The Energy segment engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of a range of displacement and liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and integrated systems, and engineered fluid loading and transfer equipment, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services under the Gardner Denver, Nash, Emco Wheaton, and other brands. It serves customers in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy markets, as well as petrochemical processing, transportation, and general industrial sectors. The Medical segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of specialized gas, liquid, and precision syringe pumps and compressors for use in oxygen therapy, blood dialysis, patient monitoring, laboratory sterilization and wound treatment, and other applications. This segment sells its products under the Thomas and other brands. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Read More.      .      ,       ,     .                   .        .        ...The following companies are subsidiares of Sherwin-Williams: Acquire Sourcing LLC, CTS National Corporation, Comex North America Inc., Compania Sherwin-Williams S.A. de C.V., Contract Transportation Systems Co., Dongguan Lilly Paint Industries Ltd, Duron, EPS (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., EPS B.V., Geocel Holdings, Geocel Limited, Guangdong Valspar Paints Manufacturing Co Ltd., Inver East Med S.A., Inver France SAS, Inver GmbH, Inver Industrial Coating SRL, Inver Polska Spoka Z O.O, Inver Spa, Invercolor Bologna Srl, Invercolor Ltd, Invercolor Roma Srl, Invercolor Torino Srl, Invercolor Toscana Srl, Isocoat Tintas e Vernizes Ltda, Isva Vernici Srl, Leighs Paints, M.A. Bruder & Sons, Omega Specialty Products & Services LLC, Oy Sherwin-Williams Finland Ab, PT Sherwin-Williams Indonesia, PT Valspar Indonesia, Paint Sundry Brands, Pinturas Condor S.A., Pinturas Industriales S.A., Piton Paints Limited, Plasti-Kote Co. Inc., Plasti-kote Limited, Productos Quimicos y Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Quest Automotive Products UK Limited, Quetzal Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Ronseal (Ireland) Limited, SWIMC LLC, SWIPCO  Sherwin Williams do Brasil Propriedade Intelectual Ltda, Sherwin Williams Colombia S.A.S., Sherwin-Williams (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Belize) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Caribbean) N.V., Sherwin-Williams (Ireland) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Coatings Technology Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Company Limited, Sherwin-Williams (S) Pte. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Shanghai) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Vietnam) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (West Indies) Limited, Sherwin-Williams Argentina I.y C.S.A., Sherwin-Williams Aruba VBA, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Mexico S.de R.L.de C.V., Sherwin-Williams Balkan S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Bel Unitary Enterprise, Sherwin-Williams Benelux NV, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Cayman Islands Limited, Sherwin-Williams Chile S.A., Sherwin-Williams Coatings India Private Limited, Sherwin-Williams Coatings S.a r.l., Sherwin-Williams Czech Republic spol. s r.o, Sherwin-Williams Denmark A/S, Sherwin-Williams Deutschland GmbH, Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands Limited, Sherwin-Williams France Finishes SAS, Sherwin-Williams Italy S.r.l., Sherwin-Williams Norway AS, Sherwin-Williams Paints Limited Liability Company, Sherwin-Williams Peru S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Pinturas de Venezuela S.A., Sherwin-Williams Poland Sp. z o.o, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, Sherwin-Williams Realty Holdings Inc., Sherwin-Williams Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams Spain Coatings S.L., Sherwin-Williams Sweden AB, Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Limited, Sherwin-Williams do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., Spanyc Paints Joint Stock Company, Syntema I Vaggeryd AB, Taiwan Valspar Co. Ltd., The Sherwin-Williams Acceptance Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Headquarters Company, The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company, The Sherwin-Williams US Licensing Company, The Valspar (Asia) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Australia) Corporation Pty. Ltd., The Valspar (Finland) Corporation Oy, The Valspar (France) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (France) Research Corporation SAS, The Valspar (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd, The Valspar (Nantes) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (Singapore) Corporation Pte. Ltd, The Valspar (South Africa) Corporation (Pty) Ltd, The Valspar (Spain) Corporation S.R.L., The Valspar (Switzerland) Corporation AG, The Valspar (Thailand) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar (UK) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Vietnam) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar Corporation, The Valspar Corporation Limitada, UAB Sherwin-Williams Baltic, Valspar (India) Coatings Corporation Private Limited, Valspar (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Valspar (Uruguay) Corporation S.A., Valspar (WPC) Pty Ltd, Valspar Aries Coatings S. de R.L. de C.V., Valspar Automotive (UK) Corporation Limited, Valspar Automotive Australia Pty Limited, Valspar B.V., Valspar Coatings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Valspar D.o.o Beograd, Valspar Industries (Ireland) Ltd., Valspar Industries (Italy) S.r.l., Valspar Industries GmbH, Valspar LLC, Valspar Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Valspar Paint (Australia) Pty Ltd, Valspar Paint (NZ) Limited, Valspar Powder Coatings Limited, Valspar Rock Company Limited (Japan), Valspar Specialty Paints LLC, and ZAO Sherwin-Williams.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).Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Read More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SRC Energy Inc., an oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids primarily in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado. As of December 31, 2018, it had net proved oil and natural gas reserves of 88 million barrels of oil and condensate, 771.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 89.1 million barrels of natural gas liquids; and operated 985 net producing wells, as well as had 95,200 gross and 86,200 net acres under lease in the Wattenberg Field. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Quaker Chemical: AC Products Inc., Applied Surface Concepts Holdings Ltd. , Binol AB, Binol Biosafe OY, Commonwealth Oil Corporation, DA Stuart India Private Limited, DA Stuart Shanghai Co, ECLI Products LLC, EFHCO LLC, Engineered Custom Lubricants, Engineered Custom Lubricants GmbH, Epmar Corporation, G.W. Smith and Sons, GH Holdings Inc., GHG Lubricants Holdings Limited, GHGL London Ltd., GHI Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Global Houghton Ltd., Houghton (Shanghai) Specialty Industrial Fluids Co. Ltd, Houghton Argentina S.A., Houghton Asia Pacific Co. Limited, Houghton Australia Pty. Ltd., Houghton Benelux BV, Houghton CZ s.r.o, Houghton Canada Inc., Houghton Denmark AS, Houghton Deutschland GmbH, Houghton Europe BV, Houghton Holdings Limited, Houghton Iberica S.A. , Houghton International, Houghton International Inc., Houghton Italia S.p.A., Houghton Japan Co. Ltd., Houghton Kimya Sanayi AS, Houghton Magyarorszag Kft, Houghton Mexico S.A. de C.V., Houghton Oil (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Houghton Polska Sp. Zo.o., Houghton Romania S.R.L., Houghton S.A.S., Houghton Sverige AB, Houghton Taiwan Co. Limited, Houghton Technical Corp., Houghton Ukraine ToV, Houghton do Brazil Ltda., Houghton plc, Internationale Metall Impragnier GmbH, Lubricor Inc, Lubricor Inc., Lubricor Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Lubricor USA Inc., MIH Acquisition Company LLC, MX Systems International Ltd, Maldaner GmbH, NP Coil Dexter Industries, New Houghton Brazil Inc., Norman Hay Engineering Ltd., QH Chemical Limited, QH Europe BV, QH Holdings Limited, QH International Limited, Quaker (Thailand) Ltd., Quaker Australia Holdings Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical B.V., Quaker Chemical CV, Quaker Chemical Canada Holdings Inc., Quaker Chemical Canada Limited, Quaker Chemical Europe B.V., Quaker Chemical Holdings South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quaker Chemical India Private Limited, Quaker Chemical Industria e Comercio Ltda., Quaker Chemical Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical Limited, Quaker Chemical MEA FZE, Quaker Chemical Operacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical Participacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical S.A., Quaker Chemical S.r.l., Quaker Chemical Services EURL, Quaker Chemical South Africa (Pty.) Limited, Quaker China Holdings B.V., Quaker Denmark ApS, Quaker Houghton (Finco) Ltd., Quaker Houghton Holdings Limited, Quaker Houghton Holdings Ltd., Quaker Houghton International LP, Quaker Houghton Ltd., Quaker International Holdings LLC, Quaker Italia S.r.l., Quaker Russia B.V., Quaker Sales Europe BV, Quaker Shanghai Trading Company Limited, Quaker Spain Holding SLU, Quaker Specialty Chemicals (UK) Limited, SB Decking Inc., SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts (UK) Ltd, SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts LLC, SIFCO Concepts Sarl, SIFCO Concepts Sweden, Sterr & Eder Industrieservice GmbH, Summit Lubricants Inc, Summit Lubricants Inc., Surface Technology (Coventry) Ltd, Surface Technology (Dalian) Co Ltd, Surface Technology (East Kilbride) Ltd., Surface Technology (Leeds) Ltd, Surface Technology Aberdeen Ltd, Surface Technology Australia, Surface Technology Holdings Ltd., TecniQuimia Mexicana, Tecniquimia Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Thai Houghton 1993 Co. Ltd., Ultraseal Asia Limited, Ultraseal Chongqing Limited, Ultraseal Germany GmbH, Ultraseal International Group Ltd, Ultraseal Machinery Dongguan Ltd, Ultraseal Shanghai Limited, Ultraseal USA Inc., Unitek Servicios De Asesoria Especializad S.A de C.V., Verkol S.A.U., Verkol SAU, Wallover Enterprises Inc., Wallover Oil Company Incorporated, Wallover Oil Hamilton Inc., and Wuhan Quaker Technology Co. Ltd.Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF's stock was trading at $37.30 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, VWO shares have increased by 36.9% and is now trading at $51.06.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.The following companies are subsidiares of Barnes Group: AS Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., Adval Tech - Foboha Mold Making Business, Associated Spring (Tianjin) Company Ltd., Associated Spring (UK) Ltd., Associated Spring Asia Pte. Ltd., Associated Spring Corporation, Associated Spring Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Associated Spring Raymond (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Associated Spring Raymond GmbH, Associated Spring do Brasil Ltda., Barnes Airmotive Malaysia SND. BHD., Barnes Financing Delaware LLC, Barnes Group (Bermuda) Limited, Barnes Group (Delaware) LLC, Barnes Group (Germany) GmbH, Barnes Group (Scotland) Limited, Barnes Group (Thailand) Ltd., Barnes Group (U.K.) 2 Limited, Barnes Group (U.K.) Limited, Barnes Group Acquisition GmbH, Barnes Group Canada Corp., Barnes Group Finance Company (Bermuda) Limited, Barnes Group Finance Company (Delaware), Barnes Group Holding LLC, Barnes Group Luxembourg (No. 1) S.a r.l., Barnes Group Luxembourg (No. 2) S.a r.l., Barnes Group Spain S.R.L., Barnes Group Suisse Industries GmbH, Barnes Group Switzerland GmbH, Barnes Industrial Group India Private Limited, Barnes Korea Ltd., Barnes Molding Solutions (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Blitz F16-34 GmbH, Curtis Industries, Curtiss Industries (U.K.) Limited, Di-Dro Manifold System Product Line, Euro Stock Springs & Components, Foboha (Germany) GmbH, Foboha Holding GmbH, Forward Industries LLC, GF Controls GmbH, Gammaflux, Gammaflux Controls Inc., Gimatic, Gimatic Automation Engineering (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Gimatic Automation India Pvt Ltd. , Gimatic Automation Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gimatic Balkan d.o.o. Beograd  Savski Venac, Gimatic Czech Republic s.r.o., Gimatic France S.a.r.l., Gimatic Japan Limited, Gimatic Korea Limited, Gimatic Nordic A.B., Gimatic Otomasyon Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Gimatic Polska sp. z o.o, Gimatic S.r.l., Gimatic Sisteme RO SRL, Gimatic Sistemi industrijska avtomatizacija d.o.o., Gimatic Spain S.L., Gimatic Vertrieb GmbH, Gimatrade S.r.l., Heinz Haenggi Gmbh Stanztechnik, Industrial Gas Springs, Industrial Gas Springs Group Holdings Limited, Industrial Gas Springs Inc., Industrial Gas Springs Limited, Kar Products, Kratz-Wilde Machine Co, MTM S.r.l., Manner Hong Kong Limited, Manner USA Inc., Orflam - Nitropush Product Line, Otto Manner, Otto Manner GmbH, Otto Manner Immobilien GmbH, Otto Manner Innovation GmbH, Premier Farnell - KENT Division, Priamus System Technologies, Priamus System Technologies GmbH, Priamus System Technologies LLC, Raymond Distribution-Mexico S.A. de C.V., Resortes Argentina S.A., Ressorts SPEC SAS, Seeger-Orbis GmbH & Co. OHG, Service Plus Distributors, Sign Holdings Limited, Spectrum Plastics Molding Resources, Stromsholmen AB, Synventive Acquisition B.V., Synventive Acquisition GmbH, Synventive Acquisition Inc., Synventive Acquisition UK Ltd., Synventive Acquisition Unlimited, Synventive B.V., Synventive Fertigungstechnik GmbH, Synventive Holding B.V., Synventive Holding Limited, Synventive Holding SAS, Synventive Molding Solutions, Synventive Molding Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Synventive Molding Solutions B.V., Synventive Molding Solutions Canada Inc., Synventive Molding Solutions Co. Ltd., Synventive Molding Solutions GmbH, Synventive Molding Solutions Inc., Synventive Molding Solutions JBJ Private Limited, Synventive Molding Solutions K.K., Synventive Molding Solutions LDA, Synventive Molding Solutions LLC, Synventive Molding Solutions LTDA., Synventive Molding Solutions Limited, Synventive Molding Solutions Pte Ltd., Synventive Molding Solutions SAS, Synventive Molding Solutions SL, Synventive Molding Solutions s.r.o., Synventive Parent Inc., Teledyne Fluid Systems, The Wallace Barnes Company, Thermoplay, Thermoplay Brasil Sistemas de Injecao Ltda, Thermoplay Deutschland GmbH, Thermoplay France S.a.r.l., Thermoplay Hot Runner Systems (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Thermoplay India Private Limited, Thermoplay Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Thermoplay S.p.A., Thermoplay U.K. Ltd., Toolcom Supplie, Windsor Airmotive Asia Pte. Ltd., and manner Japan Co. Ltd..Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 433,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 98,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,233 megawatts (MW), including 59 MW of solar capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,048,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 572,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 67,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 270,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 31,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 15,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 91,000 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 49,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada.

Read More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Valley National Bancorp is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Lending; Commercial Lending; Investment Management; and Corporate and Other Adjustments. The Consumer Lending segment consists of residential mortgage loans, automobile loans and home equity loans, as well as wealth management and insurance services. The Commercial Lending segment includes the floating rate and adjustable rate commercial and industrial loans as well as fixed rate owner occupied and commercial real estate loans. The Investment Management segment refers to investments in various types of securities and interest-bearing deposits with other banks. The Corporate and Other Adjustments segment represents the income and expense items not directly attributable to a specific segment. The company was founded on November 12, 1982 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Lennar: 360 Developers LLC, Alliance Financial Services Inc., Ann Arundel Farms Ltd., Aquaterra Utilities Inc., Arbor Mill Veteran Project 2018 LLC, Asbury Woods L.L.C., Astoria Options LLC, Autumn Creek Development Ltd., Aylon LLC, Azusa Associates LLC, B2 Milpitas LLC, BB Investment Holdings LLC, BCI Properties LLC, BMR Communities LLC, BMR Construction Inc., BMTD LLC, BPH I LLC, Bainebridge 249 LLC, Bay Colony Expansion 369 Ltd., Bellagio Lennar LLC, Belle Meade LEN Holdings LLC, Belle Meade Partners LLC, Black Mountain Ranch LLC, Blue Horizons Estates LLC, Bonterra Lennar LLC, Bramalea California Inc., Bressi Gardenlane LLC, Breton Park Lennar LLC, CAP IL 1 LLC, CL Ventures LLC, CML INACTIVE LLC, CML-MO HAF LLC, CML-MO HAF PARKING LLC, CP Block 6aS LLC, CP Block 8aS LLC, CP Block 9aS LLC, CP Center Apartments LLC, CP Center Garage LLC, CP Red Oak Partners Ltd., CP Vertical Development Co. 1 LLC, CP/HPS Development Co. GP LLC, CP/HPS Development Co.-C LLC, CPFE LLC, CPHP Development LLC, CalAtlantic Financial Services Inc., CalAtlantic Group, CalAtlantic Group Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Arizona Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Georgia Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Texas Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Washington Inc., CalAtlantic Mortgage Inc., CalAtlantic National Title Solutions LLC, CalAtlantic Title Agency LLC, CalAtlantic Title Group LLC, CalAtlantic Title Inc., CalAtlantic Title LLC, CalAtlantic Title of Maryland Inc., Camarillo Village Park LLC, Cambria L.L.C., Candlestick Retail Member LLC, Cardiovascular Medical Specialists LLC, Carolina Blue LLC, Carson 175 LLC, Cary Woods LLC, Casa Marina Development LLC, Central Park West Holdings LLC, Cherrytree II LLC, Club Bonterra Lennar LLC, Coco Palm 82 LLC, Colonial Heritage LLC, Columbia National Risk Retention Group Inc., Commonwealth Incentive Fee LLC, Concord Station LLP, Coventry L.L.C., Creekside Crossing L.L.C., Crest at Fondren Investor LLC, DBJ Holdings LLC, DCA Financial LLC, DTC Holdings of Florida LLC, Darcy-Joliet L.L.C., Durrell 33 LLC, EL Ventures LLC, EV LLC, Eagle Bend Commercial LLC, Eagle Home Mortgage LLC, Estates Seven LLC, Evergreen Village LLC, F&R QVI Home Investments USA LLC, FLORDADE LLC, Faria Preserve LLC, Fidelity Guaranty and Acceptance Corp., Fidelity Land LLC, Fox-Maple Associates LLC, Friendswood Development Company LLC, GDI MANAGER LLC, Garco Investments LLC, Greystone Construction Inc., Greystone Homes of Nevada Inc., Greystone Nevada Holdings LLC, Greystone Nevada LLC, Greywall Club L.L.C., HCC Investors LLC, HPS Development Co. LP, HPS Vertical Development Co. LLC, HPS Vertical Development Co.-B LP, HPS Vertical Development Co.-D/E LLC, HPS1 Block 1 LLC, HPS1 Block 48-1A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-1B LLC, HPS1 Block 48-2A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-2B LLC, HPS1 Block 48-3A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-3B LLC, HPS1 Block 50 LLC, HPS1 Block 51 LLC, HPS1 Block 52 LLC, HPS1 Block 53 LLC, HPS1 Block 54 LLC, HPS1 Block 55 LLC, HPS1 Block 56/57 LLC, HSP Arizona Inc., HTC Golf Club LLC, Hammocks Lennar LLC, Harbor Highlands Group LLC, Harveston LLC, Haverton L.L.C., Heathcote Commons LLC, Heritage Pkwy East Holdings LLC, Heritage of Auburn Hills L.L.C., Hewitts Landing Trustee LLC, Hingham Properties LLC, Huntley Venture L.L.C., Inactive Companies LLC, Independence L.L.C., Independence Orlando LLC, Isles at Bayshore Club LLC, KMC Real Estate Investors LLC, Kendall Hammocks Commercial LLC, Kentuckiana Medical Center LLC, Kingman Lennar LLC, LB/L  Duc III Antioch 330 LLC, LCD Asante LLC, LCI Downtown Doral Investor LLC, LCI North DeKalb Investor GP LLC, LCI North DeKalb Investor LP LLC, LEN - Belle Meade LLC, LEN - OBS Windemere LLC, LEN - Palm Vista LLC, LEN BPT Investor LLC, LEN Mirada Investor LLC, LEN Notarize Investor LLC, LEN OT Holdings LLC, LEN Paradise Cable LLC, LEN Paradise Operating LLC, LEN-CG South LLC, LEN-Cypress Mill LLC, LEN-Ryan 1 LLC, LEN-Touchstone LLC, LENH I LLC, LENNAR HOMES OF TENNESSEE LLC, LFS Holding Company LLC, LH Eastwind LLC, LHI Renaissance LLC, LMC 10th & Acoma Holdings LP, LMC 144th and Grant Investor LLC, LMC 2401 Blake Street Holdings LLC, LMC 2401 Blake Street Investor LLC, LMC 360 Acoma Holdings LP, LMC 410 S Wabash Holdings LLC, LMC 808 Gateway Holdings LLC, LMC 808 Gateway Investor LLC, LMC 8th Avenue Apartment Investor LLC, LMC 990 Bannock Holdings LLC, LMC Axis Westminster Holdings LLC, LMC Axis Westminster Investor LLC, LMC Berry Hill Lofts Holdings LLC, LMC Berry Hill Lofts Investor LLC, LMC Block 42 Holdings LLC, LMC Build to Core III Investor LLC, LMC Build to Core III LLC, LMC Burnside Holdings LLC, LMC Burnside Investor LLC, LMC Chandler and McClintock Holdings LLC, LMC Charlestowne Holdings LLC, LMC Charlotte Ballpark Developer LLC, LMC Cityville Oak Park Holdings LLC, LMC Cityville Oak Park Investor LLC, LMC Cobalt Holdings LLC, LMC Costa Mesa Holdings LP, LMC Crest at Park West Holdings LP, LMC Denver Gateway I Investor LLC, LMC Denver Gateway II Holdings LLC, LMC Development LLC, LMC Downtown Doral South Holdings LLC, LMC Durham Gateway Holdings LP, LMC Evans School Holdings LLC, LMC Gateway Investor LLC, LMC Gateway Venture LLC, LMC Gilman Square Investor LLC, LMC Horton Street Holdings LLC, LMC Huntington Crossing Holdings LLC, LMC Inactive Companies LLC, LMC Lakeside Holdings LP, LMC Leya Holdings LLC, LMC Living Illinois LLC, LMC Living Inc., LMC Living LLC, LMC Living TRS LP, LMC Millenia Investor II LLC, LMC NE Minneapolis Lot 2 Holdings LLC, LMC New Bern Investor LLC, LMC North Park Holdings LP, LMC Parkfield Holdings LLC, LMC Parkfield Investor LLC, LMC Righters Ferry Holdings LLC, LMC River North Holdings LLC, LMC Spring Street Investor LLC, LMC Stonewall Station Investor LLC, LMC Triangle Square Investor LLC, LMC Venture Developer LLC, LMC Verbena Holdings LLC, LMC West Loop Investor LLC, LMCFX Investor LLC, LMCPNW Marymoor Holdings LLC, LMI - Jacksonville Investor LLC, LMI - South Kings Development Investor LLC, LMI - West Seattle Holdings LLC, LMI - West Seattle Investor LLC, LMI - West Seattle LLC, LMI Cell Tower Investors LLC, LMI City Walk Investor LLC, LMI Collegedale Investor LLC, LMI Collegedale LLC, LMI Contractors LLC, LMI Glencoe Dallas Investor LLC, LMI Lakes West Covina Investor LLC, LMI Largo Park Investor LLC, LMI Las Colinas Station LLC, LMI Naperville Investor LLC, LMI Pacific Tower LLC, LMI Park Central Two LLC, LMI Peachtree Corners Investor LLC, LMI Peachtree Corners LLC, LMI-JC Developer LLC, LMI-JC LLC, LMV 1640 Broadway REIT-DC LP, LMV 1701 Ballard REIT-DC LP, LMV 19H REIT-DC LP, LMV 2026 Madison REIT-DC LP, LMV 85 South Union REIT-DC LP, LMV ATown REIT-DC LP, LMV Annapolis REIT-DC LP, LMV Apache Terrace REIT-DC LP, LMV Block 42 REIT-DC LP, LMV Bloomington REIT-DC LP, LMV Bolingbrook REIT-DC LP (DE), LMV Central at McDowell REIT-DC LP, LMV East Village I REIT-DC LP, LMV Edina REIT-DC LP, LMV Fremont WS I REIT-DC LP, LMV Glisan REIT-DC LP, LMV Grand Bay REIT-DC LP, LMV II Grand Bay Pod V Holdings LP, LMV II Kierland Holdings LP, LMV II NoMo Holdings LP, LMV II Venture Developer LLC, LMV II Wynwood Holdings LP, LMV Kirkland REIT-DC LP, LMV Little Italy REIT-DC LP, LMV M Tower REIT-DC LP, LMV Millenia II REIT-DC LP, LMV Milpitas REIT-DC LP, LMV NE Minneapolis REIT-DC LP, LMV Oak Park REIT-DC LP, LMV One20Fourth REIT-DC LP, LMV QR Build to Core Manager LLC, LMV Rio Bravo REIT-DC LP, LMV Scottsdale Quarter REIT-DC LP, LMV Tysons REIT-DC LP, LMV Vallagio III REIT-DC LP, LMV Victory Block G REIT-DC LP, LMV Warren Street REIT-DC LP, LNC Communities II LLC, LNC Communities IV LLC, LNC Communities V LLC, LNC Communities VI LLC, LNC Communities VII LLC, LNC Communities VIII LLC, LNC Pennsylvania Realty Inc., LNC at Meadowbrook LLC, LNC at Ravenna LLC, LS College Park LLC, LS Terracina LLC, LV Opendoor Investor LLC, LV Opendoor JV LLC, LW D'Andrea LLC, Lagoon Valley Residential LLC, Lakelands at Easton L.L.C., Legends Club LLC, Legends Golf Club LLC, Len - Little Harbor LLC, Len FW Investor LLC, Len Paradise LLC, Len-Angeline LLC, Len-Hawks Point LLC, Len-Land LLC, Len-Land West LLC, Len-MN LLC, Len-Verandahs LLP, LenCom LLC, LenFive LLC, LenFive Opco GP LLC, LenFive Sub III LLC, LenFive Sub LLC, LenFive Sub Opco GP LLC, Lenalto CMBS LLC, Lencraft LLC, Lennar Aircraft I LLC, Lennar Arizona Construction Inc., Lennar Arizona Inc., Lennar Associates Management Holding Company, Lennar Associates Management LLC, Lennar Avenue One LLC, Lennar Berkeley LLC, Lennar Bevard LLC, Lennar Bridges LLC, Lennar Buffington Colorado Crossing L.P., Lennar Buffington Zachary Scott L.P., Lennar Carolinas LLC, Lennar Central Park LLC, Lennar Central Region Sweep Inc., Lennar Chicago Inc., Lennar Cobra LLC, Lennar Colgate Urban Renewal Development LLC, Lennar Colorado LLC, Lennar Colorado Minerals LLC, Lennar Commercial LLC, Lennar Communities Development Inc., Lennar Communities Inc., Lennar Communities Nevada LLC, Lennar Communities of Chicago L.L.C., Lennar Concord LLC, Lennar Construction Inc., Lennar Cory Road LLC, Lennar Courts LLC, Lennar Developers Inc., Lennar Ewing LLC, Lennar Financial Services LLC, Lennar Flamingo LLC, Lennar Fresno Inc., Lennar Gardens LLC, Lennar Georgia Inc., Lennar Greer Ranch Venture LLC, Lennar Heritage Fields LLC, Lennar Hingham Holdings LLC, Lennar Hingham JV LLC, Lennar Homes Holding LLC, Lennar Homes LLC, Lennar Homes NJ LLC, Lennar Homes of Arizona Inc., Lennar Homes of California Inc., Lennar Homes of Indiana Inc., Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction Ltd., Lennar Homes of Texas Sales and Marketing Ltd., Lennar Homes of Utah Inc., Lennar International Holding LLC, Lennar International LLC, Lennar Lakeside Investor LLC, Lennar Layton LLC, Lennar Living LLC, Lennar Lytle LLC, Lennar MF Holdings LLC, Lennar MPA LLC, Lennar MPA WIP LLC, Lennar Mare Island LLC, Lennar Marina A Funding LLC, Lennar Massachusetts Properties Inc., Lennar Middletown LLC, Lennar Monmouth Redevelopers LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP Subsidiary LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP Victory Block G Mezz LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II GP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II GP Subsidiary LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II LP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II Manager LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture LP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture Manager LLC, Lennar Multifamily Builders LLC, Lennar Multifamily Communities LLC, Lennar Multifamily Venture DC LP, Lennar New Jersey Holdings LLC, Lennar New Jersey Properties Inc., Lennar New York LLC, Lennar Northeast Properties LLC, Lennar Northwest Inc., Lennar OHB LLC, Lennar PI Acquisition LLC, Lennar PI Property Acquisition LLC, Lennar PIS Management Company LLC, Lennar Pacific Inc., Lennar Pacific Properties Inc., Lennar Pacific Properties Management Inc., Lennar Plumsted Urban Renewal LLC, Lennar Point LLC, Lennar QR Build to Core GP LLC, Lennar QR Build to Core LP LLC, Lennar Realty Inc., Lennar Reno LLC, Lennar Riverwalk LLC, Lennar Sacramento Inc., Lennar Sales Corp., Lennar Sierra Sunrise LLC, Lennar Spencer's Crossing LLC, Lennar Sun Ridge LLC, Lennar Texas Holding LLC, Lennar Ventures LLC, Lennar West Valley LLC, Lennar Winncrest LLC, Lennar at Franklin LLC, Lennar at Jackson LLC, Lennar at Marlboro 79 LLC, Lennar at Monroe LLC, Lennar.com Inc., Longleaf Acquisition LLC, Lori Gardens Associates II LLC, Lori Gardens Associates III LLC, Lori Gardens Associates L.L.C., Lorton Station LLC, Lyons Lennar Farms LLC, Madrona Ridge L.L.C., Madrona Village L.L.C., Madrona Village Mews L.L.C., Majestic Woods LLC, Maple and Broadway Holdings LLC, Menifee Development LLC, Mid-County Utilities Inc., Miralago West Lennar LLC, Mission Viejo 12S Venture LP, Mission Viejo Holdings Inc., Motomic Diagnostics LLC, Multibank 2009-1 CML-ADC Venture LLC, Multibank 2009-1 RES-ADC Venture LLC, NC Properties I LLC, NC Properties II LLC, North American Asset Development LLC, Northbridge L.L.C., OHC/Ascot Belle Meade LLC, One SR L.P., PD-Len Boca Raton LLC, PG Properties Holding LLC, POMAC LLC, PT Metro LLC, Pace Drive Holdings LLC, Palm Gardens At Doral Clubhouse LLC, Palm Gardens at Doral LLC, Palm Springs Classic LLC, Palm Vista Preserve LLC, Patuxent Infrastructure Inc., Pioneer Meadows Development LLC, Pioneer Meadows Investments LLC, Plaza Condominium Ventures LLC, Portside Marina Developers L.L.C., Portside SM Associates L.L.C., Portside SM Holdings L.L.C., Portside Shipyard Developers L.L.C., Prestonfield L.L.C., Quail Roost Lennar LLC, RCCF GP II LLC, RCCF GP III LLC, RCCF GP IV LLC, RCCF GP LLC, RES-FL EIGHT LLC, RES-FL SEVEN LLC, RES-FL VISION ONE LLC, RES-FL VISION TWO LLC, RES-GA CASCADE LLC, RES-GA DIAMOND MEADOWS LLC, RES-GA KAP LLC, RES-GA SOUTHERN PLANTATION LLC, RES-GA THIRTEEN LLC, RES-GA TWELVE LLC, RES-GA WEST LLC, RES-IL ONE LLC, RES-NC ONE LLC, RES-PA LSJ LLC, RES-PA POM LLC, RES-TX BOULEVARD LLC, RH Insurance Company Inc., RH MOA BBCMS 2017-C1 LLC, RH MOA CF 2017-C8 LLC, RH MOA LLC, RH MOA U 2017-C4 LLC, RH MOA U 2017-C6 LLC, RIAL 2014-LT5 CLASS B LLC, RIAL 2014-LT5 LLC, RL BB FINANCIAL LLC, RL BB INACTIVE LLC, RL BB-AL LLC, RL BB-FL ALHI LLC, RL BB-GA LLC, RL BB-GA RMH LLC, RL BB-IL LLC, RL BB-IN AA LLC, RL BB-IN KRE LLC, RL BB-IN KRE OP LLC, RL BB-IN KRE RE LLC, RL BB-MS LLC, RL BB-NC LLC, RL BB-OH LLC, RL BB-SC BROOKSA LLC, RL BB-SC CLR II LLC, RL BB-SC CLR III LLC, RL BB-SC CLR IV LLC, RL BB-SC CLR LLC, RL BB-SC CRRC LLC, RL BB-SC RACEDAY LLC, RL BB-TN BRISTOL LLC, RL BB-TN LLC, RL BB-TN RACEDAY TOWER LLC, RL BB-TX LLC, RL BB-WV LLC, RL CMBS Holdings LLC, RL CML 2009-1 Investments LLC, RL REGI ARKANSAS LLC, RL REGI Alabama LLC, RL REGI FINANCIAL LLC, RL REGI Florida LLC, RL REGI GEORGIA LLC, RL REGI INACTIVE LLC, RL REGI KANSAS LLC, RL REGI MISSISSIPPI LLC, RL REGI MISSOURI LLC, RL REGI NORTH CAROLINA LLC, RL REGI SOUTH CAROLINA LLC, RL REGI TENNESSEE LLC, RL REGI VIRGINIA LLC, RL REGI-AL HP LLC, RL REGI-AL VRC LLC, RL REGI-FL CRC LLC, RL REGI-FL ESH LLC, RL REGI-FL FT. PIERCE LLC, RL REGI-FL GDL LLC, RL REGI-FL ITALIA LLC, RL REGI-FL MRED LLC, RL REGI-FL RDI LLC, RL REGI-FL SARASOTA LLC, RL REGI-FL TPL LLC, RL REGI-FL VARC LLC, RL REGI-GA DRAD LLC, RL REGI-GA HAY DB LLC, RL REGI-GA MHU LLC, RL REGI-GA MPD LLC, RL REGI-GA RLR LLC, RL REGI-MO GMB LLC, RL REGI-MO MOSCOW MILLS LLC, RL REGI-MS Double H LLC, RL REGI-MS OCEAN SPRINGS LLC, RL REGI-NC CIL LLC, RL REGI-NC LITTLE WING LLC, RL REGI-NC MLD LLC, RL REGI-NC Mland LLC, RL REGI-NC RALEIGH LLC, RL REGI-NC SUGARM LLC, RL REGI-NM LLC, RL REGI-SC CTL LLC, RL REGI-SC LAKE E LLC, RL REGI-SC TDG LLC, RL REGI-SC TIG LLC, RL REGI-TN OAK LLC, RL REGI-TN SEVIERVILLE LLC, RL RES 2009-1 Investments LLC, RMF Alliance LLC, RMF Commercial LLC, RMF PR New York LLC, RMF Partner LLC, RMF SUB 1 LLC, RMF SUB 2 LLC, RMF SUB 3 LLC, RMF SUB 4 LLC, RMF SUB 5 LLC, RMV LLC, Raintree Village II L.L.C., Raintree Village L.L.C., Ral-Len BM LLC, Ral-Len LLC, Rannel Capital WeWork Series D LLC, Rannel Holdings LLC, Rannel Interests LLC, Rannel Investments LLC, Rannel Mortgage Investments LLC, Rannel Proprietary Investments LLC, Renaissance Joint Venture, Reserve @ Pleasant Grove II LLC, Reserve @ Pleasant Grove LLC, Reserve at River Park LLC, Reserve at South Harrison LLC, Rialto Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Rialto Credit Partnership GP LLC, Rialto Mezz Partners GP LLC, Rialto Mortgage Finance LLC, Rialto Partners GP II LLC, Rialto Partners GP III - Debt LLC, Rialto Partners GP III - Property LLC, Rialto Partners GP LLC, Rialto RSSF GP LLC, Riverwalk at Lago Mar LLC, Rocking Horse Minerals LLC, Rutenberg Homes Inc. (Florida), Rutenberg Homes of Texas Inc., Rye Hill Company LLC, Ryland Homes Nevada Holdings LLC, Ryland Homes Nevada LLC, Ryland Homes of California Inc., S. Florida Construction II LLC, S. Florida Construction III LLC, S. Florida Construction LLC, SC 521 Indian Land Reserve LLC, SC 521 Indian Land Reserve South LLC, SPIC CPCO Inc., SPIC CPDB Inc., SPIC CPRB Inc., SPIC Del Sur LLC, SPIC Dublin LLC, SPIC Mesa LLC, SPIC NC Fremont LLC, SPIC Otay LLC, SPIC Springs LLC, San Felipe Indemnity Co. Ltd., San Lucia LLC, San Simeon Lennar LLC, Schulz Ranch Developers LLC, Seminole/70th LLC, Siena at Old Orchard L.L.C., Sierra Vista Communities LLC, Silver Springs Lennar LLC, South Development LLC, Southbank Holding LLC, Spanish Springs Development LLC, St. Charles Active Adult Community LLC, St. Charles Community LLC, Standard Pacific 1 Inc., Standard Pacific Investment Corp., Standard Pacific of Colorado Inc., Standard Pacific of Florida, Standard Pacific of Florida GP Inc., Standard Pacific of Las Vegas Inc., Standard Pacific of Orange County Inc., Standard Pacific of Tampa GP, Standard Pacific of Tampa GP Inc., Standard Pacific of Tonner Hills LLC, Standard Pacific of Walnut Hills Inc., Standard Pacific of the Carolinas LLC, Stoney Holdings LLC, Storey Lake Club LLC, Storey Park Club LLC, Strategic Holdings Inc., Strategic Technologies LLC, Summerfield Venture L.L.C., SunStreet Energy Group LLC, SunStreet Manager LLC, TCO QVI LLC, TICD Hold Co. LLC, TIH Hold Co. LLC, Talega Associates LLC, Temecula Valley LLC, Terra Division LLC, Terra/Winding Creek LLC, The Baywinds Land Trust, The Bridges Club at Rancho Santa Fe Inc., The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe Sales Company Inc., The LNC Northeast Group Inc., The Oasis Club at LEN-CG South LLC, The Preserve at Coconut Creek LLC, The Vistas Club at LEN-CG South LLC, Titlezoom Company, Treasure Island Holdings LLC, Treasure Island Member LLC, Treviso Holding LLC, Two Lakes Lennar LLC, U.S. Home Corporation, U.S. Home Realty Inc., U.S. Home of Arizona Construction Co., U.S. Insurors Inc., U.S.H. Realty Inc., UAMC Holding Company LLC, UB 2018C14 MOA LLC, USH - Flag LLC, USH Equity Corporation, USH LEE LLC, USH Leasing II LLC, USH Leasing LLC, UST Lennar HW Scala SF Joint Venture, VII Crown Farm Investor LLC, Venetian Lennar LLC, Vineyard Land LLC, Vineyard Point 2009 LLC, Vista Palms Clubhouse LLC, WCI Communities, WCI Communities Inc., WCI Communities LLC, WCI Towers Northeast USA Inc., WCI Westshore LLC, WCP LLC, WIP Lennar OHB LLC, Waterview at Hanover LLC, West Lake Village LLC, West Seattle Project X LLC, West Van Buren L.L.C., Westchase Inc., Westchase Ltd., Westfield Homes USA Inc., White Course Lennar LLC, Wild Plum JV LLC, Willowbrook Investors LLC, Winncrest Natomas LLC, Woodbridge Multifamily Developer I LLC, Wright Farm L.L.C., and YLRichards4Acres 2015 LLC.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.UTICA - Omar Ortiz, the man accused of shooting a Utica man to death on Bleecker Street this past June, was arraigned Wednesday morning in Oneida County Court.

Ortiz is charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the shooting death of 25-year-old Deon Williams. It is believed Ortiz was living in Utica at the time of the shooting.

Omar Ortiz appears in Oneida County Court on November 7, 2018. Omar Ortiz appears in Oneida County Court on November 7, 2018.

Pennsylvania authorities arrested the 35-year-old Ortiz and alerted law enforcement here in New York they had taken him into custody. He had been held in an Erie, Pennsylvania jail since June.

Police say Ortiz committed additional crimes while across state lines.

Next step from here, we head back to court. He'll decide what route he would like to take in the case, if he would like to have a trial. Then we will have motions, which is essentially paperwork filed by his attorney, and then if the case can't be resolved we will go to trial, said Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Michael Nolan Wednesday morning.

The district attorney's office made a plea offer to Ortiz, who is scheduled to return to court on November 20th.UTICA - With just over 1,400 votes separating the candidates, Democrat Anthony Brindisi leads the 22nd Congressional District race against Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney.

With all of the precincts reporting, Brindisi received a total of 117,779 votes, while Tenney received 116,357 votes. Absentee ballots have not yet been counted, and they will not be tallied for at least another week. In the eight counties either fully or partially covered by the district, the various boards of elections report there are more than 16,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted. In Oneida County alone there are more than 5,300 absentee ballots that need to be counted, and more could be coming in.

We'd like to thank the voters of this district, our supporters and volunteers for their hard work and dedication throughout this campaign. With over ten thousand absentee ballots left to count, this race is still too close to call. Over the next few days and weeks our team will participate in the re-canvass process and review the absentee ballots, said Raychel Renna, Tenney's campaign manager.

Meanwhile, Brindisi may have jumped the gun early with a speech just after 11:00 p.m. Tuesday after several networks called the race in his favor. CBS was one network that did call the race in his favor, NBC did not.

Brindisi told the large crowd of supporters, with his family by his side on stage, that he was happy to be going to Washington to represent the people of this region.

NewsChannel 2 reached out to Brindisi's campaign for a comment about the race tightening after the last few districts came in and went highly in Tenney's favor - cutting his lead down to just 1,422 votes - but as of Wednesday morning have not received a response.

Tenney was elected to the 22nd Congressional District seat in 2016, winning a three-way race over Democrat Kim Myers and independent Martin Babinec.

Brindisi has served in the New York State Assembly since 2011.

The 22nd Congresional District includes all of Oneida, Madison, Chenango and Cortland counties, and parts of Herkimer, Broome, Oswego and Tioga counties.The Mohawk Valley Rotary Club is hosting a FOOD DRIVE from now through December 3rd!

Help out the local community and donate your unexpired and non-perishable food this Holiday Season!

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations: Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, Ilion Public Library, Basloe Library, Frankfort Public Library, Frankfort Village Office, Sorrento's Pizza, Mohawk Meat Market, Franco's Pizza, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, GPO, Americu, Adirondack Bank, Moose River Coffee House, Kinney's in Ilion, Berkshire Bank, and Melrose Supermarket.

*All donations benefit Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army Food Banks serving Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion, and Mohawk.*TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  Republican Jim Baird will represent the News 18 viewing area in the United State House of Representatives, after he defeated Tobi Beck in District 4, the AP reports.

Related: Full Results for the 2018 Midterm Election

The 4th District includes every county in the News 18 viewing area.

Even though he is not on the ballot today, current 4th District Congressman Todd Rokita is very involved in the election. When Rokita ran in the Senate in the primary against eventual winner Mike Braun, he vacated his 4th District Congressional Seat. Rokita will leave Congress in January after four terms. He said he and his wife are currently looking into other opportunities for his future.

Baird is a Purdue University grad and Vietnam veteran.INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTTV)  Republicans successfully flipped a key seat in the U.S. Senate, with Republican Mike Braun defeating Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in a hotly contested race.

Several news organizations called the race in Brauns favor with about 50% of precincts reporting in, including FOX News, CBS News, ABC News and NBC News.

Donnelly was considered one of the most vulnerable seats in the country. And Brauns campaign brought in the big guns, with President Donald Trump visiting the Hoosier State multiple times to support his candidacy.

Rallies in Southport and Fort Wayne in the days before the election drew large crowds. And while Donnelly campaigned vigorously, it wasnt enough to keep his seat in a traditionally red state.

"What a journey this has been," Braun said in his victory speech.

He recalled that people thought he was "crazy" for running for the House. He said his wife was his greatest supporter.

"Truly, dear, we've lived the American Dream. We really have," Braun said.

Over the 15 months of his campaign, Braun said he didn't have to stay in a hotel but four or five times because people welcomed him into their homes for the night.

"Just like any competition, you fight hard, you want to win," Braun said. "The one thing I'd like to see change in politics: it's gotten way too nasty on both sides."

Braun said both he and Donnelly's families had to carry "the weight" of the negative campaigning, which took a toll. He pledged to bring some commonsense to Washington.

"We need to take to Washington what works in the real world. What works in Jasper, Indiana. What works in Warsaw, Indiana," Braun said. "What we're gonna do is get real people from the real world who can fix things in a dysfunctional system."

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders touted Brauns win, saying the support of President Trump made a difference. A "good night for the president," she said. Braun bore that out during his speech, recounting how he met the president four times during his campaign.

"I'll never forget, and Todd Young was with me, when [President Trump] said, 'You think we ought to bring Bobby Knight to the rally?'" Braun recalled. "It could only happen in America and in Indiana, when you're with the president, the vice president and Bobby Knight on the same stage."

Donnelly conceded the race around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, saying he'd called Braun to congratulate him on the win. He offered to do anything he could to ensure a smooth transition.

"I just want to tell you how grateful I am to all of you for the unbelievable opportunity to serve the people of Indiana," Donnelly told supporters. "We had the chance to serve everyone across our state, with healthcare and so many good things, and the people of our state are so wonderful.

"If there's anything I can ever do for you, count on me," Donnelly said. "We want to bring our country together rather than divide it."

Donnelly also released a statement:

"A few minutes ago, I called Mike Braun and congratulated him on winning a hard-fought race. Id like to thank every single American who believed in this campaign and worked to make it successful, and every Hoosier whom I have come across over the last six years who helped me to better serve my state. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to represent Indiana in the Senate. I wish Mike the best, and I hope he makes every single Hoosier proud as our senator."

Sen. Todd Young released a statement:

Hoosiers have spoken, and they have elected Mike Braun to join me in the United States Senate. I congratulate Mike on his election, and I look forward to working together to continue moving America forward. Whether were confirming judges, or advancing policies that have our economy booming, Mike Braun will be an excellent partner in the fight for Hoosier priorities.

I would also like to thank Joe Donnelly for his years of service to the people of Indiana. We have always enjoyed a positive and productive relationship, and I thank him for his dedication to our great state.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued this statement:

Congratulations to Mike Braun, Indianas next U.S. Senator. Ive always said that we need more Indiana in Washington, and thats exactly what were getting with Mike Braun. Mike Braun understands the 28 words of the 10th Amendment. Hes built a homegrown Indiana business and served at the Statehouse. He knows a thing or two about Hoosier solutions  and hell take those solutions with him Washington.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.Officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Nepal is a country that is located in South Asia. The landlocked country lies mostly in the Himalayas although parts of it also lie in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The nation has an area of about 56,827 square miles, which makes it the 93rd largest country in the world in terms of size. Regarding population, Nepal is the 48th largest nation in the world with a population of around 26.4 million people. The country is bordered by China, India, and Bangladesh. The nations capital city is Kathmandu, which is also the largest city.

Unfortunately, Nepal is among the least developed states in the world due to lack of any significant resources as well as a poor transport network. Another fact that contributes to this low level of development is the landlocked nature of the country. For this reason, the country mostly relies on imports in a wide range of things such as fuel, consumer goods, construction materials, metals, and other things. The few resources in the country include precious minerals and metals (such as iron ore, copper, magnesite, and others), water resources for hydroelectric power, agricultural land, and forests.

Minerals

Most of the terrain in the country, about 80%, is hilly. However, research into the countrys hilly terrain has shown that there are a few deposits of metallic, nonmetallic minerals, fuel minerals, and decorative minerals. These minerals include the likes of gold, limestone, mica, iron ore, copper, and others. While there are suspected oil deposits in places such as Pyuthan, Nepalgunj, and Dailekh, there have been no confirmations on the matter. Natural gas deposits are suspected to be in places like Mustang, the Kathmandu Valley, and a few other districts.

Limestone is mined in places such as Surkhet, Hetauda, and Chovar and has always been used to produce cement in the country. Another mineral, magnesium, is mined in a number of places such as at the Kampughat mine. Despite the few mineral resources, the mine at Kampughat in the Sagarmatha Zone has deposits of about 20 million tons of ore, of which 30% is magnesium. These deposits make Nepal one of the leading global producers of magnesium.

A lack of modern technology and equally skilled labor means that the country has been unable to produce these minerals at maximum levels. Should the government make the proper investments, then the sector has the potential of creating new industries as well as create new employment opportunities. In addition, the government regulations are a discouraging factor to multinational companies wishing to invest in the sector.

Agricultural Land

Nepal is divided into three portions namely Terai, Hilly, and Himalayan. The majority of the population in Nepal is poor and still depends on farming agriculture for sustenance. Of the total area of Nepal, about 17% is suitable for agriculture, which is mostly in Terai and Hilly. Rocky land covers about 38% of the country, which is mostly in Himalayan. In addition, the area around Himalayan has mountains that are covered by snow, which further makes that section unsuitable for agriculture.

Of the two arable sections, Terai is more suitable for farming due to higher levels of fertility. For this reason, this area is sometimes known as the Green Belt of Nepal. Most of the agricultural products produced by the country come from the belt and are then exported to the other two sections of Nepal. The farmers there cultivate a number of plants including wheat, rice, oilseed, sugarcane, paddy, jute, tobacco, maize, coconuts, and many other plants. Hilly regions are also used for some agricultural activities such as the production of rice, wheat, potatoes, maize, paddy, and a few other things. After supplying the other regions, Nepal usually has little left for exportation although some products such as rice are exported to other countries.

Forest Cover

This natural resource covers a huge part (about 25.4%) of Nepal. The forest cover is classified into three types namely protected, production, and conserved forests. Forests serve several purposes such as the production of firewood as well as timber for industrial purposes. Industrial uses of trees include industries such as paper, timber, and furniture. Industries that deal with wood include the government-owned Timber Corporation of Nepal and a few others. Other people also depend on the forests to extract medicinal herbs. In addition to all of these benefits, the forest provides a habitat for animals and birds.

Revenue generation from the forests is realized in a number of ways. For example, Nepal exports its timber products to several countries although the main export destination is the nearby India. Tourism is also a source of revenue as visitors from all around the world go to Nepal for the scenery. In the hilly areas, forest cover has been helping in preventing the erosion of precious arable land. Unfortunately, deforestation is still a major problem, which is why temperatures are increasing while agricultural yields are going down.

Water

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world terms of water resources. In fact, only Brazil has more water. The fact that the country is leading in terms of water resources despite being landlocked shows just how much water it has. The water in Nepal comes from several sources including melting snow and mountains. Nepal has a number of major rivers including Karnali, Bhotekoshi, Koshi, Sunkoshi, Gandaki, and many more. Lakes in the country include Tilicho, Rara, and Phewa.

Primarily, water is used for a number of functions namely drinking and household use, irrigation projects, and generation of hydroelectricity. Interestingly, the abundance of these resources has done nothing to alleviate a water shortage in the capital city and other major settlements. In addition, the countrys maximum potential for the production of hydroelectricity has not been met. Estimates place the countrys potential for electricity production at a whopping 83,000 MW. Currently, the country can only produce a measly 600 MW. To improve the situation, Nepal is working on a number of projects including nine major power plants while considering another 27 sites for future exploration. In addition, the government has a number of projects such as the Melamchi water project to supply water to Kathmandu.The European Commission on Tuesday called on Saudi Arabia to collaborate with Turkish authorities on investigating the killing last month of a journalist at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

"We expect Saudi institutions to provide all the information they have about the case and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. This needs to be done in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities," commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told a press briefing in Brussels.

"From the very beginning we have been asking Saudi Arabia to shed light on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi through a full credible, transparent and prompt investigation," she added.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2.

After weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted that Khashoggi had been killed at the Saudi Consulate but claimed that the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of a plot to murder him.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini earlier said: "We expect a thorough investigation and full transparency from the Saudi authorities on what has happened."

In a non-binding resolution on Oct. 25, the European Parliament condemned in the strongest possible terms the reported torture and killing of the journalist.

The EP urged an "independent and impartial" international probe of the killing, also warning that targeted sanctions could be imposed if Saudi agents are found guilty in his death.

Last week, Turkish prosecutors announced their preliminary findings, saying Khashoggi was strangled to death in a premeditated killing soon after he entered the consulate.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Khashoggi's body was disposed of after being dismembered.

Saudi authorities have so far claimed that they do not know the whereabouts of his remains.The German weekly Der Spiegel has published a flattering portrait of Bjorn Hocke in its edition of October 27. As Der Spiegel notes in its article, Hocke is the most right-wing leading figure in the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Melanie Amann, who has been reporting on the AfD for Der Spiegel for four years, met Hocke in his home village Bornhagen for a long walk in the forest and then wrote a six-page article based on their encounter. She was clearly fascinated by the head of the AfD in the East German state of Thuringia.

She describes the man who in his speeches and new book ever more frankly reveals his anti-democratic, volkisch worldview as a lonely forest walker prepared to fight for his convictions. Amann bases her interpretation on a 1951 essay titled The Forest Passage (Der Waldgang) by the far-right German author Ernst Junger. Throwing aside any sort of journalistic objectivity, Amann engaged in re-staging Jungers essay with Hocke as the central figure.

Silence, beech leaves, roebucks, barking dogs, cackling chickens, a rocky plateau and a crooked riverbed are the leitmotifs going through the entire article. Hocke wears short blue pants and crude hiking boots. In addition, a white short-sleeved shirt. He enthuses: The beech forest is so peaceful and hikes in nature are a source of strength. He feels compassion for a dead wasp and for people who unwittingly forgo family happiness. That does not leave a sensitive person like him cold, Amann remarks, because after all, he is only human.

The Spiegel author also explains the significance of the Waldgang metaphor: Junger describes how people behave when their state evolves into a dictatorship, when elections serve only to simulate freedom. Most citizens are quite prepared to submit to this farce. But any one brave enough to say no and reject the system is, in Jungers view, a forest walker: such a lonely wanderer will not be told what to do by any superior power, either through propaganda or force. And he intends to defend himself.

Summing up the essence of her essay Amann writes: Junger linked the love and longing of Germans for their forests with the political fate of the people (Volk). The Forest Passage represents readiness to sacrifice and, if necessary, violent resistance.

The use of so much romantic kitsch to glorify a neo-Nazi is enough to make one vomit. Goring, Hitler and their cronies all struck similar poses. Amann is not a member of the AfD and she even wrote a book about the far-right party titled Fears for Germany (Angst fur Deutschland). But like many of the educated German petty bourgeois who embraced Hitler in the 1930s, she is fascinated by the right-wing extremists as they increasingly gain influence. There are both ideological and political reasons for this.

Amann has obviously taken to heart Hockes text message to her prior to their meeting in Bornhagen: The desire to understand is the foundation of the journalistic ethos. She wants to understand the motives of Hocke and the AfD, rather than understand what the AfD objectively represents. She is full of empathy for the motivations of AfD members, which she portrays as favourably as possible. At the same time, she completely ignores the political background to the rise of the far-right partythe role of the state, the media, mainstream politics and the universities.

This was already evident in Amanns 2017 book about the AfD. It begins with the statement: The AfD existed before it was formally established. It was not physically tangible, but rather a thought, a feeling in the heads of many Germans. The AfD is a genuine peoples party.

The fact is that far from being a creation conjured up in the heads of Germans the AfD was created in behind-the-scenes manoeuvres in the back rooms of political circles, the media and the universities. The party was founded by right-wing professors such as Bernd Lucke, big business lobbyists such as Olaf Henkel and veteran politicians such as Alexander Gauland. Civil servants, police officers and army officers are disproportionately represented in the partys ranks. The media devoted a huge amount of attention to the AfD long before it entered into state and eventually the federal parliament. The recent scandal surrounding secret service chief Hans-Georg Maaen has made clear that the AfD has the full support of Germanys domestic intelligence agency (BfV).

The German ruling elite needs the AfD to suppress growing resistance to social inequality and militarism. It is responding to trade war and growing international tensions by invoking its former traditions of authoritarian and fascist rule. That is the real reason for the growth of the AfD.

The Spiegel author ignores all this entirelyand not due to any naivety on her part. The argument that the AfD emerged out of the heads of Germans allows her to close ranks with the AfD and take up the partys policies. In the introduction to her book she writes, What was decisive for me was the realisation that meaningful engagement with the AfD is only possible if one has an open mind to the partys milieu.

In order to win back AfD supporters, she recommends that Germanys conservative Union (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union) constructively embrace conservative issues such as patriotism or the urge for freedom. Issues which evoke fear such as internal security or the criminal activities of refugees should not simply be left to the AfD.

Of course there are AfD voters who are not genuine fascists, but one cannot break them from the party by adopting the policies of the AfD. Instead it is necessary to oppose the AfD and build a party that fights capitalism with a socialist program. The pro-capitalist policy of the SPD, the Left Party and other so-called left parties is the main reason why far-right parties can gain influence even among oppressed layers of the population.

Der Spiegel has deliberately published its hymn of praise to Hocke. For years the magazine has played a leading role in paving the way for far-right ideology. In February 2014, it published the article Culpability Question Divides Historians Today by Dirk Kurbjuweit, now deputy editor. Kurbjuweit argued in favour of a reassessment of German history, aimed at playing down the crimes committed by German imperialism.

In the article, Herfried Munkler, professor at Berlin Humboldt University, denied Germanys responsibility for World War I. His colleague Jorg Baberowski defended the Nazi apologist Ernst Nolte and claimed that Hitler was not vicious. Nolte himself blamed Poland for World War II and wrote that the Jews were in part responsible for the concentration camps.

When the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) protested against the trivialisation of Hitler by Baberowski, the media, led by the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, responded with an outburst of slander. The book Why are they back? by Christoph Vandreier, published by Mehring Verlag last month, documents this discussion in detail.

It should be noted that Amanns article repeats many of the quotationssome almost literallyused by Baberowski and Nolte, which were criticized by the SGP at the time. Only this time they come from the mouth of Hocke.

For example, Amann cites an interview with Hocke in the Wall Street Journal. In the interview Hocke claims that the big problem is that one presents Hitler as absolutely evil. But of course we know that there is no black and no white in history. When this is raised by Amann, Hocke replies, Whats really bad today is that one is not even allowed to say what is self-evident, i.e., that despite all the atrocities, Hitler was only a human being.

Further on in Amanns article one finds almost literally the quote by Nolte relating to the Poles and the Jews. In AfD circles much thought was given to how the fatherland could finally shake off the burden of the Nazi period and when will the world finally realize that Poland also bears responsibility for the war and that, with some justification, one could describe not just the Germans, but also the Jews as a people of perpetrators.

Der Spiegels idealisation of Hocke confirms the warnings made by the SGP for years: In order to enforce its policy of militarism and social cuts in a world rocked by war and trade war, the ruling class of Germany is reviving its most barbarous traditions. Only a mass socialist movement of the working class can stop this development.One of the bloodiest events in what constitutes the worlds largest ongoing war crime is beginning to unfold in Hodeidah, the Red Sea port that serves as the principal lifeline for food, fuel and medicine upon which at least 70 percent of Yemens impoverished and starving population depend for survival.

The Saudi-led coalition that has waged a devastating war against Yemens population for the past three and a half years reports that it has mobilized some 30,000 troops to surround the city. These include Emirati and Sudanese regulars, Al Qaeda militiamen and Yemeni mercenaries, all being massed on Hodeidahs outskirts.

The city is being subjected to non-stop bombardment from both the air and sea, with the aid group Save the Children reporting that its staff counted some 100 airstrikes just over the weekend, a five-fold increase compared to the first week in October.

Among the latest civilian victims of this onslaught are two people killed and 24 wounded in a strike on a residential neighborhood, a worker left dead and five other wounded in the bombing of a Yemeni factory, a young girl wounded in an artillery attack on a mosque and five inmates injured in the bombing of Hodeidahs central prison.

The bombings have come ever closer to the Al Thawra hospital, the last functioning medical facility treating children on the brink of death from malnutrition. It has made it impossible for those seeking aid to reach the hospital, and there is growing concern that it will be targeted, as have the majority of hospitals and clinics throughout Yemen.

Some 570,000 people in the port of Hodeidah and the surrounding province of the same name have been turned into homeless refugees, often fleeing bombardments and violence with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

That the renewed siege has the blessing of Washington is indisputable. The massing of troops, the naval blockade and the endless bombing would all be impossible without the close collaboration of the Pentagon, which supplies aerial refueling for Saudi bombers, naval support for the stranglehold over access to Hodeidah from the sea and even intelligence assistance for selecting targets in the port city.

Yet the escalation of the siege comes just one week after extensive reports in the US media of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis calling for a ceasefire in Yemen and indicating a 30-day deadline for the resumption of peace talks.

Even as the siege of Hodeidah was building, the New York Times published a hypocritical November 5 editorial titled End Yemens Agony, praising Pompeo and Mattis for having urged all sides to stop the killing and proclaiming that the secretaries have taken a first step.

Events on the ground make it abundantly clear that this is all nonsense, a cover-up for continuing and intensifying slaughter that is reaching a near-genocidal scale.

Urging all sides to stop the killing, as if the US-backed Saudi-led coalition and its victims are equally responsible for the mass murder in Yemen, is designed only to create an alibi for war crimes.

According to the latest estimate by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, some 56,000 Yemenis have died since the US-backed Saudi assault began in 2016. Together with the deaths in the first nine months of the war, the death toll is thought to be between 70,000 and 80,000, the vast majority of them caused by Saudi bombs and missiles.

The death toll from hunger and preventable disease, caused by the Saudi blockade of the country and the systematic leveling of water, sewage and other basic infrastructure, is far greater, with an estimated 50,000 victims last year alone.

As many as 14 million people, nearly half the countrys population, are on the brink of starvation, with the siege of Hodeidah and the cutting off of relief supplies threatening to claim the lives of millions.

A close examination of the statements made by Pompeo and Mattis makes clear their real intent. Pompeos call for a ceasefire read, the time is now for the cessation of hostilities, including missile and UAV strikes from Houthi-controlled areas into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Subsequently, Coalition air strikes must cease in all populated areas in Yemen. [emphasis added]

In other words, the onus is on the Houthi rebels who control Hodeidah, the capital Sanaa and the most populous area of the country, to halt missile attacks, none of which have done any significant damage to either Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Only subsequently, after this unilateral act of surrender, will US-backed Saudi forces halt air strikes in populated areas, presumably continuing them in areas deemed not to be populated.

In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Pompeo, asked about his and Mattis statements, responded, Frankly, its nothing new, while claiming that the starvation in Yemen was caused by Iran supplying weapons and missiles to the Houthi rebels that are fighting there in Saudi Arabia. Even government lies should make some sense. While Washington has yet to present any credible evidence that Iran is arming the Houthi rebels, the idea that the Houthis are fighting in Saudi Arabiapresumably making them the aggressoris a fantasy that turns the world on its head.

It is now clear that the supposed 30-day deadline for a Yemen ceasefire was used to telegraph a message to the Saudis to get on with the slaughter and capture Hodeidah as speedily as possible, no matter what the human cost. Should Riyadh need an extension for this massive bloodletting, one will no doubt be forthcoming.

Washington views the mass murder in Yemen through the prism of its attempt to curtail Irans influence throughout the Middle East and effect regime change in Tehran. It is no accident that the escalation of the siege of Hodeidah coincides with the imposition of punishing unilateral and illegal US sanctions against Iran that are tantamount to an act of war. Saudi Arabia is seen as the linchpin of imperialist reaction in the Middle East, the key ally in the conflict with Iran and the source of billions of dollars in profits for US arms manufacturers. To preserve these interests, Washington is prepared to see millions die.

In the wake of the grisly October 2 political murder of journalist and former Riyadh insider Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the US media, which had largely blacked out the mass killing in Yemen, provided a brief spurt of coverage as it appeared that it might be useful in Washingtons attempts to use the crisis over this political murder as leverage in securing a more advantageous relationship with the House of Saud.

A month later, coverage of both the Khashoggi assassination and the slaughter in Yemen has largely abated, suggesting that some kind of accommodation has been reached between Washington and Riyadh. For most of the population of the United States, news of the siege of Hodeidah, in which the American military is a full partner, is blacked out.

Moreover, in the midst of the supposedly decisive midterm election, no candidate of either of the two big business parties has chosen to make Washingtons indispensable support for the mass murder of Yemeni men, women and children an issue in the campaign. And for good reason. Both major parties are fully implicated in this war crime, with all the instruments of support for the Saudi-led warmidair refueling, intelligence sharing, targeting assistance, support for the naval blockade and massive US arms saleshaving been implemented under the Democratic Obama administration and continued and deepened under the Republican administration of Trump.

Whatever tactical differences exist between Democrats and Republicans over the issues of Yemen and the steadily escalating confrontation with Iran, both capitalist parties are committed to a policy of imposing unchallenged US hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East, a policy that is claiming Yemeni lives as collateral damage on an unspeakably horrific scale.In the name of securing Canadas borders, the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government has ordered the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to expel 10,000 migrantsthe overwhelming majority of them people fleeing poverty and oppressionby March 2019.

The Liberals drive to dramatically hike and expedite deportations represents an intensification of its right-wing, anti-immigrant agenda and will further embolden the most reactionary political forces, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the new Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government in Quebec, and outright fascist groups.

The order was outlined in an e-mail from a senior government official that was leaked to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) the same week US President Donald Trump vowed to send 15,000 soldiers to the US-Mexico border and urged them to open fire on refugees fleeing poverty and violence in Central America. Not a single word of condemnation of these fascistic remarks has been forthcoming from Trudeau or his ministers. Instead, they are stepping up their collaboration with US authorities in policing the Canada-US border, including in seeking to prevent those fleeing Trumps anti-immigrant witch-hunt from finding refuge in Canada.

The government e-mail confirmed a new annual target of 10,000 deportations, an increase of 35 percent. CBSA head Barry Campbell stated in the leaked e-mail: To ensure that the CBSA is meeting its mandate under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to conduct removals as soon as possible, the agency is focused on increasing overall removal numbers for the current fiscal year and beyond.

The deportation drive specifically targets refugee claimants who have crossed into Canada from the US, so as to send a chilling message to would-be migrants that Canada is no safe haven.

Prime Minister Trudeau has publicly endorsed the stepped-up expulsions, and in the most cynical manner. He told reporters his government is seeking to improve the immigration system by having it more rapidly deal with files. For his part, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale termed the deportation drive as necessary and urged the CBSA to pick up the pace.

The Liberals anti-immigrant witch-hunt should come as no surprise. Notwithstanding their posturing as pro-refugee and the attempt of much the media to portray them as a progressive alternative to the xenophobia of the Conservatives and far-right forces, the Liberals have responded to a surge in refugee claimants entering Canada overland from the US with hostility and callousness.

For starters, the Trudeau government has defended the reactionary Canada-US Safe Third Country agreement to the hilt. Under this agreement, persons fearing persecution in the United States who seek to enter Canada at an official border checkpoint are automatically denied the right to file for asylum and immediately returned to the US, on the grounds that it is a safe country for refugees.

It is the governments refusal to abrogate the Safe Third Country agreement that has led some 40,000 asylum-seekers to enter Canada in 2017-2018 irregularly, because if they do, Ottawa is compelled under international law to hear their claims for refugee status.

Not only has this meant that asylum-seekers have often had to cross into Canada under highly dangerous and even life-threatening conditions. The right and ultra-right have seized on their having crossed into Canada outside an official border crossing to smear them as illegals and law-breakers.

Similarly, in order to dissuade others from joining them, the government has refused to provide the asylum-seekers with adequate resources, leading then to turn to food banks and emergency shelters. The right and far-right have then seized on this to scapegoat the refugees, denouncing them for taxing scant social services.

The Liberals harsh treatment of the refugee claimants is in keeping with the character of Canadas immigration system as whole, which is highly restrictive, having been tailored to meet the needs of Canadian big business.

Whilst the media endlessly promotes Canadas progressive immigration system, it has received plaudits from some of the most reactionary political figures on the planet. This includes Trump, who has proclaimed Ottawas points-based immigration system an example worth following. Another proponent of the Canadian model is Alice Weidel, a leader of the fascistic Alternative for Germany (AfD), which combines a far-right xenophobic and nationalist program with the trivialization of the crimes carried out by Hitler and the Nazis.

Throughout Trumps two-year presidency, the Trudeau government has studiously avoided making any criticism of his vendetta against immigrants. This is a calculated decision that human rights concerns and international law must not be allowed to get in the way of the Canadian bourgeoisies strategic interest in maintaining and deepening its decades-long economic and military partnership with Washington and Wall Street. This was summed up by the Globe and Mail, the traditional mouthpiece of the Canadas financial elite, which declared soon after Trump was elected that it was necessary for Canada to be behind Trumps walls.

This was not only an explicit reference to Trumps reactionary demand for a border wall with Mexico. It also expressed the desire of the Canadian ruling elite to align itself even more closely with Washington in upholding North American global dominance through trade war and, if need be, military conflict with their common geostrategic and economic rivalsabove all, Russia and China.

The Trudeau government has duly obliged. Immigration authorities in Canada collaborate intimately with the US Border Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security, the very same agencies that are terrorizing immigrant communities across the country and mistreating children in concentration camp-like facilities. Moreover, Canada recently agreed to a renegotiated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement that makes it into a more explicit protectionist trade bloc. The Liberals have also integrated Canada still more completely into the US military-strategic offensives against Russia and China and have announced a more than 70 percent hike in military spending by 2026.

Over the past two decades, Canadian imperialism has participated in virtually every US-led war of aggression, from the bombardment of Yugoslavia to the occupation of Afghanistan, NATOs bloody air war on Libya, and the ongoing war in Syria and Iraq. Ottawa therefore bears a not insignificant share of the blame for the death and destruction throughout the Middle East and beyond that has forced tens of millions to become refugees.

The Liberals shift right is part of a broader lurch toward reaction on the part of the entire Canadian establishment, rooted in the eruption of trade war, the surge in global geopolitical tensions, and above all, the growth of social opposition in the working class.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has just published a book in which he defends Trump and proclaims rightwing populism a necessary antidote to the danger of socialism.

Meanwhile, the Conservative official opposition is denouncing the Liberals harsh treatment of refugees as woefully inadequate. The Conservatives are demanding the government designate the entire Canada-US border a point of entry under the Safe Third Country Agreement so Ottawa can automatically expel anyone who crosses into Canada from the US.

Fords Progressive Conservative government in Ontario and Francois Legaults CAQ in Quebec have seized on the Liberals plan to increase deportations to amplify their own demands for an even more sweeping clampdown.

The Ford government, which has been waging a foul campaign blaming refugees for Ontarios crumbling social services, including a lack of housing, stepped up this campaign following the CBC leak. According to an official Ontario government statement, the Trudeau government lacked a credible plan to deal with illegal border crossers. The statement cited Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod, who asserted, without providing any evidence, that 40 percent of all homeless shelter occupants in Toronto are immigrants.

This reactionary campaign, which is designed to divert attention away from the responsibility of all political parties, from the NDP to the Conservatives, for decades of social spending cuts, is also being used to forge a base of support among the most backward political forces for the Ford governments sweeping assault on public spending. Ford has already imposed a hiring freeze on the public sector, vowed to cut billions from government spending, and rolled back an extremely modest minimum-wage increase.Violence in Yemen's key port city of Hodeidah is at its worst in months, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator has warned, as a leader of the Houthi rebels vowed that his side would carry on fighting despite US calls for a ceasefire.

Hodeidah, a vital entry point for UN and other humanitarian aid, has become the center of the conflict in Yemen between US-backed Arab allies led by Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels backed by Iran.

Continents and regions Middle East Middle East and North Africa Yemen Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - Intl Politics United Nations Unrest, conflicts and war US federal government White House North America Saudi Arabia The Americas United States International relations International relations and national security Treaties and agreements Houthis Misc organizations Muslim extremists Civilian casualties Military War casualties International assistance

Fighting has escalated since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis a week ago called on all participants in Yemen's civil war to agree to a ceasefire in the next 30 days and start peace talks.

"The uptick in violence is some of the fiercest fighting we've seen in months and months," UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, told CNN.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed Monday it had made significant gains in the battle to capture Hodeidah from the Houthis.

A Houthi leader on Wednesday said the latest military escalation by the Saudi-led coalition was in line with an "American vision."

"Based on experience in the past, we know that this is an American style, they call for peace while they are preparing for a new military aggression," Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a speech broadcast on pro-Houthi al-Masirah TV.

"The Saudi aggression primarily depends on US military supervision, planning, weapons and logistical support," he added.

Children at risk, UNICEF says

Humanitarian workers fear that more than 100 civilians may have died in the just past week in Hodeidah, CNN has learned.

UN children's agency UNICEF warned Tuesday that intense fighting in Hodeidah was putting children in the city's hospital in grave danger.

The lives of 59 children are at risk, it said, including 25 who are in the intensive care unit at the city's al-Thawra hospital.

Hodeidah and the neighboring governates account for 40% of the 400,000 children in the country who suffer from severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said. "Some of the sickest are taken to the hospital for urgent care," it added.

Meanwhile, up to 80% of Yemen's humanitarian supplies, fuel and commercial goods are delivered through Hodeidah's port, around which fighting has reportedly intensified, the agency said.

"The toll in lives could be catastrophic if the port is damaged, destroyed or blocked," it warned.

The three-year conflict between the US-backed, Saudi-led coalition and the Iranian-aligned Houthis has devastated Yemen and reportedly killed at least 10,000 people.

Airstrikes intensify

The Saudi-led coalition had launched 400 airstrikes in Hodeidah over the past few days, a Yemeni journalist close to the Houthis told CNN on Wednesday.

"The coalition is using Kilo 16 -- a road linking between the capital, Sanaa, and Hodeidah -- as a battleground," Hussain Albukhaiti told CNN by phone. "The coalition distributed pamphlets two months ago warning people and their cars to stay clear of that road."

The coalition said in September that its targeting operations in Yemen resembled the "highest international standards" and pledged to investigate incidents involving civilian deaths reported on by CNN.

The US military provides the Saudi coalition with training meant to help minimize civilian casualties, as well as aerial refueling of coalition warplanes.

UN experts from the World Food Programme say that the coalition's bombings of civilians are potential war crimes and that its partial blockade of the country has put 12 million men, women and children at risk of starvation in what could become the worst famine in 100 years.

The situation in Yemen is "an unprecedented human tragedy," the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Jose Graziano da Silva, said Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump's administration has drawn criticism from activists and some members of Congress for its support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen and for the administration's recent finding that the coalition was doing enough to avoid civilian casualties.

The United States is now working to capitalize on what it regards as new leverage with Saudi Arabia, following a global scandal over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, to end the brutal civil war in Yemen, multiple US officials told CNN last week.TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The president of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has submitted his resignation.

On Wednesday, News 10 learned Dr. James Conwell will step down as the head of the school.

His last day will be November 15th.

A press release from the school said: "This was a mutual decision based on board concerns and President Conwells need to focus on a family health issue that is requiring more of his time and attention."

Conwell became the 15th president of Rose-Hulman on May 1st, of 2013.

The Board's Executive Committee has appointed Senior Vice President Rob Coons to act as president until they meet later this month to discuss a leadership transition plan.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

News 10 attempted to get a reaction from faculty, staff, and students about the massive change.

That spokesman has denied requests for any further information and will not allow our crews onto the campus to speak with students.BURNSVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle accident involving a state trooper.

Troopers responded to US 72 and Eastport Street just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Cpl. Jason Roe.

Upon arrival, MHP says it appeared Savanna Sheppard, 20, of Booneville, was heading south on Eastport Street in a Chevrolet Cavalier when she pulled into the path of a Mississippi state trooper, who was on routine patrol traveling west on US 72, according to Roe.

Sheppard was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo with moderate injuries, Roe said. A passenger traveling with Sheppard was taken by ambulance to Magnolia Regional Health Center with minor injuries.

The trooper involved in the wreck was treated at the scene for minor injuries.Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Thunder is possible early. Low 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.Black Friday Sales Go Live on Xbox Store, With Huge Discounts on Tons of TitlesOn Tuesday, November 6th  less than three months after his arrest on first-degree murder charges  Christopher Watts, 33, suddenly agreed to plead guilty to killing his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and the couples two daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3. Members of both of the defendant and the victims families were in the Colorado courtroom as Watts, wearing a bulletproof vest, pleaded guilty to nine criminal counts  including murder, the unlawful termination of a pregnancy and tampering with a dead body  as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid a possible death penalty sentence, according to Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke. Watts will be sentenced on November 19th, and is facing three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, per his plea agreement.

He deserves a life sentence for each and every act on top of one another, Rourke said at a press conference after the hearing. It was important that each of those beautiful human beings be reflected in the ultimate sentence that will be imposed.

Shanann Watts was 15 weeks pregnant when she and her two young daughters disappeared on August 13th, the same day she returned to the familys home after a weekend business trip. Chris Watts appeared on the local news and begged for their safe return.

Shanann, Bella, Celeste, if youre out there, just come back, Watts said in the televised interview, but his calm, wooden demeanor raised suspicions almost immediately.

According to the arrest affidavit, detectives focused on Watts as their primary suspect after he was caught lying about having an affair with a coworker. On August 15th, under police questioning, Watts alleged he would tell the truth about what happened to his wife and children. According to Watts initial statement to police, in the early morning hours of August 13th, he told Shanann he wanted to separate, and a short time later, he saw her in their daughters bedroom via a baby monitor, strangling one child while the other looked blue. Watts claimed he strangled Shanann in a rage, and then later that morning, he disposed of all three bodies on an oil site owned by his employer. On August 16th, after Watts provided police with the locations, Shananns body was recovered from a shallow grave a short distance away from two oil drums containing the bodies of Bella and Celeste.

Story continues

Authorities never believed his story that Shanann killed their daughters, and Rourke told reporters that hes not sure authorities will ever get a fully truthful story from Watts himself. However, Rourke noted, in accepting a plea agreement, Watts was essentially admitting his initial explanation was a flat out lie.

What I can tell you most affirmatively today, by what happened in the courtroom, is the spotlight that he tried to shine on Shanann falsely  has been corrected, Rourke said during Tuesdays news conference. The spotlight shines directly where it belongs: on him.

Rourke told the media that Wattss attorneys approached prosecutors about striking a plea deal a few weeks ago, and that his office only agreed to take the death penalty off the table after flying to North Carolina to discuss the options with Shananns family. Rourke said he explained to them that Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper had refused to carry out any executions while in office, and that regardless, death penalty cases often see extraordinary delays. (Hickenlooper wont be Governor for much longer  thanks to the states term limits, he wasnt eligible for reelection, and will be replaced in January by Jared Polis, who has said he would seek to repeal the death penalty. Polis declared victory just hours after Watts took the plea deal. )

Ultimately, Shananns family decided they wanted a quicker resolution in the case, and a plea deal would allow them to avoid a long, traumatic trial and eliminate Wattss opportunity to appeal.

Sandy [Rzucek, Shananns mother] said it very, very poignantly to me. She said, He made the choice to take those lives, Rourke said. I do not want to be in a position of making the choice to take his. And so thats about as firmly as she could have said it to me, and that was very compelling to all of us as we were talking about how to proceed on this case.

In September, prosecutors filed a motion to seal the autopsy reports for the victims, prompting some observers of the case to wonder if this was an indication that the case against Watts wasnt so solid, but according to Rourke, his office was merely concerned that their release could taint potential witnesses and make it difficult to seat an impartial jury. The local Greeley Tribune newspaper contested the motion, arguing autopsy reports are public records maintained by the coroners office, and that doing so should be at the behest of County Coroner Carl Blesch  who indicated he agreed with Rourke  but not without a hearing that is held separately from any criminal proceedings.

Rourke declined to answer questions about specifics of the crime, saying he would do so after Watts is sentenced. He did say that investigators do have a partial motive for the murders and that autopsies for the victims could be unsealed as well.Family Desperately Searching for North Carolina Teacher Who Vanished from Mexico Park on Vacation Mystery After North Carolina Teacher Vanishes from Mexico Park

The family of a North Carolina teacher has launched a massive social media effort to find the man after he vanished from one of Mexicos national parks more than a week ago.

More than 100 police officers are searching for 34-year-old Patrick Braxton-Andrew, who is believed to have disappeared while hiking at Copper Canyon National park in Chihuahua just over a week ago, according to WSOC. The eighth grade teacher was last seen walking near a ranch in Urique after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, according to a post on the Davidson College Alumni Facebook page.

Please help as we are frantic, his father said in a statement shared in the Facebook post.

The family added in a statement sent to PEOPLE: We appreciate all the efforts being made by the government of Mexico to find Patrick, and for the help of the U.S. Embassy, which is working jointly with the Mexican authorities. We also appreciate the outpouring of support from so many friends, family, community and people worldwide who care about Patrick.

We want to encourage continued efforts on the part of the authorities as well as anyone who may have information to help us find Patrick. We will not give up until he is safely back home.

In the familys initial statement, they said Braxton-Andrew left North Carolina on Oct. 24 and boarded the Copper Canyon Train early the next morning. Meanwhile, his parents were on an unrelated vacation in Tulum and had last talked to their son the Sunday he vanished.

Braxton-Andrew was supposed to meet his brother in Mexico City on Tuesday, October 30, late afternoon, but he did not show up, the family continued.

Staff at the Urique hotel where Braxton-Andrew had been staying said he never returned from his walk that Sunday afternoon. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis announced in a tweet on Monday that his staff is actively working with the U.S. Department of State to find Braxton-Andrew.

The family has launched both a Facebook and Twitter account dedicated to finding Braxton-Andrew.

Story continues

UPDATE: There is a very active search and rescue right now using resources at all levels. The search is taking place in many areas near Urique, in small villages, and in the many canyons and hiking areas.#findpat #buscapato  Find PBA (@FindPba) November 5, 2018

His childhood friend, Russell Miller, described Braxton-Andrew to the AP as an avid runner who often traveled in Latin America. Miller said that Braxton-Andrew had been excited to visit the park and see the canyon.

Photos of the search showed police and volunteers scouring rocky paths and steep gorges to find the hiker, WSOC reported.

A spokesperson for the Woodlawn School in Mooresville, where Braxton-Andrew taught Spanish, declined to comment.Election 2018 exit poll analysis: Voter turnout soars, Democrats take back the House, ABC News projects originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

As the polls have closed in many states, preliminary exit poll results show a deep divide along party lines:

National Exit Poll

Donald Trump and control of Congress are front and center in this election, and preliminary results from the state and national exit polls touch on both of them:

In results so far, 44 percent of voters approve of Trumps job performance, while 55 percent disapprove.

And while the House races will be fought district by district, voters by 53-43 percent say theyd rather see the Democrats than the Republicans in control of the House after this election.

(MORE: How to vote in the 2018 midterm elections)

Antipathy toward Trump doesnt reach majority support for impeachment  41 percent of voters support impeaching the president and removing him from office, with 55 percent opposed. Still, 39 percent say they cast their ballots to show opposition to Trump, vs. 26 percent who say they voted to show him support. (33 percent say he didnt figure in their vote.)

There are vast divisions among groups on Trump and control of Congress, and voters recognize todays political polarization. Seventy-seven percent say Americans are becoming more politically divided, while just 8 percent see greater unity; 13 percent see no change.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump attends a Make America Great Again rally in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Nov. 5, 2018. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Indeed, even with the economy its best in decades by many measures, just 41 percent say the country is headed in the right direction, while 56 percent say its seriously off on the wrong track. Theres a huge gulf between Republicans and Democrats on the question, but among independents, often swing voters, 58 percent say wrong track vs. 39 percent right direction.

(MORE: Midterm Elections 2018: When does your polling station close, when to expect results and everything else you need to know)

While preliminary exit poll results indicate a preference for Democratic control of the House, neither party is beloved. Voters divide 50-46 percent in favorable vs. unfavorable views of the Democratic Party. The GOP fares worse  43-54 percent, favorable-unfavorable. Nancy Pelosi, a Republican bugaboo in the campaign, trails her partys favorability rating - and Trump's approval rating - at 31-55 percent, favorable-unfavorable.

Story continues

In one more eye-opening preliminary result: 51 percent of voters today say the government has not done enough to protect this election from foreign interference.

In terms of group sizes  which can change, these are preliminary results only:

Party ID: Democrats account for 38 percent of voters in exit poll results so far, Republicans for 32 percent and independents for 30 percent. That compares with 36-37-27 percent in 2014, and 37-33-29 percent in 2016.

Ideology: Liberal-moderate-conservative group sizes in results so far are 27-38-36 percent. That compares with 22-39-38 percent in the 2014 midterms. (And 26-38-36 percent in 2016.)

Sex: Women account for 52 percent of voters in preliminary results, matching their previous high in a midterm from 2010.

PHOTO: People line up to vote at the ASU Palo Verde West polling station during the U.S. midterm elections in Tempe, Arizona, Nov. 6, 2018. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters)

Key Issues

Among key issues in the campaign  beyond Trump himself  preliminary exit poll results indicate the following:

Immigration: With the Central American caravan drawing broad attention in the campaign, voters divide on Trumps immigration policies  48 percent say theyre too tough, 32 percent say theyre about right and 16 percent say theyre not tough enough.

Health care: Voters by 58-34 percent pick the Democratic Party over the Republicans as more likely to protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions, another central focus of the 2018 campaign.

Further, given a choice of four issues, 41 percent pick health care as the top issue facing the country, compared with 21 percent for the economy, 23 percent immigration and 11 percent gun policy. (Well look at vote preferences in each group as the night proceeds.)

Kavanaugh: Any impact of the controversial confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court may come down to state-to-state races. Nationally, the country divides  43 percent support his confirmation, 48 percent oppose it in preliminary exit poll results.

(MORE: 2018 early vote significantly surpasses 2014, Florida early and mail voting over 5M)

Tax and trade: Two of the presidents signature economic policies get a mixed reception. Fewer than a third of voters, 28 percent, say theyve been helped by the Trump tax law (45 percent no impact, 23 percent hurt by it.) And just 25 percent say Trumps trade policies have helped their local economy. 31 percent say theyve hurt, 36 percent say they've had no effect.

(MORE: After racking up thousands of miles on Air Force One campaigning, Trump lies low on Election Day)

Women: Women account for 53 percent of voters in preliminary exit poll results, numerically a record midterm high (albeit by just 1 point from 2010). Theyre voting for Democratic House candidates by 60-39 percent. And theres a tremendous gender gap in views of president Trumps work in office: While men voting today divide 50-49 percent on Trump, approve-disapprove, that goes to 39-60 percent among women voters. And while 57 percent of men approve of Kavanaughs confirmation, just 43 percent of women agree.

Sharp gender differences extend elsewhere. Voters by 78-20 percent call it important to elect more women to public office; 53 percent of women call it very important, vs. do 37 percent of men. That may play out in the unusual number of races including female candidates this year.

(MORE: Voter help hotline gets 10,000 calls about polling place issues, other concerns)

And 84 percent of voters today call sexual harassment a serious problem in the United States, including 47 percent who call it very serious. 52 percent of women vs. 40 percent of men call sexual harassment a very serious problem. In an even bigger gap, 64 percent of Democrats call it very serious, vs. 40 percent of independents and 29 percent of Republicans.

PHOTO: New voters, including many University of New Hampshire students, stand in line to fill out voter registration forms in Durham, New Hampshire, Nov. 6, 2018. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

More On Groups And Issues

Race: Turnout by racial and ethnic minorities is key to Democrats chances in many contests. Preliminary exit poll results can change, but in these early results nonwhites account for 29 percent of voters nationally; as noted, the highest in any midterm was 25 percent in 2014. That nonwhite total includes 12 percent blacks and 12 percent Hispanics. The previous highs in midterm elections were 13 percent for blacks, in 2014; and 8 percent for Hispanics, in 2006, 2012 and 2014 alike.

With black candidates in several high-profile races, voters nationally by 71-24 percent say its important to elect more racial and ethnic minorities to public office; 44 percent say its very important. Its very important to 61 percent of nonwhites, compared with 38 percent of whites.

Theres also a sharp division  as much political as racial and ethnic  in whether voters think whites are favored over minorities, minorities are favored over whites, or no group is favored. Among Democrats, 71 percent think whites are favored over minorities. Among Republicans, just 10 percent agree.

Voting: Ballot access is a related issue: In these preliminary results, the public by 54-36 percent sees voter suppression as a bigger concern than vote fraud.

Age: Will young and first-time voters make a difference this year? Patterns of when people vote mean this can change, but in preliminary results 18- to 29-year-olds account for 13 percent of voters nationally today; it was 11 percent in 2014, when they backed Democrats for House by a 12-point margin.

Economy: 68 percent of voters say the economy is in excellent or good condition, up dramatically from 36 percent just two years ago, albeit far below the peak, 85 percent, in 2000. Many fewer, though, say their own financial situation has improved in the past two years: 35 percent, compared with 30 percent two years ago.

What typically matters most is people who say theyre worse off: 14 percent in todays preliminary results. It was 26 percent in 2014; what mattered is that they favored Republicans for House  then voting against the presidents party  by 67-31 percent.

(MORE: Ratify or reject? Midterm elections offer referendum on Trump presidency: ANALYSIS)

Mueller/Election Security: In the investigation still hanging over the Trump White House:

Voters divide on Robert Muellers handling of his investigation, 42-46 percent, approve-disapprove.

Voters by 54-41 percent say the Mueller investigation is mostly politically motivated rather than justified.

Gun Ownership: 47 percent of voters live in gun-owning households in preliminary exit poll results.

Stricter Gun Control Measures: 60-35 percent, support-oppose. Among those in gun-owning households, 42-52 percent.

Veterans: 14 percent of voters, preliminarily.

White Evangelical Christians: 27 percent of voters, preliminarily. The previous midterm peak was 27 percent in 2014. One of the most Republican groups, they voted 83-16 percent for House candidates in 2016, and 78-21 percent in 2014.

(MORE: Celebrities encourage people to vote on Election Day)

LGBT Voters: 6 percent of all voters in results so far, compared with 4 percent in the last two elections.

Independents  often swing voters  are voting 55-41 percent for Democratic vs. Republican House candidates in preliminary exit poll results. In 2016, independents backed Donald Trump by 47-41 percent, and they voted Republican by a 14-point margin in the last midterms in 2014.

Young voters (18-29) are voting 68-31 percent, Democratic-Republican. That vast 37-point margin compares with a 21-point margin for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and a 12-point margin for Democratic House candidates among under-30s in 2014.

In a continuing demographic trend, nonwhites make up 29 percent of voters today, the most on record for a midterm in exit polls since 1982.Theyre voting Democratic by 77-22 percent, including 69-29 percent among Hispanics, the widest Democratic margin in midterms since 2006, and 90-9 percent among blacks.

Suburban women were a focus of election coverage. Theyre dividing 54-44 percent between Democratic and Republican House candidates. Among women overall, its 60-39 percent.

Moderates backed Clinton by 13 points in 2016 and voted Democratic by a similar margin, 10 points, in 2014. Today moderates are voting 63-34 percent, Democratic-Republican, a 29-point margin in preliminary exit poll results.

Twenty-seven percent of voters nationally are liberals - if it holds, a record high in any election in exit polls since 1976 (albeit by a single point from 2016). Conservative voters represent 35 percent of the electorate, compared with a midterm record of 42 percent in 2010.

Republican candidates are overwhelmingly winning voters who say theyve become better off financially under Trumps presidency  but these are just 35 percent of voters. Among those whose financial situation is unchanged, the vote is 71-28 percent, Democratic-Republican.

Theres been much attention paid to voters who say theyre either showing support for Trump or opposition to him. Also of interest  the 33 percent who say Trump is not a factor in their vote. Theyre dividing 46-51 percent, Democratic-Republican.

Evangelical white Christians, a GOP mainstay, are voting 22-75 percent, Democratic-Republican, in the national House vote, their typical level.

Clinton won college-educated white women by 10 points in 2016, and this group voted +2 points Republican in 2014. Now theyre favoring Democratic House candidates by 23 points, 61-38 percent.

Across the political spectrum, non-college white men, 20 percent of voters, are going 34-65 percent, Democratic-Republican in their national House vote. Thats +31 points Republican, compared with their +46 points for Trump in 2016 and +35-point Republican vote in 2014.

Voters who are focused on the economy are split 35-62 percent, Democratic-Republican. Among those concerned more with health care, that goes to a 77-21 percent Democratic advantage.

Further, theyre voting for Democratic rather than Republican House candidates nationally by more than 2-1, 67-32 percent, a record margin for this group in exit polls  presidential and midterms alike  in available data back to 1990.

PHOTO: People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 6, 2018. (Jeff Kowalsky/Reuters)

North Dakota Senate race

Democrat Heidi Heitkamp has conceded the North Dakota Senate race to Republican Kevin Cramer.

Forty-seven percent of voters said that Heitkamps (D) vote against Kavanaugh was important in their vote, and they went for Cramer by nearly 2-to-1: 38-62 percent.

Heitkamp won independents (38 percent of voters), but only by a 10-point margin, not enough with Republicans accounting for 40 percent of the electorate. Predictably, they voted 92-7 percent for Cramer.

Donald Trump won North Dakota by a 36-point margin in 2016, 63-27 percent. His approval rating there today is 60-39 percent, the second-highest approval rating across exit poll states. Even so, 47 percent of voters said that Trump was not a factor in their vote, versus 31 percent of voters who said theyre casting a ballot to support him and 20 percent who said theyre voting to oppose him.

Heitkamp has a 43-53 percent favorability rating -- 10 points under water -- and is seen as too liberal by 47 percent of voters. Cramers favorability rating is better, 53-42 percent, while 40 percent see him as too conservative.

PHOTO: Rep. Kevin Cramer speaks to supporters on Election Day in Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 6, 2018. (WDAY)

More voters in this farm state said that Trumps trade policies have hurt their local economy, 36 percent, than helped, 23 percent; 34 percent see no impact. And a majority, 52 percent, said the tax cuts have had no impact on their finances. Thirty-nine percent said theyve become better off financially since Trump took office.

Health care ranks first as the top issue (out of four). And voters divide 46-42 percent on whether the Democrats or the Republicans would better protect coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

Changes to voter ID laws raised concerns about Native Americans voting access. In preliminary results, Native Americans account for 2 percent of North Dakota voters, vs. 4 percent in 2008 (the most recent exit poll data in the state).

The vote in preliminary data is 38-62 percent, Heitkamp-Cramer, among those citing Heitkamps vote against Kavanaugh as an important factor in their decision (47 percent of voters).

(MORE: Election Day 2018 LIVE UPDATES: Long lines, glitches greet voters turning out in droves)

Unusually, more than 35 percent of North Dakota Republicans voted for Democratic candidates in the 1990s and early aughts, when Democratic candidates won by 20-point margins. Not so today. Just 7 percent of Republicans are backing Heitkamp.

Women went for the Democrat in Senate races by more than 25 points between 1992 and 2006. Today, they split 51-48 percent, Heitkamp-Cramer, while Cramer took six-in-10 men.

A bright spot for Heitkamp was the 44 percent who say health care is their top priority of four -- she has a +42 advantage among them, 71-29 percent.

Texas Senate race

Republican Ted Cruz is on track to win the Texas Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

PHOTO: Republican Senator Ted Cruz speaks during his election night party in Houston, Texas, Nov. 6, 2018. (Jonathan Bachman/Reuters)

Men voted for Cruz by a 15-point margin, 42-57 percent, compared with womens 7-point margin, 53-46 percent, for ORourke.

White college-educated women, 13 percent of Texas voters, divided 49-49 percent ORourke-Cruz.

Fifty-nine percent said Cruzs vote in favor of Kavanaugh was a factor in their vote, they broke 40-60 percent ORourke-Cruz.

Nonwhites account for 41 percent of Texas voters, including 24 percent Latinos. These are highs in Texas midterms in available exit polls back to 1984, and are at or near their record levels, 43 and 24 percent, in the 2016 presidential election.

Texas Republicans outnumbered Democrats by 9 points in the 2016 presidential election and 12 points in the 2014 midterms. Today its a 5-point gap, 33-38 percent, Democrats-Republicans. (The last time a Democrat won a Senate seat in Texas, in 1988, turnout was +5 Democrats over Republicans.)

Texas voters divide 46-49 percent on whether theyd rather see the Democrats or the Republicans control the Senate.

Turnout among liberals, 21 percent, is at a new high  but there are far more conservatives, 43 percent, voting in Texas in this election.

Forty-two percent of voters say Beto ORourke (D) is too liberal, vs. 38 percent who say Ted Cruz (R) is too conservative. ORourkes favorability rating is 51-41 percent; Cruzs, 52-46 percent.

Thirty-three percent in the longest-border state call Donald Trumps immigration policies about right, and voters divide 48-48 percent on whether they support or oppose a wall across the entire U.S. border with Mexico. Asked the top issue in the vote, 32 percent choose immigration among four issues given, compared with 23 percent nationally.

Independents in Texas voted Republican by a 37-point margin in the 2014 midterms. Theyre +5 for ORourke, 51-46 percent, in these preliminary results.

(MORE: Above and beyond: These Americans went to extraordinary lengths to vote on Election Day)

Voters focused on health care  37 percent of the electorate  are voting 68-31 percent, ORourke-Cruz. Its the 1st-ranked issue out of four in Texas. Among immigration voters, by contrast, its 24-75 percent

While conservatives predominate, a substantial 36 percent of Texas voters are moderates. Theyre voting 64-34 percent, ORourke-Cruz.

Among the 62 percent of voters in gun households, its 37-62 percent, a wide Cruz lead.

Twenty-two percent cast a ballot for the first time in a midterm election today, the most of any of the 21 states with exit polls today. Theyre voting 52-45 percent, ORourke-Cruz.

Thirteen percent are younger than 30, voting 71-29 percent, the largest Democratic margin among this group in available exit polls back to 1984, and surpassing their margin in the 2016 presidential election by 23 points. By contrast, seniors, 29 percent of the electorate, are voting 42-58 percent.

Nonwhites are voting 69-30 percent, ORourke-Cruz. That includes Latinos, 63-35 percent  their largest Democratic margin since 2006 - and blacks, 90-9 percent.

PHOTO: People vote inside the Michigan League building in Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 6, 2018. (Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News/AP)

Wisconsin governor's race

Forty-seven percent of voters prefer to keep incumbent Scott Walkers (R) signature 2011 law eliminating most collective bargaining for public employees; 41 percent would like to see it repealed. (17 percent are from union households, a new low.)

Tony Evers (D) is more personally popular than Walker, whos seeking his third term. Evers has a 53-41 percent favorability rating, compared with 48-51 percent for Walker  10 points higher on unfavorability.

Turnout divides 35-33 percent, Democrats-Republicans, in these preliminary results. That 2-point gap is similar to the last two gubernatorial elections (+1R in 2014, +1D in 2010).

In a state that narrowly went for Trump in 2016, he has a 46-53 percent job approval rating.

While just 16 percent of the electorate, nonwhite voters are making up their largest share of voters in available exit polls for Wisconsin gubernatorial races since 1994.

Walker won independents by double-digits in his previous gubernatorial victories; in this election Evers is winning them, 54-44 percent.

Walker lost moderate voters by 6 points in 2010 and 13 points in 2010. Tonight hes losing them by more, 19 points, 59-40 percent.

Critics of the states controversial collective bargaining law, 41 percent of all voters, are backing Evers over Walker by 76-22 percent. Union voters are going 59-38 percent, Evers-Walker; Walkers 21-point deficit in this group is narrower than in either 2014 (31 points) or 2010 (26 points).

Non-college white men are voting broadly for Walker, 40-58 percent.

Walkers favorable rating is 49 percent; Evers, 50 percent.

Turnout divides 34-34 percent, Democrats-Republicans. Walker won slightly more Democrats than Evers won Republicans. But Evers comes back among independents by 7 points, 52-45 percent.

Evers is buoyed by nonwhites. While just 17 percent of the electorate, they are making up their largest share of voters in available exit polls for Wisconsin gubernatorial races since 1994. Evers is winning about three-quarters of them. Walkers margin is 45-54 percent among white voters.

Critics of the states controversial collective bargaining law, 38 percent of all voters, are backing Evers over Walker by 78-19 percent. However, Walker comes back with a similar advantage among the 48 percent who support it.

Union voters are 18 percent of voters, a new low. Evers is winning them, 55-41 percent, but this 14-point deficit is narrower than Walker had in either 2014 (31 points) or 2010 (26 points).

(MORE: 5 major issues dominating the midterm elections: ANALYSIS)

Michigan governor's race

Democrat Gretchen Whitmer is on track to win the Michigan gubernatorial race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

Whitmer won independents, 50-45, a group which previously went for Donald Trump by 16 points and outgoing governor Rick Snyder (R) by 27 points

While Hillary Clinton lost white women by 8 points in 2016, Whitmer won them by 14 points, 56-42. Among black women, the margin is 93-4, Whitmer-Schuette.

Fifty-eight percent of Michigan voters trust Gretchen Whitmer (D) to handle the states safe-drinking water issue; just 30 percent trust Bill Schuette (R) to handle it.

In a state that narrowly went for Trump in 2016, his job approval is now 42-57, one of the lowest in the 21 states with exit polls tonight.

With Whitmer seeking to become Michigans second female governor, 79 percent of voters say its important for more women to be elected to public office. About 8 in 10 men and women alike say its important.

Voters in Michigan are about as likely to say Donald Trumps trade policies have hurt their local economy as to say theyve helped, 32-30 percent. And while 64 percent of voters say the national economy is in good shape, fewer, 36 percent, say they are personally better off financially since Trump took office.

Forty-six percent of Michigan voters named health care as the top issue facing the countrymore than twice as many as named the economy (20 percent) or other issues asked about. This was a winning issue for Whitmer, with those concerned about health care voting 79-19, Whitmer-Schuette.

Georgia governor's race

In preliminary exit poll results, turnout among nonwhites is a record 40 percent, including 30 percent black voters. The previous high among nonwhites was 36 percent in 2014  compared with just 18 percent in 1994.

Forty-two percent of voters are conservatives, which is typical in Georgia. Liberals account for 20 percent, a new high for a gubernatorial election if it holds. It was 17 percent in 2014.

Thirty-nine percent say Stacey Abrams (D) is too liberal; 36 percent say Brian Kemp (R) is too conservative.

Donald Trumps approval rating is 51 percent among Georgia voters, 7 points better than his overall approval nationally. 20 percent say theyre voting to show support for Trump; 15 percent, to oppose him.

Seventy percent call it important to elect more women to public office; that compares with 78 percent nationally.

There's greater concern about voter suppression than voter fraud, 51-41 percent, a key topic in this contest.

While the womens vote gets a lot of attention, men in Georgia are splitting about evenly, 46-49, Abrams-Kemp. In the last two gubernatorial elections for which we have exit polls (2014 and 2006), the winning Republican candidates won men by 60-37 and 61-34 percent.

Independents, historically a swing voter group in Georgia, divide 55-41 percent, Abrams-Kemp.

Georgias suburban voters are voting 43-54 percent, Abrams-Kemp  including advantages for Kemp among suburban women (46-53 percent) and suburban men (40-54 percent) alike.

Libertarian Ted Metz has 3 percent support, worth watching because Georgia requires candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to win an election.

College-educated voters in Georgia are voting 55-43, Abrams-Kemp. This 12-point advantage is the largest Democratic lead in any midterm exit poll conducted in Georgia to date.

Indiana Senate race

PHOTO: Indiana Republican Mike Braun campaigns for the US Senate in Fishers, Ind., Nov. 6, 2018. (Justin Casterline/EPA via Shutterstock)

Democrat Joe Donnelly has conceded the Indiana Senate race to Republican Mike Braun.

The race was a test case for Kavanaugh impact: 53 percent call incumbent Donnellys (D) vote against Brett Kavanaughs confirmation important in their vote; 19 percent call it a minor factor, 22 percent not a factor at all. Well see how they voted after the polls close.

Donald Trump has a 52-48 percent approval rating in a state he won by 19 points in 2016. (Native son Mike Pence has a 54-43 percent favorability rating.) Thirty percent say theyre voting to show support for Trump, 34 percent to oppose him, while 32 percent say hes not a factor.

Seventy-three percent of Hoosier voters say the national economy is doing well but local conditions are less broadly positive. Forty-six percent say their own finances have improved since Trump took office, 36 percent say theyve benefited from the Trump tax law and 29 percent say his trade policies have helped their local economy.

Forty-two percent say health care is the top issue of four facing the country. And voters divide 50-44 percent on which party, the Democrats or the Republicans, would better protect pre-existing condition coverage.

Trumps pushed immigration hard -- but its the top issue to just 26 percent, far trailing health care. (The economy comes in at 21 percent.) More say that his immigration policies are too tough, 41 percent, than about right, 34 percent, or not tough enough, 21 percent.

Donnelly won his seat in 2012 partly on the strength of an 11-point victory among independent voters. Independents are voting 52-40 percent between Donnelly and Mike Braun (R) in preliminary results tonight. They account for 32 percent of voters  if it holds, a new high in available exit poll data.

Donnelly ran evenly among men in 2012. Today theyre voting 42-54 percent, Donnelly-Braun.

Suburban voters divide 48-49 percent, Donnelly-Braun. Donnelly won suburbanites by a scant 2 points in 2012; in 2016, fellow Democrat Evan Bayh lost suburbanites by 17 points and lost the race. Suburban women are voting 52-43 percent, compared with suburban men, 43-54 percent.

Health care/immigration showdown: The vote is 74-22 percent Donnelly-Braun among those who picked health care as the top issue of four; that compares with 11-84 percent among the 26 percent who picked immigration as the top issue.

Those who call Donnellys vote against Kavanaugh highly important divide by 41-54 percent, Donnelly-Braun.

Libertarian Lucy Brenton has 4 percent of the vote, compared with 6 percent for Libertarian Andy Horning in 2012. Indiana Democrats ran ads highlighting Brentons policy positions during the campaign, seeking to draw conservative votes her way.

PHOTO: People vote at a mall, Nov. 6, 2018, in Henderson, Nev. (John Locher/AP)

Ohio governor's race

Republican Mike DeWine is on track to win the Ohio gubernatorial race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

Donald Trump has a split-decision 49-49 percent job approval rating among Ohio voters today, in a state he won by 8 points in 2016. Those who strongly disapprove of Trump outnumber those who strongly approve by 7 points, 43-36 percent.

Democrats were outnumbered by Republicans among Ohio voters by 3 points in 2016, 34-37 percent, and its the same gap again today, 35-38 percent.

Conservatives accounted for a plurality of Ohio voters, 43 percent, in the 2014 gubernatorial race and 39 percent two years ago. Today, in data so far, they account for fewer voters, 37 percent.

The national economy is well-rated  73 percent in Ohio say its in excellent or good shape, up dramatically from 34 percent in 2016  but far fewer say Trumps trade policies have helped their local economy (30 percent) or say his tax law has helped their own finances (28 percent).

Ohio voters pick health care as the top issue facing the country out of four choices offered; 41 percent choose it, far above the other choices. In a health-related issue  one that played prominently in the campaign  theres vast concern about the government response to the opioid crisis  28 percent approve, 61 percent disapprove.

(MORE: The 2018 primaries by the numbers)

Independents  often swing voters in this swing state  favored Trump over Hillary Clinton by 14 points in the presidential race two years ago. In the gubernatorial election today theyre splitting 50-46 percent, Cordray-DeWine.

Women  who favored Clinton in Ohio by a scant 3 points in Ohio in 2016 - are backing Cordray by 58-41 percent over DeWine.

Non-college white men, a GOP mainstay, are backing DeWine by a wide margin, 34-63 percent, Cordray-DeWine.

DeWine is +5 points among Suburban voters, 47-52 percent, Cordray-DeWine (no longer "dividing evenly"). That includes a wide gender gap, suburban men 40-58 percent; suburban women 54-46 percent. SIZEPLC3, SEX

In a race that focused heavily on the opioid crisis, voters who disapprove of the way the government is handling the issue favor Cordray by 57-39 percent.

Union households, while historically a Democratic group, voted for Trump by 13 points in 2016, 54-41. Tonight, representing 26 percent of voters, they are voting 52-42 percent, Cordray-DeWine.

West Virginia Senate race

PHOTO: Sen. Joe Manchin speaks to supporters at a campaign stop ahead of the 2018 midterm elections in Bridgeport, W.Va., Nov. 5, 2018. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Democrat Joe Manchin is on track to win the West Virginia Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

West Virginia voted 69-26 percent for Trump in 2016, his best state; today voters there give him a 63-34 percent job approval rating  his best approval rating in any of the 21 states where exit polls are being conducted.

In terms of basic popularity: Joe Manchins (D) favorability rating is 49-47 percent. Patrick Morriseys (R) is a weaker 40-55 percent, 15 points under water. It could matter, since 25 percent say theyre looking chiefly for the candidate who cares about people like me.

Democrats share of the West Virginia electorate has dived from 57 percent in 1996 to 32 percent now, a new low. Turnout by independents has grown  from 14 percent in 1996 to 31 percent today, a new high. Manchin won independents by 7 points in 2010, a key to his victory.

Manchin was the only Democratic senator to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. 40 percent of voters say Manchins vote was a key factor in their Senate vote. Twenty-two percent call it a minor factor; 34 percent, not a factor at all.

(MORE: In West Virginia, Ojeda shows how to campaign as a Democrat in Trump Country)

Among the states voters overall, 40 percent say Trumps trade policies have helped their local economy (22 percent hurt, 33 percent no impact).

Manchin slammed Morrisey for joining a lawsuit to repeal Obamacare and limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. Today 40 percent call health care the top issue (of four) in their vote, and voters divide 41-51 percent on which party, the Democrats or the Republicans, would better protect coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Manchin won independents by 7 points in 2010. Hes running even with them, 47-47 percent, in todays preliminary results.

Among voters who call Manchins vote for Kavanaugh a factor in their vote today, Manchin leads Morrisey by 53-44 percent.

Theres a wide gender gap, with a broad advantage for Morrisey among men, 40-57 percent, Manchin-Morrisey.

Forty percent say theyre looking for the candidate who shares my view of government, the top candidate attribute, and Morrisey is winning them, 30-68 percent, Manchin-Morrisey.

Moderates. Manchin got hammered among conservatives in 2010 but won political moderates by 39 points. Hes winning them by a narrower margin, 26 points (61-35 percent) in preliminary results tonight.

Florida governor's race

Democrat Andrew Gillum has conceded the gubernatorial race to Republican Ron DeSantis.

Forty-four percent of Florida voters say Gillum (D) is too liberal, while 37 percent say DeSantis (R) is too conservative.

Liberals account for 22 percent of voters, matching their high in governors races in the state. Many more, 39 percent, are conservatives.

Donald Trump won Florida with 48 percent of the vote in 2017. Hes got a 51-48 percent approval rating now. Voters reject impeachment, which Gillum has supported, by 54-40 percent.

Nonwhites account for 34 percent of voters in the state, including 15 percent Hispanics and 13 percent blacks. Thats a new high for midterm elections in the state, albeit short of its 2016 record, 38 percent. While much attention is paid to the Republican-leaning Cuban-American vote, 67 percent of Hispanic voters in this election are not Cuban.

Rick Scott (R) won Floridas suburban voters by 4 points in 2010 and 8 points in 2014. Today, theyre +6 Republican, 46-52 percent, Gillum-DeSantis, with a wide gender gap: 53-46 percent among suburban women, 39-61 percent among suburban men.

Independents, who voted for Charlie Crist (D) by a 2-point margin in his narrow 2014 loss, are now +11 points Democratic, 54-43 percent, Gillum-DeSantis. They make up 30 percent of voters today, slightly below their share in 2014, 33 percent.

Trump approvers overall are backing the presidents ally DeSantis, 8-90 percent, but among those who only somewhat approve of him, 14 percent of all voters, the vote is 28-65 percent, Gillum-DeSantis.

Hispanics backed Gillum by 58-39 percent and blacks by 86-14 percent, similar to their vote in 2014.

Florida Senate race

Minority voters may be key in Florida; they account for 34 percent of voters in the state, up sharply from a low of 15 percent in 1992 but less than the 38 percent who came out in 2016. That includes 15 percent Hispanics and 13 percent blacks. Among Hispanics, 32 percent are of Cuban origin, while 24 percent are Puerto Rican, following an influx from the island post-Hurricane Maria.

Forty percent say health care is the most important issue of the four asked, 29 percent immigration, 16 percent the economy and 11 percent gun policy. Voters give the Democrats an edge in trust to protect coverage for pre-existing conditions, 48-38 percent.

Sixty-seven percent of Florida voters call climate change a serious problem and say the government should do more to protect the environment, an issue used against both candidates after massive algae blooms.

Rick Scott (R) has a 46-50 percent favorability rating among voters, compared with incumbent Bill Nelsons (D) 50-43 percent favorability. Another consideration: Florida voters divide 50-46 percent on whether theyd like to see the Democrats or the Republicans control the Senate.

On the Kavanaugh-effect front, 38 percent call Nelsons vote against confirmation a top factor in their vote; 17 percent call it a minor factor  and 39 percent, not a factor at all.

Battle of the burbs? Nelson has won the populous Florida suburbs by double-digit margins in each of his past Senate races. Scott won them by 4 points in 2010 and 8 points in 2014. Its 46-52 percent, Nelson-Scott. That includes a 52-46 vote among suburban women, vs. 40-59 percent among suburban men.

Scotts win in the 2014 governors race came via a 21-point advantage among whites. Whites tonight are voting for Scott by 19 points, 40-59 percent.

Those who think the government should do more to protect the environment are favoring Nelson by a 2-1 margin, 66-34 percent.

Health care is the top-cited issue in the state, and its a 75-22 percent vote in for Nelsons favor among those with cited it. Among immigration voters, on the other hand, its 17-83 percent, Nelson-Scott.

Nelson's margin is +11 among Hispanics, underperforming his best (+22) and Clintons performance in 2016 (+27) alike.

Those who call Nelsons anti-Kavanaugh vote a top factor divide 47-52 percent, Nelson-Scott.

Nelson is underperforming in the Tampa Bay area (16 percent of voters) compared with his 2012 run  hes down 8 points there now, 44-52 percent, vs. 52-41 in 2012. (They split in 2016, 47-46 Clinton-Trump.)

Nelson lost men, 42-58 percent, but didnt improve much on his margin among women from 2012, 56-42 percent now vs. 59-39 percent then.

Scotts improved his margin among Hispanics, winning 44 percent of them now vs. 38 percent in 2014. Nelsons 55 percent is slightly down from 59 percent in 2012.

Nelson is losing suburban voters by 4 points (48-52 percent), when he won them in 2012 by 14 points. By contrast, Scott did better among small city and rural voters than he did in 2014, netting 65 percent of their votes tonight vs. 57 percent then.

Two-thirds of Florida voters say that the economy is excellent or good, and they favor Scott by 41-59 percent, Nelson-Scott.

Health care-focused voters, 40 percent, favored Nelson by a +52 margin  but immigration and economy-focused voters (together, a larger 45 percent) swung just as hard for Scott.

Missouri Senate race

Republican Josh Hawley is on track to win the Missouri Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

Josh Hawleys (R) victory is thanks to a large advantage in small cities and rural areas, 30-68 percent Claire McCaskill-Hawley, and a narrow advantage in the suburbs, 48-51 percent.

Hawleys also winning men, 46-53 percent, McCaskill-Hawley. In McCaskills last race (2012), she won men by eight points, 51-43 percent.

And, independents are dividing about evenly, 49-48 percent. McCaskill had won this typically swing group by 12- and 8-point margins in 2012 and 2006.

McCaskills (D) narrow first election in 2006 relied on her 6-point margin among women, as well as the fact that they accounted for 55 percent of voters in the state. Women make up 52 percent of Missouri voters in preliminary exit poll results tonight.

Also to watch: a conservative turnout. Conservatives accounted 37 percent of voters in 2006 when McCaskill first was elected and to 42 percent two years ago. Theyre back down to 36 percent of voters in results so far tonight.

Trumps approval rating is an even 50-49 percent in a state he won by 19 points in 2016. Thirty-one percent say theyre voting to express support for Trump, 35 percent to oppose him. That said, in a threat for McCaskill, Missouri voters divide 45-50 percent on whether they want the Democrats or the Republicans in control of the Senate.

Forty-five percent think McCaskills positions on the issues are too liberal, while 42 percent think Josh Hawleys (R) are too conservative.

After two terms in office McCaskill has a 47-51 percent favorability rating; Hawley, 48-49 percent. While favorability doesnt differentiate them, views on their ethics do: 50 percent say McCaskill has high ethical standards, while 39 percent say Hawley does.

Health care dominates as the top issue of four offered  48 percent call it the most important of four offered; the economy and immigration tie for second with 20 percent each. Missouri voters pick the Democrats over the Republicans to better protect health care for those with pre-existing conditions, 52-44 percent.

Fifty-one percent of voters say McCaskills vote against Brett Kavanaughs confirmation was a top factor in their Senate vote. Seventeen percent say it was a minor factor; 27 percent, not a factor at all.

Turnout among independents is 32 percent in preliminary exit poll results, potentially a new high in midterms, while Democrats and Republicans are at 34 percent of the electorate apiece. With Republican and Democrat voter turnout even, McCaskill likely needs independents to hold her seat.

Independents are voting a close 49-47 percent, McCaskill-Hawley, in preliminary exit poll results. McCaskill won this typically swing group by 12- and 8-point margins in 2012 and 2006.

Suburban voters backed McCaskill by 55-39 percent in her easy 2012 race against Todd Akin (R), but she lost them, 46-52 percent, in 2006. Theyre voting by the same 46-52 percent in preliminary results today. That includes a gender gap, 49-50 percent among suburban women, 44-55 percent among suburban men.

Those who call McCaskills vote against Kavanaugh a top factor are voting 46-52 percent, McCaskill-Hawley. At the same time, 83 percent call sexual harassment a serious problem; theyre breaking 58-42 percent in McCaskills favor.

Unusually for a Democrat, McCaskill won 35 percent of evangelical white Christians six years ago, vs. 24 percent in her close first election. Today theyre dividing 27-72 percent, McCaskill-Hawley.

Young voters (age under 30) account for 10 percent of voters in Missouri in preliminary results. Theyre voting 63-34 percent for the Democrat  compared with 69-25 percent in her last race.

Tennessee Senate race

PHOTO: Rep. Marsha Blackburn campaigns at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Nov. 6, 2018, in Clarksville, Tenn. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

Republican Marsha Blackburn is on track to win the Tennessee Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

Tennessee voters want the Senate controlled by the Republican Party, not the Democrats, by a broad 38-56 percent. Its one of the top three states to favor Republican control (alongside Mississippi and North Dakota).

Both Tennessee Senate candidates are relatively popular: Phil Bredesen (D) has a 51-43 percent favorability rating; Marsha Blackburn (R), 55-41 percent. Then theres Donald Trump, with a 57-40 percent approval rating among Tennessee voters, considerably better than his 44-55 percent figure nationally.

Trump visited Tennessee for Blackburn as recently as this past weekend. Could help her: 37 percent say theyre casting their vote to show support for Trump, vs. 27 percent voting to show opposition to Trump. Thirty-four percent say Trumps not a factor.

Bredesen, a former health care executive, has focused on health care; Blackburn on immigration policy. Among voters today, 38 percent call health care the top issue of four offered; 24 percent say its immigration, 23 percent the economy. Trumps tough stance on immigration gets mixed reviews; 37 percent say its too tough, 31 percent about right - and 27 percent not tough enough.

Thirty-eight percent of voters say Blackburns too conservative; 42 percent say Bredesen is too liberal.

In terms of the candidate attributes they care about, someone who shares my view of government tops the list, 37 percent.

Republicans account for 44 percent of voters so far today  more than either Democrats (26 percent) or independents (30 percent).

Independents, potential swing voters in Tennessee, are voting 56-44 percent, Bredesen-Blackburn.

Blackburns running competitively among women overall, with 52 percent support to Bredesens 48 percent. That includes a 41-59 percent result, Bredesen-Blackburn, among suburban women.

Bredesens found votes in his focus on health care; among those who call it their top issue, he leads Blackburn by 72-28 percent. Then again, those calling immigration the top issue vote 18-82 percent, with Blackburn ahead, in preliminary results.

Sixteen percent voted for the first time in a midterm election, voting 57-43 percent Bredesen-Blackburn.

Mississippi Senate race

If Mike Espy (D) gets into a runoff, his life wont be easy: in a hypothetical head-to-head, voters divide 41-51 percent between Espy and incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith (R).

Nonwhites account for 36 percent of voters in Mississippi, including 31 percent blacks. Black turnout is up by 8 points from its low of 23 percent in 1988, though off its peak of 35 percent in 2012.

Conservatives typically dominate in Mississippi. In preliminary results today, theyre at 51 percent of the electorate, the most of any state with exit polls this election.

Donald Trump is popular in MS, with a 61-38 percent approval rating, and 40 percent say theyre casting their ballot to show support for Trump. Both are among the highest of any state in the 21 where we have exit polls.

With Hyde-Smith the only woman among the four most prominent candidates, voters by 75-24 percent say it's important that more women be elected to public office.

Demonstrating racial divides, 65 percent of black voters in Mississippi say whites are favored over minorities in the United States today. Seventeen percent of white voters agree.

In terms of top issues, 40 percent pick health care of four offered, 24 percent the economy, 23 percent immigration and 10 percent gun policy, similar to national results.

Among those casting their ballots to show support for Trump, Hyde-Smith has 59 percent support, compared with Chris McDaniels (R) 36 percent. Trump endorsed Hyde-Smith.

Women are dividing 46-34-17 percent for Espy, Hyde-Smith, and McDaniel.

Among voters focused on health care, Espy leads Hyde-Smith 59-26 percent. Among those focused on the economy, its 30-56 percent, Espy-Hyde-Smith.

New Jersey Senate race

PHOTO: Sen. Robert Menendez walks from a poll after casting a ballot on Election Day morning at the community center in Harrison, N.J., Nov. 6, 2018. (Bryan Anselm/New York Times via Redux)

Bob Menedez is on track to win the New Jersey Senate race, ABC News projects, based on exit polls.

Bob Menendezs (D) victory is largely thanks to the 55 percent of New Jerseyans who want to see control of the Senate flipped  highest among the 18 states where it was asked on exit polls tonight. Among this group, voters overwhelmingly chose Menendez over Bob Hugin (R), 93-6 percent.

Additionally, among the 60 percent who disapprove of Trumps job performance, Menendez beat Hugin by 83-14 percent.

Menendez (D) is broadly unpopular, with a 33-63 percent favorability rating. Bob Hugin (R) is underwater in favorability as well, but not so broadly, 42-52 percent.

Relatedly, just 27 percent say Menendez has high ethical standards. Twice as many say Hugin has high ethical standards, 45 percent. 33 percent of voters say neither has high ethical standards.

Helpfully for Menendez, given those challenges, New Jersey voters say they want to see the Democrats win control of the Senate, 58-39 percent. Independents divide 59-36 percent on the question.

Donald Trump has a 41-59 percent approval rating in the state, among his worst in the 21 states with exit polls tonight. Forty-seven percent say he should be impeached, more than the 41 percent who say the same nationally.

Menendez lost whites by 10 points in 2012 but was elected on vast support from nonwhites. They accounted for a record 33 percent of voters then. Nonwhites make up 37 percent of voters in the state today, in preliminary results  a new high if it holds.

Menendez benefits from representing a solid blue state; Democrats account for 43 percent of voters there in todays preliminary results, Republicans just 26 percent. Hugin needs independents to swing it. They account for 31 percent of voters in preliminary data.

Menendez is losing those who see him unfavorably by 35-62 percent. Hes also losing those who think he lacks high ethical standards, but he does win 44 percent of their votes nonetheless.

Menendez ran evenly among independents in his first election in 2012. Today, independents are backing him over Hugin by 6 points, 51-45 percent, in preliminary exit poll results.

Arizona Senate race

Arizona voters prefer Republican over Democratic control of the Senate, 53-42 percent on whether theyd like the Democrats or the Republicans to control the Senate, a potential boost to Martha McSally (R) vs. Kyrsten Sinema (D).

Thirty-two percent in this border state cite immigration as the top issue of four facing the country, compared with 23 percent nationally. Still, more pick health care (41 percent) as most important. Donald Trumps immigration policies are seen as about right by 41 percent, vs. too tough (35 percent) or not tough enough (17 percent). Nationally, his policies are seen as about right by fewer, 32 percent.

Conservatives can dominate in this state, but their share of the electorate fluctuates -- 41 percent two years ago, down from a high of 46 percent in 2010. Conservatives again account for 41 percent of voters in preliminary exit poll results tonight. Liberals -- who turned out at a record 27 percent of voters in the state in 2016 -- make up 22 percent in preliminary results today.

Forty percent in the state say Sinema is too liberal, while 38 percent say McSally is too conservative.

Trump has a 52-47 percent approval rating in the state, which he won by 4 points in 2016. Twenty-six percent say theyre voting to express support for Trump, 28 percent to express opposition, while 44 percent say hes not a factor.

For all the referendum on Trump angles, theres another group to watch  the 44 percent of Arizona voters who say Trump is not a factor in their vote. Theyre breaking 42-58 percent, Sinema-McSally.

McSallys overwhelmingly is winning voters focused on the issue of immigration, 16-84 percent, Sinema-McSally. Those focused on health care, by comparison, are voting 77-22 percent.

Independents account for 30 percent of Arizona voters so far tonight; in 2012 Jeff Flake (R) ran essentially evenly in this group (-1 point) to win this Senate seat. Today, independents are dividing evenly, 49-49 percent.

Veterans -- 14 percent of the electorate -- go broadly for McSally, 37-61 percent, Sinema-McSally.

Kyrsten Sinema (D) is helped by a 27-point margin among moderates (63-36 percent, Sinema-McSally) -- the largest pro-Democratic candidate margin in an Arizona Senate race in exit poll data dating back to 1994. (The next largest was 16 points in 2012.)

Martha McSally (R) strikes back by winning the 44 percent who say Donald Trump isnt a factor in their vote, 42-58 percent, McSally-Sinema.

Voters 65 and older (29 percent of Arizona voters) split dead even: 50-50 percent, Sinema-McSally.

Montana Senate race

For all his visits, 54 percent of voters say Donald Trump is not a factor in how they cast their ballot for Senate -- more in any other state in which the question was asked. Tester is winning big among those voters, 57-41 percent. Still just 26 percent say theyre voting to show support for Trump -- and 19 percent to oppose him -- leaving 54 percent saying the president, for all his visits, is not a factor.

Voters are more apt to say theyd like to see the Republicans than the Democrats control the Senate, 50-42 percent.

Incumbent Jon Tester (D) has a 49-48 percent favorability rating, compared with Matt Rosendales (R) weaker 41-53 percent. At the same time, 47 percent say Tester is too liberal, while 41 percent say Rosendale is too conservative.

Independents predominated in Montana when Tester won his seat in 2012, accounting for 41 percent of voters. In todays results theyre 45 percent of the electorate, maintaining their central importance in the outcome. (Republicans are 29 percent of voters; Democrats, 26 percent.)

Forty-five percent say Testers vote against Brett Kavanaughs confirmation is an important factor in their vote; 53 percent of women say so, vs. 37 percent of men.

Tester is winning women by 19 points, 58-39 percent, double his +9 margin among women in 2012. He won white women by 6 points in 2012; his margin among white women tonight is nearly three times as large, 58-39 percent.

Voters chiefly are looking for a candidate who shares my view of government -- 57 percent say so, more than twice as many as say they care most about a candidate who cares about people like me -- 24 percent.

Forty-six percent of voters name health care as the top issues facing the country, among four choices. The economy and immigration trail (24 percent and 21 percent).

The 54 percent of voters who say Trump was not a factor in their vote are dividing 57-41 percent, Tester-Rosendale.

Those who say Testers opposition to Kavanaugh was an important factor in their vote divide 31-66 percent, Tester-Rosendale.

Tester won independents by 10 points six years ago. Its a similar 52-43 percent, Tester-Rosendale, now.

Tester is winning big among moderates, 70-26 percent; they account for nearly four in 10 Montana voters (38 percent). This 44-point margin is even larger than the 32 points by which Tester won moderates in 2012.

Tester lost men by 4 points while winning women by 9 points in 2012. Today hes losing men by 8 points, 46-52 percent.

Nonwhites account for 12 percent of Montana voters in these preliminary results. And, while Tester won them by a whopping 42 points in 2012, today they are dividing 49-50 percent, Tester-Rosendale.

Tester is winning the under 30 voters by a massive 43 points, 70-27 percent, compared with the 8-point margin he won them by in 2012.

Eighty-one percent of Montana voters live in a gun-owning household  more than in any of the 10 states where the question was asked. And a big number. Theyre voting 52-46 percent for Tester over Rosendale.

Nevada Senate race

Forty-four percent call Jacky Rosen (D) too liberal; 39 percent call Incumbent Dean Heller (R) Heller too conservative.

Fifty-seven percent call Hellers vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh a top factor in their vote, about equal numbers of men and women alike.

Heller is the only incumbent Republican senator running in a state Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Voters today divide 49-51 percent on Trumps job performance. While 34 percent say theyre voting to show support for Trump, 38 percent who are voting to oppose him.

Voters divide 48-47 percent in these preliminary results on whether they want the Democrats or the Republicans to control the Senate.

Whites account for 62 percent of Nevada voters in preliminary results, nonwhites 38 percent  a record for nonwhites in midterms in the state. That includes 18 percent turnout by Latino voters  also, if it holds, a new midterm high.

Twenty-three percent of voters are from union households, up 4 points from 2016.

Today in preliminary results the electorate is 34-37 percent, Democrat-Republican. Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 8 points in 2016 and by 9 points in 2012, when Heller won his seat.

Heller lost women by 6 points in 2012, while winning men by 10. Hes losing women by 23 points today, 59-36 percent, Rosen-Heller.

Independents are voting 58-35 percent, Rosen-Heller  a group Heller won by 20 points in 2012.

Voters who say Hellers pro-Kavanaugh vote is a top concern are dividing 49-49 percent, Rosen-Heller.

Heller won in 2012 by winning by 32 points in rural counties; hes +40 points in preliminary results today.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

ABC News Live  the networks 24/7 breaking news and live events streaming channel will offer continuous and commercial free coverage on Election Day starting at 4:30 p.m. ET on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube, Apple News, Facebook, Twitter and the ABC News site and mobile phone apps. ABC News will also provide comprehensive coverage, analysis and race updates on ABCNews.com, FiveThirtyEight.com and GoodMorningAmerica.com. Daily newscast On Location will feature segments on the midterms before, during and after Election Day  exclusively on Facebook Watch.Florida, as Florida is wont to do, is doing its level best to screw up the 2018 midterm elections: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis is projected to defeat his Democratic counterpart, Andrew Gillum; outgoing governor Rick Scott, who is challenging Democrat Bill Nelson for a seat in the U.S. Senate, has taken a razor-thin lead over the incumbent. On Wednesday morning, the Senate race officially headed for a mandatory recount, which, if memory serves, is a process that has never been a problem in this state, ever.

These results, worrisome though they may be to voters who are not vile shitheads, may not be the states most important choice of the night, though, because voters on Tuesday also passed a constitutional amendment that will automatically restore the franchise to some 1.4 million Floridians who have been convicted of a felony and completed their sentence, including any attendant periods of probation or parole. (Those who commit murder or sex crimes are excluded from its scope.) To put it differently: Without a single person moving into the state, the potential size of its electorate just grew by seven figures.

The felony-disenfranchisement scheme abolished by Amendment 4 is probably the most onerous one in the nationa Jim Crowera fossil baked into the state constitution in 1868 to prevent black people from voting. It is as labyrinthine as it is draconian: Under the current system, which includes rules implemented by Scott in 2011, ex-felons must wait five years after completing their sentences to even apply for restoration of their voting rights. Then they must travel to Tallahassee to appear in person before the governor and explain, in painstaking detail, why they deserve to get them back.

Most of the time, Scott has said no. (A recent NPR podcast follows several ex-felons through the hearing process; listening to it is gutting.) According to a Palm Beach Post investigation, thenRepublican governor Charlie Crist approved the clemency requests of about 39,000 people each year, on average, between 2007 and 2011. Rick Scotts average annual figure since then? 412.

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The effect is exactly as the framers of Floridas constitution intended: An analysis conducted by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald found that black Floridians, by operation of this law, are five times as likely to lose their right to vote as white Floridians. Last year, more black people lost their right to vote than did white people, even though the population is only 13 percent black. Because minority voters tend to vote Democrat, felony disenfranchisement is also foundational to the GOP's power and influence in the state. Of those people removed from the rolls last year, 52 percent were Democrats; only 14 percent were Republicans.

The clemency system has amounted to state-sanctioned discrimination, too, especially under Scott. The Palm Beach Posts investigation found that he granted clemency to twice as many whites as blacks, and three times as many white men as black men. Among the state's governors, he boasts the lowest restoration rate for African-Americans in half a century. After punishing voters beyond the term of their sentences, Florida law also rigs the petition system so that it favors the petitioners who are white. It is a constitutionally enshrined form of racist voter suppressionwhich goes a long way toward explaining why Scott has been so stingy about it.

In news that might surprise you, however, among voters, Amendment 4 is neither partisan nor controversial. Scott and DeSantis opposed it, but it earned the backing of both the ACLU and the Koch brothers. And despite the photo-finish nature of the Senate and gubernatorial races, Amendment 4 comfortably cleared the 60 percent threshold required to pass constitutional amendments by ballot measure. It turns out that "Americans who pay their debts to society should be treated with dignity and fairness is an argument that supporters of both parties intuitively understand.

Florida, with its weird mix of young minority voters and old white retirees, plays a consistently outsize role in national politics, often to the chagrin of the rest of us. Six years ago, Barack Obama won there by less than one percentage point, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton lost it by less than two. (You may also recall its results, or lack thereof for months and months and months, being somewhat important to the 2000 presidential race.) In a state with elections as close as this one's, Amendment 4 could fundamentally change the national political landscape, in 2020 and beyond. It is a landmark civil rights achievement that deserves to be celebrated, and no matter what happens to Gillum and Nelson this time around, Democrats who hoped for more encouraging results in Florida might have to wait just one election longer than they thought.Beto O'Rourke returned home to El Paso on Monday evening for the final stop of his underdog bid to unseat part-time senator and full-time Trump bootlicker Ted Cruz in Texas. The political prognosticators pin O'Rourke's chances of success at about 20 percent chance on Election Day; this number is both far better than anyone expected in a Republican stronghold that hasn't sent a Democratic senator to Washington in three decades, and also, as they say in Texas, not one on which to bet the ranch.

After listening to his speech at the University of Texas at El Paso, though, if he's worried, you wouldn't know it. While his opponent has spent the race's last few days floating embarrassing crackpot conspiracy theories about O'Rourke's campaign funding the "migrant caravan," O'Rourke himself stuck stubbornly to the issues that affect Texans' day-to-day lives: access to health care, services for veterans, and fair pay for teachers. On immigration, he took a similarly forward-looking tone, comparing his hometown on the U.S.-Mexico border to a modern-day Ellis Island for new generations of people seeking a better life for their families.

"This community defines the positive story of immigration," he told the assembled crowd. "We are a city of immigrants. We are made far stronger, we're more successful, than we would have been without their presence. So we will continue to do what we have always done: Be a nation of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers." He called for an American immigration policy "written not in fear, not in anxiety, not in paranoia, not in lies, but in our real experiences in our families." And he emphasized that these goals are not partisan ones: "Texas is ready to move beyond geography, party, or any other difference that might divide us, and finally come together for our state and this country."

It says a lot about Cruz's political future that after two years of unified Republican government, he (like many of his GOP compatriots) campaigned for re-election not on tax cuts, or health care, or even the flourishing American economy, but instead on stoking anti-immigrant fears and appealing to racial animus. Cruz's most notable accomplishment in Washington has been reinventing himself as a bargain-bin version of Donald Trump, whom he professed to abhor until he realized that pledging his allegiance would be more politically expedient. He has been exposed as a substance-free charlatan who is more interested in remaining in power by any means necessary than in doing the work of governing, and should he eke out a win, it will not be because of the conservative principles that he always imagined would fuel his career in Washington; it will be because of his cheerful willingness to abandon them.

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Meanwhile, even in deep-red Texas, O'Rourke has outperformed expectations by tapping in to the same sentiment espoused by politicians like Andrew Gillum in Florida: After two years of being told that they should be afraid and angry, voters are looking for reasons to be hopeful about their country again. This brand of patriotic optimism terrifies people like Cruz, not only because the attendant enthusiasm puts their jobs in jeopardy, but also because they are painfully aware that they have no counterargument.

Here's what O'Rourke had to say to reporters this morning, shortly after casting his ballot:

Texas is not going to be defined by our fears. We're going to be governed by our ambitions. We are going to be fiercely focused on the future. And we're going to do this together. We just do not care about the differences between us right now. We want all of us, Republicans and Democrats and independents alike, to come together and do something great for this country.

No matter how Tuesday ends, Beto O'Rourke has proven that his politics are the politics of the future. Cruz and his ilk will cling to power only for as long as they can convince enough people that life in America is a zero-sum game, and not one day longer."I was told, 'A woman couldn't possibly beat Steve Knight," Democratic candidate Katie Hill told Refinery29 earlier this year. That's the feedback she received when she announced she was going to challenge the Republican incumbent in California's 25th District. And yet, here we are: The 31-year-old nonprofit executive defeated Knight in a dead heat election that was deemed too-close-to-call most of Wednesday. In the afternoon, he conceded.

The 25th District was a Republican stronghold for decades. But then, Hillary Clinton carried the district in the 2016 presidential election and Knight's seat became a target for Democrats hoping to flip the House. Hill, who will now be California's first openly-bisexual congressperson, never really thought about running for office. But after the Trump administration started enacting policies that ran counter to the causes she believes in, she was moved to action. "[I realized] the social issues I care about the most are completely dependent on having the right federal partners," the first-time candidate told Refinery29. With that in mind, she launched her bid.

That was 19 months ago. Hill ran on a platform that includes support for affordable healthcare, common-sense gun laws, criminal justice reform, affordable childcare, and defending reproductive rights. But she also emphasized the need for bipartisan collaboration in Washington and approached these issues with a straightforward middle-of-the-road Democratic lens. Like other insurgent candidates this election season, Hill out raised Knight through grassroots donations, refusing to take corporate money. And now, she's made history.

"I didnt quite realize what big of a movement I was gonna be part of," Hill said in our interview. "What I realized over the past year is that this is a tidal wave, a shift in our democracy in terms of changing the face of what Congress looks like. Not just Congress, but what politics in this country look like."

Story continues

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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Gun Reform Advocate Lucy McBath Defeats NRA Darling Karen Handel In GeorgiaSteven Bishop was charged with terror offences at Westminster Magistrates Court (Picture: Google)

A man has appeared in court accused of planning a terror attack at a south London mosque.

Steven Bishop, 40, of Thornton Heath, London, faces one charge of engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to commit acts of terrorism.

A second charge accuses him of making a record of information of a kind likely to be of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Bishop appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court dressed in a grey tracksuit.

MORE: UK business leaders sign letter calling for second Brexit referendum

MORE: Former racing driver, 102, dies after being trapped on his roof for three days

He spoke only to give his name, date of birth and address.

He gave his nationality as white British.

The court heard he was arrested after his recovery worker contacted police on October 28 following a conversation in which he stated he planned to carry out a bombing attack on a mosque.

Prosecutor Simon Drew said: He told her he was going to make a bomb and blow up a mosque in a suicide mission.

He went on to tell her he bought Semtex and a detonator on the Dark Web.

His lawyer, Tim Forte, indicated not guilty pleas will be made to the charges and made no application for bail.

Bishops next court appearance will be at the Old Bailey on November 23.

Police also arrested a 47-year-old man in south London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, but he has since been released without charge.



Paris (AFP) - Thirty-five Yemeni and international NGOs called Wednesday for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" in Yemen, where they warned 14 million people were now "on the brink of famine".

The joint appeal was signed by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Action Against Hunger, CARE International, Oxfam, Doctors of the World, and Yemeni organisations, according to a statement.

"With 14 million men, women and children on the brink of famine -- half the country's population -- there has never been a more urgent time to act," the statement said.

It called on governments to "secure an immediate cessation of hostilities" and "suspend the supply of arms at risk of being used in Yemen".

The most impoverished country in the Arab world, Yemen has been gripped by war since 2015, when a regional military coalition led by Saudi Arabia joined the government's fight against Huthi rebels.

"The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is manmade and a direct consequence of the warring parties' severe restrictions on access to food, fuel, medical imports and humanitarian aid," the statement added.

"The collapse of the Yemeni rial and the non-payment of public sector workers is adding to the catastrophe.

"We call on governments to redouble their efforts to guarantee unimpeded access to essential items... including through the lifeline port of Hodeidah, where civilians have been caught in renewed fighting over the past few days."

Pro-government forces pressed even closer Wednesday to the heart of Hodeida, the Red Sea city controlled by Huthi rebels and under blockade by Saudi Arabia and its allies.

International aid groups have appealed to both the rebels and the alliance to allow civilians to escape the densely-populated city of 600,000 people.

Nearly 10,000 Yemenis have been killed in the conflict since 2015, according to the World Health Organization.Healthcare was one of the most important issues for voters heading into elections this week, resulting in a big win for those uninsured as Medicaid expansion was passed in three traditionally red states, including Utah, Nebraska, and Idaho. This will grant another 300,000 uninsured, low-income Americans Medicaid eligibility, making it a total of 36 states including Washington, D.C., that have expanded Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, passed in 2010.

Were now in the sixth annual ACA enrollment period and those looking for coverage in 2019 will have to enroll by Dec. 15 in most states. Below are some changes you can expect this time around.

No more tax penalty

You will no longer be federally penalized for going without coverage. As part of tax reform legislation that passed last year, Congress did away with the individual mandate starting in 2019. On the state level, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and D.C., still have state mandates through 2019, and Vermont will move forward with an initiative to mandate health coverage in 2020.

A man looks over the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) sign-up page on the HealthCare.gov website. (Reuters)

More short-term plans are entering the market

Theres an expansion of short-term limited duration (STLD) policies  which are bare-bones policies with limited benefits  becoming available. Policies can be purchased for 6 or 12 months and can be renewed. Those in better health tend to go for this option because they cost less. But health policy experts at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation warn that these plans are loosely regulated and less standardized than ACA plans, and people with pre-existing conditions will be denied coverage.

Every claim could be a surprise medical bill, says Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at Kaiser Family Foundation. She warns of some short-term policies that only cover doctors visits and hospitalization, others that only cover a maximum of three doctor visits, or some that dont offer provider networks and outpatient prescription drug policies. And those denied coverage on these short-term plans will not be eligible for the special enrollment period on the health care exchange.

Story continues

Premiums will increase

After years of uncertainty, the marketplace has proven to be a success; insurance companies are no longer fleeing, and in fact, dozens are coming aboard or returning for 2019. But despite the fact that insurance companies have seen an increase in profitability and a decline in medical claims, premiums are still expected to go up because without an individual mandate, more people are leaving the marketplace and some are looking into the short-term options that can be purchased on non-group market and through associations.

During a recent briefing hosted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Cynthia Cox, study director for the health insurance and private insurance, said insurers are raising premiums by an average of 16% in 2019, both on and off the exchanges, to make up for the combined loss they expect from the impact of policy changes.

In 2018, of the 14.4 million who bought plans on the marketplace, 9.2 million were receiving subsidies. Next year, those eligible for subsidies will not be as affected by the price increases, but close to 4 million Americans will be hit hardest.

Dont wait to sign up

Nearly 1 in 5 federal marketplace enrollees auto-renewed for 2018 coverage. But like every year before this, enrollees are encouraged to shop around because its the only way youll be able to take advantage of the best coverage for the lowest price. There are fewer federal navigators to help consumers with the process of enrolling. The budget for the program has been cut from $63 million in 2016 to $10 million today. This means longer call center wait times and less in-person assistance.

Jeanie Ahn is a senior reporter and producer at Yahoo Finance, covering personal finance and women in business. Reach out by email jeaniea@oath.com. Follow her on Twitter.

More from our Personal Finance team:

This story was originally published on Nov. 7, 2018.Harare (AFP) - Forty-seven people were killed in Zimbabwe Wednesday when two buses collided on a road between the capital Harare and the eastern town of Rusape, police told AFP.

"We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway," police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

On Twitter, the state-run Herald newspaper said pictures from the scene were too graphic to post.

The paper said the morgue at the local public hospital in Rusape had run out of space and sought help from a private funeral parlour to take in some of the corpses.

Traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where roads are riddled with potholes due to years of underfunding and neglect, but the highway where the accident occurred had been recently resurfaced.

In June last year, 43 people were killed in a bus crash in the north of the country, along the highway leading to neighbouring Zambia.

Deputy Transport Minister Fortune Chasi said the government will take steps to curb the road carnage.

"Totally needless loss of lives. This event should be the last before stern measures are taken," he tweeted, promising to rein in public service vehicles and their owners.Progressive Democrat and political newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrated her historic win on Tuesday night with an electrifying victory speech in New York City.

We made history tonight, the 29-year-old, who is now the youngest women ever elected to Congress, said to her supporters.

Ocasio-Cortez, a Latina who has never previously held political office, easily won New Yorks left-leaning 14th Congressional District against Republican Anthony Pappas. Her victory comes months after she unexpectedly defeated 10-term Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in the June primary.

Ahead of the primary, Ocasio-Cortez worked as a bartender at a Mexican restaurant in New York Citys Union Square. In early October, she earned an endorsement from President Barack Obama.

This is what is possible when everyday people come together in the collective realization that all our actions, no matter how small or how large, are powerful, worthwhile and capable of lasting change, Ocasio-Cortez said Tuesday.

Words cannot express my gratitude to every organizer, every small-dollar donor, every working parent and dreamer who helped make this movement happen, she continued.

And thats exactly what this is. Not a campaign or an election day, but a movement, a larger movement for social, economic and racial justice in America.

Ocasio-Cortez also identified what policies she intends to target in office, including abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, student loan debt (which she called a ticking time bomb for our economy) and the role of money in politics.

Ocasio-Cortezs speech was briefly interrupted when news broke that Beto ORourke, also a progressive Democrat, lost his underdog bid for Senate in Texas against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

But the young, newly elected congresswoman urged her supporters to remain confident in Democrats overall success.

There is never any fight that is too big for us to pick. We proved that this year, she said. Because in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, our greatest scarcity is not a lack of resources but the absence of political courage and moral imagination.

Story continues

Ocasio-Cortez added: It is a hollow goal to simply be a rich country that seeks to concentrate wealth. We must also be a good nation too.

In a more informal speech to a smaller crowd on Tuesday, the progressive star declared, This is not the end. This is the beginning.

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Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.By Jeffrey Dastin and David Shepardson

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is planning to split its second headquarters evenly between two cities, people familiar with the matter said Monday, in a twist to a more than year-long contest that has drawn overtures from locales across North America.

Dallas, Long Island City in New York and Arlington near Washington, D.C. are all among the finalists with which Amazon is holding advanced talks, one of the people said on condition of anonymity. The person would not confirm which two are expected to win or if any others remain in the running.

Amazon declined to comment on the news, first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The world's largest online retailer sparked a bidding frenzy in September 2017 when it announced it would invest over $5 billion to create an "HQ2" in addition to its home base in Seattle and hire up to 50,000 people.

One of the major reasons for the decision was for Amazon, which has satellite operations around the world, to recruit top talent. Offering a choice of head offices could help it win new workers in a battle with Alphabet Inc's Google and others, with which Amazon competes in areas such as cloud computing and voice-controlled technology.

"Amazon is going where it wont have to jostle with Google and Facebook as much as it would in San Francisco or it does in Seattle," said Alex Snyder, analyst at CenterSquare Investment Management near Philadelphia.

The HQ2 split also could help Amazon ease the same degree of congestion and jump in costs of living that led to unrest in Seattle. An affordable housing crisis there prompted the city council to adopt a head tax on businesses in May, which Amazon helped overturn in a subsequent city council vote.

It was unclear what incentive packages were offered to Amazon. New Jersey early in the contest proposed $7 billion in potential credits against state and city taxes if Amazon located in Newark and stuck to hiring commitments.

Story continues

On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state was in talks with Amazon. "We have a great incentive package," which was not "crazy" like other states' offers, he said, according to audio from WCBS 880 Radio.

"Ill change my name to Amazon Cuomo if thats what it takes," he said.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco, David Shepardson in Washington; Additional reporting by Herb Lash in New York and Arjun Panchadar in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Lisa Shumaker)London has a reputation for bad weather, but on Oct. 20 at about midday, the sky was a perfect blue. That was good news for Vince Cable, the leader of the U.K.s centrist Liberal Democrats party. Buoyed by the lack of rain, he and roughly 700,000 others marched on the Houses of Parliament to call for a Peoples Vote, or second referendum, on Britains withdrawal from the European Union.

Were all here, Cable told the assembled marchers, because we can see that Brexit is a potential disaster and because we believe it can be stopped. Although he spoke alongside politicians like London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Green Party former leader Caroline Lucas, it was his line that drew some of the wildest cheers: Its not inevitable.

Cable, 75, is an unlikely revolutionary. Between 2010 and 2015, he was a high-ranking minister for the Lib Dems  for years, the UKs third largest party  in a coalition government with the Conservative party. One of his colleagues back then became the prime minister, Theresa May, whose ongoing efforts to negotiate a deal in the E.U. capital of Brussels he is now trying to unravel.

Mays progress has been fraught. A snap election in June 2017 was meant to strengthen her position but returned her a reduced parliamentary majority, which has made it even harder to satisfy all parties. Senior cabinet resignations and fears of what a failure to secure a deal would mean for the country have bred an anxious mood. In April this year, in response, a number of lawmakers from across the political spectrum established the campaign for a Peoples Vote on whether or not to accept the Brexit deal. Support grew over the summer, and the Oct. 20 march was its greatest show of strength so far.

A week and a half on from the march, Cable is sitting in his Westminster office looking out on a significantly colder and wetter vista. Just like the London weather, he believes there has been a profound shift in the outlook of the U.K. voting public on Brexit since the referendum, when 52% of the electorate voted for Britain to leave the E.U. There is a general sense that the government has made a mess of the negotiation, he tells TIME. Brexit is not remotely like what we were told at the time.

Story continues

The solution Cable supports is another referendum, a national vote on the final terms of Britains exit in which the electorate could choose to take whatever deal May brings back to London, or remain within the E.U.  effectively halting Brexit forever. It seems to me to be absolutely right that the public are given a choice whether they want to accept whats been negotiated on their behalf, or to remain within the E.U, he says.

OCT. 20: Demonstrators listen to speeches after taking part in the

Before the October march, such views were dismissed as fringe. To some extent, they still are. Both the ruling Conservative Party and the main opposition Labour Party have accepted Brexit as the will of the people and have committed to seeing it through.

And despite having been a key player in the government until 2015, Cables party is now a diminished force. It has only a dozen lawmakers in Britains parliament of 650, down from 57 when they were in government, and has slipped from third largest party to fourth, after the Scottish National Party. When Brexit came along, they saw their chance to rebrand themselves as the only major anti-Brexit party in Britain.

Critics of the Peoples Vote campaign thought there would be a token march with a few thousand people, Cable says of the recent 700,000-strong protest. But it was on a scale that far surpassed any realistic expectations. That, he thinks, reflects a broader change in Britain  one that could simultaneously reverse Brexit and sweep the Liberal Democrats to relevance once again. It might sound like wishful thinking, but Cable is confident. Its very clear that there has been a change in the mood, he says.

He is borne out by the polls, but only just. Recent surveys by YouGov show the public is still deeply divided on whether the U.K. was right or wrong to vote to leave in 2016. However, that balance has shifted from a slight majority for right just after the referendum to a consistent 3% lead for wrong in 2018. In July, a greater proportion of people polled (42%) said they believed there should be a second referendum than those (40%) who thought there should not  the first time the balance has tipped since the vote.

Cables Liberal Democrats may see good fortune ahead by aligning themselves with the Peoples Vote project, but they are also driven by staunch liberal convictions, as their opponents love to point out. Cable doesnt necessarily hide that. Its very difficult to see how Brexit can have a positive impact on Britains role in the world, he says. Britain was seen as a progressive force and it was influencing the whole of Europe, and weve lost that or will be losing it.

As the U.K.s traditional centrist party, the Lib Dems have always struggled to stake out their own ground independent of their larger, domineering neighbors to the left and right. But, in the U.K. and across the world, Cable says the polarization of politics just might eventually allow centrist parties to thrive. Brexit is one manifestation of this populist movement which is very damaging to international cooperation, he says. Its certainly true that moderate, liberal social democratic parties have been under pressure in recent years but its very far from a simple story.

President Emmanuel Macron in France and prime minister Justin Trudeau in Canada, he points out, are both moderates who have both benefited from the new hyperconnected political environment of the late 2010s. The successful movements, he says, have realized theyve got to adapt their way of communicating to the electorate.

Trudeaus Canadian Liberals, in particular, are an example hes keen to emulate, and he confirms to TIME that the two parties have been cooperating. What captured our attention was the fact they came from third to first, Cable says, of the Canadian partys re-emergence after being nearly wiped out at the polls in 2011. They were written off as a failed liberal party, and actually they defeated and confounded all their critics.

Their secret weapon, Cable says, was turning their party into a mass movement as well as a formal political party, with fewer barriers to entry. He can only hope the Peoples Vote campaign provides an opportunity for the Lib Dems to do the same.WASHINGTON  Two Native American women won their congressional races on Tuesday night, making history as the first female indigenous candidates heading to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrat Deb Haaland, an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, swept to an easy victory in New Mexicos 1st Congressional District, a heavily Democratic district with an open seat. The 57-year-old single mom is a former state party chair.

Deb Haaland is one of two Native American women who will now serve in Congress. It took only 229 years. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Democrat Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, won election in Kansas 3rd Congressional District against four-term incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder (R), who was hurt by growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump in the swing district. It didnt help that Trump tweeted support for Yoder in the days before the election.

Davids, 37, earned her law degree from Cornell Law School, worked as a legal counsel for a development corporation on a South Dakota reservation and served as a White House fellow under President Barack Obama. She also competed professionally in mixed martial arts.

Come January, Davids will be the first openly LGBTQ member of the Kansas congressional delegation.

Sharice Davids has another uncommon qualification for politics: her experience in mixed martial arts. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Haaland got a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, chaired her states Democratic Party from 2015 to 2017 and was the Native American vote director for Barack Obamas 2012 presidential campaign. Shes the product of a military family.

To get a sense of how significant Haalands and Davids presence in Congress will be, consider that more than 10,000 people have served in the House and more than 1,300 have served in the Senate since the first Congress met in 1789. Not a single one of those people was a Native American woman.

Crazy, right? Haaland told HuffPost in a February interview. Its 2018.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.The Senate is the upper chamber of the US Congress - AFP

The US Senate is the upper chamber on Capitol Hill. There are 100 Senators, two from each state, and Republicans currently hold a razor thin majority with 51 seats.

The US Senate writes and passes laws but has a number of other powers and responsibilities, from ratifying treaties with other countries to overseeing investigations of officials and public bodies.

Senators have six-year terms and just 35 seats are up for re-election. Most of these are currently held by Democrats, making it hard for them to make gains.

The president's party could increase their hold of the Senate, since 10 of the Democratic seats are in states carried by Donald Trump in 2016 - five of which he won by double digits. Mr Trump has completed an intensive campaign tour designed to make the midterms a referendum on his presidency in the hope of maintaining swing seats.

While the US economy is booming, Mr Trump's approval rating is hovering around 40 per cent - a worrying sign for Republicans.

The Democrats are holding out hope that a "blue wave" of supporters energised by opposition to the Trump presidency can lead to a string of unexpected victories.

The powers and responsibilities of the US Senate

The Senate chamber during a vote Credit: Senate TV

The Senate and the House of Representatives are considered equal but different partners in the legislative branch of government. Their most important power is the authority to make laws.

They also share the ability to declare war, raise an army and establish rules of immigration and naturalisation, among others.

Each also has unique responsibilities. In the case of the Senate, these include confirming by majority vote the appointment of federal judges, ambassadors and Cabinet posts and approving (by a two thirds vote) treaties with other nations.

And while it is the House that votes to impeach an elected official, it is the Senate where the hearing is conducted. A two-thirds majority is needed for conviction and removal from office.

Story continues

Why a Senate term is longer than in the House

Donald Trump on the campaign trail in Missouri Credit: Neeta Satam/Bloomberg

Congress was established in article one of the US constitution, part of the great American experiment as the nations founding fathers tried to build a country and democracy almost from scratch.

It set up a bicameral structure with states electing representatives proportionate to population to a lower house plus two senators regardless of size to the upper chamber, (protecting the interests of smaller states).

Representatives serve two-year terms and face re-election every two years. The short span and frequent elections are meant to keep them closely aligned with public will.

However, the founders also feared mob rule and structured the Senate as an antidote. Its longer, six-year terms are designed to isolate members from short-lived whims and create a more contemplative atmosphere.

What would losing the Senate mean for Donald Trump?

A Democratic controlled House and Senate could launch impeachment hearings - but it would still require bipartisan support to pass, which is extremely unlikely.

A more pressing problem for Mr Trump would be the ability to have his judicial nominees approved, which is done by a vote of the full Senate.

The importance of that has been proved by the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Senate voted 50 to 48 for him to be approved - the tightest of margins.

One major talking point in these midterm elections is the 'I' word - impeachment. It is the House of Representatives that launches articles of impeachment, but any trial would be held in the Senate and its outcome voted on by its members.

Republicans have been eager to bring up impeachment on the campaign trail - arguing a Democrat-controlled Congress would attempt to impeach Mr Trump. Democratic leaders have largely played down the claims, aware that there is little public appetite for it. However a handful of prominent Democrats, including Maxine Waters, have suggested the president should be impeached.

Mr Trump has brought it up himself on his campaign tour, telling supporters at a rally it will be "your fault" if he gets impeached.

"You didn't go out to vote - that's the only way it could happen," the president said during a rally in Montana. "I'll be the only President in history they'll say: 'What a job he's done! By the way, we're impeaching him'.

"This election, you aren't just voting for a candidate, you are voting for which party controls Congress," he said.

Seats to watch

Nevada

Senator Dean Heller's election fight is an interesting one to watch. He is the only Republican senator up for re-election in a state that Hillary Clinton won in 2016.

Mr Trump has travelled to Nevada to support Mr Heller's re-election campaign Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Senator Heller's Democratic opponent, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen, has support from anti-Trump female voters. She is also hoping Nevada's growing Hispanic population will help her to victory in November.

However she faces an uphill battle in encouraging voter turnout, and Republicans are relying on white rural voters to come out to support Mr Heller.

North Dakota

Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who is facing re-election in a state Mr Trump won by nearly 40 points in 2016, is considered the most endangered Democrat in the Senate.

Democrat Heidi Heitkamp's seat is the Republican's top target Credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Ms Heitkamp faces pressure from conservative voters after voting against Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, a move she admitted was not a "smart political vote". However, Democrat donors have injected around $13 million into her campaign since her no vote.

Her opponent, Kevin Crammer, has the backing of the president. Mr Trump headlined a fundraiser for the Republican in early September which brought in more than $1 million in donations to his campaign.

Florida

The race between Democratic Senator Bill Nelson and his Republican challenger Rick Scott is one of the most expensive of the year. Mr Scott, Florida's governor, has challenged Mr Nelson's record in Washington and distanced himself from the president so as not to lose out on Puerto Rican voters.

Florida Governor Rick Scott is now running for the US Senate Credit: AFP

Republicans see the seat as one of their most promising chances of picking up an extra Senate seat and have spent heavily in the race. Polls show the two almost neck and neck - an interesting race to tune into on election night.

Texas

Despite being a presidential candidate in 2016, Republican Senator Ted Cruz is now fighting for his political life in Texas. His Democratic challenger - Bete O'Rourke - has brought Mr Cruz's lead in the deeply red state down to single digits, shocking political pundits.

Beto O'Rourke has brought Republican senator Ted Cruz's majority down to single digits Credit: Reuters

Mr Trump has overcome his previous animosity with the Senator to lend his support to his campaign. Donald Jnr has already been deployed to campaign for Mr Cruz and the president himself made an appearance late in October in a bid to bolster support.

Mr O'Rourke, a 45-year-old congressman, has campaigned on a platform of inclusion and optimism, particularly on issues such as immigration. It is a message that chimes with the state's growing Hispanic population, which currently stands at 39 per cent.

Pollsters still predict a Cruz victory but Mr O'Rourke's popularity and upbeat campaign rallies have left Republican operatives deeply troubled. Losing a Republican seat in Texas would be a big political upset.The Hague (AFP) - Balkan countries will boost cooperation to identify victims of the 1990s wars, said the head of a group that helps trace missing people, describing it as a "big deal" in an era of growing nationalism around the world.

Representatives from Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia signed the agreement on Tuesday, said the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).

Around 12,000 people are still not accounted for out of the 40,000 missing from the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia, according to the ICMP, which helps with DNA testing and the exchange of data.

"It's an investment in peace and stability, definitely," ICMP director general Kathryne Bomberger told AFP in an interview at the non-governmental group's headquarters in The Hague.

"The fact that they came together to form a missing persons group and to sign a work plan to commit themselves to finding the remaining 12,000 missing persons is a big deal," she added.

"That's not an easy feat in an era now of populism and nationalism," said Bomberger.

The deal came despite lasting tensions in the region, which during the 1990s formed the battleground to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

More than 70 percent of people missing after the conflict have now been identified, giving closure to loved ones and also providing evidence for international trials.

The agreement will now see the countries step up work to identify the rest, to share information, and to even carry out joint exhumations.

"I am sure there will be hiccups, there always are, but genuinely I think they're all committed," Bomberger said.

- 'Return to barbarism' -

The ICMP was set up in 1996 in Sarajevo by then US president Bill Clinton and moved to The Hague in 2016, where it now hosts laboratories with DNA testing technology.

Work to identify the missing in the Balkans has been gruelling, covering mass graves such as those from the 1995 massacre of nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in Bosnia.

Story continues

The ICMP also has a programme in Iraq, is involved in identifying migrants missing in the Mediterranean, and has helped identify victims from crimes and disasters including the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

The group sees itself as part of a wider network of The Hague-based institutions of international justice, such as the now-defunct Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.

Both the ICJ and ICC have come under attack from US President Donald Trump's administration as it rails against multilateral bodies deemed hostile to American sovereignty.

The US assault comes at a time when rights groups say that authoritarianism, nationalism and populism are on the rise around the world.

"In today's world unfortunately the rule of law is being undermined... I personally think we have nothing else but the rule of law, if you don't respect the need to uphold that then we return to barbarism," said Bomberger.

"This is a very important moment in the West... and the missing persons component is just a facet of that."Bangladesh's coast guard rescued 33 Rohingya and detained six alleged human traffickers from a fishing trawler headed for Malaysia in the Bay of Bengal, an official said Wednesday.

The rescued included 14 men, 10 women and nine children who had been living in refugee camps in the southeastern Bangladesh district of Cox's Bazar, according to Fayezul Islam Mondol, coast guard commander in the southeastern coastal town of Teknaf.

"We have captured six traffickers as well. All of them are Bangladeshis," he told AFP.

Some 720,000 refugees of the persecuted Myanmar minority have taken shelter in Bangladesh camps since August last year.

They fled what the UN has described as ethnic cleansing in Buddhist-majority Myanmar's western Rakhine state, and have joined some 300,000 refugees already living in camps in Cox's Bazar.

People smugglers in recent years have sent tens of thousands of Rohingya from the Bangladesh camps to Malaysia, before Bangladesh launched a crackdown in 2015 after Thai authorities discovered mass graves and boats overcrowded with thousands of migrants drifted at sea.

Mondol said the Rohingya rescued Wednesday had boarded a dilapidated fishing trawler on an uncertain "sea voyage to Malaysia".

The boat was intercepted Wednesday evening by a coast guard boat near Saint Martin's Island, the last territory of Bangladesh, situated only a few kilometres (miles) away from Myanmar's Anauk Myinhlut coastline.

One of the arrested traffickers, Abdus Shukur, 55, told AFP that the fishing trawler had been due to transfer the Rohingya to a bigger Malaysia-bound ship moored neared the island in the Bay of Bengal.

"We were forced by an influential local to take these (Rohingya) people on the fishing boat. We were instructed to board them on an awaiting ship near Saint Martin's," Shukur said.

Authorities in Bangladesh worry many refugees may once again risk travelling to South-East Asia by boat, a route previously popular among Rohingya seeking economic opportunities outside the grim and crowded camps.

Story continues

Most voyages take place between November and March when seas are most calm.

A local government official said with the approach of winter, traffickers were now trying to lure Rohingya again to the dangerous boat journeys.

"The sea is getting calm and there are high demand among the refugees to travel to Malaysia," Teknaf mayor Abdullah Monir said.

"The traffickers are therefore taking the opportunity to float their boats again," he said.

On Tuesday, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained 14 Rohingya on Teknaf coast who had allegedly been cheated by human traffickers.

Local BGB spokesman Major Shariful Islam said they paid nearly $120 each to a fellow refugee in Kutupalong, the largest Rohingya refugee settlement, to be sent to Malaysia.

"But the man sent them to a brief boat journey and later dropped them off Teknaf coast after three days," Islam said.Democratic Texas Senate candidate Rep. Beto ORourke embraces his wife, Amy, as he concedes to Sen. Ted Cruz at his midterm election night party in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday. (Photo: Adria Malcolm/Reuters)

EL PASO, Texas  Beto ORourke marked the end of his unlikely and ultimately unsuccessful bid to unseat Ted Cruz in Texass surprisingly competitive Senate race just as he began it some 20 months ago  by clicking on his Facebook Live stream and walking through the crowd of thousands of adoring supporters gathered here as a few hundred thousand others watched online.

But long before he reached steps of the giant stage erected in the minor league ballpark here at the edge of downtown El Paso, where his campaign had held his election night watch party and where he would formally concede the race to Cruz, the handwringing and criticism over his failed candidacy had already begun.

In a hotel ballroom hundreds of miles away in Houston, where Cruz and his supporters had sweated out the final hours of the election wondering if the junior senator would survive, the senators father, Rafael, jumped on stage ahead of his son to lead chants mocking ORourke and accusing him of trying to buy an election with the help of Democratic bogeymen George Soros and Chuck Schumer. Texas remains free! he declared.

On Twitter, commentators and reporters, many of whom had never stepped foot in Texas to cover the race, posted instant takes criticizing the media for covering a candidate they argued never had a chance in a red state where Republicans rule. The Atlantic quoted an anonymous Democratic strategist suggesting ORourke had blown it by being a cause, not a candidate, and suggested his celebrity had worked against him in the race. And Politico re-upped its piece from two days earlier predicting that ORourke would lose because he should have run as a centrist.

But all the chatter ignored a crucial point about ORourkes loss Tuesday night. While national Democrats had long predicted their quest to regain majority control of the U.S. Senate rested on the outcome of races in states like Tennessee, North Dakota and Missouri, where the partys candidates charted a centrist path in hopes of wooing voters deep in Trumps America, ORourke came closer to winning than any of those candidates. With more than 99 percent of the votes counted, Cruz was leading ORourke by just 2.6 percent  a shockingly close result in a state where a Democrat has not won statewide office since 1994. The last time a Senate race in Texas was decided by single digits was 1978  40 years ago.

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Republican Sen. Ted Cruz addresses supporters at his midterm election night party in Houston on Tuesday. (Photo: Cathal Mcnaughton/Reuters)

Going into Election Day, Cruzs political firewall had been deep red rural Texas, where the bulk of the states Republican voters live, and election results suggested voters there helped put him over the top. But ORourkes unorthodox strategy of taking his campaign to all of the states 254 counties in hopes of expanding the map didnt necessarily fail. While he never expected to win rural Texas, he had hoped to activate non-voters in those regions and add to his expected victories in the states big cities, like Austin, Dallas and Houston. Election results suggest he did post modest vote gains compared to previous Democratic Senate candidates and Hillary Clintons performance in 2016, including in areas like Amarillo and Wichita Falls. It just wasnt enough.

At the same time, ORourke accomplished something Democrats had been trying to do for years: He flipped Tarrant County, besting Cruz by the narrowest of margins: 49.7 percent to Cruzs 49.3 percent. The area, home to Fort Worth, had been the last deeply red urban county in America. Now its purple, suggesting it could be part of an expanding Democratic map in north Texas. Dallas County went bright blue on Tuesday as ORourkes coattails likely helped Democrat Colin Allred defeat incumbent GOP Rep. Pete Sessions in one of the biggest congressional upsets of the night.

But what does it all mean  for Texas and for ORourke? Many state Democrats had been wary of ORourkes go-it-alone strategy of focusing on rural Texas and espousing deeply progressive views in a state that is so resoundingly conservative. But last night, their feelings wavered between despair  wondering how, if ORourke with all of his money and charisma couldnt win in Texas, any Democrat could  and hope, as the results came in closer than anyone had expected. But they credited ORourkes position at the top of the ticket with helping the party win two U.S. House races including Allreds in the 32nd District and the Seventh District race in Houston  and more than a dozen seats in the state Legislature. While Republicans held their statewide posts  including Gov. Greg Abbott, who is considered a possible future presidential candidate  their victories were the weakest in years, suggesting Democrats could be viable in the state in 2020.

What is unclear is whether Democrats can maintain that enthusiasm or whether ORourke was a one-off candidate who ran at the right time. The three-term El Paso congressman clearly struck a chord with his relentlessly hopeful message and undeniable star power that attracted rock star-sized crowds on par with Donald Trumps, and record-breaking campaign contributions. But he also happened to be running against Cruz, a candidate widely disliked even by members of his own party.

Senate candidate Rep. Beto ORourke, D-Texas, greets supporters as he departs a campaign rally at the Pan American Neighborhood Park on Sunday in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Its an unknown that also weighs heavily on what ORourke does next. In a post-2016 political environment in which no single figure has emerged to capture the hearts and imaginations of Democrats eager to see their party rise out of the Trumpian wilderness, ORourke was many months ago branded the partys most promising rising star.

And as the campaign wound its way toward its end, the drumbeat of the looming 2020 election began to pulse incessantly everywhere ORourke went, led by supporters both in and outside of Texas who saw him as a transformational figure with the campaign skills, political savvy and fundraising ability to lead Democrats back into the White House.

But at every step of the way, ORourke has shut down the talk, including on Monday when he once again ruled out a presidential bid in two years. I will not be a presidential candidate in 2020, he told reporters in Houston. That is as definitive as it gets.

Candidates have been known to backtrack before. But those close to ORourke say his denials are sincere. The congressman spent the better part of the last two years away from his wife, Amy, and their three kids as he traveled the dusty backroads of Texas. A friend said the separation had weighed heavily on ORourke, particularly in the final weeks, and that he genuinely had no appetite or deep ambition to embark on a campaign that would take him away from his family for another two years.

In an emotional moment on his livestream last week, as he raced around the state in search of the last few votes, ORourke spoke of how much he missed his wife. He said he was dreaming of the moment where he could just sit down with a cup of coffee with her in their backyard and not have to be anywhere. I just want to have a moment and reconnect and be, he said.

A supporter of Democratic Rep. Beto ORourke cries as he concedes to Sen. Ted Cruz at his midterm election night party in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters)

But the eyes of Texas, and beyond, are on the proud son of El Paso. On stage Tuesday night in El Paso, where he said he had spoken to Cruz, congratulated him and offered his help in bringing Texans together, ORourke said he still remained hopeful about the future.

Im as inspired, Im as hopeful as Ive ever been in my life, and tonights loss does nothing to diminish the way I feel about Texas or this country, ORourke said. He pointed to Democratic gains up and down the ticket, praising his small campaign staff and thousands of supporters here and beyond who had come together to make history, even as he came up short. I am so f***ing proud of you, he declared.

And with that, ORourke bid farewell, but hinted it wouldnt be forever. Well see you out there down the road, he said.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:A visibly exhausted Beto ORourke conceded the Texas Senate race Tuesday night, saying he was grateful for his millions of supporters in the race against Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz.

Im as inspired, Im as hopeful as Ive ever been in my life, the Democrat told supporters gathered at Southwest University Park stadium in his hometown of El Paso. Tonights loss does nothing to diminish how I feel about Texas or this country.

ORourke delivered a concession speech over two hours after news outlets called the race for Cruz. The Democrat lost by a margin of roughly 3 percentage points  far closer than the 20 or more percentage points Democrats seeking statewide office in Texas are used to losing by.

Despite running against the widely disliked Cruz, ORourke ran a campaign that largely aimed to eschew a political climate marked by negativity. He avoided attacking Cruz until their second debate in October and frequently trumpeted bipartisanship, a theme that ran throughout his concession speech Tuesday night.

Were not about being against anybody, he said. Were not going to define ourselves by who or what were afraid of.

ORourke said he had called Cruz to offer his congratulations and to extend a hand to work together for the benefit of Texans.

Ill work with anyone, anytime, anywhere, he said, echoing words from the campaign trail.

The Democrat went on to express his love and gratitude to the citizens of El Paso, who elected him for three terms to the U.S. House of Representatives, and told his supporters around the country: Im so fucking proud of you guys.

There was much speculation during the campaign that ORourke might be eyeing a run for the presidency in 2020. When asked about it during a town hall in October, though, he said, Its a definitive no. He said at the time that he and his family would return to their lives in El Paso if he were to lose the Senate race.

He didnt say in his concession speech what his next step would be, but he hinted that we havent seen the last of him.

Story continues

We will see you out there, down the road, he said.

Related Coverage

Donald Trump On Ted Cruz: 'Hes Not Lyin Ted Anymore. Hes Beautiful Ted'

Democrat Beto ORourkes Underdog Senate Bid Falls Short In Texas

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Beto ORourke ended his Texas campaign for Senate as a true maverick on Tuesday night, dropping an uncensored f-bomb live on national television in an address to his supporters.

Im so fucking proud of you guys, ORourke, addressing those who worked on his campaign, said to thunderous applause. Everybody who worked on this campaign, every volunteer and ambassador, everyone who knocked on doors, everyone who made phone calls, everyone who allowed themselves to hope and believe, to be inspired by one another and to turn it into action and into votes.

The popular Democrat, hailed as a new face of the progressive movement in America, wasnt able to surmount Republican Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday, but he delivered an impassioned concession speech that focused heavily on the groundbreaking network of support that helped fuel his bid for Congress.

Cruz had attempted to shame ORourkes language throughout the campaign, even releasing a 30-second mashup of the Democrat swearing at events while warning Texans that the lawmakers rallies were not a great place to bring the kids.

A lighthearted reminder: A #LaborDay picnic is a great place to bring the kids. A Beto ORourke rally? Not so much... #TXSen  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 3, 2018

The language was met with some awkwardness during the nights live broadcasts. MSNBC anchor Brian Williams issued a terse apology after the network aired the speech, saying sorry for the f-bomb and noting that they didnt have any control of whats in the concession speeches. C-SPAN also aired the clip live and uncensored, according to reports.

ORourke didnt seem to care as he spoke Tuesday, visibly exhausted and emotional.

I love you more than words can express, and that love will persist every day going forward, making sure whatever we have created and changed, and all of us will decide what that means and how far it goes, that it leads to something far greater than what we have today and that everything one of us continues to believe and made possible the greatness of the United States of America, ORourke said. I am honored to have been able to do this with you and grateful. We will see you down the road.

Story continues

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Ottawa (AFP) - A Boeing 747 cargo jet went off the runway at the Halifax airport in eastern Canada early Wednesday morning, causing minor injuries to the four-member crew and forcing the temporary closure of the airfield.

The Sky Lease cargo plane overshot the runway just after 5:00 am (0900 GMT) as it made a scheduled landing on a flight from Chicago.

The plane was supposed to pick up a shipment and then fly to China.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Images posted on social media showed the aircraft on its belly on the grass beyond the end of the runway, with a trail of debris behind it.

The crew members suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital, the airport authority said in a statement.

The airport resumed operations three hours after the accident but dozens of flights were delayed or cancelled.The Gamasutra Job Board is the most diverse, active and established board of its kind for the video game industry!



Here is just one of the many, many positions being advertised right now.

Location: San Mateo, California

Monomi Park is seeking a talented 3D Environment Artist to join our team!

This is a full-time position on-site in our San Mateo, California office.

Were looking for a 3D Environment Artist to join development of our hit game, Slime Rancher, as well as the exciting games we cook up in the future. Candidates should be well-versed in 3D modeling, texturing, shader creation, and have an unquenchable, burning desire to make and play games!

Candidates should have the following qualities:

2+ years experience developing art assets for video games

A portfolio that demonstrates a cohesive and unique eye for world building.

Experience with Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Unity

Clean and efficient UV mapping skills

Strong understanding of modular asset creation for assembling complex environments out of as few parts as possible.

Ability to comfortably work in Unity to assemble assets and package them for team collaboration.

Superb texturing skills, both hand painted and rendered, but a focus on style over realism.

Bonus qualities that give you an edge:

Experience with Unreal Engine, Zbrush, Substance Designer, and Shader Forge or Amplify

A deep understanding of Slime Rancher

Ability to create particle systems in Unity or Unreal

The position will be expected to perform the following at Monomi Park:

Play our awesome games and understand them intimately!

Create models and textures for stylized, realtime 3D environments using in-house, custom shaders

Collaborate with a small, nimble team of creatively driven game developers.

Match existing style guidelines for established projects.

We offer:

Competitive salaries and company profit sharing

Fully paid for health, dental and vision insurance

Frequent company lunches, happy hours and other events

Perks like free games and swag

Relocation assistance

Interested? Apply now.

About the Gamasutra Job Board

Whether you're just starting out, looking for something new, or just seeing what's out there, the Gamasutra Job Board is the place where game developers move ahead in their careers.



Gamasutra's Job Board is the most diverse, most active, and most established board of its kind in the video game industry, serving companies of all sizes, from indie to triple-A.



Looking for a new job? Get started here. Are you a recruiter looking for talent? Post jobs here.Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - In announcing his intention to move Brazil's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, President-elect Jair Bolsonaro may please his evangelical Christian support base, but would break with a half century of diplomacy.

In following the lead of his US counterpart Donald Trump, the incoming president of Latin America's biggest country would not only isolate the country diplomatically but also run the risk of provoking commercial retaliation from Arab states, some of which are major importers of Brazilian meat.

"Brazil has been supporting a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine for more than 50 years and this decision could throw all those efforts into the bin," said Guilherme Casaroes, a political science professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation think-tank.

Israel's annexation of east Jerusalem following the 1967 Six-Day War with Egypt, Syria and Jordan, has never been internationally recognized.

The United Nations maintains an ambiguous position over any eventual final status for the sacred city -- cherished by the three major Abrahamic religions -- but a 1947 resolution says it should become a "corpus separatum," run independently of either Israel or the Palestinians.

To that end, no embassies should be established there until a solution has been agreed upon by both sides.

That was the line followed by Brasilia until Bolsonaro won a second-round run-off election against leftist candidate Fernando Haddad on October 28. He will be inaugurated as Brazil's president on January 1.

"For me, it's just about respecting the decisions of a sovereign nation," Bolsonaro said in a television interview on Monday.

However, he performed an almost Trumpian about-turn on Tuesday by insisting that "it hasn't been decided yet."

- 'Defend the chosen people' -

Were he to abandon that controversial plan, he would risk alienating the religious support that helped propel the far-right Bolsonaro to a commanding victory with 55 percent of the vote.

Story continues

And for them, the status of Jerusalem is sacrosanct.

The most conservative evangelicals see Israel as "the center of all history," a sort of ideal, to which "there is an attachment and a need to defend Israel as a chosen people," said Ronilso Pacheco, a theological researcher at Rio de Janeiro's PUC Catholic University.

"That's an extremely literal reading of the Bible without taking into account context, history."

Brazilian evangelicals follow Christian Zionism, the belief that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land in 1948 with the establishment of the state of Israel was in accordance with a biblical prophecy announcing the return of the Messiah.

Although born into a Catholic family, Bolsonaro married an evangelical Christian and went to Israel in 2016 to be baptized in the River Jordan by a pastor.

However, piety is not the only reason for Bolsonaro to move the embassy, much to the delight of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"On top of the symbolic value for evangelicals, this measure shows a desire to break from a traditional foreign policy based on multilateral relationships," said Monica Herz, professor at PUC's international relations institute.

For her, following in Trump's footsteps suggests Brazil is "aligning itself with the American government, something we didn't even do during the military dictatorship."

- Military temptations -

A former army parachutist, Bolsonaro has made no secret of his admiration for Brazil's military dictatorship, which ruled from 1964-85.

His Israeli overtures have a secondary motivation as Bolsonaro is a fan of Israeli's advanced military technology.

His son, Flavio and newly-elected Rio governor, Wilson Witzel, are due shortly to travel to Israel to negotiate the purchase of attack drones which could subsequently be used by security forces in the fight against drug-traffickers.

Casaroes, though, believes "Brazil could get closer to the US and Israel without transferring its embassy."

Ricardo Ferraco, a member of the external relations commission in Brazil's congress, said recently that he felt Bolsonaro had been too quick to make his promise, "without reflecting on the consequences."

Meanwhile, the Arab Brazilian chamber of commerce has already expressed its concern given Brazil is the biggest producer in the world of hallal meat, much of which is exported to Arab countries.

The Palestinian envoy to Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, said on Monday that he hoped Bolsonaro had merely been electioneering and that the incoming government would "maintain Brazil's traditional position."Home prices are ballooning in Boulder, Colo., and the issues facing the idyllic city at the foot of the Rockies could serve as a warning to the rest of the country.

We are in the middle of a full-fledged housing crisis, Boulder City Councilwoman Jill Adler Grano tells Yahoo Finance. The average single-family home price in our community just tipped over $1 million. Its almost impossible to find anything attached or detached for under $600,000 now. About 52% of our community rents, and of our renter population a majority of them are paying more than 50% of their income on housing.

Boulders home prices are staggering compared to the national average  $377,200 as of September, according to the Census  but the affordability issue at the core of the citys housing crisis is taking root across the country as well. Its not just a Boulder problem, says Adam Swetlik, a member of the Boulder Housing Advisory Board and part of PLAN Boulder, a citizen advocacy group. People just get pushed out the more inequality grows.

For Google employee Meredith Williams, who moved with her family to Boulder last year after living in Boston and the Bay Area, the escalations in the local market are cause for concern.

Coming from the East Coast and coming from the Bay Area, the living is easy, Williams says. I left the Bay Area and I left Palo Alto and I left all of that because it was expensive, because it was difficult, because people werent engaged. So I want to make sure that Boulder doesnt become Bay Area East.

Williams move to join her companys local office was part of a larger wave that the city has been encouraging. Boulder is sort of a tech hub, definitely not as big a Silicon Valley but very big for startups, very big for companies that want to provide an awesome, awesome environment for their employees to live and work, Swetlik says. When you have all this demand and you cant really build supply very quickly because of the regulations, the prices just increase and increase and increase.

Story continues

Those regulations include Boulders aggressive zoning rules, which limit the number of units on a property and the number of unrelated people that can live together, among other things  which means theres less real estate available for young single professionals to double or triple up with roommates to save money on housing. Eighty-three percent of our residentially zoned land in Boulder is zoned low-density, and within our low-density zones we have some of the strictest rules in the entire country, Grano says.

Williams is especially cognizant of what she and her fellow tech company workers represent  and how their presence may be contributing to the current crisis.

Bottom line for us, the housing market going up is an advantage, but thats also somewhat conflicting because thats a signifier of it becoming less and less affordable for other people, and thats not actually what we want and how we want to live in this community, she says. How do I mitigate the fact that me and my compatriots are contributing to this housing boom that is pushing out a lot of the original people that made the town so great?

She isnt the only one concerned about addressing the rising affordability crisis. This is going to get worse before it gets better, and its going to take compromise and everyone giving a little bit to come up with a solution that we need to address it, Grano says. If we can start to address this on the national level, I think we can have more solutions, more funding and greater national awareness of this issue and it can stop being such an isolated city-by-city issue.

Yahoo Finance visited Boulder for HuffPosts Listen to America town hall series installment on housing affordability and to talk to residents and local officials about the issues posed by a market that serves as a snapshot of whats happening across the country.

Watch the full HuffPost Listen to America town hall for To Develop Or Preserve: A Conversation About Affordable Housing In Boulder, CO.

Grano is optimistic about that national conversation moving forward, given recent developments beyond the Boulder County borders.

One of the things that Im excited about right now is that the Democratic Party is starting to pick up on the housing crisis as a platform, and I see that in California, Grano says. And also Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently introduced a bill to help encourage new housing and also to reduce rents, but whats happened so far is its really been a city-by-city problem.

Follow Ned Ehrbar on Twitter.

WATCH MORE

This story was originally published on November 7, 2018.Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's president-elect Jair Bolsonaro suggested Tuesday he was prepared to make a swift U-turn over controversial plans to move the country's Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Last week, Bolsonaro reiterated a campaign pledge to follow the lead of US President Donald Trump by switching the embassy from Israel's economic and technological hub to its capital.

But on Tuesday, he reeled in his plans claiming "it hasn't yet been decided."

The far-right politician was responding to a question from reporters about Egypt postponing a scheduled visit from Brazil's Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes.

"From what I know, it's due to a calendar problem," Bolsonaro said during his first visit to the capital Brasilia since winning the October 28 election runoff against leftist opponent Fernando Haddad. He is due to take office on January 1.

"It would be premature for a country to take retaliatory measures against something that hasn't yet been decided."

Bolsonaro's announcement of the embassy move on Thursday provoked ire in the Arab world, with a senior Palestinian official branding the move "provocative and illegal," while a spokesman for Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called it "hostile."

Bolsonaro tried to downplay the importance of his own plans, claiming "it's not a question of honor" but that "those who decide where the capital of Israel is, are the people, the state of Israel."

Such a move could prove risky for Brazil, though, as it is a major exporter of hallal meat to the Arab world.

Jerusalem's status is hotly disputed. Israel occupied the eastern portion of the city, then under Jordanian control, at the end of the Six-Day War in 1967, which pitted it against Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

It later annexed that part of the city in the reunification of Jerusalem, a move that has not been internationally recognized.

An official United Nations resolution from 1947 still proposes the creation of an international regime to run the city, while later ideas have suggested it should be a shared capital for both Israelis and Palestinians.

After Trump's embassy move announcement in December, Guatemala and Paraguay followed suit, although the latter then changed its mind.Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar cast doubt on a November Brexit deal during a visit to Finland (Getty)

The governments chances of fulfilling its ambition to finalise a Brexit deal this month are fading, Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has warned.

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said last week that he expected the Withdrawal Agreement to be completed by 21 November and a possible compromise over the backstop has raised hopes there could be white smoke by Monday.

Theresa Mays top Brexit advisor, Olly Robbins, is in Brussels to work out the details of a backstop review mechanism with EU officials in a bid to make a breakthrough this week.

That would leave enough time for an emergency summit of EU leaders to be called later this month to approve a deal.

But, speaking in Finland on Wednesday, Varadkar suggested there would not be enough progress made over the backstop.

MORE: EU leaders have privately backed a Brexit delay, claims MEP

I do think that, with every day that passes, the possibility of having a special summit in November becomes less likely, said the Irish prime minister.

But we do have one scheduled for the 13th, 14th of December, so not getting it done in November doesnt mean we cant get it done in the first two weeks of December. But I think beyond that youre into the New Year, which I think wouldnt be a good thing.

Varadkar was in Helsinki, where politicians from the centre-right European Peoples Party, including EU chieg negotiator Michel Barnier, are gathering for their annual congress.

Barnier also sounded pessimistic about the chances of sealing a deal this month when he spoke alongside Finish prime minister Juha Sipila.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier with the prime minister of Finland, Juha Sipila

Asked whether it was possible a deal could be done this week, Barnier replied: The clock is ticking, I will not give you a date. I cannot give you a date. There are still important issues outstanding.

Spelling out the reason for the delay, Barnier added: Without this backstop there will be no deal. It is as simple as that.

And the French politician piled pressure on May to unite her Cabinet over the backstop compromise, saying: The clock is still ticking and choices need to be now made on the UK side in particular.

Story continues

European Council president Donald Tusk, who has the power to call the special Brexit summit, spoke to the prime minister by phone on Wednesday morning to take stock of progress in Brexit talks and discuss the way ahead.

MORE: Barnier warns Brexit deal is not close and urges May to make tough choices

Representatives of EU member states were due to be briefed on progress in Brussels on Wednesday evening, but that has now been delayed until Friday afternoon.

EU officials remain confident of securing an agreement with the UK, but are concerned a deal could be voted down in the UK parliament.

During a visit to Brussels on Wednesday, shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said: Were here to deliver the message and to discuss that it is not acceptable to expect the Labour party or any parliamentarian to vote for a blind Brexit where we dont know where were headed.

On the future relationship, we want a detailed document that sets out where we are heading as a country on Brexit not a vague document.



Associated Press

Lewis Hamilton inched closer to the Formula One championship lead with a dominating victory Sunday in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix to earn back-to-back wins and chip away at Max Verstappen's points advantage. Hamilton, who also won last week in Brazil, has trimmed 11 points from Verstappen's lead in the title race in seven days. Verstappen still holds an eight-point lead with two races remaining in one of the most dramatic F1 title fights in at least a decade.Ottawa (AFP) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized in parliament on Wednesday for Canada's refusal to admit Jewish asylum seekers fleeing Nazi Germany just months before the outbreak of World War II.

On May 15, 1939 the ocean liner MS St. Louis departed Germany and crossed the Atlantic with 907 German Jews aboard, desperate for refuge from persecution.

The passengers were barred from disembarking at Cuba, and then denied entry in the United States and Canada due to the discriminatory immigration policies of the time.

Forced to return to Europe, many were sent to concentration camps, and 254 died in the Holocaust.

Their emotional journey would later inspire the 1974 book "Voyage of the Damned" and a movie of the same title.

"While decades have passed since we turned our backs on Jewish refugees, time has by no means absolved Canada of its guilt or lessened the weight of its shame," Trudeau said in a speech.

"Today, I rise in this House to issue a long overdue apology to the Jewish refugees Canada turned away," he said.

"We are sorry for the callousness of Canada's response," he said. "We refused to help them when we could have. We contributed to sealing the cruel fates of far too many at places like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Belzec."

Earlier the prime minister sat down in his office with one of the survivors of that tragic voyage, Ana Maria Gordon, and her family to discuss the need to continue fighting anti-Semitism.

"We had a tragic reminder just a few weeks ago that we need to continue to work together," Trudeau told reporters, alluding to the massacre of 11 people at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh on October 27.

The attack was believed to be the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent American history.

In Canada, incidents of anti-Semitism -- including harassment, vandalism and violence -- reached a record high in 2017, doubling from the previous year to 1,752, according to the Jewish advocacy organization B'nai B'rith.

Story continues

In parliament, Trudeau called on all Canadians to "stand up against xenophobic and anti-Semitic attitudes that still exist in our communities, in our schools, and in our places of work."

"Holocaust deniers still exist. Anti-Semitism is still far too present," he said. "Discrimination and violence against Jewish people in Canada and around the world continues at an alarming rate.

"Sadly, these evils did not end with the Second World War."Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Americans on Wednesday for electing a "historic number of women" in midterm elections.

Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against US President Donald Trump, women voters and candidates were poised to play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power.

A record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- were candidates for the US Congress.

The Center for American Women and Politics projected 96 women won House races, beating the previous record of 85 representatives. But there will be one less woman in the Senate, from 23 to 22, according to projections.

"I want to start by congratulating all the candidates who stepped forward in the US midterms and highlight the historic number of women who were elected in yesterday's elections," Trudeau said.

"That's obviously good news."

Among the elected women were Sharice Davids in Kansas and Deb Haaland in New Mexico, who became the first Native American women elected to the US Congress.

In the Midwest, onetime Somali refugee Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, shared the historic distinction of becoming the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.

And in New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at 29 years old.

The new Congress, whose term begins in January, will be tasked with ratifying a new continental trade pact with Canada and Mexico after a deal was announced on October 1.

Trudeau when he took office in 2015 had made a point of having gender parity in his caucus, telling a reporter who asked why it was important for him: "Because it's 2015!"Christopher Watts admitted murdering his pregnant wife and two young daughters: REUTERS

A father has admitted to murdering his pregnant wife and two young daughters before dumping their bodies in an oil field.

Christopher Watts, 33, agreed a plea deal to avoid the possibility of the death penalty for killing Shanann Watts, 34, and the couples two children Bella, four, and Celeste, three,

He had initially told police he strangled his wife in a rage after she killed the young girls at their family home in Colorado, a claim prosecutors described as a flat-out lie.

Wattss voice quavered as he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder at Weld County Court.

He also admitted two counts of murdering a child under 12, tampering with the bodies of the three victims and unlawfully terminating a pregnancy.

Shannann Watts had been 15 weeks pregnant when her husband killed her at their home in Frederick, about 30 miles north of Denver, on 4 August.

He then loaded the bodies of his wife and daughters into a truck and drove them to an oil company where he worked.

There, he submerged their remains in crude oil.

Shannan Watts was 15 weeks pregnant when she was murdered by her husband Christopher (Instagram)

After reporting his family missing, Watts made multiple television appearances pleading for their safe return. He was arrested on 15 August and their bodies were found a week later.

Watts told detectives his wife had killed their daughters following a row after he told her he wanted a divorce.

The spotlight that he tried to shine on Shanann - falsely, incorrectly and frankly a flat-out lie - has been corrected, said Weld County district attorney Michael Rourke after Watts admitted responsibility.

Under Colorado law, a first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

He deserves a life sentence for each and every act, Mr Rourke said.

Watts had faced the possibility of the death penalty if convicted in a trial, but under the plea agreement prosecutors pledged to not seek the sentence.

Mr Rourke said he travelled to North Carolina, where Shanann Wattss family lives, to consult with them before entering into the deal.

Story continues

Prosecutors have not said what they believe motivated Watts to murder his wife and children.

He had been having an affair with a colleague and the family had sizeable debts.By Liz Hampton

(Reuters) - Colorado voters on Tuesday rejected a measure calling for greater distances between oil and gas drilling and public spaces, a move opponents said would have sharply limited new wells in the fifth-largest oil producing state in the nation.

The measure was defeated in an election that saw oil companies pour millions of dollars into efforts to combat the proposal and was one of several ballot initiatives that sought to curb fossil fuels use.

Shares in producers active in the state gained ground on Wednesday, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp, which rose 5.7 percent, and Noble Energy Inc, which climbed 4.2 percent. The two stocks had fallen sharply after the initiative went on the state's ballot.

Known as Proposition 112, the measure would have mandated at least 2,500 feet (762 m) of separation between new drilling activities and occupied areas or those deemed to be vulnerable. It garnered 43 percent of votes, according to final data from the Colorado Secretary of State's office. Passage required a majority of ballots cast.

Opponents said the measure would have cost Colorado's economy between $169 billion and $217 billion over 12 years, and would have cut state and local tax revenues by $7 billion to $9 billion. Oil production in the state was up 26 percent year-over-year to 477,000 barrels per day, according to the latest U.S. government figures.

"This measure was an extreme proposal that would have had devastating impacts across the state on jobs, education and numerous other programs," said Chip Rimer, a senior vice president at Noble and chairman of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.

Municipal officials, including Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, urged voters to reject the measure, warning that it would hurt jobs and reduce tax revenues for schools, roads and public safety.

The rejection was another setback for environmentalists who in 2016 failed to get a similar initiative placed on the ballot.

Story continues

Colorado Rising, an anti-fracking group that helped get the measure on the ballot, was vastly outspent but campaigned door-to-door and used phone and text messages to sway voters.

"The outcome does not change the fact fracking operations are dangerous and should not be happening so close to Colorado homes, schools and drinking water," said Colorado Rising's Russell Mendell.

The group would re-evaluate next steps in the coming days, Mendell said on Wednesday.

Ahead of Tuesday's vote, energy executives warned passage ultimately could lead them to reduce drilling in the state, although several said they expected no immediate impact.

(Reporting by Liz Hampton in Houston; Editing by Peter Cooney and Sonya Hepinstall)Nighttime construction on the S13 stretch : German Rail pays for residents to stay in hotel

BEUEL It will get quite loud along the S13 route in Beuel this week. German Rail has scheduled some urgent nighttime work on the tracks. In this case, it is required to pay alternative accommodation for residents affected.

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This week there will be a lot of noise in the immediate vicinity of the S13 railway line and right outside the front window of the Kirmis family. But resident Claudia Kirmis says they can live with the noise, "So far we haven't had any sleepless nights." In the process of extending the S13 line, Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) has announced that urgently required work will be completed over three nights. "We have moved the work to the hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in order to minimize disruptions to travel," explains a railway spokesperson. Around 20 employees will carry out severing and welding work on the rails along the line, requiring the use of heavy equipment in some cases.

Kirmis actually finds something positive about the current work. "Because of the construction work, the trains now pass by our house much more slowly at night. Not only does this make less noise, but the vibrations are also much lower," says the resident. She can't complain about the construction workers either. "They are all really very nice and helpful. They always ask if everything is okay. We really have no reason to complain."

Possibility to move into a hotel

Before power generators, cutting and grinding machines could be used for the work on the tracks, the city had to approve the overnight construction measures in advance. The approval was subject to conditions which German Rail had to fulfill. One of them was to offer alternative accommodations to affected residents who requested them. "Due to the equipment used and the proximity to the surrounding residential buildings, adequate night rest is no longer guaranteed," explains Stefanie Zienitz of the city press office. As a result, local residents must be provided with free, reasonable alternative accommodation for the duration of the work. Need would be determined on an individual basis but Zienitz emphasized that this obligation did not apply to all nighttime work permits.

The railway has hotel rooms available for those living directly adjacent to the construction area. "We have made this offer to the residents of a total of 22 households. Two will move out on the nights concerned, according to a spokesperson. Luxury accommodations shouldnt be expected. "We pay a maximum of 80 euros per night without breakfast," said the railway spokesperson.

As for Claudia Kirmis and her husband, they are not annoyed by the noise so they are not considering a move to temporary accommodations. And if it becomes unbearable, she said they had received a mobile phone number from a railway employee, whom they could call if they changed their minds. 80-year-old Rosemarie Schmitz, who also lives close to the railway, suffers from the noise at night. "I can hear it very clearly. I can't sleep, but I would never leave my apartment," says the 80-year-old. "If necessary, I catch up on my sleep during the day." Her daughter Marion Korth, who lives right next door with her son and grandson, has no problems at all with the situation and will also stay put.Paul Rodriguez, a comedian from The Original Latin Kings of Comedy, shared a dirty secret as a Hollywood-er: Hes a closet Republican and a supporter of President Trump.

I agree with a lot of the things hes done, the Mexican-born comic told TMZ earlier this week. Though he said the words Trump uses offends a lot of us.

As for which of Trumps policies resonates with him most, he said, America should protect its borders, you know? I know a lot of Mexican-Americans are going to disagree with me. Its not that I dont care about the people who obviously want to immigrate to this country, but you cant let everybody in. Im an immigrant myself. My parents came in the right way. They stood in line for days.

He continued: Thats very rare to find a Mexican-American whos a Republican. At least people can look at me and know that its not that I dont love this country. Im an immigrant. I love this country.

Rodriguez said he was expecting backlash over his comments.

Its a terrible thing for me to say this, he admitted. I will pay the price for it, but as long as were able to speak our minds, I think I should have the right to be wrong in your opinion.

And while he also said that any entertainer shouldnt get into politics because half of the audience is going to hate you, he broke his own rule  and his most Instagram was subsequently filled with hate comments about Trump. For instance:

Please tell me you arent a trump supporter? If so time to unfollow.

One thing is being republican but another thing is being a trump supporter, I truly hope youre not a trump supporter or you lost a fan.

F*** Donald Trump!!! & F*** YOU TOO!!

Although Rodriguez is a Trump supporter, he said his vote in 2020 isnt set. If Trump says one more thing, then the comedian said he is really going to change his vote.

Rodriguez wasnt always a Republican, though. He was a Democrat and voted for Obama in 2008. However in 2012, he switched sides and supported presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, appearing in an ad for him expressing his disappointment in Obama.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:(Photo: Associated Press)

Kendra Horn, an attorney and former political operative, defeated incumbent Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.) Tuesday night in one of Democrats less-expected wins.

Horn beat the two-term congressman in a state President Donald Trump won by more than 36 points. Her largely urban district, Oklahomas 5th, went to Trump by close to 14 points in the 2016 elections and had been held by Republicans since 1975. And even national pollsters predicting Democratic success in the midterms were skeptical this would be one of the seats that would flip.

Horn will become the only Democrat in the states seven-member congressional delegation.

She campaigned on a broadly left-wing platform: gun control, more funding for education, tighter campaign finance controls and opposition to private prisons. Local Democrats saw her as a good bet, noting that the states Republican leadership had become deeply unpopular and even faced an unprecedented strike by teachers earlier this year.

But her rival, Russell, was a former soldier with backing from top funders, including a pro-veteran group supported by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Horn received her own late outside support from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

She resisted attempts by Russell to turn the race into a reflection of a national debate, avoiding direct criticism of Trump and associations with House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

We have to make sure that our members of Congress are holding themselves accountable and standing up to an administration when that is right, and standing with them when that is right, she said during a debate last month.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.The new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives cant force President Donald Trump to abandon his efforts to crack down on asylum-seekers, migrant families and immigrants already living in the U.S. But it can make it harder for him to enact his agenda.

Whether through oversight, withholding funds or passing pro-immigrant bills and daring the Republican-controlled Senate and the president to shoot them down, Democrats now have leverage on immigration.

Republicans, of course, will still control the Senate after Tuesdays midterms, and Trump will still be in the White House, where he has already cracked down on undocumented immigrants without congressional help.

Still, there were glimmers of hope around the country. Oregon voters rejected a ballot measure that would have ended the states sanctuary policies. Kansas gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach, a Republican who has spent years pushing hard-line immigration policies around the country, lost. So did Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Lou Barletta, who enacted an anti-immigrant policy years before as a mayor and recently defended separating families at the border. Several other Republicans who campaigned on immigration crackdowns lost too, which immigrant rights advocates held up as proof that Trumps fear-based campaigning wasnt the guaranteed winner he seemed to think it was.

And now that Democrats have taken control of the House, they can serve as a check on Trumps immigration efforts.

Democrats are expected to launch investigations and conduct oversight on a number of Trump actions and policies  something Republicans have so far declined to do. And immigrant rights groups will be pressing them to do so.

Tyler Moran, managing director of progressive group The Immigration Hub and a former Senate and White House staffer, pointed out several areas ripe for oversight. Those include the Trump administrations family separations at the border, its deportation tactics, and its decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for young undocumented immigrants and temporary protected status for certain nationalities of immigrants whose home countries suffered natural disasters or violence.

Story continues

Dems taking the House = DHS oversight on family separation, ending DACA, ending TPS for 300,000 people, border patrol checkpoints stopping ambulances w/sick children, arresting DV victims at courthouses, excessive use of force, shacking pregnant women, targeting families....  Tyler Moran (@tyler_t_moran) November 7, 2018

Many of Trumps immigration policies also require significant funding increases  something a Democratic House is likely to fight. The Democrats have already vowed not to fund Trumps wall along the southern border. Trump is expected to push for wall funding during the lame duck session while Republicans maintain control of both chambers, and has suggested a government shutdown in December if he doesnt get what he wants.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told The Wall Street Journal ahead of the election that if Democrats should win a majority on Tuesday, theyd have more leverage to block wall spending even before they officially take over.

Why would we compromise on the wall now? she said.

Current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has pushed for more protections for undocumented immigrants. (Photo: Bloomberg)

Mass detention of families and asylum-seekers, which Trump is pushing for through a proposed rule change and a potential executive order, would also have a hefty price tag. Most Democrats oppose such policies.

Democrats are also likely to push legislation that protects undocumented immigrants, particularly young immigrants, which could increase public pressure for Senate Republicans and Trump to back it.

Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, last year, but so far has been forced to keep it running by court orders that he is continuing to fight. Although Republicans opposed DACA, some have voiced support for some type of legislative measure that would keep its recipients  so-called Dreamers who have lived in the U.S. since childhood  from being deported.

But so far, Republicans havent actually supported measures that would do so, at least without simultaneously aiming to restrict legal immigration and ramp up deportation efforts.

Immigrant rights groups want a clean bill for Dreamers, called the Dream Act, that doesnt include other measures. Democrats are expected to push for it, but past stalemates are likely to continue. More likely, Democrats could make a deal to protect Dreamers while also giving Trump something he wants, but not the whole spate of anti-immigrant measures Republicans tried, and failed, to pass earlier this year.

While Democrats gaining the majority was a good thing for supporters of immigrant rights, it required knocking out some moderate Republicans who could previously be claimed as allies on bipartisan legislation. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), who unsuccessfully pushed for protections for undocumented young people, lost to a Democrat. So did Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), another Republican who called for legal status for Dreamers, although he spoke in more hawkish terms at an August fundraiser.

The defeat of bipartisan backers may be more of a symbolic loss than a substantive one. The Democrats who will take their place are likely to be even more reliable supporters of immigration reform.

Leading immigrant rights advocates, including Frank Sharry of Americas Voice, cheered Coffmans defeat.

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Mike Coffman in suburban Denver, from the seat once held by Tom Tancredo, pretended to be pro-immigrant. He wasn't. He voted with Trump almost always. He lost. https://t.co/WHLjiyjSTa  Frank Sharry (@FrankSharry) November 7, 2018

Also on HuffPost

April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Andy Wong/AP, Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Some six weeks after President Trump accused China of trying to interfere in the midterm elections to hurt Republicans, little public evidence has emerged to support that claim. But now, with the Democrats set to control the House in January, the issue is far from over for the White House, and Beijings alleged meddling in American affairs is set to be a major focus for Trump in the weeks and months ahead.

Chinas political interference campaigns are broad and deep, a senior administration official told Yahoo News, adding that the president would continue to take actions against foreign interference.

There are clearly potential political benefits for the Trump administration in raising the specter of Chinese meddling, particularly after an election that didnt go the White Houses way. But there are also legitimate concerns about Beijings activities even if most analysts and experts dont believe Chinas actions rise to the level of an election interference campaign.

Multiple sources in and out of the White House suggested there was some frustration that the presidents past warnings on the issue hadnt been taken more seriously even though both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have discussed the threat of Chinese election interference in stark terms.

The sources pointed to a speech Trump gave at the United Nations in September when he accused China of attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election coming up in November against my administration as well as an address Vice President Mike Pence made in a major China policy speech at the Washington-based Hudson Institute in October. In Pences remarks, he accused Beijing of partaking in an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential election.

In the wake of those dramatic speeches, more attention has been paid to Trumps trade battles with China, which was also discussed in those remarks. However, for many in the presidents orbit, the threat of political meddling from China still looms large.

Story continues

Trump went out of his way to point to Chinese election interference in his U.N. speech, said one former official, who added they were certain China had attempted to sway the 2018 races.

They probably meddled in 2016 in my opinion, the former official added, without providing any specifics.

Yet the threat of actual electoral inference, at least publicly, were vague, at best.

According to one Trump adviser, national security officials had been having meetings about possible Chinese meddling in the midterm elections, but declined to discuss it further. It would be a big deal for the Chinese to know what we know, the official said.

President Donald at the U.N. Security Council meeting on Sept. 26. Right center is U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

However, not everyone in the Trump administration is convinced. Three other national security officials said they have seen no evidence of Chinese interference in the midterms.

Trump and Pences speeches also didnt provide much to back up their blockbuster claims, though the vice presidents comments were more detailed. He provided two examples of what he called election meddling  an insert paid for by the Chinese government and published in the Des Moines Register arguing that Trumps China-related economic policies were bad for Iowa voters, and retaliatory Chinese tariffs targeted specifically at Trumps base  which analysts have said certainly represent a pressure campaign but dont seem to amount to electoral interference.

The senior Trump administration official also cited only one specific example, an incident where Chinas Communist Party required Marriott to shut down its Chinese websites and apps for a week after one of their United States-based employees liked a tweet on Tibet.

Still, there is no question the Chinese government has engaged in a sweeping, long-term strategy to influence the leaders and politics of Western democracies, including the United States. Researchers have uncovered efforts to cultivate relationships with campaign donors, business leaders with political sway, academics and community leaders in order to shape public opinion in Beijings favor and to shut out dissidents and other critical voices.

There is little public evidence, however, of a broad campaign to interfere in the midterms.

It is reasonable for Trump to be concerned about what is clearly a Chinese government effort to pressure the American electorate, said Jonas Parello-Plesner, a fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of a June report about Chinese Communist Party interference operations in democracies.

The United States is clearly the target of Chinese government efforts at broader political interference, which in contrast to direct election meddling is much more about securing elites inside democracies that are amenable to a rising China, he said, complimenting the current administration for drawing attention to the overall issue.

But, he said, I dont think we are experiencing specific Chinese election interference.

The White House included China along with Russia and Iran as the only individual countries to be named when a group of officials held a press briefing call on election security efforts last month. However, in that call, a senior administration official drew a distinction between influence efforts and election interference. Still, the official noted that either of those phenomena could result in sanctions under an executive order to address foreign interference in a United States election that President Trump signed in September. Officials believe Chinas behavior qualifies as an influence campaign rather than an attack on our electoral systems along the lines of the efforts the intelligence community says have been conducted by Russia.

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2017. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP)

That executive order also provided a road map for the Trump administration to return to the topic of Chinas influence campaign. It called for the director of national intelligence to conduct an assessment within 45 days of any election of information indicating that a foreign government, or any person acting as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign government, has acted with the intent or purpose of interfering in that election. A follow-up report was ordered to be delivered to the president.

Abigail Grace, who worked in the National Security Councils Asia division until earlier this year, wants to see the White House provide detailed public evidence of Chinese election interference before raising the issue. Grace believes a nonpartisan FBI investigation into Chinese interference should be conducted and that any findings should be made publicly available in a declassified report.

People have a right to ask for the facts to back up the claims that they are making, Grace told Yahoo News.

Making the case that China interfered with the elections could prove politically advantageous for the president, drawing attention away from the mounting claims that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential race to help Trump. And Chinese interference could also be used to detract from Democratic gains in the midterms.

Ahead of the Democratic takeover of the House on Tuesday night, the White House turned to a strategy Trump employed in the 2016 presidential campaign  preemptively questioning the validity of the election. Trump raised the specter of illegal voting and warned law enforcement to keep a close eye on polling places.

If the White House is unhappy with the results, it may want to make a stronger case for Chinese interference, according to a Trump ally.

It would make a lot of sense to amplify that message after the election, the person said.

So far, however, that hasnt happened, and a Department of Homeland Security briefing on the day of the midterms said there had been no evidence of foreign interference.

Grace, the former White House security official, said shed hate to see the White House use Chinese election interference regardless of the strength of the evidence that emerges.

In todays hyper-polarized environment, it would be a mistake to use Chinese election meddling as a partisan political point It would cheapen the discussion, said Grace. I hope they dont do that.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:The first result of the midterms is in and the governor's race in Guam has been won by Lou Leon Guerrero - flipping the office from Republican to Democrat control for the first time since 2003.

Ms Leon Guerrero becomes the first female governor in the US territory's history on a ticket with Josh Tenorio, who will become lieutenant governor of Guam.

According to preliminary results, the pair won 50.7 per cent of the vote, which meets the 50 per cent plus one threshold needed to secure the win.

Ms Leon Guerrero and Mr Tenorio won 18,081 votes, with the Republican team of Ray Tenorio and Tony Ada receiving 9,419 votes.

BREAKING: Guam voters have flipped the governorship blue  and made history!

Congratulations to Guams first woman governor, Lou Leon Guerrero! pic.twitter.com/9DoYg1v9JP  Democratic Governors (@DemGovs) November 6, 2018

The pair won the Democrat primary earlier this year.

We are extremely grateful for the opportunity given to us to make a positive change for all our people, Ms Leon Guerrero said.

Democrat legislator Mike San Nicolas will be heading to the US Congress as the island's non-voting delegate, and attorney Leevin Camacho will be the next attorney general of Guam.

Democrats will hold a 10 to 5 majority in the next Legislature, with Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje receiving the most votes among the 15 successful candidates.Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez easily won in New York's 14th District on Tuesday night. (Photo: Don EMMERT)

The Democratic Partys nascent Green New Deal wing took shape Tuesday night as a series of progressive climate hawks notched historic, if expected, victories, tempering a night of stinging state-level losses for the fight to curb global warming.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, handily won New Yorks 14th District and will become the youngest woman elected to Congress. Ilhan Omar surged ahead in Minnesotas 5th District, and Rashida Tlaib, facing no Republican challengers, sailed to victory in Michigans 13th District. They became the first two Muslim women ever elected to Congress. In the one competitive race of the bunch, Antonio Delgado, 41, overcame Republican Rep. John Fasos racist smears in New Yorks upstate 19th District.

Their victories establish the first contingent of Democrats calling for a radical federal spending plan to rapidly wean the United States off fossil fuels and prepare the nation for climate change that looks increasingly likely to cause cataclysmic damage in the coming years. Dubbed the Green New Deal, the vague set of policy proposals hark back to the Depression-era spending programs that built many of the countrys infrastructure landmarks.

The bloc is smaller than it could have been. Randy Bryce, the union worker turned progressive folk hero who ran to fill House Speaker Paul Ryans seat in Wisconsin, lost to Republican Bryan Steil on Tuesday. Kevin de Leon, the California state senator whose historic 100 percent renewable electricity bill passed earlier this year, failed to unseat Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Andrew Gillum, the progressive darling and only major gubernatorial candidate to call for a Green New Deal, lost to Republican Ron DeSantis.

Ilham Omar won Rep. Keith Ellison's seat in Minnesota. (Photo: Frederic J. BROWN)

But the most alarming results came when voters in two Western states rejected ballot measures that would have rocked the fossil fuel industry. In Washington, Initiative 1631  a ballot measure to enact a $15 per metric ton carbon fee, the revenues of which would have gone to public transit, solar- and wind-power plants and energy-efficiency retrofits  failed by double digits. It would have been the nations first carbon tax. Coloradans, meanwhile, overwhelmingly voted down Proposition 112, a measure that would have put about 85 percent of non-federal land in the Centennial State off limits to oil and gas drilling. The industry spent upward of $73 million funding campaigns to reject the initiatives.

Story continues

Supporters of a Green New Deal are gaining power in the very election thats bleeding the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. The 90-member club  derided as peacocks by critics who say it served only to launder the reputations of members who consistently vote against climate policies  lost several members, including Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), the groups GOP founder.

Curbelos loss dashes hopes that Republicans might rally around a carbon pricing scheme, the sort of baseline climate policy both Democrats and conservative economists support. And though it seems unlikely four left-leaning Democrats can make a serious push for a Green New Deal, climate scientists say their elections finally shift a bitter debate over climate change in the direction of policy that could actually make a difference.

This is the sort of bold and audacious thinking that we need when it comes to confronting the ever-pressing challenge of averting catastrophic climate change, Michael Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State University, said in an email Tuesday night.

The midterm elections come a month after the United Nations warned that keeping global warming within 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit requires halving the worlds emissions over the next 12 years. The chances of achieving those cuts seem slim.

President Donald Trump is aggressively bolstering fossil fuel production while gutting greenhouse gas regulations. Brazils incoming president, Jair Bolsonaro, is a right-wing demagogue who vowed to speed up deforestation in the Amazon and follow Trumps lead in withdrawing South Americas biggest country from the Paris climate accords. China, the worlds top emitter, is forging ahead with coal plants it promised to cancel.

Related Coverage

The Surprising Origins Of What Could Be The Medicare For All Of Climate Change

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Will Be The Leading Democrat On Climate Change

Democrats Increasingly Support The Idea Of A Green Jobs Plan: Poll

Also on HuffPost

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A Bumpier Ride?

Researchers in Britain have found that climate change could cause increased turbulence for transatlantic flights by between 10 and 40 percent by 2050. (ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/GettyImages)

Not A Drop To Drink

A 2012 study from the U.S. Forest Service found that without "major adaptation efforts," parts of the U.S. are likely to see "substantial future water shortages." Climate change, especially for the Southwest U.S., can both increase water demand and decrease water supply.

A Mighty Wind

The dramatic and rapid loss of sea ice in recent years has consequences beyond the Arctic. Scientists have found the melting shifts the position of the Jet Stream, bringing cold Arctic air further south and increasing the odds of intense snow storms and extreme spring weather.

Worsening Allergies

The spring 2013 allergy season could be one of the worst ever, thanks to climate change. Experts say that increased precipitation, along with an early spring, late-ending fall and higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide may bring more pollen from plants and increased mold and fungal growth.

Wine To Go?

Along with other agricultural impacts, climate change may have a dramatic effect on the world's most famous winemaking regions in coming decades. Areas suitable for grape cultivation may shrink, and temperature changes may impact the signature taste of wines from certain regions.

Home Sweet Home

Thanks to climate change, low-lying island nations may have to evacuate, and sooner than previously expected. Melting of the Greenland and west Antarctic ice sheets has been underestimated, scientists say, and populations in countries like the Maldives, Kiribati, Tuvalu and others may need to move within a decade.

Trouble On The Ice

Warmer winters in northern latitudes could mean fewer days for outdoor hockey. An online project called RinkWatch aims to collect data on the condition of outdoor winter ice rinks in Canada and the northern U.S. and educate people on the impacts of climate change.

A Damper On Your Raw Bar?

Experts speculate that warming oceans may have played a part in a strain of herpes that has killed Pacific oysters in Europe in recent years.

The Color-Changing Bears

As Arctic ice melts and polar bears see more of their habitat disappear, the animals could lose their famous white coats. Researchers have already witnessed polar bears hybridizing with their brown cousins, but note that it would take thousands of years from them to adapt themselves out of existence.

Less Time On The Chair Lift

Climate change means warmer winters in northern latitudes and a shorter ski season. By 2039, more than half of the Northeast's ski resorts will not be able to maintain a 100-day season, according to the New York Times. Ski areas will be less likely to receive regular snowfall, and warmer daily low temperatures mean fewer opportunities for snowmaking.

A Cold Cup Of Coffee

Climate change may dramatically shrink the area suitable for coffee cultivation by the end of the century and cause the extinction of Arabica coffee plants in the wild. Starbucks has already declared that "Addressing climate change is a priority."

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Democrat Sharice Davids, a member of Wisconsins Ho-Chunk Nation tribe, defeated four-term Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder in Kansas on Tuesday. Hours later, Democrat Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe running in New Mexicos solidly Democratic First Congressional District, also won her election.

Together, they became the first Native American women ever elected to Congress  a historic achievement centuries in the making.

Seventy years ago, Native Americans right here in New Mexico couldnt vote, Haaland told supporters at a rally Tuesday night. Growing up in my mothers pueblo household and as a 35th generation New Mexican, I never imagined a world where I would be represented by someone who looks like me. Tonight, New Mexico, you are sending one of the very first Native American women to Congress.

Yoder, who has represented Kansas 3rd Congressional District since 2011, was re-elected in 2016 with 51.3% percent of the vote. But Davids was leading polls by as much as a 12-point margin in the run-up to Election Day. The historic victory for Davids, a lesbian, also makes her the first openly LGBT person to represent Kansas in Congress.

But for both Davids and Haaland, the achievement comes with a sobering reminder of how long the achievement took.

It really is pretty amazing that it has taken this long, says Jean Schroedel, a political science professor at Claremont Graduate University who studies Native American voting rights. There certainly are a good number of states where the Native population is a substantial portion of the population.

Native Americans have long faced significant barriers to voting. They were only granted the right to vote in New Mexico in 1962, making it the last state to enfranchise Native Americans, almost 40 years after they were granted U.S. citizenship. And in several states, including North Dakota and Utah, voting rights advocates have voiced concerns about rules that have disproportionately affected access for Native Americans this year.

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Discussing the historic nature of her candidacy, Haaland has pointed to the Native American women who came before her, referencing those who previously ran for a seat in the U.S. House  Ada Deer in Wisconsin in 1992, Kalyn Free in Oklahoma in 2004, Denise Juneau in Montana in 2016.

It is such a historic time for native women. Her winning tonight will break the glass ceiling for future generations, for future young native women and girls, says Mellor Willie, co-founder of 7Gen Leaders, a Super PAC launched this year that aims to get Native Americans elected. The group supported the campaigns of both Davids and Haaland.

Willie says hes hopeful they will advocate for issues that disproportionately affect Native Americans, including the high rate of violence and sexual assault against Native American women. Its great that we will finally have Native women who can articulate those stories and that passion directly to the House of Representatives, he says.

There are currently only two Native American members of Congress, Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole and Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin, both Republicans

But much of the excitement behind Haalands candidacy came from her progressive platform. Haaland campaigned on environmental issues, vowing to support regulations that combat climate change and fight to preserve public lands. She made affordable health care a central tenet of her platform. And she was one of the first Democratic candidates to call for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE).

She will bring a very, very different voice than whats been heard before within Congress. The two members of the House who are in there right now, they are very conservative, says Schroedel, the Claremont Graduate University professor. She is on the liberal end of the Democratic Party. Thats going to be a hugely different voice.

Their victories come during an election year that has seen record numbers of women and Native Americans running for office, according to Mark Trahant, editor of the news site Indian Country Today who has tracked Native American candidates for years.

Schroedel sees the election as linked to a concerted get-out-the-vote effort and growing activism on reservations, mobilized by the 2016 protests at Standing Rock over the Dakota Access Pipeline and the broader womens march protests across the country.

This is just part of a movement, she says. You have the impact of Standing Rock, but you also have the impact of womens anger with the President.

This is different. This is cross-tribal, she says. There is a change, and I dont think it can be changed back.WASHINGTON  After eight unforgiving years in the minority, Democrats will once again control the House of Representatives, with a deeply divided nation handing their party a narrow advantage of around 10 seats in the House.

It wasnt quite the wave that Democrats were hoping for. Even with a 9-point advantage in the popular vote, Republicans fended off the worst-case scenarios in the House and actually improved their majority in the Senate, as Indiana, Missouri and Florida  states that voted for President Donald Trump in 2016  sent their Democratic senators packing.

But both parties will still be able to claim victories Tuesday. Democrats picking up the House effectively slows Trumps presidency to a legislative crawl, while Republicans will point to their gains in the Senate to say voters still prefer their stark vision of governance.

In fact, one of the major lessons for Republicans may be that they need to embrace Trumps style even more. A blue wave for Democrats never really materialized because Republicans were able to energize their own voters through a campaign full of racial anxiety and culture war items.

Even with Democrats looking likely to pick up around 30 seats in the House, its perhaps most notable how many GOP members were able to survive. It took Republicans trying to undermine popular protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, the passage of an unpopular tax cut bill, and the reality of Trump for Democrats to recapture the House  and Democrats were only able to barely achieve that goal.

Where Democrats did pick up seats, their gains were mostly in areas where Hillary Clinton had already beaten Donald Trump in 2016, though Democrats did flip districts all across the nation. They took three seats in Virginia, three seats in Pennsylvania, two seats in Texas, and a smattering of seats from New York, Iowa, Illinois and New Jersey  with dozens of races to still be called.

Democrats also had a few upsets on the night, flipping the Trump-friendly area of Staten Island and even a district in long-red Oklahoma. But their gains were mostly in the suburban, affluent, educated areas that Democrats have already increasingly turned blue.

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The primary message from Democrats during the 2018 campaign  that they would protect health care for the sick while Republicans would undermine it  did seem to resonate across the country. Democrats used almost every opportunity they could to redirect conversations back to health care. They also channeled frustration with a historically unpopular president into grassroots energy that propelled them back to power in a number of districts that Democrats havent represented in years, in some cases decades, like the Virginia district where Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Dave Brat in a district that a Democrat hasnt represented since 1970.

But again, Republicans kept the majority of their tossup seats by appealing to their GOP base voters. In states like Florida where Republicans could have lost a number of seats, the GOP ended up only losing in areas where Democrats were already popular. A governors race that pitted the Democratic bases energy  channeled into candidate Andrew Gillum  against Trumps base, with Republican candidate Ron DeSantis, showed that Republicans had the advantage.

Republicans had initially tried a different messaging strategy. They tried to sell their tax cut package as a major victory for voters, arguing that the strong economy was a byproduct of their policies.

But with polls consistently showing the legislations popularity in the low 40s, Republicans eventually began campaigning on the more culture war-ish, racially tinged messages that kept a wave at bay.

The GOP bet it could withstand the worst effects of a Democratic wave by embracing Trumps playbook and exciting their own voters  and Republicans were mostly right.

Still, recapturing the House is a huge achievement for Democrats as they look to curb the worst effects of Trumps presidency.

Democrats almost certainly wont go along with GOP attempts to gut the Affordable Care Act. They likely wont make the tax cuts permanent as Republicans want. And  as was already the case  they wont give Trump his signature border wall without major concessions on the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program.

Instead, Democrats have said, theyll put forward an infrastructure package meant to tempt some moderate Republicans and the president. Theyll offer their own legislation on DACA and dare Trump to oppose it. And theyll conduct more rigorous oversight of the president, though there are already questions about how far Democrats would push possible impeachment proceedings.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has made it clear that, under her leadership, impeaching Trump is not a priority. But that could change with new revelations from the Robert Mueller investigation or from congressional oversight  and Pelosis position as the top Democrat in the House isnt certain either.

A number of the Democrats who won Tuesday  including Spanberger in Virginia, Jason Crow in Colorado, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Anthony Brindisi in New York  have said they wont support Pelosi to be the next speaker. And with what could still be a narrow majority for Democrats, Pelosis grip on the speakers gavel is very loose. Shes long faced pressure from existing Democrats in her caucus  such as Tim Ryan of Ohio, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and Jim Cooper of Tennessee  to relinquish her position as the No. 1 Democrat in the House.

Ultimately, whether Pelosi can become speaker again will depend on the exact composition of the House and whether she can get some Democrats to go back on the soft promises they made to their constituents that they would not support her for speaker.

There were still a number of races to be decided and called as of late Tuesday night, including most of the close California races. Many of those tossups will be crucial to determining the exact majority for Democrats and whether Pelosi can hold onto her position.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.The Democrats are expected to win control of the House Representatives, according to a projection by Fox News.

While only 138 of the 455 seats had been officially counted by 9.50pm, the news channel projected the Democrats would flip the 23 seats required to take control of the lower chamber of congress.

While strategists from both parties had predicted such an outcome, such a result would likely create genuine challenges for Donald Trump.

While it would give him an opportunity to work Democrats  something he has claimed he is ready to do  the House is where any impeachment proceedings against him would begin.

Even if Democrats decided not to push for impeachments, they would at the very least be able to hold numerous hearings into the administrations actions.

Going into the night, most pundits believed the Republicans would do well enough to hold onto their narrow Senate advantage, and perhaps even add one or two seats  Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were both considered vulnerable.

They also predicted the Democrats would do well enough to win enough seats to pass the 218 seats needed to bag the House.

The drumbeat you hear across America is people voting, said Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who would hope to become Speaker of the House if Republicans lose.

I feel confident we will win.By the time Nancy Pelosi took the stage in Washingtonto chants of Speaker, Speaker!it was nearly midnight. The House Democratic leader was there to tell her party that despite a night of equivocal results and occasional heartbreak, they had won, and she was the proof: Democrats, she said, have taken back the House for the American people!

If Democrats hoped the midterm elections would deliver a decisive rebuke to President Donald Trump and his Republicans allies, they did not quite get it. As of early Wednesday, the party was on track to capture the House of Representatives by a healthy margin, flipping more than 30 GOP-held seats and winning the total vote by about 9 percentage points. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate, easily defeating at least three Democratic incumbents in states Trump won in 2016. And while the Democrats elected a slate of new governors, chipping away at the GOPs nationwide advantage, their gains in statehouses were less than party strategists had hoped.

In Washington, only the House will change hands, as voters elevated the Democrats to serve as a check on the scandal-plagued President and his party. Pelosi, the minority leader and former speaker, intends to again seek the speakership; if she is successful, the 78-year-old veteran pol will become Trumps principal foil and foe. Democrats may not have gotten the sweep they yearned for, but they got what matters to Pelosipower.

From their new foothold in Congresss lower houseone-half of one-third of American governmentthe Democrats can engage in asymmetric warfare, seizing partial control of a political narrative that for two years has been dominated by Trump alone. Democrats are already drawing up plans for a panoply of investigations aimed at the President and his allies, who are bracing for the storm to comeincluding potential impeachment proceedings.

If all that makes the midterms a success for Democrats, it still wasnt the censure party officials had hoped for. Instead of a sweeping rebuke to Trump that might signify the 2016 elections was an aberration, the results showed an intensification of the trends that put the President in office. Democrats racked up massive margins among women, young people, and nonwhite voters. They ran up the score among voters with college degrees and flipped seats in historically Republican suburbs of cities like Richmond, Chicago and Denver. At the same time, much of the countrys deep-red interior got redder, allowing the GOP to easily dispatch Democratic senators in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. Fresh-faced Democratic candidates whose candidacies vaulted them to national celebrityBeto ORourke in Texas, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, Andrew Gillum in Floridalost hard-fought contests that bitterly disappointed progressive activists.

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This was not a normal midterm election: turnout surged to levels not seen in decades in a non-presidential contest. Often, a presidents party loses ground in midterms because the opposition is roused to anger. But in 2018, it wasnt only Democrats who were riled up. Republicans, too, turned out at high levels, perhaps vindicating Trumps strategy of ginning up his base voters with culture-war appeals. The nation didnt come together in agreement; the fault lines running through it split further apart. Both sides rose up to register their objections to one another. As Trump revealed two years ago, America remains an angry and divided country whose citizens blame each other for its ills.

The new Congressional majority will look very different from the one that preceded it. For the first time in American history, more than 100 women may serve in the 435-member House, at least 28 of them newly elected and representing at least 18 of the districts Democrats flipped. The new Democratic majority will include the youngest congresswoman ever elected, 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York; two of the three first Native American congresswomen, from Kansas and New Mexico; and the two first Muslim congresswomen. Texas elected two Latina congresswomen, Iowa sent its first two women to the House and Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman.

In a stark illustration of the demographic divides that increasingly define American politics, the Democrats side of the aisle appears set to be only about one-third white and male, while the Republican caucus is on track to be 90% white men. The Democrats center of gravity has moved leftward, but the new members come from a diverse array of ideological backgrounds. At least seven of the new members have said they wont support Pelosi in the leadership elections set to be held in late November. But if she prevailsas expectedthis young, diverse, potentially unruly big-tent caucus will incongruously be led by the same figurehead of the past 15 years.

The consequences for policy are likely to be small. While Pelosi called for bipartisanship in her election-night remarks, most observers expect divided government to produce more gridlock. The new Democratic House is unlikely to find common ground on legislation with the GOP Senate and President. Thats partly because many Democrats are in a fighting mood. But its also because the midterm results may tie the GOP even closer to the President. The Republicans who remain in Congress are the ones in the safest districts, who hewed closest to Trump. They embody a party now tethered to Trumps polarizing closing message of racial provocation, anti-immigrant fervor and jingoistic aggression. The Democrats rode to victory on a wave of anti-Trump grassroots fervor two years in the making. When the Resistance comes to Washington, it will be up against a thoroughly Trumpified GOP.

Pelosi, in her victory speech, vowed to find common ground where we can, and stand our ground where we cant. Elections, she said, are about the future. But as a new political chapter opens in the Trump era, the future looks like a pitched battle between two starkly different versions of what America should be.Since California voters passed a proposition to allow the use of medical marijuana in 1996, 30 more states and Washington, D.C., have followed suit. Of those, nine have also legalized it for recreational use. In October of this year, Canada became the second country to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide. (Uruguay did so in 2013.) And with it's emergence from the shadows of the law, marijuana is getting a total makeover.

Take, for example, Lowell Herb Co., a California-based farm, which brings a bucolic farm-to-table concept to its brand. Their Instagram-worthy, organic products are wrapped in rustic-chic packaging, while their one-ounce cannabis bouquet is a charming mix of eucalyptus, greens, and still-on-the-stem pot flowers. Bloom Farms' describes their Rose Gold Highlighter Plus vape pen as a luxury fashion accessory. In addition to its discreet design and pretty metallic finish, it's engineered with a ceramic filter and BPA-free cartridge just right for the health-conscious hipster. Beboe, which sells luxury vaporizer pens and pastilles candies, has been described by The New York Times as the Hermes of Marijuana.

Photo: Courtesy of JHL Design

Accessories, too, are getting an overhaul. Serraa high-end dispensary with two locations in Portland, Oregon, where both medical and recreational marijuana sales are legalsells beautiful bongs, artisanal pipes, and even utilitarian avant-garde art that any weed-loving design enthusiast would be proud to display. Here, shoppers can also pick up a contemporary necklace with a geometric charm that doubles as a tool for tamping joints. Pax vapes, which have been called the iPod of vaporizers, are sleek, efficient tools with rechargeable batteries and a companion app that allows users to control the mechanism for precise temperature and even lock it against unwanted use. (Handy if you have, say, teenagers in your household.)

Photo: OMFG Co.

But no area of cannabis culture has seen (or needed) a bigger change than the interiors of dispensaries, which have traditionally been more like high-security vaults than chic retail lounges. At Serra's two locations, clean and minimalist interiors are flooded with natural light from windows that look out to (and in from) the surrounding neighborhoods. The look is elegant, but also welcoming. Diego Pellicer, which has locations in Seattle and Denver, went for a high-rolling, cigar-shop-like effect, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Michael Rotondi and former Apple creative director Jill Savini. Meanwhile, one of the industry's biggest brands, MedMen, has opened 14 stores throughout the U.S., many in famous shopping districts including New York City's Fifth Avenue and Las Vegas, where a second shop opened in October (a third is planned for 2019).

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One design firm, High Road Studio, specializes exclusively in the cannabis industry. Founder Megan Stone, who worked in dispensaries during design school, recognized the need for improved spaces. She wondered why microbreweries, wine shops, and even frozen yogurt cafes were getting overhauled, while dispensaries still felt seedy and gross. Since 2013, she's designed and done branding work for 50 dispensaries in 15 states and Canada.

Photo: Richard Cadan

Stone, who is based in Arizona, designs spaces that are inviting, welcoming, and secure, but not overly exclusive. At Maitri, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, for example, she created a secure glass vestibule through which customers pass into a comfortable lobby decorated in jewel-tone colors. Consultation rooms, where patients can discuss their personal needs, offer discretion, but are enclosed with glass. Since orders must be filled in the back of the house, a wall of false drawers behind the checkout counter reveals a hidden pass-through, delighting customers when their orders are ready. In one corner, an ATMsomething of a necessity, as most dispensaries only trade in cashis encased by what Stone describes as a tunnel of ribbon. Overall, the space is creates a memorable experience for the customer, explains Stone, but is also functional, secure, and efficient.

HARRY WINSTON 200 POST ST, SAN FRANCISICO Photo: Richard Cadan

In all of her projects, Stone aims to pay homage to the culture and history of the cannabis industry, as well as its hard-fought battle to become mainstream. There's a different angle people need to see this industry through, she says. Every space I design is a chance to change people's minds about it.

RELATED: 7 of the Best-Designed Marijuana Shops Across AmericaCairo (AFP) - An Egyptian military court sentenced eight members of the Islamic State group to death on Wednesday for a deadly attack against the army in 2016, several regime sources told AFP.

The court in Ismailia in the country's northeast also sentenced 32 people to life imprisonment -- a term of 25 years under Egyptian law -- while two others were given 15 years.

Two defendants were acquitted, a military source said.

The eight who were sentenced to death were not present in court, a judicial source told AFP without elaborating.

The accused were tried for "the killing of several soldiers and the attack on a checkpoint and an army vehicle" in 2016, the military source said, without giving further details.

All were identified as members of the Egyptian branch of IS, which has led an insurgency in North Sinai and carried out several attacks across the country.

Egypt's army launched a major offensive in February dubbed "Sinai 2018" to dislodge the insurgents from the peninsula.

More than 450 suspected jihadists and around 30 Egyptian soldiers have been killed since the offensive began, the army said in October.

Since Egypt's military toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2014, the government and security forces have cracked down hard on secular opposition and Islamist extremism.

Jihadist attacks have killed hundreds of police, soldiers and civilians.

IS claimed responsibility for an attack last week against Egyptian Coptic Christians in Minya province, which killed six Copts and one Anglican.Oscar-winning actress and enemy of high-heeled shoes everywhere Emma Thompson has been honored with one of Britains highest awards.

Thompson received a damehood from Prince William at a Buckingham Palace ceremony on Wednesday morning for her contributions to the arts as one of Britains most versatile and celebrated actresses.

The 59-year-old star arrived at the palace sporting an emerald green pantsuit fashioned with a badge from the Fawcett Society, which raises awareness for equal pay, and white sneakers  a welcome departure from the typical royal garb.

William was on hand to dole out the award to the honorees, which also included actress Sarah Gordy, but Thompson made the most of her time with the Prince, even trying to steal a quick kiss.

I love Prince William. Ive known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other, she revealed after the ceremony, according to The Associated Press. I said, I cant kiss you, can I? And he said, No dont!

Emma Thompson receives Britain's highest honor at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

(Photo: STEVE PARSONS via Getty Images)

But the Love Actually star evidently didnt take the rejection too personally, noting that the Prince is looking wonderful and doing so well.

If youre first up, you have to be more formal on such an occasion, she explained, according to E! News. He said, This day isnt about me, its about you.

As someone whos been in the public eye for decades, Thompson has crossed paths with the royals before and is apparently an old friend of Prince Charles. She even described dancing with the heir apparent as better than sex in a 2013 profile.

Its really lovely because Ive always loved the boys, and Ive always been a long-term correspondent with their dad, she said at the ceremony. Its a very lovely feeling.

In June, the Thompson was named for the honor among a group of British actors and artists, including Tom Hardy and Keira Knightley, but revealed she had some reservations about the historical implications about accepting the award.

They send you a letter saying, Will you accept it? You can choose not to. You can choose to say, Well, of course we dont have an empire anymore, thank God, because it was ghastly, colonial, racist, dreadful undertaking on every level, and actually have some moral principle about it, Thompson said on Late Night with Seth Meyers in September. Or you can be like me and think, Hmm, its gonna be a really nice badge.

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Emma Thompson and her family at Buckingham Palace. (Photo: STEVE PARSONS via Getty Images)

Thompson reportedly plans to use the honor to shine a light on fighting child hunger around the holidays, as well as furthering causes that are close to her heart as a self-described card-carrying feminist and human rights advocate.

Thompsons family, husband Greg Wise and their children Tindy and Gaia, were also in attendance at the ceremony and posed for a photo together after the actress received the award.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker with Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz (Getty)

Two of the EUs most senior figures have privately said they would consider delaying Brexit, a German MEP has claimed.

Hans Olaf-Henkel, who sits with the UK Conservatives in the European parliament, is pushing for the UK to be given more power over immigration in a last ditch bid to stop Brexit.

In an e-mail to MEPs and their staff on Tuesday, Henkel said he has talked to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz about his New Deal for Britain campaign.

He wrote: As a bye-product I achieved an unofficial agreement from the first and an official agreement from the latter for an extension of Art. 50 if Britain needs it.

MORE: Barnier warns Brexit deal is not close and urges May to make tough choices

A European Commission spokesperson refused to comment when asked about Henkels claims by Yahoo UK on Wednesday.

The commitment of Chancellor Kurz would be significant because Austria currently holds the presidency of the European Council, which has the power to extend Article 50.

An Austrian government spokesperson told us: There has not been any contact between chancellor Kurz and this MEP. Therefore, the Chancellor has not made this statement.

But Henkel, a former president of the Federation of German Industries, doubled down on his claims.

Hans Olaf Henkel (right) launching his New Deal for Britain campaign (Getty)

He told Yahoo UK that he had spoken to Chancellor Kurz at a lunch organised for the leaders of European parliament political groups.

As I sat almost opposite to him I took the opportunity to explain to him the idea to offer Britain a New Deal aimed at avoiding Brexit after all, he said of the meeting.

While he was very reluctant to agree with this idea, he himself put the idea to me that if necessary the EU should extend Art. 50 to come to an agreement rather than no agreement altogether.

On his meeting with Juncker, Henkel added: When I presented our initiative to Mr Juncker he made it clear to me that he not only regretted Brexit but would do everything possible to enable them to stay should Britain change her mind.

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That is likely to encourage those campaigning for a second referendum in the UK.

MORE: Unholy alliance of MPs tell Barnier to prepare for UK to remain in the EU

But Philippe Lamberts, a member of the European parliaments Brexit steering group, told Newsnight: I am not sure, seen from the continent at the moment, that public opinion has shifted to a point that a second referendum might generate a different result.

The developments come as the European Court of Justice revealed that judges will review whether Britain could unilaterally withdraw its decision to leave the EU on 27 November.

That is the same day as MPs are due to have a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal, according to a Downing Street planning memo leaked to the Telegraph.

The case has been referred to the ECJ by a court in Scotland, where politicians opposed to Brexit asked for a ruling to clarify the interpretation of Article 50.

Establishing that reversing the Brexit process can be done without the approval of other EU states would, argue those who brought the case, boost their argument that British lawmakers should block the withdrawal before it happens on 29 March.

MORE: EU dismisses Cables call to prepare for second Brexit votePARIS (Reuters) - A coalition of European militaries ready to react to crises near the continent's borders was launched on Wednesday with Finland becoming the 10th country to join, amid calls by French President Emmanuel Macron for a "real European army". The French-led initiative would not conflict with the almost 70-year-old, U.S.-dominated NATO alliance, proponents say, but reflects in part concerns about a more isolationist United States under President Donald Trump. The European Intervention Initiative took official shape in Paris after months of negotiations with Germany, who France wants at the center of the force. Macron proposed the idea more than a year ago but was met with scepticism by other European Union nations, the idea coinciding with the EU's launch of a landmark defense pact meant to promote joint military investment. Germany, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal have all given their green light for the French-led move. It will see members collaborate on planning, on the analysis of new military and humanitarian crises, and on eventual military responses to those crises. "In an environment where threats and upheavals of a geopolitical or climatic nature are multiplying, the initiative must send the message that Europe is ready, that Europe is capable," a French defense ministry official said. The imminent departure from the EU of Britain, long opposed to EU military collaboration outside NATO, has revived talk of defense cooperation - as have concerns that Trump might prove less willing than his predecessors to come to Europe's defense in the face of a newly assertive Russia. The initiative does not "contradict or circumvent the EU's historic defense efforts, nor those of NATO," the defense official said. "On the contrary, it will only improve interoperability between the participating countries." On Tuesday, Macron called for a "real European army" to reduce dependence on the United States. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has long been a vocal supporter of the idea that the EU should have more common defense capability, separate from NATO. Not everyone is convinced. "Pragmatic advances and patient construction with those who are ready and willing for a political convergence in defense are infinitely preferable to totally illusory and even counterproductive slogans and incantations," said Arnaud Danjean, a member of the foreign and defense committee at the European parliament. (Reporting by Sophie Louet and John Irish; Editing by Richard Lough and Mark Heinrich)By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives will likely put the leadership of many congressional committees into the hands of some of Republican President Donald Trump's most prominent adversaries on Capitol Hill. Democratic party leaders in the House will decide on the heads of committees, with seniority one of the major determining factors. Here is a look at Democrats expected to head 10 powerful House panels. APPROPRIATIONS - Nita Lowey, 81, would be the first woman to lead Appropriations, which writes spending bills that fund the government. She has long sought to preserve government funding for domestic programs like biomedical research. A close ally of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the 30-year House veteran from New York would likely back funding for Planned Parenthood, oppose oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and deny the $5 billion Trump wants for a wall on the border with Mexico. ARMED SERVICES - Adam Smith, 53, a pro-business moderate from Washington, has been the top Armed Services Democrat since 2015. The panel is known for bipartisanship and he has worked with Republicans on sharply increasing the Pentagon's budget. He is not expected to seek significant changes on policies such as improving military readiness and countering Chinese and Russian expansionism. But Smith likely will seek to rein in Trump initiatives like his deployment of troops to the border with Mexico and the push to create a "Space Force." BUDGET - John Yarmuth, 71, the only congressional Democrat from Republican Kentucky, is front-runner to lead the committee as it addresses the end of the two-year budget deal that expires in September 2019. Yarmuth has challenged Republican plans to cut domestic spending and boost funding of the military. He has promised to hold a hearing on "Medicare for All," a reference to a potential single-payer healthcare system that would largely replace private insurance. ENERGY AND COMMERCE - Frank Pallone, 67, the likely next chairman of Energy and Commerce, has been a leading Democratic voice on environmental and health issues. He has promised to hold hearings on the Trump administration's undermining of former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act and said he will try to lower prescription drug prices. Pallone has called climate change a critical issue and wants to restore environmental regulations rolled back since Trump took office in January 2017. FINANCIAL SERVICES - California representative Maxine Waters, 80, has become a liberal favorite - and target of personal attacks from Trump - as she has called repeatedly for his impeachment and tried to obtain documents that might reveal any ties with Russia. If she leads Financial Services, as expected, Waters wants to strengthen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and crack down on predatory lending. Major banks warned before the election that Waters' ascent on the powerful panel could slow efforts to deregulate banking. But any such legislation would face stiff opposition in a Senate where Trump's Republicans have increased their majority. FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Eliot Engel, 71, wants to conduct oversight of Trump's foreign policy after what he has described as two years of congressional neglect. While Engel is likely to spearhead Democratic initiatives such as efforts to punish Russia for its interference in the 2016 U.S. election and to strengthen international alliances, the veteran New York congressman has at times broken from party leadership, particularly on issues related to Israel. Engel backed Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and opposed the international nuclear agreement with Iran from which Trump withdrew in May. INTELLIGENCE - California representative Adam Schiff, 58, has emerged as a foil to Trump as ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. As chairman, he would seek to restore the power of Congress to "check and balance" the president and return to traditions such as holding annual public hearings on worldwide threats faced by the United States. Schiff has said an area of particular interest related to investigations of Trump are allegations that Russians might possess financial leverage over him. JUDICIARY - Jerrold Nadler, 71, has tangled with Trump for years, stemming from the president's days as a New York real estate developer. If he becomes Judiciary Committee chairman as expected, the hard-nosed attorney would lead the panel handling any effort to impeach Trump. But Nadler has said he will not rush to drastic action, instead waiting for the outcome of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's federal probe. OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM - Elijah Cummings of Maryland, 67, has promised wide-ranging investigations of the Trump administration if he becomes chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, considered the most powerful investigative panel in Congress. Cummings has said the panel will also focus on issues including skyrocketing prescription drug costs, the opioid epidemic and voting rights. WAYS AND MEANS - Richard Neal, 69, is a former city mayor from Massachusetts. Known as one of the party's pro-business leaders on economic policy, he has been ranking Democrat since 2017 on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax laws and oversees trade. Neal has not publicly clashed with Trump, but as chairman would likely try to roll back some of the president's tax cuts. Neal also has said he wants Congress to have more of an influence over trade deals. He has vowed to demand Trump's tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Mary Milliken and Rosalba O'Brien)By James Oliphant

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tuesday's U.S. congressional elections ended with what might be called a split decision. Democrats gained more than enough seats to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, but lost ground to Republicans in the U.S. Senate and came up short in some key governor's races.

Seven takeaways from the evening:

1) The urban-rural divide is as pervasive as ever. Democrats, as expected, won in suburban congressional districts in places such as Virginia and Pennsylvania. But they were hammered in Senate races in rural states, losing seats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. The party still is struggling to connect with blue-collar, white voters.

2) President Donald Trump remains an inescapable political force. Democrats credit Trump's unpopularity among women, minorities, young people and suburban voters with college degrees for their House wins. Republicans said his late-stage campaign efforts helped them pick up seats in the Senate. The president showed he remains popular in presidential swing states including Florida and Ohio.

3) Progressive stars had a tough night. Beto O'Rourke lost in Texas, Andrew Gillum in Florida and Richard Cordray in Ohio. None of them broke through, despite the enthusiasm they generated nationally. That means progressive candidates may have a tough time gaining traction in the scrum for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

4) Republicans held off a blue wave in governor's races. Trump-backed Ron DeSantis won in Florida, Mike DeWine took Ohio, Kim Reynolds won in Iowa. All three states are key presidential battlegrounds.

5) The Republican Party is more Trumpian than ever. Gone are Republican Trump critics in the Senate such as Bob Corker and Jeff Flake who are retiring. Also gone are Republican moderates in the House like Virginia's Barbara Comstock and Colorado's Mike Coffman who tried to keep some distance from the president but lost their races on Tuesday. Most of the remaining Republican congressional caucus is on board.

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6) Wedge issues raised late in the campaign helped Republicans. The party was struggling to find ways to engage its base until Senate Democrats rose up against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. All three of the Democratic senators who voted for Trump's first high court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, and then turned around and voted against Kavanaugh lost their seats. Trump's continuing focus on the migrant caravan in Mexico turned out to be an issue that helped power some surprise wins in the Senate, but may have contributed to defeats in the House.

7) Democrats had big success in the Great Lakes. The party held onto Senate seats in states in the industrial Midwest that Trump won in 2016. Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin, Ohio's Sherrod Brown, Pennsylvania's Bob Casey and Michigan's Debbie Stabenow never faced a serious challenge from their Trump-backed opponents -- a positive sign for the party heading into the 2020 presidential campaign.

(Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Alistair Bell)Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions a day after a heated midterm vote, naming a loyalist to replace him in a move that raises questions over the future of the Russia investigation.

The axing capped more than a year of bitter criticism by the president over his legal advisor's decision to recuse himself from the probe into Moscow's interference in the 2016 election, paving the way for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

In announcing the resignation in a tweet that thanked the former Alabama senator "for his service" -- Trump right away named as acting attorney general Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker.

The announcement set off immediate alarm bells: Whitaker has been overtly critical of the broad scope granted to Mueller's team to probe beyond allegations that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia in 2016, into other ties between Trump, his family and aides, and Russia -- an investigation the president calls a "witch hunt."

In an op-ed in August last year he publicly urged Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein -- who oversees the probe -- to "limit the scope of his investigation to the four corners of the order appointing him special counsel."

As acting attorney general, Whitaker now has the power to wrest oversight away from Rosenstein and take charge himself.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the probe as his predecessor had, "given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations" on it.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a former presidential hopeful, went further, tweeting that "any attempt by the president or the Justice Department to interfere with Mueller's probe would be an obstruction of justice and impeachable offense."

- First casualty after midterms -

They were joined in their demands by Republican Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate and frequent Trump critic who won a US Senate seat in Tuesday's midterm.

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Thanking Sessions for his service, Romney said that it was "imperative that the important work of the Justice Department continues, and that the Mueller investigation proceeds to its conclusion unimpeded."

Whitaker himself meanwhile offered little clue about his intentions in a bland statement to reporters that praised his former boss as a "dedicated public servant" and said he would work to leading a department that conformed to the "highest ethical standards."

Sessions was the first casualty of a cabinet shakeup that had been expected from Trump following the midterm elections where his Republican party lost control of the House of Representatives but retained the Senate.

But his departure was anticipated since early this year, after he endured withering and repeated criticism from the president over the legally troubled ban on Muslim travelers Trump sought when he came into office, and over the Mueller probe.

"At your request, I am submitting my resignation," Sessions said in the first line of a letter addressed to Trump, released by the Department of Justice.

- Trump's first backer -

Sessions was the first US senator to back Trump's presidential run in 2016, giving the New York real estate billionaire credibility against a broad field of Republican stalwarts.

The two were reportedly brought together by a shared wish to crack down on immigration.

After taking office in January 2017, the former prosecutor launched tough law-and-order policies and a broad ban on Muslim travelers promised by Trump during the campaign.

He was in the vanguard of administration pushes to expand the ranks of federal law enforcement, fill courts with conservative judges, and crack down on Central American gangs such as MS-13.

But the president was infuriated when in March 2017 Sessions recused himself from the nascent Russia investigation, because of his own Russian contacts during the 2016 campaign. Instead, he gave Rosenstein that authority.

When Trump weeks later fired FBI director James Comey in anger at the Russia investigation, Rosenstein stunned the administration by naming Mueller, a former FBI chief, to lead the probe as an independent prosecutor.

That structure, with Sessions recused and Rosenstein supervising Mueller, has insulated the investigation from outside interference.

Still, Trump has repeatedly accused Mueller of running an illegal investigation staffed by Democrats and threatened to shut it down.

- Indictments looming -

Matters though were clearly coming to a head after Mueller racked up indictments against 34 people and three companies, in direct and spinoff cases. Eight guilty pleas have resulted, and one jury trial conviction.

Most notably, several top Trump aides have agreed to cooperate: former national security advisor Michael Flynn; former campaign chair Paul Manafort; former vice chair Richard Gates; and former Trump Organization vice president Michael Cohen, a lawyer who used to work as Trump's personal fixer.

Mueller was expected to unveil in the coming weeks new indictments, possibly against 2016 campaign consultant Roger Stone and Trump's son Donald Jr.

Moreover, Mueller's team and the White House have been haggling for months over whether the president himself would answer questions. Mueller is known to be examining whether Trump obstructed justice in firing Comey -- and other acts.

In addition, the White House has shown concern that Mueller is investigating the finances of the Trump Organization, and links to Russia.With the Georgia gubernatorial race likely headed toward a runoff after a day of dysfunctional voting procedures, Democrat Stacey Abrams said she isnt done fighting.

In a fiery speech to supporters early Wednesday morning, Abrams said she would make sure every vote is counted.

Votes remain to be counted, the Democrat said. There are voices remaining to be heard... We believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach.

She continued: I promise you tonight were going to make sure that every vote is counted.

"We are Georgia. Say it with me! We are Georgia! We are Georgia! So let's get it done." -@staceyabrams ends the night with a bang of energy #GAGov  Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) November 7, 2018

The race was deemed too close to call early Wednesday, with Abrams trailing behind Republican Brian Kemp by just a few percentage points.

Candidates in Georgia must get at least 50 percent of the vote to win outright. And though Kemp held a several-point lead over Abrams, the Democrats campaign said it expected the election would head to a runoff. In that event, voters would have to return to the polls on Dec. 4.

Georgia voters confronted severely dysfunctional polls in many parts of the state on Tuesday. Multiple majority-black districts experienced technical difficulties with voting machines, including a lack of power cords. And voters reported lines with waits up to five hours and other obstacles that some attributed to voter suppression efforts. As a result, the state had to keep polling locations open late.

In Georgia, civil rights has always been an act of will and a battle for our souls, Abrams told her supporters on Wednesday morning. Democracy only works when we work for it, when we fight for it, and, apparently today, when we stand in line for hours to meet it at the ballot box.

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The Democrat assured her voters that she would fight to make sure their voices were heard.

When you chose me as your nominee, I made you a vow, Abrams said. In our Georgia, no one would be unseen, no one is unheard. But we know a vow takes effort. Reaching out, reaching across is hard work but hard work is in our bones.

Sarah Ruiz-Grossman contributed to this report.

Related...

Georgia Governor's Election Is Too Close To Call

Brian Kemp, Accused Of Voter Suppression, Had Voting Issues On Election Day

Georgia Extends Polling Hours After Numerous Problems

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted. "Simply put, it is mathematically impossible for Stacey Abrams to win or force a run-off election," Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said in a statement Wednesday evening. "Brian Kemp will now begin his transition as governor-elect of Georgia." Abrams, 44, is trying to become the first black woman elected governor of a U.S. state. Unofficial results from Tuesday's election showed Kemp leading by more than 60,000 votes and just over the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff under Georgia state law. Abrams' campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said there were thousands more mail, provisional and absentee ballots, however, still to be tallied. The Democratic campaign cited an "incredible amount of irregularities" on Election Day, including rejected ballots and broken voting machines, and said it would consider all options including litigation to ensure a fair election. The Georgia contest was among three dozen governor elections on Tuesday. In some states, the races were seen as an early test of the parties' strength ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Democrats seized seven Republican-held governorships, including in several states that helped deliver Republican President Donald Trump's surprise win in 2016, without suffering any losses. But Republicans triumphed in Florida and Ohio, both swing states that could play an outsized role in 2020. In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state's first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest. Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio's governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray. But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers appeared to pull off a narrow win to deny Republican incumbent Scott Walker a third term. Democrats also won gubernatorial races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016. In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette, while in Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally. Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. 'EVERY VOTE COUNTED' The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters. Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who traveled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energize Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats. Kemp, 55, oversees elections in his current role as secretary of state, a potential conflict of interest that drew repeated criticism from Democrats during the campaign. He refused to step down from his position and denied Democratic accusations that he used his office to suppress minority voters. The fight for state power received less attention than the battle for control of the U.S. Congress but could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare. Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when each state redraws congressional districts after the 2020 Census. Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors' mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers. Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades. The party flipped six legislative chambers on Tuesday and now has complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico. Full election coverage: https://www.reuters.com/politics/election2018 (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York; Additional reporting by Letitia Stein in Tallahassee, Florida, and Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Grant McCool)Miami (AFP) - Florida voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved an amendment to allow ex-felons who have served prison terms to vote, allowing another 1.5 million people to take part in the 2020 presidential election.

So-called Amendment 4 automatically restores voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences, paid restitution and fulfilled their parole or probation obligations -- except those convicted of murder or sex crimes.

The measure passed with 64.4 percent support, officials said.

The old law disproportionately affected blacks and Latinos in particular.

Currently, felons must wait a minimum of five years after completing their sentences to apply for restoration of their voting rights.

Defenders of the previous law, like Richard Harrison, of the Florida Rights Coalition, argued that the amendment fails to take into consideration the harm done to victims, the felon's post-release conduct and other factors.

For Yraida Guanipa, who was released from prison more than a decade ago and could not then vote, the change "is a light at the end of the tunnel."

"My dream that we can become a more understanding world is coming true," she told AFP.

Nationwide, six million people cannot vote because of their criminal records. Florida, a swing state that also plays a key role in national elections, has the largest number of those citizens.

Before the amendment passed, more than one in every five African Americans in Florida (21 percent) was unable to vote, according to the Sentencing Project.

Experts say no such studies have been carried out for Latinos.

But they cite a 2003 investigation carried out in 10 states by Latino legal defense group MALDEF that concluded that Hispanics are disenfranchised at a higher rate than the general population.As Thailand gears up to legalize medical marijuana by December (a wonderful new year gift!) and Malaysia mulls the medical value of cannabis, the Singapore government is in no way considering weed to be anything other than evil.

That official opinion, however, may contrast to the views of actual Singaporeans, according to a study conducted by UK-based market research company YouGov. Surprisingly, quite a number of local residents believe that marijuana does have medicinal value and it should be legalized for medical purposes.

In a survey that involved 1,009 Singaporean respondents last month, six in ten Singaporeans believe that weed does have medicinal merits, while 10 percent are convinced in the opposite view. The remaining thirty percent arent sure if marijuana has any medicinal value.

The issue on whether the substance should be legalized here, however, appears to be highly divisive. 39 percent of Singaporeans agree that marijuana should be legalized for medical use  more so than the 28 percent who oppose it. Whats interesting though is the fact that not many Singaporeans believe that 420 fun times should be decriminalized: 67 percent disagree that marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. Only 14 percent of the respondents believe it should.

Graphic: YouGov

The research also found out that the opposition to recreational marijuana use comes more from the population of higher earners, with 76 percent of those with a household income of $8,000 and above a month not wanting it to be legalized.

Obviously, more than half of Singaporeans diagnosed with medical conditions that could potentially be treated with marijuana (such as depression, chronic pain, and anxiety) are in favor of supporting weed legalization.

Overall, over one in ten (11%) Singaporeans support legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, noted YouGov. This is compared to four in ten (43%) Brits and five in ten (52%) Americans.

Separately, the YouGov study also revealed that Singaporeans rank heroin as the most harmful drug out of a given list of addictive substances. Tobacco was viewed to be more harmful than alcohol, while marijuana and cocaine are viewed as equally harmful, but not as much as LSD.

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Graphic: YouGov

The debate on medical marijuana is a hotly contested one, and it appears Singaporeans remain divided on the issue, stated Jake Gammon, Head of YouGov Ombnibus in APAC. There are plenty of factors swaying ones opinion on whether or not legalization should take place; be it gender, income group or, most notably, whether a person suffers from an illness medical marijuana can potentially treat.

#NoChill Singapore

Video screengrab

Despite the global softening of attitudes towards dank kush, legalization of marijuana will never, ever see the light of day here as long as the current ruling government is in power. On a number of occasions, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam issued strong words in support of Singapores hardline stance against drug offenses.

We dont buy into this nonsense that drugs are good for you. If science says so, then okay. But we have not seen such scientific evidence as yet, Channel NewsAsia quoted him in September.

Back in 2016 (and on international Weed Day) he had some pretty strong words against the legalization of cannabis in a speech during a UN General Assembly in New York. In response to ministers from Jamaica and Canada, Shanmugam mentioned that he remained unmoved by everything he heard at the meeting, fiercely attesting that Singapore will never soften its drug policies.

In light of Canadas recent nationwide legalization of recreational cannabis, Singapores Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) thought it fit to remind Singaporeans that any citizen or permanent resident found to have abused controlled drugs overseas are still liable to be penalized here.

A literature review conducted by the Institute of Mental Health experts affirmed the addictive and harmful nature of cannabis, and that it damages the brain, affirmed CNB.

There is scant evidence of the safety and efficacy of long-term cannabis use. These findings corroborate our position that cannabis should remain an illicit drug.

The post Four in ten Singaporeans believe in legalization of medical marijuana; majority oppose recreational use appeared first on Coconuts.Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team is watching for you today.

21st Century Fox reported earnings roughly in line with estimates. However, revenue came in slightly below what most analysts were expecting. Its the first earnings report since Rupert Murdoch cut a deal with Disney to sell off most of Foxs assets. They wont be holding an earnings call because of that pending deal.

A big quarter for insurance giant Humana. It posted a beat on earnings with revenue surpassing expectations for the fourth straight quarter and it raised guidance for the rest of the year. The CEO says they expect open enrollment will lead to strong growth into 2019, especially for Humanas medicare advantage plans.

You can now officially get your hands on the latest Apple iPad Pro and MacBook Air. Prices for the iPads start at $799. The most expensive model, with a 12.9 inch display, clocks in at a whopping $1,900. The MacBook Air starts at about $1,000. Reviewers have given both the new iPad and MacBook high marks.

Boeing is out with a warning over potential problems with its new 737 MAX jet. Thats after a crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people. Boeing has issued a safety warning over flight control software that could confuse pilots. Its not clear what caused the crash but the warning could indicate the pilots misinterpreted information about the angle of the nose.

New trouble for General Motors. The nations top car safety agency is investigating whether GM needs to recall 1.7M more SUVs, for a windshield wiper issue. GM has already recalled nearly 400K SUVs to address the problem. GM says its cooperating with this new investigation.In the first midterm election of Donald Trumps presidency, Republicans took a page from the Democratic playbook to slow anti-Trump momentum in a number of key states.

Normally, Democrats are successful in nonpresidential elections when they get lots of voters to the polls who are either new to the process or who usually vote only in presidential years.

On Tuesday, however, Republicans stayed ahead of Democrats  in conservative states at least  by mobilizing their own groups of usually unreliable voters.

Early voting data from Georgia shows that while Democrats mobilized many low propensity or new voters to the polls in this midterm election, there were even more Republican voters who did not vote in the 2014 midterm elections who cast ballots early this year.

Election day data will complete the picture, but what is certain is that Trump brought many new off-year voters to the polls. Its an indication that his fear-mongering about undocumented immigrants and the GOPs demonization of Democrat Stacey Abrams had a major impact.

Republican Brian Kemp at an election night event at the Classic Center in Athens, Ga. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Abrams had not conceded as of Wednesday afternoon, and as votes continued to trickle in, Republican Brian Kemps percentage slipped closer to 50 percent, moving to 50.35 percent by midday. If it were to slip below 50 percent, then the race would proceed to a one-month runoff. Kemp led Abrams by 65,000 votes out of 3.9 million cast, with about 77,000 ballots outstanding.

Democrat Stacey Abrams at an election watch party Tuesday in Atlanta. (Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

We believe there are around 14,000 outstanding ballots, the majority of them from Abrams voters, the Abrams campaign said in a press release.

Two factors will loom large if Kemp prevails. One is Kemps longstanding reputation for creating barriers to voting for African-Americans in Georgia, through a series of procedural and bureaucratic policies that disproportionately reduce the number of minority voters. Abrams, who has clashed with Kemp for the last several years over equal access to voting, called him an architect of voter suppression during the final days of the campaign.

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Kemp, the Abrams campaign said Wednesday in a release, has breached the public trust by running a problematic election with thousands of rejected, delayed, and provisional ballots.

The second key if Kemp holds on will be the number of voters who backed Trump in 2016 and were not regular voters before that. How many of them had rarely or never voted in a midterm election, but were moved by Trumps talk of a migrant caravan and Kemps talk of Abrams being a dangerous radical to get to the polls in 2018?

Early voting totals indicate there were quite a few.

A total of 396,246 white voters in Georgia voted early after not voting at all in 2014, according to the website GeorgiaVotes.com, which compiled data released by Kemps secretary of state office.

Thats compared with 223,184 black voters who voted early this year after not voting in 2014.

The contest between Abrams and Kemp broke down along racial lines. Abrams has made it her mission to register more African-American voters in Georgia over the past several years, in response to longstanding systemic obstacles to voting created by state officials that have uniquely affected people of color, as described in books like Carol Andersons One Person, No Vote.

And Kemps strategy in the campaign was to say that Abrams was someone to be feared. He based these assertions on policy positions, but the subtext played into deep-seated racial anxieties among white voters.

Trump, meanwhile, employed a message over the final month that played on the fears of voters about immigrants from South and Central America. Race is not the only factor to consider in understanding strong feelings among voters about border security and illegal immigration. Other issues at play are concerns about the rule of law, economic impact and cultural impact.

The point is that Trumps messaging about the migrant caravan, which was so filled with unfounded claims and wildly conspiratorial insinuations, did not appear to cost him at all in deep red states like Georgia. Huge numbers of white voters who voted early in 2014 voted early again in 2018: 406,865 in all.

Brian Kemp and President Trump at a rally in Macon, Ga., on Sunday. (Photo: John Bazemore/AP)

If there were a sign that Trumps inflammatory rhetoric had cost him among more traditional Republicans, that number would have been lower, and candidates in other states like Indiana, Missouri and Florida would have fared worse. But in those states with deep red constituencies, Republicans matched increased Democratic turnout with huge numbers of their own, a sign that they were able to excite and mobilize both traditional Republican voters and Trump voters who dont regularly vote in off-year elections.

This question of getting low-propensity voters to the polls has traditionally been a concern of Democrats. The Republican coalition in the past has been better performing in midterm elections than Democratic voters who are reliable in presidential races.

But a key Republican operative told Yahoo News that getting low propensity voters  people Trump brought into the Republican Party who were not regular voters before 2016  had become an obsession of GOP party officials because it is now the key for them to be competitive in a number of states.

For the moment, Trumps ability to rouse this coalition by talking about migrant caravans may encourage him to pursue similar rhetorical and demagogic excess in the future. But it may also give him and Republicans pause that Republican Senate candidates in key Rust Belt states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania  which delivered him the presidency in 2016  were badly outmatched by their Democratic opponents. And in only one of those states, Ohio, did a Republican governor win.

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Read more Yahoo News midterms coverage:A voter advocacy group filed an emergency lawsuit just hours before polls closed in Georgia to keep Republican candidate and current secretary of state from presiding over his race against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Ms Abrams is hoping to make history by becoming the first African American, female governor in the US, all while the race has been plagued by perceived voter suppression.

Protect Democracy, the group who filed the suit, said in a statement Mr Kemp maintaining his government position while running violates a basic notion of fairness.

:: Follow live coverage as midterm results pour in from across US on crucial night for Trump

It added: "a man should not be a judge in his own matter  and has had predictable results: in recent days Defendant Kemp has used the official powers of his office to interfere in the election to benefit himself and his political party and disadvantage his opponents".

In the court document, Project Democracy said in the court filing Mr Kemp staying in office "poses a risk of bias under the best circumstances".

The group has cited Mr Kemp's accusation against Democrats that they hacked the electoral system in the state after the state party reported a possible cybersecurity breach to Mr Kemp's government office.

The controversy is nothing new for this race.

Just days before ballots were cast, federal judges issued two rulings against the secretary of state's efforts to not count certain votes.

In one ruling, approximately 3,600 new US citizens had asked for their ballots to be counted. The state's 159 separate county boards of elections use motor vehicle records to determine voter eligibility, but the records had not been updated with these voter's new citizenship status.

It resulted in their voter registrations to initially be rejected. The judge ruled these new Americans should be allowed to vote if they provide a poll worker proof of their citizenship.

The other ruling was to have more than 50,000 absentee ballots, filed by voters who are travelling or stationed aboard during Election Day or early voting days, be counted after being rejected originally.

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The Gwinnett County board of elections rejected the applications based on the state's "exact match" policy enacted by Mr Kemp in his official capacity.

The county has one of the fastest growing minority populations in the state as well, prompting several critics to cry foul about "blatant" voter suppression as Dr Carol Anderson, professor and author of One Person, No Vote, told The Independent.

Mr Kemp's campaign has not yet commented on the lawsuit.KUMASI, Ghana (AP)  Britain's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended a dubar - a traditional celebration of leaders - as part of their visit to Ghana.

The heir to the British throne and his wife, Camilla, arrived in the West African country's capital, Accra, on Friday night and flew into Kumasi International Airport on Sunday.

Children lined the streets waving miniature Ghanaian and U.K. flags to welcome them. Charles said returning to Kumasi brought back fond memories of time he spent in the city 41 years ago.

He ended a short speech with "Medase paa," which is "Thank you very much" in the Asante language.

On Monday, Charles is scheduled to address young entrepreneurs.

The royal couple began their tour of West Africa in Gambia and head next to Nigeria.Republican Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in Floridas hotly contested race for Governor.

In a close contest that mirrored the Senate contest between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, DeSantis built up a razor-thin lead of just under 1 percent of more than 8 million votes cast.

Gillum conceded ahead of the call for DeSantis made by the Associated Press.

From the start of the campaign, race was a constant subtext. In an interview with DeSantis following his win in the primary, the former Florida Representative warned voters not to monkey this up by voting for Gillum in his bid to become the states first African-American governor.

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters as his wife Casey DeSantis, back right, listens during at a rally, Nov. 5, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (Photo: John Raoux/AP)

During the candidates second debate in October, Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, decried DeSantis support from far-right activists.

Now, Im not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist. Im simply saying the racists believe hes a racist, Gillum said.

DeSantis, who billed himself as a carbon copy of President Trump and enjoyed multiple visits to the state from the president, portrayed Gillum as out of the mainstream of American politics on issues ranging from health care to immigration, and accused him of being the subject of a corruption investigation by the FBI.

Im relieved to say that of the two of us, Im the only one who can credibly say Im not under investigation by the FBI, DeSantis said of Gillum at an October rally in Coral Springs.

Trump went so far as to call Gillum a thief who was not equipped to be Floridas governor.

But Gillum, a stanch progressive, drew support from high-profile liberals like former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and California Sen. Kamala Harris, all of whom campaigned in the state at Gillums side.

DeSantis, who stepped down from his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to campaign against Gillum, now heads to Tallahassee.

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Read more from Yahoo News:A 10-year-old girl has been charged with stamping on a six-month-old baby at a Wisconsin daycare centre, killing him.

On Monday, the girlwho is currently detained in juvenile custodyappeared in court where she was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and has been ordered a $50,000 cash bond. In Wisconsin, first-degree homicide charges are initially brought in adult court if the defendant is 10 years of age or older, the Star Tribune reported.

The Chippewa County Sheriffs department received an emergency call in the afternoon on 30 November from a daycare centre in rural Wheaton, Wisconsin. When the authorities arrived at the scene, they found the six-month-old boy unconscious and bleeding from his head. The baby was then taken to a local hospital, and then to Gillette Childrens Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He died on 1 November.

After the police questioned an adult and three children present during the tragic incident, Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said the police named the 10-year-old girl as the prime suspect.

She was allegedly holding the boy when she dropped him. When he began to cry, she stomped on his head out of panic.

She stated she was holding the child and thats when she dropped the child, Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told reporters. The child hit its head on the footstool and then the child started crying and she panicked and didnt know what to do and didnt want to get into trouble and then she proceeded to stomp on the six-month-olds head.

The local doctor who examined the babys body determined the injuries are not accidental.

In September, the girl was removed from the custody of her biological parents. Her biological parents appeared with her in court. The girl was living with her foster parents, who run the daycare center, at the time of the tragic incident.Lagos (AFP) - Gunmen have abducted four Catholic priests in southern Nigeria, a local state official told AFP Wednesday.

The kidnapping happened on Tuesday at a border community between Edo and Delta States in the south, said Andrew Aniamaka, a spokesman for Delta State.

"They were abducted on their way to Ekpoma, Edo state, from Delta for an event," he added, saying police and local security were hunting for the gunmen.

A source at the Warri Catholic diocese in Delta State confirmed the incident, which comes less than three weeks after five Catholic nuns were kidnapped in Delta State.

The nuns were released two weeks later, and a suspect was in custody, said Aniamaka. He would not say if a ransom had been paid.

Several sources confirm that the nuns had been returning from a burial ceremony in the southeast Nigeria when they were abducted by gunmen who opened fire on their vehicles, injuring two other nuns.

In January, Nigeria's bishops denounced a wave of kidnappings for ransom in the country.Oddball space rock 'Oumuamua, discovered over a year ago, is the first interstellar object to visit our solar system and is unlike any comet or asteroid observed before. But does that mean that intelligent aliens created it? A new study examining 'Oumuamua's orbit hints that they might have.

Two astronomers with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) recently took a closer look at the cigar-shaped object's unusual acceleration during its trip through our solar system, to figure out what may have caused the unexpected boost in the object's motion.

Such acceleration during orbit is characteristic of comets, because their icy bodies evaporate, expelling water vapor that propels the objects. But prior analysis of 'Oumuamua (which means "messenger from afar arriving first" in Hawaiian) suggested that the strange object was no comet. This implies that other factors shaped 'Oumuamua's trajectory, the scientists reported in a new study.

They found that pressure from solar radiation could propel 'Oumuamua if the object  or part of it  is thin enough and strong enough to act as a type of "light sail," which generates propulsion using solar energy. Such a structure could have formed naturally, but it could also represent "a light sail of artificial origin" crafted by intelligent extraterrestrials, the researchers wrote. [9 Strange, Scientific Excuses for Why We Haven't Found Alien Life Yet]

However, that conclusion is just one of the possibilities presented in the new study, published online Oct. 26 in the preprint journal arXiv and submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Even when 'Oumuamua still resided in our cosmic neighborhood  it has now zipped beyond the reach of our telescopes  scientists were investigating if it might represent an alien spacecraft. Astronomers in Australia pointed a powerful telescope at the 1,300-foot-long (400 meters) 'Oumuamua to see if they could detect radio transmissions that would indicate signs of life on board the object (or ship). But only silence came back from 'Oumuamua, Live Science previously reported.

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As the visiting 'Oumuamua left our solar system, images showed that the object was speeding up. But other images captured as 'Oumuamua passed close to the sun showed no trailing tail and no halo of vapor  something that astronomers would expect to see in a water-releasing comet, the researchers wrote. Vapor off-gassing when a comet swings close by the sun also affects such an object's spin, but 'Oumuamua's spin appeared unchanged as it accelerated. Whatever 'Oumuamua is, it certainly didn't behave like a comet, the study authors reported.

But if 'Oumuamua didn't get a boost from evaporating ice, how did the object speed up? The likeliest explanation is solar radiation pressure  the force applied to an object's surface by sunlight  with 'Oumuamua acting as a "solar sail," the study said.

For that to work, the researchers calculated, the so-called sail would have to be thin enough to respond to the pressures of radiation, yet durable enough to travel great distances and withstand the wear and tear that comes with flying through space. The scientists calculated that a solar sail with a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.04 inches (0.3 to 0.9 millimeters) could survive the inevitable collisions and erosion that 'Oumuamua likely encountered during its long journey.

"If radiation pressure is the accelerating force, then 'Oumuamua represents a new class of thin interstellar material," the scientists said.

As to what may have produced this previously unseen material, it could have emerged naturally from the debris of a planet-forming disk in a distant solar system going "through a yet-unknown process," the study authors suggested.

But there's also a chance that 'Oumuamua's novel structure was crafted deliberately, the researchers added. One possible scenario is that 'Oumuamua is a bit of light-sail debris broken off from an advanced form of extraterrestrial technology, drifting aimlessly in space.

Or maybe it was sent here on purpose, the scientists added.

"A more exotic scenario is that 'Oumuamua may be a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization," the study authors wrote.

Because the opportunity to capture images or samples of 'Oumuamua is long gone, "its likely origin and mechanical properties could only be deciphered by searching for other objects of its type in the future," the researchers concluded.

Originally published on Live Science.

Editor's RecommendationsOn a good day, it takes Mohammad less than three hours to drive from Ghazni to Kabul. But preparations for the hair-raising journey through Taliban-infested areas can take weeks.

Road trips are a dangerous, and often deadly, activity in Afghanistan.

Travellers run the gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints, fighting, robberies, kidnappings, and pressure-plate bombs targeting government officials and security forces.

The stretch of Highway 1 between the Afghan capital and the southeastern city of Ghazni -- which the Taliban stormed in August and still threaten -- is one of the most treacherous.

Spontaneous trips are out of the question, said Mohammad, who is in his 20s and a regular visitor to Kabul.

Mohammad, not his real name, asked AFP to use a pseudonym to avoid being identified by the Taliban.

He begins preparing for the journey at least two weeks before his planned departure, starting with growing out his beard, which he normally keeps short, to create a scruffier appearance.

He then starts working his contacts, calling trusted relatives and neighbours who ply the busy route for information about Taliban activity along the main artery connecting Kabul to the insurgent strongholds in the south.

"You have to be careful who you call because you could be sold out to the Taliban" by someone working for the militant group, he told AFP.

- 'Many reasons to worry' -

On the day of his departure, Mohammad swaps his clean, well-ironed clothes for a dirty pyjama-like shalwar kameez to make himself look more like a villager and clears the call history on his mobile in case a phone number raises suspicion.

"You can't just jump into a car and come (to Kabul), not if you want to be on the safe side," he said.

Mohammad's most recent trip to Kabul was delayed for three days after he received warnings of Taliban disguised as Afghan soldiers manning checkpoints along the road.

The first thing Taliban militants check is a person's tazkira, or national identification document.

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"If the tazkira is from Ghazni then you may be fine. If not, they might think that you are a member of the security forces from another province coming to Ghazni to fight," Mohammad said.

After registering to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election -- which the Taliban had vowed to attack and which was finally cancelled in Ghazni due to protests -- Mohammad carries a second tazkira that does not have a sticker identifying him as a voter.

"There are many reasons to be worried and anxious," Mohammad explained.

"Even if they don't kill you, they may keep you as a hostage and ask for a ransom. If they kept me for one night, my mother would not survive."

A one-way trip between Kabul and Ghazni costs Mohammad 250 afghanis (around $3) in a Toyota Corolla taxi, a ubiquitous model in Afghanistan that is often used as public transport. He tries to travel with drivers he knows.

He avoids travelling on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those are the days the Afghan army delivers supplies to its troops in the provinces and attacks along the highway are more likely, Mohammad said.

Thursday, the last day of the Afghan working week, is also a bad day to venture out of the city. Militants lie in wait for government employees as they leave Ghazni for the weekend.

- Fear of death -

Whenever possible, Mohammad said he travels with women wearing burqas, but not because he prefers their company.

In the deeply conservative society where physical contact between men and women in public is prohibited, female passengers can hide mobile phones and other sensitive items under their head-to-toe coverings without fear of the Taliban searching them.

Once on the open road, Mohammad remains vigilant.

He listens carefully to the phone conversations of the driver and other occupants for signs they are planning to give him, or someone else in the vehicle, up to the Taliban.

"Taliban spies use codes like 'I have brought the rooster that you asked for' or 'we found the yoghurt that you asked for'," he said.

An oncoming vehicle with lights blinking, a line of cars stopped on the highway, or no traffic at all are warning signs that something has happened up ahead.

"Fighting and ambushes are common. You have to accept that you might face it," Mohammad said.

Despite the risks, Kabul's alluring cafes and shopping malls make the nail-biting trip worthwhile, Mohammad said.

Even a few days in the heavily militarised and overcrowded city is "refreshing" and a relief from Ghazni, where he feels his "heart can burst from boredom".

But Mohammad does what he can to stay safe on his journey, even paying a few cents to a street beggar as he leaves the city in the hope the good deed will protect him.

"I still fear death," he said. "But I try to stay calm."Yousry Bissada, President and CEO of Home Capital Group. Shares in the company soared on third-quarter profit beat. (Canadian Press)

A stronger-than-expected earnings report is making Home Capitals stock pop. But the alternative mortgage lender with a checkered past may not be completely out of the woods yet.

Home Capital shares jumped after earnings report (Yahoo Finance)

Once a stock market darling, Home Capital (HCG.TO) nearly went under two years ago before Warren Buffett stepped in with a cash infusion.

Today the company announced it made $32.6 million dollars in the third quarter.

Thats better than the same period last year, when its net income was $30 million dollars. Mortgages jumped 237 per cent.

Chief executive Yousry Bissada says its latest earnings demonstrate continued progress in all lines of business. But not everyone is convinced Home Capital has a bright future.

Nothing has changed at Home Capital, nothing and buying stock at 17 after selling it at 10 is just so Canadian, high-profiled short-seller Marc Cohodes told Yahoo Finance Canada.

How Home Capital did it

Cohodes has been short Home Capital shares since the fall of 2014 and thinks Canadas housing market is primed for a bust. Others take issue with how Home Capital boosted its bottom line. Lightwater Partners Jerome Hass told Yahoo Finance Canada he has a number of concerns with the report.

High growth (49 per cent) in commercial mortgages originations, a riskier asset class than residential mortgages, says Hass. Much higher growth rates for originations than loan growth (a problem that has plagued HCG for years). Hass also cites low levels of provisions and the way Home Capital is relaying key details about a plan to buy back shares.

New management has taken a page from the old HCG playbook by not immediately announcing a price for its Substantial Issuer Bid,  says Hass This is an efficient way to boost the share price, as short sellers scramble to cover ahead of the SIB (hence todays move).

Hass is not currently short Home Capital, but has shorted the stock many times in the past, and is keeping an eye on the company for future short opportunities.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.Budapest (AFP) - A police decision to close a corruption probe linked to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's family "strengthens doubts" about the independence of Hungary's law enforcement bodies, an EU official said Wednesday.

A Hungarian police spokesman said Tuesday that a probe opened in February on the basis of findings by the European Union's anti-fraud office OLAF had been terminated.

A "crime did not take place," Kristof Gal told the Hungarian news agency MTI.

The outcome of the Hungarian pro be was "surprising," said Inge Graessle, head of the European Parliament's budget control committee, as the OLAF report contained "strong evidence".

The decision "leaves and strengthens doubts on the independence of Hungarian law enforcement authorities and reinforces the need of a real tool to protect EU financial interests in future," Graessle posted on Twitter.

In January, OLAF said it had uncovered "serious irregularities" and a "conflict of interest" in Hungarian public lighting projects involving a firm once controlled by Orban's son-in-law.

The OLAF investigation concerned contracts worth tens of millions of euros, part-funded by the EU, to modernise street lighting won by the Elios company between 2011 and 2015.

Elios was part-owned at the time by Istvan Tiborcz, the husband of Orban's eldest daughter, and by a second man who also owned another company advising local authorities on public tenders. That raised the question of a conflict of interest.

Tiborcz sold his stake in Elios in 2015.

According to local media reports, Tiborcz also holds considerable real estate assets -- both directly and indirectly owned -- including a number of castles and hotels.

Orban's critics have long accused him of presiding over a corrupt system that enriches his close associates, a charge denied by the government.

After returning to power in 2010, Orban appointed Peter Polt, a close ally and former member of his ruling Fidesz party, as chief prosecutor.

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"The Hungarian authorities examine every case brought before them, and this is also what happened in this instance," a government spokesman told AFP Wednesday.

"After several months of investigation, it has been proved that the 'Elios Report' was nothing but a political campaign ploy from Brussels," in the run-up to Hungary's election last April, said the official.

Orban won a third consecutive term in office by a landslide at the election on the back of a fiercely anti-immigration campaign.

"Pro-immigration politicians in Brussels thus attempted to influence the (election)...with slanderous accusations," said the government spokesperson.

Opposition parties have condemned the police decision as a sign that certain people are "untouchable".

On Wednesday, they urged Hungary to join the EU's planned independent European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) body, whose job will be to investigate and prosecute EU budget fraud.

Hungary is among six of the bloc's 28 member states that does not plan to participate.

Although it receives billions of euros in EU development funds each year, Hungary argues that joining the EPPO would infringe on its sovereignty.

The government's position has prompted an independent Hungarian lawmaker to mount a drive to collect a million signatures to try to pressure the government into signing up.This artists rendition shows how the new Odeon will look once the scaffolding comes off. (Odeon)

The Odeon on Londons Leicester Square is getting a huge multi-million pound makeover.

Arguably the UKs most famous movie theatre, this cathedral of cinema is set to reopen this Christmas where it will become the first UK site to boast Dolby Cinema  a cutting-edge audio visual experience like no other.

The historic venue, which will reopen as the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, has played host to some of the biggest nights in British movie history since opening in 1937 including countless royal galas, over 700 premieres, and the UK premieres of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Spy Who Loved Me, and all the Harry Potter films.

The famous two-tiered main screen  now the VIP Luxe screen  has reduced its seat count from 1,679 to just 800 luxury seats, including over 350 powered Luxe recliners offering extensive legroom, and personal tray tables.

ODEON Luxe Leicester Square interior (Odeon)

Screens 2-5 at the venue have also received full refurbishments.

According to the press blurb, Dolby Cinema boasts a spectacular, leading-edge visual experience through the Dolby Vision dual laser projection system and moving audio which fills the cinema and flows all around you with Dolby Atmos.

This is welcome news for anyone who saw a film in the old Odeon, which had a reputation for weak, and often echoey, audio. ODEON Luxe Leicester Square is the first Dolby Cinema to open in the UK following a deal announced in June 2018 by Odeon Cinemas Group and Dolby Laboratories to bring 7 new Dolby Cinemas to ODEON in the UK.

The renovated cinema also includes an ornate new interior, with restored heritage features, and new glass-fronted Oscars cocktail bar create worlds most sophisticated cinema for Hollywood stars and film fans.

The Odeons new cocktail bar looks pretty swanky (Odeon)

Mark Way, President AMC Europe & Managing Director Odeon Cinemas Group, said: For more than eight decades, ODEON Leicester Square has stood tall in the heart of London as the capitals home of the premiere.

Our stunning Luxe refurbishment takes this prestigious reputation to the next level, reinventing one of the most iconic cinemas in the world. With the combination of Luxe recliners and Dolby Cinema, no other cinema will offer this level of luxury and technology.

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Quite simply, ODEON Luxe Leicester Square will be the best movie experience available  an unrivalled luxury cinema that will proudly set the standard for generations to come. Were very excited to reveal our plans to reopen for Christmas so guests can experience everything that the reborn ODEON Luxe Leicester Square will offer.

How much an average ticket for the new ODEON will cost has yet to be confirmed. A ticket to see A Star Is Born in the ODEON Luxe Haymarket will currently set you back 16.75 as an adult. We expect to pay a premium to see a film in these deluxe new surroundings.





Read more

Breaking Bad movie on the way

Official Film Chart with Mamma Mia 2 preview

Voice cast to return for Shrek rebootIndonesia will extend by three days its search for the bodies of passengers from the ill-fated Lion Air plane, an official said Wednesday, as authorities struggle to identify victims of the crash.

The Lion Air plane was en route from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang city on Sumatra island ten days ago when it plunged into the water, killing all 189 people onboard.

Search teams have filled some 186 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 44 victims have been identified so far, Muhammad Syaugi, the head of the national search and rescue agency said at a press conference.

The navy, police and volunteers that have also been involved in the search will be stood down, he added.

Hundreds of mourners aboard a pair of Indonesian navy vessels tossed bouquets and scattered flower petals into the Java Sea on Tuesday, near the spot where the brand new jet crashed.

Divers have retrieved the plane's engines, wheels and one of its two black boxes -- the flight data recorder -- but are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder.

A preliminary report on the cause of the accident is expected at the end of the month.

The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee said Monday that flight recorder data has so far revealed the plane's air speed indicator had not been working properly on its last four journeys, including on the fatal flight.

The JT610 flight sped up as it suddenly lost altitude and then vanished from radar just minutes after take-off.Rome (AFP) - Italy is one of several countries seeking to help a Pakistani Christian woman who has spent eight years on death row for blasphemy, a rights group said on Wednesday.

Several governments have said they want to help Asia Bibi and "we'll have to see which government acts first," Marta Petrosillo, spokeswoman for Aid to the Church in Need, which helps persecuted Christians worldwide, told AFP.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted on Tuesday: "I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee this young woman's future."

Bibi is still in a Pakistani prison a week after the country's highest court overturned her conviction.

Ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities to demand her immediate execution in a three-day stand-off that ended when Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration agreed to allow a review of the Supreme Court ruling.

The deal has left Bibi in legal limbo -- and languishing in jail for a crime of which she has been acquitted.

Her husband Ashiq Masih has said the delay in releasing his wife, a mother of five, was adding to the family's agony.

Italian Catholic association ACS said that Masih had specifically appealed to Italy for help to leave Pakistan.

"We are very worried because our lives are in danger. We don't even have anything left to eat because we can't go out to do the shopping," Masih said, according to an Italian translation of a video posted on the association's website.

Masih has also appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum, while her lawyer has fled to the Netherlands.

France's junior minister for Gender Equality Marlene Schiappa said on Wednesday she was looking at how to help Bibi "along with European and international partners".Rome (AFP) - The Italian Senate on Wednesday cleared the way for far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's tough anti-migrant and security decree to become law following a confidence vote.

The populist government of Salvini's League and Luigi Di Maio's anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) won the vote with 163 senators for, 59 against -- including five M5S members -- and 19 abstentions.

The lower house of parliament now has until the end of November to approve the decree, which the coalition first put forward in September and makes it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship.

Salvini tweeted that it was a "historic day" after the Senate vote.

The government opted for a confidence vote to get the decree through the senate after M5S members tabled a slew of amendments. It should have no problem passing the lower house given the coalition's majority.

The decree ends two-year "humanitarian protection" residency permits -- a lower level of asylum status based on Italian rather than international law -- that were awarded to 25 percent of asylum seekers last year.

Instead, residency permits will be awarded under stricter conditions such as a one-year "special protection" status or a six-month "natural disaster in country of origin" status.

- 'Seriously concerned' -

The Italian Refugee Council said it was "seriously concerned" by the new law.

"The abolition of humanitarian protection will put thousands of people outside the law and only a very few can be repatriated," it said in a statement.

A new procedure to fast-track the expulsion of "dangerous" asylum seekers will also be implemented.

The United Nations refugee agency said ahead of the vote that some of the decree's provisions "do not provide adequate guarantees, especially for the vulnerable or those with particular needs such as victims of abuse or torture".

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"Lawmakers still have time to do the right thing, not only for asylum seekers and refugees, but also for Italy's long and proud tradition in terms of respect for human rights," the UNHCR said on Monday.

Asylum seekers will in future be housed in bigger reception centres, while only minors and those with recognised refugee status will be housed in different parts of the country in order to facilitate integration.

There are currently around 146,000 migrants held in the country's reception centres, down from 183,000 at the end of 2017.

The Italian mayors' association has railed against the change, saying that having hundreds of unemployed migrants in reception centres can have a negative impact on small communities.

The new law also lets local police have Taser stun guns and makes it easier to evict squatters by getting rid of the obligation of finding provisional housing for the most vulnerable.

"We must welcome those who are fleeing war, but there is no place for economic migrants," Salvini said.

"Whoever flees a war is my brother, but whoever comes here to sell drugs and create disorder must go home."

One of the most controversial measures in the bill provides for stripping immigrants of their Italian nationality if they are convicted of "terrorism".

Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, has taken a hardline on immigration since the coalition came to power in June, refusing to allow several ships carrying migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to dock at Italian ports.Jared Polis has been elected governor of Colorado - making him the first openly gay person to govern a US state - REUTERS

When Jared Polis was declared the winner of Colorado's race for governor on Tuesday night, it meant that the state remained in Democrat hands.

His predecessor, the widely admired John Hickenlooper, had served two terms and was unable to run again.

But his election was about more than that.

Mr Polis, a 43-year-old entrepreneur, has become the first openly gay governor in US history.

It's somewhat ironic that his victory was in Colorado - a state where a baker's refusal to make a cake for a gay wedding has been taken up by the Supreme Court.

"I think it really gives Colorado an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as inclusive as where America is today, said Mr Polis earlier this year, in a speech to Colorado Democrats.

Mr Polis, born in Boulder, Colorado, and educated in California and then at Princeton, defeated Republican state treasurer Walker Stapleton.

Although often a swing state, Colorado has not had a Republican governor since 2007.

Mr Polis campaigned on universal healthcare, renewable energy standards and publicly funded early childhood education. He also vowed to stand up to President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the federal health care law.

His considerable fortune - he is believed to have made over $400m from his tech, greetings cards and florist businesses - enabled him to criss-cross the state and make his mark.

He becomes one of the 10 richest people in Congress.

On selling his businesses, Mr Polis entered politics in 2008, campaigning for Colorado's state House of Representatives.

He has throughout his career prioritised education, clean energy and civil rights.

President Trump is unpopular in our state, and voters certainly want a governor whos going to be in the vanguard of the opposition, he told The New York Times earlier this year.

But he made sure to emphasise his successes in a broad and diverse congressional district that ranges from small ranching communities to ski resorts.

Mr Polis and his partner, Marlon Reis, live in Boulder and have two children: a seven-year-old son, Caspian Julius, and daughter Cora Barucha, four.Jared Polis won the Colorado governors race, becoming the first openly gay person to be elected governor in America.

Polis, a five-term congressman, faced Republican Walker Stapleton, the state treasurer, in the race. Incumbent governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper, was prevented by term limits from running again.

After announcement of the win, Hickenlooper tweeted: Over the last few weeks, Coloradans cast their votes in favor of a bright & prosperous future & tonight we elected @PolisForCO as the new governor of this great state. Congrats to all who stood up, showed up & spoke up. I couldnt be more excited for whats ahead. #COforAll

I have spoken to Congressman Polis and congratulated him on his victory, Stapleton tweeted after conceding. It is time for everyone to come together and work for the good of Colorado. Thank you to everyone for your support throughout this campaign.

Polis released a press release pledging to serve all Coloradans and thanking Hickenlooper for his leadership. As governor, I will serve with the Colorado way of life in my heart and on my mind at all times, Polis wrote. And I pledge to serve all Coloradans, no matter your party, no matter who you voted for in this race  because theres far too much at stake to let politics or partisanship get in the way of building the bright future for our state that every family deserves.

After Polis won the Democratic nomination in the primaries earlier this year, LGBTQ Victory Fund responded enthusiastically to his win. Tonight Jared Polis pulled off a huge victory and is on track to become the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state, said Victory Fund president and CEO Annise Parker. Primary voters chose Jared not because he could be a historic first, but because of his unquestionable integrity and positive vision for Coloradans.

In June, Polis told The Advocate that he ran for governor because states needed to fight President Trumps agenda. With Trump moving us backward on so many issues, we really need bold leadership at the state level, he said. I feel I can make more progress back home in Colorado.

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Many were watching Colorado, considered a purple state, and Polis earlier victory was seen as a sharp leftward shift that would test whether Colorado was perhaps a true-blue state. As the Denver Post reported: Polis ran a campaign aimed at diehard Democrats with promises to implement all-day pre-school and kindergarten for every child and a single-payer, Medicare-for-all health care system in Colorado  both of which were ballot initiatives rejected by voters in prior elections.

Megadonor Tim Gill, another Coloradan, has used his fortune to support LGBTQ candidates through the Victory Fund. And this and other wins can be seen a success for his agenda to elect candidates in pivotal areas of the country. Another historic win during the 2018 midterms was Democrat Sharice Davids, who won the race for Kansas 3rd congressional district, unseating incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder. An openly gay woman, she will also be first Native American in Congress. A member of Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe in Wisconsin, Davids was also backed by Emilys List, a national organization dedicated to electing Democratic women.By Letitia Stein TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Hotly contested battles in Georgia and Florida pitting liberal black Democrats against white Republicans supported by President Donald Trump headline the three dozen governors' races being contested in Tuesday's U.S. elections. In Georgia, Stacey Abrams is vying to become the nation's first black female governor. The 44-year-old Georgia politician and Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, Florida, would also be the first black governor in each of their states. Abrams and Gillum, 39, are testing a new liberal path in Southern states where traditional, centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost. They seek to rally greater numbers of young voters and minorities, who typically favor Democrats but often sit out elections in years when a presidential vote is not held. Trump's reputation is on the line in Georgia and Florida after his endorsements helped Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and former Congressman Ron DeSantis of Florida clinch the Republican nominations for their states' open gubernatorial seats. Accusations of race-baiting have dogged Kemp, 55, and DeSantis, 40. They deny the charges. Gillum, joined by his wife and three young children, cast his ballot on a drizzly morning in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida. Afterward, he said his election would send a message to Trump "that the politics of hatred and of division, of separation, that they've come to an end." "We're returning the politics of decency and what's right and what's common between all of us," he told reporters in a voice hoarse from campaigning. "We'll worry about history later, but today we're working to win." DeSantis, after voting in Ponte Vedra Beach, told reporters: "We did as much as can be done and I'm happy. Let the chips fall where they may." While much of the focus of Tuesday's elections is on which party wins control of the U.S. Congress, Republicans and Democrats are battling across the country for state-level power, which can help them support or resist Trump's agenda on issues such as healthcare, gun control and gay rights. Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, are fielding their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades. Republicans currently control 33 governors' mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers. The outcome of elections for state positions could also affect future control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional districts are redrawn after the 2020 Census. In some states, a governor's power to sign or veto congressional maps could decide the partisan balance. DEMOCRATIC GAINS EXPECTED Jennifer Duffy, who analyzes governors' races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, expects Democrats to wrest between six and eight governorships away from Republicans, who are defending a large number of open seats in battleground states. Critical contests are taking place in Midwestern and Rust Belt states that sealed Trump's 2016 victory, where Republican losses could hurt his re-election chances in 2020. Opinion polls show Democratic gubernatorial candidates leading or highly competitive in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. These states typically vote Democratic in presidential elections but in 2016 swung to Trump, securing his win in the Electoral College system that tallies wins in states, even as he lost the national popular vote. Republicans are also fighting tough races in several states considered conservative strongholds in the north and central Great Plains. "The eyebrow-raiser will be if Democrats pick up a South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma - these sort of very, very red (Republican) states," Duffy said, noting local dynamics, rather than national politics, were mostly responsible for Republican weaknesses. Republicans, however, could gain in Democratic territory and pick up a pair of governors' seats in Oregon and Connecticut. Opinion polls show tight races in Georgia and Florida, where the current Republican governors cannot run again due to term limits. Trump traveled to each state in the closing days of the campaign to energize Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats, and media star Oprah Winfrey visited Georgia on behalf of Abrams. In Georgia, critics have drawn attention to Kemp's dual role as a candidate for governor and as supervisor of the state's elections in his capacity as secretary of state. Kemp accused Democrats on Sunday of trying to hack voter registration systems, without offering any supporting evidence. Democratic Party officials, who have accused Kemp of trying to suppress the minority vote, quickly denied the charge. A nonprofit group, Protect Democracy, said it had filed an emergency lawsuit on Tuesday asking a federal judge to block Kemp from presiding over the election results, including any recount or runoff race. Under Georgia law, if neither Abrams nor Kemp wins a majority of the vote on Tuesday, their battle continues to a December runoff. The presence of a third-party candidate on the ballot makes that possibility more likely. In Florida, the rancor of the current political climate weighed on Bob Marky of Tallahassee as he voted for Gillum for governor. The 54-year-old house painter, a Democrat, said he also supported candidates from both parties for local office. "I just was looking for a change," he said. "The political environment has gotten a little out of hand." Full election coverage: https://www.reuters.com/politics/election2018 (Reporting by Letitia Stein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Paul Simao and Jonathan Oatis)



King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has hired away a corporate partner from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in Beijing, as the Chinese firm further develops its US law practice.



Huang Ling, a US lawyer, advises on M&A and private equity deals. In 2016, she advised China Life Insurance on a $3bn acquisition of Citigroup's stakes in China Guangfa bank.



Huang, who also served as Cleary's chief representative in Beijing, joined Cleary in 2012 from Shearman & Sterling, where she was a partner. She first joined Shearman in 1997 and became a partner in 2009.



Cleary corporate partner Denise Shiu will take over the role of chief representative of the Beijing office, where there are currently nine resident lawyers. Corporate associate Tian Gao will be promoted to counsel in January.



In 2016, King & Wood Mallesons hired US securities lawyer Liu Jia from Cleary; Liu became a partner last year and relocated to Hong Kong earlier this year as part of the firm's efforts to build up an equity capital markets practice.



In 2017, the Chinese firm hired former Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft Asia managing partner and private equity specialist Rocky Lee in Beijing to head up a US law corporate practice.



Related stories:



Marco Muzzo, right, is seen here in Newmarket, Ont., on Feb. 4, 2016. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in a drunk driving crash that killed three young children and their grandfather. Photo from The Canadian Press.

A convicted drunk driver who killed four family members in a 2015 collision near Toronto has been denied day parole.

The Parole Board of Canada pointed to the fact that Marco Muzzo has not addressed his alcohol misuse.

We dont question your remorse, the panel said Tuesday. Its obvious that this is a very difficult thing for you to deal with.

This was Muzzos first opportunity to be granted parole of any kind. He has already spent more than 37 months behind bars in relation to his impaired driving conviction after receiving a 10-year prison sentence in 2016.

In September 2015, Muzzos SUV T-boned a minivan carrying members of the Neville-Lake family in Vaughan, Ont. Three children under the age of 10 and a 65-year-old grandfather were killed in the collision that also left two others injured.

Several candlelight vigils were held following the deadly incident, which put a spotlight on the issue of impaired driving in Canada.

Jennifer Neville-Lake speaks to media in Gravenhurst, Ont., on Nov. 7, 2018. A panel with the Parole Board of Canada says Muzzo has not addressed his alcohol misuse, and denied him both day parole and full parole. Photo from The Canadian Press.

 I should have known better 

In February 2016, Muzzo pleaded guilty to six charges in relation to the high-profile crash, including four counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

In an online poll conducted by Yahoo Canada, 90 per cent of respondents said they felt it was too soon for the convicted drunk driver to be granted day parole. More than 2,000 votes were cast.

I should have known better but I took a chance, Muzzo told the panel. I felt fine but there was that slight grogginess.

Court documents revealed Muzzo was speeding and ran through a stop sign at the time of the fatal collision. He had been returning from a bachelor party in Miami and was driving with a blood alcohol level that was more than twice the legal limit, according to court papers.

Muzzo told the panel the screams from the scene of the crash still haunt him.

Its something I cant forget, the 32-year-old man said.

In an online poll conducted by Yahoo Canada, 90 per cent of respondents said they did not support Marco Muzzo receiving day parole at this time.

Life sentence of misery

The mother of the three children killed in the collision also spoke at the hearing.

Story continues

I dont and wont get the chance for parole from this life sentence of misery and despair, Jennifer Neville-Lake said.

In March 2016, the judge who presided over Muzzos case said Muzzo showed remorse for what had happened, but must still be held accountable for his actions.

In one fell swoop, he decimated an entire generation of the Neville-Lake family, its legacy and its future, Ontario Superior Court Justice Michelle Fuerst said in her decision.

The judge also noted Muzzo had the financial means to afford a ride home, but drove drunk anyway. According to Canadian Business magazine, the Muzzo family is worth $1.86 billion.

Below is a clip of Jennifer Neville-Lake speaking in March 2016 after Marco Muzzo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a crash that killed three of her young children.





Full parole eligibility next May

On top of his 10-year prison sentence, Muzzo was also banned from driving for 12 years. He has been serving time behind bars at the Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst, Ont., where the hearing took place.

Meanwhile, the Neville-Lake family is seeking more than $25 million for damages in a lawsuit filed against Muzzo and his familys drywall company.

The convicted drunk driver will be also be eligible for full parole in May 2019 and statutory release on June 18, 2022. Muzzo was 29 years old and engaged to be married at the time of the crash.

With files from The Canadian PressWASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on Tuesday's elections for governor and other state offices (all times local):

4:03 a.m.

Nevada has become the latest state where Democrats have flipped the governor's office.

In the contest to replace termed-out Republican Brian Sandoval, Democrat Steve Sisolak defeated Republican Adam Laxalt.

Sisolak repeatedly campaigned on a pledge to stand up to President Donald Trump, who supported Laxalt.

Sisolak chairs the Clark County Commission, which oversees the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding areas. He rose to prominence following the 2017 mass shooting on the Strip, starting an online fundraiser that amassed millions of dollars for victims.

___

3:05 a.m.

Republican nominee for Georgia governor Brian Kemp says he is "confident victory is near" but is waiting on final results in the close race.

Kemp told supporters at his election party early Wednesday "the math is on our side to win this election" but stopped short of claiming victory.

Earlier, Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams implied that a runoff is likely in the election. Abrams told supporters they would "have a chance to do a do-over."

The Associated Press has not called the race.

Kemp has a narrow lead, but the race could still go to a runoff. In Georgia, a race goes to an automatic runoff if neither candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

___

2:30 a.m.

Democrat Tony Evers has defeated Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, denying the polarizing Republican and one-time presidential candidate a third term.

Evers' win on Tuesday is a huge victory for Democrats, who couldn't find the recipe to take out Walker in three previous elections, including a 2012 recall.

Evers campaigned on the promise of cutting middle-class income taxes, eliminating a tax credit program for manufacturers and possibly raising the gas tax to pay for roads.

Evers is a former teacher who's been state schools superintendent since 2009. He turned his understated personality to his advantage in the campaign, arguing that voters were tired of divisiveness and yearned for more collegial politics.

Story continues

___

2:20 a.m.

Democrat Stacey Abrams says votes remain to be counted in the tight Georgia governor's race and vows to wait for them all.

Abrams told supporters at her election night party they would "have a chance to do a do-over" in her race against Republican Brian Kemp, implying a runoff.

Kemp is Georgia's secretary of state and has a narrow lead over Abrams, but it's possible the race could go to a runoff. In Georgia, a race goes to an automatic runoff if neither candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

Early returns after Tuesday's voting showed Kemp running up large margins across rural and small-town Georgia. But parts of metro Atlanta, where Abrams' strength is concentrated, had yet to report.

Some of those Atlanta-area counties had extended voting hours for some precincts to accommodate the crowds and compensate for problems.

___

1:20 a.m.

Democrats have flipped control of the Minnesota state House, but Republicans have held on to a narrow Senate majority.

Democrats had needed to flip 11 seats to take control of the Minnesota House in Tuesday's elections. Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt conceded that the GOP would lose the majority that it held since 2015.

Minnesota's Senate seats were not up for a regular election. But there was one special election to fill a vacancy, and Republicans held on to that seat to maintain a 34-33 majority in that chamber.

The national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee says Democrats picked up scores of state legislative seats across the country in Tuesday's elections.

___

1:10 a.m.

Republicans have kept control of the governors' offices in Idaho and South Dakota by winning elections to succeed departing GOP incumbents.

Rep. Kristi Noem turned back an unusually strong challenge from Democratic state Sen. Billie Sutton to win South Dakota's gubernatorial race Tuesday. She will become the first female governor in state history and will succeed term-limited Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

In Idaho, Lt. Gov. Brad Little defeated former Democratic state lawmaker Paulette Jordon to become the next governor. Little will succeed retiring Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who has been in office since 2007.

___

12:50 a.m.

Democrats have regained control of the Maine governor's office with a victory in an open-seat election by Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills.

Mills defeated Republican businessman Shawn Moody and independent state Treasurer Terry Hayes in Tuesday's gubernatorial race. She will succeed Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who was term-limited after eight years in office.

Democrats also flipped control of governor's offices in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and New Mexico.

Heading into Tuesday's election, Republicans held control of 33 governor's offices.

___

12:40 a.m.

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has won a full term in office by defeating Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell.

Reynolds' victory Tuesday makes her the first woman elected governor in Iowa. She previously won two terms as lieutenant governor and was elevated to chief executive when Gov. Terry Branstad was named by President Donald Trump to serve as ambassador to China in 2017.

Reynolds also previously served in the state Legislature.

Iowa had been one of the states where Democrats thought they had a chance of flipping control of the governor's office.

___

12:30 a.m.

Rep. Keith Ellison has been elected Minnesota attorney general despite an ex-girlfriend's accusation of domestic abuse.

Ellison defeated Republican Doug Wardlow on Tuesday for an office that threatened to swing to Republicans for the first time in nearly half a century.

Ellison rose to national prominence as the first Muslim elected to Congress and last year became deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He talked of using the attorney general's office to resist President Donald Trump's agenda.

Then Ellison's ex-girlfriend accused him of dragging her off a bed during an argument in 2016. Ellison repeatedly denied her allegations, but they helped make the race close, even though Wardlow was a virtual unknown.

___

12:25 a.m.

Democrat Gavin Newsom has won the governor's race in California, a state that has provided some of the strongest resistance to President Donald Trump.

Newsom defeated Republican businessman John Cox in Tuesday's election to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown and Newsom are critics of the Republican president.

Newsom served as lieutenant governor under Brown and has pledged to pursue universal health care and a surge in housing construction.

He previously was mayor of San Francisco, where he gained attention for ordering the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples before it was legal.

___

12:15 a.m.

Colorado voters have approved a pair of constitutional amendments revamping the redistricting process ahead of the 2020 Census.

The ballot measures approved Tuesday are intended to prevent partisan gerrymandering and apply to congressional and state legislative districts.

The Colorado measures will create a 12-member commission to handle redistricting, composed of four Democrats, four Republicans and four independents. The commission will be required to "maximize the number of politically competitive districts."

Congressional redistricting had been assigned in the past to the state Legislature and the governor. State legislative redistricting had been done by an 11-member commission.

___

12:10 a.m.

Missouri voters have approved a constitutional amendment making the state the first to require a specific mathematical formula for determining "partisan fairness" when drawing legislative districts.

The ballot measure approved Tuesday makes "partisan fairness" and "competitiveness" top criteria for redistricting over traditional standards such as compact and contiguous districts. It applies only to state legislative districts, not those for Congress.

Missouri was one of four states with ballot measures proposing to overhaul redistricting procedures to be used after the 2020 Census. The measures in Colorado, Michigan and Utah also were intended to decrease the likelihood of partisan gerrymandering, but none of the rest placed a specific mathematical equation into their state constitutions.

Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment stripping the legislature and the governor of their power to draw districts for Congress and the state Legislature.

___

12:05 a.m.

Michigan voters have approved a constitutional amendment stripping the legislature and the governor of their power to draw districts for Congress and the state Legislature.

The ballot measure approved Tuesday is an attempt to prevent partisan gerrymandering when districts are redrawn after the 2020 Census.

After the 2010 Census, Republicans who controlled both chambers of the Michigan Legislature and the governor's office approved maps that have been shown by a statistical analysis to provide an advantage to Republicans.

The new constitutional amendment creates a 13-member citizens' commission for redistricting, composed of four Democrats, four Republicans and five independents. It prohibits districts that provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party.

The measure was opposed by the Michigan Republican Party.

___

11:50 p.m.

There will be no change at the top in Vermont or Oregon.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott won re-election Tuesday in the traditionally Democratic state of Vermont by defeating Democratic challenger Christine Hallquist.

In Oregon, Democratic Gov. Kate Brown won re-election over Republican challenger Knute Buehler.

Republicans had believed that Oregon provided one of their best chances to flip a Democratic governor's seat in a year when Democrats generally have been making greater gains.

Democrats on Tuesday flipped governor's offices in at least four states  Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and New Mexico.

Republicans entered Election Day holding 33 governor's offices and two-thirds of the state legislative chambers.

___

11:40 p.m.

Democrat Laura Kelly has defeated a prominent ally of President Donald Trump to win the Kansas governor's race.

Kelly defeated Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach (KOH'-bahk) on Tuesday to flip the governor's office from red to blue.

It was at least the fourth Democratic pickup, along with wins in the Illinois, Michigan and New Mexico governors' races.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

Kelly will be Kansas' third governor in a year.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback resigned in January to accept a position in Trump's administration. He was succeeded by Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, whom Kobach defeated in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

___

11:35 p.m.

Republicans have turned back Democratic challengers to keep control of the governors' offices in Arizona, New Hampshire and Ohio.

In Ohio, Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine defeated Democrat Richard Cordray on Tuesday to lead a GOP sweep of nonjudicial statewide offices. DeWine will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sihk).

Cordray had been an Obama-era consumer protection chief.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey defeated Democratic education professor David Garcia to win re-election in a race that focused on border security and education.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (soo-NOO'-noo) won another two-year term by defeating former Democrat state Sen. Molly Kelly.

___

11:30 p.m.

Republican Ron DeSantis will be Florida's next governor, riding President Donald Trump's support to a victory over Democrat Andrew Gillum.

The 40-year-old former congressman and Navy officer won Tuesday after Trump went to Florida twice in the final six days of the election to help increase Republican turnout.

Gillum was hoping to become Florida's first black governor. He conceded late Tuesday.

DeSantis was considered an underdog until Trump injected himself in the Republican primary, helping DeSantis cruise to victory over better-funded and better-known Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

DeSantis stumbled after his nomination, most notably by saying Floridians shouldn't "monkey this up" be electing Gillum. Although he took a more moderate turn after the primary, he relied heavily on Trump in the last days of the election.

___

11:25 p.m.

Florida Democratic nominee for governor Andrew Gillum is conceding to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis.

The Tallahassee mayor was seeking to become the state's first black governor and become the first Democrat to win the governor's race in more than 20 years.

The Associated Press has not called the race.

DeSantis was supported in the race by President Donald Trump.

Gillum told a crowd gathered on the campus of Florida A&M University on Tuesday he sincerely regrets he "couldn't bring it home for you."

Gillum pulled off an upset when he won the Democratic primary in August.

___

11:10 p.m.

Democrats have held on to governors' offices in Minnesota and Hawaii.

Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz defeated Republican Jeff Johnson on Tuesday to mark the first time since the 1950s that one of Minnesota's political parties has held on to the office for at least three terms. He will replace Gov. Mark Dayton, who chose not to seek re-election.

In Hawaii, Gov. David Ige (EE'-gay) won re-election by defeating Republican state Rep. Andria Tupola. Hawaii is a heavily Democratic state.

___

11:05 p.m.

Democrats are chipping away at Republican leadership in state capitols by flipping control of at least three gubernatorial offices.

Democrats J.B. Pritzker in Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico won elections Tuesday for seats previously held by Republicans.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates also were putting up strong challenges in the previously Republican-held states of Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

Heading into Tuesday's elections, Republicans controlled 33 governor's office and two-thirds of all state legislative chambers. That included 25 states where they held a trifecta of power, compared with just eight for Democrats.

Whitmer's victory breaks that Republican trifecta in Michigan. The Democratic gubernatorial victories in Illinois and New Mexico could give them trifectas there.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics



Legacy Bryan Cave's Hong Kong team has left newly merged Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to set up their own practice.



Partners Kristi Swartz and Nigel Binnersley have departed the firm along with their team of three associates. Swartz previously led the legacy Bryan Cave Hong Kong office and focuses on corporate finance and securities, and is joined in the move by litigation partner Binnersley.



The pair joined the legacy US firm in 2013 from Blank Rome when the latter closed its Hong Kong office.



BCLP said: Two of our Hong Kong partners, Kristi Swartz and Nigel Binnersley, will leave the partnership to form their own law firm, and we wish them the best with their new enterprise. Our Hong Kong presence will be consolidated in our Quarry Bay office where more than 50 fee earners currently reside."



The departure comes two months after the firm announced the official combination of the legacy firms in Hong Kong. The majority of the firm's global offices had already merged in April when the transatlantic merger went live.



Hong Kong is the only market in Asia where both Bryan Cave and BLP had existing offices at the time of the merger. The Shanghai and Beijing bases are yet to merge, with the process expecting to complete in the coming weeks, according to the firm.



Additional reporting by John Kang in Hong Kong.Students at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, faced long lines to vote in the Midterm elections but were treated to free pizza thanks to some student groups on campus.

Wissam Melhem shared footage of students grabbing a slice while waiting to cast their ballot. Im at ASU Tempe at the Palo Verde West where the lines are insane, Melhem tweeted. According to Melhem, groups Undergraduate Student Government, ASU Young Democrats and NextGen ASU all donated pizza to hand out to students waiting to vote. Credit: Wissam Melhem/The State Press via StoryfulAntananarivo (AFP) - Election officials began counting ballots in Madagascar after Wednesday's vote for a new president in which three former heads of state ran as the Indian Ocean island seeks to defuse a political crisis.

Attempts by the most recent president Hery Rajaonarimampianina to change the island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo.

The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising an election in this impoverished nation with a history of coups and unrest.

Nearly 10 million voters were eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who also included two ex-prime ministers, several pastors and a rock star.

To win, a candidate must get 50 percent of the votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19. Only about 44.5 percent of voters turned out, according to the electoral commission.

Provisional results, expected by November 20, must be confirmed by the High Constitutional Court by November 28.

"I want a president who gets me out of poverty," said Eline Faraniaina, a retired 60-year-old, as she cast her ballot at a vocational college.

Two of the candidates, both former presidents, said Wednesday they were confident of victory.

"I am optimistic and positive, I do not think there will be a second round," dairy tycoon Marc Ravalomanana said at his political headquarters, where dozens of supporters gathered.

For his part, former nightclub promoter Andry Rajoelina spoke to hundreds of supporters gathered at the studio of his TV chain Viva, saying he was satisfied the early results "express the desire for change."

- Torches for power cuts -

Ravalomanana ruled from 2002 to 2009, followed by Rajoelina who was in power until 2013, and then Rajaonarimampianina until earlier this year.

The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters.

Story continues

The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana.

Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's term was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers.

If re-elected, he has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development.

"Frankly it's difficult to live like that. There are days when I can't feed my children," said Tantely Randriandrina, a washerwoman who earns less than $1 a day.

- Grinding poverty -

The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP.

"The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life.

"It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them."

Rajaonarimampianina called it "a big day... a victory for democracy" after casting his ballot.

Ravalomanana has a tense relationship with Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising.

Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty.

The main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have crisscrossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future.

"They should revive the country. Madagascar suffers malnutrition and is ravaged by cyclones," said retiree Lili Rahaingo, 68, as she queued to vote in the capital.

Although two people died in bloody protests in April, campaigning has been peaceful and the vote passed off without incident, the interior ministry said.

- Buying votes with tiles, t-shirts -

Some candidates have been accused of vote-buying, with the local head of Transparency International Ketakandriana Rafitoson saying she was "disgusted" by the offer of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to secure votes.

Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and had unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Both Ravalomanana and Rajoelina were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013.Antananarivo (AFP) - Thirty-six candidates will do battle to win the presidency in Wednesday's polls.

The three frontrunners are former presidents and here are their profiles:

- Ravalomanana: milkman-turned-millionaire -

Marc Ravalomanana, 68, was ejected from power in 2009 and is looking to get his revenge at the ballot box.

A former milkman born to a peasant family, he went on to form an agro empire after creating Tiko yoghurt.

The newly wealthy self-made man became the mayor of Antananarivo in 1999.

Two years later he took power from outgoing president Didier Ratsiraka following violent street protests.

He was reelected in 2006 in the first round of voting and secured the cancellation of Madagascar's debt.

While his supporters lauded his indefatigable energy, critics accused him of acting like a dictator and criticism mounted from the end of 2008.

On February 7, 2009, his presidential guard opened fire on supporters of then Antananarivo mayor, Andry Rajoelina, as they marched on the presidential palace.

Ravalomanana was forced to hand power to the army who subsequently passed the presidential reins to his rival Rajoelina.

He then went into exile, not returning to the Indian Ocean island nation until the election of Hery Rajaonarimampianina in 2014.

Asked how he would react to a Rajoelina win, Ravalomanana told AFP: "I would accept the results, within limits".

- Rajoelina: return of 'the disc jockey'? -

Andry Rajoelina, 44, is the pollsters' favourite and has attracted impressive numbers to his rallies, which have featured performance artists and fireworks.

His policies have attracted ridicule from his rivals, such as a proposal to fit zebu cows with trackers to battle rustling, and a scheme to convert Tamatave port into a "Malagasy Miami".

Rajoelina burst onto the political scene in 2007.

He was previously known for promoting parties in the capital, earning him the nickname "the disc jockey", but caused an upset when he won the city's mayoral race.

Story continues

Helped by his own Viva broadcasting channel and strong communications skills, he quickly established himself as the leading voice of opposition to then-president Ravalomanana.

His supporters openly defied the regime with the tacit support of the military, who helped oust Ravalomanana in 2009.

Rajoelina defended his elevation to the presidential palace on the wave of a coup d'etat.

"It was a popular uprising," he told AFP.

The handsome then thirty-something struggled to lead the country out of crisis as its unelected leader.

His rivals also accused him of turning a blind eye to the pillage of the country's natural resources.

His failings won him the nickname "crayfish" -- a crustacean that walks backwards.

Under international pressure, Rajoelina did not contest the 2013 election and backed his victorious former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

The two men fell out shortly after and will face off at polls for the first time this year.

- Rajaonarimampianina: economist and poet -

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who turns 60 on Tuesday prides himself on his low-key demeanour and is perhaps the most understated of the leading contenders.

As president, the economist hoped to turn the page on years of turmoil.

But his term from 2014 to 2018 did not escape the instability that has rocked the country since independence.

Rajaonarimampianina survived parliamentary manoeuvres to oust him as well as a mass protest movement earlier this year that claimed the lives of two people.

Before winning the top job, he served as Rajoelina's finance minister, overhauling the country's finances and integrating aid and private spending into the fiscal mix.

He also restored stability to the local currency.

But critics, especially in Rajoelina's camp, accuse him of having closed his eyes to the trafficking of endangered rosewood and precious stones.

He was a virtual unknown in 2013 but benefited from the election bans imposed on Ravalomanana and Rajoelina.

In line with the constitution, he resigned on September 7 to contest this year's polls.

He has promised the profoundly poor nation "a new phase in its development" if elected.

tm-pa-bed-gw/jj/jePennsylvania authorities arrested a man on Tuesday after he allegedly threatened to shoot up a polling place during Tuesday's midterm elections, the Associated Press reports.

Christopher Thomas Queen, of Claysville, Penn., was attempting to vote at the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Department in South Franklin Township around 9 a.m. when he was informed that he was not registered to vote in that area.

According to a criminal complaint, Queen, 48, became irate and told employees he was "going to go get a gun and come back and shoot them."

An elderly poll worker was left shaking uncontrollably after the suspect vacated the polling place, according to an eyewitness.

Queen was arrested shortly after the outburst and was charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

RELATED: Voters across the U.S. head to the polls:Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn defeated her Democratic opponent Phil Bredesen Tuesday evening in Tennessees Senate race, virtually ensuring her party will retain their majority in the upper chamber.

The television networks declared Blackburn the winner at 9:15 p.m. She will be the first woman in U.S. to represent her state in the Senate.

Blackburns victory came after Republicans saw a gain in Indiana, with Congressman Mike Braun defeating Democratic incumbent Mike Donnelly. While Blackburns victory does not represent a flip for the Republicans  she will replace outgoing Senator Bob Corker  keeping a reliably red state in their hands is nevertheless a feather in the GOPs cap, and a crucial step to keeping their majority.

Marsha Blackburn demonstrated the type of conservative leadership Tennessee voters want in Washington, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Cory Gardner said in a statement Tuesday evening. We want to congratulate Senator-elect Blackburn on a hard-fought victory and look forward to her working in the U.S. Senate to confirm conservative judges, push pro-growth reforms and advocate for policies that improve the lives of all Tennesseans.

The race between Blackburn, a longtime conservative firebrand, and Bredesen, the well-liked former governor who had been out of office nearly a decade, became one of the most high profile, contentious and expensive races in the country. Outside groups on both sides of the aisle spent millions boosting their respective candidates. The Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, spent over $12 million in the state since Labor Day. On the Democratic side, two Super PACs affiliated with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Pac and Majority Forward, collectively spent a minimum of $15 million.

While President Donald Trump emphasized several times that the midterm elections were a referendum on his presidency, this particular race was less about him and more about the candidates each party fielded. Indeed, Blackburn hitched herself to the President, who visited the state to campaign on her behalf three times since May, including Chattanooga in his final swing on Sunday night. Tennessee voted for Trump by 26 points in 2016, and he remains popular there; a CNN poll released Nov. 1 found his approval rating at 53 percent there, almost 15 points higher than the national average. But those advantages didnt extend to Blackburn, who had a 48 percent approval rating, according to that poll  5 points lower than Bredesen.

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John Geer, Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University and political science professor, said in the lead-up to election night that moderate Republicans who were drawn to figures like outgoing Gov. Bill Haslam and Sen. Bob Corker, were always uneasy with Blackburns conservative firebrand of politics. Bredesens moderate stances, he predicted, would give these voters an easy excuse not to vote for her.

Hes been a moderate conservative Democrat his single life, said Geer of Bredesen. Hes gonna eat into some Republican support more than you might expect because of those credentials.

Bredesen had seized on his opponents weaknesses with his party by running a politically savvy race, ensuring that he distanced himself from the more polarizing figures and stances of his party. Former President Barack Obama never came to Tennessee to campaign for him. Despite the hefty investments of Democratic Super PACs aligned with Schumer, Bredesen said he wouldnt support for the New York Senator for minority leader. He was the only Democrat running for Senate to announce his support for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his contentious confirmation process. And he refused to tie himself in Democratic leadership in Washington, claiming that he wouldnt support Senator Chuck Schumer for minority leader.

My world view comes from me, not from the canons of the Democratic party, he told reporters Sunday after addressing an interfaith luncheon in Chattanooga. It also overlaps a little with some Republicans, I guess. So I choose [the Democrats] as my party to be a party to help, support and run as, but I want to run on my own ideas, not just attach myself on to what national Democrats think because I dont always agree with them.

While his ability to legislate across  not only with Republicans in the Senate, but with President Trump, who remains popular in the state  was the crux of his pitch to voters, it wasnt enough. Even an endorsement from Taylor Swift couldnt push him over the top. Polls in Tennessee closed at 8 p.m.; within 90 minutes, the race had been projected.

If you like whats going in Washington, and you like this sort of lines in the sand, take no prisoners, Im not the guy. Theres somebody else here that you should vote for and shes very good at that stuff, Bredesen said Sunday, when asked about his final message to voters on the fence. If youre ready to try and move some things, to solve some problems, then I would be very pleased to represent the people of Tennessee one more time.

On Tuesday, he got his answer.President Donald Trumps pick to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions and oversee special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation has sharply criticized the probe in the past.

Matt Whitaker, a former federal prosecutor, was appointed as acting attorney general after Sessions handed in his resignation, the president announced Wednesday. Whitaker has served as Sessions chief of staff since September 2017.

To Trumps unrelenting ire, Sessions was unable to rein in Muellers expansive probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether the president obstructed justice, given Sessions decision to recuse himself from the probe in March 2017.

With Sessions out of the picture, Trump has selected someone who has expressed significant skepticism about Muellers investigation, signaling the president could be pushing for an imminent end to it.

Whitaker, during an interview with CNN in July 2017, suggested that a potential future replacement for Sessions wouldnt need to fire Mueller to kneecap the investigation.

I could see a scenario where Jeff Sessions is replaced with a recess appointment and that attorney general does not fire Bob Mueller, but he just reduces his budget to so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt, Whitaker said at the time.

In August 2017, roughly a month before his appointment as Sessions chief of staff, Whitaker penned an op-ed for CNN in which he suggested the Russia investigation was going too far and could be a witch hunt.

Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing, Whitaker wrote. It is time for Rosenstein, who is the acting attorney general for the purposes of this investigation, to order Mueller to limit the scope of his investigation to the four corners of the order appointing him special counsel.

He continued: If he doesnt, then Muellers investigation will eventually start to look like a political fishing expedition. This would not only be out of character for a respected figure like Mueller, but also could be damaging to the President of the United States and his family  and by extension, to the country.

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Whitaker also has ties to a witness on Muellers grand jury, Sam Clovis. Clovis, whose 2014 Iowa state treasurer campaign Whitaker chaired, dismissed concerns that their connection could affect the investigation.

Its not relevant and Matt has high integrity, Clovis told The Washington Post. Im very happy for him and hell do a fantastic job.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the Mueller probe, citing his previous remarks on the matter.

Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general, Schumer said in a statement.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, echoed Schumers call.

Given Mr. Whitakers public comments on the Special Counsels investigation and the Presidents obvious self-interest in appointing him to the Acting AG role, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself, Warner tweeted.

Given Mr. Whitakers public comments on the Special Counsels investigation and the Presidents obvious self-interest in appointing him to the Acting AG role, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself. https://t.co/XuRpcT3Gxd  Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) November 7, 2018

Igor Bobic and Lydia OConnor contributed reporting.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Students on top of a bus during a Vote for Our Lives rally at the University of Central Florida in Orlando: AP

Andrew Pollack has been on a mission that some may deem inappropriate ever since his 17-year-old daughter, Meadow, was murdered in one of the worst mass shootings in American history.

Many south Florida student-survivors-turned-activists have focused on gun control legislation as a means to stop the next Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, by teaming with Democratic local and state politicians and the March for Our Lives movement. But Mr Pollack has his sights on fixes that run closer to what the Trump administration championed in the days and weeks following the Parkland shooting in February.

The Parkland shooting was a result of lenient criminal justice enforcement in Broward County, Mr Pollack says, not lax gun control laws. An AR-15 didnt kill his daughter, a mentally ill former student with an extensive violent history who was not arrested and treated did, he argues. And, it is not the National Rifle Association (NRA) who is responsible for his daughters spilled blood, its the Democrats who run the school district and sheriffs office there who are.

To just blame the guns or the NRA is idiotic. Whoever does that, all that is is a distraction from really making a difference in school safety, Mr Pollack told The Independent. If someone blames the gun  I take it personally, because its a distraction from what we can accomplish.

Nine months after a gunman armed with an AR-15 opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing Meadow, 13 other students and three school administrators, America remains split heading into the midterm elections on how to combat the deadly epidemic of gun violence that has repeatedly spilled blood in schools, places of worship, and virtually every corner of public and private life.

There may be no greater concentration of that diverse debate than in Broward County, Florida, and Tallahassee  where Mr Pollack, the survivors working with March for Our Lives, and the NRA have all been working to push their agendas.

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On local radio talk shows the issue is ubiquitous: how many restrictions should be placed on buying semi-automatic rifles like the one used in Parkland? How hard should schools be, so that gunmen cannot hope to access and wreak much damage no matter what guns they have access to? How are we going to pay for armed guards in schools?

To a certain degree, there is a fundamental lack of consensus on what the problem truly is. While Mr Pollack and other more conservative figures  including President Donald Trump  have advocated for armed guards in schools and places of worship, others like Fred Guttenberg  whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was also killed in the Parkland shooting  say that simply arming folks is ignoring the ease with which potential murderers can access guns.

When I hear the elected leaders talking the same nonsense that they did after Parkland, it says to me they still dont get the underlying problem and what it takes to fix it, Mr Guttenburg said during an appearance on Democracy Now!, where he was discussing calls to arm guards at houses of worship following the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 worshippers a week and a half ago.

The Parkland shooting spurred a massive public dialogue in the United States around guns, as photographs of those killed circulated on the news media and reminded America of the ugly face of gun violence in the country.

In response, a rare movement on gun legislation was seen in states like Florida and elsewhere where the NRA has leveraged considerable power to thwart any effort to push gun control measures.

In Florida, specifically, Governor Rick Scott signed a sweeping school safety bill  that Mr Pollack helped lobby for  into law less than a month after the shooting. That law raised the minimum age from 18 to 21 to buy a rifle, allows police to seize guns from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, earmarked $400m (306) to improve school security, mental health services and reporting, and allows some school administrators to carry firearms in school. The law also extended a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long gun purchases  such as AR-15s and shotguns  and imposed a ban on bump stocks. The NRA swiftly filed lawsuits challenging parts of the law.

Meanwhile, student survivors rallied against gun violence and in favour of gun controls that would keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals and those with criminal histories, culminating in a massive march in Washington dubbed the March for Our Lives  and many of those students have continued the effort, urging activism at the ballot box in the midterms to usher in politicians who will push back against the NRA and reject political donations from the group.

Although Mr Pollack played a part in the school safety bill passed in Florida  and loosely argues that he does not approach the issue from a partisan standpoint  he continues to push back on what he sees as Democratic policies that ultimately set the stage for his daughters murder alongside more than a dozen other deaths on 14 February.

The culprit, he says, is a culture of tolerance in Broward schools that allowed Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland shooter, to continuously slide by for years without significant punishment for actions that could have been labelled criminal.

Discipline records obtained by the Florida Sun Sentinel appear to support his claims that the gunman slipped through the cracks: Cruz was repeatedly flagged for misbehaving but may have benefited from efforts by administrators to give youth with problems second chances and keep them out of jails, where individuals can be trapped in a cycle that brings them into and out of custody.

That includes a 2013 incident in which Cruz was flagged for vandalising a bathroom  but may have benefited from a diversionary program that lets first-time offenders undergo treatment instead of punishment  and another incident where he was sent to a special school for children with severe emotional and behavioural disorders where he was found to be developmentally delayed.

Meanwhile, the Broward County Sheriffs Office has been criticised as well for repeatedly missing signs that Cruz was a danger. Police records indicate that the sheriffs office received as many as 45 calls related to Cruz or his brother between 2008 and 2017. Calls related to Cruz himself include descriptions of fights between him and his brother, of him cursing at his mother, and of him throwing his mother against a wall for taking away his Xbox.

In a 2016 call, a neighbour warned the sheriffs office that Cruz had posted a photo on Instagram saying he planned to shoot up the school, and others indicated he had tried to kill himself.

Mr Pollack said that he has never been particularly political, but he has had to wake up every day since Valentines Day thinking about the mistakes and policies he says allowed his daughter to die. Now, he knows he is seen as a solid Republican, and he is OK with that, because it means he feels he is fighting for children like his daughter.

Its easy to blame a gun, the tool, he said. Its harder to look at the facts and see what happened. I know what happened here in Broward. I know how many times he couldve been arrested. I know what happened with mental health experts. I know what allowed him to go to school with my beautiful daughter.The Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar has announced it will open on March 28, 2019.

The team behind the museum announced the opening date in a tweet that also reads, "NMoQ tells the story of #Qatar and its people, giving voice to Qatar's rich heritage and culture and expressing a vibrant community's aspirations for the future."

It is with great pleasure that we announce the NMoQ opening date, 28.03.2019.



NMoQ tells the story of #Qatar and its people, giving voice to Qatar's rich heritage and culture and expressing a vibrant community's aspirations for the future.https://t.co/ffgxN4lo2g#NMoQ #Doha pic.twitter.com/I2DBKtBETe  National Museum of Qatar (@NMOQatar) November 4, 2018

Visitors to the museum will learn about Qatar's ancestors and the formation of early cities, as well the modernization of Qatari society. Organized into three chapters -- Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and Building the Nation -- in 11 galleries, the museum will take visitors on a chronological journey beginning before human habitation and moving up through the present day.

Innovative presentation techniques are planned throughout: entire walls will become cinema screens, individual cocoons will hold oral histories, and handheld mobile devices will guide visitors through the museum's displays.

Like the striking, recently-inaugurated Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qatar's National Museum is the work of French architect Jean Nouvel, whose statement on the project describes the museum as "a modern-day caravanserai."

Located along the Doha Corniche and taking its inspiration in part from the nomadic people of Qatari peninsula, the museum is centered around the restored Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, which has previously been the home of the Royal Family and the seat of government.



Nouvel's 40,000-square-meter new building incorporates the palace amidst a modern construction made of steel, glass and concrete that aims to "symbolize the mysteries of the desert's concretions and crystallizations, suggesting the interlocking pattern of the bladelike petals of the desert rose."



A 220-seat auditorium, two retail outlets, two restaurants, a cafe, a food forum showcasing culinary traditions and a park filled with indigenous plants are all part of the building project, while commissioned artwork and installations by Qatari and international artists will adorn the entrances and park.



Find out more about the museum at www.qm.org.qa/en/project/national-museum-qatar.Paris (AFP) - Defence ministers from nine European countries will meet in Paris on Wednesday to set out plans for a joint force that could rapidly be deployed in response to a conflict or natural disaster.

Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal have joined the French-led project -- along with Britain, just as Brexit looms.

A source close to the talks said Finland is also set to join the European Intervention Initiative, known as EI2, which would be independent of both the European Union and NATO.

The meeting comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron, who has pushed for a more muscular European defence policy since his arrival in power last year, called for a "real European army".

Europe can ensure its own protection against Russia and even, under an unpredictable President Donald Trump, the United States, only through united defence, he said.

"We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States," he said.

But the idea of an "EU army" is highly sensitive in member states that jealously guard defence as a matter of national sovereignty.

A French government source later played down Macron's comments, saying that he was not talking about a truly supranational military spanning the continent.

The idea behind EI2 is to be able to rapidly mount a joint military operation, evacuate civilians, or provide aid after a disaster.

Wednesday's meeting is intended to lay out a "roadmap" identifying the nine countries' priorities -- including geographical zones of particular interest -- which senior military officials will develop from Thursday.

"It's about reinforcing Europeans' capacity to act independently to guarantee their security whenever that's necessary," said an aide to French Defence Minister Florence Parly.

Plans for EI2 come as Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from the NATO military alliance, which has underpinned European security since World War II.A controversial new voter ID law in North Dakota made casting a ballot more difficult for thousands of Native Americans living on reservations in the state this year. But in the face of a law critics called plainly unconstitutional, Native Americans in parts of North Dakota appeared to turn out to vote in record numbers in Tuesdays 2018 midterm elections.

More than 5,100 ballots were cast Tuesday in North Dakotas Rolette County, where the Turtle Mountain reservation is located, according to unofficial election results. Activists with Four Directions, a group that promotes voting access for Native Americans and was organizing in North Dakota this week, aimed to surpass turnout from 2008, a presidential election year when 4,619 votes were cast in the county.

We topped the highest turnout since 2008  pretty cool, says OJ Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions and an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, who was in Turtle Mountain on Tuesday. You know when I came here, I didnt think we could do it. But when I started working with the youth council  they put this together in four days. I saw the enthusiasm. I was with them in their march, their rally. They are the ones that lifted the elders up and turned them out.

More than 1,460 ballots were cast in Sioux County, home to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. That exceeded the number of ballots (1,397) cast in the county in 2008. Semans says some Standing Rock precincts ran out of ballots on Tuesday and had to get more because turnout was higher than anticipated.

What's a rising look like in Native Nation? Turtle Mountain Youth marching from the HS to the State Voting Polls!! It was an honor to walk among them in support!! #woke #NativeVote2018 #TmNation pic.twitter.com/Srk17naPtj  Chairman Jamie Azure (@jamiepjten) November 6, 2018

The North Dakota law  which requires that voters present identification displaying a street address, not just a post office box  disproportionately affected Native Americans on reservations, where street addresses are not common. After an October ruling from U.S. Supreme Court allowing the law to take effect, tribal leaders spent weeks scrambling to print ID cards for tribal members and assign street addresses. The legislation gained national attention due to allegations of voter suppression and because of the closely watched reelection campaign of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who was first elected in an upset victory in 2012 with broad support from Native Americans. Both Rolette and Sioux counties voted for Heitkamp in overwhelming numbers on Tuesday, but she lost in a landslide to North Dakota Rep. Kevin Cramer, the states lone Congressman who aligned himself closely with President Trump.

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Proponents of the law argued it would reduce voter fraud, but voting rights advocates have warned it would systemically disenfranchise thousands of Native American voters. And activists on the ground Tuesday said there was a lot of confusion at the polls, describing instances of voters being turned away because poll workers did not accept tribal identification letters or because of discrepancies with their addresses.

You really see a juxtaposition between how eager people are here to vote, and how at every step of the way, its being made as difficult as possible, says Carla Fredericks, director of the American Indian Law Clinic at the University of Colorado Law School. Fredericks  an enrolled citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota  returned to the state this week and spent Election Day on her reservation, helping Native voters.

To me, thats just tragic because I know our country, and especially Native communities and communities of color have a lot of issues with voter turnout, she says. And while the voter turnout is really strong, the impediments that are in place just seem really out of line with our Democratic values.

Members of the Turtle Mountain youth council and tribal leaders march to a polling site near Belcourt, N.D. on Nov. 6, 2018.

Outside of a polling site on their reservation Tuesday, members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians chanted, North Dakota, you cant do that. Turtle Mountain high school and college students led a march in the snow to the polling place, carrying signs that said, Warrior up, Dont disenfranchise us, and, We are the grandchildren of those you couldnt remove.

What's a rising look like in Native Nation? Turtle Mountain Youth marching from the HS to the State Voting Polls!! It was an honor to walk among them in support!! #woke #NativeVote2018 #TmNation pic.twitter.com/Srk17naPtj  Chairman Jamie Azure (@jamiepjten) November 6, 2018

The Turtle Mountains have easily surpassed our voting numbers from state/federal elections the last 4 years and polls are still open. People are literally standing outside in winter conditions waiting to add to that collective Voice of the TM's with their educated Vote!! #Woke  Chairman Jamie Azure (@jamiepjten) November 7, 2018

Alexis Davis, a 19-year-old member of the Turtle Mountain youth council, helped lead get-out-the-vote efforts on the reservation during the past few days, though she was not particularly involved in politics before this election.

But then this voter ID law came, and then I was paying attention, and then I started seeing quotes about how this election is so important and this election is going to make history, she says. They were trying to take a right away from us. It made us want to go in there and vote twice as much and make a statement.The Bangladeshi immigrant convicted on terrorism charges Tuesday for detonating a pipe bomb in a New York City subway station last year explained that he was motivated by opposition to the Trump administrations Middle East policy after the verdict was read.

I was angry with Donald Trump because he says he will bomb the Middle East and then he will protect his nation, Akayed Ullah told the judge in Manhattan federal court, according to the Associated Press.

Prosecutors argued that Ullah intended to kill as many commuters as possible when he detonated the explosive device on December 11, 2017, while Ullahs defense attorneys maintained that he only intended to kill himself, citing his decision to detonate the bomb in an isolated corridor in the Port Authority subway station.

It was about martyrdom, not suicide, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Crowley said during Tuesdays proceedings.

Authorities confirmed that Ullah, 28, actively consumed ISIS propaganda online ahead of the attack and told investigators he did it for the Islamic State following his arrest. Ullahs social-media history also included various taunts directed at the president. No one was seriously injured or killed in the attack.

Ullahs admission comes after a spate of politically motivated violence, including the murder of eleven congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue by an anti-Semitic gunman who had expressed hatred toward President Trump and the mailing of more than a dozen explosive devices to various prominent Trump critics by a deranged Trump supporter.As Americans headed to the polls on Tuesday, few midterm election races were being as closely watched as the Georgia gubernatorial race. In the contest between Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, who would be the nations first black female governor, tensions have been high. Voters have reported long lines, and the close, controversial campaign means the contest may not actually be resolved on Election Day.

The debate in Georgia runs deep  and in at least one instance, offers a window into the complicated history of an issue that has divided Americans for decades.

Over the weekend, Kemp tweeted a photo of heavily armed black men, members of a group known as the New Black Panther Party, holding Stacey Abrams signs. How radical is my opponent? Look at who is backing her, he tweeted. Though the election season has been ripe for hoaxes, this wasnt one. On Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution followed up with an article headlined Those pictures of New Black Panthers campaigning for Abrams are real, and they arent apologizing.

The groups leader, Hashim Nzinga, told the news outlet that its members supported Abrams despite her stance in favor of certain gun-control reforms, even though access to weapons is a foundation of the Panther Party.

The New Black Panther Party group, which has been identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist group, is separate from the original Black Panther Party that was started in 1966. Nevertheless, asked on Election Day to comment on the viral image, the co-founder of the original group Bobby Seale  who dismissed the new group as nothing but some negative crap  explained to TIME how guns did play a key role in the early days of the activist group.

Seale and Huey P. Newton, who died in 1989, were inspired to found the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in part after the Watts Riots took place in the Los Angeles area in 1965. That upheaval began with a confrontation between a law enforcement officer and a resident, and led to more than 30 deaths; Martin Luther King Jr. said the feeling was unanimous that police brutality was part of the equation.

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Im up in Oakland reading about the riot when it was happening, and I said to myself, I want to organize those black folks into a political machine, Bobby Seale told TIME by phone. People and the press only saw the guns, but I want to organize black folks into a political party to get more black folks concerned with our rights elected to political office.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

Seale and Newton sought to level the playing field between authorities and African Americans, so they started essentially patrolling the patrolmen. Taking advantage of California laws that allowed open carry of weapons, they offered a visual reminder of black power. Members of the Black Panthers would follow police cars, especially those known to have been involved in clashes, such as that of the policeman who fatally shot a young black man named Denzil Dowell in North Richmond, Calif., in April 1967. Experts have said the movement was one of black empowerment that represented a shift away from the nonviolence represented by civil rights leaders like King.

As the groups original platform put it, We believe we can end police brutality in our Black community by organizing Black self defense groups that are dedicated to defending our Black community from racist police oppression and brutality. The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States gives us a right to bear arms. We therefore believe that all Black people should arm themselves for self defense.

On May 2, 1967, after hearing that California state assemblyman Don Mulford was drawing up open-carry restrictions in response to the sight of armed Panthers, Seale and a group of armed Black Panther Party members headed to the state capitol in Sacramento. They made it all the way to the Assembly chamber before they were stopped. After the state police questioned the men, they returned the weapons to them because the intruders had broken no law, the Sacramento Bee reported back then.

Reflecting back on that day, Seale laughs.

Why was I doing that? I was patrolling the police so we could capture the imagination of the people. And the law says I have a right to stand here and observe you, he says. That blew the power structures mind. The Black Panther Party believed in the right to self-defense from any attacks, where people would physically be attacking you. Black people are oppressed, and the police occupy our community the way foreign troops occupy a territory, and I want to defend myself from the vigilante, murderous KKK.

Shortly after the Panthers stunt, California Governor and future U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Mulford Act, which put restrictions on the carrying of weapons in public. The law even boasted the backing of the National Rifle Association. Reagan said he saw no reason why on the street today a citizen should be carrying loaded weapons, but Seale says he believes that the legislators and advocates behind the law were specifically interested in keeping the Black Panthers from carrying guns.

Today, Georgia law does not require permits for people to openly carry guns like the ones shown in the image that spread this week.

But, even if openly carrying weapons is a key part of Black Panther history, Seale says he worries how the efforts of the New Black Panther Party efforts, which he repudiated, will be perceived. There is a time and a place for such imagery, he said, but campaign season is not it, especially given that the original Black Panther Party also aimed to elect more black officials.

Stacey Abrams does not need those people, he told TIME.

Georgia polls close at 7 p.m. ET.Islamabad (AFP) - One week after the country's highest court ordered her release, a Pakistani Christian who has spent eight years on death row for blasphemy was still in prison Wednesday, with no immediate prospect of freedom.

Thousands of Islamists poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Asia Bibi's conviction, in a case that has laid bare the divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim nation.

Ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities to demand her immediate execution, in a three-day stand-off that ended when Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration agreed to allow a review of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Critics blasted the climbdown -- which came just days after Khan vowed to confront the protesters -- as another capitulation to religious conservatives.

The deal has left Bibi in legal limbo -- and languishing in jail for a crime of which she has been acquitted.

"Asia Bibi is in Multan jail and has not been released yet. We have not received orders to release her so far," Zawar Hussain Warraich, minister for prisons in Punjab province, told AFP.

"Normally we receive orders in two days after court judgement and if relatives and lawyers of a prisoner are very active, they can bring it even within a day, but as far as Asia Bibi is concerned, it has not happened yet," Warraich added.

"Supreme Court should issue a directive to send us her release orders. We will release her as soon as we get it."

He denied reports that extra security had been laid on for Bibi, saying "she is already well protected by the jail staff".

An appeal has been filed with the court against Bibi's release and the party that headed the protests demanding her execution, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, has warned its hardliners were prepared to take to the streets again.

Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs.

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The case stems from an incident in 2009 when Bibi was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl, and reportedly a fight erupted.

A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed -- a charge she has consistently denied.

Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih has appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum, while her lawyer has fled to the Netherlands.

Masih said the delay in releasing his wife, a mother of five, was adding to the family's agony.

"The daughters are weeping. They still haven't seen their mother. The family is totally shattered," he said.House minority leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called on newly appointed acting attorney general Matt Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian election meddling.

Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Muellers investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts  Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) November 7, 2018

Whitaker, the former chief of staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, succeeded Sessions Wednesday after the one-time Alabama senator resigned at Trumps direction. Whitaker criticized Mueller for exceeding his mandate and suggested curtailing his teams funding in an August op-ed, prompting speculation that he, rather than Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, was chosen to replace Sessions because he is sympathetic to Trumps criticisms of the probe.

Trump has attacked Sessions repeatedly over the past year for ceding control of the Mueller probe to Rosenstein. Sessions recused himself from all Russia-related matters after it became clear that he misled investigators about his contacts with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak during the 2016 campaign.

After confining his criticism of Sessions to private conversation throughout his first year in office, Trump began levying personal insults against one of his earliest supporters in multiple interviews as well as on Twitter.

He took the job and then he said, Im going to recuse myself. I said, What kind of a man is this? Trump said of Sessions in a Fox News interview earlier this year. I wanted to stay uninvolved. But when everybody sees whats going on in the Justice Department  I always put justice now with quotes.

With Democrats set to retake control of the House, Pelosi is expected to win the speakership and launch multiple investigations into the presidents conduct, which will no doubt be bolstered by congressional subpoena power. Pelosi has also emphasized the importance of protecting Muellers investigation, signaling she may pursue legislation to that end.Peter Gouldstone was left fighting for his life after attacked by burglars (SWNS)

Police are searching for burglars who brutally attacked and robbed a 98-year-old man, leaving him fighting for his life.

Police say Peter Gouldstone was found with multiple serious injuries following the brutal and senseless attack at his home in Enfield, north London, on Tuesday morning.

The frail pensioner sustained multiple bruising to his body as well as a head injury, and was rushed to an east London Hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition.

Police say the thugs  who stole a TV and other items  used excessive violence.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, of the Mets North Area CID, said: This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home.

The 98-year-old was savagely beaten by intruders at his home in Enfield, north London (SWNS)

The level of violence used was completely excessive.

From our inquiries we have established that the victim was spoken to by a family member on the telephone on Monday November 5th at 2pm and had not raised any concerns.

We are therefore confident, the attack has taken place in the 20-hour window between then, possible Bonfire Night, to when he was discovered.

Mr Gouldstones neighbours said the area was a burglary blackspot.



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One resident living in the same street as the victim said they had been burgled six times in the last 10 years.

One neighbour said his house had been burgled six times in the last 10 years.

Khalid Mahmood, 42, added: The police didnt catch anyone  they even took out clothes away for forensics.

Its bad, I do feel unsafe  Im here with three kids and my wife.

Mr Gouldstones neighbour said they had been burgled six times in the last 10 years (SWNS)

My next door neighbour was 92-years-old  she was burgled twice leading up to her death four years ago.

Story continues

The poor woman would not stop shaking, she lived on her home and she was in fear of another break in.

These things are something youve come to expect.

Former print maker Len Steiner, 85, who has lived on the street for 70 years, added: I havent seen Peter for the past four years  he never left the house.

Ive had break-ins before; its a fairly common thing around here.

No arrests have so far been made.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 2140/6Nov, or tweeting @MetCC under Operation Name Burrow.WASHINGTON (AP)  The Pentagon says that a Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. military reconnaissance plane in international airspace over the Black Sea on Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon says the Russian SU-27 made a high-speed pass directly in front of the U.S. EP-3 and came "very, very close" to the American aircraft. Pahon says the Russian jet then activated its afterburners creating more turbulence, and then made a second pass by the U.S. plane.

He says it was deemed an unsafe encounter that put the U.S. pilots and crew at risk. He says there was no communication between the two aircraft and the incident lasted about 25 minutes.

The U.S. EP-3 Aries came out of Souda Bay, Greece, and was conducting routine operations.Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra spotted at the airport Pics: Yogen Shah

After having the most happening bachelorette party ever, Priyanka Chopra is back to the bay! The wedding date of Priyanka and Nick Jonas is inching closer, and the bride-to-be has returned to Mumbai to start prepping for the D-Day. The actress was spotted at the Mumbai airport last night with sister Parineeti Chopra, who was also a part of her party in Amsterdam. While the gals had a rather kick-ass party there, were sure PeeCees friends here in India are also going to host her one and we simply cannot wait to see the pics already!

The Bajirao Mastani actress wore a leopard print turtleneck top and dark brown bell bottoms to go with it. We wonder how she manages to look so fresh and active despite having such a hectic schedule! As for younger sister Pari, she wore the classic combo of a white top with blue denim and a grey oversized cardigan to go with it. Have the Chopra sisters got their airport style game on point? We think so!

Priyanka and Nicks wedding is one of the most anticipated ones apart from Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukones. Call it sheer coincidence or what but their wedding function dates are all set to clash. Piggy Chops is reportedly going to get married on December 1, which is when DeepVeer have decided to host a reception for their friends in B-Town. Reports also suggest that Ranveer and Deepika have invited Priyanka to their wedding but the latter doesnt have anyone on the guest list from Bollywood. (Latestly)

Pics: Yogen Shah



Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Nov. 2 that signs declaring Ontario is open for business will be installed at border crossings across the province.

With a price tag of $106,700, Fords spokesman Simon Jeffries said the signs are a necessary cost to project to the world that Ontario is business-friendly.

The announcement prompted Ontarians to perform a cost-benefit analysis of their own, some wondering when the province was ever closed and whether the signs are worth the cost, and others celebrating the signs as a solid investment and symbol of what Ford claims will be a new era of economic prosperity.

Making Ontario Open for Business Act

The unveiling of the first sign roughly coincides with the tabling of the governments proposed Making Ontario Open for Business Act.

If passed, Bill 47 will cancel the previous governments planned $15 minimum wage, freezing the wage at $14 until at least 2020. It also aims to cancel two guaranteed paid sick days for all Ontario workers.

With the Act already through its first reading, the Official Opposition NDP and labour groups are warning it will strip Ontario workers of basic protections guaranteed by the former governments legislation, including equal pay for equal work, emergency leave days and the right to turn down last-minute shift changes.

Sign reading Welcome to Ontario open for business. (Government of Ontario)

The Tories argue the bill will cut through job-killing regulations and modernize Ontarios skilled trades and apprenticeship system. During the unveiling of the first sign at Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia, Ont., Ford touted the Act and the signs as components of a two-part plan to create jobs and bring investment into Ontario.

Some business owners and entrepreneurs have taken to social media to say the signs and proposed legislation give them a sense of hope for the future of their businesses. Others who support the signs argue that they are a better investment of tax dollars than previous governments initiatives.

Those who oppose the signs argue that a government so concerned with finding cost savings cant afford to spend $106,000 on symbolic signs. Others doubt the signs will have any impact on investment in the province. Some have called the signs tone deaf and self-serving.

Story continues

Here is what both camps are saying on Twitter and in comments on Yahoo Canada News.

A majority of Ontarios voting population may have elected Ford, but in some cases, criticism of the signs clearly outweighed support:

What do you think? Are these new signs a smart investment or a waste of tax dollars? Let us know by responding to the poll above or have your say in the comments below.Warsaw (AFP) - Poland's president and prime minister on Wednesday called a march in Warsaw to mark the country's independence day centenary this weekend, hours after the capital's mayor banned one planned by far-right groups for the occasion.

Those groups have vowed to appeal the ban in court and to go ahead with their march on Sunday regardless.

The developments reflect the chaos surrounding independence day preparations by the EU country's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government, just days ahead of Poland's centenary coinciding with the World War I armistice.

"It was decided that... there will be a joint white-red march that will be an event organised by the state," presidential spokesman Blazej Spychalski told reporters in Warsaw. White and red are Poland's national colours.

"We invite all Poles to take part," he added.

The announcement came following hastily called talks between President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

EU President and former Polish prime minister Donald Tusk -- a critic of the PiS government -- will nevertheless attend official ceremonies Sunday in Warsaw led by Duda, an ally of the government.

- 'Aggressive nationalism' -

Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, an ally of Tusk, on Wednesday banned the centenary march by far-right groups, insisting it was inappropriate and unsafe.

Last year's event drew international outrage after some of its participants shouted racist and anti-immigrant slogans.

Their annual march is organised in part by the National Radical Camp (ONR), a group with roots stretching back to an anti-semitic pre-World War II movement.

Gronkiewicz-Waltz told reporters in Warsaw she had not received assurances from the PiS government regarding a police presence to guarantee the event's security.

"Warsaw has suffered enough due to aggressive nationalism" she added, referring to Nazi Germany's attacks that nearly wiped Warsaw off the map during World War II.

Story continues

"This should not be the way to mark one century of the independence of the Polish state, hence my decision to ban the march," Gronkiewicz-Waltz said.

The organisers have 24 hours to appeal the ban in court but spokesman Mateusz Marzoch vowed to defy the ban "regardless", labelling the mayor's words "reprehensible, shameful and... arrogant".

- Tensions with EU -

Before the ban, organisers said they had expected between 100,000 and 250,000 participants after last year's march drew around 60,000.

While many participants denied sympathy for extreme right groups, the event also drew representatives of far-right parties from Britain, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia.

Duda and PiS leaders pulled out of the march last week after officials failed to convince its organisers to carry only Polish flags this year in a bid to avoid racist overtones.

Since winning office in 2015, the PiS government has put Poland on a collision course with the European Union. It has introduced a string of controversial judicial reforms that Brussels has warned pose a threat to judicial independence, the rule of law and ultimately to democracy.WASHINGTON  President Trump abruptly announced on Twitter Wednesday that Jeff Sessions is no longer the U.S. attorney general.

We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well, Trump tweeted, adding: We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.

The Department of Justice provided Yahoo News with a copy of an undated resignation letter from Sessions to the president. At the top of the letter, Sessions indicated the president asked him to resign.

At your request, I am submitting my resignation, Sessions wrote.

In the past, Sessions has referred to being attorney general as his dream job. In the letter, he said he had been honored to serve.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Sessionss departure.

Sessionss exit came within hours of a lengthy White House press conference where Trump suggested some major staff changes would be coming soon.

When pressed, the president declined to say what those changes might be. He framed potential turnover as standard operating procedure after the end of an election cycle.

Jeff Sessions listens as President Trump speaks before he is sworn in as attorney general on Feb. 9, 2017. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Trumps White House has seen extensive turbulence with multiple high-level departures. Sessions has long been seen as having a questionable future with the White House because Trump has repeatedly expressed his disapproval of the attorney generals decision to recuse himself from special counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe.

Sessionss recusal stems from the fact he was an active supporter of Trumps 2016 campaign. The Mueller probe is examining whether Trumps campaign team colluded with Russian efforts to interfere in that presidential race. Sessionss recusal prevented him from stopping the probe, which Trump has attacked as an unfair witch hunt.

Story continues

Whitaker, on the other hand, has expressed frustration with Muellers probe.

In a CNN op-ed published last year, Whitaker suggested the investigation had gone too far amid reports that the special counsel was looking into the Trump Organizations financial records.

Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing, Whitaker wrote. This information is deeply concerning to me. It does not take a lawyer or even a former federal prosecutor like myself to conclude that investigating Donald Trumps finances or his familys finances falls completely outside of the realm of his 2016 campaign and allegations that the campaign coordinated with the Russian government or anyone else. That goes beyond the scope of the appointment of the special counsel.

Matthew Whitaker, left, and Jeff Sessions. (Photos: Charlie Neibergall/AP, Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

On Capitol Hill, reaction to Sessionss ouster among Democrats was swift.

While the president may have the authority to replace the Attorney General, this must not be the first step in an attempt to impede, obstruct or end the Mueller investigation, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a statement. No one is above the law and any effort to interfere with the special counsels investigation would be a gross abuse of power by the president.

Senators from both parties have repeatedly affirmed their support for Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation, Warner added. Every one of them should speak out now and deliver a clear message to the president that the special counsels investigation must continue without interference.

It is impossible to read Attorney General Sessions firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by @realDonaldTrump to undermine & end Special Counsel Muellers investigation, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted. Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Muellers investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed.

Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general, Schumer said.

Read Sessionss letter to Trump below.

This post was updated at 3:37 p.m. with further details including Sessions s letter.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:Princess Diana had a naughty sense of humor and a recently resurfaced card proves it.

The Princess of Wales sent the item, now up for sale at Juliens Auctions, to her accountant Anthony Burrows sometime in the 1990s. The card is part of the auction houses Icons & Idols: Hollywood sale, which will take place on Nov. 16-17.

The client selling it is a collector who got it from the original person that Princess Diana sent it to, a spokesperson for the auction house told HuffPost, estimating that it will be sold for around $800 to $1,200.

The card depicts Sleeping Beauty resting in her bed. On the front, it reads, A little prick in the hand sent Sleeping Beauty to sleep, while the inside says, Only the big ones are worth staying awake for!

Dirty Diana, indeed!

The front of the card that Diana sent to her accountant and friend. (Photo: Julien's Auctions Icons & Idols: Hollywood)

So naughty! (Photo: )

The card really shows off the Princess of Wales cheeky side, though her own handwritten message is very simple: Tony, A belated Happy Birthday for the 5th! from Diana.

Princes William and Harry spoke about their mothers sense of humor in the HBO documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy. William said she used to send him very embarrassing cards when he was away at school.

Behind closed doors, she was a loving mother and an incredibly funny person. All I can hear is her laugh in my head, Harry said, noting that one of her mottos was You can be as naughty as you want, but just dont get caught.

Harry added, She was the naughtiest parent.

Princess Diana with Prince William (left), Prince Harry and a friend at an amusement park in 1994. (Photo: Julian Parker via Getty Images)

Another item linked to Diana, one of her old Ralph Lauren sweatshirts, went up for sale in August at RR Auction. The item of clothing was presented by Princess Diana to Deborah Gribble, the chief stewardess of Dodi Fayeds family yacht Jonikal, the night before Diana and Fayed were killed in a car crash on August 31, 1997, according to the auction house.

The sweatshirt sold for $7,514.

The cream-colored sweatshirt that sold for more than $7,500, (Photo: RR AUCTION)

Royal news doesnt stop at the wedding. Subscribe to HuffPosts Watching the Royals newsletter for all things Windsor (and beyond).

Story continues

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.Muscat (AFP) - Israel's transport minister on Wednesday pitched plans to link the Mediterranean to the Gulf via the Jewish state, as his country pushes unprecedented public rapprochement with the Arab region.

"It makes sense and is beyond political and ideological disagreements," said Yisrael Katz, whose country has diplomatic ties with only two Arab states.

The "Tracks of Peace" rail link, which Katz said was supported by the administration of US President Donald Trump, was "based on two central ideas -- Israel as a land bridge and Jordan as a regional transportation hub".

Katz, who was speaking at an international transport conference in Oman, said the proposed railway was favourable to Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states -- as well as the Palestinian economy.

"It will create an additional trade route in the region, which is shorter, faster and cheaper, and will contribute to the economies of Jordan, the Palestinians -- who will also be connected to the initiative -- Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, and in the future Iraq as well," Katz said.

A transcript of the minister's comments was provided to AFP by his office.

Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory remains a major obstacle to official recognition by Arab countries, and the only ones it has diplomatic relations with are Egypt and Jordan.

Katz's trip to Oman comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the Gulf sultanate -- the first in more than 20 years by an Israeli premier.

The trip was a coup for Netanyahu, who wants to bolster ties with the Arab world in the face of the perceived expansion of Iranian influence across the region.

It also follows highly publicised visits late last month by Israel's culture and communications ministers to the United Arab Emirates.Dubai (AFP) - Amnesty International said on Wednesday it feared 12 minority Shiites in Saudi Arabia faced "imminent" execution after their cases were transferred to a powerful security body that reports directly to the king.

The men, sentenced to death in a mass trial in 2016 after being convicted of spying for regional rival Iran, have been handed over to the "Presidency of State Security", which was set up last year by combining all counterterrorism and domestic intelligence services.

"The families of the men are terrified by this development and the lack of information provided to them on the status of the cases of their loved ones," said Heba Morayef, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa director.

"Given the secrecy surrounding Saudi Arabia's judicial proceedings, we fear that this development signals the imminent execution of the 12 men."

Morayef added that the men were sentenced to death after a "grossly unfair mass trial".

Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shiite protesters have periodically staged demonstrations in the kingdom's eastern region, complaining of discrimination by the Sunni-dominated government, a charge the authorities deny.

The Shiite community is estimated to make up between 10 and 15 percent of the kingdom's population of 32 million, but the government has released no official statistics.

The ultra-conservative kingdom has one of the world's highest rates of execution, with suspects convicted of terrorism, homicide, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking facing the death penalty.

The government says the death penalty is an effective deterrent against serious crime.

On Monday, the kingdom's rights record came under strong criticism at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of trials in the kingdom, an absolute monarchy governed under a strict form of Islamic law.Moscow (AFP) - Russia has allowed the release of a Hollywood blockbuster in which an American submarine crew rescue a Russian president, after it was mysteriously postponed, its local distributor said Wednesday.

Released in the US last month, "Hunter Killer" is a thriller starring Gerard Butler as a US submarine captain who tries to prevent World War III after the Russian president is taken hostage by his rogue defence minister.

It was due to arrive in Russian cinemas last week but the film was withdrawn at the last minute after the culture ministry withheld its screening licence.

"Tomorrow! The thriller 'Hunter Killer' with Gerard Butler in the title role will be released," Megogo Distribution said on its Facebook page Wednesday.

A licence for screening had been granted, the company told Russian news agencies.

The ministry initially said it had refused to approve the release because the company did not show confirmation it had "transferred the film for permanent storage in the Russian state film fund."

But others, including opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, suggested officials could be blocking the movie for presenting even a fictional scenario in which a Russian president is deposed.

The movie's troubles in Russia followed its failure to open in neighbouring Ukraine.

The distribution company told AFP the government was preventing the film from screening there.

Though there is no official explanation of the ban in Ukraine, reports have cited a Ukrainian law which bans films popularising a military of the "aggressor state" or "creating a positive image" of its employees.

Ukraine considers Russia an aggressor which supports an insurgency in its eastern region, where pro-Russia separatists have declared independence from Kiev.Fox News host Sean Hannity, who drew widespread criticism when he campaigned on stage with President Donald Trump on Monday, was keen to play down projections that Democrats would flip the House in Tuesdays midterm elections.

Hannity tweeted late Tuesday that the election results had been a massive win for Trump and the Republicans whom the president had campaigned for.

MOST in the media are absolutely clueless-tonight was a massive win 4 DJT & the ppl he campaigned 4-remember btwn the House & Senate Obama lost 69 seats, Clinton lost 60 seats-the democrats winning the house is meaningless - stay tuned for my analysis on radio & TV. Great night.  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 7, 2018

Democrats seizing control of the House was meaningless, he added.

Hannity also blasted most in the media for being absolutely clueless, echoing his fake news media rant when he was on stage with Trump in Missouri.

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Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pledged military support for Gulf Arab states if their security comes under threat, the state daily Al-Ahram reported Wednesday.

"If the security of the Gulf is directly threatened, Egypt will mobilise its forces to support its brothers," Sisi was quoted as saying in a meeting with the press in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"Egypt stands body and soul by the side of our Gulf brothers," he said, without specifying the source of any outside threat.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pumped billions of dollars into Egypt's economy since its military -- then headed by Sisi -- toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Sisi successfully ran for Egypt's presidency in 2014 and has cracked down on opposition, including Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. He was re-elected with 97 percent of the vote in elections in March this year.

Along with the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Egypt severed diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of links to extremist groups and being too close to Iran -- charges Doha denies.

Shiite powerhouse Iran is Saudi Arabia's main regional rival.

Egypt is also a member of the Saudi-led coalition which has since 2015 been fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.Moscow (AFP) - Acclaimed Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov insisted he "never stole anything" as he appeared in court Wednesday on embezzlement charges, seen by his supporters as part of a crackdown on artistic freedom.

The 49-year-old, who has challenged social norms and modernised the Russian art scene, made the remarks at his first open hearing in Moscow's Meshchansky court after spending more than a year under house arrest.

The artistic director of the Gogol Centre theatre said he did not understand the meaning of the prosecution's indictment, which he compared to a "broken printer" that repeats "absurd" claims over and over.

"I never stole or embezzled anything," he said, sporting his trademark black hat and purple sneakers.

"I have not and do not consider myself guilty," he told the court, adding he had never been involved in financial matters.

The court was packed with dozens of supporters including award-winning film director Andrei Zvyagintsev, writer Lyudmila Ulitskaya and actress Kseniya Rappoport.

Some wore t-shirts with the faces of Serebrennikov and his three co-defendants Sofia Apfelbaum, Yuri Itin and Alexei Malobrodsky, who also came from their house arrests to a trial set to continue for weeks at least.

The director is accused of creating an organised criminal group with his colleagues, embezzling more than $2 million (1.75 million euros) of state funding for a theatre project called Platforma.

He has insisted the money was used properly after the project was backed by the Kremlin in 2011.

The director's supporters see his case as part of a growing clampdown on artistic independence under President Vladimir Putin.

Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has been among those calling for the charges against him to be dropped.

Serebrennikov had been a critic of growing censorship of the arts in Russia, warning that "everything is returning to the most pathetic Soviet practices" and Gogol Centre had been a target of smear attacks prior to the case.

Story continues

- 'Destroying intelligentsia' -

"This trial is aimed at destroying the authority of the creative intelligentsia," Russian actress Julia Aug wrote on Facebook ahead of the hearing.

The prosecution claims Serebrennikov and his co-defendants stole part of the funds allocated for the Platforma interdisciplinary modern art project between 2011 and 2014.

They are accused of signing fake contracts for "imaginary services" and then using the money "for their personal needs" while filing sham financial reports to the government.

Prosecutor Oleg Lavrov on Wednesday alleged Serebrennikov coordinated the "criminal group" and misled the culture ministry by providing "false information".

But Serebrennikov told the court that government funding was "always late", forcing him and others to inject cash into the project which was then returned.

He said he did not know if these transactions went through an accountant but insisted that Platforma made every production that was planned and said the project was audited multiple times by the government without problems.

Oscar-nominated film director Andrei Zvyagintsev said that he did not believe "one word of the prosecutor".

The way Serebrennikov handled the Platforma project is typical of the workings of the cultural sphere in Russia, Zvyagintsev told AFP outside the courtroom.

"It is clear to me that he is innocent and that truth is on his side," he said.

Wednesday's hearing lasted for more than five hours and was adjourned until Thursday.

- Working under house arrest -

The free-wheeling director has fallen foul of Russian conservatives, with culture minister Vladimir Medinsky known to dislike his daring interpretations of Russian classics.

His ballet "Nureyev" was delayed by months for mysterious reasons, and reports claimed the minister found the production too controversial, particularly for hanging a nude portrait of the legendary dancer as part of the set.

However the ballet eventually premiered in the Bolshoi theatre, with the audience including several government officials and even Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Serebrennikov has continued to work even under house arrest: his movie "Leto" (Summer) about legendary Soviet rocker Viktor Tsoi, was completed without his physical presence after he was arrested during filming in St. Petersburg.

He also managed to produce the opera "Cosi Fan Tutte", which premiered in Zurich on Sunday, by recording videos with instructions on memory sticks which were then sent to Switzerland, and received rehearsal recordings back.

The international cast of the opera came out for the curtain call wearing "Free Kirill" T-shirts.

Last week, Serebrennikov was nominated in three different categories for Russia's prestigious Golden Mask theatre award, with both of his 2017 theatrical premieres up for prizes.Paris (AFP) - Rates of female genital mutilation among girls under 14 have fallen sharply in most regions of Africa over three decades, according to ground-breaking analysis cautiously welcomed by aid groups.

The age-old ritual of cutting or removing the clitoris of young females has been decried by human and women's rights advocates and can lead to a host of physical, psychological and sexual complications.

And yet it remains widespread in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Historically, rates of FGM have been high in East Africa. In 2016, for example, the UN children's agency said 98 percent of women and girls in Somalia had been cut.

But the new research suggests the practice has been falling over time in younger children, the most at-risk group.

While still endemic in many societies there is a growing stigma attached to the practice, making it hard for researchers to get a good idea of whether FGM has remained stable or is in decline.

A team of scientists based in Britain and South Africa conducted the most sophisticated statistical analysis of FGM rates, covering 29 countries and stretching back to 1990.

They drew upon data from two distinct surveys encompassing close to 210,000 children, carried out for the Demographic Health Survey and UNICEF.

After combining the data and eliminating repeat cases, they found a "huge and significant decline" in the prevalence of FGM in under-14s across several regions.

Populous East African nations such as Kenya and Tanzania with low FGM rates -- 3 to 10 percent of girls each year -- ensured a sharp downward trend across the region.

In Eritrea, however, an average of 67 percent of girls were subjected to the procedure each year between 1995-2002.

- 'Public health priority' -

The team determined that FGM prevalence in girls in East Africa fell from 71.4 percent in 1995 to just 8 percent in 2016.

"Recent estimates show that more than 200 million women and children around the world have undergone FGM," Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, professor of biostatistics at Britain's Northumbria University and lead study author, told AFP.

Story continues

"Preventing FGM should be a major public health priority in countries and regions still showing a high prevalence among children."

Other regions in Africa saw similar falls in FGM rates over time.

In West Africa the decline was less pronounced but still significant: from 73 percent in 1996 to a little over 25 percent in 2017.

But the study, published Wednesday in the BMJ journal, found that FGM rates in Middle Eastern nations -- including Yemen and Iraq -- had increased.

Naana Otoo-Oyortey, executive director of the anti-FGM charity Forward not involved in the research, told AFP the study would prove "critical in providing insights on reduction in the prevalence of FGM within the 0-14 year group".

But she said it painted an incomplete picture as in some nations, new laws banning FGM might simply be stopping families reporting the practice, rather than abandoning it altogether.

"It is vital that prevalence statistics are accompanied by a contextual and nuanced analysis of shifts in attitudes towards FGM across these countries," said Otoo-Oyortey.

- 'Challenge social norms' -

Jamillah Mwanjisi, head of advocacy, campaigns and media for Save the Children Somalia/Somaliland, without commenting on the study, said FGM remained a major problem.

"We don't have a clear-cut law that says FGM is a criminal offence against children," she told AFP, without commenting on the study's findings.

"In Somalia there's a lack of really strong political will to challenge the social and cultural norms."

Mwanjisi did say, however, that she had witnessed a small fall in the number of 15-17 year-olds who had been cut -- from 98 percent two years ago to 90 percent currently.

This suggests there may be a data lag when it comes to FGM, and that as rates among under 14s drop, we may see a corresponding fall in the overall proportion of women subjected to the procedure.

"The data provided in this study may not answer the question why rates of FGM have fallen," said Kandala.

"Probably mothers' attitude is the main factor, but to answer this question more accurately further studies and data collection is needed."



In what appears to be an unintentional rollout of the highly-anticipated threads, a trio of third jerseys have made their way onto the international version of the NHLs official online store.

The alternate sweaters for the Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs were revealed Tuesday, and theyre  pretty  meh.

The Kings tarp is a slightly-altered version of the teams 50th anniversary jersey, which the team wore 16 times during the 2016-17 campaign.

The Maple Leafs will rock a very similar version of the 1919-1927 Toronto St. Pats threads that they sported for their March 18th contest against the Chicago Blackhawks last season, but it is unclear whether this will be a full-blown third jersey or will just be worn for a couple of games.

Tampas is, well, pretty bland, with the jersey featuring no striping at all and a straight, all-black look with a gradient pattern into dark grey on the sleeves. It looks like a $250 pyjama shirt and I kind of respect it.

(h/t icethetics.com)

More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports Canada:



Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he hoped to meet again early next year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but insisted he was in "no rush" after top-level preparatory talks were abruptly postponed.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been set to meet a top North Korean official on Thursday in New York to prepare a second summit and work on a potentially landmark deal on ending the totalitarian state's nuclear program.

But North Korea has stepped up its demands for an easing of US sanctions and the State Department, without offering a reason, said late Tuesday that Pompeo's meeting was off.

Trump, in a free-wheeling news conference after midterm elections, said he was willing eventually to ease the pressure on North Korea.

"I would love to take the sanctions off, but they have to be responsive, too," Trump said.

Trump played down the delay in Pompeo's meeting with Kim Yong Chol, a right-hand man of North Korea's leader, and said it was a scheduling issue.

"We will make it another day. But we are very happy how it is going with North Korea," Trump said.

"But I will say this, I will say this very simply -- We are in no rush, the sanctions are on," he said.

North Korea has demanded that the United States end its tough economic sanctions now that it is negotiating with Trump over its nuclear program.

State-run media, in a statement last week, warned that North Korea was "seriously" considering a return to a guiding policy of building nuclear weapons and said that sanctions were "incompatible" with improving relations with Washington.

But the Trump administration says that sanctions must remain as pressure until a final accord, rejecting an incremental approach favored by ally South Korea as well as calls to end sanctions by China and Russia.

- 'Nobody else' but Trump -

Trump met in June in Singapore with Kim in the first-ever summit between the two countries that never formally ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

Story continues

Trump has cast his diplomacy with the elusive thirtysomething leader as evidence of his masterful deal-making. Just a year ago, he was threatening "fire and fury" against North Korea.

At the news conference, Trump pointed out that North Korea has not tested further missiles amid the talks.

"We made more progress in that four or five months (since the summit) than they have made in 70 years," he said, referring to previous US leaders.

"And nobody else could have done what I have done," he said.

His insistence on being in "no rush" -- which he repeated five times in different formulations -- may be a response to criticism that North Korea has not moved quickly enough since the summit.

Many North Korea watchers doubt that the regime will ever truly give up nuclear weapons, to which three generations of the Kim dynasty have generously devoted the country's scarce resources.

North Korea -- considered by human rights groups to be one of the most oppressive regimes in the world -- has for years sought formal US recognition as a way to guarantee the regime's survival.

Former president Barack Obama, who generally welcomed chances to improve relations with US adversaries, was skeptical of North Korea and pursued a policy of "strategic patience" -- effectively deciding to wait indefinitely so long as the regime does not budge.Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump will meet on Saturday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on the sidelines of World War I commemoration ceremonies.

The two leaders were to discuss notably "the situation in Syria" and "the threat posed by Iran," a White House official said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The tete-a-tete is the only bilateral meeting slated for Trump's Paris trip, according to the official.

The Kremlin had evoked the possibility of talks between Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, but Trump said Wednesday no such meeting was planned.

The US president, along with his wife Melania, will be among leaders of at least 60 countries expected in Paris on Sunday to kick off the commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

The main ceremony will take place at the Arc de Triomphe war monument in Paris at 11 a.m. on November 11 -- marking the time when the guns finally fell silent after four years of trench warfare and general European slaughter.

Trump will attend the ceremonies to "highlight the sacrifices that Americans have made, not only during World War I but also in the century since, in the name of liberty," the White House said.

Over the weekend Trump will visit the Bois Belleau and Suresnes American cemeteries.

The last meeting between Trump and Macron dates back to September, when the duo met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he doesnt want to let Democrats see his tax returns once they assume control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.

But thats actually not up to the president  according to the law, at least.

The leaders of key congressional committees can ask the IRS for anybodys tax returns. Republicans simply did not want to do so. Democrats said in October that they would ask the IRS for Trumps returns if they regained control of the House, which they did on Tuesday night.

Trump said Wednesday that he would hand over his tax returns if he werent being audited  an excuse he has made since his 2016 campaign, even though nothing about an IRS audit prevents a candidate or a president from disclosing his returns.

If I were finished with the audit, I would have an open mind to it, he said Wednesday in a rambling answer to a reporters question.

Federal law gives congressional tax committees the power to obtain anyones tax returns. If the taxpayer doesnt consent in writing, the committees still have the power to obtain the returns in a secret meeting.

In response to a written request, the law says, the Secretary [of the Treasury] shall furnish such committee with any return or return information specified in such request.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin would review any such request with department lawyers for legality, according to a spokesperson.

I dont think theres any reasonable basis to resist, said Steve Rosenthal, a senior fellow with the Tax Policy Center. But, he added, theres no telling what this president will do, whether hell flout the law.

Trump was the first major-party presidential candidate in 40 years not to release his tax returns, which can reveal detailed information about a persons sources of income, charitable giving and the amount of taxes paid.

Related Coverage

Trump Helped Parents Shield Millions From Taxes: New York Times

Trump Complains About GOP Incumbents Who Didn't Embrace Him And Lost

Story continues

Donald Trump Rips Into CNN's Jim Acosta: 'You Are A Rude, Terrible Person'

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Tunis (AFP) - Rene Trabelsi, Tunisia's first Jewish minister in decades, has for years been co-organiser of an annual pilgrimage to the oldest synagogue in Africa.

Trabelsi, who was appointed tourism minister on Monday evening, lives between France and Tunisia.

But he grew up on the island of Djerba, heartland of Tunisia's Jewish community and the site of the pilgrimage which attracts thousands of people each year.

His father, Perez, has been the leader of the Jewish community there since 1985 and is president of the island's famous Ghriba synagogue.

For two days, pilgrims pray and sing in Hebrew as they light candles and place votive eggs in a cave below the house of worship on the island just off southern Tunisia.

About 3,000 people took part in the first day of this year's festivities in May, authorities said.

Trabelsi's role co-organising the pilgrimage, along with his enthusiastic banter and passion for Jewish-Muslim coexistence, have made him a prominent figure in the media.

After studying management in France, in the 1990s he set up his first travel agency, Royal First Travel, which now caters to some 300,000 travellers a year, mostly visitors from France to Tunisia.

While he is active in the national hotels federation, the ministry is the 56-year-old father of three's first job in politics.

He is the country's third-ever Jewish minister. The previous two were Albert Bessis who served in the 1955 government that led Tunisia to independence, and Andre Barouch, who worked in president Habib Bourguiba's administration in 1956.

Tunisia's Jewish population has fallen from around 100,000 before independence from France in 1956 to an estimated 1,500 today.

It is still recovering from a 2002 Al-Qaeda suicide bombing on the Djerba synagogue that killed 21 people, mostly Germans.

That was far from the only jihadist attack to hit Tunisia's vital tourism sector.

Jihadist attacks in 2015 included one at the National Bardo museum in Tunis and another targeting a beach resort in Sousse, which together killed 59 foreign tourists and a Tunisian guard.

The sector has since rebounded, and government data showed that more than six million foreign travellers visited Tunisia in the first nine months of 2018.ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that joint patrols by U.S. forces and a Kurdish-led militia in northern Syria are "unacceptable."

The U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces conducted two joint patrols last week after Turkish artillery shelled Kurdish positions in northeastern Syria.

Turkey considers the Kurdish militia that forms the backbone of the SDF an extension of the Kurdish insurgency within Turkey. U.S. support for the Kurdish-led forces, who retook large areas from IS, has raised tensions between the two NATO allies.

"Not only can we not accept (the joint patrols), such a development will cause serious problems at the border," Erdogan told reporters at parliament.

Meanwhile, a bomb went off inside a car in the northern Syrian town of Manbij, killing one person, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Manbij Military Council, which administers the town.

The SDF drove IS out of Manbij in 2016. In June, the U.S. and Turkey agreed on a roadmap in which Kurdish fighters were to withdraw from the town. The Kurdish YPG militia says it withdrew in July, but Turkish officials say the group, which they view as a terrorist organization, is still present in Manbij.

Last Thursday, Turkish and U.S. troops began jointly patrolling areas around the town.Beirut (AFP) - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his threats to crush Syria's Kurds, this time in northeastern areas of the war-torn country where US forces are present.

Turkish shelling has hit positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as Ankara warns of a new offensive to clear the militia from its border.

The United States has scrambled to contain the tensions, as it seeks to retain the YPG as a key partner in its battle against a resilient Islamic State group.

- How serious are threats? -

Since 2016, Turkey has carried out two operations against Kurdish forces in Syria, the last of which saw Ankara-backed Syrian rebels seize the northwestern enclave of Afrin in March.

Erdogan has since repeatedly threatened to march east into more Kurdish-held territory, but analysts say the timing adds weight to the latest warnings.

Turkey brokered a deal with Russia in September to stave off a regime attack on the northwestern rebel bastion of Idlib, thus freeing it up to set its sights on Kurdish-held territory further east.

On the world stage, Ankara is feeling emboldened and seeks to score diplomatic points as Saudi Arabia, a rival regional heavyweight, grapples with global outrage over the murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

And Turkey has seen its relationship with NATO ally Washington improve after it freed American pastor Andrew Brunson from detention last month.

With shelling east of the Euphrates River, analysts say Erdogan is testing the waters, specifically to see how the United States will react.

"He is trying to see how far he can go with military action in the areas east of the Euphrates before the US responds negatively," said Nicholas Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security.

- What can US do? -

Turkey views the YPG as "terrorists", but for the United States they are a key ally in its fight against IS jihadists.

Story continues

The YPG has spearheaded a Kurdish-Arab alliance, backed by the US-led coalition, that has pushed back the extremists from Syria's northeast.

But the battle is not yet over, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance is still fighting the jihadists in the country's far east near the Iraqi border.

In response to Turkish shelling, the Kurdish-led SDF last Wednesday said it had temporarily halted its offensive against the jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

"The United States is stuck in the middle of all of this, wanting only to push the anti-IS offensive to a conclusion on schedule," said Aaron Lund of The Century Foundation.

"For the Syrian Democratic Forces, this must seem like a rare source of real leverage over the superpower," Lund said.

The day after the SDF announced it was suspending fighting, Turkish and US troops began joint patrols on the outskirts of the flashpoint city of Manbij.

They had been laid out as part of a "roadmap" reached by the NATO allies in June to avoid a clash, and under which YPG forces were to withdraw from the city.

On Friday last week, US forces started patrols in Kurdish-held areas along the Turkish border, sparking criticism from Ankara.

- Will fight against IS suffer? -

Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said Washington was in a bind.

"If the US give in to Turkey, they will no longer be able to count on the Kurds" to fight IS, he said.

The SDF has yet to announce a resumption of the military operation it launched in September to expel IS from its last holdout on the Iraqi border.

Kurdish affairs expert Mutlu Civiroglu said the pause in fighting sent "a clear message to the international coalition".

The SDF is saying, "We're partners, and when I am facing threats like this you have to stop it," he said.

Many fighters on the Deir Ezzor front hail from Kurdish-held towns on the Turkish border, Civiroglu said.

"Their homes, their families are under attack," he said. For them, "it's hard to focus on the fight -- already a very tough fight."

Analysts say Turkey's threats are only one of many hurdles to defeating the jihadists, who launched a deadly counter-attack during sandstorms late last month.

Current tensions could draw out the battle against IS in far eastern towns, including Hajin, but are unlikely to reshape the battlefield.

"IS is militarily defeated even though it's putting up a fight in Hajin," said Aaron Stein, a resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

"The US will get it done, eventually."By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge ruled on Tuesday that chip seller Qualcomm Inc <QCOM.O> must license some of its technology to competitors such as Intel Corp <INTC.O>.

The preliminary ruling came in an antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in early 2017. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial next year.

The preliminary ruling by Judge Lucy Koh in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said that Qualcomm must license some patents involved in making so-called modem chips, which help smart phones connect to wireless data networks, to rival chip firms.

Qualcomm and the FTC had jointly asked Koh last month to delay ruling on the issue for up to 30 days while they pursued settlement talks.

Koh denied that motion on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether the ruling would affect the settlement talks. Qualcomm shares were down about 0.3 percent to $63.26 after the news.

Qualcomm did not immediately return a request for comment. The FTC and Intel declined to comment.

Settling with U.S. regulators would be a turning point for the San Diego chip firm, which has been defending its business model amid lawsuits from large customers such as Apple Inc <AAPL.O> and Huawei Technologies Inc, as well as dealing with regulatory challenges to its practices around the world.

At issue in the civil litigation and regulatory disputes is whether Qualcomms patent licensing practices, when combined with its chip business, constitute anticompetitive behaviour. Regulators in South Korea and Taiwan initially ruled against Qualcomm, but it has appealed the rulings and settled some of them.

In August, Qualcomm settled with Taiwanese regulators for $93 million and an agreement to invest $700 million in the country over the next five years.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Susan Thomas and Paul Simao)(Reuters) - U.S. Representative Steve King, an Iowa Republican, won re-election late Tuesday despite publicly losing a corporate supporter shortly before Election Day and being criticized by some within his own party for inflammatory remarks on immigration and race. Just days before the Nov. 6 elections, agricultural dairy cooperative Land O'Lakes pulled its support for King, saying it sought to "ensure that recipients of our contributions uphold our company's values." Though heavily criticized, King, 69, held off a challenge by Democrat J.D. Scholten, who raised more money than King had. He beat Scholten by 3 percentage points and was elected to a ninth term for Iowa's large and mostly rural 4th district. King has been criticized by members of his own party for comments and support for candidates with white supremacist affiliations. Last month, King tweeted a photo of multiple breeds of dogs, noting "all the diversity" at his annual pheasant hunt. King has a long track record of remarks decried as racist, but the comments came under renewed scrutiny after a massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue in late October. In the attack, believed to be the deadliest on American Jews, a gunman who yelling All Jews must die stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed 11 people. The suspect has pleaded not guilty in a federal court. During a recent trip to Europe financed by a Holocaust memorial group, King met with officials from an Austrian far-right party with ties to neo-Nazi groups after touring Holocaust sites, according to the Washington Post and other media outlets. After the Pittsburgh shooting, King told the Washington Post he was not anti-Semitic. He also retweeted a Twitter post quoting the late Pope John Paul II saying that Jews are "dearly beloved brothers." (Reporting by Nick Carey in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that U.S. sanctions on Iran were not legitimate, in Moscow's first official comment since Washington restored sanctions on Tehran. Lavrov said Moscow, itself a target of separate U.S. sanctions, expected there would be ways to pursue economic cooperation with Iran despite the reimposition of sanctions on Monday on the country's oil, banking and transport sectors. Speaking in Madrid, Lavrov said Washington had used "unacceptable methods" to pressure operators of the SWIFT global financial network into cutting off Iranian banks. Russia and its European partners were looking for ways to maintain economic ties with Tehran, he said after meeting his Spanish counterpart Josep Borrell, but provided no details. Tehran said on Tuesday it had so far been able to sell as much oil as it needs despite U.S. pressure, but urged European countries that oppose the sanctions to do more to shield Iran. (Reporting by Polina Devitt; Writing by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Andrew Heavens and David Stamp)By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused a request by the Trump administration and the telecommunications industry to wipe away a lower court decision that had upheld Obama-era net neutrality rules aimed at ensuring a free and open internet, though the justices' action does not undo the 2017 repeal of the policy.

The high court decision not to throw out the 2016 U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling leaves a legal precedent in place that could help net neutrality supporters in any future legal battle if that policy is ever re-introduced.

The rules championed by Democratic former President Barack Obama, intended to safeguard equal access to content on the internet, were opposed by President Donald Trump, a Republican.

The Trump administration and the telecom industry had wanted to erase the 2016 ruling even though the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission in December voted to repeal the net neutrality rules. The policy reversal went into effect in June.

The Supreme Court's brief order noted that three of the court's conservative justices - Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch - would have thrown out the appeals court decision. Neither Chief Justice John Roberts nor new Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh participated in the decision.

Industry trade group USTelecom, one of the groups that challenged the 2015 net neutrality rules, said the high court's action was "not surprising." USTelecom said it would "continue to support" the repeal "from challenges in Washington, D.C. and state capitals."

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat who backed the net neutrality order in 2015, said on Twitter that the commission had "actually petitioned the Supreme Court to erase history and wipe out an earlier court decision upholding open internet policies. But today the Supreme Court refused to do so."

Story continues

The Justice Department also has filed suit to block California's state net neutrality law from taking effect in January. The state agreed in October to delay enforcement of the law pending appeals of the net neutrality reversal.

The FCC voted 3-2 in December along party lines to reverse the rules adopted under Obama that had barred internet service providers from blocking or throttling traffic, or offering paid fast lanes, also known as paid prioritization.

The new rules, which gave internet service providers greater power to regulate the content that customers access, are now the subject of a separate legal fight after being challenged by many of the groups that backed net neutrality.

The net neutrality repeal was a win for providers like Comcast Corp, AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc. It was opposed by internet companies like Facebook Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc, which have said the repeal could lead to higher costs.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham)Kampala (AFP) - A prominent Ugandan activist is back in jail, accused of making "obscene comments" on her Facebook page about President Yoweri Museveni and his late mother.

"Dr (Stella) Nyanzi appeared in court today after five days in police cells and she was charged for allegedly disturbing the peace, quiet, or right to privacy of President Museveni and his late mother," the academic's lawyer Isaac Semakadde told AFP.

She was then sent back to prison as the presiding magistrate had no jurisdiction to hear the case, Semakadde said, adding: "We are working to secure her release."

The charges are cyber harassment and offensive communication.

Nyanzi, an academic, made a name for herself with her offensive comments about the man who has ruled the East African nation for 31 years, last year.

Her colourful posts have attracted both scorn and applause in Uganda, a traditionally conservative country, but one where many are fed up with Museveni's long rule.Beirut (AFP) - The US envoy to Syria said Wednesday he hoped to see more of Damascus ally Moscow's "permissive approach" to Israeli air strikes on Iranian assets in the war-torn country.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets.

It accuses its arch-enemy Tehran, which like Moscow supports the Syrian regime in the seven-year civil conflict, of seeking to entrench itself militarily in the country.

"In the past Russia has been permissive in consultation with the Israelis about Israeli strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria," US envoy James Jeffrey said.

"We certainly hope that that permissive approach will continue," he told journalists in a conference call.

His comments came after Syrian regime forces accidentally downed a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike over Syria in September.

Moscow blamed the incident, which killed 15 Russians, on the Israeli plane using the larger Russian one for cover, which Israel disputed.

Following the incident, Russia sent advanced air defence missiles to Damascus.

But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month told Russia his country must continue to hit hostile targets in Syria to prevent Iran from establishing a military presence across the border.

"We understand the existential interest and we support Israel," Jeffrey said.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States has withdrawn from a landmark deal with Iran over its nuclear programme and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have regained large swathes of Syria from rebels and jihadists since 2015.

In October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a pro-Israel group Washington would refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran was present.

Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011.Washington (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday voiced concern over ally Bahrain's sentencing of the head of the country's Shiite opposition movement, although it stopped short of threatening countermeasures.

"The United States is concerned by the verdict sentencing Ali Salman to life in prison in Bahrain," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters.

"The United States will continue to engage regularly with the government of Bahrain on a range of shared interests, including the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms and human rights," he said.

Bahrain on Sunday sentenced Salman, who headed the now-banned Al-Wefaq movement, to life in prison for allegedly spying on behalf of rival Gulf state Qatar.

Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain has been hit by waves of unrest since 2011, when security forces crushed protests from the Shiite majority demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

The Gulf island-state is a vital link for Western militaries. It is the home of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which patrols the oil-rich region, as well as a permanent British base.

President Donald Trump has made clear that he will not restrict arms sales to allies, pointing to the job and security benefits.

The Trump administration lifted restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain that former president Barack Obama imposed on human rights grounds.

US rival Iran, ruled by Shiite clerics, also condemned the sentence of Salman which it said showed Bahrain's plans to "intensify its suppression."Washington (AFP) - The United States said Wednesday it was willing to remove Sudan from its blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism if the country undertakes further reforms.

In a statement after talks in Washington, the State Department offered the prospect of a formal process to delist Sudan as it called for further anti-terrorism cooperation and improvements in human rights.

President Donald Trump's administration lifted decades-old sanctions on Sudan last year but investment is still blocked by the terror designation, which carries legal ramifications in the United States.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan discussed items of concern during the talks Tuesday with Sudanese Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry Ahmed, the State Department said.

"The United States welcomes Sudan's commitment to making progress in key areas," a State Department statement said.

"As part of this process, the United States is prepared to initiate the process of rescinding Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism if the determination is made that all of the relevant statutory criteria have been met, and if Sudan makes progress in addressing each of the six key areas of mutual concern," it said.

Besides counterterrorism cooperation and human rights, the United States asked Sudan to move forward in resolving its myriad internal conflicts -- including by giving better access to humanitarian workers.

The United States also wants Sudan to act on outstanding claims related to terrorism, the State Department said.

"The United States is ready to cooperate with Sudan and to monitor progress as we seek meaningful developments for the benefit of the Sudanese people and the region," it said.

Despite uneasy relations, Sudan has increasingly been seen as working with the United States in key areas including containing the turbulence in neighboring Libya.

- Wide repercussions from listing -

Designation as a state sponsor of terrorism severely curtails access to international financing and makes it difficult for US citizens to do business with the countries.

Story continues

Trump has also used the terror blacklist as his basis for a controversial order to deny entry into the United States of ordinary people from the mostly Muslim countries.

In a recent interview in Khartoum, the head of the Dal Group, Sudan's biggest conglomerate, said there were "lots of funds looking for good projects to support" but that they were restricted due to the US designation.

Only three other countries are on the blacklist -- Iran, North Korea and Syria.

The United States placed Sudan on the list in 1993 when Al-Qaeda and its chief Osama bin Laden found refuge in the country, whose longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir had embraced a hardline brand of political Islam.

After Al-Qaeda blew up US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, the United States responded with a cruise missile strike inside Sudan on a pharmaceutical factory, whose link to Al-Qaeda turned out to be shaky.

Sudan's relationship further deteriorated when the government in 2003 began to put down a rebellion in the western region of Darfur, in a ruthless campaign that the United States characterized as genocide.

But relations began to improve under former president Barack Obama, whose administration welcomed Khartoum's acceptance of the independence of South Sudan in 2011 after a decades of devastating war.



Technology companies should be regulated for safety in the same way electricity or rollercoasters are, according to Europes top competition watchdog.

Digital tech has immense power to do good but with immense power also comes great risks, said European Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, during a keynote speech at Web Summit in Lisbon on Wednesday.

The time is over when the digital world can escape the rules that apply in offline life, she said. What happens online doesnt remain online.

Vestager cited the example of terrorism, which can be encouraged online but spill over into real-world violence.

The Danish politician has become a symbol of the global pushback against tech companies in the past two years. Since taking charge of the EUs competition office in 2014 she has hit Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Qualcomm (QCOM), and Google (GOOGL) with fines for abusing their dominant positions.

Vestager singled out Google in her speech, saying that even though it has been a great innovator  why would we put all our hopes of an innovative future in just one company?

No matter how much Google has donehelping us navigate the web or making Android open sourcewe cannot look away when they threaten competition, she said.

Vestagers office fined Google a record $5bn earlier this year for using its Android phone operating system to unfairly cement its dominance in the smartphone market.

She also compared the need to regulate modern technology to the need for safety rules governing electricity in peoples houses or rollercoasters.

This revolution may be somewhat like riding a rollercoaster, she said. The thing about riding a rollercoaster is it can be great fun but you only go on after you are sure its going to be safe.

The innovation we want is not innovation that is made by getting around the rules. Theres no need to ask people to give up values like democracy, privacy, and fairness in order to get there.

Vestager said that big tech companies had harmed consumers trust in them and said recent news has highlighted how technology can be used to unleash violence, undermine democracy.

Story continues

An independent report released by Facebook (FB) this week found that the social media platform was used to incite racial violence in Myanmar, just one example of how tech platforms have been used to ill purposes.

Tech is changing our democracy, our market, our society, our business opportunities, Vestager said. This is a business responsibility. Its not just a question of ethics, its a question of being able to do business.

Vestager talked extensively about the need for data to be controlled by consumers and fairly distributed, rather than becoming centralised in big tech companies and stifling competition.

When just a few companies hold lots and lots of data, it can make it very difficult for other companies to compete against them, she said.

Later in her speech, she said: Data belongs to us, it is mine, it is my property. We need to be able to control what happens to it.

She also said European tax laws need to be modernised to reflect where value is created and technology needs to serve us, not serve itself.When Robert Palmer, 64, voted early Tuesday morning at his polling station in OFallon, Missouri, he presented his passport as a form of identification to receive his ballot. He says the poll worker looked at him and asked, Are you a member of the caravan?

Palmer, who is a bank administrator, said he was so shocked by the question that he didnt respond. Palmer said the worker looked away, then said, Morning humor.

It was bizarre. I am not Hispanic, Palmer told HuffPost. I have an American passport. What does that have to do with the caravan?

In the lead-up to the midterm election, Republicans and right-wing media outlets have honed in on the so-called caravan, a large group of Central American migrants walking through Mexico toward the U.S., wrongly vilifying them as invaders. President Donald Trumps campaign even ran an ad indicating men in the group were potential cop killers.

Palmer went to the polls with his roommate, Shelley Powers, a 63-year-old computer engineer. She said she was also surprised and confused by the comment. Powers said the area is fairly diverse, and that people in line to vote were from diverse backgrounds.

It made no sense, Powers said. It was very awkward and very uncomfortable.

Poll workers have a duty to make voters feel comfortable and welcome, said David Becker, the executive director at the Center for Election Innovation and Research. He said it was not illegal for a poll worker to make an insensitive joke, and that this alleged comment would not qualify as voter intimidation because Palmer did not appear to be Latino.

Hopefully that exchange sent a message to the poll worker that he was being too flippant, Becker said.

Palmer and Powers also described a broken scanning machine at their polling site. They said a worker who could not get the ballots to scan told several voters to place their paper ballots in a slot at the back of the machine.

Palmer said he was hesitant to do that. He worried that his ballot would end up forgotten at the bottom of the pile and that his vote wouldnt be counted.

Story continues

HuffPost could not immediately reach the St. Charles County registrars office on Tuesday due to call volume. The registrars office also did not immediately respond to a email about Palmers accusations about his polling place, Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Exchanges between poll workers and voters are some of the most important on Election Day, said Trey Grayson, former secretary of state of Kentucky.

As much as poll workers train and plan, those interactions with voters are usually positive, he said. But sometimes theyre not.

This story started as a tip from ProPublicas Electionland project, which monitors voting problems around the country. If you had trouble voting, or if you saw something you want to tell us about, heres how.

Related Coverage

Trump Makes Time For Voter Intimidation Ahead Of Election Day

Voters Report Issues Casting Ballots Across The Country

Georgia Voters Face Hours-Long Waits As State Scrambles To Accommodate Turnout

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Georgia has become the first state to put a ceiling on its income tax rate as a ballot measure that lawmakers say will put the state on a more level playing field with its tax-friendlier neighbors cruised to an easy victory.With 85 percent of counties reporting , 75 percent of voters approved the ballot measure, capping Georgias income tax rate at 6 percent.Proponents say the cap cements Georgias status as a low-tax state . It increases our competitiveness by pointing out to businesses making expansion decisions that, while other states could increase their rates tomorrow, our rates are constitutionally capped, Republican state Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer, a key supporter of the cap, said earlier this year.Indeed, the Peach State tends to be at a disadvantage when compared with its immediate neighbors. It shares a border with Florida, which doesnt tax income at all; Alabama, which has a 5 percent tax rate; and Tennessee, which only applies its 6 percent tax rate to investment income. Its other neighbor, South Carolina, has a 7 percent top income tax rate.But compared with the rest of the country, Georgias income tax rate ranks squarely in the middle of states. And to policy watchers, Georgia has removed one of the most valuable financial tools it has.The state legislature will no longer have the income tax as a practical option if voters in the future want more investment in infrastructure or smaller class sizes or if the state faces shortfalls in future recessions, said Don Boyd, senior fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany, N.Y. Research has shown that limits on individual taxes have little impact on overall tax levels. If other needs arise, the state or its local governments are likely to raise the sales tax, or property taxes, or other taxes.Other states have enacted caps or similar restrictions on taxes only to encounter problems later. In Illinois, the individual income tax and corporate income tax must maintain a certain ratio to each other, making policy changes extremely difficult because neither can be raised or lowered without the other. This summer, ratings agencies warned Illinois of a credit rating downgrade after the state failed to extend an income tax hike in its 2015 budget.In the late 1970s, California passed Proposition 13, which responded to soaring property values by capping the property tax and requiring a two-thirds approval of any other tax increases. It made it extremely difficult for local governments to eeke more out of their revenue streams. By 2009, the state was so hamstrung in its taxing ability that it faced a $21 billion budget deficit.It's Election Day in America, and voters will deliver their first verdict of President Donald Trump's tumultuous tenure in a midterm that's expected to draw historic numbers to the polls.

Immigration, the economy, women's issues, partisanship  all weighed heavily on voters' minds as they cast ballots to decide control of Congress and put Trumpism to the test. Though not on the ballot, the president looms large over decision day, among both supporters and detractors. Across the country, people are talking about this election as one of the most momentous in their lifetimes  a fight for the very soul of America.

Here's what some of them had to say.

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FIRST-TIMERS HIT THE POLLS

The extreme divisions in politics helped motivate Lance Whatley, 29, to vote for the first time in his life Tuesday. Whatley was among dozens of people standing in line as a cold rain drenched their clothes outside the Vinings Library northwest of Atlanta. "I feel like there's a lot of polarization with the rhetoric you're hearing on both sides," he said. Whatley, a software engineer, was still unsure whom he would vote for in the hotly contested race for Georgia governor. His wife favors Democrat Stacey Abrams, but he was leaning toward the Republican, Brian Kemp. "It might be a game-time decision for me when I get in the voting booth."

Rafael Acosta, a college student in McAllen, Texas, rose early on the first day of early voting in his state. The 22-year-old wanted to be sure he was at the head of the line for his first time voting. In doing so, he said he was making a statement for his many friends who are part of the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrival, or DACA, program that has protected young immigrants from deportation. The son of Mexican immigrants, Acosta has watched as Trump stirs fears over the migrant caravan in Mexico, and it troubles him that troops have been dispatched to his community. "I'm not going to say I'm fully for them to come over here," Acosta said. "But I think (the Republicans) are exaggerating. They don't need the Army here."

Story continues

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WASHINGTON "OUT OF CONTROL?"

Bonnie Slade, a 45-year-old federal employee who lives in Potomac, Maryland, said politics in the nearby nation's capital shaped her vote this year. "Washington is out of control," she said. "The politics are kind of dirty always, but this time is a bit much ... like do I want to vote? Does it really make a difference? But I felt like it's my duty." Slade, who is black, said Trump was part of what motivated her to vote. "He doesn't stand for anything that I believe in, period," Slade said. "I'm a minority. I'm a woman. And he's just not the best choice for me, personally, or my family."

In Plano, Texas, Jeffrey Lawrence, a 59-year-old Uber driver, is so sick of the stalemate and mudslinging he wants to see term limits imposed on lawmakers. He voted for Republicans up and down the ballot because he likes the direction of the economy. But it seems like they can't get enough done because no one is willing to compromise. "The old-boys system up there says, 'I have the ability to get your bill passed, but you need to do this for me,'" he said. "That's not how politics should be. It (should be) what's good for the people."

Keith Lesage, a 50-year-old design engineer in Plainfield, Connecticut, said he's focused more on state issues but is concerned by the division he sees in the country. "It's horrible, some of the rhetoric that's coming out of Washington. I'm not picking on Republicans or Democrats, but we're all adults. Let's come together for the American people  not this is what the red side wants, this is what the blue side wants. It's getting to the point where it's just dividing the country  and it's real sad to watch."

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STAY THE ECONOMIC COURSE

Ken Wenzl, a 66-year-old computer trainer and a regular Fox News viewer, said he is grateful that Trump has cut government regulations. "He is amazing the way he is going after stuff," Wenzl said, acknowledging the president's penchant for upsetting the other side. "But we don't all have to be friends." When he voted in Plano, Texas, Wenzl chose Republican Sen. Ted Cruz because he worries that Democrats will try to block Trump's agenda if they win control of the House or Senate and "just sit on stuff for two years." He's already rooting for Trump 2020.

Richard and Aleshia Murphy took their 7-month-old daughter when they voted early in suburban Los Angeles. The couple, who moved seven months ago from Reno, Nevada, to Lakewood, California, said the economy was foremost on their minds. "I want to keep things going," said Richard, a Republican train operations manager. "My work feels the booming economy. We're hiring more people, all positions, from the bottom to the top." Both Murphy and his wife, an independent, voted for Trump in 2016 and like where the country's headed. "I'd rather have somebody who's going to come off as a complete jerk  but you know exactly what they're thinking because they have no filter  than a slick-haired politician that literally tells you anything you want to hear just so that you support them," Aleshia Murphy said.

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SWITCHING SIDES

Amanda Martin, a high school teacher in Dallas, said she is a Republican who decided to vote Tuesday for Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate over the Republican incumbent, Ted Cruz. Martin, 40, said she liked that O'Rourke was "more in the middle." ''I think we were missing that during the election" for president between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, she added. Her displeasure with Trump was also a factor in her decision. "I like that Trump is trying to secure the borders, but I don't believe he's tactful in his relations with how he communicates with the media. And he's not a good face for our country."

Josh Rent, 43, a small business owner and registered Republican in Portland, Maine, voted mostly for Democrats this time as "a protest vote to Trump." ''I'm generally a fairly reliable Republican," he said. "This is the first time I ever voted pretty much Democrat all the way down the ballot." Of the president, he said: "I don't think that dividing us is getting us anywhere. We need to actually solve this stuff."

Kevin Benson, a 38-year-old graphic designer from Westerville, Ohio, said he's registered as a Republican, considers himself an independent, and voted all Democrat on Tuesday. Why? "Mostly Trump, just as a check. I'm frustrated with the way he's acting. Plus just Republicans in general. ... I'm just kind of dissatisfied across the board with them." Benson said health care is his No. 1 issue and that he'd like to see a single-payer system. "We're heading in the wrong direction."

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CONCERNS OVER HEALTH CARE

Fred Hoy, a 61-year-old from Reno, Nevada, said he's been out of work for 13 years but is scraping by to pay his rent and care for several ill family members and friends. Hoy has diabetes and is on Medicaid. He was taking care of his aunt in California but returned to Reno to make sure he could vote in time  and he's voting Democratic because he's worried Republicans will cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security and threaten protections for pre-existing conditions. "If we don't have some kind of medical," he said, "we're going to collapse as a nation."

In Juneau, Alaska, 34-year-old Will Muldoon considers himself nonpartisan. Health care is an issue he'd like to see Congress take up, "but that's scary. It's almost, I don't know that they could come up with better than what we have right now, type of thing. My confidence in them having the competency to do OK on that's not too high," said Muldoon, a mainframe technician.

Cordell Chaney, 30, works at Superior Essex, a company that manufactures wire and cable products in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A member of the steelworkers' union, Chaney is a father of four with a fifth on the way. He says affordable health care including maintaining pre-existing conditions  is the most important issue for him. He voted straight Democratic Tuesday, which includes supporting U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly. Chaney worries that if the Republicans remain in control of Congress, they'll get rid of Obamacare. "It really upsets me. ... Decent health insurance should be a right. Everybody should have that. Right now, it's endangered."

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AT ODDS OVER IMMIGRATION

Rachel Geiger's purple hair matched her black and purple dress and helped her stand out among hundreds of people waiting to get into an arena in Orlando, Florida, where U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke ahead of the election on behalf of Florida's Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Geiger, 33, a blogger from Ocala, Florida, said "Trump and immigration" were the two motivating issues for her when she early-voted. "It's completely inhumane what he's doing," she said, referring to policies that have included sending troops to the border, separating immigrant children from their parents and efforts to build a wall. She voted a straight Democratic ticket.

In Phoenix, substitute teacher and lifelong Republican Kay Matthews said that while the economy is important to her, immigration is just as important. She's troubled by any influx of immigrants entering the country illegally. "I've been taught as a young child that you respect the law. You don't have to always agree with it, but you do respect it," the 72-year-old said. Matthews doesn't want Democrats taking control of either chamber of Congress, because she fears they would try to impeach Trump.

Melvin Rubi Avila, 19, voted in his first national election Tuesday  and he was mindful of what weight that carried. The son of a Mexican mother and Honduran father, the Raleigh, North Carolina, native said he was voting for an America that won't see people like them as a threat. "They are very proud," Avila said, an "I Voted" sticker shining brightly from the breast of his black leather jacket. "They feel like me voting is them voting as well." His father has temporary protected status, but Trump's rhetoric has made him fearful that his parents will be deported. "I sometimes have nightmares about it." And as a so-called "birthright citizen," Avila is disturbed by the president's recent attacks on the 14th amendment. "That's not what America's all about."

A few miles north in the town of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Diana Zambrano  also a child of immigrants  had a different take. Wake Forest is in the 2nd Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Rep. George Holding was facing a serious Democratic challenge from Linda Coleman, an African-American. The GOP has run ads criticizing Coleman's support of sanctuary cities. Zambrano's mother is from the Dominican Republic, and her father is from Venezuela. Both came legally, and she was born here. "This country provides a lot of opportunities," she said. "So if you're able to come here legally ... I think that that should be something that is open to you. But for those that sort of circumvent that system, I don't necessarily agree with that." Zambrano, 43, wouldn't reveal how she voted other than to say: "conservative."

___

#METOO STILL ON MINDS

Lea Grover, 34, a mother of three young daughters in Cary, Illinois, sees the midterms as a referendum on Trump and "a referendum on empathy, and whether or not we as a nation have any." Grover, a former independent and now a registered Democrat, was particularly outraged by the hearings over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct. "The Kavanaugh hearings were so upsetting, for every woman I know, not just because of Kavanaugh specifically but because it was an opportunity for the entire Republican establishment to say (to women), 'We don't care.' Not: 'We don't believe you,' but 'we don't care.'" Grover is a victim of sexual violence and works for a nonprofit that helps survivors. "My congressman has refused to speak out in defense of survivors of sexual violence. He refused to speak out against Brett Kavanaugh. He refused to speak out against the president. He has been utterly silent in the face of MeToo."

Natalie Pig, a 31-year-old attorney in Arnold, Missouri, favored Republican candidates because she wants to see Congress do more to support Trump. She cited what she called the "smear campaign" against Kavanaugh, calling him "a victim of the current political environment." ''If there are facts that someone has committed a crime, I'm the first person to want to hear all about that," she said. "But at the same time, if we're taking measures to slander someone or defame them in a way that is going to inhibit the American process, then that's not helping us. So we need people who are going to support President Trump."

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A MOMENT FOR YOUNG VOTERS?

At 22, Porter Nelson considers himself an independent and says he is a regular voter, but a ballot measure in Washington state creating a carbon tax motivated him even more this year. "It seems kind of like the world's ending and if we don't do something pretty quick, you know, I would like to have kids that have a planet. I would like to have a planet. So anything on any ballot anywhere that I see as being for the environment ... I'm all for that." Nelson thinks Congress, too, needs to take climate change more seriously. "I would love to see our political body finally get it through their heads that the gerrymandering, the politicking, the races, the runoffs don't matter if in 20 years the whole West Coast is on fire."

Adam Alhanti was a typical high school student looking forward to graduating. Turning 18 and voting wasn't really on his mind. But after his classmates and teachers were gunned down at his Parkland, Florida, school in February, everything changed. "I realized there's so much more going on than what's in my city. There are so many things that we need to take charge of, and we can really make a difference  not just in our nation but right down to our local communities with who represents us in office," said Alhanti, who voted for the first time in this midterm. He'd like to see Congress take up gun reform. "Gun violence ... is something we really need to talk about more. Even though it seems like it's something being spoken about day after day, there's nothing being done  not a single thing that will really save the lives of American citizens."

A steady stream of voters turned out in a light drizzle in the Albany suburb of Guilderland, New York, on Tuesday morning. Lauryn Schrom, a 27-year-old graphic designer, did not vote in the last off-year election but made a point to do it this time because of her dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. She said recent political events had "opened my eyes" on issues like civil rights and women's rights. "If you are not engaged enough in the political process then you can lose your rights," she said, holding an "I Voted" sticker. "I have a significant number of friends who are LGBT, and it's disturbing that they could lose civil rights as well."

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STRAIGHT TICKET THIS TIME

Linda Codey, a 70-year-old from Georgetown, Indiana, voted a straight ticket for the first time in her life, for Democrats. She made that decision when moderate Republicans she trusted voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, despite his angry performance at a Senate hearing over allegations of sexual abuse. She feels like the nation's politics have become too tribal to trust politicians to cross the party line, and hopes her vote sends a message. "I have two grandchildren, and they're going to inherit this mess," she said. "I can't say I'm optimistic. But I can say I'm hopeful."

Keri Cook, 47, a Democrat from Westerville, Ohio, said she voted for Democrats straight down her ballot, including Danny O'Connor in his U.S. House rematch against Republican Rep. Troy Balderson. "I'm hoping that the House flips," Cook said, adding that Democrats' stances on health care and gun control factored into her vote and she wants Trump out of office. "I think he's poison. ... His stance on the LGBTQ community, on women, on African-Americans, on immigrants  is just, to me, hate."

Judy Jenkins, a 60-year-old Republican who works in accounting, also cast her ballot in Westerville, Ohio, and also went straight ticket: for all GOP candidates. She said she used to vote for people from both major parties but was so upset by how Kavanaugh was treated that she vowed not to vote for a Democrat again. "I'm not even going to consider it because of the hell they put his family through. No one should have to go through that, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican."

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A TEST OF TRUMPISM

Ronald J. Hadley Jr. paused outside the branch library where he voted to explain his straight-ticket support for Republicans: It was all about Trump, even though the president's name was not on the ballot. "I am, and I think the silent majority is, fed up. I'm very Republican and very conservative, and I think we're getting four more years of that. And if we don't, we've got problems," said Hadley, 58, of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. Hadley, retired from a job as a night foreman of a school custodial staff, said he hadn't voted in years until he heard Trump in 2016. Hadley embraces Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and voted Republican Tuesday so the president will have the support in Congress to continue his policies. "I agree with Trump. ... You've got to take this country back."

Republican Tina Kazee, a 50-year-old hospital worker from Canal Winchester, Ohio, said she stuck with her party when voting early. She said Trump has "his flaws," but she feels he and the Republicans have done a good job for the country. "I think he's helped our economy. I think there's more for him than there is against him, as far as my standards and my beliefs. I don't think he's a perfect man, but I think he loves America  I think his heart is for America  and I stand for that. ... It's just that his tone needs to be turned down a little bit. Speak from the heart, but do it a little bit softer."

Morris Lee Williams, a 67-year-old member of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis and an Army veteran, said he's worried the country "is going down the tubes." ''We've forgotten our decency. We've forgotten the truth. We're supposed to be a group of people, Americans, who are supposed to be that light in the world. Instead of a light, it's turned into a nightmare." Williams said Trump is the catalyst "for a lot of crazy stuff going on, inciting people into hatred, to doing things that go against what this country stands for. It's just so divisive. It's almost as if he wants the country to go back to the way it was in the 1920s and before. Everybody's got their place and a certain group of people rule. ... This is supposed to be a place where if you have the desire, the education, the guts and the fortitude to do better, you can do better."

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MOURNING THE LOST MIDDLE

Family law attorney Patrick Markey, 43, voted in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. He generally votes Democratic but has supported Republican candidates in Illinois, including in this election. Markey dislikes the two-party system because the polarization that dominates Capitol Hill creates a logjam. "It's almost two tribal camps. I'd like to see more (elected officials) with middle-ground views who can vote conservatively sometimes and sometimes more liberally. ... I think that most of the country is like that. But in order to get into politics, you have to kiss the ring of the party. ... A lot of the normal moderate people just feel left out."

Virginia Gollin, 75, describes herself as a moderate Republican but says she changed parties to become a Democrat because moderates are "like a dinosaur." ''I'm not by nature a progressive. But we're at a point in our country where all of the things I think we should have are being fiercely attacked," said Gollin, a retired airline worker in Hopatcong, New Jersey. She cited as an example the Affordable Care Act, which she does not want to see gutted.

Tory Dibbins, a physical therapist from Portland, Maine, said she'd like to see more independent candidates, but she understands that many voters believe there's too much at stake to risk vote-splitting. The 53-year-old Democrat cast her ballot Tuesday. If Democrats do win big, she said, they should show they're willing to compromise. "If you're going to talk about 'let's end the divisiveness and be inclusive,' then you have to try to get people to be more bipartisan. ... You have to win people back to the center."

___

Contributing to this story were AP reporters Adam Geller, Jeff Martin, Martha Irvine, Brian Witte, Susan Haigh, Amanda Lee Myers, Michelle Price, Jamie Stengle, David Koenig, Becky Bohrer, Sharon Cohen, Claire Galofaro, Summer Ballentine, Mike Schneider, Terry Tang, Allen G. Breed, Matt Volz, Jocelyn Noveck, Rachel La Corte, Kelli Kennedy, Michael Hill, Jim Salter, Kantele Franko, Julie Carr Smyth, Mike Catalini and David Sharp.Waiting to vote at a polling station in Miami, Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo: Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images)

Even as Republicans won statewide races to expand their margin of control in the Senate, voters in traditionally conservative states  and some states where Democrats performed statewide, like Michigan  approved ballot initiatives that advanced a progressive agenda: raising the minimum wage, decriminalizing marijuana, expanding ballot access and increasing access to Medicaid. Other than marijuana  and unlike in some previous elections  there were relatively few hot-button social issues on the ballot. Two states, Alabama and West Virginia, passed anti-abortion measures, but one, Oregon, voted it down. A referendum on transgender rights passed in Massachusetts. But pocketbook and voting access issues predominated. Here are some of the significant changes:

Medicaid expansion

A yard sign promoting Initiative 427, the Medicaid Expansion Initiative, Omaha, Neb. (Photo: Nati Harnik/AP)

In four traditionally red states, voters had the option of expanding Medicaid to families with incomes up to 33 percent above the poverty line. A majority of states had already authorized the expansion available via the Affordable Care Act but some states with Republican governors and state legislatures had declined to do so.

Voters in Idaho, Utah and Nebraska approved initiatives to accept the federal subsidies, after sustained statewide efforts even to get the measures on the ballot. The change will bring affordable health care for around 300,000 in those three states. In Montana, a measure that would have kept that states Medicaid expansion from sunsetting next June fell short, the one loss. Montanas initiative was tied to a tax increase on cigarettes that was opposed by the tobacco industry.

Marijuana

Waiting for election results to come in at the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol public watch party, Lansing, Mich., Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo: Cory Morse/Grand Rapids Press via AP)

In Michigan, voters said yes to legalizing marijuana for recreational use, making it the first state in the Midwest to do so and the 10th overall. In Missouri and Utah, ballot initiatives passed allowing the use of medical marijuana, joining 31 other states. In Ohio, a number of local elections resulted in five cities decriminalizing the drug. In most of the states where weed has been decriminalized or legalized, it has happened via ballot initiative.

Story continues

Voters in North Dakota went against the tide, rejecting by a margin of 18 points an initiative that would have legalized marijuana for recreational use. In Illinois, weed wasnt on the ballot directly, but governor-elect J.B. Pritzker made legalization one of the central issues of his campaign.

Voting rights

More than 1.5 million adults in Florida are ineligible to vote because they have felony convictions. (Photo: Wilfredo Lee/AP)

In perhaps the most significant result of the night, Floridians approved Amendment Four, restoring voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The initiative, which required at least 60 percent to pass, was approved 64 to 35. It will affect 1.5 million convicted felons, including 10 percent of the voting-age population and nearly one in five African-Americans, changing the makeup of the electorate in a state where elections are often decided by fractions of a point (including the Senate and governors races this year).

In Maryland, an initiative for same-day voter registration won. In Nevada, voters passed automatic voter registration at the DMV. In Michigan, two-thirds of voters supported Proposal 3, which granted a number of voting right expansions, including both same-day and automatic voter registration.

Were grateful for the tremendous support that Proposal 3 received from voters across Michigan yesterday, said Todd Cook, the campaign director of Michigans Promote the Vote campaign, in a statement to Yahoo News. It sent a strong message that people are interested in reducing barriers to voting and ensuring that every voice is heard on Election Day rather than having certain voices silenced.

In North Carolina, voters approved an amendment to require photo identification in order to vote. The legislature will now decide what form the required ID will take.

Redistricting

In Michigan, Colorado and Utah ballot initiatives were approved to establish independent commissions to draw legislative district boundaries, taking away the power of legislators to entrench one party  in recent years, mostly Republicans  in power. (Pennsylvanias state supreme court threw out a map ruled to be a partisan gerrymander  with the result that Democrats gained three House seats in Tuesdays midterms.)

In Michigan, an independent citizen-redistricting commission will redraw both the state legislative and congressional districts. Colorado passed two separate amendments resulting in commissions to draw their state and federal maps. In Missouri, the maps will now be drawn by a non-partisan state demographer. Missouri also passed ballot initiatives restructuring campaign finance and lobbying.

A measure to establish an independent commission to help draft new congressional and state legislative maps led by a few thousand votes in Utah as of Wednesday afternoon, but had not yet officially passed.

Minimum wage

In Arkansas and Missouri, initiatives to raise the minimum wage passed by overwhelming margins, each with over 60 percent of the vote. In Arkansas, Issue 5 will increase the minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2021. In Missouri, Proposition B will increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2023.

Those wins, in states where Republicans won statewide races, represented a big victory for working Americans, according to Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of the Fairness Project, a progressive group that helps organize ballot initiatives.

Voters across the political spectrum are fed up with politicians who pay lip service to the dignity of work but do nothing to reward struggling, hardworking families, said Schleifer, after the elections. When it comes to the minimum wage, the biggest gap isnt between Republicans and Democrats; its between politicians who dont want to raise the wage and the people they represent.

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Read more from Yahoo News:While much of Tuesdays elections focused on Congress and several states gubernatorial races, voters also weighed in on another contentious issue  marijuana.

Michigan voters on Tuesday made the state the 10th in the U.S.  and the first in the Midwest  to legalize recreational marijuana. Voters in a second Midwest state, North Dakota, struck down a similar measure that would have legalized recreational use and expunged criminal records for prior marijuana offenders.

Meanwhile, Missouri and Utah passed initiatives to legalize medical marijuana, joining 31 other states, Washington DC, Guam and Puerto Rico, that already permit medicinal use. Recreational marijuana is already legal in Washington, DC, and nine other states: Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Colorado, Alaska, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts.

Heres what to expect in the new laws:

Michigan

Michigans Proposal 1 permits use for adults 21 and older, yet allows municipalities to ban or restrict marijuana use and commercial enterprise within their boundaries. The new law will allow individuals to grow up to 12 cannabis plants at a time. Public consumption remains prohibited. Michigan has provided for one of the lowest cannabis tax levels in the nation with retailers to pay a 10% excise tax, and consumers picking up the states 6% sales tax.

While 56% of Michigan voted to support legalization, 44% opposed. The bill is expected to go into effect next year with sales beginning in 2020.

I am proud of Michigan voters who have overwhelmingly supported this initiative and I am extremely excited about a future where law enforcement and our criminal justice system can focus on real crime and improve public safety, Barton Morris Junior, founder of Cannabis Legal Group, told Yahoo Finance.

North Dakota

North Dakotas Measure 3 failed to pass. The brake on legalization comes as less of a surprise, as critics warned the bill lacked regulatory and enforcement details. The states proposal contained no mandatory tax on marijuana transfers or sales, making revenue projections uncertain. Proponents of the measure viewed it as critical criminal justice reform, as the state has one of the lowest marijuana consumption rates, yet is among the highest for prosecuting marijuana offenses.

Story continues

People stand in line to get into MedMen, one of the two Los Angeles area pot shops that began selling marijuana for recreational use under the new California marijuana law today, on January 2, 2018 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Cole Haymond, an Advisor for Legalize ND, said North Dakota is also home to veterans who could benefit from easier access to the drug. With a state with a high percentage of veterans its disappointing if it doesnt pass, Haymod said ahead of the vote.

Polls leading into midterm elections were mixed on the initiative. An October 11  14 poll found 51% of likely voters in favor of legalized recreational use, while an earlier October poll found 59% against the measure.

While 59.5% of North Dakota voters ultimately said no to legalization, only 40.5% said yes.

Missouri

Missouri voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana, saying yes to Amendment 2, but rejecting medical marijuana initiatives with varying tax rates and earmarks. The approved measure provides for a 4% tax on retail medical marijuana sales with proceeds benefitting a Missouri veteran health care fund. Voters rejected two other initiatives that looked to tax medical marijuana at 15% and 2% tax rates.

While 57% of Missouri voters voted in favor of medical legalization under Amendment 2, 44% voted against.

Utah

Utahs new law, based on Proposition 2, will permit medical use for medical card holders who have qualifying illnesses. It will also authorize a limited number of licensed facilities to cultivate, test and dispense marijuana, and permit medical card holders to grow up to 6 marijuana plants.

While 53% of Utah voters supported medical legalization, 47% voted against.

Alexis Keenan is a New York-based reporter for Yahoo Finance. She previously produced live news for CNN and MSNBC and is a former litigation attorney.

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Winning the Mega Millions is sweeter in some states than othersLondon (AFP) - The woman targeted by Britain's first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO), who spent A16 million in department store Harrods, will appear in court on Thursday as she fights an extradition request by Azerbaijan, prosectors said Wednesday.

Zamira Hajiyeva was arrested in London last week after an extradition request from Baku, where she faces two charges of embezzlement.

She is currently in custody after having her bail request turned down. She will will appeal the decision to refuse her bail at London's High Court on Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Hajiyev's husband Jahangir was jailed in 2016 for embezzling money from the International Bank of Azerbaijan, where he was chairman.

Separately, she is being scrutinised by Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA), who issued a UWO to demand that she explain where she got the A11.5 million ($15 million, 13 million euros) to pay for her property in Knightsbridge, central London.

The court issuing the order heard that she had spent more than A16 million at luxury department store Harrods over a 10-year period.

The UWO court orders were incorporated into British law in January 2018 as part of the fight against money laundering.

People who fail to account for the sources of their assets are liable to have assets seized.

A judge at Westminster magistrates court initially ruled on Tuesday that Hajiyeva could be released on bail by paying a A500,000 bond.

But prosecutors challenged the decision and she was detained in custody, being deemed a flight risk.Mosquitoes are able to transmit a number of diseases caused by infectious agents, through parasites (malaria, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis). Photo: WikiCommons/CDC

Parasites are everywhere. They could be sitting next to you at work, they could be your boss, and they could even shape your behaviour without you knowing it. Worse still, those parasites could have psychopathic tendencies or even turn you into a sociopath.

But not all parasites are bad. In fact, as detailed by Dr Andrew Voak, PhD in molecular parasitology, in nature parasites can be a force for good.

Usually the dictionary definition of parasitism usually conjures an idea of a more negative relationship. However if we look at symbiosis that can garner a positive relationship, said Voak, who also did a three-year postdoctoral position at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is currently working as a postdoctoral research assistant at Kings College London.

For example, our microbiome (essentially the bacteria that resides on our skin or our gut) in fact are so numerous that people quip we, as people, are just biomechanical animals that walk around like tanks for giant populations of bacteria. They sound gross but theyre absolutely critical for our wellbeingboth physical and mental.

Distilling what this means in the work place, Lindsay Dodgson, a reporter specialising in psychology, relationships, and science for Insider, and who has degrees in zoology and science journalism, said: Its the difference between teamwork at a well-working company, compared to colleagues who steal your ideas and drain your life force.

The Jungle podcast is a new 10-part series that unpacks productivity lessons from nature. This weeks episode looks at workplace parasites  whether its your colleagues and or your boss  and how to navigate and break away from toxic relationships in the office.

To understand how you can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, listen to the full episode above, or download it on Apple Podcasts, ACast, or Google podcasts to listen while on the go.Amid rising home prices, voters split on two ballot proposals meant to reduce property taxes for homeowners.A proposal in California to expand a controversial property tax break to seniors and the disabled was defeated by a healthy margin, despite a well-funded campaign supporting it.And in Louisiana, voters easily approved a proposal that will phase in higher property tax payments for homeowners facing huge increases in appraisal values.The two efforts to reduce rising property taxes were spurred by rising home prices. In the past five years, they have risen by 40 percent nationwide. The increase is blamed largely on a housing shortage, which has been especially acute in California. In Louisiana, meanwhile, skyrocketing home prices in New Orleans has been blamed in part by the booming market there for property rentals.California's Proposition 5 would have allowedhomebuyers who are seniors, disabled or homeless as the result of a natural disaster to pay taxes on only a portion of their new home's market value. The proposal was controversial because it expands the states existing constitutional limit on property taxes. That limit, which was established by Prop. 13 , has been in place for 40 years and only allows homes to be taxed at their market value when they were last sold. It means that those who live in their homes for a long time ultimately pay artificially low taxes.With 86 percent of precenct reporting Wednesday morning, Prop. 5 was behind 58 percent to 42 percent.The California Association of Realtors, which poured more than $10 million into promotingthe measure, argued that long-term homeowners who eventually sell their homes pay a moving penalty because they have to adjust to a far higher tax bill -- even if their new home is worth less than their old one. That, said spokeswoman Lotus Lou, discourages people from selling their homes.But opponents said the expansion of Prop 13 could be devastating for local governments. According to research from the independent California Legislative Analysts Office, it would have meant the loss of $150 million in total revenue for schools and local governments across the state in the first year alone. That figure was likely to increase over time to reach between $1 billion and a few billion dollars per year.Its terrible tax policy, Quarles & Bradys state and local tax law expert, David Brunoritoldrecently. But its good politics because people 55 and over voteUnlike California, Louisianas proposal, which won by more than 57 percent, was largely controversy-free. Amendment 6 is expected to ease the shock of rapidly increasing home values by phasing in homeowners new property taxes over four years. It will offer relief to homeowners who havent made any significant improvements to their property but whose houses have been reassessed at a value at least 50 percent higher.Phasing in property tax increases is already a fairly common practice. Louisiana's measure was developed in response to a plan by the state tax commission to tax short-term rental properties in New Orleans by an average of 50 percent more. The city is seeing an exodus of residents amid a shortage of affordable housing -- a problem many blame on housing being eaten up by Airbnb and short-term rental companies.Republicans retained their majority in Florida not only with sweeping wins in the state House, but also with the passage of a supermajority requirement for tax hikes. Approved by 66 percent of voters on Tuesday, the constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds legislative majority in both chambers to pass a tax increase. Florida is now the 15th state with a supermajority requirement.Opponents of the measure had complained that Republican lawmakers put it on the November ballot to stack the deck against any Democrats taking office after them. One of the chief critics of the measure was Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, who said it was a sign Republicans were getting ready for when theyre out of power. Gillum, however, conceded defeat on Tuesday to Republican Ron DeSantis.The proposal in Florida was one of a slew of tax-limiting ballot measures across the country this year. Others were also successful, such as in Arizona , where voters banned taxing services, to North Carolina, where voters lowered that states income tax rate cap. In Oregon, however, voters rejected new restrictions on raising that states revenue.A total of 14 states impose some kind of supermajority requirement -- two-thirds, three-fourths or three-fifths of the legislature -- to raise taxes and revenue. But while supermajority requirements can be daunting for minority parties, theres no evidence that they substantially change a state's tax policy one way or the other.The prevailing argument for supermajorities is that they keep taxes low. The evidence doesnt necessarily bear that out. California, for instance, has a supermajority requirement and has some of the highest income tax rates in the country.What's more, research from the progressive-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has found no long-term average difference in tax rates between states with supermajority requirements and states with no such requirements.Some research, though, has suggested that supermajority requirements can have unintended consequences. A study from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University warns that supermajority rules for tax increases may lead to coalition building that actually increases pork-barrel spending in order to entice legislators to support a tax increase.The conservative-leaning Tax Foundations Joseph Henchman isn't surprised that research shows supermajorities have little effect. If you have a state thats reliably conservative, theyre not going to go wild on spending [in the first place], he says. I think [the supermajority requirement] is more of a protection thats built in.But Michael Leachman, senior director of CBPPs state fiscal research, has warned that the requirements have a devastating impact. In Oklahoma, for example, the three-fourths requirement prevented some attempts to raise funding for education until school districts faced a massive teacher shortage and many were forced to go to four-day school weeks. Only after a statewide teacher strike this year were lawmakers able to pass the first tax hike in nearly 30 years.Getting there just took an enormous effort from a lot of people and you cant expect the legislature to operate that way year in and year out, he says. They should be able to look at what [the] state needs and spend appropriately without having to meet this bar.Ministers both in the ruling Likud party and the Kadima party (which was the ruling party before Likud, and no longer exists) tend to constantly lie about the fact their hands are tied and their ability to influence matters is limited.

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At times, they point to laws that prevent them from doing their job and serving the public as they so desire. Sometimes it's those evil Finance Ministry clerks, those obscure messengers of the terrifying guild dubbed the "Treasury bureaucrats" who prevent them from fulfilling their duty.

The current rival preventing the ministers from demonstrating their ability to perform is the entire legal systemfrom the Supreme Court to the legal advisors in the government ministries.

The Knesset

The battle against the legal system is led by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who went through the trouble of attending a political conference in New York, where she criticized our Supreme Court, of which she is in charge. Breaking the silence, so to speak.

All the criticism of politicians being restrained stems from their provocative, supreme claim: there is no governance. They are elected, but they can't do much because of the Supreme Court, the bureaucrats, the law, the media, the elites and because Mercury is in withdrawal.

Those are excuses. Think about slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered 23 years ago. Even his strongest critics could not deny a simple fact: within merely three years, Rabin completely changed Israel and the Middle East. Apart from tremendous policy changes, Rabin changed the priorities in allocating budgets and resources to the education system, redesigning the security budget, and expelling hundreds of Hamas members, among other things.

Another example is former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was effective. Sharon launched Operation Defensive Shield, made unusual budget cuts, made changes to benefits with the gracious help of then-energized Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and led the historic and controversial plan of Israel's disengagement from Gaza.

Israel's prime ministers enjoy a huge advantage, which an American presidentwith all his might and powerdoes not always have. They have an automatic majority in the legislature, with part of it physically becoming the executive branch. A prime minister in Israel also has a blocking majority in the Knesset.

US President Donald Trump has just lost his majority in the American House of Representatives, which will prevent him from passing bills into laws. In Israel, the prime minister always has a majority in the Knesset. If not, the government is dissolved, which means going to elections. Capable prime ministers took advantage of thatwhether their name was Menachem Begin or Ariel Sharonto advance big moves in short time.

However, during a recent meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, the vote on restricting security import to countries violating human rights was postponed by three months; the discussion about the vaccines incentive bill (in light of recent measles outbreak) was delayed by two weeks; the establishment of the breast milk bank was suspended by two weeks; Likud MK Sharren Haskel's proposal to cancel the "plant council" was taken off the agenda; the public transportation on Saturday bill was delayed by four months; the compensation fund bill for damages caused by agricultural crimes was pushed aside for two months.

The single bill that passed into law was the one forbidding the early release of security prisoners by cutting their jail sentence by a third.

It is true that some of the bills were postponed to receive professional opinions from government ministries. On the politicians' list of priorities, urgent civil matters, such as the measles outbreak or car accidents, are matters that can be played with, postponed and stalled.

Then the politicians will bemoan the lack of governance. However, they know the truth: good and efficient ministers and prime ministers know how to govern, and the Israeli method gives them great power. All the rest are just making up excuses.Democrats were on track to gain House control Tuesday night but Republicans held their Senate majority as voters rendered a mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Donald Trump's turbulent presidency.

The Democrats picked up the 23 seats they would need to take from the GOP, but were still short of the 218 total to take control with more races still undecided.

Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority as part of a "blue wave" were shattered after losses in many of the top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas. They also suffered a stinging loss in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may cancel his trip to Paris, where he planned to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after the French asked world leaders not to hold meetings on the sidelines of the conference marking 100 years to the end of World War I.

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The prime minister is scheduled to leave for France on Saturday to attend the conference, which will host over 100 leaders from around the world.

Netanyahu wanted to meet with Putin on the sidelines of the conference, but such a meeting has yet to be scheduled, despite talks between National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat and his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Russian President Putin meet in Moscow in July 2018. (Photo: AFP)

The Russians recently said Putin only had a meeting set with US President Donald Trump and might hold other meetings with other leaders, including Netanyahu.

Officials in Jerusalem got the impression Moscow is trying to stonewall attempts to schedule a meeting as Israel has yet to agree to Russian demand for a shorter notice ahead of a possible IAF strike in Syria. The IDF is wary of such a move over fears the information about the planned strike could leak to the Iranians and Syrians.

Israeli officials said the prime minister normally has about 10 such sideline meetings at conferences with leaders, and because the French barred such meetings and the busy schedule of the conference won't allow such meetings anyway, the Prime Minister's Office is considering cancelling the trip.The Hamas terror group announced a series of large-scale projects in Gaza on Tuesday, with the main one being creating temporary jobs for 10,000 university graduates in the coastal enclave.

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The Hamas Labor Ministry representative, who announced the project during a press conference in Gaza, did not elaborate on the nature of the work, its duration, and its funding sources.

Nevertheless, Hamas's announcement might trigger a significant change in the strip, since the unemployment rate among Gaza's university graduates is over 50 percent.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (Photo: AP)

Two possible funding sources are Qatar and the UN, which promised Hamas financial support in exchange for reaching calm on the Israel-Gaza border.

A representative of Hamas's Finance Ministry said that Qatar would pay Hamas officials 60 percent of their salariesat least NIS 1,400which was one of the chief conditions set by Hamas during negotiations talks.

Moreover, Hamas announced a NIS 700 grant to 5,000 families whose relatives were severely wounded during the "March of Return" protests and other activities related to the Palestinian struggle, as well as a NIS 100 grant to 50,000 underprivileged families in the strip. Here, too, the terror organization did not disclose its funding sources.

'March of Return' riots (Photo: AFP)

Hamas asserted that the organized demonstrations along the Gaza border over the past seven months led to the achievements of Palestinian resistance.

Iran has been sending Hamas large sums of money over the past few months meant for the families of those killed and wounded during the "March of Return" campaign. It appears Hamas is now trying to reward Gaza's residents for taking part in the border riots, during which more than 200 Palestinians were killed and thousands were wounded.

However, Hamas's decision to curb the violence during weekly demonstrations and halt the launching of incendiary balloons has sparked criticism in Gaza in recent days.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Egyptian intelligence officials is shuttling between Gaza, Jerusalem, and Ramallah in an effort to forge a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Michael Oren, Israel's deputy Cabinet minister for public diplomacy and a former ambassador to Washington, says the results made it more likely that President Donald Trump would turn to international diplomacy to reach a deal for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Oren has told The Associated Press: "There is no issue which would have greater reverberations, not just on the right but in the center and maybe even on parts of the left that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue."A 94-year-old former SS enlisted man went on trial Tuesday in Germany, facing hundreds of counts of accessory to murder for alleged crimes committed during the years he served as a guard at the Nazis Stutthof concentration camp.

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Johann Rehbogen was pushed into the Muenster state court trial in a wheelchair, a wooden cane at his side and briefcase on his lap. He appeared alert and attentive as presiding judge Rainer Brackhane asked him questions, answering in slow, concise sentences.

Rehbogen is accused of working as a guard at the camp east of Danzig, which is today the Polish city of Gdansk, from June 1942 to about early September 1944.

Johann Rehbogen (Photo: EPA)

There is no evidence linking him to a specific crime, but over 60,000 people were killed at Stutthof and prosecutors argue that as a guard, he was an accessory to at least hundreds of those deaths.

The retired civil servant showed no reaction as prosecutor Andreas Brendel read the accusations against him, detailing the horrific way prisoners at Stutthof were killed. Some were given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. Others were forced outside in winter without clothes until they died of exposure, or put to death in the gas chamber.

Anyone who heard the screams from outside the gas chamber would have known that people were fighting for their lives, Brendel said.

Johann Rehbogen (Photo: EPA)

Rehbogen, a former SS Sturmmannroughly equivalent to the US Army rank of specialistdoes not deny serving in the camp during the war, but has told investigators he was unaware of the killings and did not participate in them.

No pleas are entered in Germany and Andreas Tinkl, one of Rehbogens attorneys, would not comment on his clients defense. He said Rehbogen would address the court at some point during the trial, which is scheduled into January.

Rehbogen lives in Borken, near the Dutch border. In deference to his age and health, the trial is being restricted to a maximum of two hours a day, on no more than two non-consecutive days a week. At the same time, because he was under 21 at the time of his alleged crimes, he is being tried in juvenile court and faces a maximum 10 years in prison if convicted.

Seventeen Stutthof survivors or relatives of victims have joined the trial as co-plaintiffs, but Brendel said it was unclear whether any would testify in person due to their ages.

German Nazi concentration camp Stutthof (Photo: AFP)

In one of several statements read by their attorneys, survivor Judy Meisel remembered being forced by the Germans into a ghetto at age 12, where she said she endured hunger, daily humiliation and terror.

But I was not prepared for what came next, said Meisel, who today lives in Minneapolis. Next came Stutthof and I experienced the unimaginable, the hell organized and executed by the SS.

Rehbogen, who was given headphones so he could clearly follow the testimony, showed no reaction as Meisel said the last time she saw her mother, they were both standing among a group of naked women about to be forced into the gas chamber, before she herself was able to break away.

Stutthof was organized mass murder through the SS, made possible through the help of the guards, she said.

Johann Rehbogen (Photo: EPA)

Ben Cohen, Meisels grandson who came from New York to attend the trial, said hearing her statement with one of her former captors in the same room was both important and moving.

I know her story so well it is emotional every time I hear it, but it takes on more importance than my own emotions now, he said.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which helped locate Stutthof survivors for the case, stressed that even more than 70 years after the end of World War II it is not too late to pursue justice.

The passage of time in no way diminishes the guilt of Holocaust perpetrators and old age should not afford protection to those who committed such heinous crimes, said the centers head Nazi hunter, Efraim Zuroff.

Even though the number of suspects is dwindling, the special federal prosecutors office that investigates Nazi war crimes still has multiple cases ongoing.

The legal reasoning that being a camp guard is itself enough to be found guilty of accessory to murder, even without specific evidence of a crime, was first used successfully against former Ohio autoworker John Demjanjuk in 2011.

German Nazi concentration camp Stutthof (Photo: AFP)

Demjanjuk was convicted on allegations he served as a Sobibor death camp guard. He denied the accusation and died before his appeal could be heard.

The 2015 conviction of former Auschwitz guard Oskar Groening using the same argument, however, was upheld by Germanys top criminal court on appeal.

The Stutthof case is the first use of this reasoning for a concentration camp guard instead of a death camp guard. But prosecutors have expressed confidence it can be applied, since tens of thousands of people were killed in Stutthof even though its sole purpose was not murder.

Stutthof was established in 1939 and was initially used as the main collection point for Jews and non-Jewish Poles removed from nearby Danzig.

From about 1940, it was used as a so-called work education camp where forced laborers, primarily Polish and Soviet citizens, were sent to serve sentences and often died. Others incarcerated there included criminals, political prisoners, homosexuals and Jehovahs Witnesses.

From mid-1944, it was filled with tens of thousands of Jews from ghettos being cleared by the Nazis in the Baltics as well as from Auschwitz, and thousands of Polish civilians swept up in the brutal suppression of the Warsaw uprising.Medicaid Expansion

Governors Races and Medicaid

Abortion

Split on the Soda Tax

Other Health News From Election Night

The 2018 midterms have largely been a referendum on the Trump administration and its policies. It was no different with health care.Voters on Tuesday had a say on everything from Medicaid expansion to abortion to universal at-home care. The results were mixed, with voters splitting on some divisive health-care ballot measures. And in some states, the governor's race could change the trajectory of health policy.Heres a breakdown of the big election results that impact health care.Medicaid expansion was the big winner of the night, with three states -- Idaho, Nebraska and Utah -- approving expansion measures . Only Montanas measure, which would have raised cigarette taxes to continue funding the states existing Medicaid expansion program, appears to have been defeated.In Idaho and Nebraska, the measures passed with 63 percent and 53 percent of the vote, respectively.Utah's measure, meanwhile, passed with 54 percent of the vote. But unlike Idaho and Nebraska, Utah already has a law in place to expand Medicaid. It's awaiting federal approval, but if granted, would require nondisabled people to work, volunteer or participate in a job training program to receive Medicaid; would automatically end the expansion if the federal match dipped below 90 percent; and would stop eligibility at the poverty line, which is $12,140 for a single person. (The federal government has rejected other states' requests to limit expansion to people at the poverty line.)The ballot measure, on the other hand, asked voters to expand Medicaid traditionally -- without work requirements or eligibility limits. It also asked voters to increase the sales tax to fund the state's 10 percent share of the costs. Its unclear what would happen, now that the ballot measure passed, if the federal government approves Utahs competing Medicaid waiver.Health policy experts were uncertain how these ballot measures would fare, particularly given how conservative the states are. In Idaho, GOP Gov. Butch Otters endorsement of the ballot measure one week before the election helped. Its wide approval margin can be credited to his backing, says David Jones, associate professor of health law at Boston University.Adam Morfeld, a Nebraska state senator who campaigned heavily for the ballot measure, says he was pleasantly surprised by the margin of victory in his state.Beyond the ballot, Medicaid expansion advocates were also closely watching a number of governors' races.In particular, they were hoping for Democratic victories in Florida and Georgia. If Democrat Andrew Gillum had won in Florida, many expected a Medicaid expansion would follow. But he conceded Tuesday night and, while the Georgia race has not been called, Democrat Stacey Abrams is trailing in the polls.Even if Gillum had won, says Boston University's Jones, given the makeup of the Florida Legislature, I think it would have been an uphill battle.Meanwhile, advocates have something to cheer about in Maine, where voters approved an expansion in 2017. Outgoing GOP Gov. Paul LePage, citing concerns about the cost, has refused to implement it. But now that Democrat Janet Mills has won the race, experts say, its safe to assume she'll expand Medicaid.One win for Medicaid expansion that many advocates didnt see coming was the Kansas governor's race. State Sen. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, defeated Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican.The Kansas Legislature came close to expanding Medicaid in 2017, but then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed the bill. With a Democrat soon to be in power, says Jones, Kansas is "the next battleground state for Medicaid expansion.And finally, five states that expanded Medicaid and are pursuing waivers such as work requirements, income reporting and premiums, held gubernatorial elections on Tuesday. Republicans maintained control in Arizona, New Hampshire and Ohio, and therefore, are expected to continue pursuing waivers.But two -- Michigan and Wisconsin -- elected Democrats, signaling a push to the left on health-care policy. Michigan Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers have both said they oppose any restrictions on eligibility and could withdraw the waivers.While only three states voted on the issue , the measures were seen as a referendum on abortion rights in an era of uncertainty over the future of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion. The appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court has given it a solid conservative majority.Voters in West Virginia narrowly passed a ballot measure that will eliminate Medicaid coverage of abortion services in the state. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Amendment 1 passed with 51 percent of the vote.The measure also includes provisions that would only be enforceable if Roe v. Wade is overturned: It bans abortion in the state and changes the states constitution to ensure that nothing in it secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion." It also makes receiving or performing an abortion punishable by up to 10 years in jail.Alabama's ballot measure, meanwhile, was approved 59 percent to 40 percent. Like in West Virginia, it is largely unenforceable at the moment. It will not only change the states constitution to explicitly state that there is no right to an abortion but will also recognize the "sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life."Fetal rights propositions are controversial, even among some pro-life advocates. Recognizing fetal rights could criminalize some forms of birth control or fertility treatments. Mississippi, a red state, had a measure on the ballot in 2011 that would have established life as beginning at conception. It was ultimately defeated.Alabama's approval of a fetal rights measure signals a further push to the right on abortion in solid red states. The language is just so broad and vague in Alabama, says Elizabeth Nash, state policy expert for the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion access. "It could complicate your right to health care, say, if you had a miscarriage or if you were in a car accident while pregnant."Oregon, on the other hand, defeated a ballot measure 66 percent to 34 percent that would have ended abortion benefits for public employees and women on Medicaid. Oregon is one of 17 states (now 16, with West Virginia dropping from the list) that allows taxpayer dollars to fund abortion coverage for public health plans. This is the fourth time Oregonians have voted down abortion restrictions in the past few decades.One thing is certain from last nights abortion measures: More states are likely going to take action to move abortion access to the right or left.Were going to see constitutional amendments [on abortion access] coming into play more in general, Nash says.Observers were watching two similar ballot measures in Oregon and Washington state to gauge the viability of soda taxes. But much like the rest of the results from Tuesday night, the results were mixed.The two ballot measures would ban any new local taxes on groceries, excluding tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. Oregon rejected its measure, while Washington voters appear to have passed its grocery tax ban. With 64 percent of precincts reporting, 54 percent were in favor.Oregons initiative would have retroactively applied to any tax passed after Oct. 1, 2017, which means it would have killed a soda tax passed in Multnomah County.The two ballot initiatives were framed as soda tax referendums because they were largely funded by big soda companies.In other tax news, Nevada voted to become the 16th state to nix the tampon tax. And South Dakota rejected a measure on a cigarette tax that would have funded a job training program.Maine voters turned down a proposal that would have established the nation's first state-run universal at-home care program, losing 63 percent to 36 percent. Even if it had passed, implementing it could have been an uphill battle as none of the gubernatorial candidates endorsed the measure.Massachusetts voters declined to adopt a controversial initiative that would have limited the number of patients that a nurse could treat during one shift. The measure split nursing interest groups, with a nurses union in support of it, but the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association spent big to defeat it.It would have been the second state with nurse-to-patient ratio requirements, after California adopted a similar law in 1999. Results from Californias experiment have been mixed: While a study found that patient outcomes improved after the law was enacted, the state is also facing an impending nurse shortage -- although its impossible to say what impact the law had on both of those events.Even those who don't start every morning by reading the Jewish-American press or stay on top of updates from our friends across the ocean know that this was one of the hardest years in the relationship between the Jews in the Holy Land and those living in the land of unlimited possibilities.

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On this backdrop, the Jewish Federations of North America (UJA) held their annual General Assembly meeting in Tel Aviv last month under the title "We Need to Talk." This title says more about the crisis and the need to resolve it than a 1,000 testimonies.

Participants of Taglit-Birthright project (file photo) (Photo: Erez Uzir)

"Israel is a holy homeland to all Jews," declared Eric Goldstein, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of New York, in an interview with Ynet. "I think any declaration or policy that erodes this statement hurts the ties between American Jews and Israel."

Jay Sanderson, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, takes a more conciliatory tone. "The ties between Israel and the Diaspora are not based on one case, a specific declaration or a certain decision. It is the mission of all of us to work hard to create the strongest bond between the two," he said.

Jay Sanderson, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles

Liberal movements 'must not be ignored'

Shep Englander, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, didn't hesitate to give voice to what many are thinking: "Most of American Jews still have strong feelings towards Israel, but many also feel they are less wanted and less respected."

Englander cautioned against Israel investing only in its ties with the Orthodox Jewish communities in the Diaspora and not with the Reform or Conservative movements. "Outside Israel, the Orthodox communities make up only 10 percent. So ignoring the other communities means canceling the ties with 90 percent of Diaspora Jews, meaning half of the entire Jewish people," he said.

Shep Englander, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Sanderson agreed. "We must not label or judge any Jew, wherever he may be. We need strong and varied communitiesboth in the US and in Israel," he said.

Naomi Adler, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia, said the ramifications of the crisis between the Diaspora and Israel are felt on the ground. "Philadelphia is a very pro-Israeli community, regardless of the political leanings of each of the members. But when a minister in the (Israeli) government or a member of Knesset says something against the way we pray and express our Judaism, it emphasizes the fact they think we're not their equals. It causes pain, confusion and distress for many Jews in our area," she explained.

Goldstein asserted that "such statements indicate a lack of understanding about the state of the Jewish communities in the US today, and the importance of other denominations of Judaism. It indicates a need for more meetings and a stronger bond between Israelis and the communities in the US."

Naomi Adler, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia

Losing the youth?

Most of the heads of the Federations represent the older generation of American Jews, who were raised with the image of Israel as the tiny and fragile country that rose out of the ashes of the Holocaust. One of the real challenges in Israel-Diaspora relations is preserving the ties with the younger generation of American Jews, those who know Israel as a strong and independent nation that perhaps doesn't need as much support from the Diaspora.

Englander claimed the Taglit-Birthright project has brought a record number of young American Jews to visit Israel, but the ones who only learn about the Jewish state via the media or on college campuses are not as inclined to show solidarity with it.

Young Americans receive a warm welcome at the airport

Goldstein, meanwhile, sees an interesting opportunity in the younger generation. "I think young people connect to Israel in other ways, and that is a good thing. The younger generation needs to find its own personal bond to Israel," he said. "The challenge is to find ways to get them involved in the future of the state, even if they don't agree (with the Israeli government) on all issues."

Sanderson says that if Israel is concerned about its connection with the younger generation, the state must be part of the solution: "We need more visits by young Americans in Israeland also visits by Israelis in the United States. We make sure to send young Americans to Israel through programs like Taglit-Birthright Israel, Masa Israel Journey and others. This is a big part of the solution.

According to Adler, they discovered that "if we present quality interactions with Israel, these young adults show enthusiasm about the journey and feel a strong connection to the country. Some delegations return from Israel full of passion about their journey."

Israelis turn to learn about us

What about maintaining the relationship? At this point everyone is optimistic, but they have a sharp message to deliver: "For years we taught the community in New York about Israel and the Israelis," Goldstein says. "The time has come for Israel to do her part. Israelis must be exposed to the diversity of Judaism and the possibility of establishing, from an early age, meaningful ties with Diaspora Jews."

Eric Goldstein, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of New York

Sanderson agrees that this is the answer: "Just as Diaspora Jews come to experience Israel, Israelis need to experience Diaspora Jewry, not just by visiting tourist sites, but by getting to know the customs and experiences of American Jews."

"Visit us, stay with Jewish families and experience as many Judaism types as possible in various communities. We will listen more to each other, we will call and visit," said Englander.

"Just come back with Jewish leaders from around the world, and you'll see how strongly connected they are to Israel," Adler concluded.Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz received Tuesday a very warm welcome upon his arrival in Oman, and joined his hosts in a traditional sword dance to the sounds of local folk music.

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Katz toured the Nizwa Fortone of UNESCO's world heritage sites. The city of Nizwa used to be the capital of the sultanate in the Persian Gulf.

Transportation, Intelligence, and Atomic Energy Minister Yisrael Katz in Oman

Katz presented before several Arab ministers his Tracks for Regional Peace plana railway that will connect the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf through Israel and Jordan.

"I was moved to receive such a warm welcome in Oman as an Israeli minister, and take part in Oman's traditional sword dance. This is a sign of Israel's growing strength."

Video: Minister Katz joins Omani hosts in traditional sword dance

X

In October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to Oman, the first of its kind in more than 20 years.

Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt addressed Katz's visit on Tuesday, tweeting, "Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Israel Katz is attending an international transport event in Oman. He will present a plan to build a railway connecting Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. Let's continue the dialogue. These efforts support our own."According to a Palestinian report, IDF soldiers surrounded Wednesday the house of Ashraf Na'alwam, who carried out the attack in the Barkan industrial area last month. IDF forces arrived at the suspec's house in Tulkarem and blew up one of its doors, the report says.Tuning into the news at dawn on Wednesday, the extended family of Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected to the US Congress, celebrated her victory in their home in the West Bank.

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Tlaib, a Democrat, ran virtually unopposed in Michigans 13th congressional district, which encompasses southwest Detroit and its suburbs west to the city of Dearborn. She previously served in Michigans state legislature.

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the US Congress. (Photo: Reuters)

She has become a source of pride for Palestine and the entire Arab and Muslim world, her uncle, Bassam Tlaib, said in the small village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa.

With her win, Tlaib, 44, will become the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in the US Congress. Alongside incoming Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, she will also be one of the first Muslim women to join the congressional ranks.

Im going to speak truth to power, Tlaib told the Detroit Free Press on election night on Tuesday. I obviously have a set agenda thats not going to be a priority for the current president but that doesnt mean Im not going to push back.

Tlaibs district is home to one of the largest Arab-American populations in the United States. Her win highlights a wave of Palestinian diaspora candidates and activists who have embraced the Democratic Partys progressive wing at a low point in US-Palestinian relations under Republican President Donald Trump.

Rashida Talib and her supporters. (Photo: Reuters)

In Californias 50th district, Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Palestinian-American who spent part of his childhood in Gaza and whose father served in the Palestinian Authority, was in a close race with incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter, early results showed.

The success of (Tlaib and Campa-Najjars) progressive messaging on a wide range of issues, including Palestine, is reflective of a shifting public discourse that Palestine activists have played a role in shaping, said Omar Baddar, deputy director of the Washington-based Arab American Institute.

Cautious optimism

Under Trump, Washington has alienated Palestinians by recognizing contested Jerusalem as Israels capital and moving the American embassy there, and by slashing US funding of the UN body that aids Palestinians.

Palestinians have broken off contact with his administration, which has promised to announce a peace plan soon for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah and throughout the territory, Palestinians took a cautious view of the election news.

Talib's uncle, in the small village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa. (Photo: Reuters)

Change is incremental, and Palestinians in Palestine are intimately aware of that, said Salem Barahmeh, executive director of the Ramallah-based Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy.



That said, Tlaibs election is seen as a glimmer of hope in a very dark chapter in the Palestinian peoples history, Barahmeh added.

Bassam Tlaib, the candidates uncle, said she had stood against Trump at a time when even our Arab leaders are unwilling to face (him).Jewish Ethiopians celebrated the holiday of Sigd on Wednesday, amid renewed calls to end racism in Israeli society.

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During Sigd, members of the community pray, fast and renew their covenant with God as well as express their longing for Zion.

At a ceremony in Jerusalem organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Center for the Legacy of Ethiopian Jewry, spiritual leaders, Israeli officials, and curious onlookers gathered to celebrate.

Jewish Ethiopians celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

This is a central holiday in the Jewish Ethiopian calendar, which we have celebrated for thousands of years, Dr. Simcha Gathon, director of the Center for the Legacy of Ethiopian Jewry who immigrated to Israel in 1984, told The Media Line. Its a religious holiday with origins in the Bible that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. We pray for peace in Zion, Jerusalem and for the people of Israel as whole.

Jewish Ethiopians celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

Ethiopian Jews, historically referred to as Beta Israel (House of Israel), are believed to be descended from the ancient Israelites, possibly from the lost Tribe of Dan or from Jews who were dispersed from the Kingdom of Judah following the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem in 587 BCE.

Jewish Ethiopians celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

Since Israels establishment in 1948, roughly 95,000 Beta Israel have immigrated to Israel. Most of the community arrived in two waves as part of dramatic covert evacuations by the Israeli government: Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991.

Kessim, spiritual leaders of the Israeli Ethiopian community, count money donated by community members during a ceremony marking the Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

In honor of Sigd, this year President Reuven Rivlin and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked called on members of the Ethiopian community to submit requests for pardons in order to have their criminal records expunged. The majority of pardons granted would apply to minors or young people who committed non-violent crimes, such as refusing to present identity papers, consuming alcohol in public, or disturbing the peace.

Presiden Reuven Rivlin speaks at Sigd ceremony in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

I welcome the president and Justice Ministrys decision, Ethiopian-born MK Avraham Neguise (Likud) told The Media Line. It is very important to bring trust between the Ethiopian Jewish community and those who are enforcing the rule of law. This really gives an opportunity to correct (the past) and start a new life, especially for many young people.

Jewish Ethiopians celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: AFP)

Despite recent progress, many Ethiopians have struggled with integration into Israeli society. A report published two years ago by Justice Ministry Director-General Emi Palmor delineated the discrimination faced by the community in several areas, including law enforcement, health, education and employment. The report also noted that a significantly higher rate of charges was brought against the Ethiopian-Israelis than other populations.

During her speech in front of the thousands gathered in Jerusalem, Culture Minister Miri Regev said Israelis will have some collective soul-searching to do to eradicate racism against Ethiopians.

Culture Minister Miri Regev speaks at Sigd ceremony in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)

In a statement to The Media Line, Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, who has long advocated for the Beta Israel, said our duty today is to ensure the Ethiopian Jewish communitys absorption into Israeli society.

There is no other country in the world that has gone as far as Israeleven endangering our soldiers and intelligence agents livesto bring this community here, Ariel asserted.

Jewish Ethiopians celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem (Photo: AFP)

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics latest figures, 148,700 Jews of Ethiopian origin currently reside in Israel. Of these, 87,000 were born in Ethiopia, while the remaining 61,700 were born in Israel. In 2017, 1,467 Ethiopians immigrated to Israel.

Article written by Maya MargitPalestinian officials say a fisherman has been shot dead by Egyptian naval forces off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Nizzar Ayyash of the fishermen's union says that 32-year-old Mustafa Abu Ouda had been fishing alone in his boat off the coast of the southern border town of Rafah on Wednesday.

Ayyash says at least three fishermen have been killed by Egyptian fire in recent years.Three individuals walk up the steps and into the Memorial Building in Ironwood to vote Tuesday afternoon. The mid-term election ballot contained many federal, state and local candidates and proposals. Officials said voter turnout was steady through the day.

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

BESSEMER - Gogebic County voters Tuesday supported a one-mill levy for ambulance services that will raise $523,548 the first year.

Voters backed levying the one mill over a three-year period by a 4,010 to 2,473 margin.

A total of 6,483 votes were cast on the ambulance issue out of 6,689 total countywide, according to initial figures from the county clerk's office. That represents about a 48 percent countywide turnout.

A breakdown of the votes by municipalities was not available Tuesday evening, when the final tallies were released after 10 p.m.

The...RACINE, Wis. - Richard "Red" Johnson, 76, passed away peacefully at Season's Hospice in Waukesha on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.

Red was born on June 26, 1942, in Ironwood, Mich., to the late Walter and Louise (nee: LaForge) Johnson. He graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1960. Red was united in marriage to Fran Siklich at St.Ambrose Catholic Church on April 27, 1963, celebrating 55 years of marriage. They started their married life together in Kenosha.

Red worked at American Motors, then going to Young Radiator in Racine after 22 years, where he was very active with the UAW and president of Local 37 for 14 of those years. He then went to Gateway Technical College, working there for 15 years before retiring in 2009. Red enjoyed fishing with his buddies for many years and then with "Franny" after they both retired. He very much enjoyed building and fixing things. Red was always willing to help out anyone who needed a hand and always enjoyed a good party with family and friends.

Red is survived by his wife Fran, sons, Mark, of Racine and David, of Union Grove, and sister, Louise (Richard) Davis, of South Carolina. He is further survived one nephew, many nieces and numerous friends. Red was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Joan Cartie, brother, Walter Johnson, nephew, James Cartie Jr. and niece, Ann Flores.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for a Memorial Gathering at the funeral home on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Memorials have been suggested to Season's Hospice Inpatient, 3217 Fiddler's Creek Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188.

Red's family would like to extend a special thank you to Season's Hospice and all of their staff for the level of care that he was given. Thanks so much to Bethany and Simone and also Annette from Comfort Keepers who gave Red such good care on her weekly visits.Democrats lost high-profile gubernatorial races in Florida, Iowa and Ohio, overshadowing what was otherwise a strong night for the party in the 36 governors races.The Democrats appeared to flip Republican gubernatorial seats in seven states -- Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin. (Right in the middle of Governings pre-election prediction of between three and 10 seats.)The Republicans entered Election Day with a 33-16 lead among governors. There was one independent governor, Alaska's Bill Walker, who ended his reelection campaign last month.Seven Democratic flips would diminish the GOP's lead to 27-23, including Alaska's shift from Independent to Republican. A big question mark looms in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams refuses to concede to Republican Brian Kemp."Across our state, folks are opening up the dreams of voters in absentee ballots, and we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach. But we cannot seize it until all voices are heard," Abrams said early Wednesday. "And I promise you tonight, we're going to make sure that every vote is counted."The Democrats also dodged a bullet in Connecticut, where Republican Bob Stefanowski's lead over Democrat Ned Lamont evaporated early Wednesday morning once several large Democratic strongholds reported their votes. That would have been the only potential Republican flip of a Democratic governorship.A few of the Democratic victories were especially sweet for the party.In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers narrowly defeated Republican Scott Walker, who lost in his fourth election in eight years. In red Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump and takes hardline stances on voting and immigration. In Maine, voters turned the page on eight years of polarizing Republican Gov. Paul LePage, as Democrat Janet Mills won the state. And Democrat Gretchen Whitmer easily won the race to succeed Michigan's Republican governor, Rick Snyder, whose tenure was overshadowed by the Flint water crisis.Still, for Democrats, the losses in big states loom large.In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis by about a percentage point after leading narrowly in most polls during the campaign. Gillum, along with Abrams in neighboring Georgia, is a younger African-American who seemed poised to draw a more youthful and diverse electorate to the polls. But Gillum fell short, and Abrams is trailing.Despite picking up GOP-held governorships in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, the Democrats fell short by a few points in two other midwestern states -- Ohio, where Republican Mike DeWine defeated Democrat Richard Cordray, and Iowa, where Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds held off a strong challenge by Democrat Fred Hubbell.The other three states that had been rated as tossups before the election byAlaska, Oregon and South Dakota -- were all sticking to their traditional partisan leanings. In blue Oregon, Democratic Gov. Kate Brown prevailed, while in red South Dakota, Republican Kristi Noem won a surprisingly close race. And in red Alaska, Republican Mike Dunleavy is leading Democrat Mark Begich.In the remaining competitive races, Republicans won in New Hampshire and Oklahoma, which had been leaning their way, while Democrats won two races leaning their way in Colorado and Minnesota.The remaining seats where one party had been heavily favored broke as expected, without any upsets.Arizona News

Phoenix, Arizona - Americans for Prosperity-Arizona (AFP-AZ) on Tuesday congratulated Governor Doug Ducey on his re-election to the Grand Canyon States highest office and applauded voters for rejecting Proposition 127. While AFP-AZ opposed Proposition 126 that passed this evening, Arizonans can rest assured that the fight for fair taxation is not over.

AFP-AZ State Director Andrew Clark issued the following statement:

Tonight, our activists saw the true impact of their hard-work. Thanks to their tireless efforts, we can all look forward to another four years of Governor Doug Ducey working to break down barriers to opportunity and helping all Arizonans become self-fulfilled. With the rejection of Proposition 127, Arizonans have said they dont want an energy policy based on picking winners and losers that would lead to higher electric bills. Our efforts against Proposition 126 led to bipartisan partnerships that formed lasting relationships with new coalition partners. Our organization will partner with anyone to improve the lives of Arizonans.Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Gusty winds diminishing during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.Democrats claimed six new trifectas in Tuesdays elections, winning the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature in Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico and New York.This brings the total number of Democratic trifectas to 14, the others being California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Oregon and Washington state.Democrats also ended Republican trifectas in Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.Few ever pay attention to these races, tweeted NBC News political reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, but theyre important for [redistricting] and waves can be leveraged for major gains.Republicans captured unified control of state government in Alaska, bringing their total number of trifectas to 22. Furthermore, the GOP largely retained its dominance in the states, with divided government remaining in 13. (The Georgia governor's race still too close to call. If GOP candidate Brian Kemp wins, it would bring the number of Republican trifecta states to 23.)In the states where Democrats won trifectas, new policy victories for the party could be on the horizon.Jacob Neiheisel, an associate professor of political science at the State University of New York at Buffalo, believes the Empire State is now likely to codify Roe v. Wade and abortion rights into state law.That seems to be something Republicans in the Senate would have likely stopped, Neiheisel says, but notes that the legislature will now be a good bit more liberal in Albany.New York Democrats are also likely to push cash bail reform and automatic voter registration, predicted political scientist Daniel Nichanian, a fellow at the Justice Collaborative/Fair Punishment Project and a writer atMaine, says Nichanian , will finally move forward on the Medicaid expansion that voters approved in 2017, which has been blocked by Republican Gov. Paul LePage ever since."This new Democratic majority will be able to implement Medicaid expansion," Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post said in a statement, "reduce the burden of property taxes, and bring new educational and career opportunities to all Mainers."Elsewhere in the country, new Democratic trifectas will likely mean policy change on other key issues, including education.Colorado Gov.-elect Jared Polis ran on funding all-day kindergarten and enacting universal preschool for four-year-olds. Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker is similarly a nationally recognized advocate of early childhood education.Medikal, whose real name is Samuel Adu Frimpong is one of the most popular artists in Ghana. The 24 year old hiphop musician is very successful despite his young age. In fact, he was one of the artists that got very high nominations for 2017, together with Sarkodie in the Ghana Music Awards. All this and more will be found in the following Medikal biography brief. Read on to understand a few things about the well accomplished artist who can be a great role model to many in Ghana and beyond.

Medikal is a renowned artist in Ghana that is known for good hip hop songs. He has collaborated with Ghana's best in the music industry which goes to show that he has potential for becoming successful even more. This, coupled with his hard work and passion, Medikal appears to be an unstoppable force in the Ghanaian and African musical scenes.

READ ALSO: Nana Appiah Mensah biography

Medikal profile

Nationality: Ghanaian

Born: Kumasi, Ghana

Age: 24 years

Married: Not married

Occupation: Artist/Musician

Famous for: He is well known for his excellent hip hop music

Facebook: Medikal

Twitter:@AmgMedikal

Instagram:@amgmedikal

Medikal biography

The following is a biography of Medikal the successful hip hop artist in Ghana. Read on to know more about him.

Medikal education

Going by Amg Medikal age, one can tell that the young musician left school a few years ago. So which SHS did Medikal attend? Well, it is clear that Medikal was in as this is where he got his name from his then school dad. The name was drawn from the fact that his songs mainly revolved around hospitals and medical practitioners.

Medikal career

It is clear that Medikal began his singing early in life, when he was still in school. He has always had a liking for the medics including doctors, nurses and surgeons hence his musical content. His intention was always to prove that he was a sick rapper in the industry. True to this, he has proven over the years that he is dope and worth being listened to.

Medical is known for being one of the hard working artist in the industry. He has released some songs and collaborated with other successful artists in Ghana. Some of his common releases include forever my love where he featured Bisa Kadie, Confirm, Per Kakra featuring Criss Waddle, Confirm Remix featuring Sarkodie, Connect, Sales, By heart Boy and Medikal Bra Krom just to mention a few. Being a young talented artist, he has drawn inspiration from both local and international artists including Lil Wayne and Sarkodie.

In 2010, Medikal was signed into the Arab Money Gang (AMG) Record Label which is owned by one of his inspirations, Criss Waddle. He is passionate about what he does as it is something he intends to use to inspire the youth to achieve whatever they want. His great achievement can be recognized through his awards and nominations. These include the following:

Afro Pop Song Of The Year (Nominated)

Best Rapper of the year (Nominated)

Hip Hop Song Of The Year (Nominated)

Best Collaboration of the year (Nominated)

Hiplife/hip Pop Artiste Of The Year (Nominated)

Best New Act (Nominated)

Overall Artist of the Year (Nominated)

All the above nominations happened in 2017. In 2016 he won the best discovery video in the MTN 4syte Music Video Awards. He also won the IARA best African music artist award in 2018.

READ ALSO: Most popular Medikal songs 2017-2018

Medikal family

Medikal parents

Medikal is a son to Mrs. Porshia Lamptey and Mr. James Frimpong of Sowutuom; a suburb in Accra-Ghana. In case you have been wondering how old is Medikal then know that the young artist is 24 years old since this is how long ago he was born to his parents.

Medikal girlfriend

Medikal has dated Deborah Vanessa for a long time. Deborah is a celebrity in Ghana. She is an actress and model that is well known and may have contributed in making the artist famous. He is very loyal in the relationship as seen by his posts on instagram. He is often unperturbed by what people say on social media.

Medikal net worth

Even though he makes good money from music today, that was not always the case. To survive therefore, he used to sell phones, cars and other stuff. It appears as though he can now get paid at least GHC 20,000 or GHC 25,000 for a music gig today, which was not the case before he got famous. Going by his musical success, it is obvious that he is making more money in the industry now hence his decision to focus on music entirely.

Medikal cars and houses

Medikal owns a Mercedes-Benz C 300 4matic. He also owns a mansion in Kasoa, a suburb near Accra. However, in an interview with Deloris on the Delay show, Medikal said that he no longer lives in his mansion. Instead, he rents his current dwelling place.

Medikal songs

The reason why Medikal 2018 continues to be a hit with most Ghanaians is because of his great songs. Medikal is known for putting a good amount of effort in his songs hence the masterpieces that he always comes up with. The following are examples of his best songs so far.

How far

Oh Lord

Gimme vibe

Adwee ba

Beautiful Africa

Boom

Confirm

Too risky

Mans not hot

Yaro

READ ALSO: Medikal biography - why you should change your role model?

Medikal latest news

Medikal and Vanessa not in a relationship

In response to a comment by a fan about her nude photos, Vanessa confirmed that she is no longer in a relationship with Medikal. When the rumors first came up, Medical was quick to respond to them by saying that his supposed new girlfriend was his friend from way back. However, in recent photos, the two, Medikal and actress Fella Makafui, seem to be in a serious relationship. It appears as though Medikal has left his girlfriend of many years, even though it was anticipated that the two would soon tie the knot as expressed by Vanessa in her desire.

All this came to light when a fan asked of Vanessas nude photos, alluding to the fact that she has gone back to it because she is single again. Vanessa responded by saying that she used to post nude photos even when she was in a relationship. This statement on its own is a confirmation that the long relationship between Vanessa and Medikal may be truly over.

The above details on Medikal biography shed some light on who the artist really is. It is clear that he is dedicated to his music and goes to great lengths to ensure that he releases the very best. His love life is also interesting to note.

READ ALSO: Profile: Sarkodie biography, net worth, house, car and best songs

Source: YenAction resumed across centers in Europe as the UEFA Champions League took center-stage on matchday 4.

Atletico Madrid avenged their 4-0 matchday 3 defeat to Dortmund in Germany with a 2-0 victory at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Saul Niguez was the scorer of the first in the 33rd minute while Antoine Griezmann put the icing on the cake for Diego Simeone's side as the Spanish side won by 2-0.

In an early Group A fixture, FC Brugge recorded their first win in the competition with a 4-0 thrashing of French side Monaco.

READ ALSO: Icardi scores late minute goal to rescue Inter Milan from losing to Barcelona

Both teams will be jostling for the Europa League spot as Atletico and Dortmund will fight for which side tops the group.

Harry Kane continued his brilliant goal scoring form in the Champions League as he helped Tottenham come from a goal down to defeat PSV 2-1 at the Wembley Stadium.

The England captain canceled Luke De Jong second minute strike in the 78th minute and finished it off with an 89th goal to keep the English side in the competition.

Barcelona and Inter scored late goals through Malcom and Mauro Icardi as both sides shared the spoils in Group B. Barca remain top with ten points while Inter have seven but Spurs just have four from four games.

READ ALSO: EPL giants Liverpool silenced 2-0 by Red Star Belgrade in Champions League

Group C seem to be the toughest in this season's competition as Liverpool were beaten away to Red Star Belgrade by 2-0 while Napoli and PSG shared the points with a 1-1 scoreline.

All four teams can still make it through to the last 16 as Liverpool and Napoli are tied with six points while PSG and Red Star are on five and four respectively.

In Portugal, FC Porto only need a draw to qualify for the round of 16 after recording a comfortable 4-1 win against Russian side Lomotiv Moscow in Group D.

Hector Herrera and Moussa Marega both scored in the first half while Jefferson Fanfan pulled one back for the visitors.

But Jesus Corona and Otavio sealed victory for Sergio Conceicao who go top of the Group D with ten points.

In other group match Schalke maintained second position courtesy of a vital victory over Turkish giants Galatasary by 2-0. The German side need just one victory to sail through the group phase.

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist: 'Benedicta Gafah Has No Womb' Xandy Drops Bombshell| #Yencomgh

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page.

Source: Yen NewsFounder and leader of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil, has played down the impact of a law suit filed against him over his role in the collapse of the now defunct Capital Bank.

According to him, the suit filed against him is just somebodys opinion and is therefore not a judgment or an "evidence".

Pastor Otabil, ICGC and 13 other stakeholders of the Capital Bank have been dragged to court for their roles in the collapse of the bank.

Mensa Otabil breaks silence on suit

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: NDC MP storms Parliament on a bicycle

The plaintiffs, Messrs Vish Ashiagbor and Eric Nana Nipah, both of the accounting and auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, maintain that the defendants caused financial loss to the bank with their actions.

The preacher has been in the news over the past months over his involvement in the capitulation of the bank, where he was Board Chairman.

A detailed report from the Central Bank indicates that Pastor Otabil was in the know about a GHc610 million liquidity support which was diverted into other businesses.

Instead of using the money to restore Capital Bank to its knees, the management, with the approval of the ICGC founder, diverted the money for other uses, leading to the eventual collapse of the local bank in August 2017.

Owner of the bank, Ato Essien, reportedly moved the money into companies believed to be owned by him and others on the Board, whiles the rest was used as capital to secure a license for another now-defunct bank, Sovereign Bank.

Dr. Otabil has since been under criticism from a section of the public, who believe he should have stood against the move, considering the man he is.

The plaintiffs have, therefore, sued the pastor, his church ICGC, Ato Essien and other stakeholders believed to have caused the collapse of the bank.

But speaking on the issue at Christ Temple in Accra, Pastor Otabil said the suit is somebodys opinion and not an evidence.

Well, as you know, a couple of things have happened and youve heard quite a few of them; you are Ghanaians, so, you hear stuff and I know people have all kinds of questions and so on, he said.

First of all, I cant explain anything to you. I cant because Im in court. So, we will allow the process to continue and hopefully, the full truth will be known.

He added: Theres space for peoples opinion but when you go to court, you are not just dealing with peoples opinion, you are dealing with facts, so, its going to be interesting."

READ ALSO: EOCO boss suspended after questioning Akufo-Addo government's handling of corruption

The only thing I want to say, just briefly, is that: A suit, or when somebody sues you, it is not an evidence neither is it judgment. It is just somebodys opinion.

And there will be defence and there will be other things, so, follow closely how things will proceed and how theyll end, he urged his church members.

Ghana News Today: Mensa Otabil and 12 Others Sued / Prince Charles Arrives in Ghana | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Today in history: Asamoah Gyan remembers late mum

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: Yen NewsGhanaians are set to pay more for a bag of sachet water after the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) announced an increase in price.

A statement from the Association said the increase in sachet water prices is due to high production cost and distribution.

To this end, a bag of sachet water will now cost GH3.50p when bought from all trucks and water depots.

Price of sachet water increased. Source: Facebook

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mensa Otabil breaks silence on suit

Meanwhile, the price of a single sachet water, which was previously sold for GH0.20p, has also been increased to GH0.30p.

The revised price takes effect from Monday, 12th November, 2018, the statement from NASPAWAP added.

Meanwhile, fuel prices went beyond 5 per litre during last pricing window, causing many interest groups to call on the government to step in and provide some cushion.

Already, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) has called for an immediate national dialogue on constant fuel price increases.

In a press release issued on the recent fuel price increase, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged the government to scrap taxes driving up the price of the commodity, reminding the Nana Akufo-Addo government that it promised to abolish the taxes during the 2016 electioneering campaign.

Ghana News Today: Mensa Otabil and 12 Others Sued / Prince Charles Arrives in Ghana | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: EOCO boss suspended after questioning Akufo-Addo government's handling of corruption

Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page and we could feature your story.

Source: Yen- A one-week observance has been held for Charlotte Abena Woodey in Accra

- Many of her colleague slay queens were spotted at the venue looking sad

- Charlotte's final funeral rites is scheduled to come off on November 17

A little over a week ago, YEN.com.gh reported the death of a young lady identified as Charlotte Abena Woodey.

Charlotte, who according to the report, was a very popular person on social media died after a short illness.

Last Sunday, November 4, marked the one-week observance of the late Abena Woodey whose real name has been revealed to be Charlotte Aryee.

Charlotte Abene Woodey (Photo: Supplied)

Source: Instagram

As earlier reported, the one-week rite was observed at Arena, a suburb of Jamestown in Accra Central.

READ ALSO: Dillish Mathews celebrates 1 year as Adebayor's girlfriend with wild photos and video

As expected, many of her family and friends were there to mourn her. She was 22.

One-week poster for Abena Woodey (Photo: Supplied)

Source: Facebook

Among them were many of Charlotte's colleagues who are often referred to as 'slay queens' on social media.

READ ALSO: I seduced my boss by not wearing pants to the office for 3 weeks - NSS girl wildly confesses

In photos YEN.com.gh sighted on Ghbase.com, many of these 'slay queens' were seen sitting in a sombre mood.

Slay queens mourn Charlotte Abena Woodey at one-week observance (Photo source: Ghbase.com)

Source: UGC

Ordinarily, 'slay queens' are not known to be quiet anywhere they go but at Abena Woodey's one-week observance, it was very different.

READ ALSO: Lady declared wanted by the police for stealing at a party finally speaks; says she was acting (Videos)

Slay queens mourn Charlotte Abena Woodey at one-week observance (Photo source: Ghbase.com)

Source: UGC

They all appeared shaken by the circumstances surrounding her death.

READ ALSO: 9 beautiful 'before Malaika' photos of Mariam Owusu-Poku which explain why she won

Slay queens mourn Charlotte Abena Woodey at one-week observance (Photo source: Ghbase.com)

Source: UGC

While Woodey was known to have fallen sick for some time before her death, several rumours have cropped trying to explain what caused her ailment.

READ ALSO: My husband was under a spell  Mrs. Nyantakyi suspects juju

One of the rumours has it that the young lady died as a result of a curse placed on her by a woman for snatching her husband.

The other theory says Abena Woodey had been used for money rituals by 'sakawa' boys (internet fraudsters).

Meanwhile, a social media user who claims to have been very close to the late Abena Woodey has deepened the later rumour in a Facebook live video with his claim that Woodey was trapped with an iPhone 7+ by one 'sakawa' boy.

In a video earlier shared by YEN.com.gh, the young stated that though he did all he could to get her away from the said 'sakawa' guy, Woodey was soo into the material things he was providing for her.

The final funeral rites YEN.com.gh will be held on November 17, 2018 at the same venue.

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist: 'Benedicta Gafah Has No Womb' Xandy Drops Bombshell| #Yencomgh:

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Source: Yen.com.gh- Police officers in the Northern Region have fought off an attempt to break a suspect out of jail

- Four live bullets were fired by the police and four more suspects were arrested by the police

- The unidentified suspect was arrested for attacking a contractor working on a piece of land

Police officials in the Northern Region have foiled an attempt by a group of people to break a suspect out of a cell.

YEN.com.gh understands that more than four live bullets were fired at a group that invaded the regional headquarters.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and it created a chaotic scene at the place for several moments.

READ ALSO: We paid $100, 000 to stop Anas from releasing Number 12 - Nyantakyi's wife

The situation was however brought under control when officers present reached for more weapons from the police armoury to fight off the attackers.

A number of senior officers, including the regional police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Yussif Tanko, were hounded out from their offices by the multiple gunshots and as they stood and watched their men emanating from directions to stop the raid

Information available shows that the protestors were youth from Vitting, an outskirt suburb of Tamale.

They sought to free a colleague who was arrested on Saturday, November 3, 2018, for attacking a contractor who was working on a piece of land.

READ ALSO: Asamoah Gyan remembers his late mother

The contractor was said to be illegally erecting structures on the land which belonged to the Ambarriya Senior High School in the community.

The parties have been disputing over the land for several years now until the youth of the community joined the litigation in support of the Ambariyya school authorities.

DSP Tanko disclosed that the land was a subject of long-standing dispute between the community youth and the contractor.

He added that four more people have been arrested following the attack on the police charge office.

READ ALSO: My husband was under a spell - Nyantakyi's wife

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist| #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen Newspaper- Republicans in the United States have lost their grip on the House of Representatives during the mid-term elections

- Democrats dealt a blow to President Donald Trump by taking control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years

- Female candidates were said to have stolen the spotlight in the midterm elections

In what appears to be a blow to President Donald Trump of the United States, democrats in that country have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections.

Democrats in the United States took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years. Their success will afford them the opportunity to thwart President Trump's agenda, BBC reports.

YEN.com.gh gathers that the spotlight in the midterm elections was stolen by female candidates as a lot of them ran for office.

Twenty-nine year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is projected to become the youngest ever congresswoman.

The democrats' success at the poll will afford them the opportunity to launch investigation into President Trump's administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

President Trump's plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico could also be blocked by the democrats.

Citizens of the United States of America (USA) headed to the polls for the first time since President Donald Trump was elected, with majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate hanging in the balance.

Trump had used a nationwide campaign blitz to send serious warnings about the threat posed by illegal immigration and claim credit for the rising economy of the nation.

Led by ex-president Barack Obama, the Democrats concentrated on healthcare, an issue ranked high on voters list of priorities and one the party leadership believes is a weakness of the Republican wing.

READ ALSO: Meet Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, the first Muslim women elected to Congress in US

Source: Yen NewsThe tight battle for the Senate and the House of Representatives seats in the US midterms are almost over as the Democrats have won control of the House of Representatives while the Republications have tightened their grip on the Senate.

Here are five things you need to know about what happened in the 2018 midterm elections.

1. The power/ limit of prediction

In the build-up to the midterm elections, there were earlier predictions that Democrats would win the popular vote.

While some predictions about the outcome were close to accurate, the prediction about Democrats clean sweep failed as the Republicans still maintained dominance in the Senate but lost the House of Reps to the Democrats.

2. Donald Trump, Republicans losing their grips on power but all is not lost

Though the results of the elections were a long way from a disaster for Republicans, there are strong indications that Democrats are gaining grounds; a looming trouble for Trump.

Once the new Congress is sworn in next year, the Democrats could use their new powers in the House to launch a barrage of investigations into President Trump and the White House.

However, the US president is still optimistic, saying on Twitter that the election is a tremendous success.

3. Democrats still have a long way to go

Two potential governors and one Senatorial candidate on the platforms of the Democrats lost.

In the Florida governor's race, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis.

In Georgia, ABC news reports that the best Democrat Stacey Abrams can hope for is to force a run-off against Republican Brian Kemp in the gubernatorial contest.

Although Beto O'Rourke gave Republican incumbent Ted Cruz a big scare in Texas, he failed to get the seat.

American voters came out in force to cast their ballots in the election compared to the last midterms. Credit: Reuters/Andrew Kelly

4. So many firsts happened in the election

In Colorado, Jared Polis was elected as the first openly gay male governor

Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland emerged the first Native American women elected to Congress, in Kansas and New Mexico respectively.

Michigan and Minnesota Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar became the first Muslim women elected to Congress

And Michelle Lujan Grisham emerged the first Democratic Latina elected governor in the US in New Mexico

5. Massive turnouts

Us media reports the 2018 midterm elections witnessed a huge turnout as against the low turnout at the last midterm elections, with only 36.4% of eligible Americans turning out to vote.

President Trump was dealt a blow as Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections, for the first time in eight years.

Their success will afford them the opportunity to thwart President Trump's agenda. The spotlight in the midterm elections was stolen by female candidates as a lot of them ran for office. Twenty-nine year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is projected to become the youngest ever congresswoman.

The Democrats' success at the poll will afford them the opportunity to launch investigation into President Trump's administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

READ ALSO: Ex-Somali refugee and Palestinian immigrant become first Muslim women in US Congress

Source: Yen.com.gh- A remand prisoner at the Kumasi Central prison has reportedly vanished from custody

- According to reports the prisoner who was standing trial for various offences escaped the prison without any physical jailbreak

- It is believed that he used a juju ring to vanish from the prison

A prisoner who was remanded to reappear before the court this week has reportedly disappeared from the Kumasi Central prisons.

The escaped prisoner identified as Abdul-Razak, YEN.com.gh has gathered, was standing trial for various crimes key among which was his alleged association with rebels in neighbouring countries.

Reports have it that, the escapee had been remanded on Friday, November 2, 2018, to reappear at a later date while his docket was forwarded to the Attorney Generals Department for advice.

The front gate of the Kumasi Central Prison (Photo source: MyNewsGh.com)

Source: UGC

But according to a report YEN.com.gh sighted on MyNewsGH.com, prison officers woke up the next day to find Abdul-Razak's absence from the prison without any physical sign of a jailbreak.

READ ALSO: Sad photos of slay queens mourning at Charlotte Abena Woodey's one-week drop

He did not break jail because it is not possible for anyone to have escaped considering the security arrangements in the male yard. He disappeared and that is the major mystery to all of us, the report quoted an anonymous a senior officer as saying.

The report further stated that Abdul-Razak, a known armed robber, is said to have some spiritual powers in a special ring which he uses to outwit the security agencies each time he is involved in a crime.

The disappearance, YEN.com.gh has learnt, has been kept under wraps as prison authorities have reportedly remained tight-lipped over the development.

READ ALSO: Dillish Mathews drops wild video and lovely photos with Adebayor to confirm they're dating

In a related news, police officials in the Northern Region have foiled an attempt by a group of people to break a suspect out of a cell.

YEN.com.gh understands that more than four live bullets were fired at a group that invaded the regional headquarters.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and it created a chaotic scene at the place for several moments.

Meanwhile, thieves have allegedly broken into the offices of the government flagship initiative, One District One Factory.

READ ALSO: Lady declared wanted by the police for stealing at a party finally speaks; says she was acting (Videos)

The incident reportedly occurred at dawn on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the secretariat, several items cannot be found after the robbery occurred.

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist: 'Benedicta Gafah Has No Womb' Xandy Drops Bombshell| #Yencomgh:

READ ALSO: I seduced my boss by not wearing pants to the office for 3 weeks - NSS girl wildly confesses

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Source: Yen.com.gh- An NPP official, Kwame Baffoe, has condemned comments by the MP for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak about hikes in fuel prices

- According to him, Mubarak's ride to parliament on a bicycle made no sense

- He added that another member of the NDC once advised Ghanaians to park cars and use bicycles if fuel prices go up

The first vice chairman of the Brong Ahafo regional branch of the new Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe, has lambasted the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, over his bicycle ride to parliament.

According to Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, it was stupid for Mubarak to ride a bicycle to parliament.

He explained that Mubaraks party member, Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, once said that it is better to park a car and use a bicycle if the price of fuel goes up.

Ras Mubarak, MP for Kumbungu Source: Supplied

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: We paid $100,000 to stop Anas from showing Number 12 - Nyantakyi's wife speaks

Ras Mubarak needs a psychiatric examination. His own party member, Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, once said if you think the price of fuel is high park your car and use a bicycle.

So if hes ready to park his car to ride a bicycle then he is mentally sick, he is mad, Abronye DC said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie.

YEN.com.gh understands that the Kumbungu lawmaker, has in recent times, expressed his frustration at the inability to the current government to deliver on its promises.

He is reported to have complained about the prices of fuel and commodities, adding that it appears as if there is no end in sight to the challenges facing Ghanaians.

Abronye DC however stated that Ghanaians faced more difficulties during the Mahama administration, and for that reason, Mubaraks claims are baseless.

READ ALSO: 45 Metro TV employees sacked

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist| #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen NewspaperiStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- While Democrats didnt secure the so-called blue wave across both chambers, the midterm results will certainly bring a sea-change to Washington.



Democrats, who needed to net 23 seats to take the House, are expected to surpass that number by more than 10, flipping the chamber blue. But in the Senate, Republicans not only maintained their majority -- they bolstered it, with key victories projected in senate races in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri.



Beyond the numbers that continue to flesh out in the House and Senate, a number of individual candidates pushed through the election night noise to make history -- and women were elected in record numbers.



Additionally, preliminary exit polls revealed key issues on voters minds -- and health care, which voters largely favor the Democrats to control, is number one.



Here are the key takeaways:



Democrats take the House



The House flipped blue well before results were in from California -- one of the largest, traditionally blue states in the country.



Democrats, who needed a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House, are expected to grab between 32 and 36 seats, according to a projection by ABC News.



Weve become a 50 state party again, Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told ABC News George Stephanopoulos, mentioning races won in traditionally red districts.



One such district that showed the range of seats Democrats were able to flip was in the deep red state of Oklahoma, in the state's 5th Congressional District.



Trump won the district by roughly 13 points in 2016 and won the state of Oklahoma overall by just over 36 points in the 2016 election -- but Democrat Kendra Horn was projected to defeat incumbent GOP Rep. Steve Russell in an upset, based on vote analysis.



In New York, another House seat flipped in an unexpected victory for the Democrats in the 11th district, which Trump won in 2016.



Democrats hopes were also bolstered in Virginia, where Elaine Luria -- one of the first women to serve her entire career on a Navy combat ship -- was projected to win in a district long held by a Republican.



In Kansas, Sharice Davids was projected to defeat Republican incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder -- becoming the first Native American lesbian woman in Congress.



The Senate gets redder



Democrats couldnt carry the so-called blue wave over to the second chamber of Congress, leading to a split in governance, and instead suffered significant losses in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri that bolstered the Republican majority.



Incumbent Sens. Joe Donnelly, Heidi Heitkamp and Claire McCaskill -- all Democrats representing states that Trump won in 2016 -- were projected to lose their seats to Republicans Mike Braun, Kevin Cramer and Josh Hawley, respectively, all of whom were backed by the presidents endorsement.



Of the eight seats ABC News rated likely or solid Republican, Democrats were unable to flip any -- though one of those races, a special election in Mississippi, is projected to go to a run-off between Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy.

Democrats did flip the senate seat in Nevada, which incumbent Sen. Dean Heller conceded to Democrat Jacky Rosen -- who will be the second female senator in the state's history. ABC News has not yet projected the race.



'Pink wave' crests



At least 101 women were elected to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, marking a new all-time high for the number of women in the chamber.



The majority of the winners were from blue states, with 86 Democrats and 15 Republicans elected into the House, according to early projections. Thirty-four seats were still undecided as of early Wednesday morning.



In Pennsylvania, a record-breaking four women are projected to win House seats and head to Washington, D.C., where not a single woman currently represents the state.



Female candidates also made inroads in a handful of gubernatorial races, approaching the current record of nine. Women were projected to win in eight gubernatorial races across the nation -- the current record is nine.



An additional three are running in races ABC News hasnt projected yet: Georgia, New Hampshire and Maine.



History makers



Across the country, great strides were made to increase diversity in the Senate, House and governors seats.



ABC News projected two Muslim women will be elected to seats in Congress -- Rashida Tlaib, projected to win in Michigan, and Ilhan Omar, projected to win in Minnesota, both Democrats -- as well as the two Native American women, Sharice Davids of Kansas and Debra Haaland of New Mexico, both Democrats.



Omar, who will represent Minnesota's left-leaning 5th Congressional District, will also be the countrys first Somali-American member of Congress.



And from Kansas 2nd Congressional District, Davids will not only be one of the first two Native American women in Congress but also the first Native American, lesbian member of Congress.



In Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis, a five-time congressman, is on track to become the first openly gay man to win a U.S. gubernatorial race, claiming victory in the Colorado governor's race.



And though it was expected because she ran unopposed, Ayannah Pressley has become the first black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress.



Voter diversity also broke records, according to results from the national exit poll that displayed the changing racial and ethnic face of the nation.



In the 1990 midterm elections, the division of voters between whites and nonwhites was 91-9 percent. This year, it was 72-28 percent -- the most diverse ever in a midterm, and a scant 1-point shy of the record for any election, which came in 2016.



Health care is front and center for voters



Health care, over three other key issues voters were asked about, was front and center for constituents this election, preliminary exit poll results showed.



Some 41 percent of voters picked health care as the top issue facing the country, compared with 21 percent for the economy, 23 percent immigration and 11 percent on gun policy.



It was the top issue in closely-watched states, including in Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Missouri and Mississippi.



Almost 3 in 5 voters picked the Democratic Party as more likely to protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions, as compared to just 34 percent who chose Republicans.



Overwhelmingly, those concerned with health care voted Democrat over Republican, 77-21 percent.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.The 2018 state attorney general races included a number of close contests, but after the polls closed, the Democrats were poised to flip four Republican-held seats if current results hold.Going into Election Day, the GOP held 27 attorney general offices, the Democrats' 22 and one nonpartisan seat was appointed by Alaska's independent governor. Of those, 30 elected seats were up this cycle -- 18 held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats.If the Democrats ultimately flip the four seats where they have the lead, they would take a majority of AG seats -- 26 to 23.The four seats with Democratic leads early on Wednesday morning included one contest with a Republican incumbent: Wisconsins Brad Schimel, who was narrowly trailing his Democratic challenger, Josh Kaul. Schimels fellow Republican, Gov. Scott Walker, also fell to a Democrat, Tony Evers.The other three attorney general seats that appear to be Democratic flips were all open seats. Democrat Phil Weiser was leading in Colorado, while Dana Nessel was up in Michigan and Aaron Ford in Nevada.The highest-profile attorney general race in the nation appears to have ended up in teh Democrats' hands. In Minnesota, Democrat Keith Ellison defeated Republican Doug Wardlow despite contending with allegations of domestic abuse. Ellisons margin of victory was about four points, notably narrower than the Democratic margins in the states gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.Democrats also successfully defended one vulnerable open seat in Illinois, where Kwame Raoul defeated Republican Erika Harold. The Party was also leading in the race to fill a vulnerable open seat in Connecticut, as William Tong was narrowly ahead of Sue Hatfield.The biggest Republican attorney general victories of the night came from defending a few vulnerable seats.In Florida, Republican Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Sean Shaw to take a Republican-held open seat. Moodys share of the vote was several percentage points higher than either of the two Republicans at the top of the ballot, gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis and U.S. Senate candidate Rick Scott.And in Ohio, Republican Dave Yost defeated Democrat Steve Dettelbach by about five points.Meanwhile, Republicans held two seats that we had rated lean Republican: Incumbents Mark Brnovich in Arizona and Alan Wilson in South Carolina were reelected. The GOP was also leading in a third seat rated lean Republican, the one held by Georgia AG Chris Carr.The other attorney general seats that were considered likely or strongly for either party remained in that partys hands.- MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has claimed he is not interested in a government position

- He explained that he may react in anger if he is provoked

- He added that journalists will always have something to say about him if he takes holds a position in government

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed the reason why he is yet to hold a government appointment.

According to a report by MyNewsGH.com, he stated that he may react in fury if he is provoked.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM, he disclosed that he is fully aware he is unable to stomach some things.

Kennedy Agyapong Source: Supplied

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: We paid $100,000 to stop Anas from showing Number 12 - Nyantakyi's wife

In that regard, he went on, he believes he will always be in the news because journalists will always be offended by his position on a number of things.

Jumping to the defense of the beleaguered Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Kwame Owusu, he promised to go after any journalist who tries to paint him black.

This, he explained, is because Owusu did no wrong, and is innocent of all the allegations levelled against him.

The fact he has accepted an appointment from the government does not mean he is a cleaner at someones house. That is why I do not want an appointment in government because I will speak nonsense; that is the truth, he disclosed.

Agyapong vowed that it would be over his dead body that journalists will run down Owusu, who he believes is doing quite well at the GMA.

READ ALSO: Armed robber uses juju ring to 'vanish' from prison

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Source: YenThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Ghanas former Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Charlotte Osei as deputy head of the sub-regional bodys pre-election mission to Nigeria.

The former EC boss was relieved of her position earlier this year by President Nana Akufo-Addo. Among the issues that were cited for her dismissal was Osei's poor working relationship with her deputies.

But Starrfmonline.com has reported that Osei has been chosen by the ECOWAS to deputise for Mohammed Nfah Alie Conteh, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.

The team will stay in Nigeria between 1st and 15 November monitoring whether Nigerian authorities are observing electoral rules of engagement.

READ ALSO: GCB blocks withdrawals from ATMs after series of anonymous withdrawals from accounts

Former EC chairperson, Charlotte Osei. Photo credit: Ghanafuo.com

Source: UGC

Osei and the rest of the team will meet with all the stakeholders involve in the electoral process, including candidates, media, leaders of political parties, administrative and electoral authorities.

The ECOWAS mission will also visit some key cities around Nigeria outside of the capital city Abuja.Nigeria which is the biggest economy in West Africa goes to the polls in February, 2019.

READ ALSO: Photo: Lydia Forson's makeup draws criticism from fans

This would not be the first international recognition coming the way of the former EC boss after the elections of 2016.

She was nominated for ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process in Ghana in December 2016, further consolidating Ghanas 24-year long democratic journey.

Ghana News Today: Mensa Otabil and 12 Others Sued / Prince Charles Arrives in Ghana | #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen NewspaperReports reaching YEN.com.gh indicate that Kumawood actor Abass Nurudeen, popularly known as Blinkz, has died.

Blinkz, the reports say, died after while being conveyed to the hospital after he had been stabbed in the head.

The stabbing incident, according to a report YEN.com.gh sighted on social media, occurred at Sawaba, one of the suburbs of Kumasi.

Abass Nurudeen aka Blinks (Photo credit: Facebook/Join Seven Zamani)

Source: UGC

It is not yet known what might have caused his stabbing but news of his death is fast going viral as many are expressing their condolences on social media.

READ ALSO: Sad photos of slay queens mourning at Charlotte Abena Woodey's one-week drop

Already, there are pictures of a lifeless body said to be him which are circulating on social media.

READ ALSO: Dillish Mathews celebrates 1 year as Adebayor's girlfriend with wild photos and video

The well built Abass was popular for playing the role of a criminal in most Kumawood movies.

In other news from Kumasi, a prisoner who was remanded to reappear before the court this week has reportedly disappeared from the Kumasi Central prisons.

The escaped prisoner identified as Abdul-Razak, YEN.com.gh has gathered, was standing trial for various crimes key among which was his alleged association with rebels in neighbouring countries.

He had been remanded on Friday, November 2, 2018, to reappear at a later date while his docket was forwarded to the Attorney Generals Department for advice.

READ ALSO: Lady declared wanted by the police for stealing at a party finally speaks; says she was acting (Videos)

But prison officers woke up the next day to find Abdul-Razak's absence from the prison without any physical sign of a jailbreak.

Xandy Kamel Interview on Star Gist: 'Benedicta Gafah Has No Womb' Xandy Drops Bombshell| #Yencomgh:

READ ALSO: I seduced my boss by not wearing pants to the office for 3 weeks - NSS girl wildly confesses

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Source: YenActress Vicky Zugah has caused a stir on social media after she was spotted in a video twerking while celebrating with top actor Fred Amugi on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

The actress who took to social media media to celebrate with the veteran actor, showed her wild side as she bent down in front of Fred Amugi and danced for him.

Vicky Zugah captioned the video, "Blessed 70th birthday to the amazing Uncle Fred Amugi. You are loved, You are blessed. Remain blessed."

READ ALSO: Video: Medikal confirms relationship with Fella Makafui in new song

The video showed the actress wearing a blue dress and gave Fred Amugi a 'hot' birthday gift in what appeared like a car park.

Fred Amugi, who was taken by surprise by Vicky's move, was seen beaming with smiles and threw his hands in the air as the actress 'did her own thing'.

The 70-year-old actor, after getting a bit of the action, brought his hands down and gentled shoved the actress away and they both laughed off the incident.

Many social media users who saw the video took to the comment section to share their views on the bizarre birthday gift.

broosch, one fan who saw the video thought it was the best gift ever as he wrote, "Best birthday gift ever phew!!"

Fellow actress, beverly_afaglo, who also saw the video could not believe that Vicky could do such a 'wicked' thing to their 'father' as she wrote, "Chai Vicky why are u doing this to our father."

Another fan, ohenealfred15, warned the actress to be wary of committing murder as he commented, "But pls don't kill him lol."

READ ALSO: Photos: Slay queens mourn Charlotte Abena Woodey at one-week observance

lovergirlbaby1 , also shared the same sentiments as ohene as she also cautioned, "do u want to kill this old man? Happy birthday to him"

Actress lydiaforson also celebrated the veteran actor and claimed he was funky with the words, "I swear uncle Fred is the funkiest"

madein_gh, was however crushing on the actor's handsomeness and wrote, "He looks younger than his real age hes handsome paaa."

Fred Amugi was in the news some time back when actress Rosemond Brown, claimed in an interview with Deloris Frimpong Manso that they slept together.

The controversial actress also revealed in the same interview that she also warmed the bed of actor Prince Yawson, popularly known as Waakye.

READ ALSO: Kumawood actor Abass Nurudeen 'Blinkz' reportedly stabbed to death

Watch: Ghana News Today: Mariam Owusu-Poku Crowned Miss Malaika 2018 | Yen.com.gh

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Source: Yen- Ghanaian boxer, Bukom Banku, has claimed that he is not ready to build a house

- He added that he has several parcels of land, but he is too young to start building

- He also revealed that former president John Mahama and some chiefs gave him parcels of land

Popular Ghanaian boxer, Braimah Kamoko, better known as Bukom Banku, has announced that he is no old enough to build a house.

According to a report by MyNewsGH.com, he stated that he has several parcels of lands, but he is not ready to build on them.

He noted that he received the lands from former president John Mahama, as well as some chiefs.

READ ALSO: Thieves break into One District One Factory secretariat

He went on to say that he will begin to construct a house when he is matured enough to do so.

John Mahama gave me a parcel of land. I have lots of lands which were given to me by some important people.

But it is not time for me to build that is why Ive not built a house yet. I have sand, cement and every other thing I need to build so when its time, I will build, he said.

Bukom Banku further revealed that he is not a homosexual and for that reason, he is ready to marry several women so that he can become Ghanas King Solomon..

READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong drops a bombshell about his future role in government

Ghana News Today: Mariam Owusu-Poku Crowned Miss Malaika 2018 | Yen.com.gh

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Source: Yen.com.ghA midwife at the Kunkwa Health Centre in the Mamprugu Moaduri District of the Northern Region, Sophia Safia Sulemana, has been honoured by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) after she helped a pregnant woman successfully deliver her baby while on board a bus.

The heroic nurse was on board an Accra-Bolgatanga bus when the pregnant women complained of feeling pains.

Upon realising that the woman was due for delivery, Ms. Sulemana used all her experience to ensure that both baby and mother came through safely.

READ ALSO: Ghanaians take President Akufo-Addo to the cleaners over 2019 budget

She is reported to have used improvised polythene bags as gloves to receive the baby, got a blade from a passenger to cut the umbilical cord of the baby, and pulled out a string from a sack to tie the cord.

The heroics of the nurse in helping the pregnant woman successfully deliver her baby is said to have happened around 3:00am on Sunday.

A statement from the N&MC commended Ms. Sulemana for her bravery and professional display in saving the pregnant woman and her baby in the bus.

The news of her professional display got to our attention through social media. Upon further enquiries, we established the veracity of the story and invited her to our head office in Accra to officially commend her, the statement said.

The N&MC further praised the nurse for exhibiting great dedication and experience in helping the panic-stricken mum to keep calm, before catching the newborn child in her arms.

The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, was also full of praise for the nurse, saying had it not been her intervention the story might have been different.

READ ALSO: Mensa Otabil breaks silence on suit

He went on to present a motorbike, a hospital kit and a citation of honour to Ms. Sulemana for her brave actions.

Ms. Sulemana was part of the new 5,000 nurses, nurse assistants and midwives of the N&MC who were inducted into the health profession on Monday in Accra.

Ghana News Today: Mariam Owusu-Poku Crowned Miss Malaika 2018 | Yen.com.gh

READ ALSO: Photo: Lydia Forson's makeup draws criticism from fans

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YenManagement of the Consolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) has disclosed that the bank has recorded five fraud cases since it inception. This was said to workers of the bank at a town hall meeting in Accra, last Saturday.

According to the management, the culprits who were workers of the bank withdrew money from accounts of customers without any authorization.

Addressing the workers, Deputy MD of the CBG Thiaru Ndugu said management will get tough on any staff found culpable.

Ndugu was quoted as saying: We have made one decision about zero tolerance, if you are caught in a fraud case, it is dismissal immediately, immediate dismissal."

He charged the workers to report colleagues who engage in suspicious acts.

READ ALSO: Photos: Dillish Mathews confirms relationship with Emmanuel Adebayor

The Deputy MD continued: So please be on the watch, if you realize that somebody is committing a fraud and some of it is taking customers money, people taking customers deposits and not depositing it yet in customers accounts."

Two workers of the bank were two months ago arrested for stealing GHC200,000 from the vaults of former Beige Bank.

Bobic Kwamena Yeboah and Prince Ababio allegedly conspired to steal the money to invest in a car business.

READ ALSO: Asiedu Nketiah of the NDC sued for defamation to the tune of GHC 15 million

The CBG was formed after the Bank of Ghana revoked the licenses of five banks for facing liquidity challenges and were highly insolvent.

The banks were uniBank, Beige Bank, Sovereign Bank, Construction Bank, and Royal Bank.

Ghana News Today: Mensa Otabil and 12 Others Sued / Prince Charles Arrives in Ghana | #Yencomgh

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: Yen.com.ghIn the race to control the nations secretary of state offices -- a key position that oversees elections and voting procedures -- the Democrats made some incremental gains in Election 2018.The Democrats flipped at least three seats, making the latest breakdown 26 for the Republicans and 20 for the Democrats. A runoff in Georgia is still to be determined.In Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson defeated Republican Mary Lang for an open seat previously held by a Republican. We had previously rated the race lean Democratic, and Benson won by about nine points.In Arizona, Democrats flipped a Republican-held open seat, as Democrat Katie Hobbs defeated Republican Steve Gaynor, 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent.And in Colorado, Democrat Jena Griswold defeated Republican incumbent Wayne Williams -- the first time the Democrats have won the office in six decades. Griswold won by about five points as Democrats won the gubernatorial and state attorney general races.The Democrats fell short in a chance to flip a third seat -- in Nevada, where Republican Barbara Cegavske narrowly defeated Democrat Nelson Araujo.Going into Election Day, Republicans held 29 secretary of state offices to the Democrats' 17. This tally doesn't count Pennsylvania's nonpartisan office or the three states that lack the position altogether -- Alaska, Hawaii and Utah. Of the 35 states where voters elect the secretary of state, 27 had contests this fall, including a special election in Louisiana.The other seats thathad considered competitive going into Election Day were held by the Republicans.In Iowa, Republican Paul Pate won reelection by a larger margin than fellow Republican Kim Reynolds had in her gubernatorial race.Republicans also protected an open secretary of state seat in Ohio, where Frank LaRose defeated Democrat Kathleen Clyde. And the GOP easily defended the secretary of state seat in Kansas that had been vacated by Kris Kobach, who lost his bid for governor and whose tenure as secretary of state had been controversial for his pursuit of hard-line policies against alleged voter fraud. In the race to succeed Kobach, Republican Scott Schwab defeated Democrat Brian McClendon.Two states will have runoff elections.In Georgia, Republican Brian Raffensperger was ahead of Democrat John Barrow 49.1 percent to 48.6 percent but short of the required 50 percent. The winner will succeed Republican Brian Kemp, who won the race for Georgia governor.Finally, the Louisiana special election will go to a runoff between Republican Kyle Ardoin, the appointed incumbent, and Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. They were the top two finishers in a seven-way race. Previous Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned after a sexual harassment scandal.It's never a bad idea to bet on Congress failing to act. With Democrats taking control of the U.S. House and certain to have contentious relations with President Trump, Congress is going to be doing even less than usual."It's always been a substantial challenge to get anything meaningful through Congress," says Victor Riches, president of the Goldwater Institute, a conservative think tank in Phoenix. "Obviously, that's going to be more difficult now."For the next two years, the House will hold hearings to investigate Trump, while the Senate will work to confirm his judicial picks. No doubt Trump will issue more executive orders, as President Barack Obama got in the habit of doing once he faced divided government.But there won't be much substantive legislation crossing Trump's desk. "That will leave a policy vacuum that the states will seek to fill," says Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida.With conservatives and progressives alike being frustrated by Washington, they'll turn to states to push their favored policy agendas. Each will be able to find plenty of friendly outlets.Despite losing a few chambers and governorships on Tuesday, Republicans will have full control of the political branches in 23 states. Democrats picked up "trifectas" in six more, meaning they will hold complete sway over 14 states."The vast majority of policy gains will occur at the state level," says Jessie Ulibarri, executive director of the State Innovation Exchange, which provides policy support to progressive legislators.Blue states will look to pass legislation on issues ranging from minimum wage increases and paid sick leave requirements to free college tuition. "It's exciting to talk about what's happening in Washington, but the reality is that the action has always been at the state level," says Kevin Parker, Democratic whip in the New York Senate, which now has a working majority for the first time in years.Democrats will certainly look for ways to expand access to health care. After taking the Virginia governorship and winning 15 seats in the state House last year, the Party succeeded in pushing through an expansion of Medicaid.All seven of the incoming Democratic governors who are succeeding Republicans campaigned on the idea of either expanding Medicaid or preserving expansion programs already in place. Voters in the red states of Idaho, Nebraska and Utah all approved ballot measures to expand Medicaid -- something Maine voters did last year, only to see their efforts blocked by Republicans who have been swept out of power in that state."Janet Mills, our governor-elect, has already said that she plans to work on Medicaid expansion," says Jim Melcher, a political scientist at the University of Maine at Farmington. "That's the biggest issue that will wind up driving state-level action."Conservatives will pursue a different approach. The chances for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) "have all but disappeared" with Democrats taking the U.S. House, says Rea Hederman Jr., vice president of policy at the Buckeye Institute, a free market think tank in Columbus, Ohio. But Republicans in the states will be looking to experiment with work requirements, different delivery models and health savings accounts."You have an administration that has opened the doors with waivers," Hederman says. "We'll see if states can offer better solutions than the trench warfare we've seen at the federal level with the ACA debate."The parties will also take opposite approaches when it comes abortion. "Almost more than anything, protecting and codifying a woman's right to choose is going to be paramount," Parker says.Republican legislators will continue to enact further restrictions on abortion. Constitutional prohibitions against abortion were approved by voters in Arkansas and West Virginia this week, anticipating that a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court may allow further limits or outright bans. Earlier this year, Iowa enacted a so-called fetal heartbeat law to block most abortions."Somebody's going to try to get a case, a chance to repeal Roe v. Wade," says Bill Pound, executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures.Conservatives will also pursue issues such as school choice and deregulation, including curbs on occupational licensing requirements. "Particularly in these times, when the economy is in such good shape, there's going to be a lot of opportunity for legitimate tax reform," says Riches, the Goldwater Institute president.Voting is another issue that has itself become partisan in nature. Republicans have already successfully pressed for voter ID laws in as many states as are likely to pass them, including constitutional amendments approved by voters this week in Arkansas and North Carolina. GOP lawmakers are likely to push for more aggressive laws to clean up voter registration lists, having been given the green light to do so by a favorable U.S. Supreme Court decision last spring regarding an Ohio law.While Republicans express concern about preventing fraud, Democrats will press to make voting and registration easier -- an idea that proved popular with voters this week in states such as Florida, Maryland and Michigan."We're unlikely to see a new Voting Rights Act at the federal level," says Ryan Pougialies, senior policy analyst at Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank in Washington. "States can pass these reforms to some extent. Automatic voter registration is going to become the norm in states controlled by Democrats."There are states where the parties will be forced to work together. The new Democratic governors in Kansas, Michigan and Wisconsin all face legislatures controlled by Republicans. In North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Democrats picked up enough seats in the legislatures to break up GOP supermajorities and make vetoes from Democratic Govs. Tom Wolf and Roy Cooper meaningful.In most states, though, single-party control will be the rule of the day. Only one state -- Minnesota -- came out of the election with a divided legislature. That's the first time there's been only a single divided legislature since 1914.Does this mean that the federal system is working, with a range of different policies being pursued in different places? Or is it a sign of our fractured politics that states will be heading off in opposite policy directions?Hederman suggests a wide-open marketplace of ideas is healthy. Conservatives and liberals find venues for their proposed solutions, which they hope will then spread to other states and ultimately force action in Washington. "You're going to see more competition among states," he says. "Instead of tax incentives, they'll be looking at ways to improve education and preparing their workforce."Scott Pattison, the executive director of the National Governors Association, argues that the specter of partisanship, while real, is not as prevalent at the state level as it's sometimes portrayed. Governors may employ heated rhetoric on the campaign trail or while appearing on national media outlets, but in the end their job is still about managing programs and executing policies. They still share practical ideas on a wide range of issues on a bipartisan basis."I'm optimistic, at least in contrast to what you see at the national level," Pattison says. "Because it looks like we'll have continued gridlock in Washington, D.C., there will be lots of examples of positive action by both parties in the states."State leaders want to show action on issues they're not seeing sufficiently addressed at the federal level, such as the opioid epidemic, Pattison says.And it still happens, despite the partisan rancor and dysfunction in Washington, that ideas can take root and spread through both Republican and Democratic states on their way into federal law.The Goldwater Institute, for example, helped promote so-called right to try legislation, allowing terminally ill patients the option of trying medication that haven't been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration."We started it in a blue state, then a red state, then a purple state," Riches says. "We ultimately passed it in 41 states. After 90 percent of the country had right to try laws, we passed a federal version of the bill just a few months ago. We got bipartisan votes all across the country and a bipartisan vote at the federal level as well."Few ideas may gain universal traction in quite the same way. But with Democrats dominant in some states and Republicans ruling in others, lots of legislation will be passed at the state level in the coming years, even as Washington dissolves further into disarray."For the next two years, Washington, D.C., may be the 'Broadway' of political theater," says Jewett, the University of Central Florida professor, "but states will likely be the main stages for numerous political productions."For those hoping for a historic night for women, the midterms did not disappoint. With Tuesday's wins, a record number of women will be serving in Congress in 2019. Women and minority candidates also added to the gains they made last year in state and local elections.But despite the surge -- which was anticipated thanks to an unprecedented number of female candidates running this year -- women are still underrepresented in elected offices. Women in many places will make up no more than one-third of elected officials come next year, even as they make up at least half of the electorate.Some will be surprised at the results in that they expected more women to win, says Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor and scholar at Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). But we can use that to fuel further conversations about how we can accelerate womens political gains.Tuesday night brought several milestones for women in state and local politics. Specifically, women candidates made big legislative gains in several states.In Colorado and Nevada, women helped propel trifecta wins -- where the party gains control of both legislative chambers and the governorship -- for Democrats. (The party won a total of six state government trifectas on Tuesday.)Nevada may also make history by electing the first majority-women legislature. As of Wednesday afternoon, women had won 20 of the 42 assembly seats. Two races were too close to call. The state already has one of the highest percentages of women in its state legislature in the country at 38 percent. Only Arizona and Vermont have higher representation at 40 percent.In Texas, women were part of a surge in which Democrats gained 12 seats in the Texas House of Representatives. Most of the women flipping seats were running in races along the Northern Texas border and the greater Houston area.Mirya Holman, a political science professor at Tulane University, notes that many of these races werent considered competitive a year ago. A couple of these candidates ran without party support and basically worked really hard and were able to win, she says.Nationally, the number of women in state legislatures could be on track to hit an all-time high. The current level of female representation is 25.4 percent and has been within a percentage point of that since 2009. A pre-election analysis by Reuters of state ballots pegs the new figure will be somewhere at or below 38 percent.In governors races, four of the seven seats Democrats flipped were won by women: Laura Kelly in Kansas, Janet Mills in Maine, Gretchen Whittmer in Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico.The closely watched race for Georgia governor, where Democrat Stacy Abrams hopes to become that states first African-American female executive, has yet to be called as of Wednesday afternoon. Abrams, though, is currently trailing Republican Brian Kemp.Abrams candidacy got a lot of national attention, and Dittmar says she hopes that, if it fails, political operatives dont view it as a setback for minority women candidates. Theres been a longstanding belief that women of color cant win statewide, says Dittmar.Its not that [Abrams] got blown away, she says. My hope is that the message that comes from her success in getting the votes that she did is, it pushes people to think a little differently about who can and should run for governor.Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Kate Brown won reelection in Oregon. Republican Kristi Noem won an open seat in South Dakota, and Republicans Kim Reynolds of Iowa and Kay Ivey of Alabama won reelection. That makes a total of nine women who will be sworn in as governor next year, tying a record high.Elsewhere, minority and LGBT candidates also made history on Tuesday.Democrat Jared Polis election in Colorado will make him the first openly gay governor in the U.S. come inauguration day next year.In Minnesota, Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan will be the first woman of color elected statewide and only the second Native American woman in the country to be elected to statewide executive office.Sen.-elect Melanie Levesque became the first African-American elected to the New Hampshire state Senate. Rep.-elect Gerri Cannon will become the first openly transgender elected official to serve in that state's legislature. Both women were part of Democratic gains in New Hampshire that flipped the state House and Senate to Democratic control.At the local level, Oakland, Calif., Mayor Libby Schaff beat back nine challengers to win reelection.In the open-seat Phoenix mayors race, Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela are expected to head into a runoff.Looking ahead, this year's gains at the state level could mean even more U.S. congresswomen. State legislatures, says Tulane University's Holman, tend to be a pipeline for congressional candidates.(TNS)  A community workshop aimed at creating new products and preparing Centre County, Pa., residents for careers in science, technology, engineering and math has been in the works for years in Centre County. Last week, Discovery Space received a $100,000 grant from the Centre Foundation to make it happen.Discovery Space  a science center featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on programs to promote STEM education  pitched the idea to develop Centre Makes and received the grant Thursday.We are honored and humbled to be selected for this grant, Michele Crowl, executive director at Discovery Space, said in a press release. Theres been conversations for about five years now of people trying to make a space like this, where the community can come together to use tools and share knowledge. Never before have so many of those pieces come together at once.For the first phase of the project beginning in 2019, said Crowl, Discovery Space will hold several classes in its current classroom and in schools across the county. Some of the grant money will also be used to purchase transportable technologies to take to the schools.While the teaching programs are happening, Discovery Space will begin renovating the 5,000-square foot garage space attached to the back of its building as a hybrid classroom-studio space. The nonprofit will outfit the space with tools that community members will be able to take a class on and then use to create things.When you put the things that people will make into a context, they make a lot more sense, said Crowl. For example, entrepreneurs may have an idea for a product but need a tool such as a drill press to create it. In our space they can do light manufacturing to prototype a number of models of their product.The space will also be a creative studio for artists to experiment and create new larger art, said Crowl.Once the garage is renovated, Crowl said Discovery Space will offer memberships for people who want to use the space to create but want to work on their own projects instead of taking a class.We know that Penn State students who do not have access to the learning factory might need access to tools or space for projects or products they are working on. We hear that many students launch a company just as they are graduating from college, which means they lose access to all resources at Penn State during this critical time for their business, she said.Stigma prevents some students from enrolling in vocational-tech programs in high school, said Crowl. But with Centre Makes, Discovery Space plans to showcase the usefulness of the trades and help connect job seekers to employers.Strawberry Fields was awarded the grant in 2017 after they proposed to develop Good Day Cafe. The coffee shop, which opened in August, is dedicated to employing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Strawberry Fields CEO Cindy Pasquinelli was on hand last week to congratulate Discovery Space.The $100,000 is really just the beginning, Pasquinelli said in the release. What came along with it was the admiration, love and respect that the Centre Foundation has nurtured and grown in this community. My hope is that Good Day Cafe will now pay it forward and support the foundations efforts to grow and improve our community.(TNS) - Gusty northern winds, dry vegetation and low humidity across the Bay Area have created prime circumstances for wildfires, prompting a red flag warning Wednesday and possible power shutoffs for Northern California residents.The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued the red flag warning to take effect from Wednesday night to Friday morning in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills. Those areas are expecting wind gusts up to 45 mph, and any fires that spark could spread rapidly. The biggest threats exist in the hills of eastern Napa County and areas around Atlas Peak, Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton, officials said.As a result of the warning, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Tuesday that customers in parts of nine counties  Butte, Lake, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sonoma and Yuba  may have their power preemptively cut Thursday as a safety precaution.PG&E officials are working with first responders and local authorities to monitor weather conditions before deciding to turn off power.Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said crews are preparing for possible wildfires by increasing staff in affected areas and making sure engines and aircraft are ready to go.Those in affected areas with these predicted severe winds tonight and tomorrow morning need to be ready to evacuate, McLean said. Have your go kits ready to go and make sure to have a full tank of gas.Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb2018 the San Francisco ChronicleVisit the San Francisco Chronicle at www.sfgate.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.(TNS) - Like many floodplain communities, Packwood faces extra hurdles to its development. New structures must be elevated, building permits are more cumbersome and septic systems must be far more robust.Theres just one problem  Packwood has never flooded, at least in living memory.Ive been here 40 years, and Ive never seen water in downtown, said Packwood resident Maree Lerchen. I live downtown, and I dont have flood insurance.While massive floods have swamped places like Centralia and Chehalis in recent years, Packwood has stayed high and dry. According to a government map, though, it sits in the floodplain, making it subject to all sorts of regulatory hassles.This makes it exponentially harder to try to develop in Packwood, said county manager Erik Martin. Were working on finding some funding sources to work on a map amendment to try to correct that map, which we believe is incorrect.The map in question was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1981, a Flood Insurance Rate Map that shows the area expected to be inundated during a 100-year-flood event  more accurately described as a flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in a given year. Such an event devastated the county in 2007, when the Chehalis River swelled over its banks, but Packwood residents on the Cowlitz River arent sure how they ended up with the same designation as areas that have actually been underwater.The map shows a belt of flooding around the Cowlitz north of downtown Packwood, widening to envelop downtown and swamping a large area west and south of town. According to FEMA floodplain specialist John Graves, the Packwood map shows whats known as sheet flow flooding, comparable to water running over a cars windshield, as opposed to a specific channel.That kind of flooding is extraordinarily rare, Graves said, and usually occurs near a geographical feature called an alluvial fan, which Packwood does not appear to have. A 100-year flood event, he said, is predicted to inundate the community to a depth of three feet.Because Packwood is not incorporated, it falls to county officials to take on the floodplain issue, since the area is designated as unincorporated Lewis County. To remove the floodplain tag, theyll have to wade through a bureaucratic tangle at the state and federal levels. FEMA allows counties to submit a Letter of Map Revision, which must be accompanied by a set of forms that include topographical data and a hydrology and hydraulics study  all of which the county must pay consultants to produce.Once the county has gathered the data, FEMA will run it through a 90-day review and either ask for more data or start an appeals process. If the revision makes it that far, the agency will ask for community comments before making it effective.That process, though, wont get the county very far unless it starts at the state level first, said Graves.We look to the states to tell us what their priorities are, he said. If this area is interested in getting a new study, they need to bring that up through the state. Thats the easiest way to get the attention of our engineers.If the Washington Department of Ecology declares Packwood a priority, then FEMA might be compelled to take a look at the issue. For now, the county is just in the fact-gathering stage, looking at potential ways to move forward.Were talking to consultants and experts in those fields about what that might look like, Martin said. Until we really dig in and start scoping it out, were not sure. Its probably going to be a considerable effort, but were going to take a shot at it.Packwood residents say the effort is particularly important, because the community is poised for growth as the area becomes a tourist hotbed.Were becoming sort of a resort community, said Lerchen, a real estate broker. We have a burgeoning vacation rental business.County commissioner Gary Stamper, whose district includes Packwood, also said the floodplain designation has hampered development.When its in the floodplain like that, youre limited on what you can do, and youve got to elevate houses, he said. Its a more expensive process than what it was before.Matt Matayoshi, executive director of the Lewis Economic Development Council, said he knows an individual who owns four lots in Packwood and was looking to develop. They quickly found out they would need to add fill to the lots to bring them above the floodplain or build structures to floodplain code  both extremely cost-prohibitive.Theyve chosen to not do anything with the properties, he said.Lerchen has led an informal community effort to try to build a sewage infrastructure in Packwood, which she believes would be a huge boost to the community. At present, many of the plots in downtown Packwood dont have the space necessary for the septic systems required in a floodplain. Thats why Packwood doesnt have any water-intensive businesses like a laundromat or car wash, she said.Its very frustrating, especially from a business perspective, she said. The downtown business core is stagnant, because we just dont have any more land to put septic systems in.Lerchen has been working on the sewage project for two decades, but she said recently the stars have aligned, with buy-in from county commissioners, state legislators and the Economic Development Council. Water-Sewer District 3, which would operate the sewer system when completed, has agreed to assume the responsibility.With the floodplain designation, though, even the sewage project faces a literal uphill battle because of the problem it was designed to help. The current map would require pumping sewage out of the floodplain, requiring pumping stations and an extra mile of pipe  which Lerchen said is about $1 million per mile.We have to have an affordable system, she said. Its a lot more affordable if you dont have to pump it uphill out of the flood zone.Stamper said the county will likely put together a public meeting once it has a plan, using residents feedback to demonstrate to the state that the issue deserves priority status.Its a huge issue for those community members up there that needs to be addressed, Matayoshi said. It will take several years to do the amendment to their map. Im optimistic, though.Lerchen said she is committed to see the change through as well.We just keep plugging away, she said. They know Im determined. I just may get too old before it happens. Theyre gonna have to carry me out.2018 The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.)Visit The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.) at www.chronline.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Connected vehicle technologies are joining the transportation system in Texas' capital city to improve safety and communication with drivers.Five intersections in Austin have been upgraded with dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) technology. The city will launch two more similar projects next year. The projects are part of Austins participation in the U.S. Department of Transportations Signal Phasing and Timing (SPaT) Challenge through the National Operations Center of Excellence , a partnership among transportation-related associations and government agencies to offer assistance with transportation technologies.This technology will allow connected vehicles to communicate in real time with the traffic signal controller, explained Marissa Monroy, public information and marketing manager for the Austin Transportation Department. The DSRC devices are able to broadcast industry standard basic safety messages in the immediate vicinity of the intersection to surrounding vehicles equipped with onboard units.Some of these safety messages include the vehicles position, the braking systems status and traffic signal information.This type of information will help future connected traffic signals and equipped vehicles to communicate about pedestrian or bicyclist presence in the intersection, improve vehicle performance, and provide engineers with traffic data that can be used to improve safety and operations, she added via email.The technology, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation , was supplied by Battelle, a private nonprofit applied research and technology center based in Columbus, Ohio. The project is part of the federal Connected Vehicle Reference Implementation Architecture project, commonly known as the V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) Hub.The five intersections to receive the DSRC upgrades were selected based on their proximity to the Austin urban core, as well as some of the more interesting and challenging intersections, said Monroy. These are areas with high traffic volumes and areas with oddly shaped intersections.The basic safety messages indicate vehicle position, motion, brake system status and size, and provide vehicles with SPaT information  the traffic signal controller light indications and duration of those indications.Other cities and regions have also been experimenting with connected vehicle technologies. In June, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced a partnership with Panasonic Corp. of North America to begin installing a network of roughly 100 roadside units along I-70 between Golden and Vail, a stretch of about 90 miles. The devices can communicate with the states Traffic Management Center, as well as connected vehicles.The system will enable a vehicle-to-everything  known as V2X  environment where cars can share billions of data points an hour related to speed and other operations, which are fed into the system to generate alerts and other information.About the same time, transportation officials in Columbus, Ohio, announced the launch of its  Connected Vehicle Environment , also a network of roadside devices which can interface with in-vehicle technology to collect data to be used by 12 applications, such as traffic signal priority for transit vehicles, speed reduction alerts in school zones and red-light violation warnings.In the next three to five years, its expected that a number of automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen, will include connected vehicle technology on some or all of their cars.Austin is also involved in other traffic data-sharing projects , such as its partnership with the University of Texas at Austin to use video analytics to study traffic load and road usage. The project uses existing video streams from traffic cameras to track and monitor certain usages like cyclists or pedestrians, with an aim to design and plan streets that are safer and friendlier for all users.SALT LAKE CITY  While Americans were busy watching the outcomes of hotly contested races across the country last night, a team of specialists was watching global cyberthreats stream in from a basement on Utahs Capitol Hill.To call it a basement should only indicate where in the building Utahs Cyber Center is located, because it is a far cry from the dank, mildewy imagery the word conjures up. The center is the result of roughly three years of forward momentum and what state officials acknowledge as a substantial priority at a time when so-called knocks on the door can top a billion a day.Beyond a set of security doors, visitors find a bank of screens, workstations, analysts and law enforcement from the states Department of Technology Services, Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A map on one of the screens shows potential threats as blue and yellow bolts  medium to high threats  with the occasional red bolt indicating a more serious issue. The number of bolts is difficult to comprehend at first glance, but the challenge of thwarting these threats becomes even harder to imagine when officials lay out the daily numbers.No less than 200 million to 300 million attacks come in on a normal day. During a midterm election night  like last night  that number doubles to around 500 million to 600 million. And during the 2016 presidential primary elections, the state reached a billion knocks in one day.But officials seem confident in the abilities of the fairly new center and its full-time staff. It officially went live during the 2016 presidential primariesbut has continued to evolve ever since, getting more advanced with each iteration. Where agencies once worked from their respective offices, they now use the center as a central location for all threat intelligence and monitoring.Despite the daunting traffic, state Chief Information Security Officer Phil Bates seems calm. Relaxed, even. He jokes that hardly any of the real threats are coming from the kid in moms basement out trying to do something.We just see it every year going higher and higher and higher, and thats because you have more players using more infrastructure, and theres money in it, so you have more people doing it, he explained. Throughout the day, we are going to turn back 500 million things we dont want talking to us for a variety of reasons, either where they are coming from, whats in the payload, a lot of different things.The attacks he worries about are coming from bigger, more sophisticated players  nation states looking for a way to disrupt things like elections and criminal organizations out to make a buck.All this stuff is a commercial service now, he said. A lot of what we see now is, youve got a very sophisticated infrastructure that criminals, nation states, you name it, use. Basically they hit you with a lot of traffic and basically what they are looking for is ways in. A lot of this is just automated routines that you get, and a lot of it now ... those routines identify something and another automated routine will try to exploit whatever that is.Countering the onslaught goes beyond what state CIO Mike Hussey called a constant game of cat and mouse and relies on proactive tools  effectively the same ones used by hackers  to cut them off before they find a foothold or way in.To help their systems keep up with the traffic, the state has blocked about a dozen nation states, places like the Seychelles. The small country off the coast of Africa was one major source of incoming activity because of the massive investment in so-called Pirate Bay and infrastructure initially used to pirate movies. It has since turned to a hacking hot spot, Hussey said.That was probably our No. 1 country from hitting us, so we just blocked it  So, you dont want to go there and try to enlist a bunch of state services, because you wont get in, he explained. Its basically a lot of infrastructure sitting there, and whether the bad actor is sitting there, thats probably not the case, but because of that infrastructure, they can jump in and thats their vector in.The same type of infrastructure they are using to try to find things, we are doing to ourselves, Bates explained. We have systems that we turn on ourselves to try to find those vulnerabilities and we want to address them before they get them.The center also follows social media to look for less sophisticated misinformation attacks. Say, for example, a Twitter account starts using the vote hashtag and falsely reporting poll closures in key districts. In such a case, staff would report the issue up to the lieutenant governors office so that government accounts could rebuff the claims.They would put it out through legitimate accounts on that same hashtag to try to kill it, Bates said. If they hit these hashtags, theres enough following those that we know thats where the big volumes are.Prior to election night, DHS and DTS coordinated on penetration testing the overall election systems, a move that would not have been as effective in the pre-cyber center days.We have resources now, like this, that we didnt have before where we have a place to hunker down together with all the data you need, Hussey said.From his perspective, the centers purpose is all about coordinating between agencies that need to be aware of threats and other states that might also be in the crosshairs of hackers. Its also about cutting through the noise to tell the reasonable traffic from threat traffic, which is a challenge, but often times, Hussey said, it takes examining behavior to tell the difference between the two.Thats an art, thats exactly the crux of the issue here, he said.Because the center monitors threats to all state systems, Hussey said criminal investigations vary by where in the world they come from and whether or not law enforcement can act on the information passed along.If it turns criminal in the cyber center, we hand it off to the Department of Public Safety. A lot of times, they are not going to go after the [Seychelles] islands, but certainly, if there is something going on here, we protect all state systems, not just election systems. So, if we have someone coming after our payroll systems from another state, we would go after them, and thats when we engage public safety.The midterm election also marked the first time Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox visited the center. Cox is responsible for elections in the state and said he was more concerned about having enough voting machines accessible to residents and long lines than cybersecurity  alluding to the fact that the center was doing exactly what it was intended to do.I can tell you that its been a huge priority for the state of Utah for several years, we had a couple kind of high-profile hacks that happened before I got in this position, that really elevated the discussion, he said. In fact, Homeland Security will tell you we were one of the first states, and the FBI as well, to really start coordinating with the federal government on that level. From an elections standpoint though, I can tell you that the last year and really the last six months, it has been our No. 1 priority and focus.The 2016 elections and reports of tampering on the part of Russia, as well as false reports of millions of illegal immigrants voting, underscore the importance of the centers mission, Cox said. While those on the left and right continue to believe some of these reports, he said remaining credible and in front of potential threats is essential.Of course we saw what happened nationally in 2016 and the concerns that came out of that, we also knew we had a very high-profile race with ... [Mitt] Romneyon the ballot, somebody that has been critical of Russia and foreign actors, and so we knew there was potential for us being a target, Cox said.As for the road ahead, officials said the center will continue to keep up with the advancing threats, evolving as needed with support from the states highest office.(TNS)  For about 20 minutes to an hour every other day, about 100 Dayton, Ohio, police officers connect wet-clip electrodes from cell-phone-sized devices to their ear lobes, sending a gentle electrical signal through their brains.The hoped-for results: Less stress, better sleep  and a better life.For almost a month, Dayton police officers have been part of a study examining the use of the devices meant to ease stress among first-responders, a Texas company announced with the city.About 100 officers are halfway through the six-week study. Each officer uses an Alpha-Stim device, usually at home.The maker of Alpha-Stim  Electromedical Products International (EPI), based in Mineral Wells, Texas  says they use cranial electrotherapy stimulation and microcurrent electrical therapy to deliver the only patented waveform on the market which is clinically proven to work in 9 out of 10 people who use it, even when other therapies failed.Kathy Platoni, a retired U.S. Army colonel who works as a clinical psychologist for the Dayton police department and other regional departments, said she has used Alpha-Stim in her private practice for 28 years.She and Tracey Kirsch, EPI president, brought the device to Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehls attention.It has been tremendously helpful across the board, Platoni said. She called it the gold standard for the treatment of PTSD  post traumatic stress disorder.And I dont get paid to say that, she added.The 37-year-old company conducted a similar six-week study with a smaller police department in Texas. Kirsch called those results encouraging.Its always reassuring to see good results coming from the people who use it, Kirsch said Tuesday. The people who really need it are first responders.Asked how it works, Kirsch said the AA-battery-powered devices and their signals are electrical  like our brains.Your brain is electrical, she said. We believe its the physics in the body thats controlling the chemistry.She said electrical signals normalize brain function, harnessing electricity to help calm the brain.Were sending a signal, she said. Its the wave form in an electrical stimulator. Its like an ingredient in a drug. Thats what makes it effective.The result for most people, according to EPI: Stress reduction, an easing of insomnia and depression, with some pain control applications to boot.When you start normalizing the system, your body returns to normal, and you get improvement, Kirsch said.Volunteers report on their mood and sleep, the company said.Only available by prescription, the Alpha-Stim device is a non-invasive, (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) cleared prescription medical device that delivers safe and effective non-drug relief of anxiety, insomnia and depression, the company said.Officers participating in the study get to keep the $800 device at no cost, EPI said.The company points to a national study found that found four out of eight officers involved in on-the-job accidents and injuries were impaired because of fatigue.A new Android app will be tested by the participants in the Dayton study, EPI also said.After the study, EPI principals intend to write up the results and try to spread the word among other police departments, Kirsch said.FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIAF1 is ramping up security ahead of this weekend's Brazilian grand prix.

In recent years, the race at Interlagos has come under scrutiny for a string of violent robbery attacks on F1 personnel. Last year, a planned Pirelli test was called off for that reason.

Britain's Sun newspaper reports that, in response, the FIA has held meetings in Paris and organised that police line the main road into the track near Sao Paulo.

And Brazil's Globo reports that teams like Force India will bring extra security to the Brazilian grand prix.

"We have worked with local authorities and apparently they'll have a much larger presence as well. There will be a greater effort," said team boss Otmar Szafnauer.

(GMM)Monza's chances of keeping the fabled Italian grand prix on the F1 calendar have received a boost.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the local Lombardy region has committed to allocating an extra EUR 25 million over the next five years to keep the event at Monza.

The current race contract with Liberty Media is set to expire after 2019.

"This is the first step because the priority is renewing the contract and keeping the most important international sporting event in our country at Monza until 2024," said Lombardy sport councillor Martina Cambiaghi.

Another councillor, Andrea Monti, added: "The news is that formula one is negotiating for a race in the Netherlands and has decided a date for Vietnam in 2020.

"And this is a step towards the renewal in Monza."

(GMM)The Grills multi-course feast. Photo: Photo: Noah Fecks

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. It is now Monday. You have almost no time left to make plans. Give up on the dream of cooking  if youre still holding on to it in the first place  and embrace the idea of Thanksgiving at a restaurant. Lucky for you, lots of amazing places still have reservations available. Heres where you should go!

If you want a super traditional Thanksgiving.

The Grill and The Pool

How Much: $195/person for a five-course prix fixe

If youd rather do your splurging on Thanksgiving than on Black Friday, the Grill and The Pool are the places to do it. For a little under $200, the Major Food Group spots are serving a very classic meal, including pumpkin soup, endive and apple salad, goose terrine with figs and olives, buttered dumplings with brussels sprouts, and roasted turkey in a bourbon gravy flambe. For an extra $79, you can add the restaurants famous prime rib to your meal, and top it off with a slice of pecan pie from the dessert cart.

Aretskys Patroon

How Much: $95/adult and $45/child for a three-course prix fixe

This upscale power-lunch spot is keeping it pretty simple for Thanksgiving, serving up porcini-chestnut soup and roasted delicata squash salad to start before introducing roast turkey and halibut to the mix (with sausage herb stuffing, whipped potatoes, haricot verts, and more on the side). At the end of the night, choose between pecan pie a la mode, roasted apples with cinnamon ice cream, or a sweet potato ganache.

Bistrot Leo

How Much: $55/person for a three-course prix fixe or a la carte

This French restaurant in Soho will have butternut squash soup and a turkey duo featuring dark and white meat with sweet potato, parsnip meringue, stuffing, haricot verts, and gravy, plus classic pumpkin pie on tap. All this can be ordered a la carte with five other add-ons, including jalapeno cornbread and black truffle potato gratin.

Tinys and the Bar Upstairs

How Much:$69/person or $89/person with a wine pairing

At this cozy Tribeca restaurant, expect homemade whole wheat bread and cranberry cornbread with pumpkin butter and maple syrup, Humboldt fog goat cheese salad, slow roasted turkey (or coriander-crusted pork loin), and pie, cookies, or a tart for dessert.

Houseman

How Much: $85/person for a four-course family-style meal, plus $65 for an optional wine pairing

This West Village spot will have three seatings (at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.) for a family-style dinner with smoked bluefish, a medley of fall foods (read: American ham, McIntosh apples, kabocha squash, etc.), turkey legs and breast with long grain rice, and four different sweets.

Joseph Leonard

How Much: $70/person for a family-style meal

At Gabe Stulmans laid-back West Village restaurant, the meal will start with homemade Chex Mix, crudites with French onion dip, and caviar and potato chips, before veering toward the classic, featuring kabocha and butternut squash soup, turkey, stuffing, brussels sprouts, green beans, mashed and sweet potatoes, and apple pie.

Cherry Point

How Much: A la carte

For those who arent looking to throw down $60 to $100 for a prix fixe, Greenpoints Cherry Point is keeping it simple, serving items from its daily menu as well as Thanksgiving foods you can pick and choose from, like roast turkey breast with cranberry and bread sauces, turkey leg pie, smoked and honey-glazed root vegetables, and focaccia and sausage stuffing.

The Dutch

How Much: $130/adult and $60/child for a three-course prix fixe

While the appetizers will run the gamut at this Andrew Carmellini restaurant (read: Wagyu steak tartare, spinach gnocchi, pork ribs), the family-style main course is totally classic and includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, brussels sprouts, spoon bread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry-orange chutney.

If you want a Thanksgiving with a twist.

Temple Court

How Much: $115/person for a three-course prix-fixe

The twist here is that you can avoid all the Thanksgiving staples if you want to. Instead of a squash-based app, go for hamachi or lobster thermidor. For dinner, skip the turkey and go for dry-aged sirloin, diver scallops, or wild salmon (though turkey is available). And for dessert, forget all about pumpkins, apples, and pecans and enjoy a baked Alaska.

Mifune

How Much: $90/person for a seven-course prix fixe with an optional $60 wine and sake pairing

Over in Midtown East, Japanese restaurant Mifune is offering a massive seven-course feast featuring sashimi, kabocha pumpkin soup, turkey truffle pie, soboro ginger rice, and Okinawa kibito caramel ice cream to end the night.

Morandi

How Much: $70/person for a three-course prix fixe

Keith McNallys downtown trattoria will mix things up for Thanksgiving, serving tagliatelle with a porcini ragu and beet salad with buttermilk dressing alongside the more classic roast turkey breast and a selection of classic pies from sister restaurant Balthazar.

Henry at Life Hotel

How Much: $75/person or $38/child for a three-course prix fixe

This spot from chef J.J. Johnson will offer a collard greens salad, tuna tartare, turkey leg confit, braised short ribs, praline pork chops, purple sweet potato pie, and other dishes that wink at Johnsons Pan-African concept, starting at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day.

Indian Accent (Seating low)

How Much: $95/adult and $49/child (12 and up) for a three-course prix fixe

If youd like to avoid bland mashed potatoes and canned cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving, Indian Accent is your best bet. The restaurant will serve sesame-chili sweet potatoes, roast turkey pinwheels with sage, paneer, and a chili tomato glaze, cumin-maple brussels sprouts, and pumpkin and cranberry flatbread with sage butter, just to name a few standouts.

JoJo

How Much: $118/person for a three-course prix fixe

At this Jean-Georges Vongerichten spot, guests will be spoiled for choice. Though theres only three courses, both the appetizer and entree courses offer five selections, including peekytoe crab dumplings, butternut squash minestrone, Maine lobster in herb butter, Wagyu beef tenderloin, and more.

Boqueria

How Much: $70/person for a family-style dinner or a la carte

Three of this popular Spanish restaurant chains five locations will be open on Turkey Day (the one in Soho and those on the Upper East Side and West 40th Street, to be exact). Options include skate wing grilled on the plancha and served with fingerling potatoes, a platter of Iberico ham and Spanish cheese, squid ink noodle paella, a Spanish-style apple tart, or if youre too chicken to stray from turkey, a roasted bird stuffed with mushrooms.

Ferris

How Much: A la carte

Rather than prepare an entirely new Thanksgiving menu, the folks at Ferris will be serving their usual menu (hello, aged duck and katsu sandos) alongside a few specials, including a braised and fried turkey leg, cranberry kosho, and green beans with garlic and crispy onions.

Quality Eats

How Much: A la carte or $24/person

If all the options so far seem prohibitively expensive, Quality Eats is offering one of the best deals out there. For $24, guests can cop the restaurant chains Franksgiving offering, featuring two turkey dogs topped to overflowing with turkey chili, gravy, autumn slaw, stuffing fries, cranberry ketchup, apple mustard, green bean relish, and crispy onions. Or you could just eat a regular dinner, but wheres the fun in that?

Sauvage (Seating low)

How Much: $68/person for a three-course prix fixe

At this French-leaning Greenpoint spot, the kitchen will turn out acorn soup with Jonah crab meat, pate de campagne, classic heritage turkey with chestnut stuffing, brook trout almondine, beef short ribs, and chocolate mousse or pumpkin pie to share.

If you want Thanksgiving with a side of classic New York.

Katzs Delicatessen

How Much: $90/adult and $50/child for a prix fixe dinner

Theres nothing like spending the holidays at a New York institution. This year, Katzs will host a two-and-a-half hour dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m., featuring all the usual staples of Thanksgiving alongside Jewish deli favorites, including pastrami, latkes, tzimmes, pickles, matzo ball soup, corned beef, and babka.

Victors Cafe

How Much: A la carte

This year marks this Cuban cafes 55th year in business and the staff still knows how to bring the party. On Thanksgiving, Victors will serve a few Thanksgiving staples alongside its own Cuban menu and some live music. Get the ropa vieja and a mojito and youll be set.

Russian Tea Room

How Much: $125/adult and $85/child for a three-course prix fixe

For those who prefer a gaudy Thanksgiving feast with high tea, theres the Russian Tea Room. For Thanksgiving, theyll serve Eastern European staples like red borscht, duck blinchiki, stroganoff, chicken Kiev, and kulebyaka  as well as turkey, pumpkin tart, and a market salad, if you want something more traditional.

Bryant Park Grill

How Much: $95/adult and $42.50/child for a three-course prix fixe

While the 23-year-old Bryant Park Grill doesnt have as much history as the restaurants above, it does have an unrivaled view of one of the citys most iconic landmarks: the New York Public Library. On Thanksgiving Day, head to 42nd Street and 6th Avenue for a meal featuring roasted honey pumpkin soup, turkey breast and pork tenderloin, chocolate fudge cake, and more.

Jean-Georges (Seating low)

How Much: $198/person for a four-course prix fixe

If you want to take in Central Parks turning leaves one last time over a gorgeous dinner, then youll want to fork over the big bucks for Thanksgiving dinner at Jean-Georges. Among the menu items are sauteed foie gras with avocado and radish in a ginger marinade, black sea bass crusted with spices, and roasted turkey filled with foie gras and chestnut stuffing (or caramelized beef tenderloin, if youre all turkeyed out).

If you want a vegetarian Thanksgiving.

abcV

How Much: $98/person for a four-course prix fixe

If you dont even want to see meat on Thanksgiving, abcV is your best bet. For Thanksgiving, the vegetarian restaurant will serve everything from honey nut squash with tahini and whole roasted black maitake mushrooms to wood-grilled baby artichokes and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream.

Little Park

How Much: $95/adult and $50/child, with an optional $45 wine pairing

Andrew Carmellinis Tribeca restaurant remains as vegetable-leaning as ever, and for Thanksgiving, diners can look forward to autumn squash soup, sunchoke risotto, roasted carrots, braised swiss chard, and, because its Thanksgiving, after all, a slow-roasted turkey with sweet sausage and wild mushroom stuffing.

Narcissa

How Much: $79/person for a four-course prix fixe

At this East Village-adjacent restaurant in the Standard, lunch and dinner will be available starting at noon. Among the healthier options are a Narcissa salad with apples, figs, toasted hazelnuts, and parmesan; smokey Japanese sweet potatoes with preserved chilis; a grilled carrots entree alongside candied walnuts and labne; and a whole roasted red snapper. And among the desserts youll find vegan affogato made with almond milk ice cream.

If you want to order pies, sides, or even a turkey to go.

Magnolia Bakery

How Much: $8 - $75

Order by: November 19

Its no surprise that this super-popular bakery is coming correct for Thanksgiving. Not only will they have pies like Apple Double Crust, Pumpkin Praline, and Black Bottom Pecan, theyll also have a thoroughly autumn-ized version of their banana pudding with pumpkin and gingersnaps.

Pig Beach

How Much:$35 - $250

Order by: November 19

Those looking for a more down-home Thanksgiving need look no further than this Gowanus barbecue spot, which is selling a $250 package with enough food to feed eight to ten people, including a smoked whole turkey or a brown sugar and maple-glazed spiral-cut ham with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. For sides, choose between mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, purple coleslaw, and green bean casserole; dessert will come down to pumpkin pie, apple pie, or red velvet cupcakes. Everything can be ordered a la carte, as well. Email catering@pigbeach.com to put in your order.

Daily Provisions

How Much: $40-$45

Order by: November 20

If you work or live in Flatiron (or are just very committed to all things Daily Prov), Danny Meyers all-day cafe will have a chocolate bourbon pecan pie covered in waves of ganache and a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt as well as a pumpkin pie with whipped cheesecake on top. Throw in an order of ten caramel chocolate chunk cookies and youll be the life of the party. Pickup is available on November 20 and 21 as well as on Thanksgiving day from 8 a.m. to noon.

Morgensterns

How Much: $42-$44.50

Order by: November 19

In addition to its bottomless list of ice cream flavors, the new Morgensterns flagship on Houston will be selling whole pies, including a bourbon pecan pie with a sweet dough crust, salted caramel custard with a pretzel crust, and a cinnamon apple pie with a pork lard crust. Orders must be made at least 48 hours before pickup.

Fleishers Craft Butchery

How Much: A la carte

Order by: November 21

Both locations of Fleishers (on the Upper East Side and in Park Slope) are accepting orders for uncooked turkeys, from a traditional American turkey raised to superior standards to a more pricey heritage bird that spent its life eating berries and nettles. The turkeys are fresh and never frozen and will be available for pickup starting on Monday, November 19.

Marlow & Daughters

How Much: A la carte

Order by: November 21

If you only want to cook the turkey and let someone else take care of the rest, Marlow & Daughters in Williamsburg is the place to go. Customers can choose between a fresh, uncooked organic or pastured turkey and then add a brining kit, roasted brussels sprouts, cornbread and sausage stuffings, pumpkin pie, nine different loaves of bread, and a Thanksgiving meal for the family dog. All you have to do is pop the bird in the oven once you get home.

Momofuku Ssam Bar

How Much: $375

Order by: November 19

Grab ten of your closest friends, ask each of them to front you $40, and head to Momofuku Ssam Bar to pick up your Thanksgiving dinner, featuring honey-glazed pork shoulder, scalloped potatoes with cheddar and gruyere, iceberg salad with Italian dressing, green bean casserole, and a sweet potato tres leches cake. 48-hour notice is required and the very narrow pickup window is between noon and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.News

Egypt makes Gaza comeback with post-war reconstruction

After years of retreat, Egypt is making its presence felt again in the neighbouring Palestinian enclave, emerging as a key benefactor in the aftermath of the last bout of fighting between Hamas and Israel in May.A tasty promotional partnership has been announced between acclaimed bluegrass band, Audie Blaylock and Redline, and Hemisphere Coffee Roasters, based in Mechanicsburg, Ohio.

It all started after bassist Reed Jones, a self-confessed "coffee snob," discovered a kindred spirit in his favorite barista, Paul Kurtz, owner of Hemisphere Coffee Roasters.

"We really discovered a shared passion that drives us for things that are rooted in tradition, things that are meaningful and real," Jones says. "For Paul and his family, it's about crafting great coffee and cultivating meaningful relationships with coffee farmers around the world. For our band, it's about honoring the Appalachian culture, and crafting music that is honest, real, and hard-driving."

That shared passion for craftsmanship and making a difference prompted Audie's band to create a jingle for Hemisphere Coffee Roasters which will be used to promote the company. Additionally, the idea was born to create a special coffee roast named for the band. The result is a private label coffee called Redline Roast which is now available for order in gift packages for the 2018 holiday season.

The Hemisphere business model helps small farmers and co-ops to become self-sustaining in some of the world's most impoverished areas, including Thailand, Central America Haiti and Guatemala. With a degree in Theology and a background in both mission work music ministry, Paul Kurtz has traveled the world and seen firsthand the power of a job for people in poverty. In addition to offering fair pricing through direct business-to-business relationships, Kurtz helps to connect farmers with local resources in their own areas. The result provides an economic lift to the farmers, and the finest quality coffee products produced by the roastery, including the new Redline Roast.

The company's relationship with coffee-growing communities is literally transforming lives. For example, there are currently 80 women in Thailand, formerly relegated to prostitution and sex trafficking, who are now securely employed by a coffee grower in the region. That farmer's business is thriving through a direct trade relationship with Hemisphere Coffee Roasters.

"We're not changing the world," Kurtz says, "but for the farmers we contract with, we're changing their world."

Grammy nominated bandleader, Audie Blaylock and his group Redline are proud to be partnering with Hemisphere Coffee Roasters to make Redline Roast available. A stout blend of beans from Ethiopia and Thailand, Redline Roast is the newest flavor among Hemisphere's ethically-sourced coffee. Special gift packages are available from Audie Blaylock and Redline that include coffee, a CD and T-shirt.

"We're thrilled to team up with a company that's making a positive difference for people all over the world," Blaylock says. "I know that folks who love coffee will really appreciate the quality of Hemisphere's coffee, but more important, every purchase helps the company to continue doing good."

ABOUT HEMISPHERE COFFEE ROASTERS

With the slogan, "God Coffee Doing Good," Hemisphere Coffee Roasters has developed a business model that benefits coffee growing communities around the globe. Recognizing that every bean is handpicked by real, live, breathing people who have hopes, fears and dreams, the company has developed deep relationships of trust with coffee producers around the world. Their goal is to not give hand-outs but instead focus on business-to-business direct-trade solutions that offer a hand-up to the producers and their communities. By helping farmers to be sustainable, the company is instrumental in community development that means jobs and security for many who may otherwise fall victim to poverty.

Tags : heimsphere coffee roasters audie blaylock(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a businessman and a California-based attorney with defrauding investors seeking to participate in the EB-5 immigrant investor program, stealing their money to fund personal expenses.

The SECs complaint alleges that Robert A. Ferrante and attorney Marilyn R. Thomassen participated in a fraudulent scheme with PDC Capital Group and its principal, Emilio Francisco, to defraud at least 135 investors out of $9.5 million using 19 different EB-5 offerings made primarily to investors in China. In 2016, the SEC charged Francisco and PDC Capital with defrauding investors seeking to participate in the EB-5 immigrant investor program. PDC Capital marketed investments in EB-5 projects that included opening Caffe Primo restaurants, developing assisted living facilities, and renovating a production facility for environmentally friendly agriculture and cleaning products. Under the EB-5 program, foreign investors can apply to permanently live and work in the U.S. by investing money in certain projects that bring about American jobs.

According to the complaint, Ferrante was Franciscos partner in the operation of PDC Capital, and the two diverted $19.2 million of investor funds to PDC Capital, and outright stole at least $9.5 million. Thomassen served as the escrow agent for all 19 offerings and contrary to representations to investors, allowed Francisco and Ferrante to divert at least $19.2 million of investors funds deposited into escrow accounts to accounts controlled by PDC Capital. Prior to engaging in the fraud, Thomassen was Franciscos law partner. Over $900,000 of the stolen investor money was used to pay Ferrantes personal expenses.

The SECs complaint charges Ferrante and Thomassen with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws, Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c). The SEC seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, interest, penalties and permanent injunctions from Ferrante. Thomassen has agreed, without admitting or denying the SECs allegations, to the entry of permanent injunctions against further violations of the charged provisions of the federal securities laws, a court order prohibiting her from participating in EB-5 offerings and from issuing or selling any security, and to pay a monetary penalty of $187,767. This settlement is subject to court approval.The Dialogue of Civilisations Research Institute (DOC), a think tank with its headquarters in Berlin, is one of the rare institutes in Europe that gives a platform to all viewpoints on geopolitical issues, not simply the dominant Western viewpoint. The think tank organises the Rhodes Forum every year, where intellectuals, academics and politicians discuss world issues in plenary sessions and panel discussions, and gained recognition for having predicted the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 and also anticipated the European refugee crisis.

This years Forum included speakers such as Joschka Fisher, Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany (1998 - 2005); Mikhail Bogdanov, Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia; Robin Wright, Senior Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Distinguished Scholar of the Woodrow Wilson Center; Ibrahima Fofana, Prime minister of the Republic of Guinea; and Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel (2006-2008).

Helsinki Times had a chance to interview Dr. Vladimir Yakunin, Chairman of the DOC Research Institute Supervisory Board and head of the State Governance Department Faculty of Political Sciences of Moscow State University. We talked about the Forum and the issues discussed in it. Below are some of the highlights.

HT: There are always two sides to a story and the Western media has its own point of view. One of the positive characteristics of this forum has been a willingness to tell the other side of the story. The participants have been telling the other narrative that you dont often hear in the West. But it seems that this year there has been a shift to a softer tone. I wonder if this change is intentional and has the pressure from the Western media affected that?

VY: I am not sure I would agree that the tone is softer. For example, if you saw the opening panel discussion yesterday, the exchanges between Mikhail Bogdanov, Joschka Fischer and Robin Wright were far from soft. But I agree that the forum has evolved in recent years. You are absolutely right that the Rhodes Forum has set itself apart by its determination to provide a platform for the other side of the story. Its just that we wont achieve the principal aim of DOC if we only bring in people who tell this other side. Real dialogue can only take place if we make the forum open to people from all sides. By the way, even within the DOC itself, we have many different countries, cultures and perspectives represented, and were pleased when French national Jean-Christophe Bas joined DOC as CEO earlier this year.

Fundamentally, the aim of the forum is to look at latent or existing conflicts, help to understand the root causes, and to try to arrive at practical solutions. Most international forums are guilty of trying to look at problems through a single lens. At DOC, we are trying to avoid that mistake by working hard to bring in people from all countries, cultures and perspectives. This year we had delegations from Iran and Israel. In the last we have had Sunnis and Shias at the same table. This makes for some very hot dialogue at times, but its better to have hot dialogue than hot war.

HT: In general does the media coverage affect the direction of where the DOC will go?

VY: Of course we follow all the media coverage, and pay attention to what is written about us. In Germany in particular we have had some quite critical coverage, based I would say on a misunderstanding of who we are. The fact is, we are very happy for media to look at us critically and challenge what we say. In fact this is how media should look at any think tank or organization  we should always be ready to have our opinions challenged, this is what creates dialogue. But some of the critical coverage looked more politically motived, and was written by journalists who werent going to let facts change their preconcieved ideas. This kind of coverage we try to ignore. But for anyone who is open to genuine dialogue and debate, we are always open.

Ultimately, we want to be judged based on substance  the substance of what is said and achieved at the Rhodes Forum, the quality of our research work, etc.

HT: What do you think about the coverage of Russia in general in the Western media. How often, by the way, do you Google yourself, for example, or Russia in English?

VY: I believe that a lot of coverage of Russia in the Western media is very simplistic, and one-sided. There is a certain caracature impage of Russia that has formed over the past years  where Russia is the ultimate evil, and somehow Russia is portrayed as being behind every single "bad" or unexpected event everywhere in the world. Anything negative in the world, the Russians are responsible. It somehow seems to be more convenient to pin everything on the Russians rather than to look at the underlying reasons for this or that unexpected event.

Dont get me wrong. I am not saying that all criticism is unfounded. As a Russian citizen, I know the problems of my society and my government as well as anyone. But it is my society, it is my government. And whether Im completely in agreement with some particular members of the government or not, what I read [in the news] sometimes seems to be absurd. All too often, facts and objectivity give way to dogma and advocacy.

This is not only a problem of Western media, of course. Its a global problem. This is why we felt it was an important issue to cover at the Rhodes Forum  as we brought together media from America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa to talk about the challenges of rebuilding trust in media in the age of post-truth politics.

HT: There is a discussion of the lack of impact of Russian soft power in the world and cultural impact of Russia. I mean where are the Pushkins and Dostoyevskys and those great filmmakers today? Why dont we hear anything about the positive cultural impact of Russia in the world?

VY: You touch a nerve with your question. Because in fact, I completely agree with you. Whatever is said about the rising soft power of Russia, as a Russian citizen and someone who is travelling a lot, I should say it has no comparison with what was done during the Soviet era. Yesterday I had a very interesting talk with a former minister from Iraq, and we were talking about the contemporary situation in Iraq, in Syria, and the surrounding area, and he said There was a time when we were studying Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, we were exposed to Russian culture, exhibition, literature, films, nowadays there is nothing. And this is bad. Soft power has become a deeply politically loaded term, and so Im not sure I would refer to this as soft power in the way that it tends to be understood today. This is dialogue of cultures as a subset of dialogue of civilisations. And if we are not exchanging these cultural artefacts, or if I may say so, achievements, then we are lacking the background for actual dialogue.

HT: About Syria, you know Russia has had an important role in basically bringing the country back to balance and Western countries, despite the noise, have actually done their best to destabilise the country with money, weapons and direct intervention and they still continue to do so. And of course, they portray Russia as the bad guy and themselves as the good guys. Despite Russias positive role in helping fight terrorism, it allows US, France, Britain and Israel to come and bombard every now and then. Why is that? Is Russia unable to stop them or is it intentional, like a guardian angel who kills some devils, but tolerates other ones?

VY: It is difficult to answer this question because you know I have no connection to policymaking in Russia. I can only share my personal opinion. Judging by the statements of officials in Russia, and by the coverage in Russian media, Russia was suggesting from the beginning a coalition to the United States of America: let us do this together, but the suggestion was turned down. We then went on to see the rise of ISIS and the dangerous atrocities they committed in Syria, they observed convoys of trucks full of oil crossing the border with neighbouring Turkey - you know, everyone should think about that: On one side declarations from the West that we fight terrorism. On the other side, we could see the financial support of terrorism right before our eyes. With all this surveillance from space, from airborne systems, nobody could notice that? And only when Russian fighter planes destroyed the convoy did the world media suddenly start to publish articles saying listen this is not good and that is the financial stream supporting ISIS. So I suppose here Russia achieved something positive, in terms of fighting terrorism. Again I can refer to the discussion with one of the participants of this forum, he said that, from where we are standing, the side of Assad, and the side of opposition forces, appear equally ugly.

I dont remember who said this but possibly Nixon, once referring to one dictator, he said Okay he is a dictator, he is a bastard but he is our bastard. I am not saying this kind of thinking is always applicable in the modern world. But at the same time this persistent ideology that we see in the West of my enemys enemy is my friend is an ideology that has proven time and again to be highly short-sighted and ultimately very counterproductive  I am often surprised this principle continues to underpin so much of many Western countries foreign policy.

HT: But do you think Russia should have or could have basically ended this conflict much faster if it had claimed exclusivity. If it would say that We are in Syria, now there is a no fly zone here for everybody else and thats it.

VY: I dont think it was ever Russias intention to have some exclusivity here. Russia doesnt want, to my mind, to repeat the mistakes of others. Even if we do not learn from mistakes, at least we should try not to replicate them. Remember the no fly zone in Libya? What do we have now? I dont think that the Russian authorities would like to have something like that.

HT: What do you think about the flight of capital from Russia and the dominance of US Dollar, are these big problems?

VY: These are probably two separate questions, albeit partially linked. Capital flight out of financial markets is one story, and one can always see fluctuations here depending on a variety of external factors. In fact what concerns me more is the lack of suitable conditions to facilitate long-term investment into the real economy, and this is in part an economic policy question that needs to be resolved domestically.

As to the dominance of the US dollar, I dont believe this is particularly sustainable, and more likely we will see the emergence over the coming years of several strong global currencies. This list will clearly involve the Yuan, presumably the Euro to one degree or another, though here we need to see what happens post Brexit, and assess possible knock-on implications on the European currency. In time I can even see the Rouble in this list, although probably we need a lot of time before this happens  there are a number of issues to resolve in the meantime.Petteri Orpo (NCP), the Minister of Finance, called attention to the need to take further action to address the labour market mismatch in discussing the central government budget for 2019 in the Finnish Parliament on Tuesday.

Recent news about how the employment situation has developed have been disconcerting in the sense that even though were set to meet the ambitious employment rate target of 72 per cent, were simultaneously hearing about a lack of skilled workers from businesses in various parts, or rather all over Finland.

Orpo highlighted that while roughly 40 per cent of businesses have stated that they are affected by the skills shortage, there are roughly 270,000 unemployed job seekers and tens of thousands of job openings in Finland.

The Finnish government is duly proposing in its supplementary budget that an additional 40 million euros be allocated for measures to mitigate the labour market mismatch and, thereby, promote employment. The budget appropriation will enable the government to train and provide education opportunities to 1,6002,400 people, according to Orpo.

This is precisely the kind of targeted measure that weve introduced and will continue to introduce, so that, step by step, as many Finns without a job as possible get a chance to find work and take responsibility for themselves, their loved ones and their family, as well as escape from poverty and hopelessness, he said.

The Social Democratic Party wasted no time in reminding that the government has previously made considerable cuts in education spending.

Minister Orpo is now bragging how the government is targeting 40 million euros for this in the supplementary budget. Thats good, but the logic seems to be that youre returning 510 million euros after cutting 100 million euros, slammed Jukka Gustafsson (SDP), a member of the Parliaments Education Committee.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Source: Uusi SuomiWhen the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, america lacked a practical scout plane to span the gap between primary trainers such as the Curtiss JN-4 and Sopwiths, Spads and other frontline fighters. That deficiency and the desire for a practical American-made fighter served as the primary motivation for the development and fast-tracked production of the Thomas-Morse Scout. The Tommy, as it was nicknamed, became the first modern American fighter, despite the fact it was designed by an Englishman, Benjamin Douglas Thomas of JN-4 Jenny fame (see Genesis of the Jenny).

William T. Thomas and his brother Oliver W. Thomas (no relation to B.D.) were British subjects born in Argentina. William worked for Curtiss as an engineer from 1908 to 1909, then left to set up his own shop in 1910 with his brother in a barn in Hammondsport, N.Y. The Thomas Brothers Company recruited Curtiss employee Walter Johnson, another self-starter who had taught himself to fly, to serve as a mechanic, test pilot and flight instructor.



S-4B fuselages await their wings at the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Co. in Ithaca, N.Y. (Courtesy of Steuben County Historical Society) S-4B fuselages await their wings at the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Co. in Ithaca, N.Y. (Courtesy of Steuben County Historical Society)

In 1912 the company produced the Thomas TA biplane, which was somewhat successful as an exhibition flier and even won a few races. That year the brothers also established the affiliated Thomas School of Aviation at Conesus Lake in New York, famed for its rock-bottom prices (on rainy days student pilots could work off tuition in the shop). In 1913 they changed the name to Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company, and in 1914 moved to Ithaca, N.Y. B.D. Thomas had parted company with Glenn Curtiss by then, and decided to join them. Once on board, B.D. designed a series of T-2 tractor biplanes for Britains Royal Naval Air Service, which were fitted with floats and sold to the U.S. Navy as the SH-4.

In January 1917 the company recapitalized by merging with the Morse Chain Co., thus becoming the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Co., still based in Ithaca. With war tearing Europe apart and the increasing possibility of U.S. involvement, Thomas-Morse sought to design an intermediate trainer/scout that would make the transition to high-performance fighters smoother for the American pilots, thus resulting in fewer casualties due to training accidents. The result was the successful S-4 Scout biplane trainer.



One of six S-5 floatplanes delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1917 prepares for takeoff at Naval Air Station Dinner Key in Florida. (National Archives) One of six S-5 floatplanes delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1917 prepares for takeoff at Naval Air Station Dinner Key in Florida. (National Archives)

The elegant though outdated French Nieuport 28 influenced the S-4s design. Both featured long tail moments and Gnome engines, and the S-4B would borrow the torque-tube and bellcrank ailerons featured on the Nieuport 11 through 27 and on Germanys Halberstadts. The S-4 also borrowed from Sopwith aircraftespecially the wings, which were similar in construction and shape to Camel and Pup wings, although the Tommy had ailerons only on the upper wing to slow down the roll rate for fledgling pilots.

The S-4 Scout was a trim little single-seat biplane that was originally powered by a 100-hp Gnome monosoupape 9B rotary engine. In June 1917, on its first flight, the Tommy attained a speed of 95 mph. After building 52 Tommies, however, Thomas-Morse substituted the more reliable 80-hp Le Rhone 9C.

The initial Army order was for six prototypes. On October 3, 1917, 100 improved S-4Bs were ordered, plus an additional 25 aircraft for Britain.

The Tommy could be easily converted into a seaplane, given the U.S. Navy designation S-5. It was identical to the S-4B save for its floats, which reduced the top speed to 90 mph. After testing at the naval air station on Dinner Key, off Miami, Fla., the Navy ordered six S-5s.

On January 18, 1918, the War Department placed an order for 400 improved S-4C models. Besides using the Nieuports torque-tube system instead of cables for aileron control, the C models ailerons and elevators were reduced in area and provision was made for a .30-caliber Marlin machine gun, synchronized to fire through the propeller (though not all aircraft were delivered so equipped). A total of 447 S-4Cs were built.

The S-4C was of standard construction with a wire-braced, wooden-frame fuselage, covered in fabric and with a round upper decking. Its wooden interplane struts were braced by wire, with the center section struts slightly splayed outward. The wings were staggered, with a semicircular cutout in the trailing edge of the upper wing to improve visibility. The top wing was flat and the lower wing had slight dihedral (similar to Camels and Nieuports). Wooden struts formed the undercarriage legs, and the wheels were sprung with rubber bungee cords. The engine was partially enclosed by a circular cowling, which was faired into the flat-sided fuselage by triangular cheek cowls similar to those on the Fokker Dr.I triplane.

The Tommys controls proved problematic in flight, and the airplane was very tail heavy. The pilot had to constantly push forward on the control stick to keep the aircraft level, as there was no provision for trim control. The roll rate was sluggish, and the torque of the rotary engine made it difficult to loop. Takeoffs were tricky until enough speed built up to allow rudder control. In order to land, the pilot had to blip the engine (cut ignition) to reduce power.

According to the late Frank Tallman, who flew the Tommy as a stunt pilot in the 1960s and 70s, An incipient ground loop was part of the Scouts characteristics, primarily because of the landing gears location almost under the engine. Tallman noted that the Tommy had a roomy cockpitbig enough to swing a cat inand that visibility was better than in a Camel. He said the ailerons felt heavy on takeoff and that while flying, you Had the feeling that the plane was going to leave you control-less[you] never feel secure. Tallman allowed that he Never felt like rolling or looping the Tommy, and I didnt care who knew it.



Old Rhinebecks S-4B, believed to be the last example produced, flies over the New York countryside. The Scout is now on static display at the aerodrome. (Mike Lockhart) Old Rhinebecks S-4B, believed to be the last example produced, flies over the New York countryside. The Scout is now on static display at the aerodrome. (Mike Lockhart)

After World War I, the Army Air Service sold surplus Tommies to civilian flying schools, sportsman pilots and ex-military fliers. Some were still being used in the mid-1930s for Hollywood WWI aviation films. A Tommy even shows up in the final dogfight segment of the 1975 movie The Great Waldo Pepper, in which Axel Olsen was charged with setting the plane on fire and simulating a jump to his death. Roger Freemanpresident, pilot and vintage aircraft builder/restorer of the Old Kingsbury Aerodrome in Texasworked with Tallman on the set of Waldo Pepper when he was just 18. Freeman is fond of Tommies and currently flies two of them at Old Kingsbury. He said he likes the airplanes because of what they represent, not how they fly. His dad, Ernie Freeman, had a Tommy in pieces in their garage that they restored together when Roger was younger, so his ties to the aircraft run deep.

Freeman cautioned that as long as the Tommy is kept within its parameters it flies fine. He noted that the little airplane will get off the ground well before you think it should, and that the pronounced engine torque is challenging. The knife-like steel portion of the tailskid is extremely important to keep the airplane straight during takeoffs and landingswithout it ground loops are frequent. Freeman confines his aerobatics in the Tommy to steep wingovers.

In New York, there is an S-4B at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and at the Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation, where they have restored a locally built 1918 example. The IAHF said their Tommy embodies the spirit of technological innovation that always has run deep in the culture of Ithaca and Tompkins County. The Tompkins Center for History and Culture will be the IAHF Tommys permanent home. On September 29, the IAHFs Tommy took to the air in a public flight demonstration to celebrate the airplanes 100th birthday.

Mark C. Wilkins is a historian, writer and museum professional who specializes in World War I aviation. He is a writer and aerial effects producer for a Lafayette Escadrille documentary film currently in production (see thelafayetteescadrille.org).

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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.LONDONDownton Abbey star Peter Egan joined campaigners from the Dog Meat-Free Indonesia coalition and Care2 to hand deliver a petition to the Indonesian Embassy calling for an end to the countrys brutal dog and cat meat trade. One million signatures were collected from around the world, to represent the more than 1 million dogs and hundreds of thousands of cats who are killed each year in Indonesia for human consumption.

DMFI is a coalition of international and Indonesian animal protection organisations comprising Change For Animals Foundation, Humane Society International, Animals Asia, FOUR PAWS, Animal Friends Jogja and Jakarta Animal Aid Network who have spent years documenting the brutality of the dog and cat meat trades, and campaigned tirelessly for an end to these horrors on grounds of both animal cruelty and risks to public health.

The petition hand-in follows a series of DMFI investigations exposing the heart-breaking horror of the trade. DMFI has filmed dogs being bound and gagged by traders, thrown into the back of trucks and bludgeoned over the head in markets. Investigations have also documented countless dogs and cats being blow-torched whilst still alive. Although dog and cat meat are only eaten by a small minority of people in Indonesia, the trades affect whole communities who often have their pets stolen by weapon-wielding dog and cat thieves. The trades also increase the risk of spreading disease, including deadly rabies.

In August this year, national and regional government officials agreed to issue a ban on the trades in dog and cat meat in Indonesia, and this was followed in October with a letter from the Central government calling on provincial governments to take action. DMFI campaigners have welcomed these moves, but say the need to turn pledges into action on the ground is urgent as thousands of dogs and cats every week continue to be stolen and brutalised for the trade.

Peter Egan added his name to the petition before DMFI campaigners presented it to the Maradona A. Runtukahu, First Secretary | Public Diplomacy, Press and Socio-Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. The First Secretary spoke with DMFI campaigners and confirmed the governments commitment for a dog and cat meat trade ban, pledging to work with the campaigners on implementing practical steps to achieving an end to the cruel industry.

Peter Egan said: Its hard to overstate how appalling the treatment of dogs and cats is for the meat trade in Indonesia. These animals are treated with utter disregard for their welfare, all the while increasing the risk of spreading deadly diseases such as rabies that jeopardise the health of the entire nation. I share the deep desire of the vast majority of Indonesian citizens to see this dreadful trade ended once and for all, and so urge the government to take impactful action to end this cruelty.

Peter is one of a growing list of celebrities who support the DMFI campaign. In January more than 90 stars including Cameron Diaz, Chelsea Islan, Elizabeth Hurley, Sophia Latjuba, Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Pierce Brosnan wrote a letter to President Joko Widodo calling for an end to the trade.

Claire Bass, representing the DMFI, said: Indonesias government pledging action is great and we warmly welcome that, but implementing action on the ground is the only guarantee of sparing dogs and cats the brutal cruelty of the meat trade. Every one of our one million petition signatures symbolises the life of a dog lost to Indonesias brutal and dangerous meat trade each year. It has to stop and we hope our petition is a timely reminder to the government that every day we wait for a ban, Indonesias global reputation is damaged by this cruelty. The DMFI coalition stands ready to help the authorities in ending this trade, for the sake of animals and people alike.

Similar petition hand-ins took place this week at Indonesian embassies in Australia, the USA, as well as the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Facts:

It is estimated that just seven percent of Indonesias population consume dog meat, but in a country with the fourth largest population in the world at 261 million people, this amounts to a significant trade and a booming business in some parts of the country.

Indonesia also has the worlds 5th largest number of human rabies deaths in Asia each year. Rabies is a fatal disease with devastating societal and economic impacts. It is no coincidence that the provinces and regencies with the greatest demand for dog meat are also those with the highest prevalence of rabies.

The trade in dogs for human consumption is in direct contravention of rabies control and elimination recommendations by key health advisory bodies, (including the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and in breach of national disease control and prevention regulations.

An estimated 30 million dogs are brutally killed and eaten each year across Asia in countries including Vietnam, China, South Korea and Indonesia. In other parts of Asia  Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore  laws are in place prohibiting the trade, on grounds of both animal welfare and human health/ disease control.

Photos & Video:

Download photos of the celebrity hand-in here.

Download video of Indonesias dog & cat meat trade here.

Download photos of Indonesias dog meat trade here.

ENDS

Media contacts:These young women in Williamstown were outside the polls letting voters know how they will vote once they're old enough. Supporters outside the North Adams polling place. PreviousNext

Berkshire County Election 2018

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, just re-elected to his 13th term and his third representing the Berkshires, will become chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in the next Congress. The Democrat is currently the ranking member and, with the Democratic takeover the House, is in position take command of the powerful committee. State Elections There were no surprises at the state level: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito won another two-year term. Also re-elected were U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Secretary of State William Galvin, Auditor Suzanne Bump, Attorney General Maura Healey and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, State Sen. Adam Hinds, state Reps. John Barrett III, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, William "Smitty" Pignatelli and Paul Mark were all returned to office unopposed. Massachusetts voters also defeated Question 1 that would have instituted nurse-to-patient ratios calculated by the Massachusetts Nurses Association on hospitals and passed a Question 2 to create citizens commission to push a constitutional amendment to address the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that gave corporations the rights of citizens and allowed unlimited spending on political campaigns. Voters also rejected the attempt to roll back protections for transgender citizens by voting yes on Question 3 to keep the anti-discrimination law in place.

Local Results

Andrea Harrington is easily outpacing any write-in votes, winning North Adams with 2,710 votes to 1,046 write-ins and Adams by 1,689 to 1,120. She claimed victory by 10 p.m. when every town reporting had her ahead of any write-ins. Some smaller towns are still reporting but it is unlikely they will have enough write-in votes to exceed Harrington's 5,700 vote lead.

Maria Ziemba won the post of Berkshire register of deeds over Deborah Moran, outpolling her in North County's three largest communities by 5,000 votes.

Ziemba took Adams 2,042 to 1,002; North Adams 2,917 to 898; and Williamstown 2,521 to 372.

Write-in Campaign Issues

The write-in campaign by Paul Caccaviello has caused some problems with machines in Pittsfield. The voting machines separate ballots with write-ins from others. But the write-in box collecting those ballots is smaller and throughout the day the machines were jamming. Poll workers, joined by a police officer, had to routinely pack up the ballots from that box and secure them.



Someone left a copy of a sample ballot with suggestions of how to fill it out in a Lanesborough voting booth. "A lot of them have been jamming because of so many write-ins," Pittsfield City Clerk Michele Benjamin said.

North Adams had been prepared for that by emptying the write-in ballot bin regularly and placing the ballots in locked bags at each of the five ward machines.

Another issue is with campaign literature being left behind. Caccaviello had handed out business cards as part of his campaign and clerks reported those were being left in the voting booths. Poll workers routinely do sweeps of the voting booths to remove any such material.

"Paul Caccaviello is handing out business-size cards with instructions on how to vote, and those have been found in the booths," said Lanesborough Town Clerk Ruth Knysh.

In Lanesborough, a voter also reported that a sample ballot hanging in one of the booths had been completely filled in  with all Republican candidates colored in and showing how to write Caccaviello in. Knysh said election workers do the sweeps "every so often" and that should have been removed.

But it was busy a day for election workers and Benjamin said she did have one reported incident of one of Caccaviello's business cards being left in the booth during a rush of voters. Overall, however, Benjamin said the amount of campaign literature being left behind was less than she expected.

In total there are 89,815 registered voters in Berkshire County, which is slightly higher than the last mid-term election in 2014.

That year, about 40,000 Berkshire voters went to the polls. In 2016, with a presidential election on the ballot, 66,508 voters made it to the polls. In recent history, between 50-55 percent of voters across the state of Massachusetts make it to the polls and that percentage jumps to greater than 70 percent in presidential years.

By 6 p.m. locally, a number of towns and city precincts had already eclipsed the 50 percent mark so this election appears to be trending closer to a presidential year. That follows a national trend of a high voter turnout for a mid-term election.

Voter Turnout



There are three ballot questions on the ballot today, including a controversial measure that would institute nurse-to-patient ratios on hospitals. North County polling stations are reporting a good turnout today. Election workers in Clarksburg were pulling for 100 percent  or at least making the 78 percent reached in the presidential election in 2016.

By 2:30, 421 people had cast ballots at the Senior Center and about 44 had voted early. Total turnout so far was 41 percent.

In North Adams, there were a dozen people in line when the polls opened at 7 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. By mid-afternoon, 24 percent of the city's 8,820 registered voters had cast ballots  not counting the pile of early voting ballots being checked off.

"I thought it would be a heavy vote because of what's on the ballot," said longtime poll worker Ron O'Brien, but added he was surprised not only by the turnout but the number of inactive voters showing up.

"I usually get maybe eight, or 10 in a presidential election year, but so far I've seen 40," he said.

Voter turnout maybe being driven by the handful of races on the ballot, the three ballot measures Massachusetts is deciding or the wave of competitive races across the nation sparked by the current administration.

One of those races is for Northern Berkshire County register of deeds, the first election for that office in a dozen years.

Candidate Deborah Moran, the first assistant register, had started the day at the polls in Adams, and then gone to Williamstown, which said was "hopping by quarter to 8." By 2 p.m., she and a supporter were standing in the rain and hoping for a break in the weather.

"The turnout is very good all over the place," she said. "You know I think we're going to have a good turnout, we'll just see what the results will be. Hopefully, it will be good."

Her opponent, Maria Ziemba, a clerk in the Registry, was in Cheshire standing under an umbrella in the rain to greet voters.

"I am feeling good I am feeling very positive," Ziemba said. "I am very confident."

Inside the Senior Center in Cheshire, by 3 p.m., 940 votes had been cast out of the town's 2,411 voters for a 40 percent turnout.

"It has been unbelievable," Cheshire Town Clerk Christine Emerson said.

Pittsfield's also reporting a high turnout. By late afternoon, for example, 1,550 ballots had been cast at Precincts 1A and 1B. A total of 2,677 ballots were cast in those precincts in 2016.

Lanesborough, which is also voting on a Mount Greylock School Committee race, was just short of 50 percent by late afternoon. Some 1,051 of the town's 2,263 registered voters had cast ballots by 4 p.m..

Statewide, the last mid-term election in 2014 had a 51 percent turnout compared to 2016's 75 percent in the presidential election year.The first debate among Andrea Harrington, Judith Knight, and Paul Caccaviello was just the start of a long election season.

The Twists and Turns of the District Attorney's Race



Andrea Harrington and her family the night of the primary. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  It was Thursday, March 1, 2018, when the body of a woman was found in a nearby wooded area. Hours later, District Attorney David Capeless sent a notice to media outlets that he had a "major announcement."

Television stations on the scene where the body was found quickly went to air telling the public that a major announcement was pending.

The media advisory didn't say much but given the timing, it was assumed by many that Capeless would release information regarding the homicide and many in the public were glued to social media waiting to see if it was the body of a woman who had been missing.

Capeless took to the microphone in front of numerous media outlets.

"I am proud of what I have accomplished in my career, and I leave with my head held high, though my shoulders may have sagged a bit. I am proud of the unity and cooperative efforts of law enforcement in Berkshire County which I have fostered and led since taking office," Capeless said as he announced his retirement.

The very local media felt this was a huge story. The district attorney who had easily retained his post as top prosecutor election after election was stepping down after 14 years.

The out-of-town media, however, felt misled. The comments on live video of the conference posted repeatedly bashed Capeless, calling it opportunistic to announce his retirement when everyone was waiting for news. But he had already planned to announce his retirement, it just so happened that a body was found that morning.

Many of the stories written that day weren't so much about Capeless and his accomplishments, failures and successes, and the future of the district attorney's office. Instead, the focus became on how "awkward" the conference was.

And that is how it all began. The awkwardness never quite lifted.

It ended on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, when voters of Berkshire County tossed out the old guard in a historic election that shall not soon be forgotten.

When Capeless stepped down leaving a void in one of the most powerful positions in local government, he did so early to give his first assistant Paul Caccaviello the benefit of running as an incumbent.

"I have great respect for Paul's character and abilities, and he has the experience and trust of our colleagues in law enforcement to give me the confidence that the Berkshire District Attorney's Office's legacy of fair and even-handed justice will continue under his watch," Capeless said when he was up front and truthful that he took the step early to give Caccaviello the power of incumbency.

Gov. Charlie Baker had agreed to appoint Caccaviello to take over the office before Capeless announced his retirement.

"I will continue to look back and draw on my experience and the lessons learned in these 28 years to lead this office to know and recognize the difference between a hardened criminal, the sinner, the evildoer, or simply a wrongdoing. Those are distinctions not easily defined perhaps but years of experience make them more recognizable and needs to be treated accordingly," Caccaviello said on March 15 when he assumed the office.

Caccaviello was elated. He had worked up way up the ladder from being an intern 30 years earlier to now being the boss.

"Be assured that the good work of this office will continue today and beyond with collaboration, integrity, and professionalism will continue to be hallmarks of this office on all fronts -- holding the guilty accountable, being the voice of the victims," he said.

Between the announcement and Caccaviello's swearing-in, Commonwealth Magazine was at work. It was filing public records requests and on March 17, it released a report showing that Capeless hadn't just resigned early, but had worked for months with the governor's office to get Caccaviello in place. Capeless had even taken the step to take out nomination papers to throw reporters off the scent.

"FYI  There have been repeated inquiries by local media about why I hadn't pulled nomination papers, so I did that today, but immediately after that filed my retirement application. Still on track, just stalling until 3/1," reads an email from Capeless that Commonwealth Magazine had obtained.

The appearance of collusion didn't sit well with Andrea Harrington.

"The powers that be have sort of our bestowed our next district attorney on us and I think that the people of Berkshire County really deserve more," Harrington said on "The John Krol Show" on March 16, the day before Commonwealth Magazine's report detailing the transition was released. "They deserve to be able to make the choice about who their elected leaders are going to be."

The Richmond attorney, fairly fresh off a failed run for the state Senate, entered the race.

"They tried to keep me out of this race. They tried to go as late as possible so I couldn't get my signatures," Harrington said in May at her campaign kickoff event. "But you know what, we had 50 volunteers from across the county and we got 1,500 certified signatures. On Sept. 4, they are going to really know that they are accountable for this community."

More frustration grew when uniformed police stood with Caccaviello during his campaign announcement, a potential violation of state ethics laws. A local resident filed a complaint with the state over it but the state still hasn't issued a public decision on the complaint.

Great Barrington attorney Judith Knight had run for the seat in 2006 with a progressive platform that wasn't well received at the time. But since then many of those ideas had taken hold. In late 2017, Knight was preparing to challenge Capeless again for the seat but the retirement caught her off guard. She paused to reconsider.

"I was going to run against David. He anointed Paul, which I disagree with, but Paul is not David. I wanted to know if Paul was open to change and I didn't see that. He promised continuity of the same. So I thought I had to go for it," Knight said in July, becoming the last to enter the race.

The stage was set as all three Democrats were seeking nomination for the county's top law enforcement job.

Knight and Harrington shared similar views. They both were pushing for diversion programs, both pushing for affordable bails, both calling for the use of more drug courts, both calling for more transparency, and both saying the district attorney's office had been only focused on getting convictions for years and hadn't taken preventative measures.

"That's usually a low-level dealer striving to keep his or her habit going. They don't need jail time the first time. I would not enforce mandatory minimum sentences on these things. I think the judges are well equipped to make the right decision. Mandatory minimums are going out of style. It was a failed experience in the '80s," Knight said.

Harrington said, "Community outreach is not just showing up and doing a lecture here and there. It is really part of engaging with the community in a meaningful way. One of the ways I'd like to do that is by starting a citizens advisory board. It would be a respected cross-section of members of the community that is weighing in on the work of the district attorney's office and how the DA can reflect the values of the community."

There were some differences between the two but for the most part, they staked out their positions as progressive candidates.

Caccaviello, meanwhile, maintained that such changes are required under the state's recently passed criminal justice reform bill and he vowed to implement them. He said other concepts put forth by the two were already being done -- though often unknown because Capeless' office hadn't put much of an emphasis on sharing it with the public.



Former District Attorney David Capeless resigned from the seat early to allow Caccaviello to run as an incumbent. But that move frustrated a large group of Democrats, including Harrington. "I'm a supporter of them. If somebody comes in and they are afflicted with an addiction, which I consider is a disease and as a disease needs to be treated, the diversion programs give us that opportunity," Caccaviello said. "If there is a mental health component, diversion programs will give us an opportunity to deal with that. There are also provisions for veterans."

His opponents said such changes could have already been done but there was no taste for it.

But above all, Caccaviello focused on his 30 years working in the office.

"My philosophy is to show compassion when it is appropriate, have a consequence when it is needed. And it is not mutually independent concepts. Many times, if not the majority of times, you have to have a balance when confronted with something. I've been in the office, been under different administrations, and I've handled over 5,000 cases. Every case is really a teachable moment and that is what informs my experience and that philosophy," Caccaviello said in July.

Meanwhile, the district attorney's race became the hot topic featured frequently on "The John Krol Show," as the city councilor took umbrage at the way Capeless handed the position to Caccaviello. Krol felt Caccaviello should have stepped away from the office to run and accused "the good old boys" of strong-arming their way into the office.

"I don't appreciate having my husband called a liar, having him be accused of circumventing the democratic process, while at the same time playing videos where he explains exactly what he is doing in an open and honest way. You guys are sponsoring this show and I want to let you know that I really don't appreciate it and neither do the Caccaviellos," is what Allen Harris of Berkshire Money Management heard on his voicemail in July.

It was a message from Betsy Capeless. Infighting among politicians isn't something new, but now the frustration of the way Krol continually talked about the transition boiled into threats to the livelihood of private citizens.

"I have a big Italian family. I told them all. We are loyal. I liked your restaurant but I will never be back. Watch what you say word of mouth is key. Politics has nothing to do with it. It's human decency. The Highland is all I'm saying," reads a Facebook message from Karen Caccaviello to Luke Marion, the owner of the popular eatery Otto's and one who had sharply criticized the transition on his personal Facebook page.

It became known as "wifegate." The district attorney's wives had let their frustration out. It was a mistake and Caccaviello knew it.

"I am aware of it. I wasn't part of it. But for me, my wife's support of me and her defense of her family comes from a place of love," Caccaviello said. "When politics and social media intersect, it is tough. It is very tough. Honestly, lesson learned."

Another round of sharp criticism went Caccaviello's way. Meanwhile, there was another controversy brewing -- vote splitting.

Those in the progressive camp were worried that Knight and Harrington would split votes and allow Caccaviello to easily claim victory. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier would suggest the two sides call a truce and team up but that received no traction.

Debates came fast and furious throughout the county. Harrington positioned herself as a reformer with progressive ideas to transform the county. Knight did, too, and targeted Harrington's lack of experience as limiting her ability to make it happen while attacking Caccaviello for policies and actions under Capeless. Caccaviello tried to straddle both fronts by supporting progressive change and emphasizing his experience.

"When he started this campaign four months ago, he was talking about continuity and continuing the work that has been going on in the DA's office and now after sitting on a debate stage listening to myself and attorney Knight, he's now come to Jesus and confirmed racial bias in the criminal justice," Harrington said, a roundhouse kick to Caccaviello's campaign at a forum in Williamstown.

Right then may have been somewhat of a "come to Jesus" moment for Caccaviello. By mid-summer, it was clear he was getting left behind in the debates and the emphasis on the progressive ideas. Voters weren't going to vote for him for progressive change. But they might because he has done the work.

"I am the only professional prosecutor sitting at this table," Caccaviello said during a debate in August.

Caccaviello began talking more about cases that he tried and how it changed his perspective. He talked more about vicious criminals he put behind bars.

He began emphasizing that the office needs an "even-handed approach" and tried to make the case that every case is different and only hands-on experience in the office prepares one to take the job.



Sherriff Thomas Bowler was one of Caccaviello's biggest supporters as two political powerhouses went head to head in this election. Perhaps Harrington had learned from the Senate race that playing from behind is difficult. In that race, Adam Hinds had built strong early support and Harrington faced an uphill battle. This time, Harrington had come out fast and furious. She was aggressive and built a strong campaign team. She appeared to be running away with the race.

"Andrea, you have so little experience that you don't even know what you don't know," Knight said on a hot afternoon in late August in the final debate.

Knight slammed Harrington over her resume and Caccaviello joined in. And it took hold.

The talk around town was now lining up the resumes. Caccaviello supporters slammed Harrington for only being involved in seven trials. An assistant district attorney dug up the records of her first case and said Harrington asked for a mistrial because she was ineffective as counsel.

"During a jury trial in 2011, she stated to Judge Vrabel: 'Judge, I would like to make a motion for a mistrial based on my ineffective assistance of counsel. This is my first trial as an attorney. And there were just things that I did not anticipate.' (TT 1-84). The jury convicted her client of a felony and her client went to jail. If elected DA, will Harrington's ineffectiveness endanger murder, rape, robbery, and abuse cases due to things that she 'did not anticipate?' " Kelly Mulcahy Kemp, a former Berkshire assistant district attorney, wrote in a letter to The Berkshire Eagle.

Harrington defended herself saying she has 15 years in as an attorney, had worked on appeals cases for death row inmates, and beyond that had shown the ability to be a leader in the county, to bring people together to tackle the big issues.

But the primary election was fast approaching and Caccaviello had found something that resonated with many voters and gained momentum. The tides were shifting -- but not soon enough.

"To everybody who voted for me, who believed in me, who believed together we can build a new future for Berkshire County," Harrington said late at night on Tuesday, Sept. 4 well after the polls closed.

"For all the people who did not vote for me, I promise I will work just as hard for you as I work for everybody else."

Harrington had done it. In a primary with higher voter turnouts than normal Harrington won by about 700 votes. She fielded the call from Caccaviello conceding the race shortly after 11 p.m. Harrington had inspired a large group of supporters, built a campaign team, ran an effective ground game, and put forth a platform that voters supported.

She felt she had taken on the establishment and won. There would be no other candidates listed on the November general election ballot. She had broken a glass ceiling to become the first woman district attorney in the county's history.

She told Caccaviello that when he was ready, they could work on a transition plan. But that call never came.

Weeks went by and Caccaviello hadn't been in touch to set up a transition plan. On Sept. 19, Caccaviello released a statement to the media.

"Many of the voters who have reached out to me over the last two weeks have expressed two common concerns: the importance of a candidate's experience and demonstrated accomplishments, and what they view as money, support, and political influence on the race from outside of Berkshire County, I share those concerns and vow to redouble my efforts to keep the office of the district attorney accountable to the people we serve and in the hands of competence, experience, and judgment informed by the prosecution of 5,000 plus cases. Public service has always been my calling. I am not a politician; I am a professional career prosecutor for the public that I have honorably served for thirty years," Caccaviello wrote.

"To this end, I am answering the call from these grassroots efforts urging me to utilize the democratic process that allows us to continue to run for District Attorney as a write-in candidate on the November ballot."

Though the primary campaign was short timewise, it felt like long. It was tough and became nasty -- a "street fight" as Mayor Linda Tyer would later describe it.

Caccaviello revamped his campaign team and moved his campaign office. He raised a lot more money. And he started advertising everywhere he could. He was building what he called a bipartisan campaign and believed that many voters hadn't a chance to weigh in on such an important position. He emphasized that despite running in the Democratic primary, he was "apolitical" and the office should be non-partisan.

On Oct. 16, Knight formally endorsed Caccaviello's write-in campaign, against her own party's nominee.

"This is probably not the best political thing for me to do. I know I will be criticized ... but this is the right thing to do," Knight said.

Knight believed Harrington didn't have the experience to run the office effectively and that Caccaviello would implement the progressive ideas that she has pushed for so long.



Following the primary, Judith Knight gave her support to Caccaviello. The frustrations between the camps began to play out again in public. City Councilor Melissa Mazzeo levied allegations that Harrington had threatened her politically. Arguments between supporters of both candidates broke out on social media. Some of Caccaviello's supporters had posted offensive of messages on Facebook and Caccaviello himself had to step in to try to tone it down.

"My campaign (including myself) will not and does not condone or support any message, post, or activity that is divisive, destructive, or just plain offensive. I urge my supporters to talk about my experience and the Write-in process in these final days. We will be successful because of their dedication and understanding of what is best for Berkshire County," Caccaviello wrote on Facebook on Oct. 27.

Both camps felt the other was playing dirty and supporters in each camp had no qualms about defending themselves and firing back.

Some of Harrington's supporters meanwhile were frustrated with Caccaviello. They saw his write-in campaign as an affront to democracy. Typically the loser of any party's primary makes amends and rallies their supporters around the winner.

He had used the Democratic Party, in their opinion, to seek a political position. And frustration among Democrats grew exponentially when it was revealed that the Berkshire County Republican Association had voted to endorse Caccaviello, and Caccaviello welcomed their support.

"It is now crystal clear that Paul Caccaviello used the Democratic Party as a way to assure what he perceived as an easy path to get elected. Why should this be a surprise as he was never a Democrat and his positions throughout the campaign demonstrated that?" wrote North Adams City Councilor Marie T. Harpin in a letter to iBerkshires.

Caccaviello had always maintained that the job should be non-partisan, but had changed his unenrolled status just before pulling papers in order to run as a Democrat. He said that switch was for "purely practical reasons."

In the Berkshires, the Democratic primary is often the election. Other parties without a primary get little attention and the winner of the Democratic primary often cruises to victory. Caccaviello had seen running in the Democratic primary as the most practical way to get in front of voters early and to get into debates and forums.

"The district attorney is for everyone regardless of a political party," Caccaviello said of the support from Republicans. "They really share the same view that it is public safety and not politics."

Leading Democrats not only locally but throughout the state solidified their support for Harrington from Elizabeth Warren to Richard Neal to Maura Healey to Tyer and city councilors, the Berkshire Brigades, and supporters throughout the county.

The twists and turns had raised questions about how this second race might play out. Would focus on Harrington's lack of prosecutorial experience cancel out the progressive vision that had propelled her to victory in the primary? Would Knight's supporters follow her, support Harrington or sit the election out? Would Caccaviello's Republican endorsement anger the larger Democratic base?

Harrington's campaign felt it had already fought and won on the issues during the primary and rejected the idea of holding more debates to allow Caccaviello a free forum to go after her. Caccaviello blasted Harrington for avoiding a one-on-one debate that he felt would give him the chance to demonstrate his command of the court system.

Caccaviello accused Harrington's campaign of telling voters there is no write-in process -- an allegation refuted by Harrington supporters.

The October surprise hit on Oct. 31. WAMC and Greylock Glass, a Williamstown-based news site, were both diving into details of alleged rapes on the Williams College campus dating back several years. The articles accused the district attorney's office of not following up on reported abuses and, in one particular case, an attorney (who was backing Harrington) claimed evidence in his client's case was illegally destroyed.

Greylock Glass obtained documents relating to that case that made it appear there was enough evidence to pursue it. Opponents said Caccaviello had sought justice in only one of 47 alleged sexual assaults on campus.

Caccaviello responded saying Williamstown Police had investigated the matter and determined there wasn't probable cause to pursue criminal charges in the specific case cited by Greylock Glass. In others, there was either a lack of evidence or the alleged victim did not want to go forward with charges.



City Councilor John Krol, a Harrington supporter, found himself in the middle of the fray because of his Facebook Live show. The criticism of Caccaviello's handling of sexual assault on campus came at the same time as other reports about a murder conviction that had been overturned.

"In 2008, a criminal defendant was convicted of second-degree murder in the Berkshire County Superior Court. The prosecuting attorney was Paul Caccaviello. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts overturned the conviction due to ADA Caccaviello's 'improper exclusion of an African-American juror from the jury pool. Because we conclude that the Commonwealth did not meet its burden of demonstrating a race-neutral, individualized basis for its peremptory challenge, we reverse the defendant's conviction,' " wrote Jennifer Breen in a letter to The Berkshire Edge.

Caccaviello wanted the campaign to be about his experience but the focus shifted toward perceived failures during his time as first assistant.

City clerks were making preparations to deal with hundreds, if not thousands, of write-in ballots as Tuesday's election approached. Pittsfield City Clerk Michele Benjamin would be in charge of the most write-in ballots and said results might not be known for days if the race was close.

The rain came pouring down that Tuesday, some streets were flooding, what was left of fall foliage was being knocked off the trees by heavy raindrops. But at every polling location, there were dedicated supporters of both campaigns toughing out the weather to support their candidate.

The write-in campaign by Caccaviello caused some jamming problems with the voting machines in Pittsfield. Poll workers, joined by a police officer, had to routinely pack up the ballots from the bin they dropped into and secure them.

"A lot of them have been jamming because of so many write-ins," Benjamin said.

Another issue was campaign literature being left behind. Caccaviello had handed out business cards so voters would know how to spell his name and clerks reported they were being left behind in the voting booths. Poll workers routinely do sweeps of the voting booths to remove any such material.

In Lanesborough, a voter also reported a sample ballot hanging in one of the booths had been completely filled in  with all Republican candidates colored in and showing how to write Caccaviello in.

Overall, however, Benjamin said the amount of campaign literature being left behind was less than she expected. No major problems were reported from polling stations.

In total there are 89,815 registered voters in Berkshire County and every clerk was reporting high turnout numbers. The number of votes being cast easily exceeded a typical mid-term election and approached presidential election levels. Pittsfield reported 58 percent, North Adams 45, and Cheshire and Clarksburg were both at 63.

At the Tavern at the A, former City Councilor Barry Clairmont, part of the Harrington campaign team, was collecting numbers. He added up the total number of write-ins reported with the number of ballot blanks and assumed all of those would go to Caccaviello to be safe. But in every case, Harrington still had more votes.



On Nov. 6, Harrington claimed victory at the Tavern at the A. The numbers for most of the largest districts were in and Harrington held a 5,700 vote lead. Clairmont was ready to call it and did. To a room full of cheers, Clairmont confidently said there was no way Caccaviello could make up those votes.

And the crowd went crazy.

The cheers of "Andrea, Andrea, Andrea" picked up at about 9:30, when Harrington's husband, Tim Walsh, entered full of energy with their son on his shoulders.

Harrington followed with cameras flashing, phones taking video, and supporters going in for hugs.

She took to the stage and she claimed victory.

"I am truly humbled by this opportunity and I make a promise to the people here today and the people of this community that I will always work for the best interest of Berkshire County," Harrington said.

The night hadn't been as late as many expected because, in just about every town, Harrington's numbers were above what Caccaviello could get. The race was over and while Caccaviello hadn't yet conceded, Harrington knew it and celebrated.

Caccaviello wasn't willing to concede that night. He wanted those final numbers before giving up because he believes the position is too important.

"We're in unprecedented territory here. I do need to make sure that what's being projected is actually what's happening," he said at a far less cheerful Mazzeo's. "People care about the position, they believe in me, I believe in them. ... We've had thousands and thousands of people expressing their view that experience matters."

On Wednesday, he conceded.

The twists and turns of this race have shown one thing for certain: nothing should be considered expected. But for now, Harrington believes she won.

Again.Faces of The Fellowship: Mikhail

The Fellowship | November 7, 2018 Faces of The Fellowship: Mikhail

Mikhail, 71, once had a good job as a radio technician, a family, and a secure home to return to at the end of the day in Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Today, Mikhail is divorced and has little contact with his sons. Retired and barely able to support himself on his tiny pension, Mikhail spends his days in a house that is falling apart.

Ten years ago, Mikhail noticed that the walls of his kitchen were constantly wet and his bathroom pipes were leaking. He removed the wall tiles and floorboards until he found the leaking pipes, which he replaced, expecting to be repaid by his landlord. He never was, and he cannot afford to fix the floor. So now his bathroom has no floor, nor does most of his kitchen.

Mikhail has moved his stove and sink into the living room, which is now crowded with appliances. There are cracks in the wall which grow bigger each year.

Mikhail cannot afford to fix anything, nor does he have the strength. A few years ago, he developed gallstones; they were surgically removed, but Mikhail can no longer lift anything heavy.

Mikhails only comfort is The Fellowship. We provide him with food and small household items. While it might not seem like much, Mikhail feels less alone with this lifeline of friendship and support. He is grateful to Christian and Jewish Fellowship friends around the world who make this care possible.

Learn how you can help impoverished elderly in need, like Mikhail, receive the lifesaving care they desperately need.Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump counted his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, among his earliest supporters and the first sitting senator to endorse him.



On Wednesday, Sessions resigned as attorney general effective immediately at the request of the president.



The relationship between Sessions and Trump began to fray last year in the wake of Sessions recusing himself from the Russia investigation  a cloud that has hung over the Trump administration almost since its inception.



Trump even rebuked Sessions publicly, indicating that he would have nominated someone else for attorney general had he known about the recusal and called him a beleaguered A.G. on Twitter.



Sessions offered to resign at one point -- which Trump rejected -- but later said in the summer of 2017 that he planned to remain attorney general "as long as that is appropriate."



Here is a timeline of the ongoing relationship between Trump and Sessions:



Feb. 28, 2016 -- Sessions endorses Trump



Sessions formally endorsed Trump's candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination days ahead of Super Tuesday, becoming the first sitting senator to do so. Trump's outsider bid continued to build momentum in the weeks leading up to the endorsement as the real estate mogul captured primary and caucus victories in three of the first four contests.



I told Donald Trump, this isnt a campaign, this is a movement, Sessions said in a speech in Alabama announcing the endorsement.



Mar. 3, 2016 -- Sessions named chair of Trump's national security advisory council



Trump appointed Sessions to an official position on his campaign team, naming the Alabama senator the head of his national security advisory council.



"I am grateful for the opportunity to recommend and facilitate discussions among exceptional and experienced American military and diplomatic leaders to share insight and advice with Donald Trump, regardless of their political views," Sessions said in a release announcing the appointment.



April 27, 2016 -- Sessions and Russian ambassador attend Trump speech

In a moment that would later be heavily scrutinized, Sessions attended a foreign policy address given by Trump at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Also in attendance -- Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. This year, as Kislyak's interactions with members of the administration -- including Sessions and national security adviser Michael Flynn -- became public, the White House pushed back on suggestions Kislyak met with Trump at the speech.



"To state they met or that a meeting took place is disingenuous and absurd," a senior White House official said in March 2017.



July 18, 2016, and Sept. 8, 2016 -- Sessions meets with Kislyak



Sessions met with Kislyak on at least two occasions last year. The first came during an event at the Republican National Convention hosted by the Heritage Foundation where the Russian ambassador was among a small group of diplomats with whom the Alabama senator spoke. The second was a meeting in Sessions' Washington, D.C., office that was also attended by staff members.



Though the Department of Justice would later categorize the meetings as routine, given Sessions' responsibilities as a senator, the encounters would play a role in Sessions' recusal as attorney general from all investigations related to Russian interference in the presidential election.



Nov. 18, 2016 -- Trump nominates Sessions to be attorney general



To the displeasure of some Democrats who questioned Sessions' record on civil rights and failed 1986 nomination to serve as a U.S. district court judge, Trump tapped Sessions to serve as his attorney general.



Jan. 10, 2017 -- Confirmation hearing comments



Sessions was questioned by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., about what he would do as attorney general if evidence emerged that members of the Trump campaign communicated with Russia.



"Sen. Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities," Sessions said. "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I didn't have -- did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it."



Mar. 2, 2017 -- Recusal from campaign-related investigations



After Sessions' meetings with Kislyak became public, he maintained that he did not answer Franken dishonestly because the discussions came in his capacity as a senator and not as a representative of the campaign.



Trump himself later said in a statement that Sessions "could have stated his response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional."



As pressure built, however, Sessions announced that he would not participate in any ongoing or future inquiries into matters related to the presidential election.



"Let me be clear: I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign," Sessions told reporters. "And the idea that I was part of a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries to the Russian government are false."



Earlier in the day, Trump said he had "total" confidence in Sessions and didn't believe the attorney general should recuse himself. On March 3, Trump reiterated his earlier sentiments about Sessions' intentions and said that the "narrative is a way of saving face for Democrats losing an election that everyone thought they were supposed to win."



June 5, 2017 -- Travel ban frustration



Trump's frustration over his stalled plan to limit travel and immigration from a number of Middle Eastern and African countries boiled over as he unleashed a series of tweets seemingly blaming the Justice Department -- charged with defending the ban in court -- with the revised order's "watering down."



June 6, 2017 -- Sources say Sessions recently offered to resign



ABC News learns that Sessions had recently offered to resign as Trump continued to express frustration with the attorney general's decision to recuse himself from the election-tampering investigation.



During the day's White House press briefing, press secretary Sean Spicer, in response to questioning on whether Trump had confidence in Sessions, said, "I have not had that discussion with [President Trump]."



June 13, 2017 -- Sessions testifies in front of Senate committee



Sessions testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and issued a sweeping denial of any personal involvement in Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.



"I have never met with, or had any conversation with, any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election in the United States," Sessions told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Further, I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign.



Trump, apparently, was pleased with his performance. Principal deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the president "wasnt able to watch much of [Sessions' testimony] ... but what he did see, what he heard, he thought that Attorney General Sessions did a very good job, and in particular, was very strong on the point that there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.



July 19, 2017 -- Trump slams Sessions in interview



Trump had a sit-down interview with The New York Times, during which he launched into a blistering rebuke of Sessions and his decision to recuse himself from anything relating to any presidential campaigns, including, most notably, the 2016 campaign.



"Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job, and I would have picked somebody else," Trump said in the interview.



When asked whether Sessions gave the president a "heads up" before the recusal, Trump said: "Zero."



"So Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, recuses himself. I then have  which, frankly, I think is very unfair to the president. How do you take a job and then recuse yourself? If he would have recused himself before the job, I would have said, Thanks, Jeff, but I cant, you know, Im not going to take you. Its extremely unfair, and thats a mild word, to the president. So he recuses himself. I then end up with a second man, whos a deputy," Trump said, referring to Rod Rosenstein.



July 20, 2017 -- Sessions responds, says he's staying



Asked on Wednesday for his reaction to Trump's comments, Sessions maintained that he will remain at his position "as long as that is appropriate."



"We in this Department of Justice will continue every single day to work hard to serve the national interest, and we wholeheartedly join in the priorities of President Trump," he said at a news conference Wednesday.



"I have the honor of serving as Attorney General, it's something that goes beyond any thought I would have ever had for myself, he added. We love this job, we love this department, and I plan to continue to do so as long as that is appropriate.



July 24, 2017 -- Trump calls Sessions "beleaguered"



Trump posted a tweet that included an apparent slight against Sessions, writing: "So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?"



Sessions did not immediately respond to the tweet.



July 25, 2017 -- Trump slams Sessions again on Twitter



For the second day in a row, the president aired his frustration with his attorney general and took aim again at his Democratic rival.



"Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!" Trump wrote in a tweet.



Sessions did not immediately respond to the tweet.



Later that day, during a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Trump said that he is "disappointed" with Sessions.



Trump said that he wants Sessions "to be much tougher on the leaks from intelligence agencies, which are leaking like rarely have they ever leaked before at a very important level."



"We will see what happens. Time will tell. Time will tell," he added.



July 26, 2017 -- A meeting at the White House, but without Trump



Sessions went to a meeting at the White House that the president did not attend. In a morning tweet Trump slammed his attorney general for not replacing the acting FBI director.



"Why didn't A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation but got big dollars ($700,000) for his wife's political run from Hillary Clinton and her representatives. Drain the Swamp!" Trump wrote in two tweets.



That meeting came shortly after a U.S. official told ABC News that Sessions' chief of staff, Jody Hunt, recently informed White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus that Sessions has no plans to resign from his post, despite growing pressure from Trump.



White House press secretary Sarah Sanders later told reporters that Trump has "been very clear" about his feelings on Sessions.



"He's obviously disappointed but also wants the attorney general to continue to focus on the things that the attorney general does. He wants him to lead the Department of Justice. He wants to do that strongly. He wants him to focus on things like immigration, leaks and a number of other issues," Sanders said.



She went on, "You can be disappointed in someone but still want them to continue to do their job and that's where they are."



Nov. 7, 2018 -- Sessions resigns at Trump's request



Sessions submitted his resignation letter to Trump after the president asked him to do so.



"Since the day I was honored to be sworn in as Attorney General of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Jusitce every day determined to do my duty and serve my country," Sessions wrote. "I have done so to the best of my ability, working to support the fundamental legal processes that are the foundation of justice."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Residents wave flags are photographed in Baotou, North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Oct 1. The day marked the 69th anniversary of the founding of Peoples Republic of China. Baotou celebrated National Day with a flag-raising ceremony. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

People attend the flag-raising ceremony wave flags, Oct 1. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Baotou marks the 69th anniversary of the founding of Peoples Republic of China with a flag-raising ceremony, Oct 1. [Photo/Baotou Daily]



By Roger Harris

November 07, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are today threatened by US imperialism. The first salvo of the modern Age of Imperialism started back in 1898 when the US seized Cuba along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines in the Spanish-American War.

The Age of Imperialism, as Lenin observed, is characterized by the competition of the various imperial powers for dominance. That inter-imperialist rivalry led to World War I. Lenin called those putative socialists who supported their own national imperialist projects social imperialists. Social imperialism is a tendency that is socialist in name and imperialist in deed. Imperialism and its social imperialist minions are still with us today.

US Emerges as the Worlds Hegemon

The United States emerged after World War II as the leading imperialist power. With the implosion of the Socialist Bloc around 1991, US hegemony became even more consolidated. Today the US is the undisputed worlds hegemon.

Hegemony means to rule but even more so to dominate. As the worlds hegemon, the US will not tolerate neutral parties, let alone hostile ones. As articulated in the Bush Doctrine, the US will try to asphyxiate any nascent counter-hegemonic project, no matter how insignificant.

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In the Caribbean, for instance, the US snuffed out the leftist government of Grenada in 1983 in what was code named Operation Urgent Fury. Grenada has a population smaller than Vacaville, California.

The only powers that the worlds hegemon will tolerate are junior partners such as Colombia in Latin America. The junior partner must accept a neoliberal economic regime designed to serve the interests of capital. Structural adjustment of the economy is demanded such that the neoliberal reforms become irreversible; so that you cant put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Colombia recently joined NATO, putting that junior partners military under direct interaction with the Pentagon bypassing its civilian government. The US has seven military bases in Colombia in order to project  in the words of the US government  full spectrum military dominance in the Latin American theatre.

Needless-to-say, no Colombian military bases are in the US. Nor does any other country have military bases on US soil. The worlds hegemon has some 1000 foreign military bases. Even the most sycophantic of the USs junior partners, Great Britain, is militarily occupied by 10,000 US troops.

The US is clear on its enemies list. On November 1, US National Security Advisor John Bolton, speaking in Miami, labelled Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba the troika of tyranny. He described a triangle of terror stretching from Havana to Caracas to Managua.

Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are targeted by US imperialism because they pose what might be called the threat of a good example; that is, an alternative to the neoliberal world order.

These countries are suffering attacks from the imperialists because of the things they have done right, not for their flaws. They are attempting to make a more inclusive society for women, people of color, and the poor; to have a state that, instead of serving the rich and powerful, has a special option for working people, because these are the people most in need of social assistance.

Sanctions: The Economic War against Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba

The US imperialist rhetoric is backed with action. In 2015, US President Obama declared Venezuela an extraordinary threat to US security and imposed sanctions. These sanctions have been extended and deepened by the Trump administration. The US has likewise subjected Cuba to sanctions in a seamless bipartisan policy of both Republicans and Democrats for over half a century. Now the US is the process of imposing sanctions on Nicaragua.

Unilateral sanctions, such as those imposed by the US, are illegal under the charters of both the UN and the Organization of American States, because they are a form of collective punishment targeting the people.

The US sanctions are designed to make life so miserable for the masses of people that they will reject their democratically elected government. Yet in Venezuela, those most adversely affected by the sanctions are the most militantly in support of their President Nicolas Maduro.

Consequently, the Trump administration is also floating the option of military intervention against Venezuela. The recently elected rightwing leaders Bolsonaro in Brazil and Duque in Colombia, representing the two powerful states on the western and southern borders of Venezuela, are colluding with the hegemon of the north.

The inside-the-beltway human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, fail to condemn these illegal and immoral sanctions. They lament the human suffering caused by the sanctions, all the while supporting the imposition of the sanctions. Nor do they raise their voices against military intervention, perhaps the gravest of all crimes against humanity.

Liberal establishments such as the advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) try to distinguish themselves from hardline imperialists by opposing a military invasion in Venezuela while calling for yet more effective and punishing sanctions. In effect, they play the role of the good cop, providing a liberal cover for interference in the internal affairs of Latin American nations.

These billionaire-funded NGOs have a revolving-door staffing arrangement with the US government. So it is not surprising that they will reflect Washingtons foreign policies initiatives.

But why do some organizations claiming to be leftist so unerringly echo the imperialists, taking such umbrage over Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua while ignoring far greater problems in, say, Mexico, Colombia, and Honduras, which are US client states?

Most Progressive Country in Central America Targeted

Lets take Nicaragua. A year ago, the polling organization Latinobarometro, found the approval rating of Nicaraguans for their democracy to be the highest in Central America and second highest in Latin America.

Daniel Ortega had won the Nicaraguan presidency in 2006 with a 38% plurality, in 2011 with 63%, and 72.5% in 2016. The Organization of American States officially observed and certified the vote. Polls indicated Ortega was perhaps the most popular head of state in the entire western hemisphere. As longtime Nicaraguan solidarity activist Chuck Kaufman noted, Dictators dont win fair elections by growing margins.

Nicaragua is a member of the anti-imperialist Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America with Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, and some Caribbean states. Speaking at the UN, the Nicaraguan foreign minister had the temerity to catalogue the many transgressions of what Martin Luther King called the greatest purveyor of violence in the world and express Nicaraguas opposition.

These are reasons enough for a progressive alternative such as Nicaragua to curry the enmity of the US. The enigma is why those claiming to be leftists would target a country that had:

+ Second highest economic growth rates and the most stable economy in Central America. + Only country in the region producing 90% of the food it consumes. + Poverty and extreme poverty halved; country with the greatest reduction of extreme poverty. + Reached the UN Millennium Development Goal of cutting malnutrition by half. + Nicaraguans enjoyed free basic healthcare and education. + Illiteracy had been virtually eliminated, down from 36% in 2006 when Ortega took office. + Average economic growth of 5.2% for the past 5 years (IMF and the World Bank). + Safest country in Central America (UN Development Program) with one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America. + Highest level of gender equality in the Americas (World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2017). + Did not contribute to the migrant exodus to the US, unlike neighboring Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. + Unlike its neighbors, kept out the drug cartels and pioneered community policing.

In April of this year, all of this was threatened. The US had poured millions of dollars into democracy promotion programs, a euphemism for regime change operations. Suddenly and unexpectedly, a cabal of the reactionary Catholic Church hierarchy, conservative business associations, remnants of the US-sponsored Contras, and students from private universities attempted a coup.

Former members of Ortegas Sandinista Party, who had long ago splintered off into political oblivion and drifted to the right, became effective propagandists for the opposition. Through inciting violence and the skillful use of disinformation in a concerted social media barrage, they attempted to achieve by extra-legal means what they could not achieve democratically.

Imperialism with a Happy Face

We who live in the belly of the beast are constantly bombarded by the corporate media, framing the issues (e.g., humanitarian bombing). Some leftish groups and individuals pick up these signals, amplify, and rebroadcast them. While they may genuinely believe what they are promulgating, there are also rewards such as funding,media coverage, hobnobbing with prominent US politicians, and winning awards for abhorring the excesses of imperialism while accepting its premises.

Todays organizations that are socialist in name and imperialist in deed echo the imperial demand that the state leaders of the progressive movements in Latin America must go and legitimize the rationale that such leaders must be dictators.

They try to differentiate their position from the imperialists by proffering a mythic movement, which will create a triumphant socialist alternative that fits their particular sects line: chavismo without Maduro in Venezuela, sandinismo without Ortega in Nicaragua, and the Cuban Revolution without the Cuban Communist Party in Cuba.

The political reality in Latin America is that a rightwing offensive is attacking standing left-leaning governments. President George W. Bush was right: Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. There is no utopian third way. Each of us has to determine who are the real terrorists, as the juggernaut of US imperialism rolls out a neoliberal world order.

Chaos: The New Imperialist Game Plan

For now, the coup in Nicaragua has been averted. Had it succeeded, chaos would have reigned. As even the most ardent apologists for the opposition admit, the only organized force in the opposition was the US-sponsored rightwing which would have instigated a reign of terror against the Sandinista base.

The US would prefer to install stable rightwing client states or even military dictatorships. But if neither can be achieved, chaos is the preferred alternative. Libya, where rival warlords contest for power and slaves are openly bartered on the street, is the model coming to Latin America.

Chaos is the new imperialist game plan, especially for Boltons so-called troika of tyranny. The imperialists understand that the progressive social movements in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are too popular and entrenched to be eradicated by a mere change of personnel in the presidential palace. Much more drastic means are envisioned; means that would make the bloody aftermath of the US-backed Pinochet coup in 1973 in Chile pale by comparison.

In Venezuela, for example, the opposition might well have won the May 2018 presidential election given the dire economic situation caused in large part by the US sanctions. The opposition split between a moderate wing that was willing to engage in electoral struggle and a hard-right wing that advocated a violent takeover and jailing the chavistas.

When Venezuelan President Maduro rejected the US demand to call off the elections and resign, he was labelled a dictator by Washington. And when moderate Henri Falcon ran in the Venezuelan presidential race on a platform of a complete neoliberal transition, Washington, instead of rejoicing, threatened sanctions against him for running. The US belligerently floated a military option for Venezuela, stiffened the suffocating sanctions, and tipped the balance within the Venezuelan opposition to the radical right.

The US is not about to allow Venezuela a soft landing. Their intent is to exterminate the contagion of progressive social programs and international policy that has been the legacy of nearly two decades chavismo. Likewise, for Cuba and Nicaragua. We should also add Bolivia in the crosshairs of the empire.

Weve seen what Pax Americana has meant for the Middle East. The same imperial playbook is being implemented in Latin America. Solidarity with the progressive social movements and their governments in Latin America is needed, especially when their defeat would mean chaos.

Roger Harris is on the board of the Task Force on the Americas, a 33-year-old anti-imperialist human rights organization, and is active with the Campaign to End US-Canadian Sanctions Against Venezuela.

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==See Also==

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Peace and joyMidterm Scoreboard Reveals Massive Pro-Israel Influence on Congressional Candidates

By "If Americans Knew"

NORPAC event for Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL (March 8, 2018). Nelson has received nearly a million dollars from pro-Israel PACs. NORPAC says its primary purpose is to support candidates committed to Israel. More photos here .

A detailed scoreboard on candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives shows that 28 pro-Israel PACs and numerous pro-Israel individuals have given candidates millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

The scoreboard presents 29 bills and resolutions that were introduced on behalf of Israel.. 20 passed into law or on-record statement, many by unanimous consent. The legislation has accrued a total of over 3,300 co-sponsors

Over 80 congressional challengers have also accepted donations from at least one pro-Israel PAC; most from more than one Read more:

November 07, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - A just-released Midterm Elections Scoreboard shows that Israel partisans have dominated Congress over the past 10 years, despite the preference of American voters, who consistently wish evenhanded policies and feel the U.S. gives Israel too much money.

The detailed scoreboard on candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives* shows that 28 pro-Israel PACs and numerous pro-Israel individuals have given candidates millions of dollars in campaign contributions. There are currently no pro-Palestine PACs (although one of the pro-Israel PACs supports some Palestinian positions).

The scoreboard presents 29 bills and resolutions that were introduced on behalf of Israel, some openly drafted by AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Twenty have passed into law or on-record statement, many by unanimous consent. The legislation has accrued a total of over 3,300 co-sponsors.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) at JAC event. JAC advocates for a strong US-Israel relationship. See video here and here .

In the rare cases when pro-Israel bills were unpopular, the split usually occurred along party lines, suggesting that the action was motivated by partisan politics, not deviation from pro-Israel positions.

Only one bill explicitly supportive of Palestinians (opposing Israels widespread imprisonment of children) has been introduced. The bill has so far garnered 29 cosponsors.

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The Scoreboard was compiled by If Americans Knew, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on Israel-Palestine and the U.S. connection.

Five pieces of legislation in the study addressed military aid to Israel, including the Memo of Understanding (MOU) that President Obama signed, promising Israel $38 billion over the next 10 years. A bill currently before Congress cements this nonbinding agreement into law  the largest such aid package in U.S. history and an amount greater than US military aid to all other countries in the world combined. American taxpayers presently provide nearly a quarter of Israels annual defense budget. Six in ten Americans feel that is too much.

Six pieces legislation grant congressional supported to Israels right to self-defense against the unarmed enclave of Gaza or the Palestinians in Jerusalem; six others took a stand against actions of the United Nations which sought to safeguard Palestinian rights; an additional four supported the erosion of Americans rights to free speech.

In addition to bills and resolutions, the Scoreboard includes 11 open letters  some penned by AIPAC  to presidents and other influential leaders. Six of these letters endorsed pro-Israel policy and were signed by a significant number of legislators. The five letters encouraging actions that would benefit Palestinians gathered modest support.

An overwhelming majority of the incumbents running for re-election voted for the pro-Israel legislation and signed the pro-Israel letters.

The Scoreboard also indicates which incumbent candidates received campaign donations from pro-Israel political action committees (PACs), which totaled over $2.2 million for the 2018 election cycle. Pro-Israel Individuals contributed an additional $13 million.

Thirteen Senators and 14 Representatives received money and/or endorsements from five or more pro-Israel PACs.

Over 80 congressional challengers have also accepted donations from at least one pro-Israel PAC; most from more than one. According to Open Secrets, there are currently 28 pro-Israel PACs.

Unlike most PACs, which announce their focus in their name, most of the pro-Israel PACs use names that disguise their focus, such as Americans United in Support of Democracy, Americans for Good Government, and Because We Care.

While there are currently no pro-Palestine PACs, one pro-Israel PAC, J-Street, is supportive of some Palestinians rights. However, J-Street aligns with Israel on many of its major policies, and supports the massive aid to Israel.

Open Secrets, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, points out, Few lobbies dedicated to international issues are so active and well-financed as the Israel lobby.

Open Secrets continues, A powerful pro-Israel force has carved out an influential place in American campaigns in the form of super PAC mega-donor Sheldon Adelson. Adelsons contributions to national political campaigns in 2018 alone reached over $113 million  all to Republicans/conservatives.

The Scoreboard indicates that a substantial number of the 410 incumbents on the ballot in both houses voted pro-Israel most of the time: 355 members of Congress (87%) had a pro-Israel score over 70%.

63% of House incumbents (240 of 378) had 100% pro-Israel scores  74% of those (177) were Republican.

One Senator (Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-MS) had 100% pro-Israel rating; 78% of Senate incumbents (25 of 32) had a rating of 80% or higher. Six of these were Republican.

Congress considered only one piece of explicitly pro-Palestine legislation during the entire decade: Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) offered HR 4391 No Way to Treat a Child, which has garnered just 7% congressional backing (29 cosponsors) .

No Way to Treat a Child challenges Israels illegal practice of detaining, interrogating, and torturing Palestinian children  part of the brutal military occupation that has been ongoing for over half a century.

To avoid the clashes, he started running in the opposite direction but a soldier spotted him and ran after him. Once the soldier caught him, he was pushed to the floor, kicked and punched several times (read more here and here).

In the words of the No Way to Treat a Child campaign, Israel has the dubious distinction of being the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes between 500 and 700 children in military courts each year.

UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, reports that ill-treatment of children (as well as adults) in the Israeli military detention system is widespread, systematic, and institutionalized.

In spite of this documented disregard for international humanitarian law on the part of Israel, only 29 members of Congress (7%) have signed onto HR 4391.

If Americans Knew says that the scoreboards will be updated and expanded as more information becomes available, and has announced that it welcomes sourced information from readers.

NOTE: More information about the scoreboards is here. A Tutorial on using them, including background information on the project, is here. Documentaries about the Israel lobby are here, and below.

* The House Scoreboard can be viewed in quick-loading sections by region, or as a whole (which takes up to 10 minutes to load):

Documentaries on the Israel lobby:November 07, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The worlds fourth largest democracy and the biggest economy in Latin America has elevated a man who promises to imprison or banish his political enemies and who has openly declared he will enact a historic cleansing of the left after taking office. Jair Bolsonaro is not a normal presidential candidate. He is openly hostile to democracy and will probably be the most extremist elected leader in the world.

Bolsonaro is not the straight talking man of the people his supporters claim he is; instead he is the embodiment of the most hardline faction of the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil for 21 years. He claims fidelity to those like his hero Colonel Ustra who embraced torture, murder and rape, as necessary tools in the fight against communism.

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Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain turned career politician, has been able to transform anti-systemic sentiment stemming from Brazils economic and political crisis into right-wing reaction. Dissatisfaction with Brazils corrupt political class has been transformed into a generalised anti-left sentiment, in which the moderate social democratic Workers Party (PT) is held responsible for all of Brazils problems from unemployment to high crime rates.

Anti-PT sentiment or anti-petismo channelled through a sophisticated WhatsApp operation, spreading fake news illegally financed by Brazilian businessmen, has resulted in a substantial part of the Brazilian population viewing the PT as some sort of combination between the Sinaloa Cartel and Stalins Soviet Union. A substantial proportion of Brazilians think the PT was trying to build a communist dictatorship that would turn their children into transexuals. Brazil has real problems, but Bolsonaro proposes nothing beyond shooting his way through the crisis.

But what horrors will he unleash now he has been elected? Bolsonaro will do as he says. He will attempt to criminalise the PT, he will declare social movements such as the Landless Workers Movement (MST) and the Homeless Workers Movement (MTST) terrorist organisations. He has the backing of much of the countrys political and economic elite, along with the military, to do his best to violently destroy Brazils parliamentary and extra-parliamentary left.

His economic programme at the moment constitutes nothing but handouts to big business, a fire sale of state owned enterprises and the crushing of what remains of Brazils social rights. Bolsonaro has promised to give police carte blanche to kill and do away with human rights. Where the police officially already kill over 5000 people a year we should heed Bolsonaros words: it is safe to predict that thousands of mostly black poor Brazilians will be slaughtered in the name of making Brazil safe again. This will include left-wing activists and indigenous people struggling to protect their communities from landowners. Academics and journalists critical of Bolsonaro are already being targeted, not just by Bolsonaros rabid fans, but also by the police.

His followers have already started. His election has signalled to the most rabid and reactionary elements in Brazilian society that they can get away with murdering trans women and socialists. The violence that already exists in Brazilian society is now congealing under a clear political banner.

It is a mistake to think Brazils institutions are working and will serve to control and limit Bolsonaro. If anything Brazils judiciary, heralded by the international press for its anti-corruption efforts, have moved to back Bolsonaro against his opponent Fernando Haddad of the PT. For instance, Judge Sergio Moro, the protagonist of Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash: Brazils gigantic anti-corruption investigation) released damaging testimony from an ally close to the now jailed ex-PT leader Lula in the week before the first round of the election. Collected six months previously, the information was designed to enact maximum damage to the PTs electoral prospects. Even if Bolsonaro finds himself caught up in the mess of Brazils corrupt congress, it might just be the case that the military might directly step into ensure that Brazil is restored to governability.

What lessons can be learnt globally from this? Brazils elite, when faced between the choice between a moderate social democratic party and fascism, opted enthusiastically for the latter. It is becoming increasingly clear that when the interests of the market are threatened, democracy is an easy price to pay. The result spells disaster, not only for Brazil but for the planet. In Bolsonaros Brazil you may be able to buy a gun but gay couples will not be able to hold hands in public. Brazil will modernise through such measures as having creationism taught in schools.

Bolsonaro will align himself to the wave of far-right reaction that is sweeping the world. He will move as closely to Trump as possible, probably pull out of the Paris climate accords and open a new Brazilian embassy in Jerusalem. His victory marks a setback for civilisation. Urgent international solidarity is needed for those Brazilians in Bolsonaros crosshairs.

Benjamin Fogel is a PHD candidate in Latin American History at New York University and a contributing editor at Jacobin and Africa is a Country

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==See Also==

With Brazil's Bolsonaro, Israel finds another natural partner on the far-right

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Peace and joyBy Sharyl Attkisson

November 07, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Maybe you once thought the CIA wasnt supposed to spy on Americans here in the United States.

That concept is so yesteryear.

Over time, the CIA upper echelon has secretly developed all kinds of policy statements and legal rationales to justify routine, widespread surveillance on U.S. soil of citizens who arent suspected of terrorism or being a spy.

The latest outrage is found in newly declassified documents from 2014. They reveal the CIA not only intercepted emails of U.S. citizens but they were emails of the most sensitive kind  written to Congress and involving whistleblowers reporting alleged wrongdoing within the Intelligence Community.

The disclosures, kept secret until now, are two letters of congressional notification from the Intelligence Community inspector general at the time, Charles McCullough. He stated that during routine counterintelligence monitoring of government computer systems, the CIA collected emails between congressional staff and the CIAs head of whistleblowing and source protection.

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McCullough added that he was concerned about the CIAs potential compromise to whistleblower confidentiality and the consequent chilling effect that the present [counterintelligence] monitoring system might have on Intelligence Community whistleblowing.

Most of these emails concerned pending and developing whistleblower complaints, McCullough stated in the letters to lead Democrats and Republicans at the time on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees  Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.).

The March 2014 intercepts, conducted under the leadership of CIA Director John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, happened amid whats widely referred to as the Obama administrations war on whistleblowers and mass surveillance scandals.

Is that legal?

According to the CIA, the spy agency has been limited since the 1970s to collecting intelligence only for an authorized intelligence purpose; for example, if there is a reason to believe that an individual is involved in espionage or international terrorist activities and procedures require senior approval for any such collection that is allowed.

But heres where it gets slippery. It turns out the CIA claims it must engage in routine counterintelligence monitoring of government computers to make sure certain employees arent doing bad things. Poof! Now, all kinds of U.S. citizens and their communications can be swept into the dragnet  and its deemed perfectly legal. Its just an accident or incidental, after all, if the CIA happens to pick up whistleblower communications with the legislative branch.

Or maybe its a lucky break for certain CIA officials.

The only reason we know any of this now is thanks to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), whose staffers were among those spied on. Grassley says it took four years for him to get the shocking congressional notifications declassified so they could be made public. First, Grassley says, Clapper and Brennan dragged their feet, blocking their release. Their successors in the Trump administration were no more responsive. Only when Grassley recently appealed to current Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who was sworn in on May 17, was the material finally declassified.

The fact that the CIA under the Obama administration was reading congressional staffs emails about Intelligence Community whistleblowers raises serious policy concerns, as well as potential constitutional separation-of-powers issues that must be discussed publicly, wrote Grassley in a statement.

Legal or not, there was a time when this news would have so shocked our sensibilities  and would have been considered so antithetical to our Constitution by so many  that it would have prompted a swift, national outcry.

But today, weve grown numb. Outrage has been replaced by a cynical, Whos surprised about that? or the persistent belief that Nothings really going to be done about it, and, worst of all, Whats so bad about it, anyway?

Some see the intel communitys alleged abuses during campaign 2016 as its own major scandal. But I see it as a crucial piece of a puzzle.

The evidence points to bad actors targeting candidate Donald Trump and his associates in part to keep them  and us  from learning about and digging into an even bigger scandal: our Intelligence Community increasingly spying on its own citizens, journalists, members of Congress and political enemies for the better part of two decades, if not longer.

Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) is an Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist, author of The New York Times bestsellers The Smear and Stonewalled, and host of Sinclairs Sunday TV program, Full Measure.By Andre Vltchek

November 07, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - It appears that the KSA has crossed all lines of decency, if there were ever any.

In the eyes of many in the West, it crossed them not because it has been brutally killing tens of thousands of innocent people in Yemen, not even because it keeps sponsoring terrorists in Syria, (and in fact all over the world), often on behalf of the West. And not even because it is trying to turn its neighboring country, Qatar, from a peninsula into an island.

The crimes against humanity committed by Saudi Arabia are piling up, but the hermit kingdom (it is so hermit that it does not even issue tourist visas, in order to avoid scrutiny) is not facing any sanctions or embargos, with some exceptions like Germany. These are some of the most barbaric crimes committed in modern history, anywhere and by anyone. Executing and then quartering people, amputating their limbs, torturing, bombing civilians.

But for years and decades, all this mattered nothing. Saudi Arabia served faithfully both big business and the political interests of the United Kingdom first, and of the West in general later. That of course includes Israel, with which the House of Saud shares almost a grotesque hatred towards Shia Islam.

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And so, no atrocities have been publicly discussed, at least not in the Western mass media or by the European and the US governments,while weapons, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, have been arriving into the KSA, and the oil, that dark sticky curse, kept flowing out.

Was Riyadh enjoying total impunity? Definitely!

But all this may soon stop, because of a one single man, Mr. Jamal Khashoggi or more precisely, because of his alleged tragic, terrifying death behind the walls of the Saudi Consulate in the city of Istanbul.

According to the Turkish authorities, quoted by The New York Times on October 11, 2018:

Fifteen Saudi agents arrived on two charter flights on Oct. 2, the day Mr. Khashoggi disappeared.

Supposedly, they brutally murdered Mr. Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen, and then they used saw mills to severe his legs and arms from the body.

All this, while Mr. Khashoggis Turkish fiance, Hatice Cengiz, was waiting for him on a bench, in front of the consulate. He went in,in order to take care of the paperwork required to marry her. But he never came back.

Now the Turkish nation is indignant.

Ten years ago, even one year ago, everything would have been, most likely, hushed up. As all mass murders committed by the Saudis all over the world were always hushed up. As was hushed up the information about the Saudi royal family smuggling drugs from Lebanon, using their private jets  narcotics that are clouding senses and are therefore used in combat zones and during terrorist attacks.

But now, this is the end of 2018. And Turkey is not ready to tolerate an atrocity by an increasingly hostile country; an atrocity committed in the middle of its largest city. For quite some time, Turkey and the KSA are not chums, anymore. Turkish military forces were already deployed to Qatar several months ago, in order to face the Saudi army and to protect the small (although also not benign) Gulf State from possible attack and imminent destruction. In the meantime, Turkey is getting closer and closer to Iran, an archenemy of Saudi Arabia, Israel and US.

It has to be pointed out that, Mr. Khashoggi is not just some common Saudi citizen  he is a prominent critic of the Saudi regime, but most importantly, in the eyes of the empire, a correspondent for The Washington Post. Critic but not an outsider. And some say, he was perhaps too close to some Western intelligence agencies.

Therefore, his death, if it is, after all, death, could not be ignored, no matter how much the West would like the story to disappear from the headlines.

President Trump remained silent for some time, then he became concerned, and finally Washington began indicating that it could even take some actions against its second closest ally in the Middle East. The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been cultivated both by Washington and other Western powers, but now he may actually fall from grace. Is he going to end up as Shah Pahlavi of Iran? Not now, but soon, or at least at some point? Are the days of the House of Saud numbered? Perhaps not yet. But Washington has track record of getting rid of its uncomfortable allies.

The Washington Post, in its editorial Trumps embrace emboldened Saudi Crown Prince, snapped at both the Saudi regime (finally that derogatory word, regime has been used against the House of Saud) and the US administration:

Two years ago it would have been inconceivable that the rulers of Saudi Arabia, a close US ally, would be suspected of abducting or killing a critic who lived in Washington and regularly wrote for the Post  or that they would dare to stage such operation in Turkey, another US ally and a NATO member. That the regime now stands accused by Turkish government sources of murdering Jamal Khashoggi, one of the foremost Saudi journalists, in the kingdoms Istanbul consulate could be attributed in part to the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms 33-year-old de facto ruler, who has proved as ruthless as he is ambitious. But it also may reflect the influence President Donald Trump, who has encouraged the Crown Prince to believe  wrongly, we trust  that even his most lawless ventures will have the support of the United States.

Wrongly, we trust? But Saudi Arabia and its might are almost exclusively based on its collaboration with the global Western regime imposed on the Middle East and on the entire world, first by Europe and the UK in particular, and lately by the United States.

All terror that the KSA has been spreading all over the region, but also Central Asia, Asia Pacific, and parts of Africa, has been encouraged, sponsored or at least approved in Washington, London, even Tel Aviv.

The Saudis helped to destroy the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, and then the socialist and progressive Afghanistan itself. They fought Communism and all left-wing governments in the Muslim world, on behalf of the West. They still do.

Now both the West and the KSA are inter-dependent. The Saudis are selling oil and buying weapons, signing monumental defense contracts with the US companies, such as Lockheed Martin. They are also investing into various political figures in Washington.

The current alleged murder of a journalist triggered an unusual wave of soul-searching in the Western media. It is half-hearted soul searching, but it is there, nevertheless. On October 2018, the Huffington Post wrote:

By directing billions of dollars of Saudi money into the U.S. for decades, Riyadhs ruling family has won the support of small but powerful circles of influential Americans and courted wider public acceptance through corporate ties and philanthropy. Its been a solid investment for a regime that relies heavily on Washington for its security but cant make the same claims to shared values or history as other American allies like Britain. For years, spending in ways beneficial to the U.S.  both stateside and abroad, such as its funding Islamist fighters in Afghanistan to combat the Soviet Union  has effectively been an insurance policy for Saudi Arabia.

It means that the White House will most likely do its best not to sever relationships with Riyadh. There may be, and most likely will be, some heated exchange of words, but hardly some robust reaction, unless all this tense situation provokes yet another irrational move on the part of the Saudis.

The report by Huffington Post pointed out that:

One of the few traditions in American diplomacy that Trump has embraced wholeheartedly is describing weapons sales as jobs programs. The president has repeatedly said Khashoggis fate should not disturb the $110 billion package of arms that Trump says he got the Saudis to buy to support American industry. (Many of the deals were actually struck under Obama, and a large part of the total hes describing is still in the form of vague statements of intent.)

Keen to keep things on track with the Saudis, arms producers often work in concert with Saudi Arabias army of Washington lobbyists, congressional sources say.

This is where the Western reporting stops short of telling the whole truth, and from putting things into perspective. Nobody from the mainstream media shouts: There is basically no independent foreign policy of Riyadh!

Yes, oil buys weapons that are giving jobs to men and women working in the US and UK factories, and then these weapons are used to murder men, women and children in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere; they threaten Iran, Qatar and several other countries. Oil and Western support also help to recruit terrorists for the perpetual wars desired by the West, and they also help to build thousands of lavish mosques and to convert tens of millions of people in Southeast Asia, Africa and elsewhere to Wahhabism, which is an extreme, Saudi-UK religious dogma. (My book Exposing Lies of the Empire. contains important chapter on this topic  The West Manufacturing Muslim Monsters: Who Should Be Blamed for Muslim Terrorism).

Despite what many in the West think, there is hardly any love for Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. The KSA is sometimes supported, out of ignorance, commercial interests, or religious zeal, by such far-away Muslim countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, but as a rule, not bythose who live in the region.

Many if not most in the Arab countries have already had enough of Saudi arrogance and bullying, by such monstrous acts like the war against Yemen, or implanting/supporting terrorists in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere, or by recent the de facto kidnapping of the Lebanese Head of State, by moral hypocrisy and by turning holy Muslim sites into business ventures with vulgar commercialism all around them, and the clear segregation of the rich and poor.

Many Arabs hold Saudi Arabia responsible for turning an essentially socialist and egalitarian religion into what it has become now, of course with the determined support from the West, which desires to have an obedient and rituals-oriented population all over the Muslim world, in order to control it better, while plundering, without any opposition, its natural resources. Saudi Arabia is a country with some of the greatest disparities on earth: with some of the richest elites on one hand, and widespread misery all around the entire territory. It is an unloved country, but until now, it has been respected. Mainly out of fear.

Now, the entire world is watching. Those who were indignant in silence are beginning to speak out.

Few days ago, an Indonesian maid was mercilessly executed in the KSA. Years ago, she killed her tormentor, her old a patron who was attempting to rape her, on many occasions. But that was not reported on the front pages. After all, she was just a maid; a poor woman from a poor country.

All of us, writers and journalists all over the world, are hoping that Mr. Khashoggi (no matter what his track record was so far) is alive, somewhere, and that one day soon he will be freed. However, with each new day, the chances that it will happen are slimmer and slimmer. Now even Saudi officials admit that he was murdered.

If he was killed by Saudi agents, Mr. Khashoggis death may soon fully change both his country and the rest of the Middle East. He always hoped for at least some changes in his country. But most likely, he never imagined that he would have to pay the ultimate piecefor them.

This time, the Saudi rulers hoped for a breeze, which would disperse the smell of blood. They may now inherit the tempest.

Andre Vltchek

,

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Peace and joyThe Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential campaign council, Bukola Saraki has said that the the partys candidate, Atiku Abubakar ais coasting victory in the coming election.

Senate President Saraki said that the mounting support from Nigerians, is a good sign that the former vice president will definitely emerge as Nigerias next president.

Saraki said this, as he visited and inspected the Legacy House, the office building of the Campaign Council of the Presidential candidate of the PDP, on Tuesday.

In a statement about Sarakis visit on Tuesday, PDP said Saraki, who was conducted round various offices at the Legacy House by the partys National Chairman, Uche Secondus, promised to effectively harness and coordinate all efforts and lead the party and its candidate, Atiku to victory in the elections.

The party said, since the emergence of Atiku as PDP Presidential candidate, there has been renewed hope among Nigerians towards actualizing their collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the incompetent, divisive and deceptive President Muhammad Buhari-led All Progressives Congress(APC).The Federal Government has urged officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to utilize moderation in their demands from the government.

Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education while speaking, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said that the issue of poor funding of universities came from the initial agreement made by ASUU with the YarAdua government in 2009.

Adamu said that the YarAdua administration presented those conditions to ASUU when the economy was significantly healthful.

In his words:

The issues necessitate this strike that dates back to 2009 when the then government of the late president, Umaru YarAdua signed an agreement with ASUU on the funding of federal universities. the agreement provided funding of universities to the tune of N1.3tn over a period of six years. it is instructive to know that Nigeria was experiencing oil boom at that time. it was therefore expected that government would meet the terms of the agreement.

We exited recession not too long ago, and we are just beginning to recover from the consequences of low oil prices, which are happily begging to pick up, if this trend continues, definitely, the education sector will also improve.

Against this background, I want to appeal to all parents, students and in particular ASUU women and men to continue to exercise restraint in terms of their response to the plight of the education sector. We must also be mindful that there are other sectors with similar competing needsThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is reprehensible that President Muhammadu Buhari, is convering bribery and corruption allegations against Adams Oshiomhole.

The opposition party in a statement on Wednesday, entitled Oshiomhole Corruption Allegation said they have it on good authority that the president mounted pressure on the DSS, to release the National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was said to have been detained and grilled by the security agency.

According to PDP, the allegations slammed against Oshiomhole include funds stolen from Edo state treasury, bribe collected from APC members etc.

See full statement below

The revelation that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency is concealing alleged bribery and corrupt practices involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, who is being investigated by the DSS is reprehensible.

We are privy to the pressure from the Buhari Presidency on the DSS, which reportedly detained and grilled Oshiomhole, to let him off the hook for fear that his investigation will unearth the complicity of the Presidency and other key APC members in the scam.

Information available to us reveals that apart from the billion of naira, allegedly stole from the coffers of Edo State, he is facing charges of allegedly collecting billions of naira bribe from some ministers and other APC sources in Adamawa, Rivers, Kano and Imo states.

This is in addition to allegedly collecting billions of naira from Presidency sources to influence electoral officers, independent observers and certain polling organizations ahead of the 2019 election, part of which was allegedly diverted for personal use of some APC leaders.Hard work, creativity and passion, punctuated by the clicking of heels, define a single moment on the GTBank Fashion Weekend Runway Show. On Saturday, November 10th, and Sunday, November 11th, 2018, thousands of guests will be entertained by this single moment as indigenous and internationally renowned designers showcase their brands on the runway.

These are the designers slated for Day 1 of the 2018 GTBank Fashion Weekend:

Lanre da Silva

Lanre da Silva is one of Nigerias leading high-fashion couturiers. She started the LDA brand in 2005, since then, her work has gained international recognition, featuring in top magazines like Vogue. She was the first African designer to have her label stocked at the Dolce & Gabbana Concept Store in the heart of Milan, Italy, the hub of international fashion.

Taibo Bacar

Taibo Bacar is the founder of Taibo Bacar, a fashion brand known for its uniqueness and strong attachment to the African heritage. He launched his self-named fashion label in 2008 in Mozambique which focused on creating clothes for the delicate, classic & feminine woman. The label grew quickly and was named Emerging Designer of the Year at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa in 2012. It was also the first African brand to showcase at the Milan Fashion Week.

IDMA-NOF

The IDMA-NOF womenswear brand was founded in 2017. The brand blends art, fashion and craftsmanship in exciting ways  this blend coincides with its aesthetic which is very bold and strongly influenced by the colorful African heritage.

Gert-Johan Coetzee

Gert-Johan Coetzee is a South African fashion designer whose designs are made up of elaborately designed couture and ready-to-wear gowns. Gert-johan Coetzee designs have gotten international acclaim and have been worn by the likes of Kelly Rowland and Kourtney Kardashian.

JI WON CHOI

JI WON CHOI is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and the brain behind the self-named fashion brand, JI WON CHOI. Her work revolves around human cultures and using design to promote positive change within societies. Since the debut of her thesis collection, EXCESSIVISM, in 2017, she has enjoyed great success: her work has been featured in various international magazines, and exclusive interviews have been featured on Vogue Italia, Vogue USA, LOVE, Modern Weekly China, and Bullett Media.

LaQuan Smith

LaQuan Smith has quickly become a household name in fashion. He is a favorite amongst the worlds most trending superstars like Rihanna, Kendall Jenner and Beyonce. Born in Queens, New York  the designer started from humble beginnings, building his brand from the ground up. In 2010, a few years after an internship with Vogue Editor-at-Large, Andre Leon Talley  the young designer debuted his first collection at New York Fashion Week.

Register to attend for Day 2 hereFederal lawmaker has reacted to police report, dismissing the reported attempt on the life of deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and that of his family as burglary.

Ekweremadu had raised an alarm earlier week, that he had miraculously escaped being killed, after assassins invaded his residence, evading security personnel on duty.

However, according to police in their update of the reported assassination attempt on Ekweremadu, the suspects had only gone to steal and not to kill the deputy senater President. They stated that, though investigation was still ongoing to determine if there was more motive to it, the suspects at burglars had even broken into one residence before proceeding to Ekweremadus.

Reacting to police report, Sani stated that downgrading the assassination attempt, means that one has to first be killed in order to prove that, an attempt has been made on ones life  then buried, to prove more convincingly.

He wrote via his Twitter handle on Wednesday evening thus:President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday received a group from the South-east, under the aegis of One on One Nigeria, at the State House, Abuja.

The group, led by Chief Chido Obidiegwu, said it was impressed with the strides of the Buhari administration nationwide, particularly in the South-east, after observing keenly, saying it is now payback time.

The president in his address said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) caused the fate that befell it in 2015. Buhari, said the PDP is now in opposition because they failed to make good use of the tremendous resources available to us between 1999 and 2014  According to Buhari, thats all Nigerians wanted.

In his words:Kano State House of Assembly has vowed to continue probe into the alleged bribery case, against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje despite the court order.

Baffa Danagundi, the Chairman of the committee, made this known in Kano on Tuesday, as he briefed newsmen on the court order.

We will continue with the investigation, and also we are ready to present our facts to the court on Monday, until we are proved wrong

Ganduje, has earned himself several criticisms, after he emerged in various video clips published by Daily Nigerian, allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors. The Governor had been invited to appear before a seven-member committee set-up by the State House of Assembly to investigate the matter. Ganduje, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, however denied taking bribes from contractors.

The announcement by the investigating committees chairman, who is also the member representing Kano Municipal, has sparked reactions among many Nigerians on social media.

Take a look

https://twitter.com/femi_atere/status/1060114702699806721

Nigerians

https://twitter.com/femi_atere/status/1060114702699806721

Please ohnobody should come here and tell me that the Kano Assembly is defying court ruling to continue their investigation on the bribery allegation of the state governorThey are just playing out the script they've been givenwho be mumu  Osinakachi Nyamekye (@ckelvin0911) November 7, 2018

It's all a scripted film.

Ganduje has Kano Assembly under his control.

Public outcry make them to say they will continue.

Let us all sit back and watch the end of the film. They will soon request for the presence of the person who took the clips, he won't show up.  Tweet god (@Davs_ceo) November 7, 2018The Prince of Wales, Charles and Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed to the State House, Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

Some traditional rulers such as Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi; Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and others.

However, in a meeting which the Nigerian traditional rulers which held at the residence of the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright, in Abuja  The Oba of Benin, requested Prince Charles to lend a voice to the age-long call for the artifacts looted from ancient Benin during Benin Massacre in 1897.

The Oba said the return of the artifacts will facilitate the creation of an Oba Palace Museum, for the purpose of promoting tourism in his kingdom.

In his own words:Self acclaimed Official ruffler of President Muhammadu Buharis feathers, Reno Omokri has reacted to a recent report, in which the United States Institute of Peace(USIP) denied predicting victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general election in Nigeria.

In a statement on its website on Tuesday captioned: Correcting a Media Error: USIP Makes No Prediction on Nigerian Election, USIP stated that it didnt not report that Buahri will win 2019 election, adding also that its a non-partisan institution, whose interest is that elections are violence free.

A few Nigerian newspapers reported erroneously this week that the U.S. Institute of Peace has made a prediction about the possible outcome of Nigerias 2019 presidential election.

USIP never makes predictions about election outcomes and has not done so in this case. The Institutes work on elections is confined to helping nations avoid electoral violence.

In his reaction, Omokri wrote:



The logo of Vietnam's national rice brand will be announced at the opening ceremony for the festival.

The festival will feature numerous activities, including a rice contest, an exhibition on Vietnamese rice exports and a number of important seminars.

The festival aims to provide trade promotion solutions in the field of agriculture and rural development, as well as support enterprises and farmers in their operations, contributing to improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice in the world market.

The event also offers an opportunity for managers, businesses, scientists and farmers to approach and update market information and advanced technologies in rice production and business from around the world.

Over 400 organisations and enterprises across the country have registered to take part in the third Vietnam Rice Festival.

The first and second editions of the event were held in Hau Giang province in 2009 and in Soc Trang province in 2011, respectively./.LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (October 30, 2018)- Technology company Continental is carrying out a brand shift in the drive system aftermarket. Capitalizing on a familiar worldwide brand, Continentals North American automotive aftermarket business is now aligning its product line with the companys global technologies and expertise.

Using the Continental OE Technology Series (OETS) Multi V-Belt as the centerpiece of the initiative, Continental also will promote its expertise on all of its belts, hoses, tensioners and timing kits. Rolf Sudmann, who is responsible for the aftermarket business for drive systems at Continental, explains why that makes sense: The automotive innovations of today are the future of the aftermarket business tomorrow. Thanks to our corporation-wide synergies, our customers can have confidence in our ability to promptly adapt current OE trends to the special needs of the aftermarket. That means we can offer demand-driven solutions that will prove a hit for distributors and professional repair technicians.

The transition is part of our strategy to continuously energize and associate our North American products and services with our global automotive expertise, said Dave Wenger, marketing manager, Continental aftermarket programs for North America. Continental has a global reputation as the ultimate in technology, quality and reliable service, and the evolution to a uniform product image worldwide will strengthen our Continental brand even further and create a high level of acceptance along the distribution chain.

Leading the transition will be the straight ribbed belt from the helicog, staggered profile belt. The belt has been reconstructed to align with Continentals original equipment belt. One of the many advantages of the strong Continental brand is the ability to expedite well-defined solutions faster, explained Wenger. Being under the umbrella of One Continental allows us to share and communicate resources and knowledge among all businesses, increase focus on product development, and expedite innovative products to the automotive aftermarket, faster.

In addition, Continental aftermarket products will follow a new, consistent packaging design and appearance that will be the same for all regions worldwide. This new packaging will be on display at the Continental booth (#2626) at AAPEX 2018. Distributors will benefit from the new design because they can now distribute all aftermarket parts for automotive drive components from Continental under the same brand which will ensure greater clarity on the shelf.

A new North American advertising campaign is being launched as part of the concurrent initiatives to promote Continentals expertise, technologies and synergies worldwide.

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2017, Continental generated sales of 44 billion and currently employs more than 243,000 people in 60 countries

CONTACT:

John Hymers/ ContiTech Canada, Inc.- Division ContiTech of Continental

Mailing Address:

ContiTech Canada, Inc.

6711 Mississauga Rd., Suite 301

Mississauga, ON L5N 2N3

Canada

Tel: 905-366-2025

Fax: 1-800-345-7510

E-Mail: john.hymers@contitech.ca

Website: www.contitech.ca

North America Contacts

Anthony DiGiacobbe/ Marketing Communications Director- Continental North America

703 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road

Fairlawn, OH 44333

Phone: (330) 664-7124

Mobile: (330) 646-3807 Anthony.digiacobbe@contitech.us

Henry J. Inman/ Communications Consultant- Continental North America

Phone: (330) 571-7727 Henry.inman@contitech.usFor the past two years, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames has been showcasing local singing and songwriting talent in conjunction witIowa State Student Government elections take place every spring. One of 15 constituencies, the College of Design is represented by oDioxin treatment at Da Nang international airport (Photo: VGP)





The Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (namely 701) on November 6worked with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to review the cooperation between Vietnam and the US on the implementation of the project.

The Da Nang International Airport is one hot spot of dioxin pollution in Vietnam. Adopted on April 1st, 2011 by the Ministry of National Defence, the project has been carried out with VND60 billion from the Government of Vietnams reciprocal capital, and non-refundable ODA funding worth USD110 million from the US Government.

Under the program, some 90,000 cubic metres of dioxin polluted mud and land have been treated; some 50,000 cubic metres of mud and land have been treated so that the level of dioxin is under the level that requires treatment; and 18.7 hectares of treated land have been transferred for expanding the Da Nang International Airport and serving Da Nang citys socio-economic development.

According to experts, the project has successfully treated dioxin polluted land and sediment at the Da Nang International Airport, thus reducing the risk of dioxin explosion to humans and the surrounding environment.

They added that the project had brought efficiency in diverse areas, both communities health, environment and socio-economic development, while leaving diverse experiences in management, inspection, operation and application of technologies.

During the workshop, delegates appreciated the efforts of the Governments of Vietnam and the US in carrying out the project, which shows the US commitment on strictly working with Vietnam to provide a safe and dioxin free living environment for residents./.Apple has failed to make the most of the lucrative festive season in India. It is during this period that most smartphones are sold in India and so most OEMs try to make the most of it by offering attractive deals or launching new models. Despite launching the iPhone XS and iPhone XR though, Apple failed to attract Indian consumers this festive season.

An in-depth report from Reuters reveals how the high price tag of iPhones is making consumers look for alternatives from Chinese brands like OnePlus. The iPhone XR starts at Rs 76,900 ($1,050) while the OnePlus 6T with 6GB RAM and 128GB of base storage is priced at Rs 37,999 ($520). The iPhone XR was expected to do well in price sensitive countries like India but the device has failed to do as expected.

Analyst firm Counterpoint Research believes that iPhone sales will decline to two million units this year, down from three million units a year ago. Apples newer models have failed to do well in India thanks to their exorbitant price tag, with older models like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 still doing well thanks to their low price tag.

The high price tag of new iPhones in India can be blamed on the high import duties that Apple has to pay to the Indian government. To promote its Make in India scheme, the Indian government has been steadily increasing its tariff on various smartphone and electronic components. The import duty was initially 5 percent but it has now steadily increased to around 15-20 percent. This has led to major smartphone companies like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and even OnePlus to set up manufacturing and assembly plants in India. This allows them to save on various duties  a benefit which they are then able to pass on to consumers with the final price of their devices.

Apples manufacturing partner Wistron has an assembly plant in Bengaluru but it assembles older models like the iPhone SE and iPhone 6. As per analyst Navkendar Singh of IDC, Apple simply does not have the confidence in the Indian manufacturing system to set up plants and move manufacturing and assembly out of China.

A change in Apple Indias leadership earlier this year is also being blamed for slow iPhone sales. Apple has reduced its distributors from five to two in the country and the new head of Indias operations Michel Columb is still working on improving business relations since taking charge of the operations late last year.

While India is an important market for Apple, the company is unlikely to do well here until it reassesses its iPhone pricing strategy.

[Via ReutersThe battle between Apple and Qualcomm is ongoing, and, according to a new report from Reuters, it doesnt sound like Apple has any interest in settling out of court.

The publication is reporting on Wednesday, in light of information gathered from unnamed sources, that Apple is not currently in talks at any level with Qualcomm to settle the lingering matter between the two companies out of court. At this stage, Qualcomm is insisting that Apple owes it upwards of $7 billion in unpaid royalties, which Apple obviously rejects outright. The latest report indicates that Apple plans on fighting this in court for as long is necessary.

A source familiar with the situation said this week that there are no settlement talks between Apple and Qualcomm. There is absolutely no meaningful discussion taking place between us and Qualcomm, and there is no settlement in sight, the person said. We are gearing up for trial.'

Qualcomms run of luck is starting to get a bit bumpy, too. Most recently it was reported that the company must license key modem patents to outside companies, including Intel, which is a major blow to the chipmaker (even if it can still charge high fees for access to those patents). Still, back in September it sounded like Qualcomm was hopeful that it would be working with Apple again one day, with the companys CEO, Steve Mollenkopf, saying that the leadership technology aspects of both companies would trump the business relationship that can get frustrating at times.

As of right now, it doesnt sound like Apple sees that being the case anytime soon. Especially with reports that the iPhone maker already has its sights set on using Intel for future iPhones with 5G on board, which are rumored to launch in 2020.

It was reported that Qualcomm had revamped its patent deals, which boiled down to an effort to get Apple back in line with how the working partnership had functioned up until the current dustup. It is also worth noting that Apples CEO, Tim Cook, is still scheduled to be deposed on June 27.

News reports have been popping up regarding an ongoing dispute between chip manufacturer Qualcomm and Apple, with both companies leveling legal teams at one another over issues most concerned with patents and patent royalty payments.

Qualcomm even filed to block the sales of iPhones in the United States, and called out the iPhone and iPhone 8 in its own legal efforts. Meanwhile, Apples own efforts saw moves in the legal system, but also a huge shift towards introducing only Intel-based chips into its future iPhones, basically excising Qualcomm from the conversation from 2018 onward.

Basically, it doesnt sound like this situation is going anywhere anytime soon.

[via Reuters]In a preliminary ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Judge Lucy Koh has said that Qualcomm must license some of its modem-related patents to other chip-making firms.

Qualcomm has never licensed its essential network and modem-related patents to other companies. Instead, it has used these patents to earn billions of dollars in licensing fees. By not licensing its patents to other companies, Qualcomm managed to keep its competition at bay and ensured it had a monopoly in supplying modem chips to key smartphone makers like Apple.

Before this preliminary ruling by Judge Lucy Koh, Qualcomm tried to settle matters with the FTC outside of the court. The case pertains to Apple being forced to use Qualcomm modem inside its devices.

Qualcomm wanted to settle matters out of the court because it feared the result would go against it. Qualcomm and FTC had both asked Judge Lucy Koh to delay the ruling by up to 30 days so that they could settle the matter outside the court. However, Koh denied that motion earlier this week and instead delivered her preliminary ruling in the case.

The lawsuit is scheduled to go on trial next year so while Intel and other chip makers can rejoice right now, theres a possibility of Qualcomm winning the lawsuit eventually and not have to share its key patents with other companies.

This is not the first time that Qualcomm has tried to settle matters with regulators outside of the court. The company previously settled with Taiwanese regulators by paying them $93 million and promising to invest $700 million in the country over the next five years.

It was this very complaint from the FTC that kickstarted the legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm. After FTC registered a formal complaint against Qualcomm in early 2017, Apple went ahead and sued Qualcomm for $1 billion. The San Diego chip-maker responded by countersuing Apple for billions of dollars as well.

[Via StreetInsiderThis is the third and last portion of land to be turned over for expansion of Da Nang airport, marking the completion of the six-year, USD110 million environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport project, jointly implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence (MND).

Launched in August 2012, it serves as an important milestone in the bilateral relationship and will result in a cleaner, safer environment for the people of Da Nang. So far, the project has successfully treated over 90,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and sediment through thermal desorption and safely contained an additional 50,000 cubic meters of low concentration, dioxin-contaminated material.





Photos: ATP

The two sides also tested the treated soil and sediment to determine if the cleanup objective of 150 parts per trillion (ppt) was achieved. Phase 1 treated soil was less than 9 ppt and Phase 2 even lower (<1 ppt), exceeding all project goals.

The successful efforts with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command have resulted in over 30 hectares of additional land for expansion of Da Nang airport, which will drive regional economic growth.

The US is committed to working with Vietnam and MND to resolve war legacies while continuing to strengthen the economic, cultural, and security ties between the two countries. The Southern Dong Nai provinces Bien Hoa air-base area is the largest remaining hotspot of dioxin contamination in the nation.

On May 11th, USAID signed a grant with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command for a total expected contribution of USD183 million towards remediation activities in the Bien Hoa air-base area over an initial five-year period.

The US has worked with Vietnam to resolve humanitarian and wartime legacy issues since 2000, including the removal of unexploded ordinance, the identification of remains of missing personnel, and the remediation of dioxin./.Focus on Lisa Netz, co-owner of The Lavish Loft

Submitted by Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick, Federation Business and Community Development Director For the Voice What was your path to South Jersey? I grew up in...

Focus on Peter Hecht Partner at Magna Legal Services

Tell me about your connection to the South Jersey Jewish Community? I actually grew up in East Brunswick, Exit 9 off the Turnpike. But weve...

Focus on Abigail Dahan: Owner of the Bake School

Tell me a bit about your life in South Jersey. I grew up in Cherry Hill. We moved here from Paris when I was six...Tuyen hailed the effective support of the Netherlands, especially Rotterdam city, the water management agency, and the Centre for Promotion of Imports from developing countries to the city in areas of climate change, management and flood prevention.

He spoke highly of the Netherlands idea to cope with challenges that the city faces during urban development process, expressing his hope to learn water technology from the Netherlands to make a breakthrough in water management.

Tuyen said that he hopes after the visit and participation in Vietwater exhibition 2018, Henk Ovink and the Dutch side will raise initiatives on cooperation with HCM Citys enterprises in water management and turn them into specific projects.

For his part, Henk Ovink held that the flooding and depression conditions that HCM City is facing is a chance for the two sides to collaborate, thus making water resources a factor serving the sustainable growth of the city amidst climate change impacts.

He pledged that the Netherlands is willing to cooperate with HCM City to seek financial resources for public-private partnership projects in infrastructure, water management and wastewater treatment.

Henk Ovink stressed that in the future, the two sides should strengthen cooperation activities and share experience and technology, thereby the city could deal with challenges related to water, thus ensuring the citys sustainable development.

Earlier, Henk Ovink attended the Vietwater 2018, the only water trade event in Vietnam, which drew 450 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions.Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung made the remarks in his interview granted to the press following the conclusion of the PM's trip to China to attend the CIIE 2018.

The diplomat said that PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the CIIE 2018 from November 4-5 at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping.

The PM's visit marks the first trip to China by a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (October 2017) and the second trip to China by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

During his visit, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with senior leaders of the Chinese Party and State, and leaders of ministries and localities, and held talks on Vietnam's priorities for socio-economic development and integration as well as the cooperation between ministries, localities and enterprises of the two countries.

China is currently the largest trading partner of Vietnam while Vietnam is the largest trading partner of China in ASEAN and the eighth largest trading partner of China in the world.

The two-way trade revenue between the two countries reached US$93.7 billion in 2017, up 30.2% compared to 2016 and accounting for one fourth of Vietnam's total import and export revenue. However, Vietnam suffered large trade deficit with China at US$22.8 billion in 2017 and both sides face unsolved problems including smuggling, tax evasion and counterfeit goods regarding cross-border trade.

Deputy FM Trung noted that the PM's trip is of political and economic significance, contributing to strengthening political trust, maintaining positive development of the bilateral ties, promoting the settlement of unsolved problems and expressing the mutual support in the organisation of international forums and events.

The PM's trip aimed to take advantage of the great economic potential and large market of China; promote the positive factors in the trade relations between the two countries, to boost sustainable exports to China while reducing trade deficit; and introduce Vietnamese images to the world.

Deputy FM Trung said that the PM's trip was also an opportunity for senior leaders of both countries to discuss orientations to boost bilateral relations in all areas, including consolidating the mutual political trust and neighbouring friendship, creating a motivation for substantial cooperation in economics and trade, and controlling conflicts and maintaining peace and stability on the sea.

The diplomat noted that Vietnam sent 25 companies with high prestige and export capacity in the areas of agricultural products, seafood, food processing and trade services to attend the expo, alongside more than 3,000 enterprises from 130 countries and territories across the world. Vietnamese firms also signed a number of deals with other firms to export their products.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a strong message of supporting trade and investment liberalisation and highlighting Vietnam's willingness to work with other countries to effectively cope with global challenges, Deputy FM Trung said.

The Vietnamese Government leader also introduced the potential of Vietnam, especially in terms of market, business and investment environment, competitiveness, and innovation, as well as Vietnamese key products such as rice, coffee, fruit, processed products, apparel, and high-tech electronic products.

The senior leader affirmed that Vietnam always creates a favourable and equitable business and investment environment for foreign investors, while also calling on parties to facilitate enterprises by means of increased dialogue and policy-exchange between their governments and enterprises.

The diplomate stated that Vietnam's performance at the expo contributed to fostering the practical cooperation between the two countries in various areas, promoting the exports of Vietnamese commodities and facilitating Vietnamese businesses to seek markets and expand their business.Phong affirmed that the Vietnamese NA has always supported the intensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, which has been developing strongly, comprehensively, and practically, as well as forming a strong political trust between senior leaders of both sides.

She hailed the role that incumbent and former Japanese parliamentarians play in fostering the relationship between the two countries.

Describing Japan as one of Vietnams leading economic partners, Phong expressed her hope that the two countries will continue expanding their partnership in all fields, meeting the expectation of peoples of both sides for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

The NA Vice Chairwoman told her guest that the Vietnamese NA is scheduled to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on November 12. She hoped that the Japanese side would support Vietnam during the implementation of the deal.

Regarding the Vietnam-Japan university project, Phong affirmed that Vietnamese leaders have been paying great attention to the project, with hopes of making the university a symbol of Vietnam-Japan ties.

The Vietnamese NA will ask relevant agencies and localities to speed up the project, she stated.

For his part, Saito Toshitsugu hailed important achievements that Vietnam has gained during its process of national construction and development, as well as the active role of Vietnam in regional and international issues.

He pledged to exert efforts to lift the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new height.During a reception in Hanoi on November 6 for Deputy Chairman of the National Congress Party of Sudan and Presidential Assistant Faisal Hassan Ibrahim, Vuong suggested the continuation of high-level visits, improving the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms, stepping up people-to-people diplomacy, and working closely together at multilateral forums.

He asked Sudan to support Vietnams bid to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Speaking highly of Vietnams prestige and stature in the region and the world, Faisal Hassan Ibrahim expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Communist Party, the Vietnamese people will reap greater victories in the period of national construction and development.

He affirmed a determination to further promote friendship and cooperation between the two parties, countries, and peoples.

The guest suggested further tapping into opportunities so as to boost bilateral ties in the near future.

During his stay, Faisal Hassan Ibraham held talks with Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission on External Relations.

Both sides informed each other about the current situation in each party and country, as well as discussing global issues of concern and ways to extend ties between the two parties and countries.

The visiting delegation held working sessions with various ministries and departments, visiting the northern province of Quang Ninh to reach a consensus on measures to promote ties between the two parties and peoples.In this Nov. 4, 2018, photo Tim Boyden uses the loose fall leaves in front of his business Out On A Limb Gallery in Eugene, Ore., to encourage people passing by to vote in the midterm election. (Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard via AP)Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam.

Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut:

Jika Anda ingin bermain roulette di situs kasino online, caranya sangat sederhana. Anda dapat bermain di Kasino ION, Kasino Sbobet, dan Situs Kasino. Di bawah ini adalah artikel panduan bermain di mana Anda dapat mempelajari roulette langsung dan memainkannya di situs judi online mana pun.

tangkapan layar

Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi online tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam.

Panduan Bermain Online Kasino Roulette

Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut:

1. Straight Up: Penempatan angka tunggal dari 0 hingga 36. Contoh perhitungan straight up adalah mengalikan taruhan dengan 35. Ini adalah jenis taruhan tertinggi dalam permainan roulette kasino, jadi 50 dikalikan dengan 35 memberi Anda 1750, mengapa jenis taruhan ini menghasilkan pengembalian yang begitu tinggi? Hal ini karena tidak mudah untuk memenangkan pilihan nomor dengan memilih hanya satu nomor dari banyak.

2. Taruhan split: Jenis taruhan yang ditempatkan pada dua angka atau di antara dua angka yang berbeda. Misalnya, menempatkan di sela-sela angka 9 dan 12 atau 13d dan 14 dihitung sebagai jenis taruhan split. Setiap nomor dapat ditempatkan dalam jenis ini selama nomor tersebut berdekatan dan persis seperti Gambar A dan B. Untuk taruhan ini, jika Anda memenangkan contoh dan mengalikannya dengan 850, Anda akan menerima jumlah taruhan yang dikalikan dengan 17. .

3. Taruhan jalanan: bertaruh dengan 3 angka ke bawah, misalnya 1,2,3 atau 10,11,12. Semua taruhan jalan akan menerima kemenangan dikalikan dengan 11. Misalnya, 50 dikalikan 550.

4. Taruhan sudut: Jenis taruhan di mana empat angka ditempatkan saling berhadapan, seperti 13,14,16,17 atau 19,20,22,23. Semua angka valid karena terdiri dari 4 angka yang diisi seperti kotak dan taruhan dikalikan 8 (misalnya 50 kali 800).

5. Taruhan baris: Atau, Anda dapat mengatakan bahwa ada 6 jenis taruhan yang terdiri dari 2 baris, tetapi 6 poin dengan 2 peregangan, seperti taruhan jalanan. Misalnya, jika Anda memilih angka 7 hingga 12 dan 13 hingga 18, taruhan 50 adalah 5 kali dan kemudian dikalikan dengan 250 kemenangan.

6. Kolom Inner Bet: Jenis taruhan vertikal dengan 12 poin berturut-turut, seperti kolom numerik 1,4,7,10,13,19,22,25,25,28,22,24,34 atau kolom lainnya. Dan jika dia memenangkan kolom, 50 taruhan digandakan dan 100 taruhan.

7. Lusin : Jenis taruhan menempatkan 12 angka tetapi menempatkannya pada kotak berbentuk seperti contoh Kolom A dengan angka 1 sampai 12 dan odds dengan kolom lain untuk dipilih dengan memilih 1 kotak pertama untuk Kolom A. Kalikan dengan 2, 50 taruhan 100.

8. Zero part : Cara bertaruh 0.1,2,3 sama persis seperti di gambar, karena berdekatan dengan angka 0, anda hanya bisa bertaruh 0.1,2,3. Menempatkan taruhan ini mengalikannya dengan 50. hingga 8.

9. Zero Corner: Bertaruh pada angka 0.1,2 atau 0.2,3 adalah dua pilihan karena Anda hanya bertaruh mendekati angka nol. Jenis taruhan ini dikalikan 11 jika taruhan menang.

10. Two Dozen: Jenis taruhan dengan hanya dua pilihan: 1-18 atau 19-36. Jika taruhan Anda adalah 50, itu dikalikan dengan 1 hingga 50 jika Anda menang.

11. Merah atau Hitam: Masukkan taruhan Anda dengan memilih Merah atau Hitam sebagai warna angka yang muncul saat taruhan 50.

12. Genap/Ganjil: Pilih angka yang menghasilkan jumlah jenis taruhan ganjil.The delegation was led by Hoang Trung Hai, Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee.

At the statue, the Hanoi leaders paid tribute to and commemorated Lenins huge sacrifices for the worlds revolutionary cause.

This is an annual activity held by the Hanoi authorities on the anniversary of the October Revolution, aiming to express deep gratitude for the Great Russian October Revolution and particularly to Lenin, a great leader, an outstanding politician, and a great teacher of the working class all over the world.

Also this morning, representatives of Hanois youths, agencies and organisations laid wreaths at the statue of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin to mark the 101st anniversary of the Russian October Revolution.Scott Olson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Josh Hawley, the 38-year-old Republican Missouri attorney general who President Trump endorsed and vigorously campaigned for, unseated Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in a hard-fought battle to represent the "Show Me State" in the U.S. Senate, ABC News projects based on an analysis of the vote.



Hawleys victory will give Missourians two Republicans in the Senate when he joins Republican Sen. Roy Blunt in Washington.



Hawley, the nation's youngest attorney general, quickly received backing from Trump, who rallied for him in Missouri many times. Hawley told ABC News there werent any areas where he would break from the president.



"You can expect me to be with the people of my state, the voters of my state, defending the interest of my state. Every single time," Hawley said. "I think that the President of the United States is doing a great job defending the interest of the people in Missouri, the state that voted for him by almost 20 points."



Throughout his campaign, Hawley hammered away at McCaskill's history of voting mainly with her party in the Senate and said Missourians were angry with their current representation in Washington, including McCaskill's decision to vote against both of Trump's Supreme Court picks, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.



"There's a noticeable change in atmosphere here in the state and a noticeable surge in enthusiasm among Republican voters," Hawley told ABC News in a recent interview. "But also, I would say a noticeable surge in anger among all voters in my state."



Hawley, along with 16 other Republican attorneys general, signed onto a lawsuit that would strip some protections for people with pre-existing conditions under the Affordable Care Act, in contrast to his campaign ad saying that he would defend those patients if elected.



He has been a staunch advocate of the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, citing skyrocketing premiums over the past five years. If the ACA is repealed, though, coverage for pre-existing conditions disappears. Hawley has cited the possibility of reinstating a similar plan, separate from the ACA, to combat that problem.



During his campaign, Hawley specifically sought support from farmers by praising Trumps trade policies.



"Farmers are so pleased with the job the president is doing. They gave him his margin here in the state of Missouri," he said.



Trump won the state by 19 percentage points in the 2016 presidential race.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.According to Major General Doan Hung Minh, deputy head of the General Department of Defence Industry under the Ministry of Defence, all products on display at Vietnams stall have been designed by Vietnam. Some have been exported, such as war ships, infantry guns and military communication equipment.

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Be Xuan Truong said Vietnams defence industry is not well known, so the expo is a good opportunity for the country to promote its defence products.

He added that the event also offers an opportunity for Vietnam to learn from other countries experience in developing the defence industry and to seek potential partners for cooperation in the field.

Visiting Vietnams stall at the expo, the Malaysian Navys Commander Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman said Vietnams defence industry has seen fast growth recently. He added that he hopes for stronger development in the defence cooperation between the two countries and among the members of the ASEAN for peaceful purposes.

The biennial INDODEFENCE 2018 is one of the biggest events of the defence industry in Southeast Asia.

This years event sees the participation of 68 countries, including the US, Russia, China, Sweden, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, India and Singapore.

Several forums are expected to be held within the framework of the event, dealing with various themes such as defence business, cooperation on maritime security and anti-terrorism and aerospace business. A meeting at defence ministerial level will also be held.Attending a get-together of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarian Group on November 7 on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the Russian Revolution, Luu also suggested both sides enhance parliamentary and people-to-people diplomacy, especially promoting the close coordination between the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarian Group and the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group.

According to President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarian Group Phan Xuan Dung, cooperative ties between the NA and the Russian Federal Assembly have enjoyed due attention, with regular high-level exchanges.

The exchanges are crucial for both sides to share experience in performing functions of the legislative bodies, supervise the implementation of the bilateral agreements inked between the two Governments, and create legal environment for partnership between localities and businesses of the two countries, Dung stressed.

At the meeting, participants highlighted the special relations with Russia as well as Russias support for Vietnamese people and country.Kim Jung-hyun



The Korea Times is pleased to announce the winners of the 14th English Economic Essay Contest for university students on two subjects: "Should Korea regulate cryptocurrencies?" for applicants in Korea, and "Suggestions for spurring Korea's economic growth" for those from abroad.



Kim Jung-hyun, a business administration major at Korea University, won the Grand Award for applicants in Korea, and the overseas winner was Olivia Han, a history major at Boston University





Kim will receive a round-trip ticket from Incheon to Los Angeles and Han will get a round-trip ticket from her hometown to Incheon.





Olivia HanThe Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo Chairman Seung Myung-ho delivers a welcome speech at 2018 KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 at Seoul Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Nov. 7. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



By Jung Da-min



Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo said at the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 on Wednesday that the Korean Peninsula would become "the hub of Asia" when peace is achieved, after the current historical inflection point where there are conflicts on its path to denuclearization and peace.



Jointly hosted by The Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo at Seoul Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul, the forum introduced Seung as he delivered a welcome speech to hundreds of audience members including lawmakers, diplomatic envoys in Seoul, press and others interested in the economic prospects of the geopolitical hotbed.



This year's forum took place under the title, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula, Asia's Opportunity for Progress."









The Korea Exchange (KRX) Happy Foundation will have given two-year scholarships to about 130 students in 2018 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) project to foster talented youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds, it said Wednesday.







Ninety middle and high school students selected in the first half of 2018 will be given 1.4 million won ($1,250) over the next two years.







The foundation will choose 40 university students by the end of the year to give them 2 million won scholarships for the two year program.







Since the foundation was established in 2011, 745 students have been given a total of 2.84 billion won as of the third quarter of 2018.







Besides the financial support, the foundation has organized various educational and training programs to help them with self-motivation.







They are required to regularly participate in volunteer work to form a positive vision for life and maintain a compassionate attitude toward others.







The foundation has helped delinquent minors and underage mothers complete academic work by offering financial help for them to earn high school diploma equivalency certificates.







Under the program, such a student is given free online training courses and learning material. The foundation will expand the program to the country's 10 youth correctional facilities.







This is in addition to other similar programs in place including overseas job training programs and volunteer work.







In recognition of such continued efforts, the foundation has won annual awards given by Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education for six consecutive years from 2012 to 2017.







"We will continue our mission of giving back to society our gains from the capital market, which we hope will contribute to making more people happy. Our work will focus on helping those in danger of being neglected," a KRX official said.









By Jhoo Dong-chan



Commercial banks are expected to conduct a major reshuffle for executives by the end of this year. Of 87 executives in the nation's big four lenders, contracts of 67 executives are set to expire at the end of this year.



According to the four banks' biannual report submitted to the Financial Supervisory Service, Wednesday, the 67 executives are scheduled to complete their terms by the end of this year.



Of KB Kookmin Bank's 18 executives, a total of 16, including KB Kookmin Bank Wealth Management Vice President Park Jeong-rim, will end their terms on Dec. 31. Park served the post for five years.



KB Kookmin Bank sought stabilization over change in its previous reshuffling in 2017, but is expected to carry out large-scale reshuffle this year as CEO Hur Yin faces the second year into his term.



Of its 21 Shinhan Bank executives, 13 are subject to be changed as their contracts expire at the end of the year. The list includes Shinhan Bank Global Investment Bank Group head Lee Dong-hwan, corporate department chief Choi Byung-hwa and Loan Group head Lee Ki-joon.



Unlike KB Kookmin Bank, however, the lender isn't likely to conduct a massive change in its executive personnel as Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung was recently indicted for unfair hiring. The group is the bank's parent company.



Also, Woori Bank isn't likely to carry out a major reshuffle this year as it already conducted a thorough shake-up immediately after incumbent CEO Sohn Tae-seung came to the office last December.



Of KEB Hana Bank's 26 executives, 25, except KEB Hana Bank Risk Management Group Vice President Hwang Hyo-sang, are slated to finish their terms by the end of this year.



This will be the first reshuffle since Hana Financial Group Chairman Kim Jung-tae has been appointed to serve his third term in the post, so market observers expect the lender is likely to conduct a major reshuffle.



"It is a common practice that a bank executive serves two years plus one," said a KB Kookmin Bank worker.



"The big four lenders posted record high net profit this year thanks to surging earnings in household loan sector. However, they are unlikely to maintain such earnings next year due to the new loan regulation. In order to cope with the change, they could carry out a big shake-up."



Vietnamese representatives at the event included scientists from the Hanoi Medical University, the Hanoi University of Technology, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Sciences and Can Tho University.

At the seminar, Dr. Prof. Ta Thanh Van presented the outcomes of the application of immune cells in cancer therapy in Vietnam, while Dr. Nguyen Trong Tue updated the participants on the effect of bitter tea (Ilex latifolia Thunb.) extracts on Alzheimer's disease.

The two reports by the two doctors, both from the Hanoi Medical University, were highly appreciated by the international scientists as they recognised Vietnams achievements and contributions to the research on fruit flies, which have been conducted under the international network on the research on the application of genetically modified fruit flies in medicine and pharmacy. Vietnam had the honour to be a member of the network.

Reports delivered at the seminar focussed on molecular immunology, the latest findings on the use of genetically modified fruit flies, stimulations of human diseases such as autism, dementia, Alzheimers and several other hereditary diseases, as well as biologically active substances and the effects on the molecular level of the substances.Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Choi Jong-ku answers questions from lawmakers in a policy and budget meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Park Hyong-ki



Debate over abolition of stock transaction taxes is heating up after the nation's top financial regulator said the time is ripe for the change.



Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Choi Jong-ku told lawmakers, Nov. 6, that it is time to "seriously consider" abolishing taxes imposed on stock transactions to reinvigorate the capital market.



In a policy and budget meeting at the National Assembly on Nov. 6, the chief regulator said given that the scope and level of capital gains taxes on stock sales will be expanded, the transaction tax should be phased out.



He also pointed out the illogic of the transaction tax, further echoing a recent comment by Jang Ha-sung, the presidential chief of staff for policy, who also suggested lowering it.



"Investors have to pay the transaction tax whether the stocks go up or down," Choi said, explaining his reason behind his consideration for the abolition.



However, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said it is "not" considering getting rid of the tax.



With the stock market setting bearish records and facing further downturns, analysts are siding with the regulator.



They say policymakers and lawmakers should consider the abolition for the sake of boosting the capital market on a par with other economies.



"The government should consider phasing it out as the scope of capital gains taxes increases over the next two years," said Lim Dong-won, a researcher at Korea Economic Research Institute.



"The strength of the financial market depends on the vigor of the capital market. But the capital market is facing a decline."



Korea's 0.3 percent rate is higher than China's 0.1 percent, Hong Kong's 0.1 percent and Singapore's 0.2 percent. The United States and Japan do not have transactions taxes, the analyst noted, citing data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.



The issue whether to repeal the tax or not has been around since the global financial crisis of 2008.



Then and now, the finance ministry's stance on the matter has remained the same, which has been opposite to the regulator.



When the crisis erupted and stock markets around the world were battered, the FSC sided with the abolition. But the finance ministry opposed it given taxes from stock trading helped increase the national tax revenue amid a growing need for a budget to finance welfare.



The tax rate has been standing at 0.3 percent since the late 1970s. It was reintroduced to keep speculators away from the market after the country discontinued imposing the tax to attract investors and develop the capital market in the early 1970s.



An investor has to pay a 0.15 percent tax included in the 0.3 percent rate whenever they buy and sell a KOSPI-listed stock.



The 0.15 percent collected by the government is used for the development of rural areas. When they sell it, they also have to pay taxes on gains from the investment in the stock.



Thus, this is why investors face a "double tax burden" when they trade here.



The country has barely made any headway as the finance ministry has been adamant on keeping the tax.



Last year, it collected taxes worth nearly 5 trillion won from stock transactions, accounting for 2 percent of the total tax revenue, according to the National Tax Service.

Theo Panagiotoulias, senior vice president of Hawaiian Airlines, talks about the Korean market in an interview with The Korea Times at the Westin Chosun Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



By Kim Hyun-bin



There has been a sharp surge in Koreans visiting Hawaii in recent years.



According to Hawaii Tourism Korea, about 260,000 Korean travelers visited the islands in 2017, a threefold increase on 2010 when a little over 80,000 visited.



Theo Panagiotoulias, senior vice president of Hawaiian Airlines, said the company has played a key role in raising demand.



"Hawaii has become a very popular destination for Koreans and we are a big factor in that, accounting for approximately one third of the market," Panagiotoulias told The Korea Times in an interview in Seoul, Tuesday.



The airline launched its Incheon-Honolulu route on Jan. 12, 2011. Since then, it has operated over 3,700 flights and carried nearly 800,000 people.

A diplomatic spat between South Korea and Japan has intensified this week amid Tokyo's strong protest against a recent Seoul court ruling on the wartime forced labor issue.

The two sides traded accusations against each other publicly. Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono opened fire again on Monday with a media interview in which he urged the South Korean government to resolve the problem.

"It's obvious: they are responsible for taking care of all the claims from the Korean people. So that's what they have to do," he told Bloomberg News. "That's what's in the 1965 agreement."

He was referring to the pact between the two countries on "the settlement of problems related to property, claims and economic cooperation" over Japan's brutal colonization of Korea from 1910-45.

Nearly 14 years ago, four South Koreans filed a damage suit against a Japanese steelmaker for their forced labor during World War II.

The Supreme Court acknowledged their individual rights to compensation for the wartime crime against humanity.

It ordered Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., a Japanese steelmaker, to pay each victim 100 million won (US$88,000).

The South Korean government said it respects the court ruling and vowed efforts to manage relations with Japan.

Kono condemned Seoul's stance.

"It would be difficult for any country to do anything with the South Korean government" if it nullifies a deal due to a court ruling, he said.

South Korean officials were upset about Japan's response to the ruling.

Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Tokyo's Ambassador to Seoul Yasumasa Nagamine on Tuesday to deliver its message.

Cho's ministry also issued a late-night statement accusing Japan of handling the court decision in a "political, excessive" manner.

"Our government is very concerned that Japan's responsible leaders are continuing remarks to provoke public sentiment in ignorance of the root cause of the problem associated with the Supreme Court's ruling this time," it said.

The ministry said Japanese government officials are "overreacting" to the independent court ruling in a democracy. (Yonhap)A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials set for Thursday in New York has been postponed and will be rescheduled "when our respective schedules permit," the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.

In a statement, it added, "Ongoing conversations continue to take place," but did not elaborate.

"The United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the Singapore summit in June," it said.

The exact reason for the postponement was unclear.

Pompeo had been due to hold talks with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which were hoped to have opened the way for a second summit of the two countries' leaders and make progress on denuclearization.













By Kim Bo-eun



Former and current leaders of Asian nations pledged their support for a process to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and expressed hopes for greater economic cooperation at The KOR-ASIA Forum held in Seoul, Wednesday.



Punsalmaa Ochirbat, former president of Mongolia, said at the forum held at Seoul Dragon City Hotel: "We Mongolians are grateful for the successful completion of a number of important meetings between the Koreas to make peace on the peninsula."



"Mongolia has good neighborly relations with both South and North Korea and is committed to actively participate in the regional development of Northeast Asia," he said.



Ochirbat met North Korean founder Kim Il-sung when he visited Mongolia in 1988.



Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri said, "After peace on the Korean Peninsula is accomplished, the further task for Asia is to continuously guard and fill the peace."



She said this means "to fill the peace by not limiting itself to the matters occurring merely on the Asian continent, because we realize now all countries in the world depend on one another."





The former leader was present in 1965when Kim Il-sung met with her father and founder of modern Indonesia, Soekarno.



Davlatali Said, first deputy prime minister of Tajikistan, said "All Asian countries share the notion that the road to peace and prosperity depends on creating a safe and stable environment, and collaborative efforts for the prosperity of each country as well as the region as a whole will enable the creation of such an environment."



The forum titled "Peace on the Korean Peninsula, Asia's Opportunity for Progress," addressed issues of regional peace and security, as well as the Moon Jae-in administration's plan to boost economic cooperation with Northeast Asia through infrastructure built across North Korea. It also dealt with the administration's policy for greater engagement with countries in Southeast Asia.



The forum was held at a time when relations between South and North Korea are progressing after their leaders held three summits this year and agreed to work toward declaring an end to the 1950-53 Korean War within the year. While the process for North Korea's denuclearization is ongoing, South Korea is seeking to prepare for economic cooperation with the North, as well as with its Asian neighbors.



Around 400 people attended the forum, from the government, National Assembly, corporations, financial institutions and embassies.



Dignitaries included National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. Also attending were Kim Byong-joon, chairman of the emergency committee of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party; Chung Dong-young, leader of the minor opposition Party for Democracy and Peace; and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-choon.



"We hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula to lead to the peace and prosperity of Asia so we can open an era of Pax Asiana," the Assembly speaker said, referring to the eras of Pax Romana, Pax Britanica and Pax Americana.



The prime minister said "If the Korean Peninsula becomes a source of peace, it will be an opportunity for a leap forward not only for the peninsula but also for Asia."



Government officials and members of academia from Indonesia, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China also attended the event.



The KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 was co-hosted by the Hankook Ilbo and The Korea Times.





Former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun, center, moderates a special session of the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 co-hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo in Seoul, Wednesday. He was joined by former Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Rokhmin Dahuri, left and Timofei Bordachev, right, program director of the Moscow-based think tank the Valdai Club Foundation. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki



By Yi Whan-woo



The denuclearization of North Korea is unlikely to be realized in the near future because of the "low trust" in U.S. diplomacy that changes from "one day to another" according to a Russian security expert, Wednesday.



Speaking at the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 co-hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo in Seoul, Timofei Bordachev, program director of the Moscow-based think tank the Valdai Club Foundation, also said Russia "was not in a position" to influence the U.S. to lift sanctions on the North.



His remarks came during a special session on security on the Korean Peninsula in relation to President Moon Jae-in's New Northern Policy and New Southern Policy.



While both policies are aimed at shifting away from U.S.-dependent diplomacy, the New Northern Policy focuses on enhancing ties with Russia and Central Asia countries, while the New Southern Policy eyes ASEAN member states and India.



Bordachev and former Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Rokhmin Dahuri were the two panelists in a session moderated by former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun.



"There's a shared belief in the Russian expert community that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is unfeasible in the near future," Bordachev said.



He claimed the Kim Jong-un regime will take into account the cases of other regimes that received no guarantees of survival after giving up their nuclear capabilities.



Bordachev argued the biggest challenge for denuclearization from the Russian perspective was the "low level of American politics."





The gate of Sookmyung Girls'High School in Gangnam, southern Seoul, in this file photo. A teacher from the school was arrested late Tuesday for leaking exam questions to his twin daughters who are students there. / Yonhap



By Jung Hae-myoung



A local court issued an arrest warrant for a teacher from Sookmyung Girls' High School, Tuesday, for allegedly leaking exam questions to his twin daughters who attend the same school.



Sending the case to the prosecution, police also requested prosecutors to indict the twins as well, an unusual decision in an exam leak case in which only the teachers or parents are usually indicted.



Police officers said they initially considered not seeking an indictment for the girls if they confessed to the cheating, but they and their father denied the allegations despite the evidence.



"It is proper to issue an arrest warrant (for the father), considering the evidence submitted by the police, the relationship between the suspect and the accomplices (the girls), and the possibility of the suspects destroying evidence," the court said.



After a two-month investigation, the Suseo Police Office found 18 pieces of evidence including answer sheets for an English exam saved on the twins' mobile phones, and math exam papers and handwritten answers on papers in their house.



One of the twins also wrote a wrong answer in the chemistry exam before correcting it later.



The father also worked a night shift alone in the school's office on April 21 and June 22 after the exam papers for midterms and finals were finalized, and locked in a safe there. He had earlier told police he did not know the combination for the safe, but later admitted that he found it in school data files.



One of the computers at his house was also thrown away after the allegation emerged in August.



However, the police could not obtain any video footage of the teacher stealing the exam papers.



Parents of other school students have called for the dismissal of the teacher and the immediate expulsion of the twins, saying other students preparing for the college exam could be affected by the case.

A joint investigation team holds a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday, to announce the interim results of its probe into the military's proposal of a martial law declaration at the end of the Park Geun-hye administration. / Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon



By Kang Seung-woo



A joint probe team has suspended its investigation into the military's alleged plan to enforce martial law to suppress candlelit protests at the end of the Park Geun-hye administration, after investigators failed to question a key figure in the scandal who fled.



The independent investigation team, comprised of prosecutors and military personnel, held a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday, and announced it would put its probe on hold until locating and questioning Cho Hyun-chun, a former chief of the now-defunct Defense Security Command (DSC).



The retired Army general, suspected of masterminding the martial law scenario to quell the anti-Park rallies by force last year, is now staying in the United States, refusing to return and face questioning. His scheme included mobilizing tanks and armored vehicles to Gwanghwamun and Yeouido if the Constitutional Court rejected Park's impeachment and public protests became more severe.



"In order to conclude whether the case constitutes a crime, it is essential to investigate Cho, but since he left for the U.S. in December, his whereabouts have still been unclear," said prosecutor Roh Man-seok, a co-leader of the joint probe team.



Since its launch in July, the investigators have questioned 287 people, including former Defense Ministers Kim Kwan-jin and Han Min-koo, and searched 90 military places, including the defense ministry and the DSC headquarters, but to no avail.



However, Roh said the suspension did not mean Cho is not guilty.



"Although we have postponed indicting Cho, he should be punished for rebellion," he said, adding that his team is still seeking relevant evidence.



As the envisaged questioning of Cho had fallen through, investigations into others, including former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and former President Park as well as the aforementioned defense chiefs, have been suspended as well, until the former DSC head is taken into custody, the joint investigation team added. Park and Hwang are expected to face possible charges of conspiracy to commit mutiny.



However, the probe team said it has indicted three DSC commissioned officers without physical detention on charges of writing false public documents in order to conceal the martial law plans when the scandal emerged.



The probe team also said it plans to refer former DSC Chief of Staff So Gang-won to the prosecution on charges of violating the military criminal law for further investigation.



Plus, the team plans to cooperate with relevant government bodies, including the foreign ministry and the justice ministry, in order to bring Cho back to Korea.



Last month, the foreign ministry began the process of invalidating Cho's passport and the probe team also requested support from Interpol to locate him.

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo apologizes over the sexual assaults by troops during their brutal crackdown on a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju at the Ministry of Defense's briefing room in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo apologized Wednesday over the sexual assaults by troops during their brutal crackdown on a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

During a nationally televised press conference, Jeong pledged to spare no efforts to console the victims and make utmost efforts to restore their honor and prevent any recurrence, while stressing that the military is to exist to support citizens, not those in power.

"On behalf of the government and military, I bow my head and offer my words of apology for the unspeakably deep scars and pains on innocent female victims," Jeong said.

"(We) deeply repent of the unbearable damage the martial law military leadership's ruthless crackdown inflicted on innocent female citizens," he added.

His apology came a week after a government fact-finding team announced that it had found 17 cases of sexual assault by troops enforcing martial law during their crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju in 1980.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon apologized, saying, "Unjustly mobilized state power trampled on women's lives ... I feel inexplicably terrible and am apologetic."

The probe team consisted of officials from the ministries of gender equality and defense and the National Human Rights Commission. It was launched in June as part of government efforts to shed light on the alleged wrongdoings by the military during the crackdown. (Yonhap)Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo bows during a nationally-televised press conference at the ministry, Wednesday, to apologize for rape and other sexual crimes committed by soldiers against women during the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Gwangju in 1980. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo offered a public apology, Wednesday, for rape and other sex crimes committed against women by soldiers during the crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju in 1980.



"The ruthless and brutal crackdown by troops caused tremendous pain for innocent women in Gwangju in 1980. I offer a sincere apology for the terrible pain and suffering that the victims are still forced to endure," Jeong said during a nationally-televised press conference.



Jeong said the reports of human rights abuses of women during the crackdown had been confirmed.



"The victims included high-school students and women in their 20s and 30s," Jeong said.



A government-led fact-finding team recently reported that there was brutal sexual torture, rape, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment by troops during the crackdown. Jeong said the ministry admitted the findings were true.



The joint investigation team launched in June this year was composed of officials from the ministries of gender equality and defense, and the National Human Rights Commission.



"The military should always stand with the people to defend them from external threats. The sole obligation of the military is to treat citizens with respect and dignity. What the ministry has to do is to console the victims in a very sincere way," he said.



Tens of thousands of students and other protesters poured into the streets of Gwangju, South Cheolla Province, in the spring of 1980. They were protesting the state of martial law that had been in force since a coup the previous year following the assassination of then President Park Chung-hee.



As the protests spread to neighboring cities, President Chun Doo-hwan, the coup leader, expanded an earlier declaration of martial law and sent heavily armed troops to the city, where they killed many of the protesters.



Word of the "massacre" spread throughout the province and anti-government protests broke out in the cities of Mokpo, Gangjin, Yeongnam and Hwasun. The army fired on those protesters as well.



Casualties, including deaths, were estimated to have been in the thousands, while the exact number is still unknown, according to sources.

According to a report by the US Department of the Treasury, more than 700 individuals and entities have been named for Iran-related sanctions since November 5. This is the second measure package since Washington restored sanctions against Tehran following its withdrawal from the historic nuclear deal signed with Iran in 2015, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Accordingly, sanctions have been reimposed on Irans oil exports, energy, shipbuilding, transport, and banking sectors, and many other key economic sectors of the country, causing direct impacts on banks and companies of countries currently having cooperative or business relations with Iran, except for those from the eight countries and territories temporarily enjoying immunity. The US Treasury Department has also sent a warning to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) about the risk of facing US sanctions if it provides services to Iranian entities named in the aforementioned blacklist.

With the restoration of sanctions covering most of the areas that the US once dismantled under its JCPOA commitments, the second round of sanctions has clearly reflected the White Houses goal of tightening its grip on all areas of the Islamic nation, aiming to break Irans cooperation channels with outsiders, thereby putting pressure and forcing Tehran to cede Washingtons demands for major changes in Iran. Through these sanctions, which US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said were the strongest ever, Washington also hopes Tehrans influence and role in the Middle East will decline, as the export value of Iranian oil fell sharply, nearing zero, causing economic exhaustion and uncertainties in the domestic public opinion.

Although the Iranian leaders have repeatedly reassured the domestic public opinion and Tehran has also received support from many of the signatories to the JCPOA, it is undeniable that this comprehensive and powerful offence from the US has put Irans economy at risk of an all-around shock by eliminating most of its oil revenues. As soon as the White House announced the reimposition of sanctions on Iran, some countries, mainly in Europe, have been forced to cease trading Iranian oil, causing the Middle East countrys oil exports to plunge sharply. Some US allies in Asia have also stopped importing Iranian crude oil. Therefore, it is difficult for Iran to avoid difficulties in the medium and long term as its oil revenues fall, the domestic currency loses value, the lives of people become difficult, and the unemployment rate rises. Many forecast that Irans oil export volume may fall by two-thirds, while the economy will possibly shrink by 3% this year and 4% in 2019. Meanwhile, Iran is currently the third largest oil producer in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), so US sanctions against Irans oil sector risk threatening the balance of the global crude oil market.

However, along with Tehrans efforts to facilitate cooperation, the goodwill and support of its partners continues to be a factor for the Iranians in not being too pessimistic about the economic prospects of their country. In fact, major buyers of Iranian oil, including China, India or Turkey, will not easily agree to sever ties with Iran; and the US will have to make more flexible adjustments to suit the reality. In late August, the European Commission approved a package of financial aid, demonstrating the EUs goodwill and commitment to maintaining cooperation with Iran despite pressure from the US.

US unilateral sanctions were not only strongly condemned by Iran, but also faced protests from the international community. Even the USs close allies, such as the UK, France and Germany, have strongly criticised the USs re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, while pledging to protect European businesses that have business ties with Iran. Protests have even been on the rise in the US with many considering the sanctions a wrong decision and an undoubted failure.

Looking at the reality of the situation at large and the ability to combat US sanctions over recent times, observers say that the Tehran administration can still take proactive and timely steps to adapt and respond to the second sanction package from the US, while Washington has been condemned for using unilateral measures which are not favoured by the international community. Whats worrisome is that the US is likely to fall into a double-edged sword by attaching oil issues with politics in the Middle Eastern fire span, which have already been sensitive and hot.Kim Hyun-chul, chairman of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy, speaks during the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 at the Dragon City Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon





By Jun Ji-hye







ASEAN nations and India are the crux of President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy that seeks peace and prosperity in the region beyond the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, according to the head of a presidential committee, Wednesday.







Kim Hyun-chul, who chairs the Presidential Committee on the New Southern Policy, said during the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018 that the government will actively increase trade volume and investments in Southeast Asia, calling it a "massive economic bloc" and "blue ocean."







"The southern regions are young and dynamic with an average age of 30," he said. "ASEAN countries and India have emerged as new growth engines for the world economy."







He noted the average annual growth rate for ASEAN nations was 5.2 percent and that of India was 7 percent in 2017, compared to the world average of 3.76 percent.







The presidential committee was launched on Aug. 28 to enhance economic and other forms of cooperation with the region after President Moon announced the new policy last year. The President proposed the "3P" approach  promoting people-oriented peace and prosperity.







Kim said the policy calls for substantial cooperation to build a community in which everyone lives comfortably together, saying his committee is playing the role of a control tower in establishing relevant strategies and coordination between ministries.







"Korea's trade with countries in the southern region has increased to 16.1 percent in 2017 from 11.4 percent in 2007," Kim said. "Direct investment and personal exchanges have increased gradually as well."





By Kim Hyun-bin



Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed an optimistic view of issues surrounding the two Koreas at the KOR-ASIA Forum 2018, co-hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper, the Hankook Ilbo, Wednesday.





"Many are doubtful that there will be peace on the Korean Peninsula," she said. "However, I am certain that peace on the Korean Peninsula will occur. My conviction is due to my encounter with the people of both countries."



The two Koreas' agreement on the principle and ideal of peace and their leaders' appearance in front of the world resolved some of the prolonged disputes on the peninsula, she said.





Lee Chun-sik, 94, center, the last surviving plaintiff in a compensation lawsuit filed by four Korean forced laborers against Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal, sheds tears outside the Supreme Court in southern Seoul after winning the suit. / Yonhap



By Park Ji-won



The prime minister and foreign ministry expressed deep regret Wednesday over high-ranking Japanese officials' continued remarks against a court decision that ordered a Japanese company to compensate South Korean forced laborers during Japan's colonial rule of Korea.



Insiders say Japan has gone too far over the issue.



"I express deep regret about the Japanese leaders who continue to make aggressive remarks about the South Korean Supreme Court's decision for forced labor victims during the Japanese occupation period. The remarks of those leaders are neither legitimate nor wise," Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in a statement.



Lee added that "I express regret for a situation where I had to come forward to speak about Japanese leaders making this issue into a diplomatic dispute."



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed regret over Japan's reaction for the first time since the decision was made. On Oct. 30, the Supreme Court ordered Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal to pay 100 million won ($89,445) to each of four plaintiffs. It retained the adjudication of the ruling in 2012, that the 1965 bilateral treaty does not terminate individuals' rights to claim damages.



"Over the recent Supreme Court's decision, the South Korean government is seriously worried about the continued provocative remarks by Japanese government leaders who are responsible (for the matter), as they are provoking the emotions of South Koreans, leaving the fundamental problem behind," the foreign ministry said Tuesday.



"Especially, we express serious disappointment over the overreaction that includes judgmental remarks, which are not filtered, against our court decision."



Earlier Tuesday, South Korea's national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said: "If the Japanese government keeps on giving a strong response, our government cannot refrain from responding in kind."



According to Japanese media reports, Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono again condemned South Korea for the court's decision, calling it a "riot" and a "challenge against the order of international society, which is founded on international law," during a press conference, Tuesday.



According to Bloomberg, Kono said on Sunday that the court's decision posed a "serious challenge" to South Korea-Japan relations.



Kono and the Japanese government have stepped up criticism of South Korea as likely part of the country's publicity strategy to emphasize Japan's position to the international community.



According to NHK, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga immediately rebutted the South Korean foreign ministry's statement Wednesday, saying "the decision of South Korea's Supreme Court is against the 1965 bilateral treaty with Korea and regrettable."



"The treaty works on the entire country, including law enforcement," Suga said. "At the moment the Supreme Court's decision was made, the violation of international law by South Korea occurred."



Japan's far-right Sankei Shimbun newspaper said the Japanese government would file a suit against the South Korean government with the International Court of Justice unless Seoul makes the payment, as a possible retaliation against the South Korean court's decision.



The Japanese government also revealed it will sue South Korea through the World Trade Organization (WTO) if shipbuilder subsidy talks fail.



Insiders say Japan's response goes too far and might harm relations between the two countries.



Rep. Chun Jung-bae of the minor opposition Party for Democracy and Peace openly criticized the Japanese government, urging it to stop. He sent a diplomatic letter to Kono on Wednesday.



Chun said: "The Japanese government's position and action should be restrained as they are extreme responses that will damage the cooperative relations between Korea and Japan and go against the establishment of future-oriented relations.



Critics say the Japanese government's claims are wrong while urging the South Korean government to set the facts straight.



"The South Korean government should deliver the point of the South Korean Supreme Court's decision that the 1965 treaty between the two Koreas didn't solve the forced labor issue," Yonhap quoted Kim Chang-rok, a professor at Kyungpook National University, as saying.



Kim said: "There is a need to take the comprehensive and long-term approach over the court decision, but the South Korean government should not let go of Japan's unilateral claims. Immediate action should be taken over the wrong assertion."



Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reportedly met Tokyo's Ambassador to Seoul Yasumasa Nagamine on Tuesday to exchange views on the forced labor ruling.



Earlier, four Japanese lawmakers, led by congressman Yasuhisa Shiozaki, protested against the decision during a courtesy visit Tuesday to South Korea's National Assembly speaker and opposition parties, which is against protocol, South Korean lawmakers said.



Commenting on the Japanese lawmakers' claim that the court's decision is against the treaty that established diplomatic relations, Rep. Kang Chang-il, of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), told The Korea Times: "It is a country's court decision. Japan and Korea are democratic countries with separation of powers. It is discourtesy to talk about it."

A sign at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education shows that employees are only allowed to drive cars with license plate numbers ending in an odd number, Wednesday, after all public institutions and firms in Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas followed an alternate driving ban policy in response to fine dust. / Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



The local governments of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province implemented an alternate day driving ban for civil servants based on even and odd last numbers of license plates, Wednesday, as a move to curb fine dust.



However, people are questioning the effectiveness of the policy, as they have not noticed any improvement in the fine dust problem.



"Seoul City has put forward various countermeasures to fight fine dust but they have been ineffective. Most of the measures only inconvenienced people," said Kang Ho-jin, 43, who works in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.



"I can see half of the people working in the public sector have to take public transportation on the alternate no driving day, but for ordinary citizens, they don't care. The policy is also only a recommendation," Kang said.



A 24-year-old Korea University student surnamed Yoon said the country as a whole should tackle major causes of the dust such as domestic coal- and oil-burning power plants and fine dust coming from China, rather than forcing citizens to deal with efforts that bring minor effects.



"The government doesn't say anything to China and is only inconveniencing the people," he added.



Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor Bareunmirae Party agreed the government is shifting the responsibility to the people rather than fighting the major source.



"Chinese firms' effects are enormous and predominant with regard to the ultrafine dust and fine dust affecting the Korean Peninsula. But the President and the Seoul mayor have said nothing to the neighboring superpower," Lee said. "The ruling Democratic Party of Korea should also ask China why it is building factories along its east coast, which send great amounts of fine dust to Korea," he said.



According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, a lot of ultrafine dust polluting the country's air comes from northeastern China and mixes with airborne pollutants already here.



However, the Ministry of Environment said the amount of fine dust produced locally and from overseas is always changing according to the timing and weather conditions.



"The amount of external fine dust can range from 32 percent to 68 percent. It is irregular. Also, the average level of fine dust in the air does not affect citizens equally," a ministry official said. "Obviously, those standing behind an old diesel car, breathing in fine dust directly, are exposed to more deadly air pollution.



"I cannot say people will be free of fine dust problems if they follow government policy. But if we try hard, for example if half of citizens use public transportation and all local firms cut dust production by 10 percent to 20 percent, we can reduce the total fine dust produced domestically by 15 percent to 20 percent. That is 89 tons of fine dust a day, which is not a small amount."



The ministry, together with the Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi local governments, called for special measures to take effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, when fine dust levels reached "bad" levels and alerts were issued.



The government issues emergency alerts when the concentration level of airborne ultrafine dust surpasses 50 micrograms per cubic meter.



The level peaked at 88 micrograms Tuesday but went down to 50 micrograms Wednesday morning, which is still considered unhealthy.



Some 527,000 workers at 7,408 public institutions or firms in the three regions had to follow the obligatory alternate day driving policy.



Seoul also closed 360 parking facilities at its office buildings and affiliated organizations to encourage residents to take the bus or subway, while banning people from driving old diesel cars into the capital. It imposed a 100,000 won ($88) fine on those who failed to follow the rule.



Nearly 12,000 people died due to diseases caused by fine dust here last year, according to a ministry report revealed by Rep. Hong Chul-ho of the Liberty Korea Party.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel watched a massive performance known as the 'Mass Games' alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, state media reported on Tuesday (November 6).

North Korean state-run television KRT released a video of Kim, Diaz-Canel and their wives watching the show titled "The Glorious Country" in the May Day Stadium on Monday (November 5). North Korean dancers were seen waving Cuban and North Korean flags during the performance, which in the past has produced some of the most iconic images of the isolated country.

Diaz-Canel and his delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday (November 4) for meetings with North Korean counterparts to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties, according to the North's official news agency KCNA.

North Korea and Cuba established diplomatic ties in 1960. They are the last in the world to maintain Soviet-style command economies, though under President Raul Castro, the Caribbean nation has taken some small steps towards the more market-oriented communism of China and Vietnam. (Reuters)By Jayden Kim







"I could not enjoy your way of teaching. I think it would have been more effective to deliver intensive lectures, rather than asking students a lot of questions in class. Some other students had the same opinion as me." So goes a piece of social media that one of the students who took my class last semester posted. In fact, I had no idea he had been critical of my teaching.







I did not have enough time to talk with him during the semester, so I did not get to know his thinking. His sudden criticism made me a little uncomfortable. How many people in this world can take criticism of themselves with equanimity?







Sometimes such uncomfortable feelings can develop into actual violence. The recent assassination of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has developed into an international incident between the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is an example of this.







Most experts say Khashoggi had been critical of the House of Saud, and that is the crucial context in which he was murdered. And the suspicion that the House of Saud is behind the assassination continues to be reported through the media. After Khashoggi's death, his final column, titled "What the Arab world needs most is free expression," appeared in the Washington Post.







Because of this incident, the term "freedom of speech" has once again attracted worldwide attention. Freedom of speech in the standard Korean language dictionary is defined as "the freedom to express one's opinions, thoughts and assertions without any oppression."







There is no doubt freedom of speech is an important fundamental right inherent in human nature and at the core of a democratic system. However, historically, freedom of speech is a concept that has grown in popularity from the lower strata of society.







The authorities in the upper strata of power have always tried to suppress freedom of expression, and this has helped to consolidate their power.







It is more likely that a person who has no power than one who has power will criticize people in power. For example, I am a man with power in my classroom. I am in a position to give credit to students based on the standards I have set forth, and to exercise my legitimate power to provide assignments to my students.







And this power affects dozens of students, sometimes hundreds. However, there is no law that compels hundreds of students to agree with my teaching philosophy. My students, who have to unilaterally accept it, may wonder why I chose such a teaching philosophy. At this point, it can appear as students' freedom of expression in the classroom.







It is not easy to become strong and powerful in a way that will satisfy all stakeholders in a democratic society. As the power of the strong grows stronger, and the strong play more roles, the more diverse people's views become of their leadership.







Thus, all strong leaders or organizational leaders must understand the fundamentals of how freedom of speech works. They should also be able to accept it as a natural phenomenon. One such leader might say, "The criticism of power in our country/organization has traditionally and culturally been taboo."







Fine, no one wants to deny the specificity of culture. However, unfortunately, the power of social media today is far greater than we think, and we are exposed to diverse perspectives on a daily basis. Because of this, we often have to ask questions about the values and philosophies we have always believed to be right.







Then, how can robust freedom of speech be accomplished? Freedom of speech cannot be established without the right attitude on both sides. If you raise doubts about the leadership of the people in power, you should refrain from unconditional criticism and make a logical and constructive argument.







Positive intentions to find a better solution should be implied. The people in power should not accept such positive criticism as a personal attack, but as an opportunity for self-reflection, for the sake of "the greatest good for the greatest number." Under democracy, perfect strong leaders and perfect leadership do not exist.







Ultimately, freedom of speech can result in a standoff rather than true communication. Freedom of speech can only be accomplished when both parties have the right "behavioral soil."







In view of this, the students mentioned above deserve to be able to criticize my teaching philosophy. In fact, not only that student, but also many students who did not say anything to my face might have silently nurtured the same critique.







So, I look back on my own performance. Did I graciously accept my students' criticism as the leader of their classroom? Did I ever attempt to retaliate against students who criticized me?







In keeping with the motto "Manners maketh man" from the movie "Kingsman," I should reflect on whether my attitude and manner in response to the students' voices were sufficiently sophisticated. The death of a Saudi Arabian journalist made me wonder what the source of my students' complaints and criticisms might be.







What will be my attitude and manner toward my students in the coming semester? Am I a leader sophisticated enough to enjoy freedom of speech with my students?









Jayden Kim (





jk.jaydenkim@gmail.com ) is a Singapore-based researcher and college lecturer. He serves as director of the Korean Association of Human Resource Development in South Korea. He tweets at twitter.com/JaydenKim_JKBy Marc Herbermann



Politicians of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union) still rule in Berlin. The governing parties lost again double-digit percentages of voters in federal state elections in Hesse.



The gain by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is primarily due to the government's clueless immigration and integration policies.



The attraction of the Greens goes back to their more catchy profile in Hesse. They also could lead a convincing election campaign in Bavaria, a federal state whose forests and green spaces are more and more the victims of ambitious and absurd construction and traffic projects.



Last but not least, the Greens were also over-represented in the established media. The two ruling parties suffered almost identical heavy losses in Bavaria, three weeks ago. In the largest federal state in Germany, the CSU also lost its absolute majority.



This high dissatisfaction with the established parties can be traced back to their policies at federal level. Basically, the voters punish the current federal government.



The grand coalition has the necessary majority in Germany, with which it could have carried out long overdue reforms. But has it simplified the tax system? Where is a sensible immigration legislation? Are we not expecting a drastic reform of the expensive health system and the fragile pension system?



Many Germans ask themselves what all the American troops are doing in Germany. The Russian military withdrew decades ago. Most soldiers of the French and British have left the country.



Would it not be time to finally close American military bases in Germany? Now the German government is again discussing a military operation in Syria.



In some years, NATO may plan to install nuclear medium-range missiles in Germany. Do Germans really have to watch again and again how wars not covered by international law are waged from their territory?



In Germany there are currently hundreds of thousands of immigrants on the move. They have been waved through the borders without valid identity papers.



Since she initiated the opening of the borders in August 2015, Chancellor Angela Merkel has shown herself to be unrealistic; she stubbornly sticks to her course of mass immigration and accepts thus a steady blurring of right and wrong.



The government fights against its critics with slogans, but not with convincing arguments. And yet through its policies it has facilitated the spread of prejudices about a "violent Islam."



In Chemnitz, thousands of concerned and angry citizens took to the streets in August because they did not want to accept the murder of a fellow citizen. Two asylum seekers, including a multiple convicted Iraqi, murdered Daniel Hillig with several stabs.



Instead of understanding the angry reaction of the Chemnitzers, Merkel and her vassals in the media and party headquarters twisted cause and effect. Merkel claimed that in Chemnitz "hunts," "routs" and "pogroms" had taken place.



Thus she used a vocabulary that describes the events with persecutions of Jews during the NS period and violence against the state in the former GDR in parallel. Their government has so far been unable to provide any plausible evidence for these allegations.



Germany and its political institutions seem to be the property of the established parties. The criticism of the omnipotence of the parties, as once expressed by the president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Richard von Weizsacker, has largely faded away.



According to the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany, the parties only participate in political decision-making (Art. 21).



The established parties, however, claim to be the sole legitimate representatives of the people. They cling to the utopia of an open society, in which all citizens must comply with a code of norms codified by the state. This includes a gender ideology, which favors women and disadvantages men.



Institutions such as rational politics, state, family and marriage lose their binding force. They mutate into freely selectable self-service events. It is understandable that a large proportion of voters in Germany no longer feel taken seriously by this adventurous policy.





Marc Herbermann is an assistant professor at the German Language & Literature Department at Kyonggi University in Suwon. He can be reached at marc.herbermann@gmail.com.

Japan should respect court ruling over forced labor



A diplomatic conflict between Seoul and Tokyo has escalated after South Korea's Supreme Court made a ruling last month in favor of four Korean victims of forced labor during World War II. On Oct. 30, the court ordered Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. to pay each victim 100 million won ($89,000) in compensation.



The Japanese government immediately denounced the ruling as unacceptable, saying victims of forced labor have no right to file a compensation suit due to the 1965 basic treaty that normalized diplomatic ties between the two countries. It added that all colonial-era compensation claims were settled under the accord.



However, the top court's decision rejected the Japanese stance. It stated the victims' right to compensation was not terminated by the treaty. It would be better for Tokyo to respect the court ruling in order to reflect on its wartime crimes and other atrocities committed against Koreans during its 1910-45 colonial rule of the peninsula. Japan also needs to do so as part of efforts to foster a future-oriented relationship with South Korea.



To the contrary, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has threatened to take the forced labor case to the International Court of Justice in an attempt to nullify the Korean court's action. Japan is also taking steps to file a complaint with the Word Trade Organization (WTO) against South Korea, claiming the Seoul government provided $11 billion in "suspicious" financial subsidies to companies such as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.



It is regrettable that Japan is trying to link the court ruling to the trade issue. It seems as if Tokyo is trying to retaliate against Seoul by using trade as a weapon. If the row between the two countries worsens, Japan might be ready to impose trade and economic sanctions on Korea.



Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is at the forefront of Tokyo's offensives against Seoul. He said in a Bloomberg interview Sunday that "it would be difficult for any country to do anything with the South Korean government" if a court can reverse Seoul's agreements made under international law.



Instead of sincerely apologizing and making reparations for its wartime crimes, Japan is stepping up its efforts to legitimize its past aggression, atrocities and wrongdoings. Such efforts are a clear manifestation of the nationalist government of Abe who has been certainly attempting to revive Japan's militarism.



In this regard, we have to express deep concerns about Japan's moves to deny its responsibility over the mobilization of Koreans as forced laborers among other war crimes, including forced sexual slavery for Japanese troops during WWII.



Tokyo should realize it cannot resolve the frictions related to the occupation of Korea and war-related misdeeds without facing up to history and acknowledging its shameful past. On the part of Seoul, the Moon Jae-in government must mobilize all possible means to prevent Japan from going too far in glossing over its past imperialism and militarism.











By Nam Hyun-woo



Samsung Electronics will hold its annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) Thursday to disclose its view on the tech world of the near future. And this year's highlight will be whether the tech giant will provide a glimpse of a foldable smartphone.



According to Samsung Electronics, the 2018 SDC will kick off its two-day session at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. More than 4,000 developers and stakeholders across the world are expected to attend the conference.



Keynote speakers from Samsung Electronics will include IT & Mobile Communications President Koh Dong-jin, Mobile Communications Business Executive Vice President Chung Eui-suk, who is in charge of the firm's artificial intelligence (AI) platform Bixby, and Vice President Jung Jae-yeon, who is heading the service security technologies department.



Also, Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs, an AI firm which Samsung acquired in 2016; Sarah Bond, Xbox/Microsoft's head of Global Gaming Partnerships and Development; Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games, the studio behind the wildly popular Fortnite; and John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic Labs, makers of Pokemon Go will share their thoughts.



Though Samsung Electronics did not confirm anything, the SDC 2018 is expected to be the first place the company will unveil its foldable smartphone prototype.



After dropping several hints about the device in September, the company said in a conference call last month that the foldable phone will be a smartphone when folded and a tablet PC when unfolded.



The company also mentioned the user interface (UI) of the phone would be different to existing smartphones and tablets in order to make full use of the phone's characteristics, and this will be showcased at SDC 18.



Also at the show, Samsung Electronics will offer its future vision of Bixby, outlining how the AI can expand its ecosystem for developers, as well as how to teach Bixby to utilize it for developers' business.



Along with Bixby, the company is expected to showcase its Galaxy Home AI speaker, which it first introduced in August. It is powered by Bixby and SmartThings, an internet of things platform the company designed, and syncs with smart home devices.



The company will discuss the latest enhancement of SmartThings, introducing new tools to allow better connectivity for smart devices, and introduce the new Galaxy GameDev program tools, which offers support for mobile game developers.



"SDC 2018 will be an event where the Samsung Electronics' latest technologies including AI and internet of things can be seen and discussed," a company official said.



Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks during the firm's Future Now conference at the Grand Hilton Seoul hotel, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Microsoft Korea



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Wednesday to discuss potential business cooperation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), according to the Korean tech giant.



"Lee and Nadella held a meeting in Seoul earlier in the day to share ideas to strengthen business ties between the two companies," a Samsung spokesman said.



The spokesman said the two business leaders "agreed to expand cooperation in future growth industries such as AI, cloud computing, data centers, the fifth-generation (5G) network and software industries."



Nadella visited Korea to join Microsoft's Future Now AI conference. Since he became the U.S. tech behemoth's third CEO in 2014, succeeding Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, he has successfully transitioned the company from a software licensing firm to a cloud and AI technologies firm.



The firm posted revenue of $29.1 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, including $8.6 billion in intelligent cloud business.



Given Microsoft has shifted its focus to cloud computing and AI, and that solid-state drives (SSDs) are widely being used in data centers for cloud computing services to boost data-processing speeds, Samsung is likely to expand its SSD shipments to the U.S. firm.



As a keynote speaker, Nadella emphasized the importance of digitization to take advantage of various business opportunities.



"Computing is being embedded in every industry, whether it is the gaming industry, consumer electronics or automotive," Nadella said during his speech at the conference at the Grand Hilton Seoul hotel. "It is also in everything. Every car has a computer and every refrigerator has computers."



Nadella cited several Korean firms, calling them successful examples of implementing the U.S. firm's AI solutions. They are Samsung, game company Pearl Abyss, 365 mc, a local clinic for liposuction surgery, and auto repair app operator Cardoc.



Nadella also called on firms to protect the privacy of their users, saying that tech firms need to consider the unintended consequences of every business



"As you think about all these technologies and all these use cases, there are unintended consequences of technology," Nadella said, adding that companies need to protect customers' privacy.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. social media network Facebook Inc. Monday removed 30 accounts from its namesake platform and 85 Instagram accounts for possible links to "foreign entities."

Nathaniel Gleicher, head of Cybersecurity Policy at Facebook, said U.S. law enforcement agencies notified Facebook Sunday evening about suspected online activities by those accounts with possible connections to foreign actors.

"We immediately blocked these accounts and are now investigating them in more detail," Gleicher announced Facebook's measures in an "Election Update" post, which came less than 12 hours before polls open for the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday.

Gleicher said almost all the Facebook Pages associated with these accounts appear to be in the French or Russian languages, while those on Instagram seem to have mostly been English, with some focused on celebrities and others on political debates.

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook.

"Once we know more -- including whether these accounts are linked to the Russia-based Internet Research Agency or other foreign entities -- we will update this post," he added.

Facebook said its probe of the activities is still at a very early stage, and it was unclear who were behind those attempts or how long those accounts have existed.

The Menlo Park, a California-based social media network, disclosed on Oct. 26 that it had pulled 82 Pages, Groups and accounts linked to Iran to crack down on online "bad actors."

With less than one day away from Tuesday's polling, social media companies are on high alert for foreign interference.

Major internet players such as Google, Apple and Twitter all have stepped up fight against online disinformation efforts, with hundreds of fake accounts purged from their platforms.Han Jong-hee, president of visual displays at Samsung Electronics, poses with Samsung's 8K QLED TV during a conference at the Floating Island Convention in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics President Han Jong-hee vowed Wednesday that the tech giant will keep its leadership in the premium TV market with its QLED 8K TV.



"The need for advanced resolution technology has become vital as the market's demand for larger TVs is increasing quickly," Han said during an event celebrating the rolling out of its QLED TV in the Korean market at the Floating Island Convention in Seoul. "Samsung has received explosive responses with its QLED 8K TV from Europe and Korea."



Samsung began selling its QLED 8K TVs in Korea starting this month. There are four models available ranging from a 65-inch model to an 85-inch one with price tags of 7.29 million won ($6,486) to 25.9 million won ($23,045).



Samsung said the 8K TV has four times more pixels than ultra high definition (UHD) or 4K TVs and 16 times more than full HD TVs. The firm showed off a prototype of its 85-inch QLED 8K at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and started selling them in Europe, the United States and Korea.



Since Sharp rolled out the world's first 8K TV in the market in 2017, the 8K TV market is expected to grow at a rapid pace. According to data from market researcher IHS Markit, the market size of 8K TV is at around 20,000 which only accounts for 0.1 percent of the entire TV market this year, but it is expected to grow to 430,000 in the next year and 2 million by 2020.



Though there has been criticism that HD content still prevails in the market, Samsung said it can solve the issue with its processor that can convert any content to 8K resolution. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the QLED 8K TV analyzes content and automatically scales up low-resolution images into 8K picture quality.



The QLED 8K TVs are also equipped with Samsung's Bixby AI assistant, so consumers can activate the TVs with their voice and operate other home appliances that support the internet-of-things (IoT) network feature.



The 8K TV was also received well by a German magazine. Samsung said Monday its Q900R 8K TV received 949 points out of 1,030 points from German tech magazine Video. This is the highest mark the magazine ever gave, surpassing 920 points and 937 points set by Samsung's 2017 and 2018 QLED TVs respectively.



The magazine praised the latest 8K QLED TV as it showcased enhanced contrast, expressive resolution and a wider color palette that offers 4,000-nits of peak brightness.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, right, shakes hands with Grab CEO Anthony Tan during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum at Capella Singapore, Tuesday. They agreed to boost ties for an electric vehicle-based car-hailing service. / Courtesy of Bloomberg



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will invest a combined $250 million in Grab, a major car-hailing service provider in Southeast Asia, to help boost the sales of their electric vehicles (EVs) in the rapidly growing region.



Hyundai decided to invest $175 million in Southeast Asia's largest car-hailing service provider, while its affiliate invested $75 million.



Considering Hyundai's $25 million investment made in January, their total investments in Grab will reach $275 million.



It is the largest amount of money the two carmakers have ever ivested in an other company.



Through the investments, Hyundai and Kia seek to become global leaders in the sharing economy.



The two companies also agreed to cooperate with Grab for the latter's EV-based ride-hailing service.



Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun met Grab CEO Anthony Tan at an economic forum in Singapore, Tuesday, to talk about ways of cooperation and their future partnership.



As the first step in the partnership, Grab drivers in Singapore will be able to use the Korean companies' EVs starting next year.



Hyundai decided to supply 200 EVs to Grab in 2019, so the drivers rent the cars to provide the EV-based car-hailing service.



Kia is also considering supplying its EVs to Grab.



The EVs, which do not emit exhaust gas, allow users to spend less on gas, so they are expected to satisfy both drivers and passengers.



The three companies will decide whether to introduce the service to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, after analyzing the EV-based ride-hailing service's economic feasibility.



"Southeast Asia is a huge emerging market for EVs, because it is home to one of the world's fastest-growing consumer hubs," said Chi Young-cho, the head of Hyundai Motor Group's strategy and technology division. "We chose Grab to be our partner to support the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia."



Grab President Ming Maa said: "Both Grab and Hyundai Motor Group share a vision on the electrification of mobility as one of the key foundations for building an environmentally sustainable and lowest-cost transportation platform. Now we're finding ways to make EV a part of the accessible mobility service platform."

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Federal agents executed search warrants at multiple locations tied to Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar Wednesday, including his City Hall office and Boyle Heights home.

At roughly 9:15 a.m., FBI investigators entered and began searching Huizar's office inside City Hall, according to a city employee who was in the building when the search took place.

The FBI confirmed only that agents were "executing a federal search warrant at an office inside Los Angeles City Hall," according to spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. The affidavit granting the warrant is sealed, Eimiller said, meaning she could not comment on the investigation.

But a photo tweeted by L.A Times reporter Joel Rubin Wednesday showed agents in FBI jackets entering Huizar's office. The Times reported an additional search warrant was executed at Huizar's home.

FBI is currently searching the city hall office of LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar. We will update story as learn more @latimes. pic.twitter.com/4BY56HmA4G  Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) November 7, 2018

Eimiller later said agents were searching "additional locations in and around L.A. County" related to the warrant served at City Hall. One of those searches was executed at an address listed in public documents as Huizar's residence.

In her brief statement, Eimiller said "no arrests are planned." She also said there was no threat to public safety.

FBI Agents raid the home & office of LA City Councilman Jose Huizar. Agents wont say what they are looking for. pic.twitter.com/wJQtS4i2Gc  Angie Crouch (@AngieNBCLA) November 7, 2018

Huizar was first elected to the City Council in 2005 and will be termed out in two years. In September his wife, Richelle Huizar, announced her intent to run for the District 14 seat in 2020. The district includes Eagle Rock, downtown and Boyle Heights.

In September, city officials reported receiving a complaint about Huizar through a site set up to report discrimination, harassment and retaliation. He'd previously settled a harassment suit brought by his former deputy chief of staff.

Stephen J. Kaufman, an attorney for Huizar, released a short statement, saying only they were "assessing the situation and have no further comment at this time."

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The unexpected battle seemed like it might foreshadow a growing push among California's Democrats for change. But in the end, Dianne Feinstein held on to the Senate seat she first won in 1992, ahead by about 6 points as Election Day drew to a close.

By then, she'd faced an unexpectedly robust challenge for her fifth full term, a challenge that came from a member of her own party -- made possible by California's top-two primary system.

Feinstein seemed well aware of her of legacy as she spoke to supporters shortly before State Sen. Kevin de Leon called her to concede. At 85, Feinstein is the oldest serving U.S. senator.

She joked that after so many terms she was surprised to still see a crowd.

"As I walked into this jammed room, somewhat overheated, I thought: You know, how lucky I am to have a constituency like this," she said. "How lucky I am to have a family, husband, daughter, step-daughters that support me.'"

That support served her well as de Leon, who is 51, cast himself as a more progressive choice for state voters who haven't elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since Pete Wilson won re-election in 1988.

BATTLE LINES

De Leon launched his U.S. Senate bid more than a year ago at an event held at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in downtown L.A.

Feinstein had come under scrutiny from some California Democrats for, at times, striking a more moderate tone toward President Trump. And de Leon sought to draw a sharp distinction between Feinstein's old guard-style and his own.

His decision to jump into a race where the incumbent was widely seen to have a lock came less than two months after Feinstein had called for patience with Trump's presidency at a much-written about appearance in San Francisco.

Her words became campaign ammunition for de Leon. Throughout what at first seemed like a quixotic run to beat Feinstein, de Leon cast himself as an agent of change who would break through the political gridlock in Washington.

It's an argument that he didn't have much opportunity to make face to face. The two rivals met just once in a candidate forum ahead of the general election. That took place in San Francisco in mid-October.

California state Sen. Kevin de Leon at his election night headquarters at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

On Tuesday night, even as he took the stage to cheering supporters, De Leon continued to emphasize the divide between them. He pointed out that he, not Feinstein, won the endorsement of the state party.

This was after he'd congratulated Feinstein on her victory.

"We've shown that you just can't elect Democrats that talk like Democrats. We have to fight for Democrats who share our values, who aren't afraid to stand up, to speak out, and fight every day and every which way for the most vulnerable of California," he said.

De Leon urged his supporters to see themselves as the future of the party, telling them that they have bent the center of political gravity. Some in the crowd gathered near the stage shouted out, "Kevin for mayor!" and "Kevin for governor!" as he spoke.

"This is a new chapter, this is just the beginning of a new California," De Leon said. "We are in the fight for the soul of our nation ... we will not bide our time and play polite."

During his campaign, he repeatedly highlighted what he sees as California's recent legislative successes on issues like health care, protecting immigrants and climate change.

His message resonated with backers.

Michael Rincon of Thousand Oaks said he hopes de Leon tries again for higher office.

"I see a shift in Democratic values and ideologies, especially as more of the baby boomers start to retire and pass along," Rincon said. "I feel that the younger generation of Democrats, or younger generation of Americans in general, the values are different from our parents, from our grandparents."

Kevin de Leon thanking his supporters after congratulating Feinstein on her victory pic.twitter.com/tjUfEb04cJ  Mary Plummer (@maryplummer) November 7, 2018

THE CAMPAIGN

Feinstein, who was initially largely absent from the campaign trail, became more active in recent weeks, appearing at events and doing interviews throughout the state.

She sought to leverage her experience and track record on issues like women's rights and gun control.

Feinstein was vocal about her support for raising the required age to purchase firearms and preventing individuals on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns. And she reminded voters she was the author of the assault weapons ban, which banned military-style firearms from 1994 to 2004.

And, of course, criticism of her being too soft on Trump was mitigated as she took a leading role in the nomination hearings for now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Her high-profile time in the spotlight during those hearings earned her support from some liberals, and criticism from others. Some felt she abandoned the trust of Christine Blasey Ford when information regarding the letter Ford submitted to her office was reported on by The Intercept.

Feinstein later referred Ford's letter to the FBI.

On election night, Feinstein told those gathered that she took her responsibilities seriously and her esperience to date allowed her to continue to grow as a leader.

She underscored her trailblazing as a woman on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, saying where she was once alone there were now four other Democratic women serving with her.

"I hope you find our service very forceful and special for you, those of you who are women, those of you who are men," she said. "This is such a great country and it has been factionalized and trivialized with rhetoric. We must stop that. We must come together as the great power that we are, for the good of the nation and, I think, of mankind."

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It's close. Very close. But with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Alex Villanueva, a retired sheriff's lieutenant, has taken the lead over Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

Villanueva, 55, ran as a reformer, accusing McDonnell of failing to clean house in the wake of Lee Baca's tenure. By 5:45 Wednesday morning, he had a slight lead over McDonnell -- about one-third of a percentage point.

"Let's keep our fingers crossed," Villanueva told his supporters Tuesday night. "Tomorrow we may just have a new sheriff in town."

In an interview Wednesday, the challenger said, "I think we're pretty much there ... I think Friday we'll have a very good idea."

County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan is expected to update the vote count on Friday. On Wednesday, Logan estimated there are some 984,000 votes left to count, the vast majority of them vote-by-mail and provisional ballots. As of late Wednesday, just over 1.6 million votes had been tallied in the sheriff's race.

Incumbent sheriffs rarely have trouble winning re-election, and at first few thought Villanueva, who has never held a command position, posed a serious threat to McDonnell.

Villanueva may have benefited from his efforts to portray the non-partisan race as one between a Democrat and a virtual Republican in deep-blue L.A. County.

He also pursued a strategy of painting McDonnell as being closely aligned with federal immigration authorities, a position that would not endear a candidate to the county's Democratic voters angry about President Trump's immigration policies.

Alex Villanueva, who ran against L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, speaks to supporters on election night, Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Photo by Frank Stoltze/LAist)

While sheriff is a non-partisan position, the L.A. County Democratic Party tends to make an endorsement if there's a Democrat in the race, and it endorsed the Democrat Villanueva. McDonnell is a one-time Republican who said he's now registered as decline to state.

Villanueva played up the party's endorsement in the campaign. Days before the election, the party sent out a mailer to over 1 million Democrats that asked, "Which side are you on?"

The flier featured a color photo of Villanueva on the left side above the words, "A new sheriff for a new era."

The right side featured a black-and-white photo of McDonnell with a photo of Trump in the background.

The mailer noted that sheriffs met with Trump in the Oval office and quoted Attorney General Jeff Sessions: "Honor the Anglo American Tradition of Sheriff."

"Anything that would associate an official with the Trump administration is going to be devastating in L.A. County," said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A.

McDonnell called the mailer a cheap shot.

"I feel that somebody who's responsible for the public safety of everyone in Los Angeles County shouldn't be tied to one party or another, and that's the posture I've taken," the sheriff told KPCC/LAist on election night. "So for my opponent to tie me to one party, not fair at all."

The Villanueva camp countered that McDonnell refused to release his voter registration records to prove he was no longer a Republican -- McDonnell said he made that decision as a security precaution because voter records list home addresses.

Perhaps equally damaging, the mailer quoted McDonnell on immigration policy: "I will continue to work with ICE."

McDonnell fought against SB 54, the law signed by Governor Brown last year that limits local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The sheriff said he saw Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a partner agency in protecting communities -- particularly in joint human trafficking and other operations -- and didn't want his hands tied.

The sheriff regularly hands over to ICE people identified as being in the country without authorization. SB 54 says only people convicted of more serious crimes can be handed over.

Villanueva at one point said he would "kick ICE out" of the jails.

Later, he said he would merely orchestrate handoffs outside the view of other inmates so people would not be unduly afraid the sheriff's department was working with ICE.

The candidates' differences on this issue were relatively minor in the end. But McDonnell's stronger statements in support of ICE and his willingness to allow a greater presence in the jails hurt him in an atmosphere in which Trump has intensified his hard-line rhetoric on immigration.

McDonnell's stance on ICE was said to be a driving factor in the L.A. County Federation of Labor's decision to endorse Villanueva, a decision that was driven in part by heavily Latino unions like the SEIU.

Analysts said Villanueva's name helped him in a low-information race. News organizations paid little attention to the contest to run the nation's largest sheriff's department, making a Latino surname even more valuable.

McDonnell also may have suffered from recent negative stories about his department, including allegations of racial profiling by deputies patrolling the Grapevine.

In addition, there are concerns that matching tattoos worn by some deputies honor use of force against suspects and that the groups of deputies wearing the tatoos amount to gangs.

"I think there are a growing wave of voters around the county who are looking for a new vision for the criminal justice system," said Miriam Krinsky, who served as executive director of the county's Citizens' Commission on Jail Violence.

McDonnell must share some of the blame for the closeness of the race. By his own admission, he abhors campaigning. He refused to attack Villanueva and hosted relatively few fundraisers - a serious handicap in a countywide race that required lots of money to reach voters.

The sheriff's campaign raised barely $1 million. McDonnell was helped by a $750,000 independent expenditure by the union that represents sergeants, lieutenants and jail guards.

McDonnell did benefit from the power of incumbency, along with endorsements from the mayors of L.A. and Long Beach, District Attorney Jackie Lacey and City Attorney Mike Feuer.

L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell speaks to supporters on election night, Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Photo by Frank Stoltze/LAist)

Villanueva's campaign raised about $160,000. But he had an 800-pound gorilla in his camp -- the Association of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies, which spent more than $1.3 million on mailers for the challenger.

The union has been deeply unhappy with some of McDonnell's reform efforts, including his attempt to share the names of 300 deputies who may have credibility problems with the district attorney. The union sued to block the sheriff's move and the case is now before the state Supreme Court.

The rank and file are also frustrated with a continuing deputy shortage that has resulted in forced overtime and efforts by McDonnell to make it easier to fire those he sees as problem deputies.

There has also long been a rivalry bordering on animosity at times between the sheriff's department and the LAPD, where McDonnell spent three decades.

Sometimes it was small things that annoyed the rank and file and gave them reason to be even more suspicious of the outsider from the LAPD. Because of a scheduling snafu, McDonnell missed the dedication of a community building in Lancaster for a popular sergeant who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

If McDonnell wins, one of his key challenges going forward will be winning the loyalty of his troops as he seeks to rein in a sprawling department where patrol stations are sometimes separated by mountain ranges and local commanders can develop fiefdoms.

If Villanueva wins, he will have the opportunity to put together his own team, as he prepares to assume command over 9,500 deputies, another 8,000 civilians, and the county's jails. He faces a steep learning curve since he has never served in command.

Whoever wins will face a myriad of other issues - not least the deputy shortage, which has stalled efforts to place body cameras on all deputies and improve care for more than 4,000 jail inmates with mental health issues.

Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now.San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp is expected to issue a final ruling within the coming weeks, in the most recent iteration of the La Jolla Benefits Association, LLC vs the City of San Diego, as it pertains to the proposed La Jolla Maintenance Assessment District (MAD), following the filing of requests for changes to the case.

In early October, La Jolla Benefits Association (who oppose the MAD) applied to have the plaintiffs in the case changed to address a concern about legal standing, and submitted a motion for reconsideration to Judge Trapp. On Nov. 1, the judge filed a tentative ruling denying La Jolla Benefits Associations request. But in her court chambers downtown on Nov. 2, Trapp agreed to take the motion into submission, meaning the decision could change or become final as is. Her decision was not rendered as of press time.

As previously reported in the Light, La Jolla Benefits Association LLCs legal standing (the right to file a suit) was based on the fact that its then-manager  A-440 Enterprises, Inc.  is a commercial property owner in the MAD.

However, Judge Trapp found in June that at the time the complaint was filed, La Jolla Benefits Association was not managed by A-440 Enterprises and therefore did not have legal standing to file a complaint. Further, by the time A-440 was managing La Jolla Benefits Association, the statute of limitations to file had expired.

As such, La Jolla Benefits Associations legal representation Maria Severson requested in October to add plaintiffs Allison-Zongker, a California limited partnership; and the Boyadjian Seta Living Trust to the case. Allison-Zongker is a non-residential building operator based in La Jolla, headed by Don Allison. Seta Boyadjian of the Boyadjian Seta Living Trust, is La Jolla developer Claude-Anthony Marengos mother and owner of a beauty salon in La Jolla.

However, Judge Trapp wrote in her tentative ruling: Motions for reconsideration  are restricted to circumstances where a party offers the court some fact or circumstance not previously considered and some valid reason for not offering it earlier. Petitioner here (La Jolla Benefits Association) has not shown a new fact nor a satisfactory explanation for failing to provide the evidence earlier.

In court chambers Nov. 2, Severson represented La Jolla Benefits Association and San Diego Deputy City Attorney Carmen Brock represented the City of San Diego by phone. Judge Trapp was asked to reconsider her position so the right call is made, because according to Severson, the facts of the case are the same, just the plaintiffs are different.

Brock countered that the property owners who wished to have signed onto this case, had the opportunity to file before now, but they didnt step forward, she said. This LLC was created so individuals would not have to come forward and identify themselves.

Judge Trapp added that the only grounds for reconsideration are if there are new facts in the case, changes to the law or a satisfactory answer as to why the new details were not reported previously, and that any new motion would have to be pursuant to these terms.

Nevertheless, she agreed to review her decision and issue a final ruling in the coming weeks.

La Jolla MAD history

A MAD is legal mechanism by which property owners can vote to assess themselves to pay and receive services above-and-beyond what the City of San Diego normally provides, according to the City. This above-and-beyond service level is called a special benefit.

The MAD for La Jolla was approved by a majority (weighted by property size and type) of the commercial and residential property owners within its boundaries in November 2016.

Soon after the MAD was passed, the La Jolla Benefits Association LLC was formed and it filed a lawsuit challenging the MADs legality on the grounds that services the MAD would provide are services the City should be carrying out, such as additional trash collection, litter abatement, graffiti control, landscape maintenance and power-washing sidewalks.

In November 2017, Judge Trapp ruled the formation of the MAD was unconstitutional based on La Jolla Benefits position. But on June 27, she determined La Jolla Benefits Association LLC did not have the legal standing to file the case, leading to the most recent legal hearing.

Should the MAD prevail, it would be managed by the La Jolla-based non-profit, Enhance La Jolla. The majority of Enhance La Jolla board members are property owners within the district, as required by law.

Through the MAD, Enhance La Jolla could have the authority to enhance City-provided services, as well as privately fund and complete capital improvement projects in public spaces, such as upgrade trash cans, install benches, augment signage, create roundabouts, make park improvements, increase public art and plant tree canopies on main thoroughfares.

Enhance La Jolla has 13 directors on its board: Seven property owners (or representatives of property owners) paying the LJMAD assessment; three members of the Board of Directors of the La Jolla Community Foundation; one member of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association; and two representatives of the La Jolla community at large.

The board has not met in months pending resolution of this litigation.China-made thrust-vectoring engine offers combat advantages

China's J-20 stealth fighter jet displays its new coating of stealth material and flies over the exhibition hall at Airshow China 2018 on Tuesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A pair of Chinese fighter jets - the J-20 stealth fighter and a thrust-vectoring J-10B demonstrator aircraft - put on an impressive demonstration at Airshow China 2018 on Tuesday, confirming that the country's military aviation technology is advancing at a greatly accelerated pace.

Three People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force J-20 jets wowed 20,000 spectators by performing numerous dazzling maneuvers during their 15-minute performance in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

PLA officers, foreign military officers and experts, representatives of Chinese military industrial companies, journalists, aviation buffs and local residents let out an audible, collective "wow" as the jets roared past the viewing area near the exhibition hall.

The J-20 was first shown in public at the previous Airshow China in 2016, but only two of them appeared for less than a minute.

The jets were sporting a new camouflage look. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the J-20s now have "a combat uniform" that provides improved stealth capability.

The J-20's longer demonstration flight this year also proves that the PLA Air Force is confident to show the public that it has mastered the flying techniques of its most advanced stealth fighter jet, Wei said.

Following the J-20s demonstration flight, the fighter's chief designer, Yang Wei, said the jet's superior "flight performance is quite obvious." He made the remarks at a press conference sponsored by his employer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the manufacturer of the J-20.

Yang said the full capability of the stealth fighters will only be known after they engage in actual combat.

China's J-20 stealth fighter jet displays its new coating of stealth material and flies over the exhibition hall at Airshow China 2018 on Tuesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

J-10B's Pugachev's Cobra

A J-10B demonstrator fighter aircraft powered by a China-made thrust-vectoring WS-10 Taihang engine also produced a collective "wow" from the air show audience.

It made a series of impressive maneuvers, including Pugachev's Cobra, a dramatic and demanding maneuver in which an airplane flying at a moderate speed suddenly raises the nose momentarily to slightly beyond the vertical position before dropping to a normal horizontal flight. It uses engine thrust to maintain a near constant altitude throughout the entire move.

The maneuver is named after the Soviet test pilot Viktor Pugachev, who performed it with a Su-27 fighter jet in 1989 at the Le Bourget Paris air show. The J-10B is the world's first single-engine canard wing fighter jet to perform the Pugachev's Cobra maneuver.

Although the J-10B is not as advanced as the J-20, many professional aviators in the audience told the Global Times on Tuesday that the performance of the J-10B was more impressive than the J-20s.

Other Chinese aircraft performing at the air show included the heavy carrier Y-20, fighter jets FTC-2000G and JF-17, and the civil airplane ARJ-2.

A thrust-vectoring J-10B powered by a WS-10 Taihang engine makes a series of impressive maneuvers at Airshow China 2018. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A PLA Air Force Lieutenant Colonel surnamed Zhang said that "in the past, the engine was a well-known weakness of Chinese fighter jets, since we relied heavily on imports, but the J-10B proves that China can build first-class, thrust-vectoring engines to power our advanced fighters."

If close-combat between fighter jets still exists in the future, high-quality thrust-vectoring engines will bring a significant advantage, Zhang noted.

Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, said that the J-10B is a demonstrator aircraft with a highly important mission as it's not only testing the thrust-vectoring WS-10 Taihang engine for J-10B, but also testing it for J-20A, an aircraft that is in development and yet to be revealed and is more advanced than the J-20.The opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) was launched Monday in Shanghai. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech called "Work Together for an Open Global Economy That is Innovative and Inclusive", which gained praise and recognition from leaders who attended the expo.

(Photo/Morag Hobbs)

Openness brings progress

"I very much agree with what President Xi said at the opening ceremony. Economic globalization, as an irreversible trend of history, has greatly boosted global growth," the chairman and CEO of Shandong-headquartered Inspur Group, Sun Pishu, told People's Daily. China has opened up the country to facilitate development and accomplished great achievements that are visible and tangible. The achievements of 40 years of reform and opening up have set another example for the historical law of human society development that "openness brings progress while seclusion leads to backwardness."

Lothar Herrmann, Siemens Greater China CEO, expressed his gladness for Xi's pledge that "China's door will never be closed. It will only open still wider." In today's interconnected world, no country or enterprise can develop in isolation, he said.

Economies make progress through exchange and inter-connectivity

Xi's words that economies make progress through exchanges and inter-connectivity and fall behind because of seclusion gave Dr. Herwig A. Buchholz a deep impression.

The head of Merck's Group Corporate Responsibility noted that free trade is the main theme of the current global economy. Only by getting through the bloodline will it help to better enlarge the cake of international trade. Not only does China call for it, but it fulfills its promises. The Chinese market has enormous potential, especially as the Chinese economy continues to develop; this potential is constantly being released, Buchholz said.

Unilateralism and protectionism are not solutions

"President Xi stressed that progress of human society requires continued efforts of all countries to advance opening up, cooperation and win-win development, instead of seclusion, confrontation and monopoly," New Zealand's mayor of Dunedin, Dave Cull, said. "This, I think, offers a solution to fix the unfavorable factors in the development of the global economy." In some countries, unilateralism and protectionism can only shift domestic contradictions, but cannot completely solve problems in their own economic development, the mayor said.

Today, with the rapid development of globalization, no one can stop or avoid it. Only by being adept at using globalization to strengthen cooperation can we truly achieve mutual benefits and win-win results and have a positive impact on the development of the world economy, he added.

Openness enhances competitiveness

Zhang Jindong, the Chairman of Suning Holdings Group, one of China's largest retailers, said that the five key measures to expand opening up proposed by President Xi will provide a global development opportunity. Hence, Chinese enterprises will embrace the world market comprehensively and deeply.

"President Xi Jinping stressed that 'China's door will never be closed. It will only open still wider.' It shows us China's determination and confidence in expanding opening-up," said Philip Tsai, the global vice chairman of Deloitte. He also thought that this whole process will help spark competition in related industries and improve the quality of the industry.

More opportunities for overseas brands

Zhang Lei, chief executive of NetEase's cross-border e-commerce branch Koala, cited President Xi's statement that "progress of the human society requires continued efforts of all countries to advance opening-up, cooperation and win-win development."

This statement is also applicable to the cross-border e-commerce market, said Zhang. In the face of new opportunities for China to expand imports, overseas brands should seize opportunities in the Chinese market, actively cooperate with more powerful Chinese platforms, jointly promote the development of cross-border e-commerce and better meet the needs of Chinese consumers, he added.

China to build a world-class business environment

"China has made great efforts to build a world-class business environment, and I strongly agree with President Xi that countries need to improve their business environment by addressing their problems," the executive vice president of AstraZeneca, Wang Lei, said.

This will not only bring better development opportunities for companies in China, but also provide a broader market and business opportunities for countries around the world, said Wang. Economic globalization and free trade are heartening news for both Chinese and foreign businesses. "We highly appreciate the foresight of Chinese leaders to bring the world closer together for common development and prosperity," said Wang.

Amazed by the openness, innovation and inclusiveness

Harld Peters, the President of UPS China, said "30 years ago, UPS located its China headquarters in Shanghai for the city's character, advantage and connectivity of being open. Once I came to this city overseeing our business here, I have been amazed by the clear features of Shanghai, being open, innovative and inclusive. This is also a dynamic microcosm of China's current landscape. From Shanghai to China, UPS will keep enhancing our services and embody our long-term commitment."

(Compiled by Xu Zheqi and Wang Xiangyu)Pharmaceutical giants have been quick to tout their efforts to help the Trump administration rein in runaway drug prices, but behind the scenes the industry has been lobbying furiously to roll back recently mandated medicine discounts for U.S. seniors.

Drug companies are focusing lobbying efforts to use a lame-duck session of Congress to peel back a legislative loss they suffered this year, according to people familiar with the efforts. On the line for the drug industry is $1.9 billion next year, according to one estimate. Critics say the effort by the industry has the potential to increase costs for some of the most vulnerable and medically fragile Americans: seniors on Medicare.

Medicare covers most drug costs until a patient and their plan spend $3,750. Then, coverage drops off and doesnt pick up again until a patients total out-of-pocket costs, including what drug companies pay in discounts, hit $5,000. That gap between coverage is known as the doughnut hole.

Almost 30% of U.S. seniors fell into the hole in 2014, according to data from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and more are being affected as costs rise for drugs to treat conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

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To make the doughnut hole less onerous, drugmakers had been required to give a 50% discount on their products once seniors hit the spending threshold. A legislative change in February backed by both parties increased the industry discount to 70%.

Industry target

That extra discount is what drugmakers want to roll back, claiming that it goes too far and that the drug industry is taking too much of the expense. The lame-duck session  in between the midterm elections Tuesday, when Democrats took the House of Representatives, but before they will actually be seated and take over in January  may be the pharmaceutical industrys best, last chance.

Drugmakers are up against Democrats, who oppose rolling back the larger discounts, but may also struggle with the Trump administration, which has made lowering drug costs for consumers a policy priority.

In response, the industry has increased its muscle in Washington.

Giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly & Co. boosted spending on lobbying by 30% or more in the third quarter, according to an analysis of filings by Bloomberg News.

We support reducing the manufacturer coverage gap rebate percentage, Ruud Dobber, president of AstraZeneca U.S., said in a statement.

Johnson & Johnson spent $1.98 million during that period, more than twice its expenditure during the same period a year earlier, according to lobbying disclosures filed with Congress. The company said the increase was to pay dues to trade associations. Its disclosure forms listed issues related to Medicare Part D, as the prescription drug program is known, as a key policy it sought to influence.

Who should pay?

The drug industry has said it supports seniors paying less for drugs, just not at companies expense. Closing the doughnut hole is a good thing, said Juliet Johnson, a spokeswoman for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA. But the way it was done earlier this year was wrong for seniors.

This was a rushed and ill-considered change, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents biotechnology companies, said in a statement. We will continue to make the case to lawmakers in both parties for a fix.

PhRMA wants insurers, whose share of drug costs was reduced in the new law, to foot more of the bill. Critics of the drug industry say thats misguided.

If you shift it back onto the plans, Im only going to pay more in out-of-pocket or in premiums, said David Mitchell, who runs the drug price advocacy group Patients for Affordable Drugs NOW. Why would we revisit this? Why would we even be talking about this? Except that big pharma is unaccustomed to having things happen to it by congressional action that they do not like.

The February increase to the doughnut hole discounts should put $1.3 billion back in seniors pockets in 2019, and $600 million more in government coffers, according to research and consulting firm Milliman.

Roll back

Pharma companies have pushed lawmakers to rein the discount back to 63%. The industry tried to push for that change this year during negotiations about an opioid crisis relief package, prompting some critics to say they were seeking a bailout at a time when they were supposed to be addressing other problems.

Part of the argument over the discounts stems from a debate about the February law. After the law went into effect, the Congressional Budget Office found that it reduced spending by more than originally thought. Republicans have said they want to scale back that impact with a smaller discount, while Democrats have said doing so might unfairly harm seniors.

Republicans are just desperate to get their multibillion-dollar giveaway to Big Pharma done before a Democratic majority takes over the House, said Henry Connelly, a spokesman for Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), the House minority leader.

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who leads the House Energy and Commerce Committee, supports changing the doughnut hole, though he said the way it was done in February needs to be fixed.

He hopes and expects there will be bipartisan support when members return to D.C., said Zach Hunter, Waldens spokesman. The committee would be a starting place for legislative changes to the current law.

The pharmaceutical industrys trade group has consistently been among the top-spending lobbying groups over the past decade. So far in 2018, PhRMA spent more than $20 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and was the third-largest spender behind the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Assn. of Realtors.

AARP  the lobbying group that represents the interests of seniors  says it has been educating people about the way the new discounts will work, and has been making its push to ensure they remain in place.

This was a real win for beneficiaries, said Megan OReilly, director of the federal health and family team at AARP. We need to protect that and not be rolling it back.

Koons and Brody write for Bloomberg.To settle a nationwide class-action lawsuit against Motel 6, the chain has agreed to pay as much as $7.6 million to guests who said it gave their private information to U.S. immigration agents, according to court records.

Former guests sued Motel 6 over privacy violations this year, alleging that the chain handed over their personal information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The lawsuit came after a 2017 Phoenix New Times report that ICE agents made at least 20 arrests at two Motel 6 locations in Arizona.

Under the proposed settlement agreement, the hotel also agreed not to share guests personal information without a warrant or subpoena unless necessary to prevent a significant crime.

Its very important in our minds that Motel 6 is putting in place policies and procedures that would prevent this from happening again, said Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The group represented the guests in the class-action lawsuit.

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Motel 6 and the Mexican American legal fund said in a joint statement that the hotel has prohibited employees from sharing such information.

Motel 6 fully recognizes the seriousness of the situation and accepts full responsibility for both compensating those who were harmed and taking the necessary steps to ensure that we protect the privacy of our guests, it said. The hotel chain did not, however, admit to any wrongdoing.

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Mexican American legal fund filed the lawsuit in January on behalf of seven class representatives from Arizona and one from Washington state. It alleged that employees at Motel 6 locations in Arizona gave Latino guests personal information, such as their Mexican passports and other forms of identification, to agents from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE without warrants being served.

Guests were then interrogated and arrested, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit was filed after a report in Phoenix New Times by Antonia Noori Farzan showed that from February to August 2017, ICE agents arrested a Motel 6 guest about every two weeks in Arizona. (Farzan is now a reporter at the Washington Post.)

The proposed settlement states that Motel 6 will pay up to $5.6 million (at least $7,500 per guest) to those who were placed in immigration-removal proceedings; up to $1 million (at least $1,000 per guest) to those who were interrogated; and up to $1 million (at least $50 per guest) to those whose personal information was given to federal authorities.

It also says Motel 6 will cover the cost of the former guests legal fees.

The settlement agreement still needs approval from the district court.

Washington state sued Motel 6 in January, with the states attorney general saying the names of many thousands of Washington residents and visitors staying at the chain had been turned over to the federal government without their knowledge, without their consent. That lawsuit is still pending.

Bever writes for the Washington Post.

UPDATES:

1:10 p.m.: This article was updated with background information about Washington states lawsuit.

This article was originally published at 10:45 a.m.Los Angeles voters rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed for the creation of a city-owned bank  a major setback for supporters of public banking and for City Council President Herb Wesson, who had made the bank one of his priorities.

Measure B, which would have amended the city charter to allow for the establishment of a purely commercial enterprise, received the support of only 42% of voters. It needed a simple majority to pass.

Backers of the measure say they didnt have the time or resources to run a winning campaign and that Wesson and the City Council put it on the ballot before they were ready.

I think this could have used a lot more resources, and more time, and more concrete commitment from city leaders to the idea of a public bank, said David Jette, legislative director of advocacy group Public Bank L.A. If were going to seriously consider this, its going to take more than a quick ballot referendum and a few dozen incredibly dedicated activists.

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Jette said he hoped to have at least a year to educate voters about the notion of public banking. Instead, the measure was added to the city ballot just four months ago. Whats more, the Yes on B campaign raised only $44,000, not nearly enough to finance a meaningful citywide effort.

Wessons office did not respond to requests for comment.

The council president said in 2017 that creating a public bank could have a range of benefits, from helping finance affordable housing to giving cannabis businesses a place to stash their cash. Most banks refuse to offer accounts to marijuana businesses because of federal drug laws.

Wesson later backed away from the cannabis aspect because of the added complexity and uncertainty it would bring to a public bank. But he told city staff this year he remained interested in a city bank despite numerous obstacles identified in a report from the citys legislative analyst.

If it was going to be easy to create some kind of municipal bank, it would have already been done, he said in February.

As election day approached, though, Wesson was more reserved in his support for Measure B, pitching it as simply a way to gauge voter interest in the idea of a municipal bank.

If people say, We dont want you to do this, then we dont move forward with it, Wesson said last month. The Times independent editorial board came out against the measure, calling it half baked.

There was little organized opposition to Measure B, though opponents  including Valley Industry & Commerce Assn. President Stuart Waldman  questioned whether the city could realistically manage a financial institution and keep it free of political influence.

But Jette said he suspects the measure failed in large part because most voters simply arent familiar with the idea of public banking. There are just two public banks in the U.S.  one in North Dakota and a new institution in American Samoa.

Ellen Brown, founder of the nonprofit Public Banking Institute, said she thought Measure Bs 42%-to-58% margin was impressive given that lack of familiarity.

This is a long fight, she said. Were trying to transform how banking works and how people perceive banking.

In the run-up to the election, though, Brown and others said a failure for the ballot measure could be a big setback for the public banking movement in the U.S., giving critics more ammunition.

Interest in the idea of public banks  that is, banks that are owned by states or cities rather than by shareholders  grew in the wake of the financial crisis and various banking scandals, including Wells Fargos 2016 admission that it had created millions of unauthorized accounts. The movement has also picked up some new backers in the cannabis industry, who hope public banks would be willing to work with them.

Because most banks wont offer them even basic checking accounts, cannabis businesses often must deal exclusively in cash, which they complain is both expensive and risky.

San Francisco and Oakland are also studying the idea of creating public banks and have support from some cannabis businesses.

At the state level, outgoing California Treasurer John Chiang said early this year that his office would study the feasibility of a public bank that would serve cannabis businesses. That study is set to be released early next month. Treasurer-elect Fiona Ma, who was elected Tuesday, said shell continue pushing the issue when she takes office in January.

This is a serious public safety issue that isnt getting any better, she said.

Still, even if the state or cities push ahead with creating public banks, its not a sure thing they would be able to serve cannabis businesses. Because of federal drug laws, federal bank regulators could prevent a public bank from getting access to payment-processing systems and other infrastructure that would allow such a bank to provide basic services such as check- and payment-clearing.

Ken Berke, president of cannabis payment processing business PayQwick, said interest in public banking among cannabis businesses has waned over the last year, in part because business owners realize a public bank could be years away from taking shape  a fear perhaps borne out by Tuesdays election result in Los Angeles.

Theyve stopped talking about it, he said. I think either they think its not going to happen or its too little too late. I havent seen the same kind of fervor we saw a year ago.

The federal stance on cannabis remains murky and may now be more so. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions  a fierce critic of cannabis legalization  resigned Wednesday morning. Its not clear if his replacement will take a more dovish approach to cannabis as more states continue to legalize the drug.

On Tuesday, voters in Michigan approved a ballot measure legalizing cannabis for recreational use, while Missouri and Utah voters signed off on cannabis for medicinal use.

james.koren@latimes.com

Follow me: @jrkoren

UPDATES:

1:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Ellen Brown of Public Banking, California Treasurer-elect Fiona Ma and Ken Berke of PayQwick, as well as more details on the cannabis industry.

This article was originally published at 10:25 a.m.The first China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on Nov. 5 in Shanghai with the theme of New Era, Shared Future. More than 3,600 enterprises gathered at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) to experience Shanghais glamour of opening up.

82 countries and 3 international organizations attended the National Trade Investment Comprehensive Exhibition, spreading the message of seeking common development and building a shard future.

At the Corporate Business Exhibition, a batch of new technologies and products finished debut. Business leaders actively took part in the Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum, to contribute their wisdom to the boost of global economic and trade development.

The CIIE, with high quality and standard, is a grand event that brings Chinese consumers closer to the world, a great opportunity for foreign products to get into the Chinese market, and a platform for countries to strengthen economic and trade cooperation.

A foreign observer said that to enter the Chinese market is not about wanting to, but about having to. For transnational corporations, entering Chinese market is a prerequisite for them to go global. Why?

On the surface, it is because the enormous size of the Chinese market. On a deeper level, it is because that the aspirations of the Chinese people to live a better life create immeasurable consumption potential and a valuable opportunity for foreign companies.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, between 2013 and 2016, China's final consumption contributed an annual average of 23.4 percent to world consumption growth, calculated with constant dollar prices. In the next 15 years, China will import $ 24 trillion worth of products from the world.

China has become an important driving force of global consumption growth, and its potential will continue to be released by the CIIE.

Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism, the CIIE becomes especially significant as it builds a platform of inclusiveness and cooperation. It fully reflects the demands of each party participating in global trade, and will make the world economy more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

This year, China further simplified negative list of foreign investment, and reduced taxes on imported autos, medications and daily appliances. The country also established the pilot free trade zone in Hainan. Now, it is hosting the first CIIE.

All these measures have indicated that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is resolute in expanding opening up and promoting high-quality development through a higher level of opening up.

By holding the CIIE, China is offering the world and itself an opportunity. Through the expo, the country imports quality products and services to enrich choices for Chinese consumers and satisfy their growing needs for a better life.

On the other hand, the introduction of advanced foreign technologies, standards and management experiences is also conducive to domestic industrial upgrading and the improvement of Chinese enterprises competitiveness.Flip phone, we hardly knew ye.

Samsung Electronics on Wednesday offered a peek at a future phone that unfolds like a book to reveal a 7.3-inch screen inside. Part pocket-size flip phone, part tablet, its the most interesting idea Ive seen in smartphone design for years.

You have to see it to believe it  and unfortunately we only got a tease. We think of a smartphone screen as a rigid piece of glass thats limited by the size of the device itself. But Samsungs so-called Infinity Flex Display folds, unfolds and refolds to pack up into a smaller form.

This origami screen is bound for a big phone launch, but Samsung didnt offer a name, price or even a timeline other than 2019. The Korean electronics giant showed the new display technology at its annual San Francisco developer conference in the hopes of wooing app makers to create experiences that take advantage of it.

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In an interview, the chief executive of Samsungs mobile division, DJ Koh, told me the folding phone is no gimmick. In terms of productivity, always a bigger screen is better, he said. If we made a much bigger screen than the Note, then it would become a tablet. So why dont we think about folding? We started from this simple idea three or four years ago.

Folded up, the device has a screen on its front. When opened, the interior screen lays flat  with little hint of a crease  to show a widescreen version of whatever app had been previously running on the front.

Howd they make the screen fold flat? Koh said Samsung has had bendable OLED screens for years, but theyve been fixed behind glass. The folding phones interior screen uses a different kind of transparent composite polymer material that can withstand being opened or closed at least 300,000 times. Well have to see how it wears in real-world use.

Its about time for something new in phones. Samsung helped create the big-phone trend thats become the standard with devices such as Apples iPhone XS Max. But across the industry, smartphone designs have been more about incremental improvements than bold new ideas  and consumers, unsurprisingly, have waited longer and longer to upgrade.

Chinese telecom giant Huawei has also teased that it is working on a folding phone that could replace a computer.

What will we do with that big screen? Koh has a few ideas  such as play games, watch video and multitask with up to three open apps  but realizes Samsung needs software and user experience help to make the new kind of phone useful before it goes on sale. We cannot make it happen on our own, he said.

Samsung also sought help from Google, whose Android software powers the phone and will need to be tweaked to take advantage of it. Theres lots of challenges we need to overcome together, Koh said.

The collaborative approach also makes Samsung different from Apple, which usually keeps unfinished new technologies under wraps. Its a blank canvas for us to create something together, said Justin Denison, a senior vice president for Samsung Electronics America.

Fowler writes for the Washington Post.It starts with an invisible chorus singing a ghostly note in the key of B-flat major. At first, the voices are barely recognizable above the din of downtown Los Angeles traffic during evening rush hour. Buses roar by. A skater scrapes to a full stop. Car horns bleat. But the note nonetheless hovers in the background, a mellifluous ahhh that ultimately crescendos above the street noise as the sky turns purple and the sun slips behind the citys blinking towers.

This is Seira, an unusual vocal piece by Australian composer Lawrence English, performed not by a live chorus on a stage (or even on the street) but via the scattered air raid sirens that have managed to survive in obscure corners of Los Angeles. Its part of this years AxS Festival: City as Wunderkammer (or cabinet of curiosities, as the organizers put it), a celebration of art and science presented by Fulcrum Arts (formerly the Pasadena Arts Council).

At sunset Friday, roughly two dozen spectators are gathered for the premiere of Seira at one of the sirens: a yellow Federal Signal SD-10 at the corner of Spring and Temple streets near City Hall. Its one of the half a dozen points around the city where the broadcasts can be heard. At 5:59 p.m., right as the sun begins to set, barely perceptible tones emerge from the siren and bathe the corner in sound. At its base, the rapt crowd stands motionless.

Bystanders listen to Seira, a 12-minute composition by Lawrence English broadcast over an air raid siren next to City Hall. (Ian Byers-Gamber / AxS Festival)

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English, who lives in Brisbane and travels regularly to Los Angeles for work, says he first stumbled on one of the sirens about five years ago: a Federal Signal 500T  the sort that rotates  and he grew intrigued by their purpose.

I thought it was strange, he says. I went home and looked it up.

That initial bit of internet sleuthing turned into a bit of an obsession. On a subsequent trip, he visited the Los Angeles County archives to look at historical documents related to the sirens and their placement. He also located audio recordings that revealed their tones. (B-flat major, he notes, is a very close match.)

L.A.s civil defense sirens began as an air raid warning system against Japanese aerial attacks during World War II. But their presence was expanded throughout the 1950s and 60s as the politics of the Cold War stoked paranoia over a possible Soviet missile attack. The last official test of sirens took place in the 1980s. Now they are disappearing.

There is a rapid diminishing of the sirens, says English. Ive spoken to people who have memory of it. But so many people do not.

The composer has preserved their memory in the 12-minute Seira, which pays tribute to the sirens and the sounds they make. The piece, which English recorded in Australia with the Brisbane choir Australian Voices, was inspired specifically by the wail of the500T siren. The shifting vocal tones in Seira echo the changing tones of the 500T as it rotates atop its pole.

Thanks to a grant from the Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts and the sponsorship of Pasadenas Fulcrum Arts, the piece will play on half a dozen L.A. sirens every evening at sunset through Sunday. (It is not the first work of art to materialize on this emergency broadcast system: Opera director Yuval Sharon employed the sirens for his staging of composer Annie Gosfields War of the Worlds last year.)

Amid the clatter of traffic, Seiras quiet beginnings come off almost as an auditory hallucination  a sustained series of notes break through the hiss of air brakes and automotive stereo systems. But as it progresses, the sound builds, and the work becomes an ethereal soundtrack to random moments of urban life.

At Fridays broadcast, members of Pasadenas Selah Gospel Choir infiltrate the crowd, and several minutes into the recording, they begin to echo the tones emanating from the siren. As the L.A. sky puts on its best sunset show, our group is bathed by voices emanating from above and all around. When it comes to an end, the crowd erupts in joyful applause.

Employing old government hardware in the name of art? I cant think of a better use.

Lawrence Englishs composition, titled Seira, will be played every day at sunset through Nov. 11. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times)

AxS Festival 2018: Lawrence English, Seira

When: Every evening at sunset through Nov. 11

Where: Six civil defense siren sites around Los Angeles

Info: Check the website for exact start times and locations, axsfestival.org/lawrence-english

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carolina.miranda@latimes.com | Twitter: @cmonstahEarly in The Wife, Glenn Closes character, Joan Castleman, joins a phone conversation between her husband, Joe (Jonathan Pryce), and the selection committee for the Nobel Prize in literature. Joe has just learned hell receive the award, but its Joans face the camera lingers on.

In that moment, Glenn does something so magnificent, says screenwriter Jane Anderson. There are 500 pieces of subtext going on there. Every time I come to that spot in the film I get chills watching Glenns work  and what she plugs into.



For the record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said Glenn Close is a producer on The Wife.

If any actor can tease out anything close to 500 pieces of subtext from a scene, its Close. The 71-year-old actress has terrified us in Fatal Attraction, charmed us in The Big Chill, and revealed the heart of a monster in Dangerous Liaisons. But in The Wife, she does things shes never attempted before  pulling them off so subtly they dont fully resonate until much later.

Glenn Close as Joan and Jonathan Pryce as Joe in The Wife movie. (Graeme Hunter / Sony Pictures Classics)

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Ive never played a character like Joan before, someone who chooses to be in the background, says Close. Shes sitting in the Library, a restaurant upstairs from where shes been performing in New York Citys Public Theaters production of The Mother of the Maid, and toying with sugar packets as she speaks. (Close is the Mother of Joan of Arc in the play, which is also written by Anderson.)

Joan is basically shy, but is complicit in this complex marriage, and that was really challenging to figure out  where I could really believe it and understand her to the point where I thought I could play her fairly, she continues.

Wife is not the movie many may think it is going in (unless theyve read the 2003 book by Meg Wolitzer that its adapted from). Ostensibly, its about a woman reconsidering marriage to her author husband after he wins the Nobel.

Glenn Close as Joan and Jonathan Pryce as Joe from the movie The Wife. (Graeme Hunter / Sony Pictures Classics)

RELATED: From The Big Chill to Fatal Attraction, Glenn Close reveals the secrets behind six stellar roles 

Thats accurate, but  spoiler alert  not the whole story. Stop reading now if you dont want to know more about the movie. As we gradually discover, Joan is the writer behind all the acclaimed books and Joe just the name on them.

If that sounds like a slow-motion horror story (sans blood or gore), it also feels like one. Early scenes with Close are imbued with very different meanings on a second viewing; she knows things the audience doesnt for a good portion of the film. Many of her scenes are interior and dialogue-free, so everything has to come from Closes expression, which proved a challenge for director Bjorn Runge.

Her character is so contained, he recalls. For me, it was about how not to lose the scene to the larger-than-life character  Jonathan Pryce. It was about finding the cinema language that could take care of Glenns acting, so she would be the sun in that universe.

Women are feeling enabled to speak out now. Glenn Close

Glenn Close (Michael Nagle / For The Times)

WATCH: Video Q&As from this seasons hottest contenders 

Initially, its clear that Joan thought she understood the bargain she was striking with her husband early on: She loved him and he loved writing. She got what she wanted, says Close.

But as they arrive in Oslo for the various Nobel ceremonies, that decades-old agreement curdles for Joan. In the book, she says she knew she was going to leave him on the plane ride over, she says. But for me, its clear when we were sitting in the Nobel Prize ceremony and you hear what is being said about the work  and it was really [Joans] work, and she realizes, I cant do this anymore. She realizes what her work has meant to the world. And its not necessarily about the acclaim. Its recognition.

Joan also has to reckon with the choices shes made while being with Joe, including choosing work over her children sometimes yet not even then getting recognized for the work. Essentially missing out on both fronts. Close says she can understand what that feels like.

Having been a working creative mom myself, its a hard balance to maintain, she says. My mom said in her late 80s: I feel like Ive accomplished nothing. And she was extremely interesting. What she needed was personal fulfillment, which has nothing to do with raising a child or being a wife  it has to do with feeding your own soul.

The Wife took 15 years to bring to fruition, but it arrives in 2018 amid a unique shared cultural discussion  which lends it a special resonance.

Women are feeling enabled to speak out now, she says. Thats important. I do think men will always be uncomfortable with powerful women, though. Its hard for them to deal with it. There will be a backlash  but Id like to think we will not go back. But until women are allowed into those back rooms and are real collaborators in making decisions  well, we havent made it there yet.

It was ever so; Close puts down the sweetener packets and harks back to Elizabeth I, the queen who could not marry lest she hand over her royal power.

She was too smart to do that, she says. We really are beasts, you know. As a species were violent and we can be incredibly brutal. Civilization was formed around laws and basically designed to keep the more brutal side of us in check, but its still there. The only thing you can hope for is to have leaders who bring out the positive more than the negative. But the potential  its always there.

Glenn Close photographed in this triple-exposure made within the camera and shot in Beverly Hills on July 24, 2018. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

calendar@latimes.comIn Private Life, writer-director Tamara Jenkins long-gestating third feature, a couple (Kathryn Hahn as Rachel and Paul Giamatti as Richard) sees its marriage tested by the trial of assisted reproduction. Its a sometimes-uncomfortably intimate peek into a closed-door cycle of hopes and pills and needles  and the damage done. And its a comedy, more or less.

Whats so moving to me is it isnt really about the baby, says Hahn. I never really pictured a little pink newborn, never smelled the baby powder, never saw the crib in my mind. And that was, like, the saddest thing to me. It was about this journey they were on together, The Baby Project. 

The 40-somethings are in the slow-motion act of realizing their dream of being parents might not be attainable after all.

All of a sudden, theres a shadow. The sunset is starting to happen, says the actress, seated beside Jenkins.

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Its a bummer that our chief money-making years kind of line up with our most fertile. We can freeze our eggs, all these medical options that are available to us, and it doesnt guarantee anything and it costs a ton of money, Hahn says, with a quiet laugh. And no one is there to say, Stop, so you get on this roller coaster with no ending.

Giamatti has pointed out similarities of the story to the non-resolution of Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot: Even if the couple should get the thing, its ultimately not the thing  life goes on, the wheels keep turning. In the meantime, they wait and suffer.

Jenkins says, It consumes them. Infertility threatens marriages in an intense way, and it undoes people. It seemed like a good way to study human behavior.

From left to right, Alan Arkin, Natasha Lyonne and Jessica Walter star in Tamara Jenkins 1998 film Slums of Beverly Hills. (Leonard Myszynski see caption / Fox Searchlight)

Jenkins previous studies of human behavior, the acclaimed Slums of Beverly Hills (1998) and The Savages (2007), both drew on her experiences. Private Life, too, had its seeds in her life, having gone through the process herself. She points out stories about couples struggling to conceive are ancient. Its in the Bible. Edward Albee wrote the most amazing one, called Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? But the advent of artificial reproduction technology makes it different.

Hahns Rachel is complex: intelligent, desperate, unreasonable, compassionate. It was a role the actress desperately wanted (she says, on visiting Jenkins office, she tried to get her scent all over). Casual observers might not see her as a slam dunk for such a demanding role, associating her with extreme comic turns in the likes of Anchorman, Bad Moms and Bad Words.

I sort of saw her upside-down, says Jenkins. I watched Transparent, and I hadnt seen the big comedies. I thought her performance in Transparent was beautiful. So then I went from her very naturalistic, still kind of performance to the wild and unhinged stuff.

Hahn asks, The Chrysler commercials?

The crazy Chrysler commercial, Jenkins acknowledges. I like comic actors. Im attracted to actors who can straddle  I always call it the shimmer the shimmer between comedy and drama. Theres a shaky in-between place. Thats where Kathryn lives, and Paul lives. I dont know how conscious it is. Its a point of view. I felt like her point of view as a human being matched the material, also.

Director Tamara Jenkins and actor Paul Giamatti on the set of Private Life on Netflix. (Seacia Pavao / Netflix)

REVIEW: Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamattis couple struggles with fertility woes in the sharp, superbly acted Private Life 

The plot involves the couple enlisting a step-relative in the process, but Hahn and Giamattis relationship is the movie. Saying its weird to talk about Rachel without Giamatti, Hahn pulls up an empty chair for the not-present actor.

Their joint performance has a kind of lived-in quality that fits right in with their cluttered New York apartment set, its objects taken from the homes of the director and set designer. Many such details came from Jenkins experience.

The Poland Spring bottle they turn into the receptacle  It had to be that jerry-rigged sharps container, and there had to be a bunch of needles in it. Her personal story was different, but she knew the terrain very well and the emotional core of it.

I started there, but then it blooms, it takes on a life of its own and becomes invention. I got things from friends, but I definitely had my husband inject intramuscular needles into my ass, she says, laughing, in reference to the opening scene.

She says the specificity of the films world allowed her to skip exposition.

Youre dropped into the middle of the story. Like Dog Day Afternoon. Youre not spoon-fed, Oh, my boyfriend needs a sex-change operation. Youre wondering whats driving them. They certainly dont know how to rob a bank. Youre catching up, youre tossed in the swirl of it. I kept saying, This is a bank robbery, but its IVF! 

Hahn grins and laughs with a quiet snort: If you like Dog Day Afternoon and you like Beckett 

WATCH: Video Q&As from this seasons hottest contenders 

 Five female filmmakers with new projects being released by Netflix came together recently for a group conversation. Haifaa al-Mansour, Susanne Bier, Sara Colangelo, Nicole Holofcener and Tamara Jenkins revealed their personal journeys as filmmakers

calendar@latimes.comIt was kind of like having dinner out with a member of the Trump administration Tuesday night at the opening of the 32nd Israel Film Festival in Beverly Hills.

Award recipient Jason Blum got a taste of the other side when he spoke out against President Trump amid a crowd that expected to be at a film festival, not a political rally. After being shouted at, whistled down and having someone pull at his arm while he resisted, the Blumhouse Productions founder left the stage on his own.

I didnt even dream that could happen, festival director Meir Fenigstein told The Times on Wednesday morning, noting that he intended to reach out to Blum and apologize. It was the wrong day, the day of the election, and everyone was on their toes on the right and on the left. He had his own view and he wanted to share it.  Some of the people didnt like it.

He didnt expect probably to get a reaction like that in L.A., Fenigstein added.

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The Halloween, Whiplash and Get Out producer was being honored with an award for achievement in film and TV along with Israeli director-writer Avi Nesher, who had just gotten a cinematic achievement award at the kickoff event at the Saban Theatre.

Blums acceptance speech started with thanks to the IFF and praise for Nesher, then veered into a discussion about American politics. Per his Twitter feed later that night, where he transcribed his entire speech, he mentioned that it was election day and continued.

[S]o much is on the line. The past two years have been hard for all of us who cherish the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this country. The sense of community that has bound us together for generations is all but gone, he said in his Twitter thread.

Watch: Jason Blum was booed and physically removed from the Israel Film Festival stage after making controversial political statements about Trump https://t.co/1nAyogEP8i pic.twitter.com/sH80NZVq7B  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 7, 2018

We have seen the end of civil discourse. We have a President who calls the Press the enemy of the people. Nationalism is surging. Dog whistle politics are rampant and anti-Semitism is on the rise in ways my generation never thought imaginable, Blum said.

Its unclear which comments set the audience off  Fenigstein said it wasnt a specific line  but set off it was, booing and whistling over Blum as he kept speaking, as seen in video from event sponsor the Hollywood Reporter. Fenigstein said a man jumped on stage and told Blum to leave.

Stop it! Doesnt he get the message? asked a person in the crowd, audible in the background of the Hollywood Reporter video above.

As if to answer that unheard question, Blum said, Theyre going to have to drag me off the stage.

Its a film festival, its not a political rally, a voice shouted from the crowd. Its a film festival!

Blum ultimately finished speaking and left the stage after an IFF staffer called for security on stage.

Well, this night went kinda haywire, Blum tweeted sometime later.

A call Wednesday to a Blumhouse International rep was not immediately returned.

This country has a really strong freedom of speech, Fenigstein said. The thing that should have happened was someone going on stage and getting things back on track. Shouting Blum down, he said, shouldnt have happened.

A few people left the event, Fenigstein said, and a few others left and came back. Neshers The Other Story screened and  one thousand people watched the film and enjoyed it, Fenigstein said. Theyre not blaming the festival.

Blum was supposed to say whatever he wanted to say, according to Fenigstein, but he also noted that it was a cultural event, not a political one.

The publicity right now, Ive never had this before in 32 years of the festival, he said. Israeli media outlets had been calling him for comment since 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Its my luck that I chose such a great day to do the opening, he said wryly. An actor told me, Youre so smart  you know how to get the press.

All nighttime screenings in the festival are sold out, Fenigstein said, but tickets are still available for earlier showings. The 32nd Israel Film Festival runs through Nov. 20.

cdz@latimes.com

@theCDZ on Twitter and InstagramAn attorney for Lee Baca tried to convince a federal appeals court Tuesday that the former Los Angeles County sheriff was unfairly convicted last year of obstructing an FBI investigation and lying to investigators because of errors made by the judge at his trial.

A three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals peppered the attorney, Benjamin Coleman, with questions and challenged his claim that the jury should not have been barred from hearing testimony about Bacas Alzheimers disease or about an exchange between Baca and an aide.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Bram Alden rebutted the claims, telling the panel that the decisions of U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson, who handled Bacas trial, had been correct.

Anderson sentenced Baca to three years in prison and denied the ex-sheriffs request to remain free pending his lengthy appeal. An appeals judge later overruled that decision, allowing Baca to stay out of prison.

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Baca, a leading law enforcement figure, stepped down as sheriff in 2014 amid growing controversy. He was the last in a group of Sheriffs Department deputies and commanders to either confess or be convicted of playing a role in a 2011 scheme to interfere with an FBI probe into corruption and abuse in the countys jails.

Jurors found that Baca oversaw and condoned the obstruction plot carried out by subordinates, which included hiding an inmate who was an FBI informant and threatening to arrest an FBI agent.

In written filings, Coleman argued that several rulings Anderson made during the trial and instructions he gave the jury had denied Baca a fair trial. But with only a short time allotted for the appeal hearing Tuesday, Coleman focused on two main claims.

Baca was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2016. His trial attorney had wanted Dr. James Spar, a respected geriatrician, to testify the disease could have affected Bacas memory in 2013, when Baca made false statements about the obstruction scheme to prosecutors. The decision by Anderson to bar the testimony ran afoul of precedent set by previous court decisions, Coleman said.

Appeals Judge Andrew D. Hurwitz pressed Coleman on the idea, asking why Bacas attorney at trial hadnt tried a different tack that would have informed the jury of Bacas diagnosis without relying on the doctors testimony.

Alden, the prosecutor, said Spars testimony would have been so speculative and vague that it would have risked a verdict based on sympathy instead of evidence.

Colemans second line of attack focused on a conversation Baca had with a senior aide after sheriffs officials uncovered the FBIs secret investigation into the jails. The aide testified at trial that he had warned Baca against interfering with a federal probe. Anderson, however, did not allow jurors to hear Bacas response to the warning, in which he said he believed FBI agents were violating state laws and, so, needed to be stopped.

The response, Coleman argued, was evidence that the former sheriff did not have corrupt intent to obstruct the investigation and therefore should not have been convicted of the crime.

The appeals panel did not say when it would issue a decision.

joel.rubin@latimes.com

For more news on federal courts in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @joelrubinA Los Angeles City Council committee recommended Tuesday that the city prohibit rent-controlled apartments from being offered for short stays on Airbnb and similar platforms.

If such apartments can be rented out for a few days at a time, there are so many opportunities for fraud and a loss of housing, Councilman Bob Blumenfield said.

The decision, which still must be approved by the full council, would reverse plans set forward in September by the Planning Commission, whose members are appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, and revert to an earlier proposal championed by City Councilman Mike Bonin.

Bonin had argued that such rentals should be banned in apartments that fall under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits annual increases in rent for tenants, to prevent desperately needed housing from being turned into rogue hotels for profit. Rent stabilized apartments should not be a cash cow, Bonin argued.

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Garcetti and his planning commissioners, however, said it was unfair to prevent tenants in such apartments from reaping the benefits of the sharing economy, as long as their landlords allow it. Airbnb argued that other proposed restrictions  including limiting people to renting out such rentals in their primary residence  would be adequate to prevent abuses.

At Tuesdays meeting, some hosts in rent-stabilized buildings pleaded with the city to allow them to benefit from short-term rentals. Marta Maldonado said that after becoming disabled, she had survived economically by hosting travelers in her home, which is part of a duplex that falls under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

Were not using it to become rich, Maldonado said in Spanish. All we do is use it to pay our mortgage and to have a roof over our heads.

Tenant groups, however, argued that the greater risk was to poor tenants in rent-stabilized units facing pressure from landlords seeking to eject them.

Many landlords pressure or evict long-term tenants in favor of renting out to more lucrative short-term renters. This is why we need these protections, said Ingrid Arriaga, a supervising attorney at Inner City Law Center.

Councilman Jose Huizar, who heads the committee, said Tuesday that rent-stabilized units provide a much-needed source of affordable housing for our most vulnerable residents.

We certainly do not want to disturb that, Huizar concluded before proposing that the city prohibit night-to-night rentals in rent-stabilized units.

More than 600,000 units are covered by L.A.s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which generally covers apartment buildings constructed on or before Oct. 1, 1978. Although the law limits how much rent can be hiked for tenants, landlords can raise the rent as much as they want when the units are vacant. There is no income limit on who can move in.

The debate over how to regulate Airbnb and similar rentals has roiled City Hall for more than three years. It has pitted Airbnb and its hosts against a coalition of tenant activists, neighborhood groups and the hotel industry that is pushing for stiffer restrictions.

Airbnb alone has spent more than $1.2 million lobbying L.A. over the rules in the last four years. Critics, including the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. have spent more than $580,000 during that period, according to city reports.

Much of the debate has revolved around how such rentals affect the housing crisis: Tenant groups warn that landlords have a financial incentive to turn apartment buildings into de facto hotels because tourists are willing to pay more per night than tenants.

Airbnb, in turn, recently released a study asserting that in most L.A. neighborhoods, it is not profitable to do that and that the phenomenon appears to be too rare to affect housing availability across the city.

The draft rules, which would go into effect in July, still must be vetted by another council committee and the full council before they can become law.

Under the proposed regulations vetted by the committee Tuesday, Angelenos would be allowed to rent out only their own primary residence for short stays, a restriction meant to prevent landlords and corporate entities from buying up housing and operating it like hotels.

The rules would also limit short-term rentals to 120 nights annually, although residents in some apartments and houses could exceed that cap if they have a clean record with the city or if they can convince planning officials it would not harm the area.

Rental hosts would be required to register with the city, and online platforms could be fined for advertising illegal rentals or refusing to hand over their addresses.

Earlier this year, Councilman Gil Cedillo floated the idea of a second ordinance on vacation rentals that could allow people to host travelers for short stays in something other than their primary residence, such as a second home or investment property. But that idea, which could reopen the debate, has yet to be vetted at City Hall.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlpertReyesA Glendale man who told police he took a pickax to Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame pleaded no contest Wednesday to a felony vandalism charge and was immediately sentenced to three years probation.

Austin Clay, 24, also was ordered to complete community service and pay nearly $9,500 in damages to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce related to the early morning incident on July 25, which nearly obliterated the star, including Trumps nameplate.

After bashing through the plaque, Clay called the Los Angeles Police Department and told officers he had defaced the presidents star on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue.

By the time officers arrived at the scene, he was gone. Private security in the area tried to intervene but couldnt stop Clay because they dont have police powers, officials said at the time.

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About an hour later, authorities said, Clay walked into Beverly Hills police headquarters and said he wanted to turn himself in. LAPD officers picked him up soon afterward. He was released on July 27 on $20,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

The no-contest plea, which was negotiated as part of a deal with prosecutors, means that Clay will not serve additional time behind bars. He originally faced a maximum sentence of three years in jail.

Since the 2016 presidential campaign, Trumps star has endured several publicized episodes of vandalism, including a spray-painted swastika and mute icon. People who notice it as they pass by have been seen stomping on it, spitting on it and writing on it. A photo of a pile of dog poop on the star went viral two years ago.

In October 2016, a man was caught on video bashing the star with a sledgehammer. He was charged with felony vandalism.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahnfryThe scene could have been out of a movie: more than a dozen FBI agents striding out of elevators on the fourth floor of Los Angeles City Hall and descending on the office of Councilman Jose Huizar.

By lunchtime Wednesday, federal investigators had served search warrants on Huizars City Hall suite, one of his field offices and his Spanish Colonial Revival residence in Boyle Heights, carrying boxes of materials from at least two of those locations.

The agents coordinated operation, described by neighbors and a handful of city employees, delivered a serious jolt to City Hall, which has not experienced such a flurry of investigative activity in more than a decade.

The searches pose, at minimum, a serious political threat to Huizar, a City Hall veteran who is working to elect his wife, Richelle Huizar, to his Eastside council seat.

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FBI Special Agent David Nanz, who supervised the search warrant at City Hall, declined to comment on what the agents were looking for, saying the warrants executed Wednesday were under seal. He said the FBI was not planning on making any arrests in relation to the warrants on Wednesday.

Huizar spokesman Rick Coca referred questions about the raid to Stephen Kaufman, the councilmans lawyer. Were trying to assess the situation and have no further comment at this time, Kaufman said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti declined to comment. Council President Herb Wesson, in a statement, said the events come as a surprise to each of us.

We will continue to do the jobs we were elected to do and will cooperate with authorities if asked, he said.

Huizar, first elected to the council in 2005, faces term limits in two years and had already shifted his focus to his wifes 2020 campaign to replace him. He represents neighborhoods stretching from downtown to Eagle Rock.

One Huizar staffer, who declined to give her name, said agents walked through the unlocked front door of the City Hall office and announced that they were serving a search warrant.

They just told us not to touch anything and put us in the conference room, she said. We had literally just opened the office.

FBI agents execute a search warrant Wednesday at the City Hall office of Councilman Jose Huizar in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The woman said the handful of staffers who were in the office were kept in the conference room as agents searched and were not given any information about what agents sought.

On Huizars street in Boyle Heights, FBI vehicles showed up early in the morning, according to 21-year-old Carmen Garcia, a next-door neighbor. When we woke up at 6, they were already parked beside the house, she said.

Huizars wife came out of the house a few hours later and left. While neighbors, activists and news crews congregated outside, an agent wearing an FBI T-shirt got out of his black SUV and led a dog up the stairs and into the councilmans home.

The search dog at Huizars house is trained to sniff out electronic devices, such as thumb drives or cellular telephones, that may be hidden, according to sources familiar with the search warrant.

Several agents exited the home around 1:15 p.m., including one who carried what appeared to be a thumb drive in a clear plastic bag. Agents loaded paper bags, cardboard boxes and a large black plastic tub into their vehicles before driving away.

Roughly an hour later, FBI agents streamed out of Huizars City Hall office, also carrying boxes and paper bags, as television cameras and news photographers recorded the moment. They silently strode down the hallway to the elevators.

The FBI investigation comes as Huizar is already under serious legal pressure. Over the last month, two former staffers have filed lawsuits alleging that he engaged in an extramarital affair with an aide and potentially illegal activities.

Mayra Alvarez, a former Huizar aide, said in her lawsuit the councilman instructed staffers to work on his wifes planned council campaign on city time. Pauline Medina, another former aide, alleged that she and other employees were instructed to perform inappropriate tasks, including raising money on city time for his alma mater, Salesian High School in Boyle Heights.

After Medina filed her lawsuit, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which operates Salesian High School, issued a statement saying the school administration has no record of staff members from Councilman Huizars office participating in fundraising activities at the school.

Alvarez also alleged in her lawsuit that Huizar had instructed her to alter appointment calendars from 2015 and 2016 that had been requested by The Times under the California Public Records Act, removing references to meetings with specific lobbyists and developers.

Huizar called the Alvarez lawsuit absolute nonsense and said Medinas legal filing is part of a coordinated political attack.

Lawyer Terrence Jones, who represents both Alvarez and Medina, said he had been contacted in recent weeks by federal investigators who have expressed interest in learning what his clients know. He said that no interviews had been set up but that he would advise his clients to provide any information requested by investigators.

The FBI has shown an interest in Huizar over several years. In 2011, businessman Rudy Martinez told The Times he had been interviewed by two FBI agents who had asked him about repairs that he had arranged at a rental house Huizar owned in El Sereno.

Martinez had been running against Huizar at the time. Huizars political consultant said that year that the councilman was not under investigation. Still, two former Huizar staffers also told The Times around that time that they had met with FBI agents who had asked about the councilmans bank accounts and other topics.

FBI agents descended on the office of Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar on Wednesday morning. (Joel Rubin / Los Angeles Times)

Huizars Eastside council district has a history of low-grade scandals involving its politicians. It was long represented by Councilman Art Snyder, who was charged with drunk driving, got into car crashes while driving city vehicles and eloped with a 19-year-old aide.

After leaving the council in 1985, Snyder became a lobbyist. Years later, he was convicted of conspiracy and money laundering.

Snyder was succeeded in the district by Richard Alatorre, who served 14 years on the council. Alatorre decided not to seek reelection in 1999 after it was revealed that he was the target of a federal corruption investigation. After leaving office, he pleaded guilty to felony tax evasion for failing to report more than $40,000 he had received from people seeking political influence.

Huizar has repeatedly won reelection by significant margins, despite his own brushes with controversy. In 2012, while driving a city SUV, he rear-ended a vehicle driven by a retired Huntington Park police officer. The city later paid $185,000 to settle the motorists lawsuit.

A year later, a former Huizar aide sued the city, alleging the councilman had sexually harassed her. Huizar called the allegations false but said he had been engaged in an occasional extramarital affair with the aide. He and the aide later settled privately.

On Wednesday, word of the FBI searches quickly reverberated through City Hall. Workers in the building, some of them taking photos, watched as FBI agents moved in and out of Huizars office.

At one point during the search, three Huizar staffers arrived and tried to enter the office. FBI? one said incredulously.

An agent told them to remain in the hall. Moments later, the agent invited the three staffers in and asked to see their city IDs. He then asked if they would be willing to answer some questions.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

david.zahniser@latimes.com

joel.rubin@latimes.com

emily.alpert@latimes.com

andrea.castillo@latimes.com

UPDATES:

4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional background.

1:30 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Jones and Wesson.

10:50 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Nanz, Kaufman and City Hall staff.

This article was originally published at 9:25 a.m.A man has been ripping wigs off the heads of Orthodox Jewish women in North Hollywood, and police believe the suspect has been targeting the victims because of their faith, authorities said.

Police said they arrested a suspect in the case Wednesday evening. The man, who was not immediately identified, is suspected of battery in three incidents involving Jewish women in September and November, according to a Los Angeles Police Department release.

The first incident, which took place on the holiest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, involved an 80-year-old woman who was walking on Bellaire Avenue near Burbank Boulevard, the LAPD said. The woman noticed she was being followed by a man who grabbed the wig off her head, smiled and handed it back to her, police said.

An image of the man suspected of attacking Orthodox Jewish women in North Hollywood. (LAPD)

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Later that day, the man approached a 36-year-old woman and tried to pull the wig from her head as well, according to the LAPD.

On Tuesday afternoon, a 58-year-old woman was loading musical equipment into a vehicle near Laurel Canyon and Burbank boulevards when apparently the same man pulled the wig from her head. He apologized to the victim in a sarcastic manner before throwing the wig on the ground, police said.

The suspect appears to have battered the women and targeted their wigs because of their religious beliefs, the LAPD said in a statement. Orthodox Jewish women often wear wigs, scarfs or hats to cover their hair as a symbol of modesty.

Attacks on the Jewish community have become an increasing concern for local law enforcement in recent weeks, after a gunman stormed the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people in late October. The shooter, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, explicitly stated a desire to kill Jews as he engaged in a firefight with police.

Anti-Semitic incidents have been on the rise nationally, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks such incidents by drawing on reports from police and news publications. There were 1,986 such incidents in 2017, a 57% jump from the prior year, according to data compiled by the ADL.

Just last week, someone scrawled anti-Semitic grafitti across the outside of an Irvine synagogue.

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact the LAPDs North Hollywood Division at (818) 754-8451.

Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.

james.queally@latimes.com

Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT

UPDATES:

10:25 p.m.: This story was updated with the suspects arrest.

5:50 p.m.: This story was updated with an image of the suspect.

This story was first published at 3:05 p.m.Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde addresses the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2018.(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde lauded China's accomplishments in building "bridges" for common prosperity with opening up and reform efforts.

In her keynote remarks at the opening ceremony for the week-long first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, Lagarde associated the Lupu Bridge she crossed the previous night in the coastal city with three other "bridges" that China has either constructed or is currently underway.

The first, according to Lagarde, was the "bridge to the world" that China started to build 40 years ago by opening its economy and by kickstarting reforms that have changed the lives and prospects of hundreds of millions of peoplehere and and beyond China.

The chief furthered that by transforming itselfthrough trade, hard work, and learning from othersChina has also helped to transform the global economy. Progress in this country has played a significant role in boosting productivity, innovation and living standards in countries around the world.

The second one, the head said, is a bridge to prosperity China is building underway by rebalancing its economy towards consumption-led growth, rather than export- and investment-led growth.

In the first three quarters of this year, consumption contributed 78 percent to Chinas GDP growth, up from 50 percent only 5 years ago, she expounded.

This transitionwhich is symbolized by the China International Import Expois good for China, especially in terms of rising standards of living for the Chinese people, and good for the world, including all those who see China as a vital and vibrant market for their goods and services, the chief illustrated.

Bridge number three is a bridge to the future China is constructing by harnessing the power of international cooperation, especially on trade, she pointed out.

On behalf of the IMF, I have called on all countries to de-escalate and resolve the current trade disputes and to fix the global trade system, not destroy it. To achieve these goals, we need more international cooperation, not lessand that goes well beyond economics, Lagarde said.

Trade, according to the managing director, has the capacity to boost innovation, foster not only prosperity but also peace within countries and among nations.

So in Shanghai, the city of 12 bridges, let us work together to build the bridge to peace, to a prosperous future, here in Shanghai and across the world, she appealed at last.Orange County voters on Tuesday appeared to oust longtime Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas in favor of challenger Todd Spitzer, a significant shift for an office that has been repeatedly rocked by scandals in recent years.

With all precincts reporting on Wednesday morning, Spitzer led Rackauckas in the race to become Orange Countys top prosecutor by nearly 6 percentage points, or more than 31,000 votes.

The bitter race included months of flame-throwing between Rackauckas, who has held the position for two decades, and Spitzer, his former protege. The winner will lead an office that handles more than 60,000 cases a year and wields an annual budget of about $145 million.

In other Orange County elections, Undersheriff Don Barnes received 57% of the vote in the race to take over the Sheriffs Department, taking a strong lead over political newcomer Duke Nguyen with 100% of precincts reporting.

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The district attorneys race was among the ugliest in Southern California. Spitzer, an Orange County supervisor and former assemblyman, most recently accused Rackauckas of subverting the criminal justice system for political gain by waiting to file a high-profile rape case until just before the midterm elections.

His campaign also highlighted allegations that Rackauckas office illegally used jailhouse informants to obtain confessions. In 2015, a criminal court judge removed the district attorneys office from the murder trial of Scott Dekraai, who shot and killed his ex-wife and seven others at a Seal Beach salon in 2011.

The so-called snitch scandal resulted in reduced or thrown-out charges in several other criminal cases and the retrial of several convicted killers. The district attorneys office is now facing a civil lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Spitzer himself is no stranger to negative attention. Last year, the 57-year-old settled a lawsuit for $150,000 with a former member of his staff who alleged several labor law violations. And in 2015, Spitzer was admonished for carrying a loaded handgun into a Foothill Ranch taco hut and making a citizens arrest of a preacher he deemed suspicious. He argued that his time as an LAPD reserve officer spurred his reaction.

The face-off between Spitzer and Rackauckas was years in the making. Spitzer worked as a prosecutor under Rackauckas for a year, and at one point appeared to be the incumbents eventual successor. But the two had a public falling out in 2010 when Rackauckas accused Spitzer of misconduct and fired him.

Rackauckas won his first term as district attorney in 1998 and has since served five terms. When the 75-year-old last won reelection with 73.3% of the vote in 2014, he said he wouldnt run again  but he gave it another go, in part to keep Spitzer from taking over the seat.

Spitzer signaled he was a serious threat when he garnered 35% of the vote to the incumbents 38% in the June primary. His campaign spent over $2.2 million, more than twice as much as Rackauckas.

As a top prosecutor, Spitzer had more than 100 trials under his belt, and as a state lawmaker was closely tied to the victims rights movement. Hes pledged that if elected, he will partner with nonprofits such as the American Civil Liberties Union to help reform the district attorneys office, which is still being investigated by federal and state authorities following the informant controversy.

Rackauckas, appointed to the judiciary in 1990, gained a reputation for being lenient to nonviolent defendants facing lengthy jail terms under the states three-strikes law. Hes also been a leader in the use of DNA analysis to apprehend violent criminals.

laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry

UPDATES:

10:00 a.m.: This article was updated with tally results released on Wednesday.

Nov. 7, 6:40 a.m.: This article was updated with information on Spitzers lead.

Nov. 6, 11:40 p.m.: This article was updated with additional returns.

This article was originally published at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 6.In what could be a stunning upset in the race to be Los Angeles County sheriff, challenger Alex Villanueva took a narrow lead over Sheriff Jim McDonnell early Wednesday.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Villanueva, a retired sheriffs lieutenant, was ahead by 4,927 votes, but provisional and late mail ballots still have to be counted.

Heading into the election to run one of the nations largest law enforcement agencies, McDonnell and Villanueva had been expected to be locked in a tight race.

Sheriffs in Los Angeles County can typically count on being easily reelected in the primary, but Villanueva disrupted that pattern when he became one of only four challengers in the last century to push a sitting sheriff into a runoff.

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Political experts said this years competitive race could signify a new era for the Sheriffs Department in which incumbents must fight to keep their jobs. The agency is still seeking to redefine itself after a jail abuse scandal unfolded under former Sheriff Lee Baca, a four-term leader accused of losing focus on his department. Baca is currently appealing his conviction last year for obstructing an FBI investigation and lying to investigators.

Indeed, the question of how to reform one of the nations largest policing organizations was a source of debate between McDonnell and Villanueva.

McDonnell, 59, campaigned on a promise to continue the improvements hes made, like reducing serious jail violence and enhancing mental health care behind bars.

The former Long Beach Police Chief and longtime Los Angeles Police Department official touted his support for the nearly 2-year-old Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and drew headlines when he tried to give prosecutors a Brady List of about 300 deputies with histories of misconduct.

Villanueva, 55, argued the Sheriffs Department hadnt done enough to distance itself from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is allowed to use office space inside one of the county jails.

Villanueva, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served three decades in the Sheriffs Department, said he would kick ICE agents out of the lockup, though he added his deputies would march inmates out of jail into ICE custody.

McDonnell remained the stronger fundraiser, drawing about $1.2 million from individual donors, most densely in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Beverly Hills. He was supported by at least $954,000 in additional dollars from an independent committee funded by business executives and a union representing sergeants, lieutenants and other Sheriffs Department employees.

Villanueva raised $156,000 from people most concentrated in eastern parts of the county near La Habra Heights, where he lives, but he was backed by an additional $1.4 million in outside money from labor groups including the rank-and-file deputy union.

The Sheriffs Department has faced new questions in recent months. A Times investigation found that a team of deputies targeted thousands of innocent Latino drivers on the 5 Freeway in drug searches, a practice now under review. There also have been concerns about why the department has not done more to curb deputies wearing matching tattoos that critics say are indications of secret cliques within the agency.

In other county races, incumbent Jeffrey Prang was expected to be handily reelected to the post of assessor. The assessors office is responsible for finding all taxable property in the county and appraising its value.

Prang was first elected in 2014 to succeed John Noguez, who had previously been arrested and charged with accepting bribes for lowering property owners assessments. After this years primary, Prang was forced into a runoff with John Loew, a longtime appraiser who earned 23.6% of the vote in June.

Voters were also deciding whether to approve a parcel tax that would raise money for stormwater capture and cleanup.

Measure W, a 2.5-cent tax per square foot of impermeable area on a property, would raise money for projects that improve water quality and that may also contribute to water supply and community benefits like parks.

The ballot measure was expected to be close, with a two-thirds majority of votes needed to pass.

If approved, Measure W will become the fourth major countywide tax to be green-lighted by voters in the last two years, in addition to sales and parcel taxes intended to raise money to improve transportation infrastructure, expand neighborhood parks and combat homelessness.

maya.lau@latimes.com

Twitter: @mayalau

nina.agrawal@latimes.com

Twitter: @AgrawalNina

UPDATES:

7:30 a.m.: This article was updated with information about the Sheriffs Department coming under fire in recent months.

Nov. 7, 6:05 a.m.: This article was updated with Villanueva leading McDonnell.

Nov. 6, 9:25 p.m.: This article was updated with early returns.

This article was originally published at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6.A Los Angeles City Council committee voted Tuesday to abandon a disputed bid to enshrine a former gas station on Silver Lake Boulevard as a historic monument after the building owner pledged to relocate the aging structure.

The newly announced plan would allow housing to move forward on the Silver Lake site while the 1941 building is moved and converted into a concession stand along the Los Angeles River. Architect and building owner William Hefner, who provided the committee renderings of a retro cafe along a bike path, said he had partnered with the local group River LA on the plan.

Its a beautiful example of the way we can have both in the city  we can have new housing and we can have historic preservation, said Daniel F. Freedman, an attorney representing Hefner.

The debate over whether to recognize the Silver Lake Texaco Service Station as a historic monument divided Angelenos: Some Silver Lake residents and preservationists have hailed the steel-frame structure, which has been operating for decades as an automotive repair shop, as a slice of local history and a rare and valuable example of the Streamline Moderne style.

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If we continue to destroy historic buildings, there will be nothing left of our past to show anyone, said Mary Mallory, a member of the preservationist group Hollywood Heritage.

Others, including groups that are pressing for L.A. to build more housing, argued that it was more important to build housing than to preserve the aging building. Before Councilman Mitch OFarrell asked the city to look into making it into a monument, Hefner had turned in plans to redevelop the Silver Lake site with more than a dozen apartments.

Making the old station a monument would not necessarily prevent that from happening: Historic buildings can still be altered or even demolished under city rules, according to the planning department. In some cases, builders have incorporated beloved structures and historic features into new development.

A rendering of the Texaco station in its new use. (William Hefner)

But housing advocates complain that the additional review required to alter or tear down historic structures can delay construction and drive up costs.

The California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund, which advocates for more housing construction, argued in a letter that holdup on the Silver Lake project ran the risk of violating state laws governing housing development. The council committee had delayed a decision for months after the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to recommend making it into a historic monument.

At the Tuesday meeting, OFarrell aide Craig Bullock said that their staff had used that time to work with Hefner to come up with a solution. Several possible sites for the new concession had been identified, he said. In light of the new plans for the building, Bullock asked the committee not to press forward with making the former gas station a monument.

Though not conventional, we think that we were able to achieve the historic preservation that was desired, Bullock told the committee.

Bullock added that the building was missing some of the character-defining features  such as signage and fixtures  that could make it worthy of being designated as a monument.

Some historic preservationists were skeptical of the plan. At the Tuesday hearing, Christine Kantner of the Silver Lake Heritage Trust questioned whether it was even possible to move the structure, in light of its dilapidated condition, and stressed that a possible buyer had expressed interest in restoring the site.

I feel it needs to stay where it is, Kantner said. Because the context of where it is in Silver Lake Village, along with the other Streamline Moderne and Moderne buildings there, is important.

The decision now heads to the full council.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlpertReyesFor years, black and Latino residents in the Antelope Valley complained they were the victims of racially biased stops and searches along with other mistreatment by Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies.

The U.S. Department of Justice analyzed Sheriffs Department data from tens of thousands of vehicle and pedestrian stops, interviewed hundreds of people and reviewed volumes of internal sheriffs documents before concluding in a landmark case that deputies were engaged in a pattern of biased policing.

The findings forced the county to reach a legal settlement with federal authorities in 2013 that called for significant reforms and a team of monitors whose oversight continues today.

Now the Sheriffs Department is facing new complaints of racial profiling in the neighboring Santa Clarita Valley over the work of a small team of deputies who have pulled over thousands of innocent Latino drivers on the 5 Freeway in a search for drug traffickers. And, as federal investigators did before, the sheriffs independent watchdog is looking into the deputies actions.

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Inspector General Max Huntsman said he is obtaining data from the Sheriffs Department so his office can examine the deputies stops and try to decipher whether they have been targeting Latinos.

L.A. County sheriff launches 2 reviews of unit that stopped thousands of innocent Latino drivers on 5 Freeway 

Racial profiling analyses have gained renewed attention in recent years amid the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and broader concerns over racial inequality in the criminal justice system.

In July, California began requiring large law enforcement agencies to collect detailed information on the race, gender and other demographic details every time officers pull drivers over or otherwise detain them. By 2022, all of the states police agencies will have to collect the data.

Huntsmans investigation was launched after The Times analyzed Sheriffs Department data from more than 9,000 stops by the highway team and found that 69% of the drivers pulled over were Latino and that two-thirds of Latino drivers had their vehicles searched for drugs or other contraband  both far higher rates than for other races. The Times analysis also found that drugs or other contraband were discovered in vehicles driven by Latinos at a rate that was not significantly higher than other races.

Sheriffs officials have denied racial profiling and insist the deputies base their stops only on a persons driving and other impartial factors. Several racial profiling researchers reviewed the Times findings and said they were a strong indication the deputies were targeting Latinos.

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund or MALDEF, echoed the experts conclusions, saying the statistics alone are pretty strong prima facie evidence of racial profiling.

The numbers are just too stark, he said.

But racial profiling experts and civil rights lawyers said numbers alone often are not enough to reveal what motivates law enforcement officers and answer whether bias, if it exists, is intentional. In lawsuits or internal inquiries like the one Huntsman has launched, lawyers and investigators often look for additional evidence to glean what officers were thinking.

You have to build out a story with circumstantial evidence because nobody is going to say they were targeting Latinos, Saenz said.

Racial profiling cases have been built using comments officers made either to detained motorists or each other, reports officers wrote, or department policies and the instructions supervisors gave officers.

In one of the nations most well-known racial profiling lawsuits, MALDEF and other civil rights groups accused then-Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of targeting Latinos in an effort to find immigrants unauthorized to be in the U.S. To make their case, the attorneys used recordings of deputies discussing the need to come up with legitimate reasons to pull over drivers they had already targeted.

Lets get our PC, deputies were recorded saying, referring to probable cause, the legal grounds for stopping drivers, according to Dan Pochoda, former legal director of the ACLU of Arizona, who spearheaded the suit.

The deputies pulled Latino drivers over for speeding or other minor traffic violations but then delved into their immigration status. This tactic of using traffic stops as a pretext for fishing for more serious crimes is widely used by police and does not violate the 4th Amendments prohibition on improper search and seizure.

However, if an officer is motivated by the race or ethnicity of drivers when deciding whom to stop, the practice would violate guarantees of equal protection found in the 14th Amendment.

In the Maricopa County case, a federal judge ruled that Arpaios office was profiling and improperly detaining Latinos and ordered significant reforms. The class-action case has cost taxpayers more than $70 million in legal fees and other costs, including paying for monitors assigned to ensure the profiling stopped, Pochoda said.

Another federal judge later found Arpaio guilty of criminal contempt for flouting the courts orders to stop racial profiling. Before Arpaio could be sentenced, President Trump pardoned him last year. By then, the countys voters had rejected the sheriffs bid for reelection.

In New York City, civil rights groups challenging the Police Departments stop and frisk policy in a federal lawsuit hired an expert to analyze data on millions of police encounters. He concluded that the policy disproportionately affected black and Latino men.

Darius Charney, an attorney at the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights who was among those suing the city, said he and others looked for evidence beyond the data to understand what orders police officers had been given.

They collected testimony from more than 100 officers and presented the judge with a recording of a precinct commander ordering an officer to focus his attention on young black men. They also dug up comments a top official made in private to lawmakers in which he acknowledged the program targeted minorities and tried to defend it as a smart strategy, Charney said.

Youre not going to find a document where they admit to everything, Charney said. Its going to come from talking to a lot of people  going up the chain of command, starting with the officer and then talking to his or her supervisor and then his or her commanderThats a lot of work.

The judge concluded that the NYPDs stop-and-frisk practice amounted to racial profiling. The city eventually abandoned the policy.

The U.S. Department of Justice has conducted dozens of investigations resulting in court-enforced consent decrees or settlement agreements requiring reforms of law enforcement departments. In cases involving allegations of racial profiling, traffic stop data played a key role in the investigations, but additional reviews of department documents and interviews were also significant.

The Trump administration has taken a decidedly different tack, choosing not to pursue such investigations, lawyers said.

The investigation that Justice officials completed in the Antelope Valley offers something of a road map for Huntsman as he looks into the new allegations against the Sheriffs Department.

Federal investigators started with statistics when trying to make sense of allegations that deputies assigned to the Palmdale and Lancaster stations were discriminating against African American residents, particularly those living in low-income subsidized housing.

They conducted a complex analysis of nearly 49,000 traffic and pedestrian stops that took into account factors such as the areas crime rates and demographics. Their finding: Blacks, and to a lesser extent, Latinos were considerably more likely than whites to be stopped and searched. The statistical review also found minorities were not more likely to be found with weapons or other contraband.

Justice officials concluded the numbers showed the deputies actions had an undeniable disparate impact on minorities that provides circumstantial evidence of discriminatory intent.

The investigation went beyond the numbers to examine more than 35,000 pages of department documents, interviews with hundreds of people and several days on the ground observing deputies at work. The digging uncovered issues that bolstered the statistical findings, such as a widespread failure by deputies to adequately document their encounters with people and supervisors failing to catch the problem.

As a result of the findings, the county Housing Authority agreed to pay $2 million and the Sheriffs Department $700,000 to victims of discrimination. The Sheriffs Department also paid a $25,000 fine and agreed to cover the costs of deputy training, monitoring and data collection.

The team of monitors overseeing the settlement cost the county $870,000 annually on top of hundreds of thousands of dollars more for training Antelope Valley deputies in bias-free policing.

Joseph Brann, a former police chief who serves on the monitoring team, said The Times recent analysis of the highway teams traffic stops on the 5 Freeway were of great concern but that he would need more information if he were investigating whether deputies were racially profiling motorists.

Among a lengthy list of question he would have: How are the teams deputies supervised? Does a separate department unit or outside entity analyze data from the teams traffic stops? Are deputies targeting a particular type of driver based on behavior or some other factor?

Its the organizations responsibility to ensure this doesnt occur at either an individual level or as a consequence of poorly thought out organizational policies or practices, he said.

maura.dolan@latimes.com | Twitter: @mauradolan

joel.rubin@latimes.com | Twitter: @joelrubinPresident Trump was among the first to congratulate former military commander Jair Bolsonaro after his victory in Brazils presidential election Oct. 28.

The election placed Bolsonaro, who takes office Jan. 1, in position to become the most far-right leader to rule the second-largest country in the hemisphere since its return to democracy a generation ago.

During his campaign, Bolsonaro made no secret of his admiration for Trump. He often seemed to be reading from the same script. He said he would pull Brazil out of the Paris climate accord  long championed by the Amazon nation  as Trump did with the United States. He promised to move Brazils Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which Trump did with the U.S. Embassy.

In the campaign and in his more than 20 years as a member of parliament, Bolsonaro insulted and disparaged opponents, women, people of color and gays and lesbians. He once told a female legislator she was too ugly to rape. He advocates arming more citizens against crime and allowing police to shoot first, ask questions later.

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Like Trump, some of his closest advisors are his equally provocative sons.

And like Trump, Bolsonaro was chosen by a highly polarized electorate amid rampant disinformation and misinformation campaigns, according to the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab, which monitored the campaign and vote.

Still, to some it seemed unusual that Trump would so enthusiastically welcome Bolsonaros election given the controversy surrounding him.

Had a very good conversation with the newly elected President of Brazil, Trump tweeted Oct. 29. We agreed that Brazil and the United States will work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else! Excellent call, wished him congrats!

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the two men pledged to work side by side.

National security advisor John Bolton praised Bolsonaro as a like-minded partner whose election was among positive signs for the region. A senior administration official who briefed reporters said Trump felt like he shared values and priorities with Bolsonaro.

One explanation for the fawning is that Bolsonaro unseated a leftist party that had won nearly all of Brazils recent elections; a right-wing government with free-market tendencies is certain to be more welcomed in Washington.

The administration also is probably hoping the Bolsonaro government will provide a stronger counter-balance to neighboring Venezuela, where a socialist government has helped plunge the population into economic and political chaos and triggered a massive exodus.

Trump has taken aim at Venezuela, levying sanctions and calling on the government to step down. One administration official even floated the idea of a military intervention, a cause dismissed by most but taken up by hawkish Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who wields outsize influence over Trumps foreign policy in Latin America. Many South American countries have also protested Venezuelas trampling of democracy, but Brazil was a major holdout.

Apparently hoping to gain access to Trumps inner circle, Bolsonaro and his team sought support from Stephen K. Bannon, the former senior advisor to Trump who is often considered the mastermind behind the real estate magnates unlikely victory in 2016.

Brazilian analysts said Bannons brand of fiery, racially tinged right-wing nationalism, which he has been hawking in Europe and elsewhere, fit in with Bolsonaros own viewpoints and style.

Bannon told a conference in Toronto in May that it was no coincidence in his view that as the German leader Angela Merkel, a champion of the Western liberalism Bannon seems to despise, was being forced out of power, Bolsonaro was reaching the pinnacle of his own countrys leadership.

Bolsonaros team was enamored of the idea of getting into the inner sphere of Trump, said Shannon ONeil, an expert on Latin America and a vice president at the Council on Foreign Relations. They definitely have an affinity for Trump and how he does things and have an interest in emulating his style  as well as the substance.

Whether a real change is coming in relations between Washington and Brasilia, apart from the cosmetics, remains unclear. Both Trumps United States, and Brazil traditionally, are inward-looking countries.

But Bolsonaro appears more intent than his predecessors on building ties with the United States. The two are the largest economies in the hemisphere, but Brazil is only the United States 12th trading partner in goods. U.S. goods and services trade with Brazil totaled an estimated $100.3 billion in 2017.

The U.S. would benefit from continued engagement with Brazil in areas of trade and commerce, as well as in areas of regional security to address pressing issues in the hemisphere, including the crisis in Venezuela, said Roberta Braga, associate director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank.

Like many in formerly predominantly Catholic Brazil, Bolsonaro is also a fervent member of the evangelical Christian church, which is socially conservative and pro-Israel, attitudes that also align him with Trump.

Nevertheless, he has had to back down from some of his campaign promises. In the face of public outcry, he said he would remain inside the Paris climate accord, after all. And, with beef exports to the Arab world a huge source of national income, he has also reversed himself on relocating the Brazilian Embassy to Jerusalem, a move that would have angered those trading partners.

In the end, said Paulo Sotero, head of the Brazil Institute at the nonpartisan Wilson Center think tank, Bolsonaro understands that the very divisive rhetoric will not help him govern.

It remains to be seen whether Bolsonaro would abandon some of the more offensive positions he has held for decades.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on TwitterA jury was selected Wednesday for the trial of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, capping a brief but tumultuous selection process that sparked excitement and fear among those interviewed to serve.

With the exception of one woman, who pleaded to be released from the jury pool in what Federal Judge Brian Cogan termed an open rebellion and left the courtroom in tears, those chosen reacted with reserve. The diverse jury includes several Spanish speakers, a handful of immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia, and at least four people with personal connections to law enforcement. Almost all said they favored more liberal drug enforcement policy, and most said they had watched at least a bit of either Narcos or El Chapo on Netflix. One claimed never to have heard of Guzman, while the rest said they were only vaguely aware of him.

It was a departure from the preceding days of the selection process, in which more than 70 potential jurors were interviewed and expressed emotions ranging from enthusiasm to terror. One contender was rushed to the hospital early Tuesday after suffering a panic attack in the jury room. Another fidgeted with evident distress in the gallery, bursting into extensive tears in a private audience with Cogan. A third was eliminated for cause after she told the court, I looked up his name and kill juror online, and said Guzmans promise not to target jurors made me anxious.

According to the court, those fears were not without merit. In February, Cogan ordered unusual and extensive steps to secure juror safety, including anonymity and daily private escorts to and from the Eastern District of New York courthouse by armed U.S. Marshals.

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Defendants history of violence alone  violence done at his direction or on his behalf  would be sufficient to warrant an anonymous and partially sequestered jury, Cogan wrote in his Feb. 5 ruling. That many of the allegations involve murder, assault, kidnapping or torture of potential witnesses or those suspected of assisting law enforcement make the Governments concerns particularly salient.

Even if hit men never came for the jury, publicity could expose them to intimidation by defendants friends or enemies, or harassment by the public, the ruling warned.

Those concerns swayed some early contenders, including a man whod told the court Monday that he enjoyed an El Chapo sandwich at his local deli, only to agonize on Tuesday that the detail would identify him to the cashier. A Michael Jackson impersonator whod been eager to serve got the ax over worries his occupation could out him.

All told, 34 of thepotential jurors interviewed during voir dire were stricken for cause, many because they said they or their families were afraid. Others told the judge they couldnt miss work, that theyd never trust witnesses cooperating with prosecutors, or that they already knew too much about the defendant to give him a fair hearing.

There was even a man cut for being starstruck.

That hopeful, an immigrant from Medellin, Colombia, whod grown up amidst drug violence, got caught asking a court officer to get him Guzmans autograph.

Im a bit of a fan, he admitted, drawing a grin from the defendant and the boot from the judge.

Others were less impressed by the cartel boss, who has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of drug trafficking, conspiracy to murder and firearms violations after being extradited to the U.S. in 2017.

Theyre an evil bunch  I would be weighted to convict, an older white man told the judge. When Cogan pressed him on whether he could be impartial, the man promised to try.

To paraphrase Yoda, there is no try, Cogan replied. That man agreed to keep an open mind, but was axed during peremptory strikes.

While lawyers deliberated over which jurors to exclude, defense attorney Mariel Colon petitioned the court to allow her client a brief embrace with his wife just before opening statements on Tuesday. Cogan did not immediately say whether he would honor the request.

Among those who will determine Guzmans ultimate fate are a man with a son in the NYPD, a woman whose son had struggled with drugs, a Department of Corrections retiree and a young woman who called the El Chapo Netflix series kind of boring.

Alternates included a booster of Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who supports her calls to abolish ICE but said that wouldnt color his view of testimony from Homeland Security, and a woman who had two brothers in the department and who called its agents very credible witnesses.

The impaneled jurors left court Wednesday morning with an escort from federal marshals, though Cogan decided not to officially swear them in until the trial formally begins Tuesday morning.

I will see you then for what I believe will be a very interesting experience for all of you, the judge said.

Sharp is a special correspondent.Civil rights groups came prepared Tuesday with one of the largest efforts ever to monitor elections.

A tense buildup to the midterm election included warnings from President Trump of widespread voting fraud, concerns about hacking and accusations of voter suppression through identification laws in states including Georgia and North Dakota.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled Lacy Johnsons first name as Lacey.

For the most part, however, there was no widespread breakdown in the voting system, according to the Election Protection Coalition, a network that includes the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Common Cause and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

But voters across the country nonetheless hit snags as voting machines malfunctioned, lines in precincts extended for hours and confusion over new voter ID laws reigned at hundreds of polling sites. Civil rights groups successfully launched last-minute lawsuits in several states to extend voting hours late into the night, including in Fulton County, Ga., and Harris County, Texas.

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The nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline received more than 30,000 calls by Tuesday night, according to the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which operates the line. The number is the highest it has gotten during a midterm election in the 18 years it has monitored election day issues. During the 2014 midterm, the hotline received just over 17,000 calls.

Many of the problems seemed to be a result of precincts overwhelmed with unusually large numbers of voters, aging technology and human error.

Isolated incidents were reported in California. The nonpartisan voting monitoring group California Common Cause said its volunteers received 2,000 calls to its voting hotline, many with questions about changes to polling places. In one unusual interruption in Bakersfield, a driver crashed into a elementary school and ran away, leading police to lock down the polling place.

In North Hollywood and Canoga Park, a jammed ballot box and a broken voting machine led to problems. At the Los Angeles County registrars office in Norwalk, hundreds lined up for more than two hours to iron out registration issues, including new voter registrations.

In Gwinnett County, Ga., voters said lines ran for more than four hours after four machines malfunctioned early in the day and left them to submit provisional ballots. In Chicago, a judge ordered voting hours to be extended at five locations after precincts opened late and voters said ballot pages were missing. In parts of the Deep South, storms led to blackouts, including one in Knox County, Tenn., that left several polling places without electricity, forcing them to resort to paper ballots.

Complaints also came in about how voter identification laws were being applied in many states, said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee. Many calls originated in Georgia, home to a hotly contested governors race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp.

Last week, civil rights groups sued to keep tens of thousands of mostly African American voters from having their votes restricted because the names on their IDs did not precisely match voting rolls, including middle names and hyphens.

Clarke said it was unclear how much voter ID and other restrictions affected turnout and results in different states. She said that such laws could swing elections in theory by keeping people from voting but that whether it has an impact on elections today remains to be seen.

Across the country, the Department of Justice and nonprofits had dispatched voting observers to ensure smooth elections. The Election Protection Coalition, a network of civil rights groups that includes the Lawyers Committee, had 6,500 volunteers in 30 states to watch for problems at the polls.

The coalition said calls came in about voting machines flipping votes in Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas, though they said the events did not seem to be widespread.

In Maricopa County, Ariz., those attempting to vote hit several stumbling blocks throughout the day. For at least 20 minutes before noon, the entire computer system for the county stopped working. That meant that voters could not check in at the polls. Printers were also down at polling places for several hours, meaning that voters could not get custom on demand ballots for their precincts. Late Tuesday, a judge denied a request by the Lawyers Committee and the Arizona Advocacy Network and Foundation to extend voting hours to make up for the mishaps.

Despite President Trumps warning this week that there are a lot of people  my opinion, and based on proof  that try and get in illegally and actually vote illegally, elections officials did not report any widespread voter fraud.

No. None, said Rick Barron, the elections director in Fulton County, Ga., when asked of of fraud. The county includes most of Atlanta. But Barron said there were other voting problems, including at a recreation center that received fewer than half the number of voting machines it was supposed to get. That led to unusually long lines in the morning before the problem was resolved. The center is among those that a judge ordered to stay open later after a lawsuit was filed to complain about its malfunctioning.

We also see problems with poorly trained poll workers, said Karen Hobert Flynn, president of Common Cause, a member of the Election Protection Coalition.

Lacy Johnson, a Houston resident who attempted to vote in the morning at her polling place, said a mistake by poll workers left her temporarily unable to cast a regular ballot when they accidentally scanned her in the electronic voting system as having voted before she actually did.

They tried to re-enter my information, but because they had already entered it moments before, it now falsely claimed I had already voted, she wrote in a Facebook post.

In an interview, Johnson said she voted via a provisional ballot but felt her vote was suppressed since it was unclear whether it would be counted. Hours later, she returned to the polling site with an elections board official on the phone who was able to help poll workers generate a new code for her to vote.

In another incident in Houston, an elections official was dismissed after reportedly making a racist comment to a black voter in which she suggested the voter would understand voting rules better if the official had worn blackface.

In North Dakota, Native American tribal leaders had rushed to print thousands of new IDs to comply with a new voter ID law that requires voters to have IDs with residential addresses, something many Native Americans there do not have. Many instead use post office boxes because they live on reservations without traditional addresses.

The states elections director Tuesday said that the ID issue was not widespread, though civil rights groups said they received reports of Native Americans who encountered difficulties voting.

In predominantly Latino Dodge City, Kan., civil rights groups said fears over voter suppression may have been misplaced. Groups had warned about voter turnout in the city after county officials moved its only polling station to a new location a few miles outside of town, more than a mile beyond the citys last bus stop.

Liberal observers feared that the move would depress turnout among working-class Latino voters, who typically favor Democrats, and volunteers rushed to the city from across the state and the nation  one from as far away as San Diego  to provide carpools and buses to voters. Instead, the vehicles mostly stayed idle as voters needing rides didnt show up in big numbers.

Heres the Dodge City, Kansas, polling location that has caused so much consternation after officials moved it to an expo center outside city limits.



Thing that struck me: The city is 59% Hispanic, but almost all the voters I see here now are not. pic.twitter.com/fpeuWTRkOP  Matt Pearce  (@mattdpearce) November 6, 2018

American Civil Liberties Union observers reported that only 10 or 15 voters mistakenly showed up at the old voting location, and voters overwhelmingly drove to the new polling station.

The national story doesnt really appear to be the real story on the ground, said Edgar Pando, a Dodge City attorney who provides legal aid to low- and middle-income Kansans. People sort of extrapolated a meaning that wasnt there, outside looking in, and that seems to be the general consensus.

Charles Stewart, director of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, cautioned that even high numbers of voting problem reports did not mean elections were not successful.

I think this is turning out to be yet another well-run election, he said. In a large democracy with close to 100 million people voting, hundreds of thousands of polling places and 1 million poll workers, were going to find errors and theyre going to be amplified ... and we need to put all of that in context.

Times staff writers Matt Pearce in Dodge City, Kan., and Jaclyn Cosgrove in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

UPDATES:

9:15 p.m.: This article was updated with details about lawsuits to extend voting hours, reports made to the Election Protection Hotline, voting problems in California and analysis of polling place issues.

This article was originally published at 5:05 p.m.Floridas hotly contested race for the U.S. Senate could be heading for an automatic recount.

Republican Rick Scott holds a 30,239-vote lead over incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson out of more than 8.1 million ballots cast for a difference of 0.38%, according to unofficial returns posted by the state Division of Elections.

State law triggers a recount if the difference in a race is less than 0.5%. So if the returns stand, the state will count the ballots again. There was no comment from state officials early Wednesday.

The official notice for a recall would come from secretary of state Ken Detzner, a Scott appointee. Calls to his office were not immediately returned Wednesday.

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Nelson could forgo a recount by writing Detzner to concede the race, but in a statement Wednesday, he pledged to move forward.

We are proceeding to a recount, Nelson said.

Unofficial results arent typically finalized until the Saturday after the election, so a recount might not begin until then.

Under Florida law, a machine recount is conducted when the margin of victory is 0.5% or less. If the margin is 0.25% or less after the machine recount, a manual recount is conducted.

This is obviously not the result Sen. Nelsons campaign has worked hard for, said Pete Mitchell, Nelsons campaign manager, at an election party in Orlando. The senator will be making a full statement tomorrow to thank all those who rallied for his cause.

The campaign had been waiting Tuesday night on returns from Broward County, where numbers could not be input electronically in seven precincts and had to be driven to county elections offices to be manually entered via thumb drives.

Those late numbers appear to have edged Nelson close to the 0.5-point recount margins from what had been a 0.7- to 0.8-point margin for most of the night.

Scott did appear to claim victory at his celebration in Naples.

Its hard to believe were here tonight, he said. This campaign is behind us and thats where were going to leave it.

At the time he spoke, Scotts lead was slightly greater than the 0.5% margin required for a recount.

This race is over, Scott spokesman Chris Hartline said in a statement Wednesday. Its a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert and admirer of President Trump, often crows that the presidential election in 2016 punched a hole in reality.

Adams, a self-styled nihilist, finds the uppercut to truth exciting. Most others find it terrifying.

But there is some agreement: The election of a sui generis TV personality to the highest office in the land blackened the eye of American institutions. Whether you consider that a good or a bad thing depends on what you think of those institutions.

Nothing in the last two years could put a halt to realitys epic losing streak. At a recent rally for the president in Florida, a Trump fan said she was entirely indifferent to Trumps numberless lies. She nicely nailed the embrace of our national acid trip: I dont care if he sprouts a third penis up there, only she didnt use the anatomically correct term.

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Morale, while it would be nice, is not exactly whats required right now.

On Tuesday, however, midterm voters offered at least one cheer for restoring truth. They brought a sharp check to the compulsively deceitful administration: a Democratic majority in the House.

Lies have some competition now. Theres an opposition party with a voice and a veto.

Sure, Democrats dearly wished for the emotional shot in the arm that might have come with the victory of at least one of the telegenic candidates in the Obama mode: Andrew Gillum (as governor in Florida), Stacey Abrams (as governor in Georgia) and Beto ORourke (as U.S. senator in Texas). Unfortunately, they all lost (though Abrams has not yet conceded).

But morale, while it would be nice, is not whats required right now.

Its even possible that Democrats, independents, centrist Republicans and Never Trumpers  who can be forgiven for craving some serotonin  wouldnt actually benefit from a high. Right now, all concerned citizens need to be clear-eyed, not starry-eyed.

Nothing should distract us from the fundamental and urgent work for the Republic: rebuilding a nation founded on shared truth, on facts in common.

In our pluralistic and polyglot nation, one defined by bubbles and tribes, its hard to agree even on what certifies reality. To believe bitcoin is valuable, say, because the blockchain keeps it safe requires almost religious faith. To believe that hurricanes indicate climate change because of science strikes others as superstitious.

These chunks of language  like God before them  have become partisan artifacts, rather than authorities we can agree will settle our disputes.

Absent such an authority, we must rely on dispute itself. In our courts, in our elections and in our marketplace, where competitors battle it out for voters, juries and consumers, we have historically accepted an adversarial system as the royal road to truth.

Trump, with a Supreme Court stacked with conservatives and a Republican majority in both legislative chambers, hasnt had an effective challenger.

Yes, the courts, the people, the special counsel and the non-Fox News media have heroically pushed back on the White Houses lies, against the head wind of the presidents efforts to demonize and destroy them. But without a fully empowered adversary among the three branches of government, the administration has been behaving immorally and unlawfully. This must stop.

In addition to a voice and a veto, the Democratic-majority Congress also has the all-important power to conduct investigations. And conscientious investigations are realitys most formidable weapon.

In August, a spreadsheet surfaced: It was a list of the probes Republicans most feared in the event of a Democratic majority in the House.

It seems that, at summers end, Trumps party was terrified that a Democratic Congress would subpoena Trumps tax returns, look into corruption in his businesses, investigate his dealings with Russia, question his payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels and dig into his firing of former FBI Director James B. Comey.

Has the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner complied with ethics guidelines? Are Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchins business dealings on the up and up? What about discussions of classified information at Mar-a-Lago? Why are so many Cabinet secretaries misusing their privileges and perks?

Is the travel ban constitutional? How about the family separation policy? What went on with the hurricane response in Puerto Rico and the dismissal of members of the Environmental Protection Agencys board of scientific counselors? How about all those hinky White House security clearances, and Trumps waffling about the torture and murder of American resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi?

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

These are among the many questions Republicans least want asked. Theyd rather persist in the unreality of their own hallucinations, sure that the threat to the republic comes from a caravan of tired and hungry asylum seekers rather than Trumps murderous buddies Vladimir Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Of course, this strange inversion of national security priorities is only part of the psychedelic fantasies of this delusional and dangerous administration.

Reality, and all those who stand with it, have taken a hard hit. Its reeling like a cartoon boxer with birds tweeting around his head. But slowly, slowly reality will steady itself and make a comeback.

It always has  at least so far.

Twitter:@page88An ancient political adage holds that winning elections is about addition, not subtraction  that parties succeed by building the broadest coalitions they can. Donald Trump, who became president by defying the rules, tried to win Tuesdays congressional elections a different way: through division. It didnt work.

Trumpism finally met some limits, and the country is better for it. Not healed, not repaired  but better.

Democrats didnt quite get the blue wave they hoped for. They lost at least two seats in the Senate, which will remain solidly under Republican control. But they achieved their primary target: They regained control of the House of Representatives, ending the GOPs four-year hold on both houses of Congress. Now they can block whatever remains of Trumps legislative agenda. More important, they can open serious investigations into the presidents conduct. That will make the next two years a very different experience than the White House has enjoyed with a compliant Republican Congress.

But the voters larger message was also important: Even without the wave, this was a rebuke of a heedless, headstrong president. In exit polls, 55% of voters said they disapprove of the way Trump is doing his job. Two-thirds said the president was a factor in their vote.

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Trump has himself to blame on that count, although hes not known for that kind of introspection. He made this election a referendum on himself.

In a certain way, I am on the ballot, he said last week.

A vote for David is a vote for me, he said in Iowa, where David Young was running for the House. Young lost.

What happened?

Trump still doesnt seem to understand that he won the presidential election with a minority of the popular vote, and that the House of Representatives isnt decided by the quirks of the electoral college.

He didnt care that even as he cemented the support of his fervent nationalist-conservative base, independent voters  soft Trump voters in 2016  were drifting away.

Instead of broadening his appeal, he made it narrower. Instead of building a broader coalition  adding  he resorted to relentless, deliberate division.

Instead of focusing his campaign on a surging economy, he whipped up fear over a distant caravan of refugees, questioned the intelligence of African American politicians, and tossed out absurd charges that Democrats wanted to import Venezuelan socialism to the United States.

The result was a backlash among independents, suburban women and college-educated Republicans. Many of those voters supported him in 2016 mostly because they disliked Hillary Clinton. Clinton wasnt on the ballot this time.

As Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report noted, Trumps popularity falls when he makes himself the center of attention; his ratings rise when he gets out of the way. Thats a lesson the president cant seem to learn. He couldnt resist making himself the focus of the midterm campaign, even though some GOP strategists warned against it.

It seems unlikely that the president will take a lesson from what ought to be a chastening experience. Has he ever been chastened by anything?

Already, on Tuesday evening, his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, declared the election a huge victory for the president, claiming the GOPs gains in the Senate outweigh the loss of the House. To anyone with a passing knowledge of Congress, the claim is risible.

A normal president might consider a dose of bipartisanship, an attempt to negotiate with the Democratic leadership of the House. Ronald Reagan did that when he had a bad midterm election. So did Bill Clinton.

But even if this president wanted to proclaim a New Trump, and work across the aisle, he cant. Hes poisoned the wells from which bipartisanship is drawn.

Democrats dont want to deal with him. They dont trust him to keep his word. And their voters consider him the devil. It will profit Democratic leaders nothing to sell their souls for, say, an infrastructure bill.

Meanwhile, the president has radicalized  or rather, Trumpified  his own party. Most of the last GOP moderates are gone, replaced either by Democrats or by more conservative Republicans. Next years Senate will be even less interested in compromise than the current version.

Thats not a promising foundation for deal making or governing; its a guarantee of gridlock. All thats missing is a declaration from Nancy Pelosi that her primary goal is ensuring Trump is a one-term president.

In his brief political career, Trump has only one playbook. It enabled him to win the presidency in 2016, when almost nobody expected. It convinced him that he is a better political strategist than any of his advisors. The loss of the House is unlikely to inspire him to abandon the polarization, the division, the ugliness and incivility he employed on his path to power.

But everyone else may have learned a hopeful lesson on Tuesday: Division doesnt always work. Trump isnt unbeatable. The 2020 presidential campaign begins today.

Doyle McManus is a contributing writer to Opinion. Twitter: @doylemcmanus

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookExterior of the CIIE venue in Shanghai. (Photo from www.ciie.org)

The First Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum themed spurring new vitality of global trade and creating an open and win-win scenario was held on the sidelines of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on November 5.

The Forum included three parallel sessions focusing on trade and opening, trade and innovation, and trade and investment respectively. More than 40 leaders of related countries and regions, representatives of businesses and academia, as well as heads of international organizations gathered at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and exchanged opinions.

Openness was the trend of history. Globalization would never stop, said L'Oreal Chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon, adding that globalization had become a natural tendency and to reject it was like denying the existence of gravity.

Openness brings huge opportunities. China had brought opportunities to foreign enterprises by opening the worlds largest consumer market to the world, said William Ding, Chairman and CEO of Chinese internet company NetEase. A Japanese paper diaper producer had even specifically expanded its production line for its Chinese market, Ding introduced.

Openness benefits more people. Each American household can save as much as $850 every year thanks to the cost-effective commodities imported from China, noted Long Guoqiang, Vice-President of Development Research Center of Chinas State Council.

Having more people benefited from trades required more enterprises and people from developing countries to become involved in it, Long said.

Jack Ma, chairman of Chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba noted that technology would change trade pattern, and it should be used to enhance the inclusiveness of trade. For instance, the young people nowadays could buy and sell products from and to the world with just a smart phone in hand, he added.

Participating guests at the parallel session on trade and innovation agreed that all countries should seize the new opportunities brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, create new economic models, explore for more trade patterns and spur vitality of trade so as to build a safer, fairer and more prosperous world.

Innovation and trade are mutually reinforcing. They were intrinsically connected with each other, said Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. He introduced that a Croatian company that invented a high-performance electric supercar was planning to set up a factory worth $158 million in central Chinas Hubei province with Chinese enterprises. Technology had brought people unprecedentedly closer, the Prime Minister added.

Innovation reduces cost for enterprises. Xu Lirong, Chairman of the Board at China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited said that the overall shipping cost had been substantially lowered thanks to technological innovation.

Smart development strategies also helped the upsizing of vessels and the reduction of cost, Xu stressed, adding that a 110-seamile transportation of 1-ton cargos only cost 1 dollar nowadays.

Innovation leads to better life. TerraPower Chairman Bill Gates said that innovation was improving peoples livelihood around the world. For example, the company was jointly developing a new type of vaccine deep freezer with Chinese enterprises to solve vaccine storage problems in areas lacking access to electricity.

At the parallel session on trade and investment, guests had in-depth discussions on how to boost global trade and investment so as to add long-lasting drivers to global economic growth. They actively explored innovative solutions and proposed valuable advice to the sustainable development of global economy.

All participants of this session agreed to support multilateral trading system, build a sound environment for investment and establish an international trading platform.

History taught us that trade openness leads to prosperity, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. Therefore, Lithuania supported the multilateral trade system and the positive signal sent by China, he stressed.

We have to build a sound economic ecosystem to boost enterprise investment, and find a balance to benefit everyone in the value chain, said Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Center (ITC).

Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, remarked that transparent and fair rules, rule of law and a sound business environment were needed to promote free trade among countries. Besides, international trade platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the CIIE were also necessary, he added.Few political issues have been more contentious in the West than water.

A century ago, politicians like Delph Carpenter, an attorney who helped write and promote the Colorado River Compact, openly waged political war against California, declaring it Colorados greatest water enemy.

Federal officials have sometimes taken one states side over another in water wars. But presidents have historically stayed out, with good reason: Westerners have long viewed Washingtons involvement in water issues with suspicion.

President Trump is suddenly breaking with this norm.

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In August, Trump blamed Californias bad environmental laws for wasting water that could have been used to fight wildfires.

Given how quickly decisions about water can lead to political and legal warfare in the West, Trump is playing a dangerous game.

In October, he waded into the battle between farmers, conservationists and state officials in the Central Valley over the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, by signing a memo directing federal agencies to speed up a contentious review of endangered species protections that ensure river flow in the delta.

He then doubled down on his criticism of California the following week, complaining publicly that the state has so much water we dont know what to do with it yet foolishly sends its water into the Pacific.

Trumps motivation for attacking Californias water use is clearly partisan. Water policy is critically important to inland voters  second only to the economy, according to a recent survey of Central Valley residents  and Republicans appeared to be betting the issue would decide races in the midterm elections.

But given how quickly decisions about water can lead to political and legal warfare in the West, Trump is playing a dangerous game.

Moreover, he is misguided on the facts. Californias wildfires have virtually nothing to do with its water laws, and the water that drains into the Pacific helps sustain vulnerable ecosystems.

There is a bigger problem: By politicizing water at the federal level, Trump is actually undercutting the ability of states, regions and the country at large to address our growing water woes.

Finding solutions to the nations water disputes will require trust. The presidents factually challenged attacks risk destroying what little trust exists between the Wests many thirsty water users.

In some ways more perplexing, Trumps weaponizing of water issues could also undermine his administrations own  and largely sound  water policy.

A few days after his most recent attack on California, Trump signed a major new bill to reform how Washington funds and manages water projects. The legislation follows many best practices. It promotes collaboration among water users and the use of green infrastructure to help store water and reduce pollution runoff.

Measures like these are desperately needed. California had barely emerged from its driest period on record when, earlier this year, researchers presented evidence that more megadroughts were in store for the Southwest. The future looks even more dire for neighboring states along the Colorado River.

There are no simple solutions to the Wests water shortages. It is going to become increasingly difficult to keep streams and rivers flowing for fishing, rafting and other recreational activities while also retaining enough water to grow staple crops and satiate the Southwests thirsty cities.

States play an important role in weighing these tough trade-offs. But so does Washington, which, through federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, operates and finances most of the infrastructure that stores and delivers water in the region.

For this reason, the federal government must remain a credible, neutral arbiter.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Most past presidents have understood this. They have tended to repeat either Herbert Hoovers insistence that water issues should be left entirely to the states interested or Lyndon Johnsons call that states relying on the Colorado River put aside their differences in favor of regional progress.

Trump is entering the fray. And he is deviating from tradition by criticizing both Californias water management practices and the federal environmental protections that underpin them.

The timing of Trumps October memo was hardly a coincidence. Neither was the enthusiastic response of Rep. Devin Nunes, who applauded him for taking on environmental extremists and overzealous bureaucrats.

To score political points, Trump is making it more difficult for California to balance the needs of all who depend on its most vital resource.

Scott Moore is a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Water Center and the author of Subnational Hydropolitics: Conflict, Cooperation and Institution-Building in Shared River Basins.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookTo the editor: In response to an opinion piece about Kristallnacht, a Jewish letter writer whose grandmothers family was killed by the Nazis states that she is not afraid of white supremacists, but rather her bigger fear is of the harassment of Jewish college students by liberals. She further states that her fears are held by many Jews.

I am a Jew born in the United States whose parents were refugees from the Nazis. My father lost two brothers and a sister in concentration camps, and my mother and her family fled their home in Vienna immediately after Kristallnacht in 1938.

There are anti-Semites on both the right and the left, but I am quite sure the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust would have preferred to have been harassed rather than killed. Given the horrific shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue by someone who expressed white supremacist views, I believe that the writers thinking is exactly backward and that most American Jews do not share her point of view.

I certainly dont.

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Michael Asher, Valley Village

..

To the editor: Reading about Kristallnacht brought back memories of that time in my early childhood in a small town in Germany.

My father and grandfather as well as other male relatives were arrested during the night. Thanks to the efforts of a courageous attorney, they were soon released. However, the harassment continued to escalate and my mother, who was not Jewish, took me to live with her family in a larger city.

Eventually, my father and grandparents and the remaining members of the Jewish community were transported to concentration camps and killed. World War II ended, and the small town became part of East Germany.

Many years passed before local leaders decided to honor the memory of their lost Jewish community. With the help of a Canadian history professor, an archive was established and stories were collected from survivors. Stumbling stones  plaques engraved with the name of a Holocaust victim  were placed on sidewalks in front of the last known residences of those who were killed.

It occurred to me that we might adopt this practice to honor the victims of hate crimes in our community in the hope that it will make us stop and realize what an ugly emotion hate is.

Lotte Schaefer, Van Nuys

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookTo the editor: The last time Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and the Democrats took control of the House from the Republicans in 2006, one of the first things she said was that impeachment of President Bush was off the table.

One hopes, after 12 years of watching the Republicans play hardball, the presumptive speaker-elect now realizes that politics is a contact sport. It is time now for the Democrats to follow the lead of the Republicans and show the courage of their convictions.

For once, Democrats, please show some backbone. Now is the time. Investigate, impeach, remove and disinfect.

Ronald O. Richards, Los Angeles

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..

To the editor: Many Democrats are talking about the possibility of impeaching President Trump. That should be immediately rejected because it would be a total waste of time.

The Republican base just elected:

A brothel-owning evangelical Christian who died last month to the Nevada Assembly.

A congressman in New York who is under indictment for criminal inside trading.

A congressman in California who is under indictment for misuse of campaign funds.

A congressman in Iowa who stated recently that the far-right political party in Austria with historical ties to the Nazis would be Republicans if based in America.

It is delusional to believe the Republican Party would provide the votes in the Senate to remove Trump. That has been made clear by this election.

Roy Fassel, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookLos Angeles voters on Tuesday considered a ballot measure that would eliminate a key barrier to forming a municipal bank, paving the way for the plan to move forward at City Hall.

The ballot measure seeks to alter the City Charter so that the city can legally create a purely commercial enterprise.

The measure trailed in early returns.

If Charter Amendment B passes, Los Angeles will become the first jurisdiction in the U.S. where voters have signed off on the idea, bringing fresh momentum to the public banking movement. Backers of the plan argue that a public bank could save the city money on fees, steer clear of predatory practices, and generate profit that could be invested in local communities.

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Critics deride the ballot measure as a gateway to financial risk, questioning how effectively the city would run a bank and whether it would be protected from political meddling. They complain that the city has yet to spell out how much forming a municipal bank would cost and how it would operate.

City Council President Herb Wesson has countered that the ballot measure is a way to gauge public interest before spending more time and money on that analysis.

If people say, We dont want you to do this, then we dont move forward with it, Wesson said last month.

Wesson first floated the idea of a public bank more than a year ago, suggesting that it could bolster affordable housing. At the time, Wesson also said it could give the cannabis industry a safe place to park its cash, but experts have warned that could prove complicated because marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

The modest campaign for the measure focused instead on arguments about Wall Street greed and socially responsible investments. As of last week, backers of the ballot measure had reported raising more than $44,000, including donations from actress Rosario Dawson and Public Banking Institute founder Ellen Brown. No opponents had reported any fundraising.

The ballot measure does not address other possible barriers to forming a municipal bank: City analysts have warned that ensuring public funds go into such a bank could also necessitate other changes to the City Charter and state law.

Los Angeles voters also took up proposals to shift city and school board election dates to match up with state and national contests in March 2020.

Angelenos had overwhelmingly voted three years ago to shift elections to June and November of the same year as upcoming state and national races, but the state then switched its 2020 primary to March, leaving the city out of sync.

Measure E and Measure EE were leading in early returns.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlpertReyes

UPDATES:

9:15 p.m.: This article was updated with early returns.

This article was originally published at 10 a.m.Republican Rick Scott declared victory late Tuesday in Floridas hotly contested Senate race but it may not be so simple.

His lead over the three-term Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson has shrunk to 0.42%, which would force a mandatory ballot recount, reviving memories of the hard-fought Florida recount that determined the 2000 presidential race.

We are proceeding to a recount, Nelson said Wednesday in a brief statement.

The Florida secretary of states office said it was not planning any announcements Wednesday, sending out a timeline for the reporting of results.

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Floridas 67 counties now will recheck their results and must report by Saturday at noon. More than 8.1 million votes were cast in the states 6,111 precincts.

If the disparity between Scott and Nelson remains 0.5% or less, the secretary of state will order a machine recount. If the disparity drops to 0.25% or less, then the recount would be a manual counting of all ballots.

In a machine recount, all the ballots are re-fed through tabulating machines. The results of a recount are due on Nov. 15.

According to election officials, four counties had not completed counting absentee ballots and almost all counties had not counted provisional ballots. Overseas absentee ballots can still be received for 10 days.

Shortly before midnight, when Scott held a 1% lead, he greeted supporters in Naples with an apparent victory speech.

Its just hard to believe that were here now, Scott said. Now that this campaign is behind us thats where were going to leave it.

But his lead steadily shrank and by Wednesday morning was 34,537 votes, or less than 0.5% of the ballots cast, the trigger for a state-mandated machine recount.

Nelson did not speak Tuesday night and a spokesman hinted at a concession around midnight, saying it was not the result they were hoping for. Shortly after that the comment was clarified as not a concession.

Recounts rarely turn out well for the candidate who is behind.

Etched in Florida history was the 2000 presidential race, which led to a recount of paper ballots in four counties. The Supreme Court ultimately stopped the recount, giving George W. Bush a 537-vote lead over Al Gore and with it, the states electoral votes and the presidency.

Cherwa is a special correspondent.

bob.drogin@latimes.com

@droginlatimesWith Democrats retaking control of the House, President Trump is going to face several newly empowered lawmakers in some key congressional committees.

Heres a look at which Democrats are likely to take over some of the most influential House panels, with powers that include demanding to see Trumps tax returns and investigating his Cabinet members.

Appropriations | Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.)

The powerful House Appropriations Committee sets Congress funding priorities, meaning Democrats will have a much greater role in deciding what on Trumps wish list gets funded. That puts Lowey between Trump and the billions he needs to fulfill a campaign promise and build a wall at the southern border.

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Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) speaks at the California Democratic Party convention in Sacramento on May 20, 2017. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Intelligence | Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank)

As Democrats public face on the House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Schiff is a familiar foil for Trump and hes been itching to dive back into an investigation he has accused Republicans of short shifting.

The special counsels investigation is still ongoing, and while Democrats wont want to interfere with that, theyve been anxious to launch back into the probe. Schiff has talked about looking at whether the Russians laundered money through the Trump Organization, and examining Donald Trump Jr.s phone records to see if he spoke with his father after meeting with Russian officials in Trump Tower.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), left, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), right, with Constitutional Accountability Center attorney Brianne Gorod, center, at a news conference on June 7. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

Judiciary | Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.)

The New York Democrat has said he wants to take another look at allegations of sexual assault and perjury made against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, and whether the FBI looked closely enough at them.

The House Judiciary Committee traditionally handles immigration policy, and Nadler could subpoena Trump administration officials about policies at the southern border, which led to thousands of children being separated from their parents over the summer. The committee could also look at the Justice Departments work on civil rights, and whether Trump has abused his pardon power for political gain.

Homeland Security | Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)

Homeland Security has jurisdiction over border security and can also spend time delving into the administrations new border security policies, as well as looking at what the administration did to protect the 2018 election from attack and how it responded to the hurricane damage in Puerto Rico.

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings speaks during a news conference at the Capitol April 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. Congressional Democrats held a news conference to discuss the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Oversight | Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)

As the expected leader of the committee specifically tasked with overseeing federal agencies, Cummings has perhaps the most freedom to investigate the administration. Hell likely focus on such issues as Trumps potential conflicts of interest, voter suppression efforts and what role the president played in the decision not to move the FBI headquarters from its crumbling building in downtown Washington, D.C.

U.S. House Transportation and Infrastruction Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), left, and ranking member Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) talk during a committee hearing on May 2, 2017. (Shawn Thew / EPA)

Transportation | Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.)

Both parties have talked about the need to rebuild U.S. highways, bridges, airports and other infrastructure. The Transportation Committee, led by veteran lawmaker DeFazio, would be the center of any effort to find bipartisan common ground. The committee also oversees the federal General Services Administration, which holds the lease for the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. DeFazio is expected to push for records about the leasing arrangement to determine if Trump is illegally profiting.

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Oct. 4, 2017. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Ways and Means | Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.)

The tax-writing committee looms as the center of a major dispute: access to Trumps personal tax returns. Under law, the chairman has the right to request any individual return. That power would fall to Neal, a low-key, old-school Democrat steeped in tax policy.The committee also could be a battleground over efforts to scale back the Republican tax plan, which Democrats have complained provides too much benefit to the wealthy and corporations.

House Financial Services Committee ranking member Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., asks a question of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, during a hearing Wednesday, June 27, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP)

Financial Services | Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)

The fiery 14-term Los Angeles lawmaker has been one of Trumps fiercest critics and he frequently criticizes her at his rallies. She says her agenda cannot be totally focused on Trump, but is expected to subpoena documents from Deutsche Bank about Russian money laundering and the finances of Trump and his family.

As chairwoman, Waters said she wants to address the lack of affordable housing, defend the tougher regulations put in place after the financial crisis and hold Trumps financial regulators accountable.We need a voice: Latino voters hope for surge in turnout

Terry Avalos, 69, and her husband, Ricardo Avalos, 71, were among those who voted Tuesday in South Gate. (Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times)

It took only two minutes  maybe less  for 28-year-old Christian Martinez to drop off his vote-by-mail ballot at American Legion Post 335 in South Gate.

I dropped it off because I wanted to make sure they got it, he said.

Wearing a green jacket and black pants, Martinez said he voted mostly for Democratic Party candidates, because they fell in line with his beliefs. He said President Trump and his Republican Party also played a factor in how he voted today.

I didnt like the candidates, he said. Im not gonna lie, everything that has been going on has played a part, not just I dont like Donald Trump, but more like all the people around him, all the people supporting him and everyone else saying we should do what he says, thats the right thing to do. I disagree, so I chose not to vote on the Republican side. 

Martinez and others like him will play a pivotal role in todays election, particularly in key battleground states where the Latino vote could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Still, Martinez makes up a relatively small percentage of eligible Latino voters who cast ballots. Those numbers are lower during non-presidential elections.

There are 29 million Latinos who are eligible to vote in this years midterm election, making up about 13% of all eligible voters in the United States. About 44% of Latinos who are eligible to vote are between the ages of 18 and 35.

But thats also the same age group that has contributed to low turnout rates among Latino voters.

Martinez said he began voting when he was 18. He said his parents vote, but his civic life began to take shape as he read and watched the news more often.

I felt it was important, he said. Since an early age, Ive been aware that if youre not active in politics, youre going to be affecting stuff and just by not voting, by not taking action, youre allowing other people to take action and do things their way.

Farther down the street, Ricardo and Terry Avalos had just voted. The husband and wife said they hoped the election would send a blue Democratic wave washing across America.

Hopefully things will change for the better, said Terry Avalos, 69.

They said they voted to oppose President Trump, to save healthcare and to also help Democrats take control of the Congress.

We need a voice, Terry Avalos said. Weve had plenty of Republican presidents before and we had no issues, but this is bad.

Ricardo Avalos, 71, said he doesnt like Trump and his rhetoric, but admits he has made some smart financial moves for the country by making sure other nations pay their fair share.

The couple said they voted for Gavin Newsom as governor, but when it came to Proposition 10, the rent-control measure, they couldnt agree on whether they voted the same.

We voted yes, Ricardo Avalos said.

No, Terry Avalos said at the same time.

Yes, her husband responded. We voted yes.

One thing they could agree on was that they had noticed younger people voting. More women too.

Usually its old people, Ricardo Avalos said.

He said it was a positive thing to see. He hopes that younger Latino men and women turn out to vote and they continue to do so in future elections.

The couple said they were cautiously optimistic about how the election would turn out.

Last we saw with Hillary [Clinton] and Trump, we went to bed and she was winning. The next morning we woke up and learned she lost the election. It was like a funeral.

Perhaps no one sees a more grim view of election day than Maria Arriaga, 55.

She said that even though she was a registered voter, work was going to prevent her from going to the polls.

Inside the South Gate market she works at, the Huntington Park resident said she feels left out and guilty.

I know my vote matters, she said. I know it counts and it can help someone.

Arriaga said she didnt know how to fill out a vote-by-mail ballot and didnt know how to figure out who to ask.

She said she did receive text messages about Propositions 8 and 10, and even got one from Ed Hernandez, who is running for lieutenant governor. She also received one in Spanish about the importance of voting.

I feel terrible, she said, adding she wanted to vote against Republicans because of Trump.

Its the way hes spoken about women, how he said that woman had a horse face, and Republicans have supported him throughout all the things he has done and said.

Arriaga was referring to Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who is in a legal dispute with Trump.

Arriaga said this is the first election she has missed. She began voting in 1995 after she became a citizen. She said she has missed some midterm elections, but has shown up to cast a ballot in every presidential race.

Not far from Arriagas workplace, Florentino Mata, 81, was walking home from his polling station. He said he voted for mostly Democratic candidates.

I have hope that they can help us, even if I dont believe they can keep their promises, he said. But its some hope.

He said he wants Democrats to take back the House and Senate to prevent any more attacks on immigrants.

Despite the streak of votes he gave to Democrats, he decided to lean toward Republican candidate for governor, John Cox, because he felt he was the better candidate. Mata said he took some advice from his daughter, too.

All you can do is wait for the results now.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- A rising Democratic star's political hopes to capture the governor's mansion in Florida were halted Tuesday night after Andrew Gillum conceded to former Rep. Ron DeSantis in the state's contentious gubernatorial race.



Gillum conceded just before 11 p.m. ET, setting up a victory for President Donald Trump-backed DeSantis.



"Earlier this evening I called Mr. Ron Desantis and congratulated him on what we expect will be him as the next governor as the great state of Florida," Gillum said. "I want you to know that in spite of our congratulating him on his victory this evening, nothing that we believe in is compromised."



"I still believe and I still trust the voters," he added. "We may not have always shown up but I still believe that there are more of us that believe in what is common and what is good."



"But I can guarantee you this," he continued, "I'm not going anywhere."



DeSantis thanked Floridians for the vote of confidence.



"Other than serving our nation in uniform, the opportunity to serve as the 46th governor of the great state of Florida is the greatest professional honor of my life," he said in his victory speech Tuesday night. "Thank you, the people of Florida, for your faith, your support, and your trust you have placed in me.



The close nature of this election continued Florida's tradition of having consequential elections.



Trump endorsed DeSantis shortly after he won his primary earlier this year, and the president went on to campaign for him in his so-called second home state.



Trump carried the state by a slim margin over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.



Last week, Trump entered into the fray to defend his staunch ally by relentlessly criticizing the Democratic hopeful over Twitter and at a rally for DeSantis in Fort Myers.



Branding Gillum as a "stone-cold thief" and a "radical socialist," Trump ignited tensions in the contest's final days.



For his part, Gillum faced controversy earlier this year over an FBI probe into government corruption in Tallahassee and accepting a ticket to the Broadway musical "Hamilton" from an undercover FBI agent. Gillum said during a gubernatorial debate that he's not the direct subject of the investigation.



But Trump wasn't the only presidential player who waded into this state-level race, as former President Barack Obama rallied for Gillum just days before voters headed to the polls to energize an already animated democratic base.



This tight battle between Gillum and DeSantis has at times become heated, particularly over race. The day after Gillum won the party's nomination in the August primary, DeSantis came under fire for telling voters during a Fox News interview that they should not "monkey this up" by voting for Gillum.



An occasionally controversial opponent, DeSantis said during one debate that he would represent all Floridians, regardless of race, but would not participate in political correctness.



Gillum responded: "Im not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist, Im simply saying the racists believe hes a racist."



Florida Democrats hoped to use the election as a referendum on Trump and highlight issues that have affected their state, like environmental disasters, gun policy and economic development. The state is the site of the Parkland shooting, in which 17 students and teachers were killed in one of the country's deadliest mass shootings.



Republicans campaigned on maintaining the economic growth fostered under Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who was term-limited and is running for Senate in the state this year.



Gillum, who scored Obama's endorsement last month and who was joined by former Vice President Joe Biden on the trail, was part of a progressive class of candidates who are dominating the Democratic ticket this cycle. More aligned with Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and liberal insurgent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Tallahassee mayor surged onto the scene in the final weeks leading into his primary victory in August.



Floridians were visibly invested in this race, with 3.1 million primary voters breaking midterm records in late August.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.The Chinese Medical Team in Sierra Leone

Six senior ophthalmologists and nurses from Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China, are currently in Sierra Leone for a one month period to provide two hundred free cataract surgeries and patient education for local patients, personnel training and other academic communications with their counterparts. The Chinese "Brightness Trip into Sierra Leone" was officially launched in the West African country's eastern city of Kenema on Tuesday (6th November 2018) where over fifty locals have been successfully cured just a few days after the medical team arrived.

Chinese "Brightness Trip into Sierra Leone" is a project sponsored by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and it is implemented by the Hunan Provincial Health, Freetown and Kenema Health Management Teams, the 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, and the Hunan Provincial People's Hospital.

The project serves as another close cooperation between China and Sierra Leone in the field of health and clinical medicine, and it will further strengthen and consolidate the long-lasting friendship between the two countries and their people.

Chinese Officials and Health Workers at the Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wu Peng said the aim of the campaign is to help people that are suffering from cataract to feel the brightness of the world again. "We all know that it is a big misfortune to lose the sight in one's life. We know it brings tremendous happiness to regain the ability to see. It is exactly this kind of happiness that Chinese doctors will bring to the Sierra Leonean people," he said. Ambassador Wu pointed out that the project will benefit patients, improve their capacity of primary medical care institutions and exchange medical knowledge and skills between both sides' personnel.

The Chinese government has dispatched China Medical Teams to Sierra Leone since 1973, and in the last 45 years, thousands of Chinese doctors and experts have visited Sierra Leone to contribute to the medical progress and people's health in the country.

"I am really proud of my fellow Chinese doctors and medical experts and feel the importance of public health cooperation with Sierra Leone to benefit the welfare of Sierra Leoneans and development of global health," Ambassador Wu Peng said and added that the Chinese doctors have come from afar bringing with them the hope of brightness.

The Project Team Leader, Xue Gang Yue said medical equipment and drugs will be donated to the Kenema Government Hospital and local personnel will be trained on how to use them so that more cases will be treated after the Chinese Team would have left. He assured of his team's determination and willingness to live up to expectations.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wu Peng unveiled one of the operated cataract patients

The Hunan Health Commissioner, Peng Zhen Guo reiterated that the two countries have made remarkable progress in diplomatic ties for over forty five years under the spirit of win-win situation, hoping that the current work of the Chinese Doctors and Medical Experts will further contribute to an unbreakable China-Africa community.

Sierra Leone's Dr. Matthew Vandy, Director of Hospitals and Ambulance Services, expressed delight on the fact that the Chinese Team's work will reduce drastically blind cases in the country.

Sierra Leonean Nurses trained to operate cataract surgery equipment

Other local authorities thanked the Chinese Government for restoring the sights of cataract patients.

Cataract, according to medical experts, is the clouding of natural lens in the eye, thus blocking the light into the eye. It dims or blurs the vision of victims. The disease is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Surgery is said to be the only effective way to cure cataract as it is safe and quick. Most people will gain an improved vision after the surgery.The dust is still settling on the midterm election and the mixed results defy easy characterization. As expected, Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, but Republicans expanded their lead in the Senate, while some closely-watched races remain too close to call.

Here are a few starting points to understand what happened and what it may mean in the future.

Prepare for gridlock and investigations

Democrats have been on the sidelines in Washington since 2016, but now they control the House. That means no legislation will pass Congress unless it has bipartisan support, a tall order in the polarized capital. Expect Democrats to use House committees to ramp up scrutiny of President Trump and his administration, summoning officials to Capitol Hill and firing off subpoenas for documents  possibly including Trumps tax returns. Some activists are pushing for a scorched-earth approach, even moving toward impeachment, but party leaders are trying to tap the brakes.

It was a historic night for women

A record number of women ran for office, and now a record number of women will serve in Congress. Votes are still being counted, but at least 95 won seats in the House, up from the current 84. The victors include the first Native American woman elected to Congress, Democrat Debra Haaland of New Mexico, and the first two Muslim women, Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

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Proportionally, the jump isnt as big as in 1992, the so-called Year of the Woman, and theres still a long way to go before theres equal representation between the sexes. Roughly 1 out of 5 members of Congress are women.

Democrats gained but still face a bumpy road at the state level

When Republicans took over Washington two years ago, they also expanded their control of state legislatures and governors offices. Democrats regained some critical ground Tuesday, but not what they had hoped. Five state legislative chambers shifted from Republican to Democratic control, including in Colorado, which is completing its transition from purple to blue. The National Conference of State Legislatures, which tracks the numbers, said thats half the average number of chambers that traditionally swap between parties every two years.

Democrats pried some major governors offices away from Republicans, including in Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico and Wisconsin. They even triumphed in deep-red Kansas, defeating one of Trumps most ardent supporters. Republicans successfully defended their turf in Florida and appeared on track to win in Georgia, two fiercely contested campaigns.

Check out live results from the 2018 midterms 

What indictment?

When federal prosecutors secured indictments against two Republican congressmen, Reps. Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of Alpine, Trump lashed out at the Justice Department. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time, he complained. But Collins and Hunter defeated their Democratic opponents, proving again that voters sometimes forgive ethical  and even criminal  charges for their favored candidates. Collins was charged with insider trading and Hunter was charged with misusing campaign funds; both have pleaded not guilty.

Democrats also showed clemency. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey was reelected one year after his corruption trial resulted in a mistrial. He celebrated onstage with leading members of his state party.

Sen. Bob Menendez celebrates his reelection in Hoboken, N.J., on Tuesday night while Gov. Phil Murphy stands at right. (Tom Gralish / Associated Press)

Promising signs for access to the ballot box

The campaign saw controversies over voting rights in Georgia, where strict rules stalled registrations and led to last-minute court battles, and in other states. But there were promising signs for activists trying to expand access to the ballot box, and the political landscape could look much different in 2020. The impact may be dramatic in Florida, a perennial swing state. Its voters approved an amendment to restore voting rights to more than 1 million former felons who have completed their sentences. That means nearly 1 in 5 black residents could regain access to the ballot box in the next election.

The pre-election polls look pretty good

Dont trust the polls became something of a mantra after Trumps unexpected victory two years ago. But the professionals responsible for divining public opinion breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday. Pre-election polls had suggested that Democrats would win about 35 additional seats in the House, enough to seize the majority  which is still about the expected outcome once all the votes are counted.

The 2020 campaign begins

Dont worry, political junkies. The end of the midterm is the starting pistol for the 2020 presidential race, and some are already positioning themselves, or at least their political strategies. Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat who won reelection in a state that Trump won handily in 2016, offered his race as a roadmap for his party. We celebrate the worker. And that is the blueprint for America in 2020, he said.

There were red flags for Democrats hoping Tuesday would showcase the strength of progressive candidates of color. Andrew Gillum, the Tallahassee mayor aiming to be Floridas first black governor, was defeated by Ron DeSantis, a former Republican congressman closely allied with Trump. It also appeared that Stacey Abrams, who would have been the first black female governor in the country, was falling short in Georgia.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerianDemocrats captured governors offices in states across the country that Republicans have controlled since at least the early years of the Obama presidency, eroding the GOPs dominance in state capitals.

In Kansas, one the most conservative states in the nation, Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, the polarizing secretary of state who helped lead President Trumps failed commission on voter fraud. That panel disbanded after being unable to produce evidence supporting both mens claims of rampant fraud.

Kobach fell short after running hard to the right. He found himself up against electoral head winds created by fallout from deeply unpopular tax cuts championed by former Gov. Sam Brownback, another Republican, which starved state government and forced deep cuts in core services.

Although the blue wave that Democrats had hoped for may not have materialized, their partys considerable inroads in state capitals, as well as its capture of a majority in the U.S. House, made for a celebratory night nonetheless. The results stood, with exceptions in some red states and Florida, as a rebuke to Trump.

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Democrats also won the governor races in Republican-ruled Illinois, Michigan and New Mexico, and were expected to win in Maine. In Illinois, first-term Gov. Bruce Rauner was unseated by billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker, while in Michigan, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder was unable to seek reelection because of two-term limits. But Republicans retained control in Ohio, where Mike DeWine withstood a strong Democratic challenge from Richard Cordray for the nod to succeed retiring Republican Gov. John Kasich.

Democrats had hoped to finally break the unusual dominance over state governments that the Republican Party has enjoyed for much of the decade. Republicans have used their power in the states as a launchpad for conservative policies, empowering them to undermine President Obamas Affordable Care Act, his actions against climate change, organized labor and reproductive rights nationwide.

Their hold on two-thirds of the nations governorships and many legislatures also enabled Republicans to draw voting boundaries for federal and local offices that solidified their lock on power in the states and Congress.

Just 16 governors currently are Democrats while more than twice as many  33  are Republicans; one is an independent. Democrats went into the election hoping to claim as many as 10 of the governorships held by Republicans and also to flip a dozen legislative chambers. They will probably fall short of that goal once final voting returns are in, but the gains they achieved Tuesday are nonetheless substantial.

Beyond the ideological shift in policymaking, the victories allow Democrats to take back some control of the redistricting pens when new political boundaries are drawn after the 2020 census.

But in some key states Republicans were still holding on.

Republicans eked out a win in the high-stakes race for governor in Florida, keeping control there. Democrats had been optimistic for Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee and an unapologetic progressive, who ran on an agenda that includes Medicare for all, robust gun safety laws and higher corporate taxes. Gillum would have been Floridas first African American governor.

Few races nationwide were as much a referendum on Trump. Gillum was the only gubernatorial candidate demanding the presidents impeachment. His victorious Republican rival, Rep. Ron DeSantis, is a strident Trump loyalist, who built his campaign around his allegiance to the president and his policies.

Trump inserted himself into the race often, attacking Gillum as an under-qualified and corrupt socialist. Although Democrats path to statewide office had long been through the political center, progressives had hoped a victory for Gillum would give them a boost as they build their case that the partys best hope in 2020 for retaking the White House is in nominating a progressive candidate. It didnt happen.

Democrats were also facing disappointment in neighboring Georgia, where their gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, also had hoped to make history by becoming the states first African American governor  and the first black woman governor in the nation. Abrams was trailing in a tight race against Secretary of State Brian Kemp, another close Trump ally, whose management of the states voter files sparked a national outcry.

Kemp purged tens of thousands of voters from the registration rolls, calling it necessary to prevent voter fraud. But most of the voters purged are African Americans, prompting Democrats and civil rights activists to charge that Kemps actions recalled the long history of voter suppression in the South.

Elsewhere in the country, though, Republicans running to keep their party in the governors mansions were falling short in early returns.

In Maine, Democrats were poised to capture the governors office now that term limits are ending the eight-year occupancy of a racially inflammatory, shoot-from-the-hip conservative, Gov. Paul LePage. The Democrats nominee, state Atty. Gen. Janet Mills, had enjoyed a commanding lead in polls throughout the race over Republican Shawn Moody.

It may be in the Midwest where the political landscape is likely to be most altered. Almost every governors office in the region is currently controlled by a Republican, and Democrats were within reach of flipping a number of them.

That includes in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker built a national following and, before 2016, a lot of buzz about his presidential prospects  by fighting Obamacare, going to war with organized labor and aggressively cutting back government services. Walkers bid for a third term was threatened by a strong challenge from Democrat Tony Evers, the state superintendent for public instruction. Late Tuesday, the race was too close to call with two-thirds of the votes counted.

Voter fatigue with Republican policies was evident throughout the region and into the heartland during this campaign.

Illinois Rauner, a blustery Republican, was ousted after a tenure marked by a budget deadlock in Springfield and a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires disease at a home for veterans, which triggered a criminal investigation into his administration.

In Michigan, the Republican nominee, Atty. Gen. Bill Schuette, was politically damaged by his unyielding opposition to the states popular Medicaid expansion and resistance to raising revenue to fix the states abysmal roads. He was defeated by Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, a former state legislator who has never held statewide office.

Democrats also flipped the governors office in New Mexico, where Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a strident foe of Trump on immigration and environmental issues, beat Rep. Steve Pearce, a member of the militantly conservative House Freedom Caucus. The current governor, Republican Susana Martinez, was term-limited.

The battleground prize of Ohio had seemed to teeter for Republicans up until election night. Trump visited on Monday to stir up conservative voters there, branding Democrat Cordray, the first chief of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as an apprentice of liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

But Trump, who spent much time on the Cleveland rally stage mocking Warrens claim to Native American ancestry and calling her Pocahontas, may have motivated enough conservatives to push DeWine, the state attorney general and a former congressman and U.S. senator, over the top.

Of the several statehouse chambers up for grabs, Democrats were well positioned to capture many of them. For example, in Wisconsin and Maine, with their strong Democratic gubernatorial candidates atop the ballots, the party had the potential to also regain control of the state senates.

In Colorado, the outcome of a costly fight over control of the state Senate could restore Democrats to full control of the state government there. And in New York, the collapse of a power-sharing agreement that enabled minority Republicans to control the state Senate also put Democrats in position to control state government there.

In other states, from Florida to Michigan to Arizona, analysts projected that Democratic voters enthusiasm for top-of-the-ticket candidates could trickle down to those lower on the ballot, allowing Democrats to at least shrink Republicans commanding majorities in several chambers.

Tim Storey, an elections analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that, going into the election, Republican are as strong as they have been in American history. They control more legislatures than they ever had.

But, Storey added, eventually the laws of physics were bound to catch up with them: What comes up must go down.

The latest look at the Trump administration and the rest of Washington 

More stories from Evan Halper 

evan.halper@latimes.com | Twitter: @evanhalperDianne Feinstein easily won reelection Tuesday to her fifth full U.S. Senate term, pushing past state Sen. Kevin de Leon, who struggled to gain traction by challenging his fellow Democrat from the left.

This is the greatest honor in my life, to represent my city and my state in the Senate of the United States, Feinstein said Tuesday at her election-night party in San Francisco. This state  the fifth-largest economic power on Earth, over 40 million people, bigger than 21 states and the District of Columbia put together  needs strong representation.

The victory cements her legacy as the longest consecutively serving statewide elected official in California history, but also presents Feinstein, 85, with new challenges in what many view as her final Senate term.

As an old-school pragmatist and one of the few remaining Senate traditionalists, Feinstein may find it difficult to operate amid the heightened partisan rancor that is stripping the last vestiges of cooperation and civility from Congress upper chamber. The Democratic takeover of the House will only heighten tensions between Capitol Hill and the Trump White House.

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Part of her legacy will be as one of the last Senate institutionalists trying to hold these things together, said Eric Schickler, a UC Berkeley political science professor and an expert on Congress. Theres not a whole lot of space there in the center. Theres not a whole lot of cover.

And despite Feinsteins reelection in a state where many residents cant even remember a time when she wasnt in the Senate, her moderate views are increasingly out of step with California and a Democratic Party that are both moving further to the left.

Nevertheless, as the Senates oldest member and one of its savviest negotiators, Feinstein stands to play a key role in Democrats efforts to confront the president over the next two years. If Democrats regain the Senate majority in 2020, she could cap her long career as the first woman to lead the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Republicans held control of the Senate on Tuesday, leaving Feinstein as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee  a position that puts her at odds with Trump over immigration and judicial nominees.

Election 2018: Live updates 

If this is Feinsteins last term  and she is freed from the need to campaign  she could focus on long-held legislative priorities, regardless of whether they appeal to detractors on her left or right, experts predict.

In many ways she is playing with house money. So she is going to be able to pursue her policy objectives more than pretty much any other senator, said Graeme Boushey, an associate professor of political science at UC Irvine.

Under fire from De Leon during the campaign, Feinstein embraced some more progressive positions  against the death penalty and federal crackdowns against states that have legalized marijuana.

Though appealing to progressives, De Leon struggled to generate statewide support. Feinstein dominated fundraising throughout the campaign, and after winning the primary with 44.2 percentage points, polls consistently showed her leading by 20 points heading into election day.

With the race behind her, Feinstein is likely to return to her more comfortable role in the center, compromising with Republicans when possible to get things done.

I would expect Dianne Feinstein to return to form, Boushey said.

First elected to a partial term in 1992, Feinstein has a moderate to liberal voting record and wrote the nations only ban on assault weapons, which expired in 2004. Shes long played a role in expanding Californias national parks, particularly protecting its deserts. Shes been a force on the immigration debate in recent years, repeatedly pushing for a guest worker visa program for agricultural laborers.

Shes also a bipartisan consensus builder. Feinstein insists on having a Republican co-sponsor on nearly every bill she files, and shes been willing to buck her party to pass legislation she supports.

Feinsteins reputation as a bridge builder might be more important than ever, said Washington University political science professor Steven Smith, an expert on the Senate.

Democrats take the House, Republicans hold the Senate in split-screen midterm vote 

Her role is likely to be a more quiet one, and that might be just what it takes to appeal to a handful of Republicans who want to get things done, Smith said. Someone like Feinstein can appeal to them because she tends to ratchet down the rhetoric.

On the other hand, such skills havent worked as well in the Trump administration. Feinstein tried but failed to forge a bridge over a gun-control measure and legislation to help so-called Dreamer immigrants brought to the country illegally as children.

And during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Brett M. Kavanaugh, Republicans personally berated Feinstein and accused her of withholding information about the sexual assault allegations against the nominee to maximize the political impact. Feinstein repeatedly denied such claims, saying she was simply protecting the confidentiality of the accuser, until the letter leaked and the woman decided to come forward publicly.

The episode appears to have damaged the collegial working relationship between Feinstein and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chair of the Judiciary Committee.

Republicans full-court press to fill hundreds of empty judicial seats has relegated Feinstein to the role of bystander on the committee, Smith said.

Come January, the Judiciary Committee could get a new chairman in Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close confidant of Trump who railed about Feinstein and Democrats during the Kavanaugh hearing.

Less senior Democrats, frustrated at remaining in the minority, may push to take a more confrontational approach to halt Trumps nominees, even though their options are limited and Feinstein prefers cooperation.

Its definitely not her disposition. Its definitely not where she wants to be, said Schickler, the UC Berkeley professor. Folks like Feinstein have tried to resist [bucking Senate norms, but] even within the party itself theres going to be bottom-up pressure to take a more aggressive, a more assertive tact.

The latest from Washington 

More stories from Sarah D. Wire 

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

UPDATES:

12:20 a.m.: This article was updated with Feinsteins win.

This article originally published at 10:15 p.m.There is an ego wall in the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, with records of all world's leading research achievements that the school has achieved. Time can be traced back to 1974, when Professor Martin Green, Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics in UNSW, started to research into photovoltaics solar cells with a very small group in a little lab. Since then, as the keeper of world record for the highest efficiency silicon solar cell for over three decades, they have continued to be the worlds leader in photovoltaic research.

Professor Martin Green receiving the Global Energy Prize

As the Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics in UNSW, Professor Martin Green has received many awards for his research, development and educational activities in the field of photovoltaics. He was awarded the prestigious Global Energy Prize in Moscow in October, an award for outstanding achievement in research and technology that helps to solve some of the world's most pressing energy challenges, and he is the first Australian to receive this award.

Professor Green was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1948, and he received his bachelor degree from The University of Queensland in Australia and his doctorate degree from McMaster University in Canada. He was initially interested in microelectronics when he entered university. His first task was to put four transistors onto a chip and then ten transistors were the next project.

Then I started getting a bit disillusioned with that kind of work and I thought I wanted to take on something that could be more challenging and satisfying personally. In the early 1970s, there was a new batch of funding for research to generate alternative sources of energy, like solar, so that there would be no more oil crisis in the future, which was both interesting and exciting, he said.

Professor Green and his team focus on increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cell and the commercialization of their research result. In 1983, they get their first worlds record for the silicon solar cell performance with a silicon solar cell that could convert 18 percent of the energy of the sunlight into electrical energy, and their continual research helped them to hold the record for 31 of the 35 years after then.

In 2008, we made the first 25 percent efficient cell. Every time you realize you have a new world record, it is a very exciting moment. So we opened a bottle of champagne and it was a crazy night, but that would also keep you highly motivated as well. So our team members have worked very hard after that, around the clock, trying to get the next world record, said Professor Green.

Professor Martin Green taking the interview from People's Daily Online

Professor Green is often called as the Father of Photovoltaics. He thought he received such a reputation because he has been training many students who went on to have a big impact in building up the industry. Among more than seventy Ph.D. students he had, many of them are students from China.

His most famous Chinese student is Zhengrong Shi, the Chinese-Australian renewable energy entrepreneur. Zhengrong Shi started his Ph.D. study at UNSW in 1988 and received his doctorate degree on solar power technology three years later. In 2001, Zhengrong Shi returned to China to set up a solar cell manufacturing company, and many people from Professor Greens research team went over to China to help him set up the necessary manufacturing facilities. Thus, when Shi opened his first factory in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province in 2002, Professor Green was invited to the opening.

That was a very exciting event because I have never been to a Chinese factory opening before. It's quite a performance with the fireworks, ribbon cutting, and everything.

When Shis company got listed on the US stock exchange in 2005, Professor Green and his wife were also invited to the celebration event. He was very excited for Shis companys success as the first privately held Chinese company to actually list on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2006, Zhengrong Shi debuted on the BRW rich list and became the new richest man in China.

When he listed, he invited myself and my wife to go along to the listing event. We actually got to go up on the podium with Zhengrong, help him ring the bell when his stocks listed on the exchange.

After Shi built the first solar cell manufacturing factory in China, many of Professor Greens students continued to get involved in and became leading figures in the Chinese photovoltaic industry. Professor Green believed that it was these students that provide the technical backup required to establish many of the Chinese photovoltaic companies that are now flourishing.

Professor Green established his first real contact with mainland China back in 1981, when a Chinese researcher from Wuhan was sent to visit them after Chinas opening-up in 1978. In 1984, Professor Green and his team were invited by that researcher to visit his university, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. He spent three weeks in China, giving lectures on solar cells. He has been impressed by Chinas enormous change since then.

Professor Martin Green telling his story with his student Zhengrong Shi

In 1984, everyone wore uniforms, either green or blue. Things like restaurants were very limited and most people rode bicycles. I always had to move quite slowly because you have to find your way through the bicycles and those people, Professor Green recalled.

When Professor went to China again in 2002 for the opening of Zhengrong Shis company, everything has changed. His fight landed in Shanghai, and he found that the whole city was filled with cranes and there were development and construction going on everywhere within the city. But now all the construction phase seems to be over, and Shanghai has been built into a well-constructed modern city. So it's pretty interesting to see that change. I've seen the old China that many modern Chinese could not have seen, so I feel privileged to it. To see the transition, he said.

What excited Professor Green most during China's 40 Years of Reform and Development and research into Photovoltaic energy is Chinas contribution to reducing the costs of solar, as the manufacturing of solar cell in China has made it possible to reach the lowest cost for solar cell around the world. Professor Green is very positive about both the development of the photovoltaic industry itself and its development in China.

I think solar is going to be one of the biggest industries of the future. And China is obviously extremely well positioned within that industry, He said.

Professor Green pointed out that China and Australia follow different trajectories in the research and usage of solar power, which made it possible for interchanges of ideas and collaboration between the two countries.

We have various agreements with different universities, companies, and other research institutes in China, working together to improve the technology. We look forward to more long-term collaboration in this area in the future. (Peoples Daily Online/ Minyi Chen)Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions was forced to resign on Wednesday, ending a tortured relationship with President Trump and opening what could be a historic fight over the sprawling criminal investigation that has clouded Trumps White House tenure.

The president had publicly mocked and belittled the nations top lawman ever since Sessions recused himself last year from supervising the investigation into Russias role in the 2016 presidential race. But Trump waited until after Tuesdays midterm election to force Sessions out  and to choose a critic of the probe as his temporary replacement.

In a tweet, the president named Matthew Whitaker, Sessions former chief of staff at the Justice Department, to serve as acting attorney general. Trump did not say who would be nominated as a permanent replacement, or when he would make the decision.

Whitaker, 49, will supervise the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, according to a Justice Department official. He thus will displace Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general who took control of the probe after Sessions stepped aside because of his high-profile role in Trumps 2016 campaign.

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As acting attorney general, Whitaker will have the authority to restrict the special counsels budget, refuse to sign off on aggressive investigative steps, and even attempt to shut Muellers probe down.

Whitaker was an avowed critic of the investigation before he joined the Justice Department in September 2017. He wrote a month earlier in an opinion column for CNN that Mueller was dangerously close to crossing a red line by looking into Trumps personal finances.

Whitaker probably will have to meet with ethics officials at the Justice Department to determine whether his criticism of the Mueller probe, or his previous work for Sam Clovis, a Trump campaign co-chairman who has testified to the grand jury in the Russia case, poses a potential conflict of interest with his supervising the investigation.

Whitaker is also likely to face questions over investigations into Democratic political leaders. He wrote in USA Today in July 2016, during the presidential race, that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton should be charged with a crime for handling classified information on a private email server while she was secretary of State.

Under the law, Whitaker can serve as acting attorney general for 210 days if no one is nominated to replace him. When Trump nominates a permanent replacement, Whitaker can hold the job until that person is confirmed by the Senate.

A stout, hard-charging figure, Whitaker served as a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He later ran unsuccessfully in the states 2014 Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Before his political career, Whitaker attended the University of Iowa for college, business school and law school. He was tight end for the Hawkeyes varsity football team and played in the 1991 Rose Bowl, although his team lost.

Democrats, who retook the House of Representatives in Tuesdays election, expressed alarm that the Russia investigation  which has led to charges against 32 people and convictions or guilty pleas from five of Trumps former aides  appeared in danger.

Protecting Mueller and his investigation is paramount, said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). It would create a constitutional crisis if this were a prelude to ending or greatly limiting the Mueller investigation.

Schumer and other Democrats called on Whitaker to recuse himself, as Sessions did, and leave the probe in Rosensteins hands.

Although Trump and Democrats expressed some willingness Wednesday to work together in the new Congress, removing Sessions will likely create an immediate flashpoint in coming weeks.

We will be holding people accountable, tweeted Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is in line to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said Trump must be terrified about what Mueller has uncovered. Trump is desperately trying to protect himself and his cronies from justice by installing a political hack as acting attorney general, he said.

The special counsels office declined to comment.

Whitaker issued a statement on Wednesday evening praising Sessions and thanking the president. He did not mention the Russia investigation.

I am committed to leading a fair Department with the highest ethical standards, that upholds the rule of law, and seeks justice for all Americans, he said.

The Justice Department released Sessions undated resignation letter shortly after Trump had finished a lengthy news conference during which he had pointedly refused to say whether Sessions would stay in the Cabinet.

Id rather answer that at a little bit different time, Trump said.

The president later asserted his power over the Russia investigation, saying he could fire everybody right now.

But I dont want to stop it because politically I dont like stopping it, he added. Its a disgrace. It should have never been started because there was no crime.

Sessions said in his letter that he had been honored to serve as attorney general and to uphold the rule of law.

I came to work at the Department of Justice everyday determined to do my duty and serve my country, he wrote. I have done so to the best of my ability.

He left the building as night fell Wednesday to applause from colleagues and supporters who gathered outside. He shook hands with Whitaker and Rosenstein, waved several times to the crowd and stepped into a black sport utility vehicle.

Sessions ouster marks the bitter end of a once-crucial political alliance.

An archconservative, he was the first member of the Senate to throw his support behind Trumps presidential bid, and he helped shape the anti-immigration, tough-on-crime message that helped propel the reality TV star into the White House. Trump named him to lead the Justice Department after the election.

During his time in office, Sessions sought to carry out the presidents agenda, steering the Justice Department to tougher policies on violent crime, drug trafficking and immigration.

He cited success in those areas in his letter to Trump, writing that his department had operated with integrity and  lawfully and aggressively advanced the policy agenda of the administration.

But Sessions relationship with Trump evaporated after the attorney general, on advice from Justice Department ethics lawyers, recused himself from the Russia probe shortly after he was confirmed by the Senate in March 2016.

Sessions had failed in his confirmation hearing to disclose his own meetings with a Russian diplomat during the campaign, sparking concerns about his candor.

He endured humiliating criticism from the president, who publicly accused his attorney general of disloyalty and worse. The invective crested in mid-2017 when Trump criticized Sessions in a New York Times interview and series of tweets, calling him beleaguered and very weak, and harped on him to go after Hillary Clinton.

Sessions pushed back when Trump renewed the pressure in February.

As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution, he said in a statement.

But as Trump continued to rail against the Mueller probe, Sessions position seemed ever more tenuous. Trump even mocked Sessions claims of political independence at the Justice Department.

Jeff Sessions said he wouldnt allow politics to influence him only because he doesnt understand what is happening underneath his command position, Trump tweeted on Aug. 25. He repeated the insult on Fox News, asking angrily, What kind of man is this?

Sessions signaled at the time that he would not step down voluntarily. Justice Department actions, he responded, will not be improperly influenced by political considerations.

Despite Trumps bitter criticisms, Sessions was long able to count on support from his former Republican colleagues in the Senate. But several recently suggested they were open to a replacement.

I like Jeff Sessions, but this is just not working, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told NBC News on Monday. Last year, Graham had said there would be holy hell to pay if Sessions were fired.

The president has insisted there was no collusion between his 2016 campaign and Moscows effort to steer the election in his favor through computer hacking, social media posts and other tactics. He has bitterly criticized the Mueller probe as a witch hunt.

Although no Americans have been charged with conspiring with Russia in its intelligence operation, the criminal probe has dug deep into Trumps inner circle.

Among others, Trumps former national security advisor pleaded guilty to lying to investigators, his former deputy campaign manager pleaded guilty to conspiracy and lying, and his former campaign chairman was convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud before cutting his own deal with prosecutors to avoid a second trial on related charges.

In addition, Muellers team provided federal prosecutors in New York with information that spurred the investigation of Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer. Cohen subsequently pleaded guilty to tax evasion and campaign law violations that he said were directed by Trump to cover up his alleged affairs.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerian

del.wilber@latimes.com

Twitter: @DelWilber

UPDATES:

3:45 p.m.: This story was updated with Sessions letter and other details.

This story was originally published at 11:35 a.m.A day after a midterm election that shifted the balance of power in Washington, President Trump and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi expressed hopes for bipartisan cooperation on Wednesday but both laid down clear markers about the new House majoritys oversight role, foreshadowing a political fight that could dominate the run-up to the 2020 election.

In an often-combative news conference at the White House, Trump urged Democrats to work with him on infrastructure, trade and other potential legislation  but he threatened a warlike posture if they subpoena his tax returns or cellphone records, or investigate other sensitive matters.

He warned that he would respond to Democratic investigations in the House by using the Republican-controlled Senate to conduct inquiries, saying it would be extremely good for me politically because I think Im better at that game than they are.

Pelosi, who is likely to be elected speaker of the House for the second time by the Democratic caucus despite opposition from some members, promised in a separate news conference to focus on strengthening the institution of Congress as a check on the executive branch.

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(Los Angeles Times)

Like Trump, she emphasized the need for greater cooperation in the polarized capital. But Pelosi will have to contend with a Democratic majority that was swept into power in large part by voters who revile the president and are determined to block or even impeach him.

We have a responsibility for oversight, Pelosi said, promising a judicious approach. You can be sure of one thing: When we go down any of these paths, we will know what we are doing and we will do it right.

Trump, referring to his congratulatory call to Pelosi on Tuesday night after her victory speech, pressed her to follow through on her calls to heal the countrys divisions after a campaign marked by inflammatory charges and violence, including the massacre of 11 worshipers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

I really respected what Nancy said last night about bipartisanship and getting together and uniting  she used the word uniting, Trump said.

But he also threatened to retaliate against his political foes by unleashing the GOP-controlled Senate against Democrats. Though senators typically dont vigorously investigate their own party, they are unlikely to give the White House control of their power to subpoena and investigate.

Trump mocked the slew of congressional investigations and the special counsel investigation, led by former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Muellers inquiry has led to guilty pleas or convictions of five of Trumps former top aides so far, and indictments against more than two dozen other individuals.

Its been a long time; theyve got nothing, zero. You know why? Because there is nothing, Trump said. But they can play that game, but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate, and a lot of very questionable things were done, between leaks of classified information and many other elements that should not have taken place.

And all youre going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth, and two years is going to go up and we wont have done a thing.

Democratic leaders, including Pelosi and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), are already trying to tamp down some of their partys most aggressive proposals, especially the activists calling for impeachment.

My view is the Democratic Party is going to be united on implementing an agenda that we talked about during the campaign, said Hoyer, who is in the running to be House majority leader.

Hoyer and Pelosi have repeatedly said that they wanted the Mueller investigation to play out before they make any decisions on pursuing impeachment. Mueller has given no public sign of how quickly he intends to finish, or how he will release his results.

Others on Capitol Hill are even skeptical of demanding Trumps tax returns from before he became president, unconvinced that they contain a smoking gun that would embarrass Trump.

Theres a fine line between being aggressive and also willing to work to get things done, said Paul Maslin, a Democratic strategist based in Wisconsin, one of the traditionally blue states that tipped to Trump in 2016. Both sides have that same pressure.

Less than an hour after Trumps news conference, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions said he had been forced to resign and Trump named Sessions former chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, as acting attorney general. Whitaker, who has publicly criticized the Mueller investigation, will now take over supervision of it.

The shift immediately drew the ire of Democrats. Rep. Adam B. Schiff, the Burbank Democrat likely to chair the House Intelligence Committee, said Sessions firing places the special counsels investigation in new and immediate peril.

Interference with the special counsels investigation would cause a constitutional crisis and undermine the rule of law, Schiff said in a statement. If the president seeks to interfere in the impartial administration of justice, the Congress must stop him. No one is above the law.

Earlier in the day, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  now Trumps most senior GOP ally in Congress  appeared unwilling to get between the president and the new House majority. Asked whether Democratic investigations would limit his ability to work with Pelosi, he tersely answered, No.

But he warned that such presidential harassment didnt work well for Republicans when the House impeached President Clinton in 1998. Clinton was later acquitted in the Senate and served out his term.

We impeached President Clinton. His numbers went up and ours went down and we underperformed in the next election. So the Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is good strategy. Im not so sure it will work for them, McConnell said.

7 takeaways from the 2018 midterm election 

McConnell said his priority was to add more conservative appointees to the federal judiciary. He said the expanded Republican majority in the Senate, coupled with the likelihood of a light legislative workload in the split Congress, may make that easier.

I think well probably have more time for nominations in the next Congress  because the areas of legislative agreement will be more limited, he said.

Democratic leaders in the Senate did not appear optimistic about a possible thaw in the partisanship.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he was skeptical of negotiating with Trump, leaving the door open to bipartisan legislation on immigration while insulting the president.

The presidents a very poor negotiator on those issues, Schumer said. He makes agreements and he backs off, so were sort of dubious of sitting down with the president and making that kind of exchange again when twice hes  shaken hands and then backed off.

During the news conference, Trump refused to reckon with questions about his own inflammatory rhetoric throughout the race, blaming the media instead for creating a divisive political climate.

Im a great moral leader, Trump said, after he initially responded to a question about a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes by pointing to his supposed popularity in Israel.

When asked whether his declaration of himself as a nationalist in the final weeks of the campaign could have sent a signal of tacit support to white nationalists, Trump lashed out at the reporter asking it, an African American woman.

Thats such a racist question, he said.

Trump downplayed Republican losses in the House, but his effort to command the post-election narrative also exposed fissures in the GOP coalition.

Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.), who opted not to run for reelection and saw Democrats flip his seat Tuesday night, blasted Trump for name-checking fellow moderates like Reps. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) and Mia Love (R-Utah), who lost.

To deal w harassment & filth spewed at GOP [members of Congress] in tough seats every day for 2 yrs, bc of POTUS; to bite ur lip more times youd care to; to disagree & separate from POTUS on principle & civility in ur campaign; to lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u. Angers me to my core, Costello tweeted.

Times staff writers David Lauter, Noah Bierman and Chris Megerian contributed to this report.

Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington 

eli.stokols@latimes.com

Twitter: @EliStokols

UPDATES:

5:10 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction to Trumps news conference.

11:25 a.m.: This article was updated with details from President Trumps news conference.

10 a.m.: This article was updated with details from President Trumps news conference.

8:34 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

7:25 a.m.: This article was updated with Trump tweets and analysis.

This article was originally published at 4:15 a.m.Few can argue with California Democrats that their sweeping victories Tuesday are a clear mandate to set in place an agenda for the state that will last well into the next decade. Less clear, though, is what those marching orders should be  and whether voters will embrace the full panoply of demands that have lurched the states dominant party leftward since the election of President Trump.

No one will face that task more directly than Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. With his resounding victory over Republican challenger John Cox, the 51-year-old Democrat not only will preside over the nations largest economy, but as leader of Americas most fierce resistance to Trump and the nationalist shift of mainstream GOP politics.

But the history of how Democrats came to dominate California politics over the last quarter-century is a story less about provocation than pragmatism. The majority of the states modern-era governors have been Republicans. Newsoms platform was hardly one of a centrist, even though the states electorate has rarely been as liberal as its national reputation  choosing instead to be socially moderate but fiscally stingy, environmentally progressive but solidly behind get-tough-on-crime efforts.

No one knew that chapter of Californias political life better than the man Newsom will replace in January, Gov. Jerry Brown.

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The cliche that has followed Brown for decades is his canoe theory of politics, a belief that paddling a little on the right and then on the left ensures the vessel of government steers in a straight path. Few leaders could pull off a multibillion-dollar expansion of Medi-Cal while at the same time coming across as a frugal guy who canceled state worker cellphones and stashed money in a rainy-day fund.

Conservatives never thought the iconic Democrat was all that straight in his paddling. But Browns approach stood the test of time; public opinion polls consistently found a majority of voters liked the way he handled the job these last eight years.

Newsom, in contrast, made his campaign slogan Courage for a change. It came across as equal parts swagger about the path forward and a not-so-subtle rejection of what came before. If the governor-elect intends to recalibrate that bold promise in the weeks and months to come, he didnt offer any hints Tuesday night.

The sun is rising in the west, and the arc of history is bending in our direction, he said to supporters at a crowded Los Angeles victory party. This is not just a state of resistance. California is a state of results.

Newsom, only the third California lieutenant governor in the last 70 years to win the top job, must quickly focus on the practical. Gubernatorial transitions are a dive into the deep end of the pool, with state budget decisions that must be made  in consultation with Brown  in a matter of weeks, long before Newsom takes the oath of office.

The new governor also may have to contend with the other Democrats elected to statewide office Tuesday, each seeking a platform to demand change. Most of them, like Newsom, will be new to the job. None ran on a platform of moderation.

In Sacramento, they will join a California Legislature where Democratic leaders have spent two years pushing forward an agenda that has become the nations most persistent repudiation of Trump. That effort remains largely intact, thanks to Browns signature on a series of environmental and immigration laws. The president has largely ignored the state, although his administration unsuccessfully asked the courts to block the sanctuary state immigration enforcement law enacted this year.

Brown has only occasionally criticized the president, often sounding a note of indifference to any taunt from Trump about the states actions. We can follow our own trajectory, he told reporters Wednesday. I would rather focus on the creativity and the unique opportunities and needs of California, as opposed to defining everything in relationship to the president.

Newsom has been far less restrained. He didnt reference Trump by name on Tuesday, only by reputation. Its been a long two years, but tonight Americas biggest state is making Americas biggest statement, he said. We are saying  unmistakably and in unison  that its time to roll credits on the politics of chaos and cruelty.

Nor has the governor-elect held back in his embrace of ideas that embody the base of his Democratic Party. No topic looms larger on that score than universal healthcare  Newsom has insisted, as he did during a candidates forum last year, that single-payer is the way to go to reduce costs and provide comprehensive access.

So will he lead an effort in 2019 or beyond to revive a stalled attempt in the Legislature to do just that? The partys base may demand it, a test for Newsom in his early days as governor. The topic was a key point of contention during the 2018 primary, when former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the proposal floating around the statehouse in 2017 was nothing more than snake oil, lacking the details necessary to be taken seriously.

Newsom snapped that his fellow Democrat was nothing but a defeatist on the issue. Should he call for patience as governor, he will surely hear the same criticism from progressives. Other topics also will be tricky, as Democratic legislators are eager to push bills vetoed by Brown onto the desk of the new governor. Higher education officials, meanwhile, say they intend to demand more college funding in 2019.

Here too the question arises: How progressive is too progressive? Legislative Republicans may play a small role, but they will be all too happy to sound the alarm in hopes of resetting at least part of the states political narrative by 2020.

The relationship between new governors and legislators is often contentious. Former Gov. Gray Davis, fresh from a 20-percentage-point victory in 1998, boasted to a newspaper editorial board that the Legislatures job was to implement my vision. Five years later, facing a recall by voters, Davis eagerly signed a handful of liberal-leaning bills in an unsuccessful effort to rally turnout among the partys base.

Unlike Brown, who was governor before some current legislators had even been born and received a lot of deference from his fellow Democrats, Newsom will probably be seen as the newcomer. He may have an office in the historic Capitol building, but his post for the last eight years has been more understudy than a starring role. The leaders of the Senate and Assembly, on the other hand, will reprise their roles from the last few years. And most legislators who will serve alongside the new governor can remain in office beyond his four-year term.

Every new governor going in with an established legislative leadership, theres a little bit of a question of how power is shared, said John A. Perez, a former Assembly speaker. But the governor, he acknowledged, has real power in shaping the states budget  key leverage over programs championed by liberal Democrats.

Newsom may look to Browns track record for guidance, one he praised on the campaign trail. You do not need to be profligate to be progressive, he told a San Francisco audience in 2016.

How hell translate that slogan into substance remains to be seen. Had Villaraigosa, not Republican John Cox, emerged in second place in the June primary, voters might have had a front-row seat to a robust debate about Democratic or centrist-left public policy, one that could have better defined how Newsom will thread the needle of Democratic politics.

But in Cox, there was only the tried-and-true Republican brand  one rejected by voters on the statewide level for more than a decade.

He wasnt going out of his way to try and meet Californians where they are at, said Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley), a leader of a political action committee that is trying to reimagine GOP politics. If you have a scarlet R next to your name, you cant win statewide.

In Mayes assessment is a question that this election, like those in 2014 and 2010, failed to answer: Do Democrats dominate California politics because of the strength of their positions, or because of the absence of centrist Republicans? Few elected officials will have more of a role in answering that question than Newsom.

Unlike Brown, who oversaw the final touches on fixing many of the leftover problems from Californias 20th century, the new governor seems poised to be its first leader of whats ahead. Along with the others who will take office in January, he is not only part of a new chapter for the state, but also represents a different brand of Democratic politics crafted during a time when choosing sides has sometimes taken precedence over building bridges. How he responds as the partys leader  and as the governor of millions who dont always agree with him  will be a key test.

Times staff writer Melanie Mason contributed to this report.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

UPDATES:

12:59 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Gov. Jerry Brown and additional details.

This article was originally published at 3:00 a.m.Gavin Newsom won a decisive victory for governor Tuesday night, placing the risk-taking liberal at the center of the resistance to President Trump at a critical moment for California.

Newsom is expected to shift state politics and policy even further to the left after eight years of Gov. Jerry Brown, a pragmatic Democrat known for his fiscal restraint and distaste for expensive new social programs.

An outspoken champion of LGBTQ rights, strict gun control and the legalization of marijuana, Newsom campaigned with an ambitious and expensive agenda, including proposals for a state-sponsored healthcare system, universal preschool and increased funding for higher education.

Newsom, 51, also promises to heighten Californias role as a foil to the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress, vowing to fight the presidents crackdown on immigration and dismantling of the nations environmental protections.

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Californias two-term lieutenant governor handily defeated Republican challenger John Cox, 63, a multimillionaire businessman and political newcomer in the state who dipped into his own fortune hoping to overcome long odds.

In his victory speech Tuesday night to supporters gathered in downtown Los Angeles, Newsom portrayed California as a beacon for those who are wearied by the rancorous tone of national politics.

To those who wonder whether polarization is permanent, who think todays big dreams are tomorrows broken promises, who question whether a 40-million-person melting pot of different faiths, families and futures can live and prosper together  California is your answer! he said.

(Kyle Kim / Los Angeles Times Graphics)

MORE: Full 2018 midterm election results 

Trump went unnamed in Newsoms speech, but the implied contrast ran through his remarks, as well as the pointed declaration that the California dream has always been  and will always be  too big to fail and too powerful to bully. Still, Newsom acknowledged the challenges facing the states residents, including unaffordable housing and higher education, and threats to the workforce from automation and wage stagnation.

Cox was met with cheers as he took the podium in the U.S. Grant hotels ballroom in San Diego shortly after 9:30 p.m., telling the crowd that he called Newsom, wished him well and offered him assistance. He predicted a Republican resurgence in California and said that he planned to stay involved.

We highlighted the incredible struggle that the people of this state have had for years under the people that are running this state, Cox said. We identified the needs of these people, the fact that they cant afford housing, they cant afford gasoline, they cant afford the basics of life.

Underpinning the race between Newsom and Cox was the political upheaval stirred by President Trump.

Newsom enthusiastically embraced Trump as his main foil in the campaign, rarely mentioning his GOP opponent by name. Cox, meanwhile, touted the presidents endorsement before the primary, which helped him consolidate the Republican vote in California and finish in the top two in a crowded field of candidates. Days after the primary, Cox said he hoped Trump would come to California to campaign for him, but that never happened and the president fell silent about the candidate he backed in May.

I dont wake up every morning looking to pick fights, Newsom said while campaigning in Sacramento last week. But if he attacks the values of this state, he attacks the people of this state, he attacks our clean air, our clean water, he attacks our diverse communities, Ill have the back of the people of this state and the values that we hold dear.

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

In contrast, Cox softened his embrace of Trump as election day neared, seeming aware that the president remained extremely unpopular among independent and moderate Democratic voters in California whose support Cox desperately needed. Cox rejected the presidents heated rhetoric about immigrants and his administrations policy of separating immigrant parents and children at the border but praised Trump for the recent federal tax cuts.

I like whats hes done. Im not a fan of the personality, Cox said during a campaign stop at a Starbucks in Carlsbad on Friday.

The son of an appellate court judge with deep ties to San Franciscos most affluent residents, Newsom began his career in public office in 1996 when San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown appointed him to the Parking and Traffic Commission and then, a year later, to the Board of Supervisors.

Newsom was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2004 and quickly rose to national prominence within months after directing the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. That defiant act became a catalyst for a nationwide political battle over the issue that ended when the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of gays to marry in 2015.

Then San Francisco became the first city in the nation to offer universal healthcare to all residents and to provide preschool for all, bolstering Newsoms reputation among California Democrats and leading to his first run for governor in 2010. But Newsom quickly acquiesced in that race to the inevitability of Jerry Brown, Californias seemingly ethereal Democrat who went on to win two straight terms as governor.

He settled for serving as California lieutenant governor, a largely powerless post where the Democrat could cocoon his political career and plot a second run for governor when Brown termed out of office.

The two-term lieutenant governor and married father of four young children entered the governors race in February 2015, more than a year before any other major candidates, and set forth on an aggressive fundraising effort that brought in more than $53 million  almost four times the amount raised by Cox during the campaign. Newsom immediately cemented himself as the front-runner, a position he never yielded.

Newsoms greatest challenge came in a primary that included two other Democratic heavyweights: former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. Villaraigosa entered the race after a five-year hiatus from politics but failed to recapture the magic that led to his two terms as mayor, even after a group of wealthy charter school backers poured $23 million into an independent expenditure effort backing his campaign. Chiangs bid never caught on with voters.

Before the primary, the Newsom campaign moved to elevate Cox among California conservatives so he would have enough Republican support to finish in the top two, squeezing out a more formidable Democrat. Newsom attacked Cox in ads and on the campaign trail as Trumps handpicked favorite and a rabid gun-rights supporter.

Then, after Cox finished second and headed for a face-off with Newsom, the Democratic front-runner declined to participate in more than one debate, robbing the Republican of his biggest opportunity for increased statewide exposure. Their only debate was broadcast on radio only during the workday, when most Californians were too busy to listen in.

Cox kicked off his campaign for governor in 2017 as a self-described Ronald Reagan Republican, calling for lower taxes, smaller and more efficient government and a crackdown on political cronies in Sacramento.

Though a newcomer to California politics, Cox by that time was a veteran  albeit unsuccessful  campaigner. In Illinois, the Chicago-area native ran for Congress and twice for the U.S. Senate, failing to make it past the primary each time. The wealthy real estate investor also launched a quixotic campaign in the 2008 presidential race, even appearing on some early primary ballots but dropped out within a year.

Coxs run for California governor was, by far, his most successful foray in the political realm. The effort was aided in large part by the $5.5 million he donated to his campaign, a significant percentage of the $13.9 million he raised

During the campaign, Cox was criticized for a string of gaffes and eyebrow-raising comments.

The Newsom campaign also seized on statements Cox made in a 2007 presidential debate, when he warned that the push for LGBTQ rights might open the floodgates to polygamy and bestiality and all kinds of other things. Cox responded by saying his opinions have evolved since that time.

Newsoms victory continues the slow transition of Californias top political leadership to a new generation of rising politicians. Change began in 2016 following Sen. Barbara Boxers retirement after more than 25 years in office. She was succeeded by state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris.

Coverage of California politics 

phil.willon@latimes.com | Twitter: @philwillon

melanie.mason@latimes.com | Twitter: @melmason

dakota.smith@latimes.com | Twitter: @dakotacdsmith

Updates on California politics

UPDATES:

11:55 p.m.: This story was updated with more details from the election night parties.

10:25 p.m.: This story was updated with a quote from Gavin Newsom.

9:55 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details about Cox and Newsoms election night parties.

This story was originally published at 9 p.m.It may not have been the night some Democrats hoped for, but it was good enough to write an important new chapter in the story of President Trump.

And that includes the election of a new Democrat to lead California, one who has been a high-profile critic of Trump from the very beginning of his presidency.

Sign up for the Essential Politics newsletter 

THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON: DAVID LAUTER

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Theres one big takeaway from Tuesdays election results: The political divisions that rent the country in 2016 have only grown deeper.

Of the more than 30 districts that Democrats picked up en route to winning control of the House, about 40% were ones that Mitt Romney carried in 2012, but which turned against Donald Trump in 2016. Most of those districts are centered on suburbs and have a large number of college-educated white voters who used to consider themselves Republicans but are now deeply alienated from Trumps party.

Democrats also picked up a Senate seat in Nevada, a state Hillary Clinton carried. There, they benefited from strong support from Latino voters.

On the other side, Republicans defeated at least three Senate Democrats running in states carried by Trump. In each of those states, Trump supporters turned out in large numbers to evict Democrats, whether they had fought Trump, as Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri often did, or tried to accommodate him, as Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota preferred. (Republicans were also hoping to pick up a Senate seat in Florida with Rick Scott and in Montana with Matt Rosendale, who were both in close races.)

Trump has made the suburbs great again for Democrats. But hes also has made the gap between the parties so big that red-state Democrats could no longer find a way to bridge it.

Trump cast the midterm election as a big victory early Wednesday, but if it was that, it was costly. Not only did he lose the House, but Democrats also made big gains across the mid-Atlantic and Midwestern industrial states  the places where Trump sealed his victory in 2016. Democrats won races for both Senate and governor in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, unseating Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whom they had tried three times before to defeat. They got a split decision in Ohio, winning the Senate but losing the governorship. And they took three of the four House seats in Iowa while narrowly losing the governors race.

Democrats also flipped several state legislative chambers, giving them a stronger hand in shaping the drawing of district lines after the 2020 Census.

Despite those wins, there was a notable sense of letdown among many Democrats. In part, that stemmed from the Senate losses, which were deeper than many had prepared themselves for (although none were a surprise). The larger cause, however, seemed to be the defeats of three charismatic liberal candidates  Andrew Gillum in Florida, Beto ORourke in Texas and Stacey Abrams in Georgia, who has not conceded her race for governor but lags behind her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp.

Thats an odd part of Democratic psychology  the partys activists tend to fall in love with underdog candidates, forgetting in the heat of the moment that underdogs usually lose.

Overall, however, the Democratic victories were significant and far-reaching. All told, the party appears to have won the total vote for congressional candidates by more than 7 percentage points (the final total wont be known for weeks). The Democrats lost the overall vote in 2016 by 1 point. An 8-point swing in their direction would be the largest for Democrats since 1948, and one of the largest for either party since the end of World War II, according to Matt Grossmann, a political scientist at Michigan State University, writing for the 538 website. In a highly polarized political era like this, thats a formidable shift.

Heres my overall assessment of last nights vote and what it means for Trump.

NATIONAL LIGHTNING ROUND

-- Seven takeaways from the election, including a historic night for women. (Track their victories here.)

-- After denouncing her on the campaign trail for more than a month, Trump congratulated House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for her partys having retaken control of the House. Still, as Jennifer Haberkorn writes, Pelosi faces a battle for the speakers gavel.

-- Hundreds of thousands of poor Americans across the country look poised to gain health coverage, as Democrats made gains in key state elections and voters in several Western states appeared to be backing measures to expand Medicaid.

-- Abortion. Marijuana. Voting rights. A look at ballot measures across the country.

-- Democratic Rep. Jared Polis will become Colorados first openly gay governor.

-- Many races for California House seats that Democrats hoped to flip are still too close to call. But GOP Rep. Devin Nunes warded off the toughest political challenge he faced in years, claiming victory over Democrat Andrew Janz in Californias 22nd Congressional District.

-- Meanwhile, Rep. Adam Schiff is really looking forward to investigating Trump.

-- He may be dead, but pimp Dennis Hof won his bid for Nevada state Assembly seat.

THE VIEW FROM SACRAMENTO: JOHN MYERS

You have to go all the way back to 1887 to find a time in California where one Democratic governor was followed by another Democratic governor. Until now, that is.

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom handily defeated Republican John Cox in the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown. The returns as of early Wednesday show the race wasnt close  Cox looks to have received slightly more than 40% of the votes, the historical mark for most GOP gubernatorial hopefuls over the past two decades.

Newsom, 51, didnt mention Trump by name Tuesday in his victory speech. He didnt have to.

Its been a long two years but  tonight  Americas biggest state is making Americas biggest statement, he said. We are saying  unmistakably and in unison  that its time to roll credits on the politics of chaos and cruelty.

Its hard to find a California Democrat whos been more critical of national Republican politics than the governor-elect. Nor has there been one who has more completely embraced the leftward march of the states dominant party. One early question is whether Newsom sees Tuesdays results as the result of particular events in the here and now  or a sign of a dramatic shift of the California electorate.

Unsuccessful, though, was another Trump antagonist: Kevin de Leon, who lost his long-shot bid to unseat Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Democrats also did quite well in most other statewide races, from attorney general to state treasurer. Well keep watching the returns in the race for insurance commissioner, with a narrow lead by Republican-turned-independent Steve Poizner over Democrat Ricardo Lara. And then theres the schools chief race that attracted huge spending from teachers unions and charter school backers, where Marshall Tuck maintains a lead over Tony Thurmond.

California voters offered a mixed review of the 11 propositions on the statewide ballot  resoundingly saying no to looser rent control as envisioned by Proposition 10 and lower gas taxes as promised by Proposition 6. Both of those outcomes could mark major turning points in long-running debates over the states housing crisis and the electorates feeling about taxes and transportation woes.

ELECTION DAY ESSENTIALS

-- Live results from the midterm election.

-- As Cox conceded defeat in the California governors race Tuesday night, he told supporters in San Diego that he predicts a resurgence of the Republican Party in the state and said hes not going anywhere.

-- In what could be a stunning upset, retired Sheriffs Lt. Alex Villanueva took a narrow lead over Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell early Wednesday.

-- With ballots from just a few precincts left to count, San Francisco voters appeared to give handy approval to Proposition C, a ballot measure that will tax corporate businesses to fund services for the homeless.

-- In a country with a heightened sense of anxiety over the sanctity of elections, officials were thankful when election day in Los Angeles provided voters with some frustrations rather than keeping people from voting in some capacity.

-- The flip side: At the Luxe Hotel, the official polling place for residents living in and around the Brentwood and Bel-Air areas, voters were treated to valet parking, finger sandwiches and a soothing tea dubbed The Midterm Elixir.

-- Musician Moby jammed in a few pop-up concerts in Orange County on election day to support Democratic candidates.

LOGISTICS

Essential Politics is usually published on Monday and Friday.

You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Miss Mondays newsletter? Here you go.

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.

Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox.Its going to take weeks for all the votes to be tallied in California, and it might be that long before a winner is declared in some close races. But already, the results are revealing. Here are five takeaways from election day in California:

California elections are expensive and the deepest pockets in initiative campaigns won

Total spending for all federal and state elections in California this year topped $1 billion for the first time, according to the California Target Book election guide. This tally includes the widely contested races for U.S. Congress, the gubernatorial election and statewide initiative campaigns.

Two propositions were among the most expensive in state history, topping $100 million in total fundraising. Opponents of Propositions 8 and 10 overwhelmed supporters with cash and won at the ballot box.

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Proposition 8 aimed to shrink the profits of dialysis clinics across the state, and the dialysis industry raised more than $111 million alone to defeat it, according to top contributor data from the California Fair Political Practices Commission, nearly six times what labor union supporters donated.

Proposition 10 tried to expand rent control in California. But opponents, chiefly real estate investors with large apartment portfolios, raised nearly $80 million. Thats three times what the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other supporters donated.

The Associated Press officially called both propositions as defeated Tuesday night. They are both trailing by 24 percentage points, the worst margin among the five measures that were trailing or had failed.

Women make history in statewide elections

Never before have women held more than two of Californias statewide constitutional offices at the same time. But Tuesdays results changed that.

Eleni Kounalakis and Fiona Ma, both Democrats, won their respective races for lieutenant governor and treasurer. They will join State Controller Betty Yee, also a Democrat, who was reelected on Tuesday.

Voting is not a one-day affair in California

In every general election since 2012, more than half the ballots cast in the state have been by mail, not at the polls. It looks like Tuesday will set a new record for those who chose to vote via the post office.

This year, 78% of the 16.7 million registered voters in the state were sent a mail ballot, according to statistics from the California secretary of state and Political Data, a statewide voter data company. We wont know the full turnout and breakdown for a while of those who chose to vote by mail, but the tally seems likely to top the 61% of voters who voted absentee in November 2014.

Democrats once again are eyeing a supermajority in the Legislature

Democrats are on the cusp of winning two-thirds of the seats in both the Assembly and state Senate. Democrat Anna Caballero leads by more than 1,000 votes in her race for a state Senate seat to represent parts of the Central Valley over Republican Rob Poythress, and Democrat Melissa Hurtado leads incumbent GOP Sen. Andy Vidak in the San Joaquin Valley.

If Caballero or Hurtado hold on, Democrats will earn their third supermajority in the Legislature since 2012.

The state Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in both houses to raise taxes and put measures on the statewide ballot, so Democrats wouldnt need any support from Republicans to do either. Depending on the outcome in a handful of too-close-to-call Assembly races, Democrats could earn as many as 59 seats in the 80-person chamber.

But actually keeping an entire party caucus in line is easier said than done. In key recent supermajority votes to raise the gas tax, reauthorize the states cap-and-trade program and add a surcharge on real estate transactions, some legislators from both parties crossed the aisle.

Voters interest in borrowing money might have hit a bump

California voters tend to love borrowing money.

Prior to Tuesday, voters statewide had rejected just one bond measure that would have tapped the states day-to-day budget for repayment over the past decade, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office. Voters approved $33 billion in new debt over the same period.

But Proposition 3, an $8.9-billion bond to finance water infrastructure improvements, was trailing 52% to 48% as of Wednesday morning. The only prior measure that failed over the last 10 years was a 2008 campaign financed by Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens that would have issued $5 billion in debt to help consumers purchase alternative energy vehicles.

Three other bond measures passed or looked poised to do so as of early Wednesday. Voters appeared to support $6 billion in loans to help finance low-income and homeless housing. And a proposal to borrow $1.5 billion to help expand the states network of childrens hospitals secured passage.

Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.Proposition 10, a ballot measure to expand rent control in California, was decisively rejected by voters Tuesday in a victory for the states top landlords who spent millions to defeat it.

The campaign was one of the most expensive initiative battles in California history with more than $104 million in total fundraising. With Proposition 10s failure, a statewide ban on most new forms of rent control remains in effect.

The stunning margin of victory shows California voters clearly understood the negative impacts Prop. 10 would have on the availability of affordable and middle-class housing in our state, Tom Bannon, CEO of the California Apartment Assn., said in a statement.

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Its expensive to be a tenant in California. Will Proposition 10s rent control expansion help? 

The campaign to expand rent control was pitched to voters as housing has become less affordable in the state. About 9.5 million renters  more than half of Californias tenant population  are burdened by high rents, spending at least 30% of their income on housing costs, according to a UC Berkeley study.

To address the issue, tenant advocates decided to go after the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law passed 23 years ago that blocks cities and counties from imposing rent control on single-family homes and apartments built after 1995, among other prohibitions. After a bill to repeal Costa-Hawkins failed in a legislative committee in January, groups turned in signatures for a ballot measure, Proposition 10, that would have done the same thing. Had the initiative passed, local governments would have been free to add new restrictions on rents, something Los Angeles, Berkeley and other cities were considering.

But polling showed Proposition 10 never really caught on with voters. A September survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California revealed just 36% of likely voters backed the initiative. A month later a poll from the same organization showed support had decreased to 25%.

That drop came amid a blitz of TV advertisements from opponents who, as of Friday, had raised nearly $80 million to defeat Proposition 10. They argued that expanding rent control would increase the states housing shortage, exacerbate overall affordability issues and hurt the investments of single-family homeowners. Much of the funding for the No on 10 campaign came from national real estate investors with large apartment portfolios in California.

The Proposition 10 campaign was watched beyond Californias borders. Market analysts have paid close attention to the campaign, which had the potential to spur similar rent control measures across the country. The National Multifamily Housing Council, an apartment industry group, called Proposition 10 an existential threat to the industry.

Supporters of Proposition 10 raised $24.6 million, 94% of it coming from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit. Backers contended that the initiative offered the quickest and cheapest way to provide housing cost relief for renters, and that cities and counties should be allowed to tailor rent stabilization rules to their communities.

Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said the campaign revealed the influence that corporate landlords have over the states housing market.

They may be enjoying their victory at the polls tonight, Weinstein said. But this campaign exposed who they are and what they represent.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has argued that housing stability is crucial to its mission of serving low-income AIDS patients, now has lost four high-profile California and Los Angeles ballot measures its bankrolled since 2016. Voters have also rejected statewide efforts to limit prescription drug prices and mandate the use of condoms in adult films and a Los Angeles measure to slow growth in the city.

Despite Proposition 10s defeat, rent control is likely to remain in the spotlight. Residents in Sacramento, the states sixth-largest city, have qualified a 2020 initiative that would implement rent controls on the citys older apartment buildings. Democrat Gavin Newsom, who was elected governor on Tuesday, opposed Proposition 10, but he has said the state should have stronger protections for tenants.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation officials have said that if Proposition 10 didnt pass they would immediately begin discussing whether to push a stronger rent control measure for the 2020 statewide ballot. After the results came in Tuesday night, Weinstein said he wanted to work with Newsom first.

Gavin Newsom, who is the incoming governor of California, has said affirmatively that he intends to solve this problem. I take that at face value. Its incumbent upon us to exhaust that opportunity before we go to the ballot again.

Coverage of California politics 

liam.dillon@latimes.com

@dillonliam

UPDATES:

11:45 p.m.: This article was updated with quotes from an interview with Michael Weinstein, which replaced written statements from Proposition 10 supporters.

10:12 p.m.: This article was updated with a quote from Proposition 10 proponents.

This article was originally published at 9:45 p.m.High-profile ballot measures to expand rent control on apartments and roll back recent taxes on gasoline were rejected by California voters Tuesday, while billions of dollars in new borrowing were authorized and state lawmakers were given permission to pursue an effort to enact year-round daylight saving time.

In vote tallies reported through Wednesday afternoon, a majority of the 11 statewide propositions appeared headed for passage. Under state law, none of the proposed laws can take effect until election results are certified early next month.

Supporters of the two marquee measures on the statewide ballot, on rent control and gas taxes, saw their proposals soundly rejected.

Live results from the 2018 midterm elections 

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Proposition 10 would have repealed a state law that, for more than two decades, has prohibited cities and counties from imposing most forms of new rent control. After a campaign in which opponents  predominantly groups representing California landlords  outspent supporters 3 to 1, and more than $100 million was spent overall, voters appeared to oppose the initiative decisively. The result would leave in place local restrictions on rent control policies.

Proposition 10 was soundly rejected by almost 62% of voters. Should that margin hold, it will be one of the most lopsided defeats for an initiative in recent years.

A closer but still unsuccessful campaign was waged for Proposition 6, which would have repealed a recent increase in the state gas tax and vehicle fees. The infusion of some $5.2 billion in new revenues is earmarked to repair Californias roads and bridges and bolster mass transit.

Critics wrote the ballot measure in hopes that voters would repeal the tax signed into law in 2017 by Gov. Jerry Brown. Proposition 6 would have also amended Californias Constitution to require that future fuel taxes be approved in a statewide election. But vote tallies showed the measure rejected by 55% of voters.

Proposition 6 was put on the ballot through funding from the California Republican Party and GOP congressional leaders.. But backers failed to provide substantial financial help to the campaign after the measure qualified. As a result, supporters were significantly outspent by a $43-million opposition campaign bankrolled by Democrats, the construction industry and the California Chamber of Commerce.

Voters handily approved two bond measures, with a third narrowly leading in early returns and a fourth trailing. In all, the bonds proposed more than $16 billion for projects ranging from affordable housing to improvements at childrens hospitals across California. The largest, Proposition 3, would dedicate $8.9 billion for water projects, including $750 million to repair water delivery systems in the Central Valley and $200 million to help fix the state-owned Oroville Dam, which faced severe storm damage in 2017. But the measure was rejected by 52% of voters in the latest unofficial returns.

Proposition 4, which authorizes up to $1.5 billion in new borrowing to improve childrens hospitals, was winning easily.

The combined $6 billion approved in Propositions 1 and 2 represents the largest single infusion of state dollars to help finance low-income housing in more than a decade, at a time when Californians are seeing a jump in housing costs and homelessness.

Two ballot proposition campaigns either mirrored or extended battles fought in the Legislature in 2018.

Proposition 8, which became the most expensive ballot fight in California history, won just 38% of the vote in returns counted through late Wednesday. The proposal would have required dialysis clinics to provide rebates to insurers and pay a penalty on business revenues that exceed 115% of certain costs to deliver care.

The dialysis industry spent $110 million against Proposition 8. Opponents argued it would force cutbacks at dialysis centers. In all, the measure marked the latest battle between a union and the industry it has struggled to organize.

Proposition 11, a failed legislative effort to require ambulance workers to remain oncall during their meal and rest breaks, found strong approval Tuesday. The measure ensures the industry isnt subject to a recent California Supreme Court ruling that mandates rest breaks for security personnel and could have been applied to emergency crews.

The only other ballot measure with enough support for a visible statewide campaign, one to impose new rules on farm animal confinement, appeared to pass with little problem. Proposition 12 imposes a ban, starting in 2020, on the sale of eggs from hens confined to an area with less than 1 square foot of usable floor space per animal.

Proposition 12 was proposed by the Humane Society of the United States. But the measure drew opposition from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals  which split with other animal rights groups  and the Humane Farming Assn., which said the initiative would not go far enough in helping hens, pigs and calves.

Two other statewide ballot measures hardly registered on Californias political radar in the weeks leading up to Tuesday. Proposition 5, an effort by the California Assn. of Realtors to extend property tax breaks for homeowners 55 and older, was defeated . It was opposed by labor unions and local governments who feared the measure would deplete tax revenues and the public services they pay for.

And then there was Proposition 7, which was embraced by 60% of the votes in unofficial returns. It was crafted by the Legislature to set the stage for a future switch to permanent daylight saving time. Because the biannual changing of the clocks was memorialized by the states voters in 1949, any change to the system requires a new statewide proposal.

Proposition 7 gives the Legislature the power to adopt a single system of marking time, but would not allow daylight saving time to be the system of choice unless Congress permits states to do so. Lawmakers conceded the plan was more advisory than action-oriented, as there have been no signs from Washington that such a change is in the works.

Times staff writers Liam Dillon, Patrick McGreevy and Taryn Luna contributed to this report.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with revised vote totals.

Nov. 7, 9:15 a.m.: This article was updated with revised vote totals.

11:39 p.m.: This article was updated with revised vote totals.

This article was originally published at 9:55 p.m., Nov. 6.California cemented its role as a defiant counterweight to the federal government Tuesday as the states voters elected Gavin Newsom, an enthusiastic adversary of President Trump, as their next governor.

The Democratic lieutenant governor ran an unabashedly Trump-centric campaign, one that alternated between forceful confrontation and winking sarcasm but always framed the president  rather than Republican opponent John Cox  as his rival.

But as campaign jabs give way to governing, Newsom must weigh his combative impulses against the complications of leading a state that is home to millions of Trump supporters  and one that is interdependent with the federal government.

I feel a responsibility to call out the administration when they attack this state, Newsom told reporters last week. At the same time, I dont choose to wake up every morning looking to pick a fight.

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Its a balancing act that Gov. Jerry Brown approached in his own idiosyncratic way, a blend of searing taunts and standoffishness.

Brown did need to be careful because there are so many federal resources that California depends on, said Kimberly Nalder, a political scientist at Cal State Sacramento. He pulled some punches because it was smart politics for California, in spite of the fact that Trump is very unpopular here.

California versus Trump became an instant rallying cry. But resistance has been more complicated 

Newsoms years-long gubernatorial bid has been anchored in his criticism of Trump, and the two have sparred in a manner befitting their instincts for showmanship. In one recent back-and-forth, Trump denounced Newsom as a clown. Newsom countered by comparing the president to Pennywise, the evil clown from the Stephen King horror novel It.

In a soap-operatic twist, their rivalry has taken on a personal tinge in recent months. Newsoms ex-wife, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, is now dating Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

Hi (again), @realDonaldTrump. Heard you called me out at your rally tonight (again).



Might I suggest you focus your limited attention span on, say... your Supreme Court nominee who may have committed perjury... or the hundreds of kids STILL separated from their families. Thx.  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 2, 2018

The Golden State, which voted by a nearly 30-point margin for Trumps Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in 2016, has similarly proved to be a constant irritant to the president. An economic powerhouse and the nations most populous state, California holds outsize influence as the hub of anti-Trump resistance.

On Tuesday, Newsom portrayed his win as a central part of the Democratic victories nationwide that enabled Democrats to recapture the House.

Its been a long two years, but tonight, Americas biggest state is making Americas biggest statement, he said. We are saying, unmistakably and in unison, that its time to roll credits on the politics of chaos and cruelty.

Within a day of Trumps election, Californias legislative leaders said his win left them feeling like strangers in a foreign land and promised to lead the resistance to any effort that would shred our social fabric or our Constitution.

State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, who was elected Tuesday to serve a full term, has filed dozens of lawsuits against the administrations policies on the environment, immigration, healthcare and other issues.

The Trump administration responded with two lawsuits of its own, against Californias sanctuary state law, which limits local law enforcements cooperation with immigration authorities, and its recently passed net neutrality law that prohibits broadband and wireless companies from hindering access to the internet.

Trump and fellow Republicans have also revived a well-worn trope in portraying California as a hotbed of radical liberalism and barely contained chaos. In speeches and tweets, the president falsely asserted that the state was home to rampant illegal voting and riots in response to the sanctuary state law.

More coverage of California politics 

The barbs have not gone unanswered by Brown, particularly when Trump has acted against the governors signature cause of battling climate change. Brown has called the president a liar, criminal, fool and cast Trumps proposed rollback of air quality protections as a declaration of war on America.

In other political times, we wouldve been shocked by the rhetoric, Nalder said.

Instead, Brown has largely been seen as greeting Trumps provocations with a shrug.

Brown treated Trump with a certain degree of intellectual and political indifference, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said.

His response has been driven partially by his circumspect nature and in part by an unwillingness to budge from his long-standing agenda on climate and infrastructure in the face of hostility from the White House.

We made a very conscious decision early on that we would not bark at every passing car, said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Brown. All one would be doing these days is barking.

Brown has responded forcefully when the president has pursued policies that could negatively affect Californias climate goals or budget, as was the case in the administrations push to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year. But hes refrained from commenting on the multiple draft proposals that have leaked from the White House, including a legally questionable effort to end birthright citizenship by executive action.

At times, the governor has let others do the talking for him. When Trump tweeted that Californias wildfires were caused by water and forestry mismanagement, the pushback came from the states top fire official, who called the presidents views uninformed.

Amid the ongoing verbal volleys, the state has managed to secure needed funds from Washington. The Trump administration approved $650 million for electrification of the Caltrain commuter rail in the Bay Area. And Trump granted nine requests for presidential disaster declarations in California, securing assistance in the wake of destructive fires, mudslides and the crisis at the Oroville Dam.

Newsom credited Trump for not playing politics with disaster declarations and said he could see opportunities for collaboration on infrastructure or apprenticeship programs.

Election 2018: Live updates 

But Newsom is unlikely to find common cause with the president on most major policy priorities, including universal healthcare, particularly when such a goal would involve covering residents without legal immigration status. Still, he is unfazed by potential blowback from Washington.

Whats the choice? To abandon principle? To not advance our values because were worried about hurting a relationship that the president of the United States has expressed very clearly is one that he is intentionally trying to damage? Newsom said. No, thats not going to happen. Were going to do what we have to do.

Nor has he showed signs of pulling back from jousting with the president, succinctly explaining his approach as bullies need to be answered, and arguing he is no different than Brown in simply expressing his point of view.

The governor-to-be, however, has more forcefully responded to the trial balloons floated by the Trump administration. He called the birthright citizenship plan disgraceful. He also denounced the administrations consideration of redefining gender to effectively end recognition of transgender people, saying the concept is just plain wrong.

To speak up against something folks find deplorable at the outset is helpful in terms of killing or molding those responses to something less offensive, Rendon said. If thats the way Gavin is going to run his administration, I think thats a positive thing.

Nevertheless, the Assembly speaker said that in meetings to discuss legislative priorities with Newsom, there was nary a peep about the current occupant of the White House.

All hes talked about is policy, Rendon said. I dont know Ive heard him mention Trump.

With a healthy majority of Democrats in the Legislature, there is little risk of Newsom alienating key legislative allies with his antagonism toward Trump. Kristin Olsen, a former Assembly Republican leader from Modesto, said even some GOP legislators may agree with his pugilistic stance, though others may take more offense.

And an assertive posture against Trump may help Newsom if he has further ambitions in national politics, particularly in a Democratic Party whose base has been energized in opposition to the president.

That incentive for partisan combat worries Olsen, who said she hoped Newsom would be a more unifying figure across party lines.

For those who have national ambitions, its very tempting to fall into [partisanship]. And unfortunately, I think if Gavin does, I think he will not be the effective governor that he could otherwise be, Olsen said. To be an effective governor for the state of California at this time in history is directly opposed to being able to play into what unfortunately is advancing leaders today on a national scale, and thats screaming and attacking and hating the other side.

melanie.mason@latimes.com

Follow @melmason on Twitter for the latest on California politics.In limestone caves hidden deep in the jungle of Borneo, archaeologists have discovered the oldest known figurative drawing created by a human artist, dating back at least 40,000 years.

The ancient artwork is incomplete, but appears to depict a large mammal  probably a type of wild cow  with an oval-shaped body, thin legs and a spear sticking out of its rump.

To our knowledge, the large animal painting is the oldest figurative rock art in the world, researchers reported Wednesday in the journal Nature.

The study authors noted that the painting, and others like it, were made at roughly the same time period as animal figurines carved from mammoth tusks that were discovered in west-central Germany.

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This suggests that humans on opposite ends of Eurasia began creating figurative art at about the same time, they said.

But who these ancient Bornean artists were, whether they had a relationship with artists in the west, and what motivated them to leave their creative marks on the limestone caves remains a mystery.

All we have at the moment is what they left on the cave walls, said Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist at Griffith University in Australia who led the new work.

Detail from the cave wall containing the worlds oldest known figurative artwork. (Luc-Henri Fage)

The Borneo cave paintings were discovered in a remote jungle region on the Indonesian side of the island by the French explorer Luc-Henri Fage in 1994.

Since then, archaeologists have documented thousands of paintings in dozens of cave sites in a mountainous part of Borneo that spans roughly 60 miles.

The caves are exceedingly difficult to explore. The route to the main site, Gua Saleh, involves paddling up a river by canoe, then walking for four long days in dense jungle.

Limestone karst of East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. (Pindi Setiawan)

The cave is situated on the top of a mountain so its quite a hike, Aubert said.

Once they reach the site, researchers can only stay for a few nights because water is scarce.

We drink water dripping from a stalactite, he said.

But the hardship is worth it. The cave opens up to a secret, untouched valley on the other side of the mountain.

We can hear wildlife, including orangutans and all sorts of birds, Aubert said. Sometimes we see tiger prints or the occasional cobra.

And of course, there are the paintings  mysterious pictorial messages from across time.

Its like theyre still talking to us, Aubert said.

In the new work, the authors identify three distinct styles of painting that show up in the caves.

The earliest works are in a reddish-orange hue and include hand stencils and large pictures of animals  mostly the Bornean banteng, a type of wild cattle that can still be found on the island.

The next phase of paintings is dominated by works rendered in a dark purple color. These include clusters of hand stencils, some of which are filled in with painted lines, dashes or dots. The markings could represent tattoos or other forms of social identification, the authors said.

In some instances the hand stencils are linked together by lines, which might indicate a sort of family tree.

Mulberry-colored hand stencils superimposed over older reddish/orange hand stencils. The two styles are separated in time by at least 20,000 years. (Kinez Riza)

This phase also features small, carefully rendered drawings of humans often depicted in elaborate headdresses and an array of other objects. Some of them are shown in groups, either hunting or dancing.

Human figures from East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This style is dated to at least 13,600 years ago but could possibly date to 20,000 years ago. (Pindi Setiawan)

The final rock art phase is characterized by human figures, boats and geometric designs executed in black pigments. The authors note that of the three, this is the only rock art style that has been found in other parts of Borneo and Indonesia.

To determine when these paintings were created, the researchers used a method called uranium-thorium dating that measures the age of calcitic crusts that form on the walls of caves.

By calculating the age of crusts that formed over the paintings, the authors were able to discern minimum ages for the artworks. If they were able to get a sample of the crust just beneath the painting, they were able to determine the maximum age of the art.

Over the course of two field seasons spent collecting crusts from the caves, the authors collected 15 calcium carbonate samples from 13 works of art at six separate cave sites.

Human figures from East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This style is dated to at least 13,600 years ago but could possibly date to 20,000 years ago. (Pindi Setiawan)

This revealed that the earliest rock art phase in Borneo began sometime between 52,000 and 40,000 years ago. The second, dark-purple phase, appears to begin somewhere around 20,000 years ago. The final phase is likely significantly more recent, with art that was probably made in the past 4,000 years, the authors said.

Aubert said these findings have left the team puzzled.

In Europe, the start of figurative art coincides nicely with the arrival of early modern humans on the continent. But early modern humans arrived in Southeast Asia between 70,000 and 60,000 years ago, Aubert said. Why hasnt any rock art been found that coincides with their arrival?

One possibility is that it exists but is still hidden, he said. Or perhaps there were two waves of human migrations to the area  one group that did not make rock art, and another 20,000 years later that did.

The authors also noted that the transition from depicting the animal world to the human world in the Borneo caves happens at about the same time as a similar transition in Europe.

Aubert said the team will return to the remote caves next year to begin archaeological excavations that may help them learn more about the unknown artists.

They also plan to date more rock art to narrow the time window for each phase.

deborah.netburn@latimes.com

Do you love science? I do! Follow me @DeborahNetburn and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that the media has played a negative role in their coverage of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said that the army will defend Gulf countries against threats.

The president added that Saudi Arabia's stability cannot be undermined, according to Egypts state news agency MENA.

"We are confident about the wise and rational administration of the kingdom under the leadership of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdel Aziz," El-Sisi said during a meeting with foreign media journalists in the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The president called on the public to wait for the results of the Saudi investigation into the killing, which has sparked an international outcry.

Khashoggi, a well-known Saudi journalist who was critical of some of the policies of the kingdom, disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.

The international community and major international media outlets have called on the Saudi government to account for the killing of Khashoogi in a transparent manner.

Saudi officials, who initially said that Khashoggi had left the consulate, later announced that he was killed inside the consulate.

The Saudi authorities have since arrested 18 Saudi nationals in connection with Khashoogi's murder and opened an investigation into the case.

Egypt has warned against the case being used to politically exploit Saudi Arabia and hailed the kingdom's "transparent investigation" into the case.

Gulf security

During Tuesday's meeting, El-Sisi said that Egypt's army will defend Gulf Arab countries against any direct threats.

Our Arab peoples must remain aware and have real consciousness of what the region is going through, Al-Ahram Arabic new website quoted El-Sisi as saying.

We stand by our brothers in the Gulf wholeheartedly, and if Gulf security is directly threatened, Egypt will mobilise its forces to protect its brothers.

In response to a question about US sanctions on Iran, El-Sisi said that instability affects all of us," urging other countries to respect national Arab security, namely that of the Gulf.

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Burbank voters on Tuesday were greeted with free pins, empanadas and ice cream in celebration of the democratic process.

Local businessman John Bwarie teamed up with the nonprofit Civic Nation to host a voting party at the Buena Vista Branch Library, which is a polling place for several voters in the city.

Bwarie said he wanted to make voting more fun and to commemorate democracy with those who did  or didnt  vote.

Theres four precincts that come vote here, so what better way to support and encourage folks to celebrate election day, he said.

Were not rewarding people for voting. Anybody that comes by today can participate. Its just a way to make voting fun, he added.

Councilman Jess Talamantes visited a few polling places in the morning, including the Buena Vista Library, and said he was happy to see so many voters getting involved in the process.

Regardless of which side of the political spectrum people lean toward, the councilman said every person should vote and be a part of making important election decisions.

Every vote counts. Dont tell yourself that youre just one vote and that it doesnt matter, Talamantes said.

Every year, theres been [items] decided on a matter of less than 100 votes, he added. I encourage everyone to come out. Your vote counts just as much as the next persons.

Burbank resident Kate Springthrope was one of the many who voted at the Buena Vista Library.

She said voting during this midterm election is crucial because of whats at stake, especially with so many state races and measures on the ballot.

She noted that California voters are picking a new governor, lieutenant governor, state secretary and controller, among other positions.

Springthorpe said these are all elected officials who will have some kind of impact on almost every person in the state.

These are things that affect us directly, she said.

Springthorpe added that, although its a rather divisive time in the United States, she thinks the country will be unified as long as people continue to participate in the democratic process.

Even though its a challenging time right now, and were all fighting each other, were going to come together, she said. There might be some arguments, but were going to come together.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpioThe Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority took a somber look this week at the estimated costs of the replacement terminal project, coming in over $1 billion, which was higher than initially anticipated.

An official from BuroHappold Engineering presented a report during an authority meeting on Monday regarding the feasibility of a 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal on an area known as the B-6 site.

Although it was determined that constructing the terminal in the northeast quadrant of the airfield  which was formerly where Lockheed Corp. had its Skunk Works operation  could be done, BuroHappold conservatively estimated the entire project will cost roughly $1.24 billion, said David Herd, the North America managing director of the consulting firm.

BuroHappold estimated construction costs, which include building the new terminal and demolishing the existing facility, at about $844 million alone. Originally, the the terminal was expected to cost about $400 million, though the demolition was not part of that estimate.

Herd added that soft costs  some of which include designing the terminal, inspections and permitting  came in at about $285 million. Being conservative about its estimates, the firm also factored in about $110 million as contingency.

Herd said although the report determined that a terminal can be built on the B-6 site, it was merely an exercise to see if it could be done.

The concept mocked up for the analysis was based on what was laid out in a development agreement and does not factor in the design of the facility.

Airport officials are limited to designing up to 25% of the project until the review of an environmental impact study is completed by the Federal Aviation Administration, which is projected to be completed in about two years.

The consultant noted that various parts of the project, some of which include the depth of the terminal, airport access, public parking structure and air-traffic control tower, will be addressed during the design phase, which is projected to occur during the third quarter of 2020, Herd said.

Airport officials also presented their own cost estimate for the project, in which the overall costs would be about $1 billion.

The airport estimated construction costs to be about $724 million, soft costs at about $210 million and the contingency to be about $70 million.

John Hatanaka, the airports senior deputy executive director, told authority members their numbers are just as conservative as the recently released estimates.

However, he added that its better to overestimate costs and work down rather than continuously add to the projects budget.

To fund the project, Hatanaka said the authority will be contributing $100 million from its airport development fund. The airport will also be using about $137 million from federal grants.

Hatanaka added that airport officials also plan to take out a bond with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Zareh Sinanyan, the authoritys president, said he was not completely shocked by the projects price tag, but he was concerned about how the high cost will affect airport operations.

I hope this change is not going to have a material impact on the feasibility of this project, he said.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpioA Santa Clarita man claiming to own a tow-truck company was arrested in Burbank last Thursday after allegedly trying to sell a vehicle he said was abandoned at his business.

Cheche Momodu, 36, was arrested on suspicion of identity theft and forging or possessing a public seal after reportedly trying to sell a vehicle at a local Carmax while using an Alabama drivers license.

Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman for the Burbank Police Department, said Momodu told the dealership representatives that he was trying to sell the car on behalf of someone else. However, employees became suspicious of the sale as the car was a 2018 Dodge Durango.

A check of the license he used uncovered that it was fake, and police were called to the business.

Momodu reportedly told officers he owns a tow-truck business in Los Angeles, and he was trying to get rid of the vehicle because it had been abandoned at his tow yard for several months, according to Green. He was eventually taken into custody.

Green added there are procedures and laws in place for tow yards to get rid of abandoned vehicles, including putting them up for auction.

Its unknown where the car Momodu was trying to sell came from, and the case remains under investigation.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_TrucAfter years of success having its clothing sold in stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, Lafayette 148 New York launched its own West Coast flagship store last week at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Its going to be a happy discovery for our customers, said Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plazas executive director of marketing.

Lafeyette 148 focuses on sportswear for professional women. Its new store boasts a clean, modern aesthetic that echoes its apparel design.

The South Coast Plaza opening marks Lafayette 148s first direct foray into West Coast retail. Costa Mesa was a natural choice, said Lafayette 148 cofounder and CEO Deirdre Quinn.

Honestly, we picked where we wanted to go, said Quinn. Being in this location is huge for us. Its going to be incredible; its like a dream come true.

Its one of the most prestigious, famous malls in the country, Lafayette 148 Creative Director Emily Smith said. Were so excited. Were just starting in the retail world.

The brands design priorities are timelessness, wearability, consistency, fit and attention to detail, Quinn said. Their fashions are available in 58 sizes.

Everything is very minimal and clean, architectural, with a playful twist, Smith said. Its fashion that women can actually wear. Its really about making a busy womans life easy.

The company is woman-run, Quinn said, so it has a built-in panel of women employees who can try styles and discuss what they themselves would like to wear.

We get our client, Quinn said. We get her busy life. When you put on something you love, you dont have to worry about if you look good. You feel good, and you can believe in it.

She said the brand can serve as an antidote to todays focus on fast fashion, which gets thrown out or donated after a season, while still offering on-trend pieces.

You should be able to build on your wardrobe, Quinn said. We dont box the Lafayette customer in.

Lafayette 148 is privately owned. Quinn said this means the company is able to focus on its reputation, relationships and product quality more than other brands might have the latitude to do.

Weve bought the same white shirt fabric for the past 22 years from the same mill, Quinn said.

At the opening, Lafayette 148 also announced that it will donate 10% of local retail sales to Costa Mesa-based organization Girls Inc. of Orange County through the end of December.

A lot of the girls that we work with aspire to be fashion designers, said Lucy Santana-Ornelas, chief executive of Girls Inc. of Orange County. What we strive for and promote and encourage is for girls to pursue non-traditional careers.

Santana hopes her girls will see Quinn as a role model while they build their own futures.

I started this company with a desk and a phone, Quinn said, about 148 Lafayette Street in SoHo, where the company still maintains a retail location.

Now the global brand has several stores in China and a formidable online presence.

What comes to mind today is the phrase dream big,  Quinn said. Its overwhelming.

For more information, visit lafayette148.com.

Candice Baker Yacono is a contributor to Times Community News.Voters who went to the polls Tuesday in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa were asked to decide the fates of three ballot initiatives.

Laguna Beach Measure P

In Laguna, Measure P, a proposed 1% sales tax increase intended to pay for placing utility lines underground along Laguna Canyon Road, plus other fire-safety projects, failed, with 53.8% voting no and 46.2% in favor as of midnight, with all precincts reporting.

The tax needed a two-thirds majority vote to pass. It was projected to generate $5.6 million annually by raising Lagunas sales tax rate from 7.75% to 8.75% for as long as 25 years.

Supporters said the undergrounding effort is essential to prevent fires caused by downed utility lines and that the tax would be paid primarily by tourists.

Opponents called the tax a money grab and contended it would drive up Lagunas cost of living.

The Laguna Canyon Road undergrounding would take place roughly between the Art-A-Fair property and El Toro Road. Other safety projects would be at locations including South Coast Highway, Glenneyre Street and Temple Hills Drive.

Construction could start in four to five years, and the entire endeavor could cost as much as $135 million.

Newport-Mesa Unified Measure H

In the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which serves Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, Measure H, which would limit school board members to three consecutive four-year terms, was winning easily, with 83.8% voting yes and 16.2% opposed with 121 of 134 precincts reporting.

Under the measure, board members who are termed out would be able to return in the future after a break.

Currently, the seven trustees are elected for four-year stints and can remain on the board for as many terms as they and voters desire.

Current trustees Karen Yelsey and Walt Davenport joined the board in 2006, Dana Black has served since 1996, Martha Fluor since 1991 and Judy Franco since 1980.

Newport Beach Measure T

Newports Measure T asked voters to approve an amendment to the city charter to require 55% voter approval whenever the council wants to spend at least $50 million on capital projects using a financing method known as certificates of participation, or COPs.

At midnight, the measure was clearly ahead, with 79.8% in favor and 20.2% against with 73 of 76 precincts reporting.

COPs do not require voter approval like general obligation bonds, which lead to increased local property taxes.

The city last used the COP funding mechanism in 2010 for the Civic Center and Park, a $140-million undertaking that was completed in 2013 with about $17 million in cash and $123 million in COPs.

Costs for the project ballooned from about $105 million at the start of construction to $140.2 million by the time it opened about three years later.

Current City Council members Scott Peotter, Diane Dixon, Marshall Duffy Duffield and Kevin Muldoon built their 2014 campaign platform partly on the Civic Center price tag.

Opponents of Measure T argued that vital big-ticket projects such as seawalls and dredging could be hard sells in an election for residents who dont live along the harbor.

Measure T also made news when former Newport mayors Keith Curry, Rush Hill and Mike Henn and former mayor pro tem Jean Watt sued the city clerk this year in an attempt to have their argument against the initiative run in informational election pamphlets in place of one written by local activist Bob Rush. They claimed Rushs statement contained inaccuracies and didnt represent true opposition.

An Orange County Superior Court judge rejected the suit in August, though another judge ruled in October that the complaint was not an attempt to chill free speech.

Bradley Zint is a contributor to Times Community News.As voters nationwide flocked to the polls Tuesday to again take part in the great American experiment, Costa Mesa residents conducted a field test of their own as they voted in the citys new election system.

Those lined up at local polling places were effectively the guinea pigs for Costa Mesas move away from its traditional at-large system  in which residents citywide could cast ballots for any City Council candidate  to voting districts, with residents in designated areas choosing one person from their area to represent them.

Supporters of the change have said it could bring additional attention and resources to neighborhoods that have traditionally been neglected. Other observers have been more skeptical, saying they worry that council members could end up pitting the interests of their districts against others rather than focusing on the city as a whole.

Westside resident Laura Tait said Tuesday that the move to districts helped her feel more included and more able to make a proper decision about whom to support this year.

If you dont know what youre voting for, its hard to vote, she said after casting her ballot at the Costa Mesa Senior Center.

The Senior Center is in voting District 5, a somewhat U-shaped slice of the city that includes the downtown area and about half the Westside. Council seats there and in Districts 3 and 4 are up for grabs in this election.

The line of voters at the Senior Center stretched well out the door throughout the morning.

Some polling places were a bit less crowded in District 4, which covers a dense pocket of the Westside south of the Fairview Developmental Center, stretching from Harbor Boulevard west to Monrovia Avenue and south to West 17th Street.

Resident Karina Hurtado was one of the people voting at the polling place at Pomona Elementary School.

Since shes 19, this is her first time participating in a local election. She said she wasnt aware that Costa Mesa was switching its voting method but said it sounds like a positive change.

Districts, she said, can give residents a closer, more direct conduit to the people that theyre actually voting for.

In a way, thats why Costa Mesa moved to district-based elections.

In 2016, a Malibu-based law firm threatened to sue the city, alleging that its at-large voting method violated the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 by diluting the ability of local Latino residents to elect their preferred candidates.

To stave off the litigation, the City Council sought and received voter approval to move to districts, which supporters say can fortify the electoral power of minority groups.

Adopting districts was just one prong of Costa Mesas election overhaul. Residents this year also for the first time can vote directly for mayor, a position that council members have traditionally filled by a vote among themselves. Unlike the district representatives, the mayor is elected by citywide vote.

Standing outside the polling place at the Civic Center fire station on Vanguard Way, Sara Johnston  a resident of District 3, which includes College Park, Mesa del Mar and a portion of the upper Eastside  said Tuesday that having a directly elected mayor seems like a cool thing and a good idea.

Some critics, however, have said the practical effect of the mayor being chosen citywide is that one district will end up with two representatives and therefore wield an outsized influence on the council.

As a result of all the changes to Costa Mesas voting system, the City Council expands from five members to seven.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoneyMayor Mike Posey, Mayor Pro Tem Erik Peterson, Councilwoman Barbara Delgleize and newcomer Kim Carr emerged on top after voters went to the polls Tuesday to select four candidates from a pool of 15 to serve on Huntington Beachs seven-member City Council.

Posey had captured 13.5% of the votes and Delgleize 11.6% as of early Wednesday, with all precincts reporting.

I think we ran a solid, good campaign and my message resonated with voters, Posey said Tuesday night. I think the last couple of agenda items of bringing money back from Sacramento exemplifies my mantra to regain and maintain local control.

Meanwhile, Carr, a city public works commissioner, netted 10.5% of the votes and Peterson 10.3%.

Councilman Billy OConnell, the fourth incumbent seeking reelection, trailed the leaders, with 8.1%. The remaining 10 candidates tallied 8% or less.

High-density development, homelessness and pensions dominated this seasons election forums as candidates shared their vision for Surf City. Some proposed amending the local zoning code to help cap high-density development, while others shared their council track records.

The majority agreed the city should eschew overdevelopment and retain the character of a suburban beach town.

The race drew 11 challengers to the incumbents, including Carr, information technology analyst Brian Burley, business owner Darren Ellis, history teacher and business manager Kevin KC Fockler, activist Amory Hanson, city Planning Commissioner Dan Kalmick, business development consultant Don DK Kennedy, teacher Shayna Lathus, lawyer Charles CJ Ray, Huntington Beach Union High School District trustee Michael Simons and city Finance Commissioner Ron Sterud.

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscellaThree incumbents  Mayor Mike Posey, Councilwoman Barbara Delgleize and Mayor Pro Tem Erik Peterson  and one newcomer, Kim Carr, won election to the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday. Councilman Billy OConnell did not retain his seat.

Posey netted the most votes among the 15 candidates for four available spots, earning 13.5% with all precincts reporting.

Coming in second was Delgleize, who captured 11.6% of the vote. Kim Carr, a city public works commissioner, earned 10.5%, just ahead of Mayor Pro Tem Erik Peterson, who had 10.3%.

OConnell, the only incumbent who didnt win, collected 8.1%.

The four winners will be sworn in next month to serve four-year terms.

High-density development, homelessness and pensions dominated this seasons election forums as candidates shared their visions for Surf City.

Posey said his town hall meetings, meet the mayor events and messages of pushing back against state government overreach and regaining and retaining local control resonated with voters.

In the past few months, Posey directed City Attorney Michael Gates to research ways to push back on various bills that could encroach on Huntingtons autonomy. He also helped spearhead a lawsuit against Californias sanctuary immigration policies.

That was my theme all year as mayor and it was validated by voters, Posey said Wednesday.

He said he plans to continue holding town halls to help educate residents on the happenings of local government.

Carr credited the grassroots community movement of volunteers for helping her land in the top four. She said she spent three hours knocking on 80 doors on Election Day.

We stayed  in our lane and ignored a lot of the chatter going on around us, Carr said. We had a clean campaign and stayed focused.

Carrs platform included fighting high-density development, repairing aging infrastructure and maintaining open spaces and public safety but said her top priority will be addressing homelessness in the city.

She received endorsements from the Huntington Beach Firefighters Assn., the Democratic Party of Orange County, the Orange County League of Conservation Voters and more.

OConnell  who was elected in 2014 in his third run for office  said Wednesday that he is most proud of advocating for public safety when nobody else was there.

The former Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy said residents should still expect to see him active in the community.

Im a man of service; we dont go away, he said.

Just behind OConnell in the race, with 8% of the vote, was city Finance Commissioner Ron Sterud, who pitched himself as one of two candidates (Peterson being the other) with a perfect track record of fighting high-density development in Huntington Beach. He was endorsed by Peterson, Gates, Councilwoman Lyn Semeta and the Huntington Beach Republican Assembly.

RESULTS

Vote totals and percentages

Mike Posey (incumbent): 21,893 (13.5%)

Barbara Delgleize (incumbent): 18,854 (11.6%)

Kim Carr: 17,038 (10.5%)

Erik Peterson (incumbent): 16,773 (10.3%)

Billy OConnell (incumbent): 13,196 (8.1%)

Ron Sterud: 12,996 (8%)

Shayna Lathus: 11,063 (6.8%)

Dan Kalmick: 9,540 (5.9%)

Brian Burley: 8,210 (5.1%)

KC Fockler: 7,307 (4.5%)

Michael Simons: 6,455 (4%)

Darren Ellis: 5,891 (3.6%)

Don DK Kennedy: 4,530 (2.8%)

Amory Hanson: 4,296 (2.6%)

Charles CJ Ray: 4,295 (2.6%)

Source: Orange County registrar of voters office, with all precincts reporting

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscellaA federal judge this week approved a settlement between Laguna Beach and the American Civil Liberties Union in a 2015 class-action lawsuit involving accommodations for people with disabilities at area homeless shelters, authorities said.

The settlement, filed in federal court in June, outlines changes in accommodations for disabled homeless people at the citys night shelter.

No money was exchanged as part of the settlement, which marked an end to a lawsuit that spanned nearly three years.

Instead, the agreement details changes to area homeless shelters to help disabled residents and expand available accommodations.

Furthermore, language was included that prevents parties to the class-action suit from filing similar future claims against the city, according to Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig.

Though we are pleased with the outcome, the money and time weve spent over the last three years defending ourselves against the unfounded allegations in this lawsuit would have been better spent elsewhere, Pietig said in a statement Monday. We are ready to move on and put this behind us.

Despite the citys enthusiasm to have the case concluded, advocates see the settlement as a symbolic win.

Its a call to county government to get serious about taking a leadership role in a regional solution to ending homelessness, ACLU homeless policy analyst and advocate Eve Garrow said in June when the document was filed.

The ACLU filed the suit in 2015 on behalf of five chronically homeless people with mental and physical disabilities. The organization accused Laguna Beach of trying to push homeless people  especially those with disabilities  out of the city by not providing adequate accommodations for them.

As part of the settlement, Laguna Beach and the nonprofit Friendship Shelter will create a pilot program including daytime services for shelter residents and a streamlined enrollment process giving priority to local homeless residents and those deemed most vulnerable, the city said.

That includes guaranteeing beds to qualifying people for up to 30 days with the aim of helping to move candidates into transitional housing, the city said.

There are more than 85 formerly homeless men and women participating in the program who have been placed in housing throughout south Orange County, the city said in a news release Monday.

As part of the settlement, the Laguna Beach City Council agreed to adopt a resolution to affirm its commitment to end homelessness in the city, encourage Orange County to fund and expand affordable housing for unsheltered people and coax other cities in the county to take a similar stance.

The 17-page agreement, signed March 23, focuses extensively on conditions at the shelter in Laguna Canyon called the Alternative Sleeping Location. The site provides shelter nightly for up to 45 homeless people, plus meals, laundry, showers and van service to Lagunas bus depot. The Laguna Beach-based Friendship Shelter has operated the facility under contract with the city since 2009.

The settlement came at a critical time for Orange County communities that have been grappling to find locations for homeless shelters. A civil lawsuit was filed in federal court in January after hundreds of homeless people were removed from encampments along the Santa Ana River.

U.S. District Judge David Carter, who is overseeing that lawsuit, has called for a regional approach to homelessness in which the county would be split into three zones, each with a shelter.

julia.sclafani@latimes.comIncumbents Diane Dixon and Kevin Muldoon are staying on the Newport Beach City Council after Tuesdays election gave them new four-year terms, but member Scott Peotter was defeated and Marshall Duffy Duffield was trailing.

Dixon in District 1 and Muldoon in District 4 easily won their races, but Joy Brenner defeated Peotter in District 6 and Tim Stoaks held a 230-vote advantage over Duffield, the current mayor, with all precincts reporting.

Each district had a two-person race, with Districts 3 and 6 the hardest-fought as challengers attempted to change the makeup of the seven-member council.

Here are the election standings early Wednesday:

District 1: Dixon defeated software development company owner Mike Glenn with 60% of the vote. District 1 covers the Balboa Peninsula and Lido Isle.

District 3: Stoaks, an architect and planner, has 12,002 votes, or 50.5%, vs. Duffields 11,772. District 3 includes Dover Shores and Santa Ana Heights.

District 4: Muldoon defeated city Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commissioner Roy Englebrecht with 67.2% of the vote. District 4 includes Eastbluff and Big Canyon.

District 6: Brenner, a community activist and former parks commissioner, beat Peotter with 57.4% of the vote. District 6 includes Corona del Mar.

Candidates generally agreed that Newports most pressing issues include fiscal discipline, with special attention to paying down unfunded pension liabilities; development and traffic management; and the effects of John Wayne Airport on local neighborhoods.

But the citys politics have been notably fractured for the past year and a half, starting in April 2017 with a failed attempt to recall Peotter.

In March this year, then-City Manager Dave Kiff announced his intent to leave in August instead of in spring 2019, as previously planned. Kiffs supporters accused four members of the City Council  Duffield, Peotter, Muldoon and Mayor Pro Tem Will ONeill, who is not up for reelection this year  of secretly conspiring to oust the popular Kiff. All four of the council members denied that, as did Kiff.

Over the spring and summer, local council critics filed a string of lawsuits and other complaints against the city or certain council members about campaign finances, the Kiff matter, possible conflicts of interest and what resident-submitted statements should be included in an official informational pamphlet about local ballot initiative Measure T.

Of the three lawsuits and two sets of complaints to the California Fair Political Practices Commission that have been resolved, all the outcomes have favored the city. That includes a conflict of interest case related to Duffield paying Peotter to help him subdivide the site of his Duffy Electric Boat Co. factory in San Bernardino County.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHDEgypt will be adopting a declaration to preserve life and combat terrorism as a fundamental right, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in South Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Egyptian president announced a number of resolutions during event, including adopting the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration set during the Model Arab African Summit on Monday, and announcing Aswan the Capital for African Youths in 2019.

El-Sisi also said he will mandate the National Training Academy with training 10,000 African and Egyptian youths in fields of economy, society, and politics.

The state will also establish a regional centre for entrepreneurship to support startups in Egypt and the region.

The president also announced that he will turn the Reviving Humanity Memorial, which was unveiled during the WYF, into an international foundation to support the victims of violence.

A National Research Committee to discuss the impact of social media platforms and expanding the benefit from these platforms will also be formed.

El-Sisi said that the state will prepare a major advertising campaign to raise awareness among young people about water scarcity.

The president will also establish a committee to hold a social dialogue on amending a controversial law on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), before submitting a bill to parliament.

Egypt's parliament issued the 89-article NGO law in November 2016 and it was ratified by El-Sisi in May 2017. The law has garnered criticism from civil society in Egypt because some of its provisions limit the activities of NGOs.

El-Sisi's comments about the NGO law come a few days after he first made the announcement when the issue was raised for discussion by a participant in the WYF, who suggested that the law be amended.

Ahead of the announcement of the WYF recommendations, El-Sisi asked youths to make humanism their point of reference.

He said that the forum was proof that dialogue is the way to overcome conflicts.

"We rely on the enthusiasm of our youth and their belief and love amid conflicts and separation," El-Sisi said, adding that this year's forum was a chance to create dialogue between youths worldwide.

He described Egypt as a "meeting point" to achieve stability, and thanked everyone who participated in the forum, as well as the organisers and the people of Sharm El-Sheikh for their hospitality.

"This is proof that dialogue can turn recommendations into tangible reality," he said.

This year, the forums events revolved around a vision inspired by The Seven Pillars of the Egyptian Identity, a book by Egyptian author Milad Hanna written to emphasise the unity and harmony of Egyptian society despite divergences and differences, according to the official website of the forum.

The first World Youth Forum took place last year, also in Sharm El-Sheikh, which has been described by Egyptian officials as the city of peace.

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It took 1,000 lighted umbrellas for Laguna Beach to rekindle its spirit.

With a deep pastel sunset as a backdrop, Main Beach became a sea of mandalas on Saturday night as part of the Laguna Art Museums sixth annual Art & Nature experience. Called the Shoreline Project, it was the brainchild of Newport Beach artist Elizabeth Turk.

The LED-illuminated umbrellas, fashioned after the X-ray image of a seashell mandala, provided dramatic contrast as they swirled and moved along the beach.

In addition to the spectacle itself, the community event seemed to capture Lagunas imagination in a way that was both nostalgic and optimistic.

For decades, the famous art colony has lived on its reputation  funky but increasingly corporate.

The Sawdust Festival still claims bragging rights among the hippie-cum-hipster generation while the Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts have become well-oiled machines catering to busloads of tourists.

This fledging annual production by the museum that defies categorization has become the citys true avant-garde art standard.

It has single-handedly infused a new energy into what makes Laguna Laguna.

On the beach, proud residents pranced around with their magic umbrellas. Spinning and dancing with abandon, it was clear that all people really need is the approval to have fun.

At first I think some of the participants wondered what they were supposed to do, but soon the idea that you could make all kinds of interesting moves with the umbrellas caught on and it was a party, said Malcolm Warner, executive director the museum. Elizabeth thought a lot about what she called the sociology of the piece and her intuitions were right. They made themselves into a community.

Laguna artist Robert Holton and his wife, Marita, volunteered, and they thoroughly enjoyed the immediate sense of community.

It was magical how it was all put together, very interactive, he said. I was amazed at the age diversity. There were seniors, parents, families, small children. It brought a lot of people together.

Perhaps there was pent-up demand for something like this. Remember that last year the museums final event was banned by the California Coastal Commission, which claimed the art project was inconsistent with the rules of the Marine Protected Area. The temporary installation, Seascape, would have anchored a streetlight 200 yards off the beach.

In prior years, the exhibitions were more prescriptive and less participatory. If you recall, there was the laser show, the tall mirrors poking out of the beach, the illuminated spirographs in the sand and the white-robed ephemeral people.

All of these were very interesting but didnt have the same Singin in the Rain umbrella chutzpah.

Whether or not the art project worked from a critical perspective, I dont know. Im not an art critic. But I will tell you this: It completely energized everyone.

The crowds were unprecedented. People lined up well before dark. There was sustained buzz everywhere.

There was never this much anticipation for an event  any event  that I can recall in Laguna for at least the last decade, probably more.

I think there were several reasons why.

The timing was perfect. Most people have been beleaguered by an unusual midterm election. This art event was a welcomed antidote. I did not hear one snide political comment the whole night.

Also, as with any public art project, the participation is novel, and theres an immediacy to it. Everyone knows its going to be over in a matter of hours, so theres built-in appreciation for its temporal nature.

The umbrellas united them [which is what umbrellas do, metaphorically speaking] and at the same time allowed each person to do something of their own, Warner said. There was both community and individual expression, and I think that energized people  they were part of a group and free to be themselves.

I also think theres been enough of a track record by the museum to successfully execute these events that people know  whatever happens  it will be creative, thought-provoking and just plain fun.

Thats why these events represent the best of Laguna. Its the sheer unexpectedness, gumption, sophistication and leadership.

This was the sixth Art & Nature, Warner said. It would be a huge honor for the museum if people started to think of our event as a Laguna Beach institution like the Pageant of the Masters and the summer art festivals. We certainly feel like were moving that way, and the fact that we had the highest ever attendance this year bears it out.

Time and again, I heard overwhelmingly how this event captured the hearts of everyone involved.

It was mesmerizing, Holton said. I wish it was just more than one night.

Events like this remind any city of whats possible.

It can highlight a path forward but only if theres a willingness to embrace risk, think big and reward whimsy.

David Hansen is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.With local returns from Tuesdays midterm election still pending, preliminary results from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk are beginning to show how Californians voted in several key races and ballot initiatives.

The L.A. County Registrar-Recorders Office indicated a total of 14,781 La Canada Flintridge residents were registered to vote in Tuesdays election. However, with few local races to decide, they focused on nominations for higher offices and made their picks for district leaders.

In Californias 28th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) led with 76.44% of the vote over challenger Johnny Nalbandians 23.56%. State Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, representing Californias 43rd Assembly District, ran unopposed.

Proposition 6  an effort to repeal the SB-1 gas tax under which La Canada Flintridge was promised $12 million for sound wall construction  did not receive enough votes to pass, with less than 40% of voters casting ballots in favor of a repeal.

Voters also failed to pass Proposition 3, the Water Supply and Water Quality Act, which would have given the go-ahead for an $8.8-billion general obligation bond to provide drinking water supply, improvements and services statewide, particularly for disadvantaged California communities.

When voting results specific to La Canada Flintridge voters are released, the Valley Sun will report them.

sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardineRoyal Caribbean has found a new home for its largest cruise ships.

The Doral-based cruise line unveiled its new Terminal A at PortMiami on Nov. 2.

(Check out our photo gallery of the terminal above.)

The sleek terminal, which resembles a ship, will be the base for the companys Symphony of the Seas, currently the worlds largest cruise ship, as well as sister ship Allure of the Seas. Symphony of the Seas, which measures 1,188 feet long, has a capacity of 6,680 passengers.

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Terminal A is an important milestone in the growth of the cruise industry in South Florida and underscores our commitment to Miami, where our company was founded almost 50 years ago, said Richard D. Fain, chief executive officer and chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises, who attended the official unveiling of the terminal Friday.

Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, With the opening of Terminal A, we are excited to welcome even more visitors to Miami.

The port handles about 750,000 passengers a year from Royal Caribbean or about 15 percent of the total port traffic. With the new terminal, the cruise line officials expect to boost that number to 2 million passengers a year.Legoland California Resort will turn 20 next year. To mark the milestone, the Southern California theme park will give free entry to children up to 12 years old who visit on their birthday.

The deal: The birthday deal announced Nov. 1 is good for a Resort Hopper ticket, which covers entry to the main Legoland California park, the Water Park (if its in season) and the Sea Life Aquarium. Kids whose birthdays fall on a day when the park is closed can arrange to visit another day. You need to register in advance to get the free pass at www.legoland.com/birthday. By the way, Legoland California opened March 20, 1999.

Legoland California held a splashy birthday party at the Carlsbad theme park Nov. 1. (Sandy Huffaker / Legoland California Resort)

When: The offer is good Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019.

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Details: Resort Hopper walk-up tickets for kids start at $113, according to Legolands website. The deal is a good value for a family outing that can double as a birthday treat.

Info: Legoland California Resorts 20th Birthday

ALSO

Therapy dogs (and a pig) are waiting at airports to help de-stress harried travelers

Seven-day Alaska journey: More adventure, less ship

U.S. airports agree the airplane landing emoji looks too crash-y

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelA Michigan man who found himself sitting in dog feces on a Delta flight last week was given a miniature bottle of gin and some paper towels and told to clean himself up, according to several news reports.

A service animal on the flight that preceded the Atlanta-Miami flight had become ill, and passenger Matthew Meehan smelled something, as did other passengers.

He didnt realize his clothing and shoes were fouled until he bent over to get a phone charger and discovered the source of the smell.

When he asked for help from the cabin crew, instead of a biohazard kit, he was given the bottle of Bombay Sapphire to clean the mess off his pants and shoes, the Washington Post reported.

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He snapped photos of his encrusted shoes in the bathroom as he worked to clean them and posted the photo to Facebook saying, Im NOT HAPPY DELTA!

Delta has acknowledged that its cleaning procedures failed.

Meehan reportedly had talked to a gate agent who told him he could return to his seat or he could miss the flight, the Post reported.

The flight crew reportedly cleaned the area with paper towels, and blankets were put on seats to protect passengers clothing.

The two-hour flight took off, but when Meehan landed in Miami, instead of getting on his flight to Tampa, he took Uber, the Post reported.

Delta offered to refund his ticket and put 50,000 miles into the account of the passenger who claims million-mile, elite status on Delta, according to the New York Post.

Emotional support animals have been the subject of controversy and the topic of much discussion at airlines and among passengers. Airlines have tightened their rules on such animals, which are different from service animals. Service animals generally are highly trained dogs.

Deltas new regulations about emotional support animals changed in July. It now requires a veterinary health form, a form from a medical or mental health professional and proof of animals training.

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel

UPDATES:

9:20 a.m.: This article was updated with information about emotional support animals.

This article was published at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday.Few can argue with California Democrats that their sweeping victories on Tuesday are a clear mandate to set in place an agenda for the state that will last well into the next decade. Less clear, though, is what those marching orders should be  and whether voters will embrace the full panoply of demands that have lurched the states dominant party leftward since the election of President Trump.

No one will face that task more directly than Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. The 51-year old Democrat, who won a resounding victory over Republican challenger John Cox, will preside not only over the nations largest economy, but as leader of Americas most fierce resistance to Trump and the nationalist shift of mainstream GOP politics.

New man in Sacramento

Gavin Newsom won a decisive victory for governor Tuesday night, placing the risk-taking liberal at the center of the resistance to President Trump at a critical moment for California.

Newsom is expected to shift state politics and policy even further to the left after eight years of Gov. Jerry Brown, a pragmatic Democrat known for his fiscal restraint and distaste for expensive new social programs.

California's 48th congressional district

Harley Rouda takes a selfie with supporters at an election party at the Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Dana Rohrbacher speaks to members of the media at Skosh Monahan's Bar in Costa Mesa. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) People wait in line as they check to see if they're on the guest list at the election night watch party for Dana Rohrbacher. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Harley Rouda supporters wait for early returns at an election party in Newport Beach. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Clockwise from top left; Harley Rouda takes a selfie with supporters at an election party at the Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach; Dana Rohrbacher speaks to members of the media at Skosh Monahan's Bar in Costa Mesa; Harley Rouda supporters wait for early returns at an election party in Newport Beach; People wait in line as they check to see if they're on the guest list at the election night watch party for Dana Rohrbacher. (Wally Skalij / Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

In coastal Orange Countys 48th Congressional District, Rep. DanaRohrabacher was more than 6,000 votes behind his Democratic challenger Harley Rouda. The tally Wednesday morning had Rouda leading, 50.7% to 49.3%.

Rohrabacher is facing his toughest reelection battle of his 30 years in Congress.

California's 45th congressional district

Rep. Mimi Walters talks with reporters at her Irvine campaign headquarters as early election returns were coming in. (Lee Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Katie Porter poses for pictures with supporters at the Irvine Hilton on election night. (Lee Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Left, Rep. Mimi Walters talks with reporters at her Irvine campaign headquarters as early election returns were coming in. Right, Katie Porter poses for pictures with supporters at the Irvine Hilton on election night. (Lee Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The lone Republican incumbent who showed strong signs of survival was Rep. Mimi Walters, who was leading her Democratic opponent Katie Porter, 51.7% to 48.3% in the 45th Congressional District that includes the Irvine area.

You guys, were looking good, she told supporters at a late-night gathering in Irvine. I really think its going to be tough for her to beat me at this point.

California's 39th congressional district

Young Kim, the GOP candidate for California's 39th congressional district, greets supporters alongside Rep. Ed Royce, right, on election night at the STC Center in Rowland Heights.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Young Kim finishes her speech to supporters on election night. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Gil Cisneros speaks to his supporters as results come in during his watch party at the Casa Bonita Event Center in Fullerton. (Nicholas Agro / For the Times) Top, Young Kim, the GOP candidate for California's 39th congressional district, greets supporters alongside Rep. Ed Royce, right, on election night at the STC Center in Rowland Heights.Left, Young Kim finishes her speech to supporters on election night. Right, Gil Cisneros speaks to his supporters as results come in during his watch party at the Casa Bonita Event Center in Fullerton. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times; Nicholas Agro / For the Times)

Young Kim, the Republican vying for the seat of retiring Rep. Ed Royce of Fullerton in the 39th Congressional District. She held a lead over Democrat Gil Cisneros, 51.3% to 48.7%.

California's 25th congressional district

Katie Hill speaks to supporters at campaign night party at The Canyon in Santa Clarita. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / Los Angeles Times) Supporters cheers congressional candidate Katie Hill at campaign night party at The Canyon in Santa Clarita. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / Los Angeles Times) Benjamin Welborn holds a flag while waiting for congressional candidate Katie Hill to speak at campaign night party at The Canyon in Santa Clarita. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Top, Katie Hill speaks to supporters at campaign night party at The Canyon in Santa Clarita. Left, Supporters cheers congressional candidate Katie Hill at campaign night party at The Canyon in Santa Clarita. Right, Benjamin Welborn holds a flag while waiting for Hill to speak on election night. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Katie Hill held the lead over Republican incumbent Steve Knight in the 25th Congressional District.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Hill had received 83,662 votes to Knight's 79,545 with provisional and mail-in ballots still to be counted.

New Sheriff in town?

Alex Villanueva, challenger for Los Angeles County Sheriff, shown with Elizabeth Yuson, of Los Angeles, on election night at Cities Restaurant in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Sheriff Jim McDonnell, center, with Alexandra Kazarian, left, and Felipe Plascencia, on election night at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) left, Alex Villanueva, challenger for Los Angeles County Sheriff, shown with Elizabeth Yuson, of Los Angeles, on election night at Cities Restaurant in Los Angeles. Right, Sheriff Jim McDonnell, center, with Alexandra Kazarian, left, and Felipe Plascencia, on election night at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Sheriff Jim McDonnell on Wednesday was in jeopardy of being ousted by voters as challenger Alex Villanueva took a razor-thin lead in the race to lead the sprawling, scandal-tainted law enforcement agency.

With votes still being counted, the outcome of the race is still in question. But the fact that McDonnell is fighting for his political life has stunned the Los Angeles political establishment and raised questions about future reforms at the department.

Complete election coverage In the summer of 1918, Los Angeles County employees began a series of programs to encourage support of American troops fighting in Europe. One such program occurred during lunch.

This photo accompanied a story in the July 16, 1918, Los Angeles Times that reported:

The first open-air minute of prayer, under auspices of the Los Angeles County Employees' Patriotic League, of which Judge John M. York is president, was held on the steps of the Courthouse at noon yesterday. A few minutes before 12 o'clock, many of the the courts and various departments ceased work, the employees and court attaches proceeding to the portals of the stately building. The gathering numbered about 500. ...

After the prayer, the Star Spangled Banner was sung, not the finished singing of paid vocalists, but the earnest sympathetic effort of the men and women whose fervent prayer had left its impress on their minds. ...

It brought men and women passing along the sidewalk to a sudden halt. As the significance of the music struck home, men uncovered their heads and women bowed in prayer. Lawyers hurrying into the Hall of Records paused and then softly walked to the Courthouse, joining in the the grand chorus of the song .

The courthouse, once located at Temple Street and Broadway, was damaged in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and subsequently demolished.

This post was originally published on July 2, 2014.

See more from the Los Angeles Times archives hereDue to security concerns, the mayor of Warsaw on Wednesday banned radical Polish nationalists from marching on the 100th anniversary of Polands independence. The move prompted Polish leaders to quickly draw up plans for an inclusive march Sunday that could be embraced by all citizens.

It was a significant about-face for the populist government, which has been trying not to alienate far-right voters but then faced the strong possibility that the main news from Poland on its centennial would have been about extremists or even violence. It seemed the Warsaw mayor, normally a political rival from the opposition centrist Civic Platform, offered them a way out of their predicament.

Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said she wanted to put a stop to the extremist displays that have appeared yearly on Polands Nov. 11 Independence Day at far-right marches that have drawn tens of thousands to the capital.

At last years march, some participants carried racist and anti-Islamic banners calling for a White Europe and displayed white supremacist symbols like the Celtic Cross. There were also cases of violence against counter-protesters.

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The event drew heavy media coverage and international criticism.

Lawmakers in the European Parliament called the participants fascists  a label that infuriated the conservative Polish government, whose leaders said most people marched with the national flag and without the racist banners. They mostly praised the march as an expression of patriotism, with one minister calling it a beautiful sight.

This year, Poland is celebrating the centenary of its independence, gained in 1918 at the end of World War I.

This is not how the celebrations should look on the 100th anniversary of regaining our independence, Gronkiewicz-Waltz said during a news conference. Warsaw has suffered enough because of aggressive nationalism.

Gronkiewicz-Waltz noted that the chief organizer of the Warsaw far-right march is a leader of the National Radical Camp, which traces its roots to an anti-Semitic movement of the 1930s. She said she has asked the government to outlaw it but has been ignored.

The capital city saved the honor of the country, the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza wrote.

Many other Poles have resented how the nationalists in recent years have managed to draw so much attention to Independence Day, overshadowing other celebrations.

President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met after the mayors announcement and said that a march organized by the government would take place in Warsaw on Sunday instead. Presidential spokesman Blazej Spychalski invited all Poles to march with national flags to show that we are one white-and-red team, a reference to the flags colors.

The government had held failed talks earlier with the far-right nationalists, hoping to make their march a state event, but far-right organizers refused the government demand that marchers carry only flags, no banners, Morawiecki said.

A similar ban on a far-right Independence Day march was announced Tuesday by the mayor of the western Polish city of Wroclaw, who cited the risk that participants might incite racial and ethnic hatred.

The bans followed signals that extremists from elsewhere in Europe planned to travel to Warsaw on Sunday.

Mass walkouts by Polish police officers in recent days also raised concerns that clashes between participants and counter-protesters could get out of hand if there were not enough officers to intervene.

Meanwhile, a controversial statue of the late President Lech Kaczynski was installed in a central Warsaw square ahead of its weekend unveiling as part of the centennial celebrations.

Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the identical twin of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the right-wing Law and Justice Party currently in power.

While Poles have universally mourned the deaths of the president and the 95 other people who perished with him they remain divided on how to judge his presidency and whether he deserves such hero status.

More than 140 memorials to him already exist across the nation of 38 million people.Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeos planned meeting with his North Korean counterpart in New York this week has been called off at the last minute, the State Department announced Wednesday, without giving any explanation or new date.

South Koreas government warned against reading too much into the postponement. Nevertheless, there have been signs of a growing rift between Washington and Pyongyang over the denuclearization process and the right time to lift sanctions.

The meeting was scheduled to take place Thursday, but State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it would now take place at a later date.

We will reconvene when our schedules permit, she added in a statement. Ongoing conversations continue to take place. The United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim [Jong Un] at the Singapore summit in June.

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South Koreas national broadcaster KBS reported that the North Korean negotiating team, led by Kim Yong Chol, was supposed to get on a Wednesday flight from Beijing to New York.

But KBS said it was unclear if the team had even arrived in Beijing, and added that Kim Yong Chol had apparently canceled his New York flight early on Tuesday.

The postponement comes at a tricky time in the nuclear negotiations.

North Korea has said it wants both sides to take simultaneous and phased steps, with concessions from Pyongyang matched by concessions from Washington, to reassure Kim Jong Un that he can safely scale back or dismantle his nuclear weapons program.

The United States takes a fundamentally different approach, demanding North Korea fully denuclearize before sanctions are lifted.

In the past few weeks, the two sides appear to have grown further apart and North Korea has upped its demands, It had been asking the United States formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, but now it is arguing forcefully that it needs relief from sanctions before it takes any further steps.

On Friday, a commentary published by the head of a North Korean Foreign Ministry think tank warned that Pyongyang might even restart its nuclear weapons program if sanctions are not lifted.

At the same time, South Korean government advisors and experts say Pyongyang is not prepared to hand over a list of its nuclear and missile facilities, believing such a document would effectively give the U.S. a list of potential military targets.

If these disputes are behind the postponement of the meeting, it would not be the first time the negotiations have run into troubled waters.

In May, Trump announced that his planned summit with Kim had been canceled, citing a series of hostile and angry statements coming out of Pyongyang.

But soon afterward, thanks to mediation from South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim Yong Chol flew to the United States to meet Pompeo and personally deliver a letter to Trump that paved the way for the June summit.

In August, a planned trip by Pompeo to Pyongyang was also canceled when negotiations hit an impasse, with the secretary of State eventually making the trip last month.

Kim Eui-keum, a spokesman for South Koreas presidential Blue House, advised against reading too much into the latest setback.

This has happened in the past so we dont need to overemphasize this, he told reporters. I also dont think this means U.S.-North Korea talks, both at the high level and summit level, have lost their momentum.

Many experts doubt Pyongyangs willingness to surrender its nuclear weapons and believe it has been stringing Trump along to gain whatever concessions it can.

Joel Wit, a former State Department official with extensive experience of negotiating with the North Koreans, says the Washington is sticking to the old playbook, one that has failed repeatedly, particularly in its insistence that North Korea first take steps such as denuclearization before the United States does anything.

Wit, a senior fellow at the Henry L. Stimson center, has become much more pessimistic in recent weeks. I think the U.S. is going to miss this opportunity essentially because there is no one below Trump [who] is capable of thinking out of the box, he wrote in an email earlier this week.

The Washington Posts Min Joo Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.Lebanon's Tourism Minister apologized to Egypt Tuesday for offensive comments he had made on the latter country's living conditions.

In an official statement, Egypts foreign ministry said caretaker Lebanese minister Avedis Guidanian had visited Egypt's Ambassador to Lebanon Nazih El-Nagary to apologize for the comments, affirming his respect for the Egyptian leadership and people.

In an exclusive interview published on Monday with Lebanon's English-language Daily Star, Guidanian said excessively negative media reports about Lebanon were ruining his country's image.

I mean look at Egypt - is there a place dirtier than it? People are louder than us, there is more traffic than here  people live in graves, OK? But there is tourism, because they know how to sell that country, he said during the interview.

According to the ministry's statement, El-Nagary called Guidanian on Monday after the interview was published to officially express dismay over his comments on Egypt.

The Lebanese minister said he did not use the word "dirtier" in the interview to describe Egypt, which he said is successful in attracting tourism despite difficulties.

On his Twitter account, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad El-Hariri said the relationship between Egypt and Lebanon is strong and would not to be affected by "misuse of terms."

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7th November 2018

Runtime 15:16





In an exclusive interview with London South East, Ascent Resources CEO Colin Hutchinson talked through the latest RNS's to be released by the Slovenian gas producer.

Having expected a processing plant permit to be agreed last week he was shocked to learn that the new Slovenian Environment Minister Mr Leben had instead instigated an internal review."I had hoped the permit would be a catalyst to move the strategic review forward. I think that part of the reason for calling a General Meeting and asking shareholders to give us the ability to continue independently should that be needed means we are not going to take a silly offer".

In a General Meeting to be held on the morning of 20th November, 2018, Ascent Resources are looking for the authority to issue up to 340 million shares and so to raise up to 1.5 Million pounds should they need to so so in the future. "Without the ability to walk away when negotiating we are in a much weaker position" said Colin Hutchinson.

The option to go to an EU court would be a 'last resort' as everyone would prefer to resolve things amicably, but 'if we did feel that they [the Slovenian Government] weren't treating foreign capital in the same way that domestic capital is treated then we would need to pursue all options.'In late October, Israeli security forces assaulted Egyptian Coptic monks and arrested at least one during a protest against the restoration of Deir Al-Sultan Monastery

Egypts new ambassador to Israel started his activities as envoy by visiting the Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, nearly two weeks after its monks were assaulted by Israeli security forces after a protest over a disputed ancient monastery that historically belongs to Egypt.

In an official statement, Egypts foreign ministry said the countrys ambassador to Tel Aviv, Khaled Azmi, kicked off his tenure with a visit to the Church, where he was received by Metropolitan Antonious of the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Far East.

According to the statement, the visit came amid Azims keenness to preserve the Churchs belongings and its rights in the Holy City, including its historical right in Deir Al-Sultan Monastery (Sultan Monastery) in Jerusalem's Old City following the assault on the monks.

Azmy was appointed in August but only arrived in Israel on Sunday to carry out his duties, succeeding Hazem Khairat, who served as ambassador to Israel for more than two years.

In late October, Israeli security forces assaulted Egyptian Coptic monks and arrested at least one during a protest against the restoration of Deir Al-Sultan Monastery. The arrested monk was later released.

The monks were protesting peacefully against restoration work planned by the Israeli government at the monastery without the consent of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Ownership of the 1,000-year-old monastery has been the source of a decades-long dispute.

The monastery, where Ethiopians have lived for decades, had been owned by the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church since the 7th century, according to Antonious.

Copts remained in control of the monastery until 1970 when Israeli authorities handed its control over to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church after police changed the monastery's locks and gave them the keys.

Numerous Israeli court rulings ordering that the monastery be returned to the Copts have not been enforced.



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The president inspected the road one day after the second edition of World Youth Forum, which has attracted 5,000 participants, concluded Tuesday

Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inspected Wednesday the construction site of a new road that will provide better access to South Sinais Sharm El-Sheikh.

According to a Facebook post by presidency spokesman Bassam Rady, El-Sisi inspected construction of the "Tunnel-Sharm El-Sheikh Road," which spans over 342 kilometres, with three lanes in each direction.

The president inspected the road one day after the second edition of World Youth Forum, which has attracted 5,000 participants, concluded Tuesday.

In press statements in June, South Sinais governor Khaled Fouda said that the road is one of the major projects that will revive tourism and development activity, adding that it is being constructed at a total cost of EGP 3.5 billion.

It starts from the northern Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel and reaches to Sharm El-Sheikh.

Fouda said that the road will be inaugurated at the end of December.

Egypt has been working on upgrading tunnels and roads as part of its development plan for commercial and civilian access, as well as access to newly established development zones.

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The 35-year-old man was convicted of kidnapping and raping the toddler in a village in the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahliya in March 2017

A high Egyptian appeals court has upheld a death sentence against a man for raping a 20-month-old girl last year, a judicial source said, in a final ruling in a case that provoked widespread public outcry.

The 35-year-old man was convicted of kidnapping and raping the toddler in a village in the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahliya. The man was arrested on the same day of the incident, which took place in March 2017.

The defendant was sentenced to death by a lower criminal court on 1 June after the Grand Mufti, the country's top religious authority, approved the court recommendation of the death penalty in non-binding but legally required opinion.

The Court of Cassation on Wednesday rejected the defendant's appeal against the initial sentence, upholding the death penalty. The verdict is final and cannot be appealed.

Investigations showed that the defendant, the victim's neighbour, kidnapped the child as she was playing in front of her house in a village in the town of Belqas in Daqahlia, taking her to an abandoned area where he raped her, causing heavy bleeding.

The defendant's father was killed by the girl's uncle in June 2017, the same month of the initial court ruling.

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Ted Sprague explains how the mighty Indonesian Communist Party was defeated and destroyed in 1965 by Suharto's forces of reaction, resulting in the murder of millions of communists and their sympathisers. This historical tragedy, the consequence of the political and theoretical errors of the Communist Party's Stalinist leadership, is rich with lessons for Marxists today.

In the dead of night on 30 September 1965, a small group of middle-rank officers quietly moved through the streets of Jakarta and kidnapped six army generals. The generals were brought to a swampy region on the outskirts of Jakarta, known as Lubang Buaya (Crocodile Hole), and executed, with their bodies dumped into wells. In the morning, the group of officers took over the national radio station. The nation was greeted by a radio broadcast from these officers who proclaimed themselves as the 30 September Movement (Gerakan 30 September or G30S), announcing that they had thwarted a planned coup by the six army generals and thereafter formed a revolutionary council.

Within the next few hours, Major General Suharto and his troops arrested these mutinous officers and put the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI, which the US State Department estimated had 2 million members at the time) at the centre of the G30S as a pretext to crush it. What happened next has come to define the national consciousness of the Indonesian people: the rise of Suharto and his New Order regime on top of the bones of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of PKI members and sympathisers.

On the day after the G30S, President Sukarno tried to downplay the significance of this event by saying that it was nothing more than a ripple in the wide ocean of the Indonesian Revolution. Unbeknownst to him, this ripple quickly turned into a wave that drenched the whole nation in blood and changed the course of not only Indonesian, but also world history.

The 30 September Movement was exploited as an excuse to liquidate the PKI / Image: public domain

It is impossible to understand the defeat of the PKI without looking at its history, for the partys defeat lies not in the genius of Suhartos manoeuvre and the brutality of the army, but in the PKIs policies of class struggle: or to be more precise, the lack thereof. The fall of the PKI was prepared not by its enemies, but by its leaders. The G30S was that trigger, but that was only a matter of necessity expressing itself through accident. As we shall see, even the road to this event was paved by the mistakes committed by the leadership of the PKI in the previous period.

Indonesia and the Cold War

At the height of the Cold War, the thought of Indonesia going communist kept many bourgeois strategists awake at night. The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia in 1965, Marshall Green, opined that here was what is now the fourth largest nation in the world [by population] it was about to go communist, and almost did. [1]

A CIA report, prepared in early September 1965, made the case that Sukarnos Indonesia already acts in important respects like a Communist state and is more openly hostile to the U.S. than most Communist nations. [2] The report warned that the Indonesian government would become completely dominated by the PKI within two or three years, and that in the short term, Indonesias formal accession to communism would have a heavy impact on world politics. It would be seen as a major change in the international balance of political forces and would inject new life into the thesis that communism is the wave of the future. The defeat of the PKI was therefore not just a defeat for the forces of communism in Indonesia, but also for the whole worlds revolutionary movement.

Within the Domino Theory, Indonesia was considered to be the largest and most strategically placed piece in Southeast Asia. Its importance was highlighted by Richard Nixons speech in 1965, justifying the bombing of North Vietnam as a way to safeguard Indonesias immense mineral potential. Robert McNamara, the secretary of defense during the Vietnam War, wrote in his memoir that the demise of the PKI should have signalled the U.S. to de-escalate its military involvement in Vietnam. [3] George F. Kennan, the architect of the policy of containment of Soviet expansion, argued at Senate hearings on 10 February 1966 that there had been an enormous reverse in Indonesia: fewer dominoes now existed, and they seemed much less likely to fall. [4] But the Vietnam War had developed its own logic. As President Lyndon B. Johnson, who oversaw the escalation of the Vietnam War, himself admitted, I don't think it's worth fighting for and I don't think we can get out. And it's just the biggest damn mess that I ever saw. [5]

The U.S. overplayed its hand in the Vietnam War and was alarmed at the idea of Indonesia (the fourth-most-populous nation on earth) "going communist" / Image: public domain

The Vietnam War had strayed from the Domino Theory and become more about preserving the image of the U.S. government, which could not be seen as losing a war it had invested so much into. In a memorandum, John McNaughton, assistant secretary of defence, said that US war aims in Vietnam were 70% to avoid a humiliating US defeat, 20% to keep SVN (and then adjacent) territory from Chinese hands and only 10% to permit the people of SVN [South Vietnam] to enjoy a better, freer way of life. [6] The U.S. overplayed its hand in the Vietnam War, and almost sparked a revolution at home as anti-war sentiment quickly acquired an increasingly radical tone.

Indonesia was also of importance to the new structure of post-war, global capitalism because of its abundance of natural resources. After the end of World War II, U.S. strategists developed a grand design, whereby Indonesia would be under Japans economic sphere of influence. Cheap access to Indonesias vast mineral and natural resources was expected to support Japans industrialisation, which the U.S. believed would be crucial to keep Japan safely in its camp and under its control. George Kennan, the arch-realist of the post-war U.S. empire, summed up U.S. policy of domination in Asia quite succinctly at a 1949 meeting of the Policy Planning Staff which he headed:

You have the terrific problem of how the Japanese are going to get along unless they re-open some sort of empire to the south [read Southeast Asia]... If we really in the Western world could work out controls... foolproof enough and cleverly enough exercised really to have power over what Japan imports in the way of oil and other things... we could have veto power over what she does. [7]

As can be gleaned from Indonesias export statistics post-1965, Japan became the main export destination of Indonesian products, from around 3-7 percent export share in 1958-1962 to around 50 percent in the 1970s and 80s. [8] It was also reflected in Japanese direct foreign investment in Indonesia, making up 33 percent of the cumulative total in the period of 1969-1984. [9] This in turn translated into the dependency of Indonesian capitalists on their Japanese overlords. What Emperor Hirohito could not accomplish militarily in 1942-1945 during Japans occupation of Indonesia had now been accomplished economically, though Japanese imperialism had to be content being under the thumb of U.S. imperialism, which had veto power of what she does.

Sukarno, the Bonapartist

The colonial revolutions that were sweeping the whole world after the end of World War II put a hold on the imperialist grand design of re-dividing the spoils of war. The Allied forces thought Indonesia would easily fall back into their laps after they defeated Japan, which wrested control of Indonesia from the Dutch in 1942. But they were faced with a mass uprising of the oppressed, whose national consciousness had been aroused. At the head of this nationalist movement were bourgeois nationalist leaders like Sukarno and Hatta, though we shall see later that reluctance, vacillation, and indecisiveness coloured their policy every step of the way.

With the physical annihilation of the PKI in 1927 by the Dutch colonial government (read The First Period of the Indonesian Communist Party: 1914-1926), the leadership of the national liberation struggle was occupied by the emerging national bourgeoisie. After a period of semi-reaction following the defeat of the PKI, the Indonesian nationalist movement gained momentum in 1942, when three-and-a-half centuries of Dutch colonisation were ended by the arrival of Japanese forces. But the type of nationalism that emerged was a bourgeois nationalism that was strictly controlled by Japan within the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, with its slogan: Asia for the Asians. The Japanese took under their wing prominent nationalist leaders, amongst whom Sukarno and Hatta, in order to gain support from the Indonesian masses for their war machine and to help defend their conquered territories from the Allied forces. In the meantime, other leaders who showed pro-socialist leanings were ruthlessly crushed.

From early on, it was clear that Indonesias bourgeois nationalist leaders were ready to collaborate and bargain with this or that imperialist depending on the direction of the wind. The kind of nationalist leaders that were being groomed by the Japanese showed their true colours when the decisive moment came. Even after Japan surrendered unconditionally on 15 August 1945, Sukarno and Hatta were afraid to proclaim Indonesian independence without first consulting their defeated master. In essence, they did not have faith in the masses.

When confronted by a group of militant youth who were pressing them to proclaim Indonesian independence, Sukarno refused and replied:

Your handful is not enough against the armed might and total preparedness of the Japanese army. What can you show me? What is your actual strength? What are your security measures for our women and children? How do you propose to defend this freedom once you claim it? [10]

All these questions were answered decisively by the Indonesian masses in the next four years of their war for independence, which claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Indonesian fighters. The people were ready to fight for their freedom and proved willing and able to defend this freedom once they claimed it. But this war could have been shorter and less bloody had the people had a decisive leadership. Instead, they were led by individuals who were always unsure of themselves, thus trying at every step of the way to make concessions to the imperialists.

The incomplete national-democratic revolution resulted in an ongoing social crisis, which gave rise to the Bonapartist Sukarno / Image: public domain

At the end of the independence war, Sukarno had sold out the whole of Indonesia by agreeing to return all Dutch companies agricultural lands and mines, and pay war reparations to the sum of 4.3 billion guilders. Indonesia gained formal independence, but its economy was completely subordinated to imperialist interests. The national revolution was betrayed, but it had yet to lose its momentum. The incomplete tasks of the national-democratic revolution  the establishment of a democratic parliament, agrarian reform (especially crucial in a peasant-dominated country like Indonesia) and a fully sovereign nation-state  resulted in an ongoing social crisis, which opened the next chapter of Indonesian revolution. It is in this context that the Bonapartist Sukarno arose.

Bonapartism is a phenomenon that arises out of a social crisis, when the class struggle has been fought to a stalemate and neither of the contending classes is able to decisively take power and ensure stability. On the one hand, the proletariat has waged a mass revolutionary movement that shakes the whole society from top to bottom, but find itself unable to bring the movement to its final conclusion: the revolutionary conquest of power. On the other, the bourgeoisie is too weak to defeat the proletariat and bring order to a society ripped apart by intense class struggle. Under these conditions, the state can rise above society, appearing as an independent, national arbiter to bring about stability, although it is still a class state: in the service of one class against another. A Bonapartist regime then emerges, with a strongman at the top. Engels in his Origin of Family, Private Property, and the State explained the nature of Bonapartism:

Exceptional periods, however, occur when the warring classes are so nearly equal in forces that the state power, as apparent mediator, acquires for the moment a certain independence in relation to both. This applies to the absolute monarchy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, which balances the nobility and the bourgeoisie against one another; and to the Bonapartism of the First and particularly of the Second French Empire, which played off the proletariat against the bourgeoisie and the bourgeoisie against the proletariat. The latest achievement in this line, in which ruler and ruled look equally comic, is the new German Empire of the Bismarckian nation; here the capitalists and the workers are balanced against one another and both of them fleeced for the benefit of the decayed Prussian cabbage Junkers. [11]

Such was the situation in Indonesia after the Second World War. While the Sukarno-Hatta government managed to beat back the revolutionary movement, marked by the annihilation of PKI forces in the 1948 Madiun affair and the following crackdown on all revolutionary opposition forces, the national bourgeoisie was too weak to establish a stable regime, precisely because of their betrayal of the national idependence revolution on 17 August 1945 and the subsequent war of independence from 1945 to 1949, a period known as the August Revolution. Constitutional crises followed one after another. Cabinets were put together only to be dismantled immediately. From 1949 to 1959, there were 10 different cabinets. It took six years after the end of the independence war for the government to hold an election, which was to be the only election under Sukarnos 20-year presidency from 1945-1965. The result was certainly not stability. No political party received more than a quarter of the votes  not even Sukarnos party: the Indonesian National Party. The uncertain situation resulted in a series of short-lived coalition governments. Ongoing political instability finally led Sukarno to scrap the 1950 Constitution, dissolving the Constitutional Assembly that had become rife with political deadlocks due to its inability to formulate a new constitution, and to declare in 1959 a regime of Guided Democracy. In the chaos of constitutional crisis, parliamentary deadlocks, and the constant coming and going of cabinets, an immovable pivot had to be designated around which everything revolved: a role filled by Sukarno.

The so-called Guided Democracy was an attempt by Sukarno to solve the political deadlocks and instability that was resulting from them. Blaming these deadlocks on the western values of liberalism and parliamentarism, that did not fit with the Indonesian character, Sukarno argued the solution lay in the so-called Indonesian values of musyawarah and mufakat (consensus building), under the guidance of village elders. Presidential power  and in general the executive power of the government  was strengthened at the expense of the parliament (the legislative power). Of course the village elder, in essence the Bonapartist, would be Sukarno himself. Sukarno even hinted that, under Guided Democracy, there would be no need for multiple political parties, but he was forced to retreat on that idea in the face of protests from the PKI and other mass political parties.

The so-called Guided Democracy was an attempt by Sukarno to solve the political deadlocks and instability that was resulting from them / Image: public domain

With Guided Democracy, the state was acquiring independence from the society, from the very class that it was based on: the bourgeoisie. Power concentrated not only in the person of Sukarno, but also in the bourgeois state as a whole. As observed by Rex Mortimer, a renowned historian of Indonesian communism:

Guided Democracy brought with it substantial augmentation of bureaucratic power... and produced a rapid and marked reversion to centralizing tendencies in government... The decline in the importance of the political parties as channels for the articulation and bargaining of social interests further enlarged the role of the bureaucracy; ceasing to be subject to any weighty outside pressures and controls, it arrogated to itself many of the political functions of interest representation and decision-making... [The Guided Democracy strengthened] pro-leadership sentiment which served the cause of the pamong pradja [aristocratic civil servants drawn from the priyayi or upper class], the administrative corps which combined with itself the cultural ethos of ancient Javanese aristocratic rule and the bureaucratic technique introduced by the Dutch... the pamong pradja now found its power confirmed and strengthened. [12]

Together with the Guided Democracy came Sukarnos Political Manifesto (Manipol), which laid down the general guidelines for the development of Indonesias economy and other spheres. The Political Manifesto was revolutionary-sounding on the surface, but in reality it was hollow. It proclaimed as its goal the establishment of a socialist society. But before this could be achieved, the country had to complete its national revolution. This was almost a carbon copy of the Stalinist two-stage theory, of which D.N. Aidit, the PKI chairman, approved wholeheartedly:

Both [politics and national defence] have to follow the general strategy of Indonesian Revolution that is outlined in Manipol, which says that today the Indonesian people have to complete their national democratic revolution as a foundation to then enter the second phase or stage of Indonesian Revolution that is socialistic. [13]

However, the Manipol turned out to be just another revolutionary phrase-mongering statement from Sukarno the Bonapartist, written in a vague-enough fashion to be accepted by everyone  including the anti-communist, pro-U.S. high command of the Indonesian armed forces  and could be interpreted however one wished. This ambiguous formulation and programme papered over the contradictions in society, only to prepare for a bigger conflagration: that of 1965. Mortimer highlights the vagueness of Manipol:

The generality of this program, and the vagueness of provisions relating to such contentious issues as the roles of foreign capital and private enterprise, ensured that it was acceptable to the varied groups associated with the regime. The rejection of liberalism in favor of an interventionist role by the state was clear; but there was still ample room for interpretations to fit the interest of all the parties and factions that, in the characteristic Sukarno fashion, had been involved in the formulation of the program and were therefore committed to whatever it should prove to mean in official terms. [14] [My emphasis]

Indeed, in the characteristic Sukarno fashion, he was balancing different social forces and antagonistic interests. In the last analysis, he sought to channel the revolutionary aspirations of the workers and peasants, mainly through a slew of bombastic statements and revolutionary-sounding policies, while at the same time placating the capitalists and the landlords by promising that nothing fundamental would be done to disturb their economic interests. Hence, his constant insistence that the revolution was not socialist in character, but only national  an idea that the PKI also espoused.

But a Bonapartist regime is a not a regime of stability. It is in essence a regime wrought with unsolvable contradictions. Even though Sukarno gained cult status  attaining an almost mythical status amongst the people  this mostly likely only deluded him, and also the PKI leaders, into believing that he had firm grip on the situation. In fact, he led a government of crisis. A resolution to the crisis had to be found: the victory of revolution or the victory of reaction. History demanded another Bonapartist leader who could bring a resolution in favour of reaction: to finish the job that Sukarno had started but was never quite able to finish. For this role, General Suharto stepped in: unlike his predecessor, a man of few words, but swift and decisive in action.

Popular front with the bourgeoisie

One part of the equation that allowed for Bonapartism to develop in Indonesia was the inability of the proletariat to bring the white-hot class struggle to its conclusion: dictatorship of the proletariat. The leadership of the PKI was largely responsible for this failure. Through its popular front with the bourgeoisie it had rendered the working class ill-equipped to win the revolution, and thus paved the way for the 1965 reaction.

The idea of the popular front  and with it the two-stage theory  is repeated in many of Aidits works. It was particularly elaborated in the PKIs main political perspective document, Indonesian Society and the Indonesian Revolution, which dictated the partys strategy and tactics until its demise in 1965. The document reads:

The Indonesian national bourgeoisie class remains extremely weak in political, economic and cultural affairs [It] displays two features. As a class that is also suppressed by imperialism and whose development is also stifled by feudalism, this class is anti-imperialist and anti-feudal, and in this respect it is one of the revolutionary forces. But on the other hand, this class does not have the courage fundamentally to fight imperialism and feudalism because economically and politically it is weak and it has class ties with imperialism and feudalism. The dual character of the national bourgeoisie is the reason why we have two sets of experiences with them, that is, at certain limits, this class can take part in the revolution against imperialism, against the compradors and against the landlords (for example during the August Revolution), but at other periods they trail behind the comprador bourgeoisie and become their ally in the counter-revolutionary camp (for example, during the Madiun Affair in 1948 and during the August Mass Arrest in 1951)... In such specific circumstances, the Indonesian proletariat must build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength... Because of the weakness of the Indonesian national bourgeoisie economically and politically, under certain historical circumstances, the national bourgeoisie which is by nature wavering, can vacillate and betray. In facing the wavering characteristics of the Indonesian national bourgeoisie attention should be paid to the fact that it is precisely because it is politically and economically weak that is not very difficult to pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution so long as the progressive forces are large and the tactics of the Communist Party correct. This means that the wavering nature of this class is not fatal, it is not insurmountable. But on the other hand, if the progressive forces are not large and the tactics of the Communist Party not correct, than this economically and politically weak national bourgeoisie can easily run to the right and become hostile to the revolution. [15]

There you have it. The national bourgeoisie are weak in political, economic and cultural affairs, have been suppressed by imperialism and stifled by feudalism and lack the courage fundamentally [!] to fight imperialism and feudalism, meaning they can vacillate and betray. To this we agree. Aidit was also correct to point to the reason why this class was weak and cowardly in nature: because economically and politically it is weak and it has class ties with imperialism and feudalism.

But from this correct appraisal of the fundamental nature of the national bourgeoisie, he somehow found a way to make an intellectual somersault to a wrong conclusion: that it was therefore the task of the Communist Party to build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength and pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution. According to this formulation: what was needed were correct tactics on the part of the Communist Party, which meant not scaring away the bourgeoisie with talk of socialism, class struggle, and dictatorship of the proletariat. In effect, this meant a policy of class collaboration and the subordination of class struggle to a national struggle. We are reminded of Plekhanov and the Mensheviks, who were chastising Lenin and the Bolsheviks for scaring away the liberals.

PKI chairman, D.N. Aidit's embrace of two-stage theory and popular frontism prepared the party for disaster / Image: public domain

Aidit then proceeded to list a number of historical events that showed the vacillation and betrayal of the national bourgeoisie, such as the Madiun Affair in 1948, when the Sukarno-Hatta government sent their army to crush the PKI for their opposition to the concessionist policy of Sukarno-Hatta to the Dutch. It was not just the PKI forces that were crushed by the armed forces. The government also made sure to crack down on other revolutionaries who fought valiantly against the Allied powers and also against nationalist leaders who sought to capitulate to the imperialist powers and return all Dutch assets, which practically meant subordinating Indonesia economically to the Dutch.

As if to cleanse the bourgeoisie of their sins, Aidit then tried to list the success stories of the national capitalists. But those success stories were few to begin with, and thus he was only able to list one: the August Revolution, in which the national capitalists took part. Aidit could not even say that the national bourgeoisie led the August 1945 independence movement. Furthermore, the national bourgeoisie had to be literally dragged into participation. Sukarno and Hatta had to be kidnapped and forced by a group of radical youth  mostly communists  to proclaim Indonesian independence. They were too afraid to proclaim even what had been become a fact: that Japan had been defeated and independence was there to be taken. Already, in another work, Aidit condemned the Indonesian bourgeoisie for their failure to lead the August 1945 Revolution:

The failure of the August 1945 Revolution shows that the Indonesian bourgeoisie were unable to lead the bourgeois democratic revolution in the era of imperialism, or the bourgeois democratic revolution of a new type. [16]

Thus, Aidit himself recognised that there had yet to be any historical precedence to back up his claim that there was such a thing as a progressive national bourgeoisie making up one of the revolutionary forces in Indonesia.

Precisely because the national bourgeoisie was weak and disorganised, vacillating and unsure of itself, it was prone to betrayal when it came to fulfilling what was supposed to be its historical task: the national democratic revolution. Their weakness did not mean they were easily pulled to the left as Aidit hoped, but all the readier to swing to reaction. The 1965 episode added to the list of times the national bourgeoisie found themselves in the counter-revolutionary camp. The PKI leaders had done everything they could to rally the workers and peasants to build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength and pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution. But the national bourgeoisie had always known that its class interests were diametrically opposed to those of the workers and peasants. PKI leaders remained steadfast in their loyalty to Sukarno, whom they saw as the personification of the progressive national bourgeoisie, but that class had abandoned Sukarno for another Bonapartist who could restore order and ensure the normal functioning of capitalism: General Suharto.

There was no progressive national bourgeoisie, and the Indonesian working class had to pay dearly for this lesson. The only revolutionary class that could complete the national democratic tasks was the working class in alliance with the peasantry. But the working class, in leading the national democratic revolution, could not stop there. It would be forced to begin solving tasks of the socialist revolution and in practice establish the dictatorship of the proletariat. This is contrary to what Aidit had in mind: that the task of the PKI was to form not a government of the dictatorship of the proletariat but a government of the dictatorship of the people. This government does not have to carry out socialist changes but democratic changes. [17] Aidit continued:

The task of our Party at the present stage of the revolution and in the future becomes clear. Our party has a dual task in leading the Indonesian revolution. Firstly, under the slogan Fulfill the demands of the August Revolution in their entirety, we carry out to their completion the task of the bourgeois-democratic revolution; secondly, after the first task has been carried out, we carry out to their completion the task of the revolution which is proletarian-socialist in nature. [18]

Such was the classic two-stage theory that had been handed down to the leadership of the PKI  and all other communist parties around the world  by their Stalinist overlords in the Kremlin. This theory tied the PKI hand and foot to the national bourgeoisie, whereby they put the class struggle to one side by subordinating it to the national struggle. The PKI refused to recognise the class struggle, but eventually the class struggle caught up with them, and did so violently.

A state with two aspects

In early 1963, Aidit came up with a novel theory in another attempt to fit reality into his scheme. In addition to the two types of capitalists  the progressive capitalists and the comprador or bureaucratic capitalists  he introduced another innovation, discovering that there are two types of people: the pro-people people, and the anti-people people:

In the political power of our country now there are not only compradores, bureaucratic capitalists, and landlords, but also people who are pro-people, who are supported by workers, peasants, democratic intellectuals, and other democrats. Thus, political power in our country has two aspects, that is a pro-peoples aspect and an anti-peoples aspect. [19]

These two types of people, in their dealing with the state, resulted in a state that will also have two aspects: the pro-people aspect and the anti-people aspect. In a lecture he gave in Beijing to Central Committee members of the Chinese Communist Party in September 1963, he elaborated this state-with-two-aspects idea:

The state power of the Republic of Indonesia is a contradiction between two opposing aspects: The first aspect is that which represents the interest of the people. The second aspect is that which represents the interests of the people's enemies. The first aspect is embodied in the progressive attitude and policy of President Sukarno which enjoys the support of the CPI [PKI] and other sections of the people. The second, aspect is embodied in the attitude and policy of the rightists and the diehards; they are the old established forces. Today the popular aspect has become the main aspect and plays a leading role in the state power of the Republic of Indonesia, meaning that it guides the course of the political development in the state power of the Republic of Indonesia... On the other hand, the anti-popular aspect has ceased to be the main aspect and no longer guides the course of development in the contradiction. However, it is still the dominant aspect... But in any case the state in the Republic of Indonesia as a whole, is now led by the forces which represent the interests of the people, or in other words it is led by the popular aspect. [20]

From such analysis, Aidit surmised, in a second lecture in Beijing, that the task of the PKI in regards to such a state is:

... to enable the popular aspect to grow increasingly strong and to take a dominant position and, on the other hand, to exclude from state power the forces which oppose the people. Such is the content of the people's demand for the reorganization (of the state organs), and for a Gotong Royong cabinet with NASAKOM as the fulcrum... Indonesia's revolutionary tasks are to set up state power, not of one class, one stratum or one political party, but of the whole people, the Gotong Royong state power. [21]

Therefore, according to Aidit:

...the important problem in Indonesia now is not to smash the state power as is the case in many other states, but to strengthen and consolidate the pro-peoples aspect... and to eliminate the anti-peoples aspect. [22]

This is truly a major and fatal departure from the Marxist theory of the state. The class content of a state is erased and replaced with a vague notion of people, the members of which are determined arbitrarily by the political expediency of Aidits class collaboration policy on any given day. As Engels explained in The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, the state can only be an institution in service of the interests of the ruling class against the oppressed class. He wrote quite clearly about this:

As the state arose from the need to keep class antagonisms in check, but also arose in the thick of the fight between the classes, it is normally the state of the most powerful, economically ruling class, which by its means becomes also the politically ruling class, and so acquires new means of holding down and exploiting the oppressed class. The ancient state was, above all, the state of the slave-owners for holding down the slaves, just as the feudal state was the organ of the nobility for holding down the peasant serfs and bondsmen, and the modern representative state is the instrument for exploiting wage-labor by capital. [23]

Here we have Aidit conjuring up a non-class state that represents the whole people: the peoples state. However, Aidit would have been surprised to learn that such a peoples state was not a novel creation of his. The idea of a peoples state has festered in the working-class movement since its inception. At the height of the Russian Revolution, when the question of the state became concrete, Lenin took the time to reiterate again for his comrades the Marxist theory of the state in order to prepare the Bolsheviks and the working class for power. In his seminal work The State and Revolution, he attacked those who were playing around with the peoples state catchword as philistine:

The free peoples state was a programme demand and a catchword current among the German Social-Democrats in the seventies. This catchword is devoid of all political content except that it describes the concept of democracy in a pompous philistine fashion... every state is a special force for the suppression of the oppressed class. Consequently, every state is not free and not a peoples state. [24]

Aidit at the height of the Indonesian Revolution, fell backward on this question. He had definitely read Lenins works on the question of state, or at least was familiar with Lenins basic conception, as he took the opportunity to tell us that V.I. Lenin taught us, The state is a machine for maintaining the rule of one class over another. However, he quoted Lenin just before going on with his anti-Leninist notion of a peoples state. We are entitled to question whether Aidit ever learned anything from Lenin. In fact, just like all Stalinists of his time who had vulgarised the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin, his reference to Lenins State and Revolution was ritualistic, aimed at throwing dust into the eyes of the working class so that he could sneak in his philistine idea of the peoples state. This method of quoting the great teachers as a means to smuggle in alien class ideas was pioneered by Bernstein, developed further by Kautsky, and perfected to an art later by Stalin and his epigones. This episode also showed the theoretical bankruptcy of the Chinese Stalinists. The whole membership of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party did not say even one word when Aidit presented his idea of the non-class state.

Aidit paid lip-service to Lenin, while totally subverting his teachings on the state / Image: public domain

The Chinese Stalinists were not in a position to correct Aidit, having themselves already butchered the Marxist theory of the state by adopting their bloc-of-four-classes state conception. They found also difficult to explain why the Chinese state gave no sign of dying away many years after the Revolution, but quite the opposite. It is a fundamental part of Marxs and Lenins theory of the state that the workers state is a special kind of state which would begin to wither away, as the productive forces develop and the class antagonisms in society are overcome. However, under socialism with Chinese characteristics the bureaucratic machinery of the state, just like its counterpart in the Soviet Union, had grown into a hitherto unheard-of apparatus of compulsion with no intention of dying away.

The Chinese bureaucrats would quote Lenin in their defence, as he correctly said that only under communism  a society of superabundance run according to the principle from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs  would we reach a stateless society. But they argued that until then there would still be the need for a strong state as an organ to suppress the exploiters. At what stage would the state as an oppressing machine wither away was left to anyones guess. However, they neglected to mention that Lenin never left the question of what would happen to the workers state during the transitional period to a distant future. Here is what Lenin wrote:

During the transition from capitalism to communism suppression is still necessary, but it is now the suppression of the exploiting minority by the exploited majority. A special apparatus, a special machine for suppression, the state, is still necessary, but this is now a transitional state. It is no longer a state in the proper sense of the word; for the suppression of the minority of exploiters by the majority of the wage slaves of yesterday is comparatively so easy, simple and natural a task that it will entail far less bloodshed than the suppression of the risings of slaves, serfs or wage-labourers, and it will cost mankind far less. And it is compatible with the extension of democracy to such an overwhelming majority of the population that the need for a special machine of suppression will begin to disappear. Naturally, the exploiters are unable to suppress the people without a highly complex machine for performing this task, but the people can suppress the exploiters even with a very simple machine, almost without a machine, without a special apparatus, by the simple organisation of the armed people. (Our emphasis)

These were Lenins clear thoughts on the role of the state in the transition from capitalism to communism. Instead of becoming a simpler machine, the Chinese state became a sophisticated all-encompassing state apparatus in defence of the privileges of the bureaucracy. Incidentally, we can now say that it was that same parasitic bureaucratic state that would become the principal motor force of capitalist restoration in China and, with very little modification, can now be described as a capitalist state (read: Chinas long march to capitalism).

Aidits lectures about the peoples state with pro-people and anti-people aspects were thus received with warm applause by the Chinese Stalinists. Aidit did not just stop at the idea of the peoples state. Once he began there, he was also forced to do away with any class terms in politics, hence the pro-people and anti-people aspects. Here the state was seen merely as a collection of individuals who could be grouped into two camps of opposing views, not as a historically established institution resulting from the class antagonism of society. This is simply a modification of the popular front strategy of allying with the progressive national bourgeoisie and other progressive forces (intellectuals, advanced aristocratic elements, patriotic elements, etc.). But Aidit took it a step further, expunging even class terms or concepts from the Stalinist class collaborationist policy of the popular front.

Aidit referred to the progressive policies and anti-imperialist stance of the Sukarno government as a manifestation of the pro-people aspect. Shallow impressionism substitutes for Marxist analysis of class struggle. In the midst of a revolutionary period, when the class struggle reaches a stalemate, a Bonapartist can emerge and pose as a power standing above society: an arbiter of the national interest. Such was the situation in Indonesia after 1945, with a series of revolutionary ebbs and flows, where the capitalists were not strong enough to complete the national democratic revolution and establish order for the normal functioning of capitalism because of the recurrent mass movement. Meanwhile, the mass movement was not strong enough to take power decisively into its hands.

In this situation arose the Bonapartist Sukarno, appearing as a father of the nation, calming his squabbling children. The situation required a figure like Sukarno: a charismatic individual with a penchant for dramatic flair, skilful in the art of persuasion and political dealing, principled enough to be seen as a strong figure, but also flexible enough to allow him to move between classes, balancing one against another. This fatally mistaken analysis by the PKI leadership would be paid for dearly by the Indonesian revolutionary workers and peasants, who looked to the powerful PKI for leadership in the revolution.

Marx once said that force is the midwife of every old society pregnant with a new one. He was referring to the employment of the power of the State, the concentrated and organised force of society, to hasten, hot-house fashion, the process of transformation of the feudal mode of production into the capitalist mode, and to shorten the transition.

This was done particularly through a system of colonial exploitation that led Marx to conclude that capital comes [into the world] dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt, [25] the former statement retains its general validity in a revolution that will overthrow capitalism. This naturally flows from the stubborn resistance of the status quo and its defenders to change.

However, it would be a great folly for any serious Marxist to preach to the masses that a socialist revolution has to be a bloody violent affair. The ruling class is always trying to frighten the workers by associating socialist revolution with violence and civil war. We should not behave like ultra-left sectarians who feel the need to assert their revolutionary credentials by displaying their enthusiasm for bloody revolution and the inevitability of violence. We insist that Marxists are in favour of a peaceful socialist transformation of society, which would be perfectly possible on condition that the leadership of the working class mobilises the full force of the working masses. We also explain to the masses that history has shown time and time again that no ruling class has ever surrendered their power without a fight. The responsibility for any possible violence therefore falls squarely on the shoulders of the ruling class and their state apparatus.

The working class has the right to defend its revolution and the subsequent gains it has won. In many cases we have in fact seen throughout history that the old power merely crumbles without a fight before the might of the working class, provided that the working class possesses a leadership that is decisive and resolute enough to carry the struggle to the end. In fact, the October Revolution was won with very minimal bloodshed because the Bolsheviks had prepared the workers for power through patient explanation of the slogan All power to the soviets. Violence only visited the Revolution later on the active instigation of the ruling class.

The slogan of All power to the soviets was not a call for a civil war. The imperialists and capitalists inflicted this on Russia / image: Yanachka

The slogan of All power to the soviets was not a call for a civil war. In his report to the Seventh All-Russian Conference in the Bolshevik Party in April 1917, Lenin said: To speak of civil war before people have come to realise the need for it is undoubtedly to fall into Blanquism. We are for civil war, but only civil war waged by a politically conscious class The government would like to see us make the first imprudent move toward revolutionary action, as this would be to its advantage. [26] Hence the slogan All power to the soviets aimed at educating the working class that power was already theirs to begin with in the form of the soviets, and that they only needed to be politically aware of this fact and wield it for their own class interests.

Numerous times the Bolsheviks had to reject accusations from the ruling class and their Menshevik-SR allies that they were out for blood. Here is how Lenin skillfully responded to such accusations:

You are lying, Mr. Minister, worthy member of the peoples freedom party. It is Mr. Guchkov who is preaching violence when he threatens to punish the soldiers for dismissing the authorities. It is Russkaya Volya, the riot-mongering newspaper of the riot-mongering republicans, a paper that is friendly to you, that preaches violence. Pravda and its followers do not preach violence. On the contrary, they declare most clearly, precisely, and definitely, that our main efforts should now be concentrated on explaining to the proletarian masses their proletarian problems, as distinguished from the petty bourgeoisie which has succumbed to chauvinist intoxication So long as you, capitalist gentlemen, who are in control of the army command, have not yet begun to use violence, it is our tactics, the tactics of all Pravdists and of all our Party, to fight for influence among the proletarian masses, to fight for influence among the Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies. [27]

Lenin put the responsibility of violence squarely where it belonged, on the shoulders of the capitalist gentlemen who were in control of the apparatus of violence, and the reformist SR-Mensheviks who, by their refusal to claim power that was already in their hands, rendered a violent conflict inevitable. Two subsequent episodesthe July Days where several hundred demonstrators were gunned down, and the Kornilov military coup that was defeated by the massesshowed clearly before the eyes of the masses who the real instigators of violence were. The working class learns from experience, and from these two episodes they became resolute in their conviction to overthrow capitalism through mass revolutionary actions.

Lenin put the responsibility of violence squarely on the shoulders of the capitalists and reformists / Image: public domain

Lenin, however, while explaining that the working class simply had to take the power, he never sowed any illusions amongst the proletariat about the peaceful nature of the ruling class. One only needs to compare this to Aidits conception of the peaceful road to socialism for Indonesia. In 1960, he said in an interview with a Western correspondent that the prospects for a peaceful transition to socialism, as laid down by Khrushchev at the Twentieth Soviet Party Congress, are the brightest and the opportunities most bountiful in two countries, namely, Cuba and Indonesia. [28] He elaborated this further in another interview in 1964:

When we complete the first stage of our revolution, which is now in progress, we can enter into friendly consultation [!] with other progressive elements in our society and, without an armed struggle, lead the country towards Socialist Revolution. After all, the national capitalists in our country are both weak and disorganised. At present, in our national democratic revolution, we are siding with them and fighting a common battle of expelling foreign economic domination from this soil. [29] (Our emphasis)

The reporter was shrewd enough to ask what would happen if the national capitalists developed a class character and opposed any kind of socialism. Aidit answered:

The chastening effect [of the present stage of the revolution] would maintain a kind of revolutionary pressure on Indonesias national capitalists There will be no armed struggle unless there is foreign armed intervention on the capitalists behalf and, when we successfully complete our present national democratic revolution, the chances of any foreign power interfering with Indonesias internal affairs will become extremely remote.

The difference between Lenin and Aidits so-called Leninist conception is stark. Aidit developed the idea of an a priori peaceful path to socialism in such a way that completely disarmed the working class, by placing their trust blindly in other progressive elements and the national capitalists. Lenin, on the other hand, argued that the Bolsheviks and the working class desired for peaceful transfer of power to the soviets as long as the Mensheviks and SRs, who were then at the heads of the soviets, were ready to do so. But he never harboured one iota of trust in the bourgeoisie, whom he constantly exposed as the side that was riot-mongering. Through consistent and persistent propaganda work, the Bolsheviks politically prepared the working class for a class independence policy of taking power.

Let us investigate the premises of Aidits peaceful road to socialism:

1) Socialism is a matter of friendly consultation with other progressive elements [read: national capitalists] in our society after the completion of the national democratic revolution.

What Aidit was telling us was that once capitalism had been fully established in Indonesia through the completion of the national democratic revolution, there would no longer be class struggle between the working class and the capitalists. The two classes which Marx and Engels had always maintained to be diametrically opposed to each other and to have irreconcilable interestswould now sit together like two civilised gentlemen to discuss how to reach socialism. Aidit would have made the French utopian socialists very proud.

The utopian socialists before Marx and Engels time believed that socialism was just a matter of convincing everyone, including the capitalists, of the superiority of socialism over capitalism. After all, in the Kingdom of Reason established by the French Revolution, Reason was believed to be the sole measurement of everything. Therefore friendly consultation with all sides using Reason was enough to reach socialism. But the French utopian socialists could be excused for their mistake, as history had yet to furnish them with the proletariat, and class conflict between the capitalists and the proletariat had yet to take a definite shape. Theirs was a mistake of being too ahead of their time. But things were very much different by the mid-20th century, when class conflicts had not only taken shape but also plunged the whole world into two global wars, revolutions, and counter-revolutions.

Marx and Engels had from the beginning warned the workers of the reactionary characters of those who advocate the old ideas of utopian socialism today:

The significance of Critical-Utopian Socialism and Communism bears an inverse relation to historical development. In proportion as the modern class struggle develops and takes definite shape,  [the ideas of Utopian Socialism] lose all practical value and all theoretical justification. Therefore, although the originators of these [Utopian Socialist] systems were, in many respects, revolutionary, their disciples have, in every case, formed mere reactionary sects. They hold fast by the original views of their masters, in opposition to the progressive historical development of the proletariat. They, therefore, endeavour, and that consistently, to deaden the class struggle and to reconcile the class antagonisms they are compelled to appeal to the feelings and purses of the bourgeois. By degrees, they sink into the category of the reactionary [or] conservative Socialists depicted above, differing from these only by more systematic pedantry, and by their fanatical and superstitious belief in the miraculous effects of their social science. [30] (Our emphasis)

As such, Aidit and the leadership of the PKI had turned themselves into reactionary and conservative socialists. The bourgeoisie have a penchant and centuries-old-sharpened skills for tricking workers that it stands for democracy, that it is flying high the banner of Liberte, Egalite, et Fraternite, so that workers entertain the illusion that their interests could be served through some sort of mature friendly negotiation with the capitalists in a parliament. The task of any revolutionary is to lift this facade and expose the real nature of bourgeois democracy.

2) The national capitalists are weak and disorganised, and hence the road to socialism will be peaceful.

The Indonesian capitalists might be weak and disorganised, but that is only in relation to their ability and willingness to complete the tasks of the national democratic revolution: establishment of a democratic parliament; agrarian reform; independence from foreign imperialism. This is because they are indissolubly tied to foreign capital and landlordism by a thousand threads. Furthermore, the sight of the proletariat strikes fear in them, far more than being under the thumb of foreign capital. For that reason, when it comes to defending their class interests, profits, and ownership of the means of production, they will not be weak and disorganised.

The bourgeoisie has in its hands a statewhich in the last analysis is made up of armed bodies of men and womenbuilt specifically to maintain wage-labour exploitation by capital. This state was not by any means weak and disorganised. It had been used numerous times since its formal establishment on August 17, 1945 to crush the working class movement.

Immediately after independence, the Indonesian bourgeoisie sought compromise and rapprochement with the imperialists / Image: public domain

Immediately after independence, the nascent Indonesian bourgeoisie sought compromise and rapprochement with the imperialists. Sukarno and Hatta promised that all foreign assets would be returned, which in Indonesia meant all the main levers of economy would be under the control of foreign capital. This was not the vision of independence that the people had been fighting for. Meanwhile, independence had unleashed a social revolution with demands that had gone beyond the goal of formal sovereignty and sought to uproot all old structures of privilege. The people were demanding 100% independence, expropriating all foreign assets, which the Indonesian masses rightly saw as ill-gotten properties from 350 years of brutal colonial occupation. Complete expropriation of all Dutch and foreign assets would have meant the Indonesian revolution taking the first step toward socialism. This put the nascent bourgeoisie and their newly founded state at violent odds with the aspirations of the toiling masses. Troops were sent to hunt down and annihilate forces that opposed the government policy of conciliation with imperialism.

The Madiun affair in 1948, mentioned by Aidit above, was one of the flash points of this clash between the revolutionary wing and the conciliationist wing of the independence movement. After a series of clashes, manoeuvres, and provocations, on September 18, 1948, the city of Madiun fell into the hands of the PKI-led coalition quite unexpectedly. The Sukarno-Hatta government quickly capitalised on this episode as a pretext to crush the PKI. Speaking on the radio with his usual dramatic flair, Sukarno accused the PKI of treason and engaging in looting, robberies, kidnapping, mental terrorisation against the labourers, peasants, mobilizing criminal gangs to plunder and commit robbery intensively day and night. [31] He went on to give two choices to the people: follow the Musso-led PKI, or follow him.

The PKI fell into this provocation and prematurely called for a seizure of power. Musso in his reply to Sukarnos radio broadcast announced that Madiun was a signal to the whole people to wrest powers of the state into their own hands... The people of Indonesia were asked by Sukarno to choose Sukarno or Musso! The people should answer back: Sukarno-Hatta, the slaves of the Japanese and America! Traitors must die! [32] The government sent in their troops and crushed the PKI, not only in Madiun but all over Indonesia. A White Terror was unleashed. Thousands of PKI cadres were executed. The Madiun affair was also used by the government to crack down on all opposition, including Tan Malaka, who was captured and executed without trial in 1949. The Sukarno-Hatta government showed that the national capitalists were clearly not weak and disorganised in their brutality to crush the Communists.

The PKIs policy of supporting Sukarno was first formulated and implemented by Stalin in the 1920s in the form of the popular front in China / Image: public domain

Later on, Aidit, in his attempt to find the progressive national bourgeoisie in the person of Sukarno, tried to distance the latter from his responsibility in the Madiun affair. The massacre of communists in Madiun, according to Aidit, was wholly led by the comprador bourgeoisie, in the person of Hatta:

On September 19, 1948, President Sukarno gave a speech that called the people to band together [to] annihilate the rebels, [by] which he meant annihilating Communists and other progressive forces physically. I would say that the full responsibility of this was in the hands of Hatta, because Hatta was the Prime Minister at that time. But, because Hatta knew that his influence in the armed forces and other state apparatus was very small, especially amongst the people, then Hatta used Sukarnos mouth and borrowed Sukarnos authority to kill Amir Sjarifuddin and thousands of sons of Indonesia from Java. [33]

If Sukarnos voice and authority could be so easily used by the so-called comprador bourgeoisie, that said a lot about the reliability and independence of the so-called progressive bourgeoisie. The progressive bourgeoisie is therefore a left cover for the true nature of the bourgeoisie, which makes the former even more dangerous. Yet, here is what Sukarno himself had to say about the Madiun affair later in his autobiography, which is clearly at odds with Aidits wishful historical revisionism:

It was Sukarno who squashed the Communists in 1948. ... I was not about to let them or anyone else throw God out of my beloved country I sent in our crack Siliwangi army division. They did the rest. Within days the back of the rebellion was broken... Let nobody say Sukarno flinched in crushing the Communist uprising. [34]

The Indonesian Stalinists learned well from their mentors in Moscow. The PKIs policy of supporting Sukarno was first formulated and implemented by Stalin in the 1920s. While the Russian Stalinists found themselves inviting Chiang Kai-shek, the would-be Chinese reactionary dictator, to the great hall of the Comintern, lavishing him with praise just months before he soaked his hands in the blood of Shanghainese Communists, [35] the Indonesian Stalinists outdid even their mentors. They not only dutifully washed the blood of Madiun Communists from Sukarnos hands after the betrayal, but also placed the fate of the Indonesian revolution in those same hands. The student had truly become the master.

There is one little detail that is worth mentioning here from the above quote. Sukarno knew full well that the PKI never had a political programme of abolishing religion, nor do any communists for that matter. But he felt the need to accuse the PKI of wanting to [over]throw God and used this common red-baiting prejudice in Indonesia to attack the PKI. This fits perfectly with his role as a Bonapartist, a shrewd politician skillful in balancing antagonistic interests of various classes and social forces, until of course it all crumbled in 1965.

Aidits historical revisionism did not stop here. He had to establish the presence of the ever-elusive progressive national bourgeoisie as far back as 1945. After Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, both Sukarno and Hattawho in the past three years had obsequiously served the Japanese occupation forceswere infected with a paralysing fear of proclaiming Indonesian independence without consulting the Japanese beforehand. They were unsure of themselves, reflecting their class basis, and had to be kidnapped by a group of youth and pressured. A decade later, Aidit was recounting a different story: that it was now only Hatta who had opposed the immediate proclamation:

For the first time I would like to say that for a long time I have felt guilty for taking part in the movement to force Hatta [to] sign the 17 August 1945 Proclamation of Independence. Hatta since the beginning was stubbornly opposing the proclamation of the August Revolution. He fully hung the fate of Indonesian Independence on the mercy of Saiko Shikikan (Japanese High Army Command) that never arrived. [36]

3) The revolution would put some kind of pressure on the capitalists, taming them and rendering the transition to socialism peaceful.

The reporter for the Far Eastern Review magazine clearly had a better understanding of the class struggle than Aidit. He was insightful enough to ask Aidit what would happen should the national capitalists develop a class character and oppose any kind of socialism. To this, Aidit answered that the chastening effect [of the present revolution] would maintain a kind of revolutionary pressure on Indonesias national capitalists. He would soon find out that the revolution did not chasten the national capitalists. It did just the opposite. A mass revolutionary movement, as we saw in the period of 1955-1965, might deal a blow against the ruling class and disorient it momentarily, pressuring it to retreat and make some temporary concessions, but it would never quell its class instincts. Once the chastening effect of the revolution wore off, the bourgeoisie would hit back vengefully to make sure that the masses never dared to utter the word revolution again.

Aidits undying faith in the progressive national bourgeoisie led him to disaster / Image: Davidelit

What Aidit refused to understand is that a revolutionary period does not last forever, for the same reason that a society cannot be in the white heat of class struggle all the time. The toiling masses cannot be in a state of mobilisation day in and day out. They must see that the struggle will ultimately end in a fundamental change to their lives for the better. It was, in fact, truly amazing that the Indonesian masses remained in the throes of revolution for almost a decade. The tragedy was that their leadership could never lead them to the final conclusion of a revolution: the conquest of power. Thus, while it is true that a revolution might put pressure on the capitalists, forcing them to retreat, once the capitalists regroup and find their bearing, and once the revolution starts losing its momentum, the whole process will recoil violently.

Aidits undying faith in the progressive national bourgeoisie led him to theoretical twists and turns. In order not to scare away the bourgeoisie, he would have to convince not only them, but also himself and the whole working class of the peaceful path to socialism. Within a year of the above interview, an armed struggle did indeed erupt, but it proved to be a completely one-sided affair where the arms were concentrated in the hands of the ruling class, and the other side, the workers and peasants, were unarmed and unprepared, and were about to be led to the slaughterhouse in their millions without any resistance.

From the renunciation of mass revolutionary struggle for socialism, which had now been replaced by friendly consultation with the national bourgeoisie, it naturally flowed that the only acceptable method of struggle from the point of view of the PKI leaders was skilful political manoeuvring at the top.

Furthermore, since the working class, bound by their loyalty to the popular front with the national bourgeoisie, had been barred from taking power, their role had now been limited to attending mass rallies with all the fanfare involved.

The workers and peasants had been instructed not to take any direct actions that went beyond the national democratic revolution, which could be construed as striving for power and could scare away the national bourgeoisie. Mass actions such as strikes, factory occupations, land occupations, organisation of workers groups for self-defence, etc. were off limits.

Living through that period, anyone would have been amazed at the ability of the PKI to hold mass rallies of tens of thousands of people at will. But these mass rallies turned out to be paper tigers. They were more like large festivals, celebratory in nature. They were organised as a show of force to prop up the PKIs political manoeuvring at the top, not as a show of force for the working class to realise their own strength and ability to take power. Didnt the Second International also hold mass rallies of tens, if not hundreds of thousands?

Imagine the following scene. On 23 May 1965, at Indonesias largest stadium, the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which could hold 110,000 people sitting, the PKI held its 45th anniversary celebration. The stadium was filled to capacity. Another 100,000 supporters who couldnt get into the stadium were milling about outside in the parking lot and nearby streets. Red flags and big billboards of Marx, Engels and Lenin lined the streets of Jakarta. It was truly a glorious sight to behold. Just three weeks earlier, in the same stadium, the PKI had celebrated May Day in a similar fashion. The ruling class looked upon these mass gatherings of communists with fear. But as events would prove later on, the ruling class could count on the PKI leaders, with their mistaken theories, to hold back the movement from taking power. This was confirmed when the PKI, with its million-strong membership, crumbled to dust without any resistance in the face of reaction.

Prior to 1965, the PKI could hold mass rallies of tens of thousands of people at will. But these mass rallies turned out to be paper tigers / Image: public domain

By 1965, the political atmosphere had reached boiling point. Everyone could feel that a final showdown was imminent. Revolution or counter-revolution was on the order of the day. Joesoef Isak, a prominent journalist close to the PKI, just two months before the G30S, was informed by the party through his source that something big was about to happen:

I was told that in just a little while the whole situation would change. I understood that there would be a massive movement. It would be the final blow. I kept bugging the party [meaning his briefer, Nursuhud, a Central Committee member], asking when? You said in just a little while, well, its been a week, a month, and still nothing has happened. I kept going after the party, asking when... The party told me, We will raise the revolutionary actions all the way up to their peak. We will lynch the capitalist bureaucrats and the counter-revolutionaries. I asked, how are you going to do that? Descend into the streets, that was the story told to me, descend into the streets. We are going to go directly into the offices of the ministers, the directors general of government departments, and grab them. We are going to take Chairul Saleh [Sukarnos third deputy prime minister] out and dunk him in the Ciliwung river. [37]

Thus, the whole question of a decisive moment in a revolution was answered with a light-minded call to descend into the streets and dunk officials in a river. But of course, Isak and the workers as a whole would learn very quickly that there would be no descending into the streets or dunking officials for a final blow against the ruling classes. There was actually no plan at all that involved the masses, hence such a hand-waving response. It would be the workers in their hundreds of thousands who would end up descending into concentration camps and having their bodies dunked in the rivers, so numerous that stories abound of how rivers in Java were clogged by the sheer number of corpses.

We cannot here help but be reminded of the revolutionary phrase-mongering of the leaders of the Second International. In the years before the outbreak of the First World War, resolutions and announcements against the impending imperialist war from the Second International and its many national sections filled the air, announcing that they would turn the imperialist war into a class war to overthrow their respective governments. The congress of the Second International at Basel in November 1912 passed a manifesto that proclaimed: In case a war should break out anyway, it is their duty to intervene for its speedy termination and to strive with all their power to utilise the economic and political crisis created by the war to rouse the masses and thereby hasten the downfall of capitalist class rule. This turned out to be hollow, holiday speechifying. At the moment of truth in 1914, the Second International capitulated to the patriotic chauvinistic pressure and opened the way for some of the worst bloodletting of the working class ever seen.

In fact, the reformist leaders of the Second International had abandoned any thought of revolution, of taking power, and thus had to cover their reformist cowardice with chest-thumping revolutionary phrases. The matter was not much different with the PKIs hollow, revolutionary phrase-mongering, used to cover their reformist politics and refusal to lead workers into taking power. At a decisive moment, when Aidit and co. caught wind of a right-wing military plot, instead of issuing an open call to the masses for a general strike and to the rank-and-file soldiers to disarm reactionary officers, they resorted to a conspiratorial palace revolution. Aidit mobilised his clandestine organisation, known as the Special Bureau, to kidnap and physically remove anti-communist generals.

The Special Bureau was the PKIs clandestine organisation responsible for infiltrating the military. Known in the party as the Military Section of the Organizational Department, it was tasked with recruiting military members, maintaining networks of sympathetic military officers, and gaining valuable intelligence from them. Due to its nature, the detailed workings of this unit and its members were known only to Aidit and a select few party members in the top leadership.

There was nothing wrong in principle in operating a clandestine unit. Manoeuvring and trickery are part of politics as we aim to stay ahead of our class enemy. However, there is a danger in such manoeuvring when it involves losing sight of the working class who are to be the main motor force of revolution. Leon Trotsky spoke of the use of trickery in the October Revolution:

Resorting to trickery in politics, all the more so in revolution, is always dangerous. You will most likely fail to dupe the enemy, but the masses who follow you may be duped instead. Our trickery proved 100 percent successful  not because it was an artful scheme devised by wily strategists seeking to avoid a civil war, but because it derived naturally from the disintegration of the conciliationist regime with its glaring contradictions. [38]

The October Revolution was a mass movement, not a conspiratorial coup as bourgeois historians would like us to believe. The Bolsheviks never hid their intention to lead the masses toward the revolutionary seizure of power, and openly prepared the masses toward that aim. But there was an element of manoeuvring in it as well, where the Bolsheviks tricked their enemies, the conciliationists, into the trap of soviet legality, and to synchronise the seizure of power with the opening of the Second Soviet Congress. But, Trotsky added: they [the conciliationists] yearned to be deceived and we provided them with ample opportunity to gratify their desire. In short, like Trotsky said above, the trickery was successful because it derived naturally from the disintegration of the conciliationist regime with its glaring contradictions.

On the other hand, the 30th September Movement that was set in motion by the Special Bureau was an artful scheme devised by wily strategists seeking to avoid a civil war, and precisely because of that it proved not only 100 percent unsuccessful but also fatally catastrophic. The leadership of the PKI was doing everything they could to postpone the seizure of power by the toiling masses, to postpone class struggle in the name of national struggle, to avoid a civil war. If the PKI had mobilised the masses to defeat the anti-communist forces in the army, it would have meant setting in motion a revolution that could have ended up in the revolutionary seizure of power by the working class, a prospect that did not fit the PKIs aim of propping up the government of Sukarno. As such, the mobilisation of the Special Bureau to precipitate the 30th September Movement was not a whimsical irresponsible decision of Aidit aloneas many would like us to believebut naturally flowed from the whole political programme of the PKI since the beginning.

The method of the Special Bureau was a logical conclusion of the PKI policy of gradually eliminating anti-people elements and introducing more pro-people elements into the state. Aidit and his Special Bureau team imagined that they could neutralise the counter-revolutionary threat simply by replacing anti-communist generals with ones who were more sympathetic to the PKI, or at least neutral. Revolution was seen from a very administrative point of view instead of as a struggle of living forces.

It is instructive to briefly look at the character of Sjam, the leader of the Special Bureau, the man Aidit trusted to carry out the 30th September Movement. According to one former high-level member of the PKI, Sjam never read books and barely read the party literature... [cannot] be bothered with theory... he operates by a simple principle: follow Aidit... Sjam was a classic apparatchik... [who] would have grasped Machiavelli better than Marx. [39] Furthermore, captured in 1967, knowing that the party he served was now in ruins, Sjam betrayed many of his former comrades to save his own skin. This arch-Machiavellian justified his cowardice and treacherous actions by saying, Each person has a right to defend his right to life. Hence, the fate of the Indonesian revolution was left in the hands of this philistine, ignorant, and cowardly apparatchik. And yet Sjam was just an accidental figure expressing the necessity, a catastrophic necessity prepared by decades of Stalinist vulgarization of Marxism. His philistinism, ignorance, and cowardice were merely the faithful reflection of Stalinist theories of two-stage-revolution and the bloc of four classes.

The massacre: a multigenerational trauma

The 1965 massacre in Indonesia registers itself as one of the bloodiest events in the modern history of humanity. From late 1965 to mid-1966, hundreds of thousands of people accused of being directly or indirectly affiliated to the party were rounded up by the army and its supported militias and massacred. Mass graves littered the country, particularly in the islands of Java and Bali. Estimates of the death toll range from 100,000 to two million, with a consensus amongst historians that it is probably closer to 500,000. But as Robert Cribb says in his study How many deaths? [40] this estimate of half a million comes solely from a sense of moderate judgment [that] has nothing to do with accuracy and everything to do with scholarly and personal respectability and that it is chosen because it seems to register serious concern without requiring outrage. But only outrage is fitting for such a bloody defeat of the working-class movement.

Lieutenant General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, who led the annihilation operation (Operasi Penumpasan), was reported to have admitted that he oversaw the killing of three million PKI members. This number might be an exaggeration aimed at intimidating the people that the army is capable of committing an unheard-of atrocity against those who dare to defy them. But this figure is not without its merit. The Communist Party of Indonesia was a party of millions of members with deep roots in various layers of the toiling masses. Prior to its destruction it claimed three million members. It had under its wing many front groups of a mass character: Pemuda Rakyat (People's Youth) with 1.5 million members, SOBSI (Indonesian Centre of Workers' Organizations) with 3.8 million members (out of a total of seven million organized workers), the BTI (Peasants Front of Indonesia) with five million members, and Gerwani (Indonesian Women's Movement) with 750,000 members. [41] In short, about one in ten Indonesians was associated one way or another with the PKI, and to uproot this mass party and its influence, nothing short of a genocidal massacre was needed.

The 1965 massacre in Indonesia was one of the bloodiest events in modern history / Image: public domain

Furthermore, to destroy the largest communist party in the world outside China and the USSR required a certain brutality. The killing needed to inflict a national multi-generational trauma, to remind the working class that this was the price they would pay for daring to stand up and challenge capitalism. It was not just the number that would intimidate workers and peasants, but also the methods which were carefully chosen. Horrifying stories abound in many villages where these massacres happened: the piling of corpses onto rafts, the nailing of genitalia of male communists to shop fronts, beheadings, etc. The army and reactionary militias were particularly innovative in the act of killing when it came to the communists.

A news report in August 1966 by renowned Australian journalist and historian Frank Palmos, who was among the first foreigners in the world to witness the purge, had this to say about the killings:

At least 800,000 were killed in the area investigated. In the PKI triangle stronghold of Bojolali, Klaten and Solo, nearly one-third of the population is dead or missing. Farther east, in the 12-mile radius of Kediri, killing was abnormally high. Startling tolls took place in the residency of Banjumas, geographical centre of Java.

The news report continues:

Researchers added these points, believed to be contained in the various detailed but uncollated reports: Most of the killing was by militant youth groups, often appointed by military or village authorities. Youths were armed and encouraged by these authorities, and in the triangle area, were given drill and weapons training. Once the killing started, the youths were uncontrollable. Scores of champion killers were found. One boy interviewed killed 135, then lost count. Beheading was the most common form of killing, but for large scale executions shooting was normal. Killing was invariably late at night, far away from villages where the victims lived. Although thousands of women were killed, almost none were raped or abused before being put to death. [42]

The latter account about the absence of rape and sexual abuse of women victims was later discredited by testimonies of survivors. It has now been established beyond doubt that sexual violence was a reality for most of the women victims of the 1965-66 massacres, as much as it was used as a method of intimidation.

Another personal witness account by Robert Macklin, a journalist for the Australian newspaper The Age, provided a vivid detailed picture of the killings he and his wife witnessed in Denpasar, Bali:

The man's screaming and the gathering of a large crowd of school children from a nearby playing field attracted us to the army headquarters post. A Communist was being interrogated in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Indonesia, on the ground floor verandah. We stood silently with the children as the man was bashed and dragged away We do not know how many Communists were killed but it is plain that Communism as a political force in Indonesia is at least temporarily finished. The way of its going was a brutal one. We saw four villages where every adult male had been killed. We saw trucks of villagers returning to the hills after making trips to the compound where they were given a ration of Communists to kill. We saw mass graves in each of which up to 10 Communist men and women had been packed after being stabbed to death. We saw literally hundreds of houses which had been burned to the ground. [43]

More accounts of gory violence have been documented since the fall of Suharto and they are not for the weak-hearted. The ruling class of all epochs have always been characterised by their vicious brutality against those who dare to defy them. The Roman Empire, after crushing the Spartacus slave uprising, had 6,000 slaves crucified along the 200-km Appian Way that connected Rome and Capua. The Paris Communards were executed by the thousands. Vae victis!Woe to the vanquished! The history of class societies is soaked in the blood of those ruled and defeated.

The crushing of the PKI was a massive victory for the forces of imperialism / Image: public domain

The crushing of the PKI and the accompanying massacre was a massive victory for the forces of imperialism, as the Indonesian revolution was at the forefront of a movement against U.S. imperialism. Indonesia was the biggest and most decisive domino piece in Southeast Asia. With the removal of the PKI, the threat of a communist tide in the region was greatly reduced. Time magazine reported it as the best news for the West in Asia for many years, while The New York Times offered the headline A glimmer of light in Asia. The Liberal Party Prime Minister of Australia at the time, Harold Holt, summed up the sentiment shared amongst world leaders when he addressed his colleagues at the River Club in New York in July 1966: With 500,000 to one million Communist sympathisers knocked off, I think it is safe to assume a reorientation has taken place. [44]

The party paralysed

The PKI was never ready for revolution, and for exactly that reason it was not ready for a counter-revolution. It was completely paralysed in the face of reaction. The wave of violence against PKI members that swept the nation met no resistance at all, except in a few isolated PKI strongholds.

Seeing the collapse of the 30th September Movement, Aidit immediately left Jakarta and flew to Central Java where the party had the strongest base. But he did not give any order to the party as to what to do. He remained undergroundincommunicado until his arrest and summary execution two months laterand patiently waited for Sukarno to stabilise the situation, in accordance with the party programme of remaining under his guardianship. Once again, Aidit was afraid to call the masses to action to resist the army. He could have issued an order to the railway workers to halt trains carrying Suhartos troops; to mechanics to sabotage army jeeps, trucks, and tanks; to peasants to block roads to and from army barracks; to party members and workers to form self-defence militias and arm themselves; to sympathetic rank-and-file soldiers to turn their guns against their commanding officers. With such calls Suhartos troops would have melted away. But all this would have meant going onto an offensive, transcending the limits of national democratic revolution toward the dictatorship of the proletariat. It would have meant Trotskyism: a sin far greater than anything else in the eyes of Stalinists.

Other PKI leaders were also equally paralysed. Njoto and Lukmanmembers of the Politburomet with Sukarno at the cabinet meeting on 6 October. Sukarno urged the PKI to remain calm, that he wouldin his usual Bonapartist mannertake care of everything and protect the party from the army. This urging to remain calm meant that the PKI should not call the masses to resist the White Terror unleashed by Suhartos army. Njoto and Lukman, and the rest of the PKI leadership, were hoping that Sukarno would use his authority to rein in Suharto, but it turned out that the emperor had no clothes.

The PKI was never ready for revolution, and was not ready for a counter-revolution / Image: public domain

In fact, on the day previous to this cabinet meeting, the PKI Politburo had already issued a statement declaring its support for the guidelines laid down by Sukarno for solving the problem and called on all members and followers to help carry out the terms of the presidents message. [45] Thus, while the army and reactionary militias were rounding up the Communists, the PKI leadership instructed the masses to obey Sukarno, and the latter told the masses to remain calm, which effectively disarmed them. As a consequence, in the initial months, many Communists willingly turned themselves in to army installations and police stations, believing that Sukarno would protect them. They believed all the pronouncements from their leaders and Sukarno that the PKI as an institution had nothing to do with the 30th September Movement, and thus if they were innocent there was no reason to hide. They did not expect to be detained indefinitely, and were never to be heard from again.

One by one, PKI leaders went into hiding while still hoping that Sukarno would sort everything out like the great arbiter they believed him to be. The leadership was, for all intents and purposes, deactivated. The millions of people who followed the PKI could not hide and were left in confusion without any leadership. The following account by a PKI member and wife of a Central Committee functionary provides an illustrative example of how paralysed the party and their cadres were:

After September 30, we went on with our work for some days in the normal manner, but no one with whom we came in contact was able to inform us as to what happened or what we expected to do. As the atmosphere in Jakarta grew worse, we just sat at home and waited for instructions. My husband had been given no guidance about what to do in such an eventuality. We did not expect things to turn out so badly; we thought there would be a setback for the party but that eventually it would be sorted out by Sukarno. That is why the party disintegrated. There were no orders, and no one knew who to turn to or who to trust, since arrests had started and we knew there had been betrayals. ... [Party leaders] sent words to wait. [46]

And they waited and waited for some salvation, and the only thing that came was their turn to be slaughtered. If this was how a party functionary in Jakarta felt, one can only imagine the utter confusion amongst hundreds of thousands of rank-and-file members of the PKI in the regions and the millions of non-party workers and peasants who supported the PKI. They were fed with the illusion that eventually it would be sorted out by Sukarno, an illusion that bound them hand and foot ready to be delivered to Suharto the executioner.

At that same cabinet meeting, Sukarno proposed that all newspapers, including the PKIs Harian Rajat (Peoples Daily), should be allowed to resume publication. The military refused to permit this, and with that single act of defiance the army showed who really held power. Over the next two years we witness similar stories repeated again and again: Sukarno making bombastic statements from his presidential palace with his usual flair, making bold orders to restore his authority and undermine the army, and the army general staff simply refusing and strengthening their position every step of the way. There was nothing that The Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forces could do. In March 1967, he formally surrendered his power to Suharto, power that he had lost de facto immediately after G30S. Sukarno was simply kept as a titular president, long enough to lull and disarm the communists.

The heaviness of the defeat of the Indonesian proletariat lies not only in the fact of the brutality of the militarys bloodletting, but alsoand perhaps more importantlyin the paralysis and inability of its leadership, the PKI, to offer any resistance. The latters kowtowing to the national bourgeoisie had robbed the proletariat of its class vigilance and its fighting capacity. The mass rallies often displayed in years before the G30S turned out to be hollow and for show only.

Much has been said about the systematic, brainwashing propaganda machine and the terror the New Order launched that created todays deep-seated anti-communist sentiment that penetrated deeply into the psyche of the masses. But this was only possible because of the grave disappointment the masses had in the PKI, whose false policy literally led millions to the butchering house. The false policy of the leadership of the PKI was responsible for sullying the banner of communism in the eyes of the Indonesian toiling masses for generations, who had looked upon their leaders to lead them not to a bloody reaction, but to a victorious revolution.

Moving forward

A party tempers itself by learning from its mistakes. Even after committing a disastrous mistake, a party can still maintain its core cadres and rebuild its forces if it is capable of drawing all the necessary lessons and charting a new course to reorient itself in a new situation that it finds itself. But those are the two things that the PKI found itself wanting.

Sudisman, one of the main leaders of the PKI who managed to go underground before being captured in 1967, wrote a self-criticism document while in hiding. [11] The document identifies one of the main mistakes of the leadership of the PKI, him included, which is entrusting the fate of the Party and the revolutionary movement to the policy of President Sukarno. This is correct, but he still deemed to be absolutely correct the policy of forming a united front with the national bourgeoisie. Sudisman reiterated many times that the party still had to make continuous efforts to win the national bourgeoisie over to the side of the revolution. He imagined that it was possible for the proletariat to form a united front with the national bourgeoisie without undermining its own class independence. What he could not understand was that in order to win over the national bourgeoisie as an additional ally in the peoples democratic revolution the proletariat and its party would have to subordinate class struggle to the interests of the bourgeois class. You cannot have one without the other.

The only solution to the problems of Indonesian society lies in the struggle for the dictatorship of proletariat  or genuine workers democracy to express its true meaning  under a clean banner of class independence, drawing behind it the poor peasants. The workers have to be taught to never trust the bourgeoisie and keep their banners separate from those of their class enemies. Such is the necessary lesson that should have been drawn by the PKI, but alas Sudisman, as the only surviving senior Politburo member at that time, could not even see this.

By refusing to break with Sukarno, the PKI left themselves defenceless against Suharto / Image: public domain

Sudisman then turned to what he thought to be organisational weaknesses that allowed for this Right opportunism to take hold of the party: lack of critical attitude towards the leadership, the lack of courage to express a stand that was not in disagreement with the line followed by the leadership and lack of freedom to express the views and feelings of the cadres. But all of these were the natural conditions of a party educated and nurtured in the methods of Stalinism. Communist party leaders all over the world could not pretend to be blind to the fact that Stalin and Mao Zedong, whom they regarded as paragons of Marxism-Leninism, employed the crudest methods of expulsion, intimidation, and physical extermination to deal with anyone who dared to harbor critical attitudes against the infallible wisdom of the leadership. These methods are at odds with genuine Bolshevism, with the healthy internal democracy of the Party of Lenin and Trotsky, where sharp disagreements were debated openly, without fear of repercussions. Stalinist methods had been exported to every Communist Party around the world for decades, and served as a filter to select party leaders who would be uncritical yes-men and women, and utterly bureaucratic in the way they dealt with any disagreement. Sudisman was such a bureaucrat, who for decades had never even once raised any opposition to Aidit but then suddenly found that the party leadership had been committing errors in all fundamental questions. Such hindsight is truly cheap.

Sudisman now appealed for party democracy, to make the question of the principal means and the main form of struggle of the Indonesian revolution a problem which concerned the whole Party... [not just] a problem which concerned a few persons among the leadership and certain cadres in the Party. But party democracy is not a well of wisdom that can be drawn on at any moment. Neither is it a panacea that can be summoned at ones convenience to correct mistakes of the leadership. If the leaders are already embarking on an incorrect course, thus drawing behind them the whole party toward the same direction, it would be folly to expect that party democracy could somehow instantly correct the course. One would fall into crude democratism. A party can break from the mistakes of the old leadership only if it has inherited from the previous period strong revolutionary cadres that can counterpose themselves to the old leadership. A new leadership cannot be improvised at will, but is a product of a drawn-out struggle inside the party, a result of a healthy party regime, which was precisely what was lacking in all the Stalinist parties.

The self-criticism document then charted a new course for the party, and it was an equally disastrous course that bore no connection at all with reality. Sudisman called on the party members to begin organising peasant armed struggle along the lines of the Maoist peasant army and to turn their attention to transform the backward Indonesian villages into great and consolidated military, political and cultural bastions of revolution, or soviet zones. In the usual zigzag manner, which was characteristic of all Stalinists, after burning their fingers with the opportunist policy of the peaceful road toward socialism the leadership now swung in the opposite direction and adopted the ultra-leftist madness of armed struggle of the peasants. Nothing of the sort ever materialised. Party organisations in the rural areas had already been smashed and rural populations were mobilised by the reaction to turn against the PKI. It was mainly in the rural areas where massacres of unheard-of brutality unfolded. The immediate task ahead should have been to retreat in good order, slowly reorganise underground party organizations that would open the possibilities of establishing legal and semi-legal work amongst the masses, and putting forward democratic slogans against the rising regime of military dictatorship (freedom of press, free elections, trade union legality, etc.) while maintaining working class independence and exposing the constitutional and democratic illusions of the petty-bourgeois reformists.

Sudisman also underestimated the extent of the reaction:

The military dictatorship of the Right-wing army generals which is now in power is also a paper tiger. In appearance they are powerful and terrifying. But in reality they are not so powerful, because they are not supported but, on the contrary, are opposed by the people.

The military had won decisively. With the blood of hundreds of thousands of Communist cadres on their hands they were a real tiger, not a paper tiger. Through their systematic propaganda machine, the army had mobilised a significant layer of the people against the PKI. A certain period of economic and political stabilisation was on the order of the day. Believing in the fantasy that the enemy was weak, Sudisman imagined that he could arouse the demoralised party members. He continued this fantasy by making the following absurd assertion:

From the strategic point of view, imperialism and all reactionaries are weak and consequently we must belittle them. By belittling the enemies strategically, we can build up the courage to fight them and the confidence to defeat them... The vicious and savage massacre and torture against the hundreds of thousands of Communists and democrats which they are still continuing today, will not be able to prevent the people and the Communists from rising up in resistance. On the contrary, all the brutalities and cruelties will certainly arouse the tit-for-tat resistance struggle of the people. (Our emphasis)

The massacre of hundreds of thousands of Communist cadres resulted in a multigenerational trauma, a historical shock to the consciousness of the people. It did not arouse the masses for a tit-for-tat resistance struggle but demoralised them for decades to come.

This self-criticism sealed the fate of the PKI as the revolutionary party of the proletariat. Instead of correcting its past mistakes, it piled up even more mistakes. It charted a new course  peasant armed struggle and the establishment of Soviet zones  that was at odds with reality. It underestimated the military dictatorship and the extent of the defeat suffered by the working class.

The young generation of Marxists in Indonesia today must be taught the lessons of 1965, i.e. the treacherous class-collaborationist policy of a united front with the bourgeoisie  or with the so-called progressive bourgeoisie as opposed to the reactionary or comprador bourgeoisie  that robbed the proletariat of its class independence and completely disarmed it, rendering it ill-equipped to lead a victorious revolution and opening the way to bloody reaction. This class-collaborationist policy comes in many forms and terms: revolutionary united front of all anti-imperialist and anti-feudal classes and groups, democratic peoples state, peoples democratic revolution, new-type bourgeois democratic revolution, but they serve the same purpose of undermining class struggle and subordinating the interests of the proletariat to those of the bourgeoisie. It is an expensive lesson paid dearly by the Indonesian working class, and we should honour their sacrifice  albeit a truly unnecessary sacrifice which was the result of a treacherous leadership  by investing the necessary time and resources to learn tOzlem Cekics email inbox has been full of hate mail since 2007, when she won a seat in the Danish Parliament  becoming the first female Muslim to do so. At first she just deleted the emails, dismissing them as the work of fanatics, until one day a friend made an unexpected suggestion: to reach out to the hate mail writers and invite them to meet for coffee. Hundreds of "dialogue coffee" meetings later, Cekic shares how face-to-face conversation can be one of the most powerful forces to disarm hate  and challenges us all to engage with people we disagree with.

Watch now  https://ted.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=ce712489fa&e=d3135666a2This year, Montana took a leap toward bringing the Next Generation Science Standards to the states K-12 teachers by kicking off its first state science teachers conference.

This pilot meeting brought together more than 100 of the states top educators, who shared best practices with the teaching community. One of these experts was Natalia Kolnik, a native of Bozeman, Montana, who leads education programs at the Childrens Museum of Bozeman. Her program stood out among attendees (including us) not just because her programs involved designing missions to Mars, but also because of her commitment to making connections with scientists in the area. We caught up with Kolnik to learn more about how, with the help of local companies  including some that have produced components for JPL missions  she turned a JPL lesson into an exploration of careers in STEM.

By Brandon Rodriguez

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/2018/10/5/montana-educator-brings-mars-lesson-close-to-home/The Russian delegation also praised Egypt's handling of public acceptance regarding the project

A Russian delegation has praised Egypt's administration of the Dabaa nuclear power plant file during a visit to Marsa Matrouh governorate Wednesday.

The high level visit of a delegation of Russian city mayors aims at exchanging expertise between the Russian and Egyptian sides and also discussed public acceptance of constructing the Dabaa plant.

Amgad Al-Wakil, head of the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, affirmed keenness on exchanging expertise between Cairo and Moscow in this field, affirming Russia is a strategic partner at all levels.

The Russian delegation hailed Egyptians steps taken so far in the construction of the Dabaa plant and also praised Egypt's handling of public acceptance regarding the project.

"Egypt has surpassed the level of public acceptance of the project to the level of encouragement by the general Egyptian public, which positively affects the progress of the project in general," Al-Wakil said.

Moscow and Cairo signed an agreement in 2015 for Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Egypt, with Russia extending a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction.

In December 2017, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attended in Cairo the signing of the agreement that officially marked the launch of the power plant project.

The 4,800 megawatt (MW) capacity, the first out of four plants at Dabaa in the north of the country, aims to be up and running by 2026, while the other three are set to complete by 2028.

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An Egyptian military court in Ismailia has sentenced to death in absentia eight members of the terrorist group Daesh for involvement in 2016 attacks on military personnel and checkpoints, personnel and equipment, which killed 14 military personnel.

The court also sentenced 32 defendants to life, two others to 15 years in prison and acquitted two in the same case.

The defendants were charged with attacking military personnel and checkpoints, murder of 14 military personnel, and the attempted murder of 16 military personnel.

The court said that those convicted have used firearms, explosives and projectiles to carry out their attacks.

In February 2018, the Egyptian army launched Operation Sinai 2018, involving land, naval and air forces, as well as the police and border guards, targeting "terrorist and criminal elements and organisations" in northern and central Sinai, as well as parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert.

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Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Jeff Sessions has resigned as attorney general effective immediately after being asked to do so by President Trump.



"At your request, I am submitting my resignation," Sessions wrote in an undated letter to the president.



"Since the day I was honored to be sworn in as Attorney General of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country," Sessions wrote. "I have done so to the best of my ability, working to support the fundamental legal processes that are the foundation of justice."



On Twitter, Trump thanked Sessions for his service and announced that Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew G. Whitaker, will serve as acting attorney general and that a permanent replacement will take place at a later date.



Whitaker in a statement called Sessions as a dedicated public servant and said he is committed to leading the Justice Department with the "highest ethical standards."



"It is a true honor that the President has confidence in my ability to lead the Department of Justice as Acting Attorney General. I am committed to leading a fair Department with the highest ethical standards, that upholds the rule of law, and seeks justice for all Americans. I will work with our colleagues in Federal, State, local, and tribal leadership, including our partners in law enforcement and our U.S. Attorneys, to ensure the safety of all Americans and the security of the nation," the statement read. "Attorney General Sessions has been a dedicated public servant for over 40 years. It has been a privilege to work under his leadership. He is a man of integrity who has served this nation well."



Sessions left the Justice Department Wednesday afternoon after meeting with staff. About 150 people, including many longtime career attorneys, clapped as he walked out, gave him a thumbs up, and shook hands.



During a lengthy press conference Wednesday morning, Trump declined to say what staff changes he had planned, but said it was "no great secret" that "a lot of administrations make changes after midterms." Trump was specifically asked by a reporter about chief of staff John Kelly.



"I will say that for the most part, I'm very, very happy with this cabinet," Trump said.



Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wished Sessions well after learning of his resignation Wednesday afternoon.



"I thank Jeff Sessions for his dedicated service as Attorney General. Throughout his career, as a prosecutor, a Senator and as Attorney General, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the rule of law and his love of our great nation. I wish him well and look forward to working with him in any future endeavors," McConnell said.



But House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi slammed the move as an attempt to quash the Russia probe.



"It is impossible to read Attorney General Sessions firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by @realDonaldTrump to undermine & end Special Counsel Muellers investigation," Pelosi tweeted. "Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Muellers investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts."



But Democratic Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, called for an investigation into the timing of Sessions' resignation.



"There are many, many reasons to remove Attorney General Sessions -- from his failure to disclose his communications with the Russians to his inhumane policy of separating children from their parents at the border -- but one reason that is not acceptable is to interfere with or obstruct the Mueller investigation," Cummings said.



"President Trump waited until just hours after the midterm elections to make this move, which had been rumored for months. Congress must now investigate the real reason for this termination, confirm that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is recused from all aspects of the Special Counsels probe, and ensure that the Department of Justice safeguards the integrity of the Mueller investigation," Cummings added.



Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, also called for accountability.



"Americans must have answers immediately as to the reasoning behind @realDonaldTrump removing Jeff Sessions from @TheJusticeDept. Why is the President making this change and who has authority over Special Counsel Muellers investigation? We will be holding people accountable," Nadler tweeted.



A DOJ spokeswoman said that Whitaker does not need to be sworn in and is therefore already the acting attorney general.



Tensions developed between Trump and Sessions in March 2017, when Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein took over.



Rosenstein soon appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to oversee the Russia probe, angering the president.



Federal law makes clear that a special counsel is overseen by the attorney general, so Whitaker will now oversee the probe. Whitaker has publicly criticized the probe in the past, including in an August 2017 op-ed for CNN.



"I've prosecuted several financial crimes at the federal level and I've also defended plenty in my private practice. From this unique vantage point, I can understand how a motivated prosecutor, in a broad investigation into the financial affairs of high-profile individuals, can become overzealous toward the targets of such probes -- with calamitous results," Whitaker wrote at the time. "While no one is above the law, in situations such as this, any seasoned prosecutor must use discretion both judiciously and expertly."



"It is time for Rosenstein, who is the acting attorney general for the purposes of this investigation, to order Mueller to limit the scope of his investigation to the four corners of the order appointing him special counsel," Whitaker added.



Following Sessions' resignation, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the probe.



"Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general," Schumer said in a statement.



Schumer later tweeted that: "Clearly, the President has something to hide."



Previously, Trump would not say whether Sessions -- who he has repeatedly criticized throughout his tenure -- would be safe in his job after the midterm elections.



"I just would love to have him do a great job," Trump told Bloomberg News on Aug. 30.



"Id love to have him look at the other side," Trump added, underscoring his demand for Sessions to reopen the investigation into Hillary Clinton and the origins of the Russia investigation.



Earlier in August, in an interview with Fox News, Trump lashed out at Sessions, saying he failed to take control of the Department of Justice.



In his most forceful public rebuke to date, Sessions hit back shortly after, saying he "will not be improperly influenced by political considerations."



Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close Trump confidante, predicted Sessions would be out of his job in the near future, but insisted Trump should wait until after November's midterm elections.



"The presidents entitled to an attorney general he has faith in, somebody thats qualified for the job, and I think there will come a time, sooner rather than later, where it will be time to have a new face and a fresh voice at the Department of Justice," Graham said at the time. "Clearly, Attorney General Sessions doesnt have the confidence of the president."



Trump repeatedly called on Sessions to end the Russia probe on Twitter and TV interviews.



"..This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!" Trump tweeted on Aug. 1.



Sessions was the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse then-candidate Trump.



Sessions parlayed that support to become attorney general, a role he held at the state level in Alabama.



The president's priorities and Sessions' mirrored each other. Both tough on immigration, the opioid crisis, and crime, both men have a pro-law enforcement perspective.



Aside from the president lashing out at him, Sessions' tenure as attorney general has largely been focused on carrying out the policies of the administration and most notably, the zero-tolerance immigration policy which lead to the separation of families on the U.S.-Mexico border.



When Sessions announced the policy in May, he warned those coming to the country illegally that the administration would prosecute them.



"I have put in place a 'zero tolerance' policy for illegal entry on our Southwest border. If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. Its that simple. If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law," he said at an event in San Diego.



The policy was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike.



Sessions also sent more judges and prosecutors to the southern border to help with processing illegal border crossers.



In his resignation letter, Sessions described restoring and upholding the "rule of law" as his most important legacy as attorney general. "We have operated with integrity and have lawfully and aggressively advanced the policy agenda of this administration," Sessions wrote.



He called his work implementing the "law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law" a "central part" of Trump's campaign for presidency.



Sessions also thanked the "fabulous men and women in law enforcement," calling it his greatest honor to serve alongside them.



The attorney general also focused on pro-law enforcement priorities and often echoed the president in touting law enforcement's objectives.



"Let me say this loud and clear: as long as I am the Attorney General of the United States, the Department of Justice will have the back of all honest and honorable law enforcement officers," Sessions said at the 25th Annual Top Cops Awards in May.



Sessions was also a regular steward for rigorous opioid prosecution. Just recently, in Cleveland, Sessions announced four opioid cases, each targeting the selling and distribution of opioids, something that he stressed was important to the president.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.MPs said that although the law has not yet gone into effect, they welcome any amendments reached through national dialogue

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi took all by surprise when he announced on Monday that he supports amending a controversial NGO law passed in 2016.

On the second day of the World Youth Forum on Monday, held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh between 3 and 6 November, participant Yostina Tharwat appealed to El-Sisi to invoke his constitutional powers to request a revision of the NGO law passed by parliament at the end of 2016, which she said has caused a lot of controversy.

El-Sisi's surprising answer was "I agree that some fears had led some articles of this law to be issued in a flawed way.

"I suggest that a committee be formed to hold hearing sessions on the NGO law and that state authorities move to submit an amended version to parliament," El-Sisi said.

The president pointed out that there are more than 50,000 NGOs and civil society organisations operating in Egypt and are doing superb work, adding that the state is keen to ensure that the law regulating their activities is balanced and lets them operate efficiently and effectively.

At the end of the forum on Tuesday, El-Sisi declared the adoption of 10 resolutions, at the top of which is holding a comprehensive national dialogue on amending the NGO law.

El-Sisi said the cabinet will be entrusted with forming a committee comprising the ministries of social solidarity, foreign affairs, and other concerned parties, particularly the National Council for Human Rights and civil society organisations, to create a new version of the NGO law.

"This committee should forge a new comprehensive vision on the law regulating the performance of NGOs in Egypt, taking the experiences of other countries in this respect into account, and holding a national dialogue on the proposed amendments, provided that young people participate in this dialogue,"El-Sisi said, adding that "the amendments should be submitted to parliament in the end."

The NGO law, passed in November 2016 and ratified by El-Sisi in May 2017, triggered criticism in some foreign countries, particularly in the US Congress, where some members demanded part of America's economic assistance to Egypt be withheld to protest legislation that they described as repressive and undermining of the activities of NGOs.

Although MPs said they welcome any amendments to the law, they agreed that the law has not yet gone into effect, so one cannot say that some of its articles are flawed.

Mohamed El-Ghoul, a member of parliament's human rights committee, told Ahram Online that the law was mainly drafted by parliament's social solidarity committee.

"When it was passed in November 2016, it was keen to make a balance between national security concerns and freedom of civil society activities," El-Ghoul said, adding that "the executive regulations of the NGO law have not yet been finalised."

"So, the view of many MPs is let us wait until the regulations are finalised and the law goes into implementation so that we can judge whether some of its articles are flawed or whether prove restrictive to civil society activities," El-Ghoul said.

El-Ghoul said "President El-Sisi was not clear on what articles of the law are flawed, but maybe he has information that we do not have, and as a result he has asked for amending the law."

"El-Sisi is acting as a president who has all the information necessary on national security, and so he believes amending the NGOs will serve Egypt's national security in the coming stage," said El-Ghoul, adding that "of course MPs will welcome any amendments that serve the higher interests of Egypt."

Samir Ghattas, a political analyst and an independent MP, also told Ahram Online that "the NGO law drew a lot of criticism in Western circles, particularly in the United States."

"All state officials, at the top of whom is President El-Sisi, took note of this criticism, which led at one point to negatively impacting the relationship between Egypt and the United States," Ghattas said, adding that "upon this fact, and as President El-Sisi views the relationship with America as strategic, he has decided that the law should be amended to contain Western criticism in this respect."

"It is no secret that several US Congress members, particularly the late Senator John McCain, directed scathing criticism at the law, taking it as a proof that the regime is repressive," Ghattas said.

Ghattas agrees that "amending the law, which was drafted mainly by parliament's social solidarity committee, could come in a more balanced way if government experts intervened to draft the law in a way more responsive to internal and external concerns."

When the NGO law was approved by parliament in November 2016, MPs focused on the necessity of taking national security concerns into account.

They, led by Abdel-Hadi El-Qasabi, head of the social solidarity committee and currently chairman of the parliamentary majority Support Egypt coalition, said that the law should mainly address the issue of NGOs obtaining foreign funding.

"The foreign money granted to NGOs operating in Egypt has always been a source of funding terrorists and subversive activities," El-Qasabi said.

During a visit to the United States in the summer of 2017, parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal told a number of congress members that the new NGO is not sacrosanct and can be changed.

Abdel-Aal also said that the law mainly targets NGOs using foreign money to fund terrorist organisations or political activities that seek to spread chaos and undermine the state.

El-Qasabi told Ahram Online in an interview last month that the NGO law supports the work of credible NGOs and targets only those organisations seeking to use foreign money in an illegal way.

"The law states that a national council regulating the performance of foreign NGOs be set up to supervise foreign NGOs in terms of licensing, work and activities," El-Qasabi said, asking "why do some refuse to be supervised by this council as long as they receive their money from legal sources and intend to use it in development activities?"

Abdel-Moneim El-Oleimi, an independent MP, indicated that El-Sisi, as president of Egypt, is authorised by Article 123 of the constitution to refer laws back to parliament.

"This happened two weeks ago when President El-Sisi sent a law regulating clinical trials and medical research back to parliament," El-Oleimi said.

El-Oleimi said "there might be bureaucratic and financial difficulties facing the drafting of the law's executive regulations and that President El-Sisi took note of this, so he recommended the law be amended but only via a national dialogue."

Haitham El-Hariri, a leading member of parliaments leftist 25-30 bloc, also told Ahram Online that "the NGO law adopted a skeptical view towards NGOs."

"As a result, it imposed a lot of restrictions in the way of setting up a NGO upon the grounds of safeguarding national security, El-Hariri said.

"We hope this view will change and that the new amendments contain the objections raised by NGOs or even reach common ground with them, El-Hariri said, adding that "the law drafted by the Ministry of Social Solidaritys committee, which was rejected by parliament, could be more balanced and go in line with international conventions on civil society and human rights organisations."

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The World Youth Forum provided an opportunity to set the record straight on multiple fronts

After months of preparation the second World Youth Forum took place this week despite a bloody terrorist attack which claimed the lives of seven Coptic Christians.

The decision to continue with the annual event was intended to show the resilience of Egyptians and their determination to face down terrorism.

The event brought together 5,000 young people from 165 countries. The Sharm El-Sheikh Conference Hall was a beehive of positive energy as the young delegates moved between sessions discussing topics that ranged from terrorism to cinema and social media.

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi seized the event to comment on a roster of controversial and pressing issues, including the fall-out from the Arab Spring, rotation of power in Egypt, the terrorist attacks against Copts and religious reform.

In Egypt the state does not discriminate. The killing of any Egyptian citizen in a terrorist attack hurts us all and all Egyptians condemn any attempt to target a place of worship, whether it is a mosque or a church, said Al-Sisi.

He noted that parliament has recently passed a long-awaited law regulating the building of churches.

This law came after 150 years to finally settle the critical issue of building churches. Before the law the state was involved only in the building of mosques but now it is responsible for building both churches and mosques, particularly in new cities and communities, said Al-Sisi.

Every citizen has the right to worship or not to worship what he or she likes. Religious beliefs are a personal matter and every citizen is free. The state should not interfere in this.

Al-Sisi highlighted the importance of reforming religious discourse, arguing that it is one of the most essential tasks facing Egypt, the region and the Islamic world.

It is no longer viable for people to adhere to interpretations and thoughts that were correct 1,000 years ago.

Al-Sisi argued that religious reform is central to achieving social peace. This is an essential issue in Egypt because it will save society from internal conflicts, he said.

During one session Al-Sisi offered his thoughts on the 2011 uprising in Egypt, saying that many people in the Middle East had revolted in the hope of reforming their countries.

But in the end, he continued, they paid an enormous price in the form of chaos, suffering huge losses. Had they opted for the status quo they would have lost far less.

Haphazard change results in a vacuum which only evil people will move to fill, said Al-Sisi, and even if people were unhappy with their former rulers they should not have moved in such a destructive way to impose change.

Speaking directly about Egypt he said that at some point Egyptians decided they could reverse the status quo without careful study but when they did this they opened the door to chaos and gave groups which were living among us the opportunity to use arms to usurp power.

He warned against listening to empty slogans which only lead to destruction as has been seen in Yemen, Syria and Iraq where millions have paid with their lives.

Al-Sisi defended Egypts position on the crisis in Yemen, saying that the conflict in the war-ravaged country is much more complex than a struggle between the government and the Houthis.

Egypt chose not to interfere in the Yemeni crisis because the war in Yemen is a proxy war in which other countries are involved.

Egypt is very much aware of its limits and its strengths and its position towards Yemen is based on the knowledge that it cannot influence some of the parties involved in the conflict.

The same applies to other regional hotspots, including Syria, Libya and Afghanistan, where the conflicts threaten to spill beyond borders and form a fertile breeding ground for terror.

Al-Sisi warned that terrorist elements in Syria will seek to infiltrate other fragile areas in the Middle East, undermining the security of neighbouring states, including European countries.

I hope that there will be an end to all these conflicts so that the people of these countries are able to live in security and peace, he said.

The forum afforded an opportunity for Al-Sisi to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time in almost a year and attempt to push forward talks on Palestinian reconciliation, agreement over a ceasefire with Israel and the possible commencement of comprehensive peace talks.

Al-Sisi stated that the Egyptian position remained constant  a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital alongside an Israeli state in a framework that preserves the security of the two countries  and insisted Arab states were in no position to impose any solution on the Palestinians.

Al-Sisi warned against the politicising of legal issues and interference in judicial decisions, citing as an example the criticism levelled by some European countries against death sentences passed by Egyptian courts against terrorists who had attacked churches and mosques.

Although Egyptian law allows for the death penalty the court rulings were rejected by countries that oppose capital punishment. While we respect that ..., he said, we also ask them to respect the will of the Egyptian nation and its desire to protect its own security.

Al-Sisi said he supported Saudi Arabia because he wants to protect the stability of all nations in a region that cannot bear any more turmoil.

Conflicts in Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions and as a consequence Egypt will stand firm in supporting the national security of Arabian Gulf countries.

If such countries faced any danger it is all the Egyptian people, and not just the president, who will move to defend our brothers because it is a matter of Arab national security.

Forum participant Yostina Tharwat appealed to Al-Sisi to use his constitutional powers to request a revision of the NGO law passed by parliament at the end of 2016 which she said had caused a lot of controversy.

I agree that some fears led this law to be issued in a flawed way, he replied.

I suggest that a committee be formed to hold hearing sessions on the NGO law and that state authorities move to submit an amended version to parliament.

Al-Sisi pointed out there are more than 50,000 NGOs and civil society organisations operating in Egypt and doing superb work and said the state is keen to ensure the law regulating their activities is balanced and lets them operate efficiently and effectively.

The NGO law, passed in November 2016 and ratified by the president in May 2017, triggered criticism in foreign circles, particularly in the US Congress where some members demanded part of Americas economic assistance to Egypt be withheld to protest legislation which they described as repressive and undermining of the activities of NGOs.

Amr Hashim Rabie, a political analyst with Al-Ahram, told Al-Ahram Weekly that it was positive to see President Al-Sisi listening to critical views on laws passed by parliament and responding to them.

Although the law was drafted by MPs to prioritise national security concerns many now realise the law was overly restrictive and should be amended, said Rabie.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Messages from Egypt

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Africa must engage its young people for the continent to change

Africa is a youthful continent and we need to facilitate the creation of jobs to help the young achieve their ambitions in development and empowerment, said Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri in his address before the Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want session at this weeks World Youth Forum.

The African Unions 2063 Agenda is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.

During the session Shoukri underlined the importance of Agenda 2063 in enabling African youth formulate sustainable development plans.

During next years Egyptian presidency of the African Union we look forward to intensifying efforts with our partners in Africa to implement the pillars of Agenda 2063, said Shoukri.

We seek to benefit from the human resources  embodied in productive youth  to change the face of Africa.

Evelwny Butoyi, Burundis minister of youth and information technologies, noted that Africa was once the venue for wars and conflicts whereas the focus now is on maintaining peace and security.

We need to promote a sense of belonging and responsibility among the young and a greater awareness of the challenges they will face, she said.

Butoyi called on governments to exert every effort to promote modern technology and ensure it can be accessed by inhabitants of rural and remote areas.

Arnauld Alandj, the delegate from Gabon, underlined the importance of providing increased opportunities for young people, especially in the early years of education.

He said that in Gabon companies are legally required to reserve 30 per cent of jobs for young people and 30 per cent for women.

Gunter Nooke, German Chancellor Angela Merkels representative for Africa, said Germany is fully committed to partnership with Africa in achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 and ensuring that youth and women receive the professional training they need.

He added that Africa and Europe were development partners and the two continents had to cooperate in facing important challenges like ending illegal migration.

The Chairman of Afreximbank Benedict Okey Oramah also described Africa as the young continent and pointed to the fact that 68 per cent of the African population are youth.

The representative of Chad focused on the importance of enhancing the role played by women and of encouraging more women to take up leadership roles.

We know the strength of African women. If Agenda 2063 wants to be a reality  not mere talk  we must give priority to African women. We need to focus on issues that affect your sister, your daughter and your mum, she said.

She called for greater investment in womens education and work training.

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who was in the audience for the session, said the call for such funding would be among the recommendations of the 2018 World Youth Forum.

Here in Egypt we have a special appreciation for women; they constitute 50 per cent of the community and we are keen to integrate them within Egyptian society, said Al-Sisi.

Amr Ezzat, a member of the Committee for Party Youth Representatives (CPYR), outlined Egypts historic role in Africa:

In the past the Church of Alexandria played an important role in spreading Orthodoxy in Africa. Al-Azhar also played an important role in spreading Islam in the continent, he said.

He reviewed Egypts support for liberation movements in various African states in the past as well as its expanding role in Africa under President Al-Sisi.

He said Egypts chairmanship of the AU in 2019 was a crowning of the countrys historic role in the continent and expected Egypt to work hard in resolving conflicts in South Sudan and the Greater Lakes region, to take part in preventive diplomacy and to play an effective role in implementing Agenda 2063.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: The Africa we want

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On 6 November the session Humanitarian assistance: Global responsibility in the face of challenges discussed the challenges facing the voluntary sector and NGOs and the important role of young people in delivering humanitarian assistance.

Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali and the Representative of the UN Population Fund in Egypt Aleksandar Bodiroza were among the speakers.

Wali pointed out the importance of volunteering work in building communities. She reviewed the ministrys own initiative Benna which trains volunteers to monitor the standards of care provided in a range of institutions

. Volunteers play a leading role in building society, they are our partners in development, she said.

According to Wali, the ministrys programmes and initiatives, as described on its official website, offer volunteering opportunities to everyone.

The ministry offers several programmes that benefit from volunteers. Youth play an important role in the success of humanitarian assistance and volunteer programmes, she said.

Wali described several of the ministrys programmes and interventions which depend mainly on volunteers, including the Fund for Combating and Treating Drug Addiction.

Some 27,000 volunteers work for the fund across the country, said Wali. Volunteers help the addict quit his or her addiction and aid addicts families rehabilitate them and overcome any crises they might face.

The coming phase, says Wali, will witness a huge leap in the use of information technology in the voluntary sector. I have great faith in the impact of humanitarian assistance and volunteers.

Egypt has highly qualified cadres in software and programming. This will facilitate the process of humanitarian assistance, thus improving society, said Wali.

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has agreed with NGOs representatives that the NGO law restricts their work. We are working on changing that, added Wali.

The law, issued last year, penalises administrative violations by anyone working in an NGO and placed onerous conditions on the acceptance of donations and fundraising, effectively starving NGOs of funds.

Bodiroza stressed the importance of spreading a culture of volunteering as a social responsibility among young people.

Volunteers play an important role across the globe. This is in addition to the prevalence of thousands of humanitarian assistance applications all over the world which help youth to adopt the concept of humanitarian assistance, volunteering and donation, said Bodiroza.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Working together

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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,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.Talks between the Egyptian and Palestinian presidents in Sharm El-Sheikh this week offered an opportunity to improve the lot of ordinary Palestinians

Related The Gaza truce remains in limbo

This weeks meeting between Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the Sharm El-Sheikh World Youth Forum was the first in a long time.

For close to a year the two presidents have avoided direct encounters though there have been a few phone conversations, some of them announced. They did not meet on the sidelines of the UNGA late last September though both were present.

The falloff in high level Egyptian-Palestinian consultations is a result, say sources on both sides, of profound differences over the path forward towards inter-factional Palestinian reconciliation and the management of relations with Israel either in relation to a ceasefire over Gaza or vis-a-vis peace talks under the peace plan US President Donald Trump has long been promising.

The fact a meeting happened at all is being interpreted in different ways.

In Cairo an Egyptian official argued that Abbas is coming to realise that he has isolated himself by refusing all initiatives offered to improve relations between the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and Hamas which has controlled Gaza for over 10 years.

Speaking from Ramallah, a source close to Abbas argued that the Palestinian leaders meeting with Al-Sisi was intended as a gesture of good will following reassurances offered by a visiting Egyptian delegation that Cairos reconciliation efforts are not designed to consolidate the current status-quo of total separation between Gaza and Ramallah.

We received clear assurances, and an invitation for [Abbas] to visit Egypt and participate in the Youth Conference. We are very keen on our relations with Egypt and are keen to keep consultations going, both when we agree and when we see things differently, he said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources in Gaza  an Egyptian delegation was also in the Strip last week  say Abbas agreed to meet with Al-Sisi because he does not want to be portrayed as the person unilaterally refusing Egyptian ideas designed to ease tensions in Gaza.

What Egypt is proposing is a set of ideas to allow for two things: a relatively long ceasefire between Gaza and Israel and a possible reconciliation between Palestinian factions in Gaza and the Fatah-controlled PA under Abbas, said a Hamas source.

He added the Egyptian delegation in Gaza had promised Cairo would not follow Abbas in trying to link the two, because nobody wants an explosion in Gaza  certainly we dont, because it is not in the interest of our people, and clearly Egypt does not want it, for obvious reasons of proximity.

According to the Hamas source there is agreement amongst factions in Gaza on two basic demands that Egyptian officials say were subject to discussions between President Al-Sisi and President Abbas.

The first involves better energy supplies for Gaza, including the oil necessary to operate its electricity grid. The second covers the payment of salaries for civil servants working in Gaza under Hamas. These, he adds, are firm demands on which any reconciliation must be based.

A Jihad source, speaking on Monday, following the Sisi-Abbas meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, said Gazas factions were still waiting for details from Cairo.

We cannot say yet how things will progress along the reconciliation track. We are not certain Abbas will be willing to compromise over the demand to assume complete control in Gaza.

The messages we have been getting, directly from the PA and through the Egyptian delegation, is that the PA still hopes to take full control of the administration in Gaza rather than opt for power-sharing.

It is too early to talk of a breakthrough and even if Abbas was going to accommodate some of the ideas that the Egyptian president will have proposed he is unlikely to far enough, and certainly not right away.

Hamas and Jihad sources say they are more hopeful about a breakthrough in the ceasefire deal that Egypt has been working on for over a year.

Neither would they confirm that they will comply with Israeli demands their arms be placed under the control of the Egyptian authorities to avert any possible attacks against Israel from Gaza.

Both, however, agreed that the Palestinian factions in Gaza were willing to accept Egypt as a moderator of the ceasefire.

Hamas and Jihad leaders say they are hopeful a deal on the ceasefire can be concluded by the end of the year.

The Egyptian official agreed. We now have an understanding with Hamas and Israel on a very detailed paper including the proximity with the border with Israel any Palestinian protests in Gaza reach, early warnings that Israel should share with us and with Hamas of any possible security alerts and the operations of the crossing points between Gaza and Israel and Gaza and Egypt.

The Egyptian source would neither confirm nor deny claims by Hamas and Jihad sources that Egypt would also facilitate access to funds that Qatar, Egypts regional adversary, has promised the Palestinian factions.

Hamas and Jihad sources say the ceasefire, which is likely to be agreed on for a period of two years, is essential given there is no major Palestinian-Israeli peace deal in sight.

A well-informed regional diplomatic source agrees that it is more realistic to speak of a possible durable ceasefire supported by the US and sponsored by Egypt than to talk of a final Palestinian-Israeli peace deal.

The PA source, for his part, insists that if the US is going to offer what Trump has said it will then there is nothing to discuss since what the Americans are proposing is Palestinian acceptance of the Israeli occupation of their territories.

Ahmed Kamel, an analyst at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, says the difficulties of reconciliation extend beyond financial issues to embrace security concerns.

The PA insists that it should assume the full policing of Gaza and control of all crossings connecting Gaza to Israel and Egypt. Hamas is refusing to fully integrate its security arms into PA forces.

Another problem, says Kamel, centres on Hamas demands to quickly hold elections for a new legislative council in Gaza and Ramallah and, by extension, re-jig the Palestinian political structure. This is not something that Abbas will agree to easily because it potentially challenges his political clout.

Kamel believes Abbas will be more forthcoming on Hamas demands that could improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza but is likely to remain loath to move forward to a full reconciliation deal based on either the details Egypt proposed in October last year, or in a more narrowly focused paper offered by Cairo mediators in July this year.

Washington-based political analyst Andrew Miller says without a durable and solid ceasefire an explosion in Gaza cannot be ruled out.

It is not a viable situation in Gaza and the Egyptian government is certainly trying to stop the next war which could be, for all we know, around the corner, Miller says. He added that even with a ceasefire things could suddenly break down.

An Egypt sponsored ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, he argues, is far more likely to happen in the next weeks or months than a Palestinian reconciliation.

Abbas will not go back to Gaza unless he has a full compliance from Hamas and Hamas will not give its weapons to Abbas, he says.

Meanwhile, Miller advises no one to hold their breath waiting for a final peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Nobody has seen a full text of the proposed Trump deal but based on everything we know about it Id argue it is unlikely the deal will meet basic Palestinian demands for statehood and therefore will not be acceptable, he argued.

Miller is sceptical about the ability of international or regional pressure to make Abbas agree to a deal that falls well short of what the Palestinians have been offered in the past.

For their part, Cairo officials say it is better not to prejudge Trumps proposals for they may offer a basis that can be worked on. And it is this, they add, that has formed the constant advice Al-Sisi has been offering Abbas.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Looking for a breakthrough

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Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk!

You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details.The United States on Tuesday offered rewards for information on three senior members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state for decades.

The move could help Washington repair strained ties with NATO ally Ankara.

Turkey has been infuriated by U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the outlawed PKK and, like it, a terrorist organization.

On Tuesday, Washington authorized rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the identification or location of Murat Karayilan, up to $4 million for Cemil Bayik and up to $3 million for Duran Kalkan.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara following a visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer.

The three PKK figures also appear on Turkeys most wanted terrorists list, according to the Interior Ministry, which describes them as being among the leaders of the organization.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has fought the Turkish state since 1984.

Relations between Turkey and the United States have begun to thaw since the release from jail last month of American evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson.

Last week, the two countries mutually lifted sanctions on government officials, imposed in August over the Brunson case. Washington announced this week that Turkey would receive a temporary waiver from reimposed sanctions on Iran.

President Tayyip Erdogan also said on Tuesday that talks with the United States regarding state-owned lender Halkbank, which had been facing a U.S. fine over allegations of evasion of sanctions on Iran, were on a positive track.

U.S. and Turkish troops last week began conducting joint patrols in Syrias Manbij, which the two sides have agreed to clear of militants. Turkey had previously said the United States was delaying implementation of the plan.

Trump and Erdogan are to meet this weekend at a summit in Paris.

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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 []SOUTHINGTON Republican challenger Michael Gagliardi, who jumped into the race last month, was a few hundred votes ahead of Democratic House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz Tuesday night, but not all Berlin precincts had reported by press time.

Gagliardi won in the Southington precincts of the 30th House District.

The close race followed other GOP victories Tuesday night.

Rob Sampson, a Republican state representative for the 80th district, won his race for the 16th Senate District against former state representative and Democrat Vickie Nardello.

Sampson said the election was about selecting candidates who could fix the states financial problems and preserve American freedoms and culture, which he believes Democrats are risking with a a dangerous agenda thats tearing our country apart.

Sampson was also pleased with his campaign.

We ran a clean race. We didnt send out any negative mailers, he said Tuesday.

Nardello did well in Waterbury precincts, but Sampson won consistently in the districts other towns.

Nardello said she advocated for taking care of the entire community instead of every man for himself.

Im proud of the campaign we ran, she said.

The 16th district includes Cheshire, Prospect, Southington, Wolcott and Waterbury. It has been held since 2010 by Joe Markley, a Republican running for lieutenant governor. Markley and Sampson have similar campaign platforms.

Gagliardi jumped in as the Republican challenger to Aresimowicz after the resignation of Republican candidate Steve Baleshiski.

While Republicans watching election results at Friends Cafe in Southington didnt know the outcome of that race, they were encouraged that a newcomer and Berlin resident who started his campaign in early October was in a close race. Southington Republican Town Chairman Steve Kalkowski said Gagliardi was nearly tied with Aresimowicz in Berlin districts but he didnt have exact numbers.

Gale Mastrofrancesco won in the 80th House District, defeating Democratic challenger David Borzellino. She felt she focused on the issues that mattered most to district residents and rejected the identity politics of the opposing party. The district includes Southington and Wolcott.

Fusco won the 81st House District, an all-Southington district, defeating Democrat Ryan Rogers.

Fusco said he felt the win reflected support from his constituents and that it felt good to be supported by voters for a second term.

Its about finding a better way forward, he said.

James Sinclair, Rogers deputy treasurer, said Rogers congratulated Fusco on the victory. Rogers wife went into labor Monday and the candidate was at the hospital on Tuesday.

Ryan is going to be very happy with his baby boy Will, Sinclair said.

A referendum on open space spending and another calling for a roof replacement at Southington High School both passed Tuesday night.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com

203-317-2230

Twitter: @JBuchananRJCHESHIRE  State Rep. Liz Linehan retained her 103rd House District seat in a narrow win over Republican newcomer Diane Pagano.

With slightly over 10,000 total votes cast, Linehan won by 315 votes, according to the Secretary of the States office. Linehan received 5,188 votes and Pagano received 4,873. The result of the race were not available at press time Tuesday night.

The district includes parts of Cheshire, Southington and Wallingford.

Im honored to be re-elected and once again serve the residents of Cheshire, Southington and Wallingford, Linehan said Wednesday.

Pagano said she was pleased with her showing in her first attempt at state office.

As a newcomer, I did a pretty good job, she said Wednesday.

Pagano won in Southington and in one Cheshire precinct, but Linehan won Wallingford and two of Cheshires larger districts.

Linehan said that she prevailed with tens of thousands of dollars in D.C.-funded PAC money spent against me. Change Connecticut, a political action committee, spent money in the 103rd and other districts opposing Democrats. Before Linehan narrowly won two years ago, the district was held for many years by a Republican.

Linehan pledged to work in a bipartisan fashion after what she described as a contentious election.

We saw this year how incredibly divided we are as a state and a country. Working together has never been more important, she said.

Cheshire voters supported all six referendum questions on the ballot Tuesday, allowing the town to continue school, road and other projects totaling more than $4 million.

The largest request is $1.5 million for ongoing road improvements. Other spending items include more than $1 million for security upgrades at Cheshire High School, $640,000 for a new fire engine and $840,000 for various school projects.

Most of the questions passed by wide margins, in some cases nearly 3-to-1. The closest result involved $250,000 for bathroom improvements throughout the school district. The issue passed 7,846 to 5,398.

Three of the school projects were below the towns threshold of $400,000 for a referendum, but were part of larger projects that did exceed the number set by town charter.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com

203-317-2230

Twitter: @JBuchananRJThe United Nations has finished distribution of aid to thousands of Syrians, mostly women and children, stranded in the desert close to the border with Jordan, an aid official said on Wednesday.

A U.N-led convoy of more than 70 trucks arrived on Saturday under Russian army protection after months of delay in the first such first aid delivery from inside Syria to the rebel-held camp that has over 50,000 people.

We finished distribution of all items, food, sanitation and hygiene supplies and core relief items, Fadwa AbedRabou Baroud, a U.N official with the convoy told Reuters.

The overall humanitarian situation in Rukban camp remains dire, with shortages of basic commodities, protection concerns, and the death of several children who reportedly were unable to get medical treatment, Baroud said.

The assistance would only provide short respite and without regular and uninterrupted access, the plight of desperate residents in harshest desert conditions would only further deteriorate as winter cold sets in, the U.N official added.

The U.N. team will complete a vaccination campaign against measles, polio and other diseases to protect some 10,000 vulnerable children in the camp before it departs, Baroud said.

The U.S. State Department welcomed the aid to the camp, located close to the Tanf U.S. military base in the desert near where the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq converge.

The camp is within a deconfliction zone set up by U.S. forces. Damascus says U.S. troops are occupying Syrian territory and providing a safe haven for rebels.

Washington said it hoped Moscow would continue to put pressure on the Syrian government to comply with U.N. resolutions on allowing humanitarian access across frontlines.

The camp was last month besieged on the Syrian side of the border by the Syrian army, preventing smugglers and traders from delivering food.

In the last three years, tens of thousands of people have fled to the camp from Islamic State-held parts of Syria being targeted by Russian and U.S.-led coalition air strikes.

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Democrat Jahana Hayes declared victory in the 5th Congressional District, meaning she will be the first African American woman to represent Connecticut in the U.S. House.

You did it, Hayes said to the cheering crowd at the Courtyard by Marriott in Waterbury. We were waiting upstairs for all of the numbers to come in but there is no path to victory, so I am declaring it right here and now.

Hayes thanked her supporters and said not only am I built for this, Im Brass City built for this, she said.

Republican Manny Santos, the former Meriden mayor running against her, conceded shortly after midnight as Hayes stretched out her lead with more precincts reporting.

The seat was open because U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat, decided not to run after questions about her handling of alleged abuse by a staffer.

It was up to Connecticut voters and theyve decided, evidently, they didnt have a problem with taxes and illegal immigration and so on that will continue to plague us, he said.

Santos supporters carefully watched results coming in at the American Legion Post 45 on Hanover Avenue in Meriden. Hayes campaign was at the Courtyard by Marriott in Waterbury.

Early in the evening Santos greeted supporters with optimism.

Im feeling good, he said. Its been a long several months. Weve done our best, now its up to the voters. Im fairly confident Im going to do well.

Santos credited his opponent with running a positive campaign, and said it was particularly difficult to overcome the large disparity in Hayes campaign war chest.

Santos won a decisive victory in a three-way primary in August. Hayes also had an impressive win against a primary challenger. Her campaign continued its momentum up to election day. She raised $1.5 million to Santos $64,000.

The district spans 41 cities and towns from the states northwest corner south to Danbury and east to Meriden. Democrats outnumber Republicans but unaffiliated voters outnumber members of both parties.

Hayes, 45, is a Waterbury public school teacher, who was raised in Waterbury public housing. She became a teen mother but eventually enrolled in college and was named National Teacher of the Year in 2016.

She campaigned on a progressive platform of social issues, background checks on gun owners, improvements to health care, investments in education and environmental regulations.

Santos, a Persian Gulf War veteran and an immigrant, campaigned on a pro-Trump platform, aligning himself with the presidents economic policies of cutting taxes and regulations to help small business.

Santos is also a social conservative who opposed gay marriage and told a crowd of college students that student debt is often something students bring upon themselves.Turkey will not ease its stance against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia to meet U.S. expectations, President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on Wednesday, after Washington offered rewards for information about senior Kurdish militants.

The United States offered the rewards on Tuesday for information leading to the capture of the three senior members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for decades.

Speaking at a news conference after a cabinet meeting, Ibrahim Kalin said that Turkey viewed Washington's move as positive but belated.

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By Express News Service

MUMBAI: The differences between the government and the Reserve Bank of India are out in the open and one of the contentious issues has been the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA), which restricts the weak and bad debt-ridden banks. It is a tight rope walk for the government  keeping its fiscal deficit under control and also adequately capitalising the banks it owns, so that they are able to lend freely.

This is going to get tougher as a CRISIL estimate shows that public sector banks need around fresh tier-I capital of Rs 1.2 lakh crore infusion in five months to meet the Basel III norms. This is Rs 21,000 crore more than what was estimated earlier, when the government announced Rs 2.11 lakh crore recapitalisation in October 2017 to meet the Basel III norms.

While larger banks like State Bank of India are charting out their plans for recapitalisation through tier-II bonds and are waiting for an equity issue at an appropriate time, the weaker banks under PCA need the government to provide them most of the required capital. There are 11 PSU banks under PCA that need fresh capital and their ability to lend more depends upon the capital infusion.

Over the past three fiscals, the government has infused ~Rs 1.5 lakh crore into PSBs. However, this has only helped offset losses of ~Rs 1.3 lakh crore racked up in the period. The increase in regulatory capital ratios required as per Basel III norms by March 2019, and mounting losses mean government infusion could be nearly twice the Rs 53,000 crore scheduled for this fiscal under the recapitalisation plan, says Krishnan Sitaraman, senior director, CRISIL Ratings.

Tier-I capital adequacy ratio stipulated is 9.5 per cent, including a capital conservation buffer (CCB) of 2.5 per cent. If the CCB is excluded, the incremental capital required would reduce sharply by Rs 40,000 crore, CRISIL said.

However, the RBI has been in no mood to relax norms. Even last week, deputy governor N S Vishwanathan spoke at length on the need for higher capital requirement.  suggestion by some that our capital requirements are more onerous than international standards is not correct at all. As the need for repeated recapitalisation has proved, banks in India need to aspire to have higher capital levels, Vishwanathan said.Sadaf Aman By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In what was supposed to come as a relief for students across the country, the University Grants Commission had recently issued a notification preventing colleges from demanding original documents of students at the time of admissions. However, it looks like the move would do more harm than good to students, particularly to those who wish to pursue engineering courses, for engineering colleges have begun mulling over demanding the entire academic years fee to be paid at the time of admission.

Though the statutory body for higher education in the country had notified educational institutions in 2016 against withholding or collecting personal certificates at the time of admissions, several colleges, especially the engineering ones in the State, have taken to the practice of keeping back the documents as collateral against those students who fail to clear the dues at the end of the year/course.

Apart from trying to put an end to this, UGCs latest slew of guidelines directs colleges to give back fees as refund if a student opts out of the programme. Taking into account the sheer volume of the complaints regarding the non refund of fee and retention of original certificates by Higher Education Institutions (HEI), the commission felt the need to elaborate the instructions to curb such malpractices, said UGC, in its communique.

ALSO READ: Students opting out of courses entitled to a refund

Pay fees at the time of joining, say colleges

Reacting to the notification, Dr Goutham Rao, president of State Engineering Colleges Management Association, admitted that though it is against the rule to retain certificates of students at the time of joining, there wouldnt be a need for such a nuisance if the government had cleared the fee reimbursement dues on time.

There is no clarity on how we are expected to run colleges in the absence of certificates because in such a case, there is no assurance that the student will join the course or not. The only way colleges can follow this diktat is by asking students to pay up the entire academic years fee at the time of joining, considering how lax the government is at reimbursing the amount, he said

A former principal, and currently, the academic head of a private engineering college, who did not wish to be named, justified the collection of certificates on grounds that they collect them only after the third round of counselling and till then students in Telangana are permitted to join any college they want.

If we dont take the certificates from students, then who will pay the fees? In case the student is unable to pay the fees, the government is also not going to pay on time. And in the process, the course will also get completed. Without collecting the fees how will we run colleges? It is not that simple, he said.

Verify and return original certificates, says UGC

It may be recalled that on October 10 this year the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said that no student would be required to submit any original academic and personal certificate at the time of admissions.

In line with this, the commission has instructed the Higher Education Institutions to verify and return the certificates then and there while retaining the attested copies of the same for the purpose of their records. Taking certificates into institutional custody under any circumstances or pretext is strictly prohibited, the notification states.

Vijay Gopal, founder of Forum Against Corruption, who had send legal notices to over 15 colleges across the State after receiving complaints from students on retention of certificates over pending fee dues, has received the UGCs circular with a pinch of salt. The notification does not mean anything unless the commission holds colleges accountable and criminalise such acts, he said.Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

BHOPAL: Much like the BJP, open rebellions have also broken out in the opposition Congress over ticket distribution in Madhya Pradesh where it hopes to return to power after 15 years. Supporters of at least two ticket aspirants, Sajid Ali and Nasir Islam, protested against the partys nod to Muslim hardliner Arif Masood as the official candidate from Bhopal Madhya seat of Bhopal district, right at the Congress state headquarters. The police were rushed to prevent any untoward incident.

A large number of supporters of Sajid Ali raised slogans against Masood and former union minister Suresh Pachouri, who, they alleged, was behind the nomination. Alis supporters set the effigy of Pachouri afire inside the MP Congress Committee HQ premises and later voiced their opposition with state media in-charge Shobha Oza.

Later, another group comprising Islam supporters protested at the state party headquarters during which protestors tore posters and banners bearing Pachouris picture. Islam had lost from Bhopal Madhya seat to BJPs Dhruv Narayan Singh by just over 2,500 votes in 2008, while BJPs sitting MLA Surendranath Singh trounced Masood by over 5,000 votes in 2013.

Importantly, the protests happened just a day after Oza denied any dissent within the party ranks over ticket distribution and mocked the BJP instead. On Tuesday, Oza played down the matter by saying the concerns would be communicated to the leadership.

Meanwhile, supporters of former Congress MLA Sulochana Rawat protested and burnt the effigy of Ratlam-Jhabua MP and former union minister Kantilal Bhuria in Jobat town over Bhurias niece Kalawati Bhuria getting the nomination. Rawat or her son Vishal could file nomination as Independent candidate before November 9.Palestinians are showing new determination to face down Israeli schemes to acquire, by ruse or force, Arab-owned properties in East Jerusalem as attempts to Judaicise the city continue

The Israeli occupation is determined to alter the face of Jerusalem, especially in the area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, by taking control over land and real estate in Silwan district in East Jerusalem.

The relentless assault against the property and the character of the city and the efforts to combat it on the part of Jerusalemites and other grassroots and religious forces have brought the plight of the occupied people in East Jerusalem to the fore again.

Although the occupation authorities designs on Palestinian property in East Jerusalem have existed since the beginning of the occupation, they have picked up pace over the past seven years, according to Alaa Al-Rimawi, director of Al-Quds Centre for Israeli and Palestinian Studies.

Some of the occupations means to acquire property are surreptitious. It creates special settlement societies using Arabic names in order to purchase land in the West Bank and then real estate in Jerusalem neighbourhoods.

Palestinians secretly connected with the occupation and other Arab fronts lent themselves to the process. So, too, have money transfers from Arab countries in the names of philanthropic societies.

Al-Rimawi maintained that such ruses, which often depend on morally weak individuals, did not account for a great proportion of the land acquisitions.

However, he acknowledged that it was a situation that was very difficult to monitor. During recent years we in the Al-Quds Centre picked up on only a handful of cases. However, if the phenomenon is repeated it could be dangerous because some of the properties that have been illicitly transferred are situated in strategic locations near Al-Aqsa Mosque or in Palestinian Arab neighbourhoods adjacent to the mosque precinct. This threatens to weaken the cohesion of the Palestinian demographic structure and facilitate the spread of the occupation.

He stressed that the Jerusalem municipality, to which East Jerusalem has been annexed, was also armed with powers to confiscate land in property under the pretext of the occupation authoritys laws.

Youll find, for example, lands that have been confiscated by the occupations armed forces and buildings that have been used for public services and that have also been confiscated by the municipality which is constantly working to expand the scope of confiscations.

Al-Rimawi underscored another important tactic that has recently been the source of heated controversy: the confiscation of church property. As church-owned properties are spread across many different parts of the Holy City, the municipalitys drive to seize possession of them poses a grave threat to the security of the city and its real estate, he said.

Still, despite this grim picture, there was a growing grassroots resistance. We now have a Jerusalemite awareness that is embodied in the families who have exposed individuals that play any part in the transfer of property to the occupation, Al-Rimawi said.

He added that cultural and religious figures in Jerusalem, both Muslim and Christian, have taken a firm stance against all who lend themselves to occupations methods of acquiring property and that they are backed by Palestinian parties which are also fighting the phenomenon.

However, he stressed, greater coordination and cohesion is needed. In this framework, Al-Rimawi emphasised the role that the Arab and foreign press needed to play in conveying the full and accurate picture of the plight of the people of Jerusalem who are the victims of sustained economic blockade, restrictions against their businesses, employment bans and frequent random arrests.

This necessitates a genuine Arab stance in support of us in Jerusalem, whether by contributing to the restoration of the old Jerusalem homes, especially in light of the occupations opposition to restoration activities, or by contributing to the development of the educational sector in view of the Jerusalem municipalitys current attempts to take control over that sector in order to disseminate ignorance and Israelify the curricula. It is essential to support the Jerusalemite individual to enable him to remain steadfast.

The Palestinian Fatwa Authority has also cautioned Jerusalemites against selling property in Jerusalem without obtaining a recommendation for the purchaser from the religious authorities.

At the same time, rights lawyers maintain that it is possible to annul most of the contracts signed with settlement societies on the basis of the illegalities involved in securing these contracts.

In a recent demonstration of Jerusalemites growing awareness and determination to safeguard their city and its property, demonstrators last week refused to allow the coffin of Alaa Qirsh into Al-Aqsa Mosque and two other mosques on the grounds that he had colluded in the transfer of properties to settlers in the Old City.

According to news reports, Qirsh was among six workers from Jerusalem who had died in a car accident near the Dead Sea on Sunday.

Video clips shared by several activists from Jerusalem purported to show an argument in a hospital courtyard involving members of Qirshs family after they were told that his body would not be allowed into Al-Aqsa Mosque.

According to news sites, it was a member of his own family who had confirmed that he had colluded in the transfer of the title of a 300 metre-square house in Al-Saadiya neighbourhood of Old Jerusalem.

According to that family member, whom the sources did not name, the inhabitants had been evacuated in 2010, since which time the family had disowned Alaa.

The same source said that the family did not oppose the refusal to hold prayer ceremonies for the deceased and that they would not hold condolence ceremonies for him in deference to appeals from the Palestinian people and prominent figures in Jerusalem who called for the harshest punishments against all who collude in the illicit transfer of property to the Israeli occupation.

Since occupying East Jerusalem and the vicinity, Israeli occupation authorities have usurped around 140 Palestinian properties in Silwan and the vicinity of the Old City using the laws it concocted for the purpose, subterfuge and forged deeds.

Their ultimate aim is to alter the demographic balance in Jerusalem in favour of Israeli settlers and to force out thousands of native Jerusalemite families.

Zionist settlers have used many devices in order to get title to Palestinian homes and properties. In addition to those mentioned above, they frequently resorted to the Absentees Property Law passed by the Knesset in 1950 and which facilitated the confiscation of land, property and assets belong to Palestinians who had been expelled or forced to flee their homes in 1948.

This legal instrument is now being increasingly used to confiscate and acquire title and usufructuary rights to properties in territories occupied in 1967 and in East Jerusalem in particular.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Jerusalem, property heist

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By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Four days after he joined the Congress, Sanjay Singh Masani, the brother-in-law of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been named among the party candidates for the November 28 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh.

Masani, who joined the Congress in state president Kamal Naths presence in New Delhi on Saturday, is among the 29 candidates named in the fourth list released on Wednesday evening.

He has been fielded by the party from Baraseoni assembly seat of Naxal affected Balaghat district from where he is said to have trying to get a BJP ticket since 2013.

ALSO READ: Babulal Gaur is BJP star campaigner for now

Singh, who has connections in the film industry and had essayed the role of Akshay Kumars brother-in-laws in Bollywood flick Padman, had joined the Congress four days back, a development that came as a psychological setback to the ruling BJP, which is already embattled with 15 years of anti-incumbency and internal tussles over ticket distribution.

The Baraseoni seat is presently represented by RSS-backed BJP candidate Yogendra Nirmal.

The fourth list also includes names of candidates for three seats of Indore district, leaving just two seats Indore-2 and Indore-5 to be decided, after BJP declares its candidates for those seats.

ALSO READ: Congress faces protest over poll ticket given to Arif Masood

Also, ex-MP minister Narendra Nahata has been declared party candidate from Mandsaur, the epicenter of 2016 farmers violence and resultant deaths of six famers in police firing.

The party has also changed the candidate from Burhanpur seat against state women and child development minister Archana Chitnis. Ravindra Mahajan has been fielded instead of Hamid Qazi, as the party apprehends that Qazis nomination could be rejected by EC for being convicted in a case.

Also, the party has changed the candidate from Sironj assembly seat of Vidisha district. Mashrat Saeed would be the party candidate in place of earlier declared Ashok Tyagi. The BJP has fielded Umakant Sharma  the brother of Vyapam scam charge-sheeted ex-minister Laxmikant Sharma from the same seat.

With the fourth list, the party has so far declared 214 seats for the 230 seats strong Vidhan Sabha polls.

The fourth list, however, didnt include the Huzur, Seoni Malwa and Govindpura seats, from where BJP is still undecided about fielding two veterans ex-CM Babulal Gaur and Sartaj Singh and Gaurs ex-Bhopal mayor daughter-in-law Krishna Gaur. The Congress is keenly eyeing developments in the BJP camp on these three seats.By PTI

AIZAWL: Protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday after the state election official left for New Delhi after being summoned by the Election Commission.

The protests were called off at 1 pm after the CEO left Aizawl city for Lengpui airport, NGO Coordination Committee chairman Vanlalruata said.

The CEO left for Delhi by the evening flight.

Earlier in the day, Shashank said he had been summoned by the Election Commission and he would meet the poll panel in the national capital on Thursday.

The agitation demanding his removal had been launched on Tuesday and resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members in front of the CEO's office from 8 am.

The protestors later dispersed.

The Assembly election in Mizoram is scheduled for November 28.

Vanlalruata said the coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the CEO.

"If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said.

The NGO Coordination Committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations in the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state.

It also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014.

The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee.

On Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission.

The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

Thousands of people from the Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes.

They have since been lodged in six relief camps in Tripura.

In the past too, the civil society organisations had opposed the Election Commission's decision to conduct an electoral revision of Bru voters in Tripura relief camps.

They urged the EC to defranchise all Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram.

A 12-hour bandh was observed at Mamit town on Tuesday along the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border to support the agitation against the Mizoram CEO.

Rallies and pickets were organised by the NGO Coordination Committee across the state.By PTI

AIZAWL: Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission.

Shashank said he would meet the poll panel Thursday in the national capital.

Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) continued their picketing in front of the CEO's office from 8 am.

The chairman of the NGO Coordination Committee, Vanlalruata, said the picketing would be called off only after the departure of Shashank.

The meeting of a visiting Election Commission team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the EC team said that the final call would be made by the commission.

The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

ALSO READ: Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla fails to submit nomination papers in home turf Serchhip

Vanlalruata said that Shashank should be transferred from Mizoram and the Bru voters in the Tripura relief camps should exercise their franchise in their respective polling stations in Mizoram.

Thousands of people from the Bru community fled Mizoram in the late 1990s following ethnic clashes.

They have been lodged in relief camps in Tripura.

The agitators are also protesting the removal of the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

The state observed a bandh Tuesday in response to a call by the Mizoram Merchants' Association (MiMA) to extend support to the agitation.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him, the only solution for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be the removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly is scheduled for November 28.Manish Anand By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene for clearing the list of BJP candidates in Rajasthan as the stand-off between BJP chief Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje shows no sign of ending.

The BJP Central Election Committee is likely to meet either on November 9 or 10 to take up the list of candidates for approval for the December 7 Assembly election. Theres a difference of view point between the central leadership of the BJP and the chief minister. Consequently, theres no concurrence yet on the yardstick to select the nominees in less than a month, said a senior BJP functionary, who said the PM is likely to intervene for resolving the stand-off.

Raje is keen to back a large number of sitting MLAs, who are known to from her camp. However, sources said Shah has got a separate list of candidates prepared on the basis of the feedback of the party workers through an exercise with the involvement of central leaders hailing from the state.

ALSO READ: Rajasthan elections: Amit Shah rejected Vasundhara Rajes candidate list at least twice

The feedback from the party workers is overwhelmingly adverse for a large number of sitting legislators. Therefore, the BJP chief is steadfast that there should be multiple choices of candidates for about 150 seats in Rajasthan. Raje doesnt favour such a deep surgery in the ranks of the sitting legislators on the grounds that the party could run into a large-scale rebellion in election times, a source said.

Shah and Raje had earlier been locked in brinkmanship over the appointment of the BJPs new state unit chief, as the former seemingly backed Shekhawat for the post while the latter strongly opposed his nomination.

Raje met the BJP chief last week over the issue of finalising the candidates, but the discussions remained inconclusive. Raje has also held parleys with Union Minister Prakash Javdekar, who is the state election in-charge.

The PM may listen to the arguments of the chief minister for avoiding a large-scale dropping of the sitting legislators. The Chief Minister may be hoping that Modi can help the party leaders find a middle ground so that the party remains united in the run up to the elections, added the BJP functionary.P Krishna By

Express News Service

SIDDIPET: Gajwel is warming up. TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao is looking for re-election. And the man responsible for delivering it to the TRS supremo is Harish Rao  his nephew, a cabinet minister in the caretaker government and the partys point man.

There are ten Assembly constituencies in erstwhile Medak district, but it is Gajwel that commands the most attention. In 2014, Gajwel was a three-way fight  between TRS Chandrasekhar Rao, TDPs V Pratap Reddy and Congress Narsa Reddy. But now, with the formation of a Grand Alliance, the fight is now between TRS and the combined strength of both Congress and TDP. With the presence of such opposition, the party has entrusted with Harish Rao the unenviable job of guaranteeing KCRs success.

Harish Rao is quite sure about his chances of winning Siddipet, a constituency he has been representing since 2004. So he has focused all his efforts on Gajwel.

But recently, at Gajwel, his party received a setback when Narsa Reddy, Congress 2014 candidate who joined the party and served as Road Development Corporation Chairman, announced his homecoming to Congress. TDPs Pratap Reddy, who is expected to be the grand alliance candidate for Gajwel, received a shot in the arm with Narsa Reddy joining hands with him.

Rough ride

On all accounts, it hasnt been a smooth ride for TRS campaign at Gajwel. Opposition parties have begun using a surprising technique to undermine Harish Raos position in his own party.V Pratap Reddy had recently questioned Raos loyalty to TRS. He said Rao was in touch with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and could join the party soon. Another TDP leader, Revuri Prakash Reddy, went a step further and predicted that in the event of grand alliance and TRS getting the same number of seats, Harish would lead a breakaway faction from TRS and take Congress support to form the government.

These statements have fuelled the rumour mills about Raos purported struggle for power with his cousin and KCRs son KT Rama Rao. On his part, Harish Rao has slammed both men for the claims and even told them, I will cut of the tongues of Opposition leaders who are leading Goebbels campaigns.

The oustees

But Harish Raos biggest challenge will perhaps be oustees of villages who were displaced by Konda Pochamma reservoir. TRS leaders, including Rao himself, have not visited these villages where an unmistakable anger towards TRS exists.

Congress and TDP leaders have used the examples of these villagers throughout the constituency. Opposition leaders are also questioned the ruling party on various other issues such as the failure to build double bedroom houses and rising unemployment in the State.

For the past week, Harish Rao has left no stone unturned. He has met various communities - Arya Vyshya, Golla Kuruma, Padmashali, fishing castes and other minority - and has urged them to vote for KCR.

Apart from regular meetings, on the strategic side of things, In a few weeks, the State will find out if Harish Rao can truly score a win for his uncle K Chandrasekhar Rao. And such a win will only boost Harishs image as TRS trouble-shooterSudhir Srinivasan By

Express News Service

Movie: Sarkar

Director: AR Murugadoss

Cast: Vijay,Keerthy Suresh, Radharavi, Pala Karuppiah

Rating:2.5/5

Its almost as though Sanjay Ramasamy from Ghajini has been forced into a different world, a world in which his girlfriends head wont get clubbed by a Murugadoss-certified weapon. This is a world in which hes forced by circumstances to tread the blood-curdling world of politicians. Can his corporate skills help him? Murugadoss retains the last name for Vijays character, Sundar Ramasamy, the CEO of world-renowned organisation, GL. He also adds liberal doses of heroism, which come through in mostly uninventive ways. Like, for instance, having a few people build the character up under the pretext of conversation, so the hero entry can happen in the following scene. A slo-mo shot has him stepping out of a limousine, as he lights up a cigarette. It has only been done a few hundred times before.

In looking to set the stage for Sundar Ramasamy, a company head addresses his team and compares him to Genghis Khan  this is a comparison mentioned at least once more in the film. Its not the most complimentary comparison, given Genghis was known to have perpetrated quite a few genocides. Sundar himself is often referred to as a monster, and a corporate criminal, even though you dont ever truly understand what his crimes are. Hes been banned from entering at least three countries in the world, it is said, and its also established that he destroys rival organisations in every country he steps in, causing thousands of people to be laid off. You have every reason to believe hes a cool, apathetic destroyer. But then, this is the same person who gets quickly heartbroken upon hearing a story about a father who immolated himself and his family; this also causes him to do everything he can to help the survivor. Hes cold, and yet, warm?

READ | Here's what fans say about the Vijay-starrer Sarkar on social media

Sundar Ramasamy is a local boy whos gone abroad to make his living, and gone on to become the CEO of the world-leading GL. A person, whom India has claimed as its own, after learning about his success. Its hard not to begin thinking of Sundar Pichchai, the CEO of Google, whose looks seem to have inspired Vijays in this film  the beard styling, the greying at the edges Vijays character in the film even borrows his first name, and GL, his company, is perhaps short for Google Limited? You have to wonder though what Mr. Pichchai makes of Sundar Ramasamy being called a corporate criminal. Murugadoss has a love-hate relationship with capitalism, it seems. He romanticises it in Ghajini, goes all out against it in Kaththi, and now seems to have taken a liking to it again in Sarkar. Hes also taken to referencing the famous I am waiting line used in films like Thupaaki and Kaththi.

Sundar incidentally isnt the only character seemingly modelled after a real person. Among the villains are two seasoned politicians (Pala Karuppiah and Radha Ravi), which has you thinking about at least two prominent political duos. The green background at the swearing in ceremony is a dead give-away. A prominent lawyer is named Jethmalani, and later, when Komalavalli (Varalaxmi) stresses on the importance of encouraging servile behaviour from partymen, it has you thinking of a prominent leader. Theres also a Narayana of Infoware in this film. Theres a lot of such cute referencing.

ALSO READ | Tamil Rockers threaten to upload HD Print of Vijay-starrer 'Sarkar' within hours of its theatrical release

Given that the protagonist is a corporate mastermind, its not a lot to expect some believable depiction of corporate life. But save for a small reference to branding, you are otherwise shown pretend-corporate people  like in the opening scene, when a head asks all the employees to stop their work and instead find out more about Sundar Ramasamy because hes come to Hyderabad. They then begin googling him and unearth observations like, Hes a playboy! and Hes a monster!.

The film is also guilty of some of the mistakes it self-righteously attacks. A scene in a car has Sundar in conversation with the driver who talks about how people simply forward disturbing content to each other, but are simply waiting for the next big problem to emerge. Some ideas in Sarkar feel like WhatsApp forwards themselves. Like when Sundar, to run home his point on the importance of voting, lists the various historical events that were supposedly decided by the difference of a single vote. He talks of Americas language becoming English instead of German, France becoming a republic from a monarchy, Hitler acquiring dictatorial control over the party Its the sort of list youd expect to see on WhatsApp a week before elections, sent by well-meaning friends. And much like many such noble lists, all the examples cited in this one are entirely wrong. Hitlers dictatorial powers, in fact, are known to come after 553 people voted for it, and a single person against it. Not a particularly significant vote, as it turned out. In one scene, while talking about the importance of Section 49P, Sundar dryly comments that the legal advisors in the room could know it by simply googling it. I dare say that the same could be said of the writer of this film too.

The film really picks up only after Komalavalli flies down to his city. Finally, it seems Sundar has a competent rival. But it takes a long while coming. Till then, you have the politicians sending dozens of henchmen his way, as he dispatches them with boring ease. Its so easy that in one scene where hes facing an assassination attempt, he makes jokes and air-kisses children, while swatting away his attackers. All the stunt sequences in this film are devoid of the smart staging we saw, say, in Kaththi, and even the iron rods arent the shocking weapons that they once were in Ghajini. Its the same with the songs too, despite Vijays relentless energy for dance. These songs sometimes kick in without warning. OMG Pilla, for instance, comes out of nowhere after the interval. Even Rapta Maara feels planted.

Sarkar is Murugadoss trying really hard to project Vijay as a political force. The actor stretches out his arms as he walks into new spaces, conveying the instant sense of ownership he feels. That hand crossing over the head gesture from Mersal is repeated too. And in one momentous scene, he walks into a gathering of politicians on stage, and amid thousands of onlookers, takes his seat among them. Hes among them, and yet, hes different. In a sea of white, hes the only one wearing black. Amid dhotis, hes the only one wearing a suit. The language may be a bit hypocritical though, given how Sundar expresses his disappointment to Leela (Keerthy Suresh).

Keerthy Sureshs biggest contribution is trying to be a sprightly presence in the song and dance portions. Like Komalavelli, Keerthys Leela too is the daughter of a politician, but youd never know, given how shes not particularly useful to his growth. Shes tagging along with him, forcing herself into his space, and he doesnt seem to mind it.

In an earlier scene, Sundar himself hesitates to drink out of a coconut until hes assured that Yogi Babu didnt put his mouth to it. These are needless, tasteless digs of a persons looks in a film thats often so highhanded in its advice. The biggest problem in the film for me was Vijays affected dialogue delivery. Be it when he says, I am waiting! or when he screams, Tiyyara voter ID!, you barely get a hint of the suave corporate person hes supposed to be. For lack of cathartic stunt setpieces and memorable songs, the many monologues  delivered in the guise of making social media videos, in the guise of press interactions  feel more like a self-promotional campaign and less like necessary indulgences in an entertaining action film.By Online Desk

Ajith upcoming flick 'Viswasam' is almost complete with an exception of a song sequence. With the shooting for the song going at full swing near Mumbai, a recent incident during the shooting of the song has saddened the entire team.

According to the reports from Behindwoods, during the filming of the dance sequence on Saturday, one of the back dancers complained of uneasiness and anxiety which resulted in him vomiting. The 42-year-old dancer, OM Saravanan was asked to take rest and the shooting was stalled. But the condition of Saravanan decorated, following which he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, Saravanan passed away in the hospital.

The entire incident has saddened the 'Viswasam' unit including Ajith, who is said to have spent time with the film crew. The report had also claimed that Ajith had made arrangements for Saravanan's body to be flown down to Chennai from Mumbai.

'Viswasam' is Ajith's fourth collaboration with director Siva. The film stars Nayanthara paired opposite to Ajith. This is also her fourth collaboration with Ajith after Billa, Aegan and Arrambam.

In addition to the 'Lady Superstar', the film also includes star-studded cast including Robo Shankar, Thambi Ramaiah, Bose Venkat, Yogi Babu. The film is produced by Sathya Jyothi films and Imman will take care of the music department.

Recently, 'Viswasam' producers released the second look of the film. The poster shows a jovial Ajith on a bike, with several followers celebrating behind him.

The film is slated to release during the Pongal holidays.CE Features By

Express News Service

Actor Rana Daggubati, who had dubbed for a version of the Hollywood superhero film Avengers: Infinity War, is interested in the genre if told in an Indian context.

Asked if Rana would like to do a superhero film, he said, "I did one called Baahubali."

"That's a superhero for you," the actor, who played the main antagonist in the Baahubali franchise, said with a laugh.

But what about playing the good guy?

"I would love to do something in the Indian space, Indian thinking and writing. Being a superhero is an experience that you give to the audience. The reason why the Hulk, Thanos and all are big characters is because once you go to theatres, you enter that world... created by the filmmakers," he said.

Rana had said earlier: "Baahubali has done to Indian cinema what Star Wars has done to America. I really feel we are in our best time now."

The actor was last scene in the 2017 film 'Nene Raja Nene Mantri' alongside Kajal Aggarwal. Rana is now busy with the filming of Housefull 4, as he has replaced Nana Patekar in the film due to the sexual harassment allegations against Patekar from actor Tanushree Dutta.

Rana will also be seen in director Krish's NTR biopic, as the Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

AYODHYA: If not temple, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, met another long-pending demand of the saints, seers and people of Ayodhya by renaming district Faizabad as Ayodhya.

Now Faizabad will be known as Ayodhya after the name of the temple town which signifies the birthplace of Lord Ram. Coming close on the heels of renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj, the announcement to rename Faizabad was made by Yogi on Diwali eve during Deepotsav amidst loud cheers and spells of huge applause from around a 15,000 strong crowd in Ayodhya.

"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)" he said in the pilgrim town, about 120 km from state capital Lucknow.

"Nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya," he said, adding that the holy city is identified by Lord Ram.

"Deepotsav is about starting a new tradition," Adityanath said at the event at Katha Park which was also attended by South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook.

Faizabad district comprises the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya, which is a town area on the banks of the river Saryu. Notably, last year when the Yogi government had upgraded Faizabad municipal board to municipal corporation, it was rechristened Ayodhya Municipal Corporation.

However, much against the expectations of a major announcement either related to the Ram temple or a huge statue proposed to be installed in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took many by surprise by suddenly and quite dramatically changing the Ayodhya narrative and pegging it at development in the name of Lord Ram.

The CM made two more key announcements in the temple town besides renaming district Faizabad as Ayodhya for Lord Ram. He also announced an airport in Ayodhya to be known as Raja Ram airport and a medical college in the district named after Lord Rams father king Dashrath amidst the chants of Mandir ka nirman karo (build the temple).

(With inputs from PTI)The body of a woman was found under the debris of two collapsed buildings in the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday evening, taking the death toll to four, prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux told AFP.

The corpses of two men and another woman were recovered by rescue workers earlier Tuesday from the 15-metre (50-foot) pile of rubble on Rue d'Aubagne, a narrow shopping street. The buildings suddenly collapsed on Monday morning.

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By ANI

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that his government is considering renaming Ahmedabad as 'Karnavati' if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manages to muster support from the people.

"Since a long time, there has been a demand to change the name of Ahmedabad and name it to Karnavati. If we get to support people to support the legal process we are ready to change the name of the city. People of Ahmedabad like the name Karnavati. Whenever the time is appropriate we will change the name," he told ANI.

The Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister also welcomed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's move to rename Faizabad as Ayodhya. "Seeing Uttar Pradesh people's sentiments. Uttar Pradesh government and Yogi Adityanath changed the name of Faizabad to A yodhya. We congratulate citizens and the state government," he said.

The Uttar Pradesh government recently also changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj saying the name holds great significance to India.

The Mughalsarai Railway Station was also renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction earlier in the year.By IANS

GUWAHATI: The United Liberation Front of Asom's (Ulfa) pro-talk faction's General Secretary, Anup Chetia on Wednesday dismissed media reports that said Paresh Baruah, the commander-in-chief of the rebel group's anti-talk faction, has died.

Assam-based news portals on Wednesday reported that Baruah met with an accident and succumbed to his injuries last week in Ruili, located on the Myanmar-China border.

"I do not think that there is truth in the news. Paresh Baruah met with an accident about three months back in Ruili while he was on a motorcycle. However, he called me up at least three times after that and told me that he was recovering," Chetia told IANS on phone.

"He told me that there some of his bones and a toe was fractured. I received a call from him last Sunday which I could not receive as I was in a meeting. So, considering all these facts I do not think that the news of his death is true."

Chetia said that it was basically a one-way communication between him and Paresh Baruah always.

"We cannot contact him, it is always he who contacts me. I think nothing untoward has happened with him," Chetia said.

Assam Police and intelligence officials were yet to confirm the news of the death of the Ulfa leader.

The Ulfa was divided into two factions after some leaders of the outfit including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, were arrested in Bangladesh and were handed over to Indian authorities.

These leaders later decided to sit for peace talks while the faction led by Baruah decided to continue the armed struggle for a "sovereign" Assam.

Chetia, who was in a jail in Bangladesh, was extradited to India later and he also decided to join the faction who is negotiating the peace talks.By PTI

KOLKATA: West Bengal government decided to observe 'Rosogolla Day' on November 14, to commemorate the first anniversary of the state's famous sweet getting Geographical Indication (GI) tag as 'Bengal's Rosogolla', an official said Wednesday.

Different varieties of rosogollas would be showcased in the stalls of the 'Mishti Hub' (Sweetmeat Hub), set up in one part of the Eco Park in New Town area here, HIDCO Chairman Debasish Sen told PTI.

The Eco Park is managed by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), a state PSU.

"We are celebrating the first anniversary of Bengal's Rosogolla getting the GI tag at the 'Mishti hub' in association with sweetmeat maker associations," said Sen, an additional chief secretary level officer.

The 'Mishti hub', opened on July 5 this year, is the only of its kind in state where renowned sweetmeat makers, including some of the traditional ones, shared roof.

Sen said there will also be discussion on the history of Rosogolla, a ball-shaped cottage cheese dipped in light syrup of sugar.

On November 14 last year, West Bengal had received the GI tag for Bengal's Rosogolla. The GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place.By PTI

KOLKATA: More than 200 persons have been arrested for bursting banned fireworks in the city and neighbouring areas during Diwali celebration on Wednesday.

As the community Kali puja, celebrated on Tuesday, did not immerse their idols, bright and dazzling illumination was seen everywhere around numerous pandals across the city.

ALSO READ | Case registered for bursting firecrackers at midnight in Mumbai

Many shops and business establishments in the central business district and elsewhere lit up their premises with 'diyas' for Diwali.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished people on Twitter: "Heartiest greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of #Deepavali."

She also posted a similar message in Hindi. As part of the police crackdown to prevent the use of illegal fireworks, 61 persons were arrested in the city since 11 pm Tuesday till Wednesday afternoon, Kolkata Police sources said.

Besides, eight others were held for playing loud music on DJ system in open space in the city, the sources said.

Another 150 persons were arrested in Salt Lake area, the satellite township in North, for bursting banned fireworks since Tuesday midnight till Wednesday afternoon, Bidhannagar Commissionerate Police sources said.

A WBPCB official said several complaints of the bursting of firecrackers beyond the decibel limit and before the 8 pm time came from fringe areas of the city including Dumdum and Parnasree on Wednesday evening but did not give an exact figure.

"We are keeping a tab on the situation and our teams are moving around," the official said.

WBPCB Chairman Kalyan Rudra earlier said seven teams were on patrol in the city during Diwali and Kalipuja to keep a tab on flouting the decibel limit and the 2-hour window for bursting low-emission firecrackers and fireworks set by the Supreme Court.

A Jadavpur University team of researchers conducted air monitoring in four points of the city during the day.

"The pollution count of suspended particles is higher than normal time around this period in November," a member of the team said.By PTI

BEGUSARAI: Facing arrest in an Arms Act case after the alleged recovery of a huge cache of ammunition from her residence, former Bihar minister Manju Verma Tuesday moved a Begusarai court, pleading with it not to declare her an "absconder."

Verma had to resign as the social welfare minister from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet in August after reports suggested "close links" between her husband Chandrashekhar Verma and prime accused Brajesh Thakur in the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal.

Verma was subsequently booked in an Arms Act case, which was lodged after recovery of a huge cache of ammunition from her residence in Begusarai during a raid by the CBI sleuths, probing the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal.

Verma's counsel Satya Narayan Mahto moved the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Prabhat Trivedi Tuesday soon after the police approached it to declare the former minister a "proclaimed offender" for evading the arrest.

A court declaring an accused a proclaimed offender entitles the police to paste a legal notice on the walls of the residence of accused, asking him or her to surrender before the court within a stipulated period, failing which the property of the accused is liable to be confiscated and auctioned.

The former minister's counsel submitted to the magisterial court that his client was not evading arrest but only following the due process of law to get a relief against arrest.

Mahto argued that the former minister was not an absconder but had approached the Supreme Court to seek bail in the case after the Patna High Court had turned down her anticipatory bail plea on October 9.

The Supreme Court, however, had pulled up the Bihar Police on October 30 for not arresting Verma till then, despite the dismissal of her anticipatory bail plea by the high court.

The next day the apex court bench was informed that the former minister was in "hiding".

The Begusarai court subsequently issued an arrest warrant against Verma on October 31.

Over 30 girls and women were allegedly raped and sexually abused at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur and it had come to light that Chandrashekhar Verma had spoken to Thakur several times between January and June.

An FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 people, including Thakur, who was running the shelter home.

The probe into the case was later handed over to the CBI by the Bihar government.

An FIR was lodged against Manju Verma under Arms Act in August at Cheria Bariarpur police station of Begusarai district after the seizure of about 50 live cartridges from her residence.

The seizure was made by the CBI raids at Verma's family residences in Patna and Begusarai during its probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal.

On October 25, the apex court had asked the Bihar government and the CBI to explain why there was a delay in tracing whereabouts of Chandrashekhar Verma, who is wanted for alleged illegal possession of ammunition in large quantity.

Chandrashekhar Verma surrendered before the Begusarai court on October 29.Sana Shakil By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A noted legal expert has a penned a paper in the maiden journal of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), expressing doubts on the efficacy of the narco-analysis tests conducted on crime suspects.

Making a strong case against the narco-analysis tests, assistant professor at Jamnalal Bajaj School of Legal Studies, Astha Poonia, has said that the test amounts to torture as it is often carried out illegally without consent. Legally, statements made while undergoing narco analysis are not admissible as evidence in courts.

However, recoveries resulting from interviews taken under the test are admissible as corroborative evidence. Under the Home ministry, the NCRB maintains data base of countrys crimes and this is the first time that the bureau has come out with a journal highlighting several issues in the criminal justice system.

An argument that is deployed in support of Narco analysis is that the procedure is video graphed and audio taped, so that no coercion is used. But if such tapes are made public before the judgment, are we not psychologically harassing and punishing the accused before the court has actually convicted them? Is this also not torture, the paper reads.

Poonia has also referred to various Supreme Court judgments, which said that narco, polygraph or brainmapping tests cannot be conducted on any person, whether an accused or a suspect, without their consent. The paper also states that narco-analyis tests are being carried out by investigative agencies without following NHRC guidelines in this regard.

The absence of a national policy in criminal justice administration in this regard, is felt to be a serious drawback. It appears that the narco analysis beast has acquired a life of its own. It is increasingly knocking at the doors of courts and finding ready acceptance as a device to get at the truth during police investigations, though its scientific basis and values are under challenge, the paper says.

Uncomfortable questions

Statements made while undergoing such tests are not admissible as evidence

The expert said NHRC guidelines are flouted while conducting such testsBy UNI

SRINAGAR: The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir and historic Mughal road remained closed for the 7th day on Wednesday due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.

However, the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was through for one-way traffic, a traffic police official told UNI today.

He said traffic remained suspended on Ladakh highway due to accumulation of several feet of snow.

The road has become slippery as snow has also frozen at several places due to below freezing temperature.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has already pressed into service sophisticated machines and men on the job to put through the highway.

However, it will take some more time and traffic will be resumed only after weather and road condition improves, he said.

Snow clearance operation was going on from both Meenmarg and Sonamarg.

Meanwhile, large number of Ladakh bound vehicles, particularly trucks carrying essential commodities and oil tankers, are stranded at Sonamarg in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal since Thursday.

Similarly, Kashmir bound empty trucks and oil tankers are stranded at several places, including Drass, Kargil and Meenmarg on other side of the Zojila.

No traffic will be allowed on the highway until a green signal is received from traffic police officials posted at different places and BRO since there is now threat of avalanches also, he said.

Traffic remained suspended on the Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region as snow clearance operation could not be completed so far.

He said snow clearance operation was going on from both sides.

However, due to below freezing temperature particularly during the night, snow had frozen due to which the road has become slippery particularly at Pir-ki-Gali.

The district administration of Rajouri and Poonch and Shopian are working to put through the road which remained closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall.

Only few kms are left where the snow clearance was going on.

The Central Government has already announced to construct a tunnel to make it all weather road, which is also seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

He said only one-way traffic will ply on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Wednesday.

Today traffic will ply from Jammu to Srinagar only and no vehicle from opposite direction will be allowed, he added.By Express News Service

JAIPUR: Congress state chief Sachin Pilot sought to bring down talks over delay surrounding ticket distribution in Rajasthan, saying the party was trying to find consensus on a majority, if not all, of the total 200 Assembly seats.

Incidentally, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot are embroiled in a tussle to get tickets for their loyalists. The screening committee meeting was delayed for last two days, and the poll list is expected after Diwali.

I can say it with certainty that this kind of a democratic process has never been followed before. We will form a consensus of all the leaders on majority of the seats and send the list to Rahul Gandhiji. We will finalise the names after Diwali at a meeting in Delhi, he said.

Making things complicated for the opposition party, a video has gone viral which shows tickets being sold in Phalodi and secretary in-charge of Congress taking money. A section of media reported that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi then decided to remove all the four local secretaries, after the video was widely shared on the social media. Incidentally, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling tickets in the state.

But, Pilot blamed the BJP for these rumours and asserted the ruling party was unable to solve its internal battles.I want to clarify that these rumours are completely baseless against the AICC secretaries. All the four secretaries are working hard and diligently. Everyone has appreciated their work in the party. This is the work of the opposition parties to unsettle us.

To a question on his own poll plans, the PCC chief said he would follow the instruction of Rahul. We are loyal soldiers of the party and have worked hard for the state. This decision will be taken by Rahul Gandhi ji, and whatever he decides will be for the benefit of the state and the nation. We will accept it and move ahead.

The Congress state chief sounded confident of ending the BJP rule in his state and also in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as well.By ANI

KEDARNATH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Kedarnath shrine on Wednesday and extended Diwali greetings to soldiers posted on the India-China border.

After offering prayers, Prime Minister Modi met the locals and people gathered at the temple to Lord Shiva, surrounded by snow-capped Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river.

He later reviewed the ongoing development works in Kedarpuri.

ALSO READ: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers in Harshil near India-China border

Before offering prayers, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival with jawans of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Harsil village near the India-China border.

Dear PM @netanyahu, as promised yesterday, here are some glimpses of how I celebrated Diwali.



I went to the magnificent state of Uttarakhand, where I paid a surprise visit to our brave troops in Harsil, followed by prayers at Kedarnath, one of the holiest places in India. pic.twitter.com/J1JJ1q5bWj  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018

Greeting the soldiers on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians.

In 2014, Prime Minister Modi spent Diwali in Siachen with soldiers.

In the following year, he visited the Punjab border on the festival of lights.

In 2016, Prime Minister Modi went to Himachal Pradesh to celebrate the festival with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.

Last year, he celebrated Diwali with jawans at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Fending off the toughest challenge in his political career, Sen. Ted Cruz is on track to serve Texas for six more years in the Senate, ABC News projects based on exit polls.



Cruz fended off his enthusiastic and well-funded opponent, Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke.



"Tonight is a victory for the people of Texas," Cruz said to a cheering crowd at his victory speech. "Tonight is a victory for all the men and women in this room and all the men and women across this state that poured your hearts, your passion, your time, your energy to rising to defend Texas."



"Securing the border and keeping our communities safe, and defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and thats a common-sense agenda that unites Texans from every part of the state," he added.



After thanking his home state, Cruz also wrote in a tweet, "Now let's get back to work to defend jobs, freedom, and security for Texas and America!"



O'Rourke said during his concession speech that he wasn't deterred by the defeat.



"I am as inspired, I'm as hopeful as I have ever been in my life, and tonight's loss does nothing to diminish the way that I feel about Texas or this country," he said.



The closely-watched Senate race was one of the highest-stakes contests for both political parties.



Democrats hoped that a blue wave in the Lone Star State could change the electoral map for a generation, leading to unprecedented enthusiasm and a massive fundraising haul.



Still, the Republican incumbent and former presidential candidate edged out his upstart opponent with a narrow victory, and secured his standing as a political force for conservatives.



Boosting Cruz to his victory were male voters, who preferred the GOP incumbent by 15 percentage points over ORourke. But Texas' white, college-educated women, which make up 13 percent of voters in the state, were split down the middle -- each candidate garnered 49 percent of the vote.



Looming over the race was the contentious confirmation battle over Justice Brett Kavanaugh, with 59 percent of voters saying that Cruzs "yes" vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick was a factor in their decision, according to exit polls.



One of the most high-profile moments came when President Donald Trump, Cruz's former rival in 2016, flew to Texas to stump on Cruz's behalf last month.



Trump did his best to bury the hatchet with Cruz in Houston, just two years after insulting the GOP incumbent's father and wife.



In an effort to compete against the unprecedented energy surrounding O'Rourke's bid, Cruz tried to paint O'Rourke as a member of the liberal, Nancy Pelosi-aligned faction of the Democratic Party.



Cruz tested the limits of the progressive energy sweeping other parts of the country, and banked on a majority of Texas conservative-leaning electorate rejecting the progressive challenger.



Mounting an aggressive, grassroots bid, O'Rourke crisscrossed the Lone Star State non-stop through Nov. 6 -- visiting all 254 counties in the state, according to his campaign. A crush of national media attention and his savvy use of social media vaulted him into celebrity-like status in the 2018 political landscape.



Despite Texas' deep red roots, for Cruz, defending the seat in the Trump era was far more difficult amid shifting demographics. Trump won the state by only 9 percentage points in 2016, and leading into Election Night, O'Rourke, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll, trailed Cruz by only 6 percentage points.



Cruz and O'Rourke were tied among Independents, according to the poll.



"We have a real race in the state of Texas. The hard left is energized, they are angry, many of them are filled with hatred for President Trump," Cruz said at a debate in Dallas.



After his failed 2016 presidential bid, Cruz was also contending with his own ambition -- his status as one of the most visible and polarizing figures in American politics remains firmly intact.



Yet, O'Rourke's task of unseating Cruz in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994 was steep.



A pivotal divide between the candidates came as the immigration debate gripped the nation. O'Rourke even traveled to the tent cities, visiting children separated from their parents by the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy in June.



Cruz favored the Trump administration's immigration agenda, making repeated calls to build a wall and increase border security.



Cautiously embracing the progressive platform adopted by a growing group of Democratic candidates nationwide, the charismatic three-term congressman campaigned on issues like health care, abortion and gun violence.



In Texas, 4,884,528 people cast their ballots early in counties that report early vote, surpassing the total number of voters who cast ballots in 2014.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomacy to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement.

State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay in the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions.

The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leader's right-hand men -- to discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following landmark talks between Trump and Kim in June.

Although Trump has had warm words since he meet with Kim in Singapore, his administration has nevertheless insisted on maintaining pressure on North Korea until a final agreement is reached.

North Korea said last week that it would "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added.

Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was "not worried" about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective."

"I expect we'll make some real progress, including an effort to make sure that the summit between our two leaders can take place where we can make substantial steps toward denuclearization," Pompeo said separately Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation."

- Turbulent diplomacy -

Pompeo has traveled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord. The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening "fire and fury" after Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider to be one of the most repressive in the world.

Critics in the United States say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions.

Kim Yong Chol is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades.

The diplomacy on North Korea has had a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly off to Pyongyang.

The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday.

Trump heads over the next month to international gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.

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By PTI

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi Tuesday upped the ante on her demand for ouster of Maharashtra Environment Minister Sudhir Mugantiwar over the killing of tigress Avni and dashed off a letter to state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to "consider removing" the minister.

"I request you to fix responsibility for the illegal killing of the tigress and consider removing Mugantiwar from the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Forest in the state government," Maneka told Fadnavis in her letter, released to media Tuesday.

"If the environment and forest minister resorts to killing animals instead of protecting them, he is definitely failing in his duty. This is something like the WCD minister working for child traffickers," the Union minister for Women and Child Development wrote in her letter.

ALSO READ: Tigress Avni may have been problem tiger but not man-eater: Activists

Gandhi added that she had been speaking to Mugantiwar on the issue of alleged maneater tigress Avni for the past two months and requesting the minister to have the tigress tranquillised and quarantined.

The tigress could have been saved, had the minister in charge of the Forest and Environment Department been a "little patient, sensitive and persistent", rued Gandhi.

Tigress Avni, who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the past two years, was shot dead by sharp-shooter Asgar Ali in Maharashtra's Yavatmal forests Friday as part of a government-sponsored operation.

Also known as T1, Avni is survived by two 10-month-old cubs.

Son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, Asgar Ali shot dead Avni in compartment 149 of the Borati forest in Yavatmal district under the jurisdiction of the Ralegaon police station.

Reacting to the killing of Avni, Gandhi earlier, in a series of tweets, had lashed out at the Maharashtra government for ordering to kill the tigress despite opposition from several stakeholders.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan spar over killing of tigress Avni

"I am deeply saddened by the way tigress Avni has been brutally murdered in Yavatmal," she had said in a tweet.

"It is nothing but a straight case of crime. Despite several requests from many stakeholders, Mungantiwar, the Minister for Forests, Maharashtra, gave orders for the killing," she had said in another tweet.

She had said she was going to take up the matter "very strongly" with the Maharashtra chief minister.

"I am definitely going to take up this case of utter lack of empathy for animals as a test case - legally, criminally as well as politically," she had said.

She had also come down heavily on Maharashtra Forest Minister Mungantiwar for giving orders to private marksman Shafat Ali Khan's son to hunt down the tigress.

"Every time he has used Hyderabad-based shooter Shafat Ali Khan, and this time his son has also appeared on the scene illegally to murder the tigress," she had said in a tweet.

"His son was not authorised to kill. This is patently illegal. Despite the forest officials being committed to tranquillise, capture and quarantine the tigress, the trigger-happy shooter has killed her on his own under orders of Mungantiwar," she had tweeted.

"Shafat Ali Khan has killed 3 tigers, at least 10 leopards, a few elephants and 300 wild boars in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. He is a criminal known for supplying guns to anti-nationals and for a suspected case of murder in Hyderabad," she had said in another tweet.

She had also questioned the Maharastra government's decision to take services of Khan and his son.

"I fail to understand why a state government should even bother about such a man, let alone hire his services for illegal and inhuman acts," she had said.

Gandhi has also expressed concern over the well being of the two cubs left behind after the killing of their mother.

"This ghastly murder has put two cubs at the edge of a sad death in absence of their mother," she had said.By IANS

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Postal System has issued two stamps with diyas in celebration of Diwali as "the quest for the triumph of good over evil".

India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin said in a tweet on Tuesday: "Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights."

The stamps are in the $1.15 denomination, which is the basic rate for international air mail letters.

They are sold in sheets with 10 stamps and stickers and a large picture of the UN headquarters lit up for Diwali.

The stamps had been officially released last month and are now available at the UN headquarters post office and online.By PTI

BENGALURU: TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, will meet former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy here on Thursday.

Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also be present during the meeting, JD(S) said on Wednesday.

ALSO READ | Chandrababu Naidus fight against BJP gets an impetus

Interestingly, Naidu's meeting with the JD(S) supremo comes in the backdrop of Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP, buoyed by the victory in the bypolls.

The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity.

BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat.

The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combine's "spectacular victory" in the by-elections.

JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidu's meeting with Gowda is in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with "secular" party leaders across the country.

"The bypolls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowda's cooperation," he added.

Naidu had also recently met NCP chief Sharad Pawarand National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, among others.By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Keen on laying the foundation stone for the integrated steel plant in Kadapa district within a month, the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday, approved the proposal to set up the steel factory with its funds if the Centre does not come forward to set up the facility.

Before going ahead with its plan, the State government will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning three proposals regarding the project.They include the Centre setting up the project with all support from the State government, both the Centre and State governments setting up the project jointly or the State government taking up the project on its own if there is no response from the Centre.

The Cabinet also approved to set up Rayalaseema Steel Corporation Limited with a financial allocation of Rs 2,000 crore. It will act as a Special Purpose Vehicle to set up the steel plant in Kadapa.The Cabinet also decided to appoint P Madhusudhan, former Managing Director of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, as the MD of the Corporation.

The Cabinet decided to take up the project as joint-venture with private firms.Total expenditure of the project will be around Rs 12,000 crore.The Cabinet felt that the government should take up the project as a challenge as it will create huge employment opportunities.

Letters to Prime Minister, Home Minister

The Cabinet decided to send three letters to PM Modi resenting the attitude of the Centre towards AP. In the first letter, the State government will appeal to the Centre to take a final call on Kadapa steel plant

In the second letter, the State government will explain the failure of the Centre to fulfil the promises made to AP. Special category status issue, non-implementation of AP Reorganisation Act, denial of funds to backward districts and non-approval of Polavaram DPR will also be mentioned

The third letter will be addressed to the Union Home Minister urging the Centre to release cylone relief funds to the State at the earliestBy Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after a 32-year-old man was allegedly murdered by Neyyattinkara DySP B Harikumar following an altercation, the investigation team probing the case has been sent to Tamil Nadu after reports that the accused was absconding in Madurai. The police team involving two sub-inspectors left for Madurai on Wednesday morning. Sources said the accused would move for anticipatory bail and his phone is found to be switched off.

On Tuesday, the Neyyattinkara police have registered a murder case (IPC Section-302) against Harikumar and a special investigation team was constituted. He was also suspended by the department as part of the disciplinary measure.

Sanal Kumar, 32, was allegedly pushed before a speeding car by the accused late Monday following an argument over parking their cars at Kodanagavila near Neyyattinkara. Sanal, an electrician and a resident of Kamukinkode near Neyyattinkara were fatally injured and succumbed to injuries following heavy blood loss. Harikumar, eventually went absconding soon after the incident.

Speaking to Express, Sujith Das, Nedumangad ASP, who is leading the team, said that a police team has been sent to Madurai to trace the accused and probe is simultaneously progressing in Neyyattinkara too. On Wednesday, a police team raided the house of Harikumar at Neyyattinkara.

"We are weighing all the options. The team has some pressure to trace the accused at the earliest. We have some clues and are not in a position to divulge. However, the accused will soon be landed in the police net", Sujith said.

As per the FIR, the accused police officer and Sanal Kumar entered into a scuffle over latter's vehicle being parked in such a way that it obstructed the police officer's vehicle. Harikumar, who came to his friend's house, was in mufti and hence Sanal did not identify him.

During the scuffle, Harikumar allegedly pushed him to the road and Sanal received severe injuries after being hit by a car. Though he was rushed to the Medical College hospital, his life could not be saved.

'Harikumar should be dismissed'

Meanwhile, Viji, Sanal's wife, has said that Harikumar should be dismissed from the police service and he should be arrested.

"Suspension is not enough. He should be behind the bars and he should be removed from the service", Viji said.

A delegation of people from Neyyattinkara also submitted a petition to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday demanding the arrest of Harikumar. A dawn to dusk hartal was observed at Neyyatitnkara on Tuesday in protest against the incident.

Residents also staged a sit-in on the national highway blocking the traffic for around three hours. Harikumar is accused of various allegations and an intelligence report was prepared by higher police officers against him earlier. However, no action was taken against him. Sanal leaves behind two sons, Albin,4 and Ebin,2.By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid raging protests over the Sabarimala issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Wednesday said his government's only priority was to lead the state on a progressive path and not be afraid of losing a few seats or votes.

He alleged that some people were trying to create a communal divide in Kerala.

"The only priority is to keep Kerala on the developmental and progressive path. It doesn't matter if we lose a few seats or some votes... We cannot sacrifice the progressive Kerala where people see each other as humans and without any divide," Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister said he would not allow social evils to pull Kerala backwards for a few votes.

"Certain people are trying to create a communal divide in Kerala. If we had allowed division in the name of customs and beliefs, today's Kerala would not have existed," he said at an event here.

The doors of the Sabarimala temple were opened for six days on October 17 for the first time since the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into the hill temple.

Attempts by around a dozen women, including activists and journalists in the 10-50 years age group, to script history came to nought as frenzied devotees of Lord Ayyappa heckled and hassled them and forced them to retreat.

The Ayyappa temple opened Monday for the second time in three weeks for a two-day special puja amid unprecedented security over apprehension of protests by those opposing the Supreme Court order, allowing women of menstrual age there.By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR/ANGUL: After two weeks of struggle, an expert team of Forest Department succeeded in tranquillising tigress Sundari in Satkosia Tiger Reserve on Tuesday morning.Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) (wildlife) Sandeep Tripathy said Sundari was tranquillised by the Satkosia TR expert team at a location between Behera Sahi and Majhipara village at around 10.45 am.

The operation was conducted by experts, including officials from Nandankanan Zoo and Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, who shot the dart while the tigress was feasting. The expert team took help of Yashoda, a Kunki elephant from Chandaka, in the operation.

The tigress was staying at the location after coming from Kadalikhole jungle near Purunakote two days back. The team was monitoring her movements. On Tuesday morning, the tigress was spotted at a plain area near Majhipara.

ALSO READ | Tigress lynched in Duhdwa Tiger Reserve; FIR filed

As Yashoda was reluctant to go to the spot through bushes, the team went to the plain area by a vehicle and fired the dart that hit the backside of the tigress. She was immediately examined by the doctors and put in a cage. The cage was loaded in a carrier which travelled to special enclosure at Raigoda.

Tripathy said after tranquillisation, the big cat has been brought back to the holding area in Raigoda where she was lodged after its translocation from Madhya Pradesh before being released in Satkosia on August 17. Sundaris health is in good condition and she will be kept in a special enclosure for now, Tripathy said.

ALSO READ | Killed man-eater tigress Avni leads to new controversy

The local villagers have been demanding relocation of the tigress after it allegedly mauled two persons to death in the forest areas. Demand for her relocation from Satkosia gained momentum after the death of Trinath Sahu on October 22. On September 12, a woman was killed.

Tripathy said the future course of action will be decided by a joint team of experts comprising officials of state Forest and Environment Department, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and experts from Wildlife Institute of India.

The NTCA and WII officials will reach Odisha soon to observe the behaviour of the tigress, he added.

Sundari was brought to Odisha from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for its release into Satkosia Tiger Reserve on June 28 as part of Indias first ever inter-state tiger relocation project.By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Makkal Neethi Maiam (MNM) party will contest the by-poll for 20 seats, said actor and founder of MNM Kamal Haasan when he addressed the media persons here on Wednesday.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan who celebrated his 64th birthday on Wednesday at his party office was wished by his party cadres and functionaries. Addressing the media on the ocassion he said, "We have launched the party Makkal Neethi Maiam with an aim to bring change in current politics of the state and the country. We will bring the proper change in the politics with the support of the public."

IN PICS | Eight unforgettable comedies starring Ulaganayagan on his 64th birthday

Responding to a question on his decision to contest in the probable bypoll for the 20 vacant seats, Haasan said, "If there is a byelection, we are ready to contest. We have completed 80 per cent of field work and party's basic structure to face the elections. We plan to bring healthy politics through which we can eradicate the ongoing scams and malpractices from the politics."

"We have spread awareness about the cash-for-vote cases among people. The common voters have given their assurance when I toured the state that they won't take any money for a vote in future. We hope that the people will do justice to the next general election. I have already said that a proper investigation should be conducted in the Rafale scam. Next week I will go on a tour in Dharmapuri and its surrounding districts," he stressed.By IANS

CHENNAI: People in Tamil Nadu celebrated Diwali with traditional fervour, starting off with special sesame oil bath, wearing new clothes and bursting fire crackers, while police registered cases against several of those who violated the cracker bursting time slot ordered by the government.



Unlike previous years though the sound of the bursting of firecrackers was rather subdued following the Supreme Court-imposed restrictions.



The state government had permitted firecracker bursting from 6 to 7 a.m and 7 to 8 p.m on Tuesday.



So, while the customary greetings and queries among friends and relatives would previously be "Ganga Sthanam Aachha?" (had your bath with the holy water of river Ganga?), this time round it was "did you burst firecrackers?"



"We got up early had our oil bath. The morning round of firecracker bursting got over," J. Muralidharan, a public sector employee, told IANS.



Neighbours exchanged sweets, savouries and the special Diwali Leghium - a herbal jam.



There was a large number of devotees at the temples offering prayers on this special day.



Meanwhile, the state police registered cases against those who violated the government order specifying the two-hour time slot (6 to 7 a.m and 7 to 8 p.m) for bursting of crackers in line with the Supreme Court-imposed restrictions.



The police said cases have been registered for violation of cracker bursting time in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Tirunelveli, Villupuram and other places.



According to them, the final number of cases booked will be known only on Wednesday.By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: A local leader of TRS party from Parigi in Vikarabad district was brutally murdered by a group of more than ten persons on Tuesday. The unidentified miscreants attacked Phirangi Narayana Reddy (55) with stones and sticks and killed him, when he came to the agricultural well at his field, said police. Narayana Reddy was learnt to be in support of his driver Mallaiah, who was allegedly harassing a 24-year-old woman graduate in the same village, due to which men from her side developed a grudge against him.

Phirangi Narayana Reddy

The news of his death spread like a wildfire and sparked violence, in which his followers attacked two Congressmen, blaming them for Narayanas murder. This combined with alleged past political rivalry with his opponents led to the murder. Narayanas death, just ahead of the Assembly elections, turned the political heat in Parigi constituency and also in the district, forcing police to deploy additional forces all over Parigi and intensify patrolling.

According to police, Narayana Reddy, a farmer by profession from Sultanpur village was working as the director of Mother Dairy. For a long time, there had been disputes between his group and the opponent Congressman Subhash Chander Reddys group and with the elections approaching, the heat grew between the groups.

Meanwhile, a woman from the village alleged that Narayanas son Venkat Reddy and their driver Mallaiah were harassing her. Though she was engaged to another man, citing harassment from the duo, she lodged a complaint on Monday. To settle the issue, Narayana called for a panchayat in the village, but there also he allegedly supported Mallaiah and his son, which lead the opposition party to end the talks abruptly. After the woman complained of harassment, Venkat Reddy also lodged a complaint that the womans fiance and his cousin for attempting to attack him at their house. Later in the night, the girls relatives locked up Mallaiah in his home.

On Tuesday morning, when Narayana went to his friend, the suspects attacked him. Later, fellow farmers noticed his body and alerted the police. While TRS workers in huge numbers rushed to the spot, a few others went on a rampage. Police by then rushed to the spot and tried to shift his body for postmortem examination, but were blocked by the angry workers, who staged a protest in front of the police vehicles demanding action on the killers.Narayanas son Venkat Reddy in his complaint named 17 persons as accused and we are verifying their role in the incident, SP T Annapurna said.Democrats won governorships on Tuesday in several U.S. states that supported Republican President Donald Trump in 2016 but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio, as voters cast ballots in dozens of gubernatorial contests across the country.

The hotly contested race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state's first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest that drew national attention.

"I still plan to be on the front lines alongside every one of you when it comes to standing up and fighting for what we believe in," Gillum, the 39-year-old mayor of Tallahassee, told supporters at his election night party, where small groups of people embraced, tears streaming down their faces.

Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio's governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray, who served as the first director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers pulled off a narrow win in unseating Republican incumbent Scott Walker, according to data provider DDHQ. The two-term governor, who also survived a Democratic-driven recall election in 2012 after ending collective bargaining for public workers, briefly ran for president in 2016.

In addition to Wisconsin, Democrats also won governor races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016, bolstering the party's hopes of capturing those states in the 2020 presidential election.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette in the contest to replace Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who could not run again due to term limits. In Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally, where outgoing Republican Governor Sam Brownback suffered from low approval ratings.

Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. All told, Democrats had flipped at least seven Republican-held governorships without suffering any losses as of early Wednesday morning.

While much of focus of the elections on Tuesday was on which party would win control of the U.S. Congress, Republicans and Democrats were battling across the country for state-level power, which could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare.

'EVERY VOTE COUNTED'

In Georgia, Abrams, 44, was locked in a tight battle with Republican Brian Kemp, the state's secretary of state. There was a minor party candidate also in the race, and under Georgia law, if no candidate exceeds 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers advance to a December runoff election.

By 2 a.m. EST (0700 GMT), Kemp held a three-point lead, but Abrams told her supporters that she expected a runoff once all votes were counted.

"I promise you tonight that we are going to make sure every vote is counted," she said. "We are still on the verge of history, and the best is yet to come."

Another Democrat trying to make history, Ben Jealous, lost his bid to become Maryland's first black governor to incumbent Republican Larry Hogan.

The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters.

Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who traveled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energize Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats, and media star Oprah Winfrey visited Georgia on behalf of Abrams.

Accusations of race-baiting dogged Kemp, 55, and DeSantis, 40, who denied the allegations. Neither Georgia nor Florida has elected a Democratic governor in 20 years.

"We all learned in 2016 not to count on anything, not polls, not election integrity, not the electoral mood," Dawn Hucklebridge, 36, a friend of Gillum, said at his election night gathering as it became clear he would likely lose. "I'm pretty disappointed."

REPUBLICAN DOMINANCE

Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors' mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

The Democratic Party said it flipped at least six state legislative chambers on the strength of local races. Democrats now have complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades.

The outcome of elections for state positions could also affect future control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional districts are redrawn after the 2020 Census. In some states, a governor's power to sign or veto congressional maps could decide the partisan balance.

Republicans were eyeing a potential pickup in Connecticut, traditionally a Democratic state, where the contest was too close to call on Wednesday morning.

In Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a U.S. state. But Democrat Christine Hallquist lost her bid to become the first openly transgender U.S. governor in Vermont, where Republican incumbent Phil Scott won re-election.

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V V Balakrishna By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The entire TRS rank and file want K Chandrasekhar Rao to remain as Chief Minister for 15 more years, TRS leader KT Rama Rao said, adding that as party workers, both he and Harish Rao also wish the same.

In an informal chat with reporters here on Tuesday, Rama Rao blamed Congress leaders Vanteru Pratap Reddy and T Narsa Reddy for levelling baseless allegations against Harish Rao. Harish Rao has already clarified that he was born in TRS and will die in the same party. We work together and family is above politics, Rama Rao said. He also clarified that Chandrasekhar Rao would not change his Gajwel Assembly seat.

Excerpts of KT Rama Raos interaction with media

Disputes within Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance is not picking up and there are disputes within them over sharing of seats. Once, they announce their candidates, the position of the TRS will further improve. There will be no time for them to pacify the dissidents after announcing the candidates. Though, the Congress and the TDP joined hands their votes will not be transferred.

All settlers will support TRS: KTR

In 2014, TJS Kodandarams followers were given Congress tickets. The CPI and Congress forged an alliance then. TDP and Congress jointly fought Paleru and other elections but people supported TRS.

TRS will get 100 seats

The differences within the TRS have almost subsided in the last one month. Going for early polls is a daring step and TRS will definitely win not less than 100 seats. .

On settlers issue

In 2014 Assembly elections, people in Hyderabad were angry with Congress and TRS for bifurcation of the state. Later, they changed their views on seeing law and order in the city.

They supported TRS in the GHMC elections. The same trend will continue in this Assembly elections too.

BJP will forfeit deposits in 100 seats

BJP candidates will forfeit their deposits in 100 seats. TRS will win in the five segments, which were represented by BJP in the dissolved Assembly. We will field strong candidates in Musheerabad and Amberpet. I used to watch a serial mungerilal ke haseen sapne in which the hero always dreamt of becoming Sachin Tendulkar one day and a filmy hero another day. The BJP leaders are like that. They cannot find out 70 candidates and they are dreaming of winning 70 Assembly seats.

Federal front

Congress and TDP are like birds of same feather. The Federal Front will be given focus after the Assembly elections. We believe that the growth of regional parties will strengthen the country and it will lead to real federal spirit. Stronger the States, strong the country. No party will be able to form government at the Centre after 2019 elections. Our aim is not to see Federal Front in power, but true implementation of federal structure. Coalition government failed in the Centre in the past but trying for it is not wrong.

Naidu is adopted Son of Congress

AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has criticised Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the past but now he has become an adopted son of the Congress, KTR said. Congress could not face TRS and hence joined hands with Naidu, he added. Naidu is paranoid leader and whatever is happening in AP, he is making Prime Minister Modi responsible and then linking TRS with BJP, KTR said On the other hand, Naidu is behaving as if only he can face Modi in the country.By PTI

DHAKA: Bangladesh police Tuesday killed chief of a homegrown banned militant outfit blamed for several deadly attacks on foreigners, bloggers, rights activists and the 2016 Dhaka cafe siege that killed 20 people, including an Indian girl.

Khorshed Alam alias Shamil, chief of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), was killed in a gunfight in Bogra in the northwestern town of Shibganj, police said.

"We raided his secret abode at Shibganj area (of Bogra) overnight. When the militants tried to resist us firing gunshots. Khorshed was killed as we retaliated," a police officer told reporters.

Bogra Sadar circle's Additional Superintendent of Police Sanatan Chakraborty said they raided the Tantipukur area, following a tip-off that a group of militants had gathered there.

Upon seeing the police, the militants opened fire, forcing the security personnel to fire back, triggering a gunfight, Chakraborty was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. Although the majority of the militants fled the scene, Khorshed's bullet-riddled body was found on the spot, the officer said.

Chakraborty said the injured leader was rushed to Shahid Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. On his way to the hospital, Khorshed revealed his identity, Chakraborty said.

Two policemen who were injured in the gun battle are undergoing treatment at the Bogra Police Hospital, he said. The officer said that police recovered two firearms, three rounds of bullets, a machete, and a dagger from the spot.

Bangladesh police blamed the JMB for the two terror attacks, including the Dhaka cafe siege, in which 20 people, including 17 foreigners and an Indian girl, were killed in the country's worst terror attack in Gulshan area of the capital on July 1, 2016.

Indian girl Tarishi Jain was a student of the University of California in Berkeley. She was in Dhaka for a vacation.

Next morning, a joint commando force stormed the bakery, killing all the attackers and rescuing the captives, ending the terror siege of nearly 11 hours.

The Islamic State claimed the brutal Dhaka cafe attack, but the government has insisted that the group had no base in the country and the attack was carried out by homegrown militant groups like the JMB.

Bangladesh has also witnessed a number of Islamist attacks since 2013 on foreigners, liberals and religious minority with the Islamic State and the al-Qaeda making competing claims.

The government has consistently dismissed their claims, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government blames the JMB for the deadly attacks in Bangladesh.By AFP

French officials vowed to inspect all Marseille buildings "unsuitable" for habitation as anger rose over the collapse of two buildings in the Mediterranean city, where up to eight people are feared dead.

A fifth body was recovered on Wednesday morning under rubble of the dilapidated buildings, which crumbled suddenly on Monday morning in Noailles, a working-class district in the heart of the port city.

The dead include two women and three men, prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux told AFP. According to authorities, a total of five to eight people could have died in the collapse.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told lawmakers in Paris that he had ordered a building by building audit before an "ambitious programme for ensuring safe conditions" along with Marseille authorities.

"Nearly 6,000 properties have been identified as at risk" in the city, he said, representing some 44,000 lodgings in lower-class neighbourhoods, calling the situation unacceptable.

Rescuers have been delicately searching what is left of the buildings. A third adjoining building partially collapsed on Monday night.

Residents said Tuesday the structural risks of the buildings and others like them were widely known, but that city officials did little when alerted about them.

"Everybody knew about the problems with the two collapsed buildings," said Patrick Lacoste, a spokesman for a local housing action group.

Firefighters work at the scene where a building collapsed In Marseille, southern France, Monday, (Photo | AP)

"People died for nothing, even though we knew."

"It's hell here, they know that it's crap and now people die for nothing," said local resident Toufik Ben Rhouma. The disaster, he added, was "100 percent the fault of city hall".

"It's been 10 years that I have been living here and I have never had anyone come and inspect my apartment," said a woman who identified herself as Sophie. Her neighbour said she hadn't seen any inspector in 27 years.

On Tuesday afternoon, some residents returned to their homes in neighbouring buildings to pack up belongings in bags and suitcases, some leaving carrying televisions with them, an AFP reporter said.

It could have been me

Only one of the buildings was occupied, as the two others were in such a bad state that they had been condemned.

Google Maps images taken in recent months showed the collapsed buildings had large cracks in their facades.

People had been living in nine of the 10 apartments in one of the buildings, while a shop occupied the ground floor.

A young waiter watched the scene with tears in his eyes, anxious for news of an Italian woman who lived in the building.

"She was a great girl, she used to come and study at the bar," he said, without giving his name.

Firefighters work at the scene where a building collapsed In Marseille, southern France, Monday, (Photo | AP)

Abdou Ali, 34, came in search of his mother after she did not come to collect her youngest son from school on Monday afternoon.

"I haven't had any news," he said, wandering among the rescuers.

Sophie Dorbeaux meanwhile told AFP she had left the block on Sunday night to stay with her parents because her door, like several others, was not opening or closing properly because of the building's structural problems.

"The walls had been moving for several weeks and cracks had appeared," the 25-year-old philosophy student said.

"It could have been me," she added, visibly shaken.

Marseille city authorities, who have evacuated and rehoused 100 residents from nearby buildings as a precaution, believe heavy rain may have contributed to the collapse.

But the incident -- rare in a major Western city -- has already sparked a political row over the quality of housing available to Marseille's poorest residents.

The neighbourhood is home to many buildings in a similarly dilapidated condition, some of them run by slum landlords.

Marseille authorities began a vast upgrade plan for the city centre in 2011.

But a 2015 government report said about 100,000 Marseille residents were living in housing that was dangerous to their health or security.

"It's unthinkable that such things happen in our time," said Christian Gouverneur, who owns a flat in an apartment block opposite the collapsed buildings.By AFP

JAKARTA: An Indonesian Lion Air jet that plunged into the Java Sea last week, killing all 189 on board, had an airspeed indicator problem on its fatal flight and on three previous journeys, the country's transportation watchdog said Monday.

The new details -- gleaned from a recovered flight data recorder -- come after the government said it was launching a "special audit" of the budget carrier's operations.

A week after the disaster, there is still no answer as to what caused the crash.

Lion -- long been dogged by safety problems -- has said the Boeing 737-Max 8 suffered a technical issue on the flight just prior to its deadly crash Monday and that it was fixed.

But the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) said Monday that the black box data showed the plane had an air speed indicator issue on at least two other earlier flights.

"There were four flights in all that suffered a problem with the airspeed indicator," NTSC head Soerjanto Tjahjono told reporters.

"When there was a problem, the pilot would write it down and the mechanic would do (a repair)...Then the plane would be declared airworthy."

The agency said it would probe what caused the indicator problem and whether proper repairs were done -- including replacing the faulty component, he added.

It did not give more details and did not speculate on how the indicator problem may have played a role in the crash, as it continues to mine the flight recorder -- seen as key to answering why a nearly brand new plane fell out of the sky.

- 'Special audit' -

Lion's earlier admission that the jet had a technical issue -- and the captain's request to turn back to the airport minutes before the crash -- have raised questions about whether it had faults specific to one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes.

Divers are still hunting for the plane's cockpit voice recorder.

Flight JT610 sped up as it suddenly lost altitude and then vanished from radar 12 minutes after take-off, with witnesses saying the single-aisle jet plunged into the water.

Lion has been a regular target of complaints about poor service, unreliable scheduling and safety issues, including a fatal 2004 crash.

"We will...conduct a special audit of the crews' qualifications and staff communication," transportation minister Budi Karya Sumadi told reporters Monday as he announced the probe into Lion's operations.

"This is a preventative measure...(The accident) is a very expensive lesson for us."

Civil Aviation authorities in the United States and Europe were also being consulted for their help in the probe, he added.

Meanwhile, authorities have extended their search as they collect more body parts and shattered debris from the spot where the plane crashed during a routine one-hour flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang.

Scores of body bags filled with remains have been collected and sent for DNA testing, but so far just 14 people have been identified.

Search and rescue agency head Muhammad Syaugi tearfully apologised Monday as relatives' clamour for answers grew louder, with accusations that the pace of recovery is lagging.

"We are not perfect human beings," he said, sobbing. "We have flaws, but we doing the best we can."

The Lion Air investigation comes after Indonesia's government ordered an inspection of all Boeing 737 Max 8 planes in the country.

All were found to be airworthy although two required repairs for "minor" problems.

The ministry had previously removed several Lion Air executives and technicians, saying they were needed to help authorities in the investigation.

The accident has resurrected concerns about Indonesia's poor air safety record, which until recently saw its carriers facing years-long bans from entering European Union and US airspace.

An AOA sensor provides data about the angle at which wind is passing over the wings and tells pilots how much lift a plane is getting. The information can be critical in preventing the plane from stalling.

Lion Air JT610 plunged into the Java Sea less than half an hour after taking off from Jakarta on a routine flight to Pangkal Pinang city. There were no survivors.

The doomed jet was a Boeing 737-Max 8, one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes, and there is still no answer as to what caused the crash. A preliminary report is expected at the end of the month.

Search teams have filled some 186 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 44 victims have been identified so far.

Indonesian officials said on Wednesday they would extend by three days the search for bodies.

Divers have recovered one of the two "black boxes" -- the flight data recorder -- but are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder, in the hope it will shed more light on the cause of the disaster.

Indonesian investigators said this week the plane had an air-speed indicator problem on the doomed flight and on three previous journeys.

The glitch had been repeatedly serviced and Lion Air's technical team declared the plane to be airworthy.

The new details -- gleaned from the flight data recorder -- came after the government said it was launching a "special audit" of Lion Air's operations.

The accident has resurrected concerns about Indonesia's poor air safety record, which until recently saw its carriers facing years-long bans from entering European Union and US airspace.By IANS

ROME: Italy is working behind the scenes with other Western nations to help a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, amid fears for her safety in Pakistan following her acquittal in a blasphemy case after eight years on death row.

"We are working discreetly with other Western countries. This is necessary to protect her and her family," Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini told Italy's Rtl 102.5 radio station.

ALSO READ: Blasphemy case: Asia Bibi's husband appeals to Trump, UK, Canada to help leave Pakistan

"We cannot allow a situation like this in 2018... women and children should not be in danger."

Bibi, who had been sentenced to hang, cannot leave Pakistan after violent protests by the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party after Pakistan's Supreme Court cleared her of all charges last week.

Her husband Ashiq Masih says the family could be killed by Islamists and has pleaded for asylum in the UK, the US or Canada.

Bibi's case has galvanised Christian and human rights groups outraged by Pakistan's treatment of religious minorities including its tiny Christian population. Scores of Christians have been convicted of blasphemy since the 1990s in Pakistan.

"It is definitely a priority for me to guarantee a future to that poor woman and her family. There are many Italians working in Pakistan and we have major trade ties with the country," Salvini said.

"Pakistan is certainly not an enemy and we are operating with a high level of discretion and care, but we will fight every form of fanaticism," he said.

Salvini is also Italy's Interior Minister and leader of the rightwing League party, which has been critical of Islam.

Asia Bibi has been invited with her family to visit the European Parliament, its President Antonio Tajani said.

"I call on Pakistan's authorities to issue the necessary documents. European rules require protection to be granted to those who are under threat due to their faith," Tajani tweeted.

Pakistan's government on Friday struck a deal with the TLP that included a pledge not to oppose a review petition filed against the Supreme Court judgment that acquitted Bibi.

The government also agreed not to oppose a TLP application to add Bibi to a list preventing her from leaving the country.By PTI

LONDON: Harry Potter author JK Rowling has launched a legal claim worth around 24,000 pounds against a former personal assistant for alleged misuse of her funds by going on unauthorised shopping sprees.

The 53-year-old novelist claims Amanda Donaldson, who worked for her between February 2014 and April 2017 before being sacked for gross misconduct, broke strict working rules by using a business credit card to buy cosmetics and gifts.

Legal papers lodged at Airdrie Sheriff Court in Scotland allege that Donaldson, 35, wrongly benefited to a value of 23,696.32 pounds by spending on a business credit card and taking Harry Potter merchandise.

"I can confirm J K Rowling has taken legal action against her former personal assistant, Amanda Donaldson, following her dismissal for gross misconduct involving a substantial breach of trust," a spokesperson for the world-famous author said.

"As the case is not yet concluded we are not able to comment further and there won't be any comment from JK Rowling," the spokesperson said.

Donaldson denies the claims and says the author has "not suffered any loss and is not entitled to damages".

The civil action suit, in which Rowling is using her married name Joanne Murray, will be heard by Sheriff Derek O'Carroll later this year.

Discrepancies on a business credit card provided to Donaldson were allegedly picked up in February last year revealing a high volume of personal spending.

She was suspended after meeting an accountant to discuss the use of the card.

Rowling has alleged that her former PA made a series of unauthorised payments, including 823 pounds at Bibi Bakery, 1,482 pounds at luxury candle company Jo Malone, 3,629 pounds in cosmetic firm Molton Brown, 2,139 pounds in card shop Paper Tiger, and 1,636 pounds in Starbucks.

Rowling also claims Donaldson, who controlled memorabilia requests from fans, used her position to steal a Harry Potter toys including a motorised Hogwarts Express worth 467.56 pounds, a Harry Potter Wizard Collection worth 2,231.76 pounds and a Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set worth 395 pounds.

The author also believes her former employee bought two cats worth 1,200 pounds and took 7,742 pounds worth of foreign money from a safe.

She alleges that she suffered losses as a consequence of fraud perpetrated against her former PA, who has denied all the claims.By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday extended his good wishes to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

"Wishing all our Hindu citizens a happy Diwali," Khan tweeted.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also greeted Hindu parliamentarians and the Hindu community.

"Pakistan is a pluralistic country and enriched with cultural diversity," he said.

Other key members of the Khan government, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, also wished the Hindu community a happy Diwali.

"I wish our Hindu brethren a happy #Diwali. May the Festival of Lights usher in joy and prosperity for all of you. May light always have victory over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance," Foreign Minister Qureshi tweeted.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif also wished the Hindu community on the occasion, asserting that members of the Hindu community are equal citizens of Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Sharif said the rights of non-Muslims were enshrined in the Constitution and guaranteed by Islam, and that members of minority communities have played an important role in the formation, defence, construction and development of Pakistan, the paper reported.

He said that the PML-N would continue to play its role in protecting the rights of non-Muslims.

Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended his greetings to Hindu communities across the world and in Pakistan.

Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan.

However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their Muslim fellows.By Associated Press

CHICAGO: A onetime Somali refugee and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants shared the historic distinction Tuesday of becoming the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress.

Both women -- Ilhan Omar, 37, and Rashida Tlaib, 42 -- are Democrats from the Midwest and outspoken advocates of minority communities that have found themselves in the sights of US President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies.

Omar won a House seat in a strongly Democratic district in Minneapolis, Minnesota, succeeding Keith Ellison who was himself the first Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Tlaib's victory was no suprise. She ran unopposed in a congressional district that stretches from Detroit to Dearborn, Michigan.

Their stories trace a similar trail-blazing rise through local politics.

Ilhan Omar

"I'm Muslim and black," the hijab-wearing Omar said in a recent magazine interview.

"I decided to run because I was one of many people I knew who really wanted to demonstrate what representative democracies are supposed to be," she said.

Omar fled Somalia's civil war with her parents at the age of eight and spent four years at a refugee camp in Kenya.

Her family settled in Minnesota in 1997, where there is a sizable Somali population.

She won a seat in the state's legislature in 2016, becoming the first Somali-American lawmaker in the country.

ALSO READ | US mid-term elections: Colorado elects first openly gay governor Jared Polis

Before that, she had worked as a community organizer, a policy wonk for city leaders in Minneapolis, and as a leader in her local chapter of the NAACP -- the African-American civil rights group.

She decided to run for Congress after Ellison, who is also black, decided to give up his seat after 12 years in Congress to run for attorney general of Minnesota.

Omar has forged a progressive political identity. She supports free college education, housing for all, and criminal justice reform.

She opposes Trump's restrictive immigration policies, supports a universal health care system, and wants to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has conducted deportation raids.

We did this, together.



Thank you! pic.twitter.com/TywZwt2dR3  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018

Rashida Tlaib

Rashida Tlaib is the Detroit-born daughter of Palestinian immigrants -- the eldest of 14 children.

A fighter who once heckled US President Donald Trump during a 2016 campaign stop in Detroit, she says she didn't run to make history as Muslim.

"I ran because of injustices and because of my boys, who are questioning their (Muslim) identity and whether they belong," Tlaib said in an US television interview in August.

"I've never been one to stand on the sidelines."

Like Omar, she blazed a trail through Michigan politics, becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature in 2008.

Rashida Tlaib. (Photo | Twitter)

In August, she emerged as the winner of a Democratic primary for a seat vacated by John Conyers, a longtime liberal lion who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health.

With no Republican challenger in the race, Tlaib's election on Tuesday became a formality.

The seat she won is in a predominantly African American congressional district with few Muslim voters.

She says her constituents were attracted to her progressive politics, which are the polar opposite of Republicans.

Tlaib has advocated for universal health care, a $15 national minimum wage, union protections, and tuition-free college education.

She also has been mindful of the historic nature of her candidacy.

During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her immigrant mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success.

"It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be," she said.By AFP

CHICAGO: Democrat candidates Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland broke new ground on Tuesday, becoming the first Native American women elected to Congress, US networks projected.

Davids, 38, of Kansas, is an attorney by training and a former mixed martial arts fighter. She is also openly lesbian, in a state that is traditionally conservative. She defeated Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder.

Haaland, 57, of New Mexico, beat Janice Arnold-Jones, a Republican, and Lloyd Princeton, a Libertarian.

The two women were among a record number of Native Americans who ran in the midterm elections for congressional seats, governor's offices, state legislatures and other elected posts.

"Strong, Resilient, Indigenous," reads the t-shirt worn by Davids in one of her campaign ads for election in the state's 3rd congressional district, which includes Kansas City and its southern suburbs.

Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe, is a well-known community activist in her solidly Democratic district, working tirelessly to encourage Native Americans -- who make up two percent of the US population -- to vote.

She cut her teeth working as a volunteer for John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004 -- making endless cold calls to rally Native Americans to vote.

Since then, she has not stopped campaigning: she worked full-time as a volunteer for Barack Obama, and on dozens of local and state campaigns. She ran for lieutenant governor and served one term as the state party chair.

ALSO READ | US mid-term elections: Colorado elects first openly gay governor Jared Polis

"We need real people who are talking about our issues and know what it feels like," Haaland told AFP in an interview ahead of the elections, in which she ran in New Mexico's 1st congressional district seat.

"We have people in Congress right now who... don't know what it's like" to be without food or proper health care, she said.

She said although her disdain for President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, health care and other issues motivated her to run, that was not the only reason.

Haaland and Davids join a number of Democrats who have flipped seats in the House of Representatives, helping their party seize control of the lower chamber from the Republicans and dealing a stern rebuke to Trump.European Council President Donald Tusk said he discussed the way ahead on Brexit negotiations with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday.

Phone call with PM Theresa May this morning to take stock of progress in Brexit talks and discuss way ahead, said Tusk, whose task it will be to decide whether and when to call a summit of EU leaders to endorse any deal that is reached.

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Donald Trump faced greater restraints on his presidency after Democrats won control of the U.S. House of Representatives and pledged to hold the Republican accountable after a tumultuous two years in the White House.

Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their control of the U.S. Senate in Tuesdays midterm elections, following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race and immigration.

But they lost their majority in the House, a setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.

With some races still undecided, Democrats were headed for a gain of more than 30 seats, beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

Seizing the Senate had never looked a likely prospect for the Democrats, and in the event they fell short of a tidal wave of voter support that would have given them control of both chambers of Congress.

Winning the Senate majority would have allowed Democrats to apply the brakes even more firmly on Trumps policy agenda and given them the ability to block any future Supreme Court nominees.

However, the Democrats will now head House committees that can investigate the presidents tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and possible links between his 2016 election campaign and Russia.

The Democrats also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package, or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans, its about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration, Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House Democrats, told supporters at victory party.

Despite his partys poor showing in House elections, Trump wrote on Twitter, Tremendous success tonight.

Trump - a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician - had hardened his rhetoric in recent weeks on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters. He threw himself into the campaign, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of liberal American mobs he says oppose him.

U.S. presidents often lose the House in midterm elections in their first term. Former President Barack Obamas Democrats were hit with what he called a shellacking in congressional elections in 2010.

GRIDLOCK?

With divided leadership in Congress and a president who has taken an expansive view of executive power, Washington could be in store for even deeper political polarization and legislative gridlock.

European shares rebounded on Wednesday after the U.S. elections delivered no big surprise.

With the Democrats taking over the House we will now have to see what gridlock in Congress means for policy. As for the market impact, a split Congress has historically been bullish for equities and we expect to see the same pattern again, said Torsten Slok, Chief International Economist of Deutsche Bank.

Investors often favor Washington gridlock because it preserves the status quo and reduces uncertainty, even though many in the market this time around had been hoping for a continuation of the Republican agenda.

Losing the House will test Trumps ability to compromise, something he has shown little interest in over the last two years with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.

There may be some room to work with Democrats on issues with bipartisan support such as an infrastructure improvement package or protections against prescription drug price increases.

We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we cant, said Pelosi, who has been one of the most frequent targets for Trumps scathing attacks on his critics and political opponents.

Every seat in the House was up for grabs on Tuesday. The Republicans had an advantage in Senate races because elections were held for only 35 seats in the 100-member chamber and many of them were in states that often lean Republican.

Republicans built on their slim Senate majority and ousted four incumbent Democrats: Bill Nelson in Florida, Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

In the 36 gubernatorial contests, Democrats won governorships in states that supported Trump in 2016 but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio.

After their victory, House Democrats are expected to try to harden U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea, while maintaining the status quo on hot-button areas like China and Iran.

They could make life difficult for Trump by launching another congressional investigation into allegations of Russian interference on his behalf in the 2016 election. The Democrats are awaiting the result of an ongoing federal probe by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russias role in that election.

Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.

A House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaced of collusion by his campaign, or of obstruction by the president of the federal investigation. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate, an unlikely scenario.

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the midterm campaigns final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

WOMEN, YOUNG, HISPANIC VOTERS FUEL GAINS

The Democratic gains were fueled by women, young and Hispanic voters, a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll found. Fifty-five percent of women said they backed a Democrat for the House this year, compared to 49 percent in the 2014 midterm congressional election.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 backed Democrats by 62 percent to 34 percent, up from 2014 when 54 percent backed Democrats and 36 percent supported Republicans. Hispanic voters favored Democratic House candidates by 33 percentage points - higher than the 18-percentage point gap that Democrats enjoyed in 2014, the poll found.

Democrats turned out to register disapproval of Trumps divisive rhetoric and policies on such issues as immigration and his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

A record number of women ran for office this election, many of them Democrats.

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map. Democrats who picked up Republican-held seats included Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, in Florida.

Some of the campaigns biggest Democratic stars lost. Liberal House member Beto ORourkes underdog Senate campaign fell short in conservative Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become Floridas first black governor.

The hotly contested gubernatorial race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

Republican gains in the Senate are sure to bolster the partys efforts to ram conservative federal judges through confirmation proceedings during a lame duck session that starts next week, as well as from January when the new Congress convenes.

Voters also punished moderate Senate Democrats running in Trump-heavy states who opposed the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Republican caucuses in both chambers have become even more conservative with the loss of moderates within Trumps party.

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 52F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 21F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday that Europe must respond to U.S. President Donald Trumps America First agenda of tighter borders, protectionist economic policies and unilateralist diplomacy, with Europe United.

He said he expected U.S. Democrats, who in Tuesdays midterm elections won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, to use their newfound power to more heavily influence Trumps policies.

Well see to what extent that has an impact. We hope that this cooperation will be constructive and lead to constructive results in international politics, Maas said.

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Wills Memorial Hospital hosts ribbon cutting ceremony for new garden On November 10, Wills Memorial Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new flower garden. The garden was constructed for patients in the Respiratory Therapy/ VENT program. The project...

City Council to hear second ethics complaint The Washington City Council has decided on December 8 at 6 p.m. at The Edward B. Pope Conference Center to hold an ethics hearing. The hearing comes as a result...The Zimbabwe National Road Administration and the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe used personal bank accounts of employees outside Harare to conduct cash transactions for their entities, in the process exposing the funds to abuse, an audit has shown.



In her audit report for the financial year ended December 31 2017, Auditor General Ms Mildred Chiri said there were 21 State entities that were failing to uphold good corporate governance standards and to provide services sustainably.



I also noted weak internal controls over cash and banking. NOIC Feruka depot was using the assistant depot managers personal bank account for administering cash transactions for the company. The same obtained for Zinara which was disbursing cash to provinces through employees personal bank accounts, said Ms Chiri in her report tabled before Parliament.



In addition, there was no laid down policy or procedure to cover this arrangement. I also noted that there was no evidence of approval by the head of station on the petty cash voucher. The petty cash voucher was only signed by the accounts clerk. There is risk of loss through misappropriation of funds.







In response to audit observations, Zinara management admitted not using official bank accounts but said this was only a temporary measure to allow the smooth flow of operations at provincial offices. HeraldHe Didn't Invent Toys,

but He's the Genius

We Can Thank for Them(Newser)  For the first time since Ebola was identified in 1976, the disease could become a persistent presence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield warned Monday that the new outbreak in Congo is so severe it may not be containable, the Washington Post reports. Most previous outbreaks have happened in remote areas, and all of them were brought under control before spreading widely and becoming entrenched. If the current outbreak, which has racked up almost 300 cases including 186 deaths as it enters its fourth month, becomes endemic in enough areas, "this will mean that weve lost the ability to trace contacts, stop transmission chains, and contain the outbreak," said another expert at the Capitol Hill briefing where Redfield spoke.

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That would mean the deadly virus could spread unpredictably, likely impacting travel and trade in a major way. The current outbreak is happening in an active war zone in Congo, making it harder for teams to respond to the hemorrhagic feverand making some people who are infected reluctant to visit treatment centers. One doctor recently wrote that this is the most challenging outbreak response he's seen in 18 years working in the region. Further complicating matters, health care workers are being infectedand it's already difficult for responders to track the cases, as 60% to 80% of them have no known epidemiological link to prior cases. The rate of new infections is also increasing. International public health experts need to prepare for the fact that this could "[become] more of an endemic Ebola outbreak in this region, which weve never really confronted," Redfield said. (She famously survived ebola, only to be killed in "silent epidemic.")The 11the Panorama brings more films than its previous editions, while maintaining it's large scope of screenings in 10 Egyptian cities

The Panorama of the European Film will open its 11th edition on 7 November, and will run for 11 days in Cairo and nine other Egyptian cities.

This edition will present over 60 films  a larger number from last year  selected from the latest award-winning European feature and documentary films, as well as timeless classics.

Screenings will take place at Zawyas new premises in Downtowns Cinema Karim, Cairo's Zamalek Cinema, and out of Cairo in Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Assiut, Damietta, Mansoura, Minya, Qena and Zagazig.

The Polish film Cold War will open the festival in a private event. The film is directed by Pawel Pawlikowski and stars Jonanna Julig and Tomasz Kot.

Set during the 1950s Cold War between Poland, Yugoslavia, Berlin and Paris, the 2018 film is shot in black and white and depicts an impossible love story between two people from very different backgrounds.

It won the Pawlikowski the award for Best Director at Cannes, where it was also nominated for the Palme dOr, and went on to win seven other festival awards including the Ghent Film Festivals Grant Prix and the Audience Award. The film was screened in Egypts Gouna Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Star for Best Film.

View the full programme of Panoramas films here.

The annual festival was founded by Misr International Films and is organised by Zawya, Cairo's art house cinema.

Programme:

Panorama will run between 7 and 22 November

Zawya (Cinema Karim), 15 Emad El-Din St., Downtown, Cairo

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy(Newser)  A Bangladeshi immigrant convicted Tuesday of terrorism charges after setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station at rush hour told the trial judge he was angry at President Donald Trump and didn't carry out the attack for the Islamic State group. The verdict against Akayed Ullah was returned in Manhattan federal court after a trial in which the defense maintained he intended to kill only himself last Dec. 11, the AP reports. Nobody died, and most of the injuries were not serious. After the verdict was announced and the jury left the room, Ullah spoke out, telling the judge: "I was angry with Donald Trump because he says he will bomb the Middle East and then he will protect his nation. So I said: 'Donald Trump, you cannot do like this.' Nobody likes bombing, your honor." Judge Richard Sullivan told him: "Right now is not the time for a statement."

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Ullah repeatedly told Sullivan he did not carry out the attack for the Islamic State group. Prosecutors said Ullah sought to maim or kill commuters in response to calls for "lone wolf" terrorist attacks by the terror organization. "Your honor, you heard what the government is trying to do. They are trying to put me in the group, which I don't support, your honor," Ullah told Sullivan. "Mr. Ullah, now is not the time for this," the judge told him. Sentencing was scheduled for April 5, when Ullah faces a mandatory 30-year prison sentence and could be sent to prison for life. The verdict capped a weeklong trial that featured surveillance video of Ullah the morning when his pipe bomb sputtered, seriously burning him in a corridor beneath Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal, where most subway lines converge. (Weeks before the bombing, Ullah traveled hundreds of miles to deliver medicine to refugees.)(Newser)  Chris Watts initially told police he killed his pregnant wife, Shanann, in a rage after she killed their two daughters; investigators never believed him. And on Tuesday, the Colorado man pleaded guilty to murdering Shanann as well as the two girls, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, on Aug. 13. The plea deal, which involved Chris Watts pleading guilty to nine charges including first-degree murder and unlawful termination of a pregnancy, allows him to avoid the death penalty, CNN reports. He will be sentenced Nov. 19 and could face three consecutive life sentences, CBS Denver reports. (He reportedly told Shanann he wanted to separate the morning of the murders; friends say the couple was having marital problems.)(Newser)  Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk briefly jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, is out of the license-issuing game. The Republican lost her re-election bid in Rowan County to Democratic challenger Elwood Caudill Jr. by around 54% to 46%, the Hill reports. Daviswho still opposes gay marriage, but no longer refuses to issue licensesbeat Caudill by just 23 votes when she ran as a Democrat in 2014. This time around, Caudill defeated David Ermold, one of the men Davis refused to issue a marriage license to, in the Democratic primary. Ermold later accused Caudill of being an anti-gay bigot, saying he would prefer Davis to win, the Louisville Courier Journal reports. (Read more Kim Davis stories.)(Newser)  The Marine Corps has grounded two aviators who used a training flight to draw a penis over California's Salton Sea just a year after a similar stunt. The phallus-shaped flight path near Palm Springs on Oct. 23, shared online after it was detected using flight-tracking software, was traced to a T-34C training aircraft. That plane was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in Miramar, where an investigation was launched, reports ABC News. The two aviators responsible for the "obscene image" are no longer flying, a rep told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

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They are, however, "providing vital squadron ground support functions," the rep continued. "Disciplinary or administrative action, if any, will be determined following the completion of the investigation," he added. The offending pair, who appeared to practice the penis shape over land before the rather impressive display, might've actually been inspired by their counterparts in the Navy: Two Navy aviators stationed at Whidbey Island, Wash., were disciplined last November for drawing a penis shape with contrails from their fighter jets, adds ABC News. (This pilot chose a more family-friendly flight path.)(Newser)  Michigan is going to have the first legal recreational marijuana in the Midwest. The Detroit Free Press projects a comfortable victory for the ballot proposal to make the state the 10th to legalize recreational pot. A similar measure in North Dakota, however, appears destined for defeat, though Legalize ND campaigners say they won't concede until all votes are countedand if the measure does fail, they will try again in 2020, the Grand Forks Herald reports. In other ballot measures:



Transgender rights. Voters in Massachusetts said yes to Question 3, which upholds a 2016 state law allowing transgender people to use the public facilities, including restrooms and locker rooms, of the gender they identify with, WBUR reports. The Yes on 3 campaign says the state is the first "to successfully defend transgender rights by popular vote."

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Fracking . Oil and gas interests in Colorado expressed relief after voters rejected Proposition 112, which would have required oil and gas wells to be located at least half a mile away from homes and other occupied buildings, the Denver Business Journal reports.

. Oil and gas interests in Colorado expressed relief after voters rejected Proposition 112, which would have required oil and gas wells to be located at least half a mile away from homes and other occupied buildings, the Denver Business Journal reports. Voting rights for felons . More than 60% of Florida voters voted in favor of a measure to restore voting rights to more than a million felons who have completed their sentences, reports CNN. The measure excludes murderers and sex offenders.

. More than 60% of Florida voters voted in favor of a measure to restore voting rights to more than a million felons who have completed their sentences, reports CNN. The measure excludes murderers and sex offenders. Photo ID for voters . North Carolina and Arkansas voted to join 17 other states in requiring voters to show photo ID.

. North Carolina and Arkansas voted to join 17 other states in requiring voters to show photo ID. Redistricting . Colorado and Michigan voted to reform redistricting by having it carried out by independent commissions instead of state legislatures.

. Colorado and Michigan voted to reform redistricting by having it carried out by independent commissions instead of state legislatures. More marijuana . A measure to legalize recreational marijuana in Utah had what the Salt Lake Tribune calls a "commanding lead" early Wednesday. At a victory party, Christine Stenquist, founder of the advocacy group TRUCE Utah, predicted that the conservative state's decision would influence other states debating legalization. Missouri also voted to legalize medical marijuana Tuesday.

. A measure to legalize recreational marijuana in Utah had what the Salt Lake Tribune calls a "commanding lead" early Wednesday. At a victory party, Christine Stenquist, founder of the advocacy group TRUCE Utah, predicted that the conservative state's decision would influence other states debating legalization. Missouri also voted to legalize medical marijuana Tuesday. Abortion . Alabama voters passed an amendment to the state constitution recognizing "the rights of unborn children, including the right to life," while West Virginia said yes to a measure banning Medicaid from funding abortions, the Los Angeles Times reports.

. Alabama voters passed an amendment to the state constitution recognizing "the rights of unborn children, including the right to life," while West Virginia said yes to a measure banning Medicaid from funding abortions, the Los Angeles Times reports. Helping the homeless. In San Francisco, 60% of voters were in favor of the controversial Proposition C, which will tax big businesses to raise around $300 million a year to help homeless people, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

(Read more Election 2018 stories.)(Newser)  All 78 students kidnapped by anti-government separatists in Cameroon Sunday have been freed, officials now say, but the ordeal isn't over for everyone. The BBC reports that the children taken from Presbyterian Secondary School in Bamenda are now being questioned by authorities before they get to go home to their families. It hasn't been definitively established who abducted the 42 girls and 36 boys, per CNN, with the government and the so-called "Amba Boys"an English-speaking minority movement opposed to President Paul Biyaboth accusing each other. Still reportedly held by the kidnappers: a teacher and the school's principal, though a driver has also been said to have been released. (An African billionaire was kidnapped last month.)(Newser)  The second-deadliest alpine accident in North American history claimed nine lives. Of those who died on Mount Hood in May 1986, seven were students, all of whom attended Portland's Oregon Episcopal School. At the time, the school ran a program called Basecamp that was Outward Bound-like and required all sophomores to learn how to snow-climb and ultimately summit the 11,249-foot peak. And so just before midnight on May 11, 1986, a group set off, with the expectation that 12 hours later they'd be atop Hood. They consisted of "fifteen boys and girls, one mother, one priest, one administrator, two guides," writes Pauls Toutonghi for Outside Online. "Twenty people in all, nine of whom would die over the next four days" in a storm that hit the mountain with 100-plus-mph winds.

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Though the tragedy garnered international headlines, Toutonghi writes that it's only now, 32 years later, that a fuller picture of what went wrong has emerged, through a limited number of interviews he had with rescuers and survivors and based on the findings of two investigations, one ordered by the school and another by the American Alpine Club. His own children now attend the school, which has long since ended the Basecamp program. "I've long been haunted by the story of the climb's lost students, kids so much like my own, so fragile and young," he writes. He digs deep into their story: of those who mercifully turned around; of Thomas Goman, the 42-year-old chaplain blamed for pushing the group too hard; and of the too-small snow cave the group tried to use to survive, but in which four students and two adults died. Read the full story here. (A couple survived 48 hours in a mountain blizzard.)On the subject of a potential Democratic investigation into his administration led by the House, Reuters reports the president cautioned that he would take on a "warlike posture" if this came to pass. "They can play that game, but we can play it better," he said. "All youre going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth, and two years is going to go up and we won't have done a thing." Reuters notes Democrats will soon be at the helm of House committees that could look into things like Trump's tax returns and potential conflicts of interest related to his businesses.(Newser)  A killer who strangled two of his wives in two states could be released from a North Carolina prison, potentially cutting short his life sentence after more than 22 years, the AP reports. North Carolina's parole commission said Wednesday it is collecting information ahead of a decision on whether to release Tim Boczkowski. He also faces a life sentence in Pennsylvania and North Carolina state prison officials said he would be sent there if he is paroled in North Carolina after a hearing that could come as early as next month. The commission weighs when to release inmates whose crimes were committed before October 1994, after which parole was eliminated. North Carolina inmates with life sentences who committed crimes under laws in effect when Boczkowski committed his slaying are eligible for parole after 20 years

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Boczkowski, 63, was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 for killing his first wife while the couple lived in Greensboro. Elaine Boczkowski was found dead in a bath tub in 1990. He was charged in North Carolina only after being charged with murder for the 1994 death of his second wife in Ross, Pennsylvania. Maryann Boczkowski was discovered in a hot tub at their suburban Pittsburgh home. Boczkowski was sentenced to death in 1999 for strangling Maryann, but that was thrown out by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2004 because prosecutors violated a judge's order and allowed Boczkowski to be extradited to North Carolina. Prosecutors then used his North Carolina murder conviction to qualify him for the death penalty in Pennsylvania. Boczkowski was resentenced in Pennsylvania to a second life sentence. (Chris Watts pleaded guilty this week in his wife's death.)This week saw the re-establishment of US sanctions against Iran, with as yet uncertain results

New US sanctions on Iran were implemented on 5 November, with the aim of stopping the Islamic Republic from raising resources to spend on regional conflicts or on support for groups on the terrorism list of the US State Department, including the Lebanese Shia group Hizbullah and the Palestinian group Hamas.

Exactly 39 years ago, the US and Iran broke off diplomatic ties. Since then, the region has changed a lot, as has Iran. Its population of 35 million in 1979 has jumped to almost 81 million today.

Young Iranians are not as revolutionary as their parents, even if their rulers have remained fiery and steeped in the atmosphere of 1979 when students climbed the walls of the US Embassy in Tehran and changed the nature of the countrys revolution forever.

The core issue between the US and Iran is miscommunication and each having different expectations of the other.

The sanctions on Iran, which allow eight countries having exemptions to import Iranian oil on a temporary basis, do not allow for oil to be paid for in cash.

According to the US, this money should be kept in an escrow account and can only be used to buy food and medicines.

The plan is similar to the oil for food plan in Iraq after former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and the United Nations imposed a heavy embargo.

The sanctions ruined Iraq, which is still suffering from the consequences. The new sanctions against Iran may have a similar effect, being designed to punish the regime but in fact causing suffering to ordinary Iranians.

Iran is a leading power in the region, and it has major influence in both the Middle East and Central Asia. Isolating Iran in the way US President Donald Trump wants and punishing the regime for its behaviour may be hard to achieve as a result.

The Islamic Republic is not North Korea, and it is not likely to change its behaviour as a result of sanctions as it can still sell oil on the black market, something the regime has done in the past and during the previous sanctions regime.

The Iranian leaderships expectations from talks with the US are less than during the period of former US president Barack Obama, though most of the current US demands are concentrated on changing Irans behaviour in the region, a halt to its testing missiles, and stopping the financing of militias.

These issues are highlighted in the 12 demands made of Iran by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. There is no word about the Iran nuclear programme.

Even the four sites associated with Irans nuclear facilities are exempted from the sanctions, which according to Pompeo have to remain open in order to carry out external inspections.

The major goal of curbing Irans nuclear programme was achieved during the Obama administration, and it was dismantled thanks to the friendly approach of the US.

Now is the time for the US to curb another major threat, which is Irans threat to Israel.

Since the Islamic Republic has never recognised Israel and has not changed its behaviour in the region despite the nuclear deal, security for Israel and normalisation with its neighbours is a priority for Trump who wants to settle this matter once and for all by cutting off financial resources for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards without this leading to a military confrontation with Iran.

Economic pressure has turned many Iranians against the regime, though it is not clear if extra pressure would lead to its overthrow.

Yet, Trumps aim is clear: the regime has to stop threatening Israel, and if it does not do so it will have to face its own angry people who are more and more convinced that the regime is corrupt and cannot manage the nation.

It should not be long before the Iranian regime decides on its path forwards and the Iranian people decide their views on the matter.

Trump, however, is unlikely to change direction. Israel is his administrations priority, and he wants to put an end to anti-Israeli sentiments in the region, which he thinks are largely stoked by Iran.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Return of sanctions on Iran

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His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa underlined Bahrains efforts to boost peace, tolerance and coexistence all over the world, calling on all to contribute to achieving peaceful coexistence worldwide.

In a recorded speech marking the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence at the Sapienza University, Rome, HM the King said by launching the academic chair, Bahrain hopes to reach the hearts and minds of the youth throughout the world by providing them with the needed knowledge and inspiration to invoke peaceful co-existence and love. He pointed out that when drafting the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration, the document began with the phrase Ignorance is the Enemy of Peace.

We rely on the expertise, centuries of experience and immaculate reputation of the Renowned Faculty of Sapienza University to bring our vision to life, HM King Hamad said, adding that Bahrain will contribute in this way to the promotion of peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence worldwide.To empower and connect local and regional start-ups to investors across the MENA region, an angel investors summit will be held in Bahrain next week.

Budding entrepreneurs from all over the MENA region will pitch their ideas and business plans to angel investors at the summit that will be held on coming Monday.

The summit aims to provide a platform to empower and connect local and regional start-ups to investors across the MENA region.

This years theme is also focused on educating investors on how to invest in start-ups, connecting start-ups with family offices, banks and law facilitators/makers, learning and interacting with the start-up ecosystem.Israel has long said that if Arab states reach out with recognition, it will accommodate the Palestinians. Experience testifies this is a lie

For as long as I can recall, Israelis have sought recognition and acceptance from the Arab world without reciprocity. At times, they have made the argument that if the Arab states simply recognised them as a normal state in the Middle East then they would feel secure enough to make accommodations with the Palestinians.

In 2002, in an effort to test Israels commitment to achieving a comprehensive peace that would result in its recognition and acceptance, Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia announced an Arab Peace Initiative (API). The API, which was later unanimously endorsed by the Arab League, contained the following elements:

If Israel were to agree to a full withdrawal from the occupied territories to the pre-June 1967 borders and the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and an agreed upon solution for the Palestinian refugee problem; in exchange, the Arab states will consider the Arab-Israeli conflict over and will sign a comprehensive peace agreement and establish normal relations with the State of Israel.

Giving lie to their interest in finding a peaceful and jussolution to the conflict, Israel has repeatedly rejected the API, insisting that the Arab states normalise without preconditions.

Not only the Israelis have pushed this line, but key figures from various US administrations have also encouraged Arab leaders to turn the API upside down and move towards recognition and normalisation first.

In making their case, US policymakers have used the Israeli argument that if the Israelis felt more secure they would be more open to compromise with the Palestinians.

Time and again, however, we have seen clear evidence that this is simply not true  normalisation with Israel doesnt advance peace. It merely emboldens them to consolidate their annexation of Palestinian land.

Each time a concession has been made by the Arabs, what the Israelis have done is pocket it, refuse to reciprocate, and continue on their merry way, while demanding still more concessions.

A few Examples Come To Mind

During the lead up to the Madrid Peace Conference, the Bush Sr administration proposed to the Arab states that they offer a sweetener to the Israelis which it hoped might entice the Israelis to be more accommodating.

What it suggested was that if the Arabs agreed to end their secondary boycott of businesses that did business in Israel, then the administration would press the Israelis to accept a freeze on settlement construction in the occupied territories.

I know about this first hand, since I had discussions with several Arab foreign ministers at that time.

Several key Arab governments informed the US administration that they would do so. The secondary boycott was ended.

The Madrid Peace Conference happened. But the settlement freeze never materialised.

I remember, in 1994, making my first trip with a delegation of Arab American and American Jewish business leaders to Israel/Palestine as co-chair of Builders for Peace, a project launched by US vice president Al Gore.

On that visit, I saw visual evidence of the betrayal that had occurred at Madrid. As we passed Tel Aviv on our first night in the region, one of the Jewish members of our group marvelled at the signs on buildings in the city advertising Korean and Japanese companies now doing business in Israel.

He noted that just a few years earlier none of those companies had been there. Madrid and the end of the secondary boycott had brought them to Israel.

The next day as we left Jerusalem heading towards Ramallah, we could see on hill after hill settlement construction taking place at a feverish pace. When I commented on this, an American Jewish leader responded defensively that he had been told by the Israelis that this wasnt settlement expansion, it was merely natural growth of existing settlements  even though the new construction was taking place on different hills and was completing a ring of Jewish-only housing that was circling East Jerusalem severing it from the rest of the West Bank. The secondary boycott ended, the settlements had not.

Later that same year, I went to Casablanca to chair a session on the Palestinian economy at the first regionwide economic summit  one of the fruits of the Oslo Accords.

The Israeli business delegation was there in full force. They were so obviously delighted to be in an Arab country mingling with business leaders from across the Arab world.

At times, it was almost embarrassing to watch as they a little too eagerly sought to have their pictures taken with any Arab they saw dressed in a thobe and kafiyya.

The following years summit took place in Amman. But there was a difference. Palestinian political leaders were there, as were the representatives of the American and Israeli governments and their business communities.

But Palestinian businessmen and women from the Occupied Territories were not present. Israel had denied them exit permits and so they were not allowed to cross the Allenby Bridge to attend the summit that had been only made possible by Palestinian endorsement of the Oslo Accords.

It was as if the Palestinians had opened the door to the Arab world allowing the Israelis to enter. The Israelis entered and then promptly shut the door behind them.

While in Amman, I fought back and insisted that if the Palestinians couldnt come to us, then we would bring our group of business leaders to them. We met a few days later in a hotel in Jerusalem.

Present were representatives of our business delegation, and US and Israeli government representatives. We waited for more than an hour and a half for the Palestinian business leaders to come.

Finally, we received a call from the Palestinians who informed us that they were stuck at a checkpoint because the occupation authorities were refusing them permission to enter the city. The Israeli government officials who were present apologised. The planned meeting adjourned. And that was the end.

What comes through so clearly from these examples and others is that the Israelis have simply never operated in good faith vis-a-vis their dealings with the Arab world, and most especially with the Palestinians.

They take and they do not reciprocate. That is why I say, dont be fooled. Normalisation doesnt advance peace and it most certainly doesnt advance Palestinian rights.

* The writer is president of the Arab American Institute.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Normalisation doesnt advance Israeli-Palestinian peace

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A 30-year-old man convicted of forging a medical report has had his three years imprisonment upheld as he lost his appeal.

The Bahraini man was earlier held guilty of forgery after he counterfeited a medical report after getting injured in an accident.

According to prosecutors, the man was supposed to receive the medical report 13 days after the accident, but he forged one with the assistance of a 50-yearold man.

He submitted the fake medical report to the insurance company as he could not wait for the original one, they added.

Though the fake and original reports indicated same injuries, the percentage of disability suffered in the accident varied. He was arrested after the Ministry of Health was alerted by the insurance company officials about fake medical report.

We cross-checked the report and we directly contacted the officials at the Ministry of Health, and we were told that it wasnt issued yet, a representative from the insurance company told prosecutors.Gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians in central Egypt on Friday, killing seven in the latest assault on the religious minority claimed by the Islamic State group. The attackers opened fire on the bus of pilgrims in Minya province after the occupants had visited the Saint Samuel monastery, the local bishop said.

Bishop Makarios of Minya said the wounded were taken to a hospital in Beni Mazar, around 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of Cairo. The Coptic Church in a statement released the names of the seven martyrs -- including two women -- who died in the attack. Heavy deployments of security forces blocked roads leading towards the scene of the shooting.

A security source confirmed that seven people were killed in the attack and said seven were wounded. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a message via its propaganda agency Amaq.The Khashoggi affair is far from over, with Turkeys Erdogan aiming to use it as a means to rebalance the regional order

Speaking before the US Institute of Peace in Washington DC on 30 October, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis took almost everyone by surprise by declaring that, Thirty days from now, we want to see everybody around a peace table based on a ceasefire, based on a pullback from the border and then ceasing dropping of bombs.

Mattis was speaking about the futile and useless war that has been raging in Yemen for almost four years now. It sounded like an ultimatum to the warring parties, the Arab Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, on the one hand, and the Houthis and their Iranian backers, on the other.

On the same day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a press statement issued by the State Department, followed suit and stressed that the United States calls on all parties [in the Yemen war] to support UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen.

The change in tone by Washington concerning the inconclusive war in Yemen could be ascribed to the fact that the growing political fragility of the House of Saud, as a direct consequence of the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on 2 October, and the admission by Saudi authorities that liquidating him was premeditated, emboldened the US administration to call for a cessation of hostilities in Yemen.

From the beginning of the Yemen war, on 26 March 2015, till the end of last October, two US administrations, the former Democratic White House under president Barrack Obama, and the current Republican White House under President Donald Trump, supported UN efforts to bring this war to an end without resorting to tough language such as that used by both Mattis and Pompeo.

Seemingly, the American call for a ceasefire in Yemen is part of a greater American strategy, capitalising on the aftermath of the Khashoggi assassination, and the resultant destabilisation  however momentarily  of the political regime in Riyadh to reduce regional tensions that have partly emanated from the Yemen war and the Gulf crisis that has pitted Saudi Arabia and Qatar at loggerheads from June 2017.

There have been signs lately that the Saudis could be softening their position vis-a-vis Qatar.

In a panel discussion in the Davos in the Desert conference last month in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman praised the economic performance of Qatar.

The Yemen war and the human costs of the continuation of hostilities have raised alarm bells in the US Congress and in the executive.

Prior to the assassination of Khashoggi, some US senators and House representatives acted to pass congressional resolutions to stop exporting arms and ammunition to the Saudi-led Arab Coalition in Yemen.

However, the Trump administration opposed such moves. The said assassination has changed the political dynamics in Washington related to American-Saudi relations.

One principal motive is the desire of the White House to shield Crown Prince Bin Salman from a barrage of attacks, whether in the US Congress or in the American media, particularly The Washington Post, that hired Khashoggi as one of its columnists, and The New York Times as well.

The Washington Post has been leading the media offensive both against the Saudi crown prince and President Trump for his handling of the Khashoggi case. Surprisingly enough, The Post, which has been a staunch opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opened its pages to the president of Turkey.

The US newspaper published on 2 November an Op-ed signed by Erdogan. The underlying theme of his opinion piece is that someone high up in the Saudi government is behind the order to assassinate Khashoggi. And lest he would be misunderstood, he ascertained that King Salman did not give the order to kill Khashoggi.

He wrote that, We know the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government. The insinuation is quite clear as to whom was behind the order.

He went on to say that, Our friendship with Riyadh does not mean we will turn a blind eye to the premeditated murder that unfolded in front of our eyes.

He stressed that, As responsible members of the international community we must reveal the identities of the puppet masters behind Khashoggis killing and discover those in whom Saudi officials  still trying to cover up the murder  have placed their trust.

On the same day, The Washington Post published an opinion by its Editorial Board, in which it complemented the Op-ed of the Turkish president and said openly what he refrained from saying explicitly.

From the point of view of the Editorial Board, The Post wrote that the most important question in the case of Jamal Khashoggi is whether Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohamed bin Salman, will be held accountable for what his regime acknowledges was a premeditated act of murder.

And with a high degree of enviable certainty the paper says that Much of the available evidence points to the prince. In conclusion, The Posts Editorial Board believes that the Trump administration appears to be cooperating with Riyadh in protecting Mohamed bin Salman.

It seems that Erdogans Turkey will use The Washington Post as its main weapon to keep attacking both the US administration and Saudi Arabia to get the Saudi crown prince in a regional game that aims at restoring the status quo ante before the ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood from power in Cairo, and after being routed in Syria, and declared a terrorist organisation by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Egypt had already designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation in December 2013.

Whatever the end result of the great regional game developing right now as a direct result of the assassination of the slain Saudi-Islamist journalist, Egypt should brace itself for some surprises in the foreseeable future in terms of changing regional realignments.

The present balance of power within the Saudi royal family, and within the Gulf Cooperation Council, is not durable.

* The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: An unfolding regional drama

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it is not aware of the detention and quizzing of its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, b...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it is not aware of the detention and quizzing of its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, by the Department of State Security, DSS.





The national spokesman of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, who described the report of Oshiomholes ordeal with the DSS as a rumour because the APC has not been officially informed about the matter.





It was learnt that Oshiomhole was grilled by the DSS operatives for nine hours after some APC governors alleged that he received bribes during the partys primary elections across the country.





However, Issa-Onilu said Oshiomhole was the best person to confirm or deny the report.





He said, We do not have any information on this rumour. More so, the Chairman is not around in the country to confirm or deny this.





As soon as we have any relevant information, youll be updated.





Asked for Oshiomholes whereabouts, he said: He (APC Chairman) travelled last night.





Pressed further for information as to the National Chairmans destination, Issa-Onilu maintained: I do not have this information. I do know its a scheduled personal trip he could not make last week due to the November 2 deadline for the submission of candidates.





Meanwhile, the senator representing Kogi West district, Dino Melaye, has mocked the APC over Oshiomholes reported questioning over alleged bribery.





The senator wrote on his Twitter handle: Can it be true that Adams Oshiomhole has been the guest of SSS for 2days?





A lot of confessions and revelations said to have been made over corruption associated with party tickets.



As the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its third day, academic activities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in the Edo state capital have been paralysed.Newsmen who monitored the compliance level and the effect of the strike on lecturers and students in Benin on Wednesday observed that the institution was unusually empty, as only a few persons were around the campus.The institutions ASUU chairman, Prof Julius Iyasele, who spoke with newsmen, said that governments insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and public tertiary institutions in the country prompted the strike.Iyasele disclosed that other reasons for the strike were the under-development of tertiary institutions, the revitalisation of the countrys education system, insecurity in the country, as well as the non-implementation of a previous agreement reached between the union and the federal government.He stressed that the government, after reaching agreement with the union, later reneged, adding that the union was now prepared to implement the Ghana model of not returning to work, until government does the needful.The UNIBEN ASUU chairman said that in most countries of the world today, tertiary education was free, as education was a public good and the pivot of every developing nation.But here in Nigeria, we see a situation where government wants to take education beyond the reach of the common man.The UNESCO budgetary standard for education is 26 per cent, but in Nigeria, we have moved from nine per cent in 2011 to six per cent, and we are saying no, we cannot continue like this.The government wants public universities pauperised so that private universities can flourish, because most of them in government are proprietors of private universities.For instance, Dr Wale Babalakin, the leader of the government negotiating team is building a private university; that is why he is fixated that government cant fund tertiary institutions, and that is why ASUU is saying that Babalakin must step down as a representative of government, he said.He, however, said that it was sad that governments insensitivity was causing a setback to students and parents, adding that clearance for new students for the new academic session ought to have commenced on Monday at UNIBEN.But we have directed all the students to go home, and they have gone home.Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Ogheneyore, a 400-level Economics and Statistics student at the institution has lamented the ongoing strike.According to him, I am supposed to be doing my project work, but I cant do that now due to the strike. The irony is that I dont even know when it would be called off.As it is now, I dont know whether to go get a job somewhere and be working first or not, he noted.Similarly, Miss Jacinta Ikediuwa, another student of the institution, said it was sad that government was playing politics with the education and the future of her youth.ASUU announced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday over the non-implementation of its memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with the Federal Government.The associations National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike would involve all federal and state-owned institutions.The founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari advice to Pastors not to engage in pa...

The founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari advice to Pastors not to engage in partisan politics.





President Buhari urged religious leaders to desist from partisan politics in order not to lose their respect and public status in the society.





Buhari then advised religious leaders and traditional rulers to encourage their adherents and subjects to read every political partys manifesto carefully and vote wisely in the 2019 general elections.





But reacting, Bakare faulted Buhari, saying every pastor has the right to participate in politics while questioning Vice President, Yemi Osinbajos involvement in politics despite being a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.





He, however noted that the president was referring to pastors who are causing unnecessary trouble in the country.





Bakare speaking with The Sun said: When asked about such things, I dont react, in the book that I studied; I only find Acts of Apostles. I dont react to things that others say, I just say my own. The way that you know a stick is crooked is when you place a straight stick by its side.





Mr. President must have reasons for saying what he said. I wasnt in the country when it was said, so I take it that you are quoting it accurately.





I think he said, church leaders who get involved in partisan politics will lose the esteem of their people.





But the question to ask is the Vice President, not a pastor? Did I stop being a pastor when I was his running mate?





I am sure he is addressing this to those who seem to create unnecessary storm in the teacup because I still do the things I do, I remain a Christian, I remain a pastor.



The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, has said President Muhammadu Buharis integr...





The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, has said President Muhammadu Buharis integrity has remained without stain because he has not diverted public funds into private pockets since assuming office in 2015.





Issa Onilu stated this on Tuesday in a brief chat with reporters in his office at the APC secretariat, Abuja.





He said the fact that the only seeming scandal the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could associate with President Buhari after his three and half years in office had to do with the now rested issue of WAEC certificate, was proof of his strong moral principles.





His words: If after President Buharis three and half years in office and his signing of over N20 trillion as national budget within the period, but the only thing the PDP or any other person had to talk about was his certificate, it means this man (Buhari) is truly a man of integrity.





I expect them to have nailed a more important issue or put a finger on something that tells on his integrity or an issue that has made this country prostrate under PDP; that is, corruption at all levels whereby public money is diverted to private pockets.



Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) on ...





Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday.





TheCable reports that Oshiomhole was grilled by DSS operatives for nine hours after some APC governors alleged that he received bribes during the partys primary elections across the country.





Sources revealed that the APC chairman was asked to resign during interrogation by the DSS.





But Oshiomhole resisted the pressure to resign, saying he would only do so if he loses the confidence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The APC chairman told the DSS that the president was in the loop of every action he took during the partys primaries.





Adams Oshiomhole was arrested by the DSS, they didnt show him any petition. It was alleged by some governors that he collected bribe during the primaries, a source said.





He was told to resign and he told DSS operatives that he will resign if he loses the confidence of the president. He said everything the party did, he (Buhari) was in the know.





Another source said the president expressed shock at the governors move, saying he was not aware of the development.





On Monday night Oshiomhole met with the president and briefed him on what happened and the president was shocked. The president said he did not know about it and promised to look into it, the source said.





The APC primaries were marred by controversies. Elections in some states had to be repeated.





In Zamfara, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the party will not participate in the 2019 polls because it could not successfully conclude its primary before the deadline.





In Imo, the APC favoured the governorship candidacy of Hope Uzodimma, senator representing Imo west, over Uche Nwosu, son-in-law of Rochas Okorocha, governor the state.





Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun governor, fell out with the partys national working committee (NWC) after it chose Dapo Abiodun as the states gubernatorial candidate. Abiodun Akinlade is Amosuns preferred candidate.



The house of representatives was forced to adjourn its plenary on Wednesday as a result of faulty microphones. The lower legislati...





The house of representatives was forced to adjourn its plenary on Wednesday as a result of faulty microphones.





The lower legislative chamber adjourned at about 1pm after some of the microphones continued to malfunction.





A similar situation was experienced in recent past, causing the lawmakers to be inaudible when speaking from their seats.





On Wednesday, the situation worsened, forcing Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, to adjourn midway into the session.





Some of the items in the order paper were yet to be attended to when Dogara adjourned the session.





We were unable to confirm the exact budgetary allocation for microphones in the national assembly.





But the speaker, while adjourning, said the microphones have been ordered for but are yet to be delivered.



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday said that it was the immediate past govern...





The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday said that it was the immediate past governor of the State, Mr Ayodele Fayose that directed them to support Governor Kayode Fayemi in the interest of Ekiti.





This is just as they denied that they have decamped to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).





They made the disclosure yesterday when the Deputy Speaker, Mr Adewumi Olusegun briefed newsmen in Ado Ekiti on behalf of other caucus members.





He said, We remain committed members of the PDP as against insinuation in some quarters that we have decamped to APC.





We make bold to say that our support for the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi was at the instance of the outgone Governor Ayodele Fayose who directed that we should co-operate with the governor elect then in the interest of Ekiti State.





It was on this premise of the advice that we acted, because Ekiti agenda is bigger than any individual or political party.





Olusegun said that Senator Olujimi is the most eminently qualified at the moment to be in the leadership position as the highest political office holder presently in the state.





He described those having different opinion as mischievous, lazy and political jobbers as there is no contest about the leadership of the party since the position is not contested for but earned.





Olusegun described the House of Reps members in Ekiti as yes men who are not capable of having opinion of their own.



90 min JUVENTUS 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (LEONARDO BONUCCI, OWN GOAL)

86 min JUVENTUS 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (JUAN MATA)

65 min JUVENTUS 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (CRISTIANO RONALDO)





Good evening and welcome tolive text coverage of the Champions League Group H clash between Juventus and Manchester United at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.The hosts only need a point tonight to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition with two games to spare, while victory would wrap up top spot in the group.United, meanwhile, begin the day second in the group but are five points adrift of their opponents after being outclassed by them at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.Make sure you don't miss a moment of the action courtesy of our minute-by-minute updates below.Szczesny; De Sciglio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Bentancur; Dybala, Cuadrado, RonaldoDe Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Sanchez, MartialIncredible. Who saw that coming?! Manchester United score twice in the final five minutes to produce an amazing comeback in Turin, beating Juventus 2-1 courtesy of goals from Juan Mata and a Leonardo Bonucci own goal - after Ronaldo had opened the scoring in such style.It is a result every bit as impressive as their 3-2 win here in 1999 or their 3-0 triumph in 2003, and it is a much bigger shock than those two results as well! Thanks for joining our live coverage of the match!Huge chance for United to seal the win as Martial drives forward before playing Rashford in, but Szczesny pulls off a really good save! Could that prove costly for United?A third and final change for the hosts as Mario Mandzukic replaces Cuadrado.Bonucci tries to atone for that own goal with a long-range drive which flies a few yards wide.Oh my word, incredible scenes in Turin as United produce a stunning late turnaround to take the lead!Young swings a deep free kick into the box which Fellaini just cannot reach, but which still causes problems. Players are racing in on top of Szczesny, who can only parry it out against Bonucci, who is helpless the ball bounces off him and over the line.Cuadrado cuts inside before teeing up Dybala, but he tries to cut across it and gets it all wrong, firing his effort well wide.As things stand, that goal sends United back up to second in the group, above Valencia on goal difference. A big, big goal for the Red Devils!Brilliant from Mata! The Spaniard lines up the free kick and curls it over the wall and beyond Szczesny!That is a huge goal for United, who are now just a few minutes away from a hugely impressive result in Turinand now the visitors have a free kick in a very dangerous position after good work from Martial.United are not out of this one just yet! Martial gets down the left channel and puts the ball into the box which Szczesny palms out into the area and Chiellini then hacks away.Another change from the hosts here as Andrea Barzagli replaces De Sciglio.United have an increasingly rare effort on goal as Rashford turns and then lets fly from range, but his low drive bounces wide of the target.Double change for United here as Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini replace Herrera and Sanchez.Juventus are peppering the United goal again now and De Gea is once again left as a mere spectator as he watches Pjanic's swerving drive fly just over the crossbar.Ronaldo lines the resulting free kick up from range, but his effort goes straight into the wall. Poor from the goalscorer.Strange one from the referee here as Dybala is hauled back by Herrera off the ball, only for both players to be shown a yellow card. Dybala didn't really do anything wrong there!Juventus should be out of sight by now! Another glorious chance goes begging as Cuadrado drives forward before giving the ball to Ronaldo, who cuts inside before giving it back. Cuadrado does not seem to be expecting the return pass, though, and spoons his finish over when he simply had to score.Another chance for Juventus to double their advantage as they pinch the ball off Pogba deep inside the Juventus half. The ball is teed up for Pjanic, but he gets his shot all wrong and puts it well wide when he would have at least expected to hit the target.Man City and Real Madrid cannot stop scoring tonight. Jesus has scored his second penalty of the night to make it 4-0 at the Etihad, while Toni Kroos has added a fifth for Real Madrid at Plzen. Meanwhile, 10-man Hoffenheim have pulled a goal back against Lyon and Bayern Munich have doubled their lead over AEK Athens.Change from the visitors here as Marcus Rashford replaces Jesse Lingard.Big chance for Juve to add a quickfire second as Ronaldo lays the ball into the path of Pjanic, whose first-time curling effort is parried away by De Gea before being hacked clear by Herrera.Oh my word! What a way to end your Champions League drought!Ronaldo has just scored an absolute beauty to break the deadlock against his former club, lashing a stunning first-time volley past a helpless De Gea. Bonucci picked him out with a pass over the top, and Ronaldo watched it all the way over his shoulder before producing an unstoppable strike.Sensational finish.Ajax have levelled things up away to Benfica, but it is a long way back for Hoffenheim, who are now down to 10 men in addition to being two goals behind.Really good defending from Luke Shaw as he bravely gets a head to Ronaldo's dangerous cross from the left. Cuadrado was attacking it and Shaw got clattered for his troubles, but it was a vital piece of defending from the full-back.Juve make their first change of the night as Blaise Matuidi replaces Khedira.United have battled very well in this game, but one player who is struggling to make an impact is Pogba. The game is passing the former Juve midfielder by tonight.De Sciglio goes bursting down the right flank, cruising past Pogba like he isn't there. However, the full-back's low cross is easily cut out.Sandro has picked up a yellow card for that challenge on Young, who is only now back to his feet.That is twice United have had to rely on the woodwork now - could it be their night? They still need to improve their attacking threat, although Martial's chance early in this second half was a positive start.Juventus are denied by the woodwork again! This time it is a brilliant effort from Dybala, who gets a potent mix of power, curl and dip on his effort from the edge of the box. De Gea doesn't even move before it flashes past him, but he turns around to see it crash off the crossbar!United create their best chance of the match so far as Martial dribbles inside before trying to curl an effort into the far corner which goes a couple of yards wide.48 min UPDATE: Man City haven't taken long to get going in the second half - Raheem Sterling has made it 3-0 against Shakhtar.Juventus get us back underway for the second half at the Allianz Stadium!We're still goalless at half time in Turin, then, and Manchester United will be pretty happy with how they have played in this match so far.The possession and chances have fallen the way of Juventus, but United have by no means been overrun and are much more competitive in this game than they were at Old Trafford last month.Ronaldo tries his luck late in the half from range and wins a corner out of it, with his strike taking a def lection and going a few yards wide.There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half as Pogba curls a long-range effort towards goal which is gathered by Szczesny.Real Madrid are well and truly back to form now - they are four goals up before half time away to Plzen, with Bale joining the party.Dybala swings a free kick into a very dangerous area inside the box and it almost falls to Chiellini, but Herrera gets a crucial toe to it first.Better from United, but they are lacking a cutting edge in the final third at the moment. They have played with a lot more intensity tonight, but have not tested Szczesny in the Juve goal so far.United are hanging on a little bit towards the end of this first half. Juve are piling the pressure on right now and the visitors will just want to get to the interval without suffering any damage now.Real Madrid are now three goals to the good against Plzen through Benzema's second, while elsewhere Benfica and Bayern both lead against Lyon are two up against Hoffenheim.Juventus are inches away from taking the lead, but they really should be ahead! De Sciglio plays the ball down the right channel for Ronaldo, who in turn puts a low cross into the box. Khedira is unmarked, but he drags his effort against the foot of the post with De Gea beaten.Really smart stop from De Gea! Cuadrado drilled a low cross into the box from the right flank and it took a deflection off Matic on the way through, forcing De Gea to react quickly in order to keep it out.United fans may not be happy with the fact that Man City are already two goals to the good, and this is not likely to cheer them up. For the rest of us, though, it is laughable. This is how City were awarded the penalty which led to their second goal!United win a free kick in a really good position which Sanchez lines up, but his effort goes straight into the wall. Juve immediately break down the other end and Khedira powers a shot towards goal which De Gea needs to save.United have their brightest attacking moment of the match so far as Matic clips a pass over the defence towards Sanchez, who has timed his run into the box well but just cannot get on the end of the pass.United are proving a tough nut to crack tonight. Juventus are yet to fashion a really good chance and things are not proving as straightforward as many might have expected on the basis of the reverse fixture.Ominous signs for United ahead of the derby on Sunday as Man City are already 2-0 up against Shakhtar, with Gabriel Jesus doubling their lead from the spot. Madrid are also 2-0 up against Plzen now as Casemiro makes it a quickfire double for the defending champions.We're midway through the first half now and, while Juventus are on top right now, Mourinho will be much happier now than he was at the same stage of the reverse fixture. United are putting pressure on the ball and not letting Juventus have things all their own way, which simply wasn't the case at Old Trafford.A couple of other goals to update you on from elsewhere - Real Madrid lead against Plzen through Karim Benzema, while Nabil Fekir has broken the deadlock for Lyon against Hoffenheim.but Pjanic's delivery is uncharacteristically poor and cleared by the first man.Juventus are slowly gaining a bigger element of control over this game, and they now have a free kick in a good crossing position...Ronaldo has his first shot of the night as he picks the ball up in space around 30 yards from goal and only ever has one thought in his mind. His shot is dipping, but flies wide with De Gea watching it all the way.The first goal of the 8pm kickoffs has gone to a Manchester team, but it is City who have taken the lead against Shakhtar through David Silva.United have started a lot better tonight than they did at Old Trafford, when they gave Juventus far too much room on the ball. However, Juve do look dangerous when they come forward and United will know that they cannot switch off for a second tonight.Matic picks up an early yellow card for a lunging scissor challenge on Dybala. No complaints there.Sandro drops the ball back to Bentancur on the edge of the area and the midfielder immediately looks to get a shot away, but his effort is deflected wide of the target.Pjanic clips a ball forward for Ronaldo, who kills it instantly inside the box but then cannot squeeze his shot past the defender.Dybala almost needed treatment before this game even began after Szczesny pelted a ball straight at his head!United have the chance to break after a poor Juventus corner, with Sanchez and Lingard leading the charge. The latter misplaces a simple pass, though, and a really good attacking platform goes begging.United have started this match brightly, looking to get on the front foot early on, but Juve have just had their first dangerous spell of possession and it took an important block from Lindelof to stop Ronaldo's volley from Dybala's effort.Poor from Szczesny as he boots the ball straight out of play with the first chance to have the ball at his feet. However, United waste the attacking platform with a foul throw.Here we go! Manchester United get us underway in Turin!President Muhammadu Buhari, Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that ruled the country for sixteen years, arguing that Nigerians wouldnt have been bordered about who is in power, but rather mind their businesses if PDP had used the nation's resources very well.Speaking when a group from the South-east part of the county under the aegis of One on One Nigeria, visited him on Tuesday night, Buhari opined, We are trying to organize the country. The extent of mismanagement we met when we came was mind-boggling.Many times, I have spoken about the tremendous resources available to us between 1999 and 2014, and how it was frittered. If only they had used just 25% of it on infrastructure; road, rail, power, Nigerians would mind their own businesses, and not bother about whoever was in power. The casualty figure on our roads daily is simply scandalous. No wonder they are in opposition now, despite all the power they thought they had.The group, led by Chief Chido Obidiegwu, said it had keenly observed the strides of the Buhari administration nationwide, particularly in the South-east, and it is now payback time.According to Obidiegwu, We have seen the work being done on the long-abandoned Second Niger Bridge, roads are being constructed in many parts of the region, and we believe there is every reason to support you for a second term.Describing President Buhari as the grandfather of war against indiscipline and corruption, nightmare of insurgents, Mr Food Security, consolation to pensioners, and Mr Frugality, the group said it was going to mobilize South-easterners to massively vote for him, believing that one good turn would then deserve another in 2023.The One on One Nigeria promised to mobilize youth groups, women, artisans, traders, religious groups to massively vote for President Buhari, adding that it had all it takes  courage, drive, verve and vitality.Seven men and two women represented One on One Nigeria during the visit.Yusuf Adamu, north-west publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (AP...





Yusuf Adamu, north-west publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).





In an interview with NAN on Tuesday, he said his decision to dump the PDP was because of the laudable efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting insecurity and unemployment in the country.





Therefore I am defecting with about 15,000 of my supporters to my new party, he said.





Buhari has really done well in repositioning the economy in just term one term.





As a media man, I am impressed with his achievements. Therefore, Buhari, deserves another term to still reposition the economy effectively.





It is in view of this that I dumped PDP and joined the ruling party to contribute my effort for the continuity of the president.



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Prince Charles to caution President Muhammadu Buhari against rigging the 2019 elections. ...





The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Prince Charles to caution President Muhammadu Buhari against rigging the 2019 elections.





Charles and his wife, duchess of Cornwall, arrived Nigeria for a three-day visit on Tuesday.





They were received by Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.





Kola Ologbondiyan, national publicity secretary of the PDP, called on the prince of Wales to prevail on the president on the continued violation of human rights, siege on democratic institutions, political intolerance and stifling of opposition and free speech in the country under his administration.

We also call on Prince Charles to take President Buhari to task on his administrations cavernous corruption, disobedience to court orders, as well as its divisive proclivities, aloofness and insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians leading to escalation of violence, etc.





Furthermore, we urge the British leader to counsel President Buhari not to attempt to rig the 2019 Presidential election but be ready to accept his imminent defeat in the polls, since it is clear that Nigerians have rejected him because of his incompetence and ineptitude.



Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba has said that the decision to return to Manchester United was totally his.He said he does not regret it.The Frenchman also insisted that he had not been negatively affected by his manager, Jose Mourinhos decision to strip him of the clubs vice captaincy.Pogba was punished by Mourinho in September, when the Portuguese asked him to stop parading himself as the vice-captain.Recent reports had suggested that Mourinho was unhappy with Pogba for continuing to push for a move to Barcelona, but the former Juventus star maintains he is fully committed to United.Pogba spoke ahead Man United clash with Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.Asked how he felt about Mourinhos decision, Pogba told press conference, It didnt affect me. Im still playing and really happy to play. The manager is the one who chooses who is going to be captainIf he takes the armband away, it doesnt change anything for me. I just want to play, perform and give my best for the team, the fans and the club and thats it. It didnt really touch me or affect me.Choosing to come back to United, first of all, was my choice. Juve were playing Champions League and Manchester were playing Europa.I dont regret my choice. I know Manchester in the last few years havent been at the top, but I came back to help the team and get them back to the top. We have a lot of goals.For me, its not changed, I dont regret it at all. Im very happy to come back to United and Im sure we will come back to the best.Cristiano Ronaldos agent, Jorge Mendes has named his client as the player that deserves to win this years Ballon dOr award, ahead of other contenders.Recall that Ronaldo was shortlisted for the 2018 Ballon dOr award last month.Mendes said that he is confident Ronaldo will win this years Europe topflight individual prize.Speaking in an event at the Web Summit on Tuesday, a tech event in Lisbon, Mendes was quoted by Theportugalnews as saying: I hope Cristiano wins the Ballon dOr and that next year he may win it again because he deserves it.When I took Ronaldo to England in 2003, it was something special; at that moment he opened the door to other young talents, he added.Ronaldo and Messi have both dominated the award in the past decade.The pair had won an incredible five awards each in that time frame, with Ronaldo equalling Messis tally last year.The 2018 Ballon d Or award will take place on December 3, 2018 in Paris.Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to claims by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that he plans to...





Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to claims by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that he plans to increase salaries of Nigerian senators.





SERAP in a statement on its Twitter Page raised the alarm over alleged plans by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to increase salaries of Nigerian senators to N15m.





But in reaction, Saraki in a statement by his Special Assistant on New Media, Olu Onemola, described the allegation as untrue.





He urged SERAP to get its fact right.





The statement reads, Dear @SERAPNigeria, there is no such alleged decision to increase the allowances of Senators. An organization like yours needs to be more careful, especially when pushing out information meant for public consumption. Thank you.



The Senate has condemned the Nigeria Police for dismissing the alleged assassination attempt on the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, as burglary.Members of the Senate, at the plenary on Wednesday, took turns to criticise the police as making conclusions on the invasion of Ekweremadus home by armed men in the early hours of Tuesday without proper investigation.Ekweremadu, who expressed his disappointment in the police, said while the police had yet to interrogate the security operatives attached to him and arrest the fleeing suspects.The Deputy Senate President threatened to release the video footage showing how he was attacked to the public, which he said the police had yet to watch and study.The lawmakers, therefore, resolved that the police must conduct a thorough investigation of the crime.The defence headquarters on Tuesday said soldiers in the Whirl Stroke operation in Benue state were ambushed and an officer was injured i...

Captain Zakari Sani, a very courageous and hardworking officer, was ambushed alongside other soldiers in Benue State while on operation WHIRL STROKE. STROKE. The officer was badly wounded and was evacuated to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi  DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) November 6, 2018

The CDS has placed Medical Surveillance on the officer for eventual medical evacuation outside the country. It should be noted that foreign medical evacuation is a process that is done with the advice of the medical doctor that is administering the stabilization treatment.  DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) November 6, 2018

The defence headquarters on Tuesday said soldiers in the Whirl Stroke operation in Benue state were ambushed and an officer was injured in the process.Zakari Sani, a captain, was said to have been badly wounded and was evacuated to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.Captain Zakari Sani, a very courageous and hardworking officer, was ambushed alongside other soldiers in Benue State while on operation WHIRL STROKE. STROKE. The officer was badly wounded and was evacuated to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, the defence headquarters tweeted.The injured officer has been moved to Cedarest Hospital in Abuja for further treatment.The team of doctors and other medical staff including expatriate are attending to the officer whose situation though serious is getting better by the day. He has undergone several medical procedures which have helped to stabilised him further, the statement read.The CDS has placed Medical Surveillance on the officer for eventual medical evacuation outside the country. It should be noted that foreign medical evacuation is a process that is done with the advice of the medical doctor that is administering the stabilization treatment.Otherwise the intended objective may not be achieved when evacuated abroad.The #Military takes care of the medical needs of her personnel, including her retired colleagues. As necessary, various cases are sent on Medevac, especially those personnel wounded in active service.The Whirl Pool operation was set up to tackle farmers-herder clashes in the state.The Senate on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to resolve issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, in order to end the ongoing strike in universities.The issue of the strike was raised by Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano State North senatorial district on the floor of the Senate citing Orders 42 and 52.According to the Twitter handle of the Senate, @NGRSenate, Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central contributing to the debate said, Nigeria has been dealing with strike. The issues raised by ASUU are genuine. It is in the best interest of education in Nigeria. I demand and call on the Federal Government to concede to the demands of ASUU.Senator Mao Ohuabunwa from Abia State said, It is important that the government live up to its responsibilities. We intervened in the last ASUU strike and promised that their conditions would be looked into but the agreement has not been kept.We should look into this and ensure that agreement reached are implemented.- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.The Senate accordingly resolved to urge the Federal Ministry Education and its labour employment counterparts to urgently resolve any issues bordering on and in contention with the ASUU strike.It is important that the Federal Government honours the agreement to find an amicable solution to this, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said.Jessica McGowan/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The contentious Georgia gubernatorial battle between Republican candidate and two-term Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams will see another day.



The closely watched contest in the Peach State remains down to the wire, as ballots are still being counted. As of 2 a.m. ET, Kemp was just clearing the 50 percent threshold at 50.3 percent, but if his share of the vote falls below 50 percent, Georgia law states that the race would head into a runoff on Dec. 4.



"Democracy only works when we work for it," Abrams said Tuesday night before a crowd of supporters. "When we fight for it, when we demand it, and apparently today, when we stand in lines for hours to meet it at the ballot box -- that's when democracy works. I'm here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted. There's voices that are waiting to be heard.



"I promise you tonight, we're going to make sure that every vote is counted," she said. "Every, single vote."



"I made you a vow, no one would be unseen, no one would be unheard, no one would be uninspired," Abrams said. "Tonight we have closed the gap between yesterday and tomorrow. But we still have a few more miles to go."



The Abrams campaign said that they don't expect to concede overnight, and that they believe there are enough votes still outstanding to force a runoff.



ABC does not project races that fall within a margin of 1 percentage point, because of concerns about errors in the vote tabulation or possible outstanding votes still to be counted -- and that applies in Georgia, too, where Kemp leads Abrams 51 percent to 48 percent. ABC will not project if a candidate is within 1 percentage point of 50 percent.



Kemp took the state in Athens early Wednesday morning, and in a much more subdued tone, he told the crowd, "There are votes left to count, but we have a very strong lead."



"The math is on our side to win this election," he said.



Throughout the campaign, Kemp framed himself as the "politically incorrect" candidate who often capped off his eyebrow-raising comments from the campaign trail with, "Yep, I just said that."



Kemp's role as Georgia's secretary of state, however, came under scrutiny during the race -- as that office oversees the state's elections -- and he faced allegations of rampant voter suppression. Kemp vehemently denied any wrongdoing.



He also overcame 11th hour allegations that he misused the power of his office by announcing a last-minute investigation into election hacking by Georgia Democrats without publicly providing any evidence.



Abrams hopes to capitalize on record minority turnout in the state, and if elected, the former Democratic leader in the Georgia House of Representatives would be the first female African-American governor in the country.



No 'sour grapes'



On Tuesday evening as polls closed in Georgia, a group of voters represented by the group Protect Democracy filed a federal lawsuit in Atlanta demanding that Kemp recuse himself of his powers to further run the 2018 election.



Kemp's role in running his own election "violates a basic notion of fairness," the lawsuit states. "Defendants clear bias in favor of his own candidacy demonstrates the truth of the axiom that no man may be the judge in his own case," it adds.



The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order barring Kemp from being involved in the counting of votes, the certification of results, or any runoff or recount procedures that would normally be exercised by the Secretary of States Office or the Board of Elections, on which he also sits.



Bryan Sells, attorney for the plaintiffs, told ABC News that this lawsuit is in part a reaction to Kemps "escalation of hyper-partisanship in the last couple of days. This case wont be heard for a day or two, since it was filed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, but they needed to get it filed before results came in so it wouldnt look like a reaction to the results or sour grapes."



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Elder statesman and Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said the Yoruba nation will not be deceived again by the national cha...





Elder statesman and Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said the Yoruba nation will not be deceived again by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari next year.





Speaking with Daily Independent, Adebanjo, revealed he has thrown his weight behind Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).





According to him, Tinubu succeeded in selling Buhari to the South-West in 2015, due to his claim that the president has integrity and the willpower needed to turn the fortunes of the country around.





According to Adebanjo, Tinubu himself has realised he made a great mistake entering into alliance with Buhari, but he is ashamed of saying it out.





Do you think we are stupid people in the South-West? Yoruba people are more intelligent than all that. Tinubu succeeded in 2015 because of the fake integrity attached to Buhari. He succeeded in bringing Buhari because of the fake integrity attached to him but the last three years has exposed him to be fake.





People have seen him to be fake. He is not somebody anyone can rely upon and I have no doubt in my mind that Tinubu would have seen the stupidity of aligning with him. By now, Tinubu must have realised the foolish mistake he made by aligning with him but he will not come out to admit it.





Yoruba people are too intelligent to be used again. Once bitten, twice shy. Tinubu has sold the Yoruba by aligning with Buhari, even at this stage. He agreed with Buhari to do restructuring, to do federalism. When the man now got there and he is not doing it, has Tinubu got the courage to pull out?





And I have said it to him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. They are unfair to the Yoruba because everybody is thinking that because they represent the Yoruba, all the things against the race, they would address them. But they are quiet on them all.





There are killings right and left, but they are quiet. They are quiet on the issue of revenue allocation. Even the case of local government under this restructuring, Tinubu took Obasanjo to court, it is part of restructuring programme and the man who handled the case in court was Osinbajo.



Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Senate President Bukola Saraki say Atiku Abubakar must be ...





Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Senate President Bukola Saraki say Atiku Abubakar must be elected president to save Nigerias democracy.





Both men spoke in Abuja when they inspected the partys presidential campaign office in Maitama on Tuesday.





The senate president was accompanied on the inspection of the campaign office by members of the national working committee (NWC) and other stakeholders of the party.





Saraki is the director general of Atiku presidential campaign committee.





Secondus said the rebranded and repositioned party is ready to go to Nigerians with issues when the campaign begins.





According to a statement from his media office, Secondus said the party hopes to have a successful electioneering just like its recently-completed primaries.





On his part, Saraki said everything is set for the party to conduct one of the best presidential campaigns in the history of Nigeria.



A pair of Chinese fighter jets - the J-20 stealth fighter and a thrust-vectoring J-10B demonstrator aircraft - put on an impressive demonstration at Airshow China 2018 on Tuesday, confirming that the country's military aviation technology is advancing at a greatly accelerated pace.

Three People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force J-20 jets wowed 20,000 spectators by performing numerous dazzling maneuvers during their 15-minute performance in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

PLA officers, foreign military officers and experts, representatives of Chinese military industrial companies, journalists, aviation buffs and local residents let out an audible, collective "wow" as the jets roared past the viewing area near the exhibition hall.

The J-20 was first shown in public at the previous Airshow China in 2016, but only two of them appeared for less than a minute.

The jets were sporting a new camouflage look. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the J-20s now have "a combat uniform" that provides improved stealth capability.

The J-20's longer demonstration flight this year also proves that the PLA Air Force is confident to show the public that it has mastered the flying techniques of its most advanced stealth fighter jet, Wei said.

Following the J-20s demonstration flight, the fighter's chief designer, Yang Wei, said the jet's superior "flight performance is quite obvious." He made the remarks at a press conference sponsored by his employer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the manufacturer of the J-20.

Yang said the full capability of the stealth fighters will only be known after they engage in actual combat.

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Tremendous changes have taken place in Chinese economy and society over the past 40 years. What have also changed are China's diplomatic policies. Assessing these changes plays an important role in understanding the current state of Chinese diplomacy.

Reform and opening-up brought a fundamental turn in China's diplomacy. During the era of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, China believed that the world was at a stage when war and revolution ruled, and this led China's diplomacy to focus on struggle. But Deng Xiaoping made the judgment that "peace and development are the theme of times," which determined China's cooperation-based diplomatic philosophy.

As a large country, China will necessarily suffer setbacks while dealing with the world. It's a big challenge to balance relations between a world in flux and a rising China, and between Beijing's legitimate interests and the international responsibilities it shoulders. Such a task makes it incumbent upon China to keep updating its thoughts and exploring new avenues.

At the beginning of reform and opening-up, China was facing the Soviet Union's strategic encirclement. Moreover, newly-established diplomatic ties with the US started fraying because of Washington's arms sales to Taiwan. China was steadfast in opposing hegemony and vigilant about the unfair old international political and economic order. Nonetheless, its diplomacy was still based on cooperation at the time and eventually relations with the Soviet Union were normalized through negotiations.

The West imposed sanctions on China because of the political turmoil in Beijing in 1989. China managed to pass through hardships and eventually normalized relations with the world. After that, China realized the importance of coexistence among different political systems and ideologies. China stresses that every country should walk the path which suits its own national conditions. It promotes coexistence among different civilizations, countries and political systems with its inclusive diplomatic thinking.

In the 1990s, Deng proposed to "keep a low profile and bide our time, while also getting something accomplished," which reflected traditional Chinese culture's influence on China's diplomacy. Since then, China has followed a low profile in diplomacy.

In the wake of globalization and a multi-polar world after the Cold War, China made great efforts to integrate into the international community and play an important role on the global stage as a responsible power. After the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Beijing promised that the yuan wouldn't depreciate. In 2001, China joined the WTO after long-drawn talks, which became a milestone for China's relations with the world.

As China integrates into the world, it doesn't give up its own righteous interests. From the 1996 Taiwan Straits crisis to 1999 when US-led NATO fired five bombs at the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, and then to the 2001 China-US aircraft collision incident, Beijing was never afraid of expressing its anger.

While facing these disputes, China thought about the best way to respond, and that's when the New Security Concept was born. Its core includes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. It also shuns a Cold-War mentality and power politics. The 1996 Shanghai Five group was formed in keeping with the practice of the New Security Concept.

In the wake of China's rise, some countries' strategic skepticism about China has been escalating. China urgently needs a new way of communicating with the world, and thus the thought of a harmonious world was born at the right moment. China also attaches importance to the path of peaceful development. Its voice on the North Korea nuclear issue, climate change and global economic governance has been increasingly heard.

In the era of President Xi Jinping, the world is hearing more voices from Chinese diplomacy. In the report that Xi delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, he proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This is not just a slogan. It shows China's confidence and the responsibilities it undertakes when facing common challenges. It also implies that China has deepened its understanding of relations with the world - all countries are connected and inseparable from one another, and only by sharing a future with other countries can China achieve common development.

China has been changing its diplomatic thinking according to the international situation, and has also been adjusting them as Beijing deepens the understanding of the world and increases its own strength. What hasn't changed is China's perseverance for peace and cooperation, and the balance between the world and itself, interests and responsibilities.

There is no doubt that China may still recalibrate its diplomatic policies on specific questions in the future, but the cooperation-based diplomatic philosophy will never change. The 40 years of diplomacy practices have witnessed the success of such philosophy. It's still the best gift for China and the world when facing an uncertain future.

The author is a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations, the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.This Account has been suspended.The CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile system at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday. Photo: Liu Xuanzun/GT

Chinese military and aeronautic equipment exhibited at the air show in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province has increasingly attracted attention from international buyers.

The 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition 2018, also known as Airshow China 2018, kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai.

This year's exhibition has more international buyers on opening day than the previous show, several arms producers said.

Some of the military equipment which received the most attention from international buyers are the CM-400AKG and CM-401 missiles, Zhu Andong, a staff member of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The CM-400AKG air-to-ground missile is a supersonic missile meant to strike buildings and radar sites. The CM-401 is a high supersonic ballistic anti-ship missile mainly used to attack medium-to-large-sized ships. Those products are increasingly appealing to buyers from other countries due to their high performance-to-price ratio, Zhu said.

One of the other best-selling items at the air show is the Rainbow series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Wang Yongzhi, the technical expert of the Rainbow series, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

He said that the UAVs have attracted more attention from international buyers in this year's exhibition.

Wang said aside from almost all of the previous buyers during the last air show, the Rainbow series has also attracted new foreign consumers on the opening day of this year's exhibition.

The Rainbow series was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

A statement released by CASC on Tuesday said the company signed 32 cooperation agreements worth 45.3 billion yuan ($6.6 billion) on the opening day.

Over 100 Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs participated in the signing ceremony, the statement said.

A pilot assigned to the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team of the British Royal Air Force tries the A320 simulator of China's Shenzhen Airlines. (Photo by Li Ruidun)

SHENZHEN, Nov. 7 (ChinaMil) -- The British Consulate General in Guangzhou and the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) made a special trip on November 6 to China's Shenzhen Airlines during the Airshow China 2018.

On October 30, Shenzhen Airlines launched its first direct flight from Shenzhen to London. The Red Arrows Aerobatic Team's visit this time provided a unique opportunity for the Chinese and British sides to explore opportunities for cooperation and development in civil aviation.



China's Shenzhen Airlines staff introduces the simulation cabin to the team members of the RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Team. (Photo by Li Ruidun)

Karen Maddocks, Consul-General at the British Consulate General in Guangzhou, Andrew Keith, wing commander of the RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Team, and Flight Lieutenant Alicia Mason, engineering officer for the Red Arrows, visited the Shenzhen Airlines aircraft cabin emergency equipment and crew training devices, water training hall and flight simulator training hall on the afternoon of November 6.

They also had exchanges on flight training and flight team cooperation with the airlines training instructors and students. The team had keen interest in the flight simulators and tried the simulators of Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 during the visit.



The Shenzhen Airlines staff and the RAF Red Arrows team members pose for a group photo. (Photo by Li Ruidun)

Andrew Keith and Alicia Mason said that they felt honored to visit the flight training center of the Shenzhen Airlines. The flight training system is perfectly designed in terms of the improvement of training policy, the implementation of training programs, and the training guarantee scheme, they noted. They said they hope more international pilots will join the Shenzhen Airlines for future development.

The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is an aerobatics display team of the British Royal Air Force based at Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK.Russia is facing another round of U.S. sanctions over the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.

The Trump administration informed Congress on Tuesday that Russia failed to prove it is abiding by a global treaty outlawing biological and chemical weapons. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia in August. A 1991 U.S. law automatically triggers another round of sanctions.

It is unclear what those new sanctions would be or when they would come into effect, angering the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Ed Royce.

Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook attended the record-breaking event after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a four-day visit to India. Her presence was significant because of a Korean legend that a princess from Ayodhya traveled to Korea and married a king, becoming a Korean queen in the year 48 AD.

The northern Indian city of Ayodhya broke a Guinness World Record on Tuesday by lighting 300,150 earthen lamps and keeping them burning for at least 45 minutes on the banks of the river Saryu as part of the annual celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh, was given a certificate certifying the record by Guinness officials who had monitored the attempt with drone cameras.

As dusk fell in Ayodhya, where Hindus believe the god Lord Ram was born and where he returned after 14 years in exile, volunteers lit lamps, called diyas, snaking along the river, through lanes and at houses.

A similar attempt failed to break the record last year, when strong winds blew over many of the lamps. Tuesdays feat broke a record from 2016, when 150,009 lamps were lit.

Purnima Shukla, a Saket Degree College student, was among 5,000 volunteers involved in the ceremony. "Last time we missed it by a whisper but this time we ensured that all the lamps were aglow. Oil was poured frequently, and we used sheets to block wind where it was very windy," she said.

The State Department issued a statement Monday saying Pompeo and Kim Yong-chol, a senior adviser to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, will discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with a senior North Korean official Thursday in New York City.

Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump signed an agreement at their landmark summit in June to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons, but the two sides have been at odds over the pace of Pyongyang's efforts to end its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea warned last week that it will consider reviving its nuclear weapons program if the United States fails to lift its crippling economic sanctions against the regime. It is also seeking a peace treaty with the United States and South Korea that will formally end the 1950-53 Korean War that split the communist North from the democratic South.The Korea Development Institute in a report Tuesday slashed its forecast for the Korean economy this year by 0.2 percentage points to 2.7 percent, the lowest since 2012.

The state-run think tank also cut its forecast for next year to just 2.6 percent, 0.1 percentage points lower than its estimate in the first half of this year.

The report cited growing economic uncertainties like a slowdown in private investment, sluggish employment and growing household debt, currently estimated at around US$1.3 trillion. It said the government's expansionary fiscal measures, though needed, have had a limited effect in strengthening the competitiveness of local businesses.

Although exports are expected to be robust through next year, risks are growing from an intensifying trade war between China and the U.S. as well as the long-term effects of trade protectionism."Because over time, this negotiation will take a form where we're going to have to start making some changes to the military posture on the peninsula," he added. "And we're prepared to do that in support" of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He did not say what the changes to the USFK's "posture" might entail, but there are fears here that this could mean reducing troop numbers.

"The more successful we are in the diplomatic track, the more uncomfortable we will be in the military space," Reuters quoted Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford as telling a forum at Duke University.

The top U.S. military officer on Monday hinted that the U.S. Forces Korea could reduce its role if diplomatic efforts to engage North Korea make progress.

"It's hard to grasp the exact meaning of what Gen. Dunford said," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters. But he added that even North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said there would have to be no direct link between declaring a formal end to the Korean War and the withdrawal of the USFK.

Back in August, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that would ensure that the USFK's troop numbers do not fall below 22,000 without congressional authorization. And in a joint statement issued with his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo in Washington on Oct. 31, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis "emphasized the commitment to maintain the current force level of USFK in order to defend" South Korea.

But at other times, Mattis and other U.S. officials have hinted that the U.S. troop presence could be on the negotiating table. Asked by reporters in April if it would be necessary to keep the USFK on the Korean Peninsula if a peace treaty is signed, Mattis said, "That's part of the issues that we'll be discussing in negotiations with our allies first, and of course with North Korea."

Right after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters, "I want to get our soldiers out... I want to bring our soldiers back home."

North Korea is resorting to computer hacking, trade in protected animals and other organized crime to earn foreign currency.

According to Radio Free Asia, North Korean hackers late last month attacked German construction firm igr AG with a virus dubbed "Hermes Ransomware." It stole construction plans for a U.S. Air Force base in Ramstein while paralyzing 100 computers at the builder.

The hackers demanded 20 bitcoins then valued at around US$120,000 per computer, but the company says it refused.

Several North Korean diplomats in Africa have been nabbed trying to sell rhinoceros horns and elephant tusks to China and Vietnam, U.S. House Representative Ted Poe told Voice of America. He said last year there were 18 cases of North Korean diplomats getting caught over such crimes.

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.Carly Rae Jepsen is back! The Canadian pop star, who first broke into the mainstream with her 2012 ear worm "Call Me Maybe," has new things in store. Last night, she performed her television debut of "Party for One" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. It's the the first catchy pop single off a new album, slated for release next year.

Jepsen, whose short, black slip dress with fur accents reflects her playful disposition, does not lack enthusiasm in her performance. "Party for One," an upbeat reclamation of independence, serves as an anthem for singles everywhere who are done with heartbreak. Jepsen sings the song with soul  "If you don't care about me/ I'll just dance for myself," she belts, moving confidently across the stage. When she sings "Making love to myself/ Back on my beat," it's not without a smirk  being single comes with many solo activities.

The song was released last week on all major streaming services, along with a music video featuring people dancing alone in hotel rooms. It's an uplifting preview of the long-awaited follow-up to her 2015 full-length album Emotion. Since then, the artist has released two accompanying EPs, including Emotion: Side B and Emotion Remixes, as well as the single "Cut to the Feeling." The new full-length is expected in 2019.

Watch Carly Rae Jepsen's "Party For One" music video, below.

Photo via YouTubeEasy, breezy, cruelty free. CoverGirl, an icon of the drugstore aisle, just became the biggest makeup brand to gain a Leaping Bunny certification. That's the international gold standard for cruelty free cosmetics, and it means none of its products or ingredients are tested on animals at any point in the supply chain. Yay!

A press release states that CoverGirl's products will now be certified cruelty free wherever they're sold  the brand doesn't stock in China, where animal testing is a requirement for all cosmetics.

See on Instagram It also highlights the relative affordability of CoverGirl compared to prestige cruelty free brands, saying that cruelty free "cosmetics should be affordable and available to everyone... the more people who can find and afford cruelty free makeup, the better."

CoverGirl is working with Cruelty Free International, the organization behind Leaping Bunny, to further advocate for beauty industry change. The end goal is to end animal testing globally. CoverGirl's parent company Coty has committed to eliminating animal testing within all of its brands by 2020.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told President Moon Jae-in during a summit that submitting an inventory of his country's nuclear arsenal and facilities to the U.S. could spark an attack, national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said Tuesday.

"Before trust is built up between the U.S. and North Korea, demanding that we give the U.S. a list of our fissile materials, nuclear weapons and delivery systems is the same as telling us to submit a list of targets for attacks," he quoted Kim as saying.

Speaking at a National Assembly hearing, Chung added, "North Korea is aware that reporting a list of its nuclear weapons is a very important step toward denuclearization, but he feels the process must come after concrete measures are taken to build up trust by both sides."

"We are continuing negotiations with related countries to ensure a declaration officially ending the Korean War within this year as promised and we are very open when it comes to the format," he said.

North Korea has been pushing for such a declaration before it takes any further steps toward denuclearization, but Washington fears that this would rob it of a powerful negotiating card.

The U.S. and North Korea are set to hold high-level talks in New York on Thursday. The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the North's Central Committee of the Workers Party "will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization."It could have been so much worse, right? Beto didn't quite pull off victory in Texas, Claire McCaskilll lost in Missouri, and Republicans increased their Senate majority. But Democrats did regain control of the House, Florida restored voting rights for 1.5 million convicted felons, and governorships across the country turned blue. The midterm election results definitely aren't all bad, and what's more, they amount to substantial victories for women voters, queer voters, and voters of color.

Here are some of the milestones you might have missed while anxiously watching the map turn red last night.

More Women Will Sit In The House Than Ever Before

After a record number of women appeared on ballots yesterday, many of them inspired to run in reaction against Trump, a record number have now been elected to the House of Representatives. Not every race has been called yet, but with 95 in the bag (85 of them Democrats, 10 of them Republicans), it is predicted women will earn at least 100 seats. The current record is 84 seats, so that's a significant gain.

New York Elected The Country's Youngest-Ever Congresswoman See on Instagram

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez! She did it. Following her surprise victory in the Democratic primaries over incumbent Joe Crowley in June, the bartender from the Bronx will represent New York's 14th congressional district in the House of Representatives. Her campaign platform included universal Medicare, abolishing ICE, gun control, a $15 minimum wage, and the end of private prisons. She's just 28 years old  the average age of a United States congressperson is around 60.

Angie Craig Became The First Lesbian Mother In Congress

Minnesota's Angie Craig become the first openly gay mother in Congress, after succeeding in her second attempt to win a seat representing her district. Better family healthcare access was central to her platform. What makes this victory even sweeter is the fact her opponent, Republican Jason Lewis, is staunchly anti-LGBTQ rights and has made headlines for sexist comments. Craig, meanwhile, was instrumental in establishing the right for same-sex couples to adopt in the state of Tennessee.

Two Muslim Women Were Elected To Congress

No Muslim woman had ever won a Congressional seat before yesterday, when two midwesterners secured historic victories. They are Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib and Minnesotan Democratic Farmer Labor Party member Ilhan Omar. The latter is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Two Native American Woman Were Elected To Congress

Two Democrats became the first Native American women elected to Congress last night: New Mexico's Deb Haaland (a member of the Pueblo of Laguna), and Kansas's Sharice Davids (of the Ho Chunk nation). Davids is also the first openly gay woman to represent Kansas in Congress.

Two States Elected Their First-Ever Black Congresswomen See on Instagram

New England came through yesterday, with Connecticut and Massachusetts both electing their first-ever black congresswomen. Jahana Hayes, who was 2016's National Teacher of the Year, will represent Connecticut's fifth district. Ayanna Pressley, who was also the first black woman to sit on Boston's city council, ran unopposed after defeating a 10-term incumbent in the primary earlier this year. She will represent Massachusetts's seventh district.

Jared Polis Became The First Gay Male Governor See on Instagram

Yes Colorado! Jared Polis is the first openly gay man to win a governorship in the United States  noting that Oregon's Kate Brown became the first openly LGBTQ governor in 2016. Polis has a partner and two children, so they'll be the first gay-parented family to live in the governor's mansion. Polis was swept into power on a proudly left wing platform. He advocates for single-payer healthcare, stronger gun laws, and an end to the death penalty. He is also a strong proponent of legal weed.One of the most anticipated midterm elections in recent history, tonight's national and statewide races could prove a critical turning point for the country. In the past two years America has seen the rise of stricter immigration policies, efforts to derail LGBTQ rights, tax cuts for the wealthy, the appointment of an accused sexual abuser to the Supreme Court, and the rise of white nationalism under the Trump regime. The importance of this election is being felt around the country with increasingly fervent efforts to get out the vote in hopes to turn the tide and curtail the current administration's oppressive policies.

With a polls across the country beginning to close, eyes are on several tight races across the country. From Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz's fight for the Texas Senate seat to Stacey Abram's bid against Brian Kemp for Governor of Georgia, we will be keeping an eye on some of tonight's most important races and updating this piece as more results pour in:

US Senate Republicans retain control of the Senate, flipping seats in Indiana and North Dakota.

US House of Representatives Democrats are projected to take control of the House.

Colorado Jared Polis (D) becomes first openly gay man elected as Governor of Colorado.

Florida Rick Scott (R) narrowly defeats incumbent Bill Nelson (D) in key Senate race.

Andrew Gillum (D) concedes Gubernatorial race to Ron DeSantis (R).

Amendment 4 Passes, restoring voting rights to felons who have served out their sentences, excluding those convicted of murder and sexual offenses. This measure will restore voting rights to an estimated 1.5 million Florida residents.

Massachusetts Ayanna Pressly (D) becomes the first black woman to represent Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives.

Voters uphold law that ensures protections for transgender people.

Michigan Rashida Tlaib (D) becomes the first muslim woman elected to Congress.

Gretchen Whitmer (D) unseats incumbent Rick Synder to win Governor's race.

Minnesota Ilhan Omar (D) joins Michigan's Rashida Tlaib as one of the first Muslim women elected to the US House of Representative.

New York Kirsten Gilibrand (D) holds onto her Senate seat by a comfortable margin.

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D) wins her race becoming the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress.

Tennessee Marsha Blackburn (R) takes the Senate despite an effort by Taylor Swift to turn out the vote in favor of her competitor, Phil Bredesen.

Texas Ted Cruz (R) retains his Senate seat after a tight race against competitor Beto O'Rourke.

Photo via GettyThe Iranian Canary In The Coalmine

11/06/18

by Matthew K. Shannon (source: LobeLog)





The past two years have witnessed a shift in the way that the United States interacts with the world. Although Donald Trump's Iran policy has continuities with the regime-change mentality of the George W. Bush presidency, the current president has abandoned or threatened the integrity of a range of other international commitments.

The list includes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris Climate Accord, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, along with the more recent attacks against the International Criminal Court, the Postal Union Treaty, and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty. As Richard Haas has explained, "the liberal world order is under threat from its principal architect: the United States."

But the case of Iran demonstrates how, precisely, the Trump administration is unscrewing the hinges of the international system.

Dismantle Obama-Era Policies

The Trump administration has ended a brief moment of formal dialoguebetween the United States and Iran. That moment was made possible by then-President Barack Obama's strategy of "engagement," or, if you prefer, "contagement." As Obama stated in 2010:

One year ago, I chose this occasion to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to offer a new chapter of engagement on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect....Together with the international community, the United States acknowledges your right to peaceful nuclear energy-we insist only that you adhere to the same responsibilities that apply to other nations.

Two parts of this statement stand out. The first is the notion that, should Iran behave like other nations, it would have the sovereign right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Iran is, after all, a non-weapons state and a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The second point is that Obama was willing to open "a new chapter" by turning the page on the old "axis of evil"language. That meant engaging with the international community over issues of mutual concern-even Iran's nuclear program.

True to form, Trump has rolled back these two Obama-era maxims. Candidate Trump campaigned against the nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) in summer 2015, and President Trump has talked tough on Iran since taking office, most offensively by including Iran in his travel ban. But tensions have ratcheted up in the last six months, especially since Trump announced on May 8, 2018 the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal, Obama's signature foreign policy achievement.

Defy Allies and Go It Alone

Before May 2018, the U.S. government had, with its international partners, a verifiable 159-page deal that seemed to resolve the perennial riddle of Iran's nuclear program. The JCPOA was inked in July 2015, implemented in January 2016 in the form of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and had the support of the P5+1 (the UN Security Council plus Germany). It allowed Iran to enrich low levels of uranium and was verifiable through teams of inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Trump's "America First" strategy has created unnecessary rifts among allies, whether considering NATO or the so-called Iran deal. This was made clear at the UN meeting in September when the United States was the only partner to the deal to object to its terms and implementation. Many European leaders urged Trump, prior to the UN meeting, to remain in the JCPOA. In New York, France's Emmanuel Macron denounced Washington's "survival-of-the-fittest approach" to Iran and the application of "pressure from a single stakeholder."

If Trump's Iran policy has antagonized allies in European capitals, it has done even more to generate suspicion and mistrust in Tehran. On becoming secretary of state, Mike Pompeo delivered a speech titled, After the Deal: A New Iran Strategy, in which he issued demands that no government, let alone the one in Tehran, could meet. The establishment on August 16 of the Iran Action Group to coordinate "all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity" and keep State's policy "closely synchronized with our interagency partners" and "with nations which share our understanding of the Iranian threat" was even more alarming. Three days later, on August 19, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted a reminder that "65 years ago today, the US overthrew the popularly elected democratic government of Dr. Mossadegh." John Kerry's former negotiating partner then charged that the United States was "a rogue state and an international outlaw" whose "destructive moves" had "darkened the outlook for the international order."

The Obama-era policy produced an environment conducive for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to, in his first term, reach out to end his country's isolation from the international community. Trump's policies have compelled second-term Rouhani to put aside the possibility of dialogue for the foreseeable future. More important, Iran's supreme leader said that "if the government of the Islamic Republic was to negotiate with the American regime, at any time, it would never have negotiated with the present government of the United States." In the case of Iran, Trump has created a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Ignore the Experts and Invoke Myths

In addition to opposing Obama and antagonizing allies and adversaries alike, the Trump team has, as a rule of thumb, determined its own facts and fictions to undermine any semblance of international order.

Trump's read on the JCPOA, for instance, is at odds with the scientific community. The IAEA repeatedly found that Iran was not in "material breach" of the agreement. Elsewhere in the scientific community, a group of 90 nuclear experts asked Congress to "protect" the deal, a request with which the House's only physicist agreed. The State Department's nonproliferation expert has since resigned in protest.

Trump's broader Iran policy is at odds with a range of knowledgeable Iran-watchers. John Limbert may have described it best when he wrote that Trump's combination of "bullying, threats, accusations, and unrealistic demands" only makes the commander-in-chief "look confused, small-minded, and petulant" while extending to the Iranian government "a gift," namely "the opportunity to...defy a strong and threatening foreign power." Analysts across the board find instance of a "tone-deaf Iran policy" and describe Trump's go-it-alone strategy as "a high-risk gamble."

In this sense, the policy shifts of the last six months are based on a willingness in some corners of the American population to reject any form of expertise, verifiable evidence, or the idea that there is, in fact, an international community with which to engage. In the same way that Trump and his supporters espouse myths to deny the reality of climate change, they also engage in myth-making that Iran is not a state with rational interests but simply a revolutionary idea without boundaries.

"At the heart of the Iran deal," Trump said in his withdrawal speech in May, "was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear-energy program." National Security Adviser John Bolton, a "political blowtorch"and longtime critic of dialogue with Iran, wrote in summer 2017 about "a game plan for the president" that "like instant coffee...can be readily expanded to a comprehensive, hundred-page playbook if the administration were to decide to leave the Iran agreement." Given the history of U.S-Iran relations, myths about Iran and references to hostage-taking, rather than verifiable facts about Iran's nuclear program, have provided administration officials with various discursive routes around the truth and through the emotional thicket. As Bolton described his views just months before he joined the Trump team:

America's declared policy should be ending Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution before its 40th anniversary.... Recognizing a new Iranian regime in 2019 would reverse the shame of once seeing our diplomats held hostage for 444 days. The former hostages can cut the ribbon to open the new U.S. embassy in Tehran.

These views are rooted less in reality and more in American mythologies about revolutionary Iran. They are based less on a calculation of the nuclear threat than on the old Jacksonian ethos applied to the Modern Middle East: "boys go to Baghdad, but real men to go Tehran."

Attack the Liberal World Order

For a moment during Barack Obama's second term, the "liberal world order" seemed to offer a setting and a language that allowed American and Iranian officials to engage on issues of mutual interest and concern. In the process, the Obama administration tipped discussions away from force and toward diplomacy. Today, the Trump administration is, piece by piece, abandoning that world order and choosing coercion over compromise. It is not just the JCPOA. The U.S. abrogation, in October, of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic, and Consular Relations, served as further indication that the United States is refusing to play by the rules of its own game and is not interested in any semblance of "amity."

The European Council on Foreign Relations has argued that "the liberal world order has become an increasingly contested idea, with rising powers...increasingly challenging Western perspectives." The case of U.S.-Iran relations suggests that the "West," as represented for the time being by the Trump administration, will brook no external challenge to that order. Although it is easy to write off an aggressive Iran policy as an inevitable consequence of the American political cycle, there are plenty of areas where the Iran exception sheds light on the Trump rule.



About the author:

Matthew Shannon is an assistant professor of history at Emory & Henry College. He is the author of Losing Hearts and Minds: American-Iranian Relations and International Education during the Cold War.Some customers of Group Nduom Bank (GN Bank) in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, have complained bitterly about their inability to withdraw their monies from the bank.



The aggrieved customers pleaded with the media to make enquires for them, but officials of the bank were hostile to media personnel who travelled to the offices to ask questions.



Several attempts by BUSINESS GUIDE to speak to branch managers or regional manager of the bank proved futile.



Owing to the problem, many customers besiege the offices of the bank on a daily basis to withdraw their monies.



To avoid clashes between the bank officials and customers, several police personnel have been stationed at the bank.



Lucky Kuwordor, who saves with Sunyani Area 3 branch, said I have been trying since last week to withdraw GH850 from the bank. The branch manager told me there was no money to pay me. I asked him to keep my cheque so that I would come for my money when its ready but he refused. He told me he has many cheques so he would not take another one. My children have been sacked from school and I dont know what to do.



Other customers, who pleaded anonymity, told the paper that all efforts to withdraw money from their accounts at the bank had proved futile.



Some bank officials and security personnel at Area 4 threatened to beat up reporters from UTV and BUSINESS GUIDE last Friday.



The paper was told the branch manager was absent.



More police personnel guarding GN Bank premises at Sunyani to forestall possible clashes between customers and bank officials.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe receivers of the collapsed UT Bank have dragged a businessman, Mr Ibrahim Mahama, and four of his companies to court for owing the bank GH358.8 million.

According to court documents, Mr Mahamas companies owed the bank outstanding loan repayment balance of $35.7 million and GH189.1 million as of the time the banks licence was revoked in 2017.





The licence of the UT Bank was revoked on August 1, 2017.



The companies are Dzata Cement Limited, $35.7 million; MBG Limited, GH83.1 million; Holman Brothers Limited, GH86.4 million, and Engineers and Planners, GH19.6 million.



The receivers, Mr Vish Ashiagbor and Mr Eric Nipah, who sued in their capacity as joint receivers, are praying the Commercial Division of the High Court to order the companies, through Mr Mahama, to pay up the loans with interest.



Writ



A writ of summons issued on behalf of the receivers by Mr Joe Aboagye Debrah, an Accra-based legal practitioner, is praying the court to order the defendants to repay the outstanding loan amounts with interest.



The relief is specifically praying the court to order the first defendant to pay interest on the loan amounts with effect from November 30, 2016 to date of final payment.



The plaintiffs are further praying the court to direct the second, third and fourth defendants to repay the amounts from June 30, 2017; October 31, 2017 and April 11, 2017, respectively, till the date of final payment.



They are also seeking an order against Mr Mahama for the recovery of all outstanding amounts owed by his companies in pursuance of the personal guarantees he gave for the grant of the loan facilities.



Damages for the breach of contract, costs and any other relief the court might deem fit are also being sought by the receivers on behalf of the defunct bank.





Statement of claim



According to the statement of claim accompanying the writ of summons, the defendants were at all material times customers of the then UT Bank.



It said Mr Mahama was the Executive Chairman/Director of the companies, which were all registered in Ghana.



The statement of claim also averred that Mr Mahama was the majority shareholder of the four companies.



It said then UT Bank, over a period of several years, commencing from about 2012, granted the loan amounts to the defendants.



According to the statement of claim, Mr Mahama was the driving spirit and owner of the four companies that owed the bank.



The statement of claim further stated that several meetings had been held between Mr Mahama and representatives of the four other defendants in a bid to recover the outstanding loan amounts but all promises by the defendants to redeem the outstanding loans had not been fulfilled.



The plaintiffs say that the defendants will not pay the outstanding loans unless compelled to do so by the fit of the honourable High Court, the statement of claim added and, accordingly, prayed the court to grant the reliefs being sought against the defendants.

Source: Daily Graphic









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe Mohinani Group won 3 awards at the maiden Ghana Business Awards ceremony, a prestigious award which sought to recognize and reward individuals and companies that excelled and contributed to sustainable development within their various sectors and Ghanaian Economy.



The Groups Executive Director, Ashok Mohinani was honored and recognized for Excellence in Business Award of the Year at the event which took place at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra on Friday 26th October, 2018.



Commenting on the award, Mr. Mohinani said it was rewarding for the Group to be recognized for its outstanding achievements and contributions to business development and economic growth over the last 50 years in Ghana.



The 2nd Award which was picked up by the Group was Group of Companies of the Year in honor of their commitment & drive for innovation.



The Electronic Company of the Year was awarded to Electromart, the retail arm of the groups trading company  Somotex.



Mr. Mohinani noted that as a Group, they were committed to drive & champion innovation, industrial leadership and sustainable growth across all operating units in and outside Ghana.



"Our Operations spans across Africa, Europe and Asia and we will seek to relentlessly provide the best of services & products to satisfy our customer needs".



The Groups international expertise brings to bear the best global practices and in-depth understanding of the local environment which means that their brands thrive as sector leaders, bringing together the best of both worlds to their consumers.



"Mohinani Group prides itself in offering the best and most trusted brands both locally and internationally. Our local brands include Polytank, Electromart, Bruhm and Cougar while internationally we trade and represent some of the largest and most credible global brands such as LG, KFC, Protea by Marriott, Bajaj, Index, MRF and Boxer, he added.



Mr Mohinani was optimistic that the Group will continue to invest in technologies that improves the living standards of it consumers.



"We continue to offer warranty and guarantee, assuring shoppers & consumers of our commitment to providing high quality products and services.



The Groups retail arm for consumer electronics continues to offer world class aftersales service support and enhanced shopping experience across all 20 Electromart retail shops. The global footprint for Electromart has seen tremendous growth with the introduction of the online shop (www.electromart.com.gh), Consumer Finance payment option and Point Building Loyalty Card for Free shopping any day and anytime.



Mr Mohinani said the awards was an indication that the Group was delivering exceptional, innovative and quality products and services that were meeting the needs of both the local and international markets.



Our Appreciation to the team, customers, partners and all stakeholders for their hard work, commitment and loyalty to Mohinani Group and all affiliates, said Mr Mohinani.

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Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil is barely perturbed about recent reports of a suit against him and 15 other directors of the defunct Capital Bank as he believes the facts of the issue will be revealed during proceedings in court.



Reports have emerged this week, indicating that 16 persons, mostly directors of the collapsed bank are being sued for mismanagement and breach of banking regulations which led to the collapse of the bank. The directors and shareholders have been accused of illegally approving loans and placing funds to themselves and related parties without the requisite collateral.



Commenting on the issue for the first time since the news broke, Pastor Otabil, during service Tuesday said the suit against him and the other directors of the defunct bank does not imply any wrongdoing on their part. According to him, the suit is merely an opinion that will be justified or otherwise as and when events unfold.



Though he maintained he is restricted in his comments considering the issue is before the court of law, he was hopeful that the court proceedings will be interesting.



I know people have all kinds of questions and so on. I cant explain anything to you because Im in court. We will allow the process to continue and hopefully, the full truth will be known. There is space for peoples opinion but when you go to court you are not just dealing with peoples opinions, you deal with facts.



Its going to be interesting, he added.



Speaking to his congregation, Otabil added that, The only thing I want to say briefly is that when someone sues you, it is not an evidence, neither is it a judgement, it is just somebodys opinion and there will be defence and other things so follow closely how things ill proceed and how theyll end.



The last time I said God is good, people didnt like it so I dont know if to say God is good but I can definitely say the devil is bad, that can also be quoted., Pastor Otabil further noted.



Background



Pastor Otabil was the Board Chairman of the defunct bank, while the ICGC was named as a shareholder of the bank in the suit.



The suit was filed at the Commercial Division of the Accra High Court by the receivers of the defunct bank, Mr Vish Ashiagbor and Mr Eric Nipah, both of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).



The plaintiffs are seeking to use the legal action to recover over GH837 million, being what they said were loans that the shareholders granted to themselves which remained unpaid. By their alleged actions, the plaintiffs said, the defendants have breached their fiduciary duties under the Companies Code, 1963 (Act 179) and have caused serious financial loss to the bank.



The shareholders and the directors joined to the suit as defendants in the Capital Bank suit include the Founder of the Capital Bank, Mr William Ato Essien; Mr Oheneba Osei-Akoto, Mr Stephen Enchill, Mr Kingsley Atta Ghansah, Otabil & Associates, Mr Kwadwo Ayisi-Ahwireng, Mr Isaac Osah Thompson-Mensah and Mr John Kofi Mensah. The rest are Mr Edwin Obeng Donkor, the former Chief Executive of the bank; Mr Fitzgerald Odonkor, Mr Amadu Montia, Mr Kofi Kwakwa and Mr Francis Adu Mante.

VIDEO-

Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Tuesday, 6th November, 2018, to participate in the Africa Investment Forum, which is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the invitation of the African Development Bank.



The Forum will enable invited Heads of State and Governments to engage with the investor community and explore potential investments and financing. President Akufo-Addo will participate, as a panelist, in Championing Investments: Presidential Investment Chats, and also at the launch of the EU-AU High level platform on Sustainable Energy Investments in Africa.



On Ghana-specific engagements, the President will meet investors interested in the development, financing and construction of projects such as the Takoradi Refinery Company, which intends to refine some 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day; and the Accra Skytrain Project, which aims to develop an elevated light rail mass transit project for Accra.



He was accompanied by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; Minister for Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, MP; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yofi Grant, and officials from the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.



President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Friday, 9th November, 2018, and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.









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Their wins are likely to boost the percentage of women in Congress beyond 20 percent for the first time. Many stepped up as candidates across the country in the past two years, energized by reports of Donald Trumps behavior toward women, the rise of the #MeToo movement that has publicized the pervasiveness of sexual assault, and Republican policy platforms on issues including the right to abortion.

With the Comstock result and another Democratic pickup in Florida, Democrats now need to pick up 21 more seats to retake the House of Representatives. Democrat Donna Shalala, a former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar for a seat being vacated by veteran Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.

Comstock had been expected to lose, but her defeat may be indicative of wider Democratic success, especially in the suburbs, where polls show women strongly favoring Democratic candidates.

With polls closed in much of the country, the control of the House of Representatives appeared to be shifting from the Republicans to the Democrats. Democrats picked up their first big win of the night in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state senator, defeated the Republican incumbent, Representative Barbara Comstock.

However, West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin kept his seat and defeated Republican Patrick Morrisey, the state's attorney general. Manchin, who voted with Republicans to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, slammed Morrisey's work as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical companies saying he profited off the state's opioid crisis.

The Democrats' chances of retaking the Senate from Republicans appeared nearly impossible after suffering key losses in Indiana and Tennessee, two states that Trump won easily in 2016.

Democrats won several key races Tuesday, but appeared short of a sweeping "blue wave" midterm election victory that many had predicted would bring a rebuke to the presidency of Donald Trump.

 Referendum on Trump

Public opinion polls suggest opposition Democrats will retake the House but will be unable to seize the Senate from Republicans in a congressional and gubernatorial election that evolved into a referendum on President Trump's first two years in office.

Democrats need to retake only two seats to gain the Senate, but the odds of doing so are slim since they are defending many more seats than Republicans. Democrats' Senate chances were dealt a major blow in Indiana, where incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly lost to Republican Mike Braun. In Tennessee, Democrat Phil Bredesen, the state's ex-governor, lost to Republican Marsha Blackburn, who will become Tennessee's first female senator.

But Democrats appeared close to pulling off a major Senate upset in Texas, one of the closest watched races in the country. Beto O'Rourke, who just months ago was a relatively unknown congressman, narrowly leads Republican Senator Ted Cruz, with over 70 percent of votes counted.

 High Voter Turnout

Voter turnout appeared to be very high, despite bad weather in virtually the entire Eastern United States. Polling stations across the country saw long lines, and in some cases there were problems with voting machines, in part because of wet conditions.

Main issues for voters are health care, immigration and the economy, according to polls. However, Trump, who has barnstormed across the country spurring fear of a cavalcade of Central American immigrants moving north toward the U.S.-Mexico border, was also on the minds of most voters, according to exit polling.

"Of course it's motivation. I mean, I only became a citizen last year," said Kevin Ombija, a first-time voter originally from Kenya who now lives in Washington, D.C. "Issues of immigrants are very dear to me. I definitely want to vote everything against (Trump)."

In Orange County, California, William Moody cast his vote for Republicans, even while offering qualified support for Trump. "I defend his belief that the border has to be protected, (but) maybe not as severe as he would do it," Moody said. "The president is his own worst enemy with some of his remarks. If he'd tone it down and just do his job quietly, it'd help us all."

 Immigration Focus

Midterm elections are traditionally seen as a referendum on a sitting president, but this election seems especially so -- in part because Trump has held an unusually large number of rallies in support of Republicans and urged supporters to treat the election as a confirmation of his policies.

At those rallies, Trump has consistently stoked fear of immigrants, insisting his political opponents support things like "open borders" and crime. The strategy could backfire, however, if preliminary results from exit polls are accurate.

Trump conceded in an interview on Monday that he could have taken a softer tone in his rhetoric, but denied any suggestion that his stump speeches had fostered racism in the country. About half of voters say Trump's immigration policies are too tough, while around a third think they're just right, according to a CNN national exit poll.

The CNN poll suggested 55 percent of voters disapprove of Trump's performance, while 44 percent approve of it. Moreover, 56 percent of those surveyed believe the country is on the wrong track and only 41 percent said it was on the right track.

 Power Balance

If Democrats do win enough House seats to reclaim the majority, Trump would be forced to deal with a shift in the balance of power in Washington. "The House has been a rubber stamp for the Trump agenda. It will no longer be a rubber stamp," said Jim Kessler of the centrist Democratic group Third Way. "Anything that gets done will have to be a bipartisan basis."

Democrats are hoping for a wave election that would bring them control of the House and gubernatorial victories in key states such as Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin. Voters are also deciding governor races in 36 states, as well as local positions.Ashanti Regional NPP Secretary, Sam Payne has spoken against calls on Chief Executive of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), ACP KK Amoah, to step down.



The suspension of the Eastern Regional Director of EOCO, Fred Dzeny, has courted public outcry with people calling on ACP KK Amoah to vacate his office.



Fred Dzeny, speaking at a public forum under the theme Youth in the fight against corruption, urged the government to fight corruption by boldly prosecuting its appointees to serve as an example and deterrent to other corrupt officials.



Following his statements, he was suspended for making comments which perhaps are incongruous with the activities of EOCO.



He was later suspended for investigations to be held into the matter for an appropriate action to be taken.



Addressing the issue on Peace FMs 'kokrokoo' programme, Sam Payne noted that the EOCO Boss has done nothing wrong for him to be relieved of his job.



To him, the action taken against the Regional Director was to ensure investigations are held into the issue and if found innocent of the charges against him, he would be reinstalled into his position.



Sam Payne wondered why people, particularly within opposition parties the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Convention Peoples Party (CPP), would call for the head of the EOCO Boss to roll just because the organization found Mr Dzenys comments to flout the organizations order of operations.



According to him, Ghanaians are behaving like a nation of talkers and cut the EOCO Boss some slack.



Why should the EOCO Boss step down?, Mr Dzeny was asked to step aside for investigations to be conducted into the matter. If the organization sees his comments not to conform with their activities and so ask him to step aside, how does that call for a sanction on the EOCO Boss . . . Its like Ghana is becoming a nation of talkers, he stated.



In a related development, the Presidency has reportedly ordered for the reinstatement of the Eastern Regional EOCO Director with immediate effect.

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Of the many Democratic victories last night, one red-to-blue victory in Iowa has an interesting back story that required a two-year wait for its happy ending. Last night, Iowa State House Rep. Abby Finkenauer defeated Republican incumbent Rep. Rod Blum the states first congressional district.

Two years ago, during his last election, we covered an important story where Blum refused to acknowledge  let alone speak  to a non-Christian constituent. That constituent will no longer have to worry about his representatives refusal to hear his concerns.

2016

In November 2016, just before the election, we reported on Blums refusal to speak to a non-religious constituent:

A U.S. Congressman from Iowa is under fire for comments made to an activist asking how he would respond to non-religious constituents. U.S. Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA) told atheist activist Justin Scott it was beyond my pay grade to speak to how he would tailor his message to non-religious men and women in his district. In the video of the encounter  recorded after one of Blums campaign events recently  Scott asked Blum, Mr. Blum, Im a constituent in your area. Im curious: Im a non-believer. Im curious how will you tailor your message to us as non-religious Interrupting Scott, Blum said, Beyond my pay grade. Beyond my pay grade.

We added:

Beyond your pay grade? Youre representing us, Scott replied, a bit shocked. He added, Youre being paid to represent us. Ive asked many presidential candidates the same question and theyve all taken my question. So youre not gonna Scott added as one of Blums aides. Can you leave us alone? says interrupting Scott. So youre not gonna talk to non-religious voters? Scott asked again. Can you please leave us alone? she said. She held her hand up to the camera to block his recording as if her representative was evading a scandal. At this point Scott gave up commenting, Im on the sidewalk. Im just asking a question so non-religious voters are not important to you, Mr. Blum? Monica Vernon has taken questions about non-believers. Vernon is Blums Democratic challenger.

While Vernon was not able to defeat Blum in 2016, Finkenauer was able to this year.

2018

In a close vote, Blum lost his reelection campaign last night.

Local ABC News affiliate KCRG reported:

Finkenauer is now one of the youngest women ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and one of two women elected Tuesday to represent Iowa as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Finkenauer is also the first Democrat to hold the first district seat since former Rep. Bruce Braley held it from 2007-2015. She is only the third Democrat to hold the seat since 1973. Finkenauer, 29, worked with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque before pursuing politics. She spent two terms representing the 99th District in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2014 and 2016.

Id start where quite frankly the President and I agree- or at least he said he cared about, Rep. Finkenauer said in an October interview. Which was investing in infrastructure, he talked about fixing health care. He talked about a lot of stuff when he was coming to Iowa back in 2016 and thats stuff I care about too.

Speaking last night, she said, Tonight, Iowa rejected fear and division, and tonight, Iowa proved we step up for our neighbors. She added, I truly believe hope is the reason we got this far  and hope is the reason we still have work to do. Youve asked me to be your voice in Washington and you have my promise that I will work my tail off for you every single day. This is and always will be personal.

It looks like atheist activist Justin Scott will now have a voice in Washington.

PREVIOUSLY

Peacock Panache readers:

Tim Peacock is the Managing Editor and founder of Peacock Panache and has worked as a civil rights advocate for over twenty years. During that time hes worn several hats including leading on campus LGBTQ advocacy in the University of Missouri campus system, interning with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and volunteering at advocacy organizations. You can learn more about him at his personal website.

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We hope you enjoyed reading this article! If you would like to support our ongoing work, please consider buying us a cup of coffee. It's not much, but we don't do this for the money. We do, however, need caffeine to keep going some days!If you do donate, send us a message through our Contact Us page or via social media so we can thank you!Of the many victories Democrats claimed last night, one is rather symbolic for LGBTQ rights in Kentucky: Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis lost the bid to retain her seat. She will be replaced by Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr. following a race that didnt receive a lot of national attention.

Background

A little over three years ago  in 2015  Kim Davis became a household name after video of her refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple went viral. That couple, with the assistance of the ACLU, sued Davis and the Rowan County Clerks office for failure to adhere to the federal precedent set in Obergefell v Hodges that affirmed LGBTQ couples right to legally marry.

Though she initially attempted to argue her religious beliefs should exempt her from having to abide by that federal precedent in treating LGBTQ equally, the court ordered her to obey the law in issuing licenses to all LGBTQ couples.

When she disobeyed that order, Rowan County brought misconduct charges against Davis. She appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but was later denied a hearing.

Even after that refusal from the highest court in the country, Davis still refused to carry out her constitutionally sworn duties claiming her religious beliefs should supersede the law. It was around this time the nation learned more about Davis past  a past that cast doubt on the sincerity of her sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage.

As it turned out, Davis has not only been divorced three and married four times, she also committed adultery while engaged in those relationships  all acts condemned by every major Christian denomination.

At the time, US News & World Report noted:

The Kentucky county clerk facing potentially stiff penalties for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses has been married four times, raising questions of hypocrisy and selective application of the Bible to her life. The marriages are documented in court records obtained by U.S. News, which show that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis divorced three times, first in 1994, then 2006 and again in 2008. She gave birth to twins five months after divorcing her first husband. They were fathered by her third husband but adopted by her second. Davis worked at the clerks office at the time of each divorce and has since remarried. Davis has described her desire to strictly adhere to the Bible in stark terms and thus far has shown no sign of bending to court orders on same-sex marriage. She said Tuesday she fears going to hell for violating a central teaching of the Bible if she complies with the orders. [emphasis mine]

Despite that, she saw no problem personally exempting herself from biblical prohibitions while using her religious beliefs to marginalize others.

Shortly after her past became public information, Davis was held in contempt of court for continuing to refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples and was jailed thereafter.

While she was in jail, LGBTQ couples began marrying in Rowan County, KY. That status quo wouldnt last long as Davis vowed  from jail  she would continue violating the law.

After some legal theatrics, threats from right-wing militia groups, and support from far right politicians like Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson and Bobby Jindal, Davis acquiesced saying she would allow deputy clerks will issue marriage licenses noting she wants the whole world to know those licenses issued would be against her will and by force of federal court order  an argument that was seen at the time as a potential next step in her ongoing attempt at discriminating against LGBTQ couples.

Thereafter, things became a bit ridiculous. Here are some of the latter headlines involving Davis:

But thats not the end of it; Kim Davis still had lawsuits pending against her  lawsuits she eventually lost. Unfortunately for the citizens of Kentucky, Davis wont have to personally pay for that (taxpayers will).

With the stage set this year following that debacle, observers were unclear whether Davis would be held accountable by Rowan County voters for making a mockery of their county.

Now we know.

The Election

While David Ermold  the man Davis originally discriminated against that set everything into motion in 2014  initially stepped up to challenge Kim Davis during the Democratic primaries, Elwood Caudill Jr., chief deputy in the county property valuation office, ended up winning the primary.

The New York Times noted earlier this year reporting on the primary race:

Just like I told you, said Walter Blevins, the 68-year-old Democratic judge-executive of Rowan County. He was sitting back, between karaoke numbers, at the usual place he sings on Tuesday nights, sipping on his standard tequila with a splash of cranberry juice. Its a local race. People know each other.

They added:

Mr. Caudill is a familiar figure, having run for county clerk in 2014 and come within 23 ballots of beating Ms. Davis, then a Democrat, for the party nomination. She went on easily to win the general election, as Democrats nearly always do for local office here. This time, Mr. Caudill won with 1,923 votes, in a field of four. Mr. Ermold, with 873 votes, was the runner-up.

Surprisingly, Ermold was vehemently opposed to Caudills candidacy.

USA Today reported in September:

Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr. is running against her, and the campaign has predictably turned to allegations of bigotry. But its Caudill, not Davis, who has been forced to play defense. Caudill won the Democratic nomination in May to face Davis, a Republican, in November. He defeated David Ermold, a gay man who was denied a marriage license by Davis in 2015.

Ermold has turned to Facebook to claim that Caudill is a bigot who uses anti-gay slurs and courts anti-LGBT voters. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ermold said he would not vote for either candidate. He said he was not concerned about his public criticisms of Caudill hurting his election chances. I just want him to lose. I would rather Kim Davis win, Ermold, 44, said. At least Kim Davis has the integrity to stand up for what she believes in. Elwood Caudill is a liar.

Despite that, Caudill did win last night.

It should also be noted that Caudill received the endorsement of the Fairness Campaign  Kentuckys largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

He beat Davis by approximately 700 votes last night effectively putting an end to the three-year religious exemption saga.

RELATED

Peacock Panache readers:

Tim Peacock is the Managing Editor and founder of Peacock Panache and has worked as a civil rights advocate for over twenty years. During that time hes worn several hats including leading on campus LGBTQ advocacy in the University of Missouri campus system, interning with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and volunteering at advocacy organizations. You can learn more about him at his personal website.

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We hope you enjoyed reading this article! If you would like to support our ongoing work, please consider buying us a cup of coffee. It's not much, but we don't do this for the money. We do, however, need caffeine to keep going some days!If you do donate, send us a message through our Contact Us page or via social media so we can thank you!HMCS Toronto heads to the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Artemis, in Halifax on Monday, Jan.14, 2013. The Canadian military is investigating a rash of fires and power outages on board several naval ships, but says preliminary indications are that there is no connection between the various incidents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew VaughanAll together now: Its a small world after all

From:Shanghai Daily | 2018-11-07 01:29

INTRODUCING a technology using light to enable data communication and displaying holograms of Chinese and British flags fluttering on the wall, the UK pavilion at the first China International Import Expo looks futuristic.

The British Innovation is Great pavilion is full of cutting-edge technologies that attract Chinese visitors.

Britain held its own Great Exhibition in London in 1851, which featured precious jewelry, rare machines and smart gadgets, to showcase the success of the industrial revolution in the country.

Nearly 200 years later, the UK still has world-leading innovation, said Tony Clemson, the UKs deputy consul-general in Shanghai.

He said his country is also seeking cooperation with more innovators in China.

The data transmission technology using light, called Li-Fi, creates more secure, energy efficient and faster connections with 1,000 times more bandwidth than conventional Wi-Fi, according to Clemson.

At the British pavilion, the augmented reality technology might be more eye-catching than diamonds or machines.

A highlight is a robot named Olly, which was designed by a UK-based startup.

Considered unique for having a personality and emotions, it can serve as ones assistant at home and respond to different demands.

The pavilion looks fantastic  its bright and open. I think this is a good metaphor for the UK and shows all the innovative things the UK has, said Lise Bertelsen, public affairs executive director of the China-Britain Business Council.

The UK is a guest country of honor at the inaugural CIIE. Apart from major British multinationals such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, many others are also presenting products in high-end manufacturing, retail, health care and education.

The CIIE gives the exhibitors tremendous opportunities to show themselves to a very big audience, and it will give them a huge benefit just to be seen and to be part of this, said Bertelsen.

Clemson said UK-China trade grew to a record of nearly 68 billion pounds (US$88.7 billion) in 2017.

Chinas imports from the UK rose 19.4 percent year on year in 2017.

Obviously its a huge opportunity for all of us as China opens up more, he said.

During the week-long expo, more than 3,600 companies from around the world will seek common development with over 400,000 purchasers from China and overseas.

I myself greatly appreciate the innovation spirit and capability of the UK, said Li Enshen, a visitor who is in charge of international cooperation at the Orient Sundar Group, a Chinese construction company.Home  Just In  26 hurt in Chitwan bus accident

Chitwan, November 7

At least 26 persons were hurt when a bus carrying school students and teachers skidded off the road and overturned at Pullar of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-6 in Chitwan district on Wednesday morning.

All the injured are receiving treatment at Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, said police.

The students and teachers at Someshwor Secondary School in Madi, who were on their educational trip, were returning from Janakpur when the accident occurred, according to police.

All together 34 students and teachers were on board the ill-fated bus (Na 6 Kha 9366).

RSSTwo inter-twined, but seemingly contradictory, narratives dominated an AHDB conference looking at UK agricultures export prospects. One was a tale of huge export growth opportunity, the other of unprecedented uncertainty with Brexit around the corner. Alistair Driver reports

GLOBAL PICTURE REMAINS POSITIVE

Despite various challenges around politics, changing consumer perceptions and animal disease, the long-term global outlook for meat is very positive, according to Giras Richard Brown. We are in a growing meat market, which is terrific news, he said.

Global meat consumption has been rising steadily over the past decade and that is set to continue.

Key trends include:

Global meat consumption is forecast to rise by 55 million tonnes, 17%, to reach 372mt between 2017 and 2027;

Pork consumption rose by 19% between 2007 and 2017 to reach 117mt and is predicted to rise by a further 11% to 130mt in 2027;

The biggest driver of growth in global meat sales, however, is poultry, forecast to rise by 25% to 148m t by 2027;

Most regions of the world will experience meat consumption growth, with North Asia, including China, leading the way at 17%. Strong growth is also forecast in South East Asia and North and South America.

Just about the only place where consumption is forecast to remain flat is the EU, highlighting why international trade is becoming so important to the UK meat sector;

The volume of meat traded globally is forecast to soar by 21% over the next decade, with the volume of pork traded set to reach 10.5mt in 2027, up 35% on 2017; and

Unsurprisingly, China, is forecast to be the biggest net meat importer in 2027, with South America and North America the biggest exporters, followed by the EU and Oceania.

This growth in demand is resulting in quite substantially higher real prices for meat, Mr Brown said.

He listed the positive drivers for growth, including global population and income growth and increased urbanisation, with social change contributing to greater demand for meat. Supply chain changes, including productivity gains supported by upscaling and technology, will increase the availability and affordability of meat, while improvements in the likes of meat marketing, food safety, shelf-life, quality, consistency and convenience will all help.

Mr Brown identified a number of potential brakes, too, including political and economic uncertainty and the rise of ASF. There are growing social pressures, too, such as consumer concerns over animal welfare, the environment and negative health implications associated with meat, resulting in a rise in vegetarianism and flexitarianism and driving meat alternatives.

There will be a need to change businesses and for a huge communication exercise to explain the benefits of eating meat, he said.

But the fundamentals for meat around the world are unbelievably powerful and the drivers exceed the brakes.

But he went into more detail on some of the uncertainties, too. What happens in China, as the worlds biggest producer and consumer of pork, will be unbelievably important in shaping the pork market over the next few years, he said. China is undergoing a major agro-industrialisation programme to boost domestic production, although these plans could be hampered by its major African swine fever problem, potentially forcing it to import more.

But he warned that if China is successful in boosting its domestic output, the US could be in for a shock if it expects to re-direct its extra pork there, while EU export plans could also be thwarted, resulting in a lot of pork sloshing around.

Turning to Brexit and the risk of a no deal, in particular, he said: We are standing on a cliff edge. It is unbelievably serious. Nobody likes uncertainty and we have got it in dollops with food policy, farm policy and trade policy. Farmers and processors need to be very careful, he said.

He also stressed the need, as the UK formulates a post-Brexit farm policy, to ensure farming is not left behind the rest of the world where upscaling and intensification, with increasing use of technology and automation to boost productivity, is increasingly common.

Pork sector eyes further export growth

The UK pork sector is eyeing further export growth in China and other existing and new global markets after we leave the EU.

AHDB international market development director Phil Hadley updated the conference on recent UK export growth and AHDBs work with the industry to facilitate it, including supporting Government on access negotiations, developing contacts, networks and market intelligence and accompanying exporters at international trade shows.

Among recent export successes, UK pork exports to China were worth 70 million

in 2017, while the recently signed Taiwan deal is expected to be worth an estimated 50m over five years. The first commercial shipments are set to leave imminently, after the first shipment was dispatched for a Ministerial launch.

But the EU remains by far the biggest market for UK agriculture and there was enormous concern expressed at the conference over the prospects of a no deal, which could result new tariffs, delays and added bureaucracy and costs for exporters.

For the pigmeat sector, anything that stymies trade or adds costs will be a problem, but it is probably able to weather it a bit better than some of the other sectors, Mr Hadley told Pig World.

But he stressed that it should be relatively straightforward to continue trading with non- EU countries, such as China, where the UK has bilateral agreements in place relating to specific products, after March 29, 2019.

These deals will roll forward, he said. We will update the certificates and export health agreements to recognise an equivalent standard in the domestic legislation. This represents an administrative change, but no change in procedure.

Third country exports will become increasingly important as global trade widens, he said. It is about placing the right product in the right market at the right time for the right price to maximise the value of the whole pig.

Future target destinations for pork exports include further growth in Asia, as well as Mexico and South America.

AHDB Pork chair Mike Sheldon said he was optimistic about the opportunities for the British pig industry to secure a place in the world market. But he said, as a relatively small player on the global market, the focus should be on value, not volume.

The world market is huge and growing, he said. It is about identifying where the best value is in the world for each piece of the carcase. There is an increasing opportunity for higher value products. Even if we are only a small part of those markets that has enormous potential benefits for us, he said.

The British Pig Association is accredited by the Department for International Trade as a Trade Challenge Partner, working alongside it to promote export opportunities. BPA chief executive Marcus Bates said the association had been working with AHDB and others to come up with a coherent export strategy for UK agriculture, stressing the massive potential for export growth.

He said there was also a lot of potential for trade in Africa  the BPA will be visiting Nigeria in November. It has also been exploring the potential for pig genetics in India and the Indian Government has invited it there to make a presentation.

Get Our E-Newsletter - Pig World's best stories in your in-box twice a week See e-newsletter example Will be used in accordance with our Privacy PolicyIn what could be a stunning upset in the race to be Los Angeles County sheriff, challenger Alex Villanueva took a narrow lead over Sheriff Jim McDonnell early Wednesday.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Villanueva, a retired sheriff's lieutenant, was ahead by 4,927 votes, but provisional and late mail ballots still have to be counted, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Heading into the election to run one of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies, McDonnell and Villanueva had been expected to be locked in a tight race.

Sheriffs in Los Angeles County can typically count on being easily reelected in the primary, but Villanueva disrupted that pattern when he became one of only four challengers in the last century to push a sitting sheriff into a runoff. Political experts said this year's competitive race could signify a new era for the Sheriff's Department in which incumbents must fight to keep their jobs.Memphis Officer Sean Bolton was killed in 2015. Photo: Memphis PD

Tremaine Wilbourn was sentenced by a jury Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the murder of Memphis, TN, Officer Sean Bolton.

The verdict was read by Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee after Wilbourn had been expelled from the courtroom following an outburst over closing arguments at the end of his sentencing hearing Tuesday morning. He will be forced to return to court Dec. 17 for sentencing on carjacking and weapons charges, Coffee said.

The jury was given the option of life in prison, life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. It took them nearly two hours to reach a verdict on Wilbourn's sentencing, reports the Commercial Appeal.

The same jury found Wilbourn guilty of first-degree murder, carjacking and weapons charges in the August 2015 killing of Officer Sean Bolton in Memphis.

Police said Bolton interrupted a drug deal in a car Wilbourn occupied in a residential neighborhood, reports the Associated Press. Wilbourn got out of the vehicle, and he and Bolton got into a physical struggle. Wilbourn took out a gun and shot Bolton, police said.

A witness called police through the officer's radio. An autopsy report shows Officer Bolton, 33, was shot eight times.

Wilbourn already has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on weapons charges related to Bolton's killing.Embed from Getty Images

The proposal to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use was on its way to victory early Wednesday morning, making Michigan the first state in the Midwest to approve legal weed.

With 71% of the vote counted, the measure had a comfortable double-digit margin statewide, reports the Detroit Free Press.

"Legalization of marijuana will end the unnecessary waste of law enforcement resources used to enforce the failed policy of prohibition while generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year for Michigan's most important needs," said Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which spearheaded the legalization campaign.

Michigan will become the 10th state in the nation and the first in the Midwest to legalize marijuana for recreational use, joining California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and Washington, D.C. A total of 30 states, including Michigan, have legalized marijuana for medical use. In Nebraska, voters rejected a marijuana legalization proposal. While North Dakota voters said no to legal pot, Utah and Missouri voters approved legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. And Canada legalized marijuana for adults on Oct. 17.

If it passes, Michigan's proposal will not take effect until 10 days after the election is certified by the state Board of Canvassers, which should happen by early December.Kathmandu, November 7

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has appointed Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar the partys Vice-President amid protests from the camp led by his internal opponent Ram Chandra Paudel.

The partys Central Working Committee meeting held on Tuesday afternoon appointed Gachhadar to the position. A former Congress leader, Gachhadar was active in regional politics until last year.

Then the Chairperson of Nepal Democratic Forum, Gachhadar had merged the party with the Nepali Congress before parliamentary elections held last year. During the merger, Deuba had assured the vice-presidential position to Gachhadar.

Whereas leaders close to the former prime minister have said the CWC decision aimed at implementing the merger agreement, Paudel side claims the decision flouted the party statute.

The faction argues that the party should have suspended some provisions of the statute to appoint Gachhadar as the statute has the provision for only one Vice-President, appointed from among elected CWC members. Bimalendra Nidhi already holds the position.

CWC member Arjun Narsingha KC says the leaders, however, have congratulated Gachhadar on the appointment.

Meanwhile, the meeting also postponed the partys mahasamiti meeting till December 14. The meeting will be held in Kathmandu from December 14 to 18.BRUSSELS, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Union initiative supports the exchange of best practices for innovative solutions by EU cities to strengthen their sustainability and competitiveness as tourist destinations in the new industrial era

The winners of the first edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition were awarded today at a ceremony in Brussels, on the occasion of the European Tourism Day the largest annual meeting on European tourism.

Pia Pakarinen, Helsinki's Deputy Mayor, Alain Galliano, Vice-President of Lyon Metropole and Jean-Michel Daclin, President of ONLYLYON Tourism and Congress, received European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019 trophies on behalf of their cities and were delighted that long-term efforts in creating smart environments for tourists in their cities have been recognised at EU-level.

In praise of the winners, Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, stated: "I congratulate Helsinki and Lyon for the outstanding solutions that they put in place to make tourism in their cities smart and innovative. Our objective at EU level is to foster the sustainable development of tourism by showcasing innovative solutions from EU cities in tourism. We believe that the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative will help to establish a framework of exchange of good practices between European cities, including learning from each other and networking, creating opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships. Tourism is important for the EU economy so we all need to work together more effectively to be more competitive and grow in a sustainable way".

Pia Pakarinen, Helsinki's Deputy Mayor commented: "We very much appreciate the opportunity to be the first European Capital of Smart Tourism. The first ones always set the bar and we aim high."

David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropole, proud of his city's achievement said in a video message: "The exchange of good ideas has always moved us forward in Europe and that is why we are so pleased to receive this Award and to have the opportunity to share with other European cities a few of our ideas about smart tourism. We hope with our initiatives we can also inspire other cities!"

In addition, four cities received 2019 European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the four categories of the competition: Malaga (Accessibility), Ljubljana (Sustainability), Copenhagen (Digitalisation) and Linz (Cultural Heritage & Creativity).

The European Capital of Smart Tourism is a new EU initiative, based on a proposal from the European Parliament, which secured its funding for 2018 - 2019 through a Preparatory Action. The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in EU cities and their surroundings, increase their attractiveness as well as strengthen economic growth and job creation. It also aims to establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities participating in the contest, create opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.

In order to become a European Capital of Smart Tourism, a city needed to demonstrate exemplary achievements as a tourism destination in implementing innovative and intelligent solutions in all four award categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, cultural heritage and creativity. It also needed to convince the European Jury about its suitability to act as role model for other burgeoning smart tourism destinations.

Cities of more than 100.000 inhabitants were eligible in the first edition of this competition. 38 cities from 19 EU Member States applied, but Helsinki and Lyon stood out for their innovative tourism measures and the impressive programme of activities they have put together to celebrate their achievements.

Helsinki and Lyon have been awarded with promotional videos, exhibition at European Tourism Day and purpose-built giant sculptures which will be installed in prominent locations in the two cities. During 2019 both Capitals will benefit also from promotional actions at EU level.

To celebrate their success, Helsinki and Lyon have planned an exciting schedule of activities for 2019. For example, Helsinki will be launching a smart city guidance pilot scheme, making use of collaborative work with businesses and digital tools to create a smarter way to guide people in the city. Helsinki will organise a workshop with other European cities on smart tourism and will hold the World Tourism Cities Federation's annual global summit and trade fair.

Lyon's representatives will be travelling the globe for shows, press meetings and special events to inform new audiences about the city's smart opportunities. These activities will be supplemented by Lyon's 26,000 strong network of ambassadors. The city is also launching its "World Travel Influencer Meetings" and is taking part in the Global Sustainability Programme.

For all the latest news on the European Capital of Smart Tourism, including updates about the event programmes in both of the winning cities, sign up to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.



- Cross reference: Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -



Contacts

Friederike Sandow, +49-(0)-30-700-186-315

Sandra Bumbar-Malchow, +49-(0)-30-700-186-707

e-mail: info@SmartTourismCapital.eu



Notes

The first edition of the competition was open to submissions from 11 April 2018 to 30 June 2018 . Terms and conditions are available at www.SmartTourismCapital.eu In the first stage of the competition, an independent panel of experts evaluated applications from 38 cities in 19 EU Member States and narrowed these down to 10 finalist cities. The 10 finalist cities each presented their candidatures in front of a seven member European jury, comprising representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, European Committee of Regions and the EU Member States: Bulgaria and Austria (holders of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during 2018) at a Jury meeting in Brussels on 24 September 2018 . Two cities winning the title of the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019 as well as four other cities scoring the highest in the individual categories of the competition and therefore recognised with European Smart Tourism Awards 2019 received their awards at the European Tourism Day in Brussels on 7 November 2018 . Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital information, products and services; equal opportunities and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries and local talent.

SOURCE European Capital of Smart TourismApple's market capitalization has dropped below 1 trillion dollars. Market Leader reports that this summer, Apple became the world's first company to reach such a stunning result - market cap over 1 trillion dollars. Apparently, all of that became possible due to higher Apple stock prices.

Back in August, the stock cost 218 dollars per share, in early September it came close to 230 dollars per share, and then exceeded 232 dollars per share 4 weeks later. This was followed by several ups and downs but since the beginning of November, the stock has been going down in value. As for now, the value has dropped by nearly 10% since the October high. Monday's trading session closed at $201.3 per share.

Yesterday's trading session started with a 1,5% increase. Today, Apple's stock has already managed to regain a little bit more of the lost ground. At this point, it's trading close to $204 per share. The market capitalization is slightly over 984 billion dollars, which is still quite a stunning figure.

International experts say that the biggest reason why Apple's stock started going down in value was the information about poor sales of iPhone XR. For those of you who don't know, the sales were announced on October 30, right during Apple October Event 2018. They say that Apple's production capacities are currently functioning only to 75% because of increased expectations ans relatively low international demand.The world is on the verge of another global race

International experts are commenting on the events taking place over the last few years. In particular, President and CEO of Atlantic Council Frederik Kempe believes that we are nearing another race between the world's biggest superpowers.

At this point international investors are concerned about the escalating economic tensions between the USA and China. However, as for international observers, they should not be distracted from studying a new reality, which is round the corner and has been created over a pretty long period.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, one of the biggest challenges today is getting back to the global race with Russia and China. The expert assumes that this is a major problem rather than a challenge since quite a lot has changed since the previous race between the USSR and the USA

The situation has really changed and the new race seems to be taking place under a completely different set of conditions and in a completely different environment. Essentially, the political forces are now undergoing a stress test within the scope of a zero-sum game. On the other hand, the confrontation is going on within the scope of a global system full of close inner ties, much tighter and more complicated than those seen during the cold war in the last century. The specifics of this confrontation could be seen a couple of months ago, when China participated in the military exercise arranged by Russia. Chances are, the USA uses the trade conflict with China to hint at the existing problem of the alliance between Russia and China.

At the same time, Donald Trump seems to be trying to resist the rising global pressure coming form China. This problem made the USA make up with the European Union in terms of their trade relations. On top of that, President Trump is close to signing an energy agreement with the Philippines. Even though it may seem that those events have nothing to do with each other, Mr. Kempe thinks these are the links of a single chain. When chained together, all of them prove that a new era is round the corner.

The new environment is building amid a range of key factors, including the economic competition between democracies and their adversaries. Nationalist and populism are also affecting the situation, not to mention the technological achievements (including artificial intelligence) seen over the last decade.

Under such circumstances, all major political decisions matter a lot because they may have major consequences further down the road. Yet, it's really hard to predict the consequences amid a constantly changing global environment. It holds especially true for the decisions made by the political powers of Russia, China, and the USA

You are free to discuss this article here: forum for traders and investors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:#fine dust Fine dust blankets much of South Korea A choking pall of fine dust plagued much of South Korea on Saturday, prompting authorities to impose emergency reduction measures for the greater Seoul area and other regions the n...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...Ukrainian journalist Sushchenko to serve sentence for espionage in Kirov Region

 Sushchenko profile on LinkedIn

11:55 07/11/2018

MOSCOW, November 7 (RAPSI) - Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko convicted of espionage will serve his 12-year sentence in a prison in Russias Kirov Region, according to a statement published Wednesday on ex-attorney Mark Feygins Facebook page.

The Moscow City Court convicted and sentenced Sushchenko in June. In September, the Supreme Court of Russia upheld the prison term.

According to Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), the Ukrainian citizen has "purposively collected classified information about the Armed Forces and National Guard of Russia." Leak of data abroad could cause damage to the national defense capability, the FSB officials claimed earlier.

Charges were brought against Sushchenko in October 2016. The journalist pleaded not guilty to espionage.

Ukrinform news agency earlier confirmed that Sushchenko had been acting as its reporter since 2002. Since 2010, he has been working as Ukrinforms personal correspondent in France. According to the agency, Sushchenko arrived in Moscow on private business during his vacation and was arrested immediately upon his arrival.

Ukrinform repelled accusations against Sushchenko calling him "a journalist with years of unblemished professional reputation.Moscow court arrests bank accounts of Inter RAOs ex-board member charged with espionage

 TASS, Mikhail Pochuyev

15:33 07/11/2018

MOSCOW, November 7 (RAPSI)  The Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow has arrested bank accounts of a former board member for Inter RAO energy holding Karina Tsurkan charged with espionage, the press-service of the court has told RAPSI.

The ruling was passed on October 31. Earlier, the court extended detention for the defendant until November 14.

According to attorney Ivan Pavlov, the case documents read that in August 2004 Tsurkan became an agent involved in confidential and unofficial cooperation with a Moldovan secret service.

In April 2015, while staying in Moscow she allegedly received a digital version of a document on project prepared by the Ministry of Energy. The project was allegedly related to the actions of Russian energy companies in the sphere of international cooperation. In September of the same year, she allegedly transferred the document to a secret service.

Tsurkan could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The defendant denies wrongdoing and claims that she does not know representatives of foreign secret services and did not see the document in question. She also asked to provide her evidence in the case.

Aside from being the holdings board member, Tsurkan also headed its trading department.Russian government proposes its amendments to bill on abolishment of mobile roaming

 Fotolia/ Yves Damin

16:59 07/11/2018

MOSCOW, November 7 (RAPSI)  Russias government has prepared amendments to the bill abolishing mobile roaming inside the countrys territory.

According to authors of the amendments, these changes specify obligations of mobile operators.

Lawmakers filed the draft law on abolishment of national roaming with the State Duma in the summer of 2017.

The bill would oblige mobile network operators to set up equal terms of providing services to subscribers throughout the country. Therefore, national and intra-network roaming would be cancelled.

These changes would affect the communications law.Investigators launch examination of prison over controversial photos

 RIA Novosti, Tatyana Kuznetsova

13:59 07/11/2018

MOSCOW, November 7 (RAPSI)  The Investigative Committees department for Amur region has organized examination of a penal colony after media published photos of an inmate, convicted in the infamous criminal case over mass murder in Kushchevskaya village, violating prison rules, the press-service of the Committee has stated.

Investigators noted that the Committees head Alexander Bastrykin personally ordered the central department to oversee the examination. According to media reports, prison staff provided mitigated imprisonment conditions for Vyacheslav Tsepovyaz, member of Sergey Tsapoks gang. In particular, the photos depict him eating caviar in penal colony. Authenticity of these photos was not disputed.

In 2013, Russias Krasnodar Regional Court found Sergey Tsapok guilty of mass murder and sentenced him to life in prison in connection with the attack. Tsapok and his group have been found guilty of other numerous crimes, including grave and exceptionally grave ones. Tsepovyaz, member of Tsapoks gang was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison.

On November 4, 2010, 12 people, including four children, were brutally murdered in the village of Kushchevskaya in the Krasnodar Territory in southern Russia. The family of wealthy local farmer Server Ametov was stabbed to death along with visiting friends and a bystander. The convicted killers started several fires around the house before fleeing.

That murder became one of the most high-profile cases in modern Russia. The investigation revealed that the thugs had terrorized the village for years, and that some local police officers had covered up their activities.Unlike last year, the state has imposed a cap on what it will pay growers of major crops under the scheme

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Is the Madhya Pradesh governments much-discussed Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (Price Deficiency Payment Scheme) showing signs of stabilising?

Unlike in 2017, the open market wholesale rates this year for soybean and maize, two crops incorporated into the scheme, havent so far seen a big decline from their current level, which is below the centrally-set Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The BBY was implemented last year, when there were allegations of traders cornering it for own benefit.

In the states major wholesale markets (mandis), where BBY has been on since October 20, the rate for soybean has been Rs 2,900-3,100 a quintal (qtl).

This is almost 10 per cent less than the MSP of Rs 3,399 a qtl for the 2018-19 kharif season but there are no signs of a meltdown from these low levels.

What one should note, though, is that unlike in 2017, the BBY of 2018 isnt a price deficit financing scheme in the strictest sense.

Last year, the state reimbursed the difference between the modal rates and MSP to farmers, up to a limit.

Modal rates are the average price at nearby mandis.

This year, however, even before the BBY window was opened, the state had fixed its payout at up to Rs 500 a qtl to growers of soybean and maize, irrespective of the actual difference between modal rate and MSP.

This is also in line with the Centres latest guidelines (under PM-ASHAA, approved last month).

These say payout under any Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) shouldnt exceed 25 per cent of the MSP value of the crop for which has been started.

So, in the case of soybean, payout to farmers under Bhavantar should not exceed Rs 850 a qtl.

The MP government, as noted, has decided to not pay more than Rs 500 a qtl for soybean under Bhavantar.

This obviously isnt Bhavantar or a PDPS in the strict sense, as there is no actual shortfall calculation and a fixed payment is being made.

"In any case, Bhavantar is a difficult scheme to implement in its truest form, as there is a problem in maintaining record and registers, says Siraj Hussain, former agriculture secretary of the Central government.

Among the crops that are to be directly procured from farmers under MSP are the kharif crops of urad (black gram) and moong (green gram).

Though procurement was to start from October 20 and continue till January 19, farmers say much hasnt been purchased in these crops.

Not a single grain, while prices are crashing, Kedar Sirohi, working president of the MP Khet Mazdoor Congress, told Business Standard.

The MP government, with the Centres Nafed, has plans to procure 345,000 tonnes of urad this year from farmers, along with 31,000 tonnes of moong.

And, says it also plans to benefit around 60 per cent of the states 4.5 million oilseed and pulses farmers in kharif 2018 through a combination of BBY and direct procurement through Nafed.

In urad, wholesale rates have been Rs 3,800-4,100 a qtl in major state markets, 40 per cent less than the MSP of Rs 5,600 a qtl.

Moong is selling at 60-70 per cent less than the MSP. There has been no large-scale procurement.

In maize, the open market price in MP is 18-30 per cent below the MSP, while the Bhavantar payout is capped at Rs 425 a qtl.Ola wants to be Indias answer to Grab, which is into everything, starting from cab service and logistics to bike taxis and food and grocery delivery.

Ola is working furiously behind the scenes to relaunch its grocery vertical by early next year, according to three people with knowledge of the companys operations.

The ride-hailing firms new arm would use Foodpandas resources, including 125,000 delivery riders, they said, as it looks to gain a sizeable share of Indias $28 billion (Rs 2.06 trillion) online grocery ordering and delivery market.

Ola did not respond to a detailed questionnaire on this issue.

Sources said the Bhavish Aggarwal-led firm had been working on relaunching the grocery delivery business for almost five months now.

The aim is to get into the business before Uber unveils its grocery delivery service in India sometime next year.

From being Lyft to Grab

For years, Ola has been known outside and within the country as Indias Lyft, which is Ubers main competitor in the US.

According to sources, the company wants to change this perception, as Lyft is a distant second in the American ride-hailing game and, though it has attracted investors, it has not emerged from Ubers shadow yet.

Ola wants to be Indias answer to Grab, which is into everything, starting from cab service and logistics to bike taxis and food and grocery delivery.

Singapore-based Grab is also one firm that was able to elbow out Uber from SE Asia in a merger deal that left the US cab aggregator with a minority stake.

Grab and Dixi Chuxing are two major companies that managed to merge with Uber and emerge as the dominant partner.

"Ola for the longest time has been trying to do this as well.

"This is now a new play, which will help Ola show higher number of transactions, larger gross merchandise value with an average ticket size of Rs 1,500, said a source close to the firm.

Ola, which is looking for a new set of investors as well as at least a billion dollars in fresh funds, hopes that the new pitch would help raise funds.

Sources said Aggarwal, along with Pranay Jivrajka, the CEO of Foodpanda, was now full-time concentrating on the grocery business.

What happened the first time?

According to sources close to the firm, the company would use Foodpanda executives to deliver groceries during off-peak hours.

In 2016, Ola had launched Ola Store and Cafe in a few neighbourhoods in Bengaluru and shut them down almost together.

At the time, Ola vice-president Pallav Singh was tasked with running the two verticals and they failed.

According to a former executive of Ola, the firm had promised its customers that it would deliver groceries within a few hours.

Once the order was placed, Ola deliverymen would scramble to neighbourhood stores, fetch the goods, pack them and deliver.

Sometimes, it was one person who delivered the order, other times it was more.

This led to resource wastage and made each order expensive to deliver.

"There were further inefficiencies. Ola had managed to piece together supply of these FMCG goods across stores in the city.

"These stores offered Ola a special discounted rate. However when supplies got exhausted, Ola was forced to send its delivery personnel to supermarkets to buy at the full price, which made the business unviable, said the executive.

Re-entering grocery

Sources said Ola was working on getting into a slew of partnerships with major retail chains as well as cash-and-carry biggies across the country.

Last time, not many players were interested as grocery delivery had still not seen much traction.

"It also saw companies such as Localbanya and PepperTap shut shop.

"Major retailers then did not show much interest in Olas grocery play.

"This time around with Amazon India buying stakes in retailers such as More, Walmart launching grocery vertical via Flipkart, and Paytm Mall in talks to buy BigBasket, retailers are also looking for such online tie-ups, said a source.

Its biggest competitor in India, Uber, might launch a few pilot projects for grocery delivery as early as next year.

The company has been working on a blueprint for grocery delivery for India for the last three months and is drawing up the finer points, so that it can prepare itself for a pilot in the first half of next year.

Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/ReutersDelhis air quality on Wednesday oscillated between poor and very poor categories as authorities warned of severe deterioration of air quality even if partial toxic crackers are burned compared to last year.

IMAGE: A man wearing a mask looks on as he walks in a market in New Delhi. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

The overall air quality index was recorded at 281, which falls in the poor category, according the Central Pollution Control Board data.

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research recorded the overall air quality index at 319, which falls in very poor category.

Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Noida and Greater Noida recorded poor quality air, according to the CPCB.

Eleven areas of Delhi recorded very poor air quality while 24 areas recorded poor air quality, according to the CPCB data.

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 PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level was recorded at 143 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 281 in Delhi, according to the CPCB data.

The SAFAR has forecasted worse quality air for Wednesday evening and Thursday.

IMAGE: Women receive treatment for respiratory issues at a hospital in New Delhi. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

The highest levels of PM10 and PM2.5 are expected between 11 am to 3 am on Wednesday and Thursday. Air Quality will be bad on Thursday and start to improve from Friday even if partial toxic crackers as compared to 2017 is burned, the government-run agency warned.

According to SAFAR, both stubble burning in surrounding states of Delhi and firecrackers are causing deterioration of air quality in the national capital.

The fire counts are seen to be very high but it is a combination of stubble burning and widespread firecrackers in that region and need not be confused with stubble only fire, the SAFAR said in a report Wednesday.

It also said that the combination of several rapidly changing weather parameters is playing a key role in controlling the air pollution at this time.

Delhis air quality is expected to deteriorate to severe plus emergency category after Diwali, SAFAR said.

Even if 50 per cent of the total load of toxic firecrackers as compared to Diwali 2017 is added, the prevailing weather conditions will aggravate the high smoke level and make air quality to persist in severe range for at least two days on November 8 and November 9, it said in a report.

SAFAR has also predicted that the PM10 concentration of Delhi is expected to reach 575 and PM2.5 to 378 on Thursday, recording the worst air quality of the year if fire crackers are burnt, it said.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said the winds coming from north-westerly direction is bringing the influence of biomass burning to Delhi-NCR which may continue up to Thursday morning.

The increase in PM2.5 concentration is due to change in wind direction, decrease in wind speeds and contribution from biomass burning, the IITM said.Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said his party Makkal Needhi Maiam was ready to face the bypolls for 20 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu whenever they were held.

At this point of time, we can say bypolls may be conducted. I do not know whether it will be held definitely. Suppose, if it is conducted, Makkal Needhi Maiam is ready to face it, he said.

Haasan was addressing reporters on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

Bypolls are due in the 20 constituencies, which have fallen vacant following the Madras high court last month upholding the disqualification of the 18 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLAs who back Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran and in view of demise of two sitting members, including DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

Answering a question, Haasan said his basic objective was to facilitate healthy politics. When you say healthy politics, it also holds the meaning of being scam free. If we do healthy politics, everyone can strongly hope that all sectors will see growth, he said.

The popular actor said, I do not make any promises wherever I go. But, I receive it from them (people) instead. They all unanimously promised me that they made a mistake by accepting money for vote and that they will not do that again. I hope they will fulfill it, he said.

He dismissed the allegation of local Congress leader Karate Thiagarajan that his party was acting like a mouth piece of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In his birthday message to his party members and followers released on Sunday, Haasan has slammed existing political parties and politicians for viewing welfare as alms and charged that they indulge in corruption as if it is their full-time occupation.

The actor had also exhorted them to take up welfare activities rather than meeting him to wish him on his birthday.Earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people celebrated Diwali amid some restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on bursting of firecrackers.

IMAGE: Kashmiri girls burning earthen lamps and candles during Diwali celebrations, at Hanuman Mandir in Srinagar. Photograph: PTI Photo

People visited their kith and kin, exchanged festive greetings and sweets while social media, including the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, was flooded with Diwali messages as many took the virtual route to convey their wishes.

President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his greetings to the people, urging citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged.

He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights.

On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world.

This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us, the president said in his Diwali message Tuesday.

IMAGE: People light lamps as they make a formation of a peace symbol in Chandigarh. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat joined soldiers Wednesday on the occasion.

Modi celebrated his Diwali with army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the countrys borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians, Modi, dressed in heavy mountain gear, told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief Rawat.

Sitharaman celebrated the occasion with army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-India border.

In a tweet, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said, My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness.

IMAGE: People burst fire crackers as part of Diwali celebrations in Mumbai. Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo

The Border Security Force and the Pakistani Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings on the festival of lights at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, officials said.

The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture.

In the national capital, the air quality on Diwali oscillated between poor and very poor categories as authorities warned of severe deterioration even if partial toxic crackers are burned compared to last year.

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research recorded the overall air quality index at 319, which falls in very poor category.

Eyeing rising pollution levels in cities across the country, the Supreme Court last month said people can burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals.

IMAGE: A man dressed in a clown costume attracts customers to a store in a market in New Delhi. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

The court has only allowed manufacture and sale of just the green crackers which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

To mark the festival of lights, the United Nations on Wednesday issued special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali. The stamps were released by the UN Postal Administration.

The sheet in the denomination of $1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps, diyas.

Bollywood turned to Twitter to greet people on the occasion.

Greetings for a happy prosperous and successful Diwali .., actor Amitabh Bachchan said.

Director Karan Johar said, Happy Diwali to all of you! Love and light for life.....stay as positive as you can this year.

"Greeting people on the occasion, actor Anushka Sharma in a tweet said, Happy Diwali to all . Hope you all find the light in you . Be happy , be kind, be safe.The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives while the Republican Party retained its majority in the Senate in the critical midterm elections held on Tuesday, according to projections made by major United States media outlets.

As the country celebrates its victory, here are some inspirational women who just made history in the polls.

>> Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

IMAGE: Democrat's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, became the youngest woman in history to be elected to Congress. Surprisingly, a year ago, Cortez was working in a bar to help support her family.

Ocasio-Cortez shocked the establishment when she won the Democratic primary in June, unseating Republican Joe Crowley. Women like me arent supposed to run for office, Ocasio-Cortez said in one of her campaign videos. As shes proven this cycle, its clear they can win.

>> Ilhan Omar

IMAGE: Ilhan Omar takes a selfie with supporters after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Eric Miller/Reuters

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, 42, become one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, easily winning the election in Minnesotas Fifth Congressional District -- the Minneapolis-area district previously represented by Keith Ellison -- on Tuesday.

Omar, a Somali refugee who immigrated to the United States as a teenager, beat Republican Jennifer Zielinski to take Ellisons seat, which he vacated to run for Minnesota attorney general.

>> Rashida Tlaib

IMAGE: Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, ran unopposed in Michigans 13th Congressional District to become one of the first Muslim women in Congress as well.

>> Kristi Noem

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump with gubernatorial candidate Kristi Noem. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Republican Kristi Noem beat out Democrat Billie Sutton in the unexpectedly close South Dakota governors race, and she will be sworn in next year as the first woman elected to the states highest office.

Noem voted in favor of Obamacare repeal, punishment of so-called sanctuary cities, and the Republican tax law while serving in the US House. She campaigned on keeping taxes low (South Dakota is one of a few states with no income tax), cutting government spending, and introducing more government transparency.The Democrats captured the House of Representatives on Wednesday in the crucial midterm elections while United States President Donald Trumps Republican Party retained its majority in the Senate, an outcome likely to intensify the political bitterness and fighting between the two major parties in the run up to the 2020 presidential poll.

IMAGE: JoAnn Loulan reacts with her mother-in-law, Sydney Crawford after Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm election results. Photograph: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Breaking the Republican monopoly on power, Democrats had already picked up over two dozen seats in the House -- more than the 23 needed to take control of the House for the first time in eight years.

Initial statements coming from the Democratic party leaders indicated it would make it tough for US President Trump, who wants major legislative changes on some of his signature issues including immigration, tax and healthcare reforms.

By capturing the House of Representatives, the Democrats may exert a major institutional check on Trump and break the Republican monopoly in Washington.

Trump, who campaigned aggressively in the last several weeks, expressed satisfaction over the results and described this as tremendous success.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! Trump said in a brief tweet.

IMAGE: Supporters of Democratic celebrate in Yuma, West Virginia, US. Photograph: Lexi Browning/Reuters

In the House of Representatives, the Democrats gained 24 seats giving them enough for the majority in the 435-membered chamber. Political pundits had predicted a much greater gain for the Democrats in the House, which was pointed out by the GOP leaders as they tended to give the credit for this to Trump.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, 78, is expected to be re-elected as Speaker of House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Indias Lok Sabha.

In the outgoing House, the Republicans had 235 seats while the Democrats 193. The new House would come into being next January.

In her victory speech in Washington DC, Pelosi said the party would use its newly won majority to pursue a bipartisan agenda for a country. Pelosi said Americans have all had enough of division.

Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America, she said standing alongside other Democratic House leaders.

IMAGE: US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi celebrates the Democrats winning a majority in the House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

She said that the election result is about restoring the system of checks and balances in Trump administration thus indicating that the new Democratic party would play the role of a strong opponent in for the US President.

US President Trump called Pelosi on Tuesday night to offer congratulations, her office said.

At least 90 women won their elections, with majority being Democrats. At least 28 of them were elected to the House for the first time. The elections also resulted in Rashida Tlaib becoming the first Muslim woman elected to the House of Representatives along with Somali-American Ilhan Omar.

For the Democrats taking control of the House gives them an opportunity to be more assertive in the Congress and prevent Trump for achieving his legislative agenda. The Democratic Party is back, said Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez.

IMAGE: A supporter of Trump and Republican senate candidate Mike Braun attends the election night party in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photograph: Chris Bergin/Reuters

We won back the House because our candidates had a clear message for working families and refused to let Trump and the GOP distract us from the issues that matter most. Democrats believe that health care is a right for all. We believe that the economy should work for everyone, not just those at the top, Perez said.

However, the ruling Republican Party retained its majority in the 100-member Senate where it currently has a razor thin majority of 51-49 seats. The GOP is expected to increase its tally, as counting of votes were still going on when reports last came in. Thirty-five of the 100 Senate seats went to polls.

The crucial polls, marking the first major voter test of Trump, is seen as a referendum on his controversial policies, including those on immigration.

In his campaign rallies, Trump had said that he was on the ballot and made it a referendum on his nearly two years rule.

The US president who headlined an unprecedented 50 rallies -- 30 in the last two months alone -- and has campaigned for dozens of candidates at all levels of government, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, watched the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence.

The President has energised a staggering number of Americans at packed arenas and in overflow crowds at rallies across the country, Sanders said.

Under Trumps leadership, the Republican National Committee has raised more than a quarter billion dollars, fuelling an extraordinary ground game geared toward defying midterm history and protecting the GOPs majorities, she said.

IMAGE: Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husbands mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Eric Miller/Reuters

In victory, The Washington Post said Democrats regained some of the confidence -- although less of the power -- they lost in 2016, when Trump won a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton.

In this election, they sought to energise groups that Clinton did not: young voters, Latinos, African Americans and infrequent voters, the daily said.

According to The New York Times, amid signs that the nations deep political and cultural divisions that lifted Trump in 2016 may only be deepening, rural voters were breaking sharply with their counterparts in the suburban districts and metropolitan areas, as turnout soared in a midterm election that came to serve as a national referendum on the president.

The Democrats also won some of the high-profile governors race including Kansas, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. The GOP retained its governorship in Florida.Shafath Ali Khan also said he was mulling sue Union minister Maneka Gandhi for her defamatory tweets in which she called him and her son a criminal.

IMAGE: The mortal remains of T1, aka Avni, a five-year-old tigress which was shot dead in the forests of Pandharkawda. Photograph: PTI Photo

Sharpshooter Shafath Ali Khan on Wednesday said he was mulling to sue Union minister Maneka Gandhi for allegedly levelling defamatory and wild charges against him over the killing of tigress Avni in Maharashtra last week.

Khan said his son Asgar Ali and his four-member team were issued an authorisation letter by the Maharashtra forest department to carry out the operation and the tigress was shot at in self-defence while they were trying to tranquilise it.

The tigress, officially known as T1, was believed to have killed 13 people in the last two years.

It was killed on November 2 by Ali in Maharashtras Yavatmal district as part of an operation. The big cat has left behind two 10-month-old cubs.

Gandhi, in a series of tweets last Sunday, had lashed out at the Maharashtra government for giving the orders to kill the tigress, despite opposition from several stakeholders.

The Union women and child development minister had also slammed Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar for hiring private marksmen Khan and his son to carry out hunting operations in the state, including the killing of Avni.

However, Mungantiwar had also claimed that Khan, who Gandhi had termed a criminal, was tasked with shooting a tiger in her Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh in 2009 (Gandhis son Varun Gandhi represented the constituency then).

Khan said, We are taking legal opinion on that, because she (Gandhi) has made some serious and baseless allegations personally on me and my family.

It is shocking that a lady of the rank of a cabinet minister can talk in such a way without verifying the facts... in the next couple of days, we will decide on the line of action we are going to take.

He further said the order of the chief conservator of forests, Yavatmal, mentioned the name of his son and four other members of his team for carrying out the operation.

Khan said on November 2, the tigress had attacked at a lightning speed the open-top vehicle, in which his son and his other team members were moving, despite being shot with the tranquiliser.

There could have been two-three deaths had she mauled someone in the vehicle and at that point of time, my son took out the barrel, pointed it towards her and shot her... there was no plan to shoot or kill her and it unfolded so fast... it was fired totally in self-defence, he added.

Khan said shooting an animal in self-defence was not an offence according to section 11(2) of the Wildlife Protection Act.

According to him, even the Supreme Court was clear on the matter -- tranquilise T1, failing which, eliminate her by shooting to prevent any further human deaths.

On his part, Ali said the team, which included forest officials, had rushed to a spot where a bazaar was going on and the tigress suddenly came out in front of their vehicle.

He claimed that a forest official fired the tranquiliser, but the moment the dart was fired, the tigress attacked their vehicle and within seconds, came very close to it.

When it was about to leap on us... in that situation, in self-defence, I had to take a shot at her, Ali said.Dissonant artistic visions drove Annapurna Devi and her husband Ravi Shankar apart, notes Swapan Kumar Bondyopadhyay.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

March 30, 1955. The last item of the music conference organised by the Constitution Club of New Delhi was a jugalbandi presentation by Ravi Shankar and Annapurna Shankar.

That day's programme began with Annapurna's recital of Ragashree. Annapurna started the alap in the mandrasaptak. Ravi Shankar occasionally touched a few notes in the madhyasaptak.

After some time Ravi Shankar came down to the mandrasaptak and rested on the kharaj string. The two strings of the chakari and the strings of the taraf created resonance.

After this Ravi Shankar and Annapurna started vistar in the nonpareil mirkhandi fashion.

Annapurna touched on the ati komal rishab or the ati komal dhaibat so carefully that it seemed something uncanny was going to happen.

Ravi Shankar was also depicting the traditional rup of the raga. But despite all this it seemed Annapurna excelled him in ease and naturalness.

There are many myths relating to Annapurna's music. Many say that her father had directed her not to play in public so that Ravi Shankar's playing does not sound lacklustre to the audience. Maybe Baba said all this due to his love for his son-in-law.

Some others say that at the time of his talim under Baba Allauddin Khan Annapurna would help Ravi Shankar in his riyaz.

After that evening's recital there was humming among the audience. Then the judgement of the listeners placed the crown on Annapurna. I do not know if Annapurna ever performed in public after this.

Ravi Shankar and Annapurna were back home after the recital. Annapurna went to the kitchen. Subho (their son) was busy with his pencil and sketchbook. Ravi Shankar came out after a refreshing bath. He was unusually grave.

As they sat for dinner Ravi Shankar tried to unburden his heart.

'I am facing some problems adjusting the duet programmes...' he said tearing away at the chapati.

'What kind of problems?' Annapurna asked, but her voice lacked inquisitiveness. It seemed she already knew what her husband had in store for her.

'I am trying to put it into your head that things are changing. The wind of change is blowing. We must catch up or we would fall behind.'

'Why do you say so? Why this?'

'This is very simple. We have to bring in some modern touches to our music.'

'I do not follow...'

'Not that you do not follow. You deliberately refuse to follow. From the very first day of our marriage, I have seen that you have not tried to modify or change yourself.'

'For example?' Annapurna chipped in with a touch of sarcasm.

'I wanted you to dress up for the occasion. You just threw away the sarees and left aside the ornaments. How very odd.'

'This talk has been going on forever. I thought we've had enough of this. Why do you unnecessarily raise it again? Don't you remember what I said when you complained of my showing scant regard for your suggestion? I had told you that I shall listen to what you say, wear colourful sarees and flashy ornaments, but then in that case you will have to change yourself too. You have to be faithful to me.'

'It was not possible for you to keep your word. I made all kinds of adjustments and now you are throwing all these accusations at me. Before you call me a ziddi just search your heart. But let that go. I wonder why you are saying all these things here today?'

Ravi Shankar was accustomed to the sternness in the voice and the attitude. He said whatever he had to say.

'I know its all useless,' he said, 'You have never seen nor will see reason. You are orthodox. Opinionated like a school mistress, a spinster, glossing over all the good things of life.'

Such words gave him a little relief and he carried on: 'Listen, Anu, we cannot play like this. In fact the artists should create the prevailing taste for the audience. As in literature the poet or the novelist strives to change the taste of the reading public by introducing a new style and new idiom. If we always cling to the old, that will not do.'

'The times are changing. We are not in the age of the maharajahs when life was slow and idle. Life now is fast and complicated. So the days for your elongated vilambit meends are out. You may get applause and appreciation now, but...'

'I am playing whatever I have learnt from Baba. He taught us the dhrupad-ang alap. I dwell on each swara for a long time and love to play alap. I do not know what the changing times will require.'

'But...' Ravi Shankar tried to intervene.

'I want to play Baba's music whatever happens. All my life I shall play that. I won't budge an inch,' Annapurna said.

'I know. I know. You can bring in some feeling into your music. You stick to a note and squeeze out every ounce of sur from it. Everyone raves about it. That is the beauty of the surbahar. The sitar suffers from an inferiority complex. But still I feel it is no use sticking to the old world. One should move with the times. I have decided to call it off.'

Annapurna knew it would be futile arguing with him. Ravi Shankar was a person with a marvellous sense of timing. So whatever he would decide would be best for him. Only she might not agree with him.

She looked fixedly at Ravi Shankar so that he would not stop and elaborate on whatever he was thinking inside.

'This is the age of the sitar. So I prefer the sitar and not the surbahar. Like this is the age of the khayal and not the dhrupad. Dhrupad may be very rich, but the modern man just cannot afford to patronise the slow movement of the dhrupad.'

Annapurna did not feel like replying to Ravi's argument. She felt Ravi was suffering from an inferiority complex because she got rave reviews. The jugalbandis, in their five or six concerts together, were enough to establish her superiority over Ravi Shankar as a performer and musician.

That time Ravi did not know that she would willingly withdraw herself from the public eye. She was on the rise. The connoisseurs hailed her as great. The surbahar also helped to establish her supremacy, because it is a more difficult instrument than the sitar, heavier and more satisfying musically.

Ravi was justifiably jealous. And so he elicited a vow from his wife that she would no longer play in public. There are many versions of this anecdote afloat, mostly apocryphal.

Annapurna, however, told me that something worse had happened than Ravi attempting to make her take this oath. But she added that she would divulge it to none.

'That will go with me when I go,' she said emphatically.

This was bound to happen if the husband and wife shared the same profession. It is the male ego.

For Ravi Shankar it was worse. He was ambitious and egocentric; he would not allow anyone to rule his world.

Truly he was the sun and loved to shine alone in the sky. So perhaps he had decided to take her away from public performances.

Excerpted with permission from An Unheard Melody by Swapan Kumar Bondyopadhyay.New Zealand will on Wednesday release Q3 figures for unemployment, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The jobless rate is expected to come in at 4.4 percent, down from 4.5 percent in the three months prior. The employment change is tipped to add 2.0 percent on year, slowing from 3.7 percent in the second quarter.

Australia will see October results for the Performance of Construction Index from the Australian Industry Group; in September, the index score was 49.3.

Japan will see preliminary September results for its leading and coincident indexes. The leading index is expected to see a score of 103.8, down from 104.5. The composite is pegged at 114.6, down from 116.7.

Japan also will see September results for real and labor cash earnings. Real cash earnings are tipped to fall0.3 percent on year after sliding 0.6 percent in August. Labor cash earnings are expected to add 1.1 percent after gaining 0.9 percent in the previous month.

The Philippines will release September data for imports, exports and trade balance. In August, imports were worth $9.68 billion and exports were at $6.16 billion for a trade deficit of $3.52 billion.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.Gold prices retreated after early gains and settled near one week low on Tuesday, as traders looked ahead to the outcome of U.S. midterm elections.

The yellow metal strengthened a bit earlier in the session after the greenback gave up some early gains, but faltered as the day progressed.

Gold futures for December ended down $6.00, or 0.5%, at $1,226.30 an ounce

Silver futures for December ended down $$0.147, at $14.500 an ounce. Copper futures settled lower by $0.0235, at $2.7325 per pound.

The elections will decide control of both the House and the Senate and could have a major impact on President Donald Trump's ability to enact his pro- agenda.The elections will decide control of both the House and the Senate and could have a major impact on President Donald Trump's ability to enact his pro-business agenda.

It is expected that the Democrats would take control of the House of Representatives while Republicans are likely to win the Senate.

Analysts are of the view that the yellow metal may lose some shine if Republicans win the elections as their business friendly policies will help corporates and result in rallies in stock .

In the event of the Democrats regaining control of the House of Representatives, Trump will have to face stiff challenges in going ahead with his policies. In that scenario, investors may rush to the safe haven of the yellow metal.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce its monetary policy on Thursday. Though the Fed is expected to hold rates this month, markets are looking ahead to the accompanying statement that will provide some clues about future rate hikes.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisCrude oil prices drifted lower on Tuesday, extending their slide to a seventh successive session, with traders betting on prospects of a drop in demand for crude amid uncertainty about the outlook for global economic growth due to trade disputes.

With hopes of a U.S.-China trade deal fading, it is feared that there will be a significant slowdown in global in the near term.

Further, with last week's data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing yet another weekly rise in U.S. crude inventories is also weighing on the commodity. The data revealed that U.S. crude stockpiles increased for a sixth successive weak, although the increase was less than expected.

Also, with output from Saudi Arabia and Russia rising notably and the Trump administration granting sanctions exemptions to some top buyers of Iranian oil, including India, China and South Korea, supply worries are subsiding fast.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani recently said that the Islamic republic would proudly bypass the illegal, unjust sanctions because it's against international regulations.

Crude oil futures for December ended down $0.89, or 1.4%, at $62.21 a barrel. On Monday, crude oil futures ended down $0.04, or less than 0.1%, at $63.10 a barrel.

The American Petroleum Institute will come out with its weekly oil report after trading hours today.

The official crude inventory data from the Energy Information Administration is due on Wednesday morning.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisKraft Heinz Co. (KHC) Tuesday said it has agreed to sell its Canadian natural cheese to Parmalat for C$1.62 billion.

The deal includes the sale of natural cheese brands Cracker Barrel, P'tit Quebec and aMOOza! in the Canadian market.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to regulatory review and approval.

"We're excited about what this transaction means for our future growth and business in Canada," said Bernardo Hees, Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Heinz. "We also believe Parmalat is uniquely positioned to advance the natural cheese business given their experience and focus on the dairy industry. At the same time, we can focus on the segments and categories where we have stronger brand equity, competitive advantage and greater growth prospects."

Kraft Heinz will sell its production facility located in Ingleside, Ontario. Kraft Heinz Canada will also transfer approximately 400 employees from that facility to Parmalat.

Kraft Heinz will continue to own and market its other cheese products, including Philadelphia, Cheez Whiz and Kraft Singles, which are processed in Mount Royal, Quebec, where Kraft Heinz Canada employs approximately 900 employees.

The natural cheese business being sold contributed about C$560 million to Kraft Heinz's net sales in 2017.

Kraft Heinz expects to use proceeds from the sale to pay down debt, with reduced interest expenses expected to offset the majority of EPS dilution on a run-rate basis.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsTaiwan's exports grew at the fastest pace in four months during October, but imports continued to outpace that, figures from the finance ministry showed on Wednesday.

Merchandise exports grew 7.3 percent year-on-year following a 2.6 percent rise in September. The pace of growth in exports was the fastest since June, when it was 9.4 percent.

Imports jumped 17.6 percent, which was the fastest since July.

The trade surplus decreased to $3.36 billion from $5.26 billion in the same month last year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.With Democrats projected to have retaken control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections, President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday he is willing to work across the aisle on certain issues.

Trump cited drug prices, infrastructure and trade as areas of potential compromise but argued bipartisanship will not be possible if House Democrats conduct investigations of his administration.

"I really think and I really respected what Nancy said last night about bipartisanship and getting together and uniting," Trump said, referring to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

He added, "She used the word 'uniting' and she used the 'bipartisanship' statement which is so important because that's what we should be doing."

However, Trump also warned House Democrats against investigating his administration, claiming Senate Republicans would then be forced to probe Democrats for leaking classified information.

"All you're going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth and two years are going to go up and we won't have gotten a thing done," Trump said.

Trump argued House Democrats would be taking a "war-like posture" if they use their new subpoena power to conduct investigations of the administration.

Despite losing control of the House, Trump has described the elections as a "tremendous success," noting Republicans appear poised to expand their majority in the Senate.

The president claimed his support helped push many of the GOP Senate candidates across the finish line, while he blamed many of the House Republican losses on candidates distancing themselves from the White House.

During the post-election press conference, Trump had a tense exchange with CNN's chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta, denouncing the reporter as a "terrible person" and calling "fake news" reported by the cable news network the "enemy of the people."

Trump became agitated when Acosta asked about his characterization of the caravans of thousands of Central American migrants heading to the U.S. border as an "invasion."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political NewsJapan will on Thursday release September figures for core machine orders, setting the pace for a busy day in Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Core machine orders are expected to have tumbled 9.0 percent on month and climbed 7.6 percent on year after rising 6.8 percent on month and 12.6 percent on year in August.

Japan also will see September figures for current account and October data for bank lending, bankruptcies and the eco watchers survey.

The current account is expected to show a surplus of 1,786.5 billion yen, down from 1,838.4 billion yen in the August. Bank lending was up 2.3 percent on year in September, while bankruptcies fell an annual 8.54 percent.

The eco watchers survey for current conditions is expected to show a score of 48.9, up from 48.6 in September. The outlook is called at 50.5, down from 51.3.

China will see October numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In September, imports were up 14.3 percent on year and exports advanced an annual 14.5 percent for a trade surplus of $31.69 billion.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.Yemen's Youth Union denounces Saudi-led airstrikes on Hodeidah [07/November/2018] SANAA, Nov. 7 (Saba)  Yemens Youth Union strongly on Tuesday condemned in a statement targeting the grain silos by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Hodeidah province.







The statement condemned the aggression coalition's crimes and its all-out siege imposed faced by an international silence.







It called on the Yemeni youth people to join to the army for confronting the coalitions plots targeting theirs country.











AA

SabaThe cruise ship Emerald Princess Hamilton docked at the Matautu wharf in Apia yesterday, with hundreds of tourists disembarking to enjoy the beauty of Samoa and bring much needed tourism revenue to Samoa.

Not far from the wharf, a solemn memorial service led by Head of State His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvii II and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi was underway at Vaimoso.

Their thoughts were on another passenger vessel, the SS Talune - which docked at the Apia wharf exactly 100 years ago to yesterday. The ship came from Auckland, New Zealand with a deadly cargo - passengers carrying the influenza virus - who were allowed to disembark and spread the disease to the local population. The total number of deaths in Samoa which were attributed to the influenza was later estimated to reach 8500 or 22 per cent of the population.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi told guests at yesterdays event that the death toll could have been more.

Possibly more, as many families in the rural, more had buried their dead that were so many, daily without worrying about the need to inform the authorities and communications then were extremely poor, even in my village, he said.

The P.M. said yesterdays event marked Samoas way of reflection on a mistake of the past, and it should not be allowed to be repeated.

We must never leave space for recurrence of any situation that will result in a loss of life, why because out of every tragedy emerges a new beginning, which ultimately should make us more resilient and better prepared, he said.

Acting High Commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa, Nick Hurley, said the New Zealand administrations handling of the influenza back then was universally criticised, compelling his government to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate how the disease got into Samoa, and whether there was negligence on the part of the New Zealand government or the administration of Samoa.

Mr Hurley said the Commission of Inquiry first met in May 1919.

It concluded that a number of basic errors of judgement and poor communications had caused the unnecessary spread of the influenza  errors not just by the administrator Captain Logan but by the New Zealand health authorities, the British government, the health authorities in Samoa, the port authorities and the ships captain.

The incompetence of the New Zealand administration at the time led Prime Minister Helen Clark to make her national apology in 2002 for the injustices arising from New Zealands administration of Samoa in its earlier years, and to express sorrow and regret for those injustices. She acknowledged with regret, the decision taken by the New Zealand authorities in 1918 to allow the ship Talune, carrying passengers with influenza, to dock in Apia, he said.

As Mr. Hurley said in his speech yesterday, the New Zealand government back and its administration of Samoa came under a lot of criticism, not only internationally, but more so by the local indigenous population. Consequently, historians have over the years pointed to the deadly 1918 influenza epidemic as the crisis that laid the seed for Samoas gradual push to nationhood. Historians say that it was the New Zealand authorities poor handling of the 1918 influenza epidemic that led to the rise of an independence movement - the Mau and the historical events such as Black Saturday that followed a decade later.

The P.M. made reference to that spirit of nationhood yesterday, when he said that the tragedy marked a new beginning for Samoa, and it should ultimately make Samoans more resilient and better prepared.

Samoa has come a long way a century after the arrival of SS Talune on its shores, and its citizens can only use the tragic events of that juncture in its history to excel and give their best to the country.

Which is why it is important to return to the arrival of the cruise ship Emerald Princess Hamilton in Apia yesterday, and to make a connection between the vessel and the progress that this country has made since those dark days. The journey of nationhood has been long and hard, and filled with numerous challenges for the island nation and its 190,000 population.

Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban is correct in saying that the Samoans have not forgotten New Zealands response and how it handled the influenza epidemic back then.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark apologised to the people of Samoa when she visited Samoa in 2002.

On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I wish to offer today a formal apology to the people of Samoa for the injustices arising from New Zealands administration of Samoa in its earlier years, and to express sorrow and regret for those injustices.

It is our hope that this apology will enable us to build an even stronger relationship and friendship for the future on the basis of a firmer foundation. New Zealand and Samoa are bound together by our geography, our history, our cultural and family links, and today by our trade and diplomacy. It is important that we are also bound by our mutual respect for each other, she said.

But the Auckland Universitys Damon Salesa told Radio New Zealand in an interview that the apology from the former P.M. does not mean New Zealand can forget its colonial past.

Therefore, it was logical for Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi and Acting High Commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa Nick Hurley to take the lead in yesterdays commemoration program.

Samoa and New Zealand can only build on the foundations that were laid through yesterdays groundbreaking ceremony. The announcement of a $2 million support funding for the Community Nurse Centre at the Samoa Nurses Association site is a step in the right direction as we work together to right the wrongs of the past and build a better future for the people of Samoa.

Have a lovely Thursday Samoa and God bless.Head of State His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvii II and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi led a moving memorial service at Vaimoso yesterday, to mark 100 years since the deadly influenza epidemic swept across Samoa.

With His Honour Chief Justice, Patu Tiavaesue Falefatu Sapolu and his peers, as well as cabinet ministers, and diplomats including Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Nick Hurley looking on, Tuilaepa said in his opening address that the fateful events of 100 years ago killed close to a quarter of Samoas population.

Possibly more, as many families in the rural, more had buried their dead that were so many, daily without worrying about the need to inform the authorities and communications then were extremely poor even in my village, he said.

Samoa back then was not able to diagnose or detect flu virus or put in place prevention and treatment strategies, due to the lack of vaccines and antibiotics on an island which was free of contagious diseases, added Tuilaepa.

The P.M. said yesterdays event marked Samoas way of reflection on a mistake of the past and it should not be allowed to be repeated.

We must never leave space for recurrence of any situation that will result in a loss of life, why because out of every tragedy emerges a new beginning, which ultimately should make us more resilient and better prepared, he said.

In an era of scientific and technological advancement, Tuilaepa said the country will be assisted in terms of preventative and curative care.

There is an interactive network for global surveillance that will signal early warning of epidemic and pandemic globally, we have learnt to avoid disease hotspots we take good note of the preventative armaments we can have and we can exercise our sovereign rights to keep our boarder safe and secure from the scourge of diseases.

The P.M. announced the Governments investment in awareness and getting citizens educated to ensure they are better prepared for the hazards for diseases.

We are forever engaged in action planning for training on all levels of health workers community officers, and our communities themselves, we are stockpiling various drugs and medicinal formulations for worst case scenarios.

Zooming in on the role that doctors and nurses play in the health and general wellbeing of the people, Tuilaepa urged them to show more commitment.

It is truly a call for our doctors, nurses and all our health workers to show more commitment to your calling and I repeat, please show greater commitment to your calling from God.

There is no intention to shame an appellation to culpability let us not compensate for any loss of life.

We therefore see today as a celebration of life and how we have emerged out of the darkness of vulnerability we should pause to remember those who are in unmarked burial grounds, such as those that Vaimoso Village have people have memorialized and this will serve as a reminder lest we forget, he said.

Acknowledging the New Zealand Governments commitment to the building of a community training center for post graduate nursing studies, the P.M. said it will be run through a partnership between the Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand and the National University of Samoa.

These are all initiative towards a better health direction we have come a long way in developing a way to prevent and treat influenza.

But we still have a long way to go, we should further strive to increase further our pandemic preparedness and stay many steps ahead of any pandemic that may threatened the lives of our people in the future and our people will not have died in vain, and our unshed grief remain contain in the memories when we are proactively engaged to prevent further catastrophes in the generations to come, he said.The New Zealand Government is restoring the Vaimoso monument at Vaimoso in memory of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic victims.

And it has also pledged $2 million for the Community Nurse Centre at the Samoa Nurses Association site, as part of its efforts in remembrance of approximately 8500 Samoans who who lost their lives to the influenza.

Acting High Commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa, Nick Hurley, said the New Zealand administrations handling of the influenza back then was universally criticised, compelling his government to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate how the disease got into Samoa, and whether there was negligence on the part of the New Zealand government or the administration of Samoa.

A special service was held at the mass grave in Vaimoso yesterday and it was attended by the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvii II,Cabinet member, diplomats, government officials, Judges, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi and His Honour Chief Justice, Patu Tiavaesue Falefatu Sapolu.

Mr Hurley said the Commission of Inquiry first met in May 1919.

It concluded that a number of basic errors of judgement and poor communications had caused the unnecessary spread of the influenza  errors not just by the administrator Captain Logan but by the New Zealand health authorities, the British government, the health authorities in Samoa, the port authorities and the ships captain.

The incompetence of the New Zealand administration at the time led Prime Minister Helen Clark to make her national apology in 2002 for the injustices arising from New Zealand's administration of Samoa in its earlier years, and to express sorrow and regret for those injustices. She acknowledged with regret, the decision taken by the New Zealand authorities in 1918 to allow the ship Talune, carrying passengers with influenza, to dock in Apia.

See Page 14 for the apology that the former New Zealand P.M. made in 2002.

The New Zealand High Commissioner said: Clearly, the systems and decision-makers were ill-prepared to prevent the incursion, spread and containment of such a major disease. But lessons were learnt.

Mr Hurley said the New Zealand Government is committed to assist in improving public health in Samoa, which is probably the most useful legacy of the 1918 influenza pandemic, one that we reflect today.

As historian Professor Malama Meleisea notes, the New Zealand Administration implemented new health policies in the 1930s which were carried out by village womens committees and greatly improved local health conditions.

Today, we acknowledge the tragic loss of life of Samoans from the 1918 influenza while noting, as Prime Minister Tuila'epa has said, that the unique Treaty of Friendship between our two countries signals the real reconciliation for such events.

First, the New Zealand Government will help restore this monument at Vaimoso as Samoas national monument to honour the dead and to give them rightful recognition in the history of our two countries.

We want to acknowledge the trauma of the time in an appropriate way, as part of the healing process.

Second, we want to help lay the foundations with the Government of Samoa for a more healthy future, building on the lessons learnt from the 1918 influenza.

As the Prime Minister has highlighted, the health services in Samoa developed significantly as a result of the epidemic, said Mr. Hurley.GIANT VISITOR: While Samoa commemorated the 100 years anniversary yesterday of the Influenza epidemic that wiped out about 22 percent of the population in 1918, the cruise ship Emerald Princess Hamilton docked at the Matautu wharf in Apia carrying hundreds of tourists, with many seen on the walkway of the Apia seawall and on the beach admiring the beauty of the island.

Through the lens, a Samoan flag was seen flying on the ships stern as locals could be seen along the seawall admiring the 113,561 gross ton vessel.The New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, has announced support for a memorial and the refurbishment of the nurses training centre to mark the centenary of the deadly 1918 influenza pandemic reaching Samoas shores.

In a statement released by the New Zealand Government yesterday to coincide with the 100 years anniversary of the flu outbreak in Samoa, Vaovasamanaia said the consequences were devastating.

One hundred years ago the New Zealand passenger ship Talune arrived in Apia, with flu infected passengers on board. The consequences of that arrival were devastating.

We acknowledge that almost all Samoan families were impacted in some way by the epidemic and we respectfully join with Samoa to mark the centenary today (yesterday) as National Health Day, he said.

Vaovasamanaia said the New Zealand Government will continue its ongoing support by giving $2 million to refurbish a nurse training facility.

The day also celebrates Samoas nurses. We are signalling our ongoing support for health care services in Samoa with $2 million towards the refurbishment of a nurses training facility near the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital.

The nurses training centre supports Samoas plan to reintroduce a community health model whereby trained teams go out to the villages to provide primary health care.

New Zealand is also supporting the repair and redevelopment of a site in Vaimoso cemetery, near Apia, which will be a national memorial to the Influenza epidemic, he added.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa Nick Hurley represented the New Zealand Government at commemoration services in Apia today.Vaimoso village mayor Faleafa Mataia has expressed his villages gratitude at the Governments decision to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of the Influenza Epidemic in Samoa.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer as villagers and youth put the finishing touches at the venue which hosted yesterdays event, Falefa said they had been preparing for the commemoration since mid-2018.

We have been preparing for this event from the middle of the year and the whole village was involved.

The reason we are commemorating this event is because the majority of the people who had passed are laid in Vaimoso cemetery and also the land mark is there, he said.

Village chief, Manuleleua Asiata Ioane, said looking back at history, it was a dark period at that time due to the large number of casualties when the New Zealand vessel Talune arrived in Apia on November 7, 1918.

If we go back in history to the time this had occurred, we would have been heart struck with grief for the lives lost.

Lives could have been saved, had the ship been quarantined or had we refused ships in the harbor like American Samoa. Unfortunately, at that time under the administration of New Zealand, we had not and for that it had cost us many lives, he told this newspaper.

The lack of doctors and medicine and the absence of a proper burial for the victims of the epidemic was tragic for Samoa, Manuleleua added.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Nick Hurley led yesterdays commemoration at Vaimoso.

There was a moment of silence before wreaths were laid in a procession led by His Highness, Head of State of Samoa, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvii II, the Prime Minister and Mr. Hurley. Following the laying of wreaths, the P.M. and the New Zealand diplomat did a ground breaking ceremony at the Vaimoso memorial ground before they attended a historical photo exhibition.Representatives from 11 Pacific Island countries are gathering at the Orator Hotel in Aleisa for a three-day International Labour Organisation workshop.

The workshop on Knowledge sharing dialogue on just transition, decent work and climate change resilience in the Pacific Islands is a topic of high importance at this critical time for the Small Island Developing States in the region, according to United Nations Resident Coordinator, Simona Marinescu.

So what we want to achieve here is discuss how climate change, adapting to climate change and mitigating climate change would impact on labour market, Ms. Marinescu told the Samoa Observer.

So you have jobs that still employ a lot of natural resources that are not green in nature. We are still going to work with existing jobs to ensure that they can green without laying out a large number of people. So it is not an easy process, but it is possible.

Through the course of the workshop, delegates hope to establish a platform to share best practice and common goals to eliminate work models that contribute to climate change and reduce impact of climate change on employment.

Ms. Marinescu said the success of the transition depends on the capacity of key actors  governments, unions, employers and development partners  to align their efforts towards greening economies and employment, while building resilience in the face of growing climate-related vulnerability.

In its 2018 Greening with Jobs report, the I.L.O. stated that the transition to a green economy will inevitably cause job losses in certain sectors as carbon- and resource-intensive industries are scaled down. But these will be more than offset by new job opportunities. Measures taken in the production and use of energy, for example, will lead to job losses of around 6 million as well as the creation of some 24 million jobs. A transition to agricultural sustainability and a circular economy will result in more and often better jobs.

The U.N. here in Samoa, we would like to enable the work done here and while we move to solar energy, we ensure that jobs in sectors that are still using fossil fuel will not disappear, but shift towards a new business model, Ms. Marinescu said.

The workshop continues.Young married couple, Jordan and Andrea Thomson decided to visit Samoa to celebrate their anniversary after eleven months of tying the knot.

They told Dear Tourist that they find Samoa to be very inspiring because of the strong Christian values and the friendliness of the locals.

We met quite a number people at the hotel were staying at and we love it so much that we can get along with the people very easy, Jordan said.

Its not our anniversary yet because its next month, but we feel like celebrating early.

This is their first time in Samoa and they have some friends Samoan friends, and so far theyve loved the natural scenery.

We hired a vehicle and then we drove around the island and drove through the jungle, been to the ocean trench and did the typical tourist stuff, Jordan said.

We even went to the Lalomanu Beach and To Sua, which was pretty awesome, and even went around so many dairies to buy ice cream.

The couple also loved oka, and theyve enjoyed the Palolo Deep since it was his first time in quite a while to snorkel.

The couple was also impressed with how almost everyone was roaming around with white clothes on Sunday for church.

We go to church back in New Zealand and thats why we were very inspired by how so many people were wandering around with white clothes for church.

We really love that Samoa is such a Christian nation. Makes us feel so much safer to just roam around anywhere.

We were planning on going to church but it was just not in our schedule and we also didnt have white clothes with us but yes, we really love it, Jordan said.

They have also been to both markets in Apia and were impressed with the fish at the fish market.

It was funny how those other colorful fishes looked lie Nemo from the cartoon, but we think it was very awesome.

The couple said they would definitely return to Samoa.WASHINGTON (AP)  The Democrats took back the House with a surge of fresh new candidates and an outpouring of voter enthusiasm Tuesday, breaking the GOP's monopoly on power in Washington and setting the stage for a multitude of investigations of President Donald Trump that could engulf his administration over the next two years.

Ending eight years of Republican control that began with the tea party revolt of 2010, Democrats picked off more than two dozen GOP-held districts in suburbs across the nation on the way to securing the 218 seats needed for a majority.

As of early Wednesday, Democrats had won 219 races and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races. Democrats lead in nine of those, Republicans in 14. The final count is likely to leave Democrats with a narrow majority that could be difficult to manage and preserve.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is seeking to reclaim the gavel as House speaker, called it a "new day in America."

She saluted "those dynamic, diverse and incredible candidates who have taken back the House for the American people."

With the Republicans keeping control of the Senate, the outcome in the House could mean gridlock for Trump's agenda on Capitol Hill  or, conversely, it could open a new era of deal-making.

As the majority party, the Democrats will chair important committees and will have expansive powers to investigate the president, his business dealings and the inner workings of his administration, including whether anyone from the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

They will have authority to request Trump's tax returns and subpoena power to obtain documents, emails and testimony.

However, any attempt to impeach Trump is likely to run headlong into resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Pelosi, meanwhile, is likely to face a challenge for the speakership from newer or younger members later this month. And the Democrats could see a struggle inside the party over how aggressively to confront the Trump administration.

During the campaign, Pelosi urged candidates to focus on lowering health care costs and creating jobs with infrastructure investment, and she tamped down calls for impeachment.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of ugly rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, health care and the role of Congress in overseeing the president.

In locking down a majority, Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Denver and Dallas that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Democrats made only slight inroads in Trump country, where they tried to win back white working-class voters.

Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, but the GOP's hold on power was further weakened by an unusually large number of retirements as well as infighting between conservatives and centrists over their allegiance to Trump.

The Democrats, in turn, benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities, many of them motivated by revulsion over Trump.

As the returns came in, voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. Perhaps the biggest new political star among them is New York's 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal firebrand from the Bronx.

Also among them are the first two Native American women elected to the House  Democrats Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico  and the first two Muslim-American women, Rhasida Tlaib of Michigan and Minnesota's Ilhan Oman.

The Republican side of the aisle elected mostly white men.

In trying to stem Republican losses, Trump made only passing reference to his $1.5 trillion tax cut  the GOP Congress' signature achievement  and instead barnstormed through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark and foreboding warnings. He predicted an "invasion" from the migrant caravan making its way toward the U.S. and decried the "radical" agenda of speaker-in-waiting Pelosi.

On Tuesday night, he called to congratulate Pelosi and acknowledged her plea for bipartisanship, the leader's spokesman said.

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots, according to a survey of the American electorate by The Associated Press. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their votes.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration Cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in a nearby district.

In the suburbs outside the nation's capital, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock  among the most endangered GOP incumbents, branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator.

And outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time tea party favorite Rep. Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the GOP vote to gut the Affordable Care Act. Like other Democrats across the country, Spanberger emphasized protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage or charged more by insurers.

Pennsylvania was particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play. Democratic favorite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

In Kentucky, the heart of Trump country, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Republicans had expected the GOP tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the East and West coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.

The tax law was particularly problematic for Republicans in high-tax New Jersey, where at least three GOP-held seats flipped. The winners included Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who ran for a suburban Newark seat.

The GOP campaign committee distanced itself from eight-term Rep. Steve King of Iowa after he was accused of racism and anti-Semitism, but he won anyway.

In California, four GOP seats in the one-time Republican stronghold of Orange County were in play, along with three other seats to the north beyond Los Angeles and into the Central Valley.

"We always knew these races are going to be close," said Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, co-chair of House Democrats' recruitment efforts. "It's just a very robust class of candidates that really reflects who we are as a country."WASHINGTON (AP)  A measured outreach for bipartisan legislation. An aggressive campaign to define and demonize new congressional committee leaders. The rise of a new foil for President Donald Trump to attack.

With Democrats seizing control of the House, Republicans for the first time in the Trump era will no longer hold sway in all branches of the federal government. The new, split reality that Washington woke up to on Wednesday poses stark challenges for the White House, but also presents some political opportunities. Aides had been quietly prepared for this outcome for weeks and will now kick into overdrive before the new Congress takes office in January.

The first move likely belongs to Democrats. With their takeover of the House fueled by anti-Trump energy coursing through their supporters, Democrats now face expectations from their constituents to torment Trump, using their newly acquired power of the subpoena to launch a series of investigations into matters like the president's business dealings and potential Cabinet-member corruption while also trying to unearth Trump's tax returns.

There also could be pressure to impeach Trump, though chances of removal from office by a Republican-controlled Senate are remote. The president welcomes that fight.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level," Trump tweeted Wednesday. "Two can play that game!"

It was unclear what leaks he was referring to.

As polls showed for months that the Democrats were likely to flip the House, covert work began in the West Wing to prepare for a new, more contested chapter of the Trump presidency. Though no formal war room was established, senior aides convened meetings to map out the administration's strategy for combating newly emboldened Democrats. Trump himself at times took part in informal conversations about the future, according to two senior White House officials not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

The central strategy: play defense by going on offense and turning the public against Democratic investigations by painting the probes as overreach designed to cause gridlock.

West Wing aides are bracing for a number of investigations, including probes into whether Trump's business was profiting off his presidency and looking at his administration's move to separate migrant children from their families. Turnover in the White House counsel's office  Don McGahn has departed and his replacement, Pat Cipollone, has not started yet  has slowed some planning for how to confront legal challenges. But politically, West Wing aides and outside surrogates will make the case that the Democrats are abusing the power of the subpoena, a task that began as the votes were still being tallied late Tuesday.

"I don't know that there will be much of an appetite for Democrat lawmakers to spend all of their time, or most of their time or even a fraction of their time, investigating, instigating, trying to impeach and subpoena people," Kellyanne Conway, a senior Trump adviser, told reporters on the White House driveway. "You have to really give the voters what they want."

Republicans will surely make likely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a target of their ire, and Trump didn't waste time noting Wednesday that Pelosi in the speaker's job could be good for Republican political prospects. If restive House Democrats "give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!" Trump said in a tweet.

Beyond Pelosi, the GOP also will run aggressive ad campaigns and unleash talking-point attacks against the committee leaders who will run the probes. Those potentially include Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York atop the Judiciary Committee and Elijah Cummings of Maryland, incoming chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

One of the senior West Wing aides said the White House goal will be to make those congressional leaders "famous for all the wrong reasons."

Trump himself will likely get involved, assigning derogatory nicknames while savaging them on Twitter, the aide said. The Democratic-controlled chamber will also provide a foil for Trump, who is at his most comfortable when he has a natural opponent.

The White House also could attempt to link the Democratic investigative efforts  particularly if they prove unpopular  to the party's presidential candidates, the aides said. Democrats, emboldened by their victory and rising momentum, feel confident they can withstand the White House assaults in order to weaken the president before his re-election bid kicks into high gear.

Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally who served as House speaker during Republican efforts to investigate and impeach President Bill Clinton, urged the White House to cooperate with Democratic probes  but ever so slowly.

"The White House should drag it out, bog it down, take the momentum away and make it go on forever," said Gingrich. He also encouraged conservatives to foster what he believes would be counter-productive impeachment talk among Democrats. "Make it the speaker's problem, make her deal with the nutty wing of her party."

Some in Trump's orbit would relish an impeachment battle, pointing to how the 1998 battle backfired on Republicans. They were seen as overreaching, and that helped boost Clinton's poll numbers.

Gingrich added that Trump should "spend 2019 governing" and that includes trying to work with Democrats on certain issues that could generate support on both sides of the aisle or perhaps leaving Democrats with the blame if the effort falls apart. White House aides sounded a note of pessimism that a sweeping legislative deal on immigration or infrastructure could be struck but thought there could be bipartisan energy on issues like criminal justice reform and opioids.

The White House also believes that much of what it wants to do can move forward in 2019 despite the Democrats' capture of the House because Republicans still control the Senate.

White House aides are expecting a number of high-profile departures from the administration, including from the Cabinet, and replacements should have an easier time with confirmation with the Senate still in GOP hands. Moreover, keeping Republicans in charge of the Senate will allow Trump to continue with his flood of federal judicial appointments and allow him to make progress on trade deals, which will be a centerpiece of 2019.WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump, emboldened by Republican election wins in the Senate and scornful of GOP candidates he felt didn't sufficiently embrace his support, delivered a stark warning to the new Democratic House majority on Wednesday: Investigate me, and I'll investigate you  and the government will grind to a halt.

Noting that his Republican Party retained control of the Senate on Tuesday, he said that if Democrats in the House come after him, "we've got" a thing called the U.S. Senate.

Speaking at a wide-ranging White House press conference, Trump, by turns combative and conciliatory, said Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together.

Some House Democrats have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions. But, he warned, he will respond in kind and government will suffer.

Plus, he said, Democrats have "nothing, zero," on him.

Of the special counsel's Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration for more than 18 months, Trump said, "I could end it right now" but "I let it go on."

Trump's remarks on party dynamics came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had spoken with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi about how they might "find a way forward" in a divided Congress next year.

The GOP "had a very good day" Tuesday despite the House loss, McConnell said. "I'm proud of what happened. The president was very helpful to us."

He and Pelosi, the Kentucky senator said, are "not unfamiliar" with one another as longtime leaders and colleagues.

As for congressional action the rest of this year, he said he could not imagine taking up immigration and acknowledged that the Democratic House and Republican Senate were likely to go their separate ways when it comes to the legislative agenda

"Areas for legislative agreement will be more limited," he said.

"The one issue that Leader Pelosi and I discussed this morning where there could be a possible bipartisan agreement would be something on infrastructure, but there could be a lot of other things."

McConnell said that Democrats in the House will have to decide how much they want to "harass" Trump. That echoed a similar message from Trump, who on Twitter cautioned Democrats not to use their new House majority to launch investigations into his administration.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level," Trump wrote. "Two can play that game!"

In Tuesday's elections, McConnell said, the contentious, partisan fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's nomination was "very helpful" in winning Senate seats, like an "adrenaline shot" for GOP voters.

Kavanaugh was confirmed last month after a California professor accused him of sexual assault when both were teenagers.A Boston company bought a cluster of San Diego office buildings this week for $112 million, one of the biggest local real estate sales of the year.

The cluster of 12 buildings had been owned by San Diego-based Parallel Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm. The total area sold equals around 318,969 square feet of office space.

Boston-based Longfellow Real Estate Partners purchase of the buildings comes with 81 life science, technology and research tenants.

Some of the companies in the buildings include Pelagos Pharmaceuticals, MabVax Therapeutics, Renew Biopharma, Aethlon Medical, Drug Delivery Experts and Sirigen.

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Matt Root, CEO of Parallel Capital, said the sale represented the continued transition of Sorrento Valley from a light industrial park into an innovative area for technology companies.

Were very happy. It was a great acquisition we made in 2012, he said. It also took a lot of hard work to implement and execute on our business plan.

Parallel Capital began buying buildings included in the portfolio in 2012 for $63.4 million. Including the sale to Longfellow, and two other sales, the firm ended up selling the buildings for $85.8 million more than they paid.

However, the company did spend more than $10 million in renovations and upgrades before the sales.

Nathan Moeder, principal with real estate analysts London Moeder Advisors, said the rest of Sorrento Valley  with Qualcomm and other companies  has run out land for life science companies. So, it made sense that older properties, like those in the Longfellow sale, would be refurbished as an ideal place for new development.

Moeder said life science and technology companies partly want to be in Sorrento Valley because of image, wanting to be seen where their competitors are. But, it is also convenient.

Its address, but its also the ability to do business, he said. If you are part of the biotech industry support system, you are going to want to be a quick drive to meetings.

Buildings included in the sale included 11772 Sorrento Valley Road, 11760 Sorrento Valley Road, 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, 11558-11588 Sorrento Valley Road, 11494 Sorrento Valley Road, and 11535-11585 Sorrento Valley Road. The buildings are a bit older, with some built in the 1970s.

Longfellow formed in 2009 and has offices in Boston, Durham, N.C. and Morrisville, N.C. It created a $500 million innovation fund this summer to invest in life science and technology real estate across the United States.

At the time, Jamie Peschel, managing partner of Longfellow, said in a press release, Our confidence in life sciences real estate continues, given its compelling fundamentals and demonstrated growth. This fund will allow us to take advantage of opportunities in markets across the U.S. that are supporting innovation.

Business

phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar

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San Diegos new single-family homes are pricey, modern and in short supply

Tijuana condo craze continues in to 2018

Last years housing market broke recordsFord Motor Co. doesnt believe the midsize Ranger will steal much business from its profit-generating full-size F-Series trucks when the smaller pickup returns to North American showrooms early next year.

There always will be some substitution, but this is more of a lifestyle vehicle for people who want to use it for different purposes, Joe Hinrichs, Fords president of global operations, said at a recent event celebrating the Rangers expected start of production. The F-150s gotten bigger over time and more expensive. We believe theres room now to slot the Ranger in very nicely in the showroom.

Hinrichs said the first Rangers should be available to buyers in January 2019. Ford recently retooled its Michigan Assembly Plant in the Detroit suburb of Wayne, Mich., to build the pickup and, in 2020, the resurrected Bronco SUV.

Some workers in the body, paint and stamping sections of the plant had already returned to work in mid-October. Final-assembly workers were expected to return a week later, Ford said.

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The Ranger will be sold in three trim levels, in two-door Super Cab and four-door Super Crew body styles with rear- or four-wheel drive. Starting prices will range from $25,895 to more than $40,000. (Ford)

The revived Ranger will start at $25,895, including shipping, and will top out at more than $40,000. Thats about the same as the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma, which starts at $25,400 for 2018 models, but more than the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Pricing on the 2019 Colorado starts at $21,495, while the 2019 Canyon starts at $23,095.

The Rangers turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine will be able to tow and haul more than the V-6 gasoline offerings from its rivals, Ford says.

It will come in three trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. Ford will sell two-door Super Cab and four-door Super Crew configurations and offer two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive for each configuration.

An off-road FX4 package will be offered on all four-wheel-drive models.

The Ranger was discontinued in the U.S. in 2011 but has continued to sell in a number of overseas markets. The latest U.S. version, to be built at Fords Michigan Assembly Plant, has a mostly steel body, axles made by Dana Inc.  which supplies the Jeep Wrangler  and an exterior design similar to its larger F-Series counterparts.

The previous U.S. Ranger was regularly among the segments top sellers, including No. 1 as recently as 2004. Ranger sales routinely totaled more than 300,000 a year in the 1990s before fading in the early 2000s.

However, interest in the midsize pickup segment has rebounded. Its up 18 percent so far this year after rising less than 1 percent in 2017.

Were very excited about the growth were seeing in the midsize segment, Hinrichs said. We believe bringing back the Ford Ranger will add to that excitement and get more interest in that segment.

Note: The new Ranger will be on display at the San Diego International Auto Show, Dec. 27-30; sdautoshow.com.

Martinez writes for Automotive News.While La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis ran unopposed this election, two City Council incumbents were being tested by two upcoming challengers, and one of the newcomers was out in front of them all.

Meanwhile, a proposition to tax medical marijuana dispensaries looked to be passing in late returns Tuesday night.

City Council incumbents Bill Baber and Guy McWhirter, both elected for the first time in 2014  were facing tough competition to hold onto their seats, with 13 of 33 precincts reporting Tuesday night.

Early results had newcomer Akilah Weber, a doctor and professor, ahead of Baber, 59, an elections attorney and former member of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Board.

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Weber, with 4,152 votes, is the daughter of Assemblywoman Shirley Weber. Baber had 3,927 votes.

McWhirter, 62, who works in insurance and financial services, was third with 3,752 votes. Dave Myers, 57, a retired sheriffs commander, was fourth with 3,305 votes.

La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis ran unopposed.

In the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, three board members are stepping down this year, leaving three open seats.

Seven newcomers are vying for the three seats.

Rebecca McRae, Charda Fontenot and Megan Epperson were ahead with 54 of 86 precincts reporting. McRae had 9,776 votes, Fontenot 7,056 and Epperson 6,989.

Four other candidates Steve Babbitt (6,865) Brianna Garza (6,746) Jerry Lecko (5,909) and Matthew Sablove (2,671) were behind in early results.

Voters looked to be interested in passing Proposition V, which would allow La Mesa to impose a special tax on medical marijuana businesses. With 13 of 33 precincts reporting, the measure was well on its way to passing, with 6,367 votes in favor, or 73.4 percent. Prop. V needs 50 percent plus 1 of voter approval.

If approved, the city hopes to reap $1.5 million to $2 million annually.Under the measure, the city could tax commercial cannabis growers and manufacturers at an annual rate not to exceed $10 per square foot of office space.

Medical cannabis was authorized in 2016 under Proposition U.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comWith 14 precincts reporting Tuesday evening, both Lemon Grove City Council incumbents looked to keep their seats.

Jerry Jones, 64, and Jennifer Mendoza, 63, were ahead in early returns, fighting off challengers Teresa Rosiak and Kamaal Martin.

With 12 of 14 precincts reporting, Mendoza had 1,978 votes; Jones 1,699.

Jones has been on the City Council since 2002, after serving on the Lemon Grove School District Board from 1996 to 2002. Mendoza was elected to the City Council in 2014 after 10 years on the citys Planning Commission.

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Jones is retired after 25 years running his own business in the city and now operates an in-home business with his wife.

Mendoza has a bachelors degree and did graduate work in political science. She has a paralegal certificate from Cal State Chico. She works for a law firm in San Diego.

Rosiak, who had 1,395 votes, is a medical credential specialist who is also running for a seat on the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District Board and was trailing in early results for that spot as well.

Rosiak in 2012 attempted to win as write-in candidate for mayor of Lemon Grove and was previously the president of the now defunct Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce.

Martin, who had 1,078 votes, is an adjunct faculty member in the political science department at San Diego Mesa College.

With 19 of 25 precincts reporting, three incumbents on the Lemon Grove School District  Timothy Shaw, Katie Dexter and Larry Loschen  looked to be keeping their seats.

The incumbents were all ahead of three school board challengers in early returns  Angeles Nelson, Katherine Nuncio and Yajaira Preciado.

Shaw, who had 2,010 votes, and Dexter (1,971 votes) have both been on the school board in Lemon Grove since 2002, Loschen, who had 1,707 votes, has been on the board since 2009.

Dexter was the 2012 School Board Member of the Year, chosen by the San Diego County School Boards Association.

With 49 of 57 precincts reporting in the Helix Water Districts Division 1 race, incumbent Dan McMillan (3,048 votes) was ahead of challengers Tabitha Remund-Burke (1,925) and Jim Stieringer (1,820).

With 70 of 90 precincts reporting in the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District race for three seats, incumbents Theresa McKenna (13,154 votes), Jim Ek (10,691) and Mike Vacio (10,514) were ahead of William A. Kiel II (5,345).

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comThe La Mesa Police Department was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a year-long enforcement and public awareness program.

The program will educate the public on safe roadway habits and deter people from violating traffic laws or practicing other unsafe behaviors that lead to injuries and fatalities, according to La Mesa Police Lt. Brian Stoney.

The grant from OTS will fund programs that last until Sept. 30 of next year.

These OTS grants are very effective and have become a very big part of our enforcement strategies, Stoney said.

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One of the major pushes by the La Mesa police force is directed toward those who attempt to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he said.

We will have a stronger emphasis on enforcement this year, especially DUI, called Know Your Limit, Stoney said. Essentially, the program will have (officers) going into bars and restaurants with a portable breathalyzer and have people blow into the machine to get a reading. Sometimes, two beers is two too many. Well be handing out educational material also.

The grant will also help fund special DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off the road, as well as catching those who are unlicensed or trying to drive with a revoked or suspended drivers license.

Other uses of the grant money will include:

Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.

Checking for seat belt and child safety seat compliance.

Distracted driving enforcement operations.

Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders.

Compilation of DUI Hot Sheets identifying repeat DUI offenders.

Specialized DUI and drugged driving training to identify and apprehend suspected impaired drivers.

Court stings to cite individuals driving from DUI court after license suspension or revocation.

Stoney said that according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 3,623 people were killed in crashes across the state in 2016, a 7 percent increase from 2015. There were also 867 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2016.

Along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies like phones and drug-impaired driving, this grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these dangerous and illegal behaviors, Stoney said.

Stoney said that some of the departments $125,000 grant last year from OTS went to buy a new BMW motorcycle for traffic safety officer use. The motorcycle, equipped with a mounted speed radar device, is continuing to be used by the department.

Last years funding also allowed La Mesa police to add an additional 1,100 hours of traffic enforcement on top of the day-to-day work the officers are already doing, he said.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comIn Bonsall Unified School District, incumbent Lou Riddle and challenger Roger Merchat were leading the field of six candidates hours after polls closed Tuesday.

The $38 million school bond proposal, Measure EE, the latest of multiple attempts to fund construction of a high school, was losing by a wide margin. At midnight, with 67 percent of precincts reporting, the measure was failing with 40 percent of votes in favor versus 60 percent opposed.

At that point, Riddle had gained about 20 percent of votes while Merchat had 19 percent. Gaddis and Olson both held about 16 percent of votes, while Ortega gained 15 percent and Coen had 14 percent.

Riddle is a general contractor, while Merchat is an architectural services representative and licensed civil engineer whose son attended schools in Bonsall. Gaddis is an attorney and small businessman who has two children attending school in the district.

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Incumbent Sylvia Tucker was leading challenger Larissa Anderson as the winner of a short-term, or two-year, position on the board.

Anderson is a businesswoman whose daughter attends Bonsall High. She has volunteered with the National Charity League, Bonsall Education Foundation, PTA, Girl Scouts and Bonsall High School.

Candidates included incumbents Timothy Coen, Eric Ortega and Lou Riddle. Challengers included Michael Gaddis, Roger Merchat and Brian Olson. For the short-term positions, incumbent Sylvia Tucker is running against challenger Larissa Anderson.

Coen is a physician who has campaigned on plans to build a new high school in the district. Olson is a local business owner and member of the superintendents advisory committee.

Ortega has been president of the Vivian Banks Charter Council and was president of the Indian Education Committee, before being appointed as a board member to Bonsall Unified School District.

Tucker worked as a teacher, counselor and administrator, and has four grandchildren who attend Bonsall schools.

The likely defeat of Measure EE dealt a blow to the districts plans for a new, state-of-the-art high school on Gird Road, off State Route 76.

The project has been on the table for years, as residents in the rural neighborhood have fought the project, claiming the site poses safety, traffic and environmental problems. They have fended off multiple bond measures for the campus, most recently campaigning to defeat a $58 million bond issue in 2016.

For now, the districts high school students share a campus with Sullivan Middle School on West Lilac Road, but officials say the school will need its own campus to accommodate increased enrollment as Bonsall grows following the recent widening of State Route 76.

Without the bonds passage, its unclear how the district will build a new high school to meet projected enrollment needs as the area grows.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennanIncumbent Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall held a solid lead over his only challenger, first-term Councilwoman Cori Schumacher by early Wednesday morning..

Hall had 57.65 percent of the votes and Schumacher had 42.35 percent with 36 of the citys 94 precincts counted, according to unofficial results from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office.

Hall was first elected to the Carlsbad City Council in 1994, and to his first four-year term as mayor in 2010. He was unopposed for re-election in 2014.

Schumacher was first elected in 2016 and, if she loses Tuesdays election, will continue to serve the remaining two years of her term as an at-large candidate. Should she win, her victory would leave a vacancy on the council to be filled by an appointment or a special election.

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Two Carlsbad City Council seats also are open, and for the first time Carlsbad is choosing its council members by district. Two incumbents  Mark Packard and Michael Schumacher  chose not to seek re-election, which means at least two first-time council members on the dais next year.

District 1, which includes the downtown Village, Barrio and Olde Carlsbad neighborhoods, has a field of four candidates. Tracy Carmichael had 38.57 percent of the votes, slightly ahead of Barbara Hamilton with 37.05 percent followed by Linda Breen with 13.71 percent and David McGee with 10.67 percent.

District 3, south of Palomar Airport Road, has only two candidates. Corrine Busta had 51.31 percent to maintain a slim lead over Priya Bhat-Patel with 48.69 percent, according to the partial results.

A $265 million bond measure appeared headed for approval in Carlsbad Unified School District, where the board placed the measure on the ballot to raise money for science and math labs, technology, school safety and repairs.

Voters approved the districts previous bond measure in 2006 to raise $198 million for the construction of Sage Creek High school and the modernization of Carlsbad High School.

The Carlsbad school district board of trustees also held its first district election this year, beginning with areas 1, 4 and 5.

The tentative results showed incumbent Veronica Williams with a lead over the only other candidate, Melanie Burkholder, in Area 1; and incumbents Claudine Jones in Area 4 and Kathy Rallings in Area 5 were unopposed.

Mayor Matt Hall (Union-Tribune file photo)

Councilwoman Cori Schumacher

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehlEscondido Mayor Sam Abed held a slim lead over challenger Paul Mac McNamara Wednesday morning, while longtime Councilman Ed Gallo was losing to challenger Consuelo Martinez.

Meanwhile, Councilman John Masson appeared to be on his way to an easy victory over challengers Vanessa Valenzuela and Nicole Downey in the other Escondido City Council race.

With 57 percent of the precincts counted as of Wednesday morning, Abed had captured 51 percent of the vote in the citywide race, with McNamara backed by 49 percent of the voters.

Martinez led Gallo by less than 350 out of roughly 2,500 votes cast in the District 1 council race with 69 percent of the precincts counted.

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Abed, seeking his third four-year term as mayor, raised far more money for his campaign than McNamara, allowing him to pepper city voters with multiple glossy mailers touting his accomplishments and attacking McNamara, calling him a liar.

But McNamara, a retired Marine Corps colonel and largely unknown in the city until announcing his candidacy nearly two years ago, waged a quiet but persistent campaign that emphasized a need for a different tone in the citys political rhetoric.

He criticized Abed for dividing the city along political and racial lines and said Abeds hard-line conservative stances on issues had cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits that had to be settled.

Escondido, which has a majority Latino population, is like two separate cities, he said, cities that need to be brought together as one.

Meanwhile, Martinezs sizable lead in early returns in the Council District 1 race was not unexpected.

District 1 is the geographic voting district created earlier this decade with the intent of having a majority Latino voting base. Four years ago, the first time district elections were held, Gallo beat Martinez by just 69 votes.

Some thought the low voter turnout in 2014, plus Martinezs inexperience, doomed her campaign even though she came so close.

This year, she and her supporters went door-to-door throughout the district for months, engaging voters in English and Spanish.

In the two contested races for spots on the Escondido Union School District Board of Education, incumbent Zesty Harper was easily defeating opponent Georgine Tomasi in the Area 4 race; and incumbent Gary Altenburg enjoyed a large margin over Frank Huston.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjonesVoters in two northern backcountry fire districts Tuesday were veering off in very different directions regarding raising their taxes to support local firefighters.

In Julian, where Measure QQ asked voters who live within the volunteer Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District to quadruple their annual parcel tax from $50 to $200, the measure was losing badly in early returns.

But Measure SS, which asked voters who live in the Valley Center Fire Protection District to levy a $180-a-year parcel tax on themselves to beef up fire protection, was winning support, but perhaps not enough to reach the two-thirds required for passage.

The Julian measure, even if it were to pass, could become moot. A local agency that oversees special districts has voted to dissolve the fire district and have the countys Fire Authority, which contracts with Cal Fire, assume control.

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Last month just barely enough signatures to force a special election on the issue were gathered. However, if only a couple dozen of the 615 signatures are ruled invalid by the Registrar of Voters, then the district will cease to exist and any new tax would not be applied. The verification process is ongoing.

If verified, a specail election will be held somtime in the coming months.

In Valley Center, the directors of the 84.5-square-mile fire district which serves about 23,000 residents out of just two fire stations said the additional tax would allow them to staff and maintain a third fire station expected to be built in a few years along Cole Grade Road.

They also said it would allow the district to pay its young firefighters more. Right now most make minimum wage or just a dollar more. The result of the low wages is that firefighters leave the department regularly to take other jobs.

Although there was no organized opposition to the tax, many campaign signs urging a no vote on SS, because it was a new tax, popped up all over the district a couple weeks ago.

As of late Tuesday night the Valley Center fire measure had about 60 percent support, but will need 66 percent for passage.

Tuesday morning enthusiastic firefighters waved signs and yelled their support for the measure at the intersection of Cole Grade and Valley Center roads.The bakery has the suggestion of Irish and French in its name, but OBriens Boulangerie is a family-run business whose owners have roots in Guatemala.

OBriens has been in business for nearly 30 years, but just recently moved into a spacious building in the Poway Business Park. It outgrew its Del Mar location earlier this decade, moved to Escondido and then to Poway this year.

We hit capacity in Del Mar, the place was 4,000 square feet, then moved to a 10,000-square-foot building in Escondido in 2013, said Sales Executive Sara Escobar, whose mother and father bought the business in 2006 from Jim OBrien, who retired after running it for 18 years. Now were here in Poway at 22,000 square feet and its looking like were going to hit capacity here, as well.

Edgar Escobar immigrated to the United States from Guatemala in the mid-1980s and worked for other people as a baker for 20 years. Twelve years ago, he purchased the business from OBrien, who stuck around one more year to teach them the ropes.

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When that happened, we had maybe 30 accounts, Sara Escobar said. Now we have over 200 accounts and deliveries every day.

The Escobar Family owned OBriens Boulangerie bakery in Poway is the latest location for the fast growing enterprise. Here are some of the Escobars, L-r, Sara, Yvonne, Eddie and mom Heli Escobar. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

There are now six Escobars running the multi-generational business, which employs 60 people.

The operation includes seven huge ovens in which racks of 72 loaves each can be baked simultaneously.

Their clients include some of the best known spots in town: Barona Resort & Casino, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the San Diego Convention Center, Jakes Del Mar, the Del Mar Racetrack, and the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

When the Padres are playing, we make 200 to 300 dozen hot dog buns for Petco Park, Sara Escobar said.

When Comic-Con is in town, said Carmen Garcia, who handles ordering, its crazy.

This week, OBriens also opened up a retail cafe in the front of the warehouse-like building in the business park at 13615 Stowe Drive, a few blocks south of the Poway Costco and Home Depot complex. The cafe serves all sorts of freshly made pastries, muffins, tarts and many other items, along with coffee and sandwiches.

It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is situated in the middle of a business park that employs more than 18,000 people.

Barrista Alexander Bermudz just started working for the family.

These are wonderful people, he said. A family business is where I like to be. I like to think of myself as an adopted Escobar.

The family includes Edgar and his wife Argelia Escobar, the owners; Juan Carlos Escobar, Edgars brother who is the head baker; daughters Yvonne Escobar, the general manager, and Sara Escobar, sales executive; and son Eddie Escobar, pastry chef.

A customer stood at the end of the well stocked bakery counter in the front of the bakery on Stowe Drive in Poway. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Poway location is perfect, Sara Escobar said, because it is centrally located. The single biggest client the bakery serves is the Barona casino.

We go up there every day to Ramona, she said. Its a big load we drop off. They want it fresh every day.

Pastry Chef Eddie Escobar was busy making some fruit tarts while a worker next to him prepared dough for what would become cinnamon rolls for delivery the next day to Barona.

He said his day starts around 5 a.m. and often goes into the evening. The bakery operates on a 24-hour cycle.

Theres always someone here, Sara Escobar said.

There are over 1,000 varieties of baked good available from OBriens. Sourdough bread is the single biggest seller. The bakery produces about 500 loaves of it each day.

For information about OBriens go to obriensbakerysd.com on the web.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjonesDizzy Gillespie, charming a snake with his trumpet in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1956.

Louis Armstrong, surrounded by laughing children in front of a Cairo hospital in 1961.

Benny Goodman, playing his clarinet in Moscows Red Square in 1962.

These historic photographs of American jazz giants  who toured the world on behalf of the U.S. State Department between 1955 and 1978  are part of the Jam Session: Americas Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World exhibit organized and circulated by the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C.

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The photos will be on display here Saturday, for one night only, as part of the San Diego Diplomacy Councils 2018 Signature Event.

Entitled Beats Into Bridges: Celebrating Art Diplomacy, the proudly multicultural event will be held Saturday at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

The photos will be discussed in the keynote address by Adam Clayton Powell III. His late father, civil rights champion and U.S. House of Representatives member Adam Clayton Powell Jr., was instrumental in persuading the State Department to use jazz artists to boost Americas image abroad during the Cold War.

Armstrong, Gillespie, Goodman and Duke Ellington were among the jazz greats who performed under the auspices of the State Department. They often generated significantly more good will than the government they were representing, especially in countries that regarded the U.S. with fear, suspicion or outright hostility.

Clarinet great Benny Goodman is shown performing in Moscows Red Square in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, Benny Goodman Papers, Yale University.)

Beats Into Bridges will also feature performances by this years two Artist of Honor recipients.

The first is veteran keyboardist Todd Bayete Cochran, whose credits range from Freddie Hubbard to Peter Gabriel. He was also a co-founder of the band Automatic Man and, 2002, did the score for the film documentary Keep the Faith, Baby, which chronicled Congressman Powells life.

The second is Muslim-American hip-hop choreographer and dancer Amirah Sackett. She is the leader of the award-winning Chicago dance troupe Were Muslim, Dont Panic, whose members perform in hijabs and sneakers.

Sackett will be accompanied at Saturdays event by members of San Diegos Culture Shock. In 2014, she went to Bangladesh as part of Next Level, a hip-hop cultural exchange program co-presented by the U.S. State Department and the University of North Carolina.

On Friday afternoon Sackett will conduct a private hip-hop workshop at North Parks Academy of Our Lady of Peace, where students will join her and young women from the International Rescue Committee for an afternoon of dancing, games and food.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sackett will lead lead an all-ages hip-hop workshop at Culture Shock Dance Center, 2110 Hancock Street. Admission is $20.

San Diego Diplomacy Council presents Beats Into Bridges: Celebrating Art Diplomacy

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park

Tickets: $100 (members), $125 (non-members), $150 (VIP)

Phone: (619) 291-8105

Online: sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/2018-signature-event/

george.varga@sduniontribune.com

Twitter @georgevargaInside Londons Millbank Tower, once the campaign headquarters for Britains establishment Conservative and Labor parties, one finds the hub of a months-old movement seeking a second public vote on Brexit.

A team of about 30 people at the skyscraper represent what they call the Peoples Vote, a campaign for a referendum described as a sort of vital follow-up to the nations 2016 decision to exit the 28-nation European Union.

The campaign, which organizers say is backed by more than 100 grassroots groups, essentially aims to generate enthusiasm for a second vote, this time on whether to stay in or leave the EU based on the governments still pending exit deal with the bloc of nations.

The Britain-EU split is supposed to occur in March, but negotiations in search of a friendly agreement have not generated a deal so far. The possibility of a no-deal exit from the bloc has raised concerns about economic fallout and confusion at the borders.

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Its about giving people a choice, said Adrian McMenamin, deputy director of communications for the Peoples Vote campaign. Brexit has been a divisive issue in British society. Having a peoples vote is not going to make that any worse, but it has the opportunity to decide the issue and maybe bring it to a close.

The contentious 2016 referendum saw 52% vote in favor of leaving the EU and 48% in support of staying.

But controversy surrounding the vote was immediate, and the opposition Labor Party recently announced it expected to reject Prime Minister Theresa Mays proposal for an exit deal because her Conservative government was offering choices of really bad and even worse.

Among the concerns are access to European markets, worker rights protections and border checks between Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain, and Ireland, which is a member of the EU.

British and European parliaments must approve any proposed deal between the U.K. and the EU.

The Peoples Vote campaign believes that once the terms of the exit agreement are known, it should be up to the British electorate to decide whether to accept it. If the answer is no, the group says, the option to remain part of the EU should still be on the table.

Since launching in April, the campaign has gained considerable traction and financial support. Last month, the campaign organized a march that drew an estimated 700,000 people to the streets of London to demand a vote on Brexit.

Crowds flooded the capitals main thoroughfares in the largest show of public opposition to government policy since an anti-Iraq war protest rally in 2003 attracted more than 1 million people, according to estimates.

Many people in the crowd recently were too young to be eligible to vote when the 2016 referendum took place but felt upset that a decision that would so greatly affect their future was being made without their say.

Now, two years later, Im 18 and I just feel like if all the people I know had a chance to have their say, we would have done something very different. Instead, the future has been chosen for us, said student Elen Lloyd Owen, who was at the London march holding aloft a sign that read: Its no joke, I had no vote.

On Sunday, more than 70 business leaders published an open letter to the government demanding a second referendum.They argued the deal being negotiated by Mays government and EU officials  or the idea that the two sides split without any deal  would leave their industries worse off than the status quo.

We are now facing either a blindfold or a destructive hard Brexit, the letter states. Both these options will further depress investment. They will be bad for business and bad for working people  we believe the ultimate choice should be handed back to the public.

On Monday, more than 1,500 British lawyers sent a letter to the prime minister also demanding a vote on the outcome of the talks.

Voters are entitled to know what they are voting for, they wrote.

But there are many who see the campaign as an attempt to overturn the 2016 vote because of bitterness that the referendum didnt go in their favor.

We had a vote, we voted to leave, British entrepreneur Richard Tice, cofounder of the Leave Means Leave campaign, said in a recent interview. The idea that you should have a second referendum would be incredibly damaging, most of all to the trust in democracy from people up and down this country.

May, who will put a proposed deal before Parliament for approval, has rejected any idea of a second referendum as a gross betrayal of democracy.

High-level meetings are taking place this week aimed at breaking the key deadlock in negotiations: how to guarantee there will not be new checks on goods at the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The Peoples Vote campaign acknowledges its bid for a second referendum will require winning over a significant number of lawmakers in the 650-member House of Commons.

We dont claim a majority of [members of Parliament] now are supporters, McMenamin said.

Anand Menon, director of the think tank UK in a Changing Europe, said the campaign faces an uphill battle in garnering support from Parliament for a referendum.

Just because 700,000 people happened to get out in London on the day, great, yes, its an impressive show of support, Menon said. But ultimately it depends on Parliament and getting enough MPs to say, Yes, we need a second referendum.

Any outcome is possible at the moment  there is a load of uncertainty, Menon said. I think we will only know which way things will go if we end up with a deal being rejected by Parliament.

Boyle is a special correspondent.The 79 students kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from a school in Cameroon have been released, but two of the three staff members abducted with them are still being held, a church official said Wednesday.

The students, between ages 11 and 17, were brought to a church near the regional capital of Bamenda, said Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator of the countrys Presbyterian Church.

They look tired and psychologically tortured, he said.

Forba pleaded with the kidnappers to free the remaining captives.

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The students were abducted Sunday night in part of Cameroon that is beset by violence and instability by armed separatists who want to create a breakaway state called Ambazonia.

Fighting between the military and separatists in the northwestern and southwestern regions increased after the government clamped down on peaceful demonstrations by English-speaking teachers and lawyers protesting what they said was their marginalization by Cameroons French-speaking majority.

Hundreds have been killed in the past year and the separatists have vowed to destabilize the regions. They have attacked civilians who oppose their cause, including teachers who were killed for disobeying orders to keep schools closed.

Forba said that parents and guardians of the students at the boarding school where the abductions occurred were asked to take them home.

It is unfortunate we have to close the school and send home 700 children, he said. Their security is not assured by the state, and armed groups constantly attack and kidnap them.

A previous kidnapping from the school was resolved when the church paid a ransom of about $4,000 to the armed gang.

We can no longer continue, he said.

The group taken Sunday was the largest number abducted at one time in Cameroons Anglophone regions. The separatists also have set fire to at least 100 schools and driven out students and teachers from buildings taken over as training grounds.

North West regional Gov. Deben Tchoffo said this week the government is providing adequate security for schools.

I must insist that we have taken enough measures to protect schools, but we also need the assistance of all, Tchoffo said. People should inform the military whenever they see strange faces in their villages.

Tah Pascal, father of one of the kidnapped students, said he does not trust what the governor has said.

How can he always talk of protection and security when our schools are torched every day, our children tortured and their teachers killed? Pascal said. This is done in spite of the presence of the military.

Parents interviewed said they were taking their children to safer areas.

The U.S. called for the immediate and safe return of the remaining hostages, according to Tibor Nagy, assistant secretary for State Departments Bureau of African Affairs.

We urge an immediate halt to the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and burning of houses by Cameroonian government forces and to the attacks perpetrated by Anglophone separatists against security forces and civilians, he said on Twitter. " [W]e urge all sides to end the violence and enter into broad-based reconciliatory dialogue without preconditions.Authorities have detained the father of a 2-year-old girl who died of a head injury early Tuesday morning in Banning.

A hospital employee called Banning police about 6:45 a.m. when the father showed up at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital with the toddler, who had multiple injuries and wasnt breathing, the Banning Police Department said. The child was pronounced dead soon after.

Its unclear how she sustained the injuries, but Banning Police Sgt. Mike Bennett said it appeared as though the child was assaulted over a several-day period.

The girls parents are separated, Bennett said, and when the mother gave the child to the father for visitation on Halloween, the child had no injuries.

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Authorities called the death suspicious and said they had detained the father, who was not identified, for further questioning.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Banning police at (951) 922-3170.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchekVoters in Corona appear to have spurned a councilmans call to elect three Christian pastors to the City Council, instead favoring a Planned Parenthood health advocate, a retired fire captain and a businessman, according to preliminary results.

Jacque Casillas, Jim Steiner and Wes Speake held significant leads Wednesday in the three council districts up for election. Eleven candidates were vying for the seats. Corona moved this year to by-district elections in an effort to help city leadership better reflect Coronas growing diversity.

But the race raised questions about the role of religion in politics after Councilman Randy Fox, a pastor, visited a local church and framed the election as a spiritual battle while urging congregants to throw their support behind three Christian pastors who were running.

Fox had suggested that Casillas, a healthcare advocate with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, would bring an abortion mill to Corona. He also warned of open proponents of gay marriage in the city and said a Muslim candidate who was involved with the local mosque would not say no to sharia law, most certainly.

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Fox later said his comments about sharia law were made because church members had approached him fearing that if Fauzia Rizvi, a Muslim woman running in the fourth district, were elected, Coronas mosque would begin broadcasting a call to prayer.

Rizvi had not made any such proposal, nor had mosque leaders, which Fox acknowledged.

On Wednesday morning, the pastors endorsed by Fox  Shawn Kelly, Jeremy Mercer and Doug Husen  were trailing by large margins in each of their races.

In the fourth district, Husen and Rizvi had about 22% of the vote, with Steiner at 52%.

In the first district, Casillas won about 44% of votes, compared with Kellys 24%, while candidate Joe Morgan got 32%. In the fifth district, in which five candidates including Speake and Mercer, were running, Speake got about 50% of the vote.

The results are not yet final. Riverside County election officials said about 200,000 vote-by-mail ballots as well as thousands of provisional and damaged ballots still needed to be processed. An update is expected on Thursday.

paloma.esquivel@latimes.com

For more Inland Empire news follow me @palomaesquivelA woman struck and killed by a Google bus near the companys Mountain View headquarters has been identified as a Google employee, officials said Wednesday.

Emily Hong was walking near Charleston Road and Huff Avenue outside Googleplex, the companys corporate headquarters, when she was struck by the bus about 6:45 p.m. Monday, Mountain View police said.

The bus was carrying passengers at the time of the crash, although the number of those on board was not known, according to Mountain View police spokeswoman Katie Nelson.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Hong lying in the roadway. They began performing CPR but were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Hong worked in Googles finance department. The company would not release any additional information about her.

We are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of a member of our Googler family, Google spokeswoman Gina Scigliano said in an emailed statement. Emily  brought an incredible spark to Google. She was inquisitive, creative, analytical, positive, generous and kind  our deepest condolences are with her family and friends.

Police said the bus driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Officials do not think the driver was intoxicated.

Fault, mitigating factors, etc., have not been determined, and as this is a major collision investigation, wont be available for some time, Nelson said.

Officials are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Officer Kevin Solomon at kevin.solomon@mountainview.gov.

alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

Twitter: @r_valejandra

UPDATES:

11:30 a.m.: This article was updated with the victim being identified as a Google employee and a statement from the company.

This article was originally published at 8:50 a.m.Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell on Wednesday was in jeopardy of being ousted by voters as challenger Alex Villanueva took a razor-thin lead in the race to lead the sprawling, scandal-tainted law enforcement agency.

With votes still being counted, the outcome of the race is still in question. But the fact that McDonnell is fighting for his political life has stunned the Los Angeles political establishment and raised questions about future reforms at the department.

Historically, the sheriff of L.A. County could count on being easily reelected in the primary, but Villanueva disrupted that pattern when he became one of only four challengers in the last century to push a sitting sheriff into a runoff.

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With 100% of precincts reporting, Villanueva, a retired sheriffs lieutenant, was ahead by 4,927 votes, but provisional and late mail-in ballots still have to be counted.

Many political experts said it would be nearly impossible to pose a real threat to a sitting sheriff.

I have egg on my face. I have an entire omelet on my face, said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who teaches election law. For months, and even until early Wednesday morning, she predicted an upset would be very unlikely.

The voters sent a really clear message. They need faster and different change, and they think the Sheriffs Department needs an overhaul that hasnt happened yet. On the other hand, this was a low-information race, so I still have to wonder how much this has to do with confusion on the ballot.

She said voters are often influenced by the bare-bones information inside the voting booth: a candidates name and title.

The agency is still seeking to redefine itself after a jail abuse scandal unfolded under former Sheriff Lee Baca, a four-term leader accused of losing focus on his department. Baca is currently appealing his conviction last year for obstructing an FBI investigation and lying to investigators.

The Sheriffs Department has faced new questions in recent months. A Times investigation found that a team of deputies targeted thousands of innocent Latino motorists on the 5 Freeway in drug searches, a practice now under review. There also have been concerns about why the department has not done more to curb deputies wearing of matching tattoos that critics say are indications of secret cliques within the agency.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell, center, with Alexandra Kazarian and Felipe Plascencia on election night at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

McDonnell, 59, campaigned on a promise to continue the improvements hes made, like reducing serious jail violence and enhancing mental healthcare behind bars.

The former Long Beach Police chief and longtime Los Angeles Police Department official touted his support for the nearly 2-year-old Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and drew headlines when he tried to give prosecutors a Brady List of about 300 deputies with histories of misconduct.

Villanueva has criticized some of McDonnells reforms. including the Brady List.

Villanueva, who says he was the victim of unjust discipline while with the department, has called the roster a fake list compiled from retaliatory investigations. That echoes the sentiment expressed by the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the rank-and-file union that sued McDonnell to block disclosure and has given at least $1.32 million to an outside group supporting Villanueva.

He vowed to start a truth and reconciliation process to analyze whether the list is accurate.

Villanueva, 55, argued the Sheriffs Department hadnt done enough to distance itself from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is allowed to use office space inside one of the county jails.

Villanueva, an Air Force veteran who served three decades in the Sheriffs Department, said he would kick ICE agents out of the lockup, though he added his deputies would instead march inmates out of jail into ICE custody.

Its unclear how that position might have helped in a diverse, deep blue county where opposition to President Trumps immigration crackdown is strong.

Some observers said McDonnell miscalculated the force of the Latino vote and didnt take the election seriously enough early on.

Everything about [McDonnells] primary campaign was lackluster, said Luis Alvarado, a political strategist who personally supported the sheriff. There was no efficient effort that I could see. There was no message that addressed the challenges and opportunities that the campaign could have tackled.

Villanueva, who has Puerto Rican and Polish American heritage, was most strongly supported in the June primary by voters in heavily Latino areas like Southeast Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and Pomona, according to a Times analysis.

He has acknowledged that he was suspended for five days and again for 10 days in the early 2000s for allegedly failing to report derogatory statements made by another employee in a timely manner. He said the claims were bogus and retaliation for his vocalizing his belief that the department discriminated against Latino deputies.

He said the discipline was wiped from his record as part of a settlement he reached after suing the department.

Later, in 2012, a deputy who was black sued the department and Villanueva, claiming that after a fire drill, Villanueva referred to him as a knuckle dragger, which the deputy perceived to be a racial slur.

Villanueva denied making the comment and said there was no finding of wrongdoing. The county paid $10,000 to settle the case. An attorney for the deputy, Dwayne Perry, confirmed there was no misconduct finding but declined to comment further.

Villanueva says he passed the lieutenants test four times before being elevated to that rank.

The Professional Peace Officers Assn., a union representing about 6,000 department employees including sergeants and lieutenants, has said Villanuevas inexperience in high-level management is proof hes not fit to lead. That union spent at least $750,000 to support McDonnell.

McDonnell remained the stronger fundraiser, drawing about $1.2 million from individual donors, mostly in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Beverly Hills. He was supported by at least $954,000 in additional dollars from an independent committee funded by business executives and a union representing sergeants, lieutenants and other Sheriffs Department employees.

Villanueva raised $156,000 from people concentrated mostly in eastern parts of the county near La Habra Heights, where he lives, but he was backed by an additional $1.4 million in outside money from labor groups including the rank-and-file deputy union.

maya.lau@latimes.com

Twitter: @mayalau

UPDATES:

2:30 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson and political strategist Luis Alvarado.

This article was originally published at 9:45 a.m.In a country with a heightened sense of anxiety over the sanctity of elections, officials were thankful Tuesday when election day in Los Angeles provided voters with some frustrations, but overall didnt keep people from voting in some capacity.

The most pervasive complaint involved voters arriving to polling places to cast their ballots and being told they should have received vote-by-mail ballots.

When Virginia Stewart went to vote at a school about a block from her Santa Clarita home, she was told she had asked to vote by mail. A poll worker offered to let her vote using a provisional ballot.

As she waited for her provisional ballot, Stewart said four more people came into her polling place and were surprised when they were told the same thing.

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Perplexed, Stewart and her husband, Alex Britton, called the county registrars office. They were told that an issue could have occurred when Stewart got a new drivers license in June and either switched or was switched to permanently vote by mail. Stewart said she checks and reads her mail every day, and said she never received a ballot in the mail.

Everybody had the same reaction  What do you mean Im vote by mail? Im not [signed up to] vote by mail, said Stewart, 50. If they were expecting to vote by mail, first of all they wouldnt have showed up to vote.

I have never seen so many pink provisional ballot envelopes at our polling place, said Britton, 60.

When asked about Stewarts situation, officials with the Department of Motor Vehicles checked her DMV records and found that when Stewart registered in late June for Real ID, the federally compliant drivers license, she was then registered to vote by mail.

Her signed summary page on file indicates she selected vote by mail, as does the record that was sent to the secretary of state, a DMV spokesperson said in an email.

Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan said this issue generated the most calls to his office, but it was unclear what caused the problem.

Logan said it was important to remember that although people were frustrated, they were still able to cast provisional ballots. California generally counts between 80% to 90% of provisional ballots.

This is not unusual for this election, but often times it surprises people  because of the conditional voter registration, provisional voting and the high rate of vote-by-mail ballots today, there will be a significant volume of ballots that remain to be counted after we finish tonight, Logan said, noting that officials have 30 days from Tuesday to certify the election.

Several voters took to Twitter to voice concerns about malfunctioning machines at their polling places.

But the devices often referred to as voting machines do not actually count votes.

Rather, those machines, known as precinct ballot readers, tell a poll worker if a ballot is blank or has too many of its selection bubbles filled in. When a machine finds one of these issues, a voter is given the opportunity to correct the ballot.

Every polling place in Los Angeles County has a precinct ballot reader. If the precinct ballot reader isnt working, votes are still secure and will be counted, officials say.

In L.A. County, precinct ballot readers assist voters, but do not count ballots, said Brenda Duran, a spokeswoman for the county registrars office. After the polls close, ballots are securely transported to our headquarters to be counted. Even if a precinct ballot reader is down, this does not affect the way any vote is counted.

This will probably be the last election that voters see those machines, which are expected to be replaced in 2020 when L.A. transitions from traditional neighborhood polling places to a smaller number of all-purpose voting centers.

Election 2018: Live updates 

Across the county there were isolated problems but no reports Tuesday of systemic failures that kept swaths of voters from casting their ballots.

In typical L.A. fashion, a film crew had a permit for several feet of parking near a polling place in Eagle Rock. Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation alerted their traffic officers, who relaxed their enforcement in the area.

In Cudahy, a chicken walked into a polling site and distracted voters enough that they complained to county election officials.

At least one L.A. voter reported being turned away at the polls for wearing politically oriented clothing.

Meika Strabone, 31, of West L.A. arrived at Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center about 9:30 a.m. with her husband and 7-month-old baby. Strabone, poised to cast her ballot, wore a navy T-shirt that read Hear Our Vote on the front and Colorado Womens March on the back.

While the family waited in line, Strabone said a poll worker approached her and said her shirt was a form of electioneering. In California, voters cannot wear apparel to the polls that advocates for a particular candidate or ballot measure.

I didnt really want to make a big deal out of it, so I offered to go home and change, Strabone said.

So thats what she did.

Before returning to the polls, Strabone said she did some research that confirmed her shirt did not violate electioneering laws. Nevertheless, she returned to the polling place wearing a plain white T-shirt.

This article was reported in conjunction with ProPublicas Electionland project, which monitors voting problems around the country. If you had trouble voting, or if you saw something you want to tell us about, heres how.

Times staff writers Laura Newberry and John Myers contributed to this report.

jaclyn.cosgrove@latimes.com

@jaclyncosgroveTALLAHASSEE  Republican Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum to take the Florida Governors mansion in a narrow victory Tuesday night, thwarting Democratic hopes of a blue wave in the Sunshine State and maintaining the GOPs hold on power in the Capitol.

With nearly every precinct counted statewide, DeSantis had 49.9 percent of the vote to Gillums 48.8 percent.

An elated DeSantis celebrated the victory at a party in Orlando.

Id like to thank the president for standing by me when it wasnt necessarily the smart thing to do, he said as he vowed to keep taxes low and lure more businesses to the state.  As governor, I will fight the good fight; I will keep the faith.

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Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, was at an election party of his own in the capital city, where supporters had been clinging to hope he would emerge with a victory after all the votes were counted.

We could not be prouder of the way we ran this race, Gillum said. We recognize that we didnt win this tonight.

At the DeSantis party in Orlando, Charles Rahn of Orlando said he voted a straight GOP ticket this year. A lifelong Republican, Rahn described DeSantis as a family man.

Hes conservative; Hes Republican, said Rahn, who is 73. I like his plans for the state. I like that hes not planning any tax increases like his opponent says hes going to do.

Gillum, seeking to become Floridas first African American governor, posted big wins in urban counties such as Orange, Hillsborough, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, but it wasnt enough to overcome DeSantis strong performance in smaller GOP strongholds in southwest Florida and north Florida.

The result is a major blow to Democratic hopes, which centered on Gillums aggressive progressive platform of Medicare for all, marijuana legalization and a business tax increase for schools. It also continues the GOP dominance in state-level races in the Sunshine State, where it has lost just one Cabinet-level race since 1998.

It caps a bitter election centered on race, charges of radicalism and President Donald Trump, one which garnered national media attention.

Trumps Twitter bursts kept DeSantis in the spotlight, and Gillum gathered a coalition of high-profile progressive supporters, including Vermont U.S Sen. Bernie Sanders, to his side and energized a Democratic base in Florida accustomed to centrist candidates for governor.

The campaign also featured racist robocalls and a lingering FBI investigation.

1 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 2 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 3 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 4 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 5 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 6 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 7 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 8 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 9 / 15 Ron DeSantis and his wife Caey celebrate after winning the Florida Governors race during DeSantis party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 10 / 15 Supporters celebrate during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 11 / 15 Supporters celebrate during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 12 / 15 Supporters celebrate during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 13 / 15 Desantis supporter Anna Upton, Tallahassee, celebrates during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 14 / 15 Desantis supporter Anna Upton, Tallahassee, celebrates during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) 15 / 15 Supporters celebrate during a Ron Desantis Election Night Party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

In his first interview of the general election, DeSantis told Fox News Florida voters shouldnt reverse the states economic progress and monkey this up by voting for Gillum. Gillums supporters blasted the phrase as a racist dog whistle.

Gillum was targeted by robocalls from an Idaho-based white supremacist group mimicking an African-American dialect, backed by jungle noises. DeSantis repudiated the calls.

DeSantis campaign highlighted Gillums connection to Sanders, a self-avowed Democratic socialist, in South Florida, home to Cuban-Americans who fled Castros communist regime. He claimed Gillums push for a business tax increase would doom Florida to the fate of Venezuela, where a socialist dictators price controls have led to widespread starvation.

Gillums connection to an ongoing FBI investigation into corruption in Tallahassee marked the campaign as well. Though Gillum has said he cooperated with FBI officials and was told he isnt the focus of the probe, text messages and emails released last month as part of an ethics inquiry show he met with an undercover FBI agent posing as a developer and received tickets to Hamilton from that agent during a trip to New York in 2016. No indictments have been issued in the probe, however.

 Republican Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum to take the Florida Governors mansion in a narrow victory Tuesday night

The DeSantis campaign used the issue as a cudgel throughout the race, labeling Gillum as corrupt.

The two even clashed over why DeSantis referred to Gillum by his first name during two contentious debates. Gillum saw that as disrespectful. DeSantis fired back, saying Gillum called me a dog when Gillum invoked his grandmothers proverb that a hit dog will holler to suggest that DeSantis had responded defensively to a question about his ties to people who have made racist comments.

Throughout it all, Trump was an ever-present force. His hardline immigration policies, including separating children from parents who illegally crossed into the country, helped galvanize liberal groups but also energized his GOP base. Trump doubled down on those policies as the election drew near, calling for an end to birthright citizenship for those born to illegal immigrants, something guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

DeSantis mostly stayed by Trump, backing his call to end birthright citizenship and only splitting from him when he falsely claimed the death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria was inflated by Democrats.

Beverly Burgess, who also attended the DeSantis party, said she was a lifelong Democrat until three years ago, when she switched to the GOP. She voted a straight Republican ticket this election. Now Burgesss Facebook profile photo is a shot of her and Rick Scott.

Burgess, 55, has lived in Pine Hills for five years and she said shes grown tired of elected Democrats failing to meet promises and address problems in the struggling neighborhood.

We dont see any growth and change in our community, she said.

Burgess said there are more black Republicans than most people realize.

Just because youre black doesnt mean youre going to vote Democrat and Im living proof of that, she said.

grohrer@orlandosentinel.com or (850) 222-5564Morning-after election returns clarified the rare Democrat-versus-Democrat race on the North County coast.

Encinitas city councilwoman Tasha Boerner Horvath led Oceanside community activist Elizabeth Warren 56 percent to 44 percent with 54.5 percent of precincts reporting from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters at 5 a.m. today.

Its the first time since the region went to a top-two primary system in 2012 that two Democrats have faced off for control of the 76th. The district has been solidly Republican for years but incumbent Rocky Chavez decided not to seek reelection this year, instead opting to seek U.S. Rep. Darrell Issas seat.

The 76th, which includes Oceanside, Vista, Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad and Encinitas, hosted a full-bore competition even though both candidates agreed at the outset to forego their partys nomination.

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But campaign finance records showed that Boerner Horvath was successful in attracting many traditional party donors.

She brought in nearly $500,000 in contributions, more than five times the amount that Warren raised. Though her coffers werent a flush, Warren drew a large contingent of volunteers to support her campaign and many were active in the Move On grassroots protests that have been common throughout the district since the 2016 election.

Boerner Horvaths campaign focused on environmental issues and on the fact that she had previous experience as an elected official.

Warren focused on Medicare for all, and on free health college education, issues that played well with her base in the primary election and which inspired a large number of younger volunteers to get out and knock on doors.

What looked like a potential upset in San Diegos 77th Assembly District appeared not to have materialized, at least in the early running.

As of 5 a.m. today, Democrat Summer Gover was trailing incumbent Republican Brian Maienschein 47 percent to 53 percent to represent a region that stretches from Clairemont north to Rancho Santa Fe and from Carmel Mountain east to Scripps Ranch. Some 82 percent of the precincts had reported.

Maienschein, seeking his fourth term in the Assembly, had the clear fundraising advantage early, and his campaign brought in more than $1.3 million in total, according to the California Secretary of States campaign finance website.

While her coffers were comparably empty for the start of the race in early 2018, Gover received a surge of party support in the final months before election day, bringing in more than $500,000 since Sept. 23, according to state campaign finance records.

Other assembly races had more predictable early outcomes, generally tracking with those seen in the June primary where incumbents enjoyed solid leads against challengers:San Diego Countys sprawling network of community college districts will have a mix of new and veteran leadership following Tuesdays election for 15 spots on boards of trustees and board of governors.

The five districts, which collectively serve about 160,000 students, are working on a number of issues, from increasing the number of people who transfer to four-year institutions to introducing new courses in a dynamic labor market.

Here are results, with more than half of the precincts reporting.

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

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District A

Maria Nieto Senour, one of the longest-serving trustees in the region, was leading Diane Hickman, a healthcare executive, 80,984 to 56,168.

District C

Craig Milgrim, a biology professor, was leading Loren Seth Casuto, a healthcare manager, 87,920 to 46,135.

District E

David Alvarez, a widely-known member of the San Diego City Council, was losing to Sean Elo, an education policy advocate, 66,151 to 65,596.

MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Trustee Area 1

Anna Pedroza will represent Area 1, having run unopposed in the final election.

Trustee Area 2

Rick Cassar, a college professor and vice president of the board at MiraCosta, was leading Harold Fairman IV, a student, 9,042 to 2,812.

Trustee Area 6

David Broad won another term on the board, having run unopposed.

Trustee Area 7

William Fischer, a district trustee, was leading Steve Hasty, a local businessman, 3,615 to 2,664.

GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Trustee Area 1

Linda Cartwright, a veteran public school teacher, was leading John Olsen, a Realtor, 12,087 to 6,334.

Trustee Area 2

Debbie Justeson, a member of the board of governors, was leading Bill Exeter, a small business owner, 9,550 to 4,410.

Trustee Area 5

Brad Monroe, a community college professor, was leading Teresa Rosiak-Profitt, a medical credentialing specialist, 6,534 to 4,574.

PALOMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Palomar College had the most crowded race, with five candidates competing for two seats. The leading vote-getters, so far, are Norma Miyamoto, with 44,002, and Mark Evilsizer, with 42,141..

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Seat 2

Nora Vargas is a member of Southwesterns board of governors, and ran without opposition.

Seat 4

Leticia Cazares, an educator, was narrowly leading Nicole Jones, a dean at Cuyamaca College, 19,462 to 17,662.

Seat 5

Tim Nader is a member of Southwesterns board of governors, will continue on the board, having run unopposed.

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Twitter: @grobbins

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.comThe re-election bids of U.S. Reps. Juan Vargas, Scott Peters and Susan Davis were all but certain Tuesday night as voters strongly endorsed the incumbents and empowered them to play greater roles with Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives.

All three Democrats possessed more than 20 percentage point leads over their Republican challengers with more than 50 percent of precincts reporting.

Vargas, the three-term incumbent representing Californias 51st Congressional District, possessed a nearly 35 point lead over Republican Juan Hidalgo. Hidalgo, a 52-year-old retired marine, previously challenged for Vargass seat in 2016, losing 73 percent to 27 percent.

Meanwhile the Associated Press declared Peters and Davis the winners of their respective races in the 52nd and 53rd Congressional Districts.

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Davis, 74, will serve her 10th term in the House after defeating Republican Morgan Murtaugh, a 26-year-old first-time candidate and former anchor at One America News Network.

Peters, 60, will serve his fourth term in the House after defeating Republican Omar Qudrat. Qudrat, a 37-year-old former Department of Defense counter-terrorism prosecutor, is also a first time candidate.

Vargas and Davis represent the two congressional districts in San Diego County where Democrats possess the largest voter registration advantage, so their comfortable victories come as no surprise.

On the other hand Peters easy path to victory  on paper  is rather striking given he represents one of San Diegos districts that is most evenly split in voter registration numbers  147,982 registered Democrats to 122,451 registered Republicans.San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond appeared to be on his way to a convincing victory Tuesday night in his quest to replace Bill Horn, North Countys longtime representative on the Board of Supervisors who has served in the post for 24 years but is now termed out.

Late Tuesday night Desmond led by a large margin over Michelle Gomez, a legislative analyst who had little government experience but did have the support of the local Democratic party.

Desmonds apparent victory  he was enjoying a 60 percent to 40 percent advantage in votes -- came as no surprise to political observers.

District 5, which is largely conservative, represents a diverse population that includes the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Camp Pendelton on the coast and runs all the way to Borrego Springs to the east. It includes Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, 4S Ranch, San Marcos, Vista, Valley Center, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Rainbow, De Luz, Pauma Valley, Warner Springs, and Ranchita.

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Desmond had the support of the local Republican party, the Deputy Sheriffs Association, and Horn, who had been elected and re-elected in the district six times.

Late Tuesday night Desmond said he thinks it was his experience as the mayor of San Marcos the past 12 years that appealed to voters.

Ive been involved. Ive balanced budgets. Ive worked on street projects and dealt with housing and fires and infrastructure, he said. Having that was definitely an advantage over my opponent who was a newcomer.

During the June primary, Desmond and the other Republican candidate in the four-way race, Oceanside City Councilman Jerry Kern, combined to receive more than 83,000 votes.

Gomez came in second in the four-way race, but she and the fourth candidate, who ran almost exclusively on an anti-development platform, received just 46,000 votes combined.

Gomezs campaign centered on a call for change and smart growth. She called herself North Countys cannabis champion, hoping to appeal to younger, independent voters. But her campaign never seemed to gather momentum.

Throughout his campaign the 62-year-old Desmond stressed his experience, political connections and relationships with other county leaders. He said his ability to work with others was key to effective government and his years as mayor had taught him how to lead effectively.

Gomez, 45, called Desmond Bill Horn Jr. on the campaign trail and said he was in the pockets of developers who she said accounted for 41 percent of the donations to his campaign.

Desmond said there is a housing crisis in the county and that he gladly accepted donations from home builders who were helping meet a critical housing need.

Desmond never went negative during the campaign. He said it wasnt a strategy but rather just who he is.

I dont see any benefit in doing that. Im going to take the high road. She was more running against me while I was running for the people.

Gomez called for an end to the countys ban on marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated parts of the county. Desmond said he is not against medical marijuana but believes that should be between a patient and doctor, not a patient and supervisor or council member.

I dont like marijuana dispensaries, Desmond said during an earlier interview. I wish the federal government might possibly recognize the medical benefits of marijuana and let a doctor prescribe it to you and then you go to a pharmacy and pick it up.

Desmonds low-key, positive campaign stressed consistent, smart leadership and he said future development in the county should be done wisely. He supported the boards decision in September to approve the 2,135-unit housing development called Newland Sierra, emphasizing the housing crisis which threatens the economy of the region should younger workers find themselves priced out of the San Diego housing market.

Gomez opposed Newland Sierra. She acknowledged that housing is a major issue but said it was affordable housing built near urban centers that was needed, not leapfrog development in far flung parts of the backcountry.

Desmond says he plans to continue working on a part-time basis as an airline pilot for Delta Airlines. Two weekends a month, go to Hawaii and back. Id go on a Friday, come back on a Sunday. Im going to keep doing it. I have to retire at age 65 and Ill be 62 and a half in January.

I do it because I love it. Ive always said that I keep one foot in reality by having a W-2 paying job  instead of just being a politician or a bureaucrat.

Should Desmonds lead hold, he will be sworn into office on Jan. 7.Below are unofficial results, with all precincts reporting but without mail-in ballots, for Encinitas races from the Nov. 6 election as of presstime for this newspaper.

Unofficial returns at presstime show Encinitas may have one new council member and two returning incumbents.

The council race is the city's first with district elections. The mayors seat remains at-large.

Races are also being held for Measure U, the city's latest attempt at a housing element, the Encinitas Union School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District.

Mayor

Catherine Blakespear Courtesy

Catherine Blakespear has been re-elected as Encinitas' mayor, earning a significant lead against challenger John Paul Elliott, according to unofficial results at presstime.

With all precincts reporting, Blakespear earned 82.88 percent of votes, compared to Elliott, who earned 16.21 percent.

The incumbent mayor, a practicing lawyer and 19-year resident who also grew up in the city, was first elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2014 and began serving her first two-year term as mayor in January 2017.

During her campaign, she has prioritized helping the city pass a state-certified housing plan, easing traffic congestion and continuing the city's Gold Standard Climate Action Plan.

Im so grateful to see this strong initial support from the community, Blakespear said about an hour after the polls closed. Its nice to know that Encinitas voters feel the city is in a good place and that were on the right track. Im very much looking forward to continuing our good work over the next two years.

Elliott, a 40-year real estate broker, moved to the Leucadia community of Encinitas in July and ran his platform on finding solutions for true affordable housing. He was also vocal against the Leucadia Streetscape project.

Jody Hubbard Courtesy

District 3 (Cardiff)

Jody Hubbard has won against incumbent Mark Muir, who has served two terms on the council, according to unofficial results at presstime.

Hubbard earned 52.96 percent of votes, compared to Muir, who earned 46.83 percent.

Hubbard, an Encinitas Planning Commissioner and 19-year resident, has said the city needs to do more about traffic calming and prioritizing affordable housing.

We worked really hard on our campaign and I am cautiously optimistic that we will win, she said about two hours after the polls closed. I had a positive message that resonated with the residents.

Muir, a retired fire chief and 40-year Encinitas resident, has said creating a traffic circulation element that makes the city safer for all and preserving open space were among his top priorities.

District 4 (Olivenhain and New Encinitas)

Joe Mosca Courtesy

Joe Mosca has been elected to his first term, following his 2017 appointment to the council, according to unofficial results at presstime.

The incumbent led with 50.89 percent against challenger Tony Brandenburg, who earned 48.76 percent.

Mosca, a four-year resident and manager at San Diego Gas & Electric, has said his key areas of focus while on the council will be maintaining a fiscally-sound budget, prioritizing public safety and increasing citywide mobility while maintaining the safety of roads.

Brandenburg, who also unsuccessfully ran in the 2016 election, has said he wants to balance the city council, create a true affordable housing plan, and have the city make modest progress without sacrificing community character or small businesses.

76th Assembly District

Encinitas Council member Tasha Boerner Horvath appears to be heading to a higher office as she leads against competitor Elizabeth Warren for a seat on the state's 76th Assembly District, according to unofficial results.

Boerner Horvath earned 55.48 percent of votes, compared to Warren, who earned 44.52 percent. Both candidates are Democrats. The district has been solidly Republican for years but incumbent Rocky Chavez decided not to seek reelection this year, instead opting to seek U.S. Rep. Darrell Issas seat.

The 76th, which includes Oceanside, Vista, Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad and Encinitas, hosted a full-bore competition even though both candidates agreed at the outset to forego their partys nomination.

Because Boerner Horvath's four-year term isn't up for re-election until November 2020, if she is certified as the winner of the assembly race, the council would have to fill her vacancy by appointment or by holding a special election, said City Clerk Kathy Hollywood. If the council decides to appoint a new member, it would decide whether to select someone from Boerner Horvath's district or from the city at-large. If the council decides to hold a special election, anyone from Encinitas could run for the position, Hollywood said.

Boerner Horvath was first elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2016. During her campaign for the assembly seat, the former planning commissioner focused on environmental issues and on the fact that she had previous experience as an elected official.

I am humbled by the support our campaign earned last night, from voters of all political parties and in every corner of the 76th Assembly District, she said Nov. 7. I am looking forward to serving as the responsive and effective advocate that North County residents deserve to have in the State Assembly. I would also like to congratulate and thank Liz Warren for the campaign she ran and the ideas she worked to advance.

Warren, a community activist from Oceanside, focused on Medicare for all, and on free health college education, issues that played well with her base in the primary election and which inspired a large number of younger volunteers to get out and knock on doors.

Measure U

Encinitas is sending its housing plan back to the drawing board after results indicate residents are against Measure U, the city's latest attempt at a plan for zoning for future housing.

52.91 percent of voters disapproved of the plan, with 47.09 percent for it, according to unofficial results at presstime.

The plan zones 15 sites, with 1,504 units, across Encinitas' five communities for possible future housing.

The council initially approved the plan in August, with Council member Tasha Boerner Horvath dissenting. Because of the city's Prop A  which residents passed in 2013 to allow more transparency on future zoning  the fate of the plan had to be ultimately decided by voters.

Encinitas Union School District

Unofficial results show incumbents Marla Strich (25.75 percent), Emily Andrade (24.53 percent) and Gregg M. Sonken (21.46 percent) as front-runners for three seats on the Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees.

Other candidates in the race include Christian S. Adams and Amy C. Glancy.

San Dieguito Union High School District

In the districts first by-area election, unofficial results show Maureen Mo Muir (52.08 percent) in Area 1, Melisse C. Mossy (52.10 percent) in Area 3 and Kristin Gibson (42.55 percent) in Area 5 as the front-runners for the three available seats on the San Dieguito Union High School District board.

Candidates in the running for Area 1 representing Encinitas were Amy Flicker, and Rhea A. Stewart in Area 3 representing Solana Beach, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe and Encinitas. Cheryl James-Ward and Lea Wolf also sought the seat for Area 5, which represents the south part of the district in Carmel Valley and Pacific Highlands Ranch.For years, unthinkable. Now, its possible the long reliably red 49th District might flip.

By 5 a.m today, results show Democrat Mike Levin leading in his bid to take the 49th Congressional District, ahead of Republican Diane Harkey by roughly 5 points  52.4 percent to her 47.6 percent  according to totals posted by both Orange and San Diego counties. About two-thirds of the precincts had been reported.

Levin, who was watching the returns at the Del Mar Hilton, told supporters about 11 p.m. that while ballots remained to be tallied, I am confident that when all the votes are counted, we will finally flip the district.

San Diego County voters put Levin ahead, 56 percent to Harkeys 44 percent. About three-quarters of the district voters are in San Diego County.

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 Early election results put Mike Levin ahead of Diane Harkey in the bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep Darrell Issa, who is leaving after nine terms as the congressman for Californias 49th District.

The story was different in Orange County, which counts for about a quarter of the district. Voters there gave Harkey the edge, 56 percent to Levins 44 percent, based on results Orange County Registrar of Voters as of about 1:50 a.m.

Harkey watched the returns with other Republicans at the US Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. A spokesman for her could not be immediately reached for comment.

Tuesdays early numbers fall in line with recent polling in a district where Democrats had vowed to flip the 49th from red to blue to replace retiring GOP Congressman Darrell Issa.

Last week, a SurveyUSA poll  commissioned by the Union-Tribune and 10News  showed Levin ahead with 51 percent of the vote and Harkey trailing with 44 percent.

Republican congressional candidate Diane Harkey speaks with supporters Tuesday in Vista. Harkey faces Democratic congressional candidate Mike Levin in the race for Californias 49th congressional district. (Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

Early Tuesday, even before the polls opened in California, Issa told Fox News that he expected the district would flip.

Quite frankly we know the results already, Issa said. There will be a Democrat representing La Jolla and Solana Beach for the first time in a number of years.

For years reliably red, the district  from La Jolla through coastal North County up to Dana Point in southern Orange County  was one Democrats targeted as a potential win in their bid to take the House of Representatives.

They had viable shot: a near upset in 2016 ended with Issa, the Republican incumbent, barely keeping the seat.

Plus, the district had gone for Hillary Clinton  one of 23 such districts that voted Democratic for president but put a Republican in its House seat.

There were also changing party loyalties. This year, for the first time in several years, Democrats outnumbered Republicans in the San Diego County portion of the district. Republicans still rule the Orange County portion of the 49th.

Money poured into Democrat Levins campaign, which had raised nearly $5.6 million by the middle of last month to GOP Harkeys nearly $1.5 million.

On Fox on Tuesday morning, Issa  who backed Harkey as his replacement about two weeks after he announced his retirement  pointed to lack of funding for her campaign, saying the district was never in play this cycle.

Early Tuesday, Levin spoke to supporters  including actress Alyssa Milano  who were gathered outside Issas Vista field office.

For more than a year after the election of Donald Trump, that sidewalk spot became ground zero in the bid to oust Issa in favor of a Democrat. Hundreds routinely showed up for weekly protests targeting Trump and his policies, as well as Issa, who had endorsed him.

Flip the 49th became a standard rally cry.

Thats because for 18 years, the 49th had been represented by Issa, a stalwart Republican.

In most elections, the onetime chairman of the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee trounced his Democratic opponents, often winning by more than 20 points.

Jaws dropped in 2016, when Issa eked out a win by just .6 percent  coming in 1,621 votes ahead of his Democratic challenger in a district where more than 300,000 people voted.

Another shock came in January when Issa announced he would not run for re-election  part of what would become an exodus of congressional Republicans bowing out, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake.

With Issa not on the ticket, the June primary saw 16 candidates elbowing for a spot in the general election, including state Assemblyman Rocky Chavez.

And the Los Angeles Times reported that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee funded an attack campaign against Chavez, fearing the Oceanside man and retired Marine Corps colonel would be the most likely person to stop a Democratic challenge, according to committee sources.

Harkey came out on top in the primary race, Levin landed in second place. But Democratic candidates also landed in the third and fourth spots. Conventional wisdom held that those voters would also go blue in November.

The 49th District has continued a shift away from red. In 2002, the San Diego County portion of the district skewed GOP, with nearly half its voters declaring themselves Republican. Only 29 percent registered as Democrats.

In the 2016 presidential election, the 49th District went for Hillary Clinton. Issa had backed then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

No matter who wins, the election will bring another notable change. Issa was a resident of North County, which makes up about three-quarters of the 49th District. Levin and Harkey live in south Orange County.

Levin, a graduate of Stanford University and Duke University School of Law, is an attorney who has worked with organizations focused on the environment.

Harkey, who has an economics degree from UC Irvine, is a member of the states tax board. She also served three terms as a state assemblywoman.

As for Issa, Trump nominated him in September to become director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT

UPDATES:

11:05 p.m.: This story was updated with additional comment from candidate Mike Levin.

9:20 p.m.: This story was updated with comment from candidate Mike Levin. It was originally published at 8:20 p.m.The San Diego County congressional delegation will have four Democrats for the first time ever.

Any hope that would expand to five  a sweep of all the local congressional districts  was dashed Tuesday night when Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, prevailed against Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar.

Hunter was vulnerable in his heavily Republican district because of accusations  which led to a federal indictment  that he and his wife spent $250,000 in campaign money for personal use. But it is long-term political demographic changes that have pushed the congressional delegation into increasingly Democratic territory, though that trend got a shot of adrenaline in this election courtesy of President Donald Trump.

Environmental attorney Mike Levin defeated Republican Diane Harkey and will join San Diego-area Democratic incumbents Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas in Congress in January.

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His campaign was among the top priorities nationwide for the Democratic Party, which wrested the majority in the House of Representatives from Republicans on Tuesday.

Levins election was located at the intersection of the steady political trend and the jolting Trump effect. The latter resulted in incumbent and Trump supporter Darrell Issa, R-Vista, declining to run for re-election after serving 18 years. But his once-reliably Republican 49th Congressional District straddling the San Diego-Orange County line along the coast already was changing.

The Republican voter-registration advantage over Democrats has shrunk to less than four percentage points, while voters registered as having no party preference climbed to nearly 30 percent. The bulk of the districts voters live in north San Diego County.

Orange County, also once considered a Republican bulwark, has begun a similar transformation.

Democratic advances in the 49th district should not be mistaken for dominance, however. Levin, who lives in San Juan Capistrano, almost certainly will be a Republican target in 2020.

Until recently, the one local swing district was thought to be the 52nd in central San Diego. Rep. Peters has cruised to re-election in the last couple of cycles and the Democratic voter registration advantage in the district has grown to about six points. Still, should Peters decide to move on  he has his eye on running for mayor in 2020  his district will likely come back into serious partisan play.

The districts held by Vargas and Davis are solidly Democratic and, as has been typical, they faced only minor challenges Tuesday.

The San Diego-area congressional districts grew from four to five in 1992 and Democrats held one or two seats until 2013. Thats when Peters took office, giving the delegation three Democrats.

Currently, the only solidly Republican seat is in the 50th District, held by Hunter, which stretches from east San Diego County to southern Riverside County. Only an anomaly, like the scandal that has enveloped the congressman, could give Democrats a shot there.

The Democratic shift in the congressional delegation mirrors what has been happening countywide for years. The trend is clear, but its impact less so. Democrats gained the upper hand in countywide voter registration several years ago, yet the county Board of Supervisors has remained solidly Republican as it has for more than two decades. Republican Kevin Faulconer is mayor of the city of San Diego, where Democrats have an even greater voter-registration advantage.

But Democratic county supervisor candidate Nathan Fletcher swept to an overwhelming victory against former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Tuesday, and in two years Democrats have a chance at gaining a 3-2 majority on the board. In that same election year, a handful of local Democratic heavyweights are expected to be angling to replace the termed-out Faulconer, while the Republican bench appears thin.

Democrats hold a majority on the San Diego City Council, and the only question in the foreseeable future is how big it will be.

But trends are just that and, sooner or later, they change. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, San Diego Democrats dominated in voter registration. Republican registration then surged to the top in the Ronald Reagan era of the 1980s until a Democratic resurgence just over a decade ago brought the county to where it is today.

Now the number of Republican voters trails not only Democrats but those who declare no party preference.

But image doesnt always catch up with reality quickly. Even now, outsiders occasionally still see San Diego as the Republican Navy town it once was.

A recent national news broadcast story on Hunters congressional race opened with In solid red San Diego County...

Politics may be cyclical, but it might be a while before that political hue is back here again.With ballots from just a few precincts left to count Tuesday night, San Francisco voters appeared to give handy approval to a ballot measure that will tax corporate businesses to fund services for the homeless.

Proposition C, a tax on gross annual receipts of the citys largest companies, will nearly double San Franciscos budget dedicated to the curbing homelessness by adding $300 million a year to fund housing, shelters, mental health services and preventive measures.

About 400 businesses, which make up the top 20% of the citys job base, will be subject to the tax, according to an analysis by City Controller Ben Rosenfield.

The city already taxes businesses on the total amount they receive each year. Proposition C will impose an additional tax, of varying amounts but about 0.5%, on businesses with receipts of $50 million or more. Businesses with more than $1 billion in receipts and 1,000 employees nationwide will pay 1.5% of payroll expenses.

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Half the money goes toward housing programs, including short-term and permanent rent subsidies, as well as permanent supportive housing. A quarter provides services for people with mental health issues or drug or alcohol addiction.

The heads of two of San Franciscos biggest companies lead the pushes for and against the tax. Marc Benioff, chief executive of Salesforce, the citys largest private employer, supported it, while Twitter and Square Chief Executive Jack Dorsey opposed it.

The campaign in favor of Proposition C, Our City, Our Home, raised about $5.6 million, including $1 million from Benioff personally and more than $4 million from Salesforce, CityLab reported. The campaign against it raised significantly less: About $1.4 million, with the biggest donors including Visa and Stripe.

Last month, Benioff and Dorsey took to Twitter to hash out their opinions.

Homelessness is all of our responsibility, Benioff said in an Oct. 8 tweet.

I want to help fix the homeless problem in SF and California. I dont believe this (Prop C) is the best way to do it. I support Mayor @LondonBreed and @Scott_Wieners commitment to address this the right way. Mayor Breed was elected to fix this. I trust her. https://t.co/EsxapfDvtI  jack (@jack) October 12, 2018

In a response a few days later, Dorsey said hed rather let new San Francisco Mayor London Breed address the issue.

I want to help fix the homeless problem in SF and California, he said. I dont believe this (Prop C) is the best way to do it.

Breed, a Democrat, was also against the proposition. Last month, she released a statement saying it lacks accountability, throws money at an issue that cant be solved that simply, and could make it harder to fund homelessness services  if opponents sue to invalidate it  by rendering the money inaccessible.

We all recognize the crisis on our streets; we see it every day, she wrote. So I understand why Proposition C sounds appealing, and I know those who support it are well-intentioned. But as mayor, I must weigh more than popularity and good intentions.

andrea.castillo@latimes.com | Twitter: @andreamcastillo

UPDATES:

11:41 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that measure is leading with nearly all precincts counted.

10:50 p.m.: This article was updated with early election returns.

This article was originally published at 3:30 a.m.Efforts to make voter registration easier. Marijuana legalization. Limits on abortion.

While the focus of Tuesdays midterm election centered on control of Congress, voters nationwide weighed in on an array of ballot proposals. In total, voters in 37 states faced 155 ballot questions.

Heres a look at some that passed.

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Voting rights for felons

Florida voters passed Amendment 4, which automatically restores the right to vote for people who complete prison sentences for felony convictions, excluding murder and sexual offenses. As many as 1.5 million people are expected to get back their voting rights.

Florida was one of three states where people convicted of felonies permanently lose the right to vote. In most other states, felons have their voting rights restored after leaving prison or completing periods of parole and probation.

Its major victory for Florida voters, said Wendy Weiser, a director at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. There have been millions disenfranchised, and this is historic.

Transgender rights

In Massachusetts, voters passed Question 3, which keeps in place a 2016 law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in hotels, restaurants, stores and other public places.

Its passage was heralded as a victory by LGBTQ rights groups and came at a time when legislatures in Texas, Kentucky and several other conservative states have sought to limit the rights of transgender people.

Winning this popular vote is irrefutable proof that public support for transgender people is growing, and tonights outcome will provide the necessary momentum to change the landscape on transgender rights everywhere, said Kasey Suffredini, president of strategy at Freedom for All Americans, a group that works to pass laws nationwide that help transgender people.

Jury verdicts

Louisianans voted to amend the state constitution to require juries to return unanimous verdicts for convictions in felony cases. A Jim Crow-era rule that allowed split verdicts was passed in 1880. It was formally entered into the Louisiana Constitution at the states 1898 constitutional convention, where lawmakers declared a mission to perpetuate the supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon race in Louisiana.

Abortion

In Alabama, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution recognizing the rights of the unborn. The state must now recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. Amendment 2 also mandates that no provisions of the constitution provide a right to an abortion or require funding of abortions.

The amendment is expected to be challenged in court.

Meanwhile, in West Virginia, voters passed a measure that prohibits Medicaid from funding abortions. It also adds a line to the state constitution that says, Nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.

Department of Health and Human Services data show that Medicaid paid for about 1,500 abortions in 2017 at a cost of $326,000. That was up from 2008, when Medicaid paid for 657 abortions at a cost of $222,000.

Voter registration

As concerns about voter suppression dominated some midterm races, Michigan passed a ballot measure that creates an automatic voter registration system. The measure automatically registers people eligible to vote when they get a drivers license or state ID card, or conduct other business with the state  unless they opt out. A similar measure was on the ballot in Nevada, but its outcome remained unclear late Tuesday.

A total of 13 states and the District of Columbia have automatic voter registration.

In Oregon, which in 2015 became the first state to adopt such a system , a study released last year by the left-leaning Center for American Progress found that law added about 116,000 people to the voting rolls who probably wouldnt have signed up otherwise  and that about 40,000 of those previously disengaged people voted in the 2016 election.

Voter ID

North Carolina and Arkansas passed measures that require people to present a photo ID to vote.

Supporters say the measure is an effort to secure elections and limit voter fraud. Opponents argue that ID requirements are aimed at disenfranchising minority voters.

Two years ago, a federal court struck down a 2013 North Carolina law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that included voter identification requirements. Its likely the laws passed on Tuesday in North Carolina and Arkansas will face legal challenges.

A clerk reaches for a container of marijuana buds for a customer at Utopia Gardens, a medical marijuana dispensary, in Detroit. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

Marijuana

The movement to legalize pot for recreation use began in 2012 and continues to sweep the nation. In Michigan, voters were heavily favoring a measure to legalize the possession and sale of up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone older than 21. The measure also lowers certain past criminal convictions for marijuana to civil infractions.

Currently nine states have passed measures that allow recreational marijuana.

In addition, Utah voters appeared poised to pass a measure that allows the sale of medical marijuana. Proposition 2 faced strong opposition from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Redistricting

Colorado and Michigan passed measures that create so-called independent commissions to oversee redistricting maps. The aim is to create a nonpartisan process when redrawing congressional maps. In most states, lawmakers do it.

The vote on a similar measure in Utah was too close to call late Tuesday.

Gun control

Just one state  Washington  took on gun control. In the wake of numerous mass shootings this year, voters in Washington approved Initiative 1639, which boosts the legal age to buy a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21 and requires firearms owners to keep their guns secured at home or face misdemeanor or felony charges.

The National Rifle Assn., along with a handful of other gun-rights groups, spent nearly $1 million to oppose the measure.

UPDATES:

11:45 p.m.: This article was updated with a gun control initiative being approved in Washington state.

10:28 p.m.: This article was updated with results on redistricting measures.

This article was originally published at 9:50 p.m.Even in death, Dennis Hof remains larger than life.

The deceased brothel owner who was elected to a state Assembly seat was one of the few bright spots for the Nevada Republican Party on election day  a drop of red in a state that has been trending blue over the last decade.

Republican Adam Laxalt lost his gubernatorial bid to Democrat Steve Sisolak. U.S. Sen. Dean Heller lost his reelection effort to Democrat Jacky Rosen.

Democrats maintained their control of both chambers of Nevadas state Legislature. Meanwhile, women appear to be on the verge of capturing a majority of the seats in the Assembly.

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It was not a good night for Republicans, said Eric Herzik, political science chair at the University of Nevada, Reno. If Im the Republican Party, I have worries after these results.

Nevada Democratic Party Chairman William McCurdy issued a statement on the results, saying they were the fruits of a robust ground game energized by two years of President Trump and a GOP-controlled Congress.

These candidates werent the only thing on the ballot this election  everything we hold dear as Nevadans and Americans was on the line, McCurdy said. Democrats have made it clear that we are the party that fights for working families and for better economic opportunity and equality for all Nevadans.

The Hof race had become a national curiosity, and Herzik said that even if he were alive, he probably wouldnt have had to sweat out the results. Hof cruised to victory Tuesday in his Assembly race  21 days after he died  against his Democratic opponent, Lesia Romanov.

The victory also came after after a sometimes-raucous memorial service over the weekend that featured male porn star Ron Jeremy, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss and comedy writer Bob Zmuda.

The 72-year-old was found dead on Oct. 16 at Love Ranch, his brothel just outside the city of Pahrump, after being found unresponsive by Jeremy after a campaign event that featured an appearance by Arizonas former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The Clark County coroners office has not released a cause of death.

Hofs win wasnt a huge surprise in his heavily Republican district that stretches over three counties  the largest of which is Nye County  and went for President Trump in 2016 by a wide margin.

According to the Nevada secretary of state, a Hof victory ensures that the state Assembly seat will remain in Republican hands, as the three county commissioners will convene and select a replacement from the GOP. Herzik said that probably helped solidify the seat for Republicans and gave comfort to those who may have felt uneasy about electing a brothel owner.

On Wednesday, Romanov posted on her Facebook page: A huge Thank You to all my supporters, friends and family. I will always appreciate your support and effort through this crazy, twisted race!

Chuck Muth, Hofs campaign chairman, told a crowd of about 500 at the memorial service over the weekend that he expected a big win over Romanov. When he saw the Nye County unofficial numbers  which showed Hof with 11,116 votes and Romanov with 5,012  he was happy but cautious.

I feel pretty good, but I wont be completely satisfied until its official, he said.

By Wednesday morning, Muth seemed ready to accept the unofficial results showing Hof defeating Romanov by almost a 2-to-1 margin.

Dennis was the Trump of Pahrump in the primary & Moses in the general; he didnt make it to the promised land with us, Muth wrote on Twitter. But his campaign victory taught three big lessons for Republicans: Dont raise taxes, dont be boring and dont be wishy-washy.

Muth was joined by friends of Hof at one of the brothel owners restaurants in northern Nevada for a victory party Tuesday. He said some of the sex workers at the brothel took some time off to join the party. But as results were slow in coming because of long lines at polling places in Washoe and Clark counties, Muth said the crowd of 100 had thinned considerably.

Hofs win capped an improbable rise for the candidate who first made a run for office two years ago as a Libertarian candidate for the Assembly. He was able to trade in on his celebrity from writing a book titled The Art of the Pimp and starring in the reality television show Cathouse on HBO.

But he still lost to the Republican, James Oscarson.

Hof switched to the Republican Party after Trumps win and used the presidents tone and style to defeat Oscarson in the primary. He dubbed himself the Trump of Pahrump and won the backing of Nye County Republican leaders.

Top Republicans in the state, however, avoided Hof, refusing to endorse him or campaign with him.

Full 2018 midterm election results 

Hof didnt let that bother him. He paid for roving billboards that touted his name alongside the Republicans running for governor and senator. He campaigned on eliminating the state commerce tax while touting gun rights. Several billboards around Pahrump featured Hof pictured holding firearms.

He was dogged by controversy, however  including several claims of sexual assault leveled against him. The most recent came over Labor Day weekend, when a woman reported to Carson City sheriffs deputies that Hof had sexually assaulted her.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety took over the investigation, which officials from the Nevada Department of Corrections said Tuesday is ongoing despite Hofs death.

Hof had said at the time the allegations were groundless and politically motivated.

He had also faced other sexual assault allegations, including an incident in 2011 in which Jennifer ORourke said Hof raped her at his brothel. She said that she is still traumatized and that she was relieved he was dead because now he cant hurt anyone anymore.

ORourke, 48, said that she has since moved from Nevada and didnt care if Hof were to win. But she said if she still lived in the district, shed vote for Hof  now that he was dead.

Im fine with him being dead and winning, ORourke said. I know a lot of people who were going to vote Democrat if he were alive, but will now vote Republican because hes dead.

david.montero@latimes.com | Twitter: @davemontero

UPDATES:

3:30 p.m.: This article was updated with final but unofficial election results and additional reaction.

This article was originally published at 12:10 a.m.Vehicular homicide charges were filed Tuesday against a 21-year-old man accused of inhaling chemical vapors before he crashed his truck into a group of Girl Scouts picking up trash along a highway, killing three children and one adult, Wisconsin prosecutors said.

The 11 charges filed against Colten Treu include four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of a hit-and-run resulting in death. The punishment for those charges alone is up to 160 years in prison.

The criminal complaint prosecutors released describe a struggle for the steering wheel between Treu and the passenger in his truck shortly before the vehicle veered off the road and struck the Girl Scout troop working in ditches along the highway in Lake Hallie, a town about 95 miles east of Minneapolis. Treu and his passenger later told investigators they had been huffing from a computer keyboard cleaner theyd purchased that day.

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Colten Treu, 21, is charged in the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent along a rural road near Chippewa Falls, Wis. A fourth girl was critically injured. (Chippewa County Sheriffs Office)

The Saturday crash killed Jayna Kelley, 9, and Autum Helgeson, 10, both of Lake Hallie, and 10-year-old Haylee Hickle and her mother, Sara Jo Schneider, 32, from Lafayette.

A sheriffs deputy investigating the accident traced a fluid trail that led to the house where Treu lived with the trucks passenger, according to the complaint. The passenger, who has not been arrested or charged, told police he grabbed the steering wheel when he saw that Treu looked out of it and that the truck was crossing over the roads center line. The passenger said Treu yelled at him for touching the steering wheel before crossing the center line again, this time going into the ditch, according to the complaint.

Treu is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Treu told investigators that he never passed out and that his passenger was huffing a lot more than him, according to the complaint. He said he lost control of the vehicle and fishtailed after his passenger grabbed the steering wheel.

The other charges Treu faces are for felony bail jumping, intentionally abusing a hazardous substance and causing great bodily harm during a hit-and-run because another Girl Scout in the group was injured.

Treu was previously convicted of drunk driving in Wisconsin and he was currently out on bail for another accident in September, when he was charged with driving his employers car into a ditch while intoxicated.

Judy Schneider, the mother of Sara Jo Schneider and Haylees grandmother, told the Associated Press in an interview Monday that after the crash she wondered, What was the driver thinking?

And my first thought was, Lets just prosecute the hell out of him. And then what? Do they come back? And now that I hear his history, I understand addiction. But I just dont know how the hatred and anger is going to help at this point.Former state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher was easily besting former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in the race to succeed Ron Roberts on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the latest election results Tuesday night, according to the Registrar of Voters.

The two-term state lawmaker, who entered politics as a Republican and later declared himself an independent before becoming a Democrat and marrying influential Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, collected more than 64 percent of the vote to just under 36 percent captured by Dumanis by 1:50 a.m..

Fletcher received more than 63,500 early votes to Dumaniss just over 34,600. The updated returns reflected 68 percent of precincts reporting.

The frontrunner was buoyed with confidence by the preliminary returns.

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Its exciting and Im humbled by the opportunity to once again get up every day and work on issues that impact the lives of others, Fletcher said. The voters have sent a clear and decisive message: They are ready for a county government to move in a more progressive direction and a county government that understands we are strongest when are all heard, all are engaged and all are served.

Nathan Fletcher and Bonnie Dumanis (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Dumanis did not respond to requests for comment.

The Fletcher-Dumanis contest pitted two unsuccessful San Diego mayoral candidates, the former who built his supervisorial campaign around a disdain for President Donald Trump and the latter a former judge and four-time district attorney who touted her knowledge of the San Diego County government.

Fletcher and Dumanis were the top two vote-getters in the June primary, when five people sought to succeed retiring six-term Supervisor Ron Roberts. Fletcher collected 29 percent of the vote in June to Dumaniss 26 percent.

They topped former state lawmaker Lori Saldana, San Diego attorney Omar Passons and retired fire captain Ken Malbrough in the June election.

Fletcher made opposition to Trump a centerpiece of his campaign, telling voters he would help lead the resistance to the president that has become prevalent in much of California and San Diego County since the 2016 election.

The voters were overwhelming rejecting the politics of hate and division that have defined so much of the Trump era, he said. I think that was equally clear.

The former combat Marine, who pledged to support veterans and improve services for homeless people and for those suffering from mental illness, said he would work to steer the county in a direction that helps a broader community of residents.

I believe in my heart change can happen, he said. I believe we will see progress, but it certainly wont happen overnight. Im excited to roll up my sleeves and join county government to advance the interests we all share.

Dumanis, who eschewed her history as the top prosecutor and called herself Judge Bonnie Dumanis during the campaign, positioned herself as a law-and-order Republican with a deep knowledge of the county bureaucracy and an interest in improving public services.

She cited homelessness, mental health and public safety as her top priorities if she were to prevail.

Homeless and the housing crisis are interconnected, Dumanis told The San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this year. We cant solve homelessness when we dont have enough housing for all those chronically homeless.

Both Fletcher and Dumanis ran unsuccessfully for the San Diego Mayors Office in 2012, when former Congressman Bob Filner was elected. Filner resigned the following year amid a sexual-harassment scandal, and Fletcher again sought the seat unsuccessfully.

Dumanis was elected district attorney for the fourth time in 2014 but resigned in mid-term last year to run for supervisor.

Although the offices are non-partisan, the county Board of Supervisors has been dominated by Republicans for decades.

Four of the five sitting supervisors have served together since 1995. They still might be together if union activists had not succeeded in qualifying and passing a term-limits initiative in 2010.

Roberts and Supervisor Bill Horn are no longer eligible to serve and are vacating their seats next month. Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox also are termed-out and will no longer be eligible to run after 2020.

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonaldBallot measures hiking pay for city of San Diego elected officials, closing a term limits loophole and requiring more transparency in city business deals were all approved by San Diego voters.

Three additional measures also succeeded. They would impose term limits on San Diego school board members, loosen eligibility requirements for the councils audit committee and expand disability benefits for retired police officers.

Measure L increases the pay of San Diego City Council members and the mayor for the first time in 15 years, while also raising the pay for city attorney.

It won 77 percent to 23 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

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The measure links their pay to the salaries of Superior Court judges, eliminating fear of political backlash when council members face approving raises for themselves.

Salaries for the mayor, now $100,000, and city attorney, now $193,000, will increase in December 2020 to match the salaries of Superior Court judges, who make just under $200,000 per year.

Council members, who now receive $75,000 per year, will jump to 60 percent of a Superior Court judge salary in December 2020, or just under $120,000, and then up to 75 percent in December 2022, or just under $150,000.

I think it reflects a real thirst by the voters of San Diego for better government, said local attorney Bob Ottilie, who spearheaded Measure L. This is going to make a dramatic difference.

Measure K eliminates a controversial term limits loophole that allows some City Council members to serve longer than the voter-approved, two-term maximum if the district where they live changes.

It was approved 87 percent to 13 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Measure J boosts transparency by requiring all businesses and individuals who would benefit financially from deals with the city to be revealed before the council approves any such contract.

It was approved 85 percent to 15 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Measure H imposes term limits on San Diego school board members of three, four-year terms beginning with the 2020 election.

It won 77 percent to 23 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Measure M loosens the rules governing how the city appoints members of the public to the councils Audit Committee.

It is leading 59 percent to 41 percent with 72 percent of precincts reporting.

Measure N would revive benefits for retired police officers with mental health problems they blame on a violent incident.

It is leading 77 percent to 23 percent with 72 percent of precincts reporting.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrickIncumbent San Diego Councilwomen Lorie Zapf and Myrtle Cole have lost their re-election bids, the first two incumbents to be defeated in San Diego council races since 1992.

The loss by Zapf gives Democrats a 6-3 majority on the council, which allows them to override vetoes by Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer on contentious issues.

In the other two council runoffs, incumbent Republican Chris Cate was re-elected, and a staffer for termed-out Democratic Councilman David Alvarez will replace him.

Zapf lost to Democratic challenger Dr. Jennifer Campbell by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent in a race that could shift the balance of power at San Diego City Hall. Those results are with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

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Despite the long track record of success for council incumbents in San Diego, Zapf was considered vulnerable because party registration in her beach-area district has shifted toward Democrats, who had a 32,000-to-22,000 lead in registered voters through Oct. 3.

Campbell will replace Zapf District 2, which includes Point Loma, the citys beaches and a slice of western Clairemont.

Montgomery, a civil rights lawyer, beat fellow Democrat Cole in the June primary by six votes. But Cole was buoyed by strong support since then from organized labor and some Republican leaders.

Montgomerys win will move the council farther to the left. She is more liberal on many issues than Cole, who is considered a moderate Democrat.

Montgomery won by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Montgomery will replace Cole in District 4, which includes much of southeastern San Diego.

Cate defeated radio personality Tommy Hough in the other runoff featuring a Republican versus a Democrat. Cate won by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Cate represents District 6, which includes Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa and eastern Clairemont.

Alvarez staffer Vivian Moreno defeated fellow Democrat Antonio Martinez in the race for District 8, which includes Sherman Heights, Barrio Logan, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro.

Moreno won 52 percent to 48 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Moreno took first by a wide margin in the June primary, but Martinez gained momentum when he was endorsed by third-place finisher Christian Ramirez and the county Democratic Party.

The Zapf-Campbell race has featured aggressive spending on behalf of Campbell by local labor unions, and aggressive spending on behalf of Zapf by local business groups.

A slew of mailers sent on behalf of Zapf attack Campbell, a retired doctor, for allegedly committing disability fraud. Campbell says the charge is inaccurate and that the mailers are misleading.

Mailers from the other side attack Zapf as a Republican aligned with President Donald Trump and who is out of touch with the left-leaning district. Zapf says those mailers are unethical rhetoric, asserting that she is a moderate Republican.

Campbell said at Golden Hall on Tuesday night that the results show that Zapfs mailers backfired.

For them to stoop that low, I think the citizens just saw right through it, Campbell said.

Campbell said there will be a different vibe at City Hall with Democrats notching the veto-proof majority theyve long sought.

The mayor will need to be working with us in concert, Campbell said. We will all need to work together and be collegial and get our problems solved.

Campbell said she suspects voters made the rare decision to oust an incumbent because Zapf hasnt been responsive to constituents.

I think the voters chose someone other than the incumbent because they are ready for an intelligent, common-sense representative who will pay attention to them and their needs, she said.

Both women live in the Bay Ho section of Clairemont. Campbell is 73 and Zapf is 60.

In the Montgomery-Cole race, Montgomery said at Golden Hall on Tuesday night that she will be a significantly different leader than Cole.

It will be community first, community first, community first, as opposed to special interests,, she said. The people who backed my opponent are interested in individual votes and theyre not interested in the people.

Montgomery said she knew from the beginning that it would be hard to unseat an incumbent, but it became especially difficult when labor unions contributed huge sums of money to help Cole, who also got late support from some local Republican leaders.

I knew we would have to make history, Montgomery said. We had a grass roots campaign with over 400 volunteers, and we needed it.

Montgomery has portrayed Cole as a City Hall insider too focused on politics and who hasnt helped her low-income communities get the jobs, amenities and resources they lack.

Cole has focused on the dozens of capital improvement projects she has brought to the area as the city has broken infrastructure spending records in recent years.

Montgomery resigned as a staff member for Cole last year when the incumbent condoned some forms of racial profiling, saying blacks frequently shoot blacks.

Cole, who has served as council president the last two years, later apologized for the comments, but not before Montgomery had decided to challenge her former bosss re-election bid.

Cole, 68, lives in Redwood Village. Montgomery, 40, lives in Skyline Hills. Both women are black.

In the Cate-Hough race, Cate attributed his victory to his track record of accomplishments since taking office four years ago, which he says included innovative problem-solving for constituents and the city.

I think weve been able to deliver results. Cate said at the U.S. Grant Hotel on Tuesday night

He said the loss by Zapf, which increases the Democrats majority from 5-4 to 6-3, could significantly change the political dynamics at City Hall.

I think its going to come down to the approach that my potential new colleagues want to take, he said. Do they want to be partisan in how they approach the different issues at City Hall, or do they want to have a more open-door policy where they work with all of their colleagues.

Cate said having a sixth vote could prompt Democrats to become more aggressive on controversial policies they might not have pursued before. He contends that would be a mistake.

We are a local government that is there to solve the problems of our residents and not to take what happens in Sacramento or D.C. and bring it into San Diego, he said. Only time will tell what kind of approach they want to take.

Hough has criticized Cate as someone who has let District 6 voters down in many ways since being elected in 2014.

Cate says hes proud to run on his record, which has included paving 190 miles of roads, increasing hours at libraries and recreation centers and saving two senior centers facing possible closure in Mira Mesa and Clairemont.

Both men live in Mira Mesa. Cate is 35 and Hough is 49.

In the Moreno-Martinez race, the two progressive Democrats ran partly on the record of Alvarez, who cant run for re-election after eight years representing the district.

Moreno, an Alvarez staffer, is running on her City Hall experience, knowledge of complex international border issues and what she calls a track record of success for Alvarez.

Martinez, a San Ysidro school board member, says Moreno is out of touch with ordinary residents and too friendly with downtown developers. And he says Alvarez has a spotty track record that is making residents crave a change.

Martinez, 33, and Moreno, 36, both live in San Ysidro.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrickA man arrested by sheriffs deputies Wednesday afternoon and hospitalized after an apparent confrontation in East County was expected to be turned over to El Cajon police and arrested on suspicion of two counts of arson, authorities said.

A little after 11 a.m. Wednesday, El Cajon police posted on Twitter saying they were actively searching for a possible arson suspect who ran from officers. That man was described as white, in his 30s, with blonde hair and a scraggly beard.

He was shirtless and wearing tan pants when he ran from officers near Greenfield Drive and Interstate 8, El Cajon police officials said.

We are actively searching for a possible arson suspect who fled from officers in the area of Greenfield and I-8. He is described as a white male in his 30s, blonde hair, scraggly beard, no shirt, tan pants. Contact the El Cajon Police Department if you have any information. pic.twitter.com/vq0X3l7s2g  El Cajon Police (@elcajonpolice) November 7, 2018

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The Department offered few details throughout the day about the suspected arson incidents that led to the chase. CBS8 reported that an Albertsons sign on Broadway near the corner of East Main Street had been set on fire around 8 a.m., and that a nearby a pile of debris also was ignited.

Some time Wednesday afternoon, sheriffs deputies in the East County received word of a possible suspect in the El Cajon arson case and made an arrest, according to police and sheriffs officials.

A witness told OnScene TV that deputies fought with the suspect at the East County Square shopping center on Los Coches Road south of Interstate 8. Footage from OnScene TV showed a deputy with a bomb squad-style helmet and face mask searching a black backpack on a sidewalk in the shopping center.

A sheriffs lieutenant confirmed that deputies made the arrest but referred all questions to El Cajon police.

El Cajon police Lt. Jason Taub said the man arrested by deputies was a person of interest in the earlier arson fires in El Cajon. He said the man was hospitalized Wednesday evening but expected to be released Wednesday night and arrested on suspicion of two counts of arson.

We believe he is the same person who started the morning fires and ran from police, Taub said.

Jail records showed a 40-year-old man was booked into San Diego Central Jail a little after 10 p.m. on suspicion of two felony counts of arson, one on property and one on forest land. He was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail and expected to arraigned Friday in El Cajon.

Twitter: @karenkucher

(619) 293-1350

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

12:40 a.m. Nov. 8: This article was updated with additional details.

9:40 p.m.: This article was updated with addition details.

2:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 12:10 p.m. on Nov. 7.A man was shot Tuesday evening in a City Heights alley following a confrontation with four assailants, police said.

The 21-year-old victim was walking through an alley on 48th Street near Polk Avenue about 6:35 p.m. when he was confronted by three men and a woman, San Diego police Officer John Buttle said.

Words were exchanged, and one of the suspects fired several shots at the victim, Buttle said. He was struck once in the right side  near his ribs.

The attackers were drove off in a white four-door vehicle and the victim ran home, Buttle said.

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The victim ran home. His mother called police, but the victim left the residence before police arrived.

Police later found him on Trojan Avenue, a couple blocks north of the shooting. Medics took the victim to a hospital with a wound that was not expected to be life-threatening, Buttle said.

Gang detectives were investigating the shooting.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

This story was originally published on Nov. 6 at 10:45 p.m.Firefighters rescued a dog Tuesday afternoon from an Oceanside home where flames had erupted in the garage and spread to the attic, fire officials said.

The blaze erupted about 2:10 p.m. at a home on Alvarado Street near Whaley Street, Oceanside Fire Department Battalion Chief Jessamyn Specht said. The first engine arrived seven minutes after it was dispatched, and crews ran hoses to the home and cut holes in the roof to release smoke and heat from the attic.

The flames were under control within 15 minutes, Specht said. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Crews searched the home, which was found to be empty except for the dog that did not appear to be in any distress, Specht said.

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There were no injuries to any residents or firefighters, she added in a statement.

Firefighters from Carlsbad also responded to help the Oceanside crews, but all engines had cleared the scene by 4:20 p.m., Specht said. An Oceanside Fire Department investigator remained at the scene into Tuesday evening to probe the cause and origin of the blaze.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.comA Vista middle school and nearby residents were asked to shelter in place after a construction crew damaged a gas line on Wednesday morning, a fire official said.

Construction workers digging into Olive Avenue near North Melrose Drive hit the 3-inch pipe about 10:30 a.m., said Ned Vander Pol, a deputy fire chief with the Vista Fire Department.

Students and staff members at the Vista Innovation and Design Academy were asked to shelter in place as were an unknown number of residents, Vander Pol said.

Those sheltering in place were not in danger, the deputy chief said.

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A stretch of Olive Avenue was closed while San Diego Gas & Electric crews worked on repairs.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.comDemocrats seized the House majority from President Donald Trumps Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened whats left of the presidents governing agenda. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a blue wave that never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trumps presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in Americas evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nations suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion. But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

The new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Partys dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trumps first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

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But the Democrats edge is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority, Democrats have won 219 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races.

Trump was expected to address the results at a post-election news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday.

The presidents party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trumps personal and professional missteps  and his long-withheld tax returns.

Early Wednesday, Trump warned Democrats against using their new majority to investigate his administration.

If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, Trump tweeted, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game! It wasnt clear what leaks he was referring to.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillums bid to become the states first African-American governor.

The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.

The GOPs successes were fueled by a coalition thats decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Three candidates had hoped to become their states first African-American governors, although just one  Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams  was still in the running.

Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their blue wall Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOPs Senate majority, even as the party lost control of the House. In a tweet Wednesday, he referred to the election results as a Big Victory.

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate: The presidents party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to VoteCast, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the presidents favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trumps most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trumps now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. A handful of others played outsized roles in their parties midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.

Said Warren: This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight.

Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Zeke Miller in Washington, Kantele Franko in Westerville, Ohio and Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report.Republican Kevin Cramer ousted Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp on Tuesday, persuading North Dakota voters that his emphatic conservatism would serve them better than her occasional independence from her own party.

Cramer won the race, helping Republicans retain their Senate majority, just nine months after it took a personal appeal from President Donald Trump to get him into the race. Once he got in, the three-term congressman made his support for Trump a pillar of his campaign.

Cramer, in his victory speech at Bismarck State College, said Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called to congratulate him.

Cramer called the victory the honor of my life.

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Heitkamp, who relied on an everywoman charm to help win her first term, worked hard the next six years to avoid alienating North Dakotas right-leaning electorate. But the states makeup had Heitkamp atop everyones list of endangered Senate incumbents throughout the campaign.

Before Cramer had stepped forward to take on Heitkamp, a charismatic and popular figure known to many in her small state as simply Heidi, the only Republican to challenge her was a little-known potato farmer and state lawmaker.

Heitkamp, a former state attorney general and gas company executive, won her first term in 2012 by fewer than 3,000 votes. With Democrats badly needing to keep her seat for any shot at a Senate majority, she raised more than $27 million for her re-election. That was almost five times as much as Cramer.

We were outspent 5-to-1, Cramer said during his victory speech. When you put up a bunch of money to push a bad message, it only makes it worse, not better.

Trump, who carried the state by 36 points in 2016 and remains popular in North Dakota, loomed large over the race. Heitkamp spent much of the campaign playing up her independence from her own party, reminding voters she had largely backed North Dakotas corporate interests on energy and that she had voted to confirm most of Trumps Cabinet and judicial nominees.

Despite a personal appeal from Trump, Cramer announced in January he wouldnt run for Senate, citing family considerations and his House seniority.

Cramer said Tuesday that a second plea from Trump and the party faithful in February made him change his mind.

We made the decision to run for the Senate and never once looked back, he told a cheering crowd.

Heitkamp attacked Cramer as an unthinking yes man for Trump, and sought to raise questions about the administrations trade strategy, which she argued put North Dakotas agricultural economy at high risk. She said Cramer didnt belong in the Senate unless he was willing to protect and defend the people of this state against bad administration policies.

Cramer struck back by arguing that Heitkamp wasnt the bipartisan senator she claimed to be.

He often cited her past support of Hillary Clinton and her vote against the tax cuts that Trump championed. He pointed out her votes against several other Republican-sponsored bills, including allowing states to deny federal funds for abortion providers, banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and a repeal of the Affordable Care Acts tax on high-cost health insurance plans.

And above all, he went after Heitkamp for her vote against Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court, a risky decision given Trumps popularity. Heitkamp cited Kavanaughs temperament, and sought to cast it as further evidence of her independence.

But Cramer said it went against the grain of conservative North Dakota.

Being an independent isnt an excuse for being wrong, Cramer said.

Connor Gref, 18, a Bismarck retail store worker preparing for college, said he did a lot of digging and research before settling on Cramer.

How each ran their campaign  I feel his was more credible, more believable, Gref said. Cross-checking information, some of Heidis stuff didnt add up. Cramers (campaign) was more steady throughout, more consistent, truthful.

Heidi Wahl-McDonald, 43, a Bismarck banker, said she thought Heitkamp was more likely to put the states interests ahead of her partys.

Shes done a lot for North Dakota. Shes a good leader. I think shes done a lot of things for our farmers. I think shes done a lot for businesses in North Dakota, Wahl-McDonald said after voting Tuesday. And not necessarily always voting on party lines  just making decisions based on what she thinks is best.

Campaign cash flooded in for Heitkamp during and after the Kavanaugh period  an astounding $12 million in 17 days  but polls also showed a widening lead for Cramer.

The Kavanaugh issue also was at the heart of a damaging error by Heitkamps campaign just weeks before the election, when she ran a newspaper ad attacking Cramer that improperly identified some survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Heitkamp repeatedly apologized for the ad after several women complained that they either werent victims of abuse or hadnt consented to having their names used.

Health care was another prominent issue, with Heitkamp arguing that Cramer would support Republican policies that would undermine care for many, particularly people with pre-existing conditions. Cramer argued the current health care system is broken and promised not to support any legislation that would cut coverage for pre-existing conditions.Republicans held narrow leads in three Senate races that were still not called early Wednesday, leaving the size of the Republican majority in the chamber uncertain the morning after ballots were cast.

The outcome in those races could boost the Republican advantage in the Senate to as wide as 54-46, giving the party a significantly larger cushion as President Trump attempts to expand his hold on federal courts and beat back the incoming Democratic majority in the House.

Before Tuesdays balloting, Republicans held a tight 51-49 majority in the Senate, leaving little margin for close votes, especially lifetime appointments of federal judges, which both parties see as a priority issue.

The closest Senate race in raw numbers was in Montana, where votes were still being tallied and the lead was switching back and forth between Matt Rosendale, the Republican state auditor, and the incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat.

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Republicans were also hoping to pick up a Senate seat in Florida. With nearly all the votes counted, the states governor, Rick Scott, was leading incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by fewer than 35,000 votes.

But with more than 8 million ballots cast in the race, the tally looked close enough to merit an automatic recount in a state that is infamous for the bitterly-fought recount that ultimately decided the 2000 presidential election. Though Scott has declared victory, Nelson said in a Wednesday press release that we are proceeding to a recount.

Democrats knocked off only one Republican senator, Dean Heller of Nevada, on Tuesday. Their hope for picking up a second seat rested on Arizona, but Rep. Martha McSally, a Republican, held a lead of nearly 16,000 votes over Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, with 99% of precincts counted.

That seat opened with the retirement of Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican. Arizonas recount laws are more restrictive than Floridas, so the outcome of the race likely will be settled Wednesday.

(Paul Duginski/Los Angeles Times)

One governors race, in Georgia, also remained in doubt early Wednesday.

Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp led Stacey Abrams, a former Democratic leader in the state House, by more than 75,000 votes out of nearly 3.9 million cast.

But Abrams was not conceding, hoping to make up enough ground from absentee and other ballots to force a runoff, which is required in the state if Kemp fails to win more than 50% of the vote. A libertarian candidate won just under 1% of the vote there.

Abrams took the stage after 1:30 a.m. to tell hundreds of supporters the fight was not over.

Im here tonight to tell you: Votes remain to be counted. There are voices waiting to be heard, she said. We believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach.

Democrat Ned Lamont won the close Connecticut governors race over Bob Stefanowski later in the morning, when Stefanowski called to concede just after 9 a.m.

Democrats got another boost early Wednesday, knocking off Wisconsins incumbent governor, Scott Walker. Once considered a rising star in the party, he lost badly in the 2016 presidential primary to Trump.

Before losing a close race to Democrat Tony Evers, Walker had won two terms and beaten back a high-profile recall effort. Trump had hoped to keep Wisconsin, which was crucial to his 2016 general election win, in Republican hands.

Times staff writer Jenny Jarvie in Fayetteville, Ga., contributed to this report.

Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington 

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

UPDATES:

8:20 a.m.: This article was updated with the latest results in Montana.

This article was originally published at 3:05 a.m.Proposition 6, which would have repealed an increase in Californias gas tax, failed to win the majority vote needed for passage on Tuesday after Gov. Jerry Brown warned it would halt urgent repairs to the states crumbling roads and bridges.

Brown, who leaves office in January, said after the first vote tallies were announced that it was important that the initiative be defeated for the future of the state.

This is one of the most significant votes in America tonight, because where else have people voted to tax themselves to pay for what they need? Brown said to cheers at a Sacramento election watch party thrown by the initiatives opponents.

People know that you get what you pay for, he added. The people knew that the flim-flam of the yes people were exposed. When this Trump recession comes were going to have $5 billion going to transit and roads and bridges in California.

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Top Republicans including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox put the initiative on the ballot in hopes of boosting conservative voter turnout for the partys candidates for Congress and governor.

See full results from the midterm elections 

At one point it appeared the initiative could be a defining issue for the states midterm election. The repeal effort gained momentum in June when backers succeeded in recalling state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) over his vote for the higher taxes. Three weeks later, the repeal measure qualified for the ballot when those behind it turned in more than 585,000 signatures of registered voters.

But then the money from deep-pocketed Republicans dried up as GOP leaders shifted their attention to helping their partys candidates in close congressional and state legislative races.

The more than $5 million raised by those pushing the repeal was eclipsed by the $47 million brought in by initiative opponents from the construction industry, organized labor and Democrats.

Initiative backers also said their campaign was disadvantaged by the ballot title placed on the measure by the state.

Weve known that politicians have been stealing our gas taxes for years and will continue to do that, said Carl DeMaio, a Republican activist who headed the campaign. Tonight we learned that they can also steal our votes by changing the ballot title on our initiative. We are not going to accept that. They think we are going to go away. No.

He complained that the official title by state officials said the measure eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding without making it clear that it repeals new gas taxes.

Gov. Brown helped raise funds to defeat Proposition 6, which would have repealed Senate Bill 1, legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed by Brown in April 2017.

The legislation raised the state gas tax by 12 cents a gallon and boosted the diesel fuel tax by 20 cents a gallon. The measure also created a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 for cars valued at less than $5,000 to $175 for cars worth $60,000 or more.

In addition to repealing SB 1, the initiative would have also required state officials to obtain voter approval of all future increases to state gas taxes.

The initiative initially was leading in polls, but Brown and Democratic leaders launched an overpowering media blitz, arguing the $52 billion that would be generated during the first 10 years was needed to address a large backlog of road and bridge repairs, and help improve the states rail and bus systems.

Coverage of California politics 

With Brown about to leave office, many Capitol observers saw the massive transportation improvement program as a part of his legacy, one that was threatened by the repeal initiative.

Killing Proposition 6 is the right thing to do, Brown said at a campaign rally days before the election. Its a bad idea. Its dangerous, and it was cooked up by some shady politicians who used their campaign funds because they thought they could fool the people. Well, the people arent fooled.

In another campaign appearance, the governor said the measure was being pushed by Trumps Washington allies.

The television and mail ad blitz from the measures opponents featured highway patrol officers, firefighters and engineers who said the loss of the road-repair money would jeopardize the safety of motorists.

DeMaio, a conservative radio show host and former San Diego City Council member, conceded defeat Tuesday night. He denounced what he called deceptive ads saying that if you vote yes on Prop. 6 you are going to die in a car accident and the bridges are going to fall over.

Cox and other proponents of Proposition 6 argued the states gas prices were among the highest in the country and said previously approved fuel taxes were sufficient to keep California roads in good repair. They also called for the state to cancel the multibillion-dollar high-speed rail project.

DeMaio warned that the new taxes would continue to be diverted from road projects, noting the revenues from SB 1 also go to bike and pedestrian paths, rail projects and to the state parks and agriculture departments.

He has vowed to launch a ballot measure in 2020 to kill the bullet train and recall campaigns to punish Democratic politicians supporting the higher gas tax, including state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office drafted the ballot title.

DeMaio also said he might seek legal action to put the gas tax issue back on a future ballot by showing a judge that fraud has occurred.

He predicted that voter anger over the gas tax would continue to grow and would affect future state elections if Proposition 6 failed.

How long before gas hits 4 , 5 dollars a gallon? DeMaio asked at a news conference last week.

Times staff writer Liam Dillon contributed to this report.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Twitter: @mcgreevy99

UPDATES:

12:05 a.m.: This story was updated with a quote from Carl DeMaio.

11:05 p.m.: This story was updated to reflect the race has been called.

11:02 p.m.: This story was updated with additional information about the races results.

This article was originally published at 10:35 p.m.The blue wave crashed over House Republicans, sweeping many away with the anti-Trump tide.

The Democratic Party decisively reclaimed control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in eight years on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to the President and opening him up to an onslaught of investigations and even the possibility of impeachment.

Twenty-five incumbent House Republicans  from New York City to Texas  had lost their seats shortly before midnight, with as many as nine more GOP districts likely to flip in the small hours of the morning and further widen the Democratic upset.

The high-stakes midterm elections were viewed as a referendum on Trumps first two years in office and Democrats considered their victories evidence that Americans are fed up with his divisive agenda and hotheaded leadership.

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This is a complete rejection of Donald Trump by key constituencies the Republican Party needs to survive long-term, veteran Democratic strategist Zac Petkanas told the Daily News. Voters are absolutely done and are looking for a check on this out of control presidency.

Max Rose, a 31-year-old Army veteran who mounted a Democratic challenge to Staten Islands Trump-endorsed incumbent Dan Donovan, bucked expectations and painted New York Citys only red House district blue.

Rose, a middle-of-the-road candidate who says he wont stand unequivocally with Democratic leadership, stayed clear of attacking Trump during a rousing victory speech at his campaign headquarters, instead thanking Donovan, calling for bipartisanship and pledging to do things differently.

We were never in this to win an election, Rose shouted. We were in this to change politics irrevocably.

Also in the city, self-described democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who stunningly defeated longtime Queens Rep. Joe Crowley in the primaries, easily edged out Republican Anthony Pappas, making her the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

In upstate New York, long-shot Democratic challengers Antonio Delgado and Anthony Brindisi defeated incumbents John Faso and Claudia Tenney despite Trumps aggressively campaigning for both Republicans.

In Virginia, political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock. The Republican incumbent had been branded Barbara Trumpstock by Democrats in a race that pointed to the Presidents unpopularity among college-educated women in the suburbs.

In south Florida, former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, capping off an unusually expensive race in a traditionally red district.

Democrats needed to pick up at least 23 seats to reclaim control of the House and strategists tied their victories to an unprecedented turnout among millennials, suburban women and college-educated voters, who came out in large numbers in large part because of their vehement opposition to Trump, according to polls.

People cheer to live results while attending a midterm election night party hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee November 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/ Getty Images)

Thats a new part of the electorate that is making its voice heard, longtime GOP consultant Evan Siegfried told The News. Democrats usually do really well in elections on a federal level when theres been some sort of mess-up for the Republican Party and in this case that mess-up is Donald Trump.

With control of the lower chamber, Democrats are expected to launch probes into the personal finances of the President, his family and his associates. Trumps tax returns, which he has long refused to release, will likely be a top priority.

Beyond the President, people familiar with the matter say Democrats will target other parts of a Trump administration mired in scandals and allegations of wrongdoing, including the Homeland Security Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department and the Commerce Department.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who may soon be the Speaker, told supporters in her home state. Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans. Its about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration.

The House upset comes after a historically hostile midterm campaign season featuring Republican candidates taking pages out of the Trump playbook by using racially-charged language to attack their Democratic opponents.

Trump was conspicuously quiet on Election Day, watching returns with friends and family at the White House but dialing down the divisive rhetoric on Twitter.

His press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, refused to concede defeat even as several media outlets called the House for the Democrats, telling reporters, We need to wait and see.

The President crisscrossed the country to stump for embattled GOP candidates ahead of the election but appeared to acknowledge in the last few days of campaigning that the possibility of a Democratic win in the House was likely.

It could happen, Trump begrudgingly told supporters at a rally in West Virginia last week. Dont worry about it, Ill just figure it out.

The President spent most his energy on the campaign trail obsessing about a slow-moving caravan of Central American migrants, spreading false and fear-mongering claims about them while allotting less time to the economic boom that the moderate wing of his party had hoped he would focus on.

Democrats in turn painted the elections as a battle for the soul of the nation, lambasting their opponents for reflexively siding with Trump, who they have accused of perpetuating racism and bigotry.

Some House Dems have advocated for impeaching Trump on allegations he lacks the moral judgement to occupy the Oval Office and has obstructed federal investigations into his campaigns ties to Russia.

With a majority in the House, Democrats can now finally introduce articles of impeachment, although the prospect of the Senate in turn convicting Trump are close-to-none considering Republican wins in the upper chamber on Tuesday.

Democratic leaders have remained mum on the possibility of impeachment but have made clear they back proposals to subpoena Trumps tax returns and launch a string of other oversight efforts that have so far been blocked by the Republican majority in the House.

We are going to show just how badly Republicans failed to be a check on this President by exercising some of the minor oversight responsibilities that they should have done months ago, said Petkanas. There has been no look under the hood from Republicans so Donald Trump has been acting with impunity for the first two years. Thats about to change.SAN DIEGO -- Whatever other problems we may have faced with the 2018 midterm elections, voter apathy was not one of them.

The electorate was on fire. Americans are painfully divided, and they often seem to live on different planets. But the good news is that nearly the whole solar system turned out to vote.

More than 38 million Americans cast their ballots early or absentee, a huge jump from the more than 21 million who voted early or absentee in the 2014 midterm elections.

You can credit President Trump -- or blame him -- depending on your politics. A poll taken before the election showed that Trump was on the minds of around 70 percent of those who planned to vote.

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Still, while voter participation was higher than normal, you did hear -- in the days and weeks leading up to the vote -- many of the usual jabs at non-voters.

Even Oprah Winfrey piled on. While campaigning in Georgia for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Winfrey told an audience: For anybody here who has an ancestor who didnt have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state, in this country, you are dishonoring your family.

Ouch. Thats a heavy load to dump on someone. But Ill allow it. Winfrey is absolutely right.

All Americans should make an effort to vote. Our self-preservation depends on it. Im a disciple of Alan Simpson, my friend and graduate school professor. The former Wyoming senator likes to say: Politics is a contact sport. Take part, or get taken apart.

But while were on the subject of dishonor, lets save a little indignation for the folks whove created a system that is dishonest, corrupt and self-serving. In this election cycle, I was especially attuned to efforts by candidates to deceive their own voters on hot-button issues like immigration and health care.

What upsets me in every election is that those who, for whatever reason, choose not to participate are held in such disdain by political junkies, journalists and every other elitist with an opinion.

The non-participants are no small tribe. Many analysts agreed that turnout in this weeks elections could approach 50 percent. That would be the best showing in midterms since the 1960s.

But our expectations are so low that we applaud when only half of registered voters turn out to vote.

And besides the no-shows, there are also the non-registered. Generally, only about half of eligible voters even bother to register.

I follow Simpsons law. I take part. As a journalist, my Election Day is busy. So, I make sure to vote in the morning. And yet, as a journalist, I also make it my business to understand the disgust of non-voters.

In fact, in recent presidential elections, I have been so disappointed in the choices that I opted for none of the above.

In 2012, with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney each pretending to be something they werent, I urged readers to skip the [top] line -- i.e., vote for every office and initiative on the ballot, but not for president. Thats what I did.

In 2016, I resolved not to be bullied into choosing between arsenic and cyanide. On Election Day, I entered the booth and wrote in a name. Its liberating to not to have to defend your vote for the lesser evil -- which, by definition, is still evil.

This year, evil was back on the ballot -- along with incompetence. In recent months, both of the major parties showed, at times, that they are not mature enough to handle unbridled power.

Democrats hurt themselves with the disrespectful way they treated Brett Kavanaugh. And for what? A report released this past weekend from the Senate Judiciary Committee concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate any of the claims of sexual misconduct leveled against the Supreme Court nominee.

On immigration, Republicans likewise behaved atrociously. They went from misleading voters about whether there are sanctuary cities where illegal immigrants live happily ever after to stoking fear over an invasion of migrants and refugees armed only with despair and desperation.

Things are bad out there, folks. So, going forward, lets cut the non-voters a break -- and worry more about electing the kind of people who are worth voting for.

Ruben Navarrettes email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, Navarrette Nation, is available through every podcast app.The U. S. military operation Faithful Patriot and Customs and Border Protections mission Secure The Line can be declared successes before they have even begun. A banner can be placed across the San Ysidro Port Of Entry declaring this momentous achievement. I say this jokingly, but all good jokes have a hint of truth  this one more so than most.

I have been a Border Patrol agent and union official in one capacity or another for over 20 years. I have endured many different administrations, organizational changes (formation of the Department of Homeland Security) and operations. This current move to deploy troops to the U.S. border to deal with the caravan highlights the complexity of the status of border security and national security.

Related: Why sending U.S. troops to border is overkill

As a Border Patrol agent and a union official, I welcome the troops going to the border. Agents on the ground on the border desperately need the assistance. We have faced low manpower and low morale which are two debilitating forces when it comes to the mission of protecting America. Gen. Terrence OShaugnessy has said that the troops will assist with planning, engineering, transportation, logistics and medical support. He has further stated that the military will help harden and secure the border. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan has stated that the U.S. will not allow large groups to enter the U.S. in an unsafe and unlawful manner. The federal government from the top (President Donald Trump) all the way to the San Diego sector chief (Rodney Scott) have been consistent in their hard stance.

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The question is, has it worked, and, if so, what has it accomplished? I have been told in my capacity as the local union president that the point was to show that the system was broken. To prove that some judges and U.S. attorneys do not want to prosecute those who cross the border illegally. To prove that ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) was not doing its job. To prove that without the funding needed to support an already-overtaxed asylum system, there would continue to be waves of people manipulating the system in order to be released into the U.S. and never to be seen by an immigration official again.

This concerns me and should concern everyone because the impact and the message it sends is discouraging. The message is we are satisfied with the status quo even though we know it is inefficient, ineffective and not what we espouse as a country. Law enforcement has been relegated to administrative assistance and cohorts to the cartels and their billion-dollar smuggling industry.

Border Patrol in San Diego had over 500 people in custody in one day this week. This forces us to house people in short-term facilities for longer than 72 hours. Border Patrol agents are responsible for medical screening, feeding, safety and housing of these detainees. Border Patrol agents are not trained to be medical screeners. There have been confirmed cases of typhoid, MRSA, TB, scabies, lice and chickenpox here in the San Diego sector requiring medical care for the detainees and security coverage that again stretches the Border Patrols limited resources.

The Office of Field Operations at San Ysidro is processing hundreds of asylum and refugee claims every day.

These two things have been occurring regularly over the past two years. Now, what do you think is going to happen if thousands of people come across the border at places other than the port of entry forcing Border Patrol to expend limited resources to process these asylum claims? It will be a boom for the cartels because it will enable them to pass contraband across the border with impunity. This is why border security is national security. We do not know and are incapable of determining what threats are crossing the border illegally if our resources are tied up processing asylum claims.

The good news is it is fixable. It is only possible through cooperation of all genuinely concerned parties. That includes law enforcement, the public and the legislators.

In order to ensure the politicians have the political will to do something, the public must let them know that they will no longer be satisfied with the status quo. They must tear down the banner over the port that says mission accomplished and replace it with work in progress or get er done. It cannot and is not acceptable for the citizen or the politician to trade tag lines while people are suffering and the country remains vulnerable.

Shigg is president of the local chapter of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), Local 1613.President Donald Trumps announcement that he would send up to 15,000 U.S. troops to the Southern border effectively declares war on poor migrants seeking refuge and treats border communities as a war zone. His rationale is misleading as it mischaracterizes a caravan of migrants from Honduras as consisting of tough fighters who plan to invade the United States after they make their way north through Mexico.

Called Operation Faithful Patriot, the mobilization of thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border is a political ruse that peddled a false and fear-based narrative to rally a misguided electorate for the midterm elections. Trump also wants to leverage the political theatrics against a government shutdown in December, hoping his hawkish stance on immigration will get him border wall funding.

Related: Why border needs U.S. troops

This unusual deployment of military personnel on domestic soil would have you believe the U.S. is under attack. Customs and Border Protections own statistics disabuse this falsehood. Migrant apprehensions continue to be near an all-time low with only a slight increase from 2017. The combined 521,090 enforcement actions for Border Patrol and Customs agents in fiscal year 2018 were 32,288 apprehensions fewer than the 553,378 apprehensions in 2016. For greater perspective on these figures, 19,437 Border Patrol agents nationwide apprehended a total of only 19 migrants each for 2018. In San Diego, the approximately 2,100 Border Patrol agents made 38,591 apprehensions, meaning each agent arrested about 18 migrants each, for the entire year.

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Even an unclassified presentation by the Armys Northcom Threat Working Group on Operation Faithful Patriot expects that fewer than 20 percent of the caravan participants will make it to the U.S. border, debunking Trumps outrageous rhetoric about border invasions.

Trumps inflammatory response about military personnel shooting rock throwers is troubling. He said, Anybody throwing stones, rocks ... we will consider that a firearm, because there is not much difference, welcoming a disproportionate use of lethal force as part of the soldiers mandate. This, however, is practically already policy for the Border Patrol. In 2006, then-Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in San Diego that agents could respond with lethal force to rock-throwing incidents, defending a Border Patrol agent who fatally wounded Guillermo Martinez Rodriguez for allegedly holding a rock.

In October 2012, Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, a 16-year-old, died under a hail of bullets because a Border Patrol agent claimed he was throwing rocks. Thirteen of the shots fired were while Rodriguez lay agonizing on the ground from the first few rounds. The Border Patrol agent who killed Rodriguez was acquitted of murder charges.

Border Patrol agents shoot people even when rocks cant be used as an excuse for deadly force. On May 30, 2014, a Border Patrol agent in Green Valley, Arizona, shot unarmed Jose Luis Arambula in the back of the head as he was running away from the agent. Ironically, on that same day the Border Patrols use-of-force handbook was publicized for the first time in its 90-year history. According to the handbook, Deadly force is not authorized solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing subject. The Pima County Attorneys Office still cleared the Border Patrol agent who killed Arambula because supposedly he was motioning his hands as if he had a weapon.

What could go wrong with the military at the border? In 1997, a platoon of camouflaged U.S. Marines along the Texas border shot 18-year-old Esequiel Hernandez, a U.S. citizen, while he was herding goats. Despite grand jury and local investigations that concluded Hernandez posed no imminent threat to the Marines, there was no indictment of the Marine who killed Hernandez. This unjustifiable killing embodies the culture of impunity that enables law enforcement agencies in border communities to commit violent acts with little or no accountability.

Decades of heavy-handed enforcement policies already place border communities in the crosshairs of militarization. Over 7,800 migrant remains have been found throughout the borderlands since 1994 when border enforcement strategies pushed migrants to dangerous crossing routes. These are the casualties of an institutionalized war against migrants.

Short-sided border enforcement policies such as wasteful border walls, interior checkpoints, unreasonable interrogations and searches, bloated immigration enforcement budgets and military grade equipment are overkill. And now Trump is ratcheting up the tension, gambling at the expense of border communities for political gain.

There is no sense in reasoning with Trump, but rational, levelheaded policymakers should stand up for their constituents by ending costly, ineffective and inhumane policies that have heavily militarized the U.S.-Mexico border region and undermined the quality of life of border communities.

Rios is director, U.S.-Mexico Border Program, American Friends Service Committee.President Donald Trump wanted the midterm elections to be a referendum on him, and he got his wish. CNN exit polling showed Trump was paramount in the minds of 65 percent of voters  with 26 percent saying they voted as they did to support him and 39 percent saying that voted as they did to oppose him. Now, with Democrats picking up at least 25 seats and taking control of the House  and Republicans maintaining their Senate majority  America again has a deeply divided government.

There will be many people who look at the blue wave in the House as a rejection of all things Trump  including his policies. But there is something in this election for everyone, and Democrats claims of victory and accompanying promises of holding the administration more accountable are undercut by continued Republican control of the Senate, which heralds an even more conservative judiciary. Trump supporters will point to the economy and the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings as big reasons for Republican successes Tuesday night. Yet exit polling suggests that in many House districts, the presidents relentless assault on democratic norms  his courting of racist nationalists, his constant demonizing of Democrats and the media, his refusal to solely act as a unifier after national tragedies, his casual lying about so many topics  drove away suburban voters, especially women. If anything, the nation is more divided. Trump love is legitimate. But Trump fatigue is real. Heres hoping the president means what he told Sinclair Broadcasting this week about employing a softer tone if given a redo and doesnt instead excuse away his partial rebuke.

The Democrats should look inward, too. Will they use their control of the House as California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has used his power to constantly send messages that they hate the president  or will they focus on getting things done? Heres hoping Californias House Democrats  starting with San Diego Reps. Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas  choose the latter.

There is a chance that a divided government means little gets done. Thats mostly what happened in the six years that Democratic President Barack Obama dealt with a Republican House. But there have also been periods in U.S. history where divided government was surprisingly effective.

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After the GOP took control of Congress in 1994, President Bill Clinton worked with Republicans to enact sweeping welfare reform and a balanced-budget deal that pushed government spending as a percentage of the U.S. economy to a 34-year low.

If San Francisco Rep. Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker again, is compromise possible? From crushing national debt to climate change to infrastructure repair, there are many issues where bipartisanship is desperately needed. Gridlock might be a safer bet, but Americans should pray for progress.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & OpinionRunning a business without a bank account is no easy feat. Most in the cannabis industry do it every day because banks cant take on the revenue from federally illegal product. MTrac, a new payment system company, is hoping to offer cannabis-related business a banking solution.

San Diego-based Mtrac, launched in June, is a subsidiary of Global Payout that uses blockchain technology to transfer keys that digitally represent real world currency from customer to merchant. Initially introduced as a mobile app and in-store kiosk that allowed customers to add funds to an e-wallet by adding money onto a reloadable Mtrac card before transferring money to the merchants e-wallet, the technology has since morphed into iPad and pin pad checkout stations.

Stormy Simon, MTrac strategy officer, said businesses can also use the system to cut digital checks for things like payroll or rent and generate statements for audits and revenue reporting.

MTrac itself is an alternative banking and checking account, said Simon. You can work right in that wallet and satisfy every need.

Simon said MTrac can alleviate some of the risks and costs associated with cash-based businesses. For example, such business can be burglary targets because money is stored onsite. Cannabis shops are required to have 24/7 armed security, cameras and keep 90-days worth of CCTV footage.

Scott Miyazaki, operations manager at The Healing Center San Diego, uses an iPad checkout station from MTrac for cannabis transactions. (Courtesy photo)

Lila Mirrashidi, deputy commissioner of policy at the California Department of Business Oversight, said shes heard of MTrac and seen other businesses trying to offer similar products. Credit unions (which can fall under state oversight, rather than national oversight) are interested in cannabis banking, too, and Mirrashidi often fields their queries.

We tell them if they are considering cannabis as a client, they need to treat it as a high-risk client, said Mirrashidi.

Since cannabis is a Schedule I drug, financial institutions risk violating the Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act if they bank it. These laws prohibit banks from handling funds stemming from criminal activity.

The Healing Center San Diego (THCSD) and Mankind Collective are two of the San Diego dispensaries currently using Mtrac (the technology is also being used in the Las Vegas area). Scott Miyazaki, THCSDs operations manager, looked into other payment systems such as HeroPay and First Data, but decided to implement MTrac in August. He thought there were benefits to working with MTrac as they were a local company, willing to work on feature requests and already had a local client (Mankind, which started in June).

THCSD didnt get the kiosk offered by Mtrac, so customers need to download the MTrac app in order to make a credit card payment. The kiosk and mobile app have already been replaced by businesses using Mtracs iPad and pin pad checkout station features.

Miyazaki noticed customers buy more items when using MTrac and liked that the company covers chargebacks. One noticeable complaint from consumers is that the MTrac transaction will appear as Cashless ATM on a statement, which can cause confusion.

But improvements are imminent. The THCSD team said MTrac has kept them in the loop about potential updates to the system.

Still, THCSD co-owner Ray Taylor hopes for a real bank account one day so that his business can eliminate third parties and risk.

Theres billions of dollars to be made so its going to change, said Taylor. Greed is a great motivator for businesses and government.While election results are still pending as of press time (Wednesday morning), there are some clear front-runners and others whose tentative leads are close, but should be wide enough to maintain.

Results are as of 1:42 a.m. Wednesday, posted on the Registrar of Voters website, with 67.7 percent of the 2,136 precincts countywide reporting. With a two-card ballot, election officials said hours before polls closed that it would take longer to get results from ballots cast on Tuesday, in addition to results from all the mail-in ballots dropped off at polling stations plus provisional ballots cast on Tuesday. Verification of the latter two categories and their vote tallies could take days, if not a week or longer.

For the latest local election results, go to sdvote.com. Results of statewide races can be seen at vote.sos.ca.gov.

PUSD board

In the Poway Unified School Board races, there will be a newcomer on the board due to the newly-created districts. Ginger Couvrette easily came out ahead of her two challengers in the Area B race (a new district representing north Poway and northeast Rancho Bernardo). With 80 percent of the precincts reporting, Couvrette had 45.02 percent of votes, while Kevin Juza got 33.91 percent and Kim Garnier had 21.07 percent. All live in Poway.

In Area C (a new district that includes most of Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch and parts of Carmel Mountain Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos), incumbent T.J. Zane had a substantial lead (48.93 percent) over his two challengers  Terry Norwood of Rancho Bernardo (33.73 percent) and incumbent Charles Sellers (17.34 percent). Zane and Sellers live in Rancho Penasquitos. In that race, 88 percent of precincts had reported.

The most decisive PUSD board victory was by Michelle OConnor-Ratcliff who had 64.35 percent of the vote in the new Area D race (parts of Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs and Carmel Mountain Ranch) while Stan Rodkin got 35.65 percent, with 78 percent of precincts reporting. Both are Rancho Penasquitos residents.

Couvrette is the sole new member of the board and the only winner who was not endorsed by the Poway Unified School District teachers and school employees unions.

Much of Couvrettes campaign was grassroots, with volunteers helping her campaign door-to-door, standing on street corners with her and placing over 260 signs in yards, she said.

People really stepped up to help me, it brings tears to my eyes, Couvrette said. (My supporters) are an incredible group of people.

Couvrette said she couldnt even say how many volunteers she had helping her during her campaign, due to people posting kind things online in support of her. People were so generous and giving with their comments, she said.

Hearing that Juza had been given $10,000 by a union representing non-teaching employees in the PUSD did cause her to doubt her success, she said. He outspent me 4-to-1, she added.

Friends put her in touch with candidates for the Poway City Council, who she said took her under their wing and they campaigned together. I work best in a team, Couvrette said. The camaraderie boosted my mood and kept me going.

U.S. House of Representatives

In the 52nd Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Scott Peters  seeking his fourth two-year term in Washington  had a solid lead over Republican challenger Omar Qudrat, 60.79 to 39.21 percent with 77 percent of the 457 precincts reporting. The district includes Rancho Bernardo and Poway.

Meanwhile, 4S Ranch will likely be represented in Washington by Mike Levin of San Juan Capistrano, who in the 49th Congressional District led Republican Diane Harkey. With 66.2 percent of the precincts reporting, Levin garnered 52.4 percent of the vote, while Harkey had 47.6 percent. The winner will succeed Darrell Issa (a Republican), who retired from Congress after nine terms.

California Assembly

In the 77th Assembly race, with 82 percent of the 339 precincts reporting, Republican incumbent Brian Maienschein had 53 percent of the vote, while Democratic challenger Sunday Gover had 47 percent. Maienschein, who has typically easily won reelection in the past, was in a somewhat surprisingly tight race in his bid to return to Sacramento for a fourth two-year term. The district includes Rancho Bernardo, Poway, 4S Ranch and adjacent communities.

California Senate

Republican Brian W. Jones appears to be the winner in the 38th state Senate race (district includes Poway), as he was leading 55.95 percent to Democrat Jeff Griffiths 44.05 percent. In the 38th, 526 of the 729 precincts (72 percent) had reported.

Superior Court

Superior Court races are often unopposed, but in the primary there was a crowded field for Office No. 37, held by incumbent Gary Kreep, a judge who had a controversial first term in office. In the general election, Matt Brower easily defeated Kreep, 58.65 percent to 41.35 percent, with 68 percent of precincts reporting.

Palomar College

Among other local races, the frontrunners in the Palomar Community College Board race, Norma Miyamoto of Fallbrook (24.13 percent) and incumbent Mark Evilsizer of Vista (23.11 percent) were in the lead. The top two will be elected. Behind them was Rose Marie Dishman of Poway (20.96 percent), Lee Dulgeroff of Poway (19.14 percent) and Aimee Keith of Rancho Penasquitos (12.66 percent) with 67 percent of precincts reporting.

Palomar Health

In the Palomar Health full-term board seat race, four candidates will be elected to a four-year term. Three had a comfortable lead among the nine candidates  Linda Carol Greer (15.02 percent), Richard C. Engel (14.88 percent) and Laurie Edwards-Tate (13.97 percent). However, the fourth position switched during the night and is too close to call with only 72 percent of the 360 precincts reporting. John Clark of Poway had 12.50 percent of votes (27,975 total), while Dale Bardin of Rancho Bernardo had 12.43 percent (27,829 votes). Behind them was incumbent Hans Christian Sison of Poway with 12 percent (26,861 votes) and the other three candidates significantly trailing behind (Vanessa Gutierrez, Christopher K. Lee and Cody James Ryan).

RSF Fire Protection District

As for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District board race, both incumbents  John C. Tanner and Tucker Stine  had substantial leads over challenger Douglas Dill. Two seats were open. The district includes 4S Ranch.

Emily Sorensen contributed to this article.

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.New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/06/2018 -- The latest report, Construction Glass market enables stakeholders to gain insights into their potential consumers to construct more effective marketing strategies for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. Most importantly, the document empowers business owners to seek information about potential consumers and where they can find them. With an exclusive coverage of the top vendors, the study enables business owners to know more about the local market and locate potential consumers.



The comprehensive study offers an overview of the current state of development of the business as well as predicts the course of progress across different regions. A large number of factors including the major driving forces, threats and opportunities are taken into account to present an analytical picture of the industry portrayed in the report.



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The research further examines and provides data on the market by type, application and geography interspersed with illustrations and other graphical representations. The market analysis not only determines the attractiveness of the industry but also the evolving challenges and opportunities and their association with the weaknesses and strengths of prominent market leaders.



Estimating the potential size of the Construction Glass industry:

Industry experts conducting the study further estimate the potential of the Construction Glass industry. Such information is important for firms looking to launch an innovative service or product on the market. Industry experts have measured the total volume of the given market. Researchers have calculated the industry in terms of sales by the competitors and end-user  customers. Data on the entire size of the Construction Glass market for a particular product or a service for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025 covered in the report makes it valuable. This information reveals the upper limit of the Construction Glass industry for a specific product or service.



Market Segment by manufacturers, the report covers the following companies:

AGC, Guardian, Saint-Gobain, NSG, Shahe Glass, CSG, Xinyi, PPG Industry, Farun, Central Glass, Taiwan Glass, Schott, Sisecam, Shanghai Yaohua, China Glass



Market Segment on the basis of Product, the report covers:

- Low-E Glass

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Market Segment on the basis of Application, the report covers:

- Residential

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Extensive data on market segmentation:

The Construction Glass market report divides the market of potential buyers into different groups, or segments/sub-segments, based on various characteristics. The segments and sub-segments identified contain buyers who are expected to respond or react similarly to certain products and services. The report further finds out consumers who share traits including similar expectations, interests, geography and needs. The segmentation sheds light on how some customers are likely to purchase a product or service than others to enable marketers to allocate their focus as well as the resource.



Market share:

The report discovers the market's total sale that is generated by a particular firm over a time period. Industry experts calculate share by taking into account the product sales over a period and then dividing it by the overall sales of the Construction Glass industry over a defined period. Subject matter experts further use this metric to offer a general idea of the share and size of a firm and its immediate rivals. By providing an in-depth knowledge of the position a company, as well as an entrepreneur, holds in the Construction Glass market



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The research provides answers to the following key questions:

- What is the expected growth rate of the Construction Glass market? What will be the market size for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025?

- What are the major driving forces responsible for transforming the trajectory of the industry?

- Who are major vendors dominating the Construction Glass industry across different regions? What are their winning strategies to stay ahead in the competition?

- What are the market trends business owners can rely upon in the coming years?

- What are the threats and challenges expected to restrict the progress of the industry across different countries?

- What are the key opportunities that business owners can bank on for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025?



The study segments the complete Construction Glass market on the basis of different application, end-use, end-user, and production capability. From a business standpoint, the industry has been thoroughly examined across various countries located in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others. The size of the industry for the forecast period 2018 - 2025 is evaluated on the basis of current sales figures and past financial report can be used to forecast the future sales.



Key Stakeholders

- Construction Glass Manufacturers

- Construction Glass Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers

- Construction Glass Subcomponent Manufacturers

- Industry Association

- Downstream Vendors

- Available Customizations



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News: www.marketexpertz.com/market-newsAlbany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/06/2018 -- An oncolytic virus is a special virus that favorably infects and kills cancer cells. These are deployed as a part of cancer immunotherapy and act by selectively targeting cancer cells and carrying out oncolysis. Oncolytic virus is known to not only kill the cancer cells directly but also to stimulate the patient's own anti-tumour immune responses. The first oncolytic virus immunotherapy was approved in Latvia in 2004 for treatment of skin melanoma. Inevitable changes in the environment occurring due to human activity are giving rise to various factors leading to increase in the incidence of numerous cutaneous malignancies including non-melanoma skin cancer. The conventional radiation and chemotherapy for treatment of various cancers including skin melanomas is known have restricted therapeutic index and an array of therapy related side effects. The first US FDA approved oncolytic herpes virus (a modified herpes simplex virus) is the drug talimogene laherparepvec (OncoVex, T-VEC), approved in 2015, for the treatment of advanced inoperable melanoma.



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The global oncolytic virus immunotherapy market is anticipated to expand at a steady pace during the forecast period due to rise in the number of cancer cases across the globe. Prevalence of diseases such as cancer has increased due to rising geriatric population and changing lifestyle in developing economies. The above-mentioned factors are anticipated to drive the demand for better diagnosis and prevention of cancer in the near future. This, in turn, would offer growth opportunities to companies operating in the oncolytic virus immunotherapy market in the next few years. High investments in research and development of alternate therapies by public as well as private organizations for cancer treatment with high potency and low toxicity compared to other conventional and chemotherapy is also anticipated to drive the global oncolytic virus immunotherapy market during the forecast period. However, high cost of treatments is one of the major concerns for patients as well as payers. Moreover, lack of awareness about skin disorders in developing countries is expected to hamper the global oncolytic virus immunotherapy market during the forecast period.



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Some of the wild type viruses considered potential candidate for oncolytic virus immunotherapy include reovirus, senecavirus, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, poliovirus, rigvir, and others. There are number of research studies undergoing in different phases of clinical trial to explore the potential of these viruses in cancer immunotherapy. Based on geography, the oncolytic virus immunotherapy market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America and Europe are projected to account for the largest share of the market due to high adoption of novel potential therapies, high expenditure on health care R&D, and introduction of technologically progressive services in the region. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a high CAGR owing to adoption of advanced treatment options increasing in developing regions, thereby providing growth opportunities to the global market.



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The market in developing countries in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a rapid growth rate during the forecast period. Key factors driving the market are rapid development of health care infrastructure, rise in affordability, increase in per capita income, and increase in emphasis on research & development in the health care sector. One of the most important driving factors for the developing countries such as India and China is the availability of superior treatment facilities at quite lower prices than countries in the West. This attracts patients from the U.S. and Europe, where cancer is highly prevalent, toward these countries. Moreover, growing medical tourism in developing economies is anticipated to open new avenues for the cancer treatment market in these countries in the next few years.



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.



Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.



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Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.comAlbany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/06/2018 -- Prostate biopsy is a procedure to collect sample tissue from prostate to identify cancer. Prostate biopsy is performed after digital rectal exam and blood test (screening tests). Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men. According to American Cancer Society estimates, around 164,690 new prostate cancer cases are likely to be registered and around 29,430 deaths in 2018. Moreover, around 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Prostate cancer develops primarily in older men of the U.S. and Africa. Around 6 out of 10 cases diagnosed with prostate cancer are in men aged 65 or above. Prostate cancer is quite rare in men below the age of 40. Average age at the time of diagnosis is around 66.



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Prostate biopsy involves usage of a needle to accumulate tissue sample from prostate gland. The procedure is performed by doctors specialized in the male sex organs and urinary system. After the analysis of digital rectal exam or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, an urologist recommends prostate biopsy to confirm cancer. Collected sample of tissue from prostate gland is examined by doctors under microscope to check for abnormalities in cells which are symptoms of prostate cancer.



Collection of tissue sample for prostate biopsy is performed through two different methods. The first method involves passing a needle through the rectum walls. This method is known as transrectal biopsy. The second method involves inserting a needle into the skin potion present between the scrotum and anus. This method is known as transperineal biopsy.



Rise in incidence rate of prostate cancer, increase in geriatric male population globally, and availability of advanced diagnostic devices are the major factors driving the global prostate biopsy devices market. Moreover, advancement in molecular diagnosis for prostate cancer augments the global prostate biopsy devices market. However, high cost of biopsy procedures and shortage of skilled professionals are the major restraints of the market.



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The global prostate biopsy devices market can be segmented based on prostate biopsy type, end-user, and region. In terms of prostate biopsy type, the global market can be bifurcated into prostate needle biopsy and prostate liquid biopsy. Based on end-user, the global prostate biopsy devices market can be divided into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others.



The global prostate biopsy devices market can be segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global prostate biopsy devices market due to availability of advanced biopsy devices. Awareness among the people about the disease is a major factor propelling the market in this region. The prostate biopsy devices market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace due to increase in prevalence of prostate cancer. Lack of awareness about the disease and unavailability of advanced biopsy procedures and treatment in underdeveloped countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Turkey, and Iraq are likely to augment the prostate biopsy devices market in Middle East & Africa.



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Major players in the global prostate biopsy devices market include C. R. Bard, Inc., Cook Medical, SOMATEX Medical Technologies GmbH, Boston Scientific Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., BD, and Roche Diagnostics.



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.



Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.



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Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.comAlbany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/06/2018 -- Proppant is a solid material designed to keep hydraulic fracture open during treatment. Hydraulic fracture is a widely used process in gas companies. Under the process, chemicals, injecting sand, and water are inserted into a well under carefully controlled conditions to crack or fracture solid rocks and release trapped gas deposits. Development of the hydraulic fracturing technology has led to the usage of proppants. Proppants are used during hydraulic fracturing to keep the fissures open for oil and gas to flow toward the well head. There are primarily three types of proppants: sand, resin-coated, and ceramic. The proppants market has been expanding in most of the emerging economies. The market entails significant investment. Traditional drilling methods incur high cost and can adversely affect the availability of resources. Synthetic proppants play a vital role in the extraction process by keeping the supplies of natural gas and oil unhindered. This is fuelling the proppants market.



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https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/synthetic-proppants-market.html



Various types of proppants are used in the fraction process; however, synthetic proppants provide better performance under high pressure conditions in reservoirs at greater depth. This is anticipated to augment the synthetic proppants market during the forecast period. Rise in usage of proppants in the oil & gas industry has boosted the demand for proppants across the globe. However, implementation of stringent government regulations to reduce hydraulic fracturing due to its hazardous environmental impact is hampering the market.



Global Synthetic Proppants Market: Key Segments



Based on type, the synthetic proppants market can be segmented into ceramic beads, aluminum beads, sintered bauxite, coated sand, and others. Ceramic proppants are manufactured from kaolin clay or non-metallurgical bauxite, which is sintered to reduce the water content and increase density, roundness, and strength. Synthetic proppants provide an additional benefit; their specific gravity and grain size can be matched to the viscosity of the fracking fluid. Thus, enhanced properties of synthetic proppants are estimated to drive the market during the forecast period.



Global Synthetic Proppants Market: Applications



In terms of application, the synthetic proppants market can be divided into hale gas, tight gas, coal bed methane, and others. Increase in application of synthetic proppants in shale gas extraction due to its usage in transportation and power generation is projected to augment the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, presence of unexplored shale gas reserves in economies such as China, Argentina, Australia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil is likely to boost the demand for synthetic proppants during the forecast period.



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Global Synthetic Proppants Market: Regional Outlook



In terms of region, the global synthetic proppants market can be segregated into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to be a rapidly growing region of the synthetic proppants market owing to the rise in demand for these proppants in hydraulic fracturing application for exploration of unconventional natural oil and gas. Synthetic proppants are widely used, as they offer higher resistance to crushing. They also possess higher permeability under high confining stress. China, Japan, and India are the key countries of the synthetic proppants market. North America accounts for major share of the market. The market in the region is expected to expand significantly in the near future owing to the increase in drilling activities for shale gas in the U.S. and Canada. The market in Europe is anticipated to expand at a significant pace from 2018 to 2026, due to the increase in consumption of synthetic proppants in various applications in the region. Latin America and Middle East & Africa also constitute key share of the global synthetic proppants market.



Global Synthetic Proppants Market: Key Players



Prominent players operating in the global synthetic proppants market are Fortress Proppants Ltd, Fairmount Santrol, Badger Mining Corporation (BMC), U.S. SILICA, CARBO Ceramics, and Hi Crush LP Partners.Marlton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/07/2018 -- Whistleblower laws have been present in the United States for over a century, dating back to 1863 when The False Claims Act was passed. Today, there are numerous whistleblower laws in place that protect employees from retaliation by their employers after they've reported fraud or any other illegal/unethical activity.



The Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyers at the Law Firm of Jacobson & Rooks, LLC further protects the rights of whistleblowers in PA and NJ by bringing suit against big and small corporations alike that decide to ignore the law.



Whistleblower cases can cover a multitude of wrongdoings by employers that include, but is not limited to, improper Medicare/Medicaid billing, knowingly selling defective products/goods, defense contractor fraud, securities fraud, and more.



The Law Firm of Jacobson & Rooks, LLC has experience handling whistleblower cases across a wide variety of industries with a significant focus on the healthcare field. To qualify for protection, all the whistleblower has to do is have good faith that his or her employer is violating the law in some sense. If the claim so happens to be illegitimate or wrong, whistleblowers are still protected against retaliation from their employers.



The South Jersey employment discrimination lawyers at The Law Firm Jacobson & Rooks, LLC have successfully litigated against hundreds of employers that were engaging in fraudulent and illegal activities, recovering thousands of dollars in compensation for their clients. Whistleblowers in need of a highly competent and professional law firm to handle their whistleblower claims can contact The Law Firm of Jacobson & Rooks, LLC today by dialing 800-406-8013.



About Jacobson & Rooks, LLC

Jacobson & Rooks, LLC, handles many types of cases, including whistleblower and Qui Tam claims, as well as discrimination and other employment violations. The attorneys at Jacobson & Rooks, LLC focus on building a strong relationship with their clients and maintaining an open channel of communication with all parties.



To learn more about the law firm and the types of clients they represent, visit their website at http://www.jacobsonrooks.com/Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/07/2018 -- Transparency Market Research delivers key insights and presents a revised forecast of the global vanilla market for a 10-year period from 2018 to 2028, for the report titled 'Vanilla Market: Global Industry Analysis 20132017 and Opportunity Assessment 20182028'. Revisions in the vanilla market size and forecasts have been carried out taking into account the impact of various macroeconomic indicators and other industry-based demand-driving factors, as well as the recent developments of key market participants. The global vanilla market is estimated to be valued at US$ 510.2 million in 2018, and is expected to reach US$ 810.8 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 4.7% during 2018-2028, revised from the previous CAGR of 3.5%, due to factors regarding which TMR offers useful insights in detail in this report.



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Vanilla is a flavour obtained from the orchids of the species vanilla, mostly from the Madagascar species. The three most important species of vanilla grown are Mexican vanilla, which is bold and dark with tones of smoke, Madagascar vanilla, which is rich and creamy, and Beanilla vanilla, which is a blend of Bourbon and Tahitian Vanilla. A majority of the vanilla present in the market is the Madagascar vanilla, which is produced in Madagascar and nearby islands located in Indonesia and the southwestern Indian Ocean. Despite being the second-most expensive spice in the world, vanilla is highly valued for its flavor, and is widely used in both, commercial and domestic baking, and the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.



The consumption of vanilla extract in the diverse regions of the world is associated with numerous factors, such as standard of living, demand, supply of different types of vanilla products in those particular regions, recent trends, and other market-changing aspects going on in the market. With the increase in population, the global production and consumption of various bakery products has also increased. Owing to this, the vanilla market is witnessing significant growth.



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Increase in Consumption of Overall Bakery Products Boosting the Growth of the Vanilla Market



Vanilla is multipurpose and dynamic, and can be used in nearly every single meal of the day. Vanilla is an important natural flavor, broadly used in countless industries such as food, beverages, sodas, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, tobacco, and traditional craft. The bakery industry is one of the significant industries that is driving the growth of the vanilla market. As the markets for these industries are increasing the demand, the vanilla market is growing simultaneously. Apart from this, the introduction of cheap vanilla extract imitation in the market has also attracted new consumers, as it provides almost the same flavor and aroma as that of natural vanilla extract, for lesser price. While vanilla is delicious and is used in many baked goods, it can also be added to other foods such as smoothies, milkshakes, and plain yogurt for a rich warm flavor. The extensive uses of vanilla is the major driving force fuelling the growth of the vanilla market.



Global Vanilla Market Scenario



The global vanilla market observes a significant contribution from consumers aged between 15 and 34, leading the way for new eating patterns and food trends. The aspects that stick out as primary drivers for the vanilla market is the millennial generation of foodies who demand freshness, variety, and exotic flavors. Millennials are attracted towards new and exciting flavors. They are keener to experiment, and are likely to mix flavors and food styles. These are some of the facets substantiating the growth of the global vanilla market.



Global Vanilla Market Target Geographies



The United States of America is the primary user in the vanilla market North America. France, Germany, and the U.K. are significant consumers of vanilla in Western Europe, followed by Denmark and the Netherlands. In the Asia Pacific region, Japan is the primary consumer of vanilla extract. The recent market trends show expected growth of the vanilla market in the North American region, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific.



Madagascar, the United States of America, and Indonesia are significant producers of vanilla in the global market. Apart from Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, India, and Uganda also produce vanilla in small capacities.



Global Vanilla Market Trends



There is an increasing trend towards using vanilla in bakery products like bread, biscuits & cookies, cakes & pastries, and baked goods, as customers are increasingly inclined towards healthier food and suitable bakery options that are low in sugar and comprise wholesome ingredients, supporting the growth of the vanilla market. Government guidelines are extremely supportive of the use of clean label products. Consequently, multiple supply side and demand side drivers are powering the growth of the global vanilla market. Due to trends like 'out-of-home and to go arena,' which have witnessed a sharp increase in the past few years, bakery products are being increasingly consumed, thus powering the growth of the vanilla market. Also, certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic have increased the sales of vanilla products.



With an increase in the demand for organic products, sales have increased generously. The lifestyle of consumers is playing an essential role in the increased consumption of vanilla. They have started opting for private label goods with values such as high quality, healthy, and sustainable. These changes in choices have opened an opportunity for natural vanilla, despite the high prices and not so easy availability. Nowadays, consumers are demanding these natural products in the products that they are consuming, thus forcing the food and beverage industries to take up the habit of using natural vanilla in their products.This poses a special challenge for Puerto Rico in the Miami and New York markets, Arison told the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in San Juan during a session featuring cruise company chairmen.

'Perception is reality'

'Perception is reality,' observed Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 'The perception continues to be there is a problem coming to the Caribbean. After such a devastating series of hurricanes, one after another, people continue to suffer.' But the response was 'amazingly fast,' he said, and any impact has 'completely dissipated' for tourists.

'We need to work together as never before,' Fain added, because tourism dollars are needed for recovery.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, felt the relief efforts could have been better coordinated: 'We sent containers. They could not be unloaded in Puerto Rico.'

Disaster response has improved

But Fain thought there's been 'tremendous improvement' in the ability to respond to natural disasters since the Haiti earthquake of a few years back. He described that as 'total disfunction. Every NGO wanted to solve things in their own way.'

In contrast, after last year's hurricanes, 'the response was quite good' given the terrible difficulties with communications, Fain said. The focus was on getting ports open, and that happened within a few days in Puerto Rico's case.

A silver lining

The best thing to come from the hurricanes was partnering with J.Lo (Jennifer Lopez) for the 'Caribbean is Open' campaign, Arison said.

'I got Andrea Bocelli,' Vago chipped in.

'I had the better deal,' Arison responded.

'I ended up in an Army camp,' Fain said.

'Cuba is not a panacea'

Cuba was among other topics addressed during the 'Chair Talk' moderated by Tom Stieghorst, senior editor, Travel Weekly.

Cuba is 'not a panacea for the whole cruise industry,' Vago said. 'Still, there will be big growth,' he added, and the infrastructure plans announced in Global Ports Holdings' 15-year agreement to manage the Havana cruise port will 'definitely help. Bigger ships will come.' Vago added: 'Cuba is a fantastic experience.'

Arison agreed that guest satisfaction is very high for Cuba cruises.

But, to put things in perspective, the Carnival chairman said the number of passengers who cruised to Cuba last year was less than those that visit Cozumel in a week.

Addressing the chairmen's visions of what will be different for cruising in the future, Vago said it's a challengethough one that MSC relishesto design the experiences that people are going to want years from now in a world where technology is constantly changing.

'Ships keep getting bigger and smaller'

'The good news is that ships keep getting bigger and smaller,' Fain said, pointing to the fact that his own company has introduced the world's largest cruise ship and is building 100-passenger vessels for exploration cruising, which he called the 'fastest growing area.'

Both Carnival Corp. and MSC Cruises are building larger and smaller ships, too.

Fain also cited a trend to closer partnership with destinations, and a focus on 'sustainability as a defining issue of our time.' He expressed pride that the cruise industry has come up with so many innovations to support sustainability.

Arison said cruise companies are strategically planning for 10 years out and longer. The planning cycle has lengthened because of shipyard availability pushing newbuild orders 'further and further out.'The MoU signing ceremony was completed by MATTA president, Datuk Tan Kok Liang and CLIA svp, membership & director UK & Ireland, Andy Harmer and witnessed by the Honourable Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia at the World Travel Market taking place in London.

Cruising picking up steam

Tan said Cruise is one of the fastest growing leisure travel segments globally and has been picking up steam in Malaysia. According to the CLIAs Asia Cruise Trends Report 2018, Malaysian cruise source passenger count nearly doubled in 2017, an increase of 87.8k passengers, or about 88% up year over year.

Meanwhile, the number of international cruise call to local ports has grown to 599 at 2017 compared to 435 at 2016. The number of intermediate stops by international cruise holiday ships is expected to grow to 628 by year 2020.

Focusing on sustainable growth

The strategic cooperation between both associations will focus on the development and sustainable growth of the cruise tourism in Malaysia through education and awareness to members.

CLIA Australasia & Asia md Joel Katz added, The signing of this MoU would align the efforts of CLIA and MATTA to create exciting opportunities that will benefit the cruise industry. We look forward to working together with MATTA to promote the growth of cruise tourism in Malaysia.The investigation by a special corruption prosecutor, is examining all data on file, pertaining to Marfin Bank in recent years. The accounts of Frangou, chairman and ceo of the NYSE-listed Navios Group, have been frozen by the Athens Prosecutor's Office. It concerns accounts of Frangou and of IRF European Finance Investment.

The prosecutor's offices took action as it examines the approval and granting of funding by Marfin Bank to IRF European Finance Investments. The investigation is looking at the conditions under which the funding was made by Marfin to IRF especially issues related to the adequacy of the relevant guarantees.

The case under investigation concerns an amount of EUR178m ($200m) and relates to the period from 2006 onwards. The loans have now passed to Piraeus Bank, which has restructured its lending.

According to various sources, Piraeus Bank's loan restructuring was done with sufficient collateral and guarantees, and according to the same information, the arrangement is maintained and the loans are repaid.

Read more: Marfin facing felony charges over loan to Frangrou controlled investment firm

Greece's second largest shipowning group, the Frangou-headed Navios has a fleet of some 195 ocean-going vessels, 55 tankers, 39 container ships and 101 dry cargo ships, including 26 vessels on long-term charter to third parties. Five companies in the group are listed in New York, Navios Holdings, Navios Maritime Acquisitions, Navios Maritime Containers, Navios

Maritime Partners and Navios Midstream Partners.

The group also has major interests in logistics activities in South America including ship operations and operation of cargo terminals.Press Release

November 6, 2018 Speech of Senator Loren Legarda*

Visayas Cooperative Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

November 6, 2018 | Leyte Academic Center

*Delivered by Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman Good morning, and my sincerest appreciation and congratulations to the Philippine Haiyan Advocacy Cooperative for organizing this Visayas Cooperative Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). I also thank all those who are here today--our mayors and government officials, our leaders from different cooperatives, members of the academe, climate and environment experts and advocates, and all other stakeholders--all of whom I hope could help bring about the needed urgent action towards climate resilience, not just here in Leyte and Visayas, but across the Philippines and the world. This conference's theme, Cooperative Efforts in Action: A Response to Climate Change, captures the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach we have to foster in order to spur and sustain climate action. Simply put: convergence--for all groups, sectors, and communities to work together to overcome the challenges we face in light of climate change. Just this October, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world's leading body assessing the science related to climate change, released its much-awaited Special Report on 1.5C. And as we converge our efforts to achieve our shared goals, the report cannot be anymore clearer as regards the direction we need to take. As you may recall, it is our country, along with fellow climate-vulnerable countries, that advocated for the inclusion of the more ambitious climate goal of 1.5C to be included in the Paris Agreement. When everyone else found it acceptable to set the goal at 2C, we held our ground and negotiated for 1.5C because we know that any level beyond it will put our people at further risk. Three years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement comes this Special Report on 1.5C, which upheld that 1.5C is the safer, more humane, and more sustainable threshold of global warming. It has also amplified our call for "climate justice," which, among others, demands for greater responsibility from industrialized nations to assist vulnerable countries in enhancing resilience. The report also states that limiting global warming at 1.5C is entirely possible. But the huge caveat is this: It requires "unprecedented" or "rapid and far-reaching transitions," especially in the energy, land, urban and infrastructure, and industrial systems. Therefore, when we talk about cooperation and convergence in responding to climate change inside and outside of this conference, we have to contextualize this into the appropriate level and pace of climate action that the IPCC report urges from all nations and from all of us. Allow me also to mention two events that had happened last month. First is the launching of the Global Commission on Adaptation at The Hague, Netherlands, where I formally accepted the invitation to be its Commissioner, along with other global leaders pushing to accelerate adaptation and urging bolder solutions towards resilience against climate-related threats. And the second is the 6th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum, held in Manila, which is the largest gathering of adaptation practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region. I mention these two because they occurred following the release of the 1.5C report, and in both events, the call for urgent and scaled up efforts on climate action to meet the requirements for a 1.5C global warming is very prominent. And as we participate in this conference now, as well as in future climate talks, we need to amplify this call leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference this December, where the work programme of the Paris Agreement is set to be finalized. We hope that nations could rise to the challenge of driving ambition and action in support of the 1.5C goal. But while this happens overseas, we also need to ensure that we incite and sustain greater and ambitious climate action in our own country, especially at the community level. We need to take a bolder perspective along five emerging major challenges that call for stronger foundation of all development pursuits on reducing climate and disaster risks. First, we must enhance and sustain awareness and understanding on climate change and its associated risks, through all media platforms and formal and informal education systems. Second, we must sustain urban planning and development, in view of the continuing trend of rapid urbanization, increasing urban population density, unabated rural to urban migration, high concentration of economic activities and assets in cities, and expanding carbon footprints, altogether resulting in increased urban disaster risk and vulnerability. Third, we must accelerate capacity building for local governments and communities, including ensuring that their local development plans and investment plans are in place, updated and implemented and responsive to the adaptation and resilience needs of the poor and marginalized groups. Fourth, we must invest in social preparation for the transformation of all sectors towards low carbon development and a green economy, and the sustained implementation and monitoring of outcomes of national climate plans, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). And fifth, we must facilitate efficient access to international and domestic climate finance and the transfer of technology and knowledge on adaptation and mitigation pursuant to the provisions of the Paris Agreement and in accordance with the principle of climate justice. Through this Visayas Cooperative Conference, we hope that we encourage discussions on how the people in the region can truly mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation in the local development planning processes. But while climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as disaster risk reduction, or CCAM-DRR, is already integrated into our national development agenda and investment planning, this needs to be further encouraged at the local level. This is why the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and its National Panel of Technical Experts have been leading efforts to extend assistance to our local government units (LGUs) on various efforts, such as formulating local climate change action plans (LCCAPs), conducting trainings on greenhouse gases inventory and climate field schools, and accessing the People's Survival Fund (PSF)--all of which are carried out with the help of local academic institutions, civil society, the development sector, and stakeholders. Accessing climate finance is a crucial aspect of climate action, and the PSF, as our country's first adaptation finance mechanism, is dedicated to support LGUs by providing grants to local climate adaptation projects. For this year, 196 million pesos were already granted to four municipalities for multi-year programs on climate-resilient agriculture, ridge-to-reef disaster risk reduction systems, ecological farming, and a climate field school for farmers and fisherfolk. These grants, however, are not mere dole-outs. Project proposals must be founded on climate science and must address the prevailing risks and vulnerabilities of the communities. We therefore encourage convergence among LGUs, local academe, civil society, and stakeholders to bring about PSF proposals that are borne out of their need and which they would really aspire to develop and implement. We have always recognized the value of science and academic research, as a means to inform policy and practice. But the process should also be as participatory as possible, with great consideration on the practical knowledge and experiences of our people within the communities. Our LGUs may have the best plans founded on tedious climate research and data, but even when the science is clear on which direction we should go, we cannot really go that far without the involvement of our people. In this case, we can never achieve resilience without our people yearning and supporting efforts to be climate-resilient. And our actions do not have to be solely dependent on climate finance and technologies. As what we learned from the purok system of Camotes Island in Cebu, engaging and coordinating with the people is key to saving lives and achieving a zero-casualty count even in the face of a typhoon as ruthless as Yolanda. We need to go beyond these tragedies and bring about many more stories of resilience here in Leyte, Samar, Tacloban, and the rest of Visayas, and across the Philippines. Through this conference, I hope that we not only deepen our knowledge and understanding, but may we also learn how to engage other people to enable them to participate in our efforts to address climate change. The IPCC already provides the best recourse for us in saving more lives and living more sustainably in light of climate change. But as our IPCC experts said, what is deemed possible by the report may not always be feasible. It is now up to us to follow through on the information given to us. As leaders, policymakers, planners, and implementers in our respective fields, we need to heed the call of 1.5C and inspire many more others in the call for greater and more ambitious climate action. I am very thankful for the vibrant involvement of our government agencies, the academe, civil society, development partners, and the climate advocates in advancing our common cause. Once again, to the Philippine Haiyan Advocacy Cooperative and to all of you here today, thank you very much for making this conference a meaningful one. May we all work together towards reaching our goals for our people and our nation.Press Release

November 7, 2018 De Lima camp lauds Muntinlupa RTC judge's inhibition from Senator's case Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima's camp has lauded the inhibition of Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 from hearing the trumped-up illegal drug trading charge against the Senator. De Lima's legal counsel, Atty. Filibon Tacardon, said Judge Navarro-Domingo's decision shows that there is still hope for the deteriorating legal justice system in the country. "Para daw mapanumbalik ang tiwala sa sistema, boluntaryo siyang nag-inhibit. Ito'y isang magandang sinyales na may pag-asa pa rin naman talaga ang sistema ng hustisya sa Pilipinas," he said in an interview. In a five-page Order dated Nov. 5, Judge Navarro-Domingo inhibited herself from De Lima's trial "in order to show good faith to all parties concerned." "The Court finds no sufficient ground to inhibit herself from conducting trial, however, in order to show good faith to all parties concerned and being within the discretionary power of this Court, the undersigned Presiding Judge recused herself from trying this case," Domingo said. At the resumption of the hearing at the designated Court of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) where De Lima personally appeared before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206, Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo cut the hearing short when she presented an Order declaring that she is inhibiting herself from trying the case. De Lima, in her 13-page Motion for Inhibition she filed last Oct. 15, sought for the inhibition of Judge Navarro-Domingo due to her display of a pattern of bias and obvious partiality in hearing her case. In filing the Motion for Inhibition, De Lima said Judge Navarro-Domingo prematurely ruled on her Motion to Disqualify Prosecution Witnesses when she issued an Order dated Sept. 24 denying the latter motion, without waiting for her Reply to the Prosecution's Comment/Opposition, peremptorily resolved certain motions without benefit of ample study, and at the same time consistently violated the Senator's right to a public trial, among others. Meanwhile, Tacardon maintained that De Lima's camp has nothing personal against Judge Navarro-Domingo, saying that their legal team only wants the Court to accord the former justice secretary her right to a fair trial. "Ang gusto lang naman namin dito ay yung magkaroon ng patas na trial si Senator De Lima na hindi namin nakita noong ito ay hawak pa ni Judge Domingo. Sa aming palagay baka hindi siya maging patas kaya hiningi namin na siya ay mag inhibit, pumayag naman siya para lang patunayan na wala siyang kinikilingan," he said. In a span of roughly two years, four Muntinlupa RTC judges-- including Judge Navarro-Domingo -- already recused themselves from handling De Lima's case, while one judge has retired optionally. Tacardon said the illegal drug case against De Lima will be raffled off to a new judge after the Court settles the impending Motion for Reconsideration of the Prosecution on Judge Navarro-Domingo's inhibition from the case. The Prosecution has requested to be given five days to file their Motion for Reconsideration on Navarro's inhibition from hearing De Lima's case. In Criminal Case No. 17-167 lodged before the Muntinlupa - RTC, Branch 206, the Prosecution earlier filed an Amended Information that drastically changed the crime imputed against the Senator from "illegal drug trading" to "conspiracy to trade illegal drugs," a move questioned by De Lima and her legal counsels. De Lima is facing trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the Duterte administration before the Muntinlupa RTC Branches 205 and 206 but she has since finally maintained her innocence from the bogus drug charges.Press Release

November 7, 2018 De Lima files criminal and administrative raps vs Aguirre, Guevarra Senator Leila M. de Lima has filed criminal complaints against former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and his successor, incumbent Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, for illegally admitting and continuing the unlawful admission, respectively, of 13 convicted felons as state witnesses in the trumped-up drug trade cases against her. In a 22-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman last Oct. 28, De Lima charged Aguirre and Guevarra with negligence in prosecution, toleration of criminal offenses and violations of Section 3 of Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. She also charged Guevarra with gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for continuing the failure of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute the convicts despite their public admission of their involvement in the illegal drug trading inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). "Based on the foregoing factual antecedents, former Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Secretary Menardo Guevarra have violated Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code and grossly abused their power to favor convicted felons and protect them under the Witness Protection Security and Benefits Program (WPSBP)," she said. "Secretary Guevarra has already been notified of the fact that the criminals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude were illegally admitted as State Witnesses into the [WPSBP] of the DOJ. As such, the proper response was to remove them as beneficiaries. Still, he has refused and is unwilling to do so," she added. The 13 witnesses admitted into the Witness Protection Program (WPP) are Nonilo Arile, Jojo Baligad, Herbert Colanggo, Engelberto Durano, Rodolfo Magleo, Vicente Sy, Hans Tan, Froilan Trestiza, Peter Co, Noel Martinez, Joel Capones, German Agojo, And Jaime Patcho, all of whom were convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude. Their testimonies during the public hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice in late 2016 in relation to the alleged proliferation of illegal drug trading inside the NBP resulted in the filing of criminal complaints against De Lima for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Under Section 10 (f) of RA 6981, persons previously convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude -- such as murder and drug trading -- are disqualified from becoming state witnesses. "Given the explicit guidelines provided under Section 10 of the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, it is unfathomable how then-Secretary Aguirre and Secretary Guevarra could have missed the fact that the convicted felons are not qualified to become state witnesses," she said. "There is no room for any judgment call as their circumstance as convicts for crimes involving moral turpitude is beyond debate and is readily apparent," she added. De Lima also lamented how Guevarra failed to indict the 13 convicted criminals for illegal drug trading despite their unequivocal admissions and confessions under oath. "The failure to file the necessary Information is a flagrant breach of duty on the part of the Secretary. Ultimately, he has committed gross neglect of duty as the Secretary of Justice," she said. Likewise, she claimed that partiality and hostility on the part of then-Secretary Aguirre was obvious from his statements and actions against her during the period of investigation in 2016. "[His previous statements] show that then-Secretary Aguirre was manifestly partial to illegally place the convicted felons under the witness protection program in order to testify against me," she said. Last September, De Lima expressed dismay over the rejection of her motion seeking to disqualify 13 convicts as state witnesses in the trumped-up illegal drug trade case lodged before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206. According to De Lima, Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo hastily decided to deny her Motion, thereby allowing the Prosecution to continue presenting the NBP inmates as state witnesses. Considered as a leading prisoner of conscience, De Lima continues to face fabricated drug charges in both Muntinlupa RTC, Branches 205 and 206, but she has refused to enter any plea in what she considered as a sham trial based on orchestrated lies."Democracy only works when we work for it, when we fight for it, when we demand it, and apparently today when we stand in line for hours to meet it at the ballot box," Abrams said in remarks to supporters at nearly 2 a.m. Wednesday. "I am here today to tell you there are votes remaining to be counted. Voices are waiting to be heard."



As of early Wednesday, Kemp led Abrams by about 3.1 percentage points, a difference of about 115,000 votes out of a total 3.75 million votes counted. That lead had narrowed by 5:15 a.m. to about 1.9 points and 75,000 votes out of 3.87 million counted. CBS News was characterizing the race as leaning Republican.



Before Abrams addressed the crowd, campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said thousands of absentee and provisional ballots remained to be tallied.



"We have three factors to be considered here: outstanding votes, absentee ballots to be counted, and provisional ballots," Groh-Wargo said. "Given those three issues, we believe this is likely heading to a runoff."

Black women in Florida voted 89% for Hillary in 2016. And were supposed to believe that that margin went DOWN BY 7 POINTS in 2018 for Gillum?! NO WAY! This is just NOT credible. Something is up.  Pam Keith (@PamKeithFL) November 7, 2018

There was definitely a lot of good news from the midterms, but all of it was wrapped up a bow crafted from the thread by which our democracy is still barely hanging.Voter suppression efforts of various stripes were reported around the country, and there are a number of races the outcomes of which just plain reek of election interference.In particular, the governors' races in Florida and Georgia stink to high heaven.Stacy Abrams refuses to concede in Georgia (GOOD!) and is vowing to keep fighting until every vote is counted Kemp is an unethical shit who refused to vacate his role as the Georgia secretary of state as he ran for governor, thusHis anti-democratic behavior in Georgia is well-established , and we have no reason to believe that he inexplicably decided to set aside his manipulation of elections at the very moment when he has the most to personally benefit from such corruption.Thankfully Abrams is hanging on, buying as much time as she can while the election is scrutinized.In Florida, Andrew Gillum conceded quickly, but there is nothing that prevents him from rescinding his concession if the gubernatorial race results look fishy, which they do.Both of these races are deeply troubling me this morning, and I hope that Democrats press for answers. I am particularly outraged that the most obvious fuckery has been deployed against Black candidates, which also makes our attention to the integrity (or lack thereof) of the elections all the more urgent.Independent financial analysis of Fonterra since its creation in 2001 shows an "unambiguous" pattern of commercial under-performance, says Fonterra Shareholders' Council chairman Duncan Coull. The council lodged a report at today's annual general meeting of farmer-shareholders in the dairy cooperative at Lichfield, in the Waikato.

"The assessment clearly shows that Fonterra's performance since inception has been unsatisfactory," says Coull in opening remarks to the analysis, undertaken by investment firm Northington Partners.

Its returns on capital employed, return on shareholders' funds and the performance of the value-add part of the business were all "lower than relevant benchmarks".

Over the 17 years since the cooperative was created in an attempt to create scale to help New Zealand's dairy industry compete in global markets, total shareholder returns had averaged 6.3 percent a year; and return on capital employed was 6 percent - against a benchmark of between 6.9 percent and 7.7 percent a year, the analysis shows.

The value-add business's return was just 0.2 percent a year higher than funds employed in the lower-margin manufacturing of ingredients.

That was "significantly below the 1.3 percent per annum needed to justify the increased risk" of pursuing higher value products, says the Northington report, which homed in on those three key metrics.

"The results are unambiguous," said Coull. A range of other alternative measures made little difference to the conclusion that Fonterra had failed to meet its goals.

In slides prepared for the annual meeting, newly appointed chair John Monaghan and acting chief executive Miles Hurrell emphasised the co-op's current strategic review. Monaghan said the review was likely to lead to asset sales and capital reallocation, along with an immediate focus on reducing corporate debt by $800 million in the current financial year.

Hurrell's slides were notable for the bald statement: "We have dropped our volume-based ambition."

The AGM comes at a critical time for Fonterra, which reported a loss for the first time in the last financial year, saw its chief executive of the last eight years, Theo Spierings, step down and its chairman, John Wilson, resign for health reasons. Earlier this week, farmer-shareholders delivered a sharp message to the Fonterra board by failing to re-elect one of the few commercial directors, Ashleigh Waugh, re-electing a dissident ex-director, Leonie Guiney, to the board, and failing to fill one board vacancy because other board-backed and independent candidates failed to capture the required 50 percent minimum support.

The government also last week released an options paper for reform of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act which indicated little enthusiasm for Fonterra's desire to be relieved of the regulatory requirement to collect all milk that is offered to it. Instead, the paper suggests Fonterra can control milk supply by the price it offers for milk, as farmers have proven highly sensitive to price signals.

With its Chinese investments among the most heavily criticised, and with investment analysts urging Fonterra to concentrate on its domestic operations rather than international activity, Hurrell's notes also say: "We are maximising New Zealand milk."

Both Hurrell's and Monaghan's slide presentation packs are notable for their brevity, compared with the usual approach by corporate leadership to briefing shareholders.

The Shareholders' Council report does acknowledge that the co-op's investments in China had always been expected to be loss-making in their early years and that higher returns from these investments may yet be realised.

It also contended that Fonterra's 8.3 percent return on capital employed over the last 10 years was stronger than that of its most comparable domestic competitor, Open Country Dairy, which achieved a 7 percent annual return over that time.

The report compares Fonterra's performance with international competitors Arla and Friesland Campina It showed Arla and Fonterra earned roughly similar returns on capital over the last 17 years, at 8.4 percent and 8.1 percent respectively, but both significantly under-performed compared to Spierings's previous employer, Friesland Campina, which produced a 13.2 percent return over that period. The report notes the Europeans operate under very different regulatory structures than Fonterra.

(BusinessDesk)

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Taranaki oil and gas producer TAG Oil is selling its New Zealand operations for US$30 million to Tamarind Resources, citing the less friendly environment for the oil and gas sector as one of its reasons for quitting the country.

One of the quiet achievers of the New Zealand petroleum sector, Toronto Stock Exchange-listed TAG has built up a portfolio of onshore oil and gas production after recapitalising the operations of Austral Pacific almost a decade ago.

It had pursued a sale to Tamarind after being approached by another party looking to buy its New Zealand operations, TAG's vice-president of corporate development, Chris Beltgens, told BusinessDesk.

"There wasn't a desire to exit, but there's always a desire to maximise value for shareholders," said Beltgens. The company believed its share price had suffered from investor perception in Canada and the US that the New Zealand government's ban on issuing new offshore oil and gas exploration permits would eventually move onshore too.

While New Zealand was "still quite a bit friendlier than most other places" as a place to do business, that had "changed and not for the better in the last year, year and a half," said Beltgens. "We're slightly immune to that, being onshore, but with the way the winds are blowing, cancelling the offshore block offering, smaller blocks being offered on onshore, it just seems that there's a trend there that we can't ignore."

While TAG might have been comfortable with that risk internally, "being a public company in Canada, with our shareholders based in the Canada, US and internationally, there is an investor perception and that weighs on our share price. People do ask about the potential for oil and gas in New Zealand and we've always said it's one of the bigger contributors to GDP in New Zealand and we don't think it would be prudent for the government ignore that."

The deal announced today sees Kuala Lumpur-based Tamarind, which is already the operator of the Tui offshore oil field, pay US$30 million up-front for TAG's New Zealand assets and gives TAG exposure to future production on a 2.5 percent gross overriding royalty basis.

Tamarind will also make up to US$5 million in event-specific payments based on various milestones, the first of which - the granting of a mining permit for the Supplejack field - has already triggered a US$500,000 additional payment.

TAG's New Zealand assets include the Cheal, Cardiff, Sidewinder, Puka and Waitoriki fields. They are currently producing the equivalent of about 1370 barrels of oil and gas daily, with 75-to-80 percent of its output in crude oil rather than natural gas. Proven and probable reserves are estimated at 4.2 million barrels of oil and gas.

Tamarind country manager Jason Peacock said TAG's lower risk, but smaller scale onshore assets are a good complement to Tamarind's offshore activities.

"Those two knit together quite nicely," he told BusinessDesk.

The purchase will also allow the firm to leverage the expertise of its current 15 New Plymouth staff and the "great bunch of people" TAG have locally.

While this is the first onshore exposure for the broader Tamarind business, Peacock noted that many of the firm's executives have long experience with similar assets in Canada,

Tamarind is also keen to bring its experience of late life assets into play, just as it is doing at Tui.

"Tamarind hasn't purchased these assets to sit on them," Peacock said.

TAG also owns some 275,000 acres of exploration acreage in Queensland, Australia, where Beltgens said the regulatory environment is considerably more welcoming than New Zealand's.

However, at this stage, the company has negligible oil production in Australia, meaning it is cashed up and effectively starting from scratch in Australia.

"Queensland has been much more accommodating whereas we have been finding it more and more challenging dealing with the government in New Zealand," said Beltgens.

TAG would be considering how to apply the capital released by the New Zealand sale, saying its cash assets exceeded its exploration needs in Australia.

Since the beginning of this year, the TAG share price has bounced around from 42 Canadian cents on Jan 1 to as high as 50 cents in early March, but already fallen to a low for the year of 33 cents on April 2, before the government unexpectedly announced its ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration permits a week later. It then recovered to 45 cents by late April and drifted before falling 3.6 percent on the TSX to 40 cents late on Nov. 6, Toronto time, following the disposal announcement.

(BusinessDesk)

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New Zealand will get its crypto-based dollars back early next year, in a move that will likely cause excitement among local cryptocurrency investors and enthusiasts, and incomprehension among the rest of the population.

Known as the NZDT, the New Zealand dollar token is the country's first cryptocurrency token "tethered to the NZ dollar. It was launched under the radar in May last year, after several speakers at the annual blockchain conference raised problems they were having without one.

In particular, investors wanted a safe and easy way to use the New Zealand banking system to buy and sell digital currencies like Bitcoin. Problems include high currency exchange costs and the risks of buying direct from an overseas seller and ending up with nothing but a hole in your bank account.

The NZ dollar digital token, issued by Christchurch-based cryptocurrency exchange Cryptopia, allowed Kiwis to deposit real money into a Cryptopia bank account, and receive the equivalent number NZ dollar-backed cryptocurrency tokens. An investment of $100 NZ Dollars would receive 100 tokens.

Punters could then use those digital tokens to buy Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies. If they wanted to get NZ dollars back out, they just did the transaction in reverse.

As Bitcoin soared and bounced, NZDT was an easy way for Kiwis to get in on the speculative action.

However, Cryptopia suspended the crypto NZ dollar tokens late last year after its bank, ASB, got cold feet about regulatory issues and difficulties identifying customers and their activities.

Cryptopias business development manager Adam Lyness said that in many ways the tokens were a victim of their own success, and of the banks fear of the unknown.

The crypto-tokens system was put together literally overnight during the 2017 blockchain conference, he said, with the company taking an ask forgiveness, not permission approach.

But it took off.

Initially we were just small, flying under the radar. But within three or four months we were transacting NZ$1 million a day - significant business. The banks challenge was how does this sit with our compliance and KYC [know your customer] obligations.

It was our money in the account, but we were moving fast and building the market and the bank was worried: what if customers used the bitcoin to do something bad like buy drugs on the black market?

This was at the same time as scandals in Australia, and they didnt want unexpected headlines. Their inclination was to pull the service.

Cryptopia gave customers a month to get their money out of the system and pulled the plug.

A year later, Lyness says the company has a new, smaller bank behind the crypto NZ dollar token system and should be ready to relaunch the NZDT in the first quarter next year. He says the company is engaging with government and regulators who, he says, are as curious rather than condemnatory.

A meeting in Wellington had to be moved to a new venue because of all the people wanting to attend, he says.

Bell Gullys Campbell Pentney is both a cryptocurrency tax expert and a keen trader himself. He says getting the NZ dollar-tethered tokens back will make a significant difference.

Not having them matters hugely, Pentney says. It was going great guns, growing massively fast, and then suddenly there was no banking access. People are saying: how do I buy bitcoin?

There are a few cryptocurrency exchanges in New Zealand, but volumes are very low and few people are using it. If you had a large amount in bitcoin, it would be quite difficult to get it out. Some banks are cautious about cryptocurrencies and anti-money laundering legislation and some go as far as closing your account you if you are dealing with cryptocurrencies.

Although the NZDT was largely used to buy cryptocurrencies in the past, the market is expected to expand into other digital assets in the future, Pentney says.

Lets assume blockchain takes off and has amazing projects all over the world. Without an NZ dollar entry point, New Zealanders will find it hard to invest in these projects directly. Because getting money from your bank here into one of these cross-border exchanges takes days and involves big fees.

By contrast, transferring tokens or coins from the Cryptopia system is almost instantaneous and involves only the companys transaction fee.

While trade around cryptocurrencies has largely been about speculation so far, Lyness said there are far more mundane potential uses for the NZDT.

For example, Im a member of a wine club at Canterbury University. Everyone comes to a wine tasting, which costs $15, so they end up with a pile of cash to take to the bank. You could use the NZDT, take the payment from peoples phones using a payments app and a 2D barcode sitting on the table. You hold your phone up and its done.

Another example could be a market stall. A lot of people dont carry cash and its expensive to work with a bank and take credit card payments. If you could get new payment mechanisms at scale, merchants could take payments using NZDT. Its cheap and low fees.

Lyness says demand is still strong for the NZDT, although the companys business has been hit by a recent dramatic fall in cryptocurrency trading volumes and flat prices.

The price of Bitcoin has remained around the US$6,400 mark for almost two months and, worldwide, average cryptocurrency volumes have fallen from US$2.1 trillion a day in December 2017 to US$260 billion.

Cryptopia bosses are hoping the Christmas upturn in cryptocurrency trading which has happened during the past four to five years will manifest itself this year. In the meantime the company has 100 staff and is looking at how it can diversify.

Weve been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, but need to be a broader blockchain financial business, Lyness says. We are looking to build financial services outside speculation, using knowledge weve gained from our cryptocurrency business.

(BusinessDesk)

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Infratil is looking to sell or restructure its stake in a Canberra student accommodation concession after failing to find other investments in the sector.

The company says the Australian National University portfolio stands out by scale and quality in Australias purpose-built student accommodation sector. But when it bought the concession in August 2016 it had expected it to become a cornerstone element in a larger portfolio.

Those investment opportunities have not yet eventuated, the company said in a statement on the ASX.

Accordingly, Infratil will engage with market participants over the coming months to consider proposals for its investment, which may include sale or other options.

Infratil paid almost $85 million for half the 30-year concession offered by ANU. The balance was bought by Commonwealth Superannuation Corp.

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 locations.

Earlier this month the company hired Gresham Partners to advise on the potential sale of its controlling stake in Perth Energy, which it first bought into in 2007.

The firm has also been reviewing the future of its NZ Bus business.

Infratils major investments include controlling or partnership stakes in Trustpower, Wellington International Airport, Tilt Renewables and US-based Longroad Energy. It also has interests in retirement villages and data centres in Australia.

Infratil says the ANU review is likely to take six months.

(BusinessDesk)

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The final quarter of 2021 is on its way and theres so much positivity about the rapid growth of the...The Vodafone New Zealand stock market float is on, 5G is probably two years away, copper is on the way out, and the company plans a push to get costs out of the business - in part by improving the customer experience and getting more people dealing with the company digitally.

Thats the news from Vodafone New Zealand's newly installed chief executive Jason Paris. Five days into the job - though hes been in the building for six weeks - Paris told BusinessDesk he is also ruling out taking Vodafone NZ down the content acquisition path being followed by his main competitor, Spark. Instead he sees the companys role to be a content curator and aggregator through Vodafone TV.

Our job is not to dictate, just make it easy for customers to access content.

Paris, the boy from Invercargill whose mum still works as a meat inspector in the local freezing works says one of his briefs when he was told he had the job - not asked, told - early this year was to bring the much-anticipated stock exchange listing to fruition.

The target for the initial public offering is 2020, but theres a bit of work to do beforehand, Paris says.

When investors look at us they dont see us as growth stock, they see us a yield stock. So we need clear line of sight to modest growth year-on-year before the IPO, he says. Thats more likely to come from us running a more efficient business and reducing costs than an expectation we are going to get significant revenue growth, given we are competing on price."

On timeframe, he says: Ive been given 12 months", and for growth targets he says: "Id love to see low single-digit growth.

In a hugely competitive market, Paris says one way to tackle costs is to speed up what he calls digital Vodafone - getting much more of the interaction between customers and the company online.

We want to make sure customers dont have to call us any more; that they can manage everything via their mobile device, via their app.

Customer service is clearly on Paris mind, both as a way to cut costs and to recruit and retain customers. As the new boss, hes out to find out where the sticking points are.

When someone has to call us, its not great for us or for them. We get hundreds of thousands of calls. Most go pretty well, but thousands of them dont.

Another area Paris will be focusing on is getting rid of low-performing products and services. The company has more than 3000 different products and needs a lot fewer, he says.

Well look at the cost of providing those products and how much customers might be prepared to pay in the future.

Near the top of the hit list will be copper broadband, which is costly to maintain, prone to breaking down when it rains, and isnt fast enough to handle some of the innovative products on the horizon.

I want to migrate all of our existing copper customers onto fibre by the end of 2019, Paris says. Which means look out for some good deals on fibre. Customers insisting on keeping their copper plan will be gently sent to another provider, he says.

Paris worked for Vodafone arch-rival Spark for six years from 2011 to 2017 as head of home, mobile and business. Before that he had roles with TVNZ (2006-2010) and TV3/FOUR (2010-2011).

At the end of 2017, he left Spark for the job in Europe, packing up his wife, a top Auckland lawyer, and three pre-teenage children, for a few years of adventure. But before theyd even left the country, Paris says the company shoulder-tapped him for the Vodafone NZ top job.

The familys already-arranged leaving party was actually a well see you again in six months bash, though hardly anyone was allowed to know that.

Paris takes over at Vodafone from long-standing CEO Russell Stanners, who led the company through a period of big change, including the takeover of Ihug in 2006, of TelstraClear in 2012, and more recently of rural broadband provider Farmside.

Stanners saw the company go from a purely mobile business to an integrated telecommunications company and got Vodafone included as a partner in the governments multi-million dollar Rural Broadband Initiative.

The former chief executive was a big fan of partnerships with other organisations and established some major deals with places like NZ Police and Waitemata District Health Board.

Paris says that focus isnt going to change.

You dont have to build it yourself; the best opportunity is to partner.

Paris says one of the biggest challenges Vodafone faces, like every other telco and media company, is how to get customers to value and pay for what theyve come to expect will be super-cheap.

I love competition based on innovation. I hate competition based on price and discounting. I know we are contributing to it, driving the price down. When I worked at Spark we used to talk about bloody Vodafone and 2degrees. Now Im at Vodafone we talk about bloody Spark and 2degrees.

It would be nice to be spending more time on innovation and partnering, on lifting the bar in New Zealand, instead of just giving customers more for less.

Paris picks up his smartphone.

Someones happy to pay $2700 for this device and complains about spending $19 to connect to it, he muses. Yet that phone is pretty much valueless without the connection.

Our job is to reset a bit and have the conversation with customers why they should value the services we provide.

Which brings him to 5G - super-fast, fifth-generation mobile internet. Paris says while hed love to be talking about 5G coming soon - the company did some world-first stuff involving 5G gaming recently - hes waiting until customers are ready to pay for the technology before making any major investments. Thats probably a couple of years away, he says.

It would be madness to add cost and complexity to your business for a technology that customers dont value. Our job to make sure customers do value it.

(BusinessDesk)

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: India on Wednesday thanked the UN Postal Administration for issuing special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

The United Nations Postal Administration issued a special event sheet on October 19 to commemorate the festival of Diwali.

The sheet in the denomination of $1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.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: </%method> 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: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... 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(0x7f3fdeaf6f30)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdeb1c220)', '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(0x7f3fdeaf6f30)') 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(0x7f3fdeb1c220)') 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(0x7f3fde9f9488)') 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(0x7f3fdeb1c220)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdeb1c220)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fde1b4fd0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb212d8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb212d8)') 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: </%method> 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: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... 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(0x7f3fdeb97a78)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdeae0f58)', '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(0x7f3fdeb97a78)') 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(0x7f3fdeae0f58)') 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(0x7f3fde942890)') 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(0x7f3fdeae0f58)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdeae0f58)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fde1b56a0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb973e8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb973e8)') 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: </%method> 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: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... 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(0x7f3fdead14f8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdead1300)', '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(0x7f3fdead14f8)') 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(0x7f3fdead1300)') 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(0x7f3fde996d98)') 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(0x7f3fdead1300)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdead1300)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fde1b4d78)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fde9829d0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fde9829d0)') 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: </%method> 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: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... 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(0x7f3fdec33f50)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdead0678)', '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(0x7f3fdec33f50)') 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(0x7f3fdead0678)') 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(0x7f3fdec4dc88)') 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(0x7f3fdead0678)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdead0678)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fde1b4790)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb2aaa8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdeb2aaa8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0By Mata Press Service

Pain and pride has enveloped the Sikh community in Canada as the month of November brings into focus the meaning behind the festival of Diwali, the anniversary of the 1984 Sikh-Hindu riots, the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak and the contribution of Sikhs in the military service.

It will be a November to remember for us, said Kirpal Sekhon, a Sikh businessman in Surrey.

Diwali or the festival of lights, which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil falls on November 7 this year.

The story of Diwali, often associated with Hindu Goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, is celebrated by many faiths in India and in the South Asian diaspora.

For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619.

Diwali is celebrated for many reasons by different communities but when it comes every year, it is all about one people and one family, said Sekhon.

The festival has a unifying quality and thats the true meaning of Diwali, he said.

This month also marks the 34th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots that broke out after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her two Sikh bodyguards.

The trigger for Gandhi's killing was the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar city four months earlier to flush out Sikh militants fighting for an independent homeland of Khalistan.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the anti-Sikh riots that followed with rights activists accusing the Congress Party of having turned a blind eye while others say some of its leaders helped orchestrate the violence.

Jagmeet Singh, the federal New Democratic Party leader, who is aiming to secure a parliamentary seat in Burnaby, wants the House of Commons to recognize the carnage carried out by the fanatic Hindu mobs in November-1984 as genocide.

In a statement, he said;

From November 1st to 4th, Canadians and Human Rights Advocates will mark the 34th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide.

Sikh men were burned alive. Women were subject to unthinkable sexual violence and children were murdered in gruesome fashion.

That is why I join and express my solidarity with the thousands of Canadians that live with this pain as survivors and bearers of intergenerational trauma.

By referring to the tragedy as riots the Liberal Government contradicted and undermined the spirit of reconciliationthe Ontario Legislature has recognized these atrocities as genocide.

It is my hope that the House of Commons in Canada and this government will do the same, he said.

The Indian government sees this move as alarming evidence of Sikh extremism on Canadian soil.

Jagmeets statement comes in the wake of a campaign by the US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), with chapters in the U.K. and in Canada, with regards to reestablishing Punjab as a nation state.

Canada has reaffirmed its support for a united India as efforts get underway in several Canadian cities to hold polls as part of a part of SFJs worldwide referendum for an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan.

Remembrance Day this November, like in previous years, brings Sikhs together to recognize their long cultural tradition of participation in the military. Over 65,000 Sikhs fought for the British Army in WWI and over 300,000 Sikhs fought against the Germans and Japanese in WWII.

Across Canada, Sikh temples will be holding special ceremonies, said Harbinder Singh, a Vancouver-based newspaper publisher, who has been instrumental in fostering relationships between the Sikh community in BC and the Canadian Forces.

Its a solemn obligation to remember and be thankful for the sacrifices of our soldiers. We have to teach our kids that they must understand these core values as Canadians, said Sewak, who helped found 3300 British Columbia Regiment of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps  Canadas first cadet corps  organized by the Sikh community.

Last week, the annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony was held at the historic location of the grave of WWI Canadian hero Pvt. Buckam Singh, the only military grave in Canada of a Sikh soldier from the World Wars.

More than 200 members of the Canadian Armed Forces also gathered at a Sikh gurdwara in Scarborough last week, in what is believed to be the first-ever regimental Remembrance Day service to take place at a Sikh place of worship.

The ceremony celebrated Canadian soldiers, including Sikhs, who died in past wars, and recognized current service members.

The Government of India plans to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, with year-long events across the globe beginning November 23.

The US-based National Sikh Campaign (NSC) is working with Auteur Productions to produce an hour-long film focused on Guru Nanaks life and his message to be released next year.

Guru Nanak was one of the greatest religious innovators of all time and the founder of the Sikh religion. The Gurus religious ideas draw on both Hindu and Islamic thought but are far more than just a synthesis. Nanak was an original spiritual thinker and expressed his thoughts in extraordinary poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture.

Guru Nanak was born about 40 miles from Lahore (now in Pakistan) in 1469. The yearlong celebrations are expected to see hundreds of thousands of Sikhs visiting Guru Nanaks birthplace called Sri Nankana Sahib.

Guru Nanak Dev-EcoSikh, an organization working for environmental issues across the world, has also planned to hold green celebrations in Pakistan.

This event is going to be an inter-faith one as Guru Nanak Dev is not only the Guru of Sikhs but of entire humanity. Hindus, Muslims, and people from every community respect him, the group said.By Victor Ing,

Special to The Post

Many international travelers are well-versed in border security and customs protocols at ports of entries. Yet many people find it stressful to be questioned by a border security officer, worrying that they may say the wrong things.

Horror stories abound about delayed or canceled trips as a result of interrogations gone wrong. Some travelers find themselves being referred for extra questioning every time they travel to Canada.

Frequently people are referred to secondary examination because they have an enforcement flag put into their electronic immigration file that causes repeated inquiries and corresponding delays. How does a traveler prepare for increased security in todays world of international travel?

Enforcement flags are computer generated notices that cause a person to be automatically referred to a secondary examination when arriving in Canada.

Upon each new entry to Canada, the officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have access to the Immigration Primary Inspection Line database that contains information about a persons prior travels to Canada, including all past enforcement actions taken.

Enforcement flags can be generated for both temporary residents and permanent residents alike for issues such as criminality, prior overstays in Canada or, in the case of Canadian permanent residents, concerns whether they have met or will meet their residency obligation to maintain permanent resident status.

Although any prior records of enforcement action in a persons travel history are permanent, enforcement flags can be removed by the CBSA upon request or at their own discretion to eliminate the automatic referral to a secondary examination.

Whether the CBSA determines that it is reasonable to remove an enforcement flag will depend on factors such as the frequency of the persons visits to Canada and the nature and seriousness of the concerns that led to the flags creation in the first place.

I was recently approached by a Canadian permanent resident to request the removal of an enforcement flag with the CBSA who had concerns about whether she met the residency obligation of living in Canada for two years in the past five years to maintain her permanent resident status.

As a person who had spent considerable time in her country of citizenship in the first years after obtaining Canadian permanent resident status, she found herself subject to secondary examinations on all her recent return trips to Canada.

As with other immigration matters, the responsibility was on her as the applicant to show why her enforcement flag should be removed.

A full breakdown and analysis of the days she spent traveling outside of Canada in the past five years were provided, together with supporting documentation such as her fully translated passport stamps to demonstrate she clearly met her residency obligation. The client was ultimately successful and had her enforcement flag removed.

The most effective way to remove an enforcement flag will depend on the facts of each case and, in particular, the seriousness of the immigration concerns that led to its creation. For enforcement flags that relate to relatively minor issues, the flag removal request may be requested and processed at the port of entry upon arrival. However, for more complicated issues such as criminal concerns, these will require additional analysis at an in-Canada office by senior CBSA staff.

Immigration representatives can help clients with identifying the underlying legal issues and to prepare a strategy and legal submissions to remove an enforcement flag.

If you have been referred to secondary examination before and find yourself being automatically referred to secondary examination, regardless of the length or purpose of your trip to Canada or the circumstances of your departure from Canada in the case of returning residents, you may be the subject of an enforcement flag and may benefit from assistance from a licensed immigration representative.

Victor Ing is a lawyer of Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre. He provides a full range of immigration services.

For more information go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].Scientists push back against Harvard 'alien spacecraft' theory



Tampa, Nov 6 (AFP) Nov 06, 2018



A scientific paper led by two researchers at Harvard University made a splash this week by claiming that a cigar-shaped rock zooming through our solar system may have been sent by aliens.

The researchers noted in a pre-print of the article that it was an "exotic scenario," but that "Oumuamua may be a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization."

Oumuamua, the first interstellar object known to enter our solar system, accelerated faster away from the Sun than expected, hence the notion that some kind of artificial sail that runs on sunlight -- known as a light sail -- may have helped push it through space.

"Currently there is an unexplained phenomena, namely, the excess acceleration of Oumuamua, which we show may be explained by the force of radiation pressure from the sun," co-author and Harvard astrophysicist Shmuel Bialy told AFP via email Tuesday.

"However this requires the body to have a very large surface and be very thin, which is not encountered in nature."

Their suggestion of an alien force at work went viral.

But other astronomy experts aren't buying it.

"Like most scientists, I would love there to be convincing evidence of alien life, but this isn't it," said Alan Fitzsimmons, an astrophysicist at Queens University, Belfast.

"It has already been shown that its observed characteristics are consistent with a comet-like body ejected from another star system," he told AFP.

"And some of the arguments in this study are based on numbers with large uncertainties."



- 'Impossible to guess' -



Katie Mack, a well-known astrophysicist at North Carolina State, also took issue with the alien hype.

"The thing you have to understand is: scientists are perfectly happy to publish an outlandish idea if it has even the tiniest sliver of a chance of not being wrong," she wrote on Twitter.

"But until every other possibility has been exhausted dozen times over, even the authors probably don't believe it."

Asked if he believed the hypothesis he put forward, Bialy told AFP:

"I wouldn't say I 'believe' it is sent by aliens, as I am a scientist, and not a believer, I rely on evidence to put forward possible physical explanation for observed phenomena."

The other co-author, Avi Loeb, chairman of Harvard's astronomy department, told NBC News humanity may never know more about the mysterious object, since it has traveled far away and isn't heading back.

"It is impossible to guess the purpose behind Oumuamua without more data," Loeb was quoted as saying.

Their paper was accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, and will appear on November 12.

Oumuamua, Hawaiian for "messenger" or "scout," was first viewed by telescopes in October 2017.

The alien rock is about 1,300 feet long (400 meters) long, and only about 130 feet wide.November 9: a fateful day in German history



Berlin, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2018



So many momentous events happened in Germany on November 9 during the 20th century that it has become known as the country's "day of fate".

The date carries extra weight this year as it marks 100 years since the end of the monarchy, as well as the 80th anniversary of the infamous "Kristallnacht" night of Nazi attacks against Jews.

Here's a look at four times history was made on November 9 -- not always by coincidence.



- 1918: The last emperor -



With Germany on the brink of defeat in World War I and a revolutionary mood sweeping the country, the unpopular emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate, ending Germany's monarchy.

On November 9, 1918 the Social Democrats' deputy chairman Philipp Scheidemann rushed to the balcony of Berlin's Reichstag parliament to announce the birth of what would become the Weimar Republic.

"Long live the German republic!" he shouted.

Two days later, Germany agreed to sign an armistice that ended the Great War against the Allied forces.

The terms of Germany's surrender were deemed so humiliating that historians believe they helped sow the seeds for World War II.



- 1923: Hitler's 'beer hall' putsch -



Adolf Hitler, the then relatively unknown Nazi Party leader, and his cronies tried to seize power with a coup that started in a crowded Munich beer hall on November 9, 1923.

After climbing onto a chair and firing into the ceiling, Hitler proclaimed the end of "the government of the November criminals", a term used by critics of the 1918 surrender.

But police and soldiers quickly crushed the attempted putsch, and Hitler was arrested.

He used his trial to gain notoriety and spread anti-Jewish hatred, and ultimately spent barely nine months in prison.

It was in his cell that Hitler began writing "Mein Kampf".



- 1938: Night of Broken Glass -



Nazi thugs torched synagogues, smashed Jewish-owned shops and rounded up Jewish men across Germany on November 9, 1938, in what became known as "Kristallnacht" or the "Night of Broken Glass".

The timing was no coincidence -- that evening senior Nazi figures like Joseph Goebbels had riled up crowds at events honouring Hitler's 1923 coup bid.

At least 90 Jews were killed and 30,000 deported to concentration camps in the outbreak of violence, which historians say ushered in the start of the Nazis' drive to wipe out Jews.

Today, Germans remember the Kristallnacht pogrom by polishing or placing flowers on "Stolpersteine", small brass plaques on cobblestones commemorating Nazi victims.

In Berlin last year, 16 plaques were dug up and stolen just before the anniversary, fuelling alarm about a resurgence in anti-Semitism.



- 1989: Berlin Wall comes down -



The fall of the Berlin Wall in a bloodless revolution on November 9, 1989 is a joyous milestone in German history, ending 28 years of Cold War separation.

But because of the dark chapters associated with the date in the past, it was considered an ill choice for a public holiday. Germans instead celebrate October 3, 1990, the official reunification of East and West Germany.

The wall came down almost by accident, after communist East German bureaucrat Guenter Schabowski was caught off guard during a live press conference on the question of when exactly new, more relaxed travel rights would take effect.

"As far as I know... as of now," he improvised, sending thousands of East Berliners streaming towards checkpoints where baffled guards eventually opened the barriers.Pompeo delays talks with senior North Koreans



Washington, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2018



US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has shelved plans to meet with senior North Korean officials, including one of leader Kim Jong Un's top aides, the State Department said Tuesday.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due to take place in New York on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement.

The announcement came only a day after officials had said Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leaders right-hand men -- would discuss how much progress had been achieved towards securing denuclearization since a landmark summit over the summer.

Although Trump has had warm words since he meet with Kim Jong Un in Singapore in June, his administration has nevertheless annoyed Pyongyang by maintaining a regime of sanctions.

North Korea's foreign ministry has warned that Pyongyang will "seriously" consider reviving its nuclear weapons program unless the sanctions are lifted.

In announcing the meeting with Kim Yong Chol, Pompeo said he expected to "make some real progress" including on laying the groundwork for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Kim Yong Chol is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader.US abruptly postpones top-level N. Korea talks



Washington, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2018



US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement.

State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay to the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions.

The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leader's right-hand men -- to discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following historic talks between Trump and Kim in June.

Despite warm words from Trump since meeting Kim in Singapore, his administration has insisted on maintaining pressure on Pyongyang until a final agreement is reached.

North Korea said last week that it would "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added.

Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was "not worried" about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective."

But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that the postponement was a bad sign.

"This last-minute announcement of a delay is not a good signal as it indicates negotiations were not going well enough to go ahead with the planned meeting," he said.



- Turbulent diplomacy -



Pompeo has traveled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord.

The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening "fire and fury" after Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world.

US critics say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions and it has rejected demands for what it described as its "unilateral disarmament".

Pompeo's postponement of talks came amid emerging differences between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

In contrast to Washington's approach, the South's dovish president Moon Jae-in, who brokered the Singapore summit, has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization.

South Korea's foreign ministry said the meeting delay was "regrettable" but insisted that "excessively pessimistic interpretation was unnecessary".

"There have been cases in the past when US-North Korea talks were delayed, so there is no need to shift between hope and fear," a senior ministry official told reporters.

Kim Yong Chol is a general and former top intelligence chief. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades.

The diplomacy on North Korea has seen a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly to Pyongyang.

The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday.

Trump heads over the next month to international gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.Sisi pledges Egypt's military support if Gulf 'threatened'



Cairo, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2018



Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pledged military support for Gulf Arab states if their security comes under threat, the state daily Al-Ahram reported Wednesday.

"If the security of the Gulf is directly threatened, Egypt will mobilise its forces to support its brothers," Sisi was quoted as saying in a meeting with the press in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"Egypt stands body and soul by the side of our Gulf brothers," he said, without specifying the source of any outside threat.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pumped billions of dollars into Egypt's economy since its military -- then headed by Sisi -- toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Sisi successfully ran for Egypt's presidency in 2014 and has cracked down on opposition, including Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. He was re-elected with 97 percent of the vote in elections in March this year.

Along with the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Egypt severed diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of links to extremist groups and being too close to Iran -- charges Doha denies.

Shiite powerhouse Iran is Saudi Arabia's main regional rival.

Egypt is also a member of the Saudi-led coalition which has since 2015 been fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.US hopes Russia remains 'permissive' of Israel strikes in Syria



Beirut, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2018



The US envoy to Syria said Wednesday he hoped to see more of Damascus ally Moscow's "permissive approach" to Israeli air strikes on Iranian assets in the war-torn country.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets.

It accuses its arch-enemy Tehran, which like Moscow supports the Syrian regime in the seven-year civil conflict, of seeking to entrench itself militarily in the country.

"In the past Russia has been permissive in consultation with the Israelis about Israeli strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria," US envoy James Jeffrey said.

"We certainly hope that that permissive approach will continue," he told journalists in a conference call.

His comments came after Syrian regime forces accidentally downed a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike over Syria in September.

Moscow blamed the incident, which killed 15 Russians, on the Israeli plane using the larger Russian one for cover, which Israel disputed.

Following the incident, Russia sent advanced air defence missiles to Damascus.

But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month told Russia his country must continue to hit hostile targets in Syria to prevent Iran from establishing a military presence across the border.

"We understand the existential interest and we support Israel," Jeffrey said.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States has withdrawn from a landmark deal with Iran over its nuclear programme and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have regained large swathes of Syria from rebels and jihadists since 2015.

In October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a pro-Israel group Washington would refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran was present.

Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011.The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy StatementChahid El Hafed (Refugee camps), Nov 7, 2018 (SPS) - The Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has strongly condemned the content of the speech of the King of Morocco delivered this November 6 on the occasion of the 43 years of the Moroccan invasion of Western Sahara.

The Saharawi government in a statement published today by the Ministry of Information, reminds Morocco "that Western Sahara is not Moroccan and the Moroccan presence in the territory is only an illegal military occupation, therefore, all the practices of the state of occupation including flagrant violations of human rights, the plundering of natural resources and any political, economic, cultural and sporting activity are a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. "

Morocco does not have legitimacy or sovereignty over the territory, "the Moroccan occupation does not determine the framework and conditions of the conflict resolution process. There are no principles or references for the resolution of the conflict in Western Sahara other than those defined in the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations and the African Union, as a problem of decolonization, otherwise, it is an evasive and shameless maneuver, and an obstacle to the efforts of the UN to resolve the conflict, "says the Saharawi government in its statement.

In this regard, he says that "the parties to the conflict in Western Sahara are clearly and unequivocally defined in the resolutions and documents of the United Nations, namely: the Saharawi people, through their legitimate and only representative, the Frente POLISARIO and the Kingdom of Morocco "and adds that the language of arrogance in the speech of the King of Morocco and his attempt to ignore one of the parties to the conflict reflect a clear will to obstruct the efforts of the UN and intends to abort the peace process.

The Saharawi Government condemns the Moroccan policy that since its accession to the African Union, has only violated one after the other the basic law of the African Union and its principles and damage their unity and harmony.

The Saharawi Republic, condemning these practices of domination, is prepared to implement the decision of the African Union and work with the Kingdom of Morocco to resolve the dispute as two members of the continental organization, the statement said.

The Frente POLISARIO, according to the statement, has renewed its sincere disposition to cooperate with the efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations and his Personal Envoy, the former German President, Horst Kohler for a solution of the conflict that allows the free determination of the Saharawi people .SPS

125/090/TRACatalonia (Spain) Nov 06, 2018 (SPS) - The General Director of Cooperation and Development of the Government of Catalonia, Manuel Beila, received a Saharawi delegation, composed of the international secretary of Sahrawi Women Union, Jadiyetu Al mojtar, together with human rights activist Hassna Alia, in the presence of the deputy representative of the Frente POLISARIO in the province of Catalonia Mr. Amah Yahdih.

the Saharawi delegation has briefed their interlocutor on the latest developments of the national issue at all levels, in addition to the serious human rights situation in the occupied territories of Western Sahara committed by Moroccan occupation forces against Sahrawi civilian

it has also highlighted with deep concern the deteriorating health situation of Saharawi political detainees in the Moroccan authorities jails on the ground of their legitimate demands, first and foremost to deport them to their homeland in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The meeting also tackled the difficult living conditions in Saharawi refugee camps due to the harsh climate and the lack of assistance provided by the global financial crisis, which is the responsibility of the international community and the UN as the primary responsible for enabling the Saharawi people to choose freely, democratically and impartially their own future.

For his part, Manuel Beila expressed his full support for the Saharawi people's struggle for freedom and independence adding that the issue and the struggle of Western Sahara is part of the cooperation program of the Government of Catalonia for the coming year.

The delegation is expected to meet with some mayors, parliamentarians and political parties in the province of Catalonia in order to raise awareness of the suffering of the Saharawi people and the latest developments in the Sahara issue at the regional and international levels. SPS

125/090/TRAThe launch took place as the First Minister hosted a meeting of the Scottish Governments Cabinet at the Universitys Easter Bush campus.

Roslin Innovation Centre serves as the business gateway to the Universitys world-leading research in animal sciences.

It offers flexible laboratory and office space to companies in the animal health, life science, agritech, aquaculture or One Health sectors seeking to undertake collaborative research with experts on campus.

It also provides research space for veterinary and animal science companies to support the commercialisation of innovations developed at The Roslin Institute within the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Spin-out companies can be formed by University researchers to commercialise technologies developed on campus. External companies can also spin-in to the University, to access expertise, technologies and facilities to develop a commercial opportunity.

The Centre is housed within the Charnock Bradley Building at the heart of the Easter Bush campus.

As part of the visit, the First Minister also met pupils from Musselburgh Grammar School as they took part in lab experiments in the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre.

The event coincides with the announcement of 5 million investment into the national Interface programme, helping to match businesses to Scotlands world-leading academic expertise.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

The Roslin Institute is at the centre of innovation that is enhancing animal and human welfare through world class research into animal biology. It is a great privilege to open the Roslin Innovation Centre, which was supported with 10 million investment, and meet businesses driving forward life science innovation.

Research and innovation, the economy and higher education are key priorities for this government and The Roslin Institute is an outstanding Scottish success story in that regard.This is a developing story.

(JTA)  J.B. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat, will be the next governor of Illinois, and Democrat Jared Polis will be the first Jewish and first gay governor of Colorado.

Here are more results in races that matter to Jews:

House of Representatives

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In Michigan, Rashida Tlaib, who was expected to win, will become the first Palestinian-American to enter Congress. Tlaib favors a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has opposed U.S. aid to Israel. She will also be one of the first Muslim women in Congress, along with Ilhan Omar, who is expected to win in Minnesota.

And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive millennial from New York City who won an upset primary win earlier this year, will become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Ocasio-Cortez has criticized Israels West Bank occupation, and called its clashes with protesters in Gaza a massacre.

Leslie Cockburn, the Democratic House candidate who wrote a book sharply criticizing Israel, will lose her race in Virginia.

Republicans who charge that the Democratic Party has departed from its pro-Israel bona fides pointed to Cockburn, Tlaib and Omar as proof.

In North Carolina, Democrat Kathy Manning, a philanthropist and longtime Jewish organizational leader, lost her House race. She was the first woman to chair the Jewish Federations of North America and was a founder of Prizmah, an umbrella association for Jewish day schools.







Arthur Jones, the neo-Nazi who won the Republican nomination on Chicagos South Side, lost his race, as expected. He had won his nomination unopposed and was repudiated by his party.

Senate

Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a Democratic pro-Israel stalwart, is projected to win. He voted against the 2015 agreement on Irans nuclear program, going against President Barack Obama and his own party. Menendez had been hampered by a corruption trial that ended in mistrial last year.

Governors races and ballot initiatives

Pritzker is projected to win the governors race in Illinois, unseating Republican Bruce Rauner. Pritzker, a centrist Democrat, is a billionaire venture capitalist.

Polis, 42, a former tech mogul, will succeed John Hickenlooper as governor of Colorado. His campaign has focused on renewable energy, education and income inequality.

In Florida, voters passed a ballot initiative to restore voting rights to 1.5 million former felons, which could work to Democrats advantage in future elections. Jewish groups led the charge to pass the initiative.

Democrats are hoping to gain a majority in the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate, by time the night ends. JTA will continue reporting results as they come in.

Lets block ads! (Why?)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.This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please emailFour Pillars Australian Christmas Gin launched

Love Drinks has launched Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin 2018. The limited edition release is back for its third season and available in the UK.

The story behind the expression is that Four Pillars' founder Cam's created it as a tribute to his mother, Wilma.

Each year Wilma would use the 1968 Australian Womens Weekly recipe to make her puddings on Victoria Derby Day, the Saturday before Melbourne Cup.

On Derby Day 2015, and again on Derby Day every year from then on, Cam distilled some Christmas puddings (homemade to Wilma's recipe), putting them in the botanical basket of Wilma (the Four Pillars still) and distilling a base of juniper, cinnamon, star anise, coriander and angelica over the top.

Four Pillars now have gin ageing in several 100+ year old Muscat barrels, including two 125-year-old ex-William Grants whisky barrels that, prior to arriving at Healesville, stored Rutherglen Muscat for 80 years. Same as last year and the year before, Cam blended this gin with the Christmas pudding gin and to finish, added Classic Rutherglen Muscat.

Four Pillars also add a small amount of their own Muscat that is maturing at the distillery in old puncheons that used to hold aged Pedro Ximenez in the Barossa Valley.

Each year Four Pillars change the label, despite the recipe remaining the same, and it is designed to represent something about Australian Christmas. In 2016 it was warm sunshine and red wine stains, and last year it was the bright Giant Australian Christmas Beetle.

This year, Four Pillars have collaborated with Melbourne artist Stephen Baker to create a snapshot of what he feels represents Christmas in Australia. The result is a colourful depiction that evokes the feeling of Christmas in a hot Australian summer.

Artist, Stephen Baker says: Its the backyard Christmas I know, lying next to the pool and listening to the radio after a big Christmas lunch. The colours represent that afternoon summer heat and the cool relief of the pool or ocean.

Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin is available to buy now from Gin Kiosk for 54.80, and other online retailers. The gin comes in a 70cl with an ABV of 43.8%.

The publishers of The Drinks Report also proudly partner Gin Magazine and The World Gin Awards. Why not visit Gin Magazine here, or enter the awards now  be in the running for the title World's Best Gin  http://www.worldginawards.com/

7 November 2018 - Sam Coyne the drinks report, editorBy Mata Press Service

For more than five years, Philip Chicoine paid thousands of dollars to direct parents in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world to sexually abuse their children in real time using video streaming sites

By the time police caught with him at his parents home in the Canadian prairie city of Saskatoon, he had amassed 580 unique videos and more than 4,000 unique photos involving torture, bondage and child sex abuse.

His victims ranged from infants to children 14 years old.

Police began tracking him beginning Valentines Day last year, while he accessed child pornography and used peer-to-peer file-sharing programs to share or distribute child pornography to 14 separate individuals/groups.

Chicoine was arrested as he was preparing to travel to the Philippines in March of 2017 to engage in direct physical abuse with pre-teens and toddlers

In total, 10,126 videos and 4,714 photos were in his possession a court heard when sentencing the 28-year-old scaffolder to 12 years in prison last November  one of the longest ever handed to a convicted child pornographer in Canada.

The anxiety-stricken loner, single and never married, was heard on digital exchanges, indicating he preferred children who cried during the abuse and complaining about the difficulties of finding "pedomoms."

One of those providing him with child victims and sex tapes was 24-year-old Paul John Berame from Lapu-Lapu City in the Philippines.

Berame was sentenced recently to 15 years in jail for offering and transmitting sexually explicit images of children online in exchange for money.

Three underage girls were also rescued at the time of Berame's arrest.

Prior to Berame's arrest, authorities conducted surveillance that confirmed his involvement in cybersex trafficking of children, also known as the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). He had offered and provided online predators with nude images of children ranging from six to 14 years of age.

"Cybersex trafficking of children is a crime that crosses borders and is growing at an alarming rate," said Ed Wilson, the executive director of International Justice Mission in Canada. "Canadians are among the many perpetrators involved in this crime, as the rapidly rising number of child sexual abuse images and videos reported to cybertip.ca reveals. This global crime requires a global response from government, NGOs and ordinary citizens."

As of October 1, 2018, International Justice Mission has supported Philippine law enforcement agencies in 120 operations leading to the arrest of 179 suspected traffickers and the rescue of 415 victims. Forty-six perpetrators have been convicted for trafficking children into online sexual exploitation in the Philippines.

The case highlights the growing crime around live-streaming of child sex abuse in the Philippines, where pedophiles based overseas pay local traffickers to molest children and live-stream the abuse.

Despite numerous crackdowns, the sophistication and lucrativeness of the cybersex industry continue to enable its proliferation in the Philippines reported Channel News Asia.

According to the International Justice Mission (IJM), the number of rescue and arrest operations related to the cybersex trade in the Philippines went up from 17 in 2015 to 51 in the first nine months of 2018. At the same time, the age of the victims is going down. Most of them are 12 years old or younger, and one in ten are boys.

Girls and boys are forced to perform sex acts on themselves or each other, molested by an adult, or are abused in other degrading ways, said Sam Inocencio, the national director of IJM Philippines.

His agency has helped the country fight cybersex trafficking since 2016, enabling police to detain nearly 100 suspects and rescue more than 370 victims.

The youngest victim IJM has rescued is a three-month-old baby, he said.

Cybersex trafficking was first reported by an American non-profit organization, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 1998. In the Philippines, it was not detected until 2010 after a tip-off from authorities abroad.

Today, the country is the epicenter of the live-stream sexual abuse trade and the number one global source of child pornography, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Every month, the Philippine Justice Department receives more than 3,000 reports from overseas of possible cybersex trafficking cases.

The main perpetrators are family members. Many of them use the non-physical contact as an excuse, saying the perpetrators dont touch their child, therefore its okay, said Lotta Sylwander from UNICEF Philippines.

Locally known as a show, child cybersex abuse in the Philippines takes place on various platforms  from social networks to dating sites and chat rooms. IJM estimates that in more than 70 percent of cases, abuse is carried out by traffickers known to the victims. Half of them are the parents of the children themselves.

As victims are young, sex predators often use people the children trust, such as parents, older siblings, relatives, and neighbors, to facilitate exploitation.

We can see a trend where the children get younger and younger and there is more and more torture going on, Sylwander said.

In the Philippines, child cybersex crime mostly operates as a family business, but there have been incidents showing it can also transform into an organized syndicate.

"In the Philippines, there is a lot of poverty. Some people may think its an easy way of making money - you put a boy or a girl in front of a webcam and some people will say there is no physical harm involved," said Terre des Hommes Asia representative Eric van der Lee.

One of the most common types of advertisements on the dark web is for live-streaming sexual abuse, according to the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. Abusers would schedule and market live sessions ahead of time. Customers are required to pre-pay for a link or access code in order to watch the abuse.

The role of director is auctioned off or charged at a significant premium, giving one user the right to control the action, the report said.

Payments are often made through remittance companies, which are abundant in the Philippines. Perpetrators can withdraw money from various locations, making it hard for authorities to trace the money trail. Between 2015 and September this year.

Globally, Interpols database has identified more than 14,200 children as victims of child pornography. The number does not include data linked to numerous unidentified victims, whose cases are yet to be investigated.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nezar Patria (The Jakarta Post) London  Wed, November 7, 2018 18:46 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0de1e 2 Opinion UK,Britain,diplomacy,Trade,ASEAN Free

Following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi, the British prime ministers trade envoy to ASEAN, Richard Graham, appealed for help in Indonesian before parliament. Graham, chair of the all parliamentary groups for China, Indonesia and marine energy, attended the Indonesia Briefing event hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in London last week. He spoke to The Jakarta Posts chief editor Nezar Patria. The following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: Your video where you expressed sympathy to the victims of the Palu earthquakes and tsunami in Indonesian has gone viral. Have you visited Palu?

Answer: I have never been to Palu before. It just seemed to me that this disaster was an awful tragedy . beyond the human experience of most people in the United Kingdom. We [have] passionate arguments about what type of Brexit we want, or what type of welfare reform. [] Therefore, we need to be aware of some of the tragedies that people in Indonesia are facing.

I wanted to try and use a few words in Bahasa Indonesia to bring the message alive. I wanted to try and use the proverb in English, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

The pressing issue in the UK today is Brexit. How relevant is it to the Indonesia-UK relationship?

I dont think Brexit is going to have a huge impact; assuming that my belief in a sensible deal with the European Union and a sensible vote by parliament means the main legislative requirements get it straight. Whats interesting about Brexit is the way that it focuses our minds on trying to debate, discuss, clarify and then produce a strategy for Britains role in the world post-Brexit.

As a party, as a government, as a country, we tend to be more flexible and workable []. It seems to be a chance to look at what Britains contribution to the world is really going to be.

First, it is about strengthening the relationships with countries whose values are the same as ours. The direction that Indonesia has gone in over the last 10 to 15 years are toward increasingly shared values. That makes it much easier for our countries to have really good dialogues on the big issues [].

Some governments have an attitude toward the treatment of journalists, for example, that is completely different from ours. Indonesia has made huge steps toward moving to a much freer press, and much greater role for the media in holding the government to account. []

So all the themes we have in common -- as maritime nations, nations with a history of tolerance and pluralism -- all these things come together more easily.

Second, if were going to talk about global Britain and bring it alive, then the trends in the world mean that Asia, ASEAN and Indonesia are becoming more significant regions and countries, more powerful, and therefore, more essential for us to have a really strong relationship with.

[] this is a journey for Indonesia moving from where the huge archipelago is mostly internally focused to being one that participates actively in the world. This is Indonesias natural destiny just as it was the natural destiny for China, 10 to 15 years ago.

[] Indonesias journey to playing a bigger [global] role will be an easier [] one, especially for the western world than it has been for China. Because I dont think there are any major conflicts of interest.

Tourism is going to make a huge difference for people-to-people contacts. We still [have many] people from Britain who would like to explore Indonesia.

Whether its business, education, infrastructure, tourism, [] the links between the UK and Indonesia will grow, and the impact of Brexit on all that will just be that we need to do more with Indonesia, with ASEAN, with Asia, because thats what bringing alive global Britain means.

It does mean a reassessment of our relationship with ASEAN, thats why weve just announced the appointment of a separate ambassador to ASEAN. [] Weve now got this department of international trade [], focused on business partnerships.

Would Brexit have an economic impact for both Indonesia and the UK?

[Brexit will mean] far more money going into UK export finance, via the export credits, which is available for Indonesian businesses as well; they need only to have 20 percent UK content, so that should encourage more joint ventures of different types. Whichever sector I look at, like aerospace, which is important for a nation of islands, I can see us doing more together. These are opportunities to incentivize manufacturing in Indonesia.

The challenge in all this is implementation, because anyone from the UK who meets, say the Indonesian Ambassador [to the UK and Ireland Rizal Sukma], or Pak Tom Lembong [Investment Coordinating Board head Thomas Lembong],or listens to Pak Presiden [President Joko Jokowi Widodo] making a speech, theyre going to feel, wow, this is the sort of country we can really work with. But sometimes, you have to get approval from a province, or a city; then you can get a bit lost in [] red tape.

You actively promote Indonesia in parliament. What do you have in mind about Indonesia recently?

With the UK [], there are two levels of interest in Indonesia. One is a relatively small number of people who are very cosmopolitan, who travel, who work in Asia, who know a little bit about Indonesia; maybe theyve been there, done some business []. The other one is from people who understand Indonesia is a great place for a holiday, especially if you like Asia, and the sun, the food and the culture.

But there are [many] who [] probably think Bali is a separate country []. It takes a long time to get to know each other. But thats changing too with more flights, more direct access and so on.

In parliament, whats changing is the greater awareness of the rise of Asia, and the way in which, nowadays, if youre a parliamentarian, and for example, if you havent been to China or dont really know whats changed in China, you are missing something quite important. [] Likewise, there will be more people who realize they need to understand Indonesia because it is big and important. Indonesia will have a great influence not just in ASEAN; the ripples go much further than the shores of Southeast Asia.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 07:40 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae478b 4 Editorial #Editorial,unemployment,World-Bank,Asian-Development-Bank,Statistics-Indonesia,vocational-schools,workforce,economy Free

Of the key economic data announced by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) on Monday, the 5.17 percent economic growth for the third quarter, which had been expected, caught the most attention of the mass media. Yet what we find most concerning is the large number of vocational school graduates among the 7 million unemployed.



The fact that vocational school graduates comprise such a large proportion, 11.3 percent, of the unemployed, as against 8 percent of high school graduates and 12 percent of university or college graduates, the remainder having only a junior high or elementary education, shows a glaring mismatch between labor-market demand and the skills available.



This is quite worrisome because as the world and the nature of work are increasingly reshaped by technological changes, skills development and human capital will play an even greater role in our future economic development. The government realizes that one of the most effective ways of addressing the skills gap is by massively expanding vocational education and has accordingly spent more on developing vocational training institutes.



But the high level of unemployment among vocational school graduates appears to indicate that many of the training centers are inadequately equipped and their curricula do not provide the kind of skills demanded in the labor market.



The experience of many other countries in the ASEAN region show that improved access to better vocational education can contribute greatly to higher income for workers and help bridge the skills mismatch that causes what economists call structural unemployment whereby job vacancies cannot be filled by the skills available.



Studies by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank on employment have concluded that what is acutely lacking in Indonesia is well-targeted vocational education. If the skills profile of the human capital does not evolve along with the demands of the labor market, a skills mismatch will continue to be a major obstacle to resolving unemployment problems.



Look at how many companies, notably foreign construction companies that have to meet tight building schedules, are forced to bring in more expensive workers from overseas. In fact, the education and skills mismatch in jobs poses pressing challenges for local corporations in expanding their business.



We think better communication and information exchanges among local labor offices, business associations and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) would allow vocational schools and other training centers to keep up to date on the market demand for skills. We know that companies that apply for investment licenses from the BKPM are required to submit detailed plans on their employment needs.



Likewise, jobseekers have also been encouraged to register at their local labor offices. This data will enable vocational schools to design better market-oriented training programs. The whole process should be well-targeted, right the way from planning to identifying the need for specific skills. Technology is changing the skills that are being rewarded in the labor market, vocational schools must adapt.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post)  Wed, November 7, 2018 12:06 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af6aa9 1 Lifestyle 11-11-Global-Shopping-Festival,Alibaba,online-shopping,shopping,product,Singles-Day Free

Singles' Day, an online shopping festival held annually on Nov. 11 in China, will serve as a platform for food and beverage products from Indonesia.

Five Indonesian products will be for sale at the upcoming event, namely Indomie instant noodles, Kapal Api coffee, Richeese biscuits, YanTyTy swallow nests and Papatonk shrimp cracker snacks.

The products would be sold on Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group's Tmall Global platform via the Indonesian Pavilion.

"Alibaba shows its commitment to provide a platform for Indonesian businesses to be able to provide high-quality offers to Chinese consumers," Tmall general manager of public affairs Ryan Wang said in a statement on Monday as quoted by tempo.co.

Also known as the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, the event, held by Alibaba since 2009, is similar to Indonesia's National Online Shopping Day (Harbolnas), held annually on Dec. 12. Meanwhile, Tmall Global serves as an import platform that Alibaba provides for international brands to reach Chinese consumers.

Read also: Alibaba reaching for the stars with Singles' Day satellite

The Indonesian Pavilion was launched on Nov. 2 in Shanghai, China.

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said the pavilion was an important step for cooperation between Indonesia and Alibaba. "We hope this initiative will attract more of Indonesia's best products," he said.

According to Tmall, this is the first time Indonesian products will appear at the festival. Previously, products were featured from other countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.

The event is limited in the number of products it can display, as recently conveyed by Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma during a meeting with a number of ministers at the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bali in October.

Ma, who is also an e-commerce advisor for the Indonesian government, said that, for the festival, Tmall could only choose 1 percent of the 10 million brands that had been selling at Tmall Global.

For this reason, Ma said this shopping festival was a great opportunity for Indonesia to get to know the Chinese market. Ma emphasized that the Indonesian Pavilion was intended to enable Indonesian entrepreneurs to grow so that they could be involved in other e-commerce events. (liz/kes)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 08:09 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae6d26 1 Art & Culture dance,South-Korea,Indonesian-Dance-Festival,democracy,performing-arts Free

The 14th installment of the Indonesian Dance Festival (IDF) is coming with a theme that is loosely based on personal freedoms and democracy of the body.



The theme of the event, which is taking place at various venues in Jakarta from Tuesday to Saturday, is Demo/Cratic Body: How Soon Is Now? It involves dancers not only from Indonesia but also other countries such as Mexico, France, India, Germany, Australia, Singapore and South Korea.



The context and the vision of the festival this year are based on Indonesias cultural experience as demonstrated by works in progress, usually by innovative young artists. Through it, the festival feels it is uncovering the untapped potential of hidden and relatively unknown Indonesian dancers.



Festival co-initiator Maria Darmaningsih, a performing arts professor at the Jakarta Art Institute (IKJ), elaborated on the topic of the dance festival, saying that it was a form of expression and gratitude for the amount of freedom that was able to be expressed today in dance.



She said freedom was essential for giving true, honest performances without succumbing to uniformity, such as in the New Order days when IDF dancers were usually required to perform in uniforms.



Freedom is a powerful form of expression, Maria said. Through this theme, we are challenging the participating dancers with the idea: Within this political climate, what do they want to show through dance?



While acknowledging that many important figures in the Indonesian dance community reportedly tend to dismiss the notion of modern dance, Maria added that the concept employed by the IDF is one that was open minded enough to allow unorthodox ideas to flourish within the dancers.



To encourage the idea of inclusivity, both professional and amateur dancers and dancers from several universities are to take part in the festival.



According to IKJ rector Seno Gumira Ajidarma, the IDF must serve as a good example of artistic consistency for all artists of all media in Indonesia.



By doing so, the IDF can act as its own standard of quality as the dances featured in this festival are consistently shown to only increase in quality as the festival days go on, said Seno, who is also a writer.



Throughout the years, the IDF has showcased more than 250 works by Indonesian choreographers, as well as from Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Americas. The festival has been running since 1992.



This year, the program is also being curated with the help of international guest curators from Japan, Singapore and Germany. Its programs include the main showcases, workshops from the IDF dance academy, presentations, seminars, master classes, commissioned works and competitions.



The venues hosting this years event include Taman Ismail Marzuki, the Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ), the National Library of Indonesia and the Salihara Community. Taman Suropati in Menteng, Central Jakarta, is holding a post-event on Nov. 18.



Aligning with the theme of democracy and freedom, the participating international troupes will also bring their own versions and interpretations to the stage. What most of them have in common is a focus on relative unity through the expression of ones body.



South Korean guest dancer and choreographer Ahn Eun-me explained that her seven-person troupes routine will serve to embody the essential instincts of democracy through their energetic performances.



The mix of male and female dancers, she said, was one way of showing that the body is democratic, as men and women are essentially the same.



The repertoires in this event show how Asian culture can be understood through bodies, Ahn said.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) London, United Kingdom  Wed, November 7, 2018 18:01 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0a743 2 Entertainment Steve-McQueen,film,Movie,director,Britain Free

At first glance, Steve McQueen's latest film, Widows, looks like a fast-paced heist movie, but the award-winning British director says he wanted his Chicago-set movie to take a deeper look at the current political and social-economic climate.

Adapted from an 1980s television series by British crime writer Lynda La Plante, Widows follows a group of women who plan a heist to pay off a large debt left by their dead husbands' crimes.

Gender, race, crime and politics are all subjects touched on in the movie, which stars Oscar winner Viola Davis, Fast and Furious star Michelle Rodriguez and The Night Manager actress Elizabeth Debicki.

"The whole idea of having this roller-coaster ride of a heist was ... to engage with that whole idea of escapism and ... the whole of that aspect of a thriller but not negate the political and the current ... social economical environment that we live in today," McQueen told Reuters in an interview.

Read also: McQueen heist movie 'Widows' kicks off London Film Festival

The London-born filmmaker, known for 12 Years a Slave and Shame, said he decided to set the movie "in ... a heightened contemporary western city", picking Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States.

"I want to take ... this fiction and staple it into reality of our every day," he said.

"First, foremost my job is to entertain ... Secondly you're hoping it will enlighten, you are hoping it will shed light on things which are happening every day which some people can actually recognize and be aware of."

"I can only hope that this film could do that, even if it's just one person."Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Marcel Thee (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 08:35 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae81ee 4 Lifestyle art,japanese-culture,design,exhibition Free

Focusing specifically on wood-builders from Nara Okuyamato in Japan, the exhibition Into the Woods is a collaborative effort between a few Indonesian design studios such as Table Six and Studio Dasar with Door to Asia, a Japanese-based designer residency program as part of Design Camp @ Okuyamato.

The program has been an ongoing one, with the aim of promoting local businesses around Nara Okuyamoto, which are known for their wood-based artistry.

The program invites designers from around Asia for a week-long homestay visit to Nara Okuyamoto, where they collaborate with the areas designers to create products that are unique to the area but also commercially viable globally.

The exhibition, which is taking place at the dia.lo.gue art space in Kemang, South Jakarta, until Nov. 11, features the works of seven wood-makers and two wood companies  both of which utilize materials exclusively from Yoshino cedar and Yoshino cypress trees that can only be found in woods located in Yoshino district of Nara Okuyamato.

Handmade: An Apple Jack studio craftsman uses a lathe to form a piece of wood. (Courtesy of Table Six/Door To Asia/-)

The wood designers were picked for the quality of their work that is reflective of Japans particular culture, craftsmanship, forest practices and respect toward nature. These wood makers are designers Ichi, studio Jig, Izuru, CH Style, Akari Kobo, Apple Jack and MoonRounds. The companies involved are HOUEI and Masuchu. The event also features a few Indonesian collaborators, including studios that have taken part in the homestay program. These are Table Six, Grrad, Studio Dasar and Athina Dinda.

Fandy Susanto from Table Six, who took part in the program, said the idea to promote the areas wood-based products to a much wider market was a no-brainer, since everyone involved knew Nara Okuyamato had something unique to offer the world.

When we visited the woods in Nara, we were astonished by their beauty. We talked with the local people, ate local foods, even stayed in their homes. I can still feel the energy. I suppose this exhibition is an attempt to share that feeling with visitors, Fandy says.

Not only will they be able to view and touch the products, but they will learn about the process behind its creation.

Designer CH Style said the inspiration for his work came from various things that exist in the natural world  clear air, the murmur of the stream in a pure river, the scent of a lush forest, while Apple Jack says that it is only natural he uses natural materials as he lives near the woods.

Play of color: These vases, created by designer MoonRounds, are among the pieces created to celebrate Japanese wood artistry that are on display at an exhibition at the dia.lo.gue art space in Kemang, South Jakarta, until Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Table Six/Door To Asia/-)

I feel really proud I can do my work while living in the greenery and hearing the nice sound of the river, Jack says.

The concept behind the Into the Woods exhibition comes with the slogan: Into the Process, Into the Home, Into the City, Into the Woods. Visitors are expected to learn about the production and become inspired, to see how the products can be used practically at home, while also getting some insights about Nara Okuyamato.

Apart from products created by the seven designers, there is a wooden-house installation designed by Coji Katsuyama and presented by HOUEI Foresty.

A product created during the last homestay program  a collaborative furniture work by local designer Diaz Adisastomo and Japanese wood-maker Daisuke Sakamoto  is also featured at the exhibition.

Fandy recalled how integrated wood and nature was in the lives of the people in the area.

The trees are central to the Nara Okuyamato way of life. People live surrounded by the trees. The trees give life to the people, providing them with jobs. As appreciation, the people take care of the woods. The mutual respect between nature and the people there has been ongoing for hundreds of years, Fandy said.

He sees the designers as having a great amount of spiritual respect for the woods, inspiring and influencing their work.

He cited Ichi, one of the designers, as saying they need to understand the wood before carving the wood.

That is why Im not surprised to see the outcome be that powerful, Fandy says.

Naras woods have a uniqueness that is theirs alone, said Fandy, with Japans four seasons creating different kinds of linings in the wood, with the lines from summer with bigger gaps and from winter with smaller ones.

The woods are much more condensed and strong. People who take care of the woods would cut down the branches in order to make them grow straight, said Fandy, adding that the wood materials also have a nice smell.

Like all the other collaborators and designers, Fandy hoped to share his inspired feelings with Indonesia.

I hope Indonesians will see the romantic relationships the Japanese people, especially the Nara Okuyamato people, have between them and their professions and the woods. I hope visitors will feel the spirits of the woods.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kate Krader (Bloomberg)  Wed, November 7, 2018 09:07 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae8de6 2 Food fine-dining,New-York-City,Michelin-star Free

If you want to get a Michelin star in New York, the first, best thing you can do is put the word sushi in your restaurants name. Or at least make sure your menu pays homage to Japanese cuisine.

When the Michelin Guide announced its 2019 New York City winners on Tuesday, 17 restaurants earned new starsand six of them were Japanese. French cuisine did OK: Three of the new entries checked the box, two of which were from Joel Robuchon, the legendary chef who passed away earlier this year. Two newcomers were Mexican, including the thrilling new Oaxacan restaurant Claro.

At the top level, the citys dining scene is unchangedManhattan is still home to five three-star spots: Le Bernardin, Masa, Eleven Madison Park, Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare, and Per Se. If someone were determined to visit all of them in one day, it wouldnt require much of a walk: The restaurants are clustered in Midtown, except for EMP in the Flatiron District (and for some, 24th Street is Midtown).

This years New York guide includes 76 starred restaurants, up from 72 last year (and slightly down from 77 in the 2017 guide). Yet one place has already closed: Tetsu Basement, which was awarded two stars, had morphed from a pricey meat-tasting restaurant to, yes, an a la carte sushi spot. The news was too late for the print guide.

Gwendal Poullennec, the new international director of the Michelin Guide, says theres no favoritism toward sushi. Theres a rich selection of Japanese restaurants in New York, he says. Its what customers are looking for, and its performing well. But our criteria remains the same whatever the cuisine is.

Poullennec used the same reasoning to defend the presence of Babbo on the list (the restaurant is co-owned by accused sexual harasser Mario Batali) and the scarcity of female chefs. We have the same methodology that we use worldwide. We have no criteria or consideration beyond the quality of the food. Among the 76 starred restaurants, only two have women heading the kitchen: Del Postos Melissa Rodriguez and Emma Bengtsson at Aquavit.

While New Yorks three-star scene might have flatlined, theres good news and bad news in the two-star category. Four restaurants were added to the list, including three new spots: Icimura at Uchu, LAtelier de Joel Robuchon, and Tetsu Basement.

The one-star list also got more dynamic with additions such as Atomix, featuring a gorgeous Korean omakase menu. Brooklyn maintained nine places, with two of this years more interesting additions, Claro and Oxomoco, a Williamsburg dining room specializing in wood-fired Mexican cuisine. And Le Coucou finally made the list. It has been on our radar since it opened, and we have monitored the steady rise in quality of the dishes that sing with finesse, Poullennec says.

If theres a cuisine Michelin does not favor, its American.

The stellar Gramercy Tavern cant break out of the one-star category; the Grill is completely missing. Two stalwarts, Minetta Tavern and Aureole, were dumped from the list. Other grievous omissions include Cosme, Beatrice Inn, and Momofuku Ssam Bar, which is stuck in the Bib Gourmands. Also nowhere to be seen is Lilia; Italian food barely registers on the list, even though the worlds No. 1 restaurant, Osteria Francescana, is in Modena.

Poullennec defends the lists lack of Italian spots. We have 563 restaurants in the 2019 guide87 are Italian, 70 are Japanese, he says. Italian is very well-represented. Just not with stars.

See the full list below. An asterisk denotes a new entry; neighborhoods are designated by Michelin.

Three Stars

Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare (Midtown West)

Eleven Madison Park (Gramercy)

Le Bernardin (Midtown West)

Masa (Midtown West)

Per Se (Midtown West)

Read also: The worlds no. 3 restaurant is opening in Palm Beach

Two Stars

Aquavit (Midtown East)

Artera (Tribeca)

Aska (Williamsburg)

Blanca (Fort Greene)

Daniel (Upper East Side)

*Gabriel Kreuther (Midtown West)

*Ichimura at Uchu (Lower East Side)

Jean-Georges (Upper West Side)

Jungsik (Tribeca)

Ko (East Village)

*LAtelier de Joel Robuchon (Chelsea)

Marea (Midtown West)

The Modern (Midtown West)

Sushi Ginza Onodera (Midtown West)

*Tetsu Basement (Tribeca; closed)

[RA::NYC cheap eats list makes it official: Dining bargains abound::http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/11/04/nyc-cheap-eats-list-makes-it-official-dining-bargains-abound.html

One Star

Agern (Midtown East)

Ai Fiori (Midtown West)

Aldea (Gramercy)

*Atomix (Gramercy)

Babbo (Greenwich Village)

Bar Uchu (Lower East Side)

Batard (TriBeCa)

Blue Hill (Greenwich Village)

*Bouley at Home (Gramercy)

Cafe Boulud (Upper East Side)

Cafe China (Midtown East)

Carbone (Greenwich Village)

Casa Enrique (Queens)

Casa Mono (Gramercy)

Caviar Russe (Midtown East)

*Claro (Sunset Park)

The Clocktower (Gramercy)

Contra (Lower East Side)

Cote (Gramercy)

Del Posto (Chelsea)

Faro (Fort Greene)

The Finch (Fort Greene)

Gotham Bar and Grill (Greenwich Village)

Gramercy Tavern (Greenwich Village)

Gunter Seeger (Greenwich Village)

Hirohisa (SoHo)

*Jeju Noodle Bar (Greenwich Village)

Jewel Bako (East Village)

Junoon (Gramercy)

Kajitsu (Midtown East)

Kanoyama (East Village)

*Kosaka (Greenwich Village)

Kyo Ya (East Village)

LAppart (Financial District)

*Le Coucou (SoHo)

*Le Grill de Joel Robuchon (Chelsea)

Meadowsweet (Williamsburg)

The Musket Room (SoHo)

Nix (Greenwich Village)

*Noda (Gramercy)

NoMad (Gramercy)

*Okuda (Chelsea)

*Oxomoco (Williamsburg)

Peter Luger (Williamsburg)

The River Cafe (Downtown Brooklyn)

Satsuki (Midtown West)

Sushi Amane (Midtown East)

Sushi Inoue (Harlem)

*Sushi Nakazawa (Greenwich Village)

*Sushi Noz (Upper East Side)

Sushi Yasuda (Midtown East)

Tempura Matsui (Midtown East)

*Tuome (East Village)

Uncle Boons (SoHo)

Wallse (Greenwich Village)

ZZs Clam Bar (Greenwich Village)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Jastinder Khera (Agence France-Presse) Vienna, Austria  Wed, November 7, 2018 07:02 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae401d 2 Art & Culture Wes-Anderson,Juman-Malouf,Vienna-Kunsthistorisches-Museum Free

The "treasure chamber" at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum takes on a new meaning Tuesday thanks to an exhibition curated by American filmmaker Wes Anderson and his partner, illustrator and author Juman Malouf.

The pair were given free rein to assemble pieces from the vast collections and archives of the museum, as well as some of its partner institutions, in order to put together the six-month show, entitled "Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures".

The opening of the exhibition on Monday evening was attended by some of Anderson's perennial collaborators such as actors Jason Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton.

Tongue firmly in cheek, 49-year-old Anderson gave a short speech describing the process of putting the exhibition together with Malouf, 43, as "the culmination of several years of patient, frustrating negotiation, bitter, angry debate, sometimes completely irrational confrontation and often Machiavellian duplicity and deception."

"Perhaps I am as guilty as she is -- but I doubt it," he added.

Read also: Wes Anderson premiere 'Isle of Dogs' opens Berlin filmfest

- 'Eccentric count' -

Even before they started working on the project in early 2015, Anderson and Malouf had been frequent visitors to the museum, which boasts one of Europe's most extensive collections of fine art.

However, anyone expecting a traditionally didactic museum experience, centred around a historical theme for example, will be disappointed.

With labels and explanations cast aside, the visitor has the impression of stumbling into an intimate and sometimes surreal space, crammed with objects which evoke the palette and symmetry that Anderson fans will recall from films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom.

"It feels like the collecting chamber of an eccentric count, somewhere in the Czechoslovakian countryside hundreds of years ago," Jasper Sharp, the museum's curator for Modern and Contemporary Art, told AFP.

Many of the pieces displayed are indeed fit to grace any aristocratic mantelpiece -- a delicately worked ivory sculpture of a phoenix, or a medieval games board inlaid with mother of pearl.

But they have not been chosen according to traditional notions of rarity or artistic prestige.

The show's eight rooms are arranged instead in a more intuitive way and objects that may hitherto have been overlooked take centre stage -- such as the tiny coffin of the show's title, made in ancient Egypt for a shrew.

- 'Making noise'? -

Sharp says Anderson and Malouf "curated very much with children in mind, both in the selection of objects and the manner in which they displayed them.

"There are objects hiding high up, low down, every time you come into the exhibition you'll see something different."

The show is the third in a series of exhibitions curated by modern artists which form part of the museum's efforts to engage with contemporary art.

Could the museum be accused of seeking the publicity that will go with bringing in a high-profile name?

"You will always lay yourself open to the charge of making noise when you invite someone in like this," Sharp admits.

"On the other hand Wes and Juman... certainly didn't see themselves as being an instrument of fame and attention-grabbing, very much the other way around, they saw it as a huge honour to work with the museum."

"Our hope is that our objects develop these layers and skins of meaning through their reinterpretation," Sharp adds.

The exhibition will run until 28 April 2019 and will transfer to the Fondazione Prada in Milan next autumn.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Belinda Goldsmith (Reuters) Lisbon, Portugal  Wed, November 7, 2018 19:05 1109 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0e200 2 Science & Tech MeToo,Women,gender,technology,Conference Free

Women leaders in technology called at one of the sector's largest global conferences for more to be done to drive equality in the male-dominated industry now hit by the #MeToo debate.

The ninth Web Summit comes amid growing concerns about sexism in the tech world with thousands of Google employees walking out last week to protest the company's response to sexual misconduct and workplace inequality.

A poll of 1,000 women in tech by the Web Summit, given exclusively to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, showed nearly half, or 47 percent, said the gender ratio in leadership had not improved in the past year. Only 17 percent said it was better.

Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president for environment, policy and social initiatives, said it was crucial to have more women in the sector.

"We can't accomplish what we need if women (aren't involved) in tech," Jackson, who was part of President Barack Obama's administration, told the Web Summit in Lisbon.

About 70,000 people from 170 nations were at the conference where the number of women attendees has risen to about 45 percent from 25 percent in 2013, helped by discounting tickets, according to organizers. They did not have earlier figures.

"This year a lot of the talks on our stages are touching on the (number of women in the sector)," Anna O'Hare, head of content at Web Summit, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"But rather than women just talking about this, they are talking about the areas in which they are experts in tech."

The tech sector has long come under scrutiny for inequality and its "bro-gamer" type of culture, referring to men who play video games.

Read also: The women of Twitter who are powering India's #MeToo campaign

Lacking in leadership

Global organisations, including the United Nations and the European Commission, have spoken out about under-representation of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

A 2016 report by the global consultancy McKinsey found women made up 37 percent of entry-level roles in technology but only 25 percent reached senior management roles and 15 percent made executive level.

The poll of women at the Web Summit found eight of every 10 women felt confident and respected in their roles, but they were divided when asked if treated the same as men, with 60 percent saying they were under more pressure to prove themselves.

About a third, or 37 percent, worried women were only offered leadership roles to fill quotas.

While half of the women polled said their companies were doing enough to ensure equality, nearly 60 percent said governments were not active enough to address the imbalance.

Several tech company representatives have told the Web Summit of attempts to boost equality, with moves such as training staff in unconscious bias, deleting gender from CVs, all shortlists having women, and better maternity rights.

Gillian Tans, chief executive at the online travel agent Booking.com, said it had been proven that companies with "more women in management positions actually perform better".

This comes after organizers of the Google protest and other staff said the company's executives, like leaders at dozens of companies affected by the #MeToo movement, were slow to address structural issues such as unchecked power of male bosses.

Google's head of philanthropy, Jacquelline Fuller, said she joined the walkout last week, admitting more needs to be done.

"We need to do a better job at creating a safe and inclusive workplace," she said. "We need more women in tech."Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 08:04 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae661b 1 City angkot,public-minivan,incident,Sentiong-River Free

A public minivan plunged into the Sentiong River in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon after the driver was reportedly daydreaming while behind the wheel.

A picture of a baby blue minivan submerged in the river was posted on the Jakarta-based citizen journalism Instagram account, @jktinfo.

Kemayoran Police chief Comr. Saiful Anwar said that the M37 minivan, plying the Pulogadung-Pasar Senen route, plunged into the river because the driver was daydreaming while on his way from Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, to Sumur Batu, Central Jakarta, at about 12 p.m.

According to police, the driver was slow to see a motorcycle coming from the other lane in front of him, causing him to swerve into the river to prevent a collision.

Luckily, residents around the area helped him out of the water, Saiful said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Based on the explanation given by the driver, identified only as PB, 53, to the police, he daydreamed a lot because he faced problems at home, Saiful said.

PB suffered a minor injury to his arm and was immediately taken to the Sumur Batu community health center. The minivan was not carrying passengers at the time of the incident.

Saiful said the Central Jakarta Transport Agency had lifted the minivan out of the river using the agencys tow truck. (ris)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 18:06 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0b725 1 National Meikarta,meikarta-bribery-case,billy-sindoro,Neneng-Nurhasanah-Yasin,Bekasi,KPK Free

Bekasi Regent Neneng Hasanah Yasin has handed over money she allegedly received from the Lippo Group director in relation with the botched Meikarta mega development project in the regency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has said.

The antigraft body suspected Neneng of accepting Rp 7 billion (US$480,373) from Lippo Group operational director Billy Sindoro in order to influence the issuance of permits necessary for the project. Billy allegedly promised Rp 13 billion as a commitment fee to the regent.

[The regent] has handed in around Rp 3 billion to the KPK, part of the money the suspect allegedly received in the bribery case, KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said in a statement on Wednesday. He added the regent would return more money in installments later.

Apart from the regent, an official of the Bekasi Public Works Agency, Neneng Rahmi, also a suspect in the case, also handed over money amounting to S$90,000, which she obtained minutes before graft busters launched an operation on Oct. 15 related to the case.

The KPK has arrested and named nine suspects in the bribery case, including Yasin, Rahmi and Billy, for their alleged roles in bribery relating to the issuance of property permits for the Meikarta project.

The graft busters have questioned more than 40 witnesses in the case, including Lippo CEO James Riady, who denied playing any role in the case.

The Meikarta modern city project in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java, is the flagship project of Lippo Group.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Alan Levin, Julie Johnsson and Harry Suhartono (Bloomberg) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 12:10 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af6f33 2 Business Boeing-737-Max8,plane-crash,Indonesia,Lion-Air,#LionAirJT610 Free

Boeing Co. is preparing to send a safety warning to operators of its new 737 Max jets in response to the investigation of last weeks fatal crash off the coast of Indonesia that left 189 dead, said a person familiar with the matter.

The bulletin from Boeing will alert airlines that erroneous readings from a flight-monitoring system can cause the planes to abruptly dive, said the person, who asked not to be named discussing details of the manufacturers plans. Boeing will warn pilots to follow an existing procedure to handle the problem, the person said.

The warning is based on preliminary findings from the accident involving a Lion Air jetliner, the person said. Under some circumstances, such as when pilots are manually flying, the Max jets will automatically try to push down the nose if they detect that an aerodynamic stall is possible, the person said.

One of the critical ways a plane determines if a stall is imminent is a measurement known as angle of attack, which is a calculation of the angle at which the wind is passing over the wings.

The Lion Air 737 Max 8 dove into the Java Sea on Oct. 29 minutes after takeoff, nosing downward so suddenly that it may have hit speeds of 600 miles an hour before slamming into the water. The pilots radioed a request to return to Jakarta to land, but never turned back toward the airport, according to Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee and flight-track data. The committee said they were dealing with an erroneous airspeed indication.

Indonesias transport ministry has scheduled a briefing at 12:30 p.m. in Jakarta on Wednesday to share updated information on the Lion Air accident.

It wasnt immediately clear if the airspeed issue had any connection with the angle-of-attack matter. A spokesman for Chicago-based Boeing couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

In a statement Nov. 5, the Indonesian transportation-safety committee called on the U.S. National Transportation and Safety Board and Boeing to take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents, especially on the Boeing 737 Max, which number 200 aircraft all over the world. The committee is charged with finding the cause of the crash.

While additional details of the bulletin arent known yet, the warning is the first concrete action to come out of the accident investigation. Boeing has an existing procedure that allows pilots to continue flying in the event that angle of attack readings become erroneous.

The Chicago-based planemaker has delivered 219 Max, the latest and most advanced 737 jets, since the new models made their commercial debut last year with a Lion Air subsidiary. Boeing has more than 4,500 orders for the airliners, which feature larger engines, more aerodynamic wing and an upgraded cockpit with larger glass displays. The single-aisle family is Boeings biggest source of profit.

Aircraft and engine manufacturers routinely send bulletins to operators noting safety measures and maintenance actions they should take, most of them relatively routine. But the urgency of a fatal accident can trigger a flurry of such notices.

After an engine on a Southwest Airlines Co. plane fractured earlier this year over Pennsylvania, killing a passenger, CFM International Inc. issued multiple bulletins to operators of its CFM56-7B power plants.

In addition, aviation regulators such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency often follow such actions by mandating that carriers follow the bulletins.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 08:15 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ae7349 1 National #LionAirJT610,#LionAir,JT610,Lion-Air,search-and-rescue,Basarnas,civilians,divers,volunteer,plane-crash Free

Fifty-year-old Rendra Hertiadhi seemed completely at ease while lounging on a stretcher under the scorching sun.



Most people would immediately seek shelter from the heat, or at least wriggle restlessly on a stretcher typically used to carry the injured and dead bodies.



Such an inclination for convenience did not seem to apply to Rendra, a seasoned underwater diver who would remain comfortable under any circumstances if it meant he could save lives.



Most people seem puzzled when I tell them I volunteered to take part in dangerous search and rescue operations. Theres really no need to be puzzled. Human nature to help others in need should not be seen as an extraordinary thing, he said.



Rendra is among a group of civilian divers who volunteered to assist a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation for the remaining victims of Lion Air flight JT610, which crashed into the Java Sea last Monday with 189 people on board.



Upon hearing the news of the tragic accident, Rendra said he immediately called his connections at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to ask whether civilian assistance was required.



A senior member of the Indonesia Divers civilian diving community, Rendra considered himself privileged to be involved in various opportunities to serve humanitarian causes.



Though he is eager to take part in such search efforts, he conceded that the actual field work was anything but easy.



During the Lion Air operation, which required divers to descend 32 meters into the Java Sea, Rendra said he had to pay special attention to the gas mix in his oxygen tank so as to not become asphyxiated.



Inhaling too much oxygen at any depths below 18 m could cause oxygen poisoning, which would result in hallucinations and eventually death, he said.



Syachrul Anto, a former member of Indonesia Divers who also served as a volunteer for the Lion Air search, died last Friday while ascending to the surface.



According to a preliminary medical investigation, Syachrul died from decompression  a drastic change in water pressure caused by a sudden shift in water depths. Basarnas has since declared him a humanitarian hero.

Syachrul Anto in his diver suit, during a search and rescue mission. (Facebook.com/rendra.hertiadhi/File)

In addition to physical challenges, Rendra said thick mud on the ocean floor had also hampered search efforts by possibly concealing human body parts and debris from the plane.



I had to resist the temptation to dig into the seabed as it would only muddy up the water and reduce visibility, he said.



Rendra also took part in the search mission for victims of AirAsia flight 8501, which crashed into the Java Sea in December 2014. He said the AirAsia evacuation was relatively less challenging as the ocean floor had mostly consisted of unobtrusive sand.



The only thing that never changes in these kinds of rescue missions is the sight of lifeless human bodies. It disturbed me once. But nowadays, I personally see [rescue operations] as an invaluable opportunity for me to redeem my sins, he said.



Civilian divers taking part in such missions are coordinated by the search and rescue unit of Basarnas, which has only about 3,600 personnel serving across the country.



The division outsources skilled search and rescue divers from various institutions such as the Transportation Ministry and the Indonesian Military (TNI), as well as civilian communities such as Indonesia Divers.



Division head First Marshal Indra Jaya said civilian assistance had always been essential to national search and rescue efforts.



We never call them when we need their help; they are always the first ones to reach out to us and volunteer.



As of Tuesday, Basarnas has deployed 176 outsourced divers to locate and retrieve the remaining crash victims.



Basarnas operations deputy Nugroho Budi Wiryanto said 184 body bags had been retrieved as of Tuesday evening. The Kramat Jati Police Hospital, meanwhile, has identified 44 passengers from the retrieved bodies, 33 of whom are male and 11 female.



The victims families participated in a mass prayer on board two Navy ships in the Java Sea on Tuesday morning, a day before Basarnas is set to decide whether it would extend the search for the remaining victims and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR).Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Miami, United States  Wed, November 7, 2018 12:21 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af82b0 2 World #USA,#Elections,Democrat,concedes,Florida,governor,race,Donald-Trump Free

Democrat Andrew Gillum, the African American mayor of Florida state capital Tallahassee, conceded Tuesday in his acrimonious battle for governor with Ron DeSantis, a member of the House of Representatives and ardent supporter of President Donald Trump.

"We could not be more thankful for the support that was shown by each and every one of you all the way along this path. We recognize that, you know, we didn't win it tonight," he told supporters.

"Earlier this evening I called Mr Ron DeSantis and congratulated him on what we expect will be him as the next governor of the great state of Florida.

"But I want you to know, I want you to know, I want you to know that in spite of our congratulating him on his victory this evening, nothing that we believe in is compromised."

The race was among the most watched in the US midterms, with Trump throwing his weight behind DeSantis and Gillum endorsed by former Democratic president Barack Obama and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

In the dying days of the campaign, Trump branded Gillum a "thief" and accused him of running a corrupt city, without presenting evidence for his attack.

The FBI has been conducting a probe of alleged public corruption in Tallahassee, and while Gillum has said he has been told he is not the target, Republicans used the investigation as a cudgel against him.

DeSantis himself has been widely criticized for urging Florida voters not to "monkey this up" by electing Gillum, a comment denounced as racist.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Sebastian Smith with Javier Tovar in Irvine, California and Jose Osorio in El Paso, Texas (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States  Wed, November 7, 2018 10:01 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877aeea14 2 World #USA,#Elections,Democrat,victory,Donald-Trump,Republican,congress Free

Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump.

With polls yet to close in swaths of the country, it was still far too early to know who will control the House and Senate, which for the first two years of Trump's presidency have been held by his Republican allies.

However, initial results -- like the flipping by Jennifer Wexton of a previously solidly Republican Virginia seat in the House -- signalled that pre-election predictions of Democrats taking over the lower chamber may be confirmed.

Democrats were also heartened by heavy turnout after a bitter campaign which at Trump's own insistence was widely seen as an unofficial referendum on his polarizing presidency. From New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia there were long lines from early morning at polling stations.

Although Republicans remained forecast to keep control of the Senate, a Democratic House would upend the current Washington power balance.

Trump has spent months ahead of the midterms deriding the Democrats as bent on destroying the US economy and allowing criminals to run riot.

But with the party leading the House, Trump would be forced to compromise more -- or risk presiding over an ever more divided country. Democrats, still smarting from Trump's extraordinary upset win against Hillary Clinton in 2016, would likely use their ascendancy to exact payback.

Democratic leadership of the House's powerful investigative committees would breathe new wind into probes of Trump's opaque personal finances, Russian interference in the 2016 election, and even calls for his impeachment.

- Confident Democratic leaders -

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Polls indicated that Democrats have a good chance of winning the 23 seats they need to seize the House, while Republicans could slightly increase their razor-thin Senate majority of 51-49.

Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 predictions wrong, urged caution. Several dozen midterm races where candidates from the two sides were barely separated will decide the day.

Even so, Democrats were confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory."

Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd be "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

The first polling stations closed at 6:00 pm Eastern time (2300 GMT) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, with the last to close seven hours later in Alaska, and results trickling in through the evening.

- Big turnout -

Voters often sit out the midterms. This time, they're sitting up.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

At a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, head election officer William Harkins said "it's a very good turnout."

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."

- Immigration fears -

Trump was watching the results alongside friends and family at the White House, his spokeswoman said.

The president so dominates politics across the country that despite not being on any ballot he has made the election largely about him.

Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."

But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."

Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones at the border, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees."

The result in Texas will say much about which way argument has worked best in these polarized times. Other tight Senate races are in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.TheJakartaPost

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Wed, November 7, 2018 11:11 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af2551 2 World #USA,#Elections Free

US voters elected two Muslim women, both Democrats, to Congress on Tuesday, marking a historic first in a country where anti-Muslim rhetoric has been on the rise, American networks reported.

Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee, won a House seat in a heavily-Democratic district in the Midwestern state of Minnesota, where she will succeed Keith Ellison, himself the first Muslim elected to Congress.

Rashida Tlaib, a social worker born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents, won a House seat in a district where she ran unopposed by a Republican candidate.

The two politicians will increase the total number of Muslims in the House to three. Congressman Andre Carson, who is Muslim and African American, won re-election in his safely-Democratic district in the state of Indiana.

The electoral milestone is in stark contrast to the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment around the country.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 21 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the first six months of 2018.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Marcel Thee (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7 2018

Play of color: These vases, created by designer MoonRounds, are among the pieces created to celebrate Japanese wood artistry that are on display at an exhibition at the dia.lo.gue art space in Kemang, South Jakarta, until Nov. 11.

Design exhibition Into the Woods celebrates Japanese wood-makers and their wooden creations.

Focusing specifically on wood-builders from Nara Okuyamato in Japan, the exhibition Into the Woods is a collaborative effort between a few Indonesian design studios such as Table Six and Studio Dasar with Door to Asia, a Japanese-based designer residency program as part of Design Camp @ Okuyamato.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 13:33 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877afb10c 1 City Bantar-Gebang,landfill-facility,Bekasi,flyover Free

The Jakarta administration has agreed to give Rp 602 billion (US$40 million) to Bekasi to fulfill its obligation for dumping the capital's garbage at the West Java city's Bantar Gebang dump.

Of this amount, Rp 199 billion is to be given to residents living near the dump as compensation for odor pollution, while the remaining Rp 403 billion is to be distributed as a development grant for the planned Cipendawa and Rawapanjang overpasses.

The two overpasses are intended to ease travel for the garbage trucks transporting Jakarta's waste to Bantar Gebang.

Jakarta Governance Bureau head Premi Lasari said earlier that Bekasi had proposed Rp 1 trillion for the compensation and development grant, but that Jakarta had decided to give Rp 602 billion instead.

Bekasi has submitted the development plan [for the overpasses]. Jakarta Bina Marga [road agency] reviewed the document and we have agreed to provide Rp 403 billion, Premi said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

We have allocated Rp 117 billion for the Rawapanjang overpass, and Rp 286 billion for Cipendawa, she said.

Premi also said that the overpasses' development would help shorten the journey for Jakarta's 1,300 garbage trucks that traveled to the dump every day. She added that currently, the trucks were frequently stuck in traffic jams along the route.

The Bekasi overpasses are expected to be completed in 2020. The Rawapanjang overpass is to connect Jl. Ahmad Yani and Jl. Raya Narogong, while the Cipendawa overpass is to connect Jl. Raya Cipendawa and Jl. Raya Narogong.(cal/ris)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Hafida Fahmiasari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7 2018

Indonesia has been shocked by the plane crash involving Lion Air flight JT610. The Oct. 29 incident brings to eight the number of fatal crashes in the countrys air transportation sector over the last 10 years.

The Lion Air aircraft, with 189 people on board, crashed into the Java Sea off Karawang, West Java, 13 minutes after taking off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The incident comes nearly four years after Air Asia flight QZ8501, carrying 162 people, crashed into the Java Sea off Kalimantan.

PlaneCrashInfo.com, which compiles data on more than 1,100 fatal crashes around the world in 1950-2010, shows pilot error has been behind nearly 60 percent of the accidents. Other culprits include bad weather, mechanical issues and sabotage.

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Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 21:01 1109 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0fa6f 1 National sexual-abuse-on-campus,Sexual-assault,UGM,Gadjah-Mada-University,Women,Education Free

Several organizations have encouraged Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to help one of its students to take legal action following an alleged sexual assault against her by another student.

Ika Ayu from Yogyakarta Women's Network (JPY) told The Jakarta Post that they regretted UGM's slow handling of the case.

The case, which occurred on June 30 last year during a university community service assignment (KKN) in Maluku, became public after the university's student press, Balairung, published an investigative report on the sexual assault case on Monday. Referring to the the victim by the pseudonym Agni, Balairung reported that Agni had reported the assault soon after it happened. However, the campus officials instead blamed her for the incident.

"We encourage UGM to bring this case to law enforcement to create a deterrent effect," said Ika on Wednesday.

Ika said they found out about the case after it went "viral", while it happened in June last year. "It shows UGM doesn't know what to do in such cases," she said.

She said UGM had also failed to show seriousness in handling past cases. In June 2016, The Jakarta Post made an investigative report about alleged sexual abuse by a lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences, identified as EH, against several female students. The lecturer was dismissed from his teaching job but is still officially a lecturer there.

Several organizations that signed a joint statement to demand that UGM deliver justice to the victim said the campus should give the perpetrator a tough punishment such as expulsion.

UGM's public relations officer, Iva Ariani, said Tuesday that UGM was working to deliver justice to the victim. "He has been dismissed from his KKN program and suspended for a semester," said Iva.

UGM said they were looking into necessary steps to pursue a legal avenue for this case. (evi)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 16:54 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b07155 1 Business pertamina,investment,2019,upstream-sector Free

State energy holding company Pertamina will allocate at least US$2.5 billion to develop its upstream sector next year, a roughly 8 percent increase from this years investment target of $2.3 billion, a company official has said.

Pertamina SVP upstream strategic planning, portfolio and evaluation head Meidawati said recently that the investment target for 2019 was in line with the company's oil and gas production target for next year.

Our upstream production target for 2019 is 414,000 bopd [barrels oil per day] and 2,944 mmscfd [million standard cubic feet per day]," she said during a seminar in Jakarta.

The 2019 oil production target is 14,000 bopd higher than this years target of 400,000 bopd, while the gas production target for 2019 is 2,944 mmscfd, 4.07 percent lower than this years target of 3,069 mmscfd.

Meidawati said the lowered gas production target was a result of a decline in the reservoir of the Musi structure in the Pendopo Field in South Sumatra, which is under the operation of Pertaminas upstream subsidiary PT Pertamina EP (PEP).

We've seen lower [gas] production in the Mahakam Block, but our oil production will increase in 2019, thanks to [production increase in the] Banyu Urip Field and also our other upstream subsidiaries, she said.

As of September, the realization of 2018s investment had reached around $1 billion of the $2.3 billion target, while oil and gas production had reached 384,000 bopd and 3,060 mmscfd, 96 percent and 99.7 percent, respectively, of the full year target. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 14:13 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877afd30c 1 City ATM,theft,arrest,crime Free

Police have made arrests after ATM card thefts were reported in East Jakarta.

Cakung Police criminal unit head Comr. Tom Sirait said on Tuesday that two members of a gang were arrested at a convenience store where the crimes took place in Cakung on Saturday.

We arrested two suspects first, Syahrudin and Gunawan. They conducted the crime by blocking a tiny hole in the ATM, Tom said as quoted by kompas.com.

Tom said four other people were part of the gang, identifying them as Sabriyanto, who reportedly led the operation, as well as Iyut, Dinar and Idris.

The other four suspects escaped when police arrived on the scene. However, not long after, police arrested Sabriyanto, Iyut and Dinar in South Tangerang.

Thus, one is still on the loose, Tom said.

Police claimed the suspects conducted their operation in Jakarta and Bandung, West Java. Each of them were said to have different roles in the operation.

Sabriyanto, police said, was responsible for peeking at card holder PINs while standing in line behind a potential victim.

A tiny hole where ATM cards were inserted would cause the cards to get stuck. Dinar was reportedly tasked with offering help, while replacing the ATM card with an unused card.

The suspects reportedly escaped once they obtained a victims ATM card.

Two other members were reportedly responsible for keeping watch from inside the convenience store. Meanwhile, another two remained in a car parked outside.

I appeal to all: do not panic if your ATM card gets stuck in the machine, Tom said. (sau)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 15:31 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b01a3b 1 City shooting,East-Jakarta,brawl,police,death Free

A police officer reportedly shot his friend to death following a brawl in Ciracas, East Jakarta.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said the unidentified police personnel had intended on firing a warning shot to intimidate his friend, identified as Ade Supardi, after the two fought on Saturday. Argo did not specify the cause of the conflict.

"The policeman was under duress, so he fired the shots and one hit Ade's head and killed him on the scene," he said on Tuesday as quoted by tempo.co.

The police officer was reportedly accompanied by two other police personnel during the incident near Ades house.

Ade reportedly pushed his police officer friend, causing the latter to fall.

The police officer then took out his gun and fired shots into the air. A bullet hit Ade's head.

Ade's body was taken to Kramat Jati Police Hospital for an autopsy.

Argo said an internal investigation into the role of the police officer in the incident would be carried out. (ris)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 13:27 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af9d24 1 Politics 2019-elections,2019-presidential-election,Prabowo-Subianto-Sandiaga-Uno,Boyolali Free

Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has apologized for his remarks on Boyolali faces that has sparked peoples outrage, especially in the Central Java regency of Boyolali.

In a short video uploaded by spokesman for the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno campaign, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, onto his Twitter account, Prabowo said he did not mean to offend Boyolali residents. Instead, he was only joking by saying that the faces of Boyolali people were not that of rich people.

I did not mean it as a negative thing. If my remark offended some people, I apologize, said the Gerindra Party chairman. He added that he wanted to underline the countrys inequality through his remark.

Read also: Boyolali residents protest at Prabowo joke

Prabowo has pledged on several occasions to address inequality and injustice in the country if elected president.

The controversial remark was made during his speech at the opening of his campaign team office in Boyolali last week.

Prabowo said there were a lot of fancy international hotels with names many people probably cant even pronounce in Jakarta.

Later, he said: If you try to enter [these hotels], you will probably be kicked out. Your faces are not that of rich people, your faces are just like that of the Boyolali people. Right?

The audience laughed at the remark but a clip of the speech that was uploaded on YouTube went viral on Friday, eliciting negative reactions from many netizens.

Thousands of Boyolali residents staged a protest on Sunday, demanding an apology from Prabowo.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 14:21 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877afe0c1 1 National Rizieq-Shihab,Saudi-Arabia,Foreign-Affairs-Ministry Free

Saudi Arabian security authorities have questioned Rizieq Shihab, a firebrand cleric who has been on the run in the country, over reports of the installation of an Islamist flag at his house in Mecca, the Foreign Ministry has said.

Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel said he received a report on the detention of the cleric on Monday.

Our staff eventually informed that Mecca police went to Rizieqs house on Monday morning to investigate the allegation of the installation of a black flag that resembles the flag of Islamist extremist groups, on the rear side of his house, Agus said in a statement on Wednesday.

Later that afternoon, Mecca Police and Saudi Arabias General Investigation Directorate took Rizieq in for questioning at a nearby police station, where he was eventually detained.

Indonesias representative office in Jeddah dispatched staff to provide legal assistance to Rizieq. Saudi authorities released Rizieq on bail at around 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia has been banning the installation of flags and other materials resembling those used by extremist groups, including the Islamic State group.

The firebrand cleric and leader of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has been in Saudi Arabia for more than a year. In September, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said Rizieq had overstayed his visa in the country, according to a statement issued responding to complaints from his supporters who claimed that restrictions had been imposed on the activities of the FPI leader in Mecca.

Rizieq had been charged by Indonesian police for allegedly violating the 2008 Pornography Law in May 2017. By that time, Rizieq had fled to Saudi Arabia and refused to return to Indonesia, despite several police summonses. The police dropped the case in June, citing a lack of evidence.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 16:56 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b0759c 1 National plane-crash,JT610,Lion-Air Free

The second engine from Lion Air flight JT610, which crashed into Java Sea last week, has been found.

An officer of the Navys Fleet I, Col. Bambang Trijanto, said the main turbine of the engine was discovered during a search on Tuesday at a depth of 30 meters. Kompas.com reported that the turbine was not in an intact condition upon discovery.

[We discovered it] along with 20 body parts, which were handed over to the disaster victim identification [DVI] last night, Bambang said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The Lion Air plane crashed on Oct. 29 morning while en route to Depati Amir Airport in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands, from Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with 189 people on board, comprising 181 passengers, two pilots and six crew members.

The National Police's DVI team has identified 44 victims from the remains recovered from the water.

Authorities have collected the discovered body parts at Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) 2 in Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, before being handed over to the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) for investigation into the accident.

Apart from the engine, the search team has also found other parts of the downed aircraft, such as tubes, batteries, a recorder and power supply. Diver teams have been dispatched to the location where they found the engine, in order to search for and retrieve more parts. (kuk)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan and Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Medan  Wed, November 7 2018

A Sriwijaya Air flight bound for Jakarta from Bengkulu was reportedly delayed for an hour on Monday after passengers objected to a pungent aroma of durian in the passenger cabin.

Antara reporter Boyke Ledy Watra, who happened to be on the plane, reported that several passengers argued, occasionally almost coming to blows, with flight crew members before deciding to leave the aircraft.

Sriwijaya Air eventually decided to unload sacks of durian from the baggage compartment and the flight eventually departed at around 11:40 a.m., an hour later than the scheduled takeoff.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 17:34 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b09e37 1 City online-games,student,raids,internet-cafe,West-Jakarta Free

Twenty-five school students have been obliged to recite the five pillars of Pancasila, the state ideology, as a punishment for playing online games at internet cafes during school hours in Palmerah, West Jakarta.

Palmerah Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) head Paisol Panani said the agency's officers conducted raids and found seven junior high school students and 18 senior high school students at the internet cafes on Tuesday.

They were found playing online games in four internet cafes in Palmerah subdistrict. They were immediately taken to the Palmerah district office, he said as quoted by kompas.com.

At the district office, the students had their data recorded. They were also asked to recite the Pancasilas five pillars.

Palmerah district head Zery Ronazy said the raid was organized to stop students from skipping school, getting in brawls, consuming illegal drugs and taking part in criminal activities.

One of the students, a 15-year-old, said he skipped school because the school's subject of the day was not difficult.

Todays subject was easy. My friends asked me to skip school and play PUBG [PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds] and Dota at the internet cafe, he said on Tuesday.

He added that he was worried about Satpol PP personnel contacting his parents.

I would be terrified if my mother and father went to the district office. They would scold me and wouldn't give me pocket money, he said. (gis)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 12:16 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877af7b3f 1 Politics KPK,PLTU-Riau-1,Eni-Maulani-Saragih,Golkar Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is expected to complete a case dossier in the near future against Golkar Party politician Eni Maulani Saragih in a bribery case pertaining to the Riau-1 coal-fired power plant (PLTU) project.

Graft investigators questioned her as a suspect in the case on Tuesday, as she was suspected of accepting Rp 4.8 billion (US$324,350) in bribes from businessman Johannes Budisutrisno Kotjo to expedite the projects contract. The businessman has also named a suspect in the case and his trial is ongoing at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

Today was the last questioning session as a suspect. God willing, [investigators] will complete the dossier on Friday, Eni told journalists after undergoing Tuesdays questioning as quoted by tempo.co.

KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah confirmed Enis claim, saying graft busters are finalizing the dossier against suspect ES, referring to Eni by her initials.

Also, on Tuesday, the antigraft body said the politician had returned another Rp 1.3 billion she allegedly accepted from Johannes in the case. In total, the KPK has received Rp 4.26 billion in its investigation, Rp 712 million of which was handed over by an unidentified Golkar politician.

We will consider such cooperative actions in the prosecution as well as in deciding on requests for justice collaborator status, Febri said.

The antigraft body has named three suspects in the Riau-1 PLTU graft case, consisting of two Golkar politicians  Eni and former social affair minister Idrus Marham  and Johannes.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Sri Wahyuni and Evi Mariani (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta/Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 15:44 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b02109 1 National sexual-abuse,sexual-abuse-on-campus,Gadjah-Mada-University,Women-Empowerment-and-Child-Protection,Research-Technology-and-Higher-Education-Ministry,petition,rape,Komnas-Perempuan Free

Editor's note: This article contains explicit content that may be unsuitable for younger readers.

Gadjah Mada University's (UGM) initial response to a recent sexual assault case allegedly involving two of its students has angered thousands of people, who have signed a petition demanding that the Yogyakarta university punish the student perpetrator and the campus officials that had penalized the student victim.

In less than 24 hours, the online petition on change.org had garnered more than 55,000 signatories by Wednesday morning, with more people signing every second to reach 63,000 signatories by mid-afternoon on Wednesday.

We demand that the UGM rector, the advisory board and the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry to strengthen regulations on preventing sexual assault and law enforcement against sex offenders, the petition states as one of its demands.

A separate call to a rally on Thursday has been circulating on social media to demand that the university thoroughly investigate the case and create a safe campus environment. The call says that UGM is facing a sexual violence emergency, pointing out that the latest case was not the university's first and that UGM has not been siding with victims.

'Balairung' investigative report

On Nov. 5, Balairung published an investigative report based on the testimony of a female student under the pseudonym Agni, who gave the UGM student magazine permission to publish the full details of her account.

Agni said that a fellow student had assaulted her during a community service project (KKN) at a Maluku village on June 30, 2017. The KKN is a kind of field school program that lasts several months, during which the students live with local families in the target village.

Agni said she was visiting a villager until late evening at their home where fellow KKN student "HS" was staying, so she decided to spend the night at HS homestay and return to her own lodging in the morning. They had to share a single room that night, Agni said, but that they were separated by some distance in the room. She also said she slept fully clothed and still in her headscarf. Early the following morning, she said she felt HS groping her, opening her top, kissing her breasts and inserting his fingers in her genitalia. She froze in momentary shock until she felt pain that prompted her to yell at HS, What are you doing!

Agni said she immediately reported the incident to the KKN supervisor and the UGM Community Service Department (DKPM), which managed the program. The university officials cut short HS program and sent him back to Yogyakarta, but Agni said they also blamed her for the incident, with one official telling her to repent, reported Balairung.

Agni said that after the assault, she often felt scared at night and ended up staying awake all night. She also had suicidal thoughts, she said as quoted by Balairung.

In November 2017, Agni learned that she received a C for her KKN assignment, while her peers on the same program received an A or a B. Agni said she asked about the reason for her low grade, and that the KKN management responded that she had to share the blame for the incident that embarrassed UGM in front of the local villagers. In the Balairung artile, a university official who declined to be named said that the student press should not be in a rush to call Agni a victim. Like a cat given salted fish, it will at least sniff it and might even eat the fish, right? Balairung quoted the official as saying in reference to Agni.

In December 2017, Agni reported the C she received for her KKN assignment and the circumstances surrounding it to her academic department, the Social and Political Sciences Faculty (Fisipol). The Fisipol's cooperation, alumni and research deputy dean, Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti, and the deputy dean for academics and student affairs, Wawan Masudi, followed up on her case to the top administrative level.

An inter-departmental independent investigation team was formed that recommended Agnis KKN grade be revise from C to A/B. The team also recommended that the perpetrator write an apology and attend a mandatory counseling session for sexual abusers.

Abuse-free campus

On Tuesday, in response to the Balairung article, Fisipol UGM posted a statement on its Instagram account, @fisipolugm, reiterating its commitment to side with victim.

With this, Fisipol UGM states that we side with the survivor to find justice and a thorough solution to the problem, the statement said.

It also said that steps had been taken to deal with "Agni's" case, including a letter it sent to the rector on Dec. 22, 2017 that asked the university to manage the case thoroughly.

Fisipol said that the rector arranged a closed meeting with relevant parties in response to its letter, and agreed during the meeting to set up an investigation team that involved several departments. The rector also agreed to sanction the DKPM officials for their "ignorance" in their initial handling of the incident until "the survivor" reported the case to Fisipol.

During the same meeting, Fisipol said it agreed to engage psychologists to provide trauma counseling for "the survivor".

The statement continued that, after an intensive investigation, the team submitted its recommendations to the rector on July 20, 2018, which included punishment for the perpetrator, protection and support for the victim and improvements to managing the KKN program.

This is why Fisipol UGM is pushing for a thorough and speedy management of the case by implementing the follow-up measures as recommended by the investigation team, the statement said, ending with a call to all parties to create a campus that was free from sexual abuse.

Separately, UGM public relations and protocol head Iva Ariani said the university would continue its work to make sure that the victim received protection and justice.

Next, UGM will soon take the necessary real steps to take the case to the legal domain, Iva said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Other UGM cases

In 2016, a sexual abuse case that involved several female victims among Fisipol students rocked the university. The perpetrator, EH, was a respected lecturer and the head of the international relations department at the time of the incident. The victims reported that EH groped their breasts and rubbed his crotch against their bodies during a one-on-one academic consultation on their theses in a closed room.

EH was stripped of his positions, but is still officially employed as a UGM lecturer.

The victim who spoke to The Jakarta Post two years ago said that even after the department accepted the sexual assault report she and the other victims had submitted, she still bumped into EH in the department's basement parking lot.

The investigative report in the Balairung student magazine also cited other unresolved sexual assault cases at UGM.

Sexual assault at universities

Many believe that the incidents of sexual assault at universities that have emerged in the public eye are a mere tip of the iceberg.

In 2008, the University of Indonesia (UI) Law School received sexual assault reports from several students on a lecturer, TN. As in the case of UGM's EH, TN also sexually assaulted his students during one-on-one thesis consultations. TN was later dismissed from UI but he was still being interviewed by the media.

Women's empowerment and rights activist Damairia Pakpahan told the Post in 2016 that she represented a sexual assault victim of a humanities lecturer at UGM, but that the case did not go anywhere.

The Support Group and Resource Center on Sexuality Studies (SGRC Indonesia), a youth group for university students, said in a statement on Wednesday that sexual assault had been happening at Indonesian universities for many years.

Growing awareness and knowledge about sexual assault inspire survivors to dare to speak out. The increasing number of reports on sexual assault does not mean that cases of sexual assault are on the rise, but that the number of survivors who dare to speak out is on the rise, it said.

SGRC Indonesia noted that universities sometimes did not appreciate the courage it took survivors to speak about their experiences and even blamed them for the sexual assault. This is double victimization and as a result, the survivor feels guilty [for reporting the incident and for the incident itself]," it said, and that victim blaming could disrupt a survivor's day-to-day life.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Wed, November 7, 2018 16:40 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b04bf7 2 World #USA,#Elections,Democrat,win,Wisconsin,governor Free

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, whose take-no-prisoners assault on organized labor once propelled him to be a leading Republican presidential hopeful, was projected Tuesday to lose his bid for a third term.

Democrat Tony Evers, the mild-mannered superintendent of schools in the Midwestern state, enjoyed a narrow lead and was projected by major media outlets as the winner on a night of midterm elections.

Walker, however, did not concede, with his campaign saying it wanted to verify a count of ballots by soldiers overseas.

Walker made his name after his 2010 election by taking aim at unions in Wisconsin, once the cradle of the US labor movement, in a political feud that led Democratic lawmakers temporarily to flee the state in a legislative move to stop the governor.

Defying protests, Walker slashed most public sector unions' right to collective bargaining and later banned mandatory union membership, decimating Wisconsin's ranks of organized labor.

Evers campaigned on promises to bring widespread health care coverage, following Walker's opposition to former president Barack Obama's reforms, and to shift to a more civil tone.

"I will be focused on solving problems, not picking political fights," Evers, 67, told a victory rally in the state capital Madison.

Evers has pledged to scrutinize a deal championed by Walker for Foxconn, the Taiwanese company known for assembling iPhones, to build a plant in Wisconsin.

The state provided some $4 billion in tax breaks, leading to criticism that the job benefits do not warrant the public cost.

Walker was briefly considered a frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination but faced heated attacks by eventual winner Donald Trump and dropped out early.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 8 2018

A police officer has reportedly fatally shot his own friend during a fight in Ciracas, East Jakarta.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said the unidentified officer had meant to fire a warning shot to frighten his friend, identified as Ade Supardi, after the two got into a fight on Saturday.

Argo did not specify the cause of the conflict.

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Linkedin Mary Schlangenstein (Bloomberg)  Wed, November 7, 2018 16:01 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b03f5d 2 News American-Airlines,nut-allergy,food-allergy Free

American Airlines Group Inc. will allow people who suffer from peanut and tree-nut allergies to board flights early so they can wipe down areas where they will sit to avoid potential exposure to allergens.

The change will take effect Dec. 12 when flight-service manuals are updated, American said in a filing Tuesday with the U.S. Transportation Department. Complaints over the issue were filed against the carrier last year by Food Allergy Research & Education and a woman whose son has a life-threatening peanut allergy.

Customers with nut allergies who would like to board flights early to wipe down surfaces may ask to do so at the gate, American said. While the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier doesnt serve peanuts, it said it cant guarantee customers wont be exposed to nuts during flights.

Read also: Sony apologizes to parents over 'Peter Rabbit' food allergy scene

About 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies, the food-allergy research group said in its filing. Wiping down seats, tray tables and arm rests on aircraft cant be done by allergic passengers during general boarding, the group said.

Delta Air Lines Inc. allows early boarding to travelers with nut allergies. The websites of United Continental Holdings Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. dont mention an early-boarding option for people with food allergies.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 7, 2018 15:17 1110 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877aff9b5 1 News KAI,#KAI,Train,#train,ticket,#ticket,discount,#discount,train-tickets,travel,#travel Free

State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is offering 10 percent discounts on train fares until Thursday.

Kompas.com reported, however, that the discounted tickets are only available at PT KAIs booth at the 2018 International Public Service Forum, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in South Jakarta.

The discount applies to medium and long-distance commercial train services in the travel period of November 2018 to January 2019. However, discounted fares are not available for the period of Dec. 14 to Jan. 6 and cannot be combined with other special offers.

Read also: Priority class train available daily between Jakarta and Semarang

PT KAI never stops pampering train lovers with various ticket promotions. This time around, train users can get discounts of up to 10 percent for tickets at the International Public Service Forum, said KAI operational region (DAOP) 1 executive vice president R. Dadan Rudiansyah.

Dadan expressed hope that the promotion would increase people's interest in traveling by train and show them that trains were a reliable mode of transportation.

Make sure the booking details match the passengers identification card (ID). If they do not match, the booking is considered void, added Dadan. (jes/mut)Nov 07 2018 6:03 pm

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To enter, call 844-946-3636 or visit https://goo.gl/fs9zWV . Mention Promo Code LakewoodScoop54. Good luck!Verdict: Sandi Tans personal documentary about the theft of her teenage passion project is a must-see.

In the Singapore summer of 1992 precocious 19-year-old Sandi Tan, with the help of her best friends Jasmine Ng and Sophia Siddique, shot her independent film Shirkers, a candy-coloured road movie about a teenage assassin. Tan played the protagonist, while directing duties went to Georges Cardona, her much older American mentor. When shooting wrapped and the friends returned to their studies, Georges was left in Singapore to process the film. After months of radio silence, a terrible truth became apparent: Cardona had vanished, taking Tans film  and her filmmaking ambitions  with him.

It was only over two decades later that Cardonas estranged widow discovered the film canisters and returned them to Tan. The resulting film is Shirkers, a documentary in which Tan patches together her adolescent memories an attempt to figure out what exactly happened to her uncompleted film, and at the same time confronts the residual trauma of an artistic violation.

Documentaries with stories as fascinating as this practically write themselves, so its to the filmmakers credit that she doesnt launch straight into an autopilot talking-heads discourse about what transpired. Instead, Tan takes the time to contextualise the films production. She recounts navigating the strict Singapore censorship of the late 80s, along with the equally rebellious Ng and Siddique; a covert VHS market fuelled their cinephilia, and a homemade underground punk zine fulfilled their creative desires.

The same DIY spirit is transported to the documentary, which intercuts interviews with Tans doodles and scribblings, new and old home videos and plenty of footage from the original, unfinished film. Though the details of its plot are sketched out, clips are mostly presented out of sequence as fragmented memories shot beautifully in warm, grainy 16mm, which makes the documentary a joy to look at.

The footage is also presented mute  though the visuals survived in perfect condition, the accompanying sound recordings were mysteriously lost, perhaps even destroyed. Theres an eerie moment when a snippet of the film plays without sound, evoking the cruelty of Cardonas literal theft of Tans filmmaking voice. Later theres a lovely montage accompanied by a recreated version of Ben Harrisons original score, the only cassette of which was also stolen.

Cardonas motivation, or possible lack thereof, for his theft is genuinely unnerving in its inexplicability. Though Tan resists labelling him a villain  for viewers its nearly impossible not to, especially considering the obvious sexual undertones of his manipulation of her  she plays up the enigma surrounding him. Cardona was a man of unplaceable age and origin; his curious accent and totally jumbled backstory is reminiscent of Tommy Wiseau, while his unsettling gaze is not unlike that of Psychos Norman Bates.

Georges Cardona wasnt violent or explicitly predatory, but rather an overgrown filmbro with a fragile ego  just as scary as a serial killer in this context. He was also a compulsive liar who claimed, for example, that he was the inspiration for the protagonist in Sex, Lies and Videotape. The film implies that Georges was always intent on transforming his life into a movie, and that his theft of the original Shirkers was a brilliant twist.

If that was his plan, it didnt quite pay off. Tan never lets Shirkers 2.0 be Cardonas film; its not so much a horror about his cruelty as it is a ghost story about the memories of a period in time that has haunted her. The documentary acts as a kind of closure, with Tan reclaiming the film as her own, re-centring the narrative on the women who made it.

An overlaid voiceover somewhat over-explains this point, and Tans attempts at introspection (she wonders whether she was an asshole) never go far enough to feel genuine, but theres a real warmth to the film come its conclusion. The rediscovered footage becomes not only a poignant time capsule of the Singapore of Tans childhood and a fascinating what if? in film history, but a chance to mend the relationships that the catastrophic production had tested.

Shirkers is available to stream on Netflix.Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulse Seismic Inc. (TSX:PSD) (OTCQX:PLSDF) (Pulse or the Company) is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, accompanying notes and MD&A are being filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and will be available on Pulses website at www.pulseseismic.com.



HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.6 million compared to $32.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $5.9 million compared to $38.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. In the third quarter of 2017 the Company signed its largest-ever seismic data licensing agreement, for $29.5 million. Revenue in each of the comparable periods in 2018 and 2017 consisted entirely of data library sales;

The net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.0 million ($0.02 per share basic and diluted) compared to net earnings of $18.7 million ($0.34 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $2.8 million ($0.05 per share basic and diluted) compared to net earnings of $13.8 million ($0.25 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The main difference for both periods was the period-over-period reduction in data library sales;

Cash EBITDA (a) was $412,000 ($0.01 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $30.4 million ($0.55 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Cash EBITDA was $1.8 million ($0.03 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $33.3 million ($0.60 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017;



was $412,000 ($0.01 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $30.4 million ($0.55 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Cash EBITDA was $1.8 million ($0.03 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $33.3 million ($0.60 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017; Shareholder free cash flow (a) was $545,000 ($0.01 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $23.6 million ($0.43 per share basic and diluted) for the comparable period in 2017. Shareholder free cash flow was $2.1 million ($0.04 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $26.4 million ($0.48 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017;



was $545,000 ($0.01 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $23.6 million ($0.43 per share basic and diluted) for the comparable period in 2017. Shareholder free cash flow was $2.1 million ($0.04 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $26.4 million ($0.48 per share basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017; In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 Pulse purchased and cancelled a total of 227,500 common shares at a total cost of approximately $673,000 (average cost of $2.96 per common share including commissions); and



At September 30, 2018 Pulse was debt-free and had cash of $20.6 million. The Companys $30.0 million revolving credit facility is undrawn and fully available.

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION

Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, Year ended (thousands of dollars except per share data, 2018 2017 2018 2017 December 31, numbers of shares and kilometres of seismic data) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 Revenue  Data library sales 1,606 32,428 5,875 38,076 43,525 Amortization of seismic data library 1,812 4,639 5,526 13,912 15,870 Net earnings (loss) (1,042 ) 18,704 (2,754 ) 13,776 15,087 Per share basic and diluted (0.02 ) 0.34 (0.05 ) 0.25 0.27 Cash provided by operating activities 2,672 32,544 (5,707 ) 36,675 38,755 Per share basic and diluted 0.05 0.59 (0.11 ) 0.66 0.70 Cash EBITDA (a) 412 30,407 1,828 33,279 37,070 Per share basic and diluted (a) 0.01 0.55 0.03 0.60 0.67 Shareholder free cash flow (a) 545 23,569 2,055 26,428 29,729 Per share basic and diluted (a) 0.01 0.43 0.04 0.48 0.54 Capital expenditures Seismic data purchases, digitization and related costs - - 62 125 1,575 Property and equipment 5 4 9 41 48 Total capital expenditures 5 4 71 166 1,623



Special dividend - - - - 10,915



Weighted average shares outstanding Basic and diluted 53,822,117 55,069,815 53,853,199 55,381,245 55,135,035 Shares outstanding at period-end 53,793,317 54,593,017 54,020,817



Seismic library 2D in kilometres 450,000 447,000 447,000 3D in square kilometres 28,956 28,647 28,956 FINANCIAL POSITION AND RATIO September 30, September 30, December 31, (thousands of dollars except ratio) 2018 2017 2017 Working capital 23,291 33,315 22,486 Working capital ratio 14.9:1 4.7:1 3.1:1 Cash and cash equivalents 20,568 38,686 27,422 Total assets 37,916 61,309 51,693 Shareholders equity 34,183 49,106 37,810

(a) The Companys continuous disclosure documents provide discussion and analysis of cash EBITDA, cash EBITDA per share, shareholder free cash flow and shareholder free cash flow per share. These financial measures are not defined in IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because management, investors, analysts and others use them as measures of the Companys financial performance. The Companys definition of cash EBITDA is cash available for interest payments, cash taxes, repayment of debt, purchase of its shares, discretionary capital expenditures and the payment of dividends, and is calculated as earnings (loss) from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less participation survey revenue, plus any non-cash and non-recurring expenses. Cash EBITDA excludes participation survey revenue as these funds are directly used to fund specific participation surveys and this revenue is not available for discretionary capital expenditures. The Company believes cash EBITDA assists investors in comparing Pulses results on a consistent basis without regard to participation survey revenue and non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly depending on accounting methods or non-operating factors such as historical cost. Cash EBITDA per share is defined as cash EBITDA divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Shareholder free cash flow further refines the calculation of capital available to invest in growing the Companys 2D and 3D seismic data library, to repay debt, to purchase its common shares and to pay dividends by deducting non-discretionary expenditures from cash EBITDA. Non-discretionary expenditures are defined as debt financing costs (net of deferred financing expenses amortized in the current period) and current tax provisions. Shareholder free cash flow per share is defined as shareholder free cash flow divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.

These non-GAAP financial measures are defined, calculated and reconciled to the nearest GAAP financial measures in the Managements Discussion and Analysis.

OUTLOOK

With sales in the first nine months of 2018 much lower than in the comparable period of 2017, Pulse looks ahead cautiously to the next several quarters. Visibility as to Pulses traditional sales remains poor and transaction-based sales are innately unpredictable.

Industry indicators continue to be contradictory, with continued stress on oil and natural gas industry capital budgets and cash flows in Canada and a worsening regulatory environment at the federal level.

Commodity Prices

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil continues to hold in the range of US$65-US$72 per barrel. In Canada the benefits have been seriously offset by further widening in the WTI to Western Canada Select oil price differential, which in October reached over $50 per barrel, with the regions producing sector losing an estimated $100 million per day in foregone revenue.



Alberta natural gas prices (AECO) remain extremely weak, with daily pricing in October fluctuating between $2.60 per gigajoule and a price of zero, and the futures price for the coming winter in the range of approximately $2.00-$2.50 per gigajoule.



Natural gas prices in the U.S. (Henry Hub), by contrast, have strengthened into the range of US$3.20-US$3.40 per MMBtu. Exports of liquefied natural gas from the U.S., currently in the range of 3 billion cubic feet per day, are expected to continue growing strongly in 2019 as new facilities and liquefaction trains come on-stream. Natural gas storage volume is currently more than 600 billion cubic feet below its five-year average weekly range, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This is positive for continued strength in U.S. natural gas prices and, over time, what should be increasing U.S. natural gas imports from western Canada.

Industry Activity

Mineral lease auctions or land sales in Alberta and B.C., after growing strongly in 2017 over 2016, are down substantially in the first nine months of 2018, though still higher than in 2016. Bids have totalled $375.1 million so far this year compared to $676.1 million in the same period last year.



The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors drilling forecast for 2018 remains unchanged at 6,138 wells, up slightly from 2017. To date in 2018, the rig utilization rate is roughly comparable to 2017, although the overall size of the Canadian drilling rig fleet continues to decline slowly. In its November 1 st update to its 2018 Canadian Drilling Activity Forecast, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) lowered its forecast to 6,980 wells to be drilled across Canada this year from 7,900 wells in its original forecast for the year. If realized, this will be slightly less than the 2017 total of 7,100 wells. For 2019, PSAC expects a further decline to 6,600 wells drilled. Strong drilling activity historically has been conducive to traditional seismic data sales.



update to its 2018 Canadian Drilling Activity Forecast, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) lowered its forecast to 6,980 wells to be drilled across Canada this year from 7,900 wells in its original forecast for the year. If realized, this will be slightly less than the 2017 total of 7,100 wells. For 2019, PSAC expects a further decline to 6,600 wells drilled. Strong drilling activity historically has been conducive to traditional seismic data sales. The U.S. active drilling rig count was approximately 1,060 rigs in early October, according to Baker Hughes, extending the recently established plateau in the U.S. rig count. Continued growth in the active rig count would have been suggestive of further growth in U.S. gas supply and, in turn, potentially lower prices.

Capital Projects

Prospects for the critically required expansion of the Trans-Mountain crude oil pipeline from Alberta to tidewater in Burnaby, B.C., have worsened significantly following a federal appeals court ruling and the federal governments announcement of an even more expansive and still open-ended new round of consultations.



Much more positive was the late September announcement of the go-ahead of the estimated $40 billion LNG Canada export project at Kitimat, B.C. In addition to a massive liquefaction and loading facility, this will also require construction of an already-approved major new gas pipeline to the West Coast from the main producing region in northeast B.C. This is the most positive news for western Canadas natural gas sector in several years. Over the medium to longer term, it bodes well for overall industry activity, capital investment, cash flows and natural gas pricing. With other proposed LNG projects still awaiting final investment decisions, the LNG Canada project also sends an important signal that major LNG projects in western Canada are viable and can succeed.



On balance, however, government policies at all levels in Canada remain less supportive of oil and natural gas industry capital investment than in the past. Among other things, the Government of Canada has passed legislation to replace the highly respected National Energy Board with a new regulator having even broader powers and a more expansive consultative mandate, suggesting a further increase to the regulatory burden before any major new trans-border Canadian energy project can be approved.

Corporate Activity

Though expected to strengthen in 2018, merger and acquisition activity through the end of September was down by 45 percent from the same period in 2017, according to Canadian Scout. The Canadian upstream sector reported a total of 92 transactions valued at a combined $19.9 billion, down from 113 deals valued at $36.6 billion last year. This is negative for Pulses transaction-based sales, although any individual corporate transaction could lead to a transaction-based sale of seismic data.

Even with weaker sales, Pulse has generated positive cash EBITDA and shareholder free cash flow in each quarter this year. The Companys strong balance sheet, with effectively zero cash financing costs, its low cash operating costs and the absence of other spending commitments make Pulse cash flow positive at annual revenue of approximately $6 million, and total sales in the first nine months of 2018 are already in this range. The Company remains cautious about the level of traditional sales. Large or small transaction-based sales can occur at any time, creating potential upside to Pulses quarterly and annual revenues from current levels.

CORPORATE PROFILE

Pulse is a market leader in the acquisition, marketing and licensing of 2D and 3D seismic data to western Canada energy sector. Pulse owns the second-largest licensable seismic data library in Canada, currently consisting of approximately 28,956 square kilometres of 3D seismic and 450,000 kilometres of 2D seismic. The library extensively covers the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin where most of Canadas oil and natural gas exploration and development occur.

For further information, please contact:

Neal Coleman, President and CEO

Or

Pamela Wicks, Vice President Finance and CFO

Tel.: 403-237-5559

Toll-free: 1-877-460-5559

E-mail: info@pulseseismic.com .

Please visit our website at https://www.pulseseismic.com/

This document contains information that constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation.

The Outlook section contains forward-looking information which includes, among other things, statements regarding:

Pulse continues to look ahead cautiously to the next several quarters;

Visibility as to Pulses traditional sales remains poor and transaction-based sales are innately unpredictable;

Industry indicators continue to be contradictory;

For the next several quarters, Pulse remains cautious about the level of traditional sales;

Oil and natural gas prices;

Oil and natural gas drilling activity and land sales activity;

Oil and natural gas company capital budgets;

Future demand for seismic data;

Future seismic data sales;

Pulses business and growth strategy; and

Other expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions, results and performance.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Pulse does not publish specific financial goals or otherwise provide guidance, due to the inherently poor visibility of seismic revenue.

The material risk factors include, without limitation:

Oil and natural gas prices;

The demand for seismic data and participation surveys;

The pricing of data library license sales;

Relicensing (change-of-control) fees and partner copy sales;

Cybersecurity;

The level of pre-funding of participation surveys, and the Companys ability to make subsequent data library sales from such participation surveys;

The Companys ability to complete participation surveys on time and within budget;

Environmental, health and safety risks;

Federal and provincial government laws and regulations, including those pertaining to taxation, royalty rates, environmental protection and safety;

Competition;

Dependence on qualified seismic field contractors;

Dependence on key management, operations and marketing personnel;

The loss of seismic data;

Protection of intellectual property rights;

The introduction of new products; and

Climate change.

The foregoing list is not exhaustive. Additional information on these risks and other factors which could affect the Companys operations and financial results is included under Risk Factors of the Companys MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2017. Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, expectations, estimates and opinions of the Companys management at the time the information is presented.

PDF available: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/6fb21bd4-b062-4569-8f7c-68767710f180SANDY, Utah, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mountain America Credit Union is proud to announce it has awarded ten grants to teachers and PTA leaders of K-12 classrooms in Utah and Idaho. Up to $1,500 was awarded to each grant winner. To be eligible for the Mountain America Credit Union PTA Grants, recipients had to be members of both Mountain America and their local PTA.



The funds will be used for a wide variety of classroom purposes, including a school-wide art program, robotic kits, science lab, musical instruments, reading programs, and flexible seating equipment. This years recipients are Sara Alzheimer, Maple Grove Elementary; Jessica Payne, Windridge Elementary; Emily Tanner, Crestview Elementary; Tiffany Lemos, Chubbuck Elementary; Joel Bennett, Spring Lake Elementary; Andrea Griggs, McMillan Elementary; Keri Reynolds, Whitesides Elementary; Amy Wittwer, South Elementary; Kori Hales, Moroni Elementary; Katie Rogers, Thunder Ridge Elementary.

Mountain America is honored to enhance classroom education by providing additional funding for learning-based equipment and projects, says Spencer Carver, assistant vice president of SEG development at Mountain America Credit Union. Education provides the foundation to help individuals reach their potential and ensures a strong community.

Mountain America will again be accepting applications in Spring 2019. Further details can be found at https://www.macu.com/pta .By Zoe Fruchter

fruchter@grinnell.edu

On Monday, Nov. 5, The National Labor Review Board (NLRB) granted the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW) the right to hold an election that expands union coverage to all student workers. In response, the Grinnell College administration sent out a special campus memo on Tuesday, Nov. 6, announcing their plans to appeal the verdict.

The memo justified the Colleges appeal efforts by reiterating their main arguments from the Oct. 18-19 NLRB hearing that preceded the ruling.

First, the memo claimed that students who work at the College do not attend the institution for the primary purpose of employment; second, that except for dining services, a single union could not adequately represent the interests of students working a variety of different on-campus jobs.

The memo also asserted that there has been misinformation and misrepresentation of the Colleges position relative to unions.

The College has supported the interest of both staff and students to unionize and the College has active unions on campus  It is important that the implications of all student workers being represented by a union is fully understood by all parties, stated the memo.

In continuing to fight us on this, in appealing this decision, in making undergraduates argue against union busting lawyers, the College cant claim to be pro-Union, said Paige Oamek 20, a UGSDW member.

At the end of the memo, the administration alluded to a potentially fractious relationship with UGSDW if either UGSDW initiated a strike or the College initiated a lockout. A lockout is a temporary labor stoppage imposed by the management of a company during a dispute.

It is unclear whether the College would initiate a lockout if UGSDW proceeds in their expansion, a measure that would cause the many students employed at the College to lose their primary sources of income.

Its ironic that this memo was sent out today, Nov. 6, when the people of Grinnell and of Iowa and of this Country are voting in many places to decide whether there will be pro-union or anti-union members of their legislature, said Nate Williams, also a UGSDW member. When youre fighting a union on a day like this, youre siding with the politicians that hold corporations above everyday people.

UGSDW endorsed Deidre DeJear for secretary of state and Abby Finkenauer for Congress, both pro-union candidates.

The Union will issue a response to the Memo and discuss their upcoming plans at a meeting tomorrow, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. in Main Quad Dining.

The S&B reached out to the president of the College, Raynard Kington, and the College administration for comment and will update this article in the event of their response.

Update: As of Nov. 7, Kington has declined to comment at this time.SAN DIEGO, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite softness in the beer category and the craft beer segment, Karl Strauss Brewing Company has grown off-premise dollar sales by 12.3% in Southern California through the first 3 quarters of 2019. KARLs growth is being fueled by explosive growth for Aurora Hoppyalis, which is up 55% year to date, and Red Trolley, which is up 5% year to date. KARLs dollar sales rate of velocity is up 14.4% year to date, meaning more people are pulling KARL beers off of retail store shelves more frequently than they were a year ago.



To help drive continued sales growth, Karl Strauss recently hired industry veteran Chad Heath to lead the brewerys Sales team. Heath brings more than 10 years of craft beer sales leadership experience to KARL.

To meet growing demand, Karl Strauss recently signed a long-term lease for 20,000 square feet of additional warehouse space next to the main brewery on Santa Fe Street in Pacific Beach, San Diego. This space includes a 6,200 square foot cold box and significant dry goods storage to meet growing market demand for Karl Strauss and the brewery partners they distribute on-premise.

To learn more about Karl Strauss, visit www.karlstrauss.com .

Facts:

Source: IRI, Southern California, Grocery Channel, Year To Date Ending September 30, 2018

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. The brewery has won 110 medals since 2009 and was honored with the Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

Media Contact

Mark Weslar: mark.weslar@karlstrauss.com

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Brad Humphrey is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of QMX Gold Corporation. He formerly worked for Morgan Stanley as an Executive Director and North American Precious Metals Analyst. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and Head of Mining Research at Raymond James as well as a mining analyst at CIBC World Markets and Merrill Lynch. Before beginning his capital markets career, Mr. Humphrey held a broad range of industry positions from corporate development to contract underground miner.

Deborah Battiston holds a CPA-CGA, ICD.D and a BA in Economics from the University of Guelph. Ms. Battiston has over 28 years of financial management experience with extensive public company experience. She has served as CFO for a multitude of public resource sector and technology companies and has managed the financial departments of numerous successful international and domestic organizations through extreme and rapid growth.

The Company also announces the resignation of Bruce Humphrey and Diane Lai from its Board of Directors. The board and management of Sulliden express their gratitude to Mr. Humphrey and Ms. Lai for their efforts and extensive contributions and wish them well in their future endeavours.

About Sulliden Mining Capital

Sulliden Mining Capital is a venture capital company focused on acquiring and advancing brownfield, development-stage and early production-stage mining projects in the Americas.

Sulliden Mining Capital Inc.



On behalf of the Board



Stan Bharti

Interim Chief Executive Officer

For more information:

Caroline Arsenault

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (416) 861-5805

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information

This press release contains "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes without limitation, statements regarding the appointment and resignation of officers and directors of the company. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; other risks of the mining industry and the risks described in the public disclosure documents of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

THE TSX HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASEYou cannot print contents of this website.

Sign in Welcome, Login to your account. Forget password? Remember me Sign in Recover your password. A password will be e-mailed to you.IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique self storage and commercial real estate advisor, recently negotiated $48 million of construction financing for two clients. The first assignment was a $20 million loan for William Warren Group (WWG) on a development site located in Hawthorne, CA. The second was a $28 million construction loan on behalf of Leon Capital Group for the development of three Class-A self storage facilities located in the Portland-Vancouver MSA. The financings were negotiated with two separate national banks.



WWG is building a 4-story, 113,625 net rentable square foot, state-of-the-art self storage facility at 4959 W 147th street in Hawthorne, CA. The site is visible from the 405 Freeway. Talonvest secured a 54-month, 75% loan-to-cost, interest only loan for this in-fill development located near LAX airport. The construction loan has a partial repayment guaranty that completely burns off based on operational success. Clark Porter, President of William Warren Group, commented Talonvests construction lending knowledge and vast network of capital relationships resulted in a very attractive loan. Their team is an important and valuable leverage point for us. Talonvest team members involved in this assignment included Kim Bishop, Eric Snyder, and Terra Hendrich.

In a separate assignment, Talonvest negotiated a $28 million construction loan for Leon Capital Groups development of three multi-story, class-A, 100% climate-controlled self storage facilities totaling 315,251 NRSF on two sites located in Portland, OR and another in Vancouver, WA. This financing is a LIBOR based, floating rate loan with a 36-month term, a 12-month extension option, and a mini perm option. Jake Walker, Chief Operating Officer at Leon Capital Group, noted Talonvest created a competitive process and delivered a great loan that accommodates a complex equity structure. We look forward to growing our business relationship with the Talonvest team. The Talonvest team members involved in this assignment included Eric Snyder, Jim Davies, Kim Bishop, and Tom Sherlock.

About Talonvest Capital, Inc.

Talonvest Capital is a boutique real estate firm providing advisory services to self storage and commercial real estate investors, owners and developers nationally. The firm utilizes a unique collaborative team approach to complement its team members four decades of institutional knowledge and expertise to deliver better capital solutions to its clients.MBABANE  A three-year-old boy had to spend the night at a police station, after he was found wandering at Siteki bus rank.

Andiswa Motsa, who does not know where home is, was found at the bus rank at around 4pm on Monday.



Good Samaritans then called the police, as they realised that his parents were nowhere to be found.

The little boy was then taken to the police station, after police had walked around the small town with him and he could not point out his parents.

At the police station, he told the police that his father was Xolani Motsa and his mother was Sindisiwe Dlamini.



Police tried to ascertain where he was from and he informed them that he did not know the area or place he called home.



Siblings



The child could not answer if he had any siblings and which school they attended, if he had any.

During investigations, Andiswa could not tell the police who he had been travelling with when he arrived at the bus rank or where they were from.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that they were looking for relatives of the little boy.



We were lucky that he could talk and tell us who his parents are. If there is a neighbour or friend of the parents who knows this child, we ask that they contact the police. If an elderly relative also sees the child and they know him, they can call Siteki Desk Officer Manyatsi at 7603 9403 or Sergeant Mkhatshwa at 7655 7244 or the Siteki police at 2343 4422, she said.



Vilakati pleaded with the public to come forward with positive information, so that the child could be reunited with his family.

She went on to explain that it was not good for a child, emotionally, to spend the night at a police station, since being at an unfamiliar place confuses the child.HLATIKHULU  A soldier reportedly got disarmed and killed, while another man was seriously injured as a suspected chicken thief went on the rampage early yesterday morning.



The alleged chicken thief is currently on the run with a stolen gun, following the brutal attack, which saw the soldier bleeding to death.



Witnesses revealed that the armed member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) met his death during the wee hours of yesterday while trying to intervene and capture the fleeing chicken thief, who had already injured another person earlier on during a night home invasion at New Warm in Hlatikhulu.



Notification



The 53-year-old soldiers identity is known to this publication, but will be withheld for now, pending notification of his next-of-kin.

It all started when a neighbour of the deceased soldier was woken up by chickens, which were squawking loudly in the middle of the night at his homestead. Suspecting that someone was stealing his chickens, the neighbour went out to investigate.



At that moment, the intruder noticed the 37-year-old man as he got out of the house and ran away. But he tried to pursue him.

The owner of the invaded homestead and the alleged thief were known to each other, according to residents.



Tripped



As the man was following the suspect, he reportedly tripped over a fence. According to a witness, the alleged chicken thief noticed that the man had fallen to the ground and allegedly returned to stab him with an unknown sharp object, before leaving him for dead.

The victim sustained serious injuries to his upper body, but managed to scream for help while lying in a pool of blood.



The person who responded first when the injured man raised the alarm happened to be the UEDF member, who found him lying in agony. Realising the serious nature of the victims wounds, the soldier immediately arranged for transport to ferry him to hospital, where he dropped him off before he proceeded to report the incident to the police.



After leaving the Hlatikhulu Police Station, where he had reported the matter, the enraged soldier went looking for the culprit, who was known to be troublesome in the area.

















MBABANE  Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo was the first Cabinet member to be sworn in yesterday.



This was because, according to the Attorney General Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo, the minister was rushing to the airport to catch a flight.

However, he was not specific about the ministers destination. The minister, as per the AGs statement, quickly made his way to the stage where he was joined by his wife and took the oath of office of minister for the relevant minister.



Thereafter he exited the marquee where the ceremony took place. Another minister who missed the ceremony in its entirety was Thuli Dladla who is now in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Highly informed sources stated that the minister had travelled on a national assignment with the countrys authorities.

It could not be established when Dladla, would return, but it is certain that her first assignment would be to go to Cabinet and be sworn in. This morning, the ministers are expected to visit their respective ministries where they will be introduced to members of staff.

They were informed that on Thursday they were expected back in Cabinet to get down to business.



Meanwhile, Chief Gija yesterday advised the Prime Minister, Ambrose Dlamini, to resemble the differential gear box known as a diff.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission chairperson gave all present a lecture on how motor vehicles operated and said that was what he was expecting from the new government, to operate like a car.



Be one Cabinet and be a winning one, like a car it should travel in one direction instead of other tyres facing the other way, he said.MANZINI  Unlike in yesteryears, public sector unions will get a chance to speak directly to the prime minister. Infact, in what could be termed as a rare occasion; the newly-appointed Prime Minister (PM), Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, has invited leaders of Public Sector Associations (PSAs) to a meeting.

The invitation was sent to the secretary generals PSAs through the Ministry of Public Service yesterday.



Even though the agenda remains unknown, it is a known fact that the PSAs have been hounding government regarding their cost of living adjustment (CoLA) and it is anticipated that this issue will be raised during the meeting.



There are four PSAs in the country and they are; Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and Swaziland National Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP).

The invitation letter was titled; Invitation to a courtesy meeting and it was signed by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Evart Madlopha.



It said following the assumption of office of the new Executive arm of government for the 2018-2023 tenure, the leaders of PSAs were kindly invited to attend a courtesy meeting with the PM. According to the letter, the meeting, which will be held at Cabinet Offices, is scheduled for Friday at 10am.

Your usual cooperation is anticipated and appreciated in this regard, reads part of the letter.



Some of the PSA leaders confirmed receiving the communique yesterday morning from the PS in the Ministry of Public Service, who is also the chairman of the joint negotiation forum (JNF).

The unions leaders said they did not want to pre-empt anything but they were happy to receive the invitation and promised to honour it.

Since it is a first of its kind, we need to hear what the premier has to say, said one of the union leaders.



Analysis



Furthermore, they said according to their own analysis, this was a good move because the PM would get to know them better as the leader of the new government.

Who knows, maybe we will be offered a chance to narrate our plight, something which we hope will happen, said another union leader.

Meanwhile, the PS in the Ministry of Public Service, Madlopha, said even though he was afraid to speak about issues from the PMs office, he did carry out an instruction to invite leaders of PSAs to a meeting with the premier.



Kuvusela nje (he will be greeting them), the PS said.

He added there was nothing different with this particular invitation as the PM has met and greeted a number of factions from different sectors since assuming office.



Kuvusela emabandla nje (its just meeting the different factions only), Madlopha emphasised.

However, it is worth noting that this invitation comes at a time when civil servants, especially those organised under PSAs, were expecting that since there was a new government, their leaders would be called to the round table to resume salary talks.



Members of the unions, especially teachers, have made it clear that they would keep a close eye on the new government as they expected a reasonable offer before November 23, 2018. This is the date to which the court deferred the teachers strike and said by then there would be a new government in place to address their issues.



Civil servants are demanding 6.55 per cent cost-of-living-adjustment (CoLA) for the 2018/19 financial year but government offered them zero per cent increment. Worth noting is that this was the second consecutive year government tabled the same offer as same took place during the 2017/18 negotiations where the workers first demanded 9.15 per cent pay rise. However, as the negotiations continued, the unions slashed their demand to 8.75 per cent but government maintained its offer. As a result, the two parties reached a deadlock.TORONTO, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wayland Group (CSE:WAYL) (FRANKFURT: 75M) (OTCQB:MRRCF) (Wayland or the Company) is pleased to welcome Mr. Clay Horner and Mr. Rudolph (Rudi) Hilti to the board, which will strengthen and improve corporate governance, global strategy, finance, and M&A expertise. These latest appointments demonstrate managements continued commitment to ensuring measured growth of Wayland Groups global expansion and to fill vacancies left on the board earlier this year. Additionally, Paul Pathak has now been appointed Chairman of the Board.



Clays unmatched experience in acquisitions and unique ability to unlock shareholder value provides Wayland with a strategic advantage as we build a truly global business, stated Ben Ward, CEO. Rudi brings a unique perspective as a global citizen, from Lichtenstein, with a passion for global transformation through sustainable solutions.

Clay Horner is a principal of HBH Strategic Advisors which consults on significant business and corporate matters for several large private equity firms and domestic and international corporations. Until February 2018, Clay was a senior partner of law firm Osler, Hoskin& Harcourt LLP. His practice included many of Canadas most significant M&A transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $300 billion over the past 25 years, including landmark Canadian transactions and cross border transactions with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, China, Russia and South Africa. He was the Chairman of Osler and Chairman of the Business Law Department for almost two decades. In 2011, he was named one of the 15 most influential M&A lawyers in the world by the International Bar Association. He has a BA from Queens University, an LLB from the University of Toronto Law School and an LLM from the Harvard Law School.

Rudi Hilti is an entrepreneur and a visionary from the Principality of Liechtenstein, a German speaking microstate in Central Europe. Rudi is a global citizen, a responsible optimist and a change maker who invests his financial and emotional resources exclusively into passion projects that help to make the world a sustainable and better place genuinely. Rudis experience includes co-founding of the HUS Institute, a global think tank and Deals Advisory with Price Waterhouse Coopers, Zurich. Rudi holds a Master of Finance and Accounting from HSG in Switzerland.

There are multiple reasons why humanity should foster the rehabilitation of cannabis as a resource. Im passionate about system change and sustainable solutions, I am very excited to join the Wayland journey. Stated Mr. Hilti.

Maricann Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, is operating under the Wayland Group name. For further details see the press release dated September 24, 2018.

About Wayland Group

Wayland is a vertically integrated cultivator and processor of cannabis. The Company was founded in 2013 and is based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and Munich, Germany, with production facilities in Langton, Ontario where it operates a cannabis cultivation, extraction, formulation, and distribution business under federal licenses from the Government of Canada. The Company also has production operations in Dresden, Saxony, Germany and Regensdorf, Switzerland. Wayland is currently undertaking an expansion of its cultivation and support facilities in Canada and will continue to pursue new opportunities globally.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

For more information about Wayland, please visit our website at www.waylandgroup.com

Contact Information:

Investor Relations

Graham Farrell

VP, Communications

Graham.farrell@waylandgroup.com

647-643-7665

Media Inquiries: media@waylandgroup.com

Corporate Headquarters (Canada)

Wayland Group Corp. (Toronto)

845 Harrington Court, Unit 3

Burlington Ontario L7N 3P3

Canada

289-288-6274

European Headquarters (Germany)

Maricann GmbH

Thierschstrasse 3, 80538 Munchen, DeutschlandGreek-American experts in genealogy and archival repositories have launched a fundraising campaign to help local archival services throughout Greece

A group of Greek-American archivists and genealogical experts have decided to offer support to Greeces archival infrastructure by raising funds in order to equip the local archives around the country.

Greeces financial crisis has left much of the countrys vital infrastructure without adequate funding. Greek archival repositories are among the areas of the Greek public sector that has been critically underfunded during the last decade.

On many occasions, archivists have to cover necessary expenses with their own personal funds, as a result of lack of funding from the Greek state.

It is these difficulties which led some Greek-American experts in genealogy and archival repositories to begin a fundraising campaign to help local archival services throughout Greece.

More information about the teams current fundraising efforts is available on its social media accounts, here and here.

Read more at greekreporter.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism reportThe festival presented four feature films, as well as 7 short animation films, curated by the Animasyros International Film Festival + Agora

The Embassy of Greece in Prague, in cooperation with the Czech National Film Archive, presented from 18-20 October 2018 the first edition of the festival Greek Film Days.

Greek Film Days were specially planned to be launched in October this year, in order to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakias Independence.

The festival presented four feature films, as well as 7 short animation films, curated by the Animasyros International Film Festival + Agora.

Furthermore, the festival includes also a Masterclass at the University of New York in Prague, on the subject of Film Production in the Mediterranean countries at the time of the crisis, led by prominent Greek film director and producer Stella Theodorakis.

On the occasion of this initiative, the Ambassador of Greece at the Czech Republic, Efthimios Efthimiadis, noted: Our aim is for this Festival to become an institution that will still constitute a powerful step in the communication between Greeks and Czechs: two peoples with deep historical links and existing multiple channels of communication within the European family .

Read more at thegreekobserver

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All wine categories are expected to record a decline with the exception of varietal wines

Greek wine production is forecast to drop by 10.48 percent in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to data presented by the Greek Department of Wine, Vine and Alcohol in a report sent to the European Commission on Tuesday, ANA reports.

The report noted that Greek wine production has declined by 20.88 percent compared with the five-year average, since the volume of production for 2018 is estimated at 2,157,193 hectoliters, as opposed to 2,410,100 hectoliters in 2017.

Conversely, European wine production is expected to reach 168.4 million hectoliters in 2018, marking an in crease of 27 percent compared to the previous year. This growth is led by Italy (48.5 million hectoliters), France (46.1 million hectoliters), and Spain (41 million hectoliters), three countries that account for 81 percent of wine production in the European Union.

Read more at greekreporter.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: maxpixel.net License: CC-BY-SAMemphis, Tenn., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data Facts , a nationwide provider of mortgage lending solutions and national and international background screening solutions, recently announced the company is relocating its headquarters to Germantown Park at Shelby Farms in Cordova, TN.

The new headquarters will consolidate two Memphis offices into a central location. Daphne Large , Data Facts CEO, knew the time was right to expand. The synergy created by our entire Memphis team coming together in one vibrant, beautiful office abundant with natural light and glass offices will enhance our employees well- being. Ample meeting spaces throughout the office amplify collaboration and engagement to serve clients today, and creativity in solving the client challenges of tomorrow. The new locations 14,000 square feet allows us to stretch our legs a bit and to continue to grow and plan for our next expansion in the adjacent space. As we broaden our focus on innovation and technology, its indeed an exciting time at Data Facts.

Large currently serves the Memphis community in many capacities. She is a Co-Chair of The Chairmans Circle, a leadership group made up of more than 125 prominent Memphis companies within the Greater Memphis Chamber dedicated to Memphis economic growth, serves on the Board of the Greater Memphis Chamber, is the immediate Past Chair of the New Memphis Institute, serves on the Board of the Society of Entrepreneurs, and is involved with a number of other civic interests such as the University of Memphis, Make A Wish, and St. Georges. Large is committed to Memphis, its growth and economic development and, as Data Facts continues to expand, the opportunity to attract, hire and develop talent in Memphis.

Although based in Memphis, Data Facts is the premier provider of mortgage lending and background screening services throughout the United States. The new corporate office will support future client onboarding by tripling the offices footprint.

Julie Wink , Data Facts Executive Vice-President, is anticipating extraordinary results from the move. The decision was a logical next step for our long-term business strategy. The Memphis area is rich in diverse talent from nearby colleges and universities. Our expansion offers many possibilities for Data Facts to grow exponentially by broadening our technology, production, and customer support departments, which increases our ability to service current and future markets.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in business in 2019, Data Facts remains committed to exceeding clients expectations. Large adds, We look forward to this next exciting chapter of growth for our organization and welcome the opportunity to serve our clients for many years to come!

About Data Facts

Since 1989, Data Facts, Inc. has provided trusted information to Mortgage Lending and Human Resource professionals, enabling them to reach sound lending and hiring decisions. The company stays at the forefront of its industries by cultivating strong client relationships, providing accurate and thorough information, investing in innovative technology, and adhering to strict standards of industry compliance and regulations.

The company holds an NAPBS accreditation, sustains an SOC 1 certification, maintains roles on the NCRA and multiple MBA boards, and requires all staff members to hold FCRA certifications.

Data Facts, Inc. is certified by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a 100% woman-owned business.The cemetery of Livorno contains the tombs of the Mavrokordatos, Rodokanakis and other noted families of the Greek diaspor

A team of architects and civil engineers of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) along with the Supervisory Committee of the Institute of Venice which is appointed by the Foreign Ministry are racing against time and under extreme weather conditions to preserve and protect the historic Greek cemetery and church of Livorno, in the Italian region of Tuscany, ANA reports.

The members of the delegation will work with the Italian authorities to build a special roof over the church at the old Greek cemetery of Livorno in order to protect the monument, which faces the risk of collapse. A University of Thessaloniki team surveying the site earlier in October has found that part of the church's roof has already fallen down from the weight of collected rainwater.

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: Luca Aless License: CC-BY-SAA visit to Meteora offers the unique experience of natures grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and mans everlasting desire to connect with God

Spiritual, magical, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, peaceful. These are only some of the words people use to describe beautiful Meteora.

A visit to Meteora offers the unique experience of natures grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and mans everlasting desire to connect with God. From the early Christian times, the Meteora vertical cliffs were regarded as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation, to discover peace and harmony and, to support mans eternal struggle for spiritual elevation.

Meteora is a truly inspiring and sensational setting of overwhelming rock formations, but one must also be prepared to expect that this trip is much more than merely visiting an exquisite landscape. It is a pilgrimage to a holy place for all Christians around the world., as Meteora has become a preservation ark for the 2000-year-old Christian Orthodox creed.

60 monks and nuns live here in fabled monasteries perched on the edge of sandstone peaks. In centuries past, their place of worship brought them solitude and protection from unwanted trespassers. Today, the Orthodox monasteries are one of the most popular destinations in all of Greece.

Only a few hours from Athens at the fringe of the Plain of Thessaly, the town of Kalambaka plays host to Meteoras spectacular mountaintop attractions.

Meteora means suspended in the air and the first monks of Meteora arrived back in the 14th century establishing an entire monastic community on top giant cliffs. They chose to do this not because it was easy but because it was hard, almost impossible. And they succeeded in this great achievement through their faith.

The monasteries remain till present day the memorials of the past, a long forgotten empire that defended Christianity for over 1000 years. The monasteries of Meteora and the monks are now the living history of Byzantium.

Located at the northwest tip of the plain of Thessaly, Meteora today has become one of the most popular destinations of mainland Greece. Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an archaeological site, and an officially declared holy place! At the foothills of the rocks, there are 2 settlements, the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.

Kalampaka is a town of 12,000 citizens and is situated on the foot of the most extraordinary Meteora rocks and is a town with a very rich and long history in itself. Kastraki is indeed a most picturesque place with an authentic character. Feeling closer to the local lifestyle in the Greek province, enjoying the proximity to nature and finding peace of mind are some of the major assets of this place.

Summertime brings many tourists to Meteora and Kalambaka can feel packed with visitors. However, neighbouring Kastraki offers a quieter, more intimate environment.

Autumn and Winter may actually be the best time to visit Meteora as without the summer crowds its easier to explore the monasteries and you can enjoy the local taverns and serenity.

This spectacular region of Greece has been attracting pilgrims and adventurers for thousands of years and is worth a visit by all those who are spiritual, at least once in your life.

Read more at Visit Meteora

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: Takeaway License: CC-BY-SAGreece has some real hidden gems when it comes to its authentic villages, greekreporter.comnotes in the following article:

Where tourism has yet to spoil the terrain and tradition, you will find villages that are seeped in history and are a complete escape from it all. Here are some of the site's favorite picks for authentic Greek villages for you to explore:

Zagori, Epirus

In the Pindus mountains in Epirus, hidden by pine forests, you will encounter the authentic villages of the Zagori region. Here, 46 small villages which together comprise the Zagorochoria are linked by a network of roads and stone bridges dating back to the 18th century. The region is surrounded by two national parks filled with unique and endangered species, while not surprisingly, hiking and canoeing are favorite pastimes for those who visit here. Here you will find untouched villages, such as Vradeto, where a great activity is climbing the 3,937 feet of stone steps that until 1973 provided the only access to this village. Then, be sure to reward yourself with traditional Greek food at one of its family-run taverns.

Monemvasia, Peloponnese

The historic and magical ambience of the town of Monemvasia, as well as the surrounding area of Laconia, is a secret getaway that you have to see to believe. It is located just off the east coast of the Peloponnese. Even more enchanting is the story of how this small island came to be: the result of an earthquake in 375 A.D. The majority of the rock-island is made up of a large plateau, soaring some 100 meters above sea level. The charming town of Monemvasia overlooks Palaia Monemvasia bay and is made up of narrow, winding streets that are only traversed by foot or donkey.

Pelion, Central Greece

Mount Pelion is dotted with authentic villages. One of the best ways to submerge yourself in the culture of this area is to treat yourself to a train ride on the Moutzouris, the oldest railway in the country.

You can enjoy a three-hour stroll through the foothills and stop at untouched villages such as Kala Nera and the totally traditional village of Milies. One of the best times to visit this area is in winter, where you will see this mountainous district transform to something like a fairy tale. There are plenty of short hikes you can take through olive groves and ravines to travel from one village to another.

Chora, Folegandros Island

Folegandros is a small, picturesque Greek island that remains virtually unknown to tourists. Only an hour by high-speed boat form the popular island of Santorini, Folegandros is for those who are looking to experience a more simple and unforgettable Greek experience. Known for its unspoiled landscapes, Folegandros was named after the son of King Minos. There are only three small villages on the island. The main village, Chora, is filled with houses painted in white with multi-colored doors and windows high in the cliff above the blue sea. There are quaint squares and taverns, so visitors will not run out of things to do when they are not enjoying the beautiful beaches, which are practically empty!

Platanos, Aetolia-Acarnania

Plantos means plane tree in Greek, and this small village is as authentic as it gets. The community of Platanos is subdivided into two villages, Platanos and Kato Platanos. Platanos had population of only 207 in Plantanos in the 2011 census, while Kato Platanos had 253 residents. The two villages are surrounded by wild, pristine nature and have charming, quiet town squares.

Karytaina, Arcadia

This village flourished in the Frankish period, and its castle was one of the most significant in its time in the Peloponnese region, an attribute that is evident from its architectural style. This is one of the most impressive historical Greek villages you will find. Located on top of a hillside with the Alpheus river traveling through its foothills, there is much to see in this authentic and hidden Greek village.

Kalarrytes, Epirus

When you arrive at Kalarryes, you will immediately be impressed by the dramatic scenery. The village is built on the edge of the steep canyon which leads to the Kalarrytikos river. It is some 1,200 meters in elevation and the village boasts traditional houses, narrow, winding roads and breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains.

Read more at greekreporter.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Skamnelis License: CC-BY-SAThe country offers the best value for money as a summer destination

Tourism in Greece will continue to grow and "2019 will be Greece's year," according to DER Touristik, the biggest travel company in German-speaking countries.

DER Touristik's chief for Europe Rene Herzog explained that his company's presence in Greece remains stable with 14 family hotel packages in several areas, as well as 43 adult-only units. This means that 15 pct of the 282 adult-only accommodation offered by the company in total are located in Greece.

"The climate is stable and positive," he underlined.

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Dubais external non-oil trade in the first nine months of 2018 reached Dh965.3 billion ($262.7 billion), reflecting the Emirates rising role in global trade, a media report said.



Re-exports registered 13 per cent growth to touch Dh299.2 billion, while imports reached Dh592.2 billion, and exports Dh97.7 billion, reported Emirates news agency Wam.



Dubai Customs, which released the emirates external trade figures, applauded this achievement and attributed the high performance of the foreign trade sector to Dubais advanced infrastructure and forward thinking policies.



Dubai Customs pointed out that the emirates distinctive performance in external trade reflects the success of government policies and initiatives and strategic sustainability development plans to support the growth of various economic sectors. Dubai has embarked on ambitious and forward thinking initiatives such as 10X which aims to place Dubai ten years ahead of other cities.



Technology is playing a major role in backing external trade in Dubai through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence applications. Dubai Government departments are working to provide the best and most advanced services and facilities to their clients as part of an integrated plan to sustain public happiness, welfare and prosperity and turn Dubai into a world class model for economic growth.



Trade through free zones grew 22 per cent to reach Dh394.3 billion in the first nine months of 2018. Direct trade touched Dh562.8 billion while customs warehouse trade weighed in at Dh8.3 billion.



Dubais seaborne trade grew 4.1 per cent to Dh362 billion and airborne trade grew 2.3 per cent to Dh449.4 billion. However, trade conducted through land transportation declined 13.6 per cent at Dh153.8 billion.



Sultan Ahmad bin Sulayem, DP World Group chairman and CEO and chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, PCFC, said, "Hosting Expo 2020 encourages us to further enhance the trade and customs services and facilities provided by Dubai Customs to investors and traders. Work on e-commerce is progressing and is expected to further facilitate trade and support the economy."



"PCFC has recently launched a number of initiatives to facilitate trade as part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to transform Dubai into the smartest city on earth. These include NAU, the smart platform that facilitates cargo activity reservation for traditional dhows on Dubai creek, which will make it more organised and facilitate the bustling movement of dhows across the creek and Port Al Hamriya," he added.



Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih said, "We have an integrated strategy in place to develop external trade performance in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the guidelines of Dubai Plan 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071. We are closely watching the changes taking place in international trade and we will turn challenges into opportunities by entering new markets and expanding our existing ones."



China maintained its position as Dubais biggest trading partner in the first nine months of 2018 with Dh102.9 billion worth of trade. Trade with India registered 16 per cent growth to reach 86.2 billion, followed by the US in third place with Dh59.6 billion. Saudi Arabia remains Dubais largest Arab trade partner and its fourth largest global trade partner with Dh38.6 billion.



Phones of all types topped the list of commodities in Dubai's foreign trade in the first nine months of 2018 with Dh111 billion worth of trade. This reflects the advanced status of the communications sector in Dubai and its vision to turn into the smartest city on earth.



Next on the list was gold with Dh110 billion worth of trade, followed by jewellery with Dh78 billion, diamonds with Dh69 billion, and cars with Dh49 billion.Advanced Construction Technology Services (ACTS) said it has started a large-scale quality control and testing operation at Kuwait International Airport's new terminal project with a hi-tech laboratory spanning over 280 sq m, another 1,000 sq m for curing, offices and storage area in addition to a team of more than 50 engineers, concrete technologists, inspectors and technicians.



A leading consulting organisation in the field of building materials and geotechnical engineering, ACTS is handling all the materials testing scope, ranging from soil and aggregate to concrete and steel.



As per the deal, it is also undertaking a concrete quality control engineering (CQCE) programme where a team of ACTS specialised engineers and concrete technologists, in collaboration with the quality control team of the contractor Limak, are overseeing the preplacement, placement and postplacement of concrete, ensuring effective and smooth concreting practices.



On completion, the new terminal of Kuwait International Airport is set to accommodate 13 million passengers per year in the first phase with a gradual increase of up to 50 million passengers with future developments, said the statement.



The new terminal features three symmetrical wings of departures gates, consisting of the new passengers terminal development, a third runway and the renovation of the two existing runways.



According to ACTS, the facades span 1.2 km and extend from a dramatic 25-m-high central space with a roof that filters daylight and deflect solar radiation since it is located in one of the hottest climate zones on Earth. The project designer is Foster and Partners.



Kayihan Bagdatli, the country manager at Limak Kuwait, said: We are glad to work with ACTS on the Kuwait International Airport as they demonstrate their deep knowledge in materials engineering and testing."



"We selected ACTS for the quality control and testing programme after a thorough consideration of their capabilities and expertise in large-scale projects. Till date, they are well standing up to their reputation," he stated.



The new terminal project is targeting Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification and aim to become the worlds first airport to attain this level of environmental accreditation.



ACTS chairman Khaled Awad said: "The Kuwait International Airport contract win reflects the market recognition of our unique expertise in large scale projects."



"Besides, the King Abdul Aziz Airport project and the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, the Riyadh Metro project, the various stadiums and metro lines in Doha, Qatar, we are also proud to be involved with Limak on the Kuwait International Airport, one of the most iconic infrastructure projects in the region," remarked Awad, who is also a past president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI).



"We look forward to working jointly with Limak to address the various technical challenges on this massive project and achieve a unique output in quality and efficiency," he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceDamen Shipyards Group recently held a keel-laying ceremony for the Cemex Go Innovation vessel at Damen Shipyards Mangalia in Romania.



The vessel is the first Damen MAD  the next generation of marine aggregate dredgers, said a statement from the company.



The construction of the new vessel is drawing upon collaboration with multiple companies within the Damen Group, as well was with external partners, working together towards the development of a new standard in marine aggregate dredging, it said.



Damen has designed the future-proof vessel for long-lasting durability for operations in North Sea conditions over the coming decades. Particular attention has been paid to sustainability, safety and performance. The MAD will extract sand and gravel from the seabed at up to 55 m.



During the ceremony, Cemex Marine fleet engineering manager Mark Williams undertook the traditional role of welding the coins.



On this occasion the coins used were a British Pound, a Dutch Guilder and a Romanian Leu, commemorating respectively the regional base of the client, the home country of the shipbuilder and the location of the shipyard, it added.



Kurt Cowdery, director Cemex Marine Aggregates, said: This is a fantastic investment for the future, allowing us to safely source the materials we need and enabling us to develop and grow in the UK and Europe.



Frank de Lange, area director, Damen, said: This is an important milestone in the construction of this, the first new MAD. We are very much looking forward to the coming construction and to delivering the vessel to Cemex next year; and also to seeing Cemex Go Innovation in action, demonstrating her strong credentials.



The keel-laying is the first to take place since Damen began the operational management of the shipyard now known as Damen Shipyards Mangalia in July this year.



The yard, on the Black Sea coast, has three drydocks with a total length of 982 m and 1.6 km of berthing space. The 48 and 60 m wide docks provide Damen with the capacity to cater for larger maritime vessels and structures, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceLeading global transport industry experts from over 75 countries besides 25 ministerial delegations and 10 international organisations are at the World Road Transport Organisation (IRU) Congress in Muscat, Oman to map out the future of road transport sector.



Organised by IRU and co-hosted by ASYAD in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the event was officially inaugurated by Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of Sultan Qaboos, today (November 7).



Over the next two days, more than 1,000 delegates from 5 continents will be driving debate on trade and innovation, in the region and beyond at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.



Themed Innovation on the Move, this years congress explores to the role of technological advancements in optimising operations management, driving continuous improvement and facilitating global trade.



The faster we adopt disruptive technologies, the better chance we have to stay competitive and serve our customers better, said Nabil Salim Al Bimani, Group Chief of Ports & Freezone and member of the organising committee.

Technology-driven innovation will be the key to meeting the challenges of tomorrow, he stated.



A declaration was signed between IRU, the guardian of the TIR system under the United Nations mandate, Mwasalat, the official TIR issuing authority, and the Royal Oman Police Directorate General of Customs.



This reaffirms the sultanates commitment to boosting trade across its borders and working in partnership to bring the globally applicable international customs transit and guarantee system to life in Oman.



In the first opening plenary session, Moving in the 21st Century  Road Transport, Mobility and Trade Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Chairman of Goldman Sachs International and Former President of the European Commission, urged the industry to work together to effect positive change.



It is essential to talk, regardless of differing interests and animosities, because talking is what leads to deals, which in turn means trade and global prosperity, he noted.



Futurist and innovation expert Jim Carroll shared extensive knowledge and insights into the cutting-edge trends of our time to assist businesses and governments to pursue fast-paced innovation, and navigate rapid business model disruption and change.



In a time of rapid change, you can't expect to get by on what has worked in the past. You must be willing to do things differently. Abandon routine  embrace velocity!, he added.



The opening day's interactive roundtable sessions brought into spotlight a number of hot topics including data management and analysis, enhancing competitiveness with infrastructure development and new intermodal connections, designing the future workforce, adopting next generation platforms, enabling trade facilitation and increasing fuel efficiencies.



On decarbonising transport, Benny Smets, CEO of the Belgian transport company Ninatrans, said: "Alternative fuels are the future for road transport, but only if they are easy to access! We have to leave the chicken and egg dilemma. Sustainable transport can be achieved if the whole logistics chain participates. Operators want to invest in vehicles on alternative fuel only if the Total Cost of Ownership is known and economically feasible."



The IRU World Congress concludes tomorrow where innovation and competitiveness will be the main topic of discussion.-TradeArabia News ServiceSaudi Arabia's Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has laid the foundation stone for the kingdom's first nuclear research reactor.

The project is one of seven major projects in the fields of renewable energy, atomic energy, water desalination, genetic medicine and aircraft design that were launched by the Crown Prince yesterday, during his visit to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The projects comprise three giant developments: the nuclear research reactor; a centre for developing aircraft fuselage; and the Saudi Central Laboratory for Human Genome.

The design of the reactor has been developed by KACST scientists with the help of international experts. Construction of the reactor is already under way and expected to be completed by the end of next year, said an Arab News report.

It will follow all the safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The reactor is designed to use uranium oxide fuel with 2.1 per cent enrichment.

The kingdom plans to build two full nuclear power reactors for energy and as many as 16 over the next 25 years, the Arab News said.

Meanwhile, the SR4-billion Saudi Central Laboratory for Human Genome, which documents a map for the genetics of the Saudi society, will be equipped to diagnose a large number of genetic diseases.

The other projects launched by the Crown Prince included a solar energy-powered desalination station in Khafji with a capacity of 60,000 cu m per day; two production lines for solar panels and cells; and a laboratory to check credibility of solar panels, to be based in Uyaynah.

Another major project reviewed by the Crown Prince is the centre for the development of aircraft fuselage to be based at King Khalid International Airport.

The centre is one of the largest buildings for developing aircraft in the Middle East with an area of 27,000 sq m with plans to expand it to 92,000 sq m. The centre has the capacity to manufacture most aircraft structures, whether civilian or military.

Upon arrival at the venue, HRH Crown Prince was received by Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh, who is also the chairman of KACST, and Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, president of KACST.Bahrain is showcasing its rich cultural heritage and vibrant tourism landscape; with 28 new properties set to open by 2021, at the World Travel Market (WTM), the world's leading travel trade show which opened in London on November 5 and concludes today (November 7).



The delegation from Bahrain is headed by the chief executive officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, alongside representatives from the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the national carrier Gulf Air, as well as a number of Bahrain leading hotels, and travel agents.



Our participation at the WTM comes in line with our strategy to enhance the local tourism sector as it provides a global platform to display Bahrains unique and attractive tourism offerings. Being here will enable us to continue to build upon our trade relationships and raise awareness of the Kingdoms profile in the UK market; which includes our continuous marketing efforts through representative offices, offering charter flight programs, and promoting new beachfront developments, said Shaikh Khaled.



At its stand this year, Bahrain will be hosting Vincenzo Nibali, world-class race rider for the UCI World Team BahrainMerida, who will be promoting the upcoming Bahrain Ironman in December 2018. The event will gather representatives from travel and technology industry and companies in the private sector to discuss investment and business opportunities for the upcoming year, allowing them to exchange knowledge and experiences to push this sector forward.



BTEAs participation comes in line with its long-term strategy to further develop the kingdoms tourism sector and strengthen its position on regional and international levels under the slogan of Ours. Yours., which contributes towards the kingdoms economy and the 2030 Economic Vision. - TradeArabia News ServiceEnglish French

Regulated information





Positive efficacy and safety results in ALLOB Delayed Union Phase I/II trial, supporting next stage in clinical development

Manufacturing process optimisation implemented for allogeneic platform

Promising first efficacy data from JTA-004 viscosupplement support move to registration studies

Cell therapy development programmes to be focused fully on ALLOB platform following DSMB recommendation to discontinue PREOB trial in osteonecrosis of the hip





Gosselies, Belgium, 7 November 2018, 7am CET  BONE THERAPEUTICS (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases, today provides a business update for the third quarter ended 30 September 2018.

Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer of Bone Therapeutics, commented: The third quarter was a period of significant clinical and strategic activity for Bone Therapeutics. We were delighted with the positive final readout in the Phase I/IIA delayed union study of the allogeneic bone cell therapy product ALLOB, which paves the way for the next stage of development. More recently, the promising results from our viscosupplement JTA-004 highlighted a complementary addition to our pipeline.

Our focus is now on progressing the clinical development of the ALLOB platform in delayed union fractures and lumbar spinal fusion and of JTA-004 in knee osteoarthritis, following the recommendation of the DSMB to discontinue the PREOB trial in hip osteonecrosis. This will be supported by our ongoing manufacturing optimisation process, which will help us to lay a strong foundation for our future commercialisation strategy.

Business highlights (incl. post period end)

In September, Bone Therapeutics announced a positive final readout in the Phase I/IIA delayed-union study of the allogeneic bone cell therapy product, ALLOB, adding to a growing body of clinical efficacy and safety data.



Simultaneously, the Company also announced an optimised manufacturing process for ALLOB to improve consistency, scalability, cost effectiveness and ease of use, which are critical for development and commercialisation in cell therapy. The Company plans to implement this optimised process for all future clinical development programmes involving ALLOB and recently received positive feedback on the quality control programme and non-clinical strategy for ALLOB from a Regulatory Agency for the optimisation of the manufacturing process.



Also in September, the Company presented preclinical in vitro and in vivo results at the 26 th Annual Meeting of the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) in which the scientific community acknowledged the potent bone-forming properties of its allogeneic platform.



Annual Meeting of the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) in which the scientific community acknowledged the potent bone-forming properties of its allogeneic platform. In October, post period, Bone Therapeutics announced results for a first efficacy study in knee osteoarthritis with the enhanced viscosupplement JTA-004. The study showed that a single intra-articular injection of JTA-004 delivered higher pain reduction than the reference product, a leading viscosupplement. The results support the move to registration studies, broadening the Companys advanced clinical pipeline.



In October, post period, Linda Lebon was appointed Chief Regulatory Officer, joining Companys Executive Team. An industry veteran, Linda will play a crucial role in defining the regulatory pathway for clinical and development programmes.



On 6 November, post period, the Company announced that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended the discontinuation of the PREOB Phase III trial in osteonecrosis of the hip, as the interim results suggested that it is unlikely that the primary objective will be achieved at the final analysis. For more information, please see additional press release dated 6 November 2018.

Financial highlights

Cash used in operating activities amounted to  10.47 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to  10.14 million for the same period in 2017.



Operating loss amounted to  8.96 million compared to  8.76 million for the same period last year.



Net cash at the end of September 2018 amounted to  8.41 million.

Outlook

The Companys immediate focus is on submitting a new clinical trial application (CTA) with the regulatory authorities to allow the start of a Phase IIB trial in delayed union with its allogeneic product, utilising the optimised production process. Bone Therapeutics is currently generating the non-clinical data required for the application and expects to submit the CTA for a multi-centre, randomised, controlled study in H2 2019.



Bone Therapeutics plans to report the top line results from 32 patients of the ALLOB Phase IIA spinal fusion study in mid-2019 after a 12-month follow-up.



Good cash management will remain a key priority, with a strong focus on net cash burn. The Company confirms the expected cash burn (excluding proceeds from financing) for the full year 2018 to be in the range of  15-16 million, in line with previous guidance. Based on its current priorities, the Company expects to have sufficient cash to carry out its objectives until the end of Q3 2019.





About Bone Therapeutics

Bone Therapeutics is a leading cell therapy company addressing high unmet needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, the Company has a broad, diversified portfolio of bone cell therapy products in clinical development across a number of disease areas targeting markets with large unmet medical needs and limited innovation.

Bone Therapeutics technology is based on a unique, proprietary approach to bone regeneration, which turns undifferentiated stem cells into bone-forming cells. These cells can be administered via a minimally invasive procedure, avoiding the need for invasive surgery.

The Companys primary clinical focus is ALLOB, an allogeneic off-the-shelf cell therapy platform derived from stem cells of healthy donors, which is in Phase II studies for the treatment of delayed-union fractures and spinal fusion. In addition, the Company also has JTA-004, a viscosupplement in development for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Bone Therapeutics cell therapy products are manufactured to the highest GMP standards and are protected by a rich IP estate covering nine patent families. Further information is available at: www.bonetherapeutics.com.





Contacts

Bone Therapeutics SA

Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer

Jean-Luc Vandebroek, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +32 (0) 71 12 10 00

investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com

For Belgium Median Enquiries

Comfi

Laure-Eve Monfort and Sabine Leclercq

Tel: +32 (0)2 290 90 93, +32 (0)2 290 90 91

monfort@comfi.be, sabine.leclercq@comfi.be

International Media Enquiries:

Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell, Jessica Hodgson, Hendrik Thys and Lindsey Neville

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701

bonetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com

For French Media and Investor Enquiries:

NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communications

Pierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and Nicolas Merigeau

Tel: + 33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

bone@newcap.eu

For US Media and Investor Enquiries

Westwicke Partners

John Woolford

Tel: + 1 443 213 0506

john.woolford@westwicke.com

Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors` current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, 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. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person`s officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.Rapid Dose Therapeutics provides proprietary oral and non-invasive drug delivery technologies designed for applications of many different types of health products.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chemesis International Inc. (CSE: CSI ) (OTC: CADMF ) (FRA: CWAA ) (the Company or Chemesis), and Rapid Dose Therapeutics Inc. (RDT), a Canadian bio-technology company, which provides disruptive proprietary drug delivery technologies designed to improve patient outcomes, are proud to announce they have signed an additional definitive agreement to bring QuickStrip Oral Thin Strips to Puerto Rico. The Company previously announced on October 12, 2018 a definitive agreement to produce QuickStrips for the state of California.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chemesis will receive rights to produce, distribute and sell QuickStrip products, with exclusive rights for the cannabis market in Puerto Rico. This partnership allows Chemesis to further strengthen its position in Puerto Rico by allowing the Company to use a convenient drug delivery system that can target a variety of consumers and also allow them to use cannabis products in a new way. The Company will continue to position itself to capitalize in this growing market with innovative and effective products.

We are pleased to bring RDT and their QuickStrip Oral Thin Strips to another growing cannabis market, and we believe this will allow the Company to further increase its market position in Puerto Rico, said CEO of Chemesis, Edgar Montero. With RDT recently announcing Aphria as a partner in select global markets, we feel our partnership will add tremendous value to our shareholders.

RDT is excited to continue to partner with Chemesis to offer cannabis consumers in Puerto Rico a smoke-free delivery method that is consistent and precise, explains Mark Upsdell, CEO of RDT. With Chemesis worldwide reach and exclusive partnerships, the QuickStrip brand will have the opportunity to establish and grow new markets around the globe.

About Chemesis International Inc.

Chemesis International Inc. is a vertically integrated global leader in the cannabis industry, currently operating within California, Puerto Rico, and finalizing acquisition in Columbia.

Chemesis is developing a strong foothold in key markets, from cultivation, to manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Chemesis has facilities in both Puerto Rico and California, allowing for cost effective production and distribution of its products. In addition, Chemesis leverages exclusive brands and partnerships and uses the highest quality extraction methods, to provide consumers with quality cannabis products.

Chemesis will add shareholder value by exploring opportunities in emerging markets while consistently delivering quality product to its consumers from seed to sale.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edgar Montero

CEO and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

ir@chemesis.com

www.chemesis.com

1 (604) 398-3378

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future of the Companys business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and makes no reference to profitability based on sales reported. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press releaseUnited Nations, Nov 7 (UNI) United Nations has out rightly rejected a claim that it forced a Pakistani lawyer to leave the country after successfully defending a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.

The lawyer, Saiful Mulook, flew to the Netherlands amid protests across Pakistan by hard-line Islamists demanding the execution of Asia Bibi, whose conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court on October 31.

In a deal with the hard-line Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party that ended the protests but came under criticism from Western countries and human rights groups, the Pakistani government on November 3 indicated that it will bar Bibi from traveling abroad pending a "review" of the Supreme Courts decision to acquit her.

Mulook told a news conference in The Hague on November 5 that he was put on a plane against his wishes even though he had refused to leave the country without ensuring that his client was out of prison, radio free Europe said in a report. He said he contacted a UN official in Islamabad after protests incited by the TLP brought the country to a virtual standstill. "And then the UN and the European nations ambassadors in Islamabad kept me for three days and then put me on a plane against my wishes," he said.

However, UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko said on Tuesday that the UN in Pakistan extended its assistance to Mr. Mulook at his request and did not force him to leave the country against his wishes.

"Nor can the UN force someone to leave Pakistan against his or her will," Kaneko added.

This particular case has highlighted two issues with the draconian blasphemy laws in Pakistan, one is how allegations can be used to settle personal scores and secondly lower-court judges are unable to acquit innocent defendants for fear of their own lives.

Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere rumor of committing the crime has led to lynchings in the past. Approximately 40 people are believed to be on death row or serving a life sentence in Pakistan for blasphemy, according to a 2018 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

UNI XC JAL 0653Candlelight revolution has build strong Korea:First Lady

Ayodhya, Nov 6 (UNI) The First lady of South Korea Kim Jung-Sook said that the festival like Diwali which symbolizes victory of light over darkness binds the culture of India and South Korea because `candlelight revolution has helped in building strong South Korea.

Light has a meaningful expression because it is believed in South Korea that if you light a candle you can conquer darkness. I see the same philosophy in Diwali where people celebrate victory of good over evil. What I saw in candlelight revolution in South Korea finds its reflection in festival of light in India, Kim Jung-sook said while addressing gathering here during Deepostava programme on Tuesday.

South Koreas Candlelight Revolution was the culmination of a sustained protest movement that brought out over 16 million peoplealmost a third of the countrys population  on the streets. They came with a candle in their hands epitomizing victory of light over darkness.Huge consignments of foreign liquor seized in dry Bihar on Diwali

Patna, Nov 07 (UNI) Stepping up their drive against smuggling of liquor into dry Bihar on Diwali, police seized huge consignments of foreign liquor and arrested two peddlers in Begusarai and Vaishali districts during the last 12 hours.

According to a report from Begusarai, police seized 430 cartons of foreign liquor from a truck and arrested two peddlers near Bichala Tola under Teyaya police station area in the district today.

Police said that the consignment was seized on the basis of specific intelligence input. The consignment concealed between rows of marble tiles was manufactured in Haryana.Dublin, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Singapore Contract Research Outsourcing Market Outlook to 2022 - by Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV, Pre-Clinical Market, Data Management, Biostatistics, Central Laboratory Services, Pharmacovigilance, Bioanalytics and HEOR" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The report includes market projections for the future and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions.

Singapore CRO market has inclined at positive CAGR during 2013-2017. The market is majorly driven by patent expiration of main revenue-generating drugs, competition from the generic versions of branded drugs, and increasing research and development costs which have pushed pharmaceuticals manufacturers to look for strategies to cut costs and speed up the R&D processes.



The manufacturers struggle to renew their pipelines while facing the challenges of efficient drug discovery which has propelled growth in the contract research outsourcing industry in Singapore. Further, the market is supported by best in class infrastructure for research, highly skilled workforce, Strong intellectual property (IP) and legal infrastructure and government support.



Singapore CRO Market Segmentation

The CRO market includes revenue generated from Phase I, II, II, IV clinical trials, Pre-clinical market, data management, biostatistics, and central laboratory services, Pharmacovigilance, Bioanalytics and HEOR. Growing emphasis on translational research within pharmaceutical R&D due to the government's commitment to scientific research has propelled the growth of pre-clinical market in Singapore.



Early phase clinical trials such as Phase I and Phase II are rising rapidly owing to its small patient pool, strong legal and political system, world-class infrastructure and connectivity, and access to talents. Other services such as Pharmacovigilance has witnessed increase in revenue as their scope expanded from just addressing ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction) to risk management plans and also because it also complies with local and global regulations.



Bioanalytics is growing, as high cost and risk has led pharmaceutical companies to outsource more of pre-clinical and early phase development services.



The oncology segment has accounted for more than half of the clinical trials in 2015. Major factor driving the oncology segment include rising cases of cancer, availability of government funding for research purposes, and growing expertise for cancer by CROs. Other major therapeutic segments include clinical pharmacology, gastroenterology & hepatology, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and others.



Singapore CRO Market Competition Overview

CRO market in Singapore is dominated by MNCs that are capitalizing on the increasing government support for clinical research and foreign investment. The number of clinical trials increased due to establishment of more clinical trial units and more patient participation that gives them the opportunity to access innovative experimental treatments that are not yet available in the market.

The market is concentrated with top 10 companies occupying more than half of the overall market revenue. Major competition parameters include service portfolio and therapeutic areas covered by the Contract Research organization



Singapore CRO Market Future Potential

Singapore CRO market is expected to grow at a positive CAGR during 2018-2022. The two most significant market growth drivers are the reduction of drug lag and cost. Other growth drivers such as vendor consolidation and increased outsourcing penetration will further augment the CRO market in Singapore.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Research Methodology



2. Singapore Contract Research Organization Market - Executive Summary



3. Singapore Healthcare Ecosystem



4. Singapore Healthcare System



5. Singapore Healthcare Key Metrics



6. Comparative Analysis with Other Asian Countries



7. Singapore Contract Research Organization Market: Overview and Market Size- 2013-2017



8. Singapore Contract Research Organization Market Segmentation



9. Singapore Contract Research Organization Market - Growth Drivers



10. Singapore Contract Research Organization Market - Government Regulations



11. Value Chain in Contract Research Organization



12. CRO Market Competitive Landscape



13. Singapore CRO Market Future Outlook and Projections, 2018-2022



Companies Mentioned



Covance (Asia) Pte Ltd

EPS Global Research Pte Ltd.

ICON Clinical Research Pte Ltd

Maccine Pte Ltd

Novotech

PAREXEL International Corporation

Phoenix Pharma Central Services (S) Pte Ltd

PPD Development (S) Pte Ltd

PRA Singapore

Quintiles East Asia Pte Ltd

SGS

Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI)

Syneos Health

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zx4rzw/singapore?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.Moscow, Nov 7 (UNI) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has announced that the Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit scheduled to be held at Argentina in November.

Mr Peskov said in a statement broadcasted by the Russian state news agency that Putin and Trump will meet in Paris, but the broader meeting will be during the G20 meeting in Argentina, Qatar news agency reported. "It is certain that the comprehensive and long-term meeting will be in Argentina, but the Paris meeting will be just a prelude and set the points to be touched by Trump and Putin," the spokesman added.

The Kremlin also announced that they have started preparing for the upcoming meet of Putin and Trump on Nov 11 in Paris, on the margins of centennial of World War I.

Noting that work is underway to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina in November.

UNI XC JAL 0556New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Wednesday extended warm Diwali greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all who are celebrating the festival of lights.

Taking to twitter, UAE PM said, 'On behalf of the people of the UAE. I wish @narendramodi and all who are celebrating Diwali a happy and joyful festival. May the light of love and hope shine on us all.'

Prime Minister Modi, in return thanked UAE PM for the warm wishes and also extended his greetings to Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.Sellbyville, Delaware, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Vinyl Ester Market is estimated to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2025; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growth trends in the shipbuilding sector will support the vinyl ester market growth in the next seven years.

The product has a higher resistance to corrosive environments and chemicals than the unsaturated polyesters. Thus, vinyl ester resins and vinyl ester blended with polyester have been extensively used in the marine applications for producing efficient water-resistant barrier for boat hulls and other parts. The increasing mega-ship building projects present brighter outlook for the product demand in marine applications.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2992

Vinyl ester market will have a range of applications in the wind energy sector by 2025. Wind energy has been an essential source of renewable energy. As per the WindEurope estimates, the wind power share in the EUs total installed power capacity has augmented to 18% in 2017 from 6% in 2005. Wind energy has overtaken coal as the second largest form of power generation capacity in the EU in 2016. An upward trend in wind energy industry will encourage the overall market during the forecast span.

As compared to polyester, vinyl ester resins excel on various parameters; for instance, higher durability, superior heat resistance, low maintenance and high performance for extremely challenging environment. However, the overall market growth will be subjected to some restrains including high cost of production, lower shelf life of the product and regulations to lessen the VOC content of product, in the coming years.

Novolac based product involves higher crosslinking density as compared to bisphenol A based resins. With this feature, the resin exhibits superior resistance to liquid environment and provides high resistance to penetration of chemicals into the matrix. Novolac vinyl ester segment is estimated to grow with a CAGR above 6% during the forecast span.

Browse key industry insights spread across 267 pages with 360 market data tables & 24 figures & charts from the report, Vinyl Ester Market Size By Product (Bisphenol A, Novolac, Brominated Fire Retardant), By Application (Pipes & Tanks, Marine, Wind Energy, FGD & Precipitators, Pulp & Paper), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018  2025 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/vinyl-ester-market

The pipes & tanks was the largest area of applications in vinyl ester market in year 2017, with a share over 40%. The product has been highly demanded in high temperature formulations, including: chemical reactors and storage vessels. The product has also been used as topcoats for metal containers and in electro-refining tanks. The rising demand from corrosion-resistant pipes & tanks is projected to drive global market during the forecast span.

Asia Pacific led the overall vinyl ester market in 2017 and is expected to follow the similar trend by 2025. North America will observe growth with a CAGR close to 6%. Increasing disposable income on existing rich class individuals and increasing number of High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) will positively influence the demand for luxury goods in the region. Moreover, the recreational boating culture in the North American region is comparatively high which, in turn will drive the market demand for these marine applications in the region by 2025.

Leading manufacturers in market have been: Swancor Holding, Ashland, Sino Polymer Co., Ltd., ALIANCYS AG, Showa Denko, Interplastic Corporation, etc. The industry has marked several price hikes in the recent decade on account of increase in the raw materials costs.

Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2992

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Rotomoulding Powder Market Size By Product (Polyethylene, [Linear Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Medium-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene], PVC Plastisol), By Application (Tanks, Containers, Automotive, Construction, Material Handling, Leisure, Toys), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Spain, UK, Poland, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018  2024

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/rotomoulding-powder-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.Dublin, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "On-highway Vehicle Lighting Market Analysis Report By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Buses), By Application (Headlights, Interior Lights), By Product Type (LED, Laser), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global on-highway vehicle lighting market size is expected to reach USD 42.03 billion by 2025, exhibiting a 5.4% CAGR during the forecast period.



Government regulations for improved visibility and increasing penetration of energy-efficient light sources have bolstered the market growth. Increasing adoption of LED lamps and growing emphasis on technological innovations are estimated drive the market further. Automobile manufacturers are increasingly adoption energy-efficient and more advanced lighting technologies, such as LASER and Light-Emitting Diode (LED).



LED lamps are more energy-efficient, durable, and have the higher operational life span (over 50,000 hours) than other sources, such as incandescent, xenon, and halogen bulbs. Thus, longer lifespan and low energy consumption would drive the demand for LED lights in the coming years. Companies such as Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Stanley Electric, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., and Magneti Marelli S.p.A provide LED lights in different shapes for a number of automotive applications.



Asia Pacific is expected to be the dominant regional market over the forecast period owing to the rapidly growing automotive sector. Moreover, stringent regulations by local governments regarding the use of energy-efficient lighting sources are also likely to open up new growth opportunities for the companiesi. For instance, in 2017 the Indian government has mandated the use of Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) and Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) for two-wheelers, which in turn shall accelerate the Asia Pacific on-highway vehicle lighting market growth.



Further key findings from the study suggest:

LED is expected to emerge as the dominant product type segment due to declining prices of LED lights as a result of extensive R&D to introduce advanced products

The headlight segment is expected to be the leading application segment owing to the increasing use of light sources across front headlamps, DRLs, side lamps, and fog lamps

Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing region over the forecast period. This growth is mainly due to expanding automotive sector in the emerging economies such as China and India

Prominent industry participants include Koito Manufacturing, Ltd., Valeo S.A., Koninklijke Philips N.V., and Magneti Marelli S.p.A

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope

1.1 Information Procurement

1.2 Purchased Database

1.3 Research Methodology

1.4 Geographic Scope & Assumptions

1.5 Region/Country Wise Market Calculation

1.6 Region-based Segment Share Calculation

1.7 List of Primary Sources

1.8 List of Secondary Sources

1.9 List of Abbreviations



Chapter 2 Executive Summary



Chapter 3 Market Definitions

3.1 Market Segmentation



Chapter 4 Industry Outlook

4.1 Market Snapshot

4.2 Global On Highway Vehicle Lighting Market

4.2.1 Product segment trends

4.2.2 Application segment trends

4.2.3 Vehicle segment trends

4.2.4 Regional segment trends

4.3 Value Chain Analysis

4.4 Market Variable Analysis

4.4.1 Market driver analysis

4.4.2 Market restraint analysis

4.5 Penetration and Growth Prospect Mapping

4.6 On-highway Vehicle Lighting Key Company Analysis, 2017

4.7 Business Environment Analysis Tool

4.7.1 On-highway vehicle lighting market: PEST analysis

4.7.2 On-highway vehicle lighting market: PORTER's analysis



Chapter 5 On-highway Vehicle Lighting Market: Product Segment Analysis

5.1 LED

5.2 Halogen

5.3 High Intensity Discharge (HID)

5.4 Incandescent

5.5 LASER



Chapter 6 On-Highway Vehicle Lighting Market: Application Segment Analysis

6.1 Headlights

6.2 Other External Lights

6.3 Internal Lights



Chapter 7 On-Highway Vehicle Lighting Market: Vehicle Type Segment Analysis

7.1 Motorcycle

7.2 Passenger Car

7.3 Bus

7.4 Light Trucks (Class 1-3)

7.5 Medium Trucks (Class 4-6)

7.6 Heavy Trucks (Class 7&8)



Chapter 8 On-Highway Vehicle Lighting Market: Regional Outlook



Chapter 9 Company Profiles



KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Magneti Marelli S.p.A.

Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH (LG Electronics)

TYC Genera

Spyder Auto

Maxxima

Optronics International LLC

Valeo S.A.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/lmsfsb/global_onhighway?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.Rodger McDaniel to Discuss Sen. Gale McGee Book at UW Nov. 13

Rodger McDaniel

Former Wyoming state Sen. Rodger McDaniel will discuss his latest book, The Man in the Arena: The Life and Times of U.S. Senator Gale McGee, at the University of Wyoming Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m. in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center auditorium.

The discussion is free and open to the public, and a book signing will follow McDaniels talk. The UW Department of History and American Studies sponsors the lecture.

McGee was a professor in the UW Department of History from 1946-1958 and was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 1958. He served until 1977, specializing in foreign relations and appropriations through the turbulent period that included the Red Scare, the Korean and Vietnam wars and the activist Congress of the 1960s.

The book is particularly aimed at Wyoming students, as it places those national and international issues in the context of Wyoming politics, McDaniel says. It traces the changes in the attitudes of the voters of this state from 1958 -- when they were willing to elect a liberal Democrat whom they knew would be most involved in foreign policy matters -- to 1976, when McGee became the last Democrat to ever be elected to the Senate from this state. The book tries to answer the question, Why?

McDaniel chose McGee as his subject not only because of McGees involvement with the university, but because of the time in which McGee served. The book discusses the U.S. Senate in the 1960s and 1970s, and Congress role in American foreign policy, the Vietnam War and 20th century American politics.

The book, following the election, is prescient, as it deals with the question of partisan politics and the breakdown of liberalism in national politics around the time of the Reagan Revolution, says Isadora Helfgott, chair of the UW Department of History and American Studies.

A former Wyoming state legislator from 1971-1981, McDaniel also received a law degree from UW in 1980 and was the Democratic Party nominee for the Senate in 1982. He served as the director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services, where he headed the states mental health and substance abuse programs from 2003-2011.

McDaniel is the current pastor at Highlands Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne. He also is the author of four books, including Dying for Joe McCarthys Sins: The Suicide of Wyoming Senator Lester Hunt, which was named the best nonfiction book of 2013 by the Wyoming State Historical Society.

For more information about McDaniels presentation, call Helfgott at (307) 766-5141 or email ihelfgot@uwyo.edu.SolarWinds invites attendees to visit Booth 505 for in-depth tech demonstrations, complimentary networking, and end-user events



HERNDON, Va., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today announced its participation at TechNet Asia-Pacific (APAC) 2018, the largest event for the regions defense forces, taking place November 13  15 in Honolulu, Hawaii. SolarWinds government experts will participate in a discussion on the events theme, Sharpening the Competitive Edge for Combined Cyber Operations, as well as showcase the full suite of SolarWinds IT management and monitoring solutionsfocusing on ease of use and power and integration capabilitiesto promote broad situational awareness of critical IT performance.

Sponsored by AFCEA , TechNet APAC hosts thousands of defense and government technology professionals to discuss defense issues in the Pacific Rim region, promoting focused engagement on ways to improve military IT operations.

We look forward to discussing how SolarWinds technology can help provide the actionable intelligence our military needs to proactively identify threats and improve cyber readiness, said David Kimball, senior vice president, worldwide federal, SolarWinds. The ability to connect our team with regional military leaders to discuss their IT modernization and cybersecurity requirements is invaluable, and one of the reasons why SolarWinds has been a participant in AFCEAs TechNet APAC show for many years.

Visit SolarWinds at Booth 505

Join SolarWinds federal engineers and product experts at Booth 505, in the exhibit hall, to explore the comprehensive IT management software portfoliosolutions for government networks, security, systems and applications, databases, and more. Attendees can also pick up free SolarWinds gear while experiencing hands-on demonstrations of SolarWinds newest IT management and monitoring products, including:

Log Manager for Orion  (LM) : Fully integrated with the Orion Platform, Log Manager is designed to provide integrated log management and infrastructure performance monitoring within a single platform, with the ability to filter, search, and visualize log data from thousands of devices and troubleshoot performance in near real-time.

Server Configuration Monitor (SCM) : Built for visibility into configuration changes on Windows servers and applications, while also correlating performance issues to authorized or unauthorized changes to files, binaries, configuration files, the Windows Registry, and hardware configurations.



Access Rights Manager (ARM) : Be able to centrally provision, deprovision, manage, and audit user access rights to systems, data, and files, while helping to protect data from internal security breaches and utilizing reports that demonstrate compliance.

Network with the SolarWinds Federal Team at a Complimentary Reception

What: Network with the SolarWinds federal technical and business leadership team and learn how SolarWinds  software is designed to help change the way the Department of Defense (DoD) manages and monitors IT infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers will be served. To RSVP, click here .

Network with the SolarWinds federal technical and business leadership team and learn how SolarWinds software is designed to help change the way the Department of Defense (DoD) manages and monitors IT infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers will be served. To RSVP, . When: Tuesday, November 13, from 5:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m. HST

Tuesday, November 13, from 5:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m. HST Where: Fresco Italian Restaurant (Hilton Hawaiian Village)

Join SolarWinds Hawaii Technology Briefing (Tech Day)

What: Attendees will learn how to get the most from SolarWinds network, systems, applications, database, compliance, and security products, including specific agency use cases. SolarWinds systems engineers will provide a deep dive into technical details and share best practices on compliance and reporting. The free interactive session will offer client-specific recommendations. Full event details and a complete list of topics are available here . To RSVP, click here .

Attendees will learn how to get the most from SolarWinds network, systems, applications, database, compliance, and security products, including specific agency use cases. SolarWinds systems engineers will provide a deep dive into technical details and share best practices on compliance and reporting. The free interactive session will offer client-specific recommendations. Full event details and a complete list of topics are available . To RSVP, . When : Friday, November 16, from 8:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. HST

: Friday, November 16, from 8:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. HST Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Alana  Waikiki Beach

SolarWinds Solutions for Government

SolarWinds software is available on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule , Department of Defense ESI, and other contract vehicles.

, Department of Defense ESI, and other contract vehicles. U.S. Government certifications and approvals include Army CoN and Navy DADMS. Technical Requirements include FIPS compatibility, DISA STIGs, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST  ) compliance.

) compliance. SolarWinds software also has hundreds of built-in, automated compliance reports, which meet the requirements of major auditing authorities, including DISA STIG, FISMA, NIST, and more. The SolarWinds THWACK  online user community provides a number of downloadable, out-of-the-box compliance report templates for free, that are designed to help users prepare for an inspection. THWACK also provides information on Smart Card and Common Access Card (CAC) product support .

For more product and GSA pricing information, and for a fully functional free trial of all products, visit the SolarWinds Government Solutions page.

Additional Resources

Connect with SolarWinds

#SWIproduct

#SWIevents

#SWIcore

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.Companies create private LTE network at BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd plant in China's Liaoning province

Leverages Nokia virtualized Multi-access Edge Computing and China Unicom's 4G LTE network to process data closer to where it is being used

Enables secure low-latency communications for business-critical applications such as object tracking, video surveillance and analytics

7 November 2018

Espoo, Finland - Nokia and China Unicom have created a private LTE network for a BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd* plant being built in Shenyang city in the Liaoning province of China. The Nokia virtualized Multi-access Edge Computing (vMEC) solution will leverage China Unicom's 4G LTE network to provide low-latency support for smart manufacturing activities at the plant.

The Nokia MEC platform leverages communications service providers' secure LTE networks to process data closer to where it is being used, delivering an ultra-responsive experience for business-critical applications. It allows enterprises such as manufacturers to connect assets using sensors and automate activities including object tracking, video surveillance and video analytics, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency and reduced costs.

China Unicom is running the Nokia vMEC solution over its network following deployment, which was completed in October. Once integration with the enterprise network is complete, the private LTE network will support secure voice and data communication between staff at the plant as well as machine-to-machine communication including wireless video monitoring, production line maintenance inspection, indoor navigation, industrial robots and indoor navigation.

Nokia is committed to the use of private LTE, 5G, cloud and intelligent software to drive the digital transformation of industries and make factories, supply chains and logistics more nimble, transparent and secure. Wireless connectivity of IoT sensors offer enterprises more control over their operations, instantly relaying data to enhance operations.

Gao Bo, head of the China Unicom customer team at Nokia Shanghai Bell said: "Smart manufacturing is a key priority for the transformation of the manufacturing industry in China and we are pleased to work with China Unicom on this important project. Being a software-only solution, the Nokia vMEC can be integrated easily into existing enterprise IT infrastructure to enhance business-critical processes and deliver new operational efficiency."

* BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. is a joint venture between the BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

Resources

About Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

We adhere to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. Nokia is enabling the infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com

Media Inquiries:

Nokia

Communications

Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: press.services@nokia.comOn instructions from my Government and further to our letters regarding the targeting of innocent Syrian civilians by the illegitimate international coalition led by the United States, I should like to convey to you the following:

The illegitimate international coalition led by the United States of America continues to commit crimes against innocent Syrian civilians. Over the past few days, coalition warplanes continued bombarding homes in the city of Hajin, Dayr al-Zawr Governorate, with internationally prohibited white phosphorus bombs. On 24 and 28 October 2018, the coalition fired missiles at homes in the village of Susah, Dayr al-Zawr Governorate. Dozens of civilians, the majority of whom were women and children, including an entire family (father, mother and two children), were killed and injured as a result of the above-mentioned crimes.

The coalition continues to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes against the Syrian people, employ internationally prohibited weapons, such as white phosphorus bombs, against Syrian civilians and violate the norms of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights instruments. Those actions confirm beyond any doubt that this illegitimate coalition is committing such crimes, which pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, in a deliberate and systematic manner.

The Syrian Arab Republic once again calls upon the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. In addition to conducting an international investigation into those crimes, the Council must condemn them and take immediate action to stop them and prevent their recurrence. Moreover, the Security Council must put an end to the hostile and illegal presence in Syrian territory of United States forces and other foreign forces and stop them from continuing to support terrorism and using terrorists and separatist militias to achieve their aims and implement their hostile schemes to undermine the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and its territorial integrity.

I should be grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.Below Deck Get Better or Go Home Season 6 Episode 6 Editors Rating 5 stars * * * * *  Previous Next  Photo: Bravo

Well, its Election Day, so no matter what happens when the polls close tonight, at least we have Below Deck to remind ourselves that things could always be worse. We could be adrift in the heart of the South Pacific drinking spiked coffee at 6 a.m. with Chandler, who runs his fishing trips like Trump the country  as someone who is totally unqualified for the job.

Fishing Gate continues this week when Ashton has to angrily rouse at sunrise to slap on his rash guard and assist Chandler on the fishing excursion. Ashton explains that he doesnt like to fish, he likes to party, and fishing just doesnt generate the same warm fuzzies for him as grinding on tan women at nightclubs. Neither he nor Chandler know how to fish, but it doesnt really matter because the guests dont either, they just want to take photos, and the more photos they take and the more activities they do, the more excuses they have to swap out their thong bikini bottoms throughout the day.

Chandler trails some lines off the boat and Ashton pours the guests coffee with Baileys. You know Ashton was made for this work because he can get up at the ass crack of dawn, angry, and serve the guests revolting alcoholic coffee drinks with a smile. When they dont catch any fish, one of the guests says maybe they shouldnt be going so fast and maybe they need live bait. Turns out Chandlers about as good at catching fish as he is at making his coworkers like him.

Lee is mad when he learns Chandler secretly went fishing without telling him. He is so mad, in fact, that he refuses Josiahs delivery of Adrians French toast. When Chandler pulls up, Lee is like, why didnt you tell me you were going fishing? And Chandler says he didnt say anything because he was in bed. Rhylee learns they didnt catch any fish and feels smug and I frankly feel smug for her.

Chandlers tour of incompetence continues when he helps Lee pull the anchor up and Lee calls him a dipshit. While the crew stuff the leftover French toast into their faces, Chandler dictates his plan for the beach picnic. Just minutes after getting yelled at by Lee for not telling him where he was going and then disappearing, he decides that the entire deck crew should disappear from the boat for lunch. Ross says if he were bosun, he wouldnt have everyone off the boat, but again, as Americas political institutions and corporations in general make clear, the most qualified people are seldom the ones who get the top jobs.

Despite Carolines puffy foot drama, the interior crew is in good enough spirits to remark on the stunning view of Moorea and joke with Adrian about breast massages. The deck crew, on the other hand, has a fight on the back of the boat while organizing Instagram flamingo floats. Chandler asks Rhylee if they have enough drinking ice, and she says she didnt have anything to do with the drinking ice, which causes Chandler to scold her for not going to check to see if they have enough drinking ice. Neither of them handled this moment particularly professionally, but I have to imagine that if Chandler asked his BAEs Ashton or Ross about the ice he wouldnt have snapped at them if they said the same thing.

While the primary photographs his girlfriends ass for the thousandth time that day, the lunch setup begins. Chandler says its exciting to unfold tables and chairs with little reef sharks swimming around his calves. The guests pretend to be afraid of the sharks, even though theyre probably secretly excited by how good the sharks will look pictured alongside their be-thonged butts on Instagram. Rhylee gets in the water and swims with the sharks too, which she loves.

Im happy for Rhylee in this moment, even though its a strong indicator that she or someone should have been back on the boat to help Lee with the ceaseless onslaught of yacht chores. I dont know anything about working on a boat, but Ive watched enough Below Deck to know that if youre swimming in the beautiful sea and having fun, that probably means you should be on the deck, wiping a surface or tying down a tarp, in abject misery.

As the guests swim, Josiah risks exposure to the warm outside air and stingrays to set out Adrians Pinterest-on-steroids sushi boat. Chandler sees the rain move in and ponders the yacht being uncovered and the deck crew all being at the lunch. He still doesnt rush back to help Captain Lee, now fuming that hes realized no deckies are on hand to cover the cushions before the rain and the hot tubwhich probably contains a film of semen by this pointis overflowing. Kate says Chandler is so incompetent that its like hes trying to be bad at his job. Then she and Josiah merrily wash dishes in the surf before going back to the boat to help Caroline serve coconut water with a single raspberry, blueberry, and mint leaf, a request that flusters her more than the mystery disease rotting her foot.

Lee calls Chandler into his office to ask him why he keeps messing up, citing his decision not to send Rhylee on the fishing trip and the overflowing hot tub. Chandler proceeds to blame Ashton, and Lee throws it right back in his face by pointing out that his teams work is still his responsibility.

Chandler leaves the meeting with the same conclusion he came to in the last episode, which is to micromanage even harder. I like how these people take these jobs on yachts and make those of us who stare at screens instead of islands and oceans all day wonder if we have life wrong, only to reassure us that even if we eat pizza in the subway for lunch with rats around our ankles, instead of gourmet sushi with exotic sea life at our feet, we dont. These people deal with the same work bullshit we all do. They may not get the passive-aggressive post-dinner email, but they do have to share a home with their boss and the people they serve, which must feel like having Carolines foot infection in your soul.

After Chandler informs his team that hes going to be even more of an incompetent monster to them, Rhylee complains to Ashton that Chandler sucks and Ross should be bosun. Ashton says he agrees with her. Above them, oblivious to the discord, the guests decorate themselves with twinkle lights and flower crowns and stuff themselves with foie gras. After dinner, the primary and his girlfriend go to the crows nest and have sex while Caroline, Adrian, and Kate watch on the security camera. Kates verdict is that the lady isnt enjoying herself and is definitely thirsty. It took the sex for her to come to this conclusion?

We know its morning because in the next shot Adrian does an upward dog next to a crate of citrus fruit. The guests have their own can of whipped cream to squirt onto their breakfast, which wasnt something we needed to see in the midst of Bravo so thoroughly documenting the primarys sexual activity.

As Lee pulls into the dock to unload the guests, the primary photographs his girlfriend right in front of Lees window, and Im embarrassed that theyre not more embarrassed. They finally leave to charge their phones, and Caroline returns to the doctor to see about her foot, which is now making charming popping sounds.

Caroline comes back to the boat to report to her entirely unsympathetic coworkers that she has to stay off her bad foot for two days. Chandler and Rhylee have an altercation over a bucket, and then Rhylee puts on a bedazzled T-shirt dress for dinner. At dinner, Ashton tells Chandler that Rhylee is about to lose it, and he should try to prevent that from happening rather than antagonize her. Chandler is basically like, well, Im going to keep antagonizing her anyway because Im a monster.

After they all get drunk they return to the boat where Caroline is padding around in her pajamas and Ashton decides to drink pale yellow mystery liquid from a glass pitcher. He then visits Rhylees bunk and she makes out with him for a bit before telling him to get lost. He wanders out saying he needs ice cream, as though he just took a wrong turn on Fool Around Avenue on the way to the freezer.

Kate is appalled to see Caroline out of the confines of the Russian nesting doll that serves as her bunk and forces her into a fancy guest cabin to rest. I dont deserve to be treated this way! Caroline whines even though Kate just did her a huge favor. She no longer has to sleep like a sardine in the same can as Ashton and Rhylee getting handsy with each other. And she presumably wont be able to hear Kate and Josiah talking shit about her late into the night, or smell the stench of rotting ramen wafting from their cabin.Earlier this week, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog spoke to Texas voters and Senate candidates for The Late Show, and now, another comedy character has hit the streets for a late-night show in the name of the midterms. During last nights Jimmy Kimmel Live!, guest Sacha Baron Cohen revived Borat to hit the ground in the Los Angeles area to, as he puts it, do election tampering in Donald Trumps favor. Who are the fake news who say that he is not a racist? Borat asks a Trump supporter. In my opinion, the fake news people say he is a racist, and I dont believe he is  I dont see any evidence of that, the voter responds. But what is a problem being a racist? Borat says. I am a racist and its nice!

RelatedWillem Dafoe in At Eternitys Gate. Photo: CBS Films

Less than ten minutes into At Eternitys Gate, director Julian Schnabels biographical reimagining of the final days of Vincent van Gogh (which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last month and hits theaters November 16), the camera does a curious thing. In the sequence, we see Willem Dafoe as the Dutch Post-Impressionist returning to his tiny Arles domicile  hes cold and dripping wet from painting en plein air during a thunderstorm. Suddenly, the shaky, handheld camera pulls in jarringly close to his face and lingers there for what seems, by most movie standards, an eternity. The screen is consumed by the hollows of Dafoes cheeks, the deep-set furrows in his brow, the arcing wrinkles etched around his mouth; his tightly shut eyelids hallmark the tortured artist. Then, without warning, the camera flips onto its side. And the van Gogh visage goes horizontal, filling up at least 95 percent of the screen: the most extreme of extreme movie close-ups.

There are moments when the camera feels like an intruder, says At Eternitys Gate cinematographer Benoit Delhomme. It can be like a microscope. The way I was using close-ups in this film was to capture van Goghs soul  not Willems soul, for sure. The face becomes a landscape. What is more interesting than the face? So much to see in the face.

At Eternitys Gate is hardly the only prestige drama to chart the topography of facial landscapes with long, uncut close-ups this awards season. A host of prestigious films that premiered on the festival circuit  including First Man, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Favourite, and A Star Is Born  similarly utilize camerawork that pulls viewers in super close to the films stars to provide what can often feel like a forensic examination of their dramatic emoting. Long a staple of television, the technique has gained traction in recent years as an antidote to the kind of smash-cut film editing that first became popular in the 90s before passing into cliche.

But the execution of extreme close-ups requires a certain bravery on the part of actors: nary a blemish, a crows-foot wrinkle, or clogged pore will be spared the cameras unblinking scrutiny. Which has led to an unspoken corollary of all this up-close-and-personal camerawork: In an era when almost every movie in wide release employs some almost imperceptible form of computer-generated facial retouching  digitally edited in during postproduction, usually to make movie stars look younger or more attractive  filmmakers are showing a greater willingness to let the camera linger on actors faces, secure in the knowledge that CGI will erase any distracting imperfections. In effect, the current vogue for extreme close-ups can be viewed as a by-product of Hollywoods increasing finesse with extremely tasteful digital face-lifts.

Audiences are demanding to get closer to your characters, closer to your actors  thats why we go to the movies, to see our stars bigger than life, says a movie producer with an upcoming awards-season movie featuring several extreme close-ups. But with bigger than life comes all of lifes wrinkles and scars. Now, we have the ability to fix those flaws whenever the filmmaker, the actor, or the studio deems appropriate. Its just a flick of a button and a line item on a budget.

If Beale Street Could Talk, director Barry Jenkinss follow-up to his Best Picture Oscarwinning drama Moonlight, is an adaptation of a 70s-set James Baldwin novel. KiKi Layne portrays a woman seeking justice for her wrongly convicted husband (Stephan James) before the birth of their child. The films extreme close-ups largely serve to establish the couples love connection: At certain points, the camera stays languorously fixed on the faces of James and then Layne (or vice versa) for extended periods, to show the viewer the tenderness with which they view one another. The overall effect is not dissimilar to those ads for iPhones portrait mode, where everything past the subject blurs away in the distance.

The logistics of shooting this way, however, mean that a cinematographers proximity to an actor can sometimes push past the limits of his or her comfort zone. When were doing this close-up work, we get as close to the person as we physically possibly can, says Beale Streets director of photography James Laxton. For example, for those close-ups of [Jamess] eyes, his lips, the lens is in the realm of two and four inches away. Part of my role is to make the actors comfortable in these places because the camera is not another actor. Youre clearly intruding on their personal space.

(In a recent interview with Vulture, James admitted the difficulty of working this way but praised the onscreen payoff. The camera is in your face, James says, but its this weird thing where it allows emotions to unravel and allows you not to premeditate your performance. Whatever is going to happen, youre going to see every inch of it right now.)

To hear it from A Star Is Born cinematographer Matthew Libatique, the romantic dramas two key close-up sequences utilize camera movements that hone in on and linger on the actors faces for several beats longer than most movie close-ups in an effort to graduate into the mental state of the characters. Specifically, in the scene where Bradley Coopers country superstar character Jackson Maine and Lady Gagas pop ingenue character Ally first meet in a bar, and the scene in which they get married, the DP used a 65 mm macro anamorphic lens, moving the camera to within just a foot of their faces while shooting. That proximity to the performers, he felt, as opposed to shooting them in close-up from across the room using a telephoto lens, results in greater emotional connection for viewers.

Its really intimate, says Libatique, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on 2010s Black Swan. Its a technique that gets the audience, the mass of people, to see the vision of that one character.

Writer-director Damien Chazelles First Man digs beyond the myth creation surrounding Neil Armstrong by focusing on his quiet fortitude and personal struggles; numerous extended close-ups do much of the dramatic heavy lifting. For many stretches, the face of Ryan Gosling (as Armstrong) fills the screen. And he is more often than not totally silent: a thoughtful astronaut pondering the vagaries and dangers of his profession, rather than some chest-beating conqueror of an unknown realm. Claire Foy, portraying his wife, Janet Armstrong, gets a similar treatment.

The close-up camerawork in The Favourite, by contrast, can be jarring in the way it vivisects its characters roiling emotions. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster), the pitch-black period dramedy follows a unique 18th-century palace intrigue: The ailing and mercurial Queen Anne of England (Olivia Colman) is tended to by her close friend and de facto chief of staff Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) until Sarahs fallen-on-hard-times cousin turned servant turned royal consigliere Abigail (Emma Stone) attempts to use charm and guile to displace her. This sets off a bitter rivalry between the women to become the queens favorite courtier.

For The Favourite cinematographer Robbie Ryan, the intent with the movies forensic close-ups was to provide alternative narratives: what the actresses were saying onscreen versus what is written on their faces. Its very much about characters  three women and how theyre all trying to get ahead, Ryan says. Theyre trying to hide their feelings, so theyre playing a game of poker to a certain extent, where theyre keeping their cards close to their chests. So any flicker of emotion, any small little thing that you might see in their expression, tells the audience one thing or another. Youre very much drawn into the close-up.

Without exception, all of the cinematographers contacted by Vulture say the actors in these films featuring extreme close-ups did not do anything in particular to prepare to have film equipment shoved within inches of their faces. They insist that no additional makeup was applied nor any CGI edited in during postproduction to polish away unflattering characteristics  not even for world-class diva Lady Gaga. Honestly, there was nothing, says Libatique.

Ryan, for one, says he was struck by how brave the Favourite actresses remained in the face of such intrusive  and within modern beautys impossible-to-reach standards, potentially career-imperiling  camera movements. At Lanthimoss request, they kept the use of things like foundation and concealer to a bare minimum. Theres very little makeup in the film, Ryan says. It was very naturalistic from that perspective and Yorgos was very keen on keeping it spare unless it was necessary. Hed always make sure there was as little makeup as possible.

But to hear it from a producer who spent tens of thousands of dollars on computer-generated imagery when the Oscar-winning star of one of his films didnt like the sight of his earring holes onscreen and asked to have them removed, and who recently dropped another $50,000 to digitally diminish the wrinkles from a 50-something supporting actress in his upcoming movie, computer-generated retouching has become standard operating procedure in Hollywood. And it is absolutely crucial when showcasing extreme close-ups.

The cinematographer does not give a fuck about wrinkles  in fact, thats what theyre zooming in on, cause thats real, he says. The cinematographer wants to get closer because he knows the audience wants to connect with these actors, and you cant do that from a distance. The closer, the bigger, then everything is shown off there. It is not the cinematographers job to make them look good. It is the editor and the director who then manipulate that.

For A Star Is Borns Libatique, the current popularity of forensically revealing, tightly focused, lingering shots of actors faces is indicative of a shift in how filmmakers are shooting and how the public is consuming movies these days  a transfer from flash-bang/attention-deficit cinema toward something more contemplative. I think people are trying to move away from a cuttiness in films and maybe move back to a more patient storytelling technique, says Libatique. The one thing you cant deny is the power of a face and the emotion thats been created by an actor. So if youre going to hold on a shot without cutting, it might as well be a close-up.Photo: Vulture

Though its been out for a month, theres a chance you only found out about Jill Soloways new memoir, She Wants It, this week, when a critical review  how best to say this?  eviscerated the project, calling Soloway astonishingly clueless and a Gen Xer in millennial drag, among other things. Vulture was intrigued and decided to pick up a copy of the memoir, extracting the juiciest parts for your reading pleasure. And let us tell you, those 238 pages hold a lot of juice. From her early job rejections to the unexpected downfall of Transparent  and one delightful Henry Winkler story, because everyone loves the Fonz  here are seven tidbits worth your time.

Soloway was rejected from a writing job on Glee for being characterized as too difficult.

Before Soloway found mainstream success with her 2013 indie hit Afternoon Delight, she was close to giving up on her Hollywood dream entirely and moving to Northern California  especially after Fox dismissed her from a writing position on Glee. As she recalled, after a week of waiting for her agent to deliver the final verdict:

The phone rang. It was him, plus another agent. So, you were right. The offer is not coming. The offer is not coming? What happened? Apparently they asked around about you, and word came back that youre difficult. Difficult? What? Who the fuck called me difficult? That job went away.

Jeffrey Tambor was originally going to spin his sexual-harassment allegations in a very different way.

Tambors former assistant, Van Barnes, and his Transparent co-star, Trace Lysette, accused the actor last fall of repeated sexual harassment, which Tambor chalked up to having flaws. As Soloway remembers, during the November week when both accusations became public  and when the future of the show and Tambors involvement was still uncertain  she got word that Tambor was planning to attribute his behavior to the shows unorthodox working conditions. Id heard from friends that Jeffrey insisted hes always engaged in a consensual and playful dynamic. He said he was flirtatious and bawdy, and that this was invited and welcomed, she wrote. He claimed that it was, in fact, a beloved part of working on a show about sex and boundaries. I heard from others that he was considering dropping the bombshell to a journalist that Transparent was the most sex-obsessed set hed ever been on. Additionally, Tambor harbored a conspiratorial mind-set:

Jeffrey thought that trans women were holding on to a righteous anger at the show and at Jeffrey, at cis people defining reality for trans folk. And I knew that cis women know how this feels, how it feels for men to not see them as people. To see them as something Other instead.

Soloways first meeting with Lysette, after being alerted to her accusations against Tambor, didnt go as smoothly as planned.

The duo met at a Coffee Bean on the Paramount lot an hour before her statement was released. Soloway believed they would be talking about Tambors bullying and bad temper  a personality that all of us knew. However, she soon found herself trying to sway Lysette from releasing a much darker story, and tempers flared.

I could see the whole future of the show, everything I had worked for, all of it spinning out. I heard about the story, I said. I cant believe youre doing this. Well, it happened to me, she said. But why didnt you come to us? Why didnt you come to me? she asked. How could I have come to you? I said. I didnt even know it happened. This was three years ago.

And the tears quickly started to flow  from Soloway.

I had to tell my story, she said. But I said in my statement that I wanted the show to continue. But the idea of the show will be tarnished now in everyones minds, I said. In Middle America when people think of trans people theres still so much suspicion, and Maura became this beautiful symbol of transness and now youre laying this imagery on there of her being a predator. Suddenly, I started crying. She was horrified. Im the victim here and youre crying, she demanded. She was right.

When Soloways father came out as trans, she immediately knew shed turn the experience into something for Hollywood.

Soloway reacted calmly to the news, reassuring her father  who now preferred to go by the name Carrie London  that she would still love him unconditionally. There was a part of me that knew I would be making this into something. The feeling was undeniable, Soloway wrote. Not simply that this could be a movie or a show or a something, but that it would be a movie or a show or a something. An artistic knowing cracked through everything that has come before. This was part of my story, and I was going to tell it.

Before Amazon signed on to produce Transparent, networks gave Soloway some outside-the-box reasons for passing on the show.

Showtime said no because of internal political shitshow turmoil; FX passed because they were developing a show called Pretty/Handsome about a family with a trans dad with Ryan Murphy, and even though the project stalled, they really didnt want to offend him; and Netflix felt that Orange Is the New Black was their trans show, so they were out.

Prior to Tambor and Judith Light signing on as Transparents parental leads, many other actors were front-runners.

Kevin Kline and John Larroquette were in the running for Maura, while Patti Lupone, Andrea Martin, and Tovah Feldshuh were the initial contenders for Shelly. In fact, Soloway had to be talked into casting Light. I wasnt sure. She didnt seem Jewish at all, Soloway wrote. I did some research and found out she actually was Jewish and from New Jersey. We asked if she would cut her hair. No!, she said, but of course she could wear a wig.

Henry Winkler, Americas honorary dad, helped craft one of Transparents second-season story lines.

With season two of the series venturing into the Pfeffermans Polish and Russian family history  and lots of flashbacks, to boot  a few choice anecdotes from Winkler during a surprise visit to the writers room helped weave together some background elements of the narrative. He brought us a beautiful spider plant, the kind with babies that drop from it on green stands, Soloway recalled. This plant was made from the cutting of another plant that traveled here in the foot of a casket, he told us. My mother snuck this plant in the night they left Germany in a hurry. Hiding things wherever they could. You can have it for your writers room. He also told us about hiding precious family heirlooms inside of melted chocolate that hardened in time for transit. We decided to write it into the show.Photo: Doug Hyun

Dust off your fan theories, kids, because Breaking Bad is coming back as a movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, show creator Vince Gilligan is working on a two-hour movie that their sources say will be set in the existing Breaking Bad franchise. Theres still a lot we dont know, including whether any of the actors from the original AMC series will be returning, when in time it takes place, or whether the film will be airing on television or in theaters. What we do know, however, is that the project is codenamed Greenbrier, it will follow the escape of a kidnapped man and his quest for freedom, and, yes, its filming in New Mexico.

Update November 7, 2:55pm: Byran Cranston called into The Dan Patrick show and confirmed a Breaking Bad movie is in development stages. He has been in touch with Gilligan about it, but he has not seen a script yet. And while he would suit up again as Walter White should Gilligan ask him to do it, Cranston says he doesnt know how much his character would be involved in a continuation of the story.LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hunt Mining Corp. (the Corporation or Hunt) (TSX VENTURE: HMX OTCQB: HGLD) is pleased to disclose the most recent concentrate shipment information from the Martha Mine Project (Martha Project) located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The total, contained troy ounces of silver are 72,367 and 124 troy ounces of gold. Hunt is currently producing concentrate from the Martha Project and, as disclosed on October 18, 2018, announced test shipments from the La Josefina Gold / Silver Projects Ailin Vein (La Josefina Project).

October Shipment from Martha Project (based on Alex Stewart International outbound port assays)

Shipment Weight

dmt Ag g/t

grade &

weighted

average Au g/t

grade &

weighted

average



Silver

(Troy

Ounces) Gold

(Troy

Ounces) October



32.86 68,499 117.6 72,367 124

Troy ounce = 31.1035 grams

dmt = dry metric tonne

g/t = grams per tonne

Silver and gold grades are based on independent sampling and assaying performed by Alex Stewart International, a global, independent, certified analytical services company. Rounding may result in differences in contained ounces

Martha - Ongoing activity at the Martha Project is being undertaken without established mineral resources or reserves and the Corporation has not established the economic viability of the operations on the Martha Project. As a result, there is increased uncertainty and economic risk of failure associated with these activities. Hunt filed an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report (Technical Report) for the Martha Project, dated October 12, 2018 titled Martha Silver and Gold Project, Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently available on SEDAR and on the Corporations website at:

http://www.huntmining.com/sites/default/files/2018-10/MM%20TR_2018_HUNTMINING_12Oct18.pdf

La Josefina - The Corporation has not established the economic viability of the operations on the La Josefina Project. As a result, there is increased uncertainty and economic risk of failure associated with these production activities. Mineral resources at the La Josefina Project total 6.5 million tonnes of measured and indicated material grading 0.74 g/t Au and 13.13 g/t Ag, for 156,000 and 2,757,000 contained Au and Ag ounces, respectively. In addition, inferred mineral resources at the La Josefina Project total 0.45 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t Au and 1.21 g/t Ag for 6,500 Au and 17,600 Ag contained ounces. The foregoing mineral resources are as disclosed in the National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report dated September 29, 2010 titled Technical Report Gold-Silver Resources Estimate of the La Josephina Project prepared for the Company and available on SEDAR.

Donald J. Birak, an independent geologist, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the scientific and technical content of this press release.

Additional information on the Martha Project and other Santa Cruz, Argentina projects can be viewed on the Company website at: www.huntmining.com .

About Hunt Mining

Hunt Mining Corp. has continued to develop its properties as an active and aggressive explorer in Santa Cruz since 2006. During that time, Hunt's wholly owned subsidiary, Cerro Cazador S.A., has completed exploration activity including 62,000 meters of HQ core drilling, 416 line kilometers of Induced Polarization geophysical surveys and more than 20,000 surface soil, sediment, channel, chip, and trench samples, beyond the historical work previous to the same properties. Hunt also owns a 100% interest in the Martha Mine, located in the Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.

For more information contact:

Dean Stuart

Investor Relations

T: (403) 617-7609

E: dean@boardmarker.net

Bob Little

Chief Administration Officer

T: (509) 290-5659

E: blittle@huntmining.com

Neither the TSX Venture nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.The fourth regional workshop on the WCO Strategic Plan 2019/2022 took place in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 29 and 30 October 2018. On this occasion, the WCO engaged with the West and Central Africa (WCA) region as a continuation of the consultation process approved by the WCO Council at its June 2018 Session.

The workshop, held back to back with the 9th Meeting of Capacity Building Contact Points of Customs Administrations of the WCA Region, attracted significant interest. The audience was made up of 10 countries from the region, together with the WCA Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) and the African Union. Keynote speeches were given by Mr. Louis Paul Motaze, Minister of Finance of Cameroon, Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, WCO Deputy Secretary General, and Mr. Edwin Nuvaga Fongod, Director General of Cameroon Customs, thus demonstrating the strong commitment by regional executives to the development of the next WCO Strategic Plan. The workshop was jointly chaired by the WCO Deputy Secretary General and Mr. Karinka Conde, from Guinea Customs and representing the WCO Council Vice-Chair for the region.

In his introductory remarks, the Deputy Secretary General explained that the environment in which Customs administrations are operating has changed dramatically in recent years. Accordingly, the new Strategic Plan has to adopt a modern approach to keep pace with the latest trends in technology, trade and regulations. Full account has to be taken of Customs evolving role, especially when it comes to links with facilitation and security. The increasingly important role played by Customs in security matters should not be at the expense of its role in trade facilitation, and the WCO is indeed committed to strengthening both these roles.

Mr. Trevino Chapa reminded delegates of the main objectives of the work carried out on the new Strategic Plan, in close consultation with WCO Members, and of the different timelines up until the Plans anticipated adoption by the Policy Commission and Council in June 2019. Through a set of presentations, he gave an overview of the main features of the initial proposal for the WCO Strategic Plan 2019-2022, based on the outcomes of the questionnaire issued in August 2018 and the conclusions of the three regional workshops already held.

He explained that the new Strategic Plan will focus on specific areas of work which are aligned with WCO Members main priorities. The content of the Strategic Plan will be informed by due consideration of the global environment in which Customs administrations operate and on smarter and more transparent cost allocation. The entire Strategic Plan will be coordinated through interlinked priority issues, outlined in the new Strategic Map.

The workshop participants welcomed the WCOs efforts to involve its Members at every stage in development of the Strategic Plan. They welcomed the fact that the main priorities presented by the Deputy Secretary General were aligned with their own priorities as a region, presented in their recently adopted Regional Strategic Plan 2018-2022. Productive discussions during the workshop led to concrete suggestions that will be considered by the WCO when producing an initial draft of the Strategic Plan for the December 2018 Policy Commission.

Participants generally underscored the need to develop proper performance measurement tools to assess the practical implementation of Strategic Plan priorities. They felt that managing human resources, countering security threats and implementing trade facilitation measures should be high on the WCOs agenda. They also said that the WCO Mission and Vision Statements should be reviewed to better reflect Strategic Plan priorities.

By organizing these regional workshops, the WCO Secretariat is fulfilling its obligations in terms of transparency and also with regard to its mandate as a Member-driven organization, ensuring that its Members views are incorporated in the WCO Strategic Plan 2019-2022.NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CannabisNewsWire  CannabisNewsWire ("CNW"), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announces the publication of an editorial featuring SinglePoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING), a client of CNW focused on acquiring companies that will benefit from the injection of growth capital and technology integration.



To view the full publication, titled As the Cannabis Industry Grows, So Do Challenges of Supply and Distribution, visit: http://cnw.fm/592Xy

Right now, cannabis is big business. Companies such as SinglePoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING) are building entire strategies around selling hemp-derived CBD, derivative products, and the support systems needed by cannabis retailers. It seems extraordinary that, only 22 years ago, there was no legal cannabis industry.

Innovative use of technology will be crucial in creating smoothly running, adaptable supply channels. While also applicable to other sectors, SinglePoints LastMile delivery platform and SingleCoin digital wallet offer the types of solutions that could make the process of selling cannabis and CBD simpler. With access to an innovative electronic payment system and a delivery product targeted at small and medium businesses, retailers will be able to get started more quickly, serving customers in under-served markets. Technology wont magically make the sectors problems go away, but it will make it easier to face them.

About SinglePoint, Inc.

SinglePoint, Inc. is a technology and investment company with a focus on acquiring companies that will benefit from the injection of growth capital and technology integration. The company portfolio includes mobile payments, ancillary cannabis services and blockchain solutions. Through acquisitions into horizontal markets, SinglePoint is building its portfolio by acquiring an interest in undervalued companies, thereby providing a rich, diversified holding base. Through SingleSeed, the company is providing products and services to the cannabis industry. For more information, visit the companys website at www.SinglePoint.com



About CannabisNewsWire (CNW)

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is a specialized information service that (1) aggregates cannabis news, (2) provides CannabisNewsBreaks that quickly updates investors in the space, (3) enhances corporate press releases, (4) helps companies with distribution and optimization of social media, and (5) delivers comprehensive corporate communication solutions. CNW is uniquely positioned in the cannabis market with a strong team of journalists and writers who can help private and public companies reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public through our ever-growing dissemination network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets. CNW is bringing unparalleled visibility, recognition and content to the cannabis industry.



For more information please visit https://wwwCannabisNewsWire.com



Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer



Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 06, 2018 | PADUCAH

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 06, 2018 | 10:44 PM | PADUCAH

The votes have been counted in Paducah and McCracken County, and residents will soon see some new faces in several city and county offices.



In the non-partisan Paducah City Commission race, incumbents Richard Abraham and Sandra Wilson will retain their seats, with 4,626 and 3,603 votes respectively. Gerald Watkins won election with 3,981 votes, as did Brenda McElroy with 3,183. Raynarldo Henderson came in fifth with 3,020 votes. Sarah Stewart Holland got 2,975 votes, and will lose her seat. Scott Jackson came in last with 2,200 votes.



All three County Commissioner races were contested, with incumbent Republican 1st District Commissioner Bill Bartleman beating Democrat Mark Scott 15,025 to 8,849. Incumbent Democrat Jerry Beyer was defeated 13,087 to 10,895 by his Republican challenger Jeff Parker in the 2nd district. Republican Eddie Jones, who defeated Scott Wathen in the Republican primary, beat Democrat Ryan Johnston 14,902 to 8,722 in the 3rd district.



Republican Bill Dunn, who got 14,555 votes will be McCracken County's new Property Valuation Administrator, after former PVA Nancy Bock resigned earlier this year amid an indictment on felony charges. His Democratic challenger Calvin Cole, Jr. lost by more than 20 percentage points with 9,401 votes.



Democrat Dan Sims lost his bid for McCracken County Jailer, being bested by Republican David Knight by a margin of nearly 4,000 votes (13,453 to 9,559). Independent candidate Joshua Graham came in a distant third, with 989 votes. The county's current jailer, Tonya Ray, who is facing felony charges, lost the Democratic primary to Sims.



McCracken County voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of a measure meant to give crime victims the same rights as the accused perpetrators. The measure, also known as "Marsy's Law", got 13,343 yes votes, and 7,117 no votes.



Several races in McCracken County were uncontested, including city and county school board races, Sheriff, Judge-Executive, Circuit and District Judges, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, County Attorney, Coroner, Commonwealth Attorney, Surveyor, Constable and Justice of the Peace offices.By Bill Hughes Nov. 07, 2018 | 12:01 AM | PADUCAH





In McCracken County's 3rd District race for the Kentucky House of Representatives, Republican Randy Bridges beat Democrat Martha Emmons by over 900 votes to flip the district.The district was re-drawn several years ago and Democrat Gerald Watkins has held the office since the 2012 election. He chose not to run again and was elected Tuesday to the Paducah City Commission.Commenting on the district's Democratic majority in registered voters, Bridges told WestKentuckyStar, "it's an uphill battle, but I think it shows where the area is starting to go back to that (conservatism). There's so many Democrats that tell me every day, 'I'm registered this, but I vote Republican most all the time.' The Democrats were have -a big part of them - are very conservative."He said the hard work really starts on Wednesday - working across the aisle for continued economic growth, workforce development and education. Bridge said he's humbled that he was chosen, and he's going to work his hardest to be the voice western Kentucky needs - especially Paducah and McCracken County."I think if we can get the economic growth to western Kentucky like it's going on in the rest of the state, I think that's going to solve a lot of the problems we face," Bridges said.In spite of how he was targeted by the Kentucky Family Values PAC, Bridges said he was proud of the fact that he and Emmons did not buy any negative campaign ads.Bridges said he looks forward to working with Representative-elect Chris Freeland and Senator Danny Carroll, along with Representatives Richard Heath and Steven Rudy.He said, "We can go to Frankfort and be a voice, and we have not been able to do that in a long time, and I'm excited about it."By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 07, 2018 | 12:38 PM | HOPKINSVILLE

Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon will go to trial next year.

Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins on Wednesday set a trial date of April 9, at 9:00 am.



In September, Redmon entered a not guilty plea to charges of official misconduct and first degree possession of a controlled substance. Redmon was indicted on those charges in August. He's accused of stealing hydrocodone from the sheriff department's drug drop box.

Redmon won re-election on Tuesday, beating six write-in candidates.



Atkins has ruled that Redmon can continue to perform his administrative duties as sheriff, such as collecting taxes, but he is not to have any weapons and can't perform any law enforcement duties until his case has ended.Advertisement

By The Associated Press

Nov. 07, 2018 | WASHINGTON

By The Associated Press Nov. 07, 2018 | 07:21 AM | WASHINGTON

Democrats seized the House majority from President Donald Trump's Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a "blue wave" that never fully materialized.



The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nation's suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion."



Blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances. The new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Party's dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.



But the Democrats' edge in the House is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority, Democrats have won 219 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races.



Trump was expected to address the results at a post-election news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday.



The president's party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps  and his long-withheld tax returns.



"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.



It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.



The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.



The GOP's successes were fueled by a coalition that's decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.



Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.



Women won at least 85 seats in the House, a record. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.



Three candidates had hoped to become their states' first African-American governors, although just one  Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams  was still in the running.



Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.



In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.



Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their "blue wall" Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.



The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.



The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.



In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.



Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP's Senate majority, even as the party's foothold in the House was slipping.



"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Trump tweeted.



History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate: The president's party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.



Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.



Some hurt worse than others.



In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.



Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.



Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.



Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.



Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.



The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.



One of Trump's most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.



Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.



The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.



Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.



Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. A handful of others played outsized roles in their parties' midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.



Said Warren: "This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight."Dublin, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (In-house, Outsourced), By Test Type (Bacterial Endotoxin, Sterility), By End Use, By Sample, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market size is expected to reach USD 713.6 million by 2025 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 11.3% over the forecast period.



Supportive government investment in healthcare industry, increasing R&D activities, and drug launches are the key factors driving market growth.



The government is keen on bringing down healthcare costs which is anticipated to encourage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote fast approvals of generic pharmaceuticals. Faster approvals drive the need for newer sterility testing methods. This is anticipated to encourage market participants to spend more on sterility solutions and in turn, expand the market. With increasing demand for drugs, companies are launching newer drugs with different routes of administration, dosage, and indication. These launches require thorough sterility testing and thus, are anticipated to drive market growth.



On the basis of type, the U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market is segmented into in-house and outsourcing. Most market players prefer outsourcing sterility testing services, as it is economically viable. Companies shortlist and select outsourcing firms based on their experience, expertise, and quality of service. Hence, it is difficult for new players to enter into this area.



Companies active in the U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market are Charles River Laboratories, Pace Analytical Series LLC, DynaLabs, Infinity, Boston Analytical, and others. Market players employ various growth strategies such as mergers, capacity expansion, and venturing into new regions.



For instance, in April 2018, Charles River Labs completed acquisition of MPI Research, a non-clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing detailed services to medical device and biopharmaceutical companies. This acquisition is anticipated to expand biotechnology client base of the former and to provide the company access to MPI's scientific expertise and quality services.



Further key findings from the report suggest:

U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market was valued at USD 302.2 million in 2017 and is expected to grow lucratively over the forecast period

In terms of revenue, outsourcing segment is anticipated to grow at a lucrative rate during the forecast period.

Sterility testing segment was valued at USD 97.6 million in 2016 and is anticipated to witness swift growth over the forecast period.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Research Methodology

1.1 Information procurement

1.2 Information or Data Analysis

1.3 Market Formulation & Validation



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market Snapshot



Chapter 3 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market: Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market Segmentation & Scope

3.1.1 Market Driver Analysis

3.1.1.1 Supportive government investment in the healthcare industry

3.1.1.2 Increasing R&D activities

3.1.1.3 Increasing number of drug launches

3.1.1.4 Increasing focus on quality and sterility

3.1.2 Market Restraint Analysis

3.1.2.1 Third party performance

3.2 Penetration & growth prospect mapping

3.3 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market - SWOT Analysis, By Factor (political & legal, economic and technological)

3.4 Industry Analysis - Porter's



Chapter 4 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis

4.1 U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market: Type movement analysis

4.2 In-house pharmaceutical sterility testing

4.2.1 In-house pharmaceutical sterility testing market, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

4.3 Outsourced pharmaceutical sterility testing

4.3.1 Outsourced pharmaceutical sterility testing market, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)



Chapter 5 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market: Test Type Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1 U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market: Test type movement analysis

5.2 Sterility testing

5.3 Bioburden testing

5.4 Bacterial endotoxin testing



Chapter 6 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market: End-use Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1 U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market: End-use movement analysis

6.2 Compounding pharmacies

6.3 Medical device companies

6.4 Pharmaceutical companies

6.5 Others



Chapter 7 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market: Sample Estimates & Trend Analysis

7.1 U.S. pharmaceutical sterility testing market: Sample movement analysis

7.2 Sterility drugs

7.3 Medical devices

7.4 Biologics & therapeutics



Chapter 8 Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis, by Type, Test type, Sample, End-use

8.1 U.S. Pharmaceutical Sterility Testing Market 2014 & 2025



Chapter 9 Competitive Landscape



Pacific Biolabs

STERIS Corporation.

Boston Analytical

Gibraltar Laboratories

Infinity Laboratories

Dynalabs

SGS SA

Toxikon, Inc.

Pace Analytical Services LLC

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/56cbbt/united_states?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.Record Sales and Gross Profit Lead Strong Quarter for CVSI

10% Sequential Sales Increase

Management to Host Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results Conference Call on November 7, 2018 at 4:15pm ET

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) (the Company, CV Sciences, our or we), announced today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial and Operating Highlights

Record Sales of $13,600,000 , an increase of 143% compared to Q3 2017

, an increase of 143% compared to Q3 2017 Record Gross Profit of $9,945,000 , an increase of 149% compared to Q3 2017

, an increase of 149% compared to Q3 2017 Record GAAP Net Income of $3,295,000 , an improvement of $3,885,000 compared to Q3 2017

, an improvement of $3,885,000 compared to Q3 2017 Record Adjusted EBITDA of $4,128,000 , an improvement of $3,253,000 compared to Q3 2017

, an improvement of $3,253,000 compared to Q3 2017 Increased Retail Channel Distribution to 2,093 Stores as of June 30, 2018, a 6% sequential increase over the Companys retail store count for the second quarter of 2018

a 6% sequential increase over the Companys retail store count for the second quarter of 2018 Achieved industrys first hemp extract self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its hemp-derived CBD gold extract product line

for its hemp-derived CBD gold extract product line Launched new category of PlusCBD Oil Gummies to its existing line of industry leading hemp extract products to address increased industry and consumer demand for CBD infused products

to its existing line of industry leading hemp extract products to address increased industry and consumer demand for CBD infused products Continued Progress in Drug Development Division including preclinical progress with CVSI-007, the Companys patent-pending synthetic-based cannabidiol, which will be co-administered with nicotine to provide treatment options for smokeless tobacco use and addiction, currently a multibillion-dollar market with no currently FDA-approved drugs available to help patients.

First Nine Months of 2018 Financial Highlights

Record Sales of $34,020,000 , an increase of 153% compared to the first nine months of 2017

, an increase of 153% compared to the first nine months of 2017 Record Gross Profit of $24,567,000 , an increase of 165% compared to the first nine months of 2017

, an increase of 165% compared to the first nine months of 2017 GAAP Net Income of $7,100,000 , an improvement of $12,467,000 compared to the first nine months of 2017

, an improvement of $12,467,000 compared to the first nine months of 2017 Record Adjusted EBITDA of $9,796,000 , an improvement of $10,267,000 compared to the first nine months of 2017

, an improvement of $10,267,000 compared to the first nine months of 2017 Cash Flow from Operations of $9,926,000, with a cash balance increase of $3,800,000 during Q3 2018

Sales for Q3 2018 were $13.6 million, demonstrating the Companys continued organic expansion into all sales channels including the natural product retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. This is a 10% sequential quarterly increase from $12.3 million reported for Q2 2018. The Companys natural product retail channel now includes 2,093 locations nationwide. CV Sciences continues developing new sales channels and is encouraged by the strength of its branded products as evidenced by SPINS Scan data, which positions the Company as the #l selling hemp CBD product line in the natural products retail channel.

Gross profit for Q3 2018 was $9.9 million and demonstrates the Companys ability to expand sales while maintaining strong gross margins.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2018 was $4.1 million and shows strong operating leverage from the Companys significant investment in inventory, product development, systems, marketing and distribution.

We are encouraged by our performance as we delivered another strong quarter, including our third consecutive quarter of profitability. This was led by initiatives that include accelerating our brand recognition and brand loyalty and growing sales distribution channels that have generated triple-digit year-over-year revenue growth and double-digit sales growth on a sequential quarterly comparison. The demand continues to respond strongly to our leading PlusCBD product line, #1 in the hemp CBD product category in the natural products retail channel and we believe this is just the beginning for the vast and nascent hemp CBD market. Most notably during the quarter, we earned the industrys first self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for our Gold Formula product line, a move that shows our dedication to building consumer confidence, trust and safety of our products. In conjunction with that, our product innovation was on full display with the introduction of our new PlusCBD Oil Gummies in two flavors, Cherry Mango and Citrus Punch as additional factors for driving revenue, stated Joseph Dowling, Chief Executive Officer of CV Sciences.

Mr. Dowling added, Our drug development program is making steady progress in advancing our proprietary lead drug candidate - CVSI-007 - which addresses the multibillion dollar smokeless tobacco use and addiction market. We continue to make progress with our pre-clinical program, anticipating filing an Investigational New Drug application in 2019. We are confident that our continued growth and profitability will allow us to initially pursue our drug development plans without the need for additional outside capital in the near term. Given the industrys robust growth momentum, we believe we have the right strategies in place and remain committed to achieve a strong 2018 finish.

Financial highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are presented below:

For the three months ended September 30, YOY Change Financial Highlights 2018 2017 $ % GAAP Measures: Product sales, net $ 13,600,000 $ 5,591,000 $ 8,009,000 143 % Gross profit 9,945,000 3,998,000 5,947,000 149 % Gross profit % 73.1 % 71.5 % Net income 3,295,000 (590,000 ) 3,885,000 n/m Non-GAAP Measure (unaudited): EBITDA $ 3,656,000 $ (442,000 ) $ 4,098,000 n/m Adjusted EBITDA 4,128,000 875,000 3,253,000 372 % For the nine months ended September 30, YOY Change 2018 2017 $ % GAAP Measures: Product sales, net $ 34,020,000 $ 13,437,000 $ 20,583,000 153 % Gross profit 24,567,000 9,275,000 15,292,000 165 % Gross profit % 72.21 % 69.03 % Net income 7,100,000 (5,367,000 ) 12,467,000 n/m Cash generated from operating activities 9,926,000 647,000 9,279,000 1434 % Non-GAAP Measure (unaudited): EBITDA $ 7,866,000 $ (4,851,000 ) $ 12,717,000 n/m Adjusted EBITDA 9,796,000 404,000 9,392,000 n/m n/m - calculation not meaningful

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Highlights

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had unrestricted cash of $10.3 million and total cash of $11.0 million. During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company increased its total cash position by $3.8 million. Stockholders equity increased to approximately $25.8 million as of June 30, 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

CV Sciences focuses on Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its operating performance and financial position. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (net income [loss], minus interest income, plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses and other adjustments as set forth below. CV Sciences management presents Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it an important measure of performance and it is a meaningful financial metric in assessing operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that management believes are not representative of the Companys core business, such as certain non-cash items and other adjustments. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our reported results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), provides useful information to investors regarding the Companys performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The term Adjusted EBITDA is not defined under GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income (loss), operating income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Companys results as reported under GAAP. CV Sciences management compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information.

A reconciliation from the Companys GAAP results to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is detailed below:

For the three months ended September 30, For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income (loss) $ 3,294,973 $ (589,983 ) $ 7,100,217 $ (5,366,946 ) Interest income - - - 7 Interest expense 30,556 108,203 150,386 371,678 Provision for income taxes 200,000 - 240,000 - Amortization of purchased intangible assets 8,850 8,850 26,550 26,550 Depreciation of property & equipment 121,911 30,897 349,121 117,744 EBITDA 3,656,290 (442,033 ) 7,866,274 (4,850,967 ) EBITDA Adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense (1) 237,882 1,328,096 1,634,184 3,072,224 Common stock issued for professional services (2) 233,751 - 295,326 - Gain on derivative liability (3) - (10,987 ) - (248,875 ) Royalty buy-out (4) - - - 2,432,000 Total EBITDA Adjustments 471,633 1,317,109 1,929,510 5,255,349 Adjusted EBITDA $ 4,127,923 $ 875,076 $ 9,795,784 $ 404,382

(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and stock grants awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. (2) Represents common stock issued for professional services. (3) Represents the gain on changes in derivative liabilities. (4) Represents the share-based royalty buy-out associated the CanX acquisition.

For further discussion of the Companys financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, please refer to the Companys consolidated financial statements and related Managements Discussion and Analysis, which can be found at www.cvsciences.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2018.

Management to Host Financial Results Conference Call

The Company is scheduled to host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2018 results on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 1:15 p.m. PDT/4:15 p.m. EDT.

CV Sciences Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Dowling, will lead the call to provide an operational and financial summary of the third quarter and year-to-date results for 2018. Interested parties may access the live webcast by visiting: https://ir.cvsciences.com/.

Participants may also access the listen-only audio call by dialing 1-877-407-8293 (United States) or 1-201-689-8349 (International). If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a replay will be available for 14 days starting on November 7, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET. To access the replay, please dial 1-877-660-6853 in the U.S. and 1-201-612-7415 for international callers. The conference ID# is 13684643.

About CV Sciences, Inc.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) operates two distinct business segments: a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing synthetic CBD; and, a consumer product division focused on manufacturing, marketing and selling plant-based CBD products to a range of market sectors. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada and San Diego, California. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks and uncertainties.

CONTACT INFORMATIONATHENS, Greece, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the Company), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, today announced that it has signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement to sell to an unaffiliated third party, the 2001-built vessel Triton, with delivery to the buyer latest by January 7, 2019, for a sale price of US$7.35 million before commissions.



Upon completion of the aforementioned sale, Diana Shipping Inc.s fleet will consist of 49 dry bulk vessels (4 Newcastlemax, 14 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 5 Kamsarmax and 21 Panamax). As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Companys fleet, including the m/v Triton, is approximately 5.8 million dwt with a weighted average age of 9.21 years. A table describing the current Diana Shipping Inc. fleet can be found on the Companys website, www.dianashippinginc.com. Information contained on the Companys website does not constitute a part of this press release.

About the Company

Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of dry bulk vessels. The Companys vessels are employed primarily on medium to long-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, anticipate, intends, estimate, forecast, project, plan, potential, may, should, expect, pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Company managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Corporate Contact:

Ioannis Zafirakis

Director, Chief Strategy Officer and Secretary

Telephone: + 30-210-9470-100

Email: izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com

Website: www.dianashippinginc.com

Investor and Media Relations:

Edward Nebb

Comm-Counsellors, LLC

Telephone: + 1-203-972-8350

Email: enebb@optonline.net



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Memorial Hall refurbishment formally unveiled ahead of WWI centenary on Sunday

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Nov 7th, 2018

The Memorial Hall in Wrexhams Town centre has had a bit of a refurb in time for the centenary of the end of the First World War on Sunday.

Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, said: All this work to the Memorial Hall has been made possible by funding from the Armed Forces Community Fund Trust and we are very grateful for their support.

The Memorial Hall is a very well known building but I sometimes feel we were beginning to forget why it was built and it very fitting that the history of the building along with the bench seating and standards really make it stand out as a place of memorial, humility and respect.

Built to commemorate those who died in the Second World War was built in 1956 and has since become home to several memorial plaques, both inside and outside the Hall.

In addition to the names of the WW2 dead theres two bronze plaques dedicated to those who fell in WW1 and two plaques with the names of employees of the Borough Council who were killed in the two wars and a slate plaque which refers to the Burma Star.

Outside are memorials to the RWF, the familiar cenotaph where the annual Service of Remembrance takes place and also the Burma Bell, the Normandy Veterans Memorial, the Falklands Memorial and a memorial to Flt Lt D S A Lord VC, DFC, which used to stand on the corner of Grosvenor Road and Regent Street.

Wrexham Council have said: Visitors to the area were often a little underwhelmed when they viewed the areas or came to pay their respects and they have now been enhanced with new seating, standards and display panels recording the history of the Hall.

Theres also a new wreath plinth where wreaths and crosses can be laid by those who wish to wish to remember their friends and relatives in this way. Previously they were laid against the walls where they often fell down and could often look abandoned. Now they can be placed with respect.

The first wreath was laid by Mr Roy Bellis, in memory of his father Jack Bellis, former Royal Welch Fusilier and Normandy veteran who sadly passed away this year aged 102.

Outside the facia has been replaced and visitors will no longer be able to miss the reason the hall is there  as a Memorial to those who fell.Awilco Drilling PLC's Third Quarter 2018 report will be released prior to market opening on Tuesday 13 November 2018. A quarterly presentation will be held on 13 November 2018 at 10:30 CET in Awilhelmsen's offices at Beddingen 8, Aker Brygge, Oslo, Norway. Please send an e-mail to ch@awilcodrilling.com by 12 November if you wish to attend the presentation.



A conference call will be held on 13 November 2018 at 13:00 UK time (14:00pm CET / 08:00 EST). The presentation will be available for download on the Investor Relations section (go to "Press Releases") at www.awilcodrilling.com prior to the call. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.



Click this link to register for the conference call or copy and paste the following address into your browser:

http://members.meetingzone.com/selfregistration/registration.aspx?booking=SoiMri6aq8efalSHIqQpxqPv0VUtaTkvsNydCoCO8YU=

Once registered, you will receive an email with dial-in numbers and pins.



Aberdeen, 7 November 2018





For further information please contact:



Jon Oliver Bryce, CEO

Phone: +44 1224 737900



Cathrine Haavind, IR Manager

Phone: +47 93 42 84 64

Email: ch@awilcodrilling.com





This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.The Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections on November 6, gaining more than the 23 seats required for a majority. With many House races too close to call or with large numbers of votes still uncounted, particularly in states like California and Washington, which provide for voting by mail, the five television networks projected a Democratic victory with a gain of 30 seats or more.

The Republican Party retained control of the US Senate, gaining several seats in states where President Trump campaigned heavily against Democratic incumbents. It is noteworthy that Democratic senators who capitulated most cravenly to Trumps vicious persecution of immigrantsJoe Donnelly in Indiana and Claire McCaskill in Missourilost their races by wide margins. Republicans also captured Senate seats in North Dakota and Florida, with seats in Montana, Nevada and Arizona undecided as of this writing.

The Democrats made some gains in state governorships, where the Republicans held 26 of the 36 statehouses. Democratic candidates won Republican-held governorships in Illinois, Maine and Michigan, and defeated the most right-wing anti-immigrant Republican, Kris Kobach, in Kansas, usually a Republican state, as well as the two-term governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, notorious for his assault on workers rights. But Republicans won the two most hotly contested races in large statesOhio and Florida. The Georgia race could end up sufficiently close to go to a run-off. Among the biggest states, the Democrats retained control of New York, Pennsylvania and California, while the Republicans held Texas.

Winning control of the House in no way means a shift to the left on the part of the Democratic Party. On the contrary, prominent Democrats have been at pains to declare their desire for bipartisan collaboration with the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Senate.

A victory celebration saw the geriatric leadership of the House Democrats take their bows, with some difficulty, before the television cameras: 78-year-old Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, likely to become the next speaker of the House; 79-year-old Steny Hoyer, the House minority whip, in line to become the next majority leader; and 78-year-old James Clyburn, the deputy minority whip, in line to become the next majority whip.

Pelosi made a series of vague promises, beginning with restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration, and stopping the assault on Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and on people with pre-existing medical conditions. She listed a series of issues on which back-channel discussions have already begun with the Trump White House, including prescription drug prices and infrastructure.

She concluded her remarks with a paean to bipartisan cooperation, declaring, Weve all had enough of division, and claiming that unity for our country would be the main goal of the new Democratic-controlled House.

She said not a word about the racist campaign against immigrants and refugees that was Trumps focus in the closing days of the election campaign, or the nationalistic and militaristic character of the Trump administrations foreign policy. On the latter point, she pledged the Democrats to honoring the men and women of our military who guarantee our freedom.

Trump reportedly called Pelosi shortly after her victory statement to congratulate her and discuss future relations between the White House and the Democratic-controlled House.

There are two additional factors, besides the public assurances of the leadership, that underlie the further shift to the right by the Democratic Party. The vast majority of the Republican-held seats captured by the Democrats were in suburban districts with higher incomes and higher education levels than the average. Only a handful were seats in predominantly working class or low-income areas.

Equally significant is the background of many of the Democratic candidates who won Republican seats. A large number are drawn from the military-intelligence apparatus. The World Socialist Web Site has described them as CIA Democrats.

Winning seats (as of this writing) were at least nine such candidates, including two former CIA operatives, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Elissa Slotkin in Michigan; former military officers Max Rose in New York, Mikie Sherill in New Jersey, Chrissy Houlahan and Connor Lamb in Pennsylvania, Elaine Luria in Virginia, and Jason Crow in Colorado; and former State Department official Tom Malinowski in New Jersey, with several other races still to be decided.

These candidates will bring into the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives the direct influence of the military-intelligence apparatus, ensuring that one of the main areas of activity in the next Congress will be Democratic Party pressure for an even more aggressive foreign policy towards Russia, Syria, Iran and other targets of American imperialism.

The election results set the stage for a further shift to the right in the whole structure of official politics, regardless of the broader shift to the left among working people and young people.

The Democratic Party ran on a right-wing, pro-capitalist program, offering no significant improvements in jobs, living standards and social benefits for the working class, and it began seeking an accommodation with Trump even before its victory in the House of Representatives was projected.

The Republican Party will move even further to the right, bound even more tightly to Trump, who seeks to lay the basis for a personalist, authoritarian movement of a fascistic character. His domination of the party will only increase.

There is massive popular opposition to the right-wing policies of the Trump administration, particularly its attacks on democratic rights and its racist vilification of immigrants and refugees. But within the framework of two equally right-wing, corporate-controlled parties, and with the Democratic Party demanding a more aggressive foreign policy and massive internet censorship, this opposition could find only extremely limited expression in the heavier election turnout, particularly among young people and, in some states, among minority voters.

Perhaps the only unalloyed expression of these popular sentiments came in the Florida referendum on a state constitutional amendment to abolish Floridas policy of imposing lifetime disenfranchisement on anyone with a felony conviction, which deprives 1.4 million Florida residents of the right to vote, nearly half of them African-American. This constitutional amendment passed by a margin of 64 percent to 36 percent, clearing the 60 percent mark required for passage.The 2018 midterms have been the most expensive congressional elections in US history, with an estimated $5.2 billion raised and spent by Election Day, according to data collected and reported by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP). The total not only rose 35 percent over the previous midterm record in 2014, it exceeds the money spent on congressional races during the 2016 presidential election year.

Significantly, the Democratic Party and affiliated political action committees raked in the lions share of the record fundraising. Of the $4.7 billion spent by the latest reporting period, Democrats accounted for $2.5 billion, compared to $2.2 billion for Republican candidates and committees. Republicans have traditionally enjoyed a massive fundraising edge.

Democrats enjoyed a huge fundraising advantage in the contests for 435 seats in the House of Representatives, raising $951 million compared to $637 million for the Republicans, who held the majority of seats, 242 to 193. The Democratic advantage was particularly notable in the 29 seats considered toss-ups, where Democratic candidates raised an average of $5.5 million apiece, nearly twice the $3 million average for the Republicans.

Democrats also held the fundraising advantage in the Senate, $513 million to $361 million, but that was a smaller edge than in the House and actually represents a significant gain for the Republicans, since the Democrats had the advantage of incumbency in 26 of the 35 Senate seats that were at stake.

Overall, spending by the Democratic Party and associated groups was projected by the CRP to rise 44 percent over 2014, while the Republican Party and associated groups boosted their spending by only 21 percent.

Despite the claims that small-dollar donors were the driving force in the Democratic fundraising advantage, on the model of the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2016, donations of under $200 accounted for only 16 percent of the funds raised by House candidates and 27 percent of the money raised by Senate candidateswith the latter figure swelled mainly by the small-donor fundraising for Texas Democrat Beto ORourke, who raised a colossal $70 million for his campaign, more than double the cost of a typical presidential campaign 30 years ago.

Among the most significant changes in big-money fundraising is the shift by Wall Street, with the securities and investment sector raising its spending by $100 million compared to 2014 and favoring Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans by 52 percent to 46 percent. This is the first time Wall Street has favored congressional Democrats since 2006, the last time the Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives. Finance also backed the Democratic Party in 2008, by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent, but the bulk of that funding went to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

In 2010, Wall Street swung its funding back to the Republicans, who raked in 69 percent of the funds from stockbrokers and hedge fund bosses.

According to the CRP report, Sixteen of the top 20 recipients of investment group affiliates are now Democrats, with Sen. Claire McCaskill taking the top spot at nearly $2 million.

Other industries shifting towards the Democrats include hospitals and nursing homes, health professionals (doctors) and retail, while software services firms and law firms, already pro-Democratic, increased their contributions as well.

The top individual financial supporter of the Republicans was casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who spent $113 million in 2018, more than the $93 million he spent in support of Republicans in 2012. The second-ranking Republican moneyman was Richard Uihlein, who gave $39 million to Republican candidates.

These Republican billionaires were matched nearly dollar for dollar by two Democratic billionaires, hedge fund boss Tom Steyer, who spent $51 million, and media mogul Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, who pledged $100 million and had delivered $38 million by the time of the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Self-funding candidates were led by Democratic House candidate David Trone in Maryland, who effectively bought a safe Democratic seat vacated by retirement, spending $16 million of his liquor fortune, and Republican Senate candidates Rick Scott in Florida (an estimated $50 million) and Bob Hugin in New Jersey ($27 million).

The amounts of money spent on individual races underscores the oligarchic character of American politics. What passes for democracy in America is actually the monopoly of the super-rich. For example, Senate contests in Florida and Texas have cost more than $100 million, those in Nevada, Arizona, Missouri and Indiana more than $30 million.Making a mockery of Septembers no confidence vote by members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), most of the existing leadership of the union is seeking re-election to the governing council.

The RCN Council stood down at the September 28 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), stating that a vote of no confidence was advisory, but the Council recognises the moral weight of the vote, and has acted accordingly.

It called new elections for a new council to be put in place, but 10 out of 12 previous RCN council members put their names forward as candidates. These are the same people who deliberately sold a rotten pay offer as the best deal in eight years and were the subject of members outrage when the real details of the deal came to light in July.

The RCN then gave members only four days to make any objections to nominations they have put forward. Some members reported to NHS FightBack that they had not even received emails regarding the council elections nominations. Nor were they informed about the branch meetings in which members could select their own nominees.

Among those standing is the chair of the RCN Council, Maria Trewern. Making a worthless apology to members during the EGM, she said, When dealing with the pay deal, the organisation did make mistakes and did not listen well enough to the issues raised by members. She asked for a second chance for the council as it had taken action and set up an independent review to find out what went wrong with unions communication.

These apologias were rejected by RCN members, with the motion reading that they had no confidence in the current leadership of the Royal College of Nursing and call for them to stand down. The motion was passed by a huge majority, receiving 11,156 (78.1 percent) votes in favour, 3,124 (21.9 percent) against, with 1,112 members abstaining. RCN members at the EGM lined up to condemn the union leaders for providing misleading and wrong information. Moreover, calling the EGM was forced on the RCN Council after a petition against the leadership was launched as soon as the details of the March pay deal became apparent in Julys pay slips and received more than 1,000 signatures within 24 hours.

The RCN had agreed what was in effect a pay cut to its 435,000 members, while claiming that it will amount to an increase of at least 6.5 percent over three years, but much more for some members, up to 29 percent.

Pushing for acceptance, the RCN said that every member would get a 3 percent pay rise this July, backdated from April. The RCN and other health unions warned that if the pay proposals were not accepted, NHS pay for 2018/19 would be determined based on NHS pay review body recommendations.

As a rebellion against them grew, RCNs Chief Executive and General Secretary Janet Davies stepped down in August under mutually agreed terms with the rest of the leadership. The resignation of RCNs director of member relations, Chris Cox, followed. Now, RCNs chief pay negotiator Josie Irwin has announced her resignation, but only after reserving another spot high up in the trade union bureaucracy for herself. In appreciation of her role in securing a sell-out deal for RCN members and other health workers, Unison, the largest public sector union, will appoint Irwin as its national womens officer.

Unison played its own critical role in portraying the sell-out as a good deal. It even devised a pay calculator for use on the unions website that was later found by an Electoral Reform Services investigation of the deal to have misled members. The ERS established that the calculator was not able to relay the nuances of the deal and therefore was not able to provide sufficient detail to members on how the deal would be implemented and affect pay packets in the short term.

Once health workers found out how bad the deal was, Unison Assistant General Secretary Christina McAnea denounced Davies for having the temerity to even issue an apology to RCN members. Davies, McAnea declared, had neither read nor understood the offer. Its unfortunate that one persons seeming lack of understanding has unleashed such an unhelpful and completely unnecessary wave of confusion for NHS staff.

It has since emerged that Unison has reportedly suspending one of its own National Executive members, Karen Reissmann, a member of the pseudo-left Socialist Workers Party, who called on health workers to reject the pay deal. Last week, the Nursing Notes web site published an internal Unison e-mail from staff opposing the attack on Reissmann and others who spoke out against the deal. It stated, We note that Karen Reissmann is currently suspended from office in Unison. She is a member of Unisons National Executive, and National Health Service Group Executive. She has been outspoken about the NHS pay deal, stating she believes NHS workers could have done better from this weak government and that Unison materials were misleading to members. We are concerned these views and her suspension are linked.

We are aware branches were threatened with disciplinary action if they opposed the NHS pay deal.

We are opposed to disciplinary action being threatened or instigated against individuals or branches for simply expressing a different view from the national leadership on issues that affect members or for campaigning amongst membership to alter UNISON policy on any issues.

Reissmann was victimised, even though she has been a loyal figure within the Unison bureaucracy for years. Under conditions in which Unison saw the implications of a growing rebellion by health workers, following that earlier this year by thousands of lecturers against the University and Colleges Union leadership, it moved to silence even this timid voice.

Opposed to any struggle against the union bureaucracy of which they themselves constitute a significant faction, the SWP refuses to wage a serious campaign to fight the attack on Reissmann.

Reissmanns own twitter account makes no reference at all to the events. The SWP initially responded equivocally. Even though the internal email states that Reissmann has been suspended, a brief 302-word article on the Socialist Worker web site stated in response, If it is true that Karen has been suspended from holding office, the Unison leadership should immediately lift her suspension and withdraw any disciplinary action.

Only on Tuesday morning did the SWP acknowledge that Reissmann has been suspended and call for her reinstatement, noting that solidarity is growing for a nurse and leading union activist who has been suspended from holding office in the Unison union.

In doing so, the SWP maintain their full allegiance to the union bureaucracy, with the article concluding with a call that the leaders of the 13 health unions should reopen the deal and fight to get more from this weak government.

Events since March confirm that the trade unions are not organisations that fight in defence of workers but are bureaucratic shells that exist to reward a handful of careerists who work on behalf of management and corporations. They will not be reformed by rank-and-file pressure but will only turn more ruthlessly against their members.

Workers need to take matters into their own hands. Opposition to the union leaders, and their pseudo-left backers, must be organised based on a socialist strategy. This requires the building of rank-and-file committees, democratically elected and independent of the union apparatus, by health workers to unify public and private sector workers against the governments onslaught against their livelihoods and in defence of the right to free, universal health care.

We urge health workers to contact NHS FightBack, established by the Socialist Equality Party to discuss these vital issues, and take the struggle forward. To contact, visit nhsfightback.org and facebook.com/Fight4theNHS.The latest development in the case of Hans-Georg Maassen demonstrates that Germanys domestic intelligence service has been run by an outright right-wing extremist for the past six and a half years.

Maassen was due to be dismissed two months ago as head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz), after backing a neo-Nazi demonstration in the East German city of Chemnitz. At the time the government decided to entrust him with a leading position at the Interior Ministry, but he continued to remain at his previous post. Now, the German Interior Minister, Horst Seehofer, has sent him into retirement.

On Sunday it was revealed that Maassen had used his position as head of the secret service to maintain his defence of the neo-Nazi demonstration in Chemnitz while denouncing his alleged critics in the government as left-wing radicals. In a farewell speech to leaders of European intelligence services in Warsaw on 18 October, he described himself as the victim of a conspiracy by left-wing radical forces inside the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The speech was then posted in the BfV intranet to be read by Verfassungsschutz employees.

Despite overwhelming proof to the contrarythere is overwhelming evidence that neo-Nazis attacked immigrants, showed the Hitler salute and vandalized a Jewish restaurantMaassen maintained his version of the Chemnitz events at the meeting in Warsaw.

The claim that neo-Nazis had chased foreigners in Chemnitz was fictitious, he said. I have already experienced a lot of German media manipulation and Russian disinformation. But that politicians and media freely invent a chaseor at least spread this misinformation uncheckedrepresents for me a new quality of fake reporting in Germany.

He had told the appropriate German parliamentary committees that a struggle against right-wing extremism does not justify inventing right-wing extremist crimes, Maassen bragged. In response the media, Green and leftist politicians had called for his dismissal because they felt that due to me they had been caught out with their fake reporting.

For left-wing radical forces in the SPD, Maassen continued, his case provided an opportunity to provoke the break-up of this coalition government. He had also been forced out of office by his political opponents and sections of the media because he was known in Germany to be a critic of an idealistic, naive and left-wing immigrant and security policy.

On Monday afternoon, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer placed Maassen in temporary retirementafter thanking him for his good services. Up to that point, Seehofer had consistently defended him. As a retired senior civil servant Maassen will receive 72 percent of his previous salary for the next three years and at least 35 percent for the rest of his life. Seehofer could have dismissed him on the grounds of a serious dereliction of duty.

Maassens departure and the displays of indignation by some politicians from the government and opposition camp about his recent remarks serve, above all, to cover their own tracks. Maassens right-wing extremist views were not only well known, they were desired. His task was to pave the way for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), in order to impose the governments antisocial and militaristic policies in the face of growing opposition from the working class and youth. Maassen was part of the political conspiracy with which the ruling elites are enforcing highly unpopular policies.

This is particularly clear in the official annual report of the Secret Service, which Maassen presented this summer alongside Interior Minister Seehofer. The AfD and its far-right milieu are ignored in the report, while any criticism of capitalism is branded as left-wing extremism.

The ideological basis of left-wing extremists, it states, is the rejection of the capitalist system as a whole. In particular, the report states that left-wing extremists blame capitalism for all societal and political ills such as social injustice, the destruction of housing, wars, right-wing extremism and racism, as well as environmental disasters.

The Socialist Equality Party (SGP) is noted in the report for the first time as a left-wing extremist party and object for observation, because it opposes the EU, alleged nationalism, imperialism and militarism.

No political organization besides the SGP protested against this report, which places all opposition to capitalism and its consequenceswar, social inequality, right-wing extremism, and nationalisminto the murky category of hostility to the constitution, and threatens it with legal prohibition. Now it is clear that Maassen, who had met with leading representatives of the AfD and drew up the report with them, himself supports the political line of the AfD.

It is not without irony that he is now also denouncing the SPD as left-wing extremistthe very same party that has always vigorously defended the Verfassungsschutz and its anti-democratic methods and which has itself provided its president for many years.

Maassen has worked for the Ministry of the Interior since 1991 and was a close associate of Otto Schily (SPD), who headed the ministry from 1998 to 2005. In 2002, under Schilys rule, Maassen ensured that Murat Kurnaz, who had grown up in the German city of Bremen, was detained for three years longer than necessary in the US Guantanamo Bay detention center, although Kurnaz had committed no crime.

The Greens and the Left Party have also supported Maassen. In 2013 the Left Party invited him to address a public meeting, where Left Party politicians cheerfully chatted with the head of the German secret service on a couch.

A right-wing figure like Maassen was only able to stay at the helm of the BfV for six and a half years because he had broad support from within the secret service itself and from leading political circles. Even now, none of the parties has called for the dissolution of the secret service or even a purge of its leadership, although it is well known that not only Maassen, but also many of his employees, are politically close to the AfD, and that the Verfassungsschutz effectively runs and finances Germanys neo-Nazi scene via its undercover agents.

Instead, all of the parties are anxious to continue Maassens right-wing policies without him. His successor is the BfVs previous deputy, Thomas Haldenwang, who worked closely with Maassen.

Green Party deputy Konstantin von Notz praised Haldenwang in the highest tones. I'm looking forward to working with you, he said. I wish the new president a good hand to tackle things with determination and restore lost confidence.

Little information has emerged from the gathering of European intelligence chiefs in Warsaw but one can assume, based on Maassens own words, that his right-wing course had their support. He had enjoyed listening to this circle and had experienced a high degree of collegiality and solidarity, he said. I have found that we have the same goals, share the same values and fight against the same opponents of freedom and democracy.

Maassen also hinted to the gathering of senior intelligence officials that he was considering going into politics himself, but did not indicate for which party. For its part the AfD was jubilant. He is an outstanding official committed to a high work ethic and has the courage to pronounce even uncomfortable truths, declared AfD leader Jorg Meuthen. Of course, if he had any interest in joining us, he would be welcome.About 50 workers and students gathered at the University of Michigan on Monday night for the final campaign meeting of Niles Niemuth, the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for Michigans 12th Congressional District. After six months of campaigning, the meeting reviewed the experiences of members and supporters of the Socialist Equality Party, from petitioning to get Niles on the ballot, to holding a series of meetings throughout the district and bringing a genuine socialist perspective to the international working class.

Niles speaks at his final election meeting

With applause from the audience, Niles began by thanking all those who had supported his campaign: Through a very ambitious campaign we have won a significant hearing for genuine socialism in the working class in southeast Michigan. Weve met thousands of people, gathering more than 6,000 signatures in two months this summer to get on the ballot, handing out thousands of flyers and putting up countless posters, and raising thousands of dollars from donors all across the country.

Niles reviewed the political context of the US midterm elections, and on what basis the SEP had decided to intervene by running Niles as its candidate. He explained that the elections were being held under conditions of escalating political crisis, with Trump doubling down on his efforts to build a fascistic movement in the United States. These efforts have already had deadly consequences in the mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people.

At the same time, Niles explained that the Democratic Party is no less dangerous for the working class. The Democrats are going out of their way to adapt themselves at every stage to the Trump administration, while the media downplays the significance of Trumps actions and the dangers they present, Niles said.

Niles Niemuth's final election meeting

Whatever rhetoric, and however the seats of the Senate and House of Representatives are allocated, the basic factors that drive American politics will persist, stated Niles. His report explained that the ruling class would continue to pursue a ruthless imperialist strategy to maintain the global position of the American ruling class through military force. Staggering levels of social inequalitywhich cannot be changed through any electionwould continue. The crisis of democratic forms of rule would accelerate, whether it be through murderous violence at the US-Mexico border, as favored by Trump, or the censoring of the Internet and social media, as pursued by the Democrats.

Niles explained that the way forward was a conscious break with the Democrats and Republicans and joining the fight for socialism: Whatever happens tomorrow, the basic task is the same: Joining and building the SEP, its sister parties in the International Committee of the Fourth International and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality.

A lively question and answer session followed Niles remarks. Several campaigners spoke about their positive experiences campaigning for Niles in areas of Downriver Detroit, which has suffered from decades of deindustrialization and is slandered as backward and racist by the Democratic Party. A common theme in the remarks was the objective interest in socialism and an eagerness among workers and young people to discuss politics on a serious basis. Contrary to the media and the Democratic Party establishment, socialism was not a dirty word in America.

Reporters with the WSWS interviewed workers and youth who attended the meeting. Dylan, a line cook, spoke about what attracted him to Niles campaign. For me the main thing is internationalism. I appreciate that the SEP was so explicit in stating this principle. This is a big difference that I saw here compared to other groups that call themselves socialists. I have studied the Russian Revolution a bit, and I have never liked liberal politics. It doesnt speak for the working class.

Dylan

Dylan recently returned from a trip to Mexico and spoke about conditions facing the international working class: I have been organizing against war and militarization for a long time. If you look at the policy itself, it is nothing but destructive. It leads to the criminalization of the working class, mass incarceration, and attacks on democratic rights. In the south of Mexico, there is drought that has been caused by climate change. People could formerly survive with two rainy seasons, and now they only get one. The ruling class is not willing or able to give up fossil fuels, and the way that those industries are operating is destroying peoples lives. In Central America, the US has made a deliberate effort to murder those who were defending peoples rights.

Van, a young worker, told our reporters: I am new to this party. I like you because I think you care about society and equality. I think this meeting dealt with big questions. Questions that deal with the whole of the world. The government now cannot solve any of the problems of the education system or support for young people. Niles said socialism could stop these wars. It stood out to me when he spoke about equality, that societys resources would be used according to the interest of the working class. And power would be in the hands of the working class. It makes sense to me.

Van

Christopher, a student at the University of Michigan, reflected on why he chose to attend the meeting. Capitalism organically creates support for socialism. What the ruling parties attempt to do is subdue revolutionary spirit and action through demagogy, he said. The role of the ruling class internationally is to impose on the masses of working people. There are companies in which billionaires control production and wealth, its contradictory. The workers, for example in Google or Amazon, should be benefiting. We need resources immediately to address healthcare and education. Socialism is the only vanguard.Sri Lankan plantation unions have aligned themselves with different political factions in the bitter conflict raging inside the countrys ruling elite and are now attempting to suppress the plantation workers fight for a 100 percent increase in their daily wage.

On October 26, President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former President Mahinda Rajapakse. Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader Arumugam Thondaman, who is also a member of parliament, immediately backed Rajapakse and was appointed minister of hill country new villages and infrastructure.

Vadivel Suresh, former secretary of Wickremesinghes United National Party-controlled Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union (LJEWU), defected from the party and joined Rajapakse. He was also rewarded with a key position and made the state minister for plantation industries.

In an attempt to deflect the anger of workers over their sordid political moves, Thondaman and Vadivel both claimed that Rajapakse promised to increase estate workers daily wages, from 500 rupees ($US2.94) to 1,000 rupees.

Other Sri Lankan plantation unionsthe National Union of Workers (NUW), Democratic Peoples Front (DPF) and the Up-country Peoples Front (UPF), led by P. Digambaram, Mano Ganeshan and P. Radhakrishnan respectivelyare currently supporting dismissed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.

The three union officials, who were ministers in Wickremesinghes government, are supporting his attempts to regain the office, hoping to restore their own lost privileges.

Despite these manoeuvres, plantation workers, who began protests in early September to demand higher pay, are continuing their struggle.

Last week hundreds of plantation workers from the Norwood, Iravy, Nallathanniya and Hapugasthenne estates in the central hill district demonstrated to demand a wage rise. The workers denounced Thondaman and Vadivel during the demonstrations, declaring that the union officials had been given ministerial positions in order to betray the wage struggle. About 100 workers also demonstrated in Mathugama, a Kalutara district town, south of Colombo.

The long-running plantation workers struggle has won powerful support from young people and other sections of the Sri Lankan working class.

On October 26, for example, nearly 1,000 school teachers from the Deraniyagala and Dehiowita estates in the Kegalle district, and hundreds of trainee teachers from Kotagala in the Nuwara Eliya district, rallied in support of the plantation workers.

Teachers from the Kopay training college and Kaithady medical college students in the Jaffna district also demonstrated on the same day for the estate workers. One Kopay training college teacher told the media: Our students' parents are plantation workers. To continue their studies the plantation workers must be paid at least 1,000 rupees [per day], so we support their struggle.

On October 24, just two days before Sirisenas political coup, over 5,000 young Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil workers from Colombo and suburbs protested in Galle Face Green in Central Colombo in solidarity with the plantation workers. For the first time, the protest, much to the shock of Sri Lankas ruling elite, was organised using social media.

In fact, the major factor triggering the crisis of the Sirisena and Wickremesinghe administration is the mass popular opposition to the governments implementation of the International Monetary Funds austerity program which is slashing social rights and living conditions. The plantation workers wage struggle is a crucial element in this growing mass movement and one that the unions are desperately attempting to shut down.

While Thondaman and Vadivels claim they accepted ministerial positions because they were promised that the plantation workers would be given a pay increase, Rajapakse is reported to have told them they should discuss the issue with treasury officials.

But in discussions with treasury officials on November 5, the Planters Association again flatly rejected workers demands for a 100 percent wage increase. Plantation Association officials again said that estate companies would only give a 20 percent increase, or just 100 rupees, and declared that workers could earn almost 400 rupees through additional allowances tied to a productivity increase.

The Plantation Association also rejected giving a 10,000-rupee bonus for the annual Deepavali religious festival and insisted that 1,000 rupees in wages per day was completely unrealistic because the majority of plantation companies were running at a loss.

The Tea Factory Owners Association also claimed said that a 1,000-rupee daily wage would be catastrophic for the industry and any wage increase must be tied to productivity and attendance.

Plantation workers are among the poorest sections of the Sri Lankan working class. Brought from South India by British plantation owners 150 years ago, during colonial rule, the majority of plantation workers and their families still live in small line-rooms, without basic facilities, and grossly inadequate health and education facilities. Their current daily wage is insufficient to pay for basic food necessities.

A recent report by the Institute of Social Development in Kandy noted that the average living wage for plantation workers should be 44,711 rupees per month for a family of 4.5 individuals.

Before last months political coup, the plantation minister, Naveen Dissanayake, sided with the companies, declaring that workers demands were unacceptable and if granted would collapse the industry. This is also the position of the Rajapakse camp.

The plantation union leaders, who are also bourgeois politicians, do not defend the estate workers but function as an industrial police force for the companies and the government.

The alignment of estate unions with the competing political factions of the ruling elite is not limited to the current political crisis in Sri Lanka or the plantation industry. Other unions have taken side, directly or indirectly, with Wickremesinghes United National Party or Sirisenas Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Whichever faction or political alignment of the Sri Lankan bourgeoisie ultimately wins control, the new government will brutally implement the profit demands of big business and international investors. With the help of trade unions and pseudo-left organisations, it will move to suppress all working-class resistance.

That is why workers in the large estates, and in work places and neighbourhoods throughout the country, must take the initiative to form action committees, independent of trade unions and all factions of bourgeoisie, and fight for socialist policies and for a workers and peasants government.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida renters who face eviction or have been evicted from their homes may be eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA, whether your home was damaged or not.

Officials say there are several ways to apply:

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

Call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) anytime from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

(voice, 711 or VRS) or anytime from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Visit a disaster recovery center. Survivors may visit any center to receive one-on-one help. To find a center, go to fema.gov/drc

They say renters who already registered for federal assistance and were later evicted due to damage should take the eviction notice to a disaster recovery center.

Displaced renters and home owners from Bay, Gulf and Jackson counties who need a safe place to stay while searching for longer-term housing may also be eligible for short-term sheltering stays paid by FEMA.

Renters may be eligible for grants from FEMA to help with disaster-related expenses such as:

Renting a home when the renters previous one is unsafe due to the disaster, or his/her apartment complex is under repair.

Moving and storage fees.

Repair or replacement of vehicles damaged by the disaster.

Those who have HUD rental assistance may receive FEMA help to pay for a place to live until:

They relocate back to public housing.

They relocate back to the private housing that provides HUD assistance.

They sign a lease with a private property owner using a Section 8 voucher.

If you move back into a HUD-assisted residence or sign a new lease for a rental housing under the Section 8 program, HUD assistance resumes. At that point, you may no longer receive FEMA assistance.

The grants don't have to be repaid. Officials say they will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, welfare assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and several other programs.

The presidents disaster declaration for Hurricane Michael designated 12 counties for individual assistance: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington.

Survivors who cannot afford an attorney may call the Florida Bar Disaster Hotline at (866) 550-2929. For more information, click here.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The tight race between Florida Governor Rick Scott and longtime Senator Bill Nelson is headed toward a recount, Nelson's office announced Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson finally issued a full statement Wednesday after Florida Governor Rick Scott "prematurely claimed victory" Tuesday night.

"We are proceeding to a recount," Sen. Nelson said Wednesday morning, in a brief statement.

According to Nelson's press release, Scott's lead in the race is just 34,500 votes out of a total of 8.1 million ballots cast. That's less than one-half percentage point difference.

Under state law in Florida, a recount will be triggered if the winning candidate's margin is less than 0.5 percentage points.

"The next step in the process is for the 67 county supervisors of election to recheck the total tally, and for the Nelson campaign to contact voters whose ballots were not counted due to a lack of ID or a matching address, for instance," a press release read. "The deadline is noon Saturday, or perhaps longer under certain circumstances, to determine whether the recount proceeds under law."

Nelson's camp says it intends to have observers in all 67 counties watching for any irregularities, mistakes or unusual partisan activities.

"For instance, prior to Election Day, Madison County Republican Supervisor of Election Thomas Hardee -- who initially was appointed to office by Scott -- was quoted by the Tampa Bay Times as saying he would 'eat his [Nelson's] lunch,'" the news release stated.

Chris Hartline, a spokesman for Scott, issued the following statement:

"This race is over. It's a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists."

State officials have also not commented on what will happen next.

Florida's US Senate race is too close to call

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on Election Day in Florida (all times local):

4:10 a.m.

The race for U.S. Senate in Florida between Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Rick Scott is too close to call.

Scott's lead in the Tuesday race is 38,717 votes out of more than 8 million cast - a margin of less than one half of 1 percent.

Under state law in Florida, a recount is mandatory if the winning candidate's margin is less than 0.5 percentage points.

The Associated Press does not call any race that may proceed to a recount.

Scott earlier declared victory in the race. Nelson has not publicly conceded.

___

12:45 a.m.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is declaring victory in a hard-fought and expensive race for U.S. Senate.

Scott told supporters gathered in Naples that the election against incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson had been "divisive and tough" but he vowed to change the direction of Washington, D.C.

The Associated Press has not yet called the race.

Nelson did not publicly concede the race. Shortly after midnight, his chief of staff took the stage with about a dozen supporters still left and declared Scott the winner based on numerous news media reports. He said Nelson would make a statement later Wednesday and declined to take any questions.

The race for Senate pitted two heavyweights in Florida politics. Scott is a two-term governor who was urged to run by President Donald Trump.

___

Ahead of final poll results, Rick Scott gives victory speech

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Republican Rick Scott has declared victory in the U.S. Senate race against longtime incumbent Bill Nelson.

No other major media outlet has called the race in Scott's favor.

ABC News reports that they are not projecting a winner in the Scott/Nelson race. With nearly all of the vote counted, they say there is less than a 1 percentage point difference between the two candidates.Company to Provide IT and Cyber Security Services in Support of Operational Signals Intelligence

ELLICOTT CITY, Md., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data Computer Corporation of America (DCCA), a veteran-owned information technology and engineering services company, today announced that it was awarded a contract to provide mission critical DevOps support to a Department of Defense (DoD) Intelligence agency. The $138.9 million single-award contract has a five-year period of performance for support of operational Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and cyber-related systems.

Under the terms of the contract, DCCA will provide data analytics, cyber security, software and hardware engineering, integration and test, deployments, and DevOps enhancements in an agile environment to meet the needs of the US government and our allies.

This important win represents the latest step in DCCAs strategic approach to delivering advanced solutions to the warfighter. Supporting the mission of national security has always been, and will continue to be, a top priority for DCCA, said David Bower, DCCAs President & COO.

About Data Computer Corporation of America

DCCA is a Veteran-Owned based out of Ellicott City, MD, that provides a wide-range of technology support, including systems development, cloud computing, cyber security, data analytics, and testing services to various Health, Defense, and Federal Agencies. Rated CMMI Level 4 for performing to standards required by the Carnegie Mellon Institute, DCCA provides disciplined, defined, and institutionalized approaches to technology development and maintenance. In addition to its CMMI rating, DCCA has also achieved ISO-9001 ISO-27001 and ISO-20000. As a successful IT and engineering services provider, DCCA works collaboratively with its customers to ensure performance quality, schedule adherence, and cost control and avoidance. More information is available about DCCA at www.dcca.com.

Contact:

A.J. Guenther

ConnellyWorks, LLC

571-323-2585 ext. 2130

aj@connellyworks.comTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - When the election results rolled in, candidates took to social media to share their thoughts and feelings.

WTXL ABC 27's Jada Williams was live in the studio Wednesday morning to tell how candidates are reflecting on their hard fought races.

Candidates quickly reached out to all of their supporters with social media.

Let's start with Dustin Daniels, who took to Facebook after losing the bid for Tallahassee mayor to John Dailey.

Referencing an Irish story about battle scars, he said "some battles are worth fighting if you believe enough in them, even if all you have in the end are scars."

Meanwhile, Cara Fleischer celebrated her victory as the next Leon County Soil and Water Commissioner with a cake and a note that not all campaigns need big funds to win.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A traffic stop in Tallahassee for a seatbelt violation led troopers to find 6 kilograms of meth inside a Georgia man's car.

Bernardino Popoca Sanchez, 46, was arrested Monday afternoon after a traffic stop on Bradfordville Road.

According to court documents, Popoca Sanchez was pulled over for a traffic violation. Florida Highway Patrol troopers report that the license plate on Popoca Sanchez's license plate was obscured by a plastic cover over the plate, which is a violation of Florida Statute. He also wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

After pulling Popoca Sanchez over, the trooper called in a narcotics detection canine to do a free air sniff of the car. Documents say the canine alerted the trooper to the odor of drugs inside the car.

When the car was searched, troopers found a pillow in the rear floorboard of the car. Inside the pillow's stuffing were six clear, gallon-size bags containing a white crystalline substance.

Documents say the substance was tested and confirmed to be meth. In total, troopers found 6.08 kilograms worth of meth (approximately 13.2 pounds).

When troopers spoke to Popoca Sanchez, he stated that he knew the drugs were inside the car. He told investigators that he knew that the drugs were hidden inside the pillow, and when asked what he thought it was, Popoca Sanchez stated he knew the drugs were "ice."

Based on the evidence, Popoca Sanchez was arrested for trafficking meth (14 grams or over) and distribution of meth.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 00:47:18|Editor: Chengcheng

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A senior American diplomat held talks with Pakistani officials here on Tuesday on bilateral matters and the two sides agreed to continue efforts to promote the "shared objectives of peace and stability" in the region and diversify bilateral relationship, Pakistani officials said.

Alice Wells, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, met with Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar. They discussed the current state of Pak-U.S. relations with focus on economic cooperation and the overall security situation in the region, the finance ministry said in a statement.

Matters related to international cooperation to curb terror financing also came under discussion, the statement said.

Umar said that Pakistan had made huge strides against terrorism in recent years and it will continue to take all possible steps to root out terror financing and money laundering.

Wells also held delegation level talks with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense.

The meeting discussed the understanding reached between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during their talks in Washington last month to "rebuild the relationship based on mutual trust and respect," a foreign ministry statement said.

"Both sides also reviewed the evolving regional situation and peace and stability in Afghanistan," it added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 00:52:20|Editor: Chengcheng

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LONDON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said that she is confident that a deal could be reached with European Union (EU) ahead of the Brexit talks deadline, stressing it must not be done at any cost to her country.

The comments came as Britain and EU are reaching the last weeks of their Brexit talks.

The PM's office said the main sticking point is still how to guarantee no new checks on goods at the Irish border.

The EU's chief negotiator has said that there had not yet been enough progress to call a special summit to secure the deal.

Britain is scheduled exit EU on March 29, 2019. The withdrawal deal is said to be 95 percent complete.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 01:12:24|Editor: Chengcheng

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani government will start negotiating a possible bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from Wednesday, local media reported Tuesday.

According to the local media reports, this would be Pakistan's 13th IMF bailout package since the 1980s.

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs Asad Umar said that Pakistan was in urgent need of 12 billion U.S. dollars to stave off the balance of payment crisis, out of which, a major chunk would be acquired through the IMF loan.

An official of the Ministry of Finance told local media on Tuesday that the bailout talks between Pakistan and the IMF are likely to stretch over two weeks. The initial round of the negotiations would largely discuss the technicalities of the loan package, he said, adding that the later rounds would include a policy dialogue on the specific contents of the IMF program.

Pakistan is facing tough economic challenges in the backdrop of rising imports bill and shrinking exports besides a decline in foreign direct investment and the government's inability to expand the tax net.

According to the Pakistani central bank's data, the country's current account deficit has increased by 43 percent to 18 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year of 2017-18, which ended in June this year. Pakistan's fiscal deficit has also exaggerated to 6.6 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 01:52:33|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- As Americans head to the polls on Tuesday to vote in one of the nation's most highly contested midterm elections, U.S. companies have launched campaigns to encourage voters to cast their ballots.

Technology companies are among the most active players in this election season. By asking Amazon's Alexa "What's my election update?" users will be presented with up-to-date information on the Congress and state races specific to their registered constituencies.

Google Assistant also advises voters on where to vote and keeps them updated about real-time results as the ballot counting goes on. Apple's Siri can either answer election-related questions, or, if no immediate answer is available, can direct the user to a relevant webpage or Apple's News app.

Jointly launched in September by a diverse group of companies across the United States, the Time for Vote campaign is aimed at increasing election turnout and raising employees' awareness about political participation.

"The companies joining this campaign are committed to increasing voter participation through programs such as paid time off, a day without meetings and resources for mail-in ballots and early voting," read the campaign's press release issued on Sept. 24. Participants of the campaign include The Gap, Pay Pal, Walmart, among others.

Rideshare company Lyft launched the "Ride to Vote" campaign in the summer to facilitate voters' commute to polling stations. "We're committed to providing 50 percent off rides across the country, and free rides to underserved communities that face significant obstacles to transportation," the company said, citing the fact that transportation issues hindered 15 million registered voters their chances to vote in the 2016 presidential election.

Industry giant Uber does not want to be left out as well. It announced in October steps to help Americans vote, including adding a tool to the app to help voters book rides to their polling places, offering free rides, and providing users with voter registration resources.

Dating apps have also wasted no chance to exploit their share of exposure in the election season. Bumble, which boasts 41 million users worldwide, allows users to display their intention to vote on their profile, and makes it easier for users to find similarly civic-minded partners who want their voices to be heard.

Others that have followed suit include online matching app Tinder, instant messaging app Snapchat, as well as music app Pandora. They all come up with unique ways to persuade their clients to turn out and vote.

Twitter and Facebook, both having testified at congressional hearings related to election-meddling in the 2016 presidential race, appear determined to rebrand their images this time around.

Media reports said that as of Friday, Twitter had deleted more than 10,000 automatic accounts designed to keep people away from the polls.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 02:02:34|Editor: yan

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HEFEI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- At about 1,700 meters above sea level on Huangshan Mountain in eastern Chinas Anhui Province stands one of Chinas most famous trees which is known as the Greeting Pine.

The tree, growing out of the rocks with a long branch extending over the mouth of a cave, got the name mainly because it appears to be greeting anyone who arrives on the scene. It is believed to be between 800 and 1,000 years old.

Almost everyone in China knows the tree but rarely does anyone learn that it has its own guardian.

The tree's 19th guardian Hu Xiaochun said, I normally check the tree and record details of its condition every two hours. However, I check it every 30 minutes in extreme weather when strong winds and heavy snow hit the mountain.

After serving seven years in the army, Hu returned home and became a ranger on the mountain. In 2010, he was selected as the guardian of the Greeting Pine, but first, he had to learn specific skills and gain experience from his predecessor for over six months before he was able to officially take over the post.

The tree is quite vulnerable during severe weather, and I have to stay up and watch it around the clock, he said.

In August 2012 when the super typhoon Haikui hit the eastern part of China, Hu stayed up for two nights keeping watch over the tree. Unfortunately, his two-year-old daughter was suffering from a bad fever at that time, but he could do nothing to help when his wife called him.

I feel a little guilty when I think of my daughter. My work only allows me to go home once a month, said Hu.

Apart from preventing the tree from breaking or falling in bad weather, he also has to keep an eye on the wild animals.

Monkeys and squirrels are more likely to come at night for food and grind their teeth against the pines bark, which may pose a great threat to the tree. Luckily, an infrared ray detecting system was installed to warn him whenever something encroaches on the area around the tree.

In order to facilitate his work, Hu has learned a great deal about meteorology, insectology and botany on his own over the years.

The first guardian was appointed to guard the Greeting Pine in 1981. Since then, the convention has been preserved for 37 years.

In recent years, the administration of Huangshan Mountain has stepped up its efforts to protect the old and precious trees on the mountain. Experts from various relevant fields, including edaphology, trees mechanics and plant physiology, have been invited to conduct frequent investigation activities on the mountain.

The scenic area is home to plenty of old and rare trees, out of which 137 are under our special protection. We have adopted different protection measures for different trees, said Ge Xufang, deputy director of the publicity department of Huangshan Scenic Area Management Committee.

The Greeting Pine is a symbol of the Chinese people's hospitality, stretching out its arms to welcome millions of visitors from home and abroad to the mountain. Therefore, Hu said he felt he has taken up a great mission.

Huangshan Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers an area of 1,200 square kilometers and is famous for its jutting rocks, pines, cloud-shrouded peaks and hot springs.

The work can be boring if you simply view the pine as a tree, but its a different story if you see it as a senior member of your family. I treat it the same way I would my own family, said Hu.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 02:07:36|Editor: yan

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URUMQI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ma Guoyi, a farmer in Wusu City in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was blown away when he realized that his harvest could be used for green textile materials as opposed to food and forage.

Wusu is a leading producer of corn and cotton in Xinjiang, and as a major stop of the China Railway Express, the city lies along the new Eurasian Continental Bridge. Farmers like Ma in Wusu are benefiting from such convenience and the new uses of their crops.

"Normally, nylon is made from petroleum, but we can use crops such as corn and wheat to make recyclable and environment-friendly nylons," said Wang Hongbo, deputy manager of Cathay Industrial Biotech's Wusu branch, a Shanghai-based producer of bio-based materials.

"By the end of this year, we expect to buy 300,000 to 400,000 tons of corn, wheat and corn stalks from farmers in Wusu," Wang said.

"I could only earn up to 600 yuan (87 U.S. dollars) per mu (0.07 hectare) of cornfield before I sold my crops to factories such as Cathay Industrial Biotech," said Ma. "Now I can sell them for twice that amount."

"There are about 2,000 mu of arable land in our village, most of which are used to grow corn," Ma said. "I never imagined that I could 'plant' nylon in cornfields."

Wang said that his company saw the economic potential of Wusu given its location along the Belt and Road and its large-scale production of staple crops.

"Most of our orders come from Europe, especially Germany and other industrial economies," said Wang.

For the past seven years, Wusu has been seeing trains loaded with Chinese products rumbling to European countries. China's trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road has exceeded 5.5 trillion U.S. dollars over the past five years.

According to statistics, the output of China's biotechnology industry is expected to rise to 8 to 10 trillion yuan (1.21 to 1.51 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2020, and the added value of the biotech industry will account for over 4 percent of the country's GDP by 2020.

"Although the industry of bio-based products in China still remains on a small scale compared with the petrochemical industry, it has a huge potential in the future," said Wang.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 02:37:44|Editor: Chengcheng

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ACCRA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday launched the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), a platform for buying and selling listed agricultural commodities.

The GCX is a regulated market that links buyers and sellers of commodities to trade by rules while assuring the market of quality, timely delivery, and settlement.

Speaking at the event, Akufo-Addo said the GCX is going to be one of the key drivers of realizing his government's vision of becoming the agricultural hub of West Africa.

He said his administration will make sure that the platform delivers on its mandate, and promotes high productivity, price stability, increased exports, and reduced imports of commodities.

He added that the exchange, in light of the emerging regional and continental free trade area, can position Ghana as the premier West African global trading hub.

With an estimated one million farmers to be integrated into the GCX in the next 18 months, Ghanaian farmers will gain access to secured storage for their harvest and good warehousing management practices, substantially reducing their post-harvest losses, and improving their take-home sales, Akufo-Addo said.

"To our traditional rulers here, I encourage you to help with the sensitization drive to improve the lives of your peoples; to our farmers, be part of the knowledge sharing within your communities so everyone benefits. Buy and sell through the Ghana Commodity Exchange," he said.

The GCX, in the first 12 months, will trade staple food including maize, soya bean, rice, dry beans, millet, sorghum, and groundnut.

However, there are plans that from 12 months to 24 months, the GCX will trade in cashew, cocoa, timber, shea butter and vegetables, and trade in metals, minerals, petroleum and gas three years later.SUDBURY, Ontario, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

When: Friday, November 9 at 11:30 a.m.



Where: Main Public Library, Meeting Room 1, 74 MacKenzie Street, Sudbury

What: Press Conference

Who: The Ontario Health Coalition, the Sudbury Health Coalition, patients, health care unions, health professionals and nurses, and concerned citizens have joined together to advocate to save the services and stop the cuts.

What: Health care in Sudbury has already suffered drastic cuts to the hospital services people need. Three hospitals are now closed and have been replaced by only one. Now, the one remaining hospital is facing massive cuts to services. More than a hundred health care professionals, nurses, and vital patient support staff are being cut across dozens of hospital departments. This will have a devastating effect on access to health care services for the whole region if we do not stop it.

The Ontario Health Coalition has called a Town Hall meeting for November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Steelworkers Union Hall and Conference Centre, Small Hall, 66 Brady Street, Sudbury. The public is being urged to attend this information session and launch of a major campaign to stop the cuts to Health Sciences North.

Working with local communities, the Ontario Health Coalition has successfully saved dozens of hospitals, emergency departments, nursing units and other vital services that have come under threat of cuts in recent years.

For more information please contact:

Dot Klein, Sudbury Health Coalition 705-566-9072

Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition 416-230-6402 (mobile)

Dana Boettger, communications, Ontario Health Coalition, 416-441-2502 (office)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 04:28:12|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The head of the UN children's agency, UNICEF, on Tuesday called for an end to intense fighting near the main hospital in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen, that threatened the lives of 59 children, including 25 in intensive care.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to cease hostilities near and around the hospital, and to ensure that civilians can safely access the hospital from all sides, and to abide by their legal obligations to stop attacks against civilian infrastructure - including the port of Hodeidah," Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF said in a statement issued at the agency's headquarters here.

She said the forces battling near Al Thawra Modern General Hospital are "dangerously close... putting the lives of 59 children, including 25 in the intensive care unit, at imminent risk of death."

"Medical staff and patients in the hospital have confirmed hearing heavy bombing and gunfire," the executive director said. "Access to and from the hospital, the only functioning one in the area, is now imperiled,"

She said the embattled port city and environs "account for 40 percent of the 400,000 children in the country who suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Some of the sickest are taken to the hospital for urgent care."

"UNICEF's teams on the ground are delivering assistance including lifesaving supplies like medicines, clean water and therapeutic food to treat acutely malnourished children," the UNICEF chief said. "Further escalation in the fighting will jeopardize these efforts."

Fore also said she has received reports that fighting has "intensified around Hodeidah's port through which up to 80 percent of Yemen's humanitarian supplies, fuel and commercial goods are delivered. The toll in lives could be catastrophic if the port is damaged, destroyed or blocked."Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 04:33:14|Editor: Chengcheng

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MINSK, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that there is no need to deploy military bases of other countries, including Russia, in Belarus.

Belarus does not deploy a foreign military base on its territory because it does not need it, Lukashenko said at a meeting with a group of U.S. analysts in Minsk.

The Belarusian army is able to effectively counter any aggression and respond to any conflict in the territory of Belarus, and "is capable of fulfilling the functions that are entrusted to us by the treaty with Russia," the president said.

Lukashenko said Belarus will need more effective weapons if the North Atlantic Treaty Organization continues to "intimidate" by deploying bases in Poland, or in some other ways.

However, the ongoing conversations about the Russian military base are nothing more than chatter, he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 08:23:52|Editor: ZD

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SYDNEY, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A man was treated in hospital on Wednesday after fighting off a shark with his surfboard on a Northern New South Wales (NSW) State beach in Australia.

It's believed that the 43-year-old was mauled by the predator around 07:00 (AEDT) at Shelly Beach in the township of Ballina.

Local Mayor David Wright told a radio station that the surfer said the shark was around 1.5 meters long.

"It grabbed him on the leg and pulled him off the board. He used the board to belt the shark away," he told 2GB.

"He came onshore, wrapped his leg up and went to Ballina Hospital. He's now been transferred to Lismore Hospital. He's got an eight inch (20 cm) cut on his calf."

Authorities have now closed all beaches in the Ballina area and according to the Australian Associated Press, NSW Surf Life Saving have now began drone surveillance of the area.

The attack follows a horror week on Australia's east coast, which has already seen the death of a 33-year-old man further north at the Whitsunday Islands.

Four years prior, a Japanese surfer was killed after he was attacked by a shark at Shelly Beach.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 09:49:09|Editor: Chengcheng

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Turnout was expected to be much higher than in previous times on Election Day Tuesday when U.S. voters headed to the polls to choose their representatives in both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.

According to Michael McDonald of U.S. Election Project -- which tracks election turnout -- 38.8 million Americans cast their ballots ahead of the Election Day, surpassing the 27.4 million in the 2014 midterms.

A poll on Sunday by ABC News and The Washington Post found that 80 percent of registered voters are "certain to vote" or have already voted this year, compared with 65 percent in 2014 and 71 percent in 2010.

Meanwhile, young voters, who in the past have been regarded as an unreliable voting group, are projected to make a difference this time around.

A survey by the Pew Research Center in June showed as of April, 59 percent of eligible adult voters are under 53 -- or of the so-called Generation X or younger -- compared with the 53 percent that this age group accounted for in the 2014 midterms.

As far as partisan affiliation is concerned, young Democrats appear more willing to make their voices heard than their Republicans counterparts this cycle.

A poll in October by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School found that for 18-to-29-year olds, 40 percent report that they will "definitely vote" in the midterms, with 54 percent of Democrats, 43 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of Independents considered likely voters.

The minorities and Latinos, outraged by Trump's attack on caravan migrants, are ready to help Democrats change the congressional landscape. Pew estimates 55 percent of Spaniards are enthusiastic about voting in this election, compared with 37 percent in 2014.

While an August poll by Rasmussen Report indicated Trump's approval rating among African Americans doubled year-on-year to reach 36 percent, most analysts still believe African Americans belong to the Democratic camp. A low turnout of this minority group was thought to have contributed to Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election.

Another demographic factor key to the Democrats is the number of women voters. According to media reports, among the record number of female candidates running for House seats this year, 185 are Democrats while 52 are Republicans, meaning that a large number of women voters could potentially tilt the results toward the Democrats.

The 2018 midterm elections involve 35 Senate seats, all 435 House seats, as well as 36 gubernatorial seats.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 09:59:11|Editor: Chengcheng

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by Yoo Seungki

SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hyundai Motor, South Korea's biggest automaker, took a next step to transform itself into a smart mobility solutions provider as the traditional automotive industry may stop generating sustainable profit in the foreseeable future.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the auto-making units of Hyundai Motor Group, the second-biggest conglomerate of South Korea, said Wednesday that they will invest 250 million U.S. dollars into Grab, Southeast Asia's largest ride-hailing company.

It was part of Hyundai's efforts to break into the mobility services industry, which involves ride-sharing, ride-hailing and taxi-hailing. With the rise of the sharing economy, it emerged as a lucrative business model in the car industry.

"We'd like to turn Hyundai Motor into a smart mobility solutions provider. Its keyword is services," said Chi Youngcho, chief innovation officer (CIO) of Hyundai Motor Group and head of the group's strategy and technology division.

Hyundai launched a first step toward its transformation last year by establishing the strategy and technology division, tasked with coping with a rapid paradigm shift in the automotive industry and finding new growth engines.

The traditional way carmakers make profit by manufacturing and selling vehicles "will not be sustainable soon," Chi told reporters. He said Hyundai will seek to provide recurring services in a bid to generate recurring revenue.

A new paradigm surfaced in the automotive industry as the trends crawl toward the sharing economy, under which consumers prefer sharing vehicles rather than possessing their own.

With the sharing economy, people will pay for mobility services and switch services providers online whenever they want. Under such circumstances, automakers could end up as subcontractors of mobile platform providers, such as Uber.

Chi said Hyundai will seek to develop its own capability for mobility services while making investments at the same time. "We will create a new business model through the combined chemistry of (mobility) services and vehicle sales," said the Hyundai CIO.

The Hyundai Motor Group and Grab, Southeast Asia's biggest online-to-offline mobile platform provider which took over Uber's car-hailing business and others in the region earlier this year, established a partnership to pilot electric vehicle (EV) projects across Southeast Asia.

As a first step of the EV partnership, which aims to improve EV adoption and awareness in Southeast Asia, Hyundai planned to supply about 200 EVs to enable Grab to launch the EV car-hailing services in Singapore in 2019.

Hyundai and Grab planned to expand such services later to other Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand because of Hyundai's competitive edge in the EV technology and the young generation of the region who are already familiar with mobility services.

In addition to the mobility services, Hyundai's strategy and technology division is focusing on four more new business areas robotics, new and renewable energy, smart cities and artificial intelligence (AI).

Hyundai, Chi said, has made steady efforts to strengthen its robotics capability, especially in the industrial field, that can be combined with the AI to provide various robotic services such as delivery and factory work.

Transportation players are expected to take a lot of opportunities in smart cities, where it would be possible to sell a suite of transportation services under the connected environment.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 10:04:14|Editor: Chengcheng

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SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, South Korea's top two carmakers, said Wednesday that it will invest 250 million U.S. dollars in Grab, Southeast Asia's biggest ride-hailing company, as the affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group, the country's second-biggest conglomerate, seek to expand mobility businesses.

Hyundai and Kia joined the latest fundraising round by Grab, which took over Uber's car-hailing business and others in Southeast Asia earlier this year, deciding to invest 250 million dollars in the No. 1 online-to-offline mobile platform in the region.

Hyundai first invested in Grab in January, but the investment amount was not disclosed. The current financing round of Grab was attended by Microsoft, Toyota, Goldman Sachs Investment Partners and Citi Ventures.

The South Korean automakers and the Southeast Asian ride-hailing platform provider established a partnership to pilot electric vehicle (EV) projects across Southeast Asia.

As a first step of the EV partnership, which aims to improve EV adoption and awareness in Southeast Asia, Hyundai planned to supply about 200 EVs to enable Grab to launch the EV car-hailing services in Singapore in 2019.

"As home to one of the world's fastest growing consumer hubs, Southeast Asia is a huge emerging market for EVs," said Chi Youngcho, Hyundai Motor Group's chief innovation officer (CIO) and the head of the strategy & technology division that was launched last year to find new growth engine for the future.

"With its unparalleled footprint across the region, and an ever-expanding base of customers and merchants, Grab is an invaluable partner that will help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia," said the Hyundai CIO.People visit the Food & Agricultural Products exhibition area at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first import-themed national-level fair, showed China's contribution to build an open world economy, a South Korean expert said.

"China is shifting from the world's factory to the world's market. China is supporting an open market. The CIIE has a significant meaning to determine whether the world moves toward an open, or a closed, market," Hwang Jae-ho, a professor of international studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, said in an interview with Xinhua Monday.

The CIIE opened in Shanghai on Monday, bringing together more than 3,600 companies from 172 countries, regions and international organizations as well as over 400,000 purchasers from China and overseas.

"China held an expo of import, not export. The CIIE shows what contribution China would make to lead the world toward an open market," said Hwang who noted that the CIIE provided an opportunity for the world to confirm the sincerity of China going toward an open market.

The inaugural import-themed fair came at a time when the waves of protectionism and unilateralism are threatening global growth.

Visitors learn about the scald proofing hot iron at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)

The professor said the United States recently revealed its tendency of protectionism, though it claimed to advocate a market economy, and significantly weighed down on its trading partners.

He noted that China should get over this situation, in which the opening-up is in conflict with the moves of closing, saying that if it is overcome well, it can pave the way for mutual benefit to all by going through the trust-building process.

"The CIIE had a great start," said the South Korean expert who noted that China made efforts for an open market that would contribute to the world's economic order.

He said the CIIE should be held every year going forward to let the world realize China's sincerity toward an open market and eliminate some of misunderstandings the Western countries might have.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, and has seen a flurry of concrete measures taken by the country to open its doors wider.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 10:54:28|Editor: Yang Yi

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lai Xiaomin, former board chairman of China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd., has been formally arrested, said the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) Wednesday.

The second branch of the Tianjin People's Procuratorate has been processing Lai's case after the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) completed the investigation and handed it over, the SPP statement said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and NSC announced in October that Lai was expelled from the Party and dismissed from office for multiple violations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 11:34:35|Editor: mmm

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Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (L) meets with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob in Singapore, Nov. 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

SINGAPORE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China will deepen cooperation with Singapore and open its doors wider to foreign investors, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said.

He made the remarks during his visit to Singapore from Monday to Wednesday.

When meeting with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, Wang said the relations between China and Singapore have developed further in recent years, which in turn have benefited both countries.

"China is willing to deepen cooperation with Singapore in various fields including the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

The top priority of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government is to achieve economic development and make the Chinese people benefit from it, according to Wang.

The vice president said China's reform and opening-up over the past 40 years demonstrated that trade and interactions with other countries have improved the lives of the Chinese people, which also offered opportunities for the global economy.

China will open its doors "wider and wider" to foreign investors, he said.

For her part, Halimah said the Singapore-China ties have developed smoothly with frequent high-level exchanges, brisk trade and investment, and active peopel-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is aimed at promoting ties with China, ASEAN's largest trading partner, she said.

Singapore will continue to support the multilateral trading regime, which is an effective mechanism to solve trade disputes, she added.

While meeting with Singpaorean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Wang said the China-Singapore relations have long maintained vibrant and Singapore has been deeply involved in China's reform and opening-up.

The all-round cooperative partnership progressing with the times, established when Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Singapore in 2015, pointed out the direction for the bilateral ties, Wang said.

The flagship cooperative projects between the two countries have been carried forward steadily with exemplary effect, the Chinese vice president said, saying that China will firmly promote high-level opening-up.

China is willing to deepen mutual understanding, enhance mutual trust and realize win-win cooperation with other countries to build a community with shared future for mankind, Wang said.

Lee said the two countries have long maintained friendly relations and have advanced and expanded cooperation in recent years.

Calling reform and opening-up the source of China's strength, Lee said multilateralism represents the future direction and Singapore stands with China in safeguarding multilateralism.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 11:39:36|Editor: Yang Yi

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VIENTIANE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The second Laos-China Film Festival with open-air movies being screened across Laos has expanded cultural exchange, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Wednesday.

The Chinese embassy to Laos in cooperation with the Lao Department of Cinema under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and China Radio International in Laos (CRI Laos) jointly opened the second Laos-China Film Festival Tour in Lao capital Vientiane on last Friday.

"The event brought three excellent Chinese movies dubbed into Lao language with subtitles in Chinese," said the political counselor at the Chinese embassy, Zhao Chenggang.

The Chinese and Lao films have started open-air screenings in the provinces of Savannakhet, Champassak, Attapeu, Vientiane, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang and Huaphan in November and December, CRI Laos told Xinhua on Wednesday.

To make the Chinese films more appealing to local audiences, CRI invited local stars to dub characters' voices into Lao. "Films have become an important part of encouraging cultural exchange between peoples," Vientiane Times quoted Zhao as saying.

Speaking at last Friday's launch, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong said the festival played an important role in boosting the exchange of culture between the two nations. It would particularly encourage Lao people to learn about Chinese culture through the medium of motion pictures.

Boua Ngeun hoped the festival would play a part in continuing to enhance relations and cooperation between the two countries.English French

MONTREAL, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) will publish its financial results for the third quarter of 2018 on Thursday, November 8, 2018, and subsequently, hold its Investor Day in New York City on Thursday, December 6, 2018 in the afternoon.



Quarterly conference call

On November 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m., EDT, Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer; John Di Bert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Patrick Ghoche, Vice President, Investor Relations, will hold a conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the companys financial results for the third quarter of 2018.

A live webcast of the call and relevant financial charts will be available at www.bombardier.com

Stakeholders wishing to listen to the presentation and question and answer period by telephone may dial one of the following conference call numbers:

In English: +1 514 394 9320 or +1 866 240 8954 (toll-free in North America) +800 6578 9868 (overseas calls) In French: +1 514 394 9316 or (with translation) +1 888 791 1368 (toll-free in North America) +800 6578 9868 (overseas calls)

The replay of this call will be available on Bombardiers website shortly after the end of the webcast.



Investor Day

The event will feature updates from Alain Bellemare, John Di Bert and business segment presidents on Bombardiers progress on its five-year plan, positioning the company for stronger financial performance and growth through 2020 and beyond. These presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.

Further details about the events schedule will be posted on Bombardiers website in the coming weeks. Please note that participation at Investor Day is by invitation only. The event is reserved for financial analysts and institutional investors. Details about the location will be provided directly to registered participants.

For all media, shareholders and other stakeholders, a live webcast and relevant financial charts in support of the event will be available at www.ir.bombardier.com .

A replay of the webcast will also be available at the same address the following day.

About Bombardier

With over 69,500 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier .Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 11:39:36|Editor: xuxin

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Julie Love, a retired Houston teacher, poses for a photo after attending a Democratic rally for Beto O'Rourke held at the club House of Blues in Houston, the United States, Nov. 5, 2018. Americans who voted on Tuesday for different parties in U.S. midterm elections of 2018 harbor contrary feelings and policy preference even they are in the same community or family. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Gao Lu, Zhang Mocheng

HUSTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Americans who voted on Tuesday for different parties in U.S. mid-term election of 2018 harbor contrary feelings and policy preference even they are in the same community or family.

The deportation of people who grew up here or even served in the army as well as the detained children at the border is a real issue, said Julie Love, a retired Houston teacher now based in a small town in the west of San Antonio, Texas State, before the election.

Meanwhile, the issue of greatest concern is how the economy is going and how jobs are created, according to Larry Riddle, a Republican supporter.

Jobs are being created and more people working with higher salaries, "so generally all my things are going great and we want to keep it that way," said Riddle after a rally for Republican Senate candidate Ted Cruz at a church on Monday.

Arresting innocent people, separating their families and withdrawing passports from citizens at the border "really strike fear into my heart and that is the un-American direction our country is going," said Love after attending a Democratic rally for Beto O'Rourke held at the club House of Blues a day before the election.

"I'm with the Statue of Liberty. That's who we are right there," said Love, pointing to the Statue badge she is wearing. "I believe the (immigration) system is crowded. It's flawed. It needs to be fixed."

In the eyes of Riddle, a nurse in his 30s, "Right now, we have no problem with immigration."

"The issue is just the people that are coming illegally because there is a wrong way and a right way. We have a process and we need to go through that process," he said. However, "some of the laws I think do need (to be) corrected or we wouldn't have this problem right now."

About 10 years into her retirement, Love said her pension has been affected in the last two years with the insurance going up. And "Obamacare pretty much failed because if you may have any kind of a job, you did not qualify for subsidies on Obamacare. And we did not have the Medicaid expansion to help people."

And this has led many people into a difficult situation, for example, Love said, "my niece, one of them, just couldn't afford it because she worked, if she had not been working, she could have qualified for Medicaid."

In her town in Medina County, Love said, around 85 percent of the population are republican.

The campaigning there was much, much greater than two years ago, and the Latinos were more likely to come out to vote with the encouragement from community leaders, according to Love, who had to drive back to her home late Monday so as to work as a clerk at the polling station on Tuesday, the Election Day.

"I have always felt like it's in their interest to get out and vote against Donald Trump. It really doesn't matter who you are for. We need to vote to further your interests," she said.

"I grew up here. I remember when everything was democratic in Texas," she said.

"I've never had a problem with Republicans as people. All my neighbors, all my friends, half were Republican, half Democrats. I've always been a Democrat and we argue and so forth. But to now, to me, there's something wrong with people who cannot see past Donald Trump," said Love, whose mother was a Republican and father a Democrat.

Love has donated around 200 to 300 U.S. dollars to Beto O'Rourke and went to several rallies of his last year with her little son.

"I do not know why people support him (Trump). My own older brother is a Rice (University) graduate. His wife is a psychologist and they voted for Trump. I basically haven't spoken to them since they should know better, but all they care about I guess is money," she added.

Love said the social polarization in the United States means not very much in her life but that she doesn't hang out with people who are negative.

"It was so divided. It's really, really bad. You can't even have conversations with people," said Ms. James after casting her vote on Tuesday.

A lot of people are voting against their own betters and they don't even realize it, according to James.

Asked about how people from the two parties could work together to resolve social problems, Riddle said, "I don't know the way. The country seems to be divided right now over the social issues. I think it's going to take a little while. It's tough right now."Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 12:09:42|Editor: Yang Yi

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday attended a congress session in Brasilia for the first time since he was elected.

Bolsonaro, who served as a federal representative for seven terms, arrived in the capital city in an Air Force plane under heavy security.

The president-elect's security has been increased since he started making public appearances after the attempt on his life in September.

The National Congress of Brazil held a session on the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Federal Constitution. Bolsonaro was the last to speak and praised the country's most important law.

Emphasizing the important role of the constitution, Bolsonaro said "we have all it takes to be a great nation. Our union at this time, occupying key positions in the republic, can change the fate of this great nation."

Several other officials spoke at the session, including current President Michel Temer.

"We are here recalling the 1988 Constitution, not to forget it, but to preserve it," the president said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 12:09:43|Editor: ZD

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SYDNEY, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A 30-year-old Icelandic man is set to appear in court on Wednesday, after a joint investigation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABP) uncovered an alleged drug smuggling operation.

Authorities made the bust after another man, aged 25, also from Iceland, was arrested on Monday at Melbourne International Airport and found to be carrying around 4.0 kg of the illicit drug cocaine in his luggage.

When examining the passenger's bag on arrival, AFP officers noticed inconsistencies in the man's suitcase.

On closer inspection, officers found the "substance secreted in the lining of the suitcase," which then "gave positive indication for the cocaine."

According to ABF Assistant Commissioner, Port Operations Command, Claire Rees, the detection highlights the skill of authorities when it come to identifying travelers of concern at busy airports.

"Our officers process millions of air travelers each year and it speaks volumes about their expertise and professional judgement that they have been able to identify this individual and a significant amount of dangerous drugs," she said.

"Working closely with our law enforcement partners we are committed to detecting anyone arriving in Australia with the intent to carry out criminal activity and prevent harmful drugs from reaching Australian communities."

Further investigation then resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a Melbourne hotel, where the 30-year-old was found in possession of another 2.7 kg of cocaine.

Both men are charged with the importing and possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

The maximum penalty for such a crime in Australia is life imprisonment.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 12:54:48|Editor: ZD

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MEXICO CITY, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The southern Mexican state of Oaxaca looks to establish an agenda of economic cooperation with China, Pedro Matar, coordinator of international affairs for the state, said on Tuesday.

The economic cooperation would focus on foreign trade, infrastructure, technology, investments and financing, Matar said.

One of the poorest states in Mexico, Oaxaca aims to speed up the region's growth by attracting Chinese investment to broaden and modernize railway and port infrastructure, Matar said.

This week, Oaxaca's governor, Alejandro Murat, led a delegation of politicians and businessmen to Shanghai for China International Import Expo (CIIE).

As the world's first import-themed national-level expo, the six-day event has attracted more than 3,600 companies from over 170 countries.

During the expo, the delegation strives to promote tourism, handicrafts and mezcal -- the region's traditional drink and most exported along with tequila.

In addition, Murat has a schedule filled with meetings with Chinese business people and port officials to look for "the experience and investments from China which would include technology material and wind energy," Matar said.

"China is the second most important economy that we want to strengthen a relationship with," Matar said.

"(China) is opening itself up to the world," he added, expressing hope that China will be "part of that opportunity" and "a critical player" in boosting a more open world economy.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 12:59:49|Editor: Chengcheng

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QUITO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's antinarcotic police seized 589 kilos of cocaine hidden in a container filled with bananas in the western port city of Guayaquil, the Ministry of the Interior said Tuesday.

The drug worth 36 million U.S. dollars was hidden in 20 suitcases and was headed to Belgium, the ministry said in its Twitter account.

So far this year, 9.5 tons of drugs have been seized at the country's maritime ports, it said.

According to official data, a total of 119 tons of drugs, primarily cocaine, were seized in 2017.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 12:59:49|Editor: Chengcheng

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SYDNEY, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Young people who leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the first year or early in their military career, are more at risk of developing mental illness and twice as likely to die by suicide, a new report revealed on Wednesday.

Conducted by mental health not-for-profit Orygen, Phoenix Australia and a range of other partners, The Next Post Report is calling on the armed forces to develop better strategies to help this vulnerable group.

According to Dr. Simon Rice, a senior research fellow at Orygen, those who leave the military within the first four years of active duty are more likely to face "depression, panic attacks, suicidality and alcohol-use disorders" than others in the broader Australian community.

"This increased risk of mental ill-health could be attributed to a number of factors including exposure to potentially traumatic events on operations, or leaving the service involuntarily," Rice said.

"The loss of the protective factors the military provides, including social support, and a sense of belonging and identity, can affect the mental health of young ex-serving personnel, leaving many feeling unprepared for civilian life."

Those behind the report recommend mandatory psychological assessments prior to young people transitioning out of the military, a network of support hubs to promote mental healthcare across the country and improved engagement with young people in their first year of military service.

"It is especially important for young ex-serving people that we proactively engage with them, provide them with advice and support, and make treatment services easily accessible, including after individuals have transitioned out of the military," head of policy and practice at Phoenix Australia Associate Professor Darryl Wade said.

"Enhanced contact with and support from loved ones, including partners and parents, is particularly important for young people," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 13:29:54|Editor: ZD

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the fifth World Internet Conference, which opened Wednesday in Wuzhen of eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

The world is going through a broader and deeper science and technology revolution and industrial transformation, Xi said in the letter.

We should speed up the development of the digital economy and promote the global Internet governance system to advance in a just and more reasonable way, so as to inject new impetus to the world economy, Xi said.

Despite having different conditions and facing various challenges, countries across the world share the need to promote the digital economy, the interests in handling challenges to cybersecurity, and the demands for better governance in cyberspace, Xi said.

He called for concrete cooperation among different countries to advance mutual trust and collective governance in cyberspace and create a vigorous "community with a shared future in cyberspace."

The conference is themed "creating a digital world for mutual trust and collective governance -- towards a community with a shared future in cyberspace."

Xi expressed the hope that participants can pool wisdom, accumulate consensus and work for a sustainable digital world.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 13:39:56|Editor: Yang Yi

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ZHUHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Boeing will deliver its 2,000th airplane to China within the year, the U.S. top aircraft manufacturer announced at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition that opened Tuesday in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

Boeing has delivered 153 airplanes to Chinese airline companies in the first three quarters of 2018, said Rick Anderson, Boeing vice president of Northeast Asia sales.

He said the number of airplanes delivered to China has exceeded 140 for six consecutive years, reflecting the continued strong demand of the Chinese aviation market.

China ordered 10 Boeing 707 jets in 1972, which began Boeing's presence in China. The 1,000th Boeing airplane was delivered to China in March 2013, making China Boeing's first overseas market to receive 1,000 airplanes.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 13:49:57|Editor: Chengcheng

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MUMBAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Indians are celebrating the festival of lights called Diwali across northern India on Wednesday, according to the local media.

This celebration is also known as "Deepavali" in the southern part of India, which has already celebrated on Tuesday.

The name Diwali means "a string of light" in the Sanskrit and the light indicates inner soul and spiritual illumination. The mythology behind Diwali celebration reinforces the concepts of love and truthfulness.

The city became utterly dark when Lord Rama was exiled. It was once again full of light when Rama finally returned after 14 years, according to Economic Times.

When the celebration is lighting up the corners of India, it is popularly considered as a mainstream Hindu festival to worship God Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi and usually follows with a firework.

However, the celebration requires cautions due to the higher number of accidents reported every year.

According to the News18's report on Tuesday, Diwali was celebrated with traditional fervor across Tamil Nadu on Nov. 6, even as several cases were registered against those who burst firecrackers as part of festivities in violation of the two-hour time frame imposed by the Supreme Court for bursting them.

Death incidents due to drunk driving and use of crackers without precautions create sorrow in the festival days. Several environmentalists have been fighting against the popular use of firecrackers during the holidays.

Despite all these controversial festivities, Indian people look forward to spending holiday time along with family and friends.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 14:15:02|Editor: Chengcheng

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SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday named a new head of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation amid a rising peace mood on the Korean Peninsula that is expected to stoke inter-Korean economic cooperation in the near future.

The official ceremony was held at the presidential Blue House to appoint Kwon Goo-hoon, senior economist at the U.S.-based investment firm, Goldman Sachs, as the new chief of the presidential committee.

Kwon, 56, worked as deputy chief of the Moscow office and a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), before joining Goldman Sachs in 2007.

He told reporters that he would make efforts to materialize the New Northern Policy, advocated by President Moon, based on his experiences in the IMF and Goldman Sachs.

Kwon replaced Rep. Song Young-gil of the ruling Democratic Party as chairman of the committee, which was formed to support the New Northern Policy.

Moon initiated a so-called New Economic Roadmap on the Korean Peninsula, composed of the New Northern Policy and the New Southern Policy, to expand his country's economic and diplomatic terrains beyond Northeast Asia by strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and countries bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The New Northern Policy aimed to build trust with China, Russia and Mongolia through economic cooperation to eventually expand the cooperation to the DPRK.

Under the New Southern Policy, the Moon government will expand economic cooperation with 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Kim Hyun-chul, presidential economic adviser who doubles as the head of the Presidential Committee on Southern Economic Cooperation, told a press briefing that he would make efforts to increase national interests by partnering with the Southeast Asian region.20-Year-Old, India-Born Sandra Nair to Study Alongside World-Renowned Theoretical Physicist at Stanford University



NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc. today announced Sandra Nair (20, Kerala, India) as the first 2019 TempletonRamanujan Fellowship recipient, up to $5,000 USD monetary grant for furthering educational pursuits and development in STEM. The award, part of the highly competitive Spirit of Ramanujan STEM Talent Initiative (SOR), is the first of 30 financial grants to be issued yearly for the next three years, totaling $550,000.

Sandra, an international student, is in her third year of undergraduate studies at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she majors in physics and mathematics. The TempletonRamanujan Fellowship will support her research with Shamit Kachru  the Wells Family Director of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics and Chair of the Department of Physics at Stanford  in Summer 2019. Under his mentorship, Sandra will study the physics of black holes, exploring the interplay of mathematics and physics as found in string theory and quantum field theory.

I am delighted that the first Spirit of Ramanujan winner hails from India and will be working with my good friend and collaborator Shamit Kachru, said Ken Ono, the director of the Spirit of Ramanujan and the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Mathematics at Emory University. He is a fabulous mentor and leading figure at the interface of mathematics and string theory. And Im particularly pleased that Shamit has been using Ramanujans math in his study of black holes.

Professor Kachru is a wonderful mentor as well as a world-renowned theoretical physicist, whom I feel extremely privileged to work with, said Sandra. One day, I hope to have made extensive and successful collaborations among those in theoretical physics and mathematics communities and am confident that the Spirit of Ramanujan community will be a huge help in actualizing this goal.

The Spirit of Ramanujan STEM Talent Initiative strives to find undiscovered geniuses around the world. Honoring the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the initiative supports emerging engineers, mathematicians, and scientists who lack traditional institutional support through financial grants and mentorship opportunities. In the last two years, the initiative awarded grants to 16 students who used the funding to support research and study in math. Now in its third year, the program has widened its international talent search to all STEM fields and more than doubled the number of awards.

Stanford has programs to support its own students, but there are gifted students who dont match up with existing funding streams. Sandra is a prime example, as she is not a Stanford undergraduate, and is not eligible for US citizen-restricted funding as an Indian national, said Professor Kachru. Programs like the Spirit of Ramanujan offer a wonderful opportunity to get involved with the education of such students.

The Spirit of Ramanujan STEM Talent Initiative is presented by Ken Ono, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Mathematics at Emory University; Art of Problem Solving; Expii, the open personalized learning platform; and the Templeton World Charity Foundation, in conjunction with Pressman Film, producers of the motion picture The Man Who Knew Infinity.

The priority submission deadline is December 31, 2018, with rolling admission until May 30, 2019. For more information about the Spirit of Ramanujan and submission guidelines, visit https://spiritoframanujan.com .

About Templeton World Charity Foundation

Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) was established in 1996 in Nassau, the Bahamas, to serve as a global philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to big questions of life and the universe. Sir John Templeton established the Foundation to foster ambitious thinking and creative communications on diverse topics to stimulate humility, curiosity, and enthusiasm for new discoveries.

Media Contact

Name: Mica Hahn

Company: Praytell

Email / Phone: mica@praytellagency.com | 510.206.3932



Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 14:50:07|Editor: Yurou

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An exhibitor introduces Wisconsin jade to visitors at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)

by Xinhua writers Zheng Kaijun, Zhang Xin

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- From wines to health products, from wearable technology to whole-home automation, from helicopters to electric motors for aerospace, from global logistics service to financial solutions...

More than 160 American companies, armed with their fanciest products and newest services, are frantically trying to attract Chinese consumers amidst the hive of activity at the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai that opened on Monday.

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Top U.S. companies show up at the six-day CIIE, an event that declares China's unshakable belief in multilateralism, and aim to sow new seeds with the Chinese.

In the past 40 years, AECOM, a U.S. multinational engineering firm that provides design, consulting, construction and management services, has participated in a wide array of major national development projects in China, including the Belt and Road construction, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone projects, said Sean Chiao, president of AECOM Asia Pacific.

Commenting on the CIIE, he said it will "definitely play an unparalleled role in facilitating and promoting the economic development of China and of the world."

"The CIIE is a platform that goes beyond China," said Stephen Badger, chairman of the board of directors of confectionery maker Mars from Chicago, Illinois.

"It is a truly global event driving development across all Chinese industries by promoting cooperation amongst government and business entities as well as globalization and trade liberalization," he said.

"As President Xi Jinping touched on (on Monday), we will only realize our shared future in this new era by supporting economic globalization, global opening up, and inclusive development -- all principles that Mars stands by as well," Badger added.

Companies like Johnson & Johnson also pick the newly-born fair to debut in the Chinese market a host of advanced medical devices; whilst many AI-based products from other companies are introduced to Chinese consumers ahead of schedule thanks to the CIIE.

According to the expo's organizer, U.S. companies, including Ford, Tesla, Microsoft, Dell, Qualcomm, General Electric, Mars and 3M, have already agreed to participate next year.

New York-based Estee Lauder, which missed this year's event, has made an early decision that it will join in the coming year.

BURGEONING MARKET

Besides the heavyweights, state-level U.S. organizations are bringing in new players as well. Notably at the expo are nine companies from Wisconsin.

"So far, we do not hear companies saying 'Oh No,'" said Cate Rahmlow, director of Sector Strategy Development with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The team of companies she assembles includes those from manufacturing, agriculture and smart water technology sectors.

Some companies even signed for their attendance before the event was officially promoted in Wisconsin state in February, said Khay Khong, a colleague of Rahmlow, who is more specialized in the Asian market.

"To do business in China, you need a long-term relationship..." and "if you think in the long term, China's growing middle-class is going to demand more such products," Khong said, pointing to some state-of-the-art voice-controlled home automation products on display at the Wisconsin booth, which covered an area of around 200 square meters.

The size of the booth was the envy of Del Christensen.

Leading a number of companies from the Bay Area, Christensen, from the Bay Area Council, a regional business and economic policy association based in San Francisco, regretted that he had not managed to book a larger space.

At his kiosk of some 10 square meters, his exhibits include wines made in the Bay Area, home to some of the world's most famous wineries, and biotech and tourism products.

"Next year, I am going to get a bigger booth," said Christensen.

In Hall 7 at the CIIE, Belkin was promoting its latest model of touch-less phone chargers and an easy screen protector service.

A manufacturer of consumer electronics headquartered in California, Belkin is famous for its cellphone care products and its high compatibility with Apple.

Alex Chang, senior e-commerce manager of Belkin (Shanghai), said shopping online has made it easier for Chinese people to choose high-end quality products.

The Chinese market is full of potential, he said, stressing that Belkin also works now with Chinese mobile phone brands to develop more diversified products.

"YES" TO FREE TRADE

If new business is found at the CIIE, it is definitely a plus for both China and the United States. "But even the establishment of new business contacts can be a plus as it creates the possibility of new business down the road," Kenneth Jarrett, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, told Xinhua.

The sheer size of the U.S. and Chinese economies means that if there is increased trade between them, "it makes a big contribution to global GDP growth, which is a positive stimulus for all," Jarrett added.

For Harld Peters, president of UPS China, the free flow of trade is vital.

"The world's logistic industry benefits from a global system that facilitates trade, only then can we reach maximum efficiency and effectiveness to reach our customers," Peters told Xinhua.

"I am a strong believer of the fact that trade empowers people and gets people opportunities and gets business opportunities," he said. "If business grows, people grow as well. The way they can do with their life improves as well."

"I have a very solid belief that at the end of the day, trade wins," Peters said.

For his part, Liang Ming, director of the foreign trade research center at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said "China's negative list is getting shorter and shorter, and we have the roadmap and timetable for continuous promotion of our opening up."

It is fair to say that China's opening up, with sound achievements, will be a big cake for the world, Liang said.

(Zhou Rui, Chen Aiping, Xu Xiaoqing, Su Liang, Ren Yaoti contributed to the story.)

(Video reporters: Pan Xu, Wu Xia, Sun Qing, Di Chun, Ding Ting, Li Haiwei, Chen Jie, Zhang Mengjie, Chen Zhilian)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:00:08|Editor: xuxin

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three police have been killed after the Taliban militants attacked the peaceful Jaghori district in Afghanistan's troubled Ghazni province on Wednesday, spokesman for provincial government Aref Nuri said.

"Taliban militants launched offensive against security checkpoints in Anguri area of Jaghori district to gain ground in the peaceful district triggering gun battle and so far three police have been killed and five others injured," Nuri told Xinhua.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:20:10|Editor: xuxin

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A former trader at a U.S. bank has pleaded guilty to fraud and spoofing for about seven years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.

John Edmonds, 36, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation, and spoofing, said the DOJ.

According to the DOJ, Edmonds admitted that he conspired with other traders at a U.S. bank to manipulate the markets for multiple types of precious metals futures contracts from approximately 2009 to 2015.

Although the DOJ document did not bring up the exact name of the bank, several U.S. media reported that Edmonds worked at the famous U.S. investment bank J.P. Morgan from 2004 to 2017 according to his LinkedIn account.

The DOJ said that Edmonds and his fellow traders "routinely placed orders for precious metals futures contracts" with the intent to cancel those orders before execution.

Such practices, as known as "the Spoof Orders", were designed to distort the price of precious metals futures contracts in order to benefit the manipulator, said the DOJ.

"For years, John Edmonds engaged in a sophisticated scheme to manipulate the market for precious metals futures contracts for his own gain by placing orders that were never intended to be executed," said Brian A. Benczkowski, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

"By conspiring with his trading partners to place spoof orders, he blatantly attempted to profit off of an unfair market that he helped create," said William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York Field Office.

Moreover, the DOJ said that Edmonds learned the manipulation strategy from "senior traders at the bank," and he deployed this strategy "hundreds of times with the knowledge and consent of his immediate supervisors."

The investigation of deceptive trading practices by others involved in this scheme is ongoing, said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:25:11|Editor: xuxin

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An Afghan policeman checks a vehicle at a security checkpoint on the way leading to Jaghori district in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Nov. 7, 2018. Three police have been killed after the Taliban militants attacked the peaceful Jaghori district in the troubled Ghazni province on Wednesday, spokesman for provincial government Aref Nuri said. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three police have been killed after the Taliban militants attacked the peaceful Jaghori district in the troubled Ghazni province on Wednesday, spokesman for provincial government Aref Nuri said.

"Taliban militants launched offensive against security checkpoints in Angori area of Jaghori district to gain ground in the peaceful district triggering gun battle and so far three police have been killed and five others injured," Nuri told Xinhua.

Commander of local police Bahsi Habib is also among those injured in the fighting, Nuri added.

However, the official asserted that the attacking Taliban fled away to the mountainous area in the neighboring Gilan district after "suffering casualties" and the security forces are chasing the insurgents.

Taliban militants who are in control of parts of the restive Ghazni province are yet to make comment.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:30:13|Editor: xuxin

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a "historic" event that will help elevate Greece-China cooperation to a new level, said a Greek official.

"It signifies not only a more open Chinese economy but also a more mature one which is pivoting toward internal consumption," George Katrougkalos, Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, told Xinhua in an interview.

The expo will help more countries participate in the opening of China and is good for the world in regards to creating an important boost for international commerce when the world is facing trade rows, he said. "We have the same understanding as China that the commerce must be free."

The CIIE, the world's first import-themed national-level expo, is being held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, gathering more than 3,600 companies from different countries and regions. Greece has 17 companies attending the fair with a focus on investment, tourism and agriculture.

"We already have very good economic cooperation, but it mostly focuses on transport and logistics," he said. "Now we want to develop cooperation in other areas such as agriculture with our rich biodiversity and high-quality agricultural products which will fit into the Chinese market."

Katrougkalos said China's new concrete measures announced at the CIIE such as faster customs clearance will help more fresh Greece farm produce to be delivered.

"Tourism is also a very reasonable sector because China is a leading source of outbound tourists in the world," he said. "And we are very interested in more cooperation in fields where China is becoming a pioneer, such as information technology and artificial intelligence."

Companies from Greece have made good contacts at the CIIE, he said, calling the expo a major platform for fruitful business exchanges.

"It has become an institution, and I think it will become better and better every year," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:40:16|Editor: Yurou

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LANZHOU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Police in northwest China's Gansu Province have busted an interprovincial drug gang of eight suspects and seized over 30 kg of heroin.

According to police in Lanzhou, the provincial capital, a drug dealer frequently driving between Gansu and Yunnan Province in southwest China caught their attention in May.

The suspect was captured at a highway exit in Lanzhou on Sept. 16. The vehicle and 40 bulks of heroin weighing 14 kg were also seized at the scene.

The police captured three more suspects along with 4 kg of heroin in late September, and another dealer with nearly 12 kg of heroin on him a month later.

In the meantime, another main suspect and his two accomplices who were about to flee were captured by police.

Further investigation is underway.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 15:45:17|Editor: xuxin

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JERUSALEM, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Clashes erupted early on Wednesday morning between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus as one thousand Jewish worshipers forced their way to a holy site.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that Israeli military, Border Police, police and Civil Administration forces secured the entrance of a thousand worshippers to Joseph's Tomb, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews.

Violent clashes broke out at the entrance to the city. According to the spokesperson, during the incident, Palestinians fired towards an Israeli vehicle from a passing car.

Youths hurled rocks and a firebomb at an Israeli military vehicle and the soldiers "responded with riot dispersal means," the spokesperson said. These means usually include tear gas, stun grenade and sponge-coated bullets.

Upon the forces' entrance to Joseph's Tomb, two self-manufactured grenades were found in the area of the site. "It was detonated by sappers," the spokesperson said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, but one Palestinian was apprehended and transferred to security forces for further questioning, according to the military.

Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled it ever since, despite international criticism.

Night military raids and mass entrances of Israeli worshipers to holy sites in Palestinian cities usually trigger clashes between locals and Israeli security forces.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:10:22|Editor: xuxin

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DHAKA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a finance package totaling more than 200 million U.S. dollars to improve the rural road network for 51.5 million people in Bangladesh.

"Rural roads are critical to supporting the country's agriculture sector, which accounted for more than 15 percent of the country's gross domestic product in 2015, and employs, directly or indirectly, about half of the workforce," ADB Senior Rural Development Specialist Lee Ming Tai was quoted as saying in a statement Wednesday.

"ADB's Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will support the government's current Seventh Five Year Plan, which focuses on boosting rural incomes as well as agriculture's contribution to economic development."

According to the statement, about 80 percent of the country's population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for its livelihood.

But the sector is held back by several major constraints, including insufficient rural transport, inadequate market infrastructure, and more intense floods and cyclones related to climate change, it said.

The total cost of the project, which is due for completion in November 2023, is 285.31 million U.S. dollars, it said.

ADB will provide a concessional loan of 100 million U.S. dollars and a regular loan of 100 million U.S. dollars. The government will provide the remaining 85.31 million U.S. dollars, it added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:25:27|Editor: xuxin

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Pakistani army officer was killed on Wednesday while defusing an explosive device in the country's Mohmand district, the military said.

A statement from the army's media wing the Inter-Services Public Relations said that captain Zarghaam Fareed lost his life when he was neutralizing an improvised explosive device, while a member of the bomb disposal team was critically injured.

The incident occurred in Mohmand district, bordering Afghanistan, which is now merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Security forces have cleared the area of the Pakistani Taliban militants, who are blamed for planting improvised explosive devices in remote areas. Most of the militants have been killed and some have fled to neighboring Afghanistan, according to security officials.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:30:28|Editor: Yurou

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The police escort suspects of telecom fraud to get off a plane at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on Nov. 7, 2018. A total of 36 telecom fraudsters have been brought back from the Philippines to southern China's Shenzhen Wednesday. The suspects are behind more than 700 fraud cases across China involving over 18 million yuan (2.6 million U.S. dollars), according to the police. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A total of 36 telecom fraudsters have been returned from the Philippines to southern China's Shenzhen Wednesday.

The suspects are behind more than 700 fraud cases across China involving over 18 million yuan (2.6 million U.S. dollars), according to the police.

Among the repatriated, 22 have been handed over to Guangdong police, and the other 14 are being sent to northeast China's Jilin Province for further investigation.

Police said the suspects, based in the Philippines, used e-mails and social networking software to trick victims into purchasing assigned products online using their own money to boost order volumes.

Then the suspects would wire them the order amounts together with some rewards to establish trust, before inducing them to invest more, but later refused to pay them back using various reasons.

Most victims were young people such as college students, some being swindled out of hundreds of thousands of yuan, according to the police.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westhaven Ventures Inc. (TSX-V:WHN) is pleased to report that drilling has resumed at its 15,542 hectare Shovelnose gold property, located within the prospective Spences Bridge Gold Belt (SBGB), which borders the Coquihalla Highway, 30 kilometres south of Merritt, British Columbia.



2018 Fall Drill Program

This fully-financed drill program will consist of approximately 2,500 metres of diamond drilling over a strike length of 400 metres at the recently discovered South Zone. Recent drilling here intersected 17.77 metres of 24.50 g/t Au, including 6.78 metres of 50.76 g/t Au. The focus of the current program is to expand on this recently encountered higher grade gold in the South Zone. Please see the plan map of proposed drilling below.

Gareth Thomas, President & CEO of Westhaven stated, We are keen to get back drilling at the South Zone. Only two holes have been drilled into the newly tested southern block and both holes intersected significant gold-silver mineralization. We will be testing both the vertical extent and the strike length of this mineralization." Peter Fischl, P.Geo., Exploration Manager, adds This follow-up program will look to extend the strike of the South Zone vein system to the southeast by 200 metres. Planned upper and lower cuts to holes SN18-14 and 15 will test the vein zone over a vertical range of 200 metres as well.

Shovelnose Gold Property Overview

There is evidence of a significant mineralized alteration system within the property where float samples grading 119 g/t Au (Gold) and 273 g/t Ag (Silver), veins exposed by trenching grading 66 g/t Au, and wide low-grade alteration zones typical of epithermal gold deposits have been discovered. Recent drilling intersected 17.77 metres of 24.50 g/t Au, including 6.78 metres of 50.76 g/t Au. For further information on the Shovelnose Gold Property, please visit: http://westhavenventures.com/projects/shovelnose-gold/details/

The Spences Bridge Gold Belt (SBGB)

Westhaven owns a 100%-interest in 4 properties covering over 35,000 hectares within the prospective SBGB, which is situated within a geological setting like those which host other significant epithermal gold-silver systems. It is close to major transportation routes and infrastructure allowing for cost-effective exploration. The SBGB is a 110-kilometre northwest-trending belt of intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks dominated by the Cretaceous Spences Bridge Group. Sable Resources and Westhaven have a combined control of 86% of the SBGB (225,000ha). Any ground staked by Sable within a 5-kilometre perimeter of Westhaven's existing property boundaries will be subject to a 2.5% NSR. In addition, Westhaven has a 30-day Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for a three-year period on any properties outside of the 5-km area of interest.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

WESTHAVEN VENTURES INC.



"Gareth Thomas"



Gareth Thomas, President, CEO & Director

About Westhaven Ventures Inc.

Westhaven Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective resource properties. Westhaven is focused on advancing its Shovelnose, Prospect Valley, Skoonka and Skoonka North gold projects in British Columbia. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhavens website at www.westhavenventures.com

Qualified Person Statement

Peter Fischl, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 has read and takes responsibility for this release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/438e1aac-3857-42bc-833c-5ec97c2a0adcSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:35:29|Editor: xuxin

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NEW YORK/WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Voters headed to the polls in droves across the United States on Tuesday in the midterm elections with an extraordinary turnout.

All the 50 states were active in the voting likely to decide the trajectory of U.S. politics in the next two years, by choosing who will control Senate and House of Representatives, as well as hold the state and local offices.

Amid a divisive political atmosphere, an unprecedented level of participation was witnessed, also with a record early voting number and donation made to candidates.

More than 38 million ballots were cast ahead of the election day compared with the fewer than 20 million in 2014. Over 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in donations were made to the House and Senate candidates, likely making this year's midterm voting the most expensive congressional elections in U.S. history, showed data released Tuesday by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Voters in some states stood for hours in long lines at polling stations, and people on the U.S. East Coast braved heavy rains to vote in one of the nation's most highly contested midterm elections.

In Arlington, Virginia, Robin Sparrow, a democratic resident, said issues including healthcare and immigration brought him to the polling site. "It's really about bringing some normalcy to our politics and rhetoric that we have going on in the United States," he told Xinhua.

In Virginia's Fauquier County where President Donald Trump won a landslide victory in the 2016 presidential race, Republican voter Butch Johnson said he gives the Republican Party credit for the economy but expects more unity.

"I think there's a lot of room for improvement," Johnson said. "I think we need some unity and we need to come together."

The elections will determine the winners of 35 Senate seats and all 435 seats of the House, as well as 36 governorships and thousands of state-level official positions.

Having flipped at least 23 seats from Republican hands, the Democrats are set to retake control of the House after eight years in the minority, successfully splitting control of Congress with the Republicans, who have retained control of the Senate in earlier races, according to projections of multiple news outlets. This can greatly undermine the White House's policy efforts.

Voters in New York City cast their ballots amid a heavy downpour. Some people waited patiently outside Public School 154 in Harlem, uptown Manhattan, which was one of the over 1,200 booths across the city.

"The turnout has been particularly heavy," said the city's Board of Elections Commissioner Frederic M. Umane, while inspecting the site around 10 a.m. (1500 GMT), four hours after the voting began.

"This approaches what we would have in a presidential election," he said.

Young voters, who were in the past votes regarded as an unreliable group, went to the polls or felt motivated to vote as many believed the young people could change the political map in the country.

Jenan, a 21-year-old college student who cast her ballot in downtown Houston, said: "Voting is extremely important for young people. The majority of people who are voting today are older citizens whose opinions often don't match what a majority of people in America feel."

Julianne, 22, a college student in Houston, said the young people's "votes will be what ultimately affects the world in which they live when they are older."

In Chicago, Julia, 22, occupational therapist at the University of Illinois, said: "I find that it's very important to vote, especially since this person is going to very much impact the future of Illinois."

On the U.S. West Coast, a record 19,696,371 Californians were registered to vote on the deadline Oct. 22, an increase of 1,892,548 since the last gubernatorial election in 2014, showed official data released last week.

Nearly 4 million Californians cast ballots early, mostly by mail, which suggested a higher-than-average turnout for a midterm election, according to local media reports.

Kev Abazajian, professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine, said, "Many people are unhappy with the direction of their federal government today. Lots of political activities are going on to get changes to happen. That's why more voters show up to cast their ballots."

To many people like Abazajian, who ran for a seat in the city council, one of the most pressing issues for the United States is the rise in hate against groups that have been marginalized for centuries.

"There is strong polarization right now, lots of misinformation, hatred of foreign people, immigrants, and minorities in the U.S. It is not what America should be," said Abazajian, who migrated from Armenia during his childhood.

"Immigration, border control and tax policies are among the major issues that we are concerned," an Asian-American man in his 60s, who was reluctant to be named, told Xinhua when voting at Santa Anita Church, Arcadia, where there were indicators in nine languages to direct voters.

He said Asians and other ethnic minority groups should vote to influence decision-making and defend their own rights.

"We should reach out to immigrant groups, and let them understand this is the most powerful thing we can do to determine our future," Abazajian said.

"Changes may not happen overnight, but in two years, five years, or ten years when our kids are grown up, they can see the real change," he added.

(Xinhua reporters Liu Yang, Deng Xianlai, Xiong Maoling, Chang Yuan, Pan Lijun, Tan Jingjing, Huang Heng, Gao Shan, Tan Yixiao, Miao Zhuang and Gao Lu contributed to the story.)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:40:31|Editor: xuxin

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that the planned meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a visiting senior official from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been delayed.

The top U.S. diplomat had been expected to meet with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, in New York on Thursday.

Heather Nauert, the department spokesperson, said in a statement on early Wednesday that the scheduled meeting "will now take place at a later date."

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," Nauert said, adding that the ongoing conversations between Washington and Pyongyang "continue to take place."

Pompeo and Kim were expected to discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement," according to an earlier statement issued by the State Department.

Pompeo himself revealed in a Sunday interview that he expected some "real progress" in talks with Kim, including "an effort to make sure that the summit between the two leaders can take place."

The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. According to a joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the United States would provide security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization.

Following the leaders' meeting, the U.S.-DPRK talks were once stuck in an impasse due to differences over the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:45:33|Editor: xuxin

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BEIRUT, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Internal Security Forces thwarted Wednesday a smuggling operation of Syrian refugees through the port of Tripoli, local media reported.

The Syrian refugees were heading to Cyprus from the port of Tripoli, according to Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.

The statement added that security forces arrested four human traffickers, who were three Lebanese and one Syrian.

This is not the first time that Lebanon's security forces stops such an operation.

On Sept. 23, Lebanon's security forces had thwarted the smuggling of Syrian refugees by sea to Cyprus.

Cyprus has become the destination of maritime smuggling from Lebanon for Syrian refugees to move to other European countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:45:35|Editor: xuxin

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YAOUNDE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-nine school children and one driver who were kidnapped in a private school in troubled Cameroon anglophone region of Northwest have been released, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, minister of communication and government spokesman told Xinhua early Wednesday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:45:35|Editor: Liu

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The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington D.C. Nov. 6, 2018. The U.S. Republican Party on Tuesday managed to maintain a Senate majority in the midterm elections, while the Democrats wrestled the House majority from the Republicans, according to projections of multiple news outlets. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Preliminary results of the U.S. midterm elections suggest that the newly elected Congress will be split between the Democratic and Republican parties, as voting ended early Wednesday.

Voting in parts of the state of Alaska ended 8 p.m. local time (0600 GMT), wrapping up one of the most watched midterm elections in modern U.S. history.

According to projections from U.S. media outlets, the Republican Party has solidified its grip on the Senate, while the Democratic Party retook control of the House of Representatives after eight years in the minority.

With votes still being counted in the early hours of Wednesday and the Senate special election in Mississippi entering a run-off slated for late November, the exact allocation of seats is yet to be determined in both chambers of Congress.

The split result, widely anticipated in pre-voting polls, gave both parties reasons to celebrate. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the election was a "tremendous success," while the leader of House Democrats Nancy Pelosi pledged to exercise "checks and balances" on the Trump administration.

The political polarization in recent years energized voters in both camps, as early voting numbers and the financial donations given to both political parties and their nominees shattered records.

According to surveys, top vote-swaying issues include Medicare, immigration and the economy.

This year's midterms yielded a number of firsts in U.S. history, including the first openly gay governor, the first Muslim and Native American congresswomen, the youngest member of Congress, and the first female Senator representing the state of Tennessee and the first female governor of South Dakota.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 16:50:37|Editor: Yurou

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Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, reads a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the fifth World Internet Conference (WIC) at the opening ceremony of the conference in Wuzhen Town, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The fifth World Internet Conference opened in Wuzhen of east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday.

Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, read Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter and addressed the conference.

Huang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said President Xi's letter expressed China's sincere hope to build a digital world with other countries and showed China's wisdom in global Internet development and governance.

Huang said each country's equal rights to development, participation and governance in cyberspace should be upheld.

Innovation and creativity should be encouraged, he said, adding that integration in market, industries and technology should be accelerated.

Huang called for more joint efforts to meet risks and challenges and to deepen cooperation in cyberspace security, development and governance.

The conference, themed "creating a digital world for mutual trust and collective governance -- towards a community with a shared future in cyberspace," attracts around 1,500 participants from 76 countries and regions.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 17:10:44|Editor: Yurou

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LUSAKA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Tuesday fired his Minister of Works and Supply Felix Mutati, who is an opposition leader, and replaced him with a lawmaker from the ruling party.

Lungu did not gave any reason for his decision, and said there was no need for speculation because he has the discretion to appoint and remove ministers, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation said in a report.

The move was necessary, the president said.

Mutati is the second government minister fired from Lungu's administration this year.

He was appointed finance minister when Lungu won elections in 2016 and transferred to the Ministry of Works and Supply in February this year.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 17:20:45|Editor: Yurou

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- With a series of actions being taken by the central government, China's private businesses that often complain about disadvantage in market access and funding will be enabled to seek better development on a broader stage.

Over the past four days, several governmental departments including the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce have separately announced new policies to show their unswerving support for private enterprises.

Competitive neutrality, which SAMR chief Zhang Mao mentioned in an interview with Xinhua on Monday, could be a catch-all phrase to describe this new round of policy support in the private economy.

Although the basic economic system of China requires the public sector to retain a dominant position and other diverse forms of ownership to develop side by side, it doesn't mean the government will pamper public sector competitors for the sake of their ownership.

Instead, the country's regulators want policies concerning regulation, tax, debt and public services to be impartial so as to treat all market entities fairly and equally.

For instance, SAMR said it would annul documents impeding the establishment of a unified market and fair competition by the end of this year.

Practices constraining market competition and conduct leading to monopoly, including behaviors like excessive charging, forced transactions and unreasonable trading requirements, will be disallowed.

The MIIT also said it would relax market access and lift barriers to help private businesses enter industries such as telecommunication and encourage them to participate in defense construction and utilize advanced military technologies for growth.

At the ongoing first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, a decision was announced that a science and technology innovation board will be launched at the Shanghai Stock Exchange, while a registration system for listed companies will be experimented with.

This decision will bring innovative private enterprises, especially smaller ones, a new channel to raise funds from the stock markets, empowering them financially to seek quicker innovations.

Starting from Jan. 1, 2019, high-tech business incubators, university science parks and makerspaces at state or provincial levels, which mostly house small innovative private businesses, will be exempt from paying housing property tax, land use tax and value-added tax so as to spur entrepreneurship and innovations, according to a separate statement by the Ministry of Finance on Monday.

All these measures were released after a symposium on private enterprises was held in Beijing on Nov. 1, where President Xi Jinping had a discussion with representatives of private enterprises, reassuring them that the private sector "should only grow stronger instead of becoming weakened, and march toward a broader stage."

Their talks touched on very specific problems in policy implementation. For example, Xi said that the same standards should be observed for enterprises of all types of ownership in the process of reducing overcapacity and leverage.

He also demanded the establishment of a new type of cordial and clean relationship between governments and businesses. In other words, government decision makers will need to respect the opinions and appeals of private business operators more, and take initiative to help them solve problems.

After 40 years of reform and opening up, there are not only breathtaking IT giants such as Alibaba and Tencent on the landscape of China's private economy, but also 100 million small private businesses.

Together, these private businesses have so far contributed to more than 80 percent of China's urban employment and 90 percent of its new jobs.

As the government continues to cut its red tape, improve business environments and advance reforms to secure fair competition, the potential of China's private businesses will be further unleashed, and their economic impact both on home turf and across the world will become stronger.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 17:25:47|Editor: Yurou

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JAKARTA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian search and rescue office Wednesday planned to prolong the search for the cockpit voice recorder, fuselage and body parts of passengers of the Lion Air plane that plunged into waters off western Indonesia nine days ago, top rescuer disclosed.

The national search and rescue office extended the mission for another three-day mission, starting on Thursday, searching for the crucial parts of the almost new Boeing 737 Max 8 jet plane and body parts of the victims.

The mission is winded down as it will be only carried out by the personnel from the office, excluding the assistance from armed forces, police, the government institutions and volunteers, head of the office Muhammad Syaugi said.

By far, a total of 186 body bags consisting body parts have been handed to the Disaster Victim Identification unit of Indonesian police hospital for identification, and some others body parts in several body bags have also been retrieved from the sea floor, but are still kept in ships, he said.

A total of 44 human bodies have been identified so far by the identification team, according to the police.

As of now, the divers have retrieved the flight data reorder, two landing gears and two turbines of the Lion Air plane with flight number JT 6-10 that crashed into the ocean off Jakarta 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Banten province, Syaugi said.

Thick layer of mud and sand, over one meter, has hampered divers to identify the cockpit voice recorder whose signal released by ping locator installed in the device that has been frequently detected, he added.

The country's transport safety committee will probe the cause of the glitch at the speed indicator during the fatal flight that killed all the 189 people on board, investigator at the committee Captain Nurcahyo Utomo said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 18:05:57|Editor: Yurou

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, together with global innovators, development banks, governments and companies announced their commitment to accelerating the commercialization and adoption of disruptive sanitation technologies worldwide in the next decade at the ongoing Reinvented Toilet Expo in Beijing.

"This expo showcases decentralized sanitation technologies and products that are business-ready," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "It's no longer a question of if we can reinvent the toilet and other sanitation systems. It's a question of how quickly this new category of off-grid solutions will scale."

At the expo, companies are displaying a new class of sanitation solutions that eliminate harmful pathogens and convert waste into by-products like clean water and fertilizer without effecting sewers or water lines.

"Our system can convert solid waste into water for agriculture or industry," said Mark Hassman with Crane Engineering, a company from the U.S.

"We will promote our products to Africa and South Asian countries to meet the needs of people living in areas without sewers or water lines, making sanitary toilets available to under-developed regions and people with low incomes," said Cao Jun, the president of Clear, a company based in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. The company has sold more than 10,000 units of sewage treatment equipment to over 50 countries.

Moreover, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the African Development Bank announced at the expo their commitments with the potential to unlock 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in financing for sanitation projects that provide people in all parts of a city, including the poorest neighborhoods, with safely managed sanitation services.

"Sanitation is a growing priority for the World Bank Group and many global leaders. I'm pleased to announce our new partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which will help catalyze a new generation of solutions that can bring safe sanitation to everyone, everywhere on earth," said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group president.

According to a recent Boston Consulting Group analysis, the reinvented toilet market is estimated to become an annual six-billion-U.S. dollar global business opportunity by 2030. A World Health Organization study showed that there will be an economic return of 5.50 U.S. dollars for every dollar invested in sanitation on average.

"Visionary governments that welcome these new, sewerless sanitation solutions into communities, and cities will help people live healthier and more prosperous lives," said Mansour Faye, Senegal's minister for water and sanitation.

The expo, co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Chamber of International Commerce, is being held from Nov. 6 to 8 in Beijing and is focused on how innovations in sanitation can transform lives for the better.Annual List Recognizes Solution Providers Transforming Business with Emerging Technologies



SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcadia Data , provider of the first visual analytics software native to Apache Hadoop and the cloud, announced today that CRN , a brand of The Channel Company , has named Arcadia Data to its 2018 Next-Gen 250 list. The annual list identifies IT solution providers who have embraced emerging technologies and are setting the pace for the rest of the channel in their adoption. Those on the list have been able to meet their customers ever-changing IT needs in leading-edge technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, virtualization, mobility, business analytics and business intelligence.

Access to data and analytics is still a challenge for organizations that use traditional BI tools on modern data platforms. Even many of todays BI and analytics tools require users to think in terms of data sets and fields when analyzing their data or rely on data scientists and analysts to generate insights. Arcadia Data has focused on developing and delivering technology  analytics and BI solutions that are native to big data, including streaming data  to market that addresses these pain points by furthering the consumerization of data and analytics.

At Arcadia Data, we realize access to data and analytics is still a challenge for organizations that use traditional BI tools on modern data platforms, said Sushil Thomas, CEO and co-founder, Arcadia Data. As a result, there is a growing demand for products that allow business users to gain insights and value from big data. Arcadia Data is proud to be named to this list of next-generation data companies and congratulate all the other organizations listed. We look forward to continuing our technology innovation to align with where the big data and analytics market is headed.

These innovative solution providers have adapted to a rapidly-evolving marketplace and learned to leverage new technology as a competitive advantage, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. Our 2018 Next-Gen 250 list is comprised of forward-thinking companies who deliver solutions designed to meet an unprecedented set of customer needs. We congratulate each team on its vision and influence in the overall progression of the IT channel.

A sampling of the Next-Gen 250 list will be featured in the December issue of CRN. The complete list will be available online at www.crn.com/nextgen250 .



About Arcadia Data

Arcadia Data provides the first visual analytics and BI platform native to big data that delivers the scale, performance, and agility business users need to discover and productionize real-time insights. Its flagship product, Arcadia Enterprise, was built from inception to run natively within big data platforms, in the cloud and/or on-premises, to streamline the self-service analytics process on data in Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, Apache Kafka, and Apache Solr. It enables real-time, high-definition insights in use cases like data lakes, cybersecurity, connected IoT devices, and customer intelligence. Arcadia Enterprise is deployed by some of the worlds leading brands, including Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Royal Bank of Canada, Kaiser Permanente, HPE, and Neustar. To learn more, follow @ArcadiaData or visit www.arcadiadata.com.

Press Contact:

Sammy Totah

Email: Arcadiadata@bocacommunications.com

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

Copyright 2018. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter , LinkedIn and FacebookSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 18:10:58|Editor: Yurou

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by Xinhua writers Xu Feng, Gao Lu

NEW YORK/HOUSTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- With an expected spending of 5.2 billion U.S. dollars, the 2018 midterm elections are the most expensive in U.S. history, which leaves many wondering if democracy should always come with such a hefty price tag.

The Center for Responsive Politics predicted last week that more than 5.2 billion dollars will be spent in this election cycle, making it "the most expensive midterm election ever by a wide margin." This would indicate a 35-percent increase over the 2014 midterms, and break the previous record of 4.1 billion dollars in the 2016 congressional race.

Estimates for TV and radio ad spending are around 3.27 billion dollars, doubling the 1.5 billion spent on the 2014 midterm contests, according to ad-spending data from Advertising Analytics.

The lavish spending is driven by successful fundraising from both parties, in particular the Democrats. Democratic candidates for the House and Senate have raised a combined total of 1.46 billion dollars, dwarfing the 1 billion dollars for Republicans, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics on Tuesday, the election day.

SMALL DONATION, BIG DIFFERENCE

While billionaires, as usual, continued to funnel huge amount of money to super PACs (political action committees) to wield influence over the two parties, it is small donations, especially from women, that have set 2018 midterms apart, at least in terms of fundraising.

Beto O'Rourke, the Democrat running against Republican Senator Ted Cruz in the southern U.S. state of Texas, broke Senate fundraising record, raising 38.1 million dollars in the third quarter from more than 800,000 people, the O'Rourke campaign said. O'Rourke raised nearly 70 million dollars in this cycle thanks to small donors, significantly higher than Cruz's 40 million.

ActBlue, the widely-used democratic fundraising hub, told news media Axios that 61 percent of donors for the 2018 midterm race are women, up from 54 percent in 2016. The streamlined online portal raised more than 1.5 billion dollars, double the amount in 2016.

Paul Allen, a 67-year-old retired U.S. Postal Service employee, told Xinhua at a polling station in New York City on Tuesday that for the midterms he donated 100 dollars to the National Action Network, one of the leading civil rights group.

Kate Shine, a 30-year-old writer and comedian who identified herself as an independent, told Xinhua at the same polling station that she made small donations to support several candidates including Democratic Senator Kristen Gillibrand, though she declined to disclose the exact amount of contributions.

Shine said her participation in the "important election" is driven by her observation that politicians in power today are not representing people's interests, citing the controversial nomination and approval of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

AN ERA SANS DONATION CAP

The upsurge of small donations is, to a degree, only a reaction and counterweight to billionaire donations and their outsized influence on the PAC-driven campaigns, which set no limit to political donations thanks to the rulings of the Supreme Court.

In 2014, the Supreme Court struck down limits on election spending, echoing its 2010 decision on Citizens United. The apex court said campaign expenditure caps were unconstitutional since they placed "substantial and direct restrictions" on protected political expression.

Mega-donors continued to spend big in this cycle. Reports showed conservative casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam donated more than 110 million dollars to super PACs supporting Republicans. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, gave more than 40 million dollars to super PACs supporting Democrats.

"Economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence," political scientists Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin I. Page of Northwestern concluded in their influential 2014 study after examining thousands of U.S. policies.

Take gun control as an example. In the wake of multiple mass shootings in recent years, the majority of Americans are now in favor of stricter gun control, but the National Rifle Association, through its huge political spending, has repeatedly swayed the decision of Congress to its own favor.

The majority of voters interviewed by Xinhua during the election day expressed frustration with the unmatched influence of corporate cash and the record spending of the 2018 midterms.

"The Supreme Court ruling on election spending opened the floodgates. A lot of interest groups are pouring more and more money into this and we are living in a more money-driven society. It's just a natural consequence of that," 55-year-old physician Michael Bommarito told Xinhua in Chicago.

"I would want to see the election of more candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who represent people out there working hard everyday, not candidates that have the most money behind them," Shine said.

"Elections should be on merit and character, not money," Allen said.

"VIRUS" THAT INFECTS BOTH PARTIES

The public have long bemoaned that politicians are spending too much of their time chasing campaign cash instead of focusing on matters that are key to improving people's livelihood. Political pundits believe the status quo is here to stay.

"Political spending is a virus that infects both parties," noted Sourabh Gupta, senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, D.C.

"That has been a cancer in the American political process for a long time. It is a very particular and debilitating feature of the system here. But it is not new," Gupta said.

Gupta attributed the heavy spending in part to the reality that average Americans are not very politically engaged and knowledgeable voters.

"If there was greater interest and engagement and knowledge of politics among Americans, there would be less benefit accruing from these spending heavy political campaigns," he said.

David Firestein, a public policy expert at the University of Texas in Austin, believes money is always going to be a very profound and important part of the U.S. politics "for better or worse."

"We, as a nation, just have to come to terms with this," Firestein said. "We need to regulate that in a way that creates a level playing field and creates as much transparency as possible, that allows the market of ideas to dictate ultimately where the money goes in the end. In a way, it's a market mechanism."

(Xinhua correspondents Liu Yanan in Houston, Miao Zhuang and Xu Jing in Chicago, Wu Xiaoling and Ye Zaiqi in San Francisco, Yang Shilong and Chang Yuan in New York also contributed to the report.)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 18:16:01|Editor: Yurou

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GABORONE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 16th Conference for Mathematics, Science and Technology in Africa kicked off on Tuesday in Maun, northwest Botswana.

The meeting brought together member states of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (SMASE) organization to discuss issues related to mathematics, science and technology education.

SMASE is a pan-African organization that gathers regional countries to look for approaches to boost mathematics and science education.

Professionals from Botswana, Gambia, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe were expected to share ideas on advancing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda at the conference.

Botswanian Minister of Basic Education Bagalatia Arone said quality development is underpinned by quality education and highlighted the importance of channeling more resources towards education and empowering teachers to nurture modern talents.

As a SMASE beneficiary, his country fully supports the organization's endeavors, he added.

He lauded this conference as a major step towards realizing the goal of SMASE, the African Union Agenda 2023 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2025 as well as a platform for mutual assistance on STEM against rising economic challenges.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 18:31:05|Editor: xuxin

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JUBA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's military and rebel forces have held talks around the capital Juba in an effort to forge unity and strengthen implementation of a recent peace deal.

Top commanders of the South Sudan people's defence forces and the main rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Tuesday discussed ways of ending hostilities, state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation reported.

Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO deputy military spokesperson also confirmed that the two parties agreed to allow free movement of army personnel, civilians and humanitarian agencies in their respective territories.

Gabriel added that the two armies also agreed to take full responsibility for any criminal activity that may occur in territories under their control.

"The SPLA-IO applauds the courage of both teams who showed that peace is a priority at the moment in South Sudan, not political differences. Wish all South Sudanese the best. Peace!" said Gabriel.

There was no immediate comment from the military spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.

The UN estimates that about four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed following renewed violence in the capital, Juba in July 2016.

Under a new peace deal signed in September this year, former vice president and opposition leader Riek Machar will once again be reinstated as President Salva Kiir's deputy.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 18:56:10|Editor: xuxin

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GUANGZHOU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- In the first three quarters of 2018, 113 new foreign-invested manufacturing companies were founded in Guangzhou, a year-on-year increase of 52.7 percent. The city also saw a year-on-year growth of 200 percent in the actual use of foreign capital during the same period.

Guangzhou's recovery growth in manufacturing followed a three-year action plan introduced by the municipal government in 2017. According to the plan for the 2018-2020 period, foreign investment in manufacturing is expected to grow by 20 percent per year and the actual use of foreign capital will reach 3.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2020.

From January to August this year, the industrial added value and the industrial output value of major foreign-invested enterprises in Guangzhou accounted for 55.6 percent and 58.0 percent of the city's total respectively.

"In the past two years, foreign-invested companies in Guangzhou have contributed to the city's recovery growth in manufacturing," said Yang Yong, deputy director of Guangzhou Municipal Commission of Commerce. "The actual use of foreign capital in Guangzhou reached 2.624 billion U.S. dollars in the first three quarters of 2018, a year-on-year increase of 204.1 percent."

"In recent years, some world famous foreign companies have increased their capital and share in China, indicating their confidence in the market," Yang added. "From January to September this year, 478 foreign companies have increased their investment in Guangzhou, a year-on-year increase of 68.9 percent."

Until now, the number of the world's top 500 companies in Guangzhou has reached 297, with 921 investment projects. Statistics also show that Guangzhou saw 4,215 new foreign direct investment (FDI) companies in the first nine months of 2018, a year-on-year increase of 145.9 percent.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 19:01:12|Editor: xuxin

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KABUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Taliban group has announced to send a delegation to the Moscow Peace Conference, at which it will discuss an end to the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, a statement from the outfit said Wednesday.

In the statement posted on the armed group's website, the hardliner group said that a delegation from the group will attend the meeting in Moscow slated on Nov. 9, to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and seek what it called an end to "the U.S. occupation" of the country.

"A particular point needs clarification; this conference is not about negotiating with any particular side rather it is a conference about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation," asserted the Taliban statement.

The statement comes after the government of Afghanistan said it has no plan on sending delegation to the Moscow-led peace meeting on Afghan imbroglio.

Afghan government has said repeatedly that it only wants to attend an Afghan-initiated and Afghan-led negotiation with the armed oppositions, but supports any peace talks in which Afghan interest was at the forefront.File photo shows a worker shows a diamond to the media at the Christie in Geneva, Switzerland, April 30, 2013. The gem was found at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana and took 21 months to polish. (Xinhua/Wang Siwei)

GABORONE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Botswana seeks to take full advantage of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to market its diamonds in China, a senior government official has said.

In an interview with Xinhua regarding the event which is running from Nov. 5 to 10 in Chinese city Shanghai, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Eric Molale said the Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) is participating at the CIIE for the purpose of marketing the country's diamonds.

Most of Botswana's diamond production is of gem quality resulting in the country's position as the world's leading producer of diamonds by value. "As the leading diamond producer by value world over, we are earmarking to export more diamonds to China," said Molale.

According to the minister, Botswana has been exporting its diamonds to the western countries but not benefiting much in terms of revenue, adding there are great prospects presented by the Chinese market.

Last year, a local diamond manufacturer, Dalumi Group signed a distribution agreement with a Chinese jewelry firm, marking Botswana's major expansion into China's retail market for diamonds.

Botswana is the second biggest supplier of conflict-free diamonds, having been a founding participant of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since 2003.

Kutlo Moagi, Director of Corporate Communication at BITC, said earlier that Botswana is seeing a positive development and big opportunity coming the southern African country's way in the aftermath of CIIE.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 19:26:16|Editor: xuxin

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SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed Wednesday to exchange information on infectious diseases on a trial basis by the end of this year to jointly prevent the spread and entry of contagious diseases.

The agreement was reached after the inter-Korean working-level talks on health and medical cooperation which were held at the joint liaison office of the two Koreas in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong.

Under the joint statement, the two sides agreed to conduct a pilot exchange of information on infectious diseases within this year, while continuing to discuss ways to exchange information and take necessary measures to prevent the entry and spread of contagious diseases into the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea and the DPRK will cooperate in diagnosing and doing the preventive treatment of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria, through the exchange of letters.

The two Koreas agreed to actively push forward projects on health and medical cooperation and the prevention of epidemics in various ways.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 19:51:21|Editor: Yurou

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MACAO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The total number of personal credit cards issued by banks in Macao increased by 10.3 percent year-on-year at the end of September 2018, the special administrative region's monetary watchdog said here on Wednesday.

Monetary Authority of Macao said due to the increasing use of dual-currency and triple-currency cards, the total number of personal credit cards issued by banks in Macao stood at 1,282,732 at the end of September, equivalent to an increase of 3.2 percent over a quarter earlier or 10.3 percent over a year earlier.

The numbers of pataca cards, Hong Kong dollar cards and renminbi cards grew year-on-year by 9.7 percent (to 903,711), 6.4 percent (to 93,294) and 13.7 percent (to 285,727) respectively.

At end of September 2018, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached 32.5 billion patacas (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), up 7.6 percent from the end of June 2018 or 17.0 percent from the end of September 2017.

Credit card receivables amounted to 2.5 billion patacas (about 310 million dollars), of which the rollover amount totaled 794.5 million patacas (about 98.5 million dollars), representing 31.6 percent of credit card receivables.

The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, remained unchanged at 1.49 percent when compared with the previous reporting period.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 19:56:24|Editor: xuxin

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by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

JAMMU, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov. 7 -- Sandiya Malhotra, a housewife just finished her purchase of earthen lamps and fireworks with a vendor.

Her 12-year-old daughter Vibha holding the packets was urging her mother to step inside a confectionery to buy sweets.

"Mama, please be quick, we need to reach home early," Vibha told Malhotra. "My friends would be waiting for me."

Vibha is eager to reach home to celebrate Diwali, a popular Hindu festival.

"We will light diyas (earthen oil lamps) in the evening and set off firecrackers," said Vibha with a glint of smile on her face. "It will be a total fun."

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is being celebrated Wednesday across India states with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervor.

The Hindus visit temples, wear new clothes and illuminate their houses and shops to celebrate the festival.

"We are coming back from the temple after offering prayers," said Pawan Gupta, a local resident as he walked out of Ragunath temple.

Gupta is accompanied by his aged parents and two sons.

"I want to buy some packs of sweets so that I can present it to the people coming to my place today," said Gupta. "It's time to celebrate and make others feel happy as well."

Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, is known as city of temples.

The temples have been decorated and illuminated with electric bulbs and buntings. The Hindu priests inside the main Ragunath temple are busy chanting religious hymns, which is audible in the market outside.

Hundreds of Hindu devotees make a beeline to the temple and participate in hymn singing.

Two days ahead of the festival on Monday, Hindus began the celebrations with Dhanteras -- a day many believe is auspicious for purchasing and making silver.

"The celebrations at our home began on Dhanteras. My mother purchased a few gold ornaments with the belief that it would bring wealth to our family," Rupali Saxena, a Hindu devotee said.

"Today on the eve of Diwali, we pray that this festival would bring light, happiness and peace in our lives."

Hindus across India light earthen oil lamps during evenings to illuminate their houses as a part of observance of the festival.

Diwali festival marks an official holiday in India. The festival is being celebrated in the memory of Hindu God Lord Rama's homecoming after completing 14 years in exile in a forest and his victory over demon king Ravana.

Hindu scholars say the festival marks the victory of good over evil.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted Indians on the occasion of Diwali. "Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyone's lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail," the prime minister said in a statement.

With the pollution levels up in Delhi, there is a growing concern of environmental pollution among the residents. Keeping this in mind, the Indian Supreme Court has allowed the bursting of "green" firecrackers in the capital for only two hours on Diwali, from 8:00 p.m. (local time) to 10:00 p.m.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:11:29|Editor: Liu

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The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington D.C. Nov. 6, 2018. The U.S. Republican Party on Tuesday managed to maintain a Senate majority in the midterm elections, while the Democrats wrestled the House majority from the Republicans, according to projections of multiple news outlets. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the U.S. midterm elections enter early Wednesday, it is almost certain that the Democratic Party has retaken the House of Representatives and the Republicans will hold onto Senate.

With four Senate seats and dozens of House seats still in contest, U.S. media outlets widely projected the Democratic Party will gain control of the House of Representatives and the Republican Party will solidify its grip on Senate.

Given the outstanding races, the Democratic and the Republican Parties are both expected to expand their advantages in the chamber where they enjoy majority.

The Republican Party currently holds 51 seats in the Senate, reaching pre-election levels. It is highly likely that it will pick up at least one more Senate seat from the states of Montana, Mississippi or Florida, allowing it to build a bigger edge against the Democratic Party in the upper chamber of Congress.

The GOP successfully peeled off at least three vulnerable Democratic seats in the states of Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota, quelling the little if any hope the Democrats had for taking Senate. But the GOP has also lost a Senate seat representing Nevada to a Democratic challenger.

The Democratic Party has secured 218 seats in the House, and is looking to pick up more seats from the Republicans, allowing itself a comfortable lead over the Republicans.

Some of the states where Democrats finished strong include Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia.

The Democrats' success had been widely anticipated by pre-voting polls, though the magnitude of the so-called "blue wave" is yet to be measured.

The split result gave both parties reason to celebrate. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the election was a "tremendous success," while the leader of House Democrats Nancy Pelosi pledged to exercise "checks and balances" on the Trump administration.

Regaining control of the lower chamber of Congress gives the Democrats greater sway in legislative issues, as they are expected to undermine policies pushed by the Trump administration, such as Medicare and immigration reform.

On the other hand, the Republicans can confirm government officials such as Supreme Court justices or cabinet members with more ease thanks to their bolstered Senate majority.

In the 36 gubernatorial races across the country, the Democratic Party flipped multiple states, including Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, reaching near equal numbers as the Republicans, who currently hold 33 of the nation's 50 governorships.

The political polarization in recent years has energized voters in both camps, as early voting numbers and the financial donations given to both political parties and their nominees shattered records.New York, NY, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, and Americas largest and fastest growing mobile-first bank, today announced that Luvleen Sidhu, Co-Founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer, will be giving one of the keynote talks at the ASEAN EXEC-IT 2018 conference. Sidhus presentation, Disrupting Banking Through the Use of Technology, will take place on November 15, 2018 at 9am SGT at Hotel Fort Canning in Singapore.

I am excited to speak at a conference with several other international tech and fintech visionaries, stated Sidhu. BankMobile launched nearly four years ago and since then, we have been focused on creating a bank that helps millennial and low- to middle-income Americans build a strong financial foundation through education and an easy-to-use and affordable banking experience. I look forward to sharing with the audience the ways in which technology has enabled us to really develop the bank of the future.

During her keynote, Sidhu will focus on how she is changing the banking industry through the launch of BankMobile, which she cofounded with her father Jay Sidhu in January 2015. BankMobiles mission is to create a financially-empowering, simple and affordable banking experience all through a smartphone or tablet device. Sidhu will discuss the innovative ways in which she uses technology and offer advice for others looking to build a more digitally-advanced company.

With 1.8 million customers, BankMobile is the largest and fastest growing mobile-first bank in the country. It is also in the Top 15 banks in the U.S. in terms of number of consumer checking accounts serviced.

The banks disbursements business, BankMobile Disbursements, serves more than five million students on nearly 800 campuses nationwide. BankMobile recently announced it has saved college and university students over $100 million* in banking fees since July 2016 versus had they deposited their funds into traditional checking accounts. The bank also provides refund management services to one in every three college students in the country.

Themed around Disruption for Digital Differentiation, ASEAN EXEC-IT 2018 is a two-day highly-interactive and enthralling event aimed to rethink, revamp, realign technological experiments and execute digital initiatives to drive meaningful outcomes for an all-out business value. The conference will take place November 15-16, 2018.





# # #



About BankMobile

Established in 2015, BankMobile is a division of Customers Bank and Americas largest and fastest growing mobile-first bank offering checking and savings accounts and personal loans. BankMobile provides an alternative banking experience to the traditional model and is focused on technology, innovation, easy-to-use products and education with the mission of being customer-obsessed and creating customers for life. The disruptive, multi-partner distribution model, known as Bank-as-a-Service, created by the executive team enables BankMobile to acquire customers at higher volumes and substantially lower expense than traditional banks. Its low-cost operating model enables it to provide low-cost banking services to low/middle-income Americans who have been left behind by the high-fee model of traditional banks. Today, BankMobile provides its Bank-as-a-Service platform to colleges and universities and currently serves nearly two million account-holders at nearly 800 campuses (covering one out of every three students in the U.S.). BankMobile is operating as the digital banking division of Customers Bank, which is a Federal Reserve regulated and FDIC-insured commercial bank. For more information, please visit: www.bankmobile.com.



*According to the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), the average annual cost of a traditional checking account is more than $118 per year. The average annual cost of owning a BankMobile Vibe account is less than $34 per year, for an average annual savings of more than $84 per student per year!

AttachmentSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:16:30|Editor: xuxin

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MADRID, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Moroto, has met representatives of British travel firms to discuss plans to ensure that British tourists can still visit Spain after Brexit, according to the "Independent" newspaper on Wednesday.

With no-deal Brexit still in place, Spain is looking to assure British tourists that spending holidays in Spain is still a good choice.

"British tourists need to know that Spain next year will still be an attractive destination," said Maroto, who insisted that the Spanish government is working hard to safeguard the market even if there is no Brexit agreement.

"For our government, Brexit is a top priority and the commitment we have to Spanish companies and Spanish nationals in the UK, as well as with Britons in Spain, is to ensure that we will have a solution for any problems that might arise," said the minister.

Figures released last Friday by the Spanish government showed that 66.2 million tourists visited Spain in the first 10 months of 2018 with almost 15 million of those coming from Britain.

Britain is the biggest source market for the Spanish tourism sector ahead of France and Germany, with around 18 million Britons predicted to visit the country by the end of the year.

With international tourism currently accounting for around 11 percent of Spain's GDP, losing those visitors would have an important negative effect on the Spanish economy.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:31:33|Editor: xuxin

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KABUL, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Up to 36 people mostly anti-government militants have been killed and more than three dozen others sustained injuries elsewhere in the conflict-riddled country over the past two days, officials said Wednesday.

A series of fighting between security forces and Taliban outfit in Qul area of Shinwari district in the eastern Parwan province have left 11 insurgents dead since Tuesday night, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Salim Nuri said.

According to Nuri, four more insurgents sustained injuries.

Similarly, in Pashton Kot district of the northern Faryab province, five insurgents were killed and three others wounded as the fighting aircrafts struck Taliban hideous late Tuesday, said Mohammad Hanif Rezae the spokesman for national army in the northern region.

Moreover, fighting between security forces and the Taliban fighters in Deh Yak district of western Farah province on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning left five Taliban fighters including their local commander Mullah Naser and two policemen dead and 11 others including two police personnel wounded, according to Muhebullah Moheb, the provincial police spokesman said.

Ten more militants, according to an army spokesman Ghulam Hazrat Karimi have been killed in Dand-e-Ghori district of the northern Baghlan province and 15 others injured since Tuesday morning.

Taliban militants, however, attacked Jaghori district in the eastern Ghazni province on Wednesday morning killing three security personnel and injuring five others.

Both the Taliban and government forces, according to local observers have been doing their best to gain more ground and consolidate positions ahead of snowfall in the mountainous country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:36:35|Editor: Yurou

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's first import expo offers opportunities for UNICEF to better partner with businesses to address challenges faced by children around the world, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Shanelle Hall said in Shanghai.

"It was exciting to be at the expo with thousands of businesses and prominent government officials from around the world -- all important stakeholders for children," said Hall in an interview with Xinhua during the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE).

The week-long expo attracted over 400,000 purchasers and 3,600 companies from across the globe, including top pharmaceutical companies and other manufacturers of children-related products, which drew attention from UNICEF under its ever-growing collaboration with international businesses.

In 2017, UNICEF procured goods and services worth 3.46 billion U.S. dollars to supply 150 countries and areas, including vaccines and biologicals, nutrition and pharmaceuticals. "Businesses have always been a part in our story," Hall said.

Hall said she was attracted by health technologies such as emerging diagnostics and products related to children's development like high-tech toys.

"We love to see the inventions and pursuit by the thousands of businesses here," said Hall, who noted that "learning" was one of their purposes of attending the CIIE, also regarding the expo as a good platform for UNICEF to search for items for procurement.

In Hall's eyes, China's further opening-up will introduce more innovations for children into the Chinese market, help local businesses think differently and bring up more new solutions to better meet the needs for children around the world.

Hall attended a forum themed "Leading innovation collaborations to build the future of children everywhere" held by UNICEF Tuesday as a side event of CIIE.

Hall said holding such a forum during CIIE can also help "influence more enterprises to prioritize children in their business decisions."

"We are here as it is a valuable opportunity to network with and influence Chinese and global businesses to contribute toward meeting the needs of children in China and across the world," she said.

"Like CIIE, which not only bring products and service, the forum should come up with new ideas and new solutions in the long term," said Zhang Yi, an official with China's Ministry of Commerce at the forum, noting that China has been encouraging more businesses to participate in protecting women and children, and will keep working in joint efforts with UNICEF.

Haier, one of the world's largest electronic groups, has produced containers powered by solar panels, which can store vaccines at their proper temperatures for five days to address electricity shortages in remote areas.

"Now we can ensure the safety of 120,000 such vaccines," said Dr. Liu Zhanjie, executive director and general manager of Qingdao Haier Biomedical, at the forum.

"Given China's ever-growing capacity for innovation, as well as production of commodities, UNICEF is excited to grow its partnership with Chinese businesses," said Hall.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:41:36|Editor: xuxin

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JERUSALEM, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Children of uneducated women more likely remain unvaccinated or delayed vaccinated than others, according to a research published Wednesday by Israeli Ben-Gurion University (BGU).

The study shows that there is an inverse link between the level of mothers' formal education and the likelihood that 2-to-4-year-old children receive the full course of state-recommended vaccinations as scheduled.

The review of records, which included 2,072 subjects at 5 mother-and-baby centers in southern Israel during the 2015-2016 period, focuses on hepatitis A and B, diphtheria-tetanus-acellular, pertussis and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccines.

The Israeli Ministry of Health calls for children to be vaccinated against the diseases between the ages of 18 months and 7 years.

Mothers' education was inversely associated with the probability of vaccination delay by 4 to 9 percent, according to the study.

No correlation between levels of paternal education and vaccination delays, it found.

Researchers conclude that higher education that emphasizes the importance of timely vaccination could also act as a catalyst to improve other health-related behaviors.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:46:38|Editor: Yurou

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australia's trade minister has called on Aussie companies to use the opportunity presented by the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) to promote their products.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon at the opening of the Australian national pavilion at the CIIE, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham also said stakeholders should acknowledge China's efforts in reform and opening up over the past four decades, in which China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and created "a growing middle-class and huge business opportunities."

According to the newly released 2018 Doing Business in China Report compiled by the University of Melbourne and auditing giant KPMG, two-thirds of Australian businesses operating in China plan to increase their investments in the country and 60 percent are expecting to increase their headcount in the near term.

The Australian minister hailed China's achievements as presented in the report and said Australia and China "share in particular a commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system that allows for the effective flow of goods and services."

Deb Kerr, general manager of marketing company Australian Pork Limited (APL), told Xinhua that they are positive about the access to the Chinese market and are working to establish relations with Chinese partners at the expo.

Michael Finucan, marketing manager of the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) which specializes in beef and lamp export, said his company started doing business in China 20 years ago. He said his firm has signed some agreements with Chinese online retailers at the expo, which runs from Nov. 5 to 10.

"We are targeting ... consumers such as young Chinese families," he said while demonstrating a program for promoting Australian beef in Chinese on WeChat, the most popular social media platform in China.

Birmingham welcomed China's commitment to further opening up its economy. Australian businessmen are very "enthusiastic and positive about the engagement that we have already and the opportunities that it presents," he said, referring to the inaugural import expo.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 20:56:44|Editor: xuxin

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CAIRO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian military court ordered on Wednesday the execution of eight suspect terrorists over involvement in deadly attacks against the Egyptian armed forces, state-run Al-Ahram news website reported.

The military court in Ismailia province northeast of Cairo also sentenced 32 other defendants to 25 years in jail and two defendants to 15 years in prison while it acquitted another two of the charges of killing 14 soldiers and attempting to kill 16 others in terror operations.

The defendants are believed to be members a Sinai-based militant group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) regional terrorist group.

The verdicts, which have been issued in absentia, came a few days after the Egyptian police announced killing 19 militants in a shootout in Upper Egypt's province of Minya, where they are believed to have carried out the terrorist attack that left at least seven Copts dead on Friday.

Egypt has been facing terrorist activities that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, as well as civilians, since the popular-backed military removal of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013.

An IS-affiliated Sinai-based group calling itself "Wilayat Sinai" (Sinai state or province) claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian security forces have so far killed hundreds of terrorists and arrested thousands of suspects during the country's anti-terror war declared by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief then, following Morsi's ouster.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:01:44|Editor: Liu

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Artists of China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe perform Thousand-hand Bodhisattva dance in New York, the United States, on Nov. 6, 2018. The China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe has conveyed to its audiences the importance of dignity, respect and inclusiveness through its music and dance performances here. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

NEW YORK, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe has conveyed to its audiences the importance of dignity, respect and inclusiveness through its music and dance performances here.

The artists, either with a hearing or vision disability, gave 14 performances of both traditional Chinese and Western style at the Lincoln Center, including Chinese folk songs, Peking opera, a bamboo flute solo, a string duet, Latin dance, and more.

The performance on Tuesday night started with "My Dream," a music and dance show including a namesake dance by hearing-impaired ballerinas and a poem demonstrated in sign language, evoking enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Two dozen artists performed "Thousand-hand Bodhisattva" dance at the end, when the atmosphere reached a climax.

Ma Zhaoxu, Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), said these artists have presented to the people across the world the beauty of arts as well as the light of human nature.

On behalf of the UN guests in the audience, he paid tribute to the artists, saying that they are fighters in pursuit of their dreams.

In her remarks, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces said the artists are ambassadors of goodwill who convey the importance of dignity, respect and inclusiveness through culture.

She expressed appreciation for the disabled performers' efforts to promote peace through arts.

Founded in 1987, the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe has visited more than 100 countries and regions.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:11:48|Editor: Yang Yi

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Wang Yang (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang met with visiting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel here on Wednesday.

China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers, said Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"China supports Cuba in its determination to explore a development path suited to its own national conditions," Wang said, adding that, no matter how situations change, China will firmly support deepening friendly cooperation with Cuba.

Noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Diaz-Canel to jointly draw a blueprint for bilateral ties, Wang said China is willing to join hands with Cuba to implement the major consensuses reached by the two leaders to further advance bilateral relations.

"The CPPCC National Committee stands ready to maintain friendly exchanges with the Cuban side to communicate and learn from each other's experience of state governance," Wang said.

For his part, Diaz-Canel thanked China's long-term support for Cuba. He said the purpose of his visit is to continue and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.

The Cuban leader said he looks forward to planning bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the future with President Xi.

The Cuban National Assembly of People's Power is ready to strengthen ties with the CPPCC National Committee, he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:11:49|Editor: Yurou

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Judicial protection of private enterprises and entrepreneurs will be enhanced in accordance with the law, Jiang Bixin, vice president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Jiang said infringements of the legitimate rights of private enterprises and entrepreneurs will be resolutely punished while their legitimate operations will be resolutely protected according to the law.

ENSURING HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT

Private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, small enterprises and large enterprises will all be given the same treatment and protected equally, said Jiang.

Jiang added that excuses such as loss of state-owned assets and maintenance of public interests must not be used to disregard the legitimate demands of private enterprises and entrepreneurs and to infringe their legitimate rights.

"A small number of people intend to use minor offenses to deliver vital blows on private enterprises or blackmail them," said Jiang. "This should be prevented."

"It should be cautioned that a small number of people intend to entrap private enterprises and entrepreneurs via fake and malicious litigation," Jiang said.

STRENGTHENING SENSE OF SECURITY

Judicial interpretation and normative documents will be released soon to clarify the boundary line between who is guilty and who is not in economic disputes. Interference into economic disputes through criminal enforcement measures should be resolutely prevented.

The validity of contracts signed between governments and enterprises should be properly affirmed. The legitimate demands of private enterprises must be protected in cases where governments break the contract, said Jiang.

Jiang said in practice, problems exist whereby the infringement cost is low while the cost to safeguard legal rights is high. The SPC will explore the imposition of punitive damages in case of intellectual property rights theft.

Jiang revealed that the SPC will provide judicial criterion to courts at all levels to prevent inconsistent judgment in the same types of cases in order to enhance judicial authority and credibility.

INTENSIFYING RECTIFICATION OF PROPERTY-RELATED CASES

In 2017, the SPC announced it would retry three cases concerning property. Zhang Wenzhong, former chairman of retail company Wumei Holdings, was acquitted of fraud, bribery and embezzlement charges during one of the retrials. The retrials of two other cases involving Gu Chujun, former chairman of refrigerator maker Guangdong Kelon Electrical Holdings and Jiangsu Muyang Co., Ltd, are currently in process, said Jiang.

"[The retrials of these three cases] are conducive to strengthening a sense of personal safety and property security for entrepreneurs and their confidence in entrepreneurship," said Jiang.

"Guided by the SPC, courts in various regions have intensified their efforts in identifying and rectifying wrongly and unjustly judged cases," said Jiang.

Jiang added the SPC will continue to send positive signals to the society and provide guidance and reference to courts at all levels in judging relevant cases.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:16:52|Editor: xuxin

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BEIRUT, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Philippe Lazzarini, the United Nations deputy special coordinator for Lebanon, urged Wednesday Lebanese officials to form a cabinet to face economic challenges, local media reported.

"There are a lot of challenges that will face Lebanon in the coming period which requires complete readiness to face them by forming a new government," Lazzarini was quoted by Elnashra, an independent online newspaper, as saying.

Lazzarini's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Affairs and Immigrants parliamentary committee in Beirut.

Lazzarini said that Lebanon should have a government to be able to solve its problems by starting a proper dialogue with international organizations.

One of the main issues to be discussed is the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, head of the Foreign Affairs and Immigrants parliamentary committee, Yassin Jaber, asked for an increase in the support for Lebanon due to the big burden imposed by the Syrian refugees.

Jaber also discussed the importance of voluntary return of refugees to their homeland.

More than 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon, while the government estimated the true number of Syrians in the country is 1.5 million.

According to Lebanon's General Security, over 80,000 Syrian refugees have returned home from Lebanon since July.Prototype Fitness Watch to Showcase Capability at electronica 2018



MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today announced that it can help manufacturers add a heart rate monitoring capability to any type of consumer electronic device. Vishay will demonstrate the capability at electronica 2018 with a fitness watch prototype that uses Vishay optoelectronic components to enable the heart rate monitor function in conjunction with a software algorithm developed by Elfi-Tech Ltd., a developer of unique noninvasive medical devices.

With this capability, Vishay is creating an opportunity for companies that dont have proprietary software and hardware solutions for heart rate monitoring to add the capability to their products with a relatively low cost of entry. Together Vishay and Elfi-Tech can supply a complete reference design for the heart rate monitoring capability, including digital and analog front-end components.

Enabling Vishay optoelectronic components in the fitness watch on view at electronica 2018 include the VEMD5080X01 PIN photodiode and VLMTG1400 LED. The VEMD5080X01 is a unique surface-mount device that eliminates optical cross talk. It is sensitive to visible and infrared light from 350 nm to 1100 nm and comes in a tiny package measuring 7.5 mm by 7.5 mm by 0.9 mm. The VLMTG1400 LED has a peak wavelength in the green spectrum at 525 nm and features typical intensity of 1400 millicandela. It is packaged in a 0603 surface-mount format with a height of 0.55 mm.

Elfi-Tech provided the software and the nonoptical hardware of the fitness watch, including an Arm Cortex-M3 microcontroller, a Texas Instruments analog front-end for heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity, and a MEMS-based accelerometer. The output is transmitted to an Android application.

The fitness watch will be demonstrated in booth C4.422 at electronica 2018, Nov. 13-16 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich. For more information on the heart monitoring capability and reference design, contact sensorstechsupport@vishay.com . More on Vishay at electronica is available at http://www.vishay.com/landingpage/tradeshows/electronica2018/ .

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishays product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and "one-stop shop" service have made it a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at www.vishay.com .

Elfi-Tech, Ltd. is a leader in the field of non-invasive measurement of physiological parameters, using proprietary optical sensors and algorithms. The company has developed and is constantly improving on its range of novel personal health monitoring, patient monitoring, and home monitoring products. Elfi-Tech is unique in its ability to conduct continuous and non-invasive monitoring of numerous physiological parameters. Learn more about Elfi-Techs suite and international strategic partnerships at www.Elfi-Tech.com .

Vishay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VishayIntertechnology

Vishay Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/vishayindust

Share it on Twitter: http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=.@vishayindust can now add heart rate monitoring capability to any type of consumer electronics device - http://bit.ly/2quwgyY

Link to product photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vishay/albums/72157673140632567Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:21:53|Editor: Yurou

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SARAJEVO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Participants of the 3rd Conference on Innovation and Technology Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), which closes here later Wednesday, agreed that innovation cooperation between the two sides brings common development and benefits.

The conference, which opened on Monday, gathered 60 companies and 400 delegates from government departments, state institutions, technology parks, creative hubs and start-ups.

At the panel "Possibilities of Innovative Cooperation under 'the 16+1 Cooperation' Umbrella", participants presented and explained the possibilities, benefits, advantages and opportunities in collaboration between China and CEEC.

Smiljana Prelevic, Secretary of Montenegrin Ministry of Science, noted the yields of the excellent cooperation Montenegro has with China, saying 14 important scientific works have been realized so far.

Prelevic especially highlighted the structural connection among Montenegro, China and other CEEC countries through the technological park in the capital Podgorica.

According to Prelevic, by signing a memorandum, eight countries have committed to the network and cooperation of young scientists and doctors in terms of cancer treatment and healing.

She said "the 16+1 cooperation" mechanism enabled young Montenegrin experts in medicine, biochemistry and IT to connect with their peers in other countries.

Xie Xincheng, the vice president of the National Science Foundation of China, also stressed the role of communication among scientists, saying one of the most important things of the innovation cooperation is that scientists from both sides have the opportunity to meet each other.

Jovan Despotovski, director of Fund for Innovations in Macedonia, said that Macedonia managed to significantly increase the financial help to companies compared with the level four years ago.

According to Despotovski, before "the 16+1 cooperation", there was only communication between the Macedonian government and companies, but now, universities and companies are cooperating, and the aim is to merge business and academic community together.

Biljana Camur, secretary of BiH's Ministry of Civil Affairs, said the potential of "the 16+1 cooperation" is immense, which offers a great number of opportunities. "We have resources and capacities to gather experts from China and CEEC countries in spheres of science and economy."

According to Camur, BiH is now working on 36 projects in sectors such as energy, robotics and IT.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:21:57|Editor: xuxin

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RIGA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis on Wednesday tasked Janis Bordans, leader of the New Conservative Party, with forming the Baltic country's new government.

The president gave the prime minister-designate two weeks to put together a new center-right government. If Bordans fails to accomplish this, Vejonis will nominate another candidate.

Bordans said he hoped to form a coalition government of five parties -- the New Conservative Party, KPV LV, New Unity, the National Alliance and For Development/For!. He estimated his chances of forming the government to be 80 to 20.

Bordans' nomination comes a month after parliamentary elections which produced an inconclusive result. The political parties represented in Latvia's new parliament still have not come to an agreement on a new coalition government.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:37:03|Editor: xuxin

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KIGALI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's media sector performance improved from 69.6 percent in 2016 to 72.4 percent in 2018, said Rwanda Governance Board (RGB)'s biennial report released here Wednesday during celebrations to mark the Africa Day of Information.

When the Rwanda Media Barometer was first introduced in 2013, media sector performance was at 60.7 percent.

The state of media freedom in the central African country stands at 81.3 percent while access to information is at 76.4 percent, said the report named Rwanda Media Barometer, which is aimed to monitor and assess media performance in the country.

Poor retention of best journalists, lack of media capacity building and lack of journalists' commitment to media professional codes of conduct pose serious threat to media sector development in Rwanda, according to the report.

The media industry in Rwanda is on an upward trend but the profitability of the sector remains a big challenge, said Gerald Mbanda, Head of Media Affairs and Communication Department of RGB, at the launching.

Access to information is the most improved indicator, due to awareness campaign on access to information law conducted in public and private institutions by RGB, he said.

Judith Uwizeye, Minister in the Office of The President, urged African journalists to tell true stories about Africa.

"It is essential that the manner in which Africa is reported changes. Telling the true African stories is fundamental in transforming our continent," she said.

Access to information is critical for citizens to monitor and hold their government to account, which empowers citizens to claim their rights, transparency and accountability, she added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:42:05|Editor: xuxin

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HARARE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday expressed confidence in Conakry that blossoming relations between Zimbabwe and Guinea would translate into greater economic cooperation.

"I am confident that the friendship and fraternal relations will translate into strong economic ties through our bilateral relations as well as the various frameworks within the African Union and United Nations," he said at a dinner held in his honor by his counterpart Alpha Conde, the state-run news agency New Ziana reported.

During Mnangagwa's visit to Guinea, the two countries signed four memoranda of agreements aimed at creating a framework for diplomatic cooperation.

These include the framework agreement of cooperation, agreement on the establishment of a joint commission, agreement on reciprocal exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports and memorandum of understanding for the establishment of political and diplomatic consultation between the two ministries in charge of foreign affairs.

Mnangagwa said the agreements mark the framework for furthering and deepening cooperation.

Speaking through an interpreter, Conde commended the first visit from his Zimbabwean counterpart.

In a communique released at the end of the two-day visit, the two countries also agreed to exchange experts in agriculture and to explore opportunities in mining, technical cooperation and tourism.

The two leaders also welcomed the principle of speaking with one voice on all regional and international forums.

Mnangagwa extended an invitation to Conde to visit Zimbabwe, which he accepted.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 21:57:10|Editor: Liu

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GUANGZHOU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The globe will see strong demand for commercial aircraft, with more than 42,000 new aircraft being delivered in the next 20 years worth six trillion U.S. dollars, according to an annual report released Wednesday.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. predicts that the whole world will have over 47,000 passenger planes by 2037, twice as many as the current number.

The report said that the Asian-Pacific region, including China, will be the fastest growing market in the world. The proportion of airliners in this region is expected to increase from 31 percent to 41 percent by 2037. The number of passenger planes in China will reach 9,965 by 2037, with more than 9,000 new planes to be delivered during the period between 2018 and 2037.

The report said that the aviation market of China and countries and regions along the Belt and Road has made steady progress over the past five years.

A total of 65 countries and regions along the Belt and Road have signed air transport agreements with China, and 47 countries and regions have opened direct flights linking China.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:02:14|Editor: Liu

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DHAKA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Hindu community has been celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

The festival brought Tuesday night more Hindus to the temples in the old part of Dhaka than at almost any other day of the year.

Like previous years, Bengali Hindus observed the festival lighting earthen lamps in their homes, bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.

Hindus believe that Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

As part of preparations to mark the festival of lights, Hindu people renovate and decorate their homes and offices.

On Diwali night, they dress up in new clothes or their best outfits, light up lamps and candles inside and outside their homes, and participate in family puja (prayers).Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:12:20|Editor: Yurou

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KAMPALA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Wednesday started Ebola vaccinations for frontline health workers in the infected areas with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO country representative in Uganda, told Xinhua that the operation kicked off in Uganda's western district of Ntoroko.

"On top of close contacts of Ebola victims, frontline health workers face a very high risk of infection of Ebola as they care for patients," said Woldemariam.

At least 3,000 health care and frontline workers in the five high-risk western districts bordering the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are targeted, namely Kabarole, Bunyangabo, Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko, where there is an outbreak of the highly contagious disease.

"Uganda has taken a very huge step in mitigating the risk of Ebola among health workers. The vaccine is highly potent and it will protect workers effectively," Woldemariam said.

The ring vaccination exercise was originally set to begin on Monday but was postponed to Wednesday to allow for more time to reorient and train the vaccination team.

At least 2,100 doses of experimental rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine are currently available in the east African country, while supplementary doses have been requested, according to the WHO.

With high fatality rates ranging from 50 percent to 89 percent, the highly contagious Ebola virus could cause a range of symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:12:22|Editor: xuxin

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by Murad Abdu

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ferocious fighting between Yemen's government forces and the Houthi rebels is still raging for the sixth consecutive day in Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, promoting deep concerns about the fate of medical institutions in the war-torn city.

As the government forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition continued advancing with their military operations against Houthis in Hodeidah, the intensified airstrikes and long-range artillery forced hundreds of new families to flee their houses and seek shelter in other neighboring provinces.

Yemeni observers said that the escalating fighting, which aimed at retaking Hodeidah from the Houthi rebels, could cause major destruction for the city's already weakened infrastructure and potentially affect the few operating medical centers there.

Hodeidah's residents started to worry about the fate of the their patients receiving treatment at the city's main hospital Thawrah and other medical centers after the deployment of Houthi fighters in the area that might be targeted later with airstrikes, according to local sources.

An official close to Hodeidah's governor told Xinhua that "commanders of government forces consider the medical institutions based in Hodiedah as a red line and they will take possible measures to protect the citizens."

"There are plans to avoid attacking Houthis positioned near hospitals and the military operations came just to rescue the helpless citizens from the Houthis' grip," the source said.

He said that the Iranian-backed Houthis started deploying snipers on rooftops of the hospitals' buildings in Hodeidah, threatening the patients and complicating the efforts aimed at avoiding the fighting in that areas.

"Several Houthi fighters stormed the 22nd May hospital by force and started using it as a military site to repulse the government forces regardless of the patients' safety," he added.

Ahmed Qadhy, a journalist based in Hodeidah, said that both of the warring factions are posing a major threat for the safety of people in Hodeidah's hospitals.

"The warplanes might target Houthi snipers positioned on rooftops of the buildings, causing a catastrophe," the journalist said.

"Civilians in Hodeidah are at risk and facing a real threat without any support from the international organizations to provide protection for them," he added.

A source close to the Houthi group refuted the "allegations" regarding the deployment of snipers on rooftops of hospitals in Hodeidah province.

"There is a random shelling against everything in Hodeidah and the coalition is going to attack hospitals but will use the pretext of snipers," the source said.

In August, the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis blamed each other for the shelling that damaged Yemen's largest Thawra hospital, on which hundreds of thousands of people rely.

At that time, the Saudi-led coalition denied carrying out an air strike that killed at least 26 people in Hodeidah's hospital and blamed the Houthi fighters for the carnage.

On Tuesday, head of the UN children's agency UNICEF called for an end to intense fighting near the main hospital in Hodeidah, which threatened the lives of 59 children including 25 in intensive care.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to cease hostilities near and around the hospital, to ensure that civilians can safely access the hospital from all sides and to abide by their legal obligations to stop attacks against civilian infrastructure including the port of Hodeidah," Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF, said in a statement issued at the agency's headquarters here.

She said that the forces battling near Al Thawra Modern General Hospital are "dangerously close... putting the lives of 59 children including 25 in the intensive care unit at imminent risk of death."

Hodeidah is the most important and only point of entry for food and basic supplies to Yemen's northern provinces controlled by Houthis, including the capital Sanaa.

The Yemeni government is seeking to expel Houthi rebels out of Hodeidah in recent days despite warnings by international humanitarian agencies.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014.

Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthi rebels forced him into exile.

The United Nations has listed Yemen as the country with the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, with seven million Yemenis on the brink of famine and cholera causing more than 2,000 deaths.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:17:24|Editor: xuxin

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KIEV, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday called on Western countries to impose fresh sanctions against Russia over the forthcoming elections in eastern Ukraine.

"I expect that new sanctions will be imposed against Russia for its support for these fake elections," Poroshenko was quoted as saying by his press service.

On Nov. 11, the conflict-hit Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine, together known as Donbas, are scheduled to elect both "presidents" and members of "parliaments" of the self-proclaimed republics.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of aiding the insurgents and sending troops to combat areas in Donbas, allegations repeatedly dismissed by Moscow.

In 2014, the European Union and the United States slapped sanctions on Russia in response to Crimea's incorporation into the country and the alleged role it had played in Ukraine's crisis.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:17:25|Editor: xuxin

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KIEV, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has become the de-facto eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Wednesday, according to the presidential press service.

"Without a strong Ukraine, which has turned into the de-facto eastern flank of NATO, there is no talk of a stable Euro-Atlantic space," Poroshenko said at the international high-level conference "The Hybrid War Decade: Lessons Learned to Move Forward Successfully."

In 2014, Kiev revoked Ukraine's non-aligned status when pro-West authorities came into power in the country, paving the way for its membership in military blocs.

Ukraine has set a 2020 deadline by which it will have come into full compliance with NATO standards across a number of areas, especially in security, defense, justice and anti-corruption.

In September this year, the Ukrainian parliament sent a presidential bill to the Constitutional Court on including into the Constitution Ukraine's intention to join NATO.English Lithuanian

Lietuvos Energija, UAB (hereinafter  the Company or Lietuvos Energija), legal entity code: 301844044, registered office address: Zveju st. 14, LT-09310 Vilnius. The gross nominal value of the bonds issued by Lietuvos Energija, UAB, is EUR 600,000,000, ISIN codes  XS1646530565; XS1853999313.



Lietuvos Energija maintained a moderate growth of financial results during the three quarters of this year. Due to higher demand for electricity and gas as well as price changes in electricity and gas markets, revenue of the Group grew by 14 per cent. As a result of better performance in electricity and gas distribution segment the Groups adjusted EBITDA increased by 5 per cent up to EUR 175 million. During the period Lietuvos Energija maintained high return on equity (ROE) ratio  10.3 per cent.



During the first half-year, Lietuvos Energija published its strategy LE 2030, now we already demonstrated the first results. We have purchased three wind farms in Lithuania. The new capacities will supplement the groups green generation portfolio with a 34 MW power capacity, and thus we will become the second largest energy producers in the Baltic States. Also, Lietuvos Energija is planning to acquire 50 MW wind farm project in Poland. These steps send out a clear message that we are firmly committed to our strategic goal to increase the green generation portfolio says Darius Maikstenas, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Lietuvos Energija.



Key performance indicators of Lietuvos Energija Group for the three quarters (hereinafter Q1-Q3) of 2018.:



The Groups revenues increased by 14 per cent - up to EUR 896 million (EUR 783 million in Q1-Q3 2017). Higher electricity and gas demand as well as price changes in the following markets caused the growth of revenues;

The Group's operating expenses remained stable: EUR 94.4 million (EUR 93.7 million during Q1-Q3 2017);

The Groups adjusted EBITDA increased by 5 per cent up to EUR 175 million (EUR 166 million during Q1-Q3 2017);

The return on equity (ROE) ratio was recorded at 10.3 per cent (9.3 per cent in 2017);

The Groups net profit was EUR 44.2 million, i.e. EUR 32.9 million lower compared to the previous year. The decrease was mainly driven by the significant increase in electricity prices and increase of the cost of public supply, which was not foreseen in determining the level of regulated income. However, adjusted net profit increased by 4 per cent and amounted to EUR 94.8 million. (EUR 91.3 million during Q1-Q3 2017);

The Group's investments increased by 66 per cent to reach EUR 252.2 million (EUR 152.2 million during Q1-Q3 2017). The largest share of investments was allocated to the upgrading of the distribution grid and the development of the co-generation plants.

*The Groups EBITDA and net profit results are adjusted by (1) eliminating the deviation of actual and regulated revenues whereby the Groups future financial results will be adjusted; (2) eliminating costs of the discount on the gas price pertaining to preceding periods.

More information: Laura Sebekiene, Corporate Communications project manager of Lietuvos Energija +370 633 99940, laura.sebekiene@le.lt

AttachmentsSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:17:26|Editor: Liu

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A total of 15 major Chinese online video-sharing platforms have collectively taken down 570,000 short videos involving copyright infringements, China's copyright authority announced Wednesday.

Noting existing copyright problems among the 15 major video-sharing platforms, the National Copyright Administration had summoned representatives from companies such as Douyin, Kuaishou, Pear Video and Bilibili over copyright concerns in September.

The authority asked the platforms to strengthen copyright management of their content to ensure that all copyrighted videos, music, photos and text are published with proper authorization.

Copyright protection has significantly improved thanks to the campaign led by the administration. The platforms have been processing complaints through mechanisms such as 24/7 complaint channels, while some of them have even established blacklist systems for banned accounts in addition.

Copyright supervision will be further strengthened in order to facilitate the healthy development of the short video industry, the administration said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:22:27|Editor: Yurou

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MADRID, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The growing numbers of Chinese students in Spain can help European companies enter the competitive Chinese market, a group of experts agreed at a conference organized by the China Club (Spain) think tank and the Business Institute (IE) here in the Spanish capital.

"China is still full of mysteries for many Western companies," explained Eric Helgo-Schille, vice-president of the Global Alumni and Talent section, during the forum on Tuesday night.

The volume of trade between Spain and China was over 30,000 million U.S. dollars in 2017, making Spain China's sixth most important commercial partner inside the European Union, while China is Spain's largest non-EU trading partner.

This rapid increase in bilateral trade means companies are struggling to find staff with the skills to allow them to work in businesses involving the two countries.

Margaret Chen, founder and honorary President of the China Club (Spain), told Xinhua that there are currently not enough workers in Spain with the qualifications to fill the needs.

"We have to be able to work well to retain these talents for Spain and China and we have to motivate more talented youngsters to come and work for both nations," she explained.

Latest figures show that 8,464 Chinese students studied in Spain in 2017 and Chen believes the current panorama is very favorable for them.

"It is very important for us to offer good conditions, because things have changed. A long time ago people accepted jobs with low wages, but it is much harder these days to attract talent."

"We have to listen to experts who can explain how to get the best educated people working in commerce between Spain and China," said Chen.

Fernando de Zavala, an expert who works for headhunting company Zavala Civitas, said "the demand and the market for executives has been increasing in countries such as Spain, Portugal and China since 2016. However, it has reached a ceiling when it comes to finding executive talent and it is a very competitive market."

De Zavala highlighted the importance for candidates to be able to speak Spanish, Chinese and also English, while Juan Diaz-Andreu, executive director of the MBIT School, believed that future positions will be closely linked to new technologies.

"You have to look for your dream job. You can't accept the first thing that comes along," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:27:30|Editor: Yurou

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled a plan on Wednesday to promote the construction of the Huaihe River green economic belt in a bid to foster regional economic and ecological development.

The plan, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, maps out the strategic positions and targets of the economic belt.

It will be developed as a demonstration area for ecological civilization, distinctive industries, a new type of urbanization, and central and eastern regional cooperation, said the plan.

By 2035, the plan aims to build the economic belt into a beautiful and dynamic area with an improved ecological environment, boosting the local economy and narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas.

Covering 243,000 square km, the Huaihe River green economic belt refers to surrounding areas along the Huaihe River in central and eastern China.

By the end of 2017, the gross domestic product of the area had reached 6.75 trillion yuan (about 976 billion U.S. dollars), with 146 million permanent residents.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:37:36|Editor: yan

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MOGADISHU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN top envoy in Somalia on Wednesday called for consensus on credible and peaceful presidential election in the country's South West State amid divisions among the stakeholders.

Nicholas Haysom, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, said differences among the stakeholders, ahead of the polls slated for Nov. 17 have the potential to lead to violence.

"With this election being the first in a series to be held around the country - both at the regional level next year and national level in 2020 - there is a real need to set the precedent for credible and peaceful electoral processes," Haysom said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

He called on all parties and stakeholders to work together to ensure that this Somali-owned electoral process proceeds in accordance with the established rules and avoids any behavior which may lead to conflict or undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

The UN envoy's remarks came amid confusion on whether the Nov. 17 presidential polls for South West State will take place as scheduled after the region's electoral officials resigned on Tuesday.

Arfe Ibrahim Aden, chairman of South West Electoral Commission, cited interference by the Somali government as the reason for the resignations of the entire commission officials.

However, the Somali government has insisted that the polls must go on as scheduled and warned of any further delay.

"The mandate of the current administration runs up to Nov. 17, no delay will be accepted," interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Haysom however expressed confidence that Somali leaders will find a solution, through dialogue, to the issues surrounding this electoral process.

"An electoral process that is transparent, enjoys broad consensus on the rules governing its conduct, and is free from irregularities can only promote widespread acceptance of the results, and avoid violent confrontations at or after polling," he added.

Major contenders for the region's presidential election include incumbent president Sharif Hassan Aden, former finance minister Mohamed Aden Fargeti and Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, a co-founder of the al-Shabab. Robow has since abandoned the terror group.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:37:37|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday formed a taskforce to help revamp the sugar industry which is facing a lot of challenges.

Mwangi Kiunjuri, cabinet secretary in ministry of agriculture, livestock and irrigation, said that the task force will help identify the challenges and offer practical solutions which would address the industry's competitiveness.

"Over the years, the sugar sub sector has suffered a number of challenges which have led to inadequate production of sugar for national consumption and for export hence denying steady income to farmers," Kiunjuri said during the launch of the taskforce in Nairobi.

He noted that through the implementation of the recommendations of the task force, all the stakeholders in the value chain will achieve value from their endeavors.

Kiunjuri said that the recommendations will also address the challenge of the current uncompetitiveness of the industry as well as contribute to the economic growth of the country.

Sugarcane farmers in Kenya are faced with low cane supply, cane poaching, aging equipment, obsolete technology and high debt portfolio, among others.

The move follows a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta recently that a sugar industry taskforce be established to look into ways of how it can become vibrant and benefit farmers.

During their tenure, the task force members will review the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework of the sugar industry and make appropriate recommendations.

They will also review past, present and emerging challenges; review the value chain including research and review importation and taxation structures in the sugar sector.

The team that has 30 days to present their findings will also undertake an absolute and comparative assessment of the sugar industry's competitiveness in the East African Community, the Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa and globally.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:37:39|Editor: yan

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JUBA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan army and rebels from the main rebel group led by former First Vice President Riek Machar have agreed on key provisions to cease hostilities and allow unhindered humanitarian access.

Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan People's Defence Forces spokesman, told Xinhua on Wednesday that they reached compromise with the leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition to allow free movement of soldiers, enhance security of civilians and allow unhindered humanitarian access in their controlled territories.

"Those points were agreed upon which basically echoed provisions contained in the revitalized peace agreement," said Koang in Juba.

The recent meeting comes in the wake of President Salva Kiir signing the final revitalized agreement with Machar's SPLA-IO on Sept. 12 in Ethiopia, ending over four years of conflict.

Under the deal, Machar will return in May next year to Juba to take up his former post of first vice president under the revitalized peace agreement negotiated by the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir with support from the East African bloc, the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO spokesperson, said they agreed on free movement of soldiers or security personnel with departure orders and they must be unarmed and in none-uniform.

He said the pact includes allowing free movement of civilians, non- military logistics and goods through each other's controlled territories.

Gabriel added that both sides will take full responsibility for any criminal activity that happens in each's territory and bring the perpetrators to book.

He further said humanitarian organizations will be granted unhindered access to the most vulnerable population so that basic services can be provided to them.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.

A peace agreement signed in 2015 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.

The UN estimates that about four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally.File photo provided by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2nd L) shaking hands with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee after his arrival at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on July 7, 2018. (Xinhua/KCNA)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that the planned meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a visiting senior official from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been delayed.

The top U.S. diplomat had been expected to meet with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, in New York on Thursday.

Heather Nauert, the department spokesperson, said in a statement on early Wednesday that the scheduled meeting "will now take place at a later date."

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," Nauert said, adding that the ongoing conversations between Washington and Pyongyang "continue to take place."

Pompeo and Kim were expected to discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement," according to an earlier statement issued by the State Department.

Pompeo himself revealed in a Sunday interview that he expected some "real progress" in talks with Kim, including "an effort to make sure that the summit between the two leaders can take place."

The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. According to a joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the United States would provide security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization.

Following the leaders' meeting, the U.S.-DPRK talks were once stuck in an impasse due to differences over the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:52:43|Editor: yan

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PARIS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A French judge has placed a young Syrian man under formal investigation and charged him with planning a terrorist attack on French soil, news channel BFMTV reported on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old was arrested last week with six other people in Le Mans, western France, as part of a preliminary investigation into "association of terrorist criminals to commit crimes and attack people," it added.

According to the report, investigators believed the suspect "wanted to act" after they found several videos at his home in which he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and denounced "disbelievers" as well as called for attacks on them, according to the report.

The suspect illegally entered France in April 2018 with false papers after French authorities rejected his asylum request.

France has become a major target of frequent terrorist attacks following its military operations in Syria, Iraq and the Sahel region.

A wave of attacks claimed by the Islamic State has taken place in France, with the bloodiest in Paris killing 130 victims on Nov. 13, 2015.

In October 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron signed an anti-terrorism law which he said was necessary to muscle security at home to combat high terrorism menace.

The bill enshrines emergency security rules into ordinary law that give police the power to conduct searches and make arrests without a judge's approval and restrict people movements and gathering.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 22:57:44|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has made an impassioned plea for closer European cooperation following the U.S. mid-term elections on Wednesday.

Speaking in Berlin, Maas urged the European Union (EU) to invest more in its own capability to defend itself against punitive import tariffs, combat climate change and ensure its collective military security.

"We need to take more responsibility for ourselves," he said.

The politician from the Social Democratic Party noted that U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policies had led Washington to retreat from international treaties. "We must find a response on this side of the Atlantic to the "America First". For Maas, it was clear that the answer was "Europe United".

According to recent U.S. mid-term polling results, the Republican party has ceded control over the House of Representatives to the Democrats after losing 26 confirmed seats which were up for election in the assembly. The Republicans seem set to defend their Senate majority, however, giving rise to partisan clashes which could result in legislative gridlock in the final two years of Trump's presidency.

Regardless of the final outcome of the U.S. electoral race, Maas told the press on Wednesday that international problems could not be solved without the United States in an increasingly complicated world. "In spite of all of the difficulties which we are currently experiencing in the transatlantic relationship, the United States remains our most important partner outside of Europe."

Maas said Germany has a long tradition of cooperating with the U.S. House of Representatives and will continue to do so. "Washington's foreign policy will be even more determined by whether both parties can find ways to cooperate than was the case in the past," he predicted.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 23:37:57|Editor: yan

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Nepali exhibitors at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held in Shanghai, China said there has been "impressive" footfall in the Nepali pavilion and they have established contact with potential buyers.

Around 14 representative organizations of various enterprises from Nepal are participating in the world's first import-themed national-level expo which opened on Monday. A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations are currently attending the CIIE.

Talking to Xinhua over telephone, Nepali exhibitors said they saw unimaginably high footfall from visitors and have been receiving a lot of inquiries for Nepali products.

Nepal has displayed products including Nepali carpet, garment, handmade papers, metal crafts, local arts, ceramics, silver jewelries, tea and coffee as well as various other products produced by Nepali women entrepreneurs and disabled people in the expo.

Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), a representative organization of handicraft manufacturers in Nepal, has exhibited a number of Nepali handicraft products collected from a number of manufacturers in the expo.

FHAN President Dharma Raj Shakya, who is participating in the expo, told Xinhua on Tuesday evening that he had received a lot of inquiries for stone crafts, metal crafts, wood crafts, silver jewelry, among others in the first two days of expo.

"At least two buyers showed serious interest to buy Nepali products related to stone crafts, metal crafts and wood crafts from Nepal until Tuesday," he said, adding that contacts with several potential buyers could be vital for boosting export of Nepali handicraft products to China in the future.

Nepal exported handicraft products worth 4.6 million U.S. dollars to China in the last fiscal year 2017-18 that concluded in mid-July, representing 22 percent of the country's total export to China, according to Nepal's central bank data.

Another exhibitor, Pancha Ratna Shakya, proprietor of Marketing International, a company involved mainly in exporting silver jewelry and statues, is also equally enthusiastic with the kind of response he received during the initial days of the expo. "I have been exchanging business cards and catalogues with potential buyers and many of them have promised to contact me later," he told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Mahaguthi Craft with Conscience, a Nepali company dealing with silver jewelry, metal craft and handmade paper is another participant in the expo.

Samir Chhetri, sales and marketing head of the company, told Xinhua on Tuesday over telephone that impressive footfall in the Nepali pavilion could translate into increased order for Nepali products in the future.

"Obviously, there are not many buyers who would put an order immediately but exposure of Nepali products in the expo might attract more buyers in the future," he said.

According to Nepali exhibitors, Nepali products have got massive exposure in the expo which they generally don't get when they participate in other smaller expos in China, so this participation could be vital to expand the reach of Nepali products in China.

Trade and Export Promotion (TEPC), a government body under Nepal's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply, which coordinated the Nepali trade delegation, has also found that Nepali exhibitors have been fully satisfied with the response they got during the ongoing expo.

"Now, Nepali exporters have displayed their products inside Nepali pavilion which was prepared by China free of cost. Due to impressive footfall and inquires, they have been ready to purchase their own single stall when similar expo takes place in the future," said Govinda Acharya, senior official at TEPC, told Xinhua from Shanghai on Tuesday.

According to TEPC, it has got information from Nepali exhibitors that they have got more than half dozen serious inquiries for future business deals so far. "As the expo is undergoing, Nepali exhibitors are expected to find more Chinese importers who may purchase Nepali products in the future," he said.

Nepali exhibitors, mostly the exporters of handicraft products, say that China has emerged as an important destination for Nepali handcrafts in the recent years although western countries are traditionally main destinations.

"Growing government-to-government and people-to-people exchanges between Nepal and China, growing arrivals of Chinese tourists to Nepal and China providing duty free access to over 8,000 Nepali products including handicrafts have contributed to export growth of Nepali handicraft products to China in the recent years," said Shakya of Marketing International.

"Wider visibility of Nepali products during the import expo will help expand market for Nepali handicraft products in the future."English Lithuanian

Lietuvos Energija, UAB (hereinafter  the Company or Lietuvos Energija), legal entity code: 301844044, registered office address: Zveju st. 14, LT-09310 Vilnius. The gross nominal value of the bonds issued by Lietuvos Energija, UAB, is EUR 600,000,000, ISIN codes  XS1646530565; XS1853999313.

On 7th November, 2018, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter  the Ministry of Finance), the holder of a 100 per cent shareholding in Lietuvos Energija, has submitted to the Company a shareholder's decision to revoke Ramunas Dilba from the Supervisory Board of the Company in accordance with his resignation from the Supervisory Board of the Company.



Ramunas Dilba was appointed to the Supervisory Board of the Company since 22nd November, 2017. As of 6th November, 2018, Ramunas Dilba started working as a Chancellor of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania.



After Ramunas Dilba revoke from the Supervisory Board of the Company, the Supervisory Board of the Company consists of Darius Daubaras, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Company, Independent member, Ausra Vickackiene, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Company, representing the Ministry of Finance, Daiva Lubinskaite-Trainauskiene, Independent member of the Supervisory Board of the Company and Andrius Pranckevicius, Independent member of the Supervisory Board of the Company.



The members of the Supervisory Board of Lietuvos Energija is appointed and revoked by the Company's shareholder the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. The Company will inform on the new appointed member of the Supervisory Board of the Company immediately upon receipt of a decision of the Ministry of Finance.

More information: Laura Sebekiene, Head of Corporate Communications at Lietuvos Energija +370 633 99940, laura.sebekiene@le.ltSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 23:53:04|Editor: yan

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Global business leaders on Wednesday vowed to address challenges brought by rising new economy after a two-day discussion here over solutions to key issues facing the changing global economy like remaking global trade, managing supply chain threats and artificial intelligence (AI).

In the closing session of the New Economy Forum held here from Tuesday, panelists including the forum's founder Michael Bloomberg, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam discussed the potential biggest issues in the coming 2019 including trade tensions, global economic slowdown and climate change.

The panelists called for sustainable solutions to the issues in the areas of globalization and trade, technology, finance and capital markets, climate, urbanization and inclusion, with combined efforts from the government side and private sector so as to bring more confidence to the international community.

They also emphasized the importance of investment in education and training to address challenges triggered by the rise of new economy. Technology and AI will bring a transition period and if "we don't invest now in education ... that transition period is going to be far too long to cope with," said Lagarde.

The participants of the forum also provided solutions like creating global principles for applying AI, developing urban workforce mobility initiatives, greening supply chains and creating global best practices for gender parity to solving the critical issues facing the new economy.

At the meantime, more than 70 organizations have committed to a newly created "SolutionsLab" designed to bring together a diverse group of leaders and experts to action on the key solutions over the next year.

According to the forum organizer, progress and outcomes will be shared at the next New Economy Forum expected to be held in Beijing in November 2019, co-hosted by Bloomberg and the Chinese Center for International Economic Exchanges.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 23:53:04|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several officials on Wednesday.

Lin Rui was appointed as vice minister of public security, while Lu Hao, minister of natural resources, will concurrently be general supervisor of national natural resources, according to a statement issued by the State Council.

Kuresh Mahsut, vice minister of natural resources, will concurrently be vice general supervisor of national natural resources, it said.

Li Yuanyuan was shifted from serving as president of Jilin University to serving as president of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, replacing Ding Lieyun, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Liu Junchen was removed from the post of deputy head of the National Intellectual Property Administration, it said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 23:53:05|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania clarified on Wednesday that it has no intention to abandon its family planning policy and related programs.

Some local and international organizations had misquoted President John Magufuli's recent remarks over the matter, Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Faustine Ndugulile told the National Assembly in the capital Dodoma.

Ndugulile said the family planning policy is only intended to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the mother and the child.

He was responding to a question posed by Suzan Lyimo, a special seat Member of Parliament on the ticket of opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) who had inquired on the government's position on family planning.

Lyimo asked why the government has issued national guidelines restricting the use of family planning methods.

The lawmaker expressed concerns over what she termed as a growing confusion among the public and development partners over whether Tanzania intends to abandon the use of contraceptives and other methods currently in use for birth control.

Ndugulile said the government has not issued any guidelines intended to abandon the family planning program in the east African nation.

In September this year, President Magufuli reiterated his opposition to birth control, telling Tanzanians to continue reproducing.

Speaking at a public rally in Meatu, in Simiyu Region, Magufuli told the people not to listen to those advising about birth control, some of it coming from foreigners, because it has sinister motives.

He urged Tanzanians to keep reproducing because the government was increasing investment in maternal health specifically and the health sector in general.

Magufuli was speaking in the presence of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Tanzania, Jacqueline Mahon, and the minister for health, Ummy Mwalimu.

That was not the first time for President Magufuli to talk about his opposition to birth control. In 2016, soon after the start of the free public education for primary and secondary schools, Magufuli said Tanzanians can now give birth to as many children as possible because education was no longer expensive.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-07 23:58:08|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the current secretary general of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and one of the candidates to succeed Angela Merkel as party leader, provided the first outline of the political priorities she would set in the post on Wednesday.

Speaking during a press conference in Berlin, Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is colloquially referred to as "AKK" in Germany, said that she would personally prioritize protecting German prosperity during an age of digitalization, strengthening the subjective sense of security in the country, and combating a feeling of alienation which many citizens had begun to experience.

Within the CDU, Kramp-Karrenbauer distanced herself from Merkel by calling for a new style of internal politics. Whereas the federal government had frequently dictated legislation to the party in the past, it was now necessary to "reverse the processes" and ensure that the CDU arrived at a position on policy issues first which was then reflected in concrete legislative outcomes.

Unlike rival candidate and acting health minister Jens Spahn, Kramp-Karrenbauer rejected the notion that migration is the single most important political challenge faced in Germany today. Echoing calls by Merkel for European solution on asylum policy, she argued that related issues could only be solved on the level of European Union (EU) and its Schengen free travel area.

While first steps had been taken to enhance security within the wider EU against external threats, Kramp-Karrenbauer lamented that these were still in an embryonic stage. As a consequence, it was still necessary for Berlin to provide an answer to ambitious proposals for a strengthening of the bloc made earlier by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Although Merkel has not endorsed any of the three candidates to succeed her, Kramp-Karrenbauer is widely seen in Germany as a close ideological ally of the veteran stateswoman and her preferred candidate for the party leadership.

Serving as the state governor of Saarland before moving on to federal politics in Berlin, 56-year-old "AKK" was successfully nominated as CDU secretary general by Merkel in February 2018.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:03:10|Editor: Yang Yi

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev co-chair the 23rd China-Russia Prime Ministers' Regular Meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia agreed on Wednesday to further enhance political and strategic mutual trust while expanding economic and trade cooperation.

The agreement came as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev co-chaired the 23rd regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of governments here in Beijing.

The meeting is the first of its kind since the two countries formed new governments and it is of great importance, serving as a link between the past and the future, said Li.

He said China and Russia are the biggest neighbors in the region and provide important development opportunities to each other.

Noting that the presidents of the two countries have met multiple times and the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has been maintained at a high level, Li said this is not only in line with the interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also conducive to the stability of the world and the recovery of the global economy.

"China is willing to work with Russia to continue deepening political and strategic mutual trust, expanding all-round cooperation and jointly contributing to world peace, stability and development," said Li.

Li and Medvedev listened to reports by Chinese vice premiers Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan and Hu Chunhua, as well as Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Anton Siluanov, and deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova, Maxim Akimov and Yury Trutnev.

Hailing the rapid development of China-Russia economic and trade cooperation since the beginning of this year, Li said the bilateral trade volume will hopefully exceed 100 billion U.S. dollars by year-end, and there is great potential in the future.

He called on both sides to further improve trade facilitation, expand mutual investment, reinforce agricultural cooperation, boost cross-border e-commerce development and enhance cooperation in areas of innovation, especially the application of science, technology and basic research.

Li also called for intensified people-to-people and local exchanges as well as cooperation in areas of media, youth, tourism, health and sports.

China stands ready to work with Russia to be committed to upholding the basic principles and spirit of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and safeguarding free trade and multilateralism, Li said, adding that China will synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union.

For his part, Medvedev spoke highly of the high-level mutual trust between the two countries, saying Russia is willing to intensify exchanges with China at all levels, further enhance substantial cooperation and expand trade scales.

He encouraged both sides to strengthen cooperation in areas of innovation, e-commerce, agriculture, energy, nuclear energy and transportation.

The two heads of government agreed to uphold multilateralism and free trade with the WTO as its core.

Medvedev also called on both sides to enhance communication on the reform of the WTO and coordination and cooperation under the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.

After the talks, Li and Medvedev signed the joint communique of the 23rd regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of governments and witnessed the signing of a series of deals in areas including investment, energy, local cooperation, cultural exchanges, agriculture, quality inspection and aviation.

The two heads of government also jointly met with the press following the signing ceremony.

Calling the meeting "pragmatic and efficient with fruitful results," Li said the dialogue that has run for 22 years without interruption is proof of high-level and stable China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and bilateral cooperation in various fields.

According to Li, the two sides agreed to continue exploring the potential of two-way trade and investment, strengthening cooperation in science and technology innovation, and enhancing local cooperation between China's northeastern provinces and Russia's Far East to cultivate growth points in areas of resources and agricultural products.

The two sides will jointly work to put the agreement on economic and trade cooperation between China and the Eurasian Economic Union into effect at an early date, start negotiations on the Eurasian economic partnership in a pragmatic manner and lay a foundation for the building of an all-round and high-level trade and investment liberalization arrangement in the Eurasian region that will open up to other economies, Li said.

Medvedev called on both sides to support cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthen cooperation on oil and natural gas projects.

Both sides expressed willingness to dovetail the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.

China's top legislator Li Zhanshu also met with Medvedev on Wednesday, calling on the two nations' legislative bodies to provide legal protection for the continued high-level development of bilateral ties.

Medvedev is paying an official visit to China from Nov. 5 to 7 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

During his stay in China, Medvedev also attended the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo on Monday in Shanghai and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping there.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:03:11|Editor: yan

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BELGRADE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Serbia needs to speed up its reform pace in order to be economically prepared to become a member of the European Union (EU) in the future, said Yana Mikhailova, president of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) to Serbia here on Wednesday.

She made the remarks while summing up the findings of the latest White Book of investors, referring especially to tax administration, labor legislation and food safety.

Explaining the key points of the annual White Book to company and government representatives, Mikhailova said, in the past year Serbia made moderate progress in reforms "which ensured stability, but was not enough to fulfill the aims - sustainable and competitive business climate and strong economy that can compete with more developed markets, as well as high living standard."

She noted that Serbia made visible progress only in building and construction, as well as inspection control. She urged Serbia to accelerate reforms and EU accession negotiations in order to catch up with the level of the economic development in the region.

Mikhailova said that FIC expects the government to achieve sustainable fiscal stabilization, advance rule of law especially in the area of tax administration, and to ensure more transparency in public discussion focused on reforms in all priority areas, namely tax, digitalization and electronic business, construction, inspection, food safety, transport and tobacco industry regulations.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the country's economy averaged at 4.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the first nine months of 2018, although it was projected at 3.5 percent. The biggest challenge, she said, is to make that growth sustainable and to continue in 2019 and 2020.

She estimated that the country will have a surplus of 0.6 percent, or 28 billion RSD (around 236.5 billion euro) in the state budget by the end of the year.

On public debt, Brnabic said it is currently at 56 percent of the GDP, while foreign direct investments in Serbia this year exceeded 2 billion euros (one euro currently equals 1.15 U.S. dollars).Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:13:15|Editor: yan

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TAIPEI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's exports in October expanded by 7.3 percent year on year to 29.57 billion U.S. dollars, according to the island's finance authority Wednesday.

In the first ten months of the year, the island's exports rose 8 percent year on year to 279.66 billion U.S. dollars. During the same period, exports to the Chinese mainland, with Hong Kong included, expanded by 10 percent year on year to 115.4 billion U.S. dollars, the agency said.

From January to October, exports to the United States, Japan and Europe were up 7.2 percent, 12 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively. Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations edged up 1.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's imports in October climbed 17.6 percent from last year to 26.21 billion U.S. dollars. Total imports from January to October were worth 239.61 billion U.S. dollars, up 12.5 percent year on year.

However, the agency expects an easing trend in export growth in the future, citing factors such as slower growth in emerging economies, volatile forex and a more competitive global manufacturing market.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:13:16|Editor: yan

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Xi Jinping (2nd L), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Lujiazui Financial City CPC construction service center in the Shanghai Tower to learn the CPC construction work of the skyscrapers in Pudong New District of Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2018. Xi Jinping inspected Shanghai on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for firm confidence and determination to further reform and opening-up, and accelerated efforts to increase city core competitiveness to better serve the country's reform and development, during his two-day inspection in Shanghai, which ended Wednesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed upholding and taking the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide and resolutely implementing decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi made the trip after inaugurating the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai. During the trip, Xi visited places including local enterprises and communities, where he learned about the economy, sci-tech innovation and urban management.

Located in Lujiazui, the 632-meter Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world. It was Xi himself who approved the design of the building in 2007 and pushed for its construction when he was working in Shanghai.

On Tuesday morning, Xi arrived at a Party service center on the 22nd floor of the tower, where he talked with Party members working at the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone.

He said the goal of setting up Party organizations in various kinds of enterprises is to provide Party members with services while uniting them to abide by the law as well as company regulations.

Xi then went up to the observation deck on the 119th floor of the tower to view the city's skyline.

After viewing a gallery representing the past and the present of the city, Xi said Shanghai is a good example of the tremendous changes that have taken place in China since the reform and opening-up.

Highlighting Shanghai as China's economic hub and the forefront of the Yangtze River Delta area, Xi said continued efforts must be made to increase the city's core and international competitiveness.

Afterwards, Xi visited a community center in Shanghai's Hongkou district and inspected the center's service counters, a nursery for the elderly and a workstation for Party building.

As Chinese society ages, "it is our common wish that elderly people lead a happy, healthy and long life," Xi said, stressing the need to implement well elderly care policies to benefit more people.

Xi also stressed that waste-sorting is a new fashion and Shanghai should make sure garbage management is done well.

He visited the urban management center of Pudong New Area on Tuesday afternoon and expressed hopes for Shanghai to continue exploring a new path of mega-city management with Chinese characteristics.

A first-class city must have first-class management, and efforts should be made to ensure scientific, precise and intelligent urban management, Xi said.

When visiting Yangshan Port, Xi said the construction and operation of the port have both created better conditions for Shanghai to open wider to the outside world and accelerate the construction of an international shipping center and a pilot free trade zone.

Xi also visited the Zhangjiang science city, where he stressed that the impact of science and technology on a country's future and the people's wellbeing has never been as profound as today.

Xi urged efforts to strengthen basic research and application, pay attention to the role played by enterprises, enhance intellectual property protection, value innovative talent, and foster and strengthen new industries and innovation-driven enterprises.

He also called for pushing forward the building of a comprehensive national sci-tech innovation center in Zhangjiang with international vision and standards, aiming at building a cluster of globally-advanced labs, research institutions and research-oriented universities.

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi heard a report on the work of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Shanghai Municipal Government. He recognized all the work done by the local authorities and said he hopes that Shanghai will continue to be a pioneer in the country's reform and opening-up as well as its innovation-driven development.

Xi stressed that China is still in a period of historic opportunity, with a bright future but tough challenges ahead. As long as China maintains its strategic resolve and focuses its attention on its own things, the country is set to meet its targets, he said.

Shanghai should develop itself while serving the whole country as it occupies an important position in the overall work of the Party and the state, Xi said.

Xi ordered Shanghai to better serve the country's overall reform and development. Shanghai should properly fulfill the country's three new major tasks: expanding the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, launching a science and technology innovation board on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and experimenting with a registration system for listed companies.

Shanghai should exert all efforts to serve the Belt and Road Initiative, the Yangtze River economic belt, and play a leading role in promoting higher quality growth and integration of the Yangtze River Delta to ensure it becomes the country's strong and robust growth pillar, Xi said.

Xi called on Shanghai to improve economic productivity, optimize the allocation of global resources and achieve major breakthroughs in key technology fields to make innovation a strong momentum for high quality development.

Xi also urged for pushing forward reforms in key areas and deepening capital market reform to attract and nurture more home-grown tech firms. Shanghai should build a world-class business environment, promote all-round and high-level opening-up to lay a solid foundation for long-term development, take a lead in supporting private businesses and build for them a good institutional environment.

Xi also called for the enhancement of innovation in social governance to address major public concerns including employment, education, healthcare and elderly care. The quality of basic public services must be raised to ensure a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among Chinese people, he said.

Party building was also highlighted by Xi, who called for imposing strict governance over the CPC, prioritizing political performance, enhancing the study of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, nurturing and inviting competent professionals, strengthening primary-level party organizations and emphasizing ideological work.

During his inspection, Xi also met with senior military officers stationed in Shanghai and extended greetings to all the soldiers there.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:23:20|Editor: xuxin

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Mourners carry the body of Palestinian fisherman Mustafa Abu Oudeh during his funeral in Shatti refugee camp, in Gaza city, on Nov. 8, 2018. A Palestinian fisherman was shot and killed on Wednesday afternoon by the gunfire of the Egyptian naval forces in southern Gaza Strip, medics and security sources said. (Xinhua/Stringer)

GAZA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian fisherman was shot and killed on Wednesday afternoon by the gunfire of the Egyptian naval forces in southern Gaza Strip, medics and security sources said.

Zakareya Bakker, coordinator for the fishermen union in Gaza, said in a press statement that 32-year-old Gaza fisherman Mustafa Abu Oudeh was shot dead by Egyptian naval forces' gunfire off the southern Gaza town of Rafah coast, close to the border with Egypt.

Gaza Health Ministry also confirmed the incident in a press statement.

Oudeh is a fisherman from Shatti refugee camp and was on a fishing boat with other fishermen who approached an area off the coast of Rafah.

According to Hamas security sources, eyewitnesses and local radio station, Oudeh's body was taken to his home in western Gaza city.

There are 3,000 fishermen in the Gaza Strip, according to the fishermen union, who said that the fishermen face daily Israeli harassment and Egyptian security measures to prevent smuggling through the sea.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:43:23|Editor: yan

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RIYADH, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia launched on Wednesday a joint venture with a Spanish company to manufacture all aspects of marine combat systems, Al Arabiya local news reported.

The Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) and the Spanish company Navantia for Marine Industries signed the project agreement in Riyadh.

The two announced the launch of the project under the name of SAMI Navantia Naval Industries.

The joint venture aims to achieve 50 percent of Saudization in the military industries by 2030. The new project is expected to support Saudi Military Industries' efforts to keep 50 percent of military spending within the country.

It will also contribute significantly to enhancing the readiness of the armed forces in Saudi, as well as creating job opportunities and training for the Saudi youths, thus increasing the contribution of Saudi citizens to the industry.EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders of unions from across Alberta met in Edmonton today at the Alberta Federation of Labour Council meeting and have sent a letter to the leaders of our public institutions calling on them to show clear plans for potential future budget cuts.



Following Edmonton Public School Boards recent study examining various scenarios of how its budget would be impacted by cuts in provincial funding, the Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on the leadership of public institutions across the province to undertake the same process, and to release the results to the public.

With a provincial election coming up next spring, the public deserves to know what provincial funding cuts could mean for their services, said Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour. From school boards to our health care system and everything in between. Albertans need to know that our publicly funded bodies are planning for our future, and taking action to safeguard our standard of living. Public service leaders taking action is an important step to ensuring that is the case.

In Alberta, school boards, municipal governments, Alberta Health Services, post-secondary institutions, and many other publicly funded entities are entrusted with direction setting, financial planning, and being accountable to the public for the maintenance of key services.

Our public service leaders have a duty to plan for our future, and when the leader of a major party proposes massive, unspecified cuts, they have a responsibility to take a long, hard look at what these cuts could mean for our kids, communities, services and workers who provide them, said McGowan. The vast majority of the operating budgets for our public services come from provincial funding. Any provincial government plans to cut this funding would have a direct and immediate impact on our members who work in the public services, and on the services which they provide to the public.

While the Notley government has committed to protect funding to crucial public services like education and healthcare, Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party have made it very clear that if they formed government, they would make deep cuts to these services, said McGowan. Jason Kenney has floated cuts as high as 20 per cent, while refusing to commit to any concrete numbers  although UCP candidates have admitted such cuts would hurt. This sort of reactionary right-wing approach is the last thing our province needs, and Albertans deserve to have the full picture before they go to the polls in 2019.

Chris Gallaway

Director, Government Relations

(587) 984-7569 or cgallaway@afl.orgSource: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:48:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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DAMASCUS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The first China International Import Expo (CIIE) indicates China is opening up its gates to the outside world, Mohammed Sawah, head of Syrian Union of Exporters, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, which opened on Monday in Shanghai and will last till Saturday, has attracted over 400,000 purchasers and 3,600 companies from across the globe, including Syria.

"The expo reflects a unique vision by China as it has for decades been an exporter, and today China, with its massive size, is opening up to the world as an importer also and this is a big step forward," Sawah said.

He said the prospects of the Chinese market as an importer are massive and foreign companies are facing a great opportunity to showcase and promote their products to China's humongous market.

Sawah believed that the Chinese economy is a school that provides lessons for many other countries to learn how to improve their economies and the well-being of their people.

"China, with its openness to the world, is proving that it is an open economy that not only searches for its own interests but shares benefits with the global economy," he said.

China's opening-up policy will have positive impact on the world's economy, especially as it seeks the win-win cooperation for all and China's policies are based on respecting other nations, Sawah noted.

The Syrian official said Syria, a war-torn country seeking reconstruction, is taking part in the import expo in Shanghai by showcasing several products, mainly the olive oil, renowned as one of the best in the world.

Sawah added that the Syrian government attaches great importance to China's participation in the reconstruction process in Syria because China has great capabilities and expertise in this field.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:53:29|Editor: yan

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SANAA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition killed six people in an airstrike on two houses in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah on Wednesday, local residents said.

Three others were wounded in the airstrike that hit the homes in Ram village of Mastaba district, resident Abdullah Shuayb, who is a member of the local council in adjoining Abs district, told Xinhua by phone.

He said the victims are farmers and members of two relative families.

Two weeks ago, a coalition airstrike wounded two beekeepers and destroyed 50 beehives in Abs.

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.

Iranian-allied Houthis control much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa, since September 2014.

The Yemeni civil war has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced nearly three million others, according to UN agencies.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 00:58:31|Editor: yan

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RIGA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Potential coalition partners on Wednesday voiced readiness for talks with Latvia's prime minister-designate Janis Bordans whom President Raimonds Vejonis tasked with forming the Baltic country's next government.

Bordans, who leads the New Conservative Party, told reporters he would start talks on his would-be cabinet with KPV LV party and the liberal alliance For Development/For!. Later, he is also expected to meet with the rightist National Alliance and the center-right New Unity parties as his intention is to form a five-party coalition, leaving the centrist Greens and Farmers Union, the leader of Latvia's current center-right coalition, and the leftist Harmony in opposition.

The prime minister-designate, who has been given until Nov. 21 to form his cabinet, is confident that two weeks is a sufficiently long period to accomplish the task.

For Development/For! representative Artis Pabriks told reporters that his party respected the president's choice. "We are ready for cooperation and an invitation to government formation talks, but first of all we want to see more detailed proposals for the new government declaration," Pabriks said.

However, Pabriks avoided answering a question about his readiness to join a Bordans-led government.

Previously, For Development/For! wanted the Greens and Farmers Union to also be included in the government coalition, but has now agreed to respect Bordans' position on the new coalition.

Aldis Gobzems, leader of KPV LV party, said he could now publicly declare his party's support for Bordans' would-be government.

Both Arvils Aseradens of New Unity and Raivis Dzintars of National Alliance said their parties were ready for constructive talks constructive on Latvia's new government. Dzintars said all parties were interested in reaching an agreement on the government formation as soon as possible and hoped Bordans' nomination will speed up the negotiations process.

Political parties that won mandates in Latvia's new parliament in the Oct. 6 election have been holding negotiations on a new government coalition for a month already but have not come to any agreements so far.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 01:13:35|Editor: yan

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THIMPHU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lotay Tshering, a former urological surgeon, was sworn in as Bhutan's new prime minister on Wednesday.

In a traditional Bhutanese ceremony held in the capital Thimphu, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck conferred symbolic scarves to Lotay Tshering, also president of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) party that won 30 of the 47 seats in the general round of the parliamentary election held on Oct. 18 this year.

Lotay Tshering promised to work for the change to narrow the growing gap between the poor and rich in a press statement released by his party two days before.

All 10 ministers of the newly-formed cabinet, leader of the opposition party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), the speaker of National Assembly were also conferred with scarves on Wednesday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 01:23:37|Editor: yan

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BANGKOK, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The police investigation into July's capsizing of a tour boat in Phuket which killed 47 Chinese tourists is expected to be finished shortly, according to a police general.

Acting Immigration Bureau commissioner general Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said on Wednesday that a barge-mounted crane was provided from Singapore to retrieve the tour boat, named Phoenix, in Thailand's southern tourist island.

The crane would begin work on Thursday or Friday and it might take several days for the sunken boat to be lifted up onto the surface of the sea, Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachate said.

Authorities had earlier failed in several attempts to retrieve the boat, which capsized due to strong winds and high tides off the northeastern part of the island province on July 5.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 01:53:48|Editor: yan

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TUNIS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Libya's stability is important for Tunisia, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui said on Wednesday.

Jhinaoui made the remarks when meeting Ghassan Salame, the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, said Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign minister discussed the efforts to achieve comprehensive political outcomes for the Libyan conflict.

Jhinaoui also expressed his satisfaction with the efforts made by Salame towards achieving the cease-fire agreement in Tripoli.

"Tunisia strongly consolidates the UN efforts to revive the Libyan economy and achieve a global political resolution," insisted Jhinaoui.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 03:14:06|Editor: yan

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MOGADISHU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Wednesday launched investigations into Tuesday's incident involving its troops in which four civilians were killed in northern Mogadishu.

The AU mission regretted the loss of lives and said it will not relent until the truth about the incident that took place near ex-control Balcad is known and justice is served.

"AMISOM has commenced a full-scale investigation and will work closely with the competent federal government of Somalia authorities to determine the full truth about the circumstances in which this violent incident took place," it said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The shooting occurred after an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion and gunfire targeted AMISOM military vehicle in Heliwa.

Residents who held street protests accused the AU troops of deliberately killing the four people in the area and called on the government to probe the action by the AU soldiers.

The deceased were all drivers of taxis and passenger vehicles who used a nearby depot as a station.

The AU mission said the findings of this investigation will be made public and offered its condolences to the bereaved families.

AMISOM said prior to deployment in the theatre of operations, its forces are always trained and mentored to strictly observe the provisions of international humanitarian law, as well as international human rights law and abide by the rules of engagement governing the conduct of military operations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 03:24:11|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition on Wednesday evening foiled a surprise attack by the Islamic State (IS) group in eastern Syria, killing at least 20 militants, a war monitor reported.

The attempted IS attack targeted a military base run by the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia inside the al-Tanak oil field, one of the largest fields in the eastern countryside of Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

However, the U.S.-led coalition warplanes scrambled and heavily struck the IS positions, destroying seven vehicles and killing 20 militants, said the London-based watchdog.

The heavy strikes succeeded in thwarting the attack, he added.

The oil field contains a base run by Kurdish militia, where the U.S. military advisors and other advisors from the coalition are located.

The IS attack comes as the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Kurdish People's Protection Units were launching a second wave of attack on the last IS-held pocket in eastern Deir al-Zour.

The United States and its allied Kurdish-led forces on the ground aim to clear the eastern Euphrates River of the IS elements as the area is strategically significant due to its proximity to the Iraqi border and its oil-rich fields.

The Syrian government has repeatedly said it will capture all Syrian areas amid negotiations with the Kurdish groups about the future of the Kurdish-controlled region in northern and northeastern Syria.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 03:34:13|Editor: Yang Yi

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ABUJA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Nigerian university has set up a world-class comprehensive resource center for Chinese investors in Nigeria and Nigerian businessmen and others desiring to collaborate, cooperate or work with one another.

The Institute of Nigeria-China Development Studies, a brainchild of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), one of Nigeria's foremost colleges, was inaugurated late Tuesday in the former Nigerian capital city of Lagos.

The university's vice-chancellor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe told reporters Wednesday that the institute, also expected to promote educational and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, was among various "innovations designed to enable the university to brace up to current trends in global affairs."

"It is part of our effort to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, by creating a conducive environment for exchanges in order to strengthen cooperation at all levels. The institute is an academic concern that would interact extensively with the larger society," Ogundipe said.

Among other goals, the new institute is expected to create multiple avenues for the study of Chinese civilization, side-by-side Nigerian civilization, for Chinese and Nigerians to interact with a view to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each, so as to provide a platform for mutual growth, he said.

UNILAG, founded in 1962, is home to one of the two Confucious institutes in Nigeria. It partnered with the Confucious Institute at the university and the Chinese Investors Association for Development and Promotion to set up the new institute.

As part of its objectives, the institute would embark on elaborate research in major operational fields such as natural, applied and human sciences, according to the official News Agency of Nigeria.

Liu Changan, president of the Chinese Investors Association for Development and Promotion, described the inauguration as a milestone achievement, saying it was an avenue to further promote socio-cultural ties between China and Nigeria.

He added that it would strengthen traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and serve as a platform for mutual learning and win-win cooperation between China and Nigeria.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 03:44:14|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's deputy prime minister on Wednesday paid an official visit to Baghdad and met with top Iraqi officials over bilateral relations.

Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed his country's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation with Iraq during the meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, said a statement issued by Abdul Mahdi's office.

"Iraq has emerged stronger after the victory over terrorism and we are looking forward to further cooperation in the fields of trade and energy in the next stage," the statement quoted Al-Thani as saying.

For Mahdi, he referred to the development of the economy, investment and job creation as priorities of his ministerial program.

"We are working for good relations with countries and facilitating investment procedures which will contribute to the development of the economy," he said.

During the meeting, Al-Thani, on behalf of the emir of Qatar, invited Mahdi to visit Qatar.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi also met with Al-Thani and his delegation to discuss means to enhance cooperation as well as the political development in Iraq and the Middle East region, according to a separate statement.

Halbousi urged Qatar to "contribute to the reconstruction campaign (of Iraq) and activate the investment in Iraq."

"The parliament is keen to facilitate investment environment through providing appropriate laws," Halbousi said.

Al-Thani and his delegation also held meetings with Iraqi President Barham Salih and Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Hakim.Agreement takes effect November 1, 2018

GRANDVIEW, Mo., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peterson Manufacturing is very pleased to report that as of November 1, 2018 the company became an approved lighting vendor for Vipar HD, the largest heavy-duty truck parts buying group in North America.

With a distributor group of over 250 members across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, the Vipar HD network gives members constant access to the highest quality products from the industrys leading heavy-duty parts manufacturers.

Vipar is elated to announce the addition of a new partnership with Peterson Manufacturing, said David Wanhala, Program Director at Vipar. Peterson is a long-standing, Made-in-the-USA brand and we are thrilled for the opportunities moving forward that their line will bring to our membership.

The Vipar HD network of independent aftermarket truck parts distributors serves customer needs from some 630 locations, assuring swift delivery of well-known, premium-brand parts. Prior to being named an approved Vipar vendor, Peterson had built strong connections with Power HD, one of Vipars wholly owned subsidiaries.

According to Matt Altenhofen, Petersons Territory Sales Manager who spearheaded the effort, the deal is a win-win for both parties. The Vipar HD buying group leads the industry and were proud to be a part of it, Altenhofen said. With Vipars heavy presence across North America and beyond, and with the strength of our USA-made lighting in niche markets like refuse and chassis, we both have exciting opportunities to target new markets together.

ABOUT PETERSON MANUFACTURING

Peterson Manufacturing Company is a world-leading innovator in the engineering and production of a complete line of vehicle safety lighting, custom wiring harnesses, and many other safety-related products. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Peterson Manufacturing is a key subsidiary of Peterson Corporation, nine highly specialized companies and nearly 1,000 associates working in global transportation-related industries. With headquarters in the greater Kansas City area, Peterson Manufacturing is a privately held company and has been in operation since 1945.

For more information, contact: Mark Assenmacher, Dir. of Marketing Darrin Widick, MBA Peterson Manufacturing Co. Group 3 Solutions 4200 East 135th Street 110 West 9th Street, Suite 100 Grandview, MO 64030 Kansas City, MO 64105 Phone: 816-765-2000 Phone: 816-753-2420 FAX: 816-761-6693 www.group3solutions.com E-mail: massenmacher@pmlights.com www.pmlights.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/712af6d5-d968-4833-b892-aecab861a7d4

File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Lehtikuva/Heikki Saukkomaa)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will have lunch with Russian President Vladimir Putin among other leaders during his planned trip to Paris but no meeting was expected.

"We will be having a lunch, but I'm sure many people will be there," said Trump at a press conference at the White House when asked if he will meet Putin in Paris, where over 60 leaders were expected to convene on Sunday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the World War I.

"I don't think we have anything scheduled in Paris," said Trump, explaining that he didn't think there would be time set for any meeting given his short stay there.

"We will very shortly meet again at the G20. And that's where we were actually looking forward to meet," Trump added.

The Kremlin announced earlier on Wednesday that Putin and Trump will meet at a short working lunch in the Elysee Palace, with longer and more comprehensive talks expected at a summit of the Group of 20 countries at the end of this month in Argentina.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 04:04:22|Editor: yan

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NICOSIA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A group of 36 irregular immigrants arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday after sailing, authorities said in a statement.

The group, 35 men and one woman, arrived on board a small vessel which beached in an area controlled by Turkish occupation troops on the northwest coast of Cyprus, the statement said.

Police said they had been keeping an eye on the refugee boat after it was spotted on radar about nautical miles off the coast as it was sailing towards a fishing port where many other refugee vessels arrived before.

When the boat came near to the coast it changed course and bitched near a village in the region controlled by Turkish soldiers.

Several hours later the immigrants crossed into the government controlled part of Cyprus by walking through a mountain path.

The group of refugees was one of many who arrived in Cyprus this year, after paying between 2,000 and 3,000 euros to traffickers who operate outside the island.

The refugees were processed at a local police station and then were taken to a refugee center near Nicosia as their asylum requests are being examined.

Cypriot authorities estimate that up to 4,000 refugees, mostly from Syria, have arrived illegally in the island this year, further exacerbating a refugee problem for the small EU member state.

An estimated 16,000 immigrants have asked for political asylum in Cyprus during the last few years, the third largest concentration of refugees in EU countries relative to the population of the island which is just over one million.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 04:09:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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AMMAN, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, said on Wednesday that it is providing 71 million U.S. dollars to finance the construction of the new Daehan Wind Power Plant in Jordan.

The 51-megawatt plant, the IFC's second major investment in Jordan's wind sector this year, will be built in the southern governorate of Tafila to provide clean energy to homes and businesses across the country, IFC said in a statement to Xinhua.

During the last two decades, the World Bank Group has played a key role in Jordan's energy sector by aiding its privatization through regulatory and financial support, with IFC having invested more than 300 million dollars in 13 renewable projects.

Jordan, which imports 97 percent of its energy, is working on energy projects including renewable energy ones to reduce its reliance on imported energy sources.Syrian soldiers prepare artillery to fire at positions of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's Qalamoun region, on Aug. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

MOSCOW, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia's security heads warned Wednesday that the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaida may merge and thus increase the threat of global terrorism.

"The transition to a network-based organizational model based on regional branches may push the IS leadership to merge with al-Qaida, which is also interested in replenishing its forces and means for conducting active terrorist activities," Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

"This will allow these two terrorist organizations to control the activities of their regional branches and affiliates more efficiently," he said at a meeting of foreign security services and law enforcement bodies in Moscow.

IS has lost most of the territories it occupied in Iraq and Syria, but it remains along with al-Qaida and its affiliates a potent threat, with a presence of both terrorist groups in various countries of the Middle East and Africa.

There are a number of signs indicating a possible convergence of IS and al-Qaida, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov said at the meeting.

"Both international terrorist organizations use a close ideological base and common human resources to replenish each other's forces," Borthikov said.

Many terrorists, despite the armed clashes between al-Qaida and IS, are moving from one terrorist structure to another, motivated by personal gain, changes on the battlefield and other reasons, he said.

According to the Security Council's Patrushev, currently there are more than 200 terrorist groups in the world, of which IS and al-Qaida are the largest.

An inevitable defeat of terrorism in Syria and Iraq has forced foreign mercenaries to leave, return to their own countries, or create new centers of instability, he said.

According to Patrushev, the militants have changed tactics by joining local radical groups and criminal circles, forming criminal groups within national communities and diasporas of the world, as well as creating so-called "dormant cells," recruiting new members and accumulating financial assets.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 04:39:37|Editor: yan

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LAGOS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Nigerian court on Wednesday refused the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), known as "Shiites", Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeena bail, whose detention leads to recent violence clashes between El-Zakzaky and the police.

El-Zakzaky and his wife were first arraigned on May 15, 2018, following their arrest in northern city of Zaria in December 2015.

They were being charged by the government of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disturbance of public peace, among others.

On trial with the Shiite leader were four other members of the group.

Presiding Judge Gideon Kurada ruled that the accused did not attach enough medical evidence to warrant being granted bail application before the court.

Kurada also ruled that the IMN leader and his wife would remain in the custody of the Department of Sate Security until Jan. 22, 2019 for the bail application which he said would be given accelerated hearing.

Meanwhile, security was tight when El-Zakzaky and his wife appeared before the State High Court in Kaduna state, north Nigeria.

As usual, security operatives for the military, anti-riot and regular police as well as the civil defense were on ground to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state.

The police in the state had restricted the movement of residents over the resumed trial of the Shiite leader in the state.

A march for the release of El-Zakzaky had turned violent in Abuja when protesters pelted troops last week. The riotous situation disrupted activities in the outskirts of Abuja for several hours.

The army confirmed three protesters were shot dead during that fracas. Other sources said up to six protesters were killed and many others wounded.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 04:54:44|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will have lunch with Russian President Vladimir Putin among other leaders during his planned trip to Paris but no meeting was expected.

Trump also revealed that he's likely to meet with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "early next year."

"We will be having a lunch, but I'm sure many people will be there," said Trump at a press conference at the White House when asked if he will meet Putin in Paris, where over 60 leaders were expected to convene on Sunday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the World War I.

"I don't think we have anything scheduled in Paris," said Trump, explaining that he didn't think there would be time set for any meeting given his short stay there.

"We will very shortly meet again at the G20. And that's where we were actually looking forward to meet," Trump added.

The Kremlin announced earlier Wednesday that Putin and Trump will meet at a short working lunch in the Elysee Palace, with longer and more comprehensive talks expected at a summit of the Group of 20 countries at the end of this month in Argentina.

Trump said that he expected to meet with the DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un again "some time early next year," but insisted that the United States is "in no rush" after talks between his top diplomat and a senior DPRK envoy were postponed.

"We think it's going fine. We are in no rush," said Trump, commenting on current bilateral negotiations.

Trump's remarks came less than a day after the U.S. State Department announced that a scheduled high-level meeting between the two sides has been postponed.

The expected Thursday meeting in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, "will now take place at a later date," Heather Nauert, the department spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday.

Pompeo himself revealed in a Sunday interview that he expected some "real progress" in talks with Kim, including "an effort to make sure that the summit between the two leaders can take place."

The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. According to a joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the United States would provide security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization.

Following the leaders' meeting, the U.S.-DPRK talks were once stuck in an impasse due to differences over the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration.File Photo: Children wait for collecting water from a charity pump near the port of Hodeidah, Yemen, on Sept. 30, 2018. Residents who live near the port of Hodeidah are dramatically affected by the war, especially after the recent escalating conflict. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN officials expressed concern on Wednesday over the escalating conflict in Yemen, the threat it poses for civilians and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah -- key for the imports of humanitarian aid, saying the violence could cause "a human catastrophe."

"We continue to be deeply concerned by the escalating conflict in Yemen," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief.

He said "the fighting has now continued around the outskirts of Hodeidah City in the last 24 hours. About 2,100 people have reportedly fled their homes in the area close to the fighting."

While there were reports of civilian casualties, the spokesman said casualty figures were not immediately available.

"Humanitarian agencies have consistently warned that protracted fighting inside Hodeidah City, or any incident that interrupted port operations, could set off a humanitarian catastrophe," he told reporters during a regular briefing.

Dujarric said there also were concerns how the conflict has escalated in other fronts in Yemen, including southern Hodeidah Governorate, Hajjah and Saada governorates.

"The United Nations also continues to call on all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said.

The spokesman recalled how Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined last week urgent steps required to decrease the risk of famine in Yemen, including the need for the violence to stop immediately.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Children's Fund issued a plea for ending fighting around the main hospital in Hodeidah where there were 59 children patients, 25 of them in critical condition.Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and U.S. soldiers gather in the Kurdish-held town of Al-Darbasiyah in northeastern Syria bordering Turkey on Nov. 4, 2018. (AFP photo)

ANKARA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will not ease its stance on the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to appease the United States, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kalin called YPG a Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is recognized as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the United States.

"Every support given to the YPG is directly or indirectly given to the PKK," he said.

But the Turkish spokesman appreciated Washington's "belated" move to offer a bounty on three senior leaders of the PKK.

Turkey's basic expectation is that the United States, Turkey's NATO ally and strategic partner, could end its engagement with and support for the YPG group in Syria, Kalin noted.

A day earlier, the United States announced a bounty of 12 million U.S. dollars on clues leading to the "identification or location" of three senior leaders of the PKK, which has been fighting the Turkey government for decades.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 06:15:10|Editor: yan

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KHARTOUM, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sudan said on Wednesday that it has invited African leaders to attend the opening session of peace negotiations between the government and the opposition in Central African Republic (CAR), a local media outlet reported.

The opening session is slated for mid-November in Sudan's capital Khartoum, said Sudanese Media Center.

"Khartoum's initiative to achieve peace and reconciliation in the CAR has received acceptance by the international community besides a great support from the African Union," Bushara Juma'a Aror, Sudan's information minister and government spokesman, was quoted as saying.

In August, Khartoum hosted a session of talks between the CAR's Seleka armed opposition and the Anti-Balaka militia group under a Russian initiative and the patronage of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

The talks concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which requires the establishment of a joint body for peace aiming at renouncing violence and extremism, cessation of hostilities and allowing free movement of citizens and trade with neighboring countries.

Since 2013, the CAR has been suffering from a religious and ethnic conflict after the Muslim-majority Seleka armed opposition seized power, which led to reprisal operations by the Anti-Balaka militia group said to be composed primarily of Christians.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-08 06:35:16|Editor: yan

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SANTIAGO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chile's President Sebastian Pinera on Wednesday said electric vehicles (EVs) are the transportation means of the future, as he unveiled a fleet of EVs to be used to transport him and five of his ministers.

"The future of mobility is going to be electric, and that's good news for the environment, but it is also good news for the copper industry and for our country," said Pinera.

Copper is Chile's main export, and EVs require three times more copper to produce than conventional vehicles.

In addition, by 2025, the EV industry is expected to consume nearly 40 percent of the world's lithium, another mineral Chile has in abundance. In fact, Chile is among the world's leading producers of lithium, which is used to make rechargeable batteries.

The fully electric BMW i3 Atelier models now at the service of the president and his top aides can reach maximum speeds of 150 kilometers per hour, and need recharging every 250 kilometers on average.

"This is a symbolic step that represents the government's commitment" to caring for the environment by adopting more electronic transportation, said Pinera.

According to Energy Minister Susana Jimenez, by 2022 Chile aims to "increase tenfold the number of electric vehicles that circulate in the country."Community Invited to Attend Local Premiere of Andrew Young Presents: The Color of Money Documentary

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tennessee Bank, member of the First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) family of companies, is partnering with SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE:STI) to host a special screening of Andrew Young Presents: The Color of Money documentary. The screening will take place from 58 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2018 at the University Center Theatre at the University of Memphis.

First Tennessee and SunTrust are continuing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s dream of financial inclusion by providing economic literacy in their communities through Operation HOPE, said Ambassador Andrew Young. Im proud to see how Dr. Kings legacy continues on today in the city of Memphis, more than 50 years later.

In its 11th year of national syndication, Andrew Young Presents is a series of first-person documentary narratives hosted by the civil rights activist and former ambassador to the United Nations. This latest episode was created to highlight the work of Operation HOPE with partner organizations First Horizon and SunTrust, and focuses on the continuation of Kings Poor Peoples Campaign.

Our vision and belief is that by increasing access to financial literacy education and tools, we can create stronger communities, said Bryan Jordan, CEO of First Horizon National Corp., parent company of First Tennessee. Our partnership with Operation HOPE is providing the necessary resources for members of the community to empower themselves and secure healthy financial futures.

The documentary premiere will also feature a fireside chat with Young, Jordan, Operation HOPE founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, and SunTrust-Memphis president and CEO Johnny Moore.

Our partnership with Operation Hope is a key part of how we fulfill our purpose of lighting the way to financial well-being for the communities and clients we serve, Moore said. Were proud to join First Tennessee in support of building financial confidence, and in building up the city of Memphis. Ambassador Youngs documentary is an inspiring message of how all members of our community are focused on furthering Dr. Kings message of inclusion.

The free event, sponsored by First Tennessee and SunTrust, is open to the public, but space is limited and reservations are requested. To register, visit www.thecolorofmoney.eventbrite.com .

About First Tennessee and Capital Bank

Our First Tennessee and Capital Bank brands have the largest deposit market share in Tennessee, more than 300 branches across the southeast U.S., and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. We have been ranked by American Banker as No. 5 among the Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Banks. We were founded in 1864, have the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country, and have one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. Our FTB Advisors wealth management group has more than 300 financial professionals and provides services to about $4.8 billion in assets. FTN Financial, with 28 offices across the U.S., is a capital markets industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional customers in the U.S. and abroad. First Tennessee, Capital Bank, FTB Advisors, and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). We have been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by American Banker magazine and the National Association for Female Executives. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com .

About SunTrust Banks, Inc.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. is a purpose-driven company dedicated to Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being for the people, businesses, and communities it serves. SunTrust leads onUp, a national movement inspiring Americans to build financial confidence. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Company has two business segments: Consumer and Wholesale. Its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states, along with 24-hour digital access. Certain business lines serve consumer, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients nationally. As of September 30, 2018, SunTrust had total assets of $211 billion and total deposits of $160 billion. The Company provides deposit, credit, trust, investment, mortgage, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. Learn more at suntrust.com.

About Operation HOPE

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "silver rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserveddisrupting poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income families across the nation. Through our community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 2.8 million individuals and directed more than $2.7 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communitiesturning check cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Project 5117 is our multi-year four-pronged approach to combating economic inequality that aims to improve financial literacy, increase business role models and business internships for youth in underserved communities, and stabilize the American dream by boosting FICO scores. Operation HOPE recently received its fourth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability by the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: www.OperationHOPE.org . Follow Operation HOPE on Twitter and Facebook @operationhope

FHN-G

CONTACT:

Media Relations  First Tennessee, Alana Hu, (901) 523-4112

Media Relations  SunTrust, Thomas Crosson, (470) 218-9178

Media Relations  Operation HOPE, Shalon Bell, (404) 625-0688

Investor Relations  First Tennessee, Aarti Bowman, (901) 523-4017In this photo taken on Oct. 28, 2018, the Israeli and Brazilian flags hang outside the building housing the offices of the Brazilian Embassy in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. (AFP photo)

RAMALLAH, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said on Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is making an effort to prevent Brazil from moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Malki said in an interview with the official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine that the PA has drawn a plan to prevent such a move by Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

He explained that the contacts were held by Arab communities and businesspeople in Latin America.

Bolsonaro reiterated a campaign pledge to follow the lead of U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem last week.

Bolsonaro is due to take office on Jan. 1, 2019.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future independent state, while Israel wants all Jerusalem to be its eternal capital.

Israel annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967 war and declared the whole city as its eternal indivisible capital in 1980, but the move has not been recognized by the international community.

Palestinians have boycotted the American administration since it recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital last December and moved its embassy in Israel to the holy city a few months later.Attracting more than 220,000 visitors, an exhibition of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the Hungarian National Gallery has been Hungarys most successful show of the past three years, the gallery said.

The exhibition shown between July 7 and November 4 featured more than thirty paintings and other works by Kahlo, who was probably the most iconic female artist of the 20th century, it said.



Kahlos hallmark self-portraits, her very first canvas painted in 1927, as well as paintings and portraits inspired by the events in her life were lent by the Museo Dolores Olmedo in Mexico City.



The exhibition was complete with sound and pictorial installations based on Kahlos diaries written in the last ten years of her life.



Related article:

Frida Kahlo Exhibition, Hungarian National GalleryFive Hungarian companies signed agreements on doing business in China in the framework of the opening ceremony of the Chinese International Import Expo (CIIE). Dairy company Korostej signed a contract on deliveries to China, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

A contract was signed on the construction of a solar park in Hungary, and another on Hungarian company Organicas participation in the construction of a water treatment plant in China.



Contracts were also signed on promoting Hungarian wines in China and on the export of faucet cartridges, he said.



IT Minister Laszlo Palkovics said the Hungarian pavilion would showcase innovations that could be of interest to Chinese partners, such as the test track for self-driving vehicles under construction in Zalaegerszeg, in western Hungary and the ELI-ALPS laser research centre in Szeged, south-western Hungary.



Photo: MTI/KKM/KKM/Mitko Sztojcsev

Lajos Kosa, head of parliaments defence and law enforcement committee, called for the most resolute action against prepaid debit cards issued to migrants.

Kosa, of ruling Fidesz, cited recent reports about tens of thousands of prepaid debit cards made available to migrants by the European Commission and the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR. All sources report that several thousands of euros are paid to the cards monthly.



US billionaire George Soros is also said to have been involved in funding the scheme, he said.

As the scheme finances terrorism and organised people smuggling, the EC, the UNHCR and Soros have proven that they are completely unfit for their tasks, and threaten the security of the EU and the rule of law, he said.Coronavirusul romanesc: O nimica toata

Sub 2.000 de cazuri noi si 121 de decese sunt anuntate in bilantul provizoriu de coronavirus de duminica. 16 dintre acestea sunt anterioare. Conform datelor existente duminica la CNCCI, in intervalul de 24 de ore, au fost inregistrate 1.936 cazuri de persoane pozitive cu SARS-COV-2. Cel mai probabil s-au efectuat putine [citeste mai departe]English French

Industrys longest range business jet, the Global 7500 aircraft, is certified in a class of its own and will enter service at the end of this year

The only business jet that can connect New York to Hong Kong and Singapore to San Francisco, nonstop*

The Global 7500 aircraft offers not only Bombardiers signature smooth ride but also superior field performance, perfect for operating from key challenging airports

MONTREAL, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is proud to announce that its flagship business jet, the Global 7500 aircraft, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, achieving another important milestone as it approaches entry-into-service later this year.

This milestone is the latest accomplishment for our award-winning Global 7500 business jet, which has been exceeding expectations on every level, said Michel Ouellette, Senior Vice President, Global 7500 and Global 8000 Program, Bombardier Business Aircraft. The Global 7500 business jet has proven itself as the highest-performing aircraft in the industry and promises to revolutionize the market and significantly change the business aviation landscape.

Obtaining the Global 7500 aircraft Type Certification from the FAA marks one of the final chapters in our very successful development program, said Stephen McCullough, Bombardiers Vice President of Integrated Product Development for the Global 7500 and Global 8000 Program. Achieving this latest milestone is a direct result of the commitment to excellence of the highly-skilled employees who worked on the program and our solid collaboration with our suppliers.

Earlier this year, the Global 7500 aircraft demonstrated its ability to fly further than any other business jet by expanding its advertised range to 7,700 nautical miles, a full 300 nautical miles further than initial commitments. It also exceeded takeoff and landing performance commitments, facilitating access to challenging airports such as Chicago Executive, MI or Eagle County, CO, even in adverse weather conditions. These achievements have enabled the Global 7500 aircraft to push the boundaries of business travel by elevating the cabin experience all while resetting the bar for long-haul missions in the industry. The Global 7500 aircraft is the only business jet that can connect New York to Hong Kong, and Singapore to San Francisco, nonstop.*

Upon entry into service, the Global 7500 aircraft will offer not only its signature smooth ride but also spaciousness that is unique among business jets, with its award-winning interior featuring a full-size kitchen and four true living spaces. The Global 7500 aircraft also debuts Bombardiers patented Nuage seat, which was meticulously designed for maximum comfort and will be exclusive to the new Global family of aircraft.

Setting the benchmark for the most exceptional business jet experience, these state-of-the-art features and the aircrafts sophisticated styling contributed to the Global 7500 jet receiving a 2018 Red Dot Award for Product Design, one of the most sought-after honours for design and innovation excellence worldwide.

About Bombardier

With over 69,500 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier .

Notes to Editors

Follow @Bombardierjets on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from

Bombardier Business Aircraft.

To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section.

Bombardier, Global, Global 7500 and Nuage are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

*Under certain operating conditions.

For Information

Clemence Godfroy

Bombardier Business Aircraft

+ 1 514-855-5001 #64024

clemence.godfroy@aero.bombardier.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6314256c-b021-497d-a285-1b1a9d8b6552The owner and manager of a Delaware County diner "illegally seized tips" and underpaid workers for overtime hours, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division alleges in a federal lawsuit.

The department sued Mosluoglu Inc. president Ihsan Gunaydin and restaurant manager Engin Gunaydin after its investigators found they "seized 10 to 15 percent of servers' total tips per shift" at their Empire Diner & Restaurant in Lansdowne. The agency alleged that they paid some workers straight-time rates for overtime hours, and that some servers "were given time and one-half their cash wages" of $2.83 per hour, instead of basing overtime on the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour, as the Fair Labor Standards Act requires.

"This is the first I'm hearing of this," Engin Gunaydin said, when reached at the diner by phone. "It's news to me. We've been here 20 years, we have never had a problem like this. We're here 24 hours [a day]. The local politicians come here, they bring their families. [State Sen.] Anthony Williams [D., Phila.] is here with his family all the time. The Heinzes, the ketchup family, they've been here." He said his father, company president Ihsan Gunaydin, is out of the country on vacation and will address any allegations when he returns next week.

Sen. Williams "has gone there, he frequents a lot of restaurants in the district, but it's not one of his favorites. His favorite is Cedar Park," on Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, clarified Sabrina Hall, the senator's spokesperson. She added that Williams was not aware of the Labor Department complaint.

The government said it wants the diner operators to pay "back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for 83 employees," and to retroactively pay workers who may have had their tips reduced the full minimum wage (and overtime based on the minimum) instead of the lower restaurant cash wage rate, which assumes workers will also keep their tips.

The lawsuit alleged "willful violations of the federal wage, overtime, and record-keeping provisions" of the act.

In a statement, James Cain, the department's wage and hour director for the Philadelphia region, encouraged employers confused by the law to contact his office "for assistance so that violations like these can be avoided." The office can be reached at 866-487-9243 and http://www.dol.gov/whd.Isiolo County, Kenya, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Living Goods and Kenyas Isiolo County government have just signed a four-year partnership that will vastly expand the access local families have to community-based primary health care services. Through this effort, co-funded by both entities, Living Goods will be responsible for managing all community health services within Isiolo county, with a focus on ameliorating the most easily treatable yet deadly health issues that affect mothers and children under age 5.

Under the agreement, Living Goods will create demand for and provide community health services in all three Isiolo sub-countiesIsiolo, Merti, and Garbatullathrough a package of targeted technical assistance that will support the county government in strengthening its health services delivery. While Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has named the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) a core pillar of his administration and just announced the launch of a pilot program to achieve UHC in Isiolo, Kisumu, Nyeri, and Machakos Counties, the decentralized nature of Kenyas government requires each county determine how to finance and manage such efforts.

Millions of children around the world die each year from easily preventable and treatable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, due to lack of access to formal health facilities and doctors, insufficient follow-up and referrals, and poor supply chains and quality drugs. Community health provides a high-impact and low-cost solution to these challenges by providing care for the critically and chronically ill and alleviating pressure on health facilities.

A largely arid region comprised of nomadic communities that are highly moble and widely dispersed, Isiolo County faces several challenges in the realization of community health goals. These include poor motivation of community health workersknown as community health volunteers (CHVs) in Kenyalimited use of technology to support service provision, and lack of essential medicines. In addition, access to real-time data on health worker activities is limited and there are no clear guidelines for community health extension workers (CHEWs) and county health management teams, which are meant to supervise the CHVs.

Through this method of innovatively financing health services, Living Goods and the county government will split the cost of the community health program equally in the first year, with the county government shouldering more of the costs towards the close of the partnership. Over the course of the 4-year partnership, Living Goods will work with the government to ensure that plans are in place to ensure the programs long-term management and sustainability.

Through this partnership, CHVs will help prevent diseases at the community level through sensitizing locals on proper hygiene practices, public health initiatives, immunization counselling, check-ups, and ante-natal services to reduce the high maternal mortality rates in the region, said Isiolo County Governor Dr. Mohamed Kuti.

Living Goods brings more than a decade of community health expertise to Isioloits sixth county of operation in Kenya. In this mutually-strategic partnership, Living Goods is tasked with providing technical expertise to strengthen existing community health structures and equipping 720 CHVs to effectively deliver customized and consistently high-quality services to households. Specialized expertise will include providing a cost-effective integrated service delivery platform for CHVs, digital health solutions to improve quality of care, best-in-class performance management and supportive supervision, and a motivating performance-based incentive to drive delivery.

Community health service delivery under this arrangement will emphasize the integrated community case management (iCCM) approach to holistically diagnose, treat and provide follow-up services for pneumonia and diarrhea among children under-five, maternal newborn and child health services, and nutrition for pregnant mothers and children under-five. Family planning and immunization counseling and referral services as Living Goods rolls out these services across Kenya; CHVs will be trained to treat malaria, as well, though the disease is not endemic in Isiolo.

The overall goal of this contract is to help transform the health function in Isiolo County into a model showcasing how innovative partnerships to deliver specific health interventions can cost-effectively accelerate impact and improve health outcomes at the community level, said Living Goods Country Director Thomas Onyango.

Living Goods supports more than 1,800 CHVs in a total of 13 sub-counties across Busia, Kisii, Kakamega, Nakuru, and Kiambu counties. Efforts are underway to support at least 7,500 CHVs serving more than 6 million people in Kenya by 2021. In the past year, Living Goods-supported CHVs have visited nearly 300,000 households serving more than 320,000 under-fives and more than 76,000 under-ones.

Background

Living Goods is a non-profit organization that seeks to drive lasting impact in community health through innovative approaches delivered in partnership with government. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to transform the delivery of essential health care, Living Goods works to save and improve lives in resource-constrained communities, particularly for mothers and children under the age of five years.

Living Goods supports networks of performance-driven community health workers from existing government pools to go door-to-door in their communities educating, assessing and treating families for critical health issues. Armed with life-saving medicines and a smartphone loaded with a robust diagnostic health application, Living Goods-supported CHVs are often the first point of contact for communities with the health system. They manage referrals to nearby health facilities for complicated cases and provide follow-up care.

Living Goods has more than a decade of experience in strengthening high-impact and cost-effective community health programs in Kenya and Uganda.

For further information, contact:

Jennifer Hyman

Director of Communications, Living Goods

Email: jhyman@livinggoods.org

Sylvia Maina

Senior Regional Communications Manager

Living Goods, Kenya

Email: smaina@livinggoods.orgChef Sylva Senat has parted ways with Maison 208, the corner bar-restaurant in Washington Square West that he helped to open last year.

His associate Uri Pierre Noel said he and his business partners at Maze Hospitality were still in the progress of a financial-separation agreement.

In a statement to Philadelphia Media Network, Senat said his management company, Senat & Co., was no longer an active partner in Maison, which opened in June 2017 at 13th and Chancellor Streets. The site formerly was a Dewey's eatery and later Letto Deli.

I await a call from Herb Reid, a partner at Maze.

Also, state records show that Maison's liquor license has expired; Senat is not listed as an officer on the license.

Senat has other irons in the fire. Over the summer, he signed on as executive chef of the Pyramid Club. Next week, he also is due to open Baby Buns, a stand selling sliders, at the new Bourse food hall.

"I'm sad to leave Maison 208, just as I am every time I leave a space I created," he said in the statement. "I'm proud of all I have accomplished in the time I was there and am certain the talented team will continue to provide outstanding food and service to their customers."

Senat, 41, a native of Haiti who grew up in Brooklyn, has a Who's Who of power restaurants on his resume, including the Sign of the Dove, Aquavit, Jean Georges, and Mercer Kitchen. He was part of the opening team at the Manhattan branch of Buddakan in 2006. After stops in France and Puerto Rico, he returned to the Starr Restaurant fold and landed in Philadelphia at Buddakan on Chestnut Street. From there, he opened the flashy, Indian-inspired Tashan on South Broad Street, which he left two years before its 2015 closing.

Senat also mentors students via the Career Through Culinary Arts Program.I watched election results Tuesday night just like everyone else.

I was so focused on the outcome and quite frankly worn out by it all that it didn't really click until this morning as I perused my Twitter and Facebook.

And then I saw it.

Wow, Donna Brazile!

Brazile, 58, had gone from old-school auntie to a glammed-up Patti LaBelle, complete with new attittude and a hefty dose of silver fox sleekness. The bob was everything.

Not that there was anything wrong with her look before: no glam, all biz.

But the statement necklace! The black, wide-lapel blazer! The lashes! The sculpted cheekbones with more than a hint of blush! Ten years (and glasses) gone! Just like that.

Would I be writing this column about a man? Perhaps. Say Chris Christie slipped into a slim-cut Tom Ford suit in electric cobalt. That would be fiyah. Or what if President Trump turned in his orange glow for an amazing spray tan? My fingers would be flying. Why? For TV personalities, politicians, and anyone else in the constant spotlight, looks matter if for no other reason than they drive water cooler chatter.

I'm thinking Brazile's new look signifies her new lease on life. Perhaps a new focus? There is no doubt home girl needs it. Two years ago, Brazile, then the interim head of the Democratic National Committee was royally busted for leaking a CNN debate question to then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. At the time, Brazile was still vice chair of the DNC. In the aftermath, Brazile was forced to sever ties with CNN. In February 2017, she exited the DNC, too. Last year, her book Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns that Put Donald Trump in the White House hit the shelves, and she was criticized by Clinton staffers for not portraying the campaign accurately.

She's been pretty low-key since, because, face it, despite her brilliance, her credibility had been shot.

But on Tuesday night, it was clear Brazile was using the midterm elections as her own personal coming-out moment. It was a stylish, please-forget-about-what-I did-in-the-past plea. Brazile's move was well-timed and, as the old folks say when describing a great ensemble, sharp. Yet, whether she's actually forgiven, who knows?

Either way, lady, you sure did look good.Veterans, Reggie Falls , left, Dustin Kinley, center, and Ben Rickert tell their stories at a Veteran's Day listening series at the National Constitution Center. Read more

The announcement cut through the midday crowds at the National Constitution Center. Drop in and meet a veteran, it said.

In the cafeteria, three military men stood, waiting. They had traveled across Pennsylvania to tell their stories as part of a new Veterans Day tradition at the Constitution Center  a sort of pop-up conversation with those who wear the uniform and fight our endless wars.

The aim of Veterans Talks  which runs through Friday  is to match the museum's exhibits on war and service with real voices, said Kerry Sautner, the center's chief learning officer. To make it feel personal.

Vets say that is something needed now more than ever.

America doesn't act like a nation at war, said Tim Williams, executive director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Old City. But its military is. And those wars are fought by so few of us.

Charlie Forshee, the deputy executive director of the center, said to think of it this way: Even as our country continues to send soldiers overseas, how many of us actually know anyone who's been injured or killed in those conflicts?

In that environment, military families can feel like they're carrying immense burdens that the rest of the country doesn't understand. Take Forshee. At the center, he works with five people whose children have been maimed or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. One of his son's groomsmen lost his legs in combat in Iraq. Forshee's oldest son is a Marine officer who flies V-22 Ospreys. His daughter's husband is about to be deployed overseas.

And when Forshee, a retired Army infantry colonel, was working as a contractor in Kandahar, he was able to visit his youngest son with the 82nd Airborne before he lifted off to a combat outpost on the first of two tours.

"That was tough," said the West Point graduate, who lives in South Philadelphia and served in more than a half-dozen combat zones over 21 years.

Now, in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge, he works with some 6,000 veterans a year. He and his staff try to ease the pain they've borne for their country with a drop-in services center, mental health outreach, transitional housing, and other help for the city's homeless veterans population.

Four years ago, Forshee and his colleagues thought they had won the battle against homelessness among veterans in Philadelphia. They had reduced the veterans' homeless rate to what the city called "functional zero." Then the opioid epidemic hit, and now, the center is trying to reach an entirely new population. There are 70 veterans who the city knows of living in the homeless encampments around Kensington. But Forshee fears that the actual number is likely double and that his agency just hasn't identified them yet.

He brings the weight of all that to the Veterans Talks. He's spoken at the Constitution Center for two years.

One year, he gave directions to two people who were simply lost and answered a single child's query: "Did you ever kill anyone?"

"Well, I was an infantry officer in combat," he answered, not wishing to elaborate.

Another year, 30 people gathered around him and asked questions about veterans' homelessness  the kind of questions he had plenty of answers for.

The three veterans who spoke Wednesday were multiservice outreach workers who work in the rural areas near State College and further upstate. Museum staffers called a half-dozen people from the exhibits to come listen.

The men told their stories from four decades of service. None had fought overseas, but all had experienced the trauma that comes from service nonetheless. The friends who died in their arms in training accidents. The guilt for friends who did go overseas and died there. Or who died once they came back.

Like a young soldier the three men all tried to help. He died by suicide two weeks ago, after he received his redeployment orders and told friends he couldn't go back.

Ben Rickert, a retired Marine gunnery sergeant, said he hoped that if the crowd took away one thing, it was this: "If you ever meet a veteran and that veteran wants to talk, don't stop them."Central American migrants who splintered off a U.S.-bound caravan, file into a sporting center that has been turned into a shelter for them in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. The migrants now aim to regroup in the Mexican capital, seeking medical care and rest while they await stragglers. Read more

On Tuesday, when I stepped into the voting booth, I thought of all those who have walked in the hopes of attaining the freedom that America promised.

I thought of enslaved Africans who walked through the thickets and swamps of the South, eluding dogs, slave catchers, and lynch mobs in their quest for liberty.

It was illegal for those enslaved people to walk away from a brutal system that treated them like animals. Yet they understood, even in their forced illiteracy, that an unjust law is no law at all. That's why, as I watch thousands of Central American migrants walk thousands of miles in search of the same elusive freedom my ancestors sought, I see parallels between the past and the present, between the enslaved and the migrant, between the black and the brown.

Those parallels have shaped my view of the migrants' journey, and it has informed my perception of the way they've been portrayed. When I watch President Trump, a self-described nationalist, try to frighten the American electorate by depicting thousands of impoverished Latino migrants fleeing violence and oppression as "bad people" and "tough, tough people," I am sickened.

That's because the demonization of a group walking north to escape brutality and abject poverty is a familiar refrain in American politics. Just as Trump and his political allies have used brown immigrants as a wedge to divide Americans in the hopes of maintaining GOP control of the government, Trump's political forebears sought to use slavery as a wedge to maintain their own "way of life."

That's why, when Trump released a campaign ad that portrayed the migrants as savage criminals who needed to be dominated and controlled, I was taken back to the antebellum South, where such leaders as South Carolina Sen. John C. Calhoun sought to justify their racism with similar assessments of blacks.

"We of the South will not, cannot, surrender our institutions," Calhoun said in a speech in 1837 in which he extolled the virtues of slavery. "To maintain the existing relations between the two races inhabiting that section of the Union is indispensable to the peace and happiness of both. It cannot be subverted without drenching the country in blood and extirpating one or the other of the races. Be it good or bad, it has grown up with our society and institutions and is so interwoven with them that to destroy it would be to destroy us as a people. But let me not be understood as admitting, even by implication, that the existing relations between the two races, in the slaveholding states, is an evil. Far otherwise; I hold it to be a good, as it has thus far proved itself to be, to both, and will continue to prove so, if not disturbed by the fell spirit of Abolition."

Were it not for the flowery language, I would think that the speech was given today. Just as Calhoun, a self-described nationalist, predicted and even encouraged bloodshed if slavery was abolished, Trump continually paints brown immigrants as an existential threat to America.

I'm not buying it.

We are a country of immigrants. As the son, grandson, and husband of immigrants, Trump knows this well.

African Americans walked north to escape the systematic oppression of slavery; the migrants of Central America are walking north to escape the violence and poverty of their home countries.

If they are willing to present their case and seek asylum at our border, we must allow them to do so. Because repeating the mistakes of the past  when America sought to maintain slavery by changing such laws as the Fugitive Slave Act  can only yield the same disastrous results.

Let the migrants walk to freedom, just as my people walked out of the chains that once bound them.

Solomon Jones is the author of 10 books. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Praise 107.9 FM. sj@solomonjones.com: @solomonjones1Jessy Foster, an enrollment specialist, meets with a client at an enrollment center in Philadelphia, November 5, 2018. Read more

Andrew Gold was surprised to learn that he'll pay more for his health plan next year, even though insurance premiums are going down and he expects to earn less in 2019.

Gold, 55, of Center City, buys insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace healthcare.gov, and he receives an income-based tax subsidy that this year reduced his monthly premium to zero.

Next year, Gold's tax subsidy will be smaller and won't cover as much of the premium. He'll owe more than $100 a month to keep his plan.

It's a sizable difference, but going without insurance or choosing a cheaper plan with less coverage weren't options that Gold was willing to consider  even if buying the better plan means cutting back elsewhere in his budget.

"I wanted to pick a plan that would cover me, worst-case scenario," said Gold, who works as an independent personal-finance consultant. "It's not going to bankrupt me, but it's confusing, for sure."

Open enrollment for the ACA marketplaces is in full swing and will run through Dec. 15. For the first time in years, premium prices are declining and new insurers are entering the market or expanding their offerings  signs that once-volatile marketplaces are stabilizing.

But those who plan to buy or renew ACA marketplace plans still need to shop carefully. In Philadelphia's Pennsylvania suburbs, premium cuts and new competition mean lower tax subsidies, leaving people to pay more next year if they want to keep their plans.

Enrollment specialists are concerned that lower subsidies could push people out of the ACA marketplace, where they will be vulnerable to subpar insurance plans that have become more accessible under the Trump administration.

"Folks are really going to have to be savvy shoppers this year and look at the details," said Antoinette Kraus, director of Pennsylvania Health Access Network, a Philadelphia organization that helps people enroll in coverage.

In other words, consider more than the premium, she said. Focus on the total cost of the health plan by looking at its deductible, its out-of-pocket maximum, how your medications are covered, and whether the doctors you see are in-network.

That's what Lois Weaver plans to do when she signs up for coverage.

The 53-year-old Philadelphia resident has breast cancer, so she needs any new plan to cover her current doctors.

And with two college-age children covered under the plan in 2019, Weaver wants to make sure the deductible on whatever plan she chooses is reasonable.

Be a smart shopper

ACA marketplace shoppers in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery Counties also will need to look closely at their tax subsidies.

After years of having only one insurer to choose  Independence Blue Cross  consumers in these counties will have new options from St. Louis-based Centene.

But Centene's new, lower-cost plans will also mean smaller tax subsidies.

Tax subsidies vary depending on your income level and are based off a benchmark premium  the second-lowest-cost silver plan. If the cost of the benchmark plan goes down, tax subsidies go down, too.

Where other plans fall in relation to the benchmark premium can affect how far your subsidy goes in reducing your premium costs.

In 2018, the second-lowest-cost silver plan was Independence's Personal Choice Silver Reserve. Next year, that plan will, instead, be the second-most-expensive silver plan  even though the premium is going down slightly.

Centene's much cheaper Ambetter Balanced Care 11 will be the new second-lowest-cost silver plan and serve as the benchmark for tax subsidies.

The result is that people who want to keep the plans they had last year will pay more, since their subsidies won't cover as much of the premium.

"Pricing and plan options change every year. Even if you enrolled last year in the lowest-cost silver plan, it may not still be the lowest," said Megan Foster Friedman, a senior health-care analyst at the University of Michigan's Center for Health and Research Transformation.

People who receive small subsidies may find that they can get better deals by buying similar plans outside the ACA marketplace.

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman urged consumers to consider all their options, but to be cautious when shopping outside healthcare.gov because plans sold outside the ACA marketplace aren't required to meet the law's coverage standards.

Altman said she is concerned that a consumer looking for a better deal on full coverage could unwittingly buy a short-term plan that doesn't meet his or her expectations. That's because these plans are more readily available and, often, are marketed as an option for comprehensive coverage.

Short-term health plans have cheaper premiums because they do not have to cover certain benefits, such as prescription drugs, maternity, and mental health. They can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions or decline to cover certain conditions, and in most cases, there's no limit to the amount members pay out of pocket.

Under the ACA, short-term plans were limited to three months. Now, you can be covered by one for 364 days.

"The narrative [is] that these are an alternative to comprehensive major medical insurance, talking about them not in the way they should be, what they've always been intended to be  filling short-term gaps  but something you may want to choose instead of what I would call real insurance," Altman said.

Consumers also need to be on the lookout for health-insurance scams, reaching a fever pitch with an estimated 409 million calls in August, a four-fold increase since the beginning of the year, according to YouMail, a company that tracks robocalls and sells software to block them.

Health-insurance shoppers are prime targets for identity thieves because people expect to give up personal information when enrolling and scammers are catching people at a time of year when they know they need to take action to sign up or renew their plans, said Alex Quilici, YouMail's CEO.

"It's lucrative and it works," Quilici said.

I have to do it

Philadelphia-area residents who want to be sure they're buying health plans that meet ACA's coverage requirements should look for plans sold by Independence Blue Cross or Centene, Altman said. The two insurers, which sell plans on the ACA marketplace, are required to offer near-identical plans outside the marketplace, too.

Through a partnership with Consumers' Checkbook, Pennsylvania's Insurance Department offers a tool where you can compare plans both on- and off-market and that shows only plans that meet ACA requirements, she said. Access the tool through the Insurance Department's website, www.insurance.pa.gov.

In New Jersey, state leaders are optimistic that a 9.3 percent average decline in individual premiums will drive up enrollment this year.

Although Pennsylvania residents will no longer face a tax penalty if they don't buy insurance, New Jersey residents aren't off the hook. The state was one of the few to establish its own tax penalty for being uninsured.

Marlene Caride, commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance, encouraged people to not procrastinate signing up and to seek help from an enrollment specialist if they feel overwhelmed. The state's new enrollment campaign, Get Covered New Jersey, has more resources online at www.getcovered.nj.gov.

When Rosemary Clark, a 63-year-old Lindenwold resident, needed help choosing a plan during a special enrollment period last month, she turned to Center for Family Services in Camden.

Clark receives partial Social Security benefits and works part time, so her budget is tight. But she said she's committed to making sure she sets aside enough to pay her $191 health-insurance premium every month.

"It's tight, but I have to do it. I have to have medical care," she said. "It's not an option to be without health insurance."Two decades ago, a landmark report from the Institute of Medicine found that thousands of patients die in hospitals each year from preventable medical errors.

In a new issue of Health Affairs devoted to that topic, an assortment of studies finds that hospitals have improved somewhat but have more work to do.

Among the studies was a survey at 535 hospitals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Florida finding that 29.6 percent of nurses rated patient safety at those hospitals as "unfavorable."

Among other findings of that study, led by University of Pennsylvania nursing professor Linda Aiken:

54.9 percent of the nurses "would not definitely recommend their hospital."

28.9 percent gave their hospital an unfavorable grade on infection prevention.

37.3 percent said that "important information is lost" during shift changes.

41.9 percent said that "things fall between the cracks."

36.9 percent said that "staff do not feel free to question authority."

The number of nurses answering each question varied, ranging from about 12,900 to 13,500. Aiken, who is also the director of Penn's Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, was joined on the study by authors from Penn's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Rutgers University, the University of Delaware, and Emory University.

The researchers found some positive signs when comparing the results with what nurses said when asked the same questions in 2005. On average, nurses gave higher grades for quality of care and patient safety at hospitals where they said the "clinical work environment" had improved since 2005.

Work environment was evaluated based on factors such as the degree of managerial support for nurses, staffing levels, and amounts of resources and training.

At hospitals where nurses said the work environment had improved, researchers found a 15 percent jump in the number of nurses who gave the hospitals favorable grades on patient safety  defined as an A or a B.

But at hospitals where nurses said the work environment had worsened since 2005, researchers found a 19 percent drop in the number of nurses rating patient safety with an A or a B.

The report that prompted the national conversation about patient safety, titled "To Err Is Human," was published in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine, now called the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Among its recommendations were to improve the work environment for nurses by ensuring adequate numbers of staff.

In a news release, Aiken said the new survey shows that progress on that score has been uneven.

"Our recent study of nurses and patients suggests that those recommendations have not been uniformly adopted by hospitals," she said, "which may be hampering progress toward improving patient safety and preventing patient harm."A dozen years after the debut of the HPV vaccine, its track record of warding off infections that cause cervical cancer and other malignancies keeps getting better.

That's why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October expanded the age range for Merck's Gardasil. Previously approved for adolescents and those up to age 26, the shots can now be given to men and women up to age 45, bringing the United States in line with markets including Europe and Canada.

But, ironically, this powerful cancer-prevention tool also faces growing fear and rejection, stoked by anti-vaccine activism.

So-called vaccine hesitancy  concerns and doubts about vaccines in general  has become a global public-health problem. Even in that context, the HPV vaccine stands out. In Japan, Denmark, Ireland, and some other countries, bogus claims of HPV vaccine harms have derailed immunization campaigns that were initially highly successful.

"There has been a uniquely hostile reaction to the HPV vaccine," said Patti Gravitt, an HPV researcher at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health.

A Merck scientist disagreed.

"I don't think it's more hated or less hated," said Alain Luxembourg, the company's director of clinical research. "It's a recent vaccine, an innovation, a medical advance. It attracts attention."

270 million doses and counting

Genital strains of HPV, the human papillomavirus, are so ubiquitous that almost all sexually active people  not just promiscuous ones  will be infected at some point. While most HPV infections are wiped out by the immune system, high-risk strains can persist and initiate cancer of the cervix, vagina, anus, vulva, penis, mouth and throat.

Worldwide, that translates to more than 600,000 cancers a year  nearly 5 percent of all cancers.

The original version of Gardasil, approved in 2006, protected against two high-risk HPV types, plus two types that cause genital warts. The current version, Gardasil 9, approved in 2014, protects against seven high-risk types that cause 90 percent of cervical cancers, as well as the two wart types. (Revaccination with the newer product is not recommended.)

Giving the vaccine to boys and girls at age 11 or 12 is recommended. At that point, their immune response is optimal, and they likely haven't been exposed to the virus through sexual activity. People who miss out can still get "catch-up" shots up to age 26.

"After 10 years of use and over 270 million doses administered globally, HPV vaccines have proved safe and effective," the World Health Organization declared last year. "Transmission of the most common and dangerous HPV types is declining in countries with high coverage rates."

Although it will take more time to see the impact on cancer rates, many studies show vaccination has reduced genital warts, precancerous lesions that can progress to cancer, and oral infections  the kind that have fueled an explosion in head and neck cancers in recent decades, particularly in men.

Nonetheless, parents and doctors have been cool to Gardasil, put off by its novelty, the link to sex, the need for two or three shots, and misperceptions. Just under half of adolescents ages 13 to 17 were immunized last year, far fewer than for other childhood vaccines.

"Patients are always asking me, 'Do you really think this is important for my daughter?' " said Mark S. Shahin, chief of gynecologic oncology at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University. "They aren't even thinking of boys, which is crazy. To have the maximum benefit, you have to vaccinate both males and females."

Vaccination rates could be boosted by requiring the shots for school, or by giving them to infants, said Judith Wolf, an infectious-disease specialist at Drexel University College of Medicine. Neither scenario is likely.

"Hypothetically, infants would respond to the vaccine, but we'd have to prove that in clinical trials," she said. "I'm unaware that anyone is interested is doing that."

Given lagging uptake among the targeted "tween" age group, why expand to middle age? Because, even if adults have been exposed to a few HPV types, they can still be protected from other types.

"The odds that any individual will have been exposed to all nine vaccine types are vanishingly rare," Wolf said.

Merck's latest data, from an international study of 3,200 women ages 27 to 45 who got the vaccine or a placebo, show the value. Over an average of 3 years, the vaccine was 88 percent effective in preventing persistent HPV infection, genital warts, and precancerous genital lesions.

The FDA said the effectiveness in men is extrapolated from those results, and from a small study that found the vaccine stimulated immunity in males ages 27 to 45.

But here's the caveat: Even among women who got the placebo, harmful infections were uncommon; only about 1 percent developed warts or precancerous cervical lesions.

Gravitt, at George Washington University, said, "There is data for efficacy, but the expanded population is at low risk. We need to focus on [adolescent] uptake and not be distracted by people who aren't likely to benefit."

While FDA approval frees Merck to market to the older group, the federal panel that decides vaccine policy is not expected to weigh in until next year. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could recommend Gardasil use up to age 45  which would encourage insurance coverage  or leave the choice to doctors and patients.

Vaccine panic

Scientific groups and global health authorities  including the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  keep monitoring the safety of the vaccine. They have concluded that it does not cause chronic pain, heart arrhythmias, autoimmune diseases, life-threatening allergic reactions, stroke, neurological disorders, or premature ovarian failure.

But parents, anti-vaccine groups, even academics can still claim it does. (A New York University law school faculty member co-authored the just-published book, The HPV Vaccine on Trial: Seeking Justice for a Generation Betrayed.) And the media can still sensationalize the unsubstantiated claims, fueling a panic.

Japan is the most extreme illustration. Vaccination rates among adolescent girls plunged from more than 70 percent in 2013 to less than 1 percent today. The collapse began when Japanese media carried unverified reports of vaccine harms, even showing parents' videos of girls in wheelchairs or having apparent seizures. Then the Japanese government suspended the recommendation for HPV vaccination, even though its own health ministry found no evidence to support the allegations. The suspension remains in effect.

The World Health Organization's advisory committee on vaccine safety lamented, "Despite the extensive safety data available for this vaccine, attention has continued to focus on spurious case reports and unsubstantiated allegations."

In Denmark and Ireland, government and private health authorities responded to plunging vaccination rates with strong campaigns that have been rebuilding public confidence in the vaccine.

It's interesting that one of the poorest countries on earth  where cervical cancer is a major killer because of the lack of screening programs  now boasts 93 percent vaccine coverage of sixth-grade girls. Rwanda's program, launched in 2011, received free and then discounted vaccine from Merck. But the government also invested in a nationwide community-education campaign that reached religious, educational, political, and tribal leaders.

"It was important first to explain the link with cancer," Agnes Binagwaho, a Rwandan pediatrician who served as health minister during the campaign, wrote in the Conversation.THE PARENTS: Lindsay Barrett-Adler, 34, and Paul Adler, 31, of Roxborough

THE KIDS: Magdalena (Maggie) Jane, 2; Miriam Helen, born August 26, 2018

FIRST OFFICIAL DATE: "Stereotypical," says Lindsay. "Dinner at P.F. Chang's, then a bad movie. Awful. Jennifer Garner was in it."

The question was never: Should we become parents? It was always: One kid or two?

For years, Lindsay was adamant one would be enough. Children are expensive, she pointed out, and time-consuming. Sure, people argued that kids thrive with siblings, but she figured their son or daughter could always make friends at the playground.

She even joked that their child would have a four-footed sibling  their dog, a shelter mutt named Caesar.

But Paul couldn't imagine life without his brother. "I thought: When [the kids] get older, they'd keep each other occupied." And Lindsay began to think about her own brothers, who live in Florida and North Carolina. "Every time we get together, it's like no time has passed," she says. "I can call them whenever and talk about whatever."

The parenthood question remained hypothetical. Though Lindsay and Paul were certain about their future as a couple  they met at Princeton Theological Seminary, and both wanted their faith to have a positive impact on the world  the timing and logistics weren't quite right.

Paul still had two more years at seminary when Lindsay graduated in 2010 and moved to Philadelphia to work with Broad Street Ministry. She lived at Fourth and Tasker, in what was essentially a large walk-in closet off a housemate's bedroom.

The couple became engaged that fall and married the following year; tables lined the length of the sanctuary at Broad Street Ministry, and a band played "Signed Sealed, Delivered" as the recessional.

Lindsay's niece was the flower girl, and Paul patiently, cheerfully twirled the child again and again during the reception. "He went out of his way to make sure she felt included and loved and part of the celebration. It was a little indicator of who Paul would be the rest of our marriage, and in fatherhood."

But circumstances and parenthood refused to align. After graduating from seminary, Paul accepted a job in North Jersey, so Lindsay commuted from there to her job in Philadelphia. Finally, Paul landed his current post  he's pastor of the Church of St. Alban in Roxborough  and they relocated.

They were pregnant after one month of trying.

"We ended up taking three home pregnancy tests; we didn't realize that false positives are not a thing," Lindsay says. "We called both our parents, and our best friends, then went out and celebrated the best you can as a sober pregnant woman."

For the first trimester, nausea sent her bolting to the bathroom every morning. And as her belly grew, Lindsay was startled to find herself the object of crude comments from strangers. "I am 6-foot-2, so me pregnant is a sight to behold. There were pointed catcalls about me being extremely pregnant, and tall, and curvy."

By the third trimester, the nausea was replaced by insomnia and a ferocious nesting instinct; Lindsay would toil away at 4 or 5 a.m., assembling hand-me-down nursery furniture, then become irrationally angry at Paul for not helping her. She remembers feeling eager to meet their daughter  they'd already learned the baby's sex and named her Magdalena  and simultaneously anxious about labor.

In one of their birth classes, the instructor had each woman palm a cube of ice to gauge her tolerance for pain. Lindsay couldn't grasp it for very long. "I thought, if I can't hold a piece of ice, how am I going to birth a pretty large baby?"

Maggie was late. She held out through a January snowstorm that left her parents marooned in the house, binge-watching The Bachelorette and playing endless games of Clue and Sorry. Finally, Lindsay felt contractions fierce enough to head for Lankenau Medical Center, where she walked the halls, learned she was already five centimeters dilated and finally, after an epidural and 30 minutes of pushing, met their daughter.

At home, Lindsay felt stunned by hormonal surges that left her weeping at television commercials and seesawing from euphoria to desolation in the span of minutes. She fretted over Maggie's nighttime sniffles; Paul reassured her those were normal baby noises.

Paul had arranged for another clergy person to fill in for him, but since Maggie was late, he had to deliver a sermon himself a day or two after they returned from the hospital. For the first time, he spoke without notes, describing their snowbound weeks as one long, extended Advent.

"I said the whole winter had been about the waiting and preparation, the expectation, the longing for the arrival of our little one."

Maggie was a little over a year old when Lindsay and Paul confided to each other that they'd been thinking about having a second child. This time, it took six months  but only one positive pregnancy test  before they surprised their families at Christmas with good news.

For a while, Maggie believed everyone, even their dog, must have a baby in their belly. She sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to her unborn sister, already known in the family as Baby Miriam.

The pregnancy was exponentially more exhausting than her first, Lindsay recalls. And the birth was different, too  calmer, with an ocean-sound machine and a lavender diffuser in the delivery room, then an 11-pound, 6-ounce infant who nursed right away.

Now they have kids, plural  one daughter who wants to rock the baby when she's sound asleep, or who wakes up hungry for attention during the predawn hours when her infant sister dozes best.

Lindsay and Paul rotate whose turn it is to get up with Maggie at 5:30 a.m. They imagine their girls old enough to travel, to help make dinner, to swap stories of their days. They feel their hearts go soft when the big sister kisses the little one's feet.

"Kids force you to downsize, to minimize and prioritize," Paul says. "Even the mundane drudgery of it: changing diapers, fighting with a toddler to put her to bed  You still give thanks for having these kids in your life."Democratic Rep. Dwight Evans won reelection to the U.S. House in Pennsylvania's Third District Tuesday, easily turning aside an underfunded challenge from Republican Bryan Leib in a district ranked as one of the bluest in the nation.

Evans, 64, earned a second term representing the district, which takes in part of Center City and consists mostly of neighborhoods in North, West and Northwest Philadelphia. A longtime former member of the state House, Evans was first elected to the seat in 2016, replacing former Rep. Chaka Fattah (D.,Pa.), who was convicted that year on federal corruption charges.

"The real fundamental question we've really got to ask ourselves is, what type of a society do we want?" Evans said in a recent campaign stop, criticizing the GOP tax cuts for helping corporations and the wealthy while driving up the deficit and leaving less room for needed domestic programs.

Ignored by the national elements of his party, Leib, 33, called out CNN anchor Jake Tapper, a Philadelphia native, on Twitter in mid-October, trying to get some coverage. On the trail, the businessman and leader of the city Young Republicans argued that one-party Democratic rule had not helped the city.

"I'm a realist. I realize this would be the upset of the nation, right?" Leib said in an interview with news website Billy Penn in October. "But I'm still out here working hard to connect with people."

An estimated 56 percent of the district's population is African American, according to the data journalism website FiveThirtyEight. Two years ago, Hillary Clinton took 91 percent of the vote in the precincts that now comprise the newly redrawn Third.Washington, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taxation remains in place for the natural resource-rich state as voters in North Dakota vote down Measure 3. Measure 3 would have allowed adults to grow, consume and possess as much cannabis as they want, without government oversight and without state taxation. It also would have legalized recreational use. New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, projected the North Dakota legal recreational cannabis market would have reached $67.5 MM in annual sales by 2025.



It appears that voters in North Dakota are taking a more conservative approach towards cannabis legislative reform, said Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, Founder and CEO of New Frontier Data. Having just passed medical cannabis in 2016, the voters are taking a wait and see approach towards expanding this into the adult-use space and may revisit this again in 2020.

Although the North Dakota market is small relative to other states, with the passage of adult-use legalization, there would have been an additional 1,500 plant-touching cannabis jobs by 2025, in addition to the 500 jobs associated with the medical cannabis market.

In 2016, North Dakotans passed Measure 5 which allowed patients that live 40 miles from a dispensary to grow their own cannabis. A proposal to legalize recreational adult use never made it to the ballot and was held for the 2018 election. Measure 3 would have permitted residents to grow unlimited amounts of cannabis and then sell it tax-free. In other states that have legalized cannabis, anyone growing it for sale is strictly regulated, and the amount people can buy is tightly controlled.





About New Frontier Data:

New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 69 countries around the world to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Denver, CO, London, UK, Bogota, Colombia, and Hong Kong.

New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com.Philadelphia police officers gather outside the emergency room at Temple University Hospital on Wednesday. A fellow officer was shot in the Kensington section of the city. Read more

A Philadelphia police officer was shot in a thigh Wednesday morning when he and his partner "interrupted a shooting" in Kensington and got into a gun battle with at least one of the suspects, Police Commissioner Richard Ross said.

Officer Paul Sulock, 31, was in stable condition and in good spirits at Temple University Hospital with a right thigh wound, Ross said. Two men were taken into custody. Their names were not immediately released.

Ross said the gun battle unfolded about 11 a.m. when Sulock and his partner saw two men crouched behind cars in the apparent prelude to a shooting at G and Madison Streets.

The officers tried to stop the men, one of whom fired at the cops, hitting Sulock  an 11-year veteran of the force and a father of four whose own father is a police officer, Ross said.

The officers returned fire and, although wounded, Sulock chased down one of the suspects, Ross said. Police later caught the second suspect after heavily armed officers searched the area.

Ross said it was not known whether both men were armed when the officers saw them crouching. Neither was hit by police gunfire.

"There's no doubt they interrupted a shooting," Ross said of Sulock and his partner. "They probably saved the life of the guy who shot him."

"It unfolded in a matter of seconds," he said.

Police radio captured Sulock telling dispatchers, "I'm shot," and "I'm shot in the leg," as officers quickly began responding to the scene.

Ross noted that he had spoken to Sulock in the neighborhood minutes before the shooting.

Both Mayor Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner joined Ross at the hospital and praised Sulock for his bravery and quick action.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 issued a statement saying Sulock was "expected to make a full recovery."Democrat Chrissy Houlahan celebrates her victory in the Pa. Sixth Congressional District on Tuesday in Phoenixville. Read more

Both parties claimed victory Wednesday after an election that reinforced the country's divide and reshaped the power structure on Capitol Hill.

President Trump and Democratic leaders each laid out new goals following Tuesday's election, as strategists and elected officials hashed over the results. The suburban backlash against Trump proved real, but his message still resonated enough to strengthen Republicans' hold on the Senate.

Democrats rode the fury over Trump to gain control of the House by capturing seats in affluent, diverse areas around major cities from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Minnesota and Texas.

Trump's approach again succeeded in more rural and conservative states, allowing the GOP to expand its Senate majority. The result reflected a country sharply divided by race, geography and gender, and hardened a realignment of U.S. politics.

"This election probably more neatly organizes the institutions of the Senate and the House into Trump and non-Trump areas," said U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican from Chester County who didn't seek reelection.

Among other signs, the results also revealed the power of the woman-led reaction to Trump, hints of cracks in the president's Midwestern barricade, and the limits of some of Democrats' rising stars.

A realignment

Republicans once relied on fiscally conservative but socially moderate suburban areas to sustain their majority. No more. Not after two elections with Trump leading the party.

Across the Philadelphia region, Republicans had six seats in the Philadelphia suburbs and Lehigh Valley at the start of 2016. They lost at least four Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick eked out the GOP's only clear win in the area, in Bucks County. A South Jersey race between U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur and Democrat Andy Kim remained too close to call.

Such shifts went beyond the areas around the biggest cities: Democrats also flipped House seats in Kansas, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

The trend, which started before Trump but has accelerated as the president has repelled college-educated voters, worried Pennsylvania Republicans who fear it has left them with an unsustainable model for success in a state with two big cities and growing suburbs.

"My hope is that next cycle we can spend more time messaging to those [suburban] voters about why they should vote for us. When you quit trying to persuade people is when you lose elections," said Mark Harris, a Republican consultant based in Pittsburgh.

He pointed out that Philadelphia and the counties around it account for some 40 percent of the statewide vote  and worried that there aren't enough Republican votes elsewhere to overcome routs in those areas.

But the Senate, by design, gives outsize power to less populous states, and Trump's strength in largely white, rural areas showed as the GOP won big in Indiana, Missouri, and North Dakota. Republicans were on track to expand their Senate majority by at least one seat.

Over the long haul, the diversifying Democratic coalition looks more like the evolving face of the country, as Republicans become overwhelmingly reliant on white men.

In Pennsylvania, for example, Gov. Wolf won by double digits among white women, non-white women, and non-white men, according to a Fox News exit poll. His GOP challenger, Scott Wagner, won by 50-49 among white men. Democratic women, meanwhile, flipped three GOP House seats.

"It's not just Trump. I think overall Republicans have a real problem in those [suburban] areas now moving forward as long as Trump is at the top of their ticket," said U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Philadephia Democrat.

Republicans had the advantage of historically favorable Senate battlegrounds Tuesday  almost all of the key races were contested in conservative states. But Democrats' advantage with growing demographics hasn't translated into sweeping victories in the past two elections. Unless they can break through in some more conservative states, the Senate could be out of reach.

Trumps power

In part, that's because even though Trump's dark, divisive approach cost Republicans in the suburbs, candidates in big races in Indiana, Missouri and Florida embraced him and won.

"I thought it was very close to complete victory," Trump said at a White House news conference.

In fact, his tone and tactics seem to have inspired others: Florida and Georgia saw openly race-based attacks on African American Democratic candidates for governor. Republicans appeared likely to win both of those races.

Trump wants more fealty. On Wednesday he belittled some Republicans, including New Jersey U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin, who lost after distancing themselves from him. "Too bad, Mike," he said at one point.

Costello called Trump's comments "a disgrace."

"To bite ur lip more times you'd care to; to disagree & separate from POTUS on principle & civility in ur campaign; to lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u. Angers me to my core," he tweeted.

Warning for 2020

Despite their Senate gains, Republicans suffered big defeats on some of Trump's most valuable political turf  Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan, states that helped him seal the presidency in 2016.

Democrats won the Senate races in each state, mostly by big margins, including Sen. Bob Casey in Pennsylvania. They flipped governor's mansions in Wisconsin and Michigan, and retained their hold in Harrisburg under Wolf.

Those results hint at openings for Democrats to win back these states in two years, particularly after two Trump-styled candidates were trounced Tuesday night in statewide Pennsylvania contests.

At the same time, Republicans kept the governor's office in Ohio and Florida, and some Republicans noted that Trump has a unique appeal.

"It's a much different animal in a presidential election," said Ted Christian, Trump's Pennsylvania state director in 2016. "The allure that this president has, especially, there are people who will turn out for him who aren't necessarily Republicans and aren't necessarily fond of Congress either."

Dem gains, but no big upsets in Pa.

Pennsylvania proved critical to Democrats' gains in the House, where they were poised to add at least 27 seats nationwide.

But despite adding three seats in the Keystone State, the Democratic gains looked like a strong tide, not a wave. Each seat they added was one where the incumbent Republican had retired, and Democrats were heavily favored.

They were unable to unseat Fitzpatrick, despite the suburban energy on their side, and fell short in upset bids around Harrisburg and Erie County.

Their success came through Chrissy Houlahan of Chester County, Mary Gay Scanlon of Delaware County, and Susan Wild of Lehigh County, who flipped Republican seats. Madeleine Dean of Montgomery County won as well. The four will break the all-male hold on Pennsylvania's U.S. House delegation.

There were other firsts: Michigan and Minnesota elected women who will become the first female Muslims in the House. New Mexico and Kansas will send the first American Indian women to the chamber.

Overall, more than 100 women were poised to join Congress, a record.

Their victories were a bookend to the Women's March in Washington, the day after Trump's inauguration, which signaled the depth of women's rejection of the president.

Democrats next challenge

Those gains give Democrats in Washington a chance to limit Trump's agenda and formally push back on some of his decisions  as they quickly vowed to Wednesday when he fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

But while leading the House is far better than being in the minority, it comes with its own headaches. Just ask Paul Ryan.

When Democrats take power they will also be partially responsible for governing, demonstrating what they are for, and at least doing the bare minimum to keep the government functioning  a task that has at times proved difficult for the fractious GOP majority.

Several Democrats, including Jeff Van Drew in South Jersey and Conor Lamb in Western Pennsylvania, won by pledging bipartisanship. If moderates are pulled too far from the center by more liberal party voices  as conservative House Republicans often tried in their caucus  some of Tuesday's victor could face short tenures.

Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi talked up areas of potential cooperation Wednesday, but also added that "we have a constitutional responsibility to have oversight."

Democrats will have the power the investigate Trump and his administration, and may seek the president's tax returns. That can be a double-edged sword, as Republicans saw during Bill Clinton's administration.

Trump thrives when he has a foil. Now he has one.Democrat Andy Kim announces that he is the projected winner of the NJ 3rd District Congressional race. The announcement was before a packed crowd at his Mt. Laurel headquarters on November 7, 2018. Read more

A day after an election-night standoff, Democrat Andy Kim claimed victory to a seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur after thousands of mail ballots tallied by Burlington County election officials gave him the lead in New Jersey's hotly contested Third District congressional race.

"With the vast majority of votes now in and counted, and based on the numbers we saw from Burlington County today, we have built a substantial lead," he told supporters crowded into his headquarters in a Mount Laurel office park Wednesday night. "I am proud to announce that we have won this hard-fought race."

The two-term incumbent, however, did not concede, issuing a statement saying, "This has been a hard-fought campaign and like Andy Kim, I'm ready to see it come to an end." He said he would await the final count, including 7,000 votes he said were outstanding.

If the lead holds in official returns, Kim would become the fourth New Jersey Democrat to win a seat previously held by a Republican in Tuesday's midterm election, joining Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey's 11th, Tom Malinowski in the Seventh, and Jeff Van Drew in the Second.

MacArthur, 58, was a big target for Democrats. He encountered a surge of suburban activism and an electorate's deep anxiety over health care in his quest for a third term.

Kim, 36, faced months of relentless attacks in two media markets by MacArthur and allied super PACs.

A former insurance executive, MacArthur was the only New Jersey congressman to vote for the tax bill, which capped deductions on state and local taxes, and helped craft an amendment that rescued the ultimately failed attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Though he stressed bipartisan credentials, he was the New Jersey congressman most closely aligned with President Trump's agenda.

Kim, a Rhodes scholar who worked as a national security adviser for the Obama administration, moved back to the Marlton area, where he was raised, to run for Congress.

The additional votes counted from Burlington, the Democratic half of a district that also includes the Republican-leaning Ocean County, gave Kim a 2,600-vote lead out of about 295,000 votes tallied in the district.

The new total allowed Kim to overtake the 2,300-vote lead MacArthur took away election night, when the congressman left his Toms River headquarters without addressing supporters gathered there, and both campaigns called the race too close to call.

Kim, for his part, took the stage shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at his Mount Laurel hotel gathering and told supporters, "We can win this thing."

Twenty hours later, Kim stood before a music stand and cameras and said: "It is an honor and a privilege to be the next congressman of the New Jersey Third Congressional District.

"I promise you I will be part of that new generation of leaders that are going to step up and focus on what's best for the American people, what we can do for all of us," he said to supporters, some of whom were tearing up.

New totals showed Kim with 101,903 votes in Burlington County, an increase of 14,487 votes over previous totals.

MacArthur's totals also increased, but by 9,550, to 69,090 in Burlington County.

Burlington County Clerk Tim Tyler said he believed Kim's 32,000- vote margin in the county  mirroring MacArthur's advantage in Ocean County  was significant. He said he did not expect the results to change once several thousand provisional votes were examined and then counted if found legitimate.

Poll workers also failed to turn in all of the voting cartridges in five districts on election night, but Tyler said that should have little impact on tallies. Based on experience, he said, some of the cartridges may be blank if some of the voting machines in a district were not used. Cartridges were not turned in by districts in Riverside, Mansfield, Pemberton, Evesham, and Chesterfield.

Joseph Dugan, the chairman of the Burlington County Board of Elections, said the county received 26,000 mail-in ballots this year, perhaps twice as many as last year and more than in 2016, a presidential election year. He said poll workers counted 20,000 of them on Election Day, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and resumed counting the remaining 6,000 on Wednesday.

Election workers on Wednesday were busy removing them from envelopes and putting them in piles behind closed doors in a three-story county office building across from the courthouse. Dugan said their next chore would be to break the plastic seal on the canvas bags that contained the paper provisional ballots delivered by each voting district after polls closed. Next, they would turn them over to the superintendent of elections, on the second floor, so that he could match them up with voting registration records and see if the ballots are valid, Dugan said.

On Wednesday afternoon, lawyers and party officials milled around and waited for the tallies to be announced.

An official winner might not be declared for days, as officials in both Burlington and Ocean Counties also have to process provisional ballots, which are given to voters who show up at polls despite having received a mail ballot, among other reasons. In Ocean County, vote-by-mail ballots were included in the Tuesday night totals, county officials said.

The race broke the way pollsters had predicted: an essential standoff between Ocean County to the east, with its many retirees and solid Republican base, and Burlington County across the river from Philadelphia, where Democratic registration has increased significantly in the last two decades, said Benjamin Dworkin, a political science professor at Rowan University.

The surge in Democratic voting in Burlington County on Tuesday was enough for voters to take over long-held Republican county offices. Places like Willingboro, where voting is typically light in midterms, saw heavier turnout and even waits at some polling places.

In addition, newly organized progressive groups like Action Together New Jersey, and its Burlington and Ocean Counties spinoffs, spearheaded extensive vote by mail operations in the last year.

Uyen Khuong, who founded the Action Together group after the 2016 election, said Wednesday the group's thousands of volunteers used a database (and their own stamps) to target nearly 300,000 voters statewide in 16 weeks. This "Post-it posse" sent out applications for vote-by-mail ballots, along with a Post-it note urging voters to consider voting by mail, which New Jersey allows for any reason.

In the Third Congressional District, Khuong said, 82,000 applications were sent out.

She said she alerted state and county officials ahead of time to print extra ballots, telling them, "I'm going to do a huge push to change the voting habits of New Jersey voters."

The number of vote-by-mail ballots also increased significantly this year because of a new law that required all voters who had voted by mail in 2016 to receive a mail ballot for this election.

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore blamed the law, and Gov. Murphy, for creating confusion and requiring voters to use provisional ballots when they arrived at the polls and were told they were a "vote-by-mail" voter.Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, left, celebrates being re-elected with his brother, former congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. Read more

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick won reelection to the U.S. House Tuesday, surviving an election cycle that many predicted would be devastating to suburban Republicans.

His Democratic challenger, multimillionaire philanthropist Scott Wallace, conceded in the race for Bucks County's First District around 11:30 p.m.

It was one of the most expensive, competitive, and closely watched campaigns in the country.

The crowd in the Bucks County GOP headquarters erupted at the news of Fitzpatrick's victory, chanting "Brian! Brian!" as he took the stage shortly after major networks called the race for him.

"It is a big victory for us tonight," Fitzpatrick said in a short speech thanking his supporters. "These are tough, tough fights. These elections in these districts are tough."

Pat Poprik, leader of the Bucks County Republican Party, said "we've been hearing these horror stories" across southeastern Pennsylvania, "but I got to tell you, Bucks County, we did great."

Wallace made his campaign all about President Trump, hammering Fitzpatrick for voting with him 84 percent of the time, according to the data-journalism website FiveThirtyEight. Fitzpatrick distanced himself from the president, campaigning as a self-described centrist in a swing district that both Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Sen. Pat Toomey carried in 2016.

Wallace highlighted Fitzpatrick's vote for the GOP's tax cuts in particular, arguing they "exploded our debt by $2 trillion" and benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

Yet Republican Charlie Dent, a former Lehigh Valley congressman who resigned this year, said Fitzpatrick's victory meant he "developed his own identity and brand  and that's why he would prevail in spite of this atrocious political environment."

Republicans painted Wallace as an extremist with ties to convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.

"I want to wish Mr. Fitzpatrick all the best," Wallace said at his election-watch party in Langhorne. He called the campaign an adventure and said he ran to make his grandfather proud. Henry A. Wallace, a noted progressive of the Depression era, was one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's vice presidents.

Wallace said he hopes that the new Democratic majority in Congress will be able to pass legislation to help working people, hold Trump accountable, and "find out what that caravan is up to." The last was a joke about the president's focus in the final weeks of the campaign on a caravan of migrants moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border.

Fitzpatrick questioned Trump's closing message to voters, separating himself from the caravan talk: "I think it should be focused on the economy," he said. "People are happy with the economic status of the country right now."

The First District campaign drew attention for its particularly negative and often misleading advertisements. Last month, TV stations pulled an anti-Wallace spot from the airwaves that falsely claimed the Democrat had helped fund Abu-Jamal's legal defense. A pro-Wallace ad that said Fizpatrick voted against protecting people with preexisting conditions was given "four Pinocchios" by the Washington Post.

Along with Bucks County, the First District includes a portion of Montgomery County.

At least $28 million was spent on the race, including a minimum of $8 million by Wallace himself. That eclipsed the amount of cash spent in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race.Democrat Chrissy Houlahan celebrates her victory in Pa.'s Sixth Congressional race on Tuesday in Phoenixville. Read more

Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, a first-time candidate and third-generation military veteran, won the open seat Tuesday for the newly redrawn Sixth Congressional District, which includes Chester County and parts of Berks County.

The crowd at her election night watch party erupted in cheers and clapping when CNN projected Houlahan the winner shortly after 10 p.m. They chanted "Chrissy!" "Chrissy!" "Chrissy!"

Houlahan defeated Greg McCauley, another political novice and a tax attorney, to head to Washington. With 75 percent of the vote counted, she led McCauley by a 3 to 2 margin.

"Our politics and our government have been turned upside down. And together I hope we're going to turn our country right side up again," Houlahan, 51, told supporters.

"This is not the end of our journey. We have only just begun this fight. And we have a lot of work to do now."

The redrawing of the state's congressional districts early this year gave Houlahan an advantage since the swing district's constituency changed from Republican-leaning to narrowly Democratic. While Republicans in Chester County lead in registered voters, the redrawn district includes Reading and other parts of Berks County that have higher ratios of Democrats to Republicans.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court forced lawmakers to redraw the district map, because the justices said lawmakers had unconstitutionally gerrymandered the old map, drawing it to benefit certain political candidates.

Republican Rep. Ryan Costello, the current holder of the seat and former chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, announced in March he would not seek re-election for the newly drawn district.

More than 200 people gathered at Houlahan's election night watch party at a wedding venue in Phoenixville, cheering each time CNN projected a Democratic winner and groaning when the network projected a Republican winner, no matter the state.

Houlahan out fund-raised McCauley by millions of dollars, according to last month's campaign finance filings. She raised $3.7 million, compared to McCauley's $164,000, plus the $75,000 he lent his campaign.

Houlahan was a captain in the Air Force, a former business executive, and a former director of a nonprofit that focused on literacy. She moved to Chester County 25 years ago and worked as an executive at the Paoli-based AND1.

A former chemistry teacher at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, Houlahan knocked on doors for Hillary Clinton and decided to run after President Trump was elected. She said both her daughter, who is openly gay, and father, a Holocaust survivor, were in tears over the outcome of the 2016 presidential race.

During the congressional campaign, Houlahan and Republican opponent McCauley focused on mainstream national issues, such as gun control, immigration, health care, climate change, and taxes.

McCauley is a former owner of nine Wendy's franchises and a Delaware County native who moved to Chester County more than three decades ago. He said he decided to run because of his family, saying, "We need to restore the American Dream for our children."

A few hours before the polls closed, McCauley praised high voter turnout. About two-thirds of Chester County's registered voters cast ballots.

"It is a good referendum no matter who wins or loses," McCauley said. "We know the majority of people came out and voted, and that's a good thing."

Houlahan, too, praised the campaign she witnessed.

"This is something I've never seen in my community," she told her supporters. "I have never seen the kind of energy we have right now in our community. Thanks to you, we are making history tonight."DCCC Chair Ben Ray Lujan, left, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., gesture after speaking to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party at an election night event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington. Read more

Democrats gained control of the U.S. House on Tuesday night, winning a foothold on power in an election that served as a national referendum on President Trump and a test of the support that powered him to the White House.

But it wasn't the definitive wave that some had hoped for. Even as Democrats looked to add at least two dozen House seats, Republicans were on track to expand their majority in the Senate. In the end, one of the most emotionally charged midterm elections in years again showed a country deeply divided by demographics and geography.

In the House, unofficial returns showed suburban voters in educated, affluent areas delivering a sharp rebuke to Trump and the GOP  including in districts outside Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington. Republican Senate candidates ran strong in more conservative, rural states such as North Dakota, Indiana, and Tennessee.

The results continued a realignment that began before Trump, but has accelerated under his tumultuous presidency.

"There is an instability in the electorate right now that is really breathtaking, and there are deepening political divisions that I think basically provide an open keg of gunpowder that's at risk of being set off," said Phil English, a former Republican congressman from Erie County.

Aided by new congressional maps and Republican retirements, Democrats won several key House races in Pennsylvania, adding seats in Chester and Delaware Counties and the Lehigh Valley  but fell short in other places, including in Bucks County, where Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick held on in one of the country's most watched contests.

>> READ MORE: Midterm election results in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

New Jersey Democrats were expected to gain at least three House seats  and a fourth Republican district anchored in Burlington and Ocean Counties was too close to call as of midnight.

A House controlled by Democrats would be a seismic shift in the political landscape and Trump's presidency. It could severely constrain the president's ability to advance major legislation and will likely subject his administration to congressional subpoenas and investigations that could command headlines and resources.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House leader, said at a victory party.

At least three Pennsylvania women were poised to join what had been the state's all-male congressional delegation  symbolizing how suburban women have become leading voices of the backlash to Trump, capturing outrage and newfound activism after his victory.

"This is something I've never seen in my community," said Chrissy Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat driven by the 2016 results who won a House seat in her first campaign for public office. "I have never seen the kind of energy we have right now in our community. Thanks to you, we are making history tonight."

At the same time, Republicans' expansion in the Senate will enable them to bottle up Democratic bills and continue confirming federal judges, allowing Trump to reinforce a conservative imprint on the judiciary.

As the results came into focus, the president tweeted: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"

Critical Senate races unfolded in some of the most Republican-friendly states in the country, helping the GOP unseat several Democrats. Some Democrats took heart in the fact that they didn't lose more ground, considering 10 of their incumbents were running in states Trump won.

Democrats did score victories in Rust Belt and Midwestern states such as Michigan and Ohio that had handed the president vital victories two years ago. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Wolf and Sen. Bob Casey were both projected as winners minutes after the polls closed, each defeating Republican challengers who had attempted to re-create Trump's appeal in the state. Democrats won the governor's office in Kansas as well.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) cast his reelection as a road map to challenging Trump on his own turf in 2020.

"You showed the country that progressives can win  and win decisively  in the heartland," he said after coasting to victory. "Populists are not racists. Populists are not anti-Semitic."

But Republicans following Trump's playbook won hotly contested gubernatorial races in Florida and Georgia.

"You can't have a wave election when both sides are energized," former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican, said on CNN.

The election was the first national measure since Trump's stunning 2016 election, one that many Democrats hoped would deliver a rejoinder after two years of political turmoil.

They cast the race as a contest over honesty, dignity, and the character of the country.

"For two years, people have been banging their head against the wall wondering how the Republicans were getting away with the lies, the racism, and the corruption," tweeted Dan Pfeiffer, a former White House aide under Barack Obama and cohost of the liberal podcast Pod Save America. "Today is the day that we can finally hold them accountable for their behavior."

To Trump and his supporters, it was a chance to show that his backing runs far deeper than polls or political insiders believe  and remains strong ahead of his 2020 reelection bid.

"Everything we have achieved is at stake," Trump told supporters in Indiana on Monday.

The election was charged with unusual levels of interest and passion.

Roughly 70 percent of likely voters hoped their vote would send Trump a message of either support (28 percent) or opposition (42 percent), according to a CNN poll released on the eve of the election. In much of the Philadelphia region, election officials reported long lines and vote totals that far exceeded the typical midterm election, despite rain.

"I voted angry," said Sam Brackeen, a 72-year-old retiree from Montgomery County. He said he doesn't always vote for a straight Democratic ticket  but did so Tuesday. "I feel like I am part of a wave of people who are sending [President Trump] a message. 'We're not going to put up with this foolishness.' "

Anger, hopefulness, and anxiety were the most common moods voters described to a Washington Post-Schar School poll conducted Monday and Tuesday.

In Manayunk, Diane Colucci, 69, said she would "like to see people back down and give [Trump] a chance, maybe."

Americans went to the polls less than two weeks after one man attempted to mail pipe bombs to Trump critics and the news media and after another man, railing against immigrants, killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Despite those incidents, and a strong economy that might have served as the backbone of a different approach, Trump locked in on immigration for the final weeks of the campaign. He fanned fears of migrants walking toward the U.S. border, but still hundreds of miles away, in an effort to rouse his supporters and return to the themes that underpinned his 2016 campaign.

The strategy seemed aimed at rallying Trump supporters in red-state Senate races, but it also put the spotlight back on the racially charged approach that has driven opposition to his presidency, particularly in the suburban areas with the most competitive House races.

"The negativity toward people, and having it on display, is horrific, and the person who is supposed to be our leader is the name-caller," said Shamelle Smith, 48, of Maple Shade.

Two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters said the president was a factor in their vote, according to an Associated Press VoteCast survey. Nearly 6 in 10 thought the country was on the wrong track, even though two-thirds gave the economy high marks.

History and political geography suggested that Democrats had the upper hand in the House  the president's party almost always loses ground in midterm elections. The Senate map provided a different playing field.

The two contrasting parts of America produced starkly different results.

Staff writers Stacey Burling, Jan Hefler, and Justine McDaniel contributed to this article.The "blue wave" that saw Pennsylvania Democrats picking up seats in the U.S. House on Tuesday and winning statewide elections for governor and the U.S. Senate made a noticeably smaller splash in the General Assembly.

With the outcome of some races still unclear after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Republicans looked poised to keep control of the state House and Senate, though Democrats did pick up seats in both chambers.

Nathan Davidson, executive director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, said his party won six open seats, defeated seven Republican incumbents, and lost three seats, for a net gain of 10 seats.

In Philadelphia, Democrat Joe Hohenstein won the House's 177th District seat, vacated by 17-term Rep. John Taylor, a former chairman of the Republican City Committee. Hohenstein defeated Republican Patty-Pat Koslowski, taking about 60 percent of the vote.

In Chester County, Democrat Melissa Shusterman defeated four-term Rep. Warren Kampf in the 157th District with about 57 percent of the vote.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes, chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, said his party had concessions from three Republicans and his party was declaring victory in two other races. One was a projected win by Katie Muth over incumbent John Rafferty in Montgomery County.

Another race, a Bucks County contest between Republican incumbent Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson and Democrat Tina Davis, was too close to call.

Democrat Steve Santarsiero won the open 10th District Seat in Bucks County, and Democrat Maria Collett won the open 12th District seat, which covers Montgomery and Bucks Counties, defeating the son and namesake of longtime incumbent Stewart Greenleaf. State Sen. Tom McGarrigle, a Republican, lost to Democrat Tim Kearney in the 26th District, which covers Delaware and Chester Counties.

All 203 seats in the state House, with two-year terms, and half of the 50 seats in the state Senate, with four-year terms, were on Tuesday's ballot. Republicans went into the election holding a 121-seat majority in the House and a 33-seat super-majority in the Senate.

While the Pennsylvania Supreme Court redrew the lines for congressional districts this year to remedy gerrymandering, the state House and Senate lines will remain in place until after the redistricting process following the 2020 U.S. Census.

The Republicans have controlled the state House since 2010, a midterm election that sparked GOP victories across Pennsylvania and the nation. And they have controlled the state Senate for nearly a quarter-century, taking control in 1994, displacing a brief, 17-month Democratic majority.

It wasn't a rough night for everyone in the Assembly  a full third of the 227 candidates for the Senate and the House faced no opponent on Tuesday's ballot. That included five Democrats in the Senate along with 55 Democrats and 18 Republicans in the House.Mary Gay Scanlon smiles while standing next to family and friends during her election watch party at the Inn at Swarthmore on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Read more

For the first time, Delaware County is sending a woman to Washington  and for essentially two terms.

Mary Gay Scanlon on Tuesday convincingly won the newly drawn district over Republican Pearl Kim, joining many Democratic women who have been elected since 2016, in an apparent push-back against President Donald Trump. Scanlon out-polled Kim by a 60-40 ratio.

The contest in Delaware County's Fifth Congressional District marked the state's only race between two women candidates.

Scanlon won two seats. Until January, she will fill the seat of Republican Pat Meehan, who resigned due to sexual harassment allegations, and then start a full term representing the new district, which encompasses all of Delaware County, as well as parts of Montgomery County and South Philadelphia.

"From South Philly to Chester, we chose not only fairness and opportunity and civility, but we chose to be a better nation than we were yesterday," Scanlon told the crowd gathered at the county Democrats' watch party at the Inn at Swarthmore. "Today, we the people reclaimed our government  Today we showed up."

"Yes we did," shouted a supporter.

During the campaign, Scanlon, 59, a longtime civil rights attorney and former president of the Wallingford-Swarthmore school board, embraced her party affiliation. She campaigned on traditional Democratic platforms, advocating for gun control, public education, immigration reform, and LGBTQ rights.

Kim, on the other hand, distanced herself from her party, omitting the word "Republican" from her campaign pamphlets and touting her more moderate positions on issues like immigration, climate change, and health care. The 39-year-old special victims prosecutor received bipartisanship support and talked openly about her experience as a survivor of sexual assault, including in an interview on The Van Jones Show on CNN.

Scanlon had spent the final few hours before the polls closed driving around South Philadelphia in a nondescript white van with former Gov. Ed Rendell. On a megaphone affixed to the car, Rendell urged residents to get out and vote for Democractic nominees.

Kim traveled across the district on Tuesday, and finished the night watching election results at Springfield Country Club. Her campaign could not immediately be reached for comment lateTuesday night.A New Jersey ballot question on issuing $500 million in bonds, primarily for expanding vocational-technical programs and installing security measures at school buildings, was approved by voters Tuesday.

The "Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act" was approved with 52 percent of the ballots cast in favor of the measure.

The bond will also support water infrastructure projects in school districts, which have been required by the state to test their water for lead since 2016.

Proponents of the question, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, contended the state needed to invest in its county vocational-technical schools to serve more students and meet the needs of the state's employers. About 33,000 students are enrolled at the schools, which turned away 17,000 applicants last year due to lack of capacity, advocates said.

School officials also said districts need financing for security upgrades, which they described as difficult to pay for otherwise because the state imposes a 2 percent cap on property-tax increases.

The $500 million will be split several ways. The bulk  $350 million  is designated for grants to county vocational-technical schools and to school districts for security projects, which could include alarms and silent security systems.

An additional $100 million will go to school districts for water infrastructure projects, and the remaining $50 million to county colleges to expand vocational technical programs.

The bond measure was previously approved by lawmakers to be $1 billion, but Gov. Murphy halved it in a conditional veto, citing concern about the state's debt level.

Some advocates objected to the measure, arguing that its focus on the county vocational schools ignored broader repair and construction needs in districts across the state. "Financing projects only for a very small subset of New Jersey students misses the mark," David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center, wrote in a recent op-ed.

County vocational-technical schools, school districts, and county colleges will have to apply for funding from the bond measure. The state education commissioner and other officials are tasked with developing procedures for awarding grants for projects, which lawmakers will get to review before their approval.Andy Kim, .Publish Caption Andy Kim, ( left) Democratic candidate for New Jersey's Third Congressional District, and ongressman Tom MacArthur meet with members of the editorial board and reporters at the Philadelphia Media Network office on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. Read more

TOMS RIVER, N.J.  U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur ended his Election Night party Tuesday night without speaking and Democrat Andy Kim ended his early Wednesday by telling supporters, "We can win this thing," as both campaigns declared the race too close to call in New Jersey's Third Congressional District.

Wednesday morning, Burlington County Election Board Chair Joseph Dugan said the county still had 7,000 remaining Vote By Mail ballots to count, which he expected to be completed Wednesday. But an unknown number of provisional ballots also needed to be approved and counted, a process that could take a week, he said.

The Ocean County election board also had outstanding Vote by Mail and provisional ballots to process. Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella said all of the county's 30,000 vote by mail ballots had been counted, but that he anticipated it would take the rest of the week to count provisional ballots.

"Ocean County gave Tom MacArthur a 30,000-plus victory margin, but unfortunately Burlington County was not so kind," Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore told MacArthur supporters late Tuesday. "But we think he's still ahead. But we will still have to count provisionals and absentee votes."

In Mount Laurel, meanwhile, a smiling Kim addressed his supporters just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday and told them, "You are the reason why we're in this place where we can win this thing. "

"We knew this was going to be one of the toughest and tightest races in the country," Kim said. "We've been saying that all along."

"We are confident that when all the votes are properly counted, Andy will be declared the winner." Kim campaign spokesman Zack Carroll said. He said tens of thousands of ballots were still uncounted, many of them from Burlington County, considered favorable to Kim.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, results showed MacArthur with a 2,300 vote lead over Kim.

The fiercely fought contest pitted the two term incumbent MacArthur, 58, a former insurance executive and mayor of Randolph in North Jersey, against Kim, 36, a Rhodes scholar and national security advisor in the Obama administration who was raised in Marlton.

The night's split decision highlighted the divided South Jersey district that joins the Democrat-heavy Burlington County in Philadelphia's suburbs with the Republican and retiree stronghold of Ocean County to the East, divided by the Pinelands.

The Third Congressional District voted twice for Obama, then went for Trump.

Turnout was high, as elsewhere. Kim himself waited in line to vote near his home in Bordentown, Burlington County. Turnout was particularly high in the Democratic stronghold of Willingboro, the Kim campaign said.

MacArthur, who lent his campaign $1.4 million, received endorsements of three of New Jersey's four police and fire unions and the engineers union, relentlessly attacked Kim, whom he characterized as a tax cheat, Pelosi liberal and radical Trump resister. Though considered perhaps Trump's closest ally in the New Jersey delegation, MacArthur stressed his bipartisanship as the race tightened, and defended his support of the tax cut and his work on health care.

Ads paid for by House Speaker Paul Ryan's Congressional Leadership Fund declared the Korean-American Kim "not one of us." A mailer sent by the state Republican Party, employing a font some interpreted as meant to seem Asian, declared something "real fishy" about Kim. MacArthur raised a total of $4.5 million.

Kim raised $5.2 million mostly on the strength of thousands of small donations and said he would take no corporate PAC money. He was buoyed by an extensive network of grass roots activism: post-card writers, post-it note mailers, door knockers and texters both from within the district and from Philadelphia.

On Election Night, the contrasts were clear: More than 200 people gathered in the ballroom of the Toms River Days Inn Hotel in the hope they would soon celebrate MacArthur's victory. Many among the well-heeled crowd held glasses of wine and mulled about as a big screen TV tuned to Fox News broadcast the latest wins, losses, predictions. Kim's supporters, including a TV crew from a Seoul South Korean station, gathered at the Mount Laurel Westin, watching MSNBC and Kim mingled as early returns came in from Ocean County.

Monday, MacArthur got a supportive tweet from Vice President Mike Pence and had fundraising help from Trump. Kim was endorsed by former President Obama, his one-time boss, and took former Vice President Joe Biden along on a diner campaign stop. New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy appeared at a "Women Against MacArthur" event in October, during which cancer survivors rallied against the incumbent.

Groups like South Jersey Women for Progressive Change, and Action Together New Jersey, and its Burlington County spinoff, created after Trump's election, built extensive voter data bases and organized canvassing alongside national groups like Swing Left. On the last weekend alone, Kim campaign spokesman Forrest Rilling said, there were 2,000 shifts of canvassers who knocked on about 100,000 doors on behalf of Kim.

Negative advertising saturated both New York and Philadelphia media markets, with MacArthur and his allies tagging Kim early on as a "tax cheat" for having to return a tax refund he received on his Washington D.C. condo after moving back to New Jersey, and accused him embellishing his resume by saying he "served" in Afghanistan even though he was a civilian advisor.

Kim never wavered in his characterization of his time on the National Security Commission as Director for Iraq, and his year in Afghanistan as a civilian advisor to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen as "service." He said he had been brought up by his parents, immigrants from South Korea who built careers as a geneticist and a nurse, on the idea of public service.

Kim soon began firing back at MacArthur, painting the wealthy Connecticut native as beholden to special interests like pharmaceutical companies.

But it was MacArthur's votes on Trump's two signature legislative efforts  supporting both the Tax Bill and the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act  which animated the close contest.

MacArthur was the only New Jersey congressman to vote in favor of the president's tax bill, which capped state and local tax deductions at $10,000. He also voted to repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and penned an amendment  the MacArthur Amendment  credited with saving the ultimately doomed House effort to repeal Obamacare.

Those votes came under fire during the campaign, with the AARP dubbing the potential impact of his amendment an "age tax," which MacArthur said was misleading, but he acknowledged had people in his district concerned. He contended his amendment protected coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, but experts say it would have allowed states to apply for waivers to allow health plans to charge more for premiums based on a person's health status.

Late Tuesday, Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chair, blamed New Jersey Gov. Murphy for "causing confusion" with the provisional ballots this year. A new law in New Jersey required everyone who voted absentee in 2016 to receive another absentee ballot by mail this year, unsolicited. Gilmore said many people "just threw them out," and went to the polls, where they were given provisional ballots.English German

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

For immediate release

Curetis raises 8.9 million through private placements

Placed 4,450,000 new shares priced at  2.00 per share

Company to reassess priorities and allocation of funds

This announcement contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Holzgerlingen, Germany, and San Diego, USA, November 7, 2018, 18:50 CET - Curetis N.V. (the "Company" and together with its subsidiaries "Curetis"), a developer of next-level molecular diagnostic solutions, today announced the completion of the private placements to institutional investors, which were launched on November 2, 2018 (the "Offering").

Offering Highlights:

Placed 4,450,000 new ordinary shares in private placements with institutional investors in Europe and the U.S.;

Offer priced at 2.00 per share;

Gross proceeds of 8.9 million, resulting in additional available funds for the Company of approximately 7.3 million;

In light of the lower than expected gross proceeds, the Company will be reassessing its strategic priorities and allocation of funds for (i) commercialization of its Unyvero Platform and LRT Application Cartridge in the U.S., (ii) its European commercialization activities, (iii) working capital requirements, (iv) research and development programs and (v) general corporate purposes;

First trading of the new ordinary shares expected on November 8, 2018.

"While we are pleased that we could price the offering and place a significant number of shares with existing and high-quality new institutional investors, current capital market conditions did not allow us to place the full number of shares," said Oliver Schacht, PhD, CEO of Curetis. "With the proceeds we raised from this offering, we will now be reassessing the priorities and allocation of funds in terms of the best use of proceeds. We will inform our shareholders on such priorities as well as any potentially required changes to our guidance in due course. We also continue to work with our supervisory board to assess all strategic options and operational requirements to secure appropriate funding and cash for continued operations for at least the next 12 months."

Offering Details

In the Offering, 4,450,000 newly issued ordinary shares (the "Offer Shares"), which represent approximately 27% of the current issued share capital of the Company, were placed with institutional investors in Europe and the U.S. (including certain existing shareholders).

The Offer Shares were placed at a price of 2.00 per Share, raising gross proceeds for the Company of 8.9 million. After deducting the estimated expenses, commissions and taxes related to the Offering of 2.5 million of which 0.9 million have already been paid, the Company expects to receive approximately 7.3 million in additional available funds. In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to be subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days following the Settlement Date (as defined below), subject to certain customary exceptions.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the sale of the Offer Shares for (i) funding the commercialization of its Unyvero Platform and LRT Application Cartridge in the U.S., (ii) the expansion of its European commercialization activities, (iii) working capital requirements, (iv) research and development programs and (v) for general corporate purposes but will re-assess the priorities and allocation of proceeds to fund these in the light of the lower than expected proceeds from this offering.

The delivery of the Offer Shares is expected on November 9, 2018 (the "Settlement Date").

The ordinary shares in the capital of the Company, with a nominal value of 0.01 each, ("Shares"), excluding the Offer Shares, are listed and traded under the symbol "CURE" on Euronext in Amsterdam, a regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V. and Euronext in Brussels, a regulated market of Euronext Brussels NV/SA, and have the ISIN code NL0011509294. The Offer Shares will be listed on Euronext in Amsterdam and Euronext in Brussels under the same symbol and with the same ISIN code.

As a result of the Offering and the placements of new Shares, the total number of issued and outstanding Shares will increase from 16,458,802 to 20,908,802.

A prospectus (the "Prospectus") relating to the admission to listing and trading on Euronext in Amsterdam and Euronext in Brussels of the Offer Shares was approved by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiele Markten, the "AFM") on November 2, 2018, and dated November 2, 2018, and is available on the Curetis website (www.curetis.com/en/investors/offering.html). At the Company's request, the AFM has notified its approval of the Prospectus to the competent authorities in Belgium.

Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft acted as sole global coordinator and sole bookrunner and goetzpartners securities Limited acted as co-manager and placement agent in the Offering.

This press release also serves as the pricing statement in relation to the Offering and has been filed with the AFM. This press release is also available on Curetis' website (www.curetis.com/en/investors/offering.html) and therefore also subject to applicable securities law restrictions.

###

About Curetis

Curetis N.V.'s (Euronext: CURE) goal is to become a leading provider of innovative solutions for molecular microbiology diagnostics designed to address the global challenge of detecting severe infectious diseases and identifying antibiotic resistances in hospitalized patients.

Curetis' Unyvero System is a versatile, fast and highly automated molecular diagnostic platform for easy-to-use, cartridge-based solutions for the comprehensive and rapid detection of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers in a range of severe infectious disease indications. Results are available within hours, a process that can take days or even weeks if performed with standard diagnostic procedures, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes, stringent antibiotic stewardship and health-economic benefits. Unyvero in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products are marketed in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S.

Curetis' wholly owned subsidiary Ares Genetics GmbH offers next-generation solutions for infectious disease diagnostics and therapeutics. The ARES Technology Platform combines the presumably most comprehensive database worldwide on the genetics of antimicrobial resistances, ARESdb, with advanced bioinformatics and artificial intelligence tools.

For further information, please visit www.curetis.com and www.ares-genetics.com.

Important legal information

The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness. These materials are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or subscribe for, or the announcement of a forthcoming offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for, or the announcement of a forthcoming solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for, any securities of the Company in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or in any other jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful and the distribution of this communication in such jurisdictions may be similarly restricted. Persons into whose possession this communication comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the security laws of any such jurisdiction.

The Offer Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of Offer Shares in the United States. The securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa.

The Company has not authorized any offer to the public of shares in any Member State of the European Economic Area. With respect to any Member State of the European Economic Area (each a "Relevant Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of shares requiring publication of a prospectus in any Relevant Member State. As a result, the Offer Shares may only be offered in Relevant Member States to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor", as defined in the Prospectus Directive; provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in a Relevant Member State or publish a supplement to the prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive or any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in a Relevant Member State. For the purpose of this paragraph, the expression "offer of securities to the public" means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Shares to be offered so as to enable the investor to decide to exercise, purchase or subscribe for the Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

In the United Kingdom, this document and any other materials in relation to the Shares is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, and any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, "qualified investors" (as defined in section 86(7) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) and who are (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("Financial Promotion") Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This communication is directed only at relevant persons. Persons who are not relevant persons should not take any action on the basis of this document and should not act or rely on it. Any investment activity to which this communication relates will only be available to and will only be engaged with, relevant persons. No action has been taken by the Company that would permit an offer of Shares or the possession or distribution of these materials or any other offering or publicity material relating to such Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

This announcement is not an advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive and does not constitute a prospectus. The Offering consists solely of private placements to certain institutional investors in various jurisdictions. In relation to the admission to listing and trading on Euronext in Amsterdam and Euronext in Brussels of the Offer Shares, a prospectus as approved by the AFM on November 2, 2018 and dated November 2, 2018 is available on the Curetis website (www.curetis.com/en/investors/offering.html). At the Company's request, the AFM has notified its approval of the Prospectus to the competent authorities in Belgium.

Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft and goetzpartners securities Limited (the "Managers") are acting exclusively for the Company and no else in connection with the Offering, and each of the Managers will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for giving advice in relation to the Offering or the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to herein.

This document may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "may", "could", "should", "would", "will", "intend", "plan", the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those described in such statements due to, among other things, changes in the general economic and competitive environment, risks associated with capital markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations and competition from other companies, changes in international and national laws and regulations, rapid technological and market change in the industries the Company operates in, as well as many other risks specifically related to the Company and its operations. Each of the Company and the Managers expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law.

All investment is subject to risk. The value of the Offer Shares may go down as well as up. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Potential investors are advised to seek expert financial advice before making any investment decision.

Neither these materials nor any copy of it may be taken or transmitted, directly or indirectly, into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. These materials do not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore. The offer and the distribution of these materials and other information in connection with the listing and offer in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law.

Contact details

Curetis

Max-Eyth-Str. 42

71088 Holzgerlingen, Germany

Tel. +49 7031 49195-10

pr@curetis.com or ir@curetis.com

www.curetis.com - www.unyvero.com

International Media & Investor Inquiries

akampion

Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina Buth

Managing Partners

info@akampion.com

Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64

Tel. +49 30 23 63 27 68

U.S. Media & Investor Inquiries

The Ruth Group

Lee Roth

lroth@theruthgroup.com

Tel. +1 646 536 7012Mary M. Cannady at her assisted-living facility in Oxford, N.C. with great-grandnephew, Miguel. Read more

Mary M. Cannady, 103, formerly of Philadelphia, a social worker who at age 50 became a civil rights activist and marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala., died Thursday, Nov. 1, of complications from an earlier stroke.

Ms. Cannady died at an assisted-living facility in Oxford, N.C. Her life had come full circle  she had been born in nearby Durham in 1915, the youngest of nine children.

She came from an accomplished African American family. Long before blacks pursued higher education in large numbers, two aunts and a female cousin of hers had gone to college and become schoolteachers.

Her mother died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. She was raised by her father, William P. Cannady Sr., a lawyer who had studied with a white lawyer in the family's hometown of Oxford.

In 1926, Ms. Cannady, then 10, moved with her father and two brothers to Washington, where they lived in rooming houses. When she was 17 and a senior at Washington's all-black Dunbar High School, Ms. Cannady contracted ankylosing spondylitis, a painful arthritic condition, in her hip. She walked with a pronounced limp for the rest of her life.

"She lived an extraordinary life, but particularly in light of what she faced" with her health," said niece Joan C. Countryman of Philadelphia.

Initially, Ms. Cannady delayed attending college by moving in with her brother, Bob, to serve as a surrogate mother for his son. After four years of housekeeping and child-rearing, Ms. Cannady enrolled at Howard University in 1938.

She majored in sociology and studied with the African American sociologist E. Franklin Frazier. She completed a bachelor's degree in 1943, and two years later earned a certificate from Howard's social work program.

At age 30, Ms. Cannady became a social worker with a family-services agency in Milwaukee. Her clients were in the city's rapidly growing black community. She became the agency's first African American social worker, she told her family.

In 1947, Ms. Cannady left Milwaukee for Northampton, Mass., where she earned a master's degree in social work from Smith College. She returned to the Milwaukee social service agency in 1949, determined to help her clients build strong families.

"You never know the effect you're going to have on people," she told family. "Just a word or a kindness can mean a lot to a person."

In 1956, Ms. Cannady became the first African American director of a family-services office in North Philadelphia, and worked there for 16 years while living in Germantown.

She was a shy, bookish, single, frail, 50-year-old when her experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South and being a social worker among those who traveled north in the Great Migration converged to make her aware of the civil rights movement.

She was shocked when civil rights marcher Jimmie Lee Jackson died Feb. 26, 1965, eight days after being attacked by white racists in Alabama. She was appalled that March 7, when 600 protesters in Selma were beaten and tear-gassed by state and local lawmen at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on what became known as "Bloody Sunday."

"Suddenly," she later told family, "the many feelings I had harbored throughout my life about being black and how I was treated just caved in on me. And I just had to get out and get involved."

When King called for supporters to travel to Selma and march across the bridge leading to Montgomery, Ms. Cannady bought a plane ticket and joined him in Selma.

"I just wanted to be on the bridge. That was important to me," she said. She was there March 9 when King led 2,000 protesters in Selma to the Pettus Bridge, but then ordered them to disperse to comply with a court order. "We didn't know where she was until she came back," her niece said. "She had just disappeared."

Although Ms. Cannady didn't march again in Selma, due to her health, she returned to Alabama that summer to register voters.

In 1972 at age 57, Ms. Cannady moved from Germantown back home to Oxford, where she became the first African American social worker employed by a regional mental health agency in Oxford, her family said.

She bought a home and learned to drive. After retiring, she did volunteer work. In 2005, she gave an oral history describing her memories of the civil rights movement. The transcript was featured in a "Listening to History" column in the Raleigh News and Observer.

Besides her niece, Joan, she is survived by nieces Carole C. Marks and Barbara Cannady-Masimini, and a nephew, James Cannady.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Antioch Baptist Church, 5046 Antioch Rd., Oxford, N.C. Burial is private.While Tuesday night was not a complete win for Republicans, there was no blue wave, either. By most measures, Republicans beat the odds of history and nearly everyone's expectations, while Democrats were left disappointed as the fantasy of Beto O'Rourke, Andrew Gillum, Stacey Abrams, and others winning fizzled. Not one new progressive Democrat was successful bursting onto the scene. It will take a few days to process the meaning of this year's election returns, but the instant analysis is clear: Democrats may have won the House, but Trump won the election.

As I always say, in politics, what is supposed to happen tends to happen. I predicted in August that the Democrats would take the House but that alone was not enough for most Democrats. As much as this year's midterms offered an obvious opportunity to rebuke President Trump, little of what the arrogant Democrats and members of the mainstream media expected would happen actually did. So much of what they said turned out to be wrong that it will take a while before the significance becomes clear. And if the 2018 midterms prove anything, it is that Trump is standing strong while Democrats and their allies who thought Trump would have been affirmatively rejected are in fact the ones who have themselves been denied.

Democrats have underperformed in comparison with the historical markers and general expectations of a midterm cycle. The president's party loses 37 seats in the House on average in midterm elections when his approval is below 50 percent  but Democrats aren't projected to pick up nearly that many seats. No liberal will want to admit it, but Trump is an asset to the Republican Party, while President Barack Obama was a disaster for the Democratic Party.

Let the message be clear: Voters had a chance to repudiate Trump and they did not. Much of the commentariat has said this year's elections are about who we are as a country and what America is all about. Well, a lot of America seems to be about supporting Trump. The Democrats thought Trump's negatives would be enough to propel them to victory. The 2018 results show it is clear they need a different plan if they think they can win in 2020.

The midterms largely followed the conventional wisdom of how midterms are supposed to go. The president's party lost some seats, but by and large, what happened was far from the blue-wave rebuke that Democrats and their allies in the media said was going to happen. So if the midterms were supposed to be bad for the GOP and all eyes were on Trump, the big question is whether anything about Tuesday night's results supports the idea that Trump was a weight on Republican candidates. Is Trumpism a political blight on the Republican Party? The answer is that Trumpism is a net plus. What that says about the GOP and America is unclear. But for the purposes of the 2018 midterms, Trump is a winner.

Trump and his allies have an appeal that the elites in New York and Hollywood cannot dismiss or combat. All of the 2018 Democratic heartthrobs lost. That must sap the enthusiasm of the resistance. For the most part, when voters had to decide, the angry left was rejected and Trump was rewarded.

Rogers is a contributor to the PostPartisan blog, a political consultant and a veteran of the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush White Houses and several national campaigns. He is the chairman of the lobbying and communications firm BGR Group, which he founded with former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour in 1991. @EdRogersDCIn the end, the wave that crested on Tuesday was more purple in hue: a swell of blue for the House of Representatives and a swell of red for the Senate. It was the kind of election where both sides claimed victory: those who wanted to challenge Trump, as well as those who wanted to support him. That can be maddening to those who like clear winners and losers.

Not that this historic election didn't supply some of both. The biggest losers  besides Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who lost his job on Wednesday  were those who were looking for the election to define in black and white terms (or, red and blue) Who We Are As A Country: Are we a nation of angry, disenfranchised people who hate immigrants? Or are we a glorious melting pot who have differences among ourselves but at the end of the day, open our arms to welcome the downtrodden? The answer, apparently, is "yes." Whether this is a sign our republic is in decline, or simply that the narrative that has helped define a complicated country is wearing thin is best left for another day. But it's worth remembering that the political (and cultural) divide that has been hardened by Trump's election is not an overnight phenomenon. It probably started two decades ago when the population began shifting in a big way to cities. (Though current census suggests that trend is slowing down.)

A female win? Women, galvanized by Trump's election in 2016 and subsequent developments like the #MeToo movement, ran for office, and many of them won on Tuesday. In fact, according to projections, 95 won the House and 13 won the Senate. That's not nothing  and bodes well for encouraging future candidates  but the fact remains that even those numbers puts the percentage of women in Congress at a measly 20 percent. That's weak. Still, Pennsylvania sent four women to Congress  a long overdue change.

The voter turnout win: Voter turnout was great: According to CBS News, 49 percent of eligible voters set a record for a midterm election that hasn't been seen since 1966. Let's hope all those new voters see how easy it is to do and that the results mean each sees the value of his or her vote.

The redistricting win: Pennsylvania's Congressional map was a tribute to gerrymandering. After heated battles, the map was recently redrawn by the state Supreme Court  and on Tuesday, 12 Republican and six Democratic seats in Congress shifted to nine Democrat and nine Republicans. That's called parity and is long overdue.

The referendum win: Those looking for a picture of what voters actually support would be heartened by the number of referendum questions that were offered in states all over the country. People voted to protect transgender people from discrimination (Massachusetts), legalize recreational pot and medical marijuana (Michigan and Missouri, respectively), give ex-felons voting rights (Florida) as well as reform gerrymandering and expand Medicaid (various states). Don't get too excited: Pennsylvania doesn't allow these exercises in direct democracy  though it should.Bishops sing a hymn during the opening of Friday morning session at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' meeting in Dallas, Friday, June 14. 2002. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Read more

In a far-reaching special report on Sunday, journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Boston Globe found that the leaders of the U.S. Catholic Church are far better at covering up child sexual abuse than stopping it.

For almost two decades, both cities have been epicenters of investigations into a sickening litany of abuse that has mushroomed across the country. The church's pattern of protecting itself over parishioners only made the scandal worse.

Following the Globe's 2002 groundbreaking report on sexual abuse in Boston, the church impaneled eight bishops to investigate the abuse and root it out. But six of those bishops were, themselves, targets of criticism for ignoring or concealing abuse in their dioceses.

They were hardly the men who should have been in charge of a new policy. And, they proved it when they exempted themselves from oversight even though it was their failure to respond to the crisis which has perpetuated it. Indeed, reporters found that 130, or a third, of the nation's bishops have been accused of failing to stop abuse. At least 15 have, themselves, been accused of actual abuse.

With this deeply troubling behavior at the very top of the hierarchy, how can anyone trust the church to change? There was a chance when so-called reforms were drafted during a 2002 bishops meeting, but bishops kept themselves from being held accountable. Next week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will meet in Baltimore  but it's hard to imagine any real progress will be made.

Because the church seems incapable of policing itself, it should turn over its secret archives to the professionals  prosecutors who understand the law and know how to adjudicate crimes.

Those records were the basis of a sweeping Aug. 14 Pennsylvania grand jury report. Without detailed accounts backed up by gut-wrenching testimony, Attorney General Josh Shapiro never would have been able to show that 301 priests abused more than 1,000 victims. Since the report's release, the attorney general has received 1,300 more complaints of clergy abuse, and Pennsylvania's investigation has sparked similar probes in more than a dozen states.

But as comprehensive as Shapiro's investigation was, only two priests were found guilty of sexually abusing children. That's because many of the incidents occurred so long ago, that the statutes of limitations have expired.

Legislators should remove the caps on statutes of limitations, and let prosecutors do their jobs. If the civil cap is removed, more information can be learned through the discovery process about how the church covered up abuse, argues child advocate Marci Hamilton, head of the Philadelphia-based Child USA. That would give a truer picture of how widespread the abuse is.

Pennsylvania was on the cusp of these important reforms until last month when Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R., Jefferson) and Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) killed the legislation. The House had already passed a bill in September, and Gov. Wolf promised to sign it. Church leaders' widespread cover-up of terrible acts are unforgivable. State lawmakers who remain standing in the way of justice for victims are just as culpable.Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs

07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0)

Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na...WASHINGTON: Polls closed in eight states on Tuesday as Americans cast votes nationwide at the end of a divisive campaign to decide whether President Donald Trump`s fellow Republicans maintain their grip on the US Congress.

Early results began to trickle in from states such as Indiana and Kentucky, home of a pivotal U.S. House of Representatives race, but it could be hours before the winners are determined.

Democratic Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a 2016 presidential contender, and Tim Kaine of Virginia, Hillary Clinton`s vice presidential nominee in 2016, easily won re-election, networks projected.

But the crucial Senate showdown in Indiana between incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Mike Braun was too close to call with just 4 percent of the votes in.

Voting will close in three more states at 7:30 p.m. EST (0030 on Wednesday GMT) and in another 18 states at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT). A full picture of the voting will not emerge for hours.

The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a 2016 upset became a referendum on the polarizing president, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box.

The Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the 23 seats they need to gain a majority in the House, but opinion polls show they have slimmer hopes of picking up the two seats they need to gain control of the Senate. All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs.

The volatile midterm campaign was marked by clashes over race, immigration and trade. In the final stretch, Trump hardened his rhetoric on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of what he called U.S. liberal "mobs."

Many Democrats, already benefiting from anti-Trump enthusiasm, focused on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining health insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

If Democrats capture the House, they could block Trump`s policy agenda and launch congressional investigations into Trump`s administration, including his tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and the nature of his 2016 campaign`s ties to Russia.

A Republican victory in both chambers of Congress would be a validation for Trump`s polarizing style, a month after he solidified a conservative majority on the Supreme Court when the Senate confirmed his nominee Brett Kavanaugh after a fight over sexual misconduct accusations against the jurist.

Striking a dark tone at a rally in Indiana on Monday evening, Trump accused Democrats without offering any evidence of "openly encouraging millions of illegal aliens to break our laws, violate our borders and overrun our country."

U.S. stocks ticked higher in thin trading on Tuesday, as investors awaited the election results.

Analysts expect pressure on stocks if Democrats gain control of the House and a sharper downward reaction if they win the Senate, too. If Republicans hold their ground, stocks could gain further, with hopes of more tax cuts ahead.

SOME VOTING PROBLEMS REPORTED

Problems with voting machines prevented Americans from casting ballots in a dozen states, U.S. rights advocates said, following complaints about registration problems, faulty equipment and intimidation they have received throughout early balloting.

But a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official said the reports of voting technology failures appeared so far to have had no significant impact in preventing people from voting.

Voter turnout, normally lower when the presidency is not at stake, could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes.

"I have worked at this poll the last three elections and this is the biggest turnout ever," said Bev Heidgerken, 67, a volunteer at a polling place in Davenport, Iowa.

At least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top non-partisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida.

In his time in office, Trump has pushed tax cuts through Congress and overseen a period of economic and jobs growth but has failed so far to deliver on presidential campaign promises to replace the Obamacare healthcare law and build a wall on the Mexican border that he has said is needed to combat illegal immigration.

DEMOCRATIC PUSHBACK

A Democratic victory in the House would further hinder the border wall plan and complicate congressional approval of a deal to update the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump also could face more pushback from Democrats on trade tariffs he has introduced, particularly in farm states hard hit by retaliatory measures from China or manufacturing states hit by higher steel and aluminium prices.

A debate about whether Trump`s inflammatory rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign`s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were killed in a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden called on Americans to use their votes to reject Trump.

"This is the single most important off-year election of my lifetime. I really think it`s more than just about a specific issue. I think it`s about the character of the country," he said in Wilmington, Delaware, where he voted.

Democrats also could recapture governorships in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race.

It was the first national election in the United States since the 2016 race in which Russia interfered, according to U.S. intelligence agencies, with a campaign of hacking and propaganda to sow discord, harm the Democratic presidential candidate and boost Trump`s chances. Russia denies meddling.BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barfresh Food Group, Inc. (OTCQB: BRFH), a manufacturer of frozen, ready-to-blend beverages, today announced that it will host a business update call on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 1:30 pm Pacific Time (4:30 pm Eastern Time). Listeners can dial (877) 407-4018 in North America, and international listeners can dial (201) 689-8471. Participants from the Company will be Riccardo Delle Coste, Founder and CEO, Joseph Cugine, President, and Joseph Tesoriero, CFO.



A telephonic playback will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and will be available through Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Listeners in North America can dial (844) 512-2921, and international listeners can dial (412) 317-6671. Passcode is 13684653.

Interested parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the company's website at www.barfresh.com in the Investors-Presentations section. A replay of the webcast will also be available for approximately 30 days following the call.

About Barfresh Food Group

Barfresh Food Group, Inc. (OTCQB: BRFH) is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of ready-to-blend beverages, including smoothies, shakes and frappes, primarily for restaurant chains and the foodservice industry. The company's proprietary, patented system uses portion-controlled pre-packaged beverage ingredients that deliver freshly made frozen beverages that are quick, cost efficient, better for you and without waste. Barfresh has an exclusive distribution partnership with the leading food distributor in North America. For more information, please visit www.barfresh.com .

Contact

John Mills

ICR

646-277-1254

John.Mills@icrinc.com

Jeff Sonnek

ICR

646-277-1263

Jeff.Sonnek@icrinc.comBhopal: The Congress on Wednesday released its fourth list of 29 candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. The grand old party had earlier announced three lists of 155, 16 and 13 candidates respectively for the 230-member MP Assembly. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh will contest from Waraseoni on a Congress ticket.

INC COMMUNIQUE Announcement of Congress candidates for the ensuing elections to the Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh. @INCMP pic.twitter.com/4y08xm5JeL  INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) November 7, 2018

The BJP has, meanwhile, released two lists of 177 and 17 candidates respectively for the assembly polls, fielding Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Budhni seat.

Polls for Madhya Pradesh assembly will be held on November 28 while the results will be announced on December 11.

(With inputs from agencies)New Delhi: Jet Airways has extended its 2018 Diwali sale till November 11, offering discounts of up to 30 percent discount on domestic as well as international flight across the company's network.

Passengers under this offer can get upto 30 percent discount on base fare in Premiere and Economy on select domestic and international flights. Jet said that the discount is applicable on base fare in Premiere and Economy from India to select destinations in Europe on flights operated by its codeshare partners Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Tickets under the scheme must be purchased between October 30 and November 11. For travel to International destinations, travel must commence on or after October 30 but travel to Manchester must commence on or after November 5.

For travel in Premiere flights within India, tickets must be purchased a minimum of 8 days prior to departure for travel on or after November 7 while for travel in Economy on flights within India, tickets must be purchased a minimum of 15 days prior to departure for travel on or after November 14, Jet said.

Those booking directly on Jet's website and app, you can also avail exclusive benefits like additional earnings of 250 Bonus JPMiles on every flight booking, zero cancellation fee for all changes or cancellations made within 24 hours of booking, Jet Airways said.A massive fire at a factory in the Bawana area here, was among the over 200 fire-related incidents received by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Diwali, officials said.

No casualties have been reported in the incident at the factory and 18 fire tenders have been pressed into service to douse the blaze, the Delhi Fire Services (DFC) said.

"The fire broke out at a factory in outer Delhi's Bawana locality. The call about the fire was received at 6:37 pm and immediately 18 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

"The fire team is trying the bring the situation under control. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported so far," a senior DFS officer said.

He said a fire also broke out in an ATM in Delhi's Laxmi Nagar.

Officials said at least 209 fire-related calls were received until 10 pm Wednesday. Fires from crackers were less this year, they said.

Out of the total calls, 89 were fire at garbage and dump yards. Fires were also reported from factories and at houses due to domestic items and those related to electricity wires, officials said.

There has been no decline in the number of calls related to fire-incidents this year. Last year it was 200, they said.

The 209 calls were made from midnight of November 6 to November 7 until 10 pm, the official said.

Maximum calls were received from west and northwest districts of Delhi.

"We have been receiving frequent calls from across the city. However, maximum calls have been received from west and northwest parts of Delhi until now," the official said.

"Even last year, there was a ban on sale of firecrackers but we got close to 200 calls. This year, there were time restrictions on bursting of firecrackers and only green firecrackers were sold in the market but there has been frequent calls related to fire-incidents," he said.

There has been frequent calls coming in from various parts of the city. There has been no decline in calls. However, calls related to fire-crackers have been comparatively less, the official said.

Besides the 59 permanent fire stations in the national capital, the department has set up temporary stations at different locations across the city.NEW DELHI: Earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people celebrated Diwali amid some restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on bursting of firecrackers.

People visited their kith and kin, exchanged festive greetings and sweets while social media, including the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, was flooded with Diwali messages as many took the virtual route to convey their wishes.

President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his greetings to the people, urging citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged.

He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights.

"On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world. "This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us," the president said in his Diwali message on Tuesday.

                                      President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 7, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat joined soldiers on Wednesday on the occasion.

Modi celebrated his Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

"You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians," Modi, dressed in heavy mountain gear, told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief Rawat.

Celebrated Diwali with our valorous Army and @ITBP_official personnel at Harsil in Uttarakhand. India is immensely proud of all those who protect our nation, with utmost dedication and courage. We salute them! pic.twitter.com/siW4Yz2UUd  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018

Sitharaman celebrated the occasion with Army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-India border.

In a tweet, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said, "My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness."

     |         ,      My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2018

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings on the festival of lights at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, officials said.

The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture.

In the national capital, the air quality on Diwali oscillated between "poor" and "very poor" categories as authorities warned of severe deterioration even if "partial toxic crackers" are burned compared to last year.

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded the overall air quality index at 319, which falls in "very poor" category.

Eyeing rising pollution levels in cities across the country, the Supreme Court last month said people can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals.

The court has only allowed manufacture and sale of just the "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

To mark the festival of lights, the United Nations on Wednesday issued special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali. The stamps were released by the UN Postal Administration.

Happy Diwali! During the festival of lights, which is celebrated in India & by followers of many faiths across the world, clay lamps are lit to signify the victory of good over evil. Find Diwali @UNStamps here: https://t.co/jetZGjk2Ar pic.twitter.com/qT6LTXkkAf  United Nations (@UN) November 7, 2018

The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps, diyas.

The Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, was illuminated with a newly-installed special lighting system and traditional 'diyas'.

It witnessed a huge rush of devotees who took a dip in its holy tank and offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum and Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat).

Bollywood turned to Twitter to greet people on the occasion.

"Greetings for a happy prosperous and successful Diwali ..," actor Amitabh Bachchan said. Director Karan Johar said, "Happy Diwali to all of you! Love and light for life.....Stay as positive as you can this year." Greeting people on the occasion, actor Anushka Sharma in a tweet said, "Happy Diwali to all . Hope you all find the light in you . Be happy , be kind, be safe."New Delhi: In a bid to limit the rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has on Wednesday asked people to avoid bursting of firecrackers and abstain from consuming alcohol in order to prevent health hazards.

Joint Secretary of the IMA, Dr Anil Goyal, urged the public to have a safer Diwali by avoiding the use of firecrackers and alcohol.

"Being festivals, exchange of sweet would definitely take place, but I urge the diabetic and heart patients to consume lesser sweets to avoid health consequences," Dr Goyal said.

He further said, "If you face severe chest pain, breathlessness, teary eyes or any other complications, you should immediately rush to the emergency doctors."

The advisory from the medical body comes amid concerns over rising air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.

On Wednesday, Delhi's air quality index showed a slight improvement due to the high-speed wind. According to the system of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), "The overall Air Quality index of Delhi at 8:30 am was recorded at 320, which falls under 'the very poor' category."

In order to combat the rising air pollution crisis, former IMA president KK Agarwal on Tuesday suggested that people must avoid burning of candles and any other products which produce smoke and keeps medicine handy if suffering from Asthma, diabetes and any respiratory diseases.

Notably, an AQ1 between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 is marked as severe or hazardous.

(With inputs from ANI)The Supreme Court had banned the sale of firecrackers in the national capital due to increase in pollution and as a solution had introduced green crackers in the market but the Sadar Bazaar Welfare Association (SBWA) has another story to tell.

SBWA on Wednesday staged a protest against the apex court order on green crackers stating that there is no such things as green crackers in the market. The Association is putting firecrackers inside green vegetables.

The president of the association HS Chhabra said, "We don't even know what green crackers are. There are no green crackers in the market."

The top court had on October 23, said that people in the country can burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals and had allowed manufacture and sale of just "green crackers" which have a low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

The police, meanwhile, has been organising street plays, making radio announcements and visiting educational institutions, to promote green crackers.

Meetings have also been held with market welfare associations and residents welfare associations in this regard, Nupur Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) said.

She said pamphlets have been distributed and posters pasted in shopping malls and market areas appealing public to follow the Supreme Court directions. The police have been regularly making announcements through loudspeakers in several localities, including residential areas and marketplaces, a senior police officer said.

Chhabra, on the other hand, says that the police has not provided them with the list of crackers. "When we asked them (SHOs), they said they'll give us a list of crackers. But the next day they said it'll take 2 more days," Chhabra added.

While the police have been working to promote the apex court's order, the Welfare association thinks it should have been done a year in advance.

Prasad had earlier on November 1 held a meeting with licenced firecracker traders, retailers and citizen bodies to discussed the Supreme Court's order of banning the sale of firecrackers other than green crackers in Delhi-NCR.

In the meeting, it was discussed that retailers can only sell crackers certified by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

(With Agency Inputs)Ahmedabad: Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya, the Gujarat government Tuesday said it was keen on rechristening Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles.

Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past the legal hurdles and receives required support.

"People are still having a feeling that Ahmedabad should be renamed as Karnavati. If we get required support to overcome the legal hurdles, we are always ready to change the name of the city," Patel told reporters when asked if the state government had a plan to rename India's only city having the 'World Heritage' tag.

Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval.

Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. Had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed.

"We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time," Patel added.

Slamming the BJP government over the issue, state unit Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the promise to rename Ahmedabad was just another "poll gimmick" by the ruling party.

"For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus," said Doshi.

"BJP leaders dump such issues after coming to power. They only cheated Hindus all these years," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the eve of Diwali announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya.

"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)," Adityanath said in Ayodhya.

The BJP government in the northern state had already renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.Prime Minister Narendra Modi ringed in Diwali 2018 with Army jawans and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand on Wednesday morning. He later visited the Lord Shiva's Kedarnath Temple to offer prayers.

PM Modi offered sweets to the Jawans at Nilang valley at Indo-China Border at 11000 ft near Harsil Station.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians. He said that Diwali is the festival of lights; it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said that the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people, read a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Modi has been visiting soldiers on Diwali since 2014, the year he was elected as the Prime Minister.

In 2014, PM Modi had spent his Diwali in Siachen with jawans. Next year, he celebrated Diwali with BSF jawans on the LoC near the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab. In 2016, he was with ITBP jawans in Himachal Pradesh.

Lats year, PM Modi celebrated the festival of light with Army soldiers at Gurej in Jammu and Kashmir.

Later in the day, the PM offered prayers a the Kedarnath Temple.

Uttarakhand: PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/GHvnjcqCwr  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

The PM had laid down the foundation stone of Kedarpuri reconstruction projects during his visit to the temple last year.

Several new features including a meditation cave 400 metres above Kedarnath has been constructed. Built at a secluded spot 400 metres above the shrine, the cave will be shown to the prime minister from a distance as he is not scheduled to go there, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mangesh Ghildiyal, said.

With agency inputsNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kedarnath on the occasion of Diwali on Wednesday morning. In the evening, he will celebrate the festival with Army jawans.

The Prime Minister offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine and reviewed Kedarpuri reconstruction projects.

Later, he will head towards border areas to surprise troops.

While responding to Diwali greetings from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi tweeted, "Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes. Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, he will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special. I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. :)"

Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes. Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special. I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. :) @netanyahu https://t.co/gnouOA3QGt  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2018

In 2014, his first year as the Prime Minister, Modi spent Diwali at Siachen with Army jawans. Year after, he visited the Punjab border on Diwali to coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. In 2016, he travelled to Himachal Pradesh, spending time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost.

Last year, PM Modi visited soldiers at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir.

The PM had laid down the foundation stone of Kedarpuri reconstruction projects during his visit to the temple last year.

Several new features including a meditation cave 400 metres above Kedarnath has been constructed. Built at a secluded spot 400 metres above the shrine, the cave will be shown to the prime minister from a distance as he is not scheduled to go there, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mangesh Ghildiyal, said.Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav attacked the Yogi Adityanath government over the renaming of newly-built Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow in honour of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Although the SP chief expressed happiness over the renaming, he added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could have even constructed a new stadium after Vajpayee instead of renaming an existing one. Reports suggest that his statement came while he was offering prayers in Agra's Bateshwar Mahadev Temple on Tuesday.

The proposal to rename the stadium was approved by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik. The official name of the cricket ground, which is set to host the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series between India and West Indies today, is now 'Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium'.

According to a state government notice issued by Housing and Urban Planning Department Principal Secretary Nitin Ramesh Gokarn, it read, "As per the Article 17.5.1 of the concession agreement between Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), Ekana Sportz City Pvt Ltd and GC Constructions and Development Industries Pvt Ltd, the Governor has accepted the proposal to change the name of the international cricket stadium to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium situated in Sector 7 of Gomti Nagar Extension."

The stadium was named after Vajpayee, as the former prime minister was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Lucknow for five consecutive times between 1991 and 2009.

The ground is going to host an international match for the first time and has a seating capacity of around 50,000.The stadium was constructed during the previous tenure of the Samajwadi Party government under the watch of then Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

(With inputs from agencies)Houston, Texas, U.S., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In its first International Offshore Environmental Licensing Seminar, the AmCham Rio Environmental Licensing Study Group and FGV Energia featured the new environmental database created by the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) in partnership with the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA). On 7 November, Joao Correa of Spectrum, one of the IAGCs Governing Members, presented the details about the recently launched database.

The International Offshore Environmental Licensing Seminar brought together the key oil and gas environmental leaders to discuss issues and solutions of great relevance to the sector, such as: integrated environmental assessments, development and licensing management in Brazil, new technologies for decommissioning and the importance of an integrated database (to include the IAGC-developed Environmental Database), as well as promotion of a rich exchange of knowledge with international experiences.

ANP launched the IAGC Environmental Database at the Rio Oil & Gas Conference on 25 September and officially announced the project at a meeting at the American Chamber of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro (AmCham Rio). The database is designed to support environmental data management solutions related to the oil and gas segment. It will also facilitate cooperation between regulatory bodies such as IBAMA, ANP and the industry to advance and streamline environmental permitting, meeting the goals of the government and the industry.

The database has been hailed by IBAMA and ANP as a special moment of cooperation which will consolidate all environmental licensing data of oil and gas exploration phases in one place and will allow universal access to this data, which may be used for both society and businesses.

Next steps on the Environmental Database include conducting a meeting with operators HSE and digital transformation staff and conducting a digital transformation workshop with IBAMA.

# # #

About the IAGC

The IAGC is the global trade association solely dedicated to representing all segments of the geophysical and exploration industry. With more than 110 member companies worldwide the IAGC works to optimize the business and regulatory climate and to enhance public understanding to support a strong, viable geophysical industry essential to discovering and delivering the world's energy resources.

About the AmCham Rio

With 102 years of history, The American Chamber of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro (AmCham Rio) is a multi sectoral non-profit organization, spokesperson of more than 200 companies of large, medium and small sizes of several segments of the economy from the Rio de Janeiro State, as well as class associations and entities of the civil society. AmCham Rio is engaged in leveraging a friendly environment for business development, representing the interests of its members at all levels of the public and private spheres, promoting high level networking and strengthening the bilateral commercial relations with the USA.

Media Contact in Brazil

Juliana Botelho, Communication Coordinator

julianabotelho@amchamrio.com

+55 21 3213-9230Pune: Hundreds of people affected by drought in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra are now working at firecracker stalls in Pune city during the Diwali festival with a hope to earn a livelihood.

An estimated 3,000 people have found jobs at these temporary outlets set up across the city during the festive season, an association of firecracker stalls here claimed.

Maharashtra witnessed a deficient monsoon this year following which the state government recently declared drought in 151 talukas in 26 of the total 36 districts in the state.

These 26 districts include eight each in the Vidarbha and the Marathwada regions, five in North Maharashtra, four in western Maharashtra and Palghar district in the coastal Konkan region.

Santosh Bora, president of theShobhechi Daru Utpadak Kharidi Vikri Sahakari Sangh, a Pune-based umbrella body of firecracker outlets registered in 1961, said around 1,500 to 2,000 people from various parts of Marathwada come to work at these temporary shops every year.

"But this year, since the situation is bad out there (in Marathwada), over 3,000 people, including students, farmers and agri-workers, have come to Pune and are working at various firecracker stalls," he claimed.

Akash Kamble, a native of Sindala village in Latur district of Marathwada, said his father committed suicide three years ago after being unable to bear his debt burden.

Since then, Kamble has been coming to Pune during the festive season to work at firecracker shops and earn some money to take care of his mother and sister.

"The situation is grim this year due to the bad monsoon. But poor rains and lack of work opportunities have become a norm in our village. That's why I have been coming to Pune during Diwali to find work," the 22-year-old said.

Sachin Sonkamble, from Jewali village in Osmanabad district, has a similar story to tell.

"We have no farm land. My mother, brother and sister work as farm labourers. But because of the drought situation, no work is left for us in our area, prompting me and many others to turn to cities like Pune for work," he said.

Sonkamble, 25, who has been coming to the city for work since the last four-five years, said he hopes to earn around Rs 15,000 by the end of the festive season.

"This year, I have brought 10 more people from our village to work at the stalls here," he added.

Ram Hari Sartape, who hails from Sangavi village in Nilanga tehsil of Latur, is working as a salesman at a firecracker shop in Pune.

"We had sown chickpea on 1.5 acre of our land in the village, but the crop withered due to lack of rain. Since there is no work left there, I came here," Sartape said.

His cousin Ajit Sartape, who is pursuing a course at an industrial training centre in Nilanga, said he has come to Pune for the first time to work during his Diwali vacation.

"I don't want to burden my family for my education and also want to support them financially, so I am utilising this time to earn some money," he said.

Ghanshyam Khanchandani, manager of the city-based Bansiwala Fireworks, said, "We have five to six stalls and currently over 200 people from various parts of Marathawada are working there."

Besides giving jobs to these people, the objective is to help them become self-reliant, he said.

"Here, these people learn business skills like how to deal with customers, how to talk to them. This will help them if they plan to start their own business later," he said.Guwahati: A news report claiming United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah dying in an accident left intelligence agencies perplexed on Wednesday. Hours after a report appeared on an online news magazine, 'Look East' suggesting that Baruah met with an accident near the China-Myanmar border and later succumbed to his injuries, ULFA issued a statement refuting the report.

The statement issued by ULFA read, "We, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), have noticed that a fake news with regard to our vice chairman cum chief of staff hon'ble Major General Paresh Baruah Asom Sir has been circulated in a section of media about his so-called accident and death. We would like to clarify to our freedom loving people of Asom that our leader is safe and sound and has not met with an accident. This is a hoax message being spread by people with vested interest. We appeal to the people of Asom not to believe in this kind of propaganda regarding our leader in future."

However, officers within the special branch of Assam Police suggested that they had enough inputs that suggest that Baruah had met with an accident recently and was not keeping well due to high blood sugar, but could corroborate reports of his death.

"We had heard of Baruah meeting with an accident while he was on a bike in the hilly terrain of China-Myanmar border close to two-three months back. We are also aware of him suffering from high blood sugar. At the same time, we also had inputs that suggested that he was recovering. Today when we heard of news reports of his death, we got in touch with other intelligence and security agencies but none of them has confirmed the news of his death," said Pallab Bhattacharya, Special DG, Special Branch, Assam Police.

On the other hand, ULFA pro-talk faction's General Secretary, Anup Chetia claimed that the news of Baruah's death was not true. "I do not believe news of his death, these reports are not true. I am aware that he met with an accident about three months back in Ruili while he was on a motorcycle. Since then, he has called me up several times and told me that he was recovering. He told me that he fractured his bones and a toe. I received a call from him last Sunday but could not answer it as I was in a meeting," said Chetia.

In a recently held meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, India had asked China to not shelter Baruah. However, China had later dismissed all allegations of sheltering him.A veterinary services association on Wednesday questioned the absence of a veterinary doctor while tigress Avni was killed in Maharashtra.

The tigress, believed to be responsible for the death of 13 people, was killed in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district.

The Pashu Chikitsak Mahasangh, which is a Haryana based apex organisation, wrote a letter to the state's chief wildlife warden.

In the letter, the association alleged that the order to tranquilise and capture the tigress was a "serious breach" of Section 30(b) of the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984 as the task was entrusted to a private hunter, who is not a registered veterinarian.

It said Section 30(b) of the Act indicates that only veterinary practitioners registered either with the Veterinary Council of India or the Maharashtra State Veterinary Council are allowed to practice veterinary medicine.

Tigress Avni was killed on November 2 by Asgar Ali, son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, at compartment no 149 of Borati forest in Yavatmal as part of an operation.

The big cat is survived by two cubs, which are 10 months' old.

"Even though the order mentions that there are two veterinarians in his team, reports from the field indicate that neither of them was present during this operation, and allowing Ali to operate in this manner is a wilful breach of the law," the veterinary association alleged in the letter written on Tuesday.

The incident is claimed to have taken place from a distance of 8-10 metres from the tigress. No veterinarian was present on the spot and it seems very unlikely that the shooter may have had time to wait for the drug to work, it said.

"The whole exercise, as reported, seems to be extremely unscientific and illegally conducted," the body alleged.

Chirantan Kadian, president of the Mahasangh, told PTI that the dose (tranquiliser) calculation and drug administration is the sole authority of a registered qualified veterinary doctor, while a hunter "is simply a quack".

"If a veterinary doctor needs shooting expertise of a hunter he may get the job done under his supervision. Not only tranquilising, a veterinary doctor also has to revive the animal through a drug antidote," he said.

"No private hunter is in any way qualified and trained to manage the overdose consequences of drug, manage shock, dehydration, overexertion of the animals, that is frequent in such cases," Kadian said.

He further said the order to shoot the tigress should not be taken as a precedent and that in future, only services of registered veterinarians be used.

The killing of the tigress had sparked a war of words between Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, with the former publicly criticising the latter over the operation and seeking his ouster from the state cabinet.

As the row escalated, Mungantiwar Tuesday asked Gandhi to take moral responsibility of deaths of children due to malnutrition during her tenure and resign.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said there was no need for Mungantiwar to resign and that he would speak to Gandhi over the issue.BAMENDA, Cameroon: All 78 children and a driver kidnapped in southwest Cameroon were released on Wednesday, but a principal and one teacher are still being held by the armed men that took them, a priest conducting negotiations said.

"Praise God seventy eight children and the driver have been released. The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying," Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, said, two days after they were taken into the bush by armed men.

He had earlier put the number of children taken at 79, but one of their number was in fact a teacher, who remains with the kidnappers.Open source

Yuriy Lutsenko:

We live in a distorted informational atmosphere. Today, Putin, who attacked the country and killed thousands of soldiers and civilians, is not to blame for the war, but people point at Poroshenko and all those in power because people are eager for this power.



Today, Yanukovych, who robbed the country and fled to Moscow, is not blamed, but those who took two billion from him and brought it to the budget. Today they are blaming not those who killed Hanzdiuk and who were detained by the National Police, but those who, according to the investigator, do not indicate the contractor; they need to seize power. This is all a struggle for power. On these TVairs.



Therefore, I am submitting my resignation to the President of Ukraine today so that there would be no doubt that one clings to power. And you, the parliament, should consider this question. Please do it this week. I will do my work. Everything that I promised Kateryna Handziuk in the hospital will be done.



But I cannot allow diarchy in the country, when the law-enforcement system is destroyed without evidence, even for the solved crimes. As the head of the law enforcement system, I am resigning today. And it is up to you, will Mustafa Nayem lead the investigation and name the perpetrators from the TV screen or, perhaps, the law enforcement agencies that are criminally responsible for this will do it.



Yegor Sobolev:



In fact, the Attorney General and the Minister of the Interior say that a public activist, a journalist, a caring person must die, and then your death will be investigated well. To a certain level. Many people would survive, many people would not be crippled if from the very beginning, from the first attacks, which began during Euromaidan, and never stopped, but are increasing to this day, they find performers, and most importantly the contractors. Many people would not be afraid.



The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the head of the National Police, the prosecutor general  dont they understand what it is that impunity pushes people for the attacks? Impunity of customers and their protection from the police, heads of prosecutors in the field. Does anyone in this room really think that without consent or an agreement with the leadership of the local power structures, someone will look for executors, pay them money, and ask to attack this or that person? How long will this go on?

... Dear people's deputies, the same situation took place the last year, when a gang of bastards tried to highlight the murder of lawyer Nozdrovska and shed here a sea of false tears that the investigation was doing nothing, and when the accused in the murder went to court, no one of these bastards - this and that - even go to the court hearing. Nobody cares! And today, the National Front party is engaged in the funeral of Handziuk, not these figures who collect their bloody dividends on this. And if the former chairman of the committee, who was supposed to lead the entire anti-corruption policy, still does not understand the difference between procedural guidance and the investigation, which has been absent for a year in the Prosecutors Office, then this is not the chairman of the committee, but simply a minor who has brain diarrhea here, right in the hall...

... There is a lot of information on this crime and on similar ones. I would like to give you the following information. Last week, in the town of Uman, the husband of a woman who was 8 months pregnant regularly beat her at night. She ran away and rented an apartment. The scoundrels doused her with acid. After that, she fled to the Vinnytsia region to a shelter for victims of family violence, two masked men penetrated at night and a woman, who was already 9 months pregnant, was attacked with a knife. And we are also investigating this matter. And the National Police detained the performers and is now following the trail of the customer.



There are about 3 million rifled weapons in our country. 1,241 homicide for obvious reasons. And when people's deputies here in the hall or on television say that I killed them, I personally react to it. I actually sit day and night in that damned chair and do everything for activists, for pacifists, for deputies, for the opposition, for the authorities, for the pensioner and the millionaires to ensure law and justice.



I ask those who cannot help, please, at least do not interfere! You cannot turn the incomplete investigation into the analysis of the parliament rostrum. This is madness. The first turn took place yesterday, it means that we have already reduced the chances of finding the assassin's paymaster by 30%. Today, this hype continues. We are told that the prosecutors office does not investigate, but covers the crime. Who covered whom and where? No one cares about it.



In the Handziuk case, criminal production was registered from the first second. At her insistence, there were two productions, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Security Service. The performers are established, the organizer is established, we stand half a step away from the customer, but here benefactors appear who, because of the leak, want to say that they revealed something.The recognition of the Kyiv Church independence by the Patriarchate of Constantinople highlighted the fault lines in the Orthodox Christian world, which dates back to the 15th century. Even at that time, the Moscow Church called itself the third Rome, and this desire is in fact consistent with the ideas of the Kremlin, which has long wished to return Russia to the status of a world power. The teacher of the of Mimar Sinan University historical department, Professor Ilyas Kemaloglu follows the historical traces of this deep schism ...



With the recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the process of independence of this church acquired a completely different dimension. The Russian Orthodox Church declared the Patriarchate of Constantinople to be schismatic. The Orthodox world has faced one of the biggest crises, not only in recent decades, but throughout its entire history. In addition, this crisis seems to affect political relations both between the countries involved and between some states in the region and in the world.



In reality, the struggle between Moscow and Constantinople in the religious sphere did not begin recently. This struggle dates back to the end of the 16th century, when the Moscow Church was elevated to the dignity of the patriarchate. Although the Patriarchate of Constantinople is considered the first among equals and even unofficially the ecumenical patriarchy, the fact that the majority of the Orthodox population lives in Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate has such a powerful state as Russia makes the Russian Orthodox Church very strong. The location of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on the territory of a Muslim country and the marriage of Russian Tsar Ivan III to the daughter of the last Byzantine emperor, Sofya (the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI), were the factors that strengthened the status and position of Moscow, and Moscow starting from the XV century, declared itself the third Rome.



These claims of Moscow have always been preserved except, perhaps, only during the Soviet period. Since in Soviet times, religion was considered the most important obstacle to the spread of Soviet ideology, atheistic propaganda was launched, and all religious institutions, including the Russian Church, suffered great damage. Therefore, during this period, the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate decreased, and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, on the contrary, strengthened its position in the Orthodox world, which earlier was weakened with the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks. But over the past 27 years since the collapse of the USSR, the Moscow Patriarchate regained its former strength and influence. At the same time, we see that the influence and jurisdiction of the Russian Church unofficially spread over the post-Soviet space, and it took a new mission: to be a unifying element between the post-Soviet republics and to preserve the domination of Moscow in these territories in the religious sphere. But, like the Kremlin, the Russian Orthodox Church does not want to dwell on the status of "regional power." While the Kremlin is opposed to the unipolar world order of the United States, the Moscow Patriarchate does not want to recognize the Patriarchate of Constantinople as "the first among equals". One of the main indicators of this is the fact that the Moscow Patriarch Kirill did not participate in the Pan-Orthodox Council convened by Patriarch Bartholomew in 2016 on the island of Crete, which have been prepared for 55 years. Obviously, Kirill didnt make all these decisions alone, because, like the previous patriarchs, he also has close relations with the Kremlin. Although in Russia religion is separated from the state, the history of the Russian church is intertwined with politics.



The Russian step against the independence of the Ukrainian church, the demonstrated reaction is entirely political in nature. Despite the tensions that exist today in relations between Russia and Ukraine, Russians and Ukrainians descend from the same race, and in such doctrines and projects of the Kremlin as the "Slavic Union," the "Orthodox Union," and "Third Rome" Ukraine plays an important role. After Russian land, the Slavic Orthodox population most of all lives in the territory of fraternal Ukraine. These ideas may never be realized, but this "unity" plays an important role in the existence of the Russian state, in maintaining the nationalist feelings of the people and, finally, in making it "feel special." Another reason why Moscow does not want to lose Ukraine is this: Russian history is closely intertwined with Ukraine. The first state of Russians was Kievan Rus, one of the first capitals was Kyiv, the first metropolis was established in Kyiv, Kyiv is considered the "mother of Russian cities" - all this and other things make Kyiv and Ukraine important from the point of view of Russian history and Russia's place in the Orthodox and Slavic world. Now, Moscow faces the risk of losing all this, while it made the Russian people believe that the third Rome will stand forever and will never fall.

At the same time, we can say that the position of the "opposite side" is also political. President of Ukraine Poroshenko, seeking to ensure the acquisition of an independent church, wants to sever all ties with Russia after Crimea joined the Russian Federation. This step can also be regarded as the strongest blow that Kyiv inflicts on Moscow. And the Patriarchate of Constantinople took the side of Ukraine. Because regardless of whether it recognizes such its right or, according to Moscow, acts outside the canonical field, this step of the Constantinople Patriarchate in any case harms its position and image in the Orthodox world. As noted above, despite the "equality" in the hierarchy, Constantinople has a special position. And now the Moscow Patriarchate, which unites more than half of the Orthodox population of the world, has severed all ties with Constantinople and accused the patriarch of splitting. In addition, the Orthodox in Russia also considered Constantinople to be an important religious center. Moreover, in recent years, the number of visits made by Orthodox believers in Russia with the aim of visiting Orthodox religious structures in Turkey has increased, or, in other words, religious tourism has even begun to develop.



Russians calls political step the recognition of the Ukrainian church by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, despite the fact that lately relations between the Moscow and Constantinople patriarchs were at a good level. Voicing this point of view, Russian experts proceed from several circumstances. First, this crisis comes at a time of tension in relations between Moscow and Athens. Secondly, the Patriarchate of Constantinople sent clergymen from the USA and Canada to Ukraine as representatives. And the Russian authorities openly say that the United States is behind this process, and their goal is to harm Russia's interests in the religious sphere, as well as in the political and economic spheres. According to those who wish to further confuse the problem, one of the reasons for this process is the desire to harm the Turkish-Russian relations, which, after the plane crash, again went up the mountain. Again, in this context, suggestions are being made that the Kremlin allegedly asked Ankara for support in this matter and called on the Turkish authorities to put pressure on the Patriarchate of Constantinople in order to force it to reconsider its move. At the same time, Ankara, on the agenda of which there are many internal and external problems, does not want to interfere in this matter.



As can be seen, this religious problem of the Orthodox world, which has its roots in the historical past, has a very multifaceted political dimension. And this creates a big obstacle in order to continue to solve the problem in a different way than now. Thus, the Orthodox world received a serious blow. After this step of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Russian Church decided to impose sanctions. The Moscow Patriarchate forbade not only its priests to hold services in the churches of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, but also their parishioners to pray in these churches. And most importantly, the Russian Orthodox Church declared Patriarch Bartholomew a "schismatic."



Against the background of these events, other churches will be forced, albeit implicitly, to support one of the parties. The Polish, Serbian, Antiochian churches are already taking the side of the Russian Church. Moreover, Russia also announced that it did not recognize the decisions of Constantinople, and the Russian Church will continue to remain in Ukraine. And this shows that the struggle and the redistribution of property between the churches in Ukraine will continue. In the long term, even if Ukraine acquires a national church, all this will further intensify the struggle in political and other spheres in this country, further aggravate Ukraine-Russia relations and, accordingly, negatively affect relations between Russia and the EU and the United States. In other words, it is impossible to say that any political or religious side of this problem will benefit. And while pointing to the West as the culprit of all problems is erroneous, the real fact is that this problem in the political sense will benefit the USA, and in the religious sense  it will benefit the Protestants and Catholics in Europe.

Read the original article at KararOpen source

On November 6, Russian armed militants attacked Ukrainian positions in Donbas seven times; a Ukrainian serviceman sustained wounds in combat. The Joint Forces Operation HQ reported that on Facebook.

'The enemy opened adjusted fire from grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns and small arms. The most intense combat activity was observed near Krymske. Hostile attacks were observed in the areas of Zaitsevo, Novhorodske, Pisky, Mariinka, Starohnativka and Pavlopol', the message says.

Recently, the Ukrainian military reported second unauthorized flight of a drone near its ammo depot over the last 48 hours. The actual incident took place on November 5, the Defense Ministry reports.

At about 6.30 p.m. Tuesday, the guards detected an approaching UAV that was closing in on the altitude of approximately 300 meters.

The guard detachments were reinforced and storage premises were duly checked for foreign objects. The State Security Service and the National Guard were immediately informed of the incident.Russia is continuing to implement its boa constrictor strategy in the Sea of Azov, aimed at strangling the economy of Ukraines littoral areas (see EDM, February 22, April 12, May 22, 31, June 11, 28). The overall situation has sharpened since this spring, when the Russian coast guard first began systematically boarding and carrying out purposefully time-consuming inspections of merchant vessels traveling to and from Ukraines Azov Sea ports. In the past six months, a total of 683 merchant vessels (Gazeta.ua, November 2) from 19 countries, including four Black Sea states (Bulgaria, Romania, Turley and Ukraine), have been targeted by this type of Russian activity (Blackseanews.net, July 10).

According to Volodymyr Omelyan, the Ukrainian minister of infrastructure, Russian harassment of Azov Sea shipping has already caused more than one billion hryvnas ($36 million) in losses for Ukraines economy (Ukrinform, October 26). In fact, this Russian activity specifically aims to destabilize the socio-economic situation in the major Ukrainian port cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk, which could be a preface to intensive hybrid or even large-scale military scenariosakin to what took place in Crimea almost five years ago.

The Kremlin authorities argue that the Russian coast guards activities out at sea are being carried out in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). But, in reality, Russia has been abusing both the letter and spirit of international maritime law. Only vessels directed to/from Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov are being inspected by Russian patrols. And such inspections continue to be unjustifiably long. For example, the delay in passage through the Kerch Strait by Canadian bulker Federal Nagara reached 282 hours; and Turkish vessel Kaleli Anawas held for 132 hours. Some boarding inspections take place only 35 miles from the Ukrainian coastthat is, well within Ukraines territorial waters, which, as recognized by international law, extend 12 nautical miles out from the coast (Blackseanews.net, August 2, October 22).

This Russian activity at sea is accompanied by Moscows disregard of the Ukrainian-Russian agreement on cooperation in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, signed in 2003specifically, the provision on the joint delimitation of the Azov waters. Although having recently weighed the possibility of withdrawing from the bilateral agreement (see EDM, October 17), for now Ukrainian officials say they do not wish to abandon it (UNIAN, October 30). Nevertheless, the Russian sides boldness in approaching the Ukrainian shore has disoriented Ukrainian naval and coast guard forces regarding how they should react to these provocations and how best to protect Ukraines national interests at sea.

The ongoing militarization of the Sea of Azov is becoming a serious issue as well, and it has already raised concerns among officials in the European Parliament (Ukrinform, October 23). To date, Moscow has deployed at least 120 different military and patrol ships to the Sea of Azov since April (Ukrainian Pravda, October 30). Moreover, those deployments should be considered in conjunction with the concentration of Russias joint military forces near Ukrainian borders, including land and amphibious troops, combat aviation and strictly offensive long-range missile carriers. From this, it is possible to reason that the Kremlin apparently has not given up on the idea of eventually trying to forcibly create a land corridor (across southeastern Ukraine) from Russia to Crimea (5.ua, October 30) and continues to use hybrid tactics to create favorable conditions for such an operation.

The same Kremlin approach based on force domination is obvious in the Black Sea as well. Notably, Moscow has created mobile anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zones around occupied Ukrainian natural gas rigs located in the north part of the Black Sea. This has left only a narrow maritime passage between those A2/AD bubbles and Snake Island (Ukraine) for international navigation to/from the economically and strategically important Odesa-Mykolaiv-Kherson port hub (Zn.ua, August 23). No visible Russian naval activity has been reported inside this corridor yet; but the pattern of Russian behavior in the Sea of Azov points to the potential for looming threats ahead.

In the face of this dangerous Russian activity in the maritime domain, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has instructed the government to speed up preparations for a new maritime doctrine (Ukrinform, September 6) as well as to reinforce Ukraines own naval presence in the Sea of Azov and to build up urgently needed naval infrastructure there (Tyzhden.ua, September 7). And more recently, the European Parliament called on the European Union to toughen Russia sanctions if the situation in the Azov Sea escalates further (UNIAN, October 25).

Ukraines agricultural and industrial sectors are linked by sea to more than 120 countries around the world (Antikor, January 2018). Thus, Russias hybrid strategy to turn the Sea of Azov into an internal Russian lake has the potential to seriously undermine not only the security situation in Ukraine but also in the broader Black Sea region and beyond. These Russian limitations on the freedom of navigation in the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait could easily and rapidly escalate into an open regional conflict. Measures taken in the earliest stages of a crisis tend to be most effective at preventing its further escalation. Yet, Black Sea states have so far not come together in formulating a common response to address the worsening maritime security situation in their region.

Meanwhile, Kyivs two most important priorities to address this threat are arguably to quickly approve an updated maritime doctrine and naval strategy as well as to take steps to build up a mosquito fleet (see EDM, March 9, 2017) capable of defending the freedom of navigation in the Black and Azov Seas. As such, collaboration with the United States on the procurement of Island-class cutters as well as Mark V and Mark VI fast combat boats could be essential as Kyiv strives to reestablish sovereign control over its littoral waters and seeks to prevent open conflict at sea with its aggressive eastern neighbor.

Read the original text at The Jamestown Foundation.

Related video:Bridge which connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean Peninsula, in the Kerch Strait, Crimea, April 25, 2018 Reuters

Having illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Moscow lost no time in seizing Ukrainian energy assets in and around the region. The Kremlin is now conducting another experiment in economic and military operations, but this one has profound implications beyond Ukraine.



Before the seizure of Crimea, both Ukraine and Russia agreed to regard the Sea of Azov as the internal waters of each state. Thus, the states had shared sovereignty over that body of water; in the case of disputes, they would resolve them jointly.



This result held until the invasion of Crimea. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimsin utter defiance of both facts and international lawthat Sevastopol has always been Russian, and Crimea is now Russian and will never be detached from Russia. Further, Moscow says that there is no need to renegotiate the original treaty with Ukraine governing the status of the Sea of Azov.



But while making these statements, Moscow has been busy building a bridge over the Kerch Strait and a railway upon that bridge. This bridge was deliberately built at a height that all but precludes Ukrainian commercial traffic from operating in the Sea of Azov, thus placing the port of Mariupol in economic jeopardy. And in another contravention of international law, it has declared that it will block any NATO attempt to send ships into the Sea of Azov, even if they are invited by Ukraine.

Russian officials are also boarding Ukrainian ships illegally, enforcing a blockade of the Sea of Azov and of Ukraines coastline while also reinforcing its fleet in the area. Additionally, they are threatening to launch a variety of potential military operations against Ukraine: naval shelling of land targets, an amphibious operation against Mariupol or the coastline, and another ground force invasion, all supported by naval artillery.



Ukraine does not have the means to counter these threats. What it needs is foreign help in the form of weapons from the United States so that it can build a joint land, sea, and (if necessary) air force to deter Russian military actions in order to relieve economic pressure. US Ambassador Kurt Volker has stated Washingtons willingness to offer Ukraine more weapons. This statement now needs to be backed up by action.



However, the issue of the Sea of Azov does not end here: there is more at stake than just Ukraine. The international community cannot recognize the right of Russia to seize territory by force, annex it, and then pretend that it has always been and will continue to be Russian. That opens the door to further adventures across the former Soviet and even Tsarist empire, jeopardizing every state from Finland to Bulgaria.



Moreover, even a casual examination of Russian actions reveals the deep and continuing parallels with Chinas equally illegitimate actions in the South and East China Sea. In the Asian case, the United States has mounted and continues to stage numerous Freedom of Navigation Operations to demonstrate to China that it will uphold the time-honored principle of the freedom of the seas.



This principle is no less at stake in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Ideally, NATO, at Kyivs invitation, should send a fleet to Mariupol to shatter the pretense of Russian sovereignty and show Putin that the invasion of Ukraine has brought NATO into Ukraine. This is precisely the outcome Russia aimed to avert.



While it is not likely that NATO will follow this advice, it is equally unlikely that Russia would successfully block it or shoot at it; Ukrainian ships have already exercised there without problem. Moscows emulation of Chinese operations here also suggests not just the well-known shared dialogues and learning that have gone on between their general staffs for a decade. There is also the implication of something like an informal military alliance, whereby one side probes the US in one theater and, depending on the reaction, the other side follows suit in a different region.



Clarifying to Moscow and everyone else that the United States will defend freedom of navigation and Ukrainian sovereignty in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is no less important than doing so in the South China Sea. And it is high time that we did so along with our NATO allies; this is as vital an interest to them as it is to us.

Read the original text here.Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has emotionally claimed that Parliament had either voted for his resignation or did not to interfere with the investigation

Open source

Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has emotionally claimed that Parliament had either voted for his resignation or did not to interfere with the investigation. The MPs and the Prosecutor General publicly quarreled, and then only 38 MPs voted for Lutsenkos resignation. However, many people called this happening a farce and a political trick of Yuriy Lutsenko.

It's long been rumored that Lutsenko to be dismissed soon. It was also rumored that part of President Poroshenkos entourage would like the current prosecutor general to become Ukraines new prime minister. After the appointment, Lutsenko himself stated that he had temporarily entered the office. In mid-September 2018, the Prosecutor General did not rule out the creation of a joint political force with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

"We are talking with everyone who thinks the same way as I do, I mean, about the country and the politics. For example, I negotiate with Vitali Klitschko, with whom I have established long-standing friendly relations. I think we are kindred spirits. I do not rule out that we would create a common political force," he said. At the same time, Lutsenko hinted that he could join Klitschkos Udar party, and added that he would not take part in the 2019 presidential election campaign.

During the YES forum in September, the Prosecutor General clarified that he would leave the office in May next year after the completion of the presidential election.

The new plenary week has revived the issue of Lutsenkos resignation. November 5, Ukraines Parliament invited the leadership of the National Police, General Prosecutors Office and Security Service of Ukraine to hear the report on the investigation of the attack on public activist Kateryna Handziuk. 222 peoples deputies voted for, 150 votes would be enough.

Lutsenko first came up with his speech. He criticized the intention to create a Temporary Investigation Commission to examine the death of an activist, and also voiced some accusations of disclosing the secrets of the investigation.

All this already happened in the past, when bastards tried to attach themselves to the murder of Nozdrovska and used to spill an ocean of tears here insisting that the investigation is at standstill. When the accused defendant, charged with murder, went to court, none of these bastards has shown up in the court. Nobody cares! And today the National Front (a political party of Ukraine founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Oleksandr Turchynov in 2014, - 112.international) works on the funeral of Handziuk, but not these public figures who only pick up their bloody dividends. If the head of the committee who had to run the whole anti-corruption policy still doesnt understand the difference between procedural command and investigation, which doesnt exist for a year in the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, then he is a greenhorn with brain diarrhea and not ahead of the committee. Apparently, Lutsenko was speaking about Ehor Sobolev, who was the head of the anti-corruption committee of the Verkhovna Rada until recently.

The statement of the Prosecutor General surprised the parliamentarians. So, the people's deputy from Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction Oksana Prodan said that she "did not understand what to vote for." Our own sources in the National Front faction called Lutsenkos actions a political maneuver to relieve the tension, in particular in connection with the investigation of Handziuks case. However, it seems that the Presidential Administration was aware of the plans of the Prosecutor General.

In any case, First Deputy Speaker Iryna Gerashchenko, who is considered the close person to the president, called on Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy to put the question on Lutsenkos resignation on the agenda, and well see that the coalition does vote for it." Only 38 deputies voted for.

It should be noted that Lutsenkos resignation has been voted in violation of the procedure because the president should submit this idea to the Rada.

Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction has benefited from the resignation of the Prosecutor General. Thus, deputy chairman of the faction Oleksiy Honcharenko stated that "the prosecutor general received a political vote of confidence."

This is a kind of hype or farce associated with Lutsenkos desire to return to big politics, said our sources in the National Front faction.

Despite criticism from the prosecutor general, the parliament supported the creation of a Temporary Investigation Commission to inspect attacks against activists and the murder of Kateryna Handziuk with 155 votes. It was headed by non-fractional MP Boryslav Bereza. Conclusions and decisions of the commission are not decisive for the investigation and the court.

In turn, part of the deputies, mainly from among the "Euro-optimists" group, intends to try again to dismiss Lutsenko. However, it is unlikely that he would leave his post before the presidential elections in 2019.

Read the original text at 112.ua.

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Earlier, the Russian delegation in Minsk talks group said it was ready to recognize the outcome of the election

Open source

Holding the 'elections' in the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions may cause the launch of a new wave of sanctions against Russia. Petro Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine said this at a high-level international conference.

'I expect that the so-called fake elections that Russia decided to hold on November 11 will launch the introduction of new sanctions, showing that the West's patience has its limits, too. It's time to speak not about weakening the sanctions against Russia, but about strengthening them. And the current news from the U.S. is totally positive for the entire Euro-Atlantic community', Poroshenko said.

Earlier, the Russian militants announced that the local election would be held on the territory of 'people's republics' in Donbas on November 11, 2018. This is due to the assassination of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the former leader of 'Donetsk People's Republic'.

The Russian delegation in Minsk talks group said it was ready to recognize the outcome of the election. Poroshenko, on the other hand, added that the 'election' would have no legal consequences and would not be recognized by the international community.

Most recently, the U.S. Department of the State reported to the Congress, stating that Russia fails to observe the 1991 U.S. law on the ban of the military use of chemical and biological weapons. This will result in tough sanctions against the Kremlin, Heather Nauert, the authority spokeswoman said.Ukraine and Latvia agreed on sharing experience in the creation of self-defense militias, an organization of work of civil-military administrations

Latvia plans to open its consular office in Donetsk region. Secretary of Ministry of Defense of Latvia and leadership of Donetsk Regional State Administration discussed this at a meeting, Chairman of the Regional State Administration Oleksandr Kuts reported this on Facebook.

In addition, Latvia has included representatives of National Guard and National Armed Forces to this delegation to learn Ukraine's experience, in particular, managerial and military skills acquired by Ukraine during the years of resistance to Russian armed aggression.

We agreed on the sharing experience in the creation of self-defense militias, an organization of work of civil-military administrations, military chaplains etc. Kuts claimed.

Latvia firmly stands on the positions of restoring peace and the territorial integrity of our state and in every way contributes to this from the very beginning of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

The countries cooperate in the areas of humanitarian aid, an organization of leisure activities of the children of the dead Ukrainian military, rehabilitation of the wounded, and this cooperation will continue in the future, the Chief Chaplain of the National Armed Forces of Latvia claimed.President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko claimed that Russia seeks to undermine the unity of the European Union and to interfere in the electoral process both in Ukraine and in the EU countries. Poroshenko claimed this at the international conference of high level Lessons of the hybrid decade: necessary things to know to move forward, reports the press office of the Presidential Administration.

This hybrid war is aimed to undermine the norms of Ukraine and the entire democratic world. By hitting from inside but not through direct attacks. It is getting prepared not only for Ukrainian elections but for the European Parliament elections too. Very actively. Preparing for the elections in selected countries of the European Union. What for? In order to undermine the unity of the European Union. There is a clear understanding: what is the point of going to war with Europe if you can dilute the European idea itself? Why conquer someone physically, if it can be done spiritually and mentally?' Poroshenko claimed.

Earlier, the representatives of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence reported on the interference of Russia in the U.S. elections by publishing paid posts on Facebook.

As it was reported before, in the framework of the investigation of Russia meddling in the U.S. presidential election in 2016, the U.S. has accused 13 Russian citizens.

The statement accuses Internet Research Agency also known as Russian troll factory. There are 13 people on the list who are believed to have aided the organization in spreading propaganda: Mikhail Bystrov, Mikhail Burchik, Aleksandra Krylova, Anna Bogacheva, Sergey Polozov, Maria Bovda, Robert Bovda, Dzheyknuh Aslanov, Vadim Podkopaev, Gleb Vasilchenko, Irina Kaverzina, and Vladimir Venkov, and Evgeniy Prigozhyn.Previously, Washington warned Moscow that the restrictions would follow if Russia failed to provide guarantees on not using the chemical weaponry before the deadline on November 6

Open source

U.S. Department of the State reported to the Congress, stating that Russia fails to observe the 1991 U.S. law on the ban of the military use of chemical and biological weapons. This will result in tough sanctions against the Kremlin, Heather Nauert, the authority spokeswoman said as quoted by Reuters.

'Today, the Department informed Congress we could not certify that the Russian Federation met the conditions required by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991,' Nauert said. 'We intend to proceed in accordance with the terms of the CBW Act, which directs the implementation of additional sanctions'.

In August, the U.S. reported that a new sanctions package will be implemented, concerning the dual-use products and technologies. The restrictions are due to the attack on ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

The U.S. pointed out that the Russian government has used chemical weapons in the breach of the international legal frameworks - and against its own citizens.

Previously, Washington warned Moscow that the restrictions would follow if Russia failed to provide guarantees on not using the chemical weaponry before the deadline on November 6. The U.S. decision to implement the sanctions might take effect by the end of the month.The personnel of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) jointly with the Prosecutors office of Autonomous Republic of Crimea detained an internet-agitator in Kyiv, who created an anti-Ukrainian channel on the Internet, reports the press office of SBU.

Within the framework of open criminal proceeding, detectives established that the perpetrator created a video channel on the Internet in 2015, where he posted anti-Ukrainian content for the destabilization of the social-political situation in our country, on the instruction of the representatives of Russian organizations controlled by Russian intelligence, reads the message.

The law enforcement officers documented that the man has been visiting Russia every month, where he held meetings, was receiving instructions from curators and fees for fulfilled work and creation of new anti-Ukrainian projects.

According to SBU, the law enforcement officers seized electronic equipment, drafts with scenarios of provocative information videos, which have evidentiary meaning, during the searches at the place of residence of the detainee.

Along with this, the intelligence agents established that the man planned to move to Russia, in order to evade responsibility for the anti-Ukrainian activity, the curators helped him to set up a studio.

Now, the detainee is served with charged papers in committing criminal offenses under Art 109 (overthrow the constitutional order) and Art 110 (violation of the territorial integrity) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is decided to select him a preventive measure of remand in custody.

Earlier, the SBU personnel undertook a series of searches of a number of representatives of the pro-Russian public organization, including the mother of the ex-people's deputy from the Party of Regions, Iryna Berezhna. All of them were suspected of having helped the Russian intelligence in the realization of a plan for the destabilization of the social-political situation in Ukraine.They addressed Russian President in response the Russian sanction list issued last week. Putin is called a Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself

Ukrainian MPs address Putin in a cossak manner, the addressee is called a Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself https://www.facebook.com/alexeygoncharenko

Ukrainian MPs, listed by Russia in their recent sanction list, staged a performance in the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament of Ukraine, and read their letter to Vladimir Putin. Several politicians put on vyshyvankas, traditional hats of lambskin and sable, used a goose quill as a pen, drawing analogy with a painting by Russian artist Ilya Repin Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (18801891)  a famous canvas depicting Cossacks sending a reply to an ultimatum of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed IV, on his demand to surrender without any resistance back in 1676.

The text of the message is styled in a cossak manner, the addressee is called a Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself.

https://www.facebook.com/alexeygoncharenko Ukrainian MPs address Putin in a cossak manner, the addressee is called a Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself https://www.facebook.com/alexeygoncharenko Ukrainian MPs address Putin in a cossak manner, the addressee is called a Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself

The full text in translation:

To Vladimir Putin, on November 7, 2018 year of Our Lord.

O president, Moscow devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself.

What the devil kind of knight are thou, that canst not slay a hedgehog with your naked arse?

Thou shalt not, thou son of a whore, make subjects of Ukrainian sons; we have no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee.

So the Ukrainian people declare, you lowlife.

You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians.

Now we'll conclude, for we know the date and own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year in the book, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!

Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, painting, Ilya Repin, 1880 - 1891 Open source

As we reported earlier, on November 1, Russia imposed sanctions against 322 Ukrainians and 38 Ukrainian companies, while President Poroshenko was not included into the list and the Kremlin explained why. Besides, the sanctions list can be extended or shortened as the Russian government reported.

In his turn, Poroshenko stated that 'the Russian decision on the sanctions was not unexpected'.

The National Bank also commented on Russias actions  the representatives of the institution stated that the sanctions would not significantly influence Ukraines macro-stability.

Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin called this a beginning of a 'multi-episode series'.Niinisto assured that Finland supports Ukraine in the fight for the restoration of the territorial integrity

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko discussed with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto steps for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, reports the press office of the Presidential Administration.

The parties discussed further steps for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia. President of Ukraine thanked the Finnish colleague for his personal active position in this issue, reads the message.

Poroshenko stressed the readiness of Ukraine to continue strengthening bilateral trade cooperation. The importance of the forthcoming visit of the President of Finland to Ukraine was noted in this context.

Niinisto assured that Finland supports Ukraine in the fight for the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity by supporting reforms in Ukraine.

Poroshenko thanked Finland for tangible assistance in overcoming humanitarian consequences of Russian aggression in Donbas.

As it was reported earlier, Poroshenko pays a two-day official working visit to Finland.Five coastal states plan to discuss state of the cooperation and prospects of the partnership and the predicted challenges and threats of the security in the Black Sea region

In Odesa, Forum of the Black Sea Border Cooperation has started, in which, the leaders of the border and coast security of the coastal states of the regions, including Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Georgia, and Bulgaria participate as the press service of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported.

"Exactly in these days, 12 years ago, the Treaty on Cooperation between Border Services of Black Sea Coastal States was signed. Today, Ukraine host the Forum of Black Sea Border Cooperation for the third time," Petro Tsyhikal, the Head of the Border Guard Service reported.

The Ukrainian service reminded that six countries agreed to actively cooperate in the issues of the counteracting, distribution of weapon of mass destruction, trafficking, and illegal migration and to provide the security of navigation, protection of the biological resources and coordinate the efforts in the rescue and search operations.

At the beginning of the session, Ukraine took from Romania the chairmanship of the Forum for the next year.

"Representing the achievements of the Forum in 2018, the Romanian side thanked countries for the cooperation and efforts aimed for the fights against the trafficking and human trafficking in the Black Sea," the message said.

At the same time, one of the sides of the Forum, the Russian Federation, was not invited due to the non-observance of its commitments and violation of the norms of the international law.

During the Forum, the sides plan to discuss the state of the cooperation and prospects of the partnership and the predicted challenges and threats of the security in the Black Sea region.

Besides, the consolidation of the efforts at all directions, considering the last events and current issues should become the main part of the agenda.

As we reported, Ukraine had to block the adoption of the annual budget of the Commission on the Black Sea Protection due to the participation of the so-called "representatives of Crimea."The consideration of the case is scheduled for November 15

The court prolonged the arrest of the Ukrainian political prisoner Pavlo Gryb, whom Russian special services kidnapped during his visit to Belarus and accused of preparing a terrorist attack, as his father Igor Gryb said, UNN reported.

As it is noted, the arrest was prolonged till April 24, 2019.

The consideration of the case is scheduled for November 15.

Earlier, it was reported that Ihor Gryb claimed that Pavlo is being psychologically pressured in the penitentiary facility. As is known, he also suffers from portal hypertension. This is why he needs special medicine on the daily basis. The Ukrainian side had repeatedly asked the Russian authorities to allow that. The Russian Federation responded that the Ukranian had no health issues.

Pavlo Gryb is the son of the former Ukrainian border guard Ihor Gryb. The Russian special service detained the 19-year-old boy on August 25, 2017, when he went to Gomel (Belarus) to meet his friend. Later, he was convoyed to Russia. The Russian law enforcers suspect Pavlo Gryb of preparing a terrorist attack in a school in Sochi (a city in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, located on the Black Sea coast, - 112 International).The prosecutor's office will need at least 16 days for holding of the experiment

In Kyiv, dismantling of the Heavenly Hundred monument at the alley with the same name has begun as BBC reported.

A crane arrived at the monument to take it away.

Preliminary, the crosses and portraits of the deceased partakers of Euromaidan will not be removed; they will be moved for some distance, closer to the chapel as Kyiv City State Administration claimed. The Security Service of Ukraine reported that the activists agreed for the dismantling.

It was planned to dismantle the memorial at the end of October to hold the reconstruction, which should establish from which place the law enforcers shot the protesters on February 20, 2014, at Instytutska Street. The dismantling of the monument was demanded by the activists, the families of Heavenly Hundred Heroes and prosecutors for a few months as it hinders the experts to figure out the directions of the shots.

The commemorative cross hinders to set the mannequins. Moreover, the landscape does not correspond to the landscape of February 2014. The prosecutor's office will need at least 16 days for the holding of the experiment.

One of the most tragic events in the history of independent Ukraine took place in Kyiv on Maidan Nezalezhnosti 4 years ago, on February 18-20, 2014 - the brutal execution of participants of the Revolution of Dignity. During the clashes in the center of capital, 73 civilians and 11 law enforcers were killed. The Trade Unions Building on Maidan burnt to the ground.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko posthumously awarded 104 Heroes of Heavenly Hundreds the title of Heroes of Ukraine, as well as three foreigners - a citizen of Belarus Mikhail Zhiznevsky, Georgia - Zurab Khurtsia and David Kipiani. They were posthumously awarded the Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Engage121 , a Connecticut-based technology company delivering innovative local SEO solutions for franchise and other multi-location businesses, celebrates its one-year partnership with Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill . Working with the Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill brand team, Engage121 designed, developed, and implemented a Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill-branded digital marketing program for each local restaurant that includes reputation management, social media and digital advertising across Google, Yelp, Instagram, Facebook and the web. Engage121 manages the creative, content and ads, all focused on growing customer awareness and generating store traffic.

Fast casual Mexican restaurants like Salsa Fresca operate in a huge and growing market segment and require consistent, high-quality, high-touch campaigns to build brand awareness and engage local customers, said Brian Q. Smith, EVP of Digital Solutions at Engage121. Working together with Salsa Fresca, we developed a cost-effective, localized program for each of their locations that can expand as their franchise system grows. Since the inception of their program with us a year ago, Engage121s local SEO program has generated more than 877,000 impressions and over 34,000 website visits for Salsa Fresca franchise owners.

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For more information about Engage121, please contact Brian Q Smith at 203-849-7206 or via BSmith@engage121.com. For more information about Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill, visit www.salsafrescagrill.com or for information on franchise opportunities visit www.salsafrescafranchise.com .

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Established in 1998, Engage121 has 20 years experience as an industry leader, providing digital marketing, social media and reputation management communications software and services to small business and enterprise clients. Engage121 enables organizations to manage, monitor, evaluate and respond in real time to digital marketing activity across the widest range of platforms, including Google, Yelp, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, as well as hundreds of consumer review sites and online directories. The companys certifications include Yelp Advertising Partner and Facebook Marketing Developer. Achieving meaningful results with over 50,000 local businesses in the United States and Canada, Engage121 has developed experience working with companies across a variety of industries and providing a range of services. For more information, please visit www.engage121.com .No casualties reported. Hazardous substances concentration in the air does not expose the limits

Fire at oil plant in Odesa region, November 2018 The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Rescue workers localized fire on the territory of the sunflower and oil-and-fat products plant of the Delta Wilmar CIS group of companies near Odesa, according to the press service of the head department of the State Emergency Service in Odesa region.

As of 7:00 a.m. on November 7, the fire was extinguished on the territory of 1500 sw.m. No casualties or injuries reported, reads the statement.

Oleksandr Krytsky, the representative of the State Emergency Service in Odesa region, some ignition sources were still active under debris, however, there was no major degradation of the situation reported.

There were some difficulties in firefighting activity due to the sizzling hot palm oil, thus the fire spread quickly over the vast territory. There was also a threat of the building collapse, blast and spread of fire onto the other production facilities, buildings, and tanks with oil, Oleksandr Krytsky reported.

Krynsky also explained that supposedly there were non-critical hazardous substances emissions, though, with the regular air pollution measurements carried out, the hazardous substances concentration does not expose the limits.

As we reported earlier, an oil processing plant in Odesa region is on fire; the incident occurred at about 7.40 p.m. The report appeared on the website of the State Emergency Service.

The staff of the plant was timely evacuated.

Fire rescue crew of the Emergency Service reached the site and found out that the raw material burns in the air compressor room. 75 people and 22 fire vehicles of the Service are involved in fire extinguishing works.Another episode of the political talk show "Pulse" became the leading one among the broadcasting information channels on November 6

Artem Marchevsky, General Producer of 112 Ukraine TV channel, on a political talk-show "Pulse", November 6, 2018 112 Agency

General Producers of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne Artem Marchevsky and Vasyl Golovanov were the guests of the previous episode of Ukrainian Pulse talk-show. They have just come back from French Senate where they discussed the issue of freedom of speech in Ukraine with the senators. Besides, the leaders of the TV channels met with the head of journalist trade union in France and got his support in the fight of the Ukrainian TV channels for the right to speak out.

Its not our first visit to Europe to protect the freedom of speech in Ukraine. It is a big resonance for us, the European deputies support the TV channels, they are ready to stand up for our right to speak. Recently, the British deputies arrived in Ukraine personally to deal with the situation. In French Senate, me and my colleague met with the French senator, who said that if the journalist work is still under threat, personal sanctions will be imposed against the current government and those responsible for media work constraints, Artem Marchevsky, General Producer of 112 Ukraine, said.

In addition, this episode of Pulse has become the leading one among the broadcasting information channels.

Due to this, 112 Ukraine became information channel #1 as of November 6.

The data on the television audience were provided by Industrial Television Committee; the research was conducted by Nielsen; Communication Alliance has conducted monitoring.

The delegation with the French senators and leaders of the journalists' trade unions will come to Kyiv to deal with the situation. According to Artem Marchevsky, the senators supported both of the TV channels and promised to impose individual sanctions if the freedom of speech is suppressed and if violence against journalists is applied.

Earlier, the leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne Artem Marchevskyi and Vasyl Golovanov paid an official visit to the European Parliament, where they enjoyed the support of the MPs in terms of prevention of sanctions against these TV channels. Heidi Hautala, Vice President of the European Parliament, and another group of MEPs expressed concern about the situation with the freedom of speech in Ukraine. Besides, a signature collection is conducted in Brussels under the appeal to the Verkhovna Rada on the protection of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels

As it was reported earlier, European parliamentarians David Coburn, Jonathan Arnott visited the main office of 112 Ukraine TV channel on October 30. Their goal was to personally find out the reasons for the scandalous voting on sanctions against 112 Ukraine and NewsOne and to monitor the situation with the freedom of speech in Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urged 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 appealed 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 lawmakers 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 MPs carefully study the situation regarding the sanctions against Ukrainian broadcasters and sign the petition.

112 Ukraine is an informational and analytical TV channel which broadcasts 18,5 hours per day on air and uses modern technologies to be the first channel to provide the unbiased information on important and interesting events going on in Ukraine and in the world. This is mentioned in the respective statement by Artem Marchevskyi, the Chief Producer, and Yehor Benkendorf, Director General of 112 Ukraine.

Related video:As it was reported earlier, the delegation with the French senators and leaders of the journalists' trade unions will come to Kyiv to deal with the situation

Vadym Rabinovich, the leader of For life Ukrainian political party Open source

The leaders of the journalist organizations from Italy, France and Germany are going to join the Supervisory board of the Ukrainian TV channels 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, as Vadym Rabinovich, the leader of For life political party, said on air of 112 Ukraine.

They (the foreign delegation, -ed.) are going to come to us. Moreover, I have bad news for the authorities  all these leaders of the journalist organizations from Italy, France, and Germany are to join the Supervisory board of the TV channels to personally participate so that they are shut down with them and the French senators. The fight against the TV channels, which began during communism, is underway today. They want all of the TV channels to be a single swan lake. I think that any person with common sense should fight for the freedom of speech, for the right of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne as leading information channels of our state to show what is actually happening, he said.

The delegation with the French senators and leaders of the journalists' trade unions will come to Kyiv to deal with the situation. According to Artem Marchevsky, 112 Director General, the senators supported both of the TV channels and promised to impose individual sanctions if the freedom of speech is suppressed and if violence used against journalists.

Earlier, the leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne Artem Marchevskyi and Vasyl Golovanov paid an official visit to the European Parliament, where they enjoyed the support of the MPs in terms of prevention of sanctions against these TV channels. Heidi Hautala, Vice President of the European Parliament, and another group of MEPs expressed concern about the situation with the freedom of speech in Ukraine. Besides, a signature collection is conducted in Brussels under the appeal to the Verkhovna Rada on the protection of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels.

European parliamentarians David Coburn, Jonathan Arnott visited the main office of 112 Ukraine TV channel on October 30. Their goal was to personally find out the reasons for the scandalous voting on sanctions against 112 Ukraine and NewsOne and to monitor the situation with the freedom of speech in Ukraine.

Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urged 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 appealed 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 lawmakers 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 MPs carefully study the situation regarding the sanctions against Ukrainian broadcasters and sign the petition.

112 Ukraine is an informational and analytical TV channel which broadcasts 18,5 hours per day on air and uses modern technologies to be the first channel to provide the unbiased information on important and interesting events going on in Ukraine and in the world. This is mentioned in the respective statement by Artem Marchevskyi, the Chief Producer, and Yehor Benkendorf, Director General of 112 Ukraine.

Related video:Gvozdika, 122 mm artillery systems novynarnia.com

Before holding elections in occupied Donbas, the pro-Russian militants bring tanks and artillery to Donetsk as the press service of the Joint Forces Operation reported citing the OSCE information.

"Thus, on November 3, 2018, in Donetsk, the drone of the OSCE SMM spotted 27 T-72 tanks, two 122-mm self-propelled howitzers 2S1 "Gvozdika," one 152-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S19 "Msta-S," 32 units of the infantry fighting vehicles and six armoured personnel carriers," the message said.

Earlier, Russian militants announced that the local election would be held on the territory of "people's republics" in Donbas on November 11, 2018. This is due to the assassination of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, former leader of 'Donetsk People's Republic.'

Russian delegation in Minsk talks group said it was ready to recognize the outcome of the election. Ukraine's Poroshenko stated that the 'elections' would have no legal consequences and would not be recognized by the international community.

Besides, Poroshenko emphasized that holding the "elections" in occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions might cause a new wave of sanctions against Russia.

On November 6, Iryna Gerashchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, reported that the Russian delegation officially claimed about the recognition of the elections in occupied Donbas during the negotiation of Minsk Trilateral Contact Group.

Related video:The most severe punishment is imprisonment up to eight years for violations using weapons

Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko signed a bill No. 7017, which provides criminal liability for illegal crossing of state border in some cases, as the website of the Parliament reports.

The document provides imprisonment for up to three years for crossing the border to damage the interests of the state by the individual who is prohibited from entering Ukraine, or by the representatives of the armed forces units of other security agencies of the aggressor state in any way bypassing the checkpoints or without required documents or with the documents with unreliable information.

If such violation is repeated or if it is committed by a group of people, the liability shall be increased: from three to five years of imprisonment. The most severe punishment provided for this violation using weapons is imprisonment for up to eight years.

The law will come into force on the next day after its official publication.

The bill in the first reading provided criminal liability for illegal border crossing for all the citizens of the aggressor state.

According to the article No.13 of the bill on the legal status of the foreigners or stateless people, they could be banned from entry to Ukraine because of national security or protection of the public order consideration; or if a person deliberately provides false information or fake documents. Besides, if a person violated the regulations of checkpoint crossing, if during his/her previous visit to Ukraine the foreigner did not execute the courts decision, and if a person has temporary visited the occupied territory of the state, he/she would be banned too.

Earlier, the Parliament increased the fines for illegal crossing of the border. Since April 29, 2018, if a person crosses the border bypassing the checkpoint or uses fake documents, the fine is $121 - $303.

The violation of the regulations of entering the occupied territories to be penalised by a $121 - $182 fine.

All these fees might be imposed within three months since the violation was identified and no later than a year since the violation took place.The Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia informed that the Ukrainian political prisoner can buy food and basic necessities in prisons shop

Russian penal servants state that Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov can spend the Sakharov prize of the European Parliament for Freedom of Thought to buy products from a prison shop, as KrymRealii reports.

The money can be transferred in rubles (Russian currency, - ed.) to the bank of the correctional facility of the penal correction system where he serves his sentence. The money will be credited to his personal account, the news agency cites Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.

It was noted that in accordance with Russias Penal Enforcement Code, the convicted have a right for purchasing food and basic necessities in prisons shop for money earned while serving, pensions, social subsidies, and remittances.

However, Russian Code imposes restrictions on spending the transferred money. These restrictions depend on the prison regime.

Reportedly, Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov was awarded Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The decision was announced by the European Parliament on October 25. It is supposed that the official ceremony is to be held in Strasbourg on December 12.

Reportedly, Oleg Sentsov stopped the hunger strike on the 144th day. The Russian side officially announced the statement by Sentsov but did not name the reason. According to the lawyer of Sentsov, the decision to end the hunger strike was made after Russian doctors and penitentiary facility workers issued an ultimatum to Sentsov, suggesting that he either voluntarily stop the hunger strike or agree to be force-fed.

Oleg Sentsov announced a hunger strike in May 2018, demanding to release him and the rest of Ukrainian political prisoners illegally kept by the Kremlin. Sentsov has already survived four health crises.

Sentsov was detained in Crimea in 2014.

Related video:Open source

Roman Sushchenko, Ukrainian journalist illegally convicted in Russia, was transferred to a high-security prison in Kirov region, as his daughter Yuliya told Ukrinform.

Father was transferred to a correctional facility No.11 of the Federal Prisons Service Administration of Russia in Kirov region. Federal Prisons Service reported this to Ukraines Embassy in Moscow, she noted.

According to her, some more information on Sushchenkos state will be provided after the consul or a lawyer visit him.

It should be noted that this facility is located more than a thousand kilometers away from Moscow.

A month passed since Suchshenko was taken from Lefortovo prison. Afterward, he spent around ten days in Matrosskaya Tishina prison in Moscow. Nothing has been reported on his location for around four weeks.

Ukrainian Roman Sushchenko, reporter of Ukrinfiorm news agency, was detained in September 2016 in Moscow and accused by the FSB of espionage. For this, he faces 20 years in prison. Ukraine has appealed to Russia with a demand to release the Ukrainian journalist multiple times.

Moscow City Court of Russia has sentenced Roman Sushchenko, the citizen of Ukraine to 12 years in the hard labor colony for the espionage. Russias FSB believes that Sushchenko came from Paris to Moscow to visit his cousin in September 2016 to collect information on Mariupol attack. The court session against Sushchenko took place in the closed regime and the court announced only introductory and resume parts of the decision.

Related video:From December 1 till January 31, 2019, the tourists from 21 country do not have to pay visa fee amounting $60

Thailand authority will free the citizens of 21 countries, including Ukraine, from paying the visa fee. The entry preferential regime will be in force from December 1 till January 31, 2019, as Bangkok ost reported.

Government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said the cabinet agreed with a draft ministerial regulation to waive the 2,000-baht fee from Dec 1 to Jan 31 for visitors staying in the country for no more than 15 days. The 21 countries are Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, said the government spokesman, the message says.

According to the Thailand Bureau of Immigration, the number of foreign tourists continues decreasing since January 2016. It is expected that the initiative to cancel visa fee will help to increase the tourist flow by 30%. According to the official data, over nine months of 2018, 28,54 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, which is by 8,7% more than during the same period last year.

Thailand is mostly concerned about the tourists from China, which compose the majority of the tourists (South Korea is in the second place, Russia is on the third place).

In September, around 648 000 Chinese people visited the country, which is by 14,89% more than last year. Yet, the tourist flow from China decreased by 8,8% in the third quarter, compared with the same period last year.

This is related to a high mortality rate of Chinese tourists in Thailand. In 2016, 13 Chinese tourists died in the country, in 2017  three, and in 2018  nine. It was reported, that mostly, they die in water-based recreational facilitates.It turned out to be the check of the security of the depot

The Defense Ministry of Ukraine spotted the drones flying near the depots of the rockets and artillery armament of the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Zaporizhia and Cherkasy regions on November 7. The security of the depots opened fire at the drones and detained persons who launched them as the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Facebook.

"The mobile groups of the military units inspected the nearby territories and detained persons who were flying the drones. It was immediately reported to the corresponding units of the Security Service of Ukraine and National Police of Ukraine," the message said.

However, it was figured out that the flights of the drones took place within the scheduled anti-terrorist drills aiming to check the reliability of the security of the facilities of increased danger.

"The personnel of the shift acted clearly and confidently, executing the military tasks on the security and protection of the pointed military objects," the General Staff reported.

On November 5, Ukrainian military reported second unauthorized flight of a drone near its ammo depot over the last 48 hours.

Earlier, the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle was recorded in a restricted area over one of the arsenals of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as the press office of the Ministry of Defense reported. It is added that the administration of the facility has reinforced the duty shifts of the security of the arsenal, mobile patrols thoroughly examined the territory adjacent to the military unit.Open source

On November 7, Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law on transfer of St. Andrews Church to Ecumenical Patriarchate. This information was published on the website of Ukraines parliament.

On October 18, the Verkhovna Rada adopted as a whole the presidential bill on a transfer of the St. Andrews Church to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for worshipping, religious ceremonies and processions. The building itself will remain a state property. For the second time, 237 people's deputies voted in favor of the decision. On the same day, the document was signed by Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy.

St. Andrew's Church will be given to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for permanent use for holding worships, religious ceremonies, and processions on condition that the Ecumenical Patriarchate observes the laws on protection of cultural heritage. At the same time, the transfer of the building entails its exclusion from the list of immovable objects of cultural heritage of the National Sanctuary "Sophia of Kyiv."

As it was reported earlier, 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.'

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate struggled for the autocephaly since the country gained independence in 1991. For his firm stance in this regard, Patriarch Filaret, the current leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate was stripped of his orders in 1992, as the Russian Orthodox Church imposed the anathema on him. Most recently, the Ecumenical Patriarchate lifted it from him. This decision, and the subsequent decision to grant Ukraine Tomos outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which already promised 'a tough and decisive response.'

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople can provide the Tomos on autocephaly to Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Synod that will take place in the second half of November 2018.NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Sohn Conference Foundation today announced that Board Member Graham Duncan of East Rock Capital will be the lead Chair of The Sohn Investment Conference, held annually in New York City. Duncan will be joined by Co-Chairs Keith Johnson of Sequoia Capital and Christine Hamner, recently of Pennant Capital. Duncan previously co-chaired The Sohn Investment Conference with Doug Hirsch and Dan Nir in 2018 and chaired Next Wave Sohn for five years. Duncan succeeds Hirsch and Nir, who, after co-chairing The Sohn Investment Conference for 23 years, decided to step down and to enlist the next generation of philanthropic leaders. Hirsch and Nir remain on the Board of Directors of The Sohn Conference Foundation.



It has been a pleasure working alongside Doug and Dan, Graham Duncan said. Their commitment to delivering a world-class conference is surpassed only by their passion for finding a cure and treatment for pediatric cancer. We will work to honor their example by continuing to showcase compelling speakers and building an elite forum for guests to do business while doing good.

Hirsch and Nir, along with Lance Laifer and Ira Sohns family, founded The Sohn Investment Conference in 1995 to honor Iras memory and battle against cancer. Since then, The Sohn Investment Conference has gathered the global financial industry for an exhilarating day of highly-anticipated market insights from the world's top investors, with the mission of raising critical funds for pediatric cancer research and care. Speakers have included Bill Ackman, David Einhorn, Stanley Druckenmiller, Paul Tudor Jones, Chamath Palihapitiya, Larry Robbins, among others. Through its conferences, now in 11 cities across five continents, The Sohn Conference Foundation has inspired more than $85 million of charitable giving from the financial community.

The Conferences format and success is thanks to Dougs and Dans groundbreaking vision and creativity. We will be honoring both of these pioneering leaders at our 24th Annual Conference in May 2019, said Evan Sohn, Co-founder and Vice President of the Foundation and brother to the late Ira Sohn. It was their understanding that this model could be brought to communities around the world that allows Ira to be honored by all 11 international Sohn Conferences.

Doug Hirsch said: "When we were searching for the next leader for this important philanthropic institution, Grahams name was at the top of our list. We are thrilled that he has accepted this important philanthropic position in the Wall Street community."

After 23 incredibly exciting years co-chairing The Sohn Investment Conference, it is rewarding to see the next generation take the helm and lead our community, said Dan Nir. For Doug and me, it has been a deep honor to have served as co-chairs. We know the Conference will continue to raise critical dollars for pediatric cancer research and care.

The 2019 Sohn Investment Conference in partnership with CNBC will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center. A special tribute to Doug and Dan will be made at the Conference to thank them for their years of service. Tickets to the Conference go on sale in December 2018.

For more information or to sponsor go to www.sohnconference.org .

ABOUT THE SOHN CONFERENCE FOUNDATION

The Sohn Conference Foundation is dedicated to the treatment and cure of pediatric cancer. The Foundation supports cutting-edge medical research, state-of-the-art research equipment, and innovative programs to ensure that children with cancer survive and thrive. The Foundation raises its funds through premier investment conferences, including the renowned annual New York Sohn Investment Conference. The Conference honors the memory of Ira Sohn, a Wall Street Professional who lost his battle with cancer at age 29. His friends and family founded the New York Sohn Investment Conference in 1995. Since then, investment leaders from across the globe have been inspired to launch partner Sohn Conferences to bring the financial community together for charitable causes. Sohn Conferences include Sohn Australia, Sohn Brazil, Sohn Canada, Sohn Geneva, Sohn Hong Kong, Sohn India, Sohn London, Sohn Monaco, Sohn San Francisco and Sohn Tel Aviv. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $85 million. More information on The Sohn Investment Conference is available at www.sohnconference.org

ABOUT CNBC

With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to 410 million homes worldwide, including more than 90 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

CNBC Digital delivers more than 52 million multi-platform unique visitors each month. CNBC.com provides real-time financial market news and information to CNBCs investor audience. CNBC Make It is a digital destination focused on making you smarter about how you earn, save and spend your money by zeroing in on careers, leadership, entrepreneurship and personal finance.

CNBC has a vast portfolio of digital products, offering CNBC content to a variety of platforms such as: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, a premium service that provides in-depth access to Wall Street; a suite of CNBC mobile apps for iOS and Android devices; Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice interfaces; and streaming services including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Samsung Smart TVs. To learn more, visit https://www.cnbc.com/digital-products/ .

Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc . For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com

Contact:

Hillary Wasserman | 212.784.5726 | hwasserman@groupgordon.comThe protesters demand to establish a ministry of veterans in Ukraine, the protesters showed up near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers

A protester in this costume represents the idea, that in Ukraine, chickens live better, than people, November 7, 2018 kiev.informator.ua

November 7, the representatives of the nationalist groups showed up near the government building in Kyiv. They demand the creation of a new ministry in Ukraine, as Informator reported.

Around 300 people showed up at the rally. They have surrounded the building of the Cabinet of the Ministers, holding flags and posters. The members of a Unified union of patriots of Ukraine, National squads, National corps (which has been described as openly neo-Nazi by the New York Times and banned from receiving American military training by the U.S. Congress.  Ed.), Veterans brotherhood, fighters of Aydar battalion, veterans of the Anti-terrorist operation, and other armed conflicts, including war in Afghanistan, are among the protesters.

They demand to establish a ministry of veterans in Ukraine. Besides, picketers think that the process of its creation is being delayed due to political purposes. The participants are convinced that the new structure has to be responsible for the provision of social protection of those who participated in combat actions on the east of the country. In particular, the veterans need support with employment and benefits receiving.

kiev.informator.ua Representatives of nationalist groups carry out a rally near the Cabinet of Ministers demanding the creation of a new ministry in Ukraine, November 7, 2018 kiev.informator.ua Representatives of nationalist groups carry out a rally near the Cabinet of Ministers demanding the creation of a new ministry in Ukraine, November 7, 2018

As the protesters put it, there are more than 30 public and state organizations in Ukraine which help the veterans. Yet, the majority of these institutions are corrupted and mired in bureaucracy.

Some people were wearing white chicken costumes showed up near the Cabinet, handing out leaflets.

Chickens in Ukraine live better, than people! I stand for the improvement of peoples lives, higher wages, and lower tariffs, one of the participants in a chicken costume said. He also noted that he and the other participants (around five) in the costumes did not represent any organization.

Today, several rallies are held in Kyiv downtown, so the police enhanced public order protection. The owners of cars with European license plates protest in the government district, city bus drivers stand near Infrastructure Ministry building. Kyiv stuck in traffic jams, some transport line changed their routes.Corey Yazzie

In what could turn out to be one of the most memorable and voted upon elections in New Mexico history, the Democratic Party mostly romped in the midtern contest held today.

Although the verdict is still out for Congressional District 2 as we write this, Dems accross the spectrum, from Melanie Stansbury in N.M. House District 28 and Abbas Akhil in N.M. House District 20 have a clear path to victory tonight, unseating their opponents while deep in Elephant territory.

And in a surprise that could have been predicted had anyone the courage, Democrat Karen Bash has apparently defeated convicted DWI offender and Republican Monica Youngblood in N.M. House District 68.

In other races Weekly Alibi featured, Brian Colon looks golden right now in his battle to become state auditor, as does Charlene Pyskoty, who holds a substantive lead against her challenger in the BernCo Commission District 5 race.

While some important national races have gone to the GOPincluding the Texas Senate seat retained by Ted CruzCNN has projected victory for Democrats in the US House of Representatives. Their coming majority will essentially re-wire priorities in that legislative body, as strict oversight of the Trump regime finally begins.Brookshires Joins the 50th Stop of Smithfields 2018 Helping Hungry Homes Tour

TYLER, Texas, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Brookshire Grocery Co. joined forces to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein to East Texas Food Bank . Smithfields contribution was part of the companys 2018 Helping Hungry Homes  donation tour. Now in the programs 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes is Smithfields signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in East Texas.

At East Texas Food Bank, we seek to fight hunger and feed hope to the thousands of individuals, many of whom are children, who are at-risk within our communities, said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of East Texas Food Bank. This incredible support from Smithfield helps us to secure protein, a valuable food resource, for those we serve and allows us to build on our aforementioned mission.

Smithfield and Brookshire Grocery Co. representatives presented the donation to East Texas Food Bank at an event this morning. Members of each organization discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food banks service area, reaching more than 473,000 food insecure individuals across more than 25 counties.

Serving others within our stores and communities is at the heart of everything we do, said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. Hunger relief is a cause that we are very passionate about supporting, and we are excited to again partner with Smithfield and East Texas Food Bank to assist individuals in need.

This is the 50th large scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes tour. Since the programs inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

At Smithfield, we value our opportunity as a food company to provide protein resources to those in need, said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. Our role in hunger relief is especially important to us as it allows us to demonstrate our companys social purpose while building the strength of communities across the country.

For more information about Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com .

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cook's, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curly's, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com , and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

About East Texas Food Bank

The East Texas Food Bank provided more than 22 million meals each year to 200 partner agencies in 26 East Texas counties. Our vision is for a hunger-free East Texas and our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas. The East Texas Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and Feeding Texas. To learn more, visit EastTexasFoodBank.org . Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/etfoodbank or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/etfoodbank .

About Brookshire Grocery Co.

Brookshire Grocery Co. is a regional family grocery business that operates over 180 stores in three states  Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas  with three distribution centers. Known for friendly service, clean stores and strong community support, BGC is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. www.brookshires.com | www.super1foods.com | www.freshbybrookshires.com | www.spring-market.com

Media Contacts:

Dalton Agency for Smithfield

Jana Beasley

(904) 534-8568

jbeasley@daltonagency.com East Texas Food Bank

Michael Hetrick

(903) 617-2018

MHetrick@easttexasfoodbank.org Brookshire Grocery Co.

Ellen Reynolds

(903) 534-3110

ellenreynolds@brookshires.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbaa6ac4-33ac-4768-bc70-1d6cf827c1d9

Houston, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the nations premier organization for young women affected by breast cancer, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with 10 events across the country, including one in Houston, Texas. This free gathering to honor breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and supporters will take place at Dave & Busters on Saturday, November 10.



YSC began in 1998 as a grassroots support network founded by 3 women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 35. Discouraged by the lack of available resources and support, they sought to give voice to young women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Today, YSC provides free educational resources, programs to connect survivors and co-survivors, and national and regional conferences focused on the unique needs of young adults affected by breast cancer.

Twenty years ago, says Jennifer Merschdorf, chief executive officer at YSC, young adults affected by breast cancer had few resources. Now, YSC serves as a national united voice and a way for thousands of young breast cancer survivors to find each other.

The event will feature educational programming about the effects of breast cancer on young adults and their loved ones. YSC will also honor a series of Game Changers - survivors, supporters, local partners and healthcare providers - who dedicate their lives to transforming the future of breast cancer in young women. The event also provides a unique opportunity to meet other young survivors and co-survivors in advance of the YSC Summit, a large national conference that will take place in Houston next year.

Interview opportunities (both at and prior to the event) will be available with YSC representatives, as well as breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and Game Changers.

Details about the YSC 20th anniversary event in Houston:

Date: November 10, 2018

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Location: Dave & Busters, 6010 Richmond Ave in Houston, Texas 77057

Free and open to the public

RSVP at 20years.youngsurvival.org

For complete information about all 10 events hosted by YSC, please visit 20years.youngsurvival.org or call 877.972.1011.

YSCs 20th-anniversary events are generously supported by sponsors AstraZeneca, Celgene, Eisai, Genomic Health, Lilly Oncology, Pfizer Oncology and TerSera Therapeutics.

About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)

Now in its 20th year, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier organization dedicated to young women with breast cancer. Founded by three young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their length and quality of life. Based in New York City, with networks nationwide, YSC provides free resources, connections and educational materials so young women with breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young women and to ensure that no young woman faces breast cancer alone. For more information, visit youngsurvival.org.

AttachmentsMalvern, Pennsylvania, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Rajant Corporation, the exclusive provider of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with Australian communication solutions company Madison Technologies. This agreement represents Rajants further investment into Australia and New Zealand. Madison Technologies appointment as distributor enables them to introduce the world-leading Kinetic Mesh solution to their customers within industries, such as mining, oil & gas, rail, transport, ports, smart cities, emergency services, and utilities.

Madison Technologies primary customer base and business strategy are specifically focused on wireless and network solutions, shared Geoff Smith, Rajants Executive VP of Sales & Marketing. With Rajants Kinetic Mesh network, they will now be able to offer their clients a solution with total mobility, autonomous adaptability, and mission-critical reliability. We are pleased to partner with Madison as an additional distributor within the region. Madison Technologies brings solid technical support, along with multiple offices and warehouses across Australia and New Zealand.

Madison Technologies General Manager, Matt Rhynesaid, Rajant is a world leader in technology and already has proven applications in Australia as well as throughout the world. By partnering with Rajant, we can change the way that wireless technologies are used within Australian industries. Together with Rajant, we can hone our focus on market verticals with industrial distributed assets with multi-brand opportunities for edge connectivity.

####

About Madison Technologies

Madison is a respected industry leader as a manufacturer and distributor of technology infrastructure and hardware across cabling, networking, wireless, and audio-visual disciplines.

Australian owned and operated for over 25 years, Madison has been keeping Australian homes and business well connected with skilled connectivity experts finding and creating clever and robust solutions for complex connectivity challenges. With more than 70 staff in offices across Australia and New Zealand, Madison Technologies is on hand to source, design, and manufacture for tomorrow's well-connected world.

Madisons Industrial Networking team are experienced in a comprehensive range of wired and wireless industrial connectivity solutions designed to meet the demands of industrial automation, control, IP CCTV, data communications and networking systems. Learn more at www.madisontech.com

About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the exclusive provider of private wireless networks powered by the patented Kinetic Mesh network, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 50 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, oil & gas, transportation, petrochemical plants, and municipalities, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona, Kentucky, and Alabama. For more information, visit www.rajant.com , or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.

AttachmentOntario: Open for business at whose expense?



TORONTO, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This winter, our government is pushing workers out into the cold by cancelling workplace rights and the $15 minimum wage with Bill 47, but thats not the only shameful way this government is treating workers.

An internal memo from the Ministry of Labour signalled the intention to put a freeze on proactive inspections that would make sure employers are meeting the minimum standards set out in employment law. Until now, inspectors have performed random inspections of workplaces to ensure that workers rights are being respected. They check to make sure employers are providing things like paid sick days, vacation, schedules that meet regulatory standards, and workers are being paid properly.

By stopping these inspections, our government is essentially handing employers a free pass to break the law. Pausing proactive workplace inspections that ensure compliance with Ontarios employment standards further disadvantage vulnerable workers in Ontario. It also makes it easier for employers to take advantage of their workers, creating an uneven playing field to the benefit of unscrupulous operators.

This freeze comes on the heels of the introduction of Bill 47, a bill that robs workers of many of their basic workplace rights and protections. From equal pay for part-time, full-time and temp workers to paid sick days, and $15 minimum wage, Bill 47 strips away the laws that protect workers in this province.

Bill 47, combined with a reduction in inspections means that workers will be less likely to report when an employer breaks that law, for fear of reprisals. Temp workers, who are often newcomers to the province who may not be aware of their workplace rights, are left particularly vulnerable by these changes.

Companies like Fiera Foods take advantage of these precariously employed workers by offering the least that they can to these workers. Fiera Foods is infamous for using temp agencies to staff their factories where workers toil for low wages in unsafe conditions to produce a range of food products in locations around Ontario. These workers are unlikely to feel confident in making a complaint when they dont receive proper safety training, equal pay, or vacation time.

This fall there was another death at Fiera Foods. It was the fourth death in nineteen years. Fiera Foods is not the only company taking advantage of Ontarians, but it is a good example of a company that might protect its workers better if it were subject to more inspections.

Workers should not be made responsible for keeping tabs on their employer. Our government should be enforcing a set of decent work laws, not the substandard version set out in Bill 47.

Bill 47 will also cancel the increase to a $15 minimum wage that is scheduled for January 1, 2019. This is a real-dollar loss for workers that takes almost $2,000 dollars out of their pockets, and out of the economy. Under Bill 47, there wont be a $15 minimum wage in Ontario until 2024 at the earliest, when every penny of that $15 minimum wage will be worth less than it was worth today.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce wants these basic rights cut. They say the economy will suffer, but there is no sign their dire predictions are true, in fact, just the opposite. Since this time last year, Ontario added 83,000 jobs. The unemployment rate has dropped. Fewer people are using the Daily Bread Food Bank, a shift that the Food Bank attributes, in part, to a higher minimum wage.

Doug Ford, look at the facts. Look at the improvements in Ontarios economy with the minimum wage increase and the net benefits with fairer workplace laws in place.

Withdraw Bill 47. Do not, as you have said you will, replace decent work laws with laws that lower standards at the expense of workers lives and livelihoods.

Do not pause employment standards inspections.

Use your power in the legislature to make sure families in Ontario can survive and thrive.

Keep your promise to govern for the people, not for the special interests of the big business lobby and multi-national corporations.

Yours truly,

Chris Buckley

Chris Buckley is the President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter .

For further information, please contact:

Meagan Perry

Director of Communications,

Ontario Federation of Labour

mperry@ofl.ca l 416-894-3456

cope343SANDUSKY, Ohio, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Rising Biosciences, Inc. (OTC : RBII) ("RBII" "the Company"), a research and development company focusing on oral and topical pharmaceuticals with strict standards set forward by the pharmaceutical compounding industry and the FDA, is pleased to announce that the Company has reached an agreement with PAO Group (OTC: PAOG) to acquire all current assets including PAO's medical clinics located in Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.



Company COO Arthur Hall will be stepping up as President and CEO of Rising Biosciences and interim President and CEO PAO Group as Mr. Robert Webber will be stepping down from both companies to pursue other opportunities. We would like to thank Mr. Webber for his efforts and services of both companies.

Mr. Hall commented: "This strategic move makes great sense as we move into a future where cannabis is a recognized and legal alternative medicine. Simply stated, we can do more and operate more streamlined as one combined company."

Mr. Hall noted: "Placing all of PAO's assets under the Rising Biosciences umbrella immediately adds tremendous value and synergy for us. With other clinics recently selling for over $1.25M (i.e. Invictus), we will be adding substantial value to RBII's bottom line and instantly beefing up our ability to market and sell our cannabis based pharmaceuticals. We wholeheartedly believe that the synergies formed by the respective assets from both corporations will enhance our revenues."

Simultaneous to the transfer of assets to RBII the Company plans for new acquisitions for PAOG that are in line with the current philosophy, mission, and industry sector. RBII wishes to assure that PAO shareholders will not be left in the dark. The leadership is currently negotiating with established private companies within the cannabis producer and processor spaces. Investors can expect further updates as progress is solidified. These moves are being structured to benefit both companies and shareholders.

ABOUT:

Rising Biosciences, Inc., (OTC : RBII) , operating as Rising Biosciences, Inc.is a research and development company focusing on oral and topical cannabis and non-cannabis based pharmaceuticals with strict standards set forward by the pharmaceutical compounding industry.

PAO Group, Inc. (OTC: PAOG) is a publicly traded holdings company dedicated to development and launch of alternative medicine clinics focused on 'non-traditional' patient care solutions. The realm of treatment solutions include cannabis, acupuncture, chiropractic, biofeedback, and other solutions depending upon patient needs. https://www.pao.group/English French

Paris, France, November 7, 2018: EURO Ressources S.A. ("EURO" or "the Company") (Paris: EUR) today announced its unaudited statutory interim financial results prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. These unaudited interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on November 7, 2018. All financial amounts are expressed in Euros ("" or "euros") unless otherwise specified.

Highlights

Under IFRS, EURO reported a net profit of 3.2 million (0.052 per share) and 10.9 million (0.175 per share) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to 4.3 million (0.069 per share) and 12.6 million (0.201 per share) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash at September 30, 2018 totaled 21.7 million as compared to 15.5 million at December 31, 2017. The increase was mainly due to cash flow from operating activities partially offset by the dividends paid.

Marketable securities

EURO holds marketable securities related to mining companies which are part of a volatile market. Share market price exposure risk is related to the fluctuation in the market price of marketable securities. Investments in marketable securities are recorded at fair value.

As at September 30, 2018, marketable securities were comprised of 19,095,345 shares of Columbus Gold Corp. ("Columbus") (12.0% of outstanding shares; December 31, 2017: 12.0%) and 3,819,069 shares of Allegiant Gold Ltd. ("Allegiant") (6.3% of outstanding shares; December 31, 2017: 0%).

Following the approval of a spin-out arrangement by Columbus' shareholders on November 27, 2017, EURO received on January 30, 2018, a common share of Allegiant for every five Columbus shares held. This transaction resulted in a gain of 1.7 million based on the fair value of shares received of C$0.68 per share on the date of the transaction.Under IFRS, this gain was accounted for in other comprehensive income, and under French GAAP, this gain was accounted for in financial income in net earnings.

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized an unrealized loss following the decrease of the fair value of these marketable securities. Under IFRS, this loss of 7.2 million was recorded in other comprehensive income.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS UNDER IFRS

Third quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 (IFRS)

Under IFRS, EURO reported a net profit of 3.2 million (0.052 per share) for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 4.3 million (0.069 per share) for the third quarter of 2017.

Revenues were 5.4 million during the third quarter of 2018, lower compared to revenues of 6.4 million for the third quarter of 2017. Revenues were mainly attributable to the Rosebel royalty of 5.3 million (third quarter of 2017: 6.3 million). The decrease in revenues was due to the combination of two items: lower gold production of 70,803 ounces in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 78,951 ounces in the third quarter of 2017 (0.6 million), and the impact of a lower average gold price in the third quarter of 2018 of US$1,213 per ounce of gold compared to US$1,278 per ounce of gold in the third quarter of 2017 (0.4 million). Royalties from third parties in French Guiana were 0.11 million during the third quarter of 2018 (third quarter of 2017: 0.15 million).

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded operating expenses of 0.09 million compared to 0.12 million during the same period in 2017. The decrease is mainly explained by lower administrative costs and other fees in 2018.

The amortization expense of 0.12 million during the third quarter of 2018 was lower than the amortization expense of 0.13 million recorded during the third quarter of 2017, mainly due to lower production.

EURO recorded an income tax expense of 2.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 1.9 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to translation adjustments.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 (IFRS)

Under IFRS, EURO reported a net profit of 10.9 million (0.175 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 12.6 million (0.201 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, EURO accounted for revenues of 17.0 million, a decrease compared to revenues of 19.4 million for the same period in 2017. Revenues were mainly attributable to the Rosebel royalty of 16.7 million (nine months ended September 30, 2017: 19.1 million). The decrease in revenues was due to the combination of three items: the impact of lower gold production of 213,174 ounces in the first nine months of 2018 compared to 234,523 ounces in the first nine months of 2017 (1.7 million), and of a stronger euro (1.3 million), partially offset by the impact of a higher average gold price in the first nine months of 2018 of US$1,283 per ounce of gold compared to US$1,251 per ounce of gold in the first nine months of 2017 (0.6 million). Royalties from third parties in French Guiana were 0.26 million during the first nine months of 2018 (first nine months of 2017: 0.30 million).

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were 0.38 million similar to the amount recorded during the same period in 2017. In 2017, operating expenses included a reimbursement of 0.1 million by the Government of France of operating taxes paid in prior years, partially offset by higher administrative costs and other fees.

The amortization expense of 0.35 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was lower than the amortization expense of 0.50 million recorded during the same period in 2017, mainly due to lower production, higher reserves at the Rosebel mine, and the impact of a stronger annual average euro in 2018.

EURO recorded a foreign exchange gain of 0.26 million in the first nine months of 2018 compared to a loss of 0.31 million in the first nine months of 2017, mainly due to the weakening of the closing foreign exchange rate of the Euro compared to the United States dollar in 2018 compared to a strengthening in 2017. This rate was used for the revaluation of dividends payable, bank accounts and income tax receivable.

EURO recorded an income tax expense of 5.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 5.8 million in the same period of 2017. The increase is mainly explained by higher translation adjustments in 2018 partially offset by the absence of the tax on dividends in 2018.

Outlook

IAMGOLD Corporation reduced its 2018 Rosebel production guidance to be between 295,000 ounces and 311,000 ounces compared to between 311,000 and 326,000 ounces. The decrease reflects lower mining tonnages and head grades experienced in the third quarter of 2018. In 2018, the updated Rosebel royalty is expected to provide revenues to the Company of between approximately 22.6 million and 23.8 million (US$26.7 million and US$28.1 million). These pre-tax numbers assume an average annual gold price of US$1,250 per ounce and an exchange rate of 1 for US$1.18. The impact of changes in the average gold price on EURO's annual revenues, based on an estimated production of 303,000 ounces, would be approximately US$3.0 million for each US$100 per ounce change in the gold price. The impact of a 5% change in the average foreign exchange rate on EURO's annual revenues would be approximately 1.2 million. EURO's cash flow is expected to be primarily affected by income tax payments and eventual payment of dividends. The Company maintains certain cash available to pursue opportunities that would enhance the Company's long-term business.

About EURO

EURO is a French company whose principal asset is a gold production royalty from the Rosebel gold mine in Suriname (the "Rosebel royalty"). The Rosebel gold mine is 95%-owned by IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD"), and is operated by IAMGOLD. EURO has approximately 62.5 million shares outstanding. At September 30, 2018, IAMGOLD France S.A.S. ("IAMGOLD France"), a wholly owned subsidiary of IAMGOLD, owned approximately 89.71% of all issued outstanding shares of EURO. Per the regulation (Article L.233-7 of the French Commercial Code), IAMGOLD France declared it had exceeded, on September 23, 2018, the threshold of 90% of the voting rights of EURO. As at September 30, 2018, IAMGOLD France held 56,058,191 shares representing 112,116,382 voting rights or 94.25% of the voting rights of EURO. This threshold crossing results from a double voting rights allocation.

EURO receives quarterly royalty payments from IAMGOLD. The Rosebel royalty payments from IAMGOLD apply to the first seven million ounces of gold production at the Rosebel mine and the market price of gold based on the Afternoon London Price. As of September 30, 2018, the Rosebel mine produced 4.9 million ounces of gold and 2.1 million ounces of gold remain under the Rosebel royalty agreement. Per IAMGOLD, Rosebel's proven and probable gold reserves as at September 1st, 2018 were estimated to be 3.45 million ounces of gold (December 31, 2017: 3.51 million ounces of gold). These reserves do not include reserves of the Saramacca deposit of the Rosebel mine as they are not included in the definition of the property per the participation right agreement. The Rosebel royalty is calculated based on 10% of the excess gold market price above US$300 per ounce for soft and transitional ore, and above US$350 per ounce for hard rock ore, and, in each case, after deducting a fixed royalty of 2% of production paid in-kind to the Government of Suriname.

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Some statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. person absent registration, or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Additional information relating to EURO Ressources S.A. is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Further requests for information should be addressed to:Washington, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry has released a special Election Day update to official growth projections based on the results from several cannabis ballot initiatives. The legalization of medical cannabis in Utah and Missouri and legalization of adult-use in Michigan will result in new markets that are projected to account for more than $1.2 billion in additional sales for a combined total of $2.1 billion in total legal sales by 2025. This increase will create more than 30,000 additional cannabis jobs over the same period.



Cannabis legalization in some form has occurred in nearly 60% of the United States, and based on our research, legal retail sales revenues are currently estimated to be $10.3 billion in 2018; we now project the market to grow to more than $25 billion while supporting more than 642,000 jobs by 2025, said Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, Founder and CEO of New Frontier Data.

The revised projections take into consideration the outcome of four state ballot initiatives:

Michigan passed Proposal 1, legalizing recreational use and making Michigan the fifth largest legal U.S. cannabis market; combined with medical, annual sales are projected to reach $1.9 billion in total legal sales by 2025.

Missouri passed Amendment 2, legalizing state-wide medical cannabis; resulting annual retail sales are projected to reach $111 million by 2025.

Utah voters passed Proposition 2, legalizing medical cannabis; annual retail sales are projected to reach $63 million by 2025.

North Dakota voted down Measure 3, which would have allowed adults to grow, consume and possess as much cannabis as they want, without government oversight and without state taxation; annual recreational sales could have reached $67.5 million by 2025.

About New Frontier Data:

New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 69 countries around the world to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Denver, CO, London, UK, Bogota, Colombia, and Hong Kong.

New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com.SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Smart Cannabis Corp. (OTC: SCNA) is bullish about the effects of the firing of Attorney General Pete Sessions upon the cannabis market. The company has announced that their Chief Executive Officer and Founder, John Taylor, is immediately available for comment on the potential impact of Sessions leaving his post at Department of Justice.



Considering Sessions maintained a staunch anti-legalization stance on the cannabis industry as a whole despite States increasingly legalizing cannabis use medically and recreationally, it is highly possible the next Attorney General will take a more reasonable approach to cannabis being labeled a Schedule 1 drug as resistance against that is mounting nationwide. Just last night, on Election Night, three (3) more States voted for either medical or recreational cannabis legalization for persons 21 years of age and older.

With a booming manufacturing company installing automated greenhouses and premiere cultivation systems to permitted marijuana growers, in addition to having decades of business development experience under his belt, Taylor is well-suited to expertly address how potential changes in federal legalization of cannabis, or even downgrading it from a schedule 1 drug, could impact cannabis related businesses as well as create massive, taxable revenues.

To schedule an interview with Taylor, please reach out to Stephanie Rudat at Stephanie@SmartCannabis.com or call (714) 742-3500

Smart Cannabis (OTC PINK: SCNA) is a public equity corporation advancing the agriculture and cannabis industries and growing through acquisition, strategic alliances, and proprietary intellectual property. The companys wholly owned subsidiary, Next Generation Farming Inc., provides turnkey, automated, commercial greenhouses systems that efficiently improve yields and decrease water consumption for cultivators of organic food and cannabis crops. The company websites are http://smartcannabis.com https://sapinvestments.com https://smartcannabis.com/nextgenfarming

Disclaimer: The Company relies upon the Safe Harbor Laws of 1933, 1934 and 1995 for all public news releases. The company may make forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future operations, performance and other developments. Such forward-looking statements are estimates that reflect the companys best judgment based upon current information. All investments involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. It is impossible to identify all such factors. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the company include, but are not limited to, government regulation; managing and maintaining growth; the effect of adverse publicity; litigation; competition; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the companys public announcements.PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hill International, Inc. (NYSE:HIL) ("Hill" or the "Company"), the global leader in managing construction risk, announced today that it filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2018.



Raouf Ghali, Hills CEO, stated, With the conclusion of our Profit Improvement Plan and the elimination of the costs associated with both the Plan and with bringing our Company current with our SEC filings, Hill is now emerging from a challenging 2018 ready to re-focus on growth. Although revenue was lower in the third quarter and year-to-date compared to 2017, our Adjusted EBITDA continues to improve period over period as a result of our Profit Improvement Plan. We are expanding our sales force to capture more opportunities around the world and have increased our recruiting efforts to bring more billable personnel on-board to support our assignments. Hill remains the project management consultant of choice for our clients, and I am enthusiastic about Hills prospects and look forward to providing details of our anticipated growth in the future."

Third Quarter Financial Results

Hill's total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $101.9 million, a decrease of 17.3% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. The Companys operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $7.7 million compared to an operating loss of $1.6 million during the same period in the prior year. Net loss from continuing operations was $8.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $1.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Consulting Fee Revenue ("CFR") was $81.2 million and $95.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, which was 80% and 78% of total revenues, respectively.

The operating loss increase in the third quarter of 2018 was mostly due to a reduction of total revenues and gross profit over the prior year's third quarter of $21.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively, as a result of the wind down of various projects in the Middle East and the United States.

The increase in operating loss in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 was also impacted by increased selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses of $2.5 million. This increase was comprised of a $3.1 million increase in net foreign translation losses related to the unfavorable fluctuations in various foreign currencies and a $3.1 million expense related to a former Hill executive incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2018. Partially offsetting these increases in SG&A in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 were cost savings of $2.4 million in unapplied and indirect labor costs as a result of our Profit Improvement Plan and a decrease in bad debt expense of $1.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) improved for the third quarter of 2018 to $5.3 million, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2017 of $4.9 million (see EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA table below).

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Hill's total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $328.0 million, which reflects a 10.1% decrease from nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Companys operating loss was $16.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to an operating profit of $1.1 million during the same period in the prior year. Net loss from continuing operations was $23.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the same period in the prior year.

CFR was $261.8 million and $293.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, which was 80% and 81% of total revenues, respectively.

The decrease in operating profit in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was mostly due to a reduction of total revenues and gross profit over the prior year of $36.8 million and $12.5 million, respectively, as a result of the wind down of various projects in the Middle East and the United States.

Operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was also impacted by a $7.9 million loss on a performance bond related to a claim submitted by a client in Kuwait.

SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017, slightly improved by $0.4 million. However, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $9.2 million increase in September 30, 2018 in net foreign translation losses related to the unfavorable fluctuations in various foreign currencies, mainly due to the Turkish Lira, Euro and Brazilian Real and a $5.1 million cost increase to accelerate Hill's financial statement filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These increases were offset against other SG&A decreases, including lower unapplied and indirect labor costs of $11.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to September 30, 2017, that occurred primarily as a result of the Company's Profit Improvement Plan and a $3.2 million net benefit incurred through September 30, 2018 as a result of a bad debt recovery from a Libyan client.

Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $17.6 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA of $15.4 million for the same period in 2017 (see EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA table below).

Hill's total backlog, which is based on CFR, improved quarter over quarter by $3.3 million to $819.7 million at September 30, 2018, as compared to $816.4 million at June 30, 2018.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

EBITDA

Earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from continuing operations is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). EBITDA, in addition to operating profit, net income, and other GAAP measures, is a useful indicator of Hill's financial and operating performance and its ability to generate cash flow from operations that are available for taxes and capital expenditures. Investors should recognize that EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA, adjusted for foreign currency translation losses (benefit) and non-recurring activity such as the loss on performance bond, Libya bad debt recovery, costs incurred with the Profit Improvement Plan and other one-time costs (Adjusted EBITDA), is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Investors should recognize that Adjusted EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.

The following table includes a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in thousands) Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations (8,484 ) (1,595 ) (23,217 ) (575 ) Less: net earnings - noncontrolling interests 60 55 96 175 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hill International, Inc. $ (8,544 ) $ (1,650 ) $ (23,313 ) $ (750 ) Interest and related financing fees, net 1,275 1,035 3,855 2,066 Income tax expense (benefit) (460 ) (1,068 ) 2,928 (368 ) Depreciation and amortization expense 926 1,756 3,433 5,011 EBITDA $ (6,803 ) $ 73 $ (13,097 ) $ 5,959 Adjustments: Profit Improvement Plan and Other One-Time Costs 5,100 4,091 13,952 9,691 Management expense for former executive 3,140  3,140  Loss on performance bond   7,938  Libya bad debt recovery (1)   (3,248 )  Foreign currency translation loss (benefit) 3,830 725 8,937 (283 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,267 $ 4,889 $ 17,622 $ 15,367

(1) Adjustment includes the bad debt recovery from a Libyan client, net of the $864 agency collection fee incurred.

Conference Call

Raouf S. Ghali, Hills Chief Executive Officer, and Greg Wolf, Hill's Interim Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call on November 8, 2018, at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time to discuss the financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and the state of the business. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (877) 511-3236 (Domestic) or (786) 815-8670 (International) approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and asking to be connected to the Hill International conference call. To listen to the live call online, please go to the webcast link at: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/s3ksdi6z . Please go to the webcast at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate in the live call, the conference call will be archived on Hill's website for approximately 90 days. To access the script, visit www.hillintl.com , click on the "Investors" tab, select "Financial Information" on the left navigation panel, and then choose "Conferences and Calls."

About Hill International

Hill International, with approximately 2,800 professionals in more than 50 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as the eighth-largest construction management firm in the United States. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com .

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is our intent that any such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Except for historical information, the matters set forth herein including, but not limited to, any statements of belief or intent, any statements concerning our plans, strategies, and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that the expectations, estimates, and assumptions reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements are set forth in the Risk Factors section and elsewhere in the reports we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including that unfavorable global economic conditions may adversely impact our business, our backlog may not be fully realized as revenue, and our expenses may be higher than anticipated. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

Hill International, Inc.

Elizabeth J. Zipf, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Vice President

Hill International, Inc.

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, 17th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tel: 215-309-7707

elizabethzipf@hillintl.com

Hill International, Inc.

Greg Wolf

Interim Vice President & Interim Chief Financial Officer

(215) 309-7776

gregwolf@hillintl.com

InvestorCom

John Glenn Grau

President

(203) 295-7841

jgrau@investor-com.com

(HIL-G)English French

Adjusted EBITDA(1) growth of over 20%

Second Quarter Highlights

Closing of the Newfoundland Capital Corporation (NCC) acquisition significantly improves adjusted free cash flow to approximately $1.00 per share on a pro-forma basis.

Stingrays net debt to Adjusted EBITDA (1) ratio on a pro forma basis is 3.16 times

Stingray to maintain historical shareholder dividend payout ratio in the range of 30% and 40% of its Adjusted free cash flow. Dividends are expected to be adjusted twice a year in line with historical practice.

Quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share.

Acquisitions of Novramedia Inc., a Toronto-based leader in the design, development, and implementation of digital media solutions and DJ-Matic, a European provider of in-store media solutions (music, video, digital signage), subsequent to the quarter

Revenues increased 11.1% to $34.7 million with organic growth of 5.4%, excluding non-recurring equipment and installation sales related to digital signage

Recurring revenues (2) of $30.7 million or 88.4% of total revenues, an increase of 14.5%

Adjusted EBITDA (1) up 20.9% to $11.4 million

Net income increased to $0.8 million or $0.01 per share (diluted) compared to a net loss of $3.4 million or $0.07 per share (diluted) last year

Subscription video on demand (SVOD) revenue increased while subscribers slightly declined 1.8% over previous quarter

MONTREAL, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stingray Digital Group Inc. (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B) (the Corporation; Stingray), a leading business-to-business multi-platform music and in-store media solutions provider, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Financial Highlights

(in thousands of dollars, except per share data) Three months ended

September 30 Six months ended

September 30 2018 2017 % 2018 2017 % Revenues 34,692 31,222 11.1 69,148 60,892 13.6 Recurring revenues(2) 30,651 26,766 14.5 61,447 52,268 17.6 Adjusted EBITDA(1) 11,429 9,452 20.9 22,608 18,621 21.4 Net income (loss) 777 (3,395) - 2,123 (3,115) - Per share  diluted ($) 0.01 (0.07) - 0.04 (0.06) - Adjusted Net income(3) 6,708 5,407 24.1 12,606 11,110 13.5 Per share  diluted ($) 0.12 0.10 20.0 0.22 0.21 4.8 Cash flow from operating activities 5,506 2,710 103.2 12,426 2,121 485.9 Adjusted free cash flow(4) 5,448 6,853 (20.5) 11,646 14,093 (17.4)





(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as net income before net finance expense (income), change in fair value of investments, income tax expense (recovery), depreciation and write-off of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation, restricted, performance and deferred share unit expense, acquisition, legal, restructuring and other various costs. (2) Recurring revenues include subscriptions and usage in addition to fixed fees charged to our customers on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for continuous music services. Non-recurring revenues mainly include support, installation, equipment and one-time fees. (3) Adjusted Net income is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as net income before amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation, change in fair value of investments, restricted, performance and deferred share unit expense, acquisition, legal, restructuring and other various costs, net of related income taxes. (4) Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures for property and equipment, and separately acquired intangible assets, net change in non-cash working capital items, acquisition, legal, restructuring and other various costs.

Starting in the third quarter, the transformational acquisition of NCC will significantly alter Stingrays financial profile while representing an important stepping stone in the overall medium- to long-term growth strategy. Despite this large and transformational acquisition, the Corporation will maintain a healthy financial position. Considering the NCC acquisition, the future divestiture of non-core assets related to NCC and a private placement of $25 million, the net debt at closing is estimated at $356 million. On a pro-forma basis, the net debt to Adjusted EBITDA is estimated at 3.16 times, said Eric Boyko, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Stingray.



We are extremely pleased to have Irving West, Limited (Harry R. Steele) reinvest some of the proceeds received from the NCC transaction in the form of a $25 million private placement in Stingray shares at a price of $10.29 per share, being the issuance price of the Stingray shares issued as partial consideration to the NCC shareholders as well as the private placement price of the Stingray shares issued in October 2018 in connection with the transaction. This clearly reflects their confidence in the benefits of the combined companies and tremendous growth opportunities provided by Stingrays digital platform.

We are also proud to report another solid quarter with Adjusted EBITDA growth of over 20% fueled by organic growth of 5.4% and margin expansion when compared with last year. Since the beginning of the fiscal year, the drivers of our business remain growth in SVOD and the Qello Concerts acquisition.

In addition to the closing of the NCC acquisition, we recently announced the acquisitions of DJ-Matic and Novramedia, launched eight linear television channels on Bell, made some key management hires and pursued our discussions related to the potential acquisition of Music Choice. Going forward, we are confident in our ability to deliver on the cross-selling and operational synergies related to acquisitions as well as have the capacity to pursue our acquisition program, concluded Mr. Boyko.

Second Quarter Results

Revenues increased 11.1% to $34.7 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared with revenues of $31.2 million a year ago. The increase was primarily due to organic growth of SVOD, combined with the acquisition of Qello Concerts.

Recurring revenues were up 14.5% to $30.7 million in the second quarter over the same period last year and increased to 88.4% of total revenues for the quarter, compared to 85.7% of total revenues last year. For the quarter, Canadian revenues decreased 4.1% to $14.2 million (41.0% of total revenues) due to less equipment and installation sales related to digital signage, United States revenues increased 54.5% to $8.1 million (23.3% of total revenues), whereas revenues in Other Countries increased by 11.1% to $12.4 million (35.7% of total revenues).

Music Broadcasting revenues increased 13.9% to $25.5 million, mainly due to organic growth related to SVOD, as well as the acquisition of Qello concerts. Commercial Music revenues rose 3.9% to $9.2 million, mainly due to the acquisition of Novramedia, SMA and SBA, combined with organic growth resulting from international expansion, partially offset by a decrease in equipment and installation sales related to digital signage.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter increased to $11.4 million or 32.9% of revenues, compared to $9.5 million or 30.3% of revenues a year earlier. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the acquisitions realized in Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019 and to the organic growth of SVOD, partially offset by higher operating expenses related to international expansion.

For the second quarter, the Corporation reported a net income of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per share (diluted), compared to a net loss of $3.4 million, or $(0.07) per share (diluted) for the same period last year. The increase was mainly attributable to lower legal fees and higher operating results, partially offset by higher income tax expense and depreciation.

Adjusted Net Income was $6.7 million, or $0.12 per share (diluted), compared to $5.4 million, or $0.10 per share (diluted) a year ago, as higher operating results were partially offset by higher depreciation and income net tax expense.

Cash flow generated from operating activities increased to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2019 from $2.7 million a year earlier. Adjusted free cash flow decreased to $5.4 million, from $6.9 million for the same period a year ago. The decrease was mainly related to higher capital expenditures and income tax paid, partially offset by higher operating results.

As of September 30, 2018, the Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million and a revolving credit facility of $100 million, of which approximately $42.7 million was unused.

Six Months Results

Revenues for the first six months of Fiscal 2019 increased 13.6% to $69.1 million compared to $60.9 million a year ago. The increase in revenues was primarily due to organic growth of SVOD, combined with the acquisitions of Qello Concerts, SMA and SBA.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 21.4% to $22.6 million from $18.6 million for the same period last year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the acquisitions realized in Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019 and to the organic growth of SVOD, partially offset by higher operating expenses related to international expansion.

Adjusted Net income for the first six months of Fiscal 2019 increased 13.5% to $12.6 million, or $0.22 per share (diluted), compared to $11.1 million, or $0.21 per share (diluted) a year ago.

Declaration of Dividend

On November 7, 2018, the Corporation declared a dividend of $0.06 per subordinate voting share, variable subordinate voting share and multiple voting share. The dividend will be payable on or around December 14, 2018 to shareholders on record as of November 30, 2018.

The Corporations dividend policy is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and may vary depending upon, among other things, our available cash flow, results of operations, financial condition, business growth opportunities and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

The dividends paid are designated as "eligible" dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any corresponding provisions of provincial and territorial tax legislation.

Additional Business Highlights

On October 26, 2018, the Corporation announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, one of Canada's leading radio broadcasters with 101 licences (82 FM and 19 AM) across Canada.

On October 10, 2018, the Corporation announced the acquisition of DJ-Matic, a provider of in-store media solutions (music, video, digital signage) for businesses with clients in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.

On September 19, 2018, the Corporation announced the appointment of Ryan Fuss as Senior Vice-President, Advertising Sales to spearhead the development of the Corporations integrated advertising offering - both domestically and internationally  in support of the Corporations growth objectives.

On August 28, 2018, the Corporation announced that it had launched eight linear television channels with Bell. This launch follows the May 29, 2018 announcement that Bell and the Corporation had extended and renewed their long-term partnership.

On August 22, 2018, the Corporation announced the appointment of David Purdy as Chief Revenue Officer. The creation of a position of chief revenue officer reflects the accelerated growth of the Corporations operations and the diversification of its revenue streams.

On August 3, 2018, the Corporation announced that it had made an unsolicited offer to purchase all of the issued and outstanding units of Music Choice, a general partnership which produces music programming and music-related content for digital cable television, mobile phone and cable modem users. No assurance can be given that the offer, as presented, will be accepted by all or any of the unitholders.

Lastly, other changes were made to the executive team of the Corporation and to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, as Stephen Tapp and Valery Zamuner will no longer serve as executives of the Corporation. Also, David Purdy and Robert Steele have both stepped down from the Audit Committee and have been replaced by Mark Pathy and Jacques Parisien. Pascal Tremblay will continue to chair the Audit Committee.

Conference Call

The Corporation will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at 10:00 AM (ET). Interested parties can join the call by dialing 647-788-4922 (Toronto) or 1-877-223-4471 (toll free). If you are unable to call at this time, you may access a tape recording of the conference call by dialing 416-621-4642 (Toronto) or 1-800-585-8367 (toll free) followed by access code: 2071249. This tape recording will be available until December 7, 2018.

About Stingray

Stingray (TSX:RAY.A) (TSX:RAY.B) ) is a leading music, media, and technology company with over 1,200 employees worldwide. Stingray is a premium provider of curated direct-to-consumer and B2B services, including audio television channels, 101 radio stations, SVOD content, 4K UHD television channels, karaoke products, digital signage, in-store music, and music apps, which have been downloaded over 101 million times. Stingray reaches 400 million subscribers (or users) in 156 countries. For more information: www.stingray.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to Stingray's goals, beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "may", "would", "should", "could", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe", and "continue", or the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions. Please note, however, that not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Stingray's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified in Stingray's Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2018, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that Stingray anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on Stingray's business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date hereof, and Stingray does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Corporation believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are important measures when analyzing its operating profitability without being influenced by financing decisions, non-cash items and income taxes strategies. Comparison with peers is also easier as companies rarely have the same capital and financing structure. The Corporation believes that Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share are important measures as it demonstrates its core bottom-line profitability. The Corporation believes that Adjusted free cash flow is an important measure when assessing the amount of cash generated after accounting for capital expenditures and non-core charges. It demonstrates cash available to make business acquisitions, pay dividend and reduce debt. The Corporation believes that Net debt and Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA are important measures when analyzing the significance of debt on the Corporations statement of financial position. Each of these non-IFRS financial measures is not an earnings or cash flow measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

Our method of calculating such financial measures may differ from the methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, our definition of these non-IFRS financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that non-IFRS financial measures should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of our performance or to cash flows from operating activities as measures of liquidity and cash flows.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net income reconciliation to Net income

Three-month periods ended Six-month periods ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars) Sept. 30, 2018

Q2 2019 Sept. 30, 2017

Q2 2018 Sept. 30, 2018

YTD 2019 Sept. 30, 2017

YTD 2018 Net income (loss) 777 (3,395) 2,123 (3,115) Net finance expense (income) 910 1,269 2,831 1,806 Change in fair value of investments 436 697 (61) 1,131 Income tax expense (recovery) 567 (941) 1,056 (477) Depreciation and write-off of property and equipment 1,274 718 2,443 1,339 Amortization of intangible assets 5,255 4,508 9,842 9,049 Share-based compensation 358 312 553 506 Restricted, performance and deferred share unit expense 518 709 885 1,022 Acquisition, legal fees, restructuring and other various costs 1,334 5,575 2,956 7,360 Adjusted EBITDA 11,429 9,452 22,608 18,621 Net finance expense (income) (910) (1,269) (2,831) (1,806) Income tax expense (recovery) (567) 941 (1,056) 477 Depreciation of property and equipment and write-off (1,274) (718) (2,443) (1,339) Income taxes related to change in fair value of investments, share-based compensation, restricted, performance and deferred share unit expense, amortization of intangible assets and acquisition, legal, restructuring and other various costs (1,970) (2,999) (3,672) (4,843) Adjusted Net income 6,708 5,407 12,606 11,110

Adjusted free cash flow reconciliation to Cash flow from operating activities

Three-month periods ended Six-month periods ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars) Sept. 30, 2018

Q2 2019 Sept. 30, 2017

Q2 2018 Sept. 30, 2018

YTD 2019 Sept. 30, 2017

YTD 2018 Cash flow from operating activities 5,506 2,710 12,426 2,121 Add / Less : Acquisition of property and equipment (1,488) (705) (3,716) (1,512) Acquisition of intangible assets other than internally developed intangible assets (1,383) (1,000) (1,730) (1,404) Addition to internally developed intangible assets (1,390)  (2,595)  Net change in non-cash operating working capital items 2,869 273 4,305 7,528 Acquisition, legal fees, restructuring and other various costs 1,334 5,575 2,956 7,360 Adjusted free cash flow 5,448 6,853 11,646 14,093

Note to readers: Condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Managements Discussion & Analysis of Operating Results and Financial Position are available on the Corporations website at www.stingray.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

Contact information:CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Millennium Iron Corp. (NML or the Company) (TSX:NML) announced today the appointment of Robert P. Bob Boisjoli as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Mark Freedman, who is now a partner at Ernst & Young LLP (EY).



Mr. Boisjoli is Managing Director of Atwater Financial Group and a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant with over 30 years of operational and advisory experience, including in the mining sector. He is the founder of two companies, sits on the boards of directors of public and private companies where he is also the audit committee chairman, and is a board member of various non-profit organizations.

NMLs Chief Executive Officer Ernest Dempsey said, We are very pleased to have Bob join NML. He brings outstanding accounting and financial qualifications to the Company, along with wide-ranging business expertise. We also thank Mark for his dedicated service since NMLs founding, which contributed to important milestones for the Company, and we wish him continued success.

About New Millennium

NML is a Canadian iron ore exploration, evaluation and development company with an extensive property position called the Millennium Iron Range (MIR) in Canadas principal iron ore district, the Labrador Trough, straddling the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Province of Quebec, in the Menihek Region around Schefferville, Quebec. The Companys project areas are connected via a well-established, heavy-haul rail network to the Port of Sept-Iles, Quebec.

Tata Steel Limited (Tata Steel), a global steel producer and industry leader, owns approximately 26.2% of the Company and is the Companys largest shareholder.

NML has a 4.32% interest in Tata Steel Minerals Canada Ltd. (TSMC), which is owner and operator of a direct shipping ore (DSO) project near Schefferville. The DSO project produces and ships sinter fines. Subsidiaries of Tata Steel and the Quebec Governments financing arm, Investissement Quebec, own the remainder of TSMC.

Beyond TSMC, the Company offers further development potential through a group of seven, NI 43-101 compliant, long-life taconite properties capable of producing high quality pellets and pellet feed to service the requirements of steel makers with either blast furnace or direct reduced iron making operations. Two of these deposits  LabMag and KeMag  were the subject of large-scale development feasibility studies carried out by the Company and Tata Steel, published in March 2014, and filed on SEDAR.

With these feasibility study results as a foundation, the Company reviewed its taconite development strategy through the design of a smaller market entry initiative called the NuTac Project, for which a NI 43-101 prefeasibility study was carried out, published in June 2016, and filed on SEDAR.

In the currently challenging market environment for new iron ore projects, NML has implemented cash conservation measures, while protecting its mineral claims and iron ore development positioning. The Company is now considering different business opportunities.

For further information, please visit www.NMLiron.com, www.tatasteelcanada.com and www.tatasteel.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward looking statements and forward looking information (collectively referred to herein as forward looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward looking statements. Forward looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as could, should, can, anticipate, expect, believe, will, may, projected, sustain, continues, strategy, potential, projects, grow, take advantage, estimate, well positioned or similar words suggesting future outcomes. In particular, this news release contains forward looking statements relating to future opportunities, business strategies, mineral exploration, development and production plans and competitive advantages. 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 cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Companys future operations. The Companys actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. The forward looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake and is not obligated to publicly update such forward looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contact:

Ernest Dempsey

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (514) 935-3204, X 349TORONTO and SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hydro One Limited (Hydro One) (TSX: H) and Avista Corporation (Avista) (NYSE: AVA) today announced the five independent directors selected to serve on the new Avista Board of Directors, if the proposed merger is approved by utility commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The proposed merger has received regulatory approval from the Alaska and Montana commissions and other federal agencies. As outlined in the proposed merger commitments pending before the commissions, two independent directors were selected by Avista and three independent directors were selected by Hydro One.



All five selections are independent of both organizations, as defined by New York Stock Exchange rules, and have ties to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The four remaining directors will include Avistas current CEO and chairman, Scott Morris, continuing in his role as chairman, current Avista president and director Dennis Vermillion, the CEO of Hydro One and one other senior executive from Hydro One, to be named. Seven of the nine total directors have ties to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, with six of these serving as current Avista directors or employees, ensuring that these directors are familiar with Avistas service territory.

As we move through the regulatory process, the selection of these independent board members is a vital step in affirming that we will have strong oversight and leadership in place and ready to engage once the transaction closes, Avista Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott L. Morris said. These individuals are highly experienced, well-versed in our business, understand the needs of our communities and have demonstrated outstanding commitment to our region. Were also pleased that members of Avistas current board have agreed to serve on the future board, and we believe this benefits both organizations and provides for continuity of leadership. We look forward to working with this strong group of leaders as we lead Avista into the future.

This selection of independent directors brings a strong combination of impressive credentials, depth of experience and a connection to the people and communities of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, said Paul Dobson, acting President and CEO, Hydro One. This Board of Directors will be well-equipped to guide the long-term health and success of Avista and preserve the identity, culture and proud legacy of this historic company.

The independent directors were selected at this time so that the Avista board of directors would be prepared and ready to begin serving their terms assuming the proposed transaction is approved and closes, which is requested by the end of this year. The newly selected directors are:

Kristianne Blake (Avista selection): Ms. Blake serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as lead director and has been an Avista Director since 2000. She is a long-time resident of Spokane, Washington and has a rich history of involvement in the Spokane community. She has been the president of the accounting firm of Kristianne Gates Blake, P.S. since 1987 and has an extensive background in public accounting. She was a Certified Public Accountant for 33 years, and she worked for 13 years for an international accounting firm. She has served for 22 years on various boards of public companies and registered investment companies. Ms. Blake is also currently serving as board chair for the Russell Investment Company and the Russell investment Funds.

Ms. Blake serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as lead director and has been an Avista Director since 2000. She is a long-time resident of Spokane, Washington and has a rich history of involvement in the Spokane community. She has been the president of the accounting firm of Kristianne Gates Blake, P.S. since 1987 and has an extensive background in public accounting. She was a Certified Public Accountant for 33 years, and she worked for 13 years for an international accounting firm. She has served for 22 years on various boards of public companies and registered investment companies. Ms. Blake is also currently serving as board chair for the Russell Investment Company and the Russell investment Funds. Donald Burke (Avista selection): Mr. Burke serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as the chair of the audit committee and has been an Avista Director since 2011. As a director, he serves as the Boards designated financial expert. He also currently serves as an independent director for the Virtus mutual fund complex and Duff & Phelps closed-end funds complex. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Burke served as a trustee for numerous global funds that were advised by BlackRock, Inc. From 2006 to 2009, he was a managing director of BlackRock and served as the president and CEO of the BlackRock U.S. mutual funds. In this role, Mr. Burke was responsible for all of the accounting, tax and regulatory reporting requirements for over 300 open and closed-end mutual funds. Mr. Burke joined BlackRock in connection with the merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM), taking a lead role in the integration of the two firms operating infrastructures. While at MLIM, Mr. Burke was the Head of Global Operations and Client Services and also served as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the MLIM mutual funds. He brings significant financial experience to the board from his years in public accounting and his role as the treasurer and CFO of numerous mutual funds. He has extensive board experience, having served on the audit, compliance, governance & nominating, and contract review committees of various boards. Through his service as an Avista director, Mr. Burke has demonstrated his commitment to the Pacific Northwest region.

Mr. Burke serves on the current Avista Board of Directors as the chair of the audit committee and has been an Avista Director since 2011. As a director, he serves as the Boards designated financial expert. He also currently serves as an independent director for the Virtus mutual fund complex and Duff & Phelps closed-end funds complex. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Burke served as a trustee for numerous global funds that were advised by BlackRock, Inc. From 2006 to 2009, he was a managing director of BlackRock and served as the president and CEO of the BlackRock U.S. mutual funds. In this role, Mr. Burke was responsible for all of the accounting, tax and regulatory reporting requirements for over 300 open and closed-end mutual funds. Mr. Burke joined BlackRock in connection with the merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM), taking a lead role in the integration of the two firms operating infrastructures. While at MLIM, Mr. Burke was the Head of Global Operations and Client Services and also served as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the MLIM mutual funds. He brings significant financial experience to the board from his years in public accounting and his role as the treasurer and CFO of numerous mutual funds. He has extensive board experience, having served on the audit, compliance, governance & nominating, and contract review committees of various boards. Through his service as an Avista director, Mr. Burke has demonstrated his commitment to the Pacific Northwest region. Christine Gregoire (Hydro One selection): Ms. Gregoire is the CEO for Challenge Seattle, an organization comprised of 18 major international companies and non-profits located in the Seattle region. Previously, she served for two terms as Governor of the State of Washington with a $32B biennial budget and over 60,000 employees. In her first term as Governor, she created the Department of Early Learning and led on reforms to the K-12 system and investment in higher education. She led the state in a historical investment in infrastructure, addressed the water wars in the state, led an historic number of trade missions, reformed the foster care system to protect children and was among the first to lead in health care reform. During her second term, Ms. Gregoire led the state in major reforms, management and budgeting to position the state as one of the most financially secure to come out of the "Great Recession." Prior to becoming Governor, she served for three terms as Attorney General for the State and prior to becoming Attorney General, she served four years as the Director of the State Department of Ecology. She is also a member of the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and the Bipartisan Governors Council, and on the advisory boards of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and the Progressive Coalition for American Jobs. Ms. Gregoire recently completed her third year as Chair on the National Export-Import Bank Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, and she and her husband also have a home in north Idaho.

Ms. Gregoire is the CEO for Challenge Seattle, an organization comprised of 18 major international companies and non-profits located in the Seattle region. Previously, she served for two terms as Governor of the State of Washington with a $32B biennial budget and over 60,000 employees. In her first term as Governor, she created the Department of Early Learning and led on reforms to the K-12 system and investment in higher education. She led the state in a historical investment in infrastructure, addressed the water wars in the state, led an historic number of trade missions, reformed the foster care system to protect children and was among the first to lead in health care reform. During her second term, Ms. Gregoire led the state in major reforms, management and budgeting to position the state as one of the most financially secure to come out of the "Great Recession." Prior to becoming Governor, she served for three terms as Attorney General for the State and prior to becoming Attorney General, she served four years as the Director of the State Department of Ecology. She is also a member of the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and the Bipartisan Governors Council, and on the advisory boards of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and the Progressive Coalition for American Jobs. Ms. Gregoire recently completed her third year as Chair on the National Export-Import Bank Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, and she and her husband also have a home in north Idaho. Scott Maw (Hydro One selection): Mr. Maw serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2016. He has been executive vice president and CFO for Starbucks Coffee Company since February 2014. He is responsible for Starbucks Global Finance organization. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of Corporate Finance for Starbucks where he was responsible for corporate finance, including accounting, tax and treasury. Mr. Maw also had oversight for all financial and securities-related regulatory filings. He joined Starbucks as global controller in 2011. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Maw served as CFO of SeaBright Insurance Company from 2010 to 2011. From 2008 to February 2010 he served as CFO of the Consumer Banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is a Seattle, Wash. resident, with roots in Eastern Washington. He graduated from Deer Park High School, just north of Spokane, and is a graduate of Gonzaga University.

Mr. Maw serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2016. He has been executive vice president and CFO for Starbucks Coffee Company since February 2014. He is responsible for Starbucks Global Finance organization. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of Corporate Finance for Starbucks where he was responsible for corporate finance, including accounting, tax and treasury. Mr. Maw also had oversight for all financial and securities-related regulatory filings. He joined Starbucks as global controller in 2011. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Maw served as CFO of SeaBright Insurance Company from 2010 to 2011. From 2008 to February 2010 he served as CFO of the Consumer Banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is a Seattle, Wash. resident, with roots in Eastern Washington. He graduated from Deer Park High School, just north of Spokane, and is a graduate of Gonzaga University. Marc Racicot (Hydro One selection): Mr. Racicot serves on the current Avista Board of Directors and has been an Avista Director since 2009. He served as president and CEO of the American Insurance Association from August, 2005 to February, 2009. Prior to that, he was a partner at the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP from 2001 to 2005. He is a former governor (1993 to 2001) and attorney general (1989 to 1993) of the state of Montana. Mr. Racicot was nominated by President Bush and unanimously elected to serve as the chair of the Republican National Committee from 2002 to 2003 prior to assuming the position of chair of the Bush/Cheney Re-election Committee from 2003 to 2004. He previously served as a director for Siebel Systems, Allied Capital Corporation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Plum Creek Timber Company, and The Washington Companies, and presently serves as a director for Weyerhaeuser Company and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In addition, throughout his career, Mr. Racicot has strongly committed himself to children, education and community issues. He was appointed to the board of The Corporation for National and Community Service by President Clinton and has also served on the boards of Carroll College, Jobs for Americas Graduates and United Way in Helena, Montana. He is a life-long resident of Montana and a graduate of Carroll College.

Applications for regulatory approval of the transaction are still pending with utility commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. All approvals have been requested by December 14, 2018; however the utility commissions will determine when they issue their final orders.

For further information:

Hydro One

Media:

Jay Armitage

Director, Corporate Communications

media.relations@hydroone.com, 416-345-6868

Investors:

Omar Javed

Vice President, Investor Relations

investor.relations@hydroone.com, 416-345-5943

Avista

Media:

Casey Fielder, Communications Manager

casey.fielder@avistacorp.com, 509-495-4916

Investors:

Jason Lang, Investor Relations Manager

jason.lang@avistacorp.com, 509-495-2930

About Hydro One Limited

We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, over C$25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly C$6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network through Hydro One Telecom Inc. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as expect, anticipate, intend, attempt, may, plan, will, can, believe, seek, estimate, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro Ones filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.



About Avista Corporation

Avista Corporation is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 383,000 customers and natural gas to 348,000 customers. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company . Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.myAvista.com .

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the companys current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companys control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2018.HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced today that it has agreed to purchase 450,000 shares of its common stock from Hershey Trust Company, as Trustee for the Milton Hershey School Trust, for approximately $48 million, or $106.30 per share.



"Hershey regularly buys back shares as part of its stock replenishment program, said Michele Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. Todays transaction is consistent with that practice. The company continues to have flexibility to invest in our brands and in the capabilities that give us a competitive edge at retail and with consumers."

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 17,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.5 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hersheys, Reeses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and SkinnyPop.

For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed. To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

FINANCIAL CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Poole Leigh Horner 717-534-7556 717-412-8445



Unsavory Options MBS ambitious reforms  which include allowing women to drive, screening movies, and so on  are not just about internal Saudi threats. MBS crackdown is also a willing capitulation to the demands of the U.S. Its no secret that Saudi Arabia funds and exports jihadists. Riyadhs unwillingness to stop doing so was one reason the Obama administration believed that Saudi Arabia was no longer a reliable ally. Hence, the Iran nuclear deal. (Notably, the fight against the Islamic State also precipitated the agreement.) The nuclear deal seriously undermined Saudi Arabias position, because without U.S. support, Saudi Arabia is at best a minor player and at worst a revolution in waiting. When the Trump administration took office, it insisted Saudi Arabia crack down on Islamists  and Saudi Arabia was willing to go to new lengths to crack down lest it lose its most important security patron again. Fearful of a potential insurgency and cognizant of the risks of losing the U.S., Saudi Arabia needed a change  and in that sense, MBS was Washingtons man. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said nearly a century ago when he had to rationalize his support of a dictator: He may be a son of a bitch, but hes our son of a bitch.

This is why the U.S. response to Khashoggis murder has been so muted (to say nothing of the Saudi-led war in Yemen , where at least 50,000 people have died and where the United Nations estimates 75 percent of the population is in need of immediate humanitarian assistance). As long as the United States primary goals are to destroy jihadists and Iran, Washington has no choice but to stomach less savory aspects of its alliance with Saudi Arabia. In that limited sense, the U.S. needs Saudi Arabia as much as Saudi Arabia needs the U.S. Hence the immediate dispatching of the U.S. secretary of state to Riyadh after the Khashoggi revelations and the informal presence of the U.S. treasury secretary in Saudi Arabia for this weeks Davos in the Desert investment conference in Riyadh.

And yet, in its single-minded focus on rolling back Iranian influence and annihilating the Islamic State, the United States and Saudi Arabia have underestimated the other rising power that seeks to claim the mantle of leader of the Sunni Muslim world: Turkey.

Its no coincidence that Turkey is making a massive deal out of the Khashoggi murder . For years, Turkey has been slowly and methodically building political and military clout in areas Saudi Arabia considers its sphere of influence. Qatar, for example, was able to survive Riyadhs attempts to punish it last year for being too friendly with Iran largely through help from Turkey. (Qatar also hosts a Turkish military base.) The government in Ankara, moreover, recently signed a military cooperation agreement with Kuwait, and Oman, which has always tried to play both sides of the Saudi-Iran rivalry, appears more open to Turkish overtures than it has in the past.

Perhaps most notably, the recent announcement that Jordan canceled two annexes of its peace treaty with Israel comes at the heels of months of speculation that Jordan and Turkey are also growing closer. Jordan is reportedly unhappy with Saudi Arabias stance toward the Palestinians, on whom the Trump administration has been far tougher than the Obama administration. On Monday, the Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center even named Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the most influential Muslim in the world. Turkey is no friend to journalists; it has made a big deal of the Khashoggi murder because it sees in the reaction to his death a strategic opportunity. Unintended Consequences The Saudi government is probably not in immediate danger. King Salman and MBS have successfully centralized control of the major nodes of power in Saudi Arabia: the tribal elites, the national guard, the military, the interior ministry and the clerics. The speculation that MBS will be ditched because of Khashoggis murder is misplaced; King Salman has ordered a reorganization of Saudi intelligence services as a mea culpa, but he has put MBS directly in charge of the process. There may very well be a crisis of succession when King Salman, who at 82 years old may not last to see what becomes of Vision 2030, dies. MBS has positioned himself as the heir apparent, but he himself skipped a few places in the line of succession , and theres no guarantee that someone else wont try to do likewise. But a succession crisis is a far cry from overthrowing the current king, who still enjoys widespread loyalty. While hes around, there is no institutional force inside the kingdom that can bring about regime change without foreign intervention or outright revolution. This is why King Salman and MBS are so skittish in general, and why they are taking no chances with dissidents like Khashoggi  or any of the numerous other Saudi officials who have been purged in recent years.

All the while, Saudi Arabia will try to accomplish the impossible  a complete reorientation of its political economy in 12 years. It will probably fail. So long as Saudi Arabian oil keeps flowing, the kingdom can buy allies such as Egypt and Pakistan, and so as long as the United States remains committed to countering Iran, the Saudis can be sure that Washington will ignore its human rights abuses. Turkey is better positioned than any other country to capitalize on the friction that comes from this arrangement, and already it is moving to take advantage of the opportunity. It does not need to balance against Iran while the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia engage in that hard work. It can simply play the role of a beneficent power and de facto spiritual leader, the sultanate and the caliphate reborn in the 21st century.

Its ironic that Saudi Arabia and the United States have what they thought they wanted from their relationship. Iran is buckling, and the Islamic State has been crushed. Whats unclear is whether Riyadh and Washington can continue to be useful to each other now that the unintended consequences of their reinvigorated relationship have been laid bare.

US bank earnings show the wealthy are gorging on credit



Loan portfolios are growing on the back of a strong economy and soaring financial markets



Peter Atwater





Fifth Avenue, New York. Fuelled by abundant low-cost debt, the wealthy have driven luxury markets to record prices  Dreamstime





The rich really are different after all. That was the message this week as US banks and brokerages released their latest quarterly earnings. Where lending to consumers and companies is now moderating, credit to the financial elite remains strong. JPMorgan reported 12 per cent year-on-year loan growth for its wealth and asset management division, while the comparable division at Morgan Stanley reported a 7 per cent gain.



Thanks to the rapid growth in private client lending, JPMorgan has now lent out almost as much to a small number of its elite customers as it has to its millions of cardholders. To put that into perspective, just nine years ago the bank had $5 out to cardholders for every $1 lent to its private clients.



Where the availability of credit to Main Street has been limited  if not reduced  since the housing crisis a decade ago, for those on Easy Street it has never been better. The strong growth in private credit reflects the relative confidence of the wealthy and their lenders.



With widespread certainty that all this debt can be repaid, the risk of a big surprise is high. In the financial markets, universally believed truths have a funny way of being proved false. Ten years ago, banks learnt that the hard way when homeowners showed they do not always pay their mortgages first.



While the volume of high-net-worth credit is not a systemic risk, as housing credit was, losses are likely to be far greater than either the lenders or their regulators imagine. Loan portfolios are growing rapidly, on the back of a strong economy and soaring markets. But when those conditions reverse, so too will loan quality.



The banks, though, will not be the only ones to suffer. Consider how much the wealthy have driven the post-crisis recovery. In New York, for example, there is now a cluster of pencil-thin, super-tall skyscrapers at the southern end of Central Park, known as Billionaires Row, that did not exist before the crisis. In Los Angeles, there is a 157-acre residential property for sale for $1bn.



While those are extreme examples, the luxury market in this economic cycle has been especially strong. Fuelled by abundant low-cost debt, the wealthy have driven markets in real estate, watercraft, art and other collectibles to record prices.



Then there is the stock market itself. Investments represent the ultimate luxury goods. Our demand for investments increase more than proportionally as our income rises  and for the very wealthy, it does so dramatically. Net worth, like yacht length, is a measuring tool of status.



The danger is that no one will want stocks at the bottom of the next crisis, just as no one will want big homes and big boats. Just as consumers no longer saw their homes as investments after the banking crisis, the wealthy will not see stocks as a viable investment either.



For the individuals and lenders now caught up in the swirling virtuous cycle of ever higher asset values, the notion of a simultaneous collapse of all luxury goods markets must seem laughable. The dramatic growth in outstanding loans during the past decade, however, suggests that such an outcome is not just likely, but highly probable. Credit weaves both inter-connectedness and interdependence. When the drop comes, all will descend at once.



A decade ago, Main Street had its bubble burst. But the rich did not. The Federal Reserve and other central banks stepped in to save the financial system, and by extension, the wealthy as well.



Ironically, because of that, credit has since flowed not only disproportionately to the wealthy, but now to excess. While the rich may be different, one thing is certain: when economies slow, no one is immune from the adverse consequences of over-indebtedness.





The writer is president of Financial Insyghts and an adjunct professor at the College of William & MaryDemocrats wrested control of the House of Representatives in yesterday's midterm elections, gaining at least 26 seats to secure a slim majority. But while their victory is narrow, it comes with significant power: the ability to subpoena President Donald Trump, to control committees and investigations, and provide a check on Republicans' agenda. (15 more tossup seats remained too close to call, the NY Times reports.)

New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler, a longtime foe of Trump who will now become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a statement last night declaring that "the American people have demanded accountability from their government and sent a clear message of what they want from Congress. Donald Trump may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people."

In NYC, Democrats scored a crucial win in south Brooklyn and Staten Island, where Democratic challenger Max Rose defeated Republican incumbent Representative Dan Donovan, 95,000 votes to 84,000 votes. Rose's grassroots campaign flipped the last Congressional Republican stronghold in New York City for the Democrats, making Rose Staten Islands second Democratic House representative in 37 years.

Upstate, Democrat Antonio Delgado unseated Republican incumbent Congressman John Faso, following a bitterly-contested race marred by racist attack ads against Delgado, a Rhodes Scholar who will now become the first non-white representative in the Hudson Valley district, which is 80% white and voted for Trump in 2016.

"Way too much of our political climate is fueled by divisiveness, hatred and fear," Delgado told supporters in his victory speech last night. "It only serves to distract us from our shared struggle and deep inequities that impact so many people here at home and across this country."

In Queens and the Bronx, 29-year-old Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, following her stunning primary defeat of powerful Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley. In her victory speech last night, Ocasio-Cortez said, "We launched this campaign because no one was clearly and authentically talking about issues like the corrupting role of money in politics."

Ocasio-Cortez is one of over 110 women to win seats in Congress yesterday, shattering the previous combined record of 107 in the House and Senate. The majority of the female winners are Democrats; in Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley became the first woman of color to be elected to Congress in that state. (One-third of the female nominees for the House were women of color, the highest ever.) Four women have joined Pennsylvania's 21-member Congressional delegation, up from zero. (Three of those seats were flipped from Republican to Democrat.)

In Florida, Democrats Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala flipped two seats in Miami-Dade County from Republican to Democrat. In Illinois, political neophyte Lauren Underwood, a Democrat and registered nurse, achieved a surprise upset victory over four-term Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren. The first Muslim Congresswomen won elections for Democrats yesterday: Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and Ilhan Omar in Minnesota.

Congratulations to my sister @RashidaTlaib on your victory!



I cannot wait to serve with you, inshallah.   Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018

In New Mexico, Democrat Deb Haaland made history by becoming the first Native American women elected to Congress. Haaland told Vox that the droughts in her state have made combating climate change a top priority. "The future of our planet depends on us doing whatever we can right now," Haaland said. "And instead of us giving the richest people $1.5 trillion [in] tax cuts, I really feel like we could have paid for some renewable energy infrastructure."

Democrats Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia will become the first two Latino women elected to Congress by Texas. Republican Kristi Noem will become South Dakota's first female governor following a narrow victory over Democrat Billie Sutton in a tight election race. And in Tennessee, Republican Marsha Blackburn became the states first woman elected to the Senate. (Newsweek has a roundup of ten women who scored significant victories last night.)

As was widely predicted, Republicans gained an advantage in the Senate, winning formerly Democratic seats in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri, and fending off challenges in states like Texas. North Dakotas incumbent Democratic senator, Heidi Heitkamp, was defeated by staunch Trump ally Representative Kevin Cramer in a tight race that saw Heitkamp maligned as a liberal extremist in a red state that voted overwhelmingly for Trump. In Missouri, Republican Josh Hawley defeated moderate Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in one of the most expensive Senate races in American history, in a state that Trump won by 20 percentage points in 2016.

In Texas, Senator Ted Cruz clung to his seat, fending off a closely-watched challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who won 48% of the votes to Cruz's 50%. "Im as inspired, Im as hopeful as Ive ever been in my life, and tonights loss does nothing to diminish the way I feel about Texas or this country," O'Rourke told supporters after conceding last night. (Political analysts now see O'Rourke as a compelling presidential candidate in 2020.)

We just want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible. Everyone who made us feel hopeful, everyone who inspired us. Everyone who became the most amazing campaign we could have ever hoped to belong to. Grateful that we got to do this with you. We love you. Goodnight! pic.twitter.com/1j6JnhtP0f  Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) November 7, 2018

New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez won a third term, defeating his Republican challenger, pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin. Mendendez won by nearly ten percentage points, despite having fended off federal bribery charges in a high-profile corruption trial. Three other New Jersey Democrats flipped Republican-held House seats: former Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill, former assistant secretary of state Tom Malinowski, and moderate State Senator Jeff Van Drew. (A fourth race, between Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur and Democrat Andy Kim of Bordentown, remains too close to call.)

In deep red West Virginia, where Trump won by 42 percentage points in 2016, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin defeated his Republican challenger Patrick Morrisey by a comfortable margin, despite Trump's frequent rallies in the state. After Trump's election, Manchin was widely considered to be one of the most vulnerably Democratic Senators, but his long history in West Virginia and broad coalition of supporters carried him through. "I know a lot of people that voted for him, and I dont know one person that did it happily, Rusty Williams, a Bernie Sanders supporter, told Politico. One of the quotes I keep hearing is, Yeah, I threw up in my mouth a little bit when I voted for Joe.'"

Democratic gubernatorial candidates scored significant wins over Republicans in two closely-watched states that Trump won in 2016. In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers eked out a narrow victory over Republican Scott Walker, and in Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer defeated Republican Bill Schuette. Nationwide, Democrats upset Republicans in seven gubernatorial elections.

Irony of ironies: Scott Walker signed a law preventing second place finishers from requesting a recount if they lost by more than 1%. Walker lost by 1.2%! #WIGov #wiunion #ElectionResults2018  John Kane (@Tortured_Verse) November 7, 2018

In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo strolled to a third term, easily defeating Republican challenger Marc Molinaro. And in Colorado, Rep. Jared Polis defeated Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton to keep that state's governor's office Democratic. Polis becomes America's first openly gay governor, and campaigned on a promise that Colorado will run only on renewable power by 2040.

But Republicans still scored key victories in battleground states, with former Representative Ron DeSantis narrowly defeating Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, to become Florida's next Governor. Florida's outgoing Republican Governor, Rick Scott, declared victory last night over Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, but NBC reports that his lead is too close to call. At less than half a percentage point with nearly all votes counted, the results could trigger a mandatory recount. (As of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nelson had not conceded.)

And in Georgia, Secretary of State Brian Kemp of Georgia clung to a narrow lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams, who would become the state's first black governor. That race could also go to an automatic recount if neither candidate wins a majority. Kemp appears to have won slightly over 50%, but Abrams has refused to concede.

In a statement to CNN, Abrams said three of the state's largest counties "have reported only a portion of the votes that were submitted by early mail" and four other large counties "have reported exactly 0 votes by mail. These counties also represent heavily-Democratic leaning constituencies, and the majority of those votes are anticipated to be for Stacey Abrams."

Kemp was widely accused of using his position as Secretary of State to suppress likely Abrams voters, and a lawsuit filed yesterday seeks to strip Kemp of his powers over the election, particularly in the event of a runoff.

This was not a legitimate election. https://t.co/k3qibG3Dga  Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) November 7, 2018

Despite the lingering questions about the contested gubernatorial elections, the biggest question for Democratswhether the party could emerge from the wilderness to provide a check on Trump at the federal levelhas been answered. As The New Yorker's John Cassidy points out, "Democrats were set to win the popular vote by seven percentage points. That would nearly match the margin the Republicans achieved in the 2010 midterms, which Barack Obama famously described as 'a shellacking.' Only the rampant gerrymandering of the past few decades contained the size of the Democratic majority."

House minority leader and soon-to-be Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared last night that "Tomorrow will be a new day in America. We have all had enough of division. The American people want peace. They want results.

Immediately after Donald Trump was elected president, progressives across New York state turned their desperate eyes towards Albany, eager to learn how their state government would help defend them against the Trump administration. But Republicans were in control of the State Senate, thanks to a deal with a runaway group of Democrats, and one Brooklyn senator, Simcha Felder, who belonged to both parties and openly sided with whoever could give his district the most money. This kicked off a two year journey by progressives to not only annihilate the breakaway group of Democrats known as the IDC, but also to finally rid the state of any semblance of Republican power once and for all.

On Tuesday night, the Democrats' quest ended with a series of victories that will not only hand power to Democrats in both the state Assembly and Senate, but may be large enough to ensure that New York will tackle a series of long-delayed reforms that have stymied the progressive movement in the state for decades.

There will be at least eight new Democratic State Senators, meaning that come January, Democrats will control the Senate with 39 seats. Republicans will have 23 seats, and Felder will have to make up his mind. Andrea Stewart-Cousins is officially the next Senate Majority Leader. The Yonkers senator becomes the first woman to hold the position.

Long Island went blue at the state level. Monica Martinez, a 40-year-old Suffolk county legislator who used to be a teacher and assistant principal, won her race for a seat vacated by two-term Republican senator Thomas Croci.

On the Nassau County/Suffolk County border, James F. Gaughran shellacked 23-year incumbent Republican Carl L. Marcellino, in a rematch of their closely contested 2016 race.

Kevin Thomas defeated 72-year-old Kemp Hannon, a stalwart of the Republican-led Senate who had been in office since 1989.

And Anna Kaplan, the most conservative of the bunch, beat Senator Elaine Philips, who had only served one term in office.

In a sign of how drastic a shift this represents, both Gaughran and Thomas have come out in support of the New York Health Act, a law that has repeatedly passed the state assembly which would bring universal health care to New York State.

In Bay Ridge and South Brooklyn, Andrew Gounardes has claimed a narrow 655-vote victory over Republican Senator Marty Golden, who has held his seat for 16 years. Was it the Ben Stiller bump? In a speech last night, Golden refused to concede, claiming that there are more than 3,000 paper ballots yet to be counted, and that reviewing the results would take a least a week.

Upstate, Democrats picked up a bunch of races they werent exactly counting on to win. Winners included 31-year-old Assemblyman James Skoufis, who sailed to victory in Orange and Ulster Counties, promising to rein in the expansion of Kiryas Joel, the controversial ultra-Orthodox community, while Hudson Valley Democrat Pete Harckham defeated incumbent Terrence Murphy.

Jen Metzger, a Rosendale town council member, won a race for a seat vacated by 20-year incumbent John Bonacic by running a campaign that focused on universal healthcare. Seeing a pattern? Seems like this universal health care thing might just be a winning issue!

On the agenda for the newly Democratic government? Passing the Reproductive Health Act, which would codify Roe V. Wade in New York State (seems timely), finding a way to fund the MTAs much-needed resuscitation (also timely, or not so timely depending on how many F trains youve been trapped inside of), reforming the states broken criminal justice system and possibly ending the use of cash bail, implementing long-overdue voting reforms, and oh yeah, that universal healthcare thing. Itll be a long list of priorities for a relatively fresh-faced bunch of politicians, but it appears that the senior senate Democrats, who have long languished in the minority, are ready to just celebrate victory for once. The acrimony will come later, not to mention any wrenches thrown by the executive branch.

What does this mean for Simcha Felder? Is he welcomed back into the Democratic fold after handing power to the Republicans for so long, or is he sent off to political Siberia (which, most of the time, looks just like Albany!)Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD leaders are concerned about the recent increase in hate crimes across New York City, even as shootings and other violent crime continues to fall to record lows.

Appearing at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City on Wednesday, the mayor appeared to choke back tears as he lamented "what we have seen latelythe uptick in hate crimesthat has affected many communities." He decried the latest series of anti-Semitic incidents, and urged both vigilance and perspective on the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. After facing criticism earlier this week for his slow response to a racist slur found on the African Burial Ground Monument, de Blasio made specific mention of the vandalism at the briefing, calling it "clearly a hate crime."

"Tragically we're seeing many communities affronted," the mayor added. "Were seeing hate crimes towards the African American community, towards the Jewish community, towards the Muslim community, towards the LGBT community. It all has to stop."

According to the NYPD, there have been 309 hate crimes reported so far this yearup from 297 over the same period in 2017. About half of those reported incidents have been anti-Semitic in nature, police said. Both anti-Semitic incidents and hate crimes overall have soared since the election of Donald Trump two years ago.

Trump responds to @kwelkernbc question about spike in anti-Semitic attacks by saying he's popular in Israel.  Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) November 7, 2018

"The increased reports of swastikas and other criminal mischief here in the five boroughs absolutely concerns us," said Police Commissioner James O'Neill, noting that the "current atmosphere" is at least partially to blame.

On Tuesday, police released further information and additional surveillance footage of a group of individuals who allegedly tossed a metal pipe through the window of the Synagogue Volkan on Franklin Avenue in Bed-Stuy. The suspects are believed to be between 12 and 15 years old.

Security camera footage has still not yet been released in the attack on the African Burial Ground Monument, which occurred Thursday just north of City Hall. Asked about the lack of video in that case, Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea acknowledged that there are several cameras in the area, but said that all the footage recovered so far was "extremely grainy."

The comments came as part of the NYPD's monthly briefing on crime stats. Police officials boasted that just 17 murders were committed last month, the lowest number ever recorded in October. Overall, shootings are down 4.7 percent compared to this time last year, and total crime is down 1.4 percent, authorities said.Ratificando la decision y voluntad de trabajar de forma descentralizada, el presidente @MartinVizcarraC sostiene una reunion con mas de un centenar de alcaldes distritales y provinciales de las regiones que requieren una mayor necesidad de atencion.

? https://t.co/PzX8Gpbfl2 pic.twitter.com/TXfBuozf5QTribunal dispone tambien remitir todos los actuados al Ministerio de Justicia, a traves de la Presidencia de la Corte Suprema. https://t.co/DbdtyTcBfLOh my God, oh my God, this is crazy! said Aklima Akter, bouncing up and down in her headscarf to chants of We want Max!

A North Shore resident of Staten Island who volunteered for Democrat Max Roses campaign, Akter was shocked but delighted as she watched the results roll in at Roses victory party on Tuesday night.

Rose won 95,458 votes, 52 percent of the 11th Congressional districts voting total and roughly 11,000 more votes than incumbent Republican Congressman Dan Donovan, who garnered just 46 percent of the 183,035 ballots cast, according to New York Board of Elections unofficial election night results at 3:00 a.m.

I thought we would lose by a very small margin, Akter said. Oh my god, Max!

We were never in this to win an election, we were in this to change politics irrevocably, Rose said to wild cheers. The politicians who ignored us for so long, who said, That seats not winnable. Thats cute what youre doing knocking on doors, those folks they cannot ignore us anymore, because we are going to D.C. together.

Rose ran as a reform-minded spitfire. He told corporate PACs to keep your money and said voters need to get rid of all the leadership in Washington D.C., starting with you Dan Donovan.

And yet, Rose also struck a conciliatory tone across the aisle, vowing to work with the president, eschewing the partisanship embraced by many progressive Democrats in recent months. Throughout the campaign, Rose ceaselessly touted his experience as a decorated Afghan war veteran, even chugging beers on the street. Meanwhile, this London School of Economics graduate told Gothamist he wished more people would ask him about the finer points of his multi-pronged policy to deal with the opioid crisis.

Rose had several key advantages late in the race. The Democratic campaigns war chest dwarfed Donovans, and its canvassing efforts appeared far more effective going into the final stretch of the campaign. Three weeks before election day, Max Rose had $1.4 million to Donovans $280,000 cash on hand. At that point in the race, the Rose campaign says it had knocked more than twice as many doors, and placed twice as many lawn signs as Donovans team reported. On election night, Rose said his volunteers had knocked on a half million doors.

Given how consistently Staten Island voters elected Republicans to Congress in recent years, few pundits or prognosticators believed Rose could pull off a win. Even if he did, one expert said, it would take a massive blue wave capturing 50 to 60 seats to wash away Donovans incumbent advantage in a district that Trump easily won in 2016. But the results of the midterm election were more of an uneven tide than a wave, in part due to decades of gerrymandering. Democrats took 26 seatsand yet, Rose won.

At 10 p.m., Donovan conceded the race.



A Rose supporter reacts to Tuesday night's results (Frank G. Runyeon / Gothamist)

Last spring, conjecture surrounding the race for Staten Islands congressional seat were whether a Trumpian politician, former Congressman Michael Grimm, could recapture his seat after serving a prison term for tax fraud. Donovan triumphed in the Republican primary with the help of President Trumps endorsement and many assumed he was on an easy path to re-election. Roses upset victory dispenses with the common assumption that this district is too conservative for a Democrat to win, even as many other Democrats across the country failed.

Asked about their victory, Rose campaign volunteers were quick to point to a canvassing operation that began as early as last year to boost Democratic turnout. Ill tell you why we won. We were the field team that was knocking on doors all summer in the heat, said Mara Bianco.

Earlier in the day, it looked like an autumn rainstorm might hold Rose back from a win, as bad weather tends to favor Republicans. But as wind and rain swept through the city, voters upended predictions that it would dampen turnout. Sopping voters braved widespread problems with malfunctioning scanners and some soggy ballots, waiting in long lines to vote.

At 5 p.m. on election night, Roses campaign manager Kevin Elkins noted there were numerous poll sites with issues in Brooklyn, including scanners that were down for hours, long lines, and poor management by poll workers. There were no similar problems in Staten Island, he said, and turnout was up all across the district.



(CUNY Mapping Service for the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center)

At five poll sites in northern Staten Island, where Democrats typically perform best, coordinators told the Gothamist that they were seeing many more voters than they typically do.

Its tremendous. I think its higher turnout than the presidential election in 2016, said poll site coordinator Chris Lavelle, tallying 1,391 ballots just before 6 p.m. at I.S. 27, a few blocks from Roses campaign headquarters and hours before polls closed. Lavelle recalled a total of about 1,400 ballots were cast in 2016.

At another poll site at 7:15 p.m., coordinator Roberta Hayes said voters had cast 954 ballots at P.S. 29. Thats about one vote a minute since 6 oclock this morning, Hayes said. We only have three districts, so 900 is a lot.

Tuesdays results did mirror some past voting patterns, in particular, that Staten Island tends to fade from blue to red, north to south. That middle ground became the battleground. Voters in the 63rd Assembly District, located in Mid Island, were key. Rose picked up several precincts there and had very deep support on the North Shore.

As illustrated by Steven Romalewski, director of the CUNY Mapping Service for the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center, Rose eked out a win in Staten Island with just under 1,200 more votes and picked up 8,600 more votes than Donovan in Brooklyn.

Regardless of the math, Roses win is a remarkable upset.

The story of this country has always been that no matter our differences, no matter the challenges in our way, we do what others said was impossible, Rose said during his speech. And they said this wasnt possible!

Thanking his campaign team, Rose quipped, You figured out how to make a 56 kid whose balding from Brooklyn into something cool, man!"14:08 | Lima, Nov. 7.

As is known, the former magistrate is accused of leading a criminal organization known as " The Port's White Collars ."The Awassi Express has seen a lot of suffering. The nearly 30-year-old converted car carrier was at the centre of the 60 Minutes expose revealing the routine suffering of sheep at sea. Thousands of sheep have perished on this 'floating oven', with animals literally baking alive in their own skin.

Now, the West Australian has reported that the Awassi Express has a new name - the Anna Marra. This isn't the first time the live export industry has tried to fix its image problems by changing the name of controversial vessels. The infamous Cormo Express - on which over 6,000 sheep perished after being stranded at sea for months - was later re-branded as the Merino Express.

But the name 'Cormo' remains embedded in Australia's psyche as one of the most shameful episodes in our live export history. And it's safe to say the Awassi Express - the scene of unconscionable cruelty and neglect - will not be erased from our memories anytime soon.

Of course the Anna Marra is still the same ship on which animals were routinely packed in so tightly they couldn't reach food and water, on which sick and injured sheep were denied basic care, and on which sheep, covered head to toe in their own waste, suffered prolonged and painful deaths from heat stroke.

And the Anna Marra is still operated by the same companies responsible for decades of animal cruelty and suffering.

This name change is happening at the same time the Minister of Agriculture has ordered an investigation into claims senior department bureaucrats withheld evidence of misconduct and animal cruelty by the live export industry. Former Australian Crime Commission chief John Lawler has been directed to head up the investigation. Read more from ABC News.

Tell your MP it doesn't matter how the live sheep export industry re-brands itself, cruelty is at the heart of this trade, and you want them to vote to end live sheep exports.

Take action now A Pivotal Election

A referendum on growth and a school board challenge will shape the city's future.

by Eve Silberman & James Leonard

From the November, 2018 issue

Whose Lot Is It, Anyway?



Mary Hathaway stands on the sidewalk on Fifth Ave., staring at a parking lot that's become the most contentious piece of real estate in town. A lifelong Ann Arborite, the soft-spoken activist has worked for years to transform the "Library Lot" into a combination of urban park and town square. She visualizes "an enclosed plaza. Where people can sit down." She pictures activities involving kids and families inside, greenery outside.



Her vision competes with that of mayor Christopher Taylor. In 2017, Taylor and his allies on city council voted to sell development rights over the underground Library Lane parking structure to a Chicago company, Core Spaces, for $10 million. Core Spaces wants to build a seventeen-story hotel and apartment building that would include office and retail space--and an outdoor plaza.



On November 6, voters will choose between what Will Hathaway, Mary's son and co-organizer, ruefully calls these "warring visions for downtown Ann Arbor." Proposal A, a city charter amendment, would require that the Library Lot "be retained in public ownership, in perpetuity, and developed as an urban park and civic center commons."



Last month, Taylor sent out a mass email that described Proposal A in near-apocalyptic terms. If it's approved, he warned, "We will lose hundreds of units of new, permanent affordable housing; miss out on millions of dollars of tax revenue to support basic city services; and be forced to either raise taxes or re-allocate millions of park dollars to build and operate a failed park in the middle of our downtown ..."



Council has voted to direct half of the revenue from the sale of the lot to the city's affordable housing fund. (The rest would repay debt the city took on to repurchase the "Y lot" across Fifth after development plans there fell through.) Housing commission director Jennifer Hall says that based on recent projects, $5 million could leverage as much as $125 million in tax credits--enough to

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build 200 to 500 units of affordable housing. Taylor's "failed park" alludes to his belief that without the tax revenue and activity the proposed building would provide, the park would be unaffordable and unmanageable.Mary Hathaway replied to the mayor with a public letter of her own. "Chris, you will be relieved to know that nobody will be forced to do anything," she wrote. "The Charter Amendment will prevent the sale of public land to a private developer, but other than designating it as an urban park and civic center, Proposal A will not impose any particular vision ... The people of Ann Arbor will decide what they want their park and civic center to be."____________________In a city hall conference room, Taylor is polite but sometimes terse. The tall, dark-haired lawyer has been mayor for four years, following six years on city council. This last year may have been his roughest. While he beat critic Jack Eaton in the August Democratic primary, two of his council supporters were defeated, costing his side its majority. Both races were lost in the far north-side neighborhoods where hundreds of condos and apartments are under construction ( "The Tipping Point," October). But the margins were very narrow, and the Library Lot barely registered as an issue. The charter amendment will be the first citywide test of how voters feel about downtown's ongoing redevelopment.Taylor says he understands why some people don't like the changes. "I came to Ann Arbor in 1985 and loved it then," he says. But, he adds, "I love Ann Arbor now. Successful cities change. Failed cities do not change."Much of downtown won't change at all, he adds, since historic districts protect a third of it. But "we need to grow in order to thrive."I think the developer is open to creating a space that's attractive on the planned plaza," he says. But, he says flatly, a park occupying the entire site "would be unsuccessful and would replicate the problems of Liberty Plaza."People on both sides agree that Liberty Plaza, nearby at the corner of Liberty and Division, is a trouble magnet. Many of the city's marginalized residents gather there, and, while most cause no harm, there have been problems with drug dealing and occasional violence. If Proposal A passes, they "would have two parks to loiter in instead of one," says Realtor Ed Surovell. He's a member of the Ann Arbor District Library board, which has come out against the proposal.Will Hathaway says "it's an excuse" to link a future park with a "failed" one. "It's up to the city" to make sure the parks are safe, he says pointedly. Taylor says the proposed building's plaza would be better because tenants would provide "eyes on the park to discourage misbehavior." Mary Hathaway says the park itself will attract people and provide those eyes.Taylor says that if Proposal A passes, "it will be part of our charter ... we'll have to find the money to do what it says." But even if the proposal is defeated, Mary Hathaway says she and others will "keep pushing ... It's going to happen."Will says: "My mother is a very determined woman."Peter Ways isn't on the ballot in the school board election, but the Ann Arbor Open humanities teacher helped shape the three-person slate that could change the district's direction."Peter and I brainstormed," saysforty-three. "Rebecca [Lazarus] we reached out to. Lucas [Cole] was a very outspoken student."And so, for the second election in a row, school board incumbents are being challenged by candidates more supportive of the teachers' union and more critical of state mandates on student testing and teacher evaluation. Jeff Gaynor, Harmony Mitchell, and Hunter Van Valkenburgh ran last time, and Gaynor and Mitchell won. If two more challengers win on November 6, they'll form a majority on the seven-member board."I was involved in [the 2016] campaign," says, eighteen, a Skyline High grad who now attends the U-M's Residential College. "Peter was my teacher. Hunter was my neighbor. We met with Rebecca. We shared core values about shifting the district to the left, pushing back against the DeVos agenda, fighting standardized testing and teacher evaluations."forty-four, ran unsuccessfully in 2016 as an independent. She welcomed the slate's invitation. "They had the volunteers," she says. "They had the support I didn't have last time."The challengers want to limit state-mandated standardized tests. "The incumbents deflect too much onto the state," says Cole, when they should "admit they do have some power and they can push back and reduce the testing.""We should follow the law" on testing, Lazarus says, but "we could be more innovative. As long as you can provide the same type of data [and] explain how you're getting [it], they have to approve it." She says the slate hasn't yet explored just how Ann Arbor might do that.She also charges the district's data on the achievement gap between white students and most minority groups "is manipulated [to] make it appear that they have lowered the achievement gap."In Johnson's view the present board is "being overly led by the superintendent [Jeanice Swift]. Everything is top-down."Swift "is compromising progressive values," adds Cole. "She's not being led by a board that's against the conservative agenda, the corporatization of education."Does the slate want to remove the superintendent? Johnson replies that they have "never discussed replacing Dr. Swift."____________________First-time candidatefifty, says she was recruited to join the challengers' slate but declined.Her key issue is school start times. "In my opinion as a [U-M] neuroscientist, if you have one thing you could change relatively easily that would help mental health and academic achievement, it would be starting school after 8:30."Perkins says that "testing is not inherently evil--we need to know where kids are." But, she adds, " there are far too many of them."____________________forty-six, first appointed in 2010, is the board's current president.She agrees there's an achievement gap but says tests are crucial in solving it: "Our teachers need to know how our kids are doing, our parents need to know, and our kids need to know."But many teachers think the increased testing gets in the way of teaching--and don't like being judged on the results. Under 2011 state law, Stead explains, "student performance is 25 percent of their evaluation."But not their raises, she adds--everybody gets those. "The past three years in a row we've been able to improve salaries and benefits for all staff," Stead says. "That's something no other district in this state can say."She rejects Lazarus's claim that the district manipulates test data. "We disaggregate it the same way we've been doing it year after year after year," Stead says. "Her version of manipulation I call analysis."____________________Though Stead supports the other incumbents, all are running independent campaigns."These anti-test people, they don't look like me," saysfifty-eight, first appointed in 2003. "My mother's from the Philippines, and when I go to Filipino parties, these mothers are bragging about their kids' test scores!" She says the board already is focused on the achievement gap. "Heck, you've got four African-American women on the board!"Baskett says she's "very disappointed that a faction of the union is putting up yet another slate. You have an eighteen-year-old [Cole] who has his whole life ahead of him. You have an African-American dad [Johnson]. We need that presence on the board, but he is the spouse of a teacher. That's a conflict." (Johnson says he expects "to be held to the same standard of objectivity that current board members who have children and grandchildren in AAPS are held to.")forty, also supports testing. "As a special education advocate, I see the value in standardized measurements," she says. "One way we make students eligible for special ed is by showing that they aren't at the same place their peers are."Appointed in 2016, Kelly wants the district to enroll and support "at-risk students in the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement classes. That's one of the most efficient and effective ways to close that gap."seventy-three, says the board has addressed the achievement gap by "putting in more programs that help the students and help the parents help the students." First elected in 2014, she says she's running again "because some things still need to be done." But her critique of the slate is blunt. "I am all about kids," she says. "In their program all I see is what's best for the adults."____________________For the incumbents, it's been what Manley calls "a very tough race. It's made me work harder when I'm talking to people to explain the other side."The outcome may depend on whether the same change-hungry voters who flipped control of city council in August show up on November 6. If they do--and make it down the long ballot to the school board race--control of the school district could flip, too.[Originally published in November, 2018.]YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The current government of Armenia has a very high approval rating: citizens are expressing unconditional support to the governmental reforms, deputy minister of justice Suren Krmoyan said in his remarks at the Open Government Partnership Asia-Pacific regional meeting.

He emphasized that the Open Government Partnership is the tool through which it is possible to involve the civil society in the reforms process of state administration.

A corresponding toolbox is required for transforming the vote of confidence given to the government into tangible results and implementing reforms based on it, he said, adding that the toolbox can be broader involvement of the civil society in the reforms, as well as formation of a more transparent and accountable administration system.

This will enable to ensure the sensation of ownership toward the reforms. As a result, the co-performers of these reforms will be both the society, in person of NGOs, and the government, he said.

The meeting is taking place in Seoul, South Korea.

Earlier, caretaker minister of justice Artak Zeynalyan also delivered remarks at the event.

In his remarks the caretaker justice minister thanked the Open Government Partnership for inviting Armenia to the meeting. He also thanked South Korea for hosting the event.

Speaking about the events that took place in Armenia in 2018 spring, Zeynalyan described them as unprecedented and historic, and noted that during those days the Armenian people realized their direct right to power through the velvet, peaceful, non-violent revolution.

During April-May, citizens of Armenia took to streets and squares to realize their dream of having a better country. A country where the principles of the rule of law, protection of human rights and democracy will be truly materialized, he said.

And today, I, as a Cabinet member of the government formed by the people, have assumed great responsibility to materialize and initiate the positive energy that existed in the streets and squares of Armenia during spring of this year, he continued.

As an important step, he mentioned the need to transform the revolution into institutional reforms, something that will be boosted after the upcoming elections.

Zeynalyan said that the continuous involvement of the society in the changes and reconstruction of the system is highly important.

It is necessary to create a governance of expectations, by giving the public a list of changes with realistic timeframes. This is important because many are waiting for flawless decisions and exclusively positive results, which is very obliging, he said, highlighting the direct participation and support of the civil society and businesses in the ongoing reforms.

As another important factor in materializing the revolutionary energy in Armenia, Zeynalyan pointed out accountability before the society, transparency, and to work openly  the governments adopted policy.

As part of the visit, caretaker minister of justice Artak Zeynalyan has held meetings with Speaker of Parliament of South Korea Moon Hee-sang, Presidential Office representative Li Yongsan, Minister of Interior and Safety Kim Boo-kyum, Mongolian governmental chief of staff  minister Gombozhavin Zandanshatari, Kyrgyzstans justice minister Marat Jamankulov, and Georgian officials.

Bilateral cooperation issues were discussed at the meetings.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. After living in Russia for 25 years the Papyan family made a decision to move to Armenia. Karen Papyan, the father of the family, told ARMENPRESS that their kids wish to move to Armenia contributed to making such a decision.

We have moved to Russia on September 21, 1993. We live in Perm for already 25 years. We have 5 children. They all were born and grew up in Russia. During these years I have regularly created an opportunity for my kids to visit Armenia, keep ties with the homeland, but there was no talk on moving to Armenia yet. Although recently we were discussing this issue, but were concerned over the kids, we thought they may not be adapted. But the time showed that we moved to Armenia by their own desire, Karen Papyan said.

The children visited Armenia last year by the Diasporas ministrys Come Back Home program. They were very impressed from the visit, and we started seriously taking actions on moving to Armenia.

Living in Russia I have always dreamed that my kids will have strong ties with the homeland, but today something more happened: Armenia, the Armenian reality, the native land became the daily routine of my children. We are here since August, my children already attend educational institutions. They are very satisfied for living in Armenia, and this encourages us, he said.

While living in Perm Karen Papyan has been and now as well is one of the active figures of the Armenian community. He is the chairman of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Perm. He says he still has works to do there, therefore, there will be visits to Perm for some time.

We have lived in Russia for 25 years, but today we made a decision to resettle in Armenia, Karen Papyan noted.

Before moving to Armenia he regularly visited Yerevan, thoroughly examined the opportunities for running a business, and as he says, he knows very well what he is going to do. Karen Papyan wants to set up his own business in IT field. Currently he is collecting his working team.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump has congratulated the Democrats on their victory in the midterm elections to the House of Representatives, calling Democratic Leader of the lower chamber of the US Congress Nancy Pelosi, her spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted, TASS reports.

President Trump called Leader Pelosi at 11:45 p.m. this evening to extend his congratulations on winning a Democratic House Majority. He acknowledged the Leaders call for bipartisanship in her victory remarks, Drew Hammill said.

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Seven Iranian citizens have been released from jail in Armenia within the frames of the law on amnesty, IRNA news agency reports.

The Iranian Embassy in Yerevan told the news agency that the move aims at promoting the Iran-Armenia friendly ties.

In addition, the Embassy said freedom or extradition of other Iranian prisoners is being studied within the framework of Armenian governments general amnesty and agreement to extradite convicts between the two countries.



YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian healthcare ministry and the food safety inspectorate will jointly kick of the week on combating antimicrobial resistance on November 9.

The food safety inspectorate says the initiative is particularly important in terms of public health.

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing and global problem not only in medicine, but also veterinary and food safety sectors.

Authorities will undertake meetings with farmers, veterinarians, to discuss the issues.

Seminars will be organized for officers of the food safety inspectorate.

Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics). Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as superbugs.

As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death.

Without effective antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of infections, medical procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgery (for example, caesarean sections or hip replacements) become very high risk.

Antimicrobial resistance increases the cost of health care with lengthier stays in hospitals and more intensive care required.

Antimicrobial resistance is putting the gains of the Millennium Development Goals at risk and endangers achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. However, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is accelerating this process. In many places, antibiotics are overused and misused in people and animals, and often given without professional oversight. Examples of misuse include when they are taken by people with viral infections like colds and flu, and when they are given as growth promoters in animals or used to prevent diseases in healthy animals.

Antimicrobial resistant-microbes are found in people, animals, food, and the environment (in water, soil and air). They can spread between people and animals, including from food of animal origin, and from person to person. Poor infection control, inadequate sanitary conditions and inappropriate food-handling encourage the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Acting minister of nature protection Erik Grigoryan received new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Armenia Ulrik Tidestrom and Charge d'affaires of the Embassy Martin Fredriksson, the ministry told Armenpress.

The acting minister congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and expressed confidence that the cooperation of the two countries in the field will further expand and deepen in the future.

The Ambassador said after assuming office he started his meetings with the nature protection ministry, attaching importance to the mutual cooperation on environmental issues.

The meeting touched upon universal environmental issues, in particular, the climate change and single-use plastic since Armenia is actively engaged in the international processes directed for the solutions of these issues. At the request of the Ambassador, the acting minister introduced the ongoing policy in the field, the main directions and targets of the initiated reforms.

At the end of the meeting the Swedish Ambassador thanked for the reception and affirmed his countrys readiness to support Armenias reforms in the field of nature protection.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanIt's lunch time, and my decisions on that score will be based on which Seamless restaurant can get the best possible sandwich to me in the shortest possible order, but perhaps your refined palate demands fancier options. If so, you're in luck, because Michelinthe tire company that somehow feels entitled to go around handing out restaurant ratingsreleased its 2019 guide, awarding its coveted stars to 11 restaurants freshly inducted onto the list.

The updated Michelin Guide New York City includes 76 eateries visited by anonymous agents who silently judge the fare for your benefit. This year, people whose food knowledge extends beyond "reliably solid sandwich options nearby" agree that the selections are appetizing, if predictable. "They're all notable, for sure," Forbes reviewer Karla Alindahao writes. "But none are exactly groundbreaking or deeply exciting. Michelin, after all, is known for its relatively 'safe' and staid choices." Understated burn!

In 2019, the five restaurants Michelin graced with three starswhich translates, in tire speak, to "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey," as I'm sure you're already awareare Chef's Table at Brooklyn fare, which is actually in Midtown West; Eleven Madison Park, in Gramercy; Le Bernardin, in Midtown West; Masa, in Midtown West; and Per Se, also in Midtown West, where else is there. Pleasingly to me, Alindahao calls this a "stagnant" pool of "ho-hum" restaurant choices because it has remained mostly unchanged for years.

Meanwhile, the newcomers, which actually number 10 because one (Tetsu Basement, formerly of TriBeCa) shut its doors between covert visit and guide publication, are scattered across the worth-a-detour two-star category and the worth-a-stop one-star category. Five NYC restaurants also saw their Michelin star status elevated: Gabriel Kreuther, Kosaka, Le Coucou, Sushi Nakazawa and Tuome.

If you want to get into some food politics, like I do, than you may be interested to learn that three of Mario Batalli's restaurantsBabbo, Casa Mono, and Del Postoheld onto their rankings, despite the wave of sexual misconduct allegations (for example, that he assaulted a woman in the so-called "rape room" upstairs at former Michelin star-winner, the Spotted Pig) that forced him to step away from his culinary investments in 2017.

Speaking of the Spotted Pig, its ex-chefApril Bloomfield, who publicly parted ways with partner Ken Friedman this summer, following sexual harassment and abuse claims against himsaw her Ace Hotel restaurant, The Breslin, lose its star. As Eater reports, a number of talented women have been docked or denied stars this year. At the same time, the 2019 guide points diners toward relatively homogeneous menus, with two of its three starred Mexican spots run by chefs who are not actually Mexican.

"It's important to emphasize that Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants, not to chefs," Gwendal Poullennec, the guide's new international director, told Eater. "It's about what's on the plate, and has been that way for over a century." Which suggests that a change in the rubric might be due, if you ask me. Regrettably, though, no one did.

Anyway, if you would like to visit any of the freshly starred and still open establishments, check out the list below. If you would like something slightly more low-budget, I feel you, and direct you to the 2019 Bib Gourmand selections released last week: Very good food for under $40 per meal. I said slightly, okay!

Three Stars (Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.)

Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare

Eleven Madison Park

Le Bernardin

Masa

Per Se

Two Stars (Excellent cooking, worth a detour.)

Aquavit

Aska

Atera

Blanca

Daniel

Gabriel Kreuther

Ichimura at Uchu

Jean Georges

Jungsik

Ko

LAtelier de Joel Robuchon

Marea

The Modern

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Tetsu Basement (Closed)

One Star (High-quality cooking, worth a stop!)

Agern

Ai Fiori

Aldea

Atomix

Babbo

Bar Uchu

Batard

Blue Hill

Bouley at Home

Cafe Boulud

Cafe China

Carbone

Casa Enrique

Casa Mono

Caviar Russe

Claro

The Clocktower

Contra

Del Posto

Faro

The Finch

Gotham Bar and Grill

Gramercy Tavern

Gunter Seeger NY

Hirohisa

Jeju Noodle Bar

Jewel Bako

Junoon

Kajitsu

Kanoyama

Kosaka

Kyo Ya

LAppart

Le Coucou

Le Grill de Joel Robuchon

Meadowsweet

The Musket Room

Nix

Noda

NoMad

Okuda

Oxomoco

Peter Luger

The River Cafe

Satsuki

Sushi Amane

Sushi Inoue

Sushi Nakazawa

Sushi Noz

Sushi Yasuda

Tempura Matsui

Tuome

Uncle Boons

Wallse

ZZs Clam BarYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. As of 13:00, November 7, 330 convicts have been released from correctional facilities across Armenia after being pardoned by the recently declared clemency, the department of corrections (justice ministry) said.

13 of the 330 are foreign citizens, the department of corrections said.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Rescuers and emergency personnel from the ministry of emergency situations have joined police in the search operations for 12-year-old Arthur Martirosyan, the ministry said.

The boy, who suffers from autism, was last seen at 19:00, November 6.

According to a description provided by the family, the 12-year-old was wearing jeans, a red jacket and slippers at the time of his disappearance.

Anyone having any information about the whereabouts of the missing child is urged to dial 911 immediately.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Acting minister of agriculture Gegham Gevorgyan will not participate in the snap parliamentary elections which will be held on December 9, Armenpress reports.

There wasnt such a proposal. Its my personal decision not to participate in the snap parliamentary elections, the acting minister told reporters in the Parliament.

He said he is not concerned over the fact that other Cabinet members received an offer to be nominated, but he not. I dont see anything extraordinary here. If there is a concrete proposal, in concrete conditions, that issue can be discussed, he said.

Gegham Gevorgyan said he will continue serving as agriculture minister after the elections if the leadership wants.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Tbilisi City Hall is already decorating the Georgian capital for New Year holidays with lightings being installed in streets, Mayor Kakha Kaladze said at a Cabinet meeting.

The decoration works began from the D. Guramishvili Avenue, the part which runs near the Sakartvelo Cinema Theater, up to the Sarajishvili subway station.

The decorating work is scheduled to be completed mid-December.

Last year, the city spent more than 1,1 million dollars on the decorations.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Yerevan city budget for 2019 has decreased 1,7 billion drams against last years budget, deputy Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Sargsyan said during parliamentary debates of the state budget.

In 2019 our general revenues in terms of the state budget are envisaged at 56,6 billion drams, including loan program amounts, subsidies and subventions, he said, adding that the two will comprise 13 billion 400 million drams and 8,4 billion drams respectively.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan convened a consultation during which traffic reforms were discussed.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Pashinyan said, The political changes in Armenia have created a new situation for the Police of the Republic of Armenia. Of course, this transitional period might seem that would be difficult for the Police, but we can say based on the results of our 6-month work that the Police solved the problems put before it quite well. This does not mean there are no shortcomings. The most important task we put before the Police just at the beginning is to achieve a change in the peoples attitude towards the Police. In this sense we have really succeeded, Pashinyan said. I am confident we will manage to establish entirely new public-police relations as a result of joint work. This is a very important issue and we have to achieve it, he emphasized.

Afterwards, Police officials presented to the acting PM the bill on making amendments in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Armenia, which is about reviewing and decreasing penalties.

Edited and translated by Tigran SirekanyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Council of the City of Los Angeles, the U.S. State of California, distributed a resolution on November 5 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation Movement, adopted on September 7, 2018. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Artsakh, the resolution runs as follows,

WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles is proud to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh liberation movement; and

WHEREAS, 30 years ago, in February 1988, the people of Artsakh raised their voices for self-determination, liberation and democracy in the face of tyranny; and

WHEREAS, from Stepanakert to Yerevan, they rallied for freedom and sovereignty against intolerance and foreign rule; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh declared its independence through a referendum held on December 10,1991,which was overwhelmingly approved by the people; and

WHEREAS, through the course of the last three decades, the people of the Republic of Artsakh have shown tenacity and perseverance in the face of war, massacres, economic deprivation and other tremendous hardships; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has stayed true and faithful to its citizens by remaining independent, while working to bring change and stability to the Caucasus region, and by holding free and fair elections and referendum that have been recognized as a model for the region; and

WHEREAS, through the official action of the City Council on September 10th,2013, the City of Los Angeles recognized the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh, and called upon the United States government and the international community to do so as well:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that by the adoption of this resolution, the City of Los Angeles honors the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens on the 30th anniversary of the founding of the ARTSAKH LIBERATION MOVEMENT, and recognizes the sacrifices, commitment and steadfastness shown by the people of the Republic of Artsakh in the face of extreme adversity, and declares December 10,1991 to be Artsakh Day in the City of Los Angeles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Los Angeles extends its best wishes to the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens for peace, prosperity and continued success, and calls upon the international community to give full recognition of the Republic of Artsakh as a free, independent, and sovereign state.YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group (CAPFG) met in Ottawa on November 7, where representatives from Global Affairs Canada were present to brief the group on the latest developments in Canada-Armenia relations.

ARMENPRESS reports parliamentarians from all major political parties, along with guests from Global Affairs Canada, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Canada and the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) were present at the meeting.

The meetings agenda was opened by CAPFG chair, MP Bryan Mays remarks which focused on the bilateral relations between Canada and Armenia, specifically discussing the unprecedented progress that was made during Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus official bilateral visit, earlier in October. During his visit, the Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Official Languages, Tourism and La Francophonie, the Hon. Melanie Joly, Ms. Jean Yip, member of parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt and members of the executive staff. Regarding these unprecedented developments, Mr. David Morgan, Deputy Director of Southern Europe and Eurasia at Global Affairs Canada briefed the meeting, highlighting the importance of the recent visit and Canadas ever strong relations with Armenia.

Pursuant to the motion passed at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, the group once again agreed to continue working with Global Affairs Canada, urging them to actively pursue the establishment of a permanent Canadian diplomatic representation in Yerevan, Armenia.

The Consul General of Armenia in Canada, Mr. Ara Mkrtchian and the president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, Mr. Shahen Mirakian also addressed the meeting, expressing their profound and positive impressions on the Prime Ministers latest visit and raising vital issues such as the importance of establishing a permanent Canadian diplomatic mission in Yerevan and the peaceful resolution of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict. In a brief presentation, Ms. Jean Yip, member of parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt also spoke about her positive impressions from the bilateral visit to Yerevan and specifically focused on the Prime Ministers announcement regarding the launch of the Arnold Chan Initiative for Democracy in Armenia, which has already provided significant funding to various civil society groups in Armenia.

At the end of the meeting, the friendship group reiterated the importance of further advancing the ties between Canada and Armenia and discussed upcoming initiatives that are aimed towards the advancement of relations.

The CAPFG is chaired by MP Bryan May of Cambridge (Liberal Party of Canada) and vice-chaired by MP Harold Albrecht of Kitchener-Conestoga (Conservative Party of Canada) and MP Alexandre Boulerice of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie (New Democratic Party of Canada). The ANCC expresses its gratitude to the leadership and membership of the group and wishes them continued success as they advocate for stronger Canada-Armenia relations and for Canadian-Armenians across the nation.YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. All the servicemen injured as a result of the car crash on Goris-Kubatli (Vorotan) road have been taken to Sisians hospital and there is no risk to their lives, ARMENPRESS reports Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan wrote on his Facebook page.

We are sorry for what has happened. The Armed Forces suffered a great loss, we greatly value the life of each serviceman. We cannot say if the tragedy was a result of a human factor or a technical reason. An investigation will take place and we are confident that if there are guilty, they will be strictly punished. The Armenian Armed Forces carry out an intensive combat preparation and exercises, which also assumes major movements of troops. And unfortunately, in such cases its sometimes impossible to evade tragedies.

We permanently feel the sorrow of the loss. The Defense Ministry of Armenia extends condolences to the family members and relatives of the victims, Hovhannisyan wrote.

4 conscripts have died as a result of the crash. There were 21 servicemen aboard. The crash took place at nearly 13:00.

Edited and translated by Tigran SirekanyanOn the winning side, the largest remaining imperial powers, Britain and France, survived mostly intact. However, they had sustained what would prove to be mortal social, economic and political wounds and one more cataclysmic war 21 years later would bring about their collapse.

On the losing side, the previously great German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires were utterly destroyed and their remnants dismembered.

ADELAIDE - At 11am on 11 November 1918, the Great War between Europes imperial powers, which had raged for over four years, came to a shuddering halt. The costs in human lives and suffering were incalculable and the geo-political impacts were profound.

Only the United States of America and the Empire of Japan emerged from the catastrophe with their power and prestige enhanced. In 1918 no-one could even imagine that these two powers would soon be engaged in a life and death struggle that would engulf the entire Asia and Pacific regions of the world.

Meanwhile, far away from the centres of conflict, half of the island of New Guinea had, unknown to most of its inhabitants, come into the effective possession of one of the smallest victorious powers, Australia.

This thinly populated nation, independent from Britain since just 1901, clinging tenaciously to the edges of a huge and frequently inhospitable continent, found itself responsible for the governance of a territory about which it knew almost nothing.

One of its first tasks was to discover who and what lay in the unknown interior of the island.

The exploration of the territories of Papua and New Guinea proceeded at a glacial pace. The new Australian federal government devoted only the bare minimum level of resources to its colonial responsibilities.

The territorial administration was invariably cash-strapped and operated on a shoe string budget. This meant it relied upon the ingenuity, enterprise, courage and sheer persistence of a tiny handful of tough minded outside men to undertake exploration patrols into the unknown hinterland of the island.

Unlike along the coast, the people living in the interior parts of the island frequently knew of the administrations presence only through fleeting contact with patrol officers, missionaries or miners. And many people lived far beyond the reach or even knowledge of the colonial power, especially in the highlands which remained unexplored until the 1930s.

While the island of New Guinea had largely escaped the ravages of the Great War, it was not so lucky during the World War II, when it was subjected to the full impact of industrial scale warfare.

It is hard to imagine the cataclysmic effect upon Papua New Guineans of entire armies fighting over what had hitherto been a very obscure colonial backwater. Nothing in their traditional lives could have prepared them for such an event.

The sheer scale of the death, maiming, ruination and despoliation from modern warfare must have been both terrifying and awe-inspiring for those unfortunate enough to become caught up in it. It was a truly hideous introduction to modernity.

The geo-political impact of the World War II on what is now Papua New Guinea can hardly be overstated.

Europe was prostrate, lying in ruins. Many millions of displaced people ranged across it in search of a new and safer place to live. Large numbers of these people would leave Europe forever, taking their chances in new world countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Israel and South America.

The other great imperial powers were either destroyed or, in the case of the British, forced to disestablish themselves in as orderly a way as possible.

Two new, ostensibly anti-colonial, so-called superpowers had emerged. In the west, the USA was now clearly the dominant power while in the east, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) ruled with an iron fist.

China had at last emerged from what it now calls its century of humiliation, but was far too weak to pose any real threat to either the USA or USSR. Under the iron grip of the Chinese Communist Party, China would take a long time to even begin to realise its full potential.

PNG did not escape the geo-political reverberations of the World War II. New Guinea became a mandated territory of the newly formed United Nations, with Australia remaining in charge. Papua remained an Australian territory. Both were governed as one.

And, in the early post-war era, the Australian colonial administration rapidly extended its influence and control across the whole of PNG.

By the 1960s, the colonial administrations primary mission had changed from one of exploration and pacification to a requirement to steadily prepare PNG to become an independent nation in its own right.

By now the focus had turned increasingly towards developing the infrastructure required to allow PNG to function as a modern state.

The development of sea, air and road transportation networks, as well as rudimentary communications, education and health systems, was seen as a necessary first step towards nationhood.

Not for the first time, the administration relied upon a relative handful of patrol officers, police, agricultural officers, surveyors, teachers, medical assistants, engineers, missionaries and private business interests to drive the development process.

To put this in some perspective, the maximum number of Europeans (mostly Australians) living and working in PNG reached around 50,000. This is similar to the population today of a regional Australian rural centre like Warrnambool in Victoria, Bathurst in New South Wales or Mount Gambier in South Australia.

In short, the Australian presence was very small compared to the overall population. This reflected the knowledge that PNG was never going to be allowed to become a genuine colonial possession to be economically exploited in the sense that, say, India had been for the British or Vietnam was for the French.

As most readers will know, PNG achieved independence in 1975. As a nation, it was born into a world in which the cold war between two great competing ideologies, liberal democratic capitalism and Marxist Leninist communism, was at its peak. Which one would prevail was still unknown at that time.

The forces of Marxist Leninism had seemingly triumphed in China when, in 1949, Mao Zedong established the Peoples Republic of China. On the other hand, the Russian and Chinese backed North Koreans had suffered a serious defeat in their attempt to seize control of the entire Korean Peninsula in a war that lasted from 1950-53.

Later, at about the time PNG became independent, the USA (and Australia), suffered a severe military reverse in Vietnam, which left the USA politically weakened and caused huge internal divisions.

In the bi-polar world of the Cold War, PNG had a relatively simple choice to make. It could align itself with one of the two competing ideologies or choose to be unaligned.

The unaligned countries were a decidedly eclectic bunch, including many distasteful authoritarian regimes that were entirely opportunistic in their dealings with other nations. Many were widely if secretly despised by other ideologically aligned powers.

In the event, PNG chose to stick with the powers that it knew and understood and so was seen as part of the broader western bloc. This turned out to be a wise decision because, on Christmas Day 1991, the USSR was formerly dissolved and replaced with the Russian Federation. Marxist Leninist communism was dead.

By then, China had abandoned any pretence at being a genuinely communist country. Under the leadership of President Deng Xiaoping (197889) it had embarked upon the Four Modernisations during which many capitalist and free enterprise principles and ideas were incorporated into Chinas economy. Dengs successors continued this process with the explicit aim of China becoming a great power in every sense of that term.

The bi-polar world order had effectively collapsed by 1991 and it seemed that liberal democratic capitalism had emerged as the only viable ideological, socio-political and economic system. It was supposedly, as historian Francis Fukuyama famously stated, the end of history, by which he meant the end of ideological conflict.

Today, Francis Fukuyama has long since recanted from his statement that history has ended. Indeed, he is now one of many voices expressing serious concern about whether liberal democracy can even survive its victory over communism.

Far from being over, ideological conflict has reverted to its more traditional form, being conflict between nations over status, resources, influence and power. In particular, the age old conflict between authoritarianism in its various forms and liberal democracy has once again arisen to bedevil human affairs.

The internecine squabbling that is so much a feature of modern democracies, combined with the apparent success of illiberal regimes like China, has caused confidence in the utility and effectiveness of liberal democracy to begin to waver.

Several illiberal and quasi-authoritarian political movements have arisen in Europe and some have been elected to office.

The USA, the worlds largest and most successful democracy is currently riven with conflict between those who yearn for the imagined certainties and stability of the past and those who are striving to create a new and very different America. The likely outcome of this struggle is by no means clear.

In Turkey, the people have even voted to surrender most of their political power to a President who has acquired the capacity to maintain himself in office more or less indefinitely. Where this leads to for Turkey remains unknown but the early signs are not promising.

The world has thus become a vastly more complex place, with many of the certainties of the past now being openly contested. Special interest groups of all types now abound across the world, all striving to achieve rights that have hitherto not existed.

Through the new technologies of what is now called the social media, we are collectively beset by the raging conflicts between tribal, regional or ethnic separatists, ultra-nationalists, feminists, misogynists, climate change activists and denialists, animal rights activists, gender rights activists, radical vegans, religious fanatics and the ever present racists amongst us.

A symptom of the new world disorder has been the loss of many of the geo-political sign posts that once enabled small and largely powerless countries like PNG to successfully orient themselves towards maximizing their long term safety and economic prospects.

In the Pacific, we now have an emergent great power in China, using its newly acquired wealth to curry favour with those who govern Pacific countries and, not coincidentally, position itself to derive economic and, maybe, military advantages in doing so.

Australia, New Zealand and the USA, which have traditionally been the most influential powers in the region, are struggling to respond effectively to the Chinese initiatives.

The leaders of PNG and other countries are now placed in a real dilemma: how to strike a sensible balance between their traditional friends and allies and their new friend.

For Papua New Guinea, this dilemma raises the larger issue of just what sort of country it wants to be. Does it wish to pursue a path whereby it progressively falls further under the influence of a power which, at bottom, is both authoritarian and ambitious to grow its power and influence?

Or does it prefer to remain aligned with liberal democratic powers that, while not without faults, are fundamentally governed through democratic institutions and laws?

History suggests that, in the long term, the answers to these questions may be of existential importance to PNG.

For make no mistake, we are at what will prove to be a pivotal moment in human history, where the world either lurches once more into catastrophic warfare or, somehow, steps back from the abyss and finds mostly peaceful ways to reconcile seemingly irreconcilable differences.

What seems certain is that there is going to be a new world order, dominated by a handful of competitive, self-interested and ambitious great powers (as distinct from super powers) and small powers like PNG (or Australia for that matter) will need to tread a very careful path if they are to survive and flourish in such a world.Forget Russian meddlingNew York hacked itself.

Across the city on Tuesday, the engines of democracy sputtered and stalled, as a mass breakdown of ballot scanning machines forced thousands of residents to battle interminable lines and bureaucratic anarchy. From Flatbush to Jackson Heights to the South Bronx, would-be voters waited hours for the chance to cast their ballotsa maddening experience that left New Yorkers plenty of time to contemplate the city's apparent inability to host a modern day election, and the state's ongoing failure to address the most regressive voting laws in the country.

says a lot that our democratic system is literally ill-equipped to handle high voter turnout  Rachel Cohen (@rmc031) November 6, 2018

If Andrew Cuomo wanted New York to have early voting, vote by mail, and same day registration, New York would have all of those things.  Doug Gordon (@BrooklynSpoke) November 6, 2018

Some people walked out, though plenty of others stayed put. Poll coordinators frantically placed calls to their respective county's Boards of Elections, as orderly and not-so-orderly lines spilled out the doors of public schools and libraries and YMCAs. At the city BOE's direction, emergency boxes were produced for ballots that the machines refused to scan. Reports of overflowing cartons of exposed ballots soon followed. One poll worker at the Van Nest Academy in the Bronx was overheard suggesting that not-yet-scanned ballots be placed in one of the school's large garbage bins.

It was pouring in Windsor Terrace when the final working machine jammed at around 10 a.m.prompting jeers and a sort of frustrated civic solidarity from the crowd as the announcement spread through the queue. The good news, someone later pointed out, was that the machine had lasted long enough so that the line no longer extended into the rain. The bad news was that no one had any idea when, if ever, they'd be able to exercise their right to vote.

Jessica, they also ran out of ballot folders, so people were standing in line waiting for scanners with their ballots exposed. Voting is supposed to be private. This isn't cool.  Deborah Drucker (@deborahdrucker) November 7, 2018

The culprit for the citywide paper jam, according to BOE Executive Director Michael Ryan, was New Yorkers themselves, whose high turnout for an election widely billed as the most important of our lifetimes somehow caught officials off guard. The damp weather might have also played a role, Ryan said, as humidity is known to cause the ballots to become slightly larger.

Or maybe the true agent of chaos was the perforated edge of this year's laughably long, tear-off ballotsan extra dosage of democracy that our $6,500 apiece DS200 ballot scanners were apparently not equipped to handle. In a statement, a spokesperson for Election Systems & Software, the company that manufactures the machines, explained, "Due to an unusually long ballot, some precincts have experienced ballot jams due to ballots that are not separated properly or have excess moisture."

Whatever the cause, it quickly became clear that the scale of the scanner collapse had eclipsed our typical Election Day mayhem, and was entering what technologist Joseph Lorenzo-Hall described as "the 'We have a problem, Houston' stage of this." Before the polls were even closed, Mayor Bill de Blasio had called for a major overhaul of the BOE, while City Council Speaker Corey Johnson went so far as to demand Ryan's resignation.

"We're hearing problems literally in every neighborhood across the City and all five boroughs, with broken scanning machines, long lines, wet ballots, and chaos and confusion," Johnson told Gothamist. He noted that firing the executive director would require a majority of votes from a ten-person board of commissioners split evenly between Democrats and Republicansan unlikely scenario, though not impossible. Ryan, a Staten Island attorney who's held the job for five years now, was narrowly elected despite opposition from the Democratic commissioners in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. He makes $172,000 per year.

"Today is not a good day for democracy here in New York City and we need to do better," Johnson added.

BOE head is just treated like any old patronage job. Six figure salary, guy running it now is some random lawyer who lost a couple elections and got this gig from his buddies as a consolation. The decrepit Dem machine is choking New York. Blow up the BOE. https://t.co/ncX6aElxQu  Italian Alex Pareene (@pareene) November 6, 2018

Very rough final numbers from @NewYorkStateAGs #ElectionDay Hotline:



*600 calls & emails statewide

*Top issue: broken scanners



Weve been troubleshooting individual voter issues & are looking into systemic problems.  Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) November 7, 2018

In some parts of the city, it was an extra lousy day for democracy. Alisa Besher's "mellow hell" began at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium of St. Cecilia's Church in Greenpoint. Besher, 33, says she immediately noticed the lines were longer than anything she'd encountered in 14 years of voting, and soon learned that three of four machines had jammed. A man a few spots in front of her, Hassam Asif, had repeatedly called the New York City Board of Elections, but they kept hanging up on him, he said.

Still, they waited for hours, along with hundreds of others inside St. Cecilia'spassing the time by drawing, befriending their neighbors and even organizing the wave. Both voters say they weren't offered an emergency ballot until a little after 12:00 p.m., though by that point they'd resolved to stick it out a bit longer, partially out of fear that their ballots wouldn't be counted. More than an hour later, and nearly four hours from the time they'd entered the church, Besher and Ashif successfully voted.

"I'm furious. We're all furious," fumed Asif. "This is voter suppression."

"The whole thing felt absolutely absurd to me," echoed Besher. "Why was there no preventative checking of the machines? This is a huge election, I don't understand how you're not prepared."

A spokesperson for ES&S insisted that the machines were "tested to operate with perforated ballots" before the elections. The BOE, meanwhile, hasn't responded to Gothamist's request for comment about what went wrong, and whether the machines will continue to be used in future elections. Following reports of polling mishaps in 2012, the city briefly replaced the three-year-old electronic scanners with vintage lever machines in the next primary, though they were forced by the state to return to the new technology for the general election.

@BOENYC I feel like something has gone wrong if I have access to the USB stick in the voting machine (presumably storing results) and the ability to "close polls" just by pressing a button @gothamist pic.twitter.com/RWlrhM2vUQ  James H (@bostonbound19) November 6, 2018

While there are still plenty of unanswered questions about New York's finicky and potentially insecure vote scanners, the blame for yesterday's fiasco does not fall solely on the hardware manufacturer. According to Common Cause Executive Director Susan Lerner, a major reason for the voting chaos stemmed from the confusing layout of the ballots themselvesthe result of the BOE "digging in their heels" and refusing to acknowledge decades of research about how to communicate clearly with voters, Lerner says. Some of those design changes could have happened in Albany last year, but legislation to create a more voter-friendly ballot stalled in the Senate.

"It's a combination of bad state law and obstinate political appointees who don't know anything design, usability or customer service," Lerner summarized for Gothamist. And of course, there's the basic fact that this whole mess could've been avoided if New York joined 37 other states in allowing early voting, as opposed to squeezing millions of votes into a 15-hour window on a weekday.

As Lerner told Gothamist one day before the election, "There's absolutely no reason whatsoever that New York doesn't have early voting." Now that Democrats have control of the State Senate, another vote-suppressing meltdown like yesterdays will only become harder to justify.

Additional reporting by Jim OGrady and Rhyne Piggott.

PNGi first alerted its readers to the existence of such scams in June 2017, when we exposed how the managing director of the Mineral Resource Development Corporation (MRDC), Augustine Mano, was using a company he owns to evade tax on his salary and benefits.

According to the IRC, such arrangements are prevalent in many industries operating in the country.

PORT MORESBY  Papua New Guineas Internal Revenue Commission is cracking down on tax evasion by senior executives who divert their salary payments through associated or related companies in order to avoid paying taxes.

The Mano tax scheme - an arrangement that meant Augustine Mano was only paying income tax on K150,000, not K750,000

The MRDC is a state owned entity that manages landowner equity interests in mining and petroleum projects on behalf of landowner companies. Augustine Mano has been the managing director since March 2008.

In his report for 2009, the auditor general revealed Augustine Mano was avoiding paying any income tax on 80% of his K750,000 a year salary package.

According to the auditor general, rather than being directly employed by MRDC, a professional services agreement had been signed between MRDC and Augustine Mano as the incumbent professional of SMA Investment Limited.

Under the agreement, MRDC was only paying Mano K150,000 as his direct salary while K600,000 was being paid to SMA Investment Limited. SMA is a company set up and owned by Mano.

This arrangement meant Mano was only paying income tax on K150,000, not K750,000. With a top rate of tax at 42%, this was potentially saving Mano, and defrauding the state, of K252,000 every year.

A managing director or director of a company is always a natural person. The managing director of MRDC is an employee of MRDC. All benefits of any employees are classed as salary and wages and must be taxed according to the tax rules applicable.

The current arrangement of the managing director can be viewed as a measure to reduce or evade tax.

The auditor warned there are penalties for both the employer and employee pursuant to Section 361 of the Income Tax Act, 1959. Such a scenario can lead to undesirable consequences for both parties.

Despite these cautions, in later audits the auditor general found the practice was still continuing.

PNGi reported the auditor generals findings on the situation at the MRDC to the IRC and, it seems, they have taken the matter seriously. Their investigations have revealed Mr Mano is not the only senior executive, and MRDC is not the only company, using such schemes.

News that the IRC is cracking down on these tax evasion schemes is very welcome. They are not just a way for the wealthy to avoid paying their fair share; they also deprive the government of much needed revenue for health, education and other services; they create greater inequality; and, they put a larger and unfair tax burden on low and middle-income earners, while the privileged grow ever more wealthy.

But while we applaud the IRC for its crackdown, we must also question why those who have been unlawfully evading hundreds of thousands of kina in taxes are not being criminally prosecuted.

Ordinary people who are accused of much lesser crimes do not receive such favourable treatment and are publicly dragged through the courts for offences as minor as shoplifting.

Why should companies and individuals who have been defrauding the state not receive similar treatment?Expats hate Australia's high cost of housing, its political instability and poor nightlife.

But they love the lifestyle and safe environment.

Australias weather and healthcare also rank highly.

Expatriates says housing costs, political instability and the cost of living as the worst things about Australia.

But they also say Australias quality of life is high compared to their home countries.

The Australian Liveability Ranking, developed by international money transfer company WorldFirst, asked a panel of 755 expats and foreign-born residents to rate 20 aspects of life in Australia.

They were asked to score from one to 10 -- one being very poor in comparison to their birth country, 10 being outstanding .

Here's how they scored:

The pool was made up of people born in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (30%), China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea (10%), India (8%), the Philippines (5%), North America (5%) and New Zealand (2%).

Australias rental costs (an average score of 5.2) and property purchase prices (5.5) came in at the bottom of the ladder.

Political instability, with a regular turnover of prime ministers, is also not favoured by expats and migrants. Australian politics was ranked at 5.9. Cost of living was also ranked at 5.9.

The public transport also scored low with an average of 6.3.

But the quality of life ranked the highest at 8.2 out of 10. In second place was safety (7.7), followed by Australias weather and healthcare, each 7.5.

In fifth place, with an average score of 7.4, was Australias wages, despite general stagnant wage growth.

Work and life balance came in sixth, with a score of 7.2, followed by career opportunities for migrants and expats (7.0), financial security (6.9) and job security (6.8).

It is encouraging that migrants and expats rank Australia highly, with none of our offerings falling below a four," says Patrick Liddy, Head of Foreign Exchange at WorldFirst.

"Even the worst aspects of Australia -- our property and rental prices -- scored above five, which means they are just above average.

Story continues

While it may seem that most people move abroad for work-related reasons, quality of life and safety are Australias biggest drawcards."

HSBCs latest Expat Explorer survey ranked Australia sixth best country in the world for expats. Quality of life ranked highly.

One expat told HSBC to research before coming Australia.

"There are strong similarities to the UK but it isn't UK with sunshine," said the expat.

"Don't expect Australia to change to suit you -- you need to accept Australia for itself and adjust your own outlook to align with it.

"Expect to become more self reliant. Australia is not a nanny state. Don't become a whinging pom."Images: Getty, AAP

As more international brands enter our retail market and competition continues to heat up, yet another Aussie business has waved a white flag.

Aussie fashion chain Sussan  the brand behind popular names like Sussan, Sportsgirl and Suzanne Grae  is the latest to in a long line of troubled retailers, having hired an asset manager to assist in finding a buyer, The Australian reports.

Also read: Small business owners beware: your access to credit is under threat

Fallen businesses

Its a long list.

Plus-sized retailer Maggie T entered administration in January this year, following luxury handbag retailer Oroton in late 2017.

Chocaholics favourite, Max Brenner has also had a tumultuous few months, entering administration only to have its sale fall through.

The Reject Shop has suffered an extreme profit slump.

Also read: 7 apps you need to run a business from your phone

Major brands like Dick Smith and Top Shop have also been having some tough conversations, and Roger David, a brand with a 76-year history also shut down.

International brands taking over?

The administrators for Roger David, KordaMenthas Craig Shepard and Leeanne Chesser put the companys collapse down to the boiling levels of competition.

Roger David, like many other fashion retailers, has been buffeted by global competition, stagnant sales and rising fixed costs, Shepard said.

The situation has even got the Reserve Bank of Australia paying attention.

Also read: Eight weirdest jobs in the world

Retailers are facing a challenging environment of increased competition, slow growth in consumer spending and changing consumer preferences, the RBA financial stability departments Gabriela Araujo and Timoth de Atholia said in September.

They said international retailers tend to have lower costs and the economic benefits that come with size, while online retailers are continuing their market share creep.

At the same time, Aussie consumers preferences are changing. They prefer to spend their money on services like restaurant or cafe meals than goods.

Story continues

Also read: Coles sues ATO for $40 million for disappearing fuel

However, while the RBA acknowledged the high-profile failures, the analysts argued these have been isolated, with most retailers in good financial health.

Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.Ninety children kidnapped from a school in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon were freed days later in a military operation, the defence ministry said Wednesday. Armed separatist militants on Monday stormed a school in Bamenda, capital of the Northwest Region, seizing 79 schoolboys and three adults, prompting urgent calls for their release. When the group was freed on Wednesday, it turned out there were another 11 pupils with them, who had been abducted from the same school five days earlier. The Presbyterian Church which runs the school said the 11 had been taken on October 31 but the news was kept secret to enable negotiations with the kidnappers. It was the first mass kidnapping to hit Cameroon and one of the gravest incidents in 13 months of pro-independence violence. The students and three adults were freed in a military operation which began "in the early hours of the morning" on Wednesday, Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo said in a statement. "When they have been checked by the (military's) psychological unit and have undergone a thorough medical check, the freed pupils will be soon sent back to their families," he added. A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday showed 11 boys aged about 15 identifying their school and saying they were abducted by the "Amba Boys" -- a name for anglophone separatists. A source close to the establishment said Wednesday these were the 11 who had been snatched on October 31. - 'No ransom demand' - The attack targeted pupils and staff at the Presbyterian Secondary School in the Northwest Region -- one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities. The chain of events leading up to their release was not immediately clear, nor was the identity of the kidnappers. Communications Minister Issa Bakary Tchiroma said "all 79 students" had "been released", while the Presbyterian Church separately announced news about the other 11. It said the school would remain closed "until further notice". On Tuesday, Reverend Foki Samuel Forba, a leading member of the church, said he had been negotiating with the kidnappers, who were not demanding a ransom but the closure of the school. The kidnappings took place a day before Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office, and coincided with an upsurge of tension in the majority French-speaking country. Such mass kidnappings were previously unknown in Cameroon, although they are notorious in neighbouring Nigeria where Islamist Boko Haram militants snatched more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014. So far, 107 have been found or released but the jihadists abducted scores more from neighbouring Yobe state in February this year. - Schools in the firing line - Cameroon's Biya on Tuesday promised to address "frustrations and aspirations" in English-speaking regions in his first public acknowledgement of resentments in the Northwest and Southwest Regions. In 2016, anger at perceived discrimination in education, the judiciary and the economy fanned demands for autonomy there. But Biya refused any concessions and a year later, radicals declared an independent state -- the "Republic of Ambazonia" -- taking up arms soon after. Separatists have since attacked police and troops and have targeted other state symbols, prompting a severe official crackdown. They have also boycotted and torched schools on grounds that the French system discriminates against anglophone pupils. As the school year resumed in September, several secondary schools were attacked, a headmaster was killed and a teacher was badly wounded. In the month since Biya won reelection, the security situation in the anglophone areas has deteriorated rapidly, with dozens of opposition supporters arrested, journalists detained, and an American missionary shot dead in his car. At least 400 civilians and more than 175 police and soldiers have been killed in the year to September, NGO figures show, with the violence forcing more than 300,000 people out of their homes. The kidnappings on Monday were the first such mass abductions seen in Cameroon and coincide with an upsurge of political tensions in the majority French-speaking country A map of Cameroon showing the troubled English-speaking regions The students' release comes a day after Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office

Video has emerged of an organised gang raiding a Woolworths in Sydneys south and emptying its shelves of baby formula.

Theres a two can limit but up to a dozen buyers were spotted working together on Tuesday afternoon at Woolworths in Hurstville.

People are seen buying two tins of formula at a time, filling their bags outside and racing back inside to buy two more.

The woman who filmed it couldnt believe what she witnessed.

A woman puts a tin of baby formula in her bag. A number of bags are seen sitting outside the Woolworths supermarket in Sydney. Source: 2GB/7 News

They were like scalded cats, she said.

They ran in droves.

It follows video of a huge queue linking up for baby formula at Coles in Auburn last week.

Retail analyst Barry Urquhart believes its organised behaviour by consumers fuelled by self-interest driven by the profit incentive.

Woolworths need to do something to retain the respect and integrity of their brand, he said.

The two tin limit is supposed to ensure supply for parents here, but the system continues to be rorted and it is believed most of the formula is being shipped to much higher paying customers in China.

A man returns carrying another tin as other people also fill their bags. Source: 2GB/7 News

Woolworths is urging parents who find their chosen formula unavailable to speak directly to store managers so they can arrange stock as soon as possible.

It also says work will continue with manufacturers to improve ongoing supply.Boeing issued a special bulletin Wednesday addressing a sensor problem flagged by Indonesian safety officials investigating the crash of a Lion Air 737 that killed 189 people last week. The planemaker said local aviation officials believed pilots may have been given wrong information by the plane's automated systems before the fatal crash. "The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee has indicated that Lion Air flight 610 experienced erroneous input from one of its AOA (Angle of Attack) sensors," Boeing said. "Boeing issued an Operations Manual Bulletin (OMB) directing operators to existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor." An AOA sensor provides data about the angle at which wind is passing over the wings and tells pilots how much lift a plane is getting. The information can be critical in preventing the plane from stalling. Lion Air JT610 plunged into the Java Sea less than half an hour after taking off from Jakarta on a routine flight to Pangkal Pinang city. There were no survivors. The doomed jet was a Boeing 737-Max 8, one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes, and there is still no answer as to what caused the crash. A preliminary report is expected at the end of the month. Search teams have filled some 186 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 44 victims have been identified so far. Indonesian officials said on Wednesday they would extend by three days the search for bodies. Divers have recovered one of the two "black boxes" -- the flight data recorder -- but are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder, in the hope it will shed more light on the cause of the disaster. Indonesian investigators said this week the plane had an air-speed indicator problem on the doomed flight and on three previous journeys. The glitch had been repeatedly serviced and Lion Air's technical team declared the plane to be airworthy. The new details -- gleaned from the flight data recorder -- came after the government said it was launching a "special audit" of Lion Air's operations. The accident has resurrected concerns about Indonesia's poor air safety record, which until recently saw its carriers facing years-long bans from entering European Union and US airspace. Lion Air JT610 plunged into the Java Sea less than half an hour after taking off from Jakarta on a routine flight to Pangkal Pinang cityBritain on Wednesday extradited Croatian tycoon Ivica Todoric to Zagreb where he faces fraud allegations linked to the food and retail giant Agrokor he founded, media and a witness said. Todoric boarded a regular Croatia Airlines flight in London, a passenger who requested anonymity told AFP. The local Vecernji List daily paper also published a photo of the 67-year-old at Heathrow airport. "I feel well. I'm ready to return to Croatia," Todoric, accompanied by police in civilian clothes, told a group of Croatian reporters at the airport, Vecernji List reported. The plane was scheduled to land in Zagreb at 8:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), after which Todoric is expected to be transferred to a prison. Officials in London and Zagreb did not comment on his extradition, while a police spokeswoman in Zagreb told AFP it was a "confidential procedure." Todoric was arrested in London a year ago on a European arrest warrant issued by Zagreb for allegedly falsifying accounts to hide huge debts at Agrokor, which he founded in 1976. Todoric and 14 other people, including his two sons and other former top company executives, are under investigation for alleged abuse of trust, forging of official documents and failure to keep proper business records. Two weeks ago the former CEO, known in Croatia as 'Boss', lost a bid to appeal against his extradition before magistrates in London. Retail and food giant Agrokor is the biggest employer in the Balkans, with 60,000 workers and a large network of suppliers providing tens of thousands of more jobs. The Zagreb-based company was saved from bankruptcy earlier this year after creditors backed a multi-billion euro debt deal. Agrokor was weighed down by debts of 58 billion kunas ($8.9 billion, 7.8 billion euros) accumulated through aggressive expansion and expensive borrowing. Todoric has repeatedly said the allegations are politically motivated and accused senior leaders in the Croatian government of orchestrating the takeover of Agrokor. The issue has posed the most serious challenge to the government of conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic since it took power in 2016. Croatian tycoon Ivica Todoric, pictured April 2018, who was arrested in 2017 for allegedly falsifying accounts to hide huge debts at his company, has been extradited to ZagrebThe European Commission on Wednesday urged backers of an EU-wide tax on high-tech giants to keep pushing the proposal, which has stalled due to opposition from Ireland and Nordic countries. France, backed by EU-presidency holder Austria, has been urging European Union partners to impose a new tax to ensure that global tech platforms like Facebook and Google pay their fair share. Paris argues the measure would be a vote-winning accomplishment for mainstream EU politicians before the European Parliament elections next May, in which anti-Brussels populists could do well. "When it comes to taxation you need to push to make it happen. For me personally it's a very important proposal," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told a news conference at the Web Summit, a annual teach gathering, in Lisbon. "I do hope that the Austrians will keep the pressure to make this happen," she said. Digital firms pay on average just 9 percent in "effective taxation", compared to an average of 23 percent for other firms, Europe's antitrust chief said. "When in a technological revolution, if it's not to be a wild west, you must be willing to regulate it," said Vestager. The French government had wanted a tax proposal by the end of the year but on Tuesday Paris agreed to put off its implementation until 2020 to give more time to get opponents on side. European tax rules require unanimous backing by all European Union members. Ireland, which hosts the European headquarters of several US tech giants, leads a small group of otherwise mostly Nordic countries that argue the tax will also punish European companies and stoke Washington's anger. France, backed by EU-presidency holder Austria, has been urging European Union partners to impose a new tax to ensure that global tech platforms like Facebook and Google pay their fair shareLeading equine vets have explained why The Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised on the track after the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup was again been marred by the death of a horse on Tuesday, this time the Irish-trained The Cliffsofmoher.

SCARY SCENES: The second nasty incident that rocked Cup day

The Aidan OBrien-trained horse suffered a fractured shoulder during Tuesdays race and had to be euthanised, Racing Victorias executive general manager  integrity services, Jamie Stier, said in a statement.

The horse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained, he said.

Equine Veterinarians Australia spokesman Ian Fulton has since explained why it had to happen so quickly after the mishap.

Ryan Moore riding The Cliffsofmoher (L) drops back in the field after he injury. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

When the limb is very obviously broken you can tell with the leg and its very easy to come to the decision that its what we call a catastrophic unrepairable fracture, Dr Fulton told News Corp.

But the decision has to be made very quickly because if the horse has sustained an unrepairable fracture its vital that horse is not allowed to suffer.

The decision is made very quickly but also with a lot of experience.

Dr Fulton said the shoulder was an area that vets simply couldnt repair.

In recent decades weve become very good at fixing lower limb fractures from the knee or the hock down so many horses can be salvaged but these fractures that occur at the top of the limb, the weight of the horse and the fact they cant survive to stand on three legs, means some of these fractures are simply unrepairable.

The Cliffsofmoher couldnt be saved. Image: Getty

Dr Lester Walters from the Eagle Farm Equine Consultancy Services and Veterinary Hospital also said the fracture would have been irreparable.

If that happens you just cannot repair them, you really put the animal through a lot of pain and misery with no resolve, he said.

The shoulder is a particularly difficult one, as is the elbow, because its hard to stabilise them and a big horse  most of those horses in the Melbourne Cup would be average 550kg  is well over the mark for contemplating a successful recovery,.

Story continues

Id say if the vet has made that call, hes made a call that would be extremely beneficial to the horse.

Celebrity vet Chris Brown said if a stress fracture was already there, the bone would have exploded.

Multiple, misshapen bone fragments are then left behind, he said.

Fragments that then cant be pinned or plated back into place.

Ryan Moore checks Cliffsofmoher after the mishap. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The other issue is rest. Unlike a dog or cat, horses struggle to cope on three legs while one is mending. Nor can they lie down or be suspended on slings.

That big body of theirs becomes susceptible to circulation problems and pressure sores if theyre doing anything but standing on all four legs with their weight evenly supported.

Fourth time in six years

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called for an investigation into the death, which it described as the most recent victim of the cruel annual spectacle.

It is the fourth time in the past six years that the Cup has been shrouded by the death of horses.

French-trained horse Verema had to be put down after an injury suffered in the 2013 Cup.

A year later pre-race favourite Admire Ratki died after collapsing from heart failure in the stalls minutes after the race.

Ryan Moore walks back to mounting yard. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

In the same 2014 race, import Araldo had to be euthanised because of an injury suffered when he was returning to scale.

Araldo placed seventh but was spooked by a flag in the crowd on the way back to weigh in, kicking out and breaking a rear leg on a fence.

In 2015 crowd favourite and three-time Cup runner up Red Cadeaux had to be euthanised two-and-a-half weeks after the Cup as a result of complications from an injury suffered in that years race.

Considering Australians hate cruelty to animals, commemorating a day on which horses routinely die in the Melbourne Cup is fundamentally un-Australian, a PETA spokesman said.

Stier said the injury to The Cliffsofmoher was an unfortunate incident that happened infrequently, as Victoria had one of the best safety records in world racing.

Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan OBrien and his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.

with AAPDemocratic Congressman Jared Polis has won the governor's race in Colorado, networks projected on Tuesday, making him the first openly gay person to be elected as a US governor. The five-term congressman, 43, who defeated Republican Walker Stapleton, was open about his sexual orientation during the campaign, often referring to it in his criticism of President Donald Trump. Kate Brown became the first bisexual governor when she was elected in Oregon in 2015, while another governor, Jim McGreevey of New Jersey, came out as gay before resigning in 2004. But Polis is the first openly gay candidate to be elected governor. He will succeed Democrat John Hickenlooper, who has been in office since 2011. A self-made millionaire and tech entrepreneur, Polis was admitted to Princeton University at age 16. And he has said that he set his sights on becoming governor when he was in college. Polis, who is Jewish, switched his name from Jared Schultz to Jared Polis at age 25 to honor his grandmother, he has said. He was one of hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates in the midterm elections, including 21 for Congress and four for governor. "LGBTQ candidates are running for office in unprecedented numbers and in every state in the nation -- and it is already inspiring more LGBTQ people to run in the near future," Annise Parker, president of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a nonpartisan group, said ahead of the elections. "This rainbow wave of candidates is certainly concentrated in blue states and districts, but LGBTQ leaders in conservative parts of the nation are standing up and determined to become public servants while remaining true to who they are. "The struggles and experiences of LGBTQ candidates provide a unique perspective that makes them authentic, values-driven leaders, and it is increasingly resonating with voters.? Polis's win comes as members of the LGBTQ community have faced mounting attacks since Donald Trump was elected president. Those include an effort by the Trump administration to change the legal definition of gender that would effectively reverse some transgender rights put in place by president Barack Obama. Polis ran on a progressive platform that called for affordable health care, stricter gun laws and more investment in renewable energy. Congressman Jared Polis, seen in a file image, will become Colorado's governor, and the first openly gay US governorCuba on Wednesday handed over to the United States an Interpol-sought American who had been avoiding justice in the neighboring Caribbean nation. The man, whose identity was not disclosed by Havana, was sought "for serious crimes committed there" and entered Cuba on October 28. "This action is based on Cuba's strict compliance with its international legal obligations and existing bilateral agreements with the United States on compliance and enforcement, and the cooperation that both governments are developing on this front," a Cuban statement said. A statement from the Essex County prosecutor's office in New Jersey, delivered to AFP, identified the man as James Ray III, 55, who was wanted on murder charges involving his partner Angela Bledsoe, 44. He returned to New Jersey late Tuesday, the US statement said. Court and other cooperation between Cuba and the United States was formalized after the thaw between the bitter Cold War enemies. They reestablished full diplomatic relations in 2015 after a break of more than five decades. Though the current administration of Donald Trump has kept in place US economic sanctions, and deployed some political rhetoric, bilateral cooperation continues in many area. A statement from the Essex County prosecutor's office in New Jersey, delivered to AFP, identified the man as James Ray III, 55, who was wanted on murder charges involving his partner Angela Bledsoe, 44A mother is calling for a daycare to be shut down after it closed for the weekend and left a six-month-old baby inside.

Tanaya Merchen, 30, arrived to pick up her six-month-old son Avery from the Kids R Us Childcare Centre in Montana, US, about 5.30pm on Friday but discovered the facility had closed early.

I had no idea what to do, Ms Merchen told Yahoo Lifestyle.

I was stunned.

I called the director and she drove over and said, I put Avery down for a nap at 5.15pm, the person watching him must have gone home sick.

Ms Merchen was told that an employee must have forgotten her son, and that it was a miscommunication as staff thought all children had left for the night.

Baby Avery was locked inside the daycare centre. Source: KULR

The single mother had enrolled her son in the centre five days a week, from 6.30am to 5.45pm.

Owner Kim Redding did not respond to Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment.

It was a horrible mistake and were sorry and we have a damage control method for staff to check out the sign-out sheets and be careful, Ms Redding told local station KULR.

The outlet said that reports from the states Department of Public Health and Human Service showed multiple safety breaches from 2014 to 2017.

Other reports showed that children at Kids R Us were sometimes left unattended, caregivers were not trained to work with their special-needs children, medications were left in dangerous places, and humiliation, shaming, and fright were used to discipline a six-year-old child, according to KTVQ.

Tanaya Merchen, mum-of-three, called for the day care to be shut down. Source: KULR

The mother filed a report with the Billings Police Department on Saturday and a police department representative told Yahoo Lifestyle the case was turned over to Child Protective Services.

Ms Merchen, who works six days a week, lost $800 in wages while she was looking for a new childcare centre. However, on Tuesday, she toured a new daycare centre where she plans to enrol Avery.Friends and family of shark attack victim Daniel Christidis have shared emotional tributes, remembering the young Melbourne doctor for his caring nature and clever wit.

The 33-year-old worked as a urologist at Melbournes Western Health and died from the attack by an unknown species of shark at dusk on Monday.

He was enjoying a sailing holiday with friends when he decided to take a swim at Queenslands Cid Harbour.

Friends and family have paid tribute to the 33-year-old doctor. Source: 7News

Dr Christidis had already made his mark in the medical world, with colleagues remembering him as a dedicated professional.

He will have achieved more than so many people do in a lifetime for being such a hard worker, Austin Health head of urology Helen OConnell said.

Having just completed a PhD, he was determined to help not just his patients but also his colleagues.

He would mentor our junior doctors about their careers and projects they could become involved with, Dr OConnell said.

Dr Daniel Christidis was remembered by one friend as one of the funniest, wittiest guys.Source: 7News

The 33-year-old had been paddle boarding in Cid Harbour when he jumped into the water. Source: 7News

Chief medical officer at Western Health, Paul Leftheriou, said his death was difficult to comprehend.

Staff are finding this very difficult, he was much loved by a lot of staff, he said.

We grieve with you and cant imagine how hard it must be, and we are here to support you during this hard time.

Dr Christidis and a female friend were taking turns using a stand-up paddle board at Cid Harbour when tragedy struck.

The family of Daniel Christidis left a touching tribute to their son. Source: 7News

He jumped into the water, and was attacked by a shark.

Medically trained friends on board the yacht desperately tried to save him, but despite their best efforts and treatment from emergency services, he died in hospital a short time later.

His family released a statement to 7News on Wednesday saying: Daniel was a great surgeon, son, brother and friend, who dedicated his life to helping others.

Words cannot describe how our family and the community have been impacted by this tragic loss.

His brother Mike thanked his sibling for his tutelage over the years in an emotional message.

Thank you for all that you taught me and all that is to come. I love you and I will make you proud, he said.

Story continues

Friend Rohan Dissanayake described Dr Christidis as one of the wittiest, funniest guys, who was always making everyone else happy, making everyone else laugh.

Despite only working for Western Health since February this year, the respected doctor had already built up a reputation for being incredible with his patients.

I remember one of our patients was down post-operatively. It was her birthday. He went and got a birthday cake. Thats the sort of guy Daniel was, Dr OConnell recalled.EU officials on Tuesday poured cold water on hopes of holding a special summit this month to seal a Brexit divorce, saying talks have made some progress -- but not enough. "Clear that more work is needed in Brexit negotiations. We remain determined to reach a deal," the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier tweeted from Helsinki after meeting Finnish officials. One source close to the negotiations with London told AFP: "I think the summit will be in December. For the time being not enough progress on Irish border question to have a summit in November." Another official would not categorically rule out a November summit, but admitted that even if there was an unexpected breakthrough in the coming days it could take up to two weeks to prepare one. EU President Donald Tusk held a call with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, but there was no breakthrough and the official said "member states will need time" to digest any draft deal. Britain is due to leave the 28-nation bloc on March 29 next year, but details of the withdrawal treaty have yet to be agreed and previous summits have broken up, sometimes in bitter rows. The main sticking point is the border between EU member Ireland and the British-ruled province of Northern Ireland. Both sides say they want to avoid the emergence of a hard border that could undermine the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement -- but London does not want the province to remain in the EU Customs Union indefinitely. For Dublin and Brussels, the so-called "backstop" means that if Britain fails to negotiate a free trade deal within a 21-month transition period, Northern Ireland must remain in the single market. May has said no British prime minister could agree to such a concession, but negotiators are reported to be working on language for a "review mechanism" that would govern the backstop. Irish premier Leo Varadkar, visiting Helsinki for a meeting of European centre-right parties, said "every day that passes, the possibility of having a special summit in November becomes less likely." "But we do have one scheduled anyway for the 13th and 14th of December, so not getting it done in November doesn't mean we can't get it done in the first two weeks of December," he added. "But I think beyond that you're into the new year which I think wouldn't be a good thing." And on Tuesday, after meeting British officials in London, Belgium's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders warned that it might take to the end of the year before a deal is possible. Barnier has made it clear any talk on Britain's future relations with the union must wait until the withdrawal deal is enshrined in a legal treaty. And Tusk has said he would not call the summit that would approve such a treaty until Barnier had been able to report to him that "decisive progress" had been made towards agreement. - No majority - Barnier is this week at the meeting of his European People's Party in Helsinki and there is nothing on his public agenda about an imminent meeting with Britain's Brexit minister Dominic Raab. On Monday, however, Barnier will brief ministers from the other 27 EU member states on the situation in the talks -- even as their capitals ramp up planning for how to deal with a "no deal" Brexit. May, meanwhile, has to make sure any deal wins the approval of her party and parliament. And EU negotiators say they fear that none of the options on the table could command a Commons majority. On Tuesday the man in charge of the European Union's contingency planning for this potentially disastrous scenario, civil service head Martin Selmayr, sounded pessimistic. "Negotiations with the UK are a bit like the Echternach Spring Procession: three steps forward, two back," he told visiting German politicians, according to Der Spiegel reporter Peter Mueller. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May held a call with EU President Donald Tusk but there was no breakthrough with an official saying "member states will need time" to digest any draft deal EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has made it clear any talk on Britain's future relations with the European Union must wait until the withdrawal deal is enshrined in a legal treatyRyanair has sacked cabin crew who staged a viral photo showing them sleeping on the floor of a Spanish airport.

The airline confirmed they had fired the six crew members who were in the photo on Tuesday, the BBC reported.

All six cabin crew members in Porto were dismissed on Monday November 5 for breach of contract on grounds of gross misconduct, Ryanair told The Sun.

After staging a fake photograph to support a false claim (widely reported in international media outlets) that they were forced to sleep on the floor of the Malaga crew room.

[This] was behaviour which damaged their employers reputation and caused an irreparable breach of trust with these 6 persons.

The photograph showed the six crew members lying down on the floor of an office space in Spains Malaga airport, after being stranded by a storm in October.

The photograph showed crew members sleeping on the floor. Source: Twitter/Jim Atkinson

It was shared on Twitter by user Jim Atkinson and sparked widespread criticism online.

The eight stranded pilots and 16 flight attendants were part of cabin crew based in Portugal.

They claim they were given no other option but to sleep on the floor of the small room, with only eight chairs, from 1am to 6am, without access to food or water.

After the photograph caused outrage among people who viewed the lodging conditions as disgusting, Ryanair released its own footage from inside the room, revealing the moments before the picture was taken.

The unions legal team is dealing with the matter, according to Luciana Passo, head of the SNPVAC cabin crew union in Portugal, The Sun reported.A fisherman has been hailed a hero after rescuing an 18-month-old boy he found floating in the water he thought was a doll.

Fisherman Gus Hutt was checking his lines off Matata Beach, northeast of Rotorua on New Zealands North Island, on October 26 when he noticed the boy in a rip about 7.15am, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Mr Hutt said he initially thought the little boy was a doll.

A fisherman pulled toddler Malachi Reeve from waters off Matata Beach in New Zealand, who he thought was a doll. Source: Stuff.co.nz via 7 News

I reached out and grabbed him by the arm; even then I still thought it was just a doll, Mr Hutt said.

His face looked just like porcelain with his short hair wetted down, but then he let out a little squeak and I thought oh God, this is a baby and its alive.

Mr Hutt added the boy was bloody lucky he chose to check his lines, believing the child could have been pulled away in the rip.

He told his wife Sue about the baby he had saved and she located his parents, who were staying in a nearby holiday camp.

The boys mum Jessica Whyte said the camp manager woke her up to news her son Malachi Reeve had been found floating at sea.

Malachi Reeve had wandered off from his parents tent while they were sleeping. Source: Stuff.co.nz via 7 News

I dont think my heart [beat] from hearing that to seeing him. I dont think my heart worked, Ms Whyte said.

Luckily, the boy was okay. It turns out he had unzipped his parents tent while they were sleeping and escaped.

Malachi was hospitalised as a precaution.

Mr Hutt said he later followed the little boys tracks in the sand down to the water and estimates he wasnt in the water for very long.

Local fire and emergency authorities advised parents camping with toddlers to make sure that zippers are out of reach.Political speculation and concerns for the economy have gone into overdrive in Gabon as questions grow over the fate of President Ali Bongo who was hospitalised in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago. According to a non-Gabonese source close to Bongo, the president "suffered a stroke." "It's no longer life-threatening, and he is no longer under artificial respiration," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Bongo was still in Riyadh. An AFP journalist who went to Riyadh's King Faisal Hospital where Bongo was admitted, was on Wednesday told that all information on the president's health was subject to either a "royal order" or authorisation from the Gabonese embassy. Bongo, 59, fell ill on October 24 during a visit to Riyadh to attend an economic forum. His spokesman Ike Ngouoni said doctors there had diagnosed him with "severe fatigue" and ordered bed rest. Since then, there has been no official news, and details that are circulating are either sketchy or unverified. This vacuum -- along with memories of the secrecy-shrouded demise of Bongo's father, Omar Bongo, who died in office in 2009 after decades at the helm -- has set the rumour mill churning at full tilt. "We don't have enough information," said Ange-Gael Makaya Makaya, a university student who said people were "speculating too much" on social media which he said wasn't an accurate indicator of the public mood. Mamadou Tsoumou, a 65-year-old engineer and former governor of Estuaire province, was equally cautious about over-reacting. - Doubts and uncertainty - A Gabonese journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "only a very limited circle of people, including the president's wife, Sylvia Bongo, has access to the facts." And a diplomat told AFP that the government's official communications strategy, of saying nothing, had only "fuelled doubt". That uncertainty, in a country where the president has wide-ranging executive powers and wields extensive personal influence, is starting to weigh on the business sector. "A Gabonese business leader told me he was planning to put the brake on a number of projects in which he had invested," said economist Mays Mouissi. Bongo served as foreign and defence minister during his father's rule, and was elected head of state in August 2009 after his death. He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud. Despite the official silence, Bongo is still officially expected in Paris for this Sunday's November 11 centennial commemorations of the World War I armistice, a French diplomat said. - A history of secrecy - Memories are still fresh of the news blackout surrounding the final weeks of Omar Bongo, who served a president for 42 years. In May 2009, the government said Bongo had taken time off to mourn the death of his wife and had gone to Spain to rest. At the same time, the international media was reporting that Bongo was stricken with cancer and had been rushed to Barcelona for treatment. The government persistently denied the reports until, on June 8, it announced that Bongo had died of a heart attack -- a day after it had been reported by a French news weekly. The Gabonese constitution sets down clear procedures if the president is incapable of continuing in office. The government, Senate or National Assembly must ask the Constitutional Court to confirm a presidential vacancy. Once this is done, the speaker of the Senate is declared interim president, pending the holding of elections, which must be held within 45 days. - 'Plane crash' - "Nobody really knows what's happening," said a source close to the Bongo clan. "It's like being on a plane just before it crashes," said a member of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). A Gabonese political analyst said the centre of power was divided between two groups. "On one side, there's the 'hardline group,' which has several generals and advisers clustered around Frederic Bongo, the president's brother and head of the intelligence service," he said. Hovering in the wings is opposition leader Jean Ping, who lost the violence-hit 2016 elections to Bongo by a few thousand votes. On Saturday, Ping -- who insists he is the country's truly elected president -- broke a months-long silence to make a "speech to the nation" from his home in Libreville. He called on citizens to "transcend their divisions and place the nation above our individual ethnic or clan interests." Gabonese President Ali Bongo, seen casting his vote in Libreville last month in legislative and municipal elections Gabon's President Ali Bongo is currently understood to be staying at the King Faisal Hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh In May 2009, there was a news blackout over the death of Gabon's Omar Bongo, with the government only announcing the president's passing on June 8On a good day, it takes Mohammad less than three hours to drive from Ghazni to Kabul. But preparations for the hair-raising journey through Taliban-infested areas can take weeks. Road trips are a dangerous, and often deadly, activity in Afghanistan. Travellers run the gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints, fighting, robberies, kidnappings, and pressure-plate bombs targeting government officials and security forces. The stretch of Highway 1 between the Afghan capital and the southeastern city of Ghazni -- which the Taliban stormed in August and still threaten -- is one of the most treacherous. Spontaneous trips are out of the question, said Mohammad, who is in his 20s and a regular visitor to Kabul. Mohammad, not his real name, asked AFP to use a pseudonym to avoid being identified by the Taliban. He begins preparing for the journey at least two weeks before his planned departure, starting with growing out his beard, which he normally keeps short, to create a scruffier appearance. He then starts working his contacts, calling trusted relatives and neighbours who ply the busy route for information about Taliban activity along the main artery connecting Kabul to the insurgent strongholds in the south. "You have to be careful who you call because you could be sold out to the Taliban" by someone working for the militant group, he told AFP. - 'Many reasons to worry' - On the day of his departure, Mohammad swaps his clean, well-ironed clothes for a dirty pyjama-like shalwar kameez to make himself look more like a villager and clears the call history on his mobile in case a phone number raises suspicion. "You can't just jump into a car and come (to Kabul), not if you want to be on the safe side," he said. Mohammad's most recent trip to Kabul was delayed for three days after he received warnings of Taliban disguised as Afghan soldiers manning checkpoints along the road. The first thing Taliban militants check is a person's tazkira, or national identification document. "If the tazkira is from Ghazni then you may be fine. If not, they might think that you are a member of the security forces from another province coming to Ghazni to fight," Mohammad said. After registering to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election -- which the Taliban had vowed to attack and which was finally cancelled in Ghazni due to protests -- Mohammad carries a second tazkira that does not have a sticker identifying him as a voter. "There are many reasons to be worried and anxious," Mohammad explained. "Even if they don't kill you, they may keep you as a hostage and ask for a ransom. If they kept me for one night, my mother would not survive." A one-way trip between Kabul and Ghazni costs Mohammad 250 afghanis (around $3) in a Toyota Corolla taxi, a ubiquitous model in Afghanistan that is often used as public transport. He tries to travel with drivers he knows. He avoids travelling on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those are the days the Afghan army delivers supplies to its troops in the provinces and attacks along the highway are more likely, Mohammad said. Thursday, the last day of the Afghan working week, is also a bad day to venture out of the city. Militants lie in wait for government employees as they leave Ghazni for the weekend. - Fear of death - Whenever possible, Mohammad said he travels with women wearing burqas, but not because he prefers their company. In the deeply conservative society where physical contact between men and women in public is prohibited, female passengers can hide mobile phones and other sensitive items under their head-to-toe coverings without fear of the Taliban searching them. Once on the open road, Mohammad remains vigilant. He listens carefully to the phone conversations of the driver and other occupants for signs they are planning to give him, or someone else in the vehicle, up to the Taliban. "Taliban spies use codes like 'I have brought the rooster that you asked for' or 'we found the yoghurt that you asked for'," he said. An oncoming vehicle with lights blinking, a line of cars stopped on the highway, or no traffic at all are warning signs that something has happened up ahead. "Fighting and ambushes are common. You have to accept that you might face it," Mohammad said. Despite the risks, Kabul's alluring cafes and shopping malls make the nail-biting trip worthwhile, Mohammad said. Even a few days in the heavily militarised and overcrowded city is "refreshing" and a relief from Ghazni, where he feels his "heart can burst from boredom". But Mohammad does what he can to stay safe on his journey, even paying a few cents to a street beggar as he leaves the city in the hope the good deed will protect him. "I still fear death," he said. "But I try to stay calm." Road trips are a dangerous, and often deadly, activity in Afghanistan The stretch of Highway 1 between Kabul and the city of Ghazni is one of the most treacherous in Afghanistan Travellers run the gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints, fighting, robberies, kidnappings, and pressure-plate bombs An oncoming vehicle with lights blinking, a line of cars stopped, or no traffic at all are warning signs something has happened up ahead Thursday, the last day of the Afghan working week, is also a bad day to venture out of GhazniAn untold number of New York City voters had a frustrating time at the polls yesterday: Scanners buckled under the demands of so much civic duty done, tasked with accommodating not only an extra large voter turnout, but also this year's big 'n tall, two-for-one ballots. On top of all that, it was raining and humid, which the Board of Elections says caused some ballots swell and jam the scanners. We still managed to get the job done, but the hours-long lines are not a sign of a functional democracy.

The chaos created extra work for people staffing the polls, and I for one am prepared to grant some free passes to those who occasionally let their exasperation show. But according to tipster Nicole Pasquale, who signed up as a poll worker at a Williamsburg poll site in I.S. 71 on Tuesday and with whom (full disclosure) this writer used to work, the site managers dispensed with the niceties even before polls opened.

"At 5 a.m. I was told to not ask questions and just do as Im told," Pasquale told Gothamist. "That should've been a little red flag from the beginning."

Pasquale penned a letter detailing her experience, which she submitted to both the Kings County and Manhattan Board of Elections offices, and also posted to social media. She said she watched her fellow poll workers instructing voters that if they did not vote down ticketif, for example, they selected a Working Families candidate for governor but a Democratic candidate for the Senatethen their ballot would not be processed.

Around 6 p.m., Pasquale wrote, she realized that this had been a directive from the poll site managers and pushed back, only to have them yell at her. According to Pasquale, they also responded aggressively to voters who questioned this made-up rulesplit-ticket voting is legalwith the site manager screaming, "Are you calling me a liar?!" at someone who expressed doubt.

Remarkably, Pasquale's site was not among the many flooded with bewildered citizens and only saw one of six scanners break. People did have trouble with the king-size ballots, however. The more experienced poll workers reportedly noticed a higher-than-average number of voided ballots because people kept making mistakes. According to Pasquale, this seemed to contribute to a prickly atmosphere, with poll workers chastising voters for messing up the questions on an already confusing ballot made more difficult to decipher by its interminable length and DIY ripping requirement.

Workers falling asleep on the job exacerbated the poll site's sense of sloppiness, Pasquale said, but the hostility toward questions "created a really intimidating kind of atmosphere." The managers didn't care to cross check ballot counts for the broken scanner, she added, and while the whole experience left her feeling deflated, but Pasquale seemed more inclined to blame the system.

"These are nice people who I think were misinformed, not properly supervised, underpaid, and overworked, resulting in a stressful, inefficient, misleading voting experience," she wrote.

Pasquale says Ray Riley, chief clerk at the BOE's Brooklyn Borough Office, accepted her letter in person and vowed to investigate its content, apologizing for the experience and thanking her for her service.

We have contacted the BOE to ask what they plan to do about the complaint, and what kinds of steps they might take for future elections to ensure poll workers are better equipped to handle the stress of the day. Because certainly, poll workers are responsible for keeping up civility, even when faced with nonsense of towering proportionsyou must be patient indeed to guide often ill-informed citizens through 15 hours of civic dutybut as the BOE reminded us yesterday, it seems largely incapable of orchestrating an election without things spiraling out of control. I mean come on, how is it that in the country's biggest city, a little bit of rain tanks whole polling sites for hours?Italy is one of several countries seeking to help a Pakistani Christian woman who has spent eight years on death row for blasphemy, a rights group said on Wednesday. Several governments have said they want to help Asia Bibi and "we'll have to see which government acts first," Marta Petrosillo, spokeswoman for Aid to the Church in Need, which helps persecuted Christians worldwide, told AFP. Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted on Tuesday: "I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee this young woman's future." Bibi is still in a Pakistani prison a week after the country's highest court overturned her conviction. Ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities to demand her immediate execution in a three-day stand-off that ended when Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration agreed to allow a review of the Supreme Court ruling. The deal has left Bibi in legal limbo -- and languishing in jail for a crime of which she has been acquitted. Her husband Ashiq Masih has said the delay in releasing his wife, a mother of five, was adding to the family's agony. Italian Catholic association ACS said that Masih had specifically appealed to Italy for help to leave Pakistan. "We are very worried because our lives are in danger. We don't even have anything left to eat because we can't go out to do the shopping," Masih said, according to an Italian translation of a video posted on the association's website. Masih has also appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum, while her lawyer has fled to the Netherlands. France's junior minister for Gender Equality Marlene Schiappa said on Wednesday she was looking at how to help Bibi "along with European and international partners". Pakistani Islamists protest against the Supreme Court's decision to acquit Christian woman Asia Bibi of blasphemyItaly's competition watchdog said on Wednesday it will begin legal proceedings against low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air for failing to suspend controversial charges for carry-on bags. The Antitrust Authority "decided to initiate proceedings for non-compliance" with the order issued a week ago against the Irish and Hungarian airlines, a statement said. Both companies had decided to allow only a small bag that could fit underneath a plane seat for free, causing angry consumer associations to take up the matter before the Antitrust Authority. "Asking more for an essential element of the air transport contract, carry-on baggage, is a fallacious representation of the ticket's true price and harms cost comparison among carriers, which misleads consumers," the Antitrust Authority said last week. A Spanish consumer association, Facua, made a similar protest in late August with Spanish authorities. Ryanair announced its decision on August 24, saying it sought to reduce boarding delays. The move could allow carriers to rotate aircraft more often or raise additional revenue, or save on fuel costs, all of which are significant factors in a low-cost airline's business model. Low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air had decided to allow only a small bag that could fit underneath a plane seat for free, causing angry consumer associations to take up the matter before Italy's Antitrust AuthorityUnnoticed amid the tragedy of The Cliffsofmohers death after the Melbourne Cup was how Ryan Moore handled the situation.

The Melbourne Cup was again been marred by the death of a horse on Tuesday, this time the Irish-trained The Cliffsofmoher.

EXPLAINER: Why The Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised

The Aidan OBrien-trained horse suffered a fractured shoulder during Tuesdays race and had to be euthanised, Racing Victorias executive general manager  integrity services, Jamie Stier, said in a statement.

The horse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained, he said.

The Cliffsofmoher couldnt be saved. Image: Getty

The Cliffsofmoher pulled up lame about 600m into the 3200m race, dropping back in the pack and eventually coming to a stop.

As soon as Moore noticed something was amiss, he eased off on the horse and allowed it to slow down in an attempt to prevent further injury and pain.

Had he have not noticed or kept pushing, The Cliffsofmoher likely would have fell.

Ryan Moore and The Cliffsofmoher (L) drop back. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Equine Veterinarians Australia spokesman Ian Fulton, who was in attendance at Flemington, said Moores actions should be praised.

The jockey did a tremendous job to pull the horse up instantly and very carefully, Dr Fulton said.

I had full vision, the jockey dismounted and kept the horse calm and the horse stood still.

It was just an amazing effort by the jockey that needs to be acknowledged.

Ryan Moore calmed his horse down before leaving the track. Image: Getty

Moore hasnt spoken to media since the tragedy, but is said to be shattered.

Fourth time in six years

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called for an investigation into the death, which it described as the most recent victim of the cruel annual spectacle.

It is the fourth time in the past six years that the Cup has been shrouded by the death of horses.

French-trained horse Verema had to be put down after an injury suffered in the 2013 Cup.

A year later pre-race favourite Admire Ratki died after collapsing from heart failure in the stalls minutes after the race.

Story continues

In the same 2014 race, import Araldo had to be euthanised because of an injury suffered when he was returning to scale.

Araldo placed seventh but was spooked by a flag in the crowd on the way back to weigh in, kicking out and breaking a rear leg on a fence.

In 2015 crowd favourite and three-time Cup runner up Red Cadeaux had to be euthanised two-and-a-half weeks after the Cup as a result of complications from an injury suffered in that years race.

Considering Australians hate cruelty to animals, commemorating a day on which horses routinely die in the Melbourne Cup is fundamentally un-Australian, a PETA spokesman said.

Stier said the injury to The Cliffsofmoher was an unfortunate incident that happened infrequently, as Victoria had one of the best safety records in world racing.

Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan OBrien and his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.President Emmanuel Macron faced a wave of criticism Wednesday after defending Nazi collaborator Philippe Petain, who led France's authoritarian Vichy regime, as a "great soldier" during World War I. The army announced late Tuesday that a ceremony would be held Saturday to commemorate the eight marshals who commanded French forces during WWI, including Petain. "It's right that we honour the marshals who led France to victory," Macron said in the town of Charleville-Mezieres, part of a tour of northern France marking the centenary of the war's end. "He was a great soldier, it's a fact," Macron said, though he stressed that Petain had made "disastrous choices" during World War II. His comments drew fierce criticism from rival politicians as well as Jewish leaders, reopening a painful chapter in France's history which continues to divide the nation decades on. Francis Kalifat of the CRIF association of French Jewish groups said he was "shocked" by Macron's comments praising a leader who helped deport thousands of Jews to their deaths. "The only thing we will remember about Petain is that he was convicted, in the name of the French people, of national indignity during his trial in 1945," Kalifat said in a statement. "Petain is a traitor and an anti-Semite," tweeted Jean-Luc Melenchon of the far-left France Unbowed party, echoing a flurry of angry postings, many posting an infamous photo of Petain shaking hands with Adolf Hitler. "Macron, this time you've gone too far!" - 'Complicated' - For years French leaders have treaded lightly when dealing with Petain's tortuous legacy, which his critics say left an indelible stain on the country. Yet the marshal has long been considered an excellent tactician during the Great War, not least for halting the German advance at Verdun in 1916. He also earned soldiers' admiration by advocating strategies which avoided unnecessary fighting and deaths -- though he nonetheless condoned the execution of attempted deserters. Hailed as a hero after the armistice, Petain would be called on to lead again after Germany invaded in 1940, taking over much of France. But as head of the Vichy regime, he actively collaborated with the Nazi occupiers, pursuing French resistance fighters while enacting second-class status for Jews and helping German soldiers round them up for the death camps. After the war's end he was arrested for treason and given the death sentence, which was commuted to life imprisonment given his age. He died in 1951, aged 95. "I'm not forgiving anything, but I'm not going to erase anything from our history," Macron said later Wednesday, reiterating that Petain was "complicit in grave crimes." "You're creating controversies by yourselves, my children," he admonished journalists -- echoing, intentionally or not, the paternalistic "my children" used by Petain to close a Christmas address from 1940. - Divisive legacy - Former socialist president Francois Mitterrand provoked similar outrage by placing flowers on Petain's tomb on the anniversary of the armistice for years, a practice his conservative successor Jacques Chirac quickly ended. Macron will not attend the ceremony Saturday at the Invalides military hospital and museum in Paris, sending instead his chief military advisor to represent him. The debate reflects a longtime divide along political lines, with rightwing groups often praising Petain's endorsement of what he considered traditional Catholic values. As head of Vichy France, he replaced the country's motto of "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" with the more imperious "Work, Family and Country". The controversy came as Macron held his regular cabinet meeting in Charleville-Mezieres for the week, as part of centenary commemorations along the former Western Front. Dozens of world leaders are expected to attend an armistice ceremony in Paris on Sunday, and many will stay to participate in a peace forum called by Macron to promote multilateralism. The president's battlefield tour has been marked by protests over rising living costs, in particular fuel price increases which many blame on high taxes. Angry drivers as well as pensioners have confronted Macron during his public appearances, and thousands of drivers are expected to block roads across the country on November 17 in protest. Macron has said he understands their grievances and promised relief, but added Wednesday that "some people are sincere in their anger, and some are insincere". French President Emmanuel Macron, seen here visiting a WWI cemetery, faces a storm of criticism for describing army commander turned Nazi collaborator Philippe Petain as a "great soldier" In this file photo released by the WWI Museum "Historial de Peronne" and taken on August 15, 1914 shows a post card representing a portrait of French Marshal Philippe Petain during the WWIA flood of precursor chemicals into Myanmar is fuelling record meth production, officials said Wednesday, as the country's multi-billion-dollar drug trade spills out across Asia-Pacific. The "Golden Triangle" -- a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos -- has for generations served as a base for opium and heroin production. But it is Myanmar's meth production and trafficking that has skyrocketed to "alarming levels" in recent years, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The price of the methampethamine pills -- known regionally as "yaba", Thai for crazy medicine -- has collapsed due to massive oversupply, as has "ice", which is the much more potent and addictive crystallised version that is smoked. Meth from Myanmar's border area in the Golden Triangle is moving further than ever from its source, reaching India to the west and Australia to the southeast. Officials from China, South and Southeast Asia, met in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday to discuss the meth issue, which experts fear is causing a health and crime crisis. But Myanmar should not shoulder all of the blame, said Aung Thu, the country's vice Home Affairs minister at the meeting. "While we are a significant source of illicit drugs, we are not a source of the chemicals," he said, according to a statement issued by the UNODC, who organised the three-day meeting beginning on Wednesday. "We reminded the region that precursors are required for synthetic drug production to continue to go up." The chemicals can also be used for more innocuous purposes -- ephedrine and pseudoephdrine, for example, are used in cold remedies making it hard for officials to control imports. Experts say precursors are usually made in northeastern India and China, while regional neighbours like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have growing chemical and pharmaceutical industries that could add to it. "The synthetic drug situation is changing quickly and yet the speed information is being developed and exchanged is not keeping pace," said UNDOC's Inshik Sim, recommending governments flag suspicious new substances through an early warning system. The volume of meth being seized by authorities across the regions indicates "a steady and rising supply" of chemicals into Myanmar, said UNODC regional representative, Jeremy Douglas told AFP. Yet "governments are reporting little if any seizure of chemicals and pharmaceuticals" used to make it, which shows relative freedom at the borders when transporting it. "The business will not be disrupted," Douglas warned, until there is a unified capacity to border detection of drugs and precursors across a region containing some of Asia's poorest countries. An emerging concern for the UNDOC is the increasing production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that caused an epidemic in America. It is now being "produced, diverted and trafficked" from the region to North America and Australia, said the UNODC. Illegal drugs are torched in Myanmar. The country's meth production and trafficking has skyrocketed to "alarming levels" in recent years, according to the UNUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday hailed a "big day" for Republicans after his party lost control of the House of Representatives in the US midterm elections but increased their Senate majority. He offered an olive branch to Democrats, praising their leader and likely next House speaker Nancy Pelosi, but angrily lashed out at journalists for questioning his congressional campaign tactics. Democrats will have 229 seats in the 435-member House, while Republicans will hold 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, up from 51, according to projections by The New York Times. "It was a big day yesterday, an incredible day," Trump told a news conference at the White House. "And last night... the Republican Party defied history to expand our Senate majority while significantly beating expectations in the House." Republicans defeated Democratic senators in several states won by Trump in 2016 -- Florida, Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. Republican senate candidates were also leading in Arizona and Montana. Democrats appear to have won a Republican Senate seat in Nevada. Democrats also picked up seven governorships but fell short in a high-profile race in Florida, expected to play a key role in the 2020 presidential election. Trump reeled off a shopping list of disadvantages the Republicans had faced going into Tuesday's vote, including "wealthy donors and special interests," for the Democrats, and "very hostile media coverage, to put it mildly." "We also had a staggering number of House retirements. So it is a little tough," he added. "These are seats that could've been held pretty easily. And we had newcomers going in. And a lot of them worked very hard. But it is very difficult when you have that many retirements." But he called out Republicans who did not accept his offer of campaign help, saying they failed to accept his "embrace." "You have some that said, "Let's stay away, let's stay away.' They did very poorly," Trump said. - 'A lot of credit' - The Republican president said he would "like to see bipartisanship" and offered Pelosi "a lot of credit for what she has done and accomplished." He cited health care and infrastructure as areas where the two parties could work together. "Hopefully we can all work together next year to continue delivering for the American people," he said. "I really believe that we will be able to do that. We are going to have a lot of reason to do it." With the House victory, Democrats promised aggressive probes of Trump's administration and his personal finances after winning the House, but the Republican president remained undeterred. On Wednesday, he said he was "not concerned" about the "hoax" investigation into the Trump presidential campaign's possible collusion with Russia to influence the poll. "There's no collusion," he said. "I think it's very bad for our country." Democrats will take over committees when the next Congress convenes in January, giving them the power to hold hearings, call witnesses and issue subpoenas to administration officials. Once Trump opened the floor to questions, he sparred with several reporters, admonishing a handful of them to sit down, including frequent bugbear Jim Acosta of CNN. He denied using a migrant caravan making its way to the US border through Mexico to whip up fear ahead of Tuesday's election to win votes. US President Donald Trump hails Republicans for a "big day" at the midterms but offers an olive branch to Democrats, who will control the House of Representatives as of January Turnout was far higher in the 2018 midterms than in the 2014 election US electoral districts where seats in the House of Representatives flipped between partiesDonald Trump ripped into the Russia collusion probe Wednesday, calling it a "disgusting Witch Hunt" as the end of a two-month election hiatus freed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to resume issuing indictments and pressing for the president himself to answer questions. The end of a Justice Department quiet period for the probe was expected to open the door for Trump's nemesis to resume filing charges and issuing subpoenas, with the president widely believed under investigation for possible obstruction of justice. That could lead to a constitutional showdown over presidential powers or even an impeachment fight in the House of Representatives, newly under the control of hostile Democrats after Tuesday's midterm elections. But Trump could also try to kill or suppress the probe with a shakeup at the top levels of the Justice Department, pressing his view that Mueller leads a team staffed by Democrats operating under an illegal mandate. He cited election exit polls which showed more voters disapprove of the Mueller investigation than approve. "You mean they are finally beginning to understand what a disgusting Witch Hunt, led by 17 Angry Democrats, is all about!" Trump tweeted Wednesday. - New indictments coming? - The 18 month-old probe is believed to be preparing fresh indictments against people involved in Trump's 2016 election campaign, possibly including his son Donald Trump Jr. and a former campaign consultant Roger Stone. The special counsel also wants Trump himself to answer questions on allegations that he may have criminally obstructed the probe, a request the White House has been fighting since early this year. The president's attorney Rudy Giuliani told the Washington Post in August that, if Trump is subpoenaed to testify, they are ready to "argue it before the Supreme Court." Quieted ahead of the election under Justice Department practice, Mueller's team hasn't been idle: they have been interviewing witnesses, including former Trump aides who recently agreed to provide evidence -- one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen, Trump's right-hand man at the Trump Organization. Both could provide damning inside information that might add to the scalps Mueller has already taken. In 18 months since he was named, 34 people and three companies have been charged by Mueller's team or in spinoff cases. Eight guilty pleas have resulted so far, and one jury trial conviction. Crucially, Mueller has, by offering reduced charges, gained cooperation from people who once worked close to Trump: Manafort, Cohen, former national security advisor Michael Flynn and former deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates. Mueller's team keeps an almost impermeable seal on its operations, but it is widely believed to be examining these issues: - A June 9, 2016 meeting at the president's Manhattan redoubt Trump Tower that campaign officials, including Don Jr. and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, held with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Trump election rival Hillary Clinton; - Contacts the Trump campaign, and particularly Stone, may have had with WikiLeaks, which published damaging documents stolen from Clinton's campaign by Russian hackers; - Whether Trump campaign officials lied about certain events, including the Trump Tower meeting, to investigators; - Misuse of campaign funds; - Trump's financial and business ties to Russians. - 'Illegal witch hunt' - The biggest question, though, is whether Trump obstructed justice through acts including firing former FBI chief James Comey. If the Mueller team finds he did, it could lead to impeachment charges being considered by a hostile Democratic majority in the House. That could politically immobilize the president, even if the Senate -- in a tighter Republican grip following Tuesday's election -- protects the president from removal. Trump's strategy has been to try to delegitimize the Mueller probe, which he has repeatedly labeled an "illegal witch hunt." In Democrat hands, however, the House investigative apparatus will no longer support that claim. Trump has also maintained a threat to fire or hamstring Mueller by removing his protectors, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff -- who is poised to become the most powerful member of the House Intelligence Committee in the wake of the midterms -- told MSNBC last month Trump may take a subtler path. "The president may conclude... that rather than facing the blowback that would be occasioned by getting rid of Bob Mueller, he will get rid of Jeff Sessions," he said, "and replace him with some lackey... who will simply do his bidding and privately kneecap Bob Mueller rather than overtly fire him," On day after midterm elections, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia collusion investigation looms over President Donald Trump and the White House Under pressure: US President Donald Trump could face a subpoena to testify in the Russia collusion investigation Results of the US midterm elections (House and Senate)at 10:50 GMT Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, pictured at The 2018 New Yorker Festival on October 5, 2018, appears set to chair the House Intelligence Committee

NASA has posted an image of a crashed flying saucer.

Adding spice to the admission, the space agency also admitted that the mysterious object in the Utah desert had been tracked by radar and chased by helicopters.

But no little green men were involved  and no mysterious alien corpses were hauled out of the wreckage for autopsy, NASA said.

In fact, the saucer is the Genesis sample return spacecraft, which landed with a bang when its parachutes failed to open in 2004.

This flying saucer is the Genesis sample return spacecraft, which landed with a bang when its parachutes failed to open in 2004. It was launched in 2001 to study the sun. Source: NASA

The saucer, pictured here, was the Genesis sample return capsule, part of a human-made robot Genesis spaceship launched in 2001 by NASA itself to study the Sun, NASA said on its Astronomy Photo of the Day website.

The Genesis mission had been orbiting the Sun collecting solar wind particles that are usually deflected away by Earths magnetic field.

Despite the crash landing, many return samples remained in good enough condition to analyse. So far, Genesis-related discoveries include new details about the composition of the Sun and how the abundance of some types of elements differ across the Solar System.Defence ministers from nine European countries will meet in Paris on Wednesday to set out plans for a joint force that could rapidly be deployed in response to a conflict or natural disaster. Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal have joined the French-led project -- along with Britain, just as Brexit looms. A source close to the talks said Finland is also set to join the European Intervention Initiative, known as EI2, which would be independent of both the European Union and NATO. The meeting comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron, who has pushed for a more muscular European defence policy since his arrival in power last year, called for a "real European army". Europe can ensure its own protection against Russia and even, under an unpredictable President Donald Trump, the United States, only through united defence, he said. "We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States," he said. But the idea of an "EU army" is highly sensitive in member states that jealously guard defence as a matter of national sovereignty. A French government source later played down Macron's comments, saying that he was not talking about a truly supranational military spanning the continent. The idea behind EI2 is to be able to rapidly mount a joint military operation, evacuate civilians, or provide aid after a disaster. Wednesday's meeting is intended to lay out a "roadmap" identifying the nine countries' priorities -- including geographical zones of particular interest -- which senior military officials will develop from Thursday. "It's about reinforcing Europeans' capacity to act independently to guarantee their security whenever that's necessary," said an aide to French Defence Minister Florence Parly. Plans for EI2 come as Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from the NATO military alliance, which has underpinned European security since World War II. The Paris meeting of defence ministers comes after French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "real European army"One week after the country's highest court ordered her release, a Pakistani Christian who has spent eight years on death row for blasphemy was still in prison Wednesday, with no immediate prospect of freedom. Thousands of Islamists poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Asia Bibi's conviction, in a case that has laid bare the divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim nation. Ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities to demand her immediate execution, in a three-day stand-off that ended when Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration agreed to allow a review of the Supreme Court's ruling. Critics blasted the climbdown -- which came just days after Khan vowed to confront the protesters -- as another capitulation to religious conservatives. The deal has left Bibi in legal limbo -- and languishing in jail for a crime of which she has been acquitted. "Asia Bibi is in Multan jail and has not been released yet. We have not received orders to release her so far," Zawar Hussain Warraich, minister for prisons in Punjab province, told AFP. "Normally we receive orders in two days after court judgement and if relatives and lawyers of a prisoner are very active, they can bring it even within a day, but as far as Asia Bibi is concerned, it has not happened yet," Warraich added. "Supreme Court should issue a directive to send us her release orders. We will release her as soon as we get it." He denied reports that extra security had been laid on for Bibi, saying "she is already well protected by the jail staff". An appeal has been filed with the court against Bibi's release and the party that headed the protests demanding her execution, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, has warned its hardliners were prepared to take to the streets again. Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs. The case stems from an incident in 2009 when Bibi was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl, and reportedly a fight erupted. A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed -- a charge she has consistently denied. Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih has appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum, while her lawyer has fled to the Netherlands. Masih said the delay in releasing his wife, a mother of five, was adding to the family's agony. "The daughters are weeping. They still haven't seen their mother. The family is totally shattered," he said. Thousands of Islamists poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Asia Bibi's convictionQatar has announced it will provide temporary support to 50,000 impoverished Gaza families as mediators attempt to broker a truce between the Palestinian territory's Islamist rulers Hamas and Israel. The Gulf state will provide $100 each to 50,000 poor families in the "next few days", a statement from Qatar's Gaza Reconstruction Committee said late Tuesday. The beneficiaries are being selected in coordination with the Hamas-led authorities. Separately on Tuesday, cash-strapped Hamas announced that civil servants would receive the majority of their salaries for the first time in months. Hamas has controlled Gaza since ousting forces loyal to the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority in a near civil war in 2007. Since then, the Islamists have fought three wars with Israel, which maintains a crippling blockade of Gaza. Egypt and the United Nations have been brokering indirect negotiations that would see Hamas end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing its blockade. In an Israeli-approved deal, Qatar has started buying additional fuel for Gaza's sole power station, allowing planned outages to be reduced to their lowest level in recent years. Qatar is a longtime ally of Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatar has announced it will provide temporary financial relief to 50,000 impoverished Gaza families as mediators attempt to broker a truce between the Palestinian territory's Islamist rulers Hamas and IsraelThe UN Security Council is expected to meet behind closed doors at Russia's request on Thursday to discuss sanctions imposed on North Korea, diplomats said. The request for consultations came just hours after President Donald Trump said he was in "no rush" to solve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program. It was not immediately clear whether Russia was planning a new push to ease sanctions against North Korea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in September that Moscow would be ready to consider such a step. The United States has insisted that the raft of measures including a cap on oil and fuel deliveries and a ban on exports of North Korea's raw commodities must be fully enforced until Pyongyang has scrapped its nuclear and ballistic missiles programs. Russia and China have argued that North Korea should be rewarded with an easing of sanctions for halting missile tests and opening up a dialogue with the United States on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. A meeting planned in New York on Thursday between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol was abruptly cancelled. Trump said he hoped to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un early next year but that he was "in no rush". "I would love to take the sanctions off, but they have to be responsive, too," Trump said. The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet Thursday at Russia's request to discuss sanctions on North KoreaFootage has been released by a Greek media outlet showing Australian gangster John Macris shot in the street outside his home.

The video shows a gunman walk up to his vehicle and unload a number of times. At least four to six shots are believed to have hit Mr Macris in the chest and abdomen.

The 46-year-old was reportedly ambushed and shot multiple times while getting out of his car on the winding cliff-side road to his home.

Inside the home at the time was Mr Macriss father who was looking after his children. His father was the first to see him after he was attacked.

Mr Macris was named by Greek and Australian media as the victim of a fatal shooting in Voula, a suburb of Athens, last week.

The footage shows a gun man firing. Source: 7News

Greek media described him as a wealthy man, known to police in both Greece and Australia, with the nickname the Australo.

Members of the Ibrahim family were in 2012 cleared of conspiring to kill Mr Macris, who was believed by some to be linked to the shooting of Fadi Ibrahim.

Mr Macris was previously a business partner of former Kings Cross nightclub owner John Ibrahim but the pair had a falling out in 2007.

There is yet to be an arrest over the shooting and the gunmen are still on the run.Acclaimed Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov insisted he "never stole anything" as he appeared in court Wednesday on embezzlement charges, seen by his supporters as part of a crackdown on artistic freedom. The 49-year-old, who has challenged social norms and modernised the Russian art scene, made the remarks at his first open hearing in Moscow's Meshchansky court after spending more than a year under house arrest. The artistic director of the Gogol Centre theatre said he did not understand the meaning of the prosecution's indictment, which he compared to a "broken printer" that repeats "absurd" claims over and over. "I never stole or embezzled anything," he said, sporting his trademark black hat and purple sneakers. "I have not and do not consider myself guilty," he told the court, adding he had never been involved in financial matters. The court was packed with dozens of supporters including award-winning film director Andrei Zvyagintsev, writer Lyudmila Ulitskaya and actress Kseniya Rappoport. Some wore t-shirts with the faces of Serebrennikov and his three co-defendants Sofia Apfelbaum, Yuri Itin and Alexei Malobrodsky, who also came from their house arrests to a trial set to continue for weeks at least. The director is accused of creating an organised criminal group with his colleagues, embezzling more than $2 million (1.75 million euros) of state funding for a theatre project called Platforma. He has insisted the money was used properly after the project was backed by the Kremlin in 2011. The director's supporters see his case as part of a growing clampdown on artistic independence under President Vladimir Putin. Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has been among those calling for the charges against him to be dropped. Serebrennikov had been a critic of growing censorship of the arts in Russia, warning that "everything is returning to the most pathetic Soviet practices" and Gogol Centre had been a target of smear attacks prior to the case. - 'Destroying intelligentsia' - "This trial is aimed at destroying the authority of the creative intelligentsia," Russian actress Julia Aug wrote on Facebook ahead of the hearing. The prosecution claims Serebrennikov and his co-defendants stole part of the funds allocated for the Platforma interdisciplinary modern art project between 2011 and 2014. They are accused of signing fake contracts for "imaginary services" and then using the money "for their personal needs" while filing sham financial reports to the government. Prosecutor Oleg Lavrov on Wednesday alleged Serebrennikov coordinated the "criminal group" and misled the culture ministry by providing "false information". But Serebrennikov told the court that government funding was "always late", forcing him and others to inject cash into the project which was then returned. He said he did not know if these transactions went through an accountant but insisted that Platforma made every production that was planned and said the project was audited multiple times by the government without problems. Oscar-nominated film director Andrei Zvyagintsev said that he did not believe "one word of the prosecutor". The way Serebrennikov handled the Platforma project is typical of the workings of the cultural sphere in Russia, Zvyagintsev told AFP outside the courtroom. "It is clear to me that he is innocent and that truth is on his side," he said. Wednesday's hearing lasted for more than five hours and was adjourned until Thursday. - Working under house arrest - The free-wheeling director has fallen foul of Russian conservatives, with culture minister Vladimir Medinsky known to dislike his daring interpretations of Russian classics. His ballet "Nureyev" was delayed by months for mysterious reasons, and reports claimed the minister found the production too controversial, particularly for hanging a nude portrait of the legendary dancer as part of the set. However the ballet eventually premiered in the Bolshoi theatre, with the audience including several government officials and even Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Serebrennikov has continued to work even under house arrest: his movie "Leto" (Summer) about legendary Soviet rocker Viktor Tsoi, was completed without his physical presence after he was arrested during filming in St. Petersburg. He also managed to produce the opera "Cosi Fan Tutte", which premiered in Zurich on Sunday, by recording videos with instructions on memory sticks which were then sent to Switzerland, and received rehearsal recordings back. The international cast of the opera came out for the curtain call wearing "Free Kirill" T-shirts. Last week, Serebrennikov was nominated in three different categories for Russia's prestigious Golden Mask theatre award, with both of his 2017 theatrical premieres up for prizes. Russian stage and screen director Kirill Serebrennikov smashed taboos and revolutionised the Russian art scene in recent years In recent years, Serebrennikov criticised growing censorship of the arts in Russia, warning that "everything is returning to the most pathetic Soviet practices" Russian and European actors have staged multiple campaigns calling for Serebrennikov's releaseA teenager died Wednesday in Morocco when an abandoned coal mine collapsed in the impoverished former mining town of Jerada which saw protests earlier this year following similar accidents. Local newspapers and an activist in the northeastern town said the 18-year-old had gone into the mine to collect coal. His death triggered a demonstration by hundreds of residents, they said. Last December, the accidental deaths of two brothers trapped in a mine shaft, followed by two other deaths under similar circumstances, sparked months of unrest and protests in the town. Hundreds of illegal miners in the town risk their lives in abandoned mine shafts to extract coal, the sale of which is legal thanks to operating permits issued by Moroccan authorities. Moroccan authorities have vowed to close all the abandoned mines. A government economic plan launched in April helped calm the last round of protests, which saw around 100 people arrested. Human Rights Watch accused police of using "excessive force" to break up demonstrations, which authorities denied. The mines, deemed uneconomical, were closed at the end of the 1990s at the cost of some 9,000 jobs in a region whose economy depended heavily on coal. The northeastern Moroccan mining town of Jerada saw unprecedented protests in spring after four people died in mining accidentsUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he had no plans to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Paris at the weekend, despite an earlier announcement from Moscow that the pair would talk there. The two leaders will be in France on November 11 for events to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, which more than 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. "I believe that President Putin will be there, we do not have anything scheduled," Trump said at a White House news conference. "I do not think that we have anything scheduled in Paris. And I am coming back very quickly." Earlier in the day, however, Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said the pair had scheduled a brief conversation. "It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," he told Russian news agencies. Ushakov said the prospect of a full meeting between the presidents had prompted huge international media interest, leading to concern from the French organisers this could overshadow the commemorations. The pair were set for a more detailed discussion during the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month, to be confirmed after Paris, Ushakov said. Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow. Last month Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch the INF pact. Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton indicated during a trip to Moscow in October that the White House wanted a Paris meeting and Putin said he was interested. A first bilateral summit between the two leaders took place in Helsinki in July. After the meeting Trump came under strong domestic criticism for adopting a distinctly conciliatory tone despite his own security services' warning that Russia meddled in US elections. On Wednesday Trump once again insisted the investigation into his campaign's possible collusion with Russia as a "hoax". Earlier in the day the Kremlin said it saw little prospect for the normalisation of US-Russia ties, as Moscow braced for a new round of US sanctions. US President Donald Trump (L, pictured July 2018) and Russian President Vladimir Putin will both be in France for the centenary of World War I, but Trump says he has no plans to meet separatelyTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his threats to crush Syria's Kurds, this time in northeastern areas of the war-torn country where US forces are present. Turkish shelling has hit positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as Ankara warns of a new offensive to clear the militia from its border. The United States has scrambled to contain the tensions, as it seeks to retain the YPG as a key partner in its battle against a resilient Islamic State group. - How serious are threats? - Since 2016, Turkey has carried out two operations against Kurdish forces in Syria, the last of which saw Ankara-backed Syrian rebels seize the northwestern enclave of Afrin in March. Erdogan has since repeatedly threatened to march east into more Kurdish-held territory, but analysts say the timing adds weight to the latest warnings. Turkey brokered a deal with Russia in September to stave off a regime attack on the northwestern rebel bastion of Idlib, thus freeing it up to set its sights on Kurdish-held territory further east. On the world stage, Ankara is feeling emboldened and seeks to score diplomatic points as Saudi Arabia, a rival regional heavyweight, grapples with global outrage over the murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And Turkey has seen its relationship with NATO ally Washington improve after it freed American pastor Andrew Brunson from detention last month. With shelling east of the Euphrates River, analysts say Erdogan is testing the waters, specifically to see how the United States will react. "He is trying to see how far he can go with military action in the areas east of the Euphrates before the US responds negatively," said Nicholas Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security. - What can US do? - Turkey views the YPG as "terrorists", but for the United States they are a key ally in its fight against IS jihadists. The YPG has spearheaded a Kurdish-Arab alliance, backed by the US-led coalition, that has pushed back the extremists from Syria's northeast. But the battle is not yet over, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance is still fighting the jihadists in the country's far east near the Iraqi border. In response to Turkish shelling, the Kurdish-led SDF last Wednesday said it had temporarily halted its offensive against the jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor. "The United States is stuck in the middle of all of this, wanting only to push the anti-IS offensive to a conclusion on schedule," said Aaron Lund of The Century Foundation. "For the Syrian Democratic Forces, this must seem like a rare source of real leverage over the superpower," Lund said. The day after the SDF announced it was suspending fighting, Turkish and US troops began joint patrols on the outskirts of the flashpoint city of Manbij. They had been laid out as part of a "roadmap" reached by the NATO allies in June to avoid a clash, and under which YPG forces were to withdraw from the city. On Friday last week, US forces started patrols in Kurdish-held areas along the Turkish border, sparking criticism from Ankara. - Will fight against IS suffer? - Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said Washington was in a bind. "If the US give in to Turkey, they will no longer be able to count on the Kurds" to fight IS, he said. The SDF has yet to announce a resumption of the military operation it launched in September to expel IS from its last holdout on the Iraqi border. Kurdish affairs expert Mutlu Civiroglu said the pause in fighting sent "a clear message to the international coalition". The SDF is saying, "We're partners, and when I am facing threats like this you have to stop it," he said. Many fighters on the Deir Ezzor front hail from Kurdish-held towns on the Turkish border, Civiroglu said. "Their homes, their families are under attack," he said. For them, "it's hard to focus on the fight -- already a very tough fight." Analysts say Turkey's threats are only one of many hurdles to defeating the jihadists, who launched a deadly counter-attack during sandstorms late last month. Current tensions could draw out the battle against IS in far eastern towns, including Hajin, but are unlikely to reshape the battlefield. "IS is militarily defeated even though it's putting up a fight in Hajin," said Aaron Stein, a resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. "The US will get it done, eventually." US forces and members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) patrol the Kurdish-held town of Al-Darbasiyah in northeastern Syria bordering Turkey Syrian Kurds demonstrate in Qamishli against Turkish shelling of Kurdish militia posts in northern Syria In response to Turkish shelling, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said it had temporarily halted its offensive against jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor US soldiers provide security during a visit by a US delegation to the northern Syrian city of Manbij in March, 2018The United Nations on Wednesday welcomed a Syrian regime plan to allow Palestinians back home to the ravaged Damascus suburb of Yarmuk after expelling jihadists. Tens of thousands of pre-war residents have been unable to return to the large Palestinian refugee camp in the south of the capital since regime forces ousted the Islamic State group in May. On Tuesday, deputy foreign minister Faisal al-Meqdad said Damascus had created a "plan for the return of all refugees to the camp", though he did not give a date. The UN agency for Palestinians refugees, UNRWA, on Wednesday applauded the decision. "UNRWA welcomes the decision by the Syrian government to allow Palestine refugees to return to their homes in Yarmuk camp," spokesman Chris Gunness said. Some 160,000 Palestinians lived in Yarmuk before the start of Syria's seven-year conflict. After years of devastating fighting, siege and bombardment, much of the district has been reduced to a sea of grey rubble and mangled steel, though main roads have been cleared of debris. Only a few dozen families now live amid its bombed-out buildings. UNRWA has 23 premises there including 16 schools, all of which have been damaged. It has faced a funding crisis since August when the United States, its largest single donor, announced it would end its US$350 million a year funding. "We call on the international community to provide support for UNRWA to allow the agency to provide core services, including health services and education, to Palestine refugees who return to Yarmuk," Gunness said. "The camp is largely destroyed and there is a need for the municipality to restore basic infrastructure, including water, electricity and sewage," he said. Set up in 1957 after the creation of the state of Israel, Yarmuk evolved from a camp of tents into a bustling neighbourhood that was home to Syrians as well as Palestinian refugees. "Yarmuk was home to almost 30 percent of the Palestine refugee population in Syria before they were displaced," Gunness said. Many of Yarmuk's residents fled after rebels overran the neighbourhood in 2012, leaving those who remained to face severe food shortages under a years-long regime siege, and then jihadists. The Palestinian Liberation Organization has funded rubble clearing, but rebuilding awaits a green light from Damascus. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011. A boy looks at destroyed buildings in the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk in southern Damascus on November 1, 2018The UN Security Council is weighing a plan that would see UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic offer support to newly-trained national troops as they deploy across the strife-scarred country. A French-drafted resolution would authorize the MINUSCA mission to "provide limited logistical support" for troops that have been trained by the European Union, according to the text seen by AFP on Wednesday. The proposal is raising eyebrows, in particular from the United States, which is seeking to streamline peacekeeping operations to reduce costs and make them more effective, diplomats said. The council will vote on the draft resolution next week. The European Union has trained more than 3,000 men and women to serve in the Central African Armed Forces while Russia and France have provided them with weapons and other military equipment, with UN approval. The train-and-equip program is intended to help the Central African Republic recover from the bloodletting that exploded in 2013 after the ouster of leader Francois Bozize, a Christian, by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels. The current president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, controls only a fraction of the country, most of which is overrun by militants who claim to protect either the Christian or Muslim communities. The council will vote on backing the "rapid extension of state authority over the entire territory" by supporting the deployment of the vetted and trained troops in areas outside of Bangui. The draft resolution also takes aim at recent Russian efforts to broker peace deals in CAR by specifying that an African-led initiative is "the only framework" for a solution. Working with Sudan, Russia in August convened talks in Khartoum of Central African militias who signed a preliminary agreement, drawing criticism from France of unhelpful meddling. To step up diplomatic efforts, the United Nations and the African Union plan to appoint a joint special envoy while UN envoy Parfait Onanga-Anyanga will become part of the AU panel leading the peace effort. The draft resolution extends the MINUSCA mission until November 2019 and maintains a ceiling of 11,650 military personnel. Last year, the council added 900 extra troops to the mission as violence raged on. MINUSCA is the UN's fourth largest mission, after the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Mali. UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic may be asked to support newly-trained national troops as they deploy to far-flung areas of the country that has been struggling to return to stability since a 2013 coupThe US envoy to Syria said Wednesday he hoped to see more of Damascus ally Moscow's "permissive approach" to Israeli air strikes on Iranian assets in the war-torn country. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets. It accuses its arch-enemy Tehran, which like Moscow supports the Syrian regime in the seven-year civil conflict, of seeking to entrench itself militarily in the country. "In the past Russia has been permissive in consultation with the Israelis about Israeli strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria," US envoy James Jeffrey said. "We certainly hope that that permissive approach will continue," he told journalists in a conference call. His comments came after Syrian regime forces accidentally downed a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike over Syria in September. Moscow blamed the incident, which killed 15 Russians, on the Israeli plane using the larger Russian one for cover, which Israel disputed. Following the incident, Russia sent advanced air defence missiles to Damascus. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month told Russia his country must continue to hit hostile targets in Syria to prevent Iran from establishing a military presence across the border. "We understand the existential interest and we support Israel," Jeffrey said. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has withdrawn from a landmark deal with Iran over its nuclear programme and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic. President Bashar al-Assad's forces have regained large swathes of Syria from rebels and jihadists since 2015. In October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a pro-Israel group Washington would refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran was present. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011. A picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on May 9, 2018 purportedly shows the aftermath of an Israeli missile strike near DamascusU.S. Rep. John Katko knew it was going to be a more difficult race than his two previous campaigns for Congress. In the end, though, the result was the same.

Katko, R-Camillus, defeated Democratic challenger Dana Balter in the 24th Congressional District election Tuesday. Katko won by six percentage points, 53 to 47 percent, and received 129,276 votes compared to Balter's 114,102.

What were the keys to victory for Katko? And why was he successful when other House Republicans, including a few in New York, weren't?

(1) Dominance in rural areas. Balter won Onondaga County by 1,879 votes. She received strong support in the city of Syracuse. But in the suburbs and more rural areas of the county, Katko outperformed her by a wide margin.

That was the case in the district's other three counties, Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne. In Cayuga County, Katko won by 22 points, 61 to 39 percent. He received over 5,600 more votes than Balter. He narrowly won the city of Auburn, too.

In Oswego County, he won by 22 points, 61 to 39 percent. His margin of victory in Wayne County? Again, 22 points.

One of the main elements of Katko's electoral successes is his dominance in rural areas. That continued Tuesday night. Even as Balter had a strong showing in Onondaga County, Katko padded his lead in Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne counties.

(2) Democrats were energized, but Republicans didn't stay home. We won't know the final turnout figures until the absentees are received and counted, but it's clear this midterm election received attention from voters in both major parties. It wasn't quite on par with a presidential election year  there were more than 300,000 votes cast for either Katko or Democrat Colleen Deacon in 2016  but turnout was high for a midterm election. In fact, it was the most votes cast in a midterm election over the past four decades.

Democrats benefited from an energized base and turnout increased. However, Republicans didn't stay home Tuesday. Both parties were motivated. There's no question Balter had strong support for her candidacy. Katko proved his campaign had a great base of support, too. He received 129,276 votes, the most a Syracuse-area congressional candidate has received in a midterm election since then-U.S. Rep. Jim Walsh won re-election in 2002 with 144,610 votes.

(3) Katko's crossover appeal. The results show Katko probably didn't receive as many votes from Democrats as he has in past elections, but it's clear he received some support from the other side. Case in point: He received 3,801 votes in Auburn, a perceived Democratic stronghold. Balter netted 3,623 votes in the district's second-largest city. Auburn is home to a Democratic mayor, and an all-Democrat city council. Yet, it was Katko who appears to have received more votes in the city. (Absentee ballots could change that outcome. But for now, he holds a slim lead.)

Throughout the campaign, Katko said he wanted to run on his record. He touted his bipartisan efforts and pointed to moments when he broke from his party to oppose a bill, such as his vote against the GOP's effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Balter's campaign attempted to highlight other votes that raised doubts about his bipartisan streak, most notably his vote for the Republican tax plan. While that may have had some success, he was still able to win some support from Democrats. And in an election with higher Democratic turnout, that's significant.

(4) He embraced President Donald Trump  sort of. There was a reason why Democrats attempted to label Katko a "Trump yes man." They knew Trump wasn't a hugely popular figure in the district. But public polling showed the president's job approval rating in the 24th Congressional District was OK. There was some support for him, especially in the rural counties and the Onondaga County suburbs.

Katko isn't a "Never Trumper," but he also hasn't been a huge fan either. After all, in 2016, he cast a write-in vote for then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the presidential election.

But Katko, who hasn't been shy about criticizing Trump at times, hasn't been afraid to praise him on some issues. One example is trade. While Katko has concerns about the president's approach, he lauds Trump for addressing the trade imbalance. Katko has long felt that certain trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, harmed the central New York economy.

Trump didn't publicly endorse Katko during the 24th district campaign. But over the summer, three high-ranking Trump administration officials visited central New York and appeared alongside Katko. Vice President Mike Pence made two stops in central New York, including an event at Nucor Steel in Auburn. Ivanka Trump, an advisor to the president and his daughter, joined Katko for an education roundtable. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and the GOP congressman toured FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County and highlighted the benefits of nuclear energy.

Katko maintains that the visits were more policy focused and less about politics. But there were political benefits to those appearances. One is that it signaled to Trump supporters in the 24th district that while he has some disagreements with the president and isn't a fan of his style at times, he's willing to work with the president on matters of shared interest.

(5) Katko's campaign infrastructure. Balter ran two great campaigns, first in the June Democratic primary and then the November general election. This was Katko's toughest race yet.

But something that shouldn't be overlooked is the strength of Katko's campaign, his consistent messaging and own voter mobilization effort. Because of the blowout wins in 2014 and 2016, it was easy to overlook Katko's ground game. However, it's a big reason why he wins elections, and it helped him win again this year.

Katko's campaign slogan is, "Solid. Steady. Strong." It's also an appropriate way of describing his campaign's infrastructure.

Even as Balter raised more than $1.9 million (likely more) in the last few months of the campaign, Katko had already built up a sizable war chest of his own to ensure he wasn't grossly outspent. As Balter flooded the airwaves with ads, he answered back. One of the problems for Republicans in other House races is that they were out-raised by a wide margin and didn't have the funds, on their own, to compete. That wasn't an issue for Katko. Democrats poured a lot of money into this race, especially in the last month. On Tuesday, though, he fended off the challenge.

Love 6 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4Music makes you smarter and happier. This is why the Montessori School of the Finger Lakes infuses music into every part of the day.

In recognition of musics power to soothe, invigorate, inspire other creative endeavors like writing and facilitate the processing of new concepts and the solving of problems, a special music room is available for students any time of the day. Students can pop into the space to chill out and strum a quiet guitar or bring some thunder on the drums. The spontaneous utilization of the music room is just one note in the song of MSFL.

During work periods, classical music plays low in the background. More than just enhancing the atmosphere of the classroom, the music is a tool for learning and behavior management. Brain activity is stimulated by it, as anyone who played Mozart for their newborns already knows. And Head of School Paul Ciras (Mr. Paul) also uses it for noise control, according to my 11-year-old eyewitness. Mr. Paul tells the children, If you cant hear the music, your voice is too loud. My source claims that this reminder is only necessary for the lower elementary students. The upper elementary students hum while they work. Like the seven dwarves, she analogizes.

In between work periods in the elementary classroom, Mr. Paul will cue the students to gather for circle time with a gentle strumming of The Beatles In My Life. Once seated, a different student will lead the class on guitar or ukulele in mnemonic songs about the 50 states, the water cycle and the Constitution, and spiritual ones about friendship and gratitude. I asked a student to describe it to me, and she said, Circle time is ... calming. I dont know how else to put it, she said dreamily. I love circle time. Circle time is musical even when Mr. Paul is just talking to the children. He will lightly strum the ukulele, specifically a C-chord/G-chord melody, when imparting any information, praise or reminders.

To wit: Boys and girls, C-chord, G-chord, C-chord, G-chord, I noticed this morning that you all got your journals out, C-chord G-chord C-chord, and you were all working hard independently, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, so today, C-chord G-chord C-chord, youll have, G-chord/break, early recess. Or, conversely, Boys and girls C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, Ive heard this morning, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, some friends being, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, not so nice to each other, C-chord G-chord C-chord, If you have a conflict with a friend, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, call them to the Peace Tray, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, If it cannot be resolved there, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, you may ask a teacher, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord, To set up an appointment, C-chord G-chord C-chord G-chord/break, for Form Mediation.

This place! I know my kids will never lose affection for people and things of MSFL.

When their official music instruction class resumes on Thursday, the students are fully warmed-up for their ukuleles, which each of them plays. The elementary students are members of Perform 4 Purpose, a local band of young musicians who share their talents to raise money for worthy causes in the community. Indeed, many of the current P4P All-Stars are Montessori alumni. In addition to the ukulele class during school hours, students get to attend Saturday P4P rehearsals jointly run by Mr. Paul and P4Ps director and founder, Jim VanArsdale, at MSFL on Pine Ridge Road, where they practice new songs with the full P4P ensemble for future gigs.

When my daughter was 4, she sang the ABC song to my mother, a musician. My mothers pleasure at her precocious granddaughter beamed, but not because her recitation was a fortuitous sign of future literacy. You sang that with perfect pitch, my dear. Your grandfather would be so proud. And the premium that my family places on music is shared by every other family at Montessori School of the Finger Lakes. At our biannual camping weekend last month at Letchworth State Park, every family had at least one member who could play an instrument (but not me; I can only play the radio). One student, fourth-grader Jed Lloyd, whose grandpa toured with Lou Reed, decided later that there were too many string players, so he went and got himself a saxophone. Within a week, the flag retrieval ceremony at days end was punctuated with Jeds rendition of taps on his new horn.

When you join MSFL, you are getting a program that prioritizes creativity, a staff that knows and cares about music, and a community of families who will reinforce these values at home, making school a place our children will remember.

Amy Doyle is a teacher at Cayuga Community College and a mother of three children, two of whom attend Montessori School of the Finger Lakes.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0Generations Bank has hired a pair of Cayuga County residents into assistant vice president positions.

Angelica Reyes was named as assistant vice president-office manager position to manage company offices in Waterloo. She brings 10 years of experience in the banking and financial service industyr to the position.

A Union Springs graduate, Reyes lives in Auburn and is a board member of the Play Space program of ABC Cayuga.

The bank also has hired Lorraine Gibbs as an assistant vice president-contact center manager, a job in which she'll manager the bank's customer service operation at its Seneca Falls headquarters.

Gibbs has 20 years of management experience, with 18 years in customer service.

Gibbs also lives in Auburn and is a volunteer and donor with Unity House of Cayuga County and the American Cancer Society.

Generations Bank has 11 retail locations in the Finger Lakes region, including offices in Auburn and Union Springs.

Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0MORAVIA  Jane Clementi remembers her son Tyler's smile.

Jane told Moravia High School students Wednesday morning that Tyler was a caring person and a talented violinist who had a passion for learning about different things. Despite that "radiant smile" she saw every morning, she said, Tyler had hidden his sexuality from her, which she said was difficult for her to grapple with.

Tyler committed suicide at age 18 after his Rutgers University roommate outed him as gay in 2010, generating national headlines and spurring conversations about bullying. Jane, who founded the Tyler Clementi Foundation, an anti-bullying organization, spoke at an assembly at the school's auditorium.

Although Jane noted it took a bit of time after his death, she said the family decided to start the foundation. Among the group's functions is dealing with bullying in schools, work places, faith organizations and other places and addressing challenges facing LGBTQ youth. She said she was never the type who relished addressing rooms full of people, but she never wants another person to suffer what Tyler went through.

"Our family will never be whole," Jane said.

She said she wants the differences in human beings to be celebrated and not targeted for abuse. Jane encouraged the students to be ''upstanders"  people who stand up when they witness a bullying situation and make others feel safe by acting compassionately and respectfully. She said she believes people who bully have issues of their own that need to be addressed and may engage in bullying to become more popular. She noted that bullying can come in many forms, from intimidation to cyberbullying, which she said is common among young people, especially with the rise of social media.

"It's not just kids being kids. It's not just a joke," she said.

Jane's appearance at the school was prompted by the school's National Honor Society, which organized the anti-bullying assembly. Senior Elijah Davis, who is the president of the society, said that the topic was suggested by group adviser and guidance counselor Shannon Taylor. Senior Sydney Smith, who is also with the society, said she is aware of bullying in the school and believed Jane's presentation could help address different forms of bullying.

"At Moravia, we're a small town," Davis said. "We don't have a lot of people, and so often that has the connotation of being small-minded, not being open to people who are different, and we wanted to recognize that here in Moravia we do have people who are different. Not just in sexuality, but in everything, and we want to not just accept those differences and tolerate them, we want to embrace them and recognize what makes Moravia great."

Society members will challenge students in homerooms to join in an anti-bullying pledge Thursday. Students who have been bullied or have helped in a bullying situation will able to anonymously post their stories in an online portal, school principal Bryan Ford said. He urged students to not simply listen to Jane's words and then move on.

"Be moved by it. Make a change," Ford said.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.State Assemblyman Gary Finch will be returning to Albany for his 10th full term.

After a hard-fought campaign with fellow southern Cayuga County resident Keith Batman, Finch carried majorities in every county in the district on his way to the victory. The unofficial tally as of 10:45 p.m. was 27,783 to 21,276.

Both candidates for the 126th Assembly District are well-known southern Cayuga County residents. Batman, a Cayuga County legislator from Scipio, challenged Finch, a nine-term incumbent from Springport.

The two candidates have engaged in an intense campaign in which both have claimed credit for helping secure state funding for the Owasco Lake water quality crisis. Finch has argued he was pivotal in delivering millions of dollars for water treatment plant upgrades, but Batman, who was chairman of the county Legislature when funding came through, has said the Assemblyman was not involved.

They've also clashed on issues such as universal health care and legalizing recreational use of marijuana (Finch opposes both while Batman supports).

The 126th Assembly District includes all of Auburn and the southern half of Cayuga County, along with parts of Onondaga, Cortland and Chenango counties.

130th Assembly District

The other Assembly race in Cayuga County pitted two farmers against each other in a battle to replace retiring Assemblyman Bob Oaks, R-Macedon. The 130th Assembly District includes the northern half of Cayuga County, along with all of Wayne County and part of Oswego County.

Republican Brian Manktelow, a crop farmer who is also supervisor in the Wayne County town of Lyons, easily defeated Democrat Scott Comegys, an alpaca farmer in Palmyra.

With 96 percent of voting districts reported, Manktelow had collected 64 percent of the vote. His 27,498 votes significantly outpaced the 13,447 votes Comegys received.

51st Senate District

A political newcomer came up short challenging a 32-year incumbent in the 51st Senate District, a sprawling district that stretches from Ulster County to the southwest portion of Cayuga County.

Republican Sen. James Seward, from the Otsego County town of Milford, was winning comfortably, taking 62 percent of the vote with 98 percent of voting districts reported. Seward had 61,659 votes to 34,383 for his challenger, Democrat Joyce St. George of the Delaware County town of Margaretville.

Seward has served in the Senate since 1986. St. George is a former New York City government corruption investigator and law enforcement consultant.

I am thrilled and humbled with the victory and look forward to continuing the strong partnerships I have developed with the people of the 51st Senate District, ensuring our needs, our views, and our values are well represented in Albany, Seward said Tuesday night. I have never lost sight of the reason I first ran for senator  to serve the public, and help improve the lives of the people who call this area home. That is a responsibility I take extremely seriously and one I will continue to uphold."

54th Senate District

In a rematch from 2016, state Sen. Pam Helming, R-Canandaigua, easily beat back a challenge in her first re-election attempt from Democratic Rose town supervisor Kenan Baldridge.

The two candidates faced off in 2016, along with a third candidate, in the race to succeed longtime state Sen. Michael Nozzolio. The 54th Senate District encompasses all or parts of five Finger Lakes counties, including the western half of Cayuga County.

Helming captured 60 percent of the vote on Tuesday, with 63,566 votes in her favor compared with 38,369 votes for Baldridge.

State Supreme Court

Cayuga County voters had a voice in the race for two state Supreme Court seats in the state's Seventh Judicial District. In that race, Republicans Ann Marie Taddeo and Vicki Argento prevailed.

Onondaga County voters chose four state Supreme Court justices in the Fifth Judicial District. The winners were Democrat Scott J. DelConte and Republicans Gerry Neri, James P. Murphy and Donald A. Greenwood.

Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1We're in Paul B. Johnson State Park, and Democratic congressional candidate Jeramey Anderson is cleaning his campaign's RV.

"I just kind of like doing it," Anderson says. "It's an escape from my norm, I guess."

With the bugs Windexed off the RV's windshield, Anderson changes from his Tulane T-shirt and flannel pajama pants into a button-down shirt and jeans. He's ready for the sixth day of his "People's Tour" -- a campaign trip to all 14 counties in the congressional district that he's a long shot to win on November 6.

The 26-year-old isn't a political newbie. Five years ago, a month shy of his 22nd birthday, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives, becoming the youngest African-American ever elected to a state legislature.

Now he's ready for the next step. He's running to represent Mississippi's 4th Congressional District in the US House. The Moss Point native did not choose an easy road: He's facing three-term Republican Rep. Steve Palazzo, who beat his opponent two years ago by 37 points.

A former Marine, Palazzo is a pro-Trump Republican who supports a strong national defense, opposes abortion and supports low taxes.

Anderson is pro-abortion rights and pro-gun reform. His campaign platform focuses on raising the minimum wage, improving public education and implementing criminal justice reform.

In a state with some of the most restrictive laws around abortion and some of the most lenient concealed carry laws in the country, Anderson is going against the grain. He believes that if he focuses on creating better communication and bipartisanship with his constituents, he can rake in votes from people who would have otherwise disagreed with his policies.

"I always tell my community, we're not going to always agree on every issue," Anderson says, "But the fact that we can come and sit down and talk about issues that are important to us and find solutions that work for everyone, that's how we move forward."

The 'People's Tour'

Anderson says the purpose of this seven-day tour around the 4th district is to just show up and listen to people in the small rural parts of Mississippi that politicians don't often visit.

"We're touching folks that have been forgotten about, that are disengaged from political process," he said. "Their votes count, too. Their voices count. Their issues are important to me as well."

On the fifth day of the "People's Tour," Anderson walked into Wards, a Mississippi fast-food chain in the town of Lumberton (population: 2,112) and started introducing himself to a group of men drinking coffee and chewing on eggs and bacon. The rest of the booths were full of people who were waiting for him to speak, but for these men, this was an unwelcome intrusion to their morning hangout.

"Never heard of him until today," Tim Hargrove said with a shrug.

"He interrupted my breakfast," chimed in Joe Phelan, who identified himself as an anybody-but-Hillary-guy. "But I liked him."

"I'd like to see the other guy come to Wards and talk to us," Hargrove said, adding that he'd never seen Palazzo come to his small town.

That's a sentiment Anderson heard echoed a lot on his seven-day tour.

Carol Brody, 60, of Vancleave, Mississippi, attended Anderson's rally in Biloxi with her husband, Philip. The couple, who identify themselves as independents, have tried -- unsuccessfully -- to meet with Palazzo at scheduled town halls in years past.

"Palazzo doesn't want to meet with any of his constituents or his opponents. He thinks he's going to rule from that little microcosm he has," Carol said. "I've gone to town hall meetings where he did not show up. They just put his picture on the chair."

Palazzo released a statement at the time, saying town halls "are no longer used for elected officials to share information and take questions" but that he is willing to talk to anyone from his district who calls his Biloxi office. He did not respond to CNN's multiple requests to participate in this story.

Battling appearances even before party

As a young black man in a state whose flag still incorporates the Confederate battle flag, Anderson is well aware of how people may perceive him when he knocks on their doors. It still makes him nervous and frustrated when people look at his age or race and don't give him a chance.

"Before you can even get into whether you're a Democrat or Republican, it's your appearance," Anderson says. But he believes that doesn't represent the majority in Mississippi.

"We've got good people here, that want to see change," Anderson says, "And that is what we're trying to do with this election, is energize and restore hope to this community, restore hope to this district and let them know that you have another option."

A big goal of this tour, too, is encouraging young people and African-Americans who've been historically more disengaged with the political process to vote. Only 64% of people aged 18 to 34 were registered to vote in 2016, compared to 72% of those over 34, according to the US Census Bureau. And November could deliver several firsts for African-American representation, including the first black female governor in the United States.

"While we're traveling talking about 'Jeramey Anderson for Congress,' we're also talking about other candidates and why it's so important to just get out and exercise your right to vote," Anderson says. "That's a very big voting population, but it's an underperforming population."

Anderson attributes his interest in politics to his grandfather, Alton Joseph Sr., whom he describes as a community organizer who "didn't need a title to run."

Looking to Obama as a model

His grandfather passed away in 2010 of Alzheimer's. Three years later, Anderson ran for his first political seat. He still lives in his grandfather's home, now with just his grandmother, Fanny.

Anderson's made a lot of sacrifices getting into politics at such a young age. He hasn't found the time to pursue a romantic relationship while in office, and he rarely goes out with friends.

"It's hard to kind of get a lot of young people to understand that I can't go to the clubs with them," Anderson says. "I always tell my friends, 'We can do the same things, but my name will hit the papers before (yours) do.'"

Still, he doesn't regret how he's spent his 20s.

"The benefits of service, the benefits of helping your community, to me outweighs any of those sacrifices that I had to give up," he says.

The slogan for his campaign "Restoring Hope" is by no means a coincidence. Former President Barack Obama is his biggest idol. He said he shook Obama's hand once back in 2008. He called the moment "surreal."

"I saw what could possibly one day be me."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0MONTREAL, QCVideo chat software maker 2Much.net has officially released Miricam, its newest and most powerful webcamming platform to date, and has made it available free of cost.

"We basically threw everything up in the air; no options or useability possibilities were out of the question," said 2Much's Mark Prince. "Amateurs and professional cam models both provided lots of feedback and insight to what a performer needs as well as what they're looking for when they log on. The result will disappoint no-one."

This newest iteration of the company's video chat system outputs their best-yet video quality without lag or latency and can run on any and all hardware, from desktops on Windows or OS/X, to the latest generation of mobile devices, including iPhones and Androids.

"It doesn't require Flash," Prince noted. "From the model or customer. And who can use it on which browser anymore? Rest in Peace, Adobe Flash."

Following the live cam business model, Miricam features pay-per-minute billing, tips, as well as the possibility to vary the way income can be generated by each performer, from setting their own price-per-minute to pre-setting the length of their shows.

"Two-way, one-on-one video is built in as a feature or option depending on what the chat host wants," said Prince.

It's also free, he pointed out: "Models can download and host it on their own servers, attach it to their own websites, and edit and customize the pages to look the way they want."

Miricam now allows models to broadcast from mobile devices and anything with a camera and internet connection.

For more information, visit Miricam.com.Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco are set to improve allergen labelling across their in-store bakeries.

The move follows an investigation by the BBCs Watchdog programme, which found that staff at some branches of the retailers stores had given confusing or incorrect information about allergens when approached by undercover journalists posing as customers with food allergies.

All three supermarkets have now said they are reviewing how allergy information is displayed. Asda and Sainsburys both revealed they were working to roll out more detailed allergy information across their in-store bakeries, while Tesco said it was currently reviewing how its information is displayed.

The programme found cause for concern at five of the 24 sites where it asked for information about allergen ingredients at the bakery counter.

Under current regulations, there is no obligation for businesses to label allergens on foods prepared on the same premises as they are being sold.

In one Sainsburys branch a staff member assured Watchdogs undercover journalist that its raisin whirls were free of nuts. However, after a delay while the staff member located an in-store product information guide, the journalist then found that almonds were listed as an ingredient.

Customer safety is our priority and we are updating our labels to include more specific allergen information, a Sainsburys spokesperson said.

The retailer currently displays notices in its bakeries directing customers to speak to staff who can provide more information on the ingredients and allergen information of products.

Problems were also found with information about allergens at three Asda stores, according to the programme, including one where no information was available. However, Asda insisted that in all instances flagged up by Watchdog its staff advised the customer not to buy the product.

A spokesperson for Asda said it took its responsibilities as a retailer incredibly seriously and noted that its in-store bakeries featured clear signage on the potential for allergens in products. It added that the bakery products themselves were also labelled to warn of the potential presence of nuts, seeds and other allergens, while its bakery staff were trained to provide allergen information.

We recognise that in three of the eight mystery shops [investigated] by Watchdog we did not provide the customer with the definitive information they were looking for, the spokesperson added.

We are always looking at how we can do a better job for our customers and entirely support Watchdogs call for more detailed allergen information on packs. We have been working on improvements to the clarity of allergen information on our website and are also working to implement detailed allergen labels on our in-store bakery products.

Tescos policy for loose bakery items is that it displays signs asking customers to speak to staff  who are given comprehensive training  to get the relevant allergy information.

However, at a Tesco branch an undercover journalist posing as a milk allergy sufferer filmed a senior staff member who was unable to locate any ingredients information, including allergens, for an unpackaged panini containing milk.

At present we exceed the current legal requirements by providing allergen information on all products that are packed in-store by our bakers, said a spokesperson for the retailer.

In light of the Watchdog investigation at our Droylsden store, we have reminded all staff about the importance of allergens and how to ensure customers are given the correct information. Additional and more prominent signage has also been provided to our stores to encourage customers to speak to staff. We are currently reviewing how allergy information is displayed moving forward and we would be keen to input into any proposed reforms to labelling laws.

Allergen labelling is under the microscope following the death of a 15-year-old who suffered a fatal allergic reaction to a sandwich from Pret A Manger. The sandwich contained sesame, to which she was allergic. The company has since pledged to list all ingredients, including allergens, on products that are freshly made in its kitchens.

The full report on allergens in supermarkets bakery products can be seen on Watchdog Live tonight (7 November) at 8pm on BBC One.TravelParanormal.com allows you to submit your own creepy tale or debunk one - or see up-to-the-minute news headlines about travel and the paranormal.

News Headlines from All Over Oregon Need to scan Oregon headlines? Constantly updated news from all over Oregon: a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute display of news headlines from a variety of media

Oregon Coast Oceanfront Lodging, Hotels, Rentals

A Guide to Oregon Coast Seafood Restaurants, Dining

Find us on Google+Cool Papa Stan off the Campaign Trail

On a humid November night, when the local conservatives were down to their last shot, a hero emerged. His name was Stan Deatherage and when ten days out he started picking and grinning with his old six string at the early voting site, the conservatives awakened and he became a political Exocet missile.Students of military lore will recall how in 1982 the first combat fired Exocet missile destroyed the pride of the British fleet, HMS Sheffield , with a stunning Mach 2 strike a meter above the waterline. Asleep at the wheel the Sheffield crew never saw the missile until seconds before impact, and thus it was the same for the Democratic candidate bamboozled with a thousand vote margin by an old Pam Pack linebacker. Dismissed as a non-campaigning bungler by the moderates of the county, Cool Papa Stan struck with lethal precision in a stunning ten day blitzkrieg that saw him crisscross the county in his convertible Mustang playing the guitar and sharing the conservative mantra of "keep your hands off my wallet brother."The Argentine pilot that fired the fatal shot in 1982 had been forbidden to deploy the post-modern ship-killer as the country was in shambles much as Stan's home county of Beaufort was after the last "liberals pretending to be Republican tax cuts". Enraged by the shocking tax increase, Stan Deatherage put down his pen, picked up his guitar and took his conservative message to the people of the county with a little bit of that old school stumping. And the rest, as they say, is history.CW ANZ, November 2018: Exploring blockchain

Blockchain technology has been in the news due to its ability to provide much better security, transparency and efficiency. In this issue of CW ANZ, we look at how enterprises in Australia and New Zealand are using blockchain technology to improve security and efficiency, and what it takes to spur greater adoption among ANZ enterprises.

Also in this issue:

Australias healthcare sector reports most data breaches for second time

In the first full quarter since Australias mandatory breach disclosure scheme came into effect, the highest number of data breaches came from healthcare providers, amid controversy over the national health record system.

Australian government digital agency trials Microsoft secure cloud service

Digital Transformation Agency employees will have access to Exchange Online, SharePoint, Skype for Business and several Azure services via Microsoft Office 365.

New Zealand ready to conduct national cyber security exercise after year delay

The country has begun testing the cyber resilience of its critical national infrastructure this month, bringing together multiple agencies to protect assets of national significance.The passage of Proposition 12 in California creates a bright-line legal standard that prohibits the confinement of egg-laying hens, pigs used for breeding, and calves raised for veal in cages or crates so small that they are essentially immobilized for their whole lives. Photo by iStockphoto

29.4K shares







The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund take on the big fights: the ones that have the greatest long-term impact for the most animals. On Election Day, we prevailed once again with two decisive and historic victories, one for farm animals in California and another for greyhounds in Florida.

In a vote that promises to benefit tens of millions of farm animals, California voters spoke loud and clear by approving Proposition 12. The measure, approved by a supermajority of 63 percent, creates a bright-line legal standard that prohibits the confinement of egg-laying hens, pigs used for breeding, and calves raised for veal in cages or crates so small that they are essentially immobilized for their whole lives. It also requires that eggs, pork and veal sold in California meet this same standard. We are grateful to our coalition partners who helped make this victory possible.

In Florida, voters passed  by a nearly 69 percent vote  a measure to ban greyhound racing. We needed just 60 percent of the voters with us to win, and we took nothing for granted. Working with our allies at GREY2K USA Worldwide, the Doris Day Animal League and others, we gave it our all, and since Florida has 11 of the remaining 17 racetracks in the country, the vote to end racing here is a major step toward sounding the death knell for this cruel sport.

There are now approximately 8,000 greyhounds being used in the Florida racing industry, and since the state began tracking greyhound deaths in 2013, 493 dogs have died on its tracks. Ninety-four percent were three years old or younger. In a single county, Seminole, since May 2017, 87 greyhound injuries have been reported, including 64 greyhounds who suffered broken bones and five dogs who died. The demise of this industry, built on the suffering of animals, couldnt have come a moment sooner.

Both of these measures faced tremendous opposition at every step from groups with tremendous clout. Trade associations like the American Veal Association, National Pork Producers Council, California Pork Producers Association, National Association of Egg Farmers, Association of California Egg Farmers and the California Farm Bureau lined up against the California measure. In Florida, Amendment 13 had some unusual opponents, including the American Kennel Club, the NRA and the Farm Bureau. But the deep pockets of these special interest groups were no match for the energy of our staff members and volunteers who worked for months to mobilize millions of voters in favor of Amendment 13 and Proposition 12.

We are excited by these victories today. With the most populous U.S. state voting for better treatment of farm animals, and with the largest remaining stronghold of greyhound racing rejecting it, were on the verge of powerful change for the better. Lets celebrate these tremendous wins, and applaud Florida and California for showing the rest of America  and the world  a better way forward.A Texas poll worker was charged with assault today after yelling racist remarks at a black voter who she didn't think should be voting, then shoulder-checking her.

"The lady questioned my residency," Rolanda Anthony wrote on Facebook. "When I explained that the address was completely correct, she told them to check it again because it couldn't be. When I finally challenged her she declared 'maybe if I wore my black face make up today you'd be able to understand me.'"

The Houston Chronicle reports that Barnes' fellow poll workers tried to get her to back off, and that one of them walked out in disgust.

Barnes walked up to her and shoulder bumped her and said, "I'm white. Have you seen the news?" "If you call the police, they're going to take you to jail and do something to you, because I'm white," Barnes told her in front of several witnesses. Barnes told Anthony she was loitering and she was going to call the police on Anthony.

Things are going to get worse before they don't get better.

Photo: Gabrielle Banks/Houston Chronicle (crop)Attorney General Jeff Sessions has submitted his letter of resignation to the White House. "Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President," he closes.

Here is the letter.

"At your request, I am submitting my resignation."

It is not dated.

Where this leaves the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller is anyone's guess. This, as others have noted, is the moment of maximum danger for the probe.

From NPR:

Jeff Sessions, the president's earliest and most fervent supporter in Congress, stepped down as attorney general Wednesday after brutal criticism from the president, bringing an abrupt end to his controversial tenure as the nation's top law enforcement officer. Sessions, 71, lasted not quite two years in the job. But in that brief period, the former Alabama senator managed to usher in a new era at the Justice Department. Sessions threatened so-called sanctuary cities with the loss of federal funding and announced a "zero tolerance policy" for people who cross the southern U.S. border illegally. He decried a looming wave of violent crime across the country, even though criminologists maintain murders and assaults remain near historic lows in most places. He ordered federal prosecutors to seek the most serious charges and stiff prison sentences against drug criminals, a stark reversal of former President Barack Obama's most prominent and bipartisan justice policy. He presided over a rollback in investigations of local police. He rescinded policies that directed federal prosecutors to go after only the biggest cases involving marijuana in states where the drug is legal. And he recommitted to using private prisons for U.S. inmates and detainees.

I thought Trump was against removing Confederate monuments https://t.co/WSHoBqqfGl  Orli Matlow (@HireMeImFunny) November 7, 2018

He clearly has to recuse himself. There is no way any fair-minded American could have confidence in him overseeing the investigation given his comments and the circumstances under which he was appointed. https://t.co/NY6FNfNv7E  Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) November 7, 2018

Matt Whitaker the new acting Attorney General wrote an op-Ed for CNN in August titled "Mueller's investigation of Trump is going too far" https://t.co/UEBeMNzFw2  David P Gelles (@gelles) November 7, 2018

The incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee https://t.co/FsZhzfikgl  Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) November 7, 2018

Seems like the big question here is whether Bob Mueller goes public with a report and/or any more indictments before the expanded Republican majority confirms Jeff Sessions' replacement as attorney general  Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) November 7, 2018

literally hours after the midterms ended the platonic ideal of petty pic.twitter.com/C54ji8D9mY  rat king (@MikeIsaac) November 7, 2018

seems like a good idea to re-share this video i made of a sad beleaguered jeff sessions set to "mad world" pic.twitter.com/3UWo6qrrjm  David Mack (@davidmackau) November 7, 2018

Will never forget that August 2015 rally in Mobile, Alabama where 30,000 people watched Jeff Sessions put on a Trump hat before other GOP lawmakers were willing to do so publicly. There would be no President Trump without Jeff Sessions' early support.  Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) November 7, 2018

A look back at some of Trump's attacks on Jeff Sessions: "Idiot" (5.17.17)

"Beleaguered" (7.24.17)

"VERY weak" (7.25.17)

"DISGRACEFUL" (2.28.18)

"If we had a real Attorney General" (8.14.18)

"never took control of the Justice Department" (8.23.18)  David P Gelles (@gelles) November 7, 2018

https://twitter.com/JamilSmith/status/1060260850806583296

Jeff Sessions did not date his resignation letter. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/uvYB6J4QQV  southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) November 7, 2018

Here's the column written in 2017 by Matthew Whitaker, the man @realDonaldTrump has named as acting AG. He said Mueller's investigation had gone too far, and now there are bound to be questions whether he is fit to oversee the investigation. https://t.co/hvvLGIc79K  Jessica Schneider (@SchneiderCNN) November 7, 2018

BREAKING: With an acting attorney general taking over after AG Sessions' ouster, Deputy AG Rosenstein will no longer oversee the Mueller investigation, @PeteWilliams reports. pic.twitter.com/ZET8CRFUCA  NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2018

Here's the moment Schumer spox @mattwhouse handed his boss a note during his press conference saying AG Sessions had just resigned. Schumer: "Oh." pic.twitter.com/65Vix4PnIQ  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) November 7, 2018

Can Kris Kobach become Attorney General without first finishing his six hours of court-ordered legal training?  Aaron Sankin (@ASankin) November 7, 2018- A Limpopo EFF councillor was arrested on a charge of robbery after allegations surfaced

- Daniel Mampeule appeared in court already, but his case was postponed to 12 November for a formal bail application

- The EFF distanced itself from the councillor and his behaviour, saying no one is above the law

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EFF member, Daniel Mampeule, has been suspended by the party's Limpopo branch after allegations of house robberies and muggings were leveled against the 36-year-old councillor.

Mampeule was taken into custody on Sunday. The following day, the former councillor appeared in the Northam Magistrate's Court. He was charged with robbery.

Briefly.co.za learned that Mampeule was the ward 7 councillor in Thabazimbi.

According to a report by The Citizen, Mampeule was working with a notorious group of people in the area. It's believed he terrorised the local community.

Locals also accused Mampeule of being the leader of a gang, which residents said hide on the street corners. It's claimed the gang robs people of their goods, especially in the evenings.

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In the latest incident, which also led to the councillor's arrest, it's alleged he and two accomplices broke into a home in Northam, where they robbed the residents of money and booze.

Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the Limpopo police spokesperson, said: Mampeule is back in police custody. His court case was postponed to 12 November. During this court appearance, he will apply for bail.

Meanwhile, the EFF in Limpopo confirmed the councillor has been banned from participating in any of the party's activities.

Jossey Buthane, the EFF's provincial leader, said:

Unlike other political organisations which romance crime  as soon as we had proof Mampeule had been arrested for crime, we did not waste time but took action.

READ ALSO: AfriForum to seize EFF and Malema's movable assets over R300k debt

According to Buthane, the EFF will use Mampeule's case as an example. She told the media the party does not tolerate crime, adding no one is above the law.

Buthane said the EFF distances itseld from such behaviour:

"We are calling upon the law enforcement to arrest anyone, without any favour or fear. We believe that councillors and leaders must lead by example.

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Source: Briefly.co.za- Seretse and Ruth Khama met in Britain, fell in love, and got married

- Their love encountered opposition in Britain, Botswana, and neighbouring apartheid South Africa

- However, it overcame all odds and has become one of the world's greatest love stories

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The enduring marriage between Seretse and Ruth Khama, the former President and First Lady of Botswana, is powerful proof that love can overcome racial barriers.

Seretse Khama was a Law student in London, Britain, when he met Ruth Williams, the daughter of a retired British army officer, in 1947.

Seretse was the heir to his community's chieftaincy back home in Botswana, then known as Bechuanaland. The two fell in love and got married in 1948.

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However, their love encountered immediate difficulties in Britain because of their different racial backgrounds.

For instance, telegraph.co.uk reports that landlords refused to rent their properties to a mixed-race couple like them.

Back in Bechuanaland, Seretse's uncle, Tshekedi Khama, demanded that he should divorce Ruth or be barred from becoming chief.

Seretse famously returned with Ruth and won over his people's support for his marriage. He was also confirmed as chief.

READ ALSO: Tweeps give new idibala dance a pass: "Miss me on this dance"

Seretse and Ruth's marriage also shook the neighbouring Union of South Africa, which had just passed laws establishing apartheid.

The apartheid regime was concerned that their marriage could inspire mixed-race marriages in South Africa, Briefly.co.za gathered.

It therefore lobbied Britain, which was Bechunaland's colonial power, to force Seretse into exile in Britain in 1951.

Fortunately, Britain distanced itself from South Africa's racist apartheid stance five years later. This allowed Seretse and Ruth to return to Bechuanaland.

READ ALSO: Gigaba says sinister forces fear he will become president of SA

Seretse soon became the leader of Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP), which won elections in 1965. He then became his country's Prime Minister.

When Bechuanaland won independence from Britain in 1966, it changed its name to Botswana. Seretse Khama became its first president, with Ruth as First Lady.

The couple had four children, Jacqueline, Ian (who later became Botswana's president), and twins Anthony Paul and Tshekedi Khama.

Seretse passed away in 1980 and Ruth in 2002. Seretse summed up how their love broke racial barriers:

But in matters of love the heart is seldom ruled by skin colouring. She did love me, and I knew that this was the woman I wanted for my wife  the woman I wanted to be my helpmate in bringing guidance and knowledge to my people in Bechuanaland.

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Source: Briefly.co.za- Former president, Jacob Zuma, lashed out at the DA, saying it should have brought an application against him, over legal fees paid by the state, years ago

- Zuma's counsel told the Durban High Court the DA should have approached the courts within 180 after getting the info that the state wa spaying his legal costs

- According to the EFF, the state has coughed up as much as R32 million to defend the ousted former president

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If the DA had problems with government paying Jacob Zuma's legal fees, they should have raised their concerns years ago. This was according to the former president.

The DA and EFF have applied for the ousted former president to be liable to pay about 12 years' worth of litigation costs.

However, in his counter arguments, Zuma said the parties should have raised this many years ago, not now.

Since 2005, the state attorney's office paid for Zuma's legal fees. It carried on paying his fees throughout the long spy tapes legal challenge.

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At present, Zuma is on trial in Durban's High Court. He is facing charges of fraud and corruption, alongside Thales, a French arms firm.

According to a report by Eyewitness News, Zuma's legal team told the court that as early as 2008, the DA knew the state was covering his legal fees.

Briefly.co.za learned that Zuma's counsel argued that the DA should then have approached the courts within 180 after receiving the information.

Meanwhile, the DA argued Zuma was not permitted to have his legal costs covered by the state. The party told the court the criminal case against Zuma did not relate to conduct linked to his office.

READ ALSO: AfriForum to seize EFF and Malema's movable assets over R300k debt

The EFF claims the state has spent up to R32 million defending Zuma in court.

The EFF has also called on Michael Hulley, Zuma's previous attorney, to pay back the fees he received from the state.

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Source: Briefly.co.za- More than a year ago, Prasa spent R57.6 million of taxpayers' money to buy 174 vehicles needed by the agency

- However, these vehicles have been gathering dust over the past year, having never left the head office's parking lot

- It's believed the vehicles could not be distributed over a tender irregularity pertaining to tracking devices that need to be fitted to the cars

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More than a year ago, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa acquired 174 new vehicles, at a cost of R57.6 million. Now, these vehicles are just chunks of steel gathering dust at Prasa's head office in Hatfield.

More than a year after buying these vehices with taxpayers' money, they have not been allocated to the various entities of Prasa across the country, two sources told The Citizen.

According to one of the sources, who wanted to remain anonymous, the cars were only driven when they were delivered and never again.

Briefly.co.za learned that the source, a senior security employee, said they have been checking the cars' condition daily.

While the vehicles are not being driven, some already have scratch marks and others don't start.

The source said there was no reasonable explanation why the cars are not in use. However, he added that rumour has it the vehicles are not in use, because they need to be fitted with tracking devices.

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After queries were sent to Prasa, contractors quickly arrived at Prasa on Monday to fit the devices, The Citizen reported.

It's believed that by Monday afternoon, over 40 vehicles were already fitted with tracking devices.

The second source claims it took long for the tracking devices to be installed, because there were issue in appointing a company to fit the devices.

He said a senior manager interfered with the procurement process. It's believed this manager wanted a bidder of his choice.

"When this emerged, original tendering documents vanished, the source revealed.

READ ALSO: AfriForum to seize EFF and Malema's movable assets over R300k debt

The Citizen reported that the list of vehicles include:

1. Nissan Impedulo minibuses - 19

Combined value of more than R8.2 million.

2. Nissan NP-300 bakkies - 25

Combined cost of about R5.7 million

3. Toyota Hi-Lux bakkies - 41

Combined cost of about R18.2 million

4. Toyota Quantum minibuses - 30

Combined cost of about R12.3 million

5. Hyundai H-1 minibuses - 19

Combined cost of about R8.8 million

6. VW Kombis - 20

Combined cost of about R112.5 million

7. VW Polo Vivo Sedans - 6

Combined cost of about R1.1 million

8. Toyota Quest Sedans - 4

Combined cost of about R940 000

9. Hyundai Elantra Sedans - 10

Combined cost of about R 1.9 million.

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Source: Briefly.co.za- Aigali Supugaliev, 63, went missing in July

- A DNA test on a body revealed that it was likely to be him and his family held a funeral

- However, he stunned his family by showing up 2 months later

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A 63-year-old "dead" man in Kazakhstan stunned his family recently when he returned home two months after his funeral.

Aigali Supugaliev went missing in July, Metro.co.uk reports. A decomposing body was found close to his home soon afterwards.

Akmaral Zhubatyrova, a local scientist, conducted a DNA test on the body. The test revealed a 99.92% likelihood that the body was Aigali's, Briefly.co.za gathered.

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Aigali's distraught family subsequently held a funeral for him and buried the body. However, they were surprised to see him alive and healthy just two months later.

The man's brother, Esengali said:

When Aigali came home alive and healthy, my daughter Saule, seeing her dead uncle, almost collapsed with a heart attack.

READ ALSO: Gigaba says sorry for waving his pinky finger at People's Bae

It turned out that Aigali had taken up a job at a faraway farm without informing his family. He even posed for a picture with the tombstone plate used for "his" grave.

Akmaral said she used nail clippings from the body for the DNA test. She said although the test showed near certainty, "we should not forget about the remaining 0.08%."

READ ALSO: President Ramaphosa addresses racism after fists fly in Parliament

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Source: Briefly.co.zaNews / National

by Staff reporter

BULAWAYO Mayor, Clr Solomon Mguni, has said there is no vacancy for the deputy mayor's post as the MDC yesterday insisted that Clr Tinashe Kambarami who was re-elected to the post on Monday must step down.In a show of the circus obtaining at the MDC run council, last week on Monday the opposition party ordered Clr Kambarami to resign as the city's Deputy Mayor or risk being expelled from the party and being recalled from council.In response, Clr Kambarami verbally resigned on Sunday in a meeting held with the MDC leadership including its president, Mr Nelson Chamisa, paving way for fresh polls the following day. However, Clr Kambarami was re-elected unopposed as the city's Deputy Mayor exposing simmering divisions in the party.The MDC had recommended Clr Mlandu Ncube to be the Deputy Mayor but lost to Clr Kambarami in polls held in September and did not take part in Monday's election.Speaking in his capacity as the city's Mayor, Clr Mguni said as far as council is concerned Clr Kambarami never resigned from the Deputy Mayor's post. He described Monday's election as a nullity."To us in council it was a non-event because there is no vacancy at City Hall. As a Mayor I had not received a resignation letter from him and the Town Clerk (Mr Christopher Dube) had not received the same letter," he said."We are saying there is no need for the Deputy Mayor election because there is no vacancy. There was no vacancy yesterday and there is no vacancy today as it was not there on Friday and Saturday or Sunday."Clr Mguni said if Clr Kambarami had resigned he should have done so in terms of the Urban Councils Act which compels a resigning officer to do so through a written submission to council. He said fissures in the opposition party were not affecting council business."Councillors are attending council meetings. Recommendations are coming to full council and tomorrow we are having a full council meeting and we are going forward in terms of service delivery. We might have a problem within a political party but not in council. He (Kambarami) is still discharging his duties as usual," said Clr Mguni."He is the Deputy Mayor of the city. He does his duties and I'm the Mayor of the city I do my duties. He might not be my friend but we are doing the job which we were elected for." He said what led to some councillors walking out of an alleged re-election meeting on Monday is their understanding that there was no post to be filled.However, MDC national deputy spokesperson, Dr Bekithemba Mpofu, said Clr Kambarami is still in defiance as he has not resigned as the city's Deputy Mayor."The indications that he gave us is that he said he was resigning and we are waiting that he tenders that resignation to the officers at Town House. He hasn't resigned as you highlighted so anything else is being considered as defiance," said Dr Mpofu.He said the party would be forced to take appropriate action if he remains defiant. Dr Mpofu said he was not well informed about developments that occurred on Monday where the party's national chairperson Ms Thabitha Khumalo insisted that an election be conducted despite the party's vice president Professor Welshman Ncube opposing the move.Sources in the party said the Deputy Mayor's issue was just a side show as party factions were fighting to control the province.MDC secretary for local governance Mr Sesel Zvidzai yesterday dismissed a letter purporting to be coming from him claiming that Clr Kambarami had been expelled from the party saying his office has no capacity to do so. Efforts to get comment from the party's Secretary General Mr Douglas Mwonzora were fruitless as his cellphone was not reachable.News / National

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has finally fired the prison officer accused of undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa by addressing MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa as "my president" in a tweet.The officer, John Mahlabera, was dismissed from the service following disciplinary proceedings.Mahlabera was convicted of the offence on Monday and dismissed from employment by the trial officer only identified as Superintendent Muzhingi.Mahlabera, who was represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights during the hearing that commenced on November 1 at Chiredzi Prison, pleaded not guilty to the charge.ZPCS accused Mahlabera of unlawfully making political comments on his Twitter account when he posted a message that read, "Come to Chiredzi my president" after an MDC Alliance rally addressed by Chamisa at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka, Masvingo.ZPCS said by posting such a message on the micro-blogging site, Mahlabera contravened section 3(1) of the Prisons (Staff) (Discipline) Regulations 1984, which prohibits the use of traitorous or disloyal words regarding the leader of government. The prisons officer had, according to the Law, also shown loyalty to Chamisa and disloyalty to Mnangagwa.But Mahlabera, who was represented by Collen Maboke of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, denied uttering any treacherous or disloyal words against Mnangagwa or the government and indicated that the Twitter account, which ZPCS alleged belongs to him, was registered in the name of one Shephard Mahlabera.Mahlabera was also convicted of misconduct, where ZPCS authorities claimed that he attended an opposition political party rally ahead of the country's harmonised elections held in July 2018, in contravention of section 3 (46) of Prisons (Staff) (Disciplinary) Regulations 1984, that is being guilty of any other act, conduct, disorder or neglect of duty to the prejudice of good conduct or discipline as read with section (19) (a-g) of Staff General Regulations 1968.ZPCS added that the 36-year-old prison officer unlawfully and intentionally participated in active politics when he attended an MDC Alliance rally held at Tshovani Stadium in Chiredzi on June 10, 2018, where he was invited to the podium by Chamisa, who then introduced him to opposition political party supporters.During the rally, Mahlabera was promised employment by Chamisa, who indicated that if he was fired from ZPCS for his actions, the youthful opposition leader would offer him a job in his security team.News / National

by Staff reporter

A 27 YEAR-OLD Beitbridge woman who allegedly killed her 50-year-old husband by kicking him on his privates before finishing him off by stabbing him with a kitchen knife during a fight over money for rent, appeared in court yesterday.Geraldine Nyoni is accused of killing her husband Majahana Mazibuko on March 4 during a fight at their rented home in Dulivhadzimu high density suburb.Nyoni appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa charged with murder in connection with the death of her husband.Prosecuting, Chief Public Prosecutor, Mrs Tariro Rosa Takuva said the couple had a long history of domestic disputes relating to money issues.She was remanded in custody to December 4 for judgment.The court heard that on March 4 last year at about 8PM, the accused person and the deceased were at their place of residence when a misunderstanding ensued over money for rent.An hour later, the couple received two visitors, Zwelibanzi Phakathi and Saidi Chisa who were related to Mazibuko."The two visitors had come to complain to the accused person over her alleged ill-treatment of the deceased. The accused person and the two visitors went on to exchange harsh words over the issue. After about 30 minutes, Phakathi and Chisa went to their car and drove off," said Mrs Takuva.Mazibuko remained behind trying to calm down his wife after their dispute had arisen over the issue of money. The court heard that Nyoni allegedly kicked her husband on the private parts before she picked a kitchen knife and stabbed him."A fight ensued between the two resulting in the woman picking a kitchen knife. She stabbed her husband on the right side of the neck and fled from the scene leaving him lying in a pool of blood," said Mrs Takuva.Soon after committing the alleged offence, Nyoni went to the police station where she made a report of domestic violence.Neighbours rushed Mazibuko to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died upon admission. Nyoni was later arrested by police and the blood- stained knife was recovered from their house.In her defence through her lawyer, Mr Tawanda Tavengwa of Mutuso, Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Legal Practitioners, she denied the charge, arguing that the deceased stabbed himself during the scuffle."I did not stab the deceased. In fact, it is the deceased who started attacking me and when he grabbed a knife and tried to stab me. That is when I managed to get hold of the hand which was carrying the weapon and twisted it during which he accidentally stabbed himself on the neck," she said.Nyoni said she was frightened and out of shock she stormed out of the house and went to the police station to report the matter.News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

Embattled whistleblower William Gerald Mutumanje (Acie Lumuba)has opened up on social media for the first time after his apology statement which he issued on 4 November.Reacting to speculations that he had been arrested on Tuesday Lumumba said, "Me and my family are safe, they are just targeting criminals around me."On Tuesday social media was awash with rumours that the self styled communications strategist was picked up by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission for interviewing and subsequent arrest.However in the evening the Zimbabwe Republic Police and ZACC denied having interacted with Lumumba casting doubt on the alleged arrest.On Monday, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner in charge of investigations, Goodson Nguni, told the media the graft body was itching to probe Mutumanje."We are waiting for someone to write a letter with the allegations against Lumumba and after that we will ask the police to arrest him," he said.Mutumanje was last month briefly and irregularly appointed as the head of a communications taskforce in the Finance ministry.Ncube was later pressured to sack him after he made staggering allegations on Facebook, on supposed illegal foreign currency dealings at the central bank - claims which shook Zanu-PF and the government to their core.In that social media blast, Mutumanje named the four senior RBZ officials and Tagwirei as being at the centre of illegal foreign currency dealings - leading to the precautionary suspension of the central bank executives by governor John Mangudya.In a leaked recorded voice message, Mutumanje revealed seemingly nonchalantly that he had 'sold his soul to the devil' by accepting the money - which he claimed he needed desperately to send his ailing father for treatment in India.News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

It was a hive of activity on Tuesday at the Harare Magistrate courts with ZANU PF heavyweights appearing for routine remand on various corruption charges allegedly committed under the era of Robert Mugabe.First to arrive was Robert Mugabe s son in law Simba Chikore who is facing charges of detaining a former Zimbabwe Airways employee against her will during a dispute.Simba allegedly had Zimbabwe Airways legal head Bertha Zakeyo detained for two hours at the airline s offices in June.Chikore was accompanied by his wife Bona Mugabe Chikore.Next to arrive was expelled ZANU PF member Saviour Kasukuwere. He is facing three counts of abuse of office related to former first lady Grace Mugabe's sister, Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma and a fourth one involving a tender that was improperly given to a Harare businessman during a time that he was the Indigenisation minister.Gumbochuma, aged 61, is facing three counts of fraud, involving corrupt acquisition of large tracts of land in Harare.Wicknell Chivayo who is represented by Lewis Uriri and Wilson Manase arrived for a further remand on charges related to a solar tender that he was supposed to implement in Gwanda but he never did. The case sucked in Former Minister of energy Samuel Udenge.The last to enter the courts was Former Cabinet Minister Supa Mandiwanzira who is accused of two counts of abuse of office. Supa allegedly engaged Megawatt company to do consultancy work for NetOne without going to tender.He also allegedly appointed his Personal Assistant, a government employee at deputy director level, to the Potraz Board in violation of corporate governance principles and a Cabinet circular.Supa who was arrested yesterday arrived at the Harare Magistrate court in the company of his lawyers Advocates Thembinkosi Magwaliba and Brian Hungwe for initial appearance after his arrest on Tuesday.News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has defended its decision to cancel the results of at least 16 "O" Level pupils from Nagle House School in Marondera, arguing that their answer scripts were too identical to rule out foul play.The response comes after the children's parents approached the High Court challenging Zimsec's decision to cancel the pupils' results."After the reports were made, the respondent (Zimsec) took its own steps to investigate the veracity of the allegations by scrutinising the students' examination scripts."The examiners' reports concluded that the 16 students had been involved in examinations malpractice particularly in the Mathematics Paper 2 examination in that: either the results of the students were identical to the model answers shown in the documents circulated on social media so much that it was believed that the answers were pre-written; or, the results of some of the students were too identical to each other such that the answers could not possibly have been the result of the students' own individual efforts," Zimsec said.The examination body, further said that in some instances, the students had correct answers resulting from incorrect or no working, adding that this is impossible in a Mathematics examination.However, the parents on the other hand argued that Zimsec acted unreasonably when it cancelled all results for the pupils for all subjects including subjects written prior and after October 24, without evidence of cheating in those examinations.They maintained that cheating allegations arose only in the Mathematics exam paper 2."It was grossly unfair for respondent, without clear evidence of cheating to cancel results for all applicants' children when statements of school officials do not link applicants' children with any evidence of cheating and there was absolutely no basis and therefore grossly unreasonable respondents to rely on unconfirmed and unsubstantiated reports of the two pupils who were caught cheating then allegedly implicated applicants' children," said the guardians.They went on to appeal for the immediate release of their children's results.But Zimsec said a precedence was set by the High Court, which has since ruled that such matters as the one brought by the parents could not be dealt with through an application.The examination body said that there were invariably material disputes of fact, and that it is not the duty of the court to order Zimsec to release the results.Zimsec urged the court to dismiss the request being sought by the parents.News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Priscilla Chigumba is expected to appear in court to testify against a former Midlands State University student, Night Tawona Shadaya who is accused of retweeting a derogatory message against her.The trial, which was supposed to commence on Monday was postponed to November 20 after the State, indicated that they failed to serve Chigumba.Initially, Shadaya pleaded guilty to criminal insult when he appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa. While awaiting sentencing, Noble Chinhanu of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) took over his legal representation and advised the court that he would be changing his plea.Chinhanu successfully applied for change of plea from guilty to not guilty, arguing that his client "wrongly" and "mistakenly" pleaded guilty to the offence having an incorrect understanding of the essential elements of the charges he is facing. Chinhanu also argued that Shadaya genuinely believed that the account belonged to Chigumba at the time of retweeting and therefore did not impair her reputation.However, the State had opposed the application arguing that all essential elements were explained.Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri argued that ignorance of the law is not an excuse and cannot be used as an excuse to change the plea. However, Mugwagwa ruled in favour of Shadaya after noting that the matter was not initially handled well.Mugwagwa said there was possibility that Shadaya thought that the Twitter account belonged Chigumba and that the essential elements were not canvassed."It is fundamental that the trial must commence," Mugwagwa ruled.The fake tweet which was circulated by Shadaya purported to be from Chigumba's account read: "I can't wait for the election fiasco to come to an end. I could do with a holiday and some good sex. My body needs a break."Shadaya, popular for creating social media memes, was arrested following a report to the police by Chigumba who said she did not own the Twitter account.News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister has sensationally claimed that the period between December 2014 and November 2017 was like hell for most bureaucrats in former president Robert Mugabe's government to the extent that he almost tendered his resignation.Moyo, who is living in self-imposed exile following the military coup that toppled Mugabe in November last year, said the putsch was once foiled in 2017 but continued brewing underneath the surface."By this time, 1st of November, last year the coup was in progress. The rehearsals had been done with a number of options."People knew. Attempts, which of course ultimately failed, were being made to neutralize the coup. The real drama started in earnest on 4 November in Bulawayo," Moyo revealed on Twitter.On November 4 last year former first lady Grace Mugabe was booed by a section of Zanu-PF youths at a rally in Bulawayo that was backing then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed her husband, aged 94.Since that day, the tables began to turn against the former powerful first couple.But according to Moyo another coup had been attempted in 2017."And on the first day of the month of November, whose Mbudzi Curse' was inscribed by Rhodesia's UDI on the month's 11th day in 1965 and by the coup that was not a coup on the month's 15th day in 2017, it bears repeating once again that coups beget one another. Camera rolling," Moyo said in the wake of revelations that the alliance between the military and civilians who united to remove Mugabe is now unravelling.The former top flier who many would think was on cloud nine after Mnangagwa's expulsion last November claimed on the micro-blogging platform that he almost handed his resignation letter to Mugabe."One day, maybe sooner rather than later, your fairy-tale will be sobered by the discovery of the excruciatingly painful and tragic reality of the time."For now, just know that the period 1 Dec 2014 to 24 Nov 2017 was hell. On 8 Nov 2017, I drafted a resignation letter. I wanted out," Moyo said in response to an observation that the Generation 40 (G40) faction, which backed Mugabe and his then powerful wife Grace, was having it all around this time last year before the insurrection.Moyo left the country fleeing for dear life as he was said to be among those who were wanted by the army on account of being "criminals surrounding" Mugabe.A key member of the vanquished G40 faction that almost succeeded in stopping Mnangagwa's rise to power only to be thwarted by a military intervention, Moyo is one of the few people with first hand details of what happened before Mugabe's graceless fall.News / National

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission boss Justice Priscilla Chigumba is set to appear in court to testify against Night Tawona Shadaya who is answering to charges of criminal insult.The trial was set to commence yesterday after the ruling by Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa allowing Shadaya to change his plea to not guilty as he is now being represented by lawyers from Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers.However, the State led by Peter Kachirika, indicated that the investigating officer failed to deliver the subpoenas to Chigumba so the new trial date has been set for November 20.It is the State case that Shadaya retweeted a tweet from a Twitter account which was purpoted to be owned by Justice Chigumba.The Tweet read, 'I can't wait for the election fiasco to come to an end. I could do with a holiday and some good sex, my body needs a break'According to the State, the tweet seriously impaired the dignity of Chigumba.News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

The Zimbabwe Economic Freedom fighters have called upon the government to seek the assistance of Interpol and extradite exiled Former G40 Kingpin to face corruption charges in Zimbabwe.Moyo is accused of benefitting from money which was corruptly syphoned out of Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) by ministry and fund officials."As Zim EFF Zimbabwe we are worried that corruption charges leveled against former Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo are not taken seriously. We are calling on the ZRP, ZACC, the Special Anti-Corruption Unit set by the president to priorities the charges levelled against Moyo." Innocent Ndibali the Commander In Chief of ZEFF said."ZACC provided its evidence on all their investigations, why is ZRP failing to arrest Moyo so that he is brought back home to answer on his charges? ZRP have the power of Interpol we need action without delay."We are shocked that we only thought that Prof Moyo siphoned only $400 000 but recently reports suggest that he looted more than $3 million dollars. We are informed that the president Emmerson Mnangagwa is studying a forensic audit report on Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) amid indications that more than $3 million could have been taken from the fund in suspicious circumstances."We have written letters to ZRP, the Special Anti-Corruption Unit and the Parliament s Public Accounts Committee. We need action and we are not backing off from now going forward until this issue is settled."Ndibali said they also want Moyo s lieutenants in the Ministry to be brought to book."We also need Moyo's crew which include former deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa, the managers' chief executive officer Fredrick Mandizvidza, principal finance director and administrator Nicholas Mapute; human resources manager Ignatius Kanjengo; chief accountant RopafadzoMukamba and senior revenue manager, James Gombarago to account. We are not retreating it is now time Zimbabwe to recover what was stolen from us. We cannot live in same societies with these people who are destroying our country and move around scot-free."Let us all recall that Zimdef funds are meant to support students at tertiary institutions. We know Gandawa bought personal furniture using Zimdef funds, while Moyo confirmed buying bicycles for his then Tsholotsho North constituency. The Zanu-PF youth league mthen led by Kudzanai Chipanga was also a big beneficiary of Zimdef funds."We are also told that auditors unearthed questionableprocurement of some properties by Zimdef. We are also told of late that he also siphoned Zimdef money using Tsholotsho Council we are going after him. We also know that he has been hobnobbing with some opposition leaders like Chamisa, Biti and lot, but we are not moved by that we want him to pay back the money and justice prevails. Whatever relationship he has with other opposition is not for us what we want is our money back."Prof. Moyo who fled Zimbabwe at the height of a coup that ended 37 years of Robert Mugabe's rule is suspected to be holed up in Kenya. Senior government officials including Saviour Kasukuwere and Supa Mandiwanzira have been arrested and are facing a number of corruption charges and abuse of office.News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

Media mogul Trevor Ncube has clashed with Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage over the later's statements that the government will crush any demonstration organised by the opposition.MDC Leader Nelson Chamisa has been calling for a nationwide shutdown following his loss to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the August plebiscite."We are aware that there are some political leaders and civil organisations that are agitating for the unseating of the constitutionally elected Government of Zimbabwe through demonstrations."May I, therefore, reiterate that the Government has put the necessary security measures in place to ensure that law and order is maintained and anyone who is found inciting violence, intimidating people going about their business, advocating for illegal gatherings and influencing civil servants to go on strike, will certainly face the full wrath of the law."Responding to Mathema s statements, AMH Boss Trevor Ncube said, "Minister Cain Mathema, Public protests are part of a vibrant democracy. Democracy by nature is sometimes noisy and messy. Your role is to ensure protests are peaceful. Provide protection for the peaceful protesters, private property and members of the public."Mathema said police will hold convenors of any demonstrations liable for any damage that might occur."Law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to hold convenors of illegal gatherings or demonstrations responsible for any ensuing disturbances which include violence and destruction of property in the country, particularly in the central business district (of Harare)."News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

The Zimbabwe Republic Police have cleared the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe to conduct a petition march to PSMAS, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Service of 9 November.In a letter given to PTUZ Leader Raymond Majongwe the police said, "Your notiofication to petition march to to PSMAS, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Service of 9 November from 1200hrs to 1400hrs has been noted."You shall convene at Africa Unity Square, wherefrom you shall march in a small number of at at least 10 people to to PSMAS through George Silundika into Fourth Street to Mkwati building via Central Avenue."Please confine your march to the following route and time outlined, police will monitor."Earlier on Wednesday state media reported that Apex Council, an umbrella body for civil servants unions, said it is not party to a planned demonstration by some teachers organisations on Friday as its members want to give dialogue with Government a chance.Government has invited the civil servants unions for a meeting next Wednesday.Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecelia Alexander said while civil servants were not spared from the prevailing economic challenges, there was no need for premature industrial action as negotiating channels were yet to be exhausted. Demonstrations, she said, never yield positive results."As Apex Council we want to pursue the route of dialogue," she said.Opinion / Columnist

ELECTIONS have come and gone and remarkably Zimbabwean youths participated in large numbers to shape their future, something we, as the Zanu-PF Youth League, believe is testimony to the fact that we are up there on governance and national issues. Our leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, won resoundingly and went on to assemble a team that we are positive is going to make Zimbabwe shine. It was victory for Zanu-PF as well as the majority of the youths.In any revolution the youths are always the backbone of such a revolution and the Zanu-PF youths are no exception. As the ruling party our focus must remain national in nature. The outlook is brighter, economic growth projections are positive, we are now entering the proverbial darkest hour that comes just before dawn and soon we will reap the results of our patience and hard work. President Mnangagwa is implementing reforms across all sectors of the economy. Reforms mean literally biting the bullet.Reforms mean tightening belts and cutting all the lavish lifestyles of the past regime. Reforms mean all hands on the deck. Reforms will also mean zero tolerance to corruption. Reforms mean political will to change things that were untouchable in the previous regime. That is what our President is doing and we are strongly behind him.I joined Zanu-PF as a young man and have been in the party since then but I had never witnessed the pulsating growth and sense of duty that most of our leaders under the servant leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa are showing. President Mnangagwa's life epitomises the revolution from the time he was a member of the Zanu-PF Youth League in the 1960s to date.According to ZimStat, in 2012 Zimbabwe had a young population. Of the total population of 13 061 239, seventy-seven percent consisted of children and youths below 35 years of age. Youths aged 15-34 years number 4 702 046, which constitutes 36 percent of the national population and those aged between 15-24 years total 20 percent.This should inform the policymakers that more resources should be allocated to that critical sector which requires mentoring, jobs and access to new and emerging technologies. We would want to create our own scientists and scholars among the youths through equipping them with the right tools, a case in point is the recent graduation at the Harare Institute of Technology where it was announced that young people had come up with brilliant innovations.The fact that HIT is incubating several start-up projects which should inspire other colleges to come up with similar projects and as the Youth League of Zanu-PF we stand ready to assist and promote such home-grown ideas.HIT has interesting start-up projects such as the Power Team Technologies and Lads (Private) Limited, two entities that could transform our country if adequately supported. We know the youths of today are faced with challenges such as accessing college because sometimes astronomically high tuition fees and as such we are going to continue engaging the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to ensure that school grants are returned so as to ensure that no student is deprived because of financial circumstances.Through this platform, we seek to exchange, incubate and develop ideas so that the lives of the young people are transformed in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030, which is to make Zimbabwe a middle income economy by that time. We hope to engage in frank debate and to listen to divergent views using this platform in a constructive manner. The Youth League reaches out to every Zimbabwean child to be proud of the nation and to put shoulders to the wheel in developing this nation.To quote President Mnangagwa: "The 20 years that we lost while other nations were developing, we would want to leapfrog and jump to catch up with other nations in the region and other African countries and beyond."And that we can do if we work as a collective in a nursery of ideas where dreams are transformed into reality. Our hand is outstretched to young people across the country, of all races, gender and convictions that let us work together to rebuild this nation so that we develop it to its potential. We are aware of the challenges ahead and we by no means underestimate them, we appreciate the shortages of basic commodities caused by hoarding and unscrupulous business elements. We are cognisant of the high numbers of unemployment and the many challenges that youths face daily.However, we do not believe that anyone other than ourselves has the panacea to the present problems.As the Zanu-PF Youth League, we are not against anyone but we find it unpatriotic that they are some parties that believe sanctions, that are hurting the country's re-engagement process, should stay on apparently blind to the dire effects that these unjustified measures have done to Zimbabwe.As the youths of the ruling party we would like to lead by example; that is why we are proponents of empowerment and self-employment and, of course, patriotism. This platform is to engage in a patriotic and brotherly manner so that together we can go far and beyond.It is critical that we create jobs for our people but then we do not want to be employed but rather to be the employers, that is why we put emphasis on producing employers instead of would-be employees. What we need are graduates who will take the initiative and become successful entrepreneurs, develop into billionaires in a country that has all the ingredients for success.Our President is on record as saying he wants to create millionaires in Zimbabwe and as the Youth League we know the appropriate vehicle and avenue that will make that vision real.Zimbabwe is endowed with 98 percent of the known minerals in the world. We have the capacity and what we just need are daring youths who will put foot on the pedal and push the development agenda to help realise this dream. But that cannot be done with a mind-set that believes in being employed by someone, that can only be done if we have the right mindset that believes in creating and enabling the achievements of a dream. We do not need to be preoccupied with getting employment but rather seizing the low hanging fruits that we have been given by our leadership.Youths, as you may know, are set to benefit from the downsizing of farms and we also want opportunities in mining and other initiatives that are abundant in the country.There are fisheries in Tugwi-Mukosi, there is the tantalising prospect of getting gas in the Muzarabani basin, the transport sector is presently run by foreigners, and youths in partnership with other investors have the opportunity to bring sanity in our towns.The opportunities for the youths are numerous and there for all to capture, Zimbabwe is a young country and as the Youth League our pledge is simple, to ensure that youths who constitute over 60 percent of the population get a bite of the cherry.--------Pupurai Togarepi is Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, and also Zanu-PF Chief Whip.Opinion / Columnist

The band played on. Feverishly. Madly. Deafening sounds and wet, clammy bodies gyrating against each other in lustful, prodigal passions. Zimbabwe was enthralled by a mad political spectacle. It was the year 2017. The ruling Zanu-PF party was headed for yet another rapture  the second in three years.Hawks connected to the then President Robert Mugabe bared their talons and would occasionally swoop on political prey with ravenous regularity. Prey was easy to identify: it was anyone and everyone that was opposed to Mr Mugabe and his garrulous wife.Mrs Mugabe was being primed to take over from her ageing husband, and why not, she would gloat, she was qualified to! The Mugabe dynasty was upon the land - and we could all do no jack about it. That was the contempt with which the Mugabes viewed people of lesser tribes and gods. They were unconquerable - and a song was sung to that effect.This time, the prey was the Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a man reputed to have served as Mugabe's trusted lieutenant for about half a century. Vilifying Mnangagwa and making him political prey had an air of deja vu. We had been down that road before.Dumping Joice When, in 2014, Mrs Mugabe was deployed to destroy Joice Mujuru - then Vice President - she did it in a fashion that had not been witnessed in the history of the revolutionary party, especially targeting a woman that was widely expected to be the next leader of the Republic using language, tone and innuendo that were completely alien to mainstream politics and the otherwise decent discourse of Zimbabweans.The strategy was two-fold: attacking Mujuru for seeking to undermine Mugabe and discrediting her as a leader. Her husband came first  and up to the time of the fall of the Mugabe dynasty experiment, she hailed the President as a humble, honest and God-fearing leader. This can be traced to her Mazowe Children's Home meetings, which set the tone for the ubiquitous rallies that she and her husband used to destroy political opponents. Mrs Mugabe would say her husband was chosen by God and people must patiently wait for their turn and desist from backbiting their leaders.Those that followed the juggernaut at the time noted its dominant themes: criminalising ambition, accusations of dishonesty and criminality, personal attacks on morality and impropriety and the invocation of God. From October of that year attacks on Mujuru come thick and fast; direct, vulgar and furious.By October 16, in Bindura, venue of her penultimate rally, Mrs Mugabe said: "The person leading factions is the same person who accuses me of being involved in diamond deals, yet it is them that own a diamond mine. That person also moves around saying I want to acquire money using unscrupulous means when it is known that I started my businesses from scratch."It is that same person who goes around demanding 10 percent shareholding in companies. If you go to any company now, the name of that person is mentioned. You lead factions, you extort companies and you are involved in illicit diamond deals, so you cannot say you are not corrupt." She did not name any names  but did it matter? She revealed that she had encouraged Mugabe to "baby-dump" Mujuru. On the last leg of Meet the People Tour, Grace finished off Mujuru."We have said the moment of truth will come," she declared. "When the truth has been told and people zero in on you, it's your problem because it's you who started it." On October 24, she openly challenged Mujuru to resign saying, "I am giving free advice to my friend here that being fired from work is not good. She must resign . . . The final push is coming and she will be openly told that, 'You have failed; go and rest!' Isn't it that you have a farm? Go and grow tobacco because there are those who have enough craving for it and you must have time to look after your grandchildren."On October 31, Joice Mujuru's key ally, Jabulani Sibanda, was kicked out as the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association after he was accused of conspiring with Americans.In a fortnight, Mujuru's other allies such as Rugare Gumbo, the party spokesperson and Ray Kaukonde, were ousted. In the following days, Mujuru was barred by the Mashonaland Central Provincial Elections Directorate from nomination into the Central Committee. This meant that she would not be eligible for a position in the Politburo  and possible appointment as Vice President. It was game over for Mujuru and her allies.The December 2014 Congress in Harare, from which Mujuru absents herself, seals her fate. She was expelled only in April the following year.Termination of Employment As Vice President IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE AMENDMENT NUMBER 20 OF 2013, SECTION 329 OF THE 6TH SCHEDULE, PARAGRAPH 14, SUB-PARAGRAPH (2), HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT R.G. MUGABE, HAS EXERCISED HIS POWERS TO RELIEVE HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC E.D. MNANGAGWA, OF HIS POSITION AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. IT HAD BECOME EVIDENT THAT HIS CONDUCT IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS DUTIES HAD BECOME INCONSISTENT WITH HIS OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS CONSISTENTLY AND PERSISTENTLY EXHIBITED TRAITS OF DISLOYALTY, DISRESPECT, DECEITFULNESS AND UNRELIABILITY. HE HAS ALSO DEMONSTRATED LITTLE PROBITY IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTIES. That is the notice that changed the course of Zimbabwe's history. Date: November 6, 2017.The deed had been done. It was a culmination of actions that were meant to push out the Vice President with Mrs Mugabe leading the hounds that drew blood from Mugabe's Number Two. Countrywide rallies  dubbed the Youth Interface rallies  had been conducted in all but one province where Mnangagwa's sins were exposed, justifying his political lynching.The tempo had increased with market desperation. Something had to give. "Did I err to appoint Mnangagwa as my deputy?" an angry Mugabe asks during a rally in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city on this November 4, 2017."If I did, tell me and I can take him down as early as tomorrow," declares the livid and all powerful Head of State and Commander In Chief of Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The Rubicon has been crossed.Mugabe is super angry. Many people have never seen him thus even in his rants against the opposition and white people. The one thing that has made him this angry is the jeering that his wife has been subjected to by a section of the crowd. Mnangagwa was accused of sponsoring the crowd. In the next couple of days, the nation is in desperate suspense.On November 6, amid swirling rumours around the impending dismissal of Mnangagwa, he reportedly tries to tender his resignation during a security briefing but his letter is turned down by Mugabe. Resignation not accepted. Just as Mugabe did not allow Joice Mujuru to step down when it became clear that her time was up.Mugabe wants to exact maximum humiliation and damage on his victim. It is Mugabe himself that must deliver the blow and there is a media frenzy around a scheduled press conference to be addressed by Mugabe at State House at two o'clock.The nation is in tenterhooks as it waits for the Final Hour. Journalists flock to the State House  the colonial white building under a red tile roof, Number 1 Chancellor Avenue, Borrowdale  but the journalists are turned away by mean looking security personnel.There are also rumours that war veterans, key supporters of Mnangagwa, are to have their press conference at three while at six Mnangagwa will hold his own  all in robust response to any actions that may be taken by Mugabe and in light of the growing tensions within the ruling party.Two o'clock passes, as does Three. It is expected that Mnangagwa will make a statement at six, but a key member in his office refutes the report as part of the wave of fake news that have flooded the cyberspace. But at Five o'clock, cometh the hour. Information Minister and Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo reads the notice. He refuses to take questions afterwards."I shall return to Zimbabwe to lead you"The firing of Mnangagwa set off a train of events that would change the course of the country, birthing the "Second Republic". Mnangagwa fled the country after his sacking. He has narrated how he was tipped off by a sympathetic security detail that he would be executed that night by hanging at his house to give the impression of a suicide. He made good his escape, going through Mozambique to South Africa.On November 8, he wrote a long statement from exile in which he assured the nation of his safety and his vision once his travails were over. He said, after setting straight the record of his service to the nation and its leader: "I leave this post for now I encourage all loyal members of the party to remain in the party to register to vote as we will very soon control the levers of power in our beautiful party and country."Let not your hearts be troubled for peace, love, unity, development and prosperity are around the corner. I will be communicating with you soon and shall return to Zimbabwe to lead you."On the night of November 14, Operation Restore Legacy  the intervention by Zimbabwe Defence Forces to arrest the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe following the political impasse that threatened national security -- was initiated with Major-General SB Moyo making the now famous appearance on the national broadcaster, ZBC TV. He announced that ". . . the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, R G Mugabe and his family, are safe... We are only targeting criminals around him."Zimbabwe had turned a corner, making a world famous transition for which the world could not find the right words to describe. On November 18, Zimbabweans from all walks of life in Harare, other cities and other diaspora pockets - including South Africa - marched in solidarity with the army for conducting Operation Restore Legacy.The following day Zanu-PF set in motion the recall of Mugabe from leadership of the country and the party and paved way for the return of Mnangagwa.An impeachment process  involving Zanu-PF and opposition MDC  was started in Parliament. On the afternoon of November 21, as Parliament sat to impeach him, Mugabe resigned  ending his 37-year rule since Independence from Britain in 1980.The following day, November 22, Mnangagwa triumphantly returned to Zimbabwe. He was sworn in as Zimbabwe's Second Executive President on November 24.The writer believes Zimbabwe's current generation would do well to document their history as it unfolds.Opinion / Columnist

Final Submissions

The attack of a defenseless prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke by Hon. Temba Mliswa for allegedly impregnating his wife (while in prison) is not only illegal/unethical but foolish/evil. Temba has proved himself to be talkative and an unlearned person. I want to thank God that Temba is not my MP. The people of Norton should consider calling Temba to order or recall him from parliament. Temba should think before opening his mouth. It is an embarrassment for a qualified MP to fight against innocent and defenseless citizens, for Temba to fight against a prisoner who is not even in parliament is unparliamentary'.I am not a constitutional lawyer but there is no clear evidence that conjugal incentives are allowed or not allowed in the Zimbabwean prisons. The laws of the land supports conjugal rights but did not state whether the right is restricted in prisons or church gatherings or any place on earth provided the rule of privacy is observed. Even if the conjugal incentives are illegal according to the bylaws of Zimbabwe prisons, the prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke is entitled to conjugal rights as per the constitution. Is it therefore normal for a qualified MP to fight against a prisoner, instead of clearing the dust about conjugal rights of prisoners, Temba is punishing Munyaradzi Kereke to the wall.All of us should condemn Temba for extending his blows to a defenseless prisoner. There is no difference with an international boxer who snicks into a women's mental hospital and start fighting with the mental victims. In one of my previous piece, I once advised Herald Newspaper not to follow the late Morgan Tsvangirai to the grave when they continued to exposed his alleged left-side well after his death. Today, help me to send a strong signal to Temba so that he should avoid attacking the helpless, dead, prisoners or conceived babies.While addressing the netzens via his twitter account, Temba alleged that Munyaradzi Kereke was wrong when he impregnated his wife while in prison. He talked of double standards that I failed to link with the Zimbabwean law. Conjugal right is not forbidden by the Zimbabwean law provided it is done in privacy. The prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke responded by writing to the Speaker of the Parliament requesting him to take action against Temba for humiliating his family.I almost cried when I read the allegations on twitter account of Temba while attacking a defenseless prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke. If it is true that Kereke's wife is pregnant, was Temba also attacking the baby in the womb'?. Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced when Jesus leaped in the womb of His mother. In our traditional culture, when a woman gets pregnant (illegally or legally) we rejoice. I was expecting Temba to do the same but he decided to show his evil side. Temba should know that, by attacking Munyaradzi Kereke for impregnating his wife, he had not only attacked God the Creator but also the unborn baby, Kereke's wife, relatives and even his ancestors.When the unborn baby alleged to be of prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke leaped in his/her mother's womb evil people did not rejoice, they wanted his father to be punished.Temba should provide V11s on his allegations, does it mean that it is only Munyaradzi Kereke (in all Zimbabwe's prisons) who is enjoying conjugal services? I am confident that one Prophet is alleged to be receiving the same services while in prison and one of his wives was reported to be pregnant but Temba never said anything in support or against. Today, the prisoner Munyaradzi Kereke's wife is alleged to be pregnant Temba has confidence to denounce a process (conjugal right) that is legal to every Zimbabwean.I wrote a lot of pieces against Munyaradzi Kereke-Gono PhD scandal but have decided to come to his rescue today because of this evil attack on the defenseless. I want to warn Lacoste and G40 members not to take their beef to the prisons or graves. What Herald newspaper did by following the late Tsvangirai to the grave should stop. Who is a problem between a prisoner Kereke and Queen Bee/fuel/cooking oil/Lumumba-Mthuli-Mutsvangwa-40k saga? Instead of coming up with economic strategies, Temba is attacking a defenseless prisoner. That's a shame.I am now urging the Speaker of Parliament to take this matter seriously. Temba did the unethical thing by attacking the unborn baby' (if it is true) that even if it was Judas Iscariot, he could have rejoiced. Mr. Speaker Sir, conjugal right is legal in Zimbabwe provided there is privacy irrespective of locations or situations. Mr. Speaker Sir, this is the first case in the history of Zimbabwe/World for a seating MP to attack a defenseless prisoner. Mr. Speaker Sir how can Hon. Temba attack a prisoner who is incapacitated to come to the parliament and defends himself?. Apart from public apology, Temba should be heavily punished and I will be following closely on this matter.Mr. Speaker sir, parliament should pass a bill that will enable the space/infrastructure conducive for conjugal rights to be availed in prisons. If Zimbabwe is not willing to do this, then legalize homosexuality in prisons which I know that the act is prevalent in prisons though illegal according to the law of Zimbabwe. Munyaradzi Kereke is in prison today, tomorrow it might be you or Temba Mliswa. So we should make things right because we are all possible candidates for prisons.Don Chigumba is a mixed methods research specialist, can be found on twitter @DonchigumbaOpinion / Columnist

Walter Nyabadza is a Zimbabwean lawyer and legal advisor for the National Reclamation Assembly. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on 0771 725 704 or nyabadzawalter@yahoo.com

The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe, led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, is yet to deliver full judgment in Advocate Nelson Chamisa's elections petition,it has emerged. This comes almost three (3) months after the apex court heard the matter in front of millions of Zimbabweans locally and abroad.When asked to comment on the Constitutional Court proceedings, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) responded, through its Africa Programme Director Arnold Tsunga, "We are aware that the African Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) issued an exit statement that focused on procedural aspects of the case and not the substance of the outcome.The fact that the case was held in open court and parties to the dispute given equal time to present their cases and that the decision was handed in open court and within the timelines provided for by the law is the reason why the AJJF possibly came out that way on exit.However since the court did not hand the full judgment with reasons it is better to wait for the full judgment and reasons for such judgment before we comment on substantive aspects of the judgment. At this stage we were surprised by the order of costs against the litigant as that is not normally done in matters where the application is not frivolous and involves a significant public interest issues as this one did."In Zimbabwe, the Courts can go for several months, if not years, without handing full judgment in a case. It still remains to be seen how long it will take Zimbabwe's apex Court to deliver full judgment with reasons in this much publicised electoral challenge.Opinion / Columnist

Debt problem



Budget deficit/ critical sectors

Agriculture Policy



Confidence

Institutional reforms

Foreign Policy

Re-engagement plan

Widen the tax base

Political Dialogue

Policy roundtable

Cutting Expenditure

IMF monitoring & Staff program

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as an academic . ( Doctor of Philosophy -@ Women University of Africa) . He can be contacted at tinamuzala@gmail.com

First and foremost, Zim is poised with toxic politics. We must deal with our politics first before we table economic matters. , it is important to admit that we have a crisis so that whoever comes on board to assist will have a clear picture of our situation. Such prolonged resistance will put us in trouble on how to deal with our problem. Let's assume Zimbabwe is a project and how best can we handle the effectiveness of the project. To me the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra is typically good but I think the most ideal issue on board is , let's admit that we have a crisis then call for resolutions to deal with the crisis. What culminated to the current situation? We have corruption at hand, we have liquidity crunch, we have debts to deal with, we have a national budget before hand, we have creditors to deal with, hence forth we have no money and this is the honest truth we have as a nation. So I think we must deal with our issues collectively and put our heads together. For now propaganda is not ideal for our situation, hate speech, misrepresentation of facts should be done away with, reality speaks at the moment. Our country is slowly sliding into political and economic oblong. We have a lion to deal with. Here is a beast before us, we have a crisis and we cannot continue folding our hands and say all is well when in actual fact poverty is striking the whole nation. This article will deal with areas that can save our nation from total collapse.We have a huge debt hanging on our foreheads. We have about 13 billion both domestic and local debt. To solve this, it is critical for the executive to admit that we cannot clear the debt, then join the debt relief strategy for those countries which can't afford to deal with their debts. I think it would also be good for us a nation to receive a factual report on how we arrived on such figures. What led to such figures? The appetite for expenditure need to be dealt with. Even the international community may ask pertinent questions over such figures! Alas let me leave it there.We have a huge budget deficit which can amount to over 1 billion. Our core problem which exists is our expenditure. Redirection of expenditure is critical. What is our priority as a nation? We had a previous budget of over 1.6 billion. What happened to arrears which led to such huge deficit? It means funds were diverted to wrong use. If funds were channeled towards critical sectors of the economy (Development) then we would be having surplus budget. We have shortage of drugs, we have problems in the industry, tourism sector is underfunded, and mining sector is in problems. First and foremost let's come up with a proper development agenda which addresses the budget question. It's pointless to come up with an annual budget which can never be implemented or its pointless to read a budget in the August house where there are no funds. The honest truth is coffers and dry and we have adequacy of resources. For me our focal point should be let's deal with expenditure problem, appetite for looting, corruption and the little we have let's divert it towards redirection of expenditure towards critical sectors of the economy.In the past Agric used to contribute at least 60% towards the GDP of our country. Let's have one man one farm policy. Let's separate politics and Development. No time for free handouts. What the Government should do is to come up with a proper policy that address the issue of empowerment. Let's share the national cake equal. Instead of giving free handouts, empower them, what is the Government going to get? What is the farmer going to get? Set aside farms for commercialization, set aside farms for resettlement. What is our target? We cannot have a surplus of maize and have shortage of wheat? Let's balance our crop rotation schemes. Who is doing this and that? This idea of handouts has destroyed our nation. It opens doors for looting and corruption. Let's empower citizens. Everyone must get down to business and work. Policy makers and technocrats must work round the clock to produce quality documents for proper implementation.The honest truth there is no confidence on the ground. The role of the market is to shape the political and economic landscape of any given country. Once the market shrink then we are in trouble, no matter how much political muscles we have it will be difficult to deal with the problem. What led to this? This is what the President should be looking at? There is lack of confidence. People are afraid to put their money in banks, there is no trust. People can't trust the system. So what the minister of Finance need to do is come up with consultation with policy makers, students, activists, politicians, business community, traders and academics and hear what they want. It's not ideal to impose policies without proper and wider consultation and this will backfire.The Executive has a huge task. We have the judiciary, executive and Parliament. These three arms of the state need proper reforms and adjustments in terms of expenditure. Labour laws should be introduced, and these laws must address the issue of the investor and investments. Before someone pours money into our economy here is some few questions the individual may ask: is my money safe? What are the laws at hand? Are there proper laws to protect my investments? Any guarantee of protection of assets and properties? The introduction of 2 % tax threshold was okay but what the minister should have done, he should gone through Parliament. Imagine one wakes up and introduce such a law without warning hazards? There is need for due diligence before applying such laws. Muthuli Ncube has good ideas, vibrant quite well but he needs wider consultation. Our economy is not bookish but you must read the mood on the ground. It is imperative. Our economic is socio- political, there is need for proper handling of such decisions.We must come up with a proper foreign policy. What type of investors do we want? Have we done our research? Where is this investor coming from? Did the Government do enough research? Any legal and economic implications? What is Zimbabwe going to get? Are we not mortgaging our country to dubious investors? What are the current market trends before we make any resolutions or mega signing? Once a signature is put into place it will be difficult to erase it. That would require legal implications. So what exactly am I saying? Let's come up with proper legal and economic framework that addresses economic obligations for our country to benefit economically.There is more to it than talking. Talking and implementation are two separate issues. International Community is interested in implementation of resolutions. Zimbabwe is one of the countries with best economic documents, but where are they? Where is STEM? Where is ESAP? Where is JUICE? Where is SMART? Where is BUILD? We are not doing our part. Zim Government must walk the talk. We must address the fundamentals as a matter of urgency. Let's cut the expenditure, let's deal with the problem of appetite for looting, corruption. We must eat what we kill then international community will come in with resources. Let's respect the laws of the land. Let's address the human rights issues. Moving around with a begging bowl is not enough, let's implement what we write.I have issues with the current 2% tax threshold. What led to this kind of taxation? What is the Government's target? What is their priority? The events leading to the 2% tax threshold remains a mystery. This is what instill fear and leads to confidence issues. First and foremost citizens needs to know why such taxation laws are introduced. In other words there is need for wider consultation and make people understand why you are taxing them. On the same note, 97% of our economy is informal trading. So how then do you surpass the target? Are you targeting the right people? I thought the minister would introduce the informal tax law. It was going to be good. More than 4000 firms are not retaining tax to the treasury. What have you done about it as a Government? Mostly they are senior Government officials or the political elite. How many citizens are involved in tax avoidance? Tax is critical because it provides revenue base for the Government, for now it is the source of income for the current regime.we can't run away from the fact that dialogue is critical. Development begins with re-engagement, passion, humility and feel for others. What political leaders must consider is the plight of the people, do away with self and ego. They must prioritize, I think its high time Dialogue must resume. There is a vacuum which must be filled. There is need for people in the political consortium to meet and shake hands for progress sake. Economic and political agenda requires everyone on board. It's prudent to initiate such and requires commitment. Our problems are more of political than economic. What should happen next? Swallow our pride, remove our political affiliations and resolve the impasse and move on as a nation.it is important for Zimbabwe to come up with a policy round table meeting to address the inconvenience to policy matters. Policies normally scare investors away. No matter how good our policies can be or bad, the moment a policy is announced it scares everyone. So it would be ideal if a policy comes from the grassroots, and this will eradicate the mentality of fear and restore confidence. Policy makers can deal with conflicting statements regarding inconsistency on policy matters. Whilst it is important for policy makers to contribute towards development it is also vital for the Government to consider the voice of policy makers and implement recommendations for enhancing development and economic growth.Do away with issue of deputy Ministers. No need for deputy Ministers. The Minister can deal directly with principal directors and perm secs. Our size of Parliament is still big. No need. We need at least 100mps if not less. We don't need a senate for what? Instead in the past ministers used to receive 3 cars, I would suggest that ministers must get at least one vehicle. Local industry should be promoted. Government should purchase vehicles from local firms to promote local talent. The huge civil service bill is not necessary. It's chewing a big chunk of our resources, instead Government can retire most personnel either in uniformed forces and education sector to cut costs. Reduce travel costs by making use of embassies abroad if there are foreign assignments. Travel allowances should be cut by 50%.We need that program urgently. To be more practical, IMF and World Bank will not lend us money until proper reforms are implemented. So we need to correct the appetite for expenditure by bringing IMF staff monitoring program on board. Zambia is doing well on this one. Let's send some guys to Zambia and see how they have done it. We still have a long way to go. Funding is not going to be imminent. We need proper reforms in the financial sector. Zimra needs proper reforms. There is too much rot in the system. We need technology to detect leakages on our borders. We need revenue as a nation. We need explanations on were parallel markets created by semi political gods and cahoots.To be continued...Oil pipes in an oil field

Only two months ago, analysts and energy traders were talking about oil reaching triple figures before the end of 2018. There was every sign that with U.S. sanctions against Iran being reinstated, Venezuelas deteriorating oil output, growing bottlenecks in the U.S. oil patch, and stronger-than-expected demand growth that crude would surge to US$100 per barrel.

Nonetheless, the emerging consensus among analysts is that oil will decline sharply in 2019. This supports earlier claims by the Russian Finance Ministry and Citibank commodities analyst Ed Morse that oil prices will collapse in 2019. While the outlook for crude does appear more bearish than it did two months ago, it may not be as bleak some pundits believe.

Why did oil pull back sharply?

A key reason for the latest pullback is that the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports may not be as severe as initially believed. Many pundits were originally predicting that once sanctions came back into force earlier this month that it would clip around one million barrels daily off global oil supplies, but that appears increasingly unlikely.

You see, the U.S. has elected to grant waivers to eight nations, allowing them to continue importing Iran crude, including China and India, which are two of Teherans largest customers. The growing consensus among analysts is that the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran at worst will only shave around 600,000 barrels daily off global supply.

U.S. oil production is also expanding at a rapid clip. For August 2018, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed that oil output expanded by an unexpected 416,000 barrels compared to a month earlier to reach a record 11.3 million barrels daily. There are signs that as transportation and other bottlenecks in the Permian Basin ease, U.S. oil production will keep expanding at a solid rate.

OPEC also continues to grow supply, despite deteriorating output from Venezuela and ongoing production outages in Libya. For the third quarter 2018, OPEC data shows that the cartel produced 32.6 million barrels daily, which was 1.1% greater than the previous quarter. September 2018 production volumes swelled by 0.5% month over month to 32.8 million barrels daily.

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Even after the application of sanctions against Iran, OPEC can continue to grow production. Analysts estimate that Saudi Arabia has around 1.2 million barrels daily of spare capacity, giving it considerable flexibility to dial up production as required to keep oil prices lower. A non-OPEC member and key party to the oil production cap deal, Russia can add up to an additional 500,000 barrels daily to global supply, according to energy analysts.

Refinery maintenance season and reduced winter demand for crude is also weighing on prices, but when this cycle ends, demand for oil could spike significantly, pushing Brent to over US$80 a barrel over the short term. This will likely only be for a brief period because global economic growth, weighed down by Trumps trade policies, is expected to slow during 2019, causing demand for crude to wane.

What does it all mean?

It is likely that unless there is a major geopolitical or economic event that significantly reduces supply or lifts demand that oil will remain range bound for the foreseeable future. This means that the international benchmark Brent will trade in the US$70-80-a-barrel band, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) will average around US$10 a barrel less, because analysts believe that the differential between the two benchmarks will remain in play for the foreseeable future.

Even if WTI remains range bound between US$60 and US$70 a barrel, it wont crimp U.S. production growth. Many shale plays have breakeven prices of US$50 a barrel or less, and many light tight oil producers, like Baytex Energy (TSX:BTE)(NYSE:BTE), are free cash flow positive with WTI at US$60 a barrel. The largest proportion of Baytexs oil production comes from the Eagle Ford shale, and it anticipates funding its 2019 exploration and development program from operating cash flow.

If the wide differential between Brent and WTI remains in play, it makes Canadian drillers operating internationally, like Gran Tierra (TSX:GTE)(NYSE:GTE), attractive investments. This is because the differential gives them a handy financial advantage over their North American peers and sees drillers like Gran Tierra reporting an impressive operating netback in excess of US$45 a barrel.

More reading

Fool contributor Matt Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned.Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall didnt forget to pack their dancing shoes when they headed out on an eight-day royal tour of West Africa! While attending a state banquet at Ghanas Jubilee House on Monday (Nov. 5), the British royals joined President Nana Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo to stretch their legs  and show off some moves!  on the dance floor.

Charles and Camilla attended a state banquet with the president and first lady of Ghana. Photo:  Chris Jackson/Getty Images

MORE: Prince Charles and Camillas best tour moments in West Africa

Showing off his natural charm and charisma, Charles took hold of the first ladys hands and swayed on the dance floor, while Camilla and the president did their own jive next to them. The fun-loving royal couple looked to be having the time of their lives after a busy day on the second leg of their tour. For a state banquet, the duo certainly looked the part, too, with the nearly 70-year-old prince dusting off his finest tuxedo and his wife getting dolled up in a pastel pink gown and beautiful chandelier earrings.

 Their Royal Highnesses take to the dance floor, joining The President and the First Lady of Ghana. #RoyalVisitGhana  pic.twitter.com/XOFfmWlBEq  Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 6, 2018

Charles and Camillas sixth day of their royal tour, which found them in Accra, was a whirlwind! Before getting even more dapper for the evening, Prince Charles visited Sandbox, a local environmental conservation initiative which turns recycled plastics into beautiful works of art  including a striking portrait of the future king. Its no surprise that Prince William and Prince Harrys dad enjoyed this stop  bringing awareness to environmental issues around the world has always been a passion for him. The day before, they stopped by the city of Kumasi, where they enjoyed a durbar (a public reception) and tea with the Asantehene, the monarch of the Kingdom of Ashanti and ruler of the city. They received beautiful, colourful gifts during their visit.

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Camilla was given colourful gifts in Kumasi. Photo:  Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Sadly, it was revealed on Nov. 5 that the final stop of their West African tour would have to be cancelled due to a security threat in the city of Jos, Nigeria, according to the Telegraph. On the advice of the British government, a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the decision was made upon the advice from the Nigerian government and others involved in security and operational aspects of the visit. But rest assured, Prince Charles will still make the same events happen, only in the city of Abuja instead. There, hell learn about their rural lives of local people and attend a service, as well as contribute to an hour-long discussion on peace-building and conflict resolution.CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the army will come to the defense of Gulf Arabs if they face any direct threats, a pro-government newspaper said on Tuesday. Youm7 newspaper also quoted Sisi as saying in response to a question on U.S. sanctions on Iran: "Instability affects us all and any state that has instability affects all of us." Sisi's Egypt is aligned with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, joining their boycott of Qatar last year and opposing Iran's regional influence. "Our Arab peoples must remain aware and have true consciousness of what the region is going through," Youm7 quoted Sisi as saying at a youth forum in the Red Sea city of Sharm al-Sheikh. "We stand by our brothers in the Gulf wholeheartedly and if Gulf security is directly threatened by anyone, the Egyptian people, even before their leadership, will not accept that and will mobilize forces to protect their brethren." Sisi also said Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait "need to be together more and their peoples should support the security and stability of their countries," state news agency MENA reported. The five countries are among eight Arab nations involved in joint military exercises that began in Egypt on Saturday in a move that could evolve into a regional pact to counter Irans influence. Answering a question on the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Sisi said Saudi Arabia was "bigger than someone shaking its stability," according to MENA. "We must all wait for the investigations into the case because the media has not had a positive role and we must trust the wisdom and bravery of King Salman," he added. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Saudi officials initially insisted Khashoggi had left the consulate, then said he died in an unplanned "rogue operation". The kingdoms public prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb later said he was killed in a premeditated attack. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Sami Aboudi and Yousef Saba; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Aidan Lewis)So, that's a "No" RSVP from Facebook.

Facebook has declined the UK and Canadian lawmakers' invitation to Mark Zuckerberg to testify before a joint international committee.

In October, UK and Canadian officials banded together to investigate political manipulation online. They invited Mark Zuckerberg to testify, particularly on Cambridge Analytica.

SEE ALSO: Why Mark Zuckerberg's response to the Cambridge Analytica controversy is a big deal

Zuckerberg has already testified before a European Union hearing, and other Facebook officials have been deployed to the UK, which Facebook notes in its letter to the leading MPs behind the commission. Facebook is now saying that  though it will continue to work with lawmakers around the world  those appearances were sufficient.

"As your letter states, it is not possible for Mr. Zuckerberg to be available to all Parliaments," the letter from Facebook reads. "While he is unable to accept your invitation we continue to fully recognize the seriousness of these issues and remain committed to working with you to provide any additional relevant information you require for your respective inquiries."

The UK and Canadian officials reportedly termed the body an "international grand committee." UK MP Damian Collins told the Associated Press that Ireland, Argentina, and Australia had also signed on. But hopes of creating digital United Nations of sorts, to which Facebook was beholden, seem to have stuttered.

"Five parliaments are now calling on you to do the right thing by the 170 million users in the countries they represent, Collins told the AP.

That's a call that Facebook is apparently not picking up.The US Capitol Building is seen at dusk in Washington, DC, February 6, 2018. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Theres tension brewing between shareholders and public companies, thanks to legislation passed by the House of Representatives in late 2017.

Veteran analyst Mike Mayo of Wells Fargo Securities, who has covered the banking industry for decades, thinks the bill  the Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act  would put shareholders at a disadvantage, and hes particularly worried about its implications for the banking sector.

This is a civil war of capitalism thats playing out behind the scenes, Mayo told Yahoo Finance.

Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) proposed the bill roughly one year ago. The legislation aims to reduce red tape and bureaucracy in corporate governance, as proxy firms can stand in the way of various corporate decisions, such as CEO pay.

The legislation requires proxy firms, such as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and share research with companies they write about before distributing it to shareholders. The Senate has yet to vote on the legislation, but the House passed the bill with 238 members voting yes and 182 voting no.

For example, if a public company is holding a shareholder vote on its CEO compensation, ISS may conduct research and issue a recommendation for shareholders on how to vote. Under the proposed legislation, ISS must allow the company in question to look over this research.

Mayo worries that this part of the legislation will diminish power wielded by shareholders.

Lorraine Kelly, head of governance solutions at ISS, is concerned about the extra steps the proposed legislation creates for the firms roughly 500-person research team.

The worst thing is that this [new rule causes] delays to the point where the research is no longer helpful to clients or that we feel pressure to include information within that report, she told Yahoo Finance. Right now we have a very clear framework around our policies and procedures in our research.

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Kelly acknowledged that some of the mechanics of the legislation remain unclear, such as how long a company would have to review ISS research materials (or research materials from other proxy firms) before its distributed to shareholders.

ISS and the Council of Institutional Investors, an advocacy group for pension funds, went so far as launching a website on Oct. 2, ProtectShareholders.org to raise awareness about the legislation. Once visitors submit their contact information, the site sends a message to their Senator urging him or her to vote down this legislation. ISS declined to release the number of people who have submitted their information on the site.

Companies vs. shareholders

The legislation could fuel the divide between corporate management and their shareholders on big ticket proxy items such as CEO pay or whether a companys CEO and chairperson role should be separate.

Mayo is putting the legislation up against specific companies, such as Citigroup (C), which he covers as an analyst, to gauge its impact.

Would [the legislation] have made Citi better over last 20 years and over the next 20 years? I would challenge anybody in the world on whether this would make Citigroup a better company, he added.

Mayo said Citigroup CEOs have earned $400 million over the past 20 years despite a stock price that has plummeted 70%.

As a banking analyst who recommends Citi stock, I want whats best for Citi shareholders, he said. This proposal would not be good for Citi shareholders.

Mayo said Citigroup is a microcosm of the need for shareholders to hold management accountable.

Mayo also worries what kind of precedent this legislation sets, even for his industry.

If certain types of of analysts must show their research to companies before publication, its possible that other analysts, like me, who publish on corporate governance issues would eventually be required to do so too, he said.

Scott Gamm is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ScottGamm.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and reddit.

More from Scott:

How the S&P 500 could roar to 3,000 by years end

This midterm election outcome could derail Trumps corporate tax cuts

How to trade the midterm electionsSaskatchewan's marijuana business continues to be an uphill struggle for its retailers nearly three weeks after legalization.

Only five stores are currently open in the province. SLGA has issued permits to just nine of the 51 winners of the provincial lottery that decided who could open a recreational pot shop.

David Morris with SLGA said there are a lot of pieces to getting that permit approved and that some are getting close.

"It's a big undertaking, there's work that a lot businesses have to do on their own, including getting municipal zoning approval and meeting any sort of requirements that municipalities may have. They also need to work on construction, securing the business, plus the SLGA permitting requirements," Morris said.

Supply chain problems causing store closures, high prices

Two stores with permits  Living Skies in Saskatoon and SpiritLeaf in Moose Jaw  have yet to open their doors. But two others  Jimmy's Cannabis in Martensville and New Leaf Emporium in Moose Jaw  have had to close up shop because supply is hard to come by.

Next time we open, we'd like it to be open for a longer time or permanently. - John Thomas, co-owner of Jimmy's Cannabis

"Some producers were able to fulfil their orders, others it was in greatly reduced qualities, and then others completely backed out of their commitments," said John Thomas, co-owner of Jimmy's Cannabis.

Valli Kuzub, co-owner of Lush Leaf Cannabis in Esterhazy, said it will be hard to bring prices down until there is more supply.

"I think the majority of people are expecting to see that we're able to carry product that would be comparable to the black market prices," she said. "There's always going to be someone that tries to sell it for lower. Our main concern is making sure it's high quality while still getting as low of a price range as we can."

It remains to be seen how legalization will impact the black market in Saskatchewan.

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Tim Cullen, CEO of the Colorado Harvest Company, said Colorado's black market has taken a hit since legalization.

"The gold standard forever for cannabis was seven grams for $100 [US]. Since legalization happened [in 2014], that price has been cut in half," he said. "You have larger scale production, you have economies of scale. Legalizing it took a lot of the fear out of it as well and that lowered the price too."

Cullen said you can now get the same seven grams of marijuana in Colorado for $50 US or less.

In Saskatchewan, SLGA is the regulator of cannabis, but distribution and wholesaling is left to the private sector. As a result, SLGA doesn't have supply agreements with licensed producers. It's up to retailers to arrange their own sales. There's no set minimum or maximum price for marijuana.

To-date, there is one cannabis wholesaler licensed by SLGA and there are 20 federally licensed producers who are registered by SLGA to sell product to retailers and wholesalers. Morris said there are applications ongoing for more potential producers in Saskatchewan, but couldn't confirm how many. He said there is no limit on how many producers or wholesalers could exist in Saskatchewan.

Next to no Saskatchewan online presence

By law, cannabis retailers in Saskatchewan can only operate an online store if they already have an operational storefront in place. The second hurdle is having enough supply to support it.

Eden, in the RM of Edenwold, is the only Saskatchewan store actually selling cannabis online. Every other retailer has an online presence. Some sell T-shirts or paraphernalia, but no plants.

Thomas said they've had their online store ready since Oct. 17, but they don't have enough supply to keep both stores open, let alone reliably offer any product online.

"I think what we have to see is that the producers are actually delivering what they say they're going to deliver. Because we'd feel more confident opening the store if we were confident that more supply is arriving next week and the supply that we're being promised is actually going to show up in the future.

"Next time we open, we'd like it to be open for a longer time or permanently."

Thomas said Jimmy's Cannabis is expecting their Estevan SLGA permit shortly, but again, need supply. Their Moosomin store is targeted to open in December and he's hoping supply issues will be worked out by then.

Kuzub said Lush Leaf's online store is ready to go and should be ready by the end of the week. While they do worry a bit about supply, their bigger issue is location and shipping methods. In Saskatchewan, age verification is required at the time of delivery.

"A lot of the other provinces that are government-run, they were able to start that a lot sooner. But for us with Canada Post, we weren't able to ship through them. So we're in the process of setting that up," Kuzub said, adding other shipping companies, like FedEx, don't have depots in Esterhazy.

Kuzub said Lush Leaf was told things with Canada Post would be in place in time for legalization, but that didn't happen. The company is currently in the process of setting up an account so they will be able to offer the same delivery services as other provinces.

Not many charges for police

Meg Roberts/CBC

RCMP have arrested a few people for trafficking, but otherwise did not have much to report around enforcement.

Saskatoon police say they laid six charges related to marijuana during the first two weeks of legalization, including possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, minor possession, consuming cannabis in a public place and possession, consumption or distribution in a vehicle.

Regina police chief Evan Bray said officers have seen a lot of consumption in public and are choosing to use it as a chance to education people instead of enforcement and punishment.

"I actually had a personal encounter with an individual the other day, it was a very positive one. The individual actually had a medical purpose for consumption and was able to the show the documentation of that," he said.

With files from Stephanie Taylor.P.E.I. teen tobacco use on the rise, according to Statistics Canada survey

P.E.I. has the lowest smoking rate in Canada, but is struggling to keep tobacco out of the hands of young people, according to the latest tobacco, alcohol and drugs survey from Statistics Canada.

The survey was done in 2017.

The survey found 11.8 per cent of Islanders were current smokers, as compared to a national average of 15.1 per cent. But among 15- to 19-year-olds the rate for Islanders was 15.8 per cent, double the national rate of 7.9 per cent, and up four percentage points since 2013.

Among the provinces only Saskatchewan had a higher rate among teens, at 21.9 per cent.

"Teenage smoking can be very sensitive and can change quite quickly, so an increase in teen smoking has to be of concern to us," said Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society.

"There's a lot that P.E.I. can do that has not yet been done."

Cunningham made a number of suggestions:

Raise tax rates to be equal to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Ban smoking on patios.

Increase purchase age to 21 from 19.

Reduce the number of locations where tobacco is sold.

Cunningham said price is a major disincentive for smokers, and the taxes per carton on P.E.I. are $2 lower than in New Brunswick and $6 lower than in Nova Scotia.

Statistics Canada cautioned some of the results come with a relatively large margin of error. The margin of error for Canada are 1.5 percentage points. The error varies province by province. For Prince Edward Island it was 3.6 percentage points for the whole population and 6.6 percentage points for youth.

The survey reached a total of 16,349 Canadians, and 5,072 youth. On P.E.I., it reached 1,080 people including 330 youth.

At publication time, the P.E.I. Department of Health had not responded to a request for reaction.

More P.E.I. news

With files from Laura ChapinA popular vaccine commonly used by travellers for protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B isn't available in most pharmacies in Nova Scotia right now.

GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures Twinrix, hasn't been able to supply the vaccine since Sept. 14.

"That's the date when the manufacturer was no longer able to ship. However, some pharmacies may have had inventory after that time [depending] how much they had in stock, but right now when they place their order, they are unable to get any more," said Lisa Woodill of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nova Scotia.

GlaxoSmithKline attributes "a disruption in the manufacturing process" for the shortage.

"That could mean anything, from not able to source one of the ingredients that's required, to something to do with the equipment  we don't know any further details," Woodill said.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

In an email to CBC News, the company did not pinpoint the cause of the disruption, only saying "Twinrix is in short supply due to a suspension from the vaccine manufacturing site.

"In the meantime, GSK is committed to addressing requests for medical needs. GSK is working diligently to minimize any supply impact to patients and to return to normal supply volumes as soon as possible."

Hepatitis A is an extremely contagious liver disease spread through direct contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B is a liver infection commonly spread through contact with blood, open sores or body fluids of someone who has the virus.

There's been no word from GlaxoSmithKline on when Twinrix will be available again.

It has posted some information about the shortage to a website called Drug Shortages Canada. Health Canada requires pharmaceutical companies to use the website for public notifications of anticipated and actual drug shortages, as well as discontinuations.

Few options

"It is a real challenge. There is no other vaccine," said Woodill, a pharmacist who also serves a Halifax-area travel clinic.

Story continues

The only other options would be to change your trip to another area where the risk of contracting hepatitis A or B isn't as much of a consideration, or take strict food and water precautions if you decide to travel without the vaccination, she said.

She said there has been a general shortage of vaccines for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B this fall, outside of the Twinrix supply disruption.

Read more articles at CBC Nova ScotiaBy Tulay Karadeniz and Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey gave a guarded welcome on Wednesday to a U.S. decision to offer millions of dollars to help capture three top Kurdish PKK militants but said Washington must also break its alliance with Kurdish militias in northern Syria. Washington pledged up to $5 million for information which could lead to the arrest of PKK military commander Murat Karayilan, and lesser rewards for two other leaders of the group which has waged an insurgency against Turkey for 34 years. The surprise move followed a series of steps in the last month which have eased a diplomatic crisis between the two NATO allies. However they remain deeply divided, including over U.S. support for Kurdish YPG fighters in north Syria. Turkey says the YPG is indistinguishable from the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and the European Union, and demands the United States stop support for the militia - a U.S. ally against Islamic State in Syria. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said the U.S. rewards offer was a positive but "very, very late" step, and called on Washington to adopt the same policy to the YPG as it did to the PKK. "It is not possible for us to accept putting a bounty on PKK leaders on the one hand, and sending trucks of tools, weapons and ammunition to the YPG on the other," he told state-owned Anadolu news agency. Turkey's foreign ministry also said it expected the United States to support the announcement with concrete action in Syria and Iraq "against the PKK and its extensions". Turkey has regularly launched cross-border strikes into northern Iraq, targeting what it says are PKK bases near the group's Qandil mountains stronghold. In Syria, where Turkey has conducted two military incursions into the northwest since 2016, President Tayyip Erdogan has also threatened to extend operations in northeastern border regions where YPG forces operate. He issued a "final warning" two weeks ago to anyone he said was endangering Turkey's border. THREAT TO TURKEY More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK launched its insurgency in Turkey in 1984. Turkish defense analyst Can Kasapoglu said the U.S. move suggested Washington had started to see that the presence of the Kurdish militia in Syria was a national security threat "to the extent of survival for Turkey". However, the United States would expect something in return from Turkey, he said, despite Ankara's rejection of any step that would legitimize the YPG. Washington's special representative for Syria told reporters that the United States understood Turkish concerns about links between the PKK and YPG. "We are at pains to reassure Turkey that we will do everything we can that there is ... no concrete security threat coming out of the north against Turkey," James Jeffrey said. Jeffrey said the United States was limiting "very very carefully" the weapons it was giving to the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces battling Islamic State militants. "We give them only light weapons. That's one reason why they have not been as successful recently against Daesh (Islamic State) as they have been in the past. They do not have tanks, they do not have artillery, we do not give them such heavy weapons." Strained ties between Turkey and the United States have eased slightly in the last month. The two countries lifted mutual sanctions against top officials after a Turkish court freed a U.S. evangelical pastor in October. Washington announced this week that Turkey would receive a temporary waiver from oil sanctions reimposed on Iran, and Erdogan said talks on a possible U.S. fine against state-owned Halkbank over allegations of Iran sanctions evasion were on a positive track. U.S. and Turkish troops last week began joint patrols in northern Syria's Manbij area after months of delay, and U.S. President Donald Trump and Erdogan are to meet this weekend at a summit in Paris. (Additional reporting by Angus McDowall in Beirut; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Mark Heinrich)Travelling south, Simons next stop is Israel, a country that perhaps more than any other depends on the Mediterranean for its survival. With few friends in the region, Israel has to transport most of its goods by sea. Simon joins the Israeli Navy who patrol the coast and protect the countrys offshore oil reserves using the latest military weaponry and technology, including unmanned, combat-ready drone boats.





From Israel Simon crosses one of the worlds most heavily fortified borders to reach the Gaza Strip. Palestinians and Israelis have endured a seemingly endless cycle of violence and in Gaza the result has been devastating destruction. Many building materials are restricted by an Israeli blockade on Gaza, but Simon meets an inspiring young woman who has helped reconstruction efforts by inventing an ingenious method of making bricks from ash. Its a rare ray of hope in one of the most troubled regions of the Mediterranean.Todd Johnson, founder and managing partner of The Cigar Shop, a chain of three premium cigar retail stores based in the Carolinas, was elected State Senator for the 35th district of North Carolina. Johnson, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Caroline Walker in a seat vacated by longtime North Carolina State Senator Tommy Tucker.

At press time with all 48 precincts reported (source: North Carolina State Board of Elections) Johnson had 49,503 votes (61.67%) to Walkers 30,764 votes (38.33%). The 35th district covers Union County, the county located east of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2000, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Society. From there, he joined his familys insurance business making it one of the leading businesses in the state. As President of Johnson Insurance Management, he expanded the business to eight locations. In 2010, he founded Union Cigar Company, a premium cigar retail store based in Monroe, North Carolina, where he worked to expand to three locations. The stores today are known as The Cigar Shop.

In 2010, Johnson was elected a commissioner for Union County North Carolina. In 2016, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 9th Congressional District of North Carolina. He was defeated in the Republican primary in a very tight 3 man race by incumbent Robert Pittenger where he lost by 4.4% percentage points. That race also included Mark Harris who would go on to defeat Pittenger in the 2018 primary.

Johnson is one of very few cigar industry people to be elected to a State legislative office. The most prominent is Oliva Cigar CEO Jose Oliva, who is slated to become the Speaker of the House of Representatvies for the State of Florida beginning in 2019.

As a retail owner, Johnson has been hands-on in terms of the running his retail locations. He was actively involved in several higher profile shop exclusive cigar releases including the Quesada Oktoberfest Bayern and 2012 by Oscar Barber Pole. His go-to cigar is the Fonseca Cubano Limitado.

Photo Credit: Todd Johnson for NC Senate Social MediaSingapore tops Asia in English skills after Malaysia, Philippines, India

Singapore tops in Asia with 68.43 score in English skills. Graphics courtesy: EF EPI

Singaporeans possess the highest degree of English skills in Asia, followed by people from Malaysia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and India, according to a new study.

Globally, among the non-English countries, Singapore is third after Sweden and Netherlands on "Very High" English proficiency Index that lists ten countries from Europe, besides Singapore and South Africa, according to a ranking released by EF EPI. The EF English Proficiency Index attempts to rank countries by the average level of English language skills amongst those adults who took the EF test.

Singapore ranks 3rd among 12 countries in "Very High" English proficiency band Graphics courtesy: EF EPI

"With rapid growth in trade and technology, Asian countries with strong English proficiency are thriving. Singapore, which has consistently scored in the top 10 of the EF EPI, has had a trade to GDP ratio of over 300% since 1960. Although India is better-known for offshore services, it is the Philippines, with less than 10% of Indias population, which has the larger number of call centers," it says.

The ranking for the year 2018 was released after collating results from 1.3 million people spread over 88 countries and regions who took the test on its online proficiency testing portal. The proficiency is divided in five bands: Very High, High, Moderate, Low, and Very Low.

The study has thrown up some interesting results such as societies that speak English are "more open, less hierarchical and fairer to women." But it hastens to add that English per se cannot be said cause these societal improvements.

"The correlation makes sense. English breaks down barriers, fosters international exchange, and exposes individuals to the wider world," it says.

Women are found to speak better English than men. Though last year the men did narrow the gap, this time women are again in a clear lead.

But despite that "women speak less in meetings and negotiations than men and are interrupted more when they do speak."

"Research into how boys and girls learn foreign languages has shown that female students are more motivated, use a wider variety of strategies to retain new information, and are more willing to make mistakes. Women, on the whole, are also more likely than men to finish secondary school and attend university. Unfortunately, businesses are not benefitting as much as they could from womens English skills," it points out.

Asia straddles all five proficiency bands with three countries in the upper quartile of the index and four in the bottom ten per cent. But English proficiency did not improve despite high level of investment in Asia.

"Singapore improved from an already strong base, moving into the third position in the overall ranking. China and Japan did not experience significant changes, and both remain in the Low Proficiency band. The lack of English skills in Central Asia became clearer this year with the addition of Uzbekistan to the index, which, along with Kazakhstan, falls in the Very Low Proficiency band," it notes.

Level of English proficiency vis a vis tasks that one can perform Graphics courtesy: EF EPI

India missed High Proficiency band with one notch, thus sits at 28th global position atop Moderate proficiency band. The study points to inability of a very large, but poor workforce that can not afford decent education. Multiple ethnicity speaking 22 native languages also seems to have made English compete for space in India which made a head start in global IT outsourcing business because of its clear advantage of a large English speaking population. Its perceived rival in offshore business hiring, China, still sits in Low proficiency band despite major policy initiatives by the government ahead of Beijing Olympics.

EP EFI finds a high correlation between English proficiency and ability of a country to attract, develop, and retain skilled workers. "English proficiency allows local talent to participate in global conversations and is also critical in attracting talent from abroad. A 2017 HSBC survey ranked Singapore, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands, all very high English proficiency countries, in the top five for their appeal to internationally mobile professionals. While attracting expats is not every regions priority, nurturing local talent certainly should be." it says.

Billboard in Shanghai proding the Chinese to learn English ahead of Beijing Olympics Photo: Connected to India

The eighteen countries listed in Asia are evenly divided between nine that improved and nine that did not. Singapore and Cambodia posted significant increases in their scores this year, while Bangladesh experienced a significant decrease. Only Sri Lanka and Macau SAR moved from a lower proficiency band to a higher one.

The study also claims English and innovation go hand in hand.

"More scientific journals are published in English than in any other language, and weve found consistent correlations between English and investment in R&D. This relationship is particularly interesting in light of recent research showing that companies with managers from many countries earn more of their revenue from innovation than less diverse competitors. English is changing the way that ideas flow from one place to another."

However, while EF EPI insists on numbers it is silent on the qualitative aspect of research and innovation as some of the revolutionary innovations have indeed come from countries that never use English as medium.WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Babies laugh just like monkeys, researchers report.

An analysis of recorded laughter from 44 infants, aged 3 to 18 months, revealed that the youngest babies laughed both as they inhaled and exhaled, just like nonhuman primates such as chimpanzees.

The older babies laughed mainly on the exhale, the same as older children and adults.

"Adult humans sometimes laugh on the inhale but the proportion is markedly different from that of infants' and chimps' laughs. Our results so far suggest that this is a gradual, rather than a sudden, shift," lead researcher Disa Sauter said in a Canadian Acoustical Association news release.

This shift doesn't seem to be linked to any particular developmental milestones.

The vocal control developed as people learn to speak may be why humans are the lone primates that laugh only when they exhale, Sauter said. She's a psychologist and associate professor at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Researchers are now investigating if there's a link between the amount of laughter produced on the inhale and exhale and the reasons people laugh, which also change with age. In infants, laughter is tied to physical play like tickling. In older people, laughter is triggered by physical play as well as social interactions.

"Beyond that, I'd be interested in seeing whether our findings apply to other vocalizations than laughter," Sauter said.

This research could lead to new insight about vocal production in children with developmental disorders.

"If we know what normally developing babies sound like, it could be interesting to study infants at risk to see whether there are very early signs of atypical development in their nonverbal vocalizations of emotion," Sauter explained.

The study is scheduled for presentation Wednesday at a Canadian Acoustical Association meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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New York, November 7, 2018Authorities in Tanzania should immediately release Angela Quintal, Africa program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Muthoki Mumo, CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, and return their passports, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Officers who identified themselves as working with the Tanzanian immigration authority detained Quintal and Mumo in their hotel room in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this evening, according to Quintal. The officials searched the pairs belongings and would not return their passports when asked. Quintal and Mumo were then escorted from the hotel and have been taken to an unknown location. They were in the country on a reporting mission for CPJ.

We are concerned for the safety of our colleagues Angela Quintal and Muthoki Mumo, who were detained while legally visiting Tanzania, said Joel Simon, CPJs executive director. We call on the authorities to immediately release them and return their passports.Share this: Twitter

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The fight for justice in Jamal Khashoggis murder

A protester holds a sign picturing Jamal Khashoggi at a gathering outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. (AFP/Yasin Akgul)

It took the Saudi royal family more than two weeks after Jamal Khashoggi disappeared to admit that he had been killed in the countrys consulate in Istanbul. Saudi officials said the murder was a rogue act, but, according to The New York Times, several of the men dispatched from Riyadh to kill the Washington Post correspondent were members of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans security detail.

Saudi Arabia has faced international condemnation, but in the month since Khashoggi was murdered, no progress has been made in the case

However, as CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon outlined in a post in October, there still are paths to justice in the case, starting with a methodical, systematic investigation.

Among them:

The U.N. establishes an international investigation, which could form the basis for punitive actions against Saudi Arabia, including a criminal case under the U.N. Convention against Torture.

The U.S. State Department completes a preliminary investigation into Khashoggis murder within 45 days, by November 16.

The FBI explores possibilities, including securing a request for cooperation in the investigation from Turkish officials.

Khashoggis children and The Washington Post bring civil claims in the U.S.

CPJ continues to call for Khashoggis killers, and the mastermind behind the attack, to be held to account. On November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, CPJ participated in a memorial service and discussion organized by the Justice for Jamal coalition.

Join us. Use the hashtag #JusticeForJamal to call for justice in Khashoggis murder.

CPJ joins call for Maltese prime minister to secure justice in journalists murder

CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch speaks at a vigil on the one-year anniversary of the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. (CPJ)

In mid-October, CPJ joined press freedom groups as part of a delegation to Malta to mark the one-year anniversary of the murder of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia.

What we found was that there has been no progress into who ordered Daphne Caruana Galizias murder, said CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch, who participated in the mission.

The delegation, which included Radsch and CPJs EU representative, Tom Gibson, met with a series of officials, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Minister of Justice Owen Bonnici, and Attorney General Peter Grechall of whom are responsible for ensuring that Caruana Galizias killers are brought to justice. They assured CPJ and the other groups that the investigators were allowed to pursue all leads, including high-level political and business figures. Yet, when CPJ asked the officials whom we met, as well as the journalists colleagues, not a single one of them said they had been interviewed.

The delegation urged Muscat to establish a public inquiry into whether Caruana Galizias murder could have been prevented. Although he repeatedly agreed to the delegations request, he said the government had been advised not to do so until the murder investigation had concluded. There is no deadline or timeline for the completion of the investigation.

Maltese authorities should realize that the countrys image in the international community is being tarnished, said CPJs Radsch. One of the first things they can do to begin repairing it is actively seek full justice in Caruana Galizias murder.

Following the mission, CPJ and the other groups issued a set of recommendations to Maltese authorities, including to guarantee freedom of information and ensure a safe environment for the independent media.

CPJ publishes report on chilling effect of U.S. border stops

Customs agents, pictured at a Los Angeles airport in 2017. (Reuters/Patrick T. Fallon)

Canadian journalist Ed Ou was used to traveling through authoritarian countries, so he knew that he should secure his electronics beforehand. But, he told CPJ, he was never prepared to have to do this in a liberal democracy like the U.S.

Ou said that when he was headed to the U.S. to cover the Standing Rock protests in October 2016, border agents denied him entry to the country after he refused to give them the passwords to his electronic devices. He was also told that covering a protest is not a valid reason to come into the country.

Ous case is not isolated.

Earlier this year, CPJ and Reporters Without Borders sent an open call to journalists who had been stopped at the border. We identified nearly 40 journalists who said they found secondary screenings at borders invasive. And, in a report that CPJ published earlier this month, called Nothing to declare, we found that a government agents ability to examine a journalists equipmentwithout a warrantrisks undermining press freedom. We met with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to raise our concerns last week.

Read the report here and check out the accompanying documentary.

CPJ wins 2018 Chatham House Prize

On October 8, Londons Royal Institute of International Affairs announced that CPJ had been named the winner of the 2018 Chatham House Prize.

The award is presented each year to the person or organization that Chatham House members believe had made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations the previous year. Chatham House recognized CPJ for its efforts to defend the right of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal at a time when press freedom is under pressure in many parts of the world.

CPJ will accept the award in London later this month.

CPJ 2018 awardee released from prison

Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, Vietnamese journalist and CPJs 2018 award winner, on a plane after being released from prison. (Family photo)

In October, Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh was released from prison and reunited with her family.

Quynh, also known by her penname, Me Nam or Mother Mushroom, has been behind bars since 2016. (Read more about her here.) She will now join us at CPJs 2018 International Press Freedom Awards dinner, where she will be honored for her perseverance and courage in the face of repression.

The dinner, which is scheduled to be held at the Grand Hyatt in New York, will also honor Sudanese journalist Amal Khalifa Idris Habbani, Venezuelan reporter Luz Mely Reyes, and Ukrainian broadcast journalist Anastasiya Stanko. CPJ will present the 2018 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award to Philippine journalist Maria Ressa.

For more information on tables and sponsorship, contact Buckley Hall Events at (914) 579-1000 or CPJdinner@buckleyhallevents.com.

AT&T donates $250,000 to CPJ

In late October, AT&T announced that it was making a $250,000 gift to CPJ in light of numerous recent events around the world where journalists have been threatened, harmed, and even killed.

AT&Ts unsolicited and unrestricted support comes at a time when press freedom is under siege globally. Since the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month, CPJ has helped lead the call for an international investigation into his murder, and has also urged the U.S. State Department to conduct an expedited inquiry.

Journalists serve as an indispensable check on power, AT&T CEO and Chairman Randall Stephenson said. They do the hard and often unpopular work of shining a light on issues that matter, so that people are better equipped to make decisions for themselves.

CPJ joins the board of the Press Club Brussels

(Courtesy Press Club Brussels Europe)

In late October, CPJ joined the board of the Press Club Brussels Europe, following an invitation by the clubs executive director, Laurent Brihay.

CPJs EU representative, Tom Gibson, who is based in Brussels, spoke to the clubs general assembly and provided an overview of CPJs work, history, and activities. We are greatly looking forward to our advisory role within the Press Club Brussels to support its ongoing projects and to continue our engagement with the journalist community in Brussels, Gibson said.

The Press Club Brussels, which presides over the International Association of Press Clubs in 2018 and 2019, provides a place for journalists and press clubs to interact with European embassies and representations, including in press conferences, public debates, and other events. It also promotes partnerships with other press clubs around the world.

Must-reads

In CPJs annual Impunity Index, published this month, we found that in 85 percent of journalist murders, the killers are never held to account. This emboldens those who seek to censor and control the media through violence. Read CPJs 2018 Impunity Index here.

In a statement following the killing of Viktoria Marinova, presenter of a Bulgarian TV channel, CPJ called on authorities to conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation into her death. At least two investigative journalists have been killed in EU member states in connection with their work in the past 14 months.

In October, CPJ published a news alert describing how staff at the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta were sent a funeral wreath, a severed goats head, and threatening notes. The paper, one of the last independent news outlets in Russia, is critical of President Vladimir Putin and his government.

CPJ in the news

Istanbul has felt like home for Arab exiles. Khashoggis killing has them scared, The Washington Post

Turkey should seek UN inquiry on Khashoggi, Bianet

The disappearance of a Saudi critic signals a broader danger for journalists, The Atlantic

Turkey slams Saudi Arabia for Jamal Khashoggis death despite its own dismal record on press freedom, CNBC

Erdogan cannot claim moral high ground over Khashoggi, say critics, The Guardian

CPJ: Impunity in journalists killings creates entrenched climate of censorship, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

These 14 countries allow journalists to be killed with impunity, Poynter

Prosecutors: Suspect paid thousands of euros to have Slovak journalist killed, Voice of AmericaShare this: Twitter

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Berlin, November 7, 2018Hungarian authorities should immediately drop criminal charges against prominent investigative reporter Andras Dezso and allow him to work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

State prosecutors in Budapest charged Dezso, who works for Hungarys biggest independent news website, Index.huone of the few remaining media outlets critical of the governmentwith misuse of sensitive personal information on October 18, the reporter announced on his Facebook page on October 31. Dezso told CPJ that he learned about the charges the same day from a report published on the pro-government news site 888.hu, which cited sources at the prosecutors office. On November 1, after a request by his lawyer to the prosecutors office, he received the official notification and shared it with CPJ.

Hungarian authorities must immediately drop criminal charges filed against Andras Dezso in retaliation for his investigative reporting, said Gulnoza Said, CPJs Europe and Central Asia Program coordinator, in New York. Investigative reporting based on publicly available records is a service, not a crime.

The charges against Dezso stem from a March 12, 2018, article in Index.hu in which the reporter wrote about the background of a Sweden-based Hungarian woman whose interview was used by the government in the run-up to April 8 elections to support its anti-Muslim, anti-migration campaign rhetoric. In a dramatic interview that the woman gave to Hungarian state television on March 9, she spoke about how she had to move from Sweden back to Hungary due to safety concerns and a fear of Muslim refugees and migrants in Sweden. Dezsos reporting for Index.hu found that the woman had been convicted in Sweden of seven counts of defamation, violating of the public trust, and harassment. Another independent news site, 24.hu, reported that the woman moved back to Hungary in 2016. Dezso told CPJ that his reporting was based on publicly available records in Sweden.

The prosecution alleges that the journalist published sensitive personal information about the womans criminal records without her prior written consent; her complaint initiated the procedure. The state prosecution has proposed that the court convict the reporter without a hearing, based only on the documents put forward by the prosecution, according to the official notification that Dezso received and the independent news site hvg.hu.

If found guilty, Dezso faces up to three years in jail, according to a CPJ review of the Hungarian penal code. The prosecutors office confirmed in an email to CPJ that there was a criminal procedure against the author of the article in question, but did not disclose specific names and would not comment further on why the journalist is charged when the reporting used public records in Sweden.

Dezso is one of Hungarys most prominent investigative journalists; he was shortlisted for the European Press Prize in 2015 in the investigative journalism category and twice won the prestigious Soma investigative journalism prize in Hungary, in 2015 and 2016. In Hungary, critical and independent media has faced tough challenges and a shrinking space under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, CPJ has reported.A makeshift army of up to 30,000 Iraqi men has been sent to the Iraq-Syrian border to protect against possible invasion from an increasingly resurgent Islamic State.Although large parts of Syria and Iraq have been freed from IS control, stubborn pockets of extremist fighters remained and several Syrian border towns have recently fallen to the militants.The Iraqi military have sent two Army brigades, each with 3,000 to 5,000 troops, to the border. Their ranks have been bolstered by up to 20,000 fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a Shiite Muslim militia, NBC reports.News of the mass Iraqi deployment comes as more than 200 mass graves containing between 6,000 and 12,000 bodies have been found in Iraq from the time of the Islamic State group's three-year reign.The 202 graves verified by investigators dot northern Iraq and are a 'legacy of ISIL's terror,' according to a joint report by the UN mission to Iraq and the UN office for human rights. Findings from the gravesites can be used as evidence of the group's crimes, they said.The graves date from 2014 to 2017 when the militant group, sometimes known by the acronym ISIL, ruled some of Iraq's largest cities and towns.As the militants swept through Iraq and neighbouring Syria, they killed captured members of the security forces en masse, expelled or killed minorities, and enslaved women from the Yazidi sect. The UN says the widespread violations could amount to genocide.Several graves found in Iraq's Salahuddin province contain the remains of victims of the 2014 Camp Speicher massacre, when the militants killed around 1,700 Iraqi security forces and army cadets.In some cases, the militants dropped their victims or the bodies of their victims in wells or sinkholes instead of digging graves. Investigators said there could be thousands of bodies in the Khasfa sinkhole south of Mosul, the largest city once under IS control.Iraqi authorities have exhumed the remains of 1,258 victims from 28 graves, according to the UN. It urged authorities to identify the remains of all gravesite victims and seek justice for families. It said bodies should be preserved and returned to families.Iraq declared victory over IS in December last year, but the militants still control pockets of territory just across the border in Syria, and continue to claim responsibility for abductions and bomb blasts around the country.In August the UN released a report claiming up to 30,000 IS fighters were alive and dispersed across Iraq and Syria.The US-led coalition has reportedly run into strong resistance from IS militants in eastern Syria this week.Military commanders are concerned IS, once obsessed with building a so-called caliphate, is now transforming into a guerrilla-type army, capable of destabilising hit-and-run missions.With AP.Myanmar: EU mission assesses human rights and labour rights situation

November 07,2018 | Source: European Commission

A monitoring mission of experts from the European Commission and the European External Action Service visited Myanmar from 28 to 31 October. This follows deeply worrying developments highlighted in various United Nations reports, in particular as regards human rights violations in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States and concerns around labour rights.



This week's high-level mission was part of the broader engagement that the European Commission has launched to monitor Myanmar's respect of fifteen fundamental UN and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. In order to continue to benefit from duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market through the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, Myanmar must uphold and respect the principles enshrined in these conventions.



The findings of this mission will feed into the analysis on whether to remove these trade preferences through a temporary EBA withdrawal procedure. The European Union will now analyse as a matter of priority the information gathered during the mission, as well as further information from the Myanmar government, before considering the next steps. The EU stands ready to provide necessary support to Myanmar to address the concerns of the international community. Nevertheless, withdrawal of trade preferences is a clear possibility if other channels of cooperation have failed to reach results.



Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said: "Trade, done right, is a powerful force for good. Since several years, we have worked to ensure that trade preferences and access to the EU market are an incentive to promote fundamental human and labour rights. We now expect Myanmar to address the severe shortcomings that have been highlighted during this monitoring mission. If they do not act, Myanmar authorities are putting their country's tariff-free access to the EU market in danger a scheme which has proved to be vital for the economic and social development of the country, providing thousands of jobs to workers in sectors such as textiles, agriculture and fisheries. We are committed to helping Myanmar improve the situation and ensure that the principles enshrined in the international conventions to which Myanmar has committed are not undermined."



The EU has reiterated at several occasions its serious concerns about the disproportionate use of force and widespread and systematic grave human rights violations committed by the Myanmar military and security forces, in particular in Rakhine State but also in Kachin and Shan States. These violations were also evidenced most recently in the detailed report of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar in September of this year.



The EU mission this week met with several ministers, as well as with trade unions, businesses, civil society, and United Nations and International Labour Organisation representatives in the country. It provided the opportunity for an open dialogue with Myanmar on key issues such as: ensuring constructive cooperation with relevant UN bodies; supporting international efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of having committed crimes against humanity; ensuring full humanitarian access notably in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States; ensuring implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, creating conditions for a voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to their places of origin.



The EU mission also discussed its concerns regarding the continued use of forced labour in parts of the country, in particular by Myanmar's armed forces, including child recruitment, as well as the need for further reforms as regards freedom of association and collective bargaining.



Background



Under the EBA arrangement of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), the EU unilaterally grants exporters from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) tariff-free and quota-free access to its market for all products (except arms and ammunition) with the aim to contribute to the economic development of these countries and their integration into the global trading system. A beneficiary country can have its trade preferences withdrawn temporarily if there is evidence of serious and systematic violations of the core principles laid down in the 15 fundamental international human rights and labour rights conventions of the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation.



The EBA arrangement has brought important benefits to the economy of Myanmar. Preferential exports to the EU have risen sharply in recent years from 535 million in 2015 to 1.3 billion in 2017. Out of all of Myanmar's EBA-eligible exports, 95% were made under EBA preferences. In 2017, 72.2% of Myanmar's exports to the EU could be attributed to textiles, leading to particularly strong job creation and growth in this sector.The EU is the 3rd largest export market of Myanmar, absorbing around 8.8% of Myanmar's total exports in 2017.



The EU has stepped up its engagement with Myanmar (see also the EU GSP report of January 2018) in response to serious concerns about the continuing deterioration of respect for human rights and the rule of law, as flagged further by the European Parliament (Resolution of 13 September 2018) and the Council (Foreign Affairs Council's Conclusions of 26 February 2018).Pakistan: PM gives go-ahead for major agri sector projects

November 07,2018 | Source: The Nation

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday gave go-ahead to Ministry of National Food Security and Research to develop 3 major projects for conservation of 9 million acre feet of water through lining of the watercourses across the country and laser levelling of the fields, as well as enhancement of 60,000 acres of command area of small and mini dams and water conservation in arid areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Khan was chairing a meeting on water conservation at Prime Ministers Office.



The interventions are in line with the agenda of the PTI government. The Prime Ministers first 100 days agenda includes massive expansion in water conservation efforts through smart interventions to reduce water losses. The project, National Programme for improvement of Watercourses in Pakistan Phase-II, will be undertaken across the country with a target of lining of over 73,000 watercourses and laser levelling of 12,110 units. It was decided that the government will subsidise laser-levellers for all the provinces with emphasis on Sindh.



The Prime Minister was informed that an un-utilised command area of around 630,000 under small dams and mini dams could be developed by scaling up pilot interventions made earlier by PARC and Agency for Barani Area Development Punjab. The Prime Minister was informed that rain water conservation in KP required small investments in infrastructure and could be implemented through local governments. These infrastructures include construction of check dams, water retaining facilities, water storage reservoirs, spurs, water ponds and terracing etc to harness rainwater for its use in irrigation and other purposes.



Prime Minister for developing fishery sector on scientific lines



Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that promotion of agricultural sectors including fish farming was the foremost priority of the present government. He expressed these views during a briefing here in which he was informed in detail about the current state of affairs in fish farming in the country and the potential of this sector. He said that the government would take all possible measures to facilitate the people related with fish farming to benefit from the potential of this sector.



He said that strengthening bilateral cooperation with China in agricultural sector and benefiting from their expertise was also part of the governments priorities. The prime minister was informed that fish-farming sector was completely and continuously ignored in the past and the country could not benefit from this sector which had the potential of earning billions of rupees. He was told that promotion of shrimp-farming, catch culture and trout-farming in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would not only help meet the countrys food demands but would also create job opportunities for the people through this low-expense business.



The prime minister was further informed that with a large coastline of 1,100 kilometres which had huge potential of fish-farming besides utilising the vast barren and wet lands for shrimp-farming, this sector could be revolutionised. He was told that as part of PTI governments first 100 days agenda, a comprehensive plan was being devised to promote shrimp-farming, catch culture and trout-farming in the country.Iran Human Rights (IHR); November 5, 2018: A prisoner was executed on a murder charge at Ardakan Prison on Saturday, November 3.





According to HRANA, Sami Mohtarami, 43, was convicted to qisas (retribution in kind) on a murder charge. He killed a person during a car robbery in 2015.





The victims family agreed to forgive Sami in the condition of receiving Diya.





Diya in Islamic law (Sharia) is a financial compensation paid to heirs of a victim to thus avoid a retaliation punishment.





However, Sami was a poor man and could not pay the amount. Therefore, his execution was carried out on the morning on Sunday, November 3, 2018.





The Penal Code of Iran does not specifically state that convicted murderers are subject to the death penalty, but rather to qisas which means retribution in kind or retaliation.





In this way, the State effectively puts the responsibility for executions for murder on the shoulders of the victims family.





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



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeHundreds of Israelis, including the families of Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hajbi, marched Tuesday to the factory at the Barkan Industrial Park where the two were killed in a terror attack last month.





Led by the victims relatives, the demonstrators called for more severe reprisal measures against the attacker, Ashraf Naalowa, who remains at large.





We demand the death penalty for terrorists, said Levengrond Yehezkels father, Rafi, who also called for the construction of a new industrial zone in the northern West Bank in memory of his daughter.





They must learn a lesson: For every drop of our blood that is spilled, you (the Palestinians) will pay in land, the grieving father asserted.





Hajbis brother Tal criticized the IDF for issuing a demolition order for the basement and ground floors of the Naalowa familys home in the northern West Bank village of Shuweika, as those were the floors where the suspected terrorist lived, according to the military.





A partial demolition of the terrorists home is unacceptable. The whole home must be razed, Hajbi said, and the family must be expelled.





Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan, who organized the protest, said its purpose was to demand that our government take reprisals against the Palestinian Authority, which encourages, funds and sends these terrorists.





The demonstrators marched from the entrance of the industrial zone to the Alon Group factory where Yehezkel and Hajbi were killed and a third Israeli, Sara Vaturi, was wounded.





Draped in Israeli flags and holding signs with the names and faces of the victims, protesters repeatedly chanted Death to terrorists and We wont forget and we wont forgive. Many zip-tied their hands together to highlight the gruesome state in which Yehezkel was found after being shot dead.





IDF troops are still searching for Naalowa, 23, who has been on the run since killing his coworkers on October 7.





The military has launched an investigation of the Barkan attack to determine, among other things, how the gun was smuggled into the industrial park and whether the terrorist had intended to take Levengrond Yehezkel hostage, having used zip-ties to bind her hands before shooting her.





Levengrond was a secretary while Hajbi worked in accounting at the Alon Groups factory in the industrial park. Naalowa was employed there as an electrician.





Several members of Naalowas family have been detained or arrested following the attack. The Israeli military has issued a number of warnings to Palestinians in the northern West Bank not to aid the attacker in his escape.





A Palestinian security official has confirmed to The Times of Israel that PA security forces are assisting in the search for Naalowa.





Earlier Tuesday, in testimony that likely angered the Yehezkel and Hajbi families, the Shin Bet security service chief Nadav Argaman told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that he unequivocally opposed a controversial bill that aims to make it easier for Israel to sentence convicted Palestinian attackers of civilians and soldiers to death.





I unequivocally oppose the death penalty for terrorists  its not helpful, Argaman said in response to a question from Zionist Union MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin about the legislation, which is set to be debated in the Knesset next week.





On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the go-ahead for lawmakers to advance the bill, reportedly going against the advice of the security establishment.





RELATED: Netanyahu gives green signal to Death Penalty Bill for Palestinians





According to Israel Radio, Netanyahu told members of his coalition that opposition to the bill from both the Shin Bet and IDF should not stop them from advancing the legislation.





 | 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Authorities in central Quang Ngai Province want more concessions for their Dung Quat oil refinery to match those given to a competitor.

In a petition to the government, the province Chairman, Tran Ngoc Cang, said the petroleum market is suffering from a supply overhang and low prices since a second refinery -- Nghi Son  went on stream.

By the end of September Thanh Hoa Province-based Nghi Son had sold nearly 1 million cubic meters of products, exacerbating the excess supply, though much of its products are going into warehouses rather than consumed, he said.

The current domestic supply would see it exceed demand by 0.8-1 million cubic meters in the case of each kind of product.

"Nghi Son oil refinery has been selling its products in the domestic market since May 2018, just when the market demand was low and the supply from imports and [Dung Quat] was high."

Quang Ngai authorities also listed the difficulties faced by Dung Quat, the countrys first refinery, due to differences in tax policies applicable to import of crude oil by the two refineries.

The tax rate is 5 percent if the crude is imported from countries like Azerbaijan and Libya which do not confer most favored nation status on Vietnam.

However, Nghi Son imports without paying any import tax, which has greatly affected Dung Quat.

The Quang Ngai petition also has a table comparing the policies applicable to Dung Quat and Nghi Son.

One such policy provides Nghi Son with bonuses of 3 percent for petrochemicals, 5 percent for LPG and 7 percent for gasoline and oil for selling in the domestic market. Dung Quat is no longer entitled to these bonuses.

Dung Quat is struggling to upgrade or expand due to the lack of a government loan guarantee, the provincial authorities said.

The work has been delayed also because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has yet to approve its environmental impact assessment despite complying with all the requirements.

Complaining that all this adds up to inequitable treatment for their refinery, the Quang Ngai authorities asked for the same preferential tax treatment as Nghi Son.

They asked for Dung Quat to be allowed to continue producing products meeting Euro 2 emission standard until its upgrade and expansion are completed.

They also wanted the government to give financial autonomy to enterprises to ensure they are competitive in the market.

Cang sought a replacement mechanism for the government guarantee so that the company could raise funds in the capital market and early approval for the environment report from the ministry.

Dung Quat was Vietnam's first oil refinery, built in 2009 at a cost of $3 billion. Its capital was increased to nearly $5 billion in 2015.While the weakening yuan has allowed Vietnamese importers to benefit from cheaper material costs, exporters are feeling the pinch.

The yuan declined to 6.9075 per U.S. dollar on Nov. 6, according to Xinhua News Agency. The move has dragged the yuan down by almost 9 percent from the beginning of this year, the steepest drop in the last 10 years.

A yuan was selling for VND3,327 on Monday, down from VND3,595 in February 5, according to Vietnam Customs. This means that the dong has gained 7.4 percent over the yuan in the last nine months.

Experts say that this is an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to import cheaper materials.

Economist Bui Trinh told the Thanh Nien newspaper that the falling yuan will allow local businesses to gain from importing materials and machines, 90 percent of which are obtained from China.

A Vietnamese plastic importer said as his firm pays with the weaker yuan, it has become more competitive in the market. Up to 70 percent of this company's materials are imported from China.

An importer of Chinese fruits said buying fruits from China is cheaper and prices in Vietnam remain the same. "So Im making more profit.

But the falling yuan has created more difficulties for Vietnamese exporters.

Bui Thanh Van, director of trade firm Van Phat Ltd., which exports produce to China, said that the falling yuan has lowered the amount of orders they used to get.

Some Vietnamese produce are being priced higher than other countries in ASEAN, such as Thailand and Malaysia, and countries which are lowering their currency values to increase exports to China, he said.

The weakening of the yuan has made it a challenge to export to China.

Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, said that as China has been one of Vietnams top export markets in the last two years, the weaker yuan would make it difficult for seafood exporters.

China was among the top four largest importers of Vietnamese seafood in the first eight months this year, along with Japan, South Korea and the U.S., according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. These four markets accounted for over 54.1 percent of Vietnams total seafood exports in the same period, it said.

The falling yuan will likely increase prices and lower orders from China, affecting the local seafood market, Hoe said.

Experts are also worried that the weaker yuan will lead to an increasing number of Chinese goods entering Vietnam with more competitive prices, making the nations trade deficit even higher.

From January to September this year, Vietnam had a trade deficit of $18.45 billion with China, its largest trade partner among over 200 countries and territories, according to Vietnam Customs.

Trade turnover between Vietnam and China reached $93.69 billion last year, up 23.2 percent from 2016, accounting for 22 percent of Vietnams total trade turnover, Vietnam Customs reported. The figure is estimated to reach 100 billion this year.Highlands Coffee reported sales of VND1.24 trillion ($53.23 million) last year making it Vietnams largest coffee chain in terms of revenues.

The figure was four times that of Phuc Longs, eight times that of The Coffee Houses and thrice that of Starbucks.

Founded in 2002 by a Vietnamese-American and sold to Philippine fast food giant Jollibee in 2012, Highlands Coffee now has 230 stores mostly in well-known buildings and malls.

Local chain The Coffee House saw revenues double last year. Nguyen Hai Ninh, its founder, said the chain received over 20 million visitors.

It now has over 100 stores nationwide, and Ninh said each store can serve 500 - 1,000 visitors on average daily. "We expect to double the number this year, and are looking to open 700 more across Vietnam in the next five years, at an average of 10 per month."

The chains differentiating factor is that the emphasis is not renting the best locations; rather, it seeks to attract clientele with a modern, striking shop design that appeals to younger customers.

Its drinks are priced moderately, which helps it attract a wide range of customers.

It recently bought the coffee business of Da Lat-based Cau Dat Farm and simultaneously launched a flagship store in downtown Saigon, The Coffee House Signature.

Local brand Trung Nguyens highest revenue from any store is VND2-3 billion ($86,200-129,300) per month, while most make an average of VND400-500 million ($17,200-21,500).

By the end of this year Trung Nguyen is expected to have a total of 100 outlets.

Phuc Long, though a coffee chain associated with milk tea, has seen annual revenues grow at 7 percent in recent years, predominantly from the latter drink.

With the rapid growth of coffee chains, coffee consumption by Vietnamese has also risen sharply.

According to a study by BMI Research, a subsidiary of ratings firm Fitch, consumption grew from 0.43 kg per person in 2005 to 1.38 kg in 2015. This is the highest growth rate of any global coffee exporter, and the figure is forecast to reach 2.6 kg by 2021.Tourists walk at the Newhaven Port in Sussex District where border security forces arrested 21 Vietnamese illegally entering into the U.K. last week. Photo by Reuters/Kham

British authorities have detained a group of 21 Vietnamese nationals, 15 children and six adults, for illegally entering the country.

The group of people were detained last Thursday after police found them inside a refrigerated container on a truck driven by a Romanian man, The Independent reported.

Border security officers at the Newhaven Port in Sussex District arrested the driver, 29-year-old Andrut Mihai Duma, while searching vehicles arriving in the U.K. from France.

He has been remanded to custody and will stand in court on November 26, where he will be charged with "assisting unlawful entry into the U.K.," the report quoted British police as saying.

The 15 Vietnamese children looked "cold" but "unharmed," and are receiving good care, The Independent said.

It also said that an 18-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman have been deported to Vietnam, and the remaining four adults are being held at a detention center. No further details were given.

Vietnam consistently ranks as one of the top three source countries for potential victims of modern slavery in the U.K., according to the nations first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland.

Victims trafficked from Vietnam most commonly end up being exploited, often in cannabis cultivation and nail bars, but many are also sexually exploited, according to a report commissioned by Hyland.

Last July, a court in England sentenced a Romanian man to 18 months in jail for attempting to smuggle a Vietnamese teenager into the U.K., Sky News reported. It cited a Europol source as warning that migrant smuggling has become a fruitful business for criminals across Europe and that it showed no signs of abating.Cops in Vietnam chase, arrest Lao man with 3 kg of opium

Ho Khua Dua, 55, was detained in Thanh Hoa for trafficking 3 kg of opium into Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Thanh Hoa Police

Police in the central province of Thanh Hoa have arrested a Lao national for allegedly smuggling three kilograms of opium into Vietnam.

Officers in the mountainous district of Muong Lat, which borders Laos, said they acted on a tip-off and found Ho Khua Dua, 55, acting suspiciously, according to local media reports.

When they asked him to stop to check, he tried to flee.

The officers gave chase and caught him and found him possessing the opium.

He admitted on questioning that he bought the drugs in Laos and was planning to sell them in Thanh Hoa.

Vietnam is a key trafficking hub for narcotics in and around the Golden Triangle comprising the mountains of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, one of the main drug producing areas in Asia.

On October 26 police shot and killed a 30-year-old Lao man in a midnight shootout with drug traffickers in neighboring Nghe An Province.

Drug trafficking and consumption has persisted and grown despite Vietnam having some of the worlds toughest drug laws.

Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamines face the death penalty.

The smuggling of five kilograms or more of opium resin is also punishable by death.Dioxin contamination in Da Nang more serious than expected: conference

A part of Da Nang International Airport where dioxin-contaminated soil is processed. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

The dioxin contamination of soil in Da Nang was worse than expected, experts said at a conference reviewing the cleanup on Tuesday.

The event, organized by the National Steering Committee for Post-war Clearance of Ordnance and Toxic chemicals and USAID, shared some details on dioxin cleanup at the Da Nang International Airport, a U.S. air base during the Vietnam War.

Pham Quang Vu, head of the Air Force and Air Defenses Military Science Division, said earlier calculations had underestimated the actual contamination at the airport.

He said the actual amount of contaminated soil is 162,500 cubic meters and not 72,900 cubic meters as earlier estimated.

Anthony Kolb, chief of USAIDs environmental remediation unit, explained that experts only took soil samples from the surface and from that determined the depth to which the dioxin could have penetrated.

The dioxin had percolated three meters deeper than expected, he said at the conference in Da Nang.

Vu said the miscalculation could be attributed to the fact this was the first time this particular technology was used to remove dioxin from the soil on such a large scale. It involves heating the contaminated soil while covering it in concrete.

The finding could help make future dioxin assessments more accurate, especially at another ongoing cleanup project at the Bien Hoa Air Base in the southern province of Dong Nai. Bien Hoa is considered one of the worst dioxin-contaminated spots, with some 850,000 tons of soil feared contaminated.

"We expect to cleanse 500,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil in Bien Hoa, meaning 50 hectares of land," Chung said.

Field workers use a heating process to remove dioxin from contaminated soil. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's Ministry of Defense

Since 2012, when the Da Nang project was initiated, it has cleaned 94,600 cubic meters of soil at the airport, reducing the dioxin level from 1,200 parts per trillion (ppt) to below 150ppt, and has placed 68,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil in the southwestern part of the airport, which contained less than 1,000ppt of dioxin, under long-term management. Dioxin concentration of 100ppt is considered high.

Kolb of USAID said 32.4 hectares of land has been cleaned.

"This project is the most ambitious we have ever undertaken."

Da Nang has been off the official list of dioxin contaminated spots in Vietnam after the cleanup, Vu said.

The cost of the work is budgeted at around $108.5 million, with $106 million coming from ODA grants.

Vietnam still has 28 dioxin hotspots, including airports in several cities and provinces which were used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

The government hopes to complete the task of decontaminating the countrys soil by 2030.

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds were contained in Agent Orange, which was sprayed by the U.S. military from 1961 to 1971 to clear jungle hideouts of Vietnamese soldiers. Some 80 million liters of the deadly defoliant are said to have been sprayed over 78,000 square kilometers (30,000 square miles) of Vietnamese territory.

The chemical, which stays in the soil and at the bottom of lakes and rivers for generations, was later found to be capable of damaging genes, causing deformities in the offspring of exposed individuals.

The Vietnam Red Cross estimates 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese were directly exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals that have been linked to cancers, birth defects and other chronic diseases since the war.Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib become first Muslim women in US Congress

Ilhan Omar addresses supporters in Minneapolis, Minnesota after becoming of the first two Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress. Photo by AFP/Kerem Yucel

A onetime Somali refugee and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants shared the historic distinction Tuesday of becoming the first two Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress.

Both women, Ilhan Omar, 37, and Rashida Tlaib, 42, are Democrats from the Midwest and outspoken advocates of minority communities that have found themselves in the sights of US President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies.

Omar won a House seat in a strongly Democratic district in Minneapolis, Minnesota, succeeding Keith Ellison who was himself the first Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Tlaib's victory was no suprise. She ran unopposed in a congressional district that stretches from Detroit to Dearborn, Michigan.

Their stories trace a similar trail-blazing rise through local politics.

Ilhan Omar

"I'm Muslim and black," the hijab-wearing Omar said in a recent magazine interview.

"I decided to run because I was one of many people I knew who really wanted to demonstrate what representative democracies are supposed to be," she said.

Omar fled Somalia's civil war with her parents at the age of eight and spent four years at a refugee camp in Kenya.

Her family settled in Minnesota in 1997, where there is a sizable Somali population.

She won a seat in the state's legislature in 2016, becoming the first Somali-American lawmaker in the country.

Before that, she had worked as a community organizer, a policy wonk for city leaders in Minneapolis, and as a leader in her local chapter of the NAACP, the African-American civil rights group.

She decided to run for Congress after Ellison, who is also black, decided to give up his seat after 12 years in Congress to run for attorney general of Minnesota.

Omar has forged a progressive political identity. She supports free college education, housing for all, and criminal justice reform.

She opposes Trump's restrictive immigration policies, supports a universal health care system, and wants to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has conducted deportation raids.

Rashida Tlaib

Rashida Tlaib is the Detroit-born daughter of Palestinian immigrants, the eldest of 14 children.

A fighter who once heckled US President Donald Trump during a 2016 campaign stop in Detroit, she says she didn't run to make history as Muslim.

"I ran because of injustices and because of my boys, who are questioning their (Muslim) identity and whether they belong," Tlaib said in an US television interview in August.

"I've never been one to stand on the sidelines."

Like Omar, she blazed a trail through Michigan politics, becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature in 2008.

In August, she emerged as the winner of a Democratic primary for a seat vacated by John Conyers, a longtime liberal lion who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health.

With no Republican challenger in the race, Tlaib's election on Tuesday became a formality.

The seat she won is in a predominantly African American congressional district with few Muslim voters.

She says her constituents were attracted to her progressive politics, which are the polar opposite of Republicans.

Tlaib has advocated for universal health care, a $15 national minimum wage, union protections, and tuition-free college education.

She also has been mindful of the historic nature of her candidacy.

During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her immigrant mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success.

"It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be," she said.Captain Han Siyuan, 30, poses with Spring Airlines' Airbus A320 after landing at Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, China October 18, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Aly Song

Female pilots are drawing attention to the gender imbalance in China, which is struggling with an acute pilot shortage.

When Han Siyuan first decided to apply for a job as a pilot cadet in 2008, she was up against 400 female classmates in China on tests measuring everything from their command of English to the length of their legs.

Eventually, she became the only woman from her university that Shanghai-based Spring Airlines picked for training that year. She is now a captain for the Chinese budget carrier, but it has not become much easier for the women who have come after her.

Han is one of just 713 women in China who, at the end of 2017, held a license to fly civilian aircraft, compared with 55,052 men. Of Spring Airlines 800 pilots, only six are women.

Ive gotten used to living in a mans world, she said.

Chinas proportion of female pilots  at 1.3 percent - is one of the worlds lowest, which analysts and pilots attribute to social perceptions and male-centric hiring practices by Chinese airlines.

But Chinese airlines are struggling with an acute pilot shortage amid surging travel demand, and female pilots are drawing attention to the gender imbalance.

Chinese carriers will need 128,000 new pilots over the next two decades, according to forecasts by planemaker Boeing Co, and the shortfall has so far prompted airlines to aggressively hire foreign captains and Chinese regulators to relax physical entry requirements for cadets.

The mission is to start cutting down the thorns that cover this road, to make it easier for those who come after us, said Chen Jingxian, a Shanghai-based lawyer who learned to fly in the United States and is among those urging change.

Token efforts

Such issues are not confined to China; the proportion of female pilots in South Korea and Japan, where such jobs do not conform to widespread gender stereotypes, is also less than 3 percent.

But it is a sharp contrast to the situation in India, which, like China, has a fast-growing aviation market. But thanks to aggressive recruiting and support such as day care, India has the worlds highest proportion of female commercial pilots, at 12 percent.

Chinas airlines only hire cadets directly from universities or the military. They often limit recruitment drives to male applicants and very rarely take in female cohorts.

In addition, unlike in other markets, such as the United States, China does not allow people to convert private flying licenses to commercial certificates for flying airliners.

Li Haipeng, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Management Institute of Chinas general aviation department, said many airlines were also dissuaded to hire women by generous maternity leave policies. That has been further aggravated by Beijings move in 2015 to change the one-child policy, he added.

Male pilots do not have the issue of not being able to fly for two years after giving birth, and after the introduction of the second-child policy, airlines are not willing to recruit and train a pilot only to have her not being able to fly for about five years, he said.

He said Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines had all made some effort to recruit female pilots, adding nearly all other companies do not.

China Eastern and China Southern declined to comment while Air China did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Pilots said that hiring decisions were usually left to individual airlines and did not appear to be driven by the countrys regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, whose recruitment requirements do not mention gender.

Xiamen Airlines, a China Southern subsidiary, told Reuters it offers up to 540 days of maternity leave. It started recruiting female pilots in 2008, and paused for a few years in between before resuming last year. Out of its 2,700 pilots, 18 are women while another 18 are in training.

Allowing more women to become pilots is undoubtedly a good way to supplement (an airlines) flying capability, a spokesman for the carrier said.

Persuasion and publicity

The strongest calls for change are coming mostly from Chinese female pilots, thanks to a slew of returnees who learned how to fly while living abroad in countries like the United States.

In March, the China Airline Pilots Association (ChALPA) established a female branch at an event attended by pilots from the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force and local airlines, according to media reports.

Chen, the lawyer who also serves as a vice-president of the ChALPAs womens branch, said she and others have been trying to spread the word by speaking about the issue at air shows in China.

Eventually, she said, the organization hopes to persuade Chinese airlines to adjust their recruitment and maternity policies.

Another key obstacle to tackle, she added, was the inability of general aviation pilots to shift to the commercial sector.

Its a systemic issue, she said. We hope that change can happen in three to five years, but this is not something that is up to us.

Others like Han, who in recent months has appeared in Spring Airlines promotional videos, said she hoped the growing publicity would help to raise awareness.

I cant personally give people opportunities, she said. But I hope that (the publicity) can slowly help open the door for companies or for girls with dreams to fly.National Bank revokes licenses of Russian VTB's Ukrainian subsidiary

BM Bank decided to voluntarily terminate its banking activities without being liquidated as a legal entity.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterLuhansk TPP starts using gas due to lack of Russian anthracite

The Luhansk TPP can get anthracite only from Russia.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterPolish envoy says in Kyiv, Warsaw interests not to allow implementation of Nord Stream 2

The Ambassador stresses that halting the project is a top priority for Poland.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterUkraine defense official names security areas to be enhanced to effectively counter hybrid threats

The defense ministry insists on the need to strengthen the country's military potential and to continue moving along the path of European integration.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterChina on track to replace Russia as Ukraines biggest trading partner - Kyiv Post

Ukrainian officials seem keen to deepen and strengthen trade relations with the Chinese as much as possible and have taken that message to Shanghai and Beijing.

China might replace Russia as Ukraines largest, single nation trading partner if growth rates in bilateral commerce between the two countries remain steady or increase, newly-released data indicates. According to new numbers shared by the Ukrainian Ministry for Economic Development and Trade on Nov 5, at the first day of a major international trade conference in Shanghai, bilateral trade between China and Ukraine has increased by 21% from January through to August this year, the Kyiv Post reports.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterChateau Chizay winemaking company LLC (Berehove, Zakarpattia region) in 2019 would boost wine sales by 15% compared with 2018, to 1.38 million bottles.

"In 2019, we intend to sell about 1.38 million bottles, despite the fact that the plans for 2018 are to sell about 1.2 million bottles," Director of the company Anatoliy Poloskov told Interfax-Ukraine.

In 2017, the wine company grew and processed 1,500 tonnes of grapes, in 2018 it reached almost 2,000 tonnes. Due to the good yield, the company plans to sell some wine materials this year.

"Earlier, we didn't have our own vineyards. We bought grapes in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Crimea, and produced and bottled 7-10 million bottles a year. Now we make wine exclusively from our own grapes, therefore, we have enough capacity," Poloskov said.

At the same time, he said that Chateau Chizay faces with logistical difficulties due to the fact that the company's two plants are located 25 km far from each other.

According to him, Chateau Chizay has 272 hectares under vineyards in three districts of Zakarpattia region.

He said that now the wine company is working on obtaining a land parcel.

Poloskov said that the company is mulling the possibility of resuming production of sparkling wine.

He said that 15% of wine is exported. The key markets are the United States, Canada, Australia and Israel.

"Today we are present on many continents. We also sent wine to Nigeria, but we don't cooperate with the EU. Nobody is waiting for us there. I am talking about Ukrainian wines in general. Nobody wants us to bite off from their wine-making pie. And yet we now hope for Poland, we are actively working with it. We are mastering Asia, but so far there have not yet been supplies there. Also Sweden has become interested in our wine," Poloskov said.Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General of the Ukrainian Army Viktor Muzhenko has discussed with British strategic advisor General (retired) Sir Nickolas Parker the best ways to bring the command system of the Ukrainian army to the level of compatibility with NATO.

"British advisor underlined, that there is no ideal C2 model in the North Atlantic Alliance. Each of 29 NATO member-nations has its own C2 unique experience, and, furthermore, none of them has ever faced with such large challenges over the last two decades as Ukraine does currently," the General Staff of Ukraine quoted Parker as saying on its Facebook page.

"In the course of this process, that has been launched, you need to develop your own unique C2 architecture, which should take into account the main NATO principles and standards. I fully agree that quick decisions can result in serious threats," Sir Nick Parker said.

Upon the completion of the meeting, both sides agreed to involve the strategic advisors in developing the step-by-step C2 transformation program.Cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in defense and technical sphere is mutually beneficial

Cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the defense and technical sector is productive and mutually beneficial, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in an interview with the Turkish "Anadolu Agency" news agency, the presidential press service has reported.

The president noted the productive meetings on a wide range of issues, including security, defense, military-technical cooperation, economy, tourism and culture, contacts between people, between governments. "We have had extremely productive talks in Turkey that are of utmost importance in many areas," Poroshenko told about the results of his official visit to this country.

He remarked: "Cooperation in the defense and technical sphere does not like publicity. However, I can say that cooperation in these areas is mutually beneficial for both countries."

"We demonstrate our support and reliability to the Turkish defense and security sector with products in various fields, starting with aviation, tank construction and so on," the president stressed and separately noted strong military-technical capacities of Ukraine.

"In a difficult time for Ukraine, we feel the reliability of our Turkish partners in conditions of Russian aggression," the president said.

Poroshenko also emphasized the support of Turkey within NATO and the important role of this country in the NATO Trust Fund.

"I cannot think of better relations between the two countries, two nations and two presidents, that would be impossible, because we have full confidence, full support and full friendship," the president emphasized and noted that relations were not limited to areas of policy, security or defense.Fire at vegetable oil refinery outside Odesa extinguished; no casualties reported

As of Wednesday morning, a large-scale fire, which broke out at Delta Wilmar's vegetable oil refinery near the town of Yuzhne in Odesa region has been eliminated, with no casualties reported, the press service of the State Service for Emergency Situations of Ukraine has reported.

"At 7:00 on November 7, the units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine extinguished fire, which broke out on a total area of 1,500 square meters. There are no casualties or injured people," it said on Wednesday morning.

Some 134 people 24 units of equipment were involved in extinguishing from the State Emergencies Service.

As reported, a large-scale fire at Delta Wilmar's vegetable oil refinery near the town of Yuzhne in Odesa region was reported on Tuesday evening.

The fire area was 1,5 square meters. The fire was localized at 22:40.

No leaks of harmful substances were recorded.Russia's hybrid military forces have mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action, the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported.

"The enemy opened fire on the positions of our troops 10 times, including one time from weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements ... Over the past 24 hours, one soldier of the Joint Forces was wounded," the JFO staff said on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

Illegal armed formations fired at Ukrainian positions near Krymske, Zaitseve, Shumy, Novhorodske, Verkhniotoretske, Pisky, Krasnohorivka, Starohnativka and Pavlopil.

The enemy also resorted to 82mm mortars to shell the Ukrainian positions near Krasnohorivka, which is in the Donetsk sector.

Two enemy troops were killed and another two were wounded, Ukrainian intelligence said.President's Foundation for Support of Educational, Scientific Programs for Youth to be created in Ukraine

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has approved the decision to establish the Foundation for the Support of Educational and Scientific Programs for the Youth in Ukraine and signed a corresponding decree.

"I've made an important decision to create the president's Foundation of the President of Ukraine to support educational and scientific programs for young people," he said during a meeting with students and postgraduate students in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Poroshenko signed a decree on the Foundation of the president of Ukraine to support educational and scientific programs for young people, the presidential website reported.The draft resolution on the abolition of the government's decision to raise the price of natural gas and the introduction of a moratorium on its price increase was signed by the leaders of six parliamentary factions, except for the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko (BPP), Yulia Tymoshenko, the leader of the Batkivschyna All-Ukrainian Union, who initiated consideration of this issue in the parliament, has said.

Corresponding bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada under No. 9265 and provides for the abolition of the latest increase in the price of gas and the introduction of a moratorium on its further increase, the Batkivschyna website said.

Tymoshenko urged the parliament to adopt it as soon as possible and noted that the relevant draft resolution was signed by the leaders of six factions. "This is an absolute majority. And the required number of votes will definitely be collected in order to adopt this resolution," she noted.

Tymoshenko also drew attention to the fact that the appeal to the president demanding an immediate abolition of the decision to raise gas prices had already been taken by more than 130 local councils at their extraordinary meetings.COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Three members of an Iranian opposition group were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of having praised those behind a Sept. 22 terror attack in Iran that killed at least 25 people.

Police spokesman Bjoerke Kierkegaard said that would violate Danish laws and they could face fines or up to two years in prison.

Kierkegaard said all three are members of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz that Tehran has blamed for the deadly attack in the Iranian city of Ahvaz. However, ASMLA has condemned the violence and says it was not involved.

The men were held on preliminary charges  a step short of formal charges.

Denmark's intelligence agency has said that a police operation on Sept. 28 that briefly cut off Copenhagen from the rest of Denmark stemmed from an alleged Iranian plot to kill an ASMLA activist. The person was not named.

Iran has strongly denied the allegation, calling it an Israeli conspiracy that sought to harm Tehran's relations with the European Union,

A series of raids were also made in Denmark Wednesday, Kierkegaard said, adding that the ASMLA remains under police protection out of fears they still may be targeted.The Iranian government's official news agency IRNA has reported November 6 that nine women's rights activists have been called to appear at a court.

A lawyer representing the activists told IRNA that "This week the Evin court has sent a summons to a group of women activists, who are nine as of now but their number could increase".

The court sending the summons is located in Tehran's notorious prison Evin, where many activists and political prisoners are usually interrogated and detained.

The lawyer, Amir Raiesian added that the reason mentioned in the court's summons refers to "presenting some explanations", without any specifics.

A women's rights activist who wanted to remain anonymous told IRNA that nine women have received the summons to appear at Evin on various dates next week.

The courts in Iran are controlled by hardliners who are accountable to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They often act swiftly and harshly against dissidents and civic activists with vague accusations and closed door trials.

President Hassan Rouhani's administration, which controls IRNA, sometimes attempts to defer with the conservative Judiciary in cases related to the rights of activist defendants.As the United States imposed sanctions on hundreds of Iranian individuals, companies, and financial institutions while reinstating pre-2015 sanctions on Iran's oil exports, shipping, and banking operations on Monday, Iranians voiced their reactions on social media as official media outlets were in denial of the sanctions' impact.

While a majority of people who reacted expressed their disagreement with the sanctions, there were also those who supported the measure on social media.

Referring to the names on the sanctions list, Ahmad Amirabadi Farahni, a member of the Iranian Parliament, asked, "Who handed this information to the enemy?" Farahani, who is an MP for Qom, called on Iranian intelligence to find out.

"This list includes almost everyone and every organization that helped Iran to circumvent the previous rounds of sanctions," he wrote on Twitter.

Sadra Mohaqeq, a journalist based in Iran, responded to a tweet in Persian by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He wrote in his tweet: "You directly target the people, forbid banking operations so that they cannot buy the medicine they need, and sanction Iran Air by which ordinary people travel, and then you tweet in Persian that the United States supports the Iranian people!"

Farshad Kashani and other Iranians on social media noted that an oil tanker the United States put on its sanctions list, is no longer around as it sank in the South China Sea last year. Kashani also pointed out in another tweet that Iran Air had already been sanctioned before its name appeared on the new list, adding that according to the International Court of Justice, providing air travel services was a humanitarian act.

Still others have found that one of the banks on the list of sanctioned financial organizations no longer exists. Some even doubted whether Iran really had 50 banks.

Tehran-based Iranian journalist Saeed Barabadi opined that the sanctions against Iranian shipping will help insurance companies refuse to cover losses sustained by the owners of a ship that sank last year.

Another Iranian journalist in Tehran, Ehsan Bodaghi, wrote that even Richard Nephew, who was previously involved in imposing sanctions on Iran, has acknowledged the human costs of sanctions.

Nephew had tweeted that he "was responsible, directly, for U.S. sanctions against Iran for a long while," adding, "I took pride in their development, design and use, but not joy. Having to do this is lamentable and will impose very real human costs."

Journalist Javad Daliri, editor-in-chief of the administration-owned daily newspaper Iran, wrote in a very brief tweet: "The people of Iran have been targeted by sanctions."

However, a number of Iranian social media users abroad voiced support for the sanctions, but others, based in Iran or abroad, criticized them for doing so.

Reformist activist Majid Tavakoli openly wrote that he did not oppose the sanctions, adding that he believed this was not inconsistent with the social responsibility to alleviate people's agony.

A number of foreign-based Iranian activists and political analysts welcomed the sanctions in interviews on Persian-speaking TV channels based in Europe. Social media users based in Iran harshly criticized the channels for "joyfully" covering the sanctions "in a way as if they were covering the Academy Awards nominations."

Foreign-based activist Aida Ahadiani criticized a group of Iranian activists abroad who had called for sanctions against Iran in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, telling them sarcastically to write another letter and thank him for sanctioning Iran Air.

Peacefully protesting against the silence and the conduct of official media outlets, Hamid Ram tweeted, "I wish I lived in the Iranian News Channel, where 'America cannot do a damn thing,' sanctions have no effect, and prices do not rise, European countries beg to cooperate with Iran while China and Russia agree with them."Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the latest crackdown on journalists in Iran, describing it as a new wave of media suppression in the country.

A recent spate of arrests of journalists has included Ms. Saba Azarpeyk, a former reporter with the pro-reformist daily Etemad, freelance journalist Ejlal Qawami, and Massoud Kazemi, a reporter with the pro-reformist daily Sharq. The managing editor of the Kurdish minority outlet Hiwa News, Kazem Imanzadeh, was summoned for questioning by judicial officials.

We call for the immediate release of journalists held arbitrarily and urge the regime to stop suppressing the freedom to inform, said Reza Moini, the head of RSFs Iran/Afghanistan desk.

Ms. Azarpeyk had recently accused the former minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade, Mohammad Shariatmadari, of financial corruption, and published several documents supporting her claims.

"She was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents during a raid on her home October 29 and her accounts on Twitter and the encrypted messaging app Telegram were shut down shortly thereafter, RSFs statement read.

Azarpeyk, according to RSF, "Had just accused newly appointed Labor Minister Mohammad Shariatmadaria former Mines, Industry, and Commerce minister with a murky intelligence agency backgroundof corruption and favoritism. Posted on social networks with supporting documents, her accusations came just before a vote of confidence in parliament October 27 and caused a major stir online and within Irans political class.

Ms. Azarpeyk was freed on bail on October 31. She had previously been arrested in May 2014, and spent more than 80 days in solitary confinement before being released on a two billion rial (roughly $48,000) bail.

Massoud Kazemi was arrested November 5, and his relatives and attorney still do not know his whereabouts or the reason for his detention. Kazemi was an outspoken critic of both the conservative and reformist camps that dominate Irans politics. His Twitter account is currently blocked by the Islamic Republic's authorities.

The recent crackdown on journalists in Iran is not isolated to the capital, Tehran. In Sanandaj, in the province of Kurdistan, freelance journalist Ejlal Qawami was sentenced to eight months in prison September 16, charged with publishing false information designed to trouble public opinion. He was arrested after posting three articles on social networks about the situation of prisoners of conscience in the Kurdistan province, according to RSF.

Kazem Imanzadeh, managing director of Hiwanews, which focuses on news concerning the Iranian Kurdish minority, was summoned for questioning by judicial officials in Sanandaj October 6, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) filed a complaint against him making the same accusation as had been made against Qawami. He was released pending a decision by the court.

Iran is ranked 164th out of 180 countries according to RSFs 2018 World Press Freedom Index.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on November 7.

The new edition includes articles Country sees growth in cotton harvest, Business ties with Turkey reach new high, Colorful Pomegranate Festival held in Goychay, 5th International Theater Conference held in capital etc.

AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.7

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

EU hopes for substantive talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as feasible, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar, who is on a visit to Baku, told Trend Nov.7.

The EU welcomes the current decrease in tension on the ground and the constructive attitude shown by the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaderships. The EU hopes that this will be accompanied by concrete and substantive negotiations as soon as feasible, with the aim to move towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict on the basis of mutual compromises, said Klaar.

He noted that in this regard, the EU supports the efforts undertaken by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Moreover, Spokesperson for the EU Special Representative Henri Duquenne told Trend that Klaar will have meetings with the Foreign Minister, the Defence Minister and the Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs today and tomorrow.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Azerbaijan will start the Command-Staff War Games on Nov. 12 as part of the operational training of troops, the Defense Ministry said in a message.

The primary goal of the Command-Staff War Games is to check and improve the level of interaction between commanding bodies in various types of military operations conducted in real life conditions.

The war games will involve the strategic, operational, operational-tactical and tactical commanding bodies, various types of troops and special forces.

During the war games, practical actions will be worked out with the use of the newest, including space technologies of the Azerbaijan army for continuous commanding, interaction, fast data transmission and quick decision-making in accordance with the situation.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Repetition of the mistakes of Armenias previous regime by the new leadership of the occupier country will lead to its destruction, Azerbaijans political analyst Ehtiram Ashirli told Trend.

He said that Azerbaijani citizens who became refugees and IDPs as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, live with the hope of returning to their homeland.

The enemy should know that the people of Azerbaijan living with hope will never reconcile with the occupation, he noted. The Azerbaijani people are brave, and wont accept that our lands remain under occupation. The April battles of 2016 also demonstrated the courage of the Azerbaijani people.

Ashirli added that Armenia is in a state of crisis from a political, economic, cultural, military, as well as demographic points of view.

However, it is obvious that the occupier country didnt draw any lessons from all this, he said. Harsh statements by Armenias acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan show that he repeats the mistakes of the previous criminal regime. As the Azerbaijani president noted, the new government in Armenia shouldnt follow the path of the former dictatorial regime and must withdraw its troops from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Otherwise, Armenia will once again witness the power of the Azerbaijani army, which means the end for the occupier country.

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, Nov. 7

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Control over capital outflow should be strengthened in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani MP Fazail Aghamali said.

He was speaking Nov. 7 at a joint meeting of parliamentary committees for legal policy and state building, human rights, youth and sports, regional issues, international relations and inter-parliamentary ties.

I ask the Chamber of Accounts of Azerbaijan to take serious and tough measures in this regard, and stop the capital outflow, he noted.

The MP also added that he read in the press that a bathhouse owned by former director of the Baki Lift-Temir PA, engaged in the production, repair and certification of lifts in Baku, (subordinate to the Baku City Executive Power) Gudrat Shukurov was put up for sale for 10 million manats.

Aghamali offered to put up this object for auction, and direct the funds obtained from the sale to Azerbaijans state budget.Details added (first version posted on 15:20)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva have attended the opening of a new "Bravo" supermarket near the Koroglu metro station in Baku.

The president and first lady were informed of the conditions created at "Bravo".

The construction of "Bravo" started last May. The facility occupies an area of more than 7 hectares, while trading area is more than 8,000 square metres.

More than 90 percent of food products in Bravo supermarkets chain are of local origin.

The newly opened "Bravo" will also feature a Bravo cafe, a special place for kids, McDonalds, and more.

Moreover, the opening of the supermarket created 335 jobs.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order approving funds for the construction of a new school in Basgal settlement in Ismayilli district.

Under the presidential order, one million manats will be allocated to the Ministry of Education for the construction of the 432-seat school in the settlement.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Trend News Agency interviewed Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

- A conference of Palestinian ambassadors in Asian countries has been recently held in Baku. In his speech, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, who participated in the event, highlighted Azerbaijans support for Palestine. What is Azerbaijans position on the Palestinian issue?

- Positively assessing the appeal of the Palestinian side, Azerbaijan decided to hold this conference. The conference was held in Baku on November 5 and gathered Palestinian ambassadors in 27 Asian countries. I would like to emphasize that until today, many international events on Palestine, involving and organized by the UN institutions, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations, have been held in the country.

As for Azerbaijans position, first of all, it is the long-term support that Azerbaijan renders to the liberation struggle of the Palestinian people for peace, stability and sustainable development.

Azerbaijan has always been close to the Palestinian people, has supported them during hard days. This year a decision has been made by Azerbaijan to allocate $200,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

As for the Palestinian issue, it was stressed repeatedly and at the highest level that Azerbaijan supports the settlement of the Palestinian issue on the principle of creation of two states with the capital of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem.

- What is the basis of the success of Azerbaijans foreign policy, which has great prestige in the Islamic world and which established fruitful cooperation with Western countries?

- I would like to stress that the foreign policy being pursued under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is based on the countrys national interests. The independent, pragmatic, balanced and flexible foreign policy of Azerbaijan, located in a complex geo-strategic region, provides an opportunity to establish mutually beneficial cooperation both with the Islamic world and Western countries.

As a citizen of Azerbaijan, you know well that Azerbaijan is a country where various peoples and representatives of various religions live peacefully and safely for centuries, and these traditions have become an integral part of the countrys policy.

Along with the fact that Azerbaijan is a country committed to its national and religious traditions, it is open to the world and the ideas of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is even the state policy of the country. The establishment of friendly relations and cooperation with all countries and a contribution to international peace and security is one of Azerbaijans foreign policy priorities. Azerbaijan has established cooperation and mutually beneficial partnership with all countries, except Armenia, which has occupied the territory of our country.

- In foreign policy, the recent visits and the adopted declarations give grounds to say that attention is paid to the trilateral format of cooperation. Does this format have any advantages and what are they?

- Meetings have been recently held in trilateral and even quadrilateral cooperation formats. Along with further development of cooperation with countries sharing common interests and goals, these formats contribute to the security in the region.

Two tripartite meetings have been recently held in Istanbul. It is enough to review the Istanbul declarations adopted following the meetings to have an opinion about the significance of this format of cooperation among the participating countries, as well as the usefulness of this format for further development of the region.

The matter does not rest in changing the bilateral format to a trilateral or a bigger format - each cooperation framework has its place and exceptional importance.

One should take into account that the meetings of states that have mutual interests and share concerns in the current extremely complex geo-political situation and their steps aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region only serve to development and progress.

- Recently, your speech in Istanbul has been much discussed on social networks. Along with those who criticized you, there were numerous of our compatriots who defended you. May I ask, what is your attitude to this issue?

- You know, those who want to understand me, succeed in this perfectly well. As for those who do not want to understand, it is their fault.

- Let's return to the multilateral cooperation formats and the development of external relations. The activity of foreign diplomacy is evident against the backdrop of the recently increasing foreign visits, visits to our country, and ongoing dialogues of strategic importance. Your opinion in this regard is very interesting.

- As the President of Azerbaijan noted at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of the socio-economic development in the nine months of this year, in 2018, the international positions of Azerbaijan strengthened even more, and today Azerbaijan is seen as a reliable partner in the world. This is undoubtedly the success of foreign policy conducted under the leadership of the head of state.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the adoption of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, holding a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan - you know that next year Azerbaijan will preside over this organization and Baku will host a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement - the signing of the Partnership Priorities document with the EU and the continuation of negotiations on a new agreement, which will be a legal basis for bilateral relations between the parties, holding a meeting of foreign ministers in December this year in the framework of Azerbaijans chairmanship in the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and other significant events.

In particular, I would like to emphasize the growing and unequivocal support of the international community in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The support for territorial integrity within the sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan in the adopted documents and declarations serves to further strengthening the already existing broad legal framework for resolving the conflict.

Of course, this speaks of the increasingly strengthening positions of Azerbaijan both in the region and at the global level. As for the activity of the Azerbaijani diplomacy, we are always focused on the effectiveness of foreign policy pursued on the basis of national interests and under the direct leadership of the head of state, and every successful result achieved, of course, pleases us.

- Let's talk about the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs visited the region, after which they immediately made a statement. In turn, after meeting with the co-chairs, the current Prime Minister of Armenia immediately went to Karabakh. Can we expect any changes in the conflict resolution process against the backdrop of the above-mentioned facts, and actual and concrete results in the negotiations from the new leadership of Armenia?

- During the meeting with the head of the Azerbaijani state as part of the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region, an exchange of views took place on the current status and prospects of the conflict resolution process.

Recently, the world community has often voiced specific messages about the consequences of the unresolved conflict for the region, in particular for Armenia, and, conversely, about the development that a solution to the conflict would bring to that country.

I think that in this context Armenia's returning to constructive and fruitful negotiations would be a step taken to create the conditions for the peace that the Armenians are talking about. It is clear that, probably, the new leadership of Armenia needs time for a comprehensive study of the conflict resolution process.

However, it is very important for Armenia to understand the importance of establishing relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of respect and support for territorial integrity in the framework of sovereignty and internationally recognized borders, on the basis of norms and principles of international law in order to complete the negotiation process, which has been unreasonably prolonged for decades.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Skills Refinery Program newly launched by BP globally was presented at Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS). The presentation for the Petroleum Engineering and Process Automation Engineering students was made by representatives of BP in Azerbaijan including Recruiter for Graduate and Intern Program Mehriban Shikhzamanova, Recruitment Coordinator Sabina Valiyeva, HR Challenger Ali Demirzadeh and Social Investment Officer Babek Hamidov.

As Mehriban Shikhzamanova informed, Skills Refinery is a new BP global online portal, which aims to improve students employability. It was created using the latest digital technologies to equip students with resources to help them enhance these essential professional skills, while also having fun, she said. The Skills Refinery provides students with the opportunity to test and develop their abilities in five skills areas  critical problem solving, innovation, influence and communication, cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence. The project allows the participants to test themselves, progress their skills by using interactive quizzes and track their own progress.

To add to the sense of competition and excitement, an annual global challenge will be set for members of the Skills Refinery. Students will be asked to form teams to compete via video submission at a national level in December this year. The national winners will go on to challenge each other at a global level, for the chance to win an exclusive, all expenses paid trip to the One Young World Summit, for its 10th anniversary in London in 2019.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-President of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva have attended the opening of the newly renovated Jirtdan Republican Recreation and Wellness Center for Children and Youth in Shuvalan, Khazar District.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the inauguration of the recreation and wellness center.

Mehriban Aliyeva was informed about the reconstruction, repair and landscaping work. All conditions have been created there for children.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend:

Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC (AIC) will do everything possible for the development of Azerbaijan's economy and will support the ongoing economic reforms in the country, the AIC Director General Kamran Nabizade told Trend.

A year has passed since the establishment of the AIC, and Nabizade noted that amidst economic reforms, the establishment of the AIC was a very important event.

According to him, the goals of establishment are to create effective management and ensure profitability of enterprises, which are transferred to the balance of the corporation, as well as the use of innovative technologies in the enterprises, creation of reporting and accounting system, bringing the enterprises to a new level.

"The purpose of creating an industrial corporation, as part of a strategic roadmap, is the efficient use of state property. To this end, 52 state enterprises were handed over to the management of the AIC," Nabizade said.

The director general stressed that the AIC is trying to contribute to the development of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.

He also touched upon the work done by the corporation in 2018. According to Nabizade, at the first stage, international assessment companies carried out work on enterprises, which were transferred to the management of the AIC. New management systems are being created and young personnel are attracted in these enterprises.

"At the second stage, it is envisaged to expand the list of enterprises that are part of the AIC and to draw up a strategy for the existing enterprises. We are carrying out serious work in this direction. The structure of the AIC includes various enterprises that work in various directions. And this strategy will be prepared in various directions and presented to the government," Nabizade said.

According to the him, the main goal of the AIC is to bring these enterprises to a profitable level of production.

"The main goal of the strategy is to expand production and strengthen cooperation. It means creating new jobs, solving social issues, increasing the export of Azerbaijani products, as well as replacing imported products with domestic products," Nabizade added.

In addition, the director general noted that thanks to the corporation, 17 enterprises have been established by restructuring state property.

The director general said that work is underway to modernize the Azeripek silk factory in Shaki district and ASK Tekstil in Sumgayit city.

He noted that tobacco fields have been increased in accordance with the state program on the development of tobacco growing.

"In three months, a drying facility for tobacco was set up in Balakan district, where 60 drying chambers are installed," Nabizade said, stressing that unlike previous years, this year work was carried out by an Azerbaijani company.

According to him, the Balakan facility is already operating. Approximately 300 jobs places were created at the site. In general, the corporation created about 1,000 new jobs, including permanent and seasonal positions.

"We expect a significant increase in the number of jobs positions," Nabizade said.

As the director general said that as a result of the state support, funds were allocated to Azerpambig, cotton producing enterprise.

"We have reinforced the material and technical base of Azerpambig. So, 17 combines, as well as various other equipment have been purchased," the director general said.

He noted that it will allow to increase the acreage in the future, and also contribute to improving cotton productivity, and in general, modernization of cotton processing is also expected.

"These all will contribute to a transition from extensive to intensive production methods," Nabizade added.

The director general of the AIC mentioned that the strategy for the development of enterprises provides for the supplying Azerbaijan with raw aluminum, as well as in the form of ingots and shapes. Along with this, it is also planned to start production of household appliances.

Nabizade stressed that as a result of these measures, Azerbaijan will be able to start production of a number of products that are presently imported from abroad.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Rashid Shirinov  Trend:

By the end of 2018, nine projects totaling 167.1 billion tenge, which will create 1,418 jobs, are planned to be implemented in the East Kazakhstan region, head of the Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development Administration of the region Yerzhan Shurmanov told Trend.

He noted that the most significant project of the current year is the Bakyrchik mining and processing complex with a capacity of 2 million tons of ore per year.

"The complex with a total cost of 133.8 billion tenge was put into operation in June this year. In September, the enterprise produced 1 ton of gold concentrate," Shurmanov said.

The head of administration also noted that 70 investment projects worth 892.5 billion tenge, which will create 14,500 jobs, are being implemented as part of the Business Support Map of East Kazakhstan region. From 2010 to 2017, as many as 41 projects totaling 572.1 billion tenge were put into operation.

"A significant project introduced in 2017 is the construction of Aktogay mining and processing plant. This is a major project worth 364 billion tenge aimed at the development of mining production," said Shurmanov.

He also added that within the framework of the State Program of Industrial-Innovative Development with the participation of Australia, Russia, China and Iran, five projects in the fields of energy, engineering and agriculture worth 85.4 billion tenge will be implemented in the East Kazakhstan region in the next two years.

East Kazakhstan is one of the leading industrial and agricultural regions of the country with huge economic potential. The main sectors of the region's economy are industry, trade, agriculture, transport and warehousing.

The official exchange rate on November 7 is 371.31 KZT/USD.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashidBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Russias food retailer X5 Retail Group, which owns one of the largest retail chains of supermarkets and shops in Russia, plans to strengthen partnership with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and expand the range of imported products, Maxim Novikov, the director general of RVI, a subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group, told Trend.

According to him, increasing the volume of imports of fruits and vegetables from the countries of Central Asia, in particular, from Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan is an important area of work for the X5 Retail Group.

Novikov noted that fruits and vegetables from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are represented in most stores of X5 retail chains, including Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel and Perekrestok Express.

"The company purchases watermelons, persimmons, pomegranates, grapes, melons, nectarines, peaches, apricots, lemons, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, feijoa, plums, corn, garlic in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan," Novikov said.

It was earlier reported that Uzbekistan will expand the supply of agricultural products for the X5 Retail Group in line with the partnership agreement signed by the Uztrade Company, a subsidiary of the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan, and the Russian RVI, which is a leading subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group.

X5 Retail Group is a leading Russian food retailer. The company operates several retail formats: proximity stores under the Pyaterochka brand, supermarkets under the Perekrestok brand, hypermarkets under the Karusel brand, and convenience stores under the Perekrestok Express brand.

On Sept. 28, 2018, the Russian edition of Forbes magazine published a rating of the largest private companies, in which X5 Retail Group ranked second after Lukoil.

Russia is the second largest foreign trade partner of Uzbekistan. In January-September 2018, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia amounted to $4.18 billion, of which $1.53 billion accounts for exports from Uzbekistan and $2.65 billion for imports from Russia.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia for the same period amounted to $1.69 billion, of which $443 million accounted for exports from Azerbaijan and $1.25 billion for imports from Russia.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

Even the neighboring countries wont cooperate with Iran if it doesnt have financial transparency, Member of the Iranian Parliaments Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee Jalal Mahmoudzadeh said in an interview with ILNA.

He said that the US sanctions imposed on Iran and their influence shouldnt be denied.

He added that Iran should strengthen and expand its relations with the European Union. Also, tensions with neighbors should be reduced, he said.

On the other hand, steps should be taken to support domestic production, he noted.

Certain programs should be applied in the agricultural sector, he said. Strategic products shouldnt be imported, and opportunities to export agricultural products should be created. This will result in an increase in foreign exchange earnings.

He added that the opportunity should be used to create condition for the export of industrial and mining products, besides agricultural products.

In addition to foreign exchange earnings, this will create opportunities for employment, he said.

Irans foreign policy should be revised and Europes protest against strengthening of the US sanctions should be taken advantage of, he added.

He also commented on the non-acceptance of the CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) project by Irans Assembly of Experts.

Without financial transparency, European banks wont cooperate with us, he said. FATF (Financial Action Task Force) projects should be approved if we want to carry out banking operations with other countries.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Huseyn Valiyev  Trend:

Elchin Zeynalov has been appointed adviser to Azerbaijans agriculture minister, the Agriculture Ministry told Trend.

Zeynalov will also head the Science and Innovation Center of the ministry.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan on Nov. 6.

According to the decree, the Agency is a legal entity, which will support scientific research, encourage innovative projects (including startups), finance them via grants, concessional loans and investments in authorized capital (including venture financing), promote innovation initiative.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyevBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Uzbek First Deputy Minister of Economy Mubin Mirzaev has met with members of the delegation of the European Parliament on relations with the countries of Central Asia and Mongolia, Uzbek media reported.

Following the talks, it became known that Uzbekistan intends to get from the EU zero rate customs duties on textile products.

During the meeting, the European side was proposed the following priority areas for further expansion of economic cooperation:

- creation of equal conditions for access of Uzbek textile products to the markets of EU countries, considering the ongoing reforms in agriculture. For example, for certain countries, zero rates of customs duties on textile products were established, while the customs duty rates for Uzbekistan amount to 7-12 percent;

- assisting in ensuring the conformity of the quality of agricultural products to EU standards, increasing human resources in this area;

- attracting foreign investments from EU countries for the implementation of projects as part of the public-private partnership for the development of road and transport infrastructure, social services, housing and utilities, development of alternative and renewable energy sources;

- rendering technical assistance in studying advanced European experience in improving the conditions for foreign trade and liberalizing foreign exchange control.

On July 1, 2017, the Textile Protocol came into force between Uzbekistan and the EU, which envisages providing Uzbek producers with tax and customs benefits, as well as unhindered access to European markets.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Rashid Shirinov  Trend:

During the visit of Kazakhstans delegation to China, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Umirzak Shukeyev signed a roadmap with the chairman of Chinas General Administration of Customs.

The roadmap includes 20 new agricultural products that Kazakhstan is going to export to China in 2019-2020, Kazakh Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

"To date, 13 protocols on 13 types of goods have already been signed, and three more protocols have been agreed to be signed during the official visit of the prime minister of Kazakhstan to China," the message says.

The new 20 protocols of the roadmap include poultry products, horse and pork meat, as well as live cattle for slaughter. The crop products of the roadmap include rapeseed, safflower, buckwheat, peas, chickpeas, sesame, some fruits and vegetables, nuts and pistachios.

During the visit, the Kazakh delegation also visited China International Import Expo, which was attended by representatives of more than 130 countries and multinational companies. Bilateral meetings of business circles of China and Kazakhstan with the participation of the leadership of Kazakh Agriculture Ministry, KazAgro JSC and representatives of Kazakh regions administrations were held during the exhibition.

The meetings resulted in agreement on consideration of issues of constructing a sugar plant in Kazakhstans Pavlodar region. For this, representatives of three major Chinese companies will visit Kazakhstan in the near future.

In addition, a memorandum on the construction of a grain processing and noodle production plant in Astana was signed between Qazaq Capital Partners and Wudeli Flour Group Co. LTD.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashidBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

The share of agricultural products in Azerbaijan's non-oil exports accounts for more than 47 percent, the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev said at the opening ceremony of the First China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy said in a message Nov. 7.

Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping also attended the opening ceremony.

The exhibition, which is held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, brought together more than 3,000 companies from 170 countries. The first import exhibition in China features over 100 types of new products and technologies. More than 30 Azerbaijani companies operating in food production sector, present their products at the national pavilion.

A number of forums are also held as part of the first China International Import Expo. On November 6, the Azerbaijani delegation took part in a forum dedicated to ecological agriculture and food security, jointly organized by the Chinese Market Administration, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shanghai Municipality.

Speaking at the forum, Shahin Mustafayev stressed that the Azerbaijani-Chinese relations are based on the principles of mutual respect and fraternity.

Azerbaijan has not only become one of the first countries to support China's "One belt, One road" strategy, but also takes part in the implementation of this initiative, he said.

"Using the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as part of Chinas One Belt and One Road initiative opens up broad opportunities for cooperation in the economic sector, in particular in investment, trade and transit. Azerbaijan is interested in cooperation with China not only in the transport and transit sector, but also in agriculture and food security," Mustafayev said.

Chinese companies are already successfully cooperating with Azerbaijan in the development of cotton production and the material-technical base of sericulture.

The minister added that Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of agriculture. As a result of the measures taken, the production of agricultural products over the past 15 years has increased by 1.7 times, and in the first nine months of 2018 - by 4.3 percent. He also noted that the share of agricultural products in Azerbaijan's non-oil exports accounted for more than 47 percent.

The minister also said that in the Doing Business 2019 report of the World Bank, Azerbaijan entered the list of 10 reformer countries and was declared the country that had the most reforms. In the new report, Azerbaijan climbed 32 steps and ranked 25th among 190 countries, and also became a leader among the CIS countries.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation, namely the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Seyfaddin Talibov, the Acting President of Azerbaijan Investment and Export Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev and the Deputy chairman of the Food Security Agency Rufat Rustamzade also participated in the Trade and Investments forum.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

The Malaysian Serba Dinamik Group Berhad company plans to build a caustic soda plant in Uzbekistan for $250 million, Podrobno.uz reported.

This was reported at the end of the negotiations between the First Deputy Chairman of the State Investments Committee of Uzbekistan Sunatulla Bekenov, Head of the Administration of the Khorezm region Farhod Ermanov and the Vice-President of the Malaysian company Palendran Palachandran.

Palachandran said it is planned to sign in December an agreement on cooperation in the area of implementation of this project, and to sign an investment agreement in April 2019. The project implementation period will be 18 months after the signing of the investment agreement.

He noted that 120 new jobs will be created at the new plant, and all products will be export-oriented. The equipment for the plant will be manufactured by Thyssen Krupp AG company (Germany). The industrial residue in the production of caustic soda, chlorine, will be exported to North African countries through this company.

Serba Dinamik is an international group of energy companies. It has experience of working in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and the UK. The company's annual market volume in Malaysia is about $ 1 billion, the number of its employees is over 1,500.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Ukraine offers Azerbaijan to expand cooperation in the fields of energy, production of rail cars, tourism and others, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy cited Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv as saying.

Kubiv made the remarks in China at a meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev.

The participants of the meeting discussed cooperation in the fields of industry, pharmaceutics, energy, tourism and other areas of mutual interest.

The successful activity of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR in Ukraine, the opportunities of using international transport corridors, including North-South, an increase in the volume of transit cargo transportation and other issues were stressed at the meeting.

Mustafayev stressed that economic relations between the countries are developing, the necessary legal basis has been created for that.

There is a great potential for expanding mutual trade turnover, he added.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov, chairman of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company Rauf Valiyev, Azerbaijani ambassador to China Akram Zeynalli and Azerbaijans trade representative to China Teymur Nadiroglu attended the meeting

Mustafayev also met with deputy chairman of the State Customs Administration of China.

During the meeting, the minister proposed to create a working group to expand cooperation in the customs field.

The Chinese side reacted positively to this proposal.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.7

Trend:

Citi leads the latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) league table of the top 10 financial advisers for the Oil & Gas sector for Q3 2018, compiled by leading data analytics company GlobalData.

Citi, an American bank, scored the top rank with a deal value of $86.99bn, on the back of a dozen deals that it advised during the quarter  which incidentally was also the highest in terms of volume. Barclays stood second with $77.81bn by advising on 10 deals.

According to GlobalData, which uses its tracking of all merger and acquisition, private equity/venture capital and asset transaction activity globally to compile the league table, Goldman Sachs, a distant third, worked on eight deals worth a total of $30.85bn.

Praveen Karnati, Financial Deals Analyst at GlobalData, said: Citi and Barclays raced to the top with their first and second places, mostly helped by the largest deal of the quarter in any sector  $60.40bn acquisition of Energy Transfer Partners by Energy Transfer Equity.

The Oil & Gas sector more than doubled in value from $68bn in Q3 2017 to $175bn in Q3 2018. However, volume rise was sedentary, with only about 4% increase between the quarters under review.

Citi also topped the global league table of top 20 M&A financial advisers released by GlobalData recently. Both value and volume showed a steady growth from Q3 2017 to Q3 2018. Barclays claimed second place in the global list as well.

Vinson & Elkins, an overall fourth in the global league table of top 20 M&A legal advisers, led the top 10 legal advisers table for Q3 2018 with a value of $80.1bn. Topping even in terms of volume, the Texas-based legal advisers 17 deals are 10 more than the second-placed Latham & Watkins, which worked on deals worth $67.2bn. Potter Anderson & Corroon and Richards, Layton & Finger tied at fourth place having advised on a single deal each, valued at $60.4bn.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.7

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Possible participation of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in Bulgarias gasification is an element of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan, said Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova.

The agreement between Bulgargaz and SOCAR for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year starting from 2020 is key to the implementation of our priorities in the energy field, she was quoted as saying by Bulgarian media at the opening of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Bulgaria-Azerbaijan Commission for Economic Cooperation in Sofia.

Petkova noted that Bulgarian government is actively making efforts to ensure the diversification of gas supplies through the construction of interconnectors with neighboring countries.

Interconnector with Greece (IGB) is of key importance among them and its implementation is already irreversible, she added.

Petkova noted that IGB will be commissioned in 2020, when the first deliveries of natural gas from Azerbaijan are expected.

Azerbaijani gas will cover about 30 percent of consumption in Bulgaria, which will significantly increase the country's energy security. SOCARs possible participation in the gasification of Bulgaria is an element of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan, she said.

Further, she said that the direct air line between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan opened at the beginning of this year is also a factor of strengthening trade contacts.

She highlighted a great room for the growth of mutual trade, which increased by 38 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.

IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets.

The initial capacity of IGB will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas.

---

Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_ZeynBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

EY Azerbaijan held its annual seminar for clients on the latest updates to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at the JW Marriott Absheron Hotel Baku on 2 November 2018.

The seminar was delivered by qualified IFRS specialists, Vadim Shelaginov, EY Moscow Assurance Senior Manager and Yokub Sharafitdinov, EY Baku Assurance Senior Manager for participants from major international and local companies operating in Azerbaijan. Ekaterina Rodina, EY Moscow Financial Advisory Senior Manager and Zaur Jafarov, EY Baku Advisory specialist made presentations about FAAS services in Azerbaijan.

The materials focused on recent IFRS updates and their practical implementation. The participants discussed how to resolve practical issues during the session.

Vadim Shelaginov said: I was pleased to share our experience in applying the new revenue standard with our colleagues, as well as our analysis of the new lease accounting standard. I believe we held productive discussions and it was also interesting to learn how Azerbaijan companies are applying the new standards. Good luck to all colleagues who are preparing 2018 reports and applying these new standards.

Yokub Sharafitdinov shared his thoughts: I hope this event was important for participants considering adopting new IFRS standards, such as IFRS 9, IFRS 15, and IFRS 16. We tried to address key practical matters and to address participants questions. I believe the topics covered during the event were valuable.

One participant, Emil Yusifov, Project Accountant at Wood Group also commented on the event: Thank you very much for inviting us to the IFRS updates training delivered by your colleagues. It was really informative. The presenters covered practically useful points and controversial aspects of the new updates, which I think met the expectations of most guests. I would appreciate having the chance to attend such meetings in future as well and I would ask the lecturers to add some practical examples in their speeches.

On behalf of EY Azerbaijan, we thank all the participants and speakers for their participation!

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY works together with companies across the CIS and assists them in realizing their business goals. 4,500 professionals work at 19 CIS offices (in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Togliatti, Vladivostok, Almaty, Astana, Bishkek, Baku, Kyiv, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Minsk and other locations).

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

EY in Azerbaijan

EY made a major commitment to the development of Azerbaijan and the region by opening the office in Baku 24 years ago. Today, in addition to being the leading audit and consulting firm in Azerbaijan, we are the leading professional services firm in the region. As a result of our experience and competence, we have been able to assist both domestic and international companies as well as state-owned entities to develop and manage the challenges of the international economy.

There are currently more than 200 people working in our Baku office that serve our clients in Azerbaijan. EYs strength in the Caspian Region and the firms commitment of resources are important to the entities operating in the region. It means that as we grow, EY will continue to demonstrate a tradition of hiring and training local professionals to be leaders in our practice.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Taleh Mursagulov  Trend:

It is recommended to exercise caution when trading in oil futures, the Azerbaijani investment company InvestAZ said in its daily summary.

The analysts of the company said there is a decline in prices of the Brent oil to $70.5 per barrel on the hourly chart.

Thus, the analysts believe that if the price hits the level of $71.16 in a downward direction, the following decline targets will be $70.28 and $69.39.

The analysts say if in case of an alternative scenario the price hits $73.26 in an upward direction, the price will reach the targets of $74.1 and $74.94.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 7

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The Digital Economy Development Concept for 2019-2025 is being developed in Turkmenistan, according to the "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper.

The concept, which is planned to be implemented in three stages, outlines the goals, tasks and the main directions of development of the country's digital economy, as well as measures to increase the contribution of information and communication technologies to the gross domestic product (GDP) and improve the digital segment of the national economy.

This issue was discussed during a recent government meeting. Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Gochmyrat Myradov delivered a report in this regard.

"The adoption and successful implementation of the Digital Economy Development Concept in Turkmenistan will contribute to the sustainable innovative development of the country, the competitive economy, the formation of new types of entrepreneurship and the attraction of investments," the newspaper quoted President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as saying.

"This will allow implementing modern forms of state governance and increasing their efficiency, rendering quality services, creating new jobs and improving the social conditions of the population," the president said.

Reportedly, the Turkmen National Academy of Sciences was entrusted with development of the "Digital Turkmenistan", a new state program. The main goal is to stimulate the development of information and communication technologies and increase the contribution of this sector to the GDP of the country, as well as eliminate the digital difference in the life of the population of provinces, cities and villages.

Turkmenistan has big opportunities for the development of digital infrastructure using telemedicine, computer and telecommunication technologies through additional e-services for rendering remote consultations and knowledge, according to local TV channel Altyn Asyr.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Rashid Shirinov  Trend:

Kazakhstan plans to launch two satellites on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle from California, Kazinform reported with reference to the Vice Minister of Defense and Aerospace Industry of the country Marat Nurgozhin.

"More than 150 engineers were trained at factories in Europe, England and Russia. They work in Kazakhstan, and we created our third space system of scientific and technological importance. If all goes well, on November 19 we will launch two satellites in California on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle," he said.

The vice minister noted that it will allow to test the inventions of Kazakh engineers and designers in space.

"The inventions will get flight history and allow to commercialize and create our own satellites here. First of all, those are replacement communication satellites, which will replace the existing devices," Nurgozhin said.

He also added that space science in Kazakhstan does not stand still.

"Our institutes are developing a lot of serious devices that allow the use of space technologies on Earth - space communications and satellite navigation. This year we are completing the construction of an assembly and test complex for spacecraft weighing up to 6 tons. Last year we introduced a special design and technology bureau," the vice minister said.

Falcon 9 is a family of expendable and partially reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles of the Falcon series of the American SpaceX company founded by Elon Musk. Falcon 9 consists of two stages and uses RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel components.

Falcon 9 is used for launching geostationary commercial communication satellites, scientific and research spacecraft, and Dragon cargo spacecraft as part of the Commercial Resupply Services program to supply the International Space Station.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashidBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

An Uzbek-Japanese medical information center will be established in Tashkent in the near future, Uzbek media reported referring to the results of the meeting of the Tashkent city administration with representatives of Japan's Ometa (Overseas Medical Equipment Technical Assistants).

The estimated cost of the project is $100,000.

The State Committee on Investments and Ometa discussed signing a memorandum of cooperation and establishing a working group.

Ometa is a Japanese organization carrying out external technical assistance in the sphere medical equipment.

The organization's goal is to assist other countries in development of medical institutions, modernizing healthcare, as well as improving qualification of medical personnel. Ometa includes 138 companies, 128 of which are manufacturers of medical equipment.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Russia's Ural Airlines will resume flights from Volgograd city to Uzbekistans Tashkent in December, Director General of Volgograd International Airport Sergey Dmitriev said, TASS reported.

The flights will be operated twice a week on the Airbus A320 by the Ural Airlines, he said.

He noted that the Volgograd International Airport acts as one of the nearest Russian regions to Uzbekistan in the south-east direction.

He added that for now, road transport or railway is used by passengers in this direction, which takes a long time and the route isnt safe.

Planes from Volgograd flew to Tashkent in 2015, but then the flights were stopped.

This year, the Ural Airlines already resumed flights in the directions of Moscow-Qarshi, St. Petersburg-Urgench, St. Petersburg-Bukhara, St. Petersburg-Fergana, Yekaterinburg-Samarkand and Sochi-Tashkent.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Some 24,303 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Turkey in September 2018, which is 50.06 percent less than in the same month of 2017, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey told Trend on Nov. 6.

The ministry noted that the share of Turkmen citizens in the total number of foreigners who visited Turkey in September 2018 accounted for 0.51 percent.

For comparison, this figure was 0.40 percent in September 2017.

Some 191,999 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Turkey in January-September 2018, which is 13.78 percent more than in the same period of 2017.

The share of Turkmen citizens in the total number of foreigners who visited Turkey during the nine months of 2018, accounted for 0.60 percent.

The ministry noted that 5,425,845 tourists visited Turkey in September 2018, which is 15.64 percent more than in the same month of 2017.

Some 589,754 tourists from Germany, 317,748 - from the UK, 308,066 - from Bulgaria and 195,850 tourists from Georgia visited Turkey in September 2018.

During the above-mentioned period, 1,899,103 tourists, accounting for 39.62 percent of the total number of tourists, visited the Turkish province of Antalya.

In September 2018, 1,235,301 tourists, accounting for 25.77 percent of the total number of tourists, visited Istanbul.

As of January-September 2018, 31,815,952 tourists visited Turkey, which is 22.08 percent more than in January-September 2017.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Andorran PGI Management, managing the project of the Amirsoy Mountain Resort  the first ski resort in Uzbekistan, faced a number of problems, namely the lack of electricity and roads, Uzbek media reported.

According to the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, there are problems with the lack of a normal road access. The only road to the resort turns to slush in rainy weather.

The government commissioned the State Committee on Roads to build a new road. The order came out over a year ago, on Sept. 14, 2017. Even though the resort should get open after a month and a half, only third of the roadwork has been completed.

Shukhrat Dauletov, the head of the State Committee, said that the delay was caused by the geological studies carried outin parallel. It turned out that weak soils in several places could lead to landslides. Additional forces have already joined the roadwork to speed up the construction process.

There is also a concern due to lack of electricity which may lead to cable cars being inoperable. By the aforementioned decree, the government instructed Uzbekenergo to lay the power lines to the resort. At the end of October, only 11 of the 26 utility poles were installed. However, another 20 utility poles have been installed as of late.

We encountered a farm that did not allow us to enter the territory to perform construction and installation work. Therefore, we had to redo the project, which lengthened the distance of construction and installation work by 2 kilometers. By Nov. 10, we plan to complete the work and put the object into operation, Rovshan Hasanov, the leading specialist of the Tashkent Regional Electricity Network JSC, said.

Taking into account the fact that the country's image is at stake and one of the large-scale tourist facilities may not open on time, the General Prosecutor's Office of Uzbekistan, in order to prevent this, organized a special headquarters on the territory of the complex, with the involvement of representatives of all responsible departments.

Amirsoy Mountain Resort will open on Dec. 15, 2018 in the Bostanlik district of the Tashkent region.

The management of the project was entrusted to the Andorran PGI Management.

Director of the PGI Jesus Roca earlier told Trend that the Andorran company is holding talks to provide further support after completion of the Amirsoy Mountain Resort.

So far we are helping the Amirsoy Mountain Resort with construction, and we are in conversations to provide further support in later stages, Roca said.

It should be noted that PGI is the world leader in operational management of ski resorts, including Grandvalira, which is in Top-20 of the best resorts in the world, with more than 1.6 million ski passes sold per year. The company operates in more than 18 countries.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Uzbekistan can be granted observer status at the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, Podrobno.uz quoted the Speaker of Lower House of Russian Parliament, Chairman of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Vyacheslav Volodin as saying at a meeting with the Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan Nigmatilla Yuldashev.

Volodin noted that in this format, the parliamentarians could discuss the legislative support for solving the security problems and combating the drug trafficking, and consider the possibility of adopting laws in these areas. In addition, at the meeting, Volodin confirmed his intention to make a visit to Uzbekistan, which can take place in 2019.

He also pointed to the achievements of Uzbekistan in the development of the Russian language, which is the language of inter-ethnic communication in this Central Asian state.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

China, Russia, and the EU will remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian Khabar TV channel.

He said that the EU will implement a special financial mechanism to work with Iran.

Thus, transactions between Iran and Europe will be carried out without the US control, Araghchi said.

He said that many countries have declared to Iran that they expect this mechanism to operate.

Thus, the countries can carry out transactions with Iran through this mechanism, Araghchi said.

He added that this mechanism is very complicated, and there are many technical and legal issues to be solved.

He added that several meetings with experts from the EU, three European countries, China and Russia were held.

The next meeting will be held in Europe with the participation of experts from the Central Bank, Petroleum Ministry, Foreign Ministry and other experts, Araghchi said.

He said that it may take some time for this mechanism to start operating.International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, said on Wednesday that it is providing 71 million U.S. dollars to finance the construction of the new Daehan Wind Power Plant in Jordan, Xinhua reported.

The 51-megawatt plant, the IFC's second major investment in Jordan's wind sector this year, will be built in the southern governorate of Tafila to provide clean energy to homes and businesses across the country, IFC said in a statement to Xinhua.

During the last two decades, the World Bank Group has played a key role in Jordan's energy sector by aiding its privatization through regulatory and financial support, with IFC having invested more than 300 million dollars in 13 renewable projects.

Jordan, which imports 97 percent of its energy, is working on energy projects including renewable energy ones to reduce its reliance on imported energy sources.Moscow and Washington are laying groundwork for a meeting on anti-terror fight at the level of deputies of top Russian and US diplomats, but the date is still being discussed, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said on Wednesday, TASS reports.

"The effort is underway, there is the proposal and we have accepted it. Now it is being discussed. The date and the venue are also being considered," the high-ranking diplomat said. "Just now we are solving the issue of the date," he added.

Speaking on the level of the upcoming dialogue, Syromolotov said he and US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan would attend the meeting.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said after the Moscow talks with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev last month that the Russian-US anti-terror meeting would be held in December.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

Trend:

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, will visit Lao Peoples Democratic Republic on 7-8 Nov., the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a message on Nov.6.

Minister Cavusoglus visit will be the first visit to Laos from Turkey at Foreign Ministers level.

During meetings with H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, Cavusoglu will discuss the bilateral relations and prospects to enhance cooperation between Turkey and Laos and exchange views on regional and international developments.

Minister Cavusoglu will also be received by H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Lao PDR.New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 75F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.More than fifty percent of US citizens believe that the country is on the wrong track as they head to cast votes in midterm congressional elections, according to the first exit polls, Sputnik reports.

US President Donald Trumps performance approval rating stands at 44 percent, while 55 percent of the voters expressed their disapproval, according to CNNs poll released on Tuesday evening.

Sixty-five percent of voters have reportedly made up their minds about their voting choices over a month ago.

Republicans currently have majorities in both chambers of Congress but polls show the Democrats are poised to capture the House of Representatives, which would divide the US legislative branch and hinder President Donald Trumps policy agenda.

Results of the midterms  called such because they are held at the midway point of a presidents 4-year term  are also widely viewed as a symbolic referendum on the commander-in-chiefs performance, a concept on which Trump has recently doubled down.At the president's behest, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from the top post at US Justice Department Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

"At your request, I am submitting my resignation," Sessions said in a letter addressed to Trump.

"I have been honored to serve as Attorney General and have worked to implement the law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law that formed a central part of your campaign for Presidency," Sessions wrote, adding, "[T]hank you for the opportunity, Mr. President."

Trump tweeted that the White House was "pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States."

"He will serve our country well," the president noted.

The development follows a historic round of midterm elections in which Democrats regained the majority in the House of Representatives, while the Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate. Trump has blasted Sessions during the former Alabama senator's tenure as attorney general for recusing himself from the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump team and Russia, fueling speculation that Sessions' time in the cabinet was limited.

Jerry Nadler, the Democrat who will chair the House Judiciary Committee in the next Congress, has already tweeted concerns over change, asking "Why is the President making this change and who has authority over Special Counsel Mueller's investigation? We will be holding people accountable."President Donald Trump said during a press conference on Wednesday that his administration granted temporary waivers with respect to sanctions against Iran in order to avoid increasing oil prices, Sputnik reported.

"I dont want to drive the oil prices up to $100  $150, which could happen very easily. It is a very fragile market, I know it very well," Trump told reporters.

The United States granted waivers to eight nations  China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Turkey, South Korea and Taiwan  to purchase oil from Iran.

In addition, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed to grant an exemption to allow the development Iran's Chabahar from the sanctions re-imposed by the United States so that it can be used by Afghanistan.

Trump characterized the issuing of waivers as the "absolutely right decision" and noted that his stance brought the oil prices down.

The US president said he is putting efforts to reduce the price of oil because he considers it to be a tax on consumers.

In May, Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement and re-impose sanctions against Tehran that had been lifted under the accord.

The first round of the US restrictions entered into force in August, and a second, more severe round came into effect on Monday.To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry.

Disclaimer

Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes.KYODO NEWS - Nov 7, 2018 - 22:10 | Urgent, All, Japan

Tokyo Medical University said Wednesday it will admit some of the applicants who were rejected in 2017 and 2018 due to a rigged admissions process, but its president did not state whether there was gender discrimination in the process.

Of 101 students who were unfairly rejected, up to 63 may be able to attend classes starting from next year if they desire, the university said. There were 32 affected applicants from last year and 69 from this year, many of them women.

"We were notified that we acted inappropriately on matters relating to entrance exams. We deeply apologize to everyone who was affected," Yukiko Hayashi, who became the university's first woman president after the scandal came to light this summer, said at a press conference.

"We are shocked that so many have been affected," she said.

(Yukiko Hayashi at a press conference on Nov. 7, 2018)

An independent committee report said in October that 69 applicants who took the general entrance exam and a common admission test used by most universities in 2017 and 2018 would have qualified for admission if the process had been fair. Of these at least 55 were women.

The university admitted in August it had been deducting points from exam scores for over 10 years to curb the enrollment of women as well as men who had failed the exam previously.

Hayashi said she "could not state whether there was clear gender discrimination" as she was not part of the admissions committee, when asked about an alleged comment by the previous committee chairman that he preferred to increase male admission in 2018 as more female applicants had been admitted in the previous year.

In the wake of the discovery, the university has created a new ranking system to determine admission and provide another opportunity for the affected applicants to attend from the next school year.

The system will rank already enrolled students and the affected applicants who are interested in attending. Students will be admitted going down the ranks until the university reaches full capacity.

Under the new system, up to 63 applicants would possibly be eligible for admission even if all 101 applicants desire to enroll, the university said.

The university is trying to identify which of the affected applicants are still interested in enrolling. They have until the end of November to make their interest known.

The pool of admitted students for the next school year will be reduced to compensate for the admission of the newly admitted applicants.

On whether the affected applicants would be compensated or reimbursed, Hayashi said, "I cannot respond since we are still in the middle of studying the matter."

The discriminatory practice was discovered during a bribery investigation involving Futoshi Sano, a high-ranking education ministry official, and Masahiko Usui, former chairman of the university.

The education ministry is currently investigating other medical schools to see whether they also manipulated the student selection process and has so far probed 81 institutions.

Last month, Showa University revealed it had padded scores for applicants, while Juntendo University also announced it will set up a panel to investigate allegations of bias against female applicants.

Women demand Tokyo Medical Univ. compensate over entry exam rigging

Tokyo med univ. approves 1st woman president after sexism scandalKYODO NEWS - Nov 6, 2018 - 21:39 | All, World

Turkey's foreign minister said Tuesday the country's intelligence officials were instructed to work toward the release of a freelance Japanese journalist held captive in Syria after a request for cooperation was made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in September.

"During the meeting in New York between President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and Prime Minister Abe, Abe once again...asked for Turkey's assistance," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with Kyodo News.

"This time it worked and our intelligence did its best," the Turkish minister said.

(Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) and his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono)

Abe visited New York in September to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations and held talks with Erdogan and his other foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the gathering.

Japanese journalist Jumepi Yasuda entered Syria in 2015 to cover the civil war but was taken hostage by a warring faction that later demanded a ransom for the release of the journalist, who spent over three years in captivity.

The Japanese government confirmed on Oct. 24 that the man freed and under protection in the southern Turkish city of Antakya was the 44-year-old journalist. Tokyo has denied it paid a ransom to win his release.

Cavusoglu said no ransom was paid by Turkey or Japan before Yasuda was released in October, saying that a "ransom has never been mentioned by any side."

Related coverage:

Fellow Syrian captive says Japan journalist should not be criticized

Freed journalist apologizes for trouble, stresses need to report truth

Japan gov't eager to tout hostage release with eye to elections

Freed Journalist returns to Japan after 3-year hostage ordeal in Syria

During his visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties between Tokyo and Ankara, the Turkish foreign minister met Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono, who both thanked Turkey for its support in securing the release of Yasuda.

Turkey has been put under the spotlight in Japan for its role in resolving the hostage crisis and abroad over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul.

In the Washington Post, Turkish President Erdogan has said the order to kill the journalist "came from the highest levels of the Saudi government" and certain Saudi officials were trying to cover it up.

(Photo released in May 2016 shows Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda holding a sign pleading for help while held captive in Syria)

"Besides King Salman, we didn't exclude or include anybody else," Cavusoglu said in the interview with Kyodo, as he called for Saudi Arabia's cooperation in getting to the bottom of the latest incident.

"Without concrete, clear evidence, we cannot say that this person or that person did it or this person or that person is excluded, should be excluded."

At focus has been whether Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the killing of Khashoggi with a team of 15 Saudi operatives believed to have been behind it.

"Somebody gave the instruction. We have to find out who gave that instruction," Cavusoglu said.

Amid media reports that Turkish authorities have an audio recording of Khashoggi's murder, the foreign minister said Turkey has many pieces of evidence that people are "interested to see or to hear."

"We have (a lot of evidence) in our hands...that they planned this, they came to Istanbul to kill this journalist and also they planned how to do it," Cavusoglu said. "We have the evidence that they killed him, they murdered him and they cut him, the body was cut in pieces."KYODO NEWS - Nov 7, 2018 - 16:12 | All, Japan

Japanese authorities on Wednesday approved for the first time an extension to the 40-year operating life of one of the nuclear power plants affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Japan's nuclear watchdog allowed an extension of up to 20 years beyond the Nov. 28 limit for Japan Atomic Power Co.'s Tokai No. 2 plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo. The plant uses the same boiling water reactor as the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

The move, together with previous extensions of the operating limit at three other aging nuclear reactors, could undermine the 40-year cap the country applies in principle to nuclear complexes. The Nuclear Regulation Authority had said extension beyond that would be "a rare exception."

"We had factored in the NRA's approval. It just means the NRA has lost its authority," said Tatsuya Murakami, a 75-year-old former mayor of the plant's host Tokai village.

"With the Fukushima crisis we have witnessed how a nuclear accident can displace people, depriving them of the places they belong to," Murakami said, calling for a serious debate on evacuation plans in the event of a major accident at the plant.

Some 20 protesters gathered before the NRA building in the morning and submitted 15,000 signatures collected from people across Japan opposed to the approval of the extension.

The Fukushima Daiichi power plant in neighboring Fukushima Prefecture suffered fuel meltdowns triggered by the magnitude 9.0 quake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2011.

The same quake caused a 5.4-meter tsunami to hit the Tokai plant, left it without an external power source and incapacitated one of its three emergency power generators, although the plant managed to cool down its reactor using the remaining power generators.

In late September, the NRA formally approved the restart of the Tokai plant, which has been idled since the disaster.

But even with the approvals for the restart and extension of its operating limit, it remains unclear when the plant will actually get back online as construction work to enhance its safety will not be completed until March 2021.

It also needs to obtain consent from all of its host and surrounding municipalities, being the sole nuclear power plant in Japan to need approval from local governments beyond its immediate host.

The plant also faces the hurdle of having to compile an evacuation plan covering 960,000 residents within a 30-kilometer radius -- the largest number of potential evacuees for a nuclear plant in Japan due to its location in the metropolitan region.

Japan Atomic Power applied for the plant's restart in May 2014 with a plan to construct a 1.7 kilometer-long coastal levee, predicting a potential tsunami as high as 17.1 meters.

The cost for safety measures at the plant is estimated to reach some 180 billion yen ($1.6 billion), and the operator, solely engaged in the nuclear energy business, has been struggling as none of its reactors have been online since the 2011 disaster.

The Tokai plant boasts an output capacity of 1.1 million kilowatts, while the output capacities of the three other nuclear power units given the green light to operate beyond 40 years are 800,000 kw or more.

Japan has decided to scrap nuclear power reactors with an output of around 500,000 kw or lower as these are seen as difficult to turn profitable because of the massive investment required to boost safety.

Kyushu Electric Power Co., the operator of Genkai No. 2 plant in Saga Prefecture, which has an output of 559,000 kw, will soon face decisions on whether it should be scrapped or have its operating limit extended as 37 years have passed since it went into service.KYODO NEWS - Nov 8, 2018 - 00:52 | World, All

The Cabinet of new Prime Minister Lotay Tshering set sail in the small Himalayan country of Bhutan on Wednesday, following his party's election victory, local media reported.

Tshering's Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa was one of the two parties that contested the runoff election for the National Assembly in October after beating the ruling People's Democratic Party of then Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in the first round the previous month.

Tshering said in an interview with Kyodo News in the capital Thimphu after the second round that the party will do its utmost to realize its electoral promises.

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, the two parties with the most votes in the first round, had competed in the Oct. 18 runoff.

It was the third parliamentary election since the kingdom shifted from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 2008. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa won in 2008 and the People's Democratic Party in 2013.

Bhutan, a land-locked country sandwiched between India and China, has a population of about 800,000 and is known for its Gross National Happiness index.KYODO NEWS - Nov 7, 2018 - 12:58 | World, All

An Indonesian commercial airplane loaded with a 2-ton shipment of durian was delayed when passengers complained of the smell and successfully lobbied the airline to remove the notoriously stinky fruit prior to takeoff.

A video clip made by reggae musician Amir Zidane went viral on Tuesday with footage of passengers exiting Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ091 at the Fatmawati Soekarno Airport in the town of Bengkulu on Sumatra Island on Monday morning.

[LightRocket/Getty/Kyodo]

Zidane, who posted the video on his Facebook account, had complained about the unpleasant smell in the cabin and later led other passengers in refusing to fly unless the durian fruit were unloaded from the plane.

Some passengers also reportedly expressed concern that the plane might have been overloaded due to the durian shipment.

After some debate between passengers and the airline's ground staff and cabin crew, the airline relented, delaying the 10:50 a.m. flight from Bengkulu to Jakarta for an hour to remove the durian fruit from the cargo hold.

In arguing for the fruit's removal, some passengers referred to the crash of a Mandala Airlines plane in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan in 2005 that killed 149 people. The plane, which failed to take off, was later revealed to have been carrying 2.7 tons of durian.

The National Transportation Safety Committee, however, said in its final report that an improper takeoff configuration with retracted flaps and slats caused the airplane's failure. Technicians had not identified the problem due to inadequate execution of checklist procedure, it said.

In a press statement after the Monday incident, Sriwijaya spokeswoman Retri Maya said that carrying durian fruit did not violate any flight regulations.

"It's normal for every airline to carry durian during a flight as long as it is packaged properly and put inside the cargo hold in accordance with the standards and procedures," Retri said.

She added that the total load in the cargo hold including the durian shipment had been 3 tons, which comes in well below the plane's maximum carrying capacity.

Responding to the incident, Pramintohadi Sukarno, acting director general for air transportation, said that "carrying durian, terasi (fermented shrimp paste), dried, salted fish and other stinky goods in a plane is not forbidden because they are not categorized as dangerous goods."

Durian, according to Pramintohadi, is one of Bengkulu's commodities and has been transported out for sale since 2005.

"However, its process of packaging must be proper," he said.KYODO NEWS - Nov 7, 2018 - 22:42 | World, Urgent, All

Indonesian transport authorities said Wednesday they have advised that airline pilots flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes carry out certain procedures devised by a Indonesian pilot to cope with any air speed indicator malfunction.

National Transportation Committee chief Soerjanto Tjahjono told reporters that the recommendation was submitted to Boeing Co. in the wake of the last week's crash of Lion Air Flight 610, which plunged into the Java Sea claiming the lives of all 189 people on board.

Earlier, data downloaded from the plane's flight data recorder, which was recovered from the seabed, showed that it experienced air speed indicator problems during its ill-fated flight on Oct. 29 and three previous flights.

The three previous flights were from Bali to Jakarta on Oct. 28, from the North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado to Bali on that same day and from Bali to Manado on Oct. 27.

The committee's investigator Nurcahyo Utomo told reporters that after the Manado-Bali flight, a technician in Bali detected a problem with an angle of attack (AOA) indicator, which offers a visual indication of the amount of lift the wing is generating at a given airspeed or angle of bank.

"The technician decided to replace the left AOA and cleared the plane to fly to Jakarta," Nurcahyo said, referring to the Bali-Jakarta flight that was delayed for almost 16 hours.

Despite the replacement, that flight piloted by Capt. William Martinus experienced the same problem, and it "was apparently getting bigger."

The left AOA indicator on the pilot's side was 20 degrees higher than the right AOA indicator on his copilot's side, Soerjanto explained.

The pilot, however, "carried out some procedures and finally could overcome the problem and the plane could safely land in Jakarta," he said.

"The success of the (Bali-Jakarta) pilot to fly the problematic plane became the reason of the National Transportation Safety Committee to provide recommendations to Boeing for airlines around the world on what to do when their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft suffer a similar problem," he added.

In an aircraft flight and maintenance logbook, a copy of which was seen by Kyodo News, the pilot wrote that "IAS (indicated air speed) and ALT (altitude) disagree shown."

According to FlightRadar24, after taking off late Sunday and reaching an altitude of 480 meters, the Bali-Jakarta flight dropped to 410 meters in 20 seconds. After increasing its speed to 453 kilometers per hour, the plane was able to reach an altitude of 1,700 meters before dropping back to 1,400 meters in 25 seconds.

A similar case was seen in the data of Flight JT610 before it crashed shortly after taking off from Jakarta. It had been bound for Pangkalpinang on Bangka Island, off southeastern Sumatra.

Investigators, Soerjanto said, have interviewed pilots and cabin crew in three flights before Flight JT610, as well as technicians in Manado, Bali and Jakarta to verify what has been shown by the flight data recorder.

Efforts to find the other so-called "black box" containing the plane's cockpit voice recorder continued Wednesday with more equipment to be deployed Thursday.

National Search and Rescue Agency chief Vice Marshal Muhammad Syaugi also said the search of the plane's debris and bodies will be extended for another three days starting Thursday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a total of 51 victims have been identified from the remains of their bodies, mostly based on DNA samples.Catch all the action from the Sporting World.A University of Kent study into post partum found the odds of developing this condition increased by 79 percent when mothers had baby boys compared to baby girls

A University of Kent study into post partum depression found the odds of developing this condition increased by 79% when mothers had baby boys compared to baby girls.

Overall the researchers identified that women who give birth to males are 71-79% more likely to develop post partum depression. Furthermore, women whose births had complications were 174% more likely to experience post partum compared to those women who had no complications.

As a result of their findings, Dr Sarah Johns and Dr Sarah Myers in the University's School of Anthropology and Conservation (SAC), conclude that recognising that both male infants and birth complications are post partum risk factors should help health professionals in identifying and supporting women who may by more likely to develop this condition.

Their research also showed that while women with a tendency towards symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were always at increased risk of post partum, they had reduced odds of developing post partum after experiencing birth complications. This is likely because these women may receive greater post-birth support because their mental health concerns were previously recognised. This finding suggests interventions to support women can be effective in preventing post partum developing.

Dr Johns said: 'Post partum is a condition that is avoidable, and it has been shown that giving women at risk extra help and support can make it less likely to develop. The finding that having a baby boy or a difficult birth increases a woman's risk gives health practitioners two new and easy ways to identify women who would particularly benefit from additional support in the first few weeks and months'

Dr Johns and Dr Myers decided to assess whether there was a relationship between the sex of infants and post partum because of the known link between inflammatory immune response and the development of depressive symptoms.

Both the gestation of male foetuses and the experience of birth complications have documented associations with increased inflammation, yet, until this study, their relationships with post partum were unclear.

Many known risk factors for depressive symptoms are associated with activation of inflammatory pathways, opening up the potential for identifying new risk factors based on their inflammation causing effects - an idea supported by this study.

The study used complete reproductive histories of 296 women from contemporary, low fertility populations.

###

The paper, Male infants and birth complications are associated with increased incidence of postnatal depression by Dr Sarah Myers and Dr Sarah Johns, is published in Social Science & Medicine.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953618305744?dgcid=author

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.10.008

Sandy Fleming | Press Officer

Press Office, Corporate Communications, University of Kent

Room 155, The Registry

Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK

Mon-Fri: 08.30-16.30

Tel: +44 (0)1227 823581 | +44 (0)1634 888879

http://www.kent.ac.uk/news| @UniKent

Gold for Kent in Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

Established in 1965, the University of Kent - the UK's European university - now has almost 20,000 students across campuses or study centres at Canterbury, Medway, Tonbridge, Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.

It was ranked 22nd in the Guardian University Guide 2018 and in June 2017 was awarded a gold rating, the highest, in the UK Government's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

In 2018 it was also ranked in the top 500 of Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities and 47th in the Times Higher Education's (THE) new European Teaching Rankings.

Kent is ranked 17th in the UK for research intensity (REF 2014). It has world-leading research in all subjects and 97% of its research is deemed by the REF to be of international quality.

Along with the universities of East Anglia and Essex, Kent is a member of the Eastern Arc Research Consortium (http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/partnerships/eastern-arc.html).

The University is worth 0.7 billion to the economy of the south east and supports more than 7,800 jobs in the region. Student off-campus spend contributes 293.3m and 2,532 full-time-equivalent jobs to those totals.

Kent has received two Queen's Anniversary prizes for Higher and Further Education.(Bloomberg) -- Emerging from the Crystal City Metro station in Arlington, Virginia, the state of the local property market is etched in bold colors on tarps draped over vacant office towers.

The vivid shapes, a contrast to the neighborhoods bureaucratic 60s architecture, are a signal flare to future tenants sent up by the buildings owner. Locals assume the colorful banners are aimed at catching the attention of Amazon.com Inc., on a yearlong, nationwide quest for a second headquarters. And they may have worked.

Seattle-based Amazon is close to agreements that would split a planned second headquarters for the e-commerce giant between Crystal City and Long Island City, in the New York borough of Queens, people familiar with the search said.

Crystal City and Long Island City are really good parallel neighborhoods, said Jenny Schuetz, a fellow at the Brookings Institutions Metropolitan Policy Program. They dont have a lot of charm or identity, but it will be relatively easy for Amazon to put its stamp on them.

Like Crystal City, Long Island City is a neighborhood looking to change its destiny. While Crystal City is intent on replacing lost government tenants, Long Island City is struggling with a different problem. Its breakneck residential growth has outpaced its school, transportation and sewer systems.

Queens is New York Citys most-diverse borough and its second-biggest by population, with about 2.4 million people, making it larger than 15 U.S. states. Long Island City has an abundance of high-end housing and it has the countrys largest public housing project.

Reinventing Itself

The western edge of Queens has been reinventing itself for years, attracting biotech investments, film studios and shorefront developments.

We can see Cornell Tech, life sciences, Amazon converging upon Long Island City as a creative center in which all of these people intermingle in a new space for this century, said Alan Suna, chief executive officer of Silvercup Studios, which counts Amazons TV programming as a client. Theres a lot of space for new buildings that can accommodate this new technology.

Story continues

The east bank of the East River, now lined with residential towers with panoramic views of Manhattan, was once dominated by warehouses and factories. Its transformation began in the early 2000s with the first of a series of rezonings.

The Department of City Planning thought this was going to be artists and singles and it turned into every family in Manhattan who just had their first kid, said Brent OLeary, president of the Hunters Point Civic Association. We welcome Amazon, we need the jobs. But we really need help with the infrastructure.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio last week announced the neighborhood will get a $180 million infusion of capital to build and improve schools, streets and parks. Investments will include $95 million for sewer and drainage improvements; $60 million for a new school; $10 million for street reconstruction and $15 million for improvements to parks.

Amazons Potential NYC Home Bolstered by Trumps Tax Breaks

New York is Amazons most important market, and this is some place where they want to build their presence, said Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for New York City. But they also want to maximize their influence on the federal government as the federal legal and regulatory environment becomes more intrusive in their business, so it makes a lot of sense for them to be in Washington.

Arlington, with a population of about 235,000, is a prosperous commuter suburb. Its Crystal City neighborhood is just across the Potomac River from Capitol Hill in Washington by car or metro, and a quick jaunt from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the Pentagon.

Junkyards, Motels

Once a home to junkyards and motels, the area was developed during the 1960s amid an increase in demand for office space. During its heyday, Crystal City attracted big-name government tenants, but it never fully recovered after some agencies moved out.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office completed its exit in 2005, and many U.S. Department of Defense workers left as part of the federal Base Realignment and Closure process that began that same year.

The exodus left the neighborhood with relatively cheap, aging office buildings that could be used by Amazon while the e-commerce giant renovates existing properties or builds anew. The office vacancy rate in Arlington County, where Crystal City is located, was about 18 percent as of the third quarter of 2017.

Everyones excited because if Amazons coming in, that means theres going to be more jobs, pay is probably going to go up, said Andrew Chang, CEO of Eastern Foundry, a coworking space for government contractors in Crystal City. One thing that is worrying people from a business-owner standpoint, especially in the government sector and the tech sector, is how are you going to compete against Amazon for talent?

Much of the citys office space is owned by JBG Smith Properties, which was formed in July 2017 when Vornado Realty Trust combined its Washington unit with local landlord JBG Cos.

These initiatives provide tangible evidence to current and future tenants that change is coming, JBG Smith, which owns the brightly decorated vacant buildings, wrote in its March letter to shareholders, explaining the bedazzled towers. We remain bullish on Crystal City.

--With assistance from Rob Urban, Justina Vasquez and Henry Goldman.

To contact the reporters on this story: Lily Katz in New York at lkatz31@bloomberg.net;Patrick Clark in New York at pclark55@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Debarati Roy at droy5@bloomberg.net, Rob Urban, Christine Maurus

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2018 Bloomberg L.P.Michel Barnier speaking in Brussels on Monday (Reuters)

Michel Barnier has warned that a Brexit deal is not close and challenge Thereda May to make the tough choices necessary to get it over the line in the coming weeks.

The Withdrawal Agreement is 95% complete, but the final outstanding issues need to be resolved within the week if the UK government is going to achieve its aim of finalising a deal this month.

Fresh reports of a compromise over the Irish border backstop have raised hopes that the EU will be able to call a leaders summit by November 25 to sign-off the deal.

But the EUs chief negotiator has lowered expectations of a breakthrough by telling Belgian TV: Im not in a position to tell you that were are close to a deal because there is a still a real point of divergence.

He reiterated his position during a visit to Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon, telling journalists: Were not there yet. Choices have to be made on the British side to finalise this deal.

MORE: Brexit deal faces fresh delay after Raab sparks Irish border row

He also shot down a suggestion by Brexit secretary Dominic Raab that any backstop should have a three-month time limit.

Reworking Theresa Mays Brexit catchphrase, Barnier said: Backstop means backstop. And a backstop cannot have a time-limit.

The French politician did though say the EU is willing to consider improvements to the backstop.

That was a nod to the prime ministers plan for a compromise solution, which would see an independent review mechanism introduced to the backstop.

Irelands Europe minister Helen McEntee told RTE on Tuesday that the proposal could pave the way to a deal.

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab leaving 10 Downing Street after Tuesdays crunch Cabinet meeting (Getty)

What were talking about are slight changes that will help us move on to the next stage and thats what we wantWere very clear that a review mechanism cannot alter the backstop but it will allow us to possibly to move on to the next stage.

May hopes its inclusion in the Withdrawal Agreement would give her MPs confidence that the UK could not be locked into the EUs customs union.

Story continues

She put the proposal to her Cabinet on Tuesday, but a number of ministers remain unconvinced.

On the Northern Ireland backstop there are a number of issues that we still need to work through and these are the most difficult, a spokesman for the prime minister said afterwards.

Mays senior Brexit advisor, Olly Robbins, was back in Brussels on Tuesday to resume technical level talks with Barniers deputy, Sabine Weyand.

MORE: 54% of Brits now back Remain, according to biggest Brexit poll since EU referendum

They will need to work out the details of the backstop review mechanism by the end of the week if a deal is to be concluded this month. The Cabinet could meet again on Friday if a deal is on the table.

Raab would then travel to Brussels on Monday to meet Barnier before European Council president Donald Tusk called EU leaders to Brussels for a summit.

The European Council is currently chaired by Austria and May spoke to the countrys chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, on Tuesday to update him about progress in negotiations.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said she told Kurz that she was confident that a solution could be found on the Northern Ireland backstop.

The Prime Minister added that the UK wanted to see quick progress and that both the UK and the EU were working hard to achieve an agreement, they added.



Cryptos were higher on Wednesday.

Investing.com - Cryptocurrency prices were higher on Wednesday, as a Bitcoin-friendly governor was elected in Colorado.

Former U.S. Representative Jared Polis (D-Colo.), defeated Colorado state Treasurer Walker Stapleton on Tuesday to become the states governor.

Polis is a tech enthusiast and advocate for Bitcoin and other digital coins. Part of his campaign was focused on the benefits of blockchain companies in the state and he has also promoted the industry during his term in Congress.

His platform included creating a safe harbor to exempt virtual currencies from state money transmission laws and protecting cryptocurrencies, as well as digitizing government records and exploring blockchain for utilities and cybersecurity.

Bitcoin (BitfinexUSD) jumped 1.20% to $6,572.60 on the Bitfinex exchange, as of 8:05 AM ET (13:05 GMT).

Cryptocurrencies overall were higher, with the total coin market capitalization at $219 billion at the time of writing, compared with $212 billion on Tuesday.

Ethereum,or Ether, increased 2.61% to $221.30 and Litecoin was at $54.89, up 1.09%, while XRP rose 0.21% to $0.53916.

In other news, Blockchains plan to airdrop $125 million in Steller Lumens in an attempt to boost adoption has faced staunch criticism in the sector.

Many traders tweeted that it must be a scam, while Pierre Rochard, founder of Bitcoin Advisory, cautioned against services that give away tokens.

An airdrop is a free disruption of a currency to its community members for free or for a small task. It is often used to promote digital coins.

Related Articles

Bitcoin (BTC) Mining Malware Sends Canadian University Network in Lockdown

Three Thai Siblings Accused of $24 Million Bitcoin Scam Plead Not Guilty

Bitmain a Day Away from Opening Antminer S15 SalesHoward DuBosar, left, is managing shareholder at The DuBosar Law Group and Jeff Ostrow is managing partner at Kopelowitz Ostrow. Courtesy photos

Howard DuBosar, left, is managing shareholder at The DuBosar Law Group and Jeff Ostrow is managing partner at Kopelowitz Ostrow. Courtesy photos



The owners of South Florida bars and eateries, including American cuisine restaurant ROK:BRGR and cocktail bar Apothecary 330, are accused of duping two investors into putting $1 million into a Delray Beach venture by misrepresentation.



Marc Falsetto and Charles Hazlett, through their JEY Hospitality Group LLC, operate restaurants including Henrys Sandwich Station in Fort Lauderdale, Taco Craft in Fort Lauderdale and South Miami, and Mercado Negro in South Miami, according to JEY Hospitality's website.



They wanted to expand to Palm Beach County and opened a ROK:BRGR on Delray Beach's popular Atlantic Avenue with help from two South African investors, who put money into the restaurant-bar under the federal EB-5 visa program that gives foreigners legal residency in exchange for placing at least $500,000 in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates 10 or more jobs.



South Africans Dean Wallace and Mark Minnaar, who are in the freight-forwarding business, say they put $1 million into the ROK:BRGR restaurant in Delray Beach with the understanding that the lease included a 1,000-square-foot patio. They considered the outdoor dining a key to success, according to the Palm Beach Circuit Court complaint.



Instead, the lease signed after Wallace and Minnaar added their funds in November 2016 didn't include a patio. Rather, Falsetto and the landlord verbally agreed on a month-to-month patio lease, according to the Oct. 18 complaint.



"Unfortunately, that is not something that was represented to our clients before they put in their $1 million investment," said Howard DuBosar, Minnaar and Wallace's attorney.



DuBosar is managing shareholder at The DuBosar Law Group in Boca Raton. He filed the lawsuit along with firm associate Harrison DuBosar.



falcon-embed src="embed_1"



The month-to-month lease meant the landlord could withdraw the east-side patio at anytime, and that's what the landlord did, according to the complaint.



"When you give up 17 tables, which is what was on that patio, it has a material impact on the projections and obviously results in a tremendous decrease in the gross revenue," DuBosar said.



Fort Lauderdale attorney Jeff Ostrow, who represents Falsetto and Hazlett, said there were no misrepresentations made to Minnaar and Wallace, who knew that the side patio wasn't part of the lease as early as the day before they invested. He said they are "sour" the business didn't do as well as they hoped.



"They are looking for the principals and unrelated entities owned by the principals to be an insurance policy for their investment," said Ostrow, managing partner at Kopelowitz Ostrow. "In this country, when you invest in a business opportunity and it doesn't go as planned, you don't get to sue the individuals that own the company that you invested in or other businesses that they have in an attempt to recoup your losses. Perhaps that is something they can do in their country, but not here in the United States."



Ostrow represents the defendants along with firm partner David Ferguson.



The loss of the patio meant the projected profit decreased by 80 percent to $84,852 for this year, according to the complaint.



Wallace and Minnaar also accused JEY Hospitality (short for Just Enjoy Yourself) of mismanaging the Delray Beach restaurant, which wasn't doing as well as its other locations. The complaint said the restaurant was used to train employees for other JEY restaurants, and equipment purchased with investors' funds was moved elsewhere.



Ostrow maintained the investors "alleged a lot of things that didn't happen."



Wallace and Minnaar, who were supposed to be silent partners in the Delray Beach venture, were given all shares of ROK BRGR International LLC, which owns Rok Delray LLC, and the responsibility for running the restaurant, according to the complaint.



In September, Wallace and Minnaar opened The Chopping Block on the Avenue on the same site at 4 E. Atlantic Ave. to mitigate some of their losses, but ultimately they expect to sell, DuBosar said.



But the corporate change and other moves leave the investors without a way to get a green card through EB-5, he added.



Wallace, Minnaar, Rok Delray and ROK BRGR International are suing Falsetto, Hazlett, JEY Hospitality and Rok Burger LLC listing fraudulent inducement by omission, breach of fiduciary duty, restatement of torts, Securities Exchange Act violation, accounting, conversion and breach of operating agreement counts. They also list an alternative negligent misrepresentation count.



The lawsuit is in line with numerous lawsuits alleging EB-5 fraud with foreign investors alleging their business partners didn't hold up their end of the deals.



Related stories:



Receiver Sought for Royal Palm Beach Office Venture Where EB-5 Investors Claim Fraud



Chinese EB-5 Investors Claim $99M Fraud at Nicholas Mastroianni II's Harbourside PlacePARIS (AP)  President Donald Trump's Russian business ties, Jared Kushner's relationship with the Saudi crown prince, Ivanka Trump's Chinese trademarks  all could come under new scrutiny by the Democrats when they take over the House of Representatives.

While Trump retains broad power over national security and U.S. foreign policy, the midterm election result exposes him to congressional investigations that could reverberate beyond American borders.

Now that they have taken control of the House from the Republicans, Democratic leaders of many committees will have subpoena powers enabling them to obtain documents, email and testimony.

If the White House doesn't block such requests in court, they could shed light on Trump's international business empire  and what role it's playing in U.S. relations with the world.

Here's a look at what the election result might mean overseas:

TRUMP AND RUSSIA

For Moscow, the Democratic victory means a probable reopening of the House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The Republican-led Intelligence Committee closed its probe into Russian meddling, saying it had found no evidence of collusion. Democrats argue that the Republicans ignored many key facts and witnesses.

A congressional probe would be more public than special counsel Robert Mueller's current investigation into Russian election interference  and wouldn't run the risk of being shut down by Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any involvement in Trump's election victory, and the Kremlin shrugged off concerns that a Democratic-controlled House would increase pressure on Russia.

"It'd be hard to make (the relationship) even worse," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

A renewed investigation could serve Kremlin interests by deepening division in America's political arena. What Putin would not favor would be investigations or sanctions that would further damage the well-connected Russian oligarchs believed to have links to Trump, or to have helped fund U.S. meddling efforts.

Republicans warn that more investigations could blow back against the Democrats for the 2020 U.S. election.

Story continues

PRESSURE ON THE SAUDIS

Then there's Saudi Arabia, and the relationship between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The ties between the two men, who are said to communicate frequently, could come under increased scrutiny by Democrats.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have long been key allies, and Trump made the country his first stop abroad as president.

But the crown prince has lost supporters in Congress since the Oct. 2 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the crown prince, inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The slaying was allegedly carried out by agents close to the prince.

Democrats could try to block major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and curtail U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, which the prince launched as defense minister in 2015. The conflict has become widely unpopular with some members of Congress, and aid agencies say it has created the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe, with millions facing starvation amid a Saudi blockade of the Arab world's poorest country.

The U.S. assists the Saudi-led coalition with in-air refueling and intelligence on targets, and supplies the kingdom with fighter jets and bombs used in the war.

TRADEMARKS IN CHINA

Democrats could also look into businesses in the Trump family's business empire  notably the 18 trademarks that China has granted in recent months to companies linked to Trump and his daughter Ivanka.

Some question whether they represent a conflict of interest. China says it handles all trademark applications equally, but House committees could probe whether Beijing can exploit the Trump family's substantial intellectual property holdings in China to its political or diplomatic advantage.

"There's so much to the Trump administration that could be investigated, it's an unprecedented situation of major business entanglements around the world," said Dana Allin, senior fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "It's very difficult to rule out the idea that foreign policy decisions are not being kept separate from business interests."

China would not talk publicly about the U.S. election results. "I don't want to comment on that, otherwise I will run the risk of being accused of interfering in their midterm election," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

WHAT WON'T CHANGE

Trump is still the one in charge and is not expected to change his America-first strategy, or stop running roughshod over erstwhile allies when it serves his interests.

A Democratic House isn't going to put the U.S. back in the Iranian nuclear accord or the Paris climate agreement, and is unlikely to challenge Trump's protectionist line on trade.

"Many Democrats support the president's trade agenda," lamented Dieter Kempf, the head of the Federation of German Industries, the main business lobby group in Germany, a leading exporter. "The U.S. administration's confrontational course is and remains a danger to the world economy."

___

Sullivan reported from New Delhi. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Dustin Weaver in Washington contributed.FILE PHOTO: European Economic Commissioner Pierre Moscovici talks to journalists during a press biefing after a weekly college meeting of the European Commission in Strasbourg, France, October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler/File Photo

By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission could impose sanctions on Italy as a last resort if they cannot reach an agreement over Rome's rule-breaking budget, but Brussels wants to avoid that option, the EU's economics commissioner said on Tuesday.

Last month, the Commission rejected Italy's budget, saying it was in blatant breach of European Union fiscal rules and could further increase the country's huge pile of public debt.

"I was never in favour of sanctions. Sanctions are always a failure," Pierre Moscovici told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of EU finance ministers.

But when asked about Italy, the euro zone's third biggest economy, he added: "I want a dialogue, but sanctions can be finally applied if we cannot reach an agreement."

Moscovici said no decision had been taken yet on how to proceed because Italy still had a week to change its budgetary plans before a Nov. 13 deadline.

"On the 13th of November we expect a strong, precise answer from the Italian government," Moscovici said.

Italy's Finance Minister Giovanni Tria reiterated on Monday that the budget would not change and that a planned larger deficit for next year would not increase the public debt, which tops 130 percent of gross domestic product.

SANCTIONS MENU

If there is no change to the budget, EU officials have said the Commission is likely to react at its Nov. 21 meeting by issuing a critical report on Italy's debt, the first step in a disciplinary procedure against the country.

Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said later on Tuesday that the EU executive was considering sanction proceedings against Italy for its high debt if it did not introduce "substantial" changes to the budget.

The Commission has in the past always waited for final data on public finances, available in April, before taking any disciplinary action on euro zone states.

But this time, officials said it could instead act on its own economic forecasts, due on Nov. 8, which are expected to show a far less optimistic scenario than the 1.5 percent GDP growth in 2019 predicted by the Italian government. Estimates of lower growth would translate into a higher debt and deficit.

Story continues

As a precautionary measure, Brussels could eventually ask Italy to transfer a non-interest bearing deposit of 0.2 percent of its GDP to the bloc's rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism.

The Commission could also set a deadline, possibly as early as February or March, for Italy to take action to reduce its debt. Euro zone governments would need to approve such measures.

Missing that deadline could trigger harsher sanctions, including a fine of up to 0.2 percent of GDP, the suspension of billions of euros in EU funds and closer fiscal monitoring by the Commission and the European Central Bank, involving missions to Italy similar to those to bailed-out nations such as Greece.

If it continued to fail to cooperate, Rome could face even stricter penalties under EU rules. They might include a fine of up to 0.5 percent of GDP, EU precautionary monitoring over Italy's plans to issue new debt and a reduction or suspension of multi-billion-euro loans from the European Investment Bank.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; editing by John Stonestreet and Gareth Jones)Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (Photo: John Disney/ ALM)



Five voters in three Georgia counties filed an emergency lawsuit late Tuesday in federal court in Atlanta asking a judge to bar Secretary of State Brian Kemp from continuing to use the powers of his office to influence the 2018 general election.



Kemp, the Republican candidate for governor, has ignored repeated calls from Democrats and voting rights organizations to step down as the states chief election officer while he campaigns for the states highest office. Those calls intensified this week after Kemp announced he had launched a criminal investigation of the state Democratic Party in connection with information shared with his outside counsel, warning that the state voter registration web page was vulnerable to hackers.



Read the complaint: falcon-embed src="embed_1"



The emergency petition was filed two hours before the polls closed by former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Michael Moore, now a partner at Pope McGlamry in Atlanta; Atlanta attorney Bryan Sells, a former voting rights lawyer with the U.S. Justice Department; and attorneys with the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Protect Democracy. It seeks an immediate temporary restraining order that would bar Kemp from any involvement in vote counting, certification of election results or any runoff or recount proceduresall normally responsibilities that the secretary of state would oversee.



The suit cites Kemps decision to open an investigation of the state Democratic Party based on what it calls an unfounded accusation and post notice of the allegation on his official state website while promoting it via his political campaign as a reason the TRO is needed.



No person should be a judge in their own case is about as basic a rule of fairness as you can get, said Larry Schwartztol, counsel for Protect Democracy. "That principle, embodied in the Constitutions Due Process Clause, applies with special force to Secretary Kemp, who has misused his official position to try to tilt the playing field of the election in his favor.



The emergency petition also cites two recent rulings by two federal judges in Atlanta changing policies imposed by Kemps office regarding absentee ballot rejections and voter registrations by newly minted citizens that have been held in abeyance rather than processed.



Whoever you support in an election, we should all be able to agree that its essential for a democracy for that election to be administered fairly, Moore said.



Allowing one of the candidates to not just preside over their own election but misuse their office to give them an unfair advantage is just anti-democratic and unlawful, Sells added.



Kemp spokeswoman Candice Broce said Kemp has been notified of the suit. "This twelfth-hour stunt will not distract us from fulfilling our responsibilities and working with county officials to ensure a secure, accessible, and fair election for all eligible Georgians.



"The Secretary of States office does not count votes; counties do," Broce said. "The Secretary of States office does not re-count votes; counties do."





Story continues

The TRO request was the second suit filed against Kemp on Tuesday, with Common Cause of Georgia seeking an injunction to ensure that provisional ballots are properly counted. Citing publicized security vulnerabilities in the states antiquated computer voting system that Kemps office was alerted to over the weekend, the nonprofit suggested that voter registration data could easily be changed or canceled, potentially stripping legitimate voters of their right to vote.







The Common Clause suit was filed by Christopher Campbell of DLA Piper in Atlanta, a team of lawyers with New Yorks Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. It alleges that, instead of focusing on patching weaknesses in the website, Kemp instead waged a political counter attack against the Democratic Party. In so doing, Kemp recklessly exposed voters to potential tampering with their voter registration records. Maintaining an unsecure voter registration database and publicizing those vulnerabilities, the lawsuit claims, violates federal and state election laws.





A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo

By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India aims to sign an initial agreement with Iran this month to settle all their oil trade in rupees through UCO Bank, two Indian government sources said.

"We have to do some paper work. It should be signed as early as possible. We are aiming for this month," one of the sources said.

India, which got a waiver from the latest tougher U.S. sanctions against Tehran on Monday, used a similar mechanism in the previous round of sanctions but settled only 45 percent of the payments in rupees.

Iran used the funds to import goods from India, a move that had helped boost India's exports to Tehran.

Paying for Iranian oil in rupees will also strengthen the Indian currency against the U.S. dollar.

Indian refiners will make payments in rupees for purchases of Iranian oil made since September, one of the sources said. Iran grants a 60 day credit period to Indian refiners.

The sources also said the U.S. wants India to restrict its monthly purchases of Iranian oil to 1.25 million tonnes, or 9 million barrels, during the waiver period from November.

The United States re-imposed sanctions on Monday to choke Iran's oil and shipping industries, while temporarily allowing top customers such as China and India to keep buying crude from the Islamic Republic.

India's oil ministry was not immediately available to comment.

Indian Oil Corp, India's top refiner, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd placed an order on Tuesday with National Iranian Oil Co to buy a total of 9 million barrels of oil in December, industry sources said.

IOC would buy 6 million barrels of Iranian oil, while MRPL would import 3 million barrels, the sources added.

Spokesmen for MRPL and IOC declined to comment.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Alexander Smith)By Kirstin Ridley

LONDON (Reuters) - Stewart Ford, founder of now-defunct "death bonds" firm Keydata, said on Wednesday he might seek an appeal after losing a battle against Britain's markets regulator over a record 76 million pound ($100 million) fine.

Ford, who has fought the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and its FSA predecessor since it fast-tracked Keydata Investment Services into administration in 2009, told Reuters that Tuesday's decision by the Upper Tribunal to uphold the penalty was "a beautiful bit of fiction".

The ruling by the Tribunal, which hears regulatory challenges, was oversimplified and had painted him as a villain to suit the narrative, Ford said, adding that he had 28 days to appeal against it.

Regulators shut down Keydata, a structured product provider that promoted Luxembourg-issued bonds backed by life settlement portfolios - second-hand life insurance policies dubbed "death bonds" - amid concerns about how it marketed its products.

Thousands of elderly investors, who put more than 450 million pounds into Keydata products, were forced to apply for compensation in Britain's biggest personal finance scandal in two decades. Many were left nursing losses.

Ford, who moved back to Britain from Switzerland to fight the regulatory battle, denied FCA allegations that he and his companies took 73.3 million pounds in undisclosed fees from the business, saying all fees were legitimate for services provided.

He blamed the regulator for shutting down a business that he said could have been successful.

($1 = 0.7596 pounds)

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Alexander Smith)Shares of Mylan N.V MYL are up 8.1% in after-market trading, after the company beat on earnings in the third quarter. Mylans stock has lost 25.8% so far this year compared with the industrys decline of 6.6%.

Adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 and were up from $1.10 in the year-ago quarter.

However, third-quarter revenues of $2.86 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.87 billion and were down 4% from the prior-year quarter.

Quarter in Detail

The company posts results in three segments on a geographic basis, namely North America, Europe and Rest of World.

North America segments net sales came in at $1.01 billion, down 14%. This decline was primarily due to lower volumes on existing products like the EpiPen Auto-Injector. This was partially offset by new product sales, including the recent launch of Fulphila, a biosimilar of Neulasta. The decline in volumes was primarily driven by the timing of purchases of products by customers, divestiture of certain contract manufacturing assets, loss of exclusivity of a product, and actions associated with the restructuring and remediation program at the Morgantown manufacturing facility.

The FDA completed an inspection at Mylan's plant in Morgantown, West Virginia earlier this year and made observations through a Form 483. Thereafter, Mylan submitted a comprehensive response to the FDA. During the second quarter of 2018, Mylan started a restructuring and remediation program to reduce complexity at the Morgantown manufacturing facility, which led to the discontinuation and transfer of a number of products to other manufacturing sites, a reduction of the workforce and extensive remediation activities. These actions have led to a temporary disruption in supply of certain products.

Net sales in the Europe segment were $1.04 billion in the quarter, an increase of $0.5 million, which was primarily driven by new product sales and higher volumes on existing products.

Story continues

Rest of World segments net sales of $773.7 million were up 4%, driven by new products.

Adjusted gross margin of 55% was slightly down from 53% in the year-ago quarter.

2018 Outlook Reiterated

Mylan expects 2018 total revenues of $11.25-$12.25 billion. The company anticipates adjusted EPS around $4.55-$4.90.

Our Take

Mylans third-quarter results were mixed as the companys earnings beat estimates but revenues missed the same.

Mylan proactively discontinued a number of products, while also transferring some to other sites. These have led to a temporary disruption in supply of certain products and reduced volumes in North America generic sales.

Nevertheless, Mylan continues to gain traction with its biosimilar portfolio. The company has launched nearly 475 new products year to date across its segments, including a record number of complex generics and biosimilars. In August 2018, Mylan completed an agreement with certain subsidiaries of Novartis AG NVS to purchase worldwide rights to their global cystic fibrosis products, consisting of the TOBI Podhaler and TOBI solution. This should further broaden the companys portfolio.

Mylan and partner Biocon obtained the FDA approval for Fulphila. The company earlier received the FDA approval for a biosimilar version of Roche Holdings RHHBY Herceptin.

Meanhwile, the company expects an approval of the generic version of GlaxoSmithKlines GSK asthma drug, Advair Diskus, Wixela. The FDA had earlier issued a complete response letter (CRL) for the same. Nevertheless, Mylan is in discussions with the FDA, regarding the progress of its review. Based on our latest update from the agency, the FDA is in the final stage of the labeling review.

However, these new approvals might not be enough to combat the persistent decline in North America.

Zacks Rank

Mylan carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment ResearchFILE PHOTO: A pump jack on a lease owned by Parsley Energy operates at sunset in the Permian Basin near Midland, Texas U.S. August 23, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Stephanie Kelly

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices were mixed on Monday after a steep five-day fall, as the United States formally imposed punitive sanctions on Iran but granted eight countries temporary waivers allowing them to keep buying oil from the Islamic Republic.

The sanctions are part of U.S. President Donald Trump's effort to curb Iran's missile and nuclear programs and diminish its influence in the Middle East.

Oil markets have been anticipating the sanctions for months. Prices have been under pressure as major producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have ramped up output to near-record levels, while weak economic figures in China have cast doubt on the demand outlook.

News of waivers on the sanctions weighed on prices, analysts said.

"There are a lot of questions about the sanctions, about waivers," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "There's some doubt that the sanctions are going to have the bite the market originally thought."

Brent crude (LCOc1) futures rose 34 cents to settle at $73.17 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude (CLc1) futures fell 4 cents to settle at $63.10 a barrel.

Both oil benchmarks have slid more than 15 percent since hitting four-year highs in early October. Hedge funds have cut bullish bets on crude to a one-year low.

The United States has granted exemptions to China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea, allowing them to continue buying Iranian oil temporarily, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Some of the countries are OPEC member Iran's top customers.

Trump on Monday said he wants to impose sanctions on Iran's oil gradually, citing concerns about shocking energy markets and causing global price spikes.

U.S. officials have said the aim of the sanctions is eventually to stop all Iran's oil exports.

Pompeo said more than 20 countries have already cut oil imports from Iran, reducing purchases by more than 1 million barrels per day.

Story continues

Sanctions have already cost Iran billions of dollars in oil revenue since May, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters on a call on Monday.

Iran said on Monday it would break the sanctions and continue to sell oil abroad.

China's foreign ministry expressed regret at the U.S. move.

Combined output from Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia rose above 33 million bpd for the first time in October, up 10 million bpd since 2010, with all three pumping at or near record volumes.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co plans to boost oil production capacity to 4 million bpd by the end of 2020 and to 5 million bpd by 2030, it said on Sunday, from output of just over 3 million bpd.

Data from analysis firm Kayrros showed Iranian crude production was broadly unchanged in October from September, with barrels still hitting the market alongside additional production from Saudi Arabia and Russia.

(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York, Christopher Johnson in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; editing by Susan Thomas and Dan Grebler)FILE PHOTO: A general view of an oil dock is seen from a ship at the port of Kalantari in the city of Chabahar, 300km (186 miles) east of the Strait of Hormuz January 17, 2012. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi

By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's oil imports from Iran in 2018-19 could be higher than the previous year despite the imposition of U.S. sanctions, a Reuters analysis of industry data shows, forcing the government to rein in purchases in coming months.

India's oil imports from Iran jumped by about 34 percent in April-October from a year earlier, totalling 603,000 bpd or 17.7 million tonnes, tanker arrival data showed.

The sharp increase was due to front-loading of purchases by Indian refiners ahead of renewed U.S. sanctions on Tehran, which came into effect on Monday.

By choking Irans oil and shipping industries, Washington aims to try to force Tehran to quash its nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile programme as well as its support for militant proxies in the Middle East.

The United States granted exemptions to India, China and six other countries, allowing them to temporarily continue buying Iranian oil, but those waiver carry conditions.

For India, Iran's No. 2 oil customer, the 180-day waiver allows refiners to buy only up to 1.25 million tonnes a month, or about 300,000 bpd. That means India will have to slash its monthly purchases from Iran by about half to comply with the waiver.

Analysts still expect that India's purchases of Iranian crude in the full fiscal year ending in March 2019 will exceed the 452,000 bpd, or 22.6 million tonnes, that it imported in the previous year, according to government data.

But there have been some signs of a drop-off in demand. In October, India imported about 466,000 bpd of Iranian oil, according to preliminary tanker arrival data obtained from sources, a decline of 11.6 percent from September and marginally down from October last year.

Most India refiners boosted purchases from Iran ahead of the U.S. sanctions as Iran was offering almost free shipping and extended credit periods, according to oil analysts.

Refiners also wanted to offset the impact of rising global oil prices and a weak Indian rupee.

Story continues

"Indian refiners imported a lot from Iran in the first half of the fiscal year mainly due to the discount offered by Iran," said Sri Paravaikkarasu, head of East of Suez Oil for consultants FGE in Singapore.

She said New Delhi could even ask refiners to cut imports below the waiver level to curry favour with Washington.

Last year India's imports fell as refiners had curtailed Iranian oil purchases due to a dispute with Tehran over development rights to a giant gas field.

State-run Indian refiners that control about 60 percent of the country's capacity had contracted to buy 396,000 bpd of Iranian oil in the current fiscal year. But with new U.S. sanctions in place, they will now have to tell Iran that they cannot fulfil those agreements.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Martin Howell and Susan Fenton)SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proofpoint, Inc. , (PFPT), a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, today announced it has signed an 11-year corporate headquarters lease in Sunnyvale, CA. The company will move from its current Sunnyvale location in late 2020 and relocate to the newly constructed Pathline Park complex, occupying two 121,000-square-foot buildings at 625 N. Mary Avenue and 925 W. Maude Avenue.

Our culture attracts the brightest minds in the industry and we remain dedicated to encouraging global collaboration and ongoing innovation, said Paul Auvil, chief financial officer for Proofpoint. We are pleased to have found a larger Sunnyvale facility just blocks from our current location that can accommodate our planned growth over the coming decade. Moving to Pathline Park enables Proofpoint to continue to scale and secure many of the worlds largest organizations from todays advanced cyberattacks.

Approximately 700 employees currently work in Proofpoints Sunnyvale headquarters and the company remains committed to the local community as underscored by its ongoing philanthropic efforts. Backed by Proofpoint-sponsored events and executive-matching programs, Proofpoint has been recognized by the Santa Clara Second Harvest Food Bank as a Blue Diamond Award winner for donating hundreds of thousands of meals. In addition, Proofpoint employees donate winter clothing to the Sunnyvale County Winter Shelter each year.

For more information on Proofpoint career opportunities in the United States (California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, Utah), Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, please visit https://www.proofpoint.com/us/company/careers .

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint Inc. (PFPT) is a leading next-generation security and compliance company that provides cloud-based solutions to protect the way people work today. Proofpoint solutions enable organizations to protect their users from advanced attacks delivered via email, social media, mobile, and cloud applications, protect the information their users create from advanced attacks and compliance risks, and respond quickly when incidents occur. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com .

Story continues

Connect with Proofpoint: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Google+

Proofpoint is a registered trademark or tradename of Proofpoint, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.GENEVA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia told the United Nations top human rights body on Monday that it was investigating the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate last month with a view to prosecuting the perpetrators.

Bandar Al Aiban, President of the Human Rights Commission of Saudi Arabia who headed the government delegation at a regular review of its record, said in a speech to the U.N. Human Rights Council that King Salman had instructed the public prosecutor to "investigate the case according to applicable laws and to bring perpetrators to justice".

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)Trump's trade war with China matters more to the market than the elections and it's not going well

Trade friction between the U.S. and China is not expected to go away for some time, even though some investors believed the post-midterm election period and a meeting in late November between President Trump and President Xi would provide an opportunity to restart negotiations.

Trump said China wants to do a deal, but Xi gave no indication that China is in a hurry to strike an agreement with the U.S. in a speech Monday.

The midterm elections, if Democrats win the House, could in fact fan the trade war, as empowered Democrats could see the trade differences with China as their issue.

The U.S. and China could remain locked in an escalating trade war for quite a while, and analysts have low expectations for any progress at a much-touted meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping at the end of the month.

There had been some expectation that the post-midterm election environment and the upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi at the G-20 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, would provide an improved atmosphere for trade talks to resume. But analysts remain skeptical and say trade tensions could get worse before they get better, with even more tariffs coming in 2019.

Trump said he spoke with Xi last week and China wants to make a deal, but strategists said it still seems that there are no substantive talks and the two sides have not found common ground. Xi, meanwhile, spoke at a conference Monday and while he did not directly mention the U.S. by name, he insinuated that there is a major rift between the two countries.

"I'm glad Trump talked to Xi last week. I think the atmospherics have gotten a little bit better, but frankly I think Trump said that because he knew the market would be pleased, and he wanted to see the markets rally ahead of the election," said Greg Valliere, chief global strategist at Horizon Investment. "Xi said something kind of critical over the weekend to indicate we're a long way away from a deal."

Story continues

Xi spoke at the opening ceremony of China's International Import Expo, an event where China has been hoping to show that it is sincere about boosting imports and elevating its consumer in the global trade arena. But as trade tensions with the U.S. rise, China's exports have also risen, with the trade gap with the U.S. at a record $40.2 billion in September.

"As globalisation deepens, the practices of 'law of the jungle' and 'winner-take-all' are a narrowing road that leads to a dead end," said Xi. "Inclusion and reciprocity, win-win and mutual benefits is the widening and correct path."

Xi also said China would support reforms to the World Trade Organization and improve protection for intellectual property, two ideas supported by the U.S.

Trump, in his comments Friday, said China's economy is hurting and that it wants a deal. But if one can't be reached, the president said he's ready to move ahead with another $267 billion in tariffs. China's stock market has been sliding, and Shanghai equities are off by about 20 percent year to date. Service sector data, released early Monday, showed slowing orders, with the Caixin/Markit services purchasing managers' index falling to 50.8 in October from 53.1 in September, the lowest in more than a year.

"There's nothing in Xi's speech that shows he's about to capitulate. I think what happened is Xi and China made a deal with [Treasury Secretary Steven] Mnuchin earlier this year to reduce the trade deficit. China would buy more goods including agriculture and energy and then Trump said we don't have an agreement. I think that soured the relationship," said Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Global Forex. "[China] is seeing this as a long-term protracted struggle and because of that they're trying to find ways around it."

Election effect on trade talks

Chandler said if the Democrats take a majority in the House of Representatives, as expected, the battle against China will be fought by both parties in Congress, since China can be seen as a villain hurting U.S. workers and taking U.S. jobs.

"I don't think the relationship with China changes. ... Will it be Congress talking about how bad the Chinese are? ... or will it be the president?" he said. "If Trump is seen as capitulating to the Chinese, will that really boost his electoral chances? Is trade really the thing that's fired up his base? Proof that it's not is that he's played up immigration," said Chandler.

Gary Hufbauer, senior fellow at Peterson Institute, said Trump succeeded in putting China aside as voters go the polls Tuesday. He said he expects, however, that the trade war with China will continue through Trump's term in office, unless business or consumers are hurt too much by it.

"My view is it's a cold war and the leading edge of the cold war is economic sanctions" with the U.S. putting tariffs on China, he said. "We don't see it as a straight line. There will be back and forth. The surprise to me will be if there is some kind of breakthrough at the end of the month and a double surprise is if Turmp doesn't do anything on Jan. 1." The U.S. has said it would boost the current 10 percent tariff on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent Jan. 1 if nothing improves.

But Daniel Clifton, head of policy research at Strategas, said Trump will stop the tensions with China before it hurts him politically. "We have been arguing in client meetings over the past two weeks that the cold war thesis is being viewed as too binary of an option by investors. Trump wants to get re-elected more than anything else. Is he really going to tank the economy before his re-election? Likely not. So why is he doing this now? Because it is a midterm election year and he is trying to ramp up his base. He also goes all in on his opponent before cutting the deal. Our guess is that Trump can cut a trade deal post-midterms and then ramp up the geopolitical pressure after his re-election," said Clifton.

BlackRock strategists said the midterm elections could stir up some volatility but trade remains the bigger factor looming for markets and global growth.

"De-escalation of such tensions would cheer risk assets such as equities. A likely meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month will be a key signpost of whether tensions are set to easeor heat up further in 2019," BlackRock strategists wrote.





More From CNBC

Ultragenyx (RARE) Posts Narrower-Than-Expected Loss in Q3 Ultragenyx (RARE) submitts regulatory filings in Canada, Brazil and Colombia for Crysvita for the treatment of XLH.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical RARE reported loss per share of $1.74 in the third quarter of 2018, which was narrower than the loss of $1.87 in the year-ago quarter. Loss was also narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of $1.94.

For the third quarter, Ultragenyx reported $11.8 million in total revenues. Revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.2 million.

Total revenues included $3.6 million received from Bayer BAYRY in relation to Ultragenyxs research agreement with the former to develop adeno-associated virus gene therapies. Ultragenyx recognized $5.4 million in profit sharing and royalty revenues from Japanese collaboration partner Kyowa Hakko Kirin for Crysvita. Mepsevii product revenues were $2.1 million, and UX007 revenues were $0.4 million.

Please note that though UX007 is not an approved product, the company recognizes sales from the candidate on a named patient basis. This is allowed in certain countries, prior to the commercial approval of a product.

We remind investors that the FDA approved Crysvita in April for the treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in adult and pediatric patients aged one year or older. Further, Mepsevii, an enzyme replacement therapy, is the first and the only medicine approved for the treatment of children and adults with mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) in the United States.

Shares of Ultragenyx increased 14.2% year to date, against the industrys decline of 16.6%.

Pipeline Updates

The company submitted regulatory filings in Canada, Brazil and Colombia for Crysvita, for the treatment of XLH. Regulatory decisions in these markets are expected in 2019.

The company is in discussions with the FDA regarding the regulatory pathway for Crysvita, for the treatment of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia (TIO).

The European Commission (EC) approved the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Mepsevii, under exceptional circumstances for the treatment of non-neurological manifestations of MPS VII. Mepsevii is now approved for use in all 28 EU countries along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The drug has also been launched in Germany.

Story continues

The FDA accepted Ultragenyxs proposal to submit a new drug application (NDA) for UX007, for the treatment of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD) based on currently available data. The company will provide further details following a pre-NDA meeting, which is scheduled to take place by the end of 2018. Additionally, discussions are progressing with the European Medicines Agency, regarding a potential conditional marketing authorization in Europe.

In October 2018, Ultragenyx announced that the phase III study, evaluating UX007 in patients with Glut1 DS, did not achieve its primary endpoint compared to placebo. The company plans to discontinue further Glut1 DS clinical development for UX007, and expects no impact on plans for the LC-FAOD indication.

Positive top-line data from the first two dose cohorts of the phase I/II study of DTX301 gene therapy in ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency showed normalization of ureagenesis in two patients and further support proof-of-concept.The first patient in cohort 3 has been dosed. Data from higher dose cohort 3 are expected in mid-2019.

Ultragenyx exercised its option with REGENXBIO Inc. RGNX to develop a gene therapy to treat patients with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), using REGENXBIOs adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors including AAV9.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank & Other Stock to Consider

Ultragenyx currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Hold).

A better-ranked stock worth considering is Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Bristol-Myers earnings per share estimates have increased from $3.59 to $3.81 for 2018 and from $3.83 to $4.03 for 2019 over the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in all of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 11.99%.

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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.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (BAYRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE) : Free Stock Analysis Report



REGENXBIO Inc. (RGNX) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment ResearchThere were first-time voters and straight-ticket voters and some who, this go-around, switched sides. They went to the polls considering the caravan of migrants trudging across Mexico, their health insurance and their paychecks, an impotent Congress, and the nation's poisonous political culture that has divided even families and friends along party lines.

More than anything on this Election Day in America, in a midterm contest like no other before it, voters cast their ballots with one man in mind: President Donald Trump.

"Trump is terrifying and we need to make a change, so I've been encouraging my friends and family to vote," said Samantha Bohr, 26, casting her ballot in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey.

Nine hundred miles away, in Nashville, Tennessee, 50-year-old Robert DuBois arrived at his polling place wearing one of Trump's signature red Make America Great Again caps. "That's why there's a line out that door," he said. "You either don't want Trump's agenda or you do want Trump's agenda."

They joined millions of Americans who turned out in droves Tuesday  some lining up before the sun rose, some standing for hours or braving pouring rain or snow  to vote in an election that will determine control of Congress and render a verdict on Trump's first two years in office. The outcome could redefine the nation's political landscape for months and years to come.

Democrats need to gain 23 seats to take control of the House of Representatives, and hope to ride the wave of liberal fury that organized after Trump's surprising victory in 2016.

"My loathing for him knows no bounds," said Kathleen Ross, 69, a retired professor voting in Olympia, Washington, who described herself as a lifelong progressive. She said she was confident the country eventually would reject Trumpism and the divisive governing it represents. "I tend to think the arc of the universe bends toward justice, so I don't become discouraged."

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Trump has sought to counter some of that rage by stoking anger, fear and enthusiasm in his base. In recent weeks, he's put the spotlight on a caravan of Central American migrants that he calls "an invasion" of criminals and terrorists. He ran an advertisement about immigration so racially incendiary that all three major cable news networks, including Fox News, either refused to air it or eventually decided to stop showing it.

Among some Republican voters, that message resonated.

"What's going on right now is pretty scary to me, at the border, with all those people coming, and I don't think I'm hardhearted or anything," said Patricia Maynard, 63, a retired teacher in Skowhegan, Maine.

When she voted for Trump in 2016, the blue-collar economy was her primary concern. Now, she said, immigration tops the list. She laments that Congress has so far failed to pass legislation to build the wall Trump promised along the border. So she voted for Republicans Tuesday, with hopes they would retain control and push Trump's agenda.

In Jefferson City, Missouri, Linda Rice believes there are criminals in the caravan. Both Rice and her husband, Richard, praised Trump's time in office, particularly his focus on the economy and his work to secure the border. "I just don't think that my tax money should be taken away from me and given to a person who came across the border illegally," Richard Rice said. "Get in line. Do it correctly."

Just ahead of Election Day, Trump sent military troops to the border a move critics called unnecessary and a political stunt, given the migrants, many of them women and children fleeing poverty and violence, are traveling mostly on foot and remain hundreds of miles away.

For those who oppose Trump, the caravan controversy singularly represents what they find unconscionable about his presidency.

"He's always used the scare tactics and found an enemy to band against," said 24-year-old Enrique Padilla of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Padilla considers his own family an example of the American dream. His father migrated from Mexico as a laborer at 18, raised his family, and now Padilla has a college degree. The president's persistent demonization of immigrants galvanized him and many of his peers to vote against Republicans, Padilla said.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Mary Cross, a 64-year-old African-American voter, said she believes Trump uses issues like immigration to distract from more important topics. "It's manufactured fear. It's uncivilized. It's just a bunch of mayhem for nothing. There's no substance to this," said Cross, who thinks the country should be talking about the Republican-led campaign to overturn the Affordable Health Care Act that protects people with pre-existing conditions.

Cross, and others, expressed a heightened sense of unease and sadness about the state of America's political climate. The election comes just days after a series of hate crimes and political attacks. Where Cross lives, a gunman tried to get into a majority-black church but found the doors locked and went instead to a nearby grocery store, where he gunned down two African-American shoppers in what police are calling a hate crime.

"Our president, with his rhetoric and vulgar language, continues to throw fuel on the fire. Racism has always been around, but since he's been in office, people feel free to express it and feel good about it," said the Rev. Kevin Nelson, the pastor of the Louisville church the gunman targeted. The congregation has received cards and calls from all over the country, from Christians and Jews and Muslims and atheists  and also a white man in Texas who said he was sorry about what happened and promised to cast his ballot against the rhetoric he believed to be igniting hate.

"You're always hoping that somehow, some way, someday, it's going to change," Nelson said before he voted Tuesday. "I'm hopeful that it could be this time."

The Simon Wiesenthal Center released a survey on the eve of the election that showed a quarter of Americans have lost friends over political disagreements and are less likely to attend social functions because of politics.

Odell White, a 60-year-old African-American conservative, described the country's tribalism as veering toward civil war.

"We are dangerously close to that type of mentality  brothers fighting brothers. That's how bad it is," said White, who supports Trump and voted for Republicans. Friends have turned away because of his political leanings. White said he doesn't like the president's aggressive rhetoric, but he's willing to overlook it because of the booming economy and the two conservatives Trump installed on the Supreme Court.

But Trumpism has proved too much for some.

In Portland, Maine, Josh Rent, 43, a small business owner and registered Republican, said he voted mostly for Democrats all the way down the ballot for the first time to protest Trump, who he believes is unnecessarily dividing Americans for his own gain. "He's just nasty," he said. "Life doesn't have to be this nasty, in my opinion."

If Democrats do win big, Tory Dibbins, a 53-year-old physical therapist from Portland, Maine, and herself a Democrat, has a warning.

"If you're going to talk about 'let's end the divisiveness and be inclusive' then you have to try to get people to be more bipartisan," she said. "You have to win people back to the center."

___

Also contributing were AP reporters Adam Geller in New Jersey, Sheila Burke in Tennessee, Martha Irvine in Illinois, Steve Megargee in Tennessee, Jocelyn Noveck in New York, Rachel La Corte in Washington, Margery Beck in Nebraska, Kantele Franko in Ohio, Summer Ballentine and Jim Salter in Missouri, Matt Volz in Montana, Hannah Grabenstein in Arkansas and Chris Chester in Maine.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsRandy Chartash, chief of the Economic Crime Section at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. (Courtesy photo)

Randy Chartash (Courtesy photo)



Randy Chartash, chief of the white collar section for the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta, is starting his own firm after 27 years as a federal prosecutor.



Chartash said he'll be handling white collar cases for individuals, as well as qui tam whistleblower lawsuits against corporations. Ill see what emerges, he said. Those are the core areas.



Chartash, 62, spent almost three decades as a federal prosecutor, joining the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia in 1991. He rose to chief of the economic crimes section in 2006, with between 20 to 25 of the Atlanta offices roughly 100 prosecutors working under him.



I liked it. It was fun, he said. I enjoyed my work there.



But now hes ready to try something new. I want to challenge myself. Ive been the white collar prosecutor for the Northern District of Georgia for a generation, said Chartash, who is calling his new firm Chartash Law.



Randy has been a steady leader of our office for over two decades, said Atlanta U.S. Attorney BJay Pak. As a prosecutor, he handled some of the most high profile and complex fraud cases in our office.



We will miss his deep legal knowledge and skill, but we will also miss his boundless energy and positive attitude, Pak said. "He is also a talented chef! We wish him the best in the next chapter of his career.



Chartash said carrot cake has been his "signature dessert" for U.S. attorney's office gatherings, estimating that he's made at least 100 over the years. "The carrot cake always gets eaten first," he added.



Chartash is subletting space from two of Atlantas best-known criminal defense attorneys, Ed Garland and Don Samuel of Garland, Samuel & Loeb, in their Buckhead building at 3151 Maple Drive. He said hes known the two for more than 20 years from his work trying or supervising cases on the other side.



Plenty of former federal prosecutors from the Atlanta U.S. attorneys office have joined big corporate defense firms around town over the yearsmost recently Doug Gilfillan to Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and Larry Sommerfeld to Alston & Bird.



Chartash said he talked to some of those firms but decided he wanted the freedom to practice the way I want, choosing what cases to take without having to worry about billable hours.



I can do a lot of different things Im interested in. Its more freedom, he said.



Having his own shop also allows him to partner with big firms on white collar cases, which often involve charges against both a corporation and individuals.



I hope they know my expertise, Chartash said of his many former colleagues now at big corporate defense firms. Ill seek them out if they dont seek me out, he added.



Big Cases



Chartash has won numerous DOJ awards, including the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, for the big cases hes tried over his career, ranging from corporate malfeasance, such as health care fraud, to public corruption to multimillion-dollar Ponzi schemes.



Ive done a lot of fun stuff as well as supervising all the people doing all the other fun stuff, Chartash said. Other recognitions include the 2017 Atlanta Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year.



The DOJ in 2011 gave him its highest honor for legal performance, the John Marshall Award, for leading a team of AUSAs in a joint criminal and civil investigation of Allergans off-label promotion of Botox for headaches, pain, spasticity and other uses, prompted by a whistleblower tip.



Allergans misbranding caused millions in false claims to be made to federal health care programs. As part of the global settlement, the pharma giant pleaded guilty to Botox misbranding and paid criminal and civil fines totaling $600 million. It was the Northern District of Georgias largest settlement in history.



Chartash co-prosecuted with Pak the Coke secrets case, which led to an eight-year prison sentence in 2007 for former Coca-Cola executive Joya Williams over a failed scheme to sell Cokes trade secrets to PepsiCo for at least $1.5 million. Co-conspirator Ibrahim Dimson was sentenced to five years and Edmund Duhaney received two years.



Everybody thinks it was about the formula. It was actually the financial plans of Coke, Chartash said.



One big Ponzi scheme case was over a pay phone scam that defrauded $440 million from 12,000 investors, many of them retirees. Defendant Charles Edwards ran the scheme from 1996 to 2000 to sell interests in pay phones for $5,000 to $7,000 per phone, which investors would then lease back to his company, ETS Payphones. Edwards received a 12-year prison sentence in 2006 and was ordered to pay $320 million in restitution.



In a big public corruption case, Chartash in 2001 won fraud convictions of a financial adviser and underwriter's representative in a 1992 refinancing by Fulton County of municipal water and sewer bonds. In return for a bribe, the financial adviser, Michael DeVegter, a vice president at investment bank Stephens Inc., recommended that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners should hire Richard Poirier of Lazard Freres & Co. as underwriter and manipulated the RFP process in Lazards favor. DeVegter received 13 months and Poirer seven monthsalthough the prosecutors repeatedly appealed for longer sentences.



Its a little different, Chartash said of the switch from prosecution to defense, but youre still seeking the truth and trying to help people. We all participate in the system together.



Chartash, who left the U.S. attorney's office on Oct. 31, said Monday that he is still setting up his new Buckhead office.



I think it will be fun, he said. If I can get my computer to work, it will be fun.James R. Ray III, an attorney who is wanted for the murder of his girlfriend, Angela Bledsoe, in Montclair, New Jersey.



A New York attorney who authorities say shot his child's mother to death at the couple's New Jersey home has been apprehended in Cuba and returned to U.S. soil.



James R. Ray III, 55, was apprehended before he passed through customs at an airport in Cuba on Oct. 28, and was brought back to New Jersey by FBI agents on Nov. 6, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.



After shooting Angela M. Bledsoe, 44, on Oct. 23 at a Montclair home, he took the couple's 6-year-old daughter to the home of relatives, then traveled to the Southwestern U.S. and crossed the border into Mexico before catching a flight to Cuba, Stephens said.



After obtaining a tip that Ray intended to travel to Cuba, authorities obtained a so-called Red Notice from Interpol, stating that Ray was wanted for murder, according to Gregory Ehrie, special agent in charge at the FBI's Newark office. Cuban officials honored that notice and apprehended him before he passed through customs, and he was held in a nearby jail before being turned over to U.S. officials, Ehrie said.



Ray is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility and will have a bail hearing on Nov. 13 before Essex County Superior Court Judge Martin Cronin. The prosecutor's office will seek to have him held without bail, Stephens said, noting the extensive cooperation between local, county, state, national and international law enforcement.



The prosecutor's office said Ray faces murder and weapons charges.



Bledsoe suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene when police visited the couple's Montclair home for a wellness check.



No motive has been identified for the murder, Stephens said, and he declined to say if the gun used to shoot Bledsoe has been recovered.



Ray practiced at the Law Firm of Ray and Associates on Fulton Street in Manhattan, described on its website as a full-service intellectual property, business and personal injury law firm. He graduated in 2008 from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.



Ray was sued in April 2013 by a paralegal in his office who accused him of firing her after she rejected his sexual advances. The plaintiff, Sabrina Rafi, said in court papers that Ray preyed on recent law school graduates by using the depressed market to take advantage of novices to the profession. Rafi claimed Ray identified himself as a polygamist and announced his intention to make her his third wife, according to the complaint. Rafi, then a recent graduate of American Universitys Washington College of Law, and awaiting admission to the New York bar, was required to work 50 to 55 hours per week at Rays firm in exchange for a salary of $800 a month, the suit said. The case was settled for $35,000 in December 2013, according to a court document.



In April 2014, Ray represented himself in a civil rights suit against the New Jersey judge who presided over his matrimonial case, Superior Court Judge Nancy Sivilli, and Leslie Renee Adams, the lawyer who represented Ray's former wife. He claimed his due process and equal protection rights were violated by the judge's disposition of his dispute with his former wife about who should make tuition payments for their child, but the matter ended when the defendants' motions to dismiss were granted in July 2014.As a helicopter pilot for the Afghan Army, Major Abdul Rahman Rahmani has one of the most dangerous jobs in Afghanistan.

His Special Mission Wing, believed to be one of the best in South Asia, is often involved in dangerous nighttime assaults on Taliban positions in the vast mountainous country where the insurgents control large swathes of the countryside.

The media-shy pilot, however, recently attracted attention with an emotional letter to the widow of an American mentor. Major Brent Taylor of the Utah National Guard was killed in an apparent insider attack in Kabul on November 3.

The term insider attack, also called a green-on-blue attack, refers to a shootout incident when Afghan soldiers fire on international troops with whom they are working. The Taliban typically claim credit for such attacks.

I wanted to send the terrorists a message: As much as you try to create a wedge between the Afghan and international forces, we are going to remain united and fight against you with everything we have got, he told RFE/RLs Gandhara website of his motivations in writing the letter.

I also wanted to send a humane message to Taylors widow from the country where he lost his life, he said.

The November 5 letter, now pinned to Rahmanis Twitter profile, tells Jennie Taylor that her late husband was an inspiring man who taught him how to treasure his family. I gained a great deal of knowledge from him and I am a better person for having met him, he wrote.

Rahmani says he was twice injured in combat and lost eight relatives including his father, three uncles, and two cousins during the various cycles of war in Afghanistan over the past four decades.

However, I will continue to still fight this good fight in the words of your respectful husband, he wrote, emphasizing that winning the war in Afghanistan is important to prevent international terrorists from launching attacks like those of 9/11 in the United States 17 years ago.

Rahmani told Jennie the insider attack that killed her husband was not representative of Afghans. We pledge to continue to work hard until the end, the day when peace will return to our country and violence and hatred no longer claim the lives of both of our countrymen, he wrote.

Brents brother-in-law, Jared Pack, shared Rahmanis letter with Jennie. He told BuzzFeed that the letter is like gold to the family. "It gives so much context as to why he had gone to Afghanistan," he said.

The Afghan forces have endured mounting casualties and lost rural territories to the resurgent Taliban since the departure of most U.S. NATO troops from the country in 2014. Since then remaining international troops have adopted a supportive role and Afghan casualties have multiplied.

Rahmani, however, sees the Afghan forces as able to prevent the Taliban from taking over major cities. He says that with sustained international support they can defeat the insurgents.

We have a lot of experience over [the] past 17 years. Especially our special forces are proving that they are better in fighting close combat with our enemies, he said.Pedestrians look at a vendors wares in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday. Iran greeted the reimposition of U.S. sanction with air defense drills and a statement from President Hassan Rouhani that the nation faces a war situation.In late October, Monika Celly gathered her cooking class students and friends for an early celebration of Diwali, the most significant festival in Indian culture. We chose colorful Indian clothing from her wardrobe to wear, painted clay diyas (candle holders), made rangoli patterns with colored rice, and feasted on traditional foods and trays of sweets.

It was a delightful and delicious introduction to the holiday. Those who are familiar with it will start celebrating Wednesday. Diwali usually falls in October or November based on the Hindu lunar calendar.

Its a five-day festival of lights, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, said Celly, owner of Polka Dots and Curry cooking classes. There are many legends surrounding the actual origin, with a common thread of triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. We light candles to illuminate our homes and hearts so we can remove negative vibes and replace them with positivity and love for each other.

Preparations for Diwali begin several weeks earlier, similar to the Christmas season.

A few weeks before Diwali, people start cleaning their homes and offices, like spring cleaning here, she said. We believe this invites wealth and prosperity into our homes. And a week before Diwali, we start decorating our houses with colorful rangoli artwork and light up our homes with traditional earthen diyas.

On the night of Diwali, people dress in their best clothes, often new.

Ladies wear saree or a salwar kameez in rich fabrics and colors and adorn themselves with gold jewelry, Celly said. Men like to wear kurta pajama.

People wish each other a happy Diwali, light lamps and candles, and offer prayers. This is followed by a family feast, an exchange of gifts and finally fireworks.

But ultimately, the food makes the holiday.

Diwali menus vary from region and family food preferences, she said. Some prefer an all-vegetarian meal, and some prefer mutton or chicken. No matter what is being served, food will always play a central theme to the celebrations.

Some of the dishes Celly has taught in her classes are likely to turn up at a Diwali buffet, such as samosas, fritters and street foods.

Carrot pudding or rice puddings are very popular too, she said. Each family will have their own favorite meal with different curries, vegetable dishes and different appetizers.

And for dessert?

Diwali celebrations are incomplete without Indian sweets, she said, which come in a variety of colors, shapes and flavors. Saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon  all these spices are used in the preparation of different fudges, more popularly known as barfi in India.  Most of the sweets are made from nuts, milk or milk products.

Celly teaches many of these recipes, but if youd rather buy the holiday sweets, Fahad Afeef has been stocking his shelves at Adams International Market with Indian cookies and candies since late summer. Youll find all sorts of goodies in a variety of colors, shapes and flavors.

Some of the popular treats youll spot are kaju barfi (cashew fudge), ladoo (coconut balls), besan ladoo (sweetened chickpea flour balls), gulab jamuns (sweet dumplings made from flour and milk) and rasgulla (sweet dumplings made from paneer  Indian cottage cheese).

contact the writer: 636-0271.A rapid-fire construction project will allow the National Museum of World War II Aviation to have more planes on display by spring.

The museum, on the west side of the Colorado Springs Airport, broke ground on the new exhibit hall Wednesday, with five World War II veterans manning the shovels. The long-planned expansion will include a pair of flying boats from the war and two one-of-a-kind fighters.

By next spring, youll be able to see some of the rarest examples of World War II aircraft on the globe, museum boss Bill Klaers said.

The long-planned Kaija Raven Shook Aeronautical Pavilion will add 40,000 square feet to the museum. That means more treasures, including WWII planes meticulously rebuilt by Klaers adjacent Westpac Restorations facility.

The pavilion is designed to grow, with a second phase planned to double its size.

The museum, opened in 2012, has a mix of Air Force and Navy planes that battled in Europe and in the Pacific. It was designated by Congress last year as the nations premiere facility for World War II aircraft.

This is a national jewel, said Colorado Springs Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who pushed the bill that gave the museum the national designation.

Getting enough money to expand the place, though, has taken years. It has been a long road, Klaers said.

A driving factor for the expansion is that the museum has more planes than space. Thats thanks largely to billionaire aviation buff Jim Slattery, who has offered to put 15 planes from his encyclopedic collection of World War II aircraft on display there.

Among the planes are a Grumman F3F, a biplane fighter that was still in service when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and a Consolidated PBY Catalina, the iconic twin-engine flying boat that was used to spot the Japanese fleet at Midway.

Another plane destined for the new museum space is White-33, a twin-engine P-38 Lightning fighter that was flown in World War II by a Colorado Springs pilot, the late Frank Royal.

Slattery, along with the El Pomar and Anschutz foundations, helped bankroll the expansion. Slattery has offered another $5 million for further expansion if the museum can raise the cash to match it.

For the first phase of the expansion, the museum is wasting no time. With the push for an April opening, there are few minutes to spare.

To host the groundbreaking, Klaers had to halt bulldozers that already are at work.

When were done here, get back to work, fast, he told the crews.Colorado Politics senior political reporter

Joey Bunch is the senior correspondent and deputy managing editor of Colorado Politics. His 32-year career includes the last 16 in Colorado. He was part of the Denver Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and he is a two-time finalist.- Click here for the latest election results.

As of late Tuesday, it appeared that Colorados next governor, treasurer and secretary of state will all be Democrats, and the Democrat running for attorney general held a narrow lead.

Perhaps the biggest upset of the bunch is Democratic political newcomer Jena Griswold, who defeated Republican incumbent Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

Griswold received a congratulatory concession call from Williams just before 9:30 p.m. as she mingled with supporters in a hospitality suite across the lobby from the state Democrats overflowing election night watch party.

Moments later, she leaped onto a chair and pumped her fist in the air to quiet the crowd. We won! she said, adding that she was proud to be the first Democrat elected to be Colorados secretary of state in 60 years. Were not going to let the politics of fear divide us, she said.

Democratic treasurer candidate Dave Young clinched his victory a few minutes later as Republican candidate Brian Watson called to concede. Young held a more solid lead over Watson with 50.09 percent and 47.43 percent of the vote, respectively.

Were thrilled with the results and thrilled that weve run a very lean race and managed to be successful, Young said.

He acknowledged that the Democratic wave had something to do with his win.

Theres some momentum, Young said I think people are ready for a change. I think some responsibility comes with that. I was in the House when we held both chambers; you want to be very careful with that. You represent everyone in the state. You want to be sure you are doing a job of governance that does, in fact, represent everyone in the state. Thats how Im going to approach this as treasurer.

The slimmest margin of the group belongs to the race between the attorney general candidates. At press time, Democrat Phil Weiser held 49.04 percent of the vote to Republican George Brauchlers 48.2 percent.

Diana Noyes, a spokeswoman for Weisers campaign, declined to comment on the Democratic candidates narrow lead Tuesday evening.

Griswold, an attorney, gained traction with voters by portraying Williams as quick to release voter information to President Trumps administration. She also far outraised Williams in the campaign, tripling his contributions by collection nearly $1 million. She spent much of that money on TV ads, promising to safeguard Coloradans right to vote.

Williams had attempted to safeguard his position by pointing to his track record in the office and pointing to reports from The Washington Post that called Colorado the safest state to cast a vote.

Like Griswold, Brauchler attempted to lean on his experience to gin up support. He is district attorney in Colorados 18th Judicial District and portrayed Weiser as seriously lacking courtroom experience. But Weiser gained a following with his pledges to defend the Affordable Care Act, protect public lands and fight the separation of immigrant families at the border. Weiser is a former University of Colorado Law School dean and former official in the Department of Justice under Presidents Obama and Clinton.

Weiser had painted Brauchler as unwilling to defend the rights of Coloradans in the face of President Donald Trumps administration.

In the treasurers race, Young, a state representative from Greeley, relied on his experience in the statehouse to garner votes, painting Watson, a professional real estate investor, as a candidate who would bring conflicts of interest into the office and stretch himself too thin with his private business enterprises.- Click here for complete election results

Incumbent Sheriff Bill Elder appeared assured of another four years as the county's top lawman on Tuesday night.

As of 9:45 p.m., he had about 121,400 votes, or about 66 percent, according to early returns. His Democratic counterpart, Grace Sweeney-Maurer, had nearly 61,500 votes, or nearly 34 percent, unofficial preliminary results show.

"We worked hard at this. Im glad its over. Im tired of the nonsense that has gone on in politics, and my race wasnt immune to it," Elder said.

"Im frankly shocked that that many people voted party lines," he added.

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office did not have an estimate of how many votes were still left to be counted.

The lead signals that Elder is likely to have another four years to work on the problems facing the law enforcement agency, from a jail thats facing record-high populations to a spate of illegal marijuana grows that his administration says have proliferated since pot was legalized.

Elder spent more than 20 years working for the Sheriff s Office and Fountain Police Department before his election four years ago.

In the June Republican primary, he defeated Retired Air Force Col. Mike Angley, who made reports of internal dissatisfaction with Elders leadership a focal point of his campaign.

But Elder's supporters have said he has improved morale among staff and restored professionalism to the office after disgraced ex-Sheriff Terry Maketa stepped down in 2014.

The environment just seems so much safer for all of our deputies and detectives, said Sheriff's Sgt. Jake Abendschan, who was at a Republican watch party at the Colorado Springs Country Club on Tuesday night to cheer Elder on. Overall, the relationship with the community has improved substantially.

During Elder's campaign, he touted his efforts to form partnerships with other local law enforcement agencies and highlighted the crackdown on illegal marijuana grows. He said his administration estimates the number of illegal grows has fallen from about 650 to about 300 since the beginning of the year and plans to continue the push into next year.

Sweeney-Maurer, who previously worked with the Honolulu Police Department as a training facilitator, was nominated from the floor at the Democratic Partys county assembly in March.

During her campaign, she emphasized the need to reduce the jail population, put more patrols on the street, and improve trust in the Sheriffs Office. She also said she would push for more community-based solutions to help people with mental illnesses and find alternatives to incarceration.The Colorado governor's race turned on aspirations, financial realities and a blue wave of support for Democrats, drowning Republican gubernatorial nominee Walker Stapleton in favor of Democrat Jared Polis, who will become the first elected openly gay governor in the U.S., and the state's first Jewish governor.- Click here for the latest election results.

Congratulations to U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who ran a fair campaign to become the 43rd governor of Colorado.

As Polis and Gazette readers know, The Gazettes editorial board hoped for a different outcome and supported Republican nominee Walker Stapleton. We genuinely like and respect both men but have more faith in the limited-government vision Stapleton campaigned upon than the expensive big-government promises of Polis. With the election behind us, we hope to support Polis on an assortment of policy matters in which we may find common ground. No matter where one stood during the campaign, all Coloradans should hope for Polis to succeed in making our state an even a better place for people of all backgrounds.

As of press time, it appeared Republicans lost control of the Colorado Senate. With Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, Polis can get a lot done in his first year. As a Colorado native who loves this state, we trust him to govern from the middle and work toward outcomes that benefit those who supported him and those who did not.

Our best hopes for a successful Polis first term rest on his enormously successful history as a self-made businessman. We trust he understands how private-sector, for-profit endeavors fund government and everything it does.

We were surprised on the Saturday before the election when Reagan administration free market economist Arthur Laffer told Fox News he was excited about the likely Polis victory. Polis interned for Laffer, who later served on several boards of directors for companies founded by Polis. Laffer told Fox he believed Polis ran on a tax-reduction platform. We had not heard that message from Polis, so we reached out to him within moments of Laffers comments.

Its a big part of my campaign ignored by conservative news outlets like yours, Polis explained in a text, in response to our question about a tax cut. Shooting for a 3-5% reduction in state income tax.

That we applaud and support. Health care comprises the weightiest element of the governor-elects platform. He promises lower prices and better access, and we hope he achieves both without raising taxes, killing jobs or lowering quality of care. Given his entrepreneurial penchant for solving problems, we proceed with confidence Polis will indeed figure out how to increase access and lower costs for all Coloradans.

Whatever else our next governor does, we hope he will follow in the footsteps of Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and prioritize small business, education, school choice, oil and gas, and minimal regulation. Economic growth represents the most benevolent public policy available.

In what can be called a Colorado shellacking for Republican candidates, Democrat Phil Weiser defeated Douglas County District Attorney George Brauchler for Colorado attorney general. Weiser met with The Gazettes editorial board for 90 minutes, impressing us with his track record for supporting and encouraging Colorado entrepreneurs. The former dean of the University of Colorado Law School, Weiser has a deep command of the law, and we expect good things of him in his new role. He could succeed if he stays focused on Colorado and not on national politics.

Perhaps the only genuinely devastating result of Colorados election was the indefensible defeat of Secretary of State Wayne Williams by a young 30-something who seldom votes and has little relevant experience for the job. Jena Griswold, who explained she missed voting in one of several elections because she was salsa dancing, replaces a seasoned elections expert largely considered the most respected secretary of state in the country by Democrats and Republicans. Griswold has big shoes to fill, and we hope she can rise to the occasion. This outcome can be nothing other than the result of blind-partisan down-ballot voting.

In other election news, a large Colorado Springs demographic lost when voters up the road in Congressional District 6 rejected Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman in favor of Democrat Jason Crow. Coffman, along with 5th District U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, was one of only two Colorado representatives on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and played a key role in victories for more than 80,000 veterans who call El Paso County home. Lamborn kept his seat with a victory. Based on statewide candidate races, Tuesdays results show Colorado shifting from a purple swing state to a reliably blue state in which Democrats outnumber Republicans and independents vote more with Democrats than Republicans. Though Tuesday revealed a leftward drift in partisan candidate elections, the electorate went right on nonpartisan ballot measures that proposed more taxes and regulations. Statewide, voters wisely rejected Proposition 112. Energy producers should take this outcome as an invitation to continue exploring and producing throughout Colorado  providing good jobs, energy our country needs, and tax revenues that fund public schools and local governments. Be assured, most Coloradans understand and appreciate the benefits of domestic oil and gas.

Other encouraging Colorado outcomes include:

 Rejection of the irresponsible Proposition 110 transportation tax increase

 Rejection of the irresponsible Amendment 73 soak-the-rich education tax increase, which would have eliminated Colorados fair and reasonable flat tax

 Rejection of Amendment 74, which would have encouraged trial lawyers to sue local governments when land owners make reasonable use of private property

 Approval of Amendments Y and Z to eliminate partisan gerrymandering

 Rejection of lowering the minimum age for service in the Colorado legislature from 25 to 21

Sadly, voters rejected Proposition 109, aka Fix Our Damn Roads, which would have forced the Legislature to fix highways and bridges without raising taxes. They also rejected Amendments 75, which proposed reducing limits on campaign contributions for opponents of wealthy candidates who spend $1 million or more in personal funds on their campaigns. In general, Tuesday showed a new Colorado hesitancy to legislate from the ballot box.

Nationally, the blue wave  in which Democrats would exact revenge for the 2016 presidential election  calmed to a blue ripple. Republicans maintained control of the U.S. Senate, seemingly growing their majority as of press time. Democrats obtained small-majority control of the House. It means Democrats can impeach the president but probably cannot remove him from office. Elections are to governing what weddings are to marriages. They are the beginning. The real work begins when new candidates take office. We all have a responsibility to watch our elected officials and hold them accountable for delivering the results we hoped for when casting our ballots.A young parade participant dressed in American Revolution-era garb runs with an American flag during the parade procession. Photo by Dougal BrownlieThis is a video from (where else?) Wildwood, Florida of an airboat that's still on its tow trailer pushing the truck its attached to that's run out of gas off the highway and to the nearest gas station using its fan power. In the words of the woman filming while I crunch the numbers to see just how long it would actually take to cut Florida loose from the rest of the country Bugs Bunny style:

"My husband, son and I had gone to the Guy Harvey Resort 'Camp Mack' in Lake Kissimmee. While driving home, my husband was trying to make it to Wildwood, FL to get diesel fuel. Well, we didn't make it so my son jumped in our Airboat and crunk her up and pushed us off I-75 to the gas station."

Admittedly, Florida ingenuity is pretty impressive sometimes. Still, I can't even remember the last time I only paid $2.75 for a gallon of gas. Of course I can't even remember the last time I paid for gas period because I've gotten into the money-saving habit of just siphoning a few gallons of my roommate's tank whenever I need some. "Thanks, I ran out of gas on my way to work Monday." That sucks. "And did you let the air out of my tires?" Greg at work lied and told me they fill them with helium now and I wanted to talk funny.

Keep going for the video.

Thanks to Marc B, who agrees this actually isn't the dumbest idea to come out of Florida in recent history.Denver, CO, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Ubiquitech Software Corp. (OTC: UBQU), through its operating subsidiary HempLifeToday.com, is announcing the launch of its much anticipated new wholesale distributor program, with Company projections of over 10,000 active Wholesale Distributor Ambassadors over the next five years. First announced on July 24th 2018, the new Wholesale Ambassadors program was officially launched this past Friday, the 2nd, and is off to a brisk start, with Social Media campaigns, paid campaigns, Direct Mail, and in-house marketing to the HempLife Today customer base to follow.



New HempLife Today Distributors pay a fee, currently set at just $795, to become an authorized distributor of CannazALL Hemp derived CBD products, and will receive the following:

50 bottles of CannazALL 250mg CBD Tincture (a $1,450 retail value)

Access to Wholesale/Ambassador Distributor pricing on the HempLife Today Website.

Legal agreement.

Color brochures, Cards, and other marketing materials.

Long term training and support.

In addition, the Company plans to roll out Phase 2 of this program over the next 60 days which includes; Custom discount coupon codes, individual Website portal, custom internet sales tracking portal, merchant services, training via Facebook Live and other medium, distributor support, and other important items relative to the success of each HempLife Today distributor.



CEO James Ballas said, We have designed our wholesale ambassador program to be profitable right from the start for our wholesale ambassadors, as we include $1,450 in retail value of our most popular and easy to take CannazALL CBD product. Which means they can start to recoup their investment and earn up to 100% on their money right away. Plus, ambassadors have immediate access to the wholesale ambassador pricing page on the HempLife Today Website. This is a very exciting program and is designed to be a great deal too, and we think it is going to just explode over the next year.

The Company is expecting brisk growth in this new division over the next 12 months, and through 2019, and is committed to its belief that this program will create one of the best platforms for sales and awareness for the Company.

As previously stated, the Company was waiting for more favorable legislation in the industry, which was established over the summer, in order to launch this program so that it could grow more rapidly in adding new wholesale ambassadors nationwide.

The Company has a goal of over 10,000 active wholesale ambassadors over the next five years, with an average yearly purchase of up to $15,000, or more by each active wholesale ambassador. The Wholesale Ambassador Program factors greatly into the Companys stated goal of gross sales over $50,000,000 per year within the next five years.

COO Luke Dreyer said, Expanding our ability to serve thousands of individual distributors has been a very labor intensive operation. But, we are finished with the final programming and have now launched this state of the art system that will give distributors an easy way to get started and also help them be profitable from the get go. We have put a lot of effort into our distributor program and we will make it the best that it can be, and it is now an integral part of our five year growth plan.

Shareholders can get access to the Wholesale/Ambassador Program by logging on to www.HempLifeToday.com and clicking on the Wholesale button in the navigation bar. Shareholders are encouraged to take advantage of this new program and to share this program to family and friends as everyone over 18 is eligible.



CEO James Ballas adds, We designed our ambassador program to appeal to, income opportunity seekers, CBD enthusiasts, those who want to get CBD at wholesale prices and just share with family and friends, and those who just want access to the wholesale pricing for personal use of our products. Either way its a win, win, for all, as thousands of people will have easier access to our products with more and more people using them. In addition, once our CBD Ambassadors see how quickly and easily they can begin earning a great new income and have plenty of CannazALL products for themselves as well, we know our referrals for this program could go through the roof!

The Company wants shareholders to know that as a HempLife Today Wholesale/Ambassador, distributors will not be part of a multi-level marketing program, or any such program that exclusively encourages new distributors to recruit others. As a HempLife Today Distributor, persons will offer CannazALL Hemp derived CBD products to friends and family, on Websites, in retail stores, at fundraisers and charity events, and many other platforms.



The Company will offer distributors access to all current CannazALL Hempderived CBD products to special distributor pricing, and also give distributors access to the new pending CannazALL products.



The Company will keep shareholders updated on the new distributor platform expansion, new products, and all other pertinent plans through the coming weeks.

About Ubiquitech Software Corp



Ubiquitech Software Corp, through its subsidiaries, is a dynamic multi-media, multi-faceted corporation utilizing state-of-the-art global internet marketing, DirectResponse (DRTV) Television, Radio, Internet Content, and traditional marketing to drive traffic to the new and emerging multi-billion dollar industries like its subsidiaries HempLifeToday and CryptoBuy.com

About HempLife Today

HempLifeToday focuses on the exciting and dynamic new thinking in the world today that recognizes the important health and life-enriching enhancement that CBD Oil from the Hemp plant can bring. Through its network of quality USA growers, HempLifeToday.com has developed multiple and proprietary CannazALL CBD oil products that include; Its popular CBD Tinctures, Concentrated Oils, GelCaps, Skin Salve, e-liquid, and CannazALL Pets CBD products all offered @ www.HempLifeToday.com

About CryptoBuy

CryptoBuy.com focuses on the burgeoning new world of Crypto Currencies and is created to be a service to persons interested in tracking and trading the many existing and future Crypto Currencies worldwide.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "intends'', "believes'', and similar expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies, the ability to secure additional sources of finance, the ability to reduce operating expenses, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the OTC Markets Group. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

Contact / Investor relations

IR@UbiquitechSoftware.comSEATTLE, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- CFN Media Group (CFN Media), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry, announces publication of an article discussing The Supreme Cannabis Company (TSX-V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), and how the company could capitalize on early legalization struggles.



Canada became the first major economy to legalize adult-use cannabis on October 17th, but cannabis stocks quickly gave up their gains leading up to the historic day. In addition to traders selling the news and locking in their gains, supply shortages, distribution issues, and quality concerns contributed to a major pullback in the sector. The Horizons Marijuana ETF fell more than 20 percent between October 17 and 26, but investors have an opportunity to purchase high-quality cannabis companies with strong fundamentals at a significant discount.

The Supreme Cannabis Company is one of the younger licensed producers, having only received its cultivation license two years ago, but it has become among the fastest scaling licensed producers in the industry with nearly $9 million in revenue during its first four quarters of revenue. While most LPs are focused on expanding production capacity, the companys 7ACRES brand is focused on premium cannabis flower thats well-regarded by medical consumers and other LPs . It has secured distribution across more than half of Canadas provinces and is paving the way to become the countrys first coast-to-coast premium cannabis brand.

Challenges Arise Across Canada

Canadas move to legalize adult-use cannabis hasnt been without its problems. According to Vice , both online and brick and mortar stores began selling out of cannabis on the first day. Many brick and mortar retailers didnt receive the full supply that they ordered from licensed producers, which meant starting out on the wrong foot with their customers. These dynamics have tarnished the reputation of some LPs that may have over-promised and under-delivered.

There are signs that many LPs may simply be overstretched. According to Globe and Mail , some licensed producers have had to dispose of hundreds of thousands of dollars of cannabis crop because there arent enough workers to harvest them. Government approvals are also taking much longer than expected for existing licensed producers to expand their production capacity, despite the addition of new Health Canada employees.

Theres also growing concerns over safety and labeling. For example, CBC News recently reported that one licensed producer provided an incorrectly labeled product to a government-run cannabis store, which has consumers confused and frustrated. These kinds of mistakes could end up harming relationships with both distributors and consumers and open the door for new competitors to gain market share.

Strategic Distribution

The Supreme Cannabis Company is among the fastest scaling licensed producers in the market. Since its cultivation license approval, the companys $14 million run-rate places it in the top ten publicly-traded licensed producers. The speed hasnt compromised quality, however, with its 7ACRES brand consistently listed in the top tier brand category in all provincial supply agreements that it has signed to date.

With a laser-focus on producing premium cannabis flower, the company believes that it will complete its 342,000 sq. ft. facility by the end of this year and will ramp up production from 13,333 kilograms to 50,000 kilograms by the early part of next year. Management also intends to leverage strategic investments to capitalize on other areas of the market without compromising its focus. For example, its equity interest and distribution agreement with Lesotho-based Medigrow paves the way for it to become a leading provider of cannabis oil.

The companys management team also realizes that distributionnot capacity alonedrive revenue. To that end, the company has signed six supply agreements, which places it just behind Canopy Growth Corp. and Aphria Inc.two of the largest licensed producers in Canada.

Looking Ahead

The Supreme Cannabis Company (TSX-V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1) represents a compelling investment opportunity within the cannabis industry. With the sectors sell-off taking valuations to lower levels, investors have an opportunity to invest in high-quality companies at a discount. They may want to take a look at Supreme Cannabis given its plans to scale up production and unlock value for shareholders.

For more information, visit the companys website or download their investor presentation .

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/early-cannabis-legalization-struggles-yield-opportunities/

Disclaimer

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the global cannabis industry, helps companies operating in the space attract investors, capital, and publicity. Since 2013, private and public cannabis companies in the US and Canada have relied on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer

CannabisFN.com is not an independent financial investment advisor or broker-dealer. You should always consult with your own independent legal, tax, and/or investment professionals before making any investment decisions. The information provided on http://www.cannabisfn.com (the Site) is either original financial news or paid advertisements drafted by our in-house team or provided by an affiliate. CannabisFN.com, a financial news media and marketing firm enters into media buys or service agreements with the companies that are the subject of the articles posted on the Site or other editorials for advertising such companies. We are not an independent news media provider. We make no warranty or representation about the information including its completeness, accuracy, truthfulness or reliability and we disclaim, expressly and implicitly, all warranties of any kind, including whether the Information is complete, accurate, truthful, or reliable. As such, your use of the information is at your own risk. Nor do we undertake any obligation to update the items posted. CannabisFN.com received compensation for producing and presenting high quality and sophisticated content on CannabisFN.com along with financial and corporate news.

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

Frank Lane

206-369-7050

Flane@cannabisfn.comDublin, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market, Forecast to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The market to reach a size of more than $80 billion by 2023, consistently growing at an annual rate of 5.0%.



The global life sciences instrumentation and research tools market is currently going through a transformation driven by ongoing market consolidation and technological innovation. Over the past five years, the industry has witnessed more than 50 mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which have resulted in a market consolidation at the top.



Most of these M&A have been focused on expanding product portfolio and strengthening geographic presence, as large companies are increasingly looking to extend their dominance in this high-growth market. While government and academic funding in developed markets have slowed down, spending prospects from the private sector (especially the biopharmaceutical industry) look promising. On the other end, in the developing countries, increased research expenditure from governments is expected to drive market growth.



In terms of segments, genomics surpassed proteomics in 2016 to become the leading business segment, on the back of technological revolution in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR segment. Democratization of NGS platforms and solutions will support strong growth of the genomics segment during the forecast period (2018-2023). Growing automation and analytics application is likely to bring in the much-needed efficiency in lab operations, and so we expect a decline in the average spending on reagents and consumables in the long term.



Research Highlights



The objective of this research study is to consider and analyze key market developments and present an objective market picture to the readers.

This research publication covers key trends and opportunities in the global life sciences instrumentation and research tools market. It provides qualitative market insights on various market segments (including genomics, proteomics, cell-based analysis, lab equipment and supplies).



This report identifies existing gaps in product and service offerings of key players across segments, and the disruptive technologies.

Emerging shift in business models such as digitalization and eCommerce are also covered comprehensively.



Further, this study analyzes the impact of consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry on the vendors in this market.



Additionally, it delves into market growth and forecasts for key geographies (NA, Europe, and APAC) and instrument products (NGS, PCR, mass spectrometry, flow cytometer, and microarrays).

Key Issues Addressed

What is the market size and growth forecast for different business segments and sub-segments?

What is the future of the connected lab concept? What developments are expected in this space?

Who are the key competitors in this market? How does the competitive landscape look like?

What are the key growth opportunities for existing companies and new entrants in this market?

What changes are required from companies in their business model to sustain this transformation?

How instrumentation companies can use big data analytics and informatics to predict these shifts in preferences and take business decisions accordingly?

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary

Key Findings

Scope and Segmentation

Key Questions this Study will Answer

Market Engineering Measurements

CEO's Perspective

3 Big Predictions

Strategic Imperatives for Growth



2. Market Definition and Overview

Market Definition

Market Overview and Landscape



3. Drivers and Restraints - Total Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market

Market Drivers

Drivers Explained

Market Restraints

Restraints Explained



4. Key Market Trends and Their Business Impact

Global Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market - Key Trends and Impact on Business

Global Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market - Key Trends Explained



5. Market Forecast and Trends

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast Assumption

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



6. Competitive Environment

Market Share Analysis

Competitive Environment

Competitive Factors Assessment

Competitive Landscape and Benchmarking

Key Companies to Watch

Life Sciences Instruments and Research Tools Ecosystem

M&A Analysis

Preferred Instrument Vendors by Segments

Preferred Equipment Vendors by Segments

Preferred Reagents and Kits Vendors by Segments

Preferred General Lab Suppliers Vendors by Customer Segment



7. Growth Opportunities, Strategies and Implementation Recommendation

Growth Opportunity 1 - Informatics and Analytics

Growth Opportunity 2 - Connected and Smart Labs

Connected Lab Ecosystem

Connected Lab Solutions (Internet of Lab Things (IoLT)) - Implementation Journey

Growth Opportunity 3 - CRISPR Solutions

Key Market Opportunities

Growth Opportunity 4 - Single Cell Biology and Microbiome Analysis Solutions

Growth Opportunity 5 - Portable Instruments

Key Market Opportunities

Growth Opportunity 6 - Growth in Emerging Markets (India and China)



8. Market Forecast by Key Business Segments - Genomics Analysis Segment

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



9. Market Forecast by Key Business Segments - Proteomics Analysis Segment

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



10. Market Forecast by Key Business Segments - Cell-Based Analysis

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



11. Market Forecast by Key Business Segments - General Lab Equipment Segment

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



12. Market Forecast by Key Business Segments - Lab Supplies, Disposables and Other Products Segment

Market Engineering Measurements

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Discussion



13. Market Forecast by Key Geographies

Total Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market - Percent Revenue Forecast by Region

North America - Market Engineering Measurements

North America - Revenue Forecast

North America - Revenue Forecast Discussion

Europe - Market Engineering Measurements

Europe - Revenue Forecast

Europe - Revenue Forecast Discussion

APAC - Market Engineering Measurements

APAC - Revenue Forecast

APAC - Revenue Forecast Discussion



14. Market Forecast by Key Instruments Segments

NGS Instruments and Reagents Segment - Market Engineering Measurements

NGS Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast

NGS Equipment and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast Discussion

PCR and Digital PCR Instruments and Reagents Segment - Market Engineering Measurements

PCR and Digital PCR Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast

PCR and Digital PCR Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast Discussion

Mass Spectrometry Instruments and Reagents Segment - Market Engineering Measurements

Mass Spectrometry Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast

Mass Spectrometry Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast Discussion

Flow Cytometer Instruments and Reagents Segment - Market Engineering Measurements

Flow Cytometer Instruments and Reagents Segment

Flow Cytometer Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast Discussion

Microarray Instruments and Reagents Segment - Market Engineering Measurements

Microarray Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast

Microarray Instruments and Reagents Segment - Revenue Forecast Discussion



15. Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market - Breakdown by Client Segments

Percent Revenue Forecast by Client Segments

Percent Revenue Forecast by Client Segments Discussion



16. Life Sciences Instrumentation and Research Tools Market - Breakdown by Products

Percent Revenue Forecast by Products

Percent Revenue Forecast by Products Discussion



17. New Business Models and Adoption of Digital Platforms

Change in Workflow Management - Current Challenges

Digital Workflow Management - Smart Labs

Digital Workflow Management - Competitive Ecosystem

Digital Workflow Management - Questions to be Answered?

Evolution of Business Models - Product as a Solution

Drivers for eCommerce Model Adoption

Future of Digital Customer Lifecycle

eCommerce - Life Sciences Research Customer Lifecycle

eCommerce Channels - Role of Product and Content Aggregator Websites

Drivers for eCommerce Model Adoption

Different eCommerce Models

Consolidation in Pharmaceutical Industry and Its Impact on the Life Sciences Instrumentation Industry



18. The Last Word



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/38ltv8/global_80?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.RICHMOND, British Columbia, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chiefs and Metis leaders from across Canada have joined together in support of oil and natural gas development, and to ask the federal government to halt proposed legislation harmful to Indigenous interests, including a tanker ban on British Columbias North Coast (Bill C-48) and changes to the assessment of major development projects (Bill C-69), according to the National Coalition of Chiefs (NCC).



More than 50 First Nations Chiefs and Metis leaders gathered in Richmond, B.C. Nov. 5-6 to talk about resource development as a key to eliminating on-reserve poverty. These Chiefs, Indigenous entrepreneurs and other leaders are tired of Indigenous peoples being misrepresented by special-interest groups as being anti-development. Responsible resource development, including oil and natural gas development, is seen as vital to Indigenous communities economies, sustainability, and self-determination.

As a past president of Metis Nation of B.C. we fully support responsible resource development and pipelines, says NCC Executive Committee member and regional director of the Metis Nation of B.C., Bruce Dumont. The Indigenous people here today look at resource development in a positive way. We need to think of the environment but the people also need to be a business partner.

The world needs oil and gas from Canada but now the federal government is blocking Indigenous communities from building sustainable opportunities to supply it  like we don't control our own traditional territories, says former Chief of the Nadleh Whuten, Martin Louie.

Leaders with the NCC have signed two resolutions opposing Bill C-48 and Bill C-69. The resolutions describe both acts as having enormous and devastating effects on the ability of First Nations to cultivate economic development opportunities in their traditional territories. They call for both acts to be quashed as a violation of Indigenous rights.

My message to the federal government is: stop slamming the door in our face, says Lax Kwalaams Chief John Helin. You say you want reconciliation and to change the relationship with Indigenous peoples, but then you bring in a tanker ban that deprives us of our right to development without consulting us.

Indigenous peoples are benefitting from the relationships theyve formed with the Canadian oil and natural gas industry and no longer want to be used to advance the agendas of environmental non-governmental organizations.

Its time the Government of Canada start listening and stop getting in the way of energy development under the guise of acting in the best interest of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous leaders will travel to Ottawa in the coming weeks to deliver a letter to Senators directly demanding Bill C-48 be stopped and major changes be made to Bill C-69.

For media inquiries please contact Ashton Arsenault at 1 613-914-1035VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Rare Earth Corp. (Canada Rare Earth or the Company) (TSX.V: LL) is developing an international rare earth business based on our commodity-trading platform and existing, developing and planned rare earth processing facilities.



Important achievements during September 2018 include:

Strategic Relationship with Talaxis Limited

Our strategic and financing relationship with Talaxis Limited (Talaxis), a wholly owned subsidiary of the large Asian-based commodity trading company, Noble Group, continues to gain momentum on a number of fronts including:

Establishment and growth of sources and supply chains in Asia, Southeast Asia, North and South America, and Africa. A second batch of product, in excess of 100 tons, has been independently tested, bagged, loaded in containers and is ready for shipment to our customer base to be followed shortly by another batch of material in the final stages of preparation for export; and

Talaxis is developing and expanding its own sources of complementary supplies from multiple geographic locations to feed into the Canada Rare Earth supply chain.

Rare Earth Supply Chain

Our customer base requirement of 1,000 metric tons of rare earth concentrate from Canada Rare earth on a monthly basis remains steady and key customers are requesting additional material that represents an increase of over 20%. We are collaborating to increase our sources of supply through bulk purchases and developing new sources to meet these needs.

We are progressing with detailed evaluations of several green field rare earth properties for near and mid-term production with the intention of selecting one to be incorporated as a dedicated and proprietary source in our supply network.

Rare Earth Production  Enhancement and Separation

We have two key initiatives underway for establishing proprietary enhancement and separation facilities:

Laos  We continue to move forward in the process to obtain the final operating permits which, if obtained, would allow us the option to acquire a majority interest in the refinery, subject to financing; and

A new rare earth separation and production facility opportunity  (as introduced in our August and September corporate updates) Discussions are in progress with the owners and developers working towards entering into an agreement to acquire a sizeable ownership, subject to due diligence and financing.

Financing for Capital Projects and Working Capital

Consistent with our August corporate update, we continue to engage with and be pursued by prospective financiers in support of our capital projects and business initiatives.

About Canada Rare Earth Corp.

Canada Rare Earth is developing an international integrated business within the global rare earth industry. Our immediate key focus is to generate revenues and positive cash flow from a variety of profit centres in the rare earth production and sales chain by sourcing, adding value and selling rare earths in all stages and forms. We are in the process of establishing our own mining, concentrating and refinery capabilities in addition to working with affiliated and third party organizations.

On behalf of the Board



Tracy A. Moore, CEO and Peter Shearing, COO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.

For more information on the Company, interested parties should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.LONDON and CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mkango Resources Ltd. (AIM / TSXV: MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango"), the rare earths exploration and development company focused on Malawi, is pleased to announce results for a further forty-five drill holes from the recently completed 10,900 metre diamond drill programme at the Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project (Songwe). Thirty-nine of the drill holes intersected significant zones of rare earths mineralisation grading above one per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO). The drilling programme is a key component of the ongoing initial phases of the Feasibility Study for Songwe, fully funded following investments by Mkangos strategic partner, Talaxis Limited, in January 2018.

Highlights from the results include the following:

PX056 114.8 m grading 1.6% TREO (60.7  175.5 m) including 30.0 m grading 2.0% TREO (135.0  165.0 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX059 63.0 m1 grading 1.7% TREO (6.0  69.0 m), including 23.0 m2 grading 2.3% TREO (7.0  30.0 m), and 15.4 m grading 1.6% TREO (128.0  143.4 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX073 67.1 m grading 1.6% TREO (8.8  75.9 m) including 25.2 m grading 2.0% TREO (45.0  70.2 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX076 40.2 m grading 1.8% TREO (60.4  100.7 m) including 20.0 m grading 2.4% TREO (60.4  80.4 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX077 51.9 m3 grading 1.7% TREO (26.2  78.0 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX090 25.7 m4 grading 3.9% TREO (39.5  65.2 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees west). PX098 65.0 m5 grading 1.7% TREO (1.1  66.0 m) and 13.1 m grading 1.2% TREO (115.0  128.1 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees south). PX103 165.2 m grading 1.6% TREO (2.6  167.8 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees east). PX107 91.3 m6 grading 1.3% TREO (23.0  114.2 m) including 32.2 m7 grading 1.9% TREO (82.0  114.2 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees east). PX108 45.8 m grading 1.4% TREO (8.2  54.0 m) and 57.3 m grading 1.7% TREO (76.9  134.2 m). Inclined hole (60 degrees east). PX113 51.1 m8 grading 2.2% TREO (4.7  55.8 m). Inclined hole (50 degrees north).

1 Includes two cavities totaling 5.9m not sampled. 2 Includes a 2.5m cavity not sampled. 3 Includes a 2.7m cavity not sampled. 4 Includes a 6.3m cavity not sampled. Due to the size of the cavity, the significance of this intersection is uncertain. 5 Includes a 2.3m cavity not sampled. 6 Includes two cavities totaling 2.3m not sampled. 7 Includes a 0.9m cavity not sampled. 8 Includes two cavities totaling 10.0m not sampled. Due to the size of the cavities, the significance of this intersection is uncertain. TREO: total rare earth oxides based on total La 2 O 3 , Ce 2 O 3 , Pr 2 O 3 , Nd 2 O 3 , Sm 2 O 3 , Eu 2 O 3 , Gd 2 O 3 , Tb 2 O 3 , Dy 2 O 3 , Ho 2 O 3 , Er 2 O 3 , Tm 2 O 3 , Yb 2 O 3 , Lu 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 . These intersections are reported as down hole widths and do not necessarily represent true thicknesses and attitude of the mineralised zones, the estimation of which will require further refining of the geological model.

William Dawes, Chief Executive Officer, commented: This is another excellent set of results from the now completed drilling programme at Songwe, which further demonstrates broad mineralised zones with continuity of mineralisation, and will underpin the resource update. The latter will commence on receipt of the assay results from the remaining 21 drill holes yet to be announced.

Following the resource update and on subsequent publication of the related NI 43-101 technical report, anticipated in first quarter 2019, Talaxis will invest a further 7 million to fund completion of the Feasibility Study for Songwe, which will be the main focus for 2019. We look forward to announcing the remaining drill results in the coming weeks.

The drill programme comprised infill drilling to confirm and upgrade the existing Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates, testing extensions to the mineralisation, and geotechnical drilling.

Drill holes PX072, PX073, PX084, PX085, PX088, PX090, PX091, PX094, PX095, PX119, PX120 and PX121 were step-out holes focused on testing north-west extensions of the mineralisation.

Of these twelve drill holes, nine intersected broad zones of mineralisation, including the highest grade intersection of the current drill programme to date in PX090. Furthermore, this new zone of higher grade mineralisation in PX090 is located outside both the area of previously mapped carbonatite and the existing Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates.

The mineralised intersection in PX113 indicates the extension of the higher grade black carbonatite zone, located in the north-east as indicated on the accompanying geological map on the Companys website, to the north under cover.

Drill holes PX038, PX039, PX040 and PX041 were step-out drill holes, focused on testing extensions of mineralisation to the south. The intersections in PX039 and PX040 further indicate that mineralisation may extend to the south beyond the limits of the existing Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource.

The remaining drill holes were focused on infill zones within the existing Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates.

Intersections of broad zones of mineralisation, as opposed to narrow veins or dykes, continue to support the concept of a bulk tonnage, open pit mining operation with low mining costs.

A schematic geological map illustrating the location of the drill hole collars and estimated drill hole traces is available on the Companys website ( www.mkango.ca ). The full set results and breakdown of TREO values are as follows:

Drill Hole From To Interval La 2 O 3 Ce 2 O 3 Pr 2 O 3 Nd 2 O 3 Sm 2 O 3 Eu 2 O 3 Gd 2 O 3 Tb 2 O 3 Dy 2 O 3 Ho 2 O 3 Er 2 O 3 Tm 2 O 3 Yb 2 O 3 Lu 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 TREO m m m ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm % PX039 122.9 142.0 19.2 4,394 7,467 756 2,432 323 82 188 22 96 15 35 5 29 5 440 1.6 % PX040 28.0 43.0 15.0 5,020 7,061 645 2,006 303 90 239 33 164 28 67 9 47 6 844 1.7 % PX045a 9.8 30.9 21.1 2,006 4,148 495 1,833 309 89 217 27 127 20 47 6 33 5 547 1.0 % PX050 8.0 161.0 153.0 2,790 5,578 643 2,353 344 87 214 26 128 21 51 7 40 5 607 1.3 % including 96.0 126.0 30.0 4,370 8,097 890 3,132 430 108 267 32 149 24 57 8 53 7 654 1.8 % including 137.9 161.0 23.2 3,687 7,162 808 2,899 415 105 254 31 145 24 55 7 42 5 651 1.6 % PX053 25.0 61.0 36.0 3,461 6,442 683 2,309 365 98 236 27 117 18 39 4 22 3 492 1.4 % 74.4 94.6 20.2 (i) 2,920 5,507 585 1,972 288 72 169 20 95 15 38 5 24 3 469 1.2 % (i) Includes 2.1m cavity not sampled. Drill Hole From To Interval La 2 O 3 Ce 2 O 3 Pr 2 O 3 Nd 2 O 3 Sm 2 O 3 Eu 2 O 3 Gd 2 O 3 Tb 2 O 3 Dy 2 O 3 Ho 2 O 3 Er 2 O 3 Tm 2 O 3 Yb 2 O 3 Lu 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 TREO m m m ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm % PX055 21.4 47.5 26.2 3,921 6,592 676 2,282 332 85 193 21 92 15 35 5 28 4 425 1.5 % 67.7 103.2 35.5 2,627 5,470 626 2,258 328 89 214 26 119 19 44 5 30 4 520 1.2 % PX056 60.7 175.5 114.8 3,951 7,339 799 2,784 404 105 243 28 124 20 47 6 32 4 570 1.6 % including 135.0 165.0 30.0 5,463 9,096 920 3,003 392 101 232 26 116 18 43 5 29 4 516 2.0 % PX057 7.5 39.7 32.2 3,696 6,496 714 2,334 327 82 188 21 93 15 36 4 23 3 407 1.4 % PX058 29.5 71.0 41.6 2,885 5,784 636 2,208 311 83 190 21 97 15 36 4 23 3 421 1.3 % PX059 6.0 69.0 63.0 (i) 3,980 7,314 785 2,617 392 112 279 36 173 29 76 10 57 8 879 1.7 % including 7.0 30.0 23.0 (ii) 5,890 9,922 1,012 3,237 469 138 358 47 227 38 100 13 76 10 1,171 2.3 % 128.0 143.4 15.4 4,122 7,352 778 2,645 370 94 212 25 121 20 49 6 36 5 604 1.6 % (i) Includes two cavities totaling 5.9m not sampled. (ii) Includes 2.5m cavity not sampled. PX063 4.4 21.4 17.0 2,951 6,117 698 2,540 359 100 239 32 168 29 71 8 51 7 838 1.4 % 96.4 109.8 13.4 (i) 3,908 8,548 1,000 3,703 558 135 292 29 126 20 46 5 33 5 616 1.9 % (i) Includes 5.5m cavity not sampled. PX066 61.8 134.2 72.4 3,122 5,703 620 2,110 301 81 196 23 112 18 44 5 33 4 510 1.3 % including 99.0 122.6 23.6 4,147 7,328 776 2,530 337 90 219 26 127 20 50 6 40 5 576 1.6 % PX067 6.0 128.8 122.8 3,237 5,661 598 2,105 312 85 197 22 99 15 37 5 29 4 452 1.3 % including 44.0 70.8 26.8 4,119 7,791 858 3,039 429 112 250 27 120 19 46 6 39 6 564 1.7 % PX072 12.6 28.4 15.8 3,364 6,889 773 2,693 405 104 247 28 121 18 41 5 25 3 532 1.5 % 93.9 147.8 53.9 2,358 4,684 525 1,886 301 77 179 20 94 16 39 5 27 4 486 1.1 % PX073 8.8 75.9 67.1 4,024 7,255 790 2,740 401 103 232 25 114 19 43 5 28 4 507 1.6 % including 45.0 70.2 25.2 5,278 8,924 948 3,159 439 110 241 24 106 17 36 4 21 3 438 2.0 % PX076 60.4 100.7 40.2 5,618 8,453 789 2,458 311 80 183 22 98 15 33 4 24 3 404 1.8 % including 60.4 80.4 20.0 7,432 11,021 1,020 3,106 372 93 209 24 108 16 36 4 25 3 434 2.4 % PX077 26.2 78.0 51.9 (i) 5,081 7,864 733 2,266 284 75 178 22 99 16 34 4 22 3 415 1.7 % (i) Includes 2.7m cavity not sampled. PX088 47.0 100.7 53.7 1,894 3,988 486 1,919 355 94 225 27 132 22 53 6 35 4 639 1.0 % PX090 39.5 65.2 25.7 (i) 12,424 18,649 1,670 4,792 512 138 324 39 167 25 56 7 41 6 631 3.9 % (i) Includes 6.3m cavity not sampled. Due to size of cavity, the significance of this intersection is uncertain. PX094 25.0 100.7 75.7 (i) 3,363 5,652 567 1,876 284 81 204 24 112 18 43 5 32 4 482 1.3 % including 67.0 79.0 12.0 6,336 9,822 928 2,828 385 112 282 33 147 23 52 6 38 5 593 2.2 % (i) Includes 8.5m cavity not sampled. PX095 60.0 82.9 22.9 (i) 2,116 4,470 510 1,880 273 73 175 21 108 19 47 6 34 4 539 1.0 % (i) Includes 2.0m cavity not sampled. PX098 1.1 66.0 65.0 (i) 3,682 7,400 836 2,942 428 112 278 35 168 29 73 10 55 8 872 1.7 % 115.0 128.1 13.1 3,013 5,409 579 1,974 306 84 213 27 124 20 46 6 29 4 568 1.2 % (i) Includes 2.3m cavity not sampled. Drill Hole From To Interval La 2 O 3 Ce 2 O 3 Pr 2 O 3 Nd 2 O 3 Sm 2 O 3 Eu 2 O 3 Gd 2 O 3 Tb 2 O 3 Dy 2 O 3 Ho 2 O 3 Er 2 O 3 Tm 2 O 3 Yb 2 O 3 Lu 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 TREO m m m ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm % PX100 94.6 100.7 6.1 10,223 17,450 1,815 6,064 765 172 360 35 140 20 45 6 30 4 616 3.8 % PX101 36.6 42.3 5.7 2,981 6,306 746 2,771 493 131 322 36 148 21 43 5 29 4 560 1.5 % PX102 8.7 36.0 27.3 2,730 6,487 789 2,869 342 78 163 17 76 11 25 3 14 2 335 1.4 % 75.0 110.3 35.3 2,096 5,170 671 2,623 381 96 217 26 130 22 51 6 28 3 658 1.2 % PX103 2.6 167.8 165.2 3,512 6,903 788 2,809 412 111 263 31 144 23 55 7 45 6 658 1.6 % PX104 1.9 47.0 45.1 (i) 2,562 5,388 617 2,273 338 96 230 28 139 22 52 7 38 5 618 1.2 % 95.6 135.0 39.4 3,122 5,206 527 1,794 277 80 189 21 99 15 35 4 25 4 433 1.2 % (i) Includes 5.0m cavity not sampled. PX105 3.8 79.5 75.7 2,711 5,036 550 1,963 312 86 199 24 112 18 43 5 27 4 523 1.2 % PX106 51.9 67.5 15.7 2,579 5,090 562 1,968 294 81 192 23 108 17 40 5 25 3 478 1.1 % 79.7 109.0 29.3 2,036 4,451 527 1,952 317 87 209 25 121 21 51 7 39 5 604 1.0 % PX107 23.0 114.2 91.3 (i) 3,041 5,727 632 2,258 336 95 232 29 140 23 60 8 48 6 700 1.3 % 82.0 114.2 32.2 (ii) 4,624 8,375 911 3,176 457 125 300 37 168 27 70 10 53 7 827 1.9 % (i) Includes two cavities totaling 2.3m not sampled. (ii) Includes 0.9m cavity not sampled. PX108 8.2 54.0 45.8 3,553 6,243 656 2,234 360 106 261 32 149 24 58 7 45 7 705 1.4 % 76.9 134.2 57.3 4,774 7,740 761 2,417 333 90 205 23 102 15 34 4 24 3 418 1.7 % PX110 9.2 22.4 13.2 6,648 9,822 965 2,852 348 88 204 24 109 18 39 4 22 3 451 2.2 % 85.0 100.7 15.7 4,927 9,588 1,102 3,601 475 117 270 31 148 25 58 7 41 5 676 2.1 % PX111 7.0 42.0 35.0 2,893 6,042 683 2,504 443 128 312 38 169 25 53 6 30 4 657 1.4 % 69.5 115.9 46.4 3,666 6,542 670 2,313 357 97 232 26 111 17 40 5 33 4 476 1.5 % PX113 4.7 55.8 51.1 (i) 5,458 9,720 993 3,572 474 124 289 34 165 26 64 8 44 6 772 2.2 % (i) Includes two cavities totaling 10.0m not sampled. Due to size of cavities, the significance of this intersection is uncertain. PX115 2.7 17.7 15.0 2,365 4,945 564 2,107 316 84 195 23 107 18 42 5 31 4 522 1.1 % 46.3 61.0 14.8 2,468 5,132 583 2,180 350 96 221 26 116 18 42 5 29 4 493 1.2 % PX116 27.2 66.0 38.8 2,748 5,631 648 2,374 368 93 197 21 93 14 33 4 23 3 431 1.3 % including 57.3 66.0 8.7 4,426 9,933 1,205 4,615 752 189 397 40 166 24 52 6 33 5 720 2.3 % PX119 14.8 64.8 50.0 3,389 6,119 640 2,135 292 76 178 20 95 16 39 5 28 4 422 1.3 % including 14.8 24.6 9.8 8,483 12,932 1,184 3,347 334 84 193 22 98 15 34 4 23 3 380 2.7 % PX120 3.1 42.7 39.6 2,631 5,272 572 2,010 284 75 175 20 90 14 34 4 25 3 380 1.2 % PX121 60.0 95.5 35.5 3,598 6,143 655 2,218 336 89 212 24 113 17 40 5 28 4 487 1.4 % Drill holes PX038, PX041, PX051, PX084, PX085 and PX091 did not intersect significant zones of mineralisation grading above 1% TREO

Scientific and technical information contained in this release including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information has been approved and verified by Dr. Scott Swinden PGeo of Swinden Geoscience Consultants Ltd, who is a "Qualified Person" in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Sample preparation and analytical work for the drilling and channel sampling programmes are being provided by Intertek-Genalysis Laboratories (Perth, Australia) employing ICP-MS techniques suitable for rare earth element (REE) analyses and following strict internal QAQC procedures inserting duplicates, blanks and standards. Internal Laboratory QAQC was also completed to include blanks, standards and duplicates.

About Mkango Resources Limited

Mkango's primary business is exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as the warm heart of Africa. The Company holds interests in three exclusive prospecting licenses in Malawi, the Phalombe licence, the Thambani licence and the Chimimbe Hill licence.

The main exploration target in the 80% held Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths deposit, which features carbonatite-hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-Feasibility Study for the project in November 2015 and a Feasibility Study is currently underway, the initial phases of which include the recently completed 10,900 metre drilling programme.

Under the terms of an agreement with Talaxis, Talaxis will fully fund the Feasibility Study for Songwe by investing 12 million for a 49% interest in the project (via Mkango subsidiary Lancaster Exploration Ltd). Talaxis will also have the option to acquire a further 26% interest by arranging funding for project development including funding the equity component thereof. If Talaxis exercises its option, Mkango will retain a 25% interest, free carried to production. To-date, Talaxis has invested 5 million, which is funding the initial phase of the Feasibility Study, for a 20% interest in the project, with Mkango holding 80%.

By investing a further 2 million, Talaxis will acquire a 49% interest in Maginito Ltd, a new subsidiary of Mkango focused on neodymium alloy powders, magnets and other technologies. This includes the collaboration with Metalysis Ltd announced in September 2017, which is focused on advanced alloys using neodymium or praseodymium with other elements for permanent magnet manufacturing. Permanent magnets are critical materials for most electric vehicles, direct drive wind turbines and many other high growth applications. Neodymium is a key rare earth component at Songwe. To date, Talaxis has invested 1 million for a 24.5% interest in Maginito with Mkango holding 75.5%.

The main exploration targets in Mkangos remaining two 100% held licences are, in the Thambani licence, uranium, niobium, tantalum and zircon and, in the Chimimbe Hill licence, nickel and cobalt.

For more information, please visit www.mkango.ca .

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement may have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of that term under applicable securities laws) with respect to Mkango, its business and the Project. Generally, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or is expected, scheduled, estimates intends, anticipates, believes, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results can, may, could, would, should, might or will, occur or be achieved, or the negative connotations thereof. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the global market for products using the rare earth metals the Company is exploring for, completion of the feasibility study and of the transactions contemplated in the agreement with Talaxis, as well as the use of proceeds from the investments into the Company by Talaxis and the timing of such expenditures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, without limiting the foregoing, market demand for the metals and associated downstream products for which Mkango is exploring, researching and developing, the positive results of a feasibility study on the Project, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

For further information on Mkango, please contact:

Mkango Resources Limited

William Dawes Alexander Lemon Chief Executive Officer President will@mkango.ca alex@mkango.ca UK: +44 207 3722 744

Canada: +1 403 444 5979 www.mkango.ca @MkangoResources

Blytheweigh

Financial Public Relations

Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall, Julia Tilley

UK: +44 207 138 3204

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker

Jeff Keating, Caroline Rowe

UK: +44 20 3470 0470

Alternative Resource Capital

Joint Broker

Alex Wood, Rob Collins

UK: +44 20 7186 9004; +44 20 7186 9001

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.English Lithuanian

Lietuvos Energija, UAB, (hereinafter  the Company) identification code 301844044, registered office placed at Zveju str. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania. The total nominal value of issued bonds 600 000 000 EUR; ISIN codes XS1646530565; XS1853999313.



Pursuant to the decision of the Managing Board dated 16 July 2018 and approval of the Companys shareholder to the decision of the Managing Board dated 27 July 2018, the Company and UAB Stemma Group completed acquisition of 100 percent shares of UAB Vejo Vatas and UAB Vejo Gusis and the shareholders claim rights on 5 November 2018.



The Company acquired 100 percent shares of UAB Vejo Vatas and UAB Vejo Gusis and the shareholders claim rights for the price of EUR 21.76 million.



UAB Vejo Vatas operates a wind farm of 14.9 MW and UAB Vejo Gusis operates wind farms with the capacities of 10 MW and 9.1 MW.



On 18 July 2018, the Company appealed to the Commission for the Protection of Objects of Importance to Ensuring National Security of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter  the Commission) with a request to verify the transactions. The Commission adopted a decision not to commence a verification process of compliance of the transactions with the interests of national security.



On 10 October 2018, the Competition Council issued permission to the Company to acquire 100 percent shares of UAB Vejo Vatas and UAB Vejo Gusis and the shareholders claim rights.



Such acquisitions correspond to the strategy of the Company, expand and diversify its activities, increase the Groups value, as well as dividends paid to the State. Following this transaction, the Company became the second largest producer of wind energy in the Baltic States, occupying 9% of the total market.

More information: Laura Sebekiene, Head of Corporate Communications of Lietuvos Energija +370 633 99940, laura.sebekiene@le.ltDublin, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Kuwait Warehousing Market Outlook to 2022 - By Business Model by End Users" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The report title Kuwait Warehousing Market Outlook to 2022 - By Business Model (Industrial Freight/ Retail, Container Freight, Cold Storage, Agricultural Warehousing) by End Users (Food and Beverages, Chemicals, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, E-Commerce, Consumer Durables and Others) provides a comprehensive analysis of the Warehousing market in Kuwait.

The report also covers value chain analysis for warehousing market, comparative analysis of Kuwait warehousing market. The report also covers the competitive landscape of the industry and comprehensive profile of leading and emerging players operating in the market.

The report includes future outlook and projections of Kuwait warehousing market. Major macroeconomic indicators and upcoming projects affecting the market have also been highlighted in the report. The report also provides analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions for Kuwait warehousing market.



Warehousing Market Size

Kuwait warehousing market in terms of revenue and capacity grew at a positive CAGR during the period 2012-2017. The warehousing market in Kuwait witnessed decline in the growth rate in 2015 due to closing down of the free trade zones (FTZs). FTZ's allowed import duty free goods and tax free income of foreign corporate which attracted majority of the warehouses to establish in that region.

However, with the closing down of FTZs, decline in imports and exports activity has been observed during the respective year. Warehousing market has inclined over the years with the increase in the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen food. The surge in FMCG sector has also impacted the market in a positive manner.



Kuwait Warehousing Market Segmentation

By Business Model: Industrial freight/retail dominated warehousing market in 2017 in Kuwait due to rise in the industrial and retail sectors in the country. The retail sector has grown at a positive double digit CAGR in the last five years. Container freight followed the industrial/ retail freight as the use of containers in export shipments makes the transport and goods handling easier and faster.

Cold storage warehousing has inclined over the years with the rising requirement of temperature controlled products majorly (pharmaceuticals, sea food and frozen foods). Agriculture and others attributed least share in warehousing.



By End User: Food and Beverage industry dominated the end user segment in Kuwait warehousing industry. The domestic production capacity of the country is not enough to cater to the growing demand for fruits and vegetables in the country as the country has a very small portion as arable land out of the total area. The soil in Kuwait is low in nutrient and organic content and has poor moisture retaining capabilities. Hence, the production is low.

The rising demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in the country has led to high requirement of warehousing market. There has been an increase in demand for warehousing by Electronics and Chemical industry with the growth of online retail market in the country. Majority of the demand has been driven due to international companies operating in the country with asset light model.



Comparative Landscape in Kuwait Warehousing Market

The warehousing companies in Kuwait observed to compete with each other on the basis of the size and location of the warehouse. The location of the warehouse has to be appropriate to the needs of the customer which reduces extra cost of transportation and increases time efficiency. Other important factors which influence the choice of warehouse are technologies/automation used in the warehouses; value added services, GDP-certified temperature and humidity-controlled environment and others.



Kuwait Warehousing Market Future Outlook and Projections

Kuwait warehousing market is expected to positively incline in future due to rise in trade and demand from e-commerce sector. The increase in the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables will positively incline the warehousing market. Kuwait government has planned to invest across strategic sectors under Kuwait Development Plan (KDP) 2015-2020. The companies will focus towards technologies such as RFID, automatic retrieval system, robotics, drones and others in future.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Kuwait Warehousing Market Executive Summary



2. Research Methodology

2.1. Market Definitions

2.2. Abbreviations

2.3. Consolidated Research Approach

2.4. Variables (Dependent And Independent)

2.5. Correlation Matrix

2.6. Regression Matrix

Limitations

Conclusion

3. Kuwait Warehousing Market Timeline And Overview



4. Value Chain Analysis For Kuwait Warehousing Market



5. Classification Of Major Closed Private Warehousing Hubs In Kuwait



6. Market Size

6.1 Kuwait Warehousing Market Size, 2012-2017

6.2. Cross Comparison Of Commercial Storage In Kuwait Warehousing Market, 2017

6.3. Kuwait Warehousing Market Segmentation By Business Model, 2017

6.4. Kuwait Warehousing Market Segmentation By End Users, 2017



7. Competitive Scenario Of Kuwait Warehousing Market

7.2. Directory Of Major Players

Profiles Of Major Warehousing Companies

7.3. Agility Kuwait

7.4. KGL Logistics Kuwait

7.5. Dolphin Shipping And Logistics

7.6. DHL Kuwait



8. Challenges For Kuwait Warehousing Market



9. Trends & Developments In Kuwait Warehousing Market



10. Government Role In Kuwait Warehousing Market - Customs Clearance Process

10.1. Government Role In Kuwait Warehousing Market - Starting A Business In Kuwait - Procedure

10.2. Government Role In Kuwait Warehousing Market - Construction Permits In Kuwait - Procedure, Time And Cost

10.3. Government Regulations For Food Items



11. Kuwait Warehousing Market - Future Outlook And Projections, 2017-2022

11.1. Kuwait Warehousing Market - Future Segmentation By Business Model, 2022

11.2 Kuwait Warehousing Market - Future Segmentation By End Users, 2022



12. Kuwait Warehousing Market - Analyst Recommendations



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b2csvm/kuwait?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, Nov. 8, the Fraser Institute will release a new study on health care.



Comparing Performance of Universal Health Care Countries, 2018 spotlights how Canadas health-care system stacks up against 28 other universal health-care systems around the world in terms of cost and performance.

A news release with additional information will be issued via GlobeNewswire on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 5:00 a.m. (Eastern).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bacchus Barua, Associate Director, Health Policy Studies

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese, Senior Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute

Office: (604) 688-0221 ext. 589

bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on FacebookDublin, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Soft Drinks Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Carbonated Drinks, Packaged Water, Iced/RTD Tea Drinks, Fruit Beverages, Energy Drinks) And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. soft drinks market size is anticipated to reach USD 388.4 billion by 2025, progressing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.



Growing population is providing a fillip to the food and beverage sector, which in turn is propelling the U.S. soft drink market.

Furthermore, easy availability and low price of soft drinks are benefiting the growth of the market. Recently, significant growth has been observed in the RTD tea drinks segment of the market, owing to soaring health concerns among consumers and increasing demand for premium products.



However, strengthening presence of low-quality fake products is a major challenge for market players. Counterfeit soft drinks lead to huge losses of established players. Additionally, increasing health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and others due to high sugar content in drinks are hindering the growth of the market.



Further key findings from the study suggest:

The U.S. soft drinks market is projected to post a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period

The carbonated drinks segment dominated the U.S. soft drinks market in 2016 and is expected to dominate over the forecast years. The segment is likely to reach USD 134.4 billion by 2025. The growth of the segment can be attributed to their inexpensive price and easy availability. However, increasing health concerns among consumers are poised to hamper growth prospects.

The RTD tea drinks segment is estimated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, owing to shift of consumers towards sugar-free, naturally made beverages, and healthier drinks.

The prominent players in the market include The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Inc., Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Nestle, and Red Bull GmbH.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope

1.1 Research Methodology

1.2 Research Scope and Assumptions

1.3 List of Data Sources



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 U.S. Soft Drinks Market - Industry Snapshot & Key Buying Criteria, 2014 - 2025

2.2 U.S. Soft Drinks Market, 2014 - 2025



Chapter 3 U.S. Soft Drinks Market Industry Outlook

3.1 U.S. Soft Drinks Market Segmentation

3.2 U.S. Soft Drinks Market Size & Growth Prospects

3.3 U.S. Soft Drinks - Value Chain Analysis

3.4 U.S. Soft Drinks market - Market Dynamics

3.4.1 U.S. Market driver analysis

3.4.1.1 Growing demand for RTD tea drinks

3.4.2 U.S. Market challenge analysis

3.4.2.1 Government regulations

3.4.2.2 Increased health issues

3.5 U.S. Soft Drinks Market Ranking Analysis

3.6 U.S. Soft Drinks Market - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.7 U.S. Soft DrinksMarket - PEST Analysis



Chapter 4 U.S. Soft Drinks Market Outlook

4.1 Global Soft Drink Market

4.1.1 U.S.

4.1.1.1 U.S. Soft Drinks market, 2014 - 2025

4.1.1.2 U.S. soft drinks market, by product type, 2014 - 2025



Chapter 5 Competitive Landscape



The Coca-Cola Company

Dr Pepper Snapple Group

PepsiCo, Inc.

Nestle

Red Bull GmbH

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/v4dwgd/united_states?w=12

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF), the "Company", or VR, is pleased to provide an update on planning and targeting for its upcoming first pass diamond drill program on its copper-silver Junction Property in northwestern Nevada.



Field preparations are now underway for a targeted, first pass drill program on the copper-silver mineralization at Junction. The Company has received final approvals for required drill permits, a drill contract has been executed, and start-up is planned for later this month. Highway access to the property, and ranch roads throughout the property facilitate cost-effective exploration at Junction.

This drill program is the result of more or less continuous surface exploration at Junction since April, 2018, the details of which are highlighted in news releases dated July 11th and August 8th, 2018, respectively.

Copper-silver mineralization has been sampled at surface along a 6 kilometre trend at Junction, in coarse-grained quartz-feldspar granite dykes hosted within a sheared, polyphase Cretaceous batholith (Figure 1). Bornite-chalcopyrite copper sulfide aggregates contain micro-inclusions of silver, resulting in a nearly 1:1 correlation of copper and silver in assay data from more than 100 samples. The correlation does not vary along the 6 kilometre trend, nor does it vary depending on the copper grade of a sample, or the ratio of copper sulfide versus oxide.

The Company will drill-test the integrated targets named Wilder and Denio at the eastern and western ends of the copper-silver trend respectively (Figure 1). Attributes of the two targets include:

At Wilder Creek , copper-silver mineralization is hosted in highly resistive, quartz - potassium feldspar granite dykes which occur in the core of a two kilometer in diameter concentric magnetic ring feature (Figure 2); a high resistivity body correlates with the magnetic high core of the ring feature, as shown by an airborne EM survey just completed by VR (Figure 3). There are more than a dozen parallel dykes spanning a 300 metre width and extending for more than on kilometre of strike (see Figure 3); the Company will drill-test the resistive core of the concentric magnetic ring feature as a potential mineralized source body to the concentration of mineralized dykes at surface (Figure 4).

At Denio Summit , a series of mineralized quartz-feldspar granite dykes and gold-bearing quartz veins are mapped at surface along a 1.5 kilometre trend (Figure 5). A broad soil anomaly with copper, silver, gold and tungsten enriched in multiple stations on multiple lines underlies the northern 1,000 m of the surface trend of showings. Geophysical test lines identify chargeability and resistivity anomalies below the surface dykes. The Company will drill-test these anomalies in the area of a sharply defined, 400 metre in diameter gravity anomaly which potentially outlines a larger-volume source body to the mineralized, altered granite dykes and veins at surface.

From VRs CEO Dr. Gunning, I encourage our shareholders to look at the figures attached to this release; they tell a thousand words. Junction has developed into a district-scale trend of copper-silver showings. The copper-silver correlation is striking and steadfast, and improves the economic potential of the property. We understand the nature of the silver mineralization, and have identified analogues, current mines, to improve our exploration. The concentric magnetic ring feature at Wilder is characteristic of deep porphyry settings, and is compelling evidence for a large, rooted source body for the concentration of mineralized dykes at surface. I believe in the value-creation potential of this property because Nevada is proven for large copper systems of this geologic age, and local infrastructure will allow us to test this potential cost-effectively. We look forward to providing further updates as drilling proceeds.

Please see the Companys website at www.vrr.ca for more complete information on the Junction property, including regional maps and property photos.

About the Junction Property

The Junction property is located in Humboldt County, near the Nevada  Oregon border, immediately east of Highway 140. The nearby town of Denio Junction is less than 6 kilometres to the north, and facilitates effective and cost-efficient field exploration programs. The Company has expertise to leverage and synergies to exploit at Junction by applying its exploration experience during the past four years at its nearby Bonita porphyry copper-gold project.

The Junction property consists of 152 claims covering 3,140 acres (1,271 hectares) within an area of approximately 7.5 by 3 kilometres. The property is on land administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There are no state or federal land use designations, or privately-owned land which restrict exploration on the property, nor is the property within the BLMs broadly defined area of sage grouse protection.

The property is owned 100% by VR, registered to the Companys wholly-owned, Nevada-registered US subsidiary Renntiger Resources USA Ltd. Certain claims in the western and eastern part of the property were acquired from a third party and are subject to a royalty; the remaining 144 claims were staked directly by VR. There are no other carried interests, joint venture interests, or back-in rights to any mineral claims at Junction.

Technical Information

Summary technical information on the Junction Property geology is available at the Companys website at www.vrr.ca .

VR submits geochemical samples to the ALS Global (ALS) laboratory facilities in Reno, Nevada, with final analytical work done at the ALS laboratories located in Vancouver, BC., including ICP-MS analyses for base metals and trace elements, and gold determination by atomic absorption assay. Analytical results are subject to industry-standard and NI 43-101 compliant QAQC sample procedures at the laboratory, as described by ALS.

Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., Principal Geologist at VR and a non-independent Qualified Person oversees all aspects of the Companys mineral exploration at Junction. The content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the CEO, Dr. Michael Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person.

About VR Resources

VR is an emerging junior exploration company in the copper-gold space (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF). The diverse experience and proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration and discovery is the foundation of VR. The Company is focused on exploring large copper-gold mineral systems in the western United States. VR is the continuance of 4 years of active exploration in Nevada by a Vancouver-based private exploration company. VR is well financed for its exploration strategy focused on three core assets: the Bonita, Junction and Danbo properties. VR owns its exploration assets outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Michael H. Gunning

_____________________________

Dr. Michael H. Gunning, PhD, PGeo

President & CEO

For general information please use the following: Website: www.vrr.ca Email: info@vrr.ca Phone: 604-262-1104

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward looking statements in this release include but are not limited to:  start-up is planned for later this month;  potential mineralized source body to the concentration of mineralized dykes at surface;  and improves the economic potential of the property.

Although the Company believes that the use of such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings are available at www.sedar.com ; readers are urged to review these materials.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa700a03-f643-48d4-9d1b-c2700494cb65

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a57891a1-5a03-4996-be54-8749d2b5f5a7

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/695e77a1-054d-4c14-b16a-511e2ddc1e72

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb7ce389-60fc-424f-870d-d1d5180201a8

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aeca7dad-bd5f-4722-baa5-4603c675382cVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (EnWave, or the "Company") announced today that it has signed a Research and Development License Agreement (the "Agreement") with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University (CALS). CALS has also committed to purchasing a 10kW Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) dehydration machine to be used at its New York Center of Excellence in Food and Agriculture located in upstate New York.



Under the Agreement, Cornell will use the REV machinery for research and development purposes to propagate the REV technology with key stakeholders in the food manufacturing industry throughout New York State and beyond to help develop innovative, premium food applications. The Center for Excellence will effectively serve as a proving ground for prospective future royalty partners of the Company to evaluate the merits of REV technology. The installation of a pilot-scale REVTM machine at Cornells Food Venture Center pilot plant will increase the visibility of EnWaves technology to potential new royalty partners, and will serve as a location for product trials and demonstrations.

EnWave personnel will collaborate closely with Cornells renowned food science department to showcase the REVTM technology to potential new royalty partners on a project-to-project basis.

About Cornell Universitys Center of Excellence in Food and Agriculture

The Center for Excellence serves as a hub to connect New York businesses with services they need for success by linking them with world-class Cornell researchers, farmers, processors, businesses and consumers. It pulls together multiple partners to accelerate business development and leverage high technology.

New York states food manufacturing sector is the nations second largest, behind only California in the number of food-related businesses, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. New York ranks in the top 10 in production of 30 commodities. It is the second-largest producer of apples, snap beans and maple syrup, third in cabbage, grapes and dairy  the largest segment of the states agricultural sector  and fourth in pears, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

In partnership with the Cornell Agriculture and Technology Park in Geneva, the Center for Excellence has an incubator program for startups that provides entrepreneurship training, business mentorship and space. Through a mentor network, participants connect with distributors and marketers, potential partners, co-packing and manufacturing facilities and other existing resources.

The Center for Excellence assists in bringing technical products to market, expanding technology-related business and employment, and encouraging private-sector investment in emerging high-tech fields, such as REV technology. In addition, helps to commercialize Cornell food and agriculture-related innovations, inventions and intellectual property.

For more information, please visit https://foodscience.cals.cornell.edu/ .

About EnWave

EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV)  an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patent-pending methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV technology, shortening the time from harvest to marketable cannabis products.

REV technologys commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors including legal cannabis. EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with industry leaders in multiple verticals for the use of REV technology. The company has signed over twenty royalty-bearing licenses to date, opening up nine distinct market sectors for commercialization of new and innovative products. In addition to these licenses, EnWave has formed a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to develop, manufacture, market and sell all-natural cheese snack products in the United States under the Moon Cheese brand.

EnWave has introduced REV as the new dehydration standard in the food and biological material sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently has three commercial REV platforms:

1. nutraREV which is used in the food industry to dry food products quickly and at low-cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture and colour; 2. powderREV which is used for the bulk dehydration of food cultures, probiotics and fine biochemicals such as enzymes below the freezing point, and 3. quantaREV which is used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.

An additional platform, freezeREV, is being developed as a new method to stabilize and dehydrate biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines and antibodies. More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net .



EnWave Corporation

Mr. Brent Charleton, CFA

President and CEO

For further information:

John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman at +1 (416) 930-0914

E-mail: jbudreski@enwave.net

Brent Charleton, CFA , President and CEO at +1 (778) 378-9616

E-mail: bcharleton@enwave.net

Deborah Honig, Corporate Development at + 1 (647) 203-8793

E-mail: dhonig@enwave.net



Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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.Greystone Completes Another Successful Bridge-to-HUD Transaction

NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone, a real estate lending, investment, and advisory company, announced it has provided a total of $20,904,000 in HUD-insured loans to refinance two skilled nursing facility (SNF) properties in Jackson, Tenn. The transaction was originated by Fred Levine, managing director in Greystones Monsey, NY office.

Both loans carry a 30-year term and amortization period. The new HUD-insured financing is a permanent exit from the interim bridge loans that Greystone had previously arranged for these facilities.

Our team originated the initial acquisition loans for these facilities, and then ushered the borrower through the permanent financing process by with HUD, creating a full-service experience, Mr. Levine. While our industry expertise and creative solutions are what often attracts new clients to us, were most proud of our ability to consistently provide a great experience for the bridge-to-HUD transition.

About Greystone

Greystone is a real estate lending, investment, and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Our range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge and proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Corporation, Inc., Greystone Funding Corporation and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greyco.com .

PRESS CONTACT:

Karen Marotta

Greystone

212-896-9149

Karen.Marotta@greyco.com



Washington, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Michigan voters passed Proposal 1, legalizing adult use cannabis, making the state the fifth largest projected legal cannabis market by 2025. New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, projects Michigans annual sales of adult-use cannabis to reach $1.4 billion by 2025. Michigan currently has 17,500 legal plant touching cannabis jobs, naturally growing to 22,000 by 2025. With the passage of adult-use legalization, New Frontier Data forecasts an additional 26,000 jobs by 2025.





The estimated tax benefits in Michigan from Prop 1 could be substantial for the state, said Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, Founder and CEO of New Frontier Data. As we reported in our recently-published report The U.S. Cannabis Report: 2018 Industry Outlook, as of December 2017 in three of the early-state adoptersWashington, Oregon and Coloradothere has been a cumulative total of $1.46 billion in tax receipts, and with Michigan being the fifth-largest cannabis consumer market, tax revenues could greatly exceed predictions.

Michigan was one of the early states to legalize medical cannabis legislation in 2008 and is now the eleventh state to legalize recreational cannabis use. Proposal 1 creates a tax system to regulate, tax, and sell cannabis to adults for recreational use.

About New Frontier Data:

New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 69 countries around the world to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Denver, CO, London, UK, Bogota, Colombia, and Hong Kong.



New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com.Washington, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Missouri voters passed Amendment 2 legalizing medical cannabis in the state. New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, projects Missouris annual sales of medical cannabis to reach $111 million, with an estimated 2,800 cannabis-related jobs created in the state by 2025. Amendment 2 amends the state constitution to permit doctors to prescribe cannabis, which would be taxed at 4%, and allow for home cultivation.





Missouris decision to legalize is congruent with shifting national opinions on cannabis, with more than 66% of Americans now in favor of full legalization, said Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, Founder and CEO of New Frontier Data. As we reported in our recently-published report The U.S. Cannabis Report: 2018 Industry Outlook, U.S. legal cannabis sales are projected to grow to more than $25 billion by 2025, creating vast opportunities for revenue and job growth throughout the country.

Missouri is now among the 34 states to legalize medical cannabis in the United States.

About New Frontier Data:

New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 69 countries around the world to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Denver, CO, London, UK, Bogota, Colombia, and Hong Kong.

New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com.Washington, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Utah voters pass Proposition 2, legalizing use of medical cannabis following a protracted battle between Drug Safe Utah  supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others  and the Utah Patient Coalition. By passing Proposition 2, Utah now gives some 3 million residents access to medical cannabis. New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, projects annual sales of medical cannabis in Utah to reach $63 million by 2025, with an estimated 1,600 new legal cannabis, plant-touching jobs to support the market.



Proposition 2 is representative of how two varying factions can work together to compromise and create a solution that works for each and ultimately for the betterment of patient care, said Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, Founder and CEO of New Frontier Data. As we detail in our recently published report The U.S. Cannabis Report: 2018 Industry Outlook, consumer sentiment is at an all-time high for some form of legalization. Utah is now among the 34 states allowing medical use. The passage of Proposition 2 also signifies that views are changing on the efficacy of medical cannabis in patient care, even in some of the most conservative regions of the U.S.

The compromises in Proposition 2 laid the groundwork for medical cannabis use in the state. Residents are banned from growing their own cannabis. The state has plans to establish a state-run medical cannabis distribution network.

About New Frontier Data: New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 69 countries around the world to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Denver, CO, London, UK, Bogota, Colombia, and Hong Kong.

New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com.HOUSTON, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY) today reported operational and financial results for the third quarter 2018.



Highlights and Recent Key Items:

Established a long-term time horizon for continued growth in Gabon by extending the Etame Marin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for 10 years from September 17, 2018, with two additional five-year option periods, providing the opportunity to add substantial production and reserves for up to 20 more years;

Progressing forward with a 2019 drilling program that includes a minimum of two development wells, two appraisal well bores and a possible third well, with drilling expected to begin in the second quarter of 2019;

Produced an average of 4,120 net barrels of oil per day (BOPD) in the third quarter of 2018, above the high end of the guidance range for the quarter;

Reported Income from Continuing Operations of $78.6 million ($1.28 per diluted share) for the third quarter, which includes: A $66.2 million ($1.08 per diluted share) non-cash deferred tax benefit recognized in part as a result of anticipated benefits associated with the PSC Extension; A $3.3 million ($0.05 per diluted share) non-cash benefit from the deferral of asset retirement obligations associated with the PSC extension;

Excluding the non-cash items relating to the PSC extension above totaling $69.5 million, ($1.13 per diluted share), third quarter Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations would have been $9.1 million ($0.15 per diluted share);

Generated $16.0 million of Adjusted EBITDAX for the third quarter of 2018, up 82% from $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2018; the second half of 2018 is expected to be at or above the high end of previous guidance for Adjusted EBITDAX of $27 - $30 million; and

Reported $9.2 million in Working Capital from Continuing Operations, following the $11.8 million payment for VAALCOs share of the PSC Extension signing bonus.

For the third quarter of 2018, VAALCO reported Income from Continuing Operations of $78.6 million, or $1.28 per diluted share and Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations of $9.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share. This includes a $1.1 million or ($0.02 per diluted share) charge for a non-cash mark-to-market charge related to the Companys crude oil swaps. In the same period in 2017, the Company reported a Loss from Continuing Operations of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, and in the second quarter of 2018 reported Income from Continuing Operations of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. The average realized price for crude oil in the third quarter of 2018 was $75.40 per barrel, an increase of 48% from $51.10 per barrel in the third quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2018, the average realized price for crude oil was $74.36 per barrel. Adjusted EBITDAX totaled $16.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared with $5.7 million in the same period of 2017, and $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2018.

Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations and Working Capital from Continuing Operations are Non-GAAP financial measures and are described and reconciled to the closest GAAP measure in the attached table under Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Cary Bounds, VAALCOs Chief Executive Officer commented: We have entered into a new chapter in the life of VAALCO by extending the Etame Marin PSC for at least 10 years from September 17, 2018. During an extended period of historic low prices, we took the necessary steps to navigate the downturn which resulted in VAALCO becoming a more focused and financially strong company. Up until now, we lacked the time horizon necessary to justify additional development in Gabon. By extending the PSC, we now have the opportunity to unlock the substantial resource potential of over 70 million barrels that we believe remain in the Etame Marin block. As part of the PSC extension agreement, we committed to drilling at least two development wells and two appraisal well bores and are working with our joint owners and the government to finalize plans to begin drilling in the second quarter of 2019. With the PSC extension in place, a clean balance sheet and strong quarterly results, VAALCO has a solid foundation to grow our production and reserves, and to create significant shareholder value well into the future.

Net production was 4,120 BOPD, which was above the high end of our third quarter guidance range primarily due to production exceeding expectations following our workover campaign at Avouma. We generated $0.15 per diluted share of Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations, and $16.0 million of Adjusted EBITDAX in the quarter. With the continued solid Brent pricing environment, strong production results and ongoing cost control, we are generating significant cash flow and are currently forecasting that our 2019 drilling program will be funded from cash on hand and operational cash flow. This is an exciting time for VAALCO as we look at all opportunities to create value for our shareholders.

Gabon

Extension of Term of Etame Marin PSC

On September 25, 2018, VAALCO together with the other joint owners in the Etame Marin block (the consortium) received an implementing Presidential Decree from the government of Gabon authorizing a Sixth Amendment (the PSC Extension) to the Etame Marin block PSC, extending the term of the exploitation period by a minimum of 10 years to September 16, 2028. The Companys subsidiary, VAALCO Gabon S.A., has a 33.575% Participating Interest (the Companys own working interest plus the Companys pro rata share of the working interest attributable to the carried interest owner) in the Etame Marin block.

The PSC Extension lengthens the term for the exploitation period of the three exploitation areas in the block for a period of ten years from September 17, 2018, the effective date of the PSC Extension. Prior to the extension, the exploitation periods for the three exploitation areas in the Etame Marin block expired beginning in June 2021. The extension also grants the consortium the right for two additional extension periods of five years each. The PSC Extension also enables the consortium to pursue additional undrilled prospective leads within the exploitation areas near the existing Etame infrastructure. The PSC Extension further increases the Cost Recovery Percentage, as defined below, allowing the consortium to more rapidly recoup capital investments and operating expenses.

In consideration for the PSC Extension, the consortium agreed to a signing bonus of $65.0 million ($21.8 million, net to VAALCO) payable to the government of Gabon. The consortium paid $35.0 million ($11.8 million, net to VAALCO) in cash on September 26, 2018 and paid $25.0 million ($8.4 million, net to VAALCO) through an agreed upon reduction of the VAT receivable owed by the government of Gabon to the consortium as of the effective date. An additional $5.0 million ($1.7 million, net to VAALCO) is to be paid in cash by the consortium following the end of the drilling activities described below. VAALCO accrued for the remaining $1.7 million share of this payment as of September 30, 2018. The amount paid through a reduction in VAT has been recorded at $4.2 million which represents the book value of the receivable, net of the valuation allowance.

Under the PSC Extension, by September 16, 2020, the consortium is required to drill two development wells and two appraisal well bores. The Company currently estimates the cost of these wells will be approximately $61.2 million ($20.5 million, net to VAALCO). The consortium is planning to drill these wells and perhaps another well in the second and third quarter of 2019. Prior to the PSC Extension, the consortium was entitled to take up to 70% of production (Cost Recovery Percentage), net of royalty, to recover its share of costs (Cost Account) so long as there were amounts remaining in its Cost Account. Under the PSC Extension, the Cost Recovery Percentage is increased to 80% for the ten-year period from September 17, 2018 through September 16, 2028. After September 16, 2028, the Cost Recovery Percentage returns to 70%.

Operational Update

As disclosed in previous press releases, VAALCO completed successful workover operations to replace the ESP systems in the Avouma 2-H and the South Tchibala 1-HB wells and restored production from both wells in June 2018. In addition, the Company took advantage of the hydraulic workover unit being on the platform to proactively upgrade the ESP system in the South Tchibala 2-H well. Since completing the workovers, the ESP systems in the Avouma wells have run without incident, and production from the wells exceeded expectations in the third quarter. Average net oil production in the third quarter of 2018 was above the high end of guidance at 4,120 BOPD net compared with 3,549 BOPD net in the second quarter of 2018.

Equatorial Guinea and Angola

VAALCO has a 31% working interest in an undeveloped portion of a block offshore Equatorial Guinea that the Company acquired in 2012 (the Block P interest). The Block P interest is currently in suspension, and the Company is working with the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons to lift the suspension by the end of 2018. VAALCO and its joint venture owners are evaluating the timing and budgeting for development and exploration activities under a development and production area in the block, including the approval of a development and production plan. Preparation for these activities could begin as early as 2019. Expenditures related to such activities are not expected to be significant in 2019. The Company is in continued discussions with the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons regarding these plans.

VAALCO continues to negotiate with representatives of Sonangol E &P to resolve the liability associated with the exit from the Block 5 exploration area.

2018 - Third Quarter Financial Results

Total oil sales for the third quarter of 2018 were $25.3 million, compared to $24.4 million in the second quarter of 2018. During the third quarter of 2018, VAALCO sold approximately 329,000 net barrels of oil at an average price of $75.40 compared to approximately 336,000 net barrels at an average price of $51.10 per barrel during the third quarter of 2017. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company sold approximately 319,000 net barrels of oil at an average price of $74.36 per barrel. The sales volumes were lower in the three months ended September 30, 2018 as the volumes lifted by the government of Gabon in September were less than the volumes available to be lifted and lower than the normal monthly lifting volumes.

In June 2018, VAALCO executed commodity swaps at a Dated Brent weighted average price of $74 per barrel for the period from and including June 2018 through June 2019 for a quantity of approximately 400,000 barrels. As of September 30, 2018, the estimated mark-to-market value of the remaining commodity price swaps for 285,000 barrels in 2018 and 2019 was a liability of $2.1 million, which is recorded on the Accrued liabilities and other line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Costs and Expenses

Total production expense, excluding workovers, was $7.5 million, or $22.93 per barrel of oil sales, in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $10.2 million, or $30.39 per barrel of oil sales, in the third quarter of 2017, and $8.3 million, or $26.08 per barrel of oil sales in the second quarter of 2018. Third quarter 2018 costs were lower as a result of revised estimates of contractual obligation costs. In addition, the decrease in expense for the quarterly year-over-year periods was also impacted by a planned maintenance turnaround and asset integrity work that occurred in third quarter 2017.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense was $1.1 million, or $3.43 per barrel of oil sales in the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $1.7 million, or $5.06 per barrel of oil sales in the comparable period in 2017, and $1.0 million, or $3.24 per barrel of oil sales in the second quarter of 2018. DD&A per barrel decreased from 2017 due to the increase in proved reserves at December 31, 2017.

General and administrative (G&A) expense for the third quarter 2018 was $2.8 million, or $8.54 per barrel of oil sales, as compared to $2.5 million, or $7.33 per barrel of oil sales in the third quarter 2017 and $5.0 million, or $15.70 per barrel of oil sales in the second quarter of 2018. General and administrative expense includes $1.0 million, $0.2 million, and $2.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to SARs was $0.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to $27 thousand in the comparable 2017 period, and therefore accounted for the bulk of the increase. Because the Companys SARs are cash settled, these awards are adjusted to fair value each period, and as a result of the increase in VAALCOs stock price in 2018, the amount of expense has increased significantly.

Income tax for the third quarter of 2018 was a benefit of $62.2 million compared to an expense of $2.7 million for the same period in 2017, and an expense of $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2018. The $62.2 million benefit for the third quarter of 2018 includes a $66.2 million deferred tax benefit primarily related to the recognition of deferred tax assets and the reversal of valuation allowances on other deferred tax assets. As a result of the PSC Extension, the continuing higher oil prices and the production from planned drilling in 2019, the ability to realize tax benefits has improved significantly resulting in the recognition of the deferred tax benefit in the third quarter of 2018. In addition to the $66.2 million deferred tax benefit, the Company had $4.0 million in current income tax expense which is primarily for current income taxes payable to the government of Gabon and is higher in 2018 than income tax for the comparable 2017 period as a result of higher revenues.

Capital Investments/Balance Sheet

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, VAALCO invested approximately $12.2 million in capital expenditures on a cash basis, primarily for the $11.8 million signing bonus associated with the PSC Extension. The Company has commitments for capital expenditures related to the drilling of two development wells and two appraisal well bores at an estimated cost of $20.5 million, net to VAALCO. The Company is planning to drill these wells and a possible third well in the second and third quarters of 2019. The third well is subject to approval by the joint venture owners and the government of Gabon. VAALCO currently expects any capital expenditures made during 2019 will be funded by cash on hand and cash flow from operations.

At the end of the third quarter and after payment of the $11.8 million signing bonus associated with the PSC Extension, VAALCO had Working Capital from Continuing Operations of $9.2 million, and an unrestricted cash balance of $33.7 million. The unrestricted cash balance included $5.5 million of cash attributable to non-operating joint venture owner advances.

Beginning with the first quarter of 2018, the government of Gabon elected to lift its share of oil (which is reported as current income tax expense) separately from the Etame Marin joint interest owners. As a result, Gabon income taxes are now being settled when the government of Gabon lifts its share of production. Such settlements are expected to occur once or twice per year, depending on production levels. The government of Gabon took its first lifting of oil since making its election in September 2018. Net to VAALCO, this lifting resulted in $9.4 million of income taxes paid in-kind with oil during the third quarter, and reduces VAALCOs cash flows from oil sales in the month following the lifting. At September 30, 2018, VAALCO had $1.8 million of foreign taxes payable.

Outlook Projections

The Company expects to be at or above the high end of Adjusted EBITDAX guidance of $27 - $30 million for the second half of 2018 using average Brent strip pricing for the remainder of 2018, and the mid-point of the Companys production guidance ranges. VAALCO estimates that for every $5.00 increase in realized oil price, the Company generates approximately $6.0 million in additional annualized Adjusted EBITDAX.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter financial and operating results November 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time). Interested parties may participate by dialing (844) 841-1668. International parties may dial (661) 378-9859. The confirmation code is 6691637. This call will also be webcast on VAALCOs website at www.vaalco.com. An archived audio replay will be available on VAALCOs website.

Forward Looking Statements

This document includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this document that address activities, events, plans, expectations, objectives or developments that VAALCO expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements may include amounts due in connection with the Companys withdrawal from Angola, expected sources of future capital funding and future liquidity, future operating losses, future changes in oil and natural gas prices, future strategic alternatives, capital expenditures, future drilling plans, prospect evaluations, negotiations with governments and third parties, timing of the settlement of Gabon income taxes, expectations regarding processing facilities, production, sales and financial projections, reserve growth, and other issues related to VAALCOs exit from Angola. These statements are based on assumptions made by VAALCO based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond VAALCO's control. These risks include, but are not limited to, oil and gas price volatility, inflation, general economic conditions, the Company's success in discovering, developing and producing reserves, production and sales differences due to timing of liftings, decisions by future lenders, the risks associated with liquidity, the risk that the negotiations with the government of the Republic of Angola will be unsuccessful, lack of availability of goods, services and capital, environmental risks, drilling risks, foreign regulatory and operational risks, and regulatory changes.

These and other risks are further described in VAALCO's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the SEC which can be reviewed at http://www.sec.gov, or which can be received by contacting VAALCO at 9800 Richmond Avenue, Suite 700, Houston, Texas 77042, (713) 623-0801. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. VAALCO disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About VAALCO

VAALCO Energy, Inc. is a Houston, Texas based independent energy company principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil. VAALCOs strategy is to increase reserves and production through the development and exploitation of international oil and natural gas properties. The Company's properties and exploration acreage are located primarily in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in West Africa.

Investor Contact

Phil Patman 713-623-0801







VAALCO ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,715 $ 19,669 Restricted cash 1,025 842 Receivables: Trade  3,556 Accounts with joint venture owners, net of allowance of $0.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 931 3,395 Other 408 100 Crude oil inventory 2,232 3,263 Prepayments and other 3,058 2,791 Current assets - discontinued operations 3,222 2,836 Total current assets 44,591 36,452 Oil and natural gas properties, at cost - successful efforts method: Proved properties 398,072 389,935 Unproved properties 16,698 10,000 Equipment and other 8,821 9,432 423,591 409,367 Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment (388,660 ) (386,146 ) Net oil and natural gas properties, equipment and other 34,931 23,221 Other noncurrent assets: Restricted cash 918 967 Value added tax and other receivables, net of allowance of $2.1 million

and $6.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 2,306 6,925 Deferred tax assets 68,807 1,260 Abandonment funding 10,808 10,808 Total assets $ 162,361 $ 79,633 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 7,219 $ 11,584 Accounts with joint venture owners 5,496  Accrued liabilities and other 17,662 12,991 Foreign taxes payable 1,775  Current portion of long term debt  6,666 Current liabilities - discontinued operations 15,191 15,347 Total current liabilities 47,343 46,588 Asset retirement obligations 14,459 20,163 Other long-term liabilities 1,264 284 Long term debt, excluding current portion, net  2,309 Total liabilities 63,066 69,344 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders equity: Preferred stock, none issued, 500,000 shares authorized, $25 par value   Common stock, $0.10 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 67,092,825 and 66,443,971 shares issued, 59,538,878 and 58,862,876 shares outstanding 6,709 6,644 Additional paid-in capital 72,229 71,251 Less treasury stock, 7,553,947 and 7,581,095 shares at cost (37,798 ) (37,953 ) Retained earnings (deficit) 58,155 (29,653 ) Total shareholders' equity 99,295 10,289 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 162,361 $ 79,633





VAALCO ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 Revenues: Oil and natural gas sales $ 25,266 $ 18,178 $ 24,426 Operating costs and expenses: Production expense 7,481 10,336 12,817 Exploration expense  4 12 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,130 1,700 1,035 Gain on revision of asset retirement obligations (3,325 )   General and administrative expense 2,811 2,463 5,008 Bad debt expense (recovery) and other (157 ) (49 ) 145 Total operating costs and expenses 7,940 14,454 19,017 Other operating income (loss), net (6 ) (3 ) 314 Operating income 17,320 3,721 5,723 Other income (expense): Interest income (expense), net 111 (327 ) (30 ) Other, net (1,029 ) (793 ) (1,224 ) Total other expense, net (918 ) (1,120 ) (1,254 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 16,402 2,601 4,469 Income tax expense (benefit) (62,224 ) 2,749 3,582 Income (loss) from continuing operations 78,626 (148 ) 887 Loss from discontinued operations (21 ) (174 ) (343 ) Net income (loss) $ 78,605 $ (322 ) $ 544 Basic net income (loss) per share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 1.31 $ 0.00 $ 0.02 Loss from discontinued operations 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.01 ) Net income (loss) per share $ 1.31 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.01 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 59,481 58,817 59,090 Diluted net income (loss) per share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 1.28 $ 0.00 $ 0.02 Loss from discontinued operations 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.01 ) Net income (loss) per share $ 1.28 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.01 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 60,818 58,817 59,851





VAALCO ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 87,808 $ 6,220 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Loss from discontinued operations 416 518 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 3,289 5,539 Gain on revision of asset retirement obligations (3,325 )  Other amortization 357 293 Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)/loss 819 (512 ) Stock-based compensation 3,782 933 Commodity derivatives loss 2,064 971 Cash settlements received on derivative contracts 14 195 Bad debt expense and other (68 ) 232 Deferred tax benefit (66,191 )  Other operating gain, net (332 ) (164 ) Operational expenses associated with equipment and other 1,695  Change in operating assets and liabilities: Trade receivables 3,556 (452 ) Accounts with joint venture owners 7,961 542 Other receivables (313 ) 274 Crude oil inventory 1,031 (247 ) Prepayments and other (13 ) 1,559 Value added tax and other receivables (658 ) (2,783 ) Deferred tax assets (1,356 )  Accounts payable (4,314 ) (5,250 ) Foreign taxes payable 1,775  Accrued liabilities and other (999 ) (432 ) Net cash provided by continuing operating activities 36,998 7,436 Net cash used in discontinued operating activities (958 ) (4,204 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 36,040 3,232 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Oil and natural gas properties, equipment and other expenditures (13,205 ) (1,300 ) Acquisitions  64 Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties  250 Net cash used in continuing investing activities (13,205 ) (986 ) Net cash used in discontinued investing activities   Net cash used in investing activities (13,205 ) (986 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from the issuances of common stock 533 38 Treasury shares (22 ) (8 ) Debt repayment (9,166 ) (7,917 ) Borrowings  4,167 Net cash used in continuing financing activities (8,655 ) (3,720 ) Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities   Net cash used in financing activities (8,655 ) (3,720 ) NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 14,180 (1,474 ) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 32,286 30,643 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 46,466 $ 29,169





VAALCO ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Selected Financial and Operating Statistics

(Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 NET SALES DATA: Oil (MBbls) 329 336 319 Average daily sales volumes (bbls/day) 3,576 3,652 3,505 NET PRODUCTION DATA Oil (MBbls) 379 341 323 Average daily production volumes (MBbls/day) 4,120 3,707 3,549 AVERAGE SALES PRICES: Oil ($/Bbl) $ 75.40 $ 51.10 $ 74.36 COSTS AND EXPENSES (PER Bbl OF SALES): Production expense $ 22.74 $ 30.76 $ 40.18 Production expense, excluding workovers* 22.93 30.39 26.08 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 3.43 5.06 3.24 General and administrative expense** 8.54 7.33 15.70 Property and equipment expenditures, cash basis (in thousands) $ 12,229 $ 268 $ 553

*Workover costs excluded from the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and June 30, 2018 are $ (0.1) million, $0.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

**General and administrative expenses include $2.96, $0.46 and $7.66 barrel of oil of sales of stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended September 30, 2018, and 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted EBITDAX is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used by VAALCOs management and by external users of the Companys financial statements, such as industry analysts, lenders, rating agencies, investors and others who follow the industry as an indicator of the Companys ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP financial measure and as used herein represents Net Income before discontinued operations, interest income (expense) net, income tax expense, depletion, depreciation and amortization, impairment of proved properties, exploration expense, non-cash and other items including stock compensation expense and unrealized commodity derivative loss.

Adjusted EBITDAX has significant limitations, including that it does not reflect the Companys cash requirements for capital expenditures, contractual commitments, working capital or debt service. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered as a substitute for Net Income (Loss), operating income (loss), cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAX excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income (loss) and operating income (loss) and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, the Companys Adjusted EBITDAX may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The tables below reconcile the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to Adjusted EBITDAX Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations and Working Capital from Continuing Operations.





VAALCO ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures

(Unaudited)

(in thousands) Three Months Ended Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDAX September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 Net income (loss) $ 78,605 $ (322 ) $ 544 Add back: Impact of discontinued operations 21 174 343 Interest (income) expense, net (111 ) 327 30 Income tax expense (benefit) (62,224 ) 2,749 3,582 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,130 1,700 1,035 Exploration expense  4 12 Non-cash or unusual items: Stock-based compensation 973 154 2,442 Commodity derivative loss, unrealized 1,065 921 999 Equipment recovery 6  (314 ) Gain on revision of asset retirement obligations (3,325 )   Bad debt expense (recovery) and other (157 ) (49 ) 145 Adjusted EBITDAX $ 15,983 $ 5,658 $ 8,818





Three Months Ended Reconciliation of Income (loss) from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Income (loss) from Continuing Operations September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 78,626 $ (148 ) $ 887 Adjustment for discrete items Deferred income tax benefit (66,191 )   Gain on revision of asset retirement obligations (3,325 )   Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations $ 9,110 $ (148 ) $ 887





Reconciliation of Changes in Working Capital from continuing operations September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change Current assets $ 41,369 $ 33,616 $ 7,753 Current liabilities 32,152 31,241 911 Working capital from continuing operations(1) $ 9,217 $ 2,375 $ 6,842

Excludes current assets and current liabilities attributable to discontinued operations.



(+) + (+) = (+)

(-) + (-) = (-)

(+) + (+) = ???

(+) * (+) = (+)

(+) * (-) = (-)

(-) * (-) = (+)

roots

\(x\)

numerical solutions

\(x\)

\(x^2+bx+c=0\)

\((x+\underline{\hspace{2em}})(x+ \underline{\hspace{2em}})=0\)

\(c\)

\(c\)

\(b\)

\((x+4)=0\)

\(x\)

\(-4\)

Yes/No

Yes/No

Play Both Sides

is \(rs < 0\)?

when you multiply the two solutions to a quadratic equation, do you get a negative number?

Play Both Sides

one

both

both

\(b\)

\(c\)

both

\(r\)

\(s\)

\(c\)

\(c\)

\(c\)

Yes/No

B

logic

critical-thinking

Yes/No

+/-

Play Both Sides

Aaron Pond

Veritas Prep Teacher of the Year / Professionally mentoring GMAT students since 2006

Visit me at https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat/aaron-pond/ if you would like to learn even more "GMAT Jujitsu"! Signature Read More

Let's talk strategy here. Many explanations of Quantitative questions focus blindly on the math, but remember: the GMAT is a critical-thinking test. For those of you studying for the GMAT, you will want to internalize strategies that actually minimize the amount of math that needs to be done, making it easier to manage your time. The tactics I will show you here will be useful for numerous questions, not just this one. My solution is going to walk through not just what the answer is, but how to strategically think about it. Ready? Here is the full GMAT Jujitsu for this question:First, this problem requires you to understand positive/negative rules. When adding two numbers together,When multiplying two numbers together,Next, lets talk terminology. When a problem refers to the  of a quadratic equation containing, it is talking about the possiblefor. In this context, the term root is completely synonymous with the term solution. The solutions of quadratics can often be calculated by breaking down the quadratic into its linear components such thatbecomesYou fill in the blanks here by looking at the pairs of factors of(called complementary factors) that when multiplied together equals, but when added together they equal. Of course, if you need to actually solve for the values, it is important to realize that the solutions (or roots) of the equation are going to be the negatives of these factors. (Think about it, if, thenmust be.)Now that we have the basic rules, down, lets focus on tactics. This is a  question  a very common structure for Data Sufficiency problems. The fundamental trap for problems like these is to bait you into thinking that you actually need to solve for every value. You dont. As soon as you have enough information to conclude that a statement is either sufficient or insufficient, you can move on. For  questions, if you can think of two situations (or two variable inputs) that are consistent with all of the problems constraints but come up with different answers to the question, you know a statement is insufficient. In my classes, I call this strategy . The problem asks us,   in other words,  We can start to anticipate how we are going to . Using the positive/negative rules we showed above, the answer to this question is Yes ifof the solutions is positive and the other is negative. The answer is No if eithersolutions are positive orsolutions are negative.Statement #1 tells us thatis negative. There are a couple of ways this could happen: (1) the complementary factors ofcould benegative, in which caseandare both positive, or (2) one complementary factor ofis positive and the other is negative (so long as the negative factor is larger in magnitude than the positive factor.) This would mean that we would have one negative solution and one positive one. Since the first possibility gives us a No answer to the question while the second option gives us a Yes answer, Statement #1 is not sufficient.Statement #2 tells us thatis negative. There is only one possible way this could happen: one complementary factor ofis positive and the other is negative. You can only get a negative product if one factor is positive and one is negative. The roots would mirror this. So, Statement #2 can only give us a Yes answer to thequestion. Since we have only one answer, it is sufficient.The answer is .Now, lets look back at this problem through the lens of strategy. This question can teach us patterns seen throughout the GMAT. Notice that this problem is much more aboutandthan it is about math. With  questions involving positive/negative rules, a great tactic that you can often use is to focus conceptually on thepossibilities, using very basic rules. If multiple answers are possible using those rules, you can  and disprove sufficiency. On the other hand, if there is only one answer to the Yes/No question, then you proved sufficiency. If you can analyze the problems conceptually, the actual math involved is often minimal, and you dont even need to solve for specific values. And that is how you think like the GMAT._________________In the first sentence, the author presents a finding whose implications are in question: "In countries where automobile insurance includes compensation for whiplash injuries sustained in automobile accidents, reports of having suffered such injuries are twice as frequent as they are in countries where whiplash is not covered."

According to some commentators, "since there is presently no objective test for whiplash, spurious reports of whiplash injuries cannot be readily identified." - This argument, which the author does not dispute, supports the conclusion drawn by those commentators "that in the countries with the higher rates of reported whiplash injuries, half of the reported cases are spurious." So the author disputes the conclusion of those commentators but not the argument supporting their conclusion.

of those commentators but not the argument supporting their conclusion. The author then claims that "in countries where automobile insurance does not include compensation for whiplash, people often have little incentive to report whiplash injuries that they actually have suffered." This claim is presented as an argument against the conclusion drawn by those commentators.

Quote:

(A) The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument criticizes; the second is that conclusion.

Quote:

(B) The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument criticizes; the second is the position that the argument defends.

Quote:

(C) The first is a claim that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument accepts; the second is the position that the argument defends.

Quote:

(D) The first is an intermediate conclusion that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument defends; the second is the position that the argument opposes.

Quote:

(E) The first presents a claim that is disputed in the argument; the second is the conclusion that has been drawn on the basis of that claim.

Ah, this is one of those questions that appear in two different forms. The same passage is available here, but with different sentences in bold: https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-countries ... 02322.html As with any boldface question, it's best to ignore the boldface at first and identify the conclusion. In this case, the conclusion is: "These commentators are, however, wrong to draw the further conclusion that in the countries with the higher rates of reported whiplash injuries, half of the reported cases are spurious."Notice that the second boldfaced portion is the conclusion drawn by "these commentators", not by the author of the passage.The first BF portion supports the conclusion of the commentators, who the author clearly believes are "wrong". The second BF states the conclusion of those commentators. Choice (A) looks spot on.The first half of this choice is correct, but the second is a conclusion (drawn by some commentators) that the author criticizes, not a position that the author defends. Eliminate (B).The first supports the conclusion of the commentators, which the author rejects. The second is the conclusion of the commentators, which the author certainly does not defend. Eliminate (C).The first BF is EVIDENCE that supports the commentators conclusion, and the author criticizes that conclusion. Thus, even though the second half of this choice is okay, choice (D) should be eliminated.The author does not dispute the evidence presented in the first BF portion; rather, the author disputes the conclusion drawn by some commentators based on that evidence. Thus, even though the second part of this choice is okay, choice (E) should be eliminated._________________Minheequang wrote:

IMO B .



Objective of the argument: whether Papua new guinea could be a substantial exporter of tropical crops

IMO, to evaluate a country as a big exporter, we should calculate its export capacity within its total production capacity. If the figure is >50, it is, if <50 it is not





In theory, Papua New Guinea could be a substantial exporter of tropical crops. In actuality, it is not. The reason is that 97 percent of all land is owned by clans and cannot be bought or sold by individuals, and thus the kinds of realignment of properties that would be necessary to achieve maximum production for export have been impossible to achieve.

The answer to which of the following questions would be most relevant to evaluating the adequacy of the explanation given above?

(A) Who owns the 3 percent of the land in Papua New Guinea that is not owned by clans? --> 3% is of negligible effective in evaluating

(B) What percentage of Papua New Guineas current production of tropical crops is consumed within the country? --> best

(C) How much longer is land ownership by clans expected to remain the prevailing cultural pattern in Papua New Guinea? -->if in short-term clan ownership no longer remains, it does not mean that a large proportion of properties can be produced for export. If in longterm ..., blah blah blah --> wrong

(D) Which of the tropical crops currently grown in Papua New Guinea could be exported if there were a surplus for export --> irrelevant

(E) How does Papua New Guineas current production capacity for tropical crops compare with the maximum capacity that property realignment would make possible? -->this is maximum capacity of production for the whole needs of Papua, not only for export. So, this comparison is not relevant

Minheequang, I see your logic. But lets say 50% of it is consumed at home, and 50% is exported. What if realigning triples output? Consumption at home would stay the same, an even bigger proportional increase to exports.What if all of it is exported (ie none consumed at home)? What if we could still optimize production?The answer to that question has no bearing as to whether we can increase (or decrease) production.Hence B is not the answer.Re: Palladium prices have soared, with Russia restricting exports and [ #permalink

1 Kudos

(A) Palladium prices have soared, (main clause)

With (more information about - have soared) Russia restricting (ing mod. Of exports) exports (pp modifier)

and because automakers have started using it (it - pall) (clause? - a have started - DC because)

to make the huge engines in sport utility vehicles and other light trucks. (have started)



Error - it should be - prices soared - with x & y? And is a parallel marker - with x and because y - incorrect





(B) Palladium prices have soared, (clause)

with Russia restricting exports, (non-essential)

in addition to automakers that have started to use (in addition to what?) (that modifies automakers)

Meaning issue



(C) Prices for palladium have soared (mc)

- as Russia has restricted exports (has res) (have started) (present perfect verb - something that is completed now or the effects are still)

- and automakers have started using (As Xc & Yc)



(D) Prices for palladium have soared (MC)

- as Russia has been restricting exports, (present continuous - meaning the action of restriction is still happening - ok)

- in addition to automakers starting to use (restriction is happening in addition to starting) (starting is not a verb) in correct



(E) Prices for palladium have soared (Main clause)

- because (marker of dependent clause) Russia is restricting exports, (DC - is restricting - present continuous tense- i.e. restriction is still happening)

- as well as automakers that have started using

Because x as well as y - parallel - PC & present perfectAre you sure you want to delete this post?



In midterm elections, we seem to mostly place our focus on the house and the senate. A person in Texas may not care who wins the governor's seat in Ohio, but maybe they would if they were reminded about redistricting and the power of a governor's veto.

Midterm elections such as this one are the most important, because the state politicians elected this year, will be in office in 2021, which is when the next round of redistricting begins, and neither party will get a chance to lock these pivotal offices in after the elections.

For instance, this year, if the Democrats win key governor elections, as well as state seats, they could undo all of the work the Republicans put in to give themselves the advantage in the House of Representatives. Democrats could roll back Republican gerrymandering in major states such as Ohio, and Michigan. Here's a good example just from this year how pivotal it is for a party to win a governors election. A good quote from a vox editorial I read:

"So, even if faced with one or two Republican state legislature chamber majorities, a Democratic governors veto could either force a bipartisan compromise or create gridlock and throw the matter to the courts. Either would likely be a dramatic improvement over the Republican-only maps crafted last time."

It goes without saying, that winning a governor's seat is huge for a party. It could tip the scale in what party has the majority in the House of Representatives, as well as who ends up in the oval office. What states do you think it matters the most in, election after election? Are there states where you think it doesn't?Grand Old Partisan salutes Joseph Taylor, born this day of 1830. After graduating from college, he taught at a high school, soon becoming its principal. The young Republican next attended University of Cincinnati College of Law and passed the bar. A local newspaper he edited thundered against slavery.

"Thousands of dollars worth of papers were freely and gladly contributed by the owners to the causes of republicanism and union among the very people who most needed the missionary work  those too poor or too indifferent to pay for a paper."

In 1862, Taylor enlisted as captain of the 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A year later, he was named judge advocate for southern Indiana, an area bedeviled by Confederate sympathizers. He mustered out at war's end with the rank of colonel, returning home to be a county prosecutor.

This stalwart Republican was delegate to the GOP's 1868, 1876 and 1880 national conventions. In 1883, he won election for the last few months of a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives, at the same time being elected to the following two-year term. After losing for re-election, he came back to win three more terms before retiring. He also chaired an Ohio GOP state convention.

Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AP1KOMBpcTQ

Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.

Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far.

Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.

Buy the book at Amazon

See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party.

"This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!"

"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."

and

"one of the best books I ever read"The Idaho Dairy Worker Training and Safety Program has been almost three years in the making. A few years ago, the Idaho Milk Processors Association (IMPA) came to the table with Idaho Dairymens Association (IDA) to develop a program to benefit the Idaho dairy industry.

This new program is designed to provide Idahos dairy workers with ongoing job training, while improving safety awareness  from employee to owner. A lot of our early success comes from the collaborative relationship between IDA and IMPA and being able to offer this for free.

Building on 15 years

We are working closely with New Mexico State Universitys Robert Hagevoort and the University of Texass David Douphrate. Both have been working in dairy safety for the better part of 15 years.

IDA has taken their unique M-learning resources and applied them on Idaho dairies. This consists of using a set of iPads to facilitate one-on-one education in English, Spanish, or Guatemalan.

Agriculture is statistically the most dangerous industry. The competitive labor environment heightens these challenges. There are improvements we can make and trainings we can do to begin to shift the culture of dairy workers and owners.

The trainings we do are focused on not telling workers how to do their jobs but instead helping to build safety awareness. We need to make sure the message delivered is, We want everyone to get home safely at the end of the day. The goal of the program is to create a safer interaction between workers and cows and educate employees on general farm safety topics such as electricity, PTOs, equipment safety, and so forth.

On the dairy

The training is well-received by employees and owners. For employees, it shows owner commitment to safety  especially when owners or top-level management train alongside their workers (as we recommend). Employees have enjoyed learning safety ideas around the farm and how cows perceive workers.

For owners this is one less thing on their plate. After every session the dairyman receives a training summary, outlining topics covered in the training as well as sign-in sheets to document attendance. The employee in return receives a training certificate.

Over 1,000 strong

To date, we have trained about 1,000 dairy employees in Idaho representing 35 dairies and 13 percent of the dairy workforce in Idaho. We have hosted a Train the Trainer, had a summer intern, and worked with several groups to share what we are doing. Being first to market with something like this has generated lots of positive attention. IDA is already playing a key role in developing a safety manual that will be part of the NMPF FARM (National Milk Producers Federations Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) program. My mission is to help Idahos dairymen improve the safety culture on their dairies while providing customers assurance that our workforce is working in a safe environment and is well-trained.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2018

October 29, 2018



IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them.





They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country.





However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia.





"Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination.





Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia.





They should be lovingly helped.





Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948.





To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts:





While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 :

Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell.

The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites.



A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught.



The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers.



Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites."



Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers.









There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks.





This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work.





It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter.





In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam.













In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir.





" The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life."





An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir .





In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance).





Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed).





Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance).









Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam.





It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way.





A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah.





Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs).









Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life".





Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology.





Islam is a supremacist ideology.





Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism.





Islam is a civilization.

Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization.





Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life.

It has a say about every conceivable human act .





Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam.

























The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic.





Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111).





A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44)





Muhammad himself said:

I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30)









Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad.



As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQIn fact, the Iranian Regime is most scared of President-elect of the Iranian Resistance Maryam Rajavi, who holds great sway over the Iranian people and will soon lead them to overthrow the mullahs in favour of a democratic system of government in Iran.

Maryam Rajavi scares the Iranian Regime because she has spent years standing up to them and advocating to the world, on behalf of the Iranian people, for tougher sanctions against the mullahs for their criminal behaviour. In fact, you could say that Trump is just following Maryam Rajavis lead.

Why should the mullahs be scared of Maryam Rajavi?

Maryam Rajavi is a smart, accomplished woman who has spent the entirety of her adult life fighting for a free Iran after joining the Resistance as a teenager. Shes even created a 10-point plan for a Free Iran that focuses on human rights, gender equality, and the installation of democracy.

Unlike any of the mullahs, Maryam Rajavi enjoys great working relationships with countless leaders and politicians across the world, but she also has the support and admiration of the Iranian people. This can be seen through the attendance at her rallies and the actions of the Iranian people who risk their lives to plaster Maryam Rajavi posters up in the streets.

How have the mullahs shown that fear?

The mullahs have expressed their fear of Maryam Rajavi in the only way they know how: violence. They imprison Iranians who support Maryam Rajavi or the Iranian Resistance, sometimes even sentencing them to death. They also plot terror attacks against the Iranian Resistance across the world, from Iraq to Europe to the US.

In 2018 alone, the Iranian Regime has been involved in at least four attempted terror attacks against the MEK in Albania, France, the US, and Demark. Maryam Rajavi, and over 600 foreign dignitaries, were present at the Free Iran grand gathering in Paris when the mullahs used their terrorist diplomat Asadollah Assadi to try and bomb the rally.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was at the Paris rally, said: Why would the regime be so methodical in imprisoning, torturing and killing [Iranian Resistance group] MEK supporters in Iran, as well as targeting its senior officials in Paris and New York if it didnt feel threatened by it? The regime does not doubt the MEKs strength in Iran and is on record identifying it as the only opposition movement capable of overthrow.

To be clear, rulers dont try to imprison or kill people based on support for a politician unless that politician really scares them. Maryam Rajavi terrifies the Iranian Regime.

Given that Iran was already facing US sanctions and needed the support of the international community to evade them, the decision to launch attacks against Maryam Rajavi and the Iranian Resistance in Europe and the US seems mind-bogglingly stupid, unless you consider that Maryam Rajavi is a bigger threat to the continued rule of the Iranian Regime than international sanctions.The Iranian Regime was perhaps hoping that the U.S. would bow to pressure and postpone or cancel the sanctions. However, just like U.S. President did not bow to pressure when it came to his decision about exiting the 2015 nuclear deal, he once again kept to his word and enforced the sanctions.

These latest sanctions are crippling for the Iranian regime because they hit the oil sector. Iran is OPECs third biggest producer of oil and the sanctions put severe restrictions on how much the country can sell. The sanctions are also to prevent clients of Iran from using the U.S. dollar in transactions and prohibit Iranian entities from trading via the American banking system.

If history is anything to go by, the Iranian regime will ride the situation out until it is completely desperate and then it will come looking for negotiations. It is certain that the regime will spend the immediate future trying to save face and downplay the consequences, but it is also certain that it cannot keep this up for very long.

The U.S. administration has given temporary exemptions to China, Japan, India, South Korea, Iraq and Turkey to continue importing Iranian oil. Here, the U.S. administration may be trying to appease allies after they requested more time to get their situations in order. This move should not be interpreted as a concession to Iran.

U.S. wants a better deal to be put on the table. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has listed a number of points that Iran must abide by before the United States will even consider negotiating. These included some crucial points that were omitted from the 2015 nuclear deal, or JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) as it is formally known, such as its human rights record, its belligerence and support of terrorism in the region and its ballistic missile program.

When the U.S. President announced that his country was exiting the nuclear deal, he made it very clear that it was because the deal  as it stood  did nothing but guarantee a nuclear arms race. He is very adamant that no deal in place is better than the JCPOA that was negotiated by former president Barack Obama.

The people of Iran, know that the pressure put on the regime is absolutely essential in their goal of a future free and democratic Iran. They have been calling for regime change for months and know that domestic pressure coupled with international pressure will be more than the regime can handle. The more pressure the better.The US Treasury Department arranged two windows of time before the sanctions would take effect to allow businesses and foreign countries time to cut ties with the Iranian Regime.

The first round of sanctions, targeting Irans automotive industry, precious-metals trade, major transactions in its currency, the Regimes buying or selling of US dollars, and more, came into place on August 6, 90 days after Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal.

This put some pressure on Iran, but it is the second round of sanctions, imposed on Sunday, November 4, that will put more pressure on the mullahs as it targets their oil industry, which is the Regimes biggest source of income, accounting for roughly 80% of its exports and 30% of the countrys GDP.

Of course, many companies, including Frances Total, who has signed a $5 billion deal with Iran, have already packed up and left Iran to avoid US sanctions. Many countries also reduced or completely cut their oil imports from Iran  Irans oil exports actually dropped to 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in early October; a drop of over 50% from their high of over 2.5 million bpd in April.

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh wrote: Todays sanctions are also significant because they will cut off the flow of funds to the regime and significantly impact its efforts to fund and sponsor terrorist and militia groups across the regionDespite Tehrans efforts to dismiss US sanctions, Iranian leaders are very concerned and apprehensive as they have already witnessed the financial repercussions of the previous sanctions.

Iran has tried to shrug off the sanctions as something that will only affect US citizens and therefore wont jeopardise Irans deals with other countries, but the US Treasury Department has warned foreign companies that if they continue to do business with Iran they may face legal action and risk of losing their business with the US and being sanctioned.

And, as was displayed by the massive pullouts from Iran, foreign businesses are unwilling to take the risk, as well they should be.Qahdarijan is agricultural land. The citys economy depends on agriculture. The loss of the river, Zayanderud, the largest river in central Iran, had brought poverty to the area. Isfahan farmers have been gathering over the past few weeks to protest to the water shortage and the violation of their water rights.

The strain from drought has been worsened by the growing number of factories that use up large amounts of water. Diversion of water to other regions has made the situation bad, as well. In July, an Isfahan environmental activist said, The water cycle has been annihilated. The entire water of the river has been allocated to industry.

A representative from the city of Falavarjan spoke to ILNA state-run News Agency about the impact of the water shortageon the people of Qahdarijan, where major clashes and protests during the January unrest occurred.

The city of Falavarjan has about 270 thousand inhabitants and has three districts and most of the people work in the agricultural sector. I dont exaggerate when I say that 90% of the people in Qahdarijan are engaged in all sorts of agricultural-related jobs. He added, Some the people who were once wealthy, are currently so deprived and poverty stricken that they are covered by relief foundations such as the Emdad Foundation.

He explained in his interview, Many of them are retired farmers who have large families and many children and relatives, and have no other source of income.

He asked, If this is not a catastrophe then what is it?

All of the people, especially those with water rights should have equal access to the Zayanderud River. As the livelihood of farmers depends on water, perhaps they are more entitled, added the Falavarjan representative. When a person has problems with his livelihood, he suffers very much. Unfortunately, at the moment, most people are unemployed and do not have an income in Qahdarijan.

The representative told the Isfahan Islamic Council that the people were so dependent on water that sometimes they cried out in desperation.The farmers say kill us or throw us out of Iran.

Are we not as farmers part of the people of this country, they ask, he said. He said that the farmers only want justice in the distribution of water. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Energy does not take into consideration the approved decisions of the Supreme Water Council and ignores farmers, he said, and warned that the protests may turn political.

If officials cannot handle the demands of the protesters, they should know that these protests and demands may be exploited by the enemies of the Islamic Republic, he said.

According to reports, farmers in Varzaneh, Shatur, and Ziar, other cities in Isfahan Province gathered on Thursday to protest to scarcity of water and lack of access to water resources, among other demands. Isfahan farmers staged similar protests and demonstrations that lasted for more than two months at the beginning of the year.

This protest against the corruption of the Iranian government, is not the first one, but part of the growing anger of the people for the regime.-Andi Manzano celebrated her baby shower with a different set up which was an outreach program

-She held it at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital to give a little appreciation to the moms and their newborn babies

-As she shared it on her Youtube channel, netizens were touched and commended Andi's act of kindness

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Being pregnant with her second child, Andi Manzano celebrated her baby shower in a charitable way by empowering the new mothers and visiting the newborn babies in Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. She uploaded it on her Youtube channel last Oct 29.

Andi's main goal in doing such generous act was to show her fellow mothers on how to take care of themselves and their little ones too. She even emphasized that babies deserve the best things in life.

"I wanted to reach out to other moms, and just really show them how to take care of themselves, how to take care of their babies cause all newborn babies deserve the best." Andi said.

She reached out to the mothers not only through a speech but also by talking to some of them, checking out their newborn babies.

I was able to talk to some of the new moms who were very open and happy enough to talk to a complete stranger. Some were first time mothers while others had 3-4 kids already. When I was talking to them I could really feel the peace and glow of new motherhood in their faces.

Andi chose Fabella Hospital because it is considered as a ground zero for mothers giving birth in the Philippines. It accommodates a huge number of mothers delivering a baby every day.

"They say this is the Ground Zero for mothers giving birth in the Philippines  the busiest maternity ward in the country. When you enter the place its 3-4 moms per bed with their newborn babies. The babes are wearing white tie-side shirts and moms were in their white gowns and headbands. The big room didnt have air conditioning." Andi stated on her Youtube channel.

Aside from sharing tips, Andi also provided little gifts for the mothers as a token of appreciation.

The lifestyle vlogger also encouraged everyone to reach out as well to other people and be more public-spirited.

 So if I were you guys, try to reach out and do more for the people around you.

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Netizens from Youtube were really touched by Andi's heartwarming baby shower and they couldn't help their tears. They also gave praises to Andi.

"I don't know why but upon watching this video of yours Ms. Andi, naiyak ako. Thank your for being a blessing to others. God bless you and your family even more. "

"My heart...  thanks Andi for sharing your blessings with other Mommas. This is a wonderful experience for you. Indeed, it is a lovely vlog of yours. God bless!"

"This melts my heart. You're truly beautiful inside and out. May God bless you more and your family so you guys can continue to be a blessing to others. Congrats once again on your 2nd baby.  Love youuu "

"This made me cry ms andi, Im also pregnant and wanting to do the same and share"

Nakakaiyak! Andi Manzanos baby shower moved netizens to tears

Source: Facebook

The radio DJ expressed her gratitude to the mothers she helped along with the people who lend a helping hand to make the event possible.

"I came in with a heart that was eager to give but in the end it was I who received and came out with a heart that was full and blessed. It was an experience I will never forget and will take with me always." She said.

Here's the video of her inspiring baby shower:

Andrea Bianca Manzano Reyes or also known as Andi Manzano is a Filipino radio jockey since she was 18, a television host, and a TV actress.

She did some movie cameos such as Unofficially Yours and she also became a courtside reporter of FEU Tamaraws.

Now, Andi enjoys being a mom to her first born, Olivia, and actively making vlogs on Youtube.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

Scary Nun Prank Part 2 is already on HumanMeter! Many of you had asked us to shoot the nun prank part 2 and we did it! In this episode, she is going to roam the streets of the Philippines and scare innocent people to death  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.ph- Jenine Desiderio was interviewed about the allegations that her daughter Janella Salvador was hurt physically by Elmo Magalona

- The celebrity mom decided to give new details about the issue

- According to Jenine, Elmo personally apologized to her weeks after the supposed incident with her daughter

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Jenine Desiderio provided more details about the controversy surrounding her daughter Janella Salvador and former love team partner, Elmo Magalona  who is being accused of physically hurting the young actress.

KAMI learned that Jenine revealed that Elmo personally apologized to her for what she supposedly did to her daughter.

In fairness, he apologized personally three weeks after the incident. After talking to the Star Magic people, he texted me asking me if he could talk to me.

I granted his request, the following day nagkita kami and yun we had a one on one.

Thats when he promised me about the public apology. That didnt happen, Jenine told PUSH.

In the same report by PUSH, Jenine also stated that both Janella and Elmo sought out professional help to deal with the trauma of what happened between them.

Trauma. To overcome trauma. Siyempre medyo hindi madali yung pinagdaanan niya and we just want to make sure that she can cope, she explained.

As for Janella publicly accusing Elmo of hurting her, Jenine said that her daughter decided to speak out about it since Elmo did not fulfill his promise to air a public apology.

Finally, the truth came out na and yun lang naman yung hinihingi namin. And hindi naman siya basta-basta magsasalita kung sana meron lang earlier admission that they also promised from their end, the celebrity mom said.

As for any plan to file charges against Elmo, Jenine refused to comment about it.

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!

In a previous report by KAMI, Janella and Elmo performed together in Canada despite their issues since they were already committed to the show abroad before the controversy arose.

Elmo and Janellas love team was called ElNella by their fans. They starred together in movies such as Bloody Crayons and My Fairy Tail Love Story.

Janella was also recently seen on a date with actor Marco Gumabao.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

Scary Nun Prank Part 2 is already on HumanMeter! Many of you had asked us to shoot the nun prank part 2 and we did it! In this episode, she is going to roam the streets of the Philippines and scare innocent people to death  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.ph- There are rumors that Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde are dating and that they went to Bali, Indonesia together

- Maines latest Instagram post seems to have confirmed that she went to Bali with Arjo

- The post shows the actress riding a giant swing

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Many netizens have been speculating that Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde are currently dating since they have been seen spending time together a number of times already.

The latest buzz is that the two even went to Bali, Indonesia together.

KAMI learned that a recent post of Maine seems to have finally confirmed the rumors about their trip to Indonesia, although it does not confirm that they are actually dating each other.

A photo of the Kapuso star riding a giant swing was uploaded on her Instagram account.

According to PEP.ph, the swing is located in Bali, Indonesia.

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Maine and Arjo were first seen together at a restaurant in Makati.

They were then spotted in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Both actors will star in the upcoming comedy action movie Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles. It will be released nationwide in December as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

POPULAR: Read more news about Maine Mendoza!

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

Scary Nun Prank Part 2 is already on HumanMeter! Many of you had asked us to shoot the nun prank part 2 and we did it! In this episode, she is going to roam the streets of the Philippines and scare innocent people to death  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.ph- A Mayor in Quezon gave few statements about the death of his friend Nonong Andres

- Nonong, or known as Bangkay, was found dead in a resort in Plaridel

- The politician said his friends death is a sensitive matter

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A close friend of actor Nonong "Bangkay" de Andres, who happens to be a Mayor, finally gave few words about the death and rumored suicide of the celebrity.

KAMI learned that the veteran actor, who was 71 years old, died in a cottage of a beach located in Plaridel, Quezon.

Unofficial reports have been circulating online that the reason behind the celebritys death was apparent suicide.

The town Mayor, whose name is Bernard Tumagay, emotionally released some words about the unfortunate incident that happened to his friend.

He briefly expressed that Bangkays death is a sensitive topic and that it is better if the official statements will be coming from his own family.

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The politician also requested people to refrain from giving other meanings and controversies regarding the death of his acquaintance.

According to a report by PEP.ph, residents of the said municipality claimed that the actor was depressed, thus he allegedly took his own life.

Bangkays body was already brought to Lucena City for autopsy and returned to Plaridel for the burial.

In a previous article by the promising actor made sure that he achieved his life-long dream before he passed away.

Nonong gained popularity in the 90s after he appeared in several horror and comedy movies with Lilia Cuntapay. In 2014, he was part of the drama series Forevermore starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil. He also became a cast in Bagani.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

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- Model Vanessa Matsunaga showed to public her newborn son with Jun Sunga

- The name of the baby is David Nery who was born on October 18

- According to Vanessa, her family is very excited for the coming of Baby David

PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed

Filipina-Brazilian model Vanessa Matsunaga excitedly flaunted on social media a picture of her newborn second son with Jun Sunga named David Nery.

KAMI learned that the beautiful mom gave birth to her second child on October 18 after announcing her pregnancy on August 9.

In Vanessas Instagram and Facebook posts on October 26, she expressed her joy and admiration to her baby for fighting and bringing happiness to her family.

She also emphasized how excited her firstborn Isabella is for the coming of her little brother whom she has been waiting for so long.

You are now 8 days old and mommy is so so proud of you. You are a fighter and you came into our lives to bring a joy thats inexplicable. We were three and now because of you we are a family of four and our hearts couldnt be fuller, Vanessa wrote.

"You bring so much joy to your big sister, Isabella. All she speaks about is you. She's still very young but all she tells me is: 'good job, mommy!' and 'thank you mommy for baby brother. The two of you made my life more meaningful and I understand Gods grace even deeper now, she added.

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The promising model did not forget to thank her newborn for giving her the opportunity to be his mother.

She said that even as early as now, Baby David already brings positive changes in their lives.

"Thank you for choosing me as your mommy... Mama, Papa, Titas, Titos, and your cousins are very excited to get to know you and spoil you, she quipped.

"You just arrived and you're already bringing so much positivity in this world. God has great things for you, my love. I love you forever Baby David!! she concluded.

In a previous article by , the details of Vanessas announcement that she is pregnant with her second child were reported.

Vanessa is the sister of Filipino model and actor Daniel Matsunaga. She married Jun Sunga and they were granted two lovely children, namely: Isabella and David.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

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- Actor Luis Manzano announced that he will not be part of new Christmas Station ID of ABS-CBN

- This is after a netizen expressed his excitement for the new music video

- Luis immediately cleared the reason why he will be excluded in the Station ID

PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed

Kapamilya actor Luis Manzano bravely explained the reason why he will not be part of the ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID for this year.

KAMI learned that the said network usually makes a music video every Christmas season that will feature its promising celebrities.

Despite regularly appearing in the Station ID, Luis disclosed that he will not be part of it this year because of conflict in schedule.

This was brought up after a netizen posted a message regarding the artists who will be seen in the annual Christmas video.

"400 Kapamilya Stars in one CSID! and much awaited part @reginevalcasid MALAPIT NA!!" the social media user wrote.

Because of this, the I Can See Your Voice host replied and expressed that the number that the netizen said would decrease because of his exclusion.

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Luis, however, explained that the new Station ID will be awesome even though his face will not be spotted on it.

"Nope, wala ako sa station ID! Im sure itll be awesome though!" the actor quipped.

Another social media user took the courage to ask the veteran host and actor about his reason for not joining the other Kapamilya stars.

The celebrity then said that he will be in a vacation that is why he does not want to sacrifice his time for relaxation.

"Ill be out of the country. Vacation naman, he responded.

In a previous article by , the former Hating Kapatid star got heated once again online while being protective of girlfriend Jessy Mendiola.

Luis, or Luis Philippe Santos Manzano in real life, was born on April 21, 1981. He is the son of multi-awarded actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos. He already starred in several movies including In My Life, This Guy's in Love with U Mare, and Moron 5.2.

POPULAR: Read more news about Luis Manzano!

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

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Ethiopia's parliament has appointed the country's first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde, in a move hailed as setting a new standard for women in the East African nation, the Prime Minister's chief of staff announced Thursday.

Sahle-Work, 69, has served since June as the United Nation's special representative to the African Union as an under-secretary-general. She also has held top diplomatic posts representing Ethiopia in France and Djibouti.Wednesday, November 7, 2018

TIME (Nov. 7, 2018): Voters in Two States Approved Abortion Restrictions on Tuesday, by Abigail Abrams:

Two out of three states that were considering adding restrictions on abortion approved ballot measures on Tuesday.

Alabama and West Virginia approved measures that would significantly restrict access to abortion care if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court. Another measure in Oregon failed.

In Alabama, voters approved an amendment to the states constitution that would effectively give a fetus the same rights as a person who has been born. Amendment 2 would add language to the Alabama constitution that would recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children.

Abortion rights advocates worry this could make it more difficult for women to get access to abortion through the courts or that it could lead to criminalizing contraception or in-vitro fertilization. Other states have passed similar amendments, but Alabamas is especially restrictive and does not include exceptions for incest, rape or life of the mother.

In West Virginia, the No Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment, or Amendment 1, would explicitly change the states Constitution to read nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.

The amendment would effectively mean that people in West Virginia do not have a right to abortions with Medicaid funding. Medicaid in the state currently covers abortions considered medically necessary, but the amendment does not include such an exception.

Finally, in Oregon, Measure 106 would have prohibited public funds from paying for abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest or threats to the pregnant persons health. Voters in the state rejected the measure on Tuesday. The measure would have meant that public employees and people on Medicaid could not get coverage for abortion care in the state.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/reproductive_rights/2018/11/voters-in-two-states-approved-abortion-restrictions-on-tuesday.htmlPeople in several American cities are wondering: where will the company Amazon build its new second headquarters?

A recent news report in The Wall Street Journal said Amazon will divide its new headquarters between two cities. The report said the company is considering Queens in New York City; Arlington, Virginia; and Dallas, Texas. The New York Times reports that Dallas is not being considered and the two cities are Queens and Arlington.

Amazon will keep its current headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

Spokesman Adam Sedo said Amazon refused to comment on the reports.

Amazons decision to build another headquarters caused major American cities to compete with each other. Many cities hoped for the 50,000 new jobs the company promised. Amazon said most of the new jobs will pay a lot of money.

Amazon told the cities that it wanted financial incentives: such as lower taxes and other deals. It also wanted a city with more than 1 million people, a close airport, good public transportation and a lot of land.

The company received 238 proposals and chose 20 of them in January.

The unusual decision to divide the 50,000 jobs between two cities will permit the company to find the right people for the jobs. It also could reduce pressure for housing and transportation, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The New York Times reported that company officials met last month with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The newspaper said the state offered possibly hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives. Amazon also met with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the newspaper reported.

The New York Times reported that the governor said, Ill change my name to Amazon Cuomo if thats what it takes.

Amazon has said it could spend more than $5 billion on the new headquarters over the next 17 years. This is about the same as it has spent in Seattle, which has 33 buildings, 23 restaurants and 40,000 employees.

Amazons Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos has said the new headquarters will be a full equal to the one in Seattle.

Amazon employs about 600,000 people. That number is expected to increase as it builds more storage buildings across the country to satisfy online orders for products.

Im Susan Shand.

The Associate Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

incentive  n. something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder

proposal  n. a plan or suggestion that is presented to a person or group of people to consider

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has presented a container of feces to visitors to a trade show in China.

No, not the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Gates is at the Reinvented Toilet Expo in Beijing to discuss developing a safe process to remove human wastes.

You might guess whats in this beaker  and youd be right. Human feces, the Microsoft founder told the gathering.

He said, This small amount of feces could contain as many as 200 trillion rotavirus cells, 20 billion Shigella bacteria, and 100,000 parasitic worm eggs.

Gates noted that these microbes cause diseases that kill almost 500,000 children under the age of 5 every year.

More than 20 companies and research organizations are showing new toilet technologies at the three-day expo. These include self-contained toilets, a small self-powered waste treatment system called the Omni Processor and other inventions.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation presented its own idea for a future toilet that does not require water. Instead, it uses chemical to turn human waste into fertilizer. There are several designs of the toilet but all work by separating liquid and solid waste.

The current toilet simply sends the waste away in the water, whereas these toilets dont have the sewer. They take both the liquids and solids and do chemical work on it, including burning it in most cases, Gates told Reuters. He compared the development of waterless toilets to that of personal computing in the mid-1970s.

The researchers are planning to show the waterless toilets to manufacturers. Gates said he expects that a more than $6 billion market for the toilets will develop by 2030.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has spent more than $200 million since 2011 to support research and development of safe sanitation technology.

Across the world, UNICEF estimates that 4.5 billion people suffer a lack of safely operated sanitation systems. The organization says over 480,000 children under 5 die every year from diarrhea. Most of the deaths are in South Asia and African countries south of the Sahara desert.

The Gates Foundation says poor sanitation also cost the world over $200 billion a year in healthcare and lost earnings.

Im Mario Ritter.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters and Associated press news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

feces - n. solid waste that is released from the body

parasitic - adj. living in or on another animal or plant

toilet - n. a large bowl attached to a pipe that is used for getting rid of body waste

sewer - n. an underground pipe that is used to carry off water and sewage

sanitation - n. the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, disease, etc.. by removing waste, trash and garbage

The Democratic Party is set to take control of the United States House of Representatives, following the countrys midterm elections Tuesday. The Republican Party will keep its majority in the U.S. Senate.

Republicans had gained control of both the Senate and the House in the 2016 elections.

The election is called the midterm because it comes in the middle of the presidents four-year term. Midterm elections are historically difficult for the party that holds the presidency.

Americans voted to fill all 435 seats in the House, and 35 of the 100 Senate seats. Americans also voted to fill many local offices, including governorships, and to decide important local issues.

Political experts had mostly expected the Democrats win of the House.

Democrats, however, did not see the success they had hoped for in some of the closely competitive Senate and gubernatorial races. In fact, they lost ground in the Senate.

Democrats hopes of winning the Senate majority as part of a so-called blue wave were ended after losses in Indiana, Texas, Tennessee and North Dakota. The color blue traditionally represents the Democratic Party. Red represents the Republican Party.

Democrats needed to win 23 Republican-held seats in the House of Representatives to gain a majority. They picked up more than 30.

With House control for the first time in eight years, Democrats have improved chances of blocking some of the goals of President Donald Trump, who is a Republican. They will have the power to investigate Trumps tax returns and possible conflicts of interest, and challenge Trumps policies toward North Korea, Russia and other countries.

They also could slow or block the presidents legislative goals related to immigration, tax cuts and building a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., to declare victory for the Democrats.

"We have all had enough of division, the American people want peace, they want results, they want us to work for positive results for their lives.

She added, Tomorrow will be a new day in America.

Trump called Pelosi late Tuesday to congratulate her. The president also tweeted Tuesday night that the election had been a tremendous success. He wrote, Thank you to all.

Health care and immigration were the top issues for voters, public opinion studies from the Associated Press showed. The APs VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their choices Tuesday.

A record number of women ran for Congressional office, including 185 Democrats and 52 Republicans. Sixteen women ran for governships. At least nine of them won, including Republican Kristi Noem, who will be South Dakotas first woman governor.

Many female candidates were energized by reports of Trumps behavior toward women, the rise of the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and the possible threats to reproductive rights.

Two Democrats became the first Native American women elected to Congress. In Kansas, Sharice Davids beat Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. And in New Mexico, Deb Haaland defeated Janice E. Arnold-Jones.

Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan also made history, becoming the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress.

Women candidates began the winning wave for Democrats in the House. In northern Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton defeated Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock. Soon after, Donna Shalala of Florida won an open House seat that had been held by a Republican. She defeated Maria Elvira Salazar, another woman candidate. Later in the night, Texas Democrat Lizzie Fletcher defeated nine-term Republican incumbent John Culberson for a House seat.

But Texas Republicans had an important victory in a closely contested Senate race. Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, who also was a 2016 presidential candidate, narrowly beat Democrat Beto ORourke.

Texas is a majority Republican state, but observers have said that its fast-changing population may affect that.

Continued Republican control of the Senate means Trumps judicial and other nominees will likely win confirmation to office. The Republican-led Senate also could prevent Congress from removing Trump from office if the House seeks an impeachment process.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

And I'm Caty Weaver.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

challenge - v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal

tremendous - adj. very good or excellent

factor - n. something that helps produce or influence a result

contest - v. to struggle or fight for or against something

incumbent - n. a person who holds a particular office or positionThe Pacific nation of Palau will soon ban many types of sunscreen in an effort to protect its coral reefs.

President Tommy Remengesau Jr. signed legislation recently that bans reef-toxic sunscreen beginning in 2020. The law defines reef-toxic sunscreen as containing any one of 10 chemicals, including oxybenzone. Other chemicals may also be banned.

Officials will take banned sunscreens from visitors who carry them into the country. Businesses that sell the banned products will be fined up to $1,000.

In a statement, Remengesau said that the punishments find the right balance between educating tourists and scaring them away.

The law also requires tour operators to start providing customers with reusable cups, drinking straws and food containers.

The president said the legislation was introduced based on information from a 2017 report. The report found that sunscreen products were widespread in Palaus famous Jellyfish Lake. The lake was closed for more than a year because of a decrease in jellyfish numbers. It was recently reopened.

The president also noted that plastic waste, chemical pollution, and climate change all threaten the countrys environmental health.

In July, the American state of Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreen containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate beginning in 2021. However, tourists will still be able to bring the banned sunscreen with them into the state. They may also buy the sunscreen in Hawaii if they have a doctors prescription.

Scientists have found that some chemicals in sunscreen can be toxic to coral reefs. The reefs are an important part of the ocean environment and popular with tourists. But some critics say there are not enough independent scientific studies on the issue. Others worry that people will suffer from too much sun contact if they stop using the products.

Some manufacturers have already started selling reef-friendly sunscreen.

Palau is located east of the Philippines and north of Indonesia. The nation is home to 21,000 people. Its economy depends on tourism and fishing. Palau has an agreement with the United States that provides economic assistance, defense of the territory and other benefits.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Nick Perry reported the story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

coral reef  n. a long line of coral that lies in warm, shallow water

prescription  n. a written message from a doctor that officially tells someone to use a medicine, therapy, etc.

sunscreen  n. a lotion that you put on your skin to prevent sunburn by blocking out some of the sun's rays

tourist  n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure

toxic  adj. poisonous; containing poisonous substances

China is developing a system that recognizes individuals by their body shape and walking movements.

Systems that recognize human faces are already being used to identify people in crowds or as a secure way to unlock personal devices.

The new system, known as gait recognition, is already being used by police on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai. The Chinese technology company Watrix developed the system. The company announced last month that it had raised $14.5 million to speed up the development and sale of the technology.

The system works in a similar way to face recognition. Cameras capture video of people in public places. Then, machines powered by artificial intelligence (AI) examine and study the video.

Facial recognition systems identify the shapes and expressions on a persons face to identify them. Gait recognition uses a persons body shape and their way of walking to identify them. The system records a persons shape and movements and then creates a model of the way they walk.

Huang Yongzhen is a former researcher who co-founded Watrix in 2016. He told the Associated Press his system can identify people from up to 50 meters away. It is designed to work even when a persons face is covered or hidden. Successful facial recognition usually requires clear, close-up images of a persons face.

Currently, the Watrix system is not able to identify people in real-time. Users have to enter video into the system, which then takes about 10 minutes to process each hour of video.

Huang says his gait recognition system is correct 94 percent of the time. This is below the success rate of many face recognition systems. But he says the system can still be helpful to police and for other commercial purposes. He also believes the system can be effective when used together with face recognition.

You dont need peoples cooperation for us to be able to recognize their identity, Huang told the AP. People still dont recognize they can be recognized by their gait, whereas everybody knows you can be recognized by your face, he added.

He said the system would not easily be misled by a person changing their usual way of walking or other body movements. This is because the AI system is designed to examine all movements over the entire body. We believe you are totally unique in the way you walk, Huang said.

Gait recognition is not new. The technology has been researched by scientists in Japan and Britain and by U.S. defense officials for about 10 years. But attempts to sell the technology have been slow.

One of the reasons the technology has not developed further is because the systems are more complex than facial recognition.

Mark Nixon is a leading expert on gait recognition at Britains University of Southampton. He told the AP the technology requires bigger computers. Because you need a sequence of images rather than a single image, he said.

Security officials in Chinas far-western province of Xinjiang have reportedly expressed interest in the system. Muslim ethnic minorities in the province are already subject to intense government surveillance and control.

Shi Shusi is a Chinese writer and commentator. He told the AP he is not surprised that the technology would launch in China before the rest of the world. He said this is because of the Chinese governments use of social control methods.

Using biometric recognition to maintain social stability and manage society is an unstoppable trend, Shi said. He added: Its great business.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on report from the Associated Press and online sources. Mario Ritter was the editor.

What are your feelings about facial and gait recognition technology? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Quiz - System Recognizes People From Body Shape, Walking Movements Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

gait  n. the way a person walks and moves the body

artificial intelligence  n. ability of a machine to use and analyze data in an attempt to reproduce human behavior

commercial  adj. related to buying and selling things

sequence  n. a series of related things

biometric  adj. involving the application of statistical analysis to biological data

stability  n. the quality of not being likely to change or move

trend  n. a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more commonGoogles Pixel 3 smartphones started shipping recently and the companys Pixel Slate is coming later this month. But the company may have two or more devices on the way soon.

The folks at Android Police were examining the code of a recent update to Googles ARCore app (which enables augmented reality experiences on Android devices), and spotted two fishy-sounding codenames for devices that havent yet been officially announced.

Google has been using fish-themed codenames for Nexus and Pixel devices for years.

The two names spotted in the ARCore code were Bonito and Sargo.

Weve heard of Bonito before  this summer there was a rumor that Google would release three Pixel phones this year instead of two. Bonito was expected to be a mid-range model with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor.

If Googles still using the Bonito name, that could be an indication that a mid-range Pixel is still under development or that we were wrong all along about what Bonito was.

Sargo is a bit more mysterious. Maybe its yet another Pixel phone. Maybe its a tablet. Maybe its something else. Or maybe its not even a Google-branded device. Just because Google uses fish-themed code names doesnt mean that third-party device makers are prohibited from doing so.

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Googles first real Chrome OS tablet is now up for pre-order for $599 and up, and it should ship in a few weeks.

The Google Pixel Slate features a 12.3 inch, 3000 x 2000 pixel touchscreen display, a fingerprint sensor, two USB Type-C ports, and support for optional Pen and keyboard accessories.

But its first and foremost a tablet and it will ship with a version of Chrome OS thats designed to be as easy to navigate by touchscreen as it is with a keyboard and mouse.

You can pre-order the Google Pixel Slate from Amazon, Best Buy, or the Google Store.

Chrome OS has come a long way since it launched as a browser-based operating system for laptops. These days Chrome OS devices do a lot more than simply running web apps.

You can use them to run Android apps and even desktop Linux applications. In other words, its a desktop operating system that also supports mobile apps.

That gives it a leg up over Apples iPad Pro in some ways  Apples new tablet is remarkably powerful, but its still running a souped up version of the iPhone operating system rather than Apples desktop OS.

Meanwhile, the Pixel Slate also compares favorably on the app front to Microsofts Surface tablets  thanks to support for Linux apps, you can install thousands of desktop applications on either device. But support for Android apps gives you access to millions of touch-friendly apps from the Google Play Store  the Microsoft Store is a barren wasteland by comparison.

That said the Pixel Slate is expensive when compared with Android tablets. It cannot run Windows applications. And Google only really promises 6.5 years of software updates  which may not be a problem if you spend $599 for an entry-level model, but which may be disappointing if you shell out $1599 for a top-of-the-line version of the Pixel Slate.

Here are the prices/configurations for the Google Pixel Slate:

Intel Celeron 3965Y/4GB/32GB for $599

Intel Celeron 3965Y/8GB/64GB for $699

Intel Core m3-8100Y/8GB/64GB for $799

Intel Core i5-8200Y/8GB/128GB for $999

Intel Core i7-8500Y/16GB/256GB for $1599

The PixelBook Pen, meanwhile, sells for $99 and the optional keyboard cover is up for pre-order for $199.

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Folding smartphones are on the way, and Samsung is leading the charge. At the companys developer conference in San Francisco today the Samsung offered a sneak peek at its very first such device: The Infinity Flex Display.

When folded, it looks like a normal smartphone. Unfolded, its a tablet with a 7.3 inch screen.

Image: Engadget

Samsungs first folding phone is the result of years of research and numerous innovations. Samsung had to develop a protective polymer thats both tough and bendable as well as a flexible adhesive to hold the displays layers together.

When its closed, the device operates in smartphone mode and appears to be roughly the same size as the Galaxy Note 9 (albeit in a much clunkier chassis). Unfold it and it automatically switches to tablet mode.

Interestingly there appear to be two screens: an external display that you interact with when using the device as a pone, and a larger internal display for tablet functionality. When you fold the phone in half, the tablet-sized screen folds in on itself and the phone screen turns on.

According to an image from a Samsung presentation captured by CNETs Shara Tibken, the 7.3 inch flexible display has a resolution of 1,536 x 2,152 pixels and an aspect ratio of 4.2:3, while the external screen is a 4.58 inch, 21:9 display with a resolution of 840 x 1,960 pixels.

Samsung didnt offer many details about what tablet mode will let you do that phone mode does not, but the company did mention additional multitasking features. Youll be able to run three apps side-by-side in tablet mode, for example.

Its a phone Its a tablet Its a phone that unfolds into a tablet! #SDC18 pic.twitter.com/FgwpJPjqTn  SAMSUNG DEVELOPERS (@samsung_dev) November 7, 2018

No launch date was announced for the device and Samsung didnt mention a name. Samsung VP Justin Dennison did say that the company would begin mass-producing it sometime in the coming months. Its expected to arrive early in 2019.

MWC 2019 is slated for February 25 and 28, 2019, so its possible the retail version of this device could make an appearance in Barcelona.

Samsung has also been working closely with Google to ensure that Android will be ready to handle devices with flexible screens when they arrive. By the time hardware arrives in stores, you can expect updated Android apps to automatically adapt to the change in modes.

In a blog post, Google explains that Android will support an entire new category of foldables, including dual-screen devices and devices with a single flexible display like the Samsung Infinity Flex. In Googles vision, users will be able to seamlessly transition from smartphone views to tablet views when a device is unfolded.

via Engadget

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posted an image of himself accompanied by the caption 'Sanctions Are Coming'. A few days ago, on Twitter US President Donald Trumpan image of himself accompanied by the caption 'Sanctions Are Coming'.





Game of Thrones and the phrase (repeated so much ad nauseam that it has become an actual trade mark) 'Winter is Coming'. One would not understand what the potential IP issues would be with this tweet if they were not also familiar with the successful HBO TV seriesand the phrase (repeated so muchthat it has become an actual trade mark) 'Winter is Coming'.





The phrase is in fact registered as a word mark - owned by HBO - both in the US and in the EU for certain goods and services in Classes 25, 35 and 41 of the Nice Classification.





The other issue is that the image published by Trump is in the style of Game of Thrones imagery. There is the same gravitas and also the font used for the phrase 'Sanctions Are Coming' is very similar to the one used for Game of Thrones images.





Apparently HBO was not thrilled to see the tweet, and responded through the same medium (Twitter), asking: How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki? [for readers who don't know what Dothraki is or simply don't speak it fluently, here's a helpful explanation





In all this, something like the 'Sanctions Are Coming'-gate could make a good test case for parody in trade mark law (something that, under EU trade mark law does not exist as an express exception), and might also require consideration of copyright protection in fonts.





What would the outcome of all this be?





Trade mark law





If this litigation was brought under US law, there is case law that has considered the room that trade mark protection leaves for parodies.





A recent example is the litigation that Luis Vuitton brought agains My Other Bag over the latter's canvas bags carrying 'replicas' of Vuitton patterns. As the US District Court for the Southern District of New York found in that case, t he key question to ask is whether the kind of association a defendant creates is likely to impair the distinctiveness of plaintiff's mark.





case (which, as far as I am aware, is still in progress) that superstar Beyonce has brought against the producers of This test was recently applied in the(which, as far as I am aware, is still in progress) that superstar Beyonce has brought against the producers of merchandise sold under the brand name FEYONCE and targeted at the engaged to be married ... that is fiances [see Katpost here . Again, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York provisionally concluded that provisionally concluded that

A reasonable factfinder may determine that, given the similarity between the two marks, Defendants' use of FEYONCE impairs the distinctiveness and selling power of the BEYONCE mark. However, because Defendants' have not merely co-opted the BEYONCE mark, but rather repurposed it in a way that can be distinguished from the original, a reasonable factfinder could also conclude that there is little risk of dilution.

Trade Mark Directive, and Recital 21 in the Trade Mark Regulation) to the need to safeguard freedom of artistic expression, there is no express parody defence. As mentioned, under EU law, despite the references in the new trade mark instruments (Recital 27 in the, and Recital 21 in the) to the need to safeguard freedom of artistic expression, there is no express parody defence.





Nonetheless, one might wonder whether the 'Sanctions Are Coming' tweet may be considered as: (1) use in the course of trade of the HBO trade mark, and (2) a use that affects the functions of the 'Winter is Coming' trade mark.





Copyright law





As far as copyright is concerned, the discussion of whether a certain font can be protected by copyright would make an interesting test case to delve into the notions of 'work' and 'originality'.





With regard to the former, one could wonder whether a certain font may be considered a work, and whether each character/letter is to be regarded as independent work.





Turning to originality, this is not a requirement that is as trivial as one might think [I discuss this more at length here . This is true both under US law, where a modicum of creativity is required [see recent examples from the Review Board of the US Copyright Office here and here , and under EU law.





In its case law, in fact, the Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified that the 'author's own intellectual creation standard that is now (after the Infopaq decision) the de facto originality standard is qualified as follows: a work must be the result of 'free and creative choices', display the 'personal touch' of the author, and require more than just 'skill, labour or effort'.





Conclusion





In conclusion, 'Sanctions Are Coming' might not be too problematic, at least from an IP perspective ... But what do readers think?





The other day I saw that The Kooples has also a 'Winter is Coming' theme for its sport line. Is that also 'trademark misuse' or is it just a fact that winter is coming?SINCE THE RAPTURE OCCURS BEFORE THE FUTURE 7 YR TREATY IS SIGNED, I WONT BE AROUND TO HAVE THE ACTUAL TREATY SIGNING. BUT UNTIL THEN THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO THE BEGININGS OF THE ISRAELI / ARAB PEACE PROCESS. AND AS CLOSE TO THE 7 YEAR SIGNING THAT WE GET BEFORE THE RAPTURE OF THE SAVED TO HEAVEN. UNTIL WE MEET JESUS IN THE CLOUDS BODILY, AND COME TO EARTH 7 YRS LATER.Bajhang connected to national grid after 11 years

Hundreds of homes in Bajhang have been lit up after the remote and developmentally challenged district was connected to the national grid on Tuesday. It took almost 11 years to complete the 85 km 33kv transmission line project from Khodpe of Baitadi to Bajhang.Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research has found that providing bilingual therapy is vital to improving developmental language disorders in dual-language children.

The study, which brought together Birmingham City University academics and members of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, also found that there is no evidence to suggest providing second language therapy is more effective than bilingual therapy.

A systematic review was conducted in which articles were screened, reviewed and appraised independently by two reviewers in accordance with the research questions. The study found that bilingual therapy is equally effective as second-language therapy in improving the second-language, but also improves first-language skills which are vital to helping children remain active in their communities.

Approximately 7 percent of children experience developmental language disorder, which is characterised by difficulties learning new words, understanding language and expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Speech and language therapy aims to develop a child's language abilities to their full potential and teach children, and those around them, strategies to reduce the impact of their difficulties.

The research saw Birmingham City University academic Dr. Sarahjane Jones, and trainee research assistants deliver a hands-on research project whilst also increasing the research skills of clinicians at the Trust, including Speech and Language Therapist Hazel Allaway.

Dr. Sarahjane Jones said: "It has been brilliant working with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on this research. Our collaboration demonstrates that when frontline clinicians work with researchers to undertake real-world, practice-based research training, it can be of high quality and have wide implications beneficial to the community."

Hazel Allaway added: "Our findings have important implications for how speech and language disorders are treated. Often the focus is on improving the second language, but for dual-language children, it's really important that they improve in their home language skills too so they can remain active and included in their communities."

The partnership, which began in 2014, aims to support professionals in carrying out real-world research under the supervision of a more experienced researcher.

Amit Kulkarni, Research and Development Manager at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists commented: "I am delighted to see this high level research, which informs speech and language therapy intervention choices concerning children who have developmental language disorder and who are bilingual.

"Around 7 percent of children in the UK start school with developmental language disorder, so it is vital that research continues in this field to ensure that the support available to them is the best it can be."

Birmingham City University is the only institution in the West Midlands to offer a degree in speech and language therapy, allowing students to apply for registration as speech and language therapists.

Explore further Many parents miss speech disorders in young kids

More information: To find out more about speech and language therapy at Birmingham City University, please visit: To find out more about speech and language therapy at Birmingham City University, please visit: www.bcu.ac.uk/health-sciences/  uage-therapy-2018-19Children may be most at risk of being stabbed on their way home from school, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open.

Quite apart from the known links between knife crime and deprivation and male gender, there seem to be distinct temporal and geographical patterns by age group among young stab victims, indicate the findings.

The frequency of stabbings spikes between 1600 and 1800 hours, attributable to incidents occurring on school days, the findings show.

And nearly half of injuries (47%) in this age group occurred 1-5 km from home, reflecting the average distance from home to school for children living in the capital, say the researchers.

In 2017 just under 37,000 offences involving knives or other sharp implements were recorded in England and Wales-a rise of 26 per cent on the previous year's figures.

Young men between the ages of 16 and 24 from economically deprived urban areas are most at risk of knife crime, the evidence shows. But the study authors wanted to find out if there were any distinct timing and location patterns according to age group.

So they scrutinised 1824 patients under the age of 25 (out of a total of 3274) with knife wounds requiring emergency care at one major London trauma centre between 2004 and 2014.

Of these, 172 (just under 10%) were children under the age of 16; 861 (just over 47%) were aged 16-19; and 791 (just over 43%) were in their early 20s.

Between 2004 and 2014, the annual number of stab wound victims in these age groups rose by 25 per cent each year, with most cases (71%) coming from the areas of greatest deprivation.

To assess this in more detail, the researchers compared injury patterns in children with those in 16-24 year olds.

Among children, stabbings peaked between 1600 and 1800 hours, accounting for more than one in five (22%) injuries compared with around one in 10 (11%) in young adults, nearly one in three of whom (31%).were significantly more likely to be stabbed after midnight.

The researchers then looked at location and found that although a large proportion of stabbings occurred within 1 km of home across all age groups, children were significantly more likely to be stabbed between 1 and 5 km from home and less likely to be stabbed more than 5 km away.

When incidents were divided between those occurring on school days and those occurring on weekends/school holidays, the data showed that children were more likely than teens or young adults to be stabbed on a school day: 58 per cent vs 50 per cent.

On weekends and school holidays, the timing of stabbings in children matched that of young adults.

There were no obvious differences among the three age groups, but children tended to be more at risk of dying in hospital of their wounds, despite the comparable severity of their injuries, and the frequency of stab injuries rose sharply in the teenage years.

This is an observational study, so cannot establish cause. And the findings may not be more widely applicable to other areas or countries, say the researchers. Nor were they able to analyse behavioural patterns, time trends, or gang involvement.

In Glasgow, Scotland, a public health approach to curb violence, focusing on education, policing, and legislation, has seen a reduction in knife crime. And the researchers comment: "It is clear that a multifaceted approach with sustained investment from government and the community is required for effective violence reduction."

They suggest that, given their findings, a visible police presence in areas where schoolchildren tend to congregate after school, might be helpful.

And they conclude: "Our study illustrates and reiterates the potent influence of deprivation, age, and gender on the risk of violent injury... Long term multiagency interventions are essential to drive sustained reductions in interpersonal violence and will be better informed by the recognition of knife crime as a pressing public health issue."

Explore further More americans DOA from gun, knife woundsNepali origin leader elected to Lower House of US

Harry Bhandari of Nepali origin has been elected to the Lower House (House of Delegates) of the United States.Credit: Louisiana State University

Jayne Weiss, MD, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, is the lead author of an editorial about inaccuracies in the medical literature that medical professionals rely upon to diagnose corneal dystrophies, as well as a free resource that provides correct information. The paper is published in the November 2018, issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Corneal dystrophies comprise a group of relatively rare genetic eye disorders in which material accumulates in the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye. This abnormal material can cloud the cornea, resulting in blurred or loss of vision in some patients. These disorders can affect both eyes, progress slowly and are hereditary. While there are some common characteristics, there are 22 distinct corneal dystrophies, and an accurate diagnosis is critical to proper treatment. Correctly characterizing a corneal dystrophy can be challenging, even for experts, much less clinicians who have never seen one. So clinicians frequently turn to the worldwide medical literature to learn about corneal dystrophies and often base their diagnoses upon information they find there.

Dr. Weiss and her colleagues write that publications on corneal dystrophies in the medical literature, however, can be confusing, contradictory or simply wrong. Errors arise from historical descriptions made before the invention of equipment like the slit lamp, confounding translations from scientific papers written in foreign languages, ignorance of previously published findings, misleading nomenclature, and difficulty in purging erroneous information from peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. As well, advances in molecular genetics and newly discovered information in other disciplines have expanded or changed our knowledge.

In 2005, Weiss created and continues to chair the International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) to decrease published inaccuracies leading to confusion and provide clarity in diagnosing these disorders. Members from around the world are geneticists, pathologists and ophthalmologists specializing in corneal diseases with expertise in specific dystrophies.

A dynamic effort, IC3D periodically updates and revises its information. Its most recent article, a revision of its 2008 publication, was published in Cornea in 2015, available here.

This revision of the IC3D classification includes an updated anatomic classification of corneal dystrophies more accurately classifying one of the forms of corneal dystrophies that affect multiple layers rather than being confined to one corneal layer. Typical histopathologic and confocal images were also added to the corneal dystrophy templates.

"Our IC3D nomenclature for corneal dystrophies has become accepted internationally as the standard and is also used by the American Academy of Ophthalmology," notes Weiss. "I am proud that its easy accessibility by patients and clinicians alike has facilitated diagnosis and potentially treatment in individuals with these conditions."

Explore further Corneal abnormalities seen with down syndrome

More information: Jayne S. Weiss et al, The Corneal DystrophiesDoes the Literature Clarify or Confuse?, American Journal of Ophthalmology (2018). Jayne S. Weiss et al, The Corneal DystrophiesDoes the Literature Clarify or Confuse?,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2018.07.047An experimental drug is showing some promise in stopping mood abnormalities and cognitive disorders similar to those seen in people with Gulf War illness, an animal study suggests.

The research was presented Nov. 7 in San Diego at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.

"Our results in mice indicate that this small experimental molecule is capable of preventing development of cognitive difficulties and mood deficits if the treatment starts early," said Glenn Lin, the study's principal investigator and a professor of neuroscience at The Ohio State University.

"Importantly, we also found that this small molecule can significantly ameliorate cognitive and mood problems when the symptoms are already present," said Lin, who is part of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's Neurological Institute.

Gulf War illness is characterized by a cluster of central nervous symptoms believed to have been caused by a combination of wartime exposures that are not well-understood.

"These veterans have difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering recent information and trouble finding words when speaking. They also often feel down or depressed, irritable, moody and anxious, and have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep," Lin said.

There currently is no medication known to improve these problems.

The Ohio State lab and others working on Gulf War illness have found that dysregulation of glutamate, a major neurotransmitter in the brain, may contribute to the symptoms patients experience. The scientistsincluding a team at Harvard Medical Schoolhave collaborated to develop potential therapies that normalize the glutamate activity.

The molecule tested at Ohio State normalizes dysregulation of glutamate in the brain, Lin said.

In the study being presented in San Diego, researchers tested the experimental treatment in mice with deficits comparable to those seen in people with Gulf War illness, said lead researcher and post-doctoral researcher Xueqin Wang.

The treated mice were given the compound early, in a study designed to mimic a preventive therapy.

"In people, this would be like giving a drug to soldiers before exposures that could cause illness," she said.

In the treated mice, compared to untreated animals, the researchers saw less behavior that would be comparable to anxiety and depression and also found some evidence of improved memory, she said.

Now, the team is working on a study designed to mimic treatment after symptoms ariserather than preventive treatment, Wang said.

More research is needed to detail how the molecule may interact with the brain before it could be tested in humans, Lin said, adding that his team and others are studying the compound for use in a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Explore further Study uncovers possible link between immune system and postpartum depressionCredit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

There are known racial and ethnic disparities in death due to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a new study has now examined if there is an association between TBI mortality and where a U.S. veteran lives. The study showed that, among veterans with TBI, mortality was higher for those living in the U.S. territories compared to the mainland, as reported in an article published in Health Equity.

The article entitled "Geographic Disparities in Mortality Risk within a Racially Diverse Sample of US Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury" was coauthored by Clara Dismuke-Greer, Ph.D. and colleagues from Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Charleston, SC), Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston), University of Utah School of Medicine (Salt Lake City), Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), US Department of Veterans Affairs (Washington, DC), and Health Management Associates (Washington, DC).

The previously documented higher TBI mortality among Hispanic veterans appears to be linked to living in the U.S. territories. The researchers of this study raised concerns about potential differences in healthcare quality between the U.S. mainland and U.S. territories.

"Too often, veterans are clustered as one large group. Although there are a number of issues that are cross cutting and important to all veterans, it is equally important to recognize the health experiences and, in this case, adverse outcomes that might exist for subgroups. In addition to awareness, this work highlights the need for innovation and outreach to achieve improved health in a group for whom we have a covenant of care because of their bravery and service." says Health Equity Editor-in-Chief Ana E. Nunez, MD, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Professor of Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

Explore further Number of veterans affairs facilities offering acupuncture growing rapidly

More information: Clara E. Dismuke-Greer et al, Geographic Disparities in Mortality Risk Within a Racially Diverse Sample of U.S. Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, Health Equity (2018). Clara E. Dismuke-Greer et al, Geographic Disparities in Mortality Risk Within a Racially Diverse Sample of U.S. Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury,(2018). DOI: 10.1089/heq.2018.0047Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Stanford biologist Shripad Tuljapurkar had assumed humans were approaching the limit to their longevity  that's what previous research had suggested  but what he observed in 50 years of lifespan data was more optimistic than he was.

Analyzing the average age of death in people who lived to be over age 65 in developed countries showed that human lifespans are increasing by approximately three years every generation and that this trend is likely to continue, at least for a while. The researchers published the results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"The data shows that we can expect longer lives and there's no sign of a slowdown in this trend," said Tuljapurkar, professor of biology and Morrison Professor of Population Studies. "There's not a limit to life that we can see, so what we can say for sure is that it's not close enough that we can see the effect."

Living longer than our parents

Tuljapurkar and his colleagues wanted to answer two pressing questions: Is humanity approaching a limit to human lifespans? Are there factors that allow some people to live longer than others?

The researchers looked at birth and death data for people above age 65 from 1960-2010. They found that the average age of death in those who live to be older than 65 increased by three years in every 25-year period, which means that people can expect to live about six years longer than their grandparents, on average.

Furthermore, this trend continued at a relatively stable pace over the entire 50-year period and in all 20 countries that they analyzed. Factors like medical breakthroughs caused minor fluctuations in how quickly lifespans increased, but these variations averaged out over time.

The increase in lifespan during any given decade was very similar.

Getting rid of the fuzziness

Most longevity studies look at the outliers, the people who live longer than everyone else. The data get fuzzy, however, because so few people live that long. Instead, Tuljapurkar and his colleagues, including Sha Jiang, a visiting graduate student from China, looked only at people over age 65, an age range with a large number of individuals.

"Our method is novel because it allows us to get rid of the fuzziness," Tuljapurkar said. "Our focus is on the age range where we have an accurate idea of what's going on."

If we were about to hit a limit to human lifespans, the distribution of ages when people die should compress  like a rolling wave crashing into a wall  as they approach the limit. But the researchers didn't see that pattern in the data. The wave continued to move forward.

Definitely not yogurt

Tuljapurkar was surprised to see that the average age of death increased at a constant speed, but he was even more surprised that the shape of the distribution didn't change. He expected that certain endowments would allow some people to live longer than others.

"There used to be so many ads about how people could live longer by, say, eating yogurt," Tuljapurkar said. He wasn't convinced that yogurt was the key to a longer life, but he did suspect that factors like wealth could increase the likelihood that someone would live longer.

If this were true, the distribution of the data should widen as rich people live past the average age of death. But the shape of the data was consistent over the 50-year period they studied. There was no single factor that allowed some people to live longer than others  at least not one that was showing up after age 65. Tuljapurkar noted that by the time someone has reached 65, he has already overcome many of the factors that could shorten life, like violence or early disease.

"But as someone who would like to be a one-percenter but is not, I'm certainly very happy to know that my odds of getting to live longer are just as good as the millionaire down the street," said Tuljapurkar.

Explore further Stanford research cites child mortality as major factor in lifespan inequality gapElectron micrograph of a negatively stained human papilloma virus (HPV) which occurs in human warts. Credit: public domain

University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have found that mailing self-collection kits to test for high-risk human papillomavirus infection has the potential to boost cervical cancer screeningespecially for low-income women who are overdue for testing.

In the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers published the results of mailing at-home, HPV self-collection kits to 193 low-income women in North Carolina who were overdue for screening according to national guidelines. They reported this screening approach detected high-risk HPV in all of the cases of women who were found to have high-grade, abnormal cervical precancerous growths, showing that self-collection at home for HPV may be a viable method to identify women at high-risk for cervical cancer.

"This is a demonstration that mailing self-collection kits and returning them to test for high-risk HPV infection has big potential to increase screening access among under-screened women, and to do that successfully," said UNC Lineberger's Jennifer S. Smith, the study's senior author, and a professor in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Although cervical cancer is preventable through early detection and treatment, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 4,100 women will die from cervical cancer in the United States this year. Nearly 20 percent of women in the United States who are eligible for cervical cancer screening report they haven't been tested for cervical cancer within the recommended time interval, national surveys have shown.

"Women are dying unnecessarily of cervical cancer because they either haven't been vaccinated against HPV in adolescence, or they've not been getting screened according to national guidelines," Smith said. "Increasing screening rates among under-screened women is of paramount importance."

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration signed off on using an HPV test alone to screen for cervical cancer for women 25 years and older, in conjunction with the Pap test. Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gave an "A" rating to HPV primary screening alone for women aged 30 to 65.

"There are a lot of different barriers that cause women to be underscreened," said the study's first author Andrea Des Marais, MPH, project manager with the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. "HPV tests are being widely used now in the United States, but only through physician collection in clinical practice, which requires that women come to a clinic. Offering HPV testing using self-collection by mail has a lot of potential to reach women who are the highest risk of being screened: those who don't access regular medical care."

For the study, researchers mailed at-home, self-collection kits to low-income women in North Carolina who were overdue for screening by national guidelines. They included women between the ages of 30 and 64 years who had reported no history of receiving a Pap test, which checks for precancerous or cancerous cells, within the past four years.

Researchers provided study participants with self-collection brushes along with instructions for how to take a sample from inside the vagina. The brush samples were then tested in a lab for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. Participants also self-collected samples at a clinic and handed them to a nurse, and had a pelvic exam for a clinician to collect a Pap smear sample.

The researchers compared the results from self- and clinician-sampleswhich were tested for high-risk HPV strains that are linked to cervical cancerto the Pap results and the results of cervical biopsies collected during colposcopy, which is a secondary diagnostic test that confirms the presence of cervical pre-cancerous lesions among women with abnormal Pap smear results.

The home self-collection test indicated that 12.4 percent of women were infected with high-risk HPV, the self-collection tests used in the clinic found 15.5 of the women had high-risk HPV infection, and the clinician-collected test identified 11.4 percent of the women had high-risk HPV infection.

"We found comparable detection between self-collection and physician-collection," Des Marais said.

All women found to have high-grade cervical lesions by Pap smear or by cervical biopsy were positive for high-risk HPV on their home self-collected sample.

"We found in this sample, all of the women who had high-grade lesions had HPV-positive home self-collection results," Smith said. "We didn't miss any of those high-grade cases by conducting home self-collection."

Smith said there is more work to be done, such as identifying ways to make the self-collection process more efficient and cost-effective, and getting FDA approval for the clinical use of self-collection for cervical cancer screening.

"This is a proof-in-principle study that we used to determine whether home self-collection is highly effective for detecting high-grade disease," Smith said. "We are already working on the next step, which is a clinical trial in which women who aren't up-to-date on screening get either a referral to a free clinic appointment to receive a screening, or receive a self-collection kit in the mail, followed by referral to a free clinic appointment. This will allow us to determine the effect that self-collection has on screening uptake."

Explore further Study finds there may be little benefit in screening women aged 55 with a negative HPV DNA test

More information: Andrea C. Des Marais et al, Home Self-Collection by Mail to Test for Human Papillomavirus and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Obstetrics & Gynecology (2018). Journal information: Obstetrics & Gynecology Andrea C. Des Marais et al, Home Self-Collection by Mail to Test for Human Papillomavirus and Sexually Transmitted Infections,(2018). DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002964Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Greater worker representation results in higher standards of safety for coal miners, a study has concluded.

Researchers from Cardiff University, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), carried out an evaluation into practices of worker consultation on occupational safety and health (OSH) in coal mining.

The comparative study examined the effectiveness of arrangements to give workers a voice and some influence on their employers' arrangements for their safety and health in a global industry.

Led by Professor David Walters, it explored how workers are represented in coal mines in five countries  Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia and South Africa.

As well as comparing national frameworks and legislation, workers' and representatives experiences were collected and evaluated through a series of interviews and workshops over a two-year period.

In Australia, the researchers noted that mineworkers were able to make effective representations to management on health and safety matters and could stop dangerous work without fear of reprisal. There is a similar story in Canada and South Africa, though to a more limited extent.

This is not the case in India and Indonesia. One representative in India quoted in the report said: "Our miners have worked with water over their heads (in the upper compartment), something no one should have to because it is clearly unsafe. But the management pushed us to carry on as that got their high yield in a short span of time."

The study concluded that considerably more could be done at both global and national levels to support the role of worker representation and therefore improve safety in coal mines.

Professor David Walters, based in Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences, said: "In countries where the regulatory steer is weaker and unions have less influence, the impact of workplace arrangements on their occupational safety and health outcomes is far less significant.

"The study provides a strong message to the industry and its regulators that the time for them to show greater support for worker representation is long overdue."Quetiapine is increasingly prescribed a sleeping drug. Credit: Mink Mingle

Quetiapine is a drug designed to reduce hallucinations and delusions experienced by people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

The most common brand name of quetiapine is Seroquel but it's also known by the slang names quell, Suzi-Q, baby heroin and Q-ball. Q-ball refers to a combination of quetiapine and cocaine, or sometimes heroin.

Quetiapine was developed by the ICI chemical company in England and patented in 1987. Scientists were trying to find a drug that would help reduce the symptoms of mental illnesses without the distressing side effects caused by the antipsychotics developed in the 1950s.

How does it work?

Quetiapine works by attaching to the brain's dopamine receptors and altering serotonin levels.

Short-term effects include feeling sleepy, a dry mouth, dizziness and low blood pressure when you stand up. These effects lasts about six hours.

The product information for quetiapine includes a warning not to drink grapefruit juice while taking the medication because it stops the drug being metabolised in the intestines and could increase the effects of the drug.

Longer-term effects of quetiapine use include weight gain, high blood sugars and a greater risk of diabetes.

People who take quetiapine regularly will experience withdrawal when they stop. Symptoms include nausea, insomnia, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, dizziness and irritability.

Use as a sleeping drug

Quetiapine is often prescribed by doctors at low doses for things other than mental illness. This is mostly because the main side effect of it is making people feel sleepy.

As doctors have realised that benzodiazepines cause dependence when used regularly, other options to help people sleep or calm down have been sought and quetiapine has filled the gap.

Doctors report prescribing quetiapine because they were not sure about a patient's mental health or they had a lot of personal problems.

War veterans are a group who have found quetiapine useful for sleeping. Soldiers first using it reported relief from nightmares and anxiety. Some said it was the first time since returning home from war that they had more than six hours sleep.

However, several deaths related to quetiapine were reported in the United States.

Concerns have also been expressed about prescribing quetiapine to Australian soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) instead of providing talking therapies.

Recreational use

The reasons people use quetiapine recreationally are the same as for other drugs, for example, they like the effect, it enhances the effect of other drugs, or they want to experiment.

Other uses include managing the symptoms of withdrawal from other drugs, including helping with sleep.

Drug information websites describe quetiapine as good for the "comedown" because it puts people to sleep very quickly.

People using amphetamines can regularly experience psychotic symptoms. Quetiapine has been recommended around networks of people who use drugs as helpful way to reduce those symptoms.

Rising popularity

Since 1997 when quetiapine was approved in the US, prescribing rates have increased dramatically all over the world. It's the fifth-biggest selling prescription drug in the US, with sales over US$6 billion.

In Norway, prescriptions for quetiapine have increased over time from 584 in 2004 to 8,506 in 2015.

In 2010, AstraZeneca  the US pharmaceutical company that makes Seroquel  was fined US$520 million for promoting "off-label" uses of Seroquel to doctors.

This means it was promoted for conditions it was not licensed to treat, such as anger management, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, depression, mood disorder, PTSD, and sleeplessness.

The company denied the allegations but had to pay the fine.

Overdose and dependence

As prescribing of quetiapine has increased, so have reports of overdose and problems with dependence on the drug.

A study of ambulance call outs in Victoria found substantial increases in the number of calls for quetiapine overdoses and that most overdoses are in areas with high prescribing rates.

The United States Drug Abuse Warning Network reported a 90% increase in quetiapine-related emergency department visits between 2005 and 2011. The people most at risk of overdose were those using other drugs and women.

Men in their mid-thirties are the largest group of non-medical quetiapine users but it's also common among some teens. A NSW Justice Health report found that 16% of 14- and 15-year-olds in juvenile justice centres had used quetiapine they weren't prescribed.

Studies of quetiapine misuse have found most people are using other drugs as well  mostly benzodiazapienes or prescription opioids.

A study of people in a substance treatment program found 96% of people had used quetiapine, which they got from doctors or family and friends.

A packet of 60 quetiapine tablets costs A$22-$45 (A$6.40 concession). In 2015, the street value of one quetiapine tablet was reportedly A$5.

Explore further What is Seroquel and should you take it for insomnia?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Sexually active teenagers who were offered rapid, confidential chlamydia testing and same-day treatment at college mostly did not take up the offer, largely due to ignorance about the risks.

Only 10-13 percent of students in three London-based further education colleges responded to messages inviting them for on-site testing.

But in those who were tested, high rates of chlamydia were discovered, with one in twenty testing positive.

Interviews conducted by the researchers suggested the very low uptake was associated with a lack of knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, as well as students not feeling they were at risk, or being embarrassed about testing. Students commented: "I don't know anything, to be honest" or "I haven't been taught anything."

Researchers at St George's, University of London and at King's College, London conducted a feasibility sexual health trial over one academic year in 500 students attending six London-based further education colleges. They were using 'test and treat' technology, offering 90-minute chlamydia tests and same day on-site treatment.

Professor Pippa Oakeshott, who led the trial, said: "We were surprised and disappointed by the levels of uptake in teenagers. Sexually active teenagers are at much higher risk of infections than older adults but often know very little about STIs. They urgently need better sex education. In addition the closure of sexual health clinics, coupled with the new policy of relying on postal testing, is creating a perfect storm for vulnerable young teenagers. It's now even harder for young people to access testing, treatment and contraception. Teenagers must be helped to realise that they are at risk."

The paper, "Test n Treat, a cluster randomized feasibility trial of on-site rapid Chlamydia trachomatis tests and treatment in ethnically diverse, sexually active teenagers attending technical colleges" is published today in Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

More information: Pippa Oakeshott et al. "Test n Treat" (TnT): a cluster randomised feasibility trial of on-site rapid Chlamydia trachomatis tests and treatment in ethnically diverse, sexually active teenagers attending technical colleges, Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2018). Pippa Oakeshott et al. "Test n Treat" (TnT): a cluster randomised feasibility trial of on-site rapid Chlamydia trachomatis tests and treatment in ethnically diverse, sexually active teenagers attending technical colleges,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.10.019Governor elect Ron DeSantis takes the stage with his wife Casey after winning the election over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Photo by Chris Urso, Times Staff photographer

ORLANDO  It was past midnight on Election Night, and some Ron DeSantis supporters still lingered in the fading glow of the dimly lit ballroom in Orlandos Rosen Centre Hotel to take pictures as metallic red, white and blue confetti clung to the carpet.

It was a nail-biter of a night, which began with a much different atmosphere, but ended with yet another victory for Republicans.

The question loomed: whats next?

DeSantis rose to popularity in large part because of an endorsement from President Donald Trump, in addition to championing a low taxes opposed to Gillums proposal to hike the corporate income tax to generate $1 billion for education. As a former Congressman who spent three terms in Washington, many questions remain about how this newcomer to Tallahassee will handle his new role at the helm of the nations third-largest state.

He offered some brief insight Tuesday night.

I think the first priority in terms of whats really urgent for Florida is really getting us on a strong track on the water quality and the environment so well be taking action very quickly, he told a gaggle of reporters shortly after making his victory speech at the Rosen Centre Hotel, referring to the toxic green algae seeping out of Lake Okeechobee. Ive talked to the president about this ... I told him some of this infrastructure needs to get going. We just got the reservoir off the rise, there's a lot we need to do there."

Were also looking forward to appointing the three Supreme Court justices," DeSantis continued. "These will be very, very smart very principled people. Theyre going to understand their role is to understand the law, not rewrite the law.

DeSantis also said that his team has already been moving forward in putting his administration together behind the scenes to get a head start on the transition. Theres a short window after the new governor is elected to decide on a slew of state agency appointments plus filling out the governors staff.

He also said he hoped Florida would unify because at some point the campaigns have to stop, adding that the environment in particular is an issue where he hoped to find bipartisan support.

And finally, he offered a tongue-in-cheek suggestion of what hed prefer for Andrew Gillums future, as well. The two spoke over the phone on Election Night when Gillum called to concede.

I told him, I was like, Look, youre a hell of an adversary. I dont think any other Democrat couldve done what you did, he recounted to reporters. I was like If youre going to run in 2022, just run against Rubio, dont run against me.Differences over pay modality delay Armys bid to buy US rifles

Nepal Armys bid to procure lethal rifles from the United States has been delayed after the US government demanded the entire payment in a single sum, which is against Nepals procurement law that allows payments only in three allotments.Federal executive order allows provinces to mobilise police

The federal government has issued an executive order, allowing the provinces to deploy the police force for maintaining law and order. This will be in effect until necessary federal laws are in place.How much is enough?

An enquiry into the ethics of the human populationNC nominates Gachhadar as vice president

Nepali Congress on Tuesday nominated parliamentary party deputy leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar to the post of vice president.Bartow County, TN  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation say a 4-day, joint operation designed to get suspected child predators off the streets resulted in twenty arrests.

Two of the arrests involve men who live in or near the NewsChannel 9 viewing area.

"Operation Paladin" was based in Bartow County, halfway between Chattanooga and Atlanta, and began last Thursday, though the GBI says it was months in the making.

The GBI says the arrestees, ranging in age from 20 to 59, traveled from around northwest Georgia with the intent to meet and have sex with a child. The GBI says on-line child predators visit chat rooms and websites on the internet, find children, begin conversations with them, introduce sexual content and arrange a meeting with the children for the purpose of having sex. The children these predators target are both boys and girls. Since 2014, the Georgia ICAC Task Force has arrested over 100 people in similar operations.

During the multi-day operation, the GBI says investigators had more than 200 exchanges with subjects on various social media or internet platforms. Many of those were exchanges in which the subject initiated contact with whom they believed to be a minor and directed the conversation towards sex. In some of those cases, the subject introduced obscene or lewd content, often exposing the "minor" to pornography or requesting the child take nude or pornographic images for them. About half of the exchanges involved websites used for dating, socializing, or even websites used for classified advertisements.

The GBI says several of those arrested were in possession of illegal drugs. One of them had a firearm. In all, the GBI confiscated 24 phones.

Those arrested were charged with O.C.G.A. 16-12-100.2, Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 and/or O.C.G.A 16-5-46, Trafficking of Persons for Labor or Sexual Servitude. The GBI says additional charges may be forthcoming.

The GBI says although some websites promote themselves as being for adults-only it is not uncommon for law enforcement to work cases in which children access these sites, establish profiles claiming to be older, and then find themselves vulnerable to victimization, harassment, blackmail, or assault. Several subjects were identified as communicating simultaneously with multiple investigators posing as minors. Such activity confirms what investigators uncover conducting these types of investigations: that many predators specifically seek out minors on such websites to groom them as potential victims for sexual contact.

The proactive on-line investigation was a coordinated effort among the participating law enforcement agencies to combat this activity. Bartow County Sheriff Clark Millsap stated, This operation is a prime example of interagency planning and cooperation. I am proud that we were able to host the Georgia ICAC Task Force at our facility to carry it out. Moreover, I hope that these arrests send a loud and clear message: the Bartow County Sheriffs Office has a zero-tolerance policy for exploitation of children. We will continue to work with the ICAC Task Force whenever needed to stop these predators. Bartow County is a great community and we will work relentlessly to ensure that it remains a safe place for our children. GBI Special Agent in Charge, and Commander of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Debbie Garner remarked The Bartow County Sheriffs Office is one of our most active member agencies. We appreciate their daily efforts to combat child exploitation. This type of cooperation and collaboration is invaluable in the effort to keep our children safe from predators who seek to harm them. This successful operation was a true partnership between all the agencies involved. We will continue to aggressively work together to protect our children.

The following were arrested and charged in Bartow County as part of Operation Paladin:

Richard Brown, W/M, Trion, GA, 53 years of age, mill worker

Bryan Cain, W/M, Calhoun, GA, 36 years of age, unemployed/college student

Randall Ball, W/M, Acworth, GA, 25 years of age, grocery stocker

Bailey Brown, W/M, Jasper, GA, 29 years of age, emergency home repair responder

Steven Byers, W/M, Jasper, GA, 33 years of age, electrician

Jeffrey Coleman, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 52 years of age, glass technician

Michael Crider, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 51 years of age, CAD operator

Daniel Dorough, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 56 years of age, self-employed landscaper

Daniel Ewart, W/M, Cartersville. GA, 38 years of age, tow truck driver

Shawn Jeffrey, B/M, Powder Springs, GA, 26 years of age, pest control technician

Clarence Mann, W/M, Kingston, GA, 59 years of age, truck driver

Vernale Mascall, B/M, Cartersville, GA, 25 years of age, fast food worker

Rick Paul, B/M, Dallas, GA, 25 years of age, Certified Nursing Assistant

Isaac Sanchez, H/M, Summerville, GA, 20 years of age, painter

Charlie Smith III, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 45 years of age, patient care technician

Thomas Smith, B/M, Rome, GA, 43 years of age, delivery driver

Timothy Smith, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 57 years of age, customer service

Conner Thrash, W/M, Woodstock, GA, 28 years of age, truck driver

Michael Turner, W/M, Villa Rica, GA, 37 years of age, unemployed

Michael Wills, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 34 years of age, tree service employee

This story will be updated as we get new information.Ouachita Parish, LA - Monroe Police arrested 28-year-old Pauline Copeland in connection to a series of bomb threats across NELA Monday morning.

One of the threats was made at University Health Conway Hospital in Monroe, which put people on edge.

"It was kind of nerve-wracking. You just hope it was a drill and you realize everybody and the cops showed up, and I was like 'oh no," described one person.

The call was made around 9:00 a.m., prompting an evacuation.

"We have codes in place on what to do and activate once that happens." Jonathan Phillips, the University Health Conway Hospital President, says they issued their code black protocol.

"The action went into plan. We evacuated non-essential personnel and ambulatory people to work with the police department on the level of threat while the building was sectioned off and searched," Phillips explains.

Phillips says it's been a while since the hospital has dealt with something like this.

"It's been many, many years since we've had that happened."

Other calls came into the Twin City area Monday.

One was made at Primary Care Health Services in Monroe and another at the Glenwood Senior Care Center in West Monroe.

Monroe Police says it took all threats seriously.

"We don't take these threats lightly. Terrorizing is something that would disrupt business and the person that makes that call, the person that does something like this, they are liable for any damages associated with those businesses," said Reginald Brown with the Monroe Police Department.

Additional calls outside Ouachita Parish were made at medical centers in Shreveport and Grambling.

None of the threats were found credible by investigators.

Monroe Police say Copeland appears to suffer from a mental illness.

She's being charged with two counts of terrorizing. If found guilty, Copeland could face up to 20 years in prison.Takealot is preparing for massive traffic on Black Friday 2018 to ensure its website can handle the expected spike in activity.

Speaking to MyBroadband, Takealot CEO Kim Reid said the company has run multiple tests throughout the year and continues to conduct tests to prepare as best they can for the busy shopping period.

Takealot said it will have over 10,000 deals at up to 60% off during its Black Friday 2018 sale, which will run from 23 November until 27 November.

This will see many users visiting the website, with Takealot a popular shopping destination in South Africa.

Reid said they are preparing for between 50,000 to 100,000 simultaneous sessions on the site, and tests have shown that Takealot can cope with this load.

Indications are good we can handle volume over Black Friday, he said.

However, Reid said they cannot directly answer the question: Will Takealot stay up on Black Friday 2018?

We must be brutally honest about this, said Reid, adding that Takealot has gone down multiple times on Black Friday in recent years.

We will see on the 23rd [of November].

Takealot suffered from slow load times and unresponsive pages minutes into Black Friday 2017, and temporarily took down the site to fix issues and deal with backlogged orders.

System tests

Reid said preparing for a big spike in traffic over a short period of time is not as simple as buying more servers.

The site must be ready for the normal growth in the year that takes place, along with the massive influx which can only last several hours or a day during Black Friday.

While their tests so far have yielded good results, only once Takealot is in the real-world scenario will they see if the planning was adequate.

Reid said if they find issues with their systems they will fix them to keep their platform online.

Black Friday is an important shopping day for the company, but is only a blip in Takealots continued growth, added Reid.

Takealot continues to increase its turnover each year and remains the most popular online shopping destination in South Africa.

It also continues to receive support from Naspers, which is confident in the Takealot team.South Africas persistent economic woes are well documented.

Between the failure of SOEs, corruption in government, and the inefficient use of tax money, South Africans find themselves paying more tax for less in return.

This is according to Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt.

The fiscus in South Africa is the most redistributional in the world, said Roodt. And were well ahead of any other country.

Roodt said that this is the case because South Africa has such a skewed income distribution  a few people earning a lot, and a lot of people earning a little.

The South African tax system is also structured in such a way that you pay a higher percentage of tax if you earn more money.

What might be more galling to wealthy South Africans, however, is the extra hidden taxation that they pay.

The hidden tax on wealth

According to Roodt, someone who earns R10 million per year likely pays around R6 million in taxes. These taxes include income tax, corporate taxes, VAT, and other smaller taxes such as sin taxes, road tolls, and fuel levies.

However, wealthy South Africans also incur additional costs  including private education, private healthcare, private insurance, and private security services  due to the poor quality of the relevant government services.

This is true for South Africans lower down the income ladder, too, as those who can afford private healthcare, schooling, and security almost always select it over the alternatives provided by the government.

And even if these people dont use inferior public services that the government offers, they are still forced to pay for them through taxes.

This hidden tax  needing to pay for these services not just through tax money, but again through their remaining income  means that many South Africans are paying for services twice over.

The flaw in redistribution policies

The implementation of aggressive taxation policies by the South African government has a clear goal: to redress inequality in South Africa by taking from the haves, and giving to the have-nots.

However, according to Roodt, this tactic isnt working.

Despite all of the redistribution, inequality is not coming down in South Africa, said Roodt. Unemployment also continues to rise in South Africa, along with government debt.

He suggested that this is because redistribution doesnt actually help poor people to improve their financial positions.

This means that while South Africans are being charged more taxes for the purpose of helping the poor, the poor arent being helped sufficiently.

An environment for creating wealth

The problem with South Africas economic environment, said Roodt, is that the government is trying to do too much. Instead, they should do less if they want the country to improve.

I cannot think of one single thing that the ANC government has done well, Roodt said. Education is a total mess, crime is a disaster, services have collapsed completely  the list goes on and on.

Roodt suggested that if the government doesnt have the capability to run its departments well, they should rather leave it to the private sector.

However, for the foreseeable future, it seems that income-earning South Africans will continue to sponsor the governments provision of inferior services, all the while paying their additional hidden taxes.About three years ago, Dr. David Carroll started up what he thought would be a quiet veterinary hospital as a semi-retirement project.

He didnt expect Napa River Pet Hospital to take off like it did.

I thought it was going to be this little sleepy clinic, and I was going to go down (to work) a couple times a week, he said.

Instead, the hospital grew to where he and his staff could no longer handle the volume of patients.

It literally became overwhelming, he said. We were to the point where we were double booking and outgrowing the facility.

Now, instead of phasing out of full-time work like he originally planned, hes opening up a second clinic, called Napa West Pet Hospital.

This sister practice is on the other side of Lincoln Avenue, at West Pueblo and Solano avenues, so people on both sides of town have a convenient place to take their pets.

Carroll will have two full-time doctors at the new hospital, and he will go back and forth to both locations, he said.

He designed the layout of the hospital himself, a project he embarked on about a year ago. He has taken ideas from other hospitals hes worked at or visited over the years, he said.

Napa West is a 2,000 squarefoot hospital with three exam rooms, X-ray, a surgical suite, a pharmacy and a laboratory. It offers all of the same services as Napa River, including ultrasound, digital X-ray, urinary analysis, a dental suite, soft tissue surgeries, boarding and other care for pets.

Its doors opened in September, and it is already booked out with appointments, Carroll said.

Veterinary staff there treat dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, rabbits and other common pets.

The two clinics share the same database, so clients can visit either.

Carroll continues to focus on individualized personal pet care, with 30 minute appointments instead of the traditional 15 minutes, he said.

The San Francisco native first grew interested in veterinary medicine when he started cleaning kennels at his fathers pet hospital at the age of 11.

He attended UC Davis and graduated with a degree in zoology. He stayed there to complete veterinary school.

Carrolls internship was at West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group, and he completed a residency at Crocker Animal Hospital in San Jose.

Carroll ultimately opened his own practice in Watsonville, called East Lake Animal Clinic. That hospital remains open, and he still visits it a couple days a week.

After 40 years of practice, Carroll said he is more focused on providing high-quality service than revenue.

Im not interested in high volume, and Im not interested in whirlwind of clients, he said. Its much more fun if you can spend half hour and sit back and talk with people and get to know them and get to know their pets.

He also leaves a few blocks of time open each day for same-day appointments, so pet owners have a place to go in urgent situations.

Carroll hired Dr. Sandra Lester as the primary doctor at Napa West. He also hired a nurse with 10 years experience and a background in emergency medicine.

All told, he will double the size of his staff with the second clinic.

We have some people with great experience and great customer service, he said.

Lester is originally from California and attended UC Davis, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She moved to Minnesota 10 years ago to complete her doctorate and worked at several hospitals since then. Most recently, she was a veterinarian at Rum River Veterinary Clinic .

When she decided to move to Napa, she found that Napa River Pet Hospital has a strong reputation in the area, so she reached out to Carroll and found out he was hiring, she said.

Though she serves all kinds of animals with a broad spectrum of care, she loves dentistry and has a lot of backyard chickens as patients, Lester said.

Shes always wanted to be a veterinarian and loves helping people and their animals.

People just seem like they are at their best when they are with their pets, she said. They take such pride in the bond that they have.

Lester herself has a dog and a cat, both that were former patients.

Carroll said he is excited to have Lester on board, especially considering that there is a shortage of veterinarians in California.

Though his semi-retirement plans didnt pan out, he feels like he is in the right place.

His work isnt done, and he still enjoys it, he said.

The most gratifying thing is making the pets better, he said Its really just the heart of medicine  to go through the challenge of making a diagnosis and affecting a cure. That is the most gratifying thing: When you see them come back and theyve recovered.

Napa West is a 2,000 square-foot hospital with three exam rooms, X-ray, a surgical suite, a pharmacy and a laboratory. It offers all of the same services as Napa River, including ultrasound, digital X-ray, urinary analysis, a dental suite, soft tissue surgeries and other care for pets.

2999 Solano Ave., Suite D, 707-254-9033, napawestpethospital.comOn Oct. 18, Girard Winery on Dunaweal Lane in Calistoga opened its doors to 200 wine club members eager to see the modern showpiece for Vintage Wine Estates.

Pat Roney, CEO and founding partner of Vintage Wine Estates, said visitors have had positive reactions to the new location.

Its in startup mode, but people have been very excited about it. Now the Girard Winery is back in Napa. Its got its history back, said Roney.

In 1975, Steve and Carol Girard, the founders of Girard Winery, bought property bordering Silverado Trail and Oakville Cross Road. Five years later, they built the Girard Winery at 500 Oakville Cross Road. That property is now the Rudd Winery. In 2000, Roney purchased the Girard Winery name. For a few years, the company produced wine in leased space in Sonoma County. The Calistoga location represents the winerys return to Napa Valley.

We have a great team at Girard. I am really happy with the people and wine out in Calistoga, said Roney.

On Dunaweal Lane

Girard Winery is located on Dunaweal Lane, almost directly across from Clos Pegase, another Vintage winery. Girards downtown Yountville tasting room will remain open, as it is a smaller, more informal tasting room.

Girard Winerys new location is meant to provide much more of an elevated experience where guests can get personal, one-on-one tastings, said Glenn Hugo, senior winemaker for Vintage Wine Estates.

This is a huge production facility as well thats very busy right now during crush. We moved in during August. Hopefully well crush about 1,200 tons of grapes here this fall, said Hugo.

Hugo said Girard plans to carry a number of limited run wines, including a Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon and an Old Vine Gamay, both from the Calistoga AVA, at the Calistoga winery.

Visitors interested in exploring the cellar, barrel room, and on-site vineyards can get an education in modern wine production. The tasting room door opens to a 28,955-square-foot production space filled with Westec stainless steel tanks.

There are many double stop tanks, with one tank set directly on top of another. A catwalk rises from the floor to allow workers to monitor the tanks on the upper row.

With a variety of different tank sizes, we can keep our fermentations separate. Ultimately, (we can keep the wines) separate in barrel as well. We try to use these smaller formats to keep our wines segmented, said Hugo.

French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels line the floor.

Chardonnay and the Cabernet blends go into French oak. We put the Zinfandel and Petit Syrah into French, American, and Hungarian oak. We also have a fusion barrel, which alternates a French stave with a Hungarian stave all the way around, topped with American heads, said Hugo.

Hugo said French oak provides more traditional structure with notes of mocha and vanilla. American oak lends a smoky, meaty note. Hungarian oak adds spice to the mix, nutmeg, clove, a Christmas flavor.

Thats why a fusion barrel works for Zin and Petit Syrah. It gives (these wines) a more integrated, more balanced taste, said Hugo.

At the back of the cellar sit bins of machine-picked and hand-harvested grapes soaking in water waiting to be sorted. A destemmer works furiously, spitting out stems, stalks, and scattering loose berries on the floor. More bins from other Vintages vineyards wait outside.

An important piece of technology in the cellar is the temperature control system. It shows all the tanks, color coded, on a screen.

I can control the temperature of all of the tanks from my laptop. Eventually Ill be able to do it from my phone, said Hugo.

Barrel room

To the right lies the barrel room, 14,000 square feet containing about 5,700 barrels stored at 70 percent humidity, cooled to a temperature between the mid-50s and the upper-60s.

We have solar panels on the west side of the roof and the west side of the building. We hope to be powered between 95 to 98 percent by solar energy, said Hugo.

The water tank outside in back pulls water from the facilitys well. Girard and Clos Pegase share the same water and septic system. Clos Pegase lends Girard equipment and supplies, as well as a bottling line.

Weve planted Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot grapes out back on a traditional trellised system. Soon well plant 17 acres of grapes for a red field blend and a white field blend in front, said Hugo.

In the tasting room

The huge bank of red, white, and rose wines in black bottles behind the counter is meant to impress. Girard has a wide variety of appellations of Girards Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as its Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel, Viognier, and Petit Verdot available for purchase.

The 3,816 square foot tasting room and office space is open by appointment for a standard tasting at $40, a cheese plate with tasting at $75, and a food pairing with dishes made by the girl & the fig at $125.

Wine selections include mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, with appellations that include Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, and Atlas Peak. Good choices for pairings include a juicy New York Strip steak and Roquefort, and Stilton (cheeses), said Scott Silva, sales and hospitality associate. He is joined by Anton Matulic, assistant tasting room manager.The St. Helena mayoral race between incumbent Alan Galbraith and City Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth was too close to call on election night, with only 16 votes separating the candidates.

Galbraith had 539 votes (50.75 percent) and Ellsworth had 523 votes (49.25 percent) in early results posted at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday night.

Galbraiths supporters were gathered in his house as the first vote tally was released.

The initial vote is very close, Galbraith said, adding that he would issue a statement as soon as the winner is determined.

I dont expect that for several days at this point, he said.

Ellsworth and his supporters were having an election night party at Grace Episcopal Church when the preliminary results came in. Shortly after 8:01 p.m., a group of people gathered about Ellsworth, all looking at their cell phones.

After seeing the results, Ellsworth said, It looks pretty close. Well just have to wait and see.

When updated results were posted a few hours later, the St. Helena tallies remained the same. More results are scheduled to be posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday and again on Nov. 13 and 14. The outcome of the mayoral race might not be certain until the election is certified the week of Nov. 26.

Even if Ellsworth loses his mayoral bid, he will retain his seat on the City Council.

Galbraiths campaign emphasized his government experience, including four years as mayor, his role in passing the Measure D sales tax, and his endorsements by regional elected officials.

Ellsworths campaign called for new leadership, better management of the citys water and finances, and more equitable water and wastewater rates.

Measure E, which would raise St. Helenas hotel taxes by 1 percent to raise money for housing, has 832 votes in favor (78.12 percent) and 233 votes against (21.88 percent). In order to pass, it needs a two-thirds supermajority.

Anna Chouteau and incumbent City Councilmember Paul Dohring are running unopposed for two council seats. Chouteau has 680 votes and Dohring has 696.

Galbraiths supporters speak out

At Galbraiths party, Bill Ryan said hes been a fan of the mayor for a couple of years.

He recognized some of the serious issues we have and got active himself, as a citizen and a leader, Ryan said. That was the first time that a lot of people started to be anti-Alan, was when he started to want to do things. We need more people who want to do things.

Joe McCoy called Galbraith a wonderful neighbor and an unusually intelligent man that were lucky to have willing to be part of our government.

Galbraith has been realistic about whats going on in town from a fiscal perspective, McCoy said.

At Ellsworths party

On Tuesday evening, before any results were known, Ellsworth said he wasnt predicting the turnout. I just dont know. Im trying to keep an even keel and look at it whichever way it goes.

He said the St. Helena City Council has done a lot of good work over the last two years that were going to continue. Whichever way the election goes, the core of the council is still going to be there.

He added the council will move forward on the work plan without missing a beat. Im optimistic, weve done a good job over the last two years and over the next two years those things will really start coming to fruition.

During the campaign, Ellsworth said he found out that the St. Helena community, both residents and businesses, need more focus from local government. Theres more that we can do.

When asked, Ellsworth said his Tuesday schedule included attending a couple of city meetings, posting a final note on social media for his campaign, swimming at the Health Spa and taking a short nap. Then, he said, he began getting ready for the election night party.

Attending the party was Chris Killion, a five-year resident of St. Helena, who supports Ellsworth. Why? Because he listens, he researches, he looks into things and he looks at options. I think thats the biggest thing, she said. For her the city issues he has investigated included water rates and the citys retirement contributions. He doesnt just sit back without looking at the issue, she said.

Former St. Helena businessman Norm Manzer said he supports Ellsworth, even though he cant vote in the city election, since he lives outside the city limits. Sitting on the sidelines, observing whats been taking place in town, I think Geoff is a breath of fresh air that our community needs, said Manzer, who has lived in the area for the past 45 years. I think Geoff has got the energy and the thought process that I would like to see in our mayor.

When asked for an election prediction, Tom Belt said he had no idea, but added hes supporting Ellsworth because I would really like to have a change. I would like to have a mayor who is open-minded and willing to take information and input from the residents of St. Helena, rather than being close minded all the time.

He added hes interesting in having a mayor who is willing to listen to the residents. The city councils obligation is to represent the residents of St. Helena and I dont believe that Alan has done that in many of his decisions, including the Las Alcobas, Beringer and CIA projects.

Belt added he thinks Galbraith is basically a very good man. I think he tries very hard and hes doing what he thinks is best, but I have a disagreement with that.

St. Helena Star editor David Stoneberg contributed to this article.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.ANGWIN The Rasmussen Art Gallery on the campus of Pacific Union College welcomes Wendy Liang as the guest artist for November. Her exhibit opens with a free public reception and artist talk from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10.

This year, Liang has won the California Watercolor Associations 48th national exhibition, The Artists Magazines 35th Annual Art Competition, and Southwest Art Magazines Artistic Excellence Competition. In 2017, she received the most meaningful recognition yet for her artwork, when she won the competition of Splash 19, The Illusion of Light.

I became interested in art as a child when I first noticed colors of objects would change depending the type of weather and the different time of the day, says Liang. My inspiration comes through interesting lighting, water and its reflections, and scenes that feel dreamlike or somehow ethereally familiar.

Referring to her art style as impressionistic realism, Liang most enjoys painting scenes that create otherworldly or mysterious atmospheres. Her show at the Rasmussen will include such scenes.

Liangs exhibit will remain in the Rasmussen Art Gallery through Dec. 9. The gallery is closed for Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 16-25. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.

For more information about the arts at PUC, visit puc.edu or call 707-965-6313. For information about the Rasmussen Art Gallery, call 707-965-6604.SACRAMENTO  California voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have capped dialysis clinics' profits in an effort to improve patient care.

Proposition 8 would have limited profits for dialysis clinics that provide vital treatment for people whose kidneys don't work properly.

The measure was the most expensive initiative on the 2018 ballot in California, generating more than $130 million in campaign contributions. A health care workers union, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, funded the $18 million supporting campaign. Dialysis companies contributed more than $111 million to kill the initiative.

The union argued Proposition 8 would stop the dialysis companies from cutting corners to make money and force them to invest more of their revenue into patient care. Supporters say the profit-hungry companies don't adequately clean clinics and overwork staff.

Dialysis providers say the measure was actually a tactic to pressure the dialysis companies to let workers unionize and would have forced clinics to close. They say most California clinics provide high quality care.

"Prop 8 would have made it more difficult for me and for all dialysis patients to get the life-sustaining treatment we need," DeWayne Cox, a dialysis patient working with the opposition campaign, said in a statement. "It's wrong that the UHW union was willing to put our lives at risk to further their organizing agenda."

Dialysis companies' effort to kill the measure was the most expensive campaign on one side of a ballot initiative in the U.S. since at least 2002. Most of that money came from the two largest dialysis companies operating in California: Denver-based DaVita Inc. and Germany-based Fresenius Medical Care.

"They used that massive spending to scare and mislead Californians," Emanuel Gonzales, a dialysis technician working with the Proposition 8 campaign, said in a statement. "We set out to hold the dialysis industry accountable... We won't stop until it is truly reformed."

Proposition 8 supporters say they plan to try to pass the measure again in 2020 and in the meantime will lobby for it in the Legislature.

The measure would have barred dialysis clinics from charging patients more than 115 percent of what providers spend on patient care and quality improvement. If clinics exceeded that limit, they would have to provide rebates or pay penalties.

Although the measure didn't spell out exactly which expenses counted toward the limit, dialysis companies argued critical management expenses would be classified as profits and bankrupt clinics.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office estimates dialysis companies currently make roughly $3 billion in annual revenue from their California operations.

Dialysis patients typically undergo hourslong treatments three times a week when machines filter their blood, essentially performing kidney functions outside the body. Tens of thousands of patients receive dialysis treatment in California each month, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.

It was one of several health care-related measures on California ballots.

Voters on Tuesday also approved Proposition 11, a measure that will let private ambulance companies require workers stay on-call during paid breaks.

Voters also authorized $1.5 billion in bond funding for children's hospitals by passing Proposition 4. The measure will fund construction, renovation, expansion and new equipment in children's hospitals. The money will have to be paid back over time with interest.Nepal products shine in China

The first ever import-themed international exhibition, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), kicked off in Shanghai, the largest economic centre of China, on Monday. The expo is Chinas means of bolstering its opening-up policy that has brought unprecedented development in this communist-ruled nation.The deputy who was first on the scene during the March 9 shooting at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville acted in a legally justified manner, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said late Tuesday.

Napa County Sheriff's Deputy Steven Lombardi, a 26-year veteran of the department, responded within four minutes to the Veterans Home after Napa officials received a report of an active shooter, according to a report released Tuesday night by the District Attorney's Office. The shooting left three workers and an unborn baby dead. The gunman killed himself.

Albert Wong, an ex-client and Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, traded gunfire with Lombardi inside the building after taking the women hostage. Lombardi fired through the door where he last saw Wong after moving to a position of safety, according to the release. He did not hit anyone inside the room.

"(Lombardi's) actions were legally justified and criminal charges against him are neither warranted nor supported by the evidence," the DA wrote in the report.

Lombardi fired 13 shots toward Wong, who fired back 22 times, according to the report by the DA's office.

The incident occurred eight months ago, after Wong had been dismissed from nonprofit The Pathway Home's program for veterans with PTSD, on leased facilities at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville. He refused to comply with program policies and his treatment plan, according to the report.

Wong, 36, wrote an apology letter to his landlord, implying that he would not be back, according to the report. He drove to the facility in a rental car, armed with a loaded .308 caliber semi-automatic rifle and a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun. Wong carried three more 20-round magazines for that rifle, plus 12 shotgun shells in a belt around his waist, according to the report. He protected his eyes and ears, both with earplugs and over-the-ear protection.

It was clear that he came to kill, the District Attorney concluded.

He arrived in an upstairs meeting room at 10:19 a.m., where 10 people, including staff and three veterans, were attending a goodbye party for two staff members. Wong took three key members of clinical operations hostage at 10:20 a.m., and told partygoers to leave the room one by one, according to the report. Staff and veterans who were allowed to leave called 911.

"[W]e have an active shooter," the first caller said to Napa Dispatch at 10:21 a.m., two minutes after Wong entered the room.

All Napa County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched, but Lombardi, the only one on duty in Yountville, was the first to arrive. He responded to the call within six seconds and arrived within four minutes at 10:25 a.m.

Lombardi had served as the Sheriff's Department range instructor, working with firearms, for nearly a decade. He had a .223 caliber rifle, a Kimber .45 caliber handgun and a Smith & Wesson .38 handgun, according to the report.

An employee on site directed Lombardi to the second-floor room where others were being held hostage. He went upstairs alone, fearing for the employee's safety, according to the report.

Lombardi saw Wong holding a rifle, backed up and moved to the hallway. He heard Wong rack the rifle and a woman scream.

"I didn't want her to die," Lombardi later told investigators.

So at 10:31 a.m., Lombardi moved from his safe spot and fired his rifle at the last position where he saw Wong, according to the report.

Wong fired back. They traded a total of 35 shots for about 10 seconds. Lombardi was not injured.

Lombardi backed up while continuing to fire at Wong, then reloaded his rifle with a full magazine and waited in the hallway, expecting Wong to step out.

Evidence suggests that he killed the women and himself soon after. They immediately died from their injuries, according to the report.

The report did not elaborate on how investigators determined the timing of their deaths. A message sent to District Attorney Allison Haley Tuesday night was not returned.

More officers arrived on scene six minutes after the shots were fired and nobody else engaged with Wong, according to the report.

An all-day standoff ensued, with the Napa County Sheriff's SWAT team, FBI negotiators and others arriving on scene in attempt to diffuse the crisis.

At 6 p.m., Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42, psychologist Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, who was 32 years old and six months pregnant, and Wong were found dead by gunshot.

Officials said they never made contact during the standoff with the gunman, who didn't answer his phone, or other phones in the building. According to the DA's report, Wong killed the women and then himself within 12 minutes of entering the building.

Haley Rekdahl was among the party attendees who were ushered out of the room by Wong.

"I immediately noticed he was armed and had a lot of gear on," including a large gun, ear coverings, a hat and glasses, she said after the incident. "When he first walked in, he just looked at us and he had this look in his eye."

Jim Thomas, vice president of the Veterans Group, later told the East Bay Times that the group had long complained to CalVet, which oversaw the program, that the property needed better security.

Anybody can walk into this property with an AR-15 or some other weapons and go to our dining hall, kill 300 people in one meal, he said.

The veterans home was founded in 1884, according to the CalVet site. Half of the entire population of Yountville lived there at one point, with 1,000 men and women onsite.

Six men lived at The Pathway Home at the time of the shooting. In the wake of the shootings, the program announced it would not reopen.

California Highway Patrol Lieutenant Amir Tabarsi led the investigation, as the agency has jurisdiction over incidents on state-owned properties, according to the report. Tabarsi presented his report to the District Attorney on Aug. 30.

State law allows anyone to use deadly force to defend themselves or others, as long as that person genuinely and reasonably believes there is threat of serious injury or death, according to the report. California law also protects officers who kill someone if the person was actively resisting and there is fear of death or serious injury.

These encounters often become wildly unpredictable and rapidly evolving, requiring officers to make split second decisions while in fear for their own lives, the lives of their fellow officers and the citizenry they have sworn to protect, the District Attorney wrote in her report.

Sheriff John Robertson said in a Tuesday night statement that he offered his condolences and prayers to family and friends of Loeber, Golick and Gonzales Shushereba, who dedicated their lives to helping others.

Courtney can be reached at 707-256-2221. You can send her an anonymous tip, and follow her reporting on Twitter and Facebook.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.CALISTOGA  Pacific Gas and Electric Company is notifying customers in nine Northern California counties it may turn off power starting Thursday to reduce the risk of a wildfire amid hot and windy weather.

But unlike the first preemptive shutoff in October, this one may not impact the city of Calistoga where merchants complained of thousands of dollars worth of lost merchandise and business over two days without power.

A PG&E crew was busy installing major generators Wednesday at a substation on Highway 29 next to Laura Michael Wines. These generators will be able to supply electricity to nearly all of Calistoga if the substation, which is served by transmission lines from Lake County, has to be shut down, PG&E spokeswoman Deanna Contreras said Wednesday afternoon.

PG&E is trying to resolve a unique situation where an entire town, lying in a low fire-risk area, is served by lines running through a high-risk area, Contreras said.

On Oct. 14, the entire town lost power when PG&E de-energized the transmission lines in Lake County as a way to reduce the risks of wildfires in high-wind conditions.

On Nov. 1, Canning and other Napa County officials met privately with PG&E representatives to voice their displeasure about how things went during the Oct. 14 shutdown.

Many residents and businesses complained that many of them did not get timely advance notices of the power cut-offs. Some questioned why the city, located on the valley floor, was de-energized along with the surrounding wildlands.

We made it very clear what needs to be done and apparently we made an impression, Canning said Wednesday.

The new portable generators in Calistoga should be able to supply electricity to the entire town, but not 130 customers in outlying areas, Contreras said.

Canning said he expected more information to come out at a community meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday with PG&E officials at the Calistoga High School on Lake Street.

PG&E said the planned outages would affect portions of Napa, Butte, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sonoma and Yuba counties. In Napa County, affected areas included Angwin, Pope Valley and rural parts outside St. Helena.

The National Weather Service says warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds are forecast for those areas from Wednesday night to Friday morning.

PG&E says the notices to about 70,000 customers, including those in Napa County, are being sent via automated voice, text messages and emails.

The utility began notifying affected Napa County residents Tuesday evening, Contreras said Wednesday morning.

The utility says is working closely with first responders and local authorities and keeping them informed on its response to the warming weather.

The decision on where to cut off power during the forecast period of high winds on Mount St. Helena and other hills will be made in consultation with meteorologists, Contreras said.

Customers should make sure their contact information is up to date by visiting pge.com/mywildfirealerts, or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911.

Customers can learn whether their home or business is in or near a high fire-threat area by reviewing the California Public Utilities Commissions High Fire-Threat District map. For more information on how to prepare, customers should visit pge.com/wildfiresafety" target="_blank">pge.com/wildfiresafety or call 1-800-PGE-5002. They can also visit pge.com/wildfiresafety to determine whether their home or business is served by an electric line that may be turned off for safety.

You can reach Cynthia Sweeney at csweeney@weeklycalistogan.com or 942-4035. Register reporter Courtney Teague contributed to this story.

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.A pedestrian was killed Wednesday morning after a car crashed into her along Silverado Trail, just north of St. Helena, according to the coroner.

St. Helena resident Susan Cardoza, 53, was killed around 6:20 a.m. when she was struck by a car in the 3500 block of Silverado Trail North, south of Crystal Springs Road, according to the Napa County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol.

Cardoza was a lifelong St. Helena resident who graduated from St. Helena High School, a relative said.

The collision occurred at dawn on a crisp morning, according to a CHP report. The driver, a 61-year-old man from Santa Rosa, hit Cardoza with a 2014 Hyundai while she was standing in or near the southbound lane of the road.

The driver saw her suddenly and did not have time to swerve, according to the CHP. Cardoza was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is the second pedestrian death along the Silverado Trail in a month. A 61-year-old male pedestrian will killed on the 400-block inside the city of Napa on Oct. 19.

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.Their stories are as dramatic and riveting as any spy novel, but anything but fictional.Rep. Marsha Blackburn will win the race to represent Tennessee in the US Senate, CNN can project, outlasting a challenge from former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat who looked to run against his party to win in a state President Donald Trump won by 26 percentage points in 2016.

Blackburn, a conservative lawmaker closely tied to the President, looked to nationalize the Senate race as much as possible, hoping to tap into the same conservatism that elected Trump in order to blunt some goodwill Bredesen had built up during his two terms as governor. Trump visited the state three times. Blackburn will be the first female senator to represent her state.

Democrats had hoped to pick up Tennessee as part of a narrow path to retaking the Senate.

Although Bredesen ran as a Democrat, he largely ran away from the national party and regularly touted his ties to the state and independence from Washington, D.C. The strategy was clear: He hoped to bank on the fact he won every county in the state in 2006 during his second run for governor and looked to tag Blackburn as a traditional Washington ideologue.

Bredesen got some help, too. Sen. Bob Corker, whose decision to retire opened the seat and gave way to the Democratic campaign, declined to help bury the popular Democrat, a clear sign that not all Republicans have been wooed by the Trump wing of the party.

And the former governor also energized Tennessee Democrats who had long struggled to gain traction in the state. Taylor Swift, a pop star known for staying out of politics, eagerly got behind his campaign, too.

Blackburn, however, looked to highlight Bredesen's party affiliation at every turn, regularly tying him to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and some of the more high-profile liberal members of the legislative body.

"Phil Bredesen has said he would have voted against the tax cuts," Blackburn said during one debate. "Chuck Schumer has bought and paid for his campaign."

Bredesen looked to blunt the attack by telling voters he would not back Schumer for Majority Leader if he were elected.

The former governor also announced during the campaign that he would have voted in favor of Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's controversial Supreme Court pick, whose confirmation hearings became a national event after professor Christine Blasey Ford testified that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in high school. Kavanaugh denied the allegations.PM's ill health stalls official work

Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis ill health and treatment in hospital has postponed several meetings, Cabinet meetings, policies, programmes and almost three dozen projects he was to inaugurate and lay foundation stone.The midterm election was not just an opportunity to change the face of Congress and statehouses nationwide. Voters in 37 states also considered ballot measures on social and political issues such as health care, marijuana and election policies.

Some were initiated by citizens, others by lawmakers. The questions included whether to restrict abortion access, expand Medicaid, or change voting requirements.

Here are some of the ballot measures we're keeping an eye on nationwide. We'll continue updating the results as they come in.

Abortion

Three measures in three states concerned abortion access and funding.

In Alabama and West Virginia, voters approved changing their state constitutions to say that they do not protect the right to an abortion or require funding of abortions.

Alabama's Amendment 2 will also change the state constitution to say that it supports the rights of unborn children, giving them constitutional protections.

West Virginia's Amendment 1 also prevents state taxpayer money from being used to pay for abortions for those on Medicaid.

Oregon voters rejected Measure 106, which would have prohibited publicly funded health care programs from covering abortion.

Crime, justice and sentencing

Voters in six states -- Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina and Oklahoma -- voted to approve some version of a measure often called "Marsy's Law." South Dakota passed one in June.

The proposals varied from state to state, but each would add specific protections for victims of crime to a state's constitution. Such protections include the right to be notified about hearings or the release of the accused, the right to restitution or the right to refuse an interview or deposition at the request of the accused.

Supporters of Marsy's Law say it gives victims more say in what happens in their cases. Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said victims already have these types of rights through state laws and warned that enshrining victims' rights in state constitutions creates a false equivalency between them and the rights of the accused. They warn that Marsy's Law could undermine the rights of the accused and divert resources from those in need.

Washington state's initiative 940 would change the legal standard for use of deadly force in officer-involved shootings. It would effectively lower the bar for prosecuting officers by establishing a good faith standard for opening fire.

The measure would also require law enforcement officers to receive ongoing training in violence de-escalation and how to interact with people with mental health issues. And it would establish a duty for officers to render first aid.

Election policies

Florida voters passed Amendment 4, which restores voting rights for felons after they complete their sentences, including parole or probation, except for those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense. The law is expected to give the right to vote to 1.5 million people.

Ohio voters in May approved a statewide measure to establish a new redistricting system. Four more states -- Colorado, Michigan, Missouri and Utah -- weighed similar measures for their state legislatures, their congressional districts, or both.

Measures passed in Colorado and Michigan. The Colorado initiative will create a 12-member independent redistricting commission instead of having the state legislature draw district maps. Michigan's Proposition 2 establishes a 13-member redistricting commission and provides criteria for members and maps.

More states considered measures related to voting requirements and ballot access.

Voters in Arkansas and North Carolina approved amendments requiring voters to present a photo ID to vote in person.

Maryland voters chose to authorize the general assembly to pass legislation that lets qualified people register to vote on Election Day. Ballots in Michigan and Nevada asked whether to allow automatic voter registration for those who interact with certain government agencies.

Marijuana

Six measures on four state ballots concerned the legalization of recreational or medical marijuana.

Voters in Michigan approved a measure that allows people 21 and older to use marijuana and changes current violations from crimes to civil infractions.

Missouri had three competing measures. All of them proposed to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, but with different proposed sales tax amounts and revenue uses:

- 2% tax, with revenue to be spent on veterans' services, drug treatment, education and law enforcement

- 15% tax, with revenue to be spent on a biomedical research institute

- 4% tax, with revenue to be spent on health care services for veterans

Voters in Utah are deciding whether to legalize medical marijuana, and Michigan and North Dakota voters weighed citizen initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana.

Oklahoma voted in June to approve medical marijuana.

Minimum wage

Two measures in two states proposed increasing the minimum wage to $11 by the year 2021 in Arkansas, and to $12 by 2023 in Missouri.

Medicaid expansion and health care

Four measures on four state ballots concerned Medicaid expansion or funding for Medicaid expansion.

Voters in Idaho, Utah and Nebraska considered whether to require their state governments to accept the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. In Montana, voters had the chance to force the state to continue accepting the expansion.

Nebraska, Utah and Idaho voters said yes to expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, including individuals under age 65 whose income is 138% or below the federal poverty line who aren't eligible for other state insurance coverage.

The initiatives in Montana and Utah proposed a tobacco tax increase and a sales tax increase, respectively, to provide funding for the expanded coverage. In January, Oregon voters approved a measure upholding legislation to provide funding for expanded Medicaid coverage through a tax on health insurers and revenue of certain hospitals.

In Nevada, Question 2 would amend the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 to remove taxes on feminine hygiene products, also known as the pink tax.

More to watch

Massachusetts voters chose to keep a state law that protects transgender people from discrimination in public places.

Florida voters passed Amendment 13, which creates a prohibition on racing or betting on greyhounds or other dogs by 2020.

More than 70% of Alabama voters approved an amendment to the state constitution authorizing the display of the Ten Commandments on state and public property, including schools, and to prohibit spending public funds to defend the constitutionality of the amendment.

California's Proposition 6 would repeal fuel and vehicle taxes passed by the legislature in 2017 for road repairs and public transportation.

CNN's Faith Karimi contributed to this reportMore than a year after it was banned from filming on Indias national parks and wildlife sanctuaries for five years after its documentary on Kaziranga showed the parks anti-poaching strategy in poor light, the broadcaster  British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)  has expressed regret for any adverse impact caused by its news documentary.

A report published in the The Assam Tribune stated that in a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Dr Julian Hector, the head of BBCs Natural History Unit, said he wished to discuss all concerns in detail. We, in the Natural History Unit, have observed your successful efforts in tiger conservation and are gravely concerned that the BBC documentary has made that work harder, he stated in the letter. He also apologised for not approaching the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) sooner.

The report further stated that according to the Government, the British broadcaster, in its documentary titled Killing for Conservation, misrepresented the immunity provided to forest staff as a shoot-to-kill policy. The documentary projected a negative, malicious and sensational portrayal of Indias conservation success story at the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and did irreparable damage to the countrys reputation, the Central Government had said.

Later, Survival International had launched a campaign to boycott Kaziranga. Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said the BBC humiliated the department concerned and the Kaziranga National Park at the international level through its documentary. This technique of humiliating in public and apologising in private is not acceptable to the Assam Forest Department, Suklabaidya stated.Biden's son helps Chinese company buy mine in Africa

China lowers level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania

Russia and US confirm their intentions to send joint mission to Venus

Putin and Pashinyan discuss situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and measures to stabilize it

Honored Art Worker of Armenia, composer Ruben Altunyan passes away

492 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Armenia

Armenian Foreign Minister and Otto Luchterhandt discuss Nagorno-Karabakh settlement

Armenian contract soldier dies amid violation of rules for handling weapons

Man, 29, jumps from Yerevan bridge

Armenia MFA confirms PM Pashinyan's readiness to meet with Azerbaijans Aliyev on December 15

Quake shakes coast of Vanuatu

State minister: Nationwide quarantine, specific restrictions planned to be imposed in Karabakh

Artsakh President convenes National Security Service consultation

Opposition MP: Armenia FM stated that Turkey has proposed new precondition: corridor

Armenia military expert: US Embassy warns its citizens to avoid Karahunj-Davit Bek, Kapan-Chakaten road sections

Armenia opposition MP: Air carrier operating flights from Syunik Province cannot have any security guarantees

Singapore is good example for Armenia, says President Sarkissian

Iran seizes foreign ship in Persian Gulf

2 Azerbaijanis injured in anti-tank mine explosion at Karabakh conflict zone

US, Turkey presidential advisors discuss situation in South Caucasus

Synopsys boss pays tribute to Armenian Genocide victims

Russia peacekeepers escort 15 convoys to, from Artsakh in one week

Catholicos Karekin II to Patriarch Kirill: We appreciate your warm attitude towards Armenian Church, people

China fines Alibaba for violating antitrust law

36 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh

UK Premier Johnson considering boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Artsakh President visits Askeran city, meets with regional capitals youth

President to Russia Patriarch: Armenian people highly value your efforts aimed at achieving peace in our region

870 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

8 injured in tragic accident on Yerevan-Gyumri motorway are discharged from hospital

China, Russia, US agree to promote political dialogue on Iran

Azerbaijan mother, son commit suicide on same day

One pedestrian dies on the spot, other hospitalized after hit by car in Armenia village area

US beauty consultant is accused of killing woman by injecting silicone into her butt

Brazil Amazon deforestation reaches highest level in 15 years

Newspaper: Armenia soldiers are prohibited from filming episodes from their service, posting them on internet

Newspaper: Armenia opposition is forming large-scale resistance network

Armenia President visits National University of Singapore

Gia, wanted by French law-enforcement authorities, found at Armenia's Bagratashen checkpoint

Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to meet in Brussels

European Council: Pashinyan and Aliyev agreed to establish direct communication line at level of defense ministers

Armenia's Representative to OSCE speaks about Azerbaijan's recent attack at Permanent Council's session

Armenia serviceman Meruzhan Harutyunyan, killed in Syunik Province, was buried at Yerablur Military Pantheon

Armenian News-NEWS.am's special report: Drive from Kapan to Tchakatashen is 150 km instead of previous 8 km

3 Armenian servicemen killed during Nov. 16 Azerbaijani attack posthumously awarded presidential medals

Left-wing trade unions hold protest against Turkey's Erdogan in Izmir

Armenia FM presents situation following Azerbaijani attack during meeting with Lithuanian Seimas Vice-President

Armenia delegation covers Azerbaijan's Nov. 16 attack during online meeting of CSTO PA Permanent Commissions

Armenia PM receives delegation led by Vice President of Lithuanian Seimas

Lavrov, Cavusoglu discuss bilateral ties and regional issues

Karabakh: Azerbaijani side, in Shushi, transfers bodies of 3 Armenian soldiers killed on Nov. 16

NEWS.am daily digest: 19.11.21

Armenian Embassy in Russia: Armenia citizens - mother and child - evacuated from Afghanistan

Georgia refuses to be a part of '3+3' format with regard to South Caucasus

The occupied Hadrut of our days (PHOTOS)

Arabologist: Photo of map of Turkic world shown by Erdogan and Bahceli is simply a gift for Armenian diplomacy

Situation is tense in Armenia's Kasakh, residents protesting against acting village head (LIVE)

Opposition With Honor legislature faction MP: No one knows if Armenia petitioned to Russia for military assistance

Armenia opposition MP: There is a threat that Baku will always get what it wants through use of force

Lavrov is certain that the Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan summit will take place

Ann Linde: OSCE working very closely with Russia to resolve Karabakh conflict

Karabakh FM congratulates newly appointed Abkhazia counterpart

Dollar relatively stable in Armenia

Armenia parliament majority members do not deny possibility of exchange of territories with Azerbaijan

Armenia ruling party MP: Public and competent authorities need to know circumstances behind captures of soldiers

Armenia ruling party MP assures that situation on the border is currently stable

Armenia ruling party MP: Confidentiality of process of preparing for demarcation is strictly necessary

Armenia PM: Citizens of EEU countries will be able to receive loans in all territories of member states

Armenian serviceman, 19, dies in Georgia's Akhalkalaki

Armenia legislature majority faction lawmaker: Russia military intervention is not end in itself

High commissioner: Diaspora is considering ways to help hundreds of Ethiopia Armenians

Opposition With Honor parliament faction: Armenia authorities trying to push territorial losses issue to backburner

Legislature majority faction MP: Armenia authorities do not make any demands on Russia

Opposition Armenia Faction in parliament: Authorities are unable to distinguish between priority and secondary issues

3 more die of coronavirus in Artsakh

Bruno Retailleau: France must support Armenia more firmly against aggressions by Azerbaijan

Armenia parliament majority faction: Border delimitation preparation process will start from point zero

PM: Armenia exports to other EEU countries increased by 27.8%

Armenias Pashinyan: Azerbaijan provocations are aimed at disrupting arrangements reached by trilateral statements

California Armenian couple accused of fraud flee leaving their 3 children behind

799 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Katherine Clark: Azerbaijan must acknowledge and respect Armenian sovereignty

Eurasian Intergovernmental Council enlarged meeting underway in Yerevan

Russia peacekeepers patrol along Karabakh border delimitation line

MOD: According to current data Armenia has 6 military casualties as result of Tuesdays attack by Azerbaijan

Turkish Islamic preachers organization denies reports of his death

Newspaper: What happened to missing Armenia soldiers during recent hostilities?

Armenia MOD dismisses reports about not allowing officers with higher rank than major to go up to combat positions

US virtually completes development of new tactical nuclear gravity bomb B61-12

Newspaper: Officers with higher rank than major not allowed to combat positions during recent hostilities in Syunik

Opposition MP: Granting corridor to Azerbaijan through Syunik Province will be gravest crime against Armenia

US Department of State representative says why Azerbaijan is not invited to Summit for Democracy

Armenian human rights activists to submit letters to ECHR regarding soldiers captured and considered missing

Armenia FM stresses importance of addressable response to Azerbaijan's actions during talk with Greek counterpart

Ex-ruling party official: Armenia authorities found reason for MOD's resignation after his visit to Karabakh

Republican Party of Armenia spokesperson: Nikol Pashinyan gave a confessional testimony in parliament yesterday

Armenia President talks about states' collective responsibility at Bloomberg New Economy Forum

Turkish website reports poisoning of Fetullah Gulen

Armenia FM holds phone talks with Cypriot counterpart, presents situation created after Azerbaijani attack

Mirzoyan, Zas discuss CSTO's possible actions to stabilize situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border, if necessarySTEPANAKERT.  The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh have never opposed the return and exchange of citizens who appeared on the opponents territory by mistake, spokesperson for the Karabakh president Davit Babayan said.

His comment came in response to Armenian News-NEWS.am request to comment on the statement made by Azerbaijani official who said they are ready to exchange captives.

A normal person cannot oppose the exchange of captives. And we never said that we oppose such processes. However, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between citizens who have mistakenly appeared on the opposite side and terrorists, Babayan said.

The Artsakh representative stressed that the demand of Azerbaijan to return Askerov and Guliyev could not fit into the framework of humanity.

This is an attempt to exchange terrorists. These spies illegally entered Artsakh, committed terrorist acts and killed a young man. These individuals stood trial. The court was open, with the participation of international observers, the media, human rights activists, Babayan emphasized.

He believes that Bakus goals are clear: they want to return Askerov and Guliyev to make them heroes as it happened with Safarov.

In response, both of them will become even more faithful servants of the regime and will be ready to carry out any order, he added.

At the same time, Baku is solving another problem  they are trying to sow discord in the Armenian society itself.

Probably, families of the captured Armenians once may say well, let them exchange, release our relatives. Although we are talking about ordinary people who have problems on the one hand, and terrorists, on the other, he concluded.

Azerbaijani citizens Shahbaz Guliyev (born in 1968), Dilgam Asgarov (born in 1960), and Hasan Hasanovwho was killed by the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) armed forces while rendering these saboteurs ineffectivehad illegally crossed the NKR state border on June 29, 2014, and they were armed with weapons and ammunition. The three had entered the territory of the Shahumyan Region of Karabakh, and as spies, to collect information and carry out espionage.

On July 4, 2014, they had kidnapped and subsequently murdered Karabakh citizen Smbat Tsakanyan, 17, whose body was found on July 15, 2014, and with gunshot wounds, in a forest at the Shahumyan Region.

In addition, on the evening of July 11, 2014, Hasanov had killed Armenia capital city Yerevan resident Sargis Abrahamyan (born in 1971), and severely wounded Armenias Dzoraghbyur village resident Karine Davtyan, on the Vardenis-Karvachar Highway. Hasanov was armed and he resisted arrest; as a result, he was neutralized by the NKR special forces. Guliyev and Asgarov, on the other hand, were detained, and they faced trial in the NKR.

Asgarov was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred; and attempt of murder of two persons, committed by an organized group, motivated by ethnic hatred.

Guliyev was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; and murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred.

And on December 29, 2014, the First Instance General Jurisdiction Court of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic sentenced Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to life and 22 years, respectively, in prison.Special 78 sniff out murderers for Nepal Police

After a 10-year-old girls rape and subsequent murder in Pokhara, the Kaski Police turned to Kushal for assistance, who tracked the perpetrator by sniffing the stone used as a murder weapon.YEREVAN.- Armenia's acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan convened a consultation during which traffic reforms were discussed, the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia reported.

The political changes in Armenia have created a new situation for the Police of the Republic of Armenia. Of course, this transitional period might seem that would be difficult for the Police, but we can say based on the results of our 6-month work that the Police solved the problems put before it quite well. This does not mean there are no shortcomings. The most important task we put before the Police just at the beginning is to achieve a change in the peoples attitude towards the Police. In this sense we have really succeeded, Pashinyan said. I am confident we will manage to establish entirely new public-police relations as a result of joint work. This is a very important issue and we have to achieve it, he emphasized.

Afterwards, Police officials presented to the acting PM the bill on making amendments in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Armenia, which is about reviewing and decreasing penalties.A baby trafficking ring operation in Peru's city of Arequipa have been exposed following an early morning raids of 18 properties on Tuesday.



The raids involving 500 police officers, led to the arrest of 14 people including the head of Peru's national police force, Gen Ral Becerra.



Gen Raul Becerra who headed the country's national police force from 2010 until his retirement in 2011, is suspected of being a key accomplice in the criminal scheme with his partner Cinthia Tello, believed by the police to be the gang's ringleader.



The gang, according to investigators, targets poor pregnant women and convinces them to hand over their babies to them after birth by offering them enough money.



Investigators say the babies are in turned sold for 4,000 Peruvian soles ($1,187).



Officials say a 5-month-old baby was rescued as part of the raids.



A gynaecologist, a paediatrician and three women allegedly responsible for finding the vulnerable pregnant women were also arrested.







Travel embargo spikes Nepalis' plans to start new job in Malaysia

Sakar Adhikari, a recent civil engineer graduate, could not have his first job better than the one he was selected for a few months back -a lucrative foreign job with promising facilities.Afghan Taliban Remarks that Insider Attack Killing Utah Mayor in Kabul Indicative of Peaking "Anti-Occupation Sensitives"Xi unveils opening-up measures

President Xi Jinping announced a number of measures on Monday, including lowered tariffs and eased market access, intended to promote common growth and build an open global economy, China Daily reported.1. Yes. Nonprofit youth organizations are underfunded in the city. Its a good decision.

2. Yes. In conjunction with city-run programs, it will provide needed opportunities.

3. No. The money should be used to benefit all residents, not just the citys youth.

4. No. The funds should be invested in the area where the project is being developed..

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether its an appropriate use of the money.

Vote

View ResultsOVERLAND PARK, KAN.  November 7, 2018  Sprint (NYSE: S) announced today that the 1Million Project Foundation aims to provide more than 48,000 California high school students in 29 school districts with a free mobile device and free wireless service by the end of the 2018-2019 school year. The program launched in August 2017 with a mission to help one million high school students achieve their full potential by ensuring they have the digital tools and connectivity they need to succeed in school. In its first year, the initiative connected 113,000 students across the country, and more than 31,000 students in California. By the end of the 2018-19 school year, more than 260,000 students total at over 1,700 high schools in 33 states will receive internet access and devices.

With 29 school districts across the state participating in the 1Million Project this school year, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of tens of thousands of Californian high schoolers, said Doug Michelman, president of the 1Million Project Foundation. In todays classrooms, access to the internet is critical, and allowing inequities among our students is unacceptable. We are very proud of what the 1Million Project has already accomplished in partnership with Californias school districts, and look forward to what we can achieve this school year and in years to come.

Right here in the U.S., there are more than five million families with school-aged kids who do not have home internet access.1 Unfortunately, this means that millions of students lack the devices and connectivity needed to have an equal shot at success.

A 2017 survey conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, found that the percentage of Californian households lacking a broadband internet connection (69%) mirrors national findings.2 The survey also reported that the cost of broadband service or not owning a computer or smartphone was a major factor for these families.

For the 21st century classroom, students need every tool possible to get the most out of their education, says Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. Home internet access is something that many people take for granted. But in more economically challenged areas, it is not a given. Sprints 1Million Project Foundation has already provided thousands of our students with free internet access at home, and that has made a remarkable difference in their lives. They can confidently surf the web researching for school assignments and feeding their own creativity. We thank Sprint for supporting our young people.

In order to be competitive in the Silicon Valley economy, our students must have access to the proper technological tools, said Sequoia Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Mary E. Streshly. Our districts goal is to prepare all students and ensure that they will have the necessary tools which will develop the proper skills for their future careers. This program exemplifies our core mission of supporting our students both in the classroom and at home. We are proud to have connected 318 families to date and counting.

The 1Million Project Foundation will distribute devices and provide service to eligible students at the following school districts (* denotes new participants in Year 2 of the program):



Alameda County Office of Education*

Anaheim Union High School District*

Azusa Unified School District*

Baldwin Park Unified School District

Birmingham Community Charter High School

Campbell Union High School District

Centinela Valley Union High School District

East Side Union High School District

Escondido Union High School District

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District*

Los Angeles Unified School District

Montebello Unified School District

New Designs Charter School

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District*

Oakland Unified School District

Orange Unified School District

Paramount Unified School District

Pasadena Unified School District

Pomona Unified School District

Riverside Unified School District

Rowland Unified School District*

San Bernardino City Unified School District

San Jacinto Unified School District*

San Jose Unified School District

San Mateo Union High School District*

Santa Ana Unified School District

Sequoia Union High School District*

Tulare Joint Union High School District*

West Contra Costa Unified School District

Each participating student participating will receive either a free smartphone, tablet, or hotspot device and 3GB of high-speed LTE data per month for up to four years while they are in high school. Unlimited data is available at 265 kbps speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month. Every device has a Free Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter to block adult content and malware. Students who receive a smartphone receive unlimited voice and text while on the Sprint network and may also use it as a hotspot.

In a survey of those who participated in the first year of the program, the vast majority of students (84%) said the 1Million Project made it easier for them to complete more of their homework in a comfortable, convenient, and safe place. Looking forward, 74% said they are more willing to work hard to graduate from high school. And, 68% said they are more likely to go to college. Administrators reported improved attitudes toward learnings, homework completion rates and school attendance among students.

Schools or districts who want to apply for the third year of the program, which begins with the 2019-2020 school year, can visit www.1millionproject.org to learn more. Applicants will receive a response by spring 2019.

Anyone looking to support the program can visit 1millionproject.org/donate to make a donation via credit card.2

About The 1Million Project Foundation:

The 1Million Project Foundation will help 1 million high school students who do not have reliable Internet access at home reach their full potential by giving them mobile devices and free high-speed Internet access. Todays learning environment requires 24/7 internet access in order to study, learn, explore and complete school work from home. Students that cannot connect when they leave school are at disadvantage, and their chances of staying on track in school are greatly limited. By working with school districts across America, the 1Million Project seeks to remove a significant hurdle in these students lives by ensuring they have the same access to the internet as any other student so that they too have a fair shot at achieving their full potential. For more information, visit www.1MillionProject.org.

About Sprint:

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served 54.5 million connections as of Sept. 30, 2018 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Today, Sprints legacy of innovation and service continues with an increased investment to dramatically improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its nationwide network and commitment to launching the first 5G mobile network in the U.S. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com orwww.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

1 The Pew Research Center (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/20/the-numbers-behind-the-broadband-homework-gap/)

2 Cash donations for the 1Million Project Foundation are tax-deductible charitable contributions.

###Hugh Bowman has copped a massive suspension for his ride on Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo.

The star jockey, who has made his name riding Winx to glory, faced three charges after securing the $1 million prize for finishing second in Australias greatest race.

Bowman pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge, another charge of using the whip more than allowed before the 100m mark and another of weighing in 1kg over his allotted weight on Marmelo.

He was suspended for 12 meetings for careless riding, eight meetings on the whip ruling and 21 meetings for returning overweight.

Racing Victoria stewards said the bans were to be served cumulatively before reducing it from 41 days to 35, making it a calendar month.

Bowmans ban starts after he rides Zapurler in the VRC Oaks in Thursdays Group One feature race at Flemington.

He will miss the start of a Japan stint scheduled to begin on November 24 and deny him the chance to defend the Japan Cup on November 25, while also forfeiting local Group One rides.

DOMINANT: Why the unbeatable Winx isnt in the Melbourne Cup

FROM 21ST TO FIRST: The stunning move that sealed Cross Counters come-from-behind win

The suspension will not affect Bowmans commitments with Winx, with the all-conquering mares spring campaign already over.

We admire your horsemanship and your ability to ride but that wasnt up to scratch, chief steward Robert Cram told Bowman.

The second-place finish atop the Hughie Morrison-trained Marmelo is the closest that Australias premier Group One jockey has come to winning the Melbourne Cup.

He ran his race, Bowman said in the immediate aftermath.

(Im) disappointed, but proud of the horse. Congratulations to Hughie for bringing him over in such good order.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy was among five other jockeys fined for excessive whip use in the race.

McEvoy was fined $3000, Regan Bayliss $1500, Dwayne Dunn and Damian Lane $800 and Michael Walker $400.

Hugh Bowman (R) has been suspended for his runner-up ride on Marmelo. Pic: Getty

The decision to target the Melbourne Cup fresh this year almost achieved the dream result for connections of the English-trained horse Marmelo.

Story continues

And despite coming so close to winning Australias most famous race in his second attempt with Marmelo, Morrison was understandably proud at the performance of the stayer to run second to the younger and lighter-weighted Cross Counter.

Marmelo saved ground on the inside from back in the field turning for home and then hit the front inside the final 200m before the Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter charged by him late to win by a length.

Great ride. Great horse. He came virtually from last to nearly first, Morrison said.

He came through beautifully, chased down the leading horse (A Prince Of Arran) and then just got run down.

Its fantastic to be second in the Melbourne Cup. But to be second when youre nearly therebut great credit to Charlie (Appleby).

I always thought he was the horse to worry about. A (northern hemisphere) three-year-old. Marmelo has run his heart out.

Morrison brought Marmelo to Australia last year and the horse ran an eye-catching sixth in the Caulfield Cup before starting equal favourite in that years Melbourne Cup.

He didnt repeat his Caulfield performance in the 2017 Melbourne Cup, finishing ninth.

Connections learned from that experience and went into Tuesdays race without an Australian lead-up run.

Morrison admitted it was only for a split second that he thought Marmelo might have been going to win when he made his charge closest to the inside.

I wasnt sure at first we were going to run down the third horse (A Prince Of Arran) and then when we went past him I just saw the red cap (of Cross Counter) coming, he said.

Its a great thrill to achieve as much as we have done. Everyone has done a great job.

Morrison said he would love to come back for another crack at the Melbourne Cup, hopefully with Marmelo.

I think we certainly should consider it, he said.

with AAPWASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on U.S. Senate elections (all times local):

3:21 a.m.

Democrat Jacky Rosen has defeated incumbent Republican Dean Heller in a hard-fought battle for a U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, giving Democrats a key pickup in the chamber.

Rosen on Tuesday ousted Heller, who has been in office since he was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2011.

Heller was considered the most vulnerable Republican running for re-election to the U.S. Senate this year as the only one seeking another term in a state that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. He conceded earlier in the night.

Heller was once a critic of President Donald Trump, but the two have become allies. Rosen painted Heller as a rubber stamp for the president and counted on backlash to Trump to help her oust the incumbent.

Rosen's win puts Nevada with half a dozen other states represented by U.S. senators who are both female. Nevada's other senator is Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto.

___

2:39 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has won a fifth full term representing California after shaking off a challenge from a fellow Democrat who argued she hasn't been tough in confronting President Donald Trump.

Feinstein defeated state Sen. Kevin de Leon.

Voters first sent Feinstein to Washington in 1992. At 85, she is the oldest current U.S. senator.

She faced a fellow Democrat because of California's system that sends the two candidates who win the most primary votes to the general election.

The race failed to generate much excitement, with Democrats more focused on winning seats in the U.S. House than on a safe Senate seat.

Feinstein argued that her experience and tenure in Washington made her the best person to serve California.

___

1:40 a.m.

Maine's independent Sen. Angus King has withstood a challenge from opponents on his ideological right and left to retain his seat.

King, a popular former Maine governor, defeated Republican state Sen. Eric Brakey and Democratic activists Zak Ringelstein to win a second term on Tuesday. King caucuses with the Democrats and was first elected to the Senate in 2012.

Story continues

Tuesday's election was the first U.S. Senate race to use Maine's ranked-choice style of voting.

Brakey or Ringelstein could have forced additional voting rounds under the system if King had fallen short of 50 percent of the popular vote. But King, who has long been popular with Maine voters, had a decisive win.

_____

11:55 p.m.

Republican Josh Hawley has unseated Missouri's Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in a national victory for the GOP.

Republicans have long hoped to flip McCaskill's seat in the increasingly Republican state. Missouri was once considered a bellwether known for picking the successful presidential candidate, but it's since lost that status and trended right.

President Donald Trump won the state by nearly 19 percentage points. Missouri's attorney general pinned his campaign to his support for the president.

McCaskill was one of 10 Democratic Senate incumbents up for re-election in states Trump won.

Voters first elected McCaskill to the Senate in 2006. She won re-election in 2012 after Republican candidate Todd Akin said women's bodies can prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape."

___

11:40 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell has won re-election in Washington, beating Republican challenger Susan Hutchison.

Cantwell easily outdistanced Hutchison, a former Seattle TV anchor and state GOP chairwoman.

Cantwell is a former tech executive who previously served one term in the U.S. House and six years as a state representative in the state Legislature. She will be serving her fourth term.

It's been nearly a quarter century since the GOP has captured a major statewide race in Washington.

The last time voters sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate was 1994, when Sen. Slade Gorton was re-elected to his final term before being ousted by Cantwell in 2000.

___

11:25 p.m.

Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has won a fourth term in the Senate, defeating Republican challenger John James.

Stabenow campaigned as a pragmatic lawmaker who forges bipartisan agreement despite the partisan rancor in Washington. She cited her work shaping farm legislation and pushing a new law that allows pharmacists to tell consumers when they can save on prescriptions by paying cash instead of using insurance.

The 68-year-old Stabenow criticized President Trump's attempt to slash federal funding for the Great Lakes. She said James would have been an unabashed enthusiast of Trump with no governing experience.

James is a black combat veteran and business executive. Trump won Michigan in 2016. He called James "a star" candidate.

___

11:15 p.m.

Mississippi's U.S. Senate special election is headed to a runoff, and the state's voters will either elect a woman to the office for the first time ever or a black man for the first time since Reconstruction.

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy advanced Tuesday from a field of four. They compete in a Nov. 27 runoff, and the winner will serve the final two years of a term started by Republican Sen. Thad Cochran, who retired in April.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Hyde-Smith, who was state agriculture commissioner, to temporarily succeed Cochran until the special election is decided. She is the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress, but no woman has been elected to the job from the state. She is endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Espy is a former congressman and former U.S. agriculture secretary.

___

11:10 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii has defeated Republican Ron Curtis to win a second term.

Hirono had an advantage going into Tuesday's midterm election as an incumbent with broad name recognition. Her challenger is a retired engineer who had never run for public office.

Hirono has served in the legislature, as lieutenant governor and as U.S. representative. The 71-year-old kept a relatively low profile early on in the Senate, but has gained attention for her outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies.

Hirono urged men to "shut up and step up" when the Senate was considering confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Some Hawaii voters cheered the statement, while others accused her of being anti-male.

___

11:10 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Tina Smith has won Minnesota's special election to finish the final two years of former Sen. Al Franken's term.

Smith defeated Republican state Sen. Karin Housley on Tuesday. The election was a 10-month sprint, triggered in January after Franken resigned amid a growing sexual misconduct scandal.

Smith got a head start in the race when she was appointed to take the seat by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. Smith was Dayton's lieutenant governor and former top aide.

Housley tried to brand Smith as a political insider. But national Republican groups largely bypassed Housley's race, sinking resources instead into more winnable races in states like North Dakota and Indiana.

___

11:10 p.m.

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer has cruised to a second term in Nebraska, defeating Lincoln city councilwoman Jane Raybould.

Fischer won Tuesday despite Raybould's efforts to cast the first-term incumbent as a Washington insider who sided with her party even when it was harmful to the GOP-friendly state. Raybould pitched herself to voters as an outsider who would look for ways to lower health care costs.

Fischer rejected the criticism and noted her work on Senate committees focused on agriculture and the military, both important areas to Nebraska with its farm economy and Offutt Air Force Base.

The candidates differed on their support for new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced sexual assault allegations during his confirmation process. Kavanaugh denied the allegations. Fischer voted to confirm Kavanaugh, while Raybould said the allegations merited further investigation.

___

11 p.m.

Republican Marsha Blackburn has won a grueling, expensive contest to become the first female U.S. senator from Tennessee.

The congresswoman defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen on Tuesday by closely aligning her bid with President Donald Trump. The president made three visits to the state for her.

Blackburn has sought to undermine Bredesen's reputation as an independent thinker by tying him to national Democrats at every turn. Blackburn was first elected to the House in 2002 and has called herself a "hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative."

Blackburn will replace retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker. She represents a rightward shift from Corker and other more centrist senators that Tennessee has historically elected.

___

10:50 p.m.

Republicans have retained Senate control for two more years, shattering Democrats' dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them into majority.

The result was all but assured when Republican Kevin Cramer ousted North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and when Republican businessman Mike Braun ousted Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz fended off a spirited challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, and Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn triumphed in Tennessee.

The GOP's gains come even as the results in Nevada and Arizona have yet to be determined.

___

10:45 p.m.

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has handily won a U.S. Senate seat in his adopted home state of Utah after a campaign where he backed off his once-fierce criticism of Donald Trump.

Romney clinched the win Tuesday as he defeated Democrat Jenny Wilson, a member of the Salt Lake County council.

Romney was the heavy favorite to win the seat in conservative Utah, where he holds near-celebrity status as the first Mormon presidential nominee from a major party.

He replaces longtime Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who chose not to seek re-election.

Romney denounced Trump as a "fraud" and a "phony" during the 2016 campaign, but has since said he approves of many Trump policies.

___

10:30 p.m.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz fended off rising-star Democrat Beto O'Rourke to win re-election in a much-watched Texas race that began as a cakewalk but needed a visit from President Donald Trump to help push the incumbent over the top.

Cruz finished a surprising second in the 2016 Republican presidential primary and began the Senate race as a prohibitive favorite.

But O'Rourke visited fiercely conservative parts of the state that his party had long since given up on, while shattering fundraising records despite shunning donations from outside political groups and pollster advice.

Cruz argued that his opponent's support for gun control and universal health care were too liberal for Texas.

Trump and Cruz were bitter 2016 rivals, but the president visited Houston late last month to solidify the senator's win.

___

10:15 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has turned back a challenge by Republican Patrick Morrisey to win his second full-term in a state carried by President Donald Trump.

Manchin survived the most difficult re-election campaign of his career against the comparative newcomer Morrisey. Manchin is a former governor who has held elected office in West Virginia for the better part of three decades.

Manchin heavily outspent Morrisey and portrayed himself as loyal to his home state rather than party ideology. Manchin was the only Senate Democrat to vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Manchin was critical of Morrisey's New Jersey roots and his past lobbying ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Morrisey is a two-term state attorney general and a staunch Trump supporter.

___

10 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin has won a second term, fending off a challenge from a Republican who ran as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump.

Baldwin led Leah Vukmir in fundraising and polls throughout the race.

Baldwin is one of the most liberal members of Congress. The differences between her and Vukmir were stark. They disagreed on almost every issue.

Baldwin made the campaign largely about health care and Vukmir's opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Baldwin argued for keeping the law and its guarantee of insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

The race was Wisconsin's first for Senate where both major party candidates were women.

___

9:50 a.m.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar has easily won a third term in Minnesota.

Klobuchar defeated Republican state Rep. Jim Newberger on Tuesday. It comes as Klobuchar's name swirls amid the crop of potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2020.

The race was never close. Newberger is a little-known state lawmaker who struggled to raise money against the popular Klobuchar.

Republicans put far more focus on the state's other Senate race to complete the last two years of Al Franken's term. State Sen. Karin Housley is carrying the party's hopes in that race against Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticslips of a black woman

This is the True Story of how a rich, white girl from Calabasas, California went to great lengths to transform herself into a black woman.This post features graphic shots that your eyes may not be able to bear. If you are sensitive to inflated lips, oompa loompa levels of orange, unblended weaves, extreme discoloration, this is not the post for you.On August 10, 1997 Kylie Kristen Jenner was born in Los Angeles, California. Kylie is the youngest daughter of Caitlyn Jenner (English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch and Welsh) and Kris Jenner (English, Scottish, Irish, German, and Dutch). Despite popular belief, Kylie Jenner is not mixed with Armenian.At the age of 10, Kylie Jenner became a regular on E! reality television series that chronicled the lives of her family. In these early years of television production, Kylie lived life as a privileged Caucasian young girl. She was cute and full of life. It was too early to see any signs of what was to come.223 weeks ago, Kylie Jenner joined Instagram. Given her family name and television fame, Kylie was able to quickly cement her presence on social media. Note: This is where it all began.Caption :Tyga <3Nothing to see here really. Typical teenager behavior. You slowly start to notice her slightly fuller lips. Most of ONTD would say she looked her best during this period.Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.Over the next few months we start to observe a drastic change in the size of Kylie's lips and skin color. Her lips doubled in size and her look began to mirror other black women on social media. Kylie started frequently hanging out with Heather Sanders (IG model, entrepreneur, baby mama of Trell(Tyga's BFF)). She quickly morphed into a Heather Sanders understudy.She was so "inspired" by Heather's look that she made it into a lucrative business!Then Kylie did the unthinkable. The lip injections, alleged ass injections, tans were just not enough. So, she abandoned her race to become a black woman.Her shtick did not last long before she got called out by many people. Most notably, an enlightened young woman by the name of Amandla who was over her shit.However, all of the criticism did not stop Kylie. Nothing was going to get in the way of her full transformation. She had already begun building an empire with her new image. Impressionable teens everywhere wanted to get theKylie look!Her likes on IG continue to soar. People have become accustomed to her stolen, watered down, digestible look. In 2016, Kylie is known as a trendsetter for young girls. She even recently scored a six figure Puma deal.Kylie's metamorphosis is complete.Well thanks to the Internet, Kylie Jenner is able to hop on trends found within black communities much more rapidly. Look to see much more cultural appropriation in the future. Perhaps bantu knots, silk bonnet wraps, kinky curly weaves, complete surgical skin transformation. Who knows what is to come, the possibilities are endless.What we know for sure is that she shows no signs of stopping yet.Thank you for your time and patience. I put this together really quickly so my apologies if it isn't all you hoped for.Nuclear energy in Japan may be making a significant comeback, it is just not going to be able to meet the governments lofty production goals for 2030, according to a recent Reuters report. The Japanese government had set a target for nuclear to make up at least a 20 percent share of Japans total electricity production over the next decade. The goal is part of a wide scale effort to push nuclear forward after the industry was all but obliterated in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

On March 11, 2011 the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan (9.09.1 Mw) caused a devastating tsunami to crash into the Japanese coastline, causing no fewer than three meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant, in addition to hydrogen-air explosions, the release of radioactive material, and a lasting, distrust of the safety of nuclear energy throughout Japan and across the globe.

At the time of the disaster, Japan depended on 54 functioning nuclear reactors for a huge portion of its power. Immediately after, the number of functioning nuclear plants dropped to zero, and in the intervening years only 8 began producing again, all of which had to secure new operating permits. Fearing the end of the Japanese nuclear sector entirely, thanks to the well-founded public fear and unceasing oceans of bad press, Japan even went so far as to turn to coal in their desperation to make up for the energy production loss.

Post-Fukushima, running a nuclear plant has become harder in many ways. Japan instated much more stringent safety measures, and the nuclear industry has been slammed with countless lawsuits, among other setbacks. Perhaps most importantly, the nuclear industry has had to battle tirelessly to win back the confidence of the Japanese people. Fukushima isnt just present in peoples memories; its legacy of damage is ongoing. Six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi are currently being dismantled as part of a cleanup process that takes decades and is complicated by technological challenges and radioactive waste.

Now, eight years later, Japanese nuclear is still nowhere close to meeting its production levels from before the Fukushima meltdown, but it has been making a slow and steady comeback. Now, nuclear has even finally managed to outpace the production of renewable energy plants in Japan (with the exception of hydroelectric power) for the first time since the 2011 disaster, thanks to major campaigning by the industry itself along with government support. Related: Why Trump Decided To Back Down On Iran

Regional nuclear utilities throughout the island nation have been fighting back relentlessly since 2011 against a tide of lawsuits (and winning) and have spent a lot of time and money appealing to the towns where nuclear plants are based in order to bolster public support for bringing nuclear back to life. The government also sweetened the deal with generous subsidies for many local projects.

The strategy has been working extremely well. The nuclear revival is especially visible in rural Japan, where most of the nuclear plants are located and support among locals, many of whom would be employed by the reopened plants, is growing steadily.

Japan is currently on track to have nine reactors back up and running in the very near future, with 8 already functioning and one slated to begin operations later this month. Yes, this is a just a tiny fraction of the 54 nuclear power plants that were powering Japan until 2011, but its still much more than many experts expected after the lasting devastation of the Fukushima disaster and the subsequent widespread resentment of nuclear plants.

While things are steadily improving for Japanese nuclear, it is nevertheless expected that as few as six nuclear power plants will restart operations over the next five years. This is a starkly meagre beginning if Japan is to somehow reach the government's 2030 goals, which would require a whopping 30 nuclear power plants. Ultimately, based on these numbers, Reuters researchers projected that nuclear will probably achieve only 14 percent makeup of Japans total power production by 2030, instead of the 20 percent it is striving for.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Saudi Arabia and Russia have started bilateral consultations on whether they should start cutting oil production again in 2019, Russian news agency TASS reported on Wednesday, citing an OPEC source familiar with the talks.

The idea to start talking about reducing supply again came from Saudi Arabia, according to TASSs source, who also noted that the issue would be discussed with Russian oil producers as well.

Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that he would hold talks with Russian oil companies before the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of OPEC and non-OPEC in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

There is no position yet, we are working at it with our companies, TASS quoted Novak as saying when asked what Russias position is ahead of the JMMC meeting on November 11.

Russia will have to look at demand projections for this quarter and for the first quarter next year, and at demand in other countries, Novak said.

According to the Russian energy minister, the oil market is currently well balanced, despite the U.S. sanctions on Iran, because the U.S. granted temporary waivers to eight countries to continue importing Iranian oil. Related: Big Oil Wins Ballot Initiatives In Colorado, Washington

At its previous meeting last month, the JMMC said that its review of the recent market fundamentals showed a very comfortable supply level relative to demand, but noted that OPEC and its Russia-led non-OPEC partners in the deal may have to change course in the current relaxing of the cuts, due to increased inventories in recent weeks and uncertainties about the global economy.

This weekends JMMC meeting will see the panel discuss the possibility of reducing production again next year, as some members have expressed concern that global oil inventories are rising, delegates told Bloomberg on Wednesday.

Following the reports that a fresh oil production cut may be on the table of negotiations, oil priceswhich had been trending lower this weekwere up at 08:16 a.m. on Wednesday, before the EIA inventory report. WTI Crude was up 0.9 percent at $62.77 and Brent Crude was trading up 1.22 percent at $73.01.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:If anyone had compared shale oil to Google five years ago, it would have sounded strange. Yet when last week in a report Wood Mackenzies chairman and chief analyst Simon Flower did just that, comparing shale oil to the FAANG stocks, he had a good reason to do so. Shale oil is the star of the decade as far as the global energy industry is concerned, and now even Big Oil has woken up to this fact.

In a report detailing the relationship of Big Oil and shale, Wood Macs analysts forecast a bright future for both, with the share of shale oil in the supermajors total production rising from the current 700,000 bpd to 2.2 million bpd in 2026 before it starts declining. This will represent a tenth of the supermajors total production, Wood Macs research analyst Roy Martin said in the report.

Meanwhile, its not just the supermajors that are expanding their shale oil footprint at a fast pace. Large independents are getting larger, too. As Houston Chronicle commentator Chris Tomlinson noted in a recent story on the same topic, Seasoned oil executives know that when both prices and production rise, its time to cash out and sell to the big boys.

Theres a consolidation underway in the U.S. shale patch, and it will likely continue for some time until, Tomlinson argues, only the strongest players remain, all in a position to benefit from the marriage of lower costs, higher drilling and production efficiency, and consequently, consistent output growth.

Among the most notable acquisitions in this area so far this year were BHP Billitons sale of its shale operations to BP for US$10.5 billion, after it was pressured by Elliott Management to exit shale, as well as Encanas purchase of Newfield Exploration for US$5.5 billion, and Chesapeakes acquisition of WildHorse Resource Development for US$4 billion. According to Tomlinson, the total value of M&A deals in shale since the start of the year stands at US$43.2 billion. But as it usually happens, if it looks to good to be true it probably is.

For starters, not all supermajors are so bent on growing in shale. French Total and Italian Eni have so far shunned shale oil and there are no indications they are likely to change their stance anytime soon. Related: Analysts See Opportunities In Embattled Energy Stocks

I have nothing against the Permian, Totals Patrick Pouyanne said this spring at CERAWeek in response to a question about why Total has not followed suit with the other supermajors. He added at the time that he thought it was an incredible area for competitors who already have positions there. For a company like Total, its not just a matter of ticking the box to produce 50,000 bpd, it makes no sense, the CEO said, adding that when I think of areas of investment, I need to target 200,000 bpd-300,000 bpd if Im a serious player.

Italys Eni is apparently following a similar logic, with both European supermajors more interested in offshore exploration and Africa than in U.S. shale. Given the capital intensiveness of shale oil production their logic is understandable.

However, even those with an established position in the shale patch are facing challenges: investors are also aware of the capital intensiveness of shale oil production and they are still suspicious of executives. Chesapeakes stocks, for example, dived by 12 percent on the announcement of the WildHorse purchase. Investors in shale oil are mistrustful and companies will need a lot more time, as well as free cash flow and returns to convince them that all is good once again. Thats why, as Houston Chronicles Tomlinson said in his analysis, investors will do well to keep up the pressure on oil companies to maximize efficiency and produce profits, because the future is uncertain.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:China is pulling out all stops in order to increase its oil and gas production, but at the end of the day it will likely not be enough to stop the worlds second largest economy from becoming over reliant on geopolitically charged crude oil and natural gas imports.

On Monday, state-run Chinese oil majors CNPC and Sinopec, also Asias largest refinery, said they were speeding up drilling and exploration from major tight oil and shale gas formations in the countrys western regions. CNPC also said that new exploration in shale gas, tight oil and tight gas will lead to growth in production for the countrys largest oil and gas producer.

The company added that the drilling cycle at the Mahu field in Xinjiang, one of CNPCs largest findings in recent years, fell around 40 percent the previous year. A Reuters report said this implies that oil wells are being completed and produced at a faster rate.

Race against a ticking clock

Chinas ambitions to develop more of its own oil and gas reserves is a race against a ticking clock. The middle kingdom has already bypassed the U.S. to become the worlds top oil importer, with much of those oil imports having geopolitical strings attached. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and that resource is being jeopardized by fresh U.S. sanctions against Irans oil sector that went onto effect on November 5. China is also reliant on both Russia and Saudi Arabian crude and just recently pared back crude imports from the U.S. amid ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Chinas dilemma in its gas sector is just as perplexing. The country bypassed South Korea late last year to become the worlds second largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer, with projection that it will even pass Japan as the top LNG importer at the beginning to mid part of the next decade, a development unimaginable just two years ago. China's insatiable gas demand comes as the government mandates that gas, amid record air pollution levels, particularly in its major urban centers, make up at least 10 percent of its energy mix needed for power generation by 2020, with more earmarks set for 2030. Related: This Major Cover Up Could Wreak Havoc On Global Oil Markets

Yet, China's growing oil dependency will create the most problems for Beijing as it is forced to continue to rely on the U.S. to safeguard global shipping lanes. However, that possibility would take acquiesce on the part of both the White House and Pentagon that China's blue ocean navy was indeed developed enough and trustworthy enough to share that decades old responsibility shouldered solely by the US Navy.

What China needs to offset both its growing oil and gas dependency is more domestic production, but therein lies the problem. China's oil fields are maturing and its unlikely that significant discoveries can be found to replace depletion reserves. Around five or six years ago, Beijing pegged its hope on emulating the US shale oil and gas success story, even cutting deals with American firms to help develop China's shell formations. However, unlike most US shale formations, China's are in difficult reach, rugged terrain, indicating that shale oil and gas will not offer the solution that Beijing energy planners needs, at least in the foreseeable future.

The way out going forward for China is to diversify its oil and gas supply mix as much as possible and continue to reach global joint development agreements with both national and international oil companies, an art that hydrocarbon deficient Japan, the worlds third largest crude oil importer, has executed brilliantly for decades.

By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:By Ritah Kemigisa.

The opposition Democratic Party has asked parliament to constitute an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the threats against Masaka based journalists.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, the party Spokesperson Kenneth Kakande said the list containing names of journalists should not be ignored since similar lists have been issued and people killed among the Muslim clerics.

Kakande says journalists are citizens who are supposed to be protected by the constitution.

He says instead of intimidating the work of journalists who at times expose the rot in society, any threats to their work need to be treated as a matter of urgency.

He says parliament should investigate these matters and other security threats at large and come up with final recommendations.If anyone needed any further proof that Africa is shaping up as the next major hot spot in oil and gas, this years edition of Africa Oil Week will provide it. The event launched amid higher oil prices and booming exploration activity across the continent with supermajors and independents both upbeat about their prospects there.

If we ignore the waywardness of oil prices, which served as the basis for Africas oil and gas recovery, and which can once again plunge local oil producers into recession should they drop, prospects are bright.

A PwC report on the state of the oil industry of Africa, released on the first day of the event, noted how local oil and gas field operators had adjusted to the lower-price environment and are now in a position to reap the benefits of higher international prices for oil while their costs remain low.

Africas oil & gas companies have weathered the downturns and capitalised on the upswings focusing their efforts on new ways of working, reducing costs and utilising new technology, one of the authors of the report, PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader Chris Bredenhann said.

There is abundant evidence that the message captured in the PwC report reflects reality. None other than Exxon is looking to Africa for its next elephant find. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that two years ago there were at least 41 billion untapped barrels of crude oil in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Exxon is focusing on western and southern Africa in its exploration work and has been amassing stakes in oil and gas prospect in Ghana, Mauritania, Namibia, and South Africa. The supermajor hopes to strike a discovery containing no less than a billion barrels of crude, also known as an elephant.

BP and Shell are also expanding in Africa. Shell earlier this year announced its first exploration rights acquisition in Mauritania. BP has partnered with Kosmos Energy on a gas project in Senegal. Also in Senegal, ConocoPhillips is partners in the giant SNE block, which might contain up to 1.5 billion barrels of crude.

Then there are the independents, some of them with a special focus on Africa, such as Tullow Oil and Cairn Energy. When you go for business development, trying to acquire licenses or make partnerships in West Africa, you can sense the competition, Bloomberg quoted South African Sasols senior VP for exploration and production, Gilbert Yevi. Its like a new California gold rush. Related: Nuclear Energy Stages A Comeback In Japan

The rush is far from contained to legacy oil producers such as Nigeria or Angola. On the contrary, there is a flurry of newcomers on the oil scene, from Uganda and Kenya to Madagascar, which shares a gas-rich basin with Mozambique and has proven oil reserves, which have remained largely untapped until now.

African governments have also sensed which way the wind is blowing. Sudan and South Sudan recently said they had settled their differences and will work together to bring South Sudanese oil to export markets via the single pipeline through Sudan. Ethiopia struck a deal with rebels active in a gas-rich province, improving greatly its chances of getting developed.

In short, Africa has got on the oil bandwagon, and as long as prices stay where they are or at least dont fall by much, this wagon could go a long way.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:France aims to lead the European Union (EU) efforts in defying U.S. sanctions on Iran, by supporting the creation of a payment mechanism to keep trade with Iran and making the euro more powerful, Frances Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Europe refuses to allow the US to be the trade policeman of the world, Le Maire told FT, adding that the EU needs to affirm its independence in the rift between the EU and the United States over the sanctions on Iran.

The EU has been trying to create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that would allow the bloc to continue buying Iranian oil and keep trade in other products with Iran after the U.S. sanctions on Tehran return.

The idea behind the SPV is to have it act as a clearing house into which buyers of Iranian oil would pay, allowing the EU to trade oil with Iran without having to directly pay the Islamic Republic.

As the U.S. sanctions on Iran snapped back on Monday, the SPV hasnt been operational and reports have had it that the undertaking is very complicated and politically sensitive. The bloc is also said to be struggling with the set-up, because no EU member is willing to host it for fear of angering the United States, the Financial Times reported recently, citing EU diplomats.



Related: Oil Prices Slip On Crude, Gasoline Inventory Build

On Monday, the Belgium-based international financial messaging system SWIFT said that it would comply with the U.S. sanctions on Iran and would cut off sanctioned Iranian banks from its network. This was a blow to the EUs attempts to defy the U.S. sanctions.

The decision by SWIFT highlights the need for an SPV, Frances Le Maire told FT, but he refused to name countries that could host such a special vehicle. Yet, there have been expressions of interest, he told FT.

Meanwhile, the United States has been dismissive of the idea of an SPV, and Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, said in a press briefing with European reporters on Monday:

We have not seen much, if any, demand for the Special Purpose Vehicle. I think if you take a look at the over 100 corporations that have decided to choose the United States market over the Iranian market, theyre not looking to avail themselves of any type of vehicle.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Salesforces chief executive, Marc Benioff asked in a tweet Elon Musk to dig a tunnel under San Francisco, days after the Tesla CEO, who is also head of The Boring Company, tweeted the tunnel under Los Angeles had been completed and will launch officially next month.

Would this turn into another actual business deal that started on Twitter, like Teslas energy storage project in Australia, which became reality after a direct exchange between Musk and Australias Prime Minister last year, remains to be seen but Musk has been vocal about the benefits of tunnel transport as a way of alleviating traffic jams in some of the worlds business cities.

The pilot tunnel in L.A. is disturbingly long, according to another tweet by Musk, at 2 miles. Its construction started last year and now the tunnel extends from the headquarters of SpaceX in Hawthorne to a suburb of Los Angeles. It will, according to plans laid out in late 2017, be part of a network of tunnels, with one central artery and several branches into different parts of the city. The artery will be 40 miles long.

Cars will descend into the tunnel in elevators and will then be put on electric sleds and move at speeds of 150 mph. The tunnels will also feature mass transit pods. The pods, according to a simulation video on The Boring Companys website, will move at speeds of 124 mph.

An interesting fact about the pilot tunnel is that it starts from a building rather than a specially designated location. The Boring Companys website explains that The purpose is to demonstrate that a lift can be built in very small footprints and within existing buildings, whether they are houses, office buildings, or retail parking lots. Looking forward, one could have a lift in the basement of every office building, allowing extremely convenient commutes.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:(UPDATED) - Mislatel Consortium, a partnership between China Telecommunications Corporation and Davao businessman Dennis Uy's Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation, was declared the provisional New

(UPDATED) - Mislatel Consortium, a partnership between China Telecommunications Corporation and Davao businessman Dennis Uy's Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation, was declared the provisional New Major Player (NMP) in the telecommunications industry within three calendar days.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Mislatel will be subjected to the Document Verification Phase.

Acting Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said two other bidders, which are set to file a motion for reconsideration within three days, may still win over Mislatel depending on the commitments that they would offer.

Their bids would be re-assessed if their respective motions for reconsideration were granted.

But Rio also said Mislatel can challenge the possible changes on the selection of the provisional third major player in the telecommunications market.

"We have a provisional player now. Well, we have to wait for that kung ano ang mangyayari kasi provisional naman (what will happen next since it is just provisional)," he said.

"If one of the motion for reconsideration will be granted, then bubuksan yung kanilang bids (their bis will be re-opened). And if turns out na mas better yung commitment nila kaysa sa Udenna, then yun, it will be [replacing Mislatel]. But of course Udenna can complain [if there will be changes on the decision]," Rio added. Udenna is the parent company of Chelsea Logistics.

Sear Telecom-Tier1 Consortium and the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (PT&T) were disqualified during the preliminary evaluation of selection documents on Wednesday, November 7.

Sear-Tier1, which includes the LCS Group of Companies of Ilocos businessman and politician Luis "Chavit" Singson, was disqualified for failure to submit the P700-million participation security.

On the other hand, PT&T was disqualified for failing to submit a Certification of Technical Capability from the NTC, which requires bidders to have 10 years experience as telecommunications provider on a national scale.

Story continues

Mislatel was the only bidder that underwent detailed evaluation on Wednesday, November 7, at the NTC. At the end of the day, the selection committee declared it as the provisional new major player (NMP).

The committee said Mislatel was able to earn the final bid rating of 456.80 points.

The group vowed to provide a minimum internet speed of 5 mbps (megabits per second) and maximum of 55 mbps in the next five years.

Read: 3 bidders for new telco

In a statement, Mislatel it was grateful for having been chosen.

"While the consortium awaits the NMP confirmation from the NTC Selection Committee, it is no less grateful to the NTC for carefully reviewing all the entries and presenting a historic opportunity to provide the best telecommunications services that Filipinos have been aspiring for," it said.

The DICT chief said Mislatel's selection is good for the country.

"The purpose of selecting a third player is to come up with a viable competitor to Globe and Smart." he said.

"The reason why Globe and Smart are surviving right now is because of their foreign partners. The foreign partner is really very important for a telco to operate in the Philippines," he added.

Rio said the rejection of the two telecommunication companies' bids was not the government's fault.

"Its not the governments fault that only a lone contender was left. They satisfied the requirements, thats why they passed the process. The losers will call the process everything, but I think it is still valid and successful," Rio said.

Under the guidelines for the selection process, the two other bidders have three calendar days within which to file a motion for reconsideration. Representatives of both groups have signified their intention to file such motion.

The third major telecommunications player was selected nearly two months after President Rodrigo Duterte insisted that the new player should be picked by late October or early November.

Duterte has wanted a new telecommunications player to break the duopoly of telecommunications giants Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Incorporated.

To recall, Duterte offered China in November 2017 to enter the telecommunications sector and challenge the dominance of PLDT and Globe.

On April 6, Duterte signed Administrative Order 11, creating an oversight committee that would ensure that the selection of the new telecommunications player will be done in an "integrated and transparent manner."

The oversight committee announced on July 20 that the new major player would be selected using the Highest Committed Level of Services (HCLOS) selection model.

Criteria provided under the HCLOS formula included national population coverage, minimum average broadband speed, and capital and operational expenditures.

During his third State of the Nation Address on July 23, the President said third key player in the coutry's telecommunications industry should be "reliable, inexpensive, and secure."

The new telecommunications player's performance security should always be maintained at 10 percent of the remaining cumulative capital and operational expenditures commitments for five-year commitment period.

Duterte had initially wanted the third major telecommunications player to be operational by March this year, but this was not fulfilled because the Department of Informations and Communications Technology (DICT) sought to attract more investors. (SunStar Philippines)China reasserts its right to manage the internet its own way

China reasserted its determination that every country should choose its own internet governance model, with its propaganda chief vowing on Wednesday to fight all forms of hegemony in cyberspace administration.

In his keynote speech at the opening of the World Internet Conference in the misty river town of Wuzhen in eastern China, Huang Kunming argued that every country should be entitled to take part equally in international cyberspace management.

The annual event  traditionally a high-profile platform for Chinas narrative on internet governance  began in unusually low-key fashion against a backdrop of the prolonged trade war with the United States and international wariness of the spreading China model of internet control.

We should adhere to the principle of respecting cyber sovereignty, respecting every individual countrys right to choose its own development path for cyberspace, model of cyber governance and internet public policy, said Huang, who is in charge of media and public information in China  which still blocks Google, Facebook and Twitter.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who pushed the idea of cyberspace sovereignty at the same event in 2015, sent a letter to the conference, read out by Huang before his speech.

In the letter, Xi said the world should seek mutual trust and collective governance of the internet based on the shared goals of developing the digital economy and addressing cyberspace threats.

Chinese-style digital authoritarianism rising around world  study

Chinas vision of an internet centred on sovereignty and control contrasts with the open, free internet advocated widely elsewhere, although there are shared interests in specific issues such as security and e-commerce. Beijing and Washington held their first cybersecurity dialogue in October 2017.

This years internet conference, which also showcases Chinas use of the internet to serve economic growth and life improvement, was the first not to be attended by any of the Communist Partys supreme Politburo Standing Committee  an apparent downgrading of the event.

Story continues

It has been overshadowed by the ongoing inaugural China International Import Expo in Shanghai, attended by Xi and other top leaders including Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua.

Since 2014s first internet conference, a member of the seven-member committee had always been present to give the keynote speech in a symbolic show of support for the event and its importance.

Premier Li Keqiang attended in 2014, followed by Xi a year later. In 2016, the then ideology tsar Liu Yunshan was there, with Xi sending a video message. And last year, Lius successor as ideology guru, Wang Huning, read out a letter from Xi.

How China censors its internet and controls information, from Great Firewall to 50 Cent Army: two new books explain

Huang addressed the topic of creating a digital world for mutual trust and collective governance.

While the three-day forum is still the biggest annual gathering for a whos who of Chinas internet world  including Pony Ma of Tencent and Jack Ma of Alibaba  Western internet firms were less represented in Wuzhen.

Unlike last year, when Apple chief executive Tim Cook and Googles Sundar Pichai took the stage, there are few A-list US tech firms on the schedule. Steve Mollenkopf, chief executive of Qualcomm Technologies, is the guest of honour and spoke at the opening ceremony.

Whitfield Diffie, a cybersecurity innovator and winner of the Turing Award for computing in 2015, also gave a brief speech at the opening ceremony.

Cyberspace controls set to strengthen under Chinas new internet boss

Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon sent their vice-presidents or regional heads, and only Harry Shum from Microsoft was expected to give a speech at a conference session, according to the official schedule of the conference.

The lower ranking of attending Chinese officials might be designed to reflect the light presence of top foreign tech chiefs, said Severine Arsene, managing editor of the digital journal AsiaGlobal Online, published by the University of Hong Kongs Asia Global Institute.

Given the fact that fewer top executives from abroad are coming, putting a higher-ranking leader before them would be a loss of face, she said, adding: Meanwhile, the choice of the head of the propaganda department shows where the priority is.

Ryan Hass, a China expert at the Brookings Institution, who attended the internet conference last year, said the Chinese leadership might want to keep the international focus on the import expo in Shanghai, and not divide attention between it and Wuzhen.

But the drop in enthusiasm from major Western tech executives could also be due to their commitment fatigue, after receiving repeated Chinese pledges of progress on liberalisation that have not yet materialised.

There could be growing wariness by chief executives of major multinational firms about the direction of Chinas tech policies towards tightening and control, said Hass, who directed China policy for the US National Security Council during the administration of former US president Barack Obama.

The conference comes with China having been ranked bottom for internet freedom by Freedom House for the fourth year in a row.

The US-based web watchdog said in its latest report this month that Chinas restrictive internet policies were being actively exported around the world, and warned that Chinas digital authoritarianism could threaten democracies in other countries.

This article China reasserts its right to manage the internet its own way first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA, Philippines  President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (November 6) clarified that there was no formal designation nor appointment given to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) regarding their task to help cleanse the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of corruption.

When I called in the Army to help the Bureau of Customs, there was no designation, there was no appointment and there was never an instruction for them to take over the functions of the employee, Duterte said.

Since I cannot investigate one per day even to determine the guilt or the innocence of everybody there, day by day, that would  that would take me almost 10 years to do that. So ang ginawa ko is just really to order them on floating status. But that was a particular order directed for chiefs of offices and section chiefs. Iyong mga assistant nila ang magta-trabaho, he explained.

President Duterte came under fire after he ordered the military to man the BOC amid a series of controversy involving billions of pesos worth of smuggled shabu.

Critics questioned the Chief Executive for his order citing clear provisions of the law that no active military personnel shall hold any civilian position in the government.

But the President insisted that unless law and order is restored inside BOC, military presence will remain in the agency.

Until I am satisfied that law and order is established in that area, the presence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be there, he said.

Pero ang ano ang inilagay ko naman diyan civilian. Ano ba namang problema ninyo? Civilian supremacy over the military. Are we talking of numbers here? That when you say that the civilian authority is supreme so that everyone of them must be civilian. Or if you put one military man there and a few technical men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, just see to it that everything is done properly. Anong militarization? the President stressed.

Story continues

Malacanang previously clarified that government troopers are there only to observe and to extend assistance in Customs operations.

The President met with some members of his Cabinet on Tuesday. Present in the meeting was former Customs Commissioner now TESDA Director General Isidro Lapena.  Marje Pelayo (with reports from Rosalie Coz)

The post Duterte clarifies: No military taking over civilian post in BOC appeared first on UNTV News.Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Older employees may be prematurely exiting the workforce because they feel stereotyped on the basis of their age.

A study led by University of Queensland School of Psychology researcher Dr. Courtney von Hippel found that older employees who feel labelled at work are more likely to have a negative attitude about their job.

"Older employees who feel they are being stereotyped because of their age report lower job satisfaction and engagement, and poorer workplace wellbeing than their younger counterparts," she said.

Over five weeks, 280 employees aged 18 to 66 years were surveyed on experiences of age-based stereotyping in the workplace, as well as job satisfaction levels, job engagement, organisational commitment, workplace wellbeing, and intentions to quit.

"Negative age-related stereotypes exist for both younger and older workers: older employees are often characterised as technologically incompetent and resistant to change, while younger employees are often characterised as unreliable and inexperienced," Dr. von Hippel said.

"However, we found that feeling was not problematic for younger workers.

"Even though younger employees experienced age-based stereotyping as often as their older colleagues, only older employees showed negative job attitudes as a result of being typecast.

"It seems that younger people see being stereotyped as a challenge they need to overcome, while older employees spend more time dwelling on it."

Dr. von Hippel said the effects on older employees need to be considered given the ageing global population.

"Over the next few decades, the ageing population in industrialised nations will pose major challenges for maintaining the needed size of the workforce," Dr. von Hippel said.

"Government inducements to counteract the predicted labour shortage will be less effective if we neglect the impact of age-based stereotyping."

Dr. von Hippel's research was conducted in collaboration with UQ's Katri Haantera, Dr. Elise Kalokerinos of the University of Newcastle, and Professor Hannes Zacher of Leipzig University in Germany.

The study is published in Psychology and Aging.

Explore further Men quitting pink collar jobs because they feel stereotyped

More information: Courtney von Hippel et al. Age-based stereotype threat and work outcomes: Stress appraisals and rumination as mediators., Psychology and Aging (2018). Journal information: Psychology and Aging Courtney von Hippel et al. Age-based stereotype threat and work outcomes: Stress appraisals and rumination as mediators.,(2018). DOI: 10.1037/pag0000308African-American job candidates are more likely to receive lower salaries in hiring negotiations when racially biased evaluators believe they have negotiated too much, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

The findings could help explain the serious wage gap faced by African-Americans, said lead study author Morela Hernandez, Ph.D., an associate professor of business administration at the University of Virginia. College-educated African-American men earn roughly 80 percent of the hourly wages of college-educated white men, according to the Pew Research Center.

"Racially biased people often believe negative stereotypes that characterize African-American job seekers as less qualified or motivated than white applicants," Hernandez said. "Those stereotypes can have serious repercussions for African-Americans who choose to negotiate their starting salaries."

The study, which the authors say is the first to examine this issue empirically, was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. In one experiment conducted online, 272 participants (57 percent male; 73 percent white, 10 percent African-American, 7 percent Asian-American, 6 percent Hispanic and 3 percent other) were randomly assigned to view one of two resumes that differed only in the photo of a male African-American or white male job applicant. All participants were asked to estimate the likelihood that the job seeker would negotiate his salary offer, and then they completed a survey about their own beliefs relating to racial bias.

More racially biased participants expected that the African-American applicant would negotiate less, an effect that wasn't found with less biased participants. The study analyzed the effects of racial bias on African-American job seekers and negotiators, not the prevalence of racial bias based on the race of the participants. The study did not examine whether white participants displayed more racial bias than participants of other races or whether the impact of racial bias was more extreme for white participants than those of other races.

A second experiment included 144 working adults (72 percent female; 50 percent white, 27 percent African-American, 14 percent Asian-American, 6 percent Hispanic and 2 percent other) along with 74 undergraduate college students (78 percent female; 21 percent white, 22 percent African-American, 20 percent Hispanic, 27 percent Asian-American and 10 percent other). In each group, participants were randomly assigned to be a job candidate or hiring evaluator, with each pair given 15 minutes for a face-to-face negotiation over a salary with a range of $82,000 to $90,000.

White and African-American job candidates negotiated roughly the same amount, but racially biased hiring evaluators believed both male and female African-American job applicants had negotiated more than their white counterparts. "This finding reveals how our brains can see something that isn't in fact there and how racial bias can distort reality," Hernandez said.

Each time an African-American job applicant was perceived to have made another offer or counteroffer, he or she received, on average, $300 less in starting salary. A third experiment conducted online also simulated salary negotiations and had similar results.

Racial bias in salary negotiations for African-American employees can have detrimental effects for their employers, including employee distrust and increased turnover, the study noted. Employers should design protocols with objective criteria for hiring negotiations, and hiring managers need to be aware of how their own racial bias may affect hiring decisions, Hernandez said.

More information: Morela Hernandez et al, Bargaining while Black: The role of race in salary negotiations., Journal of Applied Psychology (2018). Journal information: Journal of Applied Psychology Morela Hernandez et al, Bargaining while Black: The role of race in salary negotiations.,(2018). DOI: 10.1037/apl0000363Chlamydia bacteria (green), use a dual-function enzyme called ChlaDUB1 to build a shell around themselves with pieces of the host cell's Golgi apparatus (red). Credit: Robert Bastidas - Duke University

When Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, infects a human cell, it hijacks parts of the host to build protective layers around itself.

Inside this makeshift fortress, the bug grows and reproduces, eventually bursting out in search of a new target and killing the host cell. While scientists have known for years that Chlamydia protects itself in this way, they were missing the mechanics until now.

Researchers from Duke University and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, have shown that one Chlamydia protein, known as ChlaDUB1, is capable of manipulating human cells in two different ways, at least one of which appears to be essential for thriving inside its host.

The findings which appeared this week in Nature Microbiology could pave the way for treating Chlamydia with fewer antibiotics.

Structural biologists led by David Komander of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Chlamydia experts at Duke University collaborated on the study. Initially, Komander and postdoctoral fellow Jonathan Pruneda, now an assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University, contacted Duke Professor Raphael Valdivia, Vice Dean for Basic Science, to discuss the ChlaDUB1 protein, which Valdivia's team had worked on before.

ChlaDUB1 is one of a class of proteins generated by Chlamydia to disrupt host cell function. Komander, Pruneda, and colleagues found that the protein is an enzyme, a deubiquitinase, that removes ubiquitin, a small protein that human cells attach to other proteins to activate them or to indicate that those proteins should be torn up. Human cells use ubiquitin to send signals, many of which are important for inflammatory responses to pathogens like Chlamydia.

Komander's group determined through further study of the ChlaDUB1 enzyme's shape that it can also modify proteins with acetylation to disrupt the alarms human cells raise to fight infection.

"Instead of making two proteins, one that has the deubiquitinase activity and a separate one that has acetylation activity, they've combined that into the same protein," said coauthor Robert Bastidas, a research assistant professor who is part of Valdivia's group at Duke.

Chlamydia is unlike other bacteria in that it can't survive on its own outside of a human cell, Bastidas explained. He said it is likely that the bug has cast off large parts of its genome in order to better survive inside host cells. He hypothesizes that the bacterium saves space with this mashed-together protein, the only Chlamydia protein that has been found to have these two functions.

While it was clear that ChlaDUB1 was capable of both functions, Bastidas and his colleagues at Duke wanted to know what the enzyme was doing inside its host during Chlamydia infection. The researchers infected human cells with wildtype Chlamydia, as well as with mutant strains harboring defective copies of ChlaDUB1.

Once Chlamydia has built its fortress within the host cell, it breaks up the host cell's Golgi apparatus and maneuvers the pieces around itself. The Golgi apparatus is a cellular compartment that typically stays close to the nucleus of the cell and modifies proteins by adding sugars that serve as baggage tags indicating whether the proteins should go to the plasma membrane or to some other cellular compartment. It's not clear why the bacterium surrounds itself with pieces of the Golgi, perhaps to use the sugars and fats for its own growth, but it's the only bacterium known to do so.

In the scientists' infection trials, the wildtype Chlamydia chopped up the Golgi as usual. But when infected with a bug carrying a mutant enzyme, the human cells' Golgi remained intact, suggesting that ChlaDUB1's activity is necessary for this aspect of Chlamydia infection.

Bastidas also hypothesizes that the ability for ChlaDUB1 to remove ubiquitin from host proteins protects Chlamydia from the host inflammatory response.

Next, the researchers want to find a drug that will specifically disrupt the function of ChlaDUB1, thus slowing the bacteria's ability to fight off attack by the host immune system. "If we develop these inhibitors and they're specific enough, then we won't have to use antibiotics" or at least use fewer of them, said Bastidas.

In a world where antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic resistance or to disruption of the delicate microbiome of the vagina and the urinary tract, where Chlamydia prefers to reside, Bastidas says a more tailored therapy could prove a better tool to fight infection.

More information: Jonathan N. Pruneda et al, A Chlamydia effector combining deubiquitination and acetylation activities induces Golgi fragmentation, Nature Microbiology (2018). Journal information: Nature Microbiology Jonathan N. Pruneda et al, A Chlamydia effector combining deubiquitination and acetylation activities induces Golgi fragmentation,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0271-y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.By Moses Kyeyune.

Legislators on the Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation have changed their positions on the GMO Bill and considered proposals suggested by President Museveni, Daily Monitor has established.

This comes after President Museveni declined to sign the Bill into law in December 2017, citing lack of clarity in the legislation.

Parliament had earlier on October 4, 2017, passed the Bill for an Act entitled the Bio-safety Act, 2OI7.

Museveni, in his four paged letter dated December 21, 2017 expressed concern that the law had in the first place not been clearly named, saying that Bio-safety means genetic engineering.

In a fresh report to parliament seen by K-FM, the committee has accepted to go by the Presidents recommendations.

Regarding the name of the Bill for in instance, the MPs report that, the Committee reconsidered this concern and found it necessary to align the title to the contents of the Bill with the new title being The Genetic Engineering and Bio-safety Act, 20l8.

The report is due for debate tomorrow.Illustration of a star cluster forming from the collision of turbulent molecular clouds, which appear as dark shadows in front of the background galactic star field. Credit: NASA/SOFIA/Lynette Cook

The sun, like all stars, was born in a giant cold cloud of molecular gas and dust. It may have had dozens or even hundreds of stellar siblings  a star cluster  but these early companions are now scattered throughout our Milky Way galaxy. Although the remnants of this particular creation event have long since dispersed, the process of star birth continues today within our galaxy and beyond. Star clusters are conceived in the hearts of optically dark clouds where the early phases of formation have historically been hidden from view. But these cold, dusty clouds shine brightly in the infrared, so telescopes like the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, can begin to reveal these long-held secrets.

Traditional models claim that the force of gravity may be solely responsible for the formation of stars and star clusters. More recent observations suggest that magnetic fields, turbulence, or both are also involved and may even dominate the creation process. But just what triggers the events that lead to the formation of star clusters?

Astronomers using SOFIA's instrument, the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, known as GREAT, have found new evidence that star clusters form through collisions between giant molecular clouds.

The results were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

"Stars are powered by nuclear reactions that create new chemical elements," said Thomas Bisbas, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and the lead author on the paper describing these new results. "The very existence of life on earth is the product of a star that exploded billions of years ago, but we still don't know how these starsincluding our own sunform."

Illustration of the molecular clouds surrounded by atomic envelopes, in green, which have been detected by SOFIA via emission from ionized carbon. The spatial offset and motions of these envelopes confirm predictions of simulations of cloud collisions. Credit: NASA/SOFIA/Lynette Cook

Researchers studied the distribution and motion of ionized carbon around a molecular cloud where stars can form. There appear to be two distinct components of molecular gas colliding with each other at speeds of more than 20,000 miles per hour. The distribution and velocity of the molecular and ionized gases are consistent with simulations of cloud collisions, which indicate that star clusters form as the gas is compressed in the shock wave created as the clouds collide.

"These star formation models are difficult to assess observationally," said Jonathan Tan, a professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the University of Virginia, and a lead researcher on the paper. "We're at a fascinating point in the project, where the data we are getting with SOFIA can really test the simulations."

While there is not yet scientific consensus on the mechanism responsible for driving the creation of star clusters, these SOFIA observations have helped scientists take an important step toward unraveling the mystery. This field of research remains an active one, and these data provide crucial evidence in favor of the collision model. The authors expect future observations will test this scenario to determine if the process of cloud collisions is unique to this region, more widespread, or even a universal mechanism for the formation of star clusters.

"Our next step is to use SOFIA to observe a larger number of molecular clouds that are forming star clusters," added Tan. "Only then can we understand how common cloud collisions are for triggering star birth in our galaxy."

SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a 106-inch diameter telescope.

Explore further Magellanic clouds duo may have been a trio

More information: Thomas G Bisbas et al. The inception of star cluster formation revealed by [C ii] emission around an Infrared Dark Cloud, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters (2018). Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Thomas G Bisbas et al. The inception of star cluster formation revealed by [C ii] emission around an Infrared Dark Cloud,(2018). DOI: 10.1093/mnrasl/sly039Teaspoons disappear faster from communal tearooms than tearooms linked with specific research programs in a research building. Credit: Megan Lim and coauthors (BMJ), CC BY

Once upon a time, a group of disheartened scientists found their tearoom bereft of teaspoons. Despite dispatching a research assistant to go purchase more  so sugar could be stirred and coffee dispensed  the newly purchased teaspoons disappeared within a few short months.

Exasperated by the disappearance, the scientists decided they would measure the phenomenon. Do the teaspoons really disappear over time?

The answer was a resounding yes: spoons in research institute tearooms seem to have legs. While good fun, the research is a good example of a study design referred to as "longitudinal".

What is a longitudinal study?

A longitudinal study uses continuous or repeated measures to follow particular individuals  in this case, teaspoons  over prolonged periods of time.

The studies are generally observational in nature: the scientists simply watch and collect data over time. Typically, no external influence is applied during the course of the study.

Beyond just working out where all the teaspoons have gone, this study type is also useful for evaluating the relationship between risk factors and the development of disease (for example, heart disease), and the outcomes of treatments over different lengths of time.

Tracking teaspoons

In this study, the main questions posed by our researchers were to determine the overall rate of loss of teaspoons, and to work out how long it took for teaspoons to go missing.

They purchased 70 teaspoons (16 of which were of higher quality), each one discretely numbered and then distributed throughout the institute. Counts of the teaspoons were carried out weekly for two months, then fortnightly for a further three months. Desktops and other immediately visible surfaces were also scanned for "misplaced" spoons.

After five months of covert research, the study was revealed to the institute, and staff were asked to return or anonymously report any marked teaspoons which may have found their way into desk draws or homes.

Good study design

This type of data collection provides a simple example of what makes a good longitudinal study.

If we break it down, a longitudinal study needs to:

take place over a prolonged period (this study was done over 5 months)

be observational in nature (teaspoons were observed and counted, there was no intervention)

conducted without external influences (teaspoon users/thieves were not aware they were being studied until the conclusion of the study itself).

What did the data say?

The results show that 56 (80%) of the 70 teaspoons disappeared during the study, and that the half life of the teaspoons was 81 days (that is, half had disappeared permanently after that time).

The study also showed the half life of teaspoons in communal tearooms (42 days) was significantly shorter than for those in research group specific tearooms (77 days). The rate of loss was not influenced by the teaspoons' value.

All of these pieces of information directly answer the main question posed by the researchers.

What the study can't say

A longitudinal study is terrific at following individuals or teaspoons over a period of time and observing outcomes. But, by definition, the design means there can be no intervention (as we are just observing a phenomenon).

The researchers could not employ a tool or an intervention to prevent spoons from being "misplaced", and the researchers could only report a spoon missing. As the study is observational only, there is no way of finding out what has happened to the spoon, just that it is lost.

The authors were able to conclude that the loss of workplace teaspoons was rapid, and their availability in the tearoom was constantly under threat.

Perhaps you should think about bringing your own teaspoon to work, and keeping it in your pocket.

More information: Megan S C Lim et al. The case of the disappearing teaspoons: longitudinal cohort study of the displacement of teaspoons in an Australian research institute, BMJ (2005). Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Megan S C Lim et al. The case of the disappearing teaspoons: longitudinal cohort study of the displacement of teaspoons in an Australian research institute,(2005). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1498

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.Microscopic image of Escherichia coli. Credit: Mattosaurus via wikimeida, public domain

Understanding how and when cells divide is important to figuring out everything from how cancers grow to why some mammals are able to get so big. A new study of E. coli cell data, published November 7 in Science Advances, sheds new light on a long-standing question about what triggers cell division.

Previous studies suggest that to divide, a cell has to divvy up chromosomes and make a full copy of its DNA for the new cell, and must also form a septum, or wall, to separate the new cell from the old one. But which process is the main trigger for cell division? One existing model suggests that when a cell divides depends primarily on when DNA replication is complete, while another suggests that septum formation is the key catalyst. The new analysis, presented by scientists at the Santa Fe Institute, ETH Zurich in Switzerland, Sorbonne University in France, the IFOM at the University of Milan in Italy, and other universities suggests the answer is that both need to happen concurrently.

"There is not a unique process that determines when the cell divides," says Jacopo Grilli, a biological physicist with the Santa Fe Institute, who co-authored the study.

"What we observed following the cells one by one is in fact a process similar to the 'just in time' supply chain, a process in which the arrival times of the different materials in an [automobile] production line are coordinated with the moment in which they are needed, and the longest arrival time determines the actual speed with which the line proceeds," explains co-author Gabriele Micali of ETH Zurich. "This represents a change in the conceptual framework that puts this crucial passage of the cell cycle re-read in a new perspective."

Their new model, which re-analyzes existing data, could be useful for studying how any kind of organism grows, not just bacteria, Grilli adds. "Being able to understand which processes determine cell division in bacteria could also be important to study other organisms, like eukaryotes, mammalian cells, cancer and so on."

A separate but related study by the same research team, published in Cell Reports October 16th, zeroes in on the mechanisms that control DNA replication and cell division. That paper, which complements the findings of the Science Advances study, found that the previous assumption that replication is the "bottleneck process" for cell division is too limiting and fails to recognize the role that simultaneous cycles play in determining when a cell divides.

Both papers demonstrate the benefit of making sure every possible correlation is explored in a complex data set, Grilli adds. "In biology or in other fields, we always think we need to get more data and more precise data to answer the questionthat if we collect enough data questions are going to answer themselves. But we also need good ways to look into the existing data," he says. "What I like about these two papers is they push the data to their limits, so we can see where the models fail and understand what we previously had not understood in the data."

The next challenge, according to co-author Marco Cosentino Lagomarsino of IFOM, is to understand the mechanism that coordinates the two processes. "The answer to this question could provide valuable indications for pathological situations [like genomic instability and cancer], in which the coordination between the division cycle and that of the chromosome is disrupted."

Explore further Molecular brake on human cell division prevents cancerCredit: CC0 Public Domain

A team of researchers from the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, Harvard University, the University of Exeter and the University of California has come up with a new theory to explain the short stature of pygmies living in the jungle. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group suggests that shorter steps taken by shorter people are an evolutionary advantage in the jungle.

Scientists have long been stumped by the short stature of pygmy people. Most pygmy people have developed shorter stature while living in a tropical region, such as in Malaysia or the Amazon jungle. But what about living in the jungle causes nature to select for shorter stature? Some have suggested a smaller body dissipates heat better, or can better deal with high humidity levels. But the truth is that no one knows the real reason. In this new effort, the researchers set out to find the answer. They first came up with a hypothesis, and then carried out some experiments to test their ideas.

The hypothesis was that it is easier for shorter people to walk around in the dense jungletaller people with longer strides find it more difficult to get around in dense jungle forests. To test this idea, the researchers built models meant to mimic the behavior of people of different sizes making their way through a jungle. They then compared what they found with real human beingswatching and recording as both taller people and pygmy people made their way through the jungles of the Batek of Peninsular Malaysia and the Tsimane in Bolivia.

The researchers report that both their models and their observations of people walking in jungle environments agreed with their hypothesisthe shorter pygmy people were far better at making their way through the jungle, and it appeared that shorter step length was the reason. The shorter steps allowed the Pygmy people to move much more quickly through the dense underbrush, making foraging much more efficient. The researchers suggest their results offer the first evidence of the shorter stature of the Pygmy people being a phenotype with adaptive benefits.

Explore further Modern Flores Island pygmies show no genetic link to extinct 'hobbits'

More information: Vivek V. Venkataraman et al. Locomotor constraints favour the evolution of the human pygmy phenotype in tropical rainforests, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Vivek V. Venkataraman et al. Locomotor constraints favour the evolution of the human pygmy phenotype in tropical rainforests,(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1492

 2018 Science X NetworkCredit: CC0 Public Domain

Financial institutions, such as banks and pension funds, have a key role to play in efforts to avoid dangerous climate change. And it is not only about redirecting investments to renewable energy and low-carbon businesses, but also to bolster the resilience and stability of the Brazilian Amazon and boreal forests in Russia and Canada, two known 'tipping elements' in the Earth system. Such tipping elements have also been referred to as 'Sleeping Giants', because once "awakened" they can have pivotal impacts on the global climate by becoming large-scale emitters of carbon dioxide, as opposed to storing carbon in soil and vegetation.

This is the message of a new study published in the latest issue of Global Environmental Change.

"In contrast to standard approaches in green finance, we elaborate the ways in which financial actors are linked to economic activities that modify large ecosystems of key importance for stabilizing the planet's climate," explains author Victor Galaz, deputy director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.

The article is based on a study done by a team of researchers from the Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere programme (GEDB) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, the Australian National University and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

"Our research allows us to identify a small set of international financial players who can influence climate stability through their ownership of stock in economic sectors that modify both the Amazon rainforest and boreal forests," says co-author Beatrice Crona, Executive Director of GEDB and researcher at Stockholm Resilience Centre.

These financial institutions are denoted "Financial Giants" in the new study that also explores how incentives and disincentives currently influence their potential to bolster or undermine the stability of the climate.

"The study is the first of its kind to link data on global investors and the science on tipping points in the Earth system," says co-author Will Steffen from the Australian National University in Canberra.

The pivotal role of investors

In recent decades, scientists have begun to use the term 'tipping elements' or 'Sleeping Giants' to describe a limited number of biomes and processes on the planet that are exceptionally important for maintaining global climate stability. These biomes and processes can change rapidly when human pressures reach a critical level. The new study makes explicit the links between stock ownership, global institutional investors and two of these tipping elements: the Amazon rainforest and the boreal forests of Russia and Canada.

"We focus on these forested areas because they represent tipping elements that are highly vulnerable to tipping in the next few decades, and where the financial sector plays a crucial role," explains Victor Galaz.

This implies that the financial system can provide an important lever to help ensure the stability of these tipping elements in the near term and the long term.

The study concludes that the Amazon rainforest, boreal forests and other tipping elements are now systemic risks for the global financial system. If the internal dynamics of these large regions change, leading to the emission of large volumes of carbon into the atmosphere from soils and vegetation, then stabilizing the climate in the future will become significantly more difficult, in turn affecting financial stability.

A handful of stockholders

As the study shows, financial investments are already today contributing to economic activities that are pushing some Sleeping Giants towards their tipping points. For example, investors provide capital to, or own shares in, companies that produce soy, beef, timber and other commodities that require extensive deforestation and forest degradation.

The authors find that a handful of stockholders own substantial shares across the largest companies in the most significant sectors. The total holdings of these investors reach above the 10% threshold in three out of eight companies in the Amazon, five out of sixteen in Canadian boreal forests, and three out of five in Russian boreal forests, they write.

These institutional investors with a global reach are called 'Financial Giants' by the authors because they have a great but unrealized power to influence the resilience of several of the planet's 'Sleeping Giants'.

"Investors have several means at their disposal to influence the companies in their portfolio: They can require explicit targets to be met regarding reforestation and rehabilitation, as well as protecting and improving biodiversity. They also can credibly threaten to divest from the companies in case the interests and objectives would be too far apart. Next to reputational damage, this may affect the cost of equity for the divested firms," says Bert Scholtens from the University of Groningen.

In conclusion, the study emphasises that finance cannot be made solely responsible for a transition to climate sustainability, but the sector plays a critical role. More responsible leadership could contribute meaningfully to better management of these large forests, and hence contribute to climate stability.

Explore further Links between tax havens, deforestation and illegal fishing exposed

More information: Victor Galaz et al. Finance and the Earth system  Exploring the links between financial actors and non-linear changes in the climate system, Global Environmental Change (2018). Victor Galaz et al. Finance and the Earth system  Exploring the links between financial actors and non-linear changes in the climate system,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2018.09.008

Provided by Stockholm Resilience CentreA Goffin cockatoo tears off a strip of cardboard. Credit: Goffin Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Goffin's cockatoos can tear cardboard into long strips as tools to reach foodbut fail to adjust strip width to fit through narrow openings, according to a study published November 7, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by A.M.I. Auersperg from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and colleagues.

The Goffin's cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana) is a type of parrot. Captive Goffins are capable of inventing and manipulating tools, even though they aren't known to use tools habitually. The authors of the present study investigated two questions: do Goffins adjust tool properties to save effort, and if so, how accurately can they adjust tool dimensions for the task? The authors supplied six adult cockatoos with large cardboard sheets to tear into strips as tools for the testing apparatus: a food platform with a food reward set at varying distances (4-16cm) behind a small opening which also varied in width (1-2cm).

They found that the Goffins were capable of adjusting the length of their cardboard strip tools to account for variations in food distance, making shorter tools when the reward was closer than when it was set farther away. In every case, if a first-attempt tool was too short, the second-attempt tool would be significantly longer. On average, all six birds made significantly longer tools than were required to reach the reward in all test conditions, with the birds tending to make increasingly long tools as the study progressedperhaps as a risk-avoidance strategy.

A Goffin cockatoo uses a cardboard tool to obtain food. Credit: Goffin Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

However, only one bird was able to make a sufficiently-narrow tool to successfully reach the food reward when the opening was at its narrowest. The authors hypothesize that the shearing technique the birds use to tear the cardboard limits the narrowness of the resulting strips. The authors suggest that future studies provide less restrictive materials to assess whether Goffins are cognitively capable of adjusting tool width in this situation.

Alice Auersperg adds: "The way they inserted and discarded manufactured pieces of specific lengths differently depending on condition suggests that the cockatoos could indeed adjust their tool making behavior in the predicted direction but with some limits in accuracy. "

Explore further Cockatoos keep their tools safe

More information: Auersperg AMI, Kock C, O'Hara M, Huber L (2018) Tool making cockatoos adjust the lengths but not the widths of their tools to function. PLoS ONE 13(11): e0205429. Journal information: PLoS ONE Auersperg AMI, Kock C, O'Hara M, Huber L (2018) Tool making cockatoos adjust the lengths but not the widths of their tools to function.13(11): e0205429. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205429In this Jan. 8, 2018, file photo, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich delivers a keynote speech at CES International in Las Vegas. CDK Global has named Krzanich its new president and CEO. Krzanich resigned from Intel in last summer after the company learned of what it called a past, consensual relationship with an employee. The 58-year-old Krzanich, who served as Intel's CEO from May 2013 to June 2018, replaces Brian MacDonald. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

The former CEO of Intel is being named as the top executive at CDK Global, a company that provides technology to auto dealers.

Brian Krzanich resigned from Intel in June after the company learned that he had carried on a consensual relationship with an employee. He had held the top job at the tech company for just over five years. He joined Intel Corp. in 1982 as an engineer.

Companies have become more diligent about enforcing rules governing intercompany relationships in the #MeToo-era.

Krzanich, 58, replaces Brian MacDonald at CDK Global, which has annual revenue of about $2 billion.

Based outside of Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, CDK provides technology and marketing services to auto dealers in more than 100 countries. It serves about 30,000 retailers and most automotive manufacturers.

Explore further Intel CEO out after consensual relationship with employee

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Not welcome: the African big headed ant might be small but it can be a pest if it gets in your home. Credit: CSIRO, Author provided

The invasive African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) was found on Lord Howe Island in 2003 following complaints from residents about large numbers of ants in buildings.

But we've managed to eradicate the ant completely from the island using a targeted mapping and baiting technique than can be used against other invasive species.

A major pest

The African big-headed ant is one of the world's worst invasive species because of its ability to displace some native plants and wildlife, and adversely affect agricultural production.

It's also a serious domestic nuisance. People can become overwhelmed by the large number of ants living in their buildings  you can't leave a bit of food lying around, especially pet food, or it will be covered in ants.

It remains unclear how long the ant had been on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea about 770 km northeast of Sydney, before being found. But it is likely to have been present for at least a decade.

Because of the significant threat this ant posed to the conservation integrity of the island, an eradication program was started. But on-ground work done from 2003 to 2011 had many failings and was not working.

In 2011, I was brought in to oversee the program. The last ant colony was killed in 2016, but it is only now, two years later, that we are declaring Lord Howe Island free from the ants.

Up to 15% of Lord Howe Island was thought to be infested with the ant. Credit: CSIRO, Author provided

A super colony

The ability to eradicate this ant is largely due to its relatively unique social organisation. The queens don't fly to new locations to start new nests  instead, they form interconnected colonies that can extend over large areas.

This makes the ant's distribution easy to map and treat. The ant requires human assistance for long-distance transport, so the ant will only be found in predictable locations where it can be accidentally transported by people.

From 2012 to 2015, all locations on the island where the ant was likely to be present were formally inspected. Priority was given to places where an infestation was previously recorded or considered likely. The populations were mapped, and then treated using a granular bait available at shops.

In the latter years we found 16 populations covering 30 hectares. Limited by poor mapping in the early years, we estimate that the ant originally covered up to 55 hectares, roughly 15% of the island.

Stopping the spread

The widespread distribution of the ant through the populated area of the island is thought to have been aided by the movement of infested mulch and other materials from the island's Waste Management Facility.

No African big-headed ants have been seen on the island for two years. Credit: CSIRO, Author provided

To prevent any more spread of the ant, movement restrictions were imposed in 2003 on the collection of green waste, building materials and other high risk items from the facility.

The baiting program used a product that contains a very low dose of insecticide that has an extremely low toxicity to terrestrial vertebrates such as pet cats and dogs, birds, lizard etc. The toxicant rapidly breaks down into harmless chemicals after exposure to light.

No negative impacts were recorded on any of the native wildlife on the island.

Importantly, the African ant usually kills most other ants and other invertebrates where it is present, so there are few invertebrates present to be affected by the bait.

Ecological recovery of the infested areas was rapid following baiting and the eradication of the African ant.

Another ant invader

One of the main challenges was getting the ground crew to correctly identify the ant.

CSIRO and Lord Howe Island Board team tackling the African big headed ant problem. Credit: CSIRO, Author provided

It turns out there was a second (un-named) big-headed ant species present, also not native to the island, that created a lot of unnecessary work being conducted where the African ant wasn't present.

Like numerous other exotic ant species present, this second species was of no environmental or social concern, so there are no plans to manage or eradicate it.

The protocols used in this program are essentially the same that are being used in other eradication programs against Electric ant in Cairns and Browsing ant in Darwin and Perth, because those two species also create supercolonies.

It is highly likely that those programs will also achieve eradication of their respective species, the first instance where an ant species has been eradicated entirely from Australia.

The fire ant program in Brisbane has many similarities, but there are distinct differences in that the ants there don't form supercolonies that are so easy to map, and the area involved is far greater.

Explore further Cat eradication to help threatened Christmas Island wildlife

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.Preparation chamber for alternate catalysts and chemical buffer layers. Picture: Surface Science Group, TU Darmstadt

Hematite and other transition metal oxides are used in the renewable production of hydrogen. Researchers at the TU Darmstadt have discovered why the materials reached their limits doing so. Their results have now been published in Nature Communications.

The solar-powered splitting of water at the boundary between a semi-conductor and water (artificial leaf) is an elegant method for the renewable production of hydrogen as a storable, easy to transport fuel. Light is absorbed in the semi-conductor and converted into electric (photo) voltage that needs to be big enough to split the water molecules into H 2 and O 2 . It can theoretically be estimated by the size of the band gap of the semi-conductor  the gap between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied energy level.

Research in recent decades has focused on transition metal oxides as absorber materials, which initially appear to be ideal for water splitting, since many of the representatives of this material class possess band gaps of the correct size. A second look reveals, however, that in reality the photovoltages that can be generated using transition metal oxides are often too small to create hydrogen. This fact is not understood, and was the starting point for a study by Christian Lohaus, Professor Andreas Klein, Professor Wolfram Jaegermann (Department of Surface Science, Faculty of Material and Geosciences at the TU Darmstadt), the results of which have now been published in Nature Communications.

Fundamental investigations

Fundamental investigations were carried out on the much-examined material hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ) to investigate its inherent limits of photovoltage which are determined by the maximum energetic shifts of the so-called Fermi level within a material. As a statistical quantity, the Fermi level defines the number of electrons and electron holes in a semi-conductor. Its position can be manipulated by adding or removing electrons. The further it can be moved upward and downward, the greater is the photo voltage that can be generated in the semi-conductor.

Within hematite, the Fermi level cannot be shifted upwards beyond a certain value well below the optical bandgap. Instead, a charge reversal from Fe3+ to Fe2+ was observed. This reversal is part of the development of so-called polarons, which are already known as the limit for transition metal oxides in electrical conductivity. The work by the team in Darmstadt increases the understanding of the effects of polarons by the fact that they also fundamentally restrict the creation of the photovoltage. This is why the optical band gap that promises a higher photovoltage is not the defining criterion for the usability of a material in light-driven water splitting. Instead, the permitted range in which the Fermi level can be shifted is decisive. This fact clearly limits the applicability of metal oxides in light-powered water splitting quite significantly.

Explore further Cheap, efficient and stable photoelectrode could improve water splitting with solar energy

More information: Christian Lohaus et al. Limitation of Fermi level shifts by polaron defect states in hematite photoelectrodes, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Christian Lohaus et al. Limitation of Fermi level shifts by polaron defect states in hematite photoelectrodes,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06838-2People stand on numerous lines as they wait to vote at Kingsboro Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. The malfunctioning equipment turned a polling place in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood into a "mosh pit," said Brad Lander, a New York City councilman. By the time he got a chance to vote, all four of the scanners in the precinct were broken. (Courtesy of Brad Lander via AP)

Election experts have long warned about the nation's aging fleet of voting equipment. This week's elections underscored just how badly upgrades are needed.

Across the country, reports poured in Tuesday amid heavy voter turnout of equipment failing or malfunctioning, triggering frustration among voters and long lines at polling places.

Scanners used to record ballots broke down in New York City. Voting machines stalled or stopped working in Detroit. Electronic poll books used to check in voters failed in Georgia. Machines failed to read ballots in Wake County, North Carolina, as officials blamed humidity and lengthy ballots.

Those problems followed a busy early voting period that revealed other concerns, including machines that altered voters' choices in Texas, North Carolina and Georgia.

Voting experts had hoped the threat of foreign governments meddling in U.S. elections, raised in 2016 when Russia targeted state election systems, would prompt action to upgrade the machinery that underpins U.S. elections.

But two years before the 2020 presidential election, 41 states are still using machines that were manufactured more than a decade ago and a dozen states are using at least some electronic machines that produce no paper trail, which can be used to settle a disputed outcome. Just three states require the type of rigorous audit backed by cybersecurity experts.

Some of the voting machines in use Tuesday were built before Apple released the first iPhone in 2007, while other equipment has become so obsolete that election workers have been forced to search on eBay for replacement parts.

In some cases, local election offices have no technicians who are trained to repair their machines when something goes wrong. Some even run on Windows operating systems that Microsoft no longer supports.

"You can't run democracy on the cheap," said Jenny Flanagan, vice president for state operations with Common Cause. "We have to invest in our democracy to make our elections work."

Congress sent $380 million to states earlier this year, but that was nowhere near enough to pay for the bulk of the nation's nearly 10,000 election jurisdictions to upgrade their equipment. Experts with the Brennan Center for Justice have estimated it would take $1 billion or more to make the necessary upgrades.

In Georgia, where numerous problems led to long lines and discouraged voters at polling places Tuesday, the cost to replace its all-electronic machines is estimated at $120 million. The machines have been in use since 2002 and do not produce a paper record that voters can use to verify their selections and election workers can use to audit results.

The election technology in Georgia and the other states using all-electronic machines is so unreliable and vulnerable to hacking that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has joined calls for the machines to be replaced. In August, she said she wants "all state and local election officials to make certain that by the 2020 presidential election, every American votes on a verifiable and auditable ballot."

Voters on Election Day and during early voting in the weeks before reported sporadic problems with election equipment in numerous states, including Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which runs the nonpartisan Election Protection voter assistance hotline.

During early voting in Texas, some voters who were casting "straight ticket" ballots for candidates solely of one party found their vote in the nationally watched U.S. Senate race changed to the other party's candidate. State officials said that can occur when voters complete and submit ballots too quickly, but voting experts said it was wrong to blame voters. The real problem was poorly designed technology that is 16 years old, they said.

"You design it to work regardless of how fast people push buttons," said University of Iowa computer scientist Douglas Jones, author of "Broken Ballots."

Jones said Tuesday's problems were not unusually bad given the state of the technology used. On Election Day, 18 voting locations in Texas opened late because of machine or poll book failures, and some locations still did not have all machines working by mid-afternoon Tuesday.

Officials in 33 states have said they must replace their machines by 2020, according to a Brennan Center for Justice report earlier this year. But so far there has not been a wholesale commitment to paying for the upgrades.

"A big part of this is people who are responsible for making decisions on how the money is being spent think people don't care," said Lawrence Norden, a voting systems expert at the Brennan Center. "When you have to make decisions about how to spend money and you are a state legislator, you feel more pressure to spend money on basic services."

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said she was determined to get something done after voters in her state were forced to drop their ballots into emergency boxes or resort to voting by affidavit because so many electronic scanners failed within hours after the polls opened.

New York's "archaic elections systems aren't just inconvenientthey also undermine our democratic process," Underwood tweeted Tuesday.

The malfunctioning equipment turned a polling place in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood into a "mosh pit," said Brad Lander, a New York City councilman. By the time he got a chance to vote, all four of the scanners in the precinct were broken.

The clock is ticking to make upgrades, with the presidential election just two years away. Selecting and buying new voting machines can easily take a year and a half or longer, and that's assuming a state has money to spend.

"It's not like going into Best Buy, and saying 'I want 250 of those machines,'" said Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos.

Explore further Elections forensics can enhance, challenge legitimacy of election outcome

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.BY JOSEPH KATO

The Uganda Road Fund (URF) has released Shs 152b for road maintenance in towns, districts and sub counties.

Addressing journalists the fund program manager Eng Andrew Namanye said the released funds are for routine and periodic maintenance of various categories of public roads.

Namanye said the money is part of the Shs 527b that was allocated for road maintenance countrywide in the current Financial Year.

He has now warned city, municipalities and councils to ensure effective use of the funds.

The Fund executive director Eng Michael Odongo says funds for Kole and Pakwach districts have been withheld because they did not file their accountability for funds released in quarter four.Composition of mulberry-coloured hand stencils superimposed over older reddish/orange hand stencils. The two styles are separated in time by at least 20,000 years. Credit: Kinez Riza

Scientists have found the oldest known example of an animal drawing: a red silhouette of a bull-like beast on the wall of a remote Indonesian cave.

The sketch is at least 40,000 years old, slightly older than similar animal paintings found in famous caves in France and Spain. Until a few years ago, experts believed Europe was where our ancestors started drawing animals and other figures.

But the age of the drawing reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, along with previous discoveries in Southeast Asia, suggest that figurative drawing appeared in both continents about the same time.

The remote limestones caves on Borneo have been known to contain prehistoric drawings since the 1990s. To reach them, Aubert and his team used machetes to hack through thick jungle in a verdant corner of the island.

Strapping on miners' helmets to illuminate the darkness, they walked and crawled through miles of caves decorated with hundreds of ancient designs, looking for artwork that could be dated. They needed to find specific mineral deposits on the drawings in order to determine their age with technology that measures decay of the element uranium.

"Most of the paintings we actually can't sample," said Aubert.

Aubert and his fellow researchers reported in 2014 on cave art from the neighboring Indonesian island of Sulawesi. They dated hand stencils, created by blowing red dye through a tube to capture the outline of a hand pressed against rock, to almost 40,000 years ago.

Now, with the Borneo cave art, the scientists are able to construct a rough timeline of how art developed in the area. In addition to the bull, which is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide, they dated red- and purple-colored hand stencils and cave paintings of human scenes.

After large animal drawings and stencils, "It seems the focus shifted to showing the human world," Aubert said.

Composition of mulberry-coloured hand stencils from East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This particular style of hand stencil dates to the height of the Last Glacial Maximum about 20,000 years ago. Credit: Kinez Riza

Around 14,000 years ago, the cave-dwellers began to regularly sketch human figures doing things like dancing and hunting, often wearing large headdresses. A similar transition in rock art subjects happened in the caves of Europe.

"That's very cool, from a human point of view," said Peter Veth, an archaeologist at the University of Western Australia, who was not involved in the study. "People adopted similar strategies in different environments as they became more modern."

The island of Borneo was still connected to mainland Southeast Asia when the first figurative drawings were made about 40,000 years agowhich is also about the time that the first modern humans arrived in Europe. The earliest drawings of animals in the French cave of Chauvet have been dated to about 33,500 to 37,000 years ago.

Human figures from East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This style is dated to at least 13,600 years ago but could possibly date to the height of the last Glacial Maximum 20,000 years ago. Credit: Pindi Setiawan

Whether new waves of people migrating from Africa brought the skills of figurative cave painting with them, or whether these arts emerged later, remains unclear. Scientists have only a partial record of global rock art. The earliest cave etchings have been found in Africa and include abstract designs, like crosshatches, dating to around 73,000 years ago.

The next stage of research in Indonesia will include excavations to learn more about the people who made these paintings. A few sites have already been identified, containing human bones, prehistoric jewelry and remains of small animals.

The worlds oldest figurative artwork from Borneo dated to a minimum of 40,000 years. Credit: Luc-Henri Fage

As for the red bull, its meaning remains a mystery.

"We think it wasn't just food for themit meant something special," said Aubert.

Explore further Asian cave paintings challenge Europe as cradle of art

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.The large and widely used Raphia zamiana, a.k.a Zam along a road near Oyem, Gabon, with co-author Raoul Niangadouma for scale. More on the Zam.More about Raphia palms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avSoLIusCCs&t=6s Credit: Thomas L.P. Couvreur

Common sight along road sides in south Cameroon and western Gabon, and growing in hard-to-be-missed dense colonies, it remains a mystery how this locally useful new palm species Raphia zamiana (locally known as "Zam") has been missed by botanists until now, with its first collection dating to 2012. The overlooked giant has been recently described in the open access journal PhytoKeys, alongside a shy and rare endemic from the same genus.

Curiously, it might have been exactly the large size of Raphia zamiana that has discouraged botanists from collecting and cataloguing this species, according to the multinational team of researchers from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, National Herbarium of Gabon, Gabon, the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniquesVille de Geneve, Switzerland, the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France.

While this theory might sound strange at first, it is plausible, given that a single leaf of this large palm can reach up to 21 meters long and forms dense colonies in swampy areas. Large leaves are not uncommon among the representatives of, what is known as the most diverse genus of African palms, Raphia, with one species, R. regalis, having leaves up to 25 meters, a record in the plant kingdom!

Newly described and named to science, this species is, just like many other representatives of the genus, well-known and heavily used across its range. Uses, of what is locally known as "Zam" include: timber, locally referred to as "bamboo", used for construction, and fruitsfor consumption and medicine. Finally, Zam is also used for wine tapping in certain parts.

The rare and critically endangered Raphia gabonica in its natural habitat in Alembe, Gabon. Credit: Thomas L.P. Couvreur

"It is indeed incredible that such a large and useful palm has remained unknown to science until now," comments author Thomas Couvreur, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France..

"This curious fact, however, underlines a bigger problem. While biodiversity is being destroyed at unprecedented rates, we still have a lot to discover and describe, even species that are common, well known and useful. This comes as a surprise to many people and underlines how much remains to be discovered in the tropics. Scientifically describing species, especially useful ones, is very important, as it "puts then on the map", which allows them to be studied and managed. In this sense, field work remains key.", concludes Thomas Couvreur.

The need to further study and conserve this group of palms is evidenced by a second newly described species in the same PhytoKeys paper. Named after its country of origin, Raphia gabonica, is restricted to only two small populations from central Gabon, where it occurs on hillsides and along small rivers.

Partial inflorescence of Raphia zamiana with scaly fruits typical of representatives across the genus. Credit: Hans de Vries

Right upon description, R. gabonica is already threatened by extinction. It was assigned a preliminary IUCN status of "Endangered", because it is found in small unprotected pockets of forest along roadsides. It is now amongst the five most threatened palm species for the whole of Africa.

"Our study shows that, despite their economic and cultural importance across tropical Africa and for Africans, we still know too little about Raphia palms. This is very paradoxal and a gap that we need to fill, quickly" adds University of Yaounde Ph.D. student Suzanne K Mogue.

"We hope that our amazing discoveries continue to stimulate further botanical studies and promote conservation efforts across Cameroon, Gabon and central Africa in general," concludes Professor Bonaventure Sonke of the University of Yaounde.

Explore further A rare new plant inspires the first genus named after Sir David Attenborough

More information: Suzanne Mogue Kamga et al. Two new species of Raphia (Palmae/Arecaceae) from Cameroon and Gabon, PhytoKeys (2018). Journal information: PhytoKeys Suzanne Mogue Kamga et al. Two new species of Raphia (Palmae/Arecaceae) from Cameroon and Gabon,(2018). DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.111.27175Wheat field affected by spring cold spell. Credit: Enongzi

North China (35 degrees -40 degrees N, 110 degrees -120 degrees E) is a major region in China for winter wheat agriculture. The reviving, jointing and booting stages of winter wheat mainly happen in the spring. Spring cold spells in North China, hereafter referred to as "extreme spring cold spells" (ESCSs), have significant influence on crop yields in this region, though little attention has been paid to the issue previously

In a recently published study in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, Prof. Yali Zhu from Institute of Atmospheric Physics at Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that when an ESCS happens over North China, continuous negative temperature anomalies can have disastrous effects on the wheat yield, inducing yield losses of up to 20 percent or more. With warm winters becoming more frequent under global warming, the negative effects of ESCSs on crop yields may become more obvious. Thus, to better understand North China ESCSs and provide helpful information for their prediction, this study investigated the features of ESCSs over the past several decades.

During March-May, when the daily temperature remains at least 3 degrees C lower than the climatological daily mean in a continuous five-day period, an ESCS is identified. During 1961-2014, 21 ESCS events were identified. During an ESCS, northern Eurasia is controlled by large-scale positive sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies and an anomalous anticyclone that continuously transport northern cold air to North China, causing significant, persistent, lower-than-normal daily temperatures. In fact, these positive SLP and anticyclonic wind anomalies begin to appear over northwestern Europe about 10 days prior to the ESCS. The anticyclonic wind anomalies keep moving southeastward and expand to the west of Lake Baikal until two days before the ESCS. Then, the center of the anomalous low-level anticyclone moves over Lake Baikal, inducing northerly wind anomalies that transport cold air into North China. In the following days, as the positive SLP anomalies weaken, the anomalous anticyclone and related northerly winds appear to wane, and the ESCS gradually comes to an end.

"The results may prove meaningful for the prediction and early warning of ESCSs." Says Zhu.

The difference between the horizontal wind at 850 hPa on the preceding tenth to fifth days of the ESCS and the climatological daily mean state on the same days. Statistical significance at the 0.05 level is denoted by the dotted areas. Credit: Yali Zhu

Explore further Eurasian atmospheric circulation anomalies can persist from winter to the following spring

More information: ZHU Ya-Li et al, Extreme spring cold spells in North China during 19612014 and the evolving processes, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters (2018). ZHU Ya-Li et al, Extreme spring cold spells in North China during 19612014 and the evolving processes,(2018). DOI: 10.1080/16742834.2018.1514937Justin Denison, SVP of Mobile Product Development, shows off the Infinity Flex Display of a folding smartphone during the keynote address of the Samsung Developer Conference Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The smartphone industry has been searching for a breakthrough to revive a market mired in an innovation lull and a sales slump.

A potential catalyst is coming with the introduction of phones featuring flexible screens that can be folded in half without breaking. That feat could make the devices more versatile for work and pleasure, by increasing screen space without making phones too big.

On Wednesday, Samsung provided a glimpse at a foldable-screen device that it will release next year. It's expected to compete against several other flexible-screen phones.

But it's unclear whether the flexibility will have mass appeal, especially when the bendy devices are expected to cost more than $1,000.

Justin Denison, SVP of Mobile Product Development, talks about the Infinity Flex Display of a folding smartphone during the keynote address of the Samsung Developer Conference, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Explore further Samsung is working on laptop with foldable display

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.David Spencer, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, aims to develop a system that in the future would deorbit old spacecraft. Credit: Purdue University photo/Rebecca Wilcox

Talk about space junk.

Orbital debris from spacecraft, the defunct satellites and fragments of spent rockets left suspended in Earth's atmosphere, are slowly making their way back to Earth. Objects usually return after a few years, but debris trapped in higher orbits can remain for more than a century.

Purdue University's David Spencer, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, aims to develop a system that in the future would deorbit spacecraft launched by companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Boeing, as the spacecraft complete their missions. A space junk animation is available here.

Why is this important? "There are a number of high-value orbits that have become so populated with defunct satellites and debris spacecraft that they're approaching a tipping point," Spencer said. "Once that tipping point is reached, a cascade of uncontrolled collisions can occur, rendering the orbit unusable. And into the mix the thousands of satellites that companies plan to launch into orbit in the next several years, and the problem becomes much worse."

Spencer is a Purdue alumnus ('89 and '91) with a background in planetary robotics. He spent 17 years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California as a mission designer and project manager for a number of planetary missions. His experience developing and operating spacecraft led him to work for a program called LightSail sponsored by The Planetary Society, which got him interested in deployable sail technology. Although the LightSail program will demostrate the control of a solar sail employing solar photons to shape orbit and ultimately carry spacecraft higher, Spencer saw the potential to do the reverse.

"Using many of the same technologies as solar sails, the application we're working on here is a drag sail," he said. "Instead of pumping up the orbit, we want to remove energy from the orbit by increasing the drag area and using the atmosphere to slow down the spacecraft causing it to deorbit."

Spencer and his team of students are developing a drag sail system that can launch with satellites and be deployed at the end of the satellite's mission.

Drag sails could be used to pull down spacecraft and satellites at the end of their use. This would not only provide more room for new and improved satellite technology, it would also help keep astronauts safe from collision with orbital debris while they are in the atmosphere.

Development of this technology is providing an exciting opportunity for students at Purdue. When Spencer came to the university two years ago, he aimed to develop a small satellite program that would take students through the full life-cycle of a space flight project, including design, fabrication, testing and operations. But in addition to getting students involved with spacecraft development, he wanted the spacecraft they designed to have cutting-edge applications for advancing aerospace technologysuch as tackling the issue of orbital debris.

"Working with students on projects that will advance the aerospace industry and benefit society overall, that's really rewarding," Spencer said. He aims to provide students with a learning experience and the opportunity to do something that will advance the field of space science and technology.

Explore further Video: Net successfully snares space debrisTerahertz electromagnetic pulse controlling the physical structure of data-storage material. Credit: Kyoto University/Hirori Lab

A team of scientists has created the world's most powerful electromagnetic pulses in the terahertz range to control in fine detail how a data-storage material switches physical form. This discovery could contribute to scaled-down memory devices, eventually revolutionizing how computers handle information.

Compact discs might be out of fashion, but they may have inspired the next generation of computer nanotechnology. A glass layer in CDs consists of a phase-change material that can be encoded with information when light pulses cause crystals in small regions of the layer to either grow or melt.

Phase-change materials triggered by electrical impulsesrather than lightwould offer new memory technologies with more stable and faster operation than that possible in many current types of memory devices. In addition, downscaling memory sites in phase-change materials could increase memory density. But this remains challenging because of the difficulty of controlling the crystallization and amorphization (melting) processes.

Addressing this issue in an article in Physical Review Letters, a team of scientists led by Kyoto University observed nanometer-scale growth of individual crystals in a phase-change material composed of germanium, antimony and telluriumor GSTafter applying high-powered terahertz pulses as a trigger.

"One reason crystallization and amorphization of GST under an electric field are difficult to control is the heat diffusion effects in the micrometer scale associated with electrical inputs, which also contribute to the crystallization," explains group leader Hideki Hirori. "Fortunately, terahertz technologies have matured to the point where we can use short pulses to generate strong electric fields while suppressing heating effects."

Hirori and his coworkers developed a terahertz pulse generator that delivered ultra-short and highly intense terahertz pulses across a pair of gold antennas. These pulses created an electric field in the GST sample comparable to that of an electrically switched device. Importantly, this approach greatly reduced the heat diffusion because of the extremely short duration of terahertz pulsesaround 1 picosecond, or 10-12 secondsenabling fine control over the rate and direction of GST crystallization. A region of crystallization grew in a straight line between the gold antennas in the direction of the field, at a few nanometers per pulse.

When the team tracked stepwise changes in crystallization while increasing the number of terahertz pulses, they were surprised to find that after a certain point, crystal conductivity rapidly sped up instead of rising in line with the increase in terahertz strength. The researchers hypothesize that electrons jumping between states in the crystal added an unexpected source of heat to the system, boosting crystallization.

Hirori explains: "Our experiment reveals how nanoscale and direction-controlled growth of crystals in GST can be achieved. We also identified a phenomenon which should assist in the design of new devices and ultimately realize the fast and stable digital information handling potential that this material promises."

Explore further Asymmetric plasmonic antennas deliver femtosecond pulses for fast optoelectronics

More information: Yasuyuki Sanari et al, Zener Tunneling Breakdown in Phase-Change Materials Revealed by Intense Terahertz Pulses, Physical Review Letters (2018). Journal information: Physical Review Letters Yasuyuki Sanari et al, Zener Tunneling Breakdown in Phase-Change Materials Revealed by Intense Terahertz Pulses,(2018). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.165702Credit: University of Texas at San Antonio

Millions of couples who have trouble conceiving may get relief from new research led by scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The researchers have developed a high-resolution genetic map showing how men produce sperm cells. Their effort could help address genetically based challenges with male fertility, a major cause of conception problems.

The researchers' findings reveal detailed information about which genes are turned on or off in stem cells that ultimately grow into sperm cells. This data could give doctors crucial insight into the development of sperm in a patient, a perspective that was lacking up until now.

UTSA researcher Brian Hermann says the new knowledge could be a game changer for uncovering what can go wrong in men who suffer from infertility.

"We took a new, cutting-edge approach down to the level of individual cells to understand all the changes in which genes are used to make sperm in the testicles. That previously had not been possible and impedes progress toward a cure for male infertility," said Hermann, a biology professor and director of the UTSA Genomics Core.

The findings appear in the November 6 edition of the scientific journal, Cell Reports. Professors Hermann and John R. McCarrey led the group, which included researchers at UTSA and across the country.

Together, the team built a comprehensive digital library of the cell types required for sperm production in mice and men. They examined more than 62,000 cells and identified 11 different gene expression profiles; their work even uncovered rare and new cells for which little data was previously reported. The research, which began in early 2014, was supported by the Kleberg Foundation, the Hurd Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

According to the NIH, reproduction issues in males contribute to at least half of infertility cases among couples. Many cases of male infertility are treated with medication. Some even require surgical procedures. Yet, in almost half of these same cases, the reasons for male infertility are unknown.

UTSA's digital roadmap was constructed using the sequencing of genes expressed in germ cells. The researchers used high-tech machines which allow scientists to examine tens of thousands of individual cells and produce the library of genes expressed in each cell in one to two days. The method also employed cutting-edge bioinformatics, data analytics that decode gene expression data generated from the cells.

UTSA's individualized approach to profiling gene expression at the single-cell level is what makes this work different. Previous methods have relied on analyzing groups of cells, but when they are bundled together in experiments, the differences among the individual cells are averaged and therefore obscured. Hence, UTSA's new approach provides important data that can help uncover the biology underlying how sperm are produced and what may go wrong in men who suffer from infertility.

"This is how we find the needles in the haystack," said Hermann. "We weren't previously able to separate different cells with different functions, so in order to understand exactly how they are different, we looked at individual single cells, instead of the typical way of grabbing them all in bulk as a group."

UTSA's new digital gene expression library offers many scientific applications. It could help improve clinical diagnoses in men with infertility because their gene expression "signatures" will be different than those in the normal men now described in this new database. The UTSA resource can also provide a foundation to help innovate the next generation of male contraception and to even potentially develop sperm outside the body.

The researchers are hopeful that the methodology can also be applied to other biological processes in the body in order to uncover new information on which to base novel approaches to diagnose, treat or prevent a wide variety of diseases.

"It's been a dream for decades to take the most primitive cells in the testis and convert them into sperm in a petri dish, yet this has never worked," said Hermann. "If anyone is going to generate sperm cells in a dish, they'd want to know how similar those cells are to those that occur naturally in the body. The data we have generated now provides a reference library for comparison."

Explore further Study describes drug that could prevent infertility in cancer patients

More information: Brian P. Hermann et al, The Mammalian Spermatogenesis Single-Cell Transcriptome, from Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Spermatids, Cell Reports (2018). Journal information: Cell Reports Brian P. Hermann et al, The Mammalian Spermatogenesis Single-Cell Transcriptome, from Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Spermatids,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.026A thin section showing a partly worn tooth of Changchunsaurus and the unique position of its developing replacement tooth. Credit: University of Toronto Mississauga

The studies, involving Professor Robert Reisz, a paleontologist at the University of Toronto Mississauga, appear in the latest issues of PLOS ONE and the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

In the first paper, Reisz and his colleagues at Jilin University in China examined the teeth of Changchunsaurus parvus, a small herbivorous dinosaur from the Cretaceous period.

Ornithischian ("bird-hipped") dinosaurs developed an incredible diversity of teeth, including the complex dental batteries of derived ornithopods (like the famous duck-bill dinosaurs), but little is known about how these intricate arrangements arose from the simple tooth arrangements of early dinosaurs. Changchunsaurus parvus belongs to a branch at or near the origins of the ornithopods, and thus may provide insight into early ornithopod tooth development.

In this study, Reisz and his colleagues found a unique method of tooth replacement that allowed Changchunsaurus to recycle teeth without disrupting the continuous shearing surface formed by its tooth rows. The authors also found that the teeth feature wavy enamel, a tissue type formerly thought to have evolved only in more modern ornithopods. The authors suspect these features may have arisen early on as this group of dinosaurs became specialized for eating plants.

A thin section through a lower jaw of the plant-eating dinosaur Changchunsaurus, showing teeth at different stages of development Credit: University of Toronto Mississauga

The whole tooth: how mammals evolved their unique tooth anchoring system

In the second study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Reisz worked with his students who are now at the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia, as well as collaborators at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the Unidad Ejecutora Lillo in Argentina.

Any person who has worn braces knows that your teeth can slowly be pushed and pulled into their proper spots. What you may not know is that this movement is made possible by a special ligament that holds each tooth in its socket. This ligament also serves to cushion each tooth as we chew our food. The origins of this ligament, however, have been a mystery.

The skull of the holotype specimen of C. parvus (JLUM L0304-j-Zn2). Credit: Chen et al., 2018

This study, led by former University of Toronto Mississauga Ph.D. student Aaron LeBlanc, has solved the mystery surrounding how mammals evolved their complex tooth-anchoring system. For over a hundred years, scientists thought that this ligament evolved with the earliest mammals when they first began to chew, but this new paper shows that this system appeared first in the extinct relatives of mammals, called the therapsids.

By examining CT scans and making thin sections of fossil therapsid teeth and jaws for microscopic study, LeBlanc and his colleagues found that mammal teeth are not as unusual as we once thought. "We found evidence for this ligament system in several groups of extinct therapsids, telling us that it evolved before the first mammals were chewing their food," says LeBlanc.

The wavy appearance of the enamel of Changchunsaurus in thin section and under cross-polarized light. Credit: University of Toronto Mississauga

The researchers also think they've figured out how our therapsid ancestors evolved this ligament anchoring system. They found that in many of the fossil synapsid jaws, the teeth were rapidly fused in place by this encroaching bone, but in some therapsids, the surrounding bone grew more slowly.

"We found that some therapsids, like mammals, must have evolved this ligament anchoring system not by developing brand new tissues, but by delaying the growth of the surrounding bone," says Reisz. "We've re-framed how we view the mammalian condition. We don't think that mammals are more 'advanced' than the other extinct therapsids, but instead mammal teeth are frozen in an earlier state of development compared to animals that have teeth fused to the jaws."

The wavy appearance of the enamel of Changchunsaurus in thin section and under cross-polarized light. Credit: Chen et al., 2018

Both studies undertaken at the University of Toronto Mississauga involve teeth that are not firmly anchored to the jaws, but rather held in place by ligaments. There is now clear evidence that ligaments are present in both carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs and mammals, and these ligaments are not necessarily related to the evolution of chewing, as previously thought. Reisz hopes that ongoing research will continue to reveal a better understanding of this interesting enigma.

Explore further Teeth of Homo antecessor shed light on trends in Pleistocene hominin dental evolution

More information: Chen J, LeBlanc ARH, Jin L, Huang T, Reisz RR (2018) Tooth development, histology, and enamel microstructure in Changchunsaurus parvus: Implications for dental evolution in ornithopod dinosaurs. PLoS ONE 13(11): e0205206. Journal information: PLoS ONE Chen J, LeBlanc ARH, Jin L, Huang T, Reisz RR (2018) Tooth development, histology, and enamel microstructure in Changchunsaurus parvus: Implications for dental evolution in ornithopod dinosaurs.13(11): e0205206. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205206Teeth of Simiolus minutus, which currently reside in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, were found in the Tugen Hills of Kenya. Credit: Stony Brook University

When Stony Brook University anthropologist James Rossie began sifting through sediment in the Tugen Hills of Kenya during his first day of the dig, he didn't know he'd discover teeth from a previously undiscovered tiny ape species.

Now, a study authored by Rossie and his former doctoral advisor, the late Andrew Hill of Yale University, shows that this belongs to a new species of apethe smallest ever yet described, weighing just under 3.5 kilogramsfrom 12.5 million year old sites in the Tugen Hills, giving important clues about the unexplained decline in diversity of apes during the Miocene epoch. The paper, titled "A new species of Simiolus from the middle Miocene of the Tugen Hills, Kenya," is scheduled to published in the December issue of the Journal of Human Evolution.

The fossil molars were found at three different sites along the Tugen Hills and Lake Baringo Basin by Rossie and Hill in 2004, just more than a decade before Hill's death in 2015. Rossie said fossil molars from the tiny ape, now housed in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, show evidence of leaf eating, which suggests that it was in direct competition with the earliest colobine monkeys for food resources. Rossie said the small ape is also the latest-surviving member yet described of the small apes that flourished in the early Miocene epoch.

At the beginning of the Miocene epoch, there were only a few species of monkeys, while apes were represented by a broad radiation of species ranging from 4 to 50 kilograms; today, however, there are only a handful of ape species remaining. Precisely what caused the decrease in ape diversity and rise of monkey diversity is a mystery that paleontologists have been contemplating for decades, Rossie said, and many suspect that direct competition between the two groups was to blame.

"One thing this shows us is that some apes were leaning toward folivory [leaf eating] at just the time when monkeys were evolving their uniquely effective adaptations for it," said Rossie, . "Under those circumstances, I'm not surprised that this is the last you see of these small apes. We've previously found the earliest colobine monkeys at these sites, and now we have an ape that looks like it would have been in direct competition with them for food."

Rossie, an associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, said fossil molars from the tiny ape, now housed in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, show evidence of leaf eating, which suggests that it was in direct competition with the earliest colobine monkeys for food resources. Rossie said the small ape is also the latest-surviving member yet described of the small apes that flourished in the early Miocene epoch.

The greatest obstacle to solving this puzzle is the relative scarcity of fossil sites in the middle of the transition, Rossie said  from about 14 to 6 Ma. The new species comes from sites in the Tugen Hills that are among a small number of African sites in this time range.

Explore further Fossil find adds three million years to oldest known old-world monkey

More information: James B. Rossie et al. A new species of Simiolus from the middle Miocene of the Tugen Hills, Kenya, Journal of Human Evolution (2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.09.002 Journal information: Journal of Human Evolution James B. Rossie et al. A new species of Simiolus from the middle Miocene of the Tugen Hills, Kenya,(2018). DOI:Falling transit ridership across big North American cities has raised concern that Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services may be leeching passengers.

But a new study in the Journal of Urban Economics, co-authored by BYU professor Joseph Price, suggests Uber is more of a complement than threat to most public transit agencies.

"Our results show that Uber is not public transportation's enemy," Price said. "Some cities have been very opposed to Uber because they think it will erode the public transit system. Our paper says that is not true on average, and that it is a little more nuanced than that. "

The research team used American federal data on transit ridership for about 200 U.S. cities and towns where Uber has a presence, from New York City to Ames, Iowa. They estimated Uber's market penetration and took into account when it made its debut in each city to assess how it has affected ridership between 2000 and 2015.

They found that, in the average city, a standard increase in the intensity of Uber's market penetration led to a 1.38-percent increase in ridership. After two years, average transit ridership increased by 5 percent.

Instead of being a problem for most transit agencies, Uber seems to be "medicine" for transit that has fewer and fewer riders, said lead author Jonathan Hall, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto's department of economics and Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

But Uber's impact wasn't the same in all urban areas. "Our results indicate that Uber reduces transit ridership in smaller MSAs [Metropolitan Statistical Areas] while increasing ridership in larger cities," the paper says.

"There's a positive overall effect, but there are winners and losers," added Price.

The results were different depending on the size of the transit agency and mode of transportation. The study suggests Uber helps larger agencies compared to smaller ones. It also seems Uber typically helps bus ridership but slightly decreases train use.

The researchers got their data on metro areas from the National Transit Database, which has monthly ridership numbers for transit agencies that get federal funding. They base their estimate of Uber market penetration on the relative number of Google searches for "uber"which appears to be a good approximation for the number of Uber drivers per capita. The study focuses on UberX, which makes up the majority of Uber trips.

The data isn't enough to explain Uber's impact on transit, but the economists have a few theories. They suggest it can actually help transit by filling in gaps in the system's map and schedule. It can also offer a solution to what's known as the last mile problem in transportationthe idea that the last leg of your commute, such as getting from the subway platform to your office, is the hardest.

One reason Uber doesn't steal all that many passengers from transit is that it remains much cheaper to take the bus or train, the researchers explain. The median Uber fare was $5, compared to $1 for transit.

The paper, Hall said, intends to contribute to the conversation on efficient mobility and to show the importance of considering ride-hailing in the inventory of urban transportation options. "If I were a public transit agency, I would think about how I can embrace and collaborate with new technologies," said Price. "So with Uber, I might think of ways that we could offer packages to people and solve their transit problems for them. The more we integrate across platforms, the more you'll see people considering public transit as an option."

Explore further Uber faces new roadblock in New York on its way to IPO

More information: Jonathan D. Hall et al. Is Uber a substitute or complement for public transit?, Journal of Urban Economics (2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2018.09.003Artist's impression of the hot white dwarf GALEXJ014636.8+323615 (white) and its ultra-hot circumstellar magnetosphere (purple) trapped with the magnetic field (green). Credit: N. Reindl

Solving a decades-old mystery, an international team of astronomers have discovered an extremely hot magnetosphere around a white dwarf, a remnant of a star like our Sun. The work was led by Dr. Nicole Reindl, Research Fellow of the Royal Commission 1851, based at the University of Leicester, and is published today (7 November) in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

White dwarfs are the final stage in the lives of stars like our Sun. At the end of their lives, these stars eject their outer atmospheres, leaving behind a hot, compact and dense core that cools over billions of years. The temperature on their surfaces is typically around 100,000 degrees Celsius (in comparison the surface of the Sun is 5500 degrees).

Some white dwarfs though challenge scientists, as they show evidence for highly ionised metals. In astronomy 'metals' describe every element heavier than helium, and high ionisation here means that all but one of the outer electrons usually in their atoms have been stripped away. That process needs a temperature of 1 million degrees Celsius, so far higher than the surface of even the hottest white dwarf stars.

Reindl's team used the 3.5-metre Calar Alto telescope in Spain to discover and observe a white dwarf in the direction of the constellation of Triangulum, catalogued as GALEXJ014636.8+323615, located 1200 light years from the Sun. Analysing the light from the white dwarf with a technique known as spectroscopy, where the light is dispersed into its constituent colours, revealed the signatures of highly ionised metals. Intriguingly these varied over a period of six hoursthe same time it takes for the white dwarf to rotate.

Reindl and her team conclude that the magnetic field around the starthe magnetospheretraps material flowing from its surface. Shocks within the magnetosphere heat the material dramatically, stripping almost all the electrons from the metal atoms.

Color image of the white dwarf GALEXJ014636.8+323615 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey

"It's like a doughnut made up of ultra-hot material that surrounds the already very hot star" explains Reindl.

"The axis of the magnetic field of the white dwarf is tilted from its rotational axis. This means that the amount of shock-heated material we see varies as the star rotates.

'After decades of finding more and more of these obscure stars without having a clue where these highly ionised metals come from", she continues, "our shock-heated magnetosphere model finally explains their origin."

Magnetospheres are found around other types of stars, but this is the first report of one around a white dwarf. The discovery might have far-reaching consequences. "We simply didn't take this into account", admits Reindl. "Ignoring their magnetospheres could mean measurements of other basic properties of white dwarfs are wrong, like their temperatures and masses."

It may be that a quarter of white dwarfs go through a stage of trapping and super-heating material. Reindl and her team now plan to model them in detail and to extend their research by studying more of these fascinating objects.

Explore further Feuding helium dwarfs exposed by eclipseIn this April 11, 2018 file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg returns after a break to continue testifying at a House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election and data privacy. Facebook and other social platforms have been waging a fight against online misinformation and hate speech for two years. With the U.S. midterm elections coming soon on Tuesday, Nov. 6, there are signs that they're making some headway, although they're still a long way from winning the war. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected a request to appear before an international parliamentary committee delving into the questions around fake news.

The rebuff came after Damian Collins, the head of the U.K. parliament's media committee, joined forces with his Canadian counterpart in hopes of pressuring Zuckerberg to testify, as he did before the U.S Congress. Facebook rejected the invitation to appear before the so-called "international grand committee" session Nov. 27, arguing it wasn't possible for Zuckerberg to appear before all parliaments.

Collins says pressure is building, with counterparts in Australia, Argentina and Ireland having joined the grand committee in the time since Zuckerberg was invited.

He says "five parliaments are now calling on you to do the right thing by the 170 million users in the countries they represent."

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.A Drexel University-led research project aimed at studying the health and behavioral effects of medical marijuana use for young adults living in Los Angeles has been renewed for another five years. The project offers a unique opportunity for researchers to track how the state's changing cannabis laws are impacting public health.

California became the first state to establish a medical marijuana program in 1996. In 2013, the National Institutes of Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded the Cannabis, Health, and Young Adults (CHAYA) research project in an effort to better understand the health and social effects of the law. The longitudinal study followed 18 to 26-year-olds210 medical cannabis patients and 156 non-patients who used marijuana recreationallyfor four years.

Through a series of interviews and surveys, the researchers assessed the study volunteers' drug usage, health and risk behaviors. The project was the first of its kind to look at the habits and health outcomes of medical cannabis use within this age group. One goal was to uncover whether the legalization of medical marijuana led to safer, more controlled use of the drug for patients when compared to non-patient users.

Now, following California's legalization of recreational marijuana use in 2016 and sales in 2018, NIDA has awarded the CHAYA investigators $4.1 million to recruit a new cohort of study volunteers and continue tracking the first group of young adults, some of whom are now ages 25 to 30.

"We'll have four years of data prior to the change in California's cannabis law, and four more years of data following, so we will have a comprehensive picture of how this policy change has affected the health and drug use of young people," said Stephen Lankenau, Ph.D., a professor at Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health and the principal investigator of the CHAYA project.

All young adults enrolled in the latest study will participate in four additional follow-up interviews at one-year intervals directed by collaborators Ellen Iverson, and Carolyn Wong, Ph.D., at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Around 60 of the young adults will participate in three waves of qualitative interviews. A community advisory board comprised of stakeholders in Los Angeles will advise the study investigators on research strategies, findings and implications for policy and practice.

"Once cannabis became legal, a common thought pattern is that everyone is going to use it, and bad things will happen," Lankenau said. "What we're interested in seeing is, how do rates of cannabis use among young people actually change following this legalization? What are the factors that contribute to safer use? Are there experiences that may make some young adults better equipped to use it more safely?"

Lankenau and his colleagues have already published a diverse collection of data from the first four years of the study.

They found, for instance, that the "gateway effect" theorywhich purports that the use of cannabis can increase the chances of using harder drugsdid not hold up in this case. Though young adult medical marijuana patients reported significantly greater recent use of the drug than their counterparts who used marijuana for non-medical purposes, the medical marijuana patients misused prescription drugs at lower rates.

Additionally, the researchers found that becoming a medical marijuana user was influenced by a "self-discovery" process for a majority of patients, in which they discovered the medical benefits of cannabis while using the drug recreationally early in adolescence, typically individually or apart from other marijuana users. After they became patients, their interactions with dispensary staff and other patients resulted in more sophisticated medical use of cannabis, such as a better understanding of strains, potency and effects. Finally, the researchers found that medical marijuana patients were significantly more likely to report a range of health conditions and motivations associated with medical use than non-patients. This suggests that young adults' motivations for use were consistent with California's cannabis law at the time of the study.

In this next phase of the study, the investigators plan to continue looking at the over-arching topics of how marijuana laws affect both medical marijuana patients and non-patients, while also zeroing in on more specific questions, such as whether marijuana policies can reduce opioid consumption. They will also observe whether the legalization of marijuana affects the number of users who drive under the influence. Sprawling Los Angeles is a perfect place to observe trend, since most of its young adults or own or drive vehicles. Lankenau and his team also plan to look usage of "high-potency" forms of marijuana, such as edibles, and how those may influence health outcomes.

The research team hypothesizes that legalizing cannabis for personal use will increase cannabis use, other drug use, and risk behaviors among young adult cannabis users, but this increase will vary by patient status (patient vs. non-patient) and orientation towards cannabis use.

"Our long-term goal of the continuing investigation is to inform public policy with study findings on safer and controlled use of cannabis among young adults," Lankenau said.

Provided by Drexel UniversityOn 22 March 2018, President Trump initiated a trade war by imposing tariffs on goods the U.S. imports from China. Almost immediately, China retaliated by imposing its own list of tariffs on goods that it imports from the United States.

In the months since, there have been additional rounds of tit-for-tariffs imposed by both nations on each other's goods. As for their impact, we can see little effect on the U.S., which has seen an increase it the year over year growth rate in the value of its imports from China, while the exchange-rate adjusted growth rate of the value of U.S. exports to China have clearly fallen.

In the absence of tariffs, we would consider the negative growth rate of U.S. exports to China as evidence of a significant deterioration in the health of China's economy. And there is certainly independent evidence to support that observation, but the evidence is not as clear as it could be because of the specific actions China has taken in retaliation against the U.S.

Those actions were largely directed against two of the U.S.' principal exports to China: soybeans and crude oil. We decided to take a closer look at each to see what the impact of each action has been to the U.S.

Starting with soybeans, we've estimated the number of bushels that the U.S. has exported to China in each month from January 2012 to the present, and also what the U.S. has exported to the rest of the world, since the U.S. grows far more soybeans than it consumes domestically - the excess would have to go somewhere, or else risk becoming spoiled while in prolonged storage if they cannot be sold.

Soybeans are, by far and away, the United States' largest single export product to China, which are primarily used as animal feed to support China's hog production. In this chart, we can see that China has severely reduced the number of soybeans that it acquires from the U.S. since the trade war began earlier in 2018, while exports to the rest of the world has only made up about a third of the U.S.' typical level of exports in recent years.

To do that, China has boosted the amount of soybeans that it imports from Brazil, the world's largest producer of soybeans and has also begun to substitute other crops for U.S. soybeans to make up the difference. More remarkably, China's leaders have also chosen to reverse an initiative to improve the quality of soybeans that it imports and will now accept diminished quality in the soybeans they acquire, which may negatively impact the quality of its hog production.

The result of all that is that U.S. soybean producers have been considerably disadvantaged by China's trade war tactic, where many will receive a federal bailout as compensation for their losses. The full cost of that bailout for U.S. taxpayers has yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the volume of U.S. crude oil exports tells a very different story, as shown in the following chart showing the estimated number of barrels of crude oil exported by the U.S. in each month since the U.S. Congress lifted its ban on crude oil exports in mid-December 2015.

Unlike soybeans, U.S. oil producers have been able to find other buyers around the world to make up for China's retaliatory step to stop importing crude oil produced in the U.S., where China's effort to target U.S. oil producers appears to have missed the mark.

Overall, it would appear that China has been more affected in the trade war than has the U.S., where the negative impact to that nation's economy has been felt more broadly to date than what has been experienced in the U.S. economy. How long that might continue is an open question, where it would be in the best interest of all parties to reach a deal sooner rather than later.

References

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. China / U.S. Foreign Exchange Rate. G.5 Foreign Exchange Rates. Accessed 5 November 2018.

U.S. Federal Reserve. ALFRED Spot Crude Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate (WTI). Accessed 5 November 2018.

U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with China. Accessed 5 November 2018.

U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Trade Online. Accessed 5 November 2018.3 hours ago

Here's Why Black Friday May Come Early For Dicks Sporting Goods

DKS stock looks ready to move higher Dicks Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) will give investors one of the last data points to consider before Black Friday when it reports earnings on November 23.

Read ArticleElection results: Wisconsin fall general election

Wisconsin residents voted Tuesday in a number of contested state and local races, and local referendums.

Election results here will be updated continuously Tuesday night through Wednesday.South Korea is currently in the full swing of developing renewable generation on account of its governments goal to increase the portion of renewables in the domestic electricity mix to 20% by 2030. In late October, the Korean government announced an ambitious plan to establish 3GW of PV generation and 1GW of offshore wind generation in Saemangeum, a tidal flat on the coast of the Yellow Sea. Once completed, the project would make Saemangeum one of the largest renewable energy production centers in the world.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in formally revealed the plan on 30 October at a renewable energy summit held in Saemangeum. President Moon pointed out that this renewable energy project, which is one of the worlds largest to date, will help raise the competitiveness of the countrys energy sector. It is also going to be a concrete step forward in the nations transition from a society based on the fossil fuel economy to one that is mainly powered by renewable energies.

According to the governments press statements on the subject, the entire project, which will occupy 9.36% of the total area of Saemangeum, is expected to attract investments totaling around KRW 10 trillion (TWD 268.7 billion). The initial stage of development encompasses the deployment of 2.4GW of PV generation and 600MW of offshore wind generation by 2022.

Furthermore, around 100 manufacturing companies, R&D centers, and certification agencies will be setting up shop in Saemangeum Green Energy Industrial Park over the next decade, creating approximately 100,000 new jobs and over KRW 25 trillion in related investments.

At the summit, President Moon said that the world is welcoming the era of renewable energies, and South Korea needs to adapt to the trend. He noted that just 8% of South Koreas total electricity generation comes from renewable energies, and this share figure is much lower than the 25% standard set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Hence, the Moon administration has identified the development of the domestic renewable energy industry as one of its hundred key priorities. Moreover, the government has launched the 3020 Policy that aims to expand the share of renewable energies in the countrys total electricity generation to at least 20% by 2030.

The massive project in Saemangeum is not without its critics, who have pointed out that President Moon did not disclose this plan during his previous visit to the area in 2017. At that time, the president promised to transform Saemangeum into a major economic hub in the Yellow Sea region. However, he did not mention the governments intention to build solar and wind power generation facilities in the area. The plan therefore lacks public approval.

In response to the criticisms, the Korean government has stated that the renewable energy project will not negatively affect the existing infrastructure, nor will it clash with the promise to build the area up as an economic hub of the region. Since the project has yet to enter the development phase, the government is not planning to hold consultation with the local residents and the wider public on this matter. Discussions with the local residents will take place when the applications related to the construction of solar and wind power facilities are formally submitted.

Despite the big announcement, the Saemangeum project have many obstacles that lay ahead of its development. At the same time, achieving the 2030 target is going to be a difficult undertaking for the Korean government. Presently, the countrys 24 nuclear power plants are responsible for providing about a third of the domestic electricity supply. However, the government also plans to gradually decommission all of them. Following the decommissioning schedule, the Korean government is going to reduce the number of existing plants to 14 by 2038 and attain nuclear-free status for the whole country by 2060.

Lowering carbon emission and air pollution is another major theme in South Koreas recent energy policies in addition to expanding renewable generation and phasing out nuclear power. The government has begun to shut down the countrys coal-fired power plants that are more than 30 years old. In the future, domestic fuel-fired power plants will be mostly gas-fired ones that are more expensive to operate but also produce cleaner electricity.

(The above article is an English translation of a Chinese article written by Daisy Chuang. The credit of the top image goes to CGP Grey via Flickr and falls under the license of CC BY-SA 2.0.)

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, left, poses with U.S. special representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun for a photo during a meeting at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. AP-Yonhap



South Korea and the United States have agreed to launch a working group to improve coordination on their joint approach to North Korea, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.



The agreement was reached during a trip to Seoul this week by U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, according to the department's deputy spokesperson, Robert Palladino.



The announcement comes amid a perceived rift in the allies' approach to North Korea. Seoul has been pushing cross-border projects with the North in a bid to spur the denuclearization of the regime, but Washington has appeared concerned about the possible undermining of sanctions on Pyongyang.



The purpose of Biegun's visit to Seoul was to discuss diplomatic efforts to achieve the "final, fully verified" denuclearization of North Korea, Palladino said.





It is often asserted that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 proved that HWA was right and he really did see the future.

This of course is nonsense. Herbert W. Armstrong said that Christ would return within twenty years in his book Mystery of the Ages. (PCG has since deleted those words so someone in there knows HWA spoke nonsense.) How convenient for them to forget this.

Also Herbert W. Armstrong never said the Soviet Union would collapse. He thought it would survive intact until a few years after Christ's return. It shows how biased some many in the COGs are that they never seem to notice this. This inconvenient truth is just tossed into the memory hole.

It is true that HWA said that some Eastern European states would break away from Moscow's orbit and join the European Empire he said would arise at any moment. But he never talked of the Soviet Union collapsing. He did not teach that. Also he portrayed the rise of the European Empire to be far quicker then what has actually happened. In Mystery of the Ages Christ was supposed to return by 2005 at the most.

So assertions that the fall of the Berlin Wall somehow prove that HWA was right is just complete nonsense spread by people who, for whatever reason, are still in denial that HWA was a false prophet who merely talked out of his own "human reasoning".Some of the women being sworn into office after setting records in the 2018 midterms" " The smog that blanketed the small town of Donora, Pennsylvania in October 1948 caused at least 21 deaths and ultimately resulted in the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1963. This photo shows 9 of the 10 spelter stacks of U.S. Steel's Donora Zinc Works. Donora Historical Society

In Donora, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) by car south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River, what used to be a Chinese restaurant is now the home of the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum.

Over the years, scholars from academic institutions all over the world have made their way to the humble local volunteer-run institution to peruse its archive of documents, blueprints, microfilm, scientific studies and film footage, according to volunteer curator and researcher Brian Charlton, who notes with amusement that he also doubles as the janitor. "I was just mopping before I returned your call," he explains one recent Saturday morning.

There's continuing interest in the museum's collection because it documents one of the worst pollution catastrophes in U.S. history, a toxic smog that enveloped Donora in late October 1948 and killed more than 20 residents, in addition to sickening thousands more. Many credit the disaster with awakening the American public to the dangers of air pollution, and stirring an outcry that eventually led to enactment of the first federal clean air laws in the 1950s and 1960s.

In the words of a historical study published in April 2018 in the American Journal of Public Health, Donora's killer smog "changed the face of environmental protection in the United States."

Today, Donora is an out-of-the-way town of just 4,000 inhabitants, without even a gas station or a grocery store, But back in 1948, Charlton explains, it was several times larger, a bustling center of industry that was home to both a zinc works with 10 smelters and a steel mill that used the zinc to galvanize its products. While the zinc works provided thousands of residents with good-paying jobs, there was a major downside. Workers were paid a full day's wage for just a few hours of work, because too much exposure to the zinc could make them ill. "The layman's term was the zinc shakes," Charlton explains.

The plant also continuously released billowing emissions into the local sky, laden with a soup of pollutants that included "hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, multiple sulfur compounds, and heavy metals within fine particulate matter," according to the AJPH study.

In the neighboring village of Webster, the pollution from Donora had a devastating effect on local farmers' orchards. "It just destroyed their way of life," Charlton says. In Donora, the pollution killed vegetation, denuding hillsides and causing so much erosion that a local cemetery became an unusable wasteland of rocks and dirt.

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It Crept Up Slowly

But nobody imagined that the pollution would turn deadly. Then, in the last week of October 1948, the Monongahela-Ohio valley experienced an unusually severe temperature inversion, a weather phenomenon that in Donora trapped smoke from the plants at ground level.

Donora resident Charles Stacey, who in 1948 was a 16-year-old high school senior, recalls that several days before the deaths began, the smog that enveloped the town was so thick that when he walked to school in the mornings and evenings, it was difficult to see the traffic signals. "You had to be careful stepping off the curb," he says.

At first, he and his friends didn't think anything of it. "We thought the smog was something that had to be," he says. "It was part of our heritage."

But older people and those with chronic respiratory conditions weren't faring as well. By the end of the week, close to 6,000 had taken ill, as federal researchers later determined. Charlton, who has combed through county death certificates for that weekend, says that he's documented 21 deaths from respiratory causes between noon that Friday and 6 a.m. the following Monday. More probably died in the weeks that followed, he believes.

With nearby hospitals filling up and funeral directors overwhelmed, the old Donora Hotel became an improvised infirmary and morgue, Stacey recalls. The hotel's street level was filled with sick people, while the lower level was for the dead.

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Aftermath

In the aftermath of the horrific event, state and federal public health investigators descended upon the town. But as U.S. Public Health Service official Dr. James Townsend noted in this 1950 account, some residents  fearful of incurring the wrath of their employer (the Zinc company)  tried to minimize the illnesses they'd suffered during the smog. Others, though, "were more angry than afraid."

Eventually, dozens of local residents filed lawsuits against the company that owned the zinc works  which, in its defense, asserted that the smog had been an Act of God for which it was not responsible, according to a 1994 article by Lynn Page Snyder published in Environmental History Review. In order for families to participate, the court required an autopsy of the person who'd died, which probably kept many more from participating, Charlton says.

Eventually, the families ended up settling the case for $250,000. "They were afraid they were going to end up with nothing," Charlton explains.

But the lives lost in Donora did lead to change. As Townsend wrote, the federal investigation ultimately found that the smog's harmful effects probably were caused by a combination of pollutants, rather than one single chemical culprit. But they also discovered "considerable evidence" of previous smog events in which the death rate had soared. The Donora investigation "has shown beyond doubt "that the combination of gases and particulate matter in emissions could have an adverse effect upon health, Townsend concluded. He recommended more research on pollution's effects and urged industry to work on cutting the amount of pollution emitted.

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The Clean Air Act of 1963

As this 2012 article by Arthur C. Stern in Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association details, slightly more than a year after the Donora Smog, President Harry S. Truman ordered the creation of a government committee to study the air pollution problem. It was the start of a research effort that ultimately led to passage of the Clean Air Act of 1963. (Congress further strengthened that law with the Clean Air Act of 1970.)

By then, the Donora zinc works was gone. "People thought it was because they had said bad things about the plant," Charlton says. "They believed for years that it was their fault." In reality, though, the 1957 closure was just a business decision, the result of an English company developing a more efficient process that made Donora's smelters obsolete.

The demise of the zinc works  followed by the demise of the nearby steel mill a decade later  started Donora on a gradual economic decline from which the town is still trying to recover, Charlton said. But Donora's residents can rightfully be proud of their town's historic role in the fight against pollution.

"One of our tag lines is 'Clean Air Started Here,'" Charlton says. "Everyone looks to us as the ground zero of the environmental movement, of making sure that industry doesn't get out of control."

Now That's Interesting Then-high school student Stacey recalls that he first learned of the death toll when he turned on the radio and heard nationally syndicated columnist Walter Winchell talking about Donora. Criminal justice reform ballot measures passing in Florida and Louisiana, but losing badly in Ohio | Main | Method matters: initial thoughts about Issue 1's big loss in Ohio 

November 7, 2018

Based on oral argument in lethal injection case, is there reason to think Justice Kavanaugh could end up a swing voter in some capital cases?

The question in the title of this post is a product of my inclination to make too much of this New York Times report and this SCOTUSblog review of Justice Brett Kavanaugh's oral argument performance in Bucklew v. Precythe, a capital case from Missouri involving an "as applied" Eighth Amendment challenge to lethal injection. The Times piece is headlined "Kavanaugh May Hold Key Vote in His First Death Penalty Case," and here are excerpts:

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in an appeal from a death row inmate in Missouri with a rare medical condition that he says will cause excruciating pain if he is put to death by lethal injection. Lawyers for the inmate, Russell Bucklew, said his condition, cavernous hemangioma, would make him choke on his own blood during his execution. It was Justice Brett M. Kavanaughs first death penalty case, and there is good reason to think that he holds the crucial vote. In March, five justices voted to stay Mr. Bucklews execution. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, whom Justice Kavanaugh replaced, joined the courts four more liberal members to form a majority; the courts four more conservative justices were in dissent. Much of Tuesdays argument concerned earlier Supreme Court decisions that required inmates challenging lethal injection protocols to identify available and preferable methods of execution. Mr. Bucklew said lethal gas was preferable to the states current method of an injection of a lethal dose of pentobarbital. But the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, in St. Louis, ruled that Mr. Bucklew had not shown that his alternative would be less painful. Justice Kavanaugh seemed to express doubts about the requirement of identifying an alternative, at least where the usual method of execution coupled with an inmates unusual medical condition could produce excruciating pain. Are you saying, he asked a lawyer for the state, even if the method creates gruesome and brutal pain you can still do it because theres no alternative? The lawyer, D. John Sauer, did not immediately give a direct response, and Justice Kavanaugh pressed him. Is that a yes? Justice Kavanaugh asked. Yes, it is, Your Honor, Mr. Sauer said.... What the Eighth Amendment prohibits is the unnecessary infliction of pain, Chief Justice Roberts said. If the death penalty is constitutional, as it now is, there must be a way to administer it. But if you can show that theres another way that is less painful, then the theory is, again, that its an Eighth Amendment claim because its unnecessary pain. The chief justice questioned Mr. Bucklews proposed alternative of nitrogen gas. How can it be a reasonable alternative if its never been used before? he asked. Robert Hochman, a lawyer for Mr. Bucklew, said that there are details to be worked out.

The SCOTUSblg argument review includes these observations:

The justices were relatively subdued but seemed to be mostly divided along ideological lines, and it seemed very possible that the outcome could hinge on the vote of the courts newest justice, Brett Kavanaugh, who at times appeared sympathetic to Bucklew.... Kavanaugh appeared concerned about the prospect that inmates like Bucklew could suffer excruciating pain as a result of the method of execution selected by the state. He asked Missouri Solicitor General John Sauer, who argued for the state, whether an execution could go forward even if would create gruesome brutal pain. When Sauer responded that it could, Kavanaugh pressed him to explain whether there were any limits on how much pain the execution could inflict. Sauers answer: Yes, an execution could not go forward if the pain were so gruesome and brutal that the state would be deliberately inflicting pain for the sake of pain.

I am still inclined to predict that the defendant is going to lose here, but these reports still lead me to wonder whether Justice Kavanaugh could prove to be more open generally to claims of capital defendants than other conservative justices.

Prior related post:

November 7, 2018 at 06:45 AM | Permalink

Comments

Post a commentMANILA, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The Philippines is ready with two joint oil and gas exploration agreements to be signed with China, its energy minister said on Wednesday, and reiterated his position calling for the lifting of the ban on drilling works in a disputed area in South China Sea.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi made the statement ahead of the scheduled visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines later this month as the two countries seek to strengthen economic ties.

One of the deals involves an exploration project between state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and Chinese state-owned CNOOC Ltd, located off Calamian in southwestern Palawan province, Cusi said in a news briefing.

Cusi was referring to Service Contract 57 covering an oil and gas prospect awarded to PNOC's exploration unit, which picked CNOOC as a partner.

He did not give details about the other agreement, but said Service Contract 72, an exploration permit held by the Philippines' PXP Energy Corp for Reed Bank, a disputed South China Sea area, is not one of the two.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to be rich in energy reserves and marine resources. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims.

"Definitely not SC 72," Cusi said.

PXP has had talks with CNOOC for joint exploration and development for the Sampaguita natural gas prospect at Reed Bank, before the DOE suspended drilling works there in late 2014 due to the territorial dispute.

Although he refrained from giving details about issues to be discussed with Xi during the visit, Cusi reiterated his call for the lifting of the Reed Bank exploration ban.

"The issue of the lifting is being taken care of by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) because of the diplomatic issue," Cusi said. "As far as the DOE is concerned, so that we can resume exploration, we need to lift that moratorium." (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)Ninety children kidnapped from a school in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon were freed days later in a military operation, the defence ministry said Wednesday. Armed separatist militants on Monday stormed a school in Bamenda, capital of the Northwest Region, seizing 79 schoolboys and three adults, prompting urgent calls for their release. When the group was freed on Wednesday, it turned out there were another 11 pupils with them, who had been abducted from the same school five days earlier. The Presbyterian Church which runs the school said the 11 had been taken on October 31 but the news was kept secret to enable negotiations with the kidnappers. It was the first mass kidnapping to hit Cameroon and one of the gravest incidents in 13 months of pro-independence violence. The students and three adults were freed in a military operation which began "in the early hours of the morning" on Wednesday, Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo said in a statement. "When they have been checked by the (military's) psychological unit and have undergone a thorough medical check, the freed pupils will be soon sent back to their families," he added. A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday showed 11 boys aged about 15 identifying their school and saying they were abducted by the "Amba Boys" -- a name for anglophone separatists. A source close to the establishment said Wednesday these were the 11 who had been snatched on October 31. - 'No ransom demand' - The attack targeted pupils and staff at the Presbyterian Secondary School in the Northwest Region -- one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities. The chain of events leading up to their release was not immediately clear, nor was the identity of the kidnappers. Communications Minister Issa Bakary Tchiroma said "all 79 students" had "been released", while the Presbyterian Church separately announced news about the other 11. It said the school would remain closed "until further notice". On Tuesday, Reverend Foki Samuel Forba, a leading member of the church, said he had been negotiating with the kidnappers, who were not demanding a ransom but the closure of the school. The kidnappings took place a day before Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office, and coincided with an upsurge of tension in the majority French-speaking country. Such mass kidnappings were previously unknown in Cameroon, although they are notorious in neighbouring Nigeria where Islamist Boko Haram militants snatched more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014. So far, 107 have been found or released but the jihadists abducted scores more from neighbouring Yobe state in February this year. - Schools in the firing line - Cameroon's Biya on Tuesday promised to address "frustrations and aspirations" in English-speaking regions in his first public acknowledgement of resentments in the Northwest and Southwest Regions. In 2016, anger at perceived discrimination in education, the judiciary and the economy fanned demands for autonomy there. But Biya refused any concessions and a year later, radicals declared an independent state -- the "Republic of Ambazonia" -- taking up arms soon after. Separatists have since attacked police and troops and have targeted other state symbols, prompting a severe official crackdown. They have also boycotted and torched schools on grounds that the French system discriminates against anglophone pupils. As the school year resumed in September, several secondary schools were attacked, a headmaster was killed and a teacher was badly wounded. In the month since Biya won reelection, the security situation in the anglophone areas has deteriorated rapidly, with dozens of opposition supporters arrested, journalists detained, and an American missionary shot dead in his car. At least 400 civilians and more than 175 police and soldiers have been killed in the year to September, NGO figures show, with the violence forcing more than 300,000 people out of their homes.Cuba on Wednesday handed over to the United States an Interpol-sought American who had been avoiding justice in the neighboring Caribbean nation. The man, whose identity was not disclosed by Havana, was sought "for serious crimes committed there" and entered Cuba on October 28. "This action is based on Cuba's strict compliance with its international legal obligations and existing bilateral agreements with the United States on compliance and enforcement, and the cooperation that both governments are developing on this front," a Cuban statement said. A statement from the Essex County prosecutor's office in New Jersey, delivered to AFP, identified the man as James Ray III, 55, who was wanted on murder charges involving his partner Angela Bledsoe, 44. He returned to New Jersey late Tuesday, the US statement said. Court and other cooperation between Cuba and the United States was formalized after the thaw between the bitter Cold War enemies. They reestablished full diplomatic relations in 2015 after a break of more than five decades. Though the current administration of Donald Trump has kept in place US economic sanctions, and deployed some political rhetoric, bilateral cooperation continues in many area.The Deepavali festivities kicked off with pretty sparks exploding in the night sky near Little India around midnight on Tuesday, making an appropriate commemoration for the Festival of Lights. Another set of colorful explosions took place a few hours later in Yishun.

Too bad the fireworks were illegally set off.

The police confirmed to The Straits Times that two men, aged 29 and 48, have been nabbed for allegedly discharging the fireworks along Gloucester Road. According to the police, officers from Central Police Division promptly arrested the two suspects yesterday after establishing their identities through ground inquiries. Meaning the two were likely spending their Deepavali in cuffs instead of celebrating with friends and family.

Footage of the fireworks was widely shared on social media, showing fireworks shooting up from the middle of the road. There was certainly an element of danger, considering the explosions set off at a pretty low height.

Near the end of the clip, a cop car and police officers can be spotted rushing over to the scene, though theres pretty much nothing they could do but wait for the sparkly spectacle to end.

The culprits behind the Gloucester Road fireworks might have been nabbed, but what of the folks who set discharged fireworks in the Yishun skies? Close to 3.30am on Tuesday, the sounds of exploding blasts reverberated across the neighborhood as fireworks erupted briefly.

Fireworks at 0330H. I know Im in Yishun. pic.twitter.com/777FrrYLTQ  leonardgoh (@leogohtw) November 6, 2018

Dangerous Fireworks Act

Since 1972, setting off fireworks without prior permission by the authorities has been outlawed in Singapore under the Dangerous Fireworks Act. The ruling came into place not long after the country gained independence in 1965, and by 1968, the government sought to regulate the use of fireworks as it was becoming a public safety issue. This was because a third of the 150 fires that broke out during the Chinese New Year celebrations were because of fireworks  a deeply entrenched tradition involving firecrackers and rockets.

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But the issue only got worse when people disregarded the rules, and by 1972, the police fielded 376 complaints about the illegal discharge of firecrackers, while two cops were attacked when they tried to prevent people from setting off firecrackers. 26 people were injured that year in fireworks-related crimes.

Now, anyone convicted of discharging dangerous fireworks can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to two years.

The post Deepavali festivities kicked off with two illegally discharged fireworks in Little India and Yishun appeared first on Coconuts.Hundreds of grieving relatives prayed Tuesday at the spot where a Lion Air jet plunged into the sea as revelations over the jet's malfunctioning air speed indicator raised fresh questions about the cause of the accident. Tearful mourners aboard a pair of Indonesian navy vessels tossed bouquets and scattered flower petals into the Java Sea off the country's north coast where the brand new jet crashed last week, killing all 189 people on board. Search teams have filled some 164 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 27 victims have been identified so far, police said. The Boeing 737-Max 8, one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes, crashed on October 29 just 12 minutes into a one-hour flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang city on Sumatra island. Flight JT610 sped up as it suddenly lost altitude and then vanished from radar shortly after take-off. Divers have retrieved the flight data recorder but are still hunting for the plane's cockpit voice recorder. There is still no answer as to what caused the crash, with a preliminary report expected at the end of the month. But the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee said Monday that flight recorder data has so far revealed the plane's air speed indicator was not working properly on its last four journeys, including the fatal flight. The glitch had been repeatedly serviced and Lion Air's technical team declared the plane to be airworthy. "The technical problems on the three previous flights should have been treated as a repeat problem that cannot be fixed the same way each time," aviation expert Alvin Lie told AFP. A more thorough check should have been done followed by a test flight before the plane was put back into service, he added. "The air speed indicator is a part of vital flight instruments. If it's broken then it's a 'no-go' for the plane," Lie said. Stephen Wright, an aviation expert at the University of Leeds in Britain, said Boeing and Lion Air would both have been involved in technical fixes on a new plane. "This type of occurrence should never have transpired," Wright said. "The diagnosis of safety critical systems, such as speed indicating, would have been recognised by both the operator and the manufacturer as a system requiring double inspections and sign offs (for a plane's return to service)." However, another analyst, Gerry Soejatman, said finding the cockpit voice recorder was critical for knowing how the crew reacted to the malfunction and what role it played in the crash. "The air speed indicator plays a very important role, but (that) alone is not enough to cause a plane to crash," he said. It is not clear how much training the Lion pilots had on the new jet -- which only went into service in August -- or whether the problems could affect other Boeing 737 MAX planes. Budget carrier Lion has been plagued by safety concerns and customer complaints over unreliable scheduling and poor service. The carrier has been involved in a number of incidents including a fatal 2004 crash and a collision between two Lion Air planes at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport.Political speculation and concerns for the economy have gone into overdrive in Gabon as questions grow over the fate of President Ali Bongo who was hospitalised in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago. According to a non-Gabonese source close to Bongo, the president "suffered a stroke." "It's no longer life-threatening, and he is no longer under artificial respiration," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Bongo was still in Riyadh. An AFP journalist who went to Riyadh's King Faisal Hospital where Bongo was admitted, was on Wednesday told that all information on the president's health was subject to either a "royal order" or authorisation from the Gabonese embassy. Bongo, 59, fell ill on October 24 during a visit to Riyadh to attend an economic forum. His spokesman Ike Ngouoni said doctors there had diagnosed him with "severe fatigue" and ordered bed rest. Since then, there has been no official news, and details that are circulating are either sketchy or unverified. This vacuum -- along with memories of the secrecy-shrouded demise of Bongo's father, Omar Bongo, who died in office in 2009 after decades at the helm -- has set the rumour mill churning at full tilt. "We don't have enough information," said Ange-Gael Makaya Makaya, a university student who said people were "speculating too much" on social media which he said wasn't an accurate indicator of the public mood. Mamadou Tsoumou, a 65-year-old engineer and former governor of Estuaire province, was equally cautious about over-reacting. - Doubts and uncertainty - A Gabonese journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "only a very limited circle of people, including the president's wife, Sylvia Bongo, has access to the facts." And a diplomat told AFP that the government's official communications strategy, of saying nothing, had only "fuelled doubt". That uncertainty, in a country where the president has wide-ranging executive powers and wields extensive personal influence, is starting to weigh on the business sector. "A Gabonese business leader told me he was planning to put the brake on a number of projects in which he had invested," said economist Mays Mouissi. Bongo served as foreign and defence minister during his father's rule, and was elected head of state in August 2009 after his death. He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud. Despite the official silence, Bongo is still officially expected in Paris for this Sunday's November 11 centennial commemorations of the World War I armistice, a French diplomat said. - A history of secrecy - Memories are still fresh of the news blackout surrounding the final weeks of Omar Bongo, who served a president for 42 years. In May 2009, the government said Bongo had taken time off to mourn the death of his wife and had gone to Spain to rest. At the same time, the international media was reporting that Bongo was stricken with cancer and had been rushed to Barcelona for treatment. The government persistently denied the reports until, on June 8, it announced that Bongo had died of a heart attack -- a day after it had been reported by a French news weekly. The Gabonese constitution sets down clear procedures if the president is incapable of continuing in office. The government, Senate or National Assembly must ask the Constitutional Court to confirm a presidential vacancy. Once this is done, the speaker of the Senate is declared interim president, pending the holding of elections, which must be held within 45 days. - 'Plane crash' - "Nobody really knows what's happening," said a source close to the Bongo clan. "It's like being on a plane just before it crashes," said a member of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). A Gabonese political analyst said the centre of power was divided between two groups. "On one side, there's the 'hardline group,' which has several generals and advisers clustered around Frederic Bongo, the president's brother and head of the intelligence service," he said. Hovering in the wings is opposition leader Jean Ping, who lost the violence-hit 2016 elections to Bongo by a few thousand votes. On Saturday, Ping -- who insists he is the country's truly elected president -- broke a months-long silence to make a "speech to the nation" from his home in Libreville. He called on citizens to "transcend their divisions and place the nation above our individual ethnic or clan interests."His job is to teach Hongkongers what to do in an emergency, but the hugely popular fire service mascot Anyone had a lucky escape of his own on Wednesday, as the department confirmed the character was here to stay, just hours after reports of a possible ban.

The announcement came as internet users threw their support behind the blue mannequin-like figure, who had gone viral after demonstrating life-saving techniques at a press conference on Monday. The idea behind the name is that any member of the public can help in times of danger.

The performance by firefighters in blue suits won Anyone many fans. But detractors said it resembled a character in some Japanese porn films.

Speaking on a radio programme on Wednesday, Wade Wong Wang-leong, senior divisional officer from the Fire Services Departments new Community Emergency Preparedness Division, assured the public that the live-action version of Anyone would continue to appear. He did not rule out Anyone visiting districts for promotional events.

We hope residents will continue to follow Anyones future moves, Wong said.

He refuted reports that the higher-ups in the department wanted to ban the live-action version of Anyone, adding that they gave the division a lot of creative space.

Wong said Anyone was played by staff from his division and that they had deliberately picked someone with a big belly for the role initially.

Anyone is not a mascot or spokesperson  you and I are Anyone, who can help out in the community during emergencies, he said, adding that anybody could be Anyone regardless of occupation, appearance, sex, body size and whether they were medical professionals, as long as they had the courage and heart to help.

Anyone also showed up on the departments Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon, debunking the rumors of the ban. Anyones photo was included in the short post.

I have been exhausted from work recently ... I just got up so I dont know what happened, the post said, adding Anyone would keep sharing advice on fire prevention, first aid and ways of escaping to safety.

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Hashtags in the post were more specific to the reported ban and included #Absolutely theres no such thing, #Anyone is safe and #Bosses are very playful.

The post received 7,400 likes and almost 500 comments in an hour.





Internet users began their fight to save Anyone late on Tuesday night, after RTHK, citing a department source, reported that the fire service had banned the use of real people to play the character. It could be presented only in the form of cartoons because the live version was against the heroic image, the report said. RTHK said then that it was waiting for an official reply.

A department insider, however, told the Post that there was no such ban, just an instruction to play it down.

Avoid using Anyone if possible, the source said.

Rumours of the ban prompted an immediate outcry on social media. Within an hour, more than 100 comments were posted on the departments Facebook page asking it not to stop using the character.

Hong Kong should be creative. Dont let Anyone disappear, one comment said.

Without the laborious performance of Anyone, how could your Facebook page gain more than 14,000 likes in one day? another user wrote. Dont burn the bridge after crossing it.

On Monday, the department launched its official Facebook page featuring the character to spread information about fire prevention, first aid and other safety tips. By Tuesday night, the page had more than 15,000 likes and 14,000 followers.

This was not Anyones debut performance. The character first appeared in its animated form in the departments promotional materials. It was also featured in a video produced by the department and published in August, with a spooky plot line to coincide with the seventh lunar month  and the Hungry Ghost Festival.

The video did not go viral until after Mondays press conference, though it is now the most popular clip on the departments YouTube channel with about 130,000 views, more than double what the second most popular video drew.

Anyone topped Googles daily trending chart on Monday with more than 10,000 searches.

This article Back by popular demand, Hong Kong fire service insists beloved character Anyone is here to stay despite reports of a ban first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Based in Singapore, MassMutual Ventures Southeast Asia is looking to invest in 10 to 15 startups in the region over the next three years

Boston-based venture capital fund MassMutual Ventures today announced the establishment of its US$50 million Southeast Asia-focussed fund MassMutual Ventures Southeast Asia (SEA).

We made the decision just about a year ago to evaluate expanding into SEA and establishing a dedicated fund here. The primary rationale is just the tremendous opportunity that we see in the last several years, of entrepreneurs forming businesses and capital coming into this market to back those businesses, MassMutual Ventures Managing Director Doug Russell explained to e27 in a phone interview.

Based in Singapore, the fund will be led by Managing Directors Ryan Collins (former Head of Asia at Manulifes LOFT incubator) and Anvesh Ramineni (former Head of the Investments Team at OpenSpace Ventures).

It aims to invest in 10 to 15 startups in the region over the next three years, with a typical check size of US$2-5 million for each company.

Provided through the general investment account of parent company Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, MassMutual Ventures SEA is targeting Series A and B investments in digital health, fintech, insurtech, and enterprise software.

Also Read: Myanmars new early-stage fund EME launches with investments in Joosk Studio, CarsDB

In identifying potential investments and opportunities for its portfolio companies, MassMutual Ventures SEA will also work with its international insurance holding company MassMutual International.

The goal is to bring additional capital to the market and the region to help entrepreneurs build their businesses, Russell said.

When asked about the points that set this fund apart from existing players, Russell stressed on its access to both MassMutual and its global network of other investors and funds in the US and Europe.

As for the qualities that they are looking for in a potential investment, considering the sectors that the fund aims to invest in, in the same interview Collins said that they put emphasis on individual expertise and experience in the startups chosen sector.

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They will also consider the products and its market opportunities.

Also Read: G2Lab announces funding from Primedge Investment Holdings

I would also look at the problem that the company is looking to solve, and how they are looking to solve it  Also whether they are trying to become a regional or just a local company, added Ramineni.

Prior to its entrance to SEA, the firm has invested in seed to growth stage companies in North America, Europe, and Israel.

This new funding brings MassMutual Venturess total capital under management to US$250 million.



Image Credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The post MassMutual Ventures launches US$50M fund for Southeast Asian startups appeared first on e27.Blade-wielding Hong Kong man in critical condition after being shot by policewoman

A Hong Kong policewoman shot a man in the abdomen after he tried to attack her and a colleague with a cutter in Sham Shui Po MTR station, police said on Wednesday morning.

The 55-year-old builder, a Hong Kong ID card holder, was in critical condition after being rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment. He had been arrested.

According to police, two officers from the Police Tactical Unit were on anti-vice patrol and conducting a stop-and-search operation in the station at 7.40am.

They stopped the man near exit D2 inside the station, as he appeared suspicious. During questioning, the officers saw him take a 15cm cutter from a backpack, which he was carrying in front of him.

He waved the weapon and attempted to attack the pair. The officers issued a verbal warning, but in vain. The man still attempted to attack the female officer, said Chow Ngai-kong, divisional commander in Sham Shui Po.

With her life under threat, the female officer shot one round at the man and subdued him.

The Post understands the arrested man was earlier jailed for seven days, for attacking a police officer in 2013.



The policewoman, surnamed Yuen and a six-year veteran of the force, needed to undergo psychological consultation after the incident, as standard procedure.



Chow said there were strict guidelines concerning the use of firearms and officers were well trained, adding: Before she fired the shot, she had assessed the situation and was confident she could hit the suspect.

The force would look into whether Yuen followed police guidelines and related regulations.

A shopkeeper at Sham Shui Po station said she heard a bang at about 7.40am, but declined to describe what happened next.

Other shopkeepers said they had never seen such a chaotic situation at the station.

I was not here when it happened, but I have been working here for about a year and I have never seen anything like it. Its a safe place here, a female shopkeeper said.

Story continues

Legislative Council security panel chairman Chan Hak-kan said he was concerned about the possibility of people inside a crowded MTR station being hurt by a stray bullet. But he said it was necessary for the officer to open fire, as her life had been threatened.

I believe the police will conduct an internal review ... if the officer did not perform well, there may be disciplinary action, Chan said.

A senior police insider, who joined the force before 1995, said it was rare for a female officer to pull a gun to subdue a suspect. It is the first time [a policewoman has opened fire], in my impression, the source said.

The force does not keep official records of how many female officers open fire at crime scenes. But armed women on the beat have until recent decades been rare.

The force only started recruiting women in 1949, more than 100 years after its formation. Female officers were not required to attend mandatory firearms training until 1995, when they were armed in the same way as their male colleagues.

As of last year, there were 4,700 women police officers, accounting for 16.2 per cent of the 29,000-strong force, compared with 9.5 per cent in 1990. Winnie Chiu Wai-yin became the first female deputy chief of police in July 2017.

Wednesdays shooting was the third incident in less than four months in which a police officer opened fire.

On August 30 a police sergeant from the Emergency Unit fired a shot while trying to stop a car being driven at him during a chase at Lam Kam Road Interchange in Fanling.

And on July 31 a suspected triad member was wounded when a policeman fired two shots at a car being driven at him and during a sting operation in Tuen Mun.

According to the Police General Orders, officers are allowed to discharge a firearm under three circumstances: to protect any person, including themselves, from death or serious injury; to bring about the arrest of any person who has just committed a serious or violent crime; or to quell a riot or insurrection.

Additional reporting by Phila Siu and Sum Lok-kei

This article Blade-wielding Hong Kong man in critical condition after being shot by policewoman first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in October 2018. (File photo: Reuters/Piroschka van de Wouw)

Could Singapore see a general election in 2019, when it celebrates its bicentennial  the 200th year since Stamford Raffles arrival? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has left the door open to such a possibility.

PM Lee was speaking at a dialogue held as part of a welcome dinner at the inaugural Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on Tuesday (6 November). The two-day forum is being attended by more than 400 big names in politics and business.

When asked by Bloomberg News editor-in-chief John Micklethwait if the bicentennial might be a reason to bring forward the general election, which must be held by January 2021, Lee replied: Its always possible. There are many reasons to bring elections forward, so well see.

The last general election in Singapore was held on 11 September, 2015, months after the death of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The ruling Peoples Action Party won nearly 70 per cent of the votes cast, its best showing since 2001, a result partly attributed to the patriotic feelings from Lees passing.

PM Lees children have no interest in politics

When asked whether the next generation of Lees would be entering politics, PM Lee noted that none of his children have shown any interest in doing so.

He said, They have their own responsibilities and careers. Im sure theyll make contributions in their own ways. I think it would be unkind for me to add more burden on them. It is difficult enough for them carrying my name.

The dialogue also touched on global issues, such as the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. PM Lee said that, if such tensions as not well-resolved, it will lead to broader conflicts that could stoke mutual suspicions and distrust.

He added, The most apocalyptic view is that some Chinese will think that the Americans want to frustrate their emergence in the world to their rightful place, and some Americans will think that the Chinese want to supplant Americas role as the hyper-power.

Story continues

Chinas WTO terms need updating

PM Lee believes that the terms on which China first joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) 17 years ago need to be updated, as its global impact is different from what it used to be.

For instance, when it entered the WTO, it made up about 4 per cent of the worlds Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Now it has gone up to 15 per cent.

When Micklethwait pointed out that Singapore has played an outsize role in Chinas development, PM Lee said, They see us as a bonsai tree model of what China is. Hopefully some ineffable essence of it is useful to them, and they take it back and transmute it, and it may take root in China.

What they are intrigued in is how it is possible in Singapore to have free and open elections regularly, multi-party politics, and one party remains in power for such a long time. It is strange, but it is not a given outcome for Singapore either, he added.

The inaugural forum was originally to be held in Beijing, but coincided with a massive new import fair in Shanghai that had been endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and taken on a heightened symbolic significance with the current trade tension between China and the US. Rather than postponing it to next year, the organisers shifted the forum to Singapore.

Other Singapore stories:

Tan Cheng Bock, Lee Hsien Yang seen having breakfast at hawker centre

Having 3 Lees in Cabinet would have made my job difficult: Goh Chok Tong

Lee Kuan Yew told me to take lessons from Machiavellis The Prince: Goh Chok TongAcclaimed Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov insisted he "never stole anything" as he appeared in court Wednesday on embezzlement charges, seen by his supporters as part of a crackdown on artistic freedom. The 49-year-old, who has challenged social norms and modernised the Russian art scene, made the remarks at his first open hearing in Moscow's Meshchansky court after spending more than a year under house arrest. The artistic director of the Gogol Centre theatre said he did not understand the meaning of the prosecution's indictment, which he compared to a "broken printer" that repeats "absurd" claims over and over. "I never stole or embezzled anything," he said, sporting his trademark black hat and purple sneakers. "I have not and do not consider myself guilty," he told the court, adding he had never been involved in financial matters. The court was packed with dozens of supporters including award-winning film director Andrei Zvyagintsev, writer Lyudmila Ulitskaya and actress Kseniya Rappoport. Some wore t-shirts with the faces of Serebrennikov and his three co-defendants Sofia Apfelbaum, Yuri Itin and Alexei Malobrodsky, who also came from their house arrests to a trial set to continue for weeks at least. The director is accused of creating an organised criminal group with his colleagues, embezzling more than $2 million (1.75 million euros) of state funding for a theatre project called Platforma. He has insisted the money was used properly after the project was backed by the Kremlin in 2011. The director's supporters see his case as part of a growing clampdown on artistic independence under President Vladimir Putin. Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has been among those calling for the charges against him to be dropped. Serebrennikov had been a critic of growing censorship of the arts in Russia, warning that "everything is returning to the most pathetic Soviet practices" and Gogol Centre had been a target of smear attacks prior to the case. - 'Destroying intelligentsia' - "This trial is aimed at destroying the authority of the creative intelligentsia," Russian actress Julia Aug wrote on Facebook ahead of the hearing. The prosecution claims Serebrennikov and his co-defendants stole part of the funds allocated for the Platforma interdisciplinary modern art project between 2011 and 2014. They are accused of signing fake contracts for "imaginary services" and then using the money "for their personal needs" while filing sham financial reports to the government. Prosecutor Oleg Lavrov on Wednesday alleged Serebrennikov coordinated the "criminal group" and misled the culture ministry by providing "false information". But Serebrennikov told the court that government funding was "always late", forcing him and others to inject cash into the project which was then returned. He said he did not know if these transactions went through an accountant but insisted that Platforma made every production that was planned and said the project was audited multiple times by the government without problems. Oscar-nominated film director Andrei Zvyagintsev said that he did not believe "one word of the prosecutor". The way Serebrennikov handled the Platforma project is typical of the workings of the cultural sphere in Russia, Zvyagintsev told AFP outside the courtroom. "It is clear to me that he is innocent and that truth is on his side," he said. Wednesday's hearing lasted for more than five hours and was adjourned until Thursday. - Working under house arrest - The free-wheeling director has fallen foul of Russian conservatives, with culture minister Vladimir Medinsky known to dislike his daring interpretations of Russian classics. His ballet "Nureyev" was delayed by months for mysterious reasons, and reports claimed the minister found the production too controversial, particularly for hanging a nude portrait of the legendary dancer as part of the set. However the ballet eventually premiered in the Bolshoi theatre, with the audience including several government officials and even Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Serebrennikov has continued to work even under house arrest: his movie "Leto" (Summer) about legendary Soviet rocker Viktor Tsoi, was completed without his physical presence after he was arrested during filming in St. Petersburg. He also managed to produce the opera "Cosi Fan Tutte", which premiered in Zurich on Sunday, by recording videos with instructions on memory sticks which were then sent to Switzerland, and received rehearsal recordings back. The international cast of the opera came out for the curtain call wearing "Free Kirill" T-shirts. Last week, Serebrennikov was nominated in three different categories for Russia's prestigious Golden Mask theatre award, with both of his 2017 theatrical premieres up for prizes.Elon Musks Tesla and Jeff Bezos Amazon.com are among only four foreign companies whose products and services are included in a World Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements list released by the state-sponsored Wuzhen Internet Conference on Wednesday.

Microsoft and Qualcomm are the other two foreign names, signalling that these four US technology companies have managed to maintain friendly business relationships despite an escalating China-US trade war.

The remaining 11 of the 15 firms with products on the list are all Chinese, including Tencent Holdings WeChat mini program, Huawei Technologies Ascent 310 chip, Alibaba Group Holding financial affiliate Ant Financial Services blockchain platform, Baidus driverless platform Apollo, Xiaomis artificial intelligence platform for smart homes, and 360 Groups security-distributed intelligence cybersecurity protection system.

Tesla was cited for its smart service. Although the American electric car maker has experienced domestic difficulties this year  including a move by the US Secutities and Exchange Commission to sue Musk in the Southern District of New York for his abandoned attempt to take Tesla private  the companys plan to build a factory in Shanghai has gone smoothly after landing a deal with the citys government in July. Tesla has already started hiring for its Shanghai plant online.

Amazons machine-learning platform SageMaker, developed by subsidiary Amazon Web Services (AWS), was also recognised by Wuzhen. AWS, the worlds leading cloud services provider, only started its operations in China in 2016. Chinas domestic cloud services market is mainly dominated by local players such as Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud. To comply with Chinas Cybersecurity Law, AWS had to partner with China-based data centres  Beijing Sinnet Technology Co and Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co  to serve Chinese customers.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Microsofts Azure Sphere, a Linux-based operating system for the Internet of Things and Qualcomms fully-integrated 5G NR millimeter wave and sub-6-gigahertz radio frequency modules  components for smartphones and other mobile devices that will pair with 5G modems  were also cited.

However, Google, which has been exploring a controversial plan to launch a censored search app in China, was not included in the list. Sundar Pichai, Googles chief executive, showed up on a panel discussion at the Wuzhen Conference last year.

Chinese president Xi Jinping said in a letter to the Wuzhen Internet Conference that the fates of nations are increasingly intertwined with the "profound technological revolution", which is forcing China to speed up digitisation of its economic development.

Earlier this week, Xi pledged at the countrys first Import Expo held in Shanghai that China would continue to open Chinas economy to the outside world, including lowering import tariffs and broadening market access, and voiced support for economic globalisation as the country is locked in a trade war with the US.

In his keynote address to the inaugural China International Import Expo, an event created by Beijing to signal its intentions to increase its business with the rest of the world, Xi said Chinas promise to buy more products and services from abroad is not a temporary arrangement but a long-term consideration and that the fair would become an annual event.

Alibaba is the parent company of the South China Morning Post.

This article Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft and Qualcomm receive special mentions at Wuzhen World Internet Conference first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Former US treasury secretary Henry Paulson warned a new economic Iron Curtain could descend between China and the United States as the divisions between the two nations broaden amid the escalating trade war.

Paulson also warned against attempts to isolate China, but called on leaders in Beijing to implement bold reforms like their predecessors Deng Xiaoping and Zhu Rongji.

Addressing the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on Wednesday, Paulson said the American business community had turned from advocate to sceptic and even opponent of past US policies towards Beijing as China had been slow to open up.

And even on issues where the two nations agreed, such as North Korea, they often pursued divergent approaches, which persuaded people to believe the two did not have shared interests, he said.

That is because the problems we face, and our divergence of views, even in the economic area, are much broader, Paulson said.

Unless these broader and deeper issues are addressed, we are in for a long winter in US-China relations.

And that is why I now see the prospect of an economic Iron Curtain  one that throws up new walls on each side and unmakes the global economy, as we have known it.

His message comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina later this month.

Officials and some former US heavyweights in China affairs are warning against the risk of derailing the China-US relationship.

On Tuesday, US former secretary of state Henry Kissinger said it was essential China and the US talked to each other, to know their red lines and the concessions they were willing to make.

Paulsons remarks followed Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishans keynote speech on Tuesday at the forum where he delivered an olive branch to the US, indicating Beijings willingness to resume trade talks.

Story continues

But Wangs speech failed to impress the US, according to diplomatic observers who said it repeated the official rhetoric and lacked the concrete signals necessary to de-escalate tensions.

Nobody is arguing against dialogue, but nearly everybody is arguing that the results of the US-China dialogue and engagement have been poor, Paulson said, referring to recent discussions of disengagement between the two economies.

According to Paulson, a new age of disruption was foreseeable, with economic tension reaching a breaking point, even though the tariff war between the two countries would eventually be concluded, hopefully soon.

He said the underlying tensions would persist for a long time and there were rising calls in the US to decouple from China.

The US business community was running out of patience for China to deliver its promises of reform and opening up, Paulson said, referring to a US administration report earlier this year that described support for Chinas accession to the World Trade Organisation as a mistake. He also said Washington was wary of Chinas access to US technology.

But he said efforts to isolate China would lead to the US isolating itself. The two nations were not a couple but two major players, and no nation would follow the US in its isolation strategy, he said

No country, in my view, will divorce a major nation that remains, even amid a slowdown, among the worlds fastest growing major economies, he said.

Paulson said the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement  which restricts members from signing trade deals with non-market economy countries  was a worrying sign of US attempts to veto efforts by its partners to open Chinas markets through their own trade negotiations.

So the US can try to divorce China by restricting flows of goods, capital, technology, and people. But what if others, especially in Asia, dont want to follow suit? he said.

Why would Asian countries, which are negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership among a group of 16 that includes China, walk away from their negotiations at the behest of the country that pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Paulson said Washington had to consider Chinas concerns, while Beijing also had to change its policies to improve relations with the US.

What China has lost, especially over the past decade and a half, is the bold impulse to reform and open up that led leaders like Zhu Rongji to undertake significant changes to the state-led sector in the 1990s, as Beijing prepared for its WTO accession, he said.

Zhu Rongji saw competition as a key to Chinas long-term economic success, said Paulson, who added that today the US viewed China as increasingly content to pursue its own standards, privilege its domestic rules and erect rather than demolish walls for foreign competitors.

He called on Beijing to conduct competition reform and create a level playing field for private firms and foreign companies, and to support innovation.

The key to avoiding an economic Iron Curtain, Paulson said, was for China to see that its interests lay in making reforms and changes, otherwise the risks of decoupling would mount further.

This article US-China divisions could lead to an economic Iron Curtain, Henry Paulson warns first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.A security guard walks past Red Bull team's Formula One car during an event in Hanoi, Vietnam November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Kham

By James Pearson and Khanh Vu

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam will host a Formula One grand prix for the first time in 2020 with a street race in the capital Hanoi, organisers said on Wednesday.

The Vietnamese Grand Prix is the first entirely new addition to the calendar since U.S.-based Liberty Media took over as commercial rights holders last year and replaced former dealmaker and supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"We are delighted to announce that Hanoi will host a Formula One Grand Prix," the sport's chairman Chase Carey said in a statement.

"Since we became involved in this sport in 2017, we have talked about developing new destination cities to broaden the appeal of Formula One and the Vietnamese Grand Prix is a realisation of that ambition.

"We are thrilled to be here in Hanoi, one of the most exciting cities in the world right now with such a rich history and an incredible future ahead of it."

The South-East Asian country is a growing market for sponsors such as brewer Heineken and will give the region four races on the calendar again after the departure of Malaysia last year.

The others are China, Singapore and Japan.

Ecclestone told Reuters last year that he had talks with the Vietnamese about a race while he was in charge but had decided, despite the money on offer, against it because he felt there were enough in that part of the world already.

Wednesday's announcement was marked with a launch party held inside the centuries-old walls of central Hanoi's Thang Long citadel and featuring electronic music and traditional dance and drumming.

Retired British F1 driver David Coulthard also attended with a Red Bull demonstration car.

Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had met Carey earlier.

"This is an important event not only in the field of sport but also in culture and society, contributing to the development of Vietnam," Phuc said in a government statement.

Vietnam's largest conglomerate, Vingroup JSC, has signed a "multi-year deal" to host the event, the Formula One press release said, without elaborating.

Story continues

VinFast, a unit of Vingroup, is set to become Vietnam's first fully-fledged domestic car manufacturer when its first production models built under its own badge hit the streets next August.

The Hanoi race will be run on a 5.565-km layout in the west of the city, adding another street race to the existing ones in Monaco, Singapore, Azerbaijan and Melbourne's Albert Park in Australia.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said the race would reflect Vietnam's ability to hold global events.

"It provides an opportunity for inward investment to Vietnam and importantly to bring the exciting wheel-to-wheel racing of Formula One to the people of Vietnam," he said.

While the country does not have much of a tradition of motorsports, sporting events or competitions in which the national team does even marginally well are widely watched and passionately celebrated.

There will again be 21 races on the 2019 calendar, with the same races as this year retaining their places.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru and James Pearson in Hanoi; Editing by Nick Mulvenney/Pritha Sarkar/Alan Baldwin)Warsaw's mayor on Wednesday prohibited a march planned this weekend by far-right groups to mark Poland's independence day centenary, but organisers vowed to defy the ban. Last year's event drew international outrage and condemnation after some of its participants shouted xenophobic slogans like "Pure Poland, white Poland" and "Refugees get out". The annual march is organised in part by the National Radical Camp (ONR), a group with roots that stretch back to a pre-World War II anti-semitic movement. Outgoing Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz told reporters in Warsaw on Wednesday she had not received assurances from the interior ministry regarding a police presence to guarantee the event's security this Sunday. Gronkiewicz-Waltz, a member of the Civic Platform PO opposition party, said she had written to Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro twice regarding the ONR delegation. "First of all security" is a concern, she said, adding that "Warsaw has suffered enough due to aggressive nationalism", referring to Nazi Germany's attacks that nearly wiped the Polish capital off the map during World War II. "I believe, with all responsibility, that this should not be the way to mark one century of the independence of the Polish state, hence my decision to ban the march," Gronkiewicz-Waltz said. The march organisers have 24-hours to launch an appeal against the ban in court but a spokesman vowed to defy the ban, labelling it "reprehensible, shameful and... arrogant." "The Independence March will take place anyway, regardless of what Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz claims," organiser Mateusz Marzoch told the Polish PAP news agency. - Tensions with EU - Before the ban, organisers said they had expect between 100,000-250,000 participants. First launched on a small scale in 2009, the march drew around 60,000 participants last year. While many denied membership of or sympathy for extreme right groups, the event also drew representatives of far-right parties from Britain, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia. President Andrzej Duda and government members of Poland's right-wing Law and Justice or PiS party pulled out of the march after government officials failed to convince the rally organisers to carry only Polish flags this year in a bid to prevent any racist overtones. Duda and his allied PiS leaders later on Wednesday called a meeting on the ban. Since winning office in 2015, the right-wing government has put Poland on a collision course with the European Union by introducing a string of controversial judicial reforms that Brussels has warned pose a threat to judicial independence, the rule of law and ultimately to democracy.EDITORIAL: United Way: Thanks to all that help make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need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/Climate change science comeback strategies: 'In it for the money' Posted on 7 November 2018 by Guest Author This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Image by Karin Kirk. When you dont like the message, attack the messenger. Its an age-old tactic and an easy way to energize opposition while distracting from the real issue at hand. With climate change, ad-hominem attacks on scientists are intended to shake public trust in the scientific evidence that underpin the whole issue. After all, who could be more villainous than the worlds climate scientists? Does one really think this group of bicycle-riding, organic-cotton-wearing PhDs might be pulling off a skillfully-coordinated global conspiracy, one involving 100 years of research from hundreds of scientists all over the world? The notion of scientists-as-conspiracists seems preposterous  but for those who have never met a practicing scientist, are unfamiliar with the scientific process, and are emotionally invested in the idea that humans arent changing the climate, maybe it does seem plausible that climate scientists are stealthily, greedily, falsifying their reports to score the next big grant. Ergo, this common complaint from those alleging climate scientists are in it for the money: Most climate science is being paid for to prove a hypothesis, not disprove it. Scientists are getting funding to prove a result based on a single variable. And, guess what? Of course theyre going to prove it to keep getting paid. Scientists are told, Take a million bucks, and prove global warming is a result of manmade CO2. Thats whats happening in climate science, and its not the way science is supposed to work. This is a modified version of a comment on a science news Facebook page. Such sentiments are reliable laugh lines at professional scientific conferences, but given how pervasive they are, theyre not funny at all. Nonetheless, they can spur some good questions. How do research grants work? Why wont this myth die? And wheres the real financial lever in the climate change debate? Read on to see how three experts in science and communication unpack this misconception and clear the air. Strategy #1  Correct the science For a glimpse into the life of a research scientist, lets first turn to Katharine Hayhoe of Texas Tech. As a top-notch atmospheric scientist, evangelical Christian, and adept communicator, Hayhoe offers an unusually well rounded outlook. Shes a frequent spokesperson for building awareness about climate change. First, Hayhoe personalizes the message by sharing her perspective as a scientist. One of the most frequent objections I hear is, you scientists are just in it for the money. What many people dont realize, though, is that most of us could easily have chosen a different field  like astrophysics, where I began my education  where wed make exactly the same money. Or, we could use our skills in industry, working for a fossil fuel company (I interned at Exxon during my masters degree and published several papers with Exxon scientists), and earn easily ten times what we do now. If I wanted to make more money, there are a lot of ways smart people with technical skills could do that without putting up with the harassment climate scientists receive every day. Then she adds the facts: money from research grants isnt making people rich. It just covers basic costs, sometimes just barely. None of the research money I receive goes into my personal pocket; instead, its used to pay graduate students the princely sum of about $25k per year and around $2,000 a pop to publish our research papers. Hayhoe doesnt let her feathers get ruffled by the assertion. Their question or objection deserves respect, she says. But, she asserts, its important to show that we have a clear and rational answer to this objection. Strategy #2  Expose the myth, misinformation, or fallacy Wonder why some of these climate myths stick around forever, despite their being wrong? Thats because theyre designed with a strong understanding of how human brains hang onto information. These messages offer the precise fodder their intended audience wants to hear (irrespective of whether the information is true or not), and they are sticky. That is, they are short, simple, and easy to remember and repeat. Repeatable messages beget even more repeating, and pretty soon the refrain seems so familiar that it must be true. Interests opposed to action on climate change have spent nearly $3 billion on disinformation campaigns, plus over $2 billion on lobbying and campaign contributions in just 10 years, according to investigations by InsideClimate News. That kind of cash buys some well-designed and well-distributed messaging. John Cook and the volunteers at Skeptical Science have written a handy guide to debunking climate myths. Their responses are short, sweet, and easy to remember. The golden rule of debunking is to fight sticky myths with stickier facts, says Cook. In other words, its not enough to show that a myth is wrong. We also need to dislodge it with a factual replacement. Applying that idea to the topic at hand, Cook points out, If the myth is that scientists are motivated by money, we need to dislodge that myth by explaining what really motivates scientists. Scientists dont get funding to prove what we already know  their job is to push our boundaries of knowledge. Science also makes incredibly valuable contributions to society  helping us build a safer, healthier world. Funding for scientific research doesnt go into scientists pockets. It goes into the operational costs of research programs. If climate scientists were truly interested in money, they have other more lucrative options. This is an ideal opportunity to explain how science really works, offers Cook, pointing to a silver lining in mythbusting  it opens the floor for sharing better information. Strategy #3  Engage in dialogue Karin Tamerius, of SMART Politics, offers her take on this myth. She begins by indicating agreement with the commenter and asking a question to kick off a dialog. Tamerius points out that asking gotcha style questions is unlikely to promote dialogue. Instead, she takes a few steps back, to the point where theres a potential opening for a less controversial avenue that can be explored together. You are absolutely right that money can corrupt science. Thats one of the reasons I try to get my information from a wide variety of sources. Which science sources do you think are most trustworthy? As she considers her next step, Tamerius takes stock of the underlying concern of the commenter, This person seems wary of scientific sources, she observes. Much of the debate on any issue nowadays involves rote repetition of messages coming from ones preferred camp, and Tamerius strives to get beyond that. Im trying to encourage the other person to reflect on where they get their information. My hope is to turn that skeptical spotlight back on their own sources of information. As for where the conversation might lead, Tamerius strives for both parties being able to talk about how to tell good science from junk science, she says. Ideally, we would walk away from the conversation with a few reliable scientific sources we can agree on. Want to try your hand at being radically civil? SMART Politics hosts a Facebook groupthat runs practice discussions touching on different themes and topics. Strategy #4  Be persuasive When it comes to changing minds, it takes a blend of solid facts, an appreciation for the concerns of your audience, and a compelling delivery. For this multi-pronged approach, we return to Katharine Hayhoe. While some scientists report their research results and leave it at that, others wade directly into the public conversation. Hayhoe has nearly 54,000 Twitter followers, and her Global Weirding video series illustrates key elements of persuasion. To grapple with the influences of money in climate science, Hayhoe doesnt shy away from exposing the real financial forces in play  corporate powers that, for decades, have attempted to derail the climate change conversation. Lets look at who really has the most to lose when it comes to weaning ourselves off the old, dirty ways of getting energy.  Take the 10 richest corporations in the world. Eight of them depend partially or even totally on the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels for their bottom line. Yes, 80% of the richest corporations in the world have everything to lose from giving up fossil fuels. So yes, I absolutely agree: lets follow the money. I think we can see where it leads! Lastly, Hayhoe offers solutions, with a blend of inspiration, optimism, and patriotism. But lets also consider this: we are currently undergoing as big a transition as we did when we went from horse-drawn buggies to the Model T Ford. Globally, renewable energy investment has outstripped fossil fuel investment since 2014. And China and India know this. Theyre not investing in fossil fuels. Theyre shutting down coal-fired plants and flooding coal mines and covering them in solar panels. The money of the future IS in green energy. We are being left behind. Did you know that China already leads the world in wind and solar energy production? Are you okay with that? One of Hayhoes hallmarks is her optimism about clean energy solutions. Paradoxically, concern for a low-carbon economy is what drove fossil fuel interests to cast doubt on the science of climate change in the first place. But as it turns out, most people actually like the idea of clean energy. Few would advocate for a life with more pollution. Acknowledge their objection, respect it, answer it, but then turn the conversation to the real issue: solutions, advises Hayhoe. As long as we can agree on the solutions, whats the problem? 0 0 Printable Version | Link to this pageIf you want to better understand why wealthy, coastal cities like New York and San Francisco continue to pull away economically from the rest of the country despite their absurd housing costs and soul-sapping public transit systems, consider a few of the big business scoops that broke this week.

First there was the news that, after months of making cities dance for the honor of playing home to its second headquarters, Amazon had chosen to split its new office between two locations. The likely finalists? Crystal City, Virginiaa suburb of Washington, D.C., where CEO Jeff Bezos recently purchased a mansionand Long Island City, a waterfront neighborhood in Queens offering lovely views of the Manhattan skyline.

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Almost 1,000 miles away, a different sort of plot-line is unfolding in Wisconsin. There, Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturing beast that likely assembled your iPhone, is in the process of building a new factory that will eventually produce LCD screens. The project has become a bit of a political millstone for the states electorally endangered governor, Scott Walker, who lured the company by offering such generous financial incentives that economists believe that Wisconsin wont make back a return on its investment until 2042. There have been doubts recently that Foxconn will actually hire the 13,000 employees to staff the plant it initially promised. And now, the Wall Street Journal reports that the company is looking to bring in engineers from China to work there, though its having trouble convincing some to move.

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These stories are really two sides of the same coin. One of the few iron rules of economic development is that industries tend to cluster geographically, in large part because its much easier for companies to hire in a city with a big pool of already existing talent. This is especially the case when it comes to the tech sector, since companies like Google and Microsoft are constantly in need of new engineers and coders. That fundamental fact of the industry is one major reason why, since the recession, large cities with tech-heavy local economies have been adding jobs faster than the rest of the country. When Amazon announced its plans for HQ2, executives said they planned to hire some 50,000 employees and wanted to locate in a city with a sizable tech workforce capable of supporting those planswhich is to say, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with a strong local economy. According to recent reports, the company decided that recruiting would ultimately be easier if they split the office evenly between two cities. In New York and northern Virginia, theyve apparently picked two areas with decent-sized tech scenes of their own and plenty of highly educated workers. In order to attract tech jobs, you need to already have tech jobs.

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Some cities manage to get around this Catch-22, in part because theyre fun places where college graduates like to live. Berlin used to be known as a haven for artsy Europeans and American expats. Now its the startup capital of Europe. Los Angeles has Silicon Beach, anchored by Snapchat. Other cities sprout tech or biomedical industries out of their universitiesPittsburgh being one of the best examples.

What really tends not to work is simply throwing a bunch of financial incentives at a company to move to your state and hoping it will bear fruit. Which brings us back to Foxconn. The company chose to locate its American plant in southeast Wisconsin, near the economically struggling city of Racine, for what appears to be a combination of political motivesDonald Trump first suggested the idea to Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou during a helicopter rideand the sheer amount of money Walker threw at it. Wisconsin has plenty of manufacturingHarley-Davidson, among other large industrial companies, is based therebut it isnt exactly a magnet for engineering talent, and with the statewide 3 percent unemployment rate (similar to a lot of its Midwestern neighbors), Foxconn is finding it hard to staff up. Hence, the Journal reports that its looking to bring in some Chinese engineers.

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The problem? The companys employees arent quite sold on the charms of cheese curds, brats, and Aaron Rodgers.

Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou is looking to company engineers in China to transfer, according to people familiar with the matter. Some engineers have expressed reluctance to relocate to Wisconsin, which is less well-known to Chinese workers than U.S. tech hubs in California or New York. One engineer who declined to give his name said he wouldnt want to move to a place he worried could be as cold as Harbin, a northern Chinese city known as Ice City.

Its possible that once the Foxconn factory starts operating, it will become the seed of a new tech manufacturing cluster near Lake Michigan. But as of now, it seems more like an example of why companies tend not to set up shop in the Rust Belt, even when they can get a sweet land deal. They need to go where the talent is.New York City is officially a one-party town, at least in the way that the nations largest city represents itself in Congress.

Rep. Dan Donovan, the Republican congressman from New Yorks 11th district representing Staten Island and South Brooklyn, has lost his re-election bid to Democrat Max Rose. Its a sign of just how big a swing two years of Donald Trump have delivered in and around big U.S. cities. In 2016, Donovan won by 25 points; Trump won his district by 9.

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Staten Island, which makes up the bulk of the New York 11th, was emblematic of one feature of Trumps appealhis success (compared to Mitt Romney) in a set of white northern suburbs that also included Long Island, New York, and the Detroit metro area. It looks like voters in those places are having second thoughts. Turnout in the New York 11th lagged behind 2016, but Donovan is on his way out. Rose was a good candidate, but his success owes a lot to the anti-Trump zeal that brought out an army of canvassers to support him.

The last time New York Citys congressional delegation didnt have a Republican was in 2009, after the Obama election brought a blue wave to the House.On Tuesday night, voters in the state of Utah elected Mitt Romney, Americas face of traditional Mormon conservatism, to the U.S. Senate. While at it, they also backed a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana that had been opposed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they chose to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which has been a core policy battleground between Democrats and Republicans for almost a decade now.

Versions of this story played out all through the night as progressive ballot initiatives on marijuana, the minimum wage, voting rights, and Medicaid passed in red and blue states alikea reminder that even in parts of the country where Democratic politicians arent popular, many of their issues very much still are.

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Along with Utah, blood-red Idaho and Nebraska also embraced Medicaid expansion. Between the three, more than 300,000 lower income Americans could become eligible for coverage under the program.

Over in the Ozarks, Missouri residents voted to gradually increase the states minimum wage to $12 an hour and to legalize medical marijuana, all while sending moderate Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill packing in favor of the states conservative attorney general, Josh Hawley. With its left hand, Arkansas passed a minimum wage hike to $11 by 2021. With its right, it re-elected Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who had opposed the measure.

Purplish Michigan, which sent a Democrat to the governors mansion this year, opted to legalize recreational marijuana.

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Meanwhile, Florida, which broke Democrats hearts in a pair of close elections for governor and Senate, also passed a felon re-enfranchisement bill restoring voting rights to 1.4 million individualsgiving progressives an iota of hope for the Sunshine States future. It was a reasonably solid night for voting rights and good government initiatives elsewhere too: Colorado and Michigan both adopted nonpartisan redistricting commissions to avoid congressional gerrymandering in the future; a handful of states passed automatic or same-day voter registration.

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The point here isnt that Americans are somehow hypocrites or misguided for supporting Democratic priorities while voting against actual Democratic politicians. Issues like immigration, gun rights, and abortion loom large (often, largest) in red states, after all. Its perfectly comprehensible that a Trump-loving voter in Arkansas or Missouri might vote for the guy with an R by his name, while supporting higher wages.

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Progressive ballot initiatives didnt sweep the night either. Montana decided to discontinue its Medicaid expansion, after a initiative that would have funded it with cigarette taxes failed. Medical marijuana appears to have gone down in North Dakota. Voter ID initiatives passed in Arkansas and North Carolina.

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Still, it s a reminder that good chunks of the Democratic agenda are fundamentally pretty well-liked. As red states embraced Medicaid expansion, Democrats retook the House on a campaign focused largely on maintaining protections for Americans with pre-existing health conditionsa reminder that Americans like most things about Obamacare these days, except the name. The campaign to up the minimum wage keeps notching wins. Marijuana is legal for medical use in 33 states, and for recreational use in 10. And in some key states, allowing people to vote is still apparently considered a good idea.

Health care, higher wages, and getting high: Democrats could pick a worse platform for 2020.Theres a geographic signal to Tuesdays congressional results that bursts through the noise: Congressional Republicans have been routed from the suburbs.

Here are some Democrats who took Republican seats on the outskirts of major cities: Sean Casten (IL-6) in the Chicago collar counties; Sharice Davids (KS-3) in the suburbs of Kansas City; Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) in the D.C. suburbs; Kendra Horn (OK-5) in the suburbs of Oklahoma City; Angie Craig (MN-2) south of the Twin Cities; Joe Cunningham (SC-1) around Charleston; Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Max Rose (NY-11) around New York City.

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Many of those were among 2016s 25 split districtsGOP-represented districts that voted for Clintonand made for obvious targets. Theyve been sliding toward Democrats for years. Others lurched left after voting for Trump in 2016. But amid various confusing patternsthe GOP winning big state races in the South; Democrats big victories in Michigan and Wisconsinthe trend is clear. Republicans are getting blown out of the places where once, long ago, the party found its most dedicated voters and defined its priorities.

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Just look at Texas, where headlines of Beto ORourkes narrow loss disguised how much he did for candidates down the ballot. Two powerful, long-serving RepublicansHoustons John Culberson and Dallas Pete Sessionswere defeated by Democratic challengers. Everybody is going down in Dallas County if theyre a Republican tonight, Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith told MSNBC Tuesday night. Later, Pete Sessions gave a concession speech in which he explained what had happened: His conservatism had brought economic growth to Dallas (the so-called Texas Miracle, in which Sessions probably overstates his role), and he paid the price. Unfortunately, that success was not enough to stem the liberal tide of people who have moved here from across the country.

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That might be right, in some places. Whether theyre leaving high-cost coastal cities or low-growth areas in the Rust Belt, Americans keep moving to the Sun Belt. This has changed politics in places like Texas and Georgia. A quarter-million black people moved to Atlanta between 2010 and 2016, a bigger influx than anywhere in the United States. Thats part of what put Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams within striking distance on Tuesday.

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Thats not all thats happening, though. The Republican Party also went nuts, progressively alienating nearly all of its highly educated voters, culminating in the defection of the Never Trump Republicans, the last rats off the ship. And the suburbs changed too, as rings of white affluence became increasingly diverse, often home to pockets of poverty. The suburbs are younger now, and the family in the tract home next door is just as likely to have been priced out of the city as to have escaped it.

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Theres also reason to expect suburbs everywhere to rally around a Democratic Party that rejects Trumps reactionary, caustic politics. Things are going well there! In February, I wrote about whats pulling American metro areas apart from the rest of the country:

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Since the financial crisis, these places account for more than 93 percent of U.S. population growth, two-thirds of economic output, and 73 percent of employment gains. All those shares are growing. Those numbers fall rapidly and progressively as you look at midsize cities, small cities, and rural areas.

From the left, there was plenty of criticism for Democrats suburban gains after 2016especially after Sen. Chuck Schumer couldnt deliver the promised fruits of a centrist candidate: For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, he said that summer, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin. Needless to say it didnt happen in 2016, and Clinton ran up the numbers in places like Orange County, California, while the party failed to make any gains in Congress. The strategy was derided as a pivot to the donor class.

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This time, without any substantial ideological compromises, Democrats translated popularity into power.

The vanishing of the suburban Republican will have consequences in the House. They were federal officials, but they had powerful influence over how business got done in their home districts. John Culberson, for example, played an instrumental role in redirecting an important stretch of Houstons light rail network away from a busy, popular street, jeopardizing the systems long-term success.

For good or for ill, suburban Republicans also had a stake in metropolitan issues. So it was that defeated Rep. Leonard Lance, of New Jersey, was a rare Republican voice in the House advocating for support of the Gateway investment to repair critical rail infrastructure under the Hudson River. Sometimes, they dragged their party with them, or enough of it to matter, supporting programs with predominantly metropolitan impacts like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit or the TIGER grants for transportation projects.

Theyve been replaced by Democrats, of course, who should be even more likely to support policies that favor the countrys big metro areas. But if 2016 showed that metropolitan-rural divide in presidential preferences, 2018 shows that split solidifying in the legislature. That means, more than before, that urban policy is now the exclusive concern of the Democratic Party.Texas residents who have not yet voted have only three hours left to get to the ballot boxes and choose between incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Beto ORourke, the Democratic candidate who has been gaining ground in a race historically won by Republicans. Therefore, a celebrity endorsement at this point might seem a little late. But if anyone can sway voters minds at the 11th (or technically ninth) hour, its Beyonce. The music icon just announced her support for ORourke with an Instagram post.

Alongside a GIF of herself donning a Beto for Senate hat, she encouraged her followers to vote. Im feeling grateful for everyone before me who fought so hard to give us all the right to have a voice. We cant voice our frustrations and complain about whats wrong without voting and exercising our power to make it right, she wrote.

Read more from Slate about the 2018 midterms.After years of not speaking to each other, Leah Remini and Jada Pinkett Smith have decided to leave their dispute in the past. Remini, who is the current host of Scientology and the Aftermath and an outspoken critic of the religion, joined Smith on Facebook Watchs Red Table Talk to hash out their issues. She reached out to me, which was really huge of her, said Smith, before greeting Remini with literal open arms in her home.

I remember the first time I met you was 20 years ago, said Smith. And then we reconnected at the Church of Scientology. Remini was a member of the controversial church since childhood but has since left and documented its many ills in the docuseries and her book Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. The expose and memoir included a passage about the many dinner parties that famed scientologist Tom Cruise hosted, which she claims the Smiths attended. It upset me, said Smith during the Red Table Talk, because I didnt understand why we had to be in your book. I was hurt.

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When the book was released, Smith dismissed those dinner parties as not having anything weird to do with the Church of Scientology, which made Remini become even more insistent about Smiths allegiance to the religion. The Girls Trip actress has repeatedly denied being a member.

In their reconciliation talk, Remini admitted she hadnt considered how her words could affect the Smiths, saying that she was just caught up in that pain and also the pain of others. Smith responded that she was concerned with protecting her family, but apologized for hurting Reminis feelings. Shortly before their chat ended Remini also apologized and added that she shouldve thought about what that meant for you guys, and I didnt.Thank you, Lin, for those kind remarks and for your friendship. I am thrilled you could be here tonight. And thank you to Meir Fenigstein everyone at the Israel Film Festival for this tribute. I am honored to be recognized by a group dedicated to showcasing Israels thriving film and television industry. Im especially honored to share the stage with Avi Nesher whose work I have admired for many, many years. Avi has never been afraid to tackle serious social issues, and his films are beloved by audiences and critics around the world. Hes played a pivotal role in the growing prominence of Israeli cinema. I am also a huge fan of Israeli television. As an avowed binge-watcher, I have spent way too many hours with Fauda and Hostages. Not to mention Homeland, which would not exist if not for Hatufim.

So, tonight we have much to celebrate as we open the 32nd Israel Film Festival. At the same time, today, Americans went to the polls to exercise our right to vote on what kind of future we want for our children. Those election results are pouring in as I speak. And so much is on the line. The past two years have been hard for all of us who cherish the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this country. The sense of community that has bound us together for generations is all but gone. We have seen the end of civil discourse. We have a President who calls the Press the enemy of the people. Nationalism is surging. Dog whistle politics are rampant and anti-Semitism is on the rise in ways my generation never thought imaginable. The Internet has become a place where people can vent their rage and spew hate anonymously. It is helping bigotry thrive. The truth is, hate speech breeds violence. It dehumanizes. It demonizes. And ultimately, it targets. What we saw in Pittsburgh was a horrific example.

These are NOT isolated incidents. They are NOT happening somewhere else. They are happening HERE in our communities and we must step up and speak up. We cannot allow anti-Semitism or bigotry of any form to become mainstream. Those of us who work in film and television have a vital role to play in telling stories that portray all kinds of people from all corners of the world. Stories that entertain, but also make us think more and harder about who we are and where we are going.

Its time for us to be vigilant in bringing new voices to the cinema. To nurturing [sic] diverse filmmakers from all walks of life who can offer unique perspectives on the world. When you have a chance to walk in the shoes of others who are not like you, it is harder to hate. Most of all, this is a time for all of us to examine our values and decide what we are willing to tolerate. It is time to be accountable. Its time to speak out loudly when we see examples of bigotry. Dont allow it from your friends, your co-workers or your family members. If we are not accountable, we may wake up one day in a country we dont even recognize. Let us all hope that todays election starts to chart a different coursenot just for the U.S., but for the worldone that reaffirms the values that we all cherish. Thank you.This post is part of Outward, Slates home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture. Read more here.

The outcome of a Massachusetts ballot measure may offer a glimpse of what comes next for transgender rights nationwide. Yesterday, roughly 68 percent of respondents in the state said yes to Question 3, upholding existing nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity. The vote marked the first time trans rights have come up for a statewide referendumand a rare success in the face of the bathroom predator myth that has plagued the community for years.

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While Massachusetts has a strong record on LGBTQ rights, people and organizations on both sides of the battle over Question 3 took nothing for granted. Those within Massachusetts and beyond treated it as a crucial test case that could encourage similar challenges elsewhere, and allocated resources accordingly: Per reports from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the No on 3 initiative received tens of thousands in donations from out-of-state conservative activists like Sean Fieler, as well as groups like the Family Policy Alliance, an arm of Focus on the Family with a history of spreading misinformation about trans people.

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Despite such right-wing opposition at the national level, Senate Bill 2407 and the effort to preserve it have received bipartisan support. It was signed into law in 2016 by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who personally donated to the Yes on 3 campaign when it later came under threat. (He also won re-election last night, while James Lyons Jr., who first introduced the petition to repeal it, lost his seat in the states House of Representatives.)

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The coalition that came to SB 2407s defense drew on a range of tactics, from TV ads to phone banking to canvassing, but in a victory speech Tuesday night, Yes on 3 co-chair Mason Dunns takeaway was simple: We win when we are trans-led, by and for our community.

Weve done the largest campaign for trans protections in U.S. history, and weve written the playbook that advocates will use going forward in transgender rights, said Freedom for Massachusetts Kasey Suffredini later that evening. He, too, credits the foregrounding of trans bodies and voices, both in ads and within the campaign itself, and one-on-one conversations between volunteers and votersof which there were more than 100,000 in the months leading up to the midterms.

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The strategy was first tried and tested in Florida in 2015, where researchers from Stanford and UCBerkeley concluded that deep canvassing (i.e., meaningful, experience-driven conversations rather than shorter, scripted ones) could durably reduce transphobia. Where volunteers proactively talked through potential concerns and established common ground, conservative Miami voters became, on average, more positive toward trans people and more supportive of local nondiscrimination lawsand stayed that way for months, even if they were later shown anti-trans political advertisements.

That last point was particularly important in Massachusetts, where the No on 3 movement leaned heavily on myths about trans people (and/or men pretending to identify as women under the auspices of the law) as a threat. The first thing visitors to the Keep MA Safe website encounter is a little girl holding up her hand in a stop motion, recalling the now-familiar refrain that predators will enter bathrooms unimpeded unless these protections are rolled back. That anxiety is echoed in the No on 3 logo, which shows a man standing on a toilet in order to spy on a woman in the neighboring stall. And on social media, organizational fearmongering only got more overt: The Massachusetts Family Institute tweeted out a GIF of a woman with duct tape over her mouth, suggesting that they are being silenced by the laws very existence.

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The claim that trans rights come at the cost of cis womens safety and privacy has been refuted over and over. A comprehensive study from UCLAs Williams Institute, which compared Massachusetts localities with and without trans-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances prior to SB 2407s passage, found no correlation between these protections and criminal incidents in public bathrooms, locker rooms, or changing roomswhich are exceedingly rare to begin with. But the specter of these hypothetical predatory men has dogged the trans rights movement since 2015, when it led to the repeal of Houstons human rights ordinance. Only with the Yes on 3 approachengaging with these misconceptions head-on and carefully, kindly dismantling them, with an emphasis on the humanity of all involvedhas it finally been dispelled.

Its a surprisingly heartening lesson for a political moment in which the most vulnerable are actively demonized or simply erased entirely. In Massachusetts, at least, a combination of hard facts and human connections won out over fearful rhetoric. For marginalized communities elsewhere in the country, the hope now is that the strategy will scale.On the Nov. 3 episode of Slates Supreme Court podcast Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick spoke with Rabbi Chuck Diamond about the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Diamond was the rabbi at Tree of Life for seven years. Dahlia was joined for this episode by her son Coby, and the three of them discussed the generosity of the Squirrel Hill community, the healing process over the past week, and how to talk to kids about the tragedy.

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A transcript of their discussion, which has been condensed and edited for clarity, is below.

Dahlia Lithwick: Hi, and welcome to this special edition of Amicus. Im Dahlia Lithwick. I cover the courts and the law for Slate. This is an off week for us, but it felt like there was something to say about the events last week in Pittsburgh, and so we have brought in Rabbi Chuck Diamond. He was the rabbi at the Tree of Life synagogue for seven years and actually in the building at an affiliated group for two years before. So nine years at the synagogue. Chuck, thank you for joining us this morning.

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Chuck Diamond: Im glad to, Dahlia.

Lithwick: I should add two caveats, one is that Ive known Chuck since I was 10 years old. He was, I think, the first person who met me when I got off the bus at summer camp my first time at sleep-away camp, and I stayed in no small part because he was a rabbi who juggled. My kids both know Rabbi Chuck, and I should note that my son Coby, whos 15, is in the studio with me.

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I cant tell you the number of people who stopped me on the street this weekYou know, Im not Jewish, Rabbi, but let me give you a hug.   Rabbi Chuck Diamond

So, Chuck, this is your community. I think you knew 10 of the 11 victims.

Diamond: I knew nine of the 11 fairly well, didnt really know the other two so well.

Lithwick: This week for you has just been one funeral after another, and trying to comfort the wounded, and trying to be with the grieving families. I guess my first question is, how are you?

Diamond: Well, thank you for asking. Its been, obviously, a real difficult week. It seems like one long day. Weve been going from one funeral to the next, to the next. Today is the last funeral, for Rose Mallinger, 97 years old, a beautiful soul, wonderful person, wouldnt hurt a fly, very active for 97 years old. Her daughter was with her in shul. She would come every week and be there on time. It was a joy having her as a congregant, to be her rabbi. Ive known her son, Alan, since kindergarten. Sort of the special nature of our Jewish community. Tragic, and I will miss Rose so, so very much.

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I sort of have become the unofficial spokesman for the Jewish community. The rabbis who are involved are doing such a wonderful job, but theyre not only recovering from the trauma of having been there and having escaped with their lives, and, in some cases, having to watch their congregants being executed within earshot, they are so busy officiating at the funerals and comforting their mourners. I give them a lot of credit. So Ive been able to fill. But its been one thing after the other, and in addition, I have a bar mitzvah tomorrow. I want to make that as joyous as I can for my student.

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Lithwick: Squirrel Hill, the picture thats been emerging in the press, Rabbi Chuck, is of this kind ofit was quite literally Mister Rogers original neighborhood. Were hearing that its just this  I mean, in addition to being this landmark Jewish neighborhood, also just a place of settling massive amounts of new refugees in the last few years. It sounds like my dream, like my Sesame Street dream of America. Can you tell us a little bit about the rest of the community?

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Diamond: Sure, and Dahlia, Im sort of the Big Bird of the community, just to give you an idea. It is a wonderful community. Im just so happy that I grew up here. I always wanted to come back. Its indeed a very special community. Its been fairly stable for maybe going on a hundred years now. Its known as the Jewish community in town. Weve always had the kosher food and bakeries. On Shabbat, youll see people walking to shul. I always said I dont care which direction youre going to, what synagogue you go to, as long as youre going to shul on Shabbat. The support from within the Jewish community, the orthodox rabbis, the conservatives, the reform and reconstructionist rabbis  I have a lot of respect for my colleagues. We all get along. We talk about ourselves as we. Its a beautiful thing.

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Not only that, Pittsburgh is a wonderful place to raise your kids. There are Jews and non-Jews alike  I cant tell you the number of people who stopped me on the street this weekYou know, Im not Jewish, Rabbi, but let me give you a hug. Or I love you or Thank you. Thats what helps us get through this tragedy. The beauty of our community. It was Mister Rogers neighborhood. Some people have called me the Jewish Mister Rogers, which is such a great compliment.

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I think you say to the kids that most often we live in a good world, in a safe world, but we have to be there for each other and we have to do good things.  Rabbi Chuck Diamond

Also, the support from around the country has been the same, from Jew and non-Jew alike, and really from around the world as well. So we are very comforted by that and appreciate them.

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Lithwick: You had posted on Facebook, I think, the other day. You had said the media trucks are starting to leave. The tents are folding up. The story feels like its moving on. I wonder if thats a relief to you a little bit, or if there was something that was energy-affording about having all that attention. In other words, is it better or worse for you, now that folks are turning their eye to the next thing?

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Diamond: Well, its an interesting question. The media has taken such a hit from various people, which I think is so unfair. Theyre not the enemy of the people. Theyve been gracious. Theyve been kind. Theyve been comforting. Ive made it a point when Ive appeared to thank them on air for what they do. I think its very important. Somebody, one of the gentlemen who happened to be late for serviceshe was caught in traffic with his college-age sonhe commented on Facebook that he felt like they were being a little too intrusive and he sort of resented seeing people talking about his synagogue that werent even members.

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I explained to him that this was so important, that there were so many people out there around the country and around the world who are concerned, and they need to hear whats going on. Its comforting for them. So I think the media has played an important role in this. I congratulate them on the way theyve handled it.

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But theres a news cycle, and we move from one thing to the other. The week before, it was the bombs, and now focusing on the election, and other various things. So its a relief to me in a way, just because physically, I tried to answer all the demands from all the media, from around the world. Weve been focusing on the funerals this week. The focus should be on the victims and their families. Its a tough time after the shiva to get on with our lives and back to some sort of normalcy. But there is no normal, I have to say. So this is the time we really need to be there for the families, and the mourners, and for the city, as we start to heal.

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Lithwick: Rabbi Chuck, I think Coby has a question he wants to ask you.

Diamond: OK, Coby.

Coby: So today is Friday, and that means that today is the start of Shabbat. I know that in the next couple of days, a lot of children are going to be rolling into synagogue for services and Sunday school and whatever they may be coming for.

Diamond: Right.

Coby: But I think those of them that have been informed of this are going to be really scared. So Im just wondering what are you going to say to them and what are people going to say to them to kind of comfort them?

Diamond: Yeah. I think there are different reactions, Coby. Ive talked to some high school kids, and its almost like some kids your age have become desensitized to these tragedies because they seem to happen so much. You know? There are new terms that you guys are used to, like lockdown. The next day after the tragedy, there was a prank call to one of the grade schools here and they had to go on lockdown. So I do think its impacted a lot of kids. I do think some kids just sort of dont know what to do with it because it just happens so much.

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When I was a kid, they used to have drills for nuclear attacks, right?

This was one person who acted here in Pittsburgh. But it was hate combined with guns, and thats a terrible combination.  Rabbi Chuck Diamond

Coby: Yeah.

Diamond: And we used to hide under the desks and I always used to think like, yeah, this is going to do a lot of good, hiding under the desk for a nuclear attack. Now you guys are dealing with a whole different world. Some of you go to schools with metal detectors and theres a fear  you dont feel safe in the school, which really should be a sanctuary for you. This was an attack on our sanctuary, and a sanctuary should be a place where youre able to feel safe.

So what do you say to the kids? I think you say to the kids that most often we live in a good world, in a safe world, but we have to be there for each other and we have to do good things. And there are a lot of good people in this world, and theres hope for the future. Thats the message I think I would give. Its difficult, though, youre right, but we have to be there for the kids and we have to be aware that some kids express it in different ways. Some are  you can tell that theyre worried and concerned and sad, and some kids sort of keep it inside. So we have to be there for them and we really have to be there for everybody. Thank you for your question, Coby.

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Coby: Yeah, no problem.

Diamond: Is that helpful to you?

Coby: Yes, it was.

Lithwick: Coby and I were in Charlottesville when the Nazis were there a year ago. At the time, I think there was this feeling like, OK, this is a bad thing, but its a one-off and now its over. And then now, I think this is this other bad thing and now its over. One of the things that my other son asked me this week is, has it always been this way? Whats different seems to be the discourse and the language, and things that are being said openly and flagrantly. It hasnt always been this way, right?

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Diamond: Well, a couple things that are different. One is we have 24-hour news and the world is a smaller place. So when something happens around the world, we all experience it. So thats one thing, I think, that is different.

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I think, also, that we live in a time now when the rhetoric has gotten out of control and that some of our leaders have failed to  Words are very important. I believe the response to Charlottesville was lacking by our leaders. I think that emboldens people to act out. So I think anti-Semitism has always been there, but a lot of times its under the surface. Now people are emboldened to express their hate in different ways more publicly.

This was one person who acted here in Pittsburgh. But it was hate combined with guns, and thats a terrible combination. We need to do something about the proliferation of guns in this country. Look, I dont have a problem with people owning a gun, but I see no use for an assault rifle whose only purpose is to kill people. I dont know why theyre legal. I just dont. Nobody can explain that to me. So we have a lot of work to do, and hopefully the next generation can lead us, as the wonderful kids in Parkland have done.

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So theres hope, I think, but theres a lot of work that needs to be done. I think our politicians have to get off their rear ends and do something. I think theres a middle ground and I think we have to start working together.

Lithwick: I actually just interviewed Emma Gonzalez, one of the Parkland kids. And she said, I have hope. I have hope. And your Facebook post Friday morning said, These are things that I have hope about, Im grateful about. Youve talked about the unbelievable support across the faith community, the first responders. Tell us something that has given you hope in this probably most catastrophic week that youve seen as a rabbi in Pittsburgh. But whats giving you hope right now?

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Diamond: Its interesting. The night before, I guess the Friday night, I was so depressed. I said to my wife, I just cant take this anymore. All the news, and whats going on, and the hate, and the divisiveness in our country, treatment of refugees, and the list goes on and on and on, as you know too well, Dahlia. And then this happens the next day.

But what has given me hope  and Ive been in touch with Parkland, I have to say, and survivors of Las Vegas, and thinking about maybe something we can do together to try to make a difference. Whats given me hope is theres so many good people out there around the world, and Im hearing from them. On the streets of Pittsburgh, my Facebook posts and the reactions to them. I think Ive heard from every person Ive ever known. The love and the support from friends and neighbors and strangers has been overwhelming to me.

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Ive gotten a few pieces of hate mail, I have to tell you, but not many. Very small percentage. That gives me hope. I think theres good people. The teens of Parkland gave me hope. Your kids give me hope. Theres a lot to be thankful for. Even at this tragic time, we have to consider that. I spoke to some of the survivors, or the people who didnt make it to synagogue, who are feeling guilty. I said, Youve been given the gift of life. Appreciate that and make the most of it. All the first responders and the police department and everybody whos been involved on all levels have just been wonderful. We live in a good community. There are good people in the world. We just have to do good things for other people. If we do that I think well end up being OK.The midterm elections on Tuesday ended with Democrats taking control of the House and Republicans fortifying their hold on the Senate. It was also a night of historic firsts in both congressional bodies and in states across the country.

Heres a look at some of the milestones from this years elections.

 Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota became the first Muslim women elected to Congress. The congresswomen ran on progressive platforms and both trounced their opponents in the polls.

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 New Mexico Democrat Debra Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids became the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. Davids, a former professional mixed martial arts fighter and Obama White House alumna, is also the second-ever openly lesbian woman to serve in Congress after Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

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 Jared Polis became the United States first openly gay governor after he won the seat in Colorado. Polis had also been the first openly gay man to be elected to the House in 2008.

 New York Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at 29 years old. Ocasio-Cortezs celebrity skyrocketed in June when she beat prominent Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in the primaries.

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 Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia were elected as Texas first Latina congresswomen. Both ran as Democrats and are also the states first freshman women elected for full terms in Congress in 20 years, according to the Texas Tribune.

 Democrat Ayanna Pressley will be the first black woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress. She unseated Rep. Michael Capuano in an upset in a September primary and ran unopposed in the general election.

 Republican Kim Reynolds became the first woman to be elected as governor of Iowa. She had been serving as an interim governor after President Donald Trump appointed her predecessor, Terry Branstad, to serve as the ambassador to China.

 Republican Kristi Noem will serve as South Dakotas first female governor. She is also the first person to become governor after representing the state in Congress.

 Either Democrat Kyrsten Sinema or Republican Martha McSally will become the first woman to represent Arizona in the Senate. Their race is currently too close to call.

 Republican Marsha Blackburn became the first woman elected to represent Tennessee in the Senate. She defeated the states former governor, Phil Bredesen.

 A record number of women won seats in the House, with at least 100 female representatives expected to serve the next term. The previous record was 85 representatives.Heidi Heitkamp didnt stand a chance. The North Dakota senator was a Democrat in a state that went to Donald Trump by a margin of more than 35 points. Shed won her seat in 2012 by just 3,000 votes, lifted to victory in large part by the Native American population a since-passed voter ID law was meant to disenfranchise. Only one poll this year had her leading her opponent, Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer. It was in February.

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Still, her loss hurts for women whove spent the past couple of years watching avatars for their sexual traumas get picked apart, mocked, and dismissed on the national stage. Despite her lag in the polls and her states support for accused sexual assailant and thenSupreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, she voted against his confirmation. A yes vote might have shored up support among North Dakota centrists, or it might have eroded the strong base shes built among progressives and Native Americans who love her for her work to protect Native survivors of sexual assault. No one can say for sure. But the safer option for a blue politician in a deep-red state would have been to do as the handily re-elected Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia did: Turn her back on her party, her morals, and the dignity of the Supreme Court to prove her chops as a centrist unbeholden to any party line.

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Instead, Heitkamp gave an eloquent statement in support of Christine Blasey Ford, connecting Fords story to those of constituents whod told Heitkamp about their experiences with sexual violence. (Her nonconsensual naming of some of those constituents in an ad was the most notable screw-up of her campaign.) She recognized that the moment was about much more than Kavanaugh and Ford. It was about the systems of power that condone or minimize abuse of women while protecting and elevating the men who abuse them. Some of Heitkamps most devoted constituents are the Native American women whove borne the brunt of those systems: Until Heitkamp helped pass a 2013 version of the Violence Against Women Act that gave tribes the right to prosecute non-Native perpetrators of domestic violence on their reservations, women on reservations had no recourse against their abusers. Shed pushed for a similar provision as North Dakota attorney general. Honoring those survivors in what Heitkamp must have known was one of her final acts as a U.S. senator amounted to one of the weeks precious few moments of integrity and grace in the face of spite.

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Cramer seized the moment from the opposite end, making his campaign against Heitkamp resemble a Trump-Clinton matchup in miniature: a man who thinks sexual assault is no big deal, versus a centrist Democrat who made her name defending womens rights. When Heitkamp was working on those protections for Native women in 2013, Cramer addressed the bill by saying to a sexual violence survivor, As a non-Native man, I do not feel secure stepping onto the reservation now. As for Kavanaugh and his alleged sexual assault, Cramer asked, Even if its all true, does it disqualify him? After all, he said, Nothing evidently happened in it all, even by [Fords] own accusation. Again, it was supposedly an attempt or something that never went anywhere. He responded to Heitkamps no vote on Kavanaugh by saying of his wife, daughters, and mother, They cannot understand this movement toward victimization.

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Now Kavanaugh is on the Supreme Court. Cramer, the guy who thought committing sexual assault shouldnt bar someone from that highest judicial body, is headed to the Senate, elected by a comfortable margin of about 10 points. Part of his job will be voting on future judicial appointees. Things that once seemed like deal-breakers for politicians and judicial nomineescredible (or, at least, embarrassing) sexual-assault allegations, defending sexual assault as a fine thing for a future justice to doare now part of their appeal. Cramers win feels a little bit like Trumps did: a reminder that American voters dont just tolerate misogynythey reward it.

It would be wrong to interpret Heitkamps vote against Kavanaugh as political suicide, as many pundits did at the time. The Washington Post ran a whole piece wondering Why Is Heidi Heitkamp Voting Against Kavanaugh?, attempting to project political motivations (she sees an opening to make her Republican opponent look bad) onto what may very well have been a moral decision. She was never going to win. Even the $12.5 million dollars in last-minute donations she raked in after standing against Kavanaugh, nearly as much as her pull from the entirety of her term, wasnt enough to save her in such a small state with such a committedly conservative electorate. Heitkamp could have easily aligned herself with the Susan Collinses of the nation: centrist white women who made much of their commitment to due process for the accused (if not the accuser) and who were positively incensed by the lack of decorum Democrats offered the honorable judge. Instead, Heitkamp set an example for legislators whod rather follow principles than bow to power. Tuesdays inevitable win for Cramer was no punishment for her vote. It merely revealed why votes like hers are necessary.On a night in which flipped seats and razor-thin contests are getting most of the attention, its worth pausing to look at how the blue wave could have trickled down to one of the least-blue places in America, even though it ultimately didnt. Alabama is by most measures one of the reddest states in the union. In 2010, Republicans drew the congressional map so that one of its seven districts is strongly black; that district now includes so many Democratic voters that Republicans have not put up a challenger to incumbent Terri Sewell since 2012. The states other six districts are almost as disproportionately Republican, and Democrats have often not bothered to mount serious campaigns there.

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This year, however, Democrats found competitive, serious candidates for several deep-red districts in Alabama. Mallory Hagan, a 29-year-old former Miss America and TV reporter, struggled with fundraising in the 3rd District but earned national press and ran a serious campaign. Democrat Peter Joffrion occasionally outraised incumbent Mo Brooks in the 5th District. In the 2nd District, which I reported on this fall for the New York Times Magazine, Tabitha Isner, an ordained minister with a masters degree in public policy, mounted an energetic race against incumbent Rep. Martha Roby. The 2016 Democratic candidate in the district was a peanut farmer who didnt even have a donate button on his website.

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If there was a sense locally that things might be different this year in Alabama, that was thanks in part to the victory of Democrat Doug Jones last year in the Senate special election against Roy Moore. During the campaign, Moore was credibly accused of sexual misconduct involving multiple teenage girls when he was a thirtysomething district attorney. He lost by fewer than 21,000 votes. But he still lost, which energized progressive organizers across the state. What the Doug Jones race taught a lot of people in Alabama was that theyre not alone, Hagan told me over the summer. There are a lot of people who think like us, and its possible for our state to change.

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But not tonight. Hagan, Joffrion, Isner, and the other Democratic challengers in Alabama all lost in their attempts to unseat Republican incumbents. Democrat Walt Maddox lost to incumbent Republican Kay Ivey in the governors race, too. As of very early Wednesday morning, voters looked likely to approve an anti-abortion ballot measure that would change the state Constitution to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life, effectively granting constitutional personhood to fetuses. Sewell will remain the states only Democrat in Congress.

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From outside Alabama, this was not a surprise: None of the races attracted serious outside funding or attention. But from inside the state, victory wasnt necessarily the point. Even if the change isnt visible on the map, Democrats here have built new organizations, trained new volunteers, and mobilized new votersand candidates. We have to invest in people and not just races, Doug Jones, who will have his own steep climb to re-election in 2020, told me last month. Weve got to play long ball. We should be putting resources here. We may not win, but well make it close, well make it competitive  and for the next cycle, things will be different.Filipinos face a considerable financing gap as savings, current levels of insurance and government health provisions may not be enough to pay for the treatment of critical illnesses, a survey by AIA Group, Philam Lifes Hong Kong-based parent company, showed. The findings are part of the latest AIA Healthy Living index survey, the fourth since 2011, that highlighted the prevailing health trends and concerns for individuals in the Asia Pacific region. The study showed that 86 percent of Filipinos were concerned about the potential costs of critical illness. When asked to estimate the cost of treatment for cancer they expect they would have to bear, over 81 percent estimate that the cost would have serious financial implications for them.Across all respondents in the Philippines, the financing gap for heart disease is 67 percent and for diabetes 55 percent of direct costs. When asked how they will pay for the treatment of critical illness given the financing gap, 78 percent cited the government while 56 percent said charities or trust. Only 27 percent said this would be covered by their own personal savings and even lower at 19 percent, by an insurance plan.Even as Florida divided closely between Democratic and Republican candidates in Tuesdays key Senate and gubernatorial races, voters overwhelmingly supported Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment that will automatically restore voting rights to most rehabilitated felons. The ballot measure easily cleared the 60 percent threshold necessary for passage, meaning 1.5 million Floridians will soon regain the right to vote.

Florida currently has the most draconian felon disenfranchisement law in the country: Former offenders do not regain their civil rights unless they receive an individual grant of clemency from the governor. A remnant of Jim Crow, this rule ensures that about 1 in 5 black would-be voters in Florida cannot legally cast a ballot. Republican Gov. Rick Scott has favored white Republicans who appeal for clemency while rejecting the vast majority of applications. He also made clemency applications more onerous and expensive.

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Voting rights advocates furious with Scotts capricious abuse of power mounted a campaign to liberalize felon disenfranchisement rules through a constitutional amendment. Amendment 4 has consistently polled well, drawing broad bipartisan support. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians who voted for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, a Donald Trump acolyte, apparently split their ticket, endorsing Amendment 4 as well. Although Republican lawmakers consistently attempt to suppress voting rights, expansion of the franchise appears to be popular across party lines.

A disproportionate number of Floridians who will obtain the right to vote are racial minorities. It is not clear, however, whether Amendment 4 will swing the state left in future elections. Party affiliation of former felons is fairly mixed, and their participation in elections is, historically, quite low. Florida voters who benefit from Amendment 4 will have an opportunity to reverse this trend in 2020. And even if DeSantis ultimately triumphs, he will not have Scotts power to deprive his constituents of their constitutional rights.Every time congressional races heat up, Muslim Americans again prepare for a barrage of xenophobic campaign ads that vilify them. In the Trump era, with the perceived success of his anti-Islam demagoguery, theyve only gotten worse. But even by those standards, what happened yesterday in Californias 50th district is chillingand it shows just how brazen and shameless these attacks can be.

The race was between incumbent Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter and 29-year-old Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar. Campa-Najjar was considered a longshot in a reliably conservative district until last summer, when Hunter received a 60-count federal indictment for, among other things, using campaign funds for lavish travel, tequila shots, and expenses for his rabbit. He then tried to blame his wife for it. Even for a safe congressman, a federal indictment is hard to overcome, and Campa-Najjar suddenly seemed like he had a shot.

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Campa-Najjar, like Hunter, is a Christian born in America. Unlike Hunter, he has a Mexican American mother, a Palestinian father, and an Arabic name. Hunter and his campaign believed that might be enough, so they launched a bigoted effort to smear him.

Specifically, Hunter seized on Campa-Najjars grandfathers alleged involvement in the 1972 Olympics terrorist attack to go after him, despite the fact that the grandfather died 16 years before Campa-Najjar was born. The centerpiece of this effort was an incredibly racist ad, widely denounced, that suggested Campa-Najjar is a security risk because of this purported connection. The ad, which remains online, is almost funny in how crudely it pulls from the anti-Muslim playbook. It seemed desperate, absurd, sure to fail, from a congressman who may well be headed to prison.

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But it didnt fail. Duncan Hunter won his race last night, and it wasnt even close.

Its hard to say for certain why Hunter won. The district went for Trump by 15 points, and Hunters father held the seat for 30 years before he took over in 2008. Still, it seems amazing, even in this race, that such a ridiculous, demonstrably false smear against another candidate wasnt itself disqualifying, especially from someone who was just accused of stealing by federal authorities. In his breakdown of the race, McKay Coppins wrote that it became the most anti-Muslim campaign in the countryand it didnt even have to target a Muslim. This is where weve arrived.

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Hunters ploy was shameless, but then why would he have shame? Muslims vote 2-to-1 for Democrats, and they represent only around 1 percent of the population. Whats stopping Republicans from serving them up to bigoted voters? One recent report shows 80 candidates for office this cycle relied at least somewhat on anti-Muslim sentiment. Its clearly seen as both an acceptable and favorable outlet for white voters anger. In other words, in the country where I was born, candidates dehumanizing my community can still be a winning strategy.

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The good news is thats not always true: The majority of those candidates either dropped out or lost. But the damage may be done. Weve seen that damage in increased anti-Muslim sentiment and violence thats risen above 2001 levels. Its not just individual incidents, either; this rhetoric has traveled to the heart of Muslims ability to participate in civil life. By one measure, nearly 1 in 5 Americans now think Muslim Americans should be denied the right to vote.

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For Muslims, this is incredibly disquieting. And this cycle only seems likely to escalate as we move on to 2020. I find some hope in knowing that disinformation campaigns against Muslim Americans have also been partly responsible for a surge in Muslim American candidates, and weve had some remarkable successes. As long as the GOP continues to bank on xenophobia to rile its base ahead of an election, it can also depend on more Muslims signing up to run against it. But for all the mixed-to-good news from these midterm elections, what happened in Californias 50th feels like special cause for alarm. As weve seen beforeand I fear we will see moreyou dont even have to be Muslim to be the target of Islamophobic suspicionyou only have to look like us.He did astoundingly well for a Texas Democrat. Hes already got a national profile. Hes proved he can raise a ton of money without indebting himself to corporations. His Uplifting Articulate Guy persona presents a clear alternative to Trumpism without coming across as scolding or patronizing. While he lost his Senate race, he has experience in Congress, but not so much experience that past votes will haunt him. Hes shown a rare willingness to answer tough questions. And as the clip above indicates, he has the charisma to make a live-TV F-word somehow come across as endearing and wholesome. Beto 2020why not?One little-noted consequence of the Democrats victory in the House of Representatives on Tuesday is that, for the first time in several years, there will be serious oversight of the Defense Department and possibly some cuts in high-profile weapons systems and secret commando operations.

At the Defense News Conference in September, Rep. Adam Smith, the Washington Democrat who has been the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and is likely to become its chairman in January, listed his top priorities if his party took control of the House. They include:

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 Cuts in the Pentagons nuclear weapons modernization programestimated to cost $1.2 trillion over the next 30 yearsas strategically unnecessary (Smith believes we have more than enough nukes to deter an attack) and fiscally unsustainable.

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 Oversight of special operations missions worldwide, which are far more extensive than most people know, for reasons that officials havent been asked to explain.

 More inclusive policies for women and LGBTQ personnel in the military.

In other statements, op-eds, and legislative proposals, Smith has staked out critical positions on other controversial issues:

 He and Rep. Eliot Engel, the New York Democrat who is likely to be the next chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have co-sponsored a bill to cut off military supplies to Saudi Arabia for its brutal war in Yemen.

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 He has denounced the Trump administrations $716 billion defense budget as excessive, saying that $600 billion, if spent wisely, would probably be sufficient.

 He has called for more transparency from the Defense Department, noting its failure to produce witnesses for congressional hearings or to provide information to the media.

This is not to say that Smiths chairmanship will herald dramatic changes in military spending, defense policy, or the Trump administrations secretive ways. The Armed Services Committee, even with the Democrats in the majority, will remain a fairly conservative body. Smith will still have to wrangle out legislative disputes with the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will remain in the hands of hard-line Republican Chairman Jim Inhofe. Finally, the House has rarely been an innovative force in national-security matters, regardless of which party is in control.

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The Pentagons days of free-flowing funds could be over.

Still, Trump has given the Pentagon carte blanche in setting its budgets and running its military operations, and the Republican-controlled Congress has followed suit in opening the floodgates. Even in the last few years of the Obama administration, congressional Republicans had little interest in attacking dubious projects or excess spending. The same went for Democrats, ever fearful of being tagged as soft on defense while U.S. troops were at war.

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Now, with the wars in low profiles (even with their far-flung deployments, American troops are suffering few casualties), the Pentagons days of free-flowing funds could be over. Long ago, the congressional armed services committees used to pick over the defense budget routinelyquestioning the need or cost-effectiveness of certain programsregardless of which party was in power. In the past decade or so, theyve done very little of this. The practice may soon be restored.

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If Smith is unable to muster enough votes to cut the budget, kill certain programs, suspend certain operations, or halt assistance to the Saudis, he can at least call hearings, subpoena witnesses and documents, write reports, reveal whats going on, and put alternative approaches on the agenda. Neither chamber of Congress has done even that much for quite a while.

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Rep. Engels can be expected to conduct similar probes on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Some questions he could ask: What did Trump agree to in his one-on-one sessions at the Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and at the Singapore summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un? What are Kims intentions in the new dialogue with the U.S. and South Korea? Is he just stringing us along? To what extent have Trumps financial interests shaped his foreign policy? Why hasnt the administration fully implemented congressionally authorized sanctions against Russia? What are the likely consequencespolitical, diplomatic, and militaryof Trumps travel ban and of his moves to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and the U.S.-Russia INF Treaty?

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The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is likely to be a much livelier forum, with California Democrat Adam Schiff sure to step up investigations of Trumps interests in, and possible collusion with, Russia. But on less-explosive matters, Schiff could make great headway in restoring the committees role of overseeing the U.S. intelligence communityits analyses, its covert operations, and its competencea central task that the current Republican chairman, Trump loyalist Devin Nunes, has systematically ignored.

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Some of these probes will enter realms that special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating, without necessarily raising the specter of an impeachment motion. More than that, the hearings could begin to lay out an agenda that the Democratic Party might adopt in 2020not just for attacking Trump, but for constructing a positive platform.

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The significance of all this should not be overstated. This will still be Trumps government, by and large, especially on national security affairs, where presidents have freer reign by nature. The Senate will still be in Republicanwhich is to say, Trumpshands. Though the Democrats took back the House, they didnt do so by sufficiently large-enough margins to persuade Republicans that they might be better off putting some distance between themselves and the man in the White House.

But a few flashlights will shine in places where, before, there was no interest in piercing the darkness. There will be challenges where, before, there was only submission. There might be at least one chamber of Congress doing what Congress normally does, and theres not a small matter.The midterm elections did not prove to be a wholesale repudiation of Trump and Trumpism. To the extent anyone had hoped that this would be the case, its clear that in some regions of the country, Donald Trump was very much on the ballot, and theres a willingness to stand by him even in the face of one of the most fearmongering and untruthful campaigns weve ever seen. That is a lot to contemplate for anyone who hoped 2016 would be rolled back in a night. The Senate will now double its breakneck rates of confirming judges intent on deregulation, curbing reproductive freedom, and pressing for religious liberty, and then it will probably double it again. And if an American electorate slowly normalizing Trump was the lurking fear of the midterms, its plain that many Americans have largely blessed or excused or justified his conduct. Thats sobering news.

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But if the cure for Trumpism is more adult supervision, the fact that the House has changed hands is crucial. Those worried about the erosion of the rule of law can take comfort in the fact that Robert Mueller is no longer alone in investigating and holding the president to account; there will now be a massive check on this presidency that brings with it subpoena powers, the authority to compel the Trump administration to produce evidence, and the power to call witnesses to testify. This is precisely the outcome the White House was most dreading pre-election: disinfecting sunlight trained on the cracks and corners they would prefer to keep secret. Indeed, if the shocking behavior of the Scott Pruitts and Ryan Zinkes were somehow revealed even in the absence of meaningful legal checks and oversight, imagine what comes next for this previously unsupervised administration.

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The House Judiciary Committee will now be under the chairmanship of New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, for instance, a man who has already committed himself to looking carefully at the allegations of unconstitutional corruption in the Trump business dealings and his possible interference with the FBI. Nadler may move quickly to reduce any threats against Robert Muellers investigation. Decisions about an unlikely future impeachment process driven by Muellers findings would also lie in his hands. And the House Intelligence Committee chairman will now be Rep. Adam Schiffa careful lawyer described Tuesday night on Twitter by Harvards Laurence Tribe as a tower of integrity and decency. Even as House Republicans have turned themselves inside out over the past two years to try to explain away Russian involvement in the 2016 election, Schiff produced a 98-page document systematically refuting their claims. He is dogged and methodical and a former prosecutor who has been arguing that actual facts matter for two years. He will now turn his attention, he says, to investigating whether Trump was involved in laundering Russian money, an issue Mueller is reportedly tackling now as well. With Rep. Maxine Waters taking over as chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, she can work toward starting to restore banking and financial regulation, and Rep. Elijah Cummings at the helm of Oversight and Government Reform will mean, among other things, meaningful scrutiny of Trumps efforts to hobble the census and impair voting rights. The new Ways and Means chairman, Rep. Richard Neal, may very well seek out Trumps tax returns. All of these efforts were not only uninteresting to Republicans, who controlled the House for the past two years, but in many instances, they were affirmatively stymied when the Democrats attempted them as the minority party.

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This is precisely the outcome the White House was dreading pre-election: disinfecting sunlight trained on the cracks and corners they would prefer to keep secret.

Together with the legislative battles to come, this kind of oversight will assuredly drive the White House insaneas Nadler told CNN on Tuesday night Hes going to learn that hes not above the law, which is precisely what Trump believes himself to be. Democrats have been investing tremendous faith in the possibility that Mueller alone can bring Trump to account. The prospect of spreading oversight duties among state attorneys general and House committees takes pressure off the notion that any oversight could die outright tomorrow if Jeff Sessions or Rod Rosenstein were fired. (Update, Nov. 7, 2018, 4:27 p.m.: Sessions has resigned.)

Its worth recalling that the same cautions Ive offered about investing too much hope in the Mueller investigation still hold. Democrats who believe Muellers eventual findings might serve as the magic bullet that saves democracy still rest upon the hope that normal Americans will be persuaded if he reports that Trump has done something really wrong and worthy of legal consequences. Depressingly, the midterms reflect that Americans faced with near-daily evidence of wrongdoing already reported in detailranging from decades of tax evasion, corruption, and self-dealing to overt falsificationare mostly unbothered by such things. With every passing day in which Trump shows himself to be more corrupt, untruthful, or lawless, it becomes more difficult to imagine that even Muellers smoking gun will move the electorate against him. More pointedly, both Mueller and House committees tasked with oversight will face a growing wall of Trump judges, who are being seated at a record-shattering rate. Trump may not have the lawyers to fight off all the congressional oversight he faces, but with every passing week, he seats the judges who may be the firewall he needs.

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None of this is to say that winning the House on Tuesday was a trivial or symbolic victory. If we have learned anything in the past two years, it is that Donald Trump refuses to accept oversight or accountability in any form, and that is precisely why it is so urgently needed. (Already on Wednesday morning, he tweeted in defiance against Democrats wasting Taxpayer Money, investigating him, capitalization his.) Weve also slowly discerned how difficult it is for public figures to engage this president and win. Nobody out-Trumps Trump in the three-ring circus of evening television, threats, or bombast, not the Avenattis and not the Comeys. This is a frustrating but necessary lesson as 2020 approaches.

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But Mueller himself has shown us there is another pathand he has laid out a template of what careful lawyers can achieve with diligence and a perfect absence of drama or public spectacle. Whether hearts and minds can be moved against Donald Trump in the next two years is still an open question, and Tuesday night provided no assurances. But whether truth and fact can be amassed and assessed and proven is not in any doubt. Winning the House means Democrats will forcefully join Mueller in laying out what immutable, provable facts look like. The finding of fact will now be a government enterprise. Sad to say, that isnt a small shift. And in this moment, its as serious and meaningful a project as there can be.In Carson City, Nevada, residents heard the news from the Nevada Appeal: the Trump of Pahrump was headed to the state Assembly. In Las Vegas, casino workers struggled to comprehend that the rising politician whose face was all over the TV really was the same man who had been found dead in a brothel more than three weeks ago. And at the Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the Republican Partys newest rising star was trying to make sense of it all.

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On Tuesday, Dennis Hof, whose resume up to now included brothel owner, star of an HBO series about brothels, author of an autobiography about brothels, and Americas Pimpmaster General, stunned the political establishment by defeating Lesia Romanov for a seat in the Nevada Assembly. Its the latest shock in an electrifying year for the entrepreneur-turned-politician: Five months ago he astounded Nevadas Republican Party by defeating three-term incumbent James Oscarson in the primary. Then, on Oct. 16, he shocked the world again, throwing a birthday party attended by political heavyweights like Joe Arpaio, Grover Norquist, and Ron Jeremy, and then dying. It was the kind of pivot hardly anyone has attempted since Mel Carnahans hard-fought 2000 senatorial campaignthe consultant class has long argued that the living make better candidatesbut it paid off. Now Nevada Republicans are scrambling to adjust to the new reality.

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Hof appeared to be handling his rise to the national political stage with aplomb, riding out the attention in a closed-to-the-press candy apple red coffin six feet underground. There, forensic political analysts say, he is celebrating his victory by allowing the forces of gravity to slowly pool embalming fluid in the lower parts of his body. Hof had no comment on the election results, his plans for the future, or anything at all, but in a summer interview with the Las Vegas Sun, he explained that Donald Trump was the inspiration for his decidedly unconventional approach to politics:

Am I riding the Trump train? Hell yes I am. He blazed the trail for me. I would have never won the primary without what Donald Trump did. He carved a new dimension into the political realm, and Im one of the beneficiaries of it.

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But despite the straight line between Trumps 2016 campaign and Hofs visionary strategy of convincing elderly Republicans to vote for actual corpses, the partys political establishment seems to be attempting to keep their newest star under wraps. The Nye County Commission is reportedly planning to appoint another, living Republican to take Hofs seat, shamefully ignoring the clearly expressed wishes of their constituents to be represented in the state Assembly by a dead brothel owner. It is time for Americans of all parties to demand that Hof be seated in the Nevada Assembly. Otherwise, this will be how democracy dies: at a brothel, after a birthday party, with Ron Jeremy.Floridas Senate race seems to be heading to a recount, barring any drastic twists. Republican Rick Scott is up about 35,000 votes on incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. While a solid lead, thats still less than 0.5 percent, the margin threshold that automatically triggers a recount under Florida law.

Scott had already declared victory overnight, unlike two other senatorial candidates currently ahead in too-close-to-call races: Martha McSally in Arizona and Matt Rosendale in Montana. An adviser for Bill Nelson said Scott was the likely winner Tuesday night as well, but the campaign said Wednesday morning after results narrowed that it would request a recount.

We are proceeding to a recount, Nelson said in a statement.

The recount is unlikely to change the outcomeafter all, when Florida recounted its votes in the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bushs lead shrunk from about 1,800 votes to, by the end, fewer than 600.

This race is over, a Scott spokesman said in a statement. Its a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.This article is part of Watching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News.

It was around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night when Laura Ingraham gave Fox News viewers a preview of the story that she and many of her colleagues will tell for the next two years. If Florida turns out to be held by the Republicans in the end, and Georgia goes Republican, Oprah, Obama, the entire mainstream media have a huge amount of egg on their face, she said. They invested huge in turning those states blue. And if those states dont flip blue, I think they have a lot to answer for, not Donald Trump.

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It was a characteristically Ingrahamian tactic: to frame the elections outcomein which the Democratic Party flipped the House of Representatives, and the Republicans held onto an historically favorable Senate landscapeas a moment of reckoning for the Democrats and a resounding victory for President Trump. As is also common with Laura Ingraham, her argument bore little resemblance to reality. After all, as Foxs Bret Baier had said not 45 minutes earlier, a Democratic House takeover meant a major setback to President Trumps legislative agenda, giving fresh hope to liberals who want to investigateas we just talked about, possibly even impeachthe president.

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The newsier members of Foxs elections panel Tuesday night knew the Democrats were bad news for the Trump administrationeven if Ingraham and some others werent willing to admit it. It is a very, very big deal, said Chris Wallace immediately after the network called the House. Think of Nancy Pelosi as the speaker of the House, Adam Schiff as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Elijah Cummings as the head of the House Oversight Committee, Jerry Nadler as the head of the Judiciary Committee, Maxine Waters, Financial Services. A lot of listeners out there, their heads are exploding, but this is gonna be a very different Washington.

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It might be a different Washington, but as Tuesday nights election coverage made clear, its the same old Fox News: a channel where partisan propaganda will always eventually overwhelm honest analysis. As Ive mentioned several times during my recent deep dive into the network, there is a deep schism at Fox between its news and opinion divisions. The networks news reporters often do credible work. Its opinion hosts, however, are bent on spinning all of the news that passes across their desks in as favorable a manner for Trump as possible. The two sides of Fox News do not always get along. But the opinion side has the great advantage of operating in prime time, and so its voice usually resounds the loudest.

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I saw this lopsided dynamic play out over the course of Foxs Tuesday night broadcast. The networks coverage of the midterms was largely fine. Hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, joined by the trustworthy Chris Wallace and the deeply strange Brit Hume, did a fine job explaining the results as they came out, accurately framing the evening as a down-the-middle night in which the blow of Republicans losing the House was softened by the partys retention of the Senate.

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But Ingraham and some of her colleagues on the opinion panel were hell-bent on framing the night as a major victory for Trump. What the Democrats and the resistance movement particularly were hoping for, this massive repudiation of Donald Trump and everything he stood forthat doesnt seem to be transpiring. And what were getting is pretty much a tepid result, insisted Steve Hilton. It turns out that he has been the No. 1 asset for keeping the Senate, and that is huge, said Mollie Hemingway. Hes a huge draw. He motivates Republican voters. And its also just the agenda that he puts forward. The economy being so good, the deregulation that has done so much to jump-start the economy. To hear Foxs opinion hosts tell it, Trumps presidency hasnt been rebuked at all. Promises made, promises kept, as Sean Hannity put it at a Trump rally on Monday night. If there was a chip in this facade, it was that Hannity, perhaps in some hot water for essentially campaigning with Trump, was absent from Tuesdays coverage.

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Had he made it, he wouldve had a blast. In order for Trump to be the worlds biggest winner, everyone who opposes him has to come across as a total loser. And Tuesday night offered a preview of the disingenuous face-saving rhetoric that were going to hear from Ingraham, Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Jeanine Pirro, the Fox & Friends chuckleheads, and the rest of the usual suspects over the coming days, weeks, months, and yearsthat Donald Trump magically saved the Senate by holding some rallies and that Democrats are alienating America with a radical leftist agenda. I think most of the party realized that if youre not aligned behind the basic principles of kind of this conservative populist approach of Trump, not his tone necessarily, but his policies, youre not going anywhere, Ingraham said around 10:30 p.m. And, by contrast, the Democrats are going home to more of an Ocasio-Cortez party, which I think in 2020thats going to be a tough sell.

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I dont think thats a fair thing to say about the Democrats. I think that is a complete mischaracterization, Wallace interjected. If you look at the Democrats who are winning acrossAbigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton, look at them  

Theyre liberal, Ingraham interrupted, and though Wallace went on to finish making his point, Ingraham clearly wasnt listening. For Ingraham, it wasnt enough for the night to be not a total disaster for Trump: It also had to be cataclysmic for the Democrats. I was struck by a similar exchange a little bit earlier in the night between Ingraham and Juan Williams, the liberal Fox commentator.

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We have had about two months of people saying that Donald Trump was a combination of Stalin, Hitler, every tyrant that ever lived, Ingraham said. (Well   said Williams, in an if-the-shoe-fits tone.) And they plastered the airwaves, Ingraham continued. New York Times, Washington Post, and hes going to pick up some frankly lame candidates and middling candidates on his back to victory that everyone was predicting he was gonna lose.  Imagine if the media were about 50 percent fair. What would the numbers be now?

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Oh, come on, if the media was fair they would call Trump more out on his lies, said Williams, and Ingraham just responded with a stagey contemptuous laugh that, to me, seemed to succinctly summarize the Fox News Problem, how the networks opinion hosts subsume all efforts at fact-based discourse within a maddening Trumpist triumphalism. Everything that happened on Tuesday night was basically what was supposed to happen. The Democrats took the House, the Republicans took the Senate, and while there were some surprises within those spectra, the elections ended up where most observers expected them to go. Foxs news team acknowledged that on Tuesday night. Ingrahams embarrassing performance revealed that Foxs opinion team will never, ever let things be so simple.This article is part of Watching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News.

Sean Hannity is a choleric far-right hack who has spent nearly every weeknight of the past three years stumping hard for Donald Trump on Fox News. Night after night, segment after segment, Hannity has woven a fabric of omissions and misrepresentations designed to give cover to Trumps character and presidency. Instead, he has tried to transfer all the presidents sins onto the Democratic Party, whose members he routinely derides as immoral liars who are working to bring America down from the inside. I am not exaggerating here; Hannity has literally told his audiences that all Democrats are lying to you. For his efforts on behalf of the president he has been rewarded with high ratings and a direct line to Trump. Theyre now phone buddies.

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So it should have surprised no one when, on Monday night, Hannity appeared onstage as a featured speaker at a Trump campaign rally in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Though Hannity had come to Missouri under the pretense of covering the rally for Fox News, he did not demur when Trump asked him to say a few words to the crowd. After maligning the reporters in the rear of the auditorium as fake news, Hannity went on to fulsomely praise the president, who was standing a few feet to his right. The one thing that has defined your presidency more than anything else: Promises made, promises kept, said Hannity at the rally, speaking from behind a rostrum bedecked with the presidential seal. (Hannitys colleague Jeanine Pirro, perhaps the one Fox host with even less journalistic credibility than Hannity, also spoke at the rally.)

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In so doing, many livid Fox News staffers later told CNN Business, Hannity crossed a line. An opinion journalist like Hannity can have a preferred candidate, and can make that preferred candidate known, for sure, but volunteering for campaigns and speaking at political rallies is a clear violation of journalistic ethics. Most journalists would never, ever think of doing so, because they know that directly advocating for a political candidate can serve to damage not just the individual journalists credibility but the credibility of the news organization for which the journalist works. Hannitys colleagues are pissed in part because his decision to speak at Trumps rally will make it harder for the rest of them to do their jobs.

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At Fox News, there is an internal split between the news division and the opinion division. The members of the news division are there to do journalism; the opinion staffers are there to get ratings and help elect Republicans. The news-division staffers get upset when their opinion-side counterparts undermine their work. But the truth is that Hannity undermines his colleagues every single weeknightand the only difference on Monday was the venue. A typical Hannity episode is 30 percent conspiratorial rantings, 30 percent hypocrisy policing, 30 percent unabashed Trump-stumping, and 10 percent Sebastian Gorka. In an hours worth of bluster, Hannity can undo a days worth of work by his colleagues. Though he sits at a news desk like a journalist, shuffles papers like a journalist, and works for a network that has News in its name, Hannity is not a journalist in the slightestfor years he even said so, until he changed his mind. He is a partisan shill cosplaying as a newscaster, and no one paying attention could seriously think otherwise.

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Hannitys upset colleagues know this, and theyre clearly using the Trump rally incident as an excuse to vent some of the steam that has been building for years. Im aghast, as are a number of other people, an anonymous Fox staffer told CNN Business. People throughout the company think a new line was crossed, said another. The line in question is the one that separates journalism from political advocacy, commentary from sycophancy, and real news from fake news. I completely understand why Hannitys colleagues are upset, but I really doubt any of them are surprised. Sean Hannity and many of his fellow Fox opinion hosts crossed that line a long time ago.Indiana Republicans have felt for six years that Democrat Joe Donnelly is only a senator through pure dumb luck. They  were basically right! Joe Donnelly wont be a senator anymore. The GOP candidate, businessman Mike Braun, defeated Donnelly. At the time several networks called it, Braun had a lead of about 12 percentage points, 54 to 42.

This just about dooms Democratic hopes for taking back the Senate.

Donnellys ascent to the Senate from the House of Representatives in 2012 was a fluke. He almost certainly would have lost to longtime GOP incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar, but Lugar was defeated in the primary by a Tea Party candidate, Richard Mourdock. Mourdock committed a fatal gaffe in a debate near the end of the general, when he said that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen. Donnelly won by 6 percentage points.

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Republicans hoped that they could knock out the accidental senator this cycle, and two sitting GOP members of Congress, Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer, both declared Senate bids. But incumbent Republican House members struggled in primaries all cycle long, and Braun beat them both in the primary.

In the general election, each candidate pressed hard against the others (vague) connections to sending jobs overseas. The Indiana Republican Party dubbed Donnelly Mexico Joe because his brothers business, which Donnelly had invested in, manufactures components in Mexico, while Brauns distribution company sold goods made in China.

Later in the campaign, though, Braun tied Donnelly to the national Democratic Party and Chuck Schumer, and hit him especially hard for his vote against Brett Kavanaugh. Donnelly tried to counter by playing up his support for Trumps immigration policies, including the border wall. In the closing days of the race, though, perhaps recognizing that he should offer his own party some reason to vote, he campaigned with former President Barack Obama.

It didnt work.The latest Pac-Man in the business community emerged as the lone bidder in the governments search for a third major telecommunications player. But lawsuits are expected to greet the National Telecommunications Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology even before the two agencies can proceed with the selection of the third telco player. The NTC and DICT have not awarded the third telco slot as of press time pending a further review of the documents submitted by the lone bidder. The group of Davao-based businessmanand China Telecommunications Corp. turned out to be the only bidder after two potential contenders were disqualified. The two other biddersPhilippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. and the consortium of politicians LCS Group and TierOnehave been disqualified because of incomplete documents. The three were among the seven that last expressed interest to become the countrys third major telco player. The other four were Norways Telenor Group, NOW Corp. of businessman Mel Velarde and two others who requested not to be named. NTC Selection Committee chairsaid the Udenna Group of Uy through the Mislatel Consortium passed the preliminary evaluation and was qualified to proceed with the selection for the new major player. Mislatel is a joint venture of Uys Udenna Corp., its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., China-owned China Telecommunications Corp. and Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. Inc. (Mislatel), which holds a Congressional franchise to operate telecom services. PT&T, according to the committee, failed to submit a certification of technical capability from NTC, while LSC-TierOne Group was disqualified for not submitting the participation security of P700 million. The two disqualified bidders, however, said they would appeal the decision with the NTC in the next three days. PT&T presidentsaid the bidding process was unfair. If we have given a certificate, we would have complied 100 percent. We have complied all the requirements, including the P700-million participation security and the P10 billion paid capital, he says. If you look at the MC [memorandum circular] we complied because there it was clear that national [scale] is equivalent to regional. If they change that in the bid bulletin, I think thats irregular and thats what we found, Velasquez added.l, co-founder of TierOne, is also set to appeal the disqualification. Sear Telecom, a consortium led by LSC Group and TierOne, said it would file a case against Mislatel for breach of contract. Mislatel, according to, managing partner of Sear, is not allowed to have its franchise used by somebody else without prior official consent of DigiPhil Technology Inc. DigiPhil in other words, has the right of first refusal. The prohibition actually is not absolute, for as long as they get consent of DigiPhil, he adds. DigiPhil is a unit of TierOne Communications International. If Mislatel will be adjudged to have breached the contract, it is therefore not eligible to partner with, so there is no congressional franchise and new major player. Thats a fatal flaw, Creencia said.Mislatel holds a Congressional franchise to operate telecom services, which was used Uys Udenna and China Telecom. Another potential bidder, Converge ICT and partner KT Corporation, did not submit bid documents because they found the venture commercially unviable.Smart Communications Inc. is leading in the mobile video performance and surprisingly has become competitive worldwide. Independent mobile analytics company OpenSignal released its first per-operator study for Asian telecom carriers, breaking down and detailing mobile video performance per carrier in Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines. OpenSignal, building on its previous State of Mobile Video report, said Smart garnered a video experience score of 42.2, ahead competitor Globe Telecom Inc.s 29.2, and well above the Philippines overall score of 34.98. In the same report, Open Signal said Smarts performance was comparable with video experience on US carriers. OpenSignal reports showed Smarts score to be at par with that of international carriers, such as AT&Ts 40.88 and Sprints 41.1, concluding that Smart has been providing its customers the better video experience in the country. OpenSignals per-operator study included special reports on video experience in Europe and US. OpenSignal said as global demand for mobile video continued to rise, the demand for better video experience was also increasing. In its first State of Mobile Video report, OpenSignal found that the best mobile video experience could be found in Europe, with Czech Republic topping the list of 69 covered countries with a score of 68.52. The Philippines scored 34.98 in the study released in September. OpenSignal says the video experience metric measures exactly what consumers are experiencing when they watch videos. Built on an International Telecommunication Union-based approach for measuring video quality, it is derived from several underlying parameters based on real-world measurements of video streams from the worlds largest video content providers. The study, which collected responses from 10 countries in August, showed that viewers in the Philippines watch the most online video each week at eight hours and 46 minuteseven more than in India and the US, where people watched close to eight and a half hours of online video.Shortly after the anti-abortion group Democrats for Life of America was founded in the late 1990s, its website listed more than 40 members of Congress it had identified as pro-life. Back then, it wasnt hard to find Democrats in public office who opposed abortion legislation, or at least spoke comfortably about their own anti-abortion convictions. As late as 2009, anti-choice Democrats had enough sway in Congress to hold up the Affordable Care Act until they were allowed to vote on a ban on taxpayer-funded abortions.

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Times have changed. This year, Democrats for Life found only seven candidates to endorse in both chambers of Congress combined. And the ranks of pro-life Democrats in Congress dwindled yet again on Tuesday night, when Sen. Joe Donnelly lost decisively to Republican businessman Mike Braun in Indiana. Donnellys loss is a significant hit, theres no doubt about it, said Michael Wear, a Democrats for Life board member. Pro-lifers, particularly those who are uncomfortable with Trump, need to really consider that one of the reasons there arent many pro-life Democrats in major elected office is because they fail to truly mobilize to support those that exist.

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The rest of the coalition looks shaky. In West Virginia, Democrats for Life endorsee Sen. Joe Manchin eked out a victory over his Republican challenger after becoming the only Democratic senator to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Manchin will now be one of only two pro-life Democrats in the Senate; the other is Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who also had a competitive race but ended up winning by a comfortable margin on Tuesday. As of last year, Donnelly, Manchin, and Casey were the only three Democratic senators with lifetime scores under 100 percent from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

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In the House of Representatives, Rep. Dan Lipinski easily won re-election Tuesday in Illinoiss solidly blue 3rd Districtbut only after facing a fierce challenge in the primary from Marie Newman, a progressive opponent who made his anti-abortion votes a centerpiece of her campaign. Several members of the House Democratic Caucus endorsed Newman in the primary, while the Susan B. Anthony List backed Lipinski. Now, the only other Democrats for Life endorsee in the House is 74-year-old Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a conservative Democrat in South Texas who often votes with Lipinski and Peterson, also won re-election easily on Tuesday.

The list of pro-life Democrats is now notable for more than just its brevity. All of the remaining members of Congress on the list are men.

Donnellys loss is a good illustration of the increasingly impossible bind for pro-life Democrats hoping to retain their seats. Although more than 20 percent of Democratic voters say abortion should be illegal under all circumstances, the Democratic Party has become an increasingly inhospitable place for pro-life candidates, as reproductive choice becomes an increasingly significant part of its agenda. Meanwhile, conservative pro-life groups rejected Donnelly because of his votes against defunding Planned Parenthood. The Susan B. Anthony List, an advocacy group that supports pro-life candidates, organized a field team in Indiana to defeat him. On Tuesday, the major anti-abortion news outlet Life News ran a scathing story with the headline Abortion President Barack Obama Campaigns for Fake Pro-Life Democrat Joe Donnelly.

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The list of pro-life Democrats is now notable for more than just its brevity: All of the remaining members of Congress on the list are men. Democrats for Life found only one woman to endorse this year, Dawn Barlow, a Tennessee doctor and military spouse who was trounced in Tennessees 6th District by a pro-gun, pro-life, pro-President Trump conservative. The fact that the coalition now consists of a handful of white men doesnt exactly make it look like the future of the Democratic Party.

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Michael Wear, the Democrats for Life board member, said that Tuesdays results should prompt questions among both pro-lifers and Democrats. Wear led faith-based outreach for Obama, and he wants to see Democrats make serious appeals to religious and anti-abortion voters. What is it about the Democratic brand, what is it about the stories we allow Republicans to tell about us, that makes the label Democrat such a burden in places like Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, North Dakota, and Missouri? he asked. Should we just be accepting defeat in these places? I think its unhealthy to lose incumbent seats and respond with the idea that voters in that state were just so driven by fear, or identity politics, that there is nothing Democrats could have done.In one of the most surprising House seats flipped by Democrats on Tuesday, Kendra Horn, considered a long shot in deep-red Oklahoma, defeated incumbent Rep. Steve Russell to become the states only Democrat in Congress.

The win appears particularly surprising when you look at Donald Trumps performance in her district in 2016: The president won there by almost 14 percentage points. National Democrats paid little attention to Horns district.

According to HuffPost, local Democrats were more optimistic about Horns chances, as the states Republican leaders had become unpopular. The statewide teacher strike that occurred as part of the national wave of teacher strikes was also thought to possibly harm Republicans in the polls as well.

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Horn herself appeared to have been surprised by her success, at least judging by her Twitter account. Heres her only tweet from the night, sent out around 11 p.m.:

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  Kendra Horn (@HornForCongress) November 7, 2018

In 2016, Russell had won the seat by more than 20 percentage points. But Horn outraised Russell, and a PAC funded by Michael Bloomberg spent $40,000 on ads for Horn just before the election.

Horn has worked as an attorney and political consultant, and she has experience working on several other campaigns. She will be the only Democrat of the states seven-member congressional delegation.The nations most notorious vote thief has gone down in flames.

On Tuesday night, Kansas Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach lost the governors race to Democrat Laura Kelly. Kobach built his career on voter suppression, whipping up nativist fervor by claiming that a large number of noncitizens are casting ballots. (They arent.) He led Donald Trumps failed voter-fraud commission, then eked out a victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary against current GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer. But even in deep-red Kansas, voters appear to have rebelled against his brand of paranoid, xenophobic conservatism.

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Although Kobach built up a national profile as a formidable politician, he is, in fact, deeply incompetent. He spent years promoting Crosscheck, a program that ostensibly detected double voting but actually had an error rate of 99.5 percent. He pushed a law that compelled Kansans to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, then defended it himself at trialat which point it became clear that he doesnt understand basic rules of civil procedure. A federal judge repeatedly reprimanded him during the hearings, then ruled against him and held him in contempt of court.

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As Kobach struggled to defend his signature law, he led Trumps voter-fraud commission right off a cliff. His own co-commissioners openly criticized him for lying about the existence of fraud. One sued him for concealing key documents from him; after a federal judge demanded that Kobach turn over the documents, he disbanded the commission instead. To save face, Kobach claimed he would take his work to the Department of Homeland Securitya claim that the DHS swiftly rebuked.

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Then there was the 2018 Republican primary in Kansas. From an administrative standpoint, the election was an absolute disaster. Officials failed to predict major turnout, leading to endless lines and delays. A number of new voting machines, on which the state spent millions of dollars, also failed. The blame fell upon Kobach, who spent his tenure as secretary of state pursuing phantom voter fraud instead of doing his job and ensuring that elections ran smoothly.

Now Kobach has faced the biggest humiliation of them all: He lost to a Democrat, in Kansas. All his voter suppression schemeshis proof-of-citizenship measure, his poll closurescould not pull him over the finish line. Kobach alienated much of the Republican establishment during his brawl with Colyer, and his flagrant maladministration of the voter fraud commission seems to have hurt his relationship with Trump. There is simply no clear path forward for his political career after Tuesdays defeat. Kobach has always been a loser. Now he is a loser out of a job.Thirty-one-year-old Lauren Underwood was the youngest black woman running for Congress this year. She had some powerful allies in her race against Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren in Illinois 14th District: Former Vice President Joe Biden stumped for her recently, and former President Obama endorsed her at a rally in Chicago on Sunday. Underwood is a nurse, and had served as an adviser to the Department of Health and Human Services under Obama. Tuesday night, she won.

Its a decisive swing left in a surprising place: a white, solidly Republican district where Hillary Clinton narrowly lost in 2016. Hultgren won his seat by 19 percentage points that year. But this year, he raised just half of Underwoods $4 million haul. I learned to be a black woman in this community, Underwood told the New York Times last summer, after she beat six men in her primary. This is my home, and the idea that I might not be a good fit is an idea I never gave a lot of consideration to. Between Underwood, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Abby Finkenauer, there are suddenly a few very young, very talented Democratic women in Congress.

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Underwood was the most exciting win for Democrats in Illinois, but the party secured other notable victories in the state, too. Republican governor Bruce Rauner conceded to Democrat J.B. Pritzker less than an hour after polls closed. Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider defeated Republican Doug Bennett in the suburban 10th Congressional District, which has swung back and forth in recent elections. And in the 6th District, businessman Sean Casten decisively defeated the six-term incumbent, Peter Roskam. The district has been held by Republicans since 1973.

Throughout the campaign, the restrained Roskam had tried to focus on Castens brash personality. On Twitter last year, for example, Casten called GOP donors the top 0.2 percent, 80 farmers and morons. Roskam told the Guardian recently that his opponent had embraced the attributes of Donald Trump that this district doesnt like: the name-calling, the tweeting and some of the vitriol. His campaign produced a web ad that condemned Castens professed admiration for sex columnist Dan Savage. Apparently, voters didnt mind. And now Roskam, like Hultgren, is out of a job.Lizzie Pannill Fletcher is projected to defeat nine-term incumbent Rep. John Culberson in Texas 7th District.

Fletchers victory in the state marks another indicator that Texas shifting demographics are threatening to turn long-held Republican seats in one of the most reliably conservative states in the country. The first clues for the 7th District came when the decades-long Republican district swung for Clinton in 2016. Fletchers win contributes another seat to the Democrats mission to take over the House.

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Fletcher, a local attorney, has tried to connect Culberson to President Trump, aiming to win over the districts large number of white, college-educated women. Culberson began representing the district in 2001, but the district has become both more diverse and more suburban since then, driving one of the biggest shifts in the country from red to blue in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections.

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Fletcher defeated Laura Moser, a freelance journalist (who has written for Slate) who supported Medicare For All and impeaching Trump, in a primary runoff that featured unusual interference from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The DCCC had taken the unusual move of attacking Moser directly, building an oppo-research file and branding her a Washington insider who didnt really want to live in Texas. Other establishment Democrat groups and individuals threw their financial support behind Fletcher, as the Bernie Sanders wing of the party rallied behind Moser. The DCCC backed off from the race after the primary, deciding not to advertise its support for Fletcher.

The DCCC had argued that it had attacked Moser because it wanted to set the district up with the strongest possible Democratic candidate. While its hard to know what could have been, from Fletchers victory in the midterms, it appears that the party may have been right to bet on a moderate pitch for Republicans and independents rather than a progressive pitch aimed at turning out a progressive base.On Tuesday, Maine became the first state to conduct a federal general election using ranked-choice voting, a system proponents say can reduce polarization and break the two-party stranglehold on American politics.

Sen. Angus King, the independent incumbent, became the first U.S. senator elected by ranked-choice voting; Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat incumbent who represents the Maine coast around Portland, was easily re-elected.* The ballots looked like this.

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Under ranked-choice voting, voters are free to vote for the candidate they like most, without worrying about a spoiler effect. The candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated, and those votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates. The process continues until all votes have been assigned to two candidates. It has been used in U.S. mayoral elections, most recently in San Francisco this summer, but never at a state or federal level.

The new system may wind up determining control in Maines 2nd District, which makes up the rest of the state. Democrat Jared Golden challenged incumbent Rep. Bruce Poliquin, the last Republican congressman in New England, in a race that also featured two independent candidates. By early Wednesday, with many votes left to count, the major-party candidates were neck and neck, with a pair of independent candidates keeping everything from crossing 50 percent.

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In another state, that might have meant a squeaker of a victory for one candidate and several thousand wasted votes. But it didnt, because this is Maine, and all those third-party voters will have their votes redistributed to one of the leading candidates based on their preferences. The race is likely to be settled on Wednesday.

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There are some potential downsides to ranked-choice voting, as Evelyn Lamb wrote in Slate in 2016:

As a simplistic example, say 25 percent of voters had the preference rank ABC, 35 percent voted BCA, and 40 percent voted CAB. Candidate A got the fewest first-place votes, so we take A away entirely. Now 60 percent of people have the preference order BC over 40 percent for CB, so B wins. This is frustrating because more people ranked candidate C as their first choice than any other first choice. And going back to the original rankings shows that if C wasnt going to win, more people would have preferred A to B. But the runoff system sticks us with candidate B.

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But that situationin which the electorate is more or less evenly divided in three totally different preference arrangementsis pretty improbable. Instead, the system will likely encourage candidates to run third-party campaigns, and voters to support them. In primaries, it will make moderates with wider, weaker support likely to prevail over extreme candidates with fewer but more dedicated supporters.

Maine voters elected to use ranked-choice voting in 2016, partly as a reaction to a two-decade period in which no governor won a majority, due to strong third-party showings. But last year, the state Supreme Court struck down the provision for use in state-level elections.One of Democrats most unlikely Senate opportunities this fall is, indeed, not to be. GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn has defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen in Tennessee and will replace retiring Sen. Bob Corker in the Senate. Networks like CNN and NBC called the race early. With 21 percent of precincts reporting, Blackburn was leading Bredesen by 25 percentage points, 62 to 37 percent.

The race had potential as a toss-up earlier in the year. Blackburn was a sharply conservative nominee, while Bredesena centrist, even conservative Democratremained well-liked from his tenure as governor in the 2000s.

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But the Tennessee of today isnt the Tennessee even of 10 or 20 years ago. The state has completely shed its ancestral Democratic history, going for Donald Trump by 26 percentage points in 2016. Its now about the same, politically, as Alabama. And Bredesen wasnt running against an alleged child molester.

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This race was a critical one for Democrats distant hope of taking control of the Senate, a fact that Republicans consistently played upand Bredesen consistently, if perplexingly, denied. When asked about a possible Democratic Senate majority, Bredesen would describe the chances of such a thing as minuscule. He tried to further distance himself from the national party by saying that he wouldnt support Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader. (Thats an easy concession to make, since Schumer would only need a simple majority of his caucus.)

The Blackburn campaign and outside Republican affiliates were relentless, however, in tying Bredesen to national Democrats. In debates, she would rarely let a sentence pass that didnt include the name Hillary Clinton. A National Republican Senatorial Committee ad that ran in October, meanwhile, warned that if Phil Bredesen wins, Dianne Feinstein picks your judges. Bernie Sanders runs the budget. And Chuck Schumer runs everything.

And thats really all it takes for a Republican to beat a Democrat in Tennessee. Even if the Democrat has Taylor Swifts endorsement.The blue wave, Twitter screamed all night, did not happen.

Democrats took back the House with a resounding lead in the popular vote and won at least 21 out of 35 Senate seats. They made big gains in states across the nation, from New York to Wisconsin to Texas. The overall swing from Republicans to Democrats is the largest since 1948.

And yet, continued Republican control of the Senate, and the high-profile losses of charismatic Democrats running in traditionally red states have somehow added up to a surprisingly defeatist narrative: America is more Trumpist than we thought. We are all doomed.

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I am not usually known for an excess of optimism. But that analysis strikes me as deeplyand dangerouslywrong. Far from showing that Trump is secretly popular, or that Democrats have once again failed to fight for their values, the midterms should be seen as a historic rebuke for the president.

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So here, to unskew the paranoid interpretation of the election before it gains the power to lead us astray over the coming years, are seven big pieces of good news from Tuesdays midterm elections.

1. The Polls Were Right All Along

Polls consistently show that a very large number of Americans strongly disapprove of Donald Trumps performance on the job. In FiveThirtyEights average, he has not dipped below 50 percent disapproval since March 2017. And yet, I, like so many others, have for the past two years been haunted by the persistent fear that we might still be underestimating his popularity.

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Tuesdays election results may be a scandal by the standard of justice and decency, but they are a triumph by the standard set by other authoritarian populists around the world.

There were, after all, plenty of reasons to worry. Trump evidently succeeded in shaping the political agenda. He captured the allegiance of a large majority of traditional conservatives. He was buoyed by a booming economy. Since the polls had significantly underestimated him once, it was only natural to wonder whether they might still be underplaying his support.

Today, we know that this is simply not the case. By and large, the polls proved to be strikingly accurate. Democrats were predicted to do well; they did even better.

And that should come as a huge relief to anybody who, in some part of their soul, feared that Trump might, despite all appearances, be playing three-dimensional chess.

2. Trump Is Not the Face of America

Given how horrendous Trumps words and the deeds have been over the past two years, its only natural that many liberals hoped for a total and complete repudiation of him. To them, it is a scandal that Republicans won any contested races at all. How, they understandably ask, can so many of their fellow citizens stand by the presidents bigotry, his shameless lies, and the blatant disregard for the Constitution?

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I, too, wish that we had succeeded in building a deep and broad consensus against Trump over the past two years. But it has now been obvious for a very long time that, though Trump remains unpopular with most Americans, he has succeeded in retaining the fervent support of a large minority of them. And if we compare Trump with authoritarian populists in other parts of the world, that should hardly surprise us: When Viktor Orban, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Hugo Chavez, and others were challenged at the ballot box, especially during their first years in office, they usually won. So while Tuesdays election results may be a scandal by the standard of justice and decency, they are a triumph by the standard set by other authoritarian populists around the world.

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One part of the reason for this is that, as I have argued before, Trump has never been the most disciplined or effective of populists. If there were a populist Olympics, he would, as the midterms once again demonstrate, not make medal rank.

Another part of the reason is that Trump is less in tune with the real America than both he and (paradoxically) some of his loudest detractors claim. For all of his undoubted support, a vast swath of America clearly cannot stand him. This includes the first-time voters and people of color who turned out in record numbers. But it also includes the white, middle-aged suburbanites who turned on the Republican Party at an unprecedented rate.

3. The Senate Was a Success

Republicans not only kept their control of the Senate; they added some seats to their column. Surely it is absurd to claim that this represents a success for Democrats?

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Actually, no, it isnt.

Consider the steep odds Democrats were facing: Because they had done extremely well six years ago, when Barack Obama resoundingly won a second term, it was always going to be difficult to defend some of the Senate seats that were up for re-election on Tuesday. Going into the night, Democrats held 26 of those seats, including ones in deep-red territory like Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia. To win a majority in the Senate, they would have needed to win 28 out of 35 races.

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Clearly, Democrats fell significantly short of that ambitious goal. But they did (as Larry David might say) do pretty, pretty, preeeetty well. By the end of the night, they had won 21 seats, with another three still too close to call, and tallied up a big lead in the popular vote.

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Even though the Senate is, for the time being, more firmly in Republican hands, this puts Democrats within striking distance of winning the upper chamber two years hence. For of the 34 seats that will be up for election then, at least 20 will be held by Republicans. If Democrats win half of the seats that are up for grabs in 2020a far smaller proportion than they won this yearthey would gain an overall majority. That will be difficult. But its hardly impossible.

4. The Midwest Is Not Lost to the Democratic Party

After Trump romped to victory in 2016 by unexpectedly winning states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it was tempting to think that Americas electoral map would never be the same. Just as the white working-class had abandoned center-left parties for the populist right all across Europe, so too would heavily blue-collar states in the Midwest firmly move toward the Republican column. In order to win in 2020, the argument went, Democrats would need to pick up traditionally Republican states with a growing minority population, like Georgia or even Texas.

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The midterms have called that conclusion in doubt for two reasons, one bad and one good. The bad reason is that Democrats performed a little worse than expected in the states in which they had hoped to make real progress: Despite running an inspiring campaign, and making real progress, Beto ORourke did not unseat Ted Cruz in Texas. And despite succeeding in mobilizing their base, Andrew Gillum and, most likely, Stacey Abrams failed to win governors races in Florida and Georgia. If Democrats are counting on demographic change to push them across the finish line in 2020, they are likely to fall short.

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The good reason, meanwhile, is that it is evidently more possible to win back the Midwest than many believed. Indeed, some of the nights most impressive Democratic victories came in states that Trump had dominated just two years ago. In Wisconsin, Tony Evers beat Scott Walker, the Republican governor who has been most aggressive in implementing a deeply conservative agenda in a once solidly blue state. In Kansas, Laura Kelly beat Kris Kobach, the Midwestern governor most closely aligned with Trump. Democrats also did very well in Midwestern Senate races, romping to victory in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and celebrating important wins in Michigan and Ohio.

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The lesson from all of this is by no means that Democrats should give up on winning Southern states with rising minority populations in 2020. Without a doubt, one of their paths to victory is to flip states like Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. But it does mean that they have a second path of victory as well: Democrats can also oust Trump from the White House by regaining states in which they have traditionally done well, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

5. Swing Voters Are Alive and Well

The major parties ran two very different strategies in this election.

Republicans firmly played to their core supporters. From the open partisanship of Brett Kavanaugh to Trumps rhetoric about illegal immigration, they took a far-right stance designed to mobilize the base. This tactic may have helped them pick up Senate seats in deep-red territory like Indiana, Missouri, and North Dakota. But it also alienated moderate, suburban voters who swung to Democrats in huge numbers.

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Democrats, on the other hand, pursued a much less unified strategy. Some candidates, especially in safe districts, ran robustly progressive campaigns. But others, especially in swing districts, managed to appeal to moderates without being milquetoast: They promised robust action on wages and health care, for example, and were unwavering in condemning Trumps racist rhetoric. But they also appealed to the middle by emphasizing what Americans have in common and avoiding talk of socialism or revolution.

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For one simple reason it will be hard for Democrats to replicate that success in 2020: During a midterm election, the opposition party does not really have an obvious leader. This is often seen as a problem, as when Democrats were accused of lacking a clear message over the past months. But just as often, it is an electoral boon, both because the Generic Democrat often polls better than any particular Democrat and because it gives local candidates greater liberty to tailor their message to their particular district.

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Even so, the midterms show that a pure logic of base mobilization usually fails. And that should remind Democrats that they do best when they dont feel that they have to choose between persuading moderates and mobilizing liberals. Doing both of these things is never easy; but as Ive argued recently, it is very much possible.

6. It Doesnt Take a Genius to Beat Trump

There is a huge danger to complacency.

Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama suffered big setbacks in their first midterms before winning re-election with comfortable margins. Trump is clearly unpopular among most Americans, but as 2016 taught us, Democrats can manage to be even less popular than him. Anybody who thinks that 2020 is in the bag because of what happened on Tuesday is clearly out of their mind.

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But there is also a huge danger to defeatism.

The midterms show that Trump is deeply vulnerable. He knows how to mobilize the base but not how to appeal to moderate Americans. And so the Republican Party has, under his leadership, been trounced by leaderless Democrats with a muddled message.

So Democrats run two big dangers in 2020: They wont win if they embrace a politician who is far outside the American mainstream. But nor will they win if they run a gray candidate who does not inspire hope or confidence. Finding a candidate who avoids both of these pitfalls may be difficultbut, as Democratic victories all across the country have shown on Tuesday, it is far from impossible.

7. There Is Finally a Check on Trump

The most important piece of good news coming out of the midterms is also the most obvious one.

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Ever since Trump got elected, the biggest danger has been that he might prove capable of weakening the countrys checks and balances, and destroying the rule of law. This danger is by no means banished after the midterms: In the short run, the Republican Party is likely to stay loyal to him. The partys enhanced control of the Senate will give it an even greater ability to place partisan loyalists in the judiciary. There is a real risk that Trump may finally fire special counsel Robert Mueller in the coming months. And if he does do that, there is a real risk that the FBI could become more and more politicized.

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And yet, the Democrats clear majority in the House will help to protect American democracy from some of the most blatant forms of executive overreach for the next two years. Any legislation to expand the powers of the presidency will surely be quashed in the House. The chambers considerable subpoena power will help to provide accountability. And investigations into presidential misdoings that have so far been a well-orchestrated sham will finally be pursued with seriousness and urgency.

The fight against authoritarian populists is never easy. Anybody who expected that the midterms could magically cure the countrys deep political problems has not been paying attention. But there can be no doubt that Tuesdays election was the best piece of news for American democracy since Election Day 2016.

With the House under Democratic control, we have more tools to stand up to Trump. The president remains deeply unpopular. And we have every chance of beating him in 2020. So lets take a day or two to celebrate this great successand then get back to the hard work of defending our ideals and our institutions against the dangerous authoritarian populist who will remain in the White House for at least another two years.The Senate special election in Mississippi is heading to a runoff. NBC News projects that none of the four candidates on the ballot will garner the majority needed to win the race outright on Tuesday, and that Republican interim Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy will have to settle things in a two-candidate contest on Nov. 27. The winner will serve out the remaining two years of retired GOP Sen. Thad Cochrans six-year term.

With nearly two-thirds of the states precincts reporting, Espy and Hyde-Smith were running neck and neck, with 41 percent and 40 percent respectively. Republican Chris McDaniel was in third with 17 percent, and a little-known fourth candidate, Democrat Tobey Bernard Bartee, had less than 2 percent.

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Neither party will be thrilled about a runoff, nor will either be all that upset. (Senate Republicans, however, have plenty else to be excited about.) Hyde-Smith is likely to consolidate most of the GOP vote now that McDaniel is gone, making her the heavy favorite in a state that went for Trump by 18 points two years ago and that hasnt sent a Democrat to the Senate since the 1980s. Strange things can happen in one-off elections, though, and Mississippi Republicans would have preferred not to spend Thanksgiving stressing out about holiday-season turnout.

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Democrats, meanwhile, will be content with overtime, but the runoff they were hoping for was between Espy, a former congressman who went on to become the first black U.S. secretary of agriculture, and McDaniel, a proud Tea Party type who is particularly polarizing in the state. Espy still would have had an uphill battle against McDaniel, but Mississippi isnt quite as politically conservative overall as you might think. It has the highest share of black Americans of any state in the nation, and Republicans margin of victory in recent elections there has been about 10 points smaller than it was in Alabama, where a Democrat won the Roy Moorethemed special election last year, or in Tennessee, where Democrats entered Election Day thinking they had a chance to flip a red Senate seat blue.

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There was a brief period this spring when this special election was looking special indeed for Democrats. The ailing Cochran stepped down in a year when they already had the wind at their back. McDaniel decided to abandon his primary challenge to the states other GOP senator, Roger Wicker, to instead run in the special election, which had no primaries to winnow the field. Mississippis Republican governor then picked Hyde-Smith as Cochrans interim replacement despite objections from the White House, raising the possibility that Trump would remain on the sidelines. And McDaniel, who had waged a particularly nasty primary challenge to Cochran in 2014, then did what everyone expected by quickly attacking Hyde-Smith as a RINO.

McDaniels campaign, however, never really took off the way it did four years ago. And by the time Election Day rolled around, order in the GOP had mostly been restored. The Republican establishmentincluding Trumphad rallied around Hyde-Smith, and so too had most Republican voters.

Democrats entered Election Day needing to pick up two Senate seats to take control of the upper chamber. There was an outside chance that they would end the night with 50 seats, in which case Mississippi would have become the ultimate tiebreaker. That, however, is no longer the case.And down goes another Senate Democrat. Sen. Claire McCaskill has conceded to Republican challenger Josh Hawley in Missouri. With roughly 80 percent of precincts reporting, the state attorney general led the incumbent by 13 percentage points, 55 percent to 42 percent. (Update, Nov. 7, 2018, at 1:50 a.m.: With 99 percent in, Hawleys lead stands at a less impressive but still surprising 6 points.)

McCaskill was one of 10 Senate Democrats up for re-election in a state Trump won, and she becomes the third of that group to lose re-election, joining Sens. Joe Donnelly and Heidi Heitkamp on the Democratic casualty list. With those three losses, Democrats already narrow path to a Senate majority is essentially closed. They now need to flip five GOP seats from red to blue to gain a 51-seat majority in the upper chamber. Thats nearly impossible, considering they entered the night competitive in just five GOP seats, and already their dreams in two of them, Tennessee and Texas, are done.

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The Missouri race was one of the tightest heading into Election Day, making Hawleys margin of victory more than a little surprising. Eight of the 17 polls tracked by RealClearPolitics since the start of August found McCaskill and Hawley in a tienot a within-the-margin-of-error statistical tie, mind you, but an actual, genuine, exact-same-number-for-each dead heat. Hawley entered the day up by a fraction of a percentage point in RCPs running average, while McCaskill was a slight 4-in-7 favorite in FiveThirtyEights classic model.

McCaskill spent much of her campaign trying to put some distance between herself and her partyeven after voting against Brett Kavanaughs confirmationin a state that went for Trump by 19 percentage points in 2016 after going for Mitt Romney by just shy of 10 in 2012. In a late radio ad, McCaskill dubbed herself not one of those crazy Democrats, and at a news conference on Monday, she once again tried to shrug off the national implications of her race, despite its potential to decide control of the upper chamber. I dont really see a huge difference in terms of the work of the Senate, whether its 5149 Democrat or 5149 Republican, she said. And Ive been there both ways.

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McCaskill did, however, make defending Obamacare a pillar of her campaign even as she was keeping her party at arms lengtha sign of just how much the political winds have shifted on the issue with Trump in office. It was an easy contrast with Hawley, who in his role as Missouri AG joined a GOP lawsuit that aims to dismantle Obamacare and many of the laws protections for pre-existing conditions along with it.

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Ultimately, though, that wasnt enough against Hawley, a former clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and a top GOP recruit this cycle. Young and polished, Hawley was a far cry from Todd legitimate rape Akin, whom McCaskill defeated in her last election.

Hawley openly embraced the president and his top priorities, including last years tax reform and the presidents beloved border wall. And he repeatedly branded McCaskill a party-line liberal who was out of step with a state that voted for Trump in a landslide. Even McCaskill couldnt completely dispute the last part. I know I cast votes a lot of Missourians disagree with, she conceded during a debate last month. I get that.  Youre not going to make everybody happy. On Tuesday, that assessment proved prophetic.The Makati City traffic enforcement trainee tagged one of the suspects in the motorcycle theft at the parking space of Ayala Mall Circuit on Nov. 2 surrendered to Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday. Noel Natividad Jr., a 23-year old trainee of the Makati Public Safety Department (formerly MAPSA auxiliary corps), surrendered to Mayor Binay four days after his accomplices Apollo Bartolome was arrested by the Makati City police. Binay said she was glad that Natividad has come forward to face the charges and submitted himself to due process. The mayor said it was unfortunate the incident, which was shown on national television, was disheartening to hundreds of his fellow trainees who have been undergoing very rigorous training. Binay also said she hoped it will serve as a lesson and remind them that the city government does not tolerate illegal activities, especially among those who are supposed to enforce the law. Natividad was identified by Apollo Bartolome, an employee of an establishment inside the mall, as his alleged cohort. Natividad was caught on closed-circuit television camera video footage walking with him to the parking area, and then driving out on board the stolen motorcycle last Saturday. Makati City police commander Rogelio Simon and PSD officer-in-charge Enrico Bautista accompanied Natividad when he surrendered to Mayor Binay.Simon said Natividad was being taken into police custody for processing and for obtaining his statement. Meanwhile, Mayor Binay said the incident highlighted the need to deploy more auxiliary troops to increase visibility and deter criminal elements. She said City Hall will be coordinating with the management of Circuit and other malls for additional security measures. Prior to Natividads surrender, Engelbert Esmaquilan and his father Edmundo sought police assistance on Nov. 3 regarding his stolen motorcycle parked at Ayala Mall Circuit mall located along A.P. Reyes Avenue in Barangay Carmona. In his complaint, Engelbert claimed that at around 9 pm of Nov. 2, he discovered that his black Honda Click motorcycle with plate number NG 13421 was stolen while parked unattended at the parking space of the mall. Simon immediately formed a team from his Anti-Carnapping Section to conduct investigation and follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of Bartolome, a 24-year old rider delivery boy of OPPA Chicken Korean Restaurant located at the ground floor of the establishment.Among the many important issues that will be shaped by the midterms is special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. While any number of things could happen depending on the outcome, lets look at the most likely consequences of a Democratic or Republican victory.

If Democrats achieve the net gain of 23 seats they need to win the House of Representatives, we can expect a bevy of aggressive oversight maneuvers. First would likely be an attempt to advance legislation protecting Mueller from firing by Trump or whoever is leading the Justice Department. The Republican-controlled Senate has already shown some willingness to take up similar legislation. Earlier this year, Senate Republicans moved a bill forward that would have protected Mueller, despite the objections of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This effort may also include attempts to shape the way Muellers final report is released. Right now, Mueller reports to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who will receive the special counsels report and can decide to make it public, share it with Congress, or both.

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This will just be the start of Democrats efforts to make up for two years of marginal congressional actions regarding the Trump administrations ties to Russia. If the Dems take the House, we should also expect plenty of investigations and requests for testimony regarding Trumps Russia ties. Rep. Adam Schiff, who would likely take over the House Intelligence Committee in the event of a Democratic victory, has vowed to investigate everything from Trump associates communications with Russians during the 2016 campaign to whether Trump is laundering money for Russian criminal interests. However, expect these investigations to move carefully. If Democrats become too zealous, they could harm Muellers investigation by offering immunity in exchange for testimony from key witnesses.

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Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee lawmakers could move forward with plans to impeach Trump. Democrats would need the Senate to move impeachment proceedings forward, something thats extraordinarily unlikely to happen under any scenario. The impeachment option, as Jack Goldsmith wrote in the Weekly Standard, would also come with the risk of Trump going nuclear with a flurry of pardons, dismissals of executive officials, and security clearance revocations in an attempt to slow any federal investigation into his ties with Russia and possible crimes. (If Trump went that route, lawmakers could respond by initiating an independent commission to explore Trumps connections with Russia.)

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And if Republicans hold the House? We can expect the same level of oversightthat is, little to nonethat weve seen from Congress for the past two years. A major concern for anyone supporting Muellers investigation is that Trump will attempt to remove Rosenstein from office in an effort to squelch the investigation. While Trump can remove Rosenstein regardless of which party comes out on top tonight, a Republican-controlled House would allow him to do so with less fear of pushback from Capitol Hill. If Trump removes Rosenstein, reports indicate he will seek to replace him in an acting capacity with Attorney General Jeff Sessions chief of staff Matt Whitaker, a man described as the West Wings eyes and ears in a department the president has long considered at war with him. However, because Whitaker would only be acting as the deputy attorney general, he wouldnt supervise Mueller. That task would likely go, at least temporarily, to current Solicitor General Noel Francisco, although he may have to recuse himself thanks to the fact that his former law firm, Jones Day, represented the Trump campaign. Whoever ends up supervising Mueller in the event Rosenstein departs can do plenty to blunt the special counsels investigation, including deciding when investigatory actions are inappropriate or unwarranted under established Departmental practices or choosing to keep Muellers report under wraps.

Even if Trump decides he doesnt want to risk the political blowback that would result from ousting Rosenstein, he might still attempt to prevent Muellers report from seeing the light of day, either by deeming the document classified or by attempting to invoke executive privilege, the latter of which would almost certainly be contested. Again, he could attempt to do this regardless of which party controls Congress, but given its track record over the past two years, a Republican House seems unlikely to push back on any efforts by Trump to bury Muellers findings.The United States just finished an election cycle in which one of its two major political parties bet everything it had on denying minorities the right to vote and making disgusting appeals to white supremacy. Lets see how current House Minority Leader (and future Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi responded Tuesday night to a well-funded, well-planned, depressingly successful assault on the very idea of a multiracial democracy:

We will strive for bipartisanship, with fairness on all sides. We have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we cant, but we must try. Well have a bipartisan marketplace of ideas that makes our democracy strong. A Democratic congress will work for solutions that bring us together, because we have all had enough of division. The American people want peace. They want results. They want us to work for positive results for their lives.

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A bipartisan marketplace of ideastheres that inspiring Democratic Party messaging we all know and love! Heres her full victory speech, which, yes, includes a salute to the founders and a meditation on e pluribus unum:

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Well, give Pelosi her due: It is undeniably true that the Republican Party has some exciting products for sale in their little corner of the bipartisan marketplace of ideas. Theyre not exactly new and improved, thoughits more of a McRib-type deal, where theyre only offered for sale occasionally, youre always a little surprised to see theyre back on the menu, and theyre unbelievably bad for you. Here are a few of the ideas the GOP is currently offering for sale:

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 Black people should be kept from voting at all costs.

 White racists should be encouraged to vote at all costs.

 Politicians should communicate with the public through lies, lies, and more lies.

 QAnon!

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A store offering this product line is not a store you want to lease space to in your marketplace of ideas. Its not even a store you want to let lease space in the abandoned marketplace of ideas on the other side of town, where they shot Gone Girl. You want a shop that sells these ideas to be forced to operate illegally out of a broken-down food truck that smells strongly of McCormick taco seasoning. You want the store to blow a tire during a high-speed chase with the health department, skid into a hog lagoon, and slowly sink beneath the surface. You want everyone who works there to go to prison for a very long time.

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Maybe theres some polling that has convinced Pelosi or her consultants that voters will be inspired by a leader who responds to a racist attack on democracy with platitudes about the founders. Maybe theyre right! But Pelosis idea that positive results for the country can be achieved by working with the current Republican Party is not true, in exactly the same way that Trumps claims about everything from the size of his inauguration crowd to his phantom tax cut have not been true. Its closer to the truth to say, as liberal megadonor Tom Steyer did Monday, that Republicans have shifted the conversation to places that are so crazy that theres really no other side to the conversation. Its even closer to the truth to say, as Seth Meyers did, that the GOP is hoping racist fearmongering will distract you while they rob you. The Republican Party is not looking for partners in the bipartisan marketplace of ideas; they are looking for marks, and at this point, its political malpractice not to acknowledge that. Weve already got one political party that routinely demands its followers ignore whats right in front of their faces. The last thing we need is another one.In a political career dating back to 1990, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller had gone a perfect 150 in elections (including primaries), winning many of them narrowly.

But after Tuesday night, he will be 151, losing his Senate race to Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen. The call arrived almost immediately after the early vote dump from Clark County (i.e., Las Vegas) showed an overwhelming Democratic advantage. Between that and her lead in Washoe County (Reno), there werent enough rural voters left to make up the difference for Heller.

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Heller, for two years, had been not just Democrats top Senate target, but its only decent knock-off opportunity on a map that put Democrats in half of the country on defense. He seemed aware of that precarious position in his purplish state early in the cycle, when he made a point of standing by the states popular Republican governor, Brian Sandoval, to reject a Senate GOP draft for repealing and replacing Obamacare.

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Thats when life became complicated for Heller, and when he stopped making sense. The rejection of the early health care bill drew him a primary challenger from the right, Danny Tarkanian. From then on, Heller began cozying up to President Donald Trump and inexplicably supported subsequent repeal-and-replace proposals. In early 2018, Tarkanian withdrew his bid and declared for a House seat instead (with some nudging from the president). Heller was never able to convincingly explain where he was on health care, so he stopped trying. He became something of a ghost to Capitol reporters, entering and leaving the chamber through back doors to avoid questioning.

Rosen, a protegee of Harry Reidsas all prominent Nevada Democrats arehad rapidly moved up the food chain in Nevada politics, declaring her Senate bid not long after she had been sworn into her first House term. With help from the Democratic machine that Reid built in Clark County, the states turnout following the end of early voting alone was at 114 percent of 2014s total turnout. It was too far too much, even for undefeated Dean Heller, to overcome.Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you.

The 2018 election was a body blow to partisan gerrymandering. Four states enacted redistricting reform that will diminish the role of politics in drawing district lines; more elected Democratic governors who can veto partisan maps. Another state, North Carolina, replaced a Republican state Supreme Court justice with a liberal who fought gerrymandering as a civil rights attorney. No matter what happens in 2020, it is all but guaranteed that the next decades maps will be significantly fairer than our current gerrymandered mess.

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Start with the ballot measures. Voters in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, and Utah passed laws that restrict politicians ability to carve up districts along political lines. Colorado and Michigan amended their state constitutions and will now use an independent commission to draw boundaries for both congressional and state legislative districts. Missouri also passed a constitutional amendment to empower a state auditor to draw state legislative districts on the basis of partisan fairness, ensuring that the outcome of each election is roughly proportional to the popular vote. Utah enacted a statute that creates a bipartisan commission to draw district lines without consideration of political advantage. The Legislature can override this map, but it is legally obligated to replace it with a plan that does not favor a political party.

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Tuesdays gubernatorial races could also affect the next cycle of redistricting, which will begin after the completion of the 2020 census. Voters in Kansas and Wisconsin elected Democratic governors, who could veto partisan maps in 2021. The GOP retained its supermajority in both state legislatures, however, so Democrats will need to flip more legislative seats in 2020 to prevent Republicans from overriding a veto. Voters in Nevada sent Democrat Stephen Sisolak to the governors mansion; if the Legislature swings Republican in 2020 and produces a gerrymandered map, Sisolak can veto it.

In New Mexico and Oregon, voters elected Democratic governors as well as progressive state legislatures. On the off chance those chambers flip in 2020, their governors will serve as a firewall against GOP gerrymandering. Democrats are likely to retain legislative control, thoughwhich raises the specter of liberal gerrymandering. Oregon is already gerrymandered in favor of Democrats, and New Mexicos districts were drawn by a court after GOP Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed Democratic maps that she claimed to be gerrymandered. With Martinez gone, Democrats could create maps that entrench their majority. In an ideal world, the U.S. Supreme Court would outlaw partisan redistricting. But until it does, Democrats who gain full control in blue states may opt not to unilaterally disarm, especially since Republicans have mastered the dark art.

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Perhaps the most interesting (if subtle) pushback against gerrymandering on Tuesday arrived in the form of Anita Earls victory in North Carolina. Earls won a seat on the state Supreme Courtdue in part to Republican chicanery that backfired spectacularlysecuring a 52 progressive majority on the bench. A former civil rights lawyer, Earls previously played a major role challenging North Carolina Republicans egregious gerrymanders in court. Although a federal district court struck down the current map, the current U.S. Supreme Court is highly unlikely to affirm its decision. Instead, the court will probably refuse to do anything about partisan gerrymandering, leaving the issue to the states.

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That creates an opportunity for progressive state judiciaries. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court famously invalidated its states partisan gerrymander under the Pennsylvania Constitution, ordering a new, much fairer map. Earls could lead her court to do the same. Unlike the federal Constitution, the North Carolina Constitution expressly guarantees all citizens a right to vote and requires all elections to be free. Earls could follow the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts lead and hold that partisan gerrymandering illegally dilutes the power of certain voters ballots in the basis of their political association. The North Carolina Supreme Court could then strike down both congressional and legislative maps that discriminate against Democratic voters.

Voters dont like gerrymandering. Its fundamentally anti-democratic, and when its put to a majority vote, it essentially always loses. In light of the Supreme Courts inaction, Americans are doing pretty much everything they can to keep politicians from manipulating the next round of redistricting. It wont be enough to abolish the practice altogether. But it does mean that, at a minimum, the House of Representatives will be a more even playing field in the coming decade.Pennsylvanias all-male delegation to Congress will finally welcome some gender diversity come January. Women won the states 5th and 6th districts Tuesday night, securing two of the countrys most flippable districts for the Democrats.

The winnersMary Gay Scanlon in the 5th and Chrissy Houlahan in the 6thwere assisted by a major redrawing of the states congressional map, spurred by a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that found the old districts had been prejudicially drawn to favor the GOP. Hillary Clinton won the old 6th district by 1 point; she would have won by 9 in the new one.

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Houlahan is a former Air Force captain and high school chemistry teacher. She took a seat left open by Republican Rep. Ryan Costello, who dropped out of the race in March. Houlahan might as well be a prototype of this election cycles first-time female candidates: Shes said she was driven to run by both the Womens March and the sight of her gay daughter and Holocaust-survivor father crying over Donald Trumps election. While her opponent, former Wendys franchise owner Greg McCauley, backed Trumps plans for a border wall and defunding sanctuary cities, Houlahan cited mushroom farmers in her district who said harsh immigration restrictions made it difficult for them to find workers. She also out-raised McCauley by more than $3 million (!) from a donor base that was more than half femalea rare feat that speaks to the Trump-inspired outpouring of enthusiasm female candidates have seen this year.

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Scanlons win is even more of a poetic victory for the post-Trump, #MeToo-era slate of female candidates. Pennsylvanias 5th district seat was left open by GOP Rep. Patrick Meehan, who resigned after it came out that hed use taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual harassment suit. A likely front-runner for the spot was also felled by sexual harassment complaints from former employees. Plus, a large chunk of the district is represented in the Pennsylvania statehouse by a guy who allegedly abused a fellow legislator with whom he was romantically involved. Regardless of which party won out, a woman was going to take this open seatScanlon, a civil rights lawyer and former school board member, was up against Pearl Kim, a special-victims prosecutor and daughter of Korean immigrants who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

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Kim ran far away from her party during the election: She came out for universal health care, against immigrant family separation, and for the Paris Agreement on climate change. She didnt even put the word Republican on her campaign materials. Scanlon still trounced her by about 30 points, and shell head to Congress right away since Meehans seat stands empty. Her swearing in will be an early note of triumph for the women who ran for office in 2018three times as many ran in Pennsylvania this year than did in 2016and a reminder of what progressive voters can accomplish when the shackles of gerrymandering fall away.The midterm elections are over. That means its Mueller time, again.

Following Justice Department guidelines, law enforcement actions that could influence the outcome were put on pause in the weeks leading up to Election Day. All eyes are now back on special counsel Robert Mueller, as there will likely be new developments in his investigation into ties between Russian government officials and the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. And if whats past is prologue, the path ahead looks especially perilous for President Donald Trump, his son Don Jr., Trump confidant Roger Stone, and other close associates.

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In anticipation of the coming storm, we should expect stepped-up efforts by the president and his supporters to sabotage Mueller. We got a taste of these tactics last week, with the exposure of an inept Twitter trolls apparent attempt to pay women to falsely accuse Mueller of sexual misconduct. Though I have never met Robert Mueller, this trickster appears to have tried to use his Surefire Intelligence operation to enlist me in his scheme. I immediately forwarded the suspicious email from Surefire Intelligence to the special counsels office.

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Its too soon to tell, but this type of seemingly corrupt endeavor to obstruct the investigation could result in criminal charges. Recall that Mueller has already used his authority to prosecute those who intentionally interfered with his investigation. Indeed, members of the Trump legal team have admitted that the president himself is under investigation by Mueller for obstruction of justice. Polls indicate bipartisan support for the special counsel. But upholding the rule of law is not a popularity contest. Congress needs to pass legislation to protect Mueller, on the principle that no one is above the law, not even the president.

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Trump knows hes under legal scrutiny. Nevertheless, he keeps lashing out, repeatedly raging that the investigation is a WITCH HUNT. Hes likely reacting this way because Mueller has been so successful in such a short time.

Yet Mueller may be a victim of his own success. It is hard for the public to appreciate the gravity of the special counsel investigation due to its breadth and complexity. There is a new nonpartisan organization, Protect the Investigation, that tracks and presents Muellers progress in an easy-to-follow format. The groups goal is to educate the American people about the importance of the special counsel investigation and its current findings. The numbers tell the story. Since his appointment by Rod Rosenstein in May 2017, Mueller and his team have charged 32 individuals and three entities with nearly 200 federal criminal offenses. He has secured guilty pleas from six offenders, and three of them have already received prison sentences.

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These felons are high-level officials. Among the guilty are those who had a leading role in the Trump campaign or held a senior position in the Trump White House. This includes Michael Flynn (the presidents former national security adviser), Paul Manafort (the chairman of Trumps presidential campaign), Rick Gates (the deputy chairman of Trumps presidential campaign and inaugural committee), and George Papadopoulos (a Trump campaign foreign policy advisor).

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Also, two of the indictments accuse Russian nationals and officials of unlawful election interference, including hacking into the Hillary Clinton campaigns email system and coordinating with entities (thought to be WikiLeaks and Guccifer 2.0) to spread those illegally obtained emails. Recently published emails between Roger Stone and Trump campaign chief executive Steve Bannon could provide a missing piece of the puzzle connecting those Russian hackers and Trump officials.

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Mueller should also take some credit for additional spinoff criminal charges. In what may cause the president the most trouble of all, Trumps personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to several federal offenses. Most importantly, Cohen implicated the president in two campaign finance violation counts related to hush payments made just before the 2016 election to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was also granted immunity by federal prosecutors. With this witness cooperating, they should be able to follow the money.

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In other words, get ready, because President Trump could be relentless in his attempts to undermine the Mueller investigation. He may fire Rod Rosenstein or replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Either move would undermine the Mueller probe.

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Even though the Democrats won back control of the House of Representatives, the new Congress will not be sworn in until early January. In the meanwhile, our current elected officials must step up and protect the rule of law. While many Americans are exhausted from the midterm elections, we must remain vigilant. The time is right to ask Congress to pass legislation to protect Mueller.

The good news is that protective legislation is ready to go. In April, with a bipartisan vote of 147, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell then refused to bring it to the full Senate floor, contending, This is not necessary, theres no indication that Mueller is going to be fired. Such a claim wasnt credible then, nor is it credible now. Currently House Democrats have been pushing for similar legislation.

If the current Republican-led House and Senate fail to act now to protect the investigation, in January, under the leadership of a new Speaker, the House can introduce the proposed legislation and begin to hold hearings. With public pressure, after House passage, McConnell might also allow for a Senate vote. Hopefully, by then, it will not be too late.The most surprising thing about the Virginia Senate race is that there was no surprise. The race was called as soon as polls closed, and Tim Kaine, the incumbent Democratic senator, won handily. This was not a competitive race: Stewart struggled to make ground in a state that broke hard for Democrats in 2016 for Hillary Clinton and in 2017 for Gov. Ralph Northam.

Virginia Republicans still hold a narrow majority in the House of Delegates, but theyve been shut out of statewide offices, and have been since 2013, when Democrats swept out the Republican governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

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This gets to the actual story of the Virginia Senate race: The virtual collapse of the GOP in statewide elections since 2009, when it last held a statewide office. After 2009, Republicans looked poised for dominance, led by Gov. Bob McDonnell, who won a comfortable victory with strong margins in the states rural and suburban counties. Even as the party lost its hold on the governorship, the lieutenant governorship, and the attorney generalship in the 2013 elections, Republican Ed Gillespie nearly defeated incumbent Mark Warner in the 2014 race for Senate, on a coalition similar to McDonnells.

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Since then, suburban voters in the state have turned hard against the Republican Party. The GOP voters that remained enabled hard-right candidates like Corey Stewart, who almost unseated Gillespie for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. The more Virginia Republicans have become associated with candidates like Stewart, the more those suburban voters have turned against the party.

Republicans still hold much of the congressional map, and may even hold on in close races in the states 7th and 2nd Congressional Districts, where Republican incumbents faced a surge of Democratic enthusiasm. But the state as a whole is looking increasingly inhospitable for the party, a much more dramatic reversal than it may seem at first glance.In his first public remarks following the midterm elections, President Donald Trump got into repeated scraps with various members of the White House press corps.

It started with CNNs Jim Acosta, who asked the president how he could call the migrant caravan an invasion when theyre hundreds of miles away. Thats not an invasion. Trump responded by saying, Honestly, I think you should let me run the country, you run CNNand if you did it well, your ratings would be much higher. He then barked at Acosta, Thats enough. Thats enough.  Put down the mike.

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As Acosta tried to continue asking about Russia, Trump scolded, Ill tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldnt be working for CNN, and then added, The way you treat Sarah Huckabee is horrible. And the way you treat other people is horrible. As Trump tried to move on to another reporter, a press aide tried multiple times to grab the microphone away from Acosta.

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Then Trump snapped, When you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people.

That mic grab moment was something else pic.twitter.com/1rbzQ4WVmr  Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) November 7, 2018

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When Peter Alexander of NBC tried to defend Acosta, Trump got in a jab: Im not a big fan of yours, either, to be honest. After Alexander proceeded with his question, Trump interrupted and chided, What, are you trying to be him?, motioning to Acosta.

Acosta and Alexander were not the only reporters the president got in tiffs with. He also shouted down April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks, commanding her to sit down and callng her rude. (In total, he barked at reporters to sit down at least five times in the press conference.)

Clearly exasperated, he then groaned, Very hostile! Such a hostile media. Its so sad.

Later, PBSs Yamiche Alcindor asked Trump if, when he called himself a nationalist, he was emboldening the white nationalists who support him, Trump almost immediately interrupted and said she had asked such a racist question before boasting, without evidence, that he had among the highest poll numbers with African Americans. He then called it a racist question twice more and said, I love our country, you have nationalists, and you have globalists.

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Almost immediately after the press conference ended, CNN issued a statement saying that This Presidents ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far. They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American.

AdvertisementThere are three things you can count on after every election: panic, cliches, and self-serving bullshit. The president will claim to have buoyed his party. The gun lobby will claim to have punished its enemies. The left will fret about racism. The right will boast of a backlash against the left. People on all sides will interpret the results as mandates for their agendas.

Fortunately, theres a way to sort out whats true and what isnt: by studying exit polls. This year, in addition to the traditional survey (organized by Edison Research for ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC), theres a second poll, organized by NORC for the Associated Press and Fox News). Together, the two surveys tell us a lot about what voters were thinking. They wreck the spin youre hearing from both parties, and they point to serious underlying problems for the GOP. Here are the main takeaways.

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1. President Trump cost Republicans the House. Trump will say he rescued his party. Ignore him. The GOP won handily among people who said Trump wasnt a factor in their votes. What gave Democrats their majority was a victory margin of 15 to 20 percentage points among people who cited Trump as a factor.

Most voters disapproved of Trumps job performance and said they viewed him unfavorably. The hardcore anti-Trump votethose who strongly disapproved of the presidents performance and viewed him very negativelywas around 45 percent. Two of every 8 people said they were voting to support Trump, but 3 of 8 said they were voting to oppose him. The evidence that he hurt his party is decisive.

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Voters disapproved of Trumps performance on immigration, trade, Supreme Court nominationsvirtually every issue but the economy. They said he wasnt honest or trustworthy (by a 26-point margin), didnt care about people like them (by 17 points), and didnt have the right temperament to be president (by 29 points). Most voters said Trumps administration was less ethical than previous administrations; only a quarter said his administration was more ethical. Even on his supposed strengths, he was found wanting. Voters were evenly split on his performance on border security. Most said he wasnt a strong leader. More said he had made the country less safe from crime (35 percent) than said he had made it safer (27 percent).

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2. Brett Kavanaugh hurt Republicans. Remember all that Republican clucking about the Kavanaugh bump? Turns out it was just a Trump-absent-from-the-news bump. In the network exit poll, voters said by a slight margin, 47 percent to 43 percent, that they opposed Kavanaughs appointment to the Supreme Court. Those who supported Kavanaugh voted overwhelmingly for Republicans, but those who opposed Kavanaugh voted even more overwhelmingly for Democrats. In the AP/Fox poll, Republicans won among the 25 percent of people who said the Kavanaugh debate wasnt important to their vote. But among people who said Kavanaugh was somewhat important, Republicans lost narrowly. And among voters who said Kavanaugh was very importantnearly half the electoratethe GOP lost by 13 percentage points.

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3. #MeToo didnt help Democrats much. Many Democrats thought the uprising against sexual abuse and harassment would help them. In reality, it seems to have cut both ways. In the AP/Fox survey, 78 percent of voters said they were concerned about women not being believed in sexual misconduct cases. Forty-three percent said they were very concerned. But these numbers were almost matched by the 74 percent who said they were concernedand the 38 percent who said they were very concernedabout accused men not getting a chance to defend themselves. Voters concerned about women leaned Democratic, but voters concerned about men leaned Republican. In the network survey, Democrats won big among the 46 percent of voters who said sexual harassment was a very serious problem. But among the 38 percent who said harassment was only a somewhat serious problem, Republicans narrowly prevailed, 50 percent to 48 percent.

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One other data point is worth noting: In the AP/Fox survey, 66 percent of voters said that pressure to be politically correct has gone too far. Its not clear what these voters meant, but 66 percent is a higher number than either of the surveys found in support of any conservative policy. Democrats need to figure out whats triggering this resentment.

4. The gun issue hurt Republicans. Gun owners notoriously vote on this issue, and their opponents notoriously dont. But this years data seem to favor Democrats. In the network poll, 59 percent of voters supported stricter gun control; only 37 percent opposed it. When people were asked which of four issues was most important to their vote, 10 percent named gun policy, and Democrats won these voters, 70 percent to 29 percent. In the AP/Fox poll, 61 percent of voters said gun laws should be stricter (only 8 percent said gun laws should be less strict), and Democrats won these voters 69 percent to 25 percent. People who cited abortion as their top issue overwhelmingly voted Republican, but people who cited guns as their top issue overwhelmingly voted Democratic.

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5. Violence hurt Republicans, but not much. Anti-Semitic, anti-black, and anti-immigration hate crimes preceded the election, and Trump dealt with them poorly. But Republicans countered by focusing on Democratic mobs, and that response seems to have limited the political damage to the GOP. In the AP/Fox survey, most voters said that Republicans tend to talk about politics in ways that lead to violence, and most voters said that Democrats dont tend to talk that way. But the difference was surprisingly small. In the network survey, Republicans lost big among the 23 percent of voters who said recent extremist violence was the top factor in their vote. But half the electorate said the recent violence was only one important factor, and Republicans came close to splitting that bloc.

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6. Russia fizzled. In the AP/Fox poll, voters were closely divided on whether Trumps campaign coordinated with the Russian government in 2016. Forty-eight percent said yes; 50 percent said no. But Republicans seem to have persuaded many people to distrust special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. In the network poll, a narrow plurality, 46 percent to 41 percent, disapproved of the way Mueller has handled the investigation. When voters asked whether the investigation was justified or politically motivated, most said it was politically motivated. By a margin of 56 percent to 39 percent, voters said Congress shouldnt impeach Trump. For all we know, Mueller will release more bombshells after the election. But what he made public beforehand wasnt enough to tilt the outcome.

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7. Voters dont share Trumps hard line on immigration. Trump will claim that GOP victories in key states, following his campaign against the migrant caravan, signal popular support for his policies. Conversely, some people on the left will see these Republican victories as an outburst of bigotry. But the numbers dont support these conclusions. In the network poll, 46 percent of voters said Trumps immigration policies were too tough; only 17 percent said they werent tough enough. In the AP/Fox poll, a narrow majority, 52 percent to 47 percent, opposed a border wall. When voters were asked whether immigrants living in the United States illegally should be deported or offered a chance to apply for legal status, 69 percent chose legal status. And while 39 percent of voters said that immigrants hurt the country more than they help it, 59 percent said the opposite: that immigrants help more than they hurt.

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8. The problem for Democrats on race is complacency, not hate. Most Americans dont agree with white nationalists or with Republican politicians who hype voter fraud. By a margin of 53 percent to 36 percent, voters said they were more concerned that people might be unfairly prevented from voting than that some people might vote illegitimately. In both polls, more than 40 percent of voters said that society favors whites over minorities; fewer than 20 percent said that society favors minorities over whites. But roughly a third of voters said that society doesnt favor any race, and these voters went Republican by more than 2 to 1. These pivotal voters support the GOP not out of overt animus, but because they believe the country has become fair enough.

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9. The economy cuts both ways. In both surveys, two-thirds of voters said the economy was excellent or good, and these people voted decisively for Republicans. But when the question was framed in personal termswhether your family is doing better or worse financiallymost voters said they were only holding steady or losing ground, and these people voted decisively for Democrats.

By focusing attention on immigration, Trump may have done more to boost the GOP s margins than he would have by running on the economy.

10. Republicans might be digging themselves into an ideological hole. By some measures, the country is closely divided. In the AP/Fox poll, 49 percent of voters said the government should do more to solve problems, and 49 percent said it shouldnt. On health care, 52 percent of voters said the Affordable Care Act should be totally or partially repealed, while 47 percent said it should be kept as is or expanded.

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By other measures, however, the electorate leans more toward socialism than Republicans, and perhaps voters themselves, would like to admit. Only 41 percent of voters said the government shouldnt be responsible for providing health care; 58 percent said it should. Seventy percent said our economic system favors the wealthy too much, and 63 percent said it doesnt favor the poor enough.

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Going into the election, some Republicans wondered why Trump was working so hard to stir up fear and anger about immigration. They thought he should run a more upbeat campaign focusing on the economy. The exit polls suggest that Trumps decision may have been smart. Among voters who named the economy as their top issue, Republicans won by 20 to 30 points. But among those who named immigration as their top issue, Republicans won by 50 to 60 points. By focusing attention on immigration, and by appealing to voters who cared about that issue, Trump may have done more to boost the GOPs margins than he would have by running on the economy.

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But over the long term, this emphasis on base mobilization leaves Republicans with a problem: Theyre losing the middle. Both of this years election surveys show that Republicans propped up their numbers by winning more than 80 percent of self-identified conservatives. That sounds great, until you notice that conservatives are only 36 percent of the electorate. Republicans didnt just lose liberals. They lost moderates by 22 to 26 points. And moderates were more than a third of the electorate.

You can win one election as the out party, even with a toxic boor leading your ticket. You can cut your losses in the next election, with the help of a friendly Senate map, by mobilizing a third of the country, even as you alienate the rest. But you cant hang on that way forever. This year, Trumpism cost Republicans the House. Next time, the price might be higher.What is it about Democrats 2018 election performance that feels so  meh? So bleh? A couple of things pop to mind.

The general-election candidates that Democrats became so emotionally invested in nationallyBeto ORourke in Texas, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Andrew Gillum in Floridaall lost (or appear headed for certain defeat). Gillums loss was especially painful, since he was ahead in just about every poll of the state.

Oh, and then there was that pesky subplot in which Democrats lost control of the Senate for what seems like eternity. The Republican flips in Florida, Missouri, Indiana, and North Dakota (with more potentially to come) insulate them from Democratic gains in 2020, not that there are all that many gains to be had for Democrats in 2020 anyway.

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It may have felt like such a meh-bleh night for Democrats, then, because it wasrelative to expectations heading into Election Day. Democrats had hoped that theyd have a fighting chance for control of the Senate (haha): that they could limit their incumbent losses to North Dakota, and North Dakota only, while picking up Arizona, Nevada, and either Texas or Tennessee. Democrats thought that they might net 10 governors races, seizing back the Midwest ahead of a presidential election and the next redistricting process, while potentially making historic pickups, with new, enthusiastic coalitions, in the South. And maybe Democrats would pick up, say 40 or 50 House seats?

The tsunami that Democrats had allowed themselves to believe might come never came, with Trumps Republican coalition standing up to defend itself where it could.

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But its worth questioning where the hope of a tsunami came from given the GOPs geographical advantages in controlling, well, a lot of ground, and particularly a lot of small states. Expectations got out of hand. If you couldve asked Democrats to take this night at the beginning of 2017, they would have eagerly accepted it.

No one was talking about Democrats taking back the House majority in early 2017. Republicans had gerrymandered critical states in 2010, and the conventional wisdom was that Democrats would have to wait for another round of redistricting in the next decade to have a shot. The House majority hadnt been contested since 2010, and it seemed difficult to imagine following Trumps election that the fiery wreckage that was the Democratic Party, represented most prominently by aging House leaders who refused to move aside, could muster a realistic challenge to it. Democrats are now on track to pick up somewhere between 30 and 40 seats and to subpoena every piece of literature that has ever crossed the desks of Donald Trumps accountants. And the Republican legislative agenda is dead.

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Were all so sick of hearing it: Senate Democrats had to defend 26 seats this cycle, and 10 in states that Donald Trump won. Its considered utter devastation that theyve lost four of these 26 seats (though that number could easily increase to five depending on whether Montana Sen. Jon Tester can hold on.) Theyll at least pick up the seat of their only decent target this cycle, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, and the Arizona Senate race, as of this writing, remains uncalled. The night will end with Democrats losing two to four seats on net. Their long-term problem in the Senate has more to do with the chambers small-state bias than with their candidates performing unusually poorly this cycle. (And its worth rating these results against an alternate history, in which Republicans comfortably pick up 60-plus seats under President Hillary Clinton.)

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Democrats didnt get all of the governors races they wanted, either. Democratic candidate Fred Hubbell, in Iowa, was ahead in polls heading into Election Day and lost. So did Ohios Richard Cordray.* And then, of course, theres the aforementioned Florida and Georgia defeats. Still, though, Democrats can boast of picking up governors mansions in New Mexico, Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, Maine, Wisconsin(!), and Kansas(!!).They may lose Connecticut, but theyre still looking at a net gubernatorial pickup of six or seven.

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The Democratic Party hit rock bottom after the 2016 election, when they lost the presidency to television character Donald Trump, and then had to find some way to regroup quickly enough to face a fantastically gerrymandered Republican House and the worst imaginable Senate map. They took the House within one election and grinded out Senate races where they could, even if they couldnt save some of the ones that they had little business holding in the first place. Theyll have governors ready to veto Republican gerrymanders after 2020 in crucial states that they didnt hold the last time.

As bleh as it all might feel, its a start.At least six foreigners engaged in illegal mining operations in Bulacan were arrested by Immigration authorities for lack of work permit. BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the aliens were arrested after they were caught in flagrante working in their offices at the Xiaobo Scrap Trading Co. in Luasan St., Bgy. Loma de Gato, Marilao, Bulacan. Arrested were five Chinese nationals identified as Junbo Deng, Yunli Zhou, Jun Li, Wei Lin, and Weike Qu and a Taiwanese named as Cheng Yi Huang. Manahan said that except for Cheng, who was found to have a valid resident visa, the five Chinese men were found to be overstaying and undocumented as they failed to present their passports or other travel documents. Marilao residents reported the employment of the illegal Chinese nationals, following concerns about their illegal mining activities in the area. Manahan also received complaints on the alleged involvement of the aliens in an illegal export business.Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said there would be no letup in BIs drive against illegal foreign workers, who according to him, deprives Filipinos of jobs and livelihood opportunities. We welcome the influx of foreign nationals who work here as long as they comply with regulatory requirements and abide by our laws, said Morente.However, those who blatantly and continuously disregard our laws by working here without the proper documentation will be deported and banned from reentering the country, he said. He clarified that foreigners intending to work in the Philippines must secure a work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment and a working visa from the BI. In 2017, a total of 15,970 foreign nationals were reported to have been working in the Philippines.Somehow, the Georgia gubernatorial race only got uglier and uglier. After a weekend in which Republican Brian Kempnow likely the states next governoraccused Democrats of potential cybercrimes without citing any evidence, on Monday the candidate issued a tweet in which he tried to associate his opponent, Democrat Stacey Abrams, with the New Black Panther Party, a radical organization described as a militant hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Kemp latched onto photos that surfaced after some members of the New Black Panther Party were photographed marching in support of Abrams on Nov. 3. The photos quickly percolated into far-right Facebook groups, according to research from Media Matters, and eventually achieved viral liftoff with help from Kemp and conservative websitesa depressing example of how loudly a racist dog whistle can resonate with voters over social media.

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The Black Panther Party is backing my opponent. RT if you think Abrams is TOO EXTREME for Georgia! https://t.co/BCjWXdi4la #gapol #gafirst #tcot #gagop  Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) November 5, 2018

The next day, Monday, the Kemp campaign posted the photos to its accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. How radical is my opponent? Just look at who is backing her campaign for governor, Kemp wrote in his captions on Instagram and Facebook. The New Black Panther Party is a virulently racist and antisemitic organization whose leaders have encouraged violence against whites, Jews and law enforcement officers. SHARE if you agree that Abrams and the Black Panthers are TOO EXTREME for Georgia! The Facebook post was shared more than 38,000 times. From there, dozens of news articles from conservative sites, YouTube videos, and memes on Facebook pages have gone viral. On Tuesday, Kemp ran an ad on Facebook promoting the image, continuing to call Abrams a radical.

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Breitbart went with the headline Armed Black Panthers Lobby for Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams, though they were not lobbying by any definition. Still, the post was shared more than 22,000 times on Facebook. The Daily Callers post associating the New Black Panthers with Abrams was shared more than 16,000 times. Conservative YouTube personality Anthony Brian Logan made a video on Monday that was viewed more than 20,000 times. For perspective, a post about Kemps investigation of the states Democratic party for cybercrime on the New York Times Facebook page was shared fewer than 1,800 times.

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Abrams has never associated with the New Black Panther Party, but the optics of armed black radicals marching for a black Democratic candidate were apparently simply too juicy for the Kemp campaign, conservative media organizations, and their fans on social media to avoid sharing. Conservatives hammered on the attack through Tuesday, probably because it simply seemed to be working, taking it further and further. One meme on the Facebook page Trump Train warned that the New Black Panther Party may try to block voters at polling places, imploring people to call the police if it happens.

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Social media is perfect for promoting false narratives driven by engaging visuals, and the photos of armed black men supporting a black woman running for office were incredibly easy for voters to draw false conclusions about. People share things that they think will concern others. Fears multiply as media consumers turn to stereotypes to understand the imagery theyre presented with. And when the conservative media machine revs up, it offers just enough context for people to stay convinced that their fears are justified. It doesnt matter if one side corrects the record, because corrections never travel as far. Perhaps in a healthier media environment, fearmongering and blatant misinformation wouldnt get as much oxygen. But Facebook isnt a healthy media environment, and its working exactly the way it was designedto pluck emotions and confirm biases. Thats what played out in Georgians social media feeds over the past few days. Theres no nice way to spin it.Greetings, Future Tensers,

It turns out, Amazons Alexa has more functions than just playing Despacito for a well-timed burn. Just last week, the company updated the voice-enabled link to the internet so it would answer certain key questions related to the 2018 midterm elections too. For the first time, users in the U.S. could get details in response to questions like Alexa, where is my polling station? or Alexa, whos ahead in the Georgia governors race? and other key information regarding candidates, ballot measures, race results, and vote casting. But, as Rachel Withers writes, using our voice-enabled virtual assistants in this way brings up a concerning question: Do we really want more untested tech involved in informing people about elections?

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Elsewhere on Future Tense, weve been covering other tech stories related to the midterm elections. Mia Armstrong wrote about how weather conditions downed some vote-tabulating devices. April Glaser explained how to tell if an election text message is a scam, and explained how a misleading video purporting to show a voting machine switching votes not only contributed to the spread of misinformation but also enabled voter suppression. She and Will Oremus also hosted not one, but two election-related episodes of the If Then podcast in the past week: one about techs role in Brazils consequential presidential election, and another about social media disinformation ahead of Tuesdays vote and what could go wrong with voting machines on Election Day

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Other things we read between trying to creep on our friends voting history:

This girl is on fire: Mia Armstrong reports on how electric scooters have now joined the long line of consumer products that have had issues with battery fires.

The bro code: Joy Lisi Rankin takes us into the history of a pioneering computing program at Dartmouth in the 1960sand documents how it gave rise to the macho tech culture we see in todays Silicon Valley.

Times up in tech: Walkouts at Google over harassment and discrimination are serving as a wake-up call to firms in Silicon Valley that the Times Up movement has come for them too. April Glaser explains how employee activism is stirring up collective action across the industry.

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Freedom 404: Jennifer Kang explains how the repeal of net neutrality, the reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act, and the rise of fake news have contributed to the decrease of internet freedom in the United States.

No-fly zone: Faine Greenwood argues why that viral drone footage of a mother bear and its cub should never have been filmed.

Building a wall: Although President Trump may call it beautiful, the barbed wire fencing he loves at the border has a long, troubling, uniquely American history, as Rebecca Onion explains.

Money please: Aaron Mak describes how more than a dozen verified Twitter accountsincluding two belonging to members of Congresswere hacked as part of a ploy to steal bitcoin from unsuspecting users.

To information overload,

Anthony Nguyen

For Future Tense

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University.Remember when there was supposed to be an antifa coup last year? The extremely online far-right conspiracy-theory crowd has spent the past several days warning that anti-fascist activists would once again threaten democracy, this time by wreaking havoc at the polls.

The current idea appears to have gotten its start, at least in part, from Q, the mysterious online figure at the center of the stubbornly persistent QAnon conspiracy theory, which claims that the Mueller investigation is really an effort for President Donald Trump to arrest a vast Democratic pedophile ring. On Sunday, just two days before Americans cast their ballots, Q warned that antifa could show up to ruin Election Day, writing in one of his or her (or their) regular missives, If you witness members of ANTIFA or any other people or organizations stationed at key voter locations making threats or attempting to use scare tactics [voter intimidation] please contact local authorities immediately and report the incident(s). It went on to detail how there may be buses dropping off antifa members with a guide, or how there could be voter prevention activities afoot, such as odd behavior from officials or faulty voting machines. It urged QAnons to be prepared to take photos and videos of suspicious activity. On Monday, multiple Q followers posted videos to YouTube about the antifa warning. One is 30 minutes long and has racked up nearly 57,000 views. Another, at 19 minutes, has been watched more than 44,000 times.

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The same day, a post on the pro-Trump Reddit board The_Donald offered a PSA. If you see ANTIFA stationed at key voting locations trying to intimidate voters call the authorities, it read. Watch for any suspicious activity with staff, officials, machines, unusual groupings of people being dropped off on buses w/guide and/or instructor. See something Say something. It closely paraphrases the Q post. Redditors seem to be taking it all rather seriously, imploring others to report if they see any problems and offering advice on what to do. Call the authorities and get photos and video, one user suggested. Back all of it up on a PC and then to a thumb drive if you can. Do not keep politically sensitive things in my documents or any of the presets and do not rely on the cloud.

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Its true that the far right does have something to fear from antifa, and not just because some antifa activists have resorted to violence against white supremacists at their demonstrations. People affiliated with the decentralized group have been known to lurk in private alt-right Facebook groups and chatrooms in order to keep tabs on white supremacists. While members of the far right might imagine antifa as their left-wing equivalent, its a false equivalency, since antifa isnt a hate group but rather aims to weaken and disband hate groups. But the idea that it would cause trouble on Election Day is not only inconsistent with its purpose; theres also been absolutely no evidence that its happening.

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Which makes the way others have apparently reacted to this far-right antifa hysteria just perfect. Walked into my polling place wearing a baby and they gave me a 2nd ballot for him. Neat! Anyway off to join my ANTIFA comrades in intimidating the elderly, reads one tweet from Tuesday. Another tweet from early Tuesday afternoon is even funnier: just got back from my polling site where antifa had painted a tunnel on the wall and put a sign that said Republicans vote here. my nose is critically bruised; cant believe chuck schumer, the leader of antifa, would allow this fraud.

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just got back from my polling site where antifa had painted a tunnel on the wall and put a sign that said "Republicans vote here". my nose is critically bruised; cant believe chuck schumer, the leader of antifa, would allow this fraud  la petite bort (@important_celeb) November 6, 2018

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If this was a roast of the QAnons dire warnings, it was an apt one. Wow! Im not even a citizen and they let me vote! They even gave me a ride to the polling place and some money for doing it! Antifa is alright with me! #ElectionDay #IVoted #VoteBlue #BlueWave, one read.

Another, from a student-run Democratic Socialist club, reads, a big thank you to all the antifa running my polling place today! thanks to yall my grandmother was able to cast a vote for the green party from her dead husband. There are dozens of these.

drinking my first cup of cofe after helping carpool juggalos and antifa supersoldiers to their polling places  yehoak on may 15th (@yehoak) November 6, 2018

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Look around and youll see some Twitter users wondering earnestly where the reports of antifa election meddling are, with a few perhaps even spoiling for a fight. And no one should forget that Q supporters have been known to take things too far in the past. In June, one adherent drove an armored truck to the Hoover Dam with two rifles, blocking traffic while demanding a copy of the OIG Report, which Q had promised would bring down the Democrats. But the report in question was already out, and it didnt really hurt Democrats at all.

So for now, it makes sense to take the QAnons dire warnings with exactly as much seriousness as they deserve: none.This story was originally published by Mother Jones and has been republished here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

Three years ago, Jay Faison, a businessman from Charlotte, North Carolina, made a big splash by promising to change the Republican Partys views on climate change. He pledged a total of $175 million to be spent on education, advertising, and endorsements in an effort to sway the GOP on the science and to support free market, cleaner energy.

As a conservative, I strongly believe its time to stop fighting about the climate problem and begin fighting about the solutions, he wrote in Politico in 2015. If conservatives fail to put forward our own agenda, climate change policy will likely go the way of health carethe Democrats owned the answers, and we ended up with Obamacare.

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And press ate it up. There was a laudatory headline by Bloomberg: Jay Faisons Expensive, Maddening Quest to Save the Planet (and the GOP). He was named to Politicos 50 in 2015 and was described as a conservatives conservative by most accounts. The New York Times profiled him in 2016, as did the Weekly Standard in 2017, in which he was described as an ebullient 49-year-old who brims with optimism and a can-do spirit deriving from his practical experience as a successful entrepreneur.

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Faison, who made a fortune in the business SnapAV, which creates and distributes intelligent video-surveillance equipment, has said he would have laughed years ago at the notion that climate change would be his calling (and he adamantly dislikes being compared to Democratic megadonor Tom Steyer). But his conversations with scientists have convinced him that this is one of the biggest risks and opportunities of our lifetimes.

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Since then, its become obvious that neither Faison nor any single Republican will be able to single-handedly turn around the GOPs approach to these issues in the foreseeable future. The commander in chief openly rejects what his own scientists tell him about climate change, and most of the Republican party, reliant on fossil fuel donations, is on board with the message. This summer, House Republicans passed a symbolic resolution, 229180, rejecting any kind of carbon tax.

But in the years since Faisons big announcement, its also become clear that his own efforts to turn around his partys approach to climate change may consist more of good intentions than substance. His spending during the midterm elections reveal that much of his support has focused on party loyalty over climate action.

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In the years since Faisons big announcement, its also become clear that his own efforts to turn around his partys approach to climate change may consist more of good intentions than substance.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Faison has contributed about $2 million this cycle to the PAC he formed, ClearPath Action, which has spent the money on campaigns for nine Republican candidates, described in his ads as clean energy leaders. His endorsements include Carlos Curbelo, the Miami Republican who does talk about climate but is in a close race with Democratic contender Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who backers argue would be even stronger on the issue. He has also run ads promoting the records of Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, California Rep. Steve Knight, Arizona Senate candidate Martha McSally, Virginia Rep. Scott Taylor, Florida Rep. Brian Mast, New York Rep. Thomas Reed, Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen, and longtime Michigan Rep. Fred Upton.

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Most of these candidates have been under immense pressure to burnish their more moderate credentials, and Heller, McSally, Knight, Upton, and Curbelo have all been targeted by environmental groups this cycle because they have already-competitive seats. Generally, environmental activists argue that having a few more Republicans who say climate change is a problem does not do nearly as much for the issue as Democratic control of Congress would.

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We focus on endorsing those who have a proven history at the federal level of advancing clean and reliable power and which is complementary to our agenda. ClearPath spokesperson Darren Goode said in an email, noting that the priorities of environmental groups do not factor into ClearPaths spending. Nor is its agenda particularly concerned with climate change at all. Goode noted it is a clean energy, not a climate, organization.

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Heller, for instance, has echoed the classic wait and see lines about climate change that do not align with the science showing that humans are unequivocally changing the climate and that it is looking far worse than we even thought. In 2015, he said, according to Politico,  There always has been [climate change], there always will be, but the impact from humans is up for debate. 

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Another example is this ad in favor of Fred Upton, the 16-term Michigan congressman who is in a competitive district. Of all the candidates on this list, Fred Upton has the most extensive voting history on climate and environment as former chair of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. The ad names a handful of votes supporting carbon-capture technology (a research area for Michigan universities) and his support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding (which receives widespread bipartisan support in Great Lakes states).

Missing is the much-longer list of Uptons votes that have set back climate policy, including supporting drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Once known for casting more moderate votes on the environment, his annual League of Conservation Voters scorea rough calculation of how strong politicians are on environment based on their voting recordstook a nosedive after the Tea Party wave in Congress in 2010 and never recovered. One of the top 20 House recipients of oil and gas donations over his career, Upton is a longtime advocate of energy abundance, which is a phrase invoking the need for more fossil fuels instead of advocating for a transition to renewables.

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He did join the 90-member House Climate Solutions Caucus earlier this year, after years of vacillating on the seriousness of climate change, using his chairmanship to investigate clean energy funding in the Obama administration and even renouncing his own proposal to make lightbulbs more efficient. Upton was one of the election-year additions of the bipartisan climate caucus who prompted critics to wonder if members of the caucus seriously wanted to tackle climate change instead of just bolstering their green credentials.

ClearPath clearly disagrees with this assessment of Upton. Chairman Upton has helped shepherd through a number of clean energy bills through his committee that are highly important to our agendaincluding on advanced nuclear and hydropowerand which help decarbonization, among other benefits, ClearPath spokesperson Darren Goode said in an email. When asked about Heller and Knightwho have been targets of environmentalists ads this cycleGoode added they have led on energy storage and batteries.

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Faison himself is not pushing Republicans to do much more. He is outspoken about not wanting to see the EPA address climate change through regulation, instead arguing for supporting low-emissions energy to let the market take care of our global emissions problems. Grist noted in 2016 that Faison enthusiastically favors more drilling for natural gas, despite the many studies demonstrating that methane leakage renders natural gas no better for the climate than coal.  He also talks up the promise of clean coal, even though the carbon-capture-and-sequestration technology that could theoretically make coal less dirty has yet to be proven affordable or widely effective.

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If you look at their website there isnt any mention of climate change. Its all about clean energy, says Steve Valk, communications director for Citizens Climate Lobby, an advocacy group that pressures politicians to back a carbon tax through the House Climate Solutions Caucus.

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Supporting renewables in itself is not a controversial or particularly partisan issue. For example, the GOP-controlled Congress has preserved and extended renewable tax credits, and the loudest backers of wind energy are often Republicans like Chuck Grassley, who was the original sponsor of the tax, given Iowas status as a wind leader.

But adapting to climate change and drawing down emissions requires far more action than some tax credits. The United Nations recent comprehensive review of climate science makes it clear that market tweaks, like a carbon tax, will not be enough to bring emissions down the needed 45 percent in just 12 years. The report showed that climate change isnt a long-term issue but an urgent one, requiring more than halfhearted support of clean energy. In this way, Faison aligns much more closely with his party than it appeared when he was heralded as the GOPs great environmental hope.It all makes sense once you realize they want to kill us, by Mike Whitney - The Unz Review : 'It is now apparent that these products in ...We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies , click here.ANNAPOLIS (November 07, 2018)Tuesday night in Maryland was historic: Gov. Larry Hogan, the popular incumbent, won a decisive victory against his Democratic challenger to become the state's first two-term Republican governor in more than a half century.



The Associated Press called the race at 9:07 p.m. with Hogan leading Benjamin T. Jealous, the former NAACP president.



The state board of elections had not released results at press time. Reports indicated that voters were in line late in Prince George's County due to a lack of paper ballots in some polling stations.



Results for the third-party candidates, Ian Schlakman of the Green Party and Libertarian Shawn Quinn were unavailable at press time.



Hogan stepped on stage at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis just after 10 p.m. before a boisterous crowd to declare victory.



"They said it was impossible. They said it couldn't be done in Maryland but thanks to you we just went out and did it," Hogan said. "Tonight in this deep blue state, in this blue year, with a blue wave, it turns out I can surf."



The race never appeared close, with polls showing the governor leading Jealous by double digits from the Democratic primary in June (Hogan ran unopposed in the Republican primary) until October when a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll had him winning by 20 points.



Jealous and his running mate Susie Turnbull conceded just before 11 p.m.



"We looked at the numbers," Jealous said to his supporters gathered at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore. "Calling right now is the right thing to do."



In his victory speech, Hogan thanked Jealous for running a "spirited" campaign and "giving Maryland a real choice."



"While we disagree on the issues he has my respect and I sincerely wish him well in his future pursuits," he said.



Hogan's approval rating topped 70 percent in Augustin a state in which voters from his party are outnumbered by Democrats by a more than two-to-one margin.



The governor's victory was helped by a cash-rich re-election campaign that spent millions on ads touting Hogan's first-term achievements, including surpassing funding quotas for the state's education system, fighting the opioid epidemic, enacting business-friendly policies, putting the brakes on tax increases handed down by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration and lowering tolls and fees.



Solomon Wiltshire, a 30-year-old Libertarian from Baltimore said, "I voted for Hogan because my business (printing) has done well since he has been governor. Ben Jealous stands for what I believe in. But, I gotta pay the bills."



As for Jealous, he began the general race at a significant financial disadvantage. The former head of the NAACP spent nearly all of his campaign funds to win a crowded Democratic primary. In the early stages of the general election, polls showed Hogan with a double-digit advantage and campaign donations soon dried up, leaving Jealous unable to effectively introduce himself to voters.



Jealous eventually released ads touting his accomplishments both as president of the NAACP and as a businessman, as well as his plans to fund education and other parts of his agenda. The Democratic Governors Association released an ad campaign in October.



Hogan was further aided by several gaffes by Jealous, including inexplicably vetoing a reporter from being a panelist for the race's lone debate. After receiving criticism, his campaign withdrew the veto.



Voter enthusiasm has appeared uncommonly high for a midterm election. More than 660,000 Marylanders voted earlyDouble the total that turned out in the last Maryland gubernatorial election in 2014.



Some voters said they participated in response to Republican President Donald Trump whose policiesnamely immigrationhave been seen as divisive and polarizing.



Bridget Hilder, said she doesn't normally vote in midterms but her daughter voting for the first time encouraged her to do the same.



Hilder voted in Pasadena, Maryland, for Hogan, and said she likes how he doesn't get involved in controversies. "He's brought Maryland back to where it's not in the bad news anymore," she said.



Hogan has managed to shed most if not all association with President Donald Trump, despite Democrats' efforts to link the two.



Hogan has made a point to contrast his brand of politics to those in Washington, D.C.



"Tonight the voters of Maryland put aside divisive partisan politics and the people in our great state voted for civility, for bipartisanship and for common sense leadership," Hogan said. "What unites us as Marylanders and as Americans is always greater that which divides us."



"Tonight," he continued, "Maryland sent a loud and clear message to Washington that they will hear all across America."



Linking Hogan to Trump has not worked as well as some Democrats would have hoped, said Mileah associate professor of political science and director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College, not only because of his policy decisions, but also his temperament.



"Hogan needs to be a moderate to appeal to moderate voters and Trump has helped him to look like a moderate," Kromer told Capital News Service last month.



Ada Joya, a Hyattsville resident, said President Trump's agendaspecifically immigrationhas brought out a lot of people to vote in the area.



"Especially in my community, a lot of people are more excited (about this year's election)," she said. "Before people would ignore it but now they're waking up. Even if they're not being affected they're going out for other people that are suffering."



Much like his first term, Hogan will have to work with a heavily Democratic Maryland General Assembly, which maintained its veto-proof majority.



Republicans targeted six seats in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Frederick counties and the Eastern Shorecalled the "Drive for Five"to break the Democrats' ability to override any veto that Hogan issues. With nearly all precincts in, the GOP won at least two of those racesMary Beth Carozza defeated Jim Mathias in District 38; and Chris West, a Republican, won District 42, a seat previously held by Democrat Jim Brochin, who stepped down.



Hogan has been applauded for his bipartisanship in his first term, so that voters like James Minor, a Hyattsville, Maryland, resident who said he's worked for the Department of Homeland Security for 15 years, told Capital News Service on Tuesday afternoon he voted for Hogan despite identifying as a Democrat.



"He doesn't seem like he has a big 'R' on his forehead to me," Minor said, adding that he appreciated Hogan's goals of giving more money to school systems in Maryland, and said Hogan seemed to have the state's best interests at heart.



But later at that same polling place, some voters experienced frustration and long waits.



While Hogan was declared victory, Prince George's County was still awaiting some results due to a ballot shortage.



Marjee Chmiel, 42, of Hyattsville, said the line was short when she and her husband got to the polls around 5:30 p.m., but it quickly grew when the polling place, Hyattsville Middle School, ran out of paper ballots.



Chmiel said she was one of the last few to get an electronic ballot, and soon after, the line built up to more than 200 people as everyone was waiting for more ballots to be delivered.



Despite this, Chmiel said voters were not deterred.



Chmiel estimated she and her husband waited nearly two hours to vote. Others in line behind them likely had to wait longer for the additional ballots to be delivered.



"Everyone really hung in there," Chmiel said. "They said there was a widespread shortage in the county" where African-Americans make up about 65 percent of the population. "It's concerning the county had this issue knowing it's a majority-minority county."



Calls to the state board of elections and to the Maryland Democratic Party were not returned.



Historic victory



Not since the Eisenhower administration have Maryland voters re-elected a Republican governorwhen Theodore McKeldin won a second term in 1954. Hogan did what Spiro Agnew never attempted and Bob Ehrlich failed to do.



Agnew never made a re-election bid, instead he was elected the 39th vice president of the United States with President Richard Nixon in 1968 and eventually resigned after pleading no contest to charges of tax evasion. In 2006, incumbent Gov. Bob Ehrlich lost decisively to Martin O'Malley despite a high approval rating.



Ballot Questions



Voters decided on two ballot questionsboth amendments to the Maryland Constitutionin the general election. Both passed.



The first question, which had garnered 89 percent to 11 percent with most precincts reporting, specifies that, starting in 2020, the education funding from gaming revenues must be supplemental, and cannot be used as a substitute for other schools funding that is already required by law.



The new amendment requires the governor to allocate at least $125 million in fiscal year 2020, $250 million in fiscal year 2021, and $375 million in fiscal year 2022.



The second question amends the state constitution to allow qualified individuals to register and vote on the same day. It appeared at press time to have passed 67 percent to 33 percent.



Current law allows same-day registration and voting during the early voting period, the second Thursday before the election through the Thursday before the election. The amendment expands that to include Election Day, according to the Board of Elections.



Frosh and Franchot



Two of Maryland's most prominent Democrats won re-election Tuesday.



Attorney General Brian Frosh defeated Republican challenger Craig Wolf 64 percent to 36 percent at press time with a large majority of precincts reporting.



The state's top financial officer, Comptroller Peter Franchot, trounced Anjali Reed Phukan 71 percent to 28 percent with most precincts reporting, winning a fourth term in office.



Franchot's victory ensures that Hogan retains perhaps his strongest Democratic ally. The pair have forged an unlikely friendship while serving on the Board of Public Works together, to the ire of some Democratic leaders.The Commission on Human Rights has criticized a university in Baguio City for its mandatory pregnancy test. Jacqueline de Guia, CHR lawyer-spokesperson, said the dismissal of an unmarried female student, who was found to be pregnant, was a violation of the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710. The prohibition against dismissing students on the basis of pregnancy does not distinguish between public or private educational institutions, she added. According to De Guia, the CHR is alarmed with the documents circulating in the Internet showing Pines City Colleges policy of mandatory pregnancy testing not only as to possible Magna Carta Women violation but also of other womens rights particularly on the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy. She said the CHRs Cordillera Administrative Region office is now conducting a motu propio investigation in accordance to the institutions due process. In the past, the CHR has not refused to hold an educational institution in violation of the Magna Carta for Women for dismissing a teacher on the basis of pregnancy, she said.Women and girls should not be denied exercise and full enjoyment of basic rights, they should not suffer negative consequences in educational and work spaces, simply because they are pregnant, she added. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines slammed CHED and the Philippine National Police to bring the anti-drug war to universities and colleges. After terrorizing communities and killing thousands in the guise of the Duterte administrations war on drugs, PNP now plans to take its bloody and evidently failing Oplan Tokhang into colleges and universities, with no less than CHEd holding the doors open for them, ACT Philippines secretary general Raymond Basilio said. We cannot allow the PNP, who are notorious human rights violators, to come into our schools. We cannot accept the governments treatment of schools as a breeding ground for criminals. Schools are safe havens for learning! he added.The state should make application of adopted strategies its priority, experts claim.

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Companies in Slovakia are gradually becoming more automatised. (Source: Sme)

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In spite of its sound macro-economic results and the growth of the GDP, Slovakia keeps placing last in innovation performance rankings, Ivan Filus, innovation advisor at the Business & Innovation Centre, told The Slovak Spectator.

Based on the European Commissions 2018 European Innovation Scoreboard, Slovakia remains a moderate innovator, falling below the EU average ranking in the category of strong innovators. It placed 23rd on the scoreboard for 2018, down two positions from the previous year.

In the Global Innovation Index, Slovakia ended 36th in 2018, a drop from 34th place in 2017. Based on this, Slovakias gross expenditure on R&D was 0.8 percent of GDP. By comparison, the United States spent 2.7 percent of GDP in 2016, according to OECD.

Milan Sustek, manager at the tax department at Deloitte in Slovakia, stresses that the position of Slovakia should be perceived in the context of comparison with other countries of the European Union.

Of course, Slovakia focused on building its industry and the creation of work places during the first years of its existence, even at the price of a lower focus on innovations, said Sustek. The support of innovation and activities with higher added value should have been another step.

(Source: European Innovation Scoreboard 2018)

Such a development transforms the economy. But this has not happened in Slovakia and other countries have begun to overrun Slovakia. Sustek uses the Czech Republic, Latvia and Estonia as examples.

Whats alarming is that countries on the same starting line are now one step ahead of Slovakia, said Sustek. This means that they have already managed to build the industry and now they can focus on innovation activities.

He added that it would be naive to compare Slovakia to Sweden, Denmark or Finland, but Slovakia should have more ambitious goals.Businessman pleaded guilty. His lawyer appealed the verdict.

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The district court in Bratislava has found businessman Ladislav Basternak guilty of tax and insurance fraud and evasion on November 7, sentencing him to five years in prison in the case of an unjustified VAT refund. At the same time, he cannot perform any business activity for the same period.

The court issued the verdict after a less than two-hour proceeding, the Sme daily reported.

However, the ruling is not valid yet since Basternaks lawyer has appealed. Both the businessman and prosecutor of the Special Prosecutors Office, Marian Varga, declined to comment on the verdict.

Basternak pleaded guilty

Basternak came to the court in person, accompanied by his lawyer Peter Filip. He refused to make any media statements before the trial. Yet, he admitted to committing the crime to judge Maria Szaboova.

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Im guilty, Basternak said, as quoted by Sme.

As he admitted to the crime, no further substantiation was required. The court thus moved on to reading final speeches.

Varga put forth a proposal that Basternak would lose all his fortune but spend his sentence in a lower-security prison. He added that the court should furthermore take into account his repeated traffic misdemeanours.

However, Basternaks lawyer, Peter Filip, considered the proposal inadequate. He stressed his client has already returned 2 million to the state, already in January, Sme wrote.

I thus suggest that my client be freed as the crime has ceased to exist, Filip said, as quoted by Sme.

The tax office in Trencin is still demanding that Basternak pay 242,000, the rest of the VAT refund he had received.

He already expressed regret

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Basternak bought seven flats, via the BL-202 firm in 2012, in Bratislavas Five Star Residence apartment complex for 12 million, as the investigation showed.

Their actual value was reportedly much lower. Basternak, according to an investigator, thus claiming, without reason, VAT refunds of 2 million.

As soon as he was accused, he applied the active repentance principle, paying the sum back to the state. Despite this, a criminal complaint was filed against him.Hard Brexit will be a worse scenario for Slovakia, but the country will be able to cope with it, Slovak PM said.

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The Brexit deal is not completely prepared since the question of the Irish borders has not been resolved, European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and Slovak PM Peter Pellegrini agreed at their meeting in Bratislava on November 6, the TASR newswire reported.

The situation regarding the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland remains a sensitive issue because it is in the interest of EU member states to protect the single market and its freedoms valid within it, Pellegrini said, as quoted by TASR.

London and Brussels want to prevent border checks at the future EU border between Ireland, an EU member state, and Northern Ireland, which will remain part of the UK after the country leaves the Union. Brussels also fears that unrest could occur in case a border is introduced.

Negative negotiations

The ongoing Brexit negotiations are very negative and the deal will bring no benefits to any of the sides, Barnier said at the press conference in Bratislava. He stressed that a backstop is needed to secure the integrity of the internal market and of Ireland.

It is in our interest to defend the interests of EU citizens  our citizens, our firms and integrity of the internal market and its four freedoms, which are our biggest wealth, Barnier added, as quoted by TASR.

The Slovak government will have to intensify its steps in case the UK leaves the EU without any deal, said Pellegrini. He underlined a possible impact on industry, the situation of Slovaks working in the UK, and relations in railway and air transport between Europe and Britain.

A hard Brexit will be a worse scenario for Slovakia, but the country should cope with it for its good economic development and low unemployment, Pellegrini said. An expert group is working on an analysis of likely effects on individual segments of Slovakias economy and society under both, deal and no-deal, scenarios.Foreigners with permanent residence can cast their vote as well.

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After four years the citizens of Slovakia can elect mayors and councillors to represent their interests in town and village councils. The municipal election will be held this Saturday, from 7:00 until 22:00. Based on their permanent address, voters can cast ballots in 6,021 precincts across Slovakia. The results will be gradually issued after the polling stations are closed and votes are counted. The final results are expected on Sunday.

About 4.45 million people can cast ballots. Contrary to a parliamentary election, state citizenship is not a requirement to participate in the municipal election: all permanent residents older than 18, including foreigners, have the right to vote in municipal elections. So also foreigners with permanent residence in Slovakia can cast ballots.

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There were 114,092 foreigners officially registered as living in Slovakia at the end of September, Anca Dragu, a journalist with Radio Slovakia International, found out. About 67,768 of them can take part in the election, according to data from the Foreigners Police, with an estimated quarter of this number doing so in Bratislava.

Last election, in November 2014, there were around 4.4 million eligible voters, including 61,500 foreigners in Slovakia.

How to elect

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Voters do not need to register to participate in the election. The town or village where they have permanent residence is responsible for enrolling people in the list of voters. If they are not on the list when they turn up to vote, the district electoral committee will write their name down after identifying them with either an Identification Card (obciansky preukaz) or with the Foreigner Resident Card in the case of foreigners.

Contrary to parliamentary or local elections, voters can only vote at the polling station in the town of their permanent residence. The location of their respective polling station should be announced to voters in a letter from their municipal office, received at their permanent address no later than 25 days before election day. If not, they will find the address of their polling station on the website or the official information table of the municipality.

In the election, the voters will elect the mayor of the municipality in which they live and the councillors of the local municipal office. The only exceptions are Bratislava and Kosice, in which voters will choose the mayors of the citys boroughs and boroughs councils.

Bratislava will witness a narrow contest

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The most closely monitored municipal election will be in Bratislava. In the Slovak capital, as many as 10 candidates, nine men and one woman, are running for the mayoral post. Based on public opinions pools, incumbent mayor Ivo Nesrovnal, architect and civic activist Matus Vallo, media manager Vaclav Mika and the current mayor of Bratislavas borough of Vajnory, Jan Mrva, will be those who will actually fight for the post.

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The Slovak Spectator has interviewed all of them on the problems Bratislava is suffering, as well as the solutions they propose.

The other candidates are: current deputy mayor Iveta Plsekova, organiser of the Bratislava Coronation Days Miroslav Vetrik, politician Viktor Beres, lawyer Jaroslav Brada, Andrej Trnovec and lawyer Roman Ruhig.

Nesrovnal and Mika are running as independent candidates, while Vallo is supported by two opposition political parties  Spolu and Progresivne Slovensko. Mrva, while he is not a member of any political party, is running as a candidate of the opposition parties OLaNO, SaS, Sme rodina, KDH, OKS, Nova and Zmena zdola.

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The strongest political party, Robert Ficos Smer, has not submitted any official mayoral candidate for Bratislava. The party only indirectly supported Nesrovnal, when Fico said that the cooperation between the cabinet and Mayor Nesrovnal is working and thus makes no sense to change the mayor. Nesrovnal has responded that he is not a Smer candidate, reiterating that he is running as an independent candidate.

Apart from the Bratislava mayor, the voters will elect 45 city councillors. They can choose from 284 candidates. But they will be able to decide only about the future councillors who will represent their borough in the city council. For example, Petrzalka will have 10 councillors in the 45-member body.

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Bratislavans will also elect the next mayors of 17 boroughs. 70 candidates are running for these posts, while most of them  38  are running as independent. In terms of the boroughs municipal councils, 846 candidates will compete for 272 mandates.Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal on Wednesday assured the government the more than P277-million unrefunded terminal fees remained intact in the agencys custody. The amount is kept by MIAA in a trust account and is distinct and separate from the agencys corporate funds. The money does not belong to MIAA. It will remain in the trust account until fully refunded to the passengers who own them, he said. Monreal said domestic terminal fees remitted to MIAA totaled P172,333,700. He added the amount came from Cebu Pacific Air and its sister airline Cebgo and covered unused tickets. Meanwhile, P105,320,679 remitted to MIAA by 18 international carriers pertain to international terminal fees left unrefunded by Overseas Filipino Workers and non-OFW passengers. Together, the total amount remitted to MIAA by air carriers amount to P277,654,379 million pesos as of November 6, 2018. This is contrary to the P500 million which came out in news reports earlier this week, the MIAA clarified. The airport authority stated that OFWs only need to present their copy of the Overseas Employment Certificate and ticket among others, to refund. On the other hand, non-OFW passengers with unused airline tickets may refund by showing their ticket or proof of purchase and ownership or certification from the airline that they were not able to take their flight.Monreal said that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had ordered the funds transferred to the appropriate agency if directed by the authority vested with the mandate to decide on the matter. Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said earlier that the collection of terminal fees was illegal because Presidential Decree 1183 and Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, stated that OFWs are exempted from paying travel tax and terminal fees. Joel Zurbano I am wondering why they continue to collect. In fact, we already wrote them a letter that they should not collect. This is illegal extraction and they may be liable [under the law]. So we are writing them again to remind them of this exemption of OFWs, he told a news briefing. Bello also reminded the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to remit to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration P500 million, the money collected from OFWs since 2015. They [airline companies] have to account to us how much they collected for the last three years and how much they have remitted to CAAP. We will also ask the CAAP to account to us how much has been remitted to them by the airlines, and then ask them to remit this amount immediately OWWA, he said. Bello said while some OFWs were given refunds, many failed to get a refund either because they had no time to process their claim or they did not know that they can get their money back.The wife of slain botanist Leonard Co on Wednesday called on the Department of Justice to prosecute the Army soldiers involved in the killing of her husband on Nov. 15, 2010 in Kananga, Leyte, for murder. Glenda Co, along with her husbands colleagues and friends held a protest action outside of the DOJ main building in Manila to press for the upgrade of the case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide to murder, a non-bailable offense. The victims family, friends, and colleagues lamented that it has been close to 8 years since Co was killed and yet justice is still elusive. Mrs. Co said their family is still hoping that justice will be served one day for the death of her husband, adding that the soldiers charged in the case are due for arraignment on November 14 for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.Feny Cosico, Secretary General of AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People echoed Mrs. Cos appeals to the DOJ. We called on the DOJ to uphold the untarnished truth and judiciously raise the case to murder and hold the elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion accountable for their crimes.The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration warned Filipino jobseekers from an online recruitment scheme targeting applicants for employment aboard cruise ships by asking money for placement and processing fees. In a statement, the POEA said the scam begins with an e-mail from the recruiter claiming to represent a major company such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, etc. The recruiter guarantees the target person a job with a cruise ship, in exchange for paying the necessary fees, but when the victim pays, the scammerand the supposed jobsimply disappear, the POEA said. The agency advised jobseekers that when looking for employment on a cruise ship, they should never pay any fee, including recruitment and placement fees. Legitimate manning agencies and cruise lines are not allowed to charge administrative fees from seafarers, the POEA said.The agency said that cruise ship job scams are easy to detect because their jobs are advertised on free websites and social media since scammers would not pay advertisement for jobs that do not exist and through e-mails. Most of the correspondence is in poor English and very informal as most scammers operate from countries such as Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria, etc., the agency warned. It added that the job being offered is usually very generous in terms of salaries and with short working hours, long paid holidays, and no thorough interviews with candidates.REMEMBERING YOLANDA. This file photo taken on Nov. 20, 2013 shows Super Typhoon Haiyan victims sifting through the rubble of their destroyed homes as a military cargo plane flies overhead in Tacloban. Super Typhoon Haiyan struck in the predawn darkness of Nov. 8, 2013 as the then strongest typhoon to ever hit land, leaving more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines. AFP

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats president Martin Romualdez once again expressed gratitude to Filipinos, local and international donors for showing malasakit and compassion by helping the Tacloban City recover from the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda that hit country five years ago.You have inspired us and lifted our spirits. As you can see we have come a long way and we will continue to work together, Romualdez, a returning Leyte congressman, told Manila-based reporters as the nation commemorates this Thursday the fifth year of the monster storm. Salamat po sa inyong malasakit sa amin para muli kaming makatayo. Magpapatuloy po ang buhay at tinitingnan namin lagi sa positibong bagay ang lahat, said Romualdez, a former House Independent Bloc Leader of the previous 16th Congress and a three-term Leyte congressman. Citing Taclobanons malasakit to each other, Romualdez lauded them as restaurants and shops have bustled again in the city. Before, the city was nearly completely destroyed because of the typhoon that killed thousands of residents here and destroyed billions of properties, thanks for the malasakit of Taclobanons to one another and the city has been recovering, Romualdez said. Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez joined her husband, Martin Romualdez who vowed to continue building permanent homes, create better job opportunities and sustainable livelihood for Yolanda survivors. Now we have seen that so much progress has been achieved in building back our communities even better, and we have to thank the help of our Filipino and foreign friends as well as our national and local government for their continued leadership and support in the rehabilitation efforts, said Yedda Romualdez, adding that Tacloban City has been recovering as new malls, restaurants and hotels have rose since Yolanda hit the country on Nov. 8, 2013. Martin Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said local leaders are doing its best for the people of Tacloban City. Walang imposible basta nagmamalasakit tayo sa isat-isa. Puwede at posible ang lahat, Martin Romualdez said. In the Senate, Senator Sonny Angara called for the creation of one-stop-shops under a law that would help hasten the release of foreign aid as more relief goods for calamity victims end up wasted after years of being held up by red tape in ports. He cited the need to build a one-stop-shop so that there will be a designated go-to office from foreign donations. The arrival of calamities in our country is year-round so there should be a permanent office that will fix and approve papers for assistance sent by other countries, he said. Angara said Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which he sponsored, sought the release of calamity aid without tax and without delay and, in effect, spells out the establishment of express lanes for emergency relief. It is clear in the law that if they are help for the victims of calamity, it should have tax-free and do not delay tags, said Angara. Just last month, four shipping containers full of donations for survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda in northern Cebu in 2013 had to be destroyed after the items had already expired. Lamenting the burning of relief goods almost five years after they have arrived, Angara said, Ang dapat sunugin ay hindi ang relief goods kundi ang mga regulations na nagpapatagal sa pag-release nito. Hindi na ito dapat maulit.Angara also sponsored Senate Bill 1596 which seeks to declare November 8 as a special non-working public holiday in Eastern Visayas to be known as Typhoon Yolanda Resiliency Day. The CMTA, which was enacted in May 2016, devoted two sections on how food, medicine, equipment, shelter materials donated or leased to the government for free distribution to or use by calamity victims shall be exempt from duties and taxes. Moreover, the clearance of relief consignment shall be a matter of priority and subject to a simplified customs procedure. To implement such provisions, the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have issued a draft joint department order for the creation of a one-stop-shop facility for relief consignment. The main one-stop-shop facility shall be located at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while satellite facilities may also be established in the port nearest the area where the calamity occurred. Meanwhile, Save the Children Philippines continues psychosocial counseling for child survivors in communities devastated by Yolanda five years after the storm affected some 1.5 million children. Lawyer Albert Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines will visit Ormoc in Leyte province on November 8 to assess programs that empower child survivors to be resilient and secure their livelihood and employment opportunities. Save the Children Philippines has shifted from relief and recovery to building the resilience of child survivors and livelihood for parents in the typhoon-hit areas. Our experience from Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) taught us hard lessons that children face the greatest struggle to survive and recover in times of disasters, said Muyot in a statement. Save the Children Philippines aims to provide a lifeline to children at risk during disasters and emergencies. These include protection from diseases and starvation to potential exploitation and abuse, said Muyot. The group has assisted close to a million children in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas through water sanitation and hygiene activities, establishing Child-Friendly Spaces to protect them from physical and gender-based abuses and provide Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) that allow them to resume classes and help them recover from psychological trauma. In 2015, Save the Children Philippines implemented the Child Sensitivity program that addresses inter-generational poverty among Haiyan affected families in Leyte. The program strengthened child protection and welfare component of the governments conditional cash transfer known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. In Ormoc, the group started the Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) in January 2017 that links 4Ps cash transfer programs to improving livelihood of poor families in Haiyan devastated provinces and building the resilience of child survivors. The CSSP program covers psychosocial healing of Haiyan child survivors under ages 13-17 so they can be resilient and equipped in pursuing livelihood and employment. The program allows sharing of ups and downs experience among child survivors of Typhoon Haiyan as part of psychosocial healing and build coping mechanism. Child survivors still cry when they recall their tragic experience losing loved ones and being displaced during typhoon Haiyan, said Muyot. The Haiyan experience has left lifelong scars among children who survived, healing takes time but its possible when we help improve their lives and secure a better future for them.President Rodrigo Duterte says he threatened to pull out Filipino workers from the United Arab Emirates and he is ready to impose a total deployment ban in that country if it executes a Filipino worker who has been sentenced to death. If you hang her, I really tell you, I will immediately order the suspension of employment [in the UAE], Duterte said during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night. He was referring to the case of Jennifer Dalquez who was sentenced to death for killing her abusive employer in 2014. She claims she did it in self-defense as her employer had tried to rape her at knife point. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III supported Duterte and told the Cabinet members that he flew with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac to Abu Dhabi to relay the Presidents directive to UAE officials. We went to Abu Dhabi, Mr. President, and relayed the same instruction that you gave me. I said, The President respects your justice system, but the President feels that if you hang his countryman, then he will just [have] to declare a total deployment ban for the entire United Arab Emirates, Bello said. Two months after [that], we learned that her sentence of death was commuted to only three years. She has not even served three years [in prison], but they freed her... Obviously, they got scared by your remark, sir, Bello told the President. After the incident, Bello said, UAE officials invited Duterte to visit the Arabian Peninsula. Duterte then said if it werent for his crude language as a President, nothing would happen in the country. What Im trying to say is, if you dont say p****** i**, nothing will happen in this country. Thats the truth.. If you cannot say f*** you, g******* you better behave, he said.Before the Cabinet meeting, Dalquez had an emotional encounter with the President for saving her life from death row. In a Twitter post, Cacdac posted a photo of the President and Dalquez in the Palace. The President is a shoulder to cry on for returned OFW Jennifer Dalquez, who was saved from death row in Al Ain Prison, UAE. DOLE Secretary Bello and OWWA joined the Dalquez family in the tearful and joyous meeting in Malacanang, Cacdac said. He said the President provided cash assistance to Dalquezs family and issued directives for the government to give livelihood opportunities to the embattled overseas worker. Dalquez, a native of General Santos City, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2014. On May 20, 2015, she was sentenced to death by the Al Ain Court of First Instance for murder. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, then fought for her acquittal through legal assistance. Dalquez returned to the country on Nov. 2 as she received other assistance provided by the OWWA, DOLE and the Department of Social Welfare to her family.SeoulSouth Koreas defense ministry on Wednesday broke decades of silence to apologize for martial law troops raping women including teenagers when they crushed a pro-democracy uprising in 1980. Defense minister Jeong Kyeong-doo issued a public apology for the inflicting of unspeakable, deep scars and pain on innocent women who were raped and subjected to sex torture by soldiers cracking down on the protests against a military coup by general Chun Doo-hwan. Demonstrators in the southern city of Gwangju and passers-by were beaten to death, tortured, bayoneted and disemboweled or riddled with bullets. Conservatives in the South continue to condemn the uprising as a Communist-inspired rebellion. According to official figures, more than 200 people were left dead or missing, while activists say the toll may have been three times as much. Chuns troops were believed to have also carried out widespread sexual assaults against women, but the issue has long been swept under the carpet as the traumatized victims remained reluctant to come forward. The mood changed following the election of liberal current President Moon Jae-in, who made uncovering the truth about Gwangju a campaign issue, and when one of the victims was emboldened by South Koreas growing #MeToo movement.Protester Kim Sun-ok told a television interviewer in May that she had been raped by an interrogator in 1980, prompting authorities to launch an investigation that confirmed 17 cases. The investigation has confirmed rapes, sexual assaults and sex tortures were committed by martial law troops, the defense minister said in a statement. The victims included teenagers and young women, including young students and a pregnant woman who were not even taking part in the protests, he told a press conference. On behalf of the government and military, I bow deeply and offer my words of apology for the unspeakable, deep scars and pain inflicted on innocent victims, Jeong said. But Kim rejected the apology. I didnt listen to it because of my traumatic experience, she told AFP. But unless those responsible are brought to justice and duly punished, a million apologies would be meaningless."All that the report mentioned were different bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis." "All that the report mentioned were different bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis."

President Duterte led the inauguration of the so-called Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange last Monday. The terminal is indeed impressive. Built at a cost of about P4.8 billion, it has been billed by the Department of Transportation as an integrated and multi-modal terminal. Integrated in a sense that everything will be done in one single facility which is located in a five-hectare property. Multi-modal because passengers coming from Southern Luzon will all disembark at the terminal and transfer to other vehicles to complete their journey to the Metro area. The facility was designed to accommodate 100,000 passengers a day and features modern departure and arrival bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis. Even the President, who has avoided tackling the Metro traffic problem head on, was impressed by the facility, saying that this will help lessen traffic congestion in the Metro area. But will it indeed lessen traffic congestion? I really hope so. After all, this project is part of Build, Build, Build government program. And to be fair to the DOTr planners, this project has been long time coming and credit should be given to them for pushing it through. But there are some issues that cannot be overlooked. This is the description of the facility as being multi-modal. It is a well-known fact that there are four basic transport modes. Land, rail, air, and sea. If the facility is indeed inter-modal, what this means is that those passengers coming from the South will disembark in the facility and then transfers to a rail transport to complete their journey to the Metro area. Nothing in the report, however, mentions this. In fact, all that the report mentioned were different bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis. This factor is important because if the facility will be processing from 100,000 to 200,000 passengers, there will be a need to provide additional buses, jeepneys and taxis to bring these thousands of passengers to the Metro area. Even if the DOTr will say that the passengers will take the same transport units bringing people to the facility for their outward journey, there will almost certainly be a net increase in land transport which will add vehicles in Metro streets instead of decongesting traffic. Buses or jeepneys cannot be classified as inter-modal. If, however, the LRT line being extended to Cavite will be diverted to the facility to collect all disembarking passengers from the South, this would be the most ideal situation. If not, then the facility cannot be truly classified as inter-modal. * * *Congressman Johnny Pimentel of Surigao Del Sur is proposing that the number of women recruits in the Philippine National Police be increased from 10 percent of the whole force to 20 percent. It appears that the good Congressmans move was a reaction to an alleged misconduct of a policeman, PO1 Edgardo Valencia of the Manila Police District, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by a fifteen year old girl who alleged that he raped her in exchange for the release of her parents who were in jail for a drug-related offense. The thinking of Congressman Pimentel is that if there are more policewomen available in the PNP, such incidents could be avoided because there will be more female police personnel to handle similar cases. There is also an advocacy group saying that what happened to the girl is not an isolated case, an accusation that the Chief PNP, Oscar Albayalde, vehemently denies, saying the case is an isolated case. He also said that one case cannot and should not be used to characterize the whole PNP. The motive of Congressman Pimentel is understandable but is too simplistic a solution to a problem that requires deep-rooted solutions. What is bothersome though is that the accused policeman is the lowest in the enlisted ranks and such behavior must never be tolerated. Maybe the PNP leadership should look at reforming and improving current recruitment and training policies to be more selective on people being recruited into the police force. Predictably, Director General Albayalde shut down the proposal of Congressman Pimentel by citing the physical limitations of a woman, such as getting pregnant, and the length of maternity leaves which could disrupt police functions. But child-bearing or the length of maternity leaves should not be given as a reason to limit the number of women who want to enlist in the Police force. There is already a law that protects the rights of citizens when it comes to employment opportunities against discrimination because of gender, religion, or race. What should determine the number of women in the police force must be the needs of the force and not an arbitrary number determined by certain individuals because of old-fashioned beliefs or misconceptions. In the Philippine Military Academy, for instance, the number of women entering the institution is determined by the number of applicants who pass the tough written examination and the rigorous physical examination. Many military and police organizations around the world also have not limited the number of women allowed to join because of pregnancy and length of maternity leaves. Some countries like Israel are well-known for having women soldiers doing the same things as men do. In Russia, we have read historical instances during the 2nd World War of women in combat alongside their men folk against the vaunted German Army. In the United States armed forces, there are now women fighter pilots. Women are also allowed to try for the tough Army Ranger training course. In this day and in age, we find more and more taboos disappearing.King Mohammed VI has reached out to Algeria saying that Morocco stands ready for a direct and candid dialogue in order to dispel the transient and objective differences that are impeding the development of relations between the two neighboring countries. The Sovereign also suggested the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation to break the stalemate in bilateral relations, reiterating his commitment to work hand in hand with the Algerian brothers.

In a powerful speech marking the 43rd anniversary of the Green March, on November 6, King Mohammed VI said I should like to say today, in a very straightforward and responsible way, that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with our sister nation, Algeria, in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries.

The Sovereign who pointed out that we must be realistic and admit that the state of our bilateral relations is not normal, much less acceptable, recalled that soon after he acceded to the throne, he asked earnestly and in good faith that the borders between the two neighboring countries be opened and that Moroccan-Algerian relations be normalized.

To mend relations, the Sovereign suggested that Morocco and Algeria set up a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation, whose format, nature and level of representation can be mutually agreed upon.

I should like to stress that Morocco is willing to consider the proposals or initiatives Algeria may want to offer in this regard so as to break the stalemate in the relations between the two neighbors and sister nations, he said, explaining that the mission of this mechanism would be to analyze all the issues on hand in good faith and in a very frank, objective and honest way, using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions.

This mechanism can also serve as a practical platform for cooperation regarding all bilateral matters, particularly with respect to making the most of the numerous development opportunities existing in the Maghreb region, he said.

The Sovereign explained further that this mechanism will also contribute to enhancing bilateral coordination and consultation and help us rise to regional and international challenges, particularly in terms of fighting terrorism and addressing the issue of migration.

I should like to reiterate, in this regard, my commitment to work hand in hand with my brothers in Algeria, making sure their national institutions are fully respected, he said, vowing that Morocco will spare no effort to build bilateral relations on the solid foundations of trust, solidarity and neighborliness.

The Moroccan Sovereign deplored the division and lack of unity in the Maghreb, saying this unreasonable situation is utterly inconsistent with the brotherly bonds uniting our peoples, who share the same religion, language, history and destiny.

This reality is at odds with the ambition that induced the generation who fought for freedom and independence in a bid to achieve the unity of the Maghreb, as symbolized by the Tangier Conference of 1958, the Monarch stated.

He recalled in this regard the Kingdoms support to the Algerian Revolution, which strengthened the bonds between the Moroccan Monarchy and the Algerian Resistance.

Together, we fought colonial rule for many years until independence was obtained. We know each other very well, and many Moroccan and Algerian families are united by the bonds of marriage and kinship, said the Sovereign, noting that the interests of Maghreb people are best served by unity, integration and complementarity. There is actually no need for third-party mediation, he said.

In his speech, King Mohammed VI also dealt with the Sahara issue, one of the thorny issues in Moroccan-Algerian relations, making it clear that Morocco continues to safeguard its territorial integrity with clarity, ambition, responsibility and committed action, both domestically and at the United Nations.

This clarity can be shown by the firm, resolute manner in which we have been tackling all transgressions  whatever their origin  aimed at undermining Moroccos legitimate rights or departing from the frame of reference agreed for the settlement process, said King Mohammed VI.

The King who renewed Moroccos resolve to cooperate with the UN Secretary-General and to support his Personal Envoy to establish a serious and credible political process, called for setting a new dynamic in the UN-led negotiations. The United Nations, he said, should take into account the experience and the lessons of the past to avoid the deadlock of the Manhasset process.

Underlining the development efforts made in the Sahara Provinces, the King said that Morocco will invest in effective, wealth-generating economic partnerships with all countries and economic blocs, including the European Union. He made it clear, however, that Morocco shall not be involved in any partnership that undermines the countrys territorial integrity.

I am keen to make sure these partnerships benefit directly the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara first and foremost, and that they contribute to improving their livelihoods within their homeland, in an environment characterized by freedom and a dignified life, the King said.

Touching on Moroccos return to the African Union, its institutional family, the Sovereign said this return was not intended as a means to defend the question of the Moroccan Sahara, given that the position of most African nations is similar to that of the Kingdom.

Our return to the African Union was dictated by the pride we take in belonging to Africa, as well as by our commitment to share in the development dynamic it is witnessing and to contribute to tackling the various challenges facing the Continent, without compromising our legitimate rights and best interests, the Sovereign pointed out.

The Southern Provinces will carry on progress under the new development model to enable the Moroccan Sahara to play once again its historical role as a bridge between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa, the Sovereign went on to say.RTL Today is pleased to offer you our live ticker, giving you access to the latest results supplied by our AFP wire service provider and other gleanings from the press.

SENATE:

HOUSE:

Times below are times the updates were posted.

7.55pm CET

In our final live ticker update, President Trump said during this evening's press conference that he hopes to meet with Kim Jong Un early next year - but is in no rush to negotiate.

He also declared the midterms a "big day" for Republicans. In the end, his party lost control of the House of Representatives, but gained seats in the Senate.

7.08pm CET

As the press conference continues, Trump was asked if the topic of impeachment came up during his meeting with Nancy Pelosi. "Impeachment did not come up," Trump stated, and declared that it's not an option as he's "done nothing wrong."

6.54pm CET

Still at the press conference, president Trump has stated the media means he can't adopt a friendlier tone.

6.30pm CET

Trump is holding a live news conference from the White House. Highlight include stating that it "was a very close to complete victory" and stating that "I think people like me, I think people like the job I'm doing."

He also stated that the US economy would have seen "negative 4.2" rather than the "positive 4.2" percent growth had Obama remained president.

6.05pm CET

AFP: Trump defiant as partisan warfare looms after US vote

5.45pm CET

Barack Obama sees the results as a "start" on "change we need"

Congratulations to everybody who showed up and participated in our democracy in record numbers yesterday. The change we need wont come from one election alone  but it is a start. Last night, voters across the country started it. pic.twitter.com/gNk4WkeJUn  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2018

5.15pm CET

Fox news reports that Trump has backed democratic and former minority leader Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

5.05pm CET

BBC report that President Donald Trump has claimed the midterms to be a 'big victory', despite losing over 20 seats in the House of Representatives.

3.50pm CET

Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic started off strong as midterms went more or less as expected.



2.26pm CET

Fox News has reported that midterm elections in several key states are still undecided.

2.22pm CET

Fox News is reporting that Georgia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is refusing to concede, with victory 'within reach'.

2.30pm CET



UK's Guardian newspaper reports that "Rapprochement, not impeachment is Democrats' likely approach to Trump.



2.14pm CET

AFP: Democrat seize US House but Trump averts 'blue wave'.

1.39pm CET

The New York Times reports that the Democrats have captured the US House by harnessing "voter fury toward President Trump".

1.34pm CET

BBC reports that Democrats have won the US House.

12.46pm CET



NBC reports on White House proclamation of victory in midterms.

9.25am CET

NBC reports on the string of Democrat-scored upsets.

9.10am CET

AFP looks at the rise of Democrat, Beto O'Rourke

8.50am CET

The Kavanaugh Effect was key to Republican wins says NBC

8.40am CET

The BBC report on Social Network stability.

8.30am CET

Fox News - Historic Night

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

8.15am CET

The Washington Post have drawn up a list of winners and losers

7.50am CET

Trump's bravado unwavering despite mounting pressure.

7.30am CET

The BBC has highlighted some key points

 AFP (archive)

7.25am CET

85 women have won seats in the House as of Wednesday morning, breaking the current session's record of 84 women.

7.20am CET

NBC News - The GOP entered Election Day with a 51-49 advantage in the Senate. Cruz's win seen as the most crucial in this important election.

7.10am CET

The Telegraph (UK Edition) reports on the Senate and the House discrepancies as Trump supporters see him hold and increase seats.

7.00am CET

The Washington Post has an eye on vulnerable seats. The Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win control of the House.

6.50 am CET

The Guardian reports that the Democrats have won control of the House of Representatives by what looks like a generous margin. Likely incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats would deliver checks and balances on the Trump administration.

6.40am CET

Fox News is trotting out pics and profiles of superstar voters

6.40am CET

The BBC is reporting this close vote as a 'blow to Trump'.

"The US Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections, dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump."

6.35am CET

According to the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, Trump is calling around, according to press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders:

Tonight, President Trump called Leader Mitch McConnell to congratulate him on the historic senate gains. He also spoke with Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The President called to congratulate Rick Scott, Mike DeWine, Kevin Cramer, Josh Hawley, Brian Kemp, and Ron DeSantis. Lastly, the President talked to Sen. Chuck Schumer. He and the Vice President will continue to make calls tonight and tomorrow.

Texas - ABC News : Beto O'Rourke thanks Texas in 'support' of Ted Cruz.

Rep. Beto O'Rourke: "If there's anything we can do to help him [Sen. Cruz], in his position of public trust, to ensure that Texas helps to lead this country in a way that brings us back together around the big things we want to achieve." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i #Midterm2018 pic.twitter.com/IiHsrMg2gy  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 7, 2018

6.20am CET

Fox News - Midterm winners make history on Election Night, from youngest woman elected to Congress to richest governor.

6.15am CET

Asia markets rally, as Congress set to split

6.11am CET

Two Native American women break ground in election to US Congress

5.55am CET

Fox News - Trump 'Has a Lot to Be Proud Of': Graham Says GOP 'Had a Good Night in the Senate'.

5.51am CET

In the Senate: Ten female senate candidates have won their elections; there are five more races with female candidates.

5.49am CET

President Trump is calling the vote a 'great success'.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

5.45am CET

Democrats retake control of House, Republicans hold Senate majority: Fox News projects

5.37am CET

According to the Washington Post, Democrat Laura Kelly has defeated Trump ally Kris Kobach in the Kansas governors race, the AP projected.

5.35am CET

Early momentum suggests gains for Democrats as hopes for a Blue Wave continue. Though Senate likely to remain in Republican control.

5.30am CET

Beyonce, a Houston native, posted a series of self-portraits that showed her sporting a cap with the slogan "Beto for Senate" and the message: "Every vote counts".

5.20am CET

Democratic Congressman Jared Polis, openly gay, has won the governor's race in Colorado

5.15am CET

Democrats seize US House in rebuke to Trump

5.10am CET

Maria Valles Bonilla, 106, became an American citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in Fairfax, Virginia.The UN agency for support to agricultural development, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will set up its sub-regional office in Istanbul following an agreement with Ankara.

The agreement, according to Donald Brown, IFADs associate vice president, program management division, marks a key milestone in the long-standing collaboration between Turkey and the UN agency.

We are proud of over 35 years of fruitful cooperation and strategic partnership, during which we and Turkey have financed 11 projects totaling about $775 million reaching over 7.5 million rural people, Brown said.

In a statement, IFAD said the Istanbul office will manage an investment portfolio of 21 ongoing projects amounting to $1billion, reaching an estimated 13.9 million rural people.

The UN agency has been supporting projects in Turkey, with focus on the increase of agricultural productivity, profitability and marketability, as well as promoting sustainable natural resources management.

The office will enhance fruitful partnership with several governments namely Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, said Khalida Bouzar, IFADs regional director for the Near East, North Africa, Central Asia and Europe Division who attended the signing ceremony.Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacationThe investment arm of Qatars sovereign fund, Qatar Invest Authority (QIA) has reportedly agreed to buy Londons iconic Grosvenor House hotel as part of the Gulf countrys economy diversification plan amid its ongoing isolation in the region by neighbors.

US real estate investment firm Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp accepted Tuesday to sell the hotel located on Park Lane in Londons swanky Mayfair district to Katara Hospitality holding, QIAs hospitality branch, according to an anonymous source familiar with the deal.

Grosvenor House Hotel was built in the 1920s and is renowned for the largest ballroom in Europe, the Great Room, which hosts prize awarding ceremonies and charity balls.

With the new acquisition, the Gulf country will have invested over 30 billion pounds in the UK and according to Reuters, the worlds largest liquefied gas exporter expects to inject further 5 billion pounds in the next few years.

Aside from the UK, Qatar has bought a large number of assets and properties around the world. This year, it acquired the Plaza Hotel in New York for around $600 million.

It is also in talks to buy another hotel in Europe in the near future, the source said.

QIA has also injected investment in companies around the world including Germany where it is shareholder in carmarker Volkswagen.

Monday, the Emirates ruler Sheikh Tamim said his countrys economy grew by 18 per cent in 2017 despite a more than one-year old sea/air/land blockade imposed by regional neighbors, namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain in addition to Egypt.Jordans national carrier will decide during the first quarter (Q1) of next year the manufacturer that will supply the 23 aircrafts it needs to revamp and expand its fleet, CEO of the airline told Reuters in an interview.

Three manufacturers, namely Airbus (AIR.PA), Boeing (BA.N), and Embraer (EMBR3.SA) have submitted bids for the order by Royal Jordanian RJAL.AM.

I think right now its a head to head race  and the best offer will win, Stefan Pichler said in the interview in Cairo.

Well probably make a call in the first quarter of 2019.

The value of the order has not been disclosed but it will enable the airline to replace and expand its existing fleet made of 19 Airbus A320 family aircraft and Embraer 195 and 175s, Reuters reports.

The carrier has returned to profitability last year after years of reported losses. A restructuring program yielded $14.4 million in the first nine months of last year.

The profit is set to be steady this year according to Pichler.

If we had the same fuel prices as last year we would now be operating with a huge profit margin, but thats life, he said.

In terms of growth Royal Jordanian intends to focus on the Middle Easts Levant market as the Middle East region aviation market is dominated by Emirates and Qatar Airways.Russia and Spain Tuesday lambasted fresh sanctions on Iran by the US, which is bullying countries to stop buying the Iranian oil.

US President Donald Trump and his administration enacted Monday another tranche of sanctions against Iran targeting its oil and financial sector.

The move came following May fresh sanctions after President Trump tore apart the 2015 multinational nuclear accord signed by Iran and world powers and adopted by the UN Security Council.

The new sanctions prohibit countries from buying the Iranian oil but Washington has however given temporary waiver for eight countries namely Turkey, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy and Greece.

Washington has warned countries and companies they cannot trade with Iran and have access to the American market.

At a press conference in Madrid, Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov laid into the US, arguing that the sanctions are illegitimate and breach the UN Security Council decision.

Sanctions are absolutely illegitimate, they are being imposed in flagrant violation of the U.N. Security Councils decision, Lavrov said.

And the forms in which these measures are being declared and implemented cannot cause anything but deep disappointment. It is not acceptable in our age to pursue a policy based on ultimatums and unilateral demands, Lavrov added.

His host and colleague, Josep Borrell, backed him up noting that the Trump administrations behavior, in reference to ultimatums, is of another era.

This notion of youre either with me or against me is of another era, Borrell said.

The Spanish top diplomat insisted that Madrid will not accept any kind of position that resembles an ultimatum from anyone and also from the US.

Like Russia and Spain, Turkey also said it rejects sanctions despite being granted a six-month waiver. President Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday said Ankara will not abide by the sanctions that are aimed, he claimed, at unbalancing the world.

These are steps aimed at unbalancing the world. We dont want to live in an imperialist world. These issues will be put on the table at the summit (this weekend) in Paris, he told reporters.

We will absolutely not abide by such sanctions. We buy 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas. We cannot freeze our people in the cold.Recently, cases of a poliolike illness have been back in the news. Acute flaccid myelitis, a rare complication from certain viral infections, causes paralysis in one or more limbs and strikes mostly children. Keith Van Haren, MD, assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences at the School of Medicine, has studied the condition and written scientific review articles covering clusters of cases dating back to 2012.

Van Haren talked with science writer Erin Digitale about what parents should know about the disease.

Q: What do we know about the history and causes of this condition?

Van Haren: There are cases of infectious paralysis stretching far back into recorded human history, including, of course, of poliomyelitis. The best interpretation of current and historical evidence suggests these cases are primarily caused by viral infections, and there happen to be several viruses that can do this. Broadly speaking, we could classify poliomyelitis as a form of acute flaccid myelitis; they appear to share similar elements of pathophysiology.

Enteroviruses  including the three human polioviruses, and enterovirus 71  are the most common culprits. Since at least 2012, there is accumulating evidence that enterovirus 68 can also cause this syndrome. And West Nile Virus can cause this acute flaccid myelitis, although its from a different family of viruses.

As best we can tell, the modern outbreaks go back to at least 2012, when Carol Glaser and her team at the California Department of Public Health began noticing an uptick in poliolike cases, mostly in kids. It was Carol who first noticed the viral association with enterovirus 68.

The phrase acute flaccid myelitis was coined in 2014 by a group of colleagues, including myself, who were trying to come up with an appropriate descriptive term that would disentangle it from the historical association with poliomyelitis and provide a broader framework for characterizing the illness.

The pattern that were currently seeing is an every-other-year phenomenon. Different years bring different enteroviruses, just as different years bring different strains of flu. In the years enterovirus 68 has been circulating  in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018  weve also seen an increase in cases all clustered in late summer and early fall, which is the time of year that many species of enteroviruses circulate in North America.

Q: What happens in children affected with acute flaccid myelitis?

Van Haren: The syndrome typically begins with what looks like a traditional systemic illness. This is broadly true of many infectious neurological illnesses: What begins as an otherwise ordinary infection takes a different course in a particular patient, and its not understood why.

Enterovirus infections typically start and end as benign illnesses, with congestion, fever and a sense of malaise all lasting a few days. In a very small number of individuals, this illness is followed by something more ominous. The earliest symptom among patients who actually develop acute flaccid myelitis is a period of significant pain in the limb, or multiple limbs, often described as aching, tingling or electric shocks. Within the next day or so, the limb becomes weak and the weakness can progress very quickly, over the course of an hour or two even, to very weak or complete loss of function. Muscles of the face can also be affected.

The weakness may worsen for the next day or for several days before it reaches its low point and stabilizes. In many cases, the weakened limb does gradually recover, though it may not make a full recovery. Most recovery occurs in the first few months, but recovery may continue for years. We have seen apparent improvement continuing, albeit slowly, even as far out as two years after the injury.

Rehabilitation is sometimes possible once the illness is stabilized. Most rehabilitation efforts are taken on a case-by-case basis, and often include strength training and electrical stimulation devices that deliver tiny electrical pulses, applied directly over the muscle. There are also surgical approaches, in which a nerve that is not working is swapped for a nerve that is working to re-attain some muscle movement, typically in an arm, but it is not appropriate for everyone and is attempted only in very highly specialized centers. It requires a highly skilled team to identify who might benefit and plan the procedure.

Q: How worried should parents be? Is there anything they can or should do to protect their children?

Van Haren: With any infectious illness, the youngest and oldest members of population are most vulnerable. This condition is a bit of an exception, as it is primarily affecting younger children.

To date, the best we can offer is a preventive approach: Try to help keep children healthy and clean with regular hand-washing and limited exposure to very sick people.

If a child is sick, parents should encourage him or her to rest and provide normal, appropriate nourishment and hydration. If the child or parent is noticing acute weakness or significant pain in one limb, they should seek medical care promptly.

Its important to remember how rare this disease is. To put it in context, last year there were about 80,000 deaths across the country from the flu; so far this year, there are around 100 or so total cases of acute flaccid myelitis under investigation. Clinicians and scientists are working hard to understand how to make sure it doesnt become more and, ideally, to eliminate it altogether. Analogous eradication efforts have occurred many times, primarily through vaccination.

Q: What are experts doing to better understand the illness?

Van Haren: The physician community, including child neurologists and infectious disease specialists, is coming together to form working groups to tackle the problem directly. Our general sense now is that this is a serious illness for anyone who is affected, but it remains rare.

Our goal is to understand whats happening well enough to prevent it from becoming more common, and also to develop better modes to treat it. The physician community is seeing a convergence of evidence that suggests enterovirus 68 is responsible for many but not all cases. This community would like more support from public health agencies and funders to try to understand this disease.

Q: What do we know now about the illness that we didnt know last time there were a significant number of cases?

Van Haren: There has been some really helpful progress in past couple of years in terms of modeling around enterovirus 68, focusing on the biology of the virus. Scientists have studied the genetic alterations that may have made the virus more prone to attack the human nervous system, and have tested the ability of the virus to do this in a mouse model. This is a crucial foundation for developing treatments and vaccinations.

Its somewhat disappointing that we dont yet have a good therapeutic or really specific preventive approach. Those are the areas we ought to be making ardent strides toward.Your browser does not support the audio element.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday afternoon organized a talk to launch the second phase of its ongoing campaign to help reunite Vietnamese adoptees with their birth parents, following the success of the campaigns first phase in mid-July.

The talk, themed Helping Vietnamese Adoptees Trace Their Roots, was held at the headquarters of Tuoi Tre in Ho Chi Minh City in coordination with Kids Without Borders, an organization devoted to facilitating the homeward journeys of Vietnamese-born children adopted by foreign parents.

After the first talk was held in mid-July, a Vietnamese adopted by a French couple 23 years ago had the opportunity to reconnect with her biological family in southern Vietnam.

Amandine Durand, 23, was moved to tears on Monday as she embraced her birth mother and sister in a surprise reunion during the event  the first time they met after DNA results confirmed their blood ties.

Me oi [Mom]! she said in Vietnamese in a trembling voice as her 66-year-old mother Do Thi Chiem was assisted to the stage by her elder sister Doan Thi Lua.

French-Vietnamese adoptee Amandine Durand (L) cries as she watches a documentary about her journey to find her biological family in Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The three shared a heartwarming hug as Durand wiped off her tears, overwhelmed by emotions and struggling to string words into sentences.

Im very happy, as you can see, she said.

For Chiem, who was so eager to meet her long-lost daughter that she had not eaten anything since the same morning, the moment was special in its own way.

I love you Im so glad to see you, Chiem told Durand, whom she has always remembered as the little La that she was forced to leave behind at the hospital after birth, thinking she would not be able to provide her daughter with a happy life.

Vietnamese adoptees Hien Munier (second left), Aurelien Malnoury (third left), Amandine Durand (second right) and Adrien Rieu (R) perform a Vietnamese song at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Not all guests at Mondays event have found their happy ending like Durand did. Most participants came to the talk in the hope of making their stories heard by as many as possible and increasing their chances of finding their biological parents.

Hien Munier, a French-Vietnamese adoptee whose story touched the hearts of Tuoi Tre readers in July, has continued the search for her birth mother for the last four months without much result.

Im still waiting for an answer about my roots. I know its going to be a long process, and Im prepared for it, Hien said.

Think of the process as a seed that you nurture with expectation, one day it will grow into a tree, she added.

Apart from searching for her Vietnamese family, Hien devotes the rest of her time to volunteering for Kids Without Borders, where she helps translate documents that could be crucial to the search for parents by Vietnamese adoptees worldwide.

French-Vietnamese adoptee Hien Munier shares her story at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like Hien, Aurelien Malnoury was born in Vietnam and adopted by French parents from a young age.

Malnourys homecoming journey began when doctors asked for his family backgrounds to make a diagnosis of a psychiatric condition that he has.

Adopting the Vietnamese name of Doan Van Giang to assist in his search, Malnoury is now a volunteer at the Child Welfare and Protection Center of Go Vap District in Ho Chi Minh City, where he helps look after kids abandoned by their birth parents.

For Adrien Rieu, who has been raised by loving French parents who provided him with a life as good as the one anybody could hope for, the journey to trace his Vietnamese roots is a pleasure rather than a challenge.

Rieu has been learning Vietnamese for the past six months, which helps him not only look for his biological parents but also explore the people and culture of his birth country.

French-Vietnamese adoptee Adrien Rieu shares his story at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Son Michael Pham, president and director of Kids Without Borders, said it was his honor to work with Tuoi Tre in the campaign to help reunite Vietnamese adoptees with their biological parents.

For children like Hien and Giang, who are leading comfortable lives of their own in France, to choose to come back to Vietnam and help the less fortunate is heartwarming, Son said.

Son expressed his hope that Durands happy ending will encourage Vietnamese adoptees worldwide to embark on their own journey to trace their roots.

Son Michael Pham, president and director of Kids Without Borders, speaks at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Mothers tears

The audience of Mondays talk was also moved by stories shared by Vietnamese mothers who had spent the larger part of their lives looking for their long-lost children.

Nguyen Thi Dep, who is in her late 60s, said her search had lasted 43 years without any result.

I dont know if I can continue searching for much longer. I only hope that my dream will come true before I die, Dep said.

Choked in tears, Dep said the only memory she has of her daughter is that of a three-year-old baby girl.

She must be over 40 now. I want to know if shes married, how shes living, and to say I love you to her the moment we meet, Dep said.

Guests and hosts join a talk about helping Vietnamese adoptees trace their roots in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thi Nhung, another mother who came to the event hoping to spread word about her story, suspected if she would be able to say anything when she was reunited with her long-lost child.

If it came true, I would just give her a really tight hug to make up for all those years that we were apart, because I know that she too needs a hug from her birth mother, Nhung said.

The only foster parent to participate in the talk, French national Claude Coudert has raised a Vietnamese son she adopted more than 20 years ago into an associate professor of math who is now working at a university in France.

If one day he decides that he wants to start looking for his biological parents, I would do all in my power to assist him in the journey, she said.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Paintings and drawings by two late Vietnamese artists are on display at two art galleries within the framework of the Asian Week, a fabulous exhibition in London from November 5 to 9.

Visitors to Asia Week at Design Centre Chelsea Habour in London can have the opportunity to view a collection of modern Vietnamese art, featuring artworks by Bui Xuan Phai and Nguyen Tu Nghiem, two late Vietnamese painters.

Bui Xuan Phai (1921-1988) was known for the paintings of the Hanoi Old Quarter while Nguyen Tu Nghiem (1918-2016) was a lacquer painter awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for fine arts in 1996.

Notably, the exhibited pieces are from a private collection by the Swiss art collector Paul Hugentobler that was discovered in Hanoi when he traveled in Vietnam in the early 1990s and were previously unseen in the UK.

During the course of the display, there are also gallery talks by curator Louise Malcom covering the history of Vietnams contemporary fine arts, the establishment of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, and the influence of some French painters on the formation of Vietnams contemporary fine arts.

Paintings by late Vietnamese artist Nguyen Tu Nghiem are on display at Asia Week at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour in London. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

In addition, attendees will also be introduced to the works by other Vietnamese artists.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the exhibited works have drawn great attention from visitors, many of whom later bought biography books on the life and works of the two renowned Vietnamese painters.

VNA also reported that Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An came to the exhibition and expressed his appreciation to see more and more Londoners gaining interest in and understanding of Vietnams culture and art.

Asia Week at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, in association with Asian Art in London, is a multi-dimensional exhibition, with more than 120 pieces of artwork on show, in celebration of the influence of Asian culture, art and creativity from across the region.

Design Centre Chelsea Habour is home to 120 showrooms and over 600 of the worlds most prestigious luxury brands, the largest of its kind in Europe.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An (middle) talks with curator Louise Malcom (right) and art collector Paul Hugentobler at the opening ceremony of Asia Week at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour in London. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!by Shafique Khokhar

Under the agreement, Asia Bibis name is on list of people barred to leave the country. The government will compensate victims of recent violence. The Islamic group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan will apologise if protests hurt peoples feelings.

Islamabad (AsiaNews)  The agreement reached last night between the Pakistani government and Islamic radicals who want to overturn Asia Bibis acquittal is a cause for shame, this according to Kashif Hussain.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the social media writer and activist slammed the agreement between Imran Khans government and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), an extremist party, to stop protests that had blocked the countrys main cities for days.

If a state cannot stick to its orders and if its citizens [can] challenge the writ of the state and do not follow the orders and law, then this is a big question mark on states stability, he lamented.

One example of this is Asia Bibi's lawyer flight from Pakistan this morning. Another is the fact that the fate of the Christian woman, acquitted a few days ago of blasphemy after spending nine years in prison, is now uncertain.

We were expecting the state to act against the anti-state forces that are disgracing Pakistan across the world and teach them a lesson that states orders are above all, but the agreement with such group ashamed us, Hussain added.

Two days ago, Prime Minister Imran Khan had accused Islamic radical of offending Islam, giving the impression that he was going to take them head-on.

Last night however Punjab's Justice Minister Raja Basharat, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, and TLP leader Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri signed a five-point agreement.

Under its terms, Asia Bibis name was added to the Exit Control List to prevent her from leaving the country. The government said it would not oppose the request for a revision of her acquittal. It also said that it would compensate the victims of the protests as well as release protesters arrested in recent days. Lastly, the TLP agreed to apologise if the protests hurt people's feelings.

Irfan Mufti, deputy director of the South Asia Partnership Pakistan, welcomed the Supreme Courts ruling but complained that "the problem remains with the blasphemy laws. Sadly, the majority still believes on keeping these laws.

Still, for Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, "new hope was awaken in minorities after Asia Bibis acquittal. Now similar cases must be investigated; most probably many innocent people will also be released from prison.A clinical trial to determine whether a smartwatch app that analyzes pulse-rate data can screen for a heart-rhythm disorder has enrolled more than 400,000 participants.

Researchers at Stanford Medicine, in collaboration with Apple, launched the Apple Heart Study last November to determine whether a mobile app that uses the optical sensor on the Apple Watch to analyze pulse rate data can identify atrial fibrillation. The condition, which is characterized by an irregular heartbeat, often remains hidden because many people dont experience symptoms. Atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.

A paper published online Nov. 1 in the American Heart Journal describes the design of this unique clinical trial, the largest screening study on atrial fibrillation ever done. Enrollment, which was conducted through an iPhone app, is now closed.

The study has entered the final phase of data collection and will be completed early next year, the researchers said. The Stanford team is led by principal investigators Mintu Turakhia, MD, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, and Marco Perez, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine, and by study chair Kenneth Mahaffey, MD, professor of cardiovascular medicine.

We hope this study will help us better understand how wearable technologies can inform precision health, said Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. These new tools, which have the potential to predict, prevent and manage disease, are finally within our reach.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Sept. 11 that it had cleared two mobile medical apps designed by Apple to work on the Apple Watch. One app uses data from new hardware on the Apple Watch Series 4 to take an electrocardiogram by touching the button on the side of the device. The other app uses data from an optical sensor available on the Apple Watch Series 1 and later to analyze pulse data to identify irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation and notify the user. The Apple Heart Study involves only this second app.

The advantage of the app that uses the optical sensor is that it can check for an irregular pulse multiple times throughout the day in the background, without needing the user to actively engage the application, Perez said.

Goals of the study

Each year in the United States, atrial fibrillation results in 130,000 deaths and 750,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that the condition affects between 2.7 million and 6.1 million people. In addition, another 700,000 people may have undiagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Each participant in the study is required to have an Apple Watch (series 1, 2 or 3) and an iPhone. An app on the phone intermittently checks the heart-rate pulse sensor for measurements of an irregular pulse. If sufficient episodes of an irregular pulse are detected, then the participant receives a notification and is asked to schedule a visit with a doctor involved in the study. Participants are then sent electrocardiography patches, which record the electrical rhythm of their hearts for up to a week.

The advantage of the app that uses the optical sensor is that it can check for an irregular pulse multiple times throughout the day in the background.

The goals of the study are threefold: to determine how many among those who receive irregular pulse notifications are found to have atrial fibrillation on ECG patch monitoring; to determine how many among those who received an irregular pulse notification go on to get medical attention; and to determine the accuracy of irregular-pulse detection by the watch by comparing it with the simultaneous ECG patch recordings.

We now have access to high-quality sensors that can measure and detect changes in our bodies in entirely new and insightful ways without even needing to go to the doctor, but we need to rigorously evaluate them, Turakhia said. Theres never really been a study like this done before.

A subset of the study data was used by Apple as part of its regulatory submission for FDA clearance of the smartwatch app that analyzes pulse-rate data. Apple Heart Study investigators were aware of the submission, but have not seen the submission data.

We are inspired by the overwhelming response to the Apple Heart Study, said Sumbul Desai, MD, vice president of Apple. Through the combined power of our participants, Apple Watch and Stanford Medicine, its one of the largest and most novel atrial fibrillation studies to date.

Researchers from the Lankenau Heart Institute, Jefferson Medical College, the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, StopAfib.org, the American Foundation for Womens Health and Duke University also contributed to the paper.

The Apple Heart Study is funded by Apple Inc.A Vietnamese company has announced it will organize Miss World Vietnam for the first time in 2019 in order to select a beauty to represent Vietnam at Miss World.

Sen Vang Company, based in Ho Chi Minh City, introduced the Miss World Vietnam pageant on Monday.

Vietnam has chosen a candidate for Miss World via Miss Vietnam, a top beauty contest in the country, but from next year on, the Miss World Vietnam winner will be the official representative of Vietnamese beauty at the international pageant.

According to a Sen Vang representative, this does not mean that Miss Vietnam has lost her chance to compete at Miss World.

The Miss World Vietnam beauty queen will compete in even years whereas Miss Vietnam will strut at Miss World in odd years, which gives both beauties an equal opportunity.

Miss World Vietnam will help the beauties compete more professionally, which will in turn increase their competitiveness at Miss World, Pham Kim Dung, head of the organizing committee of Miss World Vietnam 2018, said.

Miss World Vietnam will start receiving applications from January 1, 2019.

The contest is expected to hold the elimination round in southern Vietnam in March 2019 and in northern Vietnam in April 2019.

The final round will be held in May 2019 at Cocobay Da Nang.

The competition will be organized in the early half of the year so that the winning beauties will have time to prepare themselves for the international competition held in October and November 2019.

Held annually since 1951, Miss World is considered to be one of the six most prestigious international beauty contests, with the others being Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Supranational, and Miss Grand International.

The Miss World beauty queen will represent Miss World Organization in social and charitable activities worldwide, and will be living in London throughout her reign of one year.

The current Miss World is a 20-year-old Indian beauty, Muni Chhillar.

The nearest pageant will be held in in China December 2018.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!A car driver in Ho Chi Minh City has been slapped with a fine worth over VND14 million for using a fake license plate and sounding a siren while traveling on the street.

Traffic police officers in District 2 on Tuesday imposed the VND14.7 million (US$633) fine upon Dao Minh Thanh, 35, for his violations of traffic regulations.

The offenses include repeated horn honking in a residential area, putting a siren on a vehicle not authorized to carry the device, and a lack of car registration and insurance.

The car also carried a fake blue license plate, which often designates vehicles as being owned by state organizations.

Thanh was caught on camera driving the automobile and switching on the siren along Nguyen Duy Trinh Street in District 2 on the evening of October 20.

The vehicle then stopped in front of a house, before Thanh, a woman, and two children got out of the car and walked inside.

During a working session with police officers, Thanh said he had borrowed the car from a woman.

He added that one of the kids inside the car had turned on the siren.

The woman, who owns the vehicle, said she had recently bought it from another person whose whereabouts was unclear.

Both Thanh and the woman failed to present any document proving the origin of the car.

Competent agencies have confiscated the automobile and are working to determine its origin.

Further penalties will be imposed if any violation is detected, police said.

In Vietnam, sirens are allowed to be used on ambulances, police cars, certain state cars, and fire trucks, but not on civilian vehicles.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Passengers of a Vietnamese airline were infuriated after their flight was canceled following two hours of delay on Tuesday.

Operated by low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific, flight BL434 was scheduled to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa City in the south-central province of Phu Yen.

M., one of the passengers, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that everyone was on board and the plane was ready to take off at around 1:30 pm before the captain announced that the flight was postponed due to technical errors.

The flyers were then asked to return to the terminal of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, M. continued.

At around 3:30 pm, passengers got on the aircraft again before the captain informed them of another technical issue.

However, the flight was canceled this time.

We were then asked to return to the terminal and collect our VND200,000 [US$8.61] compensation at the Jetstar counter, M. stated.

Another passenger of the flight named H. expressed his anger after the carrier canceled the flight for no proper reason.

The compensation was also unacceptable, H. said, adding that each passenger had to pay VND500,000 ($21.5) to VND1 million ($43) for their tickets.

A Jetstar Pacific spokesperson said on the evening of the same day that the flight was called off as Tuy Hoa Airport closes at 5:30 pm.

Flight B434 was expected to depart at 2:05 pm and arrive at 3:15 pm, the spokesperson said, adding that it was first delayed due to a technical error.

Jetstar later arranged another aircraft, which was ready to take off at 3:04 pm.

However, operators of Tan Son Nhat said that the plane would not be able to depart before 4:00 pm due to busy schedules.

As the journey takes more than an hour, it was unlikely that the aircraft arrived before the closing time of Tuy Hoa Airport, forcing the airline to cancel the flight.

The flight was rescheduled to the following day, and passengers were given compensation as a gesture of goodwill from the carrier, according to the spokesperson.

They were also allowed to pick a different date or refund without any charges, he added.

Tuy Hoa Airport is one of the few airdromes in Vietnam not serving incoming and outgoing flights after sunset.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Authorities in Can Tho City in southern Vietnam have agreed to return diamonds and gemstones they had seized from a local jewelry shop as well as to partially exempt the shop owner from a fine he was subject to over business misconduct after a police raid in January.

The decision was reached on Tuesday after a meeting between Can Tho deputy chairman Truong Quang Hoai Nam and the owner of the gold shop.

Can Tho police raided a gold shop in downtown Ninh Kieu District in January, catching owner Le Hong Luc exchanging a customers 100-dollar bill for VND2.26 million in cash.

Officers also conducted a thorough search of the building and seized 20 diamonds and 19,910 artificial gemstones for lacking proof of purchase.

The confiscated assets are valued at more than VND548 million ($23,500).

In September, Luc was slapped with a VND180 million ($7,700) fine for offering an unlicensed currency exchange service and selling products of unclear origin.

The man has paid the fine in full, but he has filed a formal complaint against the confiscation of his diamonds and gemstones, claiming they are his personal property and were not intended for sale.

Last month, Luc said he was considering a lawsuit against Can Tho authorities after it was announced that his seized assets were set to be auctioned off and all proceeds to be added to public coffers.

Truong Quang Hoai Nam, deputy chairman of Can Tho City in southern Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

At Tuesdays meeting, the administration of Can Tho accepted Lucs explanation that the seized assets are his personal property, according to a memo of the meeting seen by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Deputy chairman Nam said he would direct relevant agencies to make necessary steps to partially revoke Lucs fine and return the confiscated diamonds and gemstones to its owner.

The shop owners fine will be cut by VND70 million ($3,000), from VND180 million to VND110 million ($4,700), as he has been cleared of the violation of selling products of unclear origin.

Im happy with this result, for it shows that authorities have listened to feedback and worked to help us stay in business, Luc said.

Earlier this week, authorities in Can Tho also spared a local resident from paying a civil penalty of VND90 million ($3,850) for cashing out a dollar bill at Lucs gold shop, after considering his financial backgrounds.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War, NITV presents a dedicated lineup of programming for Remembrance Day on Sunday 11 November, including the television premiere of Truth Be Told: Lest We Forget.

The documentary produced by Since 1788 highlights the little-known involvement of Indigenous soldiers in World War I.

NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman said, NITV has a strong history of bringing ground-breaking and often untold stories to all Australians. Truth Be Told: Lest We Forget is an ambitious documentary that aims to drive change in the way all Australians view our history and shared experiences, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in World War I and the Allied involvement in the Middle East Campaign, in particular the charge of the Light Horse into Beersheba.

The documentary shares a truly engaging story, told through the eyes of family members of Aboriginal soldiers. NITV is incredibly proud to broadcast this documentary for our community.

Truth Be Told: Lest We Forget.follows Ricky Morris, Aunty Doris Paton, Terry Hutchison and Pastor Ray Minniecon, descendants of Aboriginal soldiers who fought as part of the World War I Palestine campaign.

Ricky, Doris, Terry and Ray were amongst hundreds of Australians, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who gathered in southern Israel in October 2017 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the legendary Battle of Beersheba.

Through their travels, the descendants hoped to uncover the untold stories of their ancestors.

Up until 1917, it was illegal for Aboriginal people to enlist in World War I. Today, over 1000 Aboriginal soldiers have identified as having served, many in the Light Horse. The Indigenous involvement and contribution during WWI is still widely unknown in contemporary Australian culture and until very recently was not acknowledged.

Truth Be Told: Lest We Forget aims to not only shed light on Indigenous participation in WWI but also inform about government policies at the time and how they affected Indigenous people pre, during and post war.

Production credit: Truth Be Told: Lest We Forget is a Since 1788 production for NITV. Principal production investment from NITV in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from the Australian Government Department of Veteran Affairs.

Sunday 11 November at 8.30pm on NITV.Screen Australia has announced nearly $500,000 in funding for new online projects, including 2 headed for ABC iview (and one to have a television broadcast).

We have a healthy appetite for creative risk in Online Production, and want to support new creators who are trying out bold concepts, said Screen Australia Investment Manager Lee Naimo. Im particularly pleased to see the majority of projects in this slate have female central characters, and female directors.

As weve seen most recently with Superwog and Sheilas, online content can well and truly compete with traditional mediums in terms of production values and audience share. Now is the time for emerging creators to be taking advantage of Screen Australias revised Development funding opportunities to refine their concepts, and get in touch with us in Online Production to discuss their projects.

Content

1 x 60 min / 6 x 10 min

Ludo Studio (QLD)

Genre: Comedy

Producer: Meg OConnell

Executive Producers: Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson

Director: Daley Pearson

Writer: Anna Barnes

Platform: ABC TV and ABC iview

Synopsis: Lucy is a woke, successful influencer who wants to help you achieve everything youve wanted  a partner, a career and contentedness. Unfortunately, Lucy has a severely unhealthy relationship with her phone which keeps her from achieving any of these things herself.

Production credit: Content is a Ludo Studio production for the ABC. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen Queensland.

How to Know if Youre Dating a Narcissist

6 x 5mins

Sweary Canary Films (NSW)

Genre: Comedy

Producers: Kristy Best, Michelle Lia (Associate), Enzo Tedeschi

Directors: Kristy Best

Writers: Kristy Best

Platform: TBC

Synopsis: Follow multi-narcissist survivor Kristy Best as she abrasively whisks you through a surreal lifestyle parody hell-bent on teaching women everywhere How To Know If Youre Dating A Narcissist.

Production credit: How to Know If Youre Dating a Narcissist is a Sweary Canary Films productions. Production investment from Sweary Canary Films in association with Screen Australia.

Sarahs Channel

6 x 5 mins

Yellow Creative Management Pty Ltd and Mythmaker Media Pty Ltd (NSW)

Genre: Comedy

Producers: Karen Colston, Robbie Miles

Executive Producers: Mark Morrissey, Jean Mostyn, Claudia ODoherty

Director: Nick Coyle

Writer: Nick Coyle

Platform: ABC iview

Synopsis Sarahs Channel is a quirky, relatable Youtube channel created and run by Sarah, who isnt going to let the fact that shes been re-animated in a post-apocalyptic future stop her from doing what shes famous for: Beauty Vlogging. Sure, everyone she knew is dead, the subterranean mutants who worship her are annoying, and a monster is trying to kill her, but Sarahs got some fantastic makeup tips and itll take more than that to prevent her from uploading them.

Production credit: Sarahs Channel is a Yellow Creative and Mythmaker production for the ABC. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Create NSW.

Single Ladies

6 x 8 mins

Story Republic Pty Ltd (WA)

Genre: Comedy

Producer: Joshua Gilbert

Executive Producer: Ros Walker

Directors: Gemma Hall, Mimi Helm, Jacqueline Pelczar

Writer: Aaron Moss

Platform: TBC

Synopsis: Single Ladies follows the misadventures of unlikely trio Catherine, Nina and Hashim as they try to save their sex positive radio show from the conservative owners of the station.

Production credit: Single Ladies is a Story Republic production. Production investment from Screen Australia and Screenwest.

Time & Place

7 x 9 mins

Gemini Arts and Media Pty Ltd (QLD)

Genre: Drama

Producer: Tam Sainsbury, Dylan Schenkeveld

Director: Tam Sainsbury

Writer: Tam Sainsbury

Platform: TBC

Synopsis: After living abroad for years, magazine writer Rebecca Woodruff returns for a holiday to her hometown of Golden Beach with her husband and daughter. Her family; divorced mum and dad, her mums new lesbian partner, her married sister and wildly single lawyer brother; are all thrilled to have her home. As Rebecca navigates her familys chaos, her marriage begins to crumble and her deeply hidden secret begins to surface and she realises that maybe this is the time and the place where she now needs to be..permanently.

Production Credit: Time & Place is a Gemini Arts and Media production. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Sunshine Coast Council and Arts Queensland.Q&A will stage its fourth special event for delegates of the Screen Forever producers conference in Melbourne on Tuesday November 20.

Virginia Trioli will host the special event tackling issues facing Australias screen industry. While the forum is not for broadcast it still comes with a live Twitter feed.

This years panel will comprise Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Senator for South Australia, Australian Greens Party), Inventor and Futurist Dr Jordan Nguyen (Founder, Psykinetic), Actor Brooke Satchwell (Neighbours, Mr Inbetween), Kim Portrate (CEO, Think TV), Kevin Whyte (Managing Director, Token Group) and Chris Oliver-Taylor (CEO, Fremantle).

We are thrilled to see Q&A once again reprise its role as the opening act of Screen Forever, said Matthew Deaner, CEO, Screen Producers Australia. This years panel will no doubt proffer opinions as to the future of screen content  the role of VR and related technologies, the outlook for content quotas and the power of existing and new platforms.

Q&A also stages a special episode tomorrow night at 8pm on ABC with former PM Malcolm Turnbull.AFI Award-winning actor Stephen Curry returns to host this years AACTA Awards in December.

Last hosting the Ceremony in 2008 when AFI celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Curry said, I am so thrilled (and weeing my pants a little bit) to be hosting the 60th Anniversary of the AFI | AACTA Awards.

Its been ten long years since theyve let me take the reins of the night and for some ridiculous reason, theyve asked me back. I cant wait to celebrate one of the most outstanding years in the history of our industry. And as excited as I am to be hosting, I just cant shake the feeling that Russell Crowe said he was busy.

Stephen Curry is not only one of Australias most well-loved and respected actors, he is also a long-time supporter of AFI | AACTA, having helmed the 50th Anniversary AFI Awards back in 2008  among our finest awards ceremonies to date, said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. We are thrilled to have Stephen return to host our 60th Anniversary Awards Ceremony and look forward to what is sure to be an amazing show.

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said, The AACTA Awards are an important celebration of our thriving film and television industry, honouring the profound talent and unforgettable performances that have helped define this next generation of cinema-goers and screen-junkies. There is absolutely no denying the life and colour that the screen industry injects into our culture and economy, so we are thrilled to once again be hosting Australias best and brightest for this years AACTA Awards here in Sydney.

Kat Stewart and comedian Nazeem Hussain will host the Industry Luncheon on December 3.

Held on Wednesday 5 December at The Star Event Centre in Sydney  home of the AACTA Awards  the 2018 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel will celebrate AFI | AACTAs 60th anniversary as Australias longest standing national screen culture and industry development organisation. The Awards Ceremony will not only celebrate the top screen achievements of the past year, but will also look back on the Australian Academy and Australian screen industrys incredible history, talented practitioners and world-class productions.

Tickets to the 2018 AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel are open to the public and industry and are on sale now. To book, visit www.aacta.org/whats-on.

The AACTA Awards are supported by the New South Wales Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Stephen Curry Biography

Stephen Curry has been a regular face on Australian screens for over 25 years, having appeared in some of the best films and TV series this country has created. Since his breakout role as Dale Kerrigan in classic Aussie movie The Castle, Stephen has had leading roles in many film and television productions including Pine Gap, The Time Of Our Lives, Redfern Now, Hiding, Cloudstreet, The Cup, False Witness, The Informant, Take Away, The Secret Life Of Us, The Nugget and Thunderstruck. His performance as television icon Graham Kennedy in the multi-award winning biopic

The King won him an AFI Award for Best Actor, a Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor and an ASTRA Award for Best Actor in a Drama.

More recently Stephen appeared to international acclaim in the feature film Hounds Of Love, a harrowing tale of a serial-killing couple from Perth in the mid-80s. Not only did it play at international film festivals Tribeca, SXSW, Brussels and Venice, it also won him the Best Actor Award at the Film Critics Circle Awards of Australia and nominations for Best Actor at the AACTA Awards, OZFlix Awards and AFCA Awards.

Join the Conversation:

Official hashtag: #AACTAs | Facebook: /AACTAawards | Twitter: @aacta | Instagram: @aacta

For further information about AFI | AACTA visit: www.aacta.org

TV Tonight is a partner of the 2018 AACTA Awards.

Sponsored post.

Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday appointed Billene Seyoum as Press Secretary and government spokesperson at the office of the Prime Minister.

Billene who has extensive experience in communications & journalism held her first briefing for local and foreign journalists on Monday. She announced the issuance of access badges for media operating within the PMs office.

Billenes appointment comes a month after Ethiopias reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a political reshuffle with 50 per cent women ministers in the new cabinet.

The sweeping changes saw 10 of the 20 positions going to women. It included the appointment of Aisha Mohammed as defense minister-the first woman to hold that position in the country.

Last week, Africas second most populous nation appointed a woman to the largely ceremonial position of president for the first time, further increasing female representation in the government.

Ethiopian lawmakers picked career diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde, 68, to replace Mulatu Teshome, who resigned.

Political power in Ethiopia is wielded by the prime minister with the presidents role restricted to attending ceremonies and functions.

After taking office in April, the 42-year-old leader has pursued an aggressive, reformist agenda and sought to tackle the ethnically charged violence facing the country. Abiy has apologized for previous abuses and promised an end to harassment.Ukraine, Babai: In the village of Babai, a girl's body was discovered among the remnants of what appeared to be a satanic ritual. When she was found, the 15-year-old who went missing on the way to college had blood smeared on her face. There were also two cockerels with their heads chopped off at the scene. Reported originally in the local media, The Mirror and the Daily Mail UK picked up on the tragic News.

Schoolgirl in Ukraine strangled to death

Alisa Onyshchuk took a shortcut through some woods to the train station, when she went to college. The attractive young woman usually caught the train to her college in the city of Kharkiv in the region of Kharkiv Oblast.

After leaving home, her mother later followed the same path through the woods and came across a shoe that she recognised as her daughter's. Contacting the college showed that nobody had seen the teen that day.

A search carried out in the woods later revealed the body of the girl. Her body was mutilated and "The corpse was found in the woods near a clearing," a volunteer searcher said. They added that "it was surrounded by satanic symbols drawn on the ground."

Forensic examination establishes satanic ritual victim raped

Viktoria Zinovyeva, a police spokesperson noted that a forensic examination established that she had been raped and strangled. Police are now on the lookout for information about a strange man seen near the station before her disappearance.

It's hoped he can assist with their investigations into the death.

Man wanted for questioning over the alleged satanic ritual murder of a 15-year-old girl in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/JohwdQIVFa  Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) November 7, 2018

The Satanic Church of Ukraine

Ukraine has a number of satanic cults and the first Church of Satan surfaced in 2014 following the Soviet era.

The community of the devil worshippers is called Bozhichi according to legit.ng. Crossmap.com noted the people of Ukraine were outraged at the application for registration as a church. "The sectarian association of deputies "For spirituality, morality and health of Ukraine" addressed the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov to "intervene in this situation and protect the Christian values." However, that does not mean the Bozhichi carried out the ritual killing.

There are other satanic cults that the Bozhichi decry as not the real deal.

Satanism is alleged to have infiltrated high places in Ukraine. Sadly, a young schoolgirl has lost her life due to alleged satanic rituals. There's a brokenhearted mother left behind in the village of Babai living with the knowledge that her beautiful daughter suffered before she died.Thomas Borgen, resigned CEO of Danske Bank and Ole Andersen, ?hairman of the board arrive at the press conference about the money laundering scandal in the bank in Tivoli Congress Center in Copenhagen, Denmark September 19, 2018. Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. DENMARK OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN DENMARK.

By Teis Jensen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danske Bank's <DANSKE.CO> largest shareholder, the Maersk family, has ousted the lender's chairman after a money laundering scandal that has also forced out its chief executive.

A.P. Moller Holding, which controls about 21 percent of the share capital in the bank, has nominated Karsten Dybvad, who currently heads the Confederation of Danish Industry, to replace Ole Andersen as chairman of Denmark's largest bank.

The move is a rare example of Denmark's Maersk family, which controls shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk <MAERSKb.CO> through A.P. Moller Holding, openly flexing its muscles to seek change at one of its investments.

"We make this move because we think that Danske's board has not reacted swiftly enough to find a replacement for the current chairman," said Robert Uggla, CEO of A.P. Moller Holding.

Andersen, who was appointed chairman seven years ago, has agreed to step down from the board at an extraordinary general meeting to be held within two weeks.

"I share the perception of the need for a new board, and as I have previously announced I also believe it is right for me to leave the chairmanship to new forces," Andersen said in a statement.

The change follows a scandal that involved 200 billion euros (174.36 billion pounds) in payments through Danske's Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015, many of which the bank has said it thinks are suspicious.

Danske is the subject of criminal investigations in Denmark, Estonia and the United States and could face sizeable fines.

"Denmark needs a big bank with activities across the Nordic region," Uggla said on a conference call. "The bank is essential for Denmark's financial system and infrastructure and offers important services for many Danish businesses, investors and start-ups."

TURMOIL

A new chairman is needed "to strengthen the bank's ability to address its culture, compliance programme and engagement with regulators", he added.

Story continues

The Maersk-family - a major shareholder in Danske Bank since 1928 - has about $20 billion under management through its holding company.

Danske Bank Chief Executive Thomas Borgen quit in September when the group published its report into the transactions.

Turmoil at the bank deepened the following month when Jacob Aarup-Andersen, the board's choice to take over as chief executive, was rejected by the country's financial regulator because of a lack of experience.

Uggla said the nomination of Dybvad is backed by the board and major shareholders, such as Danish pension funds PFA and ATP, and will enable the board to finalise its search for a new CEO. He declined to give specifics on timing or potential candidates.

Dybvad, meanwhile, told Reuters: "Danske bank is the central and most fundamental financial institution in Denmark. It's essential that it continues to develop and that it holds public trust."

Apart from his role as head of an industry lobby group, Dybvad is chairman of Copenhagen Business School and has previously worked in government positions and at pension funds.

"Dybvad is known for his integrity, and many of those I have been in contact with speak about his moral compass. He is also known for his strong social commitment," Uggla said.

A.P. Moller Holding also nominated Jan Nielsen, who is chief investment officer in the holding company and a member of the board at toymaker LEGO, as vice-chairman of Danske Bank.

Danske Bank shares, which have shed nearly half their value since March, were 0.2 percent down at Tuesday's close.

(Reporting by Teis Jensen; Editing by Keith Weir and David Goodman)FILE PHOTO: Switzerland's national flags fly beside the logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse in Zurich FILE PHOTO: Switzerland's national flags fly beside the logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse in Zurich, Switzerland April 24, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

By Tiisetso Motsoeneng

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Credit Suisse <CSGN.S> has pulled out of South Africa after more than a decade as part of chief executive Tidjane Thiam's bank-wide revamp, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Switzerland's second largest bank is in the final stages of a three-year drive to focus on managing the money of wealthy investors and scale back investment banking.

"They are gone. It's a total withdrawal wrapped up some weeks back," one of the sources said.

In 2013 Credit Suisse, which declined to comment, told customers in nearly 50 markets, including Congo and Angola, that it would end cross-border wealth management business with them.

Credit Suisse's website says it has offices in approximately 50 countries and lists Johannesburg as its only sub-Saharan African location.

Thiam, who in September ruled himself out as a candidate for political office in his native Ivory Coast, has been the driving force behind the changes at the Swiss bank. Like other European players, Credit Suisse has been struggling to compete with the U.S. investment banks which dominate Wall Street.

Credit Suisse, which had around 30 staff at its Johannesburg office, re-entered South Africa in 2006 after leaving in the 1980s under pressure from anti-apartheid campaigners.

QUIET WITHDRAWAL

The Swiss bank's quiet withdrawal comes months after its rival Deutsche Bank <DBKGn.DE> said it would wind up its advisory, corporate broking and sponsor-services to refocus on Europe and its home market after three years of losses.

Credit Suisse is quitting a country whose economy has slipped into a recession for the first time since 2009, and where activity in mergers and acquisitions halved in the first six months of the year to its lowest level in a decade.

Unlike Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank plans to maintain a physical presence offering debt capital markets, fixed income and treasury services.

Story continues

"We announced earlier this year that we were reviewing our operations in Johannesburg, and subsequently took the decision to close the office," Credit Suisse spokesman James Quinn said in an email.

"South Africa remains a focus for Credit Suisse, and we continue to serve clients across our wealth management and investment banking franchises."

Credit Suisse will offer private banking services for well-heeled South Africans from London, Zurich and Dubai, another source said. Its research teams in these cities would continue to cover selected blue chip South African companies, they added.

The Swiss bank initially teamed up with Standard Bank <SBKJ.J>, South Africa's biggest lender by assets, to create a joint venture focusing on equity research, sales, trading and equity capital markets deals.

But it ended this four years later, saying it would develop its offering of trading, private trading and investment bank.

(Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; additional reporting by Michael Shields in Zurich; editing by Alexander Smith)Andrea Enria at a European parliament debate in 2016. Pic: Reuters

Andrea Enria, the chairperson of the European Banking Authority (EBA), is set to be the European Central Banks top watchdog, following a vote by the banks governing council.

Enria, from Italy, will succeed Frances Daniele Nouy, who will step down in December, as chair of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM). Enria pipped the other remaining contender, Irelands Sharon Donnery, to the post. Donnery is currently the deputy governor of the Irish Central Bank.

Enrias appointment must still be approved by the European parliament and member state governments.

The run-up to Wednesdays vote has not been without controversy. According to Bloomberg, a 23 October letter sent by Roberto Gualtieri, the chairperson of the European parliaments economic and monetary affairs committee, suggested that lawmakers who favoured Enria viewed him to have the added value of his stronger experience, while those who favoured Donnery did so in the interests of promoting gender balance and promoting female candidates.

Both the ECB and the European parliament were thought to have been in favour of appointing a female candidate due to the lack of women within the institutions leadership ranks.

Prior to leading the EBA, Enria was head of regulation and supervisory policy at the Bank of Italy, and had served as secretary general of the EBAs precursor. He also headed the ECBs financial supervision division.

Donnery, however, has comparable experience as a central banker. In addition to serving in several senior roles within the Irish Central Bank, she has also led the SSMs task force on non-performing loans and previously chaired the ECBs budget committee.

Enria was chosen by the ECBs governing council in a secret balloteven though the body typically decides most matters by consensus.

The SSM, which was created in the wake of the financial crisis in 2014, directly supervises 118 of the eurozones largest banks. A pillar of the European Unions banking union, its establishment saw the primary responsibility for banking regulation shift from member states to the ECB.

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Because it oversees tens of trillions of euro in banking assets, the SSM is now considered to be one of the worlds leading bank regulators.

Though the creation of the SSM was cited by ECB chief Mario Draghi as the biggest step of European Economic integration since the inception of the euro, tussles between member states about its focus on non-performing loans, in particular, has affected its standing in the four years since its founding.

Nouy, who has served at the helm of the regulator since it was established, was also criticised for the sluggish response to the woes of the Italian banking system, woes that prompted the largest bank nationalisations Italy had seen since the 1930s, and for what was viewed to be softer treatment for German banks.

Appointing an Italian was seen in some quarters to be a way to appease criticism from Italy about the direction of the regulator. If Enria gets final approval, he will take up the position on 1 January, 2019.FILE PHOTO: A rainbow is seen over the Shard building in central London FILE PHOTO: A rainbow is seen over the Shard building in central London, Britain September 2, 2015. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh/File Photo

By Dmitry Zhdannikov

(Reuters) - Qatar has agreed to buy one of London's most famous hotels, the Grosvenor House, as energy revenue enables the wealthy Gulf state to go on a buying spree despite a blockade by its neighbours.

A source with knowledge of the deal said the acquisition of Grosvenor House - located on Park Lane in London's swanky Mayfair district - had been agreed on Tuesday with the vendor, private U.S. real estate investment firm Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. The price was not disclosed.

Ashkenazy Acquisition did not respond to a request for comment and nor did the Qatar Investment Authority, which is buying the hotel via its Katara Hospitality holding.

Qatar has already bought of one of New Yorks most iconic buildings, the Plaza Hotel, for around $600 million (458.4 million pounds).

"There is another hotel acquisition in the works in Europe coming soon as well," the source said.

Qatar has been buying top hotels and luxury properties in the West over the past decade as part of a drive by its $300 billion-plus sovereign wealth fund to diversify the wealth it accumulates from gas and oil exports.

Qatar, the worlds largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, already owns London's Savoy and Connaught hotels and the high-end department store Harrods.

QIA has also invested in German carmarker Volkswagen <VOWG_p.DE> and London-listed mining giant Glencore <GLEN.L>. It has a total investment of over 30 billion pounds in the UK and wants to expand this by 5 billion pounds in the next few years.

The pace of Qatars overseas investment had been expected to slow after its Gulf neighbours - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain - imposed economic sanctions on Qatar last year for allegedly supporting terrorism.

Qatar denies the allegations and says the economic boycott is an attempt to undermine its sovereignty.

It had to inject dozens of billions of dollars into its economy last year, but this year has said the impact of the boycott has been mitigated while its economy has been boosted by strong oil and gas prices.

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The Grosvenor House Hotel was built in the 1920s on the site of Grosvenor House, the former London residence of the Dukes of Westminster, whose family name is Grosvenor.

It is known for one of the largest ballrooms in Europe, the Great Room, which award ceremonies and charity balls. The Great Room was originally built as an ice-rink and in 1933 Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth, learnt to skate there.

(Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Kevin Liffey)BlackRock is the latest financial institution to be investigated in Germany over so-called cum-ex transactions. Photo: Daniel Acker/Getty Images

When BlackRock (BLK) offices were raided in Munich this week, it became the latest global financial institution to become ensnared in a long-running German investigation into shady tax practices that are estimated to have cost the German government and taxpayers more than 5bn (4.4bn, $5.7bn).

Spains Santander (SAN.MC) and Germanys Deutsche Bank (DBK.DE, DB) are also under investigation in relation to the scheme.

All three banks told Yahoo Finance UK that they were cooperating with German authorities, who have been investigating this issue since 2013. Deutsche Bank specified that it didnt actively participate in the market, but was involved with some transactions on behalf of its clients.

Heres what you need to know:

Whats the problem?

Authorities say companies took advantage of a tax loophole in Germany by using a sneaky practice known as cum-ex to enrich themselves and take money from the state. Financial institutions allegedly conducted a series of trades with one another in dividend-paying shares, and the trading was timed in a way that multiple institutions were later able to apply for tax refunds linked to the dividends. In theory, each tax refund should have only been claimed by a single party, not multiple institutions.

The government had a loss in revenue because they had to refund taxes multiple times when the tax was only paid once, explained Sonja Klein, a Frankfurt-based lawyer and tax advisor at the international law firm, Baker McKenzie.

Klein said this technically wasnt illegal at the time, but it took advantage of a weakness in the system.

The law had not been properly drafted, she said.

The BlackRock transactions under investigation in Germany took place between 2007 and 2011.





What kind of penalties could be expected?

If companies were found to have taken part in criminal activity through these trades and transactions, they could be ordered to repay any tax gains they made to the state, along with interest, said Klein.

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Prison sentences for individuals could also be a possibility, she said.

What happens next?

Germanys finance minister Olaf Scholz tweeted this week that countries across the European Union should cooperate to prevent new attempts to cheat Europes tax rules. He said the German Ministry of Finance would be vigilant in monitoring for shady cum-ex transactions and similar schemes.

Denmark is also investigating similar transactions, with authorities saying they lost about $2 billion in relation to these tax practices. Authorities have subpoenaed more than 420 companies and people, freezing hundreds of millions of euros of assets around the globe.

With files from ReutersThe United States will end Mauritanias trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) at the start of next year, the US trade representatives office said. Nouakchott denounced the move as a betrayal.

Washington accuses the West African nation of tolerating forced labor and hereditary slavery. The countrys slow moving process of abolishing the practice has also been echoed by the African Union.

Mauritania has been a member of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative since it was launched in 2000.

Washingtons decision this week comes following an annual review of eligibility for AGOA. The US Trade Representatives office said Mauritania does not meet the requirement for trade benefits as it has not made enough progress to end forced labor.

Mauritania has made insufficient progress towards combating forced labor, in particular, the scourge of hereditary slavery, it said.

Deputy US Trade Representative, C.J. Mahoney said, forced or compulsory labor practices like hereditary slavery have no place in the 21st century.

Mahoney said, he hopes Mauritania will work with the US to eradicate the practice so its AGOA eligibility may be restored in the future.

Mauritanian government spokesman Mohamed Ould Maham criticized the move on Twitter Monday, calling it a betrayal of the friendly relations between our countries and a denial of our efforts to roll back slavery practices.

Would Trump have taken this decision if he was expecting a $110-billion arms contract with us? Ould Maham asked ironically.

As a reminder, Mauritania criminalized slavery in 2007 and in 2015, made it a crime against humanity punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

AGOA is a preferential trade program, which allows a set of eligible products from designated African countries into the US market.

Its main objective is to promote economic development through increased trade and investment between the US and sub-Saharan Africa.Americans have gone to the polls for the historic elections widely viewed as a referendum on Donald Trumps presidency.

The US has voted in midterm elections billed by some as among the most important in history. Here are six things to emerge so far.

Democrats on course to take over the House of Representatives

The Democrats are predicted to seize control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans, giving them the power to frustrate Donald Trumps policy plans. One of two congressional legislative chambers, the House is expected to tip into blue control after picking up moderate, suburban districts across the north-east and Midwest.

The Democrats need another four gains to regain control of the House. #Midterms2018 pic.twitter.com/5y4P2AmTjf  Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) November 7, 2018

But the Republicans hold the Senate

The party of government retained control of the upper chamber and indeed made gains in the Senate, which it will hold on to for the next two years. Had they lost control of both chambers it would likely have had dire consequences for Mr Trump and any hopes of re-election in 2020.

The two branches of Congress are moving in different directions. Democrats have momentum in the House; the Republicans are making gains in the Senate. #Midterms2018 pic.twitter.com/5qkV1iLw9G  Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) November 7, 2018

So who came off best?

They were billed as a referendum on Mr Trumps presidency, but overall the voters have delivered a mixed verdict in the midterms. Both parties can claim partial victories, although the Democrats hoped-for blue wave has not materialised. Mr Trump tweeted that the night had been a tremendous success.

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Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

A historic night nonetheless

Democratic candidate Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress after she was comfortably installed as representative of Michigans 13th District. She was followed by the second Muslim woman to be elected to the chamber, Ilhan Omar, in Minnesotas 5th District. Jared Polis became Colorados first openly gay governor.

Queuing controversy

Voters were urged to stay in their queues amid reports of technical malfunctions with machines leading to long lines at polling stations in several states. Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said it was still possible to cast a ballot if they were in line when stations closed.

Remember, Georgia: If youre in line when the polls close at 7pm, you can still cast a ballotso stay in line and vote! While the GOP has been trying to make this election about anything but the future you want for your families, you are on the verge of making history.  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 6, 2018

Twitter viewFILE PHOTO - A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with foreign ministers and representatives of the U.S., Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

Thomson Reuters

By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranians chanting "Death to America" rallied on Sunday to mark both the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the imminent reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran's key oil sector.

Thousands of students in the government-organized rally in the capital Tehran, broadcast live by state television, burned the Stars and Stripes, an effigy of Uncle Sam and pictures of President Donald Trump outside the leafy downtown compound that once housed the U.S. mission.

Hardline students stormed the embassy on Nov. 4, 1979 soon after the fall of the U.S.-backed Shah, and 52 Americans were held hostage there for 444 days. The two countries have been enemies, on opposite sides of Middle East conflict, ever since.

Iranian state media said millions turned out for rallies in most cities and towns around the country, swearing allegiance to the clerical establishment and its hardline top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The turnout figure could not be independently confirmed by Reuters.

Rallies replete with "Death to America" chants are staged on the embassy takeover anniversary every year. But U.S.-Iranian rancor is especially strong this time round following Trump's decision in May to withdraw the United States from world powers' 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

The deal brought about the lifting of most international financial and economic sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran curbing its disputed nuclear activity under U.N. surveillance.

The restoration of U.S. sanctions on Monday targeting Iran's oil sales and banking sectors is part of a wider effort by Trump to force Tehran to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programs outright as well as support for proxy forces in conflicts across the Middle East.

The top commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said at the Tehran rally that Iran would resist and defeat a U.S. "psychological war" and the return of U.S. sanctions, meant to cripple the Islamic Republic's oil exports and financial institutions.

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"America has launched an economic and psychological war as a last resort ... But America's plots and its plans for sanctions will be defeated through continued resistance," said Jafari.

In a speech on Saturday, Khamenei said Trump's policies faced opposition around the world. "America's goal has been to re-establish the domination it had (before 1979) but it has failed. America has been defeated by the Islamic Republic over the past 40 years," he said.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi with additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

See Also:FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri speaks to the media FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri speaks to the media, September 11, 2018. Bas Czerwinski/Pool via REUTERS

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah will not give way in a dispute over Sunni Muslim representation in a new unity government, the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday, signalling no quick end to the standoff.

Separately, a senior political source close to Hezbollah told Reuters it was up to President Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian, to resolve the problem because neither Hezbollah nor Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri could give ground.

Six months since a parliamentary election, the row over Sunni representation is seen as the final hurdle to the formation of a new government. Posts in the 30-seat cabinet are parcelled out along sectarian lines.

Lebanon is in dire need of a government able to make economic reforms that are seen as more pressing than ever. The country is wrestling with the world's third largest public debt as a proportion of the economy and stagnant growth.

A deal seemed close last week when a dispute over Christian representation was settled, with the anti-Hezbollah Christian Lebanese Forces ceding ground to Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement, which is allied to Hezbollah.

But Hezbollah, a powerful armed group backed by Iran, is pressing its demand for one of its Sunni allies to be given a cabinet portfolio to reflect gains they made in the May 6 parliamentary election.

Al-Akhbar, citing unidentified sources, said Aoun and Hariri must listen to Hezbollah's Sunni allies "and agree with them on a way out" of the row. "Hezbollah will accept whatever the allies find appropriate," it said.

Hariri, Lebanon's leading Sunni who is currently on a visit to France, has ruled out ceding one of his cabinet seats to the Hezbollah-allied Sunnis.

Another possibility would be for Aoun to nominate one of the Hezbollah-allied Sunnis within a group of ministers allocated to him. But he appeared to rule this out last week when he criticised the Hezbollah-allied Sunnis for demanding a ministry, saying their demand was "not proper" or "justified".

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The senior political source close to Hezbollah said the ball was in Aoun's court.

"Neither can Hariri retreat, nor can the (Hezbollah-allied) Sunnis, nor can Hezbollah. If the president wants a government he has to take the responsibility," the source said.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Mark Heinrich)A shark has killed a man in an island harbour on Australias Great Barrier Reef where two tourists were mauled on consecutive days in September.

The 33-year-old victim was among 10 friends who set out from Airlie Beach on the Queensland state mainland aboard a rented yacht for a five-day cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, police inspector Steve OConnell said.

They anchored 14 miles from Airlie Beach in Cid Harbour, intending to spend their first night in the popular, protected anchorage on Whitsunday Island, the uninhabited largest island in the group.

The victim was taking turns with a woman on a paddle board in the harbour on Monday afternoon. He had dived into the water to give the woman her turn on the board when he was attacked, Mr OConnell said.

There were more than a dozen yachts in the harbour at the time. French-speaking tourists launched a dinghy from their yacht and rescued the man.

They brought him to his own yacht, where most of the group had medical backgrounds, including two doctors.

Despite their best efforts, the injuries were too severe, Mr OConnell told reporters.

The Whitsunday Water Police will be conducting patrols of Cid Harbour today to reassure the boating community and tourists on the water following the death of a man bitten by a shark there yesterday. https://t.co/Yr9t09ZHBXpic.twitter.com/XgDi0Jx8KB  Queensland Police (@QldPolice) November 6, 2018

The victim was taken by helicopter to the Mackay Base Hospital, 60 miles to the south, where he died.

CPR was ongoing for a very long time and every solid effort was made to save that mans life, Mr OConnell said.

They did everything imaginable to try to save the man. Its just  the injuries were so severe, he added.

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The attacks have left authorities struggling to explain an apparent escalation in danger in the internationally-renowned holiday destination.

A 46-year-old tourist, Justine Barwick, is recovering after she was attacked on September 19 while swimming from a yacht in Cid Harbour.

A 12-year-old girl, Hannah Papps, was attacked in the same harbour while swimming from a yacht the next day, losing a leg.

The last shark attack in the Whitsunday Islands before the latest spate took place on February 13 2010, off Dent Island, where 60-year-old tourist Patricia Trumbull survived lacerations and major blood loss.

Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, which represents more than 3,000 tourism businesses, said authorities were methodically examining why the unprecedented series of attacks had occurred and whether environmental changes are a factor.

He said: We need to now have the scientific background and investigation of what is causing this sudden spike of attacks and interactions with sharks. We simply do not know why this is occurring and what is responsible for it.

The species of sharks involved in the attacks have not been identified.A man has been jailed for a minimum of 14 years for the murder of a father-of-two who died in Turkey after being assaulted in a Blackpool pub, said police.

Simon Marx, 42, was physically sick shortly after he arrived in the coastal resort of Fethiye in the early hours of October 8, and then fell asleep as his girlfriend, Louise Darnbrough, placed him on his side.

When his partner awoke at 7am, she found him cold and blue in colour and raised the alarm, but Mr Marx had died overnight.

Last month, Steven Lane, 30, of Fulwood, Preston, was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of the murder of Mr Marx, who was attacked in the Newton Arms at about 12.20am on October 7.

Steven Lane jailed for a minimum of 14 years for the murder of Simon Marx (Lancashire Police/PA)

Lane, of Shalgrove Field, Fulwood, was also convicted of wounding with intent after Rick Alston, a friend of Mr Marx, sustained a laceration to his head.

Co-defendant David Easter, 54, from Blackpool, was found not guilty of murder.

Lane stamped on Mr Marx while he was unconscious on the floor in an attack which followed a verbal altercation.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Marx died from a blunt force head trauma.

Speaking on Tuesday after the life sentence was imposed, Detective Chief Inspector, Gareth Willis of Blackpool Police, said: Lane carried out a brutal attack on Simon, stamping on his head as he lay on the ground completely defenceless.

His reckless and cowardly behaviour resulted in Simon being taken from his family in the most horrendous way.

This has been a complex investigation and a traumatic time for Simons family who have been incredibly dignified and brave throughout the whole process. I welcome todays sentence but my thoughts remain with them. 

In a tribute, Mr Marxs mother Carol Marx, sister Clare Collins and fiancee Miss Darnbrough said: Simon was a much loved dad, son, uncle, fiance and friend. Nicknamed by his friends as Smiler, he lit up a room with his smile and truly lived and loved life to the full.Death toll mounts after buildings collapse in French city of Marseille

A sixth body was found Wednesday in the wreckage of two dilapidated buildings that collapsed in the French city of Marseille, where furious residents have accused authorities of ignoring warnings about the state of housing for the underprivileged.

Rescuers worked throughout the night searching for survivors in the wake of the deadly collapse on Monday morning of the two dilapidated apartment blocks not far from the centre of the Mediterranean port city.

A third adjoining building also partially collapsed on Monday night.

Prosecutors said the bodies were found separately under the 15-metre (50-foot) pile of rubble on Rue d'Aubagne, a narrow shopping street which now resembles the scene of an earthquake.

Rescuers formed a human chain to remove the debris, stone by stone.

The two other apartment blocks, which were in such a bad state that they had been condemned, were boarded up and in theory unoccupied.

Google Maps images taken in recent months showed the collapsed buildings had large visible cracks in their facades.

People had been living in nine of the 10 apartments at number 65, while a shop occupied the ground floor.

Growing anger at tragedy

Anger is mounting among residents of the Mediterranean port city, with more feared dead.

Residents said Tuesday that the structural risks of the buildings and others like them were widely known, but that city officials did little when alerted.

"Everybody knew about the problems with the two collapsed buildings," said Patrick Lacoste, a spokesman for a local housing action group.

"People died for nothing, even though we knew."

"It's hell here, they know it that it's crap and now people die for nothing," said local resident Toufik Ben Rhouma. The disaster, he added, was "100 percent the fault of city hall".

Its unthinkable that such things happen in our time, said Christian Gouverneur, who lives in a flat just across the road from the tragic site.

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Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told lawmakers in Paris that he had ordered a "building by building" audit before an "ambitious programme for ensuring safe conditions" along with Marseille authorities.

"Nearly 6,000 properties have been identified as at risk" in the city, he said, representing some 44,000 lodgings in lower-class neighbourhoods, calling the situation "unacceptable".

'It could've been me'

A young bar waiter watched the scene with tears in his eyes, anxious for news of an Italian woman who lived in the building.

"She was a great girl, she used to come and study at the bar," he said, without giving his name.

Abdou Ali, 34, came in search of his mother after she did not come to collect her youngest son from school on Monday afternoon.

I haven't had any news," he said, wandering among the rescuers.

Sophie Dorbeaux meanwhile told AFP she had left the block on Sunday night to stay with her parents because the building's structural problems meant her door, like several others, was not opening or closing properly.

"The walls had been moving for several weeks and cracks had appeared," the 25-year-old philosophy student said.

"It could have been me," she added, visibly shaken.

Political storm over housing

Marseille city authorities, who have evacuated and rehoused 100 residents from nearby buildings as a precaution, believe heavy rain may have contributed to the buildings' collapsing.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Marseille had "the solidarity of the nation" as rescuers worked into the darkness.

But the incident -- rare in a major Western city -- has already sparked a political row over the quality of housing available to Marseille's poorest residents.

The neighbourhood is home to many buildings in a similarly poor condition, some of them run by slum landlords.

"It's the homes of the poor that are falling down, and that's not a coincidence," said local lawmaker Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the leftwing France Unbowed party.

Marseille authorities began a vast upgrade plan for the city centre in 2011.

But a 2015 government report said about 100,000 Marseille residents were living in housing that was dangerous to their health or security.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)BAGHDAD (Reuters) - More than 200 mass graves have been uncovered in Iraq in areas formerly controlled by Islamic State militants, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The graves contain the remains of thousands of people, believed to be the victims of the hardline Sunni group, who between June and December 2014, overran large swathes of northern Iraq and declared it part of their so-called caliphate.

The dead include women, children, the elderly and disabled, as well as members of Iraq's armed forces and police, a U.N. report said.

The United Nations has said previously that almost 33,000 civilians were killed by the group in Iraq, with more than 55,000 injured.

The grave sites are concentrated in four provinces -- Ninewa, Kiruk, Salah al-Din and Anbar -- in the north and western parts of the country, near the border with Syria.

Islamic State had entrenched itself in these areas until their defeat in December 2017 by Iraqi forces supported by a U.S.-led coalition.

The United Nations estimates between 6,000-12,000 bodies are contained in the 202 graves documented in the report. But exact numbers were difficult to establish, it said, since only 28 mass graves have been excavated so far, with just 1,258 bodies exhumed.

These deaths occurred in what the United Nations has called a systematic and widespread campaign of violence, "which may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide."

During its three-year rule, the group terrorized local residents, conducting well-publicized executions of people targeted for their perceived opposition, government ties, sexual orientation and more.

The militants also targeted members of ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Yazidis.

The smallest mass grave, found in Mosul, contains eight bodies while the biggest, the al-Khasfa sinkhole south of Mosul, is thought to contain roughly 4,000 bodies.

The United Nations said the sites must be protected from interference or contamination to ensure justice and accountability.

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But the Iraqi government body tasked with preserving mass graves says it is underfunded and understaffed, and cannot adequately protect and investigate the sites which are still littered with unexploded ordinance.

"Determining the circumstances surrounding the significant loss of life will be an important step in the mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice," said U.N. Representative for Iraq Jan Kubis.

(This story corrects reference to U.N. in the 7th paragraph)

(Reporting by Raya Jalabi, Editing by Angus MacSwan)FILE PHOTO: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee gives her report to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 12, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations' human rights investigator on Myanmar urged Bangladesh on Tuesday to drop plans to start repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to Rakhine state this month, warning they would face a "high risk of persecution".

More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from western Myanmar, U.N. agencies say, after Rohingya insurgent attacks on Myanmar security forces in August 2017 triggered a sweeping military crackdown.

The two countries agreed on Oct. 30 to begin the returns to Myanmar in mid-November. The U.N. refugee agency has already said that conditions in Rakhine state were "not yet conducive for returns".

Yanghee Lee, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a statement that she had received credible information from the refugees in Coxs Bazar that "they are in deep fear of their names being on the list to be repatriated, causing distress and anguish".

She had not seen any evidence of the government of Myanmar creating an environment where the Rohingya can return to their place of origin and live in safety with their rights guaranteed.

It has "failed to provide guarantees they would not suffer the same persecution and horrific violence all over again," Lee said.

The root causes of the crisis must first be dealt with, including the right to citizenship and freedom of movement, she said.

Myanmar does not consider the Rohingya a native ethnic group. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Gareth Jones, Richard Balmforth)Moroccos return to the African Union was underpinned by the Kingdoms commitment to share in the development dynamic Africa is witnessing and to contribute to tackling the various challenges it is facing.

The remarks were made by King Mohammed VI in a speech he delivered on Tuesday on the 43rd anniversary of the Green March epic that enabled Morocco to recover peacefully its Sahara provinces from Spanish Colonialism in 1975.

Moroccos return to its institutional family was not intended as a means to defend the question of the Moroccan Sahara, given that the position of most African nations is similar to ours. Our return to the African Union was dictated by the pride we take in belonging to Africa, as well as by our commitment to share in the development dynamic it is witnessing and to contribute to tackling the various challenges facing the Continent, without compromising our legitimate rights and best interests, the Sovereign pointed out.

The king who referred to the recent decisions made by the AU Summit, held in Nouakchott, which were consistent with the relevant international positions and principles, said this constructive attitude means wisdom and far-sightedness have prevailed.

It also constitutes a break with ploys that used to proliferate within the African Union. Because of these practices, Africa and African peoples lost precious time that should have been devoted to promoting development and integration.

King Mohammed VI also underlined the constructive initiatives made by Morocco for the settlement of the regional Sahara conflict, stressing the countrys positive reaction to various international calls for practical proposals that can help achieve a realistic and lasting political settlement based on compromise and on the Autonomy Initiative.

He pointed out that Morocco continues to safeguard its territorial integrity with clarity, ambition, responsibility and committed action, both domestically and at the United Nations.

The Sovereign also underlined Moroccos determination to cooperate with the UN Secretary-General and to support his Personal Envoy Horst Kohler to establish a serious and credible political process, calling for setting a new dynamic in the UN-led negotiations. He said in this connection that the United Nations should take into account the experience and the lessons of the past to avoid the deadlock of the Manhasset process.

Horst Kohler has invited the parties to the conflict, Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the separatist Polisario Front, to a round table in Geneva early December in an attempt to put the UN-sponsored settlement process, deadlocked since 2012, back on track.

King Mohammed VI stated further that the Southern Provinces will carry on progress under the new development model to enable the Moroccan Sahara to play once again its historical role as a bridge between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa.

In parallel, the implementation of advanced regionalization is contributing to the emergence of a genuine political elite that can effectively and democratically represent the inhabitants of the Sahara and enable them to exercise their right to run their local affairs themselves, and to achieve integrated development in a free and stable environment, underlined the Moroccan Sovereign.

In the same spirit, Morocco will invest in effective, wealth-generating economic partnerships with all countries and economic blocs, including the European Union. However, we shall not be involved in any partnership that undermines our countrys territorial integrity, he said, voicing his resolve to see to it that these partnerships benefit directly the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara first and foremost, and that they contribute to improving their livelihoods within their homeland, in an environment characterized by freedom and a dignified life.

King Mohammed VI who also dwelt in his speech on Moroccan-Algerian relations, which are in a state that is not normal, much less acceptable, reached out to Algeria saying that Morocco stands ready for a direct and candid dialogue in order to dispel the transient and objective differences that are impeding the development of relations between the two neighboring countries.

The Sovereign reiterated his commitment to work hand in hand with the Algerian brothers and suggested the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation to break the stalemate in bilateral relations.

The format, nature and level of representation of this joint political mechanism can be mutually agreed upon, he said, explaining that the mission of this mechanism would be to analyze all the issues on hand in good faith and in a very frank, objective and honest way, using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions.

This mechanism can also serve as a practical platform for cooperation regarding all bilateral matters, particularly with respect to making the most of the numerous development opportunities existing in the Maghreb region, he said.

The Sovereign explained further that this mechanism will also contribute to enhancing bilateral coordination and consultation and help us rise to regional and international challenges, particularly in terms of fighting terrorism and addressing the issue of migration.

The Moroccan Sovereign deplored the division and lack of unity in the Maghreb, saying this unreasonable situation is utterly inconsistent with the brotherly bonds uniting our peoples, who share the same religion, language, history and destiny.Winston died on Saturday after someone let off a series of fireworks near the sanctuary where he stayed: Dogs 4 Rescue/Facebook

A St Bernard dog died of a suspected heart attack after being left terrified by fireworks.

The dog, Winston, was outside on a toilet break at the Dogs 4 Rescue sanctuary in Manchester when someone nearby set off a series of loud fireworks.

Winston, who hated loud bangs, had a heart condition and had recently fallen ill. A staff member searched the playground and made the devastating discovery of his body.

He had hidden beneath decking to apparently get away from the fireworks and died there, according to the sanctuary.

Winston, who had been at the home since 2016, had suffered a life of hell and fear.

Winston had been at the home since 2016 (Dogs 4 Rescue/Facebook)

He came to the UK from Bulgaria in 2016 when the dogs home took him in. The rescue centre said that when he lived in Bulgaria, villagers believed he was "cursed" and tried to hunt him down to kill him but he was then saved and brought to the UK.

A home was found for him but it was later discovered his new owners were using a "shock collar" to control the dog and he was eventually brought back to the rescue centre.

The rescue home has posted a heartbreaking account of how its biggest baby died on Saturday.

Sad death: Winston died on Saturday (Dogs 4 Rescue)

We knew his time was limited, Dogs4Rescue wrote on Facebook, after the diagnosis of a serious heart condition earlier this year, but it has now been cut short and regrets are mounting as we start to try to come to terms with this.

Last night we kept him inside until midnight when we thought it had all stopped. The dogs went out for the last toilet break before bed and someone set off more fireworks, sending them into chaos.

They came bounding in with the usual stresses of panic, panting and shaking, but Winston hadn't come in and we couldn't see him anywhere. Lou grabbed a torch to search the playground and made the devastating discovery.

He had obviously tried to hide under the decking instead, and his heart must have just given in. He lay there looking like he had fallen asleep there, but he was gone.

Story continues

It added: Each year so many of us watch the devastating effect fireworks have on animals and every bangs hurts my heart thinking of the unnecessary fear and suffering it causes them.

Fireworks are selfish and their effects last much longer for the animals than the momentary "wow" factor that people experience.

Whoever set those off last night... well their effects have devastated us and shortened his life with a bang. The effects of those fireworks will stay with us forever.Canada's PM Trudeau hugs Liberal MP Lapointe after delivering sn apology over the fate of the MS St. Louis Gordon in Ottawa Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hugs Liberal MP Linda Lapointe after delivering a formal apology over the fate of the MS St. Louis and its passengers, in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologised on Wednesday for the country's 1939 refusal to take in a ship carrying more than 900 Jewish refugees, adding that the country would do more to protect Canadian Jews from violence.

The St. Louis left Hamburg in May 1939 in a desperate search for a safe haven from persecution by Nazi Germany. After it was rebuffed by Canada and other nations, it returned to Europe, where historians have estimated that more than 250 of the passengers were murdered in Nazi death camps.

"We apologise to the 907 German Jews aboard the St. Louis, as well as their families," Trudeau told the House of Commons. "We are sorry for the callousness of Canada's response. We are sorry for not apologising sooner."

The apology came less than two weeks after a gunman shot dead 11 people, including a Canadian woman, at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Vigils were held across Canada in the aftermath of the attack.

Jewish Canadians "are understandably feeling vulnerable" and there have been calls "to protect synagogues and other places that are at risk of hate-motivated crimes," Trudeau said during his parliamentary address.

"And I pledge to you all now: we will do more," he said, noting that around 17 percent of all Canadian hate crimes target Jewish people.

Shimon Koffler Fogel, head of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, applauded Trudeau's "historic apology" and his pledge to expand security measures for Jewish institutions.

Earlier, Trudeau met with Ana Maria Gordon, the only surviving Canadian passenger from the ship, and her family members, and spoke about the need to fight anti-semitism.

Trudeau, a Liberal, has made a number of apologies for Canada's historic failings.

Last week the prime minister visited hundreds of indigenous people in British Columbia to say sorry for the hanging of six chiefs 150 years ago.

In May 2016, six months after taking office, he stood in parliament to apologise to the descendents of hundreds of passengers of the Komagata Maru, a Japanese vessel carrying Sikh, Muslim and Hindu migrants who were refused entry into Canada under 1914 immigration laws.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Greg Mitchell)A report has suggested the only winning scenario for Northern Ireland following Brexit is a united Ireland.

The Costs of Non-Unification  Brexit and the Unification of Ireland report forecasts that both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic will suffer economically after the UK leaves the European Union.

The report examined three potential scenarios: a hard Brexit, in which all of the UK leaves the single market and the customs union, Northern Ireland remaining within the single market and customs union, and the unification of Ireland.

It found that a hard Brexit would reduce Northern Irelands GDP by 10.1 billion euro (8.8 billion) from 2021-25.

Northern Ireland remaining within the single market and customs union would result in a GDP dip of 3.8 billion euro (3.3 billion), it said.

However, the report found that a united Ireland would see Northern Ireland increase its GDP.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill attended the report launch (Rebecca Black/PA)

The only winning scenario is the case of unification where between 2018 and 2025, Northern Ireland would increase its GDP by 17.9 billion euro, the report found.

If political actors nevertheless prefer a hard Brexit, or if they are willing to accept a hard Brexit for overarching political reasons, then they accept willingly high negative economic costs.

The report was produced by Canadian firm KLC Consultants for US-based Irish American organisation KRB Inc.

It comes as negotiations intensify over whether the UK and EU will agree a backstop plan, resulting in Northern Ireland remaining within the customs union after Brexit.

The issue has become a sticking point in the Brexit negotiations.

Presenting the report at the Europa Hotel on Wednesday, one of the authors, Dr Kurt Hubner, said the Brexit referendum has created enormous change.

Since the referendum the whole picture has changed enormously, the macro economic situation has changed enormously, he said.

We already have huge opportunity costs and now with the way we tried to develop those scenarios, it is surprising that the unification one is the only one that would produce positive effects.

Story continues

Whereas with a hard Brexit the losses are already piling up.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Ulster Unionist Steve Aiken were among those who attended the launch at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Wednesday.

Ms ONeill commended the report as compelling evidence that could not be ignored.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and report author Dr Kurt Hubner (Rebecca Black/PA)

This report, and particular economic modelling, exposes the hard economic evidence that reunification would provide a massive economic boost to the entire island, she said.

In the words of the report, unification is the only option with positive net effects.

The strength of this evidence cannot be ignored and while we thank Dr Hubner and his team for this valuable contribution, it is a debate that the Irish Government must now take a much more proactive role in leading.

A new generation is already questioning partition, particularly in the context of Brexit, and it is time now for the Irish Government to encourage and lead an informed, reasoned and respectful public dialogue on the issue of Irish unity.

It is also time that the Government prepared a realistic plan for Irish reunification, including the establishment of an Oireachtas committee to bring forward a Green Paper for Irish reunification.

Mr Aiken said he was sceptical about the report.

A figure they say of about 10 billion euro over the space of a decade is absolutely minuscule and is well within the margin for error, he said.

I can only presume when they continue to put data into the model, they will suddenly realise something we have known all along  that unification is not an answer and would be a net detriment to Northern Ireland.

.Interesting discussion on Costs of non-unification. On rerunning model Prof Hubner reports that benefits now much lower. As his work is refined there will clearly be no economic or political win in the tax haven FDI utopia Ireland being pushed today @JP_Biz @uuponline pic.twitter.com/FrJaKK2ioc  Steve Aiken OBE (@SteveAikenUUP) November 7, 2018

He added: And that is very clear because there is no way we can go from one of the largest economies in the world with close on a three trillion GDP into joining something like the Irish Republic that will have significant problems going forward, particularly if the Irish Government continue pushing us towards making sure we have a hard Brexit rather than having an appropriate Brexit for everybody.The outrage of the Democratic resistance is facing off against the brute strength of president Donald Trumps Republican party in a fight for control of Congress and statehouses across the nation.

Fundraising, polls and history were not on the presidents side.

But two years after an election that proved polls and prognosticators wrong, an air of uncertainty  and stormy weather across parts of the country  clouded the outcome of high-stakes elections from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between.

Democrats seized early victories in contested House races in Florida and also in Virginia, where political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term representative Barbara Comstock.

Jennifer Wexton beat Republican Barbara Comstock (Katherine Frey/AP)

The Republican incumbent had been branded Barbara Trumpstock by Democrats in a race that pointed to Trumps unpopularity among college-educated women in the suburbs.

Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts easily won re-election as they consider bids for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Other 2020 prospects on the ballot included New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Thank you, Massachusetts! Six years ago, I promised to go to Washington to fight for you every single day. Tonight, let's send the powerful interests a message: We're just getting started.  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) November 7, 2018

Anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House was slipping away.

The Republican grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Everything we have achieved is at stake, Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested election.

Story continues

Voters have been casting their ballots across the United States (John Minchillo/AP)

More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the US House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive while Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

The state of play (PA Graphics)

Democrats could derail Mr Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate.

The party were most optimistic about the House, a sprawling battlefield set largely in Americas suburbs where more educated and affluent voters in both parties have soured on Mr Trumps turbulent presidency, despite the strength of the national economy.

Democrats faced a far more difficult challenge in the Senate, where they were almost exclusively on defence in rural states where Mr Trump remains popular.

Democratic Senate incumbents were up for re-election, for example, in North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri  states Trump carried by almost 25% on average two years ago.

Three states could elect their first African-American governors, while several others were running LGBT candidates and Muslims. A record number of women were running for Senate, House, governorships and state legislative seats.A few days ago I mentioned spiritual bypassing in my commentary on a short Hasidic text. A few of you reached out to me after that post went out, asking for more about spiritual bypassing: what it it, how can you recognize it, why is it important.

For a basic introduction, here's a good article by Dr. Ingrid Mathieu: Beware of Spiritual Bypass. Dr. Robert Masters also offers a great essay about bypassing, calling it Avoidance in holy drag. His book Spiritual Bypassing is a classic in my field, and with good reason.

Spiritual bypassing is a defense mechanism in which one uses spirituality in order to avoid uncomfortable or painful feelings. Maybe one wants to avoid anger, or grief, or loss, or boundaries. So instead of feeling that anger (or grief, or loss, or boundary, or whatever the thing in question may be), one papers it over, and calls the papering-over "spiritual."

(The image illustrating this post is a great example of spiritual bypassing in pop culture: Princess Unikitty from the LEGO movie. She's a sparkling rainbow unicorn, and she over-focuses on the positive, refusing to acknowledge anything that hurts... until she reaches her breaking point, whereupon all the negativity she denied herself causes her to boil over in rage. Image via Stephanie Lin.)

It's easy to mis-use spirituality to justify avoidance of things that are painful or uncomfortable, like anger or conflict or boundaries. But this is not spiritually healthy, even though it disguises itself as spiritual. It is a spiritual sickness, disguised as spiritual health.

Authentic spiritual life calls us to experience what is: all of what is. And that includes the things we tend to categorize as "dark" or negative: pain, sorrow, loss, rejection, grief. (I wrote about that recently in my review of Barbara Brown Taylor's Learning to Walk in the Dark.)

The Jewish mystical tradition describes God via a series of qualities that exist in holy balance, such as chesed (lovingkindness) and gevurah (boundaries / strength / judgment). When someone leans so far toward chesed that they reject its healthy balancing with gevurah, that's spiritual bypassing.

When a spiritual leader serving a community where there has been abuse (whether sexual, emotional, ethical, spiritual, or all of the above) ignores the abuse, or urges community members to rush to healing before there has been justice for the abused, that's spiritual bypassing.

When someone doesn't want to feel angry, or isn't comfortable with conflict, so they over-focus on sweetness and light while sweeping their anger under the rug (or encouraging others to sweep anger under the rug), that's spiritual bypassing.

When someone doesn't want to be constrained by someone else's interpersonal or systemic boundary, so they transgress it while convincing themselves that the boundary really shouldn't apply to them anyway, that's spiritual bypassing.

In all of these instances, the quality that's chosen for over-focus -- whether it be healing, or sweetness, or lovingkindness -- is in and of itself a good quality. That's part of the challenge: everyone likes healing and sweetness and lovingkindness, right? But these qualities are only healthy when they're used honestly, authentically, and safely -- and, as the Hasidic text I translated last week suggests, when they're in appropriate balance with qualities like judgment and healthy boundaries.

If I pursue healing at someone else's expense, then that healing is not only false but damaging. If I pursue pleasantries in an abusive context instead of naming the abuse for what it is, then my sweetness is not only false but also complicit in the abuse. If I disregard someone's boundaries because I think I should be exempt from their rules, then my "love" will cause hurt.

Even gratitude, the middah (quality) to which I most often gravitate, can be used in spiritual bypassing. When faced with trauma or grief, if I leap too quickly to "let me find something to be grateful for so I don't have to feel this thing that hurts," then the gratitude practice that's such a core part of my spiritual life becomes a tool for bypassing the thing I need to actually feel.

Spiritual bypassing is what Reb Zalman z"l used to call "whipped cream on garbage:" a sweet topping disguising something rotten underneath.

Spiritual bypassing pretends to make things better, but it actually makes them worse. If a wound is infected, then suturing it and simply hiding the infection will not help the infection to heal. If a relationship is abusive, then pretending that it's healthy will not help the person who is being abused. (For that matter, it also doesn't help the abuser to name and recover from their own trauma.) Spiritual bypassing does serious damage to people and communities.

Authentic spiritual life calls us to feel what we feel, even when what we feel is uncomfortable or painful. Authentic spiritual life calls us to speak truth, even when we'd rather pretend there are no difficult truths to be spoken. Authentic spiritual life calls us to pursue justice, even when we'd rather imagine that if we close our eyes to injustice it will simply go away on its own.

Any spiritual leader who claims otherwise is not worthy of the title.Saakashvili Slams Mamuka Khazaradze from TBC Bank

By Tea Mariamidze

Former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili says Chairman of the TBC Bank Supervisory Board Mamuka Khazaradze, is part of the robbery scheme of Bidzina Ivanishvili, ex-pm and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party.Ex-President claims Khazaradze is involved in the pre-election campaign of the GD, which backs an independent presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili.Moreover, Saakashvili told Rustavi 2 that Khazaradze is using his employees for political purposes, adding it contradicts all principles of the international business.TBC Bank is at the London Stock. I am going to address their representative to impose financial sanctions against Khazaradze, ex-president said.According to Saakashvili, Khazaradze does not have the right to talk on behalf of people who work for him."The change of power by elections after the 6-year unsuccessful governance is not revenge. It is a demonstration of democracy and protection of dignity by the Georgian nation. Mamuka Khazaradze, involved by Ivanishvili in his campaign, is part of Ivanishvili's robbery scheme and blackmails Georgian people with destabilization,Saakashvilis comment came after Khazaradzes statement, which assessed the results of the presidential elections.Khazaradze noted the country was in danger of revanchism, saying it could impede Georgias development for several years and cause chaos.He said the recent statements of the leader of former ruling party United National Movement (UNM) contains a call for deprivation and expropriation of private property.According to Khazaradze, during the UNM government, his and others businesses had repeatedly become a victim of pressure from the authorities.In 2004, I was personally charged with a criminal case entirely based on absurd allegations, which had been underway for a long time since 2007. Then TBC Bank practically banned to issue credits. Also, there was an attempt of misappropriation of my own property in Adjara, which stopped in 2012, after the decision of the court, he stressed.Khazaradze added that he never thought of paying back to people who pressured him. He called on everyone to say no to revenge and revanchism in order to protect the country from disastrous results.TBC bank teams and personally my wish is to stop dividing country into two camps, he said, referring to the GD and UNM parties and their supporters.CAIRO, W. Va. In a race for the West Virginia House of Delegates, the Wiccan writings of one candidate emerged as issue. Mr. Jason S. Hashbarger (Rep.) currently holds the seat in question. On October 24, Representative Harshbarger posted an article on Facebook from The Daily Caller, a right wing website. That post alleged that his opponent, Lissa Lucas failed to disclose her Wiccan practice and writings. Hashbarger claimed to be standing up for West Virginia values. Responses to that post showed that some West Virginians felt that a candidates religious beliefs were irrelevant. Other responses disagreed.

Hashbarger emphasized Lucass lack of disclosure rather than her practice of Wicca. That Daily Caller article described Wicca as a cult and Lucas as a Pagan Witchcraft Cult Leader. Other conservative and Christian Right websites picked up on this story. and internet searches failed to find mention of this issue in the mainstream press.

Lissa Lucas did not respond to a request for an interview by press time.

Lucas responded to these charges on Facebook affirming that she had authored books on Wicca under a pen name, Llysse Smith Wylle. She went on to state Im pretty disappointed that my opponent seems to have such a dim view of the people here, that he thinks attacking my spirituality will help him politically. She described the people of the district as generous, kind, and hardworking. Lucas said, It sort of hurts me that he must think theyre religious bigots, because thats just never been my experience, no matter what anyones party is. Their just-down-at-the-core kindness and openness is a big part of the reason I love the people here so much.

According to Wikipedia, Llysse Smith Wylle has written The Art of Magic Words and Wicca 334: Further Advanced Topics in Wiccan Belief. She is a third Circle member of the Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca.

On October 26, a Facebook page titled The Wicked Witch of West Virginia: Lissa Lucas was created by an unknown source. That page has since been removed. The banner at the top of the page said, Witchcraft, Paganism, Satanism, All of these practices have the same goal: Destroy God, Destroy America, Destroy the President. Remember the wicked witch of Ritchie County. It went to quote the Daily Caller article. The page also referenced the thousands of witches casting monthly spells against Donald Trump. The page had six followers before its removal.

According to an article in Patheos, on November 2, the Family Policy Council of West Virginia and the (national) Family Research Council jointly briefed West Virginia pastors on the dangers of a Wiccan candidate. The objective of the pre-election briefing for West Virginia pastors focused on how Christians must shore up our legal protections against known credible threats to our rights of religious freedom in West Virginia. Come learn both good and bad potential outcomes that will impact West Virginia Church operations. The Freedom from Religion Foundation has become involved and informed the IRS of this briefing. According to the Foundation, pastors telling their congregations how to vote could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

The district and the candidates

Harshbarger and Lucas are competing to represent the Seventh District of the West Virginia House of Delegates. That district includes Pleasants and Ritchie Counties. Pleasants County abuts the Ohio River in the northwestern part of West Virginia. It has a population of 7,605 and a per capita income of $18,770. Trump carried the county with 74.2 percent of the vote. Richie County lies due south of Pleasants County. It has a population of 10,449 and an individual per capita income of $18,255. Trump carried this county with 83 percent of the vote.

.

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Harshbarger. His Facebook page stresses his anti-choice politics. Harshbarger has the campaign slogan, Conservative for the House of Delegates.

Both the Sierra Club and the United Mine workers have endorsed Lucas. West Virginia Working Families and the AFL-CIO have also endorsed her.

Lucas has stated her positions as pro-solar power and pro-student loan debt relief. Last February, the West Virginia House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing. They were debating a co-tenancy proposal about energy extraction. That proposal would allow energy companies to lease land for natural gas drilling. Under the terms of that proposal they would only need the approval of 75 percent of the property owners. When it came time for public comment, Lucas began to speak. She read the names of committee members. She said how much money each one had received from energy companies.

The committee chair called security and she was forcibly escorted Lucas out of the room. As she was escorted out, she yelled the state motto Montani Semper Liberi, (Mountaineers are always free). The New York Times and the Washington Post picked up this story. As a result her campaign received thousands of dollars.

Lucas lives in Cairo West Virginia, a town in northwest West Virginia. in the 2010 census, it had a population of 281.

On October 26, she tweeted a photo of that time I crocheted a #DrWho and dressed up as a #DIY #TARDIS. #IAmANerd. The Dr. Who puppet looked like the David Tennant incarnation of the Doctor. That Tweet failed to generate any controversy.

Post Election Addendum

Lissa Lucas (D) lost her race for the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 7. She received 1451 votes (26.6 percent) to Jason Harshbargers 4010 votes (73.4 percent)..

Compared to 2016 race for this district, about 18 percent fewer voters participated in the 2018 race. Lucas received 850 fewer votes that the Democratic challengers did in 2015. Harshbarger received 359 fewer votes than he did in 2016. This is consistent with the general tendency for the electorate to shrink to the right in off year elections.

District 7 has historically voted for the GOP. Given 2016 percentages, District 7 would more than likely remain a safe GOP seat. It is unclear why Harshbarger felt the need to bring up Lucass Wiccan background.

Most of the discussion of Lucass Wiccan writings appears to have been confined to the Christian Right media and commentary. As such it appears to have had no notable impact on the outcome.En espanol | Almost every night for 13 years, Sylvia Brown slept by her ailing mothers side. Then suddenly, she was alone.

Brown had been the primary caregiver to Johnnie Mae, paralyzed on her right side from a 2003 stroke. They shared a bedroom in their Detroit condo by choice  Brown wanted to be close enough to hear her moms breathing. That lasted until two years ago, when Johnnie Mae died at 81.

Some nights still, Brown, 65, awakens and imagines Johnnie Mae sleeping next to her. During the day, Brown remembers the tasks that consumed so many hours of each day for so many years. She would prepare meals, get Mom situated in her chair, make sure the important items  the TV remote, her Bible  were within arms reach. With Johnnie Maes passing, its like a huge hole, or vacancy, or void in your life, says Brown, because the feeling is, Now what?

Now what, indeed. Caring for another adult  as about 40 million U.S. adults do, according to a recent AARP Public Policy Institute report  can be demanding to the point that caregivers put much of their own lives on hold. When those duties suddenly end, the caregiver is left not only grieving but also processing new emotions about their own station in life.

Some find theyre not quite sure what to do with themselves because their reason for getting up in the morning, their all-consuming job, has now ended, says Ruth Drew, director of information and support services for the Alzheimers Association. Some people tell me that for the first six months to a year theyre just finding their bearings, and it takes awhile to feel like themselves again.

AARP talked with several former caregivers about the struggles they faced in this major life transition. Here are some lessons they learned.

Don't let isolation overcome you

It may sound obvious, but it is also essential: Stay busy to fight loneliness and depression. Find that thing that gives you purpose. With me, traveling is it, says Brown, a chief clinical officer for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Brown had been able to take her mother on trips, and even without her, she continues to pursue that passion. She jumps on planes for excursions to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Florida, Jamaica and Cuba; a trip to Nigeria with a coworker is in the works. As they say, life goes on, and so I cannot just go and bury my head in the sand because I have hopefully a few more years, so you fill that with things to do.

Jeannie Moloo, 57, found relief in writing. I was almost a cortisol junkie, or adrenaline junkie, says the nutrition lecturer at California State University, Sacramento. That was life caring for her ailing husband, Nasir, while raising three children. It was just run from one thing to the next to the next to the next. When you live that way, you dont have to process a lot of emotions because youre just running around, putting out fires.

Moloo is now writing a book about her husbands 12-year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (he died in 2014), its impact on her family and what she learned. We had promised each other  and this is going to make me cry  that we would take this experience so that we could make something out of it to help others, she says, because we went through so much.On April 21, 1945, Danny Inouye committed one of the most courageous acts in Army history as he charged up a hillside in Italy. He was a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, comprised of Japanese Americans who swore an oath to serve our nation despite the extreme distrust and prejudice they and their loved ones faced at home. Some of those men fought even as their families were locked in Americas internment camps. They became and remain the Armys most highly decorated regiment.

As Danny fought his way up the hill, his breast pocket carried the two silver dollars that stopped a bullet aimed at his heart earlier in the war. He was determined to take out the enemys machine gun nests, battling his way forward, even after he was shot in the stomach. When he was finally within reach of the nest, he pulled the pin on a grenade and prepared to throw, but a Germans rifle grenade struck and nearly severed his raised arm at the elbow. He waved off medical help in case the grenade became loose in a grip he could no longer control. Astoundingly, he managed to take the grenade in his other hand and throw it toward the enemy before collapsing.

Danny was evacuated just a week after I suffered my own combat injuries on an Italian hillside. Our battlefields were only a mile apart. We first met weeks later in Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich. Danny arrived there ahead of me. He weighed just 93 pounds and was now missing his arm, but he was upbeat and optimistic. His surgeries were complete, and he was rehabilitating. I was laying on a stretcher. My surgeries were yet to come.

Recovering from combat wounds can be a long, painful and often emotionally challenging process. Its hard to describe the importance of having a close friend who can be a confidant, an empathetic ear and a good distraction. We played a lot of bridge, and Danny was as good as they come.

Danny and I spoke shortly before his release from the hospital. His injuries would keep him from fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor, so he asked what I intended to do when I was released. I shared my intention to run for political office, starting locally in Kansas and working my way up to the Senate, and hopefully higher.

Danny famously followed, the Bob Dole plan. And, as history proves, he was as great a politician as he was a bridge player. He managed to be elected to the Senate before me. Shortly after taking office, he called me and said, Bob Im here. Where are you?

Sen. Daniel Inouye was an extremely effective senator. He was not partisan. He worked with everyone, and he never said a bad word about a colleague. When Danny passed away, I paid my respects as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitols rotunda. Both injuries and time had begun to get the best of me, so I spent much of my time seated. But I made sure to walk up to Dannys casket. He dedicated and nearly gave his life to our nation. He deserved one more standing salute.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that employees of state and local governments are protected against age discrimination at work no matter how small their agency may be.

John Guido and Dennis Rankin, two former firefighters in Arizona, sued the Mount Lemmon Fire District, arguing that the agency laid them off because of their ages  46 and 54, respectively, at the time they were let go in 2009. The fire department claimed it was exempt from the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which protects workers age 40 and older, because it had fewer than 20 workers.



But in the 8-0 ruling Tuesday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote that the 1974 amendments that expanded the protections of the federal age discrimination law leave scant room for doubt that state and local governments are employers covered by the ADEA regardless of their size. The newest associate justice, Brett Kavanaugh, did not participate in the ruling because he was not on the court last month when the case was argued.



John Guido and Dennis Rankin are both very happy with the decision, said Don Awerkamp, an attorney for the law firm that represented the two firefighters. We hope that this ruling will stop at least some employers from discriminating on the basis of age and will help some employees avoid going through what John and Dennis have experienced.



We are very pleased that the Supreme Court unanimously made the right decision and held that the ADEA means what it says, said Dara Smith, an attorney for AARP Foundation. This is an important victory for older workers in the public sector, who deserve all the protections that Congress gave them.



AARP and AARP Foundation, in partnership with the National Employment Lawyers Association, had filed an amicus, or friend of the court, brief in support of the two firefighters.

New redistricting map heading to Aberdeen City Council

Some minor adjustments were made to the city's four-district map for city council positions using the new 2020 census information.Les lunettes de marque ne sont pas ce qui manque dans les commerces. Il y en a de toutes les sortes dont les lunettes de []A group of Mariposa residents worry that they may lose what drew them to the neighborhood in the first place  its natural beauty.

Last month, Harvard Investments, the Arizona firm that bailed Mariposa out of a financial bind in 2014 when original developer High Desert Investment Corp. pulled out, asked the City of Rio Rancho to amend the areas zoning designations.

Mariposa is zoned E-1 for estate residential, R-1 for low-density single-family residential, and R-4, or single-family residential mixed use, which allows for higher density. Harvard has requested that the city amend the zoning to allow 695 acres of R-4 zoning. The original plans called for 227 acres of R-4.

Terry Merkley, Mariposa resident, told the Rio Rancho Observer that she is just looking for Harvard to include some guarantees.

As residents, we bought into a certain vision and now (Harvard Investments) is looking at ending that vision, Merkley said. They havent provided us anything in writing, no guarantees about protecting open space, protecting our existing trails or providing adequate buffers for those of us that have E-1 lots.

Tim Brislin, vice president for Harvard Investments, said the company is complying with Mariposas Mariposa Master Plan.

We are adhering to the guiding principles of the master plan: Protect critical arroyos, preserve important open spaces and provide a variety of housing opportunities for future residents, Brislin wrote in an email.

Brislin said the Mariposa Preserve, which includes over 2,100 acres of pristine land, remains untouched with the amended request.

The application maintains two key metrics of the existing master plan: (A) The maximum lot count of 2,500 single-family units does not change, and (B) the minimum open space requirement for the master plan of 412 acres does not change and we expect to exceed it, he said. Harvard intends to work with the city through the future platting process to ensure open spaces and trails are thoughtfully considered and maintained with future development.

Editors note: A longer version of this story is available at RRObserver.comDemocrats scored an apparent sweep in key statewide races Tuesday, maintaining control of three offices and turning another two blue.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, all Democrats, each won second terms in office, according to unofficial results.

Democrat Brian Colon, meanwhile, unseated current State Auditor Wayne Johnson, a Republican, and Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard was the projected winner in a close race for state land commissioner. She will succeed incumbent Aubrey Dunn, a Republican-turned-Libertarian who did not seek re-election.

Democrats did well in New Mexico (Tuesday), Democratic Party Chairwoman Marg Elliston said. All along we knew that if Democrats voted, Democrats would win, and thats what were seeing.

Land commissioner

The battle to become New Mexicos next land commissioner was expected to be one of the states most competitive statewide races this election cycle, and unofficial results showed Garcia Richard scoring a single-digit victory over Republican Patrick Lyons.

Libertarian Michael Lucero was a distant third.

Garcia Richard, who will be the states first female land commissioner, is the curriculum coordinator for the Pojoaque Valley School District and a member of the state House of Representatives.

No stranger to close elections, Garcia Richard said this victory feels different given the amount of support she found across New Mexico. She credited people power for the win.

There (were) a lot of folks out knocking on doors, making phone calls  a lot of passion in this race, she said.

Lyons, a rancher, was angling to return to the office he held from 2003 to 2010 and extend his lengthy political career. He is finishing his second term on the Public Regulation Commission and also has been a state senator.

Garcia Richard and Lyons had disagreed about how to regulate the oil and gas industry, one of the primary players in the lease deals negotiated by the land commissioner. The office raises revenue for schools, universities and more by leasing public lands.

We will make protecting our environment our priority for the first time, Garcia Richard said in her victory speech.

Secretary of state

Toulouse Oliver prevailed in what was a wild campaign, besting Republican Gavin Clarkson and Libertarian Ginger Grider.

Clarkson, a professor from Las Cruces, did not enter the race until this summer after the withdrawal of the previous Republican candidate, JoHanna Cox.

Grider also was a late addition, joining in September.

Clarkson has been fiercely critical of Toulouse Olivers performance as the states chief elections official; he accused her of contributing to voter fraud and says she weaponized her office, in part by supporting the reinstatement of straight-party voting. The state Supreme Court blocked straight-party voting this year.

But Toulouse Oliver has defended her track record in office, saying there is no evidence of wide-scale fraud and the states voter rolls are as current as they have been in years.

Attorney general

Incumbent Balderas came out ahead in a three-way race for attorney general, beating out two challengers who had never before held elected public office: Republican Michael Eugene Hendricks and Libertarian A. Blair Dunn.

Balderas was first elected the states top prosecutor in 2014. He previously had served as state auditor and in the New Mexico Legislature.

Thank you for helping me get re-elected as your next attorney general for the next four years, Balderas said in his victory speech. Im ready for another street fight, are you?

State auditor

New Mexico has not elected a Republican as state auditor since 1966, and Colon kept the streak alive.

Colon, an attorney, has long been involved in Democratic Party politics, but this is the first time he has won election to a public office.

Johnson, a onetime Bernalillo County commissioner who owns a media business, has served as state auditor since last December. He got into office via appointment. Gov. Susana Martinez chose him to finish Tim Kellers term after Keller left last year to become Albuquerques mayor.

State treasurer

Incumbent Eichenberg defeated Republican Arthur Castillo to win a second term as state auditor, according to unofficial results.

Journal staff writer Maddy Hayden contributed to this report.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico voters shook up the state House late Tuesday as Democrats appeared to seize two open seats in Albuquerque and defeat several Republican incumbents, according to partial, unofficial election returns.

Democrats held a 38-32 majority in the past two regular legislative sessions but looked poised to pick up six to 10 seats, based on unofficial results.

Rep. Monica Youngblood  once seen as a rising Republican star  was among the losses for the GOP late Tuesday, falling to Democratic challenger Karen Bash, a retired minister, in House District 68.

Youngblood was convicted of aggravated drunken driving earlier this year and spent a day in jail.

At least two other Republican incumbents in Albuquerque also were defeated: Jimmie Hall lost to Democrat Melanie Stansbury in House District 28, and David Adkins was beaten by Joy Garratt in District 29.

House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said Democrats would remain committed to bipartisanship, even with an expanded majority. But he said the extra seats could make it easier to increase education funding, including for early childhood programs, and to hire more teachers.

Tonight, we have an unprecedented opportunity to put in place a plan that will lift a generation of kids out of poverty and give them an opportunity for a real future with a world-class education and economic opportunity that weve not seen in multiple generations in our state, Egolf said.

Garratt, who won in Northwest Albuquerque, said she and other Democrats worked to connect with voters in person.

Something (the campaign) showed me is the power of good old-fashioned door-to-door canvassing, Garratt said in an interview. I knocked on thousands of doors and listened to people, and I think that made a difference.

The Democratic gain was a remarkable reversal from four years ago, when Republicans won a narrow majority in the House. But they held it for only two years, as Democrats won back the House in 2016 and expanded their advantage in Tuesdays general election.

Now Democrats could have their largest majority in at least eight years.

Albuquerque emerged as a key battleground.

Besides defeating incumbents, Democrats also appeared to win two open seats  vacancies created when two Republican lawmakers  House Minority Leader Nate Gentry and Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes  opted against seeking re-election.

Democrat Dayan Hochman led longtime Albuquerque City Councilor Brad Winter to succeed Maestas Barnes, and Democrat Natalie Figueroa won Gentrys old seat.

The expanded Democratic majority comes as a Democrat, Michelle Lujan Grisham, won the race for governor, giving Democrats control over the Governors Office and both legislative chambers for the first time in eight years.

State senators werent on the ballot this year. Democrats hold a 26-16 majority in that chamber.

Heres a look at some of the key House races Tuesday, according to unofficial returns:

 District 20: Democrat Abbas Akhil had a narrow lead over Republican Rep. Jim Dines in Southeast Albuquerque. Dines, a retired lawyer, was a key player in securing passage of legislation for Tuesdays constitutional amendment establishing an ethics commission.

Akhil is an energy consultant whos retired from Sandia National Laboratories.

 District 22: Republican Gregg Schmedes, a surgeon, and Democrat Jessica Velasquez, a business owner and educator, were locked in a tight race to represent the East Mountains and Placitas. Schmedes was appointed to the seat this summer, and it would represent another pickup for Democrats if Velasquez were to win.

 District 24: Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, a physical therapist, defeated Republican Trey Morris, an officer in the Air Force Reserve. The district covers a chunk of the mid-Northeast Heights, near Indian School and Eubank, and it had flipped back and forth between the parties in recent election years until Thomson won re-election Tuesday.

 District 27: Democrat William Pratt had a narrow lead over Robert Godshall in a Northeast Heights seat that was held for 23 years by Republican Larry Larranaga, who died earlier this year.

 District 63: Republican Martin Zamora, a business owner and rancher, and Rep. George Dodge, D-Santa Rosa, were locked in a tight race to represent a stretch of eastern New Mexico, including Santa Rosa and Clovis.

Journal staff writer Maddy Hayden contributed to this article.Voters in New Mexicos 1st Congressional District are sending Democrat Deb Haaland to Washington, D.C., to represent the Albuquerque-area district, and Republican Yvette Herrell appeared on her way to winning the hotly contested battle in the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Incumbent Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Nambe Democrat, easily won a sixth term representing the states northern District 3.

The election of Haaland and Herrell would not affect the balance of power in the House since Haaland is replacing a Democrat and Herrell would replace a Republican.

Haalands and Herrells victories would be historic because a Native American woman has never before been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo. Harrell is a member of the Cherokee Nation. A third Native American woman, Sharice Davids, also won her race Tuesday for a place on Kansas congressional delegation.

District 1

Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff, in the first hour after the polls closed, projected Democratic political organizer Deb Haalands runaway victory for the 1st Congressional District open seat. Haaland, according to partial unofficial results, handily defeated Republican Janice Arnold-Jones, a former legislator, capturing about 59 percent of the vote to 36 percent for Arnold-Jones.

Growing up in my mothers pueblo household, I never imagined a world where I would be represented by someone who looks like me, Haaland said to hundreds of supporters at a watch party Tuesday night at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. I am so proud to represent this beautiful state and every New Mexican here in District 1.

Haaland, 57, reiterated her intent to represent disenfranchised groups, including LGBT, single mothers and Native Americans.

I see you, Im listening, I love you, she said. We fight together, and I will bring that fight to Congress.

Haaland, a former state Democratic party chairwoman, offered a progressive tilt to keep the 1st Congressional District seat in Democratic hands after U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham opted to run for governor. Republican Arnold-Jones stressed her government service and acumen as a retired businesswoman.

Running as a Democrat-turned-Libertarian, political newcomer Lloyd Princeton billed himself as an independent answer to gridlock in Washington and partisanship in Congress. He appeared to have garnered about 5 percent of the vote, according to the Secretary of States Office.

The campaign, often low-key, was distinguished by Haalands heritage as a member of the Laguna Pueblo and her often repeated campaign mantra, Congress has never heard a voice like mine.

Arnold-Jones called Haaland a formidable opponent and lamented that the Democrat outspent her ten to one.

Haalands campaign, which has received nearly $2 million since the primary election, was fueled by hefty contributions from various out-of-state groups, including Native American tribes and organizations.

Democrats have held the 1st Congressional District for about 10 years. It covers almost all of Bernalillo County, all of Torrance County, and small parts of Sandoval, Valencia and Santa Fe counties.

District 2

Republican Yvette Herrell was the projected winner in southern New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District race against Democrat Xochitl Torres Small, with Sanderoff calling the contest for Herrell late Tuesday.

She credited her victory to an emphasis on conservative values. She said southern New Mexicans were voting for experience and the person who would best represent their values in Washington.

I stayed true to who I was, Herrell said.

Herrell was ahead by fewer than 2,000 votes as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Election officials said Dona Ana County had about 4,000 absentee ballots still to be counted. The absentee precinct board was to reconvene at 10 a.m. to continue the tabulation.

In addition, there are another 4,000 votes that havent been added to the published results yet, for a total of 8,000 votes outstanding, officials said.

Torres Small had not conceded by 1 a.m., and instead said she would wait for the final tally.

Weve seen people waiting in lines for a long time to make sure their voice is heard and it is just not right at this time to cut that short. That is why we are waiting until every single persons voice is heard. Because people worked hard.

Herrell, a state representative from Alamogordo, touted her support for the president and his policies. Donald Trump won the district by 10 percentage points in 2016. Early polling showed Herrell may have benefited from name recognition and a conservative legislative record.

Torres Small, a Las Cruces water rights lawyer, closed the gap in the final weeks of campaigning by reaching out to the large number of independent voters and moderate Republicans in the district.

Republicans have held the seat for all but two years since 1981. The seat is being vacated by Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who chose to run for governor. The race attracted national attention and big money from both political parties election committees, which paid for a slew of attack ads.

We got outspent but nobody was going to out work us, Herrell said.

The district, one of the largest in the country, stretches across the southern half of the state, from chile fields to oil fields, and is home to New Mexicos second-largest city, Las Cruces.

In the final weeks of campaigning, Vice President Mike Pence visited Roswell and Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, was in Ruidoso for get-out-the-vote rallies that may have boosted turnout for Herrell. The high-profile appearances were designed to build a red wall to stop a blue wave from reaching southern New Mexico.

District 3

In northern New Mexicos 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Ben Ray Lujan of Nambe has won a sixth term in the U.S. House.

Sanderoff, president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc., called the race for Lujan shortly after the polls closed.

Republican Jerald Steve McFall, a farmer and ski instructor, and Libertarian Chris Manning, who works for his familys auditing firm, were on the ballot against Lujan, who spent Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., in his role as chairman of the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

About 9:30 p.m. MST, Lujan appeared on stage  and before national news cameras  with Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi as their party celebrated its takeover of the House Tuesday.

Arent we proud of Ben Ray? Pelosi proclaimed shortly after she and Lujan joined hands and raised them above their heads to cheers from the crowd.

Back in New Mexico, Lujan had about 63 percent of the vote in incomplete returns.

In monetary terms, there was no real race in the district and Lujan felt no need to be part of the campaign seasons advertising barrage. Lujan raised more than $1.8 million, sent $800,000 to other campaign committees and still had $566,000 cash on hand as of mid-October. Manning raised $7,800 and McFall didnt raise the $5,000 threshold for filing a report.

McFall had tried for the seat in the past, but had never made it onto the ballot. Manning is a veteran who served in Afghanistan.Environmentalists and consumer advocates are closely watching the Public Regulation Commissions electoral race in southwest District 5, where progressive Democrat Stephen Fischmann and Republican Ben L. Hall are facing off.

Conservation Voters New Mexico has thrown its weight behind Fischmann, a former state senator who promises aggressive support for renewable energy and consumer advocacy if he wins. The group has spent $2 million on pro-environment candidates for state office this year, its largest electoral investment ever, including significant backing for Fischmann through the groups two political action committees, Verde Voters Fund and the CVNM Action Fund.

A Fischmann victory could put control of the five-member commission into the hands of a progressive regulatory bloc for the first time, according to Conservation Voters.

If Fischmanns campaign is successful, he will join (Democratic) Commissioners Valerie Espinoza and Cynthia Hall to form a pro-climate majority on the PRC, the group said in a Nov. 2 update on its election activities.

Fischmanns candidacy has converted whats typically a sleeper election for PRC seats into a political lightning rod this year. It led to sharp exchanges during the June primaries between current District 5 Democratic Commissioner Sandy Jones and environmental group New Energy Economy. NEE supported Fischmann in the primaries through two political action committees, while a PAC backed by PNM Resources, parent firm for Public Service Co. of New Mexico, ran ads for Jones.

Fischmanns electoral opponent, Republican candidate Hall, is a former PRC commissioner who lost his seat in 2014 to Jones.

Separately, Republican rancher and environmental engineer Jefferson Byrd and Democratic Attorney Kevin Sanders are facing off for the eastern District 2 seat, which current Republic Commissioner Pat Lyons is vacating because of term limits. Neither Byrd nor Sanders have previously held public office.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham is headed back to her hometown of Santa Fe after defeating Republican Steve Pearce on Tuesday in a spirited showdown to be New Mexicos next governor.

In a contest marked by big spending and hard-hitting political attacks, Lujan Grisham won the race over Pearce in large part by running up big margins in Albuquerque and northern New Mexico, based on unofficial returns.

What we did tonight is send a very clear message that this is a state thats ready to lead in so many ways, Lujan Grisham told cheering supporters at her election night party in Albuquerque. Gone are the days when anyone talks about New Mexico not being in first place.

The three-term congresswoman from Albuquerque grew up in Santa Fe. She announced her campaign for governor nearly two years ago and is the first Latina Democrat elected governor in New Mexico. Outgoing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, also a Latina, was New Mexicos first female governor.

Lujan Grisham touted her state government experience on the campaign trail  she was previously a Cabinet secretary under three governors  and said she would bring a steady hand to state programs and services that were cut under Martinezs administration.

In her election night speech, while being serenaded with chants of MLG, she said she had received a congratulatory phone call from Pearce and said the two candidates had pledged to work together.

For his part, Pearce told the Journal he had offered to help Lujan Grisham in whatever way he could and said hes not ready for retirement.

Its not the outcome I wanted, he said, adding that he felt he worked tenaciously. Pearce, who like Lujan Grisham gave up his congressional seat to run for governor, had touted his business acumen and hardscrabble roots as the son of a failed sharecropper.

Lujan Grishams victory will mean Democratic control of the Governors Office and both legislative chambers for the first time since 2010, when former Gov. Bill Richardson stepped down after two terms in office.

Democrats expanded their majority in the state House in Tuesdays election and will retain a 26-16 majority in the state Senate. State senators are elected to four-year terms and are not up for election until 2020.

Lujan Grisham has said she would seek during next years 60-day legislative session to quickly sign into law many bills vetoed by Martinez in recent years.

She has also expressed support for increasing the states $7.50-per-hour minimum wage and diverting more money from the states largest permanent fund for early childhood programs, though that idea could face resistance from Republicans and some conservative Democrats in the Legislature.

Technical difficulties forced Lujan Grisham to ad-lib during her victory speech Tuesday, but it didnt appear to faze her.

She said the races outcome represented a vote for New Mexicos children and future generations.

A new day has arrived, she said. And frankly, I cant wait to get started.

Democrats in New Mexico and beyond lauded Lujan Grisham for her victory.

Michelle Lujan Grisham is the governor New Mexico needs to lead our state in a new direction, state Democratic Party Chairwoman Marg Elliston said. New Mexicans are ready to invest in our children and our communities, and Michelle brings the transformative leadership and enthusiastic energy we need to turn our state around.

For his part, Pearce had expressed opposition to a minimum wage hike on the campaign trail and said he would promote apprenticeship programs for young people who dont want to attend college immediately after high school. He also vowed to issue an executive order  if elected governor  requiring able-bodied people without children to work if they receive Medicaid.

Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi said Pearce had run a hard-fought campaign that engaged New Mexico voters in conversations about ideas and solutions.

Instead of relying on partisan talking points and recycled ideas, Pearce laid out a bold and innovative agenda and wasnt afraid to take it to every corner of the state, Cangiolosi said in a statement. He went to communities that dont typically support Republicans and was always happy to discuss ideas and solutions with people across the political spectrum.

Although the race ended on a cordial note, with the two candidates referring to one another as friends, they exchanged barbs during televised debates and in political advertisements in the run-up to Election Day.

Pearce hammered Lujan Grisham on her past ties to a consulting firm with contracts to run the states high-risk insurance pool, and Lujan Grisham accused Pearce of dishonesty about his business interests in the oil industry and sought to link him to President Donald Trump.

Combined, the two gubernatorial candidates reported spending more than $13.6 million on hard-hitting television ads and other campaign expenditures, making this years race for governor one of the most expensive in state history. The total spending figure, which does not include expenditures by outside groups, will increase when final fundraising reports are filed next month.

Longtime New Mexico political observer Brian Sanderoff said Lujan Grisham benefited from a political climate that favored Democratic candidates. He said she ran a smart campaign that focused on traditional Democratic issues, such as health care, early childhood education and jobs.

As for Pearce, Sanderoff said the veteran congressman, who also lost a 2008 bid for U.S. Senate, was unable to overcome the political headwinds.

He had to win some blue areas in order to have a path to victory, and he wasnt able to do it, said Sanderoff, president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc.

This years race for governor was open because Martinez, a Republican who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, was barred from seeking a third consecutive term. Martinez will step down at years end, and the new governor will take office Jan. 1.

Journal staff writers Maddy Hayden and Shelby Perea contributed to this report.SAN DIEGO  Its  a new school year, and already acrimony is in the air. Americas teachers are mad as heck, and theyre not going to take it anymore.

Thats the message from a recent cover story in Time magazine that no doubt left many readers wondering why anyone in their right minds would enter the classroom these days.

Judging from the article, the No. 1 gripe today, yesterday and forever is salary. We dont pay teachers enough, according to most teachers. So what else is new?

Each sob story was worse than the one before.

One teacher said: I have a masters degree, 16 years of experience, and work two extra jobs and donate blood plasma to pay the bills. Im a teacher in America.

Another asserted: My child and I share a bed in a small apartment, I spend $1,000 on supplies, and Ive been laid off three times due to budget cuts. Im a teacher in America.

Another shared this: I have 20 years of experience, but I cant afford to fix my car, see a doctor for headaches or save for my childs future. Im a teacher in America.

Depressed yet? I can relate. Im a working journalist at a time when  despite the so-called Trump bump that helped make media more profitable in some ways  newspapers are still contracting, radio stations are still declaring bankruptcy and cable television networks are still laying off employees as they work out the kinks in their digital strategy.

You think I dont know what its like to want to earn more money? But journalism has never been about the money. The same goes for teaching  and law enforcement, and farming, and any number of other professions your accountant would advise you not to pursue, but which none the less find takers among those who consider the work meaningful and satisfying.

When talking to groups about immigration, Ill offer myself up as part of the reason the country needs so many immigrants. As a typical American, I tell the audience, I approach every job opportunity and contract negotiation with the same goal: higher salary, more vacation. Of course, this approach leaves a lot of work left undone. Nonetheless, for me, the American Dream is all about earning more and working less to earn it. I tell the story as a laugh line in order to loosen up the crowd.

But teachers arent joking. That is exactly what they want: fewer weeks of classes, shorter days, higher salaries, better pensions, etc. The turkey, stuffing and gravy.

And thanks to bone-crushing teachers unions that strike fear into the hearts of cowardly Democratic politicians, teachers tend to get much of what they want  particularly in deep-blue states like California and New York.

On one level, I can respect that. No one should have to work for less than what their skills, experience, talents and marketability can command. And just because society needs teachers more than we need butchers, bakers and candlestick makers doesnt mean we should shortchange these people and expect them to work for less than they deserve just because they fulfill an important public service by educating future generations.

But heres the thing. Being a teacher is a tough job. I get that. Ive done it. I spent five years in the classroom back in my old school district to support my eating habit when I was trying to make it as a writer, author and freelance journalist.

But the good news is that  if you dont like this job  you dont have to do it. Of course, someone has to do that job. Still, that someone doesnt have to be you.

Quit. Cash out. Its a free country. If you dont enjoy what you do for a living, or if you think you should be better paid for doing it, you should leave and go do something else. After all, if you believe you should be paid more, then you must think you have the education, skills and experience to merit the increase.

Ive left jobs. Other times, Ive had jobs leave me. I survived. You will, too. Remake yourself, rebrand yourself. Get more skills. Most of all, get your head right.

A good teacher has empathy, compassion and the ability to communicate. But they also have the right frame of mind. If youre missing that last part, get out of the classroom before you damage your students and your profession.

Thats a lesson that many teachers never learn.

Email ruben@rubennavarrette.com. Navarrette Nation, is available through every podcast app. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group.Thirty-six other states allow people to apply for public jobs without having their names disclosed at the outset of the process. Last month, the Albuquerque Public School Board suggested New Mexico do the same and provide confidentiality to candidates unless they become finalists for an important public position. Ten of the 35 other states require disclosure of finalists like the school board proposed.

There are only six states, including New Mexico, where the law requires disclosure of the names of non-finalists. In eight states, the law isnt clear. This puts us at an obvious disadvantage in competition for leadership talent, since most states allow people to apply on a confidential basis unless they become finalists.

Requiring premature disclosure will prevent many of the best people from applying. When APS sought a new superintendent in 2015, it was shocking that not a single superintendent of a large or even medium-sized school district applied. Granted, those are not the only people who might make an outstanding superintendent. But current New Mexico law effectively excludes candidates who are successfully doing the same job somewhere else.

In 2017, North Dakota amended its open records act to give confidentiality to people who dont become finalists. The sponsor explained:

The committee recommends this bill because under current law we are limiting the pool of applicants and placing our state in a very disadvantageous position. Potential applicants have withdrawn their names or not applied at all when they notice that their application is subject to open documents law. You may think that is not the case, but here are some examples. University of Northern Iowa (where applications are confidential) had five sitting university presidents apply to be their president. University of North Dakota had none. In fact, UND has never had a sitting president apply. Northern Iowa applicants were asked why they didnt apply to UND and they all said it was because of North Dakotas open records law.

This is exactly the situation in New Mexico. The best candidates, including good New Mexico candidates, will not apply for a job if they have to burn their bridges to do so. Who can blame them if they dont even know they will become finalists?

Colorado has a law like the one the APS Board has suggested. At least three finalists must be disclosed in advance of the hire. This law was supported by the Colorado Press Association. They agreed the finalist-only rule was a good balance of the right of applicants to seek new opportunities with some confidentiality, the interest of public entities in attracting the best candidates, and the right of the public to know about the candidates who are being seriously considered for the position.

Fear of cronyism in hiring is emphasized by the press, but it is a red herring. Like Colorado, we can require public entities to disclose the finalists a week or two in advance. This gives the public a chance to review resumes and find out more before the final selection. If one of the candidates is obviously not qualified for the job or is related to some powerful person, it will be apparent soon enough.

The Journal demands to know who the non-finalists are, as well. This is almost always useless information; all disclosure does is hurt the people who didnt get to be finalists. If an individual feels unfairly rejected, he or she can come forward and say so, or even file a lawsuit. That should be a decision for the applicant, not a rigid requirement of state law. Instead of displaying failure in the press, we should nurture the individuals who werent selected and help them improve their chances for the future.

New Mexico cannot afford to throw away talent like this. Thats exactly what we are doing. The Legislature and the new governor should join to bring New Mexico law in line with 36 other states.

Nick Estes was UNM counsel from 1986 to 2005. The views expressed here are his own.The Albuquerque Police Department finally appears poised to make significant strides in addressing its chronic officer shortage. Thats great news for Albuquerque residents, who have endured dramatic upticks in both property and violent crime in recent years.

But that progress comes at the expense of other police agencies that are losing some of their best officers to APD. The worries from outside agencies are understandable. Replacing officers is expensive, and no department wants to train officers only to lose the most experienced ones to another agency.

Yet its not fair to blame the city of Albuquerque for the situation, given that chronically understaffed APD was backed into a corner by state lawmakers who refused to institute a simple fix that would have helped APD replenish its ranks without poaching officers from other agencies.

Former Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry all but begged lawmakers to change state law to allow retired officers to return to work and continue collecting their pensions. That request went nowhere year after year, despite the fact that an actuary hired by the city of Albuquerque determined there was a way to institute return-to-work legislation without hurting the solvency of the state public employee retirement fund.

So were left with the current situation, with Albuquerque city leaders in a bidding war with other agencies, spending millions of dollars to boost officer pay and attract lateral hires. That strategy is working.

The city is planning to poach more than 60 officers from other law enforcement agencies in coming months to grow the department by 100 officers this fiscal year. In mid-October, APD had 853 officers, but its on track to have 973 by next summer, according to a recruiting status report.

Meanwhile, other police agencies are scrambling to compete with Albuquerque. Starting pay for an APD officer is $29 an hour. By contrast, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies make $27.03 an hour, Rio Rancho police officers begin at $20.30 an hour, and Santa Fe police make about $19 an hour.

Albuquerque also offers specialty pay and longevity bonuses that can add between $100 and $600 to an officers paycheck.

The Santa Fe Police Department is now offering bonuses to new officers and to those who transfer in. University of New Mexico police officers were recently given a 13 percent pay raise. And Rio Rancho is trying to come up with a retention strategy.

It is a topic that we are looking at, Rio Rancho police Capt. Ron Vigil told the Journal. It is difficult. Eight to nine dollars an hour is a pretty significant pay disparity.

Police officers have a dangerous and often thankless job. They work hard to protect us and deserve every dollar theyre paid. But at some point, smaller law enforcement agencies just arent going to be able to compete, and that puts those communities at risk as they continue to lose officers to agencies like APD.

Maybe now the Legislature will listen and sign off on return to work, something it should have done years ago.

Help for smaller agencies on the way

Meanwhile, Central New Mexico Community College has stepped up to help fill the police staffing gap and is launching the CNM Law Enforcement Academy next year. The inaugural class will join APDs ranks after graduating, though they will need to complete another 11-week training course before hitting the streets.

The 17-week academy is for officers already hired by an agency and may prove even more beneficial for other agencies than APD. Those planning to use the CNM academy include Rio Rancho, Village of Corrales, Los Lunas, Moriarty and the Pueblos of Laguna and Isleta police departments as well as sheriffs offices in Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties and the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office.

The city of Albuquerque and CNM deserve credit for taking steps to bolster the ranks of our law enforcement agencies.

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.ALAMOGORDO  Former Alamogordo Police Department detective Kyle Graham is appealing his termination from the Alamogordo Police Department for alleged violations of his due process rights, according to an appeal letter from Grahams attorney Raul Carrillo.

The appeal letter was sent to city officials from Grahams attorney.

According to Carrillos letter, there have been several violations of the Peace Officers Employer-Employee Relations Act (POERRA) since the events that led to Grahams termination, which mandate Grahams reinstatement as detective for the APD.

Reinstating his employment will avoid litigation against the Alamogordo Police Department and the City of Alamogordo, Carrillos letter says.

Graham was terminated by Alamogordo Police Chief Brian Peete on Oct. 9 following an altercation with a family member at the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center on Sept. 23.

The letter of appeal to city officials is part of Grahams appeal process. Graham had seven days after his termination to appeal the decision to the chief, who upheld the decision, Peete said.

The next step is to appeal the termination to Peetes superiors, in this case Alamogordo City Manager Maggie Paluch, Peete said.

In the letter obtained by the Daily News, Carrillo says several witnesses who could corroborate Grahams version of events were not interviewed as part of the investigation, and that those witnesses that were interviewed did not have a clear view of events.

Some evidence was either ignored or discarded, including a signed statement by a hospital employee saying that Grahams actions were in self-defense, the letter shows.

APD allegedly further violated Grahams rights under POERRA by allegedly failing to notify Graham that an investigation was underway and Graham was not informed of the nature of the investigation or the names of all known complainants before his interrogation, according to the letter.

In the letter Carrillo says Graham acknowledges he received a DVD copy of his interrogation, but he claims he doesnt believe a transcript of the interrogation was published. Graham also alleges that documents written by Peete were placed into his personnel file that Graham did not read or sign, according to the letter.

In the letter, Carrillo says that both situations violated Grahams rights under POERRA.

According to the letter, Graham would be entitled to monetary damages in a court of law based on the alleged violations of his due process but at this point Graham is only requesting that he be reinstated to his former position.

According to in Otero County Magistrate Court records, Graham allegedly pushed his 65-year-old mother-in-law at GCRMC while visiting the womans granddaughter, who is also Grahams stepdaughter, causing the grandmother to fall.

Court records show the grandmother allegedly pulled Graham down as she fell, pulling Graham on top of her. The patients stepmother then tried to remove Graham, and Graham allegedly put the stepmother in a headlock and tripped her to the ground while she was still in a headlock, according to records.

APD officers responded to the altercation at around 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 23 and then turned the investigation over to New Mexico State Police for investigation, records show.

Graham is charged with two counts of petty misdemeanor battery in the Sept. 23 incident.

Former Alamogordo detective appeals terminationThe race for the Public Regulation Commissions southwest District 5 seat remained close more than four hours after polls closed, with Democrat Steve Fischmann leading Republican Ben L. Hall by about four percentage points.

In eastern District 2, however, Republican Jefferson Byrd won a decisive victory over Democrat Kevin Sanders.

Fischmann was leading with about 52 percent of the votes as of 11:30 p.m., based on full results for 155 of the districts 275 precincts, and partial tallies for all other polling places.

Long lines at polling sites in Dona Ana County, where about 30 percent of the electorate resides, may have slowed vote counting there, according to Fischmann, although the Journal could not independently confirm those reports.

Im cautiously optimistic, but we need to get all the precincts in before we can call it, Fischmann said.

Hall said the race was still pretty tight.

Well just have to wait until the morning before we know, Hall said.

In eastern New Mexico, Byrd defeated Sanders with 62 percent of the votes, following final results from 332 of the districts 352 precincts.

I look forward to getting to work, Byrd said. The campaign is over.More than 100 women were projected to win seats in the House of Representatives, easily shattering the record. Overwhelmingly, they awere Democrats who helped the party take control of the chamber.

Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House. By 1 a.m. Wednesday as the votes were still being counted, 85 had already been declared winners.

Women made history in a number of ways and were a significant force in flipping many districts from red to blue, said Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

Many of the winning candidates campaigned on the need for better health care for all Americans. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds  from military veterans to teachers  and many had never run for office before.

Women made inroads in gubernatorial races, too, which are particularly important because of the upcoming redistricting battles. In Kansas and Michigan, women flipped states that had been under GOP control.

Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach, whom Trump had campaigned with recently in Kansas.

Gretchen Whitmer, a former state senator in Michigan, won her race after campaigning on a promise to fix the states roads and aging drinking water infrastructure, and to expand Medicaid to lower-income adults.

Notably, Michigan Democrats selected a woman for every statewide office on Tuesdays ballot: governor, U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of state.

Georgia had the most high-profile governors race. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who won the backing of former president Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, was aiming to be the first black female governor in the nation.

But she was trailing Wednesday behind Trump-backed candidate Brian Kemp, Georgias secretary of state, who cast himself as a politically incorrect hard-line immigration candidate like the president.

The women who ran this year were remarkably diverse  black, Latina, Native American. But noticeably absent on ballots were more Republican women.

We need to go out and get our women engaged, said Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership. We are being dwarfed by the Democrats. This is something we are going to focus on.

Chamberlain said she hears voters in key districts talking mostly about an affordable health-care system that serves everyone, even those with preexisting medical conditions. That has been the loud and clear message of many Democratic candidates.

Among the new faces coming to Congress:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, 29, a Latina who defeated incumbent Joseph Crowley in a decisive primary, will head to the House.

In Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton unseated Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock.

Deb Haaland, a Democrat in New Mexico, became the first Native American woman to serve in Congress.

In Florida, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Ecuador and educator, focused her campaign largely on health care and toppled Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the Republican incumbent. Curbelo had voted to repeal Obamacare in a district that contains thousands of people who benefited from it.

Michigans Rashida Tlaib, born in Detroit to Palestinian parents, and Minnesotas Ilhan Omar, who arrived in the United States from Somalia at 14, won their House races, becoming the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

At a rally in Minneapolis on Monday night, Omar was cheered wildly and danced as she was introduced.

The opportunity to be here, to participate in this democracy, has made me want to dance, and door-knock and talk to people and invite people to the joy of what it means to participate in a democracy, she told a crowd of volunteers.

What I want to do for you is have my energy be contagious, she said.

Some Republican women won key races.

Marsha Blackburn, who called herself a hardcore, card-carrying conservative, became the first female senator ever elected from Tennessee. Backed by Trump in the Republican state, she defeated Phil Bredesen, a centrist Democrat and former governor.

While men with military backgrounds have long been recruited to run for office, this years candidates include several female veterans.

One of the most well known, Kentucky Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, became a national sensation when her online video ads went viral. But she lost a close race to GOP incumbent Andy Barr. Trump had won that district handily.

Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and first-time candidate, won in Pennsylvanias 6th District, replacing retiring Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican.

Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and Democrat, won in New Jerseys 11th Congressional District. She said she was motivated to run for office by what she calls a lack of respect for women by the Trump administration. and was astounded to see an all-male Senate panel debating whether to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative, pulled off a big win in Virginia by unseating Republican Rep. Dave Brat, a rising star among conservatives. Four years ago, Brat upended Eric Cantor, then House majority leader, in a huge upset. Brat was part of the House Freedom Caucus.

In Arizona, a close race between Republican Martha McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot, and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who is openly bisexual, means Arizona will have its first female senator no matter who wins. They are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

A record 33 of the Tuesdays matchups for Congress were women vs. women. In Florida, Democrat Donna Shalala, the former president of the University of Miami and Cabinet member in the Clinton administration, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, a broadcast journalist, of Cuban heritage, according to early results.

Are women fired up? That is putting it mildly, said Jen Cox, a founder of PaveItBlue. Her group, one of many formed since Trumps election and after the Womens March, connected thousands of Atlanta-area women interested in becoming more politically active.

Its historic. Its our turn in having a say in changing the face of politics, Cox said.

Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, said the female candidates did not fit any particular mold.

They have disrupted public expectations of how they behave, and what credentials and attributes they bring to politics, Dittmar said. And that could have long-term effects.

Along with better health care, other key issues that helped propel women were their pledges to better protect the environment and to help stop the rising incivility and divisions among Americans.

This is only just the beginning, said Schriock, president of Emilys List. I think we are going to see a historical turnout of women in 2020  this is not dying down.



The Washington Posts Torey Van Oot contributed to this report.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Martin Heinrich brushed aside challenges from two opponents Tuesday to win a second term in the U.S. Senate.

Heinrich,a Democrat, was projected as the races winner shortly after polls officially closed statewide. He defeated Republican Mick Rich, an Albuquerque contractor making his first run for elected office, and Libertarian Gary Johnson, a former state governor who entered the race in August.

I am deeply grateful to the people of this state for once again putting your confidence and your trust in me to represent you in the United States Senate, Heinrich said at his victory speech in Albuquerque.

He significantly outraised both his rivals in the race and aired political ads that touted his commitment to alternative energy, affordable health care and New Mexicos national laboratories and military bases.

Heinrich was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 and previously served two terms representing the Albuquerque-area 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

His re-election bid was largely without political drama, though Rich criticized him for moving his family to suburban Washington, D.C., several years ago and questioned his commitment to New Mexico.

In an interview, Heinrich said voters statewide had rejected divisiveness, adding, They were embracing a campaign that was heavy on vision and really positive.

Johnson, who was a Republican when he served as New Mexicos governor from 1995 through 2002, embraced the underdog label in the three-way race but struggled to find traction as a Libertarian candidate in a state dominated by Democrats and Republicans.

I think the two-party system is really flawed, and I dont expect that to change in my lifetime, Johnson told the Journal in an Election Night interview.

He also said he would not run again for elected office  though he made a similar vow after running for president as a Libertarian in 2016.

As for Rich, he told onlookers at a Republican election party in Albuquerque that he had called Heinrich to offer his congratulations.

I did everything I could with what I had, said Rich, who noted he was outfunded by a hefty margin in the race. Im proud to be a New Mexican. Im proud to be a Republican. And Im proud to support my president.

With Heinrichs victory, Democrats have won every U.S. Senate election in New Mexico since Republican former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenicis final re-election victory in 2002.

Journal staff writers Shelby Perea and Maddy Hayden contributed to this report.MOSES LAKE, Wash.  For the 200 or so workers who still have jobs at the REC Silicon manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, the last few months of the trade dispute between China and the United States have been agonizing.

In July, the Central Washington agricultural town learned that the plant, which uses cheap hydropower to make polysilicon, the raw ingredient for solar panels, would lay off 100 employees after a policy change in China, the worlds biggest solar-panel maker, sent polysilicon prices plummeting.

The news got worse in late September. Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse and seven other Northwest lawmakers released a letter warning President Trump that the continuing trade dispute with China is forcing REC to consider a complete shutdown of its operations in Washington state within the coming months.

The letter, issued on a Friday, touched off a minor panic among Moses Lake residents. I know lot of people had a horrible weekend, said REC Vice President Francine Sullivan, who got calls from unhappy residents.

That panic turned out to be premature. Sullivan and her colleagues managed to persuade RECs board to keep (the plant) going, she said. Last month, the small Norway-based company that owns the plant announced it will keep running at least through early 2020.

But few in Moses Lake are breathing easier. The global polysilicon market continues to crater. Just last week, REC reported a $6.1 million loss, its second quarterly loss this year. Much of that is the result of Chinese trade tactics and industrial policy, which have helped drive polysilicon prices down from around $22 per kilogram four years ago to the current $12. That is around 20 percent below what it currently costs REC to make polysilicon at Moses Lake.

Those trade tactics show little sign of abating. Before the trade dispute, nearly 80 percent of the brownish, pebble-shaped polysilicon granules produced in Moses Lake were sold to China, where they were eventually processed into the silicon wafers that make solar cells. With the current tariffs, REC must sell into a market outside of China that is far smaller and more competitive.

Its pretty frustrating, said Brant Mayo, who heads the Grant County Economic Development Council, which has long regarded REC as a key to the rural countys plans for a high-tech, high-wage manufacturing sector. Theyre a well-run company, they produce a great product thats very innovative, and the only thing holding them back is just the political aspect of it.

The REC saga is just the latest example of trade politics trampling the complicated supply chains that govern everything from seafood and apples to smartphones and automobiles.

But RECs troubles go well beyond the current Trump-vs.-China trade dispute.

The first Chinese tariffs to hit REC went into effect in 2014, during the Obama administration. At the time, China was vying to be the dominant low-cost producer for solar panels, and REC, eager to sell to China, had expanded its Moses Lake workforce and invested a whopping $1.7 billion to add a more efficient manufacturing process.

RECs timing was terrible. Almost at the same time, Solar World, a solar-cell manufacturer in Hillsboro, Oregon, complained to U.S. trade authorities that Chinas heavy government subsidies allowed its manufacturers to dump below-cost solar cells on the American market and throttle domestic U.S. producers.

In response, the Obama administration slapped tariffs on imports of Chinese solar cells. The Chinese, retaliated with a 57 percent tariff on American-made polysilicon, which left companies like REC reeling.

REC scrambled to lobby the Obama administration with what it believed was a convincing case  namely, that America should favor polysilicon manufacturing over solar-cell manufacturing. Where cell manufacturing has become a heavily automated, largely low-wage sector, polysilicon manufacturing requires massive amounts of technology and well-paid expert labor.

The average salary at the Moses Lake plant is $100,000, Sullivan said, which is about half again as high as average household income in Grant County, Wash.

Further, where China was already the dominant player in solar cells, the U.S. polysilicon industry was making huge gains in technology and was poised to become the global leader. That was critical because polysilicon isnt just for solar cells. The material is widely seen as the basis for a lighter, less expensive battery technology  without which the electric-vehicle revolution may not really happen.

But the Obama administration officials were largely deaf to the companys pleas, Sullivan said, in part because the administration was still keen to encourage a domestic solar industry.

They couldnt be bothered  it was too complicated to try to understand polysilicon, Sullivan recalled. But they knew what a solar panel was and they preferred to protect workers who made solar panels than polysilicon.

Sullivan said the Trump administration has been far more sympathetic to RECs concerns. But, she acknowledged, thus far that sympathy hasnt translated into any real movement toward resolution of the trade dispute  or even any of the economic relief that farmers, for example, have won from the administration.

In the meantime, the situation for REC has become more precarious. In May, the Chinese pulled back on subsidies for their solar-cell manufacturers, which throttled demand for polysilicon and sent prices into free fall. In July, the Chinese imposed another round of tariffs on some U.S. polysilicon imports.

REC has responded by cutting staff and output  the Moses Lake plant is now operating at only 25 percent capacity. Yet at that reduced volume, per-kilogram production costs have risen dramatically. Thats one reason REC has now lost money in seven of the last 15 quarters, despite having some of the most advanced technology in the world.

The news isnt all bad. Market analysts expect polysilicon prices to firm up next year, which could allow REC to exploit its technology advantage. Further, by 2022, some analysts expect that a nascent battery industry could boost polysilicon demand and prices.

And, in theory, the Chinese and the Americans could settle their trade dispute, which could reopen the vast Chinese market to REC. On Thursday, President Trump tweeted that he was optimistic about prospects for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G-20 summit later this month.

The key for REC  and Moses Lake  is to keep the plant open long enough to take advantage of those trends. Tore Torvund, its CEO, insists that previous layoffs have trimmed costs sufficiently to continue current operations. We now have less than 400 people working worldwide, Torvund announced last month. We are a lean organization, and we will make no further reductions.

The company has an extra incentive to keep the Moses Lake plant open: Once the complicated manufacturing equipment is idled, said Sullivan, its extremely expensive to restart  or to keep its highly skilled employees from leaving town.

Moses Lake itself, meanwhile, remains in watch-and-wait mode. Mayo, with the economic-development council, said that although the community is weary from the effects of the trade dispute, it remains supportive of the presidents aggressive trade policy. Were pretty red here, Mayo said, with some humor, in reference to a 65 percent Trump vote in Grant County in 2016.

And, as Mayo points out, there is little the community can do, other than ask Northwest lawmakers to press RECs case with the Trump administration, which they have. But other than that, its reading the paper each morning and seeing if theres anything new.



2018 The Seattle Times

Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194):A crack in the wall. Most people wouldnt even notice it. But for Danielle Hark, it was a spark of inspiration.

Six months after giving birth to her first daughter in 2010, Hark, a writer and photographer from Millburn, N.J., fell into a severe depression. Getting out of bed became impossible. Anxiety struck whenever she considered leaving the house. Thoughts of suicide loomed.

One day in the shower, she suddenly felt she couldnt breathe. I thought I was dying, she recalled. I didnt need to kill myself because I was about to be dead.

Hark reached for her phone to call for help, but accidentally snapped a photo instead. Then she noticed the crack and thought, That would make a good picture.

Just that one thought and just that one breath helped me to become more present, she said.

Photography didnt cure her depression, but it started her on a journey of recovery  one that she continues today. Taking photographs gets her out of the house, engaging with the world around her, and transforming things that some see as ugly  crumbling paint, cracks in a sidewalk  into art.

Hark has founded a website for photographers affected by mental illness, hoping to raise awareness and encourage others to document their recovery. On Nov. 10, shell be sharing her story at the debut of a chamber music ensemble focused on mental health.

Its one of a growing number of creative endeavors that are bringing mental health center stage. Most of these initiatives  from theater performances to local art shows  aim to create awareness. But for those with mental illness, such as Hark, who stand at the center of these works as performers and creators, the process becomes a path to healing. Its not a cure, but it provides a sense of control over their lives that can sometimes feel lost.

Research shows that engaging in creative-arts therapy  which can include visual arts, dance, theater, and poetry  can reduce pain and anxiety, help people cope with depression and trauma, and aid in treatments for addiction.

Performing in a play or taking photos is not the same as taking part in creative-arts therapy, said Rachel Brandoff, coordinator of the art-therapy specialization in counseling at Thomas Jefferson University, but its a parallel process in many ways. Creative-arts therapy involves a trained professional who guides and interprets the work. But engaging in a creative work on ones own can still help people find purpose, better understand their emotions, and connect with others.

People can have a really powerful and transformative experience even if its not therapy, Brandoff said.

Over the years, Hark has used theater, poetry, and mixed-media art  along with medication and therapy  to deal with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Every night after her children go to sleep, she spends hours in her basement studio, a routine that gives her structure and purpose.

Philadelphia flutist Susanna Loewy feels the same way about music. Practicing scales for an hour each morning helps her energize and refocus when shes depressed.

Loewy co-founded Ellipses Ensemble, the mental health-focused concert series at which Harks story will be shared. She hopes music might provide a pathway to recovery for some, the way it does for her.

HOW DOES CREATIVITY HELP MENTAL HEALTH?

Short answer: Researchers dont know yet.

Though theyve shown creative-arts therapies improve mood and can even lower stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, researchers are still trying to figure out how that happens.

Some studies indicate that creating art allows people to communicate emotions that are difficult to say out loud. Others point to arts ability to distract the mind from negative thoughts. Emerging research is focusing on how engaging in creative work improves connections in the brain  a process called neuroplasticity  and can even help generate new connections  called neurogenesis.

Human brains are constantly thinking about the future, said Girija Kaimal, an assistant professor in the creative-arts therapies department at Drexel University. For those with depression or suicidal thoughts, the future can look bleak. They might feel they are a burden to others or have nothing to contribute. The creative process helps change peoples perspectives.

It gives individuals with mental illness a way to imagine a positive and fulfilling future, she said.

Art also helps people better understand their emotions  like a mirror, reflecting back what they have created.

When Nick Emeigh sat down to write his story of living with schizoaffective disorder, he thought about how to explain the mental illness to someone whod never heard of it. He searched for the perfect metaphor to describe the overwhelming loneliness and constant fear that no one would understand what hes going through or they might lock him away.

Youre able to connect with what youre actually feeling on a deeper level, he said, because youre looking for the right words to describe to someone who might not understand.

Emeigh performed the essay in October at an Elkins Park show of This Is My Brave, a national nonprofit that coordinates performances around the country in which people with mental illness share their stories through poetry, essays, and music.

He told a story of devils and angels, traveling into hell through Untreated Mental Illness Road, and fighting to escape with his sisters help. I woke up in heaven, and some people call that a hospital, he wrote.

Creating a work of art can also give physical shape to an invisible illness, Brandoff said. People can step outside themselves and turn their diagnosis into a painting or photograph. It allows them to understand it as a piece of themselves and not themselves entirely, she said.

It took a while for Jasmine Tot to reach that point. Shed often felt depressed in high school, but the illness became consuming when her best friend was killed two days after graduation.

People didnt want to be around me because I was always upset or sad, she said. Thats when I realized I have to figure this out.

Control came from picking up a paintbrush. Tot would blend colors, paint large strokes, add detail, and by the end, I know my emotions are on the canvas and I can move forward, she said.

She recently displayed her work at a Philadelphia showcase called The Funeral, aimed at creating a space to discuss mental health.

For Ed Quinn, a retired officer from the Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department who struggles with depression and alcoholism, performing his story at This Is My Brave allowed him to stop hiding his mental illness from others.

Sharing it aloud was like taking off a couple layers of coats you dont need in the first place, Quinn said. Im just left with the actual problem, which is then easier to cope with.

One big advantage to creative arts, Brandoff said, is that they can reach more people  those who cant seek therapy, who think they dont need it, and even those without an actual diagnosis.

That power was clear to Gabriel Nathan when he put on a play with his colleagues at a psychiatric hospital in Montgomery County in 2014. Although Nathan deals with anxiety and depression, not all his coworkers had diagnoses. Yet when they performed Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, they all benefited.

We learned to be vulnerable with one another and with an audience, said Nathan, who now works as editor of a website about mental-illness recovery.

It let peoples guard down a bit, he said. Oh, Im just rehearsing for a play. No, youre not. Youre actually doing more.



2018 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.philly.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PHOTOS (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194):PHOENIX  Republicans filed a lawsuit Wednesday night to challenge the way some Arizona counties count mail-in ballots as election officials began to slowly tally more than 600,000 outstanding votes in the narrow U.S. Senate race  a task that could take days.

Republican Rep. Martha McSally and Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema were separated by a small fraction of the 1.7 million tabulated votes.

About 75 percent of Arizona voters cast ballots by mail, but those ballots have to go through the laborious signature confirmation process, and only then can be opened and tabulated. If county recorders have issues verifying signatures they are allowed to ask voters to verify their identity.

The suit filed Wednesday by four county Republican parties alleges that the states 15 county recorders dont follow a uniform standard for allowing voters to adjust problems with their mail-in ballots, and that two counties improperly allow those fixes after Election Day.

The GOP complained about the issue before Election Day and threatened to sue. Democrats alleged it was attempted voter suppression and that recorders have followed the same procedures for years with no issues. Republicans said it was about following the law and having a timely ballot count.

The sluggish count is a perennial issue for Arizona, but has rarely received such a high level of attention because the GOP-leaning state generally has had few nationally-watched nail-biting contests.

The lawsuit alleges that signature verification must stop when polls close, and seeks an injunction to stop the counting of such ballots that have been verified after then. Its unclear how many of these votes still remain outstanding, but the suit singles out the states two biggest urban counties, the center of support for Sinema. It says the two counties allow voters to help clear up signature problems up to five days after the election.

Democrats believe the uncounted urban ballots dropped off shortly before Election Day favors Sinema.

The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard Friday, after the next release late Thursday of tallied ballots.

Its one window into the complexities of mail ballots and the so-called late earlies that arrive just before Election Day and regularly gum up the states vote counting system.

This election featured heavy statewide turnout of about 60 percent, more in line with a presidential election than a midterm  part of the reason county registrars were overloaded with uncounted ballots.

One candidate familiar with the long wait is McSally. It took The Associated Press 12 days to name her as the loser of her first congressional race in 2012 because the margin was so narrow and vote counting was slow. McSallys second and successful bid for the seat ended with a recount in December of 2014, more than one month after the election.

McSally tweeted early Wednesday that she was going to bed with a lead of over 14,000 votes.

She added: Were confident tomorrow will bring more good news.

Sinema tweeted that the race is about you and were going to make sure your vote is counted. There are a lot of outstanding ballots  especially those mailed-in  and a lot of reasons to feel good!

The cliffhanger Senate race comes in whats otherwise shaping up to be another banner Arizona year for Republicans. The GOP has won every statewide race in Arizona over the past decade, and Democrats were hoping Sinema could break that streak.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey was easily re-elected over a challenge from Democrat David Garcia, a professor. The GOP notched victories in the attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state races as well.

The picture was brighter for the states Democrats in Congress, where Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick was elected to the Tucson-area swing district seat vacated by McSally and Democrats held all their other four seats, giving them a majority of the states nine-member U.S. House delegation.

The Senate contest was the marquee race, featuring two champion fundraisers who are no strangers to tight races. They are battling over the seat vacated by Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican who decided not to run for re-election because he realized his criticism of President Donald Trump made it impossible for him to survive politically.

McSally and Sinema have both remade themselves politically. McSally, 52, is a onetime Trump critic who has embraced the president since his election. She has tried to rally Republican voters by emphasizing her military background as the first U.S. female combat pilot while touting her support for the presidents tax cut and other parts of his agenda.

Sinema, 42, is a former Green Party activist who became a Democratic centrist with her first election to the House of Representatives in 2012.

___

Associated Press writer Bob Christie in Phoenix contributed to this report.

___

For APs complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsATLANTA  Republican Brian Kemp clung to a slim lead over Stacey Abrams early Wednesday as final election returns trickled in, but the Democrat said she would not concede the race until more absentee ballots were counted.

Predicting a Dec. 4 runoff matchup with Kemp, she told voters to prepare for a do-over as her campaign pointed to tens of thousands of absentee ballots still out in metro Atlanta counties.

And I need you to know that it is my mission to serve you, to serve Georgia, to make you proud, she said. And for those who didnt pick me the first time, to change your mind about me and what we can accomplish together.

Kemps supporters, meanwhile, said there was no way for Abrams to force the race into overtime. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia governor, said it was mathematically impossible for Abrams to win. And Kemp said he was confident he would win, though he did not declare victory.

There are votes left to be counted, but we have a very strong lead, he said. And folks, make no mistake: The math is on our side to win this election.

If neither candidate gets the majority-vote margin they need to win the election outright, that would mean the nations political spotlight would shift firmly to Georgia over the next month  and the most expensive gubernatorial election in state history gets even pricier.

Other contests that remained unsettled Tuesday night included the 6th and 7th congressional district races in Atlantas northern suburbs, as well as the battle for secretary of state, which appeared headed to a runoff.

In the race for the states top job, Abrams is trying to upend nearly two decades of Republican rule to become the nations first black female governor by staking her campaign on a wave of support from progressives and left-leaning minorities who usually skip midterm elections.

Kemp has tried to energize supporters of Donald Trump by relentlessly appealing to conservatives with promises to expand gun rights, cut taxes and defend the president. Hes worked to bring in Trump supporters who typically ignored statewide elections before his run for the White House two years ago.

It would mean a flood of additional attention to a race thats already become a national proxy fight. Runoffs in Georgia tend to favor Republicans, but Democrats hope a flood of momentum would help keep Abrams supporters motivated.

In the races final stretch, Abrams campaigned with former President Barack Obama, media icon Oprah Winfrey and virtually every potential 2020 Democratic hopeful for president as she ratcheted up her attempts to energize the partys liberal base rather than trying to persuade moderate voters to support her.

Kemp focused his campaign on mobilizing conservatives who helped power Trumps victory in the state in 2016, and the president headlined a final, raucous rally for the Republican on Sunday in Macon that drew thousands of voters.

The two candidates, who were bitter rivals long before the campaign, were sharply divided on many of the states biggest debates, such as tax policy, criminal justice, illegal immigration and climate change. But they may have clashed most bitterly over voting rights and ballot access.

Abrams allies demanded Kemp resign from his role as secretary of state, which oversees state elections, and she warned that his office was implementing policies to intimidate and suppress minority voters.

Democrats amplified their calls for his resignation when Kemps office opened an investigation of the state Democratic Party two days before the election, claiming an attempted hack of voter registration files without disclosing evidence of the alleged incursion.



2018 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.)

Visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) at www.ajc.com

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Try checking the URL for errors, goto home or try to search below.ATLANTA  Republican Brian Kemps campaign declared victory Wednesday in the Georgia governors race, though Democrat Stacey Abrams insists that enough ballots remain to leave open the possibility of a runoff in a race that Kemp oversees as secretary of state.

The Associated Press has not called the contest.

Ryan Mahoney, a top Kemp campaign adviser, told reporters in a conference call that the numbers show Abrams cant win and a runoff wont happen  but stopped short of declaring victory until pressed by an Associated Press reporter. Only then did Mahoney say Kemp is certain of victory and preparing to take office in January.

We are declaring victory, Mahoney said. Another campaign official, Austin Chambers, added: The message here is pretty simple: This election is over, and the results are clear.

Kemp was not on the call but is expected to speak publicly on Thursday, the same day that a federal judge in Atlanta holds the first hearing on an Election Day lawsuit that seeks to have Kemp barred from having any further role in managing the election.

The Abrams campaign responded late Wednesday that Kemps state office had not shared with the public or with the Abrams campaign the detailed data behind his claims, instead asking Georgians to take him at his word.

The sitting secretary of state has declared himself the victory, said Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo. We dont accept or reject what he said. He needs to show proof.

The stand-off leaves open the possibility of litigation as Abrams campaign has spent the day pushing for the continued counting of absentee, mail-in and provisional ballots and renewing its concerns that Kemp remains the chief elections officer supervising his own election, a race already marked by disputes over the voting process.

With reported votes exceeding 3.9 million  almost 95 percent of Georgias 2016 presidential turnout  Kemp has just more than 50 percent.

Before the Kemp campaign declared victory Wednesday, Groh-Wargo estimated that about 15,000 votes separate Kemp from a runoff. She says at least that many outstanding absentee and mail-in ballots remained to be counted.

Kemps spokeswoman in the secretary of states office, Candice Broce, said that by Wednesday afternoon the number of uncounted absentee and mail-in ballots was less than 2,000  with her boss still above the 50 percent threshold.

Broce said about 22,000 provisional ballots have yet to be processed, according to a canvass of county officials across the state. Mahoney asserted that those numbers make it impossible for Abrams to pick up enough votes to deny Kemp an outright victory.

In 2016, with a slightly larger electorate, there were 16,739 provisional ballots. Of those, 7,592 were counted. State and campaign officials said they expected a much higher proportion to be counted this year.

Kemps office has not released a county-by-county breakdown of provisional ballots, but Abrams campaign said they believe they are concentrated in metro Atlanta counties where Abrams won a large share of the vote. Broce said Kemps office is working on releasing more detailed information.

If a runoff is necessary, the second round would take place Dec. 4, extending one of the marquee races of the November midterms as Abrams tries to become the first black woman elected governor in American history while Kemp looks to maintain the GOPs domination in a state evolving into a genuine two-party battleground.

Either way, Georgians are sure to see a new round of bitter recriminations over ballot access and voting rights that could leave some voters questioning the outcome of a contest both nominees have described as a battle for the soul of our state.

This is why we had a steady drumbeat for him to resign, Groh-Wargo said Wednesday, noting Abrams and others warnings about the potential for chaos in a tight election. Here we are, she said.

Kemp, 54, told his supporters early Wednesday that there are votes left to count, but we have a very strong lead.  The math is on our side to win this election.

His cushion for an outright majority later shrank after more ballots had been counted. So far, turnout exceeds the 2014 governors race by about 1.3 million votes.

Kemps office, meanwhile, deflected the criticisms.

Broce noted local elections authorities manage the voting process and ballot tabulation. Counties have not completed certification and we are still waiting for counties to provide their tabulations leading up to that certification, she said.

A nonprofit group, Protect Democracy, filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to keep Kemp from being involved in counting votes, certifying results or any runoff or recount. Broce called it a twelfth-hour stunt.

State law gives counties until next Tuesday to complete vote counts and certify results to state elections officials. The statewide certification must follow by Nov. 20.

The indefinite extension in Georgia focuses a white-hot spotlight on a race that already has drawn massive investments of time, money and star power  from President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama to media icon Oprah Winfrey.

The tight returns and potential runoff come after weeks of wrangling over Georgias election system and Kemps performance as its chief executive. Kemp has steadfastly defended his job performance and refused calls to step aside.

Abrams, 44, has called Kemp an architect of suppression, and voting rights activists expressed concerns throughout Tuesday amid reports of technical malfunctions and long lines at polling stations across the state.

The elections chief wasnt immune to the difficulties: When Kemp went to cast his own ballot, he had an issue with his voter card, but it was fixed quickly.

In the closing days, Kemp basked in Trumps glow, pulling out of a debate to attend a Sunday rally that drew thousands of boisterous Republicans to central Georgia to see Trump deplane from Air Force One.

Abrams answered with Obama and Winfrey.

Even if Abrams ultimately falls short, she has outperformed her fellow Democratic nominees from recent election cycles.

That validates her strategy of reaching out to nonwhite and younger voters who dont usually cast midterm ballots instead of Democrats previous focus on trying to convert older white voters whod long drifted toward Republicans.

Her success came at a cost, however, as unofficial returns showed Kemp expanding the GOPs advantage across rural and small-town Georgia.

___

Follow Barrow and Nadler on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP and https://twitter.com/benjaminrnadler .

___

For APs complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsThe Republican who challenged Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III conceded the race Wednesday.

Lou Golson, the challenger, lost by about 10 percentage points.

It is what it is, Golson said. Life goes on. And so am I.

Golson said he has no plans to run for office in the future.

Golson is a retired Albuquerque police officer who was shot in the line of duty in 2015. He campaigned on a promise to equip sheriffs deputies with on-body cameras, saying the devices increase transparency and accountability.

Gonzales has been reluctant to use the technology and said he has other priorities, including hiring more deputies and improving technology for the Sheriffs Office.

Gonzales said Tuesday night that he was committed to trying to drive down crime rates throughout the county.

Gonzales was appointed sheriff by the Bernalillo County Commission in 2009. He lost the position in 2010 before being elected in 2014.Democrat Stephen Fischmann is the unofficial winner in the Public Regulation Commissions southwest District 5.

Final results are still pending from the 120 precincts in Dona Ana County, where 8,000 absentee ballots were still being counted Wednesday afternoon, according to the county clerks office. But with final results in from all other counties, Fischmann was leading Republican Ben L. Hall by about 6,000 votes, or nearly 53 percent of the ballots districtwide.

In Dona Ana County, Fischmann led with nearly 60 percent of votes already counted, making it extremely difficult for Hall to flip the final outcome, said Brian Sanderoff, president of Research and Polling Inc. in Albuquerque.

We can safely say he (Fischmann) is the winner, Sanderoff said. Hes a Dona Ana County hometown former state legislator. I expect the margin between him and Hall to still widen a little more.

Fischmanns victory could have a significant impact on the five-member commission come January. Conservation Voters New Mexico and other environmental and consumer advocacy groups strongly backed him in both the primary in June, and in the campaign for Tuesdays election.

The group said Fischmanns victory could put control of the commission into the hands of a progressive regulatory bloc through alignment with Democratic commissioners Valerie Espinoza and Cynthia Hall, possibly leading to more renewable energy development in New Mexico.

Fischmann said he hoped to modernize the electric grid, significantly diversifying state energy sources beyond centralized fossil fuel plants.

I think there will be a lot of agreement among Espinoza, Hall and I that will enable us to make progress on commission decisions to catch up with 21st century technology, Fischmann told the Journal.

Still, the other two commissioners were cautious about a voting bloc.

We need to do whats in the best interests of the public while being fair and neutral to balance both utility and consumer interests, Espinoza said. Im pretty independent. I can work with any incoming commissioners, but Im not making any commitment to any kind of bloc or vote.

Hall said the current commission has already made significant strides in developing renewable energy in New Mexico, which she expects to continue come January.

Two other commissioners will also join the PRC next year. They include Republican Jefferson Byrd, who won in eastern district 2 on Tuesday to replace current Republican Commissioner Pat Lyons, and Democrat Theresa Becenti-Aguilar, who will replace Democrat Lynda Lovejoy in northwest District 4.WASHINGTON  Suddenly facing life under divided government, President Donald Trump and congressional leaders talked bipartisanship Wednesday but then bluntly previewed the fault lines to come. Trump threatened to go after House Democrats who try to investigate him, while Rep. Nancy Pelosi said her party would be a check and balance against the White House.

The day after midterm elections reset Washington, Trump took a victory lap at a raucous news conference, celebrating Republican Senate wins but distancing himself from the GOPs loss of the House. He said he was interested in working with House Democrats but was ready to respond if he felt he was being ill-treated.

As long as Republicans have controlled both houses of Congress, Democrats have been hampered in pursuing any significant probes of Trump and his administration, and he made it clear he expects the Senate to follow that course.

They can play that game, he said of possible House Democratic investigations, but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate.

On Capitol Hill, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said Democrats must decide how much harassment they want to pursue against Trump, while suggesting there could be limited opportunities to work across the aisle. And Pelosi, who is expected to run for a second stint as speaker when Democrats take the House majority in January, said the party has a responsibility to seek common ground where we can. But she added, Where we cannot, we must stand our ground.

After midterm elections that served as a referendum on Trumps divisive presidency, Congress and the White House reckoned Wednesday with expected Republican gains in the Senate and a Democratic flip of the House. The early positioning provided the first glimpse of how all parties will balance calls for bipartisanship with an appetite for anger going into the next two years.

By turns combative and conciliatory, Trump said Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together. On legislative prospects, Trump said he could potentially work with Democrats on issues such as taxes, infrastructure and health care, saying it really could be a beautiful, bipartisan type of situation.

And Pelosi, during a news conference that was delayed because of Trumps lengthy remarks, said she had worked productively with President George W. Bush when she was speaker a decade ago on taxes and other issues, and she welcomed the chance to do so again with Trump.

Wed like to work together so our legislation will be bipartisan, she said.

Still, Pelosi said Democrats werent elected to be a rubber stamp for Trump.

Some House Democrats have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions. But, he warned, he will respond in kind and government will suffer.

Plus, he said, Democrats have nothing, zero, on him. Of the special counsels Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration for more than 18 months, Trump said, I could end it right now but I let it go on.

Shortly thereafter, however, it was announced that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had been forced out. His departure followed 18 months of criticism and insults from Trump, who had appointed him but objected to Sessions stepping aside from the Russia probe rather than guiding. It.

On the potential for House investigations, Pelosi said Democrats will have a responsibility for oversight when they take charge in January and she will leave final decisions to committees. She wouldnt answer a question about whether Democrats will seek Trumps tax filings, but said committee requests for documents and hearings wont be scattershot.

Democrats are expected to investigate Trumps business dealings, his Cabinets conduct and his campaigns possible ties to Russia, among other issues.

Well know what we are doing and well do it right, she said.

Pelosi spoke with Trump and McConnell after the Democrats victory. McConnell said Wednesday that the two had discussed how they might find a way forward in a divided Congress.

He and Pelosi, the Kentucky senator said, are not unfamiliar with one another as longtime leaders and colleagues.

As for congressional action the rest of this year, he said he could not imagine taking up immigration and acknowledged that the Democratic House and Republican Senate were likely to go their separate ways when it comes to the legislative agenda

Areas for legislative agreement will be more limited, he said.

The one issue that Leader Pelosi and I discussed this morning where there could be a possible bipartisan agreement would be something on infrastructure, but there could be a lot of other things, he said.

McConnell also echoed Trumps warnings on investigations, saying: The Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is good strategy.

___

AP writer Eric Tucker contributed.Time to get out the sweaters and jackets.

A cold front expected to arrive late today into Friday will bring lower temperatures to north and central New Mexico and an increased chance for wintry precipitation in the eastern part of the state, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

Light precipitation in the form of rain, snow, drizzle and freezing drizzle is possible across the eastern plains today into Friday. The combination of low visibility and icy roadways will create difficult travel conditions across eastern New Mexico tonight and Friday morning.

The front will move through Albuquerque during the day and will be moving in from the northwest, said Clay Anderson, a meteorologist with the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service. Youll notice the cooler and drier conditions beginning late day (today). It will be noticeable because well have a lot of winds to contend with during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

He said winds in the Albuquerque area will increase between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. today.

After a high near 60 degrees today in the Albuquerque area, temperatures will fall to around freezing tonight and rise only into the low 50s under sunny skies on Friday. Expect sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-50s Friday and Saturday.

In addition, a very dry cold front will bring a sharp drop in temperatures to western New Mexico.

A long-duration hard freeze is likely for areas along and west of the Continental Divide, as well as across the northern mountains, where lows Friday morning will range from the single digits in the Moreno Valley to the teens elsewhere.

Residents and travelers throughout eastern New Mexico should remain alert to these weather conditions and be prepared for low to modest accumulations of wintry precipitation, especially during the night.

Another cold front is forecast to move into the eastern plains on Sunday, bringing cooler air and another chance for light precipitation.

Normal October

October produced temperatures close to normal statewide, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures were a little below average in the far west and east and above average in central areas.

Precipitation was near average in the west, above normal in the central part of the state and well above normal in the east. October in Albuquerque, Clayton and Roswell was among the 15 wettest on record.

The Albuquerque International Sunport received 1.99 inches of precipitation during the month, compared with an average of 1.02 inches, or 0.97 inches above average. This was the 14th-wettest October on record.

The average temperature for Albuquerque in October was 57 degrees, 0.5 degree below the normal of 57.5 degrees.

The average maximum temperature for the month was 66.8 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the normal average maximum temperature of 69.

The average minimum temperature for the month was 47.1 degrees, compared with the normal average minimum of 46.1 degrees.The polling place at the South Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department in western Pennsylvania opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

About an hour later, Christopher Queen walked through the doors.

Poll workers knew who Queen was; he grew up in the area and has family that live nearby, but when he tried to vote, Pennsylvania State Trooper Robert Broadwater said they had to tell him he couldn't, because he wasn't registered to vote there.

Officials said Queen, 48, became angry and said he was "going to get a gun, then return and 'shoot up' this polling station." The threat was heard by numerous poll workers, frightening them and causing "public inconvenience, annoyance, and ... alarm," according to a report from Pennsylvania State Police.

Queen quickly left the scene, but was later taken into custody without incident a few miles away from the polling location, the police report said.

"It's believed that [Queen] has some mental health issues," Broadwater said.

Queen was arraigned Tuesday on charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. He remains in custody, unable to post bail of $10,000, according to court documents. It is not yet known whether Queen has retained an attorney.

Queen has a criminal history that includes charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment, according to court records. He is due back in court on November 19.MERCED, Calif. - The office of Assemblywoman Anna Caballero was burglarized the day before elections.

Caballero is running for State Senate in the 2018 Midterm Elections.

Representatives from her campaign said that computers containing voter contact information, precinct maps, scheduling details and thousands of door hangers were stolen.

They also say that it was coordinated to limit contact with voters on election day.

"It's pretty clear that whoever did this intentionally is trying to limit our contact with our voters," said Ken Smith, coordinator for Caballero's campaign. "This was done by somebody who knew what they were doing. This was not a robbery, it was a political, dirty trick."

Caballero was elected to the state assembly in 2006 and re-elected in 2016.

As of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Caballero has 50.5 percent of votes for State Senate while Poythress has 49.5 percent.SAN DIEGO, Calif. - California Governor Candidate John Cox released a statement conceding the election to Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.

Read his full statement below:

Thank you to each and every one of my supporters for their hard work these past days, weeks and months. Thank you to my family, and especially my wonderful wife Sarah, who has been an anchor in what, at times, were very rough seas.

I spoke with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom a few minutes ago to wish him and his lovely family well. I also offered him my most sincere congratulations.

I could not be more proud of the race that we ran. We focused on the issues that people really care about -- affordability, the high cost of food and gas, failing and unsafe schools, and homelessness and a lack of affordable housing.

This is the future - its the future of our Republican Party here in California and we MUST continue to be the voice that holds the political class accountable.

I am proud that we also gained the support of many Independent voters and even some Democrats. I also want to thank those voters for their support and say that I pray that our new governor and our legislature acknowledge those voters and not treat this result lightly.

There are a lot of people in this state who are hurting and while we didnt win, Im convinced those are people whose voices need to be heard. I hope our state leaders take this result to heart. Business, as usual, cant remain in place.

Its also clear that millions of Californians know that our special interest fueled system isnt working - and substantial change is needed.

When the sun comes up tomorrow - and it always does in California, we will greet it with hope, and with optimism because, if we continue to believe we can make a difference, there really can be a shining city on a hill.







You're invited to meet the authors of this important book from Skyhorse Publishing called HPV Vaccine on Trial this Thursday, in Rye New York.

A Groundbreaking Expose to the HPV Vaccine and the Science, Safety, and Business Behind It



Cancer strikes fear in peoples hearts around globe. So the appearance of a vaccine to prevent canceras we are assured the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine willseemed like a game-changer. Since 2006, over eighty countries have approved the vaccine, with glowing endorsements from the worlds foremost medical authorities. Bringing in over $2.5 billion in annual sales, the HPV vaccine is a pharmaceutical juggernaut. Yet scandal now engulfs it worldwide.



The HPV Vaccine on Trial is a shocking tale, chronicling the global efforts to sell and compel this alleged miracle. The book opens with the vaccines invention, winds through its regulatory labyrinths, details the crushing denial and dismissal of reported harms and deaths, and uncovers the enormous profits pharma and inventors have reaped. Authors Holland, Mack Rosenberg, and Iorio drill down into the clinical trial data, government approvals, advertising, and personal accounts of egregious injuries that have followed in countries as far-flung as Japan, Australia, Colombia, India, Ireland, the U.K. and Denmark. The authors have written an unprecedented expose about this vaunted vaccine.



Written in plain language, the book is for everyone concerned  parents, patients, doctors, nurses, scientists, healthcare organizations, government officials, and schools. Ultimately, this book is not just about the HPV vaccine, but about how industry, government, and medical authorities may be putting the worlds children in harms way.Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

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Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.How a referendum in Turkey tore apart a village and a family

The warning signs were evident long before the residents of Yabanardi began lining up to cast their ballots at the hilltop villages tin-roofed school. After a particularly nasty political campaign, each side was convinced that no less than the future of the Turkish republic hung in the balance. Many suspected that the opposition  their friends, neighbors and relatives in a village of barely a couple hundred people  were ready to steal the vote. When I arrived at the school there were eight or 10 armed people waiting, the mayor, Hidir Yildiz, recalled in an interview with Al-Monitor.

A stocky man with a thick, gray mustache, the mayor is a staunch supporter of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party, or AKP. On that fateful April 16, 2017, the mayor stood firmly behind Erdogans referendum push to consolidate his power. Ive voted for Erdogan ever since he came to power. My supporters vote for him, too, the mayor said. Right now, the only solution to Turkeys problems lies with the AKP.

Yabanardi mayor Hidir Yildiz sits

in his home. Murat Can Bilgincan

for Al-Monitor

Those were fighting words for other members of the Yildiz family. The leader of the no camp in Yabanardi was the mayors older brother, Abdurrezzak Yildiz, whose partisans avidly support the countrys largest Kurdish party. They felt the government had only stepped up its repression of the minority group following the failed coup attempt against the president in July 2016.

As the hamlets residents made their way to the school, both factions set up camp inside the classroom housing ballot box 1115, the only one for the entire village. Hidir Yildiz insists that voters felt intimidated by his brothers supporters. Alarmed, he called the local military garrison. Several soldiers arrived 20 minutes later. Because of the fear they are causing, the villagers are not coming out to vote, the mayor told their commander. We cannot live like this. Abdurrezzak Yildizs family denied the mayors allegations that they posed any sort of threat. Apparently convinced, the soldiers refused to intervene, according to the mayor.

A few hours later, Abdurrezzak Yildizs daughter  who is also the mayors daughter-in-law  arrived at the polling station. The moment Havva Yildiz attempted to cast her vote was the beginning of the familys undoing. As she extended her arm to drop her ballot, the mayor intervened. She had folded the envelope, the mayor recalled. I told her to unfold it and drop it in the box that way so that it would fit.

Alarmed, Havva Yildiz screamed and slapped her father-in-law with both hands, he recalled. The mayor blames a misunderstanding. But a mobile phone video that appeared on the Internet months later shows that the envelope was not folded, lending credence to accusations that he was trying to see how she had voted. Almost immediately, a fight broke out among family members. As concerned villagers removed Abdurrezzak Yildizs entourage, the mayor bolted the schools metal door from the inside.

What happened next is under dispute.

Ozlem Yildiz said she heard screams. She remembers sprinting to find her husband, Mehmet Yildiz, the mayors son, about to be lynched among the schoolyards thorny bushes. I threw myself over him so that they couldnt beat him up, she told Al-Monitor. As I was about to pull him away from the mob, I suddenly heard gunshots.Mehmet Yildiz had fatally wounded his uncle Abdurrezzak and his cousin, Seyhmus  Abdurrezzak's son.

Shooting victim Seyhmus Yildiz Facebook/Seyhmus Yildiz

Two witnesses who did not want to be identified challenged Ozlem Yildizs account in an interview with Al-Monitor. Mehmet Yildiz, they said, entered the schoolyard with a gun hidden under his vest. He started shooting without provocation, they said, and was attacked in retaliation. Did Mehmet take the gun from them? Did it fall from someones waist? Did Mehmet own it? Im not sure how it happened, his father said.

One thing, however, seems clear: The poisonous political climate in the village had played a part in the Yildiz familys bloody unraveling, which would claim one more life before days end. During Mehmet Yildiz's initial deposition, a gendarmerie commander asked him to explain his actions. I shot them for the state, he answered, according to court documents. I know Ill serve prison time.

Longtime grievances among the Yildiz family were an open secret in Yabanardi, a relatively lush piece of grazing land two hours west of Diyarbakir in Kurdish-heavy southeastern Turkey. The mayor and his brother did not get along, according to family members on both sides of the divide. Their arguments were personal as well as political.

As Yabanardis elected head, or mukhtar, Hidir Yildiz serves as the local power-broker and liaison to Ankara for the hardscrabble village of about 40 stone and concrete homes. While most villagers rely on remittances from younger relatives who have migrated to Germany or large Turkish cities, the mukhtar enjoys additional income from the state, which has the power to suspend him. In Yabanardi, Hidir Yildizs status is further highlighted by his imposing home at the end of the single dirt road that cleaves the town down the middle.

In small villages with a very strict hierarchical structure, incidents like this have always broken out in election times, said Ilter Turan, an emeritus professor of political science at Istanbul Bilgi University. Such incidents are not particular to this referendum, said Turan, though he added that the nationwide number of violent incidents linked to the April 2017 vote was actually rather low.

In Yabanardi, however, the heightened tensions and acerbic rhetoric surrounding Erdogans policies exacerbated family divisions to the breaking point.

The Yildiz family belongs to a Kurdish minority known as the Zaza, whose language differs from the more commonly spoken Kurmanji Kurdish. The Turkish governments renewed crackdown on the Kurds following the breakdown of peace talks in 2015 outraged many Zazas, including Abdurrezzak Yildizs side of the family. With the resumption of hostilities between the military and the terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the declaration of a state of emergency following the July 2016 coup attempt, the overbearing influx of soldiers and police was particularly noticeable in Turkeys southeast.

Three months after the failed coup, Erdogan announced plans to hold a referendum on his longtime vision to replace Turkeys nearly century-old system of parliamentary democracy with one that gave the president more power. The package of 18 proposed constitutional changes included eliminating the post of prime minister, giving the president more power to appoint top judges and increasing the number of seats in parliament.

The following month, Ankara expanded its war against the PKK to the countrys main pro-Kurdish party, the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP). As Yabanardi headed to the polls, the partys Zaza co-chairman, Selahattin Demirtas, remained in prison on terrorism charges, along with several of the partys members of parliament. For HDP supporters such as Abdurrezzak Yildiz and his son Seyhmus, it had become impossible to vote yes on a proposal to hand Erdogan yet more power.

That political backdrop and the history of violence between the state and the PKK dating back decades make Turkeys Kurdish heartland fertile ground for political violence, according to criminal sociologist Can Kozanoglu. Southeastern Turkey is the region of the country where the highest levels of social tensions have been endured for the longest amount of time, Kozanoglu told Al-Monitor. If someone in her neighborhood draws a gun, the child of a middle-class family in Istanbul could be traumatized, but for a kid who lives in a southeastern village, his parents sleeping with a Kalashnikov by the wall is just normal.

Even for children who grew up around guns, seeing the bleeding bodies in the school courtyard was deeply traumatizing. I was shocked to see my great uncle Abdurrezzak dying on the ground, 13-year-old Dilek Yildiz, the daughter of murder suspect Mehmet Yildiz, recalled in an interview. Everybody started to cry, because the deceased were our close relatives.

The village was to witness one more death on Referendum Day. As Idris Yildiz prepared to take his mortally wounded relative Seyhmus Yildiz to the hospital, his vehicle came under machine-gun fire. Idris Yildiz was killed. One of Seyhmus Yildiz's own brothers, Mehmet Emin Yildiz, is a suspect in the ongoing investigation into that shooting, according to a defense lawyer for Abdurrezzak's side of the family, Mehmet Emin Aktar. Mehmet Emin Yildiz may have mistakenly thought that the murderer was trying to escape the scene of the school shooting.

As chaos engulfed Yabanardi, the army took charge. Soldiers from the local garrison took the suspect, Mehmet Yildiz, to the hospital. Their commander decided to stay in the village to prevent further violence. That night the sounds of military radio echoed in the valley below.

Police investigators found Mehmet Yildizs black pistol and determined that it had fired the fatal shots. They also discovered gunpowder residue on his clothes. He was arrested on April 20, 2017, and has been behind bars ever since.

During his trial, Mehmet Yildiz pleaded not guilty. But after spending six months in jail, he wrote a letter to the then-prime minister of the AKP government, Binali Yildirim, doubling down on his political convictions, a Turkish news agency reported. "If paying our dues for having believed in you both with our hearts and minds is our destiny," he reportedly wrote, "I want you to know that I am ready to pay without any hesitation."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses supporters in Izmir, Turkey, during an April 9, 2017, rally for the referendum taking place a week later. Reuters/Umit Bektas

For Murat Paker, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Istanbul Bilgi University, political polarization appears to have opened up a new venue within the Yildiz family to seek revenge for previous scuffles. In this family, the yes voters probably thought that they were strong and that the government was behind them, Paker told Al-Monitor. They had been hearing on TV that no voters were traitors and they might have thought that the time had come to face off.

With sitting politicians acting like the rightful owners of the state, Paker said, its only a matter of time before each side begins to see their opponents as a threat to be countered by any means necessary. Shades of gray usually dominate social discourse, he said. However, if polarization increases, people begin to see the opposition as the enemy and the shades of gray start to disappear into blacks and whites. Once we are inside this vicious cycle, violence is imminent.

Recent Turkish history bears out that explanation. A 2016 poll by the German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, found that 74% of Turkish respondents did not want their children to play with children whose parents voted for an opposing party. And professor Oguz Isik of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara has shown that Turkeys main opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), has coexisted alongside the governing AKP within voting districts at a rapidly decreasing rate since the current government came to power in 2002.

A 2016 poll by the German Marshall Fund found that 74% of Turkish respondents did not want their children to play with children whose parents voted for an opposing party.

Despite the recent trends, The polarization of Turkish society is not a product of the past 15 years, said Bilgi Universitys Turan. A political split has always existed between modernists and traditionalists who opposed the hard-line secularism pursued in the early days of the Turkish republic, he added. But with the rise to power of the Islamist-minded Erdogan, that fault line has deepened.

Polarization became more manifest when changing the system became a possibility, Turan told Al-Monitor. The modernists dominated the system all the way until the end of the millennium, and only with this government did change become possible.

Paker, the psychologist, thinks the government shares some responsibility for what happened in Yabanardi. If a political leader believes that polarization is in his interest, he starts to belittle his opponents, which increases polarization and the risk of violence, he said.

Polarization is a policy choice by the government, added Turan. Leading up to the referendum, What the opposition argued was that the president wanted the removal of all checks and balances. The government [in turn] argued that the [Kurdish] HDP party was an extension of the Kurdish terrorist organization, the PKK.

Mehmet Yildizs wife, Ozlem, for one, is upfront about the fact that she did not know what she was voting for on the fateful day that tore her family apart. For me, the referendum wasnt important, she said. Im a housewife, and I didnt think [it] would make a difference in my life. She ended up voting yes because, she said, she loves Erdogan.

Now shes left to ponder the consequences of such convictions. The opposing faction is my family too, she said. My pain is unbearable due to what happened to both sides. Her eldest daughter, Dilek, makes the most mature assessment. Three people died for one vote, she told Al-Monitor. I dont think it was worth it at all.

Two months after Mehmet Yildizs arrest, Dileks younger sister Aysegul received her report card for the school year. Her teacher had placed two heart-shaped stickers on it. She brought it straight to her mother, who was sitting on the floor of their sparsely furnished living room. After taking her place on her mother's lap, the 9-year-old gently guided her mother through the grades. Teachers Evaluation of Pupil: She is extremely successful and attentive in her classes, Aysegul read aloud with great pride.

Aysegul Yildiz studies in her grandmother's house. Murat Can Bilgincan for Al-Monitor

What would you like as a report card present? her mother asked. Strawberry jam, Aysegul responded without any hesitation. That is how her father used to reward her after taking a look at her report card.

In the weeks that followed Referendum Day, Ozlem Yildiz did her best to shield her five children from the painful reality. Ive been trying to erase that thing from their brains, she said. She told Aysegul that her father had gone to Istanbul for work. But the precocious child wasnt convinced. She knew her sister Dilek had seen dead men in the village schools yard. And violence had also visited them at home.

While farming is no longer an important part of village life, much of Ozlem Yildizs daily routine is still spent caring for the familys cows and making cheese with their milk. On the same day as the shooting, she told Al-Monitor, someone set fire to the barn. She suspects Abdurrezzak Yildizs side of the family. I had bought small chicks, Ozlem Yildiz said. They slit the throats of those chicks. It was cruelty.

Local custom would normally have required the murderers family to leave the village, to prevent further bloodshed while punishing the guilty party. But the situation in Yabanardi was complicated. The prime suspect is the powerful mayors son. And many believe that someone from the victims side of the family is responsible for killing their cousin Idris Yildiz, the third villager who died on the day of the referendum.

Negotiators came up with a solution against tradition. They talked the mayor into buying the rival factions fields and property. They also convinced the immediate family of the deceased to immigrate to Izmir, a coastal city almost 1,000 miles from the village. The end result: even less contact between opposing political tribes.

Ozlem Yildiz works in her barn. Murat Can Bilgincan for Al-Monitor

Today Turkish towns are divided by party affiliation, professor Isik has argued. Supporters of different parties live in a way such that there is minimum contact between different groups. Yugoslavia, he points out, could not endure such intense polarization and violently broke apart in the early 1990s.

A year and a half after the April 2017 massacre, the days events continue to reverberate across Yabanardi. The mayor, Hidir Yildiz, was cleared of accusations that he abetted murder. But hes still paranoid the intra-family blood feud could cost him his life. As he took a casual stroll around the golden wheat fields that used to belong to his older brother, two bodyguards with Kalashnikovs followed him. He keeps a pistol at his side, and has a difficult time falling asleep.

Some think family reconciliation is still possible. At the end of the day, theyre all relatives, Ozlem Yildiz said. Hidir Yildiz agreed that peace is on the horizon: If not today, then tomorrow, he said. If not tomorrow, then the day after. Asked about the mayors comments, one of Abdurrezzak Yildizs children exiled in Izmir simply smirked.

On Referendum Day, Yabanardi failed the test of democracy. However, voters did make a clear political decision. In the village, the referendum was approved by a vote of 52 to 23. Despite the high turnout registered nationwide, 88 villagers kept their distance from ballot box 1115.

With the yes vote prevailing by less than 3% nationwide, Turkey was transformed into an executive presidency. As Erdogan declared victory, his supporters were demanding the reintroduction of the death penalty for terrorists. Many experts predict a further erosion of constitutional liberties as the countrys already fragile checks and balances weaken further. The European Commission for Democracy through Law describes Turkeys new regime as lacking the necessary checks and balances required to safeguard against becoming an authoritarian one.

Three people died for one vote, Ozlems eldest daughter, Dilek, told Al-Monitor. I dont think it was worth it at all.

Following his referendum victory, Erdogan has continued to denounce the opposition as enemies of the people. Campaigning for a second five-year term in his fathers hometown of Rize in June, the president linked the main bloc of opposition candidates to Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Turkish cleric accused of masterminding the failed July 15, 2016, coup. On the one hand, you have the alliance of destruction that was founded in Pennsylvania, Erdogan told his supporters. On the other you have the alliance of the people that was established in public squares in the night of July 15.

The day after Erdogans remarks, supporters of the pro-Kurdish HDP faced off with AKP parliamentarian Ibrahim Halil Yildiz in the southeastern town of Suruc. As the lawmaker shook hands with shopkeepers and asked for their support in that months elections, one shopkeeper vocally denied his request, according to witnesses interviewed by the BBC. A bloody fight broke out. Shopkeeper Celal Senyasar died alongside his brother and father. The AKP parliamentarians brother was also killed.

Mayor Hidir Yildiz walks in the fields surrounding Yabanardi with his bodyguards. Murat Can Bilgincan for Al-Monitor

Mehmet Yildiz has now spent more than a year in jail. His wife talks to him on the phone, but does not visit. Ozlem Yildiz feels that it would be too overwhelming to see him behind bars. I want to see him very much, their daughter Aysegul told Al-Monitor. I want to kiss him; I want to wake him up. But her mother is opposed. Shes worried about what the experience could do to her sensitive child.

Aysegul started speaking at the age of 2. However, when she turned 3, she stopped. Her mother took her to as many doctors as she could find. They said the little girl was very sensitive and that psychological stress could affect her speech. At the age of 7, she started to speak again, but she still talks like a 5-year-old with an expanded vocabulary. What if this trauma affects Ayseguls speech again? her mother asked.

Paker, the clinical psychologist, said it may be impossible to spare the children from the events they experienced. The most fundamental effect could be the childrens loss of their sense of security and trust, he told Al-Monitor. This lack of trust could bring about major challenges.

A month and a half after his arrest, Mehmet Yildiz called Aysegul from jail. She was sitting on her grandmothers terrace playing with a yellow stuffed turtle when one of her uncles passed her a bulky smartphone. Shaking with excitement, she grabbed the ringing phone with both her tiny hands. The moment she heard her fathers voice, her face broke into a wide smile. During the upcoming religious festival, come and visit me with your mom, Mehmet Yildiz said. I was going to come anyway, Aysegul responded as she squeezed her turtle under her arm.

Despite their mothers protests, 22 days later, Aysegul and Dilek Yildiz visited their father. Their grandmother took them to Diyarbakir Prison. On the way, the girls did not speak much. Aysegul began to throw up as they approached the city center.

Accused killer Mehmet Yildiz is

pictured with his daughter Dilek (L). Courtesy Yildiz family

When I first saw that place, I thought it was a large house, Dilek later recalled. There were a lot of trees. But then I saw a tank in front of the main entrance. The girls walked passed the armored police vehicle and spent over an hour with their father.

After the visit, Ayseguls mood changed completely. Her voice had not been so loud and joyful in months. However, there was a problem. They dont allow report cards inside at all, a disappointed Aysegul told Al-Monitor. I told him that my report card was great and that all of my siblings had passed their classes. She is certain her father would have bought her a large jar of strawberry jam  if only he could have.

On the tragedys anniversary, April 16, 2018, Mehmet Yildizs trial began. Tell your mother not to worry about me; one day I shall return, he had told Dilek in a previous prison visit. But if convicted, he may never come home.

Mehmet Yildizs cousin Seyhmus Yildiz also had children around the same age as Dilek and Aysegul. Unlike the two girls, Seyhmus Yildiz's children will never see their father again. At the fringe of the village, under concrete tombstones erected at each end of a coarse mixture of stone and red soil, he and their grandfather lie side by side.

Davis Projects for Peace provided financial support for this story.Egypt is eying closer cooperation with African nations by pursuing new investment opportunities in them for Egyptian investors. The African continent, rich in human and natural resources, is currently experiencing extensive economic activity and a flow of large investments from numerous countries. Despite this uptick, concerns involving security and financial risks remain, keeping some investors at bay. To assuage such concerns, the Egyptian government plans to establish an investment risk insurance fund to protect those willing to put more money into the continent.

On Oct. 22, in a meeting with parliaments African Affairs Committee, Investment and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr highlighted the governments keenness to engage on the challenges that must be overcome to strengthen relations with other African countries and to boost investment in them. She asserted that a risk insurance fund would stimulate Egyptian investment in Africa, and members of parliament and economists hailed the prospect.

It is a new step by the Egyptian government on the path of economic development in order to join the economies of the major countries, which require protection of investors from the risks hindering their investment projects on the African continent, MP Hesham Magdi, a member of the African Affairs Committee, told Al-Monitor. The political leadership is keen to cooperate with African countries in all areas, especially given that these countries are rich in natural [resources] potential. Thus there is a need to establish such a fund to stimulate young Egyptian investors to delve deeper into Africa and invest there to guarantee a safe environment for them.

Magdi added that the fund would cover many of the risks that investors might face, such as natural disasters and security disturbances.

Jamal al-Bayoumi, secretary-general of the Arab Investors Union, told Al-Monitor, The step of establishing an investment risk insurance fund is required and important for Egypt in light of the improvement in its economic situation and the growth of its investments at home and abroad. Countries with large investments abroad have this fund.

In October, Moody's Investors Service upgraded its outlook for Egypt's banking system from stable to positive, noting improvement in the operating environment due to structural reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund appearing to put Egypt on a path to sustainable and comprehenive growth. AhramOnline quoted Moody's Assistant Vice President Melina Skouridou as saying, Increased domestic private sector investment, large infrastructure projects, as well as higher exports will drive economic growth and credit demand.

Bayoumi said there are promising opportunities in the African construction sector for investors and further remarked, Investing in Africa has two positive aspects. The first is economic, and the second provides Egypt with the soft power of presence and compatibility in these countries.

Heba Salama, head of the Regional Investment Agency (RIA) of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), is reported as having told the African Business Magazine that in 2017 Egypt led COMESA's 21 members in direct foreign investment in Africa, with $7.4 billion, or 42% of members' total investment. Founded in 1994, COMESA is a free trade area stretching from Tunisia to Swaziland. Egypt joined it in 1998.

Salama said that trade between Egypt and other African countries in 2016 totaled $5.4 billion, consisting of $2.9 billion in exports and $2.5 billion in imports. Egyptian exports included plastics, aromatic oils, sugar and sugar confectionery, machinery, electrical equipment and spare parts, natural or artificial pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, mineral fuels, oils and distillates, and vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, MP Passant Fahmy, a member of the Economic Committee, noted that Africa has been growing rapidly, making it one of the largest and most promising markets and one with a potentially great future. She is a proponent of establishing an investment risk fund. Such a fund will raise the appetite of many Egyptian investors to be there, because it will greatly ameliorate their fears, she told Al-Monitor.

On Oct. 30, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took part in an Africa investment summit held in Berlin at the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel. The event, attended by 11 African leaders, aimed at identifying ways of turning Africa into an attractive hub for investment. The meeting was a part of the Compact with Africa, an initiative that Merkel launched in 2017 to strengthen private investment in Africa.

Egypt is among the 11 African states that have joined the initiative thus far. The others are Benin, Cote dIvoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia. During the Berlin meeting, Merkel encouraged German companies to explore Africa's economic opportunities, in part because economic development there could help stem undocumented migration to Europe, an issue that has generated political and societal turmoil in Germany.

Since 2015, Germany has taken in more than 1 million migrants from troubled states, such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands have also arrived from African countries, including North Africa, as economic migrants and refugees. For many years we have been very focused on Asia, Merkel said. I think that in [the] future, we should turn our sights more on Africa.

Fahmy remarked, The [Egyptian] presidents participation is regarded as an affirmation of the level of importance Egypt attaches to furthering cooperation between African countries and the countries of the G-20 in different developmental fields. She also noted the added importance of Egypts one-year chairmanship of the African Union in 2019, during which time Egypt will try to increase cooperation and draw closer to African states.

During Dec. 8-9, Sharm el-Sheikh will host the government-sponsored Africa 2018: Business for Africa and the World, a business-to-business and government-to-business forum. The event is being organized by the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, with input by RIA, to develop intra-African investment and promote greater economic integration through increased investment flows into Africa in all sectors."In one sentence, were not pinning any hopes on [the US congressional midterm elections] or the 2020 [US presidential elections]," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in an interview with USA Today one day before the US midterm elections. "What distinguishes Iran from some US clients in the region is that we have survived not only in spite of the US but against [the] US." The comment probably wouldnt mean that Iran's top diplomat and his team of experts were not closely monitoring the results, which showed a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives was just in the making.

Whether a victory for US Democrats makes a real difference for the Islamic Republic is a divisive question. Under the country's official line and rhetoric, the answer is 'no'. But amid the high pressure US President Donald Trump is exerting on Iran, many are still crossing their fingers that a Democratic win could pull his brakes and moderate his anti-Iran policies.

"The best outcome is about creating balance in the US [foreign policy]. When they [administration and Congress] are from the same party, they will not find anything negotiable with us," read a post on Twitter, only to be challenged by another that read, "Lets be realistic. We can't get anywhere as long as we expect change from beyond our borders." The same was echoed but with a harsher tone by another Iranian who considered as "a bunch of idiots" those who would "see a Democratic win any different from a Republican one."

Tasnim News Agency, an outlet reflecting the views of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, wrote about how the Democrats could advance their agenda in a House under their control by, for instance, "blocking [Trump's] Mexico border wall project." It, however, made no mention of where Iran would stand in US foreign policy should a victory by Democrats turn into a reality.

Earlier, Iran, the paper that represents President Hassan Rouhani's administration, expressed doubt that a Democratic takeover could return Washington to the Iran nuclear deal but speculated about whether it could ease Trump's Iran stance.

"The point is that Democrats and Republicans are not much at odds over Iran," according to Tehran University professor Mohammad Marandi. "The US policy toward Iran is hostile in essence. It is the president who decides [on this and] not Congress."

While the old-time, stereotypical "birds of the same feather" description continues to dominate the perception many Iranian officials and citizens hold about Democrats and Republicans, some still bring up the counterargument that the country's landmark nuclear deal was struck during the tenure of a Democratic administration only to be scrapped by a Republican president.Denmarks arrest of a Norwegian national of Iranian descent on suspicion of helping prepare assassinations of Iranian Arab separatists has put the administration of President Hassan Rouhani under pressure at a time when it is reeling from US sanctions both at home and abroad. Of note, the Trump administration has over the past year urged Europe to adopt a tougher position on Iran, referring to Iranian terrorism on European soil.

Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) chief Finn Borch Andersen on Oct. 30 announced that the Norwegian national had engaged in intelligence collection to target the exiled leader of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), pointing the finger at an Iranian intelligence agency.

ASMLA is an Arab Iranian separatist group that has been linked to violence in Irans southwestern province of Khuzestan. Most recently, a spokesman for the Denmark-based group claimed responsibility for a Sept. 23 attack on a military parade in the provincial capital of Ahvaz that left over two dozen Iranians dead. In response, Iran summoned the British, Dutch and Danish envoys and called on Denmark and the Netherlands to extradite Iranian nationals on their soil who Iranian officials claimed were responsible for the attack. After the Iranian protestations, the Denmark-based group withdrew its claim of responsibility. Of note, Israeli media later reported that the Jewish states Mossad spy agency had assisted Denmarks PET with thwarting the alleged assassination attempt.

Iran has vehemently denied any connection to the alleged plot, calling it the result of a Mossad program to kill the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. Al-Monitor has learned from Iranian sources that while a call for the extradition of the Iranian Arab separatists was made, no formal extradition request was issued.

The Denmark plot comes in the wake of a separate alleged Iranian bomb scheme in France in June, targeting the annual gathering of the France-based Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq in a Paris suburb. French officials said the attack was foiled; as a result, a Belgian-Iranian couple was arrested and an Iranian diplomat posted in Austria was detained while on a trip to Germany. Iran has also firmly rejected any involvement in the French bomb plot, calling it a false flag ploy designed to sabotage Irans engagement with Europe to uphold the nuclear deal. Reports later confirmed that Israels Mossad spy agency alerted European authorities to the plot.

The alleged Iranian terror plots have raised multiple questions. The perhaps most important dimension is their timing, which is directly linked to the matter of who would stand to benefit from them the most. Here, the picture remains murky.

The Denmark plot was unveiled to the media Oct. 30. However, the arrest of the Norwegian suspect  which took place in Sweden  occurred Oct. 21. Moreover, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed in a Nov. 1 tweet that Israels Mossad spy agency had assisted in foiling the alleged plot on Oct. 29, the day before the PET chiefs press conference. Zarif also said the European Union had planned an Oct. 29 announcement on the long-awaited Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to sideline US sanctions.

Reports in recent weeks had indicated that the EU was planning to make the SPV announcement prior to the Nov. 5 reimposition of US nuclear-related sanctions, even though the implementation of the EU program would take months. To date, there has been no such announcement.

With reference to the bomb plot in France, Iran has pointed out that European authorities announced it to the media on the day of the arrival of President Hassan Rouhani in Austria for a state visit. Of note, the Austrian presidency in March 2016 announced that the Iranian president had canceled a scheduled visit at that time for security reasons. It is still unclear what those security reasons were.

It is also important to mention that on Oct. 2, almost three months after the alleged Paris plot, a French diplomatic source told news media, Behind all this was a long, meticulous and detailed investigation by our [intelligence] services that enabled us to reach the conclusion, without any doubt, that responsibility fell on the Iranian intelligence ministry. The source added that Saeid Hashemi Moghaddam, the Iranian deputy intelligence minister and the director general of intelligence, had ordered the attack and that the Austria-based Iranian diplomat had tried to implement it.

However, on Oct. 12, French President Emmanuel Macron walked back that claim, saying, As you know, Iran is sometimes divided into different factions and tensions, and so I cant say today whether the order came from the top or from this [security] service or that division. A senior French official separately told media that the plot was likely to have been hatched by hard-liners bent on undermining Rouhani.

While the idea of rogue operatives in Tehran engaging in terror plots to torpedo the engagement between Iran and the European Union does not appear far-fetched, the Islamic Republics handling of the nuclear dossier in past years  as well as the alleged entity involved in at least one of the plots  cast doubt on the rogue operative thesis.

While the head of the Intelligence Ministry is generally seen as an appointee of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the intelligence minister broadly answers to the president, not the supreme leader. This has particularly been the case under Rouhani.

Indeed, under Mahmoud Alavi, the Intelligence Ministry has repeatedly and publicly clashed with the parallel Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which does not answer to Rouhani. Most notably, the two spy agencies have clashed over some of the IRGC Intelligence Organizations detention of Iranian dual nationals. Here, the case of Abdulrasoul Dorri-Esfehani  a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team  particularly stands out. While the judiciary and the IRGC Intelligence Organization have referred to him as a spy, the Intelligence Ministry has remarkably publicly disputed such claims.

Thus, the idea that a deputy of Alavi ordered a plot to undermine Rouhani is difficult to conceive. If anything, the most likely rogue actor engaged in alleged terror plots in Europe would be the IRGCs Intelligence Organization. However, the latter assumption is also a problematic.

Iran has since 2013 exercised considerable discipline on matters related to the nuclear file. While factional sniping has been unrelenting with highly venomous hard-liner rhetoric and allegations aimed at both Rouhani and Zarif, in recent years there have been no rogue actions by the security services that could have been used to undermine dialogue with world powers, and Europe in particular.

For instance, the Nov. 19, 2013, bombing of the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon by Sunni jihadis, which left 23 people dead  including the Iranian cultural attache  came five days before the announcement of the interim Joint Plan of Action in Switzerland after unprecedented talks between Iran, the United States and five other world powers. Iran immediately blamed Israel. Yet there were no retaliatory attacks. Similarly, on Feb. 19, 2014, Sunni jihadis targeted the Iranian cultural center in Beirut, killing four people. The next day, Iran and six world powers announced in Austria that they had agreed on the framework of what would later become the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In that instance, there does not seem to have been any "rogue" responses either.

Perhaps most notably, in the aftermath of the Denmark plot, Iranian hard-liners have sought to hold Europe to its engagement with Iran rather than call for an end to it on account of European accusations against the Islamic Republic or indeed the harboring of figures accused of involvement in terror attacks in Iran. For instance, the hard-line Kayhan daily  whose editor is appointed by Khamenei  called the Denmark plot Europes plan to escape from fulfilling commitments [under the JCPOA].

The murky nature of these alleged plots appear to be well understood by both the French and Danish governments, who can be assumed to neither have any motivation to implicate Iran in false flag operations nor to give the Islamic Republic a free pass on terrorism  and especially on European soil. Indeed, in the case of Denmark, the authorities have, while calling for EU sanctions to be imposed, refrained from even expelling the Iranian ambassador. As such, to prevent any damage to its engagement with Europe, Iran ought to explain itself with evidence that it is not involved in the plots if that is indeed the case. Conversely, France and Denmark should make clear to Tehran what groups such as the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq and ASMLA are doing on European soil that could promote violence within Iran. Most of all, there is a need for both sides to compartmentalize their issues so as to avoid a situation in which a nuclear crisis is added to the plate.Iraq's new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has opted for the policy of his predecessor, Haider al-Abadi, by committing himself to the US sanctions on Iran. A few hours after he was sworn in, Abdul Mahdi stated Oct. 26 that when it comes to said sanctions, priority will be given to Iraqs interests and independence.

Nevertheless, Iraq is seemingly incapable of doing without Iran, given their close bilateral economic ties. For this reason only, Iraq demanded that the United States allow the country to continue to import vital Iranian gas and energy supplies and food products. Washington consented Nov. 2, provided that payments not be made in US dollars. Oil exports from the Kirkuk field, however, are excluded. Iraq's new Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban stressed that his country will review its current oil exports to Iran.

Sources at Iraqs Oil Ministry indicated Oct. 26 that in the second half of November, Iraq will stop transporting its crude oil from the Kirkuk oilfields to Iran in conformity with the US sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, spokesman for the Oil Ministry Asim Jihad indicated that complying with the sanctions imposed on Iran will be less detrimental for the Iraqi economy. This is following the rise in Iraqs oil exports, which exceeded 3 million barrels per day from the southern ports of Basra province in October 2018 and made more than $8 million in revenues.

In parallel to such a significant surge in oil exports, the Iranian exports, estimated at less than 30,000 barrels per day, are not that much. Hence, the boycott would be of little impact on oil revenues, he added.

Hamza al-Jawahiri, an oil expert for the Oil Ministry, told Al-Monitor that not complying with sanctions will have political consequences. First and foremost, Iraq depends on Iran in the power sector. When sanctions enter into force, [Iraq] will lose 5,000 megawatts of power, which it cannot make up for elsewhere. This will cause popular uproar, political instability and insecurity, which were [previously] reflected in the protests in the southern and other parts of the country.

On the other hand, Jawahiri believes that regardless of how hard the situation is, Iraq is required to comply with sanctions, which were adopted under Chapter 7 [of the United Nations Charter]. Not complying with the sanctions would cause a big problem, namely confiscating Iraqi funds, and will subsequently perturb bilateral ties.

Political analyst, researcher and secretary of the Iraq Media Observatory Mahmoud al-Hashimi said that Irans allies, be they political forces or the factions that battled against the Islamic State [IS] organization, are against harming ties with the neighboring country.

Based on that, he expressed his view that remarks about Iraq complying with the sanctions, including boycotting the oil sector, are promotional statements made for political reasons.

Hashimi expected that any rupture of oil ties with Iran will fail. This is due to the trade balance between the two countries, which exceeds $12 billion. To boot, 15,000 factories have stopped operating in Iraq, which also suffers from agricultural recession in parallel with the water and power crises. Hence, it is crucial to maintain the flow of the trade via the Iraqi-Iranian border.

There are other reasons that make the rupture of oil ties hard between the two countries. Analysts reported Oct. 27 that the length of the boundary between the two countries will prevent sanctions on Iran from being fully applied. The same scenario was witnessed as the United States imposed sanctions on the former Iraqi regime in the 1990s. Given the extensive border between Jordan and Iraq and developed bilateral ties, Jordan did not comply with the US sanctions.

Ali Abdul Kareem al-Moussawi, director general of the Gas Filling Company  which is a company of the Oil Ministry, indicated Oct. 28, that the US sanctions will have an indirect effect on Iraq.

Nevertheless, Salam Smisem, economic expert and adviser for the Iraq Private Banks League, told Al-Monitor that both Washington and Baghdad are aware of the threat that an oil boycott would cause Iraq. This is why, according to Reuters Nov. 2 article, Iraq was allowed to continue to temporary import Iranian gas used for power generation. This is because power shortages will cause a popular resentment that Washington does not want the new government to face.

Smisem believes that this will maintain good Iraqi-Iranian ties, and he underlined that on Nov. 5, a new system of payment [entered] into force in Iraq and makes it difficult for Iraq to trade with Iran in dollars, given the harsh supervision on Iraqi banks. This affects Iraqs economic situation and stability. Keen to maintain stability in Iraq, Washington will show flexibility when it comes to Baghdad dealing with Iranian products.

Pro-Iran media outlets have circulated reports that the government in Baghdad is ready to stand by Irans side in this crisis and is determined to cross all lines to save its neighbor given their close ties following the fall of the Saddam regime, the enemy of Iran, in 2003. Yet it is clear that the Iranian oil dossier and sanctions will consist of a key challenge to the new government and could prompt Baghdad to mediate between Washington and Tehran or to convince the United States to exempt Iraq from Iranian sanctions."Sanchi sank 10 months ago. It is more than obvious that they copied and pasted the names from the older list of the sanctions," an Iranian Twitter user wrote. "Trump who won presidency thanks to 'fake news' is now using 'fake sanctions' by naming a ship that sank already  only to be the front-runner of unilateralism," another tweeter said of the reimposed US sanctions on Iran that went into effect Nov. 4. "God chooses our foes from among the stupid," read a third post that was part of a seemingly endless stream of comments about the US government "gaffe."

The Sanchi was a Panama-registered tanker hired by Iran's oil shipping operator. On Jan. 6, the South Korea-bound vessel collided with the CF Crystal about 160 nautical miles off the coast of China near Shanghai, leaving its entire crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis dead.

But the US government was not just mistaken about the tanker. The list also included Bank Tat, which was closed six years ago and emerged later as Bank Ayandeh, a structurally and managerially different entity. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spotted both in the US list, describing the mistakes as a desperate psychological operation "to amplify the list of sanctioned Iranian entities." In a video message, Zarif also addressed the nation, stressing that the sanctions are meant to target ordinary Iranians, as yet another sign of "US frustration," and the fact that the world, "except for a few small regional countries and the Zionist regime," is against the US moves on Iran.

Javan, a newspaper close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, echoed the same official line of defiance in its coverage of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Nov. 5 press conference on Iran. Javan referred to Pompeo as a "paper tiger" and said his speech was just about reimposing sanctions that had never been lifted in reality. It also hinted at what it called the US "defeat" in placing an overall ban on purchases of Iranian oil.

Iran continued the battle at the United Nations. The country's UN envoy, Gholam-Ali Khoshroo, wrote a letter of complaint to the UN chief, demanding collective action from the international community over the "illegal US sanctions."

And in one of his most hectic days ever, Zarif had to go on the floor of parliament Nov. 5 to face questions from hard-line lawmakers, who have used every occasion to attack his negotiating team. However, the members of parliaments were officially "convinced" by Zarif's answers, an indication that perhaps that President Donald Trump's "worst sanctions in history" will rally Iranians around the flag regardless of their partisan differences.In an interview with Russia's Sputnik Nov. 1, Syrian Transportation Minister Ali Hammoud said Syria is preparing to open checkpoints on its border with Iraq now that security has returned and is looking forward to working with Iraq on logistics.

The Iraqi government received a request from Syria at the end of October to send a special delegation headed by Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem to discuss reopening the border crossings. Baghdad reportedly welcomed the idea.

Former Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and his Syrian counterpart decided to open the border crossings, especially the strategic Al-Bukamal border crossing, in a Oct. 15 meeting. Jaafari said the crossings between Iraq and Syria had been closed because of exceptional circumstances after the Islamic State seized Al-Bukamal city in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. The Syrian army recaptured El-Bukamal Nov. 11, 2017, the most important crossing in the region, linking key Iraqi cities like Haditha and Hit to Syrian cities like Palmyra, Al-Mayadeen and Deir ez-Zor.

Spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Baghdad Operations Saad Maan told Al-Monitor that despite the presence of IS fighters on the border, The Iraqi-Syrian borders have indeed been liberated completely.

The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) announced Oct. 30 that the force had raided a group of IS militants on the border and killed two of their leaders.

Maan added, Al-Bukamal crossing was an important stronghold for IS in Syria, and its closing cut off communication between Iraq, Syria and even Lebanon. This also stirred security chaos and resulted in huge economic losses.

He said, Iraq is now ready to open the borders, as it is able to secure the road leading to Iraqi provinces, whether for touristic, trade or economic purposes toward the Syrian borders.

Hisham al-Hashemi, an analyst of jihadi groups for Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, is less optimistic. He told Al-Monitor, Opening Al-Bukamal and other crossings wont be as easy as it was portrayed in the agreement between the two parties. He explained, The crossing is still destroyed and remains within the circle of danger. It still under terrorist threat. The international highway between Iraq and Syria needs maintenance, and dozens of bridges were destroyed during the liberation battles.

Hashemi added, The lack of specific funding in the 2018-2019 budget makes the practical steps to safely invest in border crossings harder.

Hashemi concluded, The decision to open the crossings is an improvised political card that Jaafari had to play toward the end of his term.

Iraqi Ambassador to Syria Saad Mohammad Rida disagreed with Hashemi, saying, The strategic cooperation agreement between them that will be signed soon will promote and develop all sides of security, trade, economic and political bilateral relations. Therefore, opening the borders is pivotal.

Mahmoud al-Hashemi, political analyst and secretary of the National Media Council, told Al-Monitor that the two countries are eager to reopen the border crossings because of the enormous potential political and economic gains. Syria is a land route to the Mediterranean, and its location overlooking the sea can be capitalized on to export Iraqi oil and import merchandise from different sources. Iraq is also a strategic crossing for Syria to the Gulf and the countries overlooking it.

Parliament member and spokesperson for Asaib Ahl al-Haq Naim al-Abboudi told Al-Monitor, Opening the crossings heralds a new page of security in the adjacent regions in Iraq and Syria where terrorism was rife for a long time. Communication between Iraq and Syria through the border crossings will suffocate terrorist groups, promote peace and replenish the economy in both countries.

Abboudi confirmed, The PMU factions will defend these crossings if the Iraqi government asks them to. They will be ready to carry out any mission ordered by the chief of staff.

Reopening the crossing will require coordination between the new Iraqi parliament and appointed prime minister on a budget for security and legislation on customs procedures. Maan told Al-Monitor that the border is ready to open and for investment from both sides and the private sector to develop the area.Israel is a global cyber power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has boasted more than once that Israel is involved in almost 20% of cyber business in the world, either directly or indirectly, with partial involvement of Israeli cyber companies. Israels sophisticated, upgraded intelligence systems constitute an inexhaustible source of experienced, creative, professional and brilliant manpower that has transformed the Israeli cyber industry into the twin of Israels successful hi-tech industry. The Start-up Nation is also the Cyber Nation. However, it turns out that all these achievements are accompanied by worries and troubles.

Israeli tech experts and internet activists Noam Rotem and Yuval Adam released on Nov. 6 an investigative report uncovering an extensive cyber network that they described as a large bot project, [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahus fan club, that operated on the Twitter network. The two experts also wrote that soon they will uncover additional, similar networks, only larger and more extensively branched. The techies said that they brought the data that theyd accumulated to Twitter, which then removed the hundreds of phony accounts from the network and closed them.

These accounts  bots as well as human-run accounts  were all characterized by pathetic veneration of Netanyahu, but also by deep loathing for his wife, Sara Netanyahu. The Israeli investigators are unable to connect the operation of this network to Netanyahu himself. The Likud party denied any connection to this activity on Twitter or other networks.

Another strange thing is that there is evidence these networks were managed from abroad through various channels. Some of these accounts received operating instructions from users on the network in Turkish. Another curious fact is that network activity reached its heights on dates in which events connected to US President Donald Trump took place, sometimes Trump alone and sometimes with Netanyahu: Trumps visit to Jerusalem (May 2017), the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem (May 2018), the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran (May 2018) and more.

Rotem and Adam presented a detailed, reasoned and convincing investigative report; as aforesaid, they also caused quite a number of accounts to be deleted from the Twitter network. They examined and combed through almost 12,000 tweets and testified that the network they uncovered this week is only the first in a series of even more sophisticated and powerful networks.

But all of this is only the easy, relatively visible part of the cyber issue in Israel. The ground under our feet is burning, mainly because the coming year is an election year. Netanyahus potential rivals know that the prime minister is light-years ahead of the other players regarding cyber and social networks. They are scrambling to prepare themselves for the possibility that cyber tools will be used to intervene in future Israeli elections along the lines of the suspected Russian model that apparently operated in the United States. There are even darker, gloomier horror scenarios. External elements may even be able to penetrate the computer system of Israels Central Elections Committee to then distort the results at a critical moment on the night after. This could be pulled off without being discovered or blocked. These kinds of scenarios cause great concern to a lot of people within the Israeli political system.

After the dramatic election eve of 2015, a wave of rumors swept the Israeli blogosphere. This wave continues to bubble under the surface to this very day and causes different sources to suspect that the 2015 elections may have been manipulated from afar and exactly at a crucial moment. Many Israeli cyber experts tried to conduct tests  as did political agents  but found no evidence for this type of forgery.

Suspicions arose when the polls  and afterward, representative ballots from three television channels  showed a tie vote of 27 between the Likud and the Zionist Camp, exactly when the ballot boxes closed. However, the final result that was disseminated several hours later shaved three mandates from the Zionist Camp and transferred them to the Likud. Cyber experts and pollsters argue that the mandates that transferred to the Likud at the last minute were supposed to come from the right-wing satellite parties such as HaBayit HaYehudi or Yisrael Beitenu, and not from the Zionist Camp. One way or another, all the tests revealed nothing. The goal now is to prepare for the next round to take place this coming year, no later than November 2019.

Israels National Cyber Bureau controls the cyber issue in Israel. Last year, it was merged with the National Cyber Security Authority, and the unified entity is now directly subordinate to Netanyahu. Sharp criticism has been directed at this decision. Granting such absolute authority to the prime minister over the cyber issue could eliminate transparency and give Netanyahu tremendous power without any checks-and-balances system in place and without regulation of any kind. There is a difference between the Mossad and the Shin Bet, [which] are also under the prime ministers authority, and the cyber system, a former high-ranking security official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. With regard to cyber, it is very hard to keep track of stuff and the use of force; were talking about an activity that is almost abstract, most of which does not take place in open space, in the physical realm. [The person in charge] has great power to wreak destruction without anyone else in the know. It is a slippery slope.

This, and more: Netanyahu has free access to cyber-attack companies in the cyber field throughout the world by virtue of his being the direct commander of the Mossad and the Shin Bet. These two organizations use the services of powerful foreign cyber companies, and Netanyahu meets with the heads of these companies or their senior members on a routine basis.

On Oct. 15, in the course of a discussion in the Knessets Science and Technology Committee, a Cyber Authority representative told the members that over the past two years, the Authority has removed thousands of fake accounts from social networks. These accounts tried to destroy the climate of political discussions or create unsuitable political influence, he explained. Knesset member Revital Swid of the Zionist Camp tried to pose some questions to the representative, but she claims that she did not receive answers. No one knows what the criteria are for removing accounts, who supervises them, who makes the decisions and gives the orders, and what falsified profiles [they removed]. Did they remove only those supporting the left? Does this activity involve political bias? We are talking about a black hole without any oversight at all, Swid told Al-Monitor.

The greatest concern of all revolves now around the coming elections. According to the State Comptrollers report that was published in May 2016, the Central Elections Committee that oversees Israels election process does not enjoy any cyber protection from the state and therefore is completely defenseless against external cyberattacks. The committees computers are not defined as vital infrastructure and therefore lack any kind of effective cyber protection.

Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melcer, the current chairman of the Central Elections Committee, has already delved into the depths of the issue. Al-Monitor has discovered that the Central Elections Committee is working toward the establishment of a multilayer cyber protection system under independent supervision to ensure election integrity. This development may not be enough to reassure electoral concerns. We must hope, however, that it will deter hackers.Israeli media reported this week that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had obtained the support of his coalition partners for a bill that would limit the powers of the president after the next elections. The legislation proposes that only a Knesset member who is also head of his or her party can be tasked by the president with forming a government.

A senior Likud source speaking on the condition of anonymity told Al-Monitor on Nov. 5, Netanyahu will announce early elections only after the Gideon Saar Law passes the second and third readings. Hes going for it full force.

That same morning, David Amsalem, chairman of the governing coalition, put the bill on the Knessets agenda, and the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee is expected to pass it on Nov. 11. The proposed law will then pass from the committee to the Knesset plenum on its legislative journey. The chair of Kulanu, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, and the chair of HaBayit HaYehudi, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, have already declared that they will support the legislation.

The bill is in fact an amendment to the Basic Law on the government and stipulates that the president can only charge a member of Knesset who is a party chair with the job of forming a government following an election. For Netanyahu, the amendment is meant to ensure that former Likud Minister Gideon Saar and President Reuven Rivlin cannot carry out the conspiracy of the century and steal the job of putting together the next government from him.

Netanyahu described this scenario, characterized by political analysts as paranoid and detached from reality, at his birthday party, on Oct. 24. He surprised attendees when he said, For the past few weeks, I have known that a former Likud minister is talking to coalition officials and has devised some subversive maneuver, that I will bring the Likud to a landslide victory in the elections and then ensure that I will not be prime minister, against the will of the Likud voters, against the people, against democracy.

According to existing law, the president tasks the formation of a new government to the member of Knesset with the best chance of succeeding, based on the recommendations of the heads of each party. Netanyahu fears that under a certain constellation  for instance, if he is indicted  Saar could, after the early elections, gather the party heads around himself in a subversive maneuver to recommend him and not Netanyahu to the president. That is, Netanyahu would find himself without the premiership despite heading the Likud.

Even if Netanyahu estimates that the chances of such a conspiracy are very low, he is not willing to take the risk and subject himself to the will of the president, especially not the will of Rivlin, given that their mutual enmity has only grown with the years. Netanyahu also spoke on Oct. 24 of a loophole in the law and let slip as an aside, Well consider what to do about it. Since the birthday party and the apparent attack on Saar, however, it has become clear that Netanyahu had already begun formulating the Gideon Saar Law behind the scenes.

Assuming no hiccups, the proposed law will pass in the next few weeks, apparently with the support of all the heads of the coalition parties. Usually, in a best-case scenario such an amendment would take two months to pass, but in this instance, in light of Netanyahus pushing, the coalition requested an exemption from the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to bypass the 45-day wait period on the Knessets agenda. One can assume that the request will be granted. The senior Likud source believes that only after the law passes the required three readings by the Knesset plenum will the signal be given to call early elections.

Netanyahu has now arrived at a decisive moment in his political life. He intends to call early elections knowing that an indictment against him is only a matter of time. As is his wont, Netanyahu is interested in diminishing uncertainties in a chaotic situation. As a result, one of the most pointless laws on Israels books will come into being.

No one in the Likud today envies Saar, who in the last two weeks finds himself pressed to explain and insist that he has had no part in treason, after being forced into a fierce conflict with Netanyahu that he did not want, certainly not now. The proposed amendment is not, however, directed only at Saar.

The so-called Gideon Saar Law is actually aimed at anyone who fancies himself the heir to Netanyahu, for example, Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan. With the law's passage, the president could not task either of them with the job of forming the new government after the next election. Unsurprisingly, neither of them has spoken, protested or opposed the law. It is clear to everyone that the first person to say anything will immediately be accused of subterfuge against the prime minister or of scheming in the style of Saar.

By contrast, Netanyahus request to change the law has brought a certain joy to the heads of the coalition parties for the opportunity it might possibly provide them. If following the elections the president can only assign the job of forming the government to the head of a party, theoretically it could be one of them.

Kahlon was the first to declare, on Nov. 4, that he has no problem with the law, and that Netanyahu is right, and indeed, the law has a lacuna that should be fixed. Bennett, who envisions himself vying to someday lead the Likud, said in a TV interview that he would support the law, which he described as neither helpful nor harmful. Bennett showed seeming generosity toward Netanyahu when he remarked, If this law is important to the prime minister, Ill go with the flow.

Bennett is in the position of having to deal with the rising popularity of his party's number two, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who is frequently mentioned as Netanyahus heir as leader of the right. Given this, Bennett's inclusion on the list of those qualified to form a government truly cant hurt him. According to this reasoning, the chair of Shas, Aryeh Deri, and the chair of Yisrael Beitenu, Avigdor Liberman, would also support the law.

All of the party leaders noted here head small and medium-sized parties. That seems to be the reason Netanyahu has no real fear that Rivlin, whom he abhors, would actually task one of them with forming the government. In any case, if not for the horrific scenario Netanyahus associates described to him, in which the former minister is plotting to sweep him off the stage, the loophole in the law would have remained in its current form, as it has for many long years. No one has ever needed to use it, and no president has ever made use of it.Democrats took control of the House during Tuesdays elections, positioning them to exert greater oversight over President Donald Trumps Middle East policies. While both parties have become increasingly critical of the US relationship with Saudi Arabia, a Democratic House paves the way for a vote on ending US support for the Saudi-led coalitions bombing campaign in Yemen. Furthermore, Republicans can no longer block Democrats efforts to subpoena Trump, his family and his administration over scandals that could implicate Israel and US allies in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Israel has to contend with three Democratic newcomers in the House who have uncharacteristically pro-Palestinian views.

Conversely, the GOP held the Senate. And with several Republican Trump critics leaving the upper chamber, the three key foreign policy committees will be under the control of ardent Trump supporters.

Heres how the elections will affect the panels most relevant to the Middle East.

House Foreign Affairs Committee: Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., will likely use his new position as incoming chairman to push for greater oversight into Trumps Middle East policies, particularly his relationship with the Saudis. Republicans had blocked Engels previous effort this year to compel the State Department to deliver all correspondence related to Trumps Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which largely focused on Irans presence in Syria. With Democrats in the majority, they can no longer shield the Trump administration from such requests. And although Engel opposed the Iran nuclear deal, he also opposed Trumps withdrawal and recently ribbed the administration for granting exemptions to certain Iranian oil importers.

Meanwhile, current Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., is retiring, leaving a leadership void for the position of top Republican on the committee, which Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., seeks to fill. One of Smiths competitors for the position, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., a staunch defender of Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, lost his re-election bid Tuesday.

House Armed Services Committee: Incoming chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., is keenly interested in reining in what he views as excessive US military intervention abroad. Smith led the charge among Democratic leaders in backing a resolution that would force the United States to stop midair refueling support for the Saudi coalitions war against Yemens Houthi rebels. House Democrats have also expressed concern over the Trump administrations use of US troops to counter Iranian forces in Syria.

House Appropriations (State/Foreign Operations): The full committees incoming chairwoman, Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., will likely press the Trump administration on its decision to cut assistance for Syria and the Palestinians. Despite her pro-Israel credentials, Lowey opposed the Trump administrations decision to cut some $200 million in economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza earlier this year. In addition to the Democratic flip, Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., retired.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, is likely to replace Bob Corker, R-Tenn., as head of the Foreign Relations Committee following Corkers retirement. Risch, an Iran hard-liner, has been less vocal in pushing back against Trumps Middle East policies than Corker, who has become increasingly outspoken against Saudi Arabia in recent months. The panel is also losing moderate Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona to retirement. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., will stay on as the committees top Democrat after winning re-election Tuesday. Menendez has placed a hold on precision-guided munitions sales to Saudi Arabia on account of the Yemen war.

Senate Armed Services Committee: Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., an Iran hawk supportive of Trumps Middle East policies, will remain in control of the Armed Services Committee following the death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., earlier this year. But top Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island has taken an increasingly tough line on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Reed has gone so far as to call for an arms sales ban to Riyadh.

Senate Appropriations (State/Foreign Operations): The elections yielded no changes on this committee. Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and top Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont, will likely continue working across the aisle to pressure Egypt over its human rights record and Morocco over its occupation of the Western Sahara.School bells finally rang at Shimon Safa Elementary School this fall, Mosuls oldest Christian school that had been closed for four years.

The school, also called the Shimon Safa Institute, is located next to the 9th century Shimon Safa Church and the monastery, which is known as the Shimon Safa priestly institute. The elementary school used to be one of 20 Christian schools in the multifaith city until the 1980s. Most of these schools were closed gradually in the three turbulent decades that followed the 1990 Gulf War, particularly in 2014-17 when the city was constrolled by the Islamic State (IS).

The return of the 400 students, between the ages of 6 and 12, to the classrooms of Shimon Safa Institute on Sept. 30 illustrates that the city is recovering, after IS displaced the citys Christians during the 2014 invasion, banned non-Islamic rituals, destroyed churches and imposed its extremist beliefs.

Ibrahim al-Allaf, a professor of modern history at the University of Mosul, told Al-Monitor, Students enrollment in this school is a victory in itself over terrorism and extremism. The school is part of the citys historical heritage. The first cohort of educated people in Mosul has memories from this school.

Allaf said, The school was under the supervision of the Christian monastery but its students were not only Christians; it offered an education to students from all religions."

The school is an annex to the renowned Shimon Safa, or St. Peters Church, a Chaldean church that dates back to the 9th century. The church was restored in 1864 and was named after Shimon Safa. The school was founded as an annex to it and named after the saint as well, Allaf added.

The reopening of the church is largely due to the efforts of the residents of Mosul, particularly private donors and volunteers who repaired the partially damaged building.

School principal Ahmed Thamer al-Saadi told Al-Monitor that the renovation was due to the efforts of volunteers and donors from the city, who collaborated with the Directorate of Education and the school administration.

He said, The importance given to this project is a lesson in tolerance and in foiling extremism. The school has received over dozens of years pupils without a religious and has been subjected to national and sectarian discrimination; it is now resuming its practical and social mission again.

Saadi also noted that more work is required. Further renovation of the school is still underway. The Directorate of Education in Ninevah continues to train teachers. The administration that includes teachers from different confessions, ethnicities and regions has welcomed 400 students in 2018. The number is expected to increase in the coming years, especially since more people are interested in sending their children to this historical school.

He added, Graduates of the school have become doctors, artists and writers. The school has become a historical establishment of knowledge. Many of the houses of Mosuls citizens are decorated with photos of the school that they are proud of.

Ahmad al-Mosli, an Arabic-language teacher from Mosul, said, The school is located in Al-Saa area in the old part of the city where Christians live. This gives the school exceptional importance because of the displacement, killing and oppression that religious minorities faced at the hands of IS.

Mosli said that the school had always been an example of the citizens unity in the mostly Sunni city. All religions, sects and ethnicities coexisted peacefully, which explains why the school has Christian, Muslim and Yazidi students. Most schools in Mosul are suffering because their data and files were burnt when IS occupied the city. But Shimon Safa suffered the most in addition to other minorities schools [due to its location in the center of Mosul that was the focus of the war between IS and the Iraqi forces].

Director General of Education in Ninevah Wahid Farid also underlined the symbolic value of the school. He told Al-Monitor, The opening of Shimon Safa Institute is of social and intellectual significance in restoring peace to the city. Ten other schools were opened in the old city too. Around 1,800 schools [in Mosul] have opened their doors to students for the 2018-19 school year and UNICEF participated in the rehabilitation campaign. Teachers and citizens were enthusiastic about volunteering [in rebuilding and helping] the schools.

Reports indicate that Shimon Safa Institute faces similar challenges as other schools in the areas liberated from IS, as it lacks funding and stationery, and its classes are overcrowded; 2,500 schools in Ninevah, Anbar, Salahuddin, Diyala, Kirkuk and Baghdad have suffered due to the war. They need funding from the state to become operational again.

Media officer at the Ministry of Education Bushra Hassan told Al-Monitor, The ministry allocates sufficient financial sums to rebuild the schools of Mosul and provide a complete curricula. The ministry launched a renovation campaign for the schools in Mosul in 2017. Saint Abdel Ahad School Tripoli in new Mosul, another Christian school, was rehabilitated in coordination with the ministry's Department of School Architects.

There is a pressing need to bring back life to the areas liberated from IS, especially Mosul whose education sector has suffered, with 89 schools no longer operational due to the destruction. Cultural and educational symbols, especially schools of minorities, are being renovated to restore the residents trust in their community and provide them with a role in rebuilding their future.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi on Oct. 31. Alawi handed Abbas a message from Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said on the peace process in the region.

Palestinian-Israeli relations remain in a political stalemate. In April 2014, Palestinian feuding factions Fatah and Hamas had reached a reconciliation deal and formed a unity government. Israel imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA) freezing tax revenues, accusing Abbas of striking a deal with a terrorist entity  Hamas  and halting peace talks with any Palestinian government including Hamas. Israel, however, maintained security coordination with the PA.

This led to the collapse of US-brokered Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. Since then, Palestinians and Israelis have not sat at the negotiating table.

However, recently, Palestinians and Israelis made marked political moves toward Oman. In October, both sides visited the sultanate and Omani envoys landed in the Palestinian territories.

On Oct. 28, Abbas hosted Qaboos envoy Salim bin Habib al-Amiri in Ramallah, who stressed strong bilateral ties. Two days earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Qaboos in Oman to discuss the peace process. Joining Netanyahu were Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and others.

An Israeli media delegation also visited Muscat on Oct. 31, reportedly to explore the opinion of Omani citizens on their countrys relationship with Israel.

Abbas had visited Oman Oct. 22, to discuss with Qaboos cooperation in various fields in order to serve the best interests of the two peoples. Abbas was accompanied by Secretary of Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub and Maj. Gen. Majid Faraj, the head of the General Intelligence Service.

On Sept. 13, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi received Rajoub, who conveyed a verbal message from Abbas on the Palestinian issue.

Al-Monitor talked to Awad bin Said Ba Quwair, former head of the Omani Journalists Association who is close to decision-making circles in the sultanate. He said that the current political movement toward the sultanate by Palestinians and Israelis comes at their request. They both need a transparent intermediary offering them ideas for returning to the negotiating table, he said. So far, the sultanate has no integrated plan with the exception of initial ideas and preliminary proposals. We realize that the Palestinian cause is thorny and difficult but with the help of the United States our efforts can break the existing stalemate.

Despite the lack of accurate figures on Oman's financial aid to the Palestinians, their relations are growing. This is shown by the mutual visits by senior officials. In recent years, several agreements have been signed between the two countries in the fields of culture, information, economy, agriculture and fisheries. In addition, joint committees have been formed for political consultation and economic cooperation.

Israel and the PA are aware that Oman has managed to organize negotiations on major files such as Iran's nuclear deal, the Yemen war and the Gulf crisis. This makes it a neutral intermediary, though it operates in secret and out of the limelight. Hosting Abbas and then Netanyahu proves the success of Omans soft diplomacy.

Ghassan Khatib, the former Palestinian planning minister in Ramallah, told Al-Monitor, I do not think Oman's efforts will succeed in bridging the huge divergence between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel does not feel the need to make concessions to the Palestinians in order to consolidate its Arab relations.

He added, The United States probably resorted to Oman in light of Muscats close relations with Ramallah and Tel Aviv. But the prospects for the success of the Omani mediation remain meager. The PA knows it. Yet it is difficult for the PA to reject the efforts of the sultanate. The PA is dealing with Omans proposals without really having much faith in them.

Netanyahus visit to Oman on Oct. 26 triggered the fears of the various Palestinian factions. Islamic Jihad spokesman Daoud Shehab told Al-Mayadeen on the same day that Netanyahu's visit to the sultanate could open a new channel of negotiations with Israel. In turn, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine described the visit in a press statement as an advanced stage of normalization in tandem with the efforts of the United States to pass its "deal of the century."

Head of Fatah's Information Department Munir al-Jaghoub said in a press statement that the visit aims to undermine the Arab peace initiative based on the land for peace formula. On Oct. 27, he denied these statements.

The London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Oct. 29 that Abbas instructed Palestinian officials and spokespersons to refrain from insulting Oman, by ordering them not to comment on Netanyahu's visit to the sultanate. The newspaper noted that this shows that Abbas was informed in advance of Omans movement.

Hamas was angered by Netanyahus visit to Oman. In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, It is terribly wrong to receive Israelis on Arab premises. This cannot be justified as a step aimed to achieve the best interest of the Palestinians. This must not be repeated. Israel is the enemy.

He went on lashing out at the PA for not denouncing Netanyahu's visit to Oman. This confirms that the PA is now sponsoring normalization in the region. The PA is calling on Arab parties to exert mediation efforts with Israel for resuming negotiations. This refutes its allegation of severing ties with Israel.

Hani Albasoos, a professor of political sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, told Al-Monitor, Both Palestine and Israel expressed their desire to hold meetings in Oman. This is why they were invited to Muscat.

He added, It seems that the United States has a role in this in light of the strong relationship between Muscat and Washington. Oman is also briefing Egypt and Jordan on the outcome of its mediation efforts. This is necessary because of their proximity to Palestine and in order to expand consultations.

So far the recent movements to and from Oman are in favor of two parties out of three. Oman has emerged as a mediator with the ability to host the Palestinians and Israelis. It could be planning to hold a summit between Abbas and Netanyahu, which could be a golden opportunity for the sultanate to rise as a political mediator, while all other regional countries are preoccupied with their internal issues.

Israel has managed to be hosted in yet another Arab capital despite the halt of negotiations with the Palestinians. This proves that Israel can communicate with the Arabs by bypassing the peace process. As for the Palestinians, they have yet to reap the gains contemplated from this Omani movement.Turkeys highest administrative court, the Council of State, announced Oct. 18 that the student oath will be reinstated at all primary schools. The student oath has been a controversial issue in Turkish politics for decades. In 1933, Minister of Education Resit Galip introduced the oath, which starts by declaring I am a Turk and ends with the statement How proud is the one who can say I am a Turk!

In September 2013, right after the Gezi protests and as part of the democratization package, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the nationalist oath would be removed. At the time, Erdogan said, Lining up kids every morning and making them chant slogans from the 1930s, the Cold War and the era of the Iron Curtain is not nationalism.

The announcement to reinstate the student oath rekindled the existing lines of division between Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its unofficial ally the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves  the youth branch of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Interestingly, it was revealed that the courts decision to reinstate the oath was made in April, but it was not conveyed to the government until Oct. 10. Al-Monitor asked prominent politicians in Ankara, and all concurred that they believed Erdogan knew the decision and delayed its announcement till now. Speaking at the courts annual assembly on Oct. 24, Erdogan lambasted them about their decision. He emphasized the time lapse  five years  and angrily asked, You thought about it now?

Erdogan warned against the dangers of juristocracy  the judiciary overstepping its limits  saying, Then let the judiciary to take over the executive branch as well. He reiterated multiple times that the judiciary isnt the place to make a decision, but it should act as a consultative institution. He said, If the judiciary is convinced it is the decision-making body, then why I am standing here. Especially if before preparing the presidency executive orders, we are required to seek permission from the court, then I should not stay in this position. I should pack and leave.

Since the decision on the student oath was announced in mid-October, almost every day either a nongovernmental organization related to education or a politician made public comments about it, keeping it in the spotlight. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition, left-leaning Republican Peoples Party (CHP), told the press Nov. 1 that he is convinced Erdogan will get his way in regards to eliminating the oath from the schools. The appeals process has already started to reverse the courts decision, and the Ministry of Education has not granted permission to schools to recite the oath again.

Erdogan said Nov. 4, [The courts] decision [to reinstate] the oath has bad intentions. The events we witnessed after the courts decision made us even more determined to oppose the oath. This oath is the creation of those who advocated for the call to prayer to be recited in Turkish. Our oath is the national anthem.

Erdogan is certainly enjoying fanning the flames of this debate and is indeed winning at least three battles in the process.

Smooth breakup with ultra-nationalists for the March 2019 municipal elections

The debate over the student oath also coincided with the fallout between Erdogan and ultranationalist MHP. Their alliance has been working rather well since the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. The unofficial alliance has allowed the MHP to criticize the government from time to time as a party in opposition, while also allowing them to reap the benefits of being a part of the administration. It is understandable that Erdogan would not want the courts decision on the oath to be revealed in April, right before the election, where ultra-nationalist votes were critical for this victory of the presidency. Yet now securely settled into the presidency, Erdogan understands well that for March 2019, a municipal elections alliance with the MHP is not that lucrative. For instance, before the collapse of the alliance idea, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli had announced that he would not nominate any candidates from Istanbul but would instead endorse the AKP candidate in return for other cities to do the same. This was a no-go for Erdogan.

There were other issues that escalated the MHP-AKP rift, but the oath provided Erdogan a strong justification to use Islam as a shield while breaking up with the ultra-nationalists. On Oct. 23, Erdogan told the Turkish parliament repeatedly, I am a Turk, but I have to say I am not a Turkish ultra-nationalist. They are different. Racism is banned in our religion. It doesnt exist. Understanding the right-wing alliance with the MHP will not be beneficial for its party, Erdogan had to distance himself from the MHP without upsetting its own base. The AKP and the MHP share a portion of the voter base. Erdogan utilized the Islam card by embracing all Muslims, and he acted shrewdly before the presidential elections by embracing nationalism while afterward relaxing one condition after another  such as paid exemption from military service.

A senior AKP official from the security establishment told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The competition for government jobs is intense. AKP elites are bitter that MHP groups are getting bigger shares. The state cadres are being restructured, and the Grey Wolves are taking over the places of the Gulen members. This move is a juggling act by Erdogan; he oscillates between pious Muslims and dedicated militaristic ultra-nationalists.

Further divide opposition

Although initially there were questions whether Erdogan is indeed trying to approach Kurdish voters, there is not sufficient reason to hope. Pervin Buldan, the chairwoman of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), said, Erdogan is winking to the Kurdish voters with this oath discussion, but Kurds are not going to be fooled. Erdogan has already replaced all HDP-affiliated mayors by appointed government personnel in the majority Kurdish municipalities. His only target audience may be pious Kurds in these regions who are not aligned with the HDP, but their numbers are not sufficient to win a majority in these areas.

Rather, Erdogans escalation of the student oath issue serves the purpose to generate a wedge between two left-wing opposition parties: the HDP and the CHP. Both reacted cautiously.

The CHP replied that it was mainly going to focus on the hypocrisy of Erdogans statement. For instance, Kilicdaroglu emphasized that the Turkish national anthem that Erdogan praised also mentions brave race. Hence, to claim that the student oath would be racist is not accurate. Yet Erdogan focuses on Kilicdaroglu, avoiding deliberately to name the MHP and Bahceli when it comes to directing criticisms against the oath.

Expansion of Erdoganism: flexing muscles

Through his resistance against the courts decision, Erdogan is flexing his muscles one more time in the public sphere. In the last 16 years, Erdogans dismantling of the democratic process has been slow and evasive.

He has undermined democracy in a series of incremental steps where he almost always appears in the public eye to be the defender of some sort of justifiable cause. It was under Erdogans rule in which signs stating How proud is the one who calls himself a Turk in Diyarbakir were removed. It was also during his rule that Kurdish signs were replaced with Turkish ones. Arbitrary acts have become the norm in this system.

In this patronage-driven and nepotistically organized state structure, there are no officials left to resist Erdogans political power. The judiciary, as a non-elected institution, is not an independent branch. For instance, the head of the highest administrative court's daughter, another justice, is serving at the Palace. As Erdogan explained, the judiciary is there to consult with when and if need be. But it is one that should act in sync with the president.

If the appeals process goes as Erdogan wishes, it will certify for good that all institutions are under Erdogans command. The battle will no longer be about the student oath.ANKARA -- Turkey has cautiously welcomed the US decision to post bounties totaling $12 million for the three top leaders of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). But it fears Washington may have taken this step against the Turkish Kurd insurgents to make up for its support for their Syrian sister organization, the People's Protection Units (YPG).

The US Embassy said the State Department was offering $5 million for information leading to the capture of Murat Karayilan and $4 million and $3 million, respectively, for Cemil Bayik and Duran Kalkan. Karayilan has led the insurgent group from the mountains of northern Iraq since the PKK's founder, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured in 1999. Bayik cuts a higher profile than Karayilan through his press interviews on PKK strategy.

Turkish intelligence accuses Bayik of instigating a car bomb attack that killed 35 people in central Ankara in March 2016. It accuses Kalkan of killing seven Turkish soldiers in December 2009.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said Wednesday the government was pleased by the US decision, but added, We expect this step to be supported by concrete actions to be made in Iraq and Syria as part of fighting against the PKK and its extensions.

Aksoy was referring to the fact that the US military works with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a group consisting largely of YPG fighters, in the struggle against the Islamic State group in Syria. Last week, after Turkish artillery bombarded YPG positions in northeastern Syria, the United States conducted what it called assurance patrols with the SDF along the Syrian side of the Turkish border.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Washingtons bounties were overdue.

The same attitude should be taken against the YPG, which is no different from the PKK, Akar told NTV. He urged the United States not to provide weapons and ammunition to the YPG, whose fighters have been receiving US arms through their membership of the SDF.

Nicholas Danforth, an analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, told Al-Monitor, Washington has consistently, if not coherently, sought to assuage Turkish anger over US support for the YPG by offering Turkey support against the PKK.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin expressed that very concern on Wednesday.

We welcome this decision, but we suspect it has been done to draw a curtain over the US engagement with the YPG, Kalin told reporters. If that is the case, the truth will come out in a short time.

Kalin said Washington insisted on classifying the YPG differently from the PKK, but Turkey has told the Americans time and again the two groups are organically linked.

The United States and European Union regard the PKK as a terrorist organization, but they do not classify the YPG as a terror group. However, Western analysts recognize the YPG is closely aligned with the PKK, with both groups recognizing Ocalan as their overall leader.

A former Turkish ambassador to Iraq and special envoy to the countrys Kurdish region, Murat Ozcelik, told Al-Monitor it was time for Turkey to change tack on the YPG in the belief that better relations with the Syrian Kurds would inevitably have an impact on relations with Turkish Kurds.

If we wish to implement a policy that is going to be good for the Kurds in Syria, which would also make our [Turkish] Kurds happy, we have to slowly move towards accepting the fact that the YPG is a force in Syria that should be reckoned with, Ozcelik said, adding both Russia and the United States had relations with the Syrian Kurdish militia.

Ozcelik said the YPG had a reputation for expelling its opponents, such as Arabs and supporters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq, from northern Syria, and that Turkish negotiators would have to discourage it.

Unfortunately, Turkey has been implementing an Arabist policy, always favoring the Arabs over the Kurds. If Turkey were to arbitrate between the Arabs and Kurds in Syria, it would be in a much better position, he said. Once Turkey had developed a working relationship with the YPG, it could try to deal with the PKK in a different way.

On the domestic front, Turkish legislators all but came to blows at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on health, family and social security. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed an omnibus bill that contains a clause endorsing the dismissal of thousands of doctors and nurses who lost their jobs during the civil service purge after the coup of 2016.

When AKP legislators and their allies in the Nationalist Movement Party approved the clause on Tuesday, pandemonium broke out. NTV and CNNTurk screened footage of opposition legislators yelling and shoving the bills supporters, with the committee chairman unable to restore order.

The chairman of the Ankara Medical Chamber, Dr. Vedat Bulut, said a total of 3,383 doctors had received letters during the purge reading, You are possibly a member of a terrorist organization. Like the notices received by more than 100,000 civil servants, the letters do not name the terrorist organization nor give any evidence of such membership.

They are purging people as terrorists. It is not a court decision. It is just an intelligence report, Bulut told Al-Monitor.

The government has set up an appeal process but very few civil servants have managed to regain their jobs.

Bulut said the dismissed doctors usually found their passports had been cancelled as well. Doctors who wished to work abroad or travel to medical conferences had their passports confiscated at the airport.

The hardest hit were the 1,417 young doctors who received these letters shortly after graduation. The letters meant they would not be able to conduct their mandatory service in a state hospital, so the government had effectively impounded their medical qualifications.

Bulut scoffed at the letters' accusations, saying, You cannot do terrorist activity with a stethoscope.

An opposition legislator said that including nurses and paramedics, the total number of medical personnel thrown out of work reached about 7,500.

Bulut said he expected parliament to pass the bill, but the Turkish Medical Association would appeal to the Constitutional Court and, if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights. He cautioned, however, that a favorable decision from the court in Strasbourg could take four years.Hurricane Michaels cleanup has scooped up a sizable amount of coastal Alabamas construction teams. Steel prices have shot up 11 percent in recent months. Other construction materials are costlier today than they were six months ago.

The past month has produced a harsh economics lesson for local governments, mindful of limited tax money to pay for much-needed projects.

The issue sprang up in Baldwin County last week during a special school board meeting. The board received only a single bid to construct a new middle school and high school in Orange Beach.

And the bid from Brandon, Mississippi-based Thrash Contractors produced sticker shock: It was $42.8 million, close to twice as much as what the school system had budgeted.

There was just no way, said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.

The board, which rejected the bid, is expected to discuss the future of the project when it next meets for a work session on November 13.

We will continue to do everything in our power to be wise stewards of the taxpayers money, schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler said in a statement to AL.com.

That starts with taking a hard look at the project in its entirety so that we make good, intelligent, well-thought-out decisions, Tyler said, adding, We will go through the process in a methodical manner.

Tyler explained: We are repeatedly being told that steel prices, combined with contractors competing to do work on the Gulf Coast following the hurricane, isnt helping us at all in lowering the price.

School negotiations

Tyler said the situation wont affect the ongoing negotiations between the Baldwin County school system and the city of Gulf Shores and the Gulf Shores school board over the pending separation between the two entities.

Gulf Shores officials, in a vote last year, approved forming an independent city school system that will be the first-of-its-kind in Baldwin County.

Ongoing separation negotiations, overseen by the Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey, are believed to be nearing conclusion. Gulf Shores is expected to open its city schools in time for the 2019-20 academic year.

The initial timeline for the new Orange Beach school, budgeted to cost around $25 million, called for it to be ready by 2019-20. That is now unlikely, leading the Baldwin and Gulf Shores negotiation teams to discuss an agreement under which Orange Beach students would be educated at Gulf Shores next year.

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, speaking to the media Friday, said the city will do whatever we are able to do to accommodate the Orange Beach students.

Kevin Corcoran, the president of the Gulf Shores school board, said he doesnt anticipate there being a problem in retaining the Orange Beach students for another year. He said the student overcrowding in Gulf Shores mostly afflicts the elementary school, where 11 portable trailers serve as makeshift classrooms.

Said Corcoran, regarding the school construction bid: Its a setback for Baldwin County, for Orange Beach. Any setback for education is not a good thing. As far as it relates to a separation agreement, we dont view it as a significant setback.

Economics message

The situation with the Orange Beach school could serve as a warning sign for other public bodies considering large-scale construction projects.

Reid Cummings, director of the University of South Alabamas Center for Real Estate and Economic Development at the Mitchell College of Business, said that the post-hurricane labor squeeze is coming at a time of rising costs overall.

He said that steel prices have soared in recent years, and that tariffs remain an uncertainty on future costs. The Trump administration imposed 25 percent trade tariff on imported steel in March.

The fact of life today is that public entities need to be cognizant of trends that are pushing a lot of pricing higher, said Cummings. Wages, the cost of materials and so forth.

Ahmad Ijaz, direct of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, said the tightening of the overall labor market will continue to squeeze the availability of workers for construction projects.

We are getting close to full employment, he said.

About 57 percent of contractors are having difficulty finding enough skilled workers, according to a third-quarter analysis by the U.S. Chamber Commercial Construction Index.

Hurricane Michael blasted the Florida Panhandle last month as a powerful Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, causing widespread damage. Post-hurricane activity has been a windfall for construction companies, but has left a shortage of workers behind in Alabama.

You have a robust private sector market right now, and  everyone is stretched thin due to the economy, which is not a bad thing, said Todd Walker, vice president with the Alabama chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.

The Chambers Commercial Construction Index shows that, for the past six quarters, more than half of contractors cite having difficulties finding skilled workers.

Those problems are more pronounced in the Midwest, West and South, according to the analysis, where nearly 60 percent of workers report high levels of difficulties in finding skilled workers. Only 28 percent of contractors in the Northeast cite a similar concern.

Walker said ABCs Academy of Craft Training, a public-private partnership program available to 16 Birmingham area high schools, could serve as a model program statewide for infusing more skilled laborers into the marketplace.

The program, which began during the 2016-17 school year, sends high school students to simulated workplaces at the Alabama Workforce Training Center. There, the students are trained in trades such as masonry, welding and electrical.

Walker said 180 students have advanced through the program, with 80 percent staying within the industry. Weve had talks along the Gulf Coast to bring this down there, said Walker. We need more workers.An Election Day predicted to produce a nationwide blue wave instead triggered a super and historic night for Republicans in Alabama, and a resounding mandate by conservatives who showed up in droves to back socially charged constitutional amendments.

The massive victory for Republicans immediately begs the question: Can Alabama politics get any more conservative?

The voters of Alabama overwhelmingly confirmed that we remain a Christian conservative state, said Angie Stalnaker, a GOP campaign strategist based in Montgomery. There is no blue wave in Alabama. There will be no blue wave in the foreseeable future in Alabama.

She added, What you see are some very, very strong right-leaning Republicans who were elected, more right-leaning than their predecessors. What we are seeing in Alabama is one of the most conservative governments weve ever had.

Said Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a long-time observer of state politics: Alabama, I believed, was the second most Republican state in the Southeast behind South Carolina. But not anymore. I do believe we are the most Republican southern state and the third or fourth Republican state in the union.

GOP dominance

Indeed, the Republican domination Tuesday filtered from the statewide contests to local legislative races where the GOP was able to pick up five more Alabama House seats and further solidify its supermajority status.

Alabamians are good, conservative people who reject liberalism, said Alabama State GOP chairwoman Terry Lathan. Our message is clear  less government and strong American values. The overwhelming support of the two Amendments on displaying the Ten Commandments and support Life in our state is the signature of our people.

Republicans also added another state Senate seat to give them a 28-8 advantage, with Rep. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, running unopposed and replacing Independent Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb.

The Democrats lost every statewide race and did not unseat any state lawmaker, said outgoing Republican state Senator Dick Brewbaker of Pike Road. It doesnt get any worse than that. What we have now is a one-party state to an extent I never would have believed would have been possible.

In the high-profile statewide races of the night, the Democratic hopes fueled by national enthusiasm never materialized.

In some cases, the energized Democratic challengers didnt do any better than Democrats in prior years when their candidates ran campaigns with little financial backing and little publicity.

- Gov. Kay Ivey won by a 19.2 percentage point margin over Democratic challenger and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox; which was her best showing in a contested general election race since the 2006 Treasurers contest against Democrat Steve Segrest. She won a close general election contest for lieutenant governor in 2010 against Democrat Jim Folsom Jr.

- Iveys margin of victory was larger than former Gov. Robert Bentley saw in 2010 against Democrat Ron Sparks, which was a 15.7 percentage point gap. Bentley defeated Democrat Parker Griffith by a 27.4 percentage point margin in 2014.

- In the race for Attorney General, Republican Steve Marshalls 17.8 percentage point victory against Democrat Joseph Siegelman was in line with recent general elections in races for the states top law enforcement official: Republican Luther Strange defeated Democrat Joseph Lister Hubbard by 17 percentage points in 2014, and he defeated Democrat James Anderson in 2010 by 17.7 percentage points.

- Voters showed overwhelming support for public displays of the Ten Commandments, the state amendment receiving support from more than 7 out of 10 voters. A pro-life ballot question generated nearly 60 percent support.

Said Brown: They fielded the best group of candidates theyve fielded in a long time. But in terms of their share of the votes, they got what they have been used to getting.

Life support

Jonathan Gray, a Mobile-based Republican strategist, said there were signs of Democratic strength despite the overwhelming statewide losses.

For instance, though Ivey won big over Maddox, Gray noted that she is the first Republican governor to not exceed 60 percent in a governors election in over a decade. Although, she finished just under with 59.6 percent of the vote.

Also, Gray noted, there were some areas of the state that are often traditionally red where Democrats mounted forceful challenges in local elections. In Mobile County, for instance, Democrat Karlos Finley lost a close race for a circuit court judgeship against Republican Brandy Hambright.

Mobile County is on its way to being Jefferson County in political makeup, said Gray. If the opportunity is right, the Finley-Hambright race shows that Mobile County is a viable two-party county.

But Gray, like others, noted that Alabamas state Democratic party is on life support after its dismal performance.

Gray and Brewbaker would like to see a more competitive Democratic Party in Alabama.

As a guy who makes a living when races are competitive, I want a general election, said Gray. Id love to see a competitive Democratic Party.

Said Brewbaker: Its not good for the process. Even though Im a Republican and voted for Kay Ivey and am glad she won  this was just an extremely poor showing for the Democrats with good candidates. The Republican party structure, led by Terry Lathan, she has so outworked and outmaneuvered (Democratic Party chairwoman) Nancy Worley that it defies explanation.

As Brown noted, even Jefferson County Judge Bob Vance  who enjoyed some statewide name identification due to previous runs for the Alabama State Supreme Court chief justices position  was badly defeated by Republican Tom Parker despite outraising him by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.

Vance narrowly lost the 2012 chief justice contest against Republican Roy Moore.

The moment you take Moores name off the ballot, Bob Vances numbers went back to the range of what Democrats have been getting, said Brown.

Aberration

Moores name was mentioned throughout the night as an anomaly to modern-day Republican dominance in Alabama. Moore was the first Republican politician to lose a statewide contest in a decade when he was defeated during last years special U.S. Senate election by Democrat Doug Jones.

The Jones victory remains even more stark following Democratic struggles in other Senate races in the Deep South. In Texas, Democrat Beto ORourke lost to Republican Senator Ted Cruz in a closely watch contest. In Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Scott appears to be headed to a victory over Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. And in Tennessee, Republican Marsha Blackburn cruised to a victory over Democrat Phil Bredesen to claim the Senate seat to replace Republican Bob Corker.

Republicans also were in control of most of the southern governors races, with Republican Ron DeSantis defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum in Florida and Republican Brian Kemp holding onto a lead against Democrat Stacey Abrams in Georgia.

Doug Jones was all the more unusual in that it was a function of a pretty shrewd Democrat candidate against a deeply flawed Republican candidate, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. If you look back at the Texas Senate race, you had a flawed Republican candidate against an attractive Democratic candidate in a red state and the Democrat comes up 1 point short.

Said Brown: You have to conclude the election of Doug Jones was an aberration having to do with the image of Roy Moore. This is a red state.

Legislative switches

But unlike in Alabama, Democrats did make gains in the Georgia and Texas statehouses particularly in the suburban counties. In Alabama, for instance, a closely watched legislative race in the wealthy Birmingham suburb of Mountain Brook proved to be almost a no-contest: Republican incumbent Rep. David Faulkner easily defeated Democratic challenger Felicia Stewart by a 62 percent to 39 percent difference.

Yet suburban areas of Dallas saw Democrats flip House seats, as did Charleston, South Carolina. As Jillson points out, the national Democratic takeover of the House is more of a sign of a push in states outside the Deep South.

The bulk of them came from the purple states such as Virginia, up through the states where Donald Trump unexpectedly won in 2016 such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, said Jillson.

He added, What I always tell people when they talk about suburban districts and the well-educated and comfortable white women voters is that there is a tremendous difference between the main line suburbs near Philadelphia and the Birmingham suburbs. The southern suburbs, while also reacting to Trump with concerns, are not turning over to Democratic districts whereas a lot of northern suburban districts are turning over.

Trump popularity

Trump remains popular in Alabama, according to the Associated Presss VoteCast analysis released during Tuesdays election. A majority of Alabama voters, or 64 percent, approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 36 percent disapprove.

In Mississippi, 56 percent of voters approve of Trumps performance, while only half of Georgia voters on Tuesday felt the same way. Slightly more than half of Florida voters have a negative view of the president.

I doubt there is a state in the union where Donald Trump is more popular than in Alabama, said Brown. If Donald Trump did any brand damage nationally, he certainly didnt do it in Alabama.Ask black Alabama lawmakers how they will replace 100 years of lost black legislative experience next year, and youll likely get one of two basic answers.

Well have some good representation, and the issues will be the same, outgoing state Rep. John Knight said this week. We will have to leverage our votes to do the best we can for black Alabamians.

Thats a good question, Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa said. I think its a question well all be asking ourselves.

The Alabama House of Representatives has 105 members, and 27 of those are black. Among them, only Barbara Boyd (District 32), Dexter Grimsley (District 85) and Adline Clarke (District 97) had opposition on Tuesday. Boyd and Clarke won with more than 60 percent of the vote, and Grimsley also won in a closer race with 54 percent. That means a large dose of continuity.

The Legislature will also welcome at least two new black members with the addition of Kirk Hatcher (District 78) and Jeremy Gray (83).

The Senate has 35 members, and seven current senators are black. They are Sens. Roger Smitherman, Priscilla Dunn, Linda Coleman-Madison, Hank Sanders, Bobby Singleton, David Burkette and Vivian Figures. Only Burkette had opposition this year in District 26, and he won easily with 80 percent of the vote.

Black lawmakers say black voters want the same big thing that white voters want: economic development that brings jobs and maintains jobs in their area. But even with the returning strength, vital experience will be missing next year. Weve lost 100 years of knowledge, England said. Were definitely going in a different direction, but I cant tell you what it is right now.

Knight, who was chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, will be gone for the first time since coming to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1993. He lost to fellow Democrat David Burkette in the primary earlier this year as Knight tried to move up to the Senate.

Knight is a historic figure in Alabama. He is known for, among other things, being the named plaintiff in the federal lawsuit Knight v. Alabama that changed funding and admissions practices at state colleges and universities.

Knight says he will still be around and active, and he was replaced by new Rep. Tashina Morris, Montgomerys first black female legislator.

But Knight wont be the only well-known black face missing in Montgomery. Also gone will be:

- Alvin Holmes, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, who lost his bid for another term.

- Hank Sanders, who opted not to run for re-election after 35 years in office, but who will be replaced by his daughter, Malika Sanders-Fortier.

- George Bandy, who represented Lee County and served from 1983 and died earlier this year.

- Rep. James Buskey of Mobile, who came to the Legislature in 1976 and also didnt seek another term.

Remaining black leadership includes relative newcomers like England in Tuscaloosa and veterans like north Alabamas Rep. Laura Hall and especially Rep. Anthony Daniels, both of Huntsville. Both were unopposed this year.

Hall has been in the Legislature since 1993, and Daniels made history in 2017 when he became the first black person and the youngest lawmaker be elected House minority leader.

Daniels will be leading all Democrats in the Legislature next year and said this week he will be working to build on the initiatives he started last year to educate new lawmakers in processes such as legislation analysis and news media interaction.

Daniels cited the election of new black lawmakers Kirk Hatcher (District 78) and Jeremy Gray (District 83) and new Democratic lawmaker Neil Rafferty (District 54) as examples of the lawmakers he wants to immerse in policy.

Daniels echoed Knight in saying that the departing lawmakers will still be involved in some capacity as advisers. Especially John Knight, he said. But the departures also leave opportunities for others to step up into leadership roles.

Daniels has plans to improve the Democratic side of the House aisle, but he will commit now to serving only the next four years of his new term. He has young children and a business, Daniels said, and the travel and time away from home is hard. That is why it is so important to build a pipeline of leaders with legislative skills and understanding of issues to make sure there are no knowledge gaps as personalities change, he said.

-State Sen. Will Ainsworth of Guntersville cruised to victory in the lieutenant governor race, beating out Democrat Will Boyd.

The office of lieutenant governor has been vacant since last year, when Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey became governor.

With 99.8 percent of the vote in, Ainsworth had 61.38 percent of the vote to 38.62 percent for Boyd.

The lieutenant governor has become governor three times in the past 46 years, most recently last year when Gov. Kay Ivey assumed the office. On April 10, 2017, Bentley resigned amid scandal and Ivey was sworn in as the new governor.

Ainsworth grew up in Boaz and graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in marketing. With his brother, Austin, Ainsworth opened Dream Ranch, a hunting and fishing lodge in Guntersville. He founded the Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo, one of the largest tradeshows of its kind in the Southeast, with more than 20,000 attendees annually. Ainsworth also served as a youth pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Albertville and still teaches Sunday school. He raises registered Angus cattle and is a property developer, he said.

Ainsworth said his legislative record includes working to strengthen the ethics law, eliminate double-voting, encourage adoption and promote workforce development.

He has supported arming school officials as part of a security plan at public schools. "You've got to have the most qualified person at each school trained to protect the children," Ainsworth said.

Ainsworth served as state chairman for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, but has since pledged his admiration for President Trump.Baldwin County Republicans ruled Tuesdays general election, overwhelmingly winning seats to the statehouse and to the Baldwin County Commission.

Incumbent State Rep. Joe Faust, R-Fairhope, rolled to an easy victory in Alabama House District 94, defeating Democratic challenger Danielle Mashburn-Myrick.

With 14 of 16 precincts counted, Faust had 71 percent of the vote to Mashburn-Myricks 29 percent.

Its a little bit higher than I expected, said Faust, who won his first contested race since 2006. Whatever it is, its a victory. It was a sweet victory, and I told her that she ran a good race and did her best. But  I have to give credit to the Republican Party more than anything. They didnt let us down. It reassured me that we work together well and we are going to continue to work together well for the people.

Mashburn-Myrick said she was disappointed with the outcome, but was pleased that Faust had adopted some of the positions she had been advocating for during the campaign trail: Expansion of Medicaid, cleaning up the Mobile Bay, among other things.

The campaign had been initially viewed as a race that could be close considering District 94, which encompasses Fairhope, has grown a whopping 55 percent since Faust first won the seat in 2002.

Baldwin County has long been considered a safe Republican county despite its rapid growth in the past 20 years. Donald Trump won the county with 62.1 percent of the vote in 2016, and Roy Moore garnered 61.7 percent of the vote during last years special Senate election.

Elsewhere in the county:

- Baldwin County Commissioner Chris Elliott of Daphne cruised to an easy victory in the Alabama State Senate District 32 race by defeating Orange Beach businessman and Democrat Jason Fisher by a 75 percent to 25 percent margin. The Senate District includes much of the county. Elliott will replace outgoing state Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose.

- State Rep. Harry Shiver, R-Stockton, was overwhelming re-elected in his Alabama State House District 64 contest over Democrat Amber Selman-Lynn.

- Matt Simpson was holding onto a commanding 67 percent to 27 percent lead over Democrat Maurice Horsey in the Alabama State House District 96 seat, which includes Daphne and Spanish Fort as well as extending into Mobile County. Simpson will be replacing outgoing state Rep. Randy Davis, R-Daphne.

- In two contest Baldwin County Commission races, the Republicans rolled to victories. In District 1, Republican Joe Davis defeated Democrat Amber Smith by 75 to 25 percent difference. In District 3, Republican Billie Jo Underwood won with a 77 to 23 percent margin over Democrat Heather Brown.In Alabamas closest state legislative race, Sen. Larry Stutts R-Tuscumbia eked out a win Tuesday against Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow for Alabama Senate District 6 in north Alabama.

Stutts won reelection by fewer than a thousand votes. Elsewhere around the state, Republicans cruised to victory, winning all statewide races and the majority of state legislative races.

Morrow, D-Red Bay, bet his political future on the race, giving up the State House seat hed held since 1990 to run for State Senate.

Stutts won his first election by a razor-thin margin four years ago against another veteran Democrat, beating longtime incumbent Sen. Roger Bedford by just 70 votes.

This years race was expected to be close.

If there is a chance for a Democrat to take over a Republican seat, this is it, said Angi Stalnacker, a longtime GOP strategist, earlier this month.

To the end, Stutts and Morrow remained neck-in-neck in campaign spending and in cash raised. Morrow slightly outraised Stutts in cash contributions this year, with $380,541 to Stutts $359,353.

He also outspent Stutts, $442,000 to Stutts $431,000.Samford Universitys Beeson Divinity School has received a grant of $999,966 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish a pastor mentoring program.

The grant will support the Enhancing the Mission: Beeson Divinity School and Thriving Pastors program. It is part of Lilly Endowments Thriving in Ministry, which helps pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry.

The mission of Beeson Divinity School is to prepare God-called persons to serve as ministers in the church of Jesus Christ, said Grant Taylor, Beesons associate dean and project director of the Thriving Pastors program. Through the Thriving Pastors program, we aim to enhance our mission through a deeper commitment to our graduates who serve as pastors of Gods people. We want to support and enrich them by giving them more of Beesons personal, face-to-face approach to theological education and ministry. At Beeson, we are working hard to do more, not less, in personal, relational and theological formation for pastoral ministry.

The program will include an annual conference for Beeson alumni and other pastors, the development of pastoral peer groups and the enrichment of mentoring relationships between pastors. The program also will enable Beeson faculty to enhance mentoring and peer relationships for divinity students preparing for pastoral ministry.

This significant initiative of Lilly Endowment fits beautifully with the on-going mission of Samfords Beeson Divinity School, and Im confident that the investment will provide meaningful, helpful support for ministers now and in the years ahead, Samford University President Andrew Westmoreland said. If we are interested in educating the whole person, as we say we are, that interest continues throughout all phases and transitions of life. Im grateful for the generosity of our friends with Lilly Endowment and for the work of our Beeson Divinity School faculty and staff.

Samford University is one of 78 organizations located in 29 states that is receiving grants in the Thriving in Ministry initiative. The organizations reflect diverse Christian traditions: mainline and evangelical Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox.

Thriving in Ministry is part of Lilly Endowments effort to strengthen pastoral leadership in Christian congregations in the United States. Leading a congregation today is multi-faceted and exceptionally demanding, said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowments vice president for religion. When pastors have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with experienced colleagues, they are able to negotiate the challenges of ministry and their leadership thrives. These promising programs, including Enhancing the Mission: Beeson Divinity School and Thriving Pastors program, will help pastors develop these kinds of relationships, especially when they are in the midst of significant professional transitions.The traditions we start live on long after were gone.

My late mother-in-law Frances, Tansy for short, was wed to tradition. Her tradition, not ours. She was a woman of strong opinions. Once when she came for Thanksgiving dinner, I set the table with her wedding china, which shed generously given me years before.

She appreciated the gesture, but noticed right away there was a tiny chip in the gravy bowl.

She wondered how that had happened. Then she said maybe she sounded like a mother-in-law.

There was a traditional menu she used for Thanksgiving dinner, and that stayed the same for decades. It was deliciousshe was a gifted cook but having grown up on a farm, she liked shortcuts. Why go out and kill the turkey when you can buy it at the store? Why pick the vegetables when there they are, right there in the produce aisle or stacked on the shelf?

Why use fresh beans for the casserole when canned ones are on sale at Food World and who can tell the difference, anyway? And she was really puzzled about mushrooms and the soup that made up that Thanksgiving standard, green bean casserole, with those little onion rings decorating the top. And who ever heard of organic this and that?

When her son grew up to be a cook, his inherited talent was evident. You could see the genes at work when he made his favorite dishes: beef bourguignon, eggplant parmigiana, potatoes Anna. But his style was different: make the mushroom soup from scratch, of course, then add fresh beans.

Top it off with homemade onion rings and put it in a serving dish. And so they had their Thanksgiving meal skirmishes, neither willing to budge an inch. Once she moved to a nearby retirement home, she had to let go of her kitchen rights and privileges, but still insisted that the old recipes were the best ones.

So her son made two Thanksgiving dinners, one her way, and one his. The rest of us stayed out of the kitchen while the dueling cooks worked things out. One year, my college-aged son thought it would be good to fry a turkey. Shed never heard of anything like that and thought it was a ridiculous idea, but she nibbled at the fried turkey breast and we could tell she liked it.

My husband always made her cornbread dressing, though, as it met his standards and was so good that there were never leftovers. Tansy dressing, we call it, and my daughter still makes it each year.

Tansy had a nickname for my husband, and it stuckJulia Child. When Julia was out of town, she asked me to take her to her favorite restaurants with hearty buffets and barbecued chicken swimming in bottled sauce. There might be Texas Toast instead of homemade rolls, and margarine instead of butter. Julia wouldnt approve, shed tell me, but she was proud of the cook shed created.

This Thanksgiving, hell make her Tansy dressing and well serve it on her Tansy wedding china.

If she were still around, shed approve of this tradition.Alabama voted to pass an amendment to the constitution declaring the states policy to recognize the rights of the unborn.

Fifty-nine percent of Alabamians voted in favor of Amendment 2.

The amendment recognizes the rights of the unborn and ensures state funds will not go to funding abortion care.

The amendment was written by Rep. Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, and sponsored by the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama.

Its going to be a testament to the conservative values of Alabama. Its also going to be a victory for truth because we were massively outspent $1.4 million [from Planned Parenthood] to $8,000 dollars, Rick Renshaw, of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama said.

Planned Parenthood donated $1.38 million to Alabama for Healthy Families, who opposed the amendment.

Renshaw said the amendment was not given a fair shake in the media.

We are disappointed in the outcome of Amendment 2, which paves the way to outlaw abortion in the state of Alabama, a representative from the ACLU said in a statement to AL.com. Our worry is that this amendment will prove to be much more insidious than it seems at face value, touching on much more about healthcare than just abortion. We hope that Alabama legislators will commit to ensuring that any clarification on this amendment will take into account the importance of having access to safe, high quality reproductive care in our state.

Mississippi voters rejected a similar anti-abortion amendment in 2011 that would have defined life at the moment of conception, or the personhood amendment.

Some doctors and advocates said the passage of Amendment 2 could leave room to outlaw abortion in the state of Alabama if Roe v. Wade is overturned and due to vague language, may impact women who miscarry.

Alabama lawmakers have proven once again that they will do everything in their power to eliminate womens access to safe, legal abortion, regardless of the consequences to the people of this state, Katie Glenn, the Alabama State Director for Planned Parenthood Southeast, said in a statement to AL.com. But we will not back down from this fight. We will continue to work to ensure that all Alabamians have access to the quality, compassionate care that they deserve - no matter what.The elected commission that regulates utilities in Alabama will remain unchanged heading into 2019.

Alabama Public Service Commission incumbents Jeremy Oden and Chris Chip Beeker, Jr. won re-election Tuesday, while PSC President Twinkle Cavanaughs seat was not up for re-election.

With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Oden received 61 percent of the vote to Democratic challenger Cara McClures 39 percent. Beeker led his Democratic challenger Kari Powell, 60 percent to 40 percent. The PSC races saw similar margins to the other statewide races that featured a Republican against a Democrat.

The PSC regulates electric, gas, and telecommunication utilities in the state, with the notable exception of the Tennessee Valley Authority in north Alabama, which is under federal control.

Oden was appointed to the commission in 2012 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley and elected to a full term in 2014. Beeker was elected to his first term on the PSC in 2014.

The Republican primary elections this summer were more eventful for two of the three commissioners.

Oden defeated controversial challenger Jim Bonner in the Republican primary in a surprisingly close race. Oden won by less than two percentage points despite the fact that the state GOP announced before the vote that it would not count ballots cast for Bonner, who was heavily criticized and censured by the state party for his comments in radio interviews and social media posts that were seen as offensive and anti-Semitic, including a Valentines Day card making a Holocaust joke.

Beeker defeated a challenge by former state teacher of the year Robin Litaker.

Though her PSC seat was not on the ballot this year, Cavanaugh ran for lieutenant governor, losing in a runoff to Will Ainsworth in the GOP primary.U.S. Senator Doug Jones said the forced resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions presents an opportunity for President Donald Trump to exert control over Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

It is even more vital now that Congress takes action to protect the investigation, said Jones, in a statement emailed to AL.com Wednesday. I remain deeply concerned about the targeted and well-funded efforts by Russia to undermine our democracy and influence our elections, particularly those yet to come.

Jones, the Alabama Democrat who replaced Republican Sessions in the U.S. Senate earlier this year, criticized Trump for doing what he called a disservice to the American people by leveling unfair attacks against law enforcement agencies.

He also criticized the president for diminishing the importance of the legitimate investigation of Russian election interference by labeling it a witch hunt.

The comments from Jones are similar to those raised by other Democrats on Wednesday, after Sessions was forced to resign by Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that protecting the Mueller probe was paramount and that limiting or ending the investigation would create a constitutional crisis.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, who is contemplating a challenge against Jones, said he believes Muellers team needs to wrap up the investigation.

Byrne, who spoke to reporters in Mobile, said he hopes the new attorney general pushes Mueller to conclude the investigation.

I would hope that person would say, What is your endgame here? said Byrne. If you have a case, put it on the table for everyone to see. There is all this speculation and its not getting us anywhere. If hes got a case, make the case. If not, fold it up and call it quits.Shane Ryan Sealy, the former high school teacher who made national headlines for brandishing a gun at an Alabama immigration rally, has been convicted of two misdemeanor charges.

At the culmination of a trial in Huntsville Municipal Court on Tuesday afternoon, Presiding Judge Lonzo Robinson found Sealy guilty of reckless endangerment and menacing. Six people, including a Huntsville police officer, testified at the trial, which lasted a little more than an hour. About 20 people who attended the rally showed up to support the prosecution.

Robinson sentenced Sealy to 180 days in jail on each charge. The judge suspended 100 days of each sentence, and ordered Sealy serve two years on probation. Defense Attorney Joshua Graff said Sealy is appealing the conviction. Pending the outcome of the appeal, Sealy will be out on bail.

Sealy and the attorney declined to comment further.

Sealy was arrested June 30 after brandishing a Glock semi-automatic pistol during a Keep Families Together Rally in downtown Huntsvilles Big Spring Park. Cellphone video showed Sealy repeatedly yell womp womp.

The phrase "womp womp" previously made national news when Corey Lewandowski, former campaign manager for President Donald Trump, said those words June 19 while appearing on Fox News. Lewandowski said "womp womp" when he heard a story about a girl with Down syndrome being taken from her mother in Texas.

Sealy marched around the park holding a sign that said "ice, ice, baby," a phrase that references Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. He sang the Vanilla Ice song "Ice Ice Baby" as he walked. An argument broke out between Sealy and several of the protestors.

At trial the judge watched cellphone video that was captured by rally attendee Don Campbell, who was listed as the victim of Sealys menacing charge. Campbell testified that he was filming video of Sealy in the park that day when Sealy tried to run over me. Campbell is heard on the video telling Sealy, Dont push me. Campbell testified that he pushed Sealy to the ground.

When Sealy brandished the weapon, Campbell repeatedly shouted the word gun, the video shows. Sealy raised the gun, leveled it and then pointed it in the air, according to testimony. By the time police officers reached him, Sealy had returned the gun to its holster.

Huntsville police officer Evan Braswell didnt see Sealy holding the gun, but he testified that some rally attendees started screaming or ran in panic. Others fell to the ground with the faces down, Braswell testified.

The officer watched Campbells video of the incident. Sealy was detained and taken to the citys justice center, where Braswell sought warrants for the mans arrest. Sealy was later released from the Madison County jail on bail.

Braswell testified that police found 15 rounds in the magazine, though there was not a bullet in the chamber. The defense argued that, based on case law, the gun would need to be loaded for a conviction on the reckless endangerment charge. The judge said that for the purposes of the case, he considered the gun loaded.

Braswell testified that he charged Sealy because the incident caused panic and fear for their lives, and the conduct was very reckless.

Four women, who attended the rally, also testified today about seeing the gun at the rally.

Yalitza Lafontaine, the north Alabama regional organizer for the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, told the judge about the chaotic scene that day. She said the rally was one of several around the country to protest the Trump administrations then-policy of separating migrant children from their parents.

Lafontaine testified that her son had been a student in Sealys 10th grade English class at Grissom High School.

Sealy voluntarily resigned from Huntsvilles Grissom High on Sept. 28, 2016, records show. He taught there for about two months.

A graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Sealy maintains a valid teaching certificate, according to the state department of education. But "alleged misconduct" has been reported and is being investigated, according to the department's records.

Joel Holley, of the Huntsville City Attorneys office, prosecuted Sealys case.

The defense argued the city hadnt met its burden of proof, beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sealy was practicing his First and Second Amendment rights that day, Graff said.Alabama voters overwhelmingly elected Gov. Kay Ivey to a full term today, making her the second woman ever elected to the states highest office.

Todays resounding endorsement by voters marked the culmination of a steady march to victory for Ivey, who focused her campaign on strong state job statistics and what she characterized as a steady leadership style in the 19 months since she replaced scandal-plagued Robert Bentley.

The people of Alabama have spoken today, loud and clear, Ivey told a crowd of cheering supporters at her election night watch party. We want to keep Alabama on the right track and keep Alabama working.

Iveys win over Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox was the fifth straight for Republicans in Alabama governors races, and it wasnt close. With 74 percent of precincts reporting, Ivey led Maddox by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.

Iveys campaign enjoyed the backing of a unified GOP establishment, financial support from the states most powerful business groups and statewide name recognition built on four previous, successful runs for statewide office.

Ivey watched the election returns at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, where the news media and supporters waited to hear from the 74-year-old governor on the biggest evening of a long political career. When she came out to speak after the Associated Press declared her the winner, Ivey thanked the voters and noted the historic nature of her victory, as the first Republican woman elected governor.

Im oh so grateful for your steadfast support, your prayers and your votes," Ivey said. "Folks tonight, today, together, we have made history.

She referred to news stories that led her to answer questions about her health.

The odds were against me, Ivey said. Some folks said Id never make it across the finish line. Others claimed I was on my last breath. But nothing could be further from the truth. Not only did I finish, but we finished strong. And were just getting started.

The governor thanked her staff, cabinet and campaign team and expressed optimism about what they can accomplish during a full term.

The last 19 months have been busy, challenging and rewarding, Ivey said. "Working together, Alabama has achieved new heights but we cannot rest on our success. With your help and support, I plan to replicate a proven model that we can govern in the next four years. Alabamas best days are just ahead of us.

Ivey served two terms as state treasurer and was in her second term as lieutenant governor when Bentley resigned from office in April 2017. Bentley faced impeachment hearings and probable cause findings by the state Ethics Commission related to what an impeachment investigation found was an abuse of power to cover up an alleged extramarital affair with an adviser.

Ivey has stressed that she had only hours to prepare to be governor and said that her focus in the first few months was to steady the ship of state.

The governor announced in September 2017 she would seek a full term. In June, she defeated three Republican challengers in the primary without a runoff.

The governor declined repeated calls to debate Maddox, saying that voters knew her and her record.

In 1966, Alabama voters elected Lurleen Wallace as governor as a stand-in for her husband, George C. Wallace, who could not run for reelection because of term limits. Lurleen Wallace died of cancer less than halfway through her term, in 1968.

Edited at 4:10 p.m. to say that Ivey has previously won four statewide races. Edited at 8:49 p.m. to say Ivey won.Its been a rough year for Robert Aderholt.

Alabamas senior member in the U.S. House of Representatives, Aderholt, R-Haleyville, won a 12th term in Congress in a landslide  receiving more than 79 percent of the vote over Democrat Lee Auman.

But the Washington to which he and his Republican colleagues will soon be returning will be a different place.

Democrats won the majority of the seats in the lower chamber Tuesday, relegating 6 of Alabamas 7 House members to minority status.

And that was the second whammy of the year Aderholt has endured.

Through seniority and the support of his colleagues in Congress, Aderholt had put himself in position to be chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee  a distinguished position leading the committee that set the agenda for spending bills.

But that opportunity essentially disappeared when Alabamas senior senator, Richard Shelby, became chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. It had become clear that Aderholt would not be voted to the same position on the House committee despite his seniority because of the power and influence that would centralize within Alabama.

Now that possibility has been defeated again since Democrats will take control of all House committees as the majority party.

It made for bittersweet victory parties Tuesday for Alabamas six Republicans in Congress  who all sailed to lopsided re-election wins.

Of course, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham  the states lone Democrat in Congress  will now have a stronger voice in Congress. She is the top Democrat as ranking member on the Subcommittee on the Department of Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture, which is part of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

As the ranking member, Sewell could now be in position to chair that subcommittee.

But when it comes to leadership positions in the immediate aftermath of a new party taking charge, its easier to see what is lost than what has been gained.

Aderholt, who earlier this year was touted as next-in-line for the House Appropriations chair, must now reset his focus. And that means seeking to be the top Republican on the committee as the ranking member.

While it appears that Democrats have taken control of the House, the minority will still have to organize, Aderholt said in a statement to AL.com late Tuesday night. There will be minority leadership elections first -- like minority leader. After that, the committees will be reorganized and there will be elections for ranking member of the Appropriations Committee as with all the other committees.

I am still committed to running for ranking member of the Appropriations Committee this session fully anticipating taking back the majority in the House in 2 years.

Other leadership positions that will be lost by Alabama Republicans in the House:Jeff Sessions, the former Alabama Senator who became Attorney General under Donald Trump, has resigned.

In a letter to Trump, Sessions said he was resigning at the presidents request. Rumors of an imminent change at the AG post had been swirling in recent weeks with indications being the president planned to shed cabinet members after the midterm elections.

The president said Sessions' chief of staff Matthew Whitaker will become acting AG.

President Trump confirmed the Justice Department change via Twitter.

....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

The resignation is the latest chapter in the two mens once friendly history.

Sessions, a conservative Republican, was one of the Trump campaigns strategists on immigration and was the first Senator to back the presidents campaign. Sessions' name was mentioned as a possible running mate for Trump before being named AG.

The relationship between the two soured, however, when Sessions recused himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, a move that enraged Trump.

Sessions soon found himself the target of constant and very public criticism from the president.Whitaker, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat from Iowa in 2014, has been publicly critical of Robert Mueller, the special counsel conducting the Russian investigation.

It does not take a lawyer or even a former federal prosecutor like myself to conclude that investigating Donald Trumps finances or his familys finances falls completely outside of the realm of his 2016 campaign and allegations that the campaign coordinated with the Russian government or anyone else. That goes beyond the scope of the appointment of the special counsel, Whitaker wrote for CNN in 2017.

From backer to target of criticism

Despite the personality clash, Trump and Sessions found common ground on two major issues: Immigration and free trade.

Armand DeKeyser worked as Jeff Sessions chief of staff during his term as Alabama Attorney General.

They had a number of things in common policy-wise, DeKeyser said. Obviously immigration was one of them. Jeff was very concerned about trade and free trade. He had seen how bad trade deals had hurt Alabama.

Several former co-workers of Sessions said they were surprised by his endorsement of Trump. DeKeyser said he met Sessions when both were active in the Alabama Republican Party. Sessions joined the party during college and remained active during law school and private practice.

He said Sessions typically stayed out of party primaries and weighed in only after nominee were selected.

He saw something in Trump, DeKeyser said. He said, I just felt that Trump was the best person to lead the country and we needed someone to shake things up and I felt that Trump was the person who could shake them up the best.

Earlier in the day, Luther Strange, the man who took Sessions place in the Senate only to lose the seat to Democrat Doug Jones, tweeted a cryptic message that appeared to signal a change was coming.

Jeff Sessions for Senate in 2020! #alpolitics  Luther Strange (@lutherstrange) November 7, 2018

As much as the shadow of the Russia probe has loomed over Sessions' tenure as attorney general, he has sought to make his time in that job about more than that - a return, as he calls it, to the principles of pro-police, anti-illegal immigration law enforcement.

In May, standing before a sparkling Pacific Ocean and a looming border fence, Sessions emphasized his vision for America.

Today were here to send a message to the world that we are not going to let the country be overwhelmed, Sessions said. People are not going to caravan or otherwise stampede our border . . . If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you. And that child may be separated from you as required by law.

While the family-separation policy pursued by the administration has been shelved, at least for now, the broader set of immigration actions pursued by Sessions became a central argument for Trump and the Republicans as they sought to retain control of Congress.

Since that day I was honored to be sworn in as Attorney General, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country, Sessions wrote in his resignation letter. We have operated with integrity and have lawfully and aggressively advanced the policy agenda of this administration.

President Ronald Reagan nominated Jeff Sessions to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama in 1981, and Sessions went on to hold that post through three presidential terms. A nomination to the federal bench in 1986 crashed when allegations emerged that Sessions used racially insensitive language and targeted voting rights activists in the Black Belt.

Willie Huntley, an African-American who worked with Sessions in the U.S. Attorneys Office, has defended his former boss, saying he never showed signs of racism. He said Sessions never let political pressure sway prosecutions.

Huntley said he talked with Sessions recently in D.C., and his old boss joked about the pressure hed been under from Trump. Trump publicly rebuked his attorney general for recusing himself from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

When Huntley visited, Session had just cancelled a trip to Australia.

He said, Willie, I was going to have to make three or four different stops before I got to Australia, Huntley said. He said, I didnt want to make a stop and somebody walks up to the plane and says, Youve been fired, youve got to get off the plane.

Sessions resigned as U.S. Attorney soon after the election of President Bill Clinton. After a short stint in private practice, he ran for Alabama Attorney General in 1994 against Democratic incumbent Jimmy Evans.

Sessions won that election, but soon shifted his sights to the U.S. Senate after Howell Heflin announced his retirement. He was first elected in 1996 and served until he was appointed by Trump in 2017.

Sessions set himself apart from mainstream Republicans by taking a hard stand against immigration reform during the presidency of George W. Bush. It was a position shared by Trump.

In contrast to the president, Sessions had a reputation as a polite, personable rule follower.

Jeff is a quiet person who has a very strong moral belief. Hes been a strong Christian his whole life. Taught Sunday school  he taught my kids Sunday school, DeKeyser said. Hes been very involved in the Methodist Church for many years. He believes that the law has limits, but those limits should be respected and that we will enforce the law to those limits.

His friends have been dismayed at the public criticism Sessions has endured from Trump.

Richard Allen served as a deputy attorney general in the Alabama Office of the Attorney General.

I voted for Trump, Allen said. Hes abused Jeff terribly, but Ill probably vote for him again. But he has not done the right thing by Jeff Sessions.

His former colleagues said Sessions always aspired to lead the U.S. Department of Justice.

I dont know anybody who would take that kind of abuse, verbal, threatening in the press and still be there, Huntley said. But I know, thats Jeff, because its in his DNA not to quit. And that, attorney general, was his dream job.

They also said he made his mark on the office.

Him serving as attorney general he believes is the pinnacle of his legal career, notwithstanding the things that he had to go through, DeKeyser said. But I think when its all said and done, Jeff Sessions will be looked at as a strong and effective attorney general in a very turbulent time.

Sessions departs the Justice Department Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions departs the Justice Department hours after he resigned at President Trump's request. https://fxn.ws/2OwNHIN Posted by Fox News on Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Jeff Sessions left the Justice Department for his last time as attorney general on Wednesday evening. He was met by applause from more than 150 employees who gathered in a courtyard at the Justice Department.

As he left, Sessions appeared emotional and said, "Thank you" and "God bless," before hopping into a waiting SUV.

He also shook hands with Whitaker, who told Sessions: Its been an honor, sir.

The Washington Post and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Updates:

10:09 p.m.

Tuesday nights statewide winners:

Governor  Kay Ivey

Lt. Governor  Will Ainsworth

Attorney General  Steve Marshall

Secretary of State  John Merrill

Supreme Court Chief Justice  Tom Parker

Supreme Court Place 4  Jay Mitchell

State Amendment 1  Allow 10 Commandments  Yes (71 percent)

State Amendment 2  Right to Life  Yes (59.85 percent)

State Amendment 3  Revise UA Board membership  Yes (60.4 percent)

State Amendment 4  Sustain Legislative Vacancy - Yes (65.86 percent)

9:53 p.m.

9:40 p.m.

ELECTION UPDATE: Alabama voters overwhelmingly supported an amendment to the states 1901 Constitution authorizing public displays of the Ten Commandments. https://t.co/6CQO8wVEp0 #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/IgCkwm8jKO  AL.com (@aldotcom) November 7, 2018

9:32 p.m.

GOP offices holders poised to cruise to victory in statewide races.

Tom Parker is leading Bob Vance in the race for the Chief Justice post.

All four amendments are poised to pass.

9:18 p.m.

8:50 p.m.

All statewide amendments are currently passing with comfortable margins.

8:45 p.m.

Kay Ivey has won the Alabama Governors race, according to the AP. She becomes the first female Republican governor in the states history.

The former Alabama Lt. Gov. took office in 2017 after Gov. Robert Bentley resigned as part of a plea deal related to campaign finance and ethics violations.

From Alabama Secretary of State

No Congressional surprises in Alabama

A Congressional call

8:17 p.m.

Latest totals from the governor.

8:14 p.m.

JUST IN: @NBCNews projects Kay Ivey (R) wins Alabama Governor.  NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2018

7:40 p.m. - With .3 percent in, Ivey up 57 percent to 43 percent. Ainsworth, Marshall, Merrill, and Parker  all Republicans  are in the lead.

7:06 p.m. - With way-too-early results, Kay Ivey winning big, 83 percent to 17 percent for Maddox. Less than 1 percent of the results are in, however.

Earlier:

Polls in Alabama  except two in Montgomery that have experienced technical difficulties  are now closed. We will be updating with the latest results as they come in.

A host of statewide races were on the ballot today, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Supreme Court Chief Justice. High-profile amendments dealing with abortion and public displays of the 10 Commandments were also up for a vote.

Turnout through the state was predicted to be around 35-40 percent but reports indicate numbers could be higher as many polling places reported heavy traffic throughout the day.

The governors race features Democrat Walt Maddox, the mayor of Tuscaloosa, vs. Republican incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey.

Maddox is in Tuscaloosa for his election night event.

Earlier in the day, he said his campaign remained confident even in solidly Republican Alabama.

Were feeling really good, he said. Over the weekend and even into last night, our internal numbers showed a lot of movement our way.

Ivey is watching election results roll in from Montgomery.

Governor Ivey is very encouraged by reports of high turn out all across the state, the governors campaign said in a statement.

Also on the ballot are:

Lt. Gov.  Democrat Will Boyd vs. Republican Will Ainsworth

Attorney General  Democrat Joseph Siegelman vs. Republican Steve Marshall

Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court  Democrat Bob Vance Jr. vs. Republican Tom Parker

Secretary of State  Democrat Heather Milam vs. Republican John Merrill

All of Alabamas U.S. House seats are up for election, too. Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed. There are no U.S. Senate seats on the Alabama ballot.With the 2018 general election one day behind us, former U.S. Sen. Luther Strange today asked Alabama to start thinking about the Nov. 3, 2020 Senate race.

Jeff Sessions for Senate in 2020!, Strange tweeted.

Jeff Sessions for Senate in 2020! #alpolitics  Luther Strange (@lutherstrange) November 7, 2018

Stranges endorsement of his predecessor, whose future as U.S. Attorney General is in question, seemed to come out of the post-election blue.

Theres been much speculation about which Republicans will compete to unseat Democrat Doug Jones, who took Stranges seat on the Senate after Strange lost the 2017 GOP primary to Roy Moore. Jones defeated Moore in a special election in December.

Totally agree w/my friend and colleague @SenShelby. Jeff Sessions was the first politician I campaigned for in Alabama when we were building the Republican Party. He campaigned for me both times when I ran for Attorney General. Thank you for friendship & your service Jeff! https://t.co/rVbui0E439  Luther Strange (@lutherstrange) November 7, 2018

Strange, Alabamas attorney general before then-Gov. Robert Bentley appointed him to replace Sessions, was among those some thought might run for that Senate seat in 2020.Whats next for former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was forced to resign Tuesday by President Donald Trump?

One possibility is that Sessions could run in 2020 for his old U.S. Senate seat which he held from 1996 until his appointment by Trump in 2017.

Vote in the unscientific poll below:

Sessions was asked by Trump to resign in the wake of criticism by the president.

The relationship between the two men became sour when Sessions recused himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. At that point Sessions became a target of Trumps criticism, often through Tweets.

Sessions served as a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama from 1981 to soon after the 1992 election of President Bill Clinton. After a short stint in private practice, he ran for Alabama Attorney General in 1994 against Democratic incumbent Jimmy Evans. Sessions won that race and served until his election in 1996 to the U.S. Senate.

After his appointment as Attorney General, former Alabama Attorney General, Luther Strange was appointed to that seat. But Strange lost to Roy Moore in the Republican Primary last year. Moore, however, was defeated by Democrat Doug Jones in a special general election for the the Senate seat.The #RedForEd campaign to raise support for public schools and teachers made its way to the state on Wednesday as hundreds of Alabama educators wearing red t-shirts and windbreakers filed into the Alabama Supreme Court building to hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by the Alabama Education Association.

At stake is $132 million currently sitting in escrow, taken from educators paychecks for health insurance premiums the AEA said were illegally increased and collected by the Public Education Employee Health Insurance Program board in 2016.

These are men and women who used their leave, believing this is important enough to come down here and represent faculty back home, AEA Advocacy Director Amy Marlowe said. While this is the first #RedForEd event in Alabama, she said, it represents a continuation of the advocacy AEA has been known for in public education through the years.

Since spring, #RedForEd has been a rallying cry for teachers nationwide, supported by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers and others working for more support of public schools and increasing teacher pay.

The event was dubbed Return Our Raise by AEA, and was hyped on social media in the days preceding the hearing.

While actions in the case will have an impact on educators pay, Marlowe said, This is more than an educator pay or benefits issue, adding that public boards should do the publics business in front of the public.

The AEAs lawsuit alleges the Public Education Employee Health Insurance Program board violated the Open Meetings Act in April 2016 when it heard a presentation from PEEHIP staff about the need for the increases and asked questions at a closed meeting.

Lawyers for PEEHIP said the challenged meeting was a "training session" and not subject to the Open Meetings law. The board held an open meeting the same day, with public notice, and voted to approve the increases.

Circuit Court Judge Johnny Hardwick agreed that the meeting violated the Open Meetings Act, invalidated the increases and ordered the refunds. The PEEHIP board appealed to the states highest court and refunds were put on hold until the state Supreme Court issues its ruling.

On Wednesday, at issue was whether the early morning closed-door PEEHIP meeting constituted training or deliberation. PEEHIP attorney David Boyd argued that because board members only asked questions of those making the presentation and did not discuss the topic of the meeting among themselves, no deliberation occurred.

AEA attorney Samuel Heldman argued that the presentation was an advocacy presentation where board members were being directed toward making a final decision and the meeting therefore was not educational but rather part of the deliberation process.

Tracee Binion drove from Jefferson County for Wednesdays hearing. She taught middle school for 12 years before becoming a regional director at AEA. Binion said she was very pleased with the turnout by AEA members and that it showed educators are willing to draw the line when it comes to accepting less and less.

Teachers and support employees are working second and third jobs, she said. In some cases, the increase in premiums completely negated the pay raise.

The 2016 increases raised the base monthly premium for individual coverage from $15 to $30. The base rate for family coverage other than the spouse was raised $30, to $207 a month. There is a $100 surcharge to also cover the spouse.

The starting salary for a teacher in Alabama with a bachelors degree is $39,301, up from $38,342 before a 2.5 percent raise was enacted for the current school year.

Educators and support staff came from all parts of the state, with some taking chartered buses and others driving themselves in the early morning hours to the 9 a.m. hearing.

Justices also heard arguments in a second case where the AEA, joined by two Montgomery County public school employees, filed a lawsuit in March challenging the approval of the LEAD Academy charter school application, which was approved in February.

At issue in the case was what constitutes a majority and how many members of the Commission must vote on an application.

Circuit Judge J.R. Gaines ruled in May that the 5-1 vote by the Alabama Public Charter School Commission to approve the LEAD Education Foundation's application for a charter school fell short of the majority required in state law. Gaines wrote that the law required at least six votes for the approval to be valid.

At full membership, the commission has 10 members, although it has only nine currently due to a vacancy on the Commission that the Lieutenant Governor must appoint. Alabama has been without a Lt. Gov. since Kay Ivey became Governor in April 2017.

After arguments ended, around 600 AEA members rallied on the steps of the Supreme Court building, chanting Return our raise and AEA, led by the organizations president and attorneys.

Marlowe said the AEA has more than 80,000 members statewide, and those that made the trip represent many more back home.

The people who were here today are worried about their local school districts and the kids in their classrooms, Marlowe said. But when we have a classroom teacher with an advanced degree who cant afford to feed his or her family and has to have a second job, that affects the quality of instruction in the classroom.

Chief Justice Lyn Stuart did not estimate a time frame for a decision, but court watchers speculate a decision could be reached in as few as four weeks.

AL.coms Mike Cason contributed to this report.Republicans solidified their control of the Alabama Legislature in Tuesdays election, adding to the majorities they have held in the House of Representatives and the Senate since 2010.

According to unofficial results from the Associated Press, Republicans picked up five seats in the Alabama House and now hold 77 of the 105 seats. Democrats hold 28 seats.

In the 35-seat Senate, Republicans picked up one seat, building their advantage to 27-8. The GOP added District 29 in southeast Alabama to its column. Rep. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, was unopposed in the general election and will replace independent Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb, who did not seek another term.

Rep. Elaine Beech, D-Chatom, was the only House incumbent to lose on Tuesday. Beech, a pharmacist, had represented District 65 in southwest Alabama since 2009. She lost to Republican Brett Easterbrook by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent.

The other four House seats the Democrats lost were seats with no incumbent.

District 3, Colbert, Lauderdale and Lawrence counties. Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, did not run after serving seven terms. Republican Andrew Sorrell won the seat over Democrat Chad Young, 53 percent to 47 percent.

District 18, Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties. Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow of Red Bay ran for the Senate instead of reelection, losing narrowly to Sen. Larry Stutts. Republican Jamie Kiel defeated Democrat Eddie Britton 72 percent to 28 percent to claim the seat.

District 28, Etowah County. Democrat Craig Ford of Gadsden staged an unsuccessful run for the state Senate instead of running for another term in the House, where he had served since 2000. Republican Gil Isbell defeated Democrat Kyle Pierce by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.

District 39, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne and DeKalb counties. Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, who had served in the House since 1983, did not seek another term. Republican Ginny Shaver claimed the seat with no Democratic opposition.

Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, issued a statement about Tuesdays results.

With their vote on Tuesday, the citizens of Alabama signaled their strong support for the conservative, reform-minded agenda that Republicans have pursued since gaining control of the Legislature, and we are thankful for their continuing confidence," McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon said the state has made progress over eight years but included in his statement a list of challenges ahead, including improvement of roads and bridges, public schools, school security and strengthening the ethics law.

Our mission is clear and well-defined, and its now our job to accomplish it, McCutcheon said.

Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed, R-Jasper, included some of the same challenges in a statement about the Senate results.

The people of Alabama have again entrusted the reins of state government to conservative Republicans, and we will honor that trust by continuing to pursue policies that will lift every part of the state, from the Wiregrass to the Black Belt to the Tennessee Valley," Reed said. "The economy is booming, but there is still work to be done, and Republicans in the Legislature will work hand-in-hand with Governor Ivey to rebuild our roads, bridges, and ports, strengthen our schools, support educators, and position Alabama as a leader for the 21st century.

Updated at 4:21 p.m. with more information about the House seats lost by the Democrats.Half of Alabamas registered voters turned out for Tuesdays general election, a solid increase in participation four years ago, according to unofficial totals posted by the Secretary of States office.

There were 1,721,906 total ballots cast. There are 3,457,572 registered voters in the state. That places turnout at 49.8 percent.

For the 2014 general election, turnout was 39.8 percent.

But Tuesdays participation rate was still lower than in the three mid-term elections preceding 2014:

2010: 57.5 percent

2006: 50.6 percent

2002: 58 percent

Turnout has been higher in presidential election years:

2016: 66.8 percent

2012: 73.2 percent

2008: 73.8 percent

2004: 72.5 percent

You can see turnout numbers from earlier elections here.

In the governors race, Gov. Kay Ivey received 1,019,558 votes, 59.5 percent. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox received 691,671, 40.4 percent. There were 2,614 write-in votes, 0.15 percent.

Secretary of State John Merrill had estimated turnout would be in the 35 to 40 percent range.

This story was updated to provide new numbers from the Secretary of States office.Voters reported dozens of voting irregularities at polling places across Alabama during Tuesdays midterm elections.

From claims that their ballots did not fit into voting machines to reports of long lines and being improperly turned away from the polls, the complaints ran the gamut.

Some of the incidents were able to be verified on Tuesday, but many went unverified as the alleged issues had been addressed by the time monitors or reporters arrived, or officials were unwilling to comment and there was no hard evidence to prove the claims.

We couldnt report out every single claim we caught wind of on Tuesday, but heres a breakdown of some of the many reported voting irregularities that Alabama residents reported experiencing at the polls on Tuesday:

Oversized ballots

Two voters and a total of four campaign workers, each of whom represented the campaigns of one of two local Democratic candidates, told AL.com on Tuesday that ballots provided to voters at Midfield Park & Recreation Center in Midfield, a few miles west of Birmingham, were too wide to fit into voting machines.

In order to make them fit into the machines, poll workers cut individual ballots from end to end with a single pair of scissors, a process that took time and led to long lines that drove some would-be voters away, two of the campaign workers said.

A Jefferson County elections employee wheels equipment away from the Midfield Park & Recreation Center after reportedly fixing a voting machine there on Election Day, Nov. 6, 2018.

Secretary of State John Merrill said via phone that the ballots should been tested ahead of time to ensure smooth sailing on Election Day.

That shouldve been checked when all the ballots were tested yesterday, he said Tuesday. That should have been determined then, and if any of the ballots needed to be trimmed in order to fit in the machine then that action should have taken place when the testing took place, which was yesterday.

Jefferson County elections employees visited the polling place Tuesday morning, after which the ballot size issue appeared to have been fixed. Both the county employees and the county elections inspector who were present at the Midfield recreation center declined to speak with AL.com.

Change of clothes

Multiple voters said Tuesday that employees of Mountain Brook Community Church told them they would not be able to vote unless they removed or covered up the campaign shirts and memorabilia they were wearing.

Mary Powers wore a shirt expressing support for Allie Summerford, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House district 48 seat, to the church, where she was registered to vote.

She said that a church employee told her to zip up her jacket if she wanted to be allowed to vote, but that she declined to do so and voted anyway, though she said she spoke with other Summerford supporters who did comply with the demand.

I dont have to mind or do what some random woman told me to do. Im an American, too, I get to vote and I get to do whatever I want, Powers said. It concerns me that other people dont know the rules and they dont necessarily know that they have the right to wear whatever they want to the polls.

Michael Sansbury, a spokesman for the Summerford campaign, confirmed that multiple voters had informed the campaign that they were asked to change out of Summerford items before voting at the Mountain Brook church.Scott Cardwell, Mountain Brook Community Churchs administrator, said that no church employees were even in the portion of the church used as a polling station on Tuesday, and that the church does not have a policy of forcing voters to change out of clothes bearing political messages.

Ive been up there and people had their button or t-shirt on and I dont know of anyone whos been turned away, Cardwell said.

Secretary of State John Merrill said Tuesday that in Alabama no one can legally be barred from voting simply because they are wearing political clothing or memorabilia.

That should not be an acceptable practice, Merrill said. If someone goes to vote they ought to be able to wear whatever they wear. Theres nothing in the code that prohibits that, as long as they dont decide to loiter afterward.

Long lines

When AL.com visited Mountain Brook Community Church around 2 p.m. Tuesday, dozens of people were waiting in line to vote, a condition that some observers believe can lead some would-be voters to decide not to bother casting a ballot.

Meredith Cummings, a University of Alabama journalism professor who oversaw a student-driven poll monitoring effort on Tuesday, said on Twitter that there were long lines at a Tuscaloosa County polling station.

The line at Bobby Miller Activity Center in Tuscaloosa is about 230 people right now and at a standstill. Six lines to get a ballot, each line about 25 people. Four machines with no wait time. Photo credit @jakeaphotog. @aldotcom @ConnorASheets @wvua23 @glestephens #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/8gHceMti8G  Meredith Cummings (@MereCummings) November 6, 2018

Andrew Yawn, a reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser tweeted about long lines to vote at Huntingdon College in the state capital Tuesday morning.

The line to the polls is long at Huntingdon. This is maybe a third of it #ElectionDay #alpolitics #mgmelections pic.twitter.com/Zmf01hk1ID  Andrew Yawn (@yawn_meister) November 6, 2018

Asked about multiple reports of long lines at polling stations from suburbs of Huntsville to Baldwin County, Merrill said that voters in counties like Jefferson County which have adopted electronic poll books should not face lengthy waits. He added that counties that have not yet done so need to adopt the technology in order to reduce lines at polling stations.

The electronic poll books will reduce the wait time across the board for voters, Merrill said. Jefferson County has had electronic poll books now for three consecutive elections.  So that should be reducing the wait time.

Busted boxes

Voters in multiple precincts in Madison County and in Leroy reported that the ballot boxes at their polling places were not working properly or had broken down completely. As a result, these voters said their filled-out paper ballots were not electronically scanned and were instead stacked in boxes, a system they said they did not trust.

Madison County resident Jared Wasson told AL.com that he faced such issues at his polling place at the Intergraph Corporation building in Madison.

I voted at 7 this morning and both machines that count the votes were not working so they were having us put the ballots in the bottom bin, he said. I found it suspicious, and have heard from a few people who had the same problem at other polling locations.

A resident of Leroy, a community in Washington County, said that he also experienced issues with voting machines at his polling station.

Ballot box/counter malfunctioned in Leroy, Alabama this a.m., he said. People were asked to pile their completed ballots up in the voting area without being run through. A friend reported the same thing at her polling place in the western part of our county.

Intrusive materials

One person posted a photograph on Twitter of a flier that she said her husband found in his voting booth in Mobile advocating for people to vote for Democrats. Such materials are not permitted inside voting areas in Alabama.

@yhn @vivian_figures @ALGOP My husband was surprised to see this in his voting booth (and four others) this morning in Mobile. Poll volunteers immediately removed them when notified. #IVoted pic.twitter.com/6xITIYLTtH  Alison (@ahaggie01) November 6, 2018

Fake news

Cummings, the UA journalism professor, and others reported that fake ballot initiatives, improper information about voting procedures, and other incorrect statements and materials were circulated on social media on Tuesday.

Cummings highlighted a particularly popular post asking Facebook users about voter ID policy that made the rounds on Tuesday.

This post on Facebook now has 22K shares on Facebook and many Alabamians are sharing this. This is NOT on Alabama's ballot. @wvua23 @glestephens @ConnorASheets @aldotcom pic.twitter.com/tR2Md9IK4J  Meredith Cummings (@MereCummings) November 6, 2018

SPLC reports

The Southern Poverty Law Center monitored the polls in Montgomery on Tuesday. It provided AL.com with a list list of issues that it learned about over the course of the day. Here are some highlights:

At Eastmont Baptist Church, the SPLC reported that a voter said there were [l]onger lines that ever seen before, took 1 hr. and 23 minutes, typically 20 minutes, fewer poll workers  only three running the new iPad system where we used to have 15 individuals checking folks in.

At Vaughn Church of Christ, a voter told SPLC that I arrived at 6:45am and there was already a line, not unusual. Normally once the doors open, it takes about 30 minutes to check in and vote. Today, it took me over an hour and half to get checked in and vote and I was closer to the front of the line than I have been in the last couple elections. The voter said the new tablet-based check-in system seemed to take much longer than the past paper-based process.

The SPLC wrote that such complaints about the tablet-based system were not uncommon. One voter at Sheridan Heights Community Center, Dr. Johnny Banister, said that the lines were much longer than usual. He waited in line 40 minutes and thinks it was because they only had 2 iPads checking folks in and not enough tables for people to sit at and fill out their ballots.

Absentee issues

A number of black voters in Tuscaloosas predominantly African-American West Tuscaloosa neighborhood said on Monday that they experienced difficulties obtaining absentee ballots in time for them to fill them out and send them back in before the deadline.

Click the link below to read more wrote about these Tuscaloosa voters concerns:

Voter suppression

Last week in Madison County, Probate Judge Tommy Ragland (the countys top elections official), decried tactics that he said amounted to voter suppression that made it more difficult for students at the countys majority-black Alabama A&M and Oakwood universities to exercise their right to vote. Heres AL.com reporter Lee Roops story on the Madison County concerns:Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox offered his support and prayers to Gov. Kay Ivey as he conceded defeat tonight.

We love you, Walt! the crowd chanted as Maddox walked to stage.

Words cannot express my sincere appreciation. Although we did not win the race, its important that we continue to keep the faith. And even at this moment, its important that we continue to believe in Alabama, Maddox said.

"I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Gov. Ivey on her election as governor. The voters have spoken, and she has earned the sacred responsibility of leading our state.

Clearly the governor and I have policy differences. But one fact supersedes them all: We are all Alabamians. The governor and her team are going to face difficult challenges, and they deserve our prayers. And they also deserve our full support.Just before 11 p.m., Associate Justice Tom Parker was announced as the winner of the Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice race-- one of the most controversial races statewide.

Voters had two choices for the Chief Justice position: Republican nominee Parker or Democrat and current Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Bob Vance Jr. Parkers win was announced at 10:15 p.m.

Early in the night, Vance was close to Parker with 43 percent of the vote. By 8:15 p.m. with five percent of votes counted, Parker led 59 percent to Vances 40 percent. Around 9 p.m., with 32 percent of precincts reporting, Parker had 58 percent of the vote to Vances 41 percent. Before the race was called, Parker was leading 57 percent compared to Vances 42 percent.

Vance spoke after the race was called and said he would support Parker as the new Chief Justice. He also thanked his family, campaign staff, and voters who supported him statewide. While tonight was disappointing, nevertheless the journey has been very, very rewarding for me personally and I thank everyone on the campaign for that.

This campaign and the results tonight show us that change is never easy. We must be willing to fight the fight and sometimes it takes time. Sometimes you have to take a step back when you take two steps forward. But the important thing is for us to continue the fight... so I would just ask everyone to move Alabama forward," Vance said.

Parker will replace Lyn Stuart, who was elected to the Supreme Court in 2000 and reelected twice, giving her the longest tenure of the nine current justices. Two years ago, Stuart became acting chief justice when then Chief Justice Roy Moore was suspended for ordering probate judges to enforce Alabamas ban on same-sex marriage after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled such bans unconstitutional. Last year, Moore lost an appeal of his suspension and resigned to run for the U.S. Senate. Gov. Kay lvey appointed Stuart to replace him.

Stuart ran against Parker in the Republican primary this summer, and Parker won.

Parker, of Montgomery County, has been an associate justice since 2005. Like Vance, he also ran for the Chief Justice position previously, but he vied for the spot in 2006 while Vance ran in 2012. In his career, Parker has served as the deputy administrative director of courts; general counsel for the trial courts; director of the Alabama Judicial College, Alabama Administrative Office of Courts; Alabama assistant attorney general; and is the founding executive director of the Alabama Family Alliance, now called the Alabama Policy Institute.

He also once served as legal adviser to Moore and has been a longtime ally of the former Chief Justice and former U.S. Senate candidate. Parker has said Moore was unlawfully removed from office.

Parker has previously said state courts can be vehicles for eventually reversing U.S. Supreme Court decisions that he claims have undermined the Constitution. The justice is also well-known for his vocal opinions on divisive issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He said in 2016 that a judge, like anyone else, has a right to political speech under the U.S. Constitution.

Vance, however, hasn't voiced his personal opinions on hot topic issues and said his priority as Chief Justice would be to make sure the state courts are operating smoothly. We have differing priorities on what the job should be about, Vance said about his opponent. Theres nothing glamorous or sexy about it but thats the important work of the job.

The Birmingham native has a famous legal family-- most notably his father Robert S. Vance Sr., who served as a judge on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals when he was killed by a bomb that was delivered to his Mountain Brook home in 1989. The younger Vances wife, Joyce Vance, was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama in 2008. She stepped down in January 2017.

According to the Alabama Supreme Courts website, the Chief Justice is the administrative head of the states judicial system. The Supreme Court can make rules governing administration, practice, and procedure across state courts, and the chief justice is tasked with making sure all lower state courts operate accordingly.A 25-year-old Hoover man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the 2016 shooting death of another man during a Birmingham dice game.

Nicholas Porter Jr., originally charged with capital murder in the slaying of 20-year-old, Joseuell Kirkland pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of murder. Court records indicate Porter entered a best interest plea, which means that a defendant does not admit guilt to any offense but agrees that a guilty plea is in his best interest under the circumstances.

The shooting happened about 8 p.m. on April 11, 2018 inside a home in the 200 block of 21st Street S.W. Authorities at the time said there was a group of men playing dice on the sunporch when an argument began.

Police said Porter pulled a gun, shot Kirkland and fled the scene in a black truck. Porter was arrested several days later.

He also was charged with attempted murder, but that charge was dismissed as part of his plea deal. Porter was booked back into the Jefferson County Jail on Tuesday morning.Linda Hall, a Jefferson County lawyer who was recently disqualified from holding a circuit court judgeship, still won the most votes in Tuesdays general election.

With 97 percent of the votes tallied, Hall, a Democrat, was ahead in the race with 131,981 votes, compared to Republican Teresa Pulliams 115,403.

Although Hall was declared disqualified from holding the judgeship, votes were still being tallied Tuesday to see if Pulliam, the incumbent, could continue in the job she has held since 2006. Now, with Hall getting the most votes, it appears Gov. Kay Ivey will appoint someone to sit on the bench.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Place 16 has been one of the countys most contested judicial races, after Halls disqualification from the race in October. It was too late to remove her name from the ballot.

Fayette County Circuit Judge Samuel Junkin ruled last month that Hall could not take the bench because she didnt meet residency requirements that say a candidate must live in the county in which they are campaigning in for at least 12 months prior to the election. He ordered that Halls votes must be counted, but she wont be eligible to take office if she gets the most votes.

Gov. Kay Ivey will appoint someone to fill the open seat on the bench.

In a separate order, the judge said former candidate Peter Davis cannot claim Halls spot as the Democratic nominee for the judicial seat. Davis was Halls opponent in the Democratic primary earlier this year and after a county voter filed a lawsuit claiming Hall should be barred from running because of she had lived in Shelby County for the majority of the past 12 months, Davis said he was the rightful nominee.

Hall was disqualified from the race after Junkin determined she had not lived in Jefferson County for the required amount of time. Junkin was appointed to preside over the case after all Jefferson County judges recused themselves.

During a day-long trial, Hall testified about her living arrangements for the past 18 months and said she would not have ran if she was aware she had lived in Shelby County. During her testimony, Hall detailed several different Shelby County apartments she has lived in during the past year and also said she lived in St. Louis, MO, between August and December 2017.

Pulliam, a Huntsville native, graduated from Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama School of Law, and worked as a prosecutor in the Mobile District Attorneys Office before moving to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office in 1986. Before taking the bench, Pulliam worked in private practice for 14 years.A trio of Democratic women defeated Republican incumbents in Virginia congressional districts Tuesday, and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine cruised to reelection as voters turned out in strong numbers around the state.

State Sen. Jennifer Wexton defeated incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock in the 10th District in suburban Washington, and newcomer Elaine Luria unseated Rep. Scott Taylor in the Hampton Roads area's 2nd District.

In a close race that went down to the last few precincts, Democrat Abigail Spanberger pushed past Rep. Dave Brat in the 7th District in the Richmond suburbs.

The wins exceeded expectations of even Democratic leaders and boosted the party's efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives - in a state that only a generation ago was reliably Republican. Yet again, female candidates delivered big for Democrats in Virginia, just a year after another slate of women made huge gains in House of Delegates races.

Comstock failed to win a third term in a district that had been comfortably Republican for almost 40 years. Wexton, a state senator and former prosecutor, rolled up wide margins in the increasingly diverse suburbs of Loudoun County.

Kaine, a popular former governor and Hillary Clinton's 2016 running mate, easily defeated Corey Stewart, the Prince William County supervisor who had promised a vicious campaign in the style of President Donald Trump.

National Democrats had spent heavily to defeat Comstock as part of a bid to regain control of the House. Virginia was an early test of that strategy, with an unusual number of competitive House races and polls that closed before many others around the country.

Democrats had targeted four of Virginia's 11 congressional seats as potential flips, and Wexton led Comstock in public polls for months. But the prospect of two more pickups in Richmond and Hampton Roads made Democrats giddy.

"Virginia showed who we are and who we aren't," Kaine said at his victory celebration at a hotel in Falls Church where he was joined by Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and former governor Terry McAuliffe. "It will be the Democrats who will eventually make sure women are represented in all our legislative bodies," Kaine said.

Luria, a business owner and former Navy commander, said Tuesday's victories were about more than gender. "I think this is a moment for our country, and it just happens that a lot of the people who stood up were women," she said after celebrating in Virginia Beach. Luria said Taylor had called her to pledge to work together for a smooth transition.

A native of Mountain Brook, Luria attended Indian Springs School.

Congratulations to Elaine Luria 93, the first Indian Springs School alum elected to Congress! Luria claimed Virginias 2nd Congressional District in the... https://t.co/3fbh39p7v8  Indian Springs (@ExperienceISS) November 7, 2018

Outside Richmond, Spanberger's supporters shed tears, smiled and held hands as their candidate declared victory. "They said this district was unwinnable, but this campaign was always about giving people something to vote for," Spanberger said after becoming the first Democrat to win there since at least 1968.

Republicans held on to an open seat when Denver Riggleman beat Democrat Leslie Cockburn in the 5th District near Charlottesville. But that was little solace for some.

"I'm a veteran of the blue wave of 2017. It's clear the blue wave is still around," said John Whitbeck, former chairman of the Virginia GOP, referring to Democratic gains in last year's state election. "Republicans have to figure out how they're going to respond. It's clear we didn't this time around. I can't think of a better candidate and message than Barbara Comstock. We've just got to figure out how to be better than we've been in this climate."

Stewart conceded defeat just before 9 p.m., when Kaine was ahead by roughly 10 points with many Democratic precincts in vote-heavy northern Virginia yet to be counted.

"I don't regret anything we did," Stewart told a crowd of cheering supporters, after calling Kaine to congratulate him. "We gave it a good fight, and we have a great president of the United States."

Riggleman won the seat being vacated by Rep. Thomas Garrett, who announced he was battling alcoholism, and said his campaign showed a new blueprint for Republicans in Virginia.

"We proved that we can run a campaign with class, integrity and dignity," Riggleman said during his victory party at a brewery in Afton. "I think we proved that we can run a campaign on the issues. I think you're seeing a new day, where we're seeing a new kind of civility in politics, coming from this campaign in the 5th District."

Brat declined to address the crowd assembled outside Richmond as returns came in and did not concede.

Turnout was reported to be heavy around the state - in some places even rivaling presidential election years. Despite heavy rain in much of eastern and central Virginia, voters at some polling places waited as long as two hours to cast ballots.

Mohammed Moutaouakil, 47, arrived at McLean High School shortly after 6 a.m. "to see if everyone is excited as I am," he said. Driving his excitement: "Trump," said Moutaouakil, who voted Democratic across the board.

"I don't agree with anything he's done so far, from immigration to fiscal policies," he said. "In two years, things have gone downhill pretty dramatically."

The 16th annual All-Academy Ball hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy Parents Club in 2007. Mountain Brook native and 1997 USNA graduate, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Elaine Luria of Norfolk, Va. was the speaker.bn

But in the rural exurbs of Spotsylvania County, along Interstate 95 between Washington and Richmond, Kim Mandzak, 61, a reading teacher, was eager to vote for exactly the opposite reason.

"We've got to save this country," said Mandzak, who voted a straight Republican ticket to fight back against elements that are "pushing us to think so differently." Working people have seen jobs dry up and savings disappear, she said, as Democrats "have been giving our country away, not standing up to anyone."

As Virginia's cities have become more prosperous and its suburbs have spread in an arc from Fairfax down to Richmond and across to Hampton Roads, the formerly red state has become more competitive - sought by Democrats as a possible new source of votes.

It was the only Southern state to go for Hillary Clinton in 2016 - when Kaine served as her running mate.

Last year, in the first closely watched elections following Trump's surprising victory, Virginia Democrats nearly wiped out the long-standing GOP majority in the General Assembly. That gave Democrats cause to believe they could gain more ground this year - but also served as a wake-up call to Republican voters, who were less likely to show up at the polls last year.

This year's outcome "looks a lot like 2017 when angry suburban white voters pushed out Republican incumbents," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. "This is in part a Trump effect, but it's also a Corey Stewart effect."

If Republicans had run a more mainstream candidate than Stewart at the top of the ticket, Farnsworth said, that might have been enough to help Taylor or Brat hang on in their tight races. "It's clear the Republican Party has to retool in Virginia," he said.

Democrats' top target this year was Comstock, whose race against Wexton was the most expensive congressional contest in the state and whose district has become steadily more blue.

But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also targeted Taylor in the Hampton Roads-area 2nd District. The first-term representative and former Navy SEAL was embroiled in a scandal during the campaign.

Several of his staffers are under state criminal investigation, accused of turning in fraudulent signatures to help an independent candidate get on the ballot, apparently to water down votes for Luria.

Though the scandal made headlines in late summer, voters were mixed on whether it had affected their decisions.

Amy Lander, 43, a self-employed teacher from Norfolk, said wrongdoing had no effect on her support for Taylor. "I don't think he had anything to do with it," she said. She voted Republican "because I am for keeping government small and lowering taxes. I don't like the socialistic policies I see the Democratic Party is headed toward. I don't like that they're making this illegal immigration such an issue."

But for Eric Mitchell, 26, a student at Norfolk State University and health-care worker, the scandal cast Luria in a better light. "She seemed more honest to me versus Scott Taylor with this whole scandal deal. It's a big thing for me to have something that's kind of questionable happen like that. I feel like you should own up to it. I just didn't feel like he was being honest."

Outside Richmond, turnout was heavy in suburban precincts where former CIA operative Spanberger mounted a well-funded challenge to Brat in the 7th District.

Voters waited as long as two hours to cast their ballots at Robious Middle School in Chesterfield County, suburban Richmond swing territory that proved the difference in the race.

When heavy rains and winds blew in around noon, school officials allowed a line of voters that wrapped around the building to move inside. By late afternoon, the line snaked all through the school.

"That's not normal," Renita McKnight, chief officer of elections, said of the turnout.

National Democrats watched the Virginia numbers closely for early clues to whether that message has caught on.

"We have always believed that Virginia was very, very important to the battlefield and important to our ability to take back the House," said Dan Sena, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Winning two of Virginias congressional seats would constitute a great night, Sena said before the election. Nationally, the party has seen an uptick in enthusiasm among communities of color and in suburban areas, which has played out in districts held by Comstock, Taylor and Brat.An Alabama State Trooper was killed Tuesday morning when he was struck by a vehicle while off duty in Lauderdale County.

State authorities identified the victim as Senior Trooper Jason William Hewett. He was 34 and lived in Florence.

The crash happened at 8:55 a.m. on County Road 137, four miles northwest of Florence. Authorities said he was struck by a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by John Malcolm Thomas, also of Florence. Thomas was not injured in the crash.

Hewett was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a 2006 graduate of the Alabama State Trooper Academy and was assigned to the Highway Patrol Division in Lauderdale County of the Quad Cities Trooper Post. Additional information wasnt released, and the crash remains under investigation.

A Gofundme account has been set up for the family.Alabama voters overwhelmingly supported an amendment to the states 1901 Constitution authorizing public displays of the Ten Commandments.

The people we were hearing from are super excited to have this opportunity to go down in history as the first state to acknowledged that we want God, that is the Christian God, in their Constitution, said Dean Young, the chief advocate for the amendment and the campaign strategist last year for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. This is the first time in the history of the country that a state has taken such a stand in acknowledging the God of the Old and New Testament.

As the votes continue to come in tonight in Alabama, no measure nor state candidate is winning by a wider margin than the Ten Commandments, as more than 7 out of 10 voters backed the measure.

With almost all precincts counted, 71.6 percent of voters approved of the constitutional amendment while 28.4 percent disapproved.

This is a big deal. Its a huge deal, said Young, before the polls closed earlier Tuesday. The highest levels across the nation in government are watching what Alabama is doing.

Young said he was confident the passage will lead to public displays of the Ten Commandments, even if national organizations which advocate for a separation of church and state are already promising legal challenges.

This (Ten Commandments) ballot initiative, aimed at driving particular voters to the polls, was pure exploitation of religion for political purposes," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO with the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Government sponsored religious displays on public property clearly violate the core constitutional principle of religious freedom and put the seal of approval on one religion over another. And many of these displays will no doubt end up in court at the expense of the taxpayers.

The ACLU of Alabama, in a statement, said they were not surprised with the passage of the constitutional amendment, even though from a legal standpoint, it is meaningless.

They also called the potential displays a violation of the U.S. Constitution, and that Tuesdays passage will give public officials false comfort that they will be safe from costly litigation.

The amendment, as written, promises that no state money will be used to defend it during legal challenges. But Young predicted that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who won Tuesdays governors election over Democrat Walt Maddox, will do everything within all of her available power and that includes executive orders to ensure that the Ten Commandments are displayed in public venues within 90 days.

Young, during a news conference last month in Montgomery, said Ivey committed in a questionnaire to putting the Ten Commandments on display inside every one of Alabamas public schools. Iveys campaign, at the time, did not acknowledge making such commitment. But the governor has repeatedly cited her support for the displays.

When the governor of your state is requesting the schools place the Ten Commandments on the walls and the people of the state are saying overwhelmingly that they want the Ten Commandments in the schools, then we wont have too much of a problem (in getting them displayed), said Young, who is from Orange Beach. The people who work with the schools, they are excited about the opportunity.

Young and state Senator Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, have also said there are Christian organizations willing to defend public entities which display them.

The ACLU, in its statement, added, Local public bodies, such as school districts, will be forced to hire lawyers to defend lawsuits challenging specific Ten Commandment displays. And, should the plaintiffs prevail, the local public body and its taxpayers will be on the hook for the plaintiffs attorneys fees, which could run easily into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The amendment is a trap for the unwary.

Young, a campaign strategist for 2017 Senate nominee Roy Moore, said hes been working on passage of such an amendment for the past 16 years.

Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice, gained national notoriety in the 1990s and early 2000s for his attempts at getting the Ten Commandments displayed on public property. His most famous effort occurred in 2001, after he was elected as chief justice, when he had a 5,200-pound Ten Commandments monument installed inside the Helflin-Torbert Judicial Building in Montgomery. It was removed in 2004, following a federal lawsuit, and now is located inside the Church at Wills Creek in Gadsden.Cost of feminine hygiene products soars as salaries drop with analysts warning traditional family dynamic is at risk.

On November 5, further US sanctions on Iran went into effect and are expected to bring devastating consequences on the Islamic Republic and its people.

It is feared that women along with children and impoverished Iranians are most at risk.

Fatemeh, 27, works at a public health policy start-up and teaches biology at a high school in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Born in Iran in the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq war, she and her family moved to Canada and relocated to California at age 13.

After graduating, she decided that she wanted to return. Like many others, she has already started to feel the effect of sanctions.

It definitely hasnt been easy, she told Al Jazeera. Six, seven months ago, when the dollar and [rial] went crazy, prices went up. It makes me doubt if [returning] was really a good decision, and whether I can sustain this for much longer.

No matter how much money I make, it is worth nothing in dollars.

With the devaluation of Irans currency, Fatemehs monthly salary is equivalent to about $160, a steep decrease from what it used to be, around $800.

To add to income woes, womens products such as menstrual hygiene items and certain medication have become steadily more difficult to find and much more expensive.

Azadeh Moaveni, gender consultant at International Crisis Group

Fatemeh said searching for Western brands like Always or Kotex can be frustrating.

I went to six or seven pharmacies in a day and I just couldnt find them anywhere, she said.

She ventured to Jordan, a more affluent part of town, but the shelves were empty there, too.

Even Iranian brands have become more expensive; what was once 100,000 rial is now being sold for 160,000 rial, which is now worth around $3.80.

Azadeh Moaveni, gender consultant at the International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera: There are micro-shortages of every day things which erode the quality of life of different classes in different ways. Over time, sanctions eventually impoverish the middle class and they are designed to do that.

The scarcity has also led to panic buying and hoarding.

From the sellers perspective, Fatemeh said, they might hold on to them and wait until the next week to try to sell their products for a higher value.

Yasaman, a 22-year-old university graduate, works in her familys fast food restaurant in Shiraz.

People just arent buying anything right now if they can avoid it. I havent gone shopping recently, all the items have become more expensive, she told Al Jazeera. We had to increase the prices on our menu but customers understood that we didnt have a choice.

Khameneis call

After Norouz (New Year) celebrations last March, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to support domestic production.

A lot of people have taken it to heart, Fatemeh said, even those who dont necessarily politically agree with Khamenei.

But even locally made products are more expensive. Nappies, for example, are made with imported raw materials.

Analysts warned that economic sanctions could ultimately affect the traditional family dynamic and leave women vulnerable [Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]

One woman told Al Jazeera, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that the sanctions could lead to a lower birth rate.

She explained that people have been reconsidering having children because essential items such as nappies and formula are now unaffordable, even for an average dual-income household.

When the Central Bank is sanctioned, it makes purchasing goods near impossible, said Washington, DC-based Sussan Tahmasebi, the director of Femena, an organisation supporting womens rights.

She explained that the inability to transfer funds through SWIFT  meaning from one country to another  is the main problem.

Long-term effect

Beyond the immediate and visible effect  shortages and high prices  analysts warned that sanctions could disrupt the family dynamic.

Moaveni, the International Crisis Group consultant, said: Women, as organisers of family life, healthcare, education, will often carry the burden of trying to come up with alternatives for their families in all instances.

If men cant provide for their families in a society that is still largely traditional and patriarchal, if they cant fulfil the [perceived] duties of their gender role, it does tend to create tension and encourage forms of more assertive masculinity that are not as constructive to women having a say in the family unit.

Not being able to earn or support the family has an impact on mens conception of themselves.

Further US sanctions on Iran went into effect on November 5, 2018 [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE]

On Monday, US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo tweeted in Farsi: [US] sanctions do not apply to the sale of food, agriculture, medicine, and medical devices.

[The US] stands in solidarity with the Iranian people.

But according to more than 50 academic studies, economic sanctions in the past on Iran have had a humanitarian effect.

They have adversely affected the standard of living for ordinary Iranians, made certain medications inaccessible, and triggered public health concerns.

People say medicine isnt sanctioned and that humanitarian aid isnt sanctioned, said Tahmasebi, but it is.Hebei Province, China  Deep in the polluted flatlands of Hebei Province in northern China, Mengjie School for the Blind is home for around 100 visually impaired students from rural regions.

I am determined and confident that I can provide blind people with the skills they need to enter society. They dont need to be thought of as a burden, and indeed they can become the pillars of the family, says Mu Mengjie, who founded the school in 1999.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 75 million visually impaired people in China, 8 million of whom are completely blind.

Outside of major urban centres on the countrys prosperous east coast, most schools are ill-prepared to provide for students like these, and those that do enter the classroom often attend special schools isolated from the rest of society.

The issue is particularly pronounced in rural areas. A chronic lack of infrastructural resources means many visually impaired children remain at home with little to no schooling.

In this context, Mus school is an anomaly. It offers a free education and accommodation for disabled children whose families struggle to provide for them.

At the beginning, the students didnt even know how to use chopsticks, weve come a long way since the school started, says Mu Lifei, a teacher at the school.

When they first arrive it can be difficult to build a relationship. Their parents often only provide for their very basic needs and at first, they pull away from us.

The school has struggled to find qualified teachers willing to live and work far away from major cities, but a close network of teachers and family members have come forward to help the students.

For many of the older students, the school provides vocational training in massage.

Mu claims that over 300 students have graduated from the school to go on and find work. Employment opportunities are extremely limited outside of massage, but Mu believes the financial independence has made a real difference in graduating students lives.

Many of the parents say they regret only finding out about the school so late. They never thought their blind children could earn their own money  sometimes even more than normal people.If the Venezuelan opposition is truly fighting for democracy, it would not seek an alliance with an undemocratic leader.

Venezuela, without a doubt, has experienced the most dramatic democratic erosion in Latin America (PDF) since the regions third wave of democratization began. Free and fair elections are off the table, all state institutions are controlled by the government, civil and political liberties are no longer respected, and the opposition is being jailed, exiled or threatened.

Nevertheless, some opposition leaders and parties have persisted in their efforts to motivate and mobilise the Venezuelan people to pursue a peaceful transition. Many of them have spent their days in the streets demonstrating for state and policy reforms or doing the rounds in neighbourhoods to bring a message of hope to the most marginalised voters of the country. Many continue to insist on building an electoral majority to dislodge President Nicholas Maduro at the polls.

But while this insistence on observing the electoral process to achieve a change of power is commendable, there have also been some worrying trends within the opposition. One of them is its growing public support for Brazils president-elect Jair Bolsonaro voiced by some opposition leaders, which casts doubt over their commitment to democracy.

Bolsonaro is a retired army officer and back-bench congressman, who in his 26 years as a legislator, only managed to pass two of bills he proposed. While he has not impressed the public with his work, he has done so with his non-democratic views and contempt for human rights.

Bolsonaro has praised torture as an effective political strategy and endorsed the crimes of the former military dictatorship in Brazil. He has promised to give the police forces in Brazil expanded authority to kill suspects, saying that a good criminal is a dead criminal and has openly humiliated and threatened women, LGTBQ, native and black communities. Based on this rhetoric many fear Brazils young democracy is now at risk, and rightly so.

Given Bolsonaro undemocratic tendencies, why did several Venezuelan opposition leaders not only congratulate him on his victory, but also explicitly invite him to help Venezuela transition to democracy? Why would Venezuela want his support in recovering democracy, while he is a clear threat to Brazils own democratic order?

The opposition cannot campaign against Maduros authoritarian government, while allying with leaders who seem to be or are authoritarian themselves. Opposition leaders need to understand that they cannot have it both ways. They cannot expect Venezuelans to be patient during the countrys most severe socioeconomic crisis or ask the international community for support, when demonstrating this self-contradictory and opportunistic behaviour.

Cooperating with Bolsonaro, or with factions of the Trump administration who have already contributed to democratic backsliding in the United States, or discourses inviting an open invasion of Venezuela, only harms the country and kills any hopes for a transition. In fact, these actions are only a gift to Maduro who can now, with proper evidence, say that the opposition conspires with the global right against him.

If the opposition is committed to a democratic transition and consolidation, it needs to be consistent in upholding its democratic commitment. This means rejecting any cooperation with leaders or parties, governments or organisations, who spread an authoritarian rhetoric full of hatred and polarisation.

Venezuela has suffered vastly from this same damaging discourse, which is precisely the reason why opponents to Maduros dictatorship should forcefully refuse any association with this kind of rhetoric.

Surely, leading a transition is not an easy task, let alone a linear path and certainly, politicians are allowed to make mistakes. However, it is their duty to recognise these mistakes and change their strategies when necessary.

The time has come for the Venezuelan opposition to do so. If leaders from the opposition want to govern the country one day, they need to earn the respect and trust of their voters first. If they want to replace an authoritarian regime that has polarised and politicised all aspects of life; if they believe that Venezuelans deserve to trust state institutions again; or if they want migrants to eventually return to their country and families previously divided along political issues to reunite, they need to start being consistent and demonstrate that democracy is worth fighting for  even if this implies turning down attractive but damaging short-term alliances.

An alliance with Bolsonaro is not the way to go. Building global networks with leaders committed to democracy, learning from their past mistakes, overcoming internal divisions and reconstructing a unified discourse, proposing concrete state and policy reforms, or supporting forcefully displaced citizens at the Venezuelan-Colombian or Venezuelan-Brazilian border, is.

As German sociologist Max Weber has argued, politics should be a vocation and should be made with the head, not with the other parts of the body, nor the soul.

In this sense, Venezuelan opposition leaders should think carefully before acting impulsively. They should recover and uphold their moral convictions.

One thing is for sure, being anti-Chavez, anti-Maduro or anti-PSUV does not make any opposition politician democratic per se. Standing up against bullies, misogynists, racists or fascists, does.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.In the long and distinguished history of great literary and cinematic sleuths, the character of Lieutenant Columbo, the fictional homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department in the American television series named eponymously after him, stands out in sharp contrast to his two other chief European colleagues: Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christies Hercule Poirot.

Created by Richard Levinson and William Link, and most memorably portrayed by the late Peter Falk, Lieutenant Columbo featured a uniquely American contrast to his British and Belgian counterparts. In the case of Sherlock Holmes, we have no suspect until our favourite sleuth meticulously pieces together the scattered evidence pointing to the perpetrator of the crime. In the case of Hercule Poirot, as perhaps best evident in the case of Murder on the Orient Express (1934), we have too many suspects until the genius detective gathers enough evidence to charge one or more of them with the crime. In the case of Lieutenant Columbo, in contrast, he and we the audience know exactly who has committed the murder at the very onset, and the whole fun of the story is to see how the beguilingly absentminded and shabbily dressed detective actually pieces together the evidence to trap the murderer and lead him to confess.

As much else that is happening in our world today, the enormity of the moral catastrophes we face on a daily and routine basis has forced our narrative out of any normative kilter. We can no longer talk or think about political events in purely factual terms. The creative and literary worlds are now more than ever needed if we are to make sense of the actual world we live. On this column, I have had previous occasions in which I was led to resort to cartoon characters to understand the current calamities befallen the United States and by extension the world at large.

The same is true with the case of the late Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident journalist murdered by the Saudis in their Istanbul consulate. As it has unfolded so far, the depth of moral depravity evident in the Saudi butchering a simple voice of moderate dissent defies any normative language of analysis and understanding. Political assassinations are as old as politics itself. Et tu, Brute? /Even you, Brutus? is now the proverbial phrase after Roman dictator Julius Caesar uttered it addressing his friend Marcus Junius Brutus at the moment of his assassination in Shakespeares Julius Caesar.

But in the case of Khashoggi the question is why this particular method of murderous savagery  cutting a person into pieces, reportedly cutting his head off and chopping off his fingers presumably as trophies to be sent to the person ordering the hit back in some hideous palace in Riyadh, and then dissolving in acid what is left of the poor soul?

Searching for a fictional metaphor

The truth of the Khashoggi murder is so bizarre, so grisly, so outrageous that restoring to the world of literary and cinematic fiction is one modest way to try to understand the dreadful terror to which we are vicarious witnesses.

It is in these terms that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi extends from factual to fictional and calls for comparison some key literary and cinematic figures. In that comparative domain, we see the figure of Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appearing remarkably akin to Lieutenant Columbo, the way they both taunt and trouble the murderer.

Let me add right here this comparison does not exonerate President Erdogan himself and the campaign of fear and intimidation he has launched against independent Turkish journalism. Yes, he has not ordered any one of them chopped up to pieces, if that is the measure of our political tolerance. But according to Reporters without Borders, Turkey today ranks 157 on the World Press Freedom Index.

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Be that as it may, Erdogan has acted his lucrative cards against Saudi Arabia and its two chief supporters, the United States and Israel, with astonishing brilliance. It is in this context that we see him act in a way and through pro-government Turkish media and official press releases, presenting to the public the exact nature of the crime and who precisely is the person responsible for it.

Over the last month since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, we have seen how Erdogan is taunting the chief murderer, exactly like Lieutenant Columbo, keeps harassing him with bits and pieces of evidence, forcing him to twist and turn his explanations and alibis until he runs out of options and the ingenious trap narrows in on him. We follow the news of Khashoggis murder very much on the script of a Columbo episode. Through the systematic scoops and press releases, we know who the murderer is. We know how he has done it. We even know his motive, as well as the assassination team and their bone saw as the chief weapon of dismembering him. Through Turkish media and governmental statements, culminating in a crucial opinion piece by President Erdogan himself in Washington Post, we have in fact been the vicarious witnesses to what has exactly happened on that dreadful October 2 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. But we are mesmerised by the manner Erdogan as Columbo keeps teasing and catcalling the murderer.

Taunting the murderer

A key feature of Columbos investigative style is to force the suspect into offering full explanations for the evident questions he has in the course of his investigations. The suspect always feels obligated to provide explanations for the inconsistencies Columbo keeps detecting in the stories the murderer has offered. This very fact that the murderer keeps offering explanations and resolving inconsistencies is what intensifies the conviction that he is, in fact, the murderer.

Now, look at the manners in which the Saudis have been forced to offer supercilious and in fact incriminating explanations of what happened to Khashoggi after he entered their Istanbul consulate in one piece.

First, they categorically denied anything had happened to Khashoggi, with their Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman volunteering that Khashoggi had left the consulate after a few minutes or one hour. But Erdogan kept leaking more gory details of what had happened to the Saudi dissident journalist. The Saudis finally admitted yes Khashoggi had died while on their consular premise. The intention was not to kill him, the Saudis now said, he was accidentally killed when put on a chokehold.





But Columbo kept coming back with his notorious, one more thing. More details were released through the press, audio and perhaps video recordings were available, now we were told. The Saudis were trapped, they were desperate to know what exactly Turkey knew. Erdogan would not budge.

The cat and mouse game between Erdogan and the Saudis was now in full throttle. The Saudis said Khashoggi died immediately, Erdogan leaked the news he suffered for seven minutes. Later the Turkish press revealed how the Saudi butcher Dr Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy, the head of forensics at the Saudi General Security Department, cut off Khashoggis fingers and head. Erdogan kept the gory details coming, the Saudis were at a loss where and when and how this would end. Their most ardent supporter Donald Trump had to admit, this was the worst cover-up in history. This was even before Turkey revealed, on November 5, that the Saudis had dispatched an 11-member cover-up team to Istanbul on October 11, nine days after the Washington Post contributor vanished after entering the Saudi consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage. The Saudis had clumsily tried to camouflage this cover-up team as an investigative team!

It was quite a miserable situation for the Saudis. However, Israelis thought the Saudi-Zionist alliance to steal the rest of Palestine was in danger so Netanyahu appealed to Trump not to abandon Mohammed bin Salman just because a dissident journalist had been chopped up into pieces. Erdogan had the Saudis, the Americans, and the Israelis where he wanted them to be: on the defensive  actively supporting a suspected murderer in full view of global public view.

The interests of the state

On October 29, Saudi Arabia sent its public prosecutor, Saud Al-Mujab, to Turkey allegedly to discuss the investigation. Three days later, when the Saudi prosecutor proved to have been sent with one single mission to find out how much did the Turks actually know, Erdogan finally released his first official statement on the journalists murder. The president revealed, through the office of chief prosecutor in Istanbul, how Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and then his body was cut into pieces.

The Saudis were outsmarted, outmanoeuvred, out-tricked.





Contrary to any episode of Columbo, however, in this real-life murder, Erdogan will not have a scene in which he will face the suspect and offer the bravura final and conclusive evidence that he is the murderer. Soon after the macabre murder of Khashoggi other atrocities began piling up. First came the pipe bomber targeting Trumps critics in US, then the murderous attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh, followed by the victory of ultra-right-wing Jair Bolsonaro in Brazils presidential election. Midterm elections were approaching fast and Americans were wondering if their charlatan president will continue to wreak havoc on them and the world unchecked. Meanwhile, sanctions on Iran were unleashed, and the Khashoggi murder was pushed aside by the sheer pressure of the daily news.

Contrary to any whodunit murder mystery, we may never have a final moment of catharsis, and we may never know the full extent of what Erdogan and his security apparatus know. The interests of the state here supersede the public need for a dramatic finale, let alone the global demand for justice. Erdogan has and will continue to milk this occasion to the fullest extent of his political ambitions and by extension the interests of the state he represents.

In an opinion piece pointedly published in Jamal Khashoggis own paper, The Washington Post, Erdogan brought the point home and all but named the main culprit and pointed finger at the suspect:

We know the perpetrators are among the 18 suspects detained in Saudi Arabia. We also know those individuals came to carry out their orders: Kill Khashoggi and leave. Finally, we know the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government.

At which point the Hollywood and friends had picked up where Lieutenant Columbo had left off: More than 100 writers, journalists, artists, and activists are calling on the United Nations to initiate an independent investigation into the disappearance and apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Here is what the opposition can do to get Venezuela out of the current crisis.Dozens dead in car-bomb attack at camp housing government soldiers and rival armed groups in northern city of Gao.

Dozens of people have been killed in a car bombing at a military camp in the northern city of Gao in Mali.

The area houses government soldiers and armed groups who conduct mixed patrols under a UN-brokered peace deal aimed at curbing violence in the region.

Wednesday mornings explosion hit the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, which was seized by armed groups in 2012 before French forces drove them out a year later.

Specifically, former rebels from the Tuareg-led CMA movement were preparing to go on a joint patrol with pro-government militia members, under the terms of the 2015 agreement, when the attacker struck.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita declared a three-day mourning period following the attack, the worst in years.

READ MORE: On the road with Nigers peacekeepers in Mali

Sadou Maiga, a doctor at Gaos hospital, told Associated Press news agency that all other hospital activities had ceased with dozens of wounded victims arriving.

Some have died from their wounds, and others are in a very grave state, he said.

At this point, its not the toll of dead and injured that interests me, its saving who I can.

The provisional toll is 47 dead and several injured, according to state TV broadcaster ORTM.

Earlier, a hospital source in Gao said at least 40 people had died and 60 were hurt.

Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga, Malis defence minister, was to fly to the city later on Wednesday.

AQIM claims blast

Witnesses said the car bearing explosives breached the camp at around 9am, just as hundreds of fighters were gathering for a meeting.

Diarran Kone, a Mali army spokesperson, said the attackers vehicle bore the logo of the unit coordinating the joint patrols.

The suicide bomber succeeded in tricking soldiers vigilance and penetrated the camp, said Kone.

Later on Wednesday, al-Qaedas affiliate in North Africa, AQIM, claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to the SITE Intel monitoring group, saying it killed nearly 80 Malian soldiers.

AQIM described the attack on the Joint Operational Mechanism base as punishment for cooperation with France.

The incident occurred just days after Francois Hollande, the French president, visited the camp.

France sent troops to Mali at the request of the government there in early 2013 to prevent an advance by armed groups on the capital Bamako.

Gao is considered the best-secured town in northern Mali, with multiple UN, French and Malian army checkpoints along main roads.

However, the offices of the UN peacekeeping mission located next to the airport terminal were razed by a truck-bomb explosion last month.

The UN has deployed 13,000 troops in Mali to serve in the MINUSMA force, considered one of the deadliest missions in peacekeeping.

Security Council meeting

The UN Security Council on Wednesday agreed to consider setting up a sanctions regime for Mali to punish those who are hindering the 2015 peace agreement, according to the councils president this month.

Olof Skoog, Swedens ambassador to the UN, said council members condemned the Gao attack, noting that persistent delays threaten the viability of the agreement.

Despite last years peace deal between Malis government and secular armed groups, fighters pledging allegiance to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group have launched dozens of attacks on Western targets in recent months.





In December, a female French aid worker was kidnapped in Gao.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Washington DC, Corinne Dufka, Human Rights Watchs associate director, said Wednesdays attack was very bad news for Mali and for the international community who have put a tremendous effort in trying to put Mali back together after the spectacular collapse in 2012.

She cited the main points outlined in the HRWs latest report on human-rights abuses in Mali.

There has been a continuing growing presence of armed groups in northern Mali and central Mali, where I documented 27 executions by armed groups of those accused of being informants for the government, she said.

We also talk about the ongoing concerns of abuses of the Mali security forces. They have improved over the past years, but nevertheless these abuses create support for the Islamist groups that use it as a rationale to recruit.

There have also been abuses by peacekeepers whose mandate is to ensure civilian protection.The buses buses collided on road between the capital, Harare, and the southeastern town of Rusape, according to police.

At least 47 people have been killed after two buses collided in southeast Zimbabwe, local media reported.

One bus was travelling to the capital, Harare, from the eastern city of Mutare and the other was travelling in the opposite direction when the accident happened in the town of Rusape, state broadcaster ZBC reported on Wednesday.

We confirm 47 people have died in a road traffic accident at the 166km peg along the Harare-Mutare highway, police spokesman Paul Nyathi told ZBC, adding that several others had been injured.

The Herald reported that two children were among those who died at the scene.

Pictures from the scene showed the two buses with bodies and luggage strewn across the road.

#RusapeAccidentUpdate Police have confirmed the death of 47 people, 45 of which are adults and 2 children. The pictures are too graphic and have been censored More details to follow@caesarzvayi @Michellehakata @HChikwanha @TafadzwaMugwadi @manoc9 @ChronicleZim  The Herald Zimbabwe (@HeraldZimbabwe) November 7, 2018

Zimbabwes Transport Minister, Biggie Matiza, said he was saddened by the development.

Traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where years of underfunding and neglect have left roads riddled with potholes. The highway where the accident occurred, however, had recently been resurfaced.

There have been several deadly bus accidents in Zimbabwe in recent years, including a June 2017 incident which left 43 people dead and 24 more injured when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

In July 2015, eight passengers died and 53 others were injured when a tyre burst, causing the bus to overturn.Sessions, who had recused himself from the Russia probe, asked to resign after Republicans lost control of Congress.

US President Donald Trump forced out Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday, less than 24 hours Republican party lost control of the House of Representatives.

Sessions informed Trump of his resignation in a letter sent to the president earlier in the day. In the letter, which was widely shared by US media, Sessions said he was resigning at your (Trumps) request.

On Twitter, Trump thanked Sessions for his service and wished him well. He said Matthew G Whitaker, Sessionss chief of staff, would become the acting attorney general until a replacement is announced, which the president said would come at a later date.

In the resignation letter, Sessions said he was honoured to have worked to implement the law enforcement agenda that formed a central part of the Trump campaign for presidency.

We did our part to restore immigration enforcement, he wrote.

The former senator was a key figure in implementing Trumps anti-immigration agenda.

He threatened sanctuary cities, which are cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, with a withdrawal of federal funds and instituted a zero tolerance policy for those found crossing the border into the US without documents.

Whats next for the Mueller probe?

Trumps criticism of Sessions stemmed over Sessions decision to recuse himself from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

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The US president did not hesitate to make those criticisms public.

If all of the Russian meddling took place during the Obama Administration, right up to January 20th, why arent they the subject of the investigation? Why didnt Obama do something about the meddling? Why arent Dem crimes under investigation? Ask Jeff Sessions! He wrote on Twitter in February.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trumps hectoring or Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

Mueller is overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who reports to Sessions.

There were reports Trump may fire Rosenstein, a frequent critic of the president, earlier this year, but last month Trump said he had no plans to get rid of the deputy attorney general.

US media reported on Wednesday that Whitaker, who has criticised Mueller in the past, would likely oversee the Russia probe.

Trump was buoyed on Wednesday by victories that added to the Republican majority in the US Senate, telling reporters at the White House that the gains outweighed the Democrats takeover of the House. He added that he was willing to work with Democrats on key priorities but felt any House investigations of his administration would hurt prospects for bipartisanship.

Very suspect

Following Sessionss resignation, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee said he wants answers immediately.

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Jerry Nadler is in line to become the chairman of the Judiciary panel when Democrats take control of the House in January. He tweeted that we will be holding people accountable.

He added that it would be wholly inappropriate if Whitaker takes on the role of supervising the probe.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Shumer said it is paramount that the Mueller investigation be protected by Trumps new attorney general.

He called the timing of Sessionss departure very suspect, adding that it would spark a constitutional crisis if Trump forced out Sessions as a prelude to ending or limiting Muellers investigation.

Democratic House leader, Nancy Pelosi, called the firing of Sessions another blatant attempt by Donald Trump to end the Mueller investigation, and criticised his choice of acting replacement.

Given his record of threats to undermine (and) weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Muellers investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts, she wrote on Twitter.Bhutan may compromise its forests to pay national debt

As the worlds greenest country slowly embraces the modern lifestyle, keeping it this way is a huge challenge.Republicans retain Senate control, shattering Democrats hope of blue wave after tumultuous two years of Trump rule.

Donald Trump faced restraints on his presidency after Democrats won control of the US House of Representatives and pledged to hold the Republicans accountable after a tumultuous two years in the White House.

Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their control of the US Senate in Tuesdays midterm elections, following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race and immigration.

But they lost their majority in the House, a setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.

With some races still undecided, Democrats were headed for a gain of more than 30 seats, beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

The elections have already made history, with a record number of women, Native Americans, and Muslim candidates running for office.

Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar won in their Democrat-safe seats becoming the first Muslim congresswomen, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history as the youngest woman to join Congress.

Commenting on the Democrats taking the House, CNNs Van Jones pointed to the diversity of candidates who won seats in this midterms, saying that the new Democratic Party is now younger, browner and cooler.

It is the end of one-party rule in the United States, thank God, and the beginning of a new Democratic Party: Younger, browner, cooler, more women, more veterans.

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Seizing the Senate never looked likely for the Democrats, and they fell short of the level of voter support that would have given them control of both chambers of Congress.

Winning the Senate majority would have allowed Democrats to apply the brakes even more firmly to Trumps policy agenda and given them the ability to block any future Supreme Court nominees.

However, the Democrats will now head House committees that can investigate the presidents tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and links between his 2016 election campaign and Russia.

The Democrats could also force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package, or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans, its about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration, Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House Democrats, told supporters at the victory party.

Despite his partys poor showing in House elections, Trump wrote on Twitter, Tremendous success tonight.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

Trump, a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician, had hardened his rhetoric in recent weeks on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters.

He threw himself into the campaign, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants currently headed through Mexico to the US border and condemnations of liberal American mobs he says are working against him.

US presidents often lose the House in midterm elections in their first term. Former President Barack Obamas Democrats were hit with what he called a shellacking in congressional elections in 2010.

Gridlock?

With divided leadership in Congress and a president who has taken an expansive view of executive power, Washington could be in for even deeper political polarisation and legislative gridlock.

European shares rebounded on Wednesday after the US elections delivered no big surprise.

With the Democrats taking over the House we will now have to see what gridlock in Congress means for policy. As for the market impact, a split Congress has historically been bullish for equities and we expect to see the same pattern again, said Torsten Slok, Chief International Economist of Deutsche Bank.

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Investors often favour Washington gridlock because it preserves the status quo and reduces uncertainty, even though many in the market this time around had been hoping for a continuation of the Republican agenda.

Losing the House will test Trumps ability to compromise, something he has shown little interest in over the past two years when Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress.

There may be some room to work with Democrats on issues with bipartisan support such as an infrastructure improvement package or protections against prescription drug price increases.

We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we cant, said Pelosi, who has been one of the most frequent targets of Trumps scathing attacks on his critics and political opponents.

Every seat in the House was up for grabs on Tuesday. The Republicans had an advantage in Senate races because elections were held for only 35 seats in the 100-member chamber and many of them were in states that often lean Republican.

Republicans built on their slim Senate majority and beat out four incumbent Democrats: Bill Nelson in Florida, Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

In the 36 gubernatorial contests, Democrats won governorships in states that supported Trump in 2016 but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio.

Harder foreign policy

After their victory, House Democrats are expected to try to harden US policy towards Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea, while maintaining the status quo on hot-button issues like China and Iran.

They could make life difficult for Trump by launching another congressional investigation into allegations of Russian interference on his behalf in the 2016 election. The Democrats are awaiting the result of an ongoing federal probe by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russias role in that election.

Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.

A House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaced of collusion by his campaign, or of obstruction by the president of the federal investigation. But Congress cannot remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate, an unlikely scenario.

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the midterm campaigns final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

Women, young, Hispanic voters fuel gains

The Democratic gains were fueled by women, young and Hispanic voters, a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll found. Fifty-five percent of women said they backed a Democrat for the House this year, compared with 49 percent in the 2014 midterm congressional election.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 backed Democrats by 62 percent to 34 percent, up from 2014 when 54 percent backed Democrats and 36 percent supported Republicans.

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history as the youngest woman elected to Congress, championing her working class and Puerto Rican roots.

We have made history tonight, the 29-year-old told cheering supporters at her victory party in Queens, a huge victory for a woman working in a Manhattan restaurant only a year ago.

Hispanic voters favoured Democratic House candidates by 33 percentage points  higher than the 18-percentage point gap that Democrats enjoyed in 2014, the poll found.

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Democrats turned out to register disapproval of Trumps divisive rhetoric and policies on issues such as immigration and his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

A record number of women ran for office this election, many of them Democrats.

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map. Democrats who picked up Republican-held seats included Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, in Florida.

However, some of the campaigns biggest Democratic stars lost.

Liberal House member Beto ORourkes underdog Senate campaign fell short in conservative Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become Floridas first black governor.

The hotly contested gubernatorial race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a US state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

Republican gains in the Senate are sure to bolster the partys efforts to ram conservative federal judges through confirmation proceedings during a lame duck session that starts next week, as well as from January when the new Congress convenes.

Voters also punished moderate Senate Democrats running in Trump-heavy states who opposed the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Republican caucuses in both chambers have become even more conservative with the loss of moderates within Trumps party.Assailants abducted 79 children, their principal, and a driver from a Christian school in Bamenda in Northwest Region.

Cameroons president demanded anglophone separatists lay down their arms after dozens of schoolchildren were seized in a kidnapping the army blamed on the rebels.

Assailants kidnapped 79 children, their principal, and a driver from a school in Bamenda in Northwest Region, military and government sources said.

They need to know that they will face the rigour of the law and the determination of our defence and security forces, President Paul Biya said in an inauguration speech. He was re-elected last month, extending his 36-year rule.

I appeal to them to lay down their arms, he told the national assembly, without mentioning the kidnapping.

A separatist spokesman denied involvement and said government soldiers had staged the kidnapping to discredit the rebels. Clashes began more than a year ago, killing more than 400 civilians and forcing thousands from their homes.

Crimes against civilians

Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, said he had been mediating with the kidnappers for the childrens release. He said separatists were responsible.

He added another 11 schoolchildren had been abducted by the same armed group on October 31, but the school had quietly paid a ransom for their release of $4,400.

A government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.





UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the kidnappings and called on Tuesday for their immediate release.

Guterres stressed there can be no justification for these crimes against civilians, particularly minors, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

A video was released on social media Monday by the apparent kidnappers, showing some of the boys saying they were taken by separatists fighting to create the independent state of Ambazonia.

However, the Ambazonia Governing Council, the separatists official organisation, released a statement condemning the kidnappings and demanding freedom for people taken from the school.

The council called on the military to withdraw from the regions it calls Ambazonia to avoid further escalation of violence.

Attend the grievances

The unrest began in November 2016 when English-speaking teachers and lawyers in the northwest and southwest began calling for reforms and greater autonomy in the largely French-speaking country.

They marched in the streets, criticising what they called the marginalisation of English speakers by French speakers. Armed separatists later took over the protests and began using violence in pursuit of their goal.

The objective of the secessionists is against our constitution that consecrates the indivisible nature of our nation, Biya said. We have started implementing measures to attend to the grievances raised by teachers and lawyers by accelerating the decentralisation process.

The conflict poses a serious challenge for Cameroon, a close US security ally and a new member of the UN Human Rights Council.

The US State Department condemned the kidnappings and called for the immediate safe return of students and staff.

We urge an immediate halt to the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and burning of houses by Cameroonian government forces and to attacks perpetrated by  anglophone separatists, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.European Court of Human Rights rules to award over $200,000 to a group of Roma people for the hate attack.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has unanimously ruled to award a group of Roma people  victims of a 2002 hate attack  more than $200,000 in damages which will be paid by the Ukrainian government.

The attack took place on September 9, 2002, when a mob of hundreds of people attacked Roma homes in the village of Petrivka in Ukraines Odessa region, according to a release by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), which has handled the case since 2008.

It has never been substantively in dispute either domestically or before this Court that the attack on the applicants houses was motivated by anti-Roma sentiment among the villagers, the ECHR wrote in its decision on Tuesday.

The statement said the attackers wanted the Roma community to be expelled while local police officers watched on.

Ineffective legal proceedings in Ukrainian courts meant that this case was not heard for over a decade in a court of law, the rights body said.

Dorde Jovanovic, president of the ERRC, said it was unacceptable that Roma families had to wait for more than 10 years for justice.

An application for the ECHR to hear the case was filed in 2010, which was then communicated to the Ukrainian government in 2016.

Continued attacks

The Council of Europe estimates there are nearly 260,000 Roma people in Ukraine, which has a population of around 48.5 million.

The ECHR decision came amid a spate of attacks against the Roma people, especially those who belong to the Trans-Carpathia region in western Ukraine and speak Hungarian.

Women wail at the funeral of David Popp, who was killed in his sleep by suspected ultranationalists [Anya Denysenko/Al Jazeera] Women wail at the funeral of David Popp, who was killed in his sleep by suspected ultranationalists [Anya Denysenko/Al Jazeera]

In June this year, a group of masked assailants attacked a Roma camp near the city of Lviv, murdering 23-year-old David Popp and injuring four others, including a child.

Mourners at his funeral had trouble understanding why they were attacked, Al Jazeera reported.

The group of assailants is thought to have been motivated by a radicalised ideology, police had then told Al Jazeera.

At least four other Roma camps were attacked in the months leading up to Popps murder, according to media reports.

Considering the recent attacks on Roma in Ukraine this year, the government should pay close attention to this judgment, which provides clear guidance on how they should treat and process cases involving anti-Roma pogroms, ERRC president Jovanovic said.Amendment 4 will return voting rights to an estimated one million people convicted of felonies.

Voters in the US state of Florida have approved Amendment 4, restoring voting rights to people in the state who have been convicted of felonies in the past.

During Tuesdays midterm elections, largely seen as the first civic evaluation of President Donald Trumps administration, voters passed Amendment 4, which will return the ability to vote to an estimated one million people.

The amendment restores voting rights to ex-felons who completed their sentences, although people convicted of murder or felony sex offences were excluded.

Placed on the ballot by a citizens group, Floridians for a Fair Democracy, Amendment 4 put an end to restrictions introduced by Republican Governor Rick Scott, who put in place a slew of barriers that made it far less likely for ex-felons to regain their voting rights.

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Owing to those restrictions and barriers, only around 10 percent of the 30,000 people who applied under Scott had their voting rights reinstated, according to the Florida Commission on Offender Review.

The passing of Amendment 4 is likely to most benefit voters of colour in Florida, where an estimated one-in-five African American voters could not vote due to their criminal records.

In Florida, as in most of the US, black people are arrested, convicted and jailed in disproportionate numbers.

Other amendments passed in Florida on Tuesday included a move to give voters the ability to authorise or reject casino gambling, and another imposing limitations on property tax assessments.The panel would seek to understand the reasons which led to the way these affairs were handled.

French bishops have announced setting up an independent commission to shed light on the sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church since 1950.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Bishops Conference of France (CEF) said the panel would seek to understand the reasons which led to the way these affairs were handled and make recommendations.

This commission also aims to evaluate the measures taken by the Conference of Bishops of France since the 2000s, and it would draw up a report within two years.

The Vatican has been shaken by a string of paedophile scandals committed by clergy in Australia, Europe, North and South America.

In a devastating US report last August, more than 300 predator priests were accused of abusing over 1,000 minors over seven decades in the state of Pensylvania. Most of the abuse survivors were boys, but girls were abused too, the report said.

The abuse ranged from groping and masturbation to anal, oral and vaginal rape.

According to the report, Catholic bishops covered up child sexual abuse by priests and reassigned them repeatedly to different parishes.

They allowed priests to remain active for as long as 40 years, Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General said. Children were taught that this abuse was not only normal but it was holy.





French Catholic clerics have also been caught in abuse scandals, according to Mediapart, a French online investigative journal.

The most senior French Catholic cleric to be caught up in the abuse scandal is Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, who is to go on trial in January for allegedly covering up for a priest accused of abusing boy scouts in the Lyon area in the 1980s.

The scandals have put pressure on the bishops who indicated financial compensation could be offered to victims.

The CEF statement said the commissions work would include collecting the stories of victims in order to better understand the reasons that led to these acts and help prevention efforts.Abrams, who would be the countrys first black female governor, hopes for a runoff next month.

In a race marked by voter suppression claims, racist robocalls and unfounded hacking allegations, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams refused to concede to Republican Brian Kemp.

Neck-and-neck until the end, Abrams, a 44-year-old lawyer and novelist, appeared to have lost to her Republican opponent Brian Kemp by a 1.6 percentage margin, according to the Associated Press.

But Abrams, who would be the countrys first female African American governor, insisted that the vote was too close to call and hopes for a runoff race next month.

Im here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted. There [are] voices that are waiting to be heard, she told a crowd on Wednesday morning, as reported by CNN.

Among the most closely watched races in the midterm elections, the two candidates lobbed a series of accusations at each other throughout the campaign.

Kemp, a pro-Trump Republican currently serving as Georgias Secretary of State, the body that oversees voting, was accused of voter suppression and abusing his power.

Kemp said he was confident he would win Tuesdays poll, saying make no mistake, the math is on our side to win this election.

Voter suppression claims

While former President Barack Obama and television star Oprah Winfrey rallied behind Abrams, former President Jimmy Carter called on Kemp to step down.

His critics, among them Abrams and her supporters, pointed to the 1.5 million voter rolls purged under Kemps watch between 2012 and 2016, according to a watchdog, and an Associated Press report that found his office was stalling 53,000 voter applications just weeks before the November 6 vote.

Of that total, most belonged to African American applicants and other people of colour.

On Sunday, Kemp accused Democrats of hacking the voter registration system, a charge he levelled without providing any evidence. As Georgias Secretary of State, he said he had opened an investigation.

I think, unfortunately, Secretary Kemp has not only abused his power, he has failed to do his job, Abrams said in an interview with ABC on Monday.

And you dont deserve a promotion when you do not serve the people youve been hired to serve.

Political ascent

Abrams earned her law degree from Yale University in 1999, going on to work as a tax lawyer and then in a few firms.

She started her political career at the age of 29 when she was appointed Atlantas Deputy City Attorney.

In 2007, voters elected her to Georgias General Assembly as a Democrat, where she eventually became state House minority leader.

As a state legislator, Abrams successfully fought to expand public transportation funding, railed against tax cuts and advocated criminal justice reform.

She also founded the New Georgia Project, an NGO that worked to register voters of colour and advocated voting rights.

In May 2018, she beat fellow Democrat Stacey Evans in the partys primary election, becoming the Democrats candidate for Georgias governor.

Abrams positions were diametrically opposed to Kemps, with the former supporting reproductive rights, expanding Medicaid healthcare services, increasing gun control and abolishing the death penalty, among others.

Kemp had largely aligned himself with President Donald Trump, pledging a hardline stance on immigration, restrict LGBTQ rights and eliminate protections for medical patients with pre-existing conditions.

Racist robocalls

As the race intensified and grew tighter, it also turned ugly.

On the Friday before the vote, a racist robocall went out to many Georgia homes and mocked Abrams. The call included someone impersonating the voice of Oprah Winfrey, who campaigned on Abramss behalf.

This is the magical negro, Oprah Winfrey, asking you to make my fellow negress, Stacey Abrams, the governor of Georgia, the call said, going on to include several racist slurs and insults.

In a statement, Kemp unequivocally decried the group behind the robocalls, describing their horrible actions as absolutely disgusting.

In neighbouring Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum, who was vying to become the states first African American governor, conceded to Republican Ron DeSantis, who won in a narrow gubernatorial race.

We may not have all shown up in the way that we thought and hoped that we would, Gillum told supporters, but I still believe in and trust the voters.UN official says increase like nothing we have seen before in an area notorious for illicit drug production.

Organised crime groups are expanding and diversifying drug production in Southeast Asias Golden Triangle raising concern the region could emerge as a hub for synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, according to the UNs Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Asia-Pacific counter-narcotics police met in Myanmars capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday to negotiate a new strategy to curb the supply of chemicals used in synthetic drug production.

The Golden Triangle, which is centred around Myanmars conflict-ridden north, has exported illicit drugs to the world for decades. While opium cultivation and heroin trafficking has slumped in recent years, synthetic drug manufacturing  especially methamphetamine  has soared.

UNODC regional representative Jeremy Douglas said the boom was like nothing we have ever seen before, and it has required a matching surge in precursor chemicals.

Seizures of methamphetamine sourced from the region have leapt since 2016 with consignments of the highly addictive drug intercepted in South Korea and New Zealand, and most countries in between.





The price of methamphetamine  both in crystal and pill form  has fallen in many countries, according to UNODC data, indicating large amounts of synthetic drugs are still hitting the streets undetected by law enforcers.

While we are a significant source of illicit drugs, we are not a source of the chemicals, Myanmars vice minister of home affairs, Major General Aung Thu, said in a press release.

The flow of precursor chemicals to northern Myanmar, mostly from neighbouring China, has continued largely unimpeded. Chemicals and cutting agents from India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand have also been found in Myanmar.

Synthetic opioids fear

Drug gangs are also starting to produce ketamine in Myanmars north, a party drug that requires different technical expertise from the production of methamphetamine, said Douglas.

We have seen drug syndicates in the Golden Triangle scale-up methamphetamine and add ketamine to their repertoire. There is increasing concern among officials here that they will soon go into manufacturing synthetic opioids, he said.

Given their sophistication, we think it is only a matter of time they do it. They are ruthless and the region has the conditions necessary for production and pre-existing market demand to capitalise on.

China and Mexico are the major suppliers of extremely potent opioids to North America, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. It said in a report last week the US was gripped by an ongoing fentanyl epidemic.

There were more than 63,000 drug overdoses in the United States in 2016, a record high. Drug poisoning deaths are the leading cause of injury and death there, and synthetic opioids are the most lethal contributor, the report said.

Paramilitary police carry seized crystal meth during a crackdown in southern China [Reuters]

China, which shares a border with northern Myanmar, has begun to crack down on illicit opioid production. It follows a largely successful campaign to clear out methamphetamine labs in southern China in 2013-14.

The surge in methamphetamine production in Myanmar followed the China crackdown.

Opioids have yet to have much effect on the Asia-Pacific drug market, although fentanyl has been imported into Australia recently, Douglas said.

Law enforcement agencies from China, India, Southeast Asia, the US, Canada and Australia are attending the Naypyidaw conference.President Hery Rajaonarimampianina is seeking a second term and faces a strong challenge from two predecessors.

Counting is under way in Madagascar after millions of people cast their ballots in Wednesdays presidential election.

Polling stations opened at 6am (03:00 GMT) and closed at 5pm for the election that took place as the Indian Ocean island struggled to create jobs, fight poverty and end corruption.

Despite long queues, no anomalies were detected in the polls, according to the head of the European Unions observer mission, Cristian Preda.

However, Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller, reporting from the capital, Antananarivo, said many people had problems while trying to vote and could not find their names on the list despite having registered.

According to the countrys electoral commission, the CENI, turnout was around 40 percent.

Provisional results are expected by November 20, which must then be confirmed by the High Constitutional Court by November 28.

#Madagascar s electoral commission, CENI says theres been a 40% turnout in the presidential election.Also problems with voters roll- we spoke to many people who couldnt find their name on the list so did not vote. They say they had registered. In some instances whole families  Fahmida Miller (@FahmidaMiller) November 7, 2018

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina is seeking a second term in office and his two main challengers are former heads of state Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina.

All three have crisscrossed the island in a hunt for votes and each has pledged to accelerate recovery for an economy the International Monetary Fund forecasts will grow at more than five percent this year, its highest rate in a decade.

Civil society groups accuse the three wealthy frontrunners of enriching themselves in office, something each denies.

The groups said a fisheries deal the incumbent signed with Chinese firms in September is opaque and will impoverish local fishermen.

They also said Ravalomanana failed to tackle corruption during his time in office that ended in 2009 when he was forced out by protests led by Rajoelina in what international organisations like the African Union said was a coup.

Conservation groups then accused Rajoelina, the man who overthrew him, of profiting from the plunder of natural resources.

Praying for change

As queues started forming on Wednesday morning in the capital, Antananarivo, voter Sahondramalala Nirisoa told Reuters news agency she had arrived early because she needed to get to work.

I hope and I pray for a change, she said. That is why I came to vote.

According to a World Bank report, more than 80 percent of the population lives in poverty.

There are nearly 10 million registered voters in the country of 25 million people, data from the electoral commission showed.

Few analysts expect an outright winner from the 36 who are contesting.

If the poll needs to go to a second round, it will involve only the two top candidates and take place on December 19.

Since a peaceful election in 2013, investors and donor governments re-engaged with Madagascar following a four-year freeze that began after Rajoelina came to power.

The events of 2009 prompted an exodus of foreign investors from a country that is one of the worlds poorest despite reserves of nickel, cobalt, gold, uranium and other minerals.

The island was hit by a fresh political crisis in April, sparked by a legal amendment put forward by Rajaonarimampianinas government that would have prevented Ravalomanana from standing for office.

Rajaonarimampianina approved a new law removing that provision the following month, allowing Ravalomanana to register as a candidate.Three managers have been detained for five to 10 days for forcing employees to eat cockroaches, drink toilet water.

The managers of a Chinese home decor company were jailed after being accused of forcing employees to drink urine and endure other indignities for failing to make sales targets, local media reported on Wednesday.

Police are investigating the company in Guizhou province after videos of the incidents were posted on social media, the Zunyi Public Security Bureau said on its Weibo account.

Three managers have been detained for five to 10 days each for their role in the employee punishments, it said, as the investigation continues.

The managers previously punished low-achieving employees by forcing them to eat mustard or chilli, according to China News, but penalties have escalated since October to eating cockroaches and receiving beatings with a belt.

In other cases, employees reportedly had their heads shaved or were required to drink toilet water and urine for failing to complete tasks.

Some employees preferred to resign than give in, the news site said, although many remained and felt brainwashed by the exercises.Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans retain Senate control.

After rallying voters against President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party has flipped the United States House of Representatives, gaining a majority in midterm elections that followed two years of Republican control of both Congressional chambers.

On Tuesday, the Republicans lost their majority in the House, Congress lower chamber, after a Democratic surge during a dramatic midterm campaign season marred by violence and hostile political rhetoric.

With a House majority, Democrats will have the power to investigate Trumps tax returns and possible conflicts of interest, and challenge his overtures to Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea.

They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

Going into Election Day, Democrats needed to gain 23 seats in order to take back the House, which would allow them to throw a wrench in Trumps agenda on contentious issues, among them immigration.

Tuesdays vote was the first nationwide election since the 2016 presidential elections, during which Trump beat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republicans gained majorities in both the House and Senate.

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But after nearly two years of increasingly heated and polarised politics in the US, Democrats sought to turn anger into votes.

Despite capturing the House, Democrats were unable to take over the Senate, where Republicans maintained a firm majority.

Trump a factor

In the lead-up to the race, most analysts and polls expected Republicans to keep the Senate and lose the House.

Early exit polls showed Trump was a major factor for nearly two-thirds of voters who cast their ballots, while a CBS News poll found that 55 percent said they disapproved of the presidents performance.

Tuesdays result was a bitter outcome for Trump, a 72-year-old former reality TV star who campaigned for fellow Republicans on increasingly hostile anti-immigrant rhetoric and was accused of inciting violence in recent weeks.

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Just weeks before the vote, a Trump supporter allegedly shipped pipe bombs to some of the presidents most prominent critics, among them former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros.

The packages were intercepted by authorities and no one was injured.

A day after the suspect was arrested, a gunman carried out one of the deadliest anti-Semitic massacres in US history, storming a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and killing 11 worshippers.

Critics, including the Democrats, accused Trump of employing racist and xenophobic rhetoric that incited violence, a charge he and many of his fellow Republicans rejected.NG: Your new single A Day Without focuses on love and loss. Can you talk a little about how you first heard the song and why you decided to record it?

A: This song is so special to me for so many reasons. When I embarked on this chapter of my life in music, I had discussed multiple times with others about finding a song to honor the late Andrew Dorff. I was a fan of his work, and after losing someone special to me, the whole tragedy itself really compelled me to want to honor him. With all that said, this song fell into my lap and my heart started racing even before I knew Andrew had written on itto discover it was one of his songs only made it that more special to me.

NG: One of the writers on A Day Without is Andrew Dorff, passed away in 2016. Did you feel any extra pressure recording and releasing a song that speaks of his legacy?

A: Of course. I wanted nothing more than to showcase his, Lucie Silvas, and Jimmy Robbins incredible talent. As a fan of all of those people, and with Jimmy producing it, I practiced that thing 500 times before showing up to record it.



NG: Youve said that your dad passing has made you more of an emotional writer  Can you talk about your process for writing songs?

A: Absolutely. I think every song takes you on a different journey, and therefore has a slightly different process each time. I do typically like to co-write, but write alone when Im particularly in the moment with some emotion that I want to either process or work through. Writing is truly my therapy.

NG: Do you have an all-time favorite song that youve written?

A: I do! Its called Yellow Rose. It was the first song I wrote after I lost my dad, and its about my parents love story. Its by far my most emotional and heartfelt, and I was lucky enough to have the incredible Bonnie Bakers talent to embark on it with.

NG: Whats a song by another artist that you wished you had written?

A: Basically all Brandi Clark songs; Im obsessed with her. Lyrically, she gets me.

NG: For those who arent familiar with your music, can you describe your sound in three words?

A: Id say emotional, twangy with a pop flavor (I cheated, Im sorryI couldnt figure out one word!!) and relatable.

NG: What artists out now are you inspired by? And who were some of your biggest inspirations growing up?

A: Currently Im really loving Frank OceanI was obsessed with his first album, and Ive gone back to listening to it a lot recently. I try to dabble in every genre  his R&B fusion has definitely opened doors for me, and I just love the sonics in that album. I have to thank growing up in Texas for giving me such a fiery passion for Country. I grew up listening to Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and delved into classics like Waylon and Johnny as I got older. As a musician, its important to be familiar with great works of all genresyou can draw inspiration from all of them.

NG: Youve toured with some huge artists, including Kelly Clarkson. What do you learn from touring with someone like Kelly?

A: Being on a tour that big hands-down showed me that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Touring really puts me in my happy place. Kelly has this wonderful and enticing banter on stage, her stage presence is truly what I admire most about her. Shes hardworking, and all of her success is well deserved and I hope that people will think the same of me.

NG: When can fans expect new music from you?

A: I have been working day and night, Im so excitedI have a few songs ready to go, so stay tuned Im about to drop another one shortly!

NG: If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 albums would you take with you?

A: Shania Twain Come on Over, Frank Oceans Channel Orange, and probably Brandy Clarks 12 Stories.Migrant caravan arrives in Mexico City en route to US border

The migrant caravan makes a rest stop in Mexico City before pushing on to the US border.King Mohammed VI says Rabat is willing to consider initiatives brought forth by Algiers to break political stalemate.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has expressed his readiness to hold talks with neighbouring Algeria, a long-time regional rival.

In a speech delivered on Tuesday, the king said dialogue was necessary to overcome the two countries differences, as he proposed setting up a joint political consultation mechanism to resolve the ongoing dispute.

I should like to say today, in a very straightforward and responsible way that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with our sister nation, Algeria, in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries, the 55-year-old monarch said.





The king added that Rabat is willing to consider initiatives brought forth by Algiers to break the political stalemate and restore full ties, including the re-opening of land borders.

The border between Morocco and Algeria, which runs for about 1,600km, is one of the longest closed frontiers in the world. Algeria shut its border with Morocco in 1994 after Rabat imposed visa regulations on Algerian visitors in the wake of a deadly attack on the Atlas Asni Hotel in Marrakech.

King Mohammed said the joint consultation mechanism would allow both countries to analyse the issues at hand in good faith using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions.

Western Sahara issue

The kings televised address came on the 43rd anniversary of the Green March when thousands of Moroccans marched on Western Sahara demanding an end to what they saw as Spanish occupation of Moroccan territory.

While the Spanish government voluntarily relinquished control of the area in 1975, the Polisario Front, a secessionist movement backed by Algeria, began calling for the right to self-determination.

Rabat maintains the territory is an integral part of the country.

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This has been a major bone of contention in relations between the two states, both founding members of the Arab Maghreb Union comprised additionally of Mauritania, Tunisia and Libya.

On Tuesday, Moroccos king hinted that his countrys position would remain unchanged and that its decision to join the African Union anew  after an absence of some 33 years  was informed by the countrys African identity and is not aimed at defending its position regarding Western Sahara.

[] No stone is being left unturned in the pursuit of progress in our Southern Provinces under the new development model. The aim is to make sure the Moroccan Sahara can once again play its historical role as an effective link between Morocco and its sub-Saharan African roots, be it from the geographical or historical perspective, the king said.Aasia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy, has been freed, her lawyer has said.

Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row on charge of blasphemy, has been freed from jail, her lawyer said.

She has been freed. Ive been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land, her lawyer Saif-ul-Malook said in a message to AFP news agency on Wednesday.

Bibi, 53, was flown on Wednesday night to a facility in the capital, Islamabad, from an undisclosed location for security reasons, two senior government officials told the AP news agency.

Last week, Pakistans Supreme Court had overturned Bibis conviction and ordered her release, but she remained imprisoned as the government agreed to allow a review following right-wing protests over the bitterly divisive case.

A release order arrived on Wednesday at the prison in the central city of Multan, where Bibi was held, a prison official told AFP.

Her husband Ashiq Masih had appealed the United Kingdom or the United States to grant the family asylum, while Malook fled to the Netherlands.

Pakistans Foreign Office spokesman, meanwhile, confirmed that Bibi has not left Pakistan.

Let me tell you that Asiya Bibi is in Pakistan and is safe, Muhammad Faisal said in a statement on Thursday.

I cannot comment on the question pertaining to her lawyer. Regarding the question on review petition, I this is a technical and legal matter.

Bibis acquittal had triggered massive protests by right-wing parties, mainly the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), in the Muslim-majority nation.

https://twitter.com/EP_President/status/1060267203914878976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Thousands of people poured onto the streets after the court overturned Bibis conviction last week, causing Prime Minister Imran Khans government to sign a controversial deal with the TLP.

The blasphemy charge against Bibi stemmed from an incident in 2009, when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields.

Female Muslim labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl, and reportedly a fight erupted.

A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Muhammad, a charge she has consistently denied.

Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs.

At least 74 people have been killed in such violence since 1990, according to an Al Jazeera tally.A former police chief is among the 14 arrested for selling infants for profit, the Peruvian public prosecutor said.

Perus former police chief Raul Becerra and a dozen others have been arrested for allegedly trafficking babies, the public prosecutors office has said.

The gang, which authorities named the Soulless Human Traffickers, preyed on poor pregnant women and persuaded them to give up their babies, the office added in a statement released on Tuesday.

A five-month-old baby was also rescued in an early Tuesday police raid on 18 properties in the southern city of Arequipa, officials said.

Those arrested included Becerra and 13 others, including a paediatrician and a gynaecologist, who were accused of being members of the criminal group.

The investigators suspect Becerras partner, Cintia Tello, to be the ringleader of the gang. Reuters news agency said it could not reach Becerra and Tello for their comments.

Authorities allege the babies were sold for 4,000 Peruvian soles ($1,190).

An investigation has been launched to find out whether the babies were sold to foreign couples, the BBC reported.

Becerra became head of Perus national police force in November 2010 during the government of former president Alan Garcia.

He served about a year and was replaced in October 2011, after a subordinate accused him of sexual harassment, according to local newspaper El Comercio. Becerra had denied the allegations.The Palestinian-American and Somali-American make history as the first two women headed to US Congress.

Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib and Somali-American Ilhan Omar have become the first Muslim women elected to US Congress.

Tlaib took Michigans 13th congressional district in a race in which she was the sole major party candidate. Omar won Minnesotas strongly Democratic fifth congressional district, replacing the first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison, who vacated his seat to run in the states attorney general race.

Who are Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar?

Tlaib, 42, was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents.

She made history in 2008 by winning a seat on the Michigan Legislature, becoming the first Muslim woman to do so.

Her campaign platform included pledges to secure a $15 minimum wage, preventing cuts to welfare programmes, such as Medicare and Social Security, as well as stopping tax relief to large corporations.

Omar, who arrived in the US at the age of 14 after fleeing civil war in Somalia, campaigned on a similarly progressive platform, which calls for universal healthcare and tuition-free colleges.

She said her political life began attending local Democratic Farmer Labor party caucuses with her grandfather after arriving in the US.

Congratulations to my sister @RashidaTlaib on your victory! I cannot wait to serve with you, inshallah.   Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018

Islamophobia

The pairs election to the US House of Representatives comes amid widespread negative feeling against American-Muslims by their compatriots.

A study released last week by the New America Foundation and the American Muslim Institution found around two in five Americans thought Islam was incompatible with American values, and that a similar number believed Muslims were not as patriotic as other citizens.

US Muslim civil rights groups say a lot of anti-Muslim rhetoric comes from the media, as well as the countrys political establishment.

Researchers found that people identifying as Republicans were most likely to hold negative ideas about Islam and Muslims.

Another recent report, published by Muslim Advocates, found more than 80 instances of political candidates using anti-Muslim rhetoric in 2017 and 2018.Remembering sacrifice: France honours African WWI troops

A century on, France finally recognises the sacrifices made by the tens of thousands of African and Asian soldiers in world war one.The man, who blew the lid on US mass spying programme, says accepting too much government surveillance posed risks.

US whistle-blower Edward Snowden urged Israelis to be on guard against heavy-handed government and private surveillance in a speech on Tuesday.

Snowden, a former government contractor, blew the lid off the United States vast surveillance programme in 2013, triggering an international debate on the mass spying by governments.

The US whistleblower highlighted Israels hi-tech capabilities but warned that accepting too much government surveillance and too easily acceding to the argument that it is needed for security reasons posed serious risks.

If we can allow ourselves to be terrorised by someone with nothing but a knife, to reorder our societies for the convenience of state power  weve stopped being citizens and weve started being subjects, said Snowden, who spoke via video link from an undisclosed location in Moscow.





The 35-year-old also spoke of the NSO Group, the Israel-based company known for its Pegasus spyware.

Vast scope of surveillance

The software has been pinpointed by independent experts as likely being used in a number of countries with poor human rights records.

The idea is that companies like this increasingly are popping up all around the world, Snowden said.

In one case, international experts investigating the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico in 2014 were targeted with the spyware after it had been sold to the government, the experts said.

NSO Group says its product is intended to be used only for investigating and preventing crime and violence.

It says it investigates allegations of improper use.

Snowden, a former contractor with the US National Security Agency, leaked thousands of classified documents to the press which revealed the vast scope of surveillance of private data put in place after the 9/11 attacks.

The US has charged him with espionage and theft of state secrets, but Snowden said he still loves his country and hopes to return home.

The US whistle-blower has defended the leak that forced him to take asylum in Russia.

But he said risks had to be taken since this world will only ever be as good as we make it.

Snowden spoke to an invited audience in Tel Aviv at an event organised by Israeli public relations agency OH! Orenstein Hoshen.The fruits notorious smell causes passengers outrage and they demand its removal from cargo before take-off.

Passengers in Indonesia have refused to fly on board a plane carrying a load of the smelly durian fruit causing the plane to delay by an hour while the fresh cargo was unloaded.

The spiky looking, popular Asian fruit has many supporters considering it the king of fruits but plenty of haters as well who describe its smell as dirty socks and vomit.

Passengers of the Sriwijaya Air flight SJ091 flying from the Bengkulu province in Sumatra to Jakarta on Monday complained to staff about smelling the notorious fruit and refused to get on the plane unless it was removed from cargo.

Some passengers even argued that apart from the unpleasant smell, they were also concerned by the extra weight on board.

The airline admitted it was carrying more than two tonnes of the smelly ware but insisted they posed no danger to the flight and that the smell would go once the aircraft was in the air.

Sriwijaya Air official Abdul Rahim told national television station Kompas TV that the unusually hot weather was probably to blame for the stench.

Durian is not classified as a hazardous material to be transported on a plane, Abdul said.

We made the necessary precautions, such as putting in pandan leaves and coffee powder to absorb the durian smell, he said late on Tuesday.

After passengers who had already boarded the plane decided to get off, the staff decided to acquiesce and unloaded the fruit, a process that delayed the flight by an hour but it landed safely in Jakarta.

Bengkulu airport staff said they would review their procedures regarding transport of durian to avoid passenger discomfort in the future.

The innocent fruit

In their arguments for the fruits removal, some passengers referred to the crash of a Mandala Airlines plane in 2005 which failed to take off and killed 149 people.

That plane had been found carrying 2.7 tonnes of durian but the National Transportation committee classified the accident as a wrong take-off and loss of control, in its final report to the Aviation Safety Network.

The report described an improper checklist procedure that failed to indicate the retracted flaps and slats of the plane and lead to the unsuccessful take-off that took the lives of passengers, crew as well as people on the ground.US president threatens Democrats while pledging to work with them on a number of issues in erratic press conference.

US President Donald Trump has held his first press conference since Tuesdays midterms elections, spinning the vote in which his Republican party lost control of the House of Representatives as a victory and getting into a spat with a CNN reporter.

The Republicans retained control of the US Senate, following a divisive campaign marked by inflammatory rhetoric over race and immigration, but the loss of the House means Trump will face added obstacles to pushing through his policy goals, and the possible threat of investigation over his ties to Russia.





Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump called on the Democrats to work with him to keep the economic miracle going.

There are a lot of great things we can do together, Trump said, while warning the party against investigating him over his relationship with Russia.

In a tweet posted before the press conference, Trump threatened the Democrats with an investigation of his own over unfounded claims that the Democrats were leaking classified intelligence.

If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game! Trump wrote in the post.

Senior Democrat and likely House leader, Nancy Pelosi, said Democrats would work with Republicans by issue but warned they would not serve to rubber stamp Trumps policies.

She described the election as a vote to restore the health of US democracy.

Under the constitution the legislative branch is the Article One, the first branch of government  its a co-equal branch of the other branches of government, she said, adding it is a check and balance on the other branches of government.

We as Democrats are here to strengthen the institution in which we serve and not to have it be a rubber stamp for President Trump.

Clash with reporters

Trump dodged questions in the press conference regarding his role in contributing to the rise of white nationalism in the US, at one point accusing a journalist who asked him about the topic of racism.

When asked by CNNs Jim Acosta about whether he had demonised immigrants with a controversial campaign advert describing Latin American migrants as invaders, Trump called the reporter rude and ordered an aide to physically remove the mic from the journalist.

You are the enemy of the people, Trump said during the tense exchange.

A White House staff member reaches for the microphone held by CNNs Jim Acosta as he questions US President Donald Trump [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]

Analysis  James Bays, Al Jazeeras Diplomatic Editor

It was quite a chaotic and extraordinary news conference and when you cut away all the other stuff, there was a clear message coming from the president.

He said that he thought it was probably better that Republicans havent got a slight majority in the House, and instead the Democrats have the majority. He can have a negotiation with Democrats in the House, he can come up with legislation, and he can get it through the Senate with the Democrats, and some of the Republicans, supporting it.

I think this might terrify some in his own party that hes going to work so closely with the Democrats.Condemnation as video on social media shows laughing men burning a model of building in which 71 died in a blaze.

London police arrested six men over a video showing a cardboard model of Grenfell Tower being burned  an act condemned by bereaved families and survivors of the apartment-block blaze that killed 71 people.

British police arrested six men after a video was posted on the internet showing men laughing and mocking the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze.

They were released on Tuesday, but remain under investigation, according to a police statement.

The video showed a cardboard model of the tower with cutouts of residents in the windows being set alight on a bonfire, while those watching made jokes.

Khadijah Mamudu, whose mother and younger brother escaped the firestorm, called the burning of the model a vile act.

Grenfell Tower  a social housing block that was home to a close-knit, ethnically diverse community  was engulfed by flames in the middle of the night of June 14, 2017, the countrys deadliest domestic fire since World War II.

To disrespect those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower, as well as their families and loved ones, is utterly unacceptable, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter.

To disrespect those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower, as well as their families and loved ones, is utterly unacceptable. https://t.co/i4PeM2cGBd  Theresa May (@theresa_may) November 5, 2018

Police said the men, whose ages range from 55 to 19, had been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after handing themselves over at a police station in south London.

Police Commander Stuart Cundy, who is leading the investigation into the Grenfell disaster, said he was frankly appalled by the callous nature of the video.

In the recording, onlookers can be heard saying: Help me! Help me!, Jump out the window! and Thats what happens when they dont pay their rent.

The Grenfell United organisation for survivors and the bereaved, tweeted: Its a disgusting video. Not only is it extremely upsetting to survivors and people who lost family, its hateful and offensive to everyone that has been affected.

Its a disgusting video. We hope that the police are taking this seriously. Not only is it extremely upsetting to survivors & people who lost family, its hateful & offensive to everyone that has been affected by the tragic events of that night. 1/3  Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) November 5, 2018

Judge Martin Moore-Bick, who is leading an inquiry into the blaze, said it was shocking and distressing to all those involved.

Across Britain in early November, towns and villages hold annual firework parties and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes, the Roman Catholic plotter who tried to blow up parliament in 1605.

Larger celebrations often burn celebrity figures with effigies of flamboyant ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson being torched at a number of events this year, while previous targets have included US President Donald Trump.Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 5, Chinese EV startup WM Motor Technology Co., Ltd (WM Motor) appointed Rupert Mitchell, former senior executive of Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as new chief strategy officer (CSO). The appointment took into effect immediately.

Rupert Mitchell will take charge of the automaker's strategy financing and investment businesses and directly report to Freeman Shen, chairman and CEO of WM Motor.

Meanwhile, the startup also named Song Jie as vice president of human resources and Lv Shanniang as vice president of legal affairs.

The 47-year-old Rupert Mitchell had held key positions at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, boasting rich financial industry experience in Asian and European firms.

Song Jie and Lv Shanniang will also directly report to Freeman Shen. Ms. Song has abundant human resources management experience in many Internet companies, like the on-line game developer Changyou.com, Lenovo, and the U.S.-based telecommunications company AT&T.

Ms. Lv had managed legal affairs and other businesses at several public companies, such as Baofeng Group, AsiaInfo and iSoftStone, etc. She is also a professional lawyer with practicing qualification in China.

WM Motor has set the goal of delivering 10 thousand vehicles by the end of 2018 and 100 thousand vehicles next year. Under the EV startup's three step development strategy, the automaker is going to build itself into an intelligent EV impeller first, and then grow to an intelligent data-driven hardware provider and a smart mobility service provider finally. The company ushers in a new development period after it started to hand over the EX5s in September. The latest personnel change may be a prelude for WM Motor to deploy businesses outside China.Poland president calls for official state march along the same route that the far-right march was to take place.

An annual march organised by far-right groups in Poland to celebrate the countrys independence has been banned by Warsaws mayor over security concerns.

Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said the event, which in previous years has attracted nationalists from all over the world, would not be allowed to go ahead.

In June, I issued a letter to Minister [of Interior Joachim] Brudzinski, proposing to jointly secure the events organised in Warsaw on November 11. My letter was completely ignored, Gronkiewicz-Waltz said during a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the city has already suffered because of aggressive nationalism.

The Independence March has been held annually since 2010. Last year, the event, attended by 60,000 people, sparked international outrage due to the presence of racist, homophobic and anti-immigrant slogans.

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Chants included The whole Poland sings with us: F*** off with the refugees, Not red, not rainbow but national Poland, One nation across the borders, and F*** Antifa.

The Independence March association said the event will go ahead as planned on Sunday despite the ban.

The Independence March will take place. The legal team of the Independence March association is currently preparing an appeal to the ban by Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Tomasz Kalinowski, the groups representative, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Following the mayors decision, Polands President Andrzej Duda announced an official state march will take place on Sunday and will follow the same route as the planned Independence March.

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A statement on the presidents website said the banning caused an unnecessary escalation of emotions that could additionally affect the celebrations of regaining independence by Poland and he, along with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, was putting on the alternate march as a show of unity.

We cordially invited Polish women and men, all citizens and all groups to participate in the march, he said.

Thousands of people have attended the controversial march in previous years [Kacper Pempel/Reuters]

Last month, the European Parliament issued a resolution calling on member countries to take action against hate speech and neo-fascist violence in Europe.

The Independence March was cited as an example of this trend and Warsaws mayor Gronkiewicz-Waltz also referred to the lack of legal charges following the event.

For a year, no indictment has been made regarding the events at the Independence March in 2017, although the prosecutor, which we know from the media, is in possession of expert opinion about the presence of banned ideologies at the Independence March, she said.

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Damian Kita, the Marchs spokesman, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that around 250,000 people were expected to attend the march, claiming that this years event would be peaceful.

Because of this special anniversary, the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland, we wanted to close this passing century under the slogan God, honour, homeland. We decided that no other slogan would better summarise the Polish fight for freedom, Kita told Al Jazeera.Abdel-Malik al-Houthi said he will not surrender as pro-government forces advance towards a key port city.

The chief of Houthi rebels in Yemen has said he will never surrender to Saudi-backed pro-government forces as a fierce battle for control of a key port city deepens the humanitarian crisis.

Does the enemy think that penetrating this or that area, or seizing this or that area, means we will be convinced that we should surrender and hand over control? Abdel-Malik al-Houthi said on Wednesday in a televised address.

This is not happening and will not happen ever, he said, according to AFP news agency.

Hodeidah is a strategic port for humanitarian aid and is the entry point for over 70 percent of imports into Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world.

Nearly 200 fighters have been killed in the fierce battle on the outskirts of rebel-held Hodeidah since last week, including at least 27 Houthi rebels and 12 pro-government fighters in the past 24 hours.

The Houthi rebels appeared to acknowledge they have lost ground in the battle for Hodeidah and accused pro-government forces of provoking an escalation in violence.

The enemy benefits from its numbers, which it has increased even further to pressure the city of Hodeidah, said the chief of the Houthi rebels.

His statement came shortly after Saudi-backed forces said they have pounded rebel positions with an air attack and a ground assault, and now control a major road leading to the port city.

Yemeni military officials and witnesses on both sides of the Hodeidah front line on Wednesday said the alliance secured an urban area along 50th Street, which leads to the Red Sea port about 5km away.

Talks expected

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The clashes came as the United Nations pushed to restart negotiations between the warring parties, after the September talks in Geneva collapsed before they even began.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded an immediate halt to the fighting, warning that the country stands on a precipice and could face the worlds worst famine for decades if violence continues unabated.

The conflict in Yemen began with the 2014 takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis, who toppled the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The coalition forces  which include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and are backed by the United States  intervened in 2015 to reinstall Hadis government.

In June, the coalition launched a new offensive to retake Hodeidah, held by the Houthis since 2014.

Humanitarian crisis

Yemen is now home to the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, which has killed at least 10,000 people since 2015, according to the UN.

The death toll, however, has not been updated in years and is likely to be much higher.

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The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, an independent watchdog, recently said around 56,000 Yemenis had been killed in the violence.

On Tuesday, UNICEF said the battle for Hodeidah placed the lives of 59 children, including 25 in the intensive care unit, at imminent risk of death.

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday appealed for warring parties to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure including ambulances, hospitals, electricity and water plants.In the political ironic drama of life, hold as it were the mirror up to nature to show virtue her feature. Admirable though this may be as advice for the public arena, it is alas not universally esteemed. Robert Bowers, the man who slaughtered 11 Jews and injured a number of other people in the Tree of Light Synagogue on October 27, 2018 in Pittsburgh, was himself wounded in the event, incurring multiple gunshot wounds, and was taken to the Allegheny General Hospital for treatment. The man whose stated ambition and objective is "to kill all the Jews," accusing them of being fixed on killing "my people," was taken care of by a Jewish nurse and Jewish doctors. The Jewish doctors said their job was to care for him, not judge him. On November 1, 2018, the unappreciative Bowers in U.S. Federal Court pleaded not guilty on 44 charges related to his murder of the Jews.

It is probable, and eminently desirable, that Bowers as punishment will be removed from any future form of social relationship. He may have time to ponder at least two problems he would encounter in achieving his overall objective of eliminating all the Jews: the nature of anti-Semitism and reactions to it and the question of Jewish identity.

Anti-Semitism, hatred of Jews, a form of racism, may not be universally considered a criminal offense, though it was Joseph Stalin, who, in his last activity in 1953, ordered the unmasking of the conspiracy of Jewish doctors to murder Soviet officials, surprisingly remarked in a statement on January 12, 1931 that under Soviet law, active anti-Semitism carried the death penalty. However, in modern democratic countries, the consensus is that the cancer of anti-Semitism must be eradicated.

In recent years, the memories of the fate of Jews are evident physically and historically. Most recently, in 2017, the winners were announced of the competition to create a U.K. National Holocaust Memorial with a subterranean learning center in a location in London. The memorial, a 50-million structure, will consist of 23 structures in bronze with 22 spaces in between representing countries where Jewish communities were destroyed by Nazi Germany.

The architects, Sir David Adjaye, born to Ghanaian parents, come to the U.K. when he was nine, and Israeli Ron Arad, are concerned that Holocaust denial has festered in the U.K. and hope a memorial will ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten. For them, it will be architecture as emotion. This aspiration is all the more welcome in November 2018, when Scotland Yard and the British Crown Prosecution Service are investigating reports of 45 incidents of hate crimes by members of the Labor Party.

The second problem for Bowers and would-be followers is to find the Jews to kill. Would he have known that the quintessentially English actor, Leslie Howard, the epitome of the upper-class, public school-educated aristocrat Scarlet Pimpernel, was really Leslie Howard Steiner, whose father was a Hungarian Jew and his mother of Jewish origin? He might have been puzzled by a host of iconic figures such as Fred Astaire and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and their links to Jewish heritage. What to do about Madeleine Albright, who confessed in her 70s that she did not know that her family was Jewish and had converted to Catholicism to escape Nazi persecution and who lived as a non-Jew. Bowers might have known that George Gershwin was initially Jacob Gershowitz, but would he have known that composer of "Over the Rainbow," Harold Arlen, was Hyman Arluk, or that Stan Getz was Stanley Gayetski, or that Harrison Ford had a mother of Russian Jewish ancestry?

Bowers would have troubled about a Frenchman, Rene Goscinny, not much to look at, not much to see, but whose writing was punny to a fault. Far from plotting the destruction of Christian civilization, his writings exemplified a heroic and uplifting struggle to defend it against forces anxious to overcome it.

In summer 2018, the Jewish Museum in London opened an exhibition of the life and work of Goscinny, who died at the age of 51 in Nice and was best known as the author of the series of comic books Asterix, which has sold over 500 million copies. Born in Paris in 1926, Goscinny wrote and illustrated children's books and was a cartoonist for a time. He was internationally famous for his creaton of the "ultimate," the quintessential Frenchman, Asterix the Gaul.

He and his partner, the illustrator Albert Uderzo, of Italian origin, founded a comic magazine, Pilote, in 1959, which, from the start, featured Asterix, the brave hero of a small coastal village of Gauls in Brittany resisting occupation by Julius Caesar and the Romans in 50 B.C., the only unconquered tribe, the "invincible Gauls." The adventures in the stories are replete with political and historical references parallel with French resistance to the Nazi occupation and coincide with Charles de Gaulle's rise to political power.

Asterix and his friend Obelix use their wits to resist the Roman force anxious to occupy their village. Asterix is short, a warrior using intelligence, helped by Obelix with his supernatural strength.

The point is that Goscinny, the author of Asterix, the emblem of France, was Jewish, born in 1926 in Paris of Polish and Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, spending a childhood in Argentina, a brief career in New York, and then the return to Paris. He was the outsider, the underdog, who succeeded in his career and was both a patriotic and dedicated Frenchman and a proud secular Jew.

Goscinny, some of whose relatives were murdered at Auschwitz, died on November 5, 1977 and is buried in the Jewish Cemetery in Nice. He left a major part of his legacy to the chief rabbinate of France. He was not a devout Jew, but he was an admirer of the State of Israel and did visit Jerusalem the year he died and prayed at the Western Wall. His colleague Udezo drew a post, a cartoon of him as Saul Ben Epishul, later published as Asterix and Jerusalem of Gold.

By coincidence, the brilliant literary translator Anthea Bell died in Cambridge, England on October 18, 2018 at age of 82. Bell translated into English over 250 works in French, German, and Danish, and many important authors  Kafka, Freud, Zweig. She had the Gaul to translate Asterix into English with extraordinary wordplay and good humor, perhaps at times even improving on the original French. Who else would name a Roman centurion Crismus Bonus or a druid Getafix, who brews potions, or the dog Dogmatix or a mercenary Selectemployment tax, or a Gaul always mad at her husband Impedimenta?

Asterix is honored in France, including in an amusement park, Parc Asterix, 30 miles north of Paris. Goscinny should remain remembered and honored for his singular contribution as a Jew to French literature and patriotic affirmation.Daniel J. Flynn has produced a truly remarkable work detailing San Franciscos descent into multicultural madness in the 1970s. In Cult City. Jim Jones, Harvey Milk, and 10 Days that Shook San francisco, the prolonged orgy that characterized San Francisco civic life resulted in two disasters. It culminated in the Jonestown massacre in November 1978, claiming 918 lives, including 287 children, and then a few days later, in the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk at the hands of a dismissed public employee Dan White. Flynn shows incontrovertibly that these events went together as a form of cosmic justice. Moscone and gay activist Harvey Milk had been among the biggest boosters of the mentally unhinged Jim Jones, who had pushed his followers into committing suicide in Guyana on November 17.

Since the early 1970s, Jones had been a celebrity in California Democratic politics and prefigured the culturally leftist course that his party would take nationwide in the ensuing decades. Jones was well-connected to black radicals like Angela Davis; he identified with the rising gay insurgency championed by his friend Milk; and he led a cult that combined New Age features with devotion to Jones as a leader with supernatural powers. By the way, it was only by reading Flynns book and then interviewing him in a podcast that I became aware that Jones was white. His charismatic power over blacks, who comprised most of his following, made me assume that he too was black. When he took his devotees to Guyana, where he conspicuously starved and abused them, he continued to enjoy the fervent support of the entire Democratic establishment. Whenever a complaint began to circulate, his highly placed army of defenders would spring to his aid. These included President Jimmy Carter, California Governor Jerry Brown, who succeeded Ronald Reagan in 1975, Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Speaker of the California House of Representatives Willie Brown, Mayor Moscone of San Francisco to City Supervisor Milk. Prominent journalists like Abe Rosenthal at the New York Times , were also found among Joness legion of political admirers.

Before Jones dragged off his crowd to Guyana, he ran the Peoples Temple in San Francisco. There, no matter what scam he engaged in to increase his private wealth as a religious and civic leader, (and Flynn is not hesitant to reveal these misdeeds) he always had political allies who covered his back. Had Jones stayed in California and not fallen prey to murderous and suicidal tendencies, he might have remained a force in Democratic politics and possibly been elected to high state office. After he killed himself and got his followers to drink the kool aid, what happened was described in misleading terms, as Flynn carefully explains. It was made to appear (and this was my impression too in 1978) that Jones was a fundamentalist religious fanatic, who because of his (presumably Christian) fanaticism planned and assisted in the deaths of hundreds of people. Flynn demonstrates that Jones was anything but a devout Christian. He was an admirer of Soviet communism and encouraged his followers to donate money to the Soviet state. He also tore up copies of the Bible, which he considered unacceptable competition for his own evolving belief system. Not surprisingly, all of Joness erstwhile friends went along with this doctored narrative and explained the Jonestown massacre accordingly.

Equally mendacious were the ideologically tailored reports about the assassinations of Milk and Moscone by a former city employee. In what Flynn describes facetiously as sanitized facts, the two victims of assassination died as martyrs to the gay cause. Nothing of the sort took place. They died over an issue of patronage, which seems to be an inconvenient fact that filmmakers and LGBT advocates have worked their way around. The murderer of Moscone, who was heterosexual, and of Milk, who was gay, was apparently -- like his victims -- on the political left. The media and the city of San Francisco were both expeditious about airbrushing both Jones Peoples Temple (which has been supplanted by a post office) and his relations with prominent Democrats out of the received historical accounts. Even the hapless Democratic congressman Leon Ryan, who went to Jonestown to report on what was happening and had his plane shot down by Joness hit squad, has been pushed down the memory hole. The very mention of Ryan might recall unpleasant memories that the media has worked to remove.

The larger picture that Flynn reveals in his scrupulously researched account of San Franciscos tumultuous history in the 1970s is one of transformational politics. What seemed goofy in this cult city during that decade, such as love fests, widespread drug usage, and the celebration of alternative lifestyles and bizarre New Age movements, would spread to the rest of the country. There was also a political change going in simultaneously that Flynn notices, and it affected the Democratic Party fundamentally. Before Governor Moonbeam won his first term in 1975 (Jerry Brown, now in his eighties, is still governor of the state), Reagan had served in that office for two terms. His predecessor and Jerry Browns father, Edmund G. (Pat) Brown, had served as governor from 1959 to 1967 and unlike his son, was a very traditional Irish-Catholic Democrat. Pat was sympathetic to organized labor and other Democratic constituencies but left it to his Republican successor to pass what was then considered a liberal abortion-rights law. Indeed Pat rose to statewide fame as a district attorney who prosecuted an abortion provider. It was not Pat but Jerry and figures like Dianne Feinstein and George Moscone who would preview the new Democratic Party of expressive freedoms and minority grievance. Flynn provides a detailed picture of how this was already taking place, with disastrous consequences, in Jim Jones San Francisco. Equally important, he reveals how the media even back then had already begun to tamper grievously with facts that didnt suit its political purpose. It didnt start with MSNBC.Just hours after Democrats took control of the House, Rep. Jim Jordan announced his intention to challenge for House Republican leader.

With the retirement of Speaker Paul Ryan, his deputy Kevin McCarthy was widely seen as the heir apparent. But there's been a conservative storm brewing for months, as many on the right don't trust McCarthy to advance a conservative agenda, and others would prefer a conservative alternative to McCarthy.

The Hill:

"I plan to run for minority leader," Jordan told Hill.TV's Buck Sexton on "Rising." "In 2016, the American people elected Republicans to come here and change this town. I think the president is doing just that, but I don't think they see the same intensity from folks in Congress, folks in the House of Representatives," he continued. "Have we replaced ObamaCare yet? Have we secured the border yet? Have we reformed welfare yet? No," he said. Jordan went on to slam current GOP leadership in the House, saying they were not willing to engage in debate with Democrats. "Now that we're in the minority, that's about all what we can do is debate, but fight hard in the debate for the principals, for the things that we know the American people sent us here to do in 2016. Show them that we deserve to be back in power in 2020," he said. Jordan's comments come hours after he won his re-election bid in Ohio's 4th congressional district against Democrat Janet Garrett. Earlier this year, Jordan, the co-founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, announced his bid to replace Speaker Paul Ryan after the Wisconsin Republican announced his retirement. Jordan has been one of President Trump's staunchest allies on Capitol Hill, frequently slamming the Justice Department and special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian election meddling, which Trump has called a "witch hunt."

There are two things working in Jordan's favor. Donald Trump is already blaming Paul Ryan for the defeat, making McCarthy a marked man. Second, the new batch of GOP congressmen coming to Washington will be more conservative and more pro-Trump. In fact, some currernt members who may have been lukewarm about supporting the president's agenda will have learned a valuable lesson from the mid terms. Not all Trump-backed candidates won their races, but a sizable number did, leaving the definite impression that it's better for one's political future to support the president.

Will Trump publicly back Jordan? As the minority party, unity for Republicans is crucial. Democrats marching in lockstep were able to block several of Trump's goals, including repeal of Obamacare and building the wall. The GOP will be unified on some issues, most notably, on opposing impeachment of the president. But Republicans need a leader who can not only persuade, but also crack the whip when necessary. The combative Jordan would probably be better at that task, and would be a stronger voice in support of the president's programs as well.

I think Trump will do away with precedent and back Jordan to the hilt. There is probably a strong desire among most remaining GOP House members for change at the top, and Jordan would certainly supply that.I'm very fearful for the future of a country that could elect so many hateful and ideologically closed-minded people. Obama at least spoke well and wasn't honest about his plans, so it's understandable why some would vote for him. But the new Dems are honest about their hate. They like to demonize Republicans with their various name-calling like deplorables, for instance. But when they remain silent in the face of calls for violence by Maxine Waters, incivility by Hillary Clinton, and death to America by Louis Farrakhan (not to mention the new anti-Semites who will enter Congress in January who call for our strategic and faithful ally Israel's destruction), one has to worry how we will survive the unending divisiveness.

I'm not being hypocritical here because I called out Trump's language when he was still in primary season and I still don't condone all of his speech, while thanking the Lord that he's in office. But Trump is not the cause of the Democrats hate -- their lack of power is.

And Trump isn't responsible for the divisiveness. That began long before him and was stoked for 8 years by our community organizer in chief. Under Obama, I worried about socialism, foreign policy, including knowing what he would do with Israel, and the growing administrative state (as well as the federal courts). With this new Democratic Party that Obama is in part responsible for creating through his own divisive rhetoric and policies, I worry about America remaining a place in which we can all coexist, prosper, and be safe.

When so many in the Democrats party embrace people like Farrakhan or don't denounce his language and hate including anti-Semitism, we have to worry. When so many ignorant people are elected to high office -- idiotic people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who is simply a moron and who knows nothing about the world, the Constitution, or history (all things one would expect from their chosen leaders and government representatives) -- how can we have faith that the country can remain the greatest civilization of all time?

Identity politics is flourishing like never before. Rashida Tlaib has no interest in furthering America's best interests, for instance. She only cares about destroying Israel and replacing it with a Palestinian state. And she's now a Congresswoman. Dianne Feinstein survived, Nancy Pelosi can't form an articulate sentence, House committee chairs suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome, while all they care about is wielding their power to destroy his presidency and regain the White House and Senate.

The Democrat Party is a shell of what it was when I first started voting. And as the demographics of the country change, I fear Republicans have limited days of retaining political power in the country. The populist backlash that led to Trump will have its own backlash: Bush Derangement Syndrome (which was nothing compared to the trump version) led to Obama. His unlawfulness (poor economy and globalist worldview) led to Trump.

Look at who's running on the Democrat side in 2020. They're all extremists who, like Obama, want to transform America. But they don't have to try too hard as the pathetic state of our immigration policy is already transforming the country. Coupled with the horrible state of our higher learning institutions (which pump out the mindless driveling Ocasio-Cortez's), at which anti-Semitism is not just permitted but at which it's actually being taught in classrooms and the snowflakes who attend, the faculty who are mostly leftist nut cases themselves and administrators and alumni who have no idea how to deal with all of this and we have a scary future.

Add in a completely biased media and the death of true journalism and why would anyone be optimistic? Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that Obama and Oprah and all of the Hollywood loons were ineffective for the most part, but I'm just not confident that the coming decades aren't going to get pretty bad in this country.

Someone needs to bridge the divide and it isn't going to be Trump nor will it be any of the Dems running. Trump is great on policy but his communication and diplomatic skills are lacking. I've always loved Mike Pence and believe he would have that ability. Perhaps Nikki Haley. And Ron DeSantis will give Florida a term or two and run for the presidency at some point in the relatively near future. The GOP has many young qualified leaders -- Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz and many others -- which give me comfort that our party has a future. We just have to get elected and the state of affairs today has me concerned.

I've wanted to bring back some sort of mandatory draft and I believe that might be the only way to save our youth from the indoctrination and propaganda they're otherwise exposed to. At least a mandatory boot camp. And something that involves history -- not the skewed kind that is being taught but simple honest history of the country and the world -- and civics lessons.

Safe spaces should be outlawed. But as someone who practiced law for 30 years at some of the world's largest law firms, I can attest to the fact that the nonsense on campuses is now in the workplace. Diversity is an obsession. Community service is basically compulsory. Massive amounts of resources are being spent making sure that young attorneys are not offended, are entertained, are diversely representative of the world rather than necessarily the most qualified. It's a much different world than it was just several decades ago.Nobody has ever called Utah the vanguard of progressivism, but even in the Beehive State, voters have endorsed the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The long term trend toward legalization of marijuana continues. Starting in Colorado and Washington state, voters and legislators have been approving use for medical conditions first, but recreational use seems to follow, at least in socially liberal areas.

You can read all about the outcomes in the four states, and various localities  cities and counties  in the Boston Globe, which remarkably turned over its editorial space to an advocacy group, Marijuana Moment, with a pro-forma disclaimer:

Marijuana Moment is a wire service assembled by Tom Angell, a marijuana legalization activist and journalist covering marijuana reform nationwide. The views expressed by Angell or Marijuana Moment are neither endorsed by the Globe nor do they reflect the Globes views on any subject area.

A very knowledgeable friend who needs to remain anonymous writes me about the benefits and hazards of this approach.

JAMA Psychiatry just published a study on cannabis-linked psychotic experiences. This has been known clinically forever, and the hard evidence has been increasingly solid. But the media never report it, although some of them have to know this. Just another bit of corruption in reporting. Because media people are themselves big users of drugs, like politicians and academics, they have a personal interest in rationalizing cannabis. The THC component is the toxic part, but it's also the hallucinogenic part. Growers have bred new varieties that have much more THC, and less CBD. CBD is very promising for medical purposes. Pure, synthetic THC is especially toxic to vulnerable boys (mainly, I understand). We're going through our repetition neurosis with popular drugs, which are "good" versus "evil" drug, which are not popular. It keeps on happening, and JAMA apparently waited to publish a critique after the legalization campaign had already won in many states. [But I note that this was published before the referenda yesterday were voted upon  TL.] Articles like this have been appearing in good journals for many years, so they could have done this earlier on, but chose not to. On the other side, we probably need cannabinoids to fight pain. The plant has 80 + different cannabinoids, and those can be made synthetically, one by one. There's an endogenous cannabinoid receptor system with all kinds of functions, probably only partly known.

Image credit: PixabayIt was supposed to be a blue wave. And yes, we got divided government, for better or for worse.

But we can't really call it a blue wave given that the Republicans strengthened, significantly, in the Senate.

One can argue it came of a lot of things, from good candidates, to Republican advantage in which seats were up for grabs, to the popularity of President Trump.

But it sure doesn't explain everything, given that earlier predictions, based on historical patterns, were that the Senate would flip along with the House for the Democrats.

Multiple signs point to the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation for Supreme Court that did the Dems in.

First, look at which Senate Democrats won and which ones didn't: Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the lone Democrat who voted for Kavanaugh, got re-elected, romping in with a comfortable margin.

Three red-state Democrats who made a big show of wavering before falling into the rigid Democratic Party line, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Claire McCaskill of Missouri, all got thrown out.

Obviously, the show the Democrats put on with that Kavanaugh hearing, first with Sen. Kamala Harris's nasty line of questioning, and Sen. Cory Booker's downright comical 'Spartacus' grandstanding over claimed phony courage he never had, was a failed gambit for a genuinely qualified Supreme Court justice.

Then the show got creepier - with a last-minute, sat-on, phony as hell allegation about sex harassment in a been-there-done-that Anita Hill-style reprise, all of which went against the previous information about Kavanaugh being an utterly upright person on and off the field. After that, a series of increasingly fantastic accusations followed, each more phony than the last, with one accuser admitting the other day she made the whole thing up.

What got out was that this wasn't a sex-harassment show that would change anything, but a delay tactic, so as to get a new leftist candidate when the Democrats took over the Senate.

It was clear as day then that Democrats would gladly ruin an innocent man in their thirst to retake power, and the voters declared their verdict on what they think of that.

Which is important, because if they didn't, then every Supreme Court nomination would turn into a slime show of false accusations, creepy delay tactics, and barbaric behavior, ending in screaming tantrums and door-banging, making anyone ever nominated for the job apt to think twice before saying 'yes' to a nomination. The only people who would in fact accept would be bounders unconcerned about any impact on their reputations.

The other thing this Senate strengthening suggests is that voters, maybe even lefty voters, broadly speaking, like the idea of the GOP approving judges at the lower levels. The judges the Republicans are known to vote in are strict constitutionalists, which means they rule based on what the law says, not what lefty activists want it to say. No more creative interpretations of law that go well beyond the law. Law itself will be strengthened because it will soon mean what it says. That isn't a terrible thing for leftists, given that they still have the lever of electing leaders who can legislate their vision. It just means that lawfare and legislating from the bench won't be the option for Democrats that it used to be, and Democrats will now have to focus on electing leaders who can persuade rather than rule. For believing Democrats, that shouldn't be a bad thing. It might even get them to stop hating so many voters.

All in all, it was a good punishment for Democrats, given their power plays against Kavanaugh. Sometimes, justice really does win out.

Image credit: PBS on YouTube screengrabThe Mexican government should adopt reciprocal trade protection measures against the United States if a solution cannot be reached on the latter's use of Section 232 import tariffs, Alacero president Maximo Vedoya said on Wednesday November 7.

Vedoya, who is also chief executive officer of Latin American steel group Ternium, believes that a deal to relieve the burden of the 25% import tariff on steel products, imposed by the US, must be reached before final approval of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that is replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).





Theoretically, the [Section 232 tariff] is a correct measure because it addresses the problem of unfair steel imports, Vedoya said on the sidelines of the 59th Latin American Steel Conference in Colombia. He felt that the use of the tariff should be restricted to instances where the importing nation was attempting to trade unfairly.





"Mexico should react to the tariff because its imports from the US are bigger than its exports, he added.



He believed that Mexico should be fully exempted from the tariff but that it would be possible to negotiate with the US to reach a middle ground. US mini-mill steelmakers urged last month that the tariff against Canada and Mexico should be replaced by another method to limit their exports to the US.And the American Iron & Steel Institute said in October that the Section 232 tariff could be replaced by another system, such as quotas, as early as this month.Flying in and out of Albuquerque, in New Mexico, the United States, one can catch a glimpse of a gigantic wooden trestle standing in the middle of an enormous pit in the desert. Built between 1972 and 1980, this wood and glue laminate structure called ATLAS-I (Air Force Weapons Lab Transmission-Line Aircraft Simulator) was used extensively during the waning days of the Cold War to test how well the United States strategic assets could withstand the effects of the electromagnetic pulse.

An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP in short, is an intense burst of electromagnetic energy that can be used as a weapon to inflict damage upon electrical and electronic systems by generating high levels of current and voltage surges to burn out sensitive components such as semi-conductors. Although not directly lethal, an electromagnetic bomb, or e-bomb, can devastate and render functionless any modern society that rely on electricity by knocking out their power grid and disrupting communication equipment.

ATLAS-I, also known as the Trestle, near Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The existence of powerful EMPs have been known since the early days of nuclear weapons testing. When the US Army was preparing for the first nuclear test, Trinity, in 1945, physicist Enrico Fermi advised the Army to shield their electronic equipment. The US Army shielded all their signal lines, in some cases twice. In spite of the protection, many records were lost because of spurious pickup at the time of the explosion that paralyzed the recording equipment.

In 1962, the US conducted a high-altitude nuclear test code-named Starfish Prime, where they detonated a 1.44 megaton bomb 400 kilometers above the mid-Pacific Ocean. 1,400 kilometers away in Hawaii, the EMP blast knocked off streetlights, set off burglar alarms and damaged a microwave link. In the months following the Starfish Prime test, at least six low earth orbit satellites failed due to radiation damage, including the one that was launched prior to the test to measure the distribution of radiation produced by the blast. It was only then the enormously devastating effects of EMP were realized.

In the Soviet Union too, similar research on EMP was being conducted. The same year Starfish Prime took place, Soviet scientists detonated a 300 kiloton bomb at an altitude of 290 km above Kazakhstan. To measure the effects of the EMP arising from the blast, they strung a 570 kilometer-long overhead telephone line and fitted them with fuses and gas-filled overvoltage protectors. The EMP from the test caused all the fuses to blow and all of the overvoltage protectors to fire along the entire length of the test-line. Furthermore, the EMP set on fire the electrical power plant in the city of Karaganda by inducing currents in a 1,000 km long shallow buried power cable. Despite the lower yield of the bomb, in comparison to that of Starfish Prime, the EMP damage caused by the Soviet bomb was much greater because the tests were done over a large populated land mass, and the earths greater magnetic filed at the location also assisted to concentrate the effects of the EMP.

From these tests it became apparent that EMPs were a threat, especially to military hardware, since modern militaries rely heavily on advanced electronics. Naval ships, aircraft, artillery pieces, armored vehicles, radars, military communication and data network, command and control centers, automated air defense weapon systems, etc., have substantial and critical electronic components that are vulnerable to EMP attacks. An e-bomb with a radius of a few kilometers could put out of action an entire battalion or a large number of airfields and naval vessels. And if an EMP is powerful enough, it can even disable an airplane in flight which could be potentially disastrous.

Hardening military hardware, primarily aircraft, became a major objective of the US Army. From the 1960s onwards, at least 18 separate EMP test facilities were built at air force bases across the country to test different parameters of an aircraft. All the tests followed the same basic principlean aircraft was parked on the ground, and a short but powerful burst of electromagnetic radiation generated electrically was directed at it, and then its effects were studied. However, there was one basic flaw to the teststhe aircrafts were not flying and hence were subjected to almost twice the amount of radiation, one directly from the EMP generator and another reflected from the ground.

View of the Trestle on Google Earth.

ATLAS-1 was designed to minimize the effect of EMP being reflected from the ground, and to mimic as close as possible to an airplane flying while the test was being conducted. To do that, engineers at the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque built a huge wooden platform called the Trestle, inspired by those 19th-century railroad bridges, over a natural bowl-shaped arroyo. The platform was 200 feet square, with a 400-feet-long towpath and was 12 stories highhigh enough to simulate an electrically neutral environment around the aircraft being tested, as if the plane was in flight.

The Trestle was strong enough to support a fully loaded B-52, then the largest and heaviest strategic bomber in the US inventory, yet it was built almost completely without metal to remove electrical interference. Even nuts and bolts were made out of wood. To provide better tensile strength, wooden boards were glued under heat and pressure to form massive elements. To date it is the worlds largest structure composed entirely of wood and glue laminate.

Wooden nuts and bolts.

While the Trestle is impressive to look, the most important component of ATLAS-1 was the generators. Two powerful Max generators, each capable of producing up to 5 megavolt of electrical potential was positioned on either side of the test platform. When fired simultaneously, it produced a short burst of energy 200 gigawatt in strength, comparable to the detonation of a nuclear bomb.

Strategic Air Command bombers were the primary objects tested at the Kirtland Air Force Base, but fighters, transport aircraft and even missiles were also tested for EMP hardness on the Trestle.

While EMP generation technology improved greatly over the years approaching energies in the terawatt range, the destructive EMP testing of aircraft was gradually replaced by far cheaper computer simulations, and in 1991, after the end of the Cold War, the ATLAS-I program was shut down.

The Trestle still stands in the arroyo, a few miles east of Albuquerque International Sunport. Efforts are on to preserve it as a national monument.

A B-52 bomber on top of the Trestle.A Brazilian retailer recently leaked on its website the design and specifications of Samsungs second Android Go smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core. This device has the model number SM-J410G, and images posted on the retailers website provide a detailed look into the handset. Above the display of the handset, people will find the earpiece, front-facing camera, and front LED flash, while the back of the handset will contain the logo of the South Korean tech giant, the single rear camera, and the LED flash. Located on the right side of the device is the power button, while the left side of the device contains the volume rockers. It seems that the South Korean tech giant will only offer the device in black, and likely due to the low price tag of the device, the Galaxy J4 Core will not sport a fingerprint scanner.

A quad-core chipset, which runs at a maximum clock speed of 1.4GHz, will power the handset, according to the retailer. The device will sport a 6-inch display with a resolution of 1480 by 720 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. It will contain 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal flash storage, which could be expanded using a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256GB. Recent leaks indicate that the handset will also include a dual-SIM card slot, and it will feature 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity support. The rear camera of the Galaxy J4 Core will likely be equipped with an 8-megapixel sensor with an aperture size of f/2.2, while the front-facing selfie shooter will come with a 5-megapixel image module. The cameras can record 1080p video clips with a frame rate of up to 30fps, and the device also features several camera modes, which include Emoji AR, Super Slow-Mo, and timelapse. A 3,300 mAh battery will reportedly power the device, and it can be charged using the microUSB port.

Just like Samsungs first Android Go offering, the Galaxy J2 Core, the Galaxy J4 Core will ship with Android Go software that is based on Android 8.1 Oreo. However, aside from the Google Play Store, the device will also come with the Galaxy Apps store as well as a number of applications developed by the South Korean tech giant, including its browser and e-mail applications.

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Background: Android Go devices target the entry-level segment of the market, which means that users should not expect premium features or hardware with these devices. However, the applications and the firmware of the handsets have been optimized to ensure smooth performance despite inexpensive hardware. Furthermore, this optimization should result in improved battery life and responsiveness of the device.

There is little information currently available about the pricing and the availability of the device, although it is expected that Samsung will first launch this device in developing countries. However, it seems that the South Korean device maker has plans to expand the availability of its Android Go offerings to the United States, given the recent certifications provided by both the FCC and the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Impact: With the upcoming Android Go smartphone from Samsung, users will have one more option for affordable devices with optimized user experience and features. This handset will also allow Samsung to better compete in the entry-level segment of the smartphone market. However, it should be noted that additional features included with the device may differ across different markets and carriers.The requested page is currently unavailable on this server.

Back to [RTHK News Homepage]LG has now revealed that its LG G7 Fit will become available starting this month, with continued releases prepared throughout the remainder of the year for customers Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The handset is designed to provide an experience and features similar to whats offered with the companys current flagship, the LG G7 ThinQ, but in a competitively priced package. Not only does that include in addition to MIL-STD-810G compliance with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating that is identical to that other smartphone. It also includes a similar design with a metal frame squeezed between two premium glass panels. For color configurations, users will be able to choose from either Aurora Black or Platinum Gray.

Although only a single camera is in place with the LG G7 Fit, rather than the dual snappers included on the handsets more costly counterpart, a top-performing camera and display are part of that package as well. In fact, the touchscreen is an HDR10-compatible 6.1-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) panel with a maximum brightness of up to 1,000 nits and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The single rear-facing camera is comprised of a 16-megapixel sensor with a f/2.2 aperture while the selfie-shooter is an 8-megapixel Wide Angle lens with a f/1.9 aperture. Both are further enabled by the companys AI CAM features across eight AI-optimized shooting modes with after effects and fine-tuning similar to the cameras in the LG G7 ThinQ. Rounding out the premium features, LG has brought the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC over from the G7 ThinQ as well. That supports virtual 3D across 7.1 channel audio with DTS:X 3D Surround Sound.

Background: The LG G7 Fit was actually announced first back at IFA 2018 in August and quite a few details were already made available to both distinguish this handset from and compare it to its more expensive forebearer. For starters, this handset utilizes a 64-bit Snapdragon 821 SoC backed by 4GB RAM and either 32GB or 64GB storage thats expandable by up to 2TB via micro SD card. Thats a much older processor than the Snapdragon 845 LG placed in its G7 ThinQ but is still very capable for nearly all tasks. Its 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm, 156-gram frame also houses the same 3,000mAh battery found in the more pricey handset and Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging is enabled via USB Type-C. On the connectivity front, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac protocol and Bluetooth 4.2 are accompanied by NFC as well as full support for LTE, 3G, and 2G networking. Android 8.1 Oreo, topped by LGs own UX overlay, will underpin all of that.

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Impact: Setting aside more obvious differences such as the processing unit in use here, colors, and the single camera sensors on both the front and the back, LGs G7 Fit appears to be almost as close to a true premium device as possible. However, the company has still not revealed any pricing information for this smartphone and its release schedule, for now, is somewhat vague. The use of a much older Snapdragon 821 should be enough to bring down the cost considerably but the other features included seem to lean much more toward a flagship build than a competitively priced handset. So it remains to be seen whether or not this otherwise high-value handset can live up to its budget-friendly marketing.Samsung has now confirmed that it will be showcasing a new take on Android 9 Pie and progress made in terms of folding display technology at this weeks Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) via recently-spotted changes made to the official SDC application. In particular, the apps event details page now indicates that the company will introduce a new beta for its Samsung Galaxy UX program based on Android 9 Pie. That will likely be marketed as Samsung Experience 10, following the Korean tech giants typical naming conventions. Beyond that revelation, the details also seem to confirm that it will be showcasing its long-expected folding handset, tentatively the Samsung Galaxy F. Specifically, the message invites attendees and app users to see how a Foldable display creates a totally new experience. The Samsung Developer Conference is scheduled to run from November 7 through 8 and will take place at San Franciscos Moscone West center.

Background: At least a few of the planned updates for the next iteration of Samsungs user-facing software had already been highlighted by Samsung France near the beginning of October. To begin with, the company confirmed that the changes would allow devices with dual-SIM capabilities to utilize both VoWiFi and VoLTE, rather than just the international variations of its flagship devices. Meanwhile, camera improvements will be implemented, including a reworking of how videos are categorized and discovered, in addition to expanding the availability of a host device flash unit to the direct focus mode. Fixes for at least one Camera app-related bug that revealed a users photos even when launched from the lock screen will be incorporated alongside those recently hinted features. On the audio front, more comprehensive audio editing tools will be added to the companys Voice Recorder app. Finally, Bixby will almost certainly undergo improvements across the board, if the companys history with the updates is any indicator, and users are likely to begin seeing some of the core software features previously exclusive to the Samsung flagships being ported over to its mid-range handsets.

With regard to Samsungs folding smartphone, on the other hand, the current speculation is that the company doesnt actually have a working handset to show off. If thats the case, the tech giants choice of wording makes sense given that it will be forced to rely on concept renders and possibly physical representations of the flexible display panels themselves. Bearing that in mind, reports had surfaced indicating that yet another new take on Android OS built in partnership with Google and designed solely for use on folding smartphones would be shown at the event. Moreover, even if the company isnt able to give attendees a glimpse of the hardware itself, it seems to be ready to provide more details on that build-out on the software. Since the final iteration of that was previously rumored to depend entirely on which of two possible hardware versions was ultimately chosen, that could show that the device is getting very close to completion.

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Impact: A new Android 9 Pie-based update to Samsungs flagship user experience is going to be a welcome addition to this years SDC event since it should provide deeper insights about where the company is heading on the software front. Whats more, the incoming changes will be explained in much more detail, with subsequent press releases offering more information as well as representative media. However, the more exciting event here is likely the implication that Samsung will finally unveil a working foldable smartphone or, at very least, a realistic conceptualization of a product the company plans to release. Thats because the company has been teasing folding and flexible devices for years at this point, including through the more recent hints and leaks outlined above. Although most of the concepts delivered have been stunning examples of future tech, they also havent been remotely feasible with contemporary technologies and, as a result, have always seemed a long ways off. With that technology now taking a center stage position on the upcoming docket for SDC 2018, it seems as though the worlds leading Android OEM is finally ready to show off the results of its years-long efforts.Posted on: November 7, 2018 4:21 PM

A teenager is fighting for his life in hospital this afternoon after being stabbed at lunchtime in the Shepherds Bush district of London. It follows five fatal stabbings in six days in Britains capital. Figures published yesterday revealed that in the year to March 2018, there were more than 40,000 offences involving a knife or bladed instrument. The number of stabbings in London totalled just under 1,300 in the year to the end of April. Now, the citys two Anglican dioceses are bringing together a panel of experts to explore what a church response could be to the serious youth violence which impacts communities and parishes across London.

Sponsored by the Bishops of London, whose diocese mainly covers north of the River Thames, and Southwark, whose diocese mainly covers south of the River, the summit will focus on gaining a wider understanding of the issues across London, listening and learning from participants and the experience of on the ground organisations, the Diocese of Southwark said in a statement.

The Bishop of Woolwich, Dr Karowei Dorgu, will open the summit next Tuesday (13 November). Panelists include Sophie Linden, Londons Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime; Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust; Mike McKeaveney, Assistant Director of the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education; and Leroy Logan, a retired Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police.

The Bishop of Edmonton, Rob Wickham, will chair proceedings. The closing worship, in Southwark Cathedral, will be led by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, and the Bishop of Croydon, Jonathan Clark.BrusselsThe European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled in favor of Arnaldo Otegi and four more plaintiffs (Sonia Jacinto, Rafa Diez Usabiaga, Miren Zabaleta Telleria, and Arkaitz Rodriguez Torres), saying that Spains Audiencia Nacional violated their right to a fair trial in Spain. The Strasbourg-based court ruled on Tuesday that the Spanish court violated Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights on the "Right to an Equitable Process" when it tried them and sent them to prison in the Bateragune case. The five plaintiffs alleged that the Audiencia Nacional magistrates who tried them were not impartial in their judgement. At present, those convicted have already completed their sentences and been released from prison. In the case of Otegi, the leader of EH Bildu was given a ten year sentence in this case.

The case, brought by Otegi's defense, sought to clarify whether the actions of Justice Angela Murillo, the Audiencia Nacional judge who sentenced the Basque politician for the Bateragune case, violated his basic rights. The defense alleged that her impartiality was contaminated by the prejudice shown in a previous trial against him. Otegi alleged that during the trial for paying homage to one of the leaders of ETA, 'Argala', Angela Murillo asked Otegi if "he strongly condemned violence" and, in the face of his refusal to respond, the magistrate stated: "I already knew that you wouldn't answer this question". "I also knew that you would ask," the Basque leader replied. Otegi also denounced the alleged partiality of the president of the court, Francisco Perez de los Cobos, for being a member of the PP, and of magistrate Antonio Narvaez, who was the prosecutor who pursued the illegalization of Batasuna [a pro-independence Basque party]. The ECHR rejected these arguments completely, initially calling them "malicious", and admitted only the part related to the Audiencia Nacional.

In 2011 Madrids Audiencia Nacional rejected the recusal challenge lodged by the former Batasuna spokesman against these magistrates, aimed at preventing them from being the judges trying him for attempting to reconstruct the outlawed Batasuna through Bateragune. By seven votes to two, the panel comprising the president of the Audiencia Nacional, the presidents of individual courtrooms, and the most senior and most junior magistrate of each court, rejected the request after holding a closed door review to analyze if they would recuse Murillo, Palacios and Martel from the case.

Otegi presented the challenge after the Supreme Court overturned a ruling in which these three magistrates of the fourth section of the criminal chamber of the National Court condemned him to two years in prison for honoring the ETA prisoner Jose Maria Sagarduy, released after spending 30 years in prison, on July 9, 2005. The Supreme Court annulled the sentence, ruling that Murillo "pre-judged" Otegi's guilt when, in asking during the trial if he strongly condemned ETA's violence, the defendant replied that he would not answer the question and the judge replied: "As I expected", an expression that Court 69 considered did not imply generic ill will, so it could not be extrapolated to the rest of the procedures.

Otegi denounced on Twitter the great lie that, in his view, was built up during the trial, and which has resulted in a new setback for Spain: "They lied, built a false accusation, imprisoned us, we completed the sentence ... They imprisoned us for building a peaceful strategy. Today, their great lie is exposed. Our smile is wider, and Spain is portrayed as what it is: an anti-democratic state."

Catalan president Quim Torra welcomed the ECHR decision and used it to denounce the lack of guarantees of Spanish justice: "Very satisfied that Strasbourg has ruled in favor of @ArnaldoOtegi and the rest of those condemned in the #Bateragune case, because they did not have a fair trial nor an impartial tribunal. Spanish justice, increasingly questioned in Europe."

ERC calls on Spain to stop inviting "ridicule" and withdraw accusations for 1-O

"Today we have seen what Spanish justice is like: while calling for a Minister and a mayor to testify for having put the future of the country in the hands of the people, with ballot boxes, the ECHR ruled that the trial of Otegi was not fair. [...] and warned them that they violated his basic rights. The fact that we expected this does not take away from the failure of the Spanish State's process of repression and judicialization", said ERC spokesman Anna Caula.

Along the same lines, she made clear that, like Arnaldo Otegi's, the 1-O trial is not "fair", and called on the State to "withdraw unfounded accusations" against Catalonias pro-independence leaders and "not invite more international ridicule". Caula assured that the State "still has time to change course" and "vent the Spanish judicial system" after the ECHR wake-up call". JxCat spokesman, Eduard Pujol, called directly for the release of the political prisoners and the return of exiles after seeing how European justice "has highlighted the lack of justice in Spain" with an "open-handed slap".

"The ECHR has shown that the Spanish judicial system needs a thorough reform", warned Jessica Albiach, president of the parliamentary group Catalunya en Comu-Podemos. According to her, the ruling clearly shows that work must be done to "establish all the necessary mechanisms to guarantee the separation of powers". It is a new "setback" for Spanish justice that should invite them to reflect, according to En Comu Podemos, who have always been very critical of the "politicization of justice and the judicialization of politics".

Vidal Aragones, a CUP representative, said that the ECHR ruling proves once again that "the whole of the Spanish judicial system and the apparatus of the Spanish State" is always "at the service of repression." He also added that the Spanish judicial system not only persecutes the right to self-determination and dissent, but also "represses the basic rights of the working classes and of social justice", as demonstrated by "the spectacle" surrounding the Supreme Court's review of the ruling on mortgage taxes.

C's denies that "a procedural error" cleans up Otegi's image

"Spain is a democratic country that passes all kinds of national and international tests," said Cs's spokesman in Parliament, Carlos Carrizosa. According to him, the Strasbourg statement "does not clean the image" of the Basque nationalist leader or ETA because, in Carrizosa's opinion, it simply points out "a procedural error." Ciutadans respects the ruling, but insists on the quality of Spanish democracy: "Spain is one of the countries with the fewest condemnatory rulings by the ECHR."

At a press conference in the Catalan Parliament, Carrizosa denied that the ruling should result in a thorough reform of the Spanish judiciary, "because it does not even mention compensation for Otegi." The spokesman for the orange party, who showed "no respect for the totalitarian ideas" of the leader of EH Bildu, complained that president Quim Torra is striving according to him to clean up Otegi's image by having photographs taken together.

In any case, Carrizosa admitted that, in a democracy such as Spain's, "even those who have committed the most execrable crimes" have the right to a fair trial that, according to the ECHR, Otegi was denied.The company successfully held its Business Appreciation Breakfast to honor the valuable contributions of more than 30 key strategic partners from the government sector. The business event, which was held today (Wednesday November 7, 2018) at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, was aimed at celebrating excellence in the delivery of services to clients and recognising the vital role of key partners in achieving their objectives.



Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of DACC and Dubai South presented the plaque of appreciation to the heads of the different stakeholders during the event. H.E. Al Zaffin expressed his appreciation to the continued efforts and initiatives by Dubai South and its key partners in the government and private sector to strengthen cooperation and thereby promote excellence, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the emirate and the UAE to become a world leader in infrastructure and among the top ranking cities in terms of logistics and Aviation performance index, under the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021.



He further commended that the series of interrelated partnerships and value-added cooperation programs that were established for various stakeholders have been effective in building strong relationships with various local, regional and international governmental and private entities, which is essential to achieve Dubais vision of creating a vibrant society where people can invest, live and work within a sustainable, healthy and happy environment.

Al Zaffin said: Our greatest achievement is how we managed to harness the technological and smart innovations in the service of our customers, supported by quality initiatives that have established Dubai South as a smart city, transforming Dubai into a preferred destination for living, working and investing. These achievements place us in a position of great responsibility and greater challenges to continue the process of excellence and leadership, building on our efforts and cooperation.Polyana-D4 automatic control system for air defense brigade has been supplied to Syria together with S-300 air defense complexes, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. "As you may know, for enhancing the security of Russian personnel, flight safety and the protection of facilities in Syria the supply of S-300 air defense systems and sets of the automated air defense systems Polyana-D4 has been completed," he said.



Polyana-D4 Automatic Control System Command Post

(Picture source: arms-expo.ru)

"Currently Russian military advisers are instructing Syrian personnel to operate these advanced air defense means. We believe that the hot heads should assess properly the current situation in the region and refrain from provocative actions in Syrias territory," Konashenkov said.

Earlier, a military-diplomatic source told TASS Russia had provided to Syria three battalions of the air defense system S-300PM (eight launchers in each) free of charge. Previously, the S-300 were in service in an air defense regiment of Russias Aerospace Force, now rearmed with the S-400 Triumf. The S-300 provided to Syria have undergone overhaul and are fully operational. The launchers were provided together with a set of more than 100 guided missiles for each battalion.

The agreement on the supply of S-300 missile systems in Syria had been signed back in 2010 to have been frozen shortly afterwards. On September 24, 2018, after the loss of Russias Ilyushin-20 plane, shot down in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia would provide S-300 to Syria for enhancing its combat potential. On October 2, 2018 Shoigu told president Vladimir Putin that the S-300 had been airlifted to Syria.

Polyana-D4 ensures effective control of combat operations of an air defense brigade or a mixed air defense group armed with the air defense systems S-300, Tor, Buk, Pantsir-S and Tunguska.

The Russian armed forces are armed with upgraded Polyana-D4M1 to collect radar information, control the air situation, ensure flight security, monitor ground situation, control and promote unit interaction, and register the information. The complex comprises the command post, a command-staff vehicle, two power generators and an automated workplace. The system tracks 255 air targets and the aiming and coordination time is 1 to 3 seconds. Polyana-D4M1 can be deployed in 35 minutes.Philip Glass used to say he never composed opera per se, but ended up rubbing shoulders with Verdi and Wagner because opera houses had the needed theatrical apparatus. After 37 years of making the opera-house rounds, Satyagraha, is no easier to define.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.Hogan Lovells has recruited a new partner in London who will head next year to Hong Kong.

Antonia Croke will join Hogan Lovells in London in January from fellow global law firm Ashurst, where she was a senior associate. She also previously worked at Clayton Utz and Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney.

Hogan Lovells said that its litigation practice has advised, often on bet-the-company litigation, 50 of the Fortune 100, 34 of the FTSE 100, and 17 of the DAX 30. Hong Kong is an important and growing centre for commercial dispute resolution, it said.Technologies that LegalComet develops are powered by AI, giving lawyers the ability to extract particular information from vast amounts of data. Its forensic technology services include data acquisition and preservation, recovery of deleted data and passwords, cyber breach investigation, as well as mobile and cloud forensics.

Rajah & Tann Technologies recognises that advances in technology have enabled lawyers to do many mundane, repeatable tasks at incredible speed and accuracy, Rajah & Tanns Rajesh Sreenivasan said. Michael and his team at LegalComet will help Rajah & Tann Technologies to make a leap forward in delivering legaltech services and solutions to clients across the region, and in strengthening our market position.

Sreenivasa, director at Rajah & Tann Technologies and TMT head at Rajah & Tann, said that Lew is a former colleague who the firm is eager to welcome back to its fold.

The legal industry is traditionally seen to be slow to embrace technological innovation because a lawyers competitive edge is supposedly built on his or her ability to consume, synthesise and analyse vast amounts of complex information, so it is refreshing and exciting to be part of a leading law firm that believes technology in general, and artificial intelligence in particular, can work with lawyers to achieve high-value outcomes for clients, Lew said.Vietnam will join Singapore, China, and Japan in becoming the fourth Asian country with its own GP and the second in the region, after Singapore, to hold the race on a street circuit.The Hanoi race will see drivers take on a 5.565 km track (3.457 miles) that features 22 turns. The circuit was created together with circuit design company Tilke in a way that makes for a semi-permanent street track, using both existing and purpose-built roads.According to Formula 1 , the new track takes inspiration from other circuits currently in use around the world. Turns 1 are 2 are inspired on the opening corners of the Nurburgring, while turns 12 through 15 have been created with Monaco in mind.From the 16th to the 19th turn, the Hanoi track resembles Suzuka, while the last three bends in the road have been inspired from Malaysias Sepang.With all that in mind, Formula 1 promises slow-speed hairpin turns, high-speed esses and flat-out corners, and a very long, 1.5 km (0.9 miles) stretch of straight road, on which drivers and cars are expected to reach speeds of 335 km/h (208 mph)."Our Motosport team, working in collaboration with the City of Hanoi and promoter Vingroup, has worked to enable a circuit that will not only test the drivers but also ensure that our fans enjoy the racing spectacle, said in a statement Formula 1s CEO Chase Carey.We are really looking forward to seeing Formula 1 cars speeding around the streets of this fantastic city from 2020.Confirming that Hanoi will be the first new track under Liberty leadership means that the Miami GP will probably not happen next year, as initially rumored . Should the race be added to the 2020 calendar that would mean the competition would span for an unprecedented 23 legs.The problem with that was that, as Stephen Bennett explains to the BBC , he was perfectly healthy and had even been cleared by airport medical personnel. He had only taken a sleeping pill before boarding, and the crew on his flight seemed to take issue with that.Bennett says that he had flown all night before the Toronto flight and was tired. Before early boarding, he took a prescribed sleeping pill and, once on the plane, he dozed off with his head in his wifes lap. As the plane was getting ready for takeoff, one of the flight attendants insisted that he be awake for takeoff in case anything bad happens.It took Bennett 5 full minutes to become alert, and the crew deemed his response time too slow. Despite having a professional nurse on the plane check his vital and clear him, they still had him wheeled in a wheelchair off the plane.Once back in the airport, medical personnel performed more checks on him, and all of them cleared him for flight. Bennett even got his doctor back home in British Columbia to email a note saying that he was healthy, aside from the fact that he had suffered a stroke a while back and couldnt walk unassisted because of constant leg pain.Still, WestJet decided to not allow him back on board. This meant spending 2 nights in Toronto, missing 2 days on his familys $4,000 all-inclusive vacation in Cuba and incurring $1,600 in extra costs (the hotel room and the earlier flight out to Cuba). Perhaps more stinging that this extra expense was the sense of humiliation he felt at the way he was treated.It was so humiliating, Bennett says, recalling he had tears in his eyes as he was escorted off the plane, with his wife and son in tow. Basically, the stewardess became judge, jury and executioner.In a statement to the same media outlet, WestJet says its common practice not to allow passengers to fly who seem unfit, out of an abundance of caution. This includes people who consume alcohol or take drugs / pills prior to boarding and, in Bennetts case, the fact that his doctor had prescribed the pill and that he was able to wake up from his sleep matter very little.We stand by our crew's decisions and believe that what we have offered to this guest is reasonable under the circumstances, the statement adds.Bennett is planning to sue the flight operator, seeking financial compensation and an apology in court.Partnering with the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) to further raise awareness for breast cancer, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) sets out to promote proactive healthcare for women by donating a specialized Hyundai H350 Luxury van. While a factory-spec van would be of not much use to the cause, this particular H350 is geared to promote the exact advocacy shared by the two groups. Fitted with special diagnostic tools for assessing breast cancer, the one-off H350 will be used on medical missions to rural areas where diagnostic tools are not available for the less fortunate.

The donation formalizes HARI Foundation, Inc. (Hyundais corporate social responsibility arm) with the UP-PGH. The H350 Breast Cancer Diagnostic Van constitutes the first phase of the HFI-UP-PGH Alagang Breastfriend project, a comprehensive information campaign and women empowerment movement for breast cancer prevention.

This pioneering collaboration in support of our women, the Alagang Breastfriend project, is a humbling realization of the invaluable contribution of women in our society and speaks truly of how women thanklessly fulfill the most important duty of allmotherhood. Said HFI President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Every woman has an instinct for caring, and breast feeding is a gift only a mother can share. However, the biggest fear every woman can come face to face with comes in two words: BREAST CANCER. The same body that a woman is blessed with is weakened by the threat of breast cancer. But breast cancer is treatable and curable at its early stages, so information and early detection are important. This is why Hyundai Asia Resources, Incorporated, through HARI Foundation, Inc., joins hands with UP-PGH and UP-PGH Cancer Institute to help women understand the impact of breast cancer and what they can do to prevent it.Image: Ameravia

Delaware State University (DSU) has placed an order for 10 new Vulcanair V1.0 aircraft for its aviation department flight training program, according to a joint announcement from the university and Vulcanairs U.S. distributor, Ameravia. DSU says it also intends to purchase at least one additional V1.0 a year from 2019 to 2027. To support the fleet expansion, the university Board of Trustees is planning to invest $3.5 million in the schools aviation program during that time. DSU is currently using Piper models for training.

The price of the V1.0 was one obvious reason to change our fleet but it also came down to the logic of the package Ameravia created, said DSU Director of Aviation Programs Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael Hales. The parts logistics package putting parts in our hangar on consignment until needed will help keep our planes in the air. The choice of the G500 avionics is cost effective but still everything we need. DSU is expected to take delivery of its first V1.0s before the end of the year, with the order scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2019.

The four-seat V1.0 has a cruise speed of 130 knots, range of 591 NM and 880-pound useful load. It can carry 50 gallons of usable fuel and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,546 pounds. Base price for the aircraft is $278,000. AVwebs Paul Bertorelli recently took an in-depth look at the Vulcanair V1.0 in this video.Charles Welden grew up in Alabama watching a seaplane come and go off of Lake Martin and thinking it was the coolest thing hed ever seen. He learned to fly and eventually bought a Cessna 150/150 so he could figure out flying seaplanes himself. In one of those moments that occasionally happens in aviation, he got to talking to the previous owner of his airplane and discovered that it happened to be the exact same one hed watched so avidly as a child.

When Welden went looking for someone to teach him to fly his new plane, he picked a popular seaplane operation. He had what he describes as a very rushed and unpleasant experiencenot exactly what he had been hoping for. Being a flight instructor himself and believing that there was a market for real-world seaplane instruction done right, he opened WaterWings Seaplane School in 2001.

Aircraft and Ratings

WaterWings didnt just stick to seaplanes. In 2002, Welden began offering multi-engine training in his 1965 Piper Twin Comanche. By 2005, he had added a 1939 Piper J3 Cub to the school fleet for tailwheel instruction. Eventually, WaterWings acquired an Aviat Husky on amphib floats and moved its operation to Shelby County Airport (KEET).

Flying the Cub made me realize how cool low and slow flying could be, seeing the sights up close and smelling the countryside, said Welden. This was the genesis of the idea of adding helicopter and glider to my ratings. I could go even slower in the helicopter and I could enjoy the peace of soaring.

Not one to keep his knowledge to himself, Welden added a Robinson R44 Instrument Trainer to the WaterWings fleet in 2009 and the school began offering ATP, instrument, commercial, and basic rotorcraft training. In 2012, a Super Decathlon came along for upset and spin training. The latest addition to WaterWings, which arrived in February 2018, is a 1946 Grumman Widgeon for use as a multi-engine sea trainer.

All told, WaterWings currently offers rotorcraft, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, tailwheel, upset and spin training. The school doesnt do primary training, but Welden says he works to have a symbiotic relationship with other local flight schools, sending primary students to them and having their students come to WaterWings for specialty training.

The Job

Weldens day typically starts with a weather check, and then its off to the airport to get the aircraft ready. He will then meet the first student of the day and the lessons will begin. With the focus on specialty instruction, his students typically come for a few days to a week at a time.

Weldon signed off on a total of 40 checkrides last year. In the last two months alone, WaterWings has had students come from as far as Sri Lanka and Japan to take advantage of the specialty training the school offers. I really enjoy getting to know these students from all over the world while I introduce them to new frontiers in aviation, Welden said. Its fun to see their eyes light up when they see all the toys. Generally, students are having the best time of their flying lives as we enjoy the Alabama lakes.

The biggest challenge of running the school is scheduling. Lining up lessons for students and working out timing with examiners is only part of it, however. Welden also has to plan for maintenance on seven different types aircraft and make sure qualified mechanics are available to meet the fleets diverse needs. Even so, when asked if he had a favorite aircraft, he refused to choose.

Teaching

Tim Pope came to Alabama-based WaterWings from Alaska. Pope, who has flown 15,500 hours in his 25 years as a pilot, discovered WaterWings while looking for something new to try. He arrived at the school with quite a few certificates and ratings to his name, including his ATP and tailwheel endorsement. According to Pope, his biggest challenge while working on his seaplane ratings was learning how to be one with the aircraft.

However, its not an accident that Pope calls Welden the best instructor hes ever hired. He has that unique ability to get across to the student in a way the student can understand and process, Pope said. In my case we spent an entire afternoon just flying around playing. It made a huge difference in my growth. Pope earned single- and multi-engine seaplane ratings at WaterWings. He can be seen in the video below putting skills learned at the school to use in a Widgeon amphib he says Welden inspired him to buy.

In addition to Welden himself, WaterWings employs two other instructors: one for multi-engine land instruction and one for single-engine sea training. Welden, who has been instructing for 18 years now, handles most of the seaplane and tailwheel instruction himself.

The training philosophy at WaterWings centers around practical piloting and real-world flying. We actually expect students to learn this stuff, Welden said. Nobody is experienced after just a couple of days of training, but at least they have the tools to gain that experience without getting hurt. The students are [here] to learn and we help them to become real seaplane pilots.

Longtime WaterWings student Allen Taylor agrees. [Welden] teaches us to be pilots, not [just] to fly aircraft, said Taylor. Situational awareness, why things are what they are, how to get out of situations or avoid them before they become issues is a big part of what he teaches vs. simply performing specific maneuvers to meet PTS requirements. In addition to getting his multi-engine and multi-engine instrument ratings with Welden, Taylor also earned his seaplane rating, rotorcraft add-on and tailwheel endorsement at WaterWings.

The goal at the school is to provide aviation knowledge and experiences that extend beyond simply earning a new rating. Led by Weldens enthusiasm, curiosity and skill as both a teacher and pilot, WaterWings occupies a special nicheproviding a diverse selection of aircraft, instruction and opportunities that allow its students to explore areas of aviation they might not have considered before walking through the doors.The oil industry and a big utility fended off three ballot initiatives that would have been bad for their businesses after pouring millions of dollars into separate efforts across a trio of Western states.

Why it matters: The industry wins are stark examples of how money-fueled negative messaging can persuade voters. It also shows how fights over energy policy have moved to the states as the issue remains mostly off the table in Washington.

The details:

Colorados proposal would have essentially banned new drilling in many parts of the state after roughly tripling the required distance between buildings and drilling to 2,500 feet, per The Denver Post

Washingtons proposal would have imposed a carbon fee on large emitters to then fund a range of clean-energy initiatives, per The Seattle Times

In Arizona, the proposal would have increased the states requirement for renewable-energy electricity to 50% by 2030, up from the current 15% goal by 2025, per local news outlet KGUN

By the numbers: Collectively, incumbent energy companies spent nearly $100 million fighting the proposals.

Oil companies including Anadarko and Noble Energy, which have big footprints in Colorado, spent $30 million there.

BP and Chevron were among the big funders making that fight the most expensive one in Washington history.

Arizonas biggest utility, Arizona Public Service, put $30 million into fighting the expansion of renewable electricity in that state, per The Washington Post

At least two big energy-related ballot initiatives did pass though.

A ballot initiative in Nevada that increased its renewable-electricity requirement, which did not face much opposition, passed, per local outlet KTNV.

A ballot measure in Florida that bans offshore drilling in state waters passed, per Florida Today

Whats next: The Washington and Colorado fights were largely seen as bellwethers for whether other states could pass similar policies, so losses there are a blow to any momentum.

This was Washingtons second time attempting to pass by ballot a price on carbon emissions. Voters also rejected the measure two years ago, and that was without much oil-industry opposition. Washingtons Democratic governor, Jay Inslee, told me earlier this summer he plans to keep trying at the state legislature.

The fight over fracking in Colorado has been going on for years, so dont expect this tension to go away either. Newly elected Democratic Gov. Jared Polis had been a vocal opponent of drilling close to homes, so expect activists to take their cause directly to him. Though it's worth nothing that he did oppose the ballot measure, showing the industrys influence in the state.

Go deeper:Rich people's toys  mansions, yachts, watches, private jets  are in short supply, forcing the superrich to cough up even more cash for exclusive activities  if they can get in on them at all.

Why it matters: The richest Americans are experiencing a version of the shortages and price hikes that define the pandemic economy for the rest of us. But while you may be having trouble finding what you need at the grocery, the super wealthy are having trouble getting a yacht.Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) told a group of American evangelical leaders last Thursday that he is going to punish those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi but stressed that the crisis must not shift the focus away from the Iranian threat in the region and the world, Joel Rosenberg, who organized the delegation and attended the meeting, told me.

Inside the room: Rosenberg said MBS attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Iranians and even the Russians. "He said his enemies are using everything they can to exploit this situation and make it worse," Rosenberg said. "He said, 'Listen, I am arresting people, firing people. Iran? When they kill people are they arresting people? No. You get promoted. What about the Russians? What about the Turks?'"

Rosenberg  a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen who heads an evangelical foundation, lives in Israel and once worked with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  organized the visit to Saudi Arabia. He told me that the Khashoggi murder was the first issue raised in the meeting, and "the crown prince was not defensive about it."

"He said, 'Listen, this is a heinous act,' Rosenberg told me. "He said, 'Its a terrible mistake and we have already arrested 18 people. I fired 5, we are going to get to the bottom of this and people will have to pay. Its a completely unacceptable mistake and it comes at a time that threatens all the reforms we are trying to get done. Its a disaster.'"

The Saudi crown prince used the meeting with the delegation, which included some of President Trump's staunchest evangelical supporters, to convey a message to the White House and to Senate Republicans who are pushing for sanctions against Saudi Arabia.

"He had two messages on this," Rosenberg said. "'It was horrible and unacceptable' and 'I can't let this stop me from all the reforms we have to get done to make life better for the Saudi people and to protect ourselves from the enemies  Iran, the Muslim brotherhood, al-Qaeda, ISIS.'"

The Saudi crown prince spoke for half an hour about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and about the warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Rosenberg said.

"We did bring up  maybe the most sensitive issue was ... the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On that he talked to us at length but asked us not to be public on that part of the conversation."

Background: The evangelical delegation's visit to Saudi Arabia and meeting with MBS were scheduled long before the Khashoggi crisis exploded. The members of the delegation consulted White House officials while deciding whether to go ahead with it. They ultimately decided to go, citing the unprecedented nature of the meeting, and MBS sat with the group for 2 hours in his palace in Riyadh.1 big thing: Lessons from Georgia's hacking debacle

Time will tell whether controversial hacking allegations made in the final inning of the Georgia governor's race have any merit. But one thing is already clear: If other officials in other states need to make similar announcements, they can learn a lot from what just went down in Georgia.

The big picture: On Sunday, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp accused Democrats of masterminding a "failed attempt to hack the state's voter registration system." The charge was incendiary: Kemp, who provided no evidence for his claims, is also the Trump-backed Republican nominee for governor, locked in a dead-heat race. The announcement landed with a thud in cybersecurity circles, where election-watchers recall Kemp's past cybersecurity controversies.

Experts pinpoint a number of ways Kemp could have avoided outrage this time around:

ID with caution. The first key lesson from Georgia is to think through publicly naming any supposed hacker, whether a criminal, a nation or a political rival. Unless an arrest has been made, there's a reasonable chance you might not even want to.

"Making an attribution public is always a policy decision. Theres nothing about discovery of an attack that requires communicating it," said Andy Grotto, former senior director for cybersecurity policy for Presidents Trump and Obama, and currently a fellow at Stanford University.

The executive branch could publicly disclose the names or affiliations of far more hackers than it does. Historically, it only announces an attribution or a suspect when that serves either a policy or a protection purpose. And it has tried to protect its credibility by only doing so after the evidence is in.

Be specific. Extraordinary claims call for extraordinary evidence. Kemp didn't provide any evidence. That makes his charge hard for experts to swallow.

"Based on the data available, this doesn't meet any semblance of credibility," said Jake Williams, founder of the Georgian firm Rendition InfoSec.

Williams needs more details to even determine what evidence Kemp was missing. "He needs to talk about the techniques used or the damage supposedly done. Once claims are quantified, then we can better understand the type of evidence he needs to provide."

Protect long-term security. While we still don't know exactly what happened, many of the people close to the matter believe Kemp is claiming that a researcher's attempt to alert the state to potential vulnerabilities in its systems was itself an act of hacking.

It would be the second instance in the last two years of this sort, where a researcher's effort to help the state triggers hacking accusations.

Scaring away people who help bolster your security results in weaker security.

Create norms. Candidates and law enforcement agencies know that some actions during an election are out of bounds. But we don't yet have norms around states announcing election-related hacking attempts  let alone when political rivals are involved.An Armenian tycoon has insisted that he will continue to engage in political activities despite an appeal by popular acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian for the separation of business and politics ahead of next months snap parliamentary elections.

Gagik Tsarukian, a wealthy businessman who leads the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the second largest group in the outgoing parliament, referred to United States President Donald Trump as an example of how big business can be in politics.

If as a journalist you understand something in politics, then you should know that a country like the United States today is led by the countrys largest business owner  Trump, Tsarukian said, talking to a group of journalists on Tuesday.

And today under the Trump administration America has the lowest unemployment rate, he added.

Armenias Constitution bans businessmen from seeking and becoming lawmakers and occupying government posts. Despite this prohibition, however, quite a few large businessmen had been present in both the legislative and executive branches of power using some legal loopholes, thus promoting their commercial interests and eventually contributing to government corruption.

After becoming prime minister in May Pashinian declared a fight against government corruption and as one of his cabinets priorities set the goal of separating business from politics.

Speaking in parliament on October 24, the acting prime minister said: Why would a businessman need to become a lawmaker? We guarantee that all businesspeople will have equal opportunities and the status of a lawmaker will give no additional privileges to them.

Pashinian and his team believe that the absence of businesspeople in the party lists of candidates in the December 9 elections will essentially reduce the practice of vote buying and will thus contribute to the competition of political platforms and ideas.

A number of leading businesspeople have already stated that they no longer have the intention to run for parliament.

Tsarukian, who has always insisted that he has no personal interest in engaging in politics, but is doing so for the peoples benefit, said, however, that he will himself top the list of candidates of his party and that other business owners will also be present among the BHK candidates.

I will present my program to the people and will say what I can do together with my team. I will be able to do as much as people trust me to do, he said.

Tsarukian said he was not keen on forming an alliance ahead of the December 9 elections. We still need to see what an alliance could give us. Today all political parties have high ambitions and speak about 15-20 percent Why would they need to be with us then? Let them participate alone and get their votes, he said.

Tsarukian said that the BHK is ready to become parliamentary opposition or part of the next government. Everything depends on the election outcome. But I support the [revolutionary] movement, I support Pashinian and will be next to him thats for sure, he concluded.By Patrick V. Verkooijen

ROTTERDAM  For anyone still undecided about the consequences of global warming, the summer of 2018, one of the hottest on record, should have tipped the scales. Across far-flung longitudes and latitudes, regions are struggling with the fallout from large-scale climate-related events.

In the southern United States, cities and towns pummeled by Hurricane Florence in September were still drying out when Hurricane Michael brought more flooding in October. In California, firefighters are battling the embers of the largest wildfire in state history. And in parts of Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, agricultural output is in freefall following months of stifling heat.

Cooler weather has done little to ease the suffering. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, moderate to exceptional drought conditions cover 25.1% of the United States. But extreme and exceptional drought  the worst categories  expanded to cover 6.3% of the country, up from 6% in mid-September. Regions in Australia also are struggling with the worst drought in a generation.

In fact, for a growing number of people around the world, floods, landslides, and heatwaves  Japans summer in a nutshell  is the new normal. A recent study in the journal PLOS Medicine projects a fivefold increase in heat-related deaths in the US by 2080; the outlook for poorer countries is even worse.

The climate debate is no longer about causes; fossil fuels and human activity are the culprits. Rather, the question is how billions of at-risk people and businesses can rapidly adapt and ensure their communities are as resilient as possible. Even if the world meets the Paris climate agreements target of limiting the increase in global temperature to 2 Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels, adaptation will still be critical, because climate extremes are now the new normal.

Some communities have already recognized this, and local adaptation is well under way. In Melbourne, Australia, for example, planners are working to double the citys tree canopy by 2040, an approach that will lower temperatures and reduce heat-related deaths.

Similarly, in Ahmedabad, a city of over seven million people in Western India, authorities have launched a major initiative to cover roofs in reflective paint to lower temperatures on heat islands, urban areas that trap the suns warmth and make city living unbearable, even at night. These are just two of the many infrastructural responses that communities around the world have undertaken.

But adapting to climate change will also mean managing the long-term economic fallout of extreme weather, and this is a requirement that countries are only beginning to take seriously.

Consider water scarcity. According to a 2016 World Bank analysis, drought-related water crises in Africa and the Middle East could reduce GDP in these regions by as much as 6% by 2050. That would be painful anywhere, but it would be devastating in regions already rife with political turmoil and humanitarian crises.

At the same time, rising sea levels will cause severe damage to coastal areas. The decline in property values will have far-reaching implications not only for individual wealth, but also for the tax bases of communities and the industries that serve them.

A related concern is that homes and businesses around the world will eventually become under-insured or even uninsurable, owing to the frequency of weather-related catastrophes. ClimateWise, a global network of insurance industry organizations, has already warned that the world is facing a $100 billion annual climate risk protection gap.

No single international organization or authority has all the answers to the cascade of challenges that climate change has triggered. But some are taking key leadership roles and pushing governments and local communities to act with more urgency. One of the more promising initiatives to accelerate solutions, launched just this week, is the Global Commission on Adaptation, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva.

Over the next 15 years, the world will need to invest some $90 trillion in infrastructure improvements. How these projects proceed, and whether they are designed with low-carbon features, could lead the world toward a more-climate resilient future  or they could undermine food, water, and security for decades to come.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: Living with climate change

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Russias food retailer X5 Retail Group, which owns one of the largest retail chains of supermarkets and shops in Russia, plans to strengthen partnership with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and expand the range of imported products, Maxim Novikov, the director general of RVI, a subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group, told Trend.

According to him, increasing the volume of imports of fruits and vegetables from the countries of Central Asia, in particular, from Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan is an important area of work for the X5 Retail Group.

Novikov noted that fruits and vegetables from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are represented in most stores of X5 retail chains, including Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel and Perekrestok Express.

"The company purchases watermelons, persimmons, pomegranates, grapes, melons, nectarines, peaches, apricots, lemons, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, feijoa, plums, corn, garlic in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan," Novikov said.

It was earlier reported that Uzbekistan will expand the supply of agricultural products for the X5 Retail Group in line with the partnership agreement signed by the Uztrade Company, a subsidiary of the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan, and the Russian RVI, which is a leading subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group.

X5 Retail Group is a leading Russian food retailer. The company operates several retail formats: proximity stores under the Pyaterochka brand, supermarkets under the Perekrestok brand, hypermarkets under the Karusel brand, and convenience stores under the Perekrestok Express brand.

On Sept. 28, 2018, the Russian edition of Forbes magazine published a rating of the largest private companies, in which X5 Retail Group ranked second after Lukoil.

Russia is the second largest foreign trade partner of Uzbekistan. In January-September 2018, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia amounted to $4.18 billion, of which $1.53 billion accounts for exports from Uzbekistan and $2.65 billion for imports from Russia.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia for the same period amounted to $1.69 billion, of which $443 million accounted for exports from Azerbaijan and $1.25 billion for imports from Russia.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects growth of Azerbaijan's non-oil GDP by 2.1 percent in 2018, and by 2.8 percent in 2019, according to an updated report titled "Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia November 2018".

This year Azerbaijan's GDP is expected to reach $45.6 billion (given a 1.3 percent growth), while in 2019, Azerbaijan's GDP is expected to reach $48.1 billion (given a 3.6 percent growth), according to the report.

At the same time, in 2018, no growth of oil GDP is projected, while a 5 percent growth is forecast for the next year.

IMF analysts forecast the revenues of Azerbaijan to make up 39.4 percent of GDP in 2018, which is about $17.97 billion, and expenditures  48.4 percent of GDP ($22.07 billion).

In 2019, Azerbaijan's revenues are expected to hit 41.1 percent of GDP ($19.77 billion), and expenditures - 46 percent of GDP ($22.13 billion).

Furthermore, Azerbaijan's exports in 2018 will amount to $23.8 billion, and in 2019 will increase to $25.6 billion, according to the report.

The current account surplus of Azerbaijan in the next two years will be $3 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively.

Azerbaijan received IMF loans for the support of economic reforms from 1995 to 2005. During the period, the amount of financial support reached $577.3 million. Azerbaijan fully repaid the IMF loans.

Since 2005, Azerbaijan sees no need for financial resources of the IMF, so since 2006, the cooperation with the fund is implemented within consultations and technical assistance on key areas of macroeconomic policy.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Starting from next year, compulsory medical insurance in Azerbaijan will receive a greater scope, chairman of Azerbaijans parliamentary committee for labor and social policy, Hadi Rajabli, said.

He was speaking Nov. 6 at a joint session of Azerbaijans parliamentary committees for culture, labor and social policy, family, women and children affairs, science and education, as well as healthcare in the Azerbaijani parliament.

One of the important aspects of this project is the increase in the salaries of doctors, he noted. I believe that this issue will be solved in 2020.

He added that prevention of illegal employment is also an important issue.

He said that creation of Centers for Sustainable and Operational Social Security (DOST) will lead to major changes in the field of social security.

It is necessary to move from passive social protection to active one, said Rajabli.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

The creation of an Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation is one of the important steps for the further development of the country's economy.

The main goals of the corporation are to increase the efficiency of state property management, to create favourable cooperation ties between enterprises that are under management, and to increase production potential.

The Corporation has been implementing its activities since 2017.

The Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC (AIC) will do everything possible for the development of Azerbaijan's economy and will support the ongoing economic reforms in the country, AIC Director General Kamran Nabizade told Trend.

He declared that the goals of establishment are to create effective management and ensure profitability of enterprises, which are transferred to the balance of the corporation, as well as the use of innovative technologies in the enterprises, creation of reporting and accounting system, bringing the enterprises to a new level.

"The purpose of creating an industrial corporation, as part of a strategic roadmap, is the efficient use of state property. To this end, 52 state enterprises were handed over to the management of the AIC," Nabizade said.

He stressed that the AIC is trying to contribute to the development of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.

Speaking of the work that was done by the corporation in 2018, he noted that at the first stage, international assessment companies carried out work on enterprises, which were transferred to the management of the AIC. New management systems are being created and young personnel are attracted to these enterprises.

"At the second stage, it is envisaged to expand the list of enterprises that are part of the AIC and to draw up a strategy for the existing enterprises. We are carrying out serious work in this direction. The structure of the AIC includes various enterprises that work in various directions. And this strategy will be prepared in various directions and presented to the government," Nabizade said.

He went on to say that the AIC aims to bring these enterprises to a profitable level of production.

"The main goal of the strategy is to expand production and strengthen cooperation. It means creating new jobs, solving social issues, increasing the export of Azerbaijani products, as well as replacing imported products with domestic products," Nabizade added.

In addition, the director general noted that thanks to the corporation, 17 enterprises have been established by restructuring state property.

Work is underway to modernize the Shepek silk factory Azeripek and Sumgayit ASK Tekstil, Nabizade declared.

He noted that tobacco fields have been increased in accordance with the state program on the development of tobacco growing.

"In three months, a drying facility for tobacco was set up in the Balakan region, where 60 drying chambers are installed," Nabizade said, stressing that unlike previous years, this year work was carried out by an Azerbaijani company.

He added that Balakan office is already operating. Approximately 300 jobs places were created at the site. In general, the corporation created about 1,000 new jobs, including permanent and seasonal positions.

"We expect a significant increase in the number of jobs positions," Nabizade said.

As the general director said, with the support of the state, Azerpambq enterprise was allocated funds.

"We have strengthened the material and technical base of this enterprise. 17 combines, as well as various equipment, were acquired," the director general noted.

Nabizade considers that this will allow increasing the acreage in future years, and also contribute to improving cotton productivity, and in general, modernization in the field of cotton processing is also expected.

These all will mean a transition from extensive to intensive production methods, the director general said.

"The strategy for the development of enterprises provides for the supply of aluminium to Azerbaijan as raw materials, as well as in the form of ingots and profiles. Along with this, it is planned to start production of household appliances," Nabizade noted.

Commenting on the results of these measures, he considers that it will be possible to launch production of a number of types of products locally that are currently imported from abroad.

The first anniversary of the activity of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC, created on the basis of the decree of President Ilham Aliyev, was marked on November 6, 2018.

During this year, AIC carried out important activities aimed at increasing the volume of production and quality of industrial products, as well as at improving the material welfare of the population by creating new jobs in the country, especially in the regions.

Currently, AIC has 17 subsidiaries, covering various areas of the non-oil sector. As an example, a number of enterprises of socio-economic importance can be cited, including the Azerpambig Agro-industrial Complex, Azeripek LLC, Azeriminium LLC, ASK Shushe LLC, Azertabak LLC and other enterprises.

The management structure in the field of cotton was changed, the material and technical base was updated, new combines were purchased to pick cotton. Work is underway to educate farmers engaged in the field of tobacco growing on the sowing process, tobacco sowing areas have been increased, and the Balakan Tobacco Station has been completely renovated in three months. Work continues on the modernization of the enterprises of the Corporation for the production of aluminium and glass products, a strategic development plan for these enterprises is being developed.

The authorized capital of the company is 500 million manat ($294 million). The company passed state registration on December 8, 2017.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Leman Mammadova

The introduction of local products of Azerbaijani to international markets is boosting the non-oil sector of country's economy and strengthens business ties with foreign countries. Therefore, Azerbaijan is organizig a number of export missions to foreign countries in order to promote national products.

With the support of the Ministry of Economy, the next export mission of the Export and Investment Promotion Foundation of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) was sent to Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to promote the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand and local products abroad.

The mission includes representatives of 25 national companies operating in the field of food, wine and other alcoholic beverages, the Economy Ministry told Trend.

Azerbaijani exporters will hold meetings, debates on export issues in the framework of the export mission.

The export mission in Bulgaria is taking place on November 6-9.

The Made in Azerbaijan brand, launched by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated November 5, 2016, envisages a large-scale promotion of local non-oil products in foreign markets.

This decree includes nine different support mechanisms to stimulate exports and promote Made in Azerbaijan abroad. Depending on the support mechanisms, the costs relating to their realization are fully or partially covered by the state budget.

Export missions are a supporting measure to identify opportunities for accessing new markets, strengthen local product positions in existing markets and provide these markets with new products.

According to the market research, the state provides 30,000 manats grants for exporters. Exports in non-oil sector increased by more than 30 percent compared to 2016 due to these stimulating measures.

Since the beginning of this year, five Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with different organizations from four countries. As many as 33 events and bilateral meetings have been held in Azerbaijan and abroad since January 2018. Exporters' Club has held 4 meetings, more than 160 companies have been provided with individual export services, and $ 1.7 million have been invested in entrepreneurship.

During this period Azerbaijani Trading Houses were opened in China, Ukraine, Latvia and Belarus.

Promotion of export-oriented local products under the Made in Azerbaijan brand in a wider geographic area also helps to attract foreign investment. The export of non-oil products will stimulate the expansion of the production of these products and will further strengthen the non-oil sector's share in the structure of the GDP.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Elchin Zeynalov has been appointed adviser to Azerbaijans agriculture minister, the Agriculture Ministry told Trend.

Zeynalov will also head the Science and Innovation Center of the ministry.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan on Nov. 6.

According to the decree, the Agency is a legal entity, which will support scientific research, encourage innovative projects (including startups), finance them via grants, concessional loans and investments in authorized capital (including venture financing), promote innovation initiative.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Narmina Mammadova

Turkmenistan is preparing for the sixth Caspian Summit and the first Caspian Economic Forum to be held in 2019.

Proposals have been developed to establish appropriate organizing committee at the government level in this regard, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported.

Its main tasks are defined by preparations for the above-mentioned international events in Turkmenistan and the timely resolution of all relevant issues, including the development of the summits agenda, drafts of documents to be signed, as well as the concept of the first Caspian Economic Forum, etc.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at a government meeting, that the significance of the Caspian region goes far beyond its borders, it is rapidly becoming one of the strategic centers of geopolitical and geo-economic processes, a multimodal transport and transit hub of the global level is being formed here.

This necessitates the further unification of efforts by the Caspian countries in order to implement key areas of cooperation, taking into account the short and long term, as well as strengthening the constructive dialogue with reputable international organizations and all interested partners.

On August 12, the Kazakh city of Aktau hosted a ceremony of the signing by the leaders of the five states of the basic international treaty, developed on the basis of consensus and mutual consideration of the interests of all parties, the Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea. It was the main event of the fifth Caspian summit.

The Convention was signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Iran Hassan Rouhani and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

The signing at the fifth Caspian summit of the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the governments of the Caspian states and the agreement on cooperation in the field of transport between the governments of the Caspian states was accepted with deep satisfaction.

The signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was a truly historic and event, marking the goodwill of the five coastal 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.

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.

As for the delineation of the Caspian seabed for subsoil use, according to the document, each state enjoys sovereign rights for subsoil use within its bottom sector. By now, the seabed and subsoil of the Caspian Sea in its northern and central parts have been delineated. Kazakhstan signed the corresponding agreement with Russia in 1998, as well as the protocol to it in 2002.

The delimitation of the seabed between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan was fixed in the agreement of 2001 and its protocol in 2003. There is also the Kazakh-Azerbaijani-Russian agreement on the point of junction of the lines of delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea bottom, signed in 2003. The agreement of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on the delimitation of the seabed is secured by the agreement of 2014.

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.

The issue of determining the legal status of the Caspian Sea became relevant after the collapse of the USSR, when the emergence of new subjects of international law - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - raised the issue of delimitation of the sea between the five littoral countries.

For a long time, the principle of delimitation of the seas water area was the apple of discord among the littoral states.

The leaders of the five countries met for the first time in 2002 in Ashgabat. The second Caspian summit was held in Tehran in 2007, the third one in Baku in 2010, the fourth summit  in Astrakhan in 2014 and the fifth one - in Aktau in 2018.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Laman Ismayilova

The 2nd M.A.P International Theater Festival has kicked off in Baku.

Serving as a platform for communication, education, exchange of knowledge and experience, M.A.P. Festival  an acronym for music, art and performance - combines different forms of theatre to help audiences explore a wide range of contemporary theatrical forms.

The festival, organized by YARAT Contemporary Art Space expands its geographical focus, and this year presents 16 performances by theatre companies from Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Russia and the United Kingdom.

A press conference timed to the theater festival was held at Baku Congress Center, Trend Life reported.

YARAT artistic director Suad Garayeva-Maleki, artistic director of the festival M.A.P., director Kamran Shahmardan, executive director of Bakcell Nikolai Beckers, actor of the Vene Theater (Estonia) Alexander Ivashkevich and director of NoGravity Theater (Italy) Emiliano Pelliari attended the conference.

Addressing the event, Suad Garayeva-Maleki stressed that interesting and vivid performances by international theater companies will be presented to the audience as part of the festival.

"M.A.P International Theater Festival will become a holiday for art lovers. During the year our team did a great job to organize this festival," she added.

YARAT artistic director emphasized that the festival erases borders, connects cultures and unites people through the arts.

A rich programme of workshops and lectures accompanies the performances, enabling emerging directors, actors, playwrights and other professionals are organized during the festival.

Kamran Shahmardan noted that it is a great honor for him to hold a similar festival in Azerbaijan. The artistic director of the festival noted that his program includes the productions of the modern theater of the 21st century.

Shahmardan stressed that puppet performances for children and adults, experimental works, a performance in the direction of modern ballet, as well as classical and opera productions will be presented to the audience.

The festival is organized with the support of Bakcell, the first mobile operator and the leading provider of mobile Internet in Azerbaijan.

Bakcell executive director Nikolai Beckers noted that the M.A.P. festival makes a significant contribution to the development of art in Azerbaijan.

The director of NoGravity Theater (Italy), Emiliano Pellisari, spoke about the production, which opens the festival. The show "Aria" combined choreography, vocal performance, bright costumes. The show is based on baroque music.

Estonian actor Alexander Ivashkevich expressed his gratitude to the festival organizers for the invitation, stressing that the troupe of the Vene Theater at the festival will demonstrate the performance "Duck Hunt" directed by Kamran Shahmardan.

Notably, YARAT is partnering with all major theatre venues in Baku, including the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Musical Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators, the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, UNS Creative Stage and Baku Convention Center.

The festival will last till November 11.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Laman Ismayilova

National photographers presented the unique story of Azerbaijan's capital city Baku.

The exhibition "European architectural heritage of Baku" solemnly opened at Center of Contemporary Art on November 6.

Back in the early 20th century, Azerbaijan went through its first oil boom, and architects from all over Western Europe were attracted to the city to design buildings for the expanding city. There are many buildings built in Baku at the turn of the 20th century that spot Victorian and Western influence in their designs. Actually, the architecture in Baku has four distinct flavors: the medieval inner city, the lavish styles from the first oil exploitation, Soviet neighborhoods and contemporary designs.

Many of local and international photographers documented this traces of different stages of history as like as a rich heritage of past and modernity through photography. In the frame of cultural heritage "Fantazia" Festival Azerbaijani photographers present the unique story of the city at the exhibition :European architectural heritage of Baku", featuring 20 photos majestic gothic and baroque buildings in details, where each element is a unique work of art.

Photographs of Ilkin Kangarli, Natalia Garakhanova, Rustam Huseynov and Tofik Rashidov shows the European architectural buildings of Baku combined in the greatness of the Western styles has always coexisted with the elegance of the East for centuries. Highlighting the rich past of architecture in Baku, photographers shed light on the issue of heritage and the importance of its passing to future generations. The group photography project European architectural heritage of Baku aims to help to enhance the role of local population as like as the youth in promotion and preservation of national cultural and architectural heritage as well as to attract the attention of a new generation to the samples of cultural heritage.

Head of the European Union Office in Azerbaijan, Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan Onno Kravers and artistic director of the festival Konul Rafiyeva noted that the festival "Fantazia" is timed to the Year of Cultural Heritage in Europe.

The exhibition is held with the financial support of the Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan in cooperation with the Embassies of EU Member States and in particular France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands and Poland on the occasion of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The First "Fantazia" Festival aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage in Baku and Azerbaijan. United Cultures provides organizational support for this celebration.

Fantazia Festival is being held in Baku on November 1-10. The festival presents a diverse calendar of events, including concerts, guided tours, workshops, film screenings, exhibitions, art installations, competitions, and debates with internationally and locally acclaimed experts. The art director of the festival is Konul Rafiyeva.

The exhibition is held within the partnership of Initiative Curators Union (ICU), Contemporary Art Center (MIM) and Club of Azerbaijani Artists (BRK) supported by Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reservation Icherisheher, Ministry of Culture, State Tourism Agency, Union of Architects, Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Maksud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Center, YARAT Contemporary Art Space. Scientific partners are: Ca Foscari University of Venice, ADA University, Azerbaijan National University of Culture and Arts, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Repetition of the mistakes of Armenias previous regime by the new leadership of the occupier country will lead to its destruction, Azerbaijans political analyst Ehtiram Ashirli told Trend.

He said that Azerbaijani citizens who became refugees and IDPs as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, live with the hope of returning to their homeland.

The enemy should know that the people of Azerbaijan living with hope will never reconcile with the occupation, he noted. The Azerbaijani people are brave, and wont accept that our lands remain under occupation. The April battles of 2016 also demonstrated the courage of the Azerbaijani people.

Ashirli added that Armenia is in a state of crisis from a political, economic, cultural, military, as well as demographic points of view.

However, it is obvious that the occupier country didnt draw any lessons from all this, he said. Harsh statements by Armenias acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan show that he repeats the mistakes of the previous criminal regime. As the Azerbaijani president noted, the new government in Armenia shouldnt follow the path of the former dictatorial regime and must withdraw its troops from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Otherwise, Armenia will once again witness the power of the Azerbaijani army, which means the end for the occupier country.

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.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

Azerbaijan began the serial production of the HP-7.62 type assault machine gun with a caliber of 7.62 x 54 mm, created at the enterprise of the Ministry of Defense Industry.

The assault machine gun, which was introduced in September 2018, during the third international defense exhibition ADEX-2018 in Azerbaijan, was developed by local experts and was successfully tested, the defense ministry told Trend.

The HP-7.62 type assault machine gun is designed to destroy the enemys manpower in a short-range battle, as well as damage the enemys fire weapons.

The HP-7.62 machine gun can fire from both a bipod rack and a tripod mount. The barrel of the machine gun has an external finning and is enclosed in a metal casing in order to remove heat. The design of the machine gun provides a telescoping stock and fore-stock grip for shooting while moving. The Picatinny rail allows mounting sights (optical, collimator) and other auxiliary devices, including tactical lights, laser pointers.

The machine gun belts are packed in cartridge boxes of various capacities. The conventional (heavy) 7.62 mm bullets, tracer (T-46M), armor-piercing incendiary (B-32), explosive bullets (PZ), as well as blank cartridges can be used for firing.

The machine gun's rate of fire is 650-750 rounds per minute, the combat fire rate is 250 rounds per minute, the weight is 8.6 kilograms.

The assault machine gun can be used in any weather in the range of  50C.

The 3rd Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition ADEX 2018 took place at the Baku Expo Center. As many as 224 companies from 29 countries took part in ADEX.

The exhibition featured 11 national stands from Azerbaijan, China, France, Iran, Israel, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Belarus, Ukraine, Pakistan, representing leading companies from these countries.

During the exhibition, the industry professionals got acquainted with new products of Azerbaijans defence industry and witnessed both the current and growing capabilities of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.

The exhibition ended on September 27. ADEX is an excellent platform to showcase the latest weapons and to conclude new agreements on international military-technical cooperation.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The Iraqi embassy has issued a statement in connection with an individual who brought the Iraqi citizens to Azerbaijan under the pretext of assisting them to get education, Iraqi Charge d'Affairs in Azerbaijan Fadhil Awad Jebur al-Shuwaili said at a press conference in Baku on Nov. 6.

Yusif al-Hashimi received $5,000 from about 40 Iraqi students and told them that he would assist them to enter the Azerbaijan Medical University. As a result, Iraqi students were enrolled in the language courses.

Al-Shuwaili stressed that some of these students, with the assistance of the embassy, entered the university upon a tuition basis.

The diplomat said that after these events the license, which was issued to this person by the Iraqi Ministry of Education, was liquidated. As a result, he attacked the embassy.

After the embassys appeal, this person was arrested by the police for two days, the diplomat added. Then this person organized the visit of an Iraqi journalist to the country and spread a false report in connection with the ambassador. The embassy appealed to the law enforcement bodies about the individuals involved in organizing the visit of this journalist and students.

During the press-conference, al-Shuwaili raised the issue of Azerbaijani children and women remaining in the Iraqi camps, and said that one group had already been transferred to the Azerbaijani side.

He stressed that the work is underway to return the rest Azerbaijans children and women to Azerbaijan.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Pakistan is ready to supply the Azerbaijani army with the necessary products of the defense industry, the Federal Defense Production Minister of Pakistan Zubaida Jalal Khan said at a meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizade, the Embassy said in a message.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the defense industry, exchanged views on the continuation of joint projects in this sector, participation in exhibitions held in both countries, exchange of experience, scientific cooperation, joint visits and joint ventures.

The minister noted that Pakistan is interested in further strengthening cooperation in the defense industry and is ready to supply the Azerbaijani army with the necessary products of the defense industry.

Jalal Khan also noted that the Azerbaijani side was invited to participate in the international defense exhibition, IDEAS 2018, in Pakistan, which will be held on November 27-30, and stressed that she is expecting the Azerbaijani delegation to participate in the exhibition.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan on Nov. 6.

According to the decree, the Agency is a legal entity, which will support scientific research, encourage innovative projects (including startups), finance them via grants, concessional loans and investments in authorized capital (including venture financing), promote innovation initiative.

The powers of the founder of the Agency will be carried out by the president of Azerbaijan.

The president will approve the statute and structure of the Agency; set the amount of the authorized fund of the Agency; establish the executive body of the Agency, determine and terminate its powers; reorganize and liquidate the Agency.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Narmina Mammadova

A scientific conference called The First Secular Parliamentary Republic in the East: Values and Heritage was held in the Charlottenburg Palace of the German capital on November 6. It was organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Germany and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ADR (1918-1920).

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany Ramin Hasanov and coordinator of the German Foreign Ministry for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia Michael Siebert addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

The diplomat, in particular, said that by proclaiming the first democratic republic in the East 100 years ago, Azerbaijan became a secular state, where religion was separated from the state, women were endowed with rights and national minorities became full citizens of the new country. The German community was also granted rights. First university, opera and ballet emerged in the East. The Ambassador thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the support in organizing the conference.

Siebert recalled that there is no anti-Semitism and xenophobia in the country today, as in the distant years. Tolerance and ethnic diversity reigns in the state.

"The Silk Road, including the railway from Baku to Kars and further to Europe, is very important for Germany, and Azerbaijan plays a big role in it," said the speaker.

Advisor to the director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Rashad Karimov, spoke about the history of the formation of the ADR, its traditions, its inherent novelty.

He noted that for the first time the Azerbaijani language was given the status of the state.

The first university in the history of the Azerbaijani people was created, embassies began to open after the de facto recognition of the ADR League by the Nations at the Paris Peace Conference.

Karimov also spoke about the restoration of the Azerbaijani tricolor as a state one a decade later. He also recalled that this happened in Nakhchivan for the first time on the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who in those years was chairman of the Supreme Majlis of autonomy.

Researcher at the Free University of Berlin, Enrico Zivard, in his report noted the need to study history.

"One, who does not know his history, cannot understand this day," the scientist cited the German quote.

Head of the International Relations Department of ANAS, Ph.D. Nargiz Ahundova told about the diplomatic mission of the ADR at the Paris Peace Conference, about the difficulties on the way to Paris, especially the artificial obstacles in obtaining a French visa. The scientist spoke about the multinational composition of both the population of the ADR and its parliament. She paid special attention to the German community of Azerbaijan and the attention paid by the leadership of the first republic to the Azerbaijani Germans.

Leading researcher at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Ph.D. Lamia Gafarzade, in her report highlighted the achievements of ADR in the field of culture, education, and the observance of human rights in the country. She recalled the national composition of the ADR parliament, its truly democratic character.

Head of the Department of History of Azerbaijan at the Humboldt University, Professor Eva-Maria Auch shared her understanding of the term "friendship of peoples" in the context of Azerbaijan-German relations.

Associate Professor at the University of Potsdam, Matiyas Dofnfeld, noted in his report that representatives of various nations, religions and trends peacefully coexist in the country today thanks to the policies laid down by the prominent politician, Heydar Aliyev. He spoke about a series of international humanitarian forums held in the Azerbaijani capital, inter-civilizational dialogue events, which testify to the attention of the country's leadership to this topic.

The author of the architectural and tourist guide Heike Maria Jochenning presented her work to the audience. It includes descriptions of Icherisheher, the city center, historical monuments. She admitted that she particularly admired the entrance to the palace of the Shirvanshahs, made by stone carvers. Jochenning told about the architects who worked in Baku and turned the city into one of the most beautiful corners of the world.

A documentary about the history of ADRs was shown to the participants.

The conference was held in the nature of a lively dialogue between the stage and the hall, and during it panelists responded to questions from the guests.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

Azercosmos OJSC was presented at the 69th International Astronautical Congress 2018, which is considered one of the most prestigious space events in the world.

In the Congress, initiated by the International Astronautical Federation, more than 4,500 astronautics scientists, representatives of space agencies, international organizations and the private sector from around the world took part.

Within the framework of the Congress, Azercosmos was accepted as a member of the International Astronautical Federation. Becoming a member of the federation, the Azerbaijani Space Agency was able to establish effective partnerships with leading global centers for space research and conduct joint investigations.

Also at the conference, representatives of Azercosmos discussed the possibility of holding joint events, providing services, other areas of mutually beneficial cooperation and sharing experience in the field of space research with the heads of space agencies of different countries.

Azercosmos OJSC, the first and only satellite operator in the South Caucasus, offers high-quality satellite services for telecommunications and exploration zones.

Azerspace-1, the nations first satellite, was launched into orbit on February 8, 2013. This satellite was also launched from the Kourou space base by Arianespace company. At present, its service area includes countries of Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Azerbaijani satellite provides a variety of services, such as digital television, data transmission, VSAT multi-service networks, and governmental communications.

The income from using the first telecommunications satellite amounted to $ 72 million. At the same time, the country earned $ 19 million from using the Azersky satellite, operating since 2014 and intended to monitor the surface of the Earth. Azerbaijans revenue from the operation of Azersky is expected to exceed $200 million within the next decade.

As part of the company's strategic development plan and expansion of its coverage and range of services, Azerkosmos launched a second telecommunications satellite, Azerspace-2, in 2018.

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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Leman Mammadova

The State Flag is a symbol of the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The state flag was first adopted by Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on November 9, 1918. According to the order issued in 2009, every November 9 is celebrated as the National Flag Day of Azerbaijan.

Seaside Boulevard Department began to hold the events on the occasion of the National Flag Day.

The first event was held in the Baku Business Center on November 7, located at the Seaside National Park.

Today, a scientific-practical conference on "The State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan - the Pride of 100 Years of Independence" was held, co-organized by the Seaside Boulevard Department and the Academy of Public Administration under the President.

The conference was attended by Musa Gasimli, Director of the Caucasus Studies Institute of the National Academy of Sciences, Firdovsiyya Ahmadova, Head of the History Department of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and others.

Head of the Seaside Boulevard Department Administration Elmir Bagirov said that the main purpose of the conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan State Flag is to contribute to the increase of patriotic feelings among young people and the promotion of state symbols.

MP Musa Gasimli said that the flag is an important attribute for the existence of each state. Stating that the state flag of Azerbaijan has been raised in many Olympics, international events and the most prestigious organizations, Gasimli called on Azerbaijani youths to work for the stability of the state.

Head of the Department of History of the Academy of Public Administration Firdovsiyya Ahmadova said that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the liberation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and Baku from occupation of foreigners.

This is a very glorious period for us. The Flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic demonstrates our commitment to our national-moral values and statehood traditions, she said.

The scientist, emphasized the value of the flag, adding that although our soldiers were martyred in the April wars, their goal was to raise a tricolor flag in the occupied territories.

The national flag was first adopted and raised by the National Council under the leadership of Muhammed Amin Rasulzade, the founder of the Azerbaijan Republic in Baku, in the building of the Council of Ministers on November 9, 1918.

Muhammad Amin Rasulzade, a national ideologist, sounded the motto The flag once raised will never fall!, saying  that majestic tricolor flag has already politically united all of us.

On February 5, 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the Law on "State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan" and declared it the State Flag.

The ceremonial opening of the National Flag Square took place on September 1, 2010.

The flag of Azerbaijan, which is 162 meters high, is the world's highest flag. The height of the flagpole is 162 meters, the diameter of the foundation is 3.2 meters, and the diameter of the upper part of the foundation is 1.09 meters. The Guinness World Records Agency has confirmed that the National Flag of Azerbaijan in 2010 is the world's tallest flagpole. The State Flag Museum was also established in the square.

National Flag is our pride. The state flag is raised on the buildings of the state structures and diplomatic missions of the republic, at important international, large-scale events, embodies the national unity.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Possible participation of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in Bulgarias gasification is an element of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan, said Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova.

The agreement between Bulgargaz and SOCAR for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year starting from 2020 is key to the implementation of our priorities in the energy field, she was quoted as saying by Bulgarian media at the opening of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Bulgaria-Azerbaijan Commission for Economic Cooperation in Sofia.

Petkova noted that Bulgarian government is actively making efforts to ensure the diversification of gas supplies through the construction of interconnectors with neighboring countries.

Interconnector with Greece (IGB) is of key importance among them and its implementation is already irreversible, she added.

Petkova noted that IGB will be commissioned in 2020, when the first deliveries of natural gas from Azerbaijan are expected.

Azerbaijani gas will cover about 30 percent of consumption in Bulgaria, which will significantly increase the country's energy security. SOCARs possible participation in the gasification of Bulgaria is an element of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan, she said.

Further, she said that the direct air line between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan opened at the beginning of this year is also a factor of strengthening trade contacts.

She highlighted a great room for the growth of mutual trade, which increased by 38 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.

IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets.

The initial capacity of IGB will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

Armenias regional isolation continues to deepen further and further. The country suffers one defeat after another in the international political arena. It is enough to indicate the region in which Armenia is located. A clear example is that Turkey, Georgia and Iran once again declared that countries support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. So, Armenia continues to lose on all diplomatic fronts.

The 6th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran was held in Istanbul on October 30. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Istanbul Declaration between the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the three countries.

The most important point of the declaration is that it once again reflected the resolute and principled position of the parties on the basis of these points to achieve a settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In the final declaration adopted following the Istanbul meeting between the leaders of the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia on October 29, the parties also once again reaffirmed mutual respect and strong support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized state borders.

In these declarations, the countries of the region, in particular, Iran openly expressed support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. A call was made to resolve the conflict on the basis of precisely these principles. Similar language by the Iranian Foreign Minister caused concern to the Armenian side. This fact was regarded as almost hostile.

The principles of territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders are a matter of world stability, going far beyond the interests of Azerbaijan alone. Of course, no less than other countries in the region, Iran is interested in the stability of its borders and the inviolability of sovereignty. The Islamic Republic is going through hard times now, and flirting with the Armenian occupiers that once took place can now cost them dearly.

Iranian position, approved following the Istanbul Declaration, may mean that this country is gradually moving away from its neutral attitude to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Notable is another fact that Nikol Pashinyan was preparing a visit to Iran. However, for unknown reasons, this visit didnt take place. It indicates again cooling of the Armenian-Iranian relations.

Moreover, now there is a situation where Washington not only tightened sanctions against Iran, but also asks other countries to refrain from developing trade and economic cooperation with Iran. Yerevan has something to think about. After all, it is not known how Donald Trump will react to Yerevans participation in the communication and other logistics projects proposed by Tehran, which will allow Iran to withdraw its energy resources through Armenia and Georgia to the Black Sea ports. Therefore, Armenia will have to make a choice, because in this situation it is not possible to sit on two chairs.

Armenian authorities should not forget that shortly before the Istanbul meeting, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills stated the need for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Only after the fulfillment of this clause, beginning of the settlement of the conflict can be on discussion.

In the same connection, there was visit to Armenia of U.S. security adviser John Bolton. Being a realist, Bolton stated that if Armenia wants to achieve sustainable development, then it should be able, finally, to build normal relations with neighboring countries.

Armenias position does not find support even in neighboring Georgia. So, speaking at a meeting in Samtskhe-Javakheti, candidate Salome Zourabishvili (being the favorite of the presidential race) made a promise that, if elected, she would take on her team a representative of the Armenian population of the region. After this statement, her rating collapsed and now, she have to prepare for the second round of presidential elections.

All this is a clear indication that the countries of the region and the entire world community refuse to support the occupation policy of the Armenian authorities.

If the current leadership of Armenia cannot soberly assess regional and international realities and draw the appropriate lesson, then the fiasco of Armenia and, as a result, the deepening of its regional isolation will deepen further. The only way out of the current situation is to abandon the aggressive policy, the withdrawal of troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the establishment of civilized normal good-neighborly relations with regional countries.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

An Uzbek-Japanese medical information center will be established in Tashkent in the near future, Uzbek media reported referring to the results of the meeting of the Tashkent city administration with representatives of Japan's Ometa (Overseas Medical Equipment Technical Assistants).

The estimated cost of the project is $100,000.

The State Committee on Investments and Ometa discussed signing a memorandum of cooperation and establishing a working group.

Ometa is a Japanese organization carrying out external technical assistance in the sphere medical equipment.

The organization's goal is to assist other countries in development of medical institutions, modernizing healthcare, as well as improving qualification of medical personnel. Ometa includes 138 companies, 128 of which are manufacturers of medical equipment.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

China, Russia, and the EU will remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian Khabar TV channel.

He said that the EU will implement a special financial mechanism to work with Iran.

Thus, transactions between Iran and Europe will be carried out without the US control, Araghchi said.

He said that many countries have declared to Iran that they expect this mechanism to operate.

Thus, the countries can carry out transactions with Iran through this mechanism, Araghchi said.

He added that this mechanism is very complicated, and there are many technical and legal issues to be solved.

He added that several meetings with experts from the EU, three European countries, China and Russia were held.

The next meeting will be held in Europe with the participation of experts from the Central Bank, Petroleum Ministry, Foreign Ministry and other experts, Araghchi said.

He said that it may take some time for this mechanism to start operating.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The Digital Economy Development Concept for 2019-2025 is being developed in Turkmenistan, according to the "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper.

The concept, which is planned to be implemented in three stages, outlines the goals, tasks and the main directions of development of the country's digital economy, as well as measures to increase the contribution of information and communication technologies to the gross domestic product (GDP) and improve the digital segment of the national economy.

This issue was discussed during a recent government meeting. Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Gochmyrat Myradov delivered a report in this regard.

"The adoption and successful implementation of the Digital Economy Development Concept in Turkmenistan will contribute to the sustainable innovative development of the country, the competitive economy, the formation of new types of entrepreneurship and the attraction of investments," the newspaper quoted President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as saying.

"This will allow implementing modern forms of state governance and increasing their efficiency, rendering quality services, creating new jobs and improving the social conditions of the population," the president said.

Reportedly, the Turkmen National Academy of Sciences was entrusted with development of the "Digital Turkmenistan", a new state program. The main goal is to stimulate the development of information and communication technologies and increase the contribution of this sector to the GDP of the country, as well as eliminate the digital difference in the life of the population of provinces, cities and villages.

Turkmenistan has big opportunities for the development of digital infrastructure using telemedicine, computer and telecommunication technologies through additional e-services for rendering remote consultations and knowledge, according to local TV channel Altyn Asyr.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The European Union (EU) will adopt a new strategy for cooperation with Central Asia in 1H2019, Karin Kneissl, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, presiding over the EU Council, said during a meeting with ambassadors of Central Asia to Austria, kun.uz reported.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl has held a meeting with ambassadors of Central Asian countries in Vienna today. The topics of the multilateral conversation with the representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan included the good, growing relationship between Austria and the countries of Central Asia, as well as the new Central Asian strategy of the EU, which must be approved before the summer of 2019," the report says.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced in November 2017 that the EU will adopt a new strategy of cooperation with the countries of Central Asia in 2019.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzShanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD plans to build the "e" product matrix consisting of 8 EV modelsthe BYD S2, S3, S5, e1, e2, e3, e5 and e6, according to local media. This indicates that the automaker will roll out more new EV models in the future.

BYD's existing "Dynasty" product lineup is composed of the Qin, Tang, Song, Yuan series. Unlike the Dynasty lineup, the vehicles belonging to the "e" lineup feature the English logo of BYD rather than the Chinese character "".

The BYD e5 and e6, two BEV models currently available for sale, will be used for ride hailing and car sharing services, according to the company's latest product planning.

The other 6 models cover various segments in EV domain. The BYD S3 and S5 are all-electric SUV models. The BYD S2, e1, e2 and e3 are respectively positioned as the sub-compact SUV, mini sedan, sub-compact crossover SUV and compact sedan.

BYD launched an innovative e-Platform and DiLink Intelligent Network System at the Auto China in Beijing. The e-platform is BYD's brand new BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) platform, which boasts such features as independent innovation, high integration and exceptional performance.

The e-platform can be elucidated through a series number of "33111". The "33" means the "three-in-one" powertrain and the three-in-one power distribution assembly. The "111" stands for a motherboard, a panel and a battery. To be specific, the first "1" is a PCB board integrating dozen of control modules such as car lamps, air conditioners and smart keys, etc. The second "1" represents a large-sized car-borne smart rotatable screen outfitted with the DiLink intelligent system, and the third "1" refers to a high-performance power battery module.

The e-platform has by far seen the birth of the BYD Yuan EV360 and the Qin EV500.By Trend

Russia's Ural Airlines will resume flights from Volgograd city to Uzbekistans Tashkent in December, Director General of Volgograd International Airport Sergey Dmitriev said, TASS reported.

The flights will be operated twice a week on the Airbus A320 by the Ural Airlines, he said.

He noted that the Volgograd International Airport acts as one of the nearest Russian regions to Uzbekistan in the south-east direction.

He added that for now, road transport or railway is used by passengers in this direction, which takes a long time and the route isnt safe.

Planes from Volgograd flew to Tashkent in 2015, but then the flights were stopped.

This year, the Ural Airlines already resumed flights in the directions of Moscow-Qarshi, St. Petersburg-Urgench, St. Petersburg-Bukhara, St. Petersburg-Fergana, Yekaterinburg-Samarkand and Sochi-Tashkent.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Narmina Mammadova

Today, the textile industry is a priority industry in the field of attracting investments to Uzbekistan. Uzbek textile is considered one of the best in the world market. Thanks to the patronage of the state, various measures were taken to develop the industry in different years. First of all, foreign investors are attracted and the export item is being established.

Uzbekistan intends to seek zero rates of customs duties on textile products from the European Union, Podrobno.uz reported.

It was decided after the talks between the First Deputy Minister of Economy Mubin Mirzaev with members of the delegation of the European Parliament on relations with the countries of Central Asia and Mongolia headed by Iveta Grigule-Peterse.

During the meeting, the European side was proposed some priority areas for further expansion of economic cooperation.

First of all, it is important to create the equal conditions for access of Uzbekistans textile products to the markets of EU countries, taking into account the ongoing reforms in agriculture. For example, zero rates of customs duties on textile products are established for individual countries of the world, while the customs duty on textile products for Uzbekistan is 7-12 percent.

The next is rendering assistance in ensuring the conformity of the quality of agricultural products with EU standards, increasing the personnel potential in this area.

Attraction of foreign investments from the EU countries for the implementation of projects under the PPP framework for the development of road and transport infrastructure, social services, housing and utilities, the development of alternative and renewable energy sources is also of great importance.

It is necessary to provide technical assistance to study the advanced European experience in improving the conditions of foreign trade and the liberalization of exchange controls.

The Textile Protocol came into force between Uzbekistan and the EU from July 1, 2017. It implies providing Uzbek producers with tax and customs benefits, as well as unhindered access to European markets.

Measures aimed at the development of the textile industry should help improve the level of development of the industry, the competitiveness of Uzbek textiles on the world market and, consequently, improve the economic situation of the country.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

The U.S. pulled out of the sanctions Iranian port Chabahar, which is used by Afghanistan and India to transport energy.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo decided to make an exception in relation to some of the sanctions imposed against Iran.

Representative of the U.S. State Department declared that after in-depth study, the state secretary envisaged exceptions to the sanctions regime, which was introduced under the Anti-Iran Act (IFCA) of 2012, for the port of Chabahar and the railway connected with it to transport products through this port, which is used by Afghanistan, and allow continuation of Afghanistans import of Iranian oil products.

The official added that the presidential strategy in South Asia is aimed at supporting the growth of the Afghan economy, as well as developing partnership with India.

The U.S. intends to strengthen and further build partnership with these two countries within the framework of this policy, with maximum pressure on Iran to change the behaviour of this regime, which destabilizes the entire region.

The commercial port of Chabahar is used to export Afghan goods, in particular, perishable agricultural products, to India and the countries of Central Asia.

Chabahar port is an alternative to the Pakistani trade and transit route, which the Afghan government is actively using.

The U.S. introduced a second package of unilateral sanctions against Tehran aimed at restricting the export of Iranian oil on November 5. More than 700 individuals and legal entities, ships and aircrafts of Iran fell under the new U.S. sanctions.

This is the second wave of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration since May of this year.

Despite the desire to reduce to zero the supply of Iranian oil to the world market, Washington nevertheless went for relief for a number of countries purchasing energy from Iran, including Italy, Greece, Turkey, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan.

In 2012, the Iranian government ceased, in response to sanctions by Western countries, the sale of oil to the U.S. and the UK, and from the beginning of 2013 to the EU.

After Iran made concessions on the nuclear program, in 2016 the U.S. authorities announced the lift of sanctions from 59 individuals (citizens of Iran and other countries), 385 enterprises, 77 planes and 227 ships.

In 2018, the Trump administration restored sanctions against Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in May that Washington was withdrawing from an agreement on a nuclear program with Iran. Trump also reported on the restoration of all sanctions against Iran, including secondary ones, that is, in relation to other countries doing business with Iran. The United States re-introduced part of the sanctions against Iran on August 7. More substantial sanctions that will cover oil exports are expected from the beginning of November.

From August 7, 2018, the updated Blocking Statute entered into force in the EU, the provisions of which are aimed at protecting European companies from the influence of U.S. extraterritorial sanctions.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

Uzbekistan plans to start production of high-octane gasoline on the basis of Navoiazot JSC.

The draft preliminary cost of $200 million is included in the "roadmap" for the development of the chemical industry in Uzbekistan.

The project will be implemented with the participation of GS Engineering & Construction Corporation from South Korea.

The plant is expected to produce 104,300 tons of gasoline from methanol and 14,400 tons of propane-butane mixture per year.

GS Engineering & Construction Corporation, Uzkhimprom and Navoiazot should create a joint venture for the project in December 2018. The share of the South Korean company in the joint venture will be 51 percent. The parties will prepare a feasibility study of the project before the end of 2019.

The parties should determine the sources of financing for the project and begin construction of the plant by May 2020. The company will be commissioned in December 2022.

In the mid-1990s, Uzbekistan declared "oil independence" by refusing to import raw materials after the discovery of a number of large deposits. However, since 2005, the country has resumed the import of crude oil and gasoline, mainly from Kazakhstan, due to the depletion of its own reserves.

At the end of 2017, the production of motor gasoline and diesel fuel in Uzbekistan continued to decline and amounted to 1.1 million tons (minus 2.5 percent) and 963,000 tons (minus 4.5 percent) respectively. And in 2010-2016, production in the first position decreased by 26.2 percent, in the second - by 8.3 percent.

All this led to the fact that by the end of the year in Uzbekistan periodically there was a shortage of gasoline, including in 2017. To eliminate it, in November last year, the country's Finance Ministry allocated an interest-free loan of 2 trillion soums ($242 million) for importing hydrocarbons and finished oil products to Uznefteprodukt JSC and oil refineries.

In January-April 2018, the production of motor gasoline in Uzbekistan increased by 3.7 percent and reached 378,900 tons, diesel fuel - by 15.4 percent to 387,900 tons.

Until 2020, imported fuel is exempt from customs duties, and the refineries are exempted from income tax, with the release of funds released for modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of production facilities.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The Malaysian Serba Dinamik Group Berhad company plans to build a caustic soda plant in Uzbekistan for $250 million, Podrobno.uz reported.

This was reported at the end of the negotiations between the First Deputy Chairman of the State Investments Committee of Uzbekistan Sunatulla Bekenov, Head of the Administration of the Khorezm region Farhod Ermanov and the Vice-President of the Malaysian company Palendran Palachandran.

Palachandran said it is planned to sign in December an agreement on cooperation in the area of implementation of this project, and to sign an investment agreement in April 2019. The project implementation period will be 18 months after the signing of the investment agreement.

He noted that 120 new jobs will be created at the new plant, and all products will be export-oriented. The equipment for the plant will be manufactured by Thyssen Krupp AG company (Germany). The industrial residue in the production of caustic soda, chlorine, will be exported to North African countries through this company.

Serba Dinamik is an international group of energy companies. It has experience of working in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and the UK. The company's annual market volume in Malaysia is about $ 1 billion, the number of its employees is over 1,500.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzOn November 6, President of AZAL Jahangir Asgarov met with representatives of KPMG Azerbaijan  Senior Managers, Farid Bakhshiyev and Andrey Ivanov.

The main topic of the negotiations was the details of Open Skies Agreement between Azerbaijan and Europe. By the order of the government of Azerbaijan, KPMG acts as a consultant on this project.

According to Jahangir Asgarov, there is a view that AZAL fears the consequences of signing the Open Skies Agreement with Europe. "I officially declare that there are no restrictions on flights to Azerbaijan for any airline. I will say more - foreign carriers are even provided with extended commercial rights of freedom of the air," said the AZAL President.

In particular, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries that provides foreign airlines with the fifth (transit via Baku) and even the maximum eighth freedom of the air (the right to operate flights within the country).

"Once again I would like to mention that the airports of Azerbaijan are open to all airlines, we welcome all new air carriers in our market," said Jahangir Asgarov.

According to Farid Bakhshiyev, Senior Manager at KPMG Azerbaijan, an extensive analysis of international practice was carried out to determine the effect of Open Skies on the airline industry, recommendations and a road map were prepared to mitigate the possible consequences of this project.

According to him, today AZAL has great achievements in the field of innovation, technology and international standards, and civil aviation is one of the key segments of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.

It was noted that in order to prepare Open Skies Agreement for signature and ratification it took up to 10 years for European countries.

According to the results of negotiations, the parties agreed to continue joint work on the implementation of KPMG road map.

The possibility of cooperation was also discussed with KPMG regarding risk management, investment strategy, assessment of the capitalization of enterprises, etc.

Currently, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport serves 30 airlines on over 50 destinations. During the first nine months of 2018, the capital's airport served 3.49 million passengers (10 percent more than last year). Taking into account the opening of new flights by the end of 2020, the priority task is to increase this figure to 7 million passengers per year.

KPMG is one of the world's largest networks providing professional services in audit and consulting. KPMG has representative offices in 155 countries, and consists of more than 150,000 employees.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz[November 06, 2018] Ansira Appoints Laurie MacLaren as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer DALLAS and ST. LOUIS, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ansira Partners, Inc. ("Ansira"), one of the most advanced marketing services and technology companies in North America, today announced that Laurie MacLaren has joined the company in a newly formed role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, based in the Dallas office. She will report to Ansira's Chief Executive Officer Daina Middleton. MacLaren replaces Gary Weller who served as Ansira's CFO for more than 10 years. In her dual role, MacLaren will oversee and manage operations, finance, corporate development and legal functions. "It is a pleasure to welcome Laurie to our executive team," said Middleton. "Her proven success and unique experience make her distinctly qualified for this new role. We have integrated core business roles under Laurie's leadership to ensure our continued growth and scale." Before joining Ansira, MacLaren spent 19 years with Sapient, a digital business transformation marketing and technology consulting company, with 13,000+ employees across North America, Europe and Asia. MacLaren held many positions there, including general manager of the technology and communications business unit. During her last six years with Sapient, she served as the company's Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for all global operations, including finanial operations, financial planning and analysis, human resources, information technology, real estate, office services and procurement. MacLaren also led the integration efforts of Sapient into Publicis Groupe after their acquisition of Sapient in 2015. "I am excited to join Ansira under Daina's leadership. The newly formed role at Ansira allows me to tap into many things I am passionate about by enabling great experiences for our clients and our people. We want to continue to scale the business, deliver for our clients and grow the careers of our employees," MacLaren said. "I look forward to working with the very talented Ansira team." Ansira is backed by Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, with deep expertise in the business and financial services sector. ABOUT ANSIRA:

Ansira helps marketers exceed their customer's expectations by integrating local and national marketing programs through channel-marketing automation, CRM, performance media and analytics and insights. Ansira enjoys long-term client relationships with Fortune 500 companies spanning a broad range of industries, including automotive, dining, retail, consumer packaged goods, technology and specialty services. For more information, visit: https://ansira.com/. ABOUT ADVENT INTERNATIONAL:

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in over 340 private equity transactions in 41 countries, and as of June 30, 2018, had $41 billion in assets under management. With offices on four continents, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 190 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; health care; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecom. After more than 30 years dedicated to international investing, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies. For more information, visit: www.adventinternational.com. Media Contact: Megan Duran

Megan.Duran@Ansira.com

972-663-1380 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ansira-appoints-laurie-maclaren-as-chief-operating-officer-and-chief-financial-officer-300744938.html SOURCE Ansira

[ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ]Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 67F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.How to find your voting location: The Kern County Elections Division has an online tool available to look up your polling location using your address. Go to https://www.kernvote.com/Voting/ and click on "Go to a Polling Place." Then type in your address.[November 07, 2018] iGrafx Secures Dexus as Customer for Business Transformation Support For the past six months, Dexus, one of Australia's leading property groups, has been using iGrafx to maintain alignment, maximize efficiency and ensure continuous improvement. "In May 2018, we selected iGrafx as our business transformation platform provider," said Warren Evans, Dexus Head of Business Excellence. "We now have more than 320 processes documented and shared centrally. The quality and consistency of our processes has come a long way, and our employees currently rate this Business Excellence initiative as highly functioning." "We are thrilled to have Dexus as a customer," said Taito Nakagawa, iGrafx Vice President Asia Pacific and Latin America. "There are other providers that can offer some of the functionality that iGrafx delivers - some even headquartered in Australia - but no other solution can provide the scalability, breadth and depth that iGrafx can." Prior to implementing iGrafx, Dexus launched a formal Business Excellence initiative in 2014 with the goal of making things simpleand easy for customer tenants and their own workforce. Three years later, it was determined that a cohesive, collaborative business transformation platform was necessary to ensure standardization and adoption, and after an assessment of options, iGrafx was selected. "With more than 400 employees in offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth engaged in managing assets across the office, industrial, retail and healthcare sectors, staying aligned is crucial," Evans commented. "Business Excellence has further empowered our people, and has had the multiplier effect, such that we are all improving the way we work on a continuous basis." About Dexus Dexus is an Australian Real Estate Investment Trust, with $27.2 billion of assets under management. Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, Dexus manages and directly invests in high quality Australian office and industrial properties, and also actively manages office, industrial, retail and healthcare properties across Australia on behalf of third-party capital partners. About iGrafx Founded in 1991, iGrafx is the worldwide leader in digital business transformation software, with solutions that have helped 2/3 of the fortune 100 and 10,000 customers worldwide save and generate over a billion dollars. The company focuses on a single thing: ROI-proven business transformation. More information on Product: https://www.igrafx.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005453/en/

[ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ]President Donald Trump's "South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India", a State Department spokesperson said.

Futures in NY gained 0.6 per cent. Ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries gathering in Abu Dhabi this weekend will discuss options for 2019 including the scenario of supply curbs, delegates said.

In October-November 2017, India successfully despatched an inaugural consignment of around 15,000 tons of wheat from the Indian port of Kandla in Gujarat to Afghanistan via Chabahar, in line with its commitment to provide 1.1 million tons of wheat to Afghanistan on a grant basis.

Crude's poised for the longest losing streak since 2014 as concerns of a supply crunch eased on a forecast for rising US production and waivers for eight countries allowing temporary import of Iranian oil. "These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief", said the US State Department Spokesperson.

Earlier, South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Ryu Jeong-hyun said that despite many European companies leaving Iran under the pressure of US sanctions, South Korean firms understand the significance of the Iranian market and have chosen to stay.

Iran late a year ago inaugurated the port on the Indian Ocean, which is being built largely by India and is expected to provide a key supply route for Afghanistan while allowing India to bypass rival Pakistan to trade with Central Asia and Africa.

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

And the United States, the official said, seeks to "build on our close relationships with both countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regime's destabilising policies in the region and beyond".

Trump's decision has been opposed by European powers as well as other nations including India, which has largely warm relations with Iran.

"This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan".

Chabahar and INSTC are important strategic projects for India and Afghanistan.

In the USA, industry data were said to show that nationwide crude inventories rose last week, expanding by 7.83 million barrels.With 81 percent reporting on Tuesday evening, the ballot measure surpassed the 60 percent threshold needed, securing support from 64.1 percent of voters. It would not apply to felons convicted of murder and sex offenses.

Voters in Florida have passed Amendment Four, automatically restoring voting rights to convicted felons who have served out their prison term.

"'Kol hakavod' to the Reform Jewish communities in Florida - and across the USA - who organized and mobilized to make this happen", the national Religious Action Center said on Twitter, using the Hebrew term for "well done". It is estimated that this change to Florida's constitution will allow some 1.5 million disenfranchised citizens to vote, some 10 percent of the adult population, and 21 percent of the adult black population.

A number of major Jewish philanthropists contributed to the campaign, including George Soros, Seth Klarman and Stacy Schusterman.

Florida voters have approved a ballot initiative which provides former felons with the right to vote, re-enfranchising 1.4 million people.

The implications for the state's elections are enormous.

It took 150 years, but Florida voters overturned the state's constitutional voting ban on ex-felons Tuesday night.

Our Revolution president Nina Turner said in a statement that "tonight's passage of Amendment 4, commonly referred to as 'Second Chances, ' shows that we, as a country, are moving towards a more just, equitable society that lives up to the value of 'one person, one vote'".

In March, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued an injunction for Scott to initiate a new clemency system to restore felons' voter rights by April.

It seems both obvious and astonishing: No one who will benefit from Amendment 4 voted for it.

Amendment 4, a high-profile measure explored as part of TPM's "Retreat From Democracy" series, passed, according to projections from CNN and NBC News.

Florida Governor Rick Scott addresses the Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 8, 2018.

"A HUGE and hard fought victory".

Others celebrated the long-awaited victory, which could shift Florida's future political climate.NEW YORK  The man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Trump was ordered held without bail after his first court appearance in New York on Tuesday.

Cesar Sayoc, who was transferred from federal custody in Florida, hugged his lawyer after a hearing in which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim called him a serious risk of danger to the public and a flight risk.

Sayoc has been accused of sending improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, Trump critics and media outlets in a scare that heightened tensions before the crucial midterm elections Tuesday. None of the devices exploded, and no one was injured in the pipe bomb scare.

He was arrested outside a South Florida auto parts store. He was living in a van covered with stickers of Trump and showing images of some of the presidents opponents with red crosshairs over their faces.

Sayoc faces nearly 50 years in prison if convicted on five federal charges that were filed in New York because some of the devices were recovered there.

Assistant Federal Defender Sarah Baumgartel declined to comment after the hearing, in which Sayoc presented himself as polite and soft-spoken and responded Yes, sir to questions from the judge. He wore navy blue jail scrubs and a gray ponytail.

At one point during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, Sayoc told U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger that he understood his rights 100 percent. He appeared taken aback, however, when Lehrburger noted that Sayoc is charged with assaulting federal officials, among other counts.

His lawyers decided not to seek his release on bail after prosecutors released a letter outlining more evidence against him, including DNA linking him to 10 of the explosive devices and fingerprints on two of them.

Other evidence includes online searches Sayoc did on his laptop and cell phone for addresses and photos of some of his intended targets, which included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Packages were also mailed to CNN in New York and Atlanta.

Prosecutors say the most recent crude bomb was recovered Friday in California, addressed to the liberal activist Tom Steyer.

Sayoc is scheduled to return to federal court Monday for a preliminary hearing.

While Sayocs attorneys have not commented on his mental health, his mother wrote a letter to ABC News saying he has suffered from mental illness for years.

Jim Mustian is an Associated Press writer."The gun stopped firing", Quick told the show.

Beierle pistol-whipped Quick, who was left with bruises and scratches over this left eye and nose from the confrontation.

Quick said there was a sudden lull in the shooting. I jumped up as quickly as I could", Joshua said, "ran back over and next thing you know, I'm grabbing a broom, anything I can.

Daniela Garcia Albalat told ABC that Quick's actions may have been the reason she survived the shooting.

"I'm already thinking about locking the doors once class starts", she said.

"She just radiated love for everybody". "I want to thank that guy from the bottom of my heart because he saved my life".

Tallahassee police say that on Friday night Scott Paul Beierle posed as a customer at the yoga studio and then started shooting people without warning. Police have not released information on a motive. Investigators said Beierle apparently had no prior connection to the yoga class and that he lived in Deltona, Florida, about 250 miles from Tallahassee.

Also today, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Beierle was sacked as a substitute teacher from Volusia County Schools in May for inappropriately touching a female student.

"He was immediately let go", Kelly Schultz, a school district spokeswoman, told ABC affiliate station WFTV in Orlando.

It's unclear why Beierle chose that yoga studio in the Florida capital.

"Scott Beierle was hired in January 2017". Between 2008 and 2010, Beierle says he served as a deputy director in supply and logistics for the U.S. Army.

According to the report, Beierle asked a female student whether she was ticklish, then touched her at the top of her stomach but "below the bra line".

A parent told the principal a child in her carpool group saw adult videos on Beierle's computer. The woman said she declined the offer and Beierle then slapped her on the buttocks and grabbed her. The 2016 charges were dismissed after Beierle followed a deferred prosecution agreement, which grants a defendant amnesty in exchange for obeying certain requirements. The Florida State University held a vigil for the women on Sunday night.

Four years later, Beierle was arrested for misdemeanor battery after a woman said he approached her at the swimming pool of a Tallahassee apartment complex, complemented her rear end and offered to rub sunscreen on it, records show.

Florida State University president John Thrasher expressed condolences to the victims' families in a statement.

The department identified them as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21.

"It would not have been atypical as a first-time offender for him to get diversion", said Meggs, since retired as state attorney for Florida's Second Judicial Circuit. Dr. Van Vessem worked as an internist and CMO of Capital Health Plan, where she worked for more than 20 years.

"Our Capital Health Plan family is deeply shocked and saddened about the tragic loss of our beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, among the other victims of this bad incident", CHP said in a statement.

"Her dedication, caring, leadership, humanity, and experience made her one of the most respected, accomplished medical professionals in the state and country", the statement continued. "Our hearts are with her family, our sisters and the FSU community during this hard time". "We all have been so blessed to have Nancy in our lives".

"We talked about it never dreaming that it was going to be us", Jeff Binkley said.

The other victims in the shooting suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at hospitals, officials said.

"Both were in surprisingly encouraging spirits", Gillum said at a campaign rally in Orlando on Saturday.

"She'd also say she wished nothing but peace and love and care for everybody", he said, adding the pair used to go and eat at a restaurant above the studio when he visited her.Democrat Jennifer Wexton defeated Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., ending nearly four decades of Republican control of a key northern Virginia seat.

By capitalizing on President Donald Trump's unpopularity, Wexton, a state senator and former prosecutor, won 55 percent of the vote compared with Comstock who won 45 percent, with almost all precincts reporting.

She won by portraying the congresswoman as a Trump ally who was out of touch with a well-educated, diverse electorate that has begun to shift the district to the left.

"Change is coming to America and change is coming to Virginia 10, and that change came tonight!" Wexton told cheering supporters at her victory party. "We demand a better nation, a nation where we treat each other with dignity and with respect."

Voters determined to send a message about Trump ousted Comstock after nearly a decade representing parts of the 10th District, first as a state lawmaker and then for two terms in the U.S. House.

Comstock took the stage at her party to rousing applause.

"Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts," she said, urging young volunteers not to lose heart.

She said she had told one of her granddaughters they were going to Disney World, no matter the result. "So that's where we're going now."

After a few minutes hugging supporters, she slipped out a back door.

David Ramadan, a former state lawmaker who is close to Comstock, said Trump destroyed the Republican Party and blamed him for the congresswoman's loss.

"There's no other way to put it but that this is the fault of the moron in the White House," he said.

Earlier in the day, Loudoun County retiree Michele Hoehner captured the mood of energized Democrats: "Vote them out!" She voted for Wexton, Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat - and change, she said. "Guns are out of control. I'm tired of the meanness."

Wexton dubbed the congresswoman "Barbara Trumpstock" and frequently shared a statistic from the website FiveThirtyEight that showed Comstock voted with Trump 98 percent of the time.

In response, Comstock said 82 percent of the bills tracked by the website passed on a bipartisan basis or with support from at least a few Democrats.

But Trump's influence on the election was unmistakable.

In preliminary results from a Washington Post-Schar School survey of people who voted in the 10th District, nearly 6 in 10 voters said President Trump was one of the two most important factors in their vote and they favored Wexton over Comstock by a roughly 4 to 10 margin.

The 10th District includes Loudoun County and parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties, as well as Clarke and Frederick counties and the city of Winchester to the west.

Once reliably red, the district has moved to the middle and to the left in statewide and national races, making it more challenging for a Republicans to stay afloat, with the exception of Comstock.

Gerry Last, a 59-year-old systems engineer from McLean, voted for Comstock and GOP Senate nominee Corey Stewart, who was soundly defeated by Kaine. But he really saw it as a vote for Trump.

"The country is finally going in a good direction," he said. "Trump is bringing back jobs. People are buying stuff again. I feel like if I want to change jobs now, there are jobs available, where before I felt like I was kind of stuck in the same position."

Democrat Hillary Clinton won the district by 10 points in the 2016 presidential race, but Comstock also won, over-performing Trump by 16 points, with a relentless focus on local issues. Comstock had called on Trump to drop out of the race after a tape surfaced with him bragging about groping women.

A year later, Democrats and anti-Trump voters dominated northern Virginia, electing Gov. Ralph Northam and ousting all but one Republican state lawmaker who shared territory with Comstock.

Democrats felt good about their chances from the start. Polls showed Trump was unpopular in the district overall and demographics were shifting in their favor with more well-educated, diverse professionals moving in all the time.

The national focus helped Comstock and Wexton raise nearly $5.4 million, with Wexton slightly ahead.

Outside spending also flooded the district. The groups spent about $5.9 million on behalf of Wexton and about $5.5 million on behalf of Comstock, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Although public polls showed Comstock behind, the National Republican Congressional Committee stuck by her, shoveling money into the race when others, such as the Congressional Leadership Fund, took a pass.

On the eve of the election, former president Barack Obama, with a box of doughnuts in hand, made a surprise visit to Fairfax to rally Wexton and Kaine loyalists.

Comstock, a former GOP operative who investigated the Clintons in the 1990s, tapped friends to raise money at the highest levels of national politics, from Vice President Mike Pence to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Not long after Trump was elected, Democrats built their campaign around harnessing 2017 voter enthusiasm and directing it at the congressional race.

In past years, the party had struggled to find at least one viable candidate to challenge Comstock, but this year more than a dozen serious candidates expressed interest.

Wexton won a six-way primary on her legislative record and the strength of endorsements from Northam and Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., and the influential gun-control group, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

Amit Suri, a 47-year-old physician from McLean, voted for Wexton to make a statement about Comstock's ties to the National Rifle Association, which gave her an A rating.

"It's appalling to see a country where kindergartners are mowed down and we still can't talk about it," Suri said.

In the general election, Wexton emphasized her personal story as a working mom with deep roots in Loudoun County, the heart of the district.

One ad combined video of her driving her two boys to and from school as they grew up with her accomplishments in the state Senate: "helped moms collect child support," "targeted sex offenders," "took guns away from domestic abusers."

Another ad made sure voters knew Wexton voted in the General Assembly to expand Medicaid, a major longtime goal for Democrats.

While Democrats consider Comstock too conservative for the district, some Republicans think she is too moderate and she faced a primary challenge from the right.

She won with 61 percent of the vote and turned to the general election determined to convince voters she should be judged on her own record, not that of Trump and the GOP.

Comstock, whose district includes tens of thousands of federal workers, opposed Trump's call for a pay freeze and government shutdowns, and she voted against the Trump-backed bill repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Her ads called her an "independent fighter for Virginia" and "Virginia's independent voice" and made the case that GOP policies stimulated the economy.

She also played up her support for victims of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill with an ad featuring a woman who lost an internship because she wouldn't meet a congressman at his home alone one night.

Wexton questioned Comstock's commitment to the #MeToo movement by noting her support for her longtime friend and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the face of accusations from Christine Blasey Ford during his confirmation process.

NRCC ads seized on Wexton's vote for a budget that imposed massive toll hikes, despite her opposition to the tolling plan and accused her of reducing charges against violent criminals. The ad cited two cases where Wexton dropped charges as part of plea bargains.

None of that mattered for Courtney Riddle, a 46-year-old business owner from Loudoun County who normally votes Libertarian but went with Wexton and Kaine this time.

"At the core of it," Riddle said, "we need to make a statement against our administration."

- - -

The Washington Post's Michael Brice-Saddler, Steve Thompson and Debbie Truong contributed to this report.

---

Video Embed Code

Video: Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton defeated GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock in Virginia's 10th Congressional District on Nov. 6.(The Washington Post)

Embed code:Tuesday's midterm election is on track to be the costliest congressional election in U.S. history. Yet the results offered a vivid demonstration of the limitations that money raised - and spent - can have on success at the polls.

Democratic House candidates outraised their Republican opponents in nearly three-quarters of the 80 most competitive contests, according to Federal Election Commission data. But more than half of those candidates who outraised Republicans lost.

Moreover, a smaller share of the heaviest spenders in individual House races went on to win the election compared with the past three election cycles, according to data analyzed by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The figures offered a sign that the "green wave" of cash that flowed in for Democrats this election - much of it coming in increments of less than $200 - may have put more districts in play and generated buzz for underdog candidates, but may not have played as much of a role in electoral success as other factors.

"It was a midterm with record spending, but cash did not always equal success," said Sheila Krumholtz, CRP'sexecutive director. "It's just a wash in money. At some threshold, it no longer is so much about the money as it is about strategy, messaging, connection [with voters], charisma and organization."

Overall, $4.7 billion has already been spent on this election, Krumholtz's group said, surpassing previous congressional contests.

That includes the more than $1 billion raised by Democratic candidates' committees alone - more than a single party has raised in any election cycle - that they are expected to have spent. Outside groups on both sides raised massive amounts from wealthy individuals and spent more than $1 billion through a barrage of negative advertisements.

To be sure, many of the biggest Democratic fundraisers on the House side were crucial to the party's victory in winning control of the chamber.

Candidates like Colin Allred in Texas's 32nd, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia's 7th, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey's 11th, Sean Casten in Illinois's 6th, Haley Stevens in Michigan's 11th, and Sharice Davids in Kansas's 3rd were among the party's most successful fundraisers who logged decisive wins Tuesday night byflipping Republican seats. Their victories were crucial to cementing the party's path to the House majority.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the money raised by Democratic challengers allowed them to run extremely close races in deep-red districts and force Republicans to spend money on those races when they otherwise may not have. "Of course not every single Democratic is going to win . . . but tons did. We took the House!" said Tyler Law, DCCC spokesman, in an email.

Still, clear examples of the limitations of how far campaign money can take a candidate in their run for office also emerged shortly after polls closed on the East Cost.

For example, major Democratic fundraiser Amy McGrath ran an aggressive campaign against GOP incumbent Rep. Garland "Andy" Barr, but Barr edged her out by 3.2 points.

McGrath raised $8 million for her first-time candidacy in rural Kentucky, building a ground game in every county - a rare feat for a political newcomer in a district that President Donald Trump won by 15 points.

In her concession speech, McGrath said 90 percent of donations to her campaign came in increments of $50 or less, and encouraged her donors to stay civically engaged.

"Thank you to the hundreds and thousands of people who were actively a part of this campaign," McGrath said.

On the Senate side, Democrats raised more in small-dollar donations this cycle in their battle for the majority than the Republicans did in 2014, when the GOP last won the Senate majority, according to data from the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute.

Yet Senate Democrats still lost their fight, proving that small-dollar fundraising success tells one slice of the story.

In no Senate race was this limitation more evident than the contest in Texas between Sen. Ted Cruz, R, and Beto O'Rourke, who sought unsuccessfully to be the first Democrat since 1988 to win a Senate seat there.

O'Rourke set a new fundraising record for Senate candidates. Despite raising more than $70 million for his campaign - $38 million of it in small donations - he lost by 2.6 points.

"All the money in the world was no match for the good people of Texas," Cruz said in his victory speech Tuesday.

Still, O'Rourke's campaign expanded the Democratic small-dollar donor base and galvanized voters across the country, and likely helped with down-ballot Democratic races, said Guy Cecil, chairman of Democratic super PAC Priorities USA Action. The success of candidates like O'Rourke and McGrath will also help build the party's organization for the Democratic 2020 presidential race, Cecil said.

"If we are going to be a party that competes everywhere [in the country] - which is where our intention is - the only way to do that is with the enthusiasm and energy of small-dollar contributions," Cecil said.

Outside groups spent heavily to mixed success.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, aligned with House Republicans, spent $137.5 million - by far the most the super PAC ever spent in an election cycle - to mixed results in its fight to retain the House GOP majority.

For example, in California, the group spent $6.3 million to defend Young Kim in the 39th district, $5.7 million for Steve Knight in the 25th district, and $4.5 million to help Jeff Denham in the 10th district. Knight lost his seat to first-time Democratic candidate and major fundraiser Katie Hill, but Kim and Denham both held on.

On the Senate side, both the Democratic super PAC Senate Majority PAC and the Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund spent heavily in their fight for the Senate majority. SMP spent $110 million in support of Senate Democrats, and SLF spent $93.5 million to support Senate Republicans.

Despite SMP's work to defend Senate Democrats with the toughest reelection races, Republicans ultimately gained a net of two seats.Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon said he felt "horrible" about the role former bank employees played in the scandal surrounding Malaysia's 1MDB fund.

At least three Goldman bankers were implicated by the U.S. Department of Justice in a multiyear criminal enterprise that included bribing officials in Malaysia and elsewhere and laundering hundreds of millions of dollars. In one of his first major headaches as CEO, Solomon will have to wrestle with the fallout from the firm's growing entanglement in the high-profile corruption probe.

"It is obviously very distressing to see two former Goldman Sachs employees went so blatantly around our policies and so blatantly broke the law," Solomon said in a Bloomberg Television interview Wednesday at the New Economy Forum in Singapore. "We take the matter extremely seriously and we continue to work with the authorities as they investigate it."

Goldman has been under scrutiny for years for its role in raising $6.5 billion for 1Malaysia Development Bhd. -- and for the nearly $600 million in fees it earned from the bonds. 1MDB is at the center of a global scandal involving claims of embezzlement and money laundering, which have triggered investigations in the U.S., Singapore, Switzerland and beyond.

Court documents unsealed on Thursday said an unidentified Goldman official in Asia conspired with former Goldman bankers Tim Leissner, Roger Ng and Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, and had knowledge that bribes were being paid. Prosecutors' description of the official lines up with that of Andrea Vella, Goldman's former co-head of investment banking in Asia who was placed on leave later that day.

Goldman has previously said it believed the money it was raising for 1MDB would be used for development projects. A bank spokesman said last week that it's cooperating with authorities, and declined to comment further. The firm said in a quarterly filing last week that it couldn't predict the outcome of the DOJ's investigation, but said it could face "significant fines."

The New Economy Forum is being organized by Bloomberg Media Group, a division of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News."It's right that we honour the marshals who led France to victory", Macron said in the town of Charleville-Mezieres, part of a tour of northern France marking the centenary of the war's end.

Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Germany on Friday (5 October), emphasising London's commitment to helping shield Europe from future security threats at a time when negotiations over its own exit from the European Union are reaching a crunch time.

Today, Macron also said Europe needed to build a real army to become less reliant on the United States and in the face of a resurgent Russian Federation.

Macron said of the recent White House decision to back out of the INF treaty banning the development of medium-range nuclear capable cruise missiles.

Emmanuel Macron has called for the creation of a "true European army" to allow the EU defend itself from external threats.

The French head of state will receive world leaders including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for commemoration ceremonies in Paris on Remembrance Sunday.

"This is the Commission that put forward lots of initiatives and proposals to start building gradually a more meaningful and assertive defense identity in these hard geopolitical times", he told reporters at a regular briefing. Paris at the same time launched with eight partners in a european-based group intervention created to be able to quickly lead a military operation, an evacuation from a country at war or to provide assistance in the event of a disaster. French President Emmanuel Macron Survives No-confidence Motions.

"The peace and prosperity which Europe has enjoyed for 70 years are a golden moment in our history", he said, warning that this was the exception rather than the rule.

The centrist president has recently addressed concerns over the rise of the far-right across Europe, including in France where the National Front's Marine Le Pen captured 10 million votes in the 2017 presidential election.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said previous year that "deference to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation can no longer be used as a convenient alibi to argue against greater European efforts".More than 100 women were projected to win seats in the House of Representatives, easily shattering the record. Overwhelmingly, they awere Democrats who helped the party take control of the chamber.

Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House. By 1 a.m. Wednesday as the votes were still being counted, 85 had already been declared winners.

"Women made history in a number of ways and were a significant force in flipping many districts from red to blue," said Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

Many of the winning candidates campaigned on the need for better health care for all Americans. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds - from military veterans to teachers - and many had never run for office before.

Women made inroads in gubernatorial races, too, which are particularly important because of the upcoming redistricting battles. In Kansas and Michigan, women flipped states that had been under GOP control.

Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach, whom Trump had campaigned with recently in Kansas.

Gretchen Whitmer, a former state senator in Michigan, won her race after campaigning on a promise to fix the state's roads and aging drinking water infrastructure, and to expand Medicaid to lower-income adults.

Notably, Michigan Democrats selected a woman for every statewide office on Tuesday's ballot: governor, U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of state.

Georgia had the most high-profile governor's race. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who won the backing of former president Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, was aiming to be the first black female governor in the nation.

But she was trailing Wednesday behind Trump-backed candidate Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state, who cast himself as a "politically incorrect" hard-line immigration candidate like the president.

The women who ran this year were remarkably diverse - black, Latina, Native American. But noticeably absent on ballots were more Republican women.

"We need to go out and get our women engaged," said Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership. "We are being dwarfed by the Democrats. This is something we are going to focus on."

Chamberlain said she hears voters in key districts talking mostly about an affordable health-care system that serves everyone, even those with preexisting medical conditions. That has been the loud and clear message of many Democratic candidates.

Among the new faces coming to Congress:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, 29, a Latina who defeated incumbent Joseph Crowley in a decisive primary, will head to the House.

In Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton unseated Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock.

Deb Haaland, a Democrat in New Mexico, became the first Native American woman to serve in Congress.

In Florida, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Ecuador and educator, focused her campaign largely on health care and toppled Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the Republican incumbent. Curbelo had voted to repeal Obamacare in a district that contains thousands of people who benefited from it.

Michigan's Rashida Tlaib, born in Detroit to Palestinian parents, and Minnesota's Ilhan Omar, who arrived in the United States from Somalia at 14, won their House races, becoming the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

At a rally in Minneapolis on Monday night, Omar was cheered wildly and danced as she was introduced.

"The opportunity to be here, to participate in this democracy, has made me want to dance, and door-knock and talk to people and invite people to the joy of what it means to participate in a democracy," she told a crowd of volunteers.

"What I want to do for you is have my energy be contagious," she said.

Some Republican women won key races.

Marsha Blackburn, who called herself a "hardcore, card-carrying conservative," became the first female senator ever elected from Tennessee. Backed by Trump in the Republican state, she defeated Phil Bredesen, a centrist Democrat and former governor.

While men with military backgrounds have long been recruited to run for office, this year's candidates include several female veterans.

One of the most well known, Kentucky Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, became a national sensation when her online video ads went viral. But she lost a close race to GOP incumbent Andy Barr. Trump had won that district handily.

Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and first-time candidate, won in Pennsylvania's 6th District, replacing retiring Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican.

Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and Democrat, won in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. She said she was motivated to run for office by what she calls a "lack of respect" for women by the Trump administration. and was astounded to see an all-male Senate panel debating whether to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative, pulled off a big win in Virginia by unseating Republican Rep. Dave Brat, a rising star among conservatives. Four years ago, Brat upended Eric Cantor, then House majority leader, in a huge upset. Brat was part of the House Freedom Caucus.

In Arizona, a close race between Republican Martha McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot, and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who is openly bisexual, means Arizona will have its first female senator no matter who wins. They are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

A record 33 of the Tuesday's matchups for Congress were women vs. women. In Florida, Democrat Donna Shalala, the former president of the University of Miami and Cabinet member in the Clinton administration, defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, a broadcast journalist, of Cuban heritage, according to early results.

"Are women fired up? That is putting it mildly," said Jen Cox, a founder of PaveItBlue. Her group, one of many formed since Trump's election and after the Women's March, connected thousands of Atlanta-area women interested in becoming more politically active.

"It's historic. It's our turn in having a say in changing the face of politics," Cox said.

Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, said the female candidates did not fit any particular mold.

"They have disrupted public expectations of how they behave, and what credentials and attributes they bring to politics," Dittmar said. "And that could have long-term effects."

Along with better health care, other key issues that helped propel women were their pledges to better protect the environment and to help stop the rising incivility and divisions among Americans.

"This is only just the beginning," said Schriock, president of Emily's List. "I think we are going to see a historical turnout of women in 2020 - this is not dying down."

---

The Washington Post's Torey Van Oot contributed to this report.A trio of Democratic women defeated Republican incumbents in Virginia congressional districts Tuesday, and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine cruised to reelection as voters turned out in strong numbers around the state.

State Sen. Jennifer Wexton defeated incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock in the 10th District in suburban Washington, and newcomer Elaine Luria unseated Rep. Scott Taylor in the Hampton Roads area's 2nd District.

In a close race that went down to the last few precincts, Democrat Abigail Spanberger pushed past Rep. Dave Brat in the 7th District in the Richmond suburbs.

The wins exceeded expectations of even Democratic leaders and boosted the party's efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives - in a state that only a generation ago was reliably Republican. Yet again, female candidates delivered big for Democrats in Virginia, just a year after another slate of women made huge gains in House of Delegates races.

Comstock failed to win a third term in a district that had been comfortably Republican for almost 40 years. Wexton, a state senator and former prosecutor, rolled up wide margins in the increasingly diverse suburbs of Loudoun County.

Kaine, a popular former governor and Hillary Clinton's 2016 running mate, easily defeated Corey Stewart, the Prince William County supervisor who had promised a vicious campaign in the style of President Donald Trump.

National Democrats had spent heavily to defeat Comstock as part of a bid to regain control of the House. Virginia was an early test of that strategy, with an unusual number of competitive House races and polls that closed before many others around the country.

Democrats had targeted four of Virginia's 11 congressional seats as potential flips, and Wexton led Comstock in public polls for months. But the prospect of two more pickups in Richmond and Hampton Roads made Democrats giddy.

"Virginia showed who we are and who we aren't," Kaine said at his victory celebration at a hotel in Falls Church where he was joined by Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and former governor Terry McAuliffe. "It will be the Democrats who will eventually make sure women are represented in all our legislative bodies," Kaine said.

Luria, a business owner and former Navy commander, said Tuesday's victories were about more than gender. "I think this is a moment for our country, and it just happens that a lot of the people who stood up were women," she said after celebrating in Virginia Beach. Luria said Taylor had called her to pledge to work together for a smooth transition.

Outside Richmond, Spanberger's supporters shed tears, smiled and held hands as their candidate declared victory. "They said this district was unwinnable, but this campaign was always about giving people something to vote for," Spanberger said after becoming the first Democrat to win there since at least 1968.

Republicans held on to an open seat when Denver Riggleman beat Democrat Leslie Cockburn in the 5th District near Charlottesville. But that was little solace for some.

"I'm a veteran of the blue wave of 2017. It's clear the blue wave is still around," said John Whitbeck, former chairman of the Virginia GOP, referring to Democratic gains in last year's state election. "Republicans have to figure out how they're going to respond. It's clear we didn't this time around. I can't think of a better candidate and message than Barbara Comstock. We've just got to figure out how to be better than we've been in this climate."

Stewart conceded defeat just before 9 p.m., when Kaine was ahead by roughly 10 points with many Democratic precincts in vote-heavy northern Virginia yet to be counted.

"I don't regret anything we did," Stewart told a crowd of cheering supporters, after calling Kaine to congratulate him. "We gave it a good fight, and we have a great president of the United States."

Riggleman won the seat being vacated by Rep. Thomas Garrett, who announced he was battling alcoholism, and said his campaign showed a new blueprint for Republicans in Virginia.

"We proved that we can run a campaign with class, integrity and dignity," Riggleman said during his victory party at a brewery in Afton. "I think we proved that we can run a campaign on the issues. I think you're seeing a new day, where we're seeing a new kind of civility in politics, coming from this campaign in the 5th District."

Brat declined to address the crowd assembled outside Richmond as returns came in and did not concede.

Turnout was reported to be heavy around the state - in some places even rivaling presidential election years. Despite heavy rain in much of eastern and central Virginia, voters at some polling places waited as long as two hours to cast ballots.

Mohammed Moutaouakil, 47, arrived at McLean High School shortly after 6 a.m. "to see if everyone is excited as I am," he said. Driving his excitement: "Trump," said Moutaouakil, who voted Democratic across the board.

"I don't agree with anything he's done so far, from immigration to fiscal policies," he said. "In two years, things have gone downhill pretty dramatically."

But in the rural exurbs of Spotsylvania County, along Interstate 95 between Washington and Richmond, Kim Mandzak, 61, a reading teacher, was eager to vote for exactly the opposite reason.

"We've got to save this country," said Mandzak, who voted a straight Republican ticket to fight back against elements that are "pushing us to think so differently." Working people have seen jobs dry up and savings disappear, she said, as Democrats "have been giving our country away, not standing up to anyone."

As Virginia's cities have become more prosperous and its suburbs have spread in an arc from Fairfax down to Richmond and across to Hampton Roads, the formerly red state has become more competitive - sought by Democrats as a possible new source of votes.

It was the only Southern state to go for Hillary Clinton in 2016 - when Kaine served as her running mate.

Last year, in the first closely watched elections following Trump's surprising victory, Virginia Democrats nearly wiped out the long-standing GOP majority in the General Assembly. That gave Democrats cause to believe they could gain more ground this year - but also served as a wake-up call to Republican voters, who were less likely to show up at the polls last year.

This year's outcome "looks a lot like 2017 when angry suburban white voters pushed out Republican incumbents," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. "This is in part a Trump effect, but it's also a Corey Stewart effect."

If Republicans had run a more mainstream candidate than Stewart at the top of the ticket, Farnsworth said, that might have been enough to help Taylor or Brat hang on in their tight races. "It's clear the Republican Party has to retool in Virginia," he said.

Democrats' top target this year was Comstock, whose race against Wexton was the most expensive congressional contest in the state and whose district has become steadily more blue.

But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also targeted Taylor in the Hampton Roads-area 2nd District. The first-term representative and former Navy SEAL was embroiled in a scandal during the campaign.

Several of his staffers are under state criminal investigation, accused of turning in fraudulent signatures to help an independent candidate get on the ballot, apparently to water down votes for Luria.

Though the scandal made headlines in late summer, voters were mixed on whether it had affected their decisions.

Amy Lander, 43, a self-employed teacher from Norfolk, said wrongdoing had no effect on her support for Taylor. "I don't think he had anything to do with it," she said. She voted Republican "because I am for keeping government small and lowering taxes. I don't like the socialistic policies I see the Democratic Party is headed toward. I don't like that they're making this illegal immigration such an issue."

But for Eric Mitchell, 26, a student at Norfolk State University and health-care worker, the scandal cast Luria in a better light. "She seemed more honest to me versus Scott Taylor with this whole scandal deal. It's a big thing for me to have something that's kind of questionable happen like that. I feel like you should own up to it. I just didn't feel like he was being honest."

Outside Richmond, turnout was heavy in suburban precincts where former CIA operative Spanberger mounted a well-funded challenge to Brat in the 7th District.

Voters waited as long as two hours to cast their ballots at Robious Middle School in Chesterfield County, suburban Richmond swing territory that proved the difference in the race.

When heavy rains and winds blew in around noon, school officials allowed a line of voters that wrapped around the building to move inside. By late afternoon, the line snaked all through the school.

"That's not normal," Renita McKnight, chief officer of elections, said of the turnout.

National Democrats watched the Virginia numbers closely for early clues to whether that message has caught on.

"We have always believed that Virginia was very, very important to the battlefield and important to our ability to take back the House," said Dan Sena, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Winning two of Virginia's congressional seats would constitute a "great night," Sena said before the election. Nationally, the party has seen an uptick in enthusiasm among communities of color and in suburban areas, which has played out in districts held by Comstock, Taylor and Brat.

- - -

The Washington Post's Jenna Portnoy, Laura Vozzella, Antonio Olivo, Jim Morrison, Michael Brice-Saddler, Steve Thompson, Mark Ferguson, John Harden and Hawes Spencer contributed to this report.Republican Mitch Templeton defeated Melody Chappell in a close race for state judgeship in 172nd District Court.

The Jefferson County Republican Party headquarters in Port Neches were packed as candidates and supporters waited for results to come in, cheering when polls favoring GOP candidates flashed across the screen.

Templeton was not available for further comment.

The mood at Sugas in Beaumont was less jovial as some Chappell well-wishers were in disbelief as they stopped by to hug her and say their goodbyes at the end of the Jefferson County Democrats watch party.

Chappell, a lawyer who formerly represented Beaumont ISD during a calamatious time, said she was disappointed but wouldnt change anything she did on the campaign trail. She said she made many new friends along the way.

Im going to go home and rest now, she said.

I dont know what the next journey is, she continued. I have faith that Gods got one for me.

Templeton will replace Judge Donald Floyd, who is retiring after some three decades in office. He didnt seek re-election because state law requires district court judges to be between the ages of 25 and 74. Floyd, who was first elected in 1989, is 73.

Chappell said she hopes to see Templeton continue Floyds legacy as a fair decision maker.

Voters were given the choice between two candidates with exceedingly different visions for how the office should continue.

Chappell wouldnt outline any planned changes to the office prior to the election because shed never been a judge and has had positive experiences in the court.

Templeton on the other hand laid out a plan to hear more criminal cases in the court that has traditionally only heard civil cases. He also wanted to create cash-bond reform, mental health and domestic violence dockets so judges could take a closer look at these types of cases.

A cash-bond reform docket would review cases involving nonviolent, first-time suspects who dont have enough money to get out of jail. A mental-health docket could encourage a judge to opt for treatment for a mentally ill person accused of committing a crime instead of just setting punishment.

A domestic violence-focused docket would include pre- and post-trial conditions to keep families together but keep all parties safe.

This election was made even more interesting by each candidates involvement in the Texas Education Agencys takeover of the Beaumont Independent School District.

In 2014 the agency took the school district over in part because of its dire financial straits after months of investigations that showed BISDs board of managers couldnt gain control over the districts finances and operations, officials said at the time.

Chappell represented the board of trustees before the 2014 state takeover.

Templeton was chosen by the Texas Education Agency to serve on the board of managers after the district collapsed.

Chappell said her job had nothing to do with the problems that led to the takeover. But Templeton said the ethical thing would have been for Chappell and her firm to withdraw from representing the school district.

Chappell is an attorney with Wells, Peyton, Greenberg and Hunt. She primarily practices school and employment law. Shes represented Port Arthur ISD since 2006.

Templeton has worked as an attorney for defendants and plaintiffs for civil and criminal trials.

Chappell defeated Democratic challenger Tina Bradley in a May primary runoff, receiving more than 55 percent of the vote. Templeton was unopposed in the March GOP primary.

Meshach Sullivan contributed to this report.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBainSome big bank chiefs are waking up to a headache Wednesday morning.

The House Democratic takeover likely means Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., will seize the gavel of the House Financial Services Committee. And industry insiders expect her to subject certain firms to painful scrutiny while also throwing a wrench into the Trump administration's deregulatory push.

Wells Fargo, with its litany of consumer abuse scandals, tops the list of megabanks in line for rough treatment under the committee's hot lights. Waters issued a report last year that called for shuttering the bank. (The bank's troubles have continued to mount, and it acknowledged Tuesday it had improperly foreclosed on 545 homeowners.) Waters has introduced legislation ("The Megabank Accountability and Consequences Act") requiring bank regulators to dismantle any big firm found to have repeatedly harmed consumers.

Other companies are likely to find themselves newly in the committee's sights. Among them: Equifax, the consumer credit company that exposed the data of up to 148 million people in a data breach last year, and Deutsche Bank, which supplied hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to the Trump Organization when other banks turned it down. "Waters has requested - and as the committee head could subpoena - records that could dislodge closely held details of Deutsche Bank's relationship with the Trump Organization," my colleague Karoun Demirjian writes. "The German bank lent Trump more than $400 million during a decade-long real estate buying spree that began in 2005, largely through its private wealth management office, not the commercial banking division that typically handles real estate."

A key question for these firms is whether the attention will amount to more than a public drubbing. "A lot of this is headline risk, but they have to prepare to handle that and make sure it doesn't spiral into real regulatory or legal concerns," says Jason Rosenstock, a partner at the lobbying firm Thorn Run Partners.

The legislative threat facing these companies is tempered by the fact that Senate Republicans aren't likely to support punitive measures emerging from the House - and President Donald Trump can always wield his veto pen.

That said, Capital Alpha's Charles Gabriel wrote in a recent note, Trump "can't be counted to lean against any populist anti-bank wave if it gains velocity (particularly of the bipartisan nature) in the Senate. Nevertheless a one-chamber, House-led/Democratic attack on Wells and other banks is unlikely to do much more than further accentuate the better treatment being afforded mid-sized banks."

Waters has built a national profile over the past two years as an anti-Trump firebrand, but Washington veterans recognize her as a practiced dealmaker. "People are using this refrain that she's a very skilled legislator," one banking lobbyist tells me. Politico recently noted her "surprising willingness to work across the aisle and with industry groups," in a profile that featured praise from Republicans on the committee and some leading industry lobbyists.

"I believe in hearing a range of views on the issues before the Committee, which are complex," Waters said in a statement. "I have always maintained an open door policy, to hear the priorities and concerns of all stakeholders, including representatives of the financial services industry, as well as advocates. I look forward to continuing to work with Members on both sides of the aisle on sensible solutions to benefit hardworking Americans and strengthen our nation's economy."

Beyond zeroing in on some financial services heavyweights, look for Waters to push back against the Trump team's broader effort to ease rules on the industry. And as Capital Alpha's Ian Katz notes, she wouldn't need to move legislation to accomplish the task. Rather, Waters could slow the progress regulators are making toward rolling back industry restrictions simply by keeping their inboxes full with requests to testify, answer questions and supply documents. "One impact that has been a little understated and maybe not fully appreciated is that when she calls up regulators, that takes a lot of bandwidth for those agencies to prepare for hearings," Katz says. "If you have a pretty big to do list like they do at the Fed, that can really slow you down."

The Trump administration now has installed nine of the 10 financial regulators, Compass Point's Isaac Boltansky notes, arguing the "regulatory relief agenda will continue no matter the outcome of the election." But he also added a Democratic majority "could slow the deregulatory agenda through hearings, subpoenas, and public pressure."

And Rosenstock raised the prospect of Waters borrowing from the GOP playbook and seeking to attach policy riders limiting Trump's regulatory rollback to must-pass spending bills.

"I think everyone's nervous," the other banking lobbyist said. "We remind clients all the time: if Democrats are in charge, they should be very wary of escaping without any wounds. Banks are everybody's favorite boogeyman - and pay-for, and they should be very worried about both of those."Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with North Korea's No. 2 official in NY next week, as part of the Trump administration's ongoing diplomatic effort to persuade Pyongyang to embrace complete denuclearization on the peninsula.

Pyongyang has always considered the joint drills to be provocative.

Military officials in Washington and Seoul are launching a wide-scale review of all future large-scale military drills between the two allies, with plans to lock in a finalized exercise schedule for the coming year, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo told reporters at the Pentagon last Wednesday.

North Korea is making arrangements to send a senior Foreign Ministry official in charge of negotiations with the United States to NY this week, a source close to the matter said Monday.

CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that said he would be in New York City at the end of this week to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-chol.

Pompeo says President Donald Trump has made it clear to the North Koreans - "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective". It was the first time the North said it could potentially resume weapons tests and other development activities since Kim signaled a new state policy in April.

North Korea has not tested a ballistic missile or nuclear weapon for almost a year, and has said it has shuttered its main nuclear test site with plans to dismantle several more facilities. "The U.S. thinks that its oft-repeated "sanctions and pressure" lead to 'denuclearization.' We can not help laughing at such a foolish idea".

The U.S. top diplomat said that the meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim in June this year has set them on the path that they're on today. There have been no nuclear tests.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible", said the foreign ministry statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies.

"We're working on finding dates and times and places that will work for each of the two leaders", Pompeo said at the time.

The South's dovish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.In defeating Democrat Phil Bredesen, GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessee's first woman senator, MA sent the state's first black woman to Congress in Democrat Ayanna Pressley and Texas elected their first two Latinas to Congress, sending Democrats Veronica Escobar of El Paso and Sylvia Garcia of Houston to the House.

If fellow Native American Deb Haaland wins her congressional race in New Mexico, she will also take her place in history.

The surge of female candidates this year has drawn comparisons to the "Year of the Woman", when in 1992 voters sent 47 women to the House, and four women joined the Senate bringing women's numbers to six.

In split-gender races, women have won 65 races and lost 101, but this is not necessarily a strong indication of gender bias. According to data compiled by The Associated Press, 237 women ran for the House as major-party candidates this year.

At that rate, we can expect the number of women in the House to go as high as about 110 when the 14 remaining face-offs are called.

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters and refuses to concede at her election night headquarters at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Nov. 6, 2018.

Former Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski, one of only two women in the Senate at the time of Hill's testimony, said women's outrage at Hill's treatment by an all-male Senate committee motivated them "to run in numbers never heard before".

Breaking records, progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won New York's 14th Congressional District becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

Speaking at a victory part in Washington, Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi said: "Tomorrow will be a new day in America".

The first black woman elected to represent MA in Congress is Boston City Council member Ayanna Pressley, who faced no Republican on Tuesday. Davids was up against incumbent Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder.

"We've had the "Year of the Woman" before and it has been a one-night sensation, but this is about filling the pipeline", she said.

"It may be women candidates who save our enthusiasm advantage by mobilizing women voters", Lake said.

Though prominent figures like Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate for governor of Florida, failed to win their potentially historic elections, many candidates around the country became the first person of their gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation to be elected to their positions in their states, or in some cases, in the country.

In the 115th Congress, 11 states - Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island, Vermont, South Carolina and Kentucky - had no women in their congressional delegations.

Ocasio-Cortez defeated New York Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in the primary election earlier this year.

For the first time, a pair of Native American congresswomen are headed to the House, in addition to two Muslim congresswoman. And Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, will be Connecticut's first black congresswoman.

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party will become the first Muslim women in Congress. We spoke with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about her plans for Congress.Warsaw's mayor banned a nationalist rally planned for the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence a year after far-right marchers shouting xenophobic slogans drew condemnation from home and abroad.

Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz outlawed the march planned for Nov. 11, saying it would jeopardize security in the city of 1.7 million. In 2017, masked protesters in a crowd of 60,000 people shouted racist slogans and carried banners saying "Pure Blood" and "Europe will be white or uninhabited."Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday WishesFormer Republican congressman Steve Stockman, a Tea Party stalwart who represented southwest Houston and then East Texas, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Wednesday for a wide-ranging scheme that included spying on a potential GOP rival and misspending charitable contributions from conservative donors.

RELATED: Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman convicted in massive fraud scheme

A political expert who has monitored Stockman's political trajectory likened the right-wing firebrand's downfall to that of President Richard Nixon, who was also disgraced for spying on opponents and covering up payoffs and other financial misdeeds.

Stockman, 61, of Clear Lake, is different, of course, in that he was convicted on April 12 of 23 felony counts for illegally diverting for his own personal use $1.25 million in donations to his federal election campaigns. He has spent the past six months in 12-man cell in a Conroe jail awaiting his sentence.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal said the ex-lawmaker's sentence should take into account that Stockman hired workers to sneak around and rifle through trash of a perceived opponent from his own party. It was important to consider that Stockman cheated taxpayers and constituents, attempted to cover up his acts to avoid detection and continued to seek the political spotlight all the while, the judge said.

"You stole money and used it for personal gain and you used it to violate the public trust," Rosenthal told Stockman, who stood before her in an orange jail uniform and beige rubber clogs that were chained together at the ankles. "You cheated the American taxpayer."

MORE: 34 surprising facts revealed during ex-Congressman Steve Stockmans fraud trial

In addition to his prison term, the judge ordered him to serve three years of supervised release and repay $1.014 million to foundations run by two deep-pocketed donors.

Stockman, who remained silent during his sentencing, smiled and blew a kiss to his wife as a U.S. Marshal led him out through a side door.

A prosecutor asked that Stockman be given an enhanced sentence of 14 years on the grounds that he allegedly duped a vulnerable 86-year-old Baltimore philanthropist into giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"Mr. Stockman demonstrated that he was not somebody who felt himself bound by the law or by the rules," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Heberle. "He lied over and over and over again to people who were in charge of charitable foundations to get money that could have gone to legitimate charitable causes."

Defense lawyer Marlo P. Cadeddu asked for 13 months  the average sentence for public corruption. The judge said that term "doesn't come close to capturing this unique violation of the public trust."

After sentencing, defense attorney Charles Flood, said his client did not address the judge because the Stockman was afraid he might become too emotional.

"Steve remains hopeful," Flood said. "He believes in his innocence and he maintains his faith on appeal."

Two former congressional aides Thomas Dodd, 39, of Houston, and Jason Posey, 48, of Tupelo, Miss., pleaded guilty to helping in the fraud and gave key testimony at trial. They are set for sentencing on Dec. 12.

Texas's Richard Nixon

Stockman rose to prominence in the mid-90s as a U.S. representative for southwest Houston. Almost two decades later, in 2013, he returned to Congress, this time representing a swath of East Texas counties, but cut short that term to launch a failed bid for John Cornyn's seat in the U.S. Senate. Stockman's politics were in line with the Tea Party's conservative libertarian thinking before that party ever existed, according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at University of Houston who has studied Texas politics.

"Stockman unseated long-serving liberal Congressman Jack Brooks, which was a signal that a new conservative movement was taking hold in Texas," said Rottinghaus. "He was part of a new breed of conservatives that were reshaping Texas and American politics."

The UH scholar sees Stockman as "Texas's Richard Nixon" because he siphoned off funds and orchestrated amateur political surveillance.

Dolphin watching and Advent books

Stockman was arrested in 2017 as he attempted to board a flight to the Middle East in 2017. The federal inquiry followed investigations of Stockman by the Sunlight Foundation and the Houston Chronicle that examined a series of 2013 checks that straw donors made to Stockman's depleted congressional campaign fund.

Federal agents had gathered evidence that the ex-representative had committed wire and mail fraud, laundered the illegal proceeds of his crimes, violated federal election law and lied on a tax return.

In the trial that followed, prosecutors introduced reams of documents how Stockman attributed donations to two aides and then revised documents to say that the funds had been donated by the aides' parents. The jury also found that Stockman had funneled charitable donations through a series of sham nonprofit organizations and shell bank accounts to spend on an array of personal expenses that included his brother's homemade Advent books and a dolphin-watching trip.

One project was an amateur spy operation that trailed a perceived GOP rival, state Rep. James White, R-Hillister, around the statehouse in Austin.

White, who was just re-elected to his seat, said Wednesday he found it strange that Stockman would invest in surveillance right after he was sworn in for his second congressional term.

"Instead of concentrating on all these other issues we have in the country  health care, border security, war in the Middle East  his first intuition was his own political survival rather than the survival of ordinary Texans," White said.

Schoolchildren, constituents and a federal inmate hoping for best

Present at the sentencing was Mark Michalek, a special agent who oversees public corruption investigations in the FBI's Houston office. He said the office has looked into many complex, multijurisdictional schemes by officials who use their positions for personal profit.

But he noted that cases like Stockman's don't come to the FBI unless people report fraud.

"Preserving the public's trust in government is a responsibility that we don't take lightly," he said, noting that, "we rely heavily on the public's help in investigating these crimes."

Stockman's wife Patti sat in court with nearly 20 friends and constituents who came to support her husband. Fifteen supporters and one fellow jail inmate also submitted letters to the judge praising Stockman's good deeds. His wife said she has been overwhelmed by the support, including an email that came Tuesday about a classroom of schoolchildren who were praying for him.

Patti Stockman thinks the criminal case was politically motivated.

"My husband was a very vocal whistleblower about the corruption of the Obama administration," she said.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.comA Fine Arts teacher at Wessendorff Middle School in Rosenberg died this week after the school principal said the teacher harmed himself in his classroom.

Jordan Halane was found alone and unconscious on Monday when he was taken to Oak Bend Medical Center. He was officially pronounced dead at the hospital, and Rosenberg police determined his death to be a suicide, said Rosenberg police Lt. Justin Crocker.

RELATED: Spike in mental health issues, suicidal thoughts alarms Texas school counselors

Crocker said he could not comment on the exact nature of Halane's death, but he said no weapons were found on campus.

Linda Drummond, a spokesperson at Oak Bend Medical Center, said she could not release any information about patients at the hospital.

In the letter to parents, Principal Sonya Sanzo said the school believes "it was the teacher's intent to harm himself." The letter also said the students were never in danger.

A spokeswoman for the district, Lindsey Sanders,said she could not release more details about what, if anything, Halane used to harm himself.

"Due to the sensitivity of the issue, we can't release that information," she said.

The letter added that students were asked to remain in class during the incident. They were eventually allowed to continue their day on a slightly modified schedule with minimal disruptions, according to the letter.

"[The students] were unaware of the medical response," the letter said, adding that crisis counseling teams will be available to respond as needed throughout the week.

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Wedding guests were still gushing over the "magical" nuptials of William and Bailee Byler when news of their fatal helicopter crash started spreading.

Saturday, the bride and groom, both 24, celebrated "the best day of their life," not knowing it would be their last. The couple and their helicopter pilot, 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, were killed when the small aircraft crashed into a 400-foot hill about 10 miles northeast of Uvalde shortly after leaving their wedding reception.

EXPRESS-NEWS: Newlyweds and their veteran pilot mourned after chopper crash

The newlyweds were en route to a nearby airport where they were supposed to leave for their honeymoon, said Judge Steve Kennedy, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Uvalde County.

Family and friends remembered the happy times that unfurled just hours before the couple died by posting photos from the evening. Some of Bailee Byler's bridesmaids shared photos taken moments before she walked down the aisle and remembered her as the "most beautiful bride."

"How awesome to spend your honeymoon with Jesus," wedding guest Caroline Flippin, or @trippin_flippin, captioned a series of Instagram photos taken on Saturday.

RELATED: Newlyweds killed on their wedding night in Uvalde County helicopter crash; pilot also reported dead

One of the most-shared tributes to the young couple was penned by Madi Wagner Photography, who captured their engagement shots earlier this year. The photographer remembered how the two smiled and giggled at one another as they discussed their upcoming wedding with her.

"These two spent their last day on this earth celebrating their most cherished loved ones - I believe it was truly the best day of their lives," the photographer wrote in a Facebook post. "I am so saddened by this news, but now Mr. & Mrs. Byler will join our Jesus in heaven and have the most abundant marriage with no troubles, no temptation, no worries."

The Byler's wedding site on The Knot shows photos shot by Madi Wagner, showing Bailee Byler snuggled up next to her husband. A message from the wedding-planning website replaces reception and ceremony details that once greeted guests of the Bylers.

"Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with this family at their great loss," said in an online statement. "We know both families appreciate all your love, support and kindness during this time."

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

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As the healthcare landscape continues to shift towards value-based care, ambulatory surgery centers are uniquely poised to control costs.

Four industry leaders discussed major trends in the ASC market during a keynote panel at Becker's ASC 25th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, Oct. 18-20 in Chicago.

Panelists included:

James Leavitt, MD, president of Miami-based Gastro Health

Jonathan Kaplan, MD, founder and CEO of BuildMyBod Health and board-certified plastic surgeon at San Francisco-based Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery

Lisa Rock, president of National Medical Billing Services

Julie Camardella, BSN, CEO of The Surgery Center of Chesapeake (Va.)

Here are key quotes from the discussion:

Dr. James Leavitt: We're not seeing a shrinkage in the number of things we can do in ASCs, [rather,] we're seeing an increase because we need to control costs.

Gastro Health's strategy is to try to grow our regional clout; we look to grow in the areas that are fragmented. The pace of consolidation is going to increase, but it depends on geographic area.

Lisa Rock: We're seeing more activity in the joint venture arena, [as] quite a number of hospital systems have moved into the surgery center market in the last couple of years.

We're also seeing a lot of change in the types of cases coming into outpatient surgery centers. We see more Recovery Audit Contractor-audited activity with specialty sections, so good documentation is crucial.

The biggest trend is that there is an employer-driven market. We've seen a lot of discussion about bundled payments and consolidation, but we really haven't seen anything out there that addresses the quality of the surgical experience. That's what you really need to survive as an independent practice.

Dr. Jonathan Kaplan: You have to differentiate yourself to survive as an independent physician. There's an important distinction between being independent as a solo physician versus being independent as a physician who is not employed by a health system.

Julie Camardella: There's a focus on replenishing aging physicians and growing in areas like total joints and cardiac, but we've found that the market may not be ready to do that yet. Everyone's always trying to thread the needle of costs and reimbursements.

Be very clear with what risks you're willing to accept when looking to accept higher acuity cases.Houston City Council members unanimously gave first-round approval for a temporary taxing district to help Houston, Mo.-based Texas County Memorial Hospital replace its 40-year-old surgical wing, Houston Herald reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. If the taxing district earns final approval at a Nov. 19 meeting, a quarter-cent sales tax would apply to property owners in and around the hospital area, as well as four nearby businesses collecting sales tax.

2. About $675,000 collected from retailers in the district would be earmarked for the surgery center project. The sales tax would end when the hospital's new surgical wing is funded.

3. Some residents and local business owners opposed the district. Business owner Richard Wood opposes the taxation without a vote and resident Gary Parish said he believes the entire county should finance the project.

4. The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, two local physicians and an attorney representing TCMH supported the proposal.Voters in California rejected an initiative in the 2018 midterms to cap dialysis profits, according to a Desert Sun report.

Proposition 8, known as the Fair Pricing for Dialysis Act, sought to shrink the profits of dialysis clinics in the state. The initiative required clinics to give rebates to insurers and pay a penalty on business revenues over 115 percent of certain costs to provide care.

As of 12:30 a.m. pacific time Nov. 7, with more than half of precincts reporting, 61 percent of voters had voted against the measure, according to the Palm Springs publication..

The initiative was sponsored by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and opposed by various healthcare groups, including dialysis companies DaVita, U.S. Renal Care and Fresenius Medical Care.

Overall, supporters and opponents of the measure contributed about $130 million during the campaign, according to the Desert Sun, reportedly making it one of the most expensive initiatives in California history.

Opponents said dialysis clinics wouldn't be able to cover their operating costs, clinics would close, and patients would lose access to dialysis if Proposition 8 passed. Supporters argued the measure would curb dialysis industry profits and compel dialysis companies to spend more money on patient care.

The union has announced its plan to refile the initiative for the 2020 ballot in California.









Niagara Falls (N.Y.) Memorial Medical Center will reportedly beef up its security after a WKBW investigation revealed deficiencies, such as too many unsecure entry points.

The investigation occurred in May. Now, as part of improvement efforts, the hospital has reduced the number of public entry points from 11 to three, according to Joe Ruffolo, the medical center's president and CEO.

"Clearly we needed to tighten a number of areas where there was too much entry from the outside without being secured," he told WKBW.

The TV station also reported that Niagara Falls Memorial is investing $60,000 solely in security in the lobby area. This includes moving the waiting area back, and the check-in desk will be near the hospital entrance. The medical center also aims to have a badge system for visitors in place by the end of January.

Access the full WKBW report here.

More articles on healthcare finance:

Commonwealth Fund: Purchasing alliances will help US employers curb healthcare costs

Viewpoint: Bundled payments are a simple way to end surprise billing

How states are dealing with surprise billingVoters in Palo Alto and Livermore, Calif., defeated union-backed ballot initiatives over healthcare provider charges, the East Bay Times reported.

The initiatives, measures F and U, sought to place a 15 percent cap on the amount healthcare providers can charge patients above direct care costs.

Seventy-seven percent of Palo Alto voters and 82 percent of Livermore voters rejected their city's respective measure, according to the report.

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West sponsored both initiatives.

Union spokesperson Sean Wherley argued in The Stanford Daily the measure would provide accountability for local healthcare providers.

"This is about transparency [and] letting people understand how much [they] are being charged, and why [they] are being charged so much more than the clinic down the street or in the neighboring community," he told the publication. "This is our chance as an organization to get healthcare costs under control."

Those opposed to the measures, such as the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Stanford (Calif.) Health Care and Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, said they would hurt healthcare quality and access.

Savings from the measures would go directly to insurance companies, and hospitals would have to cut services if they passed, partially due to reimbursement pressures, opponents of the initiatives said.

The city councils of Livermore and Palo Alto also opposed the measures.

More articles on healthcare finance:

California voters defeat initiative to put brakes on dialysis profits

New York hospital to invest $60K in security after media investigation

New Jersey bill aims to clarify out-of-network billing rules: 5 things to knowEHR adoption is nearly universal among acute-care hospitals in the U.S. However, hospitals still struggle to adopt these systems in a way that meets regulatory mandates and clinicians' expectations, leaving little time to manage the remainder of a facility's technologies. In mid-September, one Canon executive shared a potential solution with a room full of hospital leaders.

This content is sponsored by Canon USA

At Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference in Chicago, Canon  which manufacturers medical equipment and office solutions  convened a roundtable discussion with more than 20 healthcare C-suite executives, vice presidents and division directors to assess what major technology challenges hospital leaders face today, and what improvements they want to see.

"If we don't do something to address your needs, we don't have a business in healthcare," said Randal Kendrix, a healthcare business development manager at Canon USA, during the event. "If we don't listen to our customers, we'll just go out of business."

Here are five of the top technology challenges healthcare leaders shared during the roundtable discussion, and one solution suggested by Mr. Kendrix:

1. Interoperability. Interoperability, or the ability for different software systems to exchange data with one another, is a major challenge for hospitals today. In fact, the majority of physicians agreed making the EHR more interoperable is a top improvement they want to see at their facility, according to a recent survey from Deloitte.

One director of IT in attendance described interacting with the EHR as a particularly time-consuming activity at her facility, an academic health system in the Mid-Atlantic. To input data from external devices, nurses must manually enter the information into the EHR. The facility is still struggling to develop a process to export actionable data.

"We can get data into the EHR," she explained. "But pulling it out in a way that's usable and flexible is a challenge. And everybody wants to use this data now, from bedside nurses to physicians  but it's not easy to pull it out in a usable format."

2. Upkeep of old technology. Often, hospitals already have technology products that work well and have been integrated into the facility's workflow over the course of several years. However, as time goes on, the original vendor may no longer support the product  this might mean the vendor no longer sells the tool or no longer develops patches for it.

"The standard answer when a manufacturer comes in, and you ask, 'Can we incorporate this older  but still good  equipment with the new?' is 'No, that just won't work,'" Mr. Kendrix explained. "They want you to buy all new equipment."

This poses an issue for hospital leaders who must learn to support these products themselves or invest in capital expenses for new tools. Beyond the cost of purchasing a new product, a hospital must also set aside resources for training and acclimating staff to the new tool, since a transition away from an existing product might disrupt the clinical workflow.

3. Physician adoption. Technology challenges aren't just about the systems themselves. Attendees expressed frustration with clinicians who balked at using new tools, such as the EHR, or who didn't understand new features after a system was updated. "You can implement the most modern systems in the world, but if you can't get your users to adopt that process, you're going to hurt," said the president and CEO of a skilled nursing facility on the West Coast.

As an example, she shared how her organization implemented an EHR  but since physicians continue to prefer manual entry and paper records, it hasn't truly become paperless yet. Beyond physician adoption, another attendee expressed concerns related to ongoing physician training, as software interfaces and regulatory requirements change.

"One of the struggles we have with EHRs is ongoing training," said the IT manager of a 26-bed hospital in the South. "When there's a flash change by the EHR vendor  It creates a workflow stoppage, or even a regulatory problem if the government requires something that we haven't been documenting."

4. Asset tracking. Many EHRs sell tools to keep tabs on hospital equipment, from printers to wheelchairs, so the facility doesn't lose track of its products. However, very few hospitals have truly comprehensive asset-tracking solutions in place, according to Mr. Kendrix. "They all have software, barcodes, tags, but if you ask for a report that says, 'How many of 'X' do we have?' it doesn't exist," he said.

Mr. Kendrix suggested hospitals partner with Canon, which uses software and assigns personnel to track various types of equipment throughout a facility under its Assurance 360 program. "The desire is to take that burden off of you, and put it solely on what we do best," he said. "Anything we can physically put [a tracker] on, we can manage."

5. The overarching challenge. Today's hospital IT leaders are so overwhelmed with foundational technological challenges, such as interoperability and asset tracking, that they don't have time to investigate new trends  they don't have the bandwidth for artificial intelligence, advanced analytics or other emerging tools that might save time or money.

"It might be the coolest product in the world, but I've got no time for it," said the director of revenue cycle at a community hospital in the Midwest. "My team and the IT team are busy either doing [EHR] implementations, or upgrades or patches. [EHRs] just suck organizational bandwidth up, so it's hard to get other priorities done."

To free up hospital leaders' time  which is increasingly filled with these types of foundational IT projects  Mr. Kendrix highlighted how Canon's Assurance 360 program alleviates the burden of managing office and hardware technologies.

Through the program Canon manages a hospital's office and hardware products, first conducting a thorough assessment of the facility's devices and then creating a plan to contain costs  including taking on time-consuming tasks like asset tracking and end-of-life product management. If the company proves its plan is successful, it will replace the hospital's existing products with equivalent options from Canon  for example, its scanners or tracking devices. Canon will then manage all the installations, training and upkeep for these devices.

"That's all on us," Mr. Kendrix said. "It's taking that off your plate and putting it on ours."

To learn more about Canon's healthcare offerings, click here.Fifteen chief medical information officers from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. discuss their team visions for 2019 and how they plan to achieve their goals.

Lauren Koniaris, MD, CMIO of the Northern Region at Hackensack Meridian Health (Hackensack, N.J.): 2019 is the year that the 'rubber will meet the road' for getting Epic live at all the hospitals in Hackensack Meridian Health. That will obviously be the primary focus for a majority of the IT team  both on the Epic side of the team as well as the associated infrastructure needs.

Our team's approach will be to stay on task and focused day-to-day on meeting all the milestones for this project. I am so excited that once this is completed at the end of the year, Hackensack Meridian Health will be positioned to leverage our EHR to positively impact healthcare throughout the state of New Jersey and beyond.

To read the full interview, click here.

Louis Capponi, MD, CMIO at Sisters of Charity Leavenworth Health System (Broomfield, Colo.): This is my 15th year as a CMIO, and I spend most of my informatics time with clinical leadership, partnering in clinical transformation. This is less about the technology and more about helping the organization adapt and change quickly.

2019 will be a year to focus greater attention on discerning the value of technology proposals as well as leveraging the vast amount of data now available to us to guide and predict where we should be spending our efforts.

To read the full interview, click here.

Louis Krenn, MD, CMIO at CoxHealth (Springfield, Mo.): My vision for 2019 is to create a more efficient and effective EHR for CoxHealth. Starting with primary care, we will systematically review workflows and processes that can be improved along with enhancements made to the EHR to facilitate a more efficient practice, improving provider and staff satisfaction while providing a more streamlined experience for our patients.

To read the full interview, click here.

Edward Chung, MD, CMIO at Covenant Health System (Tewksbury, Mass.): At Covenant, we've spent basically all of 2018 in an organizationwide Epic install, for three hospitals and associated outpatient clinics, so the focus for 2019 will be shifting from implementation and stabilization to optimization and maximizing value.

We have a lot of data and tools available to us now, and we've spent a ton of resources and gone through a lot of pain to get here, so now it's time for us to extract as much value as we can. This is going to be a cultural change as much as anything, and habits like regular data review, increased transparency and heightened accountability will have to be introduced in a safe, structured way. Luckily our frontline staff and their managers are eager to get about the business of improving care, so I'm very optimistic.

To read the full interview, click here.

Neal Chawla, MD, CMIO at WakeMed Health & Hospitals (Raleigh, N.C.): I see several important, big-ticket items for WakeMed's 2019 forecast to improve care for our patients. These are my top three:

1. Training. We have a lot of functionality, but a lot of folks are not aware of all the features they can already take advantage of and access to make their lives easier. We still have some clunky technological aspects to fix, but we can get a lot of mileage out of educating our colleagues about existing tools. It helps everyone be more proficient and, in turn, improves patient care.

2. Analytics. We know there is a lot of data filing through our systems, but are we really tapping into the business and clinical intelligence that this data can provide? From the tools to the process to data literacy, there is a lot we will continue to do to capture meaningful and actionable data and create better outcomes. Turn data into action.

3. Patient functionality. We always put our patients first and will continue our focus on tools directed at improving the patient experience and every interaction with our system. We have an oversight group to coordinate these continued efforts, whether it's making it easier for patients to schedule appointments, better understand their discharge instructions or to send us data from outside our walls.

As our governance gets stronger, we are building out a three-year clinical road map to guide our focus and keep WakeMed aligned to meet its mission and strategic goals.

To read the full interview, click here.

Maia Hightower, MD, CMIO at University of Iowa Health Care (Iowa City): My vision aligns with the University of Iowa Health Care CMIO Division Vision Statement, which is: 'The CMIO division will be accessible to all those we serve delivering best practices and reducing variation with compassion and integrity, focusing on safety and quality; bringing forth innovative efforts as a result of our collaboration with all members of the [University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics] community.'

Our values include:

Service. Our purpose is to support all members of our UIHC community to adapt to change in healthcare, technology and medicine.

Compassion. We understand that change and digital transformation can be challenging. We treat all those we serve with compassion and kindness.

Collaboration. Epic and our IT systems are foundational and interdependent to what we do. We work together always with everyone.

Best Practice. We use research and insight to make better decisions, reduce variation and increase efficiency, while preserving work and life balance and building solutions that promote all team members work to the top of his or her license and training.

Innovation. We find practical solutions to complex problems, enhancing clinical workflows with information technology.

I share our vision and values frequently, including in recruiting efforts. I find that we can attract a broader, more diverse group of applicants to clinical informatics. Being transparent helps to keep us accountable.

To read the full interview, click here.

Charles Sawyer, MD, CMIO at Mission Health System (Asheville, N.C.): For 2019, there are a few important priorities. In our health system, we have to upgrade several foundational systems. Meeting Meaningful Use [HIMSS EMR Adoption Model] stage three is obviously a priority. We also have a large new hospital where we are attempting to transform care processes. Lastly, we are appropriately focused on population health management as prospective, value-based payments become increasingly important to organizational finances.

To read the full interview, click here.

David Danhauer, MD, CMIO at Owensboro Medical Health System (Owensboro, Ky.): Our IT, first priority is to work closely with the entire organization on clarifying strategic initiatives and the associated technology. We are streamlining our portfolio of products and vendors while maximizing the current core vendors and products. Adding to provider satisfaction by streamlining workflows, improved technologies and better ongoing training and support lead my personal initiatives.

To read the full interview, click here.

Mark Weisman, MD, CMIO at Peninsula Regional Medical Center (Salisbury, Md.): PRMC went live on Epic in November 2016, so they are relatively new and are experiencing the typical growing pains a system goes through with a new EHR. Due to significant concerns over burnout  nurse and physician  we are focusing on optimizing the EHR for our clinical staff and providers. We are aggressively going after alerts that fire on chart opening, alerts that fire on everyone rather than a targeted audience and alerts that are not achieving their intended goal.

Many providers became frustrated with the system shortly after go-live and disengaged from participating in optimization projects. My goal is to recruit them back because I cant possibly be an expert in every one of their clinical areas and need them to help me make the system better. I need them to re-engage and identify the parts that arent working well for them and their colleagues. Most have started to re-engage just by inviting them to talk about their issues and listening to them. Providing them with some quick wins has given them hope and they are starting to come around. I plan to build on this success and ultimately have a physician-builder program where the providers are very hands on with optimization projects.

For nurses, we are tracking their total time spent in the EHR doing their documentation. We have initiatives to reduce their documentation burden, reduce their alerts, decrease the number of verbal orders they take and assist the nurse care managers with their unique workflows. Eventually, we hope to have them on mobile devices to do their documentation, and we will start that process this year. We also recognize that we do not have a very deep bench for nursing informatics and have a goal to improve that over the next two years.

To read the full interview, click here.

C.T. Lin, MD, CMIO at UCHealth (Aurora, Colo.): All of our projects, efforts and philosophies derive from the principle of communication and collaboration. We find that communication and collaboration are always prerequisites to effective interventions, whether [or not] they include IT tools. We also spend time reading books together to develop our leadership skills and our broader perspective beyond just EHR burden, physician burnout, innovation projects and analytics projects.

We developed an internal vision for our physician informatics group: 'We improve physician and team wellness and effectiveness by building extraordinary relationships and innovative tools.'

To read the full interview, click here.

Diane Hunt, MD, CMIO at Deaconess Health System (Evansville, Ind.): Our team is really focusing on the overall patient and provider experience in 2019.We have spent a long time getting providers to use the system, and now it's time for us to really put some focus on making those processes work for our healthcare system. The data we can get from our EHR system is really allowing us to drive those physician productivity metrics, and we hope to expand on that even more in the realms of efficiency and training.

From a patient perspective, we want to make sure we are offering our services to our patients in a venue that is convenient for them and easy to use. We are working on expanding our technologies in the realms of the patient portal, telehealth and even scheduling. This is such an exciting time, and there are so many technologies available for us to capitalize on.

To read the full interview, click here.

Donald Levick, MD, CMIO at Lehigh Valley Health Network (Allentown, Pa.): My vision is to develop my team and their skill sets, and for the team to become a highly effective vehicle for change management and implementations. My role is to place the team into a position to succeed and remove any barriers.

To read the full interview, click here.

Lee Milligan, MD, CMIO at Asante (Medford, Ore.): In 2019, on the analytics front, we plan to focus on two priorities: self-service and efficiency.

As for self-service, locally we are calling this "data-on-demand" and consists of a variety of tools that key users, from different operational departments, are leveraging  Reporting Workbench, Webi, Slicer-Dicer and Tableau.

Regarding efficiency, we have organized our analytics team into four functional units, each working in three-week Agile sprints. We plan to double-down on our lean methodology. This will include performing, for the first time, "Analytics on our Analytics."

To read the full interview, click here.

Michael Olgren, MD, CMIO at Mercy Health (Grand Rapids, Mich.): Our institution happens to be converting from one EMR vendor to another, so 2019's vision is focused on that transition. I feel my role is to prepare our healthcare team by encouraging the development of flexibility and rapid adaptation. Practicing the good habits of lean documentation, a maintained problem list and reconciled medication list will go a long way to smoothing our transition.

To read the full interview, click here.

Marvin Harper, MD, CMIO at Boston Children's Hospital: Dual mission this year stabilize and upgrade existing clinical systems and develop and roll out new platforms for patient engagement.

The thing that feels different this year is the competition for resources combined with increased expectations for what technology can deliver across the board. In prior years, we moved from resistance to acceptance. Now we are being asked to move faster with increasing expectations for "technology solutions," as technology has now been woven throughout the fabric of healthcare delivery.

Nonetheless, it remains critically important that we not lose sight of the fact that technology is only a part of the solution and it is only, if given sufficient resources, through collaboration with our patients, clinicians, innovators, local leaders and developers or vendors that we will develop compelling products and improved workflows.

To read the full interview, click here.

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.A proposal to implement mandatory nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in Massachusetts failed during this year's midterm elections on Nov. 6, according to WBUR.

Here are five things to know:

1. Question 1 called for nurse staffing ratios for patients. In some cases, nurses would be required to care for six patients, while in other situations, the ratio would be 1-to-1. The proposal was spearheaded by the Massachusetts Nursing Association.

2. Proponents of the "Yes to 1" campaign held a lead in the polls for roughly two months after the proposal was certified for the ballot. However, opinion on the proposal had flipped by late October.

3. As of Nov. 5, the "No to 1" campaign spent roughly $24.5 million to persuade voters, while proponents of the proposal spent $11.6 million, according to WBUR.

4. In one poll reported on by The Boston Globe, voters said their decision to vote "no" was largely influenced by conversations with nurses, rather than by ads alone. Opponents of the proposal, including many hospital executives, also received support from a report by the Health Policy Commission, which estimated the proposal would raise healthcare costs by between $676 million and $949 million per year.

5. California remains the only state with mandatory nurse staffing ratios.

To access the full report, click here.The 2018 midterm elections shifted some control back into the hands of Democrats, who flipped the House and won some governorships, which will have mixed results for the healthcare industry, according to PwC's Health Research Institute.

Informed by interviews with healthcare advisers, association executives and a survey of 1,500 consumers, PwC's HRI outlined five key takeaways for healthcare leaders after the midterms:

1. Democrats will slow, but not halt, the Trump administration's healthcare agenda at a federal level. The administration has successfully been chipping away at its campaign promises for healthcare, from expanding the use of health savings accounts to requiring more price transparency in the industry. With a Democratic majority in the House, there will be more checks on processes to dismantle the ACA at a federal level. However, providers can expect to see some progress where priorities align, such as around actions to improve the response to the opioid crisis.

2. Federal agencies will have more oversight. With Democrats in the House, federal agencies should expect to face more scrutiny and potential investigations into their actions over the past two years, which could slow work down, according to HRI. However, it expects only a modest effect on the FDA, which currently has broad bipartisan support.

3. States are the new "battleground" for healthcare. States that that flipped governorships to Democrats  Illinois, Wisconsin, Nevada, New Mexico, Maine, Michigan and Kansas  are likely to see the following: increased budget pressure from Medicaid spending, greater fortification of state ACA exchanges, reinsurance programs similar to those of Alaska and Maryland, potential state-based individual mandate penalties, more limits to association health plans and short-term insurance plans, and further Medicaid expansions. Some states also saw their attorney general seats flip between parties, which could shift outcomes in the Republican-led lawsuit to dismantle the ACA, Texas v. USA, and the Democrat-led case seeking legal affirmation of the health law, Maryland v. USA.

4. Macroeconomic health issues will persist. Thirty million Americans still lack health insurance and healthcare costs continue to grow despite changes in party power. The uninsured rate has been fairly stable so far under the Trump administration, though HRI notes that changes made by this administration mean a small increase in the number of uninsured is ahead. Rising costs and mandatory spending associated with Medicare and Medicaid will continue to limit discretionary spending, especially as tax cuts reduce federal revenue. So far neither party has been able to successfully address rising healthcare costs, according to the report.

5. Providers should focus on five policy issues in the coming year. These include increased Medicaid expansion, more restrictions on short-term and association health plans, greater attention to opioid prescribing, and the continued shift to value-based care. HRI advises providers to improve their understanding of new Medicaid populations and maintain contact with Medicaid patients to make sure they follow work requirements. They should prepare for a slight increase in patients seeking care with more limited coverage health plans, and providers should keep an eye on changing regulations around opioids. Lastly, as expected, providers should be ready to expand their participation in value-based care and risk-bearing delivery models.

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AHA opposes Chinese tariffsFranklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has agreed to sell Salem, N.J.-based Memorial Hospital of Salem County, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

CHS acquired the 126-bed hospital in 2002 for $35 million. After operating the hospital for more than a decade, CHS entered an agreement to sell the hospital to Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Foundation for $15 million. That deal fell through in May 2017.

Still looking to offload the hospital, CHS recently agreed to sell it to Salem County Hospital Corp. for $3 million, which includes reimbursement for cash on hand, according to the report.

Salem County Hospital Corp. is a newly formed nonprofit that will be run by Bloomfield, N.J.-based Community Healthcare Associates. The $3 million is expected to come from a grant started with money from the sale of the hospital in 2002. However, if the grant doesn't provide the money, Community Healthcare Associates is expected to supply the funds.

Outside of the current sale proposal, the only option is to close the hospital, according to the application for approval of the deal. That "was considered to be an unacceptable option in view of the absence of available acute care services in the area and the offer" from the nonprofit.

New Jersey's State Health Planning Board will hold a public meeting Nov. 8 to discuss the sale of Memorial Hospital of Salem County.

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CHS divests 2 Arkansas hospitalsMac Miller, a popular Pittsburgh-based rapper, died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol, according to a toxicology report released Nov. 5 by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Mac Miller, whose real name is Malcom McCormick, was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles based studio apartment Sept. 7. Authorities pronounced Mr. McCormick dead at 11:51 a.m.

An autopsy was performed Sept. 8, which identified the cause of death as "mixed drug toxicity."

Mr. McCormick's death follows those of numerous other musicians who suffered fatal overdoses such as Prince, Tom Petty and Lil Peep, according to The New York Times.

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Opioid use may up atrial fibrillation risk by 34%Health insurer startup Oscar Health is growing its member services team and office space in Tempe, Ariz., and plans to add another 400 jobs by 2020, according to KTAR News.

Oscar decided to transfer its New York City operations to Tempe in October 2016. The move came after the New York City-based payer announced it would expand operations into Tempe. The expanded Arizona facility, which Oscar plans to move into in 2019, will act as Oscar's main point for sales and member services.

In June 2018, Oscar filed plans to offer individual marketplace coverage in six new markets next year, bringing its total expansion to nine states and 14 markets in 2019, the company said June 21. Three of the additional markets will be in new states for the insurer: Florida, Arizona and Michigan. The other three markets are in large metro areas in Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.After lead seeped into the drinking water in Flint, Mich., in 2014, Newark, N.J., is facing a similar public health crisis, The New York Times reports.

Five things to know:

1. For almost a year and a half, Newark officials denied their water system had an extensive lead problem, despite evidence showing the city had issues similar to Flint's water crisis.

2. But city officials suddenly changed course in October after an engineering study revealed measures to prevent lead from seeping into Newark's drinking water were not working at one of the city's two water treatment plants. After the study results were released, officials launched a giveaway of 40,000 water filters across the city of 285,000 people.

3. New Jersey officials say children under age 6 in homes with lead pipes served by the plant should not drink unfiltered tap water.

4. Concerns about lead seeping into tap water have grown since Flint's water crisis, where harmful levels of lead in improperly treated water led to criminal indictments against local and state officials and left residents to rely on free bottled water.

5. "The parallels to Flint are fairly clear: [Newark] was denying a problem even though its own data was showing problems," said Erik Olson, who directs advocacy initiatives at the Natural Resources Defense Council, including campaigns on drinking water protection.

The council filed a lawsuit against Newark this summer, alleging the city violated federal safe drinking water laws.

"Newark is not as extreme as Flint but still a serious problem," Mr. Olson said.

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Seventeen children in the Orthodox Jewish community in the Williamsburg and Borough Park neighborhoods of Brooklyn, N.Y., have been diagnosed with measles, the New York City Department of Health reported Nov. 2.

Here are four things to know:

1. A portion of the infected children, ranging from 7 months to 4 years old, were hospitalized due to complications, according to CNN. No deaths were reported. Three children contracted the measles while they were in Israel, which is experiencing an outbreak with 1,334 cases reported as of Nov. 4.

2. In every 1,000 pediatric measles cases, one or two patients will die, according to the CDC. Health officials said most of the children likely contracted the infection at school. Danielle De Souza, a spokesperson for the health department, wrote in an email cited by CNN that about 14 of the 17 patients were unvaccinated at the time of their exposure to the measles.

3. In the Brooklyn measles outbreak, a majority of the children did not receive the MMR vaccine at 12 months old, as the CDC recommends. The CDC recommends everyone, including infants 6 to 11 months old, receive vaccinations for international travel. Ms. De Souza told CNN, "This outbreak would not have happened if the children had been vaccinated on time." Ms. De Souza indicated the overall New York City school populations have a high rate of vaccine coverage due to schools requiring immunization.

4. Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn, said in a statement Nov. 2 that the Torah guides individuals to guard their own health. "It is abundantly clear on the necessity for parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated, especially from Measles," Rabbi Niederman said.

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How emerging tech will change training for next-generation physiciansThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Nov. 6 confirmed the first death linked to an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in the state, reports The News & Observer.

Here are three things to know:

1. Health officials did not release specific details surrounding the death, but said it occurred in October.

2. As of Oct. 31, North Carolina has seen 64 hepatitis cases in the state, 37 of which are related to the current outbreak. The state typically sees about 41 hepatitis cases annually.

3. Symptoms of hepatitis A include abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea, fatigue and jaundice. The virus is highly transmissible and most often spread via contact with fecal matter from an infected individual.Olympus Corp. is appropriating more than $85 million in expected losses from a federal investigation into the company's duodenoscopes, which have been linked to several infection outbreaks since 2010, reports The Morning Call.

Here are four things to know:

1. Olympus recorded a reserve of about $85.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, which ends March 31, according to a financial statement released Nov. 6. The company's exact loss will depend on the federal investigation's outcome, but Olympus said it thinks $85.6 million is "reasonable as expected losses according to the status of the investigation."

2. About 350 patients from 41 healthcare facilities worldwide were either exposed to or infected by contaminated scopes from Jan. 1, 2010, to Oct. 31, 2015, according to an FDA document made public in April 2016. Olympus is the largest duodenoscope manufacturer in the U.S., but Pentax and Fujifilm also sell the scopes.

3. Olympus faced scrutiny over the design of its TJF-Q180V duodenoscope, which made the device difficult to clean and was linked to several antibiotic-resistant outbreaks. The company recalled and redesigned the device in January 2016.

4. The Justice Department subpoenaed Olympus for more information on its scopes in March 2015 and August 2015. Company spokesperson Mark Miller said Olympus "has cooperated fully with the Department of Justice," but declined to share additional information regarding the investigation, according to The Morning Call. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to the publication's request for comment on the investigation.Researchers analyzed instances of diagnostic errors submitted by patients and their families and found 224 cases of problematic physician behavior, according to study published in Health Affairs.

Here are three things to know:

1. For the study, researchers read adverse event reports submitted by patients and patient families from January 2010 to February 2016. Researchers analyzed about 184 different narratives detailing diagnostic errors and found problems relating to how physicians interacted with patients.

2. From the data, researchers identified 224 instances of problematic behavior, which included physicians ignoring patients' knowledge, disrespecting patients, not communicating with patients and manipulating or actively deceiving patients.

3. The authors said considering patients' perspectives can give physicians a more comprehensive understanding of why diagnostic errors occur and help them develop better strategies to prevent them.

"Health systems should develop and implement formal programs to collect patients' experiences with the diagnostic process and use these data to promote an organizational culture that strives to reduce harm from diagnostic error," the authors concluded.

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Congo's Ebola outbreak may not be containable, CDC director saysThe World Health Organization is sending nearly 1.5 million doses of the yellow fever vaccine from its emergency stockpile to Ethiopia after 10 people died from the disease, according to Reuters.

Health officials traced the nation's yellow fever outbreak to an individual who contracted the mosquito-borne illness Aug. 21. Since then, the outbreak has caused 35 suspected cases.

"This outbreak is of concern since the population of Ethiopia is highly susceptible to yellow fever due to absence of recent exposure and lack of large-scale immunization," the WHO said in a Nov. 5 report cited by Reuters.

All of the confirmed yellow fever cases occurred in the country's Offa Woreda district. Ethiopia launched a massive vaccination campaign in mid-October, which reached about 31,000 people. There have been no new confirmed cases in the area since the vaccination effort.

However, the WHO indicated there is a potential risk for the disease to further spread due to conflict within the region. Ethiopia plans to implement the yellow fever vaccine as part of a routine immunization regimen for all residents in 2020.

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71% of hospitals did not improve clinical work environments over a decade, study findsHere are 14 key notes from orthopedic and spine device companies in the past week.

DePuy Synthes, part of Johnson & Johnson, plans to shut down part of its operations in Monument, Colo.

Wishbone Medical acquired Red Star Contract Manufacturing.

German endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery technology company joimax has moved its U.S. headquarters to a larger facility in Irvine, Calif.

Stryker reached a settlement agreement with the National Plaintiff's Leadership in its MDL 2768 proceeding.

DJO introduced the OaraScore, the industry's first outpatient arthroplasty risk assessment tool, at the 2018 American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting in Dallas, Nov. 1-4.

EOS Imaging displayed its 2D- and 3D-imaging technology EOS Solution at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting in Dallas, Nov. 1-4.

Smith & Nephew reported a 2 percent revenue increase in the third quarter of 2018.

RTI Surgical plans to acquire Paradigm Spine in an up to $300 million deal.

OrthoPediatrics reported a 27.8 percent year-over-year increase in its 2018 third quarter revenue, reaching $15.8 million.

Amedica changed its corporate name to SINTX Technologies.

Dr. Dugal James performed the first total knee arthroplasty with Zimmer Biomet's Rosa Knee Robot at St. John of God Bendigo (Australia) Hospital.

Zimmer Biomet appointed Ivan Tornos as group president of orthopedics, effective Nov. 1.

Zimmer Biomet received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Persona Revision Knee System.

Innovasive received FDA 510(k) clearance for its DualX technology.Here are 14 orthopedic surgeons making headlines.

Gabriel Dassa, MD, was named Patient Preferred Physicians and Practioners' New York Patient Preferred Orthopedic and Hand Surgeon for 2018.

Joshua Mayich, MD, was among three researchers who received recognition as New Brunswick (Canada) Health Research Foundation Rising Stars for their collaborative study on the patient experience during wide-awake forefoot surgery.

Orthopedic surgeon Jeanine Anderson, MD, underwent a minimally invasive hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017. Sixteen months later, her cancer returned.

Justin Bird, MD, and Ugo Ihekweazu, MD, served as mentors in Houston-based Texas Medical Center's Mentoring to Medicine' program, which aims to connect children with diverse health professionals.

John Williams, Jr., MD, performed with his Bob Marley tribute band, John Truth and Reflexx, at Lady Lake, Fla.-based La Hacienda Recreation Center Nov. 10, to benefit The Villages (Fla.) Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation.

Gerard "Jerry" Engh, MD, received the 2018 American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Humanitarian Award for his medical mission work with Operation Walk Virginia.

San Andreas, Calif.-based Mark Twain Medical Center welcomed Roger Rogalski, MD.

Cleveland Clinic named Brandan Patterson, MD, chair of orthopedic surgery.

Joshua Miller, MD, PhD, joined Riverside Healthcare in Bourbonnais, Ill.

Oren Goltzer, MD, joined Atlanta-based Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center's Johns Creek, Ga., location.

The John Charnely Trust recognized Wayne G. Paprosky, MD, with the Charnley Award and medal.

Director of Los Angeles-based Orthopaedic Institute for Children's Cerebral Palsy Program William Oppenheim, MD, received the 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics Distinguished Service Award for orthopedics.

Houston Methodist welcomed orthopedic surgeon Alexis Davis, MD, to Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.John Moseley, MD, a retired neurosurgeon, in partnership with his wife, who is a retired nurse, gave a multi-million dollar gift to Billings, Mont.-based St. Vincent Healthcare, according to KPVI.

Here are four things to know:

1. Dr. Moseley and his wife donated $5 million to support St. Vincent Healthcare Neurosciences Center.

2. The hospital will use the donation to recruit "pioneering" neurosurgeons, according to the report.

3. Dr. Moseley previously practiced at St. Vincent, beginning in 1993, and brought deep brain stimulation to the state. He was inspired to become a neurosurgeon after witnessing his grandmother struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

4. Dr. Moseley and his wife gave the health system's foundation $1 million last December to support a spiritual care program.After completing her neurosurgery resident duties, Venita Simpson, MD, headed to the polls Nov. 6, according to The Washington Post.

Dr. Simpson is a resident at Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine. When she completed her duties, attending physicians completed the surgery. It was Dr. Simpson's first time voting in Texas. She previously worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center in New York City.

The polling station was crowded with voters after an earlier delay. In order to accommodate for the delay, the Houston voting site extended its open hours.TV star Rochelle Humes is the face of the high street store for AW18

There are fresh worries for staff at the 26 Northern Ireland stores belonging to fashion retailer New Look.

The embattled chain is reportedly considering the closure of as many as 100 UK stores as part of a radical turnaround plan to cut costs and improve profitability.

This includes the 60 stores marked for closure under a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) approved in March. At that time, New Look indicated that the 60 outlets did not include any of its 26 Northern Ireland stores.

Executive chairman Alistair McGeorge said yesterday that the number which will definitely close after negotiations with landlords is now at 85. Discussions are ongoing regarding a further 13 stores, of which Mr McGeorge said around half were likely to close.

It is not clear how the growing number of closures will impact Northern Ireland. Yesterday the company said it would not disclose a list of stores being considered for closure.

It's understood New Look will look to vacate its flagship store in Belfast's Donegall Place after Primark bought the building. However it's understood that the company is seeking to relocate the store in the city centre, rather than close it. Around 60 people are currently employed in the outlet.

While the new strategy adopted by New Look has so far yielded higher profits, sales have continued to decline.

Figures released yesterday show that the company posted an underlying operating profit of 22.2m for the first half, compared to a loss of 10.4m in the same period last year. But revenue declined by 4.2 per cent to 656.9m.

Like-for-like sales under the New Look brand dropped by 3.7pc, a slower rate than last year's 8.6pc drop.

The high-street mainstay said the slide in sales was in line with its plan to improve profitability with more full-price sales.

Speaking to the Press Association, Mr McGeorge said the first part of the recovery was going well, but that he would like to "move faster".

"We're not looking to defend our position, we're looking to attack," he said.

In addition to the restructuring of its UK base, New Look last month announced its decision to exit its retail business in China, where it has 148 stores.

Annualised cost savings of 70m have now been achieved, with another 8m to be added.

As part of the turnaround, New Look has also improved its UK market share and ramped up online operations, increasing click and collect sales by 41pc in the first half.

However Mr McGeorge warned that conditions on the high street remain challenging.The chief operating officer of Newry plc First Derivatives has said interim results reporting sales growth of 20% to 105.6m have vindicated its strategy.

The business reported strong growth in sales of around 20% to 105.6m in interims for the six months ending August 31.

Adrian Toner, the chief operating officer, said the results vindicated the company's approach after hedge fund Shadowfall critiqued its performance, leading to a slump in the share price.

"We are very pleased with this strong set of numbers which are ahead of market expectations and show profitable growth across all divisions, going to prove that we are delivering upon our strategic roadmap."

The company employs nearly 600 people in Newry, including 184 new starts in a new managed services centre on the city's Hill Street, and nearly 300 people in Belfast. It recently opened new offices at Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.

First Derivatives said software revenue was up 21%, with licence revenue up 39% as demand increased for its Kx technology.

Mr Toner said growth in software revenues was encouraging and said it had been spread across growth in the financial sector and vertical markets which the company had entered.

The company, which was founded by Brian Conlon, said there was also strong demand within managed services and consulting activities, resulting in revenue growth of 19%. Pre-tax profits were up 20% from 6.3m to 7.6m.

The company is one of the few Northern Ireland firms to be listed on the stock market, and features on the the Alternative Investment Market.

Mr Toner said the company had moved on since Shadowfall's intervention.

"Hopefully these results will put to bed some of the comments, and we look forward to the share price continuing to rise.

"These things happen and are a feature of the capital markets. People are at liberty to say what they like.

"But there are analysts who are closer to the business and they understand that there is a demand for what we do."

The firm has also announced plans to recruit 1,000 people over the next three years.

And he said that 308 graduates had started with the firm since March, with 26 new starts beginning work yesterday. "We have confidence that the second half will be as productive as the first."

The company has applied its Kx technology to vertical markets including Formula 1, telecommunications and manufacturing.

But Mr Toner added: "We are only scratching the surface at this moment in time."Ulster Banks Cara Taylor (right) and Lisa McCaul will host the Time to Grow events

Ulster Bank is marking Global Entrepreneurship Week with events in three locations around the province.

The Time to Grow events in Belfast, Londonderry and Newry next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will provide business owners with insights on how to grow a successful business.

Speakers from business advisory firm KPMG will give advice on how firms can cope with 'making tax digital'. The new HMRC regime means that from April, VAT-registered firms above the 85,000 threshold will have to keep digital records and submit VAT returns using compatible software.

There are also plans to make corporation tax and income tax submissions digital.

Cara Taylor, business growth enabler at Ulster Bank, said: "The programme exists to provide start-up and scale-up businesses across Northern Ireland with access to the networks, knowledge and skills to help them sustain and grow their business."JD Wetherspoon logo outside The Lord Burton pub in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire.

Pub group JD Wetherspoon expects annual results to be weaker than the previous year, despite sales growing strongly.

In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 October, the chain said like-for-like sales increased by 5.5%, and total sales were up 6.2%.

Despite strong growth, chairman Tim Martin said the company was dealing with tough comparatives, having delivered several years of record profits.

It is difficult to be too precise at this early stage of the current financial year, but we now expect a trading outcome slightly below that achieved in the previous financial year, he said

We will provide further updates on our trading as we progress through the year.

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Mr Martin reiterated his belief that the UK should adopt free trade after Brexit.

Industry analyst Mark Brumby of Langton Capital said: This is a short statement of 1,400 words with less than a couple of hundred relating to the groups trading, balance sheet, margins, trading position, outlook etc. The remainder deal with the chairmans views on Brexit.

If this ratio reflects the split of effort that is being put into the running of the company, then shareholders may have something to think about.

The implied cuts to estimates for profits for the full year will need to be digested.

Shares in Wetherspoons dropped by 5% in early trading.

The company has opened two new pubs in the first quarter and has closed or sold three.

It guided new openings of between five and 10 pubs in the current financial year.

The group also said on Tuesday that it is increasing staff wages in response to record levels of unemployment.

Having had several recent years of record profits, we are not immediately seeking to recoup these increased costs through higher pricing or mitigation, but will review that during the year, said Mr Martin.Joyce Craig (50 plus), a retired stockbroker, is divorced and lives in Donaghadee. Named Belfast Telegraph Mum of the Year in 2015, she lost her daughter, Nicola, in 2011, and son Michael (25), who had a brain tumour, in 2015. Her son Christopher (26) has cerebral palsy and lives in independent living accommodation. Joyce is travelling to Portugal on her own next week to look at options for taking Christopher there for Christmas. She says:

My son Michael passed away three years ago from an inoperable brain tumour. For the first time in my life I felt all alone. I'd always had my career, was married and a mother. But suddenly I found I just wanted to get away. I had travelled a lot in the past and always loved it. I love airports and aeroplanes. But I had never been anywhere on my own.

I just started with small trips away on my own to clear my head and get some space and then I really got the bug for travelling again.

In the beginning I went to places which were familiar to me such as Majorca and Portugal.

I don't mind being on my own - I like the independence of being able to come and go as I please and do my own thing and set my own agenda.

In the last couple of years, I have travelled to Australia and New Zealand on my own and attended a friend's wedding in Barbados and a wedding in Italy.

Now I would go anywhere. I just love the feeling of booking a flight and getting away. There are always plenty of people to talk to. I made some lifelong friends, who I stay in touch with, just by chatting to them on the plane and connecting with them.

I always stay in a hotel as I like to do my own thing and come and go as I please.

I've also been to Venice by myself.

The only thing I wouldn't do was go on a gondola as everyone seemed to be in couples but apart from that I don't let anything hold me back.

Friends often comment that they would never be as brave as me and travel all over the world on their own, but I really don't mind.

I book all my travel myself as that way I get better deals than by going through a travel agent and I always try to get good times and connections.

I have never gone on holiday as part of a group of singles. I like doing my own thing too much. I have connected with a hotel in Crete which caters for people travelling on their own and I may try that.

My next big adventure is to New York - I'm already planning and looking forward to that.

Flying is one of my favourite things and if I was told I couldn't fly anymore it would break my heart.

I've found that, wherever you go, there are always plenty of people to talk to in the hotel etc - people are very friendly. The only downside is it can be expensive as you have to pay extra for the single supplement in hotel rooms.

Apart from that there are no negatives to travelling solo that I can think of.

It is very liberating and I'm always on the lookout for the next big adventure."

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'People think I'm brave, there's nothing to be nervous about'

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Cathy Walker (42), who works in a bank as a team leader, is single and lives in Dunmurry. She says:

I have been travelling on my own since I was about 36. I found at that stage that most of my friends were married or in long-term relationships and our big holidays away stopped happening.

I went on holiday with my dad a couple of times and then I remember thinking to myself 'you can't keep going on holiday with your dad at this age', so I took the plunge and booked my first holiday on my own.

I booked it on a Wednesday and was flying out on the Sunday, so I didn't really have time to think about it or worry about it.

The first time I went away was only for four days - I thought that would be enough on my own to begin with.

I went to Ibiza as I know my way around there, so I felt comfortable and confident. And I've been there several times since for longer periods and I love it.

I work hard and like everyone else I want a holiday and something to look forward to, so why shouldn't I go on holiday?

I've been on a lot of shopping trips on my own too, to places like Liverpool and Manchester.

People close to me tend to worry more about me travelling on my own than I do. I love it and look forward to new experiences.

I always get dressed up at night and look for nice places to go out and have dinner.

Sometimes I do think it would be lovely to have someone to share this with, but then I just think to myself 'you should be grateful - you are on holiday and enjoy it'.

People are very friendly when they notice you on your own and they talk to me.

I feel a bit like Shirley Valentine. I just like to lie by the pool, get a bit of sun and go for walks before getting glammed up and going out for the night.

I would encourage other women in a similar situation to book a holiday and not worry about going on your own.

Everybody needs to get away and there is nothing to be nervous about.

People think I am brave, but I don't have a choice - if I want to travel I have to do it on my own. That's just the way it is.

For anyone considering it for the first time I would recommend a short break first to get used to it. Don't dive in and book two weeks away on your own.

But go for it and enjoy it. Embrace new situations and new places. You will love it."

'I love going off the beaten track, having new adventures'

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Kate Thompson (57), director of Northern Ireland Duke of Edinburgh Awards, is single and lives in Belfast. She says:

I have always loved travelling and have travelled on my own since my early 20s.

I think part of the reason I have gone on my own is that I like to go to places off the beaten track, which other people might not want to go to.

I also find that I have a lot of energy and can maybe cover more ground in a couple of days on my own than with a group.

I read a lot about places I want to visit and make sure I have done my research. I am very interested in photography, so will often go to places which will be spectacular to photograph.

As a woman travelling on my own, I am safety conscious and I try where possible not to arrive in strange places in the middle of the night, or if I do I will get a taxi directly to my hotel. And I try not to be out and about in places which I don't know very well late at night. That said, I am on the go from early morning until late in the evening when I travel to places, trying to pack as much in as possible.

I like to be up photographing sunsets and sunrises.

I have travelled all over the world on my own and some of the highlights have been Cambodia and Burma.

I've also visited Japan, which I loved, and found the people incredibly friendly and I love history, so I enjoy going to places such as Berlin.

I love engaging with local people and experiencing different cultures and I can only truly do this if I'm on my own, as I speak to people and engage with them, which I might not do if I was with a group.

Sometimes, I will visit places and go on a recce on my own - then I might take the camera club and I'll know where to go and what to do.

I also love trekking holidays and canoeing, so I will try to fit that in around visiting new and different places. I think when you are on your own you meet really interesting people and make real connections with them.

There are still loads of places on my bucket list which I want to visit, including Cuba, South America and the Antarctic.

I love scenery, old buildings and architecture as well, and I love discovering the history of places. I just love to travel and have new adventures."As one of the most culturally stimulating destinations in the UK and Ireland, Derry has city break appeal written all over it.

The thriving culture, arts and foodie scenes, the gorgeous riverside setting and wealth of history and fine architecture are all presided over by the glorious seventeenth-century city walls. As the final destination on the Causeway Coastal Route, the Walled City offers wall-to-wall inspiration  and every reason to get away for a few days together.

In this vibrant, yet compact city the hotels are varied, so you will certainly be able to find the right spot to suit your tastes and budget. However, for those wanting to enjoy luxury and to be close to the main sights and attractions, the multi-award-winning Bishops Gate Hotel will fit the bill.

Named as Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland at the AA Hospitality Awards 2018, this lavish urban oasis blends plush modern facilities with stunning Edwardian architecture in what was once a private members club hosting the likes of Winston Churchill and famed Irish poet WB Yeats. The listed building is now a place of great elegance, complete with The Wig champagne bar and The Gown restaurant, the culinary focal point of the hotel. With a wonderful, friendly staff ready to cater for your every wish, your stay at the Bishops Gate Hotel will be a real treat.

Once settled in, jump right into the Walled City with a walk or a guided tour of its most famous landmark. Derrys Walls, the largest ancient monument in Northern Ireland, surrounds a network of streets full of character and charm. A stroll around the mile-long ramparts provides a unique promenade to soak up the history and view the layout of the original town.

Other must-see city landmarks include The Guildhall, full of stunning stained glass windows, and the iconic Peace Bridge. A walk or a cycle over the distinctive S-shaped bridge from the city centre yields beautiful views and photo opportunities along the River Foyle. On the other side, explore Ebrington Square and be sure to stop for some craft beer and tapas at the Walled City Brewery.

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The vibrant cultural life that helped Derry capture the UK City of Culture title is waiting to be discovered in a host of creative venues offering an eclectic mix of everything from music, theatre and visual art to Irish language, Ulster-Scots song and dance and digital arts. Theres lots of history to absorb too, and much of it can be explored in a cluster of museums around the walls.

Delve into local history at the Tower Museum, which boasts an open-air viewing platform with panoramic views of the city and River Foyle. At the Siege Museum, unpack the story of the Apprentice Boys and the famous siege of 1688, or take in Northern Irelands more contemporary history in the Museum of Free Derry, dedicated to the story of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Expand Close The Tower Museum contains two permanent exhibitions and hosts a number of touring exhibitions throughout the year. Northern Ireland Tourist Board / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Tower Museum contains two permanent exhibitions and hosts a number of touring exhibitions throughout the year.

With a host of top-class eateries to choose from, the Walled Citys food scene is flourishing, although foodies might prefer to munch their way around on a Made in Derry Food Tour, where you can meet chefs, artisans and producers and sample a range of local specialities.

Derry is also a fantastic place for shopping, but for a unique souvenir of your city break seek out the Craft Village on Shipquay Street. This eclectic mix of artisan craft shops, restaurants and coffee shops lets you step back in time and spend an afternoon browsing for one-off gifts for all occasions.

For more city break ideas in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com

Other nearby attractions

St Columbs Park

Expand Close Saint Columb's Cathedral which has stood on its prominent site inside the famous walls of Derry since 1633. Northern Ireland Tourist Board / Facebook

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If you cross over the Peace Bridge in the Walled City, make a bit of extra time to explore this excellent park. With the River Foyle flowing gently alongside, St Columbs Park is just the place to stroll, relax and enjoy the splendours of Mother Nature in the city. Call in for coffee and lots of history at the beautiful old St Columbs Park House.

Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach

Even if you are not on the Causeway Coastal Route, its worth taking a trip out of the city to one of the most photographed scenes in Ireland. Mussenden Temple is located in the stunningly beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near Castlerock. In the care of the National Trust, its perched dramatically on the edge of a 120-ft cliff. The views over Downhill Beach are quite unbelievable.

Benone Strand

A few minutes away from Mussenden Temple, the breath taking Benone Strand stretches for seven glorious miles. Whatever the weather, these golden sands are perfect for a hand-in-hand walk and some precious time together.The DUP has joined the growing chorus of calls for the Prime Minister to publish legal advice on Brexit and the Irish border.

At the weekend former Brexit Secretary David Davis said the Prime Minister must publish the Attorney General's advice on Brexit in order to allow politicians and the public to make a judgment on the deal and to protect her own reputation. And Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said the advice must be made available to the Cabinet.

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DUP chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson has now demanded Theresa May publish the advice.

Denying he did not trust the Government, Sir Jeffrey told the BBC: "I think it's in the public interest we understand fully what's happening here.

"It's because it affects the whole UK therefore it shouldn't just be the DUP that sees this advice, or the Government.

"If the House of Commons is going to have a meaningful vote on a deal that includes, and upon which this legal advice is very, very important, then I think people are entitled to know what that advice is."

The Irish border issue has been put front and centre in a way it really does not need to be.

He pointed the finger of blame for a lack of progress in the exit talks between the UK and the EU at the administrations in Brussels and Dublin. He said a no-deal scenario would ultimately hurt the Republic's economy.

"It is clear from rhetoric coming from both Brussels and Dublin that they are so far opposing what the Prime Minister has suggested in terms of pragmatic arrangements to deal with the Irish border."

He said he and his party wanted a deal that worked for the "whole of the UK" but the Irish border issues was being used to "frustrate Brexit and inhibit the UK's ability to do trade deals in the future".

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"The Irish Government is being used by the EU as a bargaining chip. The Irish border issue has been put front and centre in a way it really does not need to be. We are very clear about that and that's why we think the Irish Government has to press upon Brussels the need for greater pragmatism on this. Because it is not in the interests of either the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland or the UK or the European Union that we end up with no deal."

He said an Irish Sea border would be "very harmful" to the Northern Ireland economy given the volumes of trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Phone call with PM @theresa_may this morning to take stock of progress in #brexit talks and discuss way ahead.  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 7, 2018

Sir Jeffrey said he could agree to a deal which would keep the whole of the UK within a customs union with the EU.

He added: "We certainly don't want a no-deal outcome. I think we are right to warn Dublin that if they continue to frustrate, if they continue to be the road block to Brexit then there are serious consequences for their economy if we end up with a no deal scenario.

"We have the EU effectively creating a hard border because it will be they who will take that initiative to protect the single market. Where we have situations that mean where Dublin is paying more, a net contributor to the EU and their exports to the UK have tariffs imposed upon them. Is that what Dublin wants?

"I think we are right to warn the Irish Government that continuing to be a road block to the UK in getting a deal that would be fair to everyone doesn't make sense for them."

In a leaked outline plan of how the coming weeks may unfold in the run up to a possible announcement of a deal, the Prime Minister has urged MPs to set aside their own interests and act in the interest of the country. That leaked plan, however, was rubbished by Number 10.

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"We do want to put the country first," Sir Jeffrey added.

"But the country means serving the interests of everyone. It means serving the interests of people in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. That is why we are holding out against the idea Northern Ireland would be annexed from the rest of Britain. That is not just a political issue, it is an economic issue.

"It is by far out biggest market... we must get this right."Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at a Service of Remembrance in St Margarets church in Westminster yesterday

Downing Street has dismissed the accuracy of a leaked document suggesting the Government is planning to give MPs a vote on the final Brexit deal within three weeks.

The timetable, said to have been drawn up by officials at the Brexit Department, sets out how Theresa May will win public support for the agreement she hopes to bring back from Brussels.

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It proposes that the Commons would hold a vote on the deal on November 27 after a week in which the Government would line up business leaders, foreign politicians and Westminster insiders to publicly endorse Ms May's plan.

Ministers will adopt a tone of "measured success" but there will be no "champagne corks popping", it claims.

However, Downing Street dismissed the document, saying it "doesn't represent the Government's thinking". It highlighted the "childish language", including a misspelling of Irish premier Leo Varadkar's name.

It states: "Trying to get Varadker to support."

A Government spokesperson said: "The misspelling and childish language in this document should be enough to make clear it doesn't represent the Government's thinking. You would expect the Government to have plans for all situations - to be clear, this isn't one of them."

The plan suggests the deal should have been agreed by the Cabinet yesterday. Dominic Raab, the Brexit Secretary, would then have announced a "moment of decisive progress" tomorrow.

Instead, leaders in both the UK and Brussels warned that a deal was not close, and a three-hour meeting of the Cabinet resulted in no decisions being made. A second meeting is likely to be held later in the week.

According to the document, No 10 officials are planning a cautious response if a deal is finally agreed.

"The narrative is going to be measured success, that this is good for everyone, but won't be all champagne corks popping," it says.

The plan suggests Mrs May would give a speech at the Confederation of British Industry conference on November 19 at which she would say "we have delivered on the referendum". The Prime Minister would argue that "this deal brings the country back together, now is the time for us all to unite behind it for the good of all our futures".

This would be followed by a week of focus on the content of the deal, with each day dedicated to a particular issue, including the economy, immigration and "global Britain".

Business leaders and foreign dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Japan, would be lined up to publicly support the deal. The mayor of Manchester, Labour's Andy Burnham, is mentioned as another potential backer.

Mrs May would also do an interview with BBC presenter David Dimbleby. The deal would be introduced in Parliament on November 19 and voted on by MPs on November 27.

Of that day, the document says: "Evening is the vote. HISTORIC MOMENT, PUT YOUR OWN INTERESTS ASIDE, PUT THE COUNTRY'S INTERESTS FIRST AND BACK THIS DEAL."

Earlier, it was reported that the Government is drawing up new proposals for a "review mechanism", to allow the UK to escape any backstop arrangement if talks on a trade deal break down.

Mrs May is thought to regard the idea as a means of allaying the concerns of Conservative and DUP MPs that Britain could be permanently trapped in a customs union with the EU as part of arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

Sources close to talks said London regarded it as a "big step" that the EU side now appears ready to contemplate a means for bringing the backstop to an end short of a broader trade treaty.

The Prime Minister said that she wanted to reach a withdrawal agreement as soon as possible, but "not at any cost".

A gathering of EU leaders in Brussels on the previously mooted date of November 17 is now thought to have been ruled out, while a special summit later in the month would be dependent on EU negotiator Michel Barnier declaring that "decisive progress" has been made in talks.

But Mr Barnier himself said a breakthrough on the Irish border issue was not close.

He said: "There is still a real point of divergence on the way of guaranteeing peace in Ireland, that there are no borders in Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the single market."A former Northern Ireland secretary has warned a no deal Brexit will "cause chaos" on the island of Ireland.

Lord Hain made the comments in a speech to the British Irish chamber last night.

His speech comes after the DUP and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier expressed doubt on whether a deal on the Irish border can be agreed.

Lord Hain said the risk of a no deal was very real and would cause chaos to businesses, farmers and citizens on both sides of the Irish border.

"No deal means no soft landing and no soft border," he said.

"This is particularly clear in terms of trade which, in the event of 'no deal', will be on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms," Lord Hain said.

The agri-food sector remains one of the most vulnerable markets in regards to the fall-out from Brexit.

The UK was the Republic's single largest trading partner for the agri-food sector in 2017, with exports to the UK totalling 4.55bn - 38% of all exports --while imports totalled 3.5bn.

In his speech Lord Hain spelled out his concerns of the extra red tape a no deal would bring. This includes cross-border traders having to sign up to a register as well as submitting the value and classification of goods before transport.

Hauliers would also have to complete several declarations on every consignment exported and imported across the border.

He warned that WTO terms also meant all goods will be subject to trade tarrifs.

"For example, the movement of dairy products constitutes almost 15% of trade from Northern Ireland into Ireland. These would be subject to effective tariffs of around 64%, taking into account both ad valorem (charged as a percentage of the value of the goods), and unit-based charges (by quantity or weight)."

Lord Hain said if the British or Irish authorities failed to enforce these rules "they would essentially be leaving a gate swinging wide open for smuggling".

"The idea that a country would simply refuse to fulfil its duties with regard to customs facilitation is bizarre.

"Smuggling not only means losses to public revenue; it causes harm to legitimate traders, poses risks to consumers, and funds criminal activity.

"If the UK or Ireland decided to turn a blind eye to the traffic of goods across their borders, they would essentially be leaving a gate swinging wide open for smuggling. The unavoidable point is that a no-deal scenario would cause most harm to the Irish border region.

"It is beyond ironic, then, that the prospect of a no-deal is made so much more likely by the dispute over the so-called backstop for managing the Irish border."

He added that after a no deal, the current systems in place across the EU to ensure the smooth movement of goods would no longer apply. "This means that excise duties and VAT will have to be paid on entry to the other jurisdiction - another layer of bureaucracy for traders to manage," he said.

He said there were methods available to ease the burden of customs bureaucracy, but they needed time and resources to develop and roll-out. "None of this has happened so far," he said.

Other concerns included the security of electricity supplies across the border, and a suggestion from the UK government that Northern Ireland drivers may need to carry a 'green card' for insurance while driving in the Republic.John Downey arriving in the back of a police car at court in Dublin yesterday

DUP leader Arlene Foster has accused Sinn Fein of being "more interested in defending the PIRA than in innocent victims" after a senior party member was arrested in relation to the murders of two soldiers.

Ms Foster was reacting to comments from Gerry Kelly MLA, who claimed the arrest of John Downey in connection with the murders of the two UDR officers in 1972 was "a gross act of bad faith" by the British Government.

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The political row erupted after Downey (66) was remanded in custody in a Dublin court yesterday.

It came after he was detained by gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the PSNI.

In 2013, Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in an IRA bomb in London's Hyde Park in 1982.

He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blair's government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Run (OTR) scheme.

Mrs Foster said that she hoped "all those who murdered and maimed people in the Troubles are brought to justice".

"On-the-run letters were a corruption of justice," she said.

"People who deliberately took innocent life should be held accountable for their heinous actions.

"I opposed the Belfast Agreement because it allowed the guilty to walk free whilst the innocent victims were left with empty chairs and broken hearts.

"Sinn Fein seems to be more interested in defending the PIRA than in innocent victims."

The former first minister added: "Republican lectures on 'rights' ring all the more hollow when considered against their defence of the IRA, which had no respect for the fundamental right to life."

Earlier, North Belfast MLA Mr Kelly had said the allegations against Downey had already been dealt with, and the British Government had publicly stated that he is not wanted in connection with any offence.

"This was asserted in the courts," said Mr Kelly.

"John Downey has been a supporter of the peace process over many years and to pursue his arrest and extradition now is vindictive and bad faith.

"It breaks commitments given by the British Government and is an effort to overturn the court's findings.

"It also again gives lie to claims by British Prime Minister Theresa May that the legacy process is skewed against former state forces.

"This false assertion is motivated only by a desire to secure immunity and impunity for British state forces guilty of crimes in Ireland."

But Ulster Unionist justice spokesman Doug Beattie MLA accused Mr Kelly of double standards.

"If Sinn Fein were truly signed up to the concepts of policing and justice, they would understand that the police and the courts have to be allowed to do their jobs and follow due process wherever it leads," he said.

"Sinn Fein are very quick to demand that soldiers and police officers be brought before the courts and want to see all manner of inquiries instigated, but seem to think that the law should not apply to anyone they regard as a friend or supporter.

"Unfortunately for them, that's not how justice systems work in democracies."

Downey appeared before the High Court in Dublin yesterday as prosecutors in Northern Ireland seek to extradite him to face charges of murder here.

Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwin of the Garda Extradition Unit told the Dublin court that he was on duty in Donegal when he spoke to Downey at a house in Ards, Creeslough, on Monday.

The garda officer asked Downey his name and told him that he was the subject of a European Arrest Warrant.

Downey responded that it was the "DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and not the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions)" who was pursuing the matter.

He was arrested at 7.20pm.

The officer told the court that the warrant related to three offences, including a bomb in Co Fermanagh in 1972 which killed the two UDR members.

The officer confirmed that Downey's passport has been surrendered to gardai and when asked by a prosecution barrister if he co-operated with police, the detective replied: "Fully, Judge."

Defence barrister Garnet Orange confirmed that Downey is contesting the application and is "anxious to get bail".

He added that his client suffers from a medical condition and has a heart monitor fitted. He asked the judge to consider an early date for a bail application.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said she was satisfied that Downey is the person to whom the warrant related.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday for a bail application hearing.

The extradition hearing will take place on Friday, November 23.

Justice Donnelly told Downey that he has the right to consent to surrender to the order and has a right to obtain professional legal services.

Prosecutors in Northern Ireland have decided there is sufficient evidence to prosecute him for the murders of Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston (32), a father-of-four, and Private James Eames (33), a father-of-three, in Co Fermanagh.

They died when an IRA bomb exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen on August 25, 1972.

Before the trial of Downey for the Hyde Park bombing collapsed, the judge ruled that his arrest at Gatwick Airport, as he transited the UK on the way to a holiday, represented an abuse of process.

Mr Justice Sweeney put a stay on any future prosecution in relation to the Hyde Park case.

The episode sparked a government inquiry into the OTR scheme.

Mr Downey has always denied any involvement in the Hyde Park attack.

A number of supporters including three Sinn Fein TDs, Pearse Doherty, Sean Crowe and Dessie Ellis, were also in court for yesterday's proceedings.

Speaking outside court, Mr Doherty said: "In my view this arrest was wrong. It shouldn't have happened and John should be returned to his family where he has been living for the last number of decades."

He added: "It is deeply concerning that John has been arrested.

"It won't be lost on anybody that this has happened at a time when the British Government and authorities are looking for a blanket amnesty for their own soldiers given the spotlight is on them for their activities in the north."PSNI Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton (left) and Sean Murray in the Duncairn Centre

A senior Sinn Fein figure has insisted the terror group's Army Council does not exist.

Republican strategist Sean 'Spike' Murray danced around the issue when asked two times why the IRA's military structure was still necessary as he took part in a Tackling Paramilitarism panel alongside senior PSNI officer Bobby Singleton yesterday.

But speaking to the Belfast Telegraph afterwards, he said that the IRA's ruling body was not needed because mainstream republican groups were not involved in criminal behaviour.

This came despite PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton saying in June that the structures of the IRA remained in place.

Mr Murray said: "I don't accept there's an Army Council.

"I don't see any manifestation of mainstream republican links to coercive control of my own community.

"Such behaviour would be counterproductive.

"It's the reason loyalism never got a foothold in politics.

"People reject those involved in such activities at the ballot box."

The ex-prisoner also said he was vindicated by the Public Prosecution Service's (PPS) decision on Monday not to prosecute him on charges of smuggling firearms here from Florida between 1995 and 1999 due to insufficient evidence.

"There are no foundations to these allegations and that has been proved by the PPS," he added.

"There is no case to answer, and I have consistently said that from day one."

The allegations were made in a 2014 BBC Spotlight programme that claimed he conspired with Florida businessman Mike Logan to import a large consignment of Glock handguns. Mr Logan died in 2016.

Addressing the question of how to tackle "scary levels" of paramilitary behaviour on both sides of the community, Mr Murray said complex problems could prove to be "a very potent mix" amid the most polarised political climate since the ceasefire.

He warned it could create "a perfect storm".

"We have no governance, politics isn't delivering and we have the onslaught of Brexit." he said.

"Another poisonous relationship is that between the Tory Government and the DUP."

However, he agreed with PUP councillor Dr John Kyle, who said drug use was a major issue which fuels paramilitary activity.

Mr Murray warned drugs can also result in extortion.

"Criminal gangs will go to a family and say: 'Your son or daughter is involved in drug dealing'. And then demand a ransom of thousands of pounds," he said.

Other panellists expressed frustration over the reluctance of "risk averse" civil servants to allocate money in the absence of ministers and fears over the "huge uncertainty" around Brexit and stalemate on legacy issues.A Co Antrim man accused of targeting building sites in an extortion racket has failed in a new bid to be released from custody.

Brian Gillan, 60, was seeking bail on charges of blackmail, brothel keeping and possessing criminal property.

But a High Court judge refused his application amid concerns over potential interference with witnesses.

Referring to the blackmail allegations, Mr Justice McAlinden said: "This type of offending... is a scourge on our society."

Gillan, of Lurgan Road in Glenavy, was arrested in April during a series of police raids across Co Antrim and Belfast.

Police observations, photographs and witness statements allegedly link him to the extortion of construction sites from September 2017 until his arrest, previous courts heard.

Prosecutors claimed evidence shows him attending businesses in the Crumlin and Glenavy areas each Friday to make collections.

Police investigations show these building sites are blackmailed to pay money under the guise of protection money, it was contended.

Crown lawyer Robin Steer said today: "If they don't pay the site is either damaged or property is stolen."

Gillan, who is on disability benefits, was said to have had up to 1000 in cash on him when he was detained.

He is also separately accused of keeping a brothel operated at Agincourt Avenue in Belfast.

According to the prosecution he arranged the lease on the premises said to have been run by Florin Ghita, 32, and 23-year-old Christina-Teodora Musa - both Romanian nationals.

Gillan allegedly placed Romanian prostitutes in the property and collected 1,000 a month, from which he paid out half in rent.

During police interviews he insisted that he knew nothing about any sex work going on at the address.

Gillan denies all of the charges against him.

Defence counsel Jonathan Browne said his client had been in a romantic relationship with Musa, holidaying with her in Romania and believing Ghita to be her cousin.

Turning to the blackmail allegations, the barrister stressed there is no evidence of any paramilitary involvement.

"Mr Gillan has not been charged with any form of membership of a proscribed or illegal organisation," he told the court.

The fresh application for bail was based on delays in the case.

But ruling that the defendant must remain in custody, Mr Justice McAlinden said: "Any delay in this particular case up to the present time does not constitute any significant prejudice to the applicant."The scene at the old Belfast Telegraph building on Royal Avenue in Belfast city centre after the fire. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com

A man is to stand trial accused of starting a fire that caused an estimated 87,000 worth of damage at a former newspaper headquarters in Belfast city centre, a judge ordered.

Cristian Topiter also allegedly stole digital equipment after breaking into a technology hub now located in the building on Royal Avenue.

The 33-year-old Romanian national, with an address at Parkmore in Craigavon, Co Armagh, faces charges of burglary and arson over the incident on February 21 this year.

Appearing before Belfast Magistrates' Court in handcuffs for a preliminary enquiry, Topiter declined to call witnesses or give evidence at this stage.

Defence representatives did not contest prosecution submissions that he has a prima facie case to answer.

On that basis District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted an application to have him returned for Crown Court trial on a date to be fixed.

With no fresh bid for bail mounted during the hearing, Topiter remains in custody at this stage.

The fire broke out in a building which was once home to the Belfast Telegraph and is now occupied by technology innovation centre Digital Catapult.

A previous court heard the blaze was allegedly started in a storeroom before spreading to other parts of the offices.

Extensive fire and smoke damage was caused to the premises, with costs estimated to be in excess of 87,000.Liam Neeson has lent his Hollywood magic to this year's Christmas NI Children's Hospice campaign Jingle All the Way by appearing in a short video filmed from his home in Manhattan.

The fundraising campaign, now in its second year, aims to generate 250,000 in the run up to Christmas to help secure hours of specialist hospice care for children and their families.

"Last year, all you amazing people of Northern Ireland 'joined the jingle' for Northern Ireland Children's Hospice," said the Ballymena-born actor.

Donned in his festive jumper, Neeson called on the people of Northern Ireland to make the Children's Hospice Jingle "bigger and better" this year.

"Your support, no matter how little or large, will make a real difference."

All profits raised from this year's campaign will enable NI Children's Hospice to continue to provide infants, children and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses specialist palliative care.

Each year, it costs 3.82 million to provide Children's Hospice services, both at hospice and in the family home. The charity relies heavily on the generosity and support of the local community to help fund its services.

You can join the jingle by visiting www.nihospice.org/jingleMartins girlfriend Sharon Mellor with one of the men in Klan costume

Group in Ku Klux Klan outfits outside the Islamic Centre in Newtownards

A costume company in Dublin that sold Ku Klux Klan outfits identical to those worn by a group linked to a hate crime in Newtownards have said they will assist police.

Costumesinireland.ie sold the "satire" costumes of the US hate group for 21 (18.50) on its website, but pulled the product after being contacted by the Belfast Telegraph.

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The robes are covered with fake blood and have the exact same markings as those seen by the gang in Newtownards who posed for photos outside an Islamic prayer centre on Saturday, October 27.

It remains unclear if the group of at least nine men bought the offensive outfits from the Dublin retailer.

The company distanced itself from the controversy when asked about the public outrage the images caused.

"This costume obviously is to laugh, ridicule and condemn this organisation," it said.

"It's a satire costume. We sell this costume in other countries and we think that everybody understands this costume is not real, it has fake blood too."

It denied the firm could be held responsible for any offence caused.

"Imagine if tomorrow one person buys a mask and (robs) a bank with this mask; who is responsible?" it asked.

It went on to condemn "this horrible and deplorable attack", and said it was o longer selling the costumes in Ireland.

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"Our company don't have the exclusivity to sell this product, because we are sellers only, not manufacturers," they said.

"We can't know 100 per cent if the costumes are from us but we would like to help in this investigation with the police," the company added.

"We can't ignore a racist attack".

The PSNI says it is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Chief Constable George Hamilton promised to investigate and report the "disgusting and distasteful" crime.Bail has been refused at Newry magistrates court for an alleged baby rapist with the grotesque details of the case withheld from open court.

A 25-year-old male defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the two week baby, was arrested on October 2, following a reported incident in Annalong on September 29.

The male is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and sexual assault of a 12-day-old baby by penetration.

The accused denies causing the injuries, but has accepted that he had sole custody of the child on the night in question from 10.30pm to 8.30am, when the injuries are said to have occurred.

The prosecution handed in a document on the childs injuries into the court, which was accepted by the judge.

A PSNI detective constable objected to the bail application due to an unsuitable address outside the jurisdiction in the Republic of Ireland.

The detective also outlined that the address was that of the father of the accused who was an alcoholic and would not be able to keep tabs on the defendant.

Furthermore the court heard that the accuseds sister and a one year old child would frequent the family home.

Prosecution opposed the bail application on the grounds that if the defendant absconded an EU arrest warrant would be required.

The magistrates also heard that the serious nature of the offences could lead to a valid risk of public disorder crystallising if the accused was released.

The defence argued the clients respected business family was standing by him and was prepared to enter a cash surety of 10k.

The barrister cross examined the detective constable and stated the accused had no relevant record for the current charges, which was confirmed.

It was said that the accused would be close enough to the border to enter Newry each day to sign at a PSNI station if allowed to be bailed to the southern address.

This case will take some time to get to a full hearing, said the defence.

A similar case, where the child died, took up to three years to be heard.

There will be a huge amount of medical evidence from both sides in this case, that will take a matter of time.

The seriousness of the crime cannot prevent bail. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence, added the barrister.

District judge Eamonn King refused the application stating that he could not be satisfied that any conditions could be imposed to allow for bail.

The case was adjourned to December 5, with the accused remanded back into custody at Maghaberry prison.Tunisian Jewish businessman Rene Trabelsi has been appointed new tourism minister in a partial cabinet reshuffle that the Prime Minister Youssef Chahed hopes will add new momentum to the cabinet.

Twelve other ministers were appointed but key portfolios such as finance, foreign affairs and the interior were kept unchanged.

This reshuffle is to make the work of government more effective and to put an end to the political and economic crisis, Chahed said in a statement.

Tunisia is not the first Muslim majority country in North Africa to have appointed a Jewish as a minister. Serge Berdugo used to be tourism minister during the reign of Hassan II and laer was appointed ambassador at large in 2006.

Tunisias Trabelsi from the island of Jerba is the third member of the Jewish community  numbered at about 2,000  to enter the cabinet since Tunisias independence from France in 1956.

Tunisia has been hailed for its democratic transition since the 2011 Arab Spring, but the North African country has been hit by an economic crisis and armed attacks since then.A man has been taken to hospital after being assaulted by three men in Belfast.

Police received a report at 2.10am on Wednesday that a man in his 50s was attacked in the Donegall Road area sometime between 1am and the time it was reported.

The victim sustained injuries to his head, face, and broken ribs, and was taken to hospital by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for treatment.

Police have arrested a 39-year-old man in the Donegall Road area on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has since been released on bail pending further investigations.

Detective Constable Gardiner said: I want to make a number of appeals today.

Were you in the Donegall Road area between 1am and 2:10am on Monday? Did you witness the assault? Did you see three males acting suspiciously in the area?

If you have information you believe may assist our investigation, or can help us identify the suspects, please call detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 74 of 05/11/18.

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Police believe the burglaries may be linked.

Police believe two burglaries in Co Tyrone may be linked after cars were stolen from properties in the area.

Detectives are appealing for information after a report of a creeper style burglary in Co Tyrone in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred at residential premises at the Garvaghy Hill area, Dungannon

At around 1:40am, it was reported that entry was gained into a house in the area. A grey Audi A6 was stolen from the premises and is believed to have headed towards Aughnacloy.

Police are also investigating a report of another vehicle theft from a house in the Garvaghy Road area.

A yellow Nissan Navarra and a sum of money inside the property were stolen during the incident. The car is also believed to have headed towards Aughnacloy.

At this stage police are investigating a link between both incidents," Detective Constable Halliday said.

Enquiries are continuing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives in Omagh, quoting reference number 177 6/11/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.Primark has confirmed it plans to open two new stores in Belfast city centre, with the first commencing trading on December 8.

Little more than three months after fire devastated its Bank Buildings flagship shop, the clothing retailer will open in its newly built extension unit at Castle Street just over a fortnight before Christmas.

Work had been at an advanced stage at Commonwealth House when flames broke out in the adjacent building on August 28.

The cordon thrown around the charred remains of Bank Buildings has forced 22 organisations to close. According to Belfast City Council, the impact on footfall is costing the city centre up to 3m a month.

The council has said 6m will be needed to support the city centre until the end of March. But that fund is currently 1.5m short.

The opening of Commonwealth House in early next month will coincide with a new access tunnel allowing pedestrians to walk along the front of Bank Buildings from Donegall Place to Royal Avenue.

Primark has also confirmed that it is working towards opening a second store in Donegall Place in the spring. The unit is currently occupied by fashion chain New Look, which has 26 stores here, including six in Belfast.

Land Registry documents obtained by the Belfast Telegraph last month confirmed that Primark entered into a contract to purchase Fountain House on September 20.

Despite initially refusing to comment on the move, this newspaper now understands that New Look will be vacating the building and is currently searching for another the city centre unit.

While the exit date has yet to be confirmed, the plan to relocate has offered some hope to the 60 employees based in Donegall Place.

It had been reported that New Look would cease trading in early November, allowing Primark to open two stores in time for Christmas. But Primark appears to have pushed the date back to early 2019, suggesting that New Look will have more time to fina new location.

Primark said: "Primark is committed to Belfast and we announced recently that we plan to open a store in Commonwealth House in December.

"In addition, we are hoping to open a new store in Fountain House in spring 2019. We will share more details in due course."

Reacting yesterday, SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said: "This news is an extremely welcome development for the city and especially for the Primark staff who have been commuting to other stores across Northern Ireland since the blaze destroyed the Bank Buildings, which was home to Primark's flagship Belfast store, at the end of August."Sinn Fein have been barred from using the Deputy First Minister's office by the Assembly Commission.

Sinn Fein continued to use the deputy First Minister's office at Stormont despite collapsing the Northern Ireland Executive, it has emerged.

The DUP, meanwhile, said Arlene Foster worked from its party offices.

Following a question by Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers, the Assembly Commission said it has removed access to the First and deputy First Minister's offices in Parliament Building by their previous occupants DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill.

In response, the Assembly Commission said: "Having been made aware that some of the rooms continue to be used at a time when there is no First Minister and deputy First Minister in post and, following confirmation from the Executive Office it has no current requirement for the rooms, the Assembly Commission has moved to retain control of the rooms."

Mr Chambers said: It was drawn to my attention that Sinn Fein were continuing to use the deputy First Minister's office in Parliament Buildings despite the fact that they walked away from the institutions in January 2017.

"Given the extensive facilities already accessible to Michelle O'Neill and her party, and the fact that they continue to boycott a return to Stormont, I didn't think it was right that they were allowed to continue to use the trappings of power whilst abdicating their responsibilities.

"So I wrote to the Assembly Commission to clarify the situation about the use of the First and Deputy First Minister's offices.

"I am pleased that they have confirmed my suspicions and taken action to halt this abuse of position by removing access to these facilities."

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Sinn Fein use a large number of offices in Parliament Buildings. The use of specific offices is a matter for the Assembly Commission.

If Alan Chambers invested as much time in working for an end to the denial of rights and corruption that collapsed the political institutions, maybe we would be closer to having the institutions restored.

East Antrim DUP MLA and the Partys Chief Whip Gordon Lyons said: "The party does not have a key to the First Minister's office in Parliament Buildings.

"Prior to devolution collapsing, access to this office was controlled by the Executive Office and the Assembly authorities. The party leader works from our offices on the second floor of the building."A Northern Ireland shopping centre has apologised after facing criticism for scheduling its annual Santa's arrival event on Remembrance Sunday.

The event has now been moved to another date.

Management at Erneside Shopping Centre in Enniskillen had faced a public backlash on social media for arranging the event on the same day as the town will mark 100 years since the end of World War One. The 31st anniversary of the Poppy Day bomb in Enniskillen in which 12 people died will also be marked on Sunday.

The centre's Facebook page was inundated with criticism from people saying the date chosen was both "disrespectful" and "shameful" given that many in the town would be honouring the centenary of Armistice Day and the loss of life in the 1987 IRA bombing.

In a statement, Erneside management initially said: "We apologise deeply to all those that have been disappointed by the choice of date for Santa's arrival.

"This was not a decision made lightly and was made following several requests from customers to move Santa's arrival from the Saturday to the Sunday so that it could be less rushed and a more relaxing family day focused on their children's enjoyment.

"Some requests also included parents of children with disabilities, learning difficulties and anxiety issues. We would like to remain respectful and mindful of everyone's wishes and are looking at an alternative date."

Management said that members of the Enniskillen branch of the Royal British Legion had no objection to Santa's arrival being held on Remembrance Sunday, but in light of the public response they have since agreed to postpone the event until Friday, November 23.

John Jones, chairman of the Enniskillen Legion, told the Belfast Telegraph that the matter has now been resolved: "I have spoken with management who have agreed to move the event and there was never any intention to disrespect anyone.

"There was a problem which has now been sorted."

Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Rosemary Barton, said she was pleased that Erneside management had rescheduled the event.

"I was shocked to see that Erneside were having Santa's arrival on Remembrance Sunday. I recognise that the management had given previous consideration to the sensitivity of the situation," she said.

"However I am pleased that they have now quickly decided to change the date and respect the sensitivities of many of its customers. Remembrance Sunday can now be honoured in its dignified manner."Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Boyce, the senior investigating officer in the disappearance of Saoirse Smyth who was last seen in April, 2017 in Belfast, makes an appeal for information yesterday

Detectives have issued a fresh appeal over the suspected murder of a west Belfast woman missing for over a year.

Saoirse Smyth (28) was last seen in Belfast on April 11, 2017 but police believe she returned that day to Omeath in Co Louth where she had been living.

Although a number of lines of enquiry remain open, the PSNI believe it's possible she was murdered.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Boyce said the Smyth family had been left "devastated" by her disappearance 576 days ago.

In July, a 40-year-old man and 48-year-old woman were questioned and released on bail.

A third suspect has also been identified, but is serving a lengthy prison sentence in Dublin's Mountjoy prison.

The suspect has yet to agree to a PSNI interview, which is required for legal reasons, but DCI Boyce said he was working closely on the matter with An Garda Siochana.

The PSNI carried out new enquiries in Newry yesterday and placed posters in retail areas in the hope of reaching anyone with information about Saoirse's disappearance.

It's hoped any witnesses will remember her distinctive bright red hair.

"To this day Saoirse has not had any contact with her friends or family since the day she disappeared, including on birthdays and at Christmas," said DCI Boyce.

"This is very unusual for Saoirse and while we are keeping an open mind, we believe that she may have been murdered."

He believes someone in the Newry area may have information about her disappearance.

"Saoirse often commuted from Belfast to Omeath through Newry and used a number of local taxi companies," he said.

"We will not give up investigating what happened to Saoirse and we are working closely with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana.

"I am appealing for anyone who has any information about Saoirse's disappearance to come forward.

"Saoirse was a daughter, sister and granddaughter and her family deserve to know what has happened to her."

Her grandmother Vera Smyth previously appealed for information so the family could give Saoirse a Christian burial.

"It is heartbreaking, someone out there knows something," she said in July.

"If you know anything, come forward to give us peace of mind, because she doesn't deserve the death she has."

Mrs Smyth had looked after her granddaughter from the age of four after her mother died.

She said that Saoirse had struggled with drug addiction in her later years.

"Drugs are a curse. Saoirse took drugs, it changed her life," she said.

Anyone with information about Ms Smyth's disappearance can contact detectives via the non emergency number 101.

Alternatively information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555.A Sinn Fein MLA has expressed his anger at the latest attack on Irish language signage in the Mid Ulster council area.

Colm Gildernew slammed those responsible for vandalising the signage at Fivemiletown.

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Irish language signage in the area has been attacked on a number of occasions already this year.

This attack in Fivemiletown is the latest in a series of attacks on Irish language road signs across South Tyrone in recent months," Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Gildernew said.

There is no excuse for this type of vandalism and it cannot be tolerated.

Unfortunately, this is indicative of the attitude of some in society who show a complete disregard and lack of respect for the Irish identity and further focus the need for protection of Irish Language rights through legislation.

Mr Gildernew said that the people of the area had given their consent for the signs to be erected.

Signage is often subject to a rigorous community process prior to erection, therefore, these attacks fly in the face of people's consent," the Sinn Fein MLA said.

The vandalism of this sign and others in the borough forms part of a campaign of intolerance against the Irish language in recent months in the area and should be condemned by all.

I have reported this attack to the PSNI and I am appealing to anyone with information to bring it forward so those responsible can be held to account for these disgraceful crimes.King Mohammed VI has underlined the constructive initiatives made by Morocco for the resolution of the regional Sahara issue, stressing the countrys positive reaction to various international calls for practical proposals that can help achieve a realistic and lasting political settlement based on compromise and on the Autonomy Initiative.

In a speech he made on the 43rd anniversary of the Green March that enabled Morocco to recover its Sahara provinces, formerly under Spanish dominion, the Monarch said Morocco continues to safeguard its territorial integrity with clarity, ambition, responsibility and committed action, both domestically and at the United Nations.

This clarity can be shown by the firm, resolute manner in which we have been tackling all transgressions  whatever their origin  aimed at undermining Moroccos legitimate rights or departing from the frame of reference agreed for the settlement process, said King Mohammed VI.

As for ambition, it is reflected by Moroccos cooperation in good faith with the UN Secretary-General and by the support it lends to his Personal Envoy to establish a serious and credible political process, added the Sovereign.

King Mohammed VI also called for setting a new dynamic in the UN-led negotiations, saying the United Nations should take into account the experience and the lessons of the past to avoid the deadlock of the Manhasset process.

At the domestic level, Morocco will continue the efforts to put an end to the policy of rent-seeking and refuse all forms of blackmail or exploitation of the countrys territorial integrity, said King Mohammed VI.

The Southern Provinces will carry on progress under the new development model to enable the Moroccan Sahara to play once again its historical role as a bridge between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa, explained the Monarch.

In parallel, the implementation of advanced regionalization is contributing to the emergence of a genuine political elite that can effectively and democratically represent the inhabitants of the Sahara and enable them to exercise their right to run their local affairs themselves, and to achieve integrated development in a free and stable environment, underlined the Moroccan Sovereign.

Dealing with Moroccos return to the African Union, the King pointed out that this return was not intended as a means to defend the question of the Moroccan Sahara, given that the position of most African nations is similar to the Kingdoms.

Our return to the African Union was dictated by the pride we take in belonging to Africa, as well as by our commitment to share in the development dynamic it is witnessing and to contribute to tackling the various challenges facing the Continent, without compromising our legitimate rights and best interests, the Sovereign underlined.

King Mohammed VI who commended the recent decisions made by the AU Summit, held in Nouakchott, which were consistent with the relevant international positions and principles, noted that this constructive attitude means wisdom and far-sightedness have prevailed.

It also constitutes a break with ploys that used to proliferate within the African Union. Because of these practices, Africa and African peoples lost precious time that should have been devoted to promoting development and integration, he said.

The King went on to say that Morocco will invest in effective, wealth-generating economic partnerships with all countries and economic blocs, including the European Union. He made it clear, however, that Morocco shall not be involved in any partnership that undermines the countrys territorial integrity.

I am keen to make sure these partnerships benefit directly the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara first and foremost, and that they contribute to improving their livelihoods within their homeland, in an environment characterized by freedom and a dignified life, the King said.A woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as she planned her wedding has been hailed by the Prime Minister for her work helping others.

Catherine Doran from Londonderry was just 26 and about to marry husband Joe when she was told the devastating news.

Ten years later Catherine, as well as being mum to Charlotte (8) and Lucy (5), is now the chairwoman of the Northern Ireland MS Council.

She has just returned from 10 Downing Street where she was in a delegation that met Theresa May to raise the importance of research into the crippling condition.

Also in attendance was Patricia Crossley (76) from Co Antrim, who has been volunteering for the MS Society for over 40 years, did a fundraising skydive aged 68, and abseiled down Belfast Castle last year.

More than 100,000 people in the UK live with MS, which is painful and exhausting, and can cause problems with how sufferers walk, move, see, think and feel. And Mrs May heard how the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which replaced Disability Living Allowance, was causing real hardship for people with MS.

Catherine said it was an honour to help raise the importance of continued research "but also to highlight the real difficulties PIP is causing people with MS".

"The Prime Minister in her speech highlighted the importance of the MS Society and how she understood MS because her mother had the condition," she added.

Recalling her diagnosis, she said: "I had been feeling unwell, but never guessed I would be told I had MS.

"When the diagnosis came, in a strange way it was a relief, because I knew then what it was that was making me feel the way I did, but it was still a shock.

"One of the first decisions we had to make was around having children or treatment, so we decided to have a family and had our daughter Charlotte fairly soon after we were married. I started treatment straight after that and came off it again to have our second daughter Lucy, and went back on it again right after she was born.

"Anyone who was diagnosed with MS even 10 years before I was would have been advised not to have children.

"But thanks to the research carried out during those 10 years we have our two daughters. This is why it is so important to fund research for MS, because who knows what the next 10 years will bring?"

The event celebrated the impact volunteers and many others have had on vital MS research and driving more, improved treatments for everyone. Mrs May personally thanked volunteers, including Ms Crossley, who has helped raise over 200,000 for the MS Society.

Mrs May said: "From sponsored skydives to abseiling down Belfast Castle, Pat's energy and enthusiasm throughout 40 years of volunteering with the MS Society is truly inspiring. It is an honour to celebrate the impact she and other volunteers have had in their local communities and beyond, and I send you my heartfelt thanks for the amazing work that you do."

Patricia, who is the MS Society's Ballymoney group secretary, said: "I was so thrilled and delighted to be invited to Downing Street. I didn't know anything about MS when I started volunteering, but the MS Society quickly became part of my life and in 40 years I haven't missed a group meeting."

Anyone who would like more information about the MS Society can call 028 9080 2802Three people have been arrested in connection with burglaries in Tandragee and Banbridge after police searches in Craigavon on Tuesday.

Police carried out searches in the Legahory area of Craigavon and arrested two men aged 19 and 28 on suspicion of burglary and a 26-year-old woman on suspicion of possession of criminal property and possession of Class C controlled drugs.

The arrests follow a creeper-style burglary in the Willowfield Heights area of Tandragee on August 21 in which entry was gained to the property and a dark blue-coloured Audi S1 parked outside was stolen.

On September 7 police received a report of a burglary in the Linen Fields area of Banbridge which stated that a dark blue Audi S4 had been stolen from outside the property.

The three remain in custody helping police with their enquires.

I would encourage members of the public to report any activity that raises your suspicions to police immediately. This is a good way to alert us so we can investigate - and will help deter criminals and reduce crime in your area," Detective Inspector Keith Gawley said.

If you have seen an unusual vehicle parked or travelling on a road in your area, or strangers calling at houses, take a note of the vehicle registration number and a description of any vehicles that cause you any concern, and pass that information onto police.

Call us on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

If you would like further advice on home security you can contact your local Crime Prevention Officer on 101.The grieving family of Portrush's harbour master have described him as both "a gentle man and a gentleman" after his sudden death at the weekend.

Coleraine native Robert Anderson, who celebrated his 69th birthday last week, died suddenly but peacefully while surrounded by his loving family at the Causeway Hospital on Sunday.

He was a highly qualified seafarer with over 40 years service on a variety of small ships, and had spent 25 years as dredging master and River Bann pilot at Coleraine Harbour.

A founding member of the Foyle and Bann Shipping Association, he was also a member of Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, where he served as chairman for a number of years.

Mr Anderson had also worked as harbour master at Portavogie, and as port manager for Caledonian MacBrayne on the Rathlin Island ferry route.

An author of local history and photographic books, he was the chairperson of Coleraine Historical Society and had published several books including The Port of Coleraine and the Fading Memories series.

His family said he had "time for everyone he met" and "loved nothing more than being with his wife and family".

Paying tribute, his wife Elizabeth, son Neal and daughter Charlotte McFadden said: "Robert was a very dedicated, quiet family man.

"He had time for everyone he met and was willing to help when he could, personally and professionally.

"He enjoyed the simple things in life and weekend city breaks, and had just returned from a wonderful time in Palma four days before his sudden death.

"He loved nothing more than being with his wife and family, including being a proud Poppy to his four young grandchildren. He will be sadly missed within the community of Coleraine and beyond. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, an exceptional people person whose goodness and friendship will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family."

Tributes to Mr Anderson poured in on social media.

Coleraine Historical Society NI expressed their "deep sadness" at his passing, adding: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Anderson family and Robert's many friends & colleagues."

The organisation said that the launch of its annual publication The Bann Disc, of which Mr Anderson was editor, would go ahead last night with his family's blessing.

Portrush Lifeboat Station extended their "sincere condolences" to the Anderson family and described Mr Anderson as "a gentleman and a scholar". They added: "He will be sadly missed."

The crew of the Causeway Lass said that they were "sorry to hear of the passing of our harbour master Robert Anderson".

Former Justice Minister, MLA Claire Sugden, expressed her "sincere condolences" to Mr Anderson's family and friends.

She said: "Past, present and future, Robert knew, loved and celebrated Coleraine. He brought to life a rich, local history that many of us can only imagine.

"Through talking about history, he made his own and will be remembered fondly for his knowledge and love of our area."

Mr Anderson's funeral will be private. An open invitation celebration will take place in the next few weeks to mark his life.The scene of the fatal accident involving a bin lorry in Limavady, Co Derry

Tributes have been paid to a Limavady refuse collector who died after being hit by the bin lorry he was working on yesterday morning.

John Winton (51), who was employed by Causeway Coast and Glens Council, died in the Mount Eden area of the Co Londonderry town.

Emergency crews who rushed to the scene included members from Limavady Fire Station where Mr Winton worked as a part time firefighter.

Mr Winton had previously served as a soldier in the Army and toured Afghanistan before returning to civilian life in his home town three years ago.

The father of two was a well known figure in the Orange fraternity, and was a member of the Roe Valley Ex-Servicemen's Lodge and the Star of the Roe Flute Band.

Graham Stewart, the Worshipful Master of the Roe Valley Ex-Serviceman's' Lodge, described Mr Winton as a man of great dignity who served many years fighting for freedom.

Mr Stewart said: "We are extremely sadden by the death of John Winton who was a member of our lodge. John was dignified in everything he did and was well respected.

"It is poignant that he survived tours in Afghanistan and passed away in such a tragic manner."

Norman Alcorn, Secretary of the Star of the Roe Flute band, added: "Everyone in the band is deeply shocked by this dreadful news.

"John had a long association with the Star of the Roe Band. He was a member when he was a teenager but left when he was away with the Army. He joined the band again two or three years ago when he returned home.

"John was extremely proud of his heritage. We offer our sincere condolences to his family at this extremely sad time."

Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Gary Thompson, also paid tribute to Mr Winton. He said: "Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service is devastated to learn of the death of our colleague Firefighter John Winton who died in an off-duty incident.

"On behalf of NIFRS, I extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to John's family, his mother Margaret and his children Lisa and Gavin, at this difficult time.

"John was a dedicated firefighter serving his home town with distinction and he was extremely popular amongst his colleagues."

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Brenda Chivers, also offered her condolences.

She said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family and friends and we offer them our heartfelt sympathies at this time."

The PSNI said an investigation is under way into the incident, and the Health and Safety Executive also attended the scene to make enquiries.The family of an Ulster Defence Regiment soldier killed in a bomb attack in Northern Ireland over 40 years ago has welcomed the arrest of John Downey.

Mr Downey was detained in Donegal in the Republic of Ireland by gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The warrant related to three offences including a bomb in Co Fermanagh in 1972 which killed two Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) members.

John Downey has for a long period of time been suspected to have been involved in the murder of our father and his colleagueSpokesman for Mr Johnston's family

Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston, 32, a father-of-four, and Private James Eames, 33, a father-of-three, died when an IRA bomb exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen, on August 25 1972.

Mr Downey, 66, was remanded in custody after he appeared before the High Court in Dublin on Tuesday as Northern Ireland prosecutors seek to extradite him to face murder charges.

Defence barrister Garnet Orange confirmed in court that Downey is contesting the application and is anxious to get bail.

He added that his client suffers from a medical condition and has a heart monitor fitted.

Downey will appear at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday for a bail application hearing.

The extradition hearing will take place on Friday November 23.

A spokesman for Mr Johnstons family said: John Downey has for a long period of time been suspected to have been involved in the murder of our father and his colleague on August 25 1972 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

Whilst we welcome any development into the investigation of our fathers murder, we would appreciate that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.

In 2013, Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in a bomb in Londons Hyde Park in 1982.

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He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blairs government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Runs (OTRs) scheme.

Mr Downey has always denied any involvement in the Hyde Park attack.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly criticised Downeys arrest as an act of gross bad faith.

At a cross-border policing conference in Newcastle, Co Down, Police Service of Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin was asked to respond to Sinn Feins claim that the arrest of Mr Downey represented a breach of the undertakings he had been given by the UK government on his status as an On The Run.

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My job is to investigate crime, place people before the courts, Mr Martin replied.

This is a murder investigation, a European arrest warrant has a high degree of judicial oversight both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

But that question is about politics and that question is best answered by politicians.Dr Kurt Hubner presents the report at the Europa Hotel in Belfast (Rebecca Black/PA)

A report has suggested the only winning scenario for Northern Ireland following Brexit is a united Ireland.

The Costs of Non-Unification  Brexit and the Unification of Ireland report forecasts that both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic will suffer economically after the UK leaves the European Union.

The report examined three potential scenarios: a hard Brexit, in which all of the UK leaves the single market and the customs union, Northern Ireland remaining within the single market and customs union, and the unification of Ireland.

It found that a hard Brexit would reduce Northern Irelands GDP by 10.1 billion euro (8.8 billion) from 2021-25.

Northern Ireland remaining within the single market and customs union would result in a GDP dip of 3.8 billion euro (3.3 billion), it said.

However, the report found that a united Ireland would see Northern Ireland increase its GDP.

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Whatsapp Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill attends the launch of a report which claims Northern Ireland would be better off financially after Brexit in a united Ireland.

The only winning scenario is the case of unification where between 2018 and 2025, Northern Ireland would increase its GDP by 17.9 billion euro, the report found.

If political actors nevertheless prefer a hard Brexit, or if they are willing to accept a hard Brexit for overarching political reasons, then they accept willingly high negative economic costs.

The report was produced by Canadian firm KLC Consultants for US-based Irish American organisation KRB Inc.

It comes as negotiations intensify over whether the UK and EU will agree a backstop plan, resulting in Northern Ireland remaining within the customs union after Brexit.

The issue has become a sticking point in the Brexit negotiations.

Presenting the report at the Europa Hotel on Wednesday, one of the authors, Dr Kurt Hubner, said the Brexit referendum has created enormous change.

Since the referendum the whole picture has changed enormously, the macro economic situation has changed enormously, he said.

We already have huge opportunity costs and now with the way we tried to develop those scenarios, it is surprising that the unification one is the only one that would produce positive effects.

Whereas with a hard Brexit the losses are already piling up.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Ulster Unionist Steve Aiken were among those who attended the launch at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Wednesday.

Ms ONeill commended the report as compelling evidence that could not be ignored.

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This report, and particular economic modelling, exposes the hard economic evidence that reunification would provide a massive economic boost to the entire island, she said.

In the words of the report, unification is the only option with positive net effects.

The strength of this evidence cannot be ignored and while we thank Dr Hubner and his team for this valuable contribution, it is a debate that the Irish Government must now take a much more proactive role in leading.

A new generation is already questioning partition, particularly in the context of Brexit, and it is time now for the Irish Government to encourage and lead an informed, reasoned and respectful public dialogue on the issue of Irish unity.

It is also time that the Government prepared a realistic plan for Irish reunification, including the establishment of an Oireachtas committee to bring forward a Green Paper for Irish reunification.

Mr Aiken said he was sceptical about the report.

A figure they say of about 10 billion euro over the space of a decade is absolutely minuscule and is well within the margin for error, he said.

I can only presume when they continue to put data into the model, they will suddenly realise something we have known all along  that unification is not an answer and would be a net detriment to Northern Ireland.

.Interesting discussion on Costs of non-unification. On rerunning model Prof Hubner reports that benefits now much lower. As his work is refined there will clearly be no economic or political win in the tax haven FDI utopia Ireland being pushed today @JP_Biz @uuponline pic.twitter.com/FrJaKK2ioc  Steve Aiken OBE (@SteveAikenUUP) November 7, 2018

He added: And that is very clear because there is no way we can go from one of the largest economies in the world with close on a three trillion GDP into joining something like the Irish Republic that will have significant problems going forward, particularly if the Irish Government continue pushing us towards making sure we have a hard Brexit rather than having an appropriate Brexit for everybody.The scene on Slieveban Avenue in the Andersontown area of west Belfast on Wednesday during the security alert.. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Police have warned that a viable pipe bomb device discovered in west Belfast on Wednesday had the "potential to kill".

The device was discovered at Slieveban Avenue in Andersontown.

Officers were called to the scene after the discovery of a suspicious object around 11.30am on Wednesday morning.

A number of residents were evacuated from their properties for a number of hours while the object was examined. It has now been taken away for further forensic examination and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

Police would like to thank the local community for their patience while we worked to keep them safe," Detective Sergeant Stephen Gardiner said.

"The device we have recovered here today had the potential to kill or maim and I would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area recently or anyone with any information that could help our investigation to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 438 07/11/18.

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.A Government minister has been forced to defend the Taoiseachs comments on annual leave for medical staff.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed was representing the government during Leaders Questions and faced down a number of criticisms from across the House about his party leader.

During Leaders Questions on Tuesday, when asked by opposition leader Micheal Martin what plans the Government had for the forthcoming winter, Leo Varadkar referenced hospital overcrowding due to annual leave taken by staff.

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We need to make sure, for the first time ever, that during that period the radiology departments and labs are open and working at full whack, that consultants are not on holidays in the first week of the year, particularly those who work in the emergency departments, and that nurses are not on leave in the first two weeks of January, Mr Varadkar said.

Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane was first to reference the Taoiseach during Wednesdays questions.

Yesterday the Taoiseach let the mask slip again with the latest attack on doctors and nurses, in what was a vindictive attempt to shift blame for hospital overcrowding away from him, and the performance of this Government, he said.

Nurse and doctors leave is not the problem here, it is not the reason over one million people are waiting to see a consultant.

Mr Cullinane added that blaming frontline staff showed the true character of Taoiseach, before asking what plan the Government had for hospital overcrowding, and what increased investment strategy had been put in place.

Mr Creed denied that the Taoiseach had laid blame with the staff, but rather the poor management of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

I think, on the contrary, the Taoiseachs comments yesterday are clear evidence the Governments priority is to make sure we we deal with patients in an effective way, he said.

The Taoiseachs comments are a clear recognition that critical staff are critical to resolving this issue and, far from denigrating them, the challenge the Taoiseach posed yesterday is to HSE management, and what we need is appropriate management of human resources.

He added that the Government since 2014 has reversed cuts to bed capacity, but added: Its not like flicking a switch.

Mr Cullinane replied that Mr Creed had not answered his question and reminded the minister that his Government had been in power since 2011.

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Labour leader Brendan Howlin also criticised the Taoiseachs statements on Tuesday.

There may be scope to change rostering, but the Taoiseach should not blame staff, which he did, no matter what you say, for taking their annual entitlement to leave, he said.

If its a management issue, it should be addressed with trade unions and not abusing people in this House or in the public airwaves.

If this Government is serious about using resources effectively, to take pressure off the Christmas period it makes sense to offer home care packages to those in acute beds and awaiting transfer home.

The minister was also asked by People Before Profit TD Brid Smith if, as he supported the recent Google staff walkout in Dublin, he would also support nurses should they resolve to strike over pay and conditions.

Mr Creed replied: I am of the view negotiation is key in an effort to avoid strike action.If no Brexit deal is agreed animals travelling to the EU will need rabies vaccinations (Tim Ockenden/PA)

The owner of a doggy day care centre on the Irish border has expressed dismay at the prospect of having to get pets vaccinated months before they travel between the UK and Europe post-Brexit.

Dog and cat owners have been advised to speak to a vet as soon as possible if they want to take their pet on holiday after March next year.

Government officials have issued the advice on the basis of a no-deal scenario and say that pet owners will have to start preparations by the end of November if they intend on travelling to the EU.

That means pet owners living in Northern Ireland could be forced to pay hundreds of pounds in veterinary fees and wait up to four months for paperwork before they can travel across the border to the Republic with their animal.

Eimear Matthews, who owns Paws & Play dog day care centre in Newry, Co Down, said she feared Brexit could have a major impact on her business.

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Ms Matthews highlighted that the fields at the back of her house where her own dog runs straddles the border.

In Northern Ireland in general its going to have a massive impact, but I think particularly on people in border areas like myself, she said.

I already have dogs who come up with their owners who maybe live in the south and work in the north and leave their dogs off with me  those dogs are now going to require rabies injections, pet passports, might have to go into quarantine.

At this stage we honestly dont even know what way its going to be.

I myself live a couple of hundred yards from the border, so theoretically for my dog to go running in my own fields shes going to need a passport.

If Prime Minister Theresa May and EU officials fail to reach an agreement by next March, animals travelling to the EU will need rabies vaccinations.

A blood sample, which is taken one month after the rabies jab, is then sent to a laboratory. The whole process will take four months to complete before the pet will be allowed to travel.

A certificate is issued by a vet to show the animal is fully up-to-date with its vaccinations. Anyone travelling to a European country may have to carry the certificate, including people from Northern Ireland who cross the border to walk their dog.

However, once they return to Northern Ireland pet owners will have to go through a similar process as the certificates do not allow pet owners to move freely between north and south of the border.

Veterinary practices have been made aware of the steps they have to take to prepare for the possible influx of pet owners who need their animals vaccinated before travelling a couple of miles into the Republic.

All pet owners are now being told to ensure they have the correct health protection documents in place for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development (DAERA) in Northern Ireland also issued advice on its website.

A spokesman for the department said: In line with DEFRA, we have issued practical advice for people who wish to travel to European Union countries with their pets in the event the UK leaves the EU in a no deal situation.

We would urge all pet owners who wish to travel immediately after March 29, 2019 to consult with their vet as soon as they can.

This is about planning ahead to ensure their pet has the correct health protection documented and in place for all possible scenarios. Please check the NI Direct website for the latest advice.

DAERA has recently been in contact with Northern Ireland vets to highlight this issue.

They are expecting pet owners to consult with them and plan ahead.King Mohammed VI who has stressed repeatedly the need for reinvigorating the Maghreb Union since his enthronement has expressed clearly Moroccos willingness to transcend differences by opening a frank dialogue with Algeria.

Algerias support for separatism in Moroccos Sahara has poisoned relations between the two Maghreb heavyweights.

Algeria has by the past rejected to open land borders, closed since 1994, despite multiple Moroccan calls to reopen them as a prelude to fostering cooperation and exchange in one of the least economically integrated regions in the world.

Recalling the shared history, common destiny and the bonds of religion, language and kinship between Moroccans and Algerians, the King deplored however the division and lack of unity in the Maghreb as an unreasonable situation.

This reality is at odds with the ambition that induced the generation who fought for freedom and independence to seek to achieve the unity of the Maghreb, as symbolized, at the time, by the Tangier Conference, which was held in 1958 and whose sixtieth anniversary we are commemorating this year, said the King in a speech on the occasion of the Green March anniversary.

In a brotherly move that could pump new blood in the idle Maghreb union project, the King stressed that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with our sister nation, Algeria, in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries.

The King went on to draw a road map for strengthening ties with Algeria by suggesting the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation whose format will be subject to a mutual agreement.

The proposal is a clear expression of Moroccos willingness to break the stalemate in relations with neighboring Algeria.

Such a mechanism will help the two countries enhance bilateral coordination and consultation with a view to meeting the ambitions of their respective citizens and rising to regional and international challenges, particularly in terms of fighting terrorism and addressing the issue of migration, the King made it clear.

In past speeches, reinvigorating the Maghreb Union made up of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, has featured prominently in the Monarchs concerns as he often deplored that the non-existence of the Maghreb Union has made collective efforts to tackle migration and other regional challenges ineffective.

If the Arab Maghreb Union had really existed, we would have been stronger in the face of such a challenge, said the King in a message to the 5th African Union-European Union Summit in Abidjan, in November 2017.

In another landmark speech marking Moroccos return to the African Union in January 2017, King Mohammed VI stressed Moroccos attachment to building a strong Maghreb Union saying that the Kingdom has always considered that its strength comes primarily from the integration of the Maghreb sub-region.

The King then urged following the example of neighboring African sub-regions in order for the Maghreb Union to live up to the ambitions of the Marrakesh Treaty, which gave birth to it 28 years ago.

Economists estimate that Maghreb countries lose 2 percentage points of their GDP growth due to lack of integration.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reaffirmed his position on the Irish backstop after being accused of a "cock-up" by Sinn Fein.

The Irish leader was accused during Leader's Questions in the Dail yesterday of "losing his nerve" after telling Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday that he would be open to a review process of the backstop post Brexit.

"Yesterday when you said you were willing to consider a review clause, you shifted your position," Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said.

"I think your announcement yesterday was a cock-up plain and simply.

"Brexit is for keeps and to combat those real life consequences, there can be nothing time bound or temporary, and not couched in ifs and buts.

"Temporary protections mean no protection."

She asked the Taoiseach to clarify the position of the Irish government and invited him to set aside any notion of a review clause of the backstop.

Mr Varadkar said he had committed to nothing, but was open to creative solutions to ensure a smooth transition for the UK leaving the EU.

"There can be no expiry date and there can be no unilateral exit clause, and if it were to be either of those things, the backstop would not be worth the paper it was written on," Mr Varadkar said.

"If we do have a backstop and if it is used, it may be to our advantage or necessary to have a review - which is very different to the exit clause that would let the UK withdraw, and that has been Irish government stance all along.

"In order to get to an agreement, we need to be creative around solutions and language, there would be no Good Friday Agreement without John Hume and Seamus Mallon, David Trimble and even Gerry Adams understanding that.

"I'm open to creative solutions and creative language but we will not resile from our fundamental resolution, the backstop cannot have a time limit or an exit clause."

Ms McDonald questioned whether Mr Varadkar had "lost his nerve" at a critical time in Brexit negotiations.

She said: "Your timing couldn't be worse, we urged you not to blink in dealing with the Tories, to stay the course in what are very reasonable bottom lines, you say we need no expiry date and yet you countenance review mechanisms, that serves to muddy the waters.

"I don't know if you have lost your nerve. I hope for sake of the country you haven't.

"How on earth at such a sensitive time in negotiations would you commit to a review clause?

"How could you commit yourself to that, when you don't, in fact, know what it would amount to?" she asked.

Mr Varadkar reaffirmed his stance, repeating much of his first answer before directing his attention to Ms McDonald herself.

He said: "I've committed to nothing. I'm open to considering a review clause but I've set out what it could not contain, an expiry date or unilateral ability of the UK to withdraw on a hard border.

"It is a very good thing you're not leading these negotiations, you're too extreme, too uncompromising, too bullying - you would turn friends into enemies over the next few months."

Mr Varadkar also came under fire for suggesting the Opposition and media should pull on the 'green jersey' and unquestioningly support his Brexit strategy.

The Taoiseach's officials have been extremely critical of media coverage and Opposition TDs whenever they perceive their commentary it is not supportive of his government's stance.

However, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the Taoiseach is displaying an "intolerance of genuine criticism" of his Brexit plans.

"The prevalence of megaphone diplomacy and the over-hyping of the December agreement of last year has not helped," he said.

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin also said the Government has been "overly sensitive" to criticism on Brexit.

"Fine Gael wants Opposition parties to pull on the green jersey but its view of that is unquestioning support for its position," he said.Police are urging anyone with information to come forward (Joe Giddens/PA)

An elderly man is fighting for his life after being attacked and robbed in his own home, police have said.

The 98-year-old was discovered with multiple bruising to his body and a head injury at his home on Evesham Road, Enfield, north London on Tuesday morning.

He was taken to hospital in east London where he remains in a life threatening condition.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police believed there to have been a disturbance at the address and said a Toshiba television and other personal items were missing.

Pensioner, aged 98, fighting for life after being attacked and robbed in #Enfield home - the elderly man has sustained multiple bruising to his body and a head injury. If you have information contact Enfield CID via 101 https://t.co/x2ZDyrlwVl pic.twitter.com/f3qbNDrgL9  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 6, 2018

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley said on Tuesday evening: This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home. The level of violence used was completely excessive.

From our inquiries we have established that the victim was spoken to by a family member on the telephone on Monday, 5 November at 2pm and had not raised any concerns. We are therefore confident, the attack has taken place in the 20-hour window between then, possibly Bonfire Night, to when he was discovered.

I would urge any members of the public that may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, N11 to come forward to my investigation team as a priority.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Enfield CID via 101 quoting CAD 2140/6Nov.More than 90,000 Britons will die due to bugs resistant to treatment with antibiotics over the next three decades, estimates suggest.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that superbug infections will kill around 2.4 million people across Europe, North America and Australia by 2050 unless more is done to limit antibiotic resistance.

This includes around 1.3 million deaths across Europe.

The report estimates that 90,045 Britons will die over the next 30 years from infections which are resistant to treatment.

Simple measures such as hand washing and more prudent prescriptions of antibiotics could avert some of the deaths, the authors said.

Better hygiene, ending the over-prescription of antibiotics and enhancing rapid testing for patients to ensure they are being prescribed the right drugs are some of the measures that could overcome the threat, the OECD said.

Three out of four deaths could be averted by spending just two US dollars (1.50) per person a year, the OECD calculated.

A short-term investment would save money in the long run, they added, saying that dealing with antimicrobial resistance complications could cost up to 3.5 billion US dollars (2.6 billion) each year on average across the 33 countries included in the analysis.

Resistance is already high and projected to grow even more rapidly in low and middle-income countries.

Yet further evidence that investing to tackle the problem now will save lives and deliver big pay-offs in the futureTim Jinks

The report warns that southern Europe risks being particularly affected, with Italy, Greece and Portugal forecast to top the list of OECD countries with the highest mortality rates from antimicrobial resistance.

It adds that resistance to second and third-line antibiotics  used as back-ups to treat infections when common antibiotics do not work  is expected to grow over the coming decades.

The report comes after health officials in England launched a campaign to try to prevent people from asking for the drugs when they do not need them.

Public Health England said antibiotics are essential for treating serious bacterial infections but the drugs are frequently used to treat coughs, sore throats and ear aches, which usually get better without the medication.

The health bodys latest campaign reminds people that if they are feeling unwell, antibiotics arent always needed.

Tim Jinks, head of the Wellcome Trusts Drug-Resistant Infections Priority Programme, said: This new OECD report offers important insight into how simple, cost-effective surveillance, prevention and control methods could save lives globally.

Drug-resistant superbugs are on the rise worldwide and represent a fundamental threat to global health and development. This report provides yet further evidence that investing to tackle the problem now will save lives and deliver big pay-offs in the future.

PHE estimates that in 2015 there were 52,971 antibiotic-resistant infections and 2,172 deaths attributable to antibiotic-resistant infections.

Commenting on the OECD report, Dr Susan Hopkins, deputy director for PHEs National Infection Service, said: In order to tackle antibiotic resistance we need to preserve antibiotics for when we really need them.

We are calling on the public to join us in tackling antibiotic resistance by listening to your GP, pharmacist or nurses advice and only taking antibiotics when necessary.

We also need to drive down infections and we are committed to reducing infections in both community and hospital healthcare settings, and are working with front-line NHS staff, NHS England, NHS Improvement and the Department of Health and Social Care to do this.Official figures showed a 2.5% drop in the number of businesses operating in Scotland (Nick Ansell/PA)

A 2.5% drop in the number of private firms in Scotland spells trouble for both the economy and local communities, ministers have been warned.

Official figures showed that as of March 2018 there were an estimated 345,915 such businesses operating in Scotland  a drop of 8,830 (2.5%) on the previous year.

The number of unregistered firms  which have a turnover below the VAT threshold of 85,000 a year  fell by almost 5%, with 8,720 fewer businesses operating in 2018.

However, the number of businesses that are registered for both VAT and PAYE also decreased in the last 12 months, dropping by 105 to stand at 176,295.

That marked the first reduction in the number of private registered businesses since 2011, Scottish Government figures showed.

Almost all of the 345,915 private firms operating in Scotland were classed as small businesses, having up to 49 employees  with 98.2% of companies coming into this category.

Meanwhile, there were 3,925 medium-sized firms, employing between 50 and 249 people, and 2,380 large companies, with a workforce of 250 or more.

Small and medium-sized firms provided an estimated 1.2 million jobs across Scotland, according to the report, with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) describing these companies as a vital part of the fabric of Scotland.

To help these companies, the FSB called for a business regime that recognises the difference between multinationals and family firms but also said there should be a Brexit deal which benefits small companies.

FSB Scotland policy chair Andrew MacRae warned: A decline in the number of Scottish businesses spells trouble for our ambitions for our economy and our local communities.

He added: To tackle this problem, we need to see more people in Scotland choose to start up in business and develop a business environment which helps local firms thrive.

In the short term, we need to see a Brexit deal which works for smaller firms, not just key sectoral interests, and a Scottish budget which puts enterprise at its heart.

In the long term, we need a stronger start-up culture, as well as tax and regulatory systems which recognise the difference between multinationals and family firms.

He stated: These figures also underline just how important smaller businesses to the fabric of Scotland.

There are roughly three times as many Scots employed by these operators than work in the NHS and our local authorities combined. By giving smaller businesses the best chance to succeed, we can boost prospects for the country as a whole.

A Scottish Government spokeman said ministers were committed to helping businesses start up and grow.

He stated: Recent figures show the small business bonus scheme (SBBS) provided 254 million in rates relief to over 119,000 businesses in 2018-19  a 65% increase since 2008-09 with around 104,000 properties being in receipt of 100% SBBS over the period.

We accepted the recommendation of the Barclay Review to evaluate the small business bonus scheme and will announce the details in due course. Any findings will be addressed in time for the 2022 revaluation.

Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser blamed the fall in private firms on the SNPs anti-business attitude.

He said: Over the years weve heard plenty of warm words from the SNP about encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting those who set up their own businesses. But those words have come to nothing and these figures today show the situation is now going backwards.

This is all the consequence of an SNP government with an anti-business attitude.

Instead of helping people who want to take risks and go it alone with their business, the nationalists focus on hiking tax and punishing hard work. Its no wonder the number of private business has fallen as a result.

Labour finance spokesman James Kelly said: The SNP is presiding over an exodus of small businesses from Scotland.

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: Businesses can only grow and flourish if they can find the right talent. The Scottish Government needs to build a high-skill, high-wage economy by investing in people, transforming our education and skills system and making a stepchange in mental health.Ministers have been accused of unforgivable cowardice after it was revealed that experts hired to test cladding 12 days after the Grenfell Tower fire were banned from criticising Theresa May.

A contract signed with engineering firm WSP stated that it must not generate adverse publicity for the Cabinet Office or other Crown bodies, including the Prime Ministers office, the Times reported.

The Cabinet Office insisted the clause was a standard feature of contracts across the public and private sector and did not prevent people acting as whistle-blowers or raising concerns about policy.

But Labour politicians and campaigners reacted with fury.

Tottenham MP David Lammy accused Mrs May of trying to gag firms and charities in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy.

This shows unforgivable cowardice, he said. If you respected the 72 that died, you would have let firms follow the truth wherever it led.

.@theresa_may, why did you gag firms and charities from criticising you in these investigations that followed Grenfell fire?



This shows unforgivable cowardice. If you respected the 72 that died, you would have let firms follow the truth wherever it led.https://t.co/Y2RYDY1zkk  David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 6, 2018

The Grenfell United campaign group told the Times: The focus at every level of government must be to get to the truth about how and why Grenfell happened. No-one should be deterred from speaking out.

A wider investigation by the newspaper found that 40 charities and more than 300 companies had been blocked from publicly criticising the Government.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett said it was hypocritical because Mrs May had vowed to crack down on the use of non-disclosure agreements.

Civil society organisations are often best placed to speak out when government gets it wrong. When they cant, our democracy is worse off for it, he said.

The Conservatives seem to regard this as a fair price to avoid bad headlines, yet its public money that pays for it and its the public interest that suffers.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: Standard contracts in the public and the private sector contain provisions to protect the commercial interests of government and its suppliers in a reasonable way.

These contracts do not prevent individuals from campaigning on specific issues, acting as whistle-blowers or raising concerns about policy.

The Cabinet Office signed the deal with WSP to advise officials on whether cladding used by the government estate complied with building regulations on June 26 last year.

The contract, for 100,000 plus VAT, stated the company should make sure that neither it nor anyone working for it should embarrass or be in any way connected to material adverse publicity relating to the Cabinet Office or other Crown bodies.

A WSP spokesman told the Times: We helped the Cabinet Offices government property unit understand which types of cladding used across the UK Governments estate are unlikely to comply with building regulations so that the tragedy at Grenfell doesnt ever happen again.

Its vital that charities are able to criticise and provide feedback on government programmes and how they affect the people they work withSir Stuart Etherington, NCVO

Charities have also criticised the use of so-called gagging clauses and have sought clarity from Mrs May about their ability to speak out.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), said: Its vital that charities are able to criticise and provide feedback on government programmes and how they affect the people they work with.

Given the nature of their work, charities have real insight into how these policies are working in the real world. And they speak up for people who just arent heard in Whitehall.

This issue has rumbled on for some time and we are calling on the Government to provide absolute clarity about whether these clauses, in any way, should prevent charities from speaking out.

I have written today to the Prime Minister to ask her to confirm whether these clauses would prevent charities from publicly expressing concern about a particular policy or programme.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said: This is extremely concerning. When it comes to fire safety, there should always be full transparency, only then can we learn from the mistakes of the past.

The Grenfell Inquiry and immediate measures which need to be taken to ensure safety, should be a priority for this government. This gagging order prevents an honest discussion about the issues  the public have a right to know what is and is not safe.Wooden poppies in the Field of Remembrance at Cardiff Castle (Claire Hayhurst/PA)

More than 6,000 crosses and commemorative markers have been planted at Cardiff Castle to create a Field of Remembrance.

Each carries a personal message in memory of servicemen and women who died during the First World War and other conflicts.

The field was opened during a service attended by dignitaries including Carwyn Jones, the first minister of Wales, and Terry Whittles, national chairman of the Royal British Legion.

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It is one of six Royal British Legion Fields of Remembrance, with others in London, Belfast, Gateshead, Staffordshire and Royal Wootton Bassett.

There will be more than 100,000 tributes planted across the six sites, taking the form of a cross, Muslim Crescent, Star of David, Sikh Khanda, Hindu Om or a secular tribute.

Mr Whittles said the events are particularly significant this year with the centenary of the Armistice on Sunday.

It is also important that we remember those who were left behind, he said. In particular the women who worked in the factories and the mills, and that whole generation from the First World War who did so much for medicine, engineering and so on.

Thats why the Legion this year is asking people to not just remember those who died, but also those who helped throughout, including all the Commonwealth nations.

We have a thank you campaign in order to do that.

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Lance Corporal David Iveson, 32, from Cardiff, said he was very honoured to plant a cross in the field for his fallen friends.

L/Cpl Iveson was medically discharged from the Army after suffering back injuries when the vehicle he was travelling in hit a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2005.

To be able to plant a cross here is a great honour, he said.

Nigel Adams also attended the service, marking his first official engagement as UK Government minister for Wales.

In this centenary year it is more important than ever that we pause to think of every man and woman who has lived, fought and died defending our freedom, he said.The discovery of a mans body on a footpath has sparked a murder inquiry.

The body of 27-year-old Darren Sinclair was found by a member of the public in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow on Tuesday.

Police were called to the path near Kinfauns Drive at around 7.45am that day, where they cordoned off the area.

Officers had described the death as unexplained but confirmed they are now treating it as murder, following the results of a post-mortem examination.

They believe the answer to solving the crime lies in the local community, as they sought information on Mr Sinclairs last-known movements.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell, of Police Scotlands major investigation team, said: The family of Darren Sinclair have been left absolutely devastated by his death and it is vital that anyone with information which could help us provide them with answers comes forward.

I am convinced that the answer to this dreadful crime lies within the heart of the Drumchapel communityDetective Chief Inspector Mark Bell

At this stage we are looking to speak to anyone who has knowledge of Mr Sinclairs movements. He was last seen near to the Drumchapel Shopping Centre around 11.30pm on Monday evening and he was discovered shortly before 8am on Tuesday. Where was he during this time?

I am also appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Kinfauns Drive on Monday evening into Tuesday morning, and who may have seen or heard anything at all suspicious, to please get in touch.

The force said it is carrying out extensive inquiries, including examining CCTV footage and speaking to local residents and those connected to Mr Sinclair.

Mr Bell continued: No matter how insignificant you think your information may be, let us be the judge of that, as even the slightest detail could help us form a picture of the circumstances surrounding Mr Sinclairs death.

I am convinced that the answer to this dreadful crime lies within the heart of the Drumchapel community. It is imperative that members of the public come forward and provide us with the information we need to find answers for Mr Sinclairs family.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the team on the 101 number, quoting incident number 0602 from Tuesday.

The incident room can also be contacted on 0141 305 4550, while Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.FILE  In this April 11, 2018, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election and data privacy. Facebook Inc. reports earnings Tuesday, Oct. 30. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Politicians from around the world have joined Britain in calling for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to answer questions about his platforms role in the spread of disinformation and fake news.

Senior figures from Australia, Ireland and Argentina have come together after Facebook refused the request from the UK and Canada for Mr Zuckerberg to appear before an international grand committee on the subject scheduled for November 27.

Damian Collins, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said Mr Zuckerbergs response is not good enough.

By dismissing our request, Facebook is failing to acknowledge its line of accountability not only to legislators, but to its users worldwide.

There remain serious questions to be answered about what measures Facebook is taking now to halt the spread of disinformation on its platform and protection for user data.

Facebook say that they remain committed" to working with our committees "to provide any additional relevant information" that we require. Yet they offer no means of doing this. The call for accountability is growing, with representatives from 5 parliaments now meeting on the 27th pic.twitter.com/VJFtpqUi0r  Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) November 7, 2018

In declining the initial request, sent on October 31, Facebook UKs head of public policy Rebecca Stimson said the company will continue to co-operate fully with relevant regulators.

She wrote: As your letter states, it is not possible for Mr Zuckerberg to be available to all parliaments.

While he is unable to accept your invitation we continue to fully recognise the seriousness of these issues and remain committed to working with you to provide any additional relevant information you require for your respective inquiries.

Facebook has grappled with a string of scandals in recent years as evidence has emerged of political actors using the network to influence voters around the world.

The social media giant was fined 500,000 by the Information Commissioners Office in July, the maximum fine possible, for failing to protect millions of users personal information which ended up in the hands of controversial election consultants Cambridge Analytica.

A week later the Electoral Commission fined Brexit campaign groups Vote Leave and BeLeave, and referred them to police for breaches in campaign spending centred around political advertising on Facebook.

This year, the company also released details of inauthentic co-ordinated activity on the platform originating from Russia and Iran which targeted British and American politics.

Taking Down Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior from Iran https://t.co/taM2znMTN1  Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) October 26, 2018

The new letter said: You appeared before committees of the US Congress and Senate, as well as the European Parliament.

As the chairs of the relevant committees in the UK, Canadian, Australian, Argentinian and Irish parliaments, we believe that you owe Facebook users in our countries the same line of accountability.

Mr Collins and Bob Zimmer, chairman of the Canadian parliaments committee on access to information, are joined in the letter by Leopoldo Moreau, president of the committee on freedom of expression of the chamber of deputies in Argentina, James McGrath, chairman of the joint standing committee on electoral matters in Australia, and Hildegarde Naughton, head of the joint committee on communications, climate action and environment in Ireland.

They have given Mr Zuckerberg until November 12 to respond.

Mr Collins said: Mark Zuckerberg has set himself the personal challenge of fixing Facebook this year to prevent its misuse in our democratic process.

By being unwilling to face questions about his progress, doubts about his ability to do so remain.The African Development Bank granted Morocco a 75 million loan to help expand and develop Rabat airport into a regional hub.

The loan will help expand the airport and acquire new equipment that will enable it to meet international standards as it seeks a larger chunk in regional air traffic, AfDB said in a statement.

The project includes the construction of a new terminal covering a surface area of 62,000 m and the supply and installation of equipment: boarding bridges, baggage handling systems, signaling and information systems, public-address systems, airport furnishings.

The loan is also meant to back efforts aiming at quadrupling the passenger and freight capacity at the airport.

Once complete, the different component of this extension project will facilitate the processing of an estimated 4 million passengers expected by 2040.The Scottish Parliament has backed holding a public vote on the final terms of the Brexit deal.

Holyrood voted 66 to 28 in favour of a Peoples Vote after it was put forward in a Liberal Democrat amendment to a government motion during a chamber debate on the Brexit threat to international scientific research in Scotland.

The SNP and Greens backed the Lib Dems in the face of Conservative opposition and 21 MSPs abstained.

This Parliament should speak for our university and research sector, and all the people who work in it, and we should give them a right to a vote on it in the futureMSP Tavish Scott

Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott, who tabled the motion, highlighted many in Scotlands higher education sector want a right to vote, including the 23 senior figures from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and St Andrews universities who signed an open letter warning of the consequences of Brexit and calling for a Peoples Vote.

He said: There appears no obvious upside to dragging the UK and Scotlands higher education sector out of the EU, that is why so many in this sector want a right to vote on whatever cobbled-up negotiation appears out of London and Brussels.

This Parliament should speak for our university and research sector, and all the people who work in it, and we should give them a right to a vote on it in the future.

Higher education minister Richard Lochhead said he had heard of higher education staff being left in tears and considering leaving the UK over Brexit, and about universities hiring immigration lawyers.

He said: In Scotland, a country that voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, we should be resolutely focused on attracting the best minds in Europe to work and study here to help us build a successful, prosperous nation, but instead, thanks to the actions of others, we face the prospect of a Brexit brain drain.

We have to stand together and stop that happening.

Scottish Green education spokesman Ross Green added: Were fast running out of time but here is a window in which we can avoid this nonsense and reverse the damage already done. I hope we can seize it.

Tonight the Scottish Parliament has voted 66-28 in favour of a #PeoplesVote. Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe against the clear public will, and the case is growing for this final chance to stop the mess and cancel Brexit.  Patrick Harvie  (@patrickharvie) November 7, 2018

Labours Iain Gray said Brexit has been a chaotic and catastrophic process, and urged the final deal must achieve as close a relationship as possible with the EU.

Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell accused the Lib Dems of having a somewhat obsessive wish to hold another referendum.

We believe that this matter has already been settled and that the best Brexit deal will now be secured by ensuring co-operation across all the parties with everyone doing what they can to support the prime minister as she seeks to build a consensus, he added.

The fundamental climate in which our country operates internationally is going to change, but we have to remember that at the end of the day, thats what the British people as a majority voted for and the job of the UK Government is to try and balance out those different priorities.A record number of women have been elected to the US house of representatives, nearly two years after women took to the streets across America in protest over the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The incoming class of legislators could have a stark impact on politics in the nations capital, particularly within the Democratic Party, after a midterm election that was widely seen as a referendum on Mr Trumps first term.

Voters are on track to send at least 99 women to the house, surpassing the previous record of 84. According to data compiled by The Associated Press, 237 women ran for the house as major-party candidates this year.

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Among the new representatives headed to the house is Jennifer Wexton, a Virginia state senator who defeated incumbent Barbara Comstock in one of the most closely-watched races across the country.

And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the former Bernie Sanders organiser who won a shock primary victory over a senior house Democrat, will also head to congress.

The election day gains by women capped a midterm election which has been defined by the energy of women, both on the political left and right.

Women not only ran for office at an unprecedented rate, with several defeating white, male incumbents during their party primaries. They mobilised on the grassroots level, and played larger roles as donors than in previous election cycles.

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There was also a historic gender gap that showed women more supportive of Democrats than Republicans. According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favour of their congressional Democratic candidate. About six in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with four in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more evenly divided in their vote.

In victory speeches across the country, women acknowledged it has been a ground-breaking year.

Ayanna Pressley, who became the first black woman elected to US congress from Massachusetts, said: I am so honoured to share both the ballot and the stage with the many visionary, bold women who have raised their hand to run for public office.

Now, listen, I know for a fact none of us ran to make history  we ran to make change. However, the historical significance of this evening is not lost on me. The significance of history is not lost on me, including my personal one.

Former health and human services secretary Donna Shalala acknowledged that both of her opponents in the race for a house seat from Florida were women.

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She said: This is the year of the woman, and the fact that women were willing to put themselves on the line is important, whether theyve been Republicans or Democrats.

This year, women not only increased their numbers in congress, but the new class of representatives includes women from a wide patchwork of backgrounds, adding to a legislature that is expected to be more diverse.

This isnt just the year of the woman, this is the year of every woman, said Cecile Richards, who served as the president of Planned Parenthood for more than a decade, noting the ground-breaking diversity among the women who have run for office this year.

Texas is set to send its first Hispanic women to congress, as Democrats Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia both won their races. In Kansas, Sharice Davids, a Democrat running in a suburban Kansas City district, will become one of the first Native American women elected to congress, and the first openly LGBT person to represent Kansas at the federal level.

Polls close in 1 minute.



I am so thankful for every single person who contributed, amplified, and worked to establish this movement.



Never forget the hard work it took to get us here. No matter what happens, this is what it takes.



: @jose___a pic.twitter.com/b32yavKPF5  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 7, 2018

Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the Democrats who is considering a shot at the 2020 presidential race, said that the two years since Mr Trump ascended to the White House had ushered a new generation of women into public life.

Women who had never run for anything stepped up to put their names on the ballot, she said.

They ignored the party bosses who said they should wait their turn. They ignored the consultants who said they should cover up their tattoos and smile more, and they ignored the powerful men of the Republican Party who never took them seriously anyway.

They refused to let anyone shut them up or stand in their way, and that is how real change begins.Democrats have won a majority in the US House of Representatives, gaining the power to investigate President Donald Trump and help shape Americas political agenda for the next two years.

The party picked up at least two dozen House seats in the American midterm elections, capturing the 218 needed to break the Republicans eight-year hold on the legislature that began with the Tea Party revolt of 2010.

While Republicans retained control of the US Senate, the Democratic win in the House ends the Republican monopoly on power in Washington and opens a new era of divided government.

Democratic candidates flipped seats in a host of suburban districts outside Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver, including many that were won by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential poll.

Democrats also made inroads in Trump country, winning several races dominated by white working-class voters.

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As the majority party, the Democrats will chair powerful committees and have subpoena power to seek Mr Trumps tax returns and more aggressively investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, as well as possible collusion by the Trump campaign.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called it a new day in America.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of ugly rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, healthcare and the role of US Congress in overseeing the president.

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Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, but the Republicans hold on power was further weakened by an unusually large number of retirements as well as infighting between conservatives and centrists over their allegiance to Mr Trump.

The Democrats, in turn, benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities  many of them motivated by revulsion over Mr Trumps presidency.

As the results came in, voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the previous record of 84.

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In trying to stem Republican losses, Donald Trump made only passing reference to his 1.5 trillion-dollar (1.14 trillion) tax cut  the Republican-controlled Congress signature achievement  and instead barnstormed through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark warnings.

He predicted an invasion from the migrant caravan making its way through Mexico towards the US and decried the radical agenda of speaker-in-waiting Ms Pelosi.

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Mr Trump also took little responsibility for the House, saying his focus was on saving the Senate.

On Tuesday night, he called to congratulate Ms Pelosi and acknowledged her plea for bipartisanship.

Healthcare and immigration were high on voters minds as they cast ballots, according to a ranging survey of the American electorate conducted by The Associated Press. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Mr Trump a factor in their votes.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while Republican congressman Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in another district.

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In the suburbs outside the nations capital, Virginia representative Barbara Comstock  branded Barbara Trumpstock by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator.

Outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time Tea Party favourite Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the Republican vote to gut the Affordable Care Act.

Pennsylvania was particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play.

Democratic favourite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

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In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a Republican incumbent to become one of two Native American women  alongside Deb Haaland of New Mexico  elected to the House. Ms Davids is also openly gay.

Democrats welcomed other firsts, including two Muslim-American women, Rhasida Tlaib of Michigan and Minnesotas Ilhan Oman, who is also the first Somali-American elected to US Congress. The Republican side of the aisle elected mostly white men.

In Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term representative Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Republicans had expected the partys tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the east and west coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.The West Wing of the White House (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Democrats seized the House majority from Republicans in midterm US elections but the blue wave did not reach the Senate where President Donald Trumps party gained ground while some key state governorships remained in the red column.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Mr Trumps young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in Americas evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nations suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion.

Working class voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

However, the new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Partys dominance in Washington for the final two years of Mr Trumps first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

The presidents party will maintain control of the executive and judicial branches of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Mr Trumps personal and professional missteps and his long-withheld tax returns.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

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It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillums bid to become the states first African-American governor.

The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape US politics for years to come.

Republican successes were fuelled by a coalition thats decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees.

Democrats relied more upon women, black voters, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Women won at least 85 seats in the House, a record.

The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

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Three candidates had hoped to become their states first African-American governors, although just one, Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, was still in the running.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Tonight, we reaffirm what makes Colorado the amazing state that it is.



Here, we dream, we dare, and we do. We embrace big ideas and we work sun-up to sundown to make them realities. We see the highest mountains and we climb them. We face the tough decisions and we solve them. pic.twitter.com/s5TgypKQs5  Jared Polis (@PolisForCO) November 7, 2018

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their blue wall Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016.

Democrats gained seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver.

Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former president Barack Obama and Mr Trump.

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The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a Republican incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House.

But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Representative Andy Barr.

Mr Trump sought to take credit for retaining the Republican Senate majority, even as the partys foothold in the House was slipping.

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Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! Mr Trump tweeted.

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate.

The presidents party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

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In Texas, Senator Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.

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Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one in four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Overall, six in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good.

Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Mr Trump was a reason for their vote.

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The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Several television networks, including the presidents favourite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Mr Trumps most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Mr Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws.

"And lets make sure nobody re-writes history: This resistance began with women and its being led by women tonight." https://t.co/Nl102zgibz  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 7, 2018

He served as vice chairman of Mr Trumps now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40% by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era.

Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were five points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

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Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

A handful of others played key roles in their parties midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided.

They included New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, California Senator Kamala Harris, former New York City mayor Tom Steyer and former vice president Joe Biden.

Ms Warren said: This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight.President Donald Trump took a buoyant view of midterm elections that saw his Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives.

His party kept control of the Senate and won some key state governor races, enabling the president to put a positive gloss on the results.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! Mr Trump tweeted late Tuesday after staying quiet for much of election night.

Early on Wednesday, Mr Trump added: Now we can all get back to work and get things done!

Mr Trump was expected to further address the results at a White House news conference later on Wednesday.

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Mr Trump called House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, a conversation that her office said included congratulations and a nod to her pitch for bipartisanship.

That call did not stop him from getting his digs in a Wednesday tweet, saying: Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well. Those that did not, say goodbye! Yesterday was such a very Big Win, and all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!

Mr Trump also congratulated the new governor-elect of Florida Ron DeSantis, who fended off a challenge from the Democrats.

The president returned to one of his favourite themes in an attack on the media reporting of the midterms.

He tweeted: To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words  FAKE NEWS!Jewish students in Berlin have marked the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night Of Broken Glass, when Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

Some 30 students from the Jewish Traditional School lit candles and recited prayers at their school as Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal urged them to jointly overcome Germanys past by building a secure future for Jews in the country.

This is the city where the Holocaust was planned and executed from, said Mr Teichtal, a community rabbi and the head of the Jewish outreach group Chabad in the German capital.

Yad Vashems new online exhibition marking 80 years to Kristallnacht explores the moving personal stories of those who endured #Kristallnacht through artifacts and video testimonies https://t.co/7KvceBobQo pic.twitter.com/FfPYz7JmF0  Yad Vashem (@yadvashem) November 5, 2018

What better answer is there than that in this very city the students of the Jewish school from Berlin should jointly pray and light candles showing that the answer to darkness and the evil of the past is to create education for the present and the future, he said.

Eighty years ago this week, on November 9 1938, the Nazis killed at least 91 people, burned down hundreds of synagogues, vandalised and looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and arrested up to 30,000 Jewish men, many of whom were taken to concentration camps.

On Wednesday, students assembled under a maple tree in front of their school building.

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They prayed in Hebrew and German and lit six white candles to commemorate the synagogues that were burned down, as well as the six million who perished in the Holocaust.

I lost a big part of my family  my great-grandparents, their siblings, and therefore it is all very special for me, said 15-year-old student Clara Eljaschewitsch.

It is sad  I think a lot about it.

Kristallnacht, which got its name for the shattered glass from Jewish-owned store windows that covered German streets, is often referred to as the beginning of the Holocaust, but it would still be years before the Nazis formally adopted their Final Solution for the Jews of Europe, which would evolve into a policy of mass murder.The Kremlin has said Russia and the United States have agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid diverting attention from weekend commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the First World Wars end.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump expect to see each other briefly but will not have a full-scale meeting during the centenary Armistice Day events, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.

Mr Ushakov said France conveyed concern that a Putin-Trump summit would steal the limelight from the Paris observances.

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Officials from the US and Russia decided to delay the meeting until the end of the month, when both leaders expect to attend a Group of 20 summit in Argentina.

Mr Trump said on Monday he probably would not be meeting with Mr Putin in Paris, but will meet with him during the G20.

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When US National Security Adviser John Bolton visited Moscow last month, he and Russian officials also talked about the presidents visiting each others countries, according to Mr Ushakov.

A possible exchange of visits to Moscow and Washington was discussed, but there was no specific talk about the issue yet, he added.

Mr Bolton said last month that Mr Putin was invited to visit Washington next year, but a date had not been set.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was supposed to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A senior North Korean envoys meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been delayed, throwing already deadlocked diplomacy over the Norths nuclear weapons into further uncertainty.

The State Department said in a short statement on Wednesday that officials would meet later when our respective schedules permit.

It offered no reason, and the Norths propaganda services had not mentioned the meeting.

After last years fears of war, North Korea and the United States are trying to revive stalled diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons.

There was much talk of the possibility of success following a meeting in June between president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but in the months since there has been little to quiet sceptics who believe the North will never give up weapons it has described as necessary to counter a hostile Washington.

Mr Pompeo was supposed to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol.

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South Koreas presidential office said the government will later announce its stance over the postponed meeting.

The US State Department earlier said that the top US envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, was to join Mr Pompeo and Mr Kim to discuss how to get to what it calls achieving the final, fully verified denuclearisation of North Korea.

Last Friday, North Koreas Foreign Ministry criticised the US for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

The North Korean statement warned North Korea could bring back Kim Jong Uns trademark byongjin policy of simultaneously advancing its nuclear force and its economic development if the United States does not change its stance.

The North stopped short of threatening to abandon ongoing nuclear negotiations with Washington.Morocco reiterated its stand in favor of giving the primacy to the UN Security Council in matters relating to peace keeping and conflict prevention at an African union reform summit.

Morocco made it clear that the UN charter as well as the AUs peace and security committee clearly state that the UN Security Council is the body in charge of conflict resolution and management, said Moroccos ambassador Mohammed Arrouchi at the 11th African Union (AU) extraordinary summit.

By the past, Morocco has repeatedly criticized that the Peace and Security Committee has often been manipulated by Algeria to serve the separatist cause in the Moroccan Sahara.

Since its return to the African Union in December 2017, Morocco has been coordinating sands with African democratic and friendly states such as Rwanda to push for a reform of the AUs institutions in a way that is conducive to addressing the challenges facing the continent.

Morocco has indeed been reaping the benefits of its return to its African institutional family, which has been gradually remedying its past biases in the Sahara issue by affirming that the UN is the sole body that can lead talks for a solution, while calling on Algeria and Mauritania to contribute to find a lasting settlement to the regional dispute.

Last July, Chairperson of AUs commission Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a report stressing the preeminence of Moroccos autonomy initiative as a solution to the four-decade conflict.

The report highlights the need for the African Union to adopt a stance that backs the efforts led by the UN. This means AU has to give up its parallel processes on the issue.

Recommendation 12N of the report highlights that the role of the AU is to support UN efforts and the UN Secretary Generals Personal Envoy.

The terminology used by the Chairperson of the AU Commission in referring to the Sahara conflict stands in stark contrast to the subjective way the Sahara issue was tackled by his South African Predecessor Dlamini Zuma, who turned the AU into an enemy of Moroccos territorial integrity.

Moroccos election to the Peace and Security Council further strengthens the Kingdoms stance at the Continental organization. The Council is the supreme decision making body on peace and security issues and has been chaired by Algeria since its creation.US president Donald Trumps Republicans seized victory in Indianas high-profile Senate contest, defeating Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly and making the Democrats narrow path to a Senate majority ever slimmer.

Mr Trump-backed businessman Mike Brauns win came as Republicans clung to delicate majorities in the House and Senate, and an anxious nation watched to see whether voters would reward or reject the party in the first nationwide election of Mr Trumps turbulent presidency.

With control of Congress and statehouses across the nation at stake, many of the nations top elections were too close to call.

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Democrats won contested House races in Florida and Virginia, while a Republican beat back an aggressive challenge in Kentucky.

In the leadup to the election, anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away.

The GOPs grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

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Everything we have achieved is at stake, Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested election.

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More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the US House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive while Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

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Democrats could derail Mr Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate.

The party were most optimistic about the House, a sprawling battlefield set largely in Americas suburbs where more educated and affluent voters in both parties have soured on Mr Trumps turbulent presidency, despite the strength of the national economy.

Democrats faced a far more difficult challenge in the Senate, where they were almost exclusively on defence in rural states where Mr Trump remains popular.

Democratic Senate incumbents were up for re-election, for example, in North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri  states Trump carried by almost 25% on average two years ago.

Three states could elect their first African-American governors, while several others were running LGBT candidates and Muslims. A record number of women were running for Senate, House, governorships and state legislative seats.French security agents have arrested six people on suspicion of plotting to attack President Emmanuel Macron, according to a judicial official.

Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation of alleged criminal terrorist association, the official said.

Intelligence agents detained the six suspects in three scattered regions: one in the Alps, another in Brittany and four near the Belgian border in Moselle, the official added.

The alleged plan to target the French president appeared to be vague and unfinished but violent, the official said.

Authorities said the six were aged between 22 and 62 and included one woman.

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Interior minister Christophe Castaner told reporters they are believed to be far-right activists.

Authorities feared concrete threats from the group, Mr Castaner said.

French presidents have been targeted several times over the decades.

In 2002, a far-right sympathiser tried to attack Jacques Chirac on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris during Bastille Day celebrations.

Mr Macron was in the north-eastern French city of Verdun on Tuesday as part of centenary commemorations for the end of the First World War.

The alleged plot was uncovered days before US President Donald Trump and dozens of other world leaders are due in France for weekend observances marking the signing 100 years ago of the November 11 armistice that ended the First World War.Investigators in masks examine an ambulance after the Skripal poisoning (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Trump administration has said it is consulting with Congress about placing additional sanctions on Russia over the nerve agent poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

The State Department said Russia had failed to meet a 90-day deadline that fell on Tuesday to comply with a 1991 US law on preventing the use of chemical weapons.

The United States and its allies have accused the Russian government of involvement in the Novichok attack in March on Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

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The State Department announced in August that Russia had violated the chemicals law in the Skripal case.

Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the agency will now consult with Congress on what fresh sanctions it will impose.

Russia strongly denies it was behind the attack, which was also linked to the death of Dawn Sturgess in nearby Amesbury in July after she and her partner Charlie Rowley were exposed to the nerve agent. Mr Rowley survived.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the time Russia was deeply concerned about the incident  but said accusations that it was involved are absurd.Pro-Brexit demonstrators at Westminster in 2016. Support for leaving the union has diminished in the two years since the referendum

According to a new poll for Channel Four, a majority of people in the UK would now vote Remain rather than Leave.

Of course, it's not quite as straightforward as that. The survey does not show what the result would be in a second referendum, only the current state of play before any campaign begins.

In the two years leading up to the first referendum in 2016 only a tiny fraction of opinion polls ever showed Leave to be ahead of Remain.

Leave supporters would simply be starting any new campaign roughly where they were before the last one, which, after months of scaremongering about planes not flying and food and vital medicines running out within days of a 'no-deal' scenario, really isn't that bad at all.

What's much more interesting from a Northern Ireland point of view is what the poll - unveiled on Monday evening's special programme Brexit: What The Nation Really Thinks - says has happened to opinion here since the 2016 referendum.

Across the whole of the UK, suggest pollsters Survation, who conducted the latest research, there's been a six-point shift from Leave to Remain. In some areas the swing is in double figures.

Wales has apparently gone over to Remain. Cornwall and Devon, where struggling fishermen said 'no' to the EU in 2016, has changed its mind.

Even some of those solidly working class heartlands in the North East have seemingly fallen out of love with Brexit too.

In Northern Ireland support for Leave has dropped by a mere two percentage points. When votes were counted two years ago, 56% of voters on this side of the Irish Sea were for Remain and 44% for Leave.

Current support for Leave here now stands at 42% per cent. In polling terms, that is a drop in the ocean. It's within the margin of error. It could well be that opinion hasn't shifted at all.

That's quite remarkable considering that negotiations around Brexit have become bogged down in rows over the Irish border, and that dire warnings have been issued about what will happen if a hard border returns.

Some of those prophecies have been practically apocalyptic. Senator Neale Richmond, chair of the Irish parliament's Brexit committee, told an interviewer last month that if there was a hard border "there'll be a return to violence within a week".

More senior politicians have also joined the chorus of gloom. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar actually went to a Brussels summit dinner recently bearing a copy of a newspaper report into the 1972 bombing of a Newry customs post, which left six innocent victims and three IRA volunteers dead. He said it was to "show how far we have come in 30 years, from violence to peace". Others suspected it was a headline-grabbing stunt.

Either way, it seems that Leave voters in Northern Ireland are unconvinced by this deluge of doom-mongering. Or, more likely still, that they're seriously ticked off at it, not least by the cynical implication that they would be responsible for the return of violence post-Brexit.

It's hard to think of anything more offensive than blaming victims, indirectly or otherwise, for whatever harm might be inflicted upon them by terrorists merely for expecting a democratic referendum result to be upheld, yet this is what's happened repeatedly. As such, the Taoiseach and his Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney should examine this poll, and their own role in shaping opinion here very closely.

It's not simply that the swing from Leave to Remain is just one third as strong here as it is nationally in the rest of the UK. Channel Four's data also shows that the largest swing against Brexit has been among groups which, back in 2016, were most strongly for it.

In Northern Ireland that group consists largely of unionists, two-thirds of whom voted to leave the EU. Varadkar and Coveney should have been more aware from the start that, when they were whining about Brexit, they were also haranguing those people. London has toned down the traditional condescension when it comes to Irish nationalists, recognising that, historically, it's not been a winning strategy.

The current government in Dublin still seems unable to grasp that talking down to unionists is not a good look either, and is unlikely to win them many friends. That the Leave vote in Northern Ireland is, relative to the UK as a whole, holding up surprisingly well may be their handiwork.

Ever since coming into office Leo and Simon have banged the nationalist drum, possibly with an eye on wooing Sinn Fein into coalition after the next election. Brexit has simply become another issue on which the two parties are conducting a coquettish love-in. Despite being supposedly eurosceptic right up until the moment Britain voted to leave the EU, Sinn Fein is gleefully exploiting difficulties in talks in Brussels, urging the Taoiseach to "stand firm" against the British Brexit Secretary's position that any backstop arrangement at the border must be time-limited.

Irish republicans and the Irish Government have increasingly come to be seen as speaking with one voice. It shouldn't be a surprise that unionists in this latest poll have given two fingers to such posturing. It's impossible to plot so relentlessly to undermine Brexit without that coming across as being targeted at one community.

Unionists would be foolish to allow their position on future EU relationships to be dictated by the inexperienced Varadkar's partisan bungling. Brexit does pose dangers to the Union which it would be reckless to ignore.

The long-term survival of Northern Ireland as part of the UK depends upon securing the goodwill of Irish nationalists who, rightly or wrongly, think their identity and rights are better protected under the wide umbrella of the EU, and approximately 90% of whom voted to Remain.

Europe's suggestion that Northern Ireland stays within the customs union, whilst the rest of the UK goes its merry way, is obviously anathema to unionists, but, by also backing hard Brexiteers' resistance to the whole of the UK staying closely tied to the EU, the DUP has backed itself into a corner. A softer Brexit for all the home nations might stick in their craws, but could ultimately be in unionists' best interests.

Mostly, though, it's Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney who need to heed the message in the Channel Four poll. It's quite a feat that they have helped to stall the UK-wide swing to Remain in the one area of the country which may be worst affected by Brexit.Those of us of a certain age will remember that day at Windsor Park in 1967 when George Best reminded the world that he was one of the best players ever to stride onto a pitch. Dubbed the match in which Best beat Scotland on his own, a rarely seen momento of that game will make an appearance this weekend. George had given the shirt to a young patient in hospital in Belfast, who has treasured it ever since.

Now he has loaned it to a worthwhile charity sending local children to Lapland. It will go on display with other Best memorabilia to raise money for the trip.

Hopefully the charity, like George, will reach its goal.The reaction by Sinn Fein to the arrest and remand of John Downey in relation to the murder of two UDR soldiers in 1972 is yet another indication of the complexities of dealing with the past

The reaction by Sinn Fein to the arrest and remand of John Downey in relation to the murder of two UDR soldiers in 1972 is yet another indication of the complexities of dealing with the past.

A leading member of the republican party, Gerry Kelly, described the arrest as vindictive and in bad faith. He also said Mr Downey has been a strong supporter of the peace process, as if that was sufficient to prevent him, or anyone else, being investigated for a serious crime.

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Mr Downey is deemed to be an entirely innocent man unless a court determines otherwise and his detention on the back of an European Arrest Warrant should not be seen as any indication of guilt.

But Mr Kelly's comments indicate the difficulty Sinn Fein has in trying to change its image as a party in hoc to hardline republicans. Just last week, party president Mary Lou McDonald described her meeting with the new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris as positive and productive.

At that meeting she had pressed for gardai to investigate the Dublin/Monaghan bombings and killings, which involved suspected collusion between terrorists and state forces in Northern Ireland.

How can the party call for the investigation of some crimes, while protesting vehemently when it is a republican involved?

Many will see Mr Kelly's comments as asserting traditional republican views, while the party is attempting to create a more moderate, modern image in the Republic.

If police are to pursue historic crimes they must be permitted to pursue all crimes where there is an evidence trail. Most people, especially the bereaved, will agree with DUP leader Arlene Foster, who says that people who deliberately took life should be held accountable for their actions.

It is difficult to believe Sinn Fein's assertions that it would co-operate in any future truth and reconciliation process, when it obviously believes that fellow republicans should not be investigated.

Also, how can the party deny that the relatives of the two UDR men killed in 1972 should be denied a potential opportunity to learn more about their relatives' deaths?

Addressing the legacy of the past cannot be a partial process if it is to have any credibility.

All the evidence must be sifted, weighed and followed to its natural conclusion, be that in an arrest and prosecution, or filed away as insufficient.King Mohammed VI held Wednesday in Rabat a meeting with Head of the Government Saad eddine El Othmani and Minister of Health Anas Doukkali on progress made in improving the health system in Morocco through the implementation of the strategies outlined by the Sovereign in recent speeches.

In the Throne Day Speech (July 29) as well as in the inaugural speech of the Parliament fall session (Oct.13), the King had stressed, among others, the need to tackle the dysfunctions marring the health coverage program RAMED and to undertake, concurrently, a thorough review of the national health system, which is characterized by blatant disparities and poor management.

During the Wednesday meeting, the Sovereign was briefed on the first actions envisaged by the government to implement the strategies recommended, with emphasis on the need to remedy the shortcomings of the RAMED medical coverage program and to overhaul the national health system. He was also informed of the first conclusions of the inter-ministerial technical commission set up for this purpose, the Royal Office said in a statement.

Despite the constant growth of the number of beneficiaries, the RAMED program, generalized in 2012, faces several constraints and shortcomings that limit its effectiveness and its ability to meet the needs of the targeted social layers, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable people, the statement said.

Moreover, despite the efforts made, citizens continue to suffer from the many weaknesses of the health system, particularly in terms of inequity in medical care at the territorial level, the quality of the health service provided as well as medical and paramedical follow-up.

The King gave instructions to continue the reflection on the various reform scenarios under consideration, in coordination with the departments and organizations concerned, primarily the ministries of the Interior and Economy & Finance.

King Mohammed VI renewed on this occasion his resolve to see to it that the efficiency of this vital sector be upgraded, its functioning enhanced and the quality of health services improved quickly, the royal office statement said.

The aim, it added, is that citizens start perceiving concrete improvements as soon as the action plan currently being developed is implemented.Investigators examine engine parts recovered from the crash of a Lion Air jetliner at a port in Jakarta, Nov. 6, 2018.

Updated at 4:32 p.m. on 2018-11-7

American plane maker Boeing has sent airlines an advisory after Indonesian transportation safety officials notified the company about a problem with a sensor on a Lion Air 737 Max 8 that crashed off West Java last week.

Boeing manufactures the Max 8 model, which first entered commercial service last year. But problems with a faulty sensor on the new Lion Air plane did not go away after it was discovered and fixed ahead of a flight the night before it crashed into the Java Sea, Indonesian officials said Wednesday.

The plane had shown erroneous inputs from one of its angle of attack (AOA) sensors during a flight from Bali to Jakarta on Oct. 28 that immediately preceded its doomed flight the next morning, officials said.

There are indications that the replacement of the AOA did not resolve the problems, but may have instead worsened them, Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator with Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), told a news conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. Was it fatal? Thats what we are looking into.

Its not only about the component but how it was installed, he said. Was it done correctly?

Even though the faulty AOA sensor was replaced before the plane took off from Bali to Jakarta, the problem persisted during the Lion Air flight JT 610, Nurcahyo said.

The plane crashed minutes after taking off from Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International Airport en route to Pangkal Pinang, in the Bangka-Belitung islands off Sumatra. The pilot had radioed the tower a request to return to the airport shortly before the jet crashed, officials said. All 189 people on board were presumably killed.

Boeing said the AOA is the angle between the oncoming air or relative wind and a reference line on the airplane or wing.

In response to the finding by Indonesian crash investigators, Boeing issued a bulletin directing operators to existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor, said a statement posted on the companys website.

Separately, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent out a statement saying it planned to issue an airworthiness directive in connection with Boeings bulletin.

Boeing has released a Flight Crew Operations Manual Bulleting regarding the potential for erroneous angle of attack inputs on 737 Max aircraft, the FAA said Wednesday in a message posted on Twitter.

The FAA has alerted affected domestic carriers and foreign airworthiness authorities who oversee air carriers that use the 737 Max of the agencys forthcoming action, the agency added.

On its website, Boeing said the 737 Max is the companys fastest-selling aircraft in its history. The aircraft maker said it had received 4,700 orders from 100 customers worldwide.

Nurcahyo, the Indonesian air crash investigator, said the manner in which the pilots responded to the problem on the Bali-Jakarta flight would be among recommendations submitted to Boeing and that would be shared with airlines, so other pilots could take similar action should such a situation arise again.

Indonesian investigators, who have been assisted by experts from Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), previously said data from the aircrafts recovered flight recorder had revealed speed indicator malfunctions on its last four flights.

Nurcahyo said KNKT had recommended actions to be taken by Boeing.

The draft has been submitted and we have agreed to publish it immediately regarding the existence of a new procedure, he said.

The replaced AOA sensor would also be sent to a factory in Chicago that manufactured the device for inspection, the Indonesian investigator said.

Weak signal

Meanwhile, search teams continued to scour the crash site in the Java Sea for the missing cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which records conversations between the pilots and air traffic control.

Nurcahyo said a ping signal had been detected but it was very weak.

Probably because it is buried in thick mud, he said.

The search has been complicated by the existence of an oil pipeline on the sea bed, officials said.

Muhammad Syaugi, the head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), said the search operation had been extended for another three days, and it would consist of 220 personnel from the agency, including 60 divers, as well as four ships.

At least 186 bags of body parts have been handed over to the police for identification, but only 44 victims of the crash have been identified, said Asep Winardi, the head of disaster victim identification with Jakarta police.

Last weeks crash was the second deadly accident in 14 years involving a plane from budget carrier Lion Air.



In 2004, an MD-82 from its fleet overshot the runway of the airport in Solo, Central Java. It crashed into a cemetery, killing 25 people.

Nine years later, a Lion Air Boeing 737 carrying more than 100 people crashed into the sea while trying to land on Bali island, nearly splitting the fuselage into two. There were no fatalities.Kim Jong Nam murder suspects Siti Aisyah (wearing a dark headscarf), and Doan Thi Huong (wearing a lighter scarf), are escorted from the Shah Alam High Court in Selangor, Malaysia, Nov.7, 2018.

The defense phase of the trial of two Asian women charged with murdering the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un at a Kuala Lumpur airport will start Jan. 7, a Malaysian judge ruled on Wednesday, allowing a defense attorney time to heal from surgery.

The trial was set to resume on Nov. 1, but was delayed because Gooi Soon Seng, who is leading the team defending Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, underwent pancreatic surgery.

He is recovering well, Hisyam Teh Pok Teik, who represents co-defendant Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese citizen, told BenarNews outside the courtroom.

The women are charged with the murder of Kim Jong Nam, who died after being exposed to the toxic VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb. 13, 2017.

On Aug. 16, after the prosecution had rested its case, presiding Judge Azmi Ariffin ruled that both suspects must present their defense. He found that the prosecution had presented enough evidence for the trial to go on.

On Wednesday, the judge read out the new dates for the trial.

The new dates will be on Jan. 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., he announced.

He set four more court dates in January, two in February, eight in March and six in April. Siti will be given 10 days to present her defense and Doan the next 14.

Siti and Doan, who were in the courtroom on Wednesday, appeared calm during the short hearing.

In addition, the judge set Dec. 14 to hear a request from Sitis lawyers that prosecutors produce statements from eight witnesses.

The witnesses include Dessy Meyrisinta and Raisa Rinda Salma, who were Sitis roommates in Kuala Lumpur and may have been present when police raided their room.



Another name on the list is Tomie Yoshio, a Japanese friend of the estranged half-brother of Kim Jong Un. During the prosecutions case, the lead investigator identified Yoshio as the Malaysian who provided his personal chauffer for Kim Jong Nam, who had expressed fear for his life six months before he was killed.

Meanwhile, Doans lawyer said he planned to call up to six citizens  Malaysians and foreigners  for her defense.

We have one or two foreign witnesses that might be a bit difficult to persuade to come. We will do our best to persuade them and we hope we are able to get them to come here, Hisyam said, adding Doan plans to testify.A crowd in Manila gathers around a body of an alleged drug suspect, October 2017.

Unidentified gunmen killed a crusading human rights lawyer in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday, in the latest attack targeting an attorney in the country.

Attorney Benjamin Ramos had finished paperwork for a client when he was fatally shot three times on Tuesday night by two men on a motorcycle in Kabankalan, a city in Negros Occidental province, initial police reports said.

Ramos, 56, was a founding member of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL), a group providing pro-bono work for impoverished clients and who had taken on cases related to President Rodrigo Dutertes deadly drug war.

We are shocked, devastated and enraged at the premeditated, cold-blooded murder of our colleague and fellow peoples lawyer, NUPL leader Edre Olalia said, urging an investigation into the shooting.

Local police and the military had accused Ramos of being allied with communist rebels, an allegation the NUPL denied.

Human rights group Hustisya said it mourned the death of Ramos, adding that its members were enraged.

We hold the Duterte regime accountable for the killing of attorney Ramos, the group said in a statement.

We call on the rest of the Filipino people to speak out against the killings, whether they be farmers, activists, lawyers, ordinary people. We cannot stomach a regime that kills to stay in power.

Dutertes government, however, condemned the lawyers slaying.

Government authorities are conducting a speedy and impartial investigation with respect to the incident and pertinent agencies will do all they can to ensure that the perpetrators of this detestable atrocity are brought to justice, Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Duterte, he added, would not allow any person or group of persons to violate any law and get away with it.

This has got to stop

The statement from Hustisya said the NUPL was representing relatives of eight people killed in the drug war, in a case in which it had filed murder charges against the president at the International Criminal Court in August.

NUPL leader and former congressman Neri Colmenares blamed the Duterte administration for creating an atmosphere that allowed Tuesdays attack to happen. He said Dutertes many verbal attacks against lawyers had emboldened brazen attackers.

President Duterte, you are a lawyer. You know you cannot be attacked on the basis of the clients you choose to represent, Colmenares said. Your red tagging has led to the attack of attorney Ben. This has got to stop.

Ramos was the 34th lawyer killed since Duterte, who came to power two years ago, vowed to clean up corruption and wipe out drugs. He made true on his promise by deploying police to carry out the war on drugs that has left nearly 5,000 dead, according to police statistics. But human rights groups claim the number is more than double the official figures.

Police claimed suspects were killed because they fought arresting officers. Duterte has promised to protect police officers, saying he would pardon them if they were convicted of killing suspects in the course of carrying out their duties.

Last year, Duterte told the national police not to be cowed by rights lawyers investigating alleged abuses.

If they are obstructing justice, you shoot them, Duterte said at the time.

The president also carries a list which, he has said, contains the names of judges, lawyers, and military and police personnel who are known drug protectors. At least three mayors on that list have been gunned down, including one whose home was raided last year.

The NUPL said one of its lawyers who represented women and children, Katherine Panguban, had also been severely criticized by police and the military for leading a fact-finding mission into the recent killings of nine farmers in the central city of Sagay.

The military alleged that the slain farmers were recruited by a communist rebel front organization, and blamed their deaths on a rivalry between factions within the guerrilla group.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato City, Philippines contributed to this report.Wide columns mark the exterior at the nearly 7,000-square-foot Gippy Plantation at 366 Avenue of Oaks in Moncks Corner.LAKE CITY, FL -- Veterans Day began as a celebration of the end of World War I and has become a time set aside to honor all of Americas Veterans. The Lake City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 9, 2018 beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the front lawn (619 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, 32025).



This year, the Veterans Day Ceremony will have two guest speakers. One will be Mark Hunter, Sheriff, Columbia County. In addition to his law enforcement career, Sheriff Hunter served in the Florida Army National Guard for 30 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The second speaker will be Charles Parker of Graceville, Florida, a retired Navy Captain.



The presentation of colors will be led by the Columbia High School JROTC; Lake City Police Department Honor Guard will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance; Lake City Middle School Chorus led by Christy Robertson will sing the National Anthem; and VA Chaplain Richard Prentiss will provide the Invocation. The Veterans Canteen Service Chief, Samantha Russum will oversee a special Veterans recognition. Tim Coombs with the South Georgia Community Veterans Engagement Board will formally donate a transportation van to the Lake City VAMC. The ceremony will be open to the public.

For further information contact Michael Carey at 386-755-3016, extension 2135.Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, Why is Kamala Harris so Unpopular?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesFor Immediate Release, November 6, 2018 Contact: Sarah Gledhill, (904) 347-6490, sgledhill@biologicaldiversity.org Florida Voters Pass Constitutional Amendment Banning Oil, Gas Drilling in State Waters ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Floridians today banned offshore oil and gas drilling in Floridas state waters with the apparent passage of Amendment 9. The constitutional amendment prohibits oil and gas exploration activities three miles into the Atlantic Ocean and nine miles into the Gulf of Mexico. The vote was 68 percent in favor with 84 percent of precincts counted, but the result wont be final until all ballots are counted. The measure requires a 60 percent super-majority to pass. Center for Biological Diversity and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy helped lead the campaign to educate voters on Amendment 9, which also bans the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public workplaces. Floridians just protected our coastline from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. This is great news for coastal communities and the clean, tourist-friendly beaches we depend on, said Sarah Gledhill, Florida field campaigner at the Center. By passing Amendment 9, Floridians are sending a loud message to President Trump that we oppose his reckless plan to expand offshore drilling. Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the nation. Thousands of endangered sea turtles nest on its beaches every summer alongside threatened birds such as brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills. Apalachicola Bay has a hugely productive oyster fishery, and St. Augustine is the only known calving grounds for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. All would be threatened by pollution and oil spills from offshore drilling. The Trump administration is now pushing a plan to expand offshore drilling in federal waters of the Gulf, Atlantic and almost every U.S. ocean, which is set for approval next year. Amendment 9 wont affect those federal offshore leases. More than 75 percent of Floridians live in coastal counties. The states beaches rank among the top in the world and attract approximately 18.6 million tourists each year.Local Problems, Global Tech Photo: Frederic Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images

At a shrine in the northeastern corner of Mexico City, lines of worshippers on four moving walkways glide beneath the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. A basket-laden woman in an embroidered blouse raises a knotted hand and murmurs a prayer in Mazahua. A couple tries to frame a selfie with the Virgin. In the plaza outside, ringed by religious souvenir shops selling candles, rosaries, and pastel-hued, Virgin-shaped plastic bottles of holy water, a priest dashes holy water over a team of cyclist-pilgrims in matching neon safety vests with fresh calla lilies taped to their handlebars, while families stretch out on blankets and cook quesadillas over portable braziers in a temporary tent city. The side streets are choked with a caravan of wooden-walled trucks festooned with marigolds and metallic streamers  another transportation and lodging option for the 20 million pilgrims who visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe every year, which surpasses the Vatican as the most-visited Catholic holy site in the world.

In one dusty truck bed, Yolanda, who traveled through the night from Nicolas Romero in the State of Mexico, rests against her backpack and plays with the laminated lanyard that denotes her as a pilgrim; its the seventh time shes made the trip. Its our custom to come every year, she says. If we need to ask the Virgin for something, we should come and do it front of her image.

Technically, the Catholic church does not agree. Since 2001, the Basilicas official webpage has included an online portal through which the pious can send their requests directly to the Virgin without leaving the comforts of their internet connection.

Every morning, Ricardo Galindo Melchor, who manages the website, wakes up to an email inbox with between 350 and 450 unread prayers (the number spikes around December 12th, the Virgins feast day, when in 2017 a record 7 million pilgrims visited the Basilica in person). He downloads them onto USB flash drives, which he places in a discreet wooden box in front of the image of the Virgin. They stay there for 15 days, after which Melchor erases the flash drives and replaces them with new ones. The messages are never read by human eyes, not just because of the time it would take, but out of respect for the privacy of the petitioner.

Originally, the Basilica printed out the prayers, but that quickly became impossible to manage. Sheets and sheets and sheets and sheets, says Melchor, conjuring stacks of paper with his hands. Then, for a few years, they burned the prayers onto CDs, which had to be literally burned after their 15 days at the Virgins feet. USB technology caught up to streamline the process, and today, online devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe offers a glimpse of what may be the future of faith.

First it was written in stone; now its written in ones and zeros. The mediums change, but the aim is the same: to connect with God.  Ricardo Galindo Melchor

Though the concept of emailing the Mother of God might seem sacrilegious, the website was inaugurated by Pope John Paul II. He saw how the people come to Guadalupe, and he wanted her to be able to come to them as well, explains Father Andres Enrique Sanchez Ramirez of the Basilica, sitting in one of its upper chapels while a crowd of parishioners listens to mass in the pews below. It demonstrates the extent of the presence of the Virgin; just like the Basilica, with its doors always open, anyone can be near to her. The Basilica of Guadalupe isnt the only holy site to offer virtual pilgrimage: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France and the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal also broadcast livestreams of their masses in addition to online petitions.

Technology can be seen alternately as a boon or as a threat to spirituality. At the very least, some religious groups see the internet as something to be controlled  hence faith-specific search engines like JNet, for a kosher browsing experience, Halalgoogling, which filters out haram results, or Covenant Eyes, a Christian porn-blocking service that monitors online activity and sends a monthly report to a spouse or Accountability Partner. The Catholic church in particular has long used technology when it acts as a way to proselytize or disseminate information to its advantage. It was an early adopter of radio, especially in Latin America, where Catholic radio stations were alternative voices to government mouthpieces during the political turmoil of the 1930s. While digital Catholicism seems like a forward-thinking step for a church whose backward-looking dogma is costing it followers, it actually fits within the progression of aggiornamento, bringing the church up to date, a concept that was first thrown around at the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, when the Vatican made a commitment to listening and responding to the signs of the times. Today, Pope Francis has almost 17 million followers on his Spanish-language Twitter account alone (he has eight other accounts in different languages). During his World Youth Day trip to Brazil in 2013, he offered indulgences  essentially knocking time off of ones sentence in purgatory  to those following along on social media who faced a legitimate impediment to attend, as long as they expressed due devotion.

Technology is simply a tool, says Melchor. First it was written in stone, now its written in ones and zeros. The mediums change, but the aim is the same: to connect with God.

The medium keeps getting better, says Father Ramirez, who sees technology as a way not just to spread the good news, but to actually communicate with the divine. It could be printed, musical, pictorial  and now we have electronic means that expand this encounter with God.

But does a prayer bouncing up to satellites in space gets just as close to heaven as one offered at the feet of the Virgin? According to Father Ramirez, it does. As Cardinal Newman said, Heart speaks unto heart. I would say that a virtual pilgrimage has the same value because it comes from the need of the one praying. He knows that hes being listened to by the Virgin.

Rodolfo and Noel, who walked for four days from Temascalcingo in the State of Mexico to reach the Basilica, understandably see things differently. Its a question of faith, says Rodolfo. Walking is a kind of penitence; it allows you to reflect on your daily life and what you need to change.

By the end, you feel like you cant take anymore, but faith motivates you to keep going, adds Noel.

In the old cathedral, which was replaced in 1976 by the current Basilica with its soaring rooftop like an oxidized copper revival tent, a family from Mexico City holds their infant granddaughter up to look the statues of saints in the eye. They concede that online messages might be valuable for those who cant make the journey because of illness or distance, but insist that its more faithful to come. And outside in the plaza, Mary and Jonathan from Colombia dismiss the idea of emailing the Virgin completely. That doesnt make any sense, laughs Jonathan.

Though these Guadalupanos may be biased, virtual pilgrimage seems like a case of aggiornamento in which the people need time to catch up with the church, and not the other way around.

Melchor counters that the Virgin doesnt make transactions. She wont love you more because you make more of an effort. And yet effort is an essential part of his job, which requires a kind of spiritual alchemy  taking the online prayers out of the ether and making them tangible, in the form of a flash drive in a wooden box. For Diana, a tourist from Colombia, that detail makes all the difference. Its incredible, she says. With so many messages being sent, you would never think that theyre actually going somewhere.

Theres a spiritual, psychological, natural, anthropological need to express, to leave something permanent, to make manifest, says Father Ramirez, as the priest in the pulpit below gives a sermon about the fleeting nature of the human world. The impulse to write to the Virgin or to light a votive in the shrine both speak to the same desire to remain  and what makes the Virgin of Guadalupes image holy is, in fact, its permanency.

As the story goes, the Virgin Mary appeared to the 16th century indigenous peasant Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin and asked him build a temple where the Basilica stands today. When his vision didnt convince the local bishop, she appeared to him again and told him to gather roses. Juan Diego brought those roses to the bishop and when they tumbled out of his cloak, they left behind an indelible image of the Virgin  the same bent head, spangled robe, and radiant halo that now can be spotted on T-shirts, tattoos, and figurines dangling from taxi rearview mirrors. Juan Diego was canonized as the first Indigenous American Catholic saint, and the Virgin has since come to be known as the Patroness of Mexico and the Empress of the Americas. Her image in the Basilica is, for many Latin Americans, the real, concrete, presence of the mother of god, says Father Ramirez.

Diana plans to check out the website when she goes home, but she says that nothing can replace the energy of being in the Basilica. Can she imagine a future of online devotion, with the pious worshipping at their phones? Its a really complex topic. Maybe  she emphasizes the maybe  in a few generations I can imagine that. I feel like for my generation, faith isnt so much about the physical, but more about what you feel. She places her hands on her heart.

Father Ramirez isnt concerned: Think about a mother and son. He has to migrate, and he takes with him his mothers photo. The photo serves to remind him of her, to maintain their love. But it will never invalidate his return home, his need for a mothers embrace, her kiss. What you begin online when you write to the Virgin, you complete here in the sanctuary.An English-speaking Svejk on the Big Screen Underwhelms Despite Best Endeavours

7. 11. 2018 / Andrej Rogacevskij

cas cteni 2 minuty



In early November 2018, at the Sands Films Cinema Club in south east London, several pre-release screenings of the new film version of Haseks Svejk took place, to mark the 100th anniversary of WWIs Armistice. The film has been written and directed by Christine Edzard, a co-founder of the Sands Films studio and production company. Edzard has a track record of making film adaptations of the immortal classics, such as H C Andersen and Shakespeare, and is probably best known for her 1987 screen version of Charles Dickenss Little Dorrit.









Haseks book has apparently been chosen because it is an antiwar satire of continuous relevance. It has been updated many times before (most notably with Svejk as a WWII soldier)  in many languages, English and Russian among them. In Edzards rendering, Svejk pronounces indictment not only to XX-century wars, but also to XXI-century ones (such as those in Iraq and Syria), doing so thanks to the additional material from the likes of Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Alastair Campbell, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld  and the international arms dealer Basil Zaharoff, who gets an impressive part of his own (played with gusto by Aaron Neil).

The production is reminiscent of Joe Wrights 2012 film Anna Karenina, in which Tolstois novel is transposed (but not always confined) to a theatre. Alas, what works well for Wright, does not always work for Edzard, perhaps because of a smaller budget: whatever is shown in her Good Soldier Schwejk (sic!) is literally limited to a theatrical space, backstage and auditorium included. Talk dominates over action in Edzards script and the viewer has only very few options in search of variety.

The same actors, at times versatile beyond recognition, play different parts (e.g. Joe Armstrong in the roles of the army chaplain Otto Katz, Lieutenant Lukas and Watch Sergeant Flanderka, not to mention a couple of others). Svejks progress from recruitment to the war front is resourcefully interspersed with sequences of stage hands moving sets; glimpses of a feisty four-piece band performing live at the show; and sights of the audiences involved reaction to what is happening in the playhouse.

Alas, charismatic and charming as he is, Alfie Stewart in the role of Svejk simply cannot carry the film that lasts for nearly two hours, because Haseks humour in it, perhaps a victim to translation issues, appears to be somewhat diluted in the pacifist message. No matter how decent ones intentions and efforts are, a comedy that does not entertain well enough is unlikely to spread any message very far.

At the end of the film, Svejk (who dies in an explosion) is resurrected by the Angel (also played by Joe Armstrong) to be sent from Heaven back to Earth to keep up the good work as someone who makes officeholders and warmongers look utterly foolish. There have been many reincarnations of this character on stage and screen already, and there will undoubtedly be even more. As for Edzards take on Svejk, unfortunately, it is hard to shake off the feeling that his potential has not been fully tapped.

0Hes got 43 percent of America in his hands. Photo: Chris Kleponis/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As of this writing, the Democratic Party is projected to win more than 30 House seats  and a greater than seven-point victory in the national popular vote, roughly the margin that Republicans claimed in the wave election of 1994. At a time of historically low unemployment and historically high consumer confidence, a historically large percentage of voters turned out to rebuke the party in power by a historic margin.

And yet, that party strengthened its grip over Congresss upper chamber  and, thereby, over the federal judiciary for years (if not decades) to come.

Progressive commentators (like myself) have spent much of the past two years cataloguing Donald Trumps most garish affronts to democratic ideals  his vilification of vulnerable minority groups, shameless corruption, compulsive mendacity, contempt for the press, and occasional enthusiasm for political violence.

But Tuesdays results are a reminder that Trump is undermining popular sovereignty in the United States in a far more subtle (and less villainous) way  by building a Republican coalition that exploits the counter-majoritarian features of our political system with extraordinary efficiency.

This isnt a new story of course; liberals have been bemoaning the tyranny of the minority since the Electoral College handed Donald Trump the presidency in 2016 (if not since gerrymandering handed the GOP the House in 2012). Further, the reddening of rural America is a phenomenon that long predates the Trump campaign.

But Tuesdays results confirm that, in turning Americas culture wars into nuclear conflicts, the president has ripped the divide between Americas high-density areas, which are typically underrepresented in the Senate (and to a lesser extent, in the House)  and its low-density areas, which are typically overrepresented in Congress  wide open.

Trumps psychedelically racist closing message  that the entire Democratic Party was trying to orchestrate an invasion of the United States by Central American gangsters and Middle Eastern terrorists, in an ill-defined plot to steal elections through mass voter fraud  did not play well with the public writ large. And it appears to have been absolutely fatal to many House Republicans who hail from suburban districts.

But it did energize the Trumpian proletariat. The president preached his apocalyptic nativism in Florida, Missouri, and Indiana  and Republican Senate candidates rode to victory on landslide margins in the exurban and rural parts of those states.

The efficacy of Trumps gambit in those areas, combined with the fact that 2018s Senate map was even more tilted towards rural states than the upper chamber as a whole, has allowed Mitch McConnell to expand his majority. And the Senate Majority Leader will use his new lease on power to continue confirming reactionary judges to the federal bench at a historic clip. It is possible (though not necessarily likely) that Democrats will be able to dislodge Trumps minority coalition from the Senate in 2020. But wresting control of the courts back from the conservative movement could be a decades-long project  and in the meantime, far-right jurists could do grave damage to the prospects for majority rule, by both brazenly nullifying progressive legislation, and abetting voter suppression. (It is possible that Democrats lost multiple races Tuesday night due to the Roberts courts evisceration of the Voting Rights Act).

Not all of Tuesdays results fit neatly into the macro-trend of an urban-rural divide. In states with relatively high population densities, like Maryland and Massachusetts, moderate Republican governors won reelection handily. Meanwhile, in Kansas, and select low-density districts throughout the Plains and Midwest, Democrats scored some victories on the strength of popular dissatisfaction with the GOPs underfunding of basic public goods. These aberrations suggest that the current extremities of geographic polarization arent inevitable. If Marco Rubio had won the presidency in 2016, the Republican Party might well have retained its suburban wing, while leaving a significant number of rural Trump voters demobilized or open to Democratic appeals.

But the birther king won. And he assembled a GOP coalition thats relatively small for a major party, in national terms, with core constituencies that are likely to shrink as a percentage of the population in the coming years. But on Tuesday night, it proved well-distributed enough to entrench the conservative movements influence over the least majoritarian arms of the federal government. And that might just might allow the American right to nullify the prospects for progressive governance in the United States for the foreseeable future.Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado

Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACIONPR Newswire

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Nov. 6, 2018

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Helena S. Mock, Esq. is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in the field of Law in recognition of her role as Founder & Managing Attorney of The Peninsula Center for Estate and Lifelong Planning in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Peninsula Center for Estate and Lifelong Planning is a full-range comprehensive law firm that specializes in providing estate, probate, and lifelong legal services to both older and younger individuals and families. Dedicated to providing their clients with the quality legal services they deserve, the team at the Peninsula Center is revered for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

Known for her exceptional work in the legal profession, Helena S. Mock, Esq. has served the legal industry for eighteen years. Starting out as a legal clerk in the United States Army, Mrs. Mock has obtained extensive experience in estate, probate, trust, business, and tax law. In addition, she is also experienced in the areas of Elder Law and Fiduciary Matters.

In recognition of her many professional accolades, Mrs. Mock has been designated as an Accredited Estate Planner by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils and has been named seven times to Virginia Business' Legal Elite list. She was selected in 2007 and 2008 for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers  Rising Stars, has been selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers from 2013-2018, and has received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award in 2013 and 2015. She has received the 2016 Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of Legal Counsel and has twice been designated as a Top Lawyer by Virginia Coastal Magazine.

Mrs. Mock graduated from the College of William & Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Virginia where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2000.

To further advance her professional career, Mrs. Mock is an elite member of several distinguished organizations including the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney, the Peninsula Estate Planning Council, where she served as President of the board of directors from 2017-2018, the Williamsburg Bar Association, the Virginia Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar (Trust & Estates Sections), the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, and the Clinical Legal Education Association, in addition to several local non-profit organizations.

Mrs. Mock is a frequent speaker on topics relating to her areas of practice and has been an Adjunct Professor of Law for the College of William & Mary Law School for fifteen years, where she currently serves as the Director of the Law School's Elder & Disability Law Clinic.

For more information, please visit https://www.tpcestate.com/

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634 [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/helena-s-mock-esq-is-recognized-by-continental-whos-who-300745253.html

SOURCE Continental Who's WhoPR Newswire

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 6, 2018

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marshall Silberberg is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in the field of Law in recognition of his role as an Attorney at The Law Office of Marshall Silberberg.

With its naissance in 2004, The Law Office of Marshall Silberberg has focused exclusively on helping injured people exercise their rights. With precision and thorough investigation at the forefront of their firm's values, the Law Office of Marshall Silberberg has tried in surfeit 250 cases to verdict. Dedicated to providing their clients with the quality legal counsel they deserve, the firm is commended for lending a compassionate approach to those they serve.

With over 44 years of experience in the legal profession, Marshall Silberberg has served over 30 years as a defense attorney for hospitals and physicians. Revered for his outstanding contributions to the field of law, throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Silberberg has attained extensive expertise in the areas of personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, and toxic torts. Mr. Silberberg has tried to verdict an excess of 200 medical malpractice cases. The firm as a whole has won more than $500 million on behalf of its clients.

While pursuing his educational endeavors, Mr. Silberberg attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. Thereafter, Mr. Silberberg would go on to attend McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.

To further enhance his professional development, Mr. Silberberg is a distinguished fellow of several elite organizations including the Los Angeles County Bar Association, American Bar Association, State Bar of California, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel where he sits on the Board of Directors, American Board of Trial Advocates, and International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

In recognition of his many professional accolades, Mr. Silberberg was the honorary recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Civil Procedure and Family Law.

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634 [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marshall-silberberg-is-recognized-by-continental-whos-who-300745247.html

SOURCE Continental Who's WhoPR Newswire

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 7, 2018

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018, MedPro Healthcare Staffing and Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc. will host the Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot along Fort Lauderdale beach for the eighth year. Approximately 3,000 runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate and kick off their Thanksgiving Day to a healthy and exciting start.

In addition to supporting the community by inspiring individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices, the event will raise money for Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc. and the Helena Ramsay Soaring Leader Scholarship.

"This event is so much more than just a 5K race," said Dr. Patrick Taylor, President and CEO of Holy Cross Hospital, a full-service, non-profit hospital in Fort Lauderdale. "It is a community tradition that brings together family and friends, promotes health and fitness, and raises money for two very worthy causes."

Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the exclusive leadership organization offering youth and local business and community leaders at all levels the opportunity to connect to each other, develop valuable skills and make a positive impact on their organizations and community.

"Leadership Broward is all about fostering community engagement and the Turkey Trot does just that," said Andrew Zullo, Executive Director of Leadership Broward. "We are excited to lace up our running shoes and kick off Thanksgiving Day with an invigorating run-walk along the beach."

The Helena Ramsay Soaring Leader Scholarship was created by MedPro Healthcare Staffing in memory of Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Helena Ramsay to celebrate her vision for a better global society. Helena was very aware of the challenges faced in communities across the globe such as inequality and discrimination and had an appreciation for other cultures. This legacy scholarship will recognize an MSD student who shows a passion for leadership and a commitment to Helena's dream of a united world.

"MedPro is excited to be part of this family-fun Fort Lauderdale tradition this year and even more grateful to be able to honor the life and vision of such an extraordinary young woman," said Liz Tonkin, President and CEO of MedPro Healthcare Staffing.

The 5k run/walk will begin at DC Alexander Park and continue north on A1A alongside Fort Lauderdale Beach. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. sharp and will conclude with a Kid's Dash at 8:30 a.m., and an awards presentation at 8:45 a.m. The awards ceremony will recognize the top three overall male and female athletes as well as the first, second, and third place age group winners.

Early registration runs through October 31 at $35 per person with discounted rates for students, military personnel and children under 12. Registration costs $40 pp after November 1. Online registration will run through November 18. Packet pick up will take place at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304) from November 19  November 21, 2018 and participants may also register at packet pick up. On-site registration the day of the event will be available from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.

Both sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available for those looking to support this positive and motivational community event. For more information or to register, please visit http://bit.ly/TurkeyTrot18. Follow the Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TurkeyTrotFTL/ for event updates.

About MedPro Healthcare Staffing MedPro Healthcare Staffing is a Joint Commission-certified provider of temporary and contract staffing services. Since 1983, the company has placed thousands of U.S. travel nurses, Allied health, and foreign-educated healthcare professionals in top facilities nationwide. The company strives to work smart, promote individual growth, and have fun while working as a team to deliver a valued service to its clients and employees.

About Leadership Broward Foundation Inc.The Leadership Broward Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is Broward County's premier leadership development training organization with a 36-year history of helping emerging and established leaders to expand their leadership skills, enhance their knowledge of local and state issues, and leverage their individual passions to initiate positive change in the Broward County community. Its mission, "to develop and inspire individuals to serve our community," is accomplished through a range of programs starting with its signature Leadership Broward program, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at issues affecting the Broward County in the areas of government, education, business, media, transportation, criminal justice, history, environment, culture, arts, recreation, and health and community services. Youth Leadership Broward and Women Leading Broward round out the organization's program offerings. For more information, visit www.LeadershipBroward.org or call 954-767-8866.

About Holy Cross HospitalA member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale, FL-based Holy Cross Hospital is a full-service, non-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross Hospital has been named one of the top three hospitals of 64 in the Miami metro area and one of the top 10 in the state in U.S. News and World Report's 2017-2018 Best Hospital rankings. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community's trusted health partner for life. To learn more about Holy Cross Hospital, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl.

MEDIA RELEASE CONTACT: Aimee Adler, (561) 302-6902 (or) [email protected]

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medpro-healthcare-staffing-and-leadership-broward-foundation-inc-to-host-the-holy-cross-hospital-fort-lauderdale-turkey-trot-on-thanksgiving-day-300746002.html

SOURCE Fort Lauderdale Turkey TrotPR Newswire

HOLLISTON, Mass., Nov. 7, 2018

HOLLISTON, Mass., Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Biostage, Inc. (OTCQB: BSTG), a biotechnology company developing bioengineered organ implants to treat life-threatening conditions of the esophagus, bronchus, and trachea, today announced appointing Ms. Ting Li to its Board of Directors after her valuable role this year in securing funding for the Company, effective November 6, 2018.

Ms. Li brings over 20 years of investment banking experience, building relationships between customers and enterprises. Ms. Li is currently a managing partner at Donghai Securities Co., Ltd, a top asset management company in China, and also serves as the Vice President of the Jilin Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and advisor of the School of Continuing Education of Tsinghua University. Ms. Li holds a bachelor degree in accounting from China's Changchun Taxation College in Changchun, Jilin Province, and a master's degree in software engineering from Jilin University, also in Changchun.

Ms. Li commented, "I am honored and motivated to join the Biostage Board of Directors. The Company is working to bring a valuable medical technology to patients, especially children, in need of better solutions and outcomes. I believe my experience forging relationships between investors and enterprises will support Biostage's access to the capital needed to support its strategy to bring its technology to China."

Biostage CEO Jim McGorry commented, "I and the other members of the company's Board are pleased to welcome Ms. Li to the Biostage Board. Ms. Li's experience building relationships between customers and investment institutions in the China securities industry will be invaluable as Biostage develops plans to expand our programs in the China market."

About Biostage, Inc.

Biostage is a biotechnology company developing bioengineered organ implants based on the Company's Cellframe technology which combines a proprietary biocompatible scaffold with a patient's own stem cells to create Cellspan organ implants. Cellspan implants are being developed to treat life-threatening conditions of the esophagus, bronchus or trachea with the hope of dramatically improving the treatment paradigm for patients. Based on its preclinical data, Biostage has selected life-threatening conditions of the esophagus as the initial clinical application of its technology.

For more information, please visit www.biostage.com and connect with the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements in this press release are "forward-looking" and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These "forward-looking" statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to development expectations and regulatory approval of any of Biostage's products, including those utilizing its Cellframe technology, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or otherwise, which expectations or approvals may not be achieved or obtained on a timely basis or at all; or success with respect to any collaborations, clinical trials and other development and commercialization efforts of Biostage's products, including those utilizing its Cellframe technology, which such success may not be achieved or obtained on a timely basis or at all. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this press release, including, among other things, Biostage's ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for its products; Biostage's ability to expand into foreign markets, including China; plus other factors described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Biostage's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or described in its other public filings. Biostage's results may also be affected by factors of which Biostage is not currently aware. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Biostage expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Investor Relations Contact:Tom McNaughton Chief Financial Officer 774-233-7300 [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ms-ting-li-appointed-to-biostage-board-of-directors-300745271.html

SOURCE Biostage, Inc.Georgia candidates Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp (top), and Florida candidates Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis (bottom), are engaged in two of the closest and most consequential gubernatorial contests this year. Photo: Getty Images

Thirty-six governorships were at stake in the 2018 midterms, with Republicans holding 26 of these positions, Democrats nine, and one independent. Exactly half of these seats were open due to retirements, term limits, and primary defeats. Thanks to this skewed landscape, Democrats were almost certain to make significant gains in governorships, which will also have implications for the next round of congressional and state legislative redistricting after the 2020 census. But there were an extraordinary number of close races: 12 toss-ups according to the Cook Political Report, plus six other competitive contests. In the end Democrats picked up seven Republican-held gubernatorial seats, with one race (Georgia) still unresolved. Heres how the results in key states rolled out in real time.

11:56 a.m. EST: Democrat Stacey Abrams is trailing Brian Kemp in Georgia, and will not win outright  but a runoff is still possible. Georgias tense, important, and very close gubernatorial race ended with Republican Brian Kemp holding a small but steady lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams. But late returns narrowed his lead to the point where its possible provisional and late-counted mail ballots could deny him the majority required by Georgias eccentric election laws (hes currently at 50.4 percent), triggering a December 4 runoff. It will probably be some time before we know for sure.

9:20 a.m. EST: Ned Lamont  the anti-Iraq War candidate who beat Joe Lieberman in a Democratic Senate primary in 2006 (only to lose to him in the general election)  will be the next governor of Connecticut. While the Nutmeg State is deep blue, Republicans had cause for thinking it might follow the example of its New England neighbors and elect a moderate GOP governor. Incumbent Democrat Dannel Malloy is deeply unpopular, and Connecticuts deepening fiscal woes seemed to open the door to a rightward turn. But Democratic enthusiasm  and inspiring House candidates like Jahana Hayes, who became the first African-American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress last night  proved just enough to get Lamont past Republican Bob Stefanowski. Lieberman would have been a member of Stefanowskis transition team.

7:34 a.m. EST: Steve Sisolak is the first Democrat to win the Nevada governors race since 1994. Sisolak, chairman of the Clark County Commission, defeated Republican Adam Laxalt, the state attorney general. While Trump made several visits to the state, it wasnt enough to boost Laxalt (or Senator Dean Heller), who was not endorsed by incumbent GOP governor Brian Sandoval, or several members of his own family.

2:42 a.m. EST: In a huge win for Democrats, Tony Evers has defeated longtime Republican governor and conservative icon Scott Walker in Wisconsin. Walker was first elected in 2010, then survived a recall in 2012, and a tough reelection fight in 2014. The race this time was close from beginning to the end, but under state school chief Tony Evers, Democrats have finally brought down Walker and his harsh conservative policy machine.

1:16 a.m. EST: Maines Janet Mills gives Democrats another flip of a Republican-held governorship. After two terms of being governed by abrasive conservative Republican Paul LePage, Maine voters turned to Democrat Janet Mills, who won by a comfortable margin over LePage protege, Shawn Moody. She will certainly abandon LePages efforts to obstruct a voter-endorsed expansion of Medicaid.

12:31 a.m. EST: Iowas incumbent Republican Kim Reynolds turns back a tough challenge from Fred Hubbell. In a major consolation prize in the wake of the loss of two House districts in the state, Iowa Republicans hold onto the governorship for the third straight election. Kim Reynolds, who ascended to the position when Terry Branstad was appointed ambassador to China, defeated self-funder Fred Hubbell, who led in most of the general election polls.

11:25 p.m. EST: Oregon Democratic governor Kate Brown reelected after a scare against Republican moderate Knute Buehler. Brown, who ascended to the position when former governor John Kitzhaber resigned in semi-disgrace in 2015, won a special election in 2016, but ran into some controversies around a failed corporate tax initiative and a difficult state budget. Buehler was well-suited for Oregon as a social moderate, and some observers predicted an upset, but Brown hung on to win.

10:52 p.m. EST: Florida Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum has conceded to Republican congressman Ron DeSantis after a close, bitter contest. In a major blow to Democratic expectations, Gillum, who had led in most polling after his surprise win in an August primary, narrowly lost to GOP congressman DeSantis, a close ally of the president. Gillum, like Stacey Abrams in Georgia (whose race is too close to call as of the moment) had excited African-American voters and national progressives alike.

10:38 p.m. EST: Democrats flip another governorship in New Mexico as Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated congressman Steve Pearce. Unpopular Republican incumbent Susana Martinez was term-limited, and Grisham was a modest favorite to beat the very conservative Pearce.

10:00 p.m. EST: In a big victory for Democrats, Laura Kelly has defeated Kansass famous voter-suppressing, immigrant-bashing Secretary of State Kris Kobach. This race was supposed to be razor-close, but Kelly is winning by a comfortable margin; it looks like the vote for independent spoiler Greg Orman is falling far below expectations, helping a Democrat retake the governorship of Kansas after the long nightmare of Sam Brownbacks two terms.

9:46 p.m. EST: Democrats hang onto Colorado as Polis defeats Stapleton. Jared Polis will succeed fellow-Democrat John Hickenlooper as governor of Colorado after easily defeating state treasurer Walker Stapleton. Depending on how you view the sexual identity of Oregon governor Kate Brown (who is bisexual), Polis will be the first or second openly gay elected governor.

9:35 p.m. EST: Democrats flip another midwestern state as Gretchen Whitmer has defeated Republican attorney general Bill Schuette in Michigan. Whitmer was a solid favorite to succeed unpopular Republican Rick Snyder, and its another sign of buyers remorse among midwestern states that voted Republican in 2010 and 2014 and for Trump in 2016.

9:15 EST: Democrat J.B. Pritzker deposes Illinoisgovernor Bruce Rauner in most expensive governors race ever. In a contest where an estimated $284 million was raised, $175 million of it by the eventual winner, Republican governor Bruce Rauner was handily denied a second term by billionaire J.B. Pritzker, giving Democrats total control of state government in the Land of Lincoln.

8:30 EST: Rhode Island incumbent Democrat Gina Raimondo wins. After surviving a serious primary challenge earlier this year, Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo has defeated Republican Allan Fung by a comfortable margin to win a second term. Shes one New England governor whos not a trend-bucking Republican.Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, Nov. 6, 2018

VANCOUVER, Nov. 6, 2018 /CNW/ -

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

MOSAIC CAPITAL CORPORATION ("M")BULLETIN TYPE: Declaration of DividendBULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

The Issuer has declared the following dividend(s):

Dividend per common share: $0.035Payable Date: November 30, 2018Record Date: November 15, 2018Ex-dividend Date: November 14, 2018

________________________________________

18/11/06 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

BARKSDALE CAPITAL CORP. ("BRO")BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Amending AgreementBULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has accepted for filing documentation in connection with an amending agreement to a mining lease dated October 11, 2018 (the "Amending Agreement") among Barksdale Capital Corp. ("Barksdale"), TJB Resources (US) Inc. ("TJB") and Pescio Exploration LLC ("Pescio") which amends a mining lease among these parties dated December 11, 2016. Under the Amending Agreement, Barksdale will satisfy a drilling escape payment of US$375,000 as follows:

Insider / Pro Group Participation: Nil

For further information, see Barksdale's news release dated October 16, 2018 which is available under its profile on SEDAR.

________________________________________

BERKWOOD RESOURCES LTD. ("BKR") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Disposition Agreement BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange Inc. (the "Exchange") has accepted for filing a letter of intent between Berkwood Resources Ltd. ("Berkwood") and Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. ("Progressive") dated October 23, 2018 (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, Berkwood has agreed to grant Progressive an option to acquire a 5% interest (the "Interest") in and to Berkwood's Lac Gueret South property (the "Property") located in Quebec in consideration of Progressive incurring exploration expenditures in the amount of $250,000 on the Property on or before December 31, 2018.

Either party to the Agreement has the right to cause Berkwood to buy back the Interest (the "Buy Back Right") in consideration of the issuance to Progressive of 1,750,000 units of Berkwood. Each unit to be comprised of one common share of Berkwood and one-half share purchase warrant, where each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share of Berkwood at a price which is the greater of: (a) $0.15 or (b) the 10 day VWAP of the shares of Berkwood at the time that notice is provided under the Agreement that one of the parties wishes to exercise the Buy Back Right.

Insider / Pro Group Participation: Nil

For further information please refer to Berkwood's news release dated October 30, 2018 which is available under Berkwood's profile on SEDAR.

________________________________________

BUZZ CAPITAL 2 INC. ("BUZH.P") BULLETIN TYPE: New Listing-CPC-SharesBULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Reference is made to our bulletin dated November 2, 2018, with respect to the listing of the Company's shares.

We have received confirmation that the closing has occurred. Therefore, the common shares of the Company which were listed at the close of business November 5, 2018, commenced trading at the opening of business on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

The Company has completed its public offering of securities prior to the opening of market on November 6, 2018. The gross proceeds received by the Company for the Offering are $420,000 (4,200,000 common shares at $0.10 per share).

FANLOGIC INTERACTIVE INC. ("FLGC") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Services BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue up to $56,000 in common shares of the Company ("Shares") to an arm's-length third party in exchange for the services to be provided by such party. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company intends to issue the Shares throughout a 12 month period.

The number of and deemed price per Share to be issued will be determined after the services have been provided to the Company. The issue price of the Shares will be up to the Discounted Market Price of the Company's Shares at the time of issuance.

The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued.

________________________________________

FISSION 3.0 CORP. ("FUU") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced August 16, 2018:

Number of Shares:

11,650,000 flow-through shares

68,350,000 non-flow-through shares

Purchase Price:

$0.10 per share

Warrants:

68,350,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 68,350,000 shares

Warrant Exercise Price:

$0.15 for a three year period

Number of Placees:

197 places

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Name

Insider=Y /

ProGroup=P

# of Shares

Frank Estergaard

Y

1,000,000

Bill Marsh

Y

100,837

Fission Uranium Corp.

Y

4,000,000

Devinder Randhawa

Y

2,000,000

Ross McElroy

Y

300,000

David Elliott

P

400,000

Andrew Williams

P

150,000

Aggregate Pro Group Involvement

2 Placees

Finder's Fee:

$62,000 cash payable to Sprott Capital Partners $383,200 cash payable to Sprott Global Resource Investments Ltd. $30,240 cash payable to Marc Bamber $15,200 cash payable to Canaccord Genuity Corp $7,200 cash payable to Sherman Dahl $8,000 cash payable to Gravitas Securities Inc. $2,000 cash payable to Leede Jones Gable.

________________________________________

GREENBRIAR CAPITAL CORP. ("GRB") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Services BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 48,317 shares at an average deemed price of $1.213, in consideration of certain services provided to the company pursuant to an agreement dated August 31, 2018.

Refer to the news release dated October 01, 2018 for more information. The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued.

________________________________________

INOMIN MINES INC. ("MINE") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Disposition Agreement BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing an option agreement dated May 8, 2018 between the Company and Maritime Resources Corp., whereby the Company has granted Maritime the option to acquire a 100% interest in the King's Point Property in Newfoundland (the "Property"). Total consideration for the Property is $200,000 in cash, 2,000,000 shares and $600,000 in exploration expenditures over three years. This is an arm's length transaction and no finder's fees are payable.

________________________________________

JADE LEADER CORP. ("JADE") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced Oct 01, 2018:

Number of Shares:

4,595,816 shares

Purchase Price:

$0.25 per share

Warrants:

4,595,816 share purchase warrants to purchase 4,595,816 shares

Warrant Initial Exercise Price:

$0.40

Warrant Term to Expiry:

2 Years

Number of Placees:

30 Placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

Pro-Group=P

# of Shares

Jean Pierre Jutras

Y

40,000

Aggregate Pro-Group Involvement [5 Placees]

P

1,200,000

Finder's Fee:

Raymond James

$10,000.00 cash

Industrial Alliance Sec

$19,000.00 cash

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

The above information is a summary only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Readers should consult the issuer's continuous disclosure record for complete details of the transaction.

________________________________________

METALEX VENTURES LTD. ("MTX") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Services BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposed issuance of 150,000 shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per share, in consideration of certain services provided to the Company for the period ending October 31, 2018, pursuant to an Amended Deferred Share Unit Plan for Glenn Nolan dated September 13, 2013 and effective August 1, 2013.

The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued.

________________________________________

METALEX VENTURES LTD. ("MTX") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Services BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposed issuance of 150,000 shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per share, in consideration of certain services provided to the Company for the period ending October 31, 2018, pursuant to an Amended Deferred Share Unit Plan for Lorie Waisberg dated September 13, 2013 and effective August 1, 2013.

The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued.

________________________________________

NEW ERA MINERALS INC. ("NEM") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced Jun 27, 2018:

Number of Shares:

11,597,699 shares

Purchase Price:

$0.08 per share

Warrants:

11,597,699 share purchase warrants to purchase 11,597,699 shares

Warrant Initial Exercise Price:

$0.08

Warrant Term to Expiry:

5 Years

Number of Placees:

1 Placee

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

Pro-Group=P

# of Shares

Celestial Classic Limited (Pin Ying Lin)

Y

11,597,699

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

The above information is a summary only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Readers should consult the issuer's continuous disclosure record for complete details of the transaction.

________________________________________

RESOLVE VENTURES INC. ("RSV") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced Oct 10, 2018:

Number of Shares:

6,600,000 shares

Purchase Price:

$0.055 per share

Number of Placees:

23 Placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

Pro-Group=P

# of Shares

Aggregate Pro-Group Involvement [1 Placee]

P

405,000

Finder's Fee:

Canaccord Genuity Corp.

$6,545.00 cash; 119,000 shares

Naughty Capital Ltd.

$5,775.00 cash

The above information is a summary only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Readers should consult the issuer's continuous disclosure record for complete details of the transaction.

________________________________________

SIGNATURE RESOURCES LTD. ("SGU") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced May 15, 2018:

Number of Shares:

9,600,983 non-flow through shares

2,592,592 flow through shares

Purchase Price:

$0.12 per non-flow through share

$0.135 per flow through share

Warrants:

9,600,983 share purchase warrants attached to non-flow through shares to purchase 9,600,983 shares

Warrant Exercise Price:

$0.25 for a two year period. The warrants have an accelerated expiry provision such that if after the expiry of the hold period the shares of the Company trade at or above $0.40 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, then the Company may accelerate the expiry date by giving notice by news release that the warrants will expire on the 30th day after the news release.

Number of Placees:

33 placees

Finder's Fee:

Leede Jones Gable Inc. receives $24,500 and 181,481 non-transferable warrants, each exercisable for one share at a price of $0.135 per share for a two year period.

Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.11(d), the Company issued a news release announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold periods on June 25, 2018, July 26, 2018 and October 29, 2018. [Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.]

________________________________________

SONORO METALS CORP. ("SMO") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced October 15, 2018:

Number of Shares:

5,000,000 shares

Purchase Price:

$0.10 per share

Warrants:

5,000,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 5,000,000 shares

Warrant Exercise Price:

$0.15 for a two year period

Number of Placees:

26 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

ProGroup=P

# of Shares

Ronald Husband

Y

200,000

Stephen Kenwood

Y

100,000

Scott Kelly

Y

125,000

Melvin A. Herdrick

Y

150,000

Western Investments Limited (John Darch)

Y

1,500,000

Aggregate Pro Group Involvement [5 placee(s)]

575,000

________________________________________

SOUTHERN ARC MINERALS INC. ("SA") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement:

TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") has accepted for filing documentation pertaining to Southern Arc Minerals Inc.'s (the "Company") purchase of 7,500,000 units (each, a "Unit") in Rise Gold Corp. at a price of $0.10 per Unit.

Each Unit is comprised of one share and one half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrants is exercisable into one ordinary share of Rise at an exercise price of $0.13 for two (2) years.

Insider / Pro Group Participation: The Company is an Insider by share position in Rise. John Proust, Director of the Company, is also a Director of Rise. Vincent Boon, CFO of the Company, is also CFO of Rise. Eileen Au, Corporate Secretary of the Company, is also Corporate Secretary of Rise.

For additional information please refer to the Company's news release dated November 6, 2018.

_______________________________________

STORAGEVAULT CANADA INC. ("SVI") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation to a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") between the Company and Access Self Storage Inc. ("Access"), a Non-Arms Length Party, whereby the Company acquired of all of the storage assets, property and business used in two stores in Ottawa, Ontario. In consideration, the purchase price of $13,250,000 is paid through i) the issuance of 1,481,481 common shares of the Company at a deemed price $2.70 per common share, with the remainder being paid with funds on hand and first-mortgage financing.

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

ProGroup=P

# of Shares

Access Self Storage Inc.

Y

1,481,481

For further information, please refer to the Company's press release dated October 22, 2018.

________________________________________

TIMELESS CAPITAL CORP. ("TLC.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 4.41 a.m. PST, November 6, 2018, trading in the shares of the Company was halted at the request of the Company, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

________________________________________

TIMELESS CAPITAL CORP. ("TLC.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Remain Halted BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Further to the TSX Venture Exchange ('TSXV') Bulletin dated November 6, 2018, trading in the shares of the Company will remain halted pending receipt and review of acceptable documentation pursuant to TSXV Policy 2.4 regarding a Qualifying Transaction.

This regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange, pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

________________________________________

UCORE RARE METALS INC. ("UCU") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 6.14 a.m. PST, November 6, 2018, trading in the shares of the Company was halted at the request of the Company, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

________________________________________

WALKER RIVER RESOURCES CORP. ("WRR") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced November 5, 2018:

FIRST TRANCHE

Number of Shares:

3,710,000 shares

Purchase Price:

$0.05 per share

Warrants:

3,710,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,710,000 shares

Warrant Exercise Price:

$0.10 for a two year period

Number of Placees:

10 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y /

Name

ProGroup=P

# of Shares

Michel David

Y

620,000

Finder's Fee: $4,760 and 95,200 finders warrants is payable to Jean-David Moore

________________________________________

WELL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES CORP. ("WELL") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation relating to a Series Seed Preferred Stock Investment Agreement dated November 1, 2018 between the Company and Circle Medical Clinic Inc. whereby the Company has acquired 274,112 shares in the capital of Circle Medical Clinic Inc. in consideration of US$199,999.52.

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TRUE NORTH GEMS INC. ("TGX") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered, Correction BULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Further to TSX Venture Exchange bulletin dated November 5, 2018 with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced October 2 and October 31, 2018, the two placees listed as Insiders are not Insiders.

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TANZANIA MINERALS CORP. ("TZM.H")BULLETIN TYPE: Remain HaltedBULLETIN DATE: November 6, 2018NEX Company

Further to the TSX Venture Exchange ('TSXV') Bulletin dated November 5, 2018, trading in the shares of the Company will remain halted pending receipt and review of acceptable documentation regarding the change of business and/or Reverse Take-Over pursuant to Listings Policy 5.2.

This regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange, pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

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SOURCE TSX Venture ExchangePR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading up to Election Day, Family Research Council Action (FRC Action), organized a fleet of four Values Buses that made scores of stops in a dozen battleground states and organized the distribution of nearly 2 million voter guides targeting supporters, churches, activist groups, and state/local organizations. FRC also held 140 pastor events in 19 states. FRC Action teams knocked on more than 427,000 doors and launched a social media blitz across a dozen states that were viewed more than 7 million times.

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins released the following statement on tonight's election results:

"Most presidents lose seats in the House and Senate in the first midterm election. But President Trump defied history, expanding the GOP majority in the Senate despite losing the House. Why? Because this is a president who has done something rare in American politics. He is fulfilling campaign promises such as stopping the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions and putting an end to 8 years of a withering assault on religious freedom.

"As they did two years ago, values voters turned out in droves -- motivated by a president who is not just stopping the liberal policies of his predecessor but dismantling them.

"While Democrats appears to have narrowly took control of the House of Representatives, they do so without any clear governing mandate. Nancy Pelosi certainly cannot claim a blanket endorsement of her radical policies. However, President Trump and Senate Republicans certainly have a mandate to confirm constitutionalists to the nation's courts and oppose the Pelosi agenda. Consider that voters in West Virginia and Alabama approved pro-life ballot measures and polls show nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose the government's forcing taxpayers to fund abortion. There is simply no groundswell of support for forcing taxpayers to become indentured servants to the abortion industry.

"We will stand with President Trump and Majority Leader McConnell in working to repel the Pelosi agenda that is at odds with the values that made America a great nation," concluded Perkins.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/values-voters-help-president-trump-defy-history-in-expanding-pro-life-majority-in-the-us-senate-says-family-research-council-action-300745390.html

SOURCE Family Research Council ActionNew York candidates Antonio Delgado and John Faso (top), and California candidates Katie Porter and Mimi Walters (bottom), are in key races that stretch from coast to coast. Photo: Shutterstock; Getty Images

All 435 seats in the U.S. House were at stake in this midterm election, and Democrats were generally given a better-than-even chance of gaining the 23 net seats they needed to take control of the chamber, the speakers gavel, and the investigatory committees that are a real threat to Donald Trump. As of Wednesday morning, Democrats had gained 30 net seats, with 13 races still unresolved (FiveThirtyEight projects a net gain for Democrats of 34 seats in the end). The final outcome may not be known until later in the week or beyond, as late mail ballots are counted in California. The following is how the results rolled out in key districts.

In this regularly updated post we will note key House races that have been called by a major media outlet (most often the Associated Press) as having been decided, with some additional information on the significance of the particular result.

12:26 AM EST: Trump calls Utah race for Democrat because Republican Mia Love showed me no love. Republican incumbent Mia Love trails Democrat Ben McAdams by under three percent in the Salt Lake County-based 4th congressional district of Utah. There are a lot of mail ballots to count, and a final call on the race is unlikely before Friday. But in a Wednesday press conference the president said of Love: She showed me no love, so she lost. Its unclear whether Trump knows something Utah election officials dont know, or was just riffing without facts, as he has been known to do from time to time.

9:47 a.m. EST: Democrat Abigail Spanberger edges Tea Party hero Dave Brat in Virginia. In a bellwether race in the Richmond suburban 7th congressional district, former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Dave Brat, who was famous for upsetting then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a 2014 primary.

9:42 a.m. EST: Republicans flip a Democratic seat as Stauber defeats Radinovich in Minnestota. In a result that was widely anticipated, Republicans managed to claw back an open House seat in the Iron Range region of Minnesota, in a district (the 8th) that went heavily for Trump in 2016. Pete Stauber easily beat Democrat Joe Radinovich after incumbent Rick Nolan retired.

1:36 a.m. EST: Democrat Tom Malinowski has flipped a New Jersey congressional seat by defeating incumbent Leonard Lance. New Jerseys suburban 7th district is another that was carried by Romney in 2012 and (more narrowly) by Clinton in 2016, and was rated a tossup this year. Lance was a five-term incumbent who had never failed to win by less than nine points.

1:00 a.m. EST: Indicted California Republican Duncan Hunter defeats progressive opponent Campa-Najjar after smearing him relentlessly. Californias San Diego-based 50th congressional district has been traditionally very Republican. Trump carried it by 15 points, and Romney by 22. But Democrats thought incumbent Duncan Hunters indictment for massive misappropriation of campaign funds gave first-time challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar a decent chance, especially because the Democrat did an extraordinary job of fundraising. But Hunter and his allies ran a nasty ad campaign suggesting his opponent was a security threat because his grandfather, who died long before Campa-Najjar was born, was a Palestinian member of the Black September terror group. It seemed to have worked, or perhaps the district was just too Republican to reject Hunter and his tactics.

12:53 a.m. EST: Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick picks up a rare suburban win for his party, defeating wealthy Democrat Scott Wallace. In the Philadelphia suburbs, Fitzpatrick, who voted against legislation to repeal the Affordable Care act and agains the GOP tax cut bill, edged out self-funder Scott Wallace, who was accused of being a carpetbagger. The incumbent had some Democratic and labor support.

11:51 p.m. EST: In a major upset in strongly Republican district in deep red Oklahoma, Democrat Kendra Horne has defeated incumbent Republican Steve Russell. Horne outspent the incumbent, but this is still a shocker. The race in this Oklahoma City-based district that Trump carried by double-digits was rated Likely Republican by the Cook Political Report.

11:50 p.m. EST: Democrats pick up two seats in Iowa, as Abby Finkenauer easily beats Rod Blum and Cindy Axne edges David Young. Iowa, which went heavily Republican in both 2014 and 2016 (Trump carried the state by a larger margin than he won Texas), is another heartland state showing a major pro-Democratic trend. The win by Finkenauer (one of a few millennial nominees in competitive races) in the northeast Iowa 1st District was widely expected; Blum had ethics problems along with an extremist record. Axnes win over a stronger incumbent in the Des Moines-based 3d district was dicier, particularly since Republicans put a lot of late money into the state.

11:00 p.m. EST: Democrat Antonio Delgado defeats New York Republican incumbent John Faso in a former rappers revenge. Democrats won another tossup and picked up another seat as Delgado, an African-American Rhodes Scholar with a background as a rapper, defeated Faso in a Hudson Valley district that was carried by Obama in 2012 and Trump (very narrowly) in 2016. Fasos allies ran borderline racist ads suggesting he was some sort of thug more appropriate for a place like Los Angeles. It didnt work.

10:15 p.m. EST West Virginia Democrat Richard Ojeda failed to ride his campaign momentum to victory on Tuesday. The state legislator lost to Republican Carol Miller in West Virginias Third Congressional District by a margin of about 12 points  which wasnt even even the smallest margin for a losing Democratic congressional candidate in West Virginia that night. Ojeda had earned national attention and some local support for his vehement public support of this springs teacher walkout. That, combined with a few viral ads and a strong, populist personality, propelled the race into competitive territory. The DCCC even put the race on its Red to Blue List. Ojedas loss is a blow to West Virginia Democrats and to left-wing populists who considered the candidate a potential game-changer in a conservative state reeling from the decline of coal. Ojeda, who comes from a family of miners, had taken a relatively pro-coal position. But Miller, as Alexander Kaufman wrote for the HuffPost, received significant support from the natural-gas industry, and that may have helped give her the edge. Ojedas loss also affirms a key trend emerging early on Tuesday evening: there remains a steep political divide between Americas urban and suburban areas, and largely rural regions like Ojedas district. Sarah Jones

10:12 p.m. EST: Democrat Elaine Luria defeats incumbent Scott Taylor in tidewater Virginia. In a very close toss-up race that adds to the increasingly strong Democratic House performance tonight, Annapolis grad Elaine Luria has defeated freshman congressman Scott Taylor by an eyelash in the military-heavy Second District of Virginia.

10:10 p.m. EST: In another suburban Romney-Clinton district, this one in Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids has defeated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder. Davids easily beat Yoder in a suburban Kansas City district and will become Congresss first Native American lesbian former professional mixed-martial-arts fighter after an impressive first run for office.

10:05 p.m. EST: Max Rose upsets Republican incumbent Dan Donovan on Staten Island. This is Team Blues first bona fide upset of the night. Pollsters figured that the former district attorney and Staten Island borough president would be able to beat back a blue wave in a district that went for Trump by nine points in 2016. But army veteran Max Rose rode Democratic mobilization (and, possibly, gentrification-induced shifts in the districts demography) to a narrow win. With Donovan gone, as of this writing, the New York Times live forecast gives Democrats a greater than 95 percent chance of winning a House majority.

9:30 p.m. EST: Democrats win another suburban district won by Clinton, as Jason Crow defeats Republican incumbent Mike Coffman in Colorado. Obama as well as Clinton carried this central Colorado district, and Crow comfortably won a race rated by Cook as Lean Democratic.

8:42 p.m. EST: Kentucky Republican incumbent Andy Barr ekes out a win over Democrat Amy McGrath. This race seesawed back and forth between the candidates for a good while, but finally incumbent Andy Barr was declared the winner over challenger McGrath in the Lexington-based Sixth District. This was a pure toss-up contest, and represented more good news for the GOP.

8:25 p.m. EST: Riggelman wins in Virginia for the first really good news for House Republicans. In the open Republican-held Fifth District that runs from northern to southern Virginia, Republican Denver Riggleman has defeated Democrat Leslie Cockburn. This race was rated Lean Republican by Cook, but Democrats were optimistic about winning it.

8:08 p.m. EST: Shalala hangs on to flip South Florida district for Democrats. In Floridas 27th District, held by retiring Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, but that had been carried by both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services and University of Florida president Donna Shalala defeated Republican local news anchor Maria Salazar. This was a race rated Lean-D by Cook, but that Democrats were worried about.

7:30 EST: Wexton defeats Comstock in Northern Virginia in a widely expected R-to-D flip. This was no surprise: a suburban Washington district that Hillary Clinton carried by ten points rejected incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock in favor of Democrat Jennifer Wexton. This was a classic Romney-Clinton district with a highly educated population unsympathetic to Trump.Texas candidates Beto ORourke and Ted Cruz (top), and Missouri candidates Claire McCaskill and Josh Hawley (bottom) are in two of many very close Senate races that will be resolved as votes roll in. Photo: Getty Images; Shutterstock

Thanks to a 2018 landscape in which there were far more vulnerable Democratic seats (26 out of 35, which includes special elections in Minnesota and Mississippi), the GOP was favored to hang onto or even increase its narrow margin of control (currently 51 senators, plus the insurance policy of the vice-presidents tie-breaking vote). But there were a lot of very close races on tap. The Cook Political Report rated nine of them as toss-ups, and another four as competitive. In the end Republicans knocked off at least four incumbent Democrats while losing one of their own, with two races (Arizona and Nevada) still unresolved. There will be a November 27 runoff in Mississippi for a GOP-held seat in which the Republican will likely be favored. Heres how the results rolled out in real time:

In this regularly updated post we will note competitive Senate races that have been called by a major media outlet (most often the Associated Press) as having been decided, with some additional information on the significance of the particular result.

1:05 p.m. EST: Montana Democrat Jon Tester will hang on to his seat in race against Republican Matt Rosendale. Tester was ahead by just over a thousand votes on Wednesday morning, but the AP finally called the race for Trumps Democratic foe around 1 p.m., helping Democrats mitigate Republican gains.

12:07 p.m. EST: Republican congresswoman Martha McSally has a very narrow lead over her House colleague Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona. McSally is up by less than a percent with nearly all the election day ballots counted. But there are about a half million late mail and provisional ballots left to count; a definitive call probably wont be made until Thursday at the earliest unless candidates claim victory or concede defeat.

10:13 a.m. EST: Florida Democratic senator Bill Nelson appears to have narrowly lost to Republican governor Rick Scott. In another Senate race where a Democratic incumbent lost a late narrow lead in the polls, Floridas Bill Nelson fell short by less than a point against the free-spending two-term governor of the state, Rick Scott. State law requires a recount if there is a gap of less than 0.5 percent, and Nelson confirmed on Wednesday morning that we are proceeding to a recount. Still, it looks highly likely that this will be the end of Nelsons political career, which dates back to his first congressional win in 1978.

9:41 a.m. EST: Mr. Romney finally goes to Washington. Though its certainly no surprise, its worth noting that Mitt Romney has been elected Utahs next senator. Hell be the first politician in 173 years to serve as governor of one state, then senator of another. Romney was one of the most prominent Never Trumpers in 2016, but backed off that criticism during the campaign, saying last month, President Trump was not the person I wanted to become the nominee of our party but hes president now. Some have predicted Romney will now be a thorn in Trumps side, but his waffling should never be underestimated.

2:29 a.m. EST: Democrats finally clawed back a Republican-held seat as Congresswoman Jacky Rosen defeated incumbent Dean Heller in Nevada. In a test of the two parties organizational strength, Democrats prevailed narrowly in the early voting and then on Election Day. Heller went from being an underdog to a narrow favorite in the home stretch  but is now a former senator.

2:00 a.m. EST: Mississippi Senate special election goes to a runoff between incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy. Because it was a nonpartisan special election to fill out the term of former senator Thad Cochran, a majority was required to avoid a November 27 runoff. The main surprise here is that Hyde-Smith barely ran ahead of Espy, a former congressman and Clinton administration Secretary of Agriculture, despite facing underwhelming Republican opposition from fiery neo-Confederate Chris McDaniel. But in this heavily Republican state, the incumbent will be a strong favorite in the runoff.

11:11 p.m. EST: Democrats lose another heartbreaker as Claire McCaskill loses to Josh Hawley in Missouri. McCaskills luck in this red state finally ran out, as terrible losing margins in rural areas sank her against the states attorney general. This was a race she looked to be narrowly leading in, and another in which Trump will take credit for the late win.

10:15 p.m. EST: Beto ORourke loses, officially killing Democrats dreams of holding the Senate, and ousting Ted Cruz. Though the race was close enough to drag out hopes of Betomania well into election night, the Texas Senate race ended how most recent polls said it would: with ORourke narrowly losing to Cruz. Ultimately, ORourkes massive fundraising haul and Cruzs profound unlikability was not enough to turn Texas blue. Should we blame Beyonce for waiting so long to announce her endorsement? Were Republicans secretly hoping to rid themselves of Cruz while keeping the Senate? Will failing to actually win dampen Beto 2020 enthusiasm? There will certainly be plenty of pieces pondering these questions and more in the days to come.

9:30 p.m. EST: Democrat Joe Manchin survives again in pro-Trump West Virginia. In an outcome that would have mattered a lot more had Democrats done better in other red states, Senator Joe Manchin defeated Republican attorney general Pat Morrisey, who had been gaining some momentum down the stretch. Manchin helped insulate himself against Republican attacks by voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.

9:05 p.m. EST: Republicans win in Tennessee  chances for a blue Senate are basically kaput. For a long time there, Democrats felt good about Tennessee. No longer: Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, a close Trump ally, has beat Phil Bredesen, the popular former governor running as a moderate. Bredesen always said hed win as long as the race didnt get nationalized, but he started slipping in polls around the time of the Kavanaugh fight. In the end, even Taylor Swifts endorsement couldnt give him the win.

8:49 p.m. EST: Mike Braun prevails over Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

Mitch McConnells job appears to be secure. In preelection polls, Donnelly looked like one of the safest Democratic incumbents from a heavily pro-Trump state. But on the strength of overwhelming support from rural areas, businessman Mike Braun put an end to Donnellys Senate tenure  and, in all probability, to the Democratic Partys hopes of winning a majority in the upper chamber Tuesday night.

8:30 p.m. EST: Bob Menendez holds onto his Senate seat in New Jersey. When the Cook Report classified Menendezs race as a toss-up recently, things got tense for Democrats over a race that under normal circumstances they would have won going away. What was not normal was that Menendez had been indicted on corruption charges and escaped with hung jury. Contrary to political custom he chose to run again anyway. After some moments of doubt, the voters of New Jersey seem to have decided to hold their collective noses and vote to keep the Senate seat blue rather than give it to GOP challenger Bob Hugin  and Mitch McConnell.

8:08 p.m. EST: Sherrod Brown wins easily in a state Trump carried by eight points. Left-leaning Ohio populist Democrat Sherrod Brown, thought initially to be vulnerable in a state that Trump carried by eight points, was quickly called the winner over Republican congressman and Trump buddy Jim Renacci soon after the polls closed. Its potentially another sign of midwestern buyers remorse over Trump and his allies. And Brown is sure to be mentioned as a 2020 presidential possibility.

7:15 p.m. EST: Sanders and Kaine cruise to reelection. No one thought that Vermonts Bernie Sanders or Virginias Tim Kaine were in any trouble. But these two national Democratic figures won instantly when the polls closed in their states. And while Sanders was never in a scintilla of trouble, it is significant that Kaine easily dispatched Trump ally and neo-Confederate hero Corey Stewart, who nearly won the GOP gubernatorial nomination last year.Voters are signaling that they are ready for a robust voting rights agenda. Will Democrats listen? Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Brian Kemp will likely be Georgias next governor. The Republican may eke out a narrow win over Democrat Stacey Abrams, but the legitimacy of his election is undeniably in question: Kemp served as the states secretary of state during his race, and as New Yorks Zak Cheney-Rice previously reported, he oversaw an election marred by repeated irregularities. On Kemps watch, the state purged around 340,000 voters from the rolls and announced an investigation of the Georgia Democratic Party for allegedly hacking voter-registration files. Kemp offered no evidence to support his investigation, which he announced two days before the election; the day of the vote, many Georgians reported long lines and broken ballot machines.

Kemp is not solely responsible for voter suppression, and Georgia was not the only place Republican sought to erect legal barriers to voting rights. Its long been a favored tactic of Republicans, and their efforts seemed to tick up as the election approached. Days before the vote, a federal judge declined to block a North Dakota law that required a residential address on a state or tribal ID from voters. As ABC News reported early on Tuesday, the law disproportionately affected Native Americans living on reservations, and potentially disenfranchised many right before an election. Tribes rushed into action, printing thousands of new IDs in order to get members to the polls.

As serious as these incidents are, Tuesdays results provided new reasons for optimism about the future of voting rights. Voters in several states moved to radically expand voting rights, and rejected candidates like Kris Kobach, who campaigned on his own record of voter suppression only to lose his race for Kansas governor. In Michigan, voters approved Proposal 2, which combats gerrymandering by creating an independent, nonpartisan citizens voting commision. The proposal would bar partisan officeholders, their employees, lobbyists, and others with ties to the current system from becoming commissioners, the Detroit Free-Press reported on Tuesday evening.

Proposal 2 wasnt an outlier. Colorado voters passed Amendments Y and Z, which, like Michigans Proposal 2, creates independent, bipartisan commissions charged with redrawing congressional and state legislative districts. The commissions would have bipartisan membership, in an attempt to block partisan gerrymandering. In Missouri, voters approved Amendment 1, a sweeping ballot measure that allots redistricting power to an independent commissioner and places caps on allowable lobbyist gifts to state legislators and staff at $5. North Carolina elected Anita Earls, a civil-rights attorney who is a vocal opponent of voter ID laws and gerrymandering, to the state supreme court. And Florida voters approved Amendment Four, which extended the franchise to 1.5 million people convicted of nonviolent felonies.

Voting rights are still at risk. But voters themselves achieved no small measure of progress on Tuesday: North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Missouri, and Michigan shored up voting rights at an especially pivotal moment. Thats good news for civil rights, and its a clear repudiation of the party of Donald Trump. Democrats should take notice  out of a moral commitment to civil rights, and for pragmatic reasons, too. If the party didnt already grasp the need to organize around voting rights, tonights results should reinforce the point. Whatever platform the party debuts ahead of 2020 must feature voting rights at the center. Progressive causes are interconnected: The 2018 midterms were about health care, certainly, but health-care reform and voting rights share a vital characteristic. They both improve the material circumstances of working people, especially people of color. The Democratic Partys better deal starts here, with the vote.Donald Trump Jr. Photo: Scott Sonner/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Last year, Donald Trump Jr. testified that he never informed his father of a meeting with Russian officials promising dirt on Hillary Clinton. It seemed hard to believe that the neer-do-well son would neglect to seek credit for his expected campaign coup from the father whose approval he so obviously craves. And now it seems that Robert Mueller has obtained proof that it is not in fact true. The Trump family lies all the time, of course, but doing it under oath is a crime.

Two days ago, Gabriel Sherman reported that White House officials are concerned about Donald Jr. Im very worried about Don Jr., a former West Wing official told Sherman, who fears Mueller will be able to prove perjury. Deep in a report about Trumps 2020 campaign plans, Politico drops the news this morning that Trump Jr. has told friends in recent weeks that he believes he could be indicted.

If its what youre saying, we love it.

The details of the expected indictment remain to be seen. But if Trump Jr. did lie under oath, the obvious question is why. He had a lawyer, who presumably informed him of the dangers of perjury. Why take the risk of perjury to deny having informed his father about a meeting with Russian officials if the contacts produced absolutely nothing?It was doomed almost from the start. Photo: Pool/Getty Images

As a senator, Jeff Sessions was one of Donald Trumps earliest supporters, and he served as one of his campaigns top foreign-policy advisers. But the seeds of the attorney generals rift with the president were planted during his confirmation hearing, when he offered up some thoughts about Russia collusion that turned out to be not entirely accurate. Heres how their relationship devolved to the point that Sessions was asked to submit his resignation a day after the midterms, following months of the two 71-year-old lawmakers barely speaking, except to lob insults on Twitter.

Sessionss Russia Contacts Are Revealed

In March 2017, President Trump was basking in the unusually positive reviews from his first address to Congress. The very next day, we learned that Sessions met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at least twice while working with the Trump campaign  yet during his confirmation hearing he denied, under oath, having any such contacts.

Im not aware of any of those activities, Sessions said of Trump officials Russia contacts, I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.

Amid calls for him to step down, at least from the FBIs Russia investigation, Sessions said he would recuse myself on anything that I should recuse myself on, thats all I can tell you.

The White House stuck by Sessions, claiming then-Democratic Senator Al Franken pushed the story to distract from Trumps good press. Trump himself told reporters he had total confidence in Sessions and did not think he should recuse himself.

Sessions at a Trump rally on February 28, 2016, in Madison, Alabama. Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage

Sessions Recuses Himself

The next day Sessions announced he would recuse himself from any investigation into the 2016 campaign. So in the end I have followed the right procedure, he said,  just as I believe any good attorney general should do.

Trump Is Furious

Trump was reportedly livid over Sessionss recusal.

Trump left WH in a fury on Friday, fuming about Sessions's recusal and telling aides that Sessions shouldn't have recused himself...  Robert Costa (@costareports) March 4, 2017

Over the next 48 hours, he lashed out at various Democrats, baselessly accusing President Obama of wiretapping him during the campaign. Many months later, the New York Times reported that Trump instructed then-White House counsel Don McGahn to keep Sessions from recusing himself, and when he failed Trump attacked his staff:

Mr. McGahn was unsuccessful, and the president erupted in anger in front of numerous White House officials, saying he needed his attorney general to protect him. Mr. Trump said he had expected his top law enforcement official to safeguard him the way he believed Robert F. Kennedy, as attorney general, had done for his brother John F. Kennedy and Eric H. Holder Jr. had for Barack Obama.

Mr. Trump then asked, Wheres my Roy Cohn? He was referring to his former personal lawyer and fixer, who had been Senator Joseph R. McCarthys top aide during the investigations into communist activity in the 1950s and died in 1986.

Sessions Aids Effort to Discredit Comey

The Times also reported that despite his recusal, Sessions worked to spread negative information about FBI Director James Comey after he refused to publicly confirm that Trump wasnt under investigation.

Two days after Mr. Comeys testimony, an aide to Mr. Sessions approached a Capitol Hill staff member asking whether the staffer had any derogatory information about the F.B.I. director. The attorney general wanted one negative article a day in the news media about Mr. Comey, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said the episode did not occur. This did not happen and would not happen, said the spokeswoman, Sarah Isgur Flores. Plain and simple.

Trump Fires Comey, Ostensibly Because Sessions Told Him To

In the statement announcing Comeys firing on May 9, 2017, the White House said, President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The administration released a letter from Rosenstein arguing that Comeys handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe was inappropriate, and a one-paragraph letter from Sessions saying that he agreed. Later Trump said hed decided to fire the FBI director regardless of what Rosenstein and Sessions said, referencing the Russia probe.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Rosenstein Appoints a Special Counsel

If Trump was firing Comey to curtail the Russia investigation, it backfired spectacularly. Rosenstein, who is in charge of any campaign-related matters thanks to Sessionss recusal, appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special counsel on May 17, 2017, to look into any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, as well as any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation. Mueller was authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.

Trump Berates Sessions in Oval Office

Shortly after Muellers appointment, Trump berated Sessions during an Oval Office meeting, pointing to his recusal as the moment the administration lost control of the Russia probe, according to the Times. Sessions offered to resign, but Trump decided to keep him on after being persuaded that firing him would create a bigger mess:

Accusing Mr. Sessions of disloyalty, Mr. Trump unleashed a string of insults on his attorney general.

Ashen and emotional, Mr. Sessions told the president he would quit and sent a resignation letter to the White House, according to four people who were told details of the meeting. Mr. Sessions would later tell associates that the demeaning way the president addressed him was the most humiliating experience in decades of public life.

Priebus Saves Sessionss Job, Twice

In his book, former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said he prevented Sessions from resigning on two occasions. Priebus said he learned the AG planned to step down just after the incident in the Oval Office, and he ran to catch up with Sessions before he left.

I knocked on the door of the car, and Jeff was sitting there and I just jumped in and shut the door, Priebus said. And I said, Jeff, whats going on? And then he told me that he was going to resign. I said, You cannot resign. Its not possible. We are going to talk about this right now. So I dragged him back up to my office from the car.

A White House insider said that Trump told Priebus to obtain Sessionss resignation in June as well, but he talked him out of it, telling him, If I get this resignation, you are in for a spiral of calamity that makes Comey look like a picnic.

Trump Calls Sessions Recusal Unfair

In his first public attack on Sessions, Trump told the New York Times on July 19, 2017, that he wouldnt have nominated Sessions if he knew he was going to recuse himself.

TRUMP: So Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, recuses himself. I then have  which, frankly, I think is very unfair to the president. How do you take a job and then recuse yourself? If he would have recused himself before the job, I would have said, Thanks, Jeff, but I cant, you know, Im not going to take you. Its extremely unfair, and thats a mild word, to the president.

Trump Tries to Humiliate Sessions into Resigning

Trump doesnt love firing people when hes not on a TV set, and in July 2017 he lobbed a number of public insults at his attorney general that were widely viewed as attempts to force him to resign. Reports suggested Trump was considering Rudy Giuliani or Senator Ted Cruz as Sessionss replacement, but both men shot down the idea. Axios reported that he had called a political associate and asked, What would happen if I fired Sessions?

The Washington Post reported that Trump had been musing about using a recess appointment to install a new attorney general without the approval of Congress once Sessions was gone.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump wouldnt say whether he planned to fire Sessions, and dismissed his early campaign endorsement. Its not like a great loyal thing about the endorsement, Trump said. Im very disappointed in Jeff Sessions.

He also continued lashing out at Sessions on Twitter:

So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2017

Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump campaign - "quietly working to boost Clinton." So where is the investigation A.G. @seanhannity  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

Why didn't A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation but got....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

Sessions said he intended to stay on as long as that is appropriate.

Democrat Wins Sessionss Old Seat, Humiliating Trump

Though Sessions had little to do with it, having his old Alabama Senate seat go to a Democrat probably didnt improve his relationship with Trump. The president initially backed establishment candidate Luther Strange, who had been appointed to replace the AG, but the GOP nomination went to Roy Moore. Trump stuck by Moore even after he was accused of sexually assaulting several teen girls, but Sessions contradicted the official line, saying I have no reason to doubt these young women. Democrat Doug Jones wound up winning the December 2017 special election.

FBI Director Threatens to Quit Amid Pressure From Sessions

Following Trumps public complaints about FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, Sessions reportedly pressured FBI director Christopher Wray to fire him in December. Wray refused and threatened to quit if Sessions didnt back off, according to Axios, and McGahn told him it wasnt worth losing another FBI director.

Trump Renews Attacks on Sessions, Misspells Name

After laying off Sessions for a few months, on February 21, 2018, Trump resumed his public shaming of the AG, criticizing him for failing to prosecute Obama for failing to stop the Russian election meddling Trump officials are accused of participating in. Also, in the initial version of the tweet, Trump called him Jeff Session.

Question: If all of the Russian meddling took place during the Obama Administration, right up to January 20th, why arent they the subject of the investigation? Why didnt Obama do something about the meddling? Why arent Dem crimes under investigation? Ask Jeff Sessions!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2018

Trump Lashes Out at Sessions for Following DOJ Rules

Showing once again that he does not understand how the Justice Department works, Trump was angered by Sessions asking the Justice Departments inspector general to review Republican claims that Trump campaign officials were improperly surveilled, instead of ordering an investigation. As the Times notes, an attorney general cannot order an inspector general to investigate anything, only refer information.

Why is A.G. Jeff Sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive FISA abuse. Will take forever, has no prosecutorial power and already late with reports on Comey etc. Isnt the I.G. an Obama guy? Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018

Sessions Defends Himself

Rather than silently accepting Trumps insults as he has so many times in the past, in March 2018 Sessions responded to the presidents disgraceful tweet with a statement explaining his actions.

We have initiated the appropriate process that will ensure complaints against this Department will be fully and fairly acted upon if necessary. As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution.

In case it was not clear that Sessions was siding with the law rather than the president, he then made sure he was spotted dining with Rod Rosenstein and the Solicitor General Noel Francisco  who happen to be the next two people in line to run the Justice Department.

Scoop: Under attack from Trump, Sessions dines with Rosenstein in show of solidarity https://t.co/Vm92Bn0YEc pic.twitter.com/tuzlWNZj71  Axios (@axios) March 1, 2018

A source close to Sessions told Axios that Francisco had requested the meeting some time ago, and it was in no way planned as pushback or an act of solidarity against the president.

Mueller Probes Trumps Attacks on Sessions

In addition to revealing that Trump has given Sessions the derisive nickname Mr. Magoo, the Washington Post reported in February that Mueller is investigating whether Trumps efforts to drive Sessions out of his job were part of an effort to obstruct the Russia probe. So it appears Trumps anger at Sessions for indirectly starting the Mueller investigation became more fodder for the Mueller investigation.

Trump Repeatedly Asked Sessions to Unrecuse Himself

Axios reported in May 2018 that Trump repeatedly tried to get Sessions to reverse his decision to step aside from oversight of the Mueller probe, pressuring him on at least four separate occasions, three times in person and once over the phone, according to sources familiar with the conversations. Trump reportedly told Sessions that hed be a hero to conservatives if he did the right thing, but the AG didnt budge.

Trump Jabs Sessions in Sarcastic Tweets

In an August 2018 Fox & Friends interview, Trump groused about Sessionss recusal again, saying he never took control of the Justice Department. Sessions took the job and then he said, Im going to recuse myself. I said what kind of a man is this? Trump recalled.

Sessions responded by issuing a statement, saying he will not be improperly influenced by political considerations. The statement was released just moments before he was scheduled to arrive at the White House for a meeting on criminal justice reform.

I took control of the Department of Justice the day I was sworn in, which is why we have had unprecedented success at effectuating the presidents agenda  one that protects the safety and security and rights of the American people, reduces violent crime, enforces our immigration laws, promotes economic growth, and advances religious liberty, Sessions continued.

Trump then snapped back with a series of tweets quoting Sessionss statement:

Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations. Jeff, this is GREAT, what everyone wants, so look into all of the corruption on the other side including deleted Emails, Comey lies & leaks, Mueller conflicts, McCabe, Strzok, Page, Ohr......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018

....FISA abuse, Christopher Steele & his phony and corrupt Dossier, the Clinton Foundation, illegal surveillance of Trump Campaign, Russian collusion by Dems - and so much more. Open up the papers & documents without redaction? Come on Jeff, you can do it, the country is waiting!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018

The incident culminated with Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Lindsey Graham  whos shot down speculation that he might be up for attorney general  suggesting that theyd changed their position, and would be fine with Trump firing Sessions  as long as he waited until after the midterms.

The presidents entitled to an attorney general he has faith in, somebody thats qualified for the job, and I think there will come a time, sooner rather than later, where it will be time to have a new face and a fresh voice at the Department of Justice, Graham said.

Trump Blast Sessions Over Indictments of Two GOP Congressmen

After two Republican representatives up for reelection, Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins, were indicted in August, Trump lashed out at Sessions again via tweet. (As it turns out, both candidates won on Tuesday despite the indictments.)

Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2018

....The Democrats, none of whom voted for Jeff Sessions, must love him now. Same thing with Lyin James Comey. The Dems all hated him, wanted him out, thought he was disgusting - UNTIL I FIRED HIM! Immediately he became a wonderful man, a saint like figure in fact. Really sick!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2018

Trump Denies That He Insulted Sessions Behind His Back

In Fear, Bob Woodward reported that Trump once said of Sessions: This guy is mentally retarded. Hes this dumb Southerner.  He couldnt even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama. Trump denied uttering these particular insults, but didnt counter by saying anything nice about Sessions:

The already discredited Woodward book, so many lies and phony sources, has me calling Jeff Sessions mentally retarded and a dumb southerner. I said NEITHER, never used those terms on anyone, including Jeff, and being a southerner is a GREAT thing. He made this up to divide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018

Trump Was Already Interviewing Potential Sessions Replacements

By this fall, it was widely expected that Sessions would be pushed out some time after the midterms (though perhaps not one day after the midterms). The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Trump was already interviewing potential replacements:

The potential candidates include Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Transportation Department general counsel Steven Bradbury, former Attorney General Bill Barr, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Janice Rogers Brown, a retired appeals court judge from the District of Columbia Circuit, the people said.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that Trump had been talking to Sessionss own chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker  who was just named acting AG via tweet. The Post said Trump had seemed to take a liking to the attorney generals chief of staff, noting:

In September 2017, [Whitaker] wrote a column for CNN saying that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III  who CNN had reported at the time could be looking into Trump and his associates financial ties to Russia  had come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing.

This post was originally published on March 1, 2018. It was updated throughout following Jeff Sessionss resignation on Wednesday.Security was heightened at the Brandon Municipal Airport last week after police learned a man threatened to steal a plane in the city and fly it to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 7/11/2018 (1110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Security was heightened at the Brandon Municipal Airport last week after police learned a man threatened to steal a plane in the city and fly it to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The incident was briefly detailed in a report from the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System, which said on Nov. 1, Brandon police advised the airports flight service station of an online threat in which an unknown person planned to steal a plane.

A news release from the Brandon Police Service said they received information at approximately 6:13 p.m. that same day about a man who claimed he would steal a plane from Brandon and land it at the Parliament building in Ottawa.

Police relayed the threat to airport staff and the Brandon Flying Club, who informed them that no planes had been stolen, but they would take the necessary precautions to prevent it from happening.

Information about the individual involved is limited, but police have described him as a male in a vehicle driving from Alberta on a "one-way trip to Ottawa."

"You never know how serious its going to be or where the persons mindset is going to be at, so we take it all very seriously," said Brandon Flight Centre CEO David Creighton.

Creighton added that all of the hangars and access points on site were quickly secured and the power was shut down to prevent the hangar doors from being opened.

The flight centre is open 24-7, he said, and has a lot of private aircraft parked in the building so owners can access their planes at any time.

Creighton said he was told by police the following day that the threat was no longer credible and he commended them for keeping the flight centre informed throughout the incident.

The Brandon Sun was unable to reach airport co-ordinator Robb Nesbitt for comment, but City of Brandon spokesperson Allison Collins said security at the airport was asked to be on alert when notified of the threat.

"But essentially the incident resolved itself without any incident at the airport," she said.

BPS Const. Grant McKay said Brandon police never had any contact with the man himself, but "got wind" that he was in the city and that he made comments about stealing an airplane, although he never did.

The man was later discovered travelling east on the Trans-Canada Highway near Ignace, Ont., at 9:44 p.m., a few hours after police in Brandon were made aware of his threat.

However, it isnt known if the man was ever arrested. A description of the man has not been provided, either.

The news release from the BPS said they provided information to the Ontario Provincial Police, municipal police agencies in the area and officials in Ottawa, although it wasnt made clear which detachments or officials were contacted.

A spokesperson from Public Safety Canada directed questions to the OPP, including the local detachment in Ignace.

Ignace OPP Const. Taylor Hertz said no arrests were made on Nov. 1 involving anyone from out of town.

 mlee@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @mtaylorleeTrump International Hotel in Washington D.C. Photo: Ron Antonelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Where do you want to be when you learn the fate of Donald Trumps presidency? Tuesdays midterm elections will decide what the next two years of this first term will look like, and perhaps whether itll even be two more years at all. For Trumps supporters and some members of his administration and his family in Washington, the best place to face this uncertainty was obvious: the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. Ill be here observing the party until last call, a decision I already regret.

6:45 p.m.

There are four screens above the main bar in the lobby, two set to Fox News and the other two to CNN. The bar is a swarm of men and women, most of whom look like they fell right out of the TVs airing Fox News and onto the blue-and-gold carpet here. A Republican lawyer, in conversation with journalists and a former Breitbart employee, said he was expecting a red rip curl, rather than a red wave.

Off toward the restaurant, Katrina Pierson sat in the back of a booth with two others. I heard that Steve Mnuchin is here wearing an I Voted sticker, but I havent seen him yet.

6:59

Loud booing erupted around the bar when results came onscreen for Bernie Sanders and Tim Kaine, both of whom were reelected.

7:08

I found a rare empty chair near the elevators where there are no people and decided to take a moment to collect my thoughts in peace.

7:09

Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle walked by me with their security detail. Quietly, they escaped through the doors leading to the driveway.

7:15

Darrell Issa just walked in.

7:25

I went outside to have a cigarette and Eric and Lara Trump walked out. He walked over to get into his SUV. He waved over towards me and another reporter. Hey guys! And then got into the vehicle.

7:50

Marc Lotter, former press secretary for Mike Pence, approaches me and three other reporters. A woman standing nearby asked him if he knew who was winning. He told her he wouldnt expect to know until ten or 11. He engaged in small talk for a while, almost never looking up from a live feed of the results on his phone

8:26

At the bar, a man remarked to his friend Bernie Sanders is so Larry Sanders. Hes so New York.

There is now a line outside the hotel, which management says is at capacity.

8:48

At the bar earlier, another reporter and I waited for an overwhelmed waiter to bring us coffee. While we waited, we talked with a woman who said her name is Kelly Boone and shes from Colorado. Kelly left the bar before the coffee arrived but, ten minutes later, she walked over to our chairs holding a tray with two coffees for us. Over coffee, she showed me a bruise under her eye and claimed that, while wearing a Make America Great Again hat at a Walmart recently, a man walked up to her, removed her hat and struck her in the face.

8:59

Suzzanne Monk, a Trump supporter and aspiring pundit who Ive seen at this hotel before, walked over to my table. Its Americas living room, where else would you want to be? she said.

9:08

I asked a person close to the president how the president is feeling about the results so far. Awesome, they said, We likely win both races in Florida. Plus, Tennessee, Indiana, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas, and Nevada.

Asked if Trump was worried about tonights results before they began rolling in, this person said, Nope. Not one bit.

Hes not a worrier.

9:27

A man wearing a Trump button the size of a grapefruit on his lapel approached me to say he recognized me, though he couldnt remember why. He asked if I was a reporter, and then he recalled he recognized me because of my recent interview with Trump. He asked me what it was like to interview him. He said his name was Johnny Rice and hes running for Congress in Maryland. Without prompting, he offered that he loves Trump although hes not perfect, before criticizing how Trump has handled accusations that he sympathizes with white nationalists. What Trump should say, Rice told me, is: This isnt about nationalism, its about Americanism. Rice added that he messaged David Duke on Facebook to tell him he isnt a Christian and he shouldnt support Trump. Then, Rice said that he didnt understand why Trump didnt denounce racists more strongly. He said he thought he might be scared to do so.

9:32

Fox News called the House for Democrats. FUCK! a man passing by said. He then covered his mouth and said oops.

9:59

I am in the restaurant upstairs having a glass of wine. Seen from here, the patches in the crowd are more visible, making it more confusing that security has stopped anyone from entering because of fire safety concerns. Two women wearing ball gowns that say Make America Great Again in large type on the front, designed by Andre Soriano, walk into the lobby.

10:52

The person close to the president tells me he is happy because everywhere he campaigned is kicking ass.

11:07

They dont cook their French fries enough here. Theyre kind of mushy. As I contemplated this, the entire room erupted in cheers. I turned to the TVs mounted across the room. Missouri was called for Josh Hawley, the Republican, over Claire McCaskill. Three women stood up to clap.

11:55

Sebastian Gorka was holding a copy of his new book, which features a deeply unflattering picture of him on the cover. I asked him why he chose the photo and why he wasnt looking at the camera. He told me he wasnt interested in answering stupid questions. I asked what he thought of tonights results and he said, Im really not interested in talking to you, okay?I would strongly argue that Cork is the best location for a global food conference, says Joe Gill.

The Cork Butter Exchange hosted a lively debate on the future of the Irish food industry in University College Cork last week.

The participants were asked to discuss ways in which the industry could be promoted.

One of the ideas floated was to establish an annual world-ranking food finance conference that positions Ireland at the front of ideas and trends for financing the worldwide food industry.

The idea is as follows: The ministers for food and finance announce a new annual three-day conference that will bring the best brains from finance and food around the world to Ireland.

The conference  the Global Food Finance Summit  would be supported by all the relevant state agencies including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, and other government departments and agencies, alongside the private co-ops and companies that produce and manage food assets from Ireland.

The plenary sessions would include debates and speeches by leading business leaders, financiers, entrepreneurs, as well as innovators from across the global food industry.

Their brief would be to provide a leadership of ideas around how food is currently produced, manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide.

In parallel with the main session, there would be break-out meetings to focus on specific topics while an overarching networking service would connect financiers with entrepreneurs to secure investment for both Irish and non-Irish food businesses.

The objective would be to establish the global food finance conference as the go-to annual major event which attracts global media attention from international business news media such as Bloomberg, the Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as academic and food journals that focus on food innovation.

Templates for events of this type already exist.

Each January for the past 20 years, the leading annual global air finance conference has taken place in Dublin when up to 2,000 high spending delegates descend on the city.

The Web Summit, when it was in Dublin, did a similar service for technology.

I would strongly argue that Cork is the best location for a global food conference.

It could be hosted on the campus of UCC over three days each September before the return of the students and after the peak tourism season has passed.

In that way, hotels and restaurants in Cork City and county can be filled with delegates from around the world.

The global food finance summit should debate food trends in Africa and Asia, as well as issues in Ireland or Europe, because the Irish food industry has to think on a global basis if it wants to prosper and secure its future long-term.

While doing so, we should be showcasing the best restaurants, bars, and gastro-pubs in the Cork region.

To kick this off, positive and energetic leadership is needed by a number of key people.

The president of UCC should put his hand up to promote the project, given that institutions long history in educating some of the best minds in the Irish food industry.

A number of private and co-op food entities should volunteer to send significant numbers of delegates to provide the project with the necessary scale and substance.

Large financial, auditing and legal firms that support food industries around the world should wade in too, providing sponsorship and support.

With that package, a global food finance summit could go out and secure the business leaders from the worlds largest food companies and institutional asset managers.

It would place Cork as an important date in the global food finance diary from 2019, with the aim of making it the premier annual event.

If the global food finance summit can be lit up by the two relevant ministers for food and finance, it could build its standing as the best conference around for food entrepreneurs and the investors who are willing to back them.

I could imagine major investments being announced at the global food finance summit, connecting manufacturers, retailers and primary producers from all major economies.

If that happened, it could close the circle started in Cork during the 1770s when the first global marketplace for butter was nurtured and developed.

Designing a 2019 version of that is a challenge worth taking.

Joe Gill is director of corporate broking with Goodbody Stockbrokers. His views are personal.Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

At 9:03 p.m., it was pretty clear that the outer reaches of the Democratic dream election night was going to remain, well, a reach. Progressive heroes of a new generation like Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams were going to be swept aside, the Senate was gone, and, at the moment at least, Republicans had flipped more Democratic House seats than vice versa. Also at 9:03 p.m., with less than a half of one percent of the precincts in, the election for New York governor was called for Andrew Cuomo. In a year in which the theory that proudly progressive Democrats could win across the board went up in smoke, it was a blowout in New York. By the time of this writing, the governor is up by more than 30 points in the vote counting. Cuomos coattails carried Democrats across the finish line in deep-red congressional districts from Staten Island to western New York. The State Senate seems set to deliver a solid Democratic majority for the first time in five decades.

Less than two months after Cuomo fended off a fierce challenge from his left flank from Cynthia Nixon, he took the stage at his Election Night party and delivered a fierce defense of Cuomo-ism, that style of politics that eschews performative wokeness in favor of brute force pushing an agenda forward.

New York State defines what it means to be the progressive capital of the nation, Cuomo said. Because we understand in New York that being progressive is not a label, or a symbol, or an aspiration. It means getting the job done. It means helping people lead better lives.

Prominent progressive candidates like Beto ORourke and Ben Jealous had already gone down to defeat, and Cuomo took aim at a sector and a style of left politics that he has always abhorred, the kind that  from his perspective  favors seminar-room philosophizing and symbolic victories over concrete results for constituents.

There is nothing theoretical, academic, elitist, or abstract about needing food on the table or pay for health care or pay for a mortgage or pay a tuition bill, Cuomo said. We are the real people with real problems. And our progressive government has proven that we could provide opportunity for all New Yorkers.

For most of his tenure, Cuomo has danced on the edges of the field of plausible Democratic presidential contenders. He seemed too snarling to ever be the kind of politician the left could fall in love with, too calculating for an era that prizes authenticity above all else. But he took dead aim at Donald Trump on Tuesday night, laying out a vision for the country that looks very different from his fellow Queens native.

He buzzed the president for his comments after the Charlottesville white supremacy rally last year, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and all but accused the president of racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, and misogyny.

The president said he would make America great again, but he doesnt understand what made America great in the first place, Cuomo said. The presidents strategy is divide and conquer, he uses fear and division to separate Americans, he preaches that diversity is the enemy, that our differences should be demonized.

Cuomo faces an Albany very different from the one he has controlled for the previous eight years. Since the first day of the first session of the New York Legislature with Cuomo in charge, the State Senate Republican majority has been bolstered by a group of breakaway Democrats who caucused with their Republican counterparts with at least the governors tacit approval. The arrangement meant that liberal legislation that came from the State

Assembly never got to the governors desk, which allowed him (in theory at least) to make liberal gestures while still governing as a moderate. That gambit crashed apart back in September, when each breakaway Democratic state senator lost to a progressive challenger. Those challengers will arrive at the statehouse unafraid to buck the governor in a way that other lawmakers have been, and their demands are going to make New York the rival of California as a progressive capital, with better-funded subways, schools, and a social safety net. And more significantly, they come with a mandate to change the way Albany operates, calling for more transparency, tighter campaign-finance rules, and a reform of New Yorks notoriously lax ethics laws.

Cuomo moved sharply left after a liberal challenger ran against him in 2014, but it remains to be seen if he will answer the call for greater process reforms this time around. He has figured out how Albany works, and is unlikely to want to have much time for anyone who wants to muck around in the machinery of it.

Plus, the governor hasnt indicated if he will seek a fourth term now that he has won a third. If he isnt running, the Democratic primary to replace him begins in a few short months.

Or maybe sooner. Democrats across the country are going to be looking for heroes after a night that saw a number of possible presidential hopefuls go down to defeat. It is still hard to imagine the party faithful turning their lonely eyes to him. But now after a string of primary and general election landslides dating back to 2010, after saying he would carry a Democratic state senate and a handful of Democratic congressional candidates on his back and doing it, the governor wakes up on Wednesday as someone whose reputation as a master tactician remains unimpeachable.

Just consider that speech in which he took on Trump. Cuomo is of course not the only New Yorker considering a run for president. Kirsten Gillibrand is often considered a far more plausible candidate than he is, Mike Bloomberg has more money than God, and even Bill de Blasio seems to think he has a following on the partys left flanks.

But Cuomo hurried to the stage to deliver his denunciations of Trump just before ten oclock, giving the news networks just enough time to carry his speech if they wanted to. When it was Gillibrands turn, she talked about Trump, the womens march, and lauded it as an intersectional moment. Then NY1, the all-news cable station that had been carrying her speech live, cut away. News was happening elsewhere.By Sean O'Riordan

Cruise liner traffic boosted the Cork economy by 12m this year, a figure which may increase next year when for the first time the number of ships visiting next year will top the 100-mark.

A total of 92 cruise ships have visited the port this year, carrying 157,000 passengers and 69,000 crew.

It was the highest ever number of cruise ship visits to the region and the Port of Cork says it anticipates it will have more than 100 visits in 2019.

"Even though our cruise business has grown 30% in the last year, the biggest beneficiary is the region, with up to 12 million injected into the local economy over the summer cruise season," Port of Cork chief executive Brendan Keating said.

Based on research carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes in 2017 on behalf of the Port of Cork, cruise passengers spend an average of 81 per visit and crew spend 29 per visit.

"In 2019 we anticipate over 100 cruise calls to Cork and realistically this is how we expect the cruise business pace to continue," Mr Keating said.

Last month the Port of Cork visited all the major cruise lines calling to Cork and feedback from the companies was very positive in terms of their passenger experiences when visiting the region.

Currently, all cruise operations are handled in Cobh, Irelands only dedicated cruise berth.

However, with the continued growth in calls, the Port of Cork is now keen to explore the option of a second cruise berth in Cobh.

Mr Keating said with that in mind the Port of Cork has just launched their Expressions of Interest to the market inviting submissions from interested parties to develop and/or operate a new cruise berth at Lynchs Quay, Cobh.

Conor Mowlds, the Port of Cork commercial officer, said that by launching the Expressions of Interest they will see if there is an appetite in the market to develop a new cruise berth in Cobh.

"From the ports perspective, we know this business is growing and we want to have every possible option ready to capitalise on it," Mr Mowlds said.

The increased cruise calls to Cork are indicative of the wider global cruise business which has seen huge growth.

It is estimated this year that 27.2m people will have taken a cruise on more than 450 cruise ships worldwide.

Mr Mowlds said that with the global cruise ship order book for new build contracts reaching 113 ships between now and 2027, Cork cruise business is set to grow further in the coming years and the Port of Cork is eager to attract these new ships.

Further information on the Expression of Interest can be found here.By Geoff Percival

Dublin-headquartered discount clothing retailer Primark is to focus on the US and eastern Europe for its international growth.

The company, which trades here as Penneys, has also confirmed details of its pending resumption of trading in Belfast, following the August fire which destroyed its store at the citys Bank Buildings.

Primark said it will open a new central Belfast store, at Commonwealth House, on December 8 and resume trading in time for the Christmas shopping period.

It also said that it is committed to working with Belfasts city authorities to restore Bank Buildings over the longer term.

Primarks revenues, for the 12 months to mid-September, increased by 6% to just under 7.5bn (8.6bn), while its annual operating profits jumped 15% to 843m. The business was one of the main drivers of annual growth for diversified parent group Associated British Foods (ABF), whose yearly profits jumped 3% to just over 1.4bn and revenues rose 1% to 15.6bn.

Primark said it performed particularly well in the UK, but saw like-for-like sales fall by nearly 5% in the eurozone. Bad weather in northern Europe was to blame.

In terms of physical growth, Primark said it will look to expand into eastern Europe, with first stores planned for Poland and Slovenia. More expansion is also planned in the US.

Primark said it was very pleased with its performance in the US in the second half of the year  with its ninth store, which opened in Brooklyn in July, trading very strongly.

Two stores in New Jersey and Florida will open in the next two years, after which Primark will continue to focus on east coast store openings to be serviced from its existing US warehouse.

No further store openings are planned for the Republic.

The last Penneys store opening here was at Liffey Valley last year. But, at the time Primark indicated it was open to opening more outlets in its home market by saying Liffey Valley demonstrated the opportunity for further selling space expansion in our more established markets.By Geoff Percival

British exploration company Serica Energy has said it should be in a position to turn its attention to its dormant Irish acreage in the new year.

Chief executive Mitch Flegg said the companys UK operations have been its main focus of late, but that it remains committed to its Irish interests and still likes its acreage here.

Serica has had a presence in Irish waters since 2006 and, in 2009, made the first oil discovery off the west coast in 30 years. It was awarded an additional licence in the Governments 2011 Atlantic Margin licensing round, and last year won a two-year extension to find a funding partner for an exploration well at its two licences in the Rockall Basin off the north-west coast.

But Serica has struggled to raise interest in its Irish licences, partly due to them being costlier-to-explore deep-water assets.

The company has spent much of this year undertaking interrupted drilling activity in the North Sea and increasing its interests in local fields it bought BP out of in late 2017.

Mr Flegg, a former chief executive of defunct Irish explorer Circle Oil, said completion of its latest North Sea investments, due to close in early 2019, would give Serica more time to refocus on Ireland.

Sericas UK investments have also helped to roughly quadruple its market value in the past 12 months.

That financial strengthening could allow Serica more room to manoeuvre on drilling costs for an Irish well. However, Mr Flegg said the company still wants to introduce a development partner.

The exploration companys shares  which have traded strongly over the past 12 months  were up by around 4% yesterday.By Francesco Guarascio, Brussels

An EU plan to tax big internet firms like Google and Facebook on their turnover is on the verge of collapsing after several EU governments rejected it and announced national initiatives instead.

Under a proposal from the European Commission, EU states would charge a 3% levy on the digital revenues of large firms that are accused of averting tax by routing their profits to Ireland and other low-tax states.

However, it requires the support of all 28 EU states and is opposed by a number of them, including Ireland that have benefited by allowing multinationals to book profits there on digital sales to customers elsewhere.

While the harshest criticism had previously taken place behind closed doors, many EU finance ministers yesterday voiced their concerns at a meeting in Brussels that was streamed over the internet.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the new levy would set a negative precedent for Europe. We are net exporters. What kind of reaction would we have if this model was imposed on us? he told ministers.

Germany, which initially had backed the plan, urged for the first time a revision that would exclude from the scope of the new tax activities that could be linked to carmakers. German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz also said the tax should not be applied until the summer of 2020, and only if no global deal was reached on the same issue. Frances Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who has long been the main supporter of the tax, accepted delaying its implementation to the end of 2020, a major concession. He said the EU should still reach agreement by the end of this year, to avoid states applying their own national taxes, in moves he said would harm the EU single market.

Spain and the UK have announced their own national plans to tax digital companies, and reiterated their intention to move ahead without waiting for an EU deal. The Italian finance minister Giovanni Tria said Italy would also proceed alone if no EU agreement was reached by the end of the year. Austria, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said it will make its last attempt for an agreement at a meeting of finance ministers in December, but that divisions now appeared to be so deep that chances for a deal had narrowed considerably.

It is very difficult to see an agreement on the digital tax because so many technical issues are not solved yet, Danish Finance Minister Kristian Jensen said. He said the proposed EU tax was devised in a way that would hit mostly US companies and would attract US retaliation.

Reuters591 people are waiting for admission to hospitals today, including 433 who are waiting in Emergency Departments.

The worst hit hospitals, according to the INMO, are University Hospital Limerick with 60 patients on trolleys and Cork University Hospital with 65.

48 people are waiting to be admitted in Letterkenny University Hospital and 45 in Sligo University Hospital.

This is an increase of 150 on the same day last year when 441 people were on trolleys and in overflow wards nationwide.

There has also been a significant rise since yesterday when 508 people were waiting for admission.

591 patients were waiting for beds at 8am this morning, with 30+ patients on trolleys and chairs in *9* hospitals.



See today's full trolley figures here https://t.co/QpFoi5Y62G pic.twitter.com/i1vaMvLj7Y  Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) November 7, 2018

Meanwhile, the Irish Medical Organisation insists many hospitals do not have the resources to keep hospital beds open during the Christmas break.

Representatives from the medical profession have been reacting to the Taoiseach's suggestion that some key staff should not take holidays in the first two weeks of the year.

Mr Varadkar suggested drastic measures were needed as the HSEs winter plan does not work.

"We need to make sure that every bed is open. That is the kind of winter plan we need; not the kind we have had for years and years that does not work," he said yesterday.

The INMO did not rule out taking strike action over the festive season if its 40,000 members vote in favour of doing so.

The President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Kenneth Mealy said the challenges faced by Irish hospitals will not be fixed by simply not allowing people to take time off.

Labour's Health spokesperson Alan Kelly said the Taoiseach's comments were "completely out of touch".

"The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health are showing a lack of leadership by refusing to present a winter initiative plan to workers in our health service," he said.

The comments by the Taoiseach come in the backdrop as nurses in the INMO prepare to ballot to take industrial action over their pay. Taoiseach Varadkars inexperience is coming to the fore yet again making naive comments like this.

It is a bit rich for Taoiseach Varadkar to criticise people taking annual leave at Christmas time, when the Dail itself will take 4 weeks off over the Christmas period.

The Taoiseach needs to reflect on his comments and figure out how his Government is going to sort out the issues of nurses pay and conditions, he said.

Digital DeskAmbulance workers are refusing to work overtime as they demand the HSE recognise their chosen union.

Up to 500 people are refusing to work additional shifts from today.

They are protesting over claims the HSE will not engage with the Psychiatric Nurses Association on their behalf.

This is phase two of industrial action in the dispute which has been ongoing since earlier this year.

The ambulance personnel branch of the PNA, NASRA, has consistently grown its membership since it formed in 2010.

General Secretary, Peter Hughes, says there have been issues their members wanted the union to represent them on but the dispute with the HSE has prevented this from happening.

"There have been a number of things, there have been changes to rosters without any consultation with our members," he said.

"That's coming in a number of areas, and all the options that should happen under consultation under all national agreements, however, our members have been denied that basic right and have had to issue grievances in relation to rosters being imposed without any consultation, that's one example," he said.

Digital DeskAnn O'Loughlin

The fate of a Co Galway quarry hangs in the balance after the Supreme Court ruled An Taisce is entitled to an order restraining its operation because it constitutes unauthorised development.

A six-month stay applies on the order concerning the stone quarry operated by McTigue Quarries about seven kilometres from Tuam.

The order was made for reasons including material breach of the planning code, the public interest in upholding the integrity of the planning process and the courts obligation to give effect to the national law, Mr Justice John MacMenamin said.

While planning is supposed to have a strong public participation aspect, the planning laws are an untidy patchwork confusing almost to the point of being impenetrable to the public, he observed.

If suggestions that the planning authority, Galway County Council (GCC), has been a customer of the quarry were true, there was a risk of conflict of roles, he added.

He was giving the five-judge courts unanimous judgment involving important findings concerning planning obligations under Irish and EU law.

The High Court found in 2016 the quarry was unauthorised development but refused to grant an injunction under Section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 restraining its operation, instead remitting the matter for further enforcement to GCC.

An Taisce appealed the refusal to make the Section 160 order and McTigue appealed the finding its quarry was unauthorised.

Today, the Supreme Court agreed the quarry was unauthorised and reversed the High Court refusal to make the Section 160 order.

For reasons including lack of information about the consequences for the quarry operation, it applied a six-month stay on that order.

An Taisce 'vindicated'

The judgment was welcomed by Ian Lumley of An Taisce as an important "vindication" of the organisation's involvement in the planning process.

The case centred on interpretation of Section 1770 of the Planning and Development Act 2010, relating to enforcement and enacted to give effect to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive.

The 2010 Act followed a 2008 judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU on proceedings by the European Commission against Ireland concerning a windfarm development at Derrybrien, Co Galway, without an EIA having been carried out.

GCC had granted a retention permission for the windfarm development and the State accepted a system of retention permission was common in planning matters.

The European court warned a system of regularisation by retention permissions could mean developers would be encouraged to forego the process of ascertaining whether certain developments required an EIA.

All member states were required to adopt all measures to ensure, before planning consent is given, that projects likely to have a significant effect on the environment were made subject to an EIA with regard to those effects, it said.

Mr Justice MacMenamin said the general statement of principles set out by the CJEU could not be reconciled with the interpretation of Section 1770 urged by Mc Tigue.

The quarry, which had operated for at least 10 years, was never a development for which planning permission was granted by either GCC or An Bord Pleanala, he noted.

A 'world of difference'

After the 2008 CJEU judgment, local authorities were directed to register and assess quarries so as to consider their legal status. After McTigue engaged in three planning procedures by GCC, the latter decided in 2012 the quarry was eligible to apply for a substitute consent.

An Bord Pleanala decided, in a 2015 decision with puzzling aspects, to grant that substitute consent, the judge said.

He rejected McTigue's arguments it received a substitute consent for the development within the meaning of Section 1770 which had the same legal effect as if it got a planning permission under Section 34 of the PDA 2000.

There is "a world of difference" between the procedures adopted here and a true development consent, he said.

The 2010 Act was enacted to give effect to the EIA Directive and was limited to developments where previously permission was granted, where an EIA or Appropriate Assessment was not carried out and where the CJEU had decided the permission breached law due to omission of an EIA, he said.

For there to be a valid planning permission, there must have either been a valid EIA or the development must come within the category of development identified in Section 1770, he said.

Neither of these is true in this case.Progressive Democrats just cant win in states that voted for Trump (except when they can). Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images; Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

Last night, an openly gay supporter of single-payer health care, marijuana legalization, and forcing corporations to put workers on their boards  who was a top target of the GOP donor class  won a Senate race in a pro-Trump state by nearly 11 points, dramatically outperforming the moderate Democratic gubernatorial candidate with whom she shared a ballot. Meanwhile, a staunchly pro-labor Democrat, who opposed a bipartisan bank deregulation bill last year, won reelection to the Senate in an increasingly red Rust Belt state  while a business-friendly Democrat who supported that banking bill lost badly in a neighboring one.

In Newt Gingrichs old district in Georgia, a gun control activist who supports a robust public option for health insurance (appears to have) won where the aggressively nonideological Jon Ossoff lost  despite raising a miniscule fraction of the latters campaign funds; while in an Orange County House district that has never elected a Democrat, a supporter of Medicare for All and universal pre-K is expected to unseat a three-term Republican incumbent. And when voters in red states were given the opportunity to weigh in on progressive policies  unmediated by partisan conflict  they decided to expand public health-care provisions for the poor, restore voting rights for former felons, and raise taxes to support public education.

Also, last night, a right-wing Democrat who supported Brett Kavanaugh and border walls won reelection in a state that went for Trump by 40 points; Democrats who won primaries by claiming the mantle of anti-Establishment progressivism lost ostensibly winnable House races; most of the Democratic candidates who loudly championed Medicare for All in battleground races were handily defeated; and when voters in blue states were given the opportunity to weigh in on progressive policies  unmediated by partisan conflict  they refused to impose a tax on carbon emissions to save the climate, or to raise taxes on the rich to fund public schools.

On a night that was basically a Democratic sweep statewide, Colorado voters rejected a measure to raise taxes on high earners/corps to fund schools.



It got hammered in the burbs: pic.twitter.com/65VSaf6O8m  Jim Tankersley (@jimtankersley) November 7, 2018

All of which is to say: If you are a Democrat with strong feelings about where the party should be moving ideologically, last night did not prove that Team Blue can only win by adopting all of your policy preferences (it merely provided scattered data points ripe for cherry-picking).

The most widely cited case for reading last nights results as a rebuke of the Democratic left might be this: Before the midterms, the socialist activist Sean McElwee and center-right journalist Josh Kraushaar mutually agreed on a list of nine races that would determine the lefts electoral viability  and in all nine races, the progressive Democratic candidate lost.

Reupping.



Progressive stalwarts went 0-9 in key races. Big lesson for Dems in 2020. https://t.co/DIhyRFKscH  Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) November 7, 2018

This list should give pause to any progressive who insists that Democrats would control every branch of government, if only they co-sponsored Bernie Sanderss every bill. But it is also an arbitrary  if not bizarre  list of contests to cast as referenda on the electoral viability of social democracy in the United States. Kara Eastman, Katie Porter, Scott Wallace, and Leslie Cockburn make some sense  all ran as left-wing alternatives in primaries, and lost races that were broadly considered toss-ups (albeit, right-leaning toss-ups). Similarly, if Gillum does end up polling behind moderate Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in Florida  despite facing a markedly weaker opponent  one could reasonably cite that as (very limited) evidence for the electoral virtues of moderation.

But Arizonas Republican governor Doug Ducey was overwhelmingly favored to win reelection, long before Democrats chose his challenger. And the same is true of Larry Hogan in Maryland, who enjoyed the support of much of the states Democratic Party. Finally, its unclear why the fact that modestly progressive candidates lost red states like Texas and Georgia would constitute evidence that Democrats must embrace moderation if they wish to win the Electoral College in 2020. One would think that the triumph of Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, and the success of solidly left-of-center candidates in Michigan and Pennsylvania would be more relevant to the question of how the party should position itself in 2020.

Frankly, if youre in the market for evidence that the progressive agenda isnt politically viable, there are much more compelling things you can point to than the fact that Beto ORourke only came within three points of beating an incumbent Republican in Texas (while propelling Democratic House candidates to victory on his coattails). For example, deep-blue Washington voted down a carbon tax on Tuesday  while voters in Colorado, on a good night for Democrats, refused to raise taxes on households earning more than $150,000 a year, in order to increase funding to a school system that is currently ranked 39th in the country in per-pupil spending. Notably, opposition to the measure was strongest in affluent suburbs  which is to say, with the fastest-growing wing of the Democratic Partys coalition.

That said, in other blue states, voters backed higher taxes on gasoline and new taxes to support public education spending  and opposed extending property tax breaks.

Further, its important not to lose sight of the fact that the Democratic Partys centrist candidates were far more liberal in 2018 than theyve been in past cycles. In the not-too-distant past, support for cutting entitlements was a mainstream position within Team Blues tent; this year, virtually every Democratic candidate campaigned on an absolutist opposition to trimming Social Security and Medicare benefits, and in support of increasing public subsidies for health care more broadly. And there is little evidence that the partys overall shift to the left on economic issues cost it at the ballot box. Rather, the broad popularity of big government health-care programs appears to have been a pillar of the Democrats success in the House.

All in all, last nights results are consistent with the idea that voters in general  and swing voters, in particular  simply arent as ideological as pundits imagine them to be. A lot of Wisconsinites voted for Tammy Baldwin and Scott Waker on Tuesday. A lot of Idahoans voted for Medicaid expansion and politicians who oppose Medicaid expansion. In most cases, in most places, a candidates personal charisma, ties to the district (or state), and quality of campaign organization will count for more than the precise ideological valence of her issues page. After all, most voters will learn about your positions through television ads, not campaign websites  and in the Trump era, opposing Medicare for All will not prevent your opponent from attacking you for supporting Medicare for All.

The 2018 midterms did little to refute the idea that a broadly progressive agenda is electorally viable on a national level. What they might have done, however, is render the lefts policy goals legislatively unviable at the federal level for a long-time to come. The Republican Partys domination of toss-up Senate races will probably prevent Democrats from achieving unified control in 2021  and could keep the upper chamber in conservative hands well into the next decade. And even if Democrats manage to reclaim the Senate in 2023, the chambers overrepresentation of the most conservative parts of the country could limit their majoritys appetite for social democratic reform. Meanwhile, the partys growing reliance on affluent, tax-averse voters  as lower-income whites continue shuffling out of the Democratic coalition  could be an obstacle to progressive policy goals in the House. Finally, there is a real threat that after Trump appoints another two years worth of federal judges, a far-right judiciary will be ready and willing to strike down any progressive legislation that Democrats manage to pass in the coming decade.

The American electorate did not soundly reject the progressive movements governing vision on Tuesday. But the GOPs growing strength among the white, rural-dwelling Americans  whose votes count more than everyone elses  just might have rendered that vision impossible to implement for the foreseeable future.Declan Brennan

A jury has convicted a garda of possessing images and videos of children being subjected to sexual acts.

Joseph O'Connor, 58, of west Dublin had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of possession of child pornography at his home on dates between July 30 and August 2, 2011.

During a search of his home on August 2, gardai investigating other allegations seized a laptop. A subsequent analysis of the laptop found videos in the computer's recycle bin depicting boys under the age of ten being subjected to sexual acts.

Two videos depicted boys under 17 being subjected to sexual acts with a male adult. There were also multiple copies of 16 different images of children sexually exposed or being subjected to sexual acts.

After a little over two hours deliberating, the jury of ten men and two women returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on four counts. The jury acquitted him of one count, which dealt with 56 duplicates of two images.

He was found guilty of possessing the two originals of these images, which were found in a computer folder named Spanked Boys.

He was also convicted of possessing 15 explicit videos of child sex around August 2011. Finally, he was convicted of possessing 56 images and 42 videos of children being subjected to explicit sexual acts and 41 images of children being sexually exposed.

Most of these files were found in the unallocated cluster space of the hard drive. This area is where files are placed after deletion from the recycle bin and is inaccessible to the user without the use of specialist software.

Paul Carroll SC, defending, said that O'Connor is a long-term serving garda and has been suspended since these matters arose. He asked for time for his client to be able to gather reports for the court for the sentence hearing.

Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jury for their service. She remanded O'Connor on continuing bail to next Monday.

After his arrest, O'Connor told gardai that he had never seen the material before and denied downloading it. He somebody else must have downloaded the files.

He said he believed that a man, Patryk Farrell, who came to his home for sex, days before the laptop was seized, had corrupted his computer.

Closing the State's case, Alice Fawsitt SC told the jury there was no evidence of any virus on the laptop and no evidence of anything that might have happened to it the weekend before it was seized.

Counsel for O'Connor told the jurors they must consider if it was possible that the files were put on the computer by somebody else. He said O'Connor told gardai that hundreds of men had come back to his home for sex and that any of them could freely use his laptop.

Mr Carroll said that on the day after they met for sex at O'Connor's home Mr Farrell texted O'Connor and told him he was bruised and that he was going to gardai and would destroy him.

O'Connor went to gardai to report that Mr Farrell had stolen his garda ID, handcuffs and cash from his home. Counsel asked if it was reasonable that his client knew Mr Farrell had made allegations to gardai and didn't destroy his laptop knowing there was illegal material on it.

He said the prosecution had failed to prove that Mr Farrell or the hundreds of men going to O'Connor's home didn't have something to do with putting the material on the laptop.

During legal argument in the absence of the jury, the court heard that gardai went to OConnors home in August 2011 to investigate allegations of assault by Mr Farrell. They seized the laptop in connection with this investigation and subsequently found the illegal images on it.

The jury were told that Mr Farrells allegations were also forwarded to the Garda Ombudsman but Mr Farrell did not co-operate with this investigation and it was dropped.

The jury also learned that an internal investigation by Inspector Colm Fox, since deceased, concluded there was no basis for the allegations of false imprisonment, rape or sexual assault.

In his report, Inspector Fox said the physical injuries alleged by Mr Farrell were consequences of sexual acts. Mr Farrell is also since deceased.A marathon debate on the new abortion legislation continues today at the Oireachtas Health Committee.

TDs and Senators spent more than nine hours yesterday discussing the finer details of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

Committee members are considering around 180 amendments to the legislation but less than half of these had been discussed by the time the meeting adjourned.

Among the proposals discussed was one to allow nurses and midwives to carry out terminations.

Another amendment would stop public money paying for abortion services.

Responding to the amendment, Health Minister Simon Harris asked if it would right to send women who have been raped or have suffered a fatal foetal abnormality a medical bill.

The committee resumes its deliberations at 9am this morning.

Digital DeskA man in his 30s has been arrested after drugs valued at more than 100,000 were seized in Rathfarnham in south Dublin.

Gardai from the Tallaght Drugs Unit investigating the sale and supply of drugs the area carried out a search of a premises in Dublin 16 yesterday.Kerry Senator Mark Daly has been sacked from his role as deputy leader in the Seanad by his party leader Micheal Martin.

The decision comes after Mr Daly and Galway West TD Eamon O Cuiv participated in an apparent launch of a party candidate in Northern Ireland last month.

Mr Martin has replaced Mr Daly as deputy leader with Fingal based senator, Lorraine Clifford Lee.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan has also been given responsibility for Foreign Affairs, the Irish Overseas and Diaspora.

The news was confirmed by way of a statement this morning.

Deputy Martin has wished both senators well in their new roles, the statement added.

Mr Martin has moved to discipline Mr Daly and it is expected Mr O Cuiv, a former deputy leader of the party, will face a similar sanction. He is currently Fianna Fail frontbench spokesman on rural affairs.

Mr Daly has told the Irish Examiner: "I accept the decision of the leader and I will continue to work hard on behalf of my constituents.

"In my position as Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the last number of years, I have worked closely with John Deasy TD in his role as the Governments US Envoy, our party spokespersons on Foreign Affairs, members of the US Congress, as well as the White House on the proposed visas for Irish citizens.

"I have been working closely with all sides and hope to continue to assist in this important issue and if necessary go to DC, as we work to reach an agreement in the coming weeks."

Last month, Mr O Cuiv and Mr Daly were photographed attending the election launch of councillor Sorcha McAnespy, who is an independent councillor in Fermanagh.

The two men were pictured with Ms McAnespy alongside Fianna Fail branded election posters only for party headquarters to issue a statement to insist no decision had been taken as to whether it would contest elections in the North.

It follows then that it has selected no candidate to contest these elections, a statement at the time added. Discussions between the party and the SDLP are ongoing and a statement on our future intentions will be made in due course.

Fianna Fail and the SDLP have been in discussions about a possible merger but those talks have not concluded.The Department of Justice has confirmed it intends to open a centre for asylum-seekers on the Roscommon-Leitrim border before Christmas.

The Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey has been inspected and it meets the department's requirements for an accommodation centre.By Liam Heylin

A new jury will be sworn in tomorrow to hear the case against a 44-year-old man who denies the murder of 38-year-old Nicola Collins in a flat over a shop in Cork in March 2016.

Cathal O'Sullivan was arraigned today at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork and he pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Collins.

The late Ms Collins was a native of St Brendans Park in Tralee, Co Kerry, but who had been living at Clashduv Road in the Togher area of Cork for a number of years.

Cathal O'Sullivan, who is originally from Charleville, County Cork, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering Nicola Collins on March 27, 2016 at a flat at 6A Popham's Road, Farranree, Cork, over the Gala store.

A jury was sworn in to hear the murder trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. However, following a legal submission, Ms Justice Creedon discharged this jury of eight men and four women yesterday afternoon.

It will now be a matter for the process to re-commence today in front of a newly sworn jury.

It is anticipated that the trial will take approximately two weeks to hear. Tom Creed senior counsel for the prosecution indicated that a significant number of witnesses would be called in the case.

Apart from pleading not guilty, the defendant was not required to speak in court where he wore a black pin-striped suit, white shirt and grey pin-striped tie.A no-deal Brexit crisis could cost the Irish tourism industry as much as 390m, a prediction that is 130m worse than previously feared and could see thousands of people lose their jobs.

Failte Ireland chief executive Paul Kelly issued the dire warning on Wednesday morning amid ongoing speculation Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's backstop review climbdown could potentially see a deal inch within reach.

Chief Executive of Failte Ireland Paul Kelly

Asked at the Oireachtas cross-party transport and tourism committee how damaging a worst case scenario no deal Brexit could be, Mr Kelly said such a situation will pose the Irish tourism industry severe problems.

Responding to a question from Fianna Fail transport spokesperson Robert Troy, the Failte Ireland chief executive said:

"There are implications of a no deal Brexit on Irish tourism sector. The Tourism Industry Council have published one scenario specifically looking at UK visitors, and they've made the estimate of 260m as a revenue impact of the industry.

We've looked at alternative scenarios. They're only scenarios, and one would have placed the impact as 390m based on modelling of ash cloud and foot and mouth, and the impact of that time.

"They are only scenarios and of course it will depend on what happens, and of course it will depend on aviation and open sky [in relation to Brexit].

"But there's no doubt again it would be a very significant impact."

Mr Kelly repeated his comments to Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster at a later committee exchange, saying "in the context of a no deal Brexit we would need significant extra funding" for the tourism sector, saying:

"In the region of 20m in incremental extra funding every year would be needed to protect the industry."

He added that the pre-budget 9% VAT rate on hotels "would have helped to continue to fuel the growth of the sector" had it been retained, and that job losses are likely as a direct result of a no deal Brexit.

Asked the same questions about Brexit "pressure points", Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said simply that "if the British tourists decide to travel in less numbers, that's going to have an impact in Ireland."

"The key issue around Brexit is the international market place, but for planning around 2019 for now we are working around a deal being done," he said.

Mr Gibbons was later asked by Fianna Fail TD Kevin O'Keeffe which areas will be worst affected by a no deal Brexit.

Noting the potential impact, he said the border regions, Dublin, the west of Ireland and the south west will be hit most significantly.

If there was a hard Brexit, no flight could land or take off from UK next year, which is quite a problem of course.

"What areas are most impacted? The British visitors while significant in volume their spend is down around 20%, but they do impact on the rural economy more than anywhere.

"The border regions, Dublin, the west and the south west will be worst hit, and it will be out of season, that will be quarter one and quarter four, and that will be most at risk of a hard Brexit," Mr Gibbons said.The head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Noeline Blackwell has hit out at the use of 'rape stereotypes' in rape trials.

She was reacting to the comments of a barrister representing a man acquitted of raping a teenager in Cork who suggested the jury in the case should reflect on the underwear worn by the 17 year old woman.By Ann O'Loughlin

A fresh appeal over an award of 453,000 to a man who lost half his foot when it was crushed by the metal wheel track of a rock-handling machine has been denied.

The Supreme Court has rejected an application for a further appeal by one of the owners of the quarry where the accident occurred in June 2003.

In 2015, David McLaughlin, who in 2003 was a 17-year-old employee of McDaid Quarries of Burnfoot in Donegal, was awarded 453,000 by the High Court against the quarry company, its owners Charles and Michael McDaid, and against a third brother, Damien McDaid, who drove the injured man to hospital. Mr McLaughlin later moved to the USA.

The McDaids and the company appealed that decision.

Last January, the Court of Appeal rejected it and Charles McDaid sought a further appeal.

The Supreme Court, in a written determination, has refused him leave to appeal saying he had not raised a point of general public importance or that it was in the interests of justice to have matters he raised further determined.

The major ground of the appeal related to the fact that Mr McLaughlin made a false statement in his claim for compensation.

In the original claim, Mr McLaughlin said a lorry had run over his foot rather than the rock machine.

However, when the case went ahead, Mr McLaughlin told the truth, the trial judge, Mr Justice Hanna said.

Mr Justice Hanna was satisfied Michael and Charlie McDaid had "created and promulgated" an entirely false and implausible story that a lorry had run over his foot so they could put in a fraudulent claim to an insurance company.

He also did not believe the evidence of Damien McDaid who claimed the false story was agreed between him and Mr McLaughlin as they drove to Altnegelvin Hospital in Derry where doctors saved the teenager from a life-threatening injury but had to amputate half of his right foot.

The judge said it would be "a grotesque injustice if the authors of a bogus claim" could rely on the law governing false claims having themselves created "a web of deceit designed to shelter them from their obligations under law".

He did not believe Mr McLaughlin had been in any state to "hatch such a story" as he was being driven to hospital because he was in huge distress, losing a lot of blood and going in an out of consciousness.

He further found Mr McLaughlin was a vulnerable person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He was pressured to go along with the story in particular because of the "evident hold" Charlie McDaid held over him, the judge said.

In their Court of appeal case, the McDaids argued the case should be dismissed under Section 26 of the 2004 Civil Liability Act which gave the courts power to strike out claims based on false and misleading evidence. This point has also been raised in the High Court but Mr Justice Hanna rejected it.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal said Mr Justice Hanna was correct.

Mr Justice Hanna's findings of fact, principally based on his assessment of the credibility of witnesses and the evidence before the court, cannot be disturbed, the appeal court said.

The judge's refusal to dismiss on the basis of the false evidence argument was the proper exercise of his discretion. When taken together with what was before the court, it provided "good and sufficient reason" to support the decision that it would have been unjust to dismiss the case, the Court of Appeal also said.

In its determination refusing another appeal, the Supreme Court said case law in relation to Section 26 of the Civil Liability Act demonstrates that an action where there is a false statement should "not be dismissed if such a step would create an injustice".

The High Court, having considered the totality of the evidence, was of such a view and the Court of Appeal had found this was within jurisdiction, it said.Out of Session. Photo: Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe via Getty Images

Jeff Sessions has tendered his resignation, at the presidents request. Less than 24 hours after the 2018 midterms drew to a close, Donald Trump has forced his first attorney general out of his administration, clearing the way for a man who has publicly accused Robert Mueller of taking the Russia investigation too far  and mused that a new attorney general could thwart his probe by denying it funding  to become the Justice Departments interim leader.

We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

As a member of Trumps 2016 campaign, Sessions was forced to recuse himself from the Justice Departments investigation of ties between that campaign and the Russian government. The president has long decried Sessions for refusing to subordinate this ethical obligation to his (imaginary) duty to immunize the commander-in-chief from legal liabilities. But Matthew Whitaker has no conflict of interest in the Russia case. And although he will not (immediately) inherit direct supervision of the Mueller investigation, he will have the power to seal records, withhold funding, and disrupt the probe by other means  as Whitaker himself once explained in his capacity as a CNN talking head:

Appearing on CNN in July 2017  before he was in his current position as Sessionss chief of staff  Whitaker mused about a scenario in which Trump might fire Sessions and replace him with a temporary attorney general. Whitaker noted that federal regulations still gave the attorney general power over the budget for a special counsel. That temporary replacement, he then said, could move to choke off Muellers funding.

So I could see a scenario where Jeff Sessions is replaced with a recess appointment, Whitaker said, and that attorney general doesnt fire Bob Mueller, but he just reduces his budget to so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt.

Whitaker is a former U.S. Attorney and 2014 Senate candidate in Iowa who joined the Justice Department last fall. Here are a few other things that he has publicly claimed to believe:

 Robert Mueller has no legitimate authority to investigate the Trump Organizations finances, and if he does (which, he has), then this would raise serious concerns that the special counsels investigation was a mere witch hunt.

 Donald Trump was right to fire James Comey  because James Comey should have prosecuted Hillary Clinton:

Comeys announcement last July that he would not recommend prosecution of Hillary Clinton for violations of the Espionage Act were a shock to many in law enforcement both inside the FBI and out[H]is pronouncement that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case was just wrong, and I said so publicly at the time. I was a federal prosecutor for five years and was proud to serve in the Department of Justice, and I wouldve brought that case.

Clinton set up an entire secret, unsecured communications structure outside of the government she was charged with serving at the highest level; she was the Secretary of State. Classified information that, in the wrong hands, could potentially bring harm to our country  and many in service to our country  was available to be appropriated.

(Whitaker has never called for any investigations into  let alone prosecutions of  the Trump administrations many, many, many violations of information security protocol.)

 All federal judges should be people of faith who take a biblical view of justice.

 The Supreme Court is supposed to be the inferior branch of our three branches of government, and has claimed far too much power for itself. Specifically, Whittaker says that Marbury v. Madison  the case that gave the court the power to strike down duly enacted laws  was wrongly decided, as the Supreme Court should not be  final arbiter of constitutional issues.

But if theres one thing Whitaker hates more than the Supreme Court striking down laws it regards as unconstitutional, its when unelected judges refuse to strike down laws that conservatives dont like:

Unelected judges are deciding many of the issues of the day. There are so many (bad rulings). I would start with the idea of Marbury v. Madison. Thats probably a good place to start and the way its looked at the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of constitutional issues. Well move forward from there. All New Deal cases that were expansive of the federal government. Those would be bad. Then all the way up to the Affordable Care Act and the individual mandate.

 There shouldnt have been an independent counsels investigation into Russian interference because there wasnt such an investigation into the Obama administrations many scandals:

Calls for an independent counsel or commission to investigate allegations that Russia tried to interfere with our elections ring hollow when similar calls for special counsels during the scandals of the Obama administration were dismissed out of hand by the same people making these demands now.

So, clearly, Matthew Whitaker would make a sober, fair-minded, and trustworthy overseer of the Justice Departments transformation into Donald J. Trumps private detective agency.UPDATE: Mr O'Hare has been located tonight and is understood to be well, although he is receiving precautionary medical checks.

He was located in the Carrigtwohill area and emergency services who had been involved in the missing persons appeal were alerted.Irish people could soon have another route towards a visa to live and work in the USA as a Bill has been put before the House of Representatives which proposes that Ireland is added to the E3 programme.

The Bill, which needs unanimous support in the Senate, would make an extra 5,000 US visas available to Irish citizensCork City have confirmed that Steven Beattie has left the club.

The versatile right-back made nearly 100 appearances for the Leesiders since joining from Sligo in July of 2015.

Beattie is hoping to explore a return to the United States where he began his career.

"Ive had nearly four years down here. It has been great down here but I always said from the start that I wanted to go back to the States," he said.

"I was going to go back last year but when I sat down with John I just couldnt leave, there was too much good stuff going on here.

"I always said I wanted to win a league, win a cup and play in both European competitions for Cork City and I ended up doing that. I think the time is right, right now. Im going to miss everyone around here.

"It has just been brilliant, it has been the best thing that has ever happened in my career. My only regret is that I didnt sign sooner. When I first came back to Ireland I should have signed here.

This place is something special, the people behind the scenes that nobody ever hears about, but more importantly the players and the staff. It is a family down here.

"Ive been luckily enough to play with some Cork legends, Alan Bennett, Colin Healy, John OFlynn, Liam Kearney, Mark McNulty, and obviously the late Liam Miller. Ive had the opportunity to get to know these guys and be part of this place. It is definitely an emotional time for me.

"From day one, John said it, Im not your typical Dub and I said the same. The (fans) have been brilliant with me. They follow us up and down the country, all over Europe and Im glad we could repay them with silverware last year. This club deserves to be at the very top and I am leaving them at the very top. I just want to thank every single fan that has been there for me since the start.

"You are losing a player but you are gaining a fan because now Ill be a fan forever, watching from afar."

City boss John Caulfield thanked Beattie for his commitment to the club.

"We have fond memories of Steven," he said.

"He was a brilliant player and a huge part of the club over the last number of years. He was part of the double winning team and the back-to-back cup winners. He was a fan favourite who would run through the wall for you. It is obviously very disappointing that he missed out on Sundays cup final.

"He bought into the local community and bar his accent you would say he is a Cork person.

"Its a new stage of his career. He is exploring his options in America. Steven and I have a great relationship, I fully understand that it an opportunity that he cant turn down and we wish him well."

Meanwhile, Cork have signed versatile left-sided player Garry Comerford from Waterford, following yesterday's addition of Dan Casey from Bohemians.

Digital DeskUS Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned, President Donald Trump has tweeted.

Mr Trump said: "We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date."

Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to the Attorney General at the Department of Justice, will become the US' new Acting Attorney General until a permanent replacement is nominated.

In his resignation letter, also released to social media, the out-going AG said: "At your request, I am submitting my resignation."

Mr Sessions added that in his time as AG, he and President Trump had "restored and upheld the rule of law - a glorious tradition that each of us has a responsibility to safeguard".

Sessions:



"Dear Mr. President,



At your request, I am submitting my resignation." pic.twitter.com/DwRXh5joPF  erica orden (@eorden) November 7, 2018

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into Mr Sessions tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential co-ordination between the presidents campaign and Russia.

Mr Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Mr Trumps hectoring of Mr Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

The Justice Department did not announce a departure for deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mr Mueller more than a year-and-a-half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

Trump is ending the Mueller investigation right before our eyes and if you expect the Republicans to do anything about it you have been sleepwalking through the last two years  Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) November 7, 2018

The relentless attacks on Mr Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first US senator to endorse Mr Trump and despite the fact that his crime-fighting agenda and priorities  particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies  largely mirrored the presidents.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Mr Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

The decision infuriated Mr Trump, who repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Mr Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse.

Donald Trumps relationship with Jeff Sessions quickly soured (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The rift lingered for the duration of Mr Sessions tenure, and the attorney general, despite praising the presidents agenda, never managed to return to Mr Trumps good graces.

The deteriorating relationship became a soap opera stalemate for the administration. Mr Trump belittled Mr Sessions but, perhaps following the advice of aides, held off on firing him.

The attorney general, for his part, proved determined to remain in the position until dismissed. A logjam broke when Republican senators who had publicly backed Mr Sessions began signalling a willingness to consider a replacement.

In attacks delivered on Twitter, in person and in interviews, Mr Trump called Mr Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he was not more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it disgraceful that Mr Sessions was not more serious in scrutinising the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Departments inspector general to look into those claims.

The broadsides escalated in recent months, with Mr Trump telling a television interviewer that Mr Sessions had never had control of the Justice Department and snidely accusing him on Twitter of not protecting Republican interests by allowing two Republican congressmen to be indicted before the election.- Press AssociationThe OECD Observer online archive takes you on a journey through half a century of public policy and world progress.

Since November 1962, the OECDs experts and leading guests offer insights on the questions facing our member countries with concise and authoritative analysis, and provide our audiences with an excellent opportunity to understand policy debates and consider solutions.

Each edition of the OECD Observer reports on a core theme of the OECDs on-going work, from economics and society through governance, finance, and the environment, and articles are bolstered by tables and graphs.The major banks' long-term funding costs are likely to be raised by a new proposal to boost capital requirements by tens of billions of dollars, in a move that could drag on profits but make the financial system more resilient to shocks.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) on Thursday proposed lifting total capital requirements for the country's four biggest lenders by four to five percentage points by 2023, in a plan to deal with any future bank failures.

The new rules would require the big four banks to hold more capital as a buffer against financial shocks. Credit:Karl Hilzinger

The change, a recommendation of the 2014 Financial System Inquiry, would allow banks to use any form of capital to meet the higher requirements. APRA said it anticipated most of the capital would be tier 2 capital - which includes forms of capital such as hybrids or subordinated debt.

Unlike APRA's related push to make banks "unquestionably strong" by raising their equity capital, which helps lenders absorb shocks in a crisis, this change is designed to support the "orderly resolution" of a failed bank.China granted initial approval for 16 new trademarks to Ivanka Trump, the US president's elder daughter and senior adviser, renewing questions about the Trump family's intermingling of official roles and international business interests.

Among the broad array of trademarked items were shoes, shirts and sunglasses  the sort of products that were sold under her recently closed fashion label. Other categories given initial approval were less obvious fits, like voting machines, homes for senior citizens and semiconductors.

President Donald Trump with his daughter Ivanka during a rally in Indiana this week. Credit:Bloomberg

Representatives of Ivanka Trump and the Trump Organization have previously described their trademark applications in China as part of a global effort to protect their names in places where intellectual property rights infringement is rampant.

But that effort has spurred criticism that the Trumps' roles in government smooth the way for the trademark approvals, and that the prospect of future Trump business in China clashes with the White House's attempts to challenge the country over trade.Myer's largest shareholder, Solomon Lew's Premier Investments, has called in its lawyers to demand the department store release its latest trading figures and has threatened legal action if it refuses.

Arnold Bloch Leibler partner Jeremy Leibler wrote to Myer's company secretary, Jonathan Garland, on Monday warning that Myer's directors were in breach of their duties by withholding last quarter's sales and profit numbers.

Premier has threatened legal action against Myer. Credit:Melanie Faith Dove

The iconic retailer should also explain why it had stopped making quarterly trading updates, and disclose whether those figures were being provided to Myer's bank lenders or advisers, Mr Leibler said.

"Any refusal to provide this information may constitute a further breach of the duties and provisions referred to above," the letter, seen by Fairfax Media, says.WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

NSW is losing native animals at the rate of 10 million a year from tree clearing, a pace that has doubled after the Berejiklian government eased vegetation protection laws in 2017, WWF-Australia says in a report.

Using government figures, 517,956 hectares of native bushland were cleared in 1998-2015. Using measured animal densities, that destruction would have resulted in the deaths of at least 9.1 million mammals, 10.7 million birds and 67.1 million reptiles, the report found.

A dead echidna in Ingleburn: animals forced from their habitat first have to make it to new homes to survive. Credit:WWF-Australia

Extrapolating from a region of intense habitat loss for farming in the Moree region in northern NSW where land clearing has tripled since 2017, the pace of animal mortality is likely to have risen to more than 10 million a year.Ive been writing a weekly column for the Fairfax press since 2009 and now it is time to say goodbye. In that time, we have said goodbye to six prime ministers and eight great Fairfax editors.

Neither job seems long term, says Louise.

Harold Mitchell in 1983. Credit:Fairfax Media.

Its now around 400 columns since I started and Im grateful to the people who stop me in the street to say that they read the columns every week. They know me through these words and it still surprises me that someone who didnt finish high school can engage with so many Australians in this way.

But its simple, really. I worked out early on that most Australians are interested in stories, especially stories that are similar to their own. Ive always been fascinated by the stories that people have to tell, and the real story of this column and its longevity is that I listened to you.Logging incidents into a central portal allowed the directorate to track trends and follow up with schools if problems appeared to be continuing, she said. Extra support and expertise could then be deployed, but the directorate relied on the professional judgement of school leaders and teachers on the ground when assessing risks. The directorate's updated violence policy, launched last July and developed alongside the Australian Education Union, has been described by Education Minister Yvette Berry as nation-leading and acknowledged by WorkSafe as a step in the right direction. Loading But while the union says things are improving, cases are still not always handled properly. "I've heard some really good stories and some not-so-good ones since [the policy] came in," the union's ACT secretary Glenn Fowler said.

Know more? sherryn.groch@fairfaxmedia.com.au Multiple teachers described how their safety concerns and requests for extra student support had been rebuffed at a school level, with emails often going unanswered. A pregnant worker punched in the stomach repeatedly by students said she had done all the right things and reported her assaults. "But there came a time when my doctor and I agreed the risks to my baby were too high," she said. Another teacher said a push by staff to develop a behavioural response plan at a high school was repeatedly knocked back by leadership.

"It got to the point my family were terrified, mum would say Im waiting to get that call youre in the hospital," she said. "I cared about the students, they needed help. But then one day, I couldn't protect the other kids from [a particular student]. I just broke. "I've been tackled before, I've been threatened. But I've always had a good rapport with the kids. This was out of control." After returning to work following that incident, she said she still felt fear in the classroom. Instead of a welcome back guided by the new policy, she said she had been forced to carry out her own risk assessment. Another teacher who recalled barricading themselves in an office to escape a violent parent reported a similiar experience, saying they were cut off from colleagues while on stress leave.

Loading "[The parent] seemed to know where I lived, I stopped sleeping, I became unwell," the teacher said. "But no one followed up with me." In one 2016 case investigated by WorkSafe, a learning support assistant known as Melanie was attacked 34 times in class but only given compression bandages to protect her arms against bites from students. "I logged a report for every [assault]," she said. Left in harm's way for more than six months, Melanie said it was only intervention from the union that saw things change. It demanded an investigation, pushed for a move to another school and helped her successfully claim compensation to cover her medical bills, she said.

Recently discharged from a mental health facility following her ordeal, Melanie said if the union hadn't stepped in she doesn't know what would have happened. "They came to meetings, they visited me in the facility. It was such a slow process but they gave me a voice," she said. Mr Fowler said some of his staff had been coping with vicarious trauma supporting teachers through harrowing situations. "This has been a sleeper issue, now everyone is coming forward, we've had to put on more staff," he said. Violence was behind more than two-thirds of work health and safety reports lodged by directorate staff in the 2017-18 period. Of those 2398 reports, some could relate to the same incident if several staff were involved, David Matthews of the directorate said.

A directorate spokeswoman said there were 2191 violent incidents in 2017, with many occurring in the younger year levels and involving students with complex needs. Less than five per cent of incidents involved a perpetrator other than a student, such as a parent or a community member. Ms Berry, who began work on reforms after the union raised the alarm with her more than two years ago, said the rise in reports last year reflected efforts to improve reporting. She stressed that total time lost due to injury remained relatively stable for the directorate over the same period. "I know we are absolutely on the right path to start seeing improvements and reducing the numbers of incidents in our schools," she said. At Tuesday's hearing, education spokeswoman Elizabeth Lee asked the directorate why reports had not been followed up in the past. Ms Howson said it sometimes took time to work out which controls would have the right impact on a student, particularly younger children who the system was still getting to know. Deputy-director Meg Brighton added that if a principal was seeing multiple incidents in their school they were expected to take action, noting that the directorate was still on a learning journey of its own and working to strengthen its responses to violence.Helping emergency service workers transition to other careers - including in the public sector - can be a key tool in addressing trauma associated with frontline duties, a senate inquiry has heard.

Appearing on Wednesday before a committee investigating the prevalence of mental health conditions among first responders, ACT Emergency Services Commissioner Dominic Lane said frontline workers needed to be provided with alternative career options in the event they suffered a breakdown.

Mr Lane said that could involve firefighters switching to roles in the ambulance service, or even to office jobs in the wider public service.

ACT Ambulance Service Chief Officer Howard Wren and ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Dominic Lane gave evidence at a Senate inquiry on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Movement between the historically insular workforces was already occurring, he said.Actor Mark Leonard Winter, who played Edgar in the production, gave evidence that he saw Mr Rush "cupping" the side of Ms Norvill's breast during one performance, but said it was her left rather than right breast. Loading Justice Wigney said he was "grappling" with the "fundamentally different" versions given by Ms Norvill and Mr Winter, but said it was "not so much" that the actors had recalled Mr Rush had touched opposite sides of Ms Norvill's body. He said that on Mr Winter's account of the alleged incident, Mr Rush would "almost have to be a contortionist" to reach across the young actor's body. "It just goes to the reliability of his recollection," Justice Wigney said. Tom Blackburn, SC, for Nationwide News, said the incident "obviously happened, and we invite Your Honour to so find".

He said Ms Norvill was a "very brave" and impressive witness who had been "absolutely truthful" in her evidence and she had no motive to lie. Mr Blackburn said Ms Norvill did not want to make a formal complaint about Mr Rush and "certainly didn't speak to any journalists". Her off-the-record complaint, which was made to ensure the alleged sexual harassment "didn't happen again", had "leaked" from the STC. She was not seeking "publicity" or "vengeance", Mr Blackburn said, and she "desperately, desperately wanted to stay out of the limelight". Mr Blackburn said that "when one cuts to the chase" Justice Wigney was faced with "a choice" between the evidence of Mr Rush and the evidence of Ms Norvill on crucial points, and in the Telegraph's submission he should accept the evidence of Ms Norvill. Mark Leonard Winter, who played Edgar in King Lear, outside the Federal Court last Thursday. Credit:AAP

Justice Wigney interjected on a number of occasions during Mr Blackburn's submissions to play "devil's advocate", including to suggest a description of an alleged "boob-squeezing gesture" made by Mr Rush above Ms Norvill's body during rehearsals seemed "far more lewd" on Ms Norvill's telling than when Mr Winter gave evidence that it was part of a "Three Stoogesy"-style skit. He also suggested, without expressing a view, that an allegedly flirtatious message sent by Mr Rush to Ms Norvill in June 2016 had to be read in the context of "playful" messages the pair had sent each other in 2014. "If you just looked at this text alone and there is nothing else beforehand you'd be quite startled by it" but "context is everything", Justice Wigney said. Mr Blackburn agreed the text was being used to support the argument the alleged conduct during King Lear was "sexual in nature". He described the text as "real flirting" and an "invitation", to which Justice Wigney replied: "I struggle to see the sinister aspect of this. Maybe it's just me. It's not as if he says, 'Do you want to meet at a cafe tomorrow night,' or some other kind of rendezvous."

Justice Wigney also suggested allegations that Mr Rush called Ms Norvill "scrumptious" or "yummy" would not help him determine the issues in the case. "I wouldnt say yummy and scrumptious to anyone in my workplace, but Im a boring lawyer, and Mr Rush is an actor in a theatrical workplace," Justice Wigney said. Mr Blackburn said it was "something that's not said these days because it's not appropriate". Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Blackburn said text messages sent to Ms Norvill by veteran stage actress Robyn Nevin, who played The Fool in King Lear and told the court she witnessed nothing untoward between Mr Rush and Ms Nevin, supported Ms Norvill's account. "Oh dear girl are you ok?? I was contacted today by Channel 9, I was in rehearsal with no iPhone. Fortunate. I told my agent no comment. But it's nasty. I hope you will be protected. I'm sure you will be. If you need anything just ask. xxx," Ms Nevin said in text on December 1 last year, after the stories were published.When Andrew Macintosh queried the origins of "lickety-split" and "at the drop of a hat"(C8), we thought it would be elementary and in the case of the latter, it is. John Major (no, not that one, he's in Manly Vale) says: "Dropping a hat was used to start horse races way back as any loud noise like a gunshot would spook the horses." Tom Meakin of Port Macquarie suggests the same method as a signal for a fight to begin, while Richard Stewart of Pearl Beach recalls a western where two gun-fighters were instructed not to draw their guns before the US Marshall dropped his hat.

Although the meaning is clear (done quickly), the origin of "lickety-split" is less discernible. The most credible theory so far, comes from Harry Bell of Burradoo who referenced Brer Rabbit "pacin' down de road, lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity, dez es sassy as a jay-bird," and says: "I suggest that the expression, albeit corrupted over time, has been handed down by Joel Chandler Harris.

Peter Riley of Penrith thinks there's a better word in international politics than gubernatorial (C8): "It's snollygoster  a word favoured by President Harry Truman to describe a politician who is guided by personal advantage rather than by consistent, respectable principles. Sounds familiar." Peter Miniutti of Ashbury agrees and also adds dummymander and mugwump.

Nicolas Harrison of East Lismore says: "It was wonderful to see New Earswick gain a mention in Tuesday's column. I lived there before migrating in 1956. New Earswick is a garden village planned in the 1890s by Sir Joseph Rowntree to house the workers from his chocolate factory in nearby York. There is a local connection with both his wives having the surname Seebohm."

Les Shearmans take on Column 8's recent run of cricket terms?: Silly point suggests C8 declares. Innings closed then.The NSW government will find an extra $712 million for state schools after the federal government refused to match its recent $1.2 national "choice" fund for private schools.

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes had been lobbying the federal government to boost public funding according to the Gonski principles of sector blindness.

The federal government had told states it would withhold all independent school funding if a deal wasnt signed by December 7, so, with the federal government refusing to budge, NSW decided to match the NSW portion of the choice fund itself.It has been 240 years in the making but Teatro alla Scala made its Australian debut at Brisbane's QPAC theatre on Wednesday night.

Regarded as one of the world's top ballet companies, the Italian performers' visit to Queensland has been a logistical challenge, with the company's sets and costumes making the sea voyage from China and their dancers flying 16,000 kilometres from their Milan base, the furthest the company has ever been from its home.

Teatro alla Scala dress rehearsals for their Don Quixote performance which can be seen at QPAC on November 7-17. Credit:Darren Thomas

Its Don Quixote and Giselle performances can be seen in-person by Brisbane audiences and 10 regional Queensland locations will be able to watch via simulcast.

Teatro alla Scala general director Maria Di Freda said she hoped the visit to Brisbane would be the start of the company's relationship with Australia.The Queensland racing industry is mourning the death of identity Basil Nolan jnr, who was crushed by a hay baler in south-east Queensland on Tuesday.

Mr Nolan was the son of Queensland and Australian Thoroughbred Breeders president Basil Nolan.

Magic Millions released a statement and said the team was in mourning.

"The Magic Millions team are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our great friend Basil Nolan Jnr," he said.

"Our deepest sympathies to Basils family and friends as well as the entire Raheen Stud team."A Townsville woman who was stabbed repeatedly in an alleged attack while putting out her bins last week has thanked the community for the support she has received.

Skye Woodlands was stabbed in an alleged attack outside her home in Pimlico. Credit:GoFundMe

Skye Woodlands, 35, was wheeling out her rubbish bins last Wednesday outside her home in the suburb of Pimlico when she was stabbed multiple times in the arms and chest by a man.

Two neighbours told Seven News that they chased down the man to a nearby park, where Queensland Police arrested him.

Ms Woodlands, a nurse, issued a statement through Townsville Hospital, where she was taken in a serious condition.Mr Templeman's decision comes after a public backlash against the state government's plan to field expressions of interest for the lease, which used to be owned by the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.

The owners of the PICA Bar in Perth's cultural centre might be out the door after the government decided to put the bar's lease back on the market.

Owners Melissa Bowen, Brian Buckley and Conor Buckley received a phone call from Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman on Tuesday afternoon to confirm the trio could try to renegotiate a new lease with the Perth Theatre Trust before expressions of interest are considered.

Popular Northbridge pub Picabar may not be forced to close its doors after all.

"We received a call from the Minister's office to tell us the Perth Theatre Trust will negotiate with us first with regard to Picabar - which is exactly what we wanted," Ms Bowen said.

"We feel hopeful that now that we have this opportunity we will be able to negotiate an outcome that works for us, the Perth Theatre Trust, the Cultural Centre and the public."

The state government views the Cultural Centre in Northbridge as a strategic activation space, with a new museum and art gallery rooftop in the pipeline.

"My overarching concern is to ensure that the Perth Cultural Centre remains activated, particularly as the new museum comes online and the art gallery rooftop is activated as per our election commitment," Mr Templeman told WAtoday last week.

PICA Bar has thrived since the owners took over the derelict space in 2012 and has kept the Cultural Centre relevant while other nearby bars floundered and eventually closed.The opposition has promised to 'fight to the hilt' against the government's plan to rezone Beeliar Wetlands for conservation and bury the controversial Roe 8 road project once and for all.

Simultaneously, community activists have pointed out the government has as yet done nothing to rezone the Roe 9 road reserve, two years after being elected promising to kill off the whole Perth Freight Link project.

Rehabilitation works are progressing at the Roe 8 site. Credit:Rethink the Link

The 167-hectare parcel was designated road reserve for the Roe 8 and 9 extensions to Roe Highway, in planning documents dating back to 1963  a time in which Perth had more bushland to lose.

The previous government began razing the land to build Roe 8, the first stage, stepping up the pace in early 2017 before the election, as the community protest movement against the roads grew exponentially.Energy retailers gathered by the federal government to work out how to reduce consumers' power bills were unable to discuss lowering prices for fear it was considered collusion.

AGL interim chief executive Brett Redman told Fairfax Media the "elephant in the room was the one thing we couldnt talk about - pricing. Everything else was not difficult to move forward on.

Angus Taylor called on retailers to do the right thing and lower prices in January, although he did not indicate any actual prices. Credit:Nick Moir

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had warned ahead of the meeting in Sydney on Wednesday that any attempts to discuss pricing could amount to cartel action by the retailers.

It is understood that during the meeting, Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor briefly touched on lowering high power prices, without mentioning actual figures, saying he expected retailers to do the right thing and voluntarily reduce their standing offers from early next year.The family of Lady Cilento is questioning whether the renaming of the hospital that bore her name was a fait accompli.

ASIC searches reveal the "Lady Cilento" and "Lady Cilento Children's Hospital" business names were deregistered on January 18.

Lady Cilento Children's Hospital's business names ceased to be registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in January. Credit:Christopher Frederick Jones

That came six months before consultation was opened in July on whether to rename the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital the Queensland Children's Hospital, and eight months before the final decision was made in September.

However, authorities insisted the deregistration of the two business names was completely unrelated to the later decision to change the hospital's name.Almost 2400 hectares of koala habitat has been saved from a pine plantation near Tewantin in a landmark $3.5 million buyout by a conservation group, a local council and the Queensland government.

It is a progressive move in a week where serious questions were asked about the viability of shifting koalas for development.

Michael Gloster's 20-year dream to turn a pine plantation into a park to protect koalas is being realised. Credit:Tony Moore

In this move near Tewantin, koalas are invited back to their own forests.

Volunteer conservation group Noosa Parks Association, Noosa Shire Council and the Queensland government each contributed $1.2 million to buy out Hancocks HQ pine plantation behind Tewantin.With so much attention on the Chinese Communist Partys infiltration of the NSW branch of the Labor Party (think Sam Dastyari), few have noticed the quiet campaign to influence the Victorian Labor government.

That influence campaign has now paid off, with Premier Daniel Andrews last week announcing that Victoria has signed up to Beijings massive overseas investment program known as the Belt and Road Initiative.

Illustration: Matt Davidson Credit:

This was despite the federal governments decision early in 2017 to reject Beijings entreaties and refuse to sign it. Canberra understood the initiative has a deep strategic objective  to render those drawn into it economically dependent and supine in the face of the Communist Partys overseas ambitions.

While the Andrews government cannot see beyond the promised investment bonanza, more sober observers around the world are warning the BRI represents a full-spectrum grand strategy for China.The Victorian Liberal Party says it will not contest four inner city marginal seats, citing a breakdown in discussions with Labor over preferences.

The move could deal a major blow to Labor, which had been helped by Liberal preferences in seats the conservative party had no chance of winning.

The Liberal Partys list of candidates submitted to the Victorian Electoral Commission on Wednesday, omits the Melbourne, Richmond, Northcote and Brunswick seats.

Matthew Guy. Credit:Justin McManus

Labor is facing a major threat from the Greens in Richmond and Brunswick. It lost Melbourne to the Greens in 2014 and Northcote in a byelection last year.A controversial secret deal between the Victorian and Chinese governments will be made public if the Coalition wins this months state election.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has promised to release the memorandum of understanding between the two governments, which the Andrews government signed last month.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on the campaign trail. Credit:Simon Schluter

In October Mr Andrews announced that Victoria had become the first and only Australian state to strike a historic deal with China on its Belt and Road Initiative.

However, this week Mr Andrews faced a wave of criticism over his decision to keep the deal secret."Not another flight that smells bad," Matthew Meehan recalled thinking as he boarded Delta flight 1949 in Atlanta on Thursday night - 115 years into the age of powered flight and God knows how long into the nightmare of modern air travel.

Meehan told Yahoo News that he noticed his neighbour mate was also in apparent olfactory distress. He bent down under his seat to find a phone charger, and instead discovered the source of the foulness.

"It's not just a smell," he told Yahoo, reliving the memory. "It's actually faeces and it's all over the back of my legs, it's all over the floor, all over the wall of the plane. And I sat in it."

In the initial confusion, Meehan said, he didn't know who or what the faeces came from, or how it got on his flight to Miami.She said Democrats would work with Republicans in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation. Loading "We have all had enough of division," she said. Trump focussed on the Republicans' strong performance in the Senate, where most of the contests were being held in rural and conservative states he won easily in 2016. "Tremendous success tonight," he tweeted. "Thank you to all!"

Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: Trump tweeted that the Republicans who won close Senate races "owe him their political career". In the final days of the campaign, Trump ran strongly on a tough on immigration platform and highlighted a caravan of migrants travelling towards the US from Central America. Trump called Pelosi just before midnight local time to congratulate the Democrats on winning the House. Turnout was unusually high for a midterm election, a sign that voters of both parties were mobilised to go to the polls by Trump's norm-shattering presidential style.

There was a significant gender divide, with women voting for Democratic candidates in overwhelming numbers and most men supporting Republicans. Democrats picked up multiple House seats in the crucial Midwestern states of Pennsylvania, Iowa and Michigan which voted for Barack Obama in 2012 before flipping to Trump four years later. Democrats have also gained seats in New York, Florida, Virginia, Texas, California and Arizona. Time's up. Trump at his final election rally blitz before the midterm polls opened. Credit:AP Overall, Democrats were projected to win the House popular vote by seven percentage points.

Female candidates are performing strongly and it looks likely that a record number of women will be elected to Congress. Among the successful candidates are the first women aged under 30 and the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress. Sharice Davids, an openly lesbian Native American Democrat, will enter the House after defeating her Republican opponent in suburban seat in Kansas. My heart has been restored. It is the end of one party rule in the US, thank God. Commentator and former Democrat adviser, Van Jones But Democrats will lose Senate seats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota  all predominantly rural states where Trump remains popular. The Democrats were also trailing narrowly in Florida, where incumbent Bill Nelson is locked in a tight battle with Republican governor Rick Scott.

Texas Democrat Beto O'Rourke was defeated by Republican Ted Cruz even though he had electrified progressives in his home state and around the country with his campaign. Democratic candidates also fell short in closely watched contests for the governorships in Florida and Georgia. Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams were hoping to become the first African American governors ever elected in those states but lost narrowly to Trump-style Republicans. Gillum lost by one percentage point to Republican Ron Desantis while Abrams was trailing opponent Brian Kemp by three points. Every two years theres one day in November where elites dont call the shots, dont craft the narrative or set the agenda, Desantis told supporters in Orlando. On Election Day, its the voice of the people that rules.

Former Republican senator Rick Santorum said: "Republicans are feeling good tonight." Republican strategist David Urban said: "All the big emotional races have gone in favour of Republicans." Loading Early in the night former Obama adviser Van Jones, now a commentator on CNN, said it was "heartbreaking" that Democrats had not performed better. "The hope has been that the antibodies would kick in," he said. "That this infestation of hatred and division would draw a response from the American people in both parties to say 'No. No more.'"Latest News Offenders are using payment text fields to harass victims  AUSTRAC These treats usually come with multiple low-value transaction amounts

Effi launches solution that can get brokers paid their commission on the day of settlement New product can reduce the time it takes for commissions to get paid from 45-60 days to just one

A bank has recorded a net profit after tax of $229million for the last financial year, which it says was underpinned by strong growth in home lending and business lending.

BankSA said that small business lending in particular saw the biggest growth, with an increase of 10% on the year before. Home lending was up 7% and total business lending was up 5%.

BankSA Chief Executive, Nick Reade, said the result demonstrated the banks above average growth in key focus areas in the South Australian market.

Reade said, Over the past year, BankSA has generated customer growth at twice the rate of population growth in this state.

I am particularly pleased that this growth has spanned both home and business lending.

This reflects our focus and determination to support more South Australians into their own homes, and encourage more businesses to start and invest here.

The small to medium business sector was particularly strong for BankSA, with a 10% increase in lending compared to the same period last year.

Small business is integral to the South Australian economy so it has been encouraging to see increased confidence and activity in this part of the market.

Over the last financial year the bank spent $9.4m in investing into its branch network to provide better customer experiences.

It also launched online and mobile alternatives to home loan applications.

Reade said, We understand that many of our customers are busy and need flexibility so we are pleased we can now offer a state-of-the-art online solution, to complement our personal service in branch.Latest News Offenders are using payment text fields to harass victims  AUSTRAC These treats usually come with multiple low-value transaction amounts

Effi launches solution that can get brokers paid their commission on the day of settlement New product can reduce the time it takes for commissions to get paid from 45-60 days to just one

Open banking is set to reshape the way customers access their data and banks and other financial institutions are now getting ready to start implementing the system from next year.

Australias four major banks must have implemented an open banking standard by 1 July 2019 and other banks will need to follow by the same time in 2020.

One company, which has been working with open banking before it even began, said the regime will make things much easier.

Moneytree launched in Tokyo, Japan, six years ago based on the idea customers should have better access to their data. It started with a personal finance app which categorised users spending and then they began to open out into other areas.

Soon they were working with banks and institutions to help them create better experiences for their customers.

Now, banks, credit cards, real estate groups, accountants and superannuation are using the platform.

Ross Sharrott is one of Moneytrees co-founders, its chief technology officer and executive director for Australia. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Data Standards Body for the implementation of Open Banking.

Speaking to Australian Broker at Salesforces recent Financial Basecamp, Sharrott said it was an opportunity for brokers.

He said, It can be much easier instead of making your customers print out their statement and bring it to you, you can say if you link your account here my system will hold this for you.

The other thing is open banking is going to make product rate data available so it could be easier to compare rates so for example should I refinance or not?

One of the opportunities for brokers though is if they can give value to the consumer and say hey youre giving us the data once, you can leave the ability for me to read the data on an ongoing basis.

Ill tell you if theres an opportunity and then for the consumer they dont have to do anything themselves.

Sharrott said open banking can particularly help when it comes to responsible lending.

He added, What were hearing in the market is some of our banking clients are interested to know, can I get a categorised view of how consumers are spending money, so I can be sure they can afford this loan?

It can help them collect the proof that this loan is ok to underwrite. Instead of the consumer guessing they can share that data.

Sometimes consumers have an incentive not to lie. Self-reported data, I can only give you this rate. But if Ive access to this data so were sure of that data perhaps we can do a different rate.

Open banking is simply the first step in Australian data-sharing. While in the future it is expected data on telecoms and energy will be shared, Sharrott said it is not like that where they originally started in Tokyo.

He said, Here, property ownership is extremely high, including second third fourth properties in terms of investment properties. Thats fairly uncommon in Japan. That other thing here the CDR, Consumer Data Right, driving force behind open banking is much more ambitious.

Japan was early in open banking but they dont have that consumer data right to drive it beyond banking.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

60th Precinct

Coney IslandBrighton BeachSeagate

Sham sneaks

Two cons tricked a woman into giving them cash at a Brighton Beach Avenue bank on Nov. 2.

Police say the victim was buying groceries on Bath Avenue at 8 am when a woman and a man walked up to her and pitched an investment opportunity.

The victim agreed and got into a black sedan with the crooks, who drove to the bank near Brighton Fifth Street where the victim withdrew $3,300 from a teller, police reported.

When she got back into the car, one of the thieves told the woman, Give me all your money or I will kill you, and robbed her, cops said.

Liquor looters

Two nogoodniks stole a bottle of whiskey from a liquor store on Neptune Avenue on Oct. 31.

One of the thieves threatened someone who confronted them with a gray knife and said Ill stab you if you touch me, at the store near W. Sixth Street at 6 pm, according to police.

The bandits fled with the booze toward W. Sixth Street, cops said.

Gas bill goon

A liar posing as a gas company employee assaulted a man at his Brightwater Court home on Nov. 2, causing pain and swelling.

A stranger asked the victim and his wife for their gas bill at their door of their home near Brighton Third Street at 4:55 pm, and when they questioned him, the lout punched the man in his face multiple times, according to police.

Subway striker

A ruffian punched a man in a Brighton Beach Avenue subway station on Nov. 2.

Police say the brute punched the victim on the right side of his face near Brighton Sixth Street at 9:15 pm.

The victim refused medical attention, according to cops.

Garage thief

Three brigands stole a womans belongings she placed in an Oceana Drive East parking garage on Nov. 1.

The victim put a bag of new toys, clothing, and a suitcase at the end of her spot in a parking garage near Oceana Terrace, and when she returned, it was stolen, according to cops.

Security video footage showed three bandits entering the garage, jamming the door to load the items into their pickup truck, and leaving the garage with the womans items, according to the police report.

iPhone grab

A punk stole a teenagers phone on Neptune Avenue on Oct. 28.

Police say the victim was walking toward W. 33rd Street at 4:30 pm when another teenager snatched his iPhone X and ran toward W. 35th Street.

Credit card swipe

A sneak swiped a teenagers credit card on W. 24th Street on Aug. 3.

The victim told cops that she had her card while she was at a pizzeria chain, but discovered it was missing when she got to her home near Surf Avenue at 9 am, according to cops.

She found out there were unauthorized charges made to the card and canceled it, authorities said.

Church crook

A sinner took a womans phones at a church on Mermaid Avenue on Oct. 31.

The victim put her phones on a table on the second floor of the house of worship near W. 21st Street at 1 pm and when she came back, the phones were gone, according to police.

Lobby lout

A thief lifted a womans bag at a doctors office on W. 15th Street on Nov. 1.

The victim told police she left her bag, including her wallet and electronics, in the lobby of the office near Mermaid Avenue at 7 pm and when she returned, it was missing.

 Brianna KudischSign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

61st Precinct

Sheepshead BayHomecrest

Manhattan BeachGravesend

Looting lout

A looter raided a womans Ocean Avenue apartment on Nov. 3.

The neer-do-well broke into the apartment by unscrewing the child safety guard on a bedroom window near Avenue X between noon and 9 pm, cops said.

He then bagged $2,450 and a bunch of the victims jewelry before making a run for it.

Ex-pupil prowler

An intruder broke into a private school on E. 13th Street sometime between Oct. 26 and 28.

The victim told police the burglar, who is allegedly a former student, got into the school near Avenue P at some point between 4 pm on Oct. 26 and 9 pm two days later through an unlocked front door. He then broke another door trying to get into the second floor, according to police.

The school skimmer fled the scene empty-handed in an unknown direction, cops said.

Masked marauder

A masked robber burgled a dentists office on Ocean Avenue on Oct. 29.

The purloiner broke into the building near Avenue U at 11:47 pm through the side door on the ground floor while wearing a white mask, and gained access to the second floor by unknown means, according to cops.

He then grabbed a 46-inch TV and threw off his masks before fleeing the scene, cops said.

 Kevin DugganSign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

A Flatbush councilman slammed the idea that more guns will decrease violence in the borough in the aftermath of a Halloween shooting that occurred days after the beep suggested off-duty cops carry pistols on them inside houses of worship.

Councilman Jumaane Williams (DFlatbush) on Nov. 2 echoed the mayor in rejecting the controversial notion that more guns will keep residents safer, while denouncing the shooter who fired a bullet into a 14-year-old boy on Hillel Place and Nostrand Avenue two days earlier.

The response to what were seeing is not simply more guns, Williams said at a press conference. We want to address the underlying issues that are occurring with gun violence to begin with.

Williams drew a connection between the brutal Flatbush shooting and the deadly gunfire insdie a Pittsburgh synagogue and a Kroger grocery store in Kentucky, calling gun-related incidents a public-health disease.

We cant lose sight of what happened in the last week, whether its the synagogue, whether its the Kroger shooting where a white supremacist shot two black folks. The things that these have in common are guns, and access to guns, he said.

On Halloween, the shooter fired a bullet into the local teens mouth in the Hillel pedestrian plaza in broad daylight, while families and kids were out and about, according to a local high-schooler, who was in a nearby restaurant when it happened.

I was on my way home from school at Chipotle around the corner and people came in saying somebody was shot, said Alexa, 15, a sophomore at Midwood High School. The cops were on the scene very quickly and sealed off the area but I saw the victim. He had blood coming out of his mouth and was coughing blood.

Paramedics rushed the victim to Maimonides Hospital, where doctors declared his injuries non-life-threatening, according to a Police Department spokeswoman.

Cops have not yet made any arrests and the investigation is ongoing, the spokeswoman said.

The incident occurred months after commerce cheerleaders with the The Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District in August unveiled the pedestrian plaza, which is frequented by hundreds of Brooklyn College and Midwood High School students daily.

The bid hired an unarmed security guard to monitor the plaza on weekdays from 1 to 5 pm after some members of the areas community board voiced concerns about the number of kids that congregate at the site, where they said crowds of youngsters would gather even before the plaza was built. And that guards quick response to the shooting contained the incident before it could get worse, the bids executive director said.

We have an unarmed security presence here and I think that helped in quelling the situation before it got out of hand, said Kenneth Mbonu.

But no additional guards will be posted at the plaza following the shooting, according to Mbonu, who said his group would work closely with the local police precinct to keep the area safe.

We are looking to work with the precinct so theres more constant surveillance of the area, especially when people are coming out of school and waiting for the bus or subway, he said.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

Talk about a wine pairing!

Two wine and food festivals will go glass to glass in a bottle battle in Brooklyn this Saturday. The Toast of Brooklyn Wine and Food Festival in Williamsburg and the Brooklyn Crush: Wine and Artisanal Food Festival in Sunset Park, will each hold afternoon and evening tasting sessions on Nov. 10. Each will have about 80 vendors pouring free samples of wine, cider, and spirits, spread out over two floors of their respective venues, along with food samples.

The founder of Toast of Brooklyn, who started his festival in 2007, said that he was not worried about the rival session in Sunset Park  in fact, he is happy to see other groups follow the path that he pioneered.

We welcome these kind of newcomers, said Edmon Braithwaite. This is the 11th year of this event, and when we started, there was nobody doing anything like this in Brooklyn. Now everybody and their grandmother are having events in Brooklyn, and thats great.

This year the festival, happening on the sixth and seventh floors of the William Vale, will focus on natural wines made without additives, said Braithwaite, and will feature demonstrations from a variety of chefs. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation, which will offer scholarships and aid to kids affected by Hurricane Maria, according to Braithwaite.

The founder of New York Wine Events, the organization behind Brooklyn Crush, said that the audiences for the two events are different enough that he does not consider Toast of Brooklyn a rival.

Thats more of a Williamsburg event, said Sam Kimball. Industry City and Sunset Park are more authentic and industrial. Were more casual and down to earth.

Kimball also emphasized the wide variety of vendors at Brooklyn Crush, which has been held twice a year since 2015.

Every single Brooklyn Crush is new and different, he said. Thats the thing about this event  you could come to every single one, spring and fall, and youd always encounter new food and drink.

The events are about 28 minutes apart by car, according to Google Maps, so a high-tolerance wine fan could make the afternoon session for one and the evening event for the other.

Brooklyn Crush at Industry City Landing (enter on Second Avenue between 36th and 37th streets, newyo rkwin eeven ts.com ). Nov. 10, 25 pm and 710 pm. $59 ($110 VIP early access).

Toast of Brooklyn (55 Wythe Ave., sixth and seventh floors, at N. 12th Street in Williamsburg, www.theto astof brook lyn.com ). Nov. 10; 12:304:30 pm; 5:309:30 pm. $60.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

84th Precinct

Brooklyn HeightsDUMBOBoerum HillDowntown

Group assault

Police arrested six suspects for allegedly robbing and assaulting a man, causing lacerations, on Livingston Street on Oct. 31.

The suspects allegedly punched and kicked the victim in the head, causing pain, swelling, and lacerations, and robbed the man of $360, near Nevins Street at 8:16 pm, according to police.

Phone grab

A group of goons stole a mans phone on Fulton Street on Nov. 4.

The victim was waiting for the bus near Jay Street at 4:30 pm when the thieves approached, asked him to empty his pockets, threatened him with a knife, and stole his phone, causing bruising and swelling to his hand during the scuffle, according to police.

Courthouse criminal

Cops cuffed a man for allegedly assaulting a person, causing a minor gash, in the courthouse on Jay Street on Oct. 30.

The suspect allegedly entered the courthouse near Johnson Street at 11:08 am with a hidden razor and assaulted the victim, police say.

Box cutter bruisers

Two bruisers assaulted two men, causing injuries, while on the subway near Pacific Street on Nov. 1.

Police say the men were play fighting with toy swords near Fourth Avenue at 3:25 am when the two goons punched one victim in the face, causing a fist fight, and then slashed both victims faces and hands with a box cutter.

The savages left the subway at Pacific Street and the victims were taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment, according to cops.

Truck looter

A looter attempted to steal merchandise from a mans truck on Fulton Street on Oct. 30.

Police say the thief opened the back of the truck and stole merchandise, but it was recovered when the bandit fled toward Duffield Street at 11:10 am.

Tool loot

A sneak stole power tools from a construction site on Pierrepont Street on Nov. 1.

The looter broke into the construction sites locked basement near Clinton Street at 6 pm and stole a hammer drill, cutter, and bendsaw, along with other tools, according to cops.

Pizza prowler

A prowler vandalized and robbed a pizzeria on Court Street on Nov. 4.

Police say the bandit elaborately broke in by placing a towel on the rear patios camera, entering the rear patio through the roof, removing $100 from the register, throwing an appliance through a window separating the main pizzeria area, and removing another $100 in coins from the bottom of a refrigerator.

The looter fled the pizzeria near State Street at 5:05 am.

Dating site scammer

A con artist swindled $300 from a man on a transgender dating site on Gold Street on Oct. 28.

Police say the man met a person on the site, who took a photo while they were on FaceTime, and who requested money, which the victim sent through PayPal near Johnson Street at 1 pm.

The fraudster demanded more money and called the victims workplace, created a Facebook account in his name, and said if the victim doesnt give more money, the hoaxer will report to the mans job and send naked photos, according to cops.

Phony law official

A charlatan conned money from a man on Gold Street on Sept. 4.

The fraud demanded a total of $68,500 from the victim, pretending to be a law official from China and saying the victim would be deported and arrested if he did not give the money, and the victim compiled on three different occasions, near Tillary Street at 10 am, according to police.

Thrift shop thief

A thief stole a womans wallet on Livingston Street on Oct. 30.

The victim told police she was browsing in a thrift store near Bond Street at 3:15 pm when she felt someone bump into her backpack twice, and after leaving and heading toward MetroTech Center to take the R train, she realized her bag was open and her wallet was missing, including her credit cards and ID card.

Nikon nogoodnik

A bandit broke into a mans car parked on Little Street on Oct. 31 and stole his cameras.

The victim parked his vehicle near Evans Street at 11 pm and when he returned at 1 am, he noticed his rear window was broken and his Nikon cameras and equipment were stolen, according to police.

Purse pillager

A nogoodnik stole a womans purse on Montague Street on Nov. 1.

Cops say the thief took the victims Marc Jacobs bag, including her credit cards and AirPods, from her coat while at a restaurant near Henry Street at 9:25 am.

High markup

Police arrested two men for allegedly robbing and threatening a man on Livingston Street on Nov. 2.

The victim told police he dropped his phone near Nevins Street at 11:30 am and the suspects allegedly picked it up, demanded $80 for its return, and when he refused to pay, placed their hands in their pockets.

The suspects were allegedly found with two kitchen knives on them, according to cops.

Bank fraudster

Cops cuffed a man for allegedly cashing a fraudulent check on Fourth Avenue on Nov. 2.

The suspect allegedly tried to cash the check near Atlantic Avenue at 4:25 pm with the company name Ocala Land Title, under his name for $2,950, according to police.

Wallet sneak

A thief swiped a mans wallet on Atlantic Avenue on Nov. 2.

The victim told police he used his debit card at the parking garage on Schermerhorn Street and when he left work at 1 pm, he realized his black Tommy Hilfiger wallet was stolen and $790 was stolen.

Bicycle bandit

A nogoodnik stole a mans bike from his lobbys bicycle room on Plymouth Street on Nov. 3.

The victim told police he saw his Cannondale bike in the shared area of the building near Jay Street at 11 pm on Oct. 31 and when he checked on it on Nov. 3, it was missing.

Water Street robbery

A bandit stole a womans items on Water Street on Nov. 4.

The woman left her credit cards and iPhone X unattended near Main Street at 4:30 pm and when she came back, the items were gone, according to cops.

 Julianne CubaSign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

The driver who fatally hit two kids in a March Park Slope collision was found dead at her home on Tuesday, police said.

A friend discovered Dorothy Bruns, 44, who killed 4-year-old Abigail Blumenstein and 1-year-old Joshua Lew  and injured three others including Blumensteins then-pregnant mother, Tony Awardwinning actress Ruthie Ann Miles, who subsequently lost her unborn baby due to her injuries  at her Staten Island home near a bottle of pills and a suicide note, according to a New York Post.

Cops sent her body to the medical examiner, who will determine a cause of death, police said.

In May, prosecutors charged Bruns, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and had a history of seizures, with reckless manslaughter, claiming she ignored doctors orders when she got behind the wheel of her car on March 5 and blew through a red light at Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street, fatally striking the children after allegedly suffering an epileptic fit while driving.

Bruns faced up to 15 years if convicted of reckless manslaughter, and spent several months on Rikers Island following her indictment, until she scrounged up enough dough to make bail in September.

She last appeared before Kings County Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun at an October pre-trial hearing, after which she refused to answer this reporters questions about her case.

Brunss death did not have anything to do with any setbacks in her legal battle, according to her attorney David Jacobs, who called the incident and the circumstances surrounding it a tragedy all around.

If anyone you know exhibits signs of suicide, call New York Citys free, confidential Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center hotline at (212) 6733000.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

72nd Precinct

Sunset ParkWindsor Terrace

Stick em up

Cops are hunting two stickup artists who they say robbed a man on Seventh Avenue on Nov. 3.

The victim, who spoke Spanish, told police the crooks jumped him near 40th Street at 8 pm, sticking something to his back and barking demands in English that he didnt understand.

The crooks ended up stripping the victim of his Samsung smartphone, along with $60, and his social security card, cops said.

Afterwards, the bandits fled on foot, according to police, who said the case remains open.

Scratch off

Police are searching for the miscreant who carved f you into a mans car on Seventh Avenue on Nov. 4.

The victim told police he left his 2018 Infiniti between 53rd and 54th streets at noon, and returned about an hour later to find the curse scratched into the back of his car, and then repeated on the front and sides.

No arrests have been made in the case, which remains open, cops said.

Snatchers

Some ruffians beat up a guy and took his wallet on 64th Street on Nov. 4.

The victim told police he was near Sixth Avenue heading home from a party at 5 am when the crooks pushed him from behind, sending him sprawling on the ground.

Once on the pavement, the thieves rifled through his pants and nabbed his wallet, along with the $200 inside, before hightailing it, cops said.

Bike bandit

A thief drove off with a mans motorcycle he parked on 17th Street on Nov. 2.

The victim told police he left his 2017 Yamaha chained to a gated window between Fourth and Fifth avenues at 11 pm, but returned the next morning to find an empty spot where his speed machine had been.

Grow up fast

Cops arrested a man for putting his 11-year-old son in the drivers seat of his 2004 Yukon Denali as two other kids rode in the back on First Avenue on Nov. 3.

An officer with the states Environmental Conservation agency claims he spotted the pint-sized driver motoring near 50th Street at 3:05 pm, while his old man rode shotgun, and his pals tagged along in the back.

Police busted the man that day, charging him with reckless endangerment, cops said.

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Digital EditorPaul McCartney was known to have said that a good tune was one that one could sing or whistle to, right after one has heard it. One of the most recognisable tunes associated with an Indian brand is Raymond and its "representative", the Complete Man.

The musical tune that has stood by Raymonds over the decades and has become a signature of the brand is originally from the work Traumerei from Kinderszenen Op 15 by Robert Schumann. The piece became famous at the end of World War II when radio stations across the world played it to signal the end of the war. The use of that ...has rejected a request to appear before an international parliamentary committee delving into the questions around

The rebuff came after Damian Collins, the head of the UK parliament's media committee, joined forces with his Canadian counterpart in hopes of pressuring Zuckerberg to testify, as he did before the US Congress.

rejected the invitation to appear before the so-called "international grand committee" session November 27, arguing it wasn't possible for Zuckerberg to appear before all parliaments.

Collins says pressure is building, with counterparts in Australia, and having joined the grand committee in the time since Zuckerberg was invited.

ALSO READ: How for better or worse, Mark Zuckerberg has become too big to fail

He says "five parliaments are now calling on you to do the right thing by the 170 million users in the countries they represent.Traders in Sadar Bazar here on Wednesday stuffed old firecrackers inside vegetables to protest the Supreme Court's order on use of green crackers this Diwali.

Members of the Sadar Bazar Welfare Association sold firecrackers inside bitter gourds, cauliflowers, capsicums and ladies' fingers.

Last month, the top court had said people in the country can burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and other festivals.

While issuing the order, it had allowed manufacture and sale of just "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

The order should have come earlier. This would have given time to traders to procure licences to sell green firecrackers, Sadar Nishkarm Welfare Association, president, Harjit Singh Chabbra, said.

"These are the green firecrackers that one can eat later," the association said showing the crackers stuffed with vegetables.

They said if these do not burst, these can be used for eating.

Another trader, who participated in the protest, said their sale has been very poor this year and they are very disappointed with the authorities.

"Most of us do not even understand what green crackers mean," he said.

Most traders have complained the order of being last minute which did not give them time to get the license.China on Wednesday didn't reveal if it offered any financial aid to Pakistan after its Prime Minister wrapped up his visit, meant to seek fresh Chinese loans to tide over the country's economic crisis.

A day after Khan's four-day China visit ended, Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar said that Beijing has offered $6 billion loans Islamabad to resolve country's economic crisis.

"We had told you about the $12 billion financing gap, of which $6 billion have come from Saudi Arabia, and the rest has come from China. So the immediate balance of payments crisis of Pakistan has ended. I want to make that clear in unequivocal terms that we do not have any balance of payments crisis now," said Umar, who accompanied Khan to China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not give a clear answer when asked about it.



"Pakistan is China's all-weather partners. We enjoy a very good relationship. A relationship that has been operating at a high level and we have been offering our assistance to Pakistan in the best of our capacity." Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"In the light of Pakistan's need in future as per the mutual agreement, we will continue to help economically and in other sectors," Hua added.



During Khan's visit, China said it would do its best to help its ally Pakistan "tide over" financial difficulties.

Pakistan's is in a deep economic mess with ever increasing foreign debt. Khan had made the visit to seek fresh Chinese loans after he secured $6 billion from Saudi Arabia.



Hua said that China was satisfied with Khan's visit during which the two countries agreed to deepen their ties and to complete the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a stronger commitment.Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also push for congressional authorization for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the ...Former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned Wednesday of the risk of an "economic iron curtain" unless the United States and China step up efforts to ease soaring trade tensions.

Washington and Beijing have been locked for months in a stand-off over US President Donald Trump's move to end what he describes as years of unfair trade practices by China.

He has imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own levies on US products, and continued the offensive by boosting military support for rival Taiwan and denouncing China's human rights record.

In a speech in Singapore as Americans voted in midterm elections set to deliver a stinging rebuke to Trump, Paulson warned that "economic tensions are reaching a breaking point" between Washington and Beijing.



"Today this region must look warily at the prospect that what until now has been a healthy strategic competition could tip into a full-blown Cold War," said Paulson, who served under Republican president George W Bush.

Paulson, who backed Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, warned that decades of US-China economic integration appeared to be going into reverse, which could have broad impact.

"I fear that big parts of the global will be closed off to free flow of investment and trade," he said.



ALSO READ: Donald Trump risks backlash in zeal for deal to end China trade war

"I now see the prospect of an economic iron curtain -- one that throws up new walls on each side and unmakes the global economy, as we have known it."



The Iron Curtain was the term used to describe the political and ideological barrier that divided western Europe from the communist Soviet Union during the

Tensions have gone beyond trade in recent weeks as the midterms approached.



Trump has cast China as a villain set on bringing him down, and in a closely-watched speech earlier this month Vice President Mike Pence vowed to challenge the Asian giant on multiple fronts and accused Beijing of seeking to interfere in the polls.

There have been signs of ties improving in some areas, with the State Department announcing this week that top-level US-China security talks will take place in Washington Friday.

Nevertheless, Paulson, speaking at the Bloomberg New Forum, warned: "We are in for a long winter in US-China relations.The Kremlin says it hopes that North Korean leader will visit next year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Wednesday that "I hope the visit could be possible next year." The announcement contrasted with earlier Kremlin statements that Kim was expected to visit this fall.

Last month, the Kremlin said Putin had extended an invitation to Kim to visit and that was working on the details of where and when that meeting could happen.

North entered talks with the US and South earlier this year, saying it's willing to negotiate away its advancing nuclear arsenal. Nuclear diplomacy later stalled because of suspicions over how sincere North is about its disarmament pledge.US Secretary of State on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement.

State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay to the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions.

The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leader's right-hand men -- to discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following historic talks between Trump and Kim in June.

Despite warm words from Trump since meeting Kim in Singapore, his administration has insisted on maintaining pressure on Pyongyang until a final agreement is reached.

North Korea said last week that it would "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added. Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was "not worried" about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective." But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that the postponement was a bad sign.

"This last-minute announcement of a delay is not a good signal as it indicates negotiations were not going well enough to go ahead with the planned meeting," he said.

Pompeo has travelled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord.

The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening "fire and fury" after Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world.

US critics say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions and it has rejected demands for what it described as its "unilateral disarmament".

Pompeo's postponement of talks came amid emerging differences between and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

In contrast to Washington's approach, the South's dovish president Moon Jae-in, who brokered the Singapore summit, has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization.

ALSO READ: Mike Pompeo to meet with North Korean counterpart this week in New York

South Korea's foreign ministry said the meeting delay was "regrettable" but insisted that "excessively pessimistic interpretation was unnecessary".

"There have been cases in the past when US-North Korea talks were delayed, so there is no need to shift between hope and fear," a senior ministry official told reporters.

Kim Yong Chol is a general and former top intelligence chief. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades.

The diplomacy on North Korea has seen a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly to Pyongyang.

The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday.

Trump heads over the next month to gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.Prince Charles, the "rebel" heir to the British throne, will face a battle to win over Britons and could even put the monarchy at risk if he does not temper his strong views when he eventually becomes king, a royal biographer says. Charles, who turns 70 next week, will be the oldest monarch to be crowned when he finally succeeds his 92-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth. Tom Bower, whose unauthorised "Rebel Prince" biography of Charles was published earlier this year, said the prince was intelligent, kind and sensitive but also selfish, ungrateful, and a lover ...Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Wednesday he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda

The Speaker's remarks came two days after he slammed President Maithripala Sirisena, saying it was "anti-democratic" to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspend the Parliament, and asserted that he will not recognise as the premier unless it is proved by a floor test.

Jayasuriya said he had met party representatives to finalise the agenda for November 14 when the current suspension of parliament by President Sirisena would end.

He said the government argued that parliament should not vote for a floor test on the day and should limit its sessions to day's business.

"After giving a fair hearing to both sides, the speaker expressed his stand. The need for the determination of majority, as requested by 116 members previously in writing to suspend standing orders of parliament, after the conclusion of the day's business to allow each side to display their majorities in order to have a stable government," a statement from Jayasuriya's office said.

When contacted a Sirisena source denied that they had agreed with Jayasuriya for a floor test.

Jayasuriya, earlier in the week, said when parliament was to be reconvened he would have to consider the pre-26 October status quo with regard to the two prime ministers.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka political crisis: How citizens are 'taking a stand' for democracy

Jayasuriya's stance has caused ire among the Sirisena and factions.

He accuses the Speaker of being biased towards his party, the United National Party (UNP) led by the ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena suspended parliament immediately after his October 26 sacking of Wickremesinghe, a move that was being seen as to allow Rajapaksa to muster the 113 seats required for majority.

ALSO READ: Will not recognise Rajpaksa as Sri Lanka PM unless Parl gives nod: Speaker

Rajapaksa has so far won 9 defections, still short of 113 to prove his majority in the 225-member House.

Wickremesinghe continues to claim he is the lawful prime minister citing the 19th amendment to the Constitution under which the president's powers to sack the Prime Minister had been stripped.

The unity government was formed in 2015 when Sirisena was elected President with Wickremesinghe's support, ending a nearly decade-long rule by Rajapaksa.A record number of close to 100 women won seats in the US House of Representatives in the high-stakes 2018 midterm elections, a massive victory for female candidates across the political spectrum.

As of early Wednesday, CNN had projected 98 women would win House races, with 33 women newly elected to the House. This number bests the previous record of 85 representatives, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Even as the last poll numbers were still coming in, there are still two outstanding races that have two women competing against each other, which means that at least 100 women will be serving in the House next year.

On the Senate side, CNN projected that 12 women would win Senate seats, with two newly elected women joining nine female incumbents. Eight women -- four incumbents and four non-incumbents -- would win races to the Governors' seats.

CNN said the numbers in each category tilted largely to Democrats, with 84 of the projected female House winners coming from the Democratic Party and 14 from the Republican side.

According to a CNN report, a tally from the Congressional Research Service said the previous record of 85 representatives served in the 114th Congress, including two members who resigned and one who was elected to fill a vacancy.

Arizona is poised to elect its first female senator no matter which party wins, which will add to the Senate tally above.

"The historic totals capped off a campaign season in the wake of President Donald Trump's election that was defined in large part by female activism," the CNN report said.



A CNN analysis at the outset of the general election noted 256 women won House and Senate primaries -- a record level that paved the way for Tuesday's victories.

"The midterm elections saw women securing historic firsts around the country, from the first Native American women to join the House of Representatives to Tennessee electing a woman to the Senate for the first time," it said.

The high-stakes 2018 midterm elections in the US delivered several significant firsts as millions came out in record numbers to elect the first two Muslim women to Congress, the youngest woman ever in Congress and the nation's first openly gay governor.



Ilhan Omar won in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District and Rashida Tlaib won in Michigan's 13th Congressional District.

They are the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

Michigan Democrat Tlaib and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's nominee Omar will secure their respective seats in strongly Democratic districts following primary victories earlier this year.

Democrats Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland will become the first Native American women elected to Congress. Rep. Marsha Blackburn will win the race to represent Tennessee in the US Senate.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that United States President Donald Trump's administration will "regret" the newly-imposed sanctions on his country.

"The US administration will come to regret taking these ridiculous measures," Anadolu News Agency quoted Zarif, as saying.

The foreign minister further stated that while previous US Presidents have also displayed "disrespectful attitudes" towards Iran, they have eventually changed their stance, and said the Trump administration will have to do the same.

"Past US presidents changed their attitudes towards Iran in line with experience. Mr Trump's administration must understand that its anti-Iran policies won't bear fruit and therefore have to be changed," Zarif said.

Asserting that the US' "desperation" was highlighted in their move to include closed companies in the sanctions, Zarif said that the anti-Iran move was mostly criticised and opposed by the community and that only a handful of nations like Israel and others supported the move.

Stating that it would mostly be the Iranian people than the government that would have to bear the effects of the sanctions, Zarif said that the government has undertaken steps in order to minimise the effect on the public.

"I assure our people that all necessary efforts have been made, both in the Council of Ministers and in other relevant institutions. Dark days await the US administration.

Washington hasn't been able to convince its own people that its policies are serving their interests. This administration doesn't consider its own national interests; it only serves a small group. They cover for murder committed by Saudi Arabia and Israel," the foreign minister added.

ALSO READ: India aims to sign an initial pact with Iran to settle oil trade in rupees

On November 5, the Trump administration had imposed the "toughest-ever" sanctions on Iran's banking, energy and shipping industries, in a move aimed at altering the "behaviour" of the country's regime.Oil held around $72 a barrel on Wednesday, close to its lowest since August, as rising U.S. inventories and sanction waivers allowing Iran to keep exporting crude reinforced an outlook for ample supplies. The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, said on Tuesday U.S. crude stocks rose by 7.8 million barrels last week, more than analysts had forecast. The government's official supply report is due at 1530 GMT. Brent crude, the global benchmark, slipped 7 cents to $72.06 a barrel by 0926 GMT. The contract hit $71.18 on Tuesday, the lowest since August 16. U.S. ...French police on Tuesday arrested six people over a suspected plot to launch an assault on President Emmanuel Macron, officials said.

The DGSI, the French intelligence agency, arrested the suspects as part of an investigation. They were apprehended in three separate regions - Isere, situated in the southeast of Lyon, Moselle, on the border with Germany and Luxembourg and Ille-et-Vilaine, located in the northwest near Rennes, CNN reported.

A judicial source told CNN that the six suspects arrested -- five men and a woman, were aged between 22 and 62. The French Interior Ministry said that all of them were linked to the far-right.

"The investigation is looking into an imprecise and loosely formed plan for violent action against the President of the Republic," the source said.

In July last year, a 23-year-old man was charged for plotting an attack on Macron at Bastille Day's parade.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Tuesday sought a report from the central and federal governments over the damage caused to public and private property by the demonstrators during the nationwide protests against the verdict in the Asiya Bibi case last week.

According to a statement by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Justice Nisar took notice of the vandalism for the sake of compensating the affected citizens, Geo News reported.

On October 31, mass protests had erupted in various parts of Pakistan after the country's top court announced its verdict acquitting Asiya, a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. The demonstrations, led by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other religious parties, blocked roads and vandalised public and private property.

A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel had heard Asiya's 2014 appeal against her conviction and death sentence and overturned the ruling in favour of her.

Even after rejecting reports of putting Asiya on the Exit Control List (ECL), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government succumbed to pressure and reached an agreement with the TLP for taking legal actions to not allow Asiya and her family to leave the country.

Asiya was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam during an argument with three Muslim women.

The Pakistan government, however, decided to take action against miscreants involved in vandalism, torture and arson during the demonstrations, leading to a crackdown on rioters across the country.

On Monday, around 1,800 people were arrested by law enforcement agencies. Pakistan's Interior Ministry had said that the demonstrators were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

(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 lambasted the United States for imposing economic sanctions on Iran, asserting that they are aimed at unbalancing the

"US sanctions on Iran are wrong. For us, they are steps aimed at unbalancing the We don't want to live in an imperialist world," Erdogan was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying.

He added that Turkey imports around 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Iran.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also slammed the sanctions on Iran by the US, saying that isolating the oil-rich country is "dangerous" and punishing the people of Iran is "not fair".

"While we were asking (for) an exemption from the US, we have also been very frank with them that cornering Iran is not wise. Isolating Iran is dangerous and punishing the Iranian people is not fair," he said.

"Turkey is against sanctions, we don't believe any results can be achieved through the sanctions. I think instead of sanctions, meaningful dialogue and engagement are much more useful," Cavusoglu was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying.

On November 5, the Donald Trump administration had imposed the "toughest-ever" sanctions on Iran's banking, energy and shipping industries, in a move aimed at altering the "behaviour" of the country's regime.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo had stated that the sanctions against Iran were an "unprecedented campaign of economic pressure" with the objective to "starve" the Iranian regime of revenue it uses to fund violent actions throughout the Middle East and around the

He had warned Iran to "either do a 180-degree turn from its outlaw course of action and act like a normal country, or it can see its economy crumble.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Hundreds of devotees in Tripura's capital city Agartala celebrated 'Kali Puja' by offering prayers to Goddess Kali.

Faithful devotees thronged the premises of the Umamaheshwari Temple in the city besides the Indranagar Temple of Kali, the 'Goddess of Destruction'.

Swapan Majumder, a devotee, said, "It is celebrated as 'Shyama Puja', which resembles the women empowerment and signals the victory of good over evil."

People irrespective of their religion, caste and creed gather to celebrate the annual festival at the Umamaheshwari Temple with full fervour. The history of puja dates back from the time of the Maharajas and is still celebrated in a traditional manner.

Temples and houses are brightly illuminated on the occasion and devotees offer sweets to the goddess.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, along with his wife Niti Deb, also took part in the celebration and conveyed their wishes on the occasion.

Kali symbolises power and is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped to show respect towards women. The Kali Puja has evolved from a household ritual to a community event encompassing people from all walks of life. The festival is marked by prayers, processions, and musical programmes.

In Tripura, idols of Goddess Kali were placed in illuminated and well-decorated puja pandals as part of the festival celebrations. Innovative and contemporary themes were also used for the pandals.

Kali Puja is a major festival in Tripura and West Bengal. In the remaining parts of the country, people worship Goddess Lakshmi on the occasion of Diwali, or the festival of lights.

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Kali is the first of the ten incarnations of Goddess Durga. Depicted with a fierce face and terrifying look, Goddess Kali is regarded as the most aggressive form of Goddess Durga.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday met Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez at his office and discussed on how to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to North Korea's state media, Bermudez, who arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday along with his wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, was on his first overseas visit since he took office in April, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the two leaders discussed the current situations of their nations and the "successes and experience gained in socio-economic development."

Kim and Bermudez had "honest and sincere views on various issues in the field of party activities and socialist constructions" of the two countries, the current scenario of the Korean Peninsula and other global issues, the KCNA added.

After their bilateral engagements, the two leaders had a state dinner together and witnessed a gymnastics and artistic performance titled 'The Glorious Country', at the May Day Stadium.

On Wednesday morning, Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju saw off the Cuban President and his wife.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)On the occasion of Diwali, United States Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo extended wishes to those celebrating the festival of lights.

"On behalf of the Department of State, I would like to wish all those celebrating Diwali a joyous and prosperous holiday. Also known as the Festival of Lights, this special occasion celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Nearly a billion celebrants from around the will light the diya, or lamp, as a reminder that good ultimately overcomes evil, understanding over ignorance, and kindness over animosity. Diwali is also a time of reflection and prayer when observers perform seva, or selfless service, without any expectation of reward or payment," Pompeo said in a statement.

"As those celebrating decorate their homes with vibrant lights, I would also like to recognize the achievements of our friends in the United States observing Diwali who make important contributions to our country on a daily basis. Again, to those celebrating this joyous time I wish you a happy Diwali," he added.

Last night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an interesting Twitter exchange with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over Diwali celebrations.

"On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to wish my dear friend @narendramodi and the people of India a joyous Diwali. May this luminous festival of lights bring you happiness and prosperity. Reply to this tweet with the name of the city where you're celebrating!," Netanyahu had tweeted.

Responding to Diwali greetings from the Israeli Prime Minister, Prime Minister Modi said, "Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes. Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special. I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. :) @netanyahu"

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Harsil village in Uttarakhand.

As part of the celebrations, the Prime Minister also offered sweets to the jawans and interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Thereafter, Prime Minister Modi offered prayers at Kedarnath shrine and extended Diwali greetings to soldiers posted on the India-China border.

After offering prayers, Prime Minister Modi met the locals and people gathered at the temple to Lord Shiva, surrounded by snow-capped Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river. He also reviewed the progress of developmental work taking place in Kedarpuri.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extend greetings to the nation on the occasion of Diwali.

Taking to his Twitter handle, President Kovind said, "Wishing all fellow citizens a happy and prosperous Diwali. May the Festival of Lights illuminate every home and every family, in our country and across our shared planet."

"Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health, and prosperity in everyone's lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!" Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

This year, the Prime Minister will celebrate Diwali this year with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans at one of the remotest border posts in Uttarakhand.

He will also offer prayers at Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Priyanka Chopra is busy painting the town red with her 'bride squad'.

The bride-to-be has been treating her fans with pictures and videos of her numerous and extravagant bachelorette parties- the latest one featuring her and the girl gang in 'payjamas and heels.'

PeeCee took to Instagram to share the image in which she can be seen posing with cousin Parineeti Chopra and future sister-in-law Sophie Turner, among others.

"Payjamas are cool.. #bridesquad #payjamasandheels @tam2cul @srishtibehlarya @daniellejonas @mubinarattonsey you were missed" she captioned the post.

Priyanka and gang were in Amsterdam over the weekend to celebrate her impending wedding to Nick Jonas.

Last month, the 'Baywatch' star's bridesmaids Mubina Rattonsey and Anjula Achari had hosted a bridal shower for her at Tiffany's Blue Box Cafe in New York City, which was attended by all her family members and close friends.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Rajasthan unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) extended birthday greetings to Yashwant Sinha, who exited the party in April this year.

On its Twitter handle, BJP Rajasthan wrote in Hindi, "Happy Birthday to senior BJP leader, former union finance minister Shri Yashwant Sinha. Hope God keeps you healthy."

Sinha had resigned from the BJP on April 21 alleging the government of undermining democratic institutions. "Today I am taking sanyas (retirement) from any kind of party Today, I am ending all ties with the BJP," he had announced at an event in Patna.

Ever since his exit from the BJP, Sinha has been a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticising him for his various schemes and announcements.

Just a few months after Sinha left the party, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged him to contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2019. However, Kejriwal did not mention any party name for the former finance minister to contest the elections from.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Delta Airlines passenger had to sit on a faeces-covered plane seat for a two-hour flight from Atlanta to Miami. The alternative offered by the airlines to occupying the filth-covered seat was to be left behind, Matthew Meehan said while recalling his olfactory ordeal thousands of meters above the ground.

On boarding Delta flight 1949 on November 1, Meehan smelled something foul, which was disturbing his neighbouring passenger too. Initially, his reaction was, "Not another flight that smells bad". Only when he bent under his seat trying to find a charger for his phone did he discover the source of the troubling smell.

"It's not just a smell. It's actually faeces and it's all over the back of my legs, it's all over the floor, all over the wall of the plane. And I sat in it," Meehan told Yahoo Lifestyle.

The report said that upon being informed about the mess, the flight crew said they had informed the cleaning crew earlier, expressing disbelief that it was not cleaned. They knew it was there, Meehan said.

The flight crew initially said an emotional support dog was responsible for the mess, but the gate agent said in his paperwork that it came from an older man who got sick upon landing, Meehan told Yahoo Lifestyle. Asking for the crew members for help, he received two paper towels and a miniature bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin to deal with the filth that was now on his shoes and back of his pants.

Meehan found his way to the bathroom amidst the boarding passengers to clean up. He even posted a few snapshots of his loafers smeared with muck on his Facebook handle, pointing out a possible health code violation in the post.

Doing the best he can with the cleaning supplies at his disposal, Meehan returned to his seat only to find it still covered in filth. He approached the flight crew a second time to enquire what was being done to clean the filth on his seat, who asked him to talk to a gate agent as they were busy with an active boarding (despite being notified about a faeces-covered seat).

Recalling his interaction with the gate staff, Meehan told Yahoo Lifestyle, "So I said, 'Can we get that cleaned up so I can sit down?' So she says, 'Sir, it's almost time for that plane to leave. You can sit in your seat or you can be left behind.'"

While Delta said in its statement that the area was cleaned for the flight take off, Meehan had a different story to tell. According to a Washington Post report, Meehan said that the flight manager had someone clean the area with paper towels without any sanitizer. The upholstery was still soiled and the passengers had to endure the foul smell for the rest of the flight, Meehan said.

In its statement, Delta said that it has reached out to the impacted passenger, offering a refund and additional compensation. The airlines said that it is conducting a full investigation while following up with the right teams to prevent this from happening again.

While Meehan, a top-tier flier with Delta Airlines, has been offered full refund for his flight and 50,000 miles in compensation, he still is seeking answers from the carrier about the potential health risks. He said he will take legal action if Delta chooses to ignore his questions.Nitin Patel said that his government is considering renaming Ahmedabad as 'Karnavati' if the (BJP) manages to muster support from the people.

"Since a long time, there has been a demand to change the name of Ahmedabad and name it to Karnavati. If we get to support people to support the legal process we are ready to change the name of the city. People of Ahmedabad like the name Karnavati. Whenever the time is appropriate we will change the name," he told ANI.

The also welcomed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's move to rename Faizabad as Ayodhya. "Seeing Uttar Pradesh people's sentiments. and changed the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya. We congratulate citizens and the state government," he said.

The recently also changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj saying the name holds great significance to India.

The Mughalsarai Railway Station was also renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction earlier in the year.With the United States midterm polls coming towards an end and marking a clear majority win for the Democrats in the House of Representatives and Republicans in the Senate, president Donald Trump thanked citizens for the "tremendous success".

"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" the tweet read.

However, the White House has called a lid, meaning President Trump will not speak tonight, according to CNN.

In the light of the midterm results, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders showed up with a more positive perspective with regards to the midterm results going to be declared shortly, adding that it's been a "good night" for Trump.

Winning a majority in the US Senate, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis is set to become the 46th governor in Florida after defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum.

Meanwhile, Republican Mike DeWine is likely to retain the office of Ohio governor as he has comfortably edged past Democrat Richard Cordray.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer has reportedly managed to bring to an end an eight-year stint of Republican Rick Snyder.

The US midterm elections took place in a total of 435 seats of House of Representatives and 35 seats in the US Senate.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)All the four Indian-American Democrat members of the House of Representatives were re-elected in Tuesday's election and a member of the community won the Attorney General's position in Wisconsin state.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents a constituency near Chicago in Illinois, won about 66 percent of the votes to defeat his Indian-American challenger J.D. Diganvker of the Republican Party.

The other House candidates re-elected were Pramila Jeyapal from Washington State, and Ro Khanna and Ami Bera from California.

Together with the only Senator of Indian descent, Kamala Harris, they make up what they themselves jokingly call "The Samosa Caucus," Harris won from California in 2016 did not face a re-election as she has a six-year term.

None of the other Indian Americans running for Congress made it.

In a sign of the Indian-American community's growing political involvement, Democrat Josh Kaul was elected Attorney General of Wisconsin in a tight race with a margin of about 1 percent of the votes, although his victory is likely to be challenged by his Republican rival.

He will be the second Indian-American Attorney General. The first is Gurbir Grewal, a turban-wearing Sikh, in New Jersey where Attorneys General are not elected but appointed by the Governor.

Kaul is the fourth Indian-American to win a state-wide election, which sets the stage for him to run for other higher offices. The first was Piyush Bobby Jindal, elected Louisiana governor in 2007 who was followed by Nikki Haley, elected South Carolina governor in 2010; both are Republicans. The third is Harris.

Shiva Ayyadurai, who ran as an Independent against Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, lost badly, getting only about 3.5 percent of the votes.

Warren has claimed Native American or American Indian ancestry and Ayyadurai ran a controversial campaign with the headline, "Only a real Indian can defeat a fake Indian'.

At least seven other Indians ran for Congress on Democratic Party tickets but lost according to a database of the Indian American Impact Fund and Desis for Progress, which had endorsed them.

Harry Arora, who ran for the House as a Republican from Connecticut, lost.

The database also showed that six Indian-American Democrats had been elected to State legislatures for the first time.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bangladeshi Hindu community celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

The festival brought Tuesday night more Hindus to the temples in the old part of Dhaka than at almost any other day of the year, reports Xinhua news agency.

Like previous years, Bengali Hindus observed the festival lighting earthen lamps in their homes, bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.

Hindus believe that Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.

As part of preparations to mark the festival of lights, Hindu people renovate and decorate their homes and offices.

On Diwali night, they dress up in new clothes or their best outfits, light up lamps and candles inside and outside their homes, and participate in family prayers.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The people of West Bengal on Wednesday plunged into the festive fervour of Diwali celebrations, carrying on with their joyous mood of Kali Puja observed across the state a day ago.

People across the state exchanged sweets and savouries with friends, neighbours and relatives. The festival saw the mingling of sizeable population of non-Bengali communities (Marwari, Gujarati, Bihari) and Bengalis across the state to celebrate Diwali.

After worshiping Goddess Kali till the wee hours on Wednesday, thousands of people visited Kalighat and Dakshineswar Kali temples since morning to offer prayers to the deity.

In preparation for the evening festivities, people were seen drying their stock of crackers outside. Children helped their parents put up glittery decorations in their homes. Rows of earthen lamps dotted entrances and other areas of many homes.

Girls and women showcased their artistic skills through variety of colourful Rangoli (folk art in which patterns are created on the floor using materials such as coloured rice, flour, coloured sand and flower petals) designs.

Youngsters dressed in their best went out with family members and loved ones for pandal hopping.

The festivities have kept the city administration on its toes since Tuesday. Authorities have banned crackers emitting over 90 decibel of sound to control noise pollution.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has urged the residents to observe the norms for a safe Diwali.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An intense cold will intensify in Himachal Pradesh as the Met office forecast chances of more rainfall and snowfall in the state from Friday.

"A western disturbance is very likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from November 9," an official statement said.

The western disturbances -- storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region -- will be active in the region till November 13, a Met official told IANS.

Most tourist hubs like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Manali and Dalhousie, located in mid-hills, may witness rains but high-altitude areas like Kalpa and Chitkul in Kinnaur district and Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district can have moderate snowfall, the weatherman added.

Meanwhile, Shimla, which has been witnessing sunny conditions, saw a low of 9.7 degrees Celsius. The maximum stayed at 19.9 degrees.

Manali in Kullu district, about 250 km from here, was cold at 0.6 degrees.

Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius. It saw snow on November 4.

It was 3 degrees in Kalpa and 9 degrees in Dharamsala town.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Commoners, political heavyweights and social bigwigs came together on Diwali, and celebrated the festival of lights, which marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, across Uttar Pradesh with traditional fervor and gaiety on Wednesday. As soon as the sun set, people retired to their homes after shopping and prayed before the idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi.

In Lucknow, the sky lit up with fire crackers and lights as people burst crackers, unmindful of the restrictions imposed by law. High-decibel crackers were also burst across the state though no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere, a police spokesman informed IANS.

State-owned buses were choc a'bloc with passengers as they ran to capacity due to the last minute rush on the festival. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Ayodhya during the festival where he met seers and paid obeisance to Lord Ram at the makeshift temple and to Lord Hanuman, the money god, at Hanumangarhi.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav spent the festival with the Yadav clan at his native village Saifai in Etawah. Family patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav drove to his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav's house to bless him on Diwali, family sources informed. Several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spent time in their native places or assembly constituencies.

Governor Ram Naik wished the people of the state on the festival of lights and so did the three-time UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati. In a message issued by her party, the Dalit leader specially greeted the army troopers who were away safeguarding the borders, far from their families on the festival.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Many people exploded crackers in Chandigarh as well as Punjab and Haryana to celebrate Diwali on Wednesday ahead of the mandated timings of 8 to 10 p.m.

People in many areas started bursting crackers just after 6 p.m., residents and witnesses said.

Police officials said they were keeping an eye on the violation of the guidelines and would take action.

Bursting of crackers in many towns and cities in Punjab and Haryana also started much before the stipulated 8 p.m.

People also prayed at their homes and in temples on Wednesday to mark the festival of lights.The Election Commission on Wednesday deputed a high-level team led by a Deputy Election Commissioner to hold further talks with the Mizoram NGOs demanding the axing of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S.B. Shashank.

The EC said that while it accepted the "broad contours" of the joint resolution passed by the NGOs, it had decided to depute a "higher-level team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain", in-charge of Mizoram, to have "further discussions" on November 9 at Aizwal.

The other members of the team would be Jharkhand CEO Lalbiakthanga Khiangte, EC Secretary S.B. Joshi and Mizoram Additional CEO Lalzarmawii.

"Considering the urgency of the matter, a full Commission meeting was convened today (Wednesday) to further build on this mutual understanding (with NGOs). After due deliberations, the Commission, while accepting broad contours of the resolution passed by the NGOs, decided to depute a higher-level EC team," the EC said.

The Mizoram NGOs Coordination Committee (MNCC) has urged the people to continue their protests until Shashank was removed as the CEO and Principal Secretary (Home) Chuaungo, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was reinstated.

The Election Commission last week removed Chuaungo from his post for dereliction of duty and interference in the election process.

Chuaungo was accused of creating obstacles in allowing the Reang tribals, sheltered in Tripura for over 21 years, to vote in the November 28 polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan is set to begin nearly two weeks of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday over what would be the country's 13th IMF bailout since the 1980s to help it end a spiralling current account crisis.

Finance Minister Asad Umar says $12 billion is required immediately, a large chunk of which is expected to be drawn from the IMF.

"The initial three to four days (of the talks) are for technical discussions," finance ministry spokesman Noor Ahmed told Reuters. "After that, there will be policy dialogue on the specific contents of the programme."

Pakistan announced last month a $6 billion assistance package from Saudi Arabia, split into $3 billion in foreign currency support and a further loan worth $3 billion in deferred payments for oil.

The announcement followed Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Riyadh last month for an investment conference that was boycotted by several other leaders following the killing of a Saudi journalist at the country's consulate in Istanbul.

Khan had said before the visit that his country was "desperate" to shore up its foreign currency reserves, which are at a four-year low, equivalent to less than two months of imports and barely enough to make its debt repayments through the rest of the year.

"The support we received left and right will have an overall impact on our microeconomic numbers," Ahmed said. "The programme that will be designed (with the IMF) will be stability focuse. They will look at the numbers and take their decision."

Pakistan's current account deficit widened 43 per cent to $18 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June, while the fiscal deficit has ballooned to 6.6 per cent of the gross domestic product.

Khan was in China last week where he held talks on economic help, but Beijing said additional talks were required.

China is Pakistan's closest ally, but Khan's newly-elected government has sought to re-think the two countries' signature project, the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which Beijing touts as the flagship infrastructure programme in its vast Belt and Road Initiative.

Khan appealed to "friendly countries" for assistance to avoid going to the IMF or at least reduce the size of any bailout package.

Pakistani officials have been wary of the IMF imposing harsh conditions compared to the last bailout in 2013 when Islamabad was given repeated waivers and avoided serious reforms after receiving $6.7 billion.A fireworks display and LED lighting marked the celebrations of 'Bandi Chhor Diwas' and Diwali as thousands of devotees flocked to the Golden Temple complex here on Wednesday.

The traditional fireworks display was a spectacular event even though its timing was reduced to just 10 minutes this year owing to pollution concerns.

The complex, where the holiest of Sikh shrines, the 'Harmandar Sahib' is located, was illuminated with LED lights, giving it a glittering look.

There was festive spirit at the shrine complex in this Sikh holy city as thousands of people came here to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Acting Jathedar (chief) of the Akal Takht, Harpreet Singh, read out his message to the Sikh community on the occasion.

The domes, buildings and floors of the shrine complex were cleaned and lit up for the occasion.

The day is celebrated in the Sikh as 'Bandi Chhor Diwas' (prisoner liberation day). On this day, the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar after being released along with 52 princes from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir from Gwalior prison in 1619.

The guru and the princes arrived in Amritsar during the Diwali festivities. Since then, the Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali celebrations coincide at the Golden Temple complex.

Elsewhere in Punjab, markets wore a festive look on the occasion of Diwali but traders said that sales were down.

People thronged various markets in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala and other towns.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday greeted the people on Diwali and urged them to celebrate the festival of lights by saying no to crackers.

The Governor said the festival symbolised joy and happiness and celebrates victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

He hoped the festival would bring joy and happiness into the lives of the people.

Thakur expressed hope that Diwali would shower enlightenment on the people and would bring prosperity besides strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and unity.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Indian Army and the China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday held ceremonial border personnel meeting to commemorate joint celebrations of Diwali organised by the Indian Army at Bum-La, a military official said.

A Ceremonial Border Personal Meeting (BPM), the last of 2018 to commemorate joint celebrations of Diwali, was organised by the Indian Army at Bum La.

The Indian delegation was led by Colonel Prasenjit Kar. Colonel Yang Zi Ming headed the PLA team.

Both the delegations interacted and exchanged greetings in a cordial atmosphere, a sign of improving military-to-military ties at ground level.

The meeting began with the hoisting of the national flags and lighting of traditional Diwali lamps.

Both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining peace along border areas.

The highlight of the border personnel meeting was the colourful and impressive performances by cultural troupes showcasing 'Real India'.

--IANS

rrk/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rome, Nov 7 (IANS/AKI) Italy's top diplomat Enzo Moavero Milanesi and his staff are fully committed to helping a Christian woman, Asia Bibi -- amid fears for her safety in Pakistan following her acquittal of blasphemy after eight years on death row -- the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Foreign minister Milanesi and the foreign ministry continue to follow with maximum commitment and attention the situation of Ms Asia Bibi, as many Italians have requested," the foreign ministry stated.

The ministry is "working closely with the Italian embassy in Pakistan and constantly coordinating with all the countries taking an interest in the case and is ready to follow up on any decisions the government takes," the statement concluded.

Bibi, who had been sentenced to hang, cannot leave Pakistan after violent protests by the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party after Pakistan's Supreme Court cleared her of all charges last week.

Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih says the family could be killed by Islamists and has pleaded for asylum in the UK, US or Canada.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will be acting attorney general.

Sessions announced his resignation in a letter to Trump, saying that the resignation came "at your request", Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States," Trump tweeted.

"We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date," Trump said in a Twitter post.

The move took place shortly after a press conference Trump gave at the White House during which he said Sessions' fate was under consideration. It marked the first cabinet member exit from the Trump administration after the midterm elections, which ended late Tuesday.

Sessions, a former Senator from Alabama, has been a staunch Trump supporter since early stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, and was one of the first nominated to the Trump cabinet.

Sessions' relationship with Trump soured after he recused himself from the investigation into potential coordination between the president's Republican campaign and Russia, which prompted Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel leading the inquiry.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Artist Rekha Rodwittiya, whose art is "free, feisty, feminist and more" and yet is the "everyday woman", consciously placed the female figure at the centre of her work "as an endorsement of female victory".

An ongoing exhibition here looks back at her repertoire that celebrates collective female histories -- and alters the politics of the gaze that rests on women.

Rodwittiya's exhibition, "Rekha@Sixty: Transient Worlds of Belonging", at the Sakshi Gallery, explores the ideas of womanhood. It does so through the autobiographical lens of the artist, who positions the female form in her work as unrelenting.

"I see the female figure as being emblematic of being a life-giving force through the centuries. The unflinching gaze and the frontal posture of the female protagonist demands that the viewer is obliged to participate and engage with her presence," the 60-year-old artist told IANS in an email interview.

"Stark and arresting in demeanor, these figures with their unrelenting gaze stand... free, feisty, feminist and more."

In response to a popular statement made by art historian John Berger on the gender dynamic in artworks -- "Men act and women appear" -- Rodwittiya said she abhors the "gaze that suggests consumption" and that her attempt is to bring out accountability in the gaze.

Calling herself a proud feminist, Rodwittiya rewinds her life for one to better understand the personal politics that governs her art.

She recalled the nights she spent as a child, listening to her mother and aunts talk about their lives "lived with independence and courage to stand up for what they believed in", which became the "lullabies" for Rodwittiya's feminist belonging.

With a non-conformist upbringing, "unfettered by restrictive boundaries of community affiliation and religious" diktat, the artist, born in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), knew from the age of five that she would paint.

She said that, when asked how it feels like to be a woman in India, her answer is that she views herself as "empowered" -- an inheritance "precious enough to not be squandered".

Through her easily-identified, bold style of painting, Rodwittiya brings alive the ordinary through this lens of the cultural self -- something especially visible in her 1995 seminal work "Songs From the Blood of the Weary" created for a Geneva exhibition commemorating 50 years of the United Nations.

"As a feminist, it isn't the theoretical pedagogic that I wish to engage with in my art. My content is culled from the life of the everyday woman... It is through the lives of the ordinary that we best witness any ideology."

A former student of London's Royal College of Art, Rodwittiya commends the indomitable spirit of women.

"The female figure as a central image is neither accidental, nor arrived at by chance in my work. It is consciously placed as an endorsement of female victory -- as a totemic trophy of the self for the self -- to reinforce the embodiment of the female spirit as a vital axis to life itself," she explained.

On the #MeToo movement rising to a fever pitch in India, the widely-exhibited artist, who has previously argued on social media that "men from cultural spaces of authority, who have behaved sexually inappropriately with women, (be) held accountable", said the movement is a stage for everyone.

"Power hierarchies of all types must be questioned. The #Metoo movement is everyone's stage to celebrate this emboldened moment of truth and freedom, through stories of survivors, and to work for the change.

"Sexual harassment and oppression must be viewed as criminal acts and legislation (to deal with this) must not only be structured, but also implemented with visible results for all," she stated.

"Rekha@60" will run till November 30.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Electronic music producer Nucleya, known for his unique brand of desi dubstep, will set out on a Sunburn Arena Tota Myna Tour, which will be spread out across six cities from November 10.

The tour, in support of Nucleya's new album "Tota Myna", will travel to places like Mumbai (November 10), Bengaluru (November 17), Guwahati (November 18), Chennai (November 25), Jaipur (December 16), before culminating in Kochi (December 22).

The Mumbai free capacity showcase will be supported by Shruti Hassan, Foreign Beggars, RITVIZ, and Shiva Manvi and will host approximately 25,000 fans. This unique event is set to mark the Indian bass heavyweight's first show of his 2018 season, read a statement.

Nucleya's album is a composition of a long coming idea that he had envisioned through his signature style of Indian bass, reggae and dance music; along his profound love for experimental sounds of pop.

The tracks include collaborations with A-list artists from the industry, including Shruti Hassan and hip-hop star Raftaar, as well as prominent indie artists such as Rashmeet Kaur, Avneet Kurmi and Vibha Saraf.

A series of singles will be released over the coming week.

The album artwork is done by his wife Smriti Choudary aka pinksoda.

"My mother called Smriti and me 'tota myna' when we were younger; we were the inseparable love birds," the Goa-based producer/DJ said in a statement.

No wonder then that the album art is inspired by the love birds seen on the trucks travelling in India.

"To my fans, I'm discovering and growing every day and hope to do more shows and get more artistes featured and invite as many homegrown talents as possible for this album," Nucleya said.

--IANS

rb/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Despite the Supreme Courts directives, people in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday continued to burst crackers on Diwali well past the 10 p.m. deadline though the air quality index (AQI) showed a slight improvement over last year.

The Supreme Court had limited the time for bursting crackers between 8-10 p.m. on Diwali, but people started bursting crackers soon after sunset around 6 p.m. and continued well after 10 p.m.

Also, the apex court had banned the sale of traditional crackers and allowed only "green crackers" in Delhi-NCR, but there was no clarity as to how many people could procure these, or the ones not containing the polluting barium salts.

Delhi Police spokesman Madhur Verma said data was not immediately available at how many places the police took action against those flouting the Supreme Court directive on Diwali day.

Ravi Sharma, a journalist residing in East Delhi said that he could not find crackers in Delhi for his child but his neighbours did.

"I could not buy even a phuljhadi (sparkler) or anar (fountain) for my child but some of my neighbours have arranged the crackers through some jugaad (improvisation) and they are bursting them now," Sharma told IANS.

Similar stories came in from other parts of the city such as Mayur Vihar, Dwarka and New Friends Colony.

In Ghaziabad, an IANS correspondent who went around the town was witness to violations in the posh Raj Nagar and Kavi Nagar localities, where almost all district and police officers reside.

Though some firecrackers went off from 5 p.m., the frequency rapidly went up as the sun set.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior police officer admitted that it was very difficult to implement the Supreme Court order.

The air quality in the national capital and surrounding areas on Wednesday was recorded as "very poor", a slight improvement from last year's Diwali night.

The Supreme Court's strict directive and a moderately high wind speed appeared to be the reason the Air Quality Index (AQI) did not reach the "severe" level.

The AQI at 9 p.m. was 291, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Last Diwali, the AQI was recorded at 326.

The PM2.5 and PM10, or particles with diameter less than 2.5 and 10 micrometers, in Delhi NCR was 164 and 292 microgrammes per cubic meter.

The permissible limit for PM2.5 and PM10 is 60 and 80 units by national standards and 25 and 50 units by international standards.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), weather forecasting body under Ministry of Earth Science, said the moisture in the air on Wednesday was normal, thus reducing the air holding capacity.

It warned that the air quality in the region could be bad on Thursday. On Wednesday night it said the key weather parameter was the good wind speed and if it reduces, the levels of PM 2.5 could increase.

The Delhi fire department received 209 calls till 10 p.m though no fatality was reported. The only major incident was that of a fire at a factory in Bawana where 18 fire tenders were pressed into service.

.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with soldiers and their families at Hyulong in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Minister was greeted by village elders from the Mishmi tribe.

In a video uploaded on her official Twitter handle, the Minister is seen interacting with the soldiers and distributing sweets to them.

"Happy Diwali to everyone! Jai Hind!" the Minister tweeted.

Earlier in the morning, she celebrated the festival with troops in Dinjan in Assam.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Spanish police evacuated passengers from a major railway station in Madrid and from two high-speed trains in Barcelona on Wednesday following security alerts that proved to be false alarms, authorities said.

Regional police in Catalonia ordered passengers off two high-speed trains at Barcelona's Sants railway station in the morning and bomb disposal units carried out an investigation after security scanners detected a suspicious package inside a suitcase, reports Efe news.

Two hours later, National Police in the capital Madrid ordered the full evacuation of the city's Atocha station, which serves both long-distance and suburban railway systems.

"Our agents carried out relevant checks at the Atocha station in Madrid and it turns out to be a false alarm," the National Police said in a statement on Twitter. "Everything has returned to normal."

The Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police force, said checks confirmed the suspicious package discovered by the luggage scanner, sparking concerns that an explosive device was concealed inside a suitcase, did not, in fact, pose any danger to the public.

One high-speed train destined for Madrid and another for Paris were evacuated during the security operation.

Spain's terror alert has been at set at the second-highest level in since 2015.

In August 2017, 16 people were killed in terror attacks in Catalonia.

On the afternoon of August 17, a 22-year-old assailant ran a van into pedestrians on the city's iconic tree-lined La Rambla mall, killing 15 and injuring over 100 more in an attack allegedly inspired by the Islamic State terror organization.

It was the bloodiest terror attack on Spanish soil since the coordinated bombing attack at the Atocha train station that on March 11, 2004, killed 193 people.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actress Tilda Swinton made a rare appearance with beau Sandro Kopp here.

They attended the Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and other Treasures exhibition opening in Vienna, Austria earlier this week, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actress slipped into a cream and purple wrap dress, embellished with an animal print sleeve. She accessorised with a pair of green evening gloves.

Meanwhile, visual artist Kopp rocked up to the event in a purple three-piece suit, complemented with a textured fuschia tie.

The Scottish actress has been in a relationship with the artist for over 14 years, following her split from John Byrne.

She shares her children Honor and Xavier Swinton Byrne, 21, with her former partner Byrne. The pair struck up a relationship in 1989, but eventually called it quits in 2003.

--IANS

nn/rb

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United Liberation Front of Asom's (Ulfa) pro-talk faction's General Secretary, Anup Chetia on Wednesday dismissed media reports that said Paresh Baruah, the commander-in-chief of the rebel group's anti-talk faction, has died.

Assam-based news portals on Wednesday reported that Baruah met with an accident and succumbed to his injuries last week in Ruili, located on the Myanmar-China border.

"I do not think that there is truth in the news. Paresh Baruah met with an accident about three months back in Ruili while he was on a motorcycle. However, he called me up at least three times after that and told me that he was recovering," Chetia told IANS on phone.

"He told me that there some of his bones and a toe was fratctured. I received a call from him last Sunday which I could not receive as I was in a meeting. So, considering all these facts I do not think that the news of his death is true."

Chetia said that it was basically a one way communication between him and Paresh Baruah always.

"We cannot contact him, it is always he who contacts me. I think nothing untoward has happened with him," Chetia said.

Assam Police and intelligence officials were yet to confirm the news of death of the Ulfa leader.

The Ulfa was divided into two factions after some leaders of the outfit including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, were arrested in Bangladesh and were handed over to Indian authorities.

These leaders later decided to sit for peace talks while the faction led by Baruah decided to continue the armed struggle for a "sovereign" Assam.

Chetia, who was in a jail in Bangladesh, was extradited to India later and he also decided to join the faction who is negotiating the peace talks.

--IANS

ah/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As Americans voted in this year's crucial midterm elections, Democrats were making progress in their bid to take the House of Representatives, but Republicans were looking well-positioned to keep the Senate with key races still tight.

All 50 states and Washington D.C. went to the polls on Tuesday as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the two houses of Congress, with experts saying that voter turnout could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, CNN reported.

Americans were voting for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of 100 seats in the Senate - the two bodies that make up Congress. Governors are also being chosen in 36 out of 50 states.

If Republicans maintain their hold on both the Senate and the House of Representatives, they could help President Donald Trump press on with his agenda.

But if the Democrats win 23 seats to regain their majority in the House,, they could stymie or even reverse Trump's plans.

Democrats claimed the first two of the net 23 seats they need for a House majority, according to CNN projections.

Jennifer Wexton, who got a campaign visit from former President Barack Obama on Monday, is set to defeat Republican Barbara Comstock for her seat in Virginia.

Florida is living up to its history as a cliffhanger state, with Democratic Senator Bill Nelson hoping late votes in Democratic counties could narrow his slim deficit to his challenger, the outgoing Governor Rick Scott.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is narrowly trailing his challenger Republican Ron DeSantis.

In Texas, Democrat Beto O'Rourke and incumbent Senator Ted Cruz are neck-and-neck as votes were being counted in the state.

But incumbent Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly was trailing his Republican challenger in Indiana with more than half the votes counted. The Democrats need to pick up two Senate seats and not lose any to have a majority.

Meanwhile, Trump's approval rating stood at 39 per cent in the latest CNN poll.

Trump, who will complete his second year in the White House in January 2019, has campaigned non-stop in the midterm elections, focusing on states where his Republican Party has a chance to pick up seats, especially in the US Senate.

The President has touted his administration's economic policies, which have resulted in strong economic growth, record job creation and low unemployment.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Mesmerised by the exquisite beauty of the monument of love, the Taj Mahal, South Korean First Lady said she would return with her husband.

Instead of the scheduled 45 minutes, she spent 90 minutes asking questions about architecture, intricate inlay work and historical perspectives. She spent 20 minutes inside the mausoleum.

She thanked Prime Minister and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the visit.

According to her guide Nitin Chwla, she said she was much impressed with the cultural programmes at Ayodhya and the grand arti at the Saryu river. Cultural exchanges will bring the two countries closer, she added.

ALSO READ: Korean First Lady dons saree for Diwali, delights PM Modi, Ayodhya's people

UP ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Srikant Sharma welcomed her at the Kheria airport and accompanied her during her visit to thePope Francis on Wednesday decried the existence of poverty in the world and said it did not stem from a lack of resources but rather from an economic culture lacking in equity and human solidarity.

The head of the Catholic church made his remarks during the weekly General Audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, reports Efe news.

"Our world has sufficient resources to meet the primary needs of all its inhabitants," Francis told the gathered crowd.

"Yet so many members of our human family continue to suffer extreme want and even starvation for lack of sound economic decisions inspired by solidarity and justice," he added.

"The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race," Francis said. "What is lacking is a free and visionary business spirit capable of ensuring an adequate production, a humanitarian focus, and a fair distribution."

Pope Francis continued his ongoing catechesis on the Ten Commandments, and focused on the seventh commandment dealing specifically with both theft and respect for the property of others: "Thou shalt not steal".

The Pope said the faithful congregated at St Peter's Square should take heed of the example set by Jesus Christ, who, although rich, became poor at the service of love, freedom and human dignity.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday said the union government was working on "various options within the ambit of the Constitution to build a grand in Ayodhya".

On the second day of his visit to the temple town of Ayodhya, the monk-politician prayed at the Hanumangarhi temple and declared that Ayodhya was the abode of "Ram Lalla' and that there "was a temple (at Ayodhya) and will always be there".

He also visited the makeshift Ram Lalla temple at the disputed site where once stood the Babri mosque which was razed in 1992.

Adityanath also met seers at the Digambar Akhara, visited the Saryu ghat, Sugreev Fort and also met Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

ALSO READ: Ayodhya 2019: Building the Ram Temple is tougher than destroying Babri

The Chief Minister also inspected the site where a 150 metre tall statue of Lord Ram would be installed on a 50 feet pedestal.

"We have grand plans for Ayodhya and we are working in that direction" he later told reporters. He also announced that a shelter home for widows and orphaned children would be set up in Ayodhya.

On Tuesday, the state government had rolled out a never-seen-before spectacle of lights on the ghats of the holy river Saryu where more than 3 lakh earthern lamps were lit up.

The First Lady of South Korea was present at the event.Prime Minister reached Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate with Army and personnel on Wednesday.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said.

He said that is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said that the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The prime minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).





Prime Minister with army jawans in Harsil. Photo: Twitter

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

The prime minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The prime minister is scheduled to go to Kedarnath later in the day to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013 which killed thousands of people.

Responding to Diwali greeting from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, Modi had said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special.Ballary-based mining baron and former minister G was absconding as police were on the look out for him in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme, top officials said Wednesday.

The Central Crime Branch police here is also hunting for Reddy's close aide Ali Khan, who allegedly struck a Rs 20 crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing pvt Ltd, a company accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme, to bail him out from investigation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said Reddy was absconding and police were looking for him to question him in connection with the case.

"Based on the information gathered the investigation is going on further...CCB is after Ali Khan and Janardhan Reddy," he told reporters here.

The development comes a day after Reddy's close confidant Sriramulu's sister J Shantha, a BJP candidate, lost in the by-polls from Ballari Lok Sabha constituency, considered a strong hold of the Reddy brothers.

The Congress won the seat breaking BJP's grip over Ballari since 2004.

However, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said there was no political connection to the probe.

He said his team had been working on the case for the last 20 days, but waited till November 3 for the by polls to be over for further action, so that it was not politicised.

Reddy, a Minister during the previous BJP rule, had been arrested by the CBI in 2011 over alleged multi-crore illegal mining scam and granted bail three years later.

Reacting to the latest development, Sriramulu claimed he did not have any information about the case and whereabouts of Reddy, but added and no one was above law.

"I don't have complete information...I have been saying no one is above law. Let law take its own course," he said.

Asked whether Reddy was an accused or a suspect, the police commissioner said, Fareed's claim is that he paid the money, because he was promised help by in connection with the ED probe and Reddy will have to respond to these claims.

"We also have to verify whether it is a fact, whether ED has got any cases registered against Fareed... we have to recoverthe public money that was part of the transaction," he added.

The commissioner, however, clarified that as of now there was no evidence to prove about Reddy bribing any ED official.

He said "we will have to investigate it and will get in touch with ED... We cannot straight away say that ED officials are involved. If there is solid evidence, we will not spare anybody."



Detailing about the case, police said Fareed set up Ambidant around 2017 promising returns of about 40 to 50 per cent for investment.

Responding to this, thousands of people invested their money into the company, which initially paid good returns, attracting more and more investors.

On the company failing to pay returns as promised, cases were registered against it, officials said, adding that, during January or February ED had also raided it.

They said, meanwhile, Fareed had met Reddy through Ali Khan requesting for help in bailing him out of ED the case, and Rs 20 crore was demanded in the form of gold through a jeweller known to them in Ballari.

Explaining about the investigation, the Commissioner said, during investigation CCB found a particular transaction of Rs 18 crore being paid by Ambidant to one Ramesh Kothari, who runs Ambika Jewellers in Bengaluru.

Kothari on questioning said he had given 57 kg ofgold to a jeweller named Ramesh, who runs Raj Mahal Fancy Jewellers in Ballari. Ramesh had claimed thatthe gold was handed over to Reddy's associate Ali Khan, he said.

He said there was no arrest warrant against Reddy, adding that CCB officials have conducted searches at a few places in Bengaluru and Ballari in connection with the case.

On reports about Reddy and associates trying to get anticipatory bail in Hyderabad, he said, he got to know about it only through the media.

Police said they have photographs of some meetings to prove Reddy's direct link to this case, about which they will seek clarification from him during investigation.

Reddy would soon be issued summons in the course of investigation.

Police said they have arrested Ramesh and gathered several 'crucial' documents from him.

Fareed was also arrested, but currently out on bail.One person was killed and 40 more were injured when a bus they were travelling in overturned on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway here, police said Wednesday.

The bus was headed towards Bihar's Madhubani from Delhi, they said.

"On the intervening night of November 6 and 7, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it overturned near Khadaita village," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Etawah, Ashok Kumar Tripathi said.

One person died on the spot, Tripathi said, adding that the identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained.

The injured were admitted to the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, the SSP said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Four Indian-American Congressmen from the Democratic party were re-elected to the US House of Representatives and more than a dozen others won various other races across the country in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday.

In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois, was re-elected for the second term by a comfortable margin of more than 30 percentage points. He defeated his Indian American Republican opponent J D Diganvker.

Three-term lawmaker Dr Ami Bera was re-elected for a record fourth consecutive time from the seventh Congressional District of California. Unlike the previous three elections, Bera did not had to wait for weeks for recounting of votes. He defeated Andrew Grant of the Republican party by a small five percentage margin.

In the Silicon Valley, Indian-American Ro Khanna defeated Ron Cohen of the Republican party with a massive 44 percentage point in the 17th Congressional District of California.

"Tonight was a great night for our campaign and for Democrats across the country. I'm grateful to the voters of #CA17 for giving me the opportunity to continue to represent you in Congress. This has been the honour of my life," Khanna said.

"With Democrats in control of the House, we will push for economic and foreign policy populism," he said.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the only Indian-American woman lawmaker in the House of Representatives, defeated her GOP rival Craig Keller by a massive 66 percentage points.

"The American people voted to put the Democrats back in control of the US House of Representatives. Now, we are primed to restore the balance of power between the branches of government and push back even more strongly against the Trump administration's deeply destructive policies. Our communities are sick and tired of the corruption and injustice," Jayapal said in her victory speech in Seattle.

"With new and diverse voices joining our ranks, we are building a movement that truly represents the people of this country," she said.

None of the more than half a dozen new Indian Americans candidates, many of whom caught national attention by giving tough fight to their opponents and outraising them in the fund raisers, could make it to the House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in the Indian parliament.

ALSO READ: US midterm polls produce a divided Congress, Democrats retake House

However, Indian-Americans picked up more seats in the State assemblies.

In Wisconsin State, Democratic Josh Kaul created history by becoming the first Indian-American to win the race for Attorney General by defeating incumbent Brad Schimel of the Republican Party.

Democratic Nima Kulkarni defeated Joshua Neubert from the GOP to make her maiden entry into the Kentucky Assembly from State District 40. A practicing and recognised lawyer, she owns Indus Law Firm specialising in immigration, employment and business law.

Amish Shah made his maiden entry into the Arizona Assembly from State Legislature District 24. So did, Kevin Thomas from the New York Senate District 6 for the New York State Assembly.

Mujtaba Mohammed entered the North Carolina State Senate from the Senate District 38. A former staff attorney at the Council for Children's Rights and assistant public defender, Mohammed defeated Richard Rivette.

Incumbent Jay Chaudhuri, an accomplished entrepreneur, was re-elected to North Carolina Senate from the State Senate District 15.

ALSO READ: US Midterms: Days of one-party control over as Democrats win the House

Republican Niraj Atani, 27, registered his third consecutive electoral victory from Ohio House 42nd District. He is the youngest Indian-American elected official in the US. He also is the second Indian-American state elected official in Ohio history, and the first Indian-American Republican.

In Washington State, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter were re-elected for the State Senate. Among others re-elected at the State level are Sabi Kumar in Tennessee and Ash Kalra (California) and Kumar Bharve from Maryland.

Juli Mathew won the Fort Bend City Court at Law No 3 in Texas, K P George won the race for Fort Bend County Judge in Texas and Shalini Bahl-Milne for the Amherst Town Council District 4 in Massachusetts.

The emergence of a large number of young Indian-Americans candidates reflects the growing desire of this small ethnic community comprising just one per cent of the US population of 325.7 million.

"It was a good night for Indian American candidates. We re-elected every incumbent, including all four members of the US House of Representatives, and also elected at least six new state legislators, four of whom will be the very first ever elected to that office in Kentucky, New York, Illinois, and Arizona," Gautam Raghavan from the "Impact" organisation told PTI after the election results were declared.

"Perhaps our biggest win of the evening was Josh Kaul winning his campaign for attorney general of Wisconsin, which makes him the only Indian American to serve in statewide office today," he said.

However, none of the dozen other Indian Americans running for the Congress could be win their races.

"I know some may be disappointed that we weren't able to elect any new Members of Congress, but each of them outperformed prior challengers in their districts," he said.

"It's also worth remembering that most Members of Congress - including Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, and - lost their first campaigns, so we hope to see them on the ballot again in future years," Raghavan, a former Obama Administration official, said in response to a question.Five persons were killed and as many injured in two road accidents in West Champaran and Aurangabad districts on Wednesday, police said.

Three persons were killed in Kama Bigaha village under Town police station area of Aurangabad when their was hit from behind by a speeding truck, Deputy Superintendent of Police Anoop Kumar said.

He said the deceased, including a man and his daughter, hailed from Dhanbad town in neighbouring Jharkhand and they were on their way to an unspecified destination in Uttar Pradesh.

Three other occupants of the car suffered serious injuries in the accident and they have been referred to a hospital in Gaya, the DSP added.

In West Champaran, two motorcyclists, one of them a private bank official in neighbouring East Champaran, were knocked down by a speeding autorickshaw on the Narkatiyaganj-Sahodara road, district Superintendent of Police Jayant Kant said.

The two victims belonged to adjacent villages and the accident occurred while they were returning home from East Champaran, the SP said.

The autorickshaw also overturned upon the impact of the head-on collision leaving two women passengers injured, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said.

He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.

"Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said.

The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity.

"We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added.

Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam.

"In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict".

"Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added.

Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed".

"The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy and acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court last week, has been released from a jail in Multan and taken to Noor Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi, from where she would be shifted to the Netherlands, local media reported.

However, a Punjab government spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.

A Lahore-based TV channel reported that Asia Bibi was released from New Jail for Women in Multan (around 350km from Lahore) late on Wednesday night and taken to Noor Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi, from where a chartered plane would take her to the Netherlands.

Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.

Earlier, Italy had said that it was working to help Asia Bibi leave Pakistan, amid warning from the woman's husband that her life was in danger. Her husband, Ashiq Masih, had also urged US President Donald Trump, and the UK and Canada premiers to help her leave Pakistan.

Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) spokesperson Hafiz Shahbaz Attari, in a statement, said, "The Imran Khan government has released Asia Bibi as the Netherlands Ambassador in Islamabad reached Multan jail along with government officials to ensure her release. She is being transported to the Netherlands."



He said the party workers who are gathering in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been asked to stop the government from allowing Asia Bibi from leaving the country.

The Pakistan Supreme Court's landmark verdict acquitting Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges had sparked countrywide protests and death threats from hardline groups. Protestors led by Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan and other groups had blocked major highways and roads in different parts of the country.

However, the TLP later called off its agitation following an agreement with the government that assured initiation of a legal process to place the woman on the exit control list that will prevent her from flying abroad.

It was also agreed upon that the government would also not oppose a review petition filed against the Supreme Court's judgement in the Asia Bibi blasphemy case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Australian government on Wednesday warned it intends to block a Hong Kong and Chinese consortium's 13 billion Australian dollar ($9 billion) takeover bid for an energy infrastructure because it conflicts with Australia's national interest.

The CK Consortium needed approval of Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board to take over APA Group, which owns more than 43,700 kilometers of in

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had told the consortium on Wednesday of his preliminary view that the takeover was not in Australia's interests. In practice, the decision to block the sale is final.

"I have formed this view on the grounds that it would result in an undue concentration of foreign ownership by a single group in our most significant gas transmission business," Frydenberg said in a statement.

The Foreign Investment Review Board was unable to reach a unanimous recommendation, expressing concerns about the national interest implications of such a dominant foreign player in the gas and sectors over the longer term, Frydenberg said.

Peter Jennings, executive director of the government-established Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank, had been advocating for weeks for the government to veto the sale on national security grounds.

"My sense is that if the FIRB and the treasurer are taking national security considerations seriously into account, they should say 'no' to this particular proposed takeover," Jennings said in September.

The consortium is led by Hong Kong-registered Cheung Kong Infrastructure Group, better known as CKI. CKI and Chinese state-owned State Grid Corp. were in 2016 blocked on classified national security grounds from leasing for 99 years a 50.4 per cent stake in Ausgrid, a Sydney grid, for more than AUD 10 billion.

That decision was made by Prime Minister when he was treasurer.

While reasons were not detailed, there was speculation that the consortium was blocked because Ausgrid included an node that was connected to the secretive joint US-Australian intelligence facility at Pine Gap in central

Jennings said the finding that the sale of APA to Chinese interests was not in Australians' interest was a "no-brainer."

"If the takeover proceeded, we'd have about 70 per cent or more of electricity and gas infrastructure would be owned by either CKI, a Hong Kong company, or State Grid, a Chinese state-owned entity," Jennings said.

"I just think that's a risk that no country would really find acceptable," he added.German high-end carmaker BMW on Wednesday posted a steep drop in quarterly profit as new emissions tests, global trade tensions and costly recalls weighed on the bottom line.

The Munich-based group said net profit between July and September slumped 24 per cent year-on-year to 1.4 billion euros (USD 1.6 billion), falling short of analyst expectations.

Third-quarter revenues rose 4.7 per cent to 24.7 billion, supported by brisk demand for the group's vehicles which include the compact Mini and luxury Rolls-Royce.

The group had already issued a rare profit warning in September when it was forced to lower its full-year outlook in the face of a series of setbacks.

Chief among them was the introduction of tough new EU emissions tests known as WLTP, which sent rival carmakers scrambling to shift non-compliant models before the September 1 deadline with considerable discounts offered to buyers.

This resulted in "unexpectedly intense competition", BMW said.

The group has also been impacted by US President Donald Trump's festering trade row with China, which has seen both sides impose tit-for-tat tariffs, and his threats to place steep duties on auto imports from the European Union.

"The ongoing international trade conflicts had the effect of aggravating the market situation and feeding consumer uncertainty," said BMW, which owns factories in Europe, the US and China.

The automaker likewise felt the pinch from a mass recall of diesel-powered cars over a fire risk, for which it had to set aside 679 million euros in the third quarter.

Also sapping earnings was BMW's increased spending on electric and self-driving cars as the industry pivots to cleaner, smarter vehicles after the "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal.

"Particularly in these volatile times, we are maintaining our focus on the future and taking the decisions that will lead to tomorrow's success," said chief executive Harald Krueger.

As part of those efforts BMW said it planned to secure "the highly sought-after" raw materials needed to make battery cells, like cobalt, itself in the future and then make those available to suppliers.

BMW shares dipped 1.8 per cent to 75.55 euros by 1050 GMT in Frankfurt, underperforming a DAX blue-chip index that was up 1.1 per cent. The group confirmed its trimmed outlook for 2018, forecasting revenues from its car business "slightly lower" than last year.

Profit before tax "is expected to show a moderate decrease" year-on-year, rather than staying around last year's level of 10.7 billion euros.

Looking further ahead, chief financial officer Nicolas Peter warned in a conference call that the WLTP fallout would likely continue "into the first half of 2019".

"The volatility is not over yet," he told reporters.

BMW did not suffer the same production bottlenecks that the new EU rules caused at rivals Daimler and Volkswagen, but the price war to get rid of non-WLTP models has proved painful for all carmakers in a sector crucial to the German economy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Boeing 747 cargo jet went off the runway at the Halifax airport in eastern Canada early Wednesday morning, causing minor injuries to the four-member crew and forcing the temporary closure of the airfield.

The Sky Lease cargo plane overshot the runway just after 5:00 am (local time) as it made a scheduled landing on a flight from Chicago.

The plane was supposed to pick up a shipment and then fly to China.

The



cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Images posted on social media showed the aircraft on its belly on the grass beyond the end of the runway, with a trail of debris behind it.

The crew members suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital, the airport authority said in a statement.

The airport resumed operations three hours after the accident but dozens of flights were delayed or cancelled.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India's textile exports grew by 26 per cent at USD 6,235 million in the first six months ended September 2018 and the on-going between and will open up new export opportunities, the Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) said here.

The country had exported textiles (raw cotton, yarn, fabrics and made-ups) worth USD 4,917 million in April-September 2017-18, the association said in a statement.

However, exports of textiles and clothing declined by 3 per cent with exports of readymade garments registering a steep decline of 16 per cent during H1FY19.

India held a special place in global textile trade as the second largest textile exporter in the world. Today, cotton yarn & fabric exports account for over 23 per cent of India's total textiles and apparel exports.

Ujwal Lahoti, chairman of Texprocil, stated that the ongoing between the and would possibly open up new opportunities for from India and we should be ready to explore them.

The government was also in the process of putting in place alternative schemes to promote exports which would improve competitiveness, he said.

Lahoti welcomed the package for the MSME sector announced by the government. Interest subvention on pre-shipment and post-shipment finance for exports by MSMEs has been increased from 3 per cent to 5 per cent.

These measures would provide much needed support and encouragement to the MSME sector, which contributed significantly to the textiles exports. Under the package, GST- registered MSMEs would get 2 per cent interest rebate on incremental loan up to Rs 1 crore, he added.

He also noted that the jump in India's ranking in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business will help boost exports.

Lahoti acknowledged that for textiles exporters, remarkable improvements are visible at the ports, customs and regional offices of DGFT EDI systems.Dashing hopes of a cracker-free festivities, Delhiites chose to celebrate a noisy and hazy Diwali Wednesday with people in many areas bursting fire crackers beyond the 8 pm to 10 pm time frame stipulated by the Supreme Court.

Admitting "sporadic" breaches of the apex court order on bursting crackers beyond the time frame fixed by it, senior Delhi police officials said, "We are monitoring the situation."



"There have been sporadic cases of violations. In some areas, people have been found burning firecrackers beyond 8pm-10pm time frame. The exact number of violation is yet to be ascertained. But, we will take strict action against them," said an official.

They said they are continuously patrolling the city to check for violations.

The Supreme Court had allowed bursting firecrackers only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali, while permitting manufacturing and sale of only "green crackers" with low emission of light, sound and smoke.

The court had asked police to ensure that there is no sale of banned firecrackers and in case of any violation, the station house officers of the police stations concerned would be held "personally liable".

This would amount to committing the contempt of court, the apex court had warned.

Some of the areas where the people were seen bursting crackers beyond the apex court-stipulated time frame included Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi's Lutyens Zone, IP extension, Dwarka, Noida-Sector 78. The intensity of the crackers burst before 8 PM, however, remained low.

But as the festivities picked up, the faint echo of crackers started growing louder.

Bursting of crackers beyond 10 PM was reported from areas like Mayur Vihar Extension and many South Delhi localities.

The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 296 at 10 PM after the Supreme Court deadline to burst crackers came to an end.

The AQI at 7 PM was 281 which rose to 291 at 8 PM and escalated further to 294 at 9 PM, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data revealed.

The online indicators of the city's pollution monitoring stations indicated 'poor' and 'very poor' air quality as the volume of ultra fine particulate materials PM2.5 and PM10 in the air, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose after around 8 pm.

The pollutants had breached the corresponding 24-hour safe limits of 60 and 100 respectively by up to three times.

While it is difficult to quantify the immediate effect of the ban on firecrackers, residents across the national capital felt the beginning was promising with the neighbourhoods reporting much lesser noise and smoke till about 8 pm.

According to the CPCB data, the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 146 and 275 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.

The SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) has forecast "bad" air quality on Thursday even if partially toxic crackers, as compared to 2017, are burned. It also said the pollution level will peak between 11 AM and 3 AM on Wednesday and Thursday.

The situation was similar, if not worse, in the neighbouring regions of Delhi such as Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad, where crackers were burst as usual, raising question marks on the efficacy of the administration in enforcing the apex court's ban.

A 'very poor' air quality index (AQI) essentially means that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn 'severe', which may trouble even those with sound health conditions and seriously affect those with ailments.

The Centre, in collaboration with the Delhi government, has launched an aggressive 10-day-long 'Clean Air Campaign' from November 1 to 10 to monitor and report polluting activities.

About 52 teams deployed under the campaign have been visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida.

The teams comprise local sub divisional magistrate (SDM) as the team leader besides senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and representatives from the CPCB, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DPCC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Dashing hopes of a cracker-free festivities, Delhiites chose to celebrate a noisy and hazy Wednesday with people in many areas bursting fire crackers beyond the 8 pm to 10 pm time frame, stipulated by the

Admitting "sporadic" breaches of the apex court order on bursting crackers beyond the time frame fixed by it, senior Delhi police officials said, "We are monitoring the situation."



"There have been sporadic cases of violations. In some areas, people have been found burning firecrackers beyond 8pm-10pm time frame. The exact number of violation is yet to be ascertained. But, we will take strict action against them," said an official.

The had allowed bursting firecrackers only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali, while permitting manufacturing and sale of only "green crackers" with low emission of light, sound and smoke.

The court had asked police to ensure that there is no sale of banned firecrackers and in case of any violation, the station house officers of the police stations concerned would be held "personally liable".

This would amount to committing the contempt of court, the apex court had ruled.

Some of the areas where the people were seen bursting crackers beyond the apex court-stipulated time frame included Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi's Lutyens Zone, IP extension, Dwarka, Noida-Sector 78. The intensity of the crackers burst before 8 PM, however, remained low.

The online indicators of the city's pollution monitoring stations indicated poor and 'very poor' air quality as the volume of ultra fine particulate materials PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose from around 8 pm.

The pollutants had breached the corresponding 24-hour safe limits of 60 and 100 respectively by up to three times.

While it is difficult to quantify the immediate effect of the ban on firecrackers, residents across the capital felt the beginning was promising with the neighbourhoods reporting much lesser noise and smoke till about 8 pm.

But as the festivities picked up, the faint echo of crackers started growing louder.

According to the data, the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 146 and 275 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.

The SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) has forecast "bad" air quality on Thursday even if partially toxic crackers, as compared to 2017, is burned. It also said the pollution level will peak between 11 AM and 3 AM on Wednesday and Thursday.

The situation was similar, if not worse, in the neighbouring regions of Delhi such as Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad, where crackers were burst as usual, raising question marks on the efficacy of the administration in enforcing the apex court's ban.

A 'very poor' air quality index (AQI) essentially means that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn 'severe', which may trouble even those with sound health conditions and seriously affect those with ailments.

The Centre, in collaboration with the Delhi government, has launched an aggressive 10-day-long 'Clean Air Campaign' from November 1 to 10 to monitor and report polluting activities as well as to ensure quick action.

About 52 teams deployed under the campaign are visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida.

The teams comprise the local sub divisional magistrate (SDM) as the team leader, senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and representatives from the CPCB, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DPCC.Democrats seized control of the lower house of Congress in midterm elections Tuesday, dealing a stern rebuke to Donald Trump almost two years into his polarizing, rollercoaster presidency.

Fox and NBC television networks called the result in the US House of Representatives, while confirming expectations that Trump's Republicans will retain control of the Senate.

The result upends the balance of power in Washington, where Trump has enjoyed an easy ride from Republican dominance of both houses of Congress since his shock election in 2016.

Democrats will now be able to block legislation and light a fire under Trump's feet with investigations of his opaque finances and Russian interference in his 2016 election, and possibly push for impeachment.

The verdicts in the House and Senate were based on incomplete results as vote counting continued across the country and some states were still voting in a congressional election cast as an unofficial referendum on Trump.

Giddy predictions by Democrats of a so-called "blue wave" landslide in the House were still premature, even if a majority appeared guaranteed.

Trump was watching the results roll in from the White House, where he spent the day holed up with friends and family.

Americans voted enthusiastically, with long lines quickly forming at polling stations from New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Democrats quickly made important gains in the House, but Republicans defended in crucial races, like incumbent Andy Barr of Kentucky, whose House seat had seemed at risk.

In the Senate, Republican Mike Braun snatched the seat from Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, but corruption scandal-tainted Senator Bob Menendez saved his seat for the Democrats in New Jersey.

Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 presidential prediction wrong, urged caution.

Trump had fought hard before polling day, crisscrossing the country to claim that Democrats would introduce socialism and making incendiary attacks on illegal immigration that opponents denounced as racist.

Even so, Democrats were highly confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory." Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd have been "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

Results were to continue trickling in through the night, with the last polls closing in Alaska at 0600 GMT Wednesday.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz all day.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."



Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."



But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat who lost in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bangladesh Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina's crucial dialogue with the opposition Wednesday failed to yield any result as the ruling Awami League rejected as "unacceptable" Jatiya Oikya Front's demand of dissolving parliament before the election.

The Jatiya Oikya Front (NUF) emerged two months ago as an opposition platform and floated a seven-point demand, including dissolution of parliament to pave ways for a polls time interim government for holding a credible parliamentary election expected in December.

But the Awami League insisted the polls must be held under the incumbent government.

"We have no problem in accepting most of their demands... but their demand for constituting a interim polls time government dissolving the parliament is unacceptable," Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters after the meeting.

He said the dissolution of parliament meant deferment of the polls schedule and paving ways for "for undemocratic forces' emergence on the scene", referring to the installation of the past-military backed interim government with non-elected people that ran the country in 2007-2008.

The NUF convenor and prominent lawyer Kamal Hossain, who led the opposition delegation in the talks for the second time in a week, later told a media briefing "we want a peaceful solution of the impasse".

"The ball is now in their (government) court," he said while he was flanked by other leaders of the front, a combination of political parties and individuals, including imprisoned ex-premier Khaleda Zia's main opposition the BNP.

Asked if they were satisfied with the dialogue outcome, BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam said they submitted their demands to the government and "now we will go to people (under a scheduled road march) and to get our demands realised through them".

"We took the dialogue as part of our movement," he said.

The meeting came a day after four technocrat ministers of the Cabinet tendered their resignation. They were asked by Hasina to resign, indicating that the non-elected people had no stake in the government during the polls time.

"This is an excuse to delay the election. A third force may come in to create an undesirable situation like 1/11 (installation of the military backed government," Quader said.

But the government had no problem in accepting most of the demands of the NUF which prioritised the demand of release of Zia, now serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges.

Quader, however, said Zia's release was entirely dependent on the court decision and "if the court grants her bail, we have no problem".

"If there is any real political prisoner, we will consider their freedom. The law minister will be instructed," Quader said as the NUF gave a list of detained opposition leaders and activists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)More than 200 persons have been arrested for bursting banned fireworks in the city and neighbouring areas during Diwali celebration on Wednesday.

As the community Kali puja, celebrated on Tuesday, did not immerse their idols, bright and dazzling illumination was seen everywhere around numerous pandals across the city.

Many shops and business establishments in the central business district and elsewhere lit up their premises with 'diyas' for Diwali.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished people on Twitter: "Heartiest greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of #Deepavali." She also posted similar message in Hindi.

As part of police crackdown to prevent use of illegal fireworks, 61 persons were arrested in the city since 11 pm Tuesday till Wednesday afternoon, Kolkata Police sources said.

Besides, eight others were held for playing loud music on DJ system in open space in the city, the sources said.

Another 150 persons were arrested in Salt Lake area, the satellite township in North, for bursting banned fireworks since Tuesday midnight till Wednesday afternoon, Bidhannagar Commissionerate Police sources said.

A WBPCB official said several complaints of bursting of firecrackers beyond the decibel limit and before the 8 pm time came from fringe areas of the city including Dumdum and Parnasree on Wednesday evening but did not give exact figure.

"We are keeping tab on the situation and our teams are moving around," the official said.

WBPCB Chairman Kalyan Rudra earlier said seven teams were on patrol in the city during Diwali and Kalipuja to keep tab on flouting the decibel limit and the 2-hour window for bursting low-emission firecrackers and fire works set by the Supreme Court.

A Jadavpur University team of researchers conducted air monitoring in four points of the city during the day.

"The pollution count of suspended particles is higher than normal time around this period in November," a member of the team said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Election Commission has asked the Odisha government to seal its border with the poll bound Chhattisgarh, an official said Wednesday.

The assembly elections in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases - on November 12 and November 20.

"The state government has been told to seal its border with Chhattisgarh in order to ensure a free and fair elections in that state," Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar said.

The state government has also asked the authorities of eight Odisha districts bordering Chhattisgarh to go for frisking in border areas and keep an eye on the movement of Maoists and people carrying liquor, cash and other materials, official sources said.

The eight districts are Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Nabarangpurm Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Koraput.

On November 5, Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat and the two election commissioners addressed senior Odisha government officials in a video conference, which was attended by district magistrates of these eight Districts.

Surendra Kumar and other officials of the CEO's office also attended the conference.

Sources in the state police said the administration may seal roads connecting to towns in Chhattisgarh but Maoists use routes through jungles and not the main roads.

"It appears to be a herculean task to check movement of Maoist elements in view of the absence of enough security forces in the state," the sources said.

The state government has repeatedly urged the Ministry of Home Affairs for two more battalions of Central Armed Police Forces to seal the border zones, but no such step has so far been taken, the sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The of India Wednesday set up a high-level committee headed by a deputy election commissioner to hold talks with protestors seeking ouster of the poll panel chief.

In a statement, the ECI said it has accepted the broad contours of the resolution passed by the Mizoram's NGOs coordination committee, spearheading the protest, after its delegation's deliberations with the EC.

"The has also decided to depute a high-level team led by Deputy election Commissioner Sudeep Jain to hold further deliberations on their resolution," the statement said.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte, who is also a Mizo, has been included in the EC panel.

The ECI set up the panel hours after the protests demanding the ouster of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off in Aizawl by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday.

The protests were called off at 1 pm after the state election officials, including the Mizoram CEO, summoned by the ECI, left for New Delhi, state NGOs coordination committee chairman Vanlalruata said.

The CEO left for New Delhi by an evening flight.

Earlier in the day, Shashank said he has been summoned by the and would meet the poll panel in the national capital Thursday.

The agitation demanding his removal was launched Tuesday. It was resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members demonstrating in front of the CEO's office from 8 am. The protestors later dispersed.

The Mizoram is slated to go to polls November 28 to elect its new assembly.

Vanlalruata said the NGOs' coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the state CEO.

"If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said.

The state NGOs coordination committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations of the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state.



It has also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in as committed by the poll panel in 2014.

The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee.

On Monday, Chief Minister had written to Prime Minister that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the 2008 assembly elections would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."





The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and the leaders of the NGOs coordination committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night had remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission.



The team members said they would submit their findings to the commission.

The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a Mizoram native and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

Thousands of people from Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been lodged in six relief camps in

In the past too, the civil society organisations had opposed the Election Commission's decision to conduct electoral revision of Bru voters in Tripura relief camps.

They urged the EC to defranchise all Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram.

A 12-hour bandh was observed at Mamit town on Tuesday along the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border to support the agitation against the Mizoram CEO. Rallies and pickets were organised by the NGO Coordination Committee across the state.England spinners led by Moeen Ali helped dismiss Sri Lanka for 203 and build on their advantage after wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes' debut ton in the first Test on Wednesday.

The islanders conceded a 139-run lead in response to England's 342 after being bowled out in the final session of play on day two on a turning Galle pitch notorious for its low scores.

Ali claimed four wickets and was ably supported by fellow spinners Jack Leach and Adil Rashid who took two each.

England were 38 for no loss at stumps in their second innings, stretching their lead to 177 runs. Debutant Rory Burns, on 11, and Keaton Jennings, on 26, were batting at close of play.

But it was Foakes who stood out with his patient yet effective batting in England's first essay to give the team a challenging total after electing to bat first.

The 25-year-old Foakes, who replaced injured Jonny Bairstow converted his overnight 87 to 107 in the morning session to become only the fifth wicketkeeper-batsman to score a hundred in his first Test.

For Sri Lanka, Angleo Mathews top-scored with 52 and put on a crucial 75-run stand for the fifth wicket with skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who made 33, to frustrate the opposition bowlers.

Rashid broke the key stand after getting Chandimal stumped on a classic leg-spinner but Mathews went on to register his 30th Test 50.

He did not trouble the scorers after the tea break as Ali got the dangerman trudging back to the pavilion in the first over of the final session.

Dilruwan Perera, who picked up five wickets in the England innings, crossed 1000 Test runs on his way to 21. He became the fastest Sri Lankan to claim a double of 100 wickets and 1,000 runs.

England were troubled by a nasty hit to Burns while fielding at forward short leg, prompting the umpires to call for early tea.

Burns, who injured his shoulder blades at the base of his neck after trying to duck under a sweep shot from Dickwella, came back to field, much to the delight of the English fans.

The biggest cheer though was reserved for the retiring Rangana Herath who walked in amid a rousing reception as the English team lined up to receive the spin legend in the middle.

He remained unbeaten on 14 after Rashid got the final wicket Suranga Lakmal for 15.

Herath, 40, bids farewell to his international career at the start of the three-match series at his favourite hunting ground that accounts for 100 -- he got to the mark in England's innings after getting skipper Joe Root out for 35 -- of his 431 Test victims.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Republicans aimed to retain Senate control in Tuesday's voting and renew their role as guardians of President Donald Trump's conservative agenda, banking on a lopsided electoral map that imperiled far more Democratic seats to offset Trump's deeply divisive effect on voters.

Democrats' longshot prospects for capturing a Senate majority were pinned on hopes of their supporters surging to the polls.

Party stalwarts and some independents have been roused by revulsion toward Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and policies and his efforts to dismantle health care protections enacted under President Barack Obama, and by the #MeToo movement's fury over sexual harassment.

"I think he's trying to divide this country. I think he's preying upon people's fears," said Jay Hutchins, 49, a Democrat voting in Silver Spring, Maryland, said of Trump.

The Democrats also had history on their side: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Yet while Republicans command the Senate only narrowly, 51-49, Democrats faced daunting political math: They and their two independent allies were defending 26 of the 35 seats in play.

Around a dozen races from New Jersey to Nevada were seen as coin flips or at least competitive, prompting each side to spend hundreds of millions of dollars. It was widely expected that if the GOP padded its current two-seat majority, it would do so only modestly.

With Democrats considered a good bet to grab House control from Republicans, keeping the Senate was seen as crucial for the GOP's goals of tax and spending cuts, trade, immigration restrictions, curbs on Obama's health care law and judicial nominations. With so much at stake, Trump campaigned in over a dozen states with Senate elections since Labor Day, visiting some multiple times.

Democrats needed to gain two Senate seats to win a majority, assuming all their incumbents were re-elected, an unlikely outcome. But going into Election Day, their target list was limited: They had a plausible chance of winning GOP-held seats only in Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas.

The 26 seats Democrats were protecting included 10 in states that Trump won in the 2016 presidential race, five of those by an enormous 19 percentage points or more.

In those 10 Trump-won states, Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota seemed at greatest peril of losing. Other Democrats fighting for political survival included Missouri's Claire McCaskill, Indiana's Joe Donnelly and Bill Nelson of Florida. Nelson, 76, faced outgoing GOP Gov. Rick Scott, who poured over USD50 million of his own fortune into his campaign, the most in the U.S.

In a sign that Trump dominance two years ago isn't necessarily fatal for Democrats, their incumbents were expected to win re-election in six other states that he carried.

Montana Sen. Jon Tester faced the toughest battle of that group, while moderate Joe Manchin, a former governor and brand name in West Virginia, was increasingly seen as safe in a state Trump took by 42 percentage points.

Trump's racially tinged anti-immigrant appeals could hurt Republican candidates in swing states like Arizona and Nevada where college-educated voters could be decisive, but his rhetoric could help in deeply conservative areas.

"The 'resistance,' they call it," Richard Milner, 66, a boat inspector from Norfolk, Virginia, said of Trump's opponents. Milner, who said he backed GOP congressional candidates.

Amid the recent rash of letter bombs and the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, Trump issued alarming and often unfounded warnings about caravans of migrants crossing Mexico toward the US, blaming Democrats, without evidence, for the threat he claimed they pose.

Republicans said the caravans provided a visual image that helped motivate voters, as did the Senate's stormy confirmation fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In battlegrounds where Democrats were thought to have chances to gain seats, first-term Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen was in a close contest with Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, the only Republican seeking re-election in a state Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential race. Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a darling of progressives from coast to coast, raised record contributions but faced long odds of ousting tea party Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas.

Democrats also had opportunities because of the retirements of GOP Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Tennessee's Bob Corker, both leaving Congress after accusing Trump of dishonesty and questioning his competence. Republicans had another pickup opportunity in New Jersey, where Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who saw federal prosecutors drop bribery charges against him in January after a mistrial, faced wealthy pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin.

Defeated GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney was poised to win a Senate seat from Utah. Potential 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls who seemed certain to win included Vermont independent Bernie Sanders and New York's Kirsten Gillibrand.

However, there was a strong chance Mississippi's special election to complete the unexpired term of retired GOP Sen. Thad Cochran would go to a late November runoff. Republicans who dominate the state would probably prevail, but waiting for the outcome could extend the uncertainty about the Senate's party breakdown and perhaps which side has control.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Harry Potter author J K Rowling has launched a legal claim worth around 24,000 pounds against a former personal assistant for alleged misuse of her funds by going on unauthorised shopping sprees.

The 53-year-old novelist claims Amanda Donaldson, who worked for her between February 2014 and April 2017 before being sacked for gross misconduct, broke strict working rules by using a business credit card to buy cosmetics and gifts.

Legal papers lodged at Airdrie Sheriff Court in Scotland allege that Donaldson, 35, wrongly benefited to a value of 23,696.32 pounds by spending on a business credit card and taking Harry Potter merchandise.

"I can confirm J K Rowling has taken legal action against her former personal assistant, Amanda Donaldson, following her dismissal for gross misconduct involving a substantial breach of trust," a spokesperson for the world-famous author said.

"As the case is not yet concluded we are not able to comment further and there won't be any comment from J K Rowling," the spokesperson said.

Donaldson denies the claims and says the author has "not suffered any loss and is not entitled to damages".

The civil action suit, in which Rowling is using her married name Joanne Murray, will be heard by Sheriff Derek O'Carroll later this year.

Discrepancies on a business credit card provided to Donaldson were allegedly picked up in February last year revealing a high volume of personal spending. She was suspended after meeting an accountant to discuss the use of the card.

Rowling has alleged that her former PA made a series of unauthorised payments, including 823 pounds at Bibi Bakery, 1,482 pounds at luxury candle company Jo Malone, 3,629 pounds in cosmetic firm Molton Brown, 2,139 pounds in card shop Paper Tiger, and 1,636 pounds in Starbucks.

Rowling also claims Donaldson, who controlled memorabilia requests from fans, used her position to steal a Harry Potter toys including a motorised Hogwarts Express worth 467.56 pounds, a Harry Potter Wizard Collection worth 2,231.76 pounds and a Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set worth 395 pounds. The author also believes her former employee bought two cats worth 1,200 pounds and took 7,742 pounds worth of foreign money from a safe.

She alleges that she suffered losses as a consequence of fraud perpetrated against her former PA, who has denied all the claims.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)JSW Group commenced the reconstruction of the samadhi of renowned Indian philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarpuri in Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

"JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal performed the ground-breaking ceremony to commence reconstruction of Adi Shankaracharya samadhi," the company said in a statement.

The auspicious ceremony marked the first step of JSW Group's commitment to reconstruct and restore the Shankaracharya Kutir which was ravaged by flash floods in 2013.

JSW Group will also set up a museum to provide pilgrims a glimpse into the life Of the renowned Indian philosopher.

The reconstruction of the samadhi and the museum is expected to be completed by 2020.

JSW Group had last year signed a pact with Government of Uttarakhand for the reconstruction and restoration of Kedarnath.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Alice Wells held discussions with high officials

Senior US diplomat Alice Wells on Tuesday held discussions with senior officials of the Foreign Office and reviewed progress on bilateral relations.



Wells, the US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia, was led the American delegation while the Pakistani side was headed by FO Additional Secretary Aftab Khokher.



The meeting took stock of the understanding reached between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Secretary Mike Pompeo to rebuild the relationship based on mutual trust and respect, FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement.



Pakistan during the meeting stressed the need to increase commercial and economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts in order to diversity bilateral US-Pakistan relations, the handout said.



The evolving regional situation and peace and stability in Afghanistan were also discussed during the meeting.



The US delegation appreciated the need to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Pakistan which is an important country of the region, the statement revealed.



The two sides agreed to continue efforts to promote the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region and to diversify their bilateral relationship.



During a separate meeting with Finance Minister Asad Umar, the present state of Pakistan-US ties  with an emphasis on economic cooperation  and the overall security situation in the region came under discussion, a Ministry of Finance statement said.



Matters pertaining to international cooperation to curb terror financing were also discussed, the statement said.



The finance minister was quoted as saying during the meeting that Pakistan had made strides in the war against terrorism in recent years and it will continue to take all possible steps to root out terror financing and money laundering.



Umar shared the governments vision to reform the countrys economy with the diplomat, who informed the minister about the US efforts for regional security.



The finance minister said such visits contribute to enhancing understanding of each others point of view on issues of bilateral significance.



Ambassador Wells had arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day on a one-day visit. The government had announced that Wells would discuss Pakistan-US ties, regional situation and Afghan peace process.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday asked the Punjab government to prepare a compensation package for the people whose properties were damaged in the recent violent protests by religious extremists against the acquittal of Christian woman Asia Bibi.

Khan was briefed by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry about violent protests and the sufferings it caused for common people.

The prime minister ordered that those suffered losses should be compensated, his office said.

He also "directed the Punjab government to prepare a package for this purpose."



It was not known how much ordinary people lost during violence but government said that net financial losses of the state were between Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 17,000 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Draped in an elegant saree, South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook soaked in Diwali festivities in much to the delight of the people of this pilgrim town.

From the moment she arrived in on Tuesday till she departed, local people, especially the youth, applauded and cheered her at the multiple events she attended, along with Chief Minister

She flew in a special chopper from Lucknow, and as it landed near the Ram Kath Park venue around 2:30 pm, a group of people clapped and chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'.

She began her tour by offering tributes at the Queen Heo Memorial.

Accompanied by Adityanath, she attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya who went to Korea and married a king there in 48 AD.

From there, she went to attend festivities at the Ram Katha Park, where she was greeted by artists donning the avatar of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, who arrived at the park in a ceremonial chopper as part of the "Ram Durbar".

Kim garlanded "Sita" as they got off the helicopter and state Governor and Adityanath welcomed "Lord Ram" and "Laxman".

At the venue, where a huge stage in traditional Indian architectural style was erected, she arrived wearing an elegant green saree and greeted the people on dais and in the crowd with folded hands, sending people into raptures.

In her address at the park, she recalled the historic ties between and Korea and said she prayed for prosperity of both the countries, as they move towards a future of peace and prosperity together.

In her speech, she also mentioned and Rabindranath Tagore, and said, "There is an Indian adage that sharing happiness multiples it. I am very happy to celebrate Diwali with in Ayodhya with all of you."



Later in the evening, she was treated to a dazzling display of over three lakh earthen lamps on the ghats of the Saryu river, besides a spectacular sound and light show.

"Darkness cannot defeat light and if we all light up lamps together, we can remove any darkness," she said in Korean at the Ram Katha Park event. She also performed a ceremonial 'aarti'.

Prime Minister Tuesday expressed delight that she wore a saree and also tweeted pictures of her from the event.

"It is a matter of immense joy and pride that Mrs. Kim Jung-sook, First Lady of the Republic of Korea visited Ayodhya and also wore traditional Indian clothing. The people of deeply appreciate this gesture," he tweeted.

Kim, in her speech at the park, thanked Modi for inviting her to

"Ayodhya and have an ancient link. This link forms the cornerstone of historical and civilisational bonds between India and the Republic of Korea," Modi also tweeted.

Local resident Deepak Pandey, who attended the 'Deepotsav' event, said, "I felt very happy that she celebrated our culture and heritage, be it the saree or the 'aarti' on ghats. It was also delightful to see Koreans coming in such a large number for Diwali."



Kim's stand-alone visit to India, which began on November 4, has rekindled interest in the legendary princess who married a Korean king.

According to Korean legend, the Princess of Ayodhya went to Korea in 48 AD and married King Kim-Suro.

A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess, who is known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok.

A visit to in Agra on Wednesday is the last stop in Kim's itinerary before she flies back toProblem signs that arose during weeks of early voting carried into Election Day as some voters across the country faced hours-long lines, malfunctioning voting equipment and unexpectedly closed polling places.

Some of the biggest backups were in Georgia, where the governor's race was among the nation's most-watched midterm contests and was generating heavy turnout.

One voter in Gwinnett County, Ontaria Woods, waited more than three hours and said she saw about two dozen people who had come to vote leave because of the lines.

"We've been trying to tell them to wait, but people have children," Woods said. "People are getting hungry. People are tired."



The good-government group Common Cause blamed high turnout combined with too few voting machines, ballots and workers.

Fulton County elections director Richard Barron acknowledged that some precincts did have lines of voters but said that was due to the length of the ballots and voting machines taken from use because of an ongoing lawsuit.

While voting went on without a hitch in many communities, voters from New York to Arizona faced long lines and malfunctioning equipment.

By afternoon, the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline had received about 17,500 calls from voters reporting problems at their polling places.

Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which helps run the hotline, said that number was well ahead of the last midterm election in 2014, when it had received about 10,400 calls by the same time.

The election marked the first nationwide voting since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 presidential race. Federal, state and local officials have been working to make the nation's myriad election systems more secure, and those efforts appeared to pay off.

There were no signs throughout the day that Russia or any other foreign actor had tried to launch cyberattacks against voting systems in any state, federal authorities said. There was also no indication that any systems have been compromised that would prevent voting, change vote counts or disrupt the ability to tally votes, U.S. officials said.

That was little comfort to voters who found themselves waiting in long lines or dealing with malfunctioning voting equipment.

Across New York City, reports of broken ballot scanners surfaced at several polling places. Turnout was so heavy at one packed precinct on Manhattan's Upper West Side that the line to scan ballots stretched around a junior high school gym.

Poll workers there told voters that two of the roughly half-dozen scanners were malfunctioning and repairs were underway.

Voters arriving at two polling stations discovered that most scanners had broken down, forcing some people to drop their ballots in emergency ballot boxes or vote using affidavit ballots.

"There are broken scanners everywhere in Brooklyn," said Stefan Ringel, spokesman for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Ringel said Adams and his staff were being flooded with phone calls, emails and text messages reporting breakdowns in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Compared with the 2016 elections, he said, "Anecdotally, it seems worse, and there's confusion among poll workers about what to do." Many voters nevertheless stuck it out, determined to cast their ballots.

The local breakdowns are a symptom of a larger problem with the nation's voting infrastructure, said Lawrence Norden, a voting technology expert with the Brennan Center.

More than 40 states use computerized voting machines that are more than a decade old or are no longer manufactured.

"It's further evidence, if any was needed, that it's long past time to modernize our voting infrastructure," Norden said.

In Phoenix, a polling site was foreclosed on overnight, forcing poll workers to move it just in time for polls to open.

For about an hour after polls opened, a Sarasota County, Florida, precinct had to tell voters to come back later because their ballots were unavailable.

In one Indiana county, voting was snarled for hours because of what election officials said were computer problems checking in voters, while in another part of the state a judge ordered 12 polling places to stay open late after voting didn't start as scheduled.

In Texas, home of a hotly contested U.S. Senate race, delays were reported in Houston after apparent issues with registration check-in machines at some polling places.

Later in the day, a judge ruled that nine Houston-area polling places would stay open beyond the usual closing time after advocacy groups complained that they didn't open on time and forced many voters to leave without casting ballots.

And in El Paso, the U.S. Border Patrol cancelled a crowd control exercise that was scheduled for Tuesday, following criticism from civil liberties groups that it could dissuade people from voting.

Border Patrol agent Fidel Baca confirmed Tuesday that the exercise, in a Latino neighbourhood, was cancelled but declined to say why. The Texas Civil Rights Project said the exercise, billed by the Border Patrol as a mobile field force demonstration, was to be held within 0.8 km of a polling site.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday after the state election official left for New Delhi after being summoned by the Election Commission.

The protests were called off at 1 pm after the CEO left Aizawl city for Lengpui airport, NGO Coordination Committee chairman Vanlalruata said.

The CEO left for Delhi by the evening flight.

Earlier in the day, Shashank said he had been summoned by the Election Commission and he would meet the poll panel in the national capital on Thursday.

The agitation demanding his removal had been launched on Tuesday and resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members in front of the CEO's office from 8 am. The protestors later dispersed.

The Assembly election in Mizoram is scheduled for November 28.

Vanlalruata said the coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the CEO.

"If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said.

The NGO Coordination Committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations in the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state.

It also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014.

The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee.

On Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."



The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission.

The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

Thousands of people from the Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been lodged in six relief camps in Tripura.

In the past too, the civil society organisations had opposed the Election Commission's decision to conduct electoral revision of Bru voters in Tripura relief camps.

They urged the EC to defranchise all Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram.

A 12-hour bandh was observed at Mamit town on Tuesday along the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border to support the agitation against the Mizoram CEO. Rallies and pickets were organised by the NGO Coordination Committee across the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday shared glimpses of his Uttarakhand visit to celebrate Diwali with soldiers with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu had conveyed Diwali greetings to Modi Tuesday. In reply, the prime minister had said he would celebrate the day with soldiers and share pictures of the same Wednesday evening.

"Dear PM @netanyahu, as promised yesterday, here are some glimpses of how I celebrated Diwali.

"I went to the magnificent state of Uttarakhand, where I paid a surprise visit to our brave troops in Harsil, followed by prayers at Kedarnath, one of the holiest places in India," the Modi said in a tweet.

Responding to Netanyahu's Diwali greetings, Modi had said Tuesday, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor-politician Kamal Haasan Wednesday said his party Makkal Needhi Maiam was ready to face the bypolls for 20 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu whenever they were held.

"At this point of time, we can say bypolls may be conducted. I do not know whether it will be held definitely. Suppose, if it is conducted, Makkal Needhi Maiam is ready to face it", he said.

Haasan was addressing reporters here on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

Bypolls are due in the 20 constituencies, which have fallen vacant following the Madras High Court last month upholding the disqualification of the 18 AIADMK MLAs who back Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran and in view of demise of two sitting members, including DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

Answering a question, Haasan said his basic objective was to facilitate healthy politics.

"When you say healthy politics, it also holds the meaning of being scam free. If we do healthy politics, everyone can strongly hope that all sectors will see growth", he said.

The popular actor said, "I do not make any promises wherever I go. But, I receive it from them (people) instead. They all unanimously promised me that they made a mistake by accepting money for vote and that they will not do that again. I hope they will fulfil it", he said.

He dismissed the allegation of local Congress leader 'Karate' Thiagarajan that his party was acting like a "mouth piece" of BJP.

In his birthday message to his party members and followers released on Sunday, Haasan has slammed "existing political parties and politicians" for viewing welfare as 'alms' and charged that they indulge in corruption as if it is their full-time occupation.

The actor had also exhorted them to take up welfare activities rather than meeting him to wish him on his birthday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The high-profile 2018 midterm elections in the US delivered several significant firsts as voters came out in record numbers to elect the first two Muslim women and the youngest woman ever in Congress and the nation's first openly gay governor.

Ilhan Omar, who won in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, and Rashida Tlaib, from Michigan's 13th Congressional District, became the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress.

Michigan Democrat Tlaib and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's nominee Omar will secure their respective seats in strongly Democratic districts following primary victories earlier this year.

In addition to being one of the first Muslim women in Congress, Omar will also be the first Somali-American Congresswoman. She came to the US more than two decades ago as a refugee. She will take the seat vacated by Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress.

Daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Tlaib will fill the seat formerly occupied by Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers, who left office last year amid sexual misconduct accusations.

Only two other Muslims have been elected to Congress. Ellison and Indiana Democratic Representative Andre Carson, both men, are currently serving in office.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim advocacy and civil rights group, welcomed the historic string of victories by the American Muslim candidates nationwide in the midterm elections.

"We congratulate the successful American Muslim candidates nationwide, whose victories demonstrate the strength of our political system and the growing positive role of American Muslims at every level of our society," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said.

More than 90 American Muslims ran for office this year at the local, state and national level.

According to CAIR and Jetpac, a group that seeks to build a strong American Muslim political infrastructure and increase American Muslims' influence and engagement, more than 40 candidates advanced to the midterm elections.

New York Democratic congressional nominee Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her general election race easily and became the youngest woman ever in Congress.

Ocasio-Cortez, who turned 29 last month, had defeated New York Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley, among the top Democrats, in the primary election earlier this year in a stunning victory.

Daughter of Puerto Rican parents, Ocasio-Cortez had previously worked as an organizer on Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.

In another first, Colorado Democratic US Representative Jared Polis will be the next governor of the state, becoming the nation's first openly gay man elected to the governor's office.

Polis will succeed Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper. Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown, who identifies as bisexual, is already the first openly LGBT person to be elected as governor. Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey came out as gay before he stepped down from office in the early 2000s.

Polis was one of several LGBT candidates who ran for governor this cycle, along with Brown in Oregon, Vermont Democrat Christine Hallquist and Texas Democrat Lupe Valdez.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan and Afghanistan officials on Wednesday held second meeting of the Refugee Working Group during which they discussed ways for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The two sides held talks under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) at the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) in Islamabad.

The Afghan delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Afghan Ministry of Refugee Affairs, Dr Alema, while Mohammad Aslam, Secretary, SAFRON led the Pakistan side.

Foreign Office said in a statement that the meeting discussed matters related to Afghan refugees and other Afghan nationals illegally residing in Pakistan.

"Both sides deliberated on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation for a dignified, gradual, time bound and complete return of the Afghan nationals to their country," it said.

"It was also decided to observe the agreed timelines and procedures for repatriation of various categories of these persons to Afghanistan."



During the meeting, the two sides signed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for streamlining the working of the group among the two concerned Ministries on a regular basis, in future.

Next meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees will be held in Kabul.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan government has sacked the Managing Director of the PTV after the state-run channel ran "Begging" dateline instead of "Beijing" on screen during the live broadcast of Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech at the Central Party School of the ruling Communist Party of China in Beijing early this week.

During Khan's speech on Sunday, PTV had written "Begging" instead of "Beijing" in the top left corner of the screen. The word remained on screen for 20 seconds and was then changed.

The gaffe became particularly ironic since Khan was in China to secure a package from Beijing to try and stall the impending economic crisis Pakistan is facing.

PTV later regretted the mistake and apologised.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry ordered an inquiry into the matter.

A notification issued by the ministry said, "the charge of Colonel (retd) Hassan Immad Mohammdi as PTV MD was withdrawn with immediate effect and till further orders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday extended his good wishes to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

"Wishing all our Hindu citizens a happy Diwali," Khan tweeted.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also greeted Hindu parliamentarians and the Hindu community.

"Pakistan is a pluralistic country and enriched with cultural diversity," he said.

Other key members of the Khan government, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, also wished the Hindu community a happy Diwali.

"I wish our Hindu brethren a happy #Diwali. May the Festival of Lights usher in joy and prosperity for all of you. May light always have victory over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance," Foreign Minister Qureshi tweeted.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif also wished the Hindu community on the occasion, asserting that members of the Hindu community are equal citizens of Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Sharif said the rights of non-Muslims were enshrined in the Constitution and guaranteed by Islam, and that members of minority communities have played an important role in the formation, defence, construction and development of Pakistan, the paper reported.

He said that the PML-N would continue to play its role in protecting the rights of non-Muslims.

Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended his greetings to Hindu communities across the world and in Pakistan.

Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their Muslim fellows.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Imran Khan attended NSC

A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday reiterated that progress and prosperity of Pakistan lies in peace, stability and rule of law.



The meeting reviewed security situation of the country. The prime minister also apprised the participants of his recent visit to China.



The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, State Minister for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and senior officials. Also, the Interior Ministry on Tuesday briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan on the countrywide protests held last week and the progress on crackdown on miscreants.Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail, her lawyer said.

"I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land," lawyer Saif-ul-Malook said in a message sent to AFP.

Pakistan's highest court ordered Bibi's release last week after overturning her conviction, triggering protests by hardline Islamists in a case that underscored divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim nation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Dressed in heavy mountain gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

Greeting the jawans in the Harshil cantonment area, the prime minister said they, through their commitment and discipline, are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

He said that Diwali is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear.

The prime minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

The prime minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The prime minister later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. He interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex.

The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.

The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.

Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers in Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border Wednesday and said their devotion to duty in the remote heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

Since becoming prime minister, Modi has been celebrating Diwali with soldiers. On Wednesday, he also offered prayers at Kedarnath and reviewed at length reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Greeting the jawans in the Harshil cantonment area, he said they, through their commitment and discipline, are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

"You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians," Modi, dressed in heavy mountain gear, told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat.

Likening the soldiers with 'diyas' (earthen lamps), the prime minister said, "The way a diya burns itself to light up the world you lead a hard life to spread the light of fearlessness all around."



He said he had a chance to spend time in the company of soldiers early during his career and he was sensitive to their needs.

He described the implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) for ex-servicemen, which had been hanging fire for over 40 years, a result of this close association with defence personnel.

"As an RSS member, I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time, I heard a lot about 'one rank, one pension'. Many governments came and went. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So after becoming prime minister, it was my responsibility to fulfil your dream," Modi said.

"Though its implementation required huge funds to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, it was done. Today I am happy that over Rs 11,000 crore has already been paid under 'one rank, one pension'," he said.

He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

He said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector.

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world. "I feel proud when the Indian peacekeeping forces are praised for their skills, valour and discipline across the world," he said.

After his address, he distributed sweets among soldiers. He also met residents of the border village of Bagori and offered prayers on the banks of Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganga in Harshil.

The prime minister spent about 1.15 hours in Harshil, a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

He later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Modi, who arrived at the Himalayan shrine two days ahead of its annual closure for the winter season, spent two hours here.

He spent around 15 minutes inside the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple performing Rudrabhishek of lord Shiva to whom the shrine is dedicated.

The rituals were supervised by chief priest of Kedarnath T Gangadhar Ling and Modi's teertha purohit Praveen Tiwari.

After emerging from the sanctum sanctorum, Modi took a round of the temple and also paused for a while to take in the beauty of its snow-covered surroundings.

Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh were with the prime minister while he offered prayers at the temple and reviewed at length reconstruction works at Kedarpuri.

He also visited a photo gallery put up in the temple precincts chronicling the reconstruction of areas close to the shrine which were extensively damaged during the 2013 tragedy.

He waved to devotees and locals standing on either side of the Aastha Path leading to the shrine and extended Diwali greetings to them.

Modi walked through Kedarpuri to take stock of the reconstruction projects at the township and later went in a slow moving vehicle to see the retaining walls built on the banks of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers.

He had laid the foundation stone of five reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri last year and has been closely monitoring their progress via video conferencing.

He also went to see a medical facility built near the temple and the samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya which is being rebuilt after being demolished by the catastrophic deluge of 2013.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans. In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.

Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers in Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday offered prayers atKedarnath and reviewed at length reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Modi, who arrived at the Himalayan shrine two days ahead of its annual closure for the winter season, spent two hours here.

He spent around 15 minutes inside the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple performing Rudrabhishek of lord Shiva to whom the shrine is dedicated.

The rituals were supervised by chief priest of Kedarnath T Gangadhar Ling and Modi's teertha purohit Praveen Tiwari.

After emerging from the sanctum sanctorum, Modi took a round of the temple and also paused for a while to take in the beauty of its snow-covered surroundings.

Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh were with the prime minister while he offered prayers at the temple and reviewed at length reconstruction works at Kedarpuri.

He also visited a photo gallery put up in the temple precincts chronicling the reconstruction of areas close to the shrine which were extensively damaged during the 2013 tragedy.

He waved to devotees and locals standing on either side of the Aastha Path leading to the shrine and extended Diwali greetings to them.

Modi walked through Kedarpuri to take stock of the reconstruction projects at the township and later went in a slow moving vehicle to see the retaining walls built on the banks of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers.

Modi had laid the foundation stone of five reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri last year and has been closely monitoring their progress via video conferencing.

He also went to see a medical facility built near the temple and the samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya which is being rebuilt after being demolished by the catastrophic deluge of 2013.

Earlier, in keeping with his practice of celebrating Diwali every year with soldiers, the prime minister visited Harsil close to the Indo-China border in Uttarkashi district and spent over an hour with them.

Addressing the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Modi saluted their spirit of braving odds to serve the nation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Air pollution levels dipped across Tamil Nadu on Diwali, the state pollution control board said Wednesday, a day after the festival was celebrated in the state for the first time after the Supreme Court order on the two hour window came into force.

Police have filed over 1,000 cases against those who burst firecrackers in violation of the two-hour time frame.

The police crackdown, however, has drawn flak from opposition parties, which termed the action "ridiculous" and demanded withdrawal of all cases.

A senior pollution control board official here said that data showed a drop in pollution levels across the state, including Chennai, on Tuesday.

Citing data being collated from several parts of the state, he told PTI that there was a definitive drop in air and noise pollution levels on the day (when compared to previous years) and surveys showed that the parameters conformed to set standards in most regions.

In Chennai, the Ambient Air Quality survey showed that pollution this year was much lesser and even almost conformed to the prescribed limits of 100/micrograms as regards PM-10 (Particulate Matter).

PM-10 ranged from 48 to 114 micrograms on Diwali day, compared to between 387 to 777 microgram the previous year, he said, adding gaseous pollutants (Sulphur di-oxide and oxides of nitrogen) were well within the prescribed standard of 80 micrograms.

Ambient noise level ranged between 68 to 89 decibels on Diwali here compared to between 68 to 80 decibels last year, the official said adding the increase was "quite marginal" when commerical area categories are factored in.

A senior police official here said cases were filed only against violators of the Supreme Court order, which had fixed a two hour time frame to bursting crackers.

He said over 1,000 cases were filed across Tamil Nadu, including 340 in Chennai and 336 in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts.

In Villpuram district, 160 cases were filed, while it was 105 in Tiruvallur, 79 in Kancheepuram 79, 50 in Vellore, 32 in Cuddalore and 31 in Tuticorin district.

The cases were filed under Sections 188 (disobedience to order), 285 (negligent conduct with respect ot fire) and 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) of the IPC against the violators, he told PTI.

Another official said the number of police cases may be "2000 plus" since information was still being received from districts.

Also, Diwali was celebrated Wednesday by natives of North India living in Tamil Nadu, he pointed out and added that cases would be registered if there were violations.

Veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu and BJP Tamil Nadu unit President Tamilisai Soundararajan demanded that the cases be withdrawn.

The Left leader said filing cases was not fair and added that there was no intention among those booked to violate the law.

Both Tamilisai Soundararajan and Nallakannu said bursting of crackers should not be viewed as a "big criminal offence."



CPI(M) State Secretary K Balakrishnan said filing cases "against children and their parents" was unnecessary.

"Rather than acting on growing offences against women and girl children, it is ridiculous to book those who burst crackers and drag them to court or impose a fine," he told reporters.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko said some children or youth might have burst crackers (that may have fallen outside the fixed time slot fixed) out of festival fervour.

"They should be warned and filing cases against them is wrong," he said.

On Tuesday several police stations in the state witnessed tense moments after violators entered into heated arguments with personnel.

A 12-year-old boy died Tuesday while bursting firecrackers in Namakkal district.

The state government had fixed the time for bursting crackers between 6 AM to 7 AM and 7 PM and 8 PM, confining the revelry to two hours in line with the apex court directive.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Amid raging protests over the Sabarimala issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Wednesday said his government's only priority was to lead the state on a progressive path and not be afraid of losing a few seats or votes.

He alleged that some people were trying to create a communal divide in Kerala.

"The only priority is to keep Kerala on the developmental and progressive path. It doesn't matter if we lose a few seats or some votes... We cannot sacrifice the progressive Kerala where people see each other as humans and without any divide," Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister said he would not allow



social evils to pull Kerala backwards for a few votes.

"Certain people are trying to create a communal divide in Kerala. If we had allowed division in the name of customs and beliefs, today's Kerala would not have existed," he said at an event here.

The doors of the Sabarimala temple were opened for six days on October 17 for the first time since the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into the hill temple.

Attempts by around a dozen women, including activists and journalists in the 10-50 years age group, to script history came to nought as frenzied devotees of Lord Ayyappa heckled and hassled them and forced them to retreat.

The Ayyappa temple opened Monday for the second time in three weeks for a two-day special puja amid unprecedented security over apprehension of protests by those opposing the Supreme Court order, allowing women of menstrual age there.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook during the last leg of her four-day visit to India took a tour of the iconic Taj Mahal here on Diwali.

She spent around 45 minutes at the monument and the first lady evinced keen interest in the architecture of the Taj Mahal, which remained closed for public from 9am to noon, officials said.

Uttar Pradesh minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Srikant Sharma accorded her a warm welcome.

Kim's stand-alone visit to India, which began on November 4, has rekindled interest in the legendary princess who married a Korean king.

According to Korean legend, the Princess of Ayodhya went to Korea in 48 AD and married King Kim-Suro.

A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess, who is known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok.

The visit to Taj Mahal is the last stop in Kim's itinerary before she flies back to Seoul.

On Tuesday, the first lady attended Diwali festivities in Ayodhya where she was treated to a dazzling display of over three lakh earthen lamps on the ghats of the Sarayu river, besides a spectacular sound-and-light show.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sharpshooter Shafath Ali Khan Wednesday said he was mulling to sue Union minister Maneka Gandhi for allegedly levelling defamatory and wild charges against him over the killing of tigress Avni in Maharashtra last week.

Khan said his son Asgar Ali and his four-member team were issued an authorisation letter by the Maharashtra forest department to carry out the operation and the tigress was shot at in "self-defence" while they were trying to tranquilise it.

The tigress, officially known as T1, was believed to have killed 13 people in the last two years.

It was killed on November 2 by Ali in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district as part of an operation. The big cat has left behind two 10-month-old cubs.

Gandhi, in a series of tweets Sunday, had lashed out at the Maharashtra government for giving the orders to kill the tigress, despite opposition from several stakeholders.

The Union women and child development minister had also slammed Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar for hiring private marksmen Khan and his son to carry out hunting operations in the state, including the killing of Avni.

However, Mungantiwar had also claimed that Khan, who Gandhi had termed a "criminal", was tasked with shooting a tiger in her Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh in 2009 (Gandhi's son Varun Gandhi represented the constituency then).

Khan told PTI, "We are taking legal opinion on that, because she (Gandhi) has made some serious and baseless allegations personally on me and my family.

"It is shocking that a lady of the rank of a cabinet minister can talk in such a way without verifying the facts...in the next couple of days, we will decide on the line of action we are going to take."



He further said the order of the chief conservator of forests, Yavatmal, mentioned the name of his son and four other members of his team for carrying out the operation.

Khan said on November 2, the tigress had attacked at a lightning speed the open-top vehicle, in which his son and his other team members were moving, despite being shot with the tranquiliser.

"...there could have been two-three deaths had she mauled someone in the vehicle and at that point of time, my son took out the barrel, pointed it towards her and shot her...there was no plan to shoot or kill her and it unfolded so fast...it was fired totally in self-defence," he added.

Khan said shooting an animal in self-defence was not an offence according to section 11(2) of the Wildlife Protection Act.

According to him, even the Supreme Court was clear on the matter -- "tranquilise T1, failing which, eliminate her by shooting to prevent any further human deaths".

On his part, Ali said the team, which included forest officials, had rushed to a spot where a bazaar was going on and the tigress suddenly came out in front of their vehicle.

He claimed that a forest official fired the tranquiliser, but the moment the dart was fired, the tigress attacked their vehicle and within seconds, came very close to it.

"When it was about to leap on us...in that situation, in self-defence, I had to take a shot at her," Ali said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Wednesday celebrated Diwali with Army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-India border.

She first overflew the forward most post of Rochcham near the border and then visited the post of Hayuliang in Anjaw district, Kohima-based Defence Spokesman Col. Chiranjit Konwer said.

At Hayuliang, she celebrated Diwali with the jawans, distributed sweets and wished them prosperity and happiness.

The defence minister also undertook a tour of the forward areas in Dau-Delai and Lohit Valleys in Anjaw district as her slated visit to Anini and Andrala Omkar border posts in Dibang valley district to celebrate the festival with the Army personnel had to be cancelled due to inclement weather, Konwer said.

She appreciated the zeal, enthusiasm and dedication of the troops stationed in the high mountainous areas of the state to ensure the sanctity of the country's borders, the spokesman said.

During the visit, Sitharaman was accompanied by General Officer Commanding-in-chief of Eastern Command Lieutenant General M M Naravane and GoC of Spear Corps Lieutenant General Gopal R.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan balance of payment crisis is over: Asad Umer

Finance Minister Asad Umar on Tuesday claimed that Pakistans balance of payment crisis was over and added that China had committed to providing short-term relief to Pakistan- the modalities of which would be discussed in a new round of discussions in Beijing on Friday.



The long-term solution to the balance of payment crisis is to increase our exports, and to do that we should have enough income so that we do not need to borrow, Umar, who was a part of the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led delegation that visited China recently, said while addressing a press conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. We have received a commitment from the highest level.



He added, We have told you about the $12bn financing gap, of which $6bn have come from Saudi Arabia, and the rest has come from China so the immediate balance of payment crisis of Pakistan has ended. I want to make that clear in unequivocal terms. We do not have any balance of payment crisis now. 



A statement released by the Finance Ministry corroborated Umars remarks, saying that a level-delegation comprising finance, foreign affairs, planning & development and commerce secretaries along with the State Bank of Pakistans governor will undertake a visit to China during the current week to work out the modalities.



Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the trip to China was productive to the extent that we are out of the woods.



The foreign minister said that the purpose of the visit to China was to send a message to the international community and also move the two countries strategic relationship towards an economic partnership.



He said that a total of 15 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were signed in China.



Giving details, he said, We decided that our strategic dialogue must be upgraded and its level be raised to the FM-level. Secondly, it was also decided to transfer our citizens sentenced there and theirs sentenced here so that they can serve their sentences in their own countries.



Another two important MoUs signed, he said, were regarding poverty alleviation and agricultural cooperation.



The foreign minister claimed that the trip to China also rubbished rumours that the Pakistan-China relationship would suffer under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.



The perception that some people here tried to give that the government was not paying attention to our relationship with China, he said. There is nothing to it. I can say that our relations with China are not just great but could get even better than before.



This visit helped us in moving our relationship towards an economic partnership. We have always had good strategic relations so our aim [this time] was to figure how to advance the economic footprint. The foreign minister said he was confident that the discussion with the Chinese counterparts would help double Pakistans exports. agenciesUnion ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju Wednesday took stock of the situation arising out of clashes between Army and Arunachal Pradesh Police personnel here.

Some soldiers had allegedly vandalised the Bomdila police station and assaulted police personnel and civilians last week.

"The Defence Minister (Sitharaman) and I looked into the ongoing conflict between the army and state police personnel. I appeal everyone not to treat it as army versus police and civil administration issue," Rijiju, the Union minister of state for home, told PTI.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said the unfortunate incident that happened at Bomdila on November 2 should be settled amicably through proper understanding.

"Both the army and the police are serving the nation with utmost dedication. An incident can't be allowed to tarnish the image of the great institutions," he said.

Both Sitharaman and Rijiju also met members of the civil society as part of confidence building measures.

Sitharaman is visiting Arunachal Pradesh to celebrate Diwali along with soldiers posted in the forward areas along the Sino-Indian border.

The incident happened when a group of soldiers allegedly misbehaved with civilians and police personnel at the Buddha Mahotsav celebrations in Bomdila, officials said.

Following this, the local station house officer went to the spot and two soldiers were brought to police station.

After that some soldiers allegedly vandalised the Bomdila police station, assaulted police personnel and civilians, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lankan police chief Pujith Jayasundera said on Wednesday that he was taking orders from President Maithripala Sirisena and he was not in a position to take orders from the law and order minister of ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jayasundera was responding to a letter sent to him by Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the Wickremesinghe government's law and order minister, who had directed that all ministers who were in office before October 26 be provided police security.

Jayasundera said that the Ministerial Security could only be provided on the recommendations of President Sirisena. He added that it could not be provided based on requests made by Ministers or other officials.

President Sirisena on October 26 sacked Wickremesinghe as the prime minister and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, triggering a constitutional crisis in the island.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on Monday slammed Sirisena's "unconstitutional and undemocratic" actions to sack Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and suspend Parliament, saying he will not recognise Rajapaksa as the new premier unless he wins a floor test.

Madduma Bandara had written to Jayasundera following Jayasuriya's recognition of the Wickremesinghe government.

Several MPs of Wickremesinghe's camp have also requested the police chief to provide them with Ministerial Security, saying they were still ministers of the government.

Rajapaksa needs 113 seats in the 225-member assembly to prove simple majority.

In a setback to President Sirisena, deputy minister Manusha Nanayakkara of his United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government resigned Tuesday and backed ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe in the ongoing political crisis.

Nanayakkara's defection came hours after Sirisena announced publicly that people should not doubt his majority - 113 in the 225-member legislature.

Meanwhile, the main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - said Sirisena met the party leaders this morning to urge them to change their stance of opposing the Rajapaksa appointment.

The TNA leader MA Sumanthiran said they told Sirisena that their stance stood and there will be no reversal.

The party also urged Sirisena to reconvene parliament at an earlier date than the scheduled November 14. Sirisena said their request would be considered.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray claimed Wednesday he had learnt that tigress Avni was killed by the BJP-led Maharashtra government to "save" a proposed project of industrialist Anil Ambani in Yavatmal, a charge denied by the corporate group as well as a district official.

A spokesperson of the Anil Ambani group, when contacted, said the group has no project in Yavatmal district.

A district official in Yavatmal also said the site of the proposed project by the Ambani group is far away from the area where the tigress was shot.

There is no connection between the project and the decision to kill the animal, the official said.

The tigress, which was believed to have turned a man-eater and killed 13 people in the district's Pandharkawda area in the last two years, was shot dead by a marksman hired by the government last Friday.

"I have learnt that Avni was killed to save Anil Ambani's project. The government has sold its conscience to Ambani," Thackeray told reporters here.

"I feel sad about the deaths of people (killed by the tigress). But it happens across the world. When people encroach on forest land and in the periphery of habitats of wild animals, they attack humans," he said.

"There was no need to kill the tigress. She could have been tranquilised. (Forest Minister Sudhir) Mungantiwar is making reckless statements which can cost him his cabinet berth," Thackeray said.

The killing of the tigress, officially known as T1, led to an outrage among animal lovers and wildlife organisation. Union minister Maneka Gandhi had lashed out at the Maharashtra government calling it a "ghastly murder".

A source in the Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, claimed that party president Uddhav Thackeray had asked Sena ministers to raise the issue in the next cabinet meeting.

Sena mouthpiece Saamana had slammed the government over the killing earlier this week.

The tigress was killed on November 2 by Asgar Ali, son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, in Borati forest in Yavatmal district.

She left behind two ten-month-old cubs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President once more Wednesday attacked the investigation into his campaign's possible collusion with Russia as a "hoax," but said he had no plans to shut it down.

"I could fire everybody right now, but I don't want to stop it because politically I don't like stopping it," Trump told a news conference at the White House, after midterm elections left the lower house of Congress under Democratic control.

"I am not concerned about anything with the Russian investigation, because it is a hoax," the president said.

"There's no collusion." Democrats will take over committees when the next Congress convenes in January, giving them the power to hold hearings, call witnesses and issue subpoenas to administration officials.Two men were killed and another was seriously injured after being hit by a speeding SUV at Saoner in Nagpur district Wednesday morning, police said.

The incident took place on Chhindawara Road around 6 AM, said inspector Ashok Sakharkar of Saoner Police Station.

A speeding Bolero jeep came from behind and hit Nagorao Banderao Bansinge (41), Hemant Bhavrao Kale (52) and Durgesh Govind Choudhary (28) from behind, he said.

They were out for a morning walk, he said.

Local people shifted them to a government hospital where Bansinge and Kale died, he said.

Choudhary was critially injured, he added.

Police arrested Dilip Waghade, who was allegedly driving the SUV, under IPC sections 279 (rash driving) and 304 (A) (causing death by negligence).

Waghade was allegedly drunk, the police officer said, adding that further probe was on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United States has exempted India from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan.

The decision by the Trump administration, which a day earlier imposed the toughest ever sanctions on Iran and is very restrictive in giving exemptions, is a seen as a recognition by Washington of India's role in development of the port on the Gulf of Oman, which is of immense strategic importance for the development of war-torn Afghanistan.

"After extensive consideration, the Secretary (of State) has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, with respect to the development of Chabahar port, construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistan's use, as well as the country's continued imports of Iranian petroleum products," a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

The US on Monday imposed "the toughest ever" sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime's "behaviour". The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.

However, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that eight countries -- India, China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey -- were temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed "significant reduction" in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country.

To a question on the fate of Chabahar port after the US reimposed all its sanctions on Iran, the spokesperson said, "This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief."



In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Pompeo's decision to give India exemption from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the port is driven by the South Asian strategy, which was announced by President Donald Trump in August. It states that India has a major role in bringing peace and development in Afghanistan.

"The president's South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," the state department spokesperson said.

"We seek to build on our close relationships with both the countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regime's destabilising policies in the region and beyond," the spokesperson added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States President Donald Trump has said that he was working very hard to prevent any outside interference in American elections.

His remarks came amid investigations by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI director, into the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections.

To a question at a White House conference, on whether he has noticed any outside interference in the just-concluded midterm elections, Trump said, "We have been working very hard on China and Russia and everybody else looking into our elections or meddling with our elections."



An interagency team involving the Department of Homeland Security and several others including the FBI and the Department of Justice looked into it, he said, adding, "We are going to make a full report. And unlike the previous administration, we have done a lot of work on that issue."



"We've spent a lot of time -- it gets very little coverage in the papers. I mean, you cover the nonsense part, but you don't cover the important -- this is very important," he told reporters.

In October, the US president had alleged that China was trying to interfere in the midterm polls and that it did not want him to be the president. China has denied these allegations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Arunima Sinha, the Indian mountaineer who became the world's first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by a prestigious UK university for her inspirational achievements.

Sinha, 30, was conferred with the honorary doctorate by the University of Strathclyde at a graduation ceremony in Glasgow on Tuesday.

She was honoured in the Barony Hall for her inspirational achievements in mountaineering.

"I'm very happy and grateful to receive this honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde. This award delivers a good message to the youth of India and the world over that if you strive to reach your goals in life your achievements will be recognised," Sinha said.

A former Indian national Volleyball player, Sinha had her left leg amputated below the knee after being thrown from a train while resisting a robbery.

While recovering she resolved to climb Mount Everest and later trained with Bachendri Pal, the first Indian women to climb the world's highest peak.

On May 21, 2013, Sinha became the world's first female amputee to climb the 8848-meter peak.

She has gone on to be the first female amputee to climb the tallest mountains in Africa, Europe, Australia and South America.

In 2015, she was presented with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.

"Arunima is an inspiration to amputees around the world. Not only has she shown real spirit, courage and determination in overcoming adversity, she is using her compassion and positivity to help other people," said Professor Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde



"Arunima embodies the values of Strathclyde and we are delighted to recognise her achievements by making her an Honorary Doctor of the University," McDonald said.

The award also recognises Sinha's charitable work through the Arunima Foundation, which seeks to empower women, disabled people and generally improve the health and social and economic situation for poorer communities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Yemeni pro-government forces said Wednesday they had advanced closer to the rebel-held port city of Hodeida after fierce battles that have killed nearly 200 fighters in the past week.

The clashes come as the United Nations pushes to restart negotiations between the warring parties, after planned talks in Geneva collapsed in September before they even began.

In the past 24 hours, 27 Iran-backed Huthi rebels and 12 pro-government fighters have been killed on the outskirts of Hodeida city, a medical source told AFP on Wednesday.

A pro-government military source said that loyalists backed by a Saudi-led coalition made "limited advances" towards the city and its Red Sea port, through which more than 70 per cent of the impoverished country's imports pass.

The coalition is supporting the Yemeni troops on the ground with fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters, he told AFP.

Rights groups have voiced fears for civilians after fighting intensified in the region.

Save the Children reported almost 100 air strikes -- five times as many as in the whole first week of October -- at the weekend.

Hodeida, one of the last Huthi strongholds on Yemen's western coast, was seized by the rebels along with the capital Sanaa in 2014.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened on the side of the government the following year.

Hodeida port is crucial for aid delivery and food imports to Yemen, where famine looms over 14 million people and a child dies every 10 minutes from easily preventable diseases, according to the UN.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of using Hodeida port to smuggle missiles to the Huthis, a charge Tehran denies.

The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war since 2015, although rights groups say the toll could be five times higher.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)SC had no choice but to suspend IHC ruling in Avenfield reference case

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court had no choice but to suspend the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling in the Avenfield reference case against former premier Nawaz Sharif and his family members.



A three-member bench headed by the chief justice resumed hearing of a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) petition challenging the IHCs verdict of suspending the prison sentences given to Nawaz Sharif, daughter Mayram Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar in the Avenfield properties case.



In the hearing, the CJP remarked that the IHC verdict destroyed the field of law.



What were the loopholes in the accountability courts verdict? The suspects had to prove in front of the law how they made their assets and who owned them, he said.



Counsel for the Sharif family Khawaja Haris said that the assets were owned by Nawaz Sharifs eldest son.



You have presented four stances in the case so far, from Qatari princes letter to other statements This case should never have gone to trial, it was the apex courts issue and it should have resolved it, the CJP responded.



Present at the hearing, a special prosecutor of the anti-corruption watchdog told the bench that case facts could not be discussed during hearing of a constitutional petition, and sentences could not be suspended under writ jurisdiction.



During the hearing, Khawaja Haris asked Justice Nisar, who had recently undergone angioplasty procedure, to rest. To this, the chief justice remarked that he had resumed his court duties keeping in consideration the sensitivity of the case.



The hearing of the appeal was adjourned till November 12.



Last month, the anti-graft body filed a petition in the apex court challenging an earlier decision by the High Court suspending sentences given to Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties reference.Chief Minister Wednesday visited the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site and several ancient temples in this pilgrim town, besides inspecting a probable location near Saryu river for a planned statue of Lord Ram.

His visit to Ram Janmabhoomi site came a day after the three-day Deepotsav ended, in whichKorean First Lady Kim Jung-sook was the chief guest on the last day.

"He arrived in this morning around 8:30 am from Faizabad where he stayed at the Circuit House last night. First he visited Hanuman Garhi, and then the Ram Janmabhoomi, where he spent some time," Faizabad president Awadhesh Pandey said.

Pandey said he accompanied the chief minister at a few of the temple visits, during which Yogi also interacted with several religious leaders.

Security was steeped up at the Ram Janmabhoomi site, where a large number of people from across the country Wednesday visited on Diwali.

A police official said about 20,000 people visit the site on Diwali, almost double the footfall recorded on regular days, adding Yogi went in the morning.

Local residents said the chief minister had visited the birthplace of Lord Ram after last year's Deepotsav as well.

Yogi's visit to Ram Janambhomi site came at a time when the chorus has grown within the party and the Sangh Parivar, seeking construction of a temple there through ordinance.

At present, a statue of Ram Lalla (child avatar of Lord Ram) is kept at the site, which attracts devotees from far and wide.

The recently fixed the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute cases for the first week of January next year before an appropriate bench, which will decide the schedule of hearing.

As many as 14 appeals have been filed against the 2010 judgement that suggested that the 2.77 acres of disputed land be partitioned equally among three parties - the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

Pandey said after visiting the Ramjanmabhoomi, Adityanath went to Kanak Bhawan temple and then to Sugriv Kila, located in the heart of He then visited Maniram Das Ki Chavni and Digamber Akhada.

"Yogiji also inspected a site near Saryu river for a planned statue of Lord Ram there. He later went to Gorakhpur where he met children of a tribal village and attended a programme there," he said.

Pandey said one of the probable sites is a patch of land between the Ram Ghat Halt and railway bridge on Saryu, which Yogi inspected.

Incidentally, Mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay had recently said that plans are afoot to install a statue of Lord Ram on the banks of the Saryu river.

Yogi's Wednesday visit comes a day after he announced that Faizabad district will now be renamed as Ayodhya.

Pandey had Tuesday said that the option to resolve the Ayodhya dispute through community dialogue is "over" and the will work towards construction of a here through constitutional or legislative means.

The Faizabad president also claimed that majority population of Ayodhya want to see the temple getting built as it is a "matter of faith" for them and "BJP is the only party that raises this issue for them".

Many experts have said that the Ayodhya land dispute matter should be taken up by the court after 2019 elections, as it might affect the voters.

The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, an umbrella body of Hindu seers, in New Delhi on Sunday had "directed" the Narendra Modi government to bring in a legislation or an ordinance to build the in Ayodhya.By Rod NickelWINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - Two Canadian-based crude producers are looking to double down on their oil sands investments, betting that new pipelines and cutting-edge technology can improve profitability and reduce environmental damage.The moves by Imperial Oil Ltd and Teck Resources Ltd run counter to an exodus of foreign companies from the oil sands last year.Calgary-based Imperial, majority owned by Exxon Mobil Corp , said late on Tuesday it would build its C$2.6-billion Aspen project. Construction starts before year-end, with first oil expected in 2022. Teck has not yet ...By Sarah WhitePARIS (Reuters) - France's Hermes reported strong third-quarter sales growth on Wednesday and the maker of $10,000-plus Birkin handbags joined luxury sector rivals playing down fears of cooling demand in China.Luxury goods companies have been rattled by investor fears of a potential slowdown in spending by Chinese customers - who account for a third of industry sales - as a trade war with the United States simmers on. But Hermes, like Gucci-owner Kering and other players targeting the same clientele, such as cosmetics firm L'Oreal, said those worries were groundless for now. "We ...By Jess Macy Yu and Yimou LeeTAIPEI (Reuters) - Washington's decision to cut off U.S. supplies to a Chinese chip-maker spotlights mounting tensions over China's drive to be a global player in computer chips and the ways in which Taiwan companies are helping it get there.Shut out of major global semiconductor deals in recent years, China has been quietly strengthening cooperation with Taiwan chip firms by encouraging the transfer of chip-making expertise into the mainland. Taiwan chip giant United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) last week halted research and development activities with its ...By Fatos BytyciLONDON (Reuters) - The European Union called on Kosovo on Wednesday to revoke its decision to impose an import tax on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia, a move that is likely to further sour relations between Pristina and Belgrade.Kosovo said on Monday it was imposing an import tax of 10 percent on all goods produced in Serbia and Bosnia but not on international brands. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said the move was aimed at "protecting local goods".Bosnia, Kosovo and Serbia along with Albania, Montenegro, Moldova are all part of the Central European Free Trade Agreement ...The United States on Monday re-imposed sanctions against Iran's oil exports to punish Tehran for its involvement in several Middle Eastern conflicts. Washington had been pushing governments to cut imports of Iranian oil to zero. But, fearing a price spike, it granted Iran's biggest buyerper centna, India, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and Turkey - sanctions waivers. That will allow the eight, which account for about 75 percent of all Iran's oil exports, according to trade data, to import at least some oil for another 180 days. Washington and the ...BERLIN (Reuters) - German industrial output rose slightly more than expected in September, helped by strong growth in construction, data showed on Wednesday, suggesting that a weaker third quarter in Europe's largest economy may be temporary.Fears about a trade war with the United States and the risk of a disorderly Brexit are weighing on growth expectations, and leaked government documents have shown economic advisors slashing their forecasts for this year.Economy Ministry data showed industrial output was up 0.2 percent in September, just beating a Reuters forecast for a meagre 0.1 percent ...LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Russia need to cut oil output, a top Iranian official said on Wednesday, adding that extra supply from the two countries had caused a slide in prices and benefited U.S. President Donald Trump.Iran has been angered by higher Saudi and Russian production in response to calls from Trump to cool oil prices and make up for an expected drop in Iranian exports due to U.S. sanctions."There is no other way for Saudi Arabia and Russia," said Iran's OPEC governor, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, when asked whether the producers needed to trim output in 2019. "They pushed ...SC sought report over loss of properties during riots from govt

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a report from federal and provincial governments over estimated loss of properties and lives of general public during the spate of violence after the apex court acquitted Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges and ordered her release.



Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar took a notice of media reports that huge losses had been caused to general public on account of the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court in Asia Bibi case.



The spokesperson for the Supreme Court said, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has taken notice of huge losses of property and lives caused to general public by riots and mobs in response to the judgement of Supreme Court of Pakistan so as to compensate the sufferings of the victims who lost their valuables or properties during tragic incidents.



He said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had sought a report pertaining to details of estimated loss from the federal and all provincial governments within three days.



Hundreds of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) supporters, including their leaders, had been booked for disrupting peace, blocking roads and rioting across the country. On the directions of the government, police had launched a crackdown on people involved in arson, vandalism and violence. The arrests of mobsters were being made on the basis of forensic analysis of mobile phone and CCTV footage.By Henning GloysteinSINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday, extending losses from the previous session, with markets well supplied amid rising production and U.S. sanction waivers that allow Iran's biggest customers to continue buying its crude.Front-month Brent crude oil futures were at $71.85 per barrel at 0115 GMT, down 28 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $61.76 per barrel, down 45 cents, or 0.7 percent, from their last settlement.The increasingly well supplied market has turned sentiment, which until early ...By David GaffenNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday, continuing their recent slide after surging U.S. crude output hit another record and domestic inventories rose more than expected. In early trade, prices had risen after a report that Russia and Saudi Arabia are discussing whether to cut crude output next year. Then the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that domestic crude inventories rose 5.8 million barrels in the latest week, more than double analysts' expectations.Crude output hit 11.6 million bpd, a weekly record, though analysts will watch to see if monthly ...By Alasdair Pal and Suvashree ChoudhuryNEW DELHI (Reuters) - Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel could resign at the central bank's next board meeting on November 19, online financial publication Moneylife reported on Wednesday, citing sources in touch with the governor.The government and the RBI have been fighting for weeks over how much autonomy the RBI should have as the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to reduce curbs on lending and to gain access to the RBI's surplus reserves.The rift worsened late last month when one of the bank's deputy governors said ...By Alex Lawler and Ahmad GhaddarLONDON (Reuters) - A return to oil production cuts by OPEC and its allies next year cannot be ruled out, a senior OPEC source said on Wednesday, to avert a possible supply glut that could weigh on prices.The source was responding to a report by Russia's TASS news agency that Russia and Saudi Arabia had started bilateral discussions over possible curbs to output in 2019.Saudi-led OPEC and its allies including Russia decided in June to relax output curbs in place since 2017, after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce oil prices and make up for ...By Alex Lawler and Ahmad GhaddarLONDON (Reuters) - A return to oil production cuts by OPEC and its allies next year cannot be ruled out, two OPEC sources said on Wednesday, to avert a possible supply glut that could weigh on prices.The sources were responding to a report by Russia's TASS news agency that Russia and Saudi Arabia had started bilateral discussions over possible curbs to output in 2019.Saudi-led OPEC and its allies including Russia decided in June to relax output curbs in place since 2017, after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce oil prices and make up for supply ...By David ShepardsonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday it was investigating whether General Motors Co , should recall an additional 1.7 million sport utility vehicles due to an issue with windshield wiper failures.GM, the largest U.S. automaker, had recalled 367,800 2013 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs in the United States in August 2016 to address the problem. But after receiving 249 complaints since then about similar problems in vehicles from five other model years, the federal agency said it was looking into whether ...For the first time ever, two Muslim women have been elected for the US Congress as the results for the mid-term elections in United States were declared on Wednesday. Democrats Ilhan Omar, 37, and Rashida Tlaib, 42, hail from Midwest and have become the first Muslim women to secure seats in the US Congress.

Tlaib ran unopposed in a congressional district stretching from Detroit to Dearborn, Michigan. Omar, on the other hand, won a House of Representatives seat in a strongly Democratic district in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She will succeed Keith Ellison who himself was the first ever Muslim to be elected to the US Congress.

While Omar is a Somali refugee, Tlaib is a daughter of Palestinian immigrants. Both of them are are strong advocates of minority communities that have been at the receiving end of several policies undertaken by the Trump administration targeting immigrants.

Ilhan Omar fled a war-torn Somalia with her parents when she was eight years old. After spending four years at a refugee camp in Kenya, her family settled in Minnesota in 1997, where there is a sizable Somali population. She won a seat in the state's legislature in 2016, becoming the first Somali-American lawmaker in the country. She decided to run for Congress after Ellison decided to give up his seat after 12 years in Congress to run for attorney general of Minnesota.

Omar is a firm supporter of free college education, housing for all, an universal healthcare system and criminal justice reforms, an AFP report said. She is against the anti-immigration policies enacted by President Donald Trump and also wants to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the report further added.

Rashida Tlaib was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents and is the eldest among 14 children. She became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature in 2008. In August, she emerged as the winner of a Democratic primary for a seat vacated by John Conyers, who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health. With no Republican challenger against her, Tlaib's won the election on Tuesday unopposed.

Tlaib has advocated for universal health care, a $15 national minimum wage, union protections, and tuition-free college education, the AFP report said.

Edited by Vivek PunjA drunk man reportedly set 18 vehicles, including four cars, on fire in south Delhi's Madangir area Tuesday, police said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC against the man, who is in his mid-20s, they said.

The police said 14 two-wheelers and four cars were set on fire by the accused.

In a video of the incident which has gone viral, the man can be seen setting fire to the vehicles after opening the fuel pipe of the motorcycles.

Petrol overflowed from the tanks of six motorcycles after which they were set on fire by a matchstick. The cars parked nearby also caught fire, a senior police official said.

The police rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident at around 3.05 am Tuesday and doused the fire.

Police said efforts are on to trace the accused who is on the run.

Among the burnt vehicles, eight two-wheelers and two cars were completely gutted, while six motorcycles and two cars were affected partially.Are the government finances in a bad shape? There are enough reasons to worry about that. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would love to portray that all is hunky dory with the government's finances and that the fiscal deficit target for the year would be easily met, there have been enough pointers since the Budget announcements in February to show that the government's finances are perhaps not in a great shape. Despite the rise in direct tax assessees and some amount of direct tax collections, the indirect tax collections (GST collections) have been much lower than targeted. Also, non-tax revenues have not been as much so far as the government had targeted for.

Meanwhile, government expenses have risen sharply. International crude prices have gone beyond what the government had assumed in the budget. If that were not bad enough, the government had to cut excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 to keep consumers from getting very upset, and that also upset the government revenue targets. There are other expenses to be met if sentiments are to remain positive in the run up to the various state elections and the general elections in 2019. These include feel good giveaways in agriculture and for the poor in general, as well as a massive drive on infrastructure which will also create many jobs.

Also Read: Fiscal deficit widens to 95% of budget estimate by first half of FY19

With his brave promise of sticking to the fiscal deficit target, that leaves Finance Minister Jaitley in a fix. The way out has been to try and garner revenues any which way it can, even if it means leaving various people unhappy. The latest indicator of this is of course the news story by The Indian Express that the government is pushing the Reserve Bank of India to give them Rs 3.6 lakh crore from the central bank - or about a third of its total reserves. The total reserves incidentally include foreign exchange as well as contingency reserves. The RBI keeps the money because it thinks that it is necessary for handling problems in the banking system as and when they arise. It transfers money it thinks is not needed to be kept as reserves to the government. The problem that has arisen now is that the RBI thinks it needs to keep Rs 9.598 lakh crore as reserves with it - but the government thinks that the central bank needs far less. So far, all governments have preferred to allow RBI to keep the reserves it thinks it needs. Only once were the reserves of the RBI dipped into by the government - and that was during a war. There is no war today, but the government obviously thinks that it would should have the money. Apparently, it thinks the money will be better used if it is used to recapitalise the PSU banks that have run into trouble and cannot raise capital on their own from the markets.

Also Read: FinMin, RBI fight over Rs 3.6 lakh crore 'surplus' from the regulator's reserves

That is not all. The other reason for the spat with the RBI is also the government's insistence that the RBI increases liquidity for the SMEs, and allows some of the PSBs under prompt corrective action to start lending again. The RBI does not want to do so, but the government is insisting - because it cannot afford to give away anything to the SMEs directly and would like to do so through the banks it owns - but to do that, it needs the RBI to relax its norms.

But that is not the only indicator. In recent times, the government has announced many initiatives but tried to spend as little money from the budget as possible on them - instead depending on getting others to spend for it. Thus few ambitious schemes are matched by equally ambitious budgetary allocations. Instead of that, the government has banked on some creative financing modes that allow it take credit while spending little on its own. In some cases, PSUs have been responsible for financing the initiative. In other cases, the states and some PSUs have had to bear the burden. (For example, when Finance Minister Jaitley announced a cut in petrol prices, he only cut the Central Excise by Rs 1.50. Another Rs 1 reduction was borne by PSUs while BJP ruled states also cut Rs 2.50 from their VAT, thus allowing the government to show that it was reducing crude oil prices by a good Rs 5.)

The healthcare initiative (dubbed Modicare) too is less of a direct government allocation into the health sector and instead limited to premium payments for insurance. Even here, the union bears half the amount while the rest is being put up by the states signing up for the scheme though the Union government gets to brag about it. So the amount allocated by the union government itself is reasonably small compared to the value of the announcements it is making.

Ditto for the farm sector and many of the agricultural initiatives, all of which have little by way of budgetary allocation from the centre, but are meant to be executed by other agencies which would put in the money.

Or take the matter of the recent financing requirements of the loss making Air India. The government asked National Small Savings Fund to give a loan of Rs 1000 crore to Air India, which was finding it difficult to borrow elsewhere at reasonable rates of interest. The NSSF is supposed to invest carefully and conservatively and a loan to Air India is anything but. However, as far as the union government is concerned, this allows it to reduce its own direct allocation to keeping Air India afloat.

Also Read: State-run banks need urgent capital of Rs 1.2 trillion due to weak market valuations: Crisil

Meanwhile, the government has been dipping into other kitties as well for its many purposes - thus the PSUs have given the government big dividends apart from using their cash to fulfil the government's many requirements. Thus ONGC had to buy out the government stake in HPCL because the government needed to meet its disinvestment targets - but did not want to part with HPCL. Ditto for LIC which has been a favourite pot for the government to dip in from time to time for everything from buying IDBI Bank to putting money to bail out IL&FS and rescue sundry other PSUs when their IPOs fail.

At the end of it all, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may well manage to keep his promise of meeting the fiscal deficit target without cutting down on the spends required in an election year. Or he may miss the target by just a little. However, the costs borne by the various PSUs and by the RBI would be something that will also start showing up soon.Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel could resign at the central bank's next board meeting on November 19, online financial publication Moneylife reported on Wednesday, citing sources in touch with the governor.

The government and the RBI have been fighting for weeks over how much autonomy the RBI should have as the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to reduce curbs on lending and to gain access to the RBI's surplus reserves.

The rift worsened late last month when one of the bank's deputy governors said in a speech that undermining central bank independence could be "potentially catastrophic".

Moneylife's report said if the feud escalates further, there is "a good chance" Patel will resign at the RBI's next meeting, saying he was tired of the struggle with the government, and it was having a negative impact on his health.

The report did not cite the number of sources. The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The story was written by veteran Indian financial journalist Sucheta Dalal who is well known for her investigative reporting. She is one of the founders of Moneylife.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the government intends to keep pressing its demands even if it risks provoking a resignation by Patel, according to three sources familiar with the government's thinking.Ghana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nissan Group of Africa for the establishment of an automotive manufacturing industry in Ghana, which will make Ghana the hub for sales and marketing of Nissan in West Africa.



This was announced on Tuesday, 6th November, 2018, when the Managing Director of Nissan Group of Africa, Mike Whitfield, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo.



According to Mr. Whitfield, Nissan aims to be the first carmaker to assemble vehicles in Ghana, building on its market leadership in the country.



Nissan models, he explained, accounted for 32.8% of vehicle sales in Ghana last year, with the companys cars, pickups and SUVs sold through a national network of six sales and service outlets.



Nissan is the most popular auto brand in Ghana because the quality of our products and services has won the trust of our customers, Whitfield said.



He continued, We want to build on our leadership by supporting the government to create the environment for a successful automotive manufacturing industry in the country. Building vehicles in Ghana will enable us to further improve the products and services we offer to our customers here and will have significant, long-term benefits for the economy in terms of jobs and growth.



On his part, President Akufo-Addo welcomed strongly the decision by Nissan to establish an automotive manufacturing industry in Ghana.



The President explained that his administration had embarked on a journey on moving the country away from being mere producers and exporters of raw materials, with a focus on value-addition and industrial activities.



One of the areas of focus, he stressed, was the automotive industry, the reason why his administration has spent the last 22 months strengthening the fundamentals of the Ghanaian economy to attract such investment.



To have at A+ company like yours in Ghana is positive, and we welcome you strongly. We hope that the MoU that will be signed will not just remain an MoU but will translate into concrete benefits for us all, President Akufo-Addo said.



The MoU seeks to unlock economic potential, promote development of the automotive sector and promote investor-friendly regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable car manufacturing. The aim is to promote infrastructure development, job creation and skills development in Ghana.



The Minister for Trade, Alan Kyerematen also praised Nissans commitment to Ghana, saying, we welcome this MOU and commit ourselves in turn to working with Nissan to create the necessary environment for the level of investment that will make Ghanas automotive sector a reality.



Industrywide vehicle sales in Ghana have been growing steadily at an annual rate of about 10% and now stand at about 9,150 vehicles a year.



Working closely with the government of Ghana and with other members of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers, Nissan will provide its global expertise to establish a sustainable auto manufacturing industry in the country.



The agreement builds on Nissans investment in Nigeria where, in 2013, the company became the first major automaker to assemble cars.



About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.



Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands.



In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen.



On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen.



As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF.



Nissans global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016.



Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the worlds largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Featured VideoState-run lenders require an urgent Rs 1.2 trillion in the capital in the next five months and government will have to take a bulk of the tab due to the weak market valuations of these NPA-saddled banks, says report.

This is a little more than double the budgeted Rs 53,000-crore of capital infusion for the current fiscal year, Crisil senior director Krishnan Sitaraman said in a report Tuesday.

If the government decides to meet this need, this will put further pressure on the fiscal maths, thus its ability to meet the 3.3 per cent fiscal deficit target for the current fiscal year. Already the government has used up over 95 per cent of the deficit target or the market borrowings as of October end.

The report comes even as the government is asking the Reserve Bank to lower the minimum capital requirements by getting it at par with global practices-something the central bank is uncomfortable to meet.

It has also reported having turned down the finance ministry demand to transfer Rs 3.6 trillion of it's over Rs 9.5 trillion reserves, which government wants to use to recapitalise the bleeding banks.

Till now, only Rs 1.12 trillion have been infused into these lenders since October 2017, it said, adding just Rs 12,000 crore has come from the markets, it said.

Most of the required capital has to be infused into the 11 lenders who are under the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework of the RBI, wherein depletion in the capital and return on assets, combined with a surge in non-performing assets, has resulted in the severe restrictions on normal operations, it said.

"Given their weak performance and low valuations, state-run banks have little ability to tap the market, which means the government will have to provide most of the requirement," it said.

Sitaraman said the Rs 1.5 trillion infused by the government in the last three financial years has only helped them cover the losses of Rs 1.3 trillion incurred during the same period.

Profitability of state-run banks has been under pressure because of higher credit costs after the RBI tightened norms for recognition of stressed assets and their resolution, the report explained.

Most of the 21 state-owned banks have reported huge losses in recent years, and a good number of them will be in the red this fiscal as well which will put a strain on the capital, notes the report.

As per the norms, the banks ought to have their tier-I capital at 9.5 per cent, including the capital of conservation buffer (CCB) of 2.5 per cent, it said, adding if the CCB were to be excluded, the capital requirement will fall to Rs 40,000 crore from Rs 1.2 trillion.

Meeting the CCB requirement, introduced following the 2008 global financial crisis, is becoming difficult for many state-run banks and those under PCA have had to recall their additional tier-1 bonds in recent times impacting their capital adequacy, it said.

Thirteen of the 21 state-owned banks had their tier-I ratio below the regulatory norm as of the June quarter, the report noted.

Moves like the consolidation of weaker banks with stronger ones like the tri-merger between Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Andhra Bank will help reduce the additional capital required, its associate director Vydianathan Ramaswamy said.

Listing other imperatives, he said the quantum of capital infusion has to increase, risk-weighted assets need to be brought down, and better-performing banks have to be nudged towards the market for capital.The chances of sealing a deal on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union this month are fading, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday.

EU leaders had previously penciled in a summit for mid-November to sign off on any Brexit deal with London. Negotiators from both sides, however, remain at odds over ways to guarantee there is no return of border controls on the frontier between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.

"I do think that, with every day that passes, the possibility of having a special summit in November becomes less likely," Varadkar told reporters after meeting Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila.

"But we do have one scheduled for the 13th, 14th of December, so not getting it done in November doesn't mean we can't get it done in the first two weeks of December. But I think beyond that you're into the New Year, which I think wouldn't be a good thing."

Brussels has proposed a "backstop" arrangement as part of the withdrawal agreement that would ensure an open border by keeping Northern Ireland inside the EU customs union and large parts of the single market. Britain has complained this would create a border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

Varadkar spoke to British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday, agreeing that any backstop should be temporary. May also told him that there would need to be a mechanism to end it.

"For me, it's always about the objective, more so than the mechanism - what are you actually trying to achieve," Varadkar said on Wednesday. "We hope that the backstop will never need to be used, it is an insurance policy.

Varadkar said he was willing to consider a review clause attached to the backstop, but this could not allow Britain to withdraw unilaterally and leave a hard border.

Varadkar is in Helsinki attending the two-day congress of the European People's Party. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ieIt was announced today that Dublins newest hotel, Clayton Hotel Charlemont, is set to open its doors on the banks of Dublins Grand Canal this November.

Housed within the Clayton Hotel Charlemont are 189 stylishly designed bedrooms, a fitness suite, six fully equipped meeting rooms, two dining outlets, and a carpark with space for 20 cars. The hotel also features scenic views of the iconic Grand Canal throughout.

The new hotel was built though the combination of 18th-Century Georgian buildings, 35, 36 and 37 Charlemont Street, with the newly designed 4-storey hotel building. The hotel has been carefully designed to marry modern architecture with historic Dublin. The unique building's design elements have been carefully integrated into the classical features of the Georgian buildings with the transition from old to new showcased through the addition of a stunning glass atrium set on Dublins iconic Grand Canal.

The ground floor of the 4 hotel is home to two new dining options, Gaudens Restaurant and Lockside Bar/Social.

Gaudens Restaurant, named after the famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, born in Number 35 Charlemont Street, offers guests and visitors a stylish restaurant option with spectacular views of the iconic Grand Canal. The menu and design at Gaudens Restaurant include nods to Saint-Gaudens throughout.

At Lockside Bar/Social, Dubliners and visitors to the capital can be truly sociable in a comfortable setting, while overlooking the Grand Canal.

Speaking this week, General Manager at Clayton Hotel Charlemont, Lynn Cawley said, "We are excited to finally welcome guests and visitors to this brand new hotel located right where the city meets the canal. We recognised the importance of maintaining the luxury hotel experience of which guests at Clayton Hotels will be familiar, but also saw the opportunity in Clayton Hotel Charlemont to pleasantly surprise our guests with the character and heritage of the hotels Georgian buildings and the history contained within them."

The brand new 4 luxury hotel, which is owned and operated by Dalata Hotel Group, took approximately 24 months and a 40 million investment to complete. The opening of Clayton Hotel Charlemont hotel has created 100 jobs with an investment of 40 million in the local area.

Source: www.businessworld.ieDespite dodging a bullet when it was temporarily exempted from renewed U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil importers, the desire to avoid future face-offs with Washington is likely to encourage Beijing to wean itself from Irans top foreign exchange earner.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the re-imposition of sanctions on Irans oil, banking and shipping sectors at a press briefing on Monday, in response to the current administrations suspicions that the country is continuing its nuclear program with an ultimate aim of developing nuclear weapons.

However, China and seven other countries including India, Japan and South Korea will get temporary exemptions from the sanctions for the next six months, Pompeo said. U.S. President Donald Trump explained he was taking the step to avoid driving up global oil prices, and to avoid shocking the market, according to Reuters.

Anticipating the return of sanctions before the actual announcement, Chinas foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China regrets the U.S. decision at a regular press briefing on Monday, saying that Iran has been making progress under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international agreement intended to freeze the countrys nuclear program. She added that China and Iran will conduct normal economic and trade cooperation under the framework of international law, which is reasonable and legal. This right should be respected and maintained.

China received 24% of Iranian oil imports in 2017, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Yet despite the defiant talk, China has substantially curtailed its Iranian crude oil intake in recent months, from a likely peak of 791,000 barrels per day in August down to an expected 580,000 in November, according to S&P Global Platts.

Similarly, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) said in its third quarter results briefing call last week that it is in talks with the government to find special arrangements for its Iranian crude oil imports, which are the largest of any company in China, according to S&P Global Platts.

It has also become more difficult for Chinese energy companies to do business with Iran. Bank of Kunlun Co., the main channel for settlements between China and Iran, announced that it would suspend its operations in Iran from November due to U.S. pressure. Bank of Kunlun is itself a unit of state-owned oil giant China National Petroleum Corp.

Despite being the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, Chinas imports from the country have never reached the high levels commentators expected for a country of its size, according to analysis from the EIA. They attribute that fact to Chinas ongoing commitment to diversify its energy sources.

The threat of sanctions has also been a boon to other oil producing nations, with Chinas imports from Oman up 10% in September and increasing supply coming from Saudi Arabia and West Africa, according to Yan Hai, a transportation analyst with Shenwan Hongyuan Securities Co. Ltd.

However, traders involved in buying from Iran also told Caixin that Iranian oil may end up being pumped to the United Arab Emirates and Oman before transshipment to China, bypassing any future U.S. efforts to blockade Iranian oil boats. While this would bring up transit and re-export costs, the pipeline infrastructure is already well-developed across the region, meaning Chinas reduction in Iranian imports may be smaller than it appears.

Contact reporter Ke Dawei (daweike@caixin.com)China is encouraging more foreign and private investors to take part in reforming central government-controlled enterprises, the head of the state assets regulator said Tuesday.

Xiao Yaqing, director of the governments State-owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), held out the olive branch at a forum on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. SASAC directly oversees the countrys nearly 100 centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which had combined assets of 76.2 trillion yuan ($11 trillion) at the end of 2017.

China welcomes all types of Chinese and foreign companies to make equity investments and set up strategic partnerships with central SOEs to promote corporate restructuring, industrial consolidation, technological innovation and industrial transformation, Xiao said.

Beijing has been pushing hard to shake up the stodgy state-run sector by bringing in outside investors and encouraging consolidations. Under the mixed-ownership reform initiative, dozens of SOEs have unveiled plans to invite private sector investors into their subsidiaries.

Xiao Yaqing, director of China's State-owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission. Photo:VCG

In September, the National Development and Reform Commission published a statement encouraging centrally administrated SOEs to explore feasible paths for mixed-ownership reforms at the highest corporate levels, marking the first official call for such sweeping reform of central SOEs.

Since 2014, SASAC and other ministries have orchestrated more than a dozen mergers in various sectors that involved more than $1 trillion in assets as part of a campaign to consolidate state assets. As of June, there are 96 central SOEs under the direct supervision of SASAC, down from 106 at the end of 2015, after several mergers and acquisitions.

The consolidations have created industry behemoths such as China Railway Rolling Stock Corp., the world's largest train maker, and China National Energy Investment Group, the world's largest thermal power generator.

Chinas central SOEs have been pointed toward market-oriented reforms, seeking to deepen reforms while insisting on openness to actively embrace the global market, Xiao said Tuesday.

Central SOEs have invested in an array of international projects in infrastructure, energy and equipment manufacturing under the Belt and Road Initiative, Xiao said. Most SOEs have set up ventures with foreign investors and have been seeking to expand cooperation in supply chain and trade with foreign partners, he said.

The week-long CIIE opened in Shanghai this week with attendance of high-level officials. Chinese authorities hoped to use the event to showcase the countrys willingness to import more and further open up its markets against the backdrop of the trade war with the United States.

Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)(Bloomberg)  Iraq aims to supply China with about 60% more crude next year, as OPECs second-biggest supplier double downs on its main market in Asia, according to the head of the state-run Oil Marketing Co.

Iraq is ready to ship about 1.45 million barrels a day to China in 2019, based on conversations with existing long-term customers, Alaa Al-Yasiri, director general of the company known as SOMO, said in an interview in Shanghai on Monday. That compares to current sales of 900,000 barrels to ten term buyers that include state traders Chinaoil and Unipec, he said on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo.

SOMOs push into China includes a deal this week to start an oil trading venture with Zhenhua Oil Co., which will be based in Tianjin. The venture tentatively plans annual sales of about 8 million metric tons  or about 160,000 barrels a day  to smaller, independent refiners known as teapots as well as large petrochemical plants, Al-Yasiri said.

The Iraqi company would predominantly offer Basrah Light crude, and plans to use the venture, which will be held equally with Zhenhua, to develop expertise beyond term deals to physical oil trading, he said.

To meet growing demand in Asia, Iraq is ready to expand shipments from the Turkish port of Ceyhan, and the company will announce its export plan for next year by the end of the month, he said. Iraqs total exports fell to 3.83 million barrels a day in October.

Global oil demands growth pillar is in Asia, with newly starting refineries mostly in Asia, Al-Yasiri said. This is a market SOMO values the most.

Al-Yasiri said that expanding Iraqi output will help meet the extra demand from the region, which already accounts for 60% of SOMOs sales, with 25% heading to Europe and 15% to the U.S.

Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)The South African Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Madam Lulu Xingwana has expressed satisfaction with Ghanas rolled-out digital property address system. Ambassador Lulu believes Ghanas digital address system is innovative and shows Ghanas readiness to leapfrog its technological drive for rapid economic development.



The ambassador made this observation when she led a team of MBA students from the University of Witwatersrand Business School (WBS) to pay a courtesy call on the Vice President as part of their annual global tour, a requirement for all MBA students at the School.



At the meeting Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia took the students and academic leads from the Wits Business School (WBS) through the mandate and operations of the Economic Management Team (EMT) and the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU). The Vice President also touched on how policy decisions are made at the appellate level of government at the EMT and devolved for implementation.



Key among the highlights made by the Vice President were the steps Ghana is taking in the area of economic formalization through digitization.



He expounded on some projects such as the digital property address system, national identification, mobile money interoperability, land records digitization etc.



On her part, the Ambassador to South Africa congratulated the government of Ghana for the many bold initiatives it has undertaken in the last 22 months.



I must say from where I stand that I am happy for your government and South Africa is prepared to take a cue from the many good things you are doing, especially the digital address system. We dont have such a robust address system in South Africa as yours and we will be glad to tap from your experiences.







Ambassador Lulu further mentioned that currently in South Africa there are so many places without addresses but Ghanas digital address system guarantees every 5 by 5 square meter location a unique address.



This, she said is a step in the right direction for economic development.



The Academic Director of the Wits Business School, Prof. Paul Alagidede similarly expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs of the Ghanaian economy and, together with some of the students wished that the current economic progress is sustained.

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news, latest-news

Good morning, Canberra. Welcome to Thursday, where the rain is over but that doesn't mean the heat has returned - we're heading for a top temperature of 21 degrees. Let's have a look at what's making news. This is a disturbing story - on average, more than six Canberra teachers a day reported violence at school last financial year, government data shows, but some say their pleas for action are still going unheeded. The revelation comes as the union puts on extra workers to cope with a flood of teachers seeking help and WorkSafe takes action against the ACT Education Directorate for failing to keep staff safe. Educators who spoke to The Canberra Times under the condition of anonymity have painted a concerning picture of poor management around violence in ACT schools, in some cases more than a year after the roll-out of the Education Directorate's new occupational violence policy. Sherryn Groch has the story here. Yes, it's another headline about problems with building quality in the ACT - it's past a joke. This one is that the ACT government is yet to act on the vast majority of recommendations for building regulatory reform, more than two years after then-minister Mick Gentleman pledged to act on systemic problems. In Assembly annual report hearings on Wednesday, senior government officials revealed the government was yet to act on 30 recommendations from a report on building quality and regulation published in June 2016. Daniel Burdon has the story here. How good was the rain yesterday? After it was so dry for so long I was happy to get out my raincoat. We had 15.2 millimetres of rain yesterday, and today the ACT government is announcing $150,000 in grants for farmers to help make their farms more drought resilient. Dan Jervis-Bardy and I have the story here. There's a real buzz about this story ... sorry! There are a few unwitting souls on the frontline of the bush capital's biosecurity at Canberra Airport that you might not have met. Canberra's biosecurity teams have bee hives that act similar to canaries in a mine for the capital's European honey bee population. These "sentinel hives" will be the first to catch any pests from the airport, giving biosecurity experts time to control them before they spread. Finbar O'Mallon has the story here. I've been working on this story for a few months, and it's good to see progress. Applications for the ACT-sponsored skilled migration program are set to re-open later this month, months after the program was closed to give the ACT government time to deal with an influx of international students to the territory. Even though bureaucrats knew in April the program was set to face a significant demand that it could not meet in that year or future years, they did not act until June, closing applications for those who weren't in "in demand" occupations, even if they were close to meeting other criteria. I have the story here.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c975c2a5-78a7-49c8-8fab-04e87c640acb/r0_307_6043_3721_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgnews, latest-news

Chef Ben Willis wears two hats when hes in the kitchen of his restaurant Aubergine. Not the two hats he recently received in the GoodFood Guide Awards, but the hats of chef and designer. I used to just be obsessed by the food world, says Willis. Now I'm 50/50 in the food world and the design world. Once you get into the mindset of thinking about what colour table, or what colour chair, or what curtains, or what funky lights should I find, everytime you go somewhere you're looking at things. Hell get to talk about both at a special dinner during the Design Canberra festival, which celebrates all things design, with more than 100 events including talks, exhibitions, tours, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes on offer from November 5-25. Eat Drink Design Canberra is a five-course dinner, presented in Aubergine's beautifully moody and recently refurbished dining room. It will be held on November 16. Tickets are $180. Rachael Coghlan, chief executive officer of Craft ACT and artistic director of Design Canberra said she was thrilled to be collaborating with Willis for the event. Celebrating the best of food and design teamed with seasonal, locally sourced produce and contemporary designers, this is one festival event not to miss, she said. Willis will talk about his vision for the perfect dinner, alongside his design collaborators - local designers and makers including Gretel Harrison (F!nk & Co.), Chris Harford (ceramics) and Lisa Capezio (interior design). Aubergine uses F!nk jugs in the restaurant, the crockery is handmade by Harford and Capezio was the go-to girl when Willis refurbished the interiors recently. Another local maker, Jims Leather made the circular placemats. I like the point of uniqueness, with Chris ceramics, Willis says. I went to him and said I want some plates that no one else has. The only way you can do that is talk to people. At the end of the day it's a round form with either a bowl shape, or a flat shape, or whatever, but people compliment them and ask where do they come from  its nice to say they're locally made. He says the F!nk jugs are not only stylish but practical. Anything someone can make that doesn't break is a win for a busy restaurant but these jugs are a work of art in their own right. But what about design on the plate? Is it a factor when hes thinking about plating up his food? I'm a flavour first person, I think the food has to taste well and be balanced, he says. I could probably make the food prettier in some ways, and decorate it, and dress it up but I like what I like. I'm a little bit more old school in my cooking in some areas, but modern in other areas, but the food has to taste good first. Eat Drink Design Canberra is on November 16, 6pm. Aubergine Restaurant, Griffith. Bookings at designcanberrafestival.com.au There are several other food and wine events scheduled for Design Canberra. On November 23 theres a Taste of Art event, exploring Harfords links to Podilato restaurant, with chef Sean Mawbey serving up a three-course meal. The bonus is you get to keep the plate you ate off and hear Harford talk further about his craft. Lake George Winery is a new festival partner and will be hosting the wine bar at the festival opening party, Circularity, on November 22. It has also produced a limited-edition Design Canberra sparkling wine, featuring artwork by designer Chelsea Lemon. Mocan and Green Grout in Acton is holding another of its popular Meraki nights on November 25. Based on the meaning of meraki -the spirit or love that you put into a work as you create it, the exhibition focuses on beautiful and considered functional and everyday objects. Order some food while youre there. The Pop Inn wine bar will appear during the City Sessions from November 8 and Sunday Sessions on Aspen Island from November 11. On November 15 there will be a Progressive Dining Experience at the Winning Appliances showroom in Kingston and therell be a Design Bar running at the Canberra Centre on Friday nights. For a full list of Design Canberra events head to designcanberrafestival.com.au Chris Harford - ceramicist Describe your pieces and why they work well in a practical setting The majority of my work is tableware, hand-thrown on the potters wheel and made with stoneware or porcelain clay. These clays are fired to nearly 1300C, giving the finished piece great strength and vitrification. This makes my wares able to handle the rigours of everyday use whether in a household kitchen or a busy restaurant. I carefully consider design elements for use such as stacking, balance and weight. I continually develop new glazes, seeking those which are strong, attractive and practical and in the case of plate-ware generally on the quieter side so as not to overpower the food. Whats the secret of a good collaboration between designer and a restaurant? Trust, professionalism and timely delivery all help. In our first meeting I like to go to the clients restaurant to get an overall feel of the place - the kitchen, the atmosphere and the style of food. Having worked in hospitality myself I understand their perspective when we discuss how they want their tableware to function. Then I talk through the process of making a pot, as most people dont realise the number of steps in creating a handmade piece. From there I will make prototypes of differing shapes and sizes and then we talk more, filtering what does or doesnt work. More making ensues, this time with different glaze finishes or colours, to-ing and fro-ing until we are happy with the result. Learning to work together, building a rapport to get the look and the feel of what we want is all important . Then the work begins. When you eat out, is your design inspired by the food, the venue and the overall experience? I develop designs in my studio, at first with a quick sketch with whatever is at hand, a pencil, brush or muddy finger. It is through the process of making on the wheel that I begin to find what feels right in the form, taking into consideration the conversations I have had with the chef, the food that will be served on it and the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. When Im eating out Im just there to enjoy myself. Gretel Harrison - F!nk & Co. Describe your pieces and why they work well in a practical setting. The F!nk water jug has been described as an Australian design icon. A high-end restaurant like Aubergine appreciates and understands the value of good design and seems a good match for a product like the jug. Aubergine use our black satin jugs and vases. Both of these pieces are sleek, simple and characteristic of Robert Fosters original design aesthetic and work perfectly in Aubergines minimal environment. The dark, intimate environment of Aubergine makes the food the focal point while the subtle elements of the highly functional design pieces complement the food. The F!nk water jug pours effortlessly, enhancing and adding a sense of theatre and elegance to the whole dining experience. Additionally, F!nk products are robust and made to last and stand up to working in a commercial environment. What's the secret of a good collaboration between designer and a restaurant? Creating the right environment for the style of food and level of service is primary when working with a restaurant. Designing products that function perfectly greatly assists a restaurant in operating smoothly and seamlessly. Its imperative in such a collaboration that both parties communicate openly, have a shared vision and a clear understanding of the desired outcome. When you eat out, is your design inspired by the food, the venue and the overall experience? Design exists in all aspects of the eating out experience from the chairs you sit on to the waiters uniforms, from the lighting to the wall treatments, from the plates to the cutlery. How all of these components and every other feature of the room work together with the food can significantly enhance or detract from the whole experience. When I eat out it is this overall design intelligence and indulgence that I look for. Often its the small things that you dont notice that are important because they have been especially designed to make the experience seamless. Lisa Capezio - interior designer What makes a good restaurant interior? Restaurant interior design has a simple objective, capture the spirit of the customer through getting the balance and the details right. This defines the Capezio Copelands restaurant design ethos. Our spaces are a balance of a welcoming and aspirational ambiance creative concepts and mood setting and lighting. The culinary offering connects the expectations of customers, the unique food and style concept and the restaurant design. When food and menu define the cultural base of the experience, interior concepts and design become the link with local culture and expectation. Successful restaurant concepts and design ensure a sense of balance between customers and staff, whilst offering a sense of intimacy. A restaurant design can be visually appealing however needs to be functional. Little details count. When you eat out, is your design inspired by the food, the venue or the overall experience? We have heard that we eat with our eyes, if thats the case the restaurant design must be as delicious as the food and wine on offer. To delight in a great restaurant experience, design and food must come together in perfect harmony. Our designers love food, eating out and the whole nine yards of the dining experience that inspires and informs our concepts and design principles. These principles are influenced and determined by location, context, and the concept offering, for example: understated details that complement an elegant space; materials and finishes that provide a nod to locally sourced and foraged ingredients; interior design that is inspired by the history of the location; use traditional and cultural dining spaces that evoke links to the culinary experience. Whats the secret between a good collaboration between designer and a restaurant? Good design is also good for business. Collaboration is a simple function of aligned passion, communication, and complementary contribution. Food and dining are as much a creative journey as is interior design. These values ensure our design teams keep aesthetics and function remain on parallel paths in the development of concepts and their manifestation. We interpret and translate that into the look and feel and the customer experience. We enjoy our creative collaborations and it drives us to stay creative and relevant to out clients and market.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/6194d3e3-8705-401c-b2f7-59f24ca7fcd8/r0_282_5338_3298_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgnews, act-politics

An ACT police investigation into a mysterious fraudulent invoice paid to an "illegitimate" bank account by the ACT's public housing taskforce has failed to track down the culprit, despite 12 months spent on the case. The fraud also triggered an internal review of the taskforce's arrangements in place to detect and prevent fraud in relation to the payment of accounts with its suppliers and contractors. The territory government has refused to name the company or individuals who were paid under the invoice, nor detail how much money was transferred out of taxpayers' hands, though the money has since been returned to government coffers. The fraud was identified last financial year, with the taskforce - then part of the Chief Minister's directorate - referring the matter to ACT Policing in June 2017. Police found the fraud involved the deliberate falsification of bank account details, resulting in a legitimate payment to a contractor being deposited into an account controlled by "illegitimate parties", police seem to have been unable to identify the parties involved. ACT Policing said there was no evidence of fraudulent activity by any territory government employees in the fraud, and despite an extensive 12-month investigation - including inquiries through the federal police's international networks, the perpetrators could not be found. It is understood the fraud was able to occur due to staff on the taskforce failing to verify the bank account details with the un-named government contractor before making the payment to the illegitimate parties. "The accounts payable fraud detection and prevention review found that the taskforce has a strong awareness of fraud risk and a fraud control focus in its account payable function," a directorate spokeswoman said. "The review recommended strengthening controls to verify requests for changes to supplier bank account details." The government also said all the recommendations of the review had since been implemented, though the culprit, whether domestic or international, remains at large.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/a06aca28-861c-41fa-bdf9-4d15a7bde106/r1_0_643_363_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgDecember 11-13, 2018 Bangalore, India



Intersolar India, Bangalore, December 11-13, 2018 - Indias most pioneering exhibition and conference for the solar, energy storage and electric mobility industry

Solar developments in India grew exponentially in 2017. Further announcements and new market opportunities in the energy storage and electric mobility sector strengthen India to become an interesting and very promising market in the future. The state of Karnataka is one of the most flourishing Indian solar markets and the first Indian state to launch a specific EV policy. Intersolar India, the most pioneering exhibition and conference for the solar industry is celebrating its 10th edition in Bangalore, the capital city of the top solar market Karnataka on December 11-13, 2018. The event will focus on the solar, energy storage and electric mobility industries and will welcome more than 17,000 industry professionals and 300 exhibitors. In addition, Intersolar India will continue to connect solar businesses in Mumbai on April 4-5, 2019 with a focus on financing and Indias western solar markets.news, act-politics

One of the ACT's top bureaucrats will headline a lunch billed as giving consultants the ear of influential government decision-makers. However organisers have been forced to clarify guests should not expect any favourable treatment, despite the $160 ticket price. Under Treasurer David Nicol will be the star attraction at a "boardroom lunch" hosted by Consult Australia on Friday. Held in an "intimate setting to enable open discussion", the lunch was advertised as providing members of the consulting peak body with "exclusive access to key decision-makers in both the public and private sectors". Protected under the Chatham House Rule - which allows attendees to reveal the discussion so long as they don't identify who said what - the lunch was also labelled as a "discussion to better understand the government's plans and policies". "This conversation will also provide opportunity for the leadership of our industry to engage with the Under Treasurer as we continue to play a crucial role in the development and delivery of major projects across the Australian Capital Territory," Consult Australia's website says. Tickets are limited to two representatives per firm and the Canberra CBD location will only be revealed to confirmed attendees. The Under Treasurer advises ACT Treasurer Andrew Barr on the management of the territory's budget, helping to determine tax and economic policy. Mr Nicol is also responsible for the compulsory third party insurance scheme, which is currently undergoing major changes, as well as workers compensation and shared services. Consult Australia ACT manager Caitlin Buttress said the organisation was a not-for-profit industry association whose job was to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including parliamentarians and government representatives. "The role of an industry association is to participate in government consultations and events - such as the one you refer to below - gives our members the opportunity to hear first-hand about government policy as it relates to our industry. We do not pay for their participation," Ms Buttress said. However ACT Opposition leader Alistair Coe expressed concerns about the arrangement. "Whilst I am pleased that senior public servants are open to feedback and engagement, their comments should be on the record and attributable - not according to Chatham House Rule. At the very least, I hope that any new information or interpretations given at the lunch will be published on Treasurys website," Mr Coe said. Given the political nature of many issues before the public service and Assembly at the moment, it might be more appropriate if Mr Barr attends the event, rather than a public servant. An ACT government spokeswoman said Mr Nicol would still attend the event, but Consult Australia would tell its members the event would not provide them with exclusive or preferred access to the Under Treasurer. "At the time of invitation, Mr Nicol was not made aware of how the Consult Australia Boardroom Lunch Series event was marketed to participants, including the claim that the event will provide 'exclusive access to key decision-makers in both the public and private sectors'," the spokeswoman said. "Mr Nicols contribution to this event is consistent with the governments approach to other industry events. Mr Nicol and other ACT Public Service senior executives are often invited to attend and speak at various industry events including for Consult Australia, the Conservation Council, the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Master Builders Association, the Property Council of Australia, the Canberra Business Chamber and the Housing Industry Association." The event comes as the ACT government prepares to issue a tender this month for a whole of government professional and consulting services panel. The panel was foreshadowed in the Chief Minister's directorate's latest annual report, which said it would reduce the cost of obtaining and using professional and consulting services, and improve the consistency and transparency of procurement and contracting across government.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/b7cd7c07-9432-4c2e-9adc-3c37571f34a8/r0_258_692_649_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgnews, latest-news

Jakarta: Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has savaged Scott Morrison's proposal to consider moving Australia's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, describing it has "foolhardy", and warning it could lead a new wave of violent protest in the Middle East. In a blistering critique of the prime minister's proposal, Mr Rudd says it is regrettable that Mr Morrison has even considered departing from the long-held bipartisan consensus in Australian politics on the status of Jerusalem "for domestic political purposes". Moving the embassy would amount to "sacrificing Australias international political credibility for petty local partisan advantage". "As a former prime minister and foreign minister of Australia, I would call on Prime Minister Morrison to abandon this foolhardy position. There should be no 'process' for him to reach the decision that all his predecessors have reached over many decades, including Prime Minister Howard." The comments are contained in a major speech Mr Rudd will deliver in Jakarta on Thursday titled "The US, China, & ASEAN : Can The Right Equilibrium be Found?" and come after another former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull recently warned of a "very negative reaction" from Indonesia if the proposal to move the embassy and to diplomatically recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital is implemented. The Morrison government's proposal, announced during the Wentworth by-election which the government ultimately lost, "shocked" the most recent former Indonesian ambassador to Canberra and stoked fears the signing of a free trade agreement between the two nations could be delayed. Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday the free trade deal was due to be signed next week in Singapore, but if the embassy proposal is implemented, the Indonesian parliament might still delay ratification. Mr Rudd will say in his speech, according to exclusive extracts obtained by Fairfax Media, that Australia's views on issues such as the Middle East peace process are "taken seriously in the wider world" because Australia is a respected middle power. Moving the embassy was "not the responsible course of action", he will say. "There is a grave danger that the further alienation of the Palestinian people from a long-term homeland of their own in a permanent Palestinian state will result in further radicalisation, and over time the launching of a third intifada," he will say, referring to an uprising against Israel. "That is why successive Australian governments have long supported the two-state solution. And why we have supported the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv and refused to embrace pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu to move our embassy to Jerusalem," he will say. "It is regrettable that Prime Minister Morrison has chosen to depart from the long-standing Australian bipartisan consensus. It appears that he has done so to appease the interests of elements of the far-right Israeli lobby in Australia for domestic political purposes." He will also suggest US President Donald Trump's decision to move America's embassy to Jerusalem did "fundamental violence to the Middle East peace process". "This may be the preferred position of Netanyahus far right-wing government in Israel. But it does not necessarily represent the broader position of the Israeli parliament and people," he will say. Mr Morrison has promised a review of the Australian embassy's location, though details of the review, and when it will conclude, are not clear. The former prime minister's speech will also explore some of the tensions between the US, China and ASEAN nations. Relations between China and Australia have grown frosty because of growing tensions over Chinese influence in Australian politics, and because of Beijing's growing military footprint in the Pacific and the South China Sea. But a thaw between Canberra and Beijing is underway, with Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to travel to Beijing on Thursday for the first high-level meeting with her counterpart on Chinese soil in more than two years. Since losing the prime ministership in 2013, Mr Rudd has relocated to New York to serve as the President of the influential Asia Society Policy Institute. He is is also a senior fellow at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government, a fellow of Chatham House in London, a distinguished statesman at Washington's Centre for Strategic and International Studies and he holds another of other positions.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/a7cabbec-8024-4bc8-8f33-c26a800ab0d9/r0_110_1620_1025_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgPutting technology stocks volatility in perspective November 1, 2018 Featuring: Chris Buchbinder

Key Takeaways Technology stocks could remain volatile for some time amid the potential for slower earnings growth at some companies and greater regulatory scrutiny.



There will likely be a dispersion of returns among the FAANG stocks, given different valuations and where they are in the earnings cycle.



The long-term outlook for many technology companies remains positive, supported by strong business models, dominant industry positioning and potential new areas of growth.

Technology and tech-related stocks have led markets on the way up and the way down in recent weeks. Volatility in technology shares remains higher than the broader market. The FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google owner Alphabet) stocks in particular have come under pressure, given their strong bull run. Are they getting de-fanged or will they be able to hold their ground? Although we may see a period of weakness and continued volatility in some technology stocks, the fundamentals of many of these heavyweights remain solid. Portfolio manager Don ONeal, says, We are always on the lookout for massive disruptions in business models. That does not appear to be the case in the near term for these dominant companies. Here are four factors that managers believe will continue to characterise the technology space. 1. Expect continued tech sector volatility. During the three periods of pronounced volatility in U.S. equity markets this year  in January, March and October  technology stocks fell harder than the overall market each time. But they also rebounded stronger than the broader market in subsequent periods. Despite the volatility, the technology sector has still delivered the highest returns year to date, gaining 11% (as at 31 October), while the S&P 500 rose 3%. Two technology-related companies  Amazon and Netflix  have also had outsized gains, with year-to-date returns of 37% and 57%, respectively. In the early days of a market correction, stocks that have done the best in the recent period often come down the most. But over a long-term horizon, the outlook for these companies can continue to be strong, ONeal says.



2. Amazon is a case study in investing through market volatility. Sharp market declines are nothing new for many high-flying tech stocks. As an example, since the financial crisis of 2008, Amazon shares have declined at least 15% on 10 different occasions, and more than 30% in three different periods. But following each of the previous corrections, its shares hit new highs. Investors who could stomach short-term volatility saw big gains, whereas those who sold the stock in one of those declines missed out. The recent slide in Amazons share price has been steep. Weakness in the retail sector caught up with the company and overshadowed its progress in profitability across the entire business. Amazon Web Services (AWS), the companys cloud computing unit, also slowed slightly, with revenues growing 46% in the third quarter, down from a 49% growth rate in the second quarter. In absolute terms, AWSs growth rate is still very strong and it remains a growth engine for the company, accounting for more than 50% of its operating profit, says technology analyst David Penner. While the share price may experience some weakness in the near term, Amazon has the ability, in my view, to remain one of the most competitive large companies in the world.



3. Tech stock fundamentals continue to be strong. During the late 1990s tech boom that peaked in early 2000, share prices of web companies outran their earnings potential, stretching valuations to unsustainable levels. This is not the case today. While some companies, including Facebook and Amazon, have struck a note of caution in recent earnings guidance, in aggregate, profits for technology companies are more in sync with their share prices. Moreover, cash balances at Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet are among the largest at any nonfinancial U.S. company. Dominant tech companies today share many characteristics that have accelerated their growth and warded off competitors. Two things I look for most in these companies are a wide moat and a long runway. Think Amazon in retail. Google in search. Facebook in social media. Microsoft in office productivity software. Apple in premium phones and tablets, says portfolio manager Mark Casey. Other factors that favour many of these companies are: 1. Multiple peripheral businesses that could become much larger over time, such as YouTube and Android for Google, and Instagram and WhatsApp for Facebook

2. Lots of cash on balance sheets

3. Strong founder CEOs still at the helm

4. Above-average organic revenue growth

5. The ability to attract the best talent in the industry



Yet, although they share many common traits, The FAANG stocks are not a homogenous group, says portfolio manager Chris Buchbinder. For example, in the case of Facebook, recent weakness in the stock has been driven by regulatory concerns and company guidance with respect to both near and longer term cost pressures. At current levels, a lot of that may already be factored into the price. Buchbinder adds, On the other hand, a lot of optimism about the future has been factored in the stock prices of Amazon and Netflix. I remain very positive on these companies, but do things have to be even better than the market expects for the stocks to continue to do as well as they have? Probably. I think we will see greater dispersion of returns among the FAANG stocks. 4. Valuations are reasonable for many tech companies. Another big difference from the dot-com period is that, as a group, these stocks dont all trade at very high valuations. Facebook and Apple trade at forward P/E ratios in the teens. Microsoft and Alphabet are priced at less than 23x consensus forward earnings. Although those valuations are richer than the broader market, it is easier to make a case that these companies can grow into those multiples. Amazons price-to-earnings multiple is among the highest in the group, but the companys huge investments in the business result in more modest reported earnings.

ONeal believes current valuation levels are reasonable, considering these companies higher growth potential. In the internet bubble, that group of high-flying stocks went to extreme valuations that we had never seen before without the earnings to back them up. But now, the current crop of big technology stocks sells at premiums that are quite modest relative to the broader market. The valuations are reasonable considering the strong fundamentals and growth prospects of these companies over the next few years. Over the medium to longer term, regulation could disrupt their business models. It will be a risk that could be with us through the next presidential election cycle. That said, I believe many of these companies will be able to manage their businesses despite greater regulation and scrutiny, he adds.

Chris Buchbinder Equity Portfolio Manager Chris is an equity portfolio manager with 23 years of investment experience. He holds bachelor's degrees in economics and international relations from Brown University. Mark Casey Equity Portfolio Manager Mark is an equity portfolio manager with 18 years of investment experience. He holds an MBA from Harvard and a bachelor's from Yale. Don O'Neal Equity Portfolio Manager Don has 31 years of investment experience, all with Capital Group. As an investment analyst he covered chemical, aerospace and defense, and environmental companies. Don holds an MBA from Stanford.Final Statement

Second Christian-Taoist Colloquium

Father J.M Beurel Centre, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore

5-7 November 2018

1. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID), the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, and the Taoist Federation of Singapore (TFS) jointly organized the Second Christian-Taoist Colloquium in Singapore from 5-7 November 2018. The theme of the Colloquium was Christian and Taoist Ethics in Dialogue. Seventy Christian and Taoist scholars and practitioners of interreligious dialogue mainly from Singapore but also from China, France, South Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan and the Vatican, took part in this event. The participants included a representative each from the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences and the World Council of Churches.

2. Mr. Tan Thiam Lye, Chairman TFS, gave the welcome address and several other representatives offered their greetings. H.E. Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, Secretary PCID, delivered the keynote address.

3. The Colloquium focused on the following topics: Todays Crisis of Ethics and Hope for Tomorrow; Taoist and Christian Responses to the Crisis of Ethics; Social Institutions and the Transformation of Human Persons; Spiritual Development and Self-Cultivation; Global Ethics and the Interdependency of All Human Beings; Fostering a United and Harmonious Society; and Emerging Orientations for Future Christian-Taoist Engagement. The program also included cultural and interreligious visits to the Taoist Kew Ong Yah Temple, the Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, and the Harmony in Diversity Gallery.

4. Inspired by our spiritual and interdisciplinary exchanges, we the participants agree on the following:

a. We acknowledge that the Second Christian-Taoist Colloquium has helped strengthen our bonds of friendship and nurture our desire for further collaboration.

b. We shared our concerns and hopes for the future.

c. We affirm - because of the fundamental ethical teachings of our religious traditions to do good and avoid evil - that no one can escape the moral responsibility of transforming unjust socio-economic, political, cultural, religious and legal structures.

d. We recognize that todays crisis of ethics requires a rediscovery of universal values based on social justice, integral ecology, as well as the dignity of human life at every stage and circumstance. Therefore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) remains a shared fundamental expression of human conscience for our times and offers a solid basis for promoting a more just world.

e. We believe in the capacity of our religious traditions to inspire a multi-faceted response to the challenges of our times. Therefore, it is necessary improve the methods of communication our traditions and stories in a language that is easily understandable.

f. We believe that families, educational institutions, and religious communities are places of spiritual and moral formation where todays youth can learn to shape tomorrows world into a better place.

g. We have seen that interpersonal and scholarly exchanges between our religious traditions enabled us to work together to shape the ethical frameworks needed for the common good of this and future generations.

The participants express their gratitude to institutions and all people, for the warm hospitality, support and friendship that they have experienced.

[01772-EN.01] [Original text: English]

[B0823-XX.01]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.Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of General Duty Medical Officer. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 75000 per month. The selection process is through a walk-in interview held on Nov 13, 2018. The opportunity is on a contract basis. For queries, contact igadm@crpf.gov.in.

SAIL Recruitment 2018 For 30 Paramedical Staff

CRPF Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts General Duty Medical Officer Organisation Central Reserve Police Force Educational Qualification MBBS with internship Experience Desirable Skills Required Clinical judgement Job Location Pune, Maharashtra Salary Scale INR 75000 per month Industry Medicine Application Start Date November 1, 2018 Application End Date November 13, 2018

Maximum Age Limit 67 years

Venue

Composite Hospital, CRPF, Pune,Maharashtra

Time

9 am

AIIMS Delhi Recruitment 2018 For 2000 Nursing Assistants

How To Apply For The CRPF Recruitment 2018

In order to apply for the CRPF Recruitment 2018, follow the steps given here:

Step 1: Log on to the CRPF official website.

Step 2: Click on the application link that will be active from Nov 2, 2018.

Step 3: The application form will open. Enter your details in the fields provided.

Step 4: Submit your details and follow the subsequent pages to complete the application process.

Follow the link - https://www.crpf.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Recruitment_Advertise/ADVERTISE/1_160_1_1220102018.pdf to read the detailed official notification.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Photo: Creep Hunters Kevin Johnston

The judge who sentenced a former Kamloops sheriff Tuesday for sending sexually explicit messages to a person who claimed she was 14 years old criticized the vigilante group that caught him, but the executive director of the group says they've changed their way.

While he was initially charged with luring a child under 16, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16 and arranging a sexual offence against a child, Kevin Johnston pleaded guilty last month to breach of trust of a public officer, and he was sentenced to a one-year conditional sentence on Tuesday.

In August 2016, Johnston was caught in a Creep Hunters' sting operation, sending sexually explicit messages to a person he met on Craigslist, who claimed she was 14 years old. The back-and-forth exchange culminated in Johnston driving to Kelowna to meet the fictional child, where he was confronted by members of the Creep Hunters. A video of the confrontation was posted to Facebook.

In her sentencing Tuesday, Justice Daneliuk heavily criticized the group, saying vigilante groups are dangerous to citizens and interfere with the administration of justice.

Brendon Brady, executive director of the Creep Hunters, says he actually agrees with Justice Daneliuk, and says his organization has changed their strategy over the last two years.

We moved away from public shaming and actually got our non-profit status and all the rest, Brady said. We pass our information along to police ... and they will make an arrest and pursue charges at their own discretion.

Brady says he became involved with the organization shortly after the Johnston catch, and the people involved in that sting are no longer involved with the organization. In fact, Brady says while they once had upwards of 30 members, they now have four.

Some of those members didn't like the fact that we weren't going to be public shaming and that we were going to be going to the police with every single case, Brady said.

He says the Johnston case, which resulted in four months of house arrest followed by eight months of a curfew, may have ended differently had the Creep Hunters been operating as they do now.

We felt like we had some pretty strong evidence against the person, but that being said, part of the reason why we don't public shame anymore is because we don't want to be jeopardizing any potential charges that could be laid, Brady said. I think for this case in particular, that is something that definitely had a big impact on the outcome of the case.

He says their work has led to about 30 arrests in Canada since he's been involved with the organization.Photo: Jon Manchester

A Kelowna-based social worker misappropriated funds meant for aboriginal children in the provincial governments care over the span of multiple years, alleges a pair of lawsuits filed Tuesday in BC Supreme Court.

The lawsuits filed in conjunction in Kelowna and Vancouver claims Robert Riley Saunders stole funds from children in his care by opening joint bank accounts and siphoning off money for his own expenses.

The lawsuits, one of which is a proposed class-action suit involving dozens of underage plaintiffs, names Saunders, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Interior Savings as defendants.

Saunders sought out and exploited aboriginal high-risk youth because he knew that his supervisors and managers and Interior Savings would not look closely at their affairs or adequately safeguard their interests, one of the lawsuits alleges.

While the class-action lawsuit filed in Vancouver involves numerous underage plaintiffs, the civil claim filed in Kelowna involves just one  a West Kelowna resident that has now aged out of the system. Both lawsuits are nearly identical in their allegations.

Castanet News is not naming the West Kelowna plaintiff because his lawyer advises they will be seeking a publication ban on his name in the future.

In early 2016, Saunders moved the plaintiff from a stable home environment into an unstable residential or independent living arrangement in order to make the plaintiff eligible for payment of certain financial benefits by the ministry, the lawsuit claims.

Saunders then opened a joint bank account with the plaintiff at Interior Savings. Saunders stole the funds deposited by the Ministry into a joint bank account by moving them to his own bank account at Interior Savings and by paying his personal expenses by electronic transfer from the joint bank account.

Penticton-based lawyer Michael Patterson, who is representing the West Kelowna plaintiff, says the amount stolen from his client totals $47,000. Its believed there could be more than 50 additional alleged victims involved in the class-action lawsuit with similar stories, should it be accepted.

Patterson said it's his understanding the Ministry has suspended Saunders. A Ministry spokesperson declined comment, due to the matter being before the courts.

The lawsuit goes on to allege that the victim was, at times, homeless because of Saunders' actions, and was exploited due to his vulnerability.

The claim alleges the Ministry and director of child welfare were negligent in its management and oversight of Saunders, and that it failed to move quickly enough to restrain him once the misconduct was uncovered.

Interior Savings is named in the lawsuit because the credit union knew or ought to have known that the joint accounts were only being accessed by Saunders, the lawsuit alleges.

Both claims are seeking general, punitive and aggravated damages as well as costs and an injunction requiring the defendants provide financial, safety, health, therapeutic and education support to the plaintiffs.

The provincial government, Robert Saunders and Interior Savings have not filed a response, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.Vicat hit by weaker exchange rates

ICR Newsroom By 07 November 2018

Vicat's turnover for the first nine months of the year advanced by 1.4 per cent to EUR1947m, which represents an underlying improvement of 7.6 per cent. The gearing level was reduced from 38.1 per cent at the end of September last year to 37.1 per cent this time. Turnover in cement was 1.8 per cent ahead at EUR1124m and represented 51 per cent of the group total. Cement deliveries improved by 3.1 per cent to 17.44Mt. The aggregates and concrete turnover eased by 0.6 per cent to EUR749m, or 34 per cent of the group total, with shipments of aggregates declining by five per cent to 17.16Mt and deliveries of ready-mixed concrete easing by 1.9 per cent to 6.93Mm. The turnover from other activities was 4.3 per cent ahead at EUR333m or 15 per cent of the group total.

The French consolidated turnover increased by 6.6 per cent to EUR709m in the nine months, with the cement turnover improving by 6.7 per cent to EUR282m. The cement volume was more than three per cent ahead. Aggregates and concrete turnover improved by 3.5 per cent to EUR352m. Aggregates volumes were almost three per cent ahead with prices showing an improvement. Ready-mixed concrete volumes were down by in excess of two per cent, but prices showed an improvement. Other products and services saw turnover advance by 13.6 per cent to EUR214m.

Turnover in the rest of Europe declined by 7.1 per cent to EUR2925m. The Swiss turnover came off by 9.6 per cent as a number of civil engineering projects were completed. The cement turnover came down by 11.3 per cent as volumes showed a 10 per cent reduction. In aggregates and concrete declined by 8.2 per cent as volumes fell by almost 11 per cent in ready-mixed concrete and by more than 10 per cent in aggregates. Prices showed some improvement. In precast concrete, turnover declined by 16.5 per cent. The Italian turnover improved by 10.9 per cent and the cement volumes advanced by almost five per cent, with third quarter volume showing an increase in excess of 25 per cent.

In the USA turnover improved by 3.4 per cent to EUR307m, but the underlying advance was 11 per cent. The cement volume again advanced by more than six per cent, and the turnover improved by an underlying 11.9 per cent, but on conversion this was reduced to 4.2 per cent. The southeast had the benefit of much better weather conditions than during the previous year. California suffered from the effect of forest fires. Selling prices improved in both California and the southeast. The ready-mixed concrete turnover improved by one per cent overall, with a slight decline in California, but a good improvement in the southeast. Third-quarter volumes were almost seven per cent lower, as the decline in California was only partially compensated for by the improvement in the southeast.

Turnover in Asia increased by 3.1 per cent to EUR440m, but at unchanged exchange rates the growth would have been 22.6 per cent. The Turkish turnover was up by 17.9 per cent in constant currency but declined by 14.3 per cent as reported to EUR134m. The turnover in cement declined by 14.2 per cent. The volume was slightly ahead over the nine months but declined by almost 11 per cent in the third quarter. The underlying turnover in concrete and aggregates improved by 17.6 per cent in constant currency but came down by 14.5 per cent as reported. Volumes fell by almost 20 per cent in aggregates but by just some two per cent in ready-mixed concrete. The Indian turnover improved by 11.8 per cent to EUR254m, helped by a near 29 per cent increase in the tonnage sold to 4.9Mt but a notable decline in selling prices. In the third quarter, volumes increased by almost 19 per cent. In Kazakhstan turnover improved by 20.3 per cent to EUR52m as volumes increased by some 15 per cent. In the third quarter turnover rose by 19.1 per cent on volumes that were just one per cent higher.

In Africa and Egypt, underlying turnover declined by 8.4 per cent to EUR200m. The Egyptian turnover showed an underlying 39.4 per cent drop and an actual 43.2 per cent drop. The volume sold dropped by more than 50 per cent because of the military activities in Sinai. In the third quarter, turnover was off by eight per cent on volumes that were 21 per cent lower. Turnover in western Africa edged ahead by 1.2 per cent and volumes were stable across the region. Prices improved in Mauritania were stable in Senegal and declined in Mali. The aggregates operations in Senegal reported a 9.1 per cent increase in volumes on the same period last year.

Published underJoin farmers, artists, local makers, food artisans, and small business entrepreneurs for the first annual Miller Park Farmers Market Fall Harvest Festival on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 3-6 p.m. at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga.

Here are the 2018 Market Dates:

Fall Harvest Festival and Food Drive

Nov. 15, 3-6 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 22 - Closed

Cultivating Community and First Annual Holiday Harvest Market

Nov. 29, 3-6 p.m.

Holiday Harvest Market Two

Dec. 6, 3-6 p.m.

Holiday Harvest Market Three

Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m.

Holiday Harvest Market Four and Food Drive

Dec. 20, 3-6 p.m.

To become an event sponsor email MillerParkMarket@gmail.com.

For a vendor application click here. Farmers, artists, local makers, food artisans, and small business entrepreneurs are welcome to apply. Community non-profit organizations are also welcome to contact the market to participate in the community outreach program.

The market's director and manager will review all applications. The acceptance of members is based on building a diverse group of farmers and local makers at each market event. The market encourages members to utilize natural and sustainable practices and promotes products and services that promote health and well being. The fee is $20 per 10 x 10 tent space.

Limited food truck spaces are available. Additional fees will apply. Please fill out the Vendor Application and include food truck in the description.

Follow on Facebook for Market updates.



Now that the Food and Drug Agency is openly threatening to ban vape flavors, we can confirm the only winners of such a policy will be Big Tobacco companies. Dont believe me? Earlier this month, the FDA warned the five biggest American manufacturers of vape products that the agency may impose a flavor ban on their industry.

The next day, the stock of major cigarette producers shot up. According to the AP, British American Tobacco had the biggest one-day percentage gain in almost a decade.

The FDA is giving e-cigarette makers 60 days to come up with a plan to stem an alleged teen vape epidemic. If they do not appease the regulators, a flavor ban is a real possibility.

First and foremost, vape products are for adult smokers only. This is already the law in the U.S. and authorities should make it clear that those who market or sell to minors will face the full force of the law.

A flavor ban spells good news for Big Tobacco and bad news for the rest of us.

Thats because for many former smokers, like myself, vaping has been the best alternative that enabled us to quit smoking for good. The power of customer choice of flavor has been a big part of that story. Recently, the FDA requested comments on vape flavors and received thousands of comments like these:

Without flavors I would have never enjoyed the freedom to leave tobacco behind. I've been smoke free for four years now (smoked for 20).

I smoked for 18 years and Vaping with flavors helped me quit where all other methods (patch, pill, lozenges) failed repeatedly.

I smoked for 30+ years. If I wasnt vaping I would still be smoking and my health would be a lot worse...I have no desire to smoke another cigarette. -Shelby McKee from Greenback, TN (sent in a video to the TSFA on why the FDA should not ban flavors)

If we ban vape flavors entirely we are doing more than narrowing the off-ramp for adult smokers, as FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb called it. We are closing the gate entirely. For many who have tried quitting multiple times, but have been unable to be successful, vaping can finally provide a harm-reducing alternative.

Other countries are recognizing this reality and leaning in to it. A study by Public Health England (PHE) showed vaping or e-cigarette usage is 95 percent less harmful than smoking. This respected public health agency is working hard to address to misinformation surrounding vaping.

John Newton, director for Health Improvement at PHE said, It would be tragic if thousands of smokers who could quit with the help of an e-cigarette are being put off due to false fears about their safety.

The U.S. should ensure consumer choice continues to exist for adult smokers seeking to quit and work to prevent youth from ever starting. Lets not prematurely buy into a false dichotomy.

Instead of a blanket ban on flavors, we can and should pursue sensible regulation, which has also been proposed in Congress  and supported by the vaping industry to protect youth and establish attainable product standards.

It should be a win-win. Lets work together to ensure adult smokers maintain access to lower-risk alternatives that can help them reduce harm to their health.

Dimitris Agrafiotis

Executive Director

Tennessee Smoke Free Association

State Republicans were already congratulating businessman Bill Lee on his "overwhelming victory" in the governor's race as early returns began to come in on Tuesday night. Mr. Lee won over his Democratic contender, former Nashville mayor Karl Dean, with over 59 percent of the vote. It was Lee 1,333,811 and Dean 862,324. In Hamilton County, it was 74,386 for Lee to 57,720 for Dean. In Bradley County, it was Lee 26,121 and Dean 7,287.

Marsha Blackburn was declared the winner over former Governor Phil Bredesen in a race that had been projected to be much closer. She won with over 54 percent of the vote. In Hamilton County, it was Blackburn 67,108 and Bredesen 65,032. In Bradley County, it was 24,431 for Blackburn and 9,030 for Bredesen. It was Blackburn 1,225,352 and Bredesen 982,638.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp, in the latest returns, had just over the needed 50 percent of the vote in the Georgia governor race against Democrat Stacey Abrams. Ted Metz, Libertarian, had .9 percent.

Scott Golden, state GOP chairman, said, "Congratulations to Bill Lee on his overwhelming victory in becoming Tennessees 50th governor.

Bills victory tonight shows that Tennesseans in every community believe in him and his vision for the future. I have no doubt that Bill is the right man to lead our state from good to great as Tennessees chief executive.

Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) said, "I would like to congratulate Bill Lee on his victorious campaign for governor. After watching how Bill connects with people and inspires our citizens, I am convinced he is the perfect person to lead our state at this moment. We are in strong position as a state but there is more left to do. Bill is an executive and CEO who is just as comfortable on a farm or factory floor as he is in a boardroom. As a state, Tennessee is on the cusp of moving to the next level and truly leading the nation. Bill Lee is the next level leader who can take us there."

The Lee campaign said, "Tonight, conservative businessman, farmer and Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Lee won the Tennessee governorship by an overwhelming margin over Democrat nominee Mayor Karl Dean."

Mr. Lee said, I offer congratulations to Karl Dean on a race well run. Running for governor is tough work, and it means a lot to put yourself out there to the voters - we need more involvement in the public discourse, not less, and I thank Karl for his commitment to our state.



Lee campaign officials said, "The General Election victory comes after a 19-month campaign, including a hotly contested primary race in which Lee refused to use negative campaign tactics. Throughout the campaign, Lee has traveled to all 95 counties multiple times and focused on three priorities: good schools, good jobs and safe neighborhoods."

During his victory speech on Election night, Mr. Lee thanked voters and supporters and committed to being a governor "who unifies Tennesseans through finding what binds us together as a state and a nation."

He said, I want to speak for just a second to those who may not have voted for me tonight: I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, I care about you, I care about your family, and Im going to do my very best to make you proud that Im your governor.

Bill Lee is the chairman of Lee Company, a family-owned construction, facilities and home services company with offices and operations throughout Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Southern Kentucky. Lee Company employs more than 1,200 people and has annual revenue in excess of $220 million.

In addition to his work with Lee Company, Mr. Lee is also active in Triple L Ranch, a fourth-generation family farm, which operates a 1,000-acre, 400-head Hereford cattle operation, providing natural beef to farmers markets and farm to table restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee.

Lt. Governor McNally said of the Blackburn victory, "Marsha Blackburn ran an outstanding campaign from start to finish. When the pundits had all but counted her out, she just fought harder. Marsha is the conservative champion we need in Washington to fight for the Trump agenda. She fought for Tennessee values in the legislature and in Congress. She will now continue the fight as Senator. I am grateful she will join a Senate majority in Washington committed to putting America First. Having served at the state level as well as the federal level, Marsha will help bring power back to the states and truly make America great again."

National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund Chairman Chris W. Cox said, "On behalf of our nearly six million members, the National Rifle Association congratulates Marsha Blackburn on her election as U.S. Senator from Tennessee. Blackburn is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and she will work hard to protect our constitutional freedoms. Once again, NRA members and Second Amendment supporters made a difference by showing up to the polls and voting. Today, Tennessee voters rejected the extreme gun control agenda backed by Michael Bloomberg and sent a clear message in support of our Second Amendment right to self-defense."Tim Thornbury has been named as the full time city manager of Red Bank, after having the job of Interim city manager for the past several months. Mayor John Roberts said when he became mayor eight years ago, he looked around and evaluated all aspects of the city and determined that cleaning up the city was needed, and putting the right people in the right positions became a priority. Mr. Thornbury was given the job of overseeing the public works department in 2011. That department is responsible for 80 percent of the citys entire yearly budget.

Since he was charged with overseeing improvements in the neighborhoods, property values have increased by 25 percent because Red Bank has been cleaned up, said the mayor. Mr. Thornbury has lived in the city all his life and knows a lot about it, continued Mayor Roberts, and he is the most logical choice to fill the position. The vote to approve Mr. Thornbury as city manager was unanimous.

Continuing the effort to promote commercial development while protecting existing neighborhoods, the commissioners approved the creation of a third commercial designation, C-3 commercial. Already existing is C-1 on the south end of Red Bank and C-2, the central business district. The new C-3 commercial district is on the north end of town, where a lower intensity form of commercial development will be promoted, such as drug stores, bakeries, florists and beauty shops among many other businesses that will be allowed by amending the permitted and prohibited uses within the zone.

Improvements will also continue in the other commercial zones. At the commission meeting Tuesday night an ordinance passed to modify the set back requirements in the commercial zoning districts in order to correspond to provisions that are in the design review ordinance. Another change to the zoning ordinance is regulation of where businesses can have outdoor displays, storage and sell merchandise in the commercial zones.

A zoning change was also approved for 1.3 acres of residential property at 918 Lullwater Road. The zoning was changed from R-1 residential to R-T/Z residential townhouse/zero lot line zone. The owner/developer plans to build six 1,500-1,800-square-foot single-family homesl. The plan previously received approval from the planning commission.

All the zoning changes that were passed Tuesday night will require a second and final reading on Nov. 20, to become law.

City Manager Thornbury reported on a bond of $478,000, a four-year loan that will pay for paving secondary roads and buying a commercial mower, which were both included in the 2018-2019 budget.

The city was authorized to apply for a grant of $2,500 from the Tennessee Municipal League matching grant program. If received it will require an equal match from Red Bank and will be used toward purchasing security cameras for the new city hall building that is currently under construction on Dayton Boulevard.

Taxes will now be collected on short term rentals in Red Bank. The city has entered into an Interlocal agreement with the Hamilton County trustee to collect the hotel, motel and short term residential rental occupancy tax for units operating such as Airbnb and VRBO. Of the four percent tax, the county will keep one percent.

The board of commissioners earlier gave the police department approval to buy surplus property from the Department of Defense. Tuesday night they authorized the chief of police and mayor to sign a release of liability, required by the state of Tennessee, relating to these purchases.

Property that has accumulated in Red Bank from seizures, found or unclaimed items was declared surplus and will be sold on govdeals.com.

Businesses that sell alcohol must be recertified every two years by state law. UMA Partnership has been in operation at 3603 Dayton Blvd. Suite C. Police Chief Robert Simpson has reaffirmed background checks for the owners and found no violations in sales. The mayor was given approval to sign a certificate of compliance so the store can continue to operate.I know that there were a lot of emotions running high during this election. I am proud that emotions on the left were not out of control like so many other events involving the now defunct ANTIFA and their terrorist acts in other cities and states.

FYI, the news media showed a lot of ignorance by not knowing that Air Force One is a Boeing 747; however, the aircraft that landed in Chattanooga was Air Force Two for the vice president, a modified Boeing 757. But when the President is on board its call sign is Air Force One.

And the news media stated there would be substantial protesters on both sides. Only protesters that would be at a Republican rally would be Democrats.

Other than those gaffs local news coverage was okay.

Thank God this election is over and hopefully everyone can go on with their lives for the next two years.

Jack VarnerWARNING for European visitors European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.

As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.David Arnando Keefe, 23, has been arrested after barricading himself in an apartment on Wednesday in Dalton.

The Dalton Police Department responded to the scene of a barricaded subject with a gun at 1004 Richards Street, Apartment 2.

The call began as a domestic incident this morning shortly before 8 a.m. Early indications were that Keefe, was involved in a fight with his girlfriend and fired a shot during the fight. The victim was unharmed and escaped to a neighbors home and called 911.

At approximately 12:10 p.m., SWAT team members from the Georgia State Patrol moved an armored vehicle into position in front of the apartment at 1004 Richards Street, #2 and fired tear gas rounds into the apartment.

Eventually, Keefe came out of the front door with his hands up and surrendered. He was evaluated by EMS and arrested by Dalton officers.

He is charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children in the first degree for committing domestic violence in the presence of the victims children. Further charges are possible.

Dalton detectives are remaining on scene to execute a search warrant to process the crime scene after it airs out more.The Passageways 2.0 permanent alleyway installation, City Thread, opens this Saturday at 4 p.m. at 10 E. 7th St. In a block party lasting until 7 p.m., this family-friendly event is free, open to the public and can be accessed from the 700 block of Cherry St. or the intersection of East 7th and Market Streets.As a new permanent art piece in the 6200 square foot alley, City Thread, a concept from SPORTS, the architecture and design collaborative of Molly Hunker and Greg Corso in Syracuse, NY, is an art-as-urban-infrastructure installation that uses a continuous sculpture through the alley that allows for a multitude of uses including informal lounging/sitting, mini-stages, markets, movie screenings and more.The evening will kick off with brief remarks from Kim White of River City Company, Katelyn Kirnie of Public Art Chattanooga along with comments from City Threads designers Hunker and Corso.Throughout the evening, attendees can enjoy music from local artists Spinster, Courtney Reid and DJ duo WARSAW. The Pop-Up Project will also have a dance performance at 5 p.m. along with food trucks, beer tents and other vendors spread along 700 Cherry and East 7th Streets.Surrounding businesses are also getting in on the evenings fun with Market City Center inviting attendees to come up on their fourth floor balcony to get a birds eye view of the sculpture along with other activities, free food samples from the soon to be opened Bantam and Biddy restaurant and giveaways from London Calling  a recently announced speakeasy style bar on Cherry Street. Attendees will also get to enjoy new and long standing businesses on the block including The Mad Priest Coffee and Cocktails, Cadence Coffee, Burns Tobacconist and Chattanooga Billiard Club.Passageways 2.0 is more than an unveiling of a new sculpture; its the unveiling of a new public space that will serve the downtown community well, states Kim White, president and CEO of River City Company. While we are excited about Saturdays block party, we are more excited to see how downtown workers, residents, businesses and visitors will use the space in the coming months. And, this program is a great example of community partners coming together to make a special place in our downtown for everyone."Passageways 2.0 is the next round of alleyway art and architecture installations to go up in Downtown Chattanoogas City Center thanks to River City Company, Tinker Ma, Public Art Chattanooga, Lyndhurst Foundation and Benwood Foundation. And the opening block party would not be possible without partners First Tennessee Bank, Ragan Smith Associates and BEHR," officials said.At the block party, participants will also get to weigh in on programs and events he or she would like to see in the alley in the coming months. In the first round of Passageways, River City Company held movie nights, concerts, holiday events, art walks and more in the participating alleys. "Events will continue to draw more people into the space in addition to its daily accessibility by the general public and surrounding businesses and residents," organizers said.To secure a free ticket to the opening block party, visit www.passagewayschattanooga.comErlanger representatives and members of Erlangers Employee Veterans Group will honor all veterans on Thursday beginning with a free breakfast in the POB Dining Room from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. and a ceremony in the Medical Mall at 11 a.m. at the Erlanger Baroness Hospital. Members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families are welcome to attend.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ROTC Color Guard will begin the ceremony Presenting the Colors followed by a performance of the National Anthem by James Ballou (Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class), a prayer by Navy Chaplain Adam Boggess, and conclude with remarks from Sean Turner (Air Force, Senior Airman) and Terry Ellis (Army Reserve, SFC).

RSVP is requested by calling 423 778-5538.Although she used to be pretty low-key, these days Melania Trump is one of the most recognizable women in the world. After she wed Donald Trump, the former model was thrust into the limelight a bit but was still able to maintain her privacy and not too much was known about her. Now that her husband is the 45th President of the United States though weve been learning more and more about the first lady.

A few questions that always come up about Melania are how old she is and how long shes been Mrs. Trump. Here are the answers to those questions as well as some other interesting things you probably never knew about the FLOTUS including why she refused The Donalds advances at first.

How old is Melania Trump?

Melania Trump was born Melanija Knavs (Germanized to Melania Knauss) on April 26, 1970, to parents Viktor and Amalija Knavs. She grew up in Sevnica in present-day Slovenia, which at the time of her birth was part of the communist nation Yugoslavia. Melania is the only first lady who was raised in a communist country and just the second to be born outside the U.S. Before her John Quincy Adamss wife, Louisa Catherine Johnson, was born in London to a British mother and an American father who was a merchant and diplomat living in England.

Melania worked as a fashion model in Paris and Milan but decided to move to New York City when she was in her late twenties and it was there she would meet her future husband.

How long has she been married to Donald Trump?

Melania and Donald Trump met at a party back in 1998 held at the Kit Kat Club in Manhattan but the businessman was actually there on a date with another woman when he spotted his future wife.

Inside Edition reported that Donald attended the event with Norwegian cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart. When she left him to go to the restroom, Donald went up to Melania and tried to get her number. However, she knew he was there with someone else and refused his advances.

He came to the party with a date! I had heard he was a ladies man, and so I said, Im not one of the ladies,' Melania told Time in the book Donald Trump: The Rise of a Rule Breaker.

Melania did not give Donald her number that night but instead took his and made him wait a little while before she gave him a call. It was then that the two developed a connection and began dating soon after. In 2004, he proposed to her and they were married in a lavish ceremony at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2005. Melania obtained U.S. citizenship the following year.

Melania is very different from first ladies before her

In addition to being the only FLOTUS who grew up in a communist country and just the second born outside the U.S., Melania has set herself apart from other first ladies as well.

She is the only first lady whose native language isnt English. Shes actually a polyglot who speaks several languages including Slovene, Italian, Serbo-Croatian, French, and German.

Melania is Catholic. The only other first lady to practice Catholicism was Jackie Kennedy. Mrs. Trump is also the only FLOTUS who is her husbands third wife and the only one to have posed nude for magazines. And finally, she is fulling her role in the White House not by tradition like the women before her but on her own terms.

Read more: Things You Probably Didnt Know About Melania and Donald Trumps son Barron

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!For Subscribers New and current council members to handle road repair, COVID recovery

A new era awaits Pueblo City Council next year with the introduction of four new members and more funding to allocate toward road repair.79 Presbyterian Schoolchildren Kidnapped in Cameroon Near Where US Missionary Was Murdered Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

Prayers are being urged after 79 schoolchildren, along with three staff members, were kidnapped by separatists from a Presbyterian school in Cameroon.

The Associated Press reported that the students, aged between 11-17, have appeared in a video posted on social media by the abductors, who call themselves "Amba boys."

The latest incident on Sunday in the English-speaking region of the country is apparently related to the separatists' attempts to establish an independent state in Cameroon's Anglophone North West and South West regions.

The video shows the boys being forced by the kidnappers to give their names and those of their parents.

The armed men in the video explain that the students will not be released until their new state "Ambazonia" is created.

"We shall only release you after the struggle. You will be going to school now here," the men say.

The school is located in Nkwen, a village near the regional capital, Bamenda, not far from where U.S. missionary Charles Wesco was murdered in front of his wife and son last week.

"It is rather unfortunate that this is happening, that 79 of our children and three of their staff can be picked up by terrorists," said North West Region Gov. Deben Tchoffo. "We have asked our military to do everything and bring back the kids alive."

Read more about Christians in Cameroon on The Christian Post.African-Americans Have Greater Bible Engagement, Care More About Moral Decline Than Most Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Leah MarieAnn Klett

African-Americans have higher levels of Bible engagement and are more concerned about the decline in morality than the general U.S. population, a recent study has found.

The latest State of the Bible survey by American Bible Society found that African-Americans ranked exceptionally high when it comes to areas of biblical engagement.

Overall, African-Americans ranked higher than other Americans when it comes to: listening to a church leader (48 percent) versus a business leader (9 percent), owning at least one Bible in their homes (93 percent), wishing they read the Bible more (74 percent), downloading or using a Bible app on a smartphone (52 percent), and increasing Bible reading in the last year (26 percent).

For many African-Americans, it is more important to start the day with the Bible than coffee, as 37 percent chose the Bible over caffeine, sweets, and social media. African-Americans with higher levels of Bible engagement are also more likely to desire even more interaction with the Bible, and half of all African-Americans say they always feel more connected to God when they read the Bible.

The study also found that nearly half  45 percent  of African-Americans believe the Bible has too little influence on society. Additionally, 83 percent of African-Americans are concerned about the decline in morality compared to 79 percent of all Americans, with 23 percent citing the lack of Bible reading as the reason for the decline.

Interestingly, 51 percent of African-Americans are still more optimistic about the future than Whites (32 percent) or Asians (24 percent). While about half believe the Bible strongly discourages pornography and prostitution, as a group, they are less certain about what the Bible says about politics and public life than other topics.

Stil, 92 percent say elected leaders should display peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control, and 61 percent believe the Bible is the moral fabric of the U.S. compared to 39 percent who believe the U.S. Constitution is.

Roy Peterson, president and CEO of American Bible Society, said the study indicates that African-Americans know that Bible engagement can impact all areas of their lives for the better.

"The Bible is the source of ultimate hope and joy," he said. "People who devote time in it can discover for themselves how the Word of God can help make sense of life."

Read more about African-Americans Have Greater Bible Engagement, Care More About Moral Decline Than Most on The Christian Post.Asia Bibi Vindicated  But Still in Danger Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by John Stonestreet And Roberto Rivera

The prayers of Christians around the world for Asia Bibi have been answered, but many more are needed for her and for all Pakistani Christians.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy.

The acquittal was not only a just ruling, it was an incredibly courageous act by the Court. And still, we should be clear that until Asia Bibi is out of the country, she's not out of danger. Even more, all Pakistani Christians face a very volatile and dangerous situation there now.

Here's the background: In June, 2009, Asia got into a dispute with her Muslim neighbors. Her family was the only Christian family in that village, and her neighbors had objected to a non-Muslim using the same cup to fetch water from a well as they did.

A few days later, her neighbors successfully petitioned the local cleric to charge her with insulting the prophet Muhammad. What she actually said was "I'm not going to convert [to Islam]. I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Mohammad ever do to save mankind?"

She was then arrested and imprisoned while awaiting trial. Sixteen months later, a judge found her guilty and sentenced her to death.

Then matters got even worse.

When she appealed her case to the highest court in her native Punjab province, the provincial governor there, Salman Taseer predicted that she would be pardoned by Pakistan's president.

A few weeks later, Taseer was killed by his own bodyguard.

He wasn't the only politician to be killed for defending Bibi. Two months later, Shahbaz Bhatti, a member of the cabinet, was also assassinated for speaking up on her behalf.

Bibi was to spend nearly eight more years in jail waiting to learn if she would be executed. In the meantime, her family was forced to flee their village because they too were threatened with death.

Finally, on Wednesday, Pakistan's Supreme Court rendered a 56-page opinion citing, among other things, the Quran, Islamic scholars and Shakespeare. In it, the Court overturned the guilty verdict and ordered her release.

Read more about Asia Bibi on The Christian Post.Asia Bibi's 'Shattered' Family Begs for Help, Have 'Nothing to Eat;' Christian Mother Still Jailed Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

The family of Asia Bibi has begged the international community for help, saying they have "nothing to eat" as they remain trapped in Pakistan, along with the Christian mother of five.

"Help us get out of Pakistan. We are extremely worried because our lives are in danger. We no longer have even anything to eat, because we cannot leave the house to buy food," Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need.

As AFP reported that Bibi, who was acquitted last week by the Pakistani Supreme Court after eight years on death row on charges of blasphemy, remained in prison on Wednesday.

Islamic hardliners have been protesting against her release, forcing Prime Minister Imran Khan to agree to a review of her case, which could block her from leaving the country.

"Asia Bibi is in Multan jail and has not been released yet. We have not received orders to release her so far," said Zawar Hussain Warraich, minister for prisons in Punjab province.

"Normally we receive orders in two days after court judgement and if relatives and lawyers of a prisoner are very active, they can bring it even within a day. But as far as Asia Bibi is concerned, it has not happened yet," Warraich added.

"[The] Supreme Court should issue a directive to send us her release orders. We will release her as soon as we get it."

Saif ul-Malook, Asia Bibi's defense lawyer, was forced to flee Pakistan in fear for his life following the ruling.

Read more about Asia Bibi on The Christian Post.Boko Haram Had No Idea That Burning One Young Man's Village Would Make Him a Christian Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Rachel Godwin

"Blow up every church" and "kill every Christian" in Nigeria. That was the directive of Abu Musab al-Barnawi to his fellow Islamic militants when he became the new leader of Boko Haram in 2016.

Since 2000, the terrorist group has killed more than 11,500 Christians.

As you prepare for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Nov. 4, pray for the comfort and safety of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. Ask God to convict the hearts of the Boko Haram militants, and pray that He will use this difficult time to change lives as He did with 20-year-old Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, whose name I've changed to protect him, was raised in a strict Muslim household. When Boko Haram arrived to kill the Christians living in his village, they never dreamed their actions would lead to this young man's salvation.

The terrorists burned houses and killed anyone in their way, including Emmanuel's father. Emmanuel and his mother barely escaped, aided by the help of their Christian neighbors.

Touched by their kindness, Emmanuel listened carefully as these men told him about Jesus Christ. He was struck by the drastic difference between the love and forgiveness Jesus offered and the hate and violence preached by extremists.

When Emmanuel told his mother he wanted to convert to Christianity, she told him he was making a mistake. But Emmanuel had made up his mind. After all that Jesus had suffered to give him salvation, Emmanuel considered it a small sacrifice to risk being estranged from his mother.

Even when Boko Haram singled him out for persecution, Emmanuel stood strong in his faith.

Read more about Boko Haram on The Christian Post.Christian Evangelist Arrested in Turkey After Brunson's Release, Told to Leave Country 07 November, 2018 by World Watch Monitor , |

After 20 months in bureaucratic limbo, Canadian-American Christian David Byle was arrested and detained overnight by security police in Ankara, the Turkish capital.

His detention took place on Oct. 13, the morning after American Pastor Andrew Brunson was ordered released by an Izmir court and allowed to return to the United States.

Although Byle was initially informed he would be deported the next day, the long-term resident of Turkey was then released and ordered to leave Turkey within days. After returning to his home in Istanbul, he flew out of Istanbul to the U.S. on Oct. 25 without incident.

As a Canadian-American, Byle had no valid residence permit to present to officers conducting routine ID checks when he arrived from Istanbul at the Ankara train station.

But when he was taken to the Turkish capital's Anti-Terror Police Department, officials quickly confirmed that their latest Western-citizen detainee had in fact been staying in the country legally for the past 1.5 years, protected by a temporary constitutional-court order blocking a previous criminal-court order that had called for his deportation and subsequent re-entry ban.

Read more about David Byle on The Christian Post.Eugene Peterson's Son Reveals His Father 'Fooled' Everyone, Had Only One Real Sermon for the World Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

The family and friends of Christian author Eugene Peterson celebrated his life at his memorial service on Saturday, with son Leif revealing the one message his father had for the world.

Peterson, most famous for The Message Bible, passed away at the age of 85 in October, leaving behind a legacy of influence.

Leif Peterson touched on that legacy during his speech at First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell, Montana, recalling that his family for years received messages from people explaining how Peterson led them to ministry and saved their marriages.

He said that in the latter stages of his life, his father didn't always understand the full context of the letters that were sent to him, but appreciated that they were good news.

"My dad's message was that good news always plays out best in relationships. The writer of Genesis tells us that at the end of each day of creation, God looked around the world that He had done, and saw that it was good," Leif Peterson said.

"I think my dad did that a lot. He was always looking around at the mountains, at the flowers, at the birds, at the relationships forming and playing all around him, and you could tell from that signature twinkle in his eyes, what he was thinking 'oh man that's good, that's really good.'"

Leif Peterson revealed that he used to joke with his father and tell him that he "only had one sermon, one message" despite decades of creativity in sharing the Bible with people in new ways, something which he believes to be fairly accurate.

"It's almost laughable how you fooled them, how for 30 years every week you made them think you were saying something new," he said as part of a poem addressed to his father.

"They thought you were a magician in your long black robe hiding so much in your ample sleeves, always pulling something fresh and making them think it was just for them," he continued.

"They didn't know how simple it all was. They were blind to your secret."

Leif Peterson said that he knew his father's secret, however, as he had been telling him for 50 years.

"For 50 years you steal into my room at night and whispered softly to my sleeping head. It's the same message over and over:

'God loves you. He's on your side. He's coming after you. He's relentless.'"

Eugene Peterson's other son, Eric Peterson, a Presbyterian pastor in Colbert, Washington, led the service on Saturday.

Read more about Eugene Peterson's memorial service on The Christian Post.Evangelical Professor Disciplined for Refusing to Use Feminine Pronouns for Transgender Student Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

An evangelical professor has filed a lawsuit against his employer, Shawnee State University in Ohio, stating that he is being pressured into using feminine pronouns for a transgender student.

Nicholas Meriwether, a philosophy professor and member of the Presbyterian Church of America, argues in the lawsuit that he offered to use the first or last name of a male-born student who identifies as female, but the compromise was rejected.

Instead, the university is forcing Meriwether to use titles and pronouns such as "Miss" and "she" when speaking with the student, he says.

Meriwether explains that his religious faith governs the way he thinks about human nature, gender, sexuality, and other issues.

Read more about transgender students on The Christian Post.Ex-LGBT Men, Women Say 'Boy Erased' Film Is 'Inaccurate,' Frames Christianity Unfairly Christian Post Reporter | 07 November, 2018 by Brandon Showalter

Former LGBT-identified persons say God is moving in remarkable ways in the midst of cultural confusion surrounding sexuality and the misinformation pushed in films like "Boy Erased."

"Boy Erased" is a coming-of-age drama based on Garrard Conley's 2016 memoir which traces the journey of a boy whose Baptist parents force him to participate in what is often derisively called "gay conversion therapy." Hopeless and trapped in sexual feelings he cannot escape, the boy seeks to force himself into a different sexual experience and underwent horrific treatments while in this particular program. The motion picture, which is now showing in theaters nationwide, features A-list Oscar-winning actors Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.

Some say there the film's central message is misleading and frames the Christian faith unfairly, particularly regarding human sexuality.

"[W]e don't think we've seen all that God offers for people questioning their sexuality. And we don't believe that Hollywood's representation of Christian faith is accurate," explained Ken Williams and Elizabeth Woning  both of whom are former homosexuals and are featured in the recent book #Changed  of the Redding, California-based Equipped to Love in an essay on their website about the movie.

But to address this, a new model and approach to ministry is needed, they say, one that embraces and is not afraid of the process, which can be messy.

"We don't have everything figured out, but we do know the craziness of blame and accusation needs to stop. We are resolved to walk humbly together, celebrating Jesus and His love, and pursuing all God has for us. We expect God to do incredible things."

"The elephant in the room is change in one's sexual orientation. Since Scripture so clearly addresses sex, ordaining that sex take place only in marriage between a man and a woman, why wouldn't we expect God to shape our sexuality? He's obviously very concerned about it."

Williams added in comments emailed to CP Thursday that he's grateful to know that a former director of an ex-gay ministry  where in the movie it's depicted that the brutal therapies are shown to have occurred  has said that such practices did not actually happen.

"Fortunately, there are many life-giving and client-directed options today for personal ministry and counseling for those desiring to leave homosexuality. We just need to protect the rights of those who identify as LGBTQ to get whatever counseling they personally desire," Williams said.

Gabriel Pagan, 25, who's a staff pastor at Love Revolution Church in Columbus, Georgia, concurs, telling The Christian Post in an interview Thursday that when he left homosexuality six years ago, the most difficult thing was not "leaving" per se but "facing the invitation to trust and be vulnerable again."

"I was addicted to gay pornography and I had enough of random [sexual] encounters that I wasn't happy," Pagan recounted, noting that he was on the path to suicide if something did not change.

"When I met Jesus it was through encounters of His manifest presence, visions, and prophetic words. The main thing He focused on was showing me how I was loved. He would remind me that I wasn't disgusting or dirty like I believed I was, and wouldn't really focus on sexuality but my heart. I believe that's because we both equally wanted something different and I took Him up in the offer of a new life."

Read more about Ex-LGBT Men, Women Say 'Boy Erased' Film Is 'Inaccurate,' Frames Christianity Unfairly on The Christian Post.Over 3,000 Egyptian Churches Still Waiting for Licenses 2 Years After Landmark Law Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Samuel Smith

More than 3,000 churches and church-affiliated buildings are still awaiting legal recognition from the Egyptian government nearly two years after the passing of legislation hailed by some as positive step for religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country.

According to an October report from the Coptic-founded news outlet Watani International, only 340 out of 3,730 applications from unlicensed churches seeking legal status and building permits have been granted in the wake of a 2016 law meant to provide an avenue for Christians to legally build and renovate churches.

Although the law was said to have made it easier for Christians to renovate churches, many feared it gave too much power to local governments to deny church construction.

After over a year, the Egyptian Cabinet has granted some churches legal status in three different waves over the course of 2018, with the latest coming on October 10 when the cabinet approved the applications of 120 churches.

Read more about churches in Egypt on The Christian Post.'Resenting God': When Christians Feel Anger, Where Churches Fail, and Why the Bible Is Vital Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

Resentment of God is something that affects both Christians and atheists, yet few are able to admit it, and churches struggle to help, an author, pastor and church planter says.

John I. Snyder, an ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who has served in missions around the world and speaks at conferences across the U.S. and Europe, argues in Resenting God: Escape the Downward Spiral of Blame that resentment and anger are on the rise in today's social climate.

As people deal with ever-growing confusion, injustice, and depression, many are blaming God for their pain, which is leading some to become disillusioned with Christianity, or walk away from faith altogether, he warns.

Resenting God tackles the many different reasons people become resentful toward God, from seemingly unanswered prayers to loss and suffering, and how that takes a grip on one's life, with the negative effects spreading out toward the rest of society as well.

The author, who has taught New Testament studies at New College, Berkeley, California, shares of his own grief, frustration, and confusion when he underwent significant hardship and lost most of his eyesight for several years.

Greatly challenging was that his Christian friends and pastor deemed his "raw response" to be unacceptable for a believer, an attitude that Snyder warns continues to manifest in many churches, isolating Christians who are struggling.

The book, which was published on October 16, argues that much of these attitudes stem from an inaccurate view of God that misunderstands the role of suffering in faith, and advocates for the importance of good biblical teaching.

"We've all been there or are there. It can strike any person, anytime, anywhere. If we let down our guard and begin to give in to it, we'll be pulled into a powerful downward spiral that we can't escape by our own strength," he writes about resentment.

"We find ourselves asking: 'How can I forgive when the pain is so great? Does forgiving mean I have to forget the past? What if I choose not to forgive?'"

The book delves into the lives and various experiences of Christians around the world, including those under severe, daily persecution in North Korea, and how their view on suffering differs from many in the West.

Still, Resenting God offers hope and inspiration for those who feel their church doesn't understand them and feel like they are being punished by God, affirming that God knows what people are going through, and will not walk away from them.

Below is a Q&A The Christian Post conducted with Snyder about Resenting God, which also touches upon some of the most difficult questions believers have, such as why does God allow suffering.

The email interview, conducted on Thursday, has been edited for clarity.

CP: You mention that resentment against God isn't often preached at church. Do you feel that many pastors/church-leaders are ill-equipped to address the topic? Or are there not many good ways to address it at church at all?

Snyder: I think most pastors and church leaders are very capable of addressing this topic, but I have found many pastors feel uncomfortable with discussing it because resenting God is considered something Christians should never do, almost blasphemous  we shouldn't complain about God or feel any resentment or bitterness toward him. I don't know if anyone has ever said that to you, but it's a lie.

Telling us not to resent or complain about God overlooks the fact that disillusionment with God and resentment toward him is a common and longstanding experience of God's people, going far back into the Old Testament. Moses (Numbers 11:10-15), Jonah (Jonah 34), Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-5), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7) went through it, as well as many believers in church history up to the present day.

So there are sufficient precedents for teaching and preaching on the problem. However, there's a general understanding that believers need to promote Christian life as "every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before." Anything else just doesn't advertise well.

CP: In the book you point out the many reasons, including mistaken ideas of God, for why people come to resent God. What would you say are the root causes that lead people to gain mistaken perceptions of God?

Read more about resentment of God on The Christian Post.Teaching Intersectionality in Polarized Culture Leads to Anti-White, Anti-Male Sentiments, NYU Prof Says 07 November, 2018 by Leonardo Blair , |

Despite good intentions, the teaching of intersectionality in an increasingly polarized society is leading to angry anti-white, anti-male sentiments, warns Jonathan Haidt, a Jewish, atheist professor of social psychology at New York University whose scholarship is celebrated by many conservative Christians.

"The idea is bright and useful and if you watch your TED Talk it's good. It's nothing I object to. It's helpful... but here's the problem  when we teach intersectionality on American college campuses today, in a very polarized climate ... you're teaching people to see more differences. To divide people into the oppressor group and the oppressed group," Haidt said Thursday at the inaugural Anita and Antonio Gotto Lecture Series at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

The term "Intersectionality" was popularized by civil rights activist and legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989. Crenshaw wrote in a paper for the University of Chicago Legal Forum that traditional feminist ideas and antiracist policies exclude black women because they face overlapping discrimination unique to them.

"Because the intersectional experience is greater than the sum of racism and sexism, any analysis that does not take intersectionality into account cannot sufficiently address the particular manner in which Black women are subordinated," Crenshaw wrote in the paper.

Haidt, who recently co-authored The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff, highlighted the concept as part of a larger presentation that looked at how parents and educators were failing to prepare the next generation to be as strong and resilient as they need to be. He also discussed how a better understanding of human moral psychology can bring people together across political and religious divides and how the use of ancient wisdom can help put the nation back on the right path.

Read more about intersectionality on The Christian Post.Vivisecting Children Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Fay Voshell

C.S Lewis' legions of fans will remember his fierce opposition to vivisection. In his prescient book God in the Dock, he includes a chapter on experimentation on animals, in which he concludes that vivisection of beasts marks a triumph of "ruthless, nonmoral utilitarianism over ethical law...We choose the jungle and must abide by our choice."

Lewis added that experiments on animals lends a justificatory framework for the vivisection of human beings:

"But the most sinister thing about modern vivisection is this. If a mere sentiment justifies cruelty, why stop at a sentiment for the whole human race? There is also a sentiment for the white man against the black, for a Herrenvolk against the non-Aryans, for "civilized" or "progressive" peoples against "savage" or "backward" peoples. Finally, for our own country, party, or class against others. Once the old Christian idea of a total difference in kind between man beast has been abandoned, then no argument for experiments on animals can be found which is not also an argument for experiments on inferior men. If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons. Indeed, experiments on men have already begun. We all hear that Nazi scientists have done them. We all suspect that our own scientists may begin to do so, in secret, at any moment."

Of course, Lewis, who wrote the above after the exposure of the horrors of the Third Reich, was completely correct that Nazi scientists experimented on humans.

In a heartrending YouTube video, 84-year-old Eva Mozes Kor, a survivor of the infamous twin experiments performed by Dr. Joseph Mengele, relates her and her twin sister's experiences of having undergone vivisection and poisoning. Mengele's goal was to find out how to increase the Aryan population by enabling the birth of more twins, but he also was caught up in experimenting with developing Aryan characteristics by such means as injecting dye into brown eyes in order they become blue. Eva recalls that in one particularly gruesome experiment, Mengele sewed two Romani twins together back to back in order to create conjoined twins. The screaming children died of gangrene after three days of hideous suffering.

Less well known than his attempts at making brown eyes blue is the fact Mengele performed sex change operations, operating on victims without anesthesia. All his experiments were done in complete secret, with the only witnesses to his demented research being the few twins who survived his vivisectiontwins like Eva Kor.

Today's mad scientists are not doing vivisection of humans in secret. In fact, vivisection is being performed quite openly and routinely in full view of the public. But now experimentation on human beings goes by the name of human "rights" advocated by the transgender movement. The cult of transgenderism, in which vivisection is done on mere children in order to satisfy the fantasy that one can become other than the sex with which they are born, has an entire religious-political rationale that provides a justificatory framework for what is actually Mengele type experiments on children and youths.

The truth is that the world views of transgenderism and Nazism share a similar rationale concerning experimentation on human beings. Both see vivisection and disfigurement of the body as a way to improve humanity, asserting by surgery transformative power over basic characteristics of the human race. The deliberate infliction of pain and torture, including drugs that produce sterility, is considered by both ideologies as a necessary good in order the human race move toward mastery of its inherent and natural structural limitations, including sex as assigned by birth.

For Nazism, a master Aryan race could be achieved. For transgenderism, elevation above the natural limitations of being male or female can be achieved. For both, control of a human being's physical material will transform the person who undergoes vivisection into something better than they were before. For both, a type of redemption from mere mortality is achieved by manipulation of the physical body. Indeed, some churches have already considered acknowledging the new trans doctrines of redemption by developing liturgies celebrating the "transition" from one sex to another. It is worth noting that the current paroxysms of the Catholic Church, while centered on the child abuse and homosexual issues, are due in part to the transgender revolution--whether or not that revolution is acknowledged. The "T" in the LGBTQ movement that has infiltrated the Catholic church does, after all, stand for "Transgender," and thus for the ersatz redemption by mutilation the cult endorses. In consequence, the Catholic church might face another child abuse scandal as children become targets for mutilation and sterilization.

In both ideologies, any method is justified by the supposition that the person who undergoes mutilation and sterilization is an improved version of the human race; that he or she has transcended the ordinary limitations of this mortal coil by shuffling it off for another version. The fact "transitioning" is posited as voluntary choice by mere children does not mitigate the horror of what is happening to them. In fact, in many ways the canard that children can choose to be mutilated makes the whole transgender movement even more prurient, as parental and state protective cover and guidance of the young minds vanishes. Unprotected children are as sheep led to the slaughter, firmly believing that they can be anything they want to be; that mutilation and sterilization are the ultimate self-improvements. In actuality, they are sacrificial lambs being led to the dissection table.

At the bottom of the Nazi and transgender ideologies is the idea that all natural human characteristics, including sexual distinctions, can be tinkered with and even eliminated by a ruling elite who have taken the position of the gods. The transformer may, by surgery and experimentation, change mere malleable flesh into something that is more than human. Both believe in the reconstruction of physicality in order to create a new man; a new woman.

Read more about Vivisecting Children on The Christian Post.Who Are America's Moral Leaders? Do We Even Have Any? Christian Examiner Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Ken Lambert

An article a few months ago in USA Today had a very similar title to this one, and I read it seeking an answer... a name perhaps. However, after reading it, there were zero candidates mentioned for who might be a moral leader or "the" moral leader of the United States here in 2018.

The two key points it did note, which I agree with, are that the current President (regardless of what political affiliation you are part of) is certainly NOT the moral leader of the country. The other aspect of the piece which was stated quite clearly is that we as a society are certainly less moral and have less prudent guidance than our nation did 50 or 60 years ago.

Seeing that there were no candidates for who might be our de facto moral leader, I'd like to make an attempt at answering this question. As Christianity is (still) by far the prevailing religion (and philosophy) within the country, it would stand to reason that the actual moral leader should be in the realm of this religion. The following are people we might assume as candidates for USA's #1 moral leaderwith a few notes of each (in no particular order):

Cardinals Daniel DiNardo and Timothy Dolan: DiNardo is the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Dolan is a Catholic Cardinal who serves as the Archbishop of New Yorkthe largest city in the country. Both seem to only be visible within Roman Catholic circles; I've almost never heard of either of them taking a stand in a public way on a semi-regular basis. Once in a great while, their names are in the secular news. As for name recognition, I'd venture to say that 95% of non-Catholics do not know who they are. I'd also venture that 65% of Roman Catholics do not know of them either.

Pastor Rick Warren: Senior pastor of Saddleback (mega) Church, Warren is of course the author of the hugely successful, "A Purpose-Driven Life" book, and has a popular national, daily radio program.

Vice President Mike Pence: While most would argue that President Trump is far from moral or righteous or religious, it is fairly clear that Pence is quite religious and takes a stand for nearly all Christian values. The "evangelical Catholic" seems to appeal to both Catholics and the evangelical community. Pence was formerly a governor and a U.S. Congressman.

Pastor Joel Osteen: Osteen is senior pastor of Lakewood Church, which has one of the largest weekly attendances in the country. His is regarded as a "televangelist," with his TV broadcast seen by roughly 7 million viewers per week. Osteen has also written 7 successful religious/spiritual books.

Rev. Billy Graham: How could a man make this list when he is deceased? That is the point; Pastor Graham was legitimately the last "moral leader" in Americamany would argue. His passing in early 2018 followed several years of declining health and influential engagements throughout the U.S. This article tries to locate the "next" version of the well-respected Graham.

Rev. Al Sharpton/Rev. Jesse Jackson: I group both of these well-recognized ministers in the same category, as they share many commonalities. Though I do not follow them closely, I would say I have not heard them talk about Jesus much in the past decade or so. It is my opinion that their focus is on racism and race relations, and also politics.

Are there other relevant persons to list here?

While arriving at this draft list, I realized it is difficult to even come up with a list of possibilities. We truly do not have folks that are all of the following: strong Christian, compassionate, respectful, well-known, well-respected, intelligent, kind.

Perhaps it is not important for the United States to have a moral leader; it is not "necessary." That may be the case, as we are not a theocracy. However, if there was someone vocal who were advocating regularly for doing the "right" and holy thing, maybe our overall society would be in a better standing compared to where we have come to over the past couple of decades. There is a constant mantra that America is losing its moral compass. How do we all fix it, and who might spearhead the effort?

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.'With Our Souls, Our Blood, We Will Defend the Cross': Coptic Christians Cry Out at Funerals Christian Post Contributor | 07 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

The Coptic Christian community in Egypt is crying out in grief and anger following the funerals of seven believers who were killed by Islamic militants near a monastery in Minya.

The attack on Friday, which left at least another 19 people injured, prompted a swift response from Egyptian police, who say that they killed 19 militants in a shoot-out into the desert area west of Minya province.

AFP reported that the first victim, an Anglican, was buried on Friday, while the other six Coptic Christians were carried out in white coffins on Saturday by hundreds of mourners. The crowds reportedly shouted "with our souls, with our blood, we will defend the cross!"

Bishop Makarios of Minya said following the funerals that "we will not forget the promises of officials, including the president of the republic, that the criminals will be punished."

The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for Friday's massacre, which comes a year after 28 believers were killed travelling to the same monastery in May 2017.

Egypt's interior ministry said that police pursued the militants and discovered a tent where they had been hiding. Officers found guns, riffles, and IS propaganda.

Copts, who make up only around 10 percent of the local population, have called for better protection as radical Islamic danger remains high in Egypt.

"What do these terrorists want? Do they want us to hate Muslims?" asked one mourner, identified only as Michael, who lost a neighbor on Friday, when the militants attacked two buses near the Minya monastery.

During Saturday's funerals, mourners remembered those they lost.

"He was the best child ... I'll never see him again," said an elderly woman, who wasn't named.

Rad Noseer Mitri, priest of Mar Girgis Church, suggested that forgiveness is possible even in such a situation.

"We would like to tell them (the attackers) that we still love them despite what happened. We have a question though  why are you doing this to us? We do not commit malice towards anyone," Mitri said, according to Reuters.

Read more about the Coptic Christian community in Egypt on The Christian Post.The Southern District of Florida blog was started in 2005 by David Oscar Markus , who is a criminal trial and appellate lawyer in Miami, Florida. He frequently practices in federal courts around the country, including his hometown, the Southern District of Florida and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a former law clerk to then-Chief Judge of the District, Edward B. Davis.Voters in Alabama and West Virginia passed constitutional amendments Tuesday that could result in abortion being outlawed if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Alabama voters, by a margin of 59-41, approved an amendment to the state constitution that recognizes and supports the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. It also states that nothing in the state constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.

In West Virginia, voters passed an amendment, 52-48 percent, that says nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.

Both amendments would make it easier to ban abortion in the two states if Roe is overturned. Thats because state courts would be unable to legalize abortion by using the state constitutions.

Rick Renshaw of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama called passage of that states amendment a testament to the conservative values of Alabama.

Its also going to be a victory for truth because we were massively outspent $1.4 million [from Planned Parenthood] to $8,000 dollars, Renshaw said, according to Al.com.

But pro-lifers lost a ballot initiative in Oregon that would have restricted taxpayer funding of abortion. With 90 percent of the vote counted, the initiative was losing, 64-36 percent.

Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com

Photo courtesy: Echo Grid/UnsplashAmericans gave Democrats control of the House of Representatives Tuesday but ensured divided government for at least two years by strengthening Republicans hold on the Senate.

Democrats won back the House for the first time since 2010, guaranteeing that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) will be elected speaker again provided she has support of her caucus. As of Tuesday, Democrats had won 222 seats to the GOPs 199, with more than a dozen races still undecided in the 435-seat chamber. A party needs 218 seats to win power.

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans, Pelosi said after networks called the House for Democrats. Its about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration.

Pelosi, though, indicated she wanted to stop the division between the two parties and emphasized unity for our country.

We have a bipartisan marketplace of ideas that makes our democracy strong, Pelosi said. A Democratic Congress will work for solutions that bring us together, because we have all had enough of division.

President Trump, during a Wednesday press conferences, spotlighted the Republicans success in the Senate.

Last night the Republican party defied history to expand our Senate majority while significantly beating expectations in the House, he said. We did this in spite of a very dramatic fundraising disadvantage driven by Democrats wealthy donors and special interests and a very hostile media coverage, to put it mildly.

He also congratulated Pelosi.

I give her a great deal of credit for what she has done and what she has accomplished, Trump said. Hopefully we can all work together to continue delivering for the American people.

Trump mentioned several issues  economic growth, infrastructure, trade and lowering the cost of prescription drugs  that he is willing to work with Democrats. He even said Democratic control of the House puts him in a better position to pass legislation than if the GOP had narrowly kept the chamber.

We have a lot of things in common, Trump said.

In the Senate, Republicans went into the election with 51 seats and could increase that to 54, which would be advantageous in confirming judges. The GOP flipped Senate seats held by Democrats in Florida, Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota, while Democrats won a seat held by the GOP in Nevada. Races in Arizona (where the Republican leads) and Montana (where the Democrat leads) have yet to be called.

Political observers said it will easier to confirm Trumps justices in the new Senate.

With just 51 Republicans in the Senate, any two GOP members  say, Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski  could keep a nomination from going forward by voicing objections, Byron York wrote for the Washington Examiner. With a bigger GOP majority, party leadership will be able to confirm a nominee even if Collins and Murkowski objects.

Ed Whelan, writing at NationalReview.com, agreed.

From the narrow perspective of judicial confirmations, yesterdays elections were a huge success, Whelan wrote. ... [T]hose additional seats provide a lot of space in the event that there is another Supreme Court vacancy over the next two years. Simply put, it ought to be an easy matter to confirm another outstanding judicial conservative (or two) to the Court.

Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com

Photo courtesy: Jorge Alcala/UnsplashVirtual Reality Churchs first baptism took place in a 3D house with an underground pool and a massive billboard overhead proclaiming A Special Baptism and Communion service. Alina Delp, 46portrayed as a purple, robot-like avatarstood submerged in the water while Pastor D. J. Soto proclaimed her new life in Christ and her sins washed away. When her avatar floated to the surface, dozens of congregants and family members cheered, their avatars sending heart and clap icons floating skyward.

Delp rarely leaves her house due to erythromelalgia, a rare condition that makes it painful to be outside for longer than a few minutes. Baptism would have been difficult for her in the past. With the virtual baptism, her family members from all over the country were able to witness the event in real time.

When the opportunity came to me, I just had to do it. I was so excited that church was an option for me, that baptism was an option for me, she said.

She ...

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Secular progressivism, in the spirit of the Babel-builders, wants a utopia on human terms. They quest for nothing less than the restoration of Paradise, but without God. Few things show this as graphically as the illusion for a borderless world that has gripped so many left-progressives.

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay and I explored the progressivist illusion and its implications for border policy in our 2016 book, Revival! Revolution! Rebirth! As thinkers from (at least) Edmund Burke, John Adams, G.K. Chesterton, T.S. Eliot, Christopher Dawson, Samuel Huntington, and Russell Kirk have pointed out, a civilization and nations within it are defined by a core worldview. It is the reference point for the values that make the society what it is.

Edmund Burke watched in the eighteenth century the excesses of the French Revolution and thought about moral restraints established by ethical and social boundaries. "Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality," he wrote. "Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist."

In the twentieth century, Russell Kirk wrote: "All the aspects of any civilization arise out of a people's religion." That "common faith" ties a people together so that they share "certain moral principles." Without that unified transcendent worldview "they prey upon one another."

Samuel Huntington would argue that this is especially important in the United States. Its people do not share a common ethnicity, or even inherited cultures. If we are not united in the broad values that made the nation a desirable destination for immigrants, then there is little hope for unity

At the heart of the Judeo-Christian worldview, once the core of Western civilization, is the recognition that the fundamental struggle in the universe is between cosmos (God-given, and therefore transcendent order) and chaos (Lucifer-inspired disorder). The two dynamics are in a state of constant tension, and if cosmos-order collapses, chaos-disorder roars in with tsunami strength.

In every generation since Adam and Eve opened the door to evil, the great challenge has been how to restrain chaos.

Nations are crucial. They provide the physical borders that define and protect people from outside adversaries and within which safe communities can be established, so people can go about their lives, worshipping freely, expressing their beliefs, and raising solid families. The adversary of humanity loves to destroy the vital boundaries. In fact, these boundaries protect citizens not just from those outside the country's borders, but from forces from withinincluding its own government if it steps outside boundaries that God Himself has established.

There is in today's society a celebration of the destruction of boundaries and borders. We think immediately of naive, idealistic Europeans throwing open the borders of their nations, but spiritual, moral, philosophical, behavioral, and physical boundaries are also being violated throughout the West in the contemporary revolt.

Today's rebellion is against all the right things that produced our free republic with its remarkable society. Many contemporary Americans, led by elitist secular progressivists, are in rebellion against the Bible and the Judeo-Christian worldview, and the spiritual, moral, and social boundaries it establishes, like gender (which was given by God for the perpetuation of His image-bearers in the world and for the expression of the deep intimacy akin to that of the Trinity); marriage (again, the human expression of God's relationship with humanity through the Bride, the Church); family (the foundation of society); morality and ethics.

The authentic church in this period is marginalized, caricaturized, vilified, and ultimately criminalized. The aim is to silence its voice so that all restraints on rebellion can be cast off.

A state of rebellion not only raises the issue of boundaries, but also of equilibrium. The intent of the Founders and the Constitution they gave America was to provide a system of careful balance between liberty and restraint. Englishman Burke said, and the American Founders discovered, that this "requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind."

Such equilibrium requires the strongest of cores. The Statue of Liberty without its powerful skeletal core of strong metal would be a scrap-pile. The only core sufficient to maintain the balance between liberty and restraint is God and the worldview arising from His revealed truth. This is the very core at which today's secular progressivists and their propagandists strike.

The peril we face is not scores of immigrants surging toward our borders. In the biggest of pictures, since Noah's sons scattered from Ararat we are all emigrants from somewhere and immigrants to somewhere. In God's order, America has always been an immigrant nationfrom the "Native Americans" who came here from Asia eons ago to the most recent person to take the oath of citizenship.

The present peril is the surge of immigration into nations that have lost their core worldview and hence their identity. That leaves a huge hole into which values and worldviews that have produced catastrophic "failed states" can pour.

The peril is not immigration, but immigrants pouring into a spiritual and moral vacuum.

Wallace Henley is senior associate pastor at Houston's Second Baptist Church, and founder of Belhaven University's Master of Ministry Leadership degree. He is a former White House and Congressional aide, and co-author of "God and Churchill", with Winston Churchill's great-grandson, Jonathan Sandys.Dozens of school children kidnapped in Cameroon are freed

Kidnappers freed scores of school children and a driver in west Cameroon early on Wednesday, but kept hold of a principal and one teacher, officials said, following an abduction blamed on anglophone separatists.

Armed men who seized the youngsters on Monday in the city of Bamenda - a commercial hub of Cameroon's restive English-speaking region - released them about 18 km (11 miles) away in the town of Bafut, the army said.

The scale of the incident - with some 80 children taken - was unprecedented in the country's long-running separatist crisis and a lack of official information fueled confusion in the wake of their disappearance.

"I learned about the kidnapping on Facebook. I started praying for my daughter not to be among them," said Philo Happi, mother of a 15-year-old girl.

"I discovered she was kidnapped. I was crying. I was scared. (Now) the children have been found. I'm happy."

Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon who negotiated to free 78 children, said no ransom had been paid but gave no more details on the circumstances leading up to their release.

"The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying," he said, adding that one child had escaped on his or her own.

The freed children were unharmed although their clothes were dirty and they appeared exhausted, according to a Reuters witness.

Alain, 17, described how the kidnappers had taken them from school early Monday morning, forcing them to run and at one point cover their faces. They were not treated violently and received some food, he said.

"They gave us kontchap (a mix of corn and beans) to eat," he said. "It was not enough but they still gave us some. They also gave us water."

Army spokesperson Didier Badjeck said the kidnappers released the children after the military found out their location. Two other children were still missing, along with the principal and teacher, he said. Reuters was not able to independently verify if children were still missing.

Fonki and the Cameroonian military have accused anglophone separatists of carrying out the kidnappings, but a separatist spokesman has denied involvement.

On Monday, Fonki described how another 11 children were taken by the same armed group on Oct. 31, then released after their school paid a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs ($4,400).

The secessionists have imposed curfews and closed schools as part of their protest against Biya's French-speaking government and its perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking minority. The government has denied discriminating against them.

Cameroon's separatist movement turned violent in 2017 after a government crackdown on initially peaceful demonstrations by English-speakers. The linguistic divide is a legacy of a former German colony in central Africa that was divided between allies France and Britain at the end of World War One.

The latest kidnapping, which recalled the 2014 abduction of more than 200 girls by Islamist Militant group Boko Haram in Chibok in neighboring Nigeria, was criticized by human rights groups.

Writing by Tim Cocks and Juliette Jabkhiro; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Alessandra Prentice and Marie-Louise GumuchianThe Rosary: what is it and why do Catholics use it in prayer?

* Partner Post

For centuries, the Rosary has helped guide the prayer life of the Catholic faithful and assist them in feeling a deeper connection with God.

Visually, the Rosary beads are often a thing of beauty, with many made from pearls, glass, polished wood, stones or metal.

While the more luxurious - and expensive - Rosaries are made with precious stones and expensive metals, even the very affordable ones are charming to look at and made with much love and care.

Of course, their appearance is not the most important thing about them but rather the spiritual purpose behind them.

Most Catholic faithful will have their Rosary blessed and do their best to look after it because once the Rosary has been blessed, it is no longer a worldly object to be left carelessly lying around a messy desk or handbag, but a precious sacramental dedicated to the worship of God.

On a practical level, they aid prayer and are intended to help Catholics bring to mind important points in the Gospel - as covered by the 'Mysteries' that are meditated on during the Rosary.

There are four sets of Mysteries that are used on different days of the week - the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries and the Mysteries of Light.

The Rosary beads are used to help the believer keep track of where they are in the Rosary, which is not one prayer but actually a succession of prayers and Hail Marys.

Most Catholics will say the Rosary each day, so for them, their set of Rosary beads will become a very cherished personal item indeed.

The most important part of the Rosary is of course the crucifix, which bears the image of the crucified Christ. Holding the crucifix, the Catholic believer will make the sign of the cross and then pray the Apostles' Creed.

They will then use the small and large beads to help them keep count as they work through the Rosary, moving on from the crucifix and the Apostles' Creed to pray the 'Our Father', Hail Marys, the Mysteries, 'Glory Be' and 'Hail Holy Queen' before saying the 'Final Prayer' and finishing with another sign of the cross.

Still want to know more about the Rosary? Then check out this beautiful infographic from Rosary maker Savelli below for 10 interesting facts:Trump and his Christian allies remain upbeat despite losing House

He may have lost the House in the heated midterms but Donald Trump is declaring Tuesday's election outcome a 'big win' despite losing the House of Representatives.

Trump took to Twitter the morning after to declare that the Republicans had done well despite the Democrats gaining control of the House.

He also took a stab at Republicans who lost their seats, claiming defeat had come to those who did not embrace his politics during the last two years.

'Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well. Those that did not, say goodbye! Yesterday was such a very Big Win, and all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!' he tweeted.

One of his biggest evangelical supporters, Pastor Robert Jeffress, was similarly upbeat, declaring that the midterm results will only increase President Trump's margin of victory in the 2020 presidential elections.

Jeffress, who is pastor of the 13,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, said the results of Tuesday's elections 'do not negate' Trump's continued popularity with evangelical Christians.

'Historically, first-term presidents lose House seats in a midterm election because those who oppose a president's policies are more motivated to vote than those who approve of a president's policies,' he said.

'President Clinton lost more than 50 seats and President Obama more than 60 seats in their first midterm elections  yet both men went on to win second terms. I am confident the same will happen with President Trump,' he said.

'I predict that losing the House will actually increase the margin by which President Trump wins re-election in 2020.

'Running against the House 'leadership' of Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters will be a gift that keeps on giving for the next two years.'

Pelosi is the favorite to become the next Speaker of the House and Trump tweeted his support, even saying he would help secure some Republican votes.

'In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!' he tweeted.

An NBC News exit poll found that support for Republicans among white evangelical Christians and particularly white evangelical women remains strong.

Among voters nationwide, 57% of white evangelical women said they 'strongly approve' of Trump and 17% 'somewhat approve', far outweighing those who 'strongly disapprove' (20%) and 'somewhat disapprove (6%).

According to an ABC News exit poll, white evangelical Christians accounted for 27% of the voters on Tuesday and are one of the most Republican groups, voting 83-16 percent for House candidates in 2016, and 78-21 percent in 2014.

Pro-lifers were also pleased with the outcome after the election of several new senators who are opposed to abortion. The New York Times predicts that the elections of Josh Hawley in Missouri, Mike Braun in Indiana and Kevin Cramer in North Dakota will make it easier for the Senate to confirm judges who are opposed to Roe vs Wade.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List, told the newspaper the elections were 'a good night for life'.With Democrats taking control of the House, new chairmen will assume control of the House committees critical to Texas business and industry. Click through this above slideshow for snapshots of the politicians likely to lead key panels.A $42 million battle over drilling in Colorado ended in a victory for Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Noble Energy Inc. and other D-J Basin explorers.

Voters on Tuesday rejected a plan to force oil and gas development further away from residential and environmentally "sensitive" areas, illustrating the industrys influence in a state that is producing more crude than ever before. Proposition 112, which would have curbed drilling on more than half of surface land, failed with 57.5 percent voting to reject and 42.5 percent voting to approve.

Shares in Anadarko rose 5.9 percent at 6:05 a.m in New York while Nobles gained 3.8 percent.

CHEMICAL PLANT: Exxon returns to court on Baytown ruling

Oil and gas companies raised more than $41 million to defeat the measure, compared with just $1.3 million gathered by proponents. Other companies poised to benefit from the outcome include BP Plc, Extraction Oil & Gas Inc., PDC Energy Inc., SRC Energy Inc., HighPoint Resources Corp., and Bonanza Creek Energy Inc.

The push to limit development in the Rocky Mountain state comes as oil production soars to record highs, driven by activity in the prolific D-J Basin just north of Denver. As of August, Colorado output reached 477,000 barrels a day, leading the state to overtake California and become the fifth largest producer in the nation. But the booms proximity to Denvers suburbs has raised concerns about health and safety, especially after an Anadarko gas line explosion last year killed two people and leveled a home.

FRACKING: UT research shows link between oil and gas water disposal and earthquakes

Though the measure failed at the ballot, Colorados legislature may take action early next year to further regulate the industry. House Majority Leader KC Becker, a Democrat representing Boulder county who endorsed Proposition 112, has said the statehouse will consider legislation tackling funding for orphan wells, air and water monitoring, greater local control over siting and potentially a setback from infrastructure.

"Well push harder to get something done during the first half of the session" which runs from January to May, Becker said in October. "No one will be perfectly happy. What we want to get done is turn down the volume on this whole thing and address peoples basic concerns."

2018 Bloomberg L.P.ExxonMobil Chemical Co.

WASHINGTON - Exxon Mobil's effort to overturn a $20 million penalty for violating federal air pollution laws at its Baytown refining and chemical facility returns to court Wednesday.

Exxon's attorneys are set to make oral arguments to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, claiming a 2017 judgement by Houston-based U.S. District Judge David Hittner broke federal guidelines in fining Exxon for more than 16,000 days of violations.Oil fell to the lowest level since March after a U.S. government report showed the seventh straight weekly increase in domestic crude stockpiles and a jump in production.

Futures in New York dropped 0.9 percent Wednesday, extending the longest streak of losses since 2014. U.S. crude inventories gained 5.78 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration. Prices climbed earlier in the session on a report that OPEC and its allies are considering fresh production cuts.

"Basically, too much supply, too fast," said Rob Thummel, managing director at Tortoise, which manages $16 billion in energy-related assets. "That's overwhelmed the market and taken some of the momentum out of crude oil prices. OPEC's probably going to have to re-assess and look at production cuts for 2019 at this point."

BIG MONEY: Occidental reports $1.9 billion in profits

The U.S. benchmark is on a downward spiral, nearing bear market territory, after trading above $76 a barrel in early October. Ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will gather in Abu Dhabi this weekend to discuss options for 2019 including the possibility of cutting production again next year. Meanwhile, the U.S. government forecast that its own oil output will increase at a record pace this year. Futures have tumbled for eight straight days.

"This slide has been pretty persistent and unrelenting," said Rob Haworth, who helps oversee about $151 billion at U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Seattle. "Technically, investors are wondering where this stops."

West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery fell 54 cents to settle at $61.67 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Total volume traded was 57 percent above the 100-day average.

SANCTIONS: Will Trump enforce Iranian oil sanctions?

Brent futures for January settlement slipped 6 cents to end the session at $72.07 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a $10.25 premium to WTI for the same month.

The EIA report showed domestic crude production jumped to a record 11.6 million barrels a day, while stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, rose by 2.42 million barrels.

--With assistance from Sharon Cho and Grant Smith.

2018 Bloomberg L.P.AP

Major Permian Basin operator QEP Resources said Wednesday it sold its Williston Basin acreage in North Dakota and Montana to a new publicly traded company called Vantage Energy.

Denver-based Vantage is a publicly traded blank check firm that will now become an oil and gas operating company focused on the Williston, including the Bakken shale.With 54 of 61 precincts reporting from Tuesdays election, Klein ISD school board Position 3 candidate, Chris CT Todd, held a healthy lead over Seth Batiste and Vijay Patel as of 8:15 a.m. Nov. 7.

Position 4 incumbent trustee Steve Szymczak was trailing against candidate Julie Benes.

Ronnie K Anderson runs unopposed for Position 5.

Cypress Klein Utility District

Cypress Klein Utility Districts voters approved a 15-cent tax per $100 valuation of property for maintenance and operations.

The utility district encompasses Wimbledon Estates & Racquet Club, the Wimbledon Centre Court Estates, Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon Forest and Wimbledon Centre Court. The district also serves Collins Park, Barbara Bush Library and the Precinct 4, Place 1 courthouse.

Pct. 4 Commissioner

With all precincts reporting, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle won re-election. Cagle was facing Democrat Penny Shaw.

Election results are unofficial until canvassed.A 31-year-old former Conroe ISD bus driver was arrested Tuesday after he admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography, according to a news release from Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office.

RELATED: Teen arrested in Spring on child pornography charges

The man, Raymond Guzman, has been booked into Harris County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond on a charge of possession of child pornography.

He was not present during a probable cause hearing early Wednesday morning, but his next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, court records show.

According to the new release, the constable's office high tech crimes unit worked with the FBI and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task force. They investigating a report of online trafficking of child pornography stemming from a residence in the 25000 block of Hufsmith Cemetery Road in far north Harris County, the release said.

In a statement from Conroe ISD, Communications Director Sarah Blakelock wrote that Guzman was terminated Wednesday.

Guzman had been hired just three months ago to drive morning and afternoon bus routes that service The Woodlands High School, McCullough Junior High and Glen Loch Elementary.

Blakelock wrote that the constables office has no evidence that any CISD students were victims, in addition to confirming that all district employees must undergo background checks before they are hired.

Staff writer Jane Stueckemann contributed to this report.

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The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office got a good kick (literally) out of an intruder that made its way into a residence in Fulshear Tuesday.

When deputies from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office responded to a residential alarm in the Firethorne subdivision, they found an unsuspecting visitor still inside the home.Officials at the Katy Junior High School are cautioning parents and guardians to be mindful of school zones and bus stops after a student was struck by a vehicle at an intersection adjacent to the campus Tuesday.

Katy Junior High Principal Jake LeBlanc sent a statement to parents Tuesday morning informing them of the student-involved car incident, where the student "did not sustain any serious life-threatening injuries that required an ambulance transport, but an EMS on-site examination was conducted."California-based Cheesecake Factory Inc., whose Houston locale is anchored at shopping mecca, The Galleria, is set to acquire two restaurant brands from Fox Restaurant Concepts out of Phoenix: North Italia in 2019 and Flower Child in 2021, the Houston Business Journal reported on Monday.

What does that mean for Houston fans of Italian eatery North Italia at Blvd Place in the Uptown-Galleria area and recently-opened health-oriented cafe Flower Child at Uptown Park?

RELATED: First look: Flower Child

"We will continue to operate both Flower Child and North Italia with the same exceptional service and menu that our guests know us for. There will be no changes," director of marketing of North, Flower Child Fox Restaurant Concepts, Tracy McGinnis tells the Houston Chronicle.

Monday's news confirms that the Cheesecake Factory's acquisition process, which began in 2016 when the company made minority equity investments totaling $42 million into North Italia and Flower Child, is coming to completion.

"We begin to prepare for the potential North Italia acquisition in the second half of 2019 and ensuing increase in future unit growth rates with an expanded portfolio," Cheesecake executive vice president and chief financial officer Matthew Clark said on a conference call with investors in October.

Clark added that Cheesecake Factory has invested an additional $32 million into the brands and will provide $20 million to $25 million in expansion capital before the acquisition.

RELATED: The Cheesecake Factory takes a stake in North Italia

The Cheesecake Factory owns and operates 206 restaurants, primarily under its namesake brand, as well as Grand Lux Cafe and RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen.

Fox Concepts has sold several of its top restaurant brands including True Food Kitchen and Sauce Pizza & Wine but is reportedly on track to open Blanco Tacos & Tequila inside the former Saks Fifth Avenue space at The Galleria by the end of the year.

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The new Menil Drawing Institute, part of the Menil Collection, opened up to the public on Saturday, Nov. 3.

According to the Menil, the Institute is the first free standing museum built expressly for the acquisition, study, exhibition, conservation and storage of modern and contemporary drawings.

This is a beautiful, purposed structure. It is the first new building to open at the Menil Collection in more than 20 years, Rebecca Rabinow, director of the Menil Collection said.

Rabinow noted that the idea of a Drawing Institute was discussed during Dominique de Menils lifetime.

A number of people have championed the idea over the years, Rabinow said. Two trustees in particular have sustained and supported this vision: Janie C. Lee, and Louisa Stude Sarofim.

The Menil Drawing Institute building is named in honor of Sarofim, who is a Menil Foundation Chair Emerita and Life Trustee member.

The opening of this building marks a new chapter in the Menil Collections history, Rabinow said.

The Menil Drawing Institute is located on the 30-acre campus of the Menil Collection, along with the four existing art buildings including the main museum building, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, the Cy Twombly Gallery and the Dan Flavin installation.

Architect firm Johnston Marklee designed the building. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. was the landscape architect.

They created such a distinct and serene environment for works on paper, Rabinow said.

Rabinow continued, Based on the premise that drawing is central to artistic practice, this addition to the Menils neighborhood of art provides an intimate setting for the public and scholarly community, thus advancing our appreciation and scholarship of the medium.

The inaugural exhibition in the Institute is The Condition of Being Here: Drawings by Jasper Johns. The 41 pieces of artwork on display span his career, with work from 1954 to 2016. The exhibition is the third exhibition at the Menil devoted to Jasper Johns.

Thanks to a bequest from former Menil trustee David Whitney, and gifts and promises from current trustees Janie C. Lee and Sarofim, The Menil is one of the most important repositories of Johns drawings, Rabinow said.

Sharon Johnston, a founder of Johnston Marklee, along with partner Mark Lee, spoke about the design of the building.

Johnston explained that the building is 30,000 square feet, and it is anchored by three primary components, which are the exhibition gallery, the scholars study center and administration offices, and the Suzanne Deal Booth conservation lab. The scholars study center includes spaces such as the Janie C. Lee Drawing Room, a place for work and research. There are also several courtyards on the premises.

It is largely an unprecedented building, both because of the medium, and in the way we brought together these specific programs, Johnston said.

Building on the legacy of the Menil collection, Dominique was so insistent on the idea that if you move around in the exterior, you have views into working spaces of the building, Johnston said. As we move through, there are glances into these spaces. Youll see where the staff will work and the scholars will visit.

The Menil Collection is located at 1533 Sul Ross Street. The Menil Drawing Institute is located at 1412 West Main Street. The Menil art buildings are open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.Three new faces will join the Crosby ISD school board.

With 542 votes Kasey KeaLynn Lewis was selected as the new District 2 member for the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees.

Challenger Sharyl Eavon Fain garnered 215 votes.

Lewis, a deputy with the Harris County Sheriffs Office, said she will help make Crosby ISD one of the top school districts in the Houston area. Lewis said she would make it a priority to fix the districts current financial crisis if elected.

Fain, an administrative assistant with the Baylor University College of Medicines Nutrition Research Center, decided to run for this position as a way to give back to her community.

I am honored and excited to have won the confidence of the residents in my district and would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote during this election, Lewis said. We now have a lot of work ahead of us and I plan on doing everything I can during this time to preserve the level of education and professionalism that Crosby ISD has risen over the past few years.

Meanwhile, Joseph Robert Humphries was also elected. He was running for District 3 unopposed. He will take over the District 3 seat from John Lindsey who did not seek re-election.

District 1 board member Tanya Shaye Eagleton will join the board again. She ran unopposed. At-large District 6 Board Member John Warren Swinney was elected to the same position. He ran unopposed as well.

According to the Harris County Clerks Office 8,313 people early voted at Crosby Library Branch.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

kaila.contreras@chron.comThey are one of the largest birds in Texas and they visit us every fall and winter.

Their call sounding like gar-oo-oo-gar-oo-oo echoes for more than a mile as the giant birds soar over southeast Texas. High overhead they fly, long necks stretched out with trailing legs straight out behind the 4 foot tall birds.

There are a handful of sounds in wild America that are thrilling to hear. The call of the majestic sandhill crane is ranked high among them.

They arrive this time of year in large flocks from the north to spend the winter in the rice fields west of Houston and on the prairies along the coast. If you hear their unmistakable call, look up. You may just see a flock of these huge birds either in a v formation or spiraling around in a loose circle.

Large gray birds with bare red skin on the crown of the head are the unmistakable field marks when first spotted. They resemble no other local bird species except for perhaps the great blue heron.

Sandhills feed on a variety of items including grain, insects, plant shoots, berries, small animals, aquatic life and other available items on or near the ground.

These cranes breed and nest on the tundra of Alaska and Canada as well as the grasslands of our northern states. Usually two eggs are laid and the young birds do not fly for about 10 to 12 weeks. In the fall the families band together to spend the winter in our area and points south of us.

Perhaps the greatest threat to the future of the sandhill crane is the channelization of the Platte River in Nebraska which is a major stopover point during the sandhill crane migration. Water is channeled to other places for human uses decreasing the natural habitat for the cranes and other fauna and flora that depend on the river to survive.

In Florida there is a subspecies of sandhill crane that remains in the state all year long. This subspecies of crane is decreasing in population number due to habitat loss as well.

A good place to observe sandhill cranes in our area is the Katy Prairie just west of Houston. The Houston Audubon Society and Katy Prairie Conservancy sometimes offer guided tours for bird watching on the prairie.

If you have the chance this winter, visit the Katy Prairie to look for these majestic birds. Allow yourself the thrill of experiencing watching these giants soaring overhead and hearing their trumpeting calls for all to hear for miles around.

Nature Note: Some believe that some Indian tribes actually had sandhill cranes as their pets. Interesting note to investigate.

Enjoy your southeast Texas nature trails.

For questions or comments, e-mail jwalls443@gmail.com.Harris County prosecutors late Tuesday sided with a death row inmate and asked the Supreme Court to deem convicted killer Bobby Moore too intellectually disabled to execute.

It's just the latest twisting development in a groundbreaking case that's already upended how the Lone Star State measures whether a condemned prisoner is fit for the death chamber.

Patrick McCann, an attorney who has represented Moore on appeal, laughed in surprise when told of the filing.

"That is awesome," he said. "This is the first time in 25 years I have ever seen the state side with a bunch of death penalty lawyers in the Supreme Court. It is clearly a new day in Harris County."

District Attorney Kim Ogg's statement late Tuesday was short and to-the-point.

"We agree with the Supreme Court that the intellectually disabled should not be executed," she said.

A twisting case

The convicted killer was one of three men involved in the April 25, 1980 botched robbery of the Birdsall Super Market near Memorial Park. The trio targeted the store because two of the employees were elderly and the cashier was pregnant.

Moore, who fired the shot that killed elderly store clerk James McCarble, fled to Louisiana. But one of his co-conspirators turned himself in and confessed - and Moore was picked up by police 10 days later. He was sentenced to death during his 1980 trial.

READ MORE: Houston murder takes center stage at U.S. Supreme Court

After decades of legal wrangling, in 2017 the nation's highest court decided that Texas didn't properly consider the former carpenter's possible intellectual disability. A 5-3 ruling booted Moore's case back to a lower court, where prosecutors asked for a life sentence.

But when the case went back up to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, five of the nine judges there ruled that - even under a new standard - Moore still didn't count as intellectually disabled, a decision his lawyers condemned as an "outlier" and "inconsistent" with the higher court.

His legal team appealed that ruling up to the Supreme Court again, asking the justices to examine the state's standards for intellectual disability, but also asking the high court to consider whether an execution should count as unconstitutional if both sides agree that it is.

"As far as counsel is aware, this Court never has permitted an execution when both the prosecutor and the defendant agree that the defendant is intellectually disabled and ineligible for execution," defense attorney Cliff Sloan and Pat McCann wrote in their Supreme Court filing. "For good reason."

Cruel and unusual

The Eighth Amendment bans cruel and unusual punishment and, ever since a 2002 Supreme Court decision in another case, that's been interpreted to mean that states cannot execute intellectually disabled prisoners. But for years, Texas relied on an out-dated, nonclinical test to evaluate mental capacity.

Named after plaintiff Jose Briseno, the test used seven questions to determine intellectual disability, as outlined in a 2004 ruling that famously referenced "Of Mice and Men" character Lennie as someone most Texans would agree should be exempt from the death penalty.

Moore failed first grade twice and every single grade after, but was "socially promoted" until he dropped out after ninth grade. He ate from neighbors' garbage cans, did not understand the days of the week by age 13 and as an adult still fell below the standard for being able to live independently.

But the Court of Criminal Appeals decided - twice - that those considerations were not enough to deem him intellectually disabled. Last year the Supreme Court reversed the first of those two decisions with its groundbreaking 5-3 ruling.

Impacts of a decision

The high court's 2017 ruling didn't just impact Moore's case, it also ordered Texas to come up with new standards - something other than the Briseno factors - for determining intellectual disability.

The ruling set off waves of requests from inmates wanting their death sentences overturned in exchange for life behind bars, and two condemned killers - Juan Segundo and Clifton Williams - won stays this year because of the decision.

But Moore has stayed on death row. When the case was sent back down after the Supreme Court decision, prosecutors in November 2017 agreed with the defense that a life sentence was appropriate.

READ MORE: For first time in more than 30 years, no Harris County death row inmates executed

"I'm doing what I believe the law requires," Ogg said in a statement at the time.

But, for a second time, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals disagreed - so Moore's lawyers filed another appeal the Supreme Court this fall.

In it, they argue that the Texas appeals court relied on the same factors in its most recent decision as it did in the earlier decision - the one the higher court already reversed. The Texas court also ignored important evidence of his intellectual struggles and again went against current medical standards to deem Moore fit to execute, his lawyers argued.

And on Tuesday, the district attorney's office agreed.

A 'rare' move

Even though prosecutors had sided with Moore's defense previously, it's not often that both sides agree during a capital appeal by the time the case makes it to the Supreme Court.

"It's rare," said Robert Dunham of the Death Penalty Information Center. "It happens very occasionally but it is rare."

More commonly, the defense and prosecution might come to an agreement when the case is in a lower court. Sometimes, they'll even agree in the Supreme Court, if there's another high court decision that comes out while the appeal is pending.

But that's not the situation here.

"The petitioner's capital murder of James McCarble was brutal," prosecutors wrote. "The punishment for his heinous act should be lengthy and constitutional."

The district attorney's office went on to say that they agreed with the Texas court's new clinical standard for intellectual disability.

"However, the respondent parts company with the TCCA in its determination that the applicant is not intellectually disabled." Citing the Supreme Court's earlier decision, the prosecutors laid out some of the indicators of Moore's disability, and concluded by asking the justices to reverse the Texas appeals court's decision.

"For these reasons, the State of Texas, by and through the Harris County District Attorney's Office, agrees with the petitioner that he is intellectually disabled and cannot be executed," prosecutors wrote. "Accordingly, the petitioner is entitled to a summary reversal of the TCCA's June 8, 2018 opinion."After losing his bench in a Democratic sweep, Harris County Juvenile Court Judge Glenn Devlin released nearly all of the youthful defendants that appeared in front him on Wednesday morning, simply asking the kids whether they planned to kill anyone before letting them go.

"He was releasing everybody," said public defender Steven Halpert, who watched the string of surprising releases. "Apparently he was saying that's what the voters wanted."

In court, prosecutors voiced their concerns about the seemingly indiscriminate release of those accused of everything from low-level misdemeanors to violent crimes.

"We oppose the wholesale release of violent offenders at any age," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement later. "This could endanger the public."

In total, at least seven kids were released, prosecutors said, including four facing aggravated robbery charges.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Devlin declined to comment.

READ MORE: 2 Harris County judges responsible for 1 in 5 children sent to state juvenile prisons

The longtime Republican jurist  whose seat was among 59 swept by Democrats in Tuesday's election  is one of two juvenile court judges in Harris County whose track records favoring incarceration contributed heavily to doubling the number of kids Harris County sent to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in recent years, even as those figures fell in the rest of the state.

A Houston Chronicle investigation last month found that Devlin and Judge John Phillips accounted for more than one-fifth of all children sent to the state's juvenile prisons last year. The two jurists not only sent more teens to juvenile prison, but they also sent them younger and for less-serious offenses than the county's third juvenile court, where Judge Mike Schneider presides.

But despite the differences in their courtroom practices, all three of the juvenile court judges  all Republicans  lost their benches to Democrats in Tuesday's election by at least 10-point spreads.

With the dust still settling from a massive shake-up in the local judiciary, Devlin showed up for Wednesday's detention hearing docket apparently ready to surprise.

By law, youths who are waiting in local lock-ups before their cases are resolved are entitled to detention hearings every 10 working days to decide whether they need to stay behind bars or can safely be released under supervision.

It's not abnormal for Devlin to release juveniles facing serious charges, as long as they've behaved in detention and have adequate supervision in place on the outside, according to Halpert.

"He's not one of those that never releases a kid charged with an aggravated robbery," he said. "But nobody has seen this before."

Some of the children didn't have parents present in court Wednesday. Of the juveniles who appeared before the judge, Halpert said he only saw one detained.

All of the cases, he said, were reset to Jan. 4, the first Friday after Devlin's replacement takes the bench.

That replacement, newly elected jurist-to-be Natalia Oakes, did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the State Commission on Judicial Conduct declined to clarify whether Devlin's actions would constitute any violation of judicial canons.

Criminal justice advocates, however, were critical of the decision.

"Judge Devlin appears to be abdicating the basic responsibility of any sitting juvenile judge," said Elizabeth Henneke of the Lone Star Justice Alliance, a group that works to get young people out of the justice system and into treatment programs.

She called Devlin's post-election actions "disappointing and shocking" and something she'd never seen in a Texas juvenile court.

To Alex Bunin, the county's chief public defender, the sudden leniency was simply baffling.

"I'm not sure that I can wrap my arms around what he's actually doing," he said. "It's a huge change and the only thing that has happened is that he was not elected so I don't know what to attribute it to other than that."

To Jay Jenkins, a policy attorney with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, the post-election spate of releases reinforces the decision the local electorate made Tuesday.

"The voters of Harris County clearly wanted a change in the juvenile courts and Judge Devlin today is showing us why the voters may have wanted change," he said. "We're hoping now the juvenile courts can be a much fairer and more equitable place."Harris County Democrats rode a surge in voter turnout to a decisive victory on Tuesday, unseating several countywide Republican officials, including longtime County Judge Ed Emmett, and sweeping all 59 judicial races.

Emmett, who courted Democratic ticket-splitters and leaned on his reputation as a steady hand during hurricanes, conceded at 11 p.m. to 27-year-old challenger Lina Hidalgo, who was running in her first race for public office.

After defeating the Republican sheriff and district attorney two years ago, Harris County Democrats now will control all of the countywide elected posts. In addition, former sheriff Adrian Garcia defeated incumbent Republican Jack Morman in the Precinct 2 commissioners race, giving Democrats control of Commissioners Court.

This year with the turnout we saw, we all stepped up. We realized that democracy depends on participation and we stepped up, Hidalgo said to more than 100 supporters at the Harris County Democrats watch party.

The crowd chanted her name before she took the stage.

Hidalgo, a Colombian immigrant and Stanford University graduate who returned to Houston last summer to launch her campaign, now finds herself the incoming executive of the third-largest county in the U.S.

University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus attributed the Democrats success to changing demographics in the largest Texas county and a superb get-out-the-vote effort by Democratic groups.

Democrats have harnessed the blue wave, at least locally, Rottinghaus said. Harris County is going to be trending more purple, which is going to spell difficulty for Republicans in countywide races in the future.

Here are the precinct-by-precinct results for the Harris County Judge race between Ed Emmett and Lina Hidalgo. Red indicates precincts where Emmett garnered the majority of votes. Blue indicates precincts where Hidalgo garnered the majority of votes.



Source: Harris County Clerk's Office

The upset fulfilled the nightmare scenario Republicans feared: Democratic straight-ticket voters who have a positive opinion of Emmett failed to venture far enough down the ballot to vote for him, handing the win to Hidalgo.

Hidalgo will be the first Latina county judge, and youngest since a 23-year-old Roy Hofheinz was elected in 1936. She has lived in Harris County sporadically as an adult and has never attended a meeting of Commissioners Court.

Hidalgo was an energetic campaigner who implored voters not to settle for the status quo. She criticized Emmett for failing to push harder for flood protection measures in the decade before Hurricane Harvey, when parts of the county were flooded by several storms. Emmett had campaigned on his record, contrasting his 11 years as the countys chief executive with Hidalgos lack of formal work experience.

At Emmetts watch party at the Hotel ZaZa, his supporters stared in disbelief at monitors displaying the results. Emmett spoke briefly and compared this election to the 1974 midterms following the Watergate scandal, when a wave of incumbents were defeated.

"If this happens the way it appears, I won't take it personally," Emmett said. "It is a bitter pill to swallow, but Harris County will move on. I will be fine."

Supporter Xavier Stokes chalked up the county judge race result to straight-ticket voting, rather than a referendum on Emmett himself.

Hes done such a good job, and yet here we are, Stokes said. It just shows you how this type of voting distorts the outcome.

The lone bright spot for local Republicans was the Precinct 4 commissioners race, where incumbent Republican Jack Cagle cruised to victory over Democrat Penny Shaw.

In the Precinct 2 race, Morman heavily outspent Garcia and tried to cast the former Harris County sheriff as a political opportunist seeking a rebound after failed bids for mayor of Houston and the House of Representatives.

Garcia, a gregarious campaigner who could detain a stranger for an hour in conversation regardless of his wishes, emphasized shoe-leather politicking. He recruited a campaign staff to canvas throughout the largely Hispanic precinct to engage constituents from whom he said Morman too seldom sought input. Mormans flood-the-airwaves strategy included ads attacking Garcia.

Emmett focused his ad buys on convincing Democrats to vote for him, as much a hedge against a predicted blue wave as a natural strategy, given his broad popularity. The other countywide Republicans targeted only their base voters, at their peril. Democrats dispatched them, one after the other: Diane Trautman defeated County Clerk Stan Stanart, Marilyn Burgess beat District Clerk Chris Daniel and Dylan Osborne edged County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez.

The judicial races likewise were a Democratic rout. The party won each of 23 seats on the district judge bench, all 13 on the family court, all four for county civil judge, all 15 county misdemeanor judges and all four county probate judges.

The sweep of the misdemeanor bench, which was dominated by Republicans, could have huge ramifications for the future of the federal lawsuit, brought by poor defendants, challenging Harris Countys cash bail system. Each of the 16 jurists are defendants, including some who have pushed the county to continue fighting the case, though it already has cost taxpayers more than $6 million.

Emmetts surpise defeat likely ends his political career, which began in his twenties when he was elected to the Texas legislature. Emmett was widely praised for his leadership during storms, and his tenure as county judge was bookended by Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Harvey this past year.

Emmett, 69, suffered a minor stroke last summer but said he was in good health and eager to serve at least another term. He was instrumental earlier this year in building public support for the countys $2.5 billion flood bond, which voters approved with 86 percent support in August.

Staff writers Sarah Mikati, Ileana Najarro and Shelby Webb contributed reporting.

Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com.Houston Democrat Sylvia Garcia cruised to a barrier-breaking victory in the race for Texas 29th Congressional District, joining Veronica Escobar of El Paso on Tuesday as the first Latinas elected to Congress in the states 172-year history.

Garcia, a former social worker and lawyer who currently represents east and north Houston in the Texas Senate, easily defeated Republican challenger Phillip Aronoff in the heavily Democratic district. The victory adds another landmark to the rise of Garcia, a longtime advocate for Houstons most vulnerable residents, who has humble roots tracing back to rural south Texas.

Its very exciting to be elected and to have the opportunity to serve the working people of my district and Houston, Garcia said. I never focus on being the first, but on being the best for my people.

Texas voters had propelled 18 Hispanic men to Congress prior to Tuesday, dating back to 1960 with the election of San Antonios Henry B. Gonzalez. Not once, however, had voters sent a Hispanic woman to the nations Capitol.

Garcia, 68, was widely expected to end the streak after she garnered nearly two-thirds of votes in the seven-candidate March primary. She will take the seat held by U.S. Rep. Gene Green, who is retiring after 26 years in Congress.

About one hundred people of all ages and colors, including a few kids, gathered at Garcias victory party at the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport surrounded by blue, red and white balloons.

Now we are ready to take the most difficult challenge of our life, which is to go to Washington and stand out against Donald Trump. Against his heartless immigration policies that separate children from their parents, she told her supporters.

Tonight, we sent a message that working people, Latinos, women, Millennials, we are not going to get pushed around anymore. We have had enough, Garcia said to applause at the victory party.

She has been preparing for this for a long time, Green said Tuesday. The U.S. Congress is a different game when it comes to politics, but I think she is ready for it.

Garcia will represent an area heavily populated by working-class Harris County residents, home to the Houston Ship Channel and one of the nations largest petrochemical complexes. The newly-elected congresswoman said her priorities will be no different than those of the working-class people and immigrants of Houston and the rest of the country.

Garcia said she will fight for good jobs with good benefits, jobs that provide opportunities for people to hold their families together. She advocated Tuesday for increasing the federal minimum wage, and she voiced concern that companies in her district come and invest here, but then transfer workers from other regions instead of hiring our workers.

I want to bring more investments and jobs, but with a higher (share of) hiring for our people here, she said.

Garcias district is about 78 percent Hispanic, the majority of Mexican heritage, making immigration one of her constituencys central issues of concern.

She said she will sponsor legislation to provide a permanent solution for beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects from deportation certain young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as minors. The DACA program, which polling indicates is supported by a strong majority of Americans, was suspended by President Donald Trumps administration. Its fate is currently entangled in court battles.

Garcia said another priority will be to sponsor legislation bringing comprehensive immigration reform back to the table.

My mission is to bring the voice of Texas and my big district to Congress, she said. This is a very critical time for our country, when our core values are being challenged every single day with a president that seems to govern by tweets and by targeting immigrants, Muslims, Latinos, women, everyone that looks different. People have had enough. I am going to represent them.

Nearly 750 miles west of Garcias celebration Tuesday, Escobar, a former judge and county commissioner, was also expected to easily dispatch her Republican opponent, Rick Seeberger. Escobar was running for the seat occupied by U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, who earned the states Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate this year.

Early results showed a third Latina candidate, Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez, trailed Republican Ron Wright in her race for Texas' 6th Congressional District, which covers areas south of Dallas and Fort Worth.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

jacob.carpenter@chron.comA Harris County jury Wednesday agreed on a 25-year prison sentence for Terry Bryan Thompson, the husband of a county deputy who last year fatally choked a young Houston father outside a Crosby-area Dennys restaurant.

The high profile murder case triggered street protests and charges of police favoritism after video showed Thompson, with help from his wife, restraining John Hernandez in a chokehold. Thompson, 42, faced up to life in prison after being convicted on Monday of murder.

After the sentencing, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg spoke outside the courtroom and said she hoped the resolution would give comfort to the Hernandez family and Houstons Hispanic community.

There are no second-class victims in Harris County, she said. Everybody gets treated equal.

SENTENCED: Teen who recorded himself sexually assaulting and murdering his girlfriend learns his fate

During closing arguments earlier on Wednesday, a prosecutor asked the jury to return a life sentence because of the death of Hernandez, a 24-year-old glass installer who got into a struggle with Thompson.

There was a day in our county when the life of a John Hernandez would not be considered worth as much as the life of the husband of a sheriffs deputy, Assistant District Attorney John Jordan told jurors. Sadly, I cant tell you that your verdict will change the past. But, to our community, it will forever define it.

Since Thompson, the husband of a fired sheriffs deputy, refused to show mercy and took a life, Jordan argued, jurors should not show mercy and should hand down a life sentence.

Scot Courtney, Thompsons defense lawyer, asked jurors to consider a verdict agreeing that the railroad worker was acting in sudden passion which would cap his sentence at 20 years. Thompson did not testify in the trial.

Additionally, Courtney asked that the father of four be sentenced to even less than the cap.

Terry Thompson is a good man, Courtney said. Did he make a bad decision? Absolutely. You need to give him a sentence that will allow him to, one day, return to his family and the responsibilities that he has taken care of.

Jurors deliberated about seven hours before deciding that Thompson did not act in sudden passion and that he should be sentenced to 25 years in prison. He has to serve at least half of that time before he is eligible for parole.

Hernandezs mother and his widow both gave victim impact statements in the courtroom where they told Thompson they forgave him despite being deeply hurt.

I forgive you for what you cost us, said Maria Elena Hernandez, the mother. You said your children were the love of your life. John was the love of my life and you have taken him from me.

Maria Toral, the young widow, said she visits Hernandezs grave with their young daughter.

She stands on one foot and looks up to the sky and says, Look at me daddy, Im a big girl now. Toral said in tears. No man is ever going to love her the way he did.

Thompson broke down in tears as both women spoke to him. When the verdict was announced, he doubled over and his attorney caught him by the crook of his arm and guided him to sit.

The trial lasted almost three weeks in state District Judge Kelli Johnsons court.

Thompson was convicted on Monday of murder for fatally choking Hernandez during a late-night altercation at a Crosby-area Dennys on May 28, 2017, the Sunday before Memorial Day.

Hernandez, who was intoxicated, was apparently urinating outside the restaurant when Thompson arrived with his teenage daughter and her friends. Thompson confronted Hernandez who punched the older man in the eye. However, Thompson was able to get on top of the young father and put him in a chokehold.

Cell phone video of the 53 seconds of the 13-minute long fight showed Thompson and his wife, former deputy Chauna Thompson, holding Hernandez down.

When the cell phone video was released, it ignited a series of protests in downtown Houston about race and how the case had been handled. Originally, Hernandez was charged with assaulting a peace officer, even though he later died of his injuries. After the video surfaced, both Thompsons were indicted for murder, and Chauna Thompson was fired. Her trial is pending.

She was in the courtroom with the couples children when the sentence was announced. She did not comment as they left the courthouse.

The jurors, three men and nine women, two of whom are black, did not answer questions from reporters after the sentencing.More than 500 college students at Prairie View A&M marched to the polls together on Tuesday to protest voter suppression in Waller County.

Dubbed the "Parade of Voters," students at the historically black college met on campus to march to a polling location at the school's student center.

"It was great. Made me proud to be a student here," Justin Martin, a civil engineering major who attended the march told Chron.com. "In the past, people wouldn't have come out for something like this but there's been a really strong emphasis on voting recently and the students responded accordingly."

Martin said students were chanting things like "no vote, no hope" and "my voice, my choice."

The seemingly spontaneous rally began around 10:00 a.m., when dozens of students blasted air horns around campus to signal the start of the march.

Dozens of students walked out of class to go vote with the marchers and the crowd size eventually ballooned to hundreds of people.

Jessmine Cornelius, one of the students who helped organize the event, said the motivation for Tuesday's march was the voter suppression students historically and recently faced on campus.

In October, students at Prairie View filed a lawsuit against Waller County, accusing election officials of violating their civil rights by not providing a place to vote on campus during the first week of early voting.

"The County Commissioners court only gave us three days to early vote on our campus and none of those days were in the first week of early voting," Cornelius said regarding the lawsuit. "And their reasoning for that was because it was our annual homecoming which is absolutely bologna."

A few weeks before that, the Texas Secretary of State said students would not have to fill out additional paperwork after a mix-up with campus addresses and voting precincts, an annual voter registration disaster which has long drawn criticisms of voter disenfranchisement.

"I definitely wasn't expecting that big of a turnout so when I first saw it, I was in awe," Cornelius said of the march, which she said brought her to tears. "Then I had to think, we really have been pushing the history of suppression and the current struggle ... it was good to see that things were coming to fruition."

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.A San Antonio woman arrested Monday is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old autistic boy while his grandparents watched, according to police.

Jacqueline Flores Alonzo, 28, is charged with sexual assault of a child, jail records showed.

The boy, now 15, came forward on Aug. 24, according to Alonzo's arrest affidavit. A Child Protective Services investigator on the case told police that the boy was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and was removed from his family after he reported the alleged assault.

RELATED: Man arrested in connection to August triple shooting on North East side

On Oct. 9, police interviewed the boy's mother, who confirmed that he told her about the encounter. Later that day, another detective interviewed the boy's step-grandmother. She told police she let Alonzo stay in the home with them after she was released from jail on a prostitution charge, according to the affidavit.

She also said she observed the two having sex and that the boy's grandfather was sitting on the couch and also watched, according to the affidavit.

Police interviewed the grandfather on Oct. 23. He denied knowing anything about the alleged sexual encounter and stated his wife was lying about what she witnessed. He did confirm the two were staying in his home at the same time, however.

RELATED: Texas car shop owner accused in customer's grisly slaying

Alonzo was arrested on a $50,000 bond, according to jail records. Her criminal history includes several prostitution charges that date back to 2013.

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Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta defeated Democratic challenger Robert Pruett with 62 percent, 68,556 votes, supporting him in a rematch from a 2014 contest.

Sebesta, who lives in Angleton, emphasized that the county had lowered its tax rate over three years. He cited the coming addition of toll lanes and related work to Texas 288 as one of the most beneficial projects he's overseen. Sebesta has served in public office for 28 years beginning on the planning and zoning committee in Angleton in 1990. He subsequent held posts as a council member and mayor for that city then as Brazoria County commissioner.

Pruett, a retired Galena Park police chief and former administrator for that city, campaigned with ideas such a tax abatement to first-time home buyers for one year to help ease the financial hurdle into home ownership. Pruett, a Army veteran, described himself as a fiscally conservative Democrat but argues that county taxpayers aren't getting enough in services for what they pay and argued that having a mix of Democrats and Republican elected county officials makes for better government.

In the race for Brazoria County Precinct 2, incumbent Ryan Cade, a Republican, defeated Democrat Jackie K. Funkhouser after garnering almost 60 percent of the vote.

Cade, an insurance agent who lives in Baileys Prairie, received 16,914 votes  or 59.81 percent of votes cast in the race  while Funkhouser, a 53-year-old Silverlake resident, received 11,367 votes, according to unofficial results.

During the campaign, Cade said his goal was to pursue responsible and efficient ways to handle growth. Funkhouser had said that if elected, her first step will be to listen to constituents and that she believed that Pearland needs a voice in the county.JAKARTA, Indonesia - Airplane manufacturer Boeing on Wednesday issued a bulletin to airlines worldwide warning of erroneous readings from flight-control software on its planes, after a Lion Air jetliner crashed into the sea soon after takeoff, killing the 189 people on board.

Boeing, which is assisting in an investigation into what went wrong in the Oct. 29 crash of one of its new 737 Max 8 jets, said it issued the bulletin as "part of its usual process."

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday issued an emergency notice to all operators of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 planes. It warned airlines that erroneous sensor inputs like the one that came into play in Indonesia "could cause the flight crew to have difficulty controlling the airplane," leading to "possible impact with terrain."

Boeing's bulletin was the first indication that an error with the aircraft's systems may have caused problems for the Lion Air flight, which took off from Jakarta. At takeoff, the plane's altitude fluctuated dramatically, and the plane increased in speed before nose-diving into the Java Sea 13 minutes later.

Indonesian investigators have recovered the plane's flight data recorder, which showed that the plane's airspeed indicator malfunctioned on its last four flights.

"It's a stunning simple but deadly error," said Mary Schiavo, an aviation lawyer and former inspector general of the U.S. Transportation Department. "I can't even recall the number of accidents I've worked where the accident happened the first flight after maintenance. A reported problem, they supposedly fixed it, and then it goes down."

Boeing's bulletin said, "The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee has indicated that Lion Air Flight 610 experienced erroneous input from one of its AOA (Angle of Attack) sensors." A misreading in the sensor can cause a plane to dive suddenly.

Indonesian investigators said Wednesday that an AOA sensor on the jet was replaced the day before the doomed flight, on Oct. 28, when a pilot flying the same aircraft on a different route, from Bali to Jakarta, reported problems with it. The pilot on the crashed Lion Air flight had asked shortly after takeoff to return to the airport in Jakarta but lost contact with air traffic controllers afterward.

The Angle of Attack sensor, shown to reporters at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, was manufactured by Minnesota-based Rosemount Aerospace Inc. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Schiavo said it's clear from flight-tracking data that the pilots fought to keep the plane up.

"The pilots had a battle on their hands for a few minutes," she said. "They couldn't get above 5,000 feet at a time when they should have been over [10,000]. Something happened three to four minutes into the flight. They called to turn back to the airport, but they didn't call mayday, which means they didn't have time. They were fighting something."

In Jakarta, investigators showed reporters the AOA sensor that was removed from the aircraft. The small black cylinder contains a sensor that controls the angle between the wing and the air it is moving through. If the angle is too high as a plane climbs, that would cause a stall.

The Boeing 737 Max 8 jets are among the manufacturer's newest models and have been snapped up by airliners in booming aviation markets, including Indonesia and India.More than 200 are in service across the world, billed as the most advanced of the popular 737 jets - and capable of flying more than twice as far than the plane that debuted in 1967.

Indonesian authorities would provide Boeing with information from the pilot who flew with the problematic sensor so it could be shared with other airlines, said Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Committee.

Ony Suryo Wibowo, another investigator, said that it was too early to say what caused the crash. The full investigation could take a year.

The two Indonesian airlines that fly the Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, national carrier Garuda and Lion Air, both declined to comment on the bulletin. Indonesian officials say that all 11 such aircraft have been tested and declared safe to fly.

The 787 Max 8 is the second Boeing aircraft to experience serious technical problems soon after its introduction, leading some analysts to question whether Boeing may have overlooked quality concerns as it strives to meet rising global demand. Boeing has been working to increase production capacity at the Renton, Wash., factory where 737s are assembled.

The FAA grounded Boeing's entire 787 fleet in 2013 after lithium-ion batteries overheated and caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board later faulted Boeing as well as its battery supplier, GS Yuasa, for its approach to safety and quality control.

The Seattle Times reported in August that Boeing's Renton factory has struggled to meet its production targets amid late deliveries from companies manufacturing its components. The company has sought to increase its production from 47 jets per month to 52 per month.

On Wednesday, Indonesian officials said the doomed flight would be re-created at Boeing facilities in Seattle to see what role the sensor may have played.

Experts have been puzzled about what could have caused the jet to go down in clear skies, unlike other major airplane disasters in which weather or older jets were major factors. The data from the flight recorder and Boeing's statement have provided the first clues, but rescuers are still searching for the device that records voices in the plane's cockpit. That recorder is expected to provide a clearer picture to investigators of the Lion Air flight's final moments.

"Boeing has now introduced two aircraft that have had significant problems," said Henry Harteveldt, an analyst with the consultancy Atmosphere Research Group. "What will have to be found is, is Boeing pushing itself too hard? Are the workers moving too fast to meet production deadlines?"

Still, Teal Group aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia said the commercial passengers should not be nervous about getting on a 737 Max 8.

"We're going to learn from this just like we learned from the A330," he said, referring to a 2009 incident in which an Airbus A330 crashed off the coast of Brazil with 228 people on board due to electronics failures. "The big picture is the system keeps getting safer and safer, and it's still the safest form of transportation ever designed by humans," he said.

---

The Washington Post's Shibani Mahtani in Singapore and Ainur Rohmah in Jakarta and Aaron Gregg in Washington contributed to reporting.California voters defeated a pair of statewide ballot initiatives Tuesday to repeal a year-old gas tax and to allow cities and counties to expand rent control, initiatives designed to address two of the state's most pressing problems.

The defeat of Proposition 6, which would have nullified a 12-cent per gallon increase in the tax on gasoline passed by legislators in 2017, was the more surprising loss. The measure had served as a symbol of high-tax California and helped energize a state Republican Party that has faded as a political force over the past two decades.

The proposition was rejected by 55 percent of voters, after polls showed it as too close to call heading into Election Day. The gas tax increase is projected to raise $52 billion over the next decade for roads, highways and bridges, projects the proposition's opponents said would be in jeopardy if voters repealed the tax.

Rural parts of the state, where traffic is lightest, largely supported the repeal. But urban voters plagued by round-the-clock "rush hour" traffic killed it.

The rent control measure - Proposition 10 - appeared doomed heading into Tuesday's vote, with nearly 62 percent of voters opposing it.The initiative would have effectively repealed a 1995 law that limited the ability of local jurisdictions to impose rent control on single-family homes and to set the rent once an apartment becomes vacant.

The measure's proponents, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, D, cast it as a nod toward strengthening local control at a time when many of California's urban areas are experiencing housing shortages, sky-rocketing rents and rampant homelessness.

But a well-financed opposition, led by California's powerful real estate and apartment-owner interest groups, argued that the measure would stifle home and apartment construction at a time when supply is short. Governor-elect Gavin Newsom, D, opposed the initiative, as did the influential building trades association.

It also appeared that a ballot measure in the city of Santa Cruz that would have expanded rent control also failed to achieve the two-thirds vote it needed to pass. Rent-control advocates say more such measures will appear on local ballots in the years ahead.

But a San Francisco ballot initiative to raise revenue to address a spiraling homeless crisis by taxing business did pass. Proposition C, which would raise an estimated $300 million for homeless programs, split the tech community in the city and pit Marc Benioff of Salesforce, who favored the measure, and Twitter's Jack Dorsey, who opposed it, against each other in the run up to the vote.

Mayor London Breed, who has made addressing homelessness a priority of her new administration, opposed the initiative, arguing it would discourage businesses from moving into the city. The measure will likely draw a legal challenge in the months ahead.

In East Palo Alto, a city squeezed by the expansion of nearby tech companies that bring jobs but no housing, voters appeared to approve their own "tech tax." Measure HH would impose a tax on large office space with the money going toward affordable housing and job training programs.

The measure needed two-thirds of the vote to pass and it appeared to have achieved that with the majority of votes counted.

By early Wednesday, House races in the state appeared to boost the Democratic majority by a net of three seats, though demographic changes and recent voting trends had raised their hopes for a better result.

In a Democratic flip, businessman Harley Rouda appeared to defeat Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R). Rohrabacher, whose affinity for Russian leader Vladimir Putin puzzled many in his party, had represented the southern Orange County district since 1988. Rouda secured just over 50 percent of the vote.

Democrats also picked up a seat viewed as a test of their ability to win over working-class Democrats who had been voting Republican. Homeless advocate Katie Hill defeated Rep. Steve Knight, R, in a district representing northern Los Angeles County.

In the race to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Darrell Issa, R, Democrat Mike Levin remained ahead of Republican Diane Harkey with more than half of precincts reporting. Levin is an environmental activist.

But Republicans appeared to be holding onto three other heavily contested seats. In the race to succeed Rep. Ed Royce, R, former state Assemblywoman Young Kim defeated Democrat Gil Cisneros in an Orange County district the Democratic Party had viewed as winnable.

Rep. Jeff Denham, R, also appeared to hold onto his Central Vallety seat, and Rep. Mimi Walters, R, held off Democrat Katie Porter to win a third term.WASHINGTON - The news that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had resigned Wednesday at President Donald Trump's request unnerved congressional Democrats, who immediately called for Sessions' successor to recuse himself from oversight of the Russia investigation being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Republicans, meanwhile, largely avoided any mention of the Mueller probe in their statements on Sessions' departure, with several saying they were looking forward to working with Trump to find a long-term successor to the attorney general. Sessions will be succeeded on a temporary basis by his chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker.

The announcement came just hours after Trump threatened at a news conference to retaliate with a "warlike posture" against Democrats should they try to investigate him in the wake of their House victory on Tuesday. It also came after Republicans bolstered their ranks in the Senate with several new members who are ardent supporters of the president.

Some Democrats, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., warned that any move by Trump to limit the Mueller probe would trigger a "constitutional crisis."

"Our paramount view is that any attorney general, whether this one or another one, should not be able to interfere with the Mueller investigation in any way," Schumer said at a Capitol Hill news conference. The New York Democrat was caught off guard by Sessions' resignation, learning of the news when an aide passed him a note at the start of his post-election news conference.

The GOP padded its slim 51-49 Senate majority on Tuesday, flipping Democratic-held seats in Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota, and three outstanding races are leaning toward Republicans. Asked whether the loss of more seats makes it more difficult for Democrats to block an attorney general nominee they deemed inappropriate, Schumer said the rules of the upper chamber already only require a simple majority, so it made no difference.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a tweet that it was "impossible to read Attorney General Sessions' firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by @realDonaldTrump to undermine & end Special Counsel Mueller's investigation.''

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., the incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a tweet that the country needs answers as to the reasons behind Sessions' removal.

"Why is the President making this change and who has authority over Special Counsel Mueller's investigation? We will be holding people accountable," Nadler asked.

Other Democrats focused specifically on Whitaker, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, calling it "a break the glass moment."

"Replacing the Attorney General with a non-Senate-confirmed political staffer is highly irregular and unacceptable," he said in a statement, urging Republicans to join Democrats in demanding that Whitaker recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller probe. He also said he would introduce new legislation to "ensure that Congress and the American people see the results of Special Counsel Mueller's work."

Many Republicans had previously voiced opposition to the idea of Trump removing Sessions and were angered by the president's persistent public attacks on one of their former Senate colleagues. But on Wednesday, they were noticeably less critical.

Last year, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., had declared himself "100 percent" behind Sessions and warned that "there will be holy hell to pay" if Trump fired his attorney general.

On Wednesday, Graham, who has transformed into one of Trump's strongest defenders in recent months, gave his blessing to the president's move.

"I look forward to working with President @realDonaldTrump to find a confirmable, worthy successor so that we can start a new chapter at the Department of Justice and deal with both the opportunities and challenges our nation faces," Graham said in a tweet.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., struck a similar note, thanking Sessions for his service and saying that he looks "forward to working with him in any future endeavors."

"Throughout his career, as a prosecutor, a senator and as attorney general, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the rule of law and his love of our great nation," McConnell said, making no mention of the Russia investigation.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., expressed the hope that Trump select a candidate who backs efforts to overhaul the criminal justice system. Sessions has been resistant to the effort.

"I want to thank Jeff Sessions for his service to our nation," Scott said. "I am hopeful that President Trump will take this opportunity to nominate a replacement that is invested in criminal justice reform."

Among those criticizing Trump's move on Wednesday was former attorney general Eric Holder, who drew a direct line between Sessions's removal and the Mueller probe.

"Anyone who attempts to interfere with or obstruct the Mueller inquiry must be held accountable," Holder said in a tweet. "This is a red line. We are a nation of laws and norms not subject to the self interested actions of one man."

---

The Washington Post's Gabriel Pogrund, Paul Kane and Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 76F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 51F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.U.S. aviation regulators plan to order airlines to follow Boeing's advisory on how pilots should handle false readings from a plane sensor that authorities linked to last week's deadly 737 Max jet crash off the coast of Indonesia.

The Boeing bulletin combined with statements by Indonesian investigators suggest that the pilots on the Lion Air 737 Max 8 were battling the plane as its computers commanded a steep dive. The issue is easily solved -- Boeing's notice said crews should follow an existing procedure to combat it -- but can be difficult to address if pilots become confused.

The so called angle-of-attack sensor failed on Lion Air Flight 610 and had been replaced the previous day after earlier faults, the Indonesia National Transportation Safety Committee said in a briefing. The malfunction can cause the plane's computers to erroneously register an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to abruptly dive to regain the airspeed it needs to keep flying.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday said it would issue an airworthiness directive on the issue and "will take further appropriate actions depending on the results of the investigation." The FAA also notified regulatory counterparts around the world, which typically follow the U.S. agency's lead on safety matters.

The Boeing bulletin only reminds operators of the plane to follow existing procedures and doesn't require any physical fixes that could disrupt service. It's still possible the FAA may order the Chicago-based planemaker to redesign the Max's flight computers in the wake of the Oct. 29 accident, which left 189 people dead.

The Lion Air jetliner plunged into the Java Sea minutes after takeoff from Jakarta airport, nosing downward so suddenly that it may have hit speeds of 600 miles an hour before slamming into the water.

Moments earlier, the pilots radioed a request to return to Jakarta to land, but never turned back toward the airport, according to Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee and flight-tracking data. The committee said the pilots were dealing with an erroneous airspeed indication.

Boeing said it is cooperating fully and providing technical assistance as the investigation continues.

The company's shares fell less than 1 percent to $363.85 at 9:43 a.m. in New York. The stock had climbed 24 percent this year through Tuesday.

An erroneous angle-of-attack reading while pilots are flying manually can cause the plane's flight computers to command the Max models to dive, Boeing said in the bulletin to airlines. While planes like the Max fly mostly on autopilot, pilots can fly manually if they're dealing with unusual situations like the malfunctions that occurred on the Lion Air flight.

Pilots can override the nose-down movement by pushing a switch on their control yoke, but the plane's computers will resume trying to dive as soon as they release the switch, the manufacturer said.

Pilots should follow a separate procedure to halt the potentially dangerous action by the plane, the bulletin said. Flight crews are taught to handle "uncommanded nose-down stabilizer trim" by memorizing a procedure to disengage the angle-of-attack inputs to the plane's computer system.

That angle-of-attack sensor is intended to measure the direction of air flow over wings so that they maintain lift. If the flow is disrupted by a plane going too slow or climbing too steeply, that can cause an aerodynamic stall and a plane will plummet. However, if the sensor malfunctions, it can cause the plane's computers to erroneously think it is in a stall -- which can then command the aircraft to abruptly dive.

The jet reported a discrepancy in its angle of attack sensor during a flight from Bali to Jakarta the day before it crashed. The device was replaced after pilots reported a problem with the airspeed reading, the Indonesian transportation safety regulator said Wednesday.

Boeing has delivered 219 Max planes -- the latest and most advanced 737 jets -- since the models made their commercial debut last year with a Lion Air subsidiary. Boeing has more than 4,500 orders for the airliners, which feature larger engines, more aerodynamic wings and an upgraded cockpit with larger glass displays. The single-aisle family is Boeing's biggest source of profit.

Aircraft and engine manufacturers routinely send bulletins to air carriers noting safety measures and maintenance actions they should take, most of them relatively routine. But the urgency of a fatal accident can trigger a flurry of such notices.

After an engine on a Southwest Airlines plane fractured earlier this year over Pennsylvania, killing a passenger, CFM International Inc. issued multiple bulletins to operators of its CFM56-7B power plants.

Aviation regulators such as the U.S. FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency often follow such actions by mandating that carriers follow the bulletins.

Pilots raise and lower the nose of Boeing jetliners by pushing and pulling on a yoke in the cockpit, which controls panels at the tail known as elevators. In addition, a system known as pitch trim can be changed to prompt nose-up or nose-down movement.

The angle of attack readings are fed into a computer that in some cases will attempt to push down the nose using the pitch trim system. In the early days of the jet age, the pitch trim system was linked to several accidents. If pilots aren't careful, they can cause severe nose-down trim settings that make it impossible to level a plane.

Such an issue arose in 2016 at Rostov-on-Don Airport in Russia when a FlyDubai 737-800 nosed over and slammed into the runway at a steep angle, according to an interim report by Russian investigators. That case didn't involve the angle-of-attack system. One of the pilots had trimmed the plane to push the nose down while trying to climb after aborting a landing, the report said. All 62 people on board died.

- - -

Bloomberg's Kyunghee Park and Anurag Kotoky contributed.Hanoi Highway expansion project has been implemented to reduce traffic jam in northeast gateway to the city.



The upgraded stretch has the total length of 15.7 kilometers starting from Saigon Bridge to Dong Nai bridge. Although construction started in April 2010 by HCMC Infrastructure Investment JSC (CII), the work has still been half-done for the last eight years.

CII says that the lateness has been due to slow site clearance and handover especially in District 9 and Binh Duong province.

Director of Hanoi Highway expansion project Nguyen Thanh Nam said that 75 percent of the works volume has been done and disbursement has reached VND2,617 billion (US$112.18 million).

Initial investment capital has increased to VND4,905 billion from the initial number of VND2.5 trillion ($107.25 million) because of long lasting construction and some items supplementation and adjustment.

HCMC Peoples Committee has approved to extend the deadline to complete the work until 2018, five years behind initial plan.

Besides difficulties in site clearance, CII has been concerned that the project construction will be slow because Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line progress has been extended to wait for funding.

The two projects have many overlapped items. On the same construction site, Hanoi Highway is expanded on the ground while the metro line is constructed above the ground. Therefore, the construction of Hanoi Highway has much depended on Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro route progress especially in Districts 2 and 9.

Similarly, other road expanding projects have seen prolong construction. Vo Van Kiet Boulevard was put into operation in 2009. This is an important radial road of HCMC linking up the Mekong Delta and the southeastern region. Still, the route has regularly been congested in An Lac crossroads in the western entrance gateway to the city where the ending part of Vo Van Kiet boulevard has not been connected with HCMC-Trung Luong expressway.

Therefore, the city started work on a 2.7 kilometer road to connect the boulevard and the expressway in 2015. It is expected to be done after 20 months of construction. However, the work has still been in the way after three years of building because of site clearance.

The project requires site clearance of over 29 hectares in Tan Kien commune, Binh Chanh district.

According to Site Clearance Compensation Board in Binh Chanh, site clearance and handover progress has approximated 80 percent with 200 out of 250 households having removed. Nevertheless, the projects investor said that the site handover has been scattered so it has been unable to construct the road. Some households have disagreed with handing over their land so they have not let construction units to take machines in the construction site.

Meantime, 14 out of 64 kilometers of Ring Road No.2 have not been built including eight kilometers in District 9 and Thu Duc and six kilometers in District 8 and Binh Chanh.

Besides the under construction stretch from Pham Van Dong street to Go Dua intersection, HCMC has been calling on investors for other stretches from An Lac roundabout to Nguyen Van Linh street, Phu Huu bridge in District 9 to Phan Van Dong street in Thu Duc. The city has set a target of building the ring road before 2020.

Mr. Le Ngoc Hung, director of Urban Transport Management Department No.1, which the city Department of Transport has assigned to manage traffic in eastern HCMC, said that contractors preparation of machines and equipment has been quite sufficient. The investor has also prepared funds for the project. Construction now just waits for site handover.

The Department of Transport says that HCMC plans to implement 172 traffic projects with the total capital of VND320 trillion ($13.72 billion) in the phase of 2016-2020. However capital shortage and slow site handover in projects with available funds have made the target unlikely obtainable.

This year, the city will start work on some major traffic projects such as Nam Ly bridge connecting District 2 and 9 with the total cost of nearly VND860 billion, Road D1 connecting Saigon University with Nguyen Van Linh street and Him Lam residential area at the total cost of VND300 billion, a road linking Ba Chiem bridge intersection up to Hiep Phuoc industrial park at VND411 billion.

Deputy director of the Transport Department Nguyen Van Tam said that the progress of many traffic works has not been as expected in the city this year because of site clearance problems. Long lasting construction has highly increased costs for investors as well as construction units.

HCMC is now improving a site clearance coordination process among relevant agencies. It is hoped to be a feasible solution to solve difficulties in site clearance for technical infrastructure in general and traffic projects in separate.

By QUOC HUNG  Translated by Hai MienPhong affirmed that the Vietnamese NA has always supported the intensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, which has been developing strongly, comprehensively, and practically, as well a forming a strong political trust between senior leaders of both sides.



She hailed the role that incumbent and former Japanese parliamentarians play in fostering the relationship between the two countries.



Describing Japan as one of Vietnams leading economic partners, Phong expressed her hope that the two countries will continue expanding their partnership in all fields, meeting the expectation of peoples of both sides for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.



The NA Vice Chairwoman told her guest that the Vietnamese NA is scheduled to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on November 12. She hoped that the Japanese side would support Vietnam during the implementation of the deal.



Regarding the Vietnam-Japan university project, Phong affirmed that Vietnamese leaders have been paying great attention to the project, with hopes of making the university a symbol of Vietnam-Japan ties.



The Vietnamese NA will ask relevant agencies and localities to speed up the project, she stated.



For his part, Saito Toshitsugu hailed important achievements that Vietnam has gained during its process of national construction and development, as well as the active role of Vietnam in regional and international issues.



He pledged to exert efforts to lift the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new height.







NEW HAVEN  Martin Looney and Len Fasano, respective leaders of the Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate, both won reelection Tuesday night.

Looney, a Democrat from New Haven, bested newcomer Erin Reilly.

After hearing the results come in from his home polling place, Nathan Hale School, around 8:30 p.m. Looney said he felt good about the results.

Its an area in general that has strong Democratic and Republican adherence, and there were some strong wins for Democrats, he said. This is the ward where Republicans transitionally do best in the city.

Looney said he did not want to speculate on any results.

Jeff Weiss, chairman of the New Haven Republicans, said the registration differences between Democrats and Republicans in New Haven is laughably disproportionate but he is proud of his candidates, including Reilly.

Were essentially rebuilding the party in New Haven, he said.

Both Looney and Reilly made partisan pitches during the race. In October, Looney told the Register that the future of Connecticut is at stake if Connecticut came under the control of the Trump-centered Republican Party operating at the state level. Although Reilly did not return multiple requests for comment from the press, her campaign website declared Democrats destroyed Connecticut.

Fasano, a Republican from North Haven, defeated Aili McKeen.

Fasano said that, no matter how the senate tilts, conversations will have to take place.

Democrats have not had the types of conversations like they have over the last two years, he said.

No matter which party takes control of the senate, he said, Republicans would reach out to Democrats.

McKeen said she realized she had lost, but she felt confident she has built a foundation for Democrats to take Fasanos seat in future races.

During the campaign, Fasano said one of his priorities is privatizing social services. McKeen mentioned labor unions as one of the key issues of her campaign.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.comNew York City has experienced a 22 percent increase in bias crimes against Jewish people so far this year, 159 compared to 130 during the same period of 2017, the police department reported Wednesday.

While the city was on pace to have a lower number of hate crimes this year, it saw a big jump in October, particularly in anti-Semitic crimes. The report was issued after the Oct. 27 shooting attack during Sabbath services at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11, injured seven and drew national attention. On Monday, New York police arrested a man charged with scrawling pro-Nazi slogans inside a Brooklyn synagogue a week ago.Da Nang Airport is one of the hot spots for dioxin pollution in Vietnam. On April 1, 2011, the Ministry of Defence approved a project to remediate the environmental pollution in the airport implemented by the Air Defence-Air Force in coordination with the US International Development Agency (USAID).



The projects investment includes 60 billion VND from the Vietnamese Government and about 110 million USD from the US Government in non-refundable aid.

It treated about 90,000 cubic metres of dioxin-polluted mud and soil, isolating about 50,000 cubic metres of mud and soil with contamination, and handing over 18.7ha of treated land. An additional 13.7ha of clean land is scheduled to be handed over on November 7 for the expansion of the airport and towards the citys social economic development.

Addressing the conference, Than Thanh Cong, head of the Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Office 701), said that the project has completed all of its objectives, successfully treating toxic soil and sediment in Da Nang Airport and minimising the risk of effecting the surrounding environment and people.

The project is significant in various aspects, vastly improving the communitys health, environment, economy, and society, he said, adding that its success shows the US commitment to working closely with Vietnam in the work and meets the expectation of Vietnamese people for a safe and dioxin-free environment.

However, some delegates also pointed to a number of shortcomings of the project, including insufficient surveys that led to the adjustment of the projects coverage, along with technical challenges due to specific climate and environmental conditions in the locality.

VietnamnewsWASHINGTON - Republicans cemented control of the Senate for two more years Tuesday and positioned themselves for a more conservative majority, with victories by candidates who aligned closely with President Donald Trump.

Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Indiana businessman Mike Braun and Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, all staunch Trump allies, won seats held by Democrats. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, another Trump loyalist, defeated a popular former governor for an open seat in Tennessee.

The results held implications for coming battles over the federal judiciary, trade, health care, government spending and immigration. Trump's worldview is expected to be reflected strongly in those debates in the wake of Tuesday's elections.

The outcomes also held significance for Trump himself. His administration could face an onslaught of investigations beginning next year. Democrats took over in the House. Some Democrats have even raised the possibility of impeachment. Senate Republicans could be Trump's bulwark on Capitol Hill.

Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spoke Tuesday night, according to McConnell spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier. "The leader and the president had a great conversation, and he thanked the president for all his help," she said.

The Senate Democratic caucus, meanwhile, is poised to shift to the left. The ouster of key centrists willing work with Trump and the presence of several liberal senators gearing up for possible presidential runs could cause more polarization in the chamber.

With the map in their favor, Republicans - who currently control both chambers of Congress - were on track to preserve and possibly expand their 51-to-49 advantage in the Senate. Analysts across the political spectrum had favored them to remain in power, even as they said Democrats were likely to wrest control of the House.

"I see two things," said Jim Manley, a former top Democratic Senate aide, looking ahead. "A president unwilling to tone down his rhetoric, along with the Senate Republicans unwilling to break with him."

Some of the most closely watched Senate races pitted centrist Democrats against conservative Republicans who ardently embraced Trump. Contests in Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana, West Virginia and Tennessee fell into this category.

Even before Tuesday's vote, Senate Republicans were poised for a more pro-Trump roster next year. Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who have frequently voiced concerns about Trump's tone and his governing philosophy, are retiring. John McCain, a vocal Trump critic, died in August.

Democrats tried to defeat candidates who marched in lockstep with Trump by running on preserving health-care protections and other so-called "kitchen table" issues. In key races, they fell short.

In North Dakota, Cramer's defeat of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp means that one of the chamber's few moderate Democrats will be replaced by a close ally of Trump. Trump personally recruited Cramer to run. On major issues, Cramer endorsed Trump's positions.

In Indiana, Braun ran in Trump's mold, as an outsider eager to shake up Washington. He defeated a pair of House members in the Republican primary before beating centrist Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly on Tuesday.

Two states over in Missouri, Hawley ousted Sen. Claire McCaskill, D, in a race with similar dynamics. Hawley, like Cramer, championed Trump's views on trade, even as he faced criticism that farmers in his state would suffer under the president's tariffs.

One wild card next year is Mitt Romney. The former Republican presidential nominee won the seat of retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R. Romney has criticized Trump, including in a speech opposing his candidacy in 2016. But lately, he has been less openly hostile to the president.

Senate Democrats were defending 26 of the 35 seats on the ballot, including 10 in states Trump won. They were hoping to offset their losses with some gains.

They looked to pick up a pair of seats in the Sun Belt, with Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., trying to unseat Sen. Dean Heller, R, a onetime Trump critic who warmed up to the president during the campaign.

In Arizona, Democratic leaders were hopeful that Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Green Party activist who ran as a moderate Democrat, would win Flake's seat. Her opponent was Rep. Martha McSally, a onetime Trump critic who dialed down her hostility in the campaign.

Florida, another state with a diverse population, was the site of the expensive and pivotal showdown between Sen. Bill Nelson, D, and Gov. Rick Scott, R. Scott, unlike most other top Senate candidates, distanced himself from the president in the campaign. The race was tight late Tuesday.

Many Democratic Senate contenders railed against Trump's tariffs during the campaign. In Tennessee, former governor Phil Bredesen, who lost to Blackburn, cast the tariffs as harmful to the state's automobile, farming and whiskey industries.

Sen. Joe Manchin III, D, held on to his seat in West Virginia. Manchin was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He has touted his cooperation with the president, and Republicans are expected to court his support in future votes.

Democrats were hopeful Jon Tester, D-Mont., would keep his seat, despite Trump holding a rally in his state in the final stage of the campaign.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who clashed sharply with Trump in the 2016 primary, lined up squarely behind the president en route to his defeat of Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D, who achieved rock-star status on the left.

The Senate Republican agenda is not expected to be nearly as ambitious as the past two years, when the GOP controlled the federal government following Trump's surprise win. The Democratic House takeover will probably be a major impediment to reaching an agreement on most big issues.

Still, the Senate will have to navigate some high-stakes battles. The Trump administration is preparing for a massive post-midterm shake-up, which could trigger nominations for attorney general and other Cabinet posts the Senate would be tasked with confirming in the months ahead.

McConnell has made confirming federal judges a top priority. That is a task carried out by the Senate alone, and McConnell's allies said that will continue to be a focal point in the next Congress.

"I think that the one thing that becomes really important, both to the administration and Senate Republicans, is to continue to be in the personnel business," said Josh Holmes, a former McConnell chief of staff and one of his closest confidants. "I think remaking the judiciary is high on the agenda, no matter what."

A looming debate over health care and the outcome of a Republican lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act could prompt further consideration of tweaks to the law. Immigration, which Trump and the Republicans made a centerpiece of their midterm pitch, could spark a new debate about border security funding.

Congress will also have to approve or reject a sweeping trade deal Trump spearheaded with Mexico and Canada. More basic tasks such as funding the federal government have proved to be politically challenging in recent years and could be further complicatedby an ideological shift on Capitol Hill.

What voters decided Tuesday also will determine the starting point for the next fight for the Senate majority, in 2020. Republicans are facing a more difficult Senate map, with seats to defend in the purple states of Iowa, North Carolina, Colorado and Maine.

McConnell, who is also up in 2020, was hoping to pad the slim GOP cushion going into the next cycle. The looming races could also be a factor leading some GOP senators to distance themselves from Trump next year.

But Republican senators are still facing the threat of drawing a primary challenger if they are too hostile to Trump. Most party strategists have concluded that straying from him sharply out of the gate would be politically unwise.

One race that did not conclude on Tuesday was in Mississippi. The special election to succeed retired Republican Thad Cochran headed to a runoff on Nov. 27.Saudi Arabian Military Industries and Spain's state-owned shipbuilder Navantia started a joint venture to manufacture warships in the kingdom, preserving a deal threatened by a global outcry over the murder of government critic Jamal Khashoggi.

SAMI Navantia Naval Industries will design and build five corvettes of the "Avanti 2200" class, equipped with a combat management system, for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The two parties came to the agreement during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Spain in April, SPA said. It didn't provide a value for the deal.At the event, German Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Andreas Siegel highlighted the potential for renewable energy including wind energy of Vietnam.The consul general affirmed the German enterprises would be willing to cooperate and support Vietnam in developing the industry.Almost speakers at the seminar said that environmental pollution was caused by impact of severe climate change and exhaust emissions from greenhouse effect which has been threatening to lives of people around the globe. Therefore, the development of renewable energy, a source of clean energy is extremely important, contributing to sustainable economic and social development.According to Mr. Berthold Breid, founder and director of Renewables Academy AG (Renac), after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occurred in Japan in 2011, the German government released policy about removing nuclear power including developing of renewable energy. Currently, Germany's renewable energy accounts for 36 percent of all energy sources.Vietnam has favorable conditions for the development of renewable energy, including wind energy. With the advantage of a long coastline, the S-line country could develop offshore wind power or big wind energy farms.According to the draft plan about national renewable energy development of the Institute for Energy of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the countrys wind power capacity will be expected to reach more than 1,600 MW by 2020 and this figure could be more than 11,000 MW in 2030.Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Renewable Energy Center under the Institute of Energy also shared challenges in wind power development in Vietnam as the policy has many obstacles, the regulations on technology are inadequate, land fund for wind farms is limited or transmission lines do not meet requirement, etc etcMs. Vu Chi Mai, a specialist from the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) said that both Vietnam and Germany identified the renewable energy as one of strategical cooperation. Therefore, GIZ is ready to support Vietnam, help improvement for legal framework conditions and develop capacity and cooperation in technology so that Vietnam could strongly develop in the field of wind power in the coming time.

BY DO VAN- Translated by Huyen HuongWASHINGTON - Election Day is over, but government officials are still watching out for potential interference in the political process after detecting online disinformation that was meant to undermine Tuesday's midterms.

Foreign adversaries will "continue to push misinformation" even after the election results are fully reported, a Department of Homeland Security official told reporters in a series of briefings on election security that lasted well into the night.

While DHS made clear it did not detect any breaches that would affect the casting or counting of votes, the official expressed concerns that bad actors could create the perception that the election was not secure -- including by "enhancing or overstating" how successful hacking attempts were. "We're talking about propaganda machines," the official said, "that are trying to divide the American people and undermine their confidence in election systems."

Officials and disinformation experts have long said that a hacking claim could damage trust in the U.S. election system just as much as a real breach. It's imperative that voters perceive the U.S. election system is secure, they say, especially in the wake of the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's campaign of hacking and fake news was designed to influence the 2016 presidential election in favor of Donald Trump.

But with votes still being counted in some states, the DHS official said it was too early to tell if their efforts to reassure the American public the election's integrity is intact will be effective. "I'm not sure we have a good way to gauge right now what the general public sentiment is right now on what transpired today from an election security standpoint," the official said.

Officials underscored the department would still be engaged in assisting state officials by auditing votes, and coordinating with other agencies and state election administrators about potential cyberthreats or disinformation campaigns. But it was clear by their last call with reporters at midnight that they were starting to view Election Day 2018 as a victory. The DHS official said there have been no reported incidents "that would affect the ability to cast and count votes." Though there were examples of instances of disinformation spreading on social media, companies such as Facebook appeared to be quick to take action against the bubbling campaigns that were reported throughout the day.

As The New York Times's Kevin Roose put it on Twitter: "Minor blips aside, we seem to have gotten through an election day without a major cybersecurity breach or a viral misinformation epidemic. That's a big deal, and a credit to everyone who pushed hard for accountability and transparency in these systems."

Even so, the midterms did give some clues about how disinformation campaigns are evolving. For instance, p eople used social media to spread false information about how to vote.

Throughout the day, there were reports of disinformation about where to vote on social media. Common hoaxes included posts that said Republicans vote Nov. 6, Democrats vote Nov. 7, or vice versa. Facebook told Reuters reporter Joseph Menn it was cracking down on such posts. But he still saw three public posts after they made that statement, and I myself found many examples of similar hoaxes circulating on Twitter.

In another shift, the disinformation about voting wasn't limited to the main social platforms - Google, Twitter and Facebook. Roose shared examples of disinformation on sites as seemingly random as Nextdoor, a niche social networking site for neighbors to connect:

The midterms also showed us tangible evidence of how the federal government stepped up its efforts to coordinate with state and local election officials on combating disinformation -- or lend expertise to handle any false alarms. In one instance, states reported to the government their concerns about text messages sent out with inaccurate voting information. DHS, according to the official, was able to determine that a third-party provider was simply having a technology issue and it wasn't an example of an adversary trying to manipulate the vote. Another official on the call said the government was working with states to deal with issues that might cause a site to crash from increased traffic to local and state websites when unofficial results are posted. "Don't automatically assume it's a DDoS attack by a malicious actor," the official warned.

Officials said they were already looking ahead to securing the 2020 vote. An official said the team would get "a few hours" to rest overnight but would quickly be evaluating what worked and what didn't. "Our focus is providing the services, the support that state and local partners need and ensuring that when 2020 rolls around, everyone is as secure as possible for that vote," the DHS official just told reporters.

But as we learned in 2016, it's difficult to understand the full scope of cybersecurity incidents the morning after the election, and we may not know the full picture. It's possible that reports of cybersecurity incidents could emerge in the coming days, weeks and months as ballots and systems are audited.

We also don't know if technology companies' efforts to stamp out disinformation on their platforms were enough -- or at least enough to quell lawmakers' concerns about it. Facebook made a strong showing of how seriously it was taking election security by suspending 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts on the eve of the election. Late Tuesday night, the company disclosed they were targeted because of potential ties to Russia, my colleague Tony Romm reported.

Despite these efforts, hoaxes continued to proliferate on social media, and it seemed the companies had different standards for dealing with them. One hoax about "voter fraud" spread quickly across many social networks. The post showed a video of a vote that appears to be recorded incorrectly. Yet local election officials said this particular instance actually just showed a machine with a paper jam that was taken offline. The voter was moved to another machine and cast their vote without problems.

Now that the Democrats have taken back the House, we can expect oversight of the technology companies to increase - so expect this issue to get scrutiny in the next Congress.SAN PEDRO TAPANATEPEC, Mexico - The migrant caravan came alive one morning last week with a rustle of plastic tarps being taken down and packed. A crowd gathered well before dawn.

Near the back of that crowd stood Keila Savioll Mejia. Two weeks earlier, the shy 21-year-old had left home in Honduras to join the caravan with her 2-year-old and 4-year-old daughters. She listened as organizers announced that two trucks were available to take women and children from Tapanatepec to the next stop, 33 miles away.

Mejia thought about rushing forward to claim the last spot. Both of her daughters were sick and Camila, the oldest, was tired of walking. But she said she worried they would be crushed or suffocated in the throng. So she let others climb into the back of the truck, which soon overflowed with about three dozen people.

"There are no more trucks," an organizer said over a loudspeaker. "Let's go."

And with that, Mejia and her daughters set off on foot.

President Trump has portrayed the migrant caravan as a monolithic threat, a mass of "terrorists" intent on "invading" the United States. In reality, the caravan is a collection of individuals and families, each with their own story. And few were worse off than Mejia.

As she carried 2-year-old Samantha through the streets of Tapanatepec, she saw several families with sturdy strollers they had bought for 900 pesos - around $45 - at the Mexico-Guatemala border. Others were flimsy, held together with tape or twine. One father pushed his 5-year-old son in a donated wheelchair.

Mejia had nothing, not even a baby carrier.

By the time the caravan reached the edge of town, Mejia's thin arms already ached from carrying her toddler. So mother and daughters rested under a tree.

Mejia wore pink plastic slippers so thin they were like walking in bare feet. The girls wore sandals that were hardly any better. Besides a few donated diapers friends carried for them, all their belongings fit into a tiny "Mafalda" bag on Mejia's back.

Soon, they were back on their feet, Samantha on Mejia's shoulders and Camila holding hands with Bessi Zelaya, a friend from Pena Blanca.

As they walked through the pre-dawn darkness, the silence was broken every few minutes by the buzz of approaching motorcycle taxis. The tiny three-wheel vehicles would pull up, and half a dozen migrants would pile in, paying a few Mexican pesos to get a little closer to the next stop.

But Mejia didn't have a few pesos.

In Pena Blanca she had made 100 lempiras - about $4 - a day selling tortillas. The girls' father had left them long ago, so they lived with Mejia's mother and siblings in a small cinder block house.

When she heard of the caravan forming in San Pedro Sula just 50 miles away, Mejia borrowed 500 lempiras from a friend, packed her daughter's backpack and boarded a bus to the capital. By the time they caught up to the caravan a few days later, Mejia had spent half her money on bus fare. She quickly used the rest to buy food for the girls.

"We've had to walk ever since," she said.

As young men strode past and another overloaded mototaxi sped away, an organizer in a yellow traffic vest issued a warning to those falling behind.

"Hurry up," he said, "or immigration will grab you."

The fear was real. The sheer size of the caravan made it difficult for Mexican authorities to stop. But small groups that had split off had reportedly been detained and deported. The same could happen to stragglers.

Camila, her tiny legs already exhausted, collapsed to the ground. The girl closed her eyes.

"Camila!" Mejia said sharply.

"Arriba," said Zelaya, lifting her onto the shoulders of Fernando Reyes Enamorado, a neighbor from Pena Blanca. Camila drooped over the 19-year-old's head.

They continued walking, but when they stopped at a house where the owners had brought out a jug of water for the migrants, Camila refused to get up. Mejia splashed the girl in the face with water, but she just sat on the ground, kicking off her sandals and beginning to cry.

"Levantate," Mejia told her. "Get up."

A family with a stroller went past. Then another, and another. Flashing lights in the distance behind them were a reminder that if they fell far enough behind, their journey could be over in an instant.

Strangers stopped to offer to carry Camila, but the girl refused to let anyone touch her.

Minutes passed as Samantha cried and Camila screamed and the caravan kept going without them. Friends disappeared into the distance. Dawn began to break. Soon the sun would rise, and the temperature would climb to nearly 100 degrees.

So Mejia did the only thing she could: She lifted both girls - one over each shoulder - and started walking.

Within a few minutes, she had caught up with the others where the road met a highway. Migrants slept in the ditch as they waited for trucks on which to catch a ride.

Mejia set the girls down and handed them candy to keep them awake.

But as vehicles approached, it was the young men who always reacted first. They climbed atop oil tankers and leaped aboard moving container trucks.

So Mejia started walking again, Samantha in her arms and Camila flailing unhappily at her side.

But then their luck suddenly changed. As she passed a red car belonging to a Televisa news crew, the cameraman recognized her.

Paco Santana, a TV anchorman, had interviewed Mejia a few days earlier and had given her a lift. Now he offered to do so again.

"I wish I could take you all like last time, but I have a woman who is very pregnant," he told Zelaya and Mejia's other friends.

"No, no, no," said Ana Velazquez, 36, who was traveling with her 16-year-old daughter. "What we want is for her to get a ride because the little girl doesn't like to walk."

"Well," Santana said, turning to Mejia. "What do you ?"

She looked at her friends. Then she looked at her daughters.

"Do you want to go in the car, like the other day?" Santana asked Camila and Samantha.

With shouts of excitement, her daughters made the decision for her.

"I don't have cookies this time," Santana said, opening the door of his car, where the pregnant woman and her partner were already waiting for a ride. "Should we go get some?"

And then it was on to the next town, the single mother's odyssey over - at least for another day.A United Arab Emirates military base in the self-declared republic of Somaliland will begin operating by June and include a coastal-surveillance system, according to a diplomat involved in talks for the facility.

The UAE is growing its military presence in the Horn of Africa to help protect trade flows through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key shipping lane used by oil tankers and other cargo vessels en route to the Suez Canal. Emirati footholds in Somaliland and Eritrea provide strategic locations as the UAE supports the Saudi Arabia-led war against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The surveillance system will be used to protect the base in the Somaliland port town of Berbera and monitor the territory's 800-kilometer (500-mile) coastline, former ambassador to the UAE Bashe Awil Omar said. Pirates have hijacked vessels off Somaliland's coast, including the seizure of a vessel in March 2017.

"The UAE military base will help the whole region -- piracy, illegal fishing, toxic dumping: we don't have resources to watch our coast," Bashe said in an interview in Somaliland's main city of Hargeisa. "The UAE has become the hub of the whole region in terms of trade. For the UAE to secure that strategic position, it cannot do that if it does not secure the lifeline of trade."

The 42 square-kilometer (16 square-mile) facility will consist of a naval base and two parallel runways, he said. Situated adjacent to a port operated by state-owned DP World Ltd., its first runway of 4.9-kilometers is almost 60 percent complete, according to Bashe, who moved to the post of ambassador to Kenya in August.

The UAE Foreign Ministry in Abu Dhabi didn't respond to emailed requests for comment. Abdulla Darwish, managing director of Sharjah-based Divers Marine Contracting, who said in an interview last year that his company was awarded a $90 million construction contract for the base, didn't respond to two requests for comment sent to his mobile phone.

The Somaliland base has been under discussion since 2016, when former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn expressed Ethiopian unease about a UAE base being established in the Eritrean port town of Assab and asked the Emirati government to consider switching the facility to Berbera, according to Bashe. Former sworn enemies, Ethiopia and Eritrea this year agreed a rapprochement.

Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Meles Alem didn't respond to two calls and two text messages seeking comment.

United Nations investigators of sanctions on Eritrea and Somalia said in a draft report to the UN Security Council that satellite imagery of Assab indicated the continued presence of multiple naval vessels. It noted the continued expansion of the base.

"Berbera and Assab could be entry points for the UAE ," Bashe said. "Ethiopia is very important to them in terms of trade.''[November 06, 2018] Customer Contact Week's 20th Anniversary Series Brings Back Top-Rated Headliners in CX NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Customer Contact Week, the largest and most comprehensive event for customer service and CX professionals, will kick off 2019 at the JW Marriott in Nashville, January 15-18. This event is projected to attract over 550 executives who spearhead contact center and customer experience strategies. Celebrating its 20-year anniversary since the founding of the annual Call Center Week in 1999, each iteration of CCW in 2019 will feature the highest-rated headliners from previous years to reintroduce CX legends dating back more than two decades. The 20th Anniversary headliner for Nashville is Jenn Lim, CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Delivering Happiness, a company she and Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos.com) co-founded to inspire science-based happiness, passion and purpose at work, home and everyday life. New programming this year includes CCWomen, a networking event for female contact center leaders, and Tech and Innovation Focus Day, which combines thought-leading research and content generated by CCW Digital with the latest project case studies from practitioners. "2019 is going to be an exciting year, and we look forward to celebrating 20 years of CCW during the Nashville, Austin and flagship Las Vegas events," said Mario Matulich, Executive Director, Customer Management Practice. "We have a lot in store for CCW next year, including surprise keynotes, new and improved Interactive Discussion Groups, new networking and session formats and much more." Thi year's agenda is rooted in the people, process and technology organization's needs to deliver world-class journeys to all customers, internal and external. Developed through meticulous and in-depth research by CCW Digital and the esteemed CCW Advisory Board , the Conference will address topics such as predictions for the contact centers of 2019, CX intelligent automation, assessing digital transformation readiness, how omnichannel analytics technology works and applies today, and much more.

The CCW Nashville speaker faculty includes Valerie Egen, VP of Global Customer Engagement at Subway; Lisa Griffin, VP of Patient Access at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Natalie Higgins, SVP of Customer Experience Channels and Segments at Citizens Bank; Vinay Mummigatti, Chief Automation Officer at LexisNexis and Reid London, Managing Director of Operations at the American Cancer Society. Additionally, big-name solution providers sponsoring the event include Genesys, Salesforce, Bright Pattern, Calabrio, Lessonly, Qualfon and more. To view the agenda or learn more about the speaking/sponsoring/attending CCW, please visit www.customercontactweekwinter.com . For the latest news and CCW developments, follow us at @custcontactweek. About CCW: Started in 1999 as Call Center Week, CCW is the world's largest customer contact event series. With an optimized balance of conference and expo, CCW is the place where customer care, CX, and contact center leaders come together. In 2018 we introduced our new look as Customer Contact Week. CCW is brought to you by the Customer Management Practice  the Analyst, Advisor, and Industry Network for all things Customer Management. About the Customer Management Practice:

The Customer Management Practice enables better navigation of the continually changing customer management sector by keeping professionals informed on the latest industry trends, drivers, and evolving initiatives through our extensive market research, reporting, and unparalleled events. CONTACT:

Lauren Miller

Senior Marketing Manager

Customer Management Practice

646.454.4559

Lauren.Miller@customermanagementpractice.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/customer-contact-weeks-20th-anniversary-series-brings-back-top-rated-headliners-in-cx-300744857.html SOURCE Customer Contact Week

[ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ]WASHINGTON - Democrats claimed control of the House late Tuesday and picked up some governorships, but Republicans were poised to expand their majority in the Senate, delivering a split verdict in the first national referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

The most expensive and consequential midterm elections in modern times came to a dramatic finish that underscored the nation's deep polarization, but fell short of delivering a sweeping repudiation of Trump that Democrats had hoped would put an exclamation point on the "resistance" movement.

Trump's racially charged warnings about illegal immigrants and demonization of Democrats appeared to mobilize enough Republican voters to withstand the "blue wave" the party once feared.

The president helped Republicans win hotly-contested Senate races in Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas, and proclaimed the election's outcome a "tremendous success." Republicans held their grip throughout the South and in rural and exurban areas.

But Democrats - propelled by a rejection of Trumpism in the nation's suburbs, and from women and minority voters especially - notched victories in areas that just two years ago helped send Trump to the White House.

Democrats performed well across much of the upper Midwest and even in ruby-red Kansas, where Laura Kelly was elected governor over the president's handpicked candidate, Kris Kobach. They defeated incumbent Republicans in an array of suburban House districts, including the one held by House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions in the Dallas area.

And in West Virginia - where Trump is wildly popular and campaigned heavily for Republicans - the reelection of Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin delivered a personal blow to the president.

Returns early Wednesday showed Democrats poised to pick up more than the 23 House seats they needed to gain a foothold in Congress from which to counter Trump. With power in Washington divided, House Democrats are likely to try to block the president's agenda and use their subpoena power to investigate him and his administration.

"Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who is poised to reclaim the speaker's gavel she lost eight years ago.

The Democratic victory, she said, "is about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration," and a check on Senate Republicans.

The party's new House majority was propelled by a record number of women candidates. Women currently hold 84 House seats, but that share is projected to expand to 100 or more when all results are tallied. Across the country, 277 women were on the ballot Tuesday for Congress and governorships, an unprecedented number that included 210 House candidates.

But Democrats were disappointed elsewhere. Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Claire McCaskill of Missouri were defeated, while Sen. Bill Nelson's reelection in Florida appeared in doubt. Republican Marsha Blackburn won the open Senate seat in Tennessee, which Democrats had hoped would slide into their column.

Competitive Senate races in Arizona, Montana and Nevada were too close to call.

Two of the liberal movement's greatest hopes, Democrats Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum, struggled to overcome some of the most overt racial attacks since the civil rights era and make history as the first black governors in Georgia and Florida, respectively.

Gillum conceded to Republican Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally, while the Georgia race was too close to call.

"We have a choice to make tomorrow morning: Are we going to wake up and bask in sorrow and defeat?" Gillum said. "Or are we going to get up and fight for the things we believe in and say that we deserve our seat at the table?"

Another Democratic star, Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, lost his spirited challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz , R, despite raising record sums of money and attracting grass-roots support throughout the country.

"All the money in the world was no match for the good people of Texas and the hardworking men and women across our state," Cruz said in his victory speech.

Midterm elections traditionally are referendums on the party in power, but Trump sought to ensure that this one would be a referendum on his presidency. He told crowds to vote as if he were atop the ballot, warning that his agenda and political movement were at risk, and he made himself the central force with an overwhelming cascade of speeches, media interviews and tweets.

The president returned to his 2016 campaign playbook, delivering fiery speeches that drew massive and enthusiastic crowds but contained a breathtaking barrage of falsehoods, invective and demagoguery. Describing himself in the closing weeks as a "nationalist," Trump made the caravan of Central American migrants seeking asylum in the United States a dominant theme.

The Senate results underscored just how much the Republican Party has morphed into the party of Trump. The incoming freshman class of Republicans is made up largely of Trump allies - including Mike Braun in Indiana, Josh Hawley in Missouri and Kevin Cramer in North Dakota - who campaigned effectively as rubber stamps for the president's agenda and owe their new jobs, at least in part, to his energetic campaigning on their behalf.

An exception is Mitt Romney, who handily won his race for the open Senate seat in Utah, marking a return to the national stage for the party's 2012 presidential nominee who in 2016 denounced Trump as a "con man" and a "fraud." Following the death of Sen. John McCain of Arizona and the retirements of Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee, Romney is poised to become the leading GOP counterweight to Trump on Capitol Hill, if he chooses to stand up to the president.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, becomes the first politician in 173 years to serve as governor of one state and then represent another in the Senate. The last to accomplish the feat was Sam Houston, who was Tennessee governor before being elected to the Senate from Texas.

Tuesday's results were set to transform the House, not only in partisan makeup but also in gender, age and ethnicity. The night marked a series of firsts: Ilhan Omar in Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan will become the first Muslim women in the House. And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 29-year-old from New York, became the youngest woman elected to Congress.

They were part of a wave of female candidates on the Democratic side, including Jennifer Wexton, who easily unseated Rep. Barbara Comstock, R, in a closely watched race in Northern Virginia, and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who narrowly defeated Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R) in South Florida.

"This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who easily won reelection and is widely expected to run for president in 2020.

Democrat Jared Polis in Colorado became the first openly gay man elected governor, while Democrat Janet Mills became the first female governor of Maine and Republican Kristi L. Noem will be the first female governor of South Dakota.

Rep. Mia Love, who was the sole black Republican woman in Congress, was trailing in Utah to Democrat Ben McAdams. Republicans were hoping that Young Kim, a Korean American woman, would win her California race to give the party some additional diversity.

Republican-held districts that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 provided the backbone of the Democratic efforts to win the House majority. Democratic challengers triumphed in a number of suburban areas, defeating Republican Reps. Mike Coffman in suburban Denver, Kevin Yoder in the Kansas City area and David Brat in the Richmond suburbs, among others.

But the Democratic momentum was not strong enough to carry some prized recruits over the finish line. Former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, who attracted significant outside funding, lost to Rep. Andy Barr, R, in Kentucky.

The midterm elections had the energy of a presidential contest in their closing days, with Trump making himself the central figure and hoping to buck the historical trend of major losses for the president's party in the first midterm vote.

In an all-out push to preserve Republican congressional majorities, Trump dashed from one red state to the next, urging his legions of supporters that he calls "the silent majority" to rush to the polls as if he were on the ballot.

In some ways, the outcome was eerily similar to that of 2016, with late polls overestimating the Democratic advantage in enthusiasm and Republicans showing unanticipated resilience thanks in part to Trump's incendiary rhetoric and focus on nativist themes.

Racial tensions that had been simmering beneath the surface for years came to a boil in the final weeks of the campaign. Robo-calls in Georgia featured a voice impersonating Oprah Winfrey and calling Abrams "a poor man's Aunt Jemima." In Florida, robo-calls mimicked Gillum as jungle sounds and chimpanzee noises were heard in the background.

Trump called Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, "not equipped" and Abrams, a leader in the state legislature, "not qualified" to be governors. And Monday, all the major television networks rejected a Trump campaign advertisement about immigration, calling it offensive.

The racial overtones put that explosive form of politics on the ballot, with major stakes for Republicans. The party of Lincoln is now overwhelmingly white, while Democrats have a much more multiethnic coalition that represents the direction the country's demographics are heading.

Trump closed the campaign on an exceptionally dark note, stoking long-standing national divides on race and culture and painting an apocalyptic and misleading vision of America under Democratic control as he barnstormed key Senate battlegrounds.

Rather than center his closing argument on the country's robust economic growth, Trump elected to highlight divisive nativist themes in a strategic gamble to energize his conservative base voters.

Because of geographic fate, Democrats always faced an uphill climb in winning the two seats they needed to reclaim the Senate majority. A third of the nation's senators were up for reelection, including 10 Democratic incumbents running in states that Trump carried in 2016, many of them overwhelmingly. This year's map gave Republicans the clear advantage of running in conservative states where they had won for decades.

An outlier was Manchin, who secured reelection in West Virginia, which Trump won by 42 percentage points in 2016. He was helped by the independent profile he had cultivated back home, having previously served as governor and sometimes crossing the aisle to vote with Republicans. Manchin was the lone Democrat to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last month.

"We made history tonight," Manchin said with a hoarse voice as he declared victory. "Nobody in the United States has ever won in a state that the president in the previous election won by 42 points in the opposite party. Never happened, never happened."

In Ohio, another state Trump carried two years ago, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D, cruised to reelection and cast his victory as a road map for Democrats to reclaim the industrial Midwest, though Republican Mike DeWine won the governorship there.

In two other Midwestern states that Trump won - Wisconsin and Michigan - Democrats were faring better than they did in 2016. In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D, was reelected and Democrat Tony Evers was in a virtual tie with Gov. Scott Walker, once a Republican star who ran for president in 2016. And in Michigan, Sen. Debbie Stabenow won reelection and Democrat Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor.

But Democrats failed to win the governorships in a pair of deep-blue states. Republican Govs. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts were reelected resoundingly.

- - -

The Washington Post's Dudley Althaus in San Antonio; Robert Moore in El Paso, Texas; Torey Van Oot in Minneapolis; Sonam Vashi in Snellville, Ga.; and Philip Bump, Scott Clement, Amy Gardner, Emily Guskin, Paul Kane, Beth Reinhard and Elise Viebeck in Washington contributed to this report.Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on November 7, 2018

2018/11/07

As agreed by China and Canada, the first China-Canada Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue will be held in Beijing on November 12. China's State Councilor Wang Yong will co-chair the dialogue with Canada's Minister of Finance Bill Morneau and Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr.

The China-Canada Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue was officially launched in 2017 as a dialogue on strategic, overall and long-term issues in economic and financial fields on a regular basis between China and Canada, which aims to deepen practical cooperation in economic and financial areas between the two countries, strengthen communication and coordination on major international economic and financial issues between the two sides and promote sustained sound growth of China-Canada strategic partnership.

Upon agreement, at the first China-Canada Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue, discussions will be held on macro-economic situation and global economic governance, trade and investment cooperation and financial cooperation, etc.

The Foreign Ministry and the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province will hold a promotion event in the South Building at 9:30 am on November 12 under the theme of "China in the New Era: Heilongjiang, a New Path to Revitalization in Partnership with the World". State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will deliver a speech. Party Secretary Zhang Qingwei and Governor Wang Wentao of Heilongjiang Province will also address the event. Representatives of foreign diplomats in China are invited to make remarks and interact with the guests.

In recent years, Heilongjiang Province has stayed committed to the new development concept and developed itself into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, beautiful and modern province, and scored major achievements. We believe that this promotion event, with focuses on Honglongjiang's outcomes of opening up, such as its active engagement in the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation with Russia and participation in the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, will showcase the province's outstanding ecological environment, cultural and historical resources, socio-economic development achievements and potential. We look forward to your attendance at and coverage of this event.

Q: China underwent the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council on November 6. Please give us more details.

A: On November 6, China underwent the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The UPR mechanism aims to review how well the UN member states fulfill their duties and commitments on human rights on a regular basis. This is the third time for the UN to conduct the regular comprehensive review on the human rights conditions in China after 2009 and 2013.

The Chinese government attaches high importance to this review. We have sent a high-level delegation for this UPR, which is headed by Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng and comprised of representatives from nearly 20 departments of the central government, the Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Regions, and the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The Chinese delegation elaborated on the remarkable achievements that China has made in the area of human rights since the last UPR in 2013, expounded the development path with Chinese characteristics and China's outlook on human rights in the new era, illustrated the direction that China adheres to in terms of protecting and promoting human rights and announced the 30 new measures that China will take to safeguard human rights.

Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said in his speech that over the past four decades of reform and opening-up, China's human rights cause has been developing steadily and a well-established system to safeguard human rights has been put in place. China has become a country with rapid progress in its human rights cause, which has realized the large-scale poverty alleviation at the fastest pace, improved the institutional system which ensures that the people run the country, continuously enhanced the judicial protection of human rights, safeguarded Chinese citizens' freedom of speech and religious belief in accordance with the law, promoted and protected the rights enjoyed by vulnerable groups in an all-round manner and conducted extensive international exchanges and cooperation on human rights. China has achieved in several decades what took developed countries several centuries to achieve. On China's vast land of 9.6 million square kilometers, nearly 1.3 billion people are living a peaceful, free and happy life, free from war, terror or displacement. It can be said that this is the progress in the area of human rights achieved at the fastest pace and also represents a tremendous contribution made by China to the global human rights endeavor.

The Chinese delegation took over 300 questions raised by more than 150 countries from a panoramic perspective. We have engaged in good and constructive dialogues with all relevant parties with an open, candid, inclusive and cooperative attitude. Over 120 countries including Russia, South Africa and Ethiopia took the floor to highly commend China's development achievements, highly recognize the outlook on human rights with Chinese characteristics and speak highly of China's human rights report and the keynote speech delivered by the head of the Chinese delegation. They said that China's experience and practices in safeguarding human rights and the right to development and eliminating poverty are worth learning and drawing upon. Meanwhile, certain western countries politicized the issue of human rights and pointed fingers at China on ethnic, religious and judicial issues. In response to this, the Chinese delegation enumerated a large number of facts and figures to forcefully refute that and make necessary clarifications, underlining that no one knows better than the Chinese people as to whether the human rights conditions in China are good or not and that no country can dictate the definitions and standards of democracy and human rights, let alone impose its own will on others.

I want to stress once again that there will always be room for improvement in human rights protection. China is willing to step up exchanges and mutual learning with all countries to pursue common progress on the basis of equality and mutual respect and with a responsible and constructive attitude. We will carefully and actively heed those sincere and constructive suggestions. Meanwhile, we firmly oppose and reject the politically-biased, malicious and unreasonable accusations made by a very small number of people.

Q: According to reports, Pakistan's Finance Minister said that China has offered immediate assistance to help ease Pakistan's economic crisis. Can you confirm that?

A: China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and our bilateral relations have been running at a high standard. China has been providing utmost assistance to Pakistan as its capacity allows. We will continue to offer assistance and support within our capacity to Pakistan for its economic and social development in light of its needs and upon agreement by both sides.

Q: The results of US mid-term election show that the Republicans will retain control of the Senate while the Democrats have seized control of the House. Given that the US side accused China of interference ahead of the election, what comments does China have on the results of this election? Some believe that a Democrat-led House will put more restraints on President Trump's policies. How do you think this mid-term election will affect China-US relations?

A: We noted the mid-term election that was just wrapped up in the US. This is an domestic affair of the US and I won't comment on that.

China and the US have consensus on the importance and necessity of maintaining the sound and steady development of China-US relations. Such consensus is also shared by those far-sighted Americans in various sectors. The sustained, sound and steady growth of China-US relations not only serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. China stands ready to work with the US to properly manage differences on the basis of mutual respect, and expand practical cooperation based on mutual benefit and reciprocity, and move forward China-US relations in the right direction.

Q: According to reports, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba is now in Beijing. Is he going to meet with President Xi Jinping today?

A: President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez has attended the China International Import Expo and is on a state visit to China. As you just said, he will be meeting with the Chinese leadership soon. We will release relevant information in a timely manner and please stay tuned.

Q: Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has just wrapped up his visit to China. During the visit, he met and held talks with top Chinese leadership and attended the first China International Import Expo. The two sides signed agreements on future cooperation and issued a joint communique after the visit. What is your comment on the outcome of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit?

A: We believe that Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China is successful. The two sides issued a joint communique which elaborated on the specific outcomes of this visit. The outcomes can be summed up as follows: First, this visit deepened the friendship between the leaders from the two countries. This visit is Prime Minister Imran Khan's first official visit to China after he assumed office, which fully testifies to the importance Pakistan attaches to developing its ties with China. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese leaders held friendly exchanges with Prime Minister Imran Khan on separate occasions and established good relations with him. Second, this visit cemented the special China-Pakistan friendly relations. The two sides believed that the China-Pakistan relations have withstood the test of time as well as the changes in international and domestic landscapes and kept moving forward. The two sides agreed that we should further strengthen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and forge a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Third, the visit expanded our strategic communication. The leaders from the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached important consensus. The two sides agreed to establish the foreign ministers' strategic dialogue mechanism through which we can plan for and coordinate bilateral relations and across-the-board cooperation. Fourth, the visit promoted practical cooperation and friendly exchanges. The two sides agreed to firmly advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), set up the task force on social and livelihood projects to constantly enrich and expand the CPEC. The two sides also agreed to step up cooperation in economy and trade, finance, science and technology, agriculture and cultural and people-to-people exchanges and signed 15 cooperation agreements covering relevant areas. Fifth, the visit enhanced our coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs. The two countries reaffirmed their support for multilateralism, free trade and win-win cooperation as well as their commitment to promoting the lasting peace and common prosperity of the region and beyond.

Both China and Pakistan are satisfied with the outcomes of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit. The two sides agreed to make concerted efforts to implement all the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and elevate the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a new height.

Q: First, does China see the US mid-term election as an opportunity to recalibrate on the trade issue and open up a chance for some kind of settlement? Second, sources have it that a visitor is coming from the US to China tomorrow. Do you have more details? Third, on the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump at G20, do you have more information on that?

A: Let me take your second question first. China and the United States maintain exchanges at all levels and in various fields. I am not sure who this visitor from the US is. If there is an important visit, I believe the Chinese side will release the information in time.

Regarding your first question, like I said in my previous reply, the mid-term election is an internal affair of the United States. Regardless of the results of the election, China's recognition of the importance of China-US relations will remain unchanged. In view of such importance, the two governments and peoples, including the leaders of both sides, all hope to maintain the healthy and steady development of China-US relations, which is in the common interests of the two countries and the world and meets the shared aspiration of far-sighted persons in both countries. We hope that the US will work with China with mutual respect, properly manage differences, and continue to expand and deepen the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in a spirit of equality and mutual benefit.

When President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with President Trump the other day, the two heads of state agreed that both sides should strive to maintain the healthy and stable development of China-US relations, constantly expand China-US economic and trade cooperation, and instruct the economic teams on both sides to maintain communication and consultation to translate such aspiration into reality. We hope that the economic teams of the two sides will strengthen contact and communication and conduct consultations on issues of mutual concern to seek an arrangement on the China-US economic and trade issue that is acceptable to both sides.

As for the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, the two heads of state said in the telephone call that they look forward to meeting again on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina and conducting an in-depth discussion on China-US relations and other major issues. The two sides maintain communication in this regard.

Q: According to reports, US Department of State said that the DPRK-US high-level dialogue scheduled tomorrow has been postponed. Do you have any comment on that?

A: When the DPRK and the US will talk to each other should be decided by the two sides.

China's position on the DPRK-US dialogue is clear-cut. China always supports the DPRK-US dialogue. We hope that the DPRK and the US, through dialogues at all levels, including the leaders' summit, can continuously enhance mutual trust, implement the consensus that has been reached, address each other's legitimate concerns and advance the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue.The United Nations has expressed concern at Samoas Employment to Population ratio of 28.9 per cent and a labour force participation of 31.5 per cent.

This is concerning, according to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Simona Marinescu, who highlighted the figures quoted in the U.N. Human Statistical Development Update for 2018.

Ms. Marinescu was speaking during the opening of the Knowledge sharing dialogue on just transition, decent work and climate change resilience in the Pacific Islands workshop at the Orator Hotel yesterday.

She told the Samoa Observer that Samoa does not look good in terms of employment to population ratio, compared to other Pacific Islands that are above 60 per cent.

Employment to population ratio represents the number of people employed out of the working age population, which is 15-64 years of age bracket. Labour force participation represents the working age population, where many people have jobs or are looking for jobs, and it counts also as unemployment.

Thats why labour force participation is a little higher (in Samoa). But it is still very low compared to other countries in the Pacific, which is a concern, Ms. Marinescu said.

Another concern she raised was the rate of youth unemployment in Samoa, which stands at 18 per cent.

This means that out of the youth population in Samoa (15-24 per cent), 18 per cent of them who are no longer studying, finished studying and are seeking jobs, do not have jobs, she added.

The main challenge here is to secure jobs for young people, to ensure people stay in school and then acquire skills that are relevant to the labour market here, which is not necessarily very easy. So for us, this is a priority moving forward, the entire Unite Nations family selected youth employment as a key priority area of our joint work moving forward.

Ms. Marinescu said there is a need to look into the actual reality of the country to make an analysis as to who the drivers are.

But for us the concern is here in Samoa, we would like to see that more people here are employed. The future of work shows that people are better off in entrepreneurial activities  self-employed rather than looking for traditional employment.

However, not everybody has entrepreneurial skills, they have to be acquired, there needs to be a system that supports that. There are challenges that the country has and we would like to work together with the Government to address them.

Ms. Marinescu highlighted the strong presence of the tri-partitism - the trilateral dialogue initiative put in place by the International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) - in Samoa.

So all countries, I.L.O. creates this mechanism of Government, employers and trade unions with equal seats to ensure that policies, laws and strategies are actually embraced by these three key partners. So its a very active system in Samoa that is an important enabler for progress, she said.

The Human Statistical Development Update presents regularly the progress that countries have made in terms of combined life expectancy income and mean years of school, access to services and employment as a source of income.

The workshop continues.Voters surged to the polls Tuesday and set a new benchmark for midterm elections in Harris County and Texas, smashing off-year turnout records and pushing the county past its turnout in two of the last three presidential-year elections.

The Harris County Clerks Office had recorded more than 1.2 million ballots by midnight, with more than 350,000 coming on Election Day to build on early voting and absentee turnout of 855,711 that had already set a midterm county record.

The atypical turnout for a midterm  when far fewer people usually vote compared to presidential years  was driven at the top of the ticket by Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke of El Paso, who beat Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz by 16 points in Harris County but lost statewide.

Follow along as we track the precinct-by-precinct results for the Senate race between Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz in Harris County. Red indicates precincts where Cruz garnered more than 50 percent of the votes. Blue indicates precincts where Beto garnered more than 50 percent of the votes.



Source: Harris County Clerk's Office

The high turnout and solidly blue result in Harris County likely does not represent an outlier, said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones.

Its tough to tell, but I think this is more a harbinger of an increasingly blue Harris County, Jones said. He said that Harris Countys fast-expanding Democratic electorate is growing quicker than its Republican one, meaning that high turnout points to positive results for Democrats.

Robust turnout came despite an Election Day filled with myriad problems in Harris County. Malfunctioning voting machines caused some polling sites to open later than the uniform 7 a.m. start time, while others opened with a fraction of machines functioning.

A state district judge ruled in favor of two civil rights groups seeking an extra hour of voting at several polling locations where voters reported problems with long lines and faulty voting machines.

Fueling Harris Countys voting surge was a sharp uptick in turnout among young voters, driven primarily by progressive backlash to President Donald Trump and the unusually competitive Senate race, election experts said. Latino voters also turned out in numbers that broke records for early voting, surpassing ballots cast in previous midterm and presidential elections.

The turnout handed double-digit Harris County deficits to a handful of statewide Republicans, who ultimately won statewide.

The less popular statewide Republicans, such as Ted Cruz, (Attorney General) Ken Paxton, (Lt. Gov.) Dan Patrick and (Agriculture Commissioner) Sid Miller have very serious races on their hands, Jones said early Tuesday evening. And while they may pull out a narrow victory, this represents a very loud wake-up call for the state Republican Party.

Meanwhile, a slate of competitive congressional races also drove up turnout in pockets of Harris County, including in the 7th Congressional District, where GOP Rep. John Culberson lost to Democrat Lizzie Fletcher. The Houston Republican was seeking his 10th term.

Candidates running in the nine congressional districts that touch Harris County spent a collective $37.4 million from the start of 2017 through Oct. 17, an analysis of Federal Election Commission records found. That total far outpaced the $13.9 million spent in those same races in 2016, and did not account for millions more in outside spending and some $6 million candidates had left to spend by mid-October.

Early voting data from the county clerks office also showed Hispanic voters made up a share of the Harris County electorate typically seen in presidential years, far higher than in midterms. This year, Latinos made up 17.3 percent of the early vote, coming close to their 22 percent representation on the countys voter roll, according to the Harris County Clerks Office.

In addition, Harris County simply had far more registered voters than in previous elections: The county added more than 120,000 voters to its rolls from 2016 and a net total of more than 260,000 from the previous midterm, the largest raw increase among Texas 254 counties.

Yet Harris County saw a massive turnout rate, too. The incomplete and unofficial total of about 1.2 million votes by midnight moved Harris County past 50 percent turnout.

Zach Despart, Rob Downen and Olivia P. Tallet contributed to this report.

jasper.scherer@chron.com

twitter.com/jaspschererWhile Harris County is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the state, Houston ranks low compared to other Texas cities when it comes to the best places for veterans to live in the U.S., according to a new Wallethub survey.

RELATED: Military veterans walk through Houston this weekend to raise money, awareness for mental health

Wallethub determined the 100 most veteran-friendly cities by measuring employments rates, the state of the local economy, quality of life and health. The list puts Austin in the No. 1 spot, followed by Plano (No. 6), Fort Worth (No. 12) and San Antonio (No. 28).

Those reading the list have to pass six other Texas cities, including Laredo and Lubbock, to get to Houston at the No. 56 spot.

This study comes at a time when veteran unemployment rates are at an all-time low in the U.S., according to earlier reports in the Houston Chronicle. In September, more than 81 companies were interviewing and hiring veterans and their family members in Houston at the RecruitMilitary Job Fair.

"That [unemployment rate] speaks really highly of the national economic strength and the value of the military person," Doug Turner, an event coordinator for RecruitMilitary, told the Houston Chronicle at the time.

For the Wallethub study, researchers looked at the number of military skill-related jobs, the unemployment rate among veterans, job growth, the presence of veteran job fairs and the percentage of veteran-owned businesses.

RELATED: Veterans Day Ceremony to marks 100th anniversary of the end of WWI

For quality of life, they analyzed the veteran population, projected veteran population growth and family-friendliness. And in the health category, the number of health facilities and VA benefits administration facilities both played a role.

The city of Houston is slated to celebrate Veteran's Day on Sunday with the traditional 21-gun salute , as well as a moment of silence to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the WWI armistice signing.

The American Heroes Parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Dallas and Bagby.

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 state district judge on Tuesdsay ordered Harris County to keep nine polling locations open until 8 p.m., one hour after they were scheduled to close, following a lawsuit filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project and Texas Organizing Project.

The groups alleged that people who attempted to vote at the nine locations ran into trouble over technological issues with voting machines or because the polls opened late.

State District Judge Fredericka Phillips, a Democrat, granted the temporary restraining order sought by both groups, who also argued the county was violating the Texas Election Codes requirement that polls open at 7 a.m., as well as violating voters rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

The harm of disenfranchisement outweighs Defendants interest because there is no legitimate governmental interest associated with closing the polls at 7 p.m. when voters have not been provided an adequate opportunity to vote, much less an important one that might justify depriving plaintiffs of their constitutional and statutory right to vote, the suit argued.

Per the Texas Election code, voters who arrive after 7 p.m. will cast provisional ballots, which are not automatically counted and could later be thrown out by the Ballot Review Board.

"Getting there before 7 oclock is the thing to do," said Sonya Aston, an attorney with the Harris County Clerk's Office.

The nine locations are:

Iglesia Trinidad Church, 11602 Bobcat Road, at FM 1960 Road West, Houston, 77064

Metcalf Elementary School, 6100 Queenston Boulevard, at Little York Road, Houston, 77084

Evelyn Thompson Elementary School, 220 Casa Grande Drive, at Buckle Street, Houston, 77060

Hampton Inn and Suites, 5820 Katy Freeway, at Washington Avenue, Houston, 77007

Fiesta Mart, 8130 Kirby Drive, at OST, Houston, 77054

John Marshall Middle School, 1115 Noble Street, near Marion Street, Houston, 77009

Historic Oaks of Allen Parkway Village Community Building, 1810 Bluebonnet Place Circle, at Valentine Way Drive, Houston, 77019

Lone Star College Cypress Center, 19710 Clay Road, near North Fry Road, Katy, 77449

Houston Community College Alief Center 13803 Bissonnet Street, at Keegans Wood Drive, Houston, 77083

Hani Mirza, senior attorney for the Texas Civil Rights Project, said his organization first got calls from Harris County residents attempting to vote but were unable to because polls opened late or ran into problems with voting machines.

The organization had been watching for such issues across the state after similar problems in past elections, he said, and received a slew of calls from voters across Harris County.

Based on our reports, a lot of reports are coming specifically from Harris County, and were troubled by that, and were going to investigate why were getting so many reports from Harris County today, he said.

Mirza said they received reports or poll monitors noticed problems at nine locations, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement of those trying to cast their ballots during one of the busiest times of day.

Harris County is huge, and theres a lot of traffic in Harris County, and a lot of people cant drive back from work and get to their polling locations by 7 p.m., and thats why a lot of people choose to vote in the morning, he said. And If you take away that option, you may be disenfranchising voters, and thats a severe concern, a severe harm, and it troubles us a lot.

The suit names Harris County, the county commissioners, County Judge Ed Emmett, and County Clerk Stan Stanart.

The suit alleges that voters had to wait more than an hour at the nine voting locations, and that when representatives from the Texas Civil Rights Project and Texas Organizing Project notified the county about the problems, the county declined to agree to extend polling locations hours to provide voters the 12-hour window required on Election Day.

A spokesman for Stanart, who oversees elections, could not immediately be reached for comment, but his office issued a news release saying early voting and absentee results would be delayed by the court order.

The county said the first voter checked into each of the nine locations between 7:09 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., but did not provide details about technological problems or delays from long lines.

Stanart, a Republican, is up for re-election this year against Democrat Diane Trautman.

Michelle Tremillo, executive director of the Texas Organizing Project, said in a statement the extra hour does not fully make up for the countys failure to properly run the elections.

While it may not have been the countys intention, the impact of their failure is, in effect, a form of voter suppression, Tremillo said. These nine polling locations predominantly serve communities of color. If even one person lost their chance to vote, it is one person too many.

In sworn statements, four voters said they were not able to cast their votes because polling stations opened late. Deniz Alan, lined up to vote at Precinct 0957. The location opened its doors at 7:45 a.m., but Alan was not able to vote until 8 a.m., according to Alans sworn declaration.

Another would-be voter, Jessica Hill, showed up at John Marshall Middle School at approximately 6:30 a.m. She was not let in to vote until 7:30 a.m., only to fund the sign-in machines were not working. At 7:45 a.m., Hill, a teacher, left without casting her ballot, because she did not want to be late for work.

Reporter Zach Despart contributed to this story.

jasper.scherer@chron.com

st.john.smith@chron.comA clinic owner who orchestrated a $5.9 million Medicare fraud with fake tests and an unlicensed doctor was sentenced Wednesday in Houston to serve three years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt handed down the sentence to Joy Aneke, 51, of Katy who was convicted of recruiting Medicare patients and billing them at her clinics for expensive tests that were neither medically necessary or performed. The judge ordered the clinic owner to pay $2.76 million in restitution to the federal health care program.

In addition, she was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Hoyt allowed Aneke to remain free on bond until she reports to U.S. Bureau of Prisons authorities.

IN 2017: Nurse sentenced to prison for $17.1 million in Medicare fraud

Aneke pleaded guilty on May 16 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud at Jadac Unique Health Services, Almeda Physicians Clinic and the home health agency Community Joyful Home Health that operated in Harris and Fort Bend Counties. Two other employees entered identical pleas to conspiracy charges in April, admitting they helped operate the government fraud.

Documents indicated the clinic had provided costly exams including allergy tests, complex bladder, anal tests and urinary muscle studies.

However, an investigation showed the clinics did not have the equipment to provide such services. Aneke admitted in court she had instructed employees to create fake patient records to increase the reimbursements that Medicare would provide and told her office manager to pay illegal kickbacks to patients through recruiters. She admitted her business had billed Medicare $5,963,675 for diagnostic tests which were never performed or medically necessary. Medicare issued payments of $2,760,646 on the false claims, according to court documents.

DOZENS BUSTED: Medicare fraud takedown nets 48 defendants in southeast Texas

Teodoro Seminario, 51, an unlicensed Houston doctor working as a medical assistant who was known to patients as Dr. Ted, was sentenced last week to three years on probation and six months of lelectronic ion monitoring. And Maureen Henshall, of Highlands, an office manager patients called Ms. Mo, 62, was also sentenced last week to three years' probation and six months on location monitoring.

Henshall previously admitted in court she had falsified patient records at Anekes request and paid recruiters to bring in Medicare patients for fake tests that didnt actually happen.

Seminario who acted as the medical professional for the Jadac clinic, examined, assessed and treated patients even though he is not a licensed medical professional in Texas. Nevertheless, Anekes clinic billed for Seminarios services as if he was a licensed professional.

gabrielle.banks@chron.comThe gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.A Houston teen who raped and murdered his girlfriend - and then shared images of her lifeless body with his friends - was sentenced to life in prison this week, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Oggs office.

Jesus Campos Jr. was 15 when he killed 15-year-old Karen Perez on May 27, 2016. He was convicted of capital murder Monday after a six-day trial.

Ive tried several capital murder cases, said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Meriwether in a statement. But the recording of Karen being raped, and pleading for her life before she was so viciously murdered, will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Perez, a freshman at South Houston High School, went missing days after her 15th birthday.

Volunteers, including Texas EquuSearch, had been searching for her for three days when Campos told his father she is not alive.

Campos father took the teen to the Houston Police Department to confess, but during questioning, he denied knowing where his girlfriend was. He told police that he last saw her at a taqueria the day she went missing.

SENTENCED: Texas man linked to Baytown double murder gets 45 years in girlfriend's stabbing

Three days after Perez went missing, another teenager called Texas EquuSearch and said he was part of a group of teens including Perez and Campos who left school and went to the taco restaurant and then to an abandoned apartment complex. He told authorities that he and two other teens left and went back to school, but Perez and Campos stayed at the apartment. That was the last time he saw her alive.

Based on the tip, police found the young girls body.

Campos continued to insist he did not know where Perez was, but when investigators searched Camposs cell phone they found images and a recording of the sexual assault and strangulation.

During the recording, Perez is heard crying and begging Campos not to kill her: I dont want to die, Jesus.

At trial, jurors heard that Campos shared graphic images of Perez after he killed her.

The jury found Campos guilty of capital murder in less than an hour. The 18-year-old was automatically sentenced to life in prison, with a possibility of parole after 40 years.Houston and Baytown police are looking for a man they said is linked to three drive-by shootings, one deadly, all incidents where the gunman was possibly targeting someone just walking down a street.

At a news conference Wednesday, police from both agencies released a composite sketch of the suspect wanted in a deadly shooting in August in Baytown and in two shootings in the Heights area, including the drive-by shooting of a man who was walking his dog last month.

Authorities said they believe the cases are related because the gunman appears to be using the same car, a silver or gray Chevrolet Malibu, and appears to be targeting people who are walking down the street.

"Any kind of death is tragic, but for someone to be driving around shooting at people is tragic," said Baytown Police Department's Lt. Steve Dorris. "There's no other word for it."

The motive for the shootings is still unknown, police said.

The sketch shows a man who police think is in his late 20s to early 30s and about 6 feet 2 inches tall. A witness from one of the cases helped with descriptions for the sketch, police said.

In the Baytown incident, 84-year-old Sam Wingate was walking with another man on the 9600 block of Pinehurst drive around 6 a.m. on Aug. 15. Baytown police said a car drove by and fired several shots at the two men.

Wingate, who was shot in the back, died days later at the hospital .

The same gunman, authorities said, is likely responsible for two shootings in the Heights.

In one of the shootings 38-year-old Piotr Lewandowski was walking his dog on Oct. 16 when a gunman pulled his car up to the intersection of Cortlandt and 22nd Street around 9:30 p.m..

The suspect began shooting, got out of his car, and then continued shooting at Lewandowski, police said.

Police said the community helped find Lewandowski's dog and returned it to him a few days after the shooting.

The two Heights shootings happened within weeks of each other. The other also involved a person walking down the street, but Houston police would not provide further information on that case.

BAD BREAKUP: Man in custody after shooting partner in Greater Inwood, police say

Dorris said Baytown police is offering a crime stopper reward up to $20,000 for information on the Baytown case.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division at 713-308-8800 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.A Harris County jury spent Tuesday listening to both the virtues and misdeeds of Terry Bryan Thompson, a railroad worker and the husband of a fired sheriffs deputy they convicted of murder a day earlier.

Jurors are expected to return to court Wednesday to decide the appropriate punishment for strangling John Hernandez in a chokehold outside a Dennys last year. They heard about Thompsons previous run-ins with the law, and they also listened as supporters told of a trustworthy man with an incredible work ethic.

Thompson, a 42-year-old father of four, faces a sentence ranging from five years to life in prison because he was convicted of the felony of burglarizing a motor vehicle when he was 17.

The jury heard about the conviction and a 2014 incident in which Thompsons teenage son told a 15-year-old friend and neighbor to call the police because Thompson was beating him.

He said his dad was beating on him, former neighbor Courtney Wood testified. She was a friend of one of Thompsons sons and was walking to the house when the teen boy came out of the house, where his father was yelling, and told her to call the police.

Police did respond and, after handcuffing Thompson, did not arrest him because there did not appear to be enough evidence to file charges.

Wood said Thompson then came to her house to confront her and her mother.

He was mad, aggravated, she told the jury Tuesday. He was obviously upset.

It was part of the prosecutions plan to show Thompsons temper had landed him in trouble before May 28, 2017 when he fatally choked the 24-year-old Hernandez, an auto glass installer who was with his family at the Crosby-area restaurant.

Hernandez was intoxicated and apparently urinating in the parking lot when Thompson arrived with his teenage daughter and her friends. Thompson confronted Hernandez, who apparently punched the older man in the eye.

Thompson was able to put Hernandez in a chokehold during a fight that lasted 15-minutes. Hernandez eventually lost consciousness and died in a hospital bed days later after being declared brain dead.

Part of the incident was captured on a 53-second cell phone video that ignited protests about how the altercation was initially handled by the sheriffs office when it was released.

Days after the video was released, Thompson and his wife, Chauna Thompson, were indicted for murder and she had been fired from the sheriffs office.

On Tuesday, Chauna Thompson sat with family and her children during the punishment phase of her husbands trial, the first time she spent a substantial amount of time watching the proceedings. Her trial is pending.

Neither she, nor her husband, testified about what happened.

Several of Thompsons friends and family testifed that he could be boisterous and excitable, but that he was trustworthy and worked hard.

His children are the love of his life, David Weldon, a 58-year family member from Conroe testified. When his kids are around, its all about the kids.

It is the second time the high-profile murder case against Thompson has gone to trial. In June, a first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. In that trial, Thompson missed being acquitted by one vote, that of a juror who did not believe it was a case of self-defense.

The trial, in state District Judge Kelli Johnsons court, is in its third week. She told jurors to bring an overnight bag and be prepared to be sequestered if they do not reach a verdict Wednesday.One day after Houston voters approved a sweeping pay raise for the citys firefighters, union officials called for an end to divisive politics and a return to collective bargaining, even as Mayor Sylvester Turner said the ballot initiatives passage would force him to downsize the Houston Fire Department, cause response times to rise and endanger public safety.

People are going to be impacted, theres no way around it. I cant pull money out of thin air, Turner said after Wednesdays city council meeting. I dont want to lay off anybody. I dont want to reduce any services, but Im obligated to balance my budget.

While voters definitively approved Proposition B Tuesday to grant firefighters pay parity with Houston police, firefighters and Turner appeared at impasse over how to proceed Wednesday. Union officials reiterated their call for a return to collective bargaining to hammer out a contract for the citys 4,000 firefighters, while Turner appeared unwilling to take such action, arguing the city cannot renegotiate the peoples vote.

In a statement later, a mayoral spokesman said city officials do not believe they can use collective bargaining to override a voter-approved charter amendment.

Instead, Turner said he would look to Fire Chief Samuel Pena to restructure the fire department to absorb the measures additional cost, which he and City Controller Chris Brown say will total more than $100 million in its first full year. For months, Turner has warned that the city would need to lay off hundreds of employees, including firefighters, if voters approved Proposition B. It passed with 59 percent of the vote.

Theyre saying, OK we got Prop. B, now  lets negotiate. Turner said, of the fire union. You cant use the public now to negotiate the vote. Now, if they want to follow me to the courthouse and agree collective bargaining preempted Prop. B and throw it out, thats a different thing. But short of that, I have been given a $100 million bill and I have to manage the city.

Pena said he was working on the steps he would recommend to Turner to resolve the dire situation.

Its going to depend on how much runway I have, he said. How much time I have to implement the changes Ill be recommending. If it has to happen immediately, thats a different scenario than if I have the time to phase the changes Ill be proposing.

Possibilities include layoffs, changing the departments staffing from four shifts to three, and civilianizing the Life Safety Bureau, paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Those cuts still would fall far short of the parity measures estimated costs.

City Council is going to have to make a decision on how much risk they will be willing to accept as a community, Pena said. I need a certain number of firefighters to staff the units we have available now. Any cut in the number of firefighters will intuitively result in less availability of personnel.

Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the firefighters were waiting to hear from Turner about the way forward.

We will commit and have committed to working with the city, have committed to working with anybody who wants to sit down, today, tomorrow, the next day, and we remain here committed to doing that, Lancton said. He said the best move forward was a return to collective bargaining.

Were asking our elected officials to work together and move forward and focus on the brave men and women of the Houston firefighters and the citizens they serve, he said.

In March 2017, after years of failed talks, the city and union again took up negotiations, with the union requesting a 20 percent over three years. The city countered with a 4 percent raise over two years, at which point the union declared an impasse. The two sides agreed to mediation in June 2017, but weeks later the union sued the city, claiming it failed to negotiate in good faith.

Brown said Prop Bs passage showed that without a doubt, Houstonians supported a raise for firefighters, but that the parity measure would cost an exorbitant amount.

We need to go back to the collective bargaining table, he said. And we need to agree at the collective bargaining table on a pay raise that is fair to firefighters but also one taxpayers can afford.

Turners comments about restructuring the fire department and layoffs came shortly after he decided to delay a vote on whether to hire a law firm to represent the city in possible litigation over the ballot measure.

City Council had been set to consider a contract with Norton Rose Fulbright for $1.3 million. The contract would set aside $250,000 for the firm to handle litigation over real estate purchases in connection with infrastructure projects, with the rest set aside for a court fight over Prop B.

District G Councilman Greg Travis noted the poor optics of bringing on legal help the morning after the election.

Right now, it looks like were giving the middle finger to the voters, he said.

Even without the cost of the parity measure, city finance officials expect to face a general fund budget deficit of at least $92 million in the fiscal year that begins next July.

District B Councilman Jerry Davis said people may have voted with emotion without understanding Prop Bs true cost.

District E Councilman Dave Martin said the fire department should continue to operate with its enacted $500 million budget. If firefighters have to endure layoffs, cuts in EMS services and consolidating stations, so be it.

Other public safety leaders were noticeably quiet about the propositions passage.

Houstons outspoken police chief, Art Acevedo, abruptly canceled a media briefing and did not respond to requests for comment over the ramifications of the vote.

Houston Police Officers Union President Joe Gamaldi declined comment on the propositions passage, referring to a statement the union released Tuesday, which speculated that voters were misled by fraudulent messages and posts, or at least confused by the convoluted ballot language  which the firefighters union wrote.

According to the statement, the police union was considering whether to fight the election result in court.Voters on Tuesday granted Houston firefighters the same pay as police of corresponding rank and seniority, giving a boost to firefighters who long have felt neglected by City Hall while dealing a blow to Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city budget he administers.

The passage of Proposition B sets up a potential court fight over the legality of the measure, and raises the possibility that Turner may swiftly implement his pledge to lay off more than 850 firefighters and scores of other city workers to accommodate what he repeatedly has called the measure's "unaffordable" cost.

Turner and City Controller Chris Brown have projected pay "parity" will cost more than $100 million in its first full year of implementation, constituting a more-than-25 percent raise for firefighters.

The other city of Houston measure on the ballot, Prop. A  a vote to reaffirm Houstons pay-as-you-go street and drainage fund  passed easily. Voters created the program in 2010, but considered it again this fall because the Texas Supreme Court said the original ballot language did not make clear the program would include a new drainage fee. That fee was not at issue on Tuesday.

The mood at the White Oak Music Hall, where firefighters and their supporters gathered on election night, was euphoric, a stark departure from the angst and low morale of recent years.

Im excited, said Johnathan DeLeon, a 15-year veteran who was taking photos with friends. Its a big day for us. Its going to change firefighters families lives.

Many firefighters felt betrayed when Turner  whom they supported in 2015  pushed deep cuts to their pension benefits through the Texas Legislature, then drove a hard bargain in contract talks though firefighters had received just a 3 percent raise since 2011. Houston police, the firefighters union pointed out, have negotiated raises totaling 32 percent from 2011 through 2021.

The fire union declared an impasse in bargaining talks and sued the city last summer, then gathered tens of thousands of voters signatures on a petition to put the parity referendum on the ballot. When the petition remained uncounted months later, the firefighters sued and won to force the city to validate it and put it on Tuesdays ballot.

Houston firefighters want to make sure were equally valued, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association president Marty Lancton said Tuesday night. Weve remained committed to working with the city for the last year and a half, and we hope the city ends the divisive politics of public safety tonight.

Turner has stressed that firefighters rejected a 4 percent raise from his predecessor and a 9.5 percent offer from him. Firefighters say the former deal came with too many concessions and the latter was presented after talks already had broken down.

The mayor also repeatedly has said firefighters deserve a raise but that the city could not afford parity overnight. He held more than a dozen town halls across the city to make his case. As of Oct. 27, Turner, who faces reelection next year, had spent about $486,000 of his personal campaign funds to oppose Prop. B and promote Prop. A.

Turner said he thinks voters will be surprised by the fallout from the measure, which he said was not in the best interest of the city or the firefighters.

Follow along as we track the precinct-by-precinct results for the city of Houston's Prop B decision. Green indicates precincts that voted for Prop B. Gray indicates precincts that voted against Prop B.



Source: Harris County Clerk's Office

In a statement, the mayor said, "Some firefighters who had hoped to benefit from Prop B will lose their jobs instead - while older firefighters get a 29 percent pay hike, noting that police, solid waste, parks and libraries also will see cuts.

He later added, I wasnt just bluffing or being a demagogue. I fully understand the emotional appeal. I got that. But at the same time, there are no freebies.

Turner hinted at possible machinations to come, calling the petition language vague and ambiguous, but declined to commit to legal action to fight the measure. He also declined to lay out a timeline for when layoffs and service cuts would begin.

A statement from the Houston Police Officers Union was more direct: We will now research appealing to the court system to help protect Houstonians and our officers from the irresponsible actions by some in the Houston firefighters union.

Asked about the threat of layoffs, Lancton pointed to the vote tally, saying, Clearly the citizens of Houston are saying they do not want politics to be played on the backs of public safety.

City attorney Ron Lewis has said the firefighters new salaries would be reflected in the first pay period after the election is canvassed, a legal process that requires city council approval and by state law must be completed within 11 days of Election Day.

mike.morris@chron.com

st.john.smith@chron.com

alyson.ward@chron.comHouston firefighters rescued a worker trapped in a collapsed trench Wednesday afternoon.

The man, in his 30s, was working about 12 feet below the ground along Cook Road near Corona Lane when a trench he was in collapsed around 1:30 p.m., according to the Houston Fire Department.

Heavy rescue specialists and several other firefighters worked for hours to free the worker.

#ICYMI: Trapped pony rescued from storm drain in southwest Houston

Paramedic professionals were on site giving the man treatment as firefighters manually dig the dirt out from around him.

Firefighters say they were unable to use mechanical equipment to dig the man out, fearing the vibration from the equipment could cause another collapse.

3 1 of 3 Fox 26 video Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Fox 26 video Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The extent of his injuries are unclear, but he is conscious, HFD said.

Crews with Houston Public Works and the Houston Police Department assisted firefighters in their rescue.

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WASHINGTON  Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro came away from the midterm election heartened by Democratic successes and seemingly intent on running for his party's nomination for president in 2020.

"I'm hoping to run and will make a final decision in the next few weeks," Castro said.

Castro, 44, who was housing secretary in the Obama administration, has given every indication he will join what likely will be a Democratic field bulging with candidates.

With the midterms over, an array of party hopefuls is expected to declare candidacies later this year and early in 2020.

From Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, Castro traveled to each of the first four Democratic primary and caucus states as of now -- Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. His family biography, "An Unlikely Journey," published last month, and Castro told Rolling Stone magazine that a presidential candidacy is likely.

For subscribers: Former San Antonio mayor energizes Latinos, draws interest in Iowa

Castro is heading a PAC, Opportunity First, that serves as a hub for his political operations. On Wednesday he was calling to congratulate candidates around the country that his PAC endorsed and console those who lost.

He said he likely will announce his decision early next year.

Victories by younger Democrats, and minorities, offered encouragement. While capturing control of the U.S. House on Tuesday, Democrats sent the first two Texas Latinas to Congress  Sylvia Garcia, of Houston, and Veronica Escobar, of El Paso, who won Beto O'Rourke's seat.

"I'm encouraged about what happened here in Texas because Texas continued to move forward to being a very competitive state. I believe that the future for Democrats is 78 electoral votes in Arizona, Texas and Florida. All of those states had very close races," he said.

Castro has said he believes he has a lane in which to pursue the nomination  the status of a younger Democrat competing against a potentially older field and a candidate who can succeed in mobilizing younger voters.

"I've said for a while now that people out there want a new generation of leadership. That seems to be what we're getting in 2018 and I'm convinced that's going to be the case in 2020," he said.

O'Rourke, who ran a strong race against Sen. Ted Cruz in a losing effort, also is the subject of speculation as leading Democrats consider options.

Asked about the potential of O'Rourke seeking the White House, Castro said: "I'm sure that he has a bright future. I don't want to speculate for him."It was close to a historic upset for Beto O'Rourke, but the Democrat couldn't quite rise to the occasion. Republican incumbent Ted Cruz held off the challenger, dashing liberal's hopes of electing the first Democratic senator from Texas since 1988.

However, it was a much closer race than normal, with Cruz winning 51 percent to 48 percent, a far cry from the 15-plus point victory he had back in 2012. It was an even narrower win for the GOP than President Donald Trump's performance in 2016.

So, how did Cruz rise to re-election? What kept Beto from going to the Senate?

Earlier in the week, I wrote that Beto would have to perform very well in the 30 most populous counties and narrow the margins in the smaller, rural ones if he wanted to win. So, how did he do?

In Tarrant County, long seen as a stronghold for the GOP, Beto managed to wipe out the historical Republican advantage, holding a virtual tie with Cruz there. This means Beto either tied or won the top five most populous state, which is a good sign for Democrats going forward especially given that Trump won the county by more than eight percentage points in 2016.

Combine this with Fort Bend staying blue, and it paints a positive picture for Democrats going forward.

Collin County, to the northeast of Dallas and the state's sixth-most populous county, went Republican again, but to a lesser margin than in years past. Cruz won the county by more than 31 points in 2012, but eked out six-point margin this go-around. Beto also did well in Denton County, cutting into a decreasing Republican margin there.

All in all, Beto improved upon Democratic gains in Texas' 10 most populous counties, long central to their hopes of turning the state purple. But what about the suburban and more rural areas that make up the rest of the state?

The challenger managed to flip Nueces, Hays and Williamson counties, all which went for Trump in 2016. He even managed to reclaim Jefferson County, which was the only county Cruz lost in 2012 that Trump won in 2016.

Of the 30 most populous counties, Beto won or virtually tied in 14 of them. But Cruz was still able to stave off the challenger.

This comes from Cruz's Republican base of support from smaller rural counties. Beto's strategy of visiting all 254 Texas counties was not able to make up enough ground in these heavily red areas to overcome Cruz's advantage.

Cruz was also able to reclaim some lost ground from 2016. He won back Kenedy County, which Trump lost by eight percentage point in 2016.

It may have been a tighter race than in years past, but Texas is still a Republican state regardless of the urban and suburban areas trending more Democratic.Chip Roy, a former top aide to Sen. Ted Cruz and other top Texas Republicans, will head to Washington as a congressman after defeating Democrat Joseph Kopser in the contest for the San Antonio-area seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith.

Roy, 46, a lawyer who was Cruz's chief of staff, appealed to conservative voters in the decidedly Republican district in his successful drive to capture the seat held by Smith since the 1980s.

Roy is a cancer survivor who identifies as a "genuine committed conservative." He defeated 17 other Republicans also seeking Smith's seat before winning on Tuesday.

Kopser, 47, a 20-year Army veteran who became an entrepreneur in Austin, was among combat veterans recruited by the Democratic Party last year in hopes of offering more moderate congressional candidates, particularly in GOP-flavored districts.

Kopser established himself early as a prodigious fundraiser, seizing the nomination by defeating several more liberal candidates in the primary. He steadfastly sounded themes of bipartisanship and cooperation, repeating the line often that if he could cross oceans and deserts as a soldier, "I can cross an aisle if that's what it takes to solve our problems in Washington."

In the campaign's closing weeks, Kopser marshaled an effort from San Antonio to Austin to reach out to most of the 69,000 veterans in the district. But he felt short of successes enjoyed by at least a half-dozen others veterans who captured Republican-held seats around the country on Tuesday.

RETURNING: Gov. Greg Abbott wins second term, defeats Democrat Lupe Val

In a district with a built-in 10 percent GOP advantage, the race between the two Austinites attracted little outside funding or national attention other than mentions of Roy's connection to Cruz. The 21st district extends from Austin to north San Antonio and runs west to Kerr County in the Hill Country.

Despite Kopser's military and business background, Roy and GOP allies branded him a far-left liberal who embraces "government run" health care and favors curbs on gun ownership.

"It scares the heck out of us that Nancy Pelosi could get another ally from right here in Texas," Roy's wife, Carrah, asserted in an election-eve mailing, one of the Roy campaign's frequent references to the House Democratic leader and favored GOP villain.

Roy, who was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, has been cancer-free for seven years, he said in the campaign. He is known as a behind-the-scenes tactician who gained the trust of leading Texas Republicans. In addition to working as Cruz's chief of staff, he was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's top adviser and previously worked as a senior adviser in Rick Perry administration.

Working with Cruz, Roy was an architect of the partial government shutdown in 2013, waged over funding of the Affordable Care Act. He has suggested that he would identify with the activist wing of Republican conservatives in Washington, remarking during the campaign that the House should attempt no legislation next year until advancing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Roy is expected to join the House Freedom Caucus, an alliance of ardent conservatives in the House that supported his campaign generously and routinely attempts to push the GOP caucus to the right on immigration and other matters.

Smith endorsed Roy's candidacy early and so did Ohio GOP Rep. Jim Jordan, co-founder of the Freedom Caucus and a likely candidate for Republican leadership.

"Chip Roy is a rock-solid conservative who will get in the trenches to help drain the Washington swamp," Jordan said in a fundraising appeal for Roy.

Roy and Kopser express decidedly different views on immigration. In one of his television commercials, Roy warned of threats from "porous borders, gangs and drug cartels."

Kopser criticizes Roy for what he referred to as "ridiculous" claims about so-called open borders.

Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said that Roy "had a good, but not a great election," noting that he won by a more narrow margin than Smith in past contests.

"This was due to multiple factors, including Beto's coattails and an excellent Democratic challenger, Joseph Kopser, but is a result that should concern Roy and other Republicans," Jones said.San Antonio Republican Rep. Will Hurd withstood a Democratic surge by defeating Gina Ortiz Jones, enabling him to capture a third term and carve a GOP imprint in one of the nation's premier swing districts.

Hurd, 41, a former CIA officer, rode his reputation as a moderate and his willingness to break with President Donald Trump to victory over Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer and first-time political candidate.

The Hurd-Jones race had the distinction of pitting two security experts in a district that is home to a National Security Agency hub, the Air Force Cyber Command and a fast-growing cybersecurity industry

ON THE WEB: How social media is reacting to Texas' exciting midterm elections

Hurd's re-election victory was a big achievement in a big district, which stretches from San Antonio to the edge of El Paso, encompassing 58,000 square miles and 820 miles of border. Until Hurd won his first election in 2014, the majority Hispanic district had changed hands, and parties, in three consecutive elections.

The district's unusual history of flipping has made it a national battleground for partisan ambitions, drawing millions for attack ads from outside interests.

"We achieved the largest victory this district has seen in over two decades. We achieved this largest victory in a political environment that ended the careers of dozens of my colleagues," Hurd said to cheers at his victory party at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade.

"We achieved this largest victory because...our fellow citizens want people in Washington DC who are going to make the place work, not people who are going to burn it down," he said.

He said his victory showed that "you don't have to exploit anger and fear to win an election."

Hurd thanked Jones and her supporters for "getting into the arena and engaging in the competition of ideas."

Jones, 37, an Iraq War veteran, was seeking to become the first openly gay member of Congress from Texas and the first Filipina-American elected to Congress.

She was not the first choice of national Democrats, who worked to recruit more politically moderate candidates this election. But she proved formidable by easily defeating the party's preferred candidate and others competing in the Democratic primary.

At her headquarters, Jones said that it was "an amazing opportunity to give voice to the issues that matter to Texans all across Texas 23."

She added: "So while it didn't shake out the way we would want, we ran a campaign that we are proud of and that really reflected Texas values."

Mark Jones, a Rice University professor and political analyst, said he believed that Hurd could have been defeated given the tailwind from Beto O'Rourke's candidacy and the headwind faced by Republicans around the country.

"Yet, in the end, candidate quality mattered in TX-23, with the state's best congressional candidate, Will Hurd, outperforming his party, and Gina Ortiz Jones under-performing.

In the end, Will Hurd was exactly the candidate with the right style, message and energy that Republicans needed to keep the district in GOP hands," he said.

Hurd is one of just two African Americans in the House GOP caucus and with Utah Rep. Mia Love trailing in her race, he could be alone in that status next year.

Hurd is known in Congress for his work on technology issues and pressing GOP colleagues to resolve the fate of so-called Dreamers, the young undocumented immigrants in limbo after Trump's cancellation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

He stood out among House Republicans this campaign season for challenging Trump, particularly on security issues. After the president's uncritical remarks while standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, Hurd accused Trump of "getting played by old KGB hands.

"I spent nine and a-half years as an intelligence officer in the CIA chasing Russian intelligence officers all over the world," he said afterward. "So of course, I'm going to speak out."

Hurd didn't attend when Trump held a rally in Houston last month, and Trump didn't mention Hurd's name along with other GOP candidates.

In the new Democratic-controlled Congress, the number of Republicans willing to speak out against the president will be diminished. At least two of Trump's GOP critics in the House, Carlos Curbelo of Florida and Mike Hoffman of Colorado, lost their re-election bids.

Outside groups marshaled for Hurd, particularly the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC bankrolled in large measure by $50 million from Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his family.

The PAC spent $1.7 million on Hurd's behalf, primarily on negative ads, skewering Jones for positions said to be out of step with Texas and frequently mentioning her association with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The PAC opened an office in San Antonio on Jan. 1, and reported 1.15 million contacts with voters, either by phone or in person.

At Hurd's victory party, Summer Knowlton, 19, who volunteered in the Congressional Leadership Fund's pro-Hurd effort, noted that many younger voters turned out on Hurd's behalf.

"It's even more important to me to stick to my beliefs," she said, noting her desire for immigration reform, lower taxes and keeping Texas red.

Hurd raised nearly $5 million, buoyed by support from major tech firms and by fellow Republicans in Congress who pressed to hold his seat both because of national implications and the desire to keep one of the party's more talented young members.

Jones and Democratic allies trained their fire on Hurd for the many votes by congressional Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Hurd may have inoculated himself by casting his vote against repeal when the House succeeded in advancing repeal legislation  a bill that would stall later in the Senate.

As chairman of a House subcommittee on information technology, Hurd has been a leader on cybersecurity as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He loses that chairmanship and the ability to call hearings on topics of his choice. But Hurd said in an interview recently that he believes he can be successful given his ability to work with Democrats.

At HoustonChronicle.com: O'Rourke and Hurd road trip wins them 'Civility' award

In a district where more than two-thirds of the population identifies as Hispanic, Hurd had the task of overcoming deep distrust of Trump. The polling company Latino Decisions concluded after tracking surveys across the country for nine weeks that Latinos were likely to vote 3-1 for Democrats.

In Congress, Hurd worked with Democrats and other Republican moderates to mobilize GOP colleagues on behalf of legislation that would protect young immigrants left in limbo when Trump rescinded the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. His efforts proved futile but might have shielded him from some of the Latino anger aimed at Trump and Republicans.

Lauren Caruba and Richard Marini contributed to this story.WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election. Democrats have been activated in opposition to Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks Trump has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration. The outcomes of Tuesday's races, which will determine control of Congress, stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

VOTER SURVEY: Texans divided on state of the nation

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republican by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

Both parties' closing messages appeared to have animated their respective bases, according to VoteCast, with health care and immigration each described as the most important issues in the election by about 25 percent of voters. Of those who listed health care as the most important issue facing the nation, about 3 in 4 voted for the Democratic candidate. About the same percentage who described immigration as the most important issue cast ballots for the Republican.

Opposition to Trump proved to be more a motivating factor for Democrats than support for the president a factor for Republicans. Still, Republican voters tended to be overwhelmingly supportive of the president.

More voters disapproved of Trump's job performance than approved  a finding that is largely consistent with recent polling.

Voters scored Trump positively on the economy and for standing up "for what he believes in." But the president received negative marks from voters on temperament and trustworthiness.

Still, about one-third of voters said Trump was not a factor in their votes.

With the final days of the 2018 campaign interrupted by a spate of politically motivated attempted bombings and a massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, about 2 in 10 Democratic and Republican voters think their own party's way of talking about politics is leading to an increase in violence.

VoteCast debuted Tuesday, replacing the in-person exit poll as a source of detailed information about the American electorate. Developed with NORC at the University of Chicago, it combines a random sample survey of registered voters and a massive poll conducted via opt-in online panels. The resulting research has the accuracy of random sampling and the depth provided by an online poll that interviews tens of thousands.

VoteCast results cannot be reliably compared to the results of previous exit polls, as the two surveys use different methodologies to poll the electorate. Differences between the two may be the result of differences in survey methods, rather than real changes in opinions or makeup of the electorate over time.

___

AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted in all 50 states by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 113,677 voters and 21,599 nonvoters was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English and Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files; with self-identified registered voters conducted using NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population; and with self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels. Participants selected from state voter files were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.Incumbent Republican Stan Stanart trails Democratic challenger Diane Trautman in the Harris County Clerk's race, according to early voting results.

Results published by the Harris County clerk after polls closed at 8 p.m. show Tratuman with 448,611 votes to Stanart's 364,032.

Stanart first was elected in 2010 and is seeking a third term. Trautman currently serves as a trustee for the Harris County Department of education.

This story will be updated.

Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com.

AUSTIN  Attorney General Ken Paxton edged out Democratic challenger Justin Nelson in Tuesdays general election, narrowly avoiding an upset for top-of-the-ticket Republicans in this years election.

The race for attorney general was the closest of all the statewide races in Texas outside the race for U.S. Senate. Paxton earned a a smaller share of voter support than fellow Republicans running statewide like Gov. Greg Abbott, Comptroller Glen Hegar and Land Commissioner George P. Bush, according to preliminary vote totals.

Its an honor to serve as Texas Attorney General. Ill continue to fight to protect the rule of law, read a statement from Paxton sent via text message from his campaign.

Nelsons strategy of showering voters with incessant reminders of Paxtons lingering criminal indictment appeared to tighten what political analysts said would be an easy race. Paxtons win comes despite a barrage of TV ads, billboards and a roaming truck featuring the attorney generals 2015 mug shot in the final weeks of early voting and Election Day to dog him over his 2015 criminal indictment.

Paxton is facing two criminal felony charges for securities fraud and a third charge for failing to register with the state as an investment adviser. Paxton, who won his way into office on tea party coattails, has maintained he is the victim of a political witch hunt by fellow Republicans.

The Republican from North Texas largely kept out of the public eye in the months leading up to the election. Considered the most vulnerable statewide-elected Republican, Paxton appeared on FOX News and spoke at select Republican events but skipped local news interviews and declined to debate Nelson. However, polls consistently showed Paxton ahead.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Election 2018: Live updates

Among Democrats, Nelson put up the most well-funded fight for statewide office outside the hotly-contested U.S. Senate race. Nelson spent nearly $4.3 million in his bid for office and loaned himself $1.5 million in his quest. His campaign included several low-budget digital ads reminding voters of Paxtons legal troubles, including how to bake an indictment birthday cake and sending staffers to dress up as Paxton and roam the Texas Capitol on Halloween.

In October as voter turnout surged, Paxton began airing ads on television to counter Nelsons barrage of media mentioning the attorney generals indictment, taking credit for closing down a human trafficking marketplace  which Politifact determined was mostly false  and alleging Nelson favored open borders  which Nelson denies.

The race grew into an expensive one  the two collectively spent $13.4 million since January. The campaigns spent nearly half of that in the last month alone.AUSTIN  Republican George P. Bush defeated Democratic challenger Miguel Suazo on Tuesday to win his second term as Texas Land Commissioner, according to projections by the Associated Press.

I'm honored Texans have voted to continue strong leadership in the Texas General Land Office, Bush said in a statement. We reduced the size of government, housed thousands after Hurricane Harvey, and saved the Alamo. Thank you for another great victory. We're just getting started.

The Texas General Land Office is 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.

Bush, whose father is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, is a member of a family that includes two former presidents from Texas.

Three Republicans challenged him in the primary election, but Bush still won nearly 58 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff.

His re-election campaign was defined by the Alamo and Hurricane Harvey relief  both issues that highlight stumbles of his first term in the office.

Bush was heavily criticized, starting early this year, for how he handled relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas in August 2017. Houston government officials said the process was needlessly slow, and an analysis by the Houston Chronicle found that the short-term housing efforts led by Bush trailed well behind post-disaster relief efforts in other states.

At the same time, state lawmakers were questioning Bushs management of the Alamo.

An internal audit noted troubles with the Alamos financial operations and criticized Bush for putting the Alamo under the management of three nonprofits, which led Bush to step down from the board of the Alamo Trust and bring in new employees to oversee the Alamos accounting and management.

And there were months of contentious debate over Bushs Alamo Master Plan during his first term.

But the plan was approved by the San Antonio City Council in October and includes plans to lease the Alamo Plaza to the GLO and to relocate the Cenotaph, a monument honoring Alamo defenders killed in the 1836 battle.AUSTIN  Republicans lost a dozen seats in Tuesday's election, putting Democrats in a stronger position to sway the next most important election in Texas  choosing the next state House speaker who can wield influence to control what laws legislators will pass next year.

Members of the House elect a speaker every two years at the beginning of the legislative session. Republicans looking to replace outgoing GOP Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio have put up five candidates for the chambers top job to set the pace, tone and agenda for the 2019 session that begins in January.

However, the election Tuesday dropped the GOP majority to 83 - 67 in the House, giving the minority party leverage to bargain for a centrist speaker of their liking or cut deals on legislation, political analysts say. Republicans held 95 out of 150 seats prior to Tuesday election, which would have made way for a more conservative speaker candidate.

The Democrats are shopping. Theyre buyers in this market, and theyre going to be empowered to find somebody whos going to give them a good deal, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor and analyst from the University of Houston.

The longer Republicans wait to coalesce around their choice for the next speaker, the more influence the Democrats are going to have, Rottinghaus said. It will now take just nine Republicans who disagree with the caucus choice and team up with Democrats to elect the speaker of their liking.

While it is unlikely Republicans would defect, its not impossible. In 2009, Straus defeated then-speaker and fellow Republican Tom Craddick, of Midland, with the help of a gang of 11 Republicans who secretly met with the Democrats and joined them in backing Straus. The 150-member House was home to 76 Republicans and 74 Democrats at the time.

The next House speaker needs 76 votes to win.

The dynamics this year come amid a civil war within the Republican Party that was on full display in the Texas House during the 2017 Legislative Session. Tea party Republicans were regularly at odds with Straus, constantly working to undermine him as he stood in the way of some conservative legislation including a much-debated elements of a property tax reform bill.

Many [Republicans] realize theyre likely to have a significant battle on their hands in 2020, said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University. After losing 12 seats and watching other Republicans winning by narrow margins, GOP members will want to elect a speaker that best positions them to win in the next election cycle.

Now its easier for the Straus wing to convince the large middle of the GOP caucus that they provide the best pathway for Republicans remaining in control of the House, he said.

Current candidates in the running include Republican Reps. Dennis Bonnen of Angleton, Travis Clardy of Nachodoches, Drew Darby of San Angelo, Phil King of Weatherford and Tan Parker of Flower Mound, along with Democrat Rep. Eric Johnson of Dallas.

Republicans are expected to meet at the end of the month to decide who they will support. The House speaker will be elected in January.AUSTIN  Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican statewide candidates down-ballot handily won re-election Tuesday, keeping Texas government in GOP hands and shutting out Democrats for a 24th year.

The tightest re-election race was that of first-term Attorney General Ken Paxton, who fended off a competitive challenge from Democrat Justin Nelson, an Austin-based attorney who sought to make Paxton's legal troubles central to the contest.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and Comptroller Glenn Hegar won their races.

Democrats haven't won a statewide election since 1994. But they benefited Tuesday from the spirited campaign of Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who turned out voters in droves in his bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

The tight margins, however, didnt trickle down to all statewide races. Abbott won comfortably over Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff.

We all know that this past year has been filled with campaigns that have battled under different banners. There's been the red team versus the blue team. Well, now that elections are over and the people have spoken, it is time for all of us to unite under the best banner of them all and that is the great flag of the Lone Star State of Texas, said Abbott, 60, at an election night event in Austin.

While Abbott was leading by a wide margin, it wasnt nearly as commanding as his first win in 2014. Then, he beat Democrat Wendy Davis by more than 20 percentage points.

Abbott far out-raised Valdez and at one point counted more than $40 million in his campaign war chest. Ultimately, he funneled some of that money to Paxton and to vulnerable GOP state senators and representatives locked in contested races. In the final weeks before Election Day, Abbott spent more time boosting other Republicans than his own candidacy.

Felisha Bull, a 27-year-old who attended Abbott's election night celebration, was skeptical of a so-called blue wave this year.

"I think the blue wave is coming, but I dont think its coming this year," said Bull, who works in Austin. "The GOP needs to look at growing trends of voters and realize they have a serious issue (with engaging young people), or were going to look up in a few years and realize were not the majority anymore."

Valdez, meanwhile, touted the strong voter turnout and told supporters she called Abbott to concede.

(This year) has made us all a team. A team against the team of hatefulness and division, Valdez said at an election night event in Austin. The team that says this is not the Texas brand. We stepped out of our comfort zone and out of our echo chambers and committed to hearing each other. And in that progress we learn that compromise is not a bad word, and that reaching across the aisle can build partnership that will carry us forward for years to come.

Many Republican statewide candidates, including Patrick and Bush, spent little time this election cycle rallying voters or hosting town hall meetings. But by Tuesday night most had won, or were leading, the contested races.

Paxton ran a largely quiet campaign while Nelson showered voters with $3 million worth of reminders about Paxtons unresolved criminal indictment.

Paxton has yet to go to trial on a trio of white-collar crimes charges, including felony securities fraud, although a federal judge dismissed similar charges in civil court. A series of delays put off Paxtons trial until after the election.

Perhaps sensing a tightening race, Paxton changed tactics just weeks before the election. The tea party Republican ramped up his fundraising as Abbott poured more than $350,000 worth of polling and political advertising into Paxtons campaign. The attorney general began running television ads in October casting Nelson as opposed to border security, comments Nelsons campaign said were false.

Miller led Tuesday night in his first re-election bid to oversee the Department of Agriculture despite failing to earn the endorsement of key groups of farmers and ranchers. With Gods grace and a little cowboy logic, I will make the most of the trust you have placed in me and together, we will succeed! Miller posted on Facebook.

Miller made several enemies during his first term after raising fees and picking fights with barbecue restaurants and gas stations. However, the former rodeo cowboy is best known for controversy. He was investigated by the Texas Rangers for taking trips to Oklahoma and Mississippi using government funds to compete in a rodeo and obtain a so-called Jesus shot to cure back pain. He later paid back the money and no charges were filed. He is also known for engaging in culture wars on social media. He has been criticized for using his bully pulpit to suggest the United States drop an atomic bomb on the Muslim world, joke about suicide, spread fake news and shared a message referring to then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as a vulgar four-letter word.

Kim Olson, a Democrat, pilot, retired lieutenant colonel and bee-keeper, ran against him. Although she raised a comparable amount of money in the race and toured the state, she failed to win endorsements from several major conservative agricultural groups that refused to support Miller.

Patrick, who presides over the state Senate, defeated Mike Collier, a Kingwood Democrat who made school finance and property tax reform a primary issue in the race.

Bush, the land commissioner, beat out Democrat Miguel Suazo, to win a second term. Bush has led an ambitious effort to overhaul Alamo Plaza in San Antonio, which earned criticism from Suazo over a planned relocation of the Cenotaph.

Im honored Texans have voted to continue strong leadership in the Texas General Land Office, Bush said on Twitter. We reduced the size of government, housed thousands after #HurricaneHarvey, and saved the Alamo. Thank you for another great victory. Were just getting started.

Craddick defeated Democrat Roman McAllen in her campaign for a second term on the Railroad Commission. The three-member panel regulates the state oil and gas industries. Hegar also won another term, defeating Democrat Joi Chevalier.

Catherine Marfin contributed reporting from Austin.

amorris@express-news.netU.S. Rep. Pete Olson has held off Democratic challenger Sri Preston Kulkarni to win re-election in the 22nd congressional district, according to the Associated Press.

The outcome follows an unusually pitched campaign battle for the five-term Republican incumbent. Olson, a 55-year-old former Navy pilot, easily won his last four re-elections.A charity worker was unfairly dismissed from her job after raising protected disclosures about potential theft, an employment tribunal has ruled.

The tribunal ruled that Ms V Penlington, whose first name is not provided, was dismissed by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, a religious charity which provides social care, after raising a protected disclosure during a trial period.

In a judgment published earlier this month, following a hearing in Liverpool in April this year, a panel of a judge and two lay members unanimously decided that this constituted an unfair dismissal.

The tribunal found that the charity did not follow its own probationary period policy, grievance policy or whistle-blowing policy during the period of employment.

Penlington was a probationary employee at a care home in Liverpool run by the charity in April 2017, when she noticed 13.33 missing from petty cash and raised questions about what had happened to it. The money was eventually accounted for by managers, but Penlington was not made aware of what happened to it, and raised it three times by phone and in writing.

Penlington also raised several other concerns about whether the charitys facilities were properly run, which the charity did not properly investigate, the judgment found. She also raised other concerns that she was being discriminated against, most of which the tribunal found were not well founded.

The tribunal found that her manager had gone on annual leave on 27 April  the date the missing money was first noted  and returned on 11 May to find that she was still concerned about the missing money. At that point he decided to dismiss her, and met with her on 22 May to do so.

But the charity was not entitled to dismiss her for raising proper concerns about a potentially criminal act, which is a protected disclosure, the tribunal ruled.

A remedy hearing will follow within six months.

For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here.The government has been criticised in The Times and on BBC radio over its use of gagging clauses which prevent charities from speaking out on behalf of their beneficiaries.

The Times has carried out an investigation into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) otherwise known as gagging clauses, in public contracts.

It found that clauses appeared to prevent charities from speaking out, particularly about the failed probation reforms, implemented by the Ministry of Justice under Chris Grayling, and about the impact of universal credit, implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The cabinets enthusiasm for NDAs looks like another manifestation of the British states culture of secrecy, the newspaper said in a leader article accompanying the story. Such furtiveness does little to improve the quality of decision making, it merely prevents scrutiny of bad policies, makes it harder to hold ministers to account and impoverishes the national debate.

Charities warn that such clauses inhibit them from giving evidence to committees or feedback on policy. If Mrs May is to avoid accusations of hypocrisy, she should toughen rules on the governments use of NDAs too.

Charities back change

Vicky Browning, chief executive of Acevo, told The Times: Anti-advocacy clauses are anti-democratic. Civil society leaders have been calling for a ban of anti-advocacy clauses in all government grants and contracts for a number of years, and I renew that request today.

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, told the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning that the policy of gagging charities must be scrapped.

Charities are there to serve their beneficiaries, she told the programme. Thats charity law. Its a fundamental role of charities to speak out about how their beneficiaries are experiencing government policy. Really behind this, I dont think anyone is in any doubt, is a government that doesnt want any criticism. They know that charities are influential and powerful and they want to stop them speaking.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said in a statement this morning: "Given the nature of their work, charities have real insight into how these policies are working in the real world. And they speak up for people who just aren't heard in Whitehall.

"This issue has rumbled on for some time and we are calling on the Government to provide absolute clarity about whether these clauses, in any way, should prevent charities from speaking out.

"I have written today to the Prime Minister to ask her to confirm whether these clauses would prevent charities from publicly expressing concern about a particular policy or programme."

For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here.For 728 days after the election of President Donald Trump stunned Democrats, political professionals, and maybe even Trump himself, the press corps might as well have been holding its collective breath. Pundits who all but coronated the Clinton administration-in-waiting bashfully swore off future predictions while keeping their plush postings. Reporters and editors blunted accountability reporting on the White House with cartoonish portrayals of hard-on-their-luck Republican voters. And Liberal America stepped up its criticism of the medias culpability in Trumps rise as the president turned out to be the man everyone thought he was.

Trumps two-pronged campaign of racist incitement and outright deception in recent weeksoften magnified by media outletsonly brought Tuesdays stakes into clearer focus. These midterms, USA Today scribe Susan Page wrote, crystallized clashing visions of what defines the nation. The decision at hand was about health care and immigration and other issues. But more so, The Washington Posts Dan Balz added in his Sunday curtain-raiser, its about something more elemental: what kind of country Americans see today and want to see in the future. NBCs Lester Holt summed it up in his Lester Holt-iest of voices as crowded polling places began closing Tuesday evening: A divided country at a crossroads. Tonight, the moment of truth.

Left unsaid was that the results would also provide something of a popular progress report on the medias performance over the past two years. As the GOP-controlled Congress has played the role of deadbeat dad to its oversight duties, journalists have been pushed into something of a wartime footing while awkwardly clinging to old rules of detachment. A series of bomb threats against top Democrats and CNN last month underscored how democratic institutions are currently under threat. Yet Trump only ramped up his conspiratorial enemy-of-the-people rhetoric, casting the midterms as a chance to vote on his worldview. In this sense, they were also a referendum on real news v. fake.

ICYMI: How white is the media? You may want to look at these numbers

Election nights in the live media world have become biennial rituals in meaningless immediacy and performative suspense. With final forecasts projecting a decisive Democratic advantage in the popular vote, the board was set in the midterm expectations game. But as The New York Times fired up its much-maligned election needle, Twitters firehose rose in pressure, and television panelists dutifully took their overcrowded posts, no one exhaled. Media narratives, like pendulums, are made to swing.

While vote counts began to trickle in, analysts speculation of a blue tsunami quickly subsided to the expected blue wave and, in turn, a potential blue ripple. The first slate of Senate races suggested something closer to a blue rip current, pulling away from Democrats. Flashbacks to 2016s post-election stress disorder bubbled just beneath the surface of discussion in ABC News throne room of 16 (!) talking heads.

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Democrats are still favored to win the House, said Stephanie Cutter, a Democratic strategist, tapping the brakes. So we have to take a deep breath. (Editors note: No one did.)

It was Fox News, of all outlets, that ended up calling the House in Democrats favor far before anyone else. I know a lot of listeners out there, their heads are exploding, host Chris Wallace said. But this is going to be a very different Washington. The pro-Trump media organs projection was giddily passed around Twitter and soon picked up by competing TV channels; crisis averted. And a series of key House callsin Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and elsewhereseemed to bolster the comeback storyline.

Now you have the discussion: Is it a wave or not? NBC News national affairs analyst John Heilemann said.

If only there were a more nuanced tidal current. As hosts and pundits yammered on into the wee hours, Republicans steadily built upon their Senate majority. The new members, including three with restrictive views of abortion rights, will further the GOPs ability to stock the federal bench with conservative judges. Whats more, the national medias Democratic darlings all fell short. African-American gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum did not make history against Trumpian opponents in Georgia and Florida, respectively. In Texas, RFK-doppelganger Beto ORourke was felled by incumbent Senator Ted Cruz, who is widely regarded across the aisle as a font of Washington villainy.

Democrats instead found success in races largely overlooked in the past few months of national media coverage. Across the Midwest, the party flipped gubernatorial mansions in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kansas. Fresh faces in the House will also include the chambers first-ever Muslim and Native American women.

Taken together, the murky results present news outlets with two storylines that will frequently conflict with each other in the coming years: a clear majority of Americans, largely in urban and suburban areas, resisting an historically unpopular president; and a smaller, whiter, older Republican Party clinging to control over a system that empowers rural states. CNN came to the fork in the road andas it so often doestook it, presenting both. If [Trump] thinks the media is annoying, wait til he meets a Democratic House that has subpoena power and actually has the legal ability to force them to turn over documents, host Jake Tapper. Still, White House Reporter Abby Phillip added more soberly, tomorrow morning Donald Trump wakes up to a Republican Party that is more beholden to him than it was yesterday.

To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words  FAKE NEWS!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

A divided government will relieve journalists of some pressure, as Republicans close ranks in the face of a true opposition party and Democrats investigate Trump on their own terms. Tuesday nights dual narratives, however, also complicate matters.

The popular results suggest most of the country is still responsive to the cascading media revelations of incompetence in the White House, corruption in the administration, and cruelty from Trump himself. But a large portion of America has tuned them out, if not turned away from journalism wholesale. And in the hope of winning these people back, the press corps has proven unwilling to fundamentally alter how it covers a president whose style revolves around dishonesty and division. Its still gotta hear both sides; the scoop-industrial complex still requires access. Trump will no doubt take advantage of this dynamic as he did by playing assignment editor on saturation coverage of Central America migrants in recent weeks.

Its possible the next two years will surprise in this regard. Perhaps the press will reorient itself away from covering Trumps free associations and toward the implications of one political party entrenching itself as a dominant minority. There are 727 days till the next election; I wouldnt hold my breath.

ICYMI: Sometimes I would get an interview, most of the time not. I was never hired.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

David Uberti is a writer in New York. He was previously a media reporter for Gizmodo Media Group and a staff writer for CJR. Follow him on Twitter @DavidUberti.At 6am on Election Day, journalists began arriving at The City University of New Yorks Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, in midtown Manhattan. There as part of Electionland, a project started in 2016 by ProPublica to collect information about voter disenfranchisement and feed tips to local reporters, some 80 journalists (from ProPublica and elsewhere), students, and experts in cybersecurity, misinformation, and law huddled around laptops at tables arranged cafeteria style. Their command center would serve 250 reporters in 125 newsrooms, many of which have seen their budgets diminished in recent years. ProPublica employees wore bright blue T-shirts decorated with stickers that read I covered voting. On large monitors near the front of the room were three maps of the United States; on one of them, clusters of tiny pink dots blinked and pulsated. They were news tips.

As an investigative newsroom, we dont really play a role on Election Day, Scott Klein, ProPublicas deputy managing editor, said. Klein, who wore black glasses and an Apple watch, sat at his laptop scrolling through a Slack channel where catchers dropped tips that had been cleared by editors. He conceived of Electionland alongside Simon Rogers, a data editor at Google, after seeing a report that in 2012 between 300,000 and 500,000 would-be voters had been disenfranchised due to long wait times. How can we help? theyd thought. Instead of second or third day stories about all the people who abandoned the line, we want to speed it up so election officials can fix it and those people can vote, Klein explained. If we can get them their franchise, thats impact for us.

Beena Raghavendran, a young woman in glasses and slip-on sneakers, is an engagement reporting fellow at ProPublica and was tasked with fielding tips submitted by voters in Maryland, Maine, and Connecticut. Throughout the day, ProPublica collected reports through a call line manned by lawyers, a WhatsApp number that people could text, a web form at the news outlets site, email, and social mediaall sent into an internal system called Landslide. Raghavendran flagged a tip, submitted through text message, which said that voters at a polling site in Baltimore had not been able to cast their ballots because scanners were broken. By the time Raghavendran got in touch with the source to vet the information, the problem had been resolved. But a new one cropped up.

The same tipster reported that poll station volunteers at the Enott Pratt Free Library, in midtown Baltimore, had neglected to provide voters with a second page on the ballot. Nobody noticed until a man waiting in line asked how to vote on city provisions. The gentleman had remembered there was a second page to the ballot, the tipster told Raghavendran. She jotted down some notes. A colleague scanned Twitter looking for other voters experiencing the same problem.

After talking with the source, whose name was Alexandra Adams, Raghavendran passed the tip on to Deb Belt, an editor on Patchs national desk. Belt emailed the information to a reporter named Elizabeth Janney, who covers Baltimore. There was a phone number, so I contacted the tipster and asked them to walk me through what happened when she got to the poll site, Janney said.

Adams, Janney learned, had arrived at the library at around 6:50 in the morning. The ballot scanners were down and the first votes were not cast until nearly forty minutes after the poll site officially opened. When the man in line ahead of Adams realized that their ballots were missing a page, poll workers dismissed him, insisting that hed been given a complete form. The man persisted, however, showing them a sample ballot on his cell phone. It was a little frightening, Adams told Janney. Eventually, the poll workers retrieved a box full of the complete ballotsbut not before between 40 and 50 voters had already filtered in and out of the library.

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Janney got off the phone with Adams and called the local Board of Elections, which did not give her an interview. Her story was published before lunchtime. In an interview with The Baltimore Sun, Armstead Jones, the citys election director, denied that voters had been given incomplete ballots, but then sent two officials to the library to offer assistance. Janneys story mounted pressure for a fix, and without the help from Raghavendran, she said, I wouldnt have been able to get in contact with Adams so quickly. Later in the day, she was back to collecting more tips, via the Electionland Slack channel, on potential missing pages from ballots around Baltimore.

Back at Electionland headquarters, more tips were filtering out to cities elsewhere in the country. ProPublica catcher Maya Miller interviewed Rolanda Anthony, who reported on Facebook and in a call that a poll worker had yelled racist remarks and pushed her as she attempted to vote. Miller sent a transcript of the conversation to Matt Dempsey, a data editor at The Houston Chronicle, who quickly wrote and published a short article before dispatching Gabrielle Banks, a reporter working in the field, to Anthonys polling site to fully report the story. (The poll worker was later charged with assault, and a second worker resigned in protest.) In Missouri, a poll worker, when presented with an American passport as identification, inexplicably asked the voter if he was a member of the caravan, referring to a group of Central American refugees traveling north through Mexico. A computer glitch in Geauga County, Ohio, incorrectly marked voters as having submitted an absentee ballot. The ProPublica team also tracked the performances of county and state election websites, many of whichin such places as Kentucky, Washington, and Texascrashed periodically throughout the day.

Electionland staffers continued working late into the night as extra hands for comprehensive, data-based coverage. Im one person, and we have a team covering the state, Janney said. But we dont have our own tip line or people on the ground everywhere. At the end of the day, its about providing a service to voters.

ICYMI: WNYCs nightly bid to put America in conversation

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Alexandria Neason was CJRs staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. Recently, she became an editor and producer at WNYCs Radiolab.The morning after the midterms, journalists are working through the complicated picture that emerged from yesterdays elections. With Democrats gaining in some states and Republicans in others, the results defied easy generalization. As Cook Political Report National Editor and sometime WNYC host Amy Walter tweeted, the midterms have turned out to be a choose your own narrative election.

Pollsters, by contrast, are breathing a big sigh of relief that they arent the story this morning. As forecast, Democrats took the House and Republicans held the Senate, with no overall, 2016-style election-night surprise. Nor did any single high-profile race go in a wildly unexpected direction. It was, CNN data whizz Harry Enten said, a very good night for polling.

ICYMI: The New York Times is hit with a lawsuit

While voters expect polls to do their job (and only tend to notice when they dont), polling is, by nature, an inexact and devilishly complicated sciencebogged down in margins of error, sampling issues, and other statistical knots that few fully understand and no one has quite mastered. Predicting a presidential race is hard enough. On midterm election nights, with public focus spread more evenly across the ballot, it involves weighing hundreds of races in different parts of the country, each shaped by their own issues, demographics, and trends.

The idea that polling broke in 2016 is a misconception: Last night, FiveThirtyEights Nate Silver re-upped an article he wrote in May explaining that presidential polls were about as accurate that year as at any time since 1972. The much bigger issue was how the media communicated routine uncertainty to the public. Equivocal numbers were misleadingly cast as percentage probabilities that made Hillary Clinton look all but certain to win the White House. Since then, many news outlets have made admirable efforts to improve how they contextualize and caveat their predictions. The New York Times published live polls in collaboration with Siena College in the run-up to the midterms, and was more cautious with its infamous election-night needle. Despite some technical glitches on the night, the Timess Nate Cohn tweeted that it had been a great night for our polls.

As Enten told his CNN colleague Brian Stelter on Sunday, The way that the public generally views whether or not polling is accurate is whether or not it gets the results of the election right. As should be expected, a few important calls did prove off yesterday. In Florida, notably, Democratic gubernatorial hope Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis despite late polls showing he would eke out a win (polls also predicted a victory for Floridas Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, who, as of this morning, is a hairs breadth behind challenger Rick Scott).

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Most mistakes, however, were well within the margin of error. As Silver tweeted, polls called the large majority of the 506 House, Senate, and governors races, and all-but-nailed the overall direction of Congress. By that measure, at least, polling got a big credibility boost last nighteven if that boost merely means no one is cursing them this morning.

Below, more on the midterms:

A mixed day at Fox: At 9:33pm yesterday, with uncertainty still swirling in most newsrooms, Fox News became the first outlet to call the House for the Democrats. The early call was a win for the network after (another) day of controversy dogged star host Sean Hannity, this time over his totally, definitely NOT planned stump speech for the president on Monday night. Fox called Hannitys appearance an unfortunate distraction and several staffers were left furious, CNNs Oliver Darcy reports. Interestingly, Hannity did not feature in Foxs midterms coverage last night.

At 9:33pm yesterday, with uncertainty still swirling in most newsrooms, Fox News became the first outlet to call the House for the Democrats. The early call was a win for the network after (another) day of controversy dogged star host Sean Hannity, this time over his totally, definitely NOT planned stump speech for the president on Monday night. Fox called Hannitys appearance an unfortunate distraction and several staffers were left furious, CNNs Oliver Darcy reports. Interestingly, Hannity did not feature in Foxs midterms coverage last night. Hurd mentality: The AP called Texass 23rd Congressional District for Republican Will Hurd (who had himself declared victory), then dramatically uncalled it as Democratic challenger Gina Ortiz Jones unexpectedly gained ground. Ortiz Jones briefly nudged ahead of Hurd, though it looks now like Hurd ultimately won the race.

The AP called Texass 23rd Congressional District for Republican Will Hurd (who had himself declared victory), then dramatically uncalled it as Democratic challenger Gina Ortiz Jones unexpectedly gained ground. Ortiz Jones briefly nudged ahead of Hurd, though it looks now like Hurd ultimately won the race. Two more years: Hard-right Iowa Congressman Steve Kings campaign banned the Des Moines Register from its election-night event yesterday, calling the paper leftist propaganda. HuffPosts Christopher Mathias, who has called King a white supremacist, later tweeted that hed been kicked out of the event, too, and reported that the Storm Lake Times, a tiny local paper which won a Pulitzer in 2017, had also been barred. King won his race.

Hard-right Iowa Congressman Steve Kings campaign banned the Des Moines Register from its election-night event yesterday, calling the paper leftist propaganda. HuffPosts Christopher Mathias, who has called King a white supremacist, later tweeted that hed been kicked out of the event, too, and reported that the Storm Lake Times, a tiny local paper which won a Pulitzer in 2017, had also been barred. King won his race. An expanded franchise: A potentially seismic story emerged from the horse-race coverage last night as Floridians approved a ballot measure to return voting rights to many former felons, enfranchising roughly 1.5 million new voters, about a third of whom are black. The move could have seismic consequences in the swing state.

A potentially seismic story emerged from the horse-race coverage last night as Floridians approved a ballot measure to return voting rights to many former felons, enfranchising roughly 1.5 million new voters, about a third of whom are black. The move could have seismic consequences in the swing state. Electionland: CJRs Alexandria Neason checked in yesterday with ProPublicas Electionland project, which monitored potential voter disenfranchisement nationwide and fed tips to local reporters.

CJRs Alexandria Neason checked in yesterday with ProPublicas Electionland project, which monitored potential voter disenfranchisement nationwide and fed tips to local reporters. The road not taken: In an interesting Twitter thread, NYU journalism Professor Jay Rosen laid out how the press might have covered the midterms campaign differently by focusing on what voters wanted their candidates to talk about.

In an interesting Twitter thread, NYU journalism Professor Jay Rosen laid out how the press might have covered the midterms campaign differently by focusing on what voters wanted their candidates to talk about. Presidential presser: Donald Trump will hold a post-election press conference at 11:30 Eastern.



Other notable stories:

In a report published Monday, Facebook admitted that it did too little to stop the spread of hate in Myanmar. The platform has been blamed for exacerbating bloodshed in the country, particularly against the persecuted Rohingya minority.

The Timess David Streitfeld summarizes reaction to Amazons reported plans to split its new headquarters between New York and Arlington, Virginia, following a much-hyped nationwide selection process. Critics called the move a bait and switch, but Amazon probably wont care, Streitfeld writes. Amid the guessing game, the company got information from dozens of cities about how much they would pay for a strong Amazon presence, valuable data that it will no doubt use to expand.

Also in the Times, Carlotta Gall contrasts Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans advocacy for Jamal Khashoggithe Saudi dissident journalist murdered at his countrys consulate in Istanbul last monthwith his brutal crackdown on dissent domestically. The Khashoggi case has presented a special quandary for reporters in Turkey, Gall writes. None of the journalists unions issued statements of support when Mr. Khashoggi disappeared, and they are notably absent from the vigils held outside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

On its own, the meaning of the word objectivity is fairly straightforward, demonstrating a lack of bias or prejudice. But when paired with journalism, it becomes a matter of priority: the selection of whats worthy of coverage and whose stories are valuable. Setting priorities requires gatekeepers, and in the field of journalism, gatekeepers wereand still aredisproportionately white men, writes Rebecca Carroll for CJRs new print issue on race and journalism.

And if you want to see Russell Crowe on set as Roger Ailes, click here.

ICYMI: Trumps immigration rhetoric and the medias big midterms failure

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.A Nebraska judge has ruled that an insurance provider doesnt have to cover the legal debt of a Nebraska county that wrongfully convicted six people in a 1985 rape and murder.

Lancaster County District Judge Jodi L. Nelson ruled Thursday that the liability policies Gage County purchased in 1989 do not cover the countys mishandling of the so-called Beatrice Six case, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Gage County faces a $28.1 million federal judgment after it lost a lawsuit filed by the six people who were wrongfully convicted and served a combined 75 years in prison for the murder of 68-year-old Helen Wilson.

The six were exonerated by DNA evidence in 2008 and won their lawsuit in 2016. A federal appeals court rejected Gage Countys appeal earlier this year, leaving local officials with few options other than paying the judgment.

The policies in question were purchased through Employers Mutual Casualty. Attorneys for the county asked a judge to determine whether a series of liability insurance policies would pay all or part of the damages or legal fees from the case.

Nelson ruled in October that insurance policies Gage County carried through the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, a risk-sharing pool, were not in effect when the six were arrested. That coverage went into effect in 1997. On Thursday, Nelson reached the same conclusion on the Employers Mutual Casualty policies, which carried the countys insurance from Feb. 2, 1989, until Feb. 2, 1990.

The states appellate courts have not yet heard the issue.

Nelson said the language of the Employers Mutual Casualty policy excluded any and all professional services, but did not define what those services were. Attorneys for Gage County argued that law enforcement was an occupation, not a professional service, but Nelson said Nebraska case law defines professional acts and services as those requiring special learning or attainments of some kind.

The allegations in the Beatrice Six complaints involve decision-making based on an officers training and experience, Nelson wrote. The Gage County sheriff and his deputies investigated the rape and murder of Helen Wilson by using law enforcements specialized decision-making process.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.CLEVELAND, Ohio  Democrats and incumbents all but cruised to victories in a slew of races for Cuyahoga County judgeships in Tuesdays election.

Four out of five current judges running for re-election were successful in keeping their seats, and voters chose the Democratic candidate in all five races for open seats, according to unofficial results from Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Bedford Heights Law Director Deborah Turner, who is black, will become just the third person of color to join the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

After Turner is sworn in, the court will be made up of 31 white judges, and three black women.

Appeals Court Judge

Michelle Sheehan, a corporate lawyer and past president of the Ohio Womens Bar Association, won a seat on the 8th District Court of Appeals bench. She is married to Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan, a former assistant county prosecutor. Sheehan has promised to recuse herself from ruling in any case in which her husband is involved.

Sheehan defeated Republican Raymond Headen, a bond attorney who helped secure funding for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and served as general counsel to Ohio Treasurer Ken Blackwell in the 1990s, by a margin of 74 percent to 25 percent.

Headen, who grew up in Clevelands Glenville neighborhood, was the only black man running for a seat on the bench.

Current judges Mary Boyle Frank Celebrezze Jr. Eileen T. Gallagher each ran unopposed.

Serial effect?

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel Gaul also secured an easy win Tuesday night, defeating his Republican challenger, lawyer Wanda Jones, by about a 10-point margin.

Cleveland.com has reported on Gauls controversial comments in the past, including referring to a black defendant by his ethnic and racial makeup and calling him a brother. But the podcast Serial shined a national spotlight on Gauls courtroom demeanor, which included telling people he sentenced to probation that they were not allowed to have children out of wedlock, and coercing a plea from a man who was later acquitted.

While Gaul still won re-election handily, he grabbed a lower percentage of the vote than in 2012. Gaul garnered more than 69 percent of the vote in his defeat of Republican Edele Passalacqua in that race. About 54 percent of voters chose Gaul in Tuesdays race.

Other races

In other races, voters chose to keep Common Pleas Judges John Sutula, John P. ODonnell and Joseph Russo, who are all Democrats and who garnered more than 70 percent of the vote in their races.

The lone Republican to win a seat on the bench is five-term incumbent Judge Kathleen Sutula, who captured 59 percent of the vote to challenger James Satolas 41 percent Tuesday night.

Four Common Pleas Court races featured no incumbent after judges Carolyn Friedland, Michael Jackson, Stuart Friedman and Janet Burnside either aged off the bench or retired.

Voters replaced them with four Democrats: Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Ashley Kilbane, longtime defense attorney and Fairview Park law director William McGinty, judicial staff attorney Emily Hagan, and Turner.

All four candidates had more than 60 percent of the vote in their races, with Kilbane notching 78 percent of the vote.

Judges Timothy McCormick, Shirley Strickland Saffold and Cassandra Collier-Williams ran unopposed.

Juvenile Court

Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Denise Rini was the sole judicial incumbent to lose a re-election bid Tuesday. Voters chose assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor Jennifer OMalley, who is also the niece of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley, to replace Rini.

OMalley received more than 59 percent of the vote.

Judges Alison Nelson Floyd and Thomas OMalley ran unopposed.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Many of Northeast Ohios polling places are seeing heavy turnout on Election Day, with Cuyahoga County already surpassing the turnout for the last midterm election in 2014.

Cuyahoga Countys Board of Elections reported 40.4 percent turnout at 3:30 p.m., which is higher than the 39.5 percent turnout reported in the 2014 midterm election. Turnout has been particularly high in the suburbs, according to county Board of Elections director Pat McDonald.

Kimberly Morton, voting location manager at the Plymouth United Church of Christ on the border of Cleveland and Shaker Heights, said around noon that turnout seemed close to the 2016 presidential election and significantly higher than the 2014 midterm election.

Ive had people waiting all day, she said.

McDonald said around noon that turnout could reach 55 percent, significantly higher than the previous midterm election in 2014. But the use of electronic poll books has made checking in voters more efficient, and has kept lines moving, he said.

Morton said she was seeing a lot of new faces lining up to vote, and she was fielding fewer questions from confused voters than in the past. She said the Plymouth Church usually draws a larger percentage of Caucasian voters, but the turnout was fairly split between black and white voters on Tuesday.

Dionne Mitchell, 50, who votes regularly, said she voted a straight Democratic ticket. She thinks more people are motivated to vote this year in order to neutralize President Donald Trump.

She said her 27-year-old son in East Cleveland is voting this year for the first time in a while, and her 33-year-old daughter in East Cleveland has been on Facebook encouraging people to vote.

JaShonna Ballard, who turned 18 in September, said she encouraged her boyfriend Lashann Martin, 19, to vote.

Martin said he didnt even think about voting last year.

You just got to vote, Ballard said. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Voter turnout for last midterm election in 2014 was 39.56 percent with 350,534 ballots cast.

Turnout was 69.24 percent with 617,350 ballots cast in the presidential year of 2016, and 70.09 percent with 650,437 ballots cast in 2012.

Cleveland Heights

The Fairfax Elementary School voting location was packed at mid-morning and overflow tables were set up for voters to cast their ballots when all the voting booths were occupied. The County Board of Election reported this happening elsewhere.

Nearly all of the 30 voting booths were full around noon at the Taylor School voting location on Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights. Poll workers said the site was busy all morning with no lulls.

At the Cleveland Heights-University Heights library on Lee Road, voters who arrived at 8:45 a.m. were waiting in line for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Lakewood

Harrison Elementary School in Lakewood had a steady stream of voters in the morning, and a poll worker said it was busier than any midterm election she could remember.

Westlake

About 50 people were at the St. Ladislas Church voting station around 11:45 a.m., nearly all of the roughly 25 voting booths were occupied.

Rocky River

The polls were busy at the Rocky River Recreation Center at 10:15 a.m. The parking lot outside the recreation center was full.

Parma

All the voting booths at the Dentzler Elementary School were full around 10 a.m, and while there was no line at the time, a steady stream of elderly voters were making their way into the voting station.

Avon Lake

The Avon Lake library was slightly busier than in prior years. Voters who typically never had to wait in line needed wait several minutes to cast their ballots.

Medina

It was calm and quiet at the Medina Fairgrounds a little before 1 p.m., but poll workers said it was much busier than usual earlier in the morning.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County had an unusually high voter turnout for an off-year election, with at least 475,966 casting ballots - or better than half of the voting-age population in the county - far outdistancing the number of people who voted in recent gubernatorial elections.

The Board of Elections reported shortly after the polls closed that 174,704 had turned in absentee ballots - by mail or in person - and another 301,262 voted on election day.

Four years ago, just 336,769 Cuyahoga County voters cast ballots in the lopsided gubernatorial win by Republican John Kasich over Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald.

In 2010, a close race won by Kasich over Democrat Ted Strickland, 414,785 votes were cast in Cuyahoga County.

Turnout typically is much lower in non-presidential years, but the gap was closer than usual on Tuesday.

Some 603,822 Cuyahoga voters cast votes in 2016 when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. In Barack Obamas re-election in 2012, 664,331 Cuyahoga residents cast ballots in the presidential race.

The Board of Elections reported that the turnout represented 52.9 percent of the registered voters. The board predicts the final turnout will be close to 55 percent. The turnout is lower than that when based on the number of voting-age residents, which number an estimated 987,528 in the county.

Historically, when statewide turnout is higher, Democrats have had more success in statewide elections.

Based on estimates on turnout as a percent of voting-age citizens:

Since 1982, Republicans are 5-0 in Ohio gubernatorial elections when the turnout is lower than 50 percent.

When the turnout is higher than 50 percent during the same period, Democrats have a 3-1 record.

In more recent times, the only Democrat to win in a governors race was Ted Strickland in 2006, when the turnout was at its highest level in an off-year election in the last quarter-century. Fifty-three percent of Ohios voting-age citizen population cast votes in that election, the Census Bureau estimates.

Kasichs crushing 31-point win over Ed FitzGerald came in 2014 with a historically low turnout of 39.7 percent.

This chart shows the percent of voting-age Ohioans voting in each gubernatorial election from 1982 through 2014.

The estimated 36.7 percent of the Cuyahoga County ballots being cast absentee - rather than in person on election day - is more like a presidential election, than previous gubernatorial elections.

Here is the breakdown statewide since absentee rules were changed to Election Day was effectively moved up for a lot of Ohio voters beginning in 2006. That was after state law was revised to permit people to cast absentee ballots without providing a reason for not voting in person on Election Day.

Share of ballots that were cast absentee statewide in each election from 2002 to 2016. The law expanded absentee voting before the 2006 election.WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio  Voters in this Lake County community rejected an attempt by city council to change the city charter, a move that would have given council the power to remove the mayor and strip the mayor of his ability to remove them.

Residents said to leave the charter intact, defeating all nine of councils proposed amendments, many by narrow margins of fewer than 200 votes.

The most controversial amendments would have eliminated a section of the current charter which apparently gives the mayor the ability to fire any city employee -- including council members -- for gross misconduct or malfeasance. The defeated amendment would have given council the ability to fire the mayor for misconduct or malfeasance.

In October, Mayor Robert Weger removed six members of council. Council disputed the mayors ability to fire them. The positions were restored days later pending further action in Lake County Court. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15.

In August, council proposed and approved the charter amendment referendum in two meetings just days apart, causing concern that the process was rushed and done with little public input.

Outside the Calvary Assembly of God Church on Election Day groups of people carried signs and passed out literature on both sides of the amendments issue. Steve Atkins echoed other people who said that council put the amendment referendum package together too quickly and without the help of a charter commission. Atkins said he was on the last charter change study group which held 30 meetings in 2014 and 2015 before coming up with its proposed changes.

The voters have spoken, Weger said. Now perhaps we can put these things behind us and get on with business as usual.

Council Vice-president John Plecnik, Wegers most visible opponent on council said the election was a victory for nepotism" since one of the measures would have toughened the rules against officials or employees hiring family members or having a financial interest in a city contract.

Weger said the amendment was not needed, since the city follows state rules.

The culmination of the proposed amendments would have shifted the power of government from the mayor to council.

For example, one of the amendments would have limited the mayors ability to fire people to only those he appointed while others would have given council greater authority in appointing acting department heads and members of boards and commissions.

The amendment that came closest to passage would have prohibited indefinite terms for department heads in the city and demanded they be reappointed every four years after vetting by council and the mayor. It was defeated by 50 votes.SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - Michaels Genuine Food & Drink, founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, has been a staple of the Miami Design District for more than a decade. Its next move: Making a mark in Northeast Ohio.

Schwartz was already slated to open his Genuine Pizza in the Van Aken District, the new development in Shaker Heights that boasts a number of local and national names. During the build-out, he saw an opportunity to tweak his plans.

This spring, Schwartz will instead debut the second location of his more upscale, seasonally driven Genuine Food & Drink.

For us, the goal of any project is to realize its full potential. Working with the team on site at The Van Aken District, and getting to know the greater area, it became apparent that we wanted to do more. More for us means Michaels Genuine, explained Schwartz in a release. Genuine is our heart and soul, and exists because of community. We couldnt be more proud or grateful to be in the position to introduce it in Shaker Heights, where stewarding this idea matters more than anything. This is what drew us in from the get-go and will continue to motivate the experience manifested there for our guests.

Michaels defines itself as fresh, simple and pure. The nationally recognized Miami restaurant boasts a raw bar, small plates and heartier fare, as well as a savory and sweet Sunday brunch menu. It includes an open kitchen and wood oven.

"We believe in the power of a great, wholesome food to create neighborhood and that essential energy that makes a place feel irresistible and people feel comfortable," said Jon Ratner, Principal of The Van Aken District. "Few chefs around the country do this at the level of Michael and his team and we are really happy to be able to call his namesake our home, too. The food he brings to the table is about more than simply great taste. It's a welcoming culture of sharing a table with purpose -- a feeling we have in common at The Van Aken District and greater Shaker Heights."

For those looking to get a taste of the menu, Schwartz will be on hand dishing out samplings of Genuine favorites for the districts Chill & Toast party 6-9 p.m., December 1.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James is playing on another coast these days, but hes still paying attention to politics here in his home state.

Watching the election returns on Tuesday night, the former Cavaliers star offered his congratulations to Melody Stewart for becoming the first African-American woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court.

AMAZING!!! Congrats Judge Melody Stewart. #ChangeWillCome, James posted on Twitter.

Stewart, a Democrat from Cleveland who sits on Ohios Eighth District Court of Appeals, defeated Republican Mary DeGenaro with 53 percent of the vote.

She becomes the second black female justice to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court. Yvette McGee Brown was appointed to the court by Ted Strickland in 2011, but lost her bid to stay on the court the following year.

Stewarts victory was just one of many firsts of the 2018 election, which also saw the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress and the first openly gay man ever elected governor in the U.S.

James, meanwhile, hasnt been shy about supporting candidates. He campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016. More recently, the Lakers star wore a Beto ORourke hat to a game in San Antonio and propped up Maryland candidate for governor Ben Jealous on social media. They, however, ended up losing.LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Robbery, Meadow Wood Boulevard: At 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31, a caller reported that two boys in the street were assaulted by two other boys during Halloween trick-or-treat time. The woman reported that the suspects took the boys' candy and a cell phone. The suspects then ran on Meadow Wood Boulevard.

One of the victims was taken to Hillcrest Hospital with a possible fractured nose. Police were unable to track the location of the cell phone. The victims are 12 and 13 years old.

The suspects were not apprehended.

OVI, Mayfield Road: At 1:55 a.m. Nov. 4, police investigated a two-car crash and found that one of the involved drivers, a Lyndhurst woman, 39, was intoxicated.

The woman was charged with OVI and taken to Hillcrest Hospital when she complained of chest pains.

Fraud, Mayfield Road: At 5:50 p.m. Nov. 1, the owner of a hair care business reported that he was the victim of fraud. The man stated that he was contacted on the phone by someone claiming to be a Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. representative. The scammer said that the man's company owed $400 on its electric bill.

The caller instructed the man to pay the bill by purchasing Green Dot money cards.

Carrying a concealed weapon, Mayfield Road: At 11:55 p.m. Oct. 29, an officer conducted a traffic stop for expired plates. It was then found that the driver, a Richmond Heights man, 33, was in possession of a gun. The man had an expired permit to carry the weapon.

Police confiscated the gun. A charge of carrying a concealed weapon is pending.

Psychiatric situation, Cedar Road: At 1:10 p.m. Oct. 29, police were called to the AT&T store at 25309 Cedar Road, where a woman was reportedly yelling at staff and threatening to harm herself.

A rescue squad was called to the scene. It was learned that the woman, 25, of University Heights, is battling an addiction problem. The rescue squad took the woman to Hillcrest Hospital.

OVI, Winchester Road: At 11:15 p.m. Oct. 28, police conducted a traffic stop after a car was seen making an improper turn. It was subsequently learned that the driver, a Pepper Pike man, 41, was intoxicated.

The man was charged with OVI and his car was towed.

If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.CLEVELAND, Ohio  CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cuyahoga Countys top two elected officials  County Executive Armond Budish and County Council President Dan Brady  easily won their bids for reelection on Tuesday.

Budish declared victory with just over half of the countys precincts reporting and led challenger Peter J. Corrigan 67 percent to 33 percent, according to unofficial results released by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Weve been doing some really transformative things in Cuyahoga County, things that are designed to lift people up and improve the lives of our citizens, Budish told cleveland.com after claiming the win. The people in Cuyahoga County have recognized that by their votes today.

Brady beat out write-in candidate Ryan Ross 98 percent to 2 percent.

In other countywide issues, voters:

-Approved Issue 12, a charter amendment that gives subpoena power to the countys inspector general. Voters favored the issue 67 percent to 33 percent, according to unofficial results.

-Approved Issue 10, which clarifies the responsibilities of the Human Resources Department and Personnel Review Commission in managing county personnel, and adds to the charter anti-discrimination protections for gender identity and expression that were already included in the county code. Voters favored the issue 75 percent to 25 percent.

-Approved Issue 11, which changes the way the countys internal auditor bills departments for audits, and lets the office adhere one of two generally accepted auditing standards rather than both standards. Voters favored the issue 65 percent to 35 percent.

Of the three charter amendments, only the inspector general amendment proved controversial.

Despite a strong backing by County Council and the League of Women Voters, Budish initially opposed it, saying he believed the Inspector Generals Office worked well under powers granted to it by ordinance. Budish later changed his stance and said he supported the amendment.

With the passage of Issue 12, the inspector generals office will no longer have to rely on criminal investigators or County Council to issue subpoenas. The office was also codified in the county charter, meaning it will take a future vote of the public  and not the whims of future county politicians  to eliminate or curtail the powers of one of the countys strongest internal checks on corruption.

The debate over the inspector general amendment coincided with an ongoing public corruption probe focused on the countys troubled IT department. Fourteen subpoenas have been served on the county to date, and Budish has credited the current inspector generals work in triggering that probe.

Corrigan, a Republican and retired businessman, tried to use the corruption investigation to attack Budish, noting that another corruption investigation prompted voters in 2010 to approve a new charter form of government.

Bradys victory in County Council District 3 (including all of Brooklyn and Linndale, and a large portion of Clevelands West Side) was expected given that Ross ran as a nonpartisan write-in candidate.CLEVELAND, Ohio  A 18-year-old man who spent three days in the hospital after being wounded in a shootout with University Circle police in Little Italy is charged in connection with the shooting of a Case Western Reserve University student at an on-campus dorm.

Shamar Smiley of East Cleveland is charged with attempted murder. He was initially listed in critical condition after the Saturday night shootout in a field on Coltman Avenue and East 120th Street, but was released from the hospital Tuesday, hours before he was formally charged.

A co-defendant, Javon Williams, 19, is behind held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $1 million bond on an attempted murder charge.

Smiley and Williams tried to carjack a 20-year-old junior at Case Western Reserve about 8 p.m. Saturday outside the South Residential Village apartment complex on Murray Hill Road, police said.

The duo shot the 20-year-old student in the stomach and ran away, according to police.

Police spotted them on Mayfield Road. They chased the two on East 119th Street, down a road that doubles as a parking lot for the Little Italy-University Circle RTA rapid stop and for nearby apartments.

The duo ran down Coltman Road. Williams kept running until he was arrested on East 123rd Street, police said.

Smiley ran to a field on Coltman Avenue and East 120th Street, police said. He hid in a ditch behind the garage of the University Circle Police Department as officers surrounded the field, according to police.

Four University Circle police officers yelled several warnings Smiley to drop his weapon, put his hands up and surrender, according to two witnesses. The officers also warned they would shoot if the man refused, the witnesses said.

Smiley fired shots at the officers, who returned fire, according to police. The witnesses said they heard between 15 and 30 gunshots. Those officers, who have not been identified, were put on mandatory three days paid leave.

Smiley was taken to University Hospitals after being shot.

Cleveland polices use-of-deadly-force team is investigating both the initial shooting and the police-involved shooting.

Smiley had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the shooting. He was charged in an Oct. 8 burglary at a home on Harvard Avenue near East 186th Street. In that case, he broke into the home through a side door and stole toothpaste and clothes, court records say.

Smiley also had several convictions in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court for assault, unauthorized use of a car, breaking and entering, fleeing from police and receiving stolen property.

Williams had no criminal record.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio  A group stormed into a Bedford home intending to rob a man who lost $5.1 million gambling over the last few years, then tortured and killed him and his 14-year-old daughter, police said Wednesday.

Investigators believe the group tortured and killed Paris Bradley, an honor roll student at Bedford High School who split time living with each of her parents, because she happened to be staying with her father Paul Bradley at the time of a planned robbery, East Cleveland police Commander Scott Gardner said Wednesday.

Detectives believe Ronald Newberry, 23, was part of the group that group broke into the home in order to rob Paul Bradley, pulled the father and daughter from their beds as they slept and ransacked the residence looking for things to steal. Gardner declined to disclose what the group may have been looking to take from the home.

Bradley and his daughter were tortured and killed before they were found Oct. 10 in a car that was set on fire in an East Cleveland field.

Newberry was charged Wednesday with aggravated murder in connection with the slayings. He is not in police custody but a warrant was issued for his arrest. The U.S. Marshals are assisting in the search for Newberry, Gardner said.

The group of assailants tortured Bradley and his daughter to try and get information from them, police said. They fatally shot Paris in the back of the head while her father was still alive, Gardner said.

They later bludgeoned Bradley to death, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office. Gardner said the medical examiner found traces of smoke in his lungs, leading investigators to believe he was still breathing when the group set Bradleys rental car on fire while Bradley and his lifeless daughter were in the backseat.

Bradley and Newberry did not know each other, but investigators believe they shared a common friend: a woman Bradley was romantically involved with, Gardner said.

Investigators are unsure if the woman had anything to do with the planned robbery, but they suspect she may have told Newberry that Bradley had something worth stealing inside his home, Gardner said. The group assumed Bradley may have something valuable inside the home because he lost $5.1 million gambling at Cleveland Jack Casino over the last few years, Gardner said.

Investigators linked Newberry to the crime after they found surveillance video of Bradleys rental car driving to a field in East Cleveland. The surveillance video showed Newberrys SUV following closely behind the rental car, Gardner said.

The group of assailants set Bradleys car on fire in the field on Oct. 10, then jumped into Newberrys SUV and sped away, Gardner said. Investigators found the SUV on Monday at a car dealership, and it contained evidence linking Newberry to the slayings, Gardner said.

Investigators also obtained information showing Newberry was in East Cleveland as recently as Monday, Gardner said.

Newberry is also a suspect in another homicide case in Cuyahoga County, Gardner said. He declined to offer any additional information about that case.

Newberry made national headlines earlier this year after a gunman shot him 16 times with an automatic rifle. Cleveland EMS refused to send an ambulance for him because he drove two blocks into Euclid after the shooting.

Newberry survived the shooting after a Cleveland police officer put him in the back of his cruiser and sped him to Euclid Hospital.

To comment on this post, please visit our crime and courts comments page.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Case Western Reserve University is among 16 universities backing Harvard University in a court case over considering race in admissions.

A group called the Students for Fair Admissions sued Harvard, claiming the university unfairly set a cap on the number of Asian-American students and rating them differently than their peers. The federal court case proceedings ended Friday in Boston, and universities everywhere are awaiting the ruling. If the case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decision could fundamentally change affirmative action and admissions policies.

Case and the other schools are listed in an amicus brief submitted by Stanford University in support of Harvard. They assert diversity is key in education, and turning a blind eye to race undermines student experiences and perspectives.

The brief cites Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the most recent Supreme Court ruling on racial consideration in admissions. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court decision in favor of the University of Texas' affirmative action admissions policy.

Diversity encourages students to question their own assumptions, to test received truths, and to appreciate the complexity of the modern world," the brief reads. "This larger understanding prepares (the universities) graduates to pursue innovation in every field of discovery, to be active and engaged citizens equipped to wrestle with the great questions of the day, and to expand humanitys learning and accomplishment.

The brief doesnt argue for quotas or standard policy regarding race. Instead, it states these universities use race as part of an individualized admissions process. Other factors considered include socioeconomic status, students' family history and background.

No seats in the class are reserved for applicants of any race or ethnic background, nor are applicants of any race or background limited to a certain number of places. Instead, (these universities) consider applicants races and ethnicities with extraordinary care and only in the most limited fashion necessary to ensure a meaningful contribution to the diversity of their student bodies.

The brief argues that the First Amendment protects academic judgment and the ability for a university to shape its community.

Case Western Reserve Universitys online admissions page details some of the GPA and test requirements for university admissions. CWRU also offers, but does not require interview opportunities. The university requires a personal essay. A suggestion is:

What you write in your college essay is completely up to youit should be about conveying who you are to the admission staff. No matter the topic, personalize it. Add a part of you into the piece, and make it genuine.

A university spokesman emailed a statement about the case:

CWRU joined the 15 other leading national universities in filing this brief because we all consider the diversity of our enrollment an essential aspect of our undergraduates learning opportunities. By interacting inside and outside of class with people from different geographic regions, races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, political perspectives, socio-economic backgrounds and so forth, students are able to see, hear and begin to understand the exceptional variety of experiences that shape their campus communities and, in turn, the civic, professional and other kinds of communities they will encounter throughout their lives.

CWRU universitys student body is 6 percent black, 15 percent Asian and 5 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the most recent numbers from the university.

Read the full brief below, published online by Stanford University.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown beat out Republican challenger Jim Renacci, NBC News declared about 7:55 p.m. Tuesday.

Brown, a Democrat, had about 59 percent of the vote, while Renacci had about 41 percent, as of 8:25 p.m., with 1,276,580 votes counted.

Many polls placed Brown ahead of Renacci by more than 10 points, according to Real Clear Politics.

The U.S. Senate race in Ohio centered on health care, immigration and the direction of the country under President Donald Trump. Trump, who endorsed Renacci, was frequently brought up in debates between Brown and Renacci.COLUMBUS, OhioFor the third straight election, Republicans swept all four down-ticket executive offices in Ohio  attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and state auditor.

The Associated Press declared the attorney generals race for Dave Yost, the secretary of states race for Frank LaRose, the state treasurers race for Robert Sprague, and the state auditors race for Keith Faber.

Their wins on Tuesday night are palpable evidence that Ohio, long held as the nations ultimate swing state, is becoming firmly entrenched, on the state level at least, as an enduringly Republican state.

They will also have an enduring impact on control of the state legislature as well, as they give Republicans a solid majority on the states redistricting commission, which will draw new state legislative districts (and, potentially, congressional districts) following the 2020 census.

The only consolation for Democrats is that many of their candidates put up somewhat of a fight.

All four offices were open seats this year, as their current Republican officeholders are all term-limited after serving two terms in office.

Heres more on the four races:

Attorney general: With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Yost, the current state auditor from Columbus, led Democrat Steve Dettelbach, a former federal prosecutor from the Cleveland area, with about 52.7 percent of the vote.

Yost largely holds mainstream Republican views but hasn't been afraid to sometimes challenge his party (for example, his criticism of Gov. John Kasich over the transparency of JobsOhio, the state's private, nonprofit economic development agency).

During the campaign, he vowed to, if elected, seek increased penalties for drug dealers and human traffickers, examine the effectiveness of state money spent on anti-opioid initiatives, and make the attorney general's office more efficient and transparent.

My promise tonight is that I will protect Ohio, Yost said in a statement Tuesday night. I will protect our kids, our communities, our environment and our most vulnerable. I will apply the law equally to everyonewhether youre a CEO in a corner office dumping poison into our waterways, or a dealer on the street distributing poison in our communities.

Secretary of state:

LaRose, a ex-Green Beret and state senator from Hudson, captured about 51 percent of the vote on Tuesday  enough to defeat state Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent and Libertarian Dustin Nanna of Delaware.

LaRose, who has been the Senate Republicans go-to on voting-rights issues, campaigned on reducing gerrymandering, pushing for online requests for absentee ballots (though not actually voting online), seeking to increase tracking of "dark-money" groups, and modernizing campaign-finance filings.

However, his platform didnt go as far as Clyde, a frequent critic of outgoing secretary of state (and lieutenant governor-elect) Jon Husteds policies on early voting and purging inactive voters from state voting rolls.

Treasurer:

Sprague, a state representative from Findlay, had the largest victory margin of the four races, defeating Democrat Rob Richardson of Cincinnati with about 53.7 percent of the vote.

Perhaps more than any other down-ticket race, Sprague and Richardson voiced a fundamental difference between how they would approach the job of treasurer. Richardson called for using the treasurer's office as a "bully pulpit" to advocate for civil-rights issues. Sprague holds a more traditional view of the office, though he proposed having the state offer "social impact bonds" to encourage the private sector to come up with new ways to fight opioid addiction.

Auditor:

In the closest race of the night, Faber received almost exactly 50 percent of the vote, defeated ex-congressman Zack Space of Dover by about 166,000 votes.

Faber, a state representative and former Ohio Senate president, has called for expanding the use of performance audits, in which the auditors office looks for ways that state agencies and universities can save money and function better.

Our campaign worked very hard for tonights result and its time we move forward to continue making Ohio the best place to live, work, and raise a family, Faber said in a statement. As your next Auditor of state, I will fight every day to make sure your government is working for you!CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The vast majority of tax increases failed in Cuyahoga County, with only two school districts receiving enough votes to get new money.

Many school districts tried to pass operating increases to offset cuts in state funding. Notably, Parma failed a third attempt at a tax increase over the fast few years. The district, after balancing its budget, was looking to restore some of the extensive cuts made over the past few years.

A district spokesman emailed the following statement Tuesday night:

"The November 2018 election gave the voters of Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills the opportunity to restore critical funding needed for educational tools and programs in the Parma City School District. These opportunities were cut as part of $23 million in reductions since 2011.

We will continue to focus on our districts goals. We will continue to practice strong fiscal responsibility, including regular financial updates. We will improve our student achievement, no matter the financial obstacles. Finally, we will continue to increase our transparency throughout our communities with regular town hall meetings and open discourse.

The new measure, passed to fulfill the emergency requirements of the district, failed by about 2,300 votes, or about 6 percent. The increase would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $157 a year.

See more results from your cities below.

These counts are preliminary, and could change depending on provisional or absentee ballots.

Schools

Beachwood City School District

Beachwood passed a 5.9-mill tax which officials say will keep standards high in the school district facing state cuts with just over half the vote in. The new tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $207 a year.

The money will go toward operating expenses.

The measure passed 59 to 41 percent.

Brooklyn City School District

Brooklyn schools will not receive a 6.9-mill tax increase to pay for current expenses. Officials expect to lose more than $2.3 million in state funding over 10 years.

The measure failed 52 to 48 percent with all votes in.

The money would have will paid for day-to-day expenses. It would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home $241.50 a year.

Strongsville City Schools

Strongsville schools will not receive a 7.9-mill tax increase that would have cost $276.50 a year for an owner of a $100,000 home.

The money would have covered operating expenses, including teacher salaries.

The new money would have also offset a $2 million amount the district needs to refund the Cleveland Clinic after the hospital was awarded property tax-except status.

The measure failed by 62 to 38 percent.

Warrensville Heights City Schools

Warrensville Heights voters, with 55 percent of the vote in, passed an 8.8-mill bond issue and 4.5 additional tax increase, which will pay for a new school which will serve grades 6 through 12.

The money will also go to demolishing the districts four elementary schools and redeveloping the land.

The district serves Warrensville Heights, North Randall and Highland Hills.

The measure will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $465 a year. However, the median home value in Warrensville Heights is around $70,000, which would come out to about $325.85.

The measure passed by about 77 to 23 percent. mayfimamayf

Cities

Euclid

A 2-mill tax increase in order to repair infrastructure in Euclid failed. The vote totals were 40 to 60 percent.

The money would pay for general reconstruction, construction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges.

The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $70 a year.

Mayfield Heights

The city of Mayfield Heights will not increase its income tax to from 1 to 1.5 percent.

The new income tax rate would put Mayfield Heights in line with suburbs like Lakewood, Westlake and Avon Lake. Those income tax rates are among the lowest in Cuyahoga County.

Officials have said they will also raise the tax credit for people who work outside of the city up from 50 percent to 100 percent. This does not require a public vote.

Residents voted down the issue 68 to 32 percent.

North Olmsted

North Olmsteds attempts to raise money to pay for parks and recreation expansions failed again. Voters denied a 3.6-mill increase 55 percent to 45 percent.

Officials planned to double the size of the citys recreation center and renovate North Olmsted Community Park and Barton-Bradley Park. For the full list of what officials wanted to build, click here.

The 3.6-mill tax increase would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home $126 annually.

South Euclid

South Euclid voters failed a measure that would increase the citys income tax from 2 to 2.5 percent. If approved, the measure which would put income taxes in line with Cleveland.

The vote was about 61 to 39 percent with about 84 percent of the vote in.CLEVELAND, Ohio  The story of Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead is far from over. But the future is a mystery.

To the surprise of many viewers this past Sunday, Andrew Lincolns final episode didnt feature the death of Rick Grimes. Instead, the character was injured but saved, flying away on a helicopter with Jadis to who knows where.

TWD content director Scott Gimple announced the Rick Grimes character is, indeed, done with the series. However, he will show up at the center of as many as three TV movies over the next few years.

The movies are still in development. So well have to wait for an explanation as to what happened to Rick. Meanwhile, The Walking Dead has jumped ahead six years beginning this Sunday.

While its a lot to take in for fans, the Rick situation has provided an answer to a big question looming over the series for a couple of seasons. TWD showrunner Angela Kang revealed to Insider that the people flying the helicopter that took Rick away were also responsible for Heaths disappearance in Season 7.

"That was kind of the intention that we had in the back of our heads this whole time," Kang said. "Even back in that season where you know we had to write the wonderful Corey Hawkins out because he had huge opportunities in the feature film world... those seeds were already set there."

Heaths fate remained a mystery as actor Corey Hawkins went to star on the 24:Legacy reboot. It was clear someone took him, but who?

One can assume Heath will pop back up in the aforementioned TWD movies. But nothing is for certain, until they start filming next year.COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio voters on Tuesday defeated Issue 1, a constitutional amendment that would have reduced the penalties of some drug crimes, emphasized treatment and moved away from incarceration.

The measure was defeated handily with 63.4 percent of Ohioans voting against, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.

The people of Ohio, with their good sense stepped up in a record fashion, in eight short weeks, putting together a coalition of over 3 dozen organization -- ranging from business groups, treatment groups, elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, who stood up to stay no to out of state billionaires trying to mess with our state," said David Myhal, campaign manager of Vote No! Protect Ohio.

While many Ohioans said they appreciated the intent behind Issue 1, it was widely criticized as too permanent because it would have been enshrined in the Ohio Constitution and difficult to alter if necessary.

Issue 1 would have reclassified possession, use and obtaining all drugs to misdemeanors and would have prohibited sending people to prison for drug offenses until the third offense in 24 months. It would have allowed people to attempt to reduce sentences and seek to change felony convictions into misdemeanors, among other sweeping changes.

A number of high-profile, out-of-state philanthropists donated millions of dollars to Issue 1; the influx gave the campaign a 14-to-1 fundraising advantage over opponents, but was fodder for criticism. Criminal justice reformers behind the amendment argued it was time for a new approach toward drug addiction, since the states prisons are overcrowded, an opioid crisis continues to kill Ohioans and state law doesnt reflect modern research and attitudes toward addiction.

The opponents  a group of law enforcement officers, judges and business interests  argued the measure would strip judges of discretion -- especially in drug courts, where they say addicts often turn their lives around. They also said it was too soft on crime, especially when considering the potency of small amounts fentanyl and carfentanil.

Issue 1 became a partisan lightening rod in the governors race, with Republican Mike DeWine opposing the idea and defending states fight against addiction through his role as attorney general. Democrat Richard Cordray was an early supporter of Issue 1, arguing the opioids epidemic showed Republican control over Ohio has failed.

Other Republican and Democratic candidates lined up, usually taking sides along party lines, with some exceptions. Democratic attorney general candidate Steve Dettelbach was a no, and President Donald Trump ally Newt Gingrich was a yes.

Ohio Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, a leader in the opposition, said the judiciary and others in the justice system havent done a good job telling the story how addicts are turning around their lives, thanks to drug courts. She rallied judges to talk about the work they do in an effort to oppose Issue 1.

Now the people of Ohio know what is being done in the courts, in the treatment community with law enforcement and Im prod of that record, she said.

The campaign in support of Issue 1 said they will still work for criminal justice reform in Ohio.COLUMBUS, Ohio  Long lines and electrical outages throughout Ohio appear to have been the most prevalent problems at Ohio polls Tuesday.

In Cuyahoga County, 53 percent of voters turned out, a number that was expected to slightly increase because it doesnt include provisional ballots. In the last midterm, in 2014, turnout was 39.5 percent. The higher turnout can explain the lines people stood in to exercise their right to vote.

It is remarkable to see voter turnout this high in a midterm election, said Pat McDonald, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Most polling locations have seen a steady stream of voters throughout the day.

Statewide voter turnout wasnt immediately available. There didnt appear to be any widespread accusations of voter fraud.

Heres a roundup of issues in polling places around Ohio.

Provisional ballots

There has been a 1,020 percent increase in searches for Provisional Ballots in Caldwell, Ohio, according to Google Trends and ProPublicas Electionland project, which monitors voting problems around the country.

Chelsea Cline, deputy director of the Noble County Board of Elections, said that there have been a few provisional ballots, mostly due to people changing their addresses. But she cant yet answer whether its higher than normal because she hasnt seen the final numbers.

If a persons eligibility to vote is in question, he or she will be given a provisional ballot. The ballot contains the same races and questions as a regular ballot, but is cast provisionally, until election officials verify that the person can vote in the particular precinct in the election, according to the Secretary of States office.

Paper jam

Conservatives on Twitter retweeted video late Tuesday afternoon of a woman who said she voted for Republican Mike DeWine for governor, but her paper receipt listed she voted for Cordray. But the Franklin County Board of Elections said it was a paper jam.

I called the Franklin County Board of Elections. Spox Aaron Sellers said the voting machine the woman was using had a paper jam, so the receipt she saw was displaying another voter's result.



She checked in to vote at 10:05 a.m., while the receipt reads 9:39 a.m., he said.  Andrew Tobias (@AndrewJTobias) November 6, 2018

Weather

Large wind gusts knocked out power throughout Northeast Ohio  including Cuyahoga, Lorain, Portage, Trumbull counties. However, thanks to generators and the ability to move to parts of buildings with electricity, election officials said outages did not hinder voting.

Trumbull County Board of Elections Director Stephanie Penrose said power went out at 21 polling locations around 4 p.m. but by 7 p.m. all but two polling locations had power.

Were voting on paper ballots, she shortly about those polling locations, shortly before voting concluded Tuesday night.

Rejected ballots

There were reports that some voting machines in Hamilton County -- including in downtown Cincinnati -- had rejected ballots that hadnt been completely filled out.

A change in the system was alerting people if they had left some races blank. An extra step was needed in that case, and Hamilton County Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland said poll workers were instructed to stand near machines to assist people, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Enquirer said that the machines were not supposed to alert if some races were left blank, and the ballots will be counted -- even if some races had not been completed.CLEVELAND, Ohio The Year of the Woman  the much-buzzed swell of female political energy during the 2018 election, largely on the Democratic side  fell short here.

Democrat Secretary of State candidate Kathleen Clyde was the lone woman running solo on Ohios statewide slate. Clyde lost by an 5 percent margin, with 97 percent of precincts reporting, according to unofficial elections results from the Ohio Secretary of States office.

Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Betty Sutton was part of a losing ticket with Rich Cordray.

Still, women voting at a Cleveland polling place near Gordon Square Tuesday expressed enthusiasm about the increase in women candidates.

I find it really inspiring that were having more women running than ever before, said Jule Knezevich, a 31-year-old Democrat. I think that its great for the younger generation they have more role models now, more powerful female role models in politics that we didnt have at the same level when we were growing up.

I do think its important for women to be represented in our government, said Elizabeth Thomason, also a 31-year-old Democrat. I think the fact that more women are running should be more incentive for everyone to vote, not just women.

Only nine women in Ohio history have held statewide office.

Nationally, more women, mostly on the Democratic side, filed to run for U.S. Senate and House in 2018 than ever before, according to the Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics. A record number of those women won their primaries.

A record number of those women won their primaries. As of 11:12 p.m. Tuesday night, 16 women won their U.S. Senate races and 47 women won their U.S. House races, according to unofficial results and the CAWP.

In Ohio, this political energy failed to coalesce into competitive races for female political newcomers. The eight women congressional candidates in Ohio who challenged incumbents or ran for an open seat in the U.S. House faced long odds this year.

I dont think its surprising. When you look at how gerrymandered Ohios house districts are, its just virtually impossible for anybody new to take those districts, said Baldwin Wallace University Professor Barbara Palmer, who studies women in politics.

The most competitive among them, Democrat Betsy Rader lost by 11 percent to incumbent Dave Joyce in Ohios 14th district, which includes Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga counties. The three female congressional incumbents, Marcy Kaptur, Marcia Fudge and Joyce Beatty, predictably won.

Why?

The states gerrymandered congressional districts nearly cement four safe Democratic seats and 12 safe Republican districts. This means its a struggle for any candidate running in a district not drawn to favor their party  as all of the newcomer female candidates were.

Seven of the eight female newcomers ran against incumbents  and its always more difficult to win against an incumbent. The only woman campaigning for an open seat, Democrat Susan Moran Palmer, ran against Republican Anthony Gonzalez in the Republican-leaning 16th district, and was never able to raise a meaningful amount of campaign cash.Rotunda Rumblings

In the red: Democrats posted gains in other parts of the country, but Ohio proved to be firmly in the Republican column in Tuesday's election, with GOP Attorney General Mike DeWine winning the governor's race and four fellow Republicans sweeping the other four statewide executive offices. The only Democratic victories were for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who easily held on to his seat, and two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. But Democrats couldn't flip a single Republican U.S. House seat to blue. "The statewide elected Democrat is an endangered species in Ohio, which not long ago could boast its reliably swing state status," writes cleveland.com's Seth Richardson.



Issue 1 goes down big: Ohio voters handily defeated Issue 1, the controversial constitutional amendment to reduce penalties for illegal drug use and possession, cleveland.com's Laura Hancock reports. "While many Ohioans said they appreciated the intent behind Issue 1, it was widely criticized as too permanent because it would have been enshrined in the Ohio Constitution and difficult to alter if necessary," Hancock writes. Supporters vowed to continue the fight for criminal justice reform.



Governor DeWine: The Republican attorney general, who led Democrat Richard Cordray by nearly 5 percentage points in unofficial results, "adds another political position to his more than four decades in Ohio politics and signals good times ahead for Republicans, who continue to hold all three branches of state government in Columbus," Richardson reports. "Tonight's victory is about moving Ohio forward," DeWine said in thanking voters. "We are energized by the support you've show us, and we will not let you down!"



The sweep: It was the third straight election that Republican took all of the down-ticket executive offices, cleveland.com's Jeremy Pelzer reports. The election of Dave Yost as attorney general, Keith Faber as auditor, Frank LaRose as secretary of state and Robert Sprague as treasurer is "palpable evidence that Ohio, long held as the nation's ultimate swing state, is becoming firmly entrenched, on the state level at least, as an enduringly Republican state," Pelzer writes.



On to 2020? With Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown's easy victory over Republican Rep. Jim Renacci, speculation will only get stronger about Brown as a 2020 presidential prospect, reports cleveland.com's Andrew Tobias.



Split ticket: The victories of Brown and DeWine marked the first time since 1974 that Ohio voters elected a senator and governor from opposite parties, Tobias notes.



House bound: Ohio is getting one new Congress member, but it's not a Democrat. Republican Anthony Gonzalez cruised to a win over Democrat Susan Moran Palmer in the 16th District to win a seat that was open because Renacci decided to run for Senate instead. As cleveland.com's Sabrina Eaton explains, Democrats could not manage to notch a win in any of Ohio's heavily gerrymandered GOP districts, with all incumbents winning re-election. The end result was the status quo, with Republicans holding 12 seats and Democrats 4.



Statehouse dominance: Republicans also maintained their strong majorities in both chambers of the Statehouse, although Democrats did pick up a few seats, Pelzer reports. That means that "perhaps the most conservative Ohio General Assembly ever won't change much in the next two years," Pelzer writes.

Supreme leaders: The all-Republican Ohio Supreme Court will become a little Democratic with the election of appeals court Judge Melody Stewart and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Donnelly, cleveland.com's Olivia Shackleton reports.



Year of the woman? Cleveland.com's Mary Kilpatrick reports that the Year of the Woman didn't pan out in Ohio's election, especially with the losses of Democrats Kathleen Clyde for secretary of state and Betty Sutton for lieutenant governor.



Busy day at the polls: Long lines and full parking lots were the story of the day as counties around the state reported robust turnout. By afternoon, Cuyahoga County had surpassed turnout from the 2014 midterm election, Peter Krouse of cleveland.com reports. Rich Exner has a recap on the unusually high turnout for the county.



Weather to vote: Power outages were reported at some polling places, including in Amherst, Strongsville, North Olmsted and Portage County. But as cleveland.com's Adam Ferrise reports, voters still were able to cast their ballots. Hancock has a roundup of the day's problems.



Darn computers: Some Geauga County voters showed up at the polls only to be incorrectly told that they had already voted absentee, Eric Heisig reports for cleveland.com. A computer glitch was to blame. Some were asked to cast provisional ballots while the problems were being worked out.



Jailed voters: Heisig also has an interesting story about a federal judge ordering Montgomery County elections officials to deliver absentee ballots to two people who were arrested and remained in jail when the deadline to apply for the ballots passed.



Glad it's over but....If you want to relive all of the excitement, glory and agony of election night, here's a full minute-by-minute recap from cleveland.com's Kris Wernowsky.

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 - Republican Mike DeWine will be the next governor of Ohio, winning a rematch against his 2010 electoral foe, Democrat Richard Cordray.

Multiple news outlets called the race for DeWine around 11 p.m. and Cordray conceded to DeWine shortly after. Unofficial results from the secretary of state's office showed DeWine with a nearly 5-percentage point lead as of 11:30 p.m.

DeWine, 71, the current Ohio attorney general, adds another political position to his more than four decades in Ohio politics and signals good times ahead for Republicans, who continue to hold all three branches of state government in Columbus. Democrats were hoping to flip the state with Cordray, the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but couldn't capitalize on a friendly electoral environment.

"I want to thank the people of Ohio for the trust and confidence they've placed in us tonight," DeWine said in a statement to cleveland.com. "Tonight's victory is about moving Ohio forward. We are energized by the support you've show us, and we will not let you down!"

The victory did not come easily in a race that remained close throughout most of the election.

DeWine was considered the Republican front-runner from the onset of the race, but didn't become the odds-on favorite to win the GOP nomination until convincing then-primary opponent Jon Husted, Ohio's secretary of state, to join his ticket. The Republican Party hoped the super-ticket would clear the primary field and be too much for the Democrats to overcome.

DeWine staved off a challenge from his right in the primary from Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, and had to moderate his rhetoric on health care to woo voters against Cordray in the general election.

He also had to tap into his personal wealth, dumping $4 million of his own money into the race. DeWine's fundraising advantage allowed him to launch a media assault, with commercials accusing Cordray of failing rape victims, wanting to leave drug dealers on the street and being culpable for the 2008 financial crisis.

In the end, it worked. Democrats hoped Cordray could be the standard-bearer for the Democratic ticket, reversing their decades of bad fortune in gubernatorial elections, carrying others into down ballot offices and beginning the process of rebuilding a bench that's been obliterated since 2010. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat who won his re-election campaign handily Tuesday, is the only statewide Democrat to achieve success statewide since 2008.

"I believe the success of politics is not always defined by the outcome of an election," Cordray told the crowd at his concession speech. "The reason we do this is because we want to improve people's lives, and I believe the work that all of you have done throughout this campaign has changed the conversation in ways that will dramatically improve the lives of people all over Ohio."

Polling prior to Tuesday indicated it might be a tight race, with the numbers breaking slightly for Cordray in the final days. Political handicappers also tilted their expectations in Cordray's direction.

Cordray started strong with a significant lead in early voting.

But the Republican turnout machine in Ohio was too much to overcome. DeWine cut through Cordray's lead quickly, performing better than Republicans usually do in blue-collar places like Mahoning County. He and the rest of the Republican slate - which swept the statewide constitutional races - also had the benefit of a booming economy and voters generally saying they were happy with the direction the state was headed.

His victory suggests the Democratic coalition in the state is smaller than ever, essentially confined to the urban areas. As of 11:30 p.m., Cordray was on pace to win only nine counties.

Republicans were able to keep the suburban counties in tow after fearing they may break for Democrats given voters' general disdain for Republican President Donald Trump in those areas.

Republicans can now claim ownership of the governor's office for most of the last three decades. DeWine has made it clear that he'll continue the Republican agenda in the state.

What that means isn't totally certain, though DeWine will likely follow the course set by Gov. John Kasich and Republicans in Columbus for the last eight years.

During the campaign, DeWine promised a greater focus on vocational education and technical training to fill skilled-trade jobs. Republicans in Columbus will also likely look to slash regulations, another promise of DeWine's from the campaign.

He also touted a 12-point opioid plan, which he said he would combat the state's ongoing drug addiction scourge.

And Ohioans can likely expect a push for some of the more socially conservative bills that Kasich vetoed during his time in office. At the top of the list is the "heartbeat bill," which would outlaw abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected - around roughly six weeks into pregnancy. DeWine said during the campaign he would sign the bill if it reached his desk. Critics argue it would effectively ban abortion in the state since many women don't know they are pregnant at six weeks.

The big question is what will happen with health care in the state, particularly the Medicaid expansion. DeWine both attacked and praised Kasich's signature legislation from his time in office, calling it unsustainable but vowing to keep it and add work requirements.

Legislative Republicans tried to freeze enrollment to the program in 2017, which provides health care to 700,000 Ohioans who might otherwise lose health care coverage. DeWine did not say during the campaign whether he would have signed that bill, which Kasich vetoed.

But Ohioans obviously trusted DeWine enough, even as Democrats attacked him nonstop over health care.

DeWine's win also provides a comfort zone for Republicans heading into the 2020 election.

Democrats gained ground by winning other governor's races in the Midwest - including Kansas, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois - but Ohio proved itself reliably red and in the presidents' corner. Trump added a last-minute rally in Ohio and was successful at getting his man into office.

Kasich will leave office in January and his future standing in the Ohio GOP isn't totally known. The party has drifted away from Kasich, embracing his political rival Trump. While Kasich supported DeWine, Kasich was mostly a non-factor in the race. DeWine kept him to the sidelines for much of the race, opting instead for the support of Trump.

With that strategy proving successful, Ohio may be tired of Kasich, who is widely thought to be considering a 2020 challenge to Trump, though he would have a difficult time without support from his home state.Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine has claimed the governorship in Ohio over Democrat Richard Cordray in a race that -- for hours after polls closed -- remained too close to call. Yet for Gov.-elect DeWine, there will be little time for celebration in a sharply divided state whose clashing priorities and deep partisanship were on full display in this years bumper crop of negative campaign ads.

The new governors first and overriding challenge will be to overcome those divisions and deploy the diplomacy needed to find a way forward, toward new and innovative solutions that work for everyone and that will set Ohio on a more sustainable, equitable path of economic growth.

Thats why DeWine must end the equivocation and continue Medicaid expansion in Ohio without narrowing its scope. Its also why he must repair the states ravaging of local government funding, cuts that forced local voters to approve new taxes even as the state was providing businesses with overly generous new tax breaks and tax cuts.

These priorities are not Republican or Democratic issues. They are urgent Ohio issues.

In far too many ways, Ohio is lagging: in post-secondary educational attainment, which correlates strongly with income and economic growth; in job creation and in the rate of those without jobs who want one; in population gains; in innovation; in median income. For too long, Ohios urban counties -- the engines of Ohios economic growth -- have been afterthoughts at a Statehouse dominated by small-town interests. That must change.

The true measures of progress in Ohio cannot be the size of its rainy-day fund or the largesse of pay-to-play campaign donors, such as those behind the disastrously failed online charter school, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow.

Ohio must aim for sustained growth with equity, including in the provision of health care by continuing the Ohio Medicaid expansion, and in increased support for that key to upward mobility, education.

Theres no way to achieve growth with equity without changing the way Ohio funds it schools.

DeWines relationship with a Republican-run General Assembly is also crucial. Even a governor of the same party -- as Gov. John Kasich demonstrated -- can and should ward off irresponsible legislation first by persuasion or, failing that, by exercising a veto.

Ohio remains in the grip of a costly and still-widening opioid crisis thats led to thousands of overdose deaths annually, a personal calamity for the many Ohio families touched by this scourge and a deepening budget challenge for local communities that must provide new resources for childrens services; addiction and mental health treatment and law enforcement costs.

Issue 1 reclassifying drug crimes failed because of its deep flaws but the challenges remain. The next governor must do more to find positive solutions to the opioid epidemic, including through real criminal justice reform to reduce the states prison population; by reinforcing the positives of what Ohio has already achieved through its drug courts; and by increasing the treatment options available to all who need them.

Changing the trajectory of these challenges in Ohio will not be easy given the states partisan divisions. But DeWine must start now to craft a plan that reaches beyond business as usual to the startling and to the courageous. He must find bipartisan solutions that embrace the arc of needs in Ohio, from early-childhood education and combating infant mortality and lead poisoning in cities like Cleveland to a revitalized Third Frontier program to do more to seed alternative energy development and other cutting-edge research and innovation. And he must lead an all-hands-on-deck effort to improve education, including in the impoverished rural pockets of Ohio and in its poor inner cities, so all Ohioans can believe in the future again.

And in all this, he must be governor of all of Ohio, inspiring its citizens to greater political civility and economic achievements, and galvanizing in all a sense of shared mission that includes stewardship of important natural resources such as Lake Erie. And he must rouse the states businesses and universities to greater innovation and investment, and stand up to those whose parochial interests and visions too long have held this state back.

Gov.-elect DeWine, a good and decent man, can do this, with the help of the citizens of a state that desperately needs new vision, new leadership and new ways forward.

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* Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, & look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 10 Ohio State isn't much of a favorite (just 3.5 points) at No. 18 Michigan State on Saturday, and the Buckeyes are looking like they'll be underdogs when they host No. 4 Michigan to end the regular season.

Kind of a weird spot for Ohio State at the moment.

At 8-1 and 5-1 in the Big Ten, are the Buckeyes about to play their best game of the year, or will they continue to be stuck and searching, at least in a few areas?

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, new cleveland.com OSU writer Stephen Means joins for his first full midweek podcast, after debuting in the postgame podcast following the Buckeyes' 36-31 win over Nebraska.

You had a lot of questions for him about his food preferences, and we got to those. But first, we looked at the Buckeyes from a positive angle, as requested and suggested by one listener who found the postgame pod a little too negative.

This isn't a perfect team, but for at least the first part of this episode, we looked at what is working for the Buckeyes and how it might continue.

Subscribe to Buckeye Talk at any of these places:

* Buckeye Talk on iTunes

* Buckeye Talk on Google Play

* Buckeye Talk on Stitcher

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Thank as always to ShopOhioState.com and MinuteManTickets.com for supporting Buckeye Talk.COLUMBUS, Ohio--Democrats gained seats in the Ohio House of Representatives during Tuesdays midterm elections for the first time since 2010, cutting slightly into the GOPs still-formidable majority in the chamber.

But the Ohio Senate is a different story, as Republicans appeared likely to hold or even build on their record 24-9 majority.

The results mean that whats been perhaps the most conservative Ohio General Assembly ever wont change much in the next two years, at least. Republicans, still holding solid supermajorities, will continue to push against Medicaid expansion and abortion, among other issues.

Democrats flipped four GOP-held Ohio House seats, with the potential of picking up a fifth in House District 6, in suburban Cleveland. However, Republicans won a Democratic-controlled House seat in Mahoning County, meaning a net pickup of 3-4 seats for Democrats.

That means House Republicans will enter next session continuing to have a three-fifths supermajority, which allows them to override gubernatorial vetoes and put measures on the statewide ballot without Democratic votes.

All four Democratic pickups of GOP seats came in suburban districts. Three were in the Columbus area: Mary Lightbody in District 19, Beth Liston in House District 21, and Allison Russo in House District 24. The fourth came in Summit County, where Democrat Casey Weinstein defeated Republican Mike Rasor.

In House District 6, Democrat Phil Robinson held 426-vote lead over Republican Jim Trakas with 91 percent of precincts reporting.

Despite the losses, there was a silver lining for Republican House Speaker Ryan Smith: all of the Democratic pickups of House seats came against Republican candidates aligned with Rep. Larry Householder, reducing Householders chances of having enough GOP votes to win the speakers gavel next session.

In a statement, Smith said Tuesday that House Republicans will continue to promote the kinds of policies that have helped our state create more than a half-million private sector jobs, reduce the unemployment rate and protect our states most vulnerable populations.

Republicans also captured a Democratic-held seat in House District 59, as Don Manning defeated Eric Ungaro by about 400 votes, according to unofficial totals.

On the Senate side, Republicans picked up Democratic-held Senate District 33 in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, as Michael Rulli defeated Democratic state Rep. John Boccieri (the current representative from House District 59) Rulli, who runs a chain of family-owned grocery stores, won a district thats traditionally Democratic but backed President Donald Trump in 2016. His win is evidence that Youngtown-area Democrats who supported Trump two years ago are becoming Republican voters this year.

There was still a slim opportunity Tuesday night for a Democratic Senate pickup in what was the most oddly competitive legislative race in Ohio.

With about 98 percent of precincts reporting, Republican state Rep. Anne Gonzales held a 147-vote lead in Senate District 3 in eastern Franklin County over Democrat Tina Maharath, a financial analyst.

The twist is that Maharath, who by her own admission has a "troubled" past, wasn't endorsed by the Ohio Democratic party nor the Franklin County Democrats (she won the Democratic nomination by default after the party's favored candidate didn't submit the 50 valid petition signatures he needed to run).

But the district itself is filled with Democrats, leading Republicans to buy at least $800,000 in ads trashing Maharath.

Other competitive Senate races all went the GOPs way. Republican state Rep. Andrew Brenner held on to GOP control of Senate District 19 in Delaware, Knox and northern Franklin counties, despite a strong opponent in Democrat Louise Valentine.

Republican state Rep. Nathan Manning was also elected to fill his mother Gayle Mannings Senate District 13 seat in Huron and Lorain counties, defeating Democrat Sharon Sweda.

On the House side, state Rep. J. Todd Smith, appointed to the House earlier this year, unexpectedly held off Democrat Dan Foley in House District 43. Republican state Reps. Jonathan Dever of Cincinnati also won a close race against Democrat Jessica Miranda.SOLON, Ohio -- The controversial Kerem Lake Mixed-Use District rezoning proposal appeared to be dead in the water early Wednesday morning.

An unofficial count showed 7,965 votes (70.5 percent) against Issue 110, which would have rezoned roughly 100 acres of single-family residential property, with 3,338 votes (29.5 percent) in favor of creating a whole new chapter in the zoning code.

Property owner and developer Yisrael Harris released a statement later Wednesday morning.

"Although we are disappointed in the outcome, we are gratified and thankful to the thousands of Solon voters who embraced our vision and supported Issue 110.

"We still believe in our dream," Harris added. "We plan to evaluate the results and decide our next steps. Our commitment to our project remains strong."

In what was seen as a divisive issue for the city, developers had started with the Solon Planning Commission earlier in the year, but did not feel the proposal was moving fast enough.

So they opted for an initiative petition, collecting 870 signatures to get the rezoning measure on this ballot. Then City Council tried to stall that effort, at least until May 2019.

It appears that the city charter's "home ward veto" provision, in this case Ward Three, will not be an issue. Attorneys for the developers unsuccessfully challenged it before the Ohio Supreme Court, which did rule in their favor on the ballot placement.

And there was still a lot of discussion and some apprehension at Monday's council meeting on the eve of the election.

Ward Three Councilman Jeremy Zelwin said he was "beating a dead horse," but reminded residents that they were voting on a rezoning issue, not a glitzy site plan.

Councilman Marc Kotora and his wife felt strongly enough about their opposition to Issue 110 to send out a postcard mailing to the entire city citing a "vague" proposal that did not present any "precise plans" -- which in fact changed as the campaign proceeded.

"They went from four-story apartments to no apartments -- which is it?" Kotora said.

Kotora also described a mailing sent out by proponents with a picture of Mayor Ed Kraus that cited "early remarks he made about a winery, trying to give the false impression that he was supportive of the project."

To add to the confusion, opponents countered with a similar mailing using Kraus, who ultimately posted on Facebook in an attempt to clear the air.

By local standards, it was an expensive election, with preliminary and unaudited campaign finance reports showing that the "Yes 110! Best Choice for Solon's Future" political action committee had racked up nearly $59,000 in what were listed as "in-kind contributions."

Those expenses were split between "39350 Bainbridge Road, LLC," Harris' address, and his company, BNH Enterprise Corp.

The largest single in-kind contribution was $10,000 for consulting fees, although combined expenses for a series of print ads, website design and direct mailings approached that sum in October.

There is no direct mention of television commercials in last month's financial disclosures, although those expenses could show up in the post-election financial report to be filed later with the Ohio Secretary of State's Office.

Councilman Doug Magill said he believed the recent TV air time was funded through the $107,000 in legal fees that the developers' attorneys were awarded after taking their case against the city to the state's high court to get the rezoning issue placed on Tuesday's ballot.

The opposition PAC, known as "Residents for Responsible Zoning," also shelled out some money for its campaign, with its pre-election report showing $8,566 raised in cash and over $33,000 through in-kind contributions.

Most of the in-kind services came through the adjacent Thornbury Homeowner Association, which came up with over $10,000 in consulting fees and another $9,500 for a survey poll.

Although she does not live in Thornbury, Solon resident Jacki Calavitta provide over $400 worth of "No on Issue 110" T-shirts, along with computer record searches.

She characterized the development proposal as "Rural-Countryside-Meets-'

Oasis-in-the-Desert'-themed- Adult-Playground-for-the-Rich. "

Councilman Bill Russo said on election eve that there was generally a lot more style than substance to the proposal, disputing claims to residents that the new development would provide the Solon City School District with $3.8 million.

"Before we put a zoning issue on the ballot, we need to make sure there's a development agreement in place that will actually go forward," Russo said.

Later on Wednesday, Harris issued an additional statement.

"We are gratified and thankful to the thousands of Solon voters who joined in our dream or engaged in the election process," Harris noted.

And, "we are humbled by the outcome and still hope we can find a way to share our beautiful site with the entire Solon community," he added.

Also on Tuesday's ballot were two other rezoning issues, one for automotive and one for medical -- both in the city's industrial sector. They were unofficially but decisively approved by voters.STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Voters in the Strongsville City School District resoundingly defeated the 7.9-mill new money levy on tonight's ballot. The vote was 12,329 against vs. 7,583 for, with 61.92 percent of voters opposing the levy, according to final, unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

In the North Royalton City School District, voters approved a 10-year, 16.5-mill levy that replaces three existing property taxes that were set to expire over the next few years.

According to final, unofficial results from the Board of Elections, the North Royalton levy passed with 55.31 percent of the vote, with 8,608 yes tallies against 6,955 no votes.

"I want to thank the North Royalton community for their support of our schools," said Superintendent Greg Gurka. "Passage of Issue 6 will allow us to maintain current programs and services and the high-quality education provided by North Royalton City Schools.

"We will continue to communicate and educate the community as to all the positive things that occur in our classrooms on a daily basis, as well as the needs we have as a district," he said.

Strongsville levy

Earlier this year, Strongsville City School District officials said they needed the new 7.9-mill tax, which appeared as Issue 8 on Tuesday's ballot, because it would generate a much-needed $11.3 million annually for operating expenses, including teachers' salaries.

The tax would have cost the owner of a Strongsville home valued at $100,000 an additional $23 a month, or $276 a year, district officials said. Property owners currently pay about $1,256 a year in taxes to the district, according to calculations based on Ohio Department of Taxation records.

In May, district officials said that, without the new tax, Strongsville schools would start deficit spending in 2019 -- meaning that expenses would exceed revenues and that the district would need to tap into its savings to balance the budget -- until district savings are wiped out in 2022.

Strongsville school board members said state funding cuts to local school districts have made a tax increase necessary.

Also, Cleveland Clinic -- which has a Strongsville office in front of SouthPark Mall --was recently awarded property tax-exempt status retroactive to 2012. It means the district will lose another $400,000 in annual property taxes and must refund the Clinic $2 million in past taxes, school district officials have said.

Even with the new tax, a 2002 five-year levy (which voters last renewed in 2016) and a 2007 continuous levy (which is permanent) would both remain in place. Those levies generate a total of $17.1 million a year, according to the district. The new tax would also have been permanent.

Superintendent Cameron Ryba said the new levy would have allowed the district to maintain its existing level of staffing, programs and services through the 2025-2026 school year.

North Royalton levy

The North Royalton City Schools levy combines and replaces three existing property taxes that support the school district.

The levy will generate $17.8 million a year for operating expenses, including teachers' salaries, according to school district officials.

Issue 6 will 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.

The North Royalton City School District faced the expiration of the three existing operating taxes in quick succession. A levy approved by voters in 2009 generates $6.7 million a year, and levies approved in 2010 and 2011 generate $6.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

The three taxes bring in a total of $17.8 million annually. They would have expired in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The district's annual operating budget is about $50 million, district officials said.



Gurka said the district cannot operate without either the three separate taxes or the combined tax.

Gurka said the administration and board considered seeking renewal of each tax individually, in 2019, 2020 and 2021. However, the district was concerned about creating "voter fatigue" by asking voters to return to the polls every year.

Also, it would cost the district up to $67,500 for each tax renewal it places on the ballot, starting in 2019. Placing a combined levy on Tuesday's ballot has cost the district nothing, since Ohio's gubernatorial election was already scheduled for this month, Gurka said.Syphilis rates have increased 76 percent since 2013 and without a dramatic increase in federal funding public health advocates fear the trend will continue.

But there is one common drug on the market right now that could turn the tide against syphilis  doxycycline.

Its been talked about in STD meetings. There have been whole debates on it. Journals have written about it, said Jeffrey D. Klausner, Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA. So its emerging from under the radar. But there is not a whole lot of awareness yet. Its definitely something people should know about.

So far one clinical trial in France has shown promising results, according to one of the people who conducted the study, Jean-Michel Molina, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris.

Molina, while cautiously optimistic, warns against reading too much into the results of the study just yet. He believes more studies need to be conducted before any conclusions are made.

We were surprised by results, he said. They were quite dramatic.

The trial only included men who have sex with men currently taking PrEP, the once a day pill to prevent HIV. The results showed a 47 percent reduction in acquiring a bacterial STD while it showed an even greater protection against just syphilis.

Besides the clinical trail a survey was conducted in the UK in July that showed those taking doxycycline reduced the chances of acquiring a bacterial STD by 50 percent.

Molina explained that unlike PrEP for HIV, which uses antiviral drugs, doxycycline is an antibiotic.

With antibiotics its really tricky, and you have to be careful, he said.

Overuse or misuse of antibiotics can create drug resistant strains of bacterial infections. For instance, public health advocates have been concerned about gonorrhea since the STD has been showing resistance to antibiotics for many years now. Theyve been especially worried about a drug resistance Super Gonorreha making its way to the U.S. Earlier this year the first case of this super bug was reported in the UK. Molina believes thats why his clinical trial had no effect on gonorrhea noting how quickly the STD can mutate.

Even without super bugs the U.S. still has a major problem with STDs.

A recent report from the Centers of for Disease control showed in 2017, about 2.3 million cases of STDs were diagnosed. That number includes 30,644 cases of primary and secondary syphilis  a 76 percent increase since 2013.

Adam Sukhija-Cohen, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Research for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said public health officials went from plans to eliminate (the STD) to a public health crisis. This is an insane resurgence.

While there are many factors involved in why STD rates are increasing one of the major reasons is the decrease in federal funding to combat rising STD rates.

This is a public health emergency, said Jeffrey D. Klausner, Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA. But most concerning is a lack of a federal response. Weve not seen any response from the secretary of health and human services office.

Matthew Prior, Director of Communications for the National Coalition of STD Directors concurred that a federal response is needed to address the growing epidemic. His organization is calling for a 70 million dollar increase in STD prevention.

Despite the STD epidemic Molina doesnt see doxycycline as the answer.

This is not the strategy to take in the long term, he said. We might use this strategy for a short period of time. For instance in an outbreak in a well defined population.

Instead Molina said more money should be directed toward researching a vaccination for syphilis.

For now though Molina believes the benefits outweigh the risks  namely creating a resistant strain of syphilis. The main treatment for syphilis has always been penicillin and it is still highly effective, Monlina said. So far no penicillin resistant strains have emerged. But some strains of syphilis have shown resistance to azithromycin, the second drug of choice when treating the STD.

We dont want to jeopardize the second line of treatment, he said. The data was interesting, but the risk of resistance [is real].

According to an article from the American Society of Microbiology azithromycin was once thought to be the most promising alternative to penicillin in treating syphilis. But in some countries, namely Chin, syphilis resistance to macrolides (a class of antibiotics that include azithromycin) has become widespread.

The limited study Molina conducted did not show any resistance to doxycicline but he said more studies need to be conducted before any conclusions can be made. He said other researchers around the world are interested in conducting studies including some in the U.S. According to the national database of clinical trials there is one starting soon in Australia.

I know people have already started to get these drugs, he said. I worry about the consequences.

This is a third part of a series of reports SFGN will publish on the rising STDs rates in the U.S. Visit SFGN.com/STDseries to read all of them.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Aggravated robbery, Cedar Road: At 12:15 a.m. Oct. 29, a man in his early 20s -- wearing a hooded sweatshirt pulled tight around his face to show only his eyes, nose and mouth -- robbed the Dunkin' Donuts store at 13880 Cedar Road.

The clerk called called 911 to report that the man drove up in an SUV to the drive-through window, showed a gun and demanded money from the cash register. The clerk complied and the suspect drove off.

Police from University Heights, Cleveland Heights and South Euclid searched the area, but were unable to find the suspect's vehicle.

Theft, Cedar Road: At 4:05 p.m. Oct. 29, police were called to Target, 14070 Cedar Road, where a youth was taken into custody for shoplifting. Police arrested the boy, 11, of Cleveland Heights, and charged him with theft.

Warrant arrest, Cedar Road: At 8:45 p.m. Oct. 29, police responded to the Speedway gas station, 14458 Cedar Road, on a call of a car accident.

One of the drivers, a South Euclid man, 56, was found to be driving with a suspended license and to be wanted on a University Heights police warrant. The man was taken into custody and taken to the Solon jail.

Drug trafficking, Cedar Road: At 10:45 p.m. Oct. 29, police stopped a car that was being driven with one working headlight.

It was subsequently learned that the driver, a Cleveland man, 25, was wanted on a Solon police warrant. In the man's car, police found a loaded gun, marijuana, a scale and money.

Police charged the man with drug trafficking and a weapons violation.

Overdose, Cedar Road: At 10:50 p.m. Oct. 29, police were called to Swensons Drive-In Restaurant, 14510 Cedar Road, where a Chagrin Falls man, 23, had overdosed on drugs.

The man was taken to Hillcrest Hospital. Police are investigating.

Theft, Cedar Road: At 9:35 p.m. Nov. 1, a University Heights woman reported that her cell phone had been stolen from her as she shopped at about 5:30 p.m. that day at Target.

The woman stated that $200 had been stolen from her, as the thief used the phone's Apple Pay feature.

Warrant arrest, Warrensville Center Road: At 8:40 p.m. Nov. 2, an officer stopped a car that was being driven without lights. It was found that the driver, a Garfield Heights man, 22, was wanted on a Maple Heights police warrant.

The man was arrested and the car turned over to its registered owner.

Theft, Cedar Road: At 4:05 p.m. Nov. 4, Target loss prevention detained a Cleveland Heights man, 18, for shoplifting merchandise totaling $71. Police cited the man for theft.

Runaway, South Belvoir Boulevard: At 8 p.m. Nov. 4, staff at Bellefaire JCB, 2575 S. Belvoir Blvd., reported that a girl, 17, had run away from the facility.

If you would like to comment on the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.MOSS POINT, Miss. -- School board positions have been filled as Antoinette Robinson Morris, Cliff Cooley and Jennifer Joseph Anderson have been elected to the Moss Point School Board in Districts 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Morris ran unopposed in district 2 obtaining nearly 100 percent of the vote.

One of the qualities Rep. Jeramey Anderson, D-Moss Point wanted with Senate Bill 2463 was to give voters the opportunity to know who was running to represent their children and those with experience that would assist the district.

Morris is a retired school teacher of 32 years and said she feels that experience helps her make informed decisions not only for the board, but for the future of the district.

"Although I was appointed in January, I am excited voters still selected me as a stakeholder not only in the school district, but as a stakeholder in the community," Morris said. "When I was appointed, my goal was to help continue to move our district forward and I look forward to continuing to help our district and community do so."

District 3 saw a near close race between Cooley and challenger Daphne Viverette, but Cooley pulled away by more than 157 votes.

Carolyn Rankin Moore served as the president of the school board, but decided to run in district 4 against Anderson. With 69 percent of the vote, Anderson defeated Moore, garnering more than half the vote.

Anderson, another product of the MPSD said she is excited to serve her community, hopes to continue to progress made and says the community can count on her.

"As an alumna of the school district, I have a sense of pride in the students and community and hope to bring innovative ideas to increase the progress going on within the district," said Anderson. "As a board member, my sole responsibility is to support and monitor the superintendent and implement policies and procedures. The Moss Point community can count on me."

Superintendent Shannon Vincent-Raymond said the goal of the district is to make it competitive with districts across the coast and hopes new members will help them to achieve that goal.

"We are excited to welcome new board members for the next four years who will help us to achieve this mission," she said. "We are extremely thankful for the previous and presently serving board members who have helped us get to where we are today and look forward to continued progress for the sake of our children and community."

New board members will be sworn in January 2019.As the first returns in Minnesotas Second Congressional District began to emerge Tuesday night, it looked as if lesbian businesswoman Angie Craig would lose a second time to a former talk show host who once compared LGBT people to criminals.

Democrat Craig was trailing Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis three hours after polls had closed. But before midnight, a blue wave began breaking in the state, and Craigs campaign delivered, not only its own victory but, an important win for the LGBT community and a critical threshold that ensured Democrats would take back control of the U.S. House.

Overall Tuesday night, openly LGBT candidates picked up three new seats in the U.S. House: Craig in Minnesota, Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, and Sharice Davids in Kansas. All three were the first openly LGBT candidates to win election to Congress from their states.

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis won his historic bid to become governor of Colorado and the first openly gay man to be elected governor of any state.

Voters also welcomed three new lesbian mayors: Teri Johnston in Key West, Besty Driver in Flemington, N.J., and Julia Fahl in Lambertville, N.J. The vast majority of more than 100 openly LGBT candidates for state legislative offices won.

And, in Massachusetts, voters soundly voted Yes to retain a state law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations the first statewide vote on such protections.

There were not blue waves in every state Nov. 6 and, so, there were some disappointing losses for the LGBT community and the Democratic Party. Transgender Democrat Christine Hallquist fell short in her bid to unseat Vermonts Republican incumbent Governor Phil Scott. And lesbian Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones fell just 689 votes short of defeating a Republican member of the U.S. House from Texas.

But there were also some historic races with no winner yet declared as of Wednesday morning: U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinemas bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Arizona was still in limbo. With 99 percent of precincts tallied, Sinema had 48.46 percent of the vote to Republican Martha McSallys 49.30 percent. No winner has yet been declared for the Michigan attorney general seat, though Michigan Secretary of State results Wednesday morning showed Republican John James had 49.57 percent of the vote to lesbian attorney Dana Nessels 45.54 percent. And bisexual Democratic candidate Katie Hill was hanging onto a razor-like lead over Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Knight in Californias 25th Congressional district.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, 2018 marked the first time in U.S. history when there was an openly LGBT candidate running for office in every state. The Victory Fund endorsed 225 LGBT candidates on the ballot Tuesday, calling it an unprecedented Rainbow Wave.

Victory Fund Executive Director Annise Parker said Baldwins re-election to the U.S. Senate was among the communitys highest priorities for 2018.

To see this champion of equality handily defeat her anti-LGBTQ opponent was phenomenal, Parker said.

A new Congress

Openly LGBT candidates were running for 23 seats in the U.S. House and four in the U.S. Senate. They won at least seven U.S. House seats and one U.S. Senate seat.

As expected, Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin breezed to re-election in Wisconsin. As noted, at deadline a winner has still not been declared in U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinemas race to win a U.S. Senate seat from Arizona. Ironically, the Green Party candidate in that race took 38,597 votes from former Green Party member Sinema. At deadline, Sinema was 15,908 votes behind McSally.

Green Party candidate Paula Overby in Minnesota and Independent candidate Brad Peacock in Vermont lost their bids for U.S. Senate seats.

The four incumbent LGBT U.S. representatives running for re-election all won: David Cicilline in Rhode Island (who is expected to seek a leadership position in the newly Democratic House), Sean Maloney in New York, Mark Pocan in Wisconsin, and Mark Takano in California. The newcomers, so far, will be Chris Pappas from New Hampshire, Sharice Davids from Kansas, and Angie Craig from Minnesota.

Going into the election, the U.S. House had six openly LGBT members and the U.S. Senate had one. As of Wednesday morning, that caucus is seven in the House and Baldwin in the Senate.

The new LGBT caucus members, all Democrats, now join a House that on Tuesday night switched majorities from Republican to Democratic. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin applauded the millions of Americans who stood up and fought back against the Trump administration, saying we have succeeded in restoring a sane, pro-equality majority to the House and placing a check on this administrations hateful agenda.

Governors

There were four openly LGBT candidates for governor Tuesday night. Incumbent Democratic Governor Kate Brown of Oregon won re-election with a five-point margin. And U.S. Rep. Jared Polis won with a six-point lead over his Republican opponent.

Both losing LGBT candidates for governor earned strong support at the ballot box, despite coming up short. Christine Hallquist, a state energy activist who became the first transgender candidate to win a major party nomination for governor, won a robust 40.5 percent of the vote but was ultimately beaten by popular Republican incumbent Governor Phil Scott in Vermont. And Lupe Valdez, a former Dallas sheriff, won 42 percent of the vote against popular Republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in Texas.

Transgender referendum

Voters in Massachusetts did not vote as strongly to keep a transgender non-discrimination law as polls had predicted. The latest poll predicted 74 percent would vote to retain the two-year-old law. But, with 82 percent of the vote in, 68 percent voted Yes on Question 3, still ensuring the law would remain intact.

By winning the first statewide popular vote on transgender rights, Massachusetts voters reaffirmed our Commonwealth as a place that fiercely defends our basic values of dignity and respect for everyone, said ACLU Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose.

Question 3 in Massachusetts marked the first time voters statewide had been asked to vote on whether state non-discrimination laws should prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.

State legislatures

There were at least 101 openly LGBT candidates for state legislative offices Tuesday: 85 state house or assembly seats and 16 for state senate seats, in a total of 26 states. Of the 85 running for state house seats, 62 won, 18 lost, and five were still undetermined at deadline. Among the many firsts recorded Tuesday, Megan Hunt became the first openly LGBT candidate elected to the Nebraska state legislature.

Of the 16 state senate candidates, 13 won, two lost, and one race was not yet determined.

The largest field of LGBT candidates ran in Texas (10), followed by Ohio (8), and Georgia and Washington (6 each).

Other key races

Massachusetts lesbian Attorney General Maura Healey coasted to re-election victory Tuesday night, winning 71 percent of the vote and fueling expectations that she will make a bid for governor in 2022. As a newcomer in 2012, she won with 62 percent of the vote.

The U.S. Pacific island of Gaum elected an openly gay Lieutenant Governor, running mate to its first woman Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

Texas Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor, Kerry Douglas McKennon, came in a distant third, with less than one percent of the vote.Celgene Corp.: "I still don't have a catalyst to be able to buy this stock. It just has acted so, so badly. Maybe if the Democrats take the House, people will buy it, but it's not my cup of tea."

BlackRock Inc.: "Look, it now yields 3 percent. [CEO] Larry Fink is real smart. I think this is a decent level to get in the stock."

Nio Inc.: "I'm not recommending any stocks that are from China because we are in a war of containment against China, not a trade war."

Hospitality Property Trust: "That's got an 8 percent yield. After what I heard from Marriott this morning, I'm telling you, I don't want to be there. Marriott's a really great operator, and that stock just got crushed."

Activision Blizzard Inc.: "We used to like it. We've switched horses. We're on Take Two. We think Red Dead Redemption 2 is just unbelievable and breathtaking and so we're off Activision Blizzard and we are on to TTWO."

Canada Goose Holdings Inc.: "I want you to stay with Canada Goose. I do like Columbia a little bit more. We just had [Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim] Boyle on. I think they tell a better story, but I think GOOS is a winner, not a loser."

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc.: "That train has left the station. It's too late for that. Too late."

Amarin Corp.: "Oh, man. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, this stock was at, like $3 a couple of months ago and now it's at $22. I would call us not early."Abigail Spanberger, Democratic U.S. Representative candidate from Virginia, speaks during a campaign rally in Henrico, Virginia, U.S., on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger is the apparent winner of a hotly contested House race in Virginia's 7th District, according to NBC News.

Spanberger appears to have defeated two-term Republican Rep. Dave Brat in a nail-biter of a race that was widely seen as a bellwether of how far Democrats could extend their electoral victories in a year that favored them.

Spanberger was likely able to overcome the solidly Republican makeup of the district in part because of both her significant fundraising advantage and unusually high voter enthusiasm among Democrats.

Polling results varied widely throughout the race, but by Election Day, political analysts on both sides of the aisle considered Brat and Spanberger to be locked in a dead heat, with the outcome impossible to predict.

Spanberger also likely benefited from the support of Republicans who had become disenchanted with Brat, and who felt the former economics professor was not sufficiently accessible to his constituents.

A career CIA officer who was born and raised in the 7th District, Spanberger's campaign was hyperlocal, and included hundreds of in-person events where she met with and listened to voters.

Despite her strong candidacy, Brat's loss marks a startling shift in a district that Brat won by 15 points just two years ago.

That same year, President Donald Trump carried the district by 7 points. This time around, however, some voters told CNBC that they had soured on the president, and that they viewed a vote for Spanberger as a way to check Trump's agenda.



Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat from Arizona, center, applauds during a campaign event on the Navajo Nation Native American Reservation ahead of the U.S. Senate election in Tuba City, Arizona, U.S.

Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick is projected to return to Congress, this time as a representative of Arizona's 2nd District, according to NBC News.

The seat was held by Republican Arizona Senate candidate Martha McSally, but the race tilted in Kirkpatrick's favor over Republican Lea Marquez Peterson. Nonpartisan political analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball marked the district as "likely Democrat." The polls had shown Kirkpatrick surging in popularity.

Data analyst Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight gave Kirkpatrick a 96 percent chance at victory. Hillary Clinton won the district during the 2016 presidential election.

The two candidates have stark differences.

Kirkpatrick was once a member of Congress representing Arizona's 1st District and has wide name recognition. She has run on making inroads in campaign finance reform and the passing of universal health care.

Marquez Peterson, on the other hand, is the CEO of Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an Arizona lobbying group that pushes for Hispanic business and economic development. She has at times tried to find the perfect balance of backing President Donald Trump's policies and being critical of his rhetoric direct at immigrants.

"I kind of separate the man from the policy," she said during a recent Politico interview.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP fundraising arm, went on defense and spent just over $1 million against Kirkpatrick, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, meanwhile, has put up almost the equivalent amount versus Marquez Peterson.Anthony Brindisi, Democratic candidate for New York's 22nd Congressional District, is interviewed at the DNC on October 11, 2017.

Democrat Anthony Brindisi is projected to defeat Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney in New York's 22nd District, according to NBC News.

The race has been tight since the outset, even though President Donald Trump won the district by 20 percentage points during the 2016 presidential election.

While most polls had Brindisi in the lead, Tenney was often behind by just the margin of error. Nonpartisan political analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball labeled the district a toss-up.

NBC News has projected that the Democrats would take back the House.

The Republican incumbent ran a campaign that was in lockstep with the president.

Trump in August made the first presidential visit to Utica in about seven decades, praising Tenney. "I'm here for Claudia. She has been incredible in Congress. She has helped us so much," he said. "Hopefully we put Claudia right over the top where she belongs."

Since Trump overwhelmingly won the district two years ago, Brindisi was forced to walk a tightrope in order to not offend those who backed the president. For instance, he has been hesitant to criticize Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh even after the judge was accused of sexual misconduct.

However, the Democratic assemblyman has been critical of Trump's trade war, arguing it hurts dairy farmers in the district.

Voters were inundated by attack ads from outside groups, making it one of the most expensive congressional races of the midterms. Outside political committees spent $13 million on the race, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez is projected to hang on to his U.S. Senate seat after a bitter re-election campaign that followed a mistrial in a corruption case, according to an NBC News projection.

The result will come as a relief to the Democratic Party, which could not afford to lose a Senate seat from what is usually a solid blue state.

Democrats were already at risk of losing ground in the Senate, where the party was defending 10 seats in states that President Donald Trump won in 2016. The GOP held a 51-49 advantage in the chamber heading into Election Day.

Menendez's Republican rival in the race, former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin, used a mostly self-funded campaign to hammer the Democrat for months. Hugin unleashed a torrent of ads targeting Menendez for his ethics issues.Democrat Haley Stevens is projected to defeat Republican Lena Epstein to represent Michigan's 11th Congressional District in a race Democrats had viewed as a major opportunity to pick up a seat, according to NBC News.

The district's two-term congressman, Rep. Dave Trott, is retiring at the end of the year. Almost every poll had shown the candidates neck and neck to the very end. Nonpartisan political analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball marked the district as lean Democrat.

A Democrat hadn't been elected to a two-year term from the district since the late 1960s.

Stevens ran on a platform that's been driven by calls for health care for all and standing up to President Donald Trump.

Epstein, a co-chairman Trump's presidential campaign in Michigan, countered Stevens with showing support for the commander in chief including a recent endorsement of Trump's border wall.

Trump barely squeaked out a victory in the state over Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election by less than a percentage point.

Outside groups poured money into the race. In total, external political organizations spent $6 million on the race with just over $2 million used against Epstein and $3 million backing Stevens. A super PAC funded by billionaire and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has spent more than $593,000 on ad buys in support of Stevens.Democrat Jason Crow will defeat Republican Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado's 6th Congressional District, NBC News projects.

It's an important victory for Democrats, who are hoping to flip the House of Representatives blue. Heading into the election, independent pollsters favored Crow, who vowed to be a check on President Donald Trump. The district swung to Trump's 2016 rival Hillary Clinton by nearly 10 points that year.

The race pit two Army veterans against each other in what became a fierce battle, with the two accusing one another of lying. National politics crept in, with Coffman accusing Crow of being beholden to the Democrats who flooded his campaign with money. Crow accused Coffman of failing to stick up to Trump.

Ultimately, Crow said the race was a referendum on the president.

"Make no mistake what this is about and what is at stake for America," Crow said at a debate last month, according to The Denver Post. "We are at a crossroads in our country."Democratic nominee Jeff Van Drew will win the race for New Jersey's 2nd District House seat, which is being vacated by the retirement of longtime moderate Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NBC News has projected.

Van Drew, a state senator, was battling for the Atlantic City-area seat against Republican nominee Seth Grossman, a former Atlantic County official. NBC News has projected the Democrats will win control of the House.

In July, the National Republican Congressional Committee withdrew its endorsement of Grossman and called on him to reconsider his candidacy.

The NRCC's move came after a report that Grossman  who previously said that diversity was "a bunch of crap and un-American"  posted a link on his Facebook account to an article by a white nationalist site that called black people "a threat to all who cross their paths."

Grossman claimed to not be endorsing what was said in the post and called on NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers to step down for not backing "pro-Trump candidates."

Last week, on the heels of a massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, Grossman called on his fellow Jews to arm themselves "instead of becoming a burden" to taxpayers and police.MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 04: Wisconsins State Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) speaks to supporters as Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers as he makes a campaign stop at the Coordinated Campaign southside office on November 4, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin won her re-election bid in Wisconsin, defeating Republican Leah Vukmir in Tuesday's election, according to an NBC News projection.

The race attracted national attention and brought President Donald Trump to the Badger State in the final weeks to stump for Vukmir.

In recent months, Baldwin  a one-term liberal Democrat and the nation's first openly gay U.S. senator  had been leading Vukmir in polling by double digits and enjoyed a money advantage. Baldwin spent about seven times as much as her conservative Republican challenger and raised more than $27 million compared with Vukmir's roughly $3 million haul as of Oct. 17.

Health care was a key issue, with both candidates promising to protect people with pre-existing conditions but disagreeing on the extent of government involvement in health plans and the role of private insurance companies. The two also disagreed on Trump's trade policies, which have led to tit-for-tat tariffs against some of Wisconsin's key industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

At a Wisconsin rally with Trump just a few weeks ago, Vukmir  a state senator and nurse  called Baldwin's health plan "chaos for all because she wants to destroy and dismantle Medicare." A few days later, former President Barack Obama stopped in Wisconsin for a rally with Baldwin and skewered GOP leadership for considering cuts to Medicare and Social Security to get the federal deficit down.

On trade, Baldwin criticized the Trump administration's policies as "haphazard" since they didn't only target China but went after allies such as the European Union, Canada and Mexico and resulted in retaliatory tariff hitting Wisconsin's cheese sector and Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson.

Vukmir, though, sided with Trump and said the president was negotiating better deals, beating China. She added that the Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers she's talked to were supportive of the administration's trade policies and were willing to wait for the benefits of Trump's aggressive moves.Florida voters took a massive step in restoring voting rights to former felons.

Amendment 4 automatically reinstates voting rights for people with felony convictions upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole and probation. Excluded are those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense.

The change to the state constitution will affect an estimated 1.5 million Floridians, according to The Sentencing Project and the Brennan Center for Justice.

While Florida voters were just about evenly split in their choices for governor and senator, the ballot initiative was able to garner more than 60 percent of the vote necessary to pass, NBC News projects.

Previously, Florida had one of the most uncompromising systems in the country when it came to voter restoration after criminal convictions: It was one of only three states with a lifetime voting ban for all people with felony histories. The others are Iowa and Kentucky.

The vote had an immediate emotional impact on people who are getting their rights restored.

"It just brings me to tears, just thinking about it," said Angel Sanchez, a former gang member from Miami who served 12 years in Florida state prison for attempted murders and robberies. "Politicians have been playing with this amendment and this issue for almost two decades and couldn't get it done. But when people put politics aside and put people first, you can get over 60 percent of people to agree on something  regardless of partisanship, regardless of their walk of life. I think we've figured something out here in Florida. ... We can do some great things."

"I can't stop crying," said Coral Nichols, who served five years in a Florida state prison for grand theft and fraud. "I feel like this amazing weight has been lifted. I'm just overwhelmed that the state of Florida did the right thing"

"It was a humanity issue. We've restored humanity back to 1.4 million people. We gave them their voice back," added Nichols vice president of Empower to Change Inc., a diversion program for those affected by homelessness, human trafficking and the criminal justice system.

It's hard to say how this may impact Florida and national elections. There is no reliable measure of whether this demographic of new voters will vote for Democrats or Republicans. But Sanchez says, beyond parties, these new voters will wield power.

"This didn't only impact those who couldn't vote. This impacted the communities they came from," he said. "If you look at all these elections that are happening right now, they're all being decided by less than 100,000 votes, maybe less than 200,000. ... If only 10 percent of the individuals re-enfranchised today turn out to vote, these elections could be impacted."

 CNBC's Jaden Urbi contributed to this story.Three-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr survived a strong challenge from Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who was the first female Marine to fly in an F-18 on a combat mission, according to NBC News.

The race for the Kentucky 6th District seat generated national media attention, as both parties viewed the campaign as an important early bellwether of whether Democrats could succeed in taking back control of the House from Republicans.

The district is divided between the heavily Democratic city of Lexington and more conservative Republican counties outside the city.

This was one of the most expensive House races in the country.

McGrath outraised her GOP opponent with about $4.8 million, approximately three-fourths of that coming from out of state. But Barr's campaign benefited from more than $4 million spent by outside groups, most of it on attack ads against McGrath.

Kentucky's 6th has voted solidly Republican in the last three presidential elections, electing Republicans by double digits. President Donald Trump won the district in 2016 by 15 points. Voters last sent a Democrat to Congress from the district in 2010.There will be winners and losers in the stock market following Republicans and Democrats splitting Congress in the 2018 midterm elections.

The big winner could be the stock market overall as a hamstrung government leaves in place much of what President Donald Trump has accomplished, but also keeps in check on some of his more extreme actions like trade battles. Stock futures pointed to a triple-digit gain for the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday.

Industrial and materials stocks could be among the best performers on speculation politicians can broker an infrastructure deal, Wall Street analysts and strategists speculated before the election. Drug stocks could come under pressure on a bipartisan plan to rein in drug prices.

A check on trade tensions: Good for stocks

With Democrats controlling the lower chamber of a split government, Trump could be forced to soften his aggressive trade strategy with China. The trade war between the two nations has roiled markets and often left investors on edge about the future between the world's two largest economic powerhouses.

Shares of Caterpillar, which had taken a hit from Trump's trade war with China, rose 4.4 percent Wednesday.

"Our base case of the Democrats taking over the House holds the potential to reduce downside risks from trade policy friction," Deutsche Bank's chief equity strategist Binky Chadha wrote last week. "Congressional investigations and potential impeachment proceedings, even though nominal, would likely use up significant bandwidth while a growing number of Democrats and even Republicans are likely to attempt reducing Presidential power in dealing with trade."

A reduction in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing allows the market to refocus on strong U.S. growth, Chadha added, as well as ease pressure on global growth and lead to a "stronger eventual rally."

The White House imposed tariffs of 10 percent on $200 billion of Chinese products in September, with the rate set to increase to 25 percent by the end of the year unless the countries can reach a breakthrough in the trade talks. In response, Beijing said it would impose taxes on 5,207 U.S. imports worth about $60 billion.

The two nations had already imposed tariffs on $50 billion of each other's goods before the September sanctions.

Dan Clifton, head of policy research at Strategas Research, said Trump will now start looking ahead to his own re-election and continue to seek policies to help the economy.

"I think it starts at the G-20 meeting with China," Clifton said. "It looks like the president could do something big on trade."

Bipartisan support for infrastructure: Upside for materials, industrials, energy

Though Republicans and Democrats disagree on a wide variety of policy proposals, members of both parties have been supportive of infrastructure reform. Any progress on that front could be profitable for companies exposed to public work projects, such as machinery manufacturers, steel producers and oil and gas providers.

"The Democrats are likely to push plans for large-scale infrastructure spending. Republicans have generally opposed Democratic plans on this issue, but President Trump has expressed support for infrastructure spending and might be willing to help," HSBC chief U.S. economist Kevin Logan wrote in a note in October.

United Rentals, which rents construction equipment, rose 1.2 percent Wednesday. Shares of United Technologies and Honeywell added 2 percent and 1.1 percent respectively.

Materials, industrials and energy stocks "could benefit from a small infrastructure bill under Democrats, a weaker U.S. Dollar and reduced trade tensions," Bank of America Chief Equity Strategist Savita Subramanian wrote in September.

Pharmaceuticals: A common target?

Strategists speculated Congress and Trump could find common ground on reducing drug prices, a potential headwind for health care and drugmakers specifically.

Shares of major pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Merck and Johnson & Johnson were slightly higher Wednesday, though underperforming the bigger rally in the overall market.

Morgan Stanley policy strategist Michael Zezas pointed to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's mention of pharmaceuticals last night, saying it "was really the only issue that she mentioned" during her victory speech last night.

"It's entirely possible the Democrats might try and prioritize something around prescription drug pricing which, at least in name, the president seems to agree with Democrats on," Zezas said. "So I think that's a sector you've got to continue to look at that might have some pressure."

Fundstrat's Thomas Block added in a note Wednesday, "In my view one of the business sectors that could take a lot of heat is Pharma."

"Trump has often sided with Democrats on allowing importation of drugs from other nations that control the prices. Also Trump in the past has expressed support for the idea of allowing the federal government to use its marketplace leverage to negotiate lower Medicare prices with pharmaceutical companies, another idea long advocated by Democrats," Block wrote.

 CNBC's Patti Domm and Michael Sheetz contributed reporting.

WATCH: Here's what you should know about the 'fear index'Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, a Republican, will unseat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in one of the year's most hotly contested races, NBC News projects.

The result is a big blow to Democrats, who were projected to stay in the Senate minority. Republicans already had a thin 51-49 majority going into Election Day.

Hawley aligned himself with Trump and consistently knocked McCaskill as a liberal elitist with close ties to Washington. McCaskill, like other Democrats seeking re-election in Trump states, searched for middle ground on the question of working with the president.

Polls showed the Missouri race as a toss-up before the election. Nearly $55 million in outside spending poured into the race, according to the latest reports, in addition to almost $40 million that the candidates each raised.

Hawley's tenure as Missouri's attorney general was brief and chaotic, and it eventually emerged as a campaign issue. But the situation in his office was largely overshadowed by a national agenda that took center stage in the race, including issues like tariffs, immigration and Justice Brett Kavanaugh's controversial confirmation to the Supreme Court.

On health care, Hawley was party to a lawsuit that would unravel the Affordable Care Act, including its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. He promised, however, that he would approve ways to cover pre-existing conditions outside the parameters of Obamacare.Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., is interviewed at Boneshaker Coffee in Bismarck, N.D., on August 17, 2018.

Cramer has staunchly supported a trade war against China and the European Union, among other powers, despite his constituency largely consisting of farmers who have been impacted by tariffs and trade barriers.

Cramer, a two-term North Dakota congressman, dedicated most of his campaign to showing voters he will be a faithful Trump supporter if he were to be elected to the Senate.

President Donald Trump won North Dakota by more than 35 points in the 2016 presidential election, and the 2018 Senate contest became a pivotal race for both major parties. Nonpartisan political analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball labeled the state "leans Republican" in the run-up to Election Day.

Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer will unseat North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in one of most closely watched races this fall, NBC News projects.

In an interview in July with KVRR, a television station in North Dakota, Cramer said he believed the only way to get through a trade war is to win.

"Some people are saying we need to get out of this trade war. There's only one thing to do in a trade war and that is win it," Cramer said at the time, according to KVRR's transcript of the interview.

Heitkamp, a one-term incumbent, tried to appeal to the growing Trump voter contingent in the state, and consistently said she is willing to work with the president when it best suits her constituency.

"I'm going to support him [Trump] when he's right, and I'm going to oppose when he's hurting the state," Heitkamp said in a recent interview with CNBC.

She voted to confirm Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Justice Neil Gorsuch, but voted no on Justice Brett Kavanaugh's nomination after he was accused of sexual assault. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

Her Kavanaugh decision appeared to be a turning point in the race as polls moved away from Heitkamp in the days after her announcement. She still found a way to raise $12.5 million throughout October, just days after she voted to oppose Kavanaugh.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, spent just more than $3 million against Heitkamp.

The senator, however, had her own fundraising juggernaut. She outraised Cramer throughout the entirety of the election, finishing the cycle raising $27 million compared with Cramer's $5 million.In this Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, photo, a clerk reaches for a container of marijuana buds for a customer at Utopia Gardens, a medical marijuana dispensary, in Detroit.

Michiganders chose to authorize the legalization of possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by those who are at least 21 years old. Individuals will now be permitted to possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption. The approved law will impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and mandate that amounts over 2.5 ounces be secured in locked containers.

"I think people are waiting for the Berlin Wall of cannabis prohibition to topple over in the U.S. and I think yesterday's election removed a few more bricks from that wall," Tilray CEO Brendan Kenny told CNBC on Wednesday.

Cannabis stocks got an initial boost following Tuesday's midterm election results that largely favored the marijuana industry. Shares of major cannabis companies rallied during Wednesday's premarket. Tilray gained as much as 6.6 percent; Canopy Growth added 3 percent; Aurora Cannabis rose 3.6 percent; Cronos Group was 4.2 percent higher; and Aphria was up 2.4 percent. All retreated from most of the gains by midday.

Michigan voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use, ending decades of prohibition and ushering in a new era of cannabis law and a burgeoning cannabis industry.

Permitted retail sales of marijuana and edibles will be subject to a 10 percent tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located. According to state law, ballot initiatives go into effect 10 days after results are certified, which can take up to three weeks from Election Day. That puts formal legalization on track for December.

Utah and Missouri passed measures on Tuesday to provide access to medical marijuana.

Sixty-six percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana, according to the latest Gallup poll. That's a record high and was the third consecutive year that support for legalization has increased to record levels. A 2008 ballot initiative made Michigan the 13th state to legalize cannabis for medical use.

Earlier this year, Vermont joined a growing list of states allowing recreational use, Oklahoma voters in June overcame late opposition to overwhelmingly approve medical use and New York State health officials told Gov. Andrew Cuomo this summer that "the positive effects of regulating an adult marijuana market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts."

Ten states and the District of Columbia have now approved recreational use of pot. A bid to legalize recreational cannabis in North Dakota was defeated. The approvals for recreational and medical marijuana use in multiple states is notwithstanding a federal prohibition on cannabis and criticism from President Donald Trump's attorney general Jeff Sessions.

Marijuana proponents will also get relief from the the defeat of Rep. Pete Sessions, the Texas Republican who blocked pro-marijuana legislation several times while he was chairman of the House Rules Committee.

Along with the Michigan yes vote, Democrats winning control of the House should also help the industry.

"While we expect the Senate to remain Republican, the prospects for moving cannabis legislation are better if the House can pass bills," Vivien Azer, a Cowen analyst covering the cannabis industry, told CNBC on Tuesday before the midterm results. "Given popular support for cannabis legislation and a preference by many Senate Republicans to respect state's rights, a GOP Senate could advance a cannabis bill."

WATCH: Six experts on whether the cannabis craze is a boom or bustDemocrats will win control of the House, a triumph that gives the party real levers of power to check President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans, NBC News projects. The party leveraged voter enthusiasm and staggering fundraising to tip the balance of power in the chamber. As of 5:20 a.m. ET Wednesday, Democrats had gained a net 28 seats in the chamber, NBC said. They needed to flip 23 GOP-held seats to take over. The victory will put Democrats in control of the House for the first time since 2010 and likely return House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to the office of speaker. Read more: Republicans declared war on Nancy Pelosi, and she won The victory came even as Republicans were projected to keep control of the Senate, according to NBC. The election landscape diverged as Democrats defended several Senate seats in deep red territory. Democrats picked up House districts in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Michigan and Kansas on their way to a projected majority.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," Pelosi said in a speech declaring victory late Tuesday night. "Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans. It's about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration." Despite his party's expected loss of House control, Trump tweeted late Tuesday touting what he called "tremendous success" in the elections. He added: "Thank you to all!" Trump tweet The expensive and bitter midterm victory will have widespread implications for Trump and the lawmakers in his Republican Party. Democrats will now have the ability to launch investigations into the president and his Cabinet members. They appear poised to go after the president's elusive tax returns. They also could pass legislation aimed at protecting special counsel Robert Mueller's probe. The party will also have the ability to check the GOP on economic issues such as taxes and health care. But the shift in power also opens the door to cooperation on reducing drug prices or improving infrastructure, the latter of which may prove as difficult as it has so far in the Trump administration. Pelosi identified both issues as priorities in her speech Tuesday night.Mikie Sherrill, Democratic U.S. congressional candidate for New Jersey's 11th district, speaks during a campaign kickoff rally at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, U.S., September 5, 2018.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill will flip New Jersey's 11th District, a House seat long held by Republicans, NBC News projects.

The former prosecutor and Navy helicopter pilot's victory over President Donald Trump-backed Republican Jay Webber moves her party one step closer to taking a House majority.

She entered Election Day as a favorite to win the northern New Jersey district, which narrowly supported Trump in 2016. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the chamber.

Sherrill ran as a staunch opponent of the Republican tax plan, which set a $10,000 cap for state and local tax deductions popular in the 11th District. She also backed increased infrastructure spending and pushed to defend and improve the Affordable Care Act, among other issues.

She will replace retiring GOP Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen.Democrat Tom Malinowski will prevail in New Jersey's 7th District House election, notching a key win for the party in a competitive race against Rep. Leonard Lance, NBC News projects.

The Republican Lance built a centrist brand but could not create enough distance from President Donald Trump. The president and his policies are broadly unpopular in the wealthy district, which Democrat Hillary Clinton narrowly won in 2016.

Malinowski, a 53-year-old former Obama administration State Department official, ran on health care affordability as his top issue. He also slammed the Republican tax plan and pledged to reverse its $10,000 cap on state and local deductions, which affected many affluent residents of the northern New Jersey district.Republican Rep. Troy Balderson will successfully defend his seat in Ohio's 12th District, holding a competitive region for his party, NBC News projects.

The 56-year-old representative will defeat Democrat Danny O'Connor for the second time in only a few months. He won an August special election for the red-leaning seat near Columbus.

Losing the seat would have been a blow to the GOP's hopes of holding a House majority.

O'Connor tried to appeal to the area's voters by pledging to shield social safety net programs from cuts and expand access to affordable health care. However, he could not overcome the district's Republican tilt.Supporters look on as U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks to reporters after she cast her ballot during early voting at the Williamson County Clerk's office, October 31, 2018 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn will win her U.S. Senate race against Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen, keeping the Tennessee seat in Republican hands, NBC News projects.

The heated race, which some voters described as "vicious," pitted two household names in the state against each other after Republican Sen. Bob Corker announced his retirement. It was one of the rare Senate races where Democrats had hoped for a pickup as the GOP threatened to expand its majority in the chamber.

Blackburn focused her campaign message on supporting President Donald Trump's agenda in an effort to appeal to the state's dominant Republican constituency.

Nonpartisan political analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball had labeled the state as lean Republican and a recent NBC News/Marist poll showed Blackburn with a 4 point lead.

Tennessee hasn't had a Democratic U.S. senator since Jim Sasser was unseated by Bill Frist in 1994. Trump won the state by 26 points over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

Due to the state's conservative bent, Bredesen, a former two-term governor, had to demonstrate that he would be able to break with his Democratic colleagues on certain issues. For instance, Bredesen endorsed Trump's second nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, despite the former D.C. circuit judge being accused of sexual assault. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

He also said he would not support Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer if Democrats were to regain the majority in the Senate.

Immigration was a major factor in the race, especially as Trump railed about a caravan of migrants from Central America, located deep in Mexico but headed to the U.S. border.

Bredesen said in an interview with MSNBC's Kasie Hunt that it was "beyond belief" that anyone would label the caravan "as some sort of threat," to the United States.

Blackburn stuck with the president's hard line. She recently published an op-ed arguing that the caravan was tantamount to an invasion and a threat to the nation's security.

Millions of dollars in advertising money poured into the race. Billionaire and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg hosted a fundraiser for Bredesen recently in Manhattan.

Outside groups spent just over $50 million on the race, including $7 million against Blackburn by a super PAC aligned with Schumer, and $13 million from the Senate Leadership Fund versus Bredesen.

The SLF is a super PAC backed by former associates of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.Republican Senate candidate Mike Braun arrives at a campaign rally attended by U.S. President Donald Trump at the County War Memorial Coliseum November 5, 2018 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Republican businessman Mike Braun is projected to win his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana, according to NBC News. Election experts had pegged the race to be a toss-up.

Donnelly, who won a surprise victory when he first ran for the Senate in red-state Indiana in 2012, was considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the run-up to the midterms. President Donald Trump carried Indiana by nearly 19 points in 2016.

Donnelly was hoping to stave off defeat by peeling off Republican suburban women dissatisfied with Trump's divisive politics, according to reports. His chances may have been hurt by his vote against the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Braun, CEO and owner of Meyer Distributing, won the Republican primary by convincing voters that he was the most like Trump. He served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2014 to 2017, resigning to focus on his Senate campaign.

Trump endorsed and campaigned with Braun, attending a rally in August and tweeting his support: "Will be going to Evansville, Indiana, tonight for a big crowd rally with Mike Braun, a very successful businessman who is campaigning to be Indiana's next U.S. Senator."Republican Denver Riggleman will defeat Democrat Leslie Cockburn in the race for Virginia's 5th Congressional District, NBC News projects.

The Trump-endorsed businessman faced an unusually tight race in a district that has been held by his party for a decade. Republican Tom Garrett, who has held the seat since 2008, announced in May that he would not seek re-election.

Cockburn, an award-winning journalist, said she was inspired to run the election of President Donald Trump in 2016. Democrats were targeting the district as part of an effort to swing the House blue. The party needed to net 23 seats held by Republicans.

The candidates sparred over gun rights, race and business regulations, divisive cultural issues in the purple state.

The Republican-leaning district, Virginia's largest, straddles the Appalachians in the west and the increasingly liberal Northern Virginia to the north. The district, once represented in Congress by James Madison, also contains Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia and the site of a deadly white supremacist rally in 2017.

The race featured one of the most unusual controversies of the midterms.

In July, Cockburn accused her opponent of being "exposed as a devotee of Bigfoot erotica" after it surfaced that Riggleman has posted images of the mythical forest creature to his private Instagram account.

Riggleman has acknowledged authoring two books about Bigfoot, including one with the title "The Mating Habits of Bigfoot and Why Women Want Him." But he has said that the works were meant to be parodies. He has denied any sexual interest in the creature.

"I think we probably jumped the shark on stupid," Riggleman told CNN over the summer regarding the issue.Outspoken pro-Trump Republican Ron DeSantis is the apparent victor in the race for Florida's governor, triumphing over Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in one of the mostly closely watched state elections in the country, NBC News projects. Gillum conceded the race. DeSantis, a former congressman, came from behind to defeat his Democratic challenger in a race that drew frequent commentary from President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed DeSantis and rallied for him in the state, while disparaging Gillum as a "thief." Gillum, a liberal Democrat bolstered by endorsements from former President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders, was narrowly favored by virtually all public polling ahead of Election Day.

But that proved not to be enough, as a number of controversies that DeSantis amplified in the race's final weeks apparently closed the gap. An ongoing FBI probe into potential public corruption in Tallahassee ensnared Gillum in controversy despite his repeated claims that law enforcement told him he was not under investigation. The matter escalated last month after the release of text messages that raised questions about some of Gillum's previous explanations related to the investigation. At the forefront of the contest was race. Throughout the campaign, Gillum, who is black, accused DeSantis of making remarks designed to curry favor with white supremacists. The day after Gillum won the Democratic primary, DeSantis said in a television interview that voters should not elect Gillum and "monkey this up." In the following months, racist robocalls funded by a white supremacist group circulated calling Gillum a "negro" and a "monkey." DeSantis has said that his remarks were innocuous, and he denied responsibility for incendiary statements made by outside groups. DeSantis admitted to being ill-prepared to discuss race in an election of national import, having formerly represented a district with few minorities. Watch: Florida restores voting rights to more than 1 million former felons

Nonetheless, at a debate last month, Gillum delivered a line that is likely to stick with DeSantis as he heads to the Governor's Mansion. "Now, I'm not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist," Gillum said. "I'm simply saying the racists believe he's a racist." DeSantis will succeed the term-limited Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who ran for U.S. Senate against Democrat Bill Nelson.Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone speaks as United States President Donald Trump looks on.

On election night, President Donald Trump called on some of his closest advisors to meet with him at the White House to watch the incoming midterm results in what could be a long night, CNBC has learned.

Some of the GOP's top financiers including Dallas investor Tommy Hicks Jr., oil tycoon Harold Hamm, CEO of Blackstone behemoth Steve Schwarzman, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson and 2020 Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale were all invited to join the president at the White House for dinner and an election viewing party, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Tom Barrack, executive chairman of real estate investment firm Colony Capital and former Trump inauguration chair, went to the White House for the party, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Hamm, Hicks, Adelson and Parscale all made it to the event, the sources said. A spokeswoman for Schwarzman later confirmed that he attended.

The White House and representatives for the party attendees did not return requests for comment.

All of the executives have played a role this election season in trying to help Republicans maintain their majorities in the U.S. House and Senate in the lead up to the 2018 midterm election.

Adelson, and his wife Miriam, were the top donors to candidates running for congressional office in the 2018 election cycle, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The couple gave a combined $113 million to Republican causes.

Adelson was also one of Trump's top financial backers when he ran for president in 2016.

Hicks and Hamm lead the pro-Trump nonprofit, America First Policies. Hamm is a member of the board of directors while Hicks is the chairman of the group. Its sister super PAC, America First Action, led by Hicks, spent $27 million against Democrats in 2018.

Schwarzman was a key backer to GOP efforts this year. He gave just over $12.8 million in 2018.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win a majority in the House. They need to add two seats to take the Senate, but a victory in that chamber is less likely as they're defending vulnerable lawmakers in red states across the country.

Nonpartisan elections analysis site Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball also expects Democrats to pick up more than 30 seats in the House.

WATCH: Trump's White House has been a money-making machineGubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp adjusts his tie before speaking to volunteers and staff at his campaign office as they hold a phone banking event in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Five voters filed an Election Day emergency lawsuit to strip Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp of his powers to preside over the race for governor in which he is the Republican candidate.

The lawsuit seeks to bar Kemp from participating in vote counting, the certification of results, as well as any runoff or recount procedures.

The lawsuit, prepared by the watchdog group Protect Democracy, alleges that Kemp "has used the official powers of his office to interfere in the election to benefit himself and his political party and disadvantage his opponents."

"In doing so," the lawsuit says, "he has violated the Constitutional rights of Plaintiffs and other Georgia voters."

Kemp is battling Democrat Stacey Abrams in a tight race that remains within striking distance for both candidates. He has come under increasing scrutiny in recent days over actions he has taken while presiding over the election process. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.A fierce Trump critic and Wall Street foe appears poised to take control of the House's powerful financial services committee.

Rep. Maxine Waters has been the top Democrat on the banking panel since Barney Frank, the former congressman from Massachusetts, retired in 2013. She is likely to become the chairwoman of the panel following the GOP's loss of the lower chamber in the midterm elections.

Waters has called for increased regulation of the nation's major banks, a position at odds with the deregulatory agenda of President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress. Last fall, the committee's Democrats, under Waters' leadership, issued a report calling for Wells Fargo to shut its doors for good following a number of high-profile scandals.

And in July, during in an interview with John Harwood at CNBC's Capital Exchange event in Washington, the 14-term House member from California pledged higher fines for financial institutions that flout the law.

It is unlikely that Democrats will be able to usher in any major regulation without a majority in the Senate, or while Trump is president. But some investors fear that Waters could use her subpoena power to dig up dirt on Wells and other banks, according to the industry publication American Banker.

Waters has said she would focus on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and housing reform if Democrats won control of the chamber.

In addition to her role overseeing the nation's financial institutions, Waters has repeatedly sparred with the president and called for his impeachment. Trump has labeled Waters "crazy" and an "extraordinarily low IQ person."

But Waters has said that the president's comments will not deter her.

"I don't care what he calls me. I know who I am. I know what I do," Waters said at the Capital Exchange event. "I am perfectly comfortable with me. He can call me whatever he wants to, he does not intimidate me, and I am not going to stop talking about him."Kanye West might be an increasingly controversial name in the world of media and politics, but Adidas won't stop doing business with the rapper anytime soon.

"We don't sign up to all the statements he makes," Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted told CNBC's Sara Eisen on Wednesday morning after the company raised its profit outlook for 2018 on the heels of its third-quarter earnings report. "We sign up for all the creative work we jointly do, which has been extremely successful for both parties."

Just last month, West tweeted he wanted to move away from politics, after being "used to spread messages" he doesn't believe in.

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The tweet followed a recent visit by West to the White House to see President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and discuss prison reform. He'd also frequently been sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat, despite facing backlash for it.

Rorsted told CNBC on Wednesday his company had a "very strong third quarter" in the Yeezy line, which West is collaborating on with the sneaker maker. The CEO said he expects Adidas' relationship with the rapper to last "for years to come." He added there's been "absolutely no slowdown" in the Yeezy business, despite reports that have said otherwise.

"If [West] stays away from politics, that's his choice," Rorsted said. "We've had a great relationship with him." The CEO added West was at Adidas' global headquarters for a brand meeting just earlier in the week.

More broadly, Adidas says it's expecting a strong holiday season, especially in China, where the retailer will participate in Alibaba's 11:11 shopping extravaganza.

Read more: Adidas hikes 2018 profit guidance, trims sales outlookGerman sportswear firm Adidas hiked its 2018 profit guidance, citing a strong financial performance in the first nine months of the year, but trimmed revenue target due to weaker-than-expected growth in western Europe.

While Adidas has been taking market share from bigger rival Nike in North America, the U.S. firm has been powering ahead in Europe, Middle East and Africa, where its sales rose 9 percent in the three months ended August.

Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted told CNBC on Wednesday that the company had seen a "stellar quarter" and would see a stellar year.

"Despite the fact that we're investing more than ever in our company and in managing investments, we will have the highest margin in the history of the company which is 10.8 percent by the end of the year so we're extremely happy with the overall run of our business, particularly in the U.S., in Asia and online," he told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe.

Adidas had already warned that sales in western Europe were likely to stay flat in the second half of the year after the company failed to focus enough on the launch of more products.Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook attends China Development Forum (CDF) 2018 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on March 24, 2018 in Beijing, China. China Development Forum (CDF) 2018 is hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council of China on March 24-26 in Beijing.

Apple is not in talks to settle its $7 billion legal dispute with mobile chip maker Qualcomm, a person familiar with the matter tells CNBC.

Reuters earlier reported on Wednesday that Apple was preparing for trial.

"There is absolutely no meaningful discussion taking place between us and Qualcomm, and there is no settlement in sight," a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. "We are gearing up for trial."

In the past, Apple used Qualcomm's modem chips in its flagship iPhone models to help them connect to wireless data networks. But early last year, Apple sued Qualcomm in federal court in San Diego, alleging that the chip company's practice of taking a cut of the selling price of phones as a patent license fee was illegal.

Qualcomm denied the claims and has alleged that Apple owes it $7 billion in unpaid royalties.

The case is to go to trial early next year and has spawned related legal actions in other courts around the world. Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf has said the company expects an out-of-court settlement.

 Reuters contributed to this report.Billionaire Salesforce founder Marc Benioff bought Time. Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post. The Emerson Collective, a social justice organization founded and run by billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs (the widow of Steve Jobs), bought The Atlantic.

But no billionaire will buy The New York Times, says its publisher, A.G. Sulzberger.

"The New York Times is not for sale," Sulzberger told Recode's Kara Swisher.

Sulzberger isn't criticizing the decisions of other publications: "All of us at the New York Times are delighted to see that because quite frankly we need more journalists in this country," Sulzberger told Swisher, according to a transcript of their conversation published Monday.

"And it is not a zero sum game. And we need a healthy Washington Post in this country. And so we are delighted to see it growing again," he said.

But the Times is different, he said.

"Washington Post is still a significantly smaller paper than the New York Times, and another paper owned by a billionaire, the Wall Street Journal, another very fine paper owned by a billionaire [Rupert Murdoch] is...is also smaller."

In order to protect the business, The New York Times Company has a dual-class share structure: Class A shares are publicly traded and widely held (with a nearly $4.5 billion market cap), while the Ochs-Sulzberger family holds a controlling interest of the Class B shares (that do not trade publicly), which entitles them to elect 70 percent of the board, according to the Times. (The company did take a $250 million loan from Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu in 2009 and paid it back in 2011.)

What the Times would do with a billion-dollar infusion from a wealthy titan is "an interesting question in the abstract," Sulzberger told Swisher, but he still demurred, saying, "We cannot just be reliant on the altruism of people.... We're going to have to make that billion dollars ourselves."

The Times' strategy to be a sustainable business is "to make stuff that's worth paying for. And it's that simple," Sulzberger said.

The New York Times, which has had a paywall on digital content since March 2011, currently has 3.5 million subscribers, according to Sulzberger. On Nov. 1, Mark Thompson, president and chief executive officer of The New York Times Company, said that for the third quarter, subscription revenues accounted for nearly two-thirds of the company's revenues.

Sulzberger also told Swisher more money would not change the quality of the journalism the publication is producing.

"I do not think for a second that the ownership structure of the New York Times is somehow hindering our ability to invest in great journalism. The last year we've expanded our Washington bureau, we've expanded our tech coverage.  We've expanded our business coverage," Sulzberger says to Swisher.

"Point to me where someone has just thrown a ton of money at the journalism problem, just thrown a ton of money and it's worked out well."

Plus, said the publisher, the paper does not want even the appearance of bias.

"The thing that makes the New York Times special, the thing that I think distinguishes us from almost any other news organization, not any, but among a handful of news organizations, is its independence. That is baked into every fiber of what this institution is," Sulzberger said.

See also:

Jeff Bezos says this is how he plans to spend the bulk of his fortune

How a cheap plastic camera on a trip to Italy inspired Instagram, according to co-founder Kevin Systrom

Thinx CEO: This is the 'secret sauce' to running a successful e-commerce business in an Amazon worldA woman places her ballot paper in the box during early voting for the mid-term elections in Sylmar, California on November 3, 2018.

California voters on Tuesday rejected a controversial ballot measure known as Proposition 10 that would have expanded local government authority to enact rent-control laws on residential property, according to an NBC News projection.

Opponents of Proposition 10 claimed that the measure would worsen the state's chronic housing crisis and lead to more than 500 local rental boards setting just how much homeowners could charge to rent out their home.

More than $100 million was spent on the fight over Proposition 10, with opponents spending more than $76 million and backers shelling out about $26.2 million, according to state campaign finance records. The real estate industry, including major landlords operating in California, led the fight against the measure by donating significant amounts of money.

A PAC affiliated with the California Association of Realtors contributed about $8 million to fight the ballot measure while more than $5 million apiece came from New York-based real estate private equity firm Blackstone Property Partners, Chicago-based apartment real estate investment trust Equity Residential, and Essex Property Trust, a California-based real estate investment trust.

The proponents of Proposition 10 received most of their money from Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit organization which donated about $23.2 million. Michael Weinstein, president of the foundation, helped lead the effort to get the voter measure on the November ballot.

The ballot measure sought to repeal California's Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law enacted in 1995 that weakened municipal rent control ordinances. The law specifically applied to rental control on single-family homes as well as on all housing built after Feb. 1, 1995.

California's renters typically pay 50 percent more for housing than renters living in other states, according to an analysis by the state's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office. It also found that rents in some parts of the state are more than double the national average.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the liberal Vermont independent and a potential 2020 presidential candidate, supported the ballot measure. He argued that local governments should have the right to set rents to ease the affordable housing crunch and protect tenants against huge rent increases.Surrounded by a small group of family and supporters, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, left, announces she is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, outside the West Perrine Health Center in Miami on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017.

Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has won her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in Florida's 26th District, according to NBC News.

Overall, Democrats won the House on Tuesday night, according to an NBC News projection.

Mucarsel-Powell's expected victory comes against one of just 23 Republican House members who represent a district won in 2016 by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The former secretary of State bested President Donald Trump by more than 16 percentage points in the district represented by Cuban-American Curbelo.

Because of that, Democrats had put a special emphasis on winning the district, which runs from southwest Miami-Dade County down to the Florida Keys.

Mucarsel-Powell, who was born in Ecuador, is a former associate dean at Florida International University who had also worked at nonprofits. Her candidacy got a boost when former President Barack Obama endorsed her.

During the campaign, Mucarsel-Powell highlighted Curbelo's support for a Republican bill last year that sought to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The 26th District has seen increased rates of health-care coverage as a result of Obamacare that have outpaced such gains elsewhere.

But Curbelo had kept the race close, in part by distancing himself from his fellow Republican Trump. Curbelo has said he voted for a third-party candidate in 2016 instead of for Trump.Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is the apparent winner in his bid for a third term, fending off a strong challenge from Republican Matt Rosendale, NBC News reported.

NBC News made the call Wednesday afternoon. The race had been too close to call on election night. Tester survived despite voting no on Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Decisions to vote against the judge doomed some of his red-state Democratic colleagues.

Tester's apparent victory over Rosendale, Montana's state auditor, came despite the surprise move last week by long-shot Libertarian Party nominee Rick Breckenridge to throw his support to the GOP candidate.

The 62-year-old Tester's apparent win would be seen as a rebuke to President Donald Trump. Trump, in his 2016 presidential campaign, had won 50 out of Montana's 56 counties.

The president also singled out Tester, a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee member, for harsh criticism after the senator helped scuttle the nomination of Trump's personal physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But Democrats in Montana painted Rosendale as a carpetbagger, calling him "Maryland Matt."

Rosendale, a Baltimore native and real estate developer, moved to Montana only 16 years ago, while Tester is a third-generation resident of the state.

Tester's apparent victory was announced as Trump was giving a White House news conference. When told of the development, Trump congratulated him, but then said sarcastically, "I'm sure you're very happy.""If we are launching right into investigations, which this could very well lead to when the new Congress comes into session next January, then any sort of attempt or effort for bipartisan, for infrastructure, for market-moving legislation could be thwarted," she told " Closing Bell ."

She said Democrats in the House want to see if they can deliver something legislatively now that they are set to take control in January. Specifically, they want to work with President Donald Trump on infrastructure, said Cantrill, head of public policy for Pimco.

After the midterm elections, there was optimism there would be bipartisan legislation that could help move the stock market, Pimco's Libby Cantrill told CNBC on Wednesday.

The embattled attorney general resigned at the "request" of Trump on Wednesday. Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will serve as acting attorney general. Whitaker will assume oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian election interference and possible collusion by Trump's campaign into that meddling.

Whitaker, who has publicly criticized the Mueller investigation, will have the power to fire the special counsel "for cause."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sessions' "firing" was a "blatant" attempt to undermine the probe. Pelosi is expected to become the speaker of the House in January.

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Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., the anticipated House Judiciary chairman come next year, called for answers. He tweeted Wednesday afternoon: "We will be holding people accountable."

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Dan Clifton, head of policy research at Strategas Research, said he "absolutely" thinks Democrats will work with Republicans to pass bipartisan legislation despite possible investigations.

"It's about timing. We're going to have to pass a budget. We're going to have to raise the debt ceiling. We're forced into that regardless of what's happening in the investigations," he said on Closing Bell."

"At the end of the day, the Democrats are going to have to bring results home so that they can win re-election. They won very tight races in Republican districts to take over the majority."

What interests Ed Mills, policy analyst at Raymond James, is the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. And he's concerned that a possible investigation into Trump may ramp up that rhetoric, he said.

"Trump has a history of whenever there is a series of negative headlines to try to change the subject," he told "Closing Bell." "The one subject that he can absolutely change the press narrative on is doubling down on China."

He also said if Trump ultimately winds up firing Mueller, the market may brush it off.

"One of the things that we see with the Trump administration is that something that seems like the biggest thing today, because Trump goes from crisis to crisis to crisis  we generally move on," Mills said.

"What the market will look at is the deregulatory agenda that is coming out of the Senate and what could actually happen legislatively out of the House.  Anything that's even potentially on that list is more fiscal stimulus."

 CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Dan Mangan contributed to this report.A new cold war is brewing between China and the U.S. if both nations don't take steps toward reconciliation, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned in a speech that painted a bleak picture of the future between the two sides.

In remarks delivered Tuesday, Paulson, who helped guide the nation out of the financial crisis and also served as Goldman Sachs CEO, warned that "big parts of the global economy will ultimately be closed off to the free flow of investment and trade" should the impasse continue.

"And that is why I now see the prospect of an Economic Iron Curtain  one that throws up new walls on each side and unmakes the global economy, as we have known it," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum.

Washington and Beijing have been involved in an increasingly bitter trade battle that has seen the U.S. slap tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. The Trump administration has accused China of stealing American technology and profiting from unfair trade deals. China has bristled at the charges and has put is own duties on U.S. goods.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet at the upcoming G-20 summit in Argentina.

"The U.S.  China strategic interaction is by far the most consequential in the world. I am very sobered by the trajectory we are on now," Paulson said. "And ultimately, I think it could pose a risk to the very functioning of the international system."

He offered recommendations for each side.

On China, he said the nation should "first, do no harm." Beyond that, he said it should work with U.S. allies and partners, open up its historically closed economy, protect intellectual and technological property, and work with the U.S. on its interests, particularly relations with North Korea.

For the U.S., he said the country should turn down the heat on its aggressive rhetoric, reverse its decision to leave the Trans-Pacific Partnership and open up negotiations with China.

"There is no doubt in my mind that how the United States deals with China, and how they deal with us, will shape the geopolitical landscape for this century," Paulson said.

WATCH: This trade deal may be what Trump needs to take on ChinaElon Musk could have saved himself some trouble by taking Tesla private, according to early investor and prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper.

In an interview with CNBC at the Web Summit conference in Lisbon on Tuesday, Draper said Elon Musk made a "human" mistake when he tweeted he had secured funding to take Tesla private in August. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Musk with misleading investors, ultimately costing the company $20 million in settlement fees and Musk his title as Tesla chairman.

"Every human in the world has made a mistake and there are so many laws that you have to follow if you're a public company," Draper said. "He probably should have just taken the whole thing private."

Draper said investors need to be more sympathetic toward Musk, who is leading two "amazing" multi-billion dollar firms, Tesla and SpaceX. Draper, who founded VC firms Draper Associates and DFJ, was an early investor in both of Musk's companies.

"We have to sort of say, hey look, he's a human being, he's doing the best he can," Draper said.

Musk released a blog post at the end of August saying Tesla would remain a publicly traded company, citing resistance from shareholders. Tesla shares have been in upheaval since August, dropping to a 52-week low in early October then rebounding following a stellar third-quarter earnings report. Some analysts have cited Musk's erratic behavior as a concern for the stock.

"This guy's awesome," Draper countered. "Let's do what we can to support him."

Draper has previously defended other embattled tech CEOs like Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Theranos' Elizabeth Holmes. He said products like Tesla are unparalleled in the market and "we are so lucky" to have the creations of entrepreneurs like Musk.

"These guys have really transformed the world and we should just thank them everywhere we go," he said.European stocks moved higher on Wednesday as investors digested the results in the U.S. midterm elections.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended provisionally up by 1.03 percent with every sector in the black. Banks, retail and construction firms were among the top performers.

The FTSE 100 ended provisionally up by 1 percent, Germany's DAX by 0.8 percent, France's CAC by 1.1 percent, and Spain's IBEX by 2.1 percent.

Spanish banking stocks pushed the sector higher after a Supreme Court ruling that banks are not required to pay levies on mortgages, sparing them from potentially having to reimburse billions of euros to borrowers who for years have paid the tax themselves. Banco Sabadell rose 2.4 percent and Caixabank was 4.3 percent higher by the close.

Retail stocks traded higher on the back of earnings news. Delivery Hero rose more than 4 percent on strong third-quarter results. The German sportswear retailer, Adidas fell 3.6 percent, despite raising its profit guidance for the year.

In the U.K., house-builder firm Persimmon announced that its CEO Jeff Fairburn will leave the company at the end of the year. Fairburn said that a scandal related to a $75 million bonus was an ongoing "distraction" that had dented the company's reputation. He will receive the payout.An iPhone with a Facebook logo is seen with a Russian flag in the background in this photo illustration.

Facebook blocked more than 100 Facebook and Instagram accounts with potential ties to a so-called Russian "troll farm" ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, the company said Wednesday.

The firm said it received a tip-off from law enforcement about the accounts, which it says may be linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA), one of the groups that was indicted earlier this year over allegations it interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cyber security policy, said the firm blocked the accounts on Monday night on concerns that they were linked to the Russian state-backed organization, adding that they "engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior, which is banned from our services."

The statement follows a previous announcement from Facebook on Monday, in which the company said it had shuttered 115 accounts  30 of those being Facebook accounts and 85 being Instagram accounts.

"Almost all the Facebook Pages associated with these accounts appear to be in the French or Russian languages, while the Instagram accounts seem to have mostly been in English  some were focused on celebrities, others political debate," Gleicher said in a blog post at the time.

On Tuesday, Facebook's Gleicher said a website purporting to be set up by Russia's IRA published a list of Instagram accounts which they claimed to have created.Jair Bolsonaro, Brazils recently-elected right-wing president, is openly anti-gay. But that isnt stopping activists from campaigning against him.

Marielle Franco, a prominent black, LGBT activist, was shot in Rio de Janeiro in March. Months later, Bolsonaro was elected, and hatred has filtered throughout Brazil, her sister Anielle Franco said, according to AFP.

"Since Sunday we have had so many cases of violence  people who are screaming at each other in the face, hitting people," the 34-year-old told AFP.

Franco said activists, like her sister, wouldnt hide from Bolsonaro.

LGBT organizations are not going to hide, she said. They are going to go to the fight and the frontline and say, we exist."The Florida Senate race  the country's most expensive contest this year and one of its most bitter  was too close to call early Wednesday with a potential recount ahead, according to NBC News projections.

Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott led Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by less than half a percentage point with nearly all votes counted. The margin, if it sticks, would trigger a mandatory recount in the state. It could take until Saturday to determine whether a recount takes place.

Scott piled more than $50 million of his own money into the race. Both sides saturated the airwaves with attacks ads, treating Florida voters to one of the most rancorous races of the 2018 midterms. In their one and only debate, Scott, who is leaving the governor's office because of term limits, slammed Nelson by saying he had accomplished little during his decades in the Senate on issues ranging from the environment to immigration to Cuba relations.

Watch: Florida re-enfranchises more than 1 million former felonsThe former leader of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has told an audience in Lisbon that there is still time to stop a Brexit that will only either be "pointless or painful."

Britain is due to leave the European Union in less than five months, although negotiators representing Britain and the EU have so far failed to agree the terms of withdrawal.

Blair has long opposed Britain's departure from the economic and political bloc and told a Web Summit 2018 audience on Wednesday "up to the very end, I am going to do everything I possibly can to stop it."

The former leader, who led the Labour party which is now in opposition, then outlined how he saw Brexit failing.

First, Blair claimed that U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's deal is going to lead to a parliamentary defeat and that then would trigger either a General Election, a fresh Brexit referendum, or a "no deal" where the U.K. crashes out of the EU and reverts to WTO rules for trade.

Dismissing the last option, Blair then claimed the ruling Conservative Party would be "suicidal" to go the polls.

"Let's assume they're not, they won't want an election. No deal is obviously absurd. I think at least we should have the chance to go back to the people," he said.Pedestrians walk with umbrellas in front of BlackRock Inc offices in New York, U.S.

Prosecutors searched the Munich offices of BlackRock on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the matter said, as part of the country's largest post-war fraud investigation.

The practice being investigated, known as cum-ex, typically involved trading company shares rapidly around a syndicate of banks, investors and hedge funds to create the impression of numerous owners, each of whom was entitled to a tax rebate.

A BlackRock spokesman said the world's biggest fund manager was "fully cooperating with an ongoing investigation relating to cum ex transactions in the period 2007-2011".

BlackRock's inclusion is significant because it oversees more than $6.4 trillion in assets, including company shares which it lends to banks as part of its business.

State prosecutors in Cologne declined to comment on the search of BlackRock, which came as Germany's finance minister, Olaf Scholz, urged Europe to tighten cooperation against abusive tax schemes, after Reuters and other media revealed sham trading deals that cost taxpayers billions of euros.

Numerous banks and investors are already being investigated over the sham trading.

BlackRock's chairman in Germany, Friedrich Merz, who has helped secure its influence in Europe's industrial powerhouse, took his current role in 2016 -- after the period being investigated -- and has condemned illicit dividend stripping.

Merz has taken an early lead in the race to succeed Angela Merkel as leader of Germany's Christian Democrats and secure the chance of running for chancellor as soon as next year.US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh speaks on the second day of his confirmation hearing in front of the US Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on September 5, 2018.

The battle in Congress over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh had consequences that reached far beyond the high court bench, Republicans say.

Senior GOP lawmakers said Wednesday that the politically fraught road to then-nominee Kavanaugh's confirmation galvanized Republicans to show up at the polls for the midterm elections.

Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., both credited the so-called Kavanaugh effect for Republican victories in key Senate races against red-state Democrats.

Graham, in a thread of tweets Wednesday morning, said that the constituents of those Democratic incumbents who voted against Kavanaugh "held them responsible for being part of a despicable smear campaign orchestrated by the left."

The "#KavanaughEffect," Graham said, should be renamed "#KavanaughsRevenge."

Senate Majority Leader McConnell, speaking to reporters about the midterms Wednesday on Capitol Hill, said the Kavanaugh effect was "very helpful."

Republicans in critical states for the party were "highly offended" by the Democrats' conduct during the confirmation proceedings, McConnell said, and the fallout from the process acted "like an adrenaline shot" for GOP turnout.

Multiple Democratic senators in purple or red states who voted against confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court lost their seats Tuesday night.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, who lost to GOP challenger Kevin Cramer, said when she announced her "no" vote that if she were making a purely political decision, "I certainly would be deciding the other way."

After initially completing his confirmation hearings before the Senate, Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct in decades-old incidents by multiple women. Kavanaugh categorically denied the claims and vowed to defend himself under oath before the Judiciary Committee once more.

Some Democrats called for his resignation over the allegations, while many Republicans  especially Graham  leaped to the nominee's defense and launched fiery attacks on Democrats.

"This is going to destroy the ability of good people to come forward because of this crap," Graham told Democrats at the time. "If this is the new norm, you better watch out for your nominees."

Dan Judy, Republican pollster and vice president of North Star Opinion, said, "The fight over Justice Kavanaugh brought the stakes of this election into stark relief, and helped get Republicans motivated behind Senate candidates in ways they weren't before."

Judy added that "opposing Kavanaugh exposed a number of Democrats who were claiming centrist records in very conservative states."

Barbara Kittridge, founder of progressive strategy group Motive, said, "The 'hangover' from the Kavanaugh hearings certainly impacted both Senate and also House races."

Kittridge added, however, that the contentious hearings "clearly drove away female suburban voters from the GOP and that cost them the House. The gender gap is too significant to be ignored."

Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, who called the allegations against Kavanaugh "disturbing and credible," was also unseated Tuesday night by Republican Mike Braun.

Another vulnerable Senate Democrat who voted against Kavanaugh's confirmation, Bill Nelson of Florida, was still locked in a race that was too close to call by Wednesday at noon ET, according to NBC News projections.

After McConnell and Graham made their remarks Wednesday, NBC News reported that Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of red-state Montana was the apparent winner of his race against Republican Matt Rosendale. Tester had also voted against Kavanaugh.

In the wake of the midterms, Graham and McConnell both noted that Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia, which went heavily for President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, had voted "yes" on Kavanaugh and was re-elected.

Graham tweetRep. Greg Gianforte will win re-election for Montana's at-large House seat, defeating Democratic challenger Kathleen Williams, NBC News projects.

Gianforte first took office in June 2017 after winning a special election for the seat.

He made national headlines right before that election when he was cited by police for assaulting Ben Jacobs, a reporter for The Guardian newspaper. Gianforte later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to community service.

President Donald Trump, speaking at a campaign event in Montana last month praised Gianforte, said, "I heard he body-slammed a reporter."

"Anybody that can do body slam, that's my kind of guy," Trump said.National Rifle Association members look over pistols in the Smith & Wesson display at the 146th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on April 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Gun stocks fell slightly on Wednesday after midterm elections divided power in Congress with Democrats winning back the House and Republicans strengthening their grip in the Senate.

The new dynamic means the risk of congressional gridlock is higher, which will help preserve the legislative status quo on gun control.

Shares of American Outdoor Brands Corporation, parent company of Smith & Wesson, were down slightly Wednesday morning. Sturm, Ruger & Co., which sells the Ruger rifles and handguns, was down 1.5 percent. Shares of Utah-based Vista Outdoor, which owns several gun-related brands, were flat.

Shares of both AOBC and Vista Outdoor had briefly rallied earlier Wednesday morning.

Gun control has long been considered an important issue for many voters, fueled by recent high-profile mass shootings in schools, houses of worship and elsewhere.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who could return to her position as House speaker after the new Congress is sworn in, said before the election that Democrats would pursue strengthening background checks on gun purchases if they took back control of the House.

Democrats have historically advocated for tougher gun control, but with pro-gun Republicans controlling the Senate, it will frustrate any attempts to tighten gun laws.

WATCH: Who makes the AR-15 rifle?Hundreds of billions of dollars could be put toward health-care costs every year if a tax was applied to red and processed meat, Oxford University researchers said Wednesday.

A new study from the U.K. university said introducing a health tax on such products would offset health-care costs and prevent more than 220,000 deaths a year globally.

Looking into optimal taxation levels for red and processed meats in nearly 150 countries and regions, researchers concluded that in high-income countries, red meat prices would need to be increased by more than 20 percent, while processed meats would need to more than double in price.

At those levels, the tax would collect $172 billion per year globally, covering 70 percent of the health care costs associated with their consumption. To fully cover those costs, the tax would need to be doubled.

Researchers estimated that in 2020, 2.4 million global deaths will be attributable to the consumption of red and processed meat  as well as a $285 billion health-care bill.

According to the World Health Organization, beef, lamb and pork are carcinogenic when eaten in processed forms, and possibly still carcinogenic when consumed unprocessed. The organization also links them to coronary heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes.

As well as offsetting health-care costs, researchers said their proposed tax could lead to a 16 percent decline in the global consumption of processed meat. Reducing the consumption of processed meat would also have a positive effect on climate change by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by over 100 million tons, it said.

Marco Springmann, who led the study, said an overconsumption of red and processed meat had a negative economic impact on many countries.

"I hope that governments will consider introducing a health levy on red and processed meat as part of a range of measures to make healthy and sustainable decision-making easier for consumers," he said in a press release Wednesday.

"Nobody wants governments to tell people what they can and can't eat. However, our findings make it clear that the consumption of red and processed meat has a cost, not just to people's health and to the planet, but also to the health care systems and the economy."

However, Carrie Ruxton, a public health nutritionist and dietitian, argued that meat consumption had already seen a significant decline in the U.K., adding that red meat provided valuable nutrients to diets.

"A tax on red meat would be a retrograde step, both for overall diet quality in women and girls and for health inequalities," she said in a statement emailed to CNBC.

"There is no high-quality evidence linking red and processed meat with heart disease, stroke or diabetes, and a risk of bowel cancer only applies when weekly intakes exceed 700g. As few people in the U.K. are at this level of consumption, a general meat tax would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Chris Mallon, chief executive of the U.K.'s National Beef Association, told CNBC in an email: "A general meat tax would be an excessive over reaction. Chronic disease prevention would be far more effective if it focused on smoking, excess drinking, and body weight rather than a single food source like meat, which brings many nutritional benefits."

Researchers who worked on the study likened their proposed tax to levies on other products that damage consumers' health, such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar. However, with different laws in different jurisdictions a global meat tax would prove very hard to implement.

In recent years, several nations and states have introduced taxes on sugary soft drinks in an attempt to curb burdens on health systems.

The U.K. introduced a tax on high-sugar soft drinks in 2016, while efforts are being made in California to push through a levy on sugary sodas. While the United Nations has explicitly encouraged the adoption of such taxes, the repealing of a sugar tax in Cook County, Illinois, last year could slow efforts in other cities.

WATCH: Inside the San Francisco lab growing meat in a petri dishPresident Donald Trump was the biggest name not on the ballot for elections Tuesday night, but he still lost  and won  in a number of significant ways.

Nowhere was that clearer in the split result that was on track to expand U.S. Senate control by Trump's fellow Republicans, while flipping control of the House of Representatives to Democrats.

Both outcomes will likely have major effects, positive and negative, on Trump's agenda  and possibly the fate of his presidency.

But the president also Wednesday could see political downside for him in the results from state-level elections. On the other hand, GOP victories in key presidential swing states could bolster Trump's confidence of winning re-election in 2020.

Here's how Tuesday's mixed midterm results could affect Trump.

The House

No result is more damaging for Trump and his agenda than Democrats regaining control of the House.

It puts staunch Trump foe Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on track to return as speaker.

The Democratic victory means the party has effective veto power over legislative initiatives sought by the Trump administration.

To get a bill passed into law, Trump, and Republicans in the Senate and the House, will have to negotiate with Democrats in ways they have not been accustomed to for some time.

In particular, Republicans will be unable, as they tried to do in 2017, to effectively repeal and replace much of the Affordable Care Act, as the Democrat-backed Obamacare law is formally known.

With their regained power, Democrats, who will take over committee chairships, also will be in position to investigate Trump and his administration in a variety of areas that Republicans showed scant interest in examining when they controlled the House.

That includes eyeing the president's campaign contacts with Russians, foreign financial connections to the Trump Organization, Trump's immigration enforcement actions and controversial spending by a number of Cabinet secretaries.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who will become chairman of the Judiciary Committee, pointedly reminded Trump on Tuesday night that "he and his administration will be held accountable."

Tweet

Another big target for Democrats in the House will be Trump's personal income tax returns, which the president, flying in the face of decades of common practice by his predecessors, has refused to make public.

MSNBC reported Tuesday night that Democrats in control of the House Ways and Means Committee plan on requesting Trump's tax returns under a federal law that gives them such power. Sources who spoke with MSNBC said the committee will be willing to go to court to force Trump to comply with a subpoena for his returns if he refuses.

Asked at a news conference Wednesday what he would do if a subpoena is issued for his tax returns, Trump said, "Look, they're under audit, they're extremely complex, people wouldn't understand them."

"People don't understand tax returns," he said. Trump added that he would consider releasing his returns once an audit was completed by the IRS, but "nobody turns over returns when it's under audit."

Trump also warned that if House Democrats inundate his administration with subpoenas, "we're going to do the same thing," and predicted the government would then effectively shut down.

House Democrats now also will have the power to impeach Trump if they choose.

But Pelosi has dumped cold water on that idea, which has been pushed by some Democrats, telling PBS' "News Hour" "that's not what our caucus is about."

The Senate

The fact that Republicans not only retained their majority in the Senate, but will add several seats, was Trump's biggest victory Tuesday night.

That win means Trump will be able to continue nominating, and winning approval for those nominations, of conservatives to the federal judiciary.

While the Senate's recent controversial approval of federal appellate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court received widespread attention, Trump in his first two years had also won approval from the Senate for 83 other nominees to the federal bench.To be among the global top 10 percent, you may not need as much money as you think. According to the 2018 Global Wealth Report from Credit Suisse Research Institute, you don't even need six figures.

A net worth of $93,170 U.S. is enough to make you richer than 90 percent of people around the world, Credit Suisse reports. The institute defines net worth, or "wealth," as "the value of financial assets plus real assets (principally housing) owned by households, minus their debts."

More than 102 million people in America are in the 10 percent worldwide, Credit Suisse reports, far more than from any other country.

You need significantly less to be among the global 50 percent: If you have just $4,210 to your name, you're still richer than half of the world's residents. And it takes a net worth of $871,320 to join the global 1 percent. More than 19 million Americans qualify, Credit Suisse reports.

These numbers reflect the extreme level of persistent wealth inequality. As Credit Suisse puts it, "While the bottom half of adults collectively owns less than 1 percent of total wealth, the richest decile (top 10 percent of adults) owns 85 percent of global wealth, and the top percentile alone accounts for almost half of all household wealth (47 percent)."

The good news is, "there are signs that wealth inequality is no longer rising," Credit Suisse says.

The share of financial assets among many of the richest people and richest countries "peaked in 2015 and has been declining since then. In previous reports, we predicted that wealth inequality would follow suit  possibly with a slight lag  and there is evidence that this is now the case. The share of the top decile and the top 5 percent remains at the same level as in 2016, while the share of the top 1 percent has edged down from 47.5 percent to 47.2 percent according to our best estimate."

It's too early to conclude that wealth inequality is on a downward trend, Credit Suisse reports, but "the prevailing evidence suggests it may well have leveled out, albeit at a very high level."

Don't miss: How much money you need to be part of the 1 percent worldwide

Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube!The Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation are set to invest an extra $250 million in Singapore's ride-hailing firm Grab.



In a statement Wednesday, the Hyundai Motor Group and Grab Holdings said they would also set up a partnership to pilot electrical vehicle (EV) programs throughout Southeast Asia.



The partnership will see Grab, Hyundai and Kia bring stakeholders from the EV sector together to work on improving the adoption of EVs in the region.



A number of projects will be launched, beginning with one in Singapore next year. That pilot will look to use electric vehicles to "maximize cost efficiencies for Grab's driver-partners."



"As home to one of the world's fastest growing consumer hubs, Southeast Asia is a huge emerging market for EVs," Youngcho Chi, the Hyundai Motor Group's chief innovation officer and head of its Strategy and Technology Division, said Wednesday.



"With its unparalleled footprint across the region, and an ever-expanding base of customers and merchants, Grab is an invaluable partner that will help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia," he added.



Founded in 2012, Grab has operations in eight countries across Southeast Asia. Its platform enables users to book a range of services, from taxi rides to food delivery, using their smartphone. The business states that it operates the region's biggest network of environmentally friendly vehicles.



The investment announced Wednesday means that Grab's current fundraising efforts have brought in $2.7 billion. Investors in its current financing round include Microsoft, Toyota and Goldman Sachs Investment Partners.



In August, Grab said it had entered into a strategic partnership with the SP Group that would see 200 new, fast-charging electric vehicles use the major utility's fast-charging network.Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, saw hundreds of thousands marching for equality on Saturday.

Last May, Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage. Almost a year and a half later, a series of votes on gay marriage will open to the public on Nov. 24. They revive the debate on whether same-sex unions should warrant a separate law, but some people say this is discrimination.

The attendees of the Pride march gathered near the Presidents Office to protest the separate law, according to Reuters.

They held signs that said vote for your happy future, and chanted defeat discrimination, Reuters reported.

President Tsai Ing-wen ran on the platform to legalize gay marriage, but activists said he is doing little to act on his promise.

We will use our vote to tell Tsai Ing-wens government that people want marriage equality, march attendee Miao Poya told Reuters.Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) arrives for his arraignment at federal court in San Diego, California, August 23, 2018.

Republican Rep. Duncan D. Hunter will win re-election to a sixth term in California's 50th District, despite being indicted in August on charges of misusing campaign funds, NBC News projects.

The embattled incumbent was accused of "race-baiting" his challenger, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Latino Arab-American.

Hunter was indicted along with his wife by a federal grand jury for allegedly misusing over $250,000 in campaign funds. He had been running neck and neck in polls with Campa-Najjar, who Hunter's campaign claimed was a security risk due to his Palestinian grandfather's connection to the 1972 Munich massacre of members of Israel's Olympics team.

Campa-Najjar raised $1.4 million in the third quarter while the incumbent collected less than $133,000. The district, which President Donald Trump carried by 15 points in the 2016 election, includes portions of San Diego and Riverside counties.

NBC News has projected that the Democrats will take back the House.Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds will come out on top in Iowa's gubernatorial race, holding off a challenge from Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell, NBC News projects.

Reynolds ran on a campaign based on job growth and a strong economy seen during her time in office.

Tuesday's contest was the first time voters elected Reynolds as governor. She replaced former Gov. Terry Branstad last year when he became U.S. ambassador to China.

Along with the gubernatorial race, Iowa also hosted a couple critical House races on Tuesday.Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has declined a request to discuss fake news and data privacy in front of government officials from the U.K. and Canada, officials from those countries said in a signed letter Wednesday. Three more countries are also joining in the call for Zuckerberg to appear.

Late last month, U.K. and Canadian lawmakers called on Zuckerberg to attend a "special joint parliamentary hearing" in London on Nov. 27 for an "international grand committee' on disinformation and fake news." Now, officials from Argentina, Australia and Ireland have joined the call, according to the latest letter, which said Facebook declined the original invitation on Friday.

Facebook shared with CNBC the letter it sent to UK and Canadian lawmakers on Nov. 2 declining the request, but declined to comment further.

The letter, which is signed by Facebook's heads of public policy in the UK and Canada, acknowledges "the seriousness of the Cambridge Analytica issue" and stands by its choice to send senior representatives of the company to confront lawmakers instead of Zuckerberg. Facebook said in the letter it has already submitted written answers to lawmakers' inquiries and given extensive testimony in the UK Parliament.

Tweet.

"We are very disappointed by this dismissive response," the signatories wrote. Zuckerberg should give the 170 million collective users in these countries "the same line of accountability" that they gave users in the U.S. and European Union by showing up to confront lawmakers directly, they said, restating their request for the chief executive to attend the hearing.The world's largest gaming market has the potential to grow even bigger, according to the head of casino giant MGM.

Macau, the gambling haven located in southern China, stands to benefit from the extensive investment being pumped into the Greater Bay Area initiative, James Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, told CNBC on Tuesday. That government-led plan seeks to integrate several cities in the region  including Macau, Hong Kong and Guangzhou  into a giant engine for economic growth.

Just last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping opened a bridge connecting Macau, Hong Kong and Zhuhai, a city in Guangdong province. That new link, experts have projected, could boost the number of tourists visiting the region.

With that, and other investments set for the 11-city region, Murren said Macau "has the potential to be a much larger market."

Despite that projection, Macau has seen significantly slower growth in its gaming revenues over the last two months. Murren told CNBC's Akiko Fujita, however, that's to be expected.

"We've been in Macau for many years now and we've seen a very volatile market in terms of (gaming revenue) growth," he said.

In some cases, the changing fortunes are due to "self-imposed" measures, such as when the Chinese government reduces the number of visas for people entering the city. Another factor he mentioned was September's Typhoon Mangkhut, which temporarily shuttered casinos.

"There's no doubt we're going to see volatility in the monthly numbers," he said.

Macau's growth could also get hit by the ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S., Murren acknowledged, but he described that geopolitical issue as "a small piece of the puzzle."

"It's still the largest gaming market in the world. It will always be that, in my opinion," he said.

MGM Resorts International has two properties in Macau: MGM Macau and the recently opened MGM Cotai.Microsoft wants to work with Congress to establish cybersecurity measures for civilians, the company's president told CNBC Wednesday.

Speaking to CNBC at the 2018 Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, Brad Smith said Microsoft wanted to address the "fundamental question" of safeguarding the population against cyber threats  but he said the outcome of the midterm election would not hinder that mission.

"Most technology issues so far have not been partisan issues," he said. "The big shift has been (that) the era where everyone was just excited about technology has become an era where people are excited and concerned at the same time  and that's not unreasonable."

He explained that concerns ranged from threats to democracy to the role of artificial intelligence in the future of work.

"There are important things we need to address, we need to skill the population to be prepared for a new generation of work, (and) we need to bring broadband to every corner of not just the United states, but every country," Smith told CNBC's Karen Tso.

"I think the Democrats will be interested in some of these things, Republicans will too, so with a little luck (and) a lot of hard work perhaps we can build some bipartisan support."Criticizing "agents of anger determined to divide us," Democratic California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom used his victory speech to make subtle jabs at Republican President Donald Trump.

"It's been a tough two years, but tonight America's biggest state is making the biggest statement in America," Newsom told a crowd of supporters in Los Angeles.

Newsom, 51, California's lieutenant governor since 2011, defeated Republican challenger John Cox for the governorship of the nation's most populous state, according to NBC News. Cox had been endorsed by Trump. Newsom will become the state's 40th governor, succeeding Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who leaves office in January.

"We're saying unmistakably  and in unison  that it's time to roll the credits on the politics of chaos and the politics of cruelty," said Newsom, who is a former mayor of San Francisco. "Now is time for going far and going together. Now is the time for decency, for facts, for trust, and now is the time for truth."

Newsom's victory and comments also come as the political world starts to look ahead to the 2020 race for the White House. The governor-elect has said he isn't interested in running for president, but his name is often mentioned in the mix of possible Democratic hopefuls.

Newsom, who criticized Trump during the gubernatorial campaign, will lead a state with a thriving technology industry but one where the agriculture industry is feeling the impact of the administration's trade war with China. California has the nation's largest agriculture industry but high tariffs from China and others have hurt exports of wine, dairy as well as nuts, cotton and fresh fruit.

California also faces high poverty, homelessness and housing affordability challenges. Still, Newsom will inherit a state with a budget surplus and an unemployment rate as of September of 4.1 percent  the lowest since 1976. The state faced a budget shortfall a decade ago and was on the brink of fiscal meltdown.

"Now is time for going far and and going together," Newsom said. "Now is the time for decency, for facts, for trust, and now is the time for truth. Now is the time for leaders to lead. And to those agents of anger determined to divide us instead of unite us, it's time to pack it up and for you to pack it in."

Newsom has been a backer of the state's controversial sanctuary state laws that are designed to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Cox, a conservative attorney and businessman, railed against California's sanctuary laws during the gubernatorial campaign.

"This isn't a state where...we criminalize diversity; we celebrate diversity," Newsom said. "We don't reject; we protect the most vulnerable."

Newsom made reference to the Trump administration's controversial border policy of separating children from families. "We don't lock kids in cages," Newsom said.

He went on to describe California as a state that cares about the environment, including clean air and water. The state of California is currently suing the federal government over a variety of policies announced by the Trump administration, including some over car emission rules.

The Democrat also boasted that the state is the country's "greatest job creator and the fifth-largest economy in the world."

Through September, California's job growth rate has outpaced the nation since early 2012, on a year-over-year basis. However, job growth is expected to slow in all five of the state's major metropolitan areas in 2019, according to a forecast released last month by Los Angeles-based research firm Beacon Economics.Baltimore, M.D., November 7, 2018  Today, America's longest-running evening business broadcast, "Nightly Business Report  Produced by CNBC," was awarded a 2018 Program Excellence Award by American Public Television (APT), the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation's public television stations.



The Program Excellence Award was given to only three programs this year as part of APT's annual Fall Marketplace event. With more than 7,600 programs in rights, APT's catalog is one of the largest in public media. Since 2002, a select number of programs have been honored each year for their originality, execution, creativity, scope of content and effectiveness in reaching audiences and engaging them on local public television stations.



In March of 2018, CNBC's Bill Griffeth was named co-anchor of Nightly Business Report alongside CNBC's Sue Herera, his one-time anchor partner and most previously, college classmate. Sue has been a co-anchor of the program since 2015.



"We are so honored to receive this recognition from American Public Television. Since CNBC began producing Nightly Business Report in 2013, we have remained steadfast in our mission of providing our broad consumer audience with an actionable understanding of the latest business and market news each day," said Nightly Business Report Executive Producer Rich Carolan. "We could not ask for better, more supportive partners than our distribution partner, APT, our presenting partner, WETA, and the entire public television community. We look forward to many more years together," he added.

Download a photo: here. Photo credit: Ed Shenkman.

For more information contact:



CNBC

Jennifer Dauble

201-735-4721

jennifer.dauble@nbcuni.com



APT

Jamie Haines

617-338-4455.ext 129

Jamie_Haines@APTonline.org

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With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to 410 million homes worldwide, including more than 90 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

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About WETA:

WETA Washington, D.C., is one of the largest producing stations of new content for public television in the United States. WETA productions and co-productions include PBS NewsHour, Washington Week, The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG, Latino Americans, The Italian Americans and documentaries by filmmaker Ken Burns and scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Sharon Percy Rockefeller is president and CEO. More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at www.weta.org.



About American Public Television:

American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation's public television stations. For more than 10 years, APT annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. Founded in 1961, APT features 250 new program titles per year including prominent documentaries, performance, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children's series and classic movies. America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, Rick Steves' Europe, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Television, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, A Place to Call Home, Lidia's Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, AfroPoP and P. Allen Smith's Garden Home are a sampling of APT's programs, and among the most popular on public television. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Approaching its 13th year, CreateTV  featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming  is distributed by American Public Television. APT also distributes WORLD, public television's premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.A large fracking operation becomes a new part of the horizon with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak looming in the background on December 28, 2017 in Loveland, Colorado.

Oil and gas companies with operations in Colorado are seeing their shares jump after voters rejected a ballot proposal that would have placed tough restrictions on drilling in the Centennial State.

Colorado's proposition 112 would have prohibited energy companies from drilling within about half a mile from homes, schools, businesses and water sources. The measure would have cut the state's projected oil and gas output roughly in half by 2023, according to an estimate by S&P Global Platts Analytics.

Shares of Bonanza Creek Energy and Extraction Oil & Gas, two drillers that produce solely from Colorado's Wattenberg Field, surged about 9.5 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively. Shares of PDC Energy, another Wattenberg player, were up nearly 8 percent shortly after the opening bell on Wednesday.

Shares of more diversified drillers with a footprint in Colorado were also higher. Anadarko Petroleum's shares rose 6.5 percent in premarket trading, while Noble Energy's stock price jumped nearly 4 percent.

While Colorado voters rejected Proposition 112, they made Democratic Jared Polis their new governor. Polis campaigned on generating 100 percent of Colorado's electric power from renewable energy sources by 2040.

WATCH: Here's what drives the price of oilDavid McNew | Getty Images

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, continuing their recent slide after surging U.S. crude output hit another record and domestic inventories rose more than expected. In early trade, prices had risen after a report that Russia and Saudi Arabia are discussing whether to cut crude output next year. Then the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that domestic crude inventories rose 5.8 million barrels in the latest week, more than double analysts' expectations. Crude output hit 11.6 million bpd, a weekly record, though analysts will watch to see if monthly data confirms that. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude ended Wednesday's session down 54 cents, or nearly 1 percent, at $61.67, its lowest closing price since mid-March. WTI touched a nearly eight-month low at $61.20 on Wednesday, falling more than 20-percent from its recent high and briefly trading in bear market territory.

"The market has yet to prove that it can hold onto a rally, so the short-term mood is still very negative," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. Brent crude, the global benchmark, were down 13 cents to $72 a barrel by 2:22 p.m. ET. The contract hit $71.36 on Tuesday, near its lowest since Aug. 16. The market has yet to prove that it can hold onto a rally, so the short-term mood is still very negative," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 49 cents to $71.64 a barrel. While Iranian oil exports are expected to fall after U.S. sanctions took effect on Monday, reports from OPEC and other forecasters have indicated the global oil market could have a surplus in 2019 as demand slows. Russia and Saudi Arabia, the top producers in an OPEC-led alliance, started bilateral talks on a return to production cuts next year, Russia's TASS news agency reported, citing an unnamed source. In June, the producer group decided to relax output curbs in place since 2017, after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.An airliner comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in London, Aug. 11, 2014.

Passengers on flights to London's Heathrow Airport were delayed due to runway lighting problems, travelers complained on Twitter Wednesday.

One traveler @TomPodolec said his flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York had to return to the gate after reaching the runway.

Tweet: Passengers on British Airways flights in New York, Seattle and Boston being told their flights can not depart due to issues at London Heathrow Airport; possibly runway lighting problem. #BA116 at JFK returned to gate after reaching runway. Airborne flights seem unaffected.

Heathrow Airport confirmed there was "a technical issue with the lighting system for the airport's runways," and warned that flights may be canceled or delayed in the morning.

"We have activated our contingency plans and both runways are currently open and operational, although we anticipate there will be some delays at the airport throughout this morning," the airport said in an email to CNBC.

"We are working to fix this issue as quickly as possible," it said.

"Stuck on a @britishairways plane on runway at @JFKairport," tweeted another passenger, ShaanKhan.

Tweet: Stuck on a @britishairways plane on runway at @JFKairport because #Heathrow in complete shut down. All flights diverted. #chaos #completehysteria

"We recommend that all customers travelling with us today check ba.com before they leave home, after a Heathrow Airport lighting fault this morning caused a delay to flights from all airlines," Heathrow told CNBC via email.

"Contingency plans were quickly activated to keep the airfield open, and we plan to operate a full schedule today."

Heathrow Airport apologized to passengers in a tweet, asking travelers affected to check their flight status.

Tweet: We're currently investigating and working to fix a technical issue with the lighting system for the runways. Please check your flight status with your airlines before travelling to the airport: https://bit.ly/2zhmMco . We're sorry for the impact this will have on our passengers.

Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport, with a daily average of 213,668 passengers in 2017. The number of passengers that came through Heathrow last year came up to 78 million, according to the airport.

The airport services 81 airlines and 204 destinations in 85 countries. New York's JFK Airport is one of its most popular destinations, Heathrow's website said.

WATCH: Heat waves to disrupt airplanes' ability to take off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.



The boss of Britain's second-biggest housebuilder Persimmon is to step down after the board said criticism of his multi-million pound bonus was a continuing distraction that had hit the company's reputation.

Jeff Fairburn was the highest paid FTSE-100 chief executive in the financial year ending 2017, receiving 47.1 million pounds ($62 million), more than 20 times his pay in 2016, largely due to a long-term incentive plan dating back to 2012.

His total bonus package was originally worth around 100 million pounds, dependent on the firm's share price, but was scaled back earlier this year to roughly 75 million pounds in the face of media criticism.

He had hoped to draw a line under the issue with plans to also set up a charitable trust.

But just a few weeks ago, Fairburn hit the headlines again after refusing to answer questions from a journalist about the size of his pay packet.

"It is clearly now in the best interests of Persimmon that I should step down," he said.Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, stands for a photograph inside the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Mound House, Carson City, Nevada, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013.

Republican Dennis Hof, a Nevada brothel owner and former reality TV star who died last month, was elected Tuesday to a legislative seat representing a rural southern portion of the state, according to The Associated Press.

Hof was elected to the Assembly District 36, beating Democratic challenger Lesia Romanov, an educator. State law allows county officials to appoint another Republican to fill the vacancy. The district is located in three counties, Clark, Lincoln and Nye, so three candidates could be identified before a final selection is determined.

At one time, Hof owned a half dozen legal brothels in the state. The 72-year-old's death took place after officials had already mailed ballots. He had been backed in the election by Roger Stone, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, and anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist.

Hof, who had starred in the HBO adult reality series "Cathouse," was found dead Oct. 16 at his Love Ranch brothel about an hour outside Las Vegas. His body was discovered by porn legend Ron Jeremy and a prostitute at the brothel.

He died last month, hours after a combination campaign rally and birthday party, where he was joined by Jeremy, Norquist and immigration hardliner Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who was convicted of criminal contempt of court but pardoned by Trump.

Hof said earlier this year that Trump's victory in 2016 helped inspire him to run for office this year.New Hampshire's Republican Gov. Chris Sununu will win re-election, NBC News projected, fending off Democrat Molly Kelly, who emerged as a serious threat to the incumbent in the campaign's final days.

Sununu had narrowly defeated Colin Van Ostern in the 2016 contest that sent him to the governor's mansion. But the incumbent, whose father John Sununu also served as governor, was strongly favored to win this year.

While polls of the race routinely put Sununu ahead of Kelly by double digits, the gap between the two narrowed as the election neared. On the eve of the vote, a University of New Hampshire poll found that an 11-point gap favoring Sununu in October had evaporated in just one month.

Kelly, a former state senator, ran on a liberal platform promising to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, slap new regulations on business to protect workers, and reinstate net neutrality. Sununu, on the other hand, has called himself a supporter of President Donald Trump  although he has criticized Trump as governor of a state that narrowly voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Democrats are eager to seize back as much power as possible after that election, when Republicans took control of the White House, both houses of Congress and the majority of governors.

Many of the gubernatorial elections were viewed as proxies for voters' feelings about Trump, whose polarizing brand of politics appeared to galvanize turnout on both sides of the aisle compared with previous election cycles.

New Hampshire and Vermont are the only two states where governors face re-election every two years. Vermont's governor, Republican Phil Scott, was also elected in 2016 and is defending his seat against Democrat Christine Hallquist.



Republican Rep. Kristi Noem will become governor of South Dakota, defeating Democratic state Sen. Billie Sutton after one of the tightest gubernatorial contests of the cycle, NBC News projects.

It's a boost for Republicans, who are hoping to entrench their majority of governorships nationwide. The two candidates remained within striking distance until the very end.

Noem, who has served in Congress since 2011, entered into the race for governor just six days after winning her most recent election. Her candidacy drew attention from the White House, which dispatched Vice President Mike Pence to South Dakota in the campaign's final days.Salesforce CEO and billionaire Marc Benioff is working to solve the homeless problem in San Francisco, and he wants to improve the city's transportation system too.

To do it, Benioff asked Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk for help from his infrastructure building business, The Boring Company.

Benioff tweeted the request on Tuesday, saying San Francisco will need rapid transportation from downtown to surrounding suburbs and other cities, including Los Angeles.

Elon @elonmusk can you & @boringcompany help us in San Francisco? We will have a cool new transit center soon, but we need rapid transportation from Downtown to the Ocean, Marin Country, East Bay, San Jose, & LA. Bullet train too far away! Can you do it?

Musk responded: "Sure, we can do it."

Sure, we can do it

The Boring Company is currently digging a test tunnel that could eventually lead to a network of tunnels in Los Angeles (likely for mass transit, pedestrians, cyclists and cars, Musk has said) in order to ease traffic.

The first 2-mile test tunnel in Hawthorne, California, where Tesla and SpaceX have offices, cost $10 million per mile to build and is set to have an opening party Dec. 10, according to Musk.

The Boring Company does not have any projects "in progress" in the San Francisco area, a spokesperson tells CNBC Make It. But it would "be excited to develop fast, sustainable and affordable public transportation options for San Francisco," the company spokesperson says.

On Nov. 3, Musk tweeted a video showing The Boring Company's progress.

Walked full length of Boring Co tunnel under LA tonight. Disturbingly long. On track for opening party Dec 10. Will be very one-dimensional.

Video of the tunnel

Though Musk often features his tunneling venture  and the associated branded paraphernalia he's sold  on his Twitter account, he has said the majority of his time is spent working on Tesla and SpaceX.

"The Boring Company, to be clear, it's like literally 2 percent of my time. It's probably 20 percent of my tweets, but tweets do not correlate to actual time spent. I sort of just have fun with The Boring Company," said Musk at the South by Southwest tech conference in Austin, Texas, in March.

Musk would actually have preferred that another entrepreneur take on tunneling.

"It's not because of some epiphany that I had one day driving on the 405," he says, referring to a famously congested highway in Los Angeles. "That's how it gets translated somehow. I was talking about tunnels for years and years, for probably five years or four years at least.When all the ballots are counted, Democrats are likely to pick up over 30 seats in the House and take control of the chamber. Democrats handily won Independents, white college educated women, non-whites and younger voters. Exceeding expectations, Republicans could see a net gain of three Senate seats. A strong economy buoyed Republican victories in the Senate and blunted losses in the House. Fully 68 percent of voters in last night's exit poll reported the economy was excellent or good and 60 percent of those voters supported Republicans.

The 116th Congress is likely to be the most gender and ethnically diverse in history and even though the final House tally is undetermined at this hour, divided government is a certainty.

As the country looks to the future, here are six things we know:

1. The 2018 midterm election was the sixth change election of the last seven elections. The parties showed they are as polarized as ever, delivering a Democratic House and a larger Republican Senate.

2. Democratic control of the House and the upcoming contest for the democratic nomination for president will likely move the party further to the left.

3. Make no mistake about it, the 2020 presidential election has already begun with Democratic hopefuls already jockeying for support among the Democratic faithful. The 2020 Democratic primary will be protracted due to the fact that Democrats removed super delegates and they have no winner-take-all states.

4. Trump's coalition in Congress is now stronger due to more conservatives in the Senate and fewer suburban Republicans in the House.

5. Trump will embrace and benefit from the Pelosi-led House. The base of the Democratic party will demand aggressive investigations and possibly impeachment.

6. Trump's positions on issues like trade and immigration will only harden, given his success in Senate elections.

Republican strategist Sara Fagen is a partner at DDC Public Affairs. Previously, she served as the White House Political Director for President George W. Bush. During her years in the White House, Fagen was involved in helping enact President Bush's most significant legislative accomplishments including tax, education and Medicare reform. She also served on the confirmation teams for Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito.

Doug Sosnik is a former political advisor to President Bill Clinton.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.Democrats seized control of the House on Tuesday from the Republican Party in a suburban revolt that saw more than two dozen seats flip from red to blue. But the outcome stopped short of the "blue wave" victory that many Democrats had been hoping for.

With the Republicans retaining control of the Senate, the mixed verdict reflected the deep divide in the American electorate.

Republicans retained their House seats in blue-collar and rural districts where President Donald Trump's aggressive talk on immigration played well. But Democrats wrested control of seats from the GOP in suburban districts where college-educated voters rejected Trump's warnings of a migrant "invasion."

A record number of women ran for Congress, many of them Democrats. Overall, women voters favored congressional Democratic candidates  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago. In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

As of Wednesday morning, some 14 races were too close to call, leaving the Democrats holding a 28-seat majority. Democrats have won 222 and the Republicans 199, with winners undetermined in 14 races, according to NBC News.

The road to a House majority ran through a few dozen districts that included suburban regions that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.It's unclear what countries he was referring to, but the Trump administration has tried to strike trade deals with China and the European Union. It was also not immediately apparent whether he was signaling a hope to work with Democrats, whom he falsely attacked as dangerous socialists in recent weeks ahead of the midterms.

In a tweet Wednesday morning, the president said he "received so many Congratulations from so many on our Big Victory last night, including from foreign nations (friends) that were waiting me out, and hoping, on Trade Deals." He added: "Now we can get back to work and get things done!"

Democrats won back a House majority in Tuesday's elections, giving the party critical power to investigate the president and his Cabinet members, according to NBC News projections. At the same time, according to NBC, the GOP gained seats in the Senate , assuring split control of government and the necessity for at least some bipartisan cooperation.

President Donald Trump declared victory on the morning after the midterm election, even though his Republican Party saw mixed results that bring the most peril he has ever faced in his political career.

In a subsequent tweet, he claimed that "those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well" while those who did not can "say goodbye!" Trump endorsed numerous candidates across the House and Senate battlefields this year, but those individuals saw mixed results on Tuesday. Some members of Congress who embraced the president and almost always voted with him still lost their seats.

Trump tweet

Later, he took another jab at his one of his favorite targets, the news media.

Trump fake news tweet

Democrats will mount opposition to many pieces of Trump's agenda, including efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and to cut regulations and taxes.

Many populist Democrats have aligned with at least some of the president's trade proposals, which could drive his optimism about reaching agreements. Bipartisan lawmakers have joined with Trump in calling for new deals that will better protect American workers and punish countries such as China for alleged unfair practices.

However, Republicans and Democrats alike have criticized the president for a mounting exchange of tariffs with Beijing that has threatened to damage the U.S. economy. The White House has already slapped tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese goods,and could levy duties on an additional $257 billion in imports.

Outside of trade, the president could seek to find common ground with Democrats on issues such as immigration, drug prices and infrastructure. Still, they have failed to reach a consensus on those policy areas so far during Trump's presidency.

And then there's the question of how vigorously House Democrats led by Trump nemesis Nancy Pelosi will pursue investigations of the president and members of his administration. The president tried to deter Democrats on Wednesday morning, contending that his administration "will likewise be forced to consider investigating them" for what he claims are "leaks of Classified Information, and much else at the Senate level" if House panels probe his conduct.

He threatened: "Two can play that game!"

Trump tweet

Stay tuned.President Donald Trump can hang his hat on gaining Republican seats in the Senate in Tuesday's midterm voting, while celebrity foes Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey had a "bad night," according to political policy analyst Chuck Gabriel.

"The president had a very good night" on the Senate side, Gabriel told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on the morning after the election. However, Trump faces a tough two years ahead, trying to work with Democrats who took control of the House. The result of divided power on Capitol Hill played out as expected; no huge surprises like in 2016 when Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In the Senate, Republicans were set to add to their 51-49 majority. As of early Wednesday morning, the exact numbers remained up in the air with races in Florida, Arizona and Montana too close to call, according to NBC News.

In Montana, Republican Matt Rosendale was trying to flip the seat held by Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who's seeking a third term.

"That would be a cherry on top for Republicans if they win the Tester seat. They unfortunately lost Mr. Heller's seat in Nevada," Gabriel said, referring to GOP incumbent Sen. Dean Heller losing to Democrat Jacky Rosen.

The closely watched Tennessee Senate race, in which Swift backed Democrat Phil Bredesen, was held for Republicans by Marsha Blackburn. Running on her record as a congresswoman, Blackburn fended off a tough competitor with the pop star in his corner for the seat vacated by retiring longtime Republican Bob Corker.

Last month, the generally apolitical Swift endorsed two Tennessee Democrats in her home state, including Bredesen, in a surprising Instagram post that sent voter registrations soaring. Swift also endorsed incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper who won re-election.

Meanwhile, Winfrey was strongly advocating and campaigning for Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams who was trailing GOP challenger Brian Kemp in a vote that was considered too close to call. Winfrey on Monday night shot back at "racist robocalls" impersonating her to attack Abrams.

"Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey ... had a bad night," said Gabriel, president of Capital Alpha Partners.President Donald Trump points to a questioner during a news conference following Tuesday's midterm U.S. congressional elections at the White House in Washington, November 7, 2018. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

His words of self-celebration signal one thing, his actions another: that President Trump knows he is in big trouble. After American voters hit the brakes on his administration by flipping the House to Democratic control, Trump called a White House news conference to insist he had won "almost a complete victory." That referred to GOP gains in the Senate, which remains in his party's control thanks to victories in conservative states he had won handily in 2016. And then he made plain he understands viscerally what he has lost. That triumphal news conference turned into an unsettling 90-minute sojourn through Trump's psyche. Casting himself as a pitiable victim of hostile media coverage, he blew up at reporters whose questions pained him in ways unseen in the modern-day White House.

He berated one correspondent as the "enemy of the people," sending an aide to snatch away the microphone used to ask him a question. He ordered another to sit down. He told a third  an African-American who asked about white supremacy in light of his race-based appeals to white voters  that she had asked "a racist question." If that didn't demonstrate discomfort enough, Trump went on to outline a fantasy alternative to the rebuke voters actually delivered him on Election Day. He said the results indicated that voters like him, even though a solid majority of them told exit pollsters they disapprove of his presidency. He suggested he had bested President Obama, who campaigned for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, because the Republican had won. (NBC News had yet to make a call in the race as of Thursday morning.) Trump ascribed Democratic House gains to extraneous factors  superior fund-raising, retirement decisions by Republican incumbents  rather than the anvil his divisive presidency hung around the necks of GOP members in suburban districts. He openly mocked members who tried to survive by distancing themselves from him, calling them out by name and adding sarcastically, "too bad." That offered a bitter refresher course in his self-absorption for Republican members who have shielded his scandal-tarred presidency from oversight while they pursued shared economic goals of tax-cuts. "It disgusts me that he did that," retiring GOP Rep. Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania texted me during the press conference. "I'm so angry about it i can't even begin to speak." Costello concluded: "Those members that lost deal with hell for two years  because of him." As a result, Trump has lost his shield. Among the first actions House Democrats took on election night was to confirm they will exercise their rights to demand the president's tax returns from the Internal Revenue Service  a step Republicans refused to take.President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed credit for falling oil prices, glossing over market forces that knocked crude futures from four-year highs last month.

Trump also appeared to hint that his administration may not tighten sanctions on Iran's oil exports if crude prices start rallying again, saying the measures will "maybe" get tougher.

The president did not clearly elaborate on why he deserves credit for the pullback in oil markets, but he linked falling prices to his disdain for the 15-nation OPEC cartel and his administration's Iran policy.

The Trump administration on Friday announced it would grant sanctions waivers to eight countries, which allow them to continue importing Iranian crude for 180 days without fear of reprisal from the United States. The Trump administration restored sanctions on Iran, OPEC's third-biggest oil producer, on Monday.

"I gave some countries a break on the oil," Trump said during a lengthy, wide-ranging press conference the day after Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections. "I did it a little bit because they really asked for some help, but I really did it because I don't want to drive oil prices up to $100 a barrel or $150 a barrel, because I'm driving them down."

"If you look at oil prices they've come down very substantially over the last couple of months," Trump said. "That's because of me. Because you have a monopoly called OPEC, and I don't like that monopoly."

Oil prices have tumbled as much as 20 percent from four-year highs on Oct. 3. However, the decline since Trump officials first announced the waivers on Friday has been significantly smaller  about 1 percent for international benchmark Brent crude and 3 percent for U.S. crude.

Much of the losses in the oil market over the past five weeks correlate to a sell-off in global markets that saw investors dump risk assets including crude oil futures. During the October swoon, the posted its worst monthly drop in seven years.

Another factor that took the froth out of the oil market last month was the growing consensus that global oil consumption will not expand as much as previously anticipated. Forecasters are knocking down their projections for oil demand due to concerns about global economic growth because of Trump's trade dispute with China and currency weakness in emerging markets.

Trump can claim some credit for the third factor behind the oil price pullback. Output from Saudi Arabia, Russia and other crude-exporting nations is on the rise, and analysts generally believe that's in part because the Trump administration asked the Saudis to pump more oil to offset the impact of sanctions on Iran.

OPEC and its oil market allies were also concerned that rising prices would shrink demand for oil. That's another reason the producers agreed to increase output earlier this year, partly reversing a policy of limiting supply. That policy, in place since 2017, helped end a historic oil price collapse that punished U.S. energy companies and oil-exporting nations alike.

While Trump frequently criticizes OPEC publicly, his administration actually depends on the cartel to offset the impact of its Iran policy. Specifically, Trump relies on top exporter Saudi Arabia to leverage its influence over other OPEC members to increase output and prevent oil prices from spiking as Iran's exports dwindle.

In fact, oil market analysts broadly view Trump's decision to restore sanctions on Iran as a major catalyst for higher crude costs.Embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the "request" of President Donald Trump on Wednesday after more than a year of public criticism from the president. Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will serve as acting attorney general, Trump announced. Whitaker also will assume oversight of the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and possible collusion by Trump's campaign in that meddling, according to the Justice Department. Whitaker, who has publicly criticized the Mueller investigation, by law can serve as acting AG for a maximum of 210 days. He will have the power to fire Mueller "for cause" as outlined under rules governing the special counsel's office, if such cause is found.

A Twitter post showing Matthew Whitaker weightlifting. Source: Matt Whitaker via Twitter.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein up till now has had oversight over the Mueller probe, as a result of Sessions' move to recuse himself from the investigation in 2017. Sessions, 71, had been repeatedly blasted by Trump for his recusal. Trump has said that moment opened the door to special counsel Mueller's probe, which the president has repeatedly called a "witch hunt." Sessions' resignation was expected to happen sometime after Tuesday's midterm elections, particularly given the drumbeat of the president's repeated criticism of the attorney general.

Bob Woodward's recently published book about the Trump administration, "Fear," says that the president had called Sessions "mentally retarded" and a "dumb southerner." Trump has publicly claimed, "I said neither" about Sessions. "I don't have an attorney general," Trump told The Hill in an interview with that news site in September. But the abruptness of the move, less than 24 hours after the close of the polls Tuesday, stunned Trump's closest allies both inside and outside of the White House. "I didn't know this was coming, especially so soon after the midterms," one source said on the condition of anonymity. Tweet Hours before the resignation was announced, Trump was asked about Sessions' future in the administration. "I'd rather answer that at a little bit different time," the president responded. Trump's press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said the White House received a resignation letter from Sessions earlier Wednesday and Trump accepted it. Sessions' letter to Trump, which is not dated, begins by saying, "At your request, I am submitting my resignation."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Getty ImagesUS President Donald Trump speaks during a post-election press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2018.

President Trump said on Wednesday that he's open to working across the aisle with Democrats to regulate social media.

In a lengthy press conference a day after the midterm elections that saw the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, Trump was asked if social media companies were unfairly censoring conservative voices and if he would work with the opposition party to rein in their power.

"Believe it or not, I'm really one that really likes free speech," Trump told reporters. "A lot of people don't understand that. When you start regulating, a lot of bad things can happen. But I would certainly talk to the Democrats if they want to do that. And I think they do want to do that."

Congress has been debating potential regulations of Facebook, Twitter and Google since the 2016 election, when foreign governments attempted to influence the results through divisive posts on various social media platforms. Several tech executives, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey have testified as to how they're handling the ongoing risks of election meddling.

Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., has proposed several options to regulate social media companies and stop the spread of disinformation, including enacting privacy regulations, similar to those being imposed in Europe.

However, Trump warned it would be a balancing act between protecting free speech and finding adequate legal boundaries for social media companies. The president has said that social media companies are biased against conservative users and voices.

"I think it's a serious problem," Trump said. "At the same time, you start getting into speech. It's a very dangerous problem."

WATCH: Government should not be part of social media speech regulationsPresident Donald Trump's new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, will oversee special counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

"The Acting Attorney General is in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice," a spokeswoman for the department said Wednesday when asked if Whitaker would oversee Mueller's investigation.

Trump announced in a pair of tweets minutes earlier on Wednesday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions would be replaced by Whitaker, who was Sessions' chief of staff at the Justice Department. Sessions had resigned at Trump's "request," according to his resignation letter.

Trump tweet 2

In a statement, Whitaker said he was "committed to leading a fair Department with the highest ethical standards":

"It is a true honor that the President has confidence in my ability to lead the Department of Justice as Acting Attorney General. I am committed to leading a fair Department with the highest ethical standards, that upholds the rule of law, and seeks justice for all Americans. I will work with our colleagues in Federal, State, local, and tribal leadership, including our partners in law enforcement and our U.S. Attorneys, to ensure the safety of all Americans and the security of the nation. Attorney General Sessions has been a dedicated public servant for over 40 years. It has been a privilege to work under his leadership. He is a man of integrity who has served this nation well."

It was not immediately clear how the staffing change will impact Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is currently overseeing the Mueller probe. At about 3:45 p.m. ET, NBC reported that Rosenstein was headed to the White House for a "previously scheduled meeting."

Whitaker argued in an August 2017 op-ed for CNN that Mueller's investigation is "dangerously close to crossing" the so-called red line not to look into the Trump family's finances.

"It does not take a lawyer or even a former federal prosecutor like myself to conclude that investigating Donald Trump's finances or his family's finances falls completely outside of the realm of his 2016 campaign and allegations that the campaign coordinated with the Russian government or anyone else," Whitaker wrote in the piece.

"That goes beyond the scope of the appointment of the special counsel."

Less than a month earlier, Whitaker had defended Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., for accepting a meeting at Trump Tower in June 2016 with Russian officials who had promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign.

"You would always take that meeting," Whitaker said on CNN.

Whitaker, 49, is a former U.S. attorney in Iowa who ran for political office as a Republican. The National Association of Former United States Attorneys announced in October 2017 that Whitaker had been appointed as Sessions' chief of staff.

In 2014, Whitaker chaired the Iowa State Treasurer campaign of Sam Clovis, who became a campaign aide for Trump in the 2016 election. Clovis had reportedly discussed Russian relations with George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign foreign policy aide who pleaded guilty in October 2017 to lying to the FBI as part of the Mueller probe. Clovis has met with Mueller's team as well, The New York Times reported.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Clovis said, "I'm not gonna talk to you today, sorry," before hanging up.

Sessions had been a frequent target of Trump's ire since he recused himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin.

Trump has also criticized Rosenstein. "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director!" Trump said in a June 2017 tweet, shortly after the special counsel was appointed.

Trump tweet

The special counsel declined CNBC's request for comment on Sessions.

Sessions' resignation came less than 24 hours after most polls closed in the midterm elections. Democrats won majority control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate.

The announcement spurred an avalanche of statements from lawmakers of both major parties. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who appears likely to become chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said "Whitaker and any nominee must commit" to protecting Mueller and the independence of the Justice Department.

Schiff tweet

The timing is especially significant given that the new session of Congress with a Democrat-led House will not begin until Jan. 3, 2019.

We are "not likely to have any meaningful congressional oversight in the next 60 days," said William Heffernan, law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

When Democrats do assume control of the House, they will also take leadership positions in the House committees  including the House Judiciary Committee, where Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., currently serves as top Democrat.

He is expected to chair the committee, and Heffernan said that "at that point, Nadler will surely subpoena Whitaker."

In a statement Wednesday, Nadler urged immediate action. "The firing of Jeff Sessions will be investigated and people will be held accountable. This must begin immediately, and if not, then a Democratic Congress will make this a priority in January," Nadler said.

Nadler tweet

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called on Whitaker to recuse himself, citing "his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation."

Pelosi tweetU.S. production is up a stunning 2 million barrels a day from the same period last year, and 400,000 barrels from the week earlier, based on weekly U.S. government data. Weekly numbers are often revised, but the higher production figure is in line with growing U.S. output expectations. The U.S. government expects October production was 11.4 million barrels a day and expects production can grow to 12.1 million barrels a day on average next year.

Oil prices have cratered amid concerns of a global supply glut, and the jump in U.S. output to a point where it is now surpassing Russia, in addition to Saudi Arabia, only adds to these concerns. West Texas Intermediate futures are now down 20 percent from the near four-year high reached on Oct. 3.

U.S. oil production jumped to a record 11.6 million barrels a day last week, and rising U.S. output is a factor that could prompt OPEC members and allies to react when they meet over the weekend.

"US crude oil production was recorded at a new record high, and the largest in the world by far, moving ahead of Russia and closer to the level Saudi Arabia might be able to reach in another six months," wrote Citigroup energy analyst Eric Lee.

OPEC's Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee will meet this weekend in Abu Dhabi, ahead of next month's broader meeting in Vienna, and production levels are expected to be discussed. Saudi Arabia, de facto leader of OPEC, and Russia had agreed to raise production ahead of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, and the joint committee could decide to recommend lowering production.

The committee could make a recommendation that would be acted on at OPEC's December meeting. Reuters quoted sources saying OPEC and its allies could not rule out a return to production cuts next year.

Helima Croft, head of RBC global commodities strategy, said there's been increasing talk that OPEC and Russia are concerned about supply and may want to cut because they front loaded production ahead of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, which went into effect Monday.

President Donald Trump had called on Saudi Arabia to use its surplus capacity to add oil to the market ahead of the sanctions. Trump this week said he didn't want the Iran sanctions to drive oil prices higher. "If you're the Saudis and you are concerned, you have to figure out how far you can let this go," Croft said. "They did all of Trump's heavy lifting for him. They rushed in to put all the barrels on the market in anticipation of a U.S. policy."

U.S. production has surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia. Analysts say Russian production is about 11.4 million barrels a day, and Saudi Arabia production is up to abut 10.7 million barrels, after it upped production to compensate for the potential of Iran barrels coming off the market.

Prior to early October, oil prices had been rising as Venezuela supply continued to dwindle and Iranian barrels came off the market. West Texas Intermediate crude futures topped out at $76.90 in early October. Croft estimates there are about 1 million barrels of Iranian oil removed from the market daily.

Croft said the market has been overly negative about supply, and is underestimating the effect of U.S. sanctions because the U.S. granted some buyers of Iranian crude exemptions. For instance, China has a waiver allowing it to temporarily purchase 360,000 barrels of Iranian oil. But China is cutting back its purchases, while analysts had expected China to continue buying Iranian oil and even add to its purchases.

John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital, said he expects OPEC to take some action to stem a possible new supply glut, now that the U.S. election is over.

"Some in OPEC are blaming Russia and Saudi Arabia for a $15 fall in the oil price and are calling on them to cut production by 1 million barrels a day immediately, " said Kilduff. "There's going to be some fireworks at this meeting. The price fall over the last four weeks has been so swift and dramatic that it's definitely getting their attention."Mike Pompeo (L) shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in this undated image in Pyongyang, North Korea.

A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials set for Thursday in New York has been postponed and will be rescheduled "when our respective schedules permit," the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.

In a statement, it added, "Ongoing conversations continue to take place," but did not elaborate.

"The United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the Singapore summit in June," it said.

The exact reason for the postponement was unclear.

Pompeo had been due to hold talks with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which were hoped to have opened the way for a second summit of the two countries' leaders and make progress on denuclearization.

The meeting agenda had been to "discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea, the State Department had said this week.

The June meeting of President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in Singapore was the first summit meeting of an incumbent U.S. president and a North Korean leader.

At that meeting, Kim Jong Un, who seeks relief from tough U.S.-led sanctions, committed to work toward denuclearization, but his steps since have fallen short of U.S. demands for irreversible moves to abandon a weapons program that potentially threatens the United States.[The stream is slated to start at 11:30 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]

President Donald Trump is set to hold a press conference Wednesday at the White House, where he is expected to take a victory lap even after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives.

Trump said in a tweet Wednesday morning that he will be "discussing our success in the Midterms" at the presser.

While Democrats won back a majority of the 435 seats in the House, Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, where they already boasted a slim but controlling share of the 100 spots.

The shift in power in Congress away from total Republican dominance gives Democrats newfound powers to investigate Trump and his Cabinet through various House committees, including the Ways and Means Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who is poised to replace GOP Rep. Devin Nunes as the head of the Intelligence Committee, said on the eve of the elections that among his top priorities as chairman would be reviving the panel's probe of Russian meddling during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

In a slew of tweets Wednesday morning, Trump took credit for the GOP's successes in the midterms and vowed to retaliate against potential investigative efforts against him by Democrats in the House.

Trump tweet 1

Trump tweet 2

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is scheduled to speak after Trump's remarks on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters earlier, "We had a very good day. I'm proud of what's happened. The president was very helpful to us."

The president had doggedly supported many key races in the midterms, regularly tweeting out endorsements for swaths of House and Senate candidates and traveling across the country to host dozens of raucous rallies in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

His attacks against Democrats, often inaccurate, were even more aggressive.

Trump accused Democrats writ large of pining for a socialist takeover of the country in an attempt to reshape America in the image of Venezuela. He latched onto a caravan of mostly Honduran migrants traveling to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in service of his argument that "open borders" Democrats posed a national security threat. And he repeatedly attacked individual Democratic candidates with incendiary language, calling Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum a "thief" without evidence and saying California Rep. Maxine Waters, one of Trump's most ardent critics in Congress, was a "low IQ" person.

The president also kept up his attacks on the media throughout the election cycle. On the morning after Election Day, Trump said for "any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words - FAKE NEWS!"

Trump tweet 3Democratic candidate for governor Tony Evers speaks at a rally Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Milwaukee.

Democrat Tony Evers is the apparent winner of Wisconsin's gubernatorial election, denying Republican Gov. Scott Walker a third term, NBC News projects.

The 67-year-old education official triumphed in a state President Donald Trump narrowly won only two years ago. Evers' win represents at least a temporary shift away from President Donald Trump's GOP in Wisconsin.

Evers, along with many Democrats across the country, made health care his top campaign issue.

He hammered Walker for his support of repealing the Affordable Care Act and potentially jeopardizing insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

Walker repeatedly promised to shield insurance coverage for those residents of his state, despite his government's support for a lawsuit challenging Obamacare's constitutionality.

Walker, a conservative stalwart who took on public employee unions, was one of the several Republicans who fell to Trump in the 2016 GOP primary.US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks as US President Donald Trump looks on during a 'Make America Great Again' rally at the Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Kentucky, on October 13, 2018.

In his first two years in office, President Donald Trump has moved to appoint dozens of conservative judges to the federal bench, moving faster than any president since at least Ronald Reagan.

On top of two Supreme Court justices, Trump has appointed 29 judges to U.S. appeals courts across the country, according to a Reuters tally. The appointments, Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell has said, are his "top priority."

Now, unleashed by a decisive Republican victory in the Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, the president's ability to shape the ideological makeup of the federal judiciary has only increased.

To be sure, it's impossible to predict how a judge will rule simply based on the party they belong to, or the party of the president who appoints them. But an ideologically conservative federal bench could prove useful to the president as he pursues an agenda that has often ended up in the courts.

"They are the ones that judge all your disputes," Trump said during a speech in Ohio earlier this year. "They judge on what's fair on the environment and what's not fair. Where they're going to take your farms and factories away and where they're not."

It's a lesson Trump has learned firsthand. In his first days in office, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly, an Obama appointee, struck down the first iteration of his travel ban. A later version of the ban was later halted from going into effect via rulings from two other Obama appointees sitting in Maryland and Hawaii.

A third version of the ban was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in a landmark 5-4 ruling along party lines.

The Trump administration's antipathy toward the lower courts, which have blocked the president's policies not only on immigration but also on transgender rights, the environment and other matters, has led it to bypass the appeals courts entirely with unusual frequency and go straight to the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit, headquartered in San Francisco, has been the primary target of the president's ire. That court currently has six vacancies.

"It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts," Trump wrote in a January post on Twitter.

Even if the president fills all of the vacancies on the 29-member court, however, the majority of its judges would still be Democratic appointees. The president is likely to have more luck with other circuits.

Both the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit appear most likely to flip to a majority of Republican-appointed judges. The 3rd Circuit currently has a 7-6 Democratic majority, according to Reuters. In the 11th, the split is an even 6-6.

The Republican victory on Tuesday could deliver an even bigger prize to the president.

The two oldest judges on the Supreme Court are the liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 85, and Stephen Breyer, 80. While neither has indicated they plan to retire any time soon, the average age of retirement for modern Supreme Court justices is 79, according to a 2006 study.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.Foldable devices could one-day be the future of mobile and even desktop technology. Its an exciting future. Although Samsung has been beaten to the release of a foldable device  they will be the first huge name electronics company to release one.

Check out the #SDC18 @Samsung_Dev event below:Brexit 1) Brexiteers fear secret deal as Downing Street plans charm offensive

T

Cabinet told deal is in sight after major shift by the EU  The Sun

Prime Minister rebuked after deal notes leak  The Times

Measured success is the narrative  The Guardian

Fury as Barnier says Britain could rejoin the EU  Daily Express

heresa May was tonight accused of secretly lining up a Brexit deal behind the backs of her Cabinet after a leaked memo revealed detailed plans for selling the deal to the public. A three-week strategy leading up to a parliamentary vote includes daily themed announcements, a major speech by the Prime Minister and a televised interview with David Dimbleby. The document, which was seen by the BBC and appears to have been written in the past week, proposes a vote on the deal on Nov 27, adding to suspicions from ministers that Mrs May, desperate for a deal before Christmas, was rushing into an agreement with Brussels. It came after a Cabinet meeting at which senior ministers warned Mrs May not to be panicked into signing a deal that would give Brussels the power to keep Britain in an EU customs union. The Cabinet was told the Brexit negotiations had moved a major step forward and Brussels was willing to discuss ways of ending the impasse over the Irish border. But Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, and Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, were among those who urged caution over any solution that would prevent Britain from unilaterally ending any backstop arrangement over Northern Ireland.  Daily Telegraph

Comment:

Brexiteers are being betrayed by Number 10s strategy  Rebecca Ryan, Times Red Box

Momentum want Labour MPs to reject Mays deal  Becky Boumelha, The Guardian

>Today: ToryDiary: Project Fear Three. Coming your way soon, courtesy of Downing Street?

>Yesterday:

Brexit 2) Cox holds the key as he urges compromise

Not since Peter Goldsmith ruled that it was legal for the UK to go to war in Iraq has an attorney-general played such a contentious part in British politics. But Geoffrey Cox, Theresa Mays attorney-general, has assumed a critical role in determining whether the UK should sign up to a compromise with the EU on Northern Ireland that would break the impasse in the Brexit negotiations Brexiter ministers have been hoping that Mr Cox  who voted Leave in the EU referendum  will stop Mrs May riding roughshod over their concerns about the terms on which the UK leaves the bloc. But at Tuesdays cabinet meeting he warned of the need for compromise on a Brexit withdrawal treaty, according to people briefed on the discussions, and now appears to hold the key to the prime ministers efforts to unlock a deal. He was asked by the cabinet to come up with a legal text to resolve the outstanding issue of the so-called Irish backstop: an arrangement that would avoid the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  FT

Minister hints that free movement could continue until 2021, minister hints  Daily Express

Ireland:

May says backstop plan wont come at any cost  The Sun

but rumoured deal abandons unilateral exit  Daily Mail

Will the UK ever be able to quit the dreaded backstop?  Daily Telegraph

Varadkar criticised for Brexit cock-up  Daily Express

>Today: Graham Gudgin in Comment: Are we inching nearer to an escape from the Northern Ireland backstop?

>Yesterday:

Brexit 3) No evidence leave campaigns worked with Cambridge Analytica

C

Banks faces 135,000 fine for data breach  The Times

Brexit 4) Starmer warns against blind Brexit

laims that the two Leave campaigns worked with the data harvesting firm Cambridge Analytica have been dismissed as baseless in an official investigation by the information watchdog. The Information Commissioners Office has knocked down a series of high-profile allegations levelled against the official and unofficial Brexit groups, confirming it has found no evidence to support allegations they used the companys services. It comes months after Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based company, became embroiled in a global scandal when it was found to have harvested the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, many of whom had not consented. Amid a widespread backlash against the firm, which has since shut down, a string of allegations were made over its involvement in the Brexit campaign and association with prominent Leave supporters. But yesterday, in a wide-ranging report, the ICO confirmed that it had found no evidence that CA [Cambridge Analytica] were involved in any data analytics work with the EU Referendum campaigns.  Daily Telegraph

Keir Starmer will step up warnings about the risks of a blind Brexit in Brussels on Wednesday, as Labour seeks to shift the debate from the Irish backstop to Britains future trading relationship in a bid to win over wavering MPs. The shadow Brexit secretary is keen to underline Labours continuing objections to Theresa Mays Brexit deal, even if she secures agreement with Brussels over the Irish backstop  the key remaining sticking point in the withdrawal agreement. He will stress the partys concerns that the political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be too vague to reassure businesses or win over sceptical MPs. A blind Brexit could prolong business uncertainty and provide insufficient guarantees to protect jobs, the economy and rights. Whether you voted leave or remain, nobody voted for the purgatory of permanent negotiations, he said.  The Guardian

Remainer plot against loose EU deal  Daily Express

Comment:

Whats the point of the Liberal Democrats?  Martha Gill, The Guardian

Ministers 1) Williamson rejects call to fly jihadis back to Britain for trial

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has rejected calls for British jihadis to be flown back from Syria and Iraq to face trial in the UK. Mr Williamson said he did not want troops having to deal with Islamic State extremists who had been the cause of so many deaths. Speaking in the Middle East, where he is announcing a new British training base in Oman, he said: Do I want to see our Royal Air Force flying these people back to our country? Never. Mr Williamson has been watching joint Omani-British military exercises in the desert ahead of the opening of the base in March. His comments come after officials examined the possibility of extraditing a British citizen suspected of fighting for IS from a jail in Iraq last year. Ministers blocked the plan, fearing it would open the floodgates. Since then the Government has come under pressure from the US and Kurdish leaders in Syria to take responsibility for its own citizens.  Daily Mail

Ministers 2) Javid warns that companies are funding child abuse

Large companies are funding child abuse by allowing their adverts to run on sick paedophile websites, the Home Secretary warned today. Sajid Javid has launched a new investigation into how abuse sites get the money they use to spread their vile filth online. He said well-known household brands are unknowingly funnelling advertising cash towards websites which host pictures and videos of children being abused. Speaking ahead of meetings with US tech bosses today, Mr Javid said: Keeping our children safe is my mission as Home Secretary and it is vital tech companies take their responsibility seriously The Internet Watch Foundation will carry out the probe into the scale of the problem. Mr Javid will also chair a new taskforce including ad agencies, trade bodies and brands.  The Sun

Ministers 3) Gyimah hits out at student monoculture stifling debate

Cabinet packed with unknowns but May is least unpopular living prime minister

Debate among students is being stifled because white people are not allowed to talk about race, the universities minister has warned. Sam Gyimah, whose parents are from Ghana, condemned the belief that white people cannot have an opinion worth sharing because they do not know what it means to be black. He said people are also finding themselves unable to voice views on transgender issues unless they are trans themselves. The minister stressed these are symptoms of a student monoculture which assigns people an identity and tells them they cannot comment on anything else. He insisted labelling people and putting them in silos is damaging because it stops them speaking freely. Mr Gyimah, an Oxford graduate, delivered his damning verdict on student politics in a speech at the Wonkfest higher education ideas conference in London. He said: When I talk about monoculture, what I mean is having a culture where dissenting views  whatever they are  are unwelcome.'  Daily Mail

In politics there are known knowns, there are known unknowns, and then there are members of the cabinet. While ministers talk up their importance and threaten to resign, most of the country have no idea who they are. Polling by YouGov asked the public to rate senior politicians but the majority had never heard of most of the cabinet. All had heard of Theresa May, while Jeremy Hunt, Philip Hammond, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid were recognised by most, although all were rated more negatively than positively. Less than 20 per cent had heard of David Gauke, the justice secretary, David Mundell, the Scottish secretary, or Brandon Lewis, the Tory chairman. Only 15 per cent were aware of Alun Cairns, the Welsh secretary. Things were worse for Labour. Only Jeremy Corbyn, on 98 per cent, and Diane Abbott, 86 per cent, were known by most. John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, was unknown to 51 per cent. The polling also showed that Mrs May is the most popular  or least unpopular  living prime minister.  The Times

Corbyn and May lead armistice service  The Sun

Government accused of gagging Grenfell experts

and more than 300 companies from publicly criticising them, their departments or the prime minister, as part of deals costing the taxpayer 25 billion.  The Times

Grayling silenced justice charities  The Times

Ministers careless with public money, says audit chief

Experts hired by the government to test cladding 12 days after the Grenfell Tower fire were banned from criticising Theresa May or doing anything to embarrass her,can reveal. The engineering company WSP agreed to the terms when it was appointed to analyse the safety of government buildings in the days after the disaster. WSPs contract stated that it must not create adverse publicity about the Cabinet Office or other Crown bodies, a group of organisations that includes the prime ministers office. The agreement was made while Mrs May faced criticism for her response to the death of 72 people in the fire. An investigation by this newspaper into gagging clauses used by the government found that cabinet ministers had banned 40 charities

The governments chief auditor has accused ministers of backing multibillion-pound vanity projects that cost the taxpayer more than they should. In a highly critical assessment of Whitehall spending, the head of the National Audit Office told MPs that far too many projects were over-ambitious and ended up under-delivering. Sir Amyas Morse also claimed that in some cases ministers and officials deliberately underestimated the cost of programmes to get them approved by the Treasury. He urged Whitehall mandarins to be more hard-nosed in scrutinising projects before giving them the go-ahead and not to be afraid to pull the plug early in their development if things were going wrong. Sir Amyas, the comptroller and auditor general, was giving evidence to the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee before he retires at the end of the year. He said that civil servants needed to become more skilful to challenge ministers on risky elements to projects.  The Times

Public confidence in the police damaged by cuts, report warns  The Guardian

Prime Minister urged to sack Scruton from housing post

Labour MPs also zero in on Soros comments  The Guardian

Andy Street and Andy Burnham: Forget our differences, Westminster must hand us more powers

Theresa May was last night urged to sack her new housing guru over historic rants that Islam and homosexuality emerged. Tory writer Roger Scruton was appointed on Saturday to lead a home building charge. But furious critics demanded he quit over claims last year Islamophobia is a wholly imaginary enemy. In a book he said: In a society devoted to inclusion the only phobia permitted is that of which conservatives are the target. He also said homosexuality was not normal in a 2007 newspaper article where he outlined his opposition to gay adoption. Labours Shadow Communities Secretary Andrew Gwynne told Buzzfeed nobody holding the views has a place in modern democracy. And he said: The prime minister needs to finally show some leadership and sack Scruton with an investigation into how he was appointed in the first place. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government declined to comment.  The Sun

As mayors we are taking action and have drawn up further plans to meet these challenges but we do not have all the powers we need to clean up our air and tackle the road and rail issues we face. We need greater power over the running of the local and strategic road network to allow coordination of roadworks. Currently we dont have the ability to introduce civil enforcement of yellow box junctions or the power to introduce London-style lane rental schemes for roadworks by utility companies. Devolution to the English regions has led to the transfer of some budgets, powers and responsibilities. However, more needs to be done now to accelerate this pace of change. Devolution is a reality, and there is evidence that our cities and towns are feeling the benefit, with wide support among our residents and improving outcomes. It has had a profoundly positive effect on the culture of our city-regions and created a new energy and wider a sense of possibility.  The Times

Labour criticised for inviting extremist preacher to anti-racism event

SNP accused of manipulating evidence over support for independence

Labour were today blasted for inviting an extremist Muslim preacher to an anti-racism event. Imam Shakeel Begg is due to appear at the Lewisham Labour Against Racism public meeting tonight alongside Labour MPs Janet Daby and Vicky Foxcroft. Begg, who is head of the Lewisham Islamic Centre attended by Lee Rigbys killers, lost a libel action in 2016 against the BBC after it called him an extremist. He has previously called for Muslims to wage jihad against the Jews. Anti-extremism experts said there was no excuse for Labour to give a platform to Begg given his history of extreme views. The Lewisham Labour Against Racism event in South East London was organised by the local party with the help of trade union activists. David Toube from the think-tank Quilliam told The Sun: The presence of a Labour MP on a platform which includes a cleric who has been found by a British court to be an extremist plays into the hands of anti-Muslim bigots.  The Sun

The SNP has been accused of manipulating polling figures after claiming Brexit will deliver a majority in favour of Scottish independence. Pro-union campaigners hit out after the Nationalists said a survey showed 51.39 per cent would now back Yes. The interpretation was dismissed by Survation, the company which carried out the research questioning 1,725 people in Scotland as part of a wider Brexit survey. Keith Brown, the SNPs deputy leader, said the chaos and despair of Brexit had resulted in a significant swell in support for Scotland taking all decisions over our future for ourselves. Meanwhile, party strategist Ross Colquhoun tweeted the figures would mean a majority of 51.39% for independence, with 48.61% against. However Survation appeared to take issue with this. It responded: Sorry to disappoint @rosscolquhoun, but there isnt a headline Scotland voting intention in tonights tables (Scotland was not weighted separately, so calculating the Westminster crossbreak for Scotland does not get you there). There is also no Scottish independence referendum voting intention.  The Herald

Salmond claims to have been denied information on allegations  The Times

DUP and Sinn Fein clash over alleged bombers arrest

News in Brief:

The midterms usher in a new, uneasy status quo in Washington  Tom Rogan, CapX

How long can Trump hang on to the evangelicals?  Frances Fitzgerald, UnHerd

Democrats dismal failure to stamp out anti-Semitism  Stephen Daisley, The Spectator

Peoples Vote hokum shows the British system is not built for referendums  Alastair Benn, Reaction

Brexit will allow us to write a tailor-made agriculture policy  Chris Sherwood, Brexit Central

Voters deliver mixed verdict on Trump in mid-term elections

DUP leader Arlene Foster has accused Sinn Fein of being more interested in defending the PIRA than in innocent victims after a senior party member was arrested in relation to the murders of two soldiers. Ms Foster was reacting to comments from Gerry Kelly MLA, who claimed the arrest of John Downey in connection with the murders of the two UDR officers in 1972 was a gross act of bad faith by the British Government. The political row erupted after Downey (66) was remanded in custody in a Dublin court yesterday. It came after he was detained by gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the PSNI. In 2013, Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in an IRA bomb in Londons Hyde Park in 1982. He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blairs government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.  Daily Mail

Donald Trump claimed tremendous success despite his party losing control of the House of Representatives in midterm elections last night after mixed results saw Republicans strengthen their grip on the Senate. The results were hailed as a turning point by Democrats in elections billed as a verdict on the first two years of Mr Trumps divisive presidency but fell short of a blue wave of sweeping victories. President Trumps relentless focus on immigration as his main campaigning issue was rewarded with victories over Democrat senators in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri  all states which backed him in 2016  but it was also blamed for turning off support in suburban areas and among women voters. This left the Democrats on course to pick up

more than 30 House seats, exceeding the 23 they needed for a majority in the lower chamber, with notable successes in suburban areas of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Macron claims US is as big a threat as China or Russia  The Sun

The closely-watched challenge by a black Democratic candidate for governor in Florida failed, however, and the much-hyped challenge to Senator Ted Cruz in Texas by Beto ORourke petered out despite the vast sums poured into the contest.  The TimesWhat we know so far

The midterm elections promised high drama and did not disappoint. They offered cause or celebration for both Democrats and Republicans, and whilst Donald Trumps tweet celebrating tremendous success might have been a little wide of the mark, it is the Republicans who are breathing the biggest sigh of relief.

The significant headline is that the Democrats have won back the majority of the House, whilst the Republicans not only retained but made gains in the Senate. A record number of women and minority candidates have been elected, including the first Muslim congresswoman, first openly gay man elected governor, and the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

The Democrats win back the House

In the House of Representatives, Democrats will now be able to flex their muscles and be a true check on the power of the president. Their majority means they can launch subpoena-powered investigations into issues that have fired up their base  such as alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and ethics scandals within the White House.

Above all, the new House will almost certainly try to force the president to publish his infamously private tax returns. So worried were Republicans in August at the prospect of the White House becoming a living legal nightmare that they collated a spreadsheet of potential investigations that the Democrats might launch if they won back the House. It was long then and will have got longer since.

On the more prosaic matter of legislation, the Democratic majority means that the president no longer has a unified legislature on Capitol Hill. Republican legislation will therefore only make its way to the presidents desk if it has Democratic support  a prospect that seems highly unlikely given the ultra-partisan nature of Washington politics right now.

One potential solution for the president is to recast himself as a champion of bipartisan politics and working across the aisle, a delicate act that Bill Clinton famously mastered. For Democrats, whose base were motivated to vote in support of core progressive policies such as healthcare protection as much as a protest vote against the president, there seems to be little incentive whatsoever to give Trumps legislative agenda a helping hand. Therefore, short of a potential bill on infrastructure spending, we are probably heading into two years of legislative gridlock on Capitol Hill.

With their regained power comes a challenge in expectation management for the Democratic House leadership, namely Nancy Pelosi. The prospect of impeachment looms large, and the Democrats now at least have control of the right infrastructure to initiate it. But whilst the I word hangs over Washington, last year only 58 Democrats voted to support even debating Trumps impeachment, and there is little evidence of that number growing significantly.

And even with impeachment proceedings initiated in the House, it would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate to impeach the president. With an increased Republican majority in the upper chamber, that prospect seems impossible. Therefore, much like the challenge Nicola Sturgeon faces in calming her base down in their demands for a second Independence Referendum, Pelosi may find that the ability to initiate impeachment proceedings is both a blessing and a curse.

Republicans buoyed by gains in the Senate

Despite talk of a blue wave, Democrats were facing a difficulty-drawn electoral map for them in their doomed attempt to win back the majority in the Senate.

It is worth remembering that 26 of the 35 seats up for election were held by Democrats going into the midterms. Nevertheless, whilst Republicans were confident of holding onto the Senate, the addition of two further seats represents a hugely welcome boost.

There was the jubilation of winning back North Dakota, where Heidi Heitkamp became the second Democrat of the night to lose re-election in what was long considered the most vulnerable incumbency of this cycle. Elation at this victory combined with relief in Texas, where Ted Cruz held off an unlikely Democratic insurgency led by Beto ORourke.

With more Republicans in the upper chamber, Trump will try to force through as many of his judicial nominees and political appointees as possible. With a relatively clear run for the next two years, the president will begin early preparation for the 2020 general election by delivering those appointees for his base whilst painting Democrats in the House as obstructionists hellbent on getting in his way.

The candidates that have emerged for 2020

Given the iron grip that Trump has secured over the GOP, there is little point wasting time considering Republican primary challengers to the president for 2020. It is close to impossible to foresee a serious challenge being mounted to a president who has an 88 per cent approval rating amongst Republicans (via Gallup).

For Democrats, the story is different, and the 2020 field is wide open. The darling of the progressives, Beto ORourke, became the breakout star of the 2018 campaign and has that rare ability in politics to be recognised only by his first name (think Donald, Boris and Jeremy). The Democrat raised an eye-watering $70 million, and only narrowly lost in a state that Democrats have not won state-wide in for 24 years.

Nevertheless, elections are binary and Beto failed to defeat Ted Cruz in the Texas senate race, but that is not expected to limit his ambitions in 2020.

A less obvious name to watch, Sherrod Brown, the Governor of Ohio, easily defeated his Republican challenger and immediately referenced a blueprint for our nation in 2020. He is clearly a man with presidential ambitions, in a party that has still not healed the wounds of the divide between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

Analysis  Five final thoughtsAndrew Jones is the Member of Parliament for Harrogate & Knaresborough and Conservative Vice-Chair for Business Engagement.

John McDonnell has repeatedly declared his aim in life to be fomenting the overthrow of capitalism, a system that has ensured 200 years of economic growth for our country and left millions better off  not just in the UK but across the globe  by promoting business, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility.

In contrast, the Conservative Party is proud to champion businesses and entrepreneurs and proactively engage with business people. Because we believe that the country can only succeed when it works in partnership with business.

The Prime Minister is committed to ensuring that, post-Brexit, Britain will be even more pro-business than ever before. That is why today she has launched five new business advisory councils, made up of pioneering leaders from a diverse range sectors, who will advise her on maximising the opportunities for business in the UK after we leave the EU.

It is an initiative from business, for business. They will make sure the Government hears directly from those who are creating new jobs and economic growth, helping us guarantee that the United Kingdom remains one of the most dynamic and business-friendly economies in the world.

Ever since she became Prime Minister, Theresa May has been active in promoting the UK as open to business. Like me, she believes that when it comes to business, actions always speak louder than words.

Thats why, earlier this year, the Prime Minister led a trade delegation on a trip to three key African markets: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Its why, in August, she travelled with a large, multi-sector business delegation in order to strengthen the established links between the UK and China, which is expected to be one of the UKs largest foreign investors by 2020.

Its why, at the United Nations General Assembly in September, she made clear: this Conservative Government is dedicated to harnessing the enormous power of business as a partner in tackling some of the greatest social and economic challenges of our time.

Thats a message she repeated loudly and clearly in her speech to the Conservative Party Conference last month:

Offering someone a job  creating opportunity for other people  is one of the most socially-responsible things you can do. It is an act of public service as noble as any other. To everyone who has done it  we are all in your debt. So, we in this party, we in this hall, we say thank you.

And to all businesses  large and small  you may have heard that there is a four-letter word to describe what we Conservatives want to do to you. It has a single syllable. It is of Anglo-Saxon derivation. It ends in the letter K.

Back business. Back them to create jobs and build prosperity. Back them to drive innovation and improve lives. Back them with the lowest Corporation Tax in the G20. Britain, under my Conservative Government, is open for business.

A key plank of the Conservative Governments commitment to business are the foundations we are laying through our modern Industrial Strategy  enabling businesses in every part of the country to create good jobs and bolster the earning power of people right across the UK. We have listened to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and start-ups  and have taken action to create the business environment that is most beneficial for them.

The Conservatives have always been the party of business: our philosophy centres on spreading opportunity and a belief in the power of enterprise and entrepreneurship as the means to harness talent and improve lives. As the Prime Minister says, we want to see people go as far in life as their talents and hard work can take them.

We believe that business and commerce are the cornerstones of every successful economy, and are the embodiment of our principles and values. We understand that it is business which drives wealth and innovation.

In his Autumn Budget Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, set out the Governments plans to ensure we remain the best possible partner for businesses both large and small. As part of the new package of measures to support small- and medium-sized companies, the Government has committed an extra 30 million to Be the Business  an initiative that will foster closer links between large corporations and smaller companies, to promote an environment of mutual support and allow bigger companies to mentor smaller ones so that they are able to realise their full potential and develop their management and leadership skills.

Jeremy Corbyn and McDonnells Labour Party will never understand that local businesses form the backbone of our communities  that they create jobs and pay the taxes which support our schools and hospitals. While this Conservative Government is supporting our high streets by cutting business rates by a third for two years  saving the shops we visit every day up to 8,000 each year  Labour openly call business the enemy and advocate for extortionate taxes that will stop businesses up and down the country being able to create jobs, hire workers, and contribute to a thriving local economy.

The Chancellor also underlined in the Budget the way in which we are backing established firms and supporting start-ups as they grow by committing to a five-fold increase in the annual investment allowance for firms, taking it to 1 million. Not only are we helping all businesses, large and small, with their investments, we have also committed to supporting them with their costs by delivering the lowest corporation tax rate in the G20.

We are the party and government of business, because business is the embodiment of Conservative values; of enterprise, of freedom, of stability and of community. And the Prime Ministers new business advisory councils will ensure that we continue to work closely together with industry to shape our economy and make the UK one of the most attractive countries in the world for those wanting to establish and grow a business.Dr Graham Gudgin is Policy Exchanges Chief Economic Adviser. He is a visiting Professor at the University of Ulster and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre.

As predicted in Policy Exchanges recent research note, The Irish Border and the Principle of Consent, the Government seems largely to be getting its way in proposing to use a pan-UK customs union to provide the backstop demanded by Irish Government and the EU.

It was reported earlier this week that a 50 page paper would be shown to the Cabinet yesterday, part of which would propose a customs union between the UK and EU. It contains a get-out clause, we are told, and legal certainty would be provided by including these proposals in the EU Withdrawal Agreement. Elements might remain from the dramatic backstop described in this years Draft Withdrawal Agreement, but these may be too mild to frighten the DUP horses.

Even such a proposal may still fall short of the basis for a full agreement, since the Irish Government has yet to finally give up on the so-called Northern Ireland backstop. It is important to recognise that it wants to protect existing cross-border co-operation as much as to secure a frictionless border. Its argument is that existing cross-border cooperative measures stem from the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and depend on the existence of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Hence to uphold the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland must remain within the Single Market and Customs Union. By contrast, the National Audit Office says that most cooperation in the important area of health does not depend on the EU.

The EUs vision of the backstop was set out in its Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol within the Draft Withdrawal Agreement. This states in stark terms that:

The territory of Northern Irelandshall be considered to be part of the customs territory of the [European]Union A common regulatory area comprising the Union andNorthern Ireland is hereby established. The common regulatory area shall constitute an area without internal bordersCustoms dutiesand quantitative restrictions on imports and exports shall be prohibited between the Union and Northern Ireland.

Theresa May rejected these proposals as soon as they were issued, and they were widely described as an attempt to annex Northern Ireland. Until now, the EU has largely ignored this rejection, and has continued to insist that no Withdrawal Agreement will be signed, and hence there will be no transition period, unless this form of the backstop is agreed. The EU has also largely ignored paragraph 50 of the original Joint Progress Report signed last December, added to it at the last minute under DUP pressure, which said there would be no regulatory border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Most of this may now go. Even so, it may not be possible to drop all of the protocol, since the EU still demands some certainty in the event of no permanent trade and customs deals. The focus of the backstop has always been on regulatory alignment, and the EU now seem to accept that this may entail checks in the market  i.e: at the premises of producers and retailers. There still seems to be reluctance to apply this to animals and food, even though standards in Northern Ireland currently match those in the EU and are likely to continue doing so.

The proposed EU:UK Future Relationships Paper is said to include a stipulation that the degree of border openness for the UK will depend on the degree of future regulatory alignment. If UK alignment drifts away from EU standards, for instance on hormone treated beef, border checks may become necessary. While this seems reasonable, and indeed manageable for Great Britain, a problem still arises at the Irish border if no checks are ever to take place.

The idea until now has been that some additional checks could take place at the Irish Sea, but these are not really feasible unless Northern Irelands consumers are to be denied such products as hormone-treated beef (which mught well mean cheaper beef). If cheap beef were to get into Northern Ireland legally it would surely cross an Irish border if there were no border checks. Conventional anti-smuggling methods might be sufficient, but would be outside existing EU rules.

There are other problems. A backstop meant as insurance against a No Deal scenario would need to operate in a world with the tariffs that would accompany no deal. A tariff border in the Irish Sea would be completely unacceptable to the DUP and has never been mentioned. This suggests that the elaborate backstop proposed in the protocol was never intended to apply in a no-deal scenario. The intention is instead to protect cross-border cooperation against detailed EU rules that might apply even under a free trade agreement or with no customs checks on goodsm but with restrictions on cross-border provision of services.

Another difficulty is that any change in cross-border co-operation is clearly constrained under the Good Friday Agreement by a need to obtain permission from the Northern Ireland Assembly. Any backstop proposals on regulations would thus have to be conditional on Assembly approval.

Not all problems with the backstop are solved, but the talks appear to be on a more constructive basis and within striking distance of an accommodation. This may push the remaining issues back to next years trade talks, which is where they should always have been.William Shawcross is a former head of the Charity Commission and and official biographer of the Queen MOther.

When Sir Roger Scruton was knighted in the Queens Birthday Honours in 2016, the official announcement said he was often described as Britains foremost philosopher. He is that and much more.

His knighthood was for services to philosophy, teaching and public education. It could just as well have been for his courageous work during the 1980s, when he travelled repeatedly  and at considerable risk  to communist Central Europe, forging links with dissident academics and students in Czechoslovakia and elsewhere.

For those activities, he was in June 1985 detained, expelled from Czechoslovakia, and placed on the communist governments Index of Undesirable Persons  a badge of honour that saw him feted by Vaclav Havel in the Czech Republic after the fall of Communism.

Yesterday a little-known blog and a few tweeters  including, alas, a couple of Labour MPs who should have known better  tried to place him on their own index of undesirable persons. Their reasons for doing so were feeble and their evidence scant. But it seems to be mainly because of a speech that he gave in Hungary in 2016, the same year as his knighthood.

The key passage  which is being selectively quoted  is as follows:

Many of the Budapest intelligentsia are Jewish, and form part of the extensive networks around the Soros Empire. People in these networks include many who are rightly suspicious of nationalism, regard nationalism as the major cause of the tragedy of Central Europe in the 20th Century, and do not distinguish nationalism from the kind of national loyalty that I have defended in this talk. Moreover, as the world knows, indigenous anti-Semitism still plays a part in Hungarian society and politics, and presents an obstacle to the emergence of a shared national loyalty among ethnic Hungarians and Jews.

For this, he is accused of being someone who peddles anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. His accusers demand that the Prime Minister and James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government who on Saturday appointed him to lead the new Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, drop him. That would be grossly wrong.

The hunt is now on, it seems, to find incriminating remarks in his lifes work. He is the author of more than 50 books on philosophy, politics, the arts and more. He has written thousands of essays and articles and given countless interviews (including those in which he has recanted previously asserted beliefs). For example, one article published yesterday afternoon accused him of controversial comments about Islamophobia and homosexuality. These former comments are worth quoting:

Muslims in our society are often victims of prejudice, abuse, and assault, and this is a distressing situation that the law strives to remedy. But when people invent a phobia to explain all criticism of Islam, it is not that kind of abuse that they have in mind. They wish to hide the truth, to shout lies! in the face of criticism, and to silence any attempt at discussion. In my view, however, it is time to bring the truth into the open.

Some may disagree with these views, but must Sir Roger be silenced for holding them? He seems to be alert to the problem of anti-Muslim hatred, but sceptical about the definition of Islamophobia. That may irritate some, but if philosophers cannot think, write and speak freely, what is the point of them?

Similarly, on homophobia, it is clear that he has revised his views. As he told The Guardian in 2010, referring to an earlier essay about homophobia, I wouldnt stand by what I said then. Peoples views  especially if they are philosophers, one hopes  change over time and this is perfectly normal. It is also worth noting that his appointment by the Government relates to the design and style of buildings, a fact which risks getting lost in a blizzard of confected outrage.

Three things are worth adding on the subject of antisemitism  and quickly, because as the saying goes, falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it.

First, I have known Sir Roger for many years and do not believe for a moment that he has an antisemitic bone in his body. Indeed, as the final sentence of the above quotation demonstrates, he is acutely aware of the problem of antisemitism in Hungary. Moreover, as his autobiography movingly explains, he is of German-Jewish ancestry himself.

Secondly, Sir Roger is not guilty by association simply for having travelled to Hungary and for knowing Viktor Orban. The facts are that he helped Orban and others set up an independent law school, the Jogusz-Szakkollegium, in the days of communism. He lectured in the school, as part of his mission to encourage young people to work for the liberation of their countries. The school played a significant role in the collapse of the regime.

Another overlooked fact: Sir Roger also personally lobbied Orbans government not to close down the Central European University in Budapest, founded by Soros. He is not uncritical of Orban and, like many people in the UK, approves of some his policies and disapproves of others.

The third and final point. Antisemitism is a serious problem in countries like Hungary  but also in supposedly more enlightened places like our own, particularly these days on the left of politics. It is a virus that mutates from generation to generation, and must be dealt with vigorously wherever it emerges. No one should accuse anyone else of antisemitism frivolously or for mere political gain. It is a very serious charge and in this case it is entirely without merit.Robert Halfon is MP for Harlow, a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman, Chair of the Education Select Committee and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists.

Workers Budget

Credit where credit is due, the Budget last week was exactly what was needed. Tax cuts for the lower paid, increases in the Living Wage, a fuel duty freeze, and more money for our NHS. It was astonishing how the metropolitan classes sniffed at the 420 million for potholes  one journalist argued that it was wrong given the threat to our environment. Given that our town and road infrastructure is riven with potholes, and how small white van businesses and motorists depend on good roads, it was so typical of the anti-car brigade to be so aloof from day-to-day realities.

I welcomed the 200 million for vulnerable youths and the 400 million more for education capital spending  though much more is needed; ideally, a Ten Year Plan, similar to the NHS, if education is not going to become our Achilles heel. It is vital that the Spending Round next year, sets out the a long term education plan, to ensure our schools and colleges are properly funded and fit for the twenty-first century and the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We need less initiative-itis on education, with a bit of funding tinkering here and there, and a much more strategic view on what education policy and funding should be.

Unsung Heroes

The Conservative Party is full of unsung heroes and one of those is Nonie Bouverat, who most of this sites readers will have never heard of. Mrs Bouverat is Chief Executive Officer of the Conservative Foundation, one of whose primary tasks is to raise funds to provide low income parliamentary candidates with bursaries.

This is something I have fought for a long time, and was delighted when Lord Feldman made an initial announcement about this at the 2015 Party Conference. The website of the Conservative Foundation does not even mention Bouverat, yet it is she who has done so much to get this bursary scheme off the ground.

If the bursary scheme was developed to include supporting councillors and Party members, we could help ensure that low-income members could get a fair deal when they got involved in the Party, especially when standing for elections or travelling to events. Hats off to Bouverat and the Foundation. I hope it goes from strength to strength.

Centre for Rocket Studies

What has happened to the Centre for Policy Studies? Under its remarkable new director, Robert Colvile, you rarely read a newspaper without hearing about the latest work of the CPS. Though big under Margaret Thatcher, the CPS later had a few lean years, but now seems to be having a rocket-boosted resurgence, with policy pamphlets a plenty, alongside the great CapX online newspaper promoting Capitalism.

Their latest report, launched by the Prime Minister earlier this week, proposed a 1000 a month Universal Income to raise wages for the lower paid, and a Work Guarantee to ensure that everyone keeps 51p in every extra 1 they earn, partly by cutting the Universal Credit Taper rate. Alongside Tory Workers, the CPS are carving out a Conservative-minded, pro-Workers agenda. All power to the CPS-ers!

Universities and value for money

My Education Select Committee published a report this week in which we noted that 49 per cent of graduates are not in graduate jobs. We need a rethink of Higher Education  more focused on graduate outcomes, more committed to skills and vocational education, and more devoted to really giving the disadvantaged a chance to climb the Higher Education Ladder of Opportunity.

Re-introducing means-tested maintenance grants would help, as well as more Degree Apprenticeships, as these students earn whilst they learn. The number of part-time students has declined by half over the past few years, so why not introduce flexible learning, by which students can hop on and off courses and build up credits? Why do we need the traditional, rigid three year structure? Of course, excessive Vice Chancellor pay should be curtailed too. That must be a job for the new Office for Students.

1922 Drama (not)

I read every weekend in the Sunday newspapers that the end of the Tory world is nigh. A week or so ago, we were told by the media that the 1922 meeting with Theresa May would take on the role of some show-trial court of the Prime Minister, with a noose in the offing, and the distinguished Sir Graham Brady acting out the role of Judge Roland Freisler.

So I arrived at the meeting on my electronic Segway Rollerscoot (it is always a long walk otherwise to Committee Room 14) expecting great drama. Many journalists were outside in Commons Committee Corridor with pens and pads  a bit like the old ladies with their knitting needles waiting around the French Revolutions guillotines for the next execution.

As it happened, it was a good-natured affair, with Theresa May being quite frank about her views (whether you agreed with them or not). Sir Graham was more Rumpole of the Bailey than Roland, as MPs were called to give their views on the EU. As I left this most august occasion, journos asked me what I thought. I could only reply, that the Prime Minister was honest.This time round, the audience will be different. In 2016, it was voters. Within less than a month, if all goes to plan, it will be Conservative MPs. But the strategy is very much the same. It is to utilise institutional and celebrity power to sell a Brexit deal, just as it was deployed to sell David Camerons renegotiation and a Remain vote, or to try.

The BBC has the details. These contain names one would expect, such as Andy Street, the CBI, and City UK. There are also people who might prove counter-productive, especially since Tory MPs would be the key demographic. Anything that Leo Varadkar thinks is good for Ireland isnt necessarily good for the United Kingdom  or at thats what some Brexiteer MPs will think, anyway. But hes on the list, as is Andy Burnham, another name that wont necessarily swing the J Alfred Prufrock MPs of this world.

Then there are other names that are more of a mystery. Why would Team May expect Mark Littlewood and the IEA to line up behind any deal? After all, their star recent signing, Shanker Singham, is opposed to customs union membership. ConservativeHome also has its moment in the sun, since our columnist Henry Newman, the director of Open Europe, is also listed. All in all, the document has the air of an early draft. Number Ten is denying its authenticity altogether. None the less, someone, somewhere has been very keen to leak it.

The flip side of the positives would be the negatives: in the event of a deal, Number Ten will hope that the above stress the downside of rejecting a deal  the uncertainties of No Deal. It would in effect be co-ordinating Project Fear Three. We all remember Project Fear One from the EU referendum. We are currently seeing Project Fear Two, of which Project Fear Three would be an iteration. The irony is that there is good reason to be concerned about No Deal. But the boy may have cried Wolf at least once too often.

As the failure of Camerons plan indicates. Its best-known face was Barack Obama, deputed to say that, in the event of a Brexit vote, Britain would go to the back of queue for any trade deal with America. The purveyors of the conventional wisdom decreed that it could be a knockout blow for the Leave campaign. And yet it was not, writes Tim Shipman in All Out War. At Vote Leave headquarters, Dominic Cummings walked into the main campaign war room and announced: This will have no effect . He was right.

Intriguingly, the leaked documents timetable is much the same as that we tentatively anticipated on Monday   A moment of decisive progress will be announced this Thursday. Raab to announce, it declares. (Historical footnote: thats the same Dominic Raab who said, in the wake of Obamas intervention, that I dont think the British people will be blackmailed by a lame duck US President.)

Number Ten would do better to put any deal that the Cabinet agrees to Conservative MPs straight-up, without any varnish. An early reading of Americas mid-term elections results, coming in as we write, is that the Republicans have done better than expected. Donald Trumps staying power is a reminder that the era of New Labour-type spin is dead and buried.We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds..The powerhouse that will help NASA's Orion spacecraft venture beyond the Moon is stateside.

The European-built service module that will propel, power and cool during Orion flight to the Moon on Exploration Mission-1 arrived from Germany at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday to begin final outfitting, integration and testing with the crew module and other Orion elements.

The service module is integral to human missions to the Moon and Mars. After Orion launches on top of the agency's Space Launch System rocket, the service module will be responsible for in-space maneuvering throughout the mission, including course corrections. The service module will also provide the powerful burns to insert Orion into lunar orbit and again to get out of lunar orbit and return to Earth. It is provided by ESA (European Space Agency) and built by ESA's prime contractor Airbus of Bremen, Germany. NASA's prime contractor for Orion, Lockheed Martin, built the crew module and other elements of the spacecraft.

"We have a strong foundation of cooperation with ESA through the International Space Station partnership, and the arrival of the service module signifies that our international collaboration extends to our deep space human exploration efforts as well," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations.

The European-built service module brings together new technology and lightweight materials while taking advantage of spaceflight-proven hardware. It is comprised of more than 20,000 components, including four solar array wings that provide enough electricity to power two three-bedroom homes, as well as an orbital maneuvering system engine, a recently refurbished engine previously used for in-orbit control by the space shuttle. Beginning with Exploration Mission-2, the module also will provide air and water for astronauts flying inside Orion, which will carry people to destinations farther than anyone has travelled before and return them safely to Earth.

"Our teams have worked together incredibly hard to develop a service module that will make missions to the Moon and beyond a reality," said Mark Kirasich, NASA's Orion program manager. "It is quite an accomplishment of ESA and Airbus to have completed the developmental work on the module and have this major delivery milestone behind us."

Now that the service module is at Kennedy, it will undergo a host of tests and integration work ahead of Exploration Mission-1. Engineers will complete functional checkouts to ensure all elements are working properly before it is connected to the Orion crew module. Teams will weld together fluid lines to route gases and fuel and make electrical wiring connections. The service module and crew module will be mated, and the combined spacecraft will be sent to NASA's Glenn Research Center's Plum Brook Station in Ohio early next year where it will undergo 60 days of continuous testing in the world's largest thermal vacuum chamber to ensure Orion can withstand the harsh environment of deep space. Once that testing is complete, it will return to Kennedy for integration with the SLS rocket in preparation for launch.

NASA is leading the next steps to establish a permanent human presence at the Moon. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Exploration Mission-1 is a flight test of an uncrewed Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket that will launch from NASA's modernized spaceport at Kennedy. The mission will send Orion 40,000 miles beyond the Moon and back and pave the road for future missions with astronauts. Together, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to explore the Moon for decades to come while laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

For more information about Orion, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/orion

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.Out of a full sister to millionaires Heston Blue Chip and Sunfire Blue Chip, Rodeo Blue Chip (Sweet Lou-Lotsa Matzah) topped the second day of the 2018 Harrisburg Yearling Sale Tuesday, November 6 when selling for $250,000 to owner Kenneth Jacobs.

Jacobs also owned Heston Blue Chip, who he purchased for $30,000 from the 2010 Harrisburg Yearling Sale.

I was going to get him, Jacobs said of Rodeo Blue Chip, selling as Hip #311, to the USTA. He looked good. He looked a lot like (Heston Blue Chip). I didnt think I would have to pay that much, but if youve got one guy who likes him beside yourself, youre going to pay."

Linda Toscano, who also trained Heston Blue Chip, reportedly will train Rodeo Blue Chip.

Tied for second-highest auctioned yearling on the day, Third Shift (Chapter Seven-Overnight Command) sold to Ake Svanstedt for $235,000. Selling as Hip #360, he's the second foal from the CR Commando mare.

He is a very nice horse and good gaited, Svanstedt said to the USTA. I like his conformation and that he is a Chapter Seven.

Also selling for $235,000, Hilly Holbrook (Muscle Hill-Winky Dink) sold to the Andy Miller Stable Inc. The first foal from the SJs Caviar mare, Hilly Holbrook has loose relations to millionaire Winkys Goal and half-million-dollar-earner Supergill.

On Tuesday 18 of the 303 yearlings sold for six-digit figures. Yearlings drew $12,091,000 in sales, with an average of $39,904 per yearling, and the current gross sales total sits at $27,993,000 for the 473 yearlings sold - an average of $59,182 and an 11.9-percent increase compared to 2017.

The 2018 Harrisburg Yearling Sale continues with day three Wednesday, Nov. 7. Hip #505 through Hip #876 will sell on the day which starts at 10 a.m. (EST).Even in death the late Standardbred racehorse owner David Brooks has made the news once again.

Word has come that Brooks family has agreed to drop its claim to roughly $143 million in seized assets from Davids estate.

According to a report by stl.news, the Brooks family has reached the deal with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York. Proceeds from the sizable civil forfeiture recovery will now be directed to financially compensate thousands of Brooks victims, and it is believed that up to 90 per cent of their collective loses will be attempted to be covered.

It has also been reported that Brooks ex-wife and their three grown children will be able to keep roughly $25 million as part of the deal.

Brooks was connected to a number of prominent horses that raced under the Perfect World Enterprises stable, including 2004 Breeders Crown winner Western Terror.

Brooks, who had been serving a 17-year prison sentence for securities fraud, passed away in October of 2016 at the age of 61 while under incarceration in Connecticut.

(With files from stl.news and nypost.com)Royal Caribbean International announced it will have three ships in Alaska for the 2020 season with the Ovation of the Seas sailing alongside the Serenade and Radiance, for its biggest season yet.

The Ovation will return for its second consecutive season on seven-night itineraries from Seattle.

For the first time since 2009, the Serenade of the Seas will head west as it repositions Vancouver, making 2020 Royal Caribbeans first summer season with three ships in Alaska.

Serenade will sail seven-night itineraries through the 500 miles of shoreline that is the Inside Passage, calling on Ketchikan, Juneau and Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

The Radiance of the Seas will once again offer seven-night, open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

The Ovation and Radiance will also island-hop along Hawaii, while Serenade sails the Panama Canal and Golden Coast on her way west.As Ive written previously, Im very skeptical of Bloombergs report about the Chinese placing hardware spy chips on server motherboards used by U.S. companies. China is actively spying on U.S. businesses all the time, I believe, and has already stolen most of the intellectual property secrets they are interested in. The Chinese are on their way to becoming the worlds leading economic power, and manufacturing computer chips is a big part of that equation. I dont think they would jeopardize that business so blatantly.

If any good is to come out of the Bloomberg article, it is bringing the problem of the supply chain to the forefront. If nearly every computer device and chip is made by potential adversaries, how can you ever be assured that what you are buying doesnt have intentional bugs or even spying chips?

If nearly every computer device and chip is made by potential adversaries, how can you ever be assured that what you are buying doesnt have intentional bugs or even spying chips?

The supply chain is the aggregation of all entities that provide the products and services needed for other entities to provide their products and services to their customers. Theoretically, any entity can knowingly or unknowingly introduce insecurity that impacts the final product. This is the exact issue that the Bloomberg authors and their anonymous sources allude to: that a spy chip can be placed on motherboards that eventually get placed into servers used by foreign companies.

IT supply chain risk has always existed

This is not a new issue. The worlds best security analysts, intelligence agencies, and security teams have been working on this issue for well over a decade. It has become a huge concern and is possibly one of the biggest problems all nations could face. In an interconnected world, how can you trust any of the dozens to hundreds of separate components and companies involved in the supply chain?

Well, to start off, were already trusting it and have done so for over a half-a-century. Weve been living with computer device supply chain risk since personal computers were invented. They contained foreign-supplied chips from the start and have ever since. So far, despite occasional media flare-ups, compromise by foreign adversaries has been sparse to non-existent, depending on which nation youre trying to defend. It isnt just the U.S. that has a supply chain trust issue. As I pointed out last week, the NSA and FBI are known for placing spying software and hardware into other adversaries supply chains.

We are handling the cost/risks trade-off fairly well. Yes, a compromise executed through the supply chain has happened a few times, but it hasnt been widespread. Or has it? The sad fact is that, because the world has no coordinated way of checking for or detecting maliciously placed spy software or hardware, we really dont know how bad the problem is. Its very hard to do a cost/benefit analysis on something you cant even put a price tag on.

Keeping the supply chain status quo is not an option

So, one solution is no solution: Keep things as-is. As far as we know, incidents of nations using supply-chain malicious inducements are rare. If a nation-state compromised the supply chain too routinely, none of the other nations would buy its chips. It would be a self-solving solution. Weve made it so far, so good, using this strategy.

When do you use a detect-and-regulate supply chain strategy?

How do you measure the risk of an adversary maliciously compromising your nations supply chain, especially regarding military weapons, like the U.S. did with North Korea for years? If youre unfamiliar with this story, lets just say that North Koreas earlier string of bad luck in testing ballistic missile rockets, where they either exploded upon take-off or went careening badly off course soon after take-off, was a supply chain issue, likely involving the U.S. Once the Russians stepped in to help North Korea get rid of its supply chain issues, those ballistic rockets stopped exploding and stayed on course. Whos to say it cant happen to the U.S. or any other nation?

Well, for one, the military already has programs to prevent supply chain issues for its most critical infrastructure. Many levels of the U.S. government have programs that look for malicious supply chain issues. Thats precisely why I dont believe that we have a widespread issue of Chinese spying chips all over the U.S.

The question is at what level of the supply chain do we start requiring stricter oversight and monitoring? For example, we know there are tens of millions of vulnerable wifi routers and web cameras, many of which are just consumer-focused. How do we know a foreign adversary isnt exploiting the router or camera (or baby monitor) at the home of engineers and executives of critical infrastructure companies, as an example? We dont.

The question is at what level of the supply chain do we start requiring stricter oversight and monitoring?

The opposite school of thought to the keep the status quo argument is that we need to check all computer devices for spying hardware, software and firmware. This can be done by government or industry groups (like the Underwriters Laboratories [UL] or Consumer Reports). The problem is that all governments want to spy on people  its own people, and those in other countries. Asking the government to make sure everything is secure and not spying is asking for the fox to guard the henhouse. At the same time, Im not sure we can do what needs to be done without governmental involvement.

The supply chain security solution needs to be global

To instill trust in the IT supply chain, we need to start with a global, universal declaration, which all signatory nations agree to, that says something like: We will not hack using intentional, maliciously induced supply chain issues. I like this declaration because it leaves governments wiggle room to take advantage of zero day exploits they discover but are not involved in causing. Heck, just getting this agreement would be a huge win for the world.

Second, we need the government to create a nationally funded regulatory group, much like the UL, but focused on testing for and ferreting out supply chain issues on computer devices. Any citizen could buy a device without the supply chain stamp of approval, but know they have a higher risk of a supply chain issue being involved. This would allow people and entities that want more assurance against supply chain attacks to get it, while still allowing companies that need to innovate faster than a regulatory framework allows to do so.

Every nation needs a nationally created and funded regulatory group that can look for supply chain issues but isnt directly governed by the government. Its not perfect. Its like asking the foxes to pay for the shepherds who protect the henhouse, but I dont see any other realistic way for a supply chain security solution to actually work. Or we can keep the status quo and hope for the best.Nov. 7, 2018  After hearing about CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)s California Institute for Social Business (CISB), educators from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) asked for help setting up a social business center of their own.

They had heard about the CISB and called us about 18 months ago, said CISB Director and Professor of Political Science Andrea Grove, Ph.D. They invited me to speak to the faculty and students. We had a mini-conference and they presented a little about what theyve been doing in Tijuana with unemployed people who have become entrepreneurs.

In October, Grove returned to Mexico to celebrate the opening of the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Wellbeing (YSBC), and made plans to deepen the connection between YSBC students and students at CSUCI.

When Grove first visited the UABC, the Economics and International Relations faculty at UABC spoke about the collaboration among faculty, students and government agencies in northern Baja to promote entrepreneurship among the unemployed. The group then made a visit to a local business started with the help of the UABC.

Helping those in poverty become entrepreneurs with so-called micro-financing is central to the social business model developed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who helped found the CISB at CSUCI.

Poverty is the absence of all human rights, Yunus has said. The frustrations, hostility and anger generated by abject poverty cannot sustain peace in any society. For building stable peace we must find ways to provide opportunities for people to live decent lives.

Grove connected UABC with Yunus, who runs the Yunus Centre in Bangladesh, and the UABC was able to develop its own center. Yunus was also present at the opening in Tijuana, just as he was present at CSUCI for the opening of the CISB in 2010.

The next step in the collaboration is what Grove is calling a cross-border classroom, if we can find funding to keep our work going.

We hope to have a joint class between students in Tijuana and students at CSUCI, Grove said. Some classes will be taught by our professors and some sessions will be led by their professors. The idea is being piloted in a smaller way with our Social Business Planning course this fall, which Assistant Professor of Business Management Maria Ballesteros-Sola is running and coordinating with a UABC professor.

CSUCI has a Social Business minor, so the Tijuana students will benefit from that curriculum, and in turn, Grove believes CSUCI will learn a lot from the impact UABC students are having in disadvantaged areas of Tijuana.

The ultimate goal in our collaboration is to create a similar program for communities in need in our area, beginning in Oxnard and working with some of CSUCIs community partner organizations, Grove said.

As far as the mechanics of the cross-border classroom, plans are to use video-conferencing and exchanges. Most of the UABC speaks English, but Ballesteros-Sola is bilingual, so there will not be a language barrier.

Grove said if the CISB receives funding, she ultimately hopes to have a broader collaboration with other campus communities such as the Center for Community Engagement; the Educational Opportunity Program; Veterans Affairs; and academic programs like Sociology, Chicana/o Studies and Global Languages and Cultures.Even though its only a few blocks away, Jennifer Lynne is ready for a change of scenery.

The chiropractor and owner of the Backstroke at 181 State St. will be marking her decade anniversary in Bridgeport by moving to a larger space in Bijou Square, taking a spot at 285 Fairfield Ave. in 2019.

Its about growth and evolving and were evolving, Lynne said. Sometimes youve just got to move on.

The space currently accommodates B:Hive Bridgeport, but the coworking space is also expected to relocate and expand into the former Mechanics & Farmers Bank building on McLevy Green.

Since its 2009 opening, the Backstroke has provided physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic services and a variety of other services. On the front end of the business, it also features a retail shop where customers can purchase gifts including jewelry, candles and more.

Most of Lynnes clientele over the years has come from city employees and their families, she said, adding that the new space will serve as a midpoint for her clients that come from City Hall, the Margret E. Morton Government Center and the police department.

Though it hasnt been immediately apparent from the exterior, the Backstroke has been operating at a temporary storefront at 37 Markle Court for the last two years. The office and store were under a seven-year lease with Darien-based Forstone Capital, which owns many of the buildings overlooking McLevy Square.

As renovations of the upper level of the State Street building took place, Lynne said she and her staff were displaced.

When it came time for me to go back, they had to carve out so much square footage that the space didnt work for me, she said. As a result, Lynne set out to find a new location, preferably in the downtown area where most of her patients are.

While her chiropractic business managed to thrive, the retail component of her business suffered in the temporary space, Lynne said. With the new space, she is hopeful that the reopening will spark renewed interest.

Though the Backstroke will be increasing in square footage, Lynne still plans to offer the intimate settings that made it popular with her patients.

We hear so many stories about businesses coming and going out of business, she said. I came, I opened, and here I am still. Im still in it to win it.

The timing for the relocation couldnt be better, according to landlord Phil Kuchma of Kuchma Corp., who expressed his excitement to be bringing Backstroke to Fairfield Avenue.

Kuchma has been instrumental in reshaping Bijou Square over the last decade, with the opening of the Bijou Theatre and new apartments built along Lafayette Circle, with retail space at ground level.

With retail seeing mixed success throughout downtown Bridgeport, Kuchma said the new addition bodes well for Bijou Square.

Theyve been successful in having a business thats a service thats very necessary, but by including it with some interesting retail it makes it a good street presence, as well, he said.

Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.comDear Abby: Twelve years ago, I taught a boy Ill call Brandon in my first-grade class. I was very fond of him, and we had a strong connection. I knew Brandon had a tough home life and did my best to provide him a safe place in my classroom. I stayed in contact with his aunt over the years on social media because she had been a co-worker of my mothers, and we would occasionally discuss how Brandon was doing. As he grew older, he began to associate with a bad crowd. He got in more and more trouble at school and eventually dropped out. A few months later, he was sent to prison for a violent crime. His aunt has asked me to send Brandon a letter because he had always thought so much of me as his teacher. Without giving it much thought, I agreed. Well, my husband is very opposed to the idea of me contacting Brandon. We have two young children with special needs, and Im now a stay-at-home mom so I can help my children. My husband thinks Im already dealing with too much stress, and he doesnt like the idea of a man who has been convicted of violence being in contact with me. I am torn about whats the right thing to do. I feel like I am abandoning Brandon like so many others in his life, but I also see my husbands point. Abby, please help me to decide what to do.

Conflicted in Illinois

Dear Conflicted: I think you should write Brandon one letter of encouragement. In it, tell him how highly you thought of him when he was in your class because he probably hasnt received many compliments for a long time. Point out that although he is physically incarcerated, his mind doesnt have to be, and suggest he direct his efforts toward improving his life once he is released. Furthering his education now would be a way to accomplish it, and if theres an opportunity for him to earn a degree while hes inside, he should take it. Also, if there are any books you or his aunt think he might find helpful or inspiring, recommend them. Close your letter by explaining to Brandon that you have no time for correspondence now because you are caring for two special-needs children, but you did want to reach out this once and you will keep him in your prayers.

Dear Abby: I wanted to write you in response to letters you have published in your column about stressful, traditional, iron-clad holiday celebrations becoming too much for the hosts. For most of 40 years, my parents hosted all holiday dinners, which were attended by as many as 14 people. My wife and I finally said, No more! We made reservations for Thanksgiving at a nice restaurant and hosted the family. It was beautiful  family, food, cocktails and no preparation or cleanup. Mom and Dad said it was the best Thanksgiving they could remember. We thought so, too. Just sayin.

Sharing a Memory in Wisconsin

Dear Sharing: Im sure your parents enjoyed the process of entertaining the family for the many years they did it. But it is also nice when someone else does the work. Im printing your letter so other readers can see there is more than one way to skin a cat  or enjoy a turkey with stuffing.

Dear Readers: Here we go again. This is my annual reminder that daylight-saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. Dont forget to turn your clocks back one hour at bedtime tonight. And while youre at it, remember to change the batteries in your fire alarms and smoke detectors.BRIDGEPORT  A 28-year-old man who received six gunshot wounds Halloween night has died, police say.

The victim was identified as David Belle and he died at St. Vincents Medical Center Tuesday night. After he was shot, police and family members were hopeful that he would pull through. He underwent extensive surgeries; his spleen, a kidney and part of his liver were removed, police said.

In that Halloween shooting incident, a 41-year-old woman died, a victim who wasnt the intended target, detectives said. She was identified as Myoshi Bagley, and she was the mother of two.

Police Chief Armando Perez said earlier that detectives are sifting through clues and theyre hoping that an arrest will be made soon. The chief said that video footage is aiding investigators in their hunt for whos responsible.

This was the eighth homicide in Bridgeport so far this year.

jburgeson@ctpost.comBRIDGEPORT  Bullard-Havens Technical High School has been named the 2018 School of the Year by WIX Filters and Tomorrows Tech magazine.

Bullard-Havens was among 221 entries across the country and was specifically recognized excellence in automotive technology programs. As winners, the automotive department will get a $5,000 donation and other goodies at a ceremony at the school on Nov. 29, 2018.

This is the 11th year the award has been given out.

This year, the drive and dedication of Bullard-Havens Technical High School stood out among the competition, said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX Filters in a written statement. This is a school thats passionate about providing a well-rounded technical education for its students. Through internship opportunities and state-of-the-art equipment for learning, students graduate from Bullard-Havens ready to begin a successful career in the industry.

As part of the award, Roxanne Amiot, automotive department head and instructor at Bullard-Havens, will attend a recognition dinner at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo in Las Vegas.

Bullard Havens is among 17 state-run technical high schools and has an enrollment of about 800 students from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull. In addition to automotive, its trades include carpentry, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical, graphic technology, hairdressing, Information Technology, masonry, sustainable architecture, precision machining, and plumbing and heating.

The School of the Year program is open to all high schools and post-secondary schools with a subscription to Tomorrows Tech magazine. Of the 221 entries this year, the top 20 schools were asked to submit a video highlighting their technical programs and judges selected four finalists, or one from each region, from the video entries.

A strong technical training program is incredibly valuable not only to the students but also the industry as a whole, said Jim Merle, publisher of Tomorrows Tech. Bullard-Havens Technical High School showed an exceptional automotive program and opportunities for their students.

The three runners-up were Satellite High School, Satellite Beach, Florida; North Kansas City Schools - Career and Technical Education Center, Kansas City, Missouri; and Bonneville High School, Ogden, Utah.STRATFORD  Voters returned Republican Kevin Kelly to a fifth term in the state Senate on Tuesday.

Kelly narrowly lost in Stratford to his Democratic opponent, Monica Tujak Brill. But his victories in the other municipalities included in the 21st Senate district easily put him over the top. These included Monroe, Seymour and Shelton.

I would like to congratulate Monica for running a civil and gracious campaign, Kelly said after unofficial numbers were announced. I will continue to focus on families, affordable health care and seniors, and Id like to thank the voters in the 21st for placing their trust in me again.

The unofficial results had Kelly ahead 22,892 to 17,004. Kelly lost in the Stratford section of the 21st, however, 7,851 to 7,953.

Brill, although falling short, said that she was encouraged by her results in Stratford.

I think we did very well, Brill said, noting this was her first run at public office. My win in Stratford should send a message  the young people came out to support us and they are our next generation.

Brill had a tall mountain to climb. Kelly always seemed to have an easy time of it on Election Day, and Tuesdays contest was no exception.

In the 2016 race, Kelly cruised past Stratford Democrat Prez Palmer. The tally was 28,761 for Kelly and 15,342 for Palmer.

Kelly, a former town attorney, also faced Palmer in 2014. In that race, Kelly trounced him by a 2 to 1 ratio, or 21,675 to 10,317. Political insiders never considered Palmer as a serious contender.

In 2012 Kelly ran unopposed for the 21st. He was first elected to the seat in 2010; at that time the incumbent was Dan Debicella, also a Republican. Kellys opponent in that 2010 race was former Stratford mayor James Miron, whose term as mayor ended in December 2009. The tally in 2010 was Kelly, 22,455; Miron, 10,864.

The 21st includes parts of Monroe, Seymour and Stratford and all of Shelton. Both Brill and Kelly live in Stratford.

The seat has been locked up by Republicans for decades. Debicella, who lives in Shelton, represented the 21st from 2006 to 2010. Before that the seat was occupied by the late George Doc Gunther from 1966 to 2006. Gunther, who lived on Judson Street in Stratford, was the longest-serving state legislator in Connecticut history.

Kelly, 58, is the Senate Republican co-chairman of the Aging Committee and the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and he also serves as the Senate Republican vice-chairman of the Housing Committee and the Human Services Committee. He received his bachelors degree at Assumption College in 1982, his masters degree at Fairfield University in 1985, and his law degree from the University of Connecticut School Of Law in 1997.

Brill, 52, served as senior finance director at Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, and is currently controller at New Opportunities, Inc., an agency that provides social service programs to the needy in 27 municipalities including Waterbury. She previously managed large accounts such as the Guggenheim Museum for the international accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand and was controller at the The Frick Collection.

Kelly heads his Stratford law office, Kevin Kelly & Associates. With his wife, Cindy, he has four children and five grandchildren.

jburgeson@ctpost.comFAIRFIELD  Despite a heavy voter turnout, the results remained the same as far as the towns state representatives go, with all of the incumbents apparently holding onto their seats.

Right now, its looking very good for the incumbents, Republican Town Commitee Chairman James Millington said.The 2018 U.S. midterm elections garnered a huge chunk of the American spotlight on Tuesday (Nov. 6), and certain aspects of the countrys racing sectors were affected by the outcome of some of the polling.

In Florida, Greyhound racing will now be banned in the state by 2020, although dog tracks will still be allowed to operate card or slot rooms.

As an item by orlandoweekly.com explains, 69 per cent of voters in the Sunshine State voted to pass Amendment 13, which calls for the banning of Greyhound racing by 2020.

The Idaho State Journal has reported that Proposition 1, a ballot initiative which called for the legalization of historical racing or instant racing machines in the Gem State, was defeated by a slim margin.

Fifty-four percent (or 202,940) of voters were against the initiative, while 46 per cent (173,070) were in favour of it.

Idaho Governor Butch Otter had been a proponent of Proposition 1, as he hoped it would aid the states diminished live horse racing industry, according to the Idaho State Journal.

(With files from orlandoweekly.com and the Idaho State Journal)In 2017, retail holiday season sales in the United States totaled over $1 trillion; and Deloitte predicts this year's total will go even higher. Deloitte also predicted that U.S. ecommerce sales alone would reach $134 billion in 2018. Thats a rise of 22 percent over the previous year.

Related: 6 Ways to Retain Ecommerce Customers

For Shopify store owners, the peak shopping season represents an opportunity to boost revenues and win over new customers. While gaining new customers is a key component to a successful business, studies have shown that retaining them is a far more effective strategy.

Amy Gallo from the Harvard Business Review pointed out how effective: "Increasing customer retention rates by 5 oercent increases profits by 25 percent to 95 percent (depending on the industry)," Gallo wrote.

And, according to Khalid Saleh at Invesp, it costs five times as much to attract a new customer than to keep an existing one.

All of these figures mean that the peak shopping season is not only the perfect opportunity to win over new customers, but also to build long-term loyalty. As Matthew Draper from Liferay has noted, The average repeat buyer spends 33 percent more than a new customer.

So, if retaining customers leads to a higher return on investment, and a potential increase in profits, how should you prepare your business to boost this desired retention?

Acquire your customers -- the right way.

When a visitor comes to your site for the first time, its essential that you offer him or her a positive impression. The average conversion rate of ecommerce sites stands at just under 3 percent. But, as a Shopify store, you could do better than that by using a tool like GrooveJar to boost your conversion rates.

GrooveJar allows you to create customizable pop-ups, triggered when the customer takes specific actions, like scrolling or hovering over the back button.

You might think pop-ups are annoying, but they work. As one Aweber test found, pop-ups in one study led to 1,375 percent more email signups on one site than did a sidebar. If you too employed pop-ups, you would be able to send targeted, personalized content to your subscribers. Remember, email can be one of the most effective forms of marketing, often generating an ROI of $44 for every $1 spent, according to Campaign Monitor's 2016 Year in Review.

Related: 4 Strategies to Keep Customers Coming Back

Use live chat to improve customer service.

As Shopifys Alex McEachern told me, Customers see fast, friendly and consistent service as the gold standard. For ecommerce stores, offering live chat via a tool like Tidio is one way to quickly and effectively respond to customer queries.

Whether the customer is talking to a real person or a bot, live chat tools have been proven to drive up sales at ecommerce stores. By engaging with people in real time and resolving their issues, you could impress customers enough that 52 percent of them might make another purchase at your store (according to a Campaign Monitor study).

The one caveat is that you need to ensure your live chat features are personalized and truly resolve customer issues.

Personalize your products.

Most successful ecommerce businesses embrace personalization to some degree. Given that 48 percent of customers -- according to a MyBuys survey -- spend more online after a personalized experience, you should be embracing some of the more useful personalization tools available to you.

One way of getting ahead of your competitors is to offer customers the chance to personalize their products. Tools like ShopStorms Product Customizer enable you to do this. It could prove particularly handy during the holiday season, as shoppers look to add a personal touch to gifts for loved ones. By taking personalization to the next level, you can deliver a more memorable experience for your customers.

Engage customers with user-generated content.

People dont actually connect with your brand; they connect with the other people that connect to your brand," said Mariel Bacci, director at BVAccel, a brand consultancy based in San Diego. Her words were a healthy reminder of the value of community, whether the term describes your niche, products or brand. In order to build affinity of any type, you need to enable your customers to connect with one another.

So, encourage your customers to create content on your site and to engage with your forums, social media and blogs.

Product reviews are one such form of user-generated content. Theres plenty of evidence to support the claim that product reviews, including better reviews, are the number one factor driving customers toward higher-priced products. As a business, you should engage with customers who leave product reviews, particularly negative ones.

By being proactive and sincere, you'll be giving yourself the chance to resolve that negative reviewer's issue -- and show that resolution publicly.

Then, even if you don't manage to solve an individual case, other customers will see you care and feel more confident about making purchases from you.

Enable customers to build wishlists.

For ecommerce stores, wishlists can be invaluable marketing tools. Without customers actually making a purchase, you can build a picture of their thoughts and interests. You can then use this information to refine your content marketing strategy.

Wishlists also allow you to alert customers to restocked products or special offers. By offering this service, you will be improving your customer retention rate and revenue. Wishl Favorites Wishlist is an example of one such Shopify tool you can use with your store.

Final thoughts

Theres no secret to customer retention. As happens with any retail scenario, it comes down to providing excellent customer service. In this digital age, it can be easy to fall into the trap of simply providing an online shop and letting automation take care of everything. But don't do that, because todays shoppers are tech-savvy and fully aware of the choices available to them. They will turn away from an impersonal shopping experience and know when a store isnt up to standard.

Related: Bringing Online Shopping to Life: How Etsy Experiments With Retail as a Brand Experience

For this holiday season, take your store to the next level by focusing on retaining new customers. Use the latest tools and technology to deliver peerless customer service, and youll be reaping the rewards well beyond January 2019.

Related:

Retain the Shopify Customers You Attract this Peak Shopping Season

How Customer Conversations and Feedback Helped This Photo Company Improve Its Business Model

Four Strategies To Help Small Businesses Increase Customer Retention



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedFAIRFIELD  Republican state Sen. Tony Hwang appeared to hold onto his seat representing the 28th District, holding off Democratic challenger Michelle Lapine McCabe.

Hwang will serve his third term in the Senate. He previously served three terms as a state representative from the 134th district. After getting his start on the Representative Town Meeting, Hwang ran for state office in 2008, ousting Democrat Kim Fawcett for the 134th seat.

According to unofficial vote totals from the Secretary of State, Hwang received 23,973 votes (49.64 percent) to McCabes 22,445 (46.48 percent). Republican Town Committee Chairman James Millington said Hwang also won in Newtown. The district includes Fairfield, Easton, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

McCabe was a political newcomer, who touted her experience writing policy and working for non-profits, and was upbeat as she awaited results at Crave.

I feel great, McCabe said. She said the energy she saw out on the campaign trail was exciting, in and of itself. There were a lot of people getting involved for the first, and for this to by my first campaign, it was the best experience Ive ever had.

The candidates had yet to make an appearance over at Flipside, where the GOP had gathered to watch the election results.

greilly@ctpost.com; 203-842-2582STRATFORD  The towns 120th state legislative seat was too close to call Tuesday with Republican challenger Jim Feehan clinging to a 58-point lead with all precincts reporting, but hundreds absentee and same day ballots not yet tallied.

Its in the hands of God, said Feehan, 56. I ran a good race. My opponent ran a good race, but I have to say this has been a blood bath for Republicans (in the legislature statewide), it looks like.

Incumbent Philip Young, a Democrat, said earlier in the day that he felt a positive energy despite the rain as he traveled between Wilcoxson, Wooster, Nichols and Chapel Schools. In the evening, however, he stayed away from Democratic Headquarters on Hawley Lane as the returns came in.

He has made it his full time job, said Youngs wife, Jennifer, who was at headquarters. He reached out to voters one at a time. He felt like he doesnt have the luxury of an incumbent, his time has been so short.

Young has said that hes eager to take on a more proactive role in Hartford this time around if re-elected.

Young, 55, has been in office since a special election in February 2018. He won the seat Laura Hoydick held until she was elected as Stratfords mayor and stepped down. The district had been in Republican hands for 44 years.

We knew it could be very tight, Jennifer Young said of the current race.

With the turnout in Stratford all day, Democratic Party Chair Stephanie Philips said she felt good about the effort.

We did all the right things, she said. We were well organized. We ran clean races. If we lost it was not for anything we didnt do right.

Feehan, who has chaired both the Board of Education and the Town Council, is president of New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus.

Young is a former chef for the Bridge House Restaurant in Milford and a former member of the Stratford Town Council.Trot Insider has learned that a coat drive has kicked off at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with donations to benefit homeless individuals.

Horseman Tommy Larocque has placed two wardrobe boxes at Mohawk; one box is in the race office inside and the other is under the steel stairs in front of the paddock office.

Horsemen are welcome to donate coats or any garments to provide warmth for the upcoming months.It has been reported that former Standardbred trainer Dave Sabatelli, 53, passed away on Monday, November 5 in Floridas Collier County.

According to the Naples Daily News, officials in Florida believe that Sabatelli suffered a medical episode will driving on Interstate 75 just after 1 p.m.

The report states that Sabatellis vehicle drifted into a guardrail and collided a few times before it stopped.

Sabatelli is well known in the industry for having trained Four Starzzz Shark during his six-year-old campaign in 2004, one in which he won nine of his 11 races, banked over $800,000 in purses and took his mark of 1:47.4 before being named the United States 2004 Older Pacer of the Year.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dave Sabatelli.

(With files from the Naples Daily News)STRATFORD  Incumbent Democrat Joe Gresko won the right to represent the 121 state House district for the third time in less than three years, according to unofficial results on Election Day.

He beat challenger Robert Mitchell.

Gresko, 54, has held the seat since a special election in 2016 after the death of Terry Backer. The district covers much of the south end of Stratford.

I am very happy, Gresko said when he arrived at Democratic Headquarters on Hawley Lane shortly before 9:30 p.m. Everyone here put in so much hard work it was contageous.

Gresko said he believed he won Lordship School by 300 votes, Nicols by 400 and Stratford High by 300.

The only count that surprised him was how well he did in Lordship, he said.

With the turnout so high here in Stratford and across the state, the more who show up, the better it is for Democrats, Gresko said.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district by about 3.3 to 1. About 46 percent of the electorate in the 121st is unaffiliated.

I think Democrats have held the seat since 1974, said Mitchell, 65, who said he had called Gresko to congratulate him.

An attorney with Mitchell & Sheahan, Mitchell said he was very pleased with the heavy voter turnout, regardless of the results.

I am happy with the race I ran, Mitchell said. Neither side made it personal.

Gresko formerly worked as a news reporter/anchor at WICC and previously worked as legislative aide for Backer in the same legislative district. He was also a former member of the Stratford Town Council, and served on the Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commissions.

In the upcoming legislature, Gresko said he would seek to increase educational funding for Stratford and advocate for Stratford in any casino legislation.Even in his final words of the campaign, shortly after making the traditional losers phone call to Democrat Ned Lamont - who will become the 89th governor of Connecticut - Republican Bob Stefanowski came back to the states tax burden.

While this is not the result we would have hoped for, I am glad that we were able to draw so much attention to the tax burden in this state, Stefanowski said in a statement that was sent out shortly after he gave up the race on a radio talk show Wednesday morning.

Think about it - at the beginning of this race, we were laser-focused on cutting taxes, while other candidates were talking about raising taxes, Stefanowski said. We were able to mold the discussion in such a way that the other candidates slowly began to come around to the same conclusion to varying degrees.

The economy was the biggest issue on the minds of Connecticut voters, and was by far the most talked about concern on the campaign trail. But experts suggest that at the very least, it was opposition to President Donald Trump who ultimately drew record turnout in Connecticut that led to Lamonts victory.

The pushback against the Trump administration played a role, said Gayle Alberda, political science professor at Fairfield University. People being really upset about the stuff that was happening at the White House and coming out to vote because of that.

Alberda said there was an indication the blue wave would happen because of the surge of new voters who registered in Connecticut since the 2016 election, a trend that ultimately tipped the scales in Lamonts favor.

Jonathan Wharton, a political science professor at Southern Connecticut State University, said the energized voters in Connecticuts suburbs  especially Fairfield County where Democrats had several upsets in long-time Republican districts  also played a role in Stefanowskis loss. He also cited turnout in New Haven and Hamden as playing a major role in the outcome of the governors race.

Clearly there was an interest in New Haven of not supporting Trump, so that was definitely part of it, Wharton said.

Stefanowski conceded to Ned Lamont a little before 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, then called in to the Chaz and AJ radio show on classic-rock station WPLR, where he wished success to the state, and Lamont.

He won fair and square, Stefanowski said on the radio.

Lamont indicated he will work with Stefanowski to solve the states budget crisis.

After a long campaign, he could not have been more gracious, and I could not be more appreciative, Lamont said. I look forward to working with him, because we all need to come together - regardless of party - to solve our states biggest challenges.

Asked if he would consider running again, Stefanowski said hes not ruling out but needs time to decompress.

Stefanowski, who lived abroad for nearly two decades, said he has reconnected with the state, and added he is humbled and honored by the support he received.

I have learned a lot over the course of this campaign, but the biggest takeaway for me has been the realization that Connecticut is one big family, Stefanowski said. That wont end with the campaign. We will continue to share that bond regardless of todays outcome.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasseltBased on election results as of press time, Democrats have won enough seats to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming 116th Congress; while the Senate will remain in Republican hands, ensuring a split Congress in 2019. What does this mean for credit unions?

Credit unions will continue to have a strong seat at the table as we enjoy bipartisan support in Congress, said Dan Berger, NAFCU president and CEO. Whether working with Republicans, Democrats or Independents, our goal is to achieve an appropriate regulatory environment that provides a tailored approach to regulation, a level playing field, and transparent and independent regulatory oversight for credit unions and the 114 million members they serve.

NAFCU lobbyists expect that a split Congress will likely limit legislative activity. Any legislation, other than must-pass items, will need to be strongly bipartisan to have a chance at passage, said NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler. For credit unions, this means Congress may act on items including fintech, data security and personal privacy, and housing finance reform if bipartisan solutions can be found. Targeted regulatory relief for financial institutions is also still possible in areas addressing the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering. We expect that there could be a number of hearings, as each side seeks to stake out its position on issues, but getting something moving will take building bipartisan support.A federal judge ruled there were enough facts in a former credit union employees lawsuit that alleged she was fired by the $493 million Florida Central Credit Union because of her choice to have an abortion.

The Tampa-based credit union flatly denied Elena DeJesus claim, saying she was terminated from her teller job in 2016 for tardiness, an unscheduled absence and a lack of communication, according to FCCUs court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Tampa. The credit union also denied that it discriminated against DeJesus under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that protects women from discrimination based on their choice to have an abortion.

In June, Florida Central CU asked U.S. District Court Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell to dismiss the lawsuit arguing that DeJesus did not sufficiently plead a claim for discrimination under Title VII and for failing to first exhaust administrative remedies.Helping members achieve home ownership in a high-priced urban market has helped IDB-IIC FCU($564.2M, Washington, DC) achieve measures of member engagement that put it among the top leaders in loan balances, according to data from Callahan & Associates.

As of June 30, 2018, the District-based cooperative reported an average loan balance of $82,427, which placed it seventh by that measure among all 5,596 U.S. credit unions.

The 10,873-member credit union is owned by members and employees of the Inter-American Development Bank and Inter-American Investment Corp., which provides financing and other support for development in Latin America. As for the credit union, it provides financing and support for members in our nations capital.Donations trickled in slowly during the pandemic, but the new bookstore run by the Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library looks to change that.Patriot Park memorial receives crucial 6-acre donation

David Schmucker donated nearly 7 acres to the park for the centerpiece Gold Star Memorial Plaza.A breakthrough of more than 20,000 migrants preparing to cross the Bosnia-Croatia border and on to European Union (EU) nations is imminent, according to Austrian intelligence, which warns many are armed.



Migrant attempts to break into the EU have grown increasingly bold and forceful, with police and illegal immigrants injured in several clashes since the middle of October, when hundreds began camping at the border  reportedly after having been given misinformation that Croatia was set to open its frontiers.



According to Italian news agency ANSA, local media reports the groups send numbers of young people and children towards the police line to chant open border, open border, while clashes see mobs of young men charge at police, and throw stones and other projectiles.

Austrian intel warns there's thousands of jihadists ready to invade at the borders to Europe All of the continent are going to have to start thinking seriously now whether they want this chaos and hell unleashed upon their countries. Because it's clear there's a horror story in the making, and if so, it'll be due to their ignorance and willingness to allow barbarism to invade.

Labels: dhimmitude, Europe, immigration, islam, jihad, terrorismHeres a shout-out to fellow gray-hairs who learned math the old-fashioned way, by memorizing simple formulas along with facts about addition and multiplication. This technique is anathema in todays classrooms.

But might the old ways ever come back into vogue?

I would have said when pigs fly, but then I read Lenora Chus cant-put-down book Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve. Chu writes about her first-hand experience with the alarming  and ultimately effective  Chinese way of educating children.

I picked up Chus book out of mere curiosity about what it must be like to work as a journalist while trying to raise a family in a country so different from our own. And while the details of Chus son Raineys difficult start at an exclusive Shanghai preschool are enthralling, the real story is about how Chinese culture helps explain the countrys consistent dominance of the Program for International Student Assessment.

The secret is, obviously, that its a test-crazy country. But those tests are laid upon such foundational principles as reverence for teachers, respect for math and a firm belief in the transformative power of hard work.

China affords teachers more status than any other country, a global education nonprofit found in a 2013 survey (though I had proof enough in the jitter that overtakes my hands when I talk to Raineys teachers), Chu writes.

It goes far beyond mere professional status. According to Chu, doing well in school is the ultimate way to respect your parents, since good grades and test scores are the path to financial stability, and the ability to provide for parents in old age.

A childs obedience to and respect for elders transfers to teachers, whose authority is absolute and never questioned  not even by Western parents who, like Chu, believe children should be given at least some measure of autonomy over themselves in order to mature and learn at their own pace.

In addition to the much-maligned rat race of grueling standardized testings  which serve as the gatekeeper to most jobs and careers in China  is the Chinese attitude toward ability.

The Chinese believe in luck and fate, but their guiding philosophy is that anything is possible if you work hard enough. Teachers and parents start with the assumption that every child is able to become a disciplined, focused learner. Chu writes that children are then reminded at every turn that if theres a goal worth accomplishing, day-to-day life might be absolutely and miserably unpleasant for a spell.  Hard work is the most important thing.

In stark contrast, Americans are conditioned to believe in innate ability  hereditary traits that either make you good at something or not, regardless of effort. This is, at least in part, why Americans are unashamed to go around saying Im not good at math, whereas the Chinese, as a whole culture, value math every bit as much as we value reading ability.

Lastly, of course, are the differences  rigor, extreme challenge  in the actual methods for teaching subjects like science and math. And yes, its true the Chinese use  gasp!  rote memorization, skills drilling and repetition to teach the fundamentals. But thats music to this teachers ears. Ive seen the damage done to students who cant thrive without structured instruction and opportunities to practice until attaining true mastery.

Not all of Chinas methods are transferrable (or desirable) outside their culture, but the United Kingdom is piloting direct instruction of whole-class, mastery-math teaching.

And if it works for U.K. students and they pivot toward deep understanding of math and away from mile-wide, inch-deep curriculum, us oldsters may stand a chance at being able to help our grandkids memorize their math facts someday.

Esther Cepeda is syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group.UPDATED



For the first time in eight years, Democrats were on track to take control of the House of Representatives as the result of Tuesdays midterm elections, ushering in some big changes in how Washington handles educationbut not necessarily huge changes in policy.

As of early Wednesday, Democrats had picked up at least the 23 seats required to win the chamber, according to the Associated Press and other projections. That gives Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia control of the House education committee. Scott, currently the top Democrat on the committee, was poised to take over the chair from GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the first Democrat to chair the committee since retired Rep. George Miller of California, who was chairman from 2007 until 2011.

However, any wholesale policy changes on education coming from the House will likely be checked by the Senate, which will remain in GOP hands. And President Donald Trump, of course, remains in the White House.



Whats the biggest impact of Democrats controlling the committee? Most of all, it means increased oversight of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos . Since DeVos assumed office more than 18 months ago, Foxx has called the secretary to testify before the committee only once. But with Scott in charge, you can expect to see more of DeVos on Capitol Hill, where she often makes news willingly or otherwise.



Thats because Democrats have attacked DeVos about virtually everything shes done, from her decision to nix Obama-era guidance expanding transgender students access to school facilities, to her (so far unsuccessful) pushes to cut the U.S. Department of Educations budget. Scott and others wont be disappointed to see more headlines like the kind DeVos has created over undocumented students and gun control in her few public appearances before federal lawmakers.

Spotlight on Civil Rights

In particular, you can expect lots of questions about how DeVos has handled civil rights, particularly since Scott used to work as a civil rights attorney and has led other Democrats in opposing the Trump administrations decisions about affirmative action, racial integration of schools, and how the office for civil rights has deemphasized investigations into systemic bias and discrimination, among other issues.

You can also expect Democrats to hone in on the Every Student Succeeds Act. Theyve been bashing DeVos for months because they think shes been approving state ESSA plans that flout the law and dont pay enough attention to underserved students. Those ESSA issues that worry Democrats are also closely connected to civil rights in education.

Still, you shouldnt expect to see DeVos on the Hill all the time. Why? Democrats on the Hill have indicated that they want a bunch of Trump administration education officials to testify about specific policy decisions in various areas. So you might see officials like Kenneth L. Marcus, the assistant secretary for civil rights, and Frank Brogan, the assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, take their turns testifying as well.

Moreover, just because Democrats will control the House doesnt mean you should expect sweeping changes to education policy. Democrats proposal to overhaul higher education through the Aim Higher Act, for example, will probably stall in the GOP-controlled Senate even if the House votes to pass it. And any push they make on issues like school integration, funding for school construction, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and more could hit all kinds of snags and quickly get tossed aside by the Senate and the Trump administration.

Finally, as we indicated, its possible Scott and others will focus more attention on higher education than K-12. Why? Democrats on the Hill believe they might be able to use subpoena power to showcase what they believe are conflicts of interest at the Education Department. Focusing on DeVos higher education record might also help Democrats appeal to young voters as the 2020 presidential race gets underway.

Taking Stock of Turnover

How did House education committee lawmakers fare? Heres how some Republicans in tight races fared:



Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia lost his race.

Rep. Jason Lewis of Minnesota lost his race.

Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia was still locked in a tight race of of Wednesday morning.

The new wave of Democrats in Congress next year will also be part of some turnover on the committee.

Among prominent lawmakers who wont be returning are Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind. Rokita and Polis are the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House subcommittee on elementary and secondary education, and Messer is a veteran and prominent champion of school choice. Well be watching to see which Democrats, rookie or otherwise, get added to the committee roster.

Also keep in mind that with the House under Democratic control, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., is set to take over as the leader of the House appropriations subcommittee that handles spending at the U.S. Department of Education.

And what about the Senate? We recently profiled how education was playing into several prominent races . Here are a few results in several of those contests:



The race between incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Florida Gov. Rick Scott is in a recount . Nelson and Scott traded accusations about school safety and gun control in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., school massacre in February.

Mike Braun, the GOP Senate candidate in Indiana, beat Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly. Donnelly touted his record on early-childhood education.

In a race for an open Tennessee Senate seat, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat. Bredesen backed Tennessees involvement in the Obama administrations Race to the Top grant program and backed moves to include test scores in the states teacher-evaluation system. Blackburn has backed charter schools and making home schooling easier.

Photo: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, claps between her two grandsons as she appears with other House Democrats after speaking about Democratic wins in the House of Representatives to a crowd of supporters during an election night returns event on Nov. 6 in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

This article has been corrected to reflect the most current status of the Nelson-Scott race in Florida.

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Andrew Ujifusa half of Politics K-12 @AndrewUjifusa .

Thousands of weary parents across Australia struggle with getting their active toddlers to sleep each night.

It's a challenge Tresillian nurse Kerry Harley has come across a lot and one she says is possible to overcome through teaching young kids better bedtime habits.

'The thing with toddlers is they like predictability. They like routine and they don't like surprises,' the sleep expert explained in conversation with Today.

Scroll down for video

Teaching a toddler better sleep habits is a matter of creating predictable routines (stock image)

Tresillian nurse Kerry Harley says there's a way to teach young kids better sleep habits - and it's something that's not to difficult.

One of the issues the nurse addressed was directed to her from a concerned parent, Tscharne Jenkins, whose 18-month-old child was unable to sleep unless they were fed a bottle of milk.

The expert explained rather than view this as a habit, it was more a child had developed a 'sleep association' - one where they associated objects, a breast, a bottle or something else with a sleep routine.

She said teaching a child to form new sleep associations was a simple strategy for breaking this type of pattern.

'For example, [parents might use] a particular piece of music, or patting as a way to wean her off.'

The nurse also suggested it could be helpful to offer the child a cup of hot milk before sleep as a gentle way help soothe and settle a tired toddler.

Parents Tscharne Jenkins (pictured centre) and Alysha Lasaitis (pictured right) asked nurse Kerry how to manage sleep problems they were experiencing with their toddlers

Nurse Kerry also shared her advice to parents wanting to wean their child off a dummy - a question she said she's often asked.

Her suggestion isn't to 'go cold turkey' as this can quickly become a difficult situation for parents and children.

She said if a child was using a dummy while sleeping, first try putting the child down to sleep without it, and if that was unsuccessful break the habit slowly by using it less frequently as time went on.

Her key recommendation to all parents of toddlers and young children was to aim for a predictable bedtime

Top tips for settling your toddler: 1. If your toddler wont settle, check to see if their nappy is dry and make sure they're warm enough, especially at night 2. A predictable bedtime routine including a wind-down period is important to help your child recognise and establish good sleep patterns. 3. If your child finds it difficult to settle without help, try remaining near to allow your child to fall asleep with a parent in view. (e.g. sit on a chair beside the cot/bed). Source: Tresillian.org.au Advertisement

Another parent, Alysha Lasaitis, also spoke to the expert about the sleep problems she was having with her 15-month-old daughter, Sabin.

She explained her child is a 'bad day sleeper' - something that can result in her child either not having an afternoon nap or falling asleep as early as 5.30pm.

'For her age, 15 months, is a transition period,' Nurse Kerry said.

'So some days she might have an early morning sleep and some days she might have two periods of sleep especially if she has had a busy day.'

Her advice to Alysha was that if her daughter didn't want to nap in the afternoon, to hold out for as long as possible before putting her down for the night.

'The afternoon might be a bit of a write-off but it's better to have that activity going on in the afternoon rather than in the middle of the night.'

Her key recommendation to all parents of toddlers and young children was to aim for a predictable bedtime.

This includes a wind-down period is to help your child recognise and establish good sleep patterns.

'Consistency and patience is the key with toddlers,' she concluded.Fans have praised Giovanna Fletcher after she shared an honest insight into adjusting to her post-baby body.

Giovanna, and husband McFly star Tom, both 33, who are already parents to Buzz, four, and Buddy, two, welcomed their youngest son Max in August.

And on Tuesday the mother-of-three took to Instagram to share a candid post about struggling to find clothes that made her 'feel good', describing herself as at the 'odd post-pregnancy stage where nothing fits'.

Taking to her Instagram account in a post which has already racked up 50,000 likes, Giovanna posed in maroon-coloured dungarees, admitting that she was trying to 'step away from black'.

Mother-of-three Giovanna Fletcher, 33, who gave birth to third son Max just 10 weeks ago, was praised after sharing an honest Instagram post about her post-baby body

Taking to her Instagram account in a post which has already racked up 50,000 likes, Giovanna posed in maroon-coloured dungarees, admitting that she was trying to 'step away from black'

Captioning the image she wrote: 'I've decided to step away from the black today.

'Im currently at a very odd post-pregnancy stage where my clothes usually make me feel poo... nothing fits.'

She continued: 'My maternity wear makes me look pregnant still and my normal clothes either dont do up or create all sorts of interesting lumps and bumps.'

However Giovanna, who lives in Middlesex, was quick to highlight that she saw the changes as a positive thing, as it meant she had given birth to another healthy child.

Giovanna, 33, raises Buzz, 4, and Buddy, 2, and 10-week-old Max with British McFly star Tom Fletcher ( the boys are seen with their mother above)

Revealing that the outfit had finally made her feel good about herself, she concluded: 'Im 10 weeks in and thankfully not berating my body after its wonderful job of bringing another healthy child into my life.

'But today this outfit has made me feel good. I smile every time I look down or catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.'

And fans quickly rushed to her post, praising her honesty and sharing their own experiences.

'I can totally relate to this so thank you for making me realise Im not the only one dealing with post pregnancy wardrobe issues,' one wrote.

Another added: 'This is exactly the same for me at 9 weeks pp. I felt great in my maternity clothes and look like a total frump now nothing fits properly, feel awful. Thanks for letting us know that you feel the same though I think you look gorgeous'.

Giovanna and Tom have been together since the tender age of 20, and first met at the Sylvia Young Theatre School aged just 13 (seen in September)

Tom proposed to Giovanna at the school in April 2011 after he lured her there under the pretense he was filming a documentary about his life. Pictured: The couple this year

Sharing her own struggle, one said: 'This was me today! Went shopping today felt fat in just everything need to give myself a break twins are only 10 weeks old!'

Giovanna and Tom have been together since the tender age of 20, and first met at the Sylvia Young Theatre School aged just 13.

Tom proposed to Giovanna at the school in April 2011 after he lured her there under the pretence he was filming a documentary about his life.

A year later the pair married, with Tom's McFly bandmates and Mario as best men at their intimate family wedding in London.

And fans quickly rushed to her post, praising her honesty and sharing their own experiences. 'I can totally relate to this so thank you for making me realise Im not the only one dealing with post pregnancy wardrobe issues,' one wrote

During their first two pregnancies, Fletcher and Giovanna took pictures every day throughout the 9 months to show her bump blossoming.

As well as newborn Max Mario, they are also parents to Buzz Michelangelo Fletcher, 4, and Buddy Bob Fletcher, 2.

Giovanna and Tom are seen as one of the most solid couples in showbiz, however Tom previously opened up about living with depression for five years.

After seeking help in rehab and with medication, the McBusted star revealed that becoming a father to Buzz that finally helped him overcome the illness.

However, Giovanna (pictured with baby Max) was quick to highlight that she saw the changes as a positive thing, as it meant she had given birth to another healthy child

Sharing her own struggle, one said: 'This was me today! Went shopping today felt fat in just everything need to give myself a break twins are only 10 weeks old!'

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the star explained how welcoming Buzz last year helped him immensely: 'I was taking medication, but I don't any more. Having a kid has really helped me in my life.

'It gives you a sense of needing to be stable. It's not about you any more, it's about this child that you've decided to bring into the world.'

He added: 'You don't have any choice but to cope with life because you're doing it for someone else. I was very ready for that before Buzz was born.'Walking in the Victoria's Secret fashion show is a career game changer and a lifelong dream for many girls.

This year's show will be taped in New York City tomorrow night (November 8) and air on ABC on December 2. Joining the likes of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Martha Hunt are newbies Iesha Hodges and Cheyenne Maya Carty.

Get to know these unique beauties before their lives change forever.

Brooklyn born: 'I am beyond excited that the Victorias Secret Fashion Show is taking place in my very own hometown. NYC.' said Iesha Hodges

She's unique: Out to make a statement about redefining beauty, Iesha will be the first ever model to walk the Victoria's Secret runway as an African American with a blonde buzz cut.

After winning a V magazine modeling contest at age 17, Iesha Hodges signed with One Model Management.

She has worked with top brands including Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu and Oscar de la Renta, and has been featured in editorials for Instyle, Teen Vogue, and more.

The Brooklyn-born beauty doesn't have to travel far from home for this year's event. 'I am beyond excited that the Victorias Secret Fashion Show is taking place in my very own hometown, NYC! It feels so surreal,' she said.

'It truly shows that dreams do come true, and no matter where in the world you come from, anything is possible.'

Out to make a statement about redefining beauty, Iesha will be the first ever model to walk the Victoria's Secret runway as an African American with a blonde buzz cut.

'I am so honored to be embracing a different kind of beauty in the VS show this year.' she said. 'I know that so many young women will be watching and I want all girls to feel represented and feel beautiful.'

Trailblazer: 'I am so honored to be embracing a different kind of beauty in the VS show this year'

Iesha shared that she first shaved off all of her hair on a journey of self-love.

'For years, I was too attached to my hair and I thought that being beautiful was determined by the length of it. After shaving it all off, and coloring it this year I never felt so unique, and so free.

'It taught me to love myself just as I am. Beauty is strength, Beauty is confidence, and ultimately true beauty is within.'

Iesha is a huge supporter of women empowerment, and has plans to find a like-minded non-profit organization that focuses on inspiring the female youth.

When it comes to slipping on some lingerie, her favorite style is lace in the color pink. 'It's bold and feminine just like myself.'

Lace-Up Slip by Victoria's Secret, $55; victoriassecret.com. Scalloped Lace Bustier by Victoria's Secret, $56.50; victoriassecret.com. Crystal Pave Hoop Earrings by LC Lauren Conrad, now $4,80; kohls.com. Lace-embroidered thong by Else, $58; farfetch.com. Lilly shoes by Loeffler Randall, $395; zappos.com

CHEYENNE MAYA CARTY

Good genes: Cheyenne Maya Carty, aka Chey, was born in North London, and is of Mauritian and Jamaican heritage

Cheyenne Maya Carty, aka Chey, was born in North London, and is of Mauritian and Jamaican heritage. She started modeling shortly after being scouted at a roller-skating rink in 2013.

The curly-haired beauty has walked a number of runways, including Ashish, Marissa Webb, and Carmen Marc Valvo, has shot editorials for Vogue Italia and Teen Vogue, and is signed with New York Models.

While she can been seen all over the VS website, this is the first time she'll be walking the catwalk for the lingerie retailer.

'I'm excited to be around so many amazing girls, some of which are my friends and others that have been an inspiration since Ive started modelling, also for my mum to watch it on TV!'

In preparation, Chey has been practicing her walk every day and just about anywhere. 'On the way to the shops, at home and even in the gym,' she admits. 'Wherever theres some space to strut my stuff!'

She's also been working out with a trainer. 'Every time I workout now I try to change the exercises Im doing so it shocks my body.'

Runway newbie: While she can been seen all over the Victoria's Secret website, this is the first time she'll be walking the catwalk for the lingerie retailer

While she won't have to worry about her body looking good, her biggest fear walking the catwalk is falling.

'Theres so much pressure and cameras watching you as you step out on to the runway. You have to block it all out and focus on those few seconds youre in the spotlight.

'I think each girls worst nightmare is to trip or fall in front of the millions watching.'

She favors lingerie in bright colors. 'It really suits my skin tone.'People are constantly on the hunt for younger looking skin and there's one unusual facial that promises to deliver.

The Le Buccal facial is beloved by the likes of Meghan Markle, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs and Sophia Coppola, to name just a few.

At the moment Sandra Levy-Valensi, 47, is the only person offering the treatment in Australia and she's located in Perth.

'The Le Buccal facial works by massaging the skin from inside and outside to remove tension and stress from the muscle tissue, remove toxins and releases fluids that create puffiness and congestion,' Ms Levy-Valensi told FEMAIL.

The Le Buccal facial is loved by the likes of Meghan Markle, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs and Sophia Coppola, just to name a few

The whole process takes two hours and costs $380.

Although this may seem expensive, this is substantially cheaper than getting an appointment with pioneering Parisian Le Buccal facialist, Joelle Ciocco, as one session with her can cost $2,100.

Ms Ciocco's signature Le Buccal facial involves massaging inside of the mouth.

It is a technique also used by London's celebrity facialist and favourite of Meghan Markle's, Nichola Joss.

Meghan Markle has previously spoken about how the London-based facialist, Nichola Joss, gets her skin to glow

At the moment Sandra Levy-Valensi, 47, is the only person offering the treatment in Australia and she's located in Perth

'It improves blood circulation and oxygenation of blood cells. This deep, manual massage is like Pilates for the face,' Ms Levy-Valensi said.

She explained the extended benefits include relaxation of tight jaw muscles, noticeably plumper lips and smoother facial lines due to the increased blood flow and collagen production.

It has also been touted to bring about not only a glow to skin, but a relaxed and simultaneously more pronounced bone structure.

'The Le Buccal facial works by massaging the skin from inside and outside to remove tension and stress from the muscle tissue, remove toxins and releases fluids that create puffiness and congestion,' Ms Levy-Valensi said

The facialist said people can definitely see their skin being lifted after the treatment and said it was like 'fillers without needles'.

'The treatment is really technical and if you are not doing it correctly you might harm the skin,' she said.

Speaking about how the London-based facialist, Nichola Joss, gets the likes of Meghan Markle's skin to glow, the Duchess of Sussex said:

'I do facial exercises taught to me by one of my favorite aestheticians, Nicola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out. I swear it works, as silly as you may feel.

'On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted. There's a reason she is in high demand around awards season when every actress wants to look A-plus.'Advertisement

Melbourne Cup Day is traditionally a day of bold and bright fashion statements, and 2018's edition to Flemington was no exception.

Thousands of racegoers showed off the latest spring racing trends, which include pant suits, pink jackets for men and quirky headwear that's a far cry from the flower crowns of yesteryear.

Here, FEMAIL spotlights some of the major trends to emerge from the Birdcage and elsewhere, coming to a race track near you soon.

Melbourne Cup Day is traditionally a day of bold and bright fashion statements, and 2018's edition to Flemington was no exception (pictured: the Fashions on the Fields finalists)

Even the rain didn't dampen budding fashionistas' spirits, with many covering up their dresses with see-through ponchos (pictured)

Quirky headwear was one of the standout trends of the day (pictured), with many veering away from the traditional flower crown and going for something with more of a statement

Pant suits and pattern were two of the major trends; former Miss Tourism Australia went for a custom-made suit by Effie Kats (left), while Georgia Love went bold in orange (right); racing royalty Kate Waterhouse looked elegant in Miu Miu (centre)

PANT SUITS

First cited by celebrity stylist Donny Galella as one of the trends of this season, the pant suit was well and truly out in force on Tuesday.

Celebrities including former Miss Tourism Australia, Sarah Czarnuch, and Georgia Love, sported jackets and pants in bold colours - with the former opting for a custom-made suit by Effie Kats.

Elsewhere, Melbourne Cup punters donned power suits in a vast array of colours.

'Power suits are trending this season, a tailored jacket and pants are a fabulous alternative to a dress,' Donny previously told FEMAIL.

He added that this season is all about 'bold vibrant tones like red, purple, yellow/mustard, orange, cobalt blue and lots of pastels especially lilac and pastel millennial pink'.

Pink pant suits and jackets were a big hit with the men, who added a touch of flamboyance to their various outfits; radio host and TV star Andy Lee (centre) also got in on the pink action

While the pink look (pictured) was among the more divisive of the day, many praised it for its boldness and feeling of fun

Pink was also a hit with women including Balinese princess Lindy Klim (left) and Jade Tunchy (right)

PINK JACKETS

It wasn't just the women wearing millennial pink on Tuesday, although there were plenty of them too.

Countless men including radio host and TV star, Andy Lee, opted to rock the girlish hue to add a twist to the classic shirt and tie man's outfit.

While the look was among the more divisive of the day, many praised it for its boldness and feeling of fun.

It wasn't just typical flower crowns that were popular with the ladies, with many turning to more quirky headwear options (left, Brooke Hogan, right, stylist Lana Wilkinson)

Giant hats were one of the trends cited by celebrity stylist, Donny Galella, worn by Elyse Knowles (left); Jessie Habermann (right) also wore a visor with her yellow dress

Rachael Finch (left) and Olivia Rogers (right) also wore pretty fascinators

QUIRKY HEADWEAR

For the ladies, it's the headwear which can often make or break an outfit.

The fashion rules of spring racing 2018 * Do not wear a felt hat (they are for Autumn racing). Straw or sinamay based hats are key for Spring. * Try not to flash too much flesh, you are not going to a nightclub. Most race tracks do have rules and regulations, so do check the racetracks website for these specific details. * When styling think about your overall look head to toe, often its nice to keep the hair back in a sleek bun or pony, so that the millinery really becomes the focus of your outfit. Advertisement

And this year, there was plenty to commend.

Standout trends included giant hats, as seen on Elyse Knowles and many a woman in the Birdcage, as well as unusual headwear like the visor worn by AFL WAG and fashion blogger Jessie Habermann.

Fashions on the Field entrants wore some of the most unusual pieces, including large wide-brimmed hats, assymetrical fascinators and straw boaters, as seen on the winner Jordan Beard, who will battle it out for the Victorian state title on Oaks Day on Thursday.

'I really feel Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, can be thanked for the return of the bigger hat,' Donny said of this trend.

'She has rocked a few lately and its having an impact on our spring racing trends. I feel we went through the crown and tiara phase and this season, the hat is back.

'The bigger the brim, the better.'

Scarves as headwear and giant ribbons also got a look in, with Sarah Czarnuch, Georgia Love and racing royalty Kate Waterhouse wearing both these looks.

Fashions on the Field entrants (pictured) wore some of the most unusual pieces, including large wide-brimmed hats, assymetrical fascinators and straw boaters

The fashion world has seen a return to 80s trends in recent times, and this was more than felt trackside, as countless women opted for ruffles, voluminous sleeves and shoulder puffs (pictured: Olivia Rogers and Tegan Martin)

RUFFLES

The fashion world has seen a return to 80s trends in recent times, and this was more than felt trackside, as countless women opted for ruffles, voluminous sleeves and shoulder puffs.

The Block winner and model Elyse Knowles was a perfect reflection of the trend in her sunshine yellow outfit, while Dynasty actress Nat Kelly also hit the sartorial high notes wearing a black and white ruffled two-piece outfit.

Tegan Martin also tapped into this look, wearing a red dress with ruffles around the shoulders and hemline, and Tully Smyth wore a ruffled dress in green.

The Melboune Cup is about fun and colour, but pattern also got a good outing with this year's outfits, with Fashions on the Field finalists stunning in patterned outfits (pictured)

PATTERN

The Melbourne Cup is about fun and colour, but pattern also got a good outing with this year's outfits.

Kate Waterhouse showcased this how it's possible to look tasteful and have fun in a Miu Miu ensemble.

Olivia Rogers also drew countless plaudits for her beautiful floral red dress and crown.

Fashions on the Field entrants stunned in patterned red and yellow outfits. Others covered up their floral dresses with see-through ponchos, but continued to look stylish - even in the rain.Advertisement

The Melbourne Cup saw star jockey Kerrin McEvoy achieve his third win in the world's biggest race on Cross Counter.

But the star of the show for many casual race fans quickly became McEvoy's wife Cathy, 37, who - wearing a silk hair tie that matched his red helmet - beamed with pride at the man who had promised her a house and their four children a swimming pool if he won.

Moments after crossing the finishing line on Tuesday the 38-year-old champion said his $200,000 in earnings would be going towards giving mother-of-four Cathy a 'bigger home'.

'For some reason I said I'd buy my wife a new house. I can hear the real estate agents snapping at my heels already,' he joked to RSN Breakfast Club.

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The Melbourne Cup saw star jockey Kerrin McEvoy pull away with his third win at the iconic race on Cross Counter (pictured with wife Cathy)

But the star of the show quickly became McEvoy's wife Cathy, 37, who - wearing a silk hair tie that matched his red helmet - beamed with pride at the man who had promised her a house

Moments after crossing the finishing line on Tuesday the 38-year-old champion told reporters his $200,000 earnings would be going towards giving mother-of-four Cathy a 'bigger home'

Twitter erupted in praise for the sweet family, with one user writing: 'Not sure what's better, winning a Melbourne Cup or Kerrin McEvoy's wife? Wow!'

But the couple's story begins two decades ago when the apprentice jockeys met at Caulfield in Melbourne, aged 17.

Cathy Payne, who is the sister of former Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle and one of ten siblings, told the Herald Sun she beat McEvoy on the track 'a couple of times' but hasn't ridden professionally since he proposed in 2007.

McEvoy's first win on the first Tuesday in November came in 2000, as a 20-year-old onboard Brew.

He had to wait another 16 years before saluting again, this time riding Almandin to a sterling finish for owner Lloyd Williams.

This year's win onboard Cross Counter in the $6.6 million race held special meaning for him, with it being the first for the world's biggest stable Godolphin.

Twitter erupted in praise for the sweet family, with one user writing: 'Not sure what's better, winning a Melbourne Cup or Kerrin McEvoy's wife? Wow!' (The family pictured together)

'We were together when he won his first Melbourne Cup, which was so exciting. I couldn't be at the races [in 2016] as I was about to give birth,' Payne told the Herald Sun

When McEvoy crossed the finish line on Almandin that year, his daughter-to-be was clearly on his mind, with the rider hoping his wife 'hadn't cheered too hard and popped the baby out'

'We were together when he won his first Melbourne Cup, which was so exciting. I couldn't be at the races [in 2016] as I was about to give birth,' Payne told the Herald Sun.

When McEvoy crossed the finish line on Almandin that year, his daughter-to-be was clearly on his mind, with the rider hoping his wife 'hadn't cheered too hard and popped the baby out'.

'Funny when I spoke to [the horse's owner] Lloyd [Williams] the other day he said "When is the baby due?" and I said "Don't worry I'll be there on Tuesday regardless of the situation".

'She has been handling the brunt of the workload with the kids in Sydney while I've been down here riding winners in Melbourne. So I'd like to thank you, my lovely wife,' he told journalists from Channel Seven.

Fans of the couple were quick to point out how sweet they look together - on and off the field

McEvoy came in seventh place the year his sister-in-law Michelle won the Melbourne Cup - his father Phillip McEvoy watching on in the crowd

Their now two-year-old daughter Eva, who was pictured alongside her brothers Charlie, 10, Jake, eight and Rhys, five, holding this year's trophy, watched their father proudly at Flemington yesterday

Their now two-year-old daughter Eva, who was pictured alongside her brothers Charlie, 10, Jake, eight and Rhys, five, holding this year's trophy, watched their father proudly at Flemington yesterday.

It's a trophy the entire family feel connected to, with McEvoy's sister-in-law Michelle piloting Prince Of Penzance to victory in 2015.

'I've married into their family and it was a pretty special moment not only for our family - but Australian sport - for her to be able to achieve it,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time.

'To become the first female [to win it], she's in the history books now and to see the joy on everyone's faces in the family - I saw a lot of them the other day again - was incredible.'

McEvoy came in seventh place that year on Gai Waterhouse's Excess Knowledge - his father Phillip McEvoy watching on in the crowd.

'She has been handling the brunt of the workload with the kids in Sydney while I've been down here riding winners in Melbourne. So I'd like to thank you, my lovely wife,' he told journalists from Channel Seven (pictured with Michelle)

'It's a family thing. Payne's last year, McEvoy's this year. You wouldn't believe it,' an emotional Phillip told Adelaide Now in 2015

McEvoy and Payne - he from Streaky Bay in South Australia and she from Ballarat in Victoria - will likely be taking some time out to enjoy their win and spend time together in Sydney

'The thrill of going to the big days and having a good chance in the big races is one of the upsides of Kerrin being so successful,' Payne has previously told the Herald

'It's a family thing. Payne's last year, McEvoy's this year. You wouldn't believe it,' an emotional Phillip told Adelaide Now in 2015.

'I just saw Michelle run the phone out and Cathy is on the phone talking to Kerrin. How good was that?

'I think its hit me more this time around. You're up against the best in the world, the whole world is watching and to see your son ride such a great race is bloody unbelievable.'

McEvoy and Payne - he from Streaky Bay in South Australia and she from Ballarat in Victoria - will likely be taking some time out to enjoy their win and spend time together in Sydney - particularly as Kerrin is normally away for much of the Spring Carnival season.

'The thrill of going to the big days and having a good chance in the big races is one of the upsides of Kerrin being so successful,' Payne has previously told the Herald.

The Melbourne Cup win caps off a successful month for McEvoy, who rode Redzel in a second straight win in the $10 million Everest in Sydney less than a month before.The explosion in online dating has inspired an array of contemporary expressions such as gaslighting, ghosting and haunting.

And now there's another term to add to the list - 'sneating'.

The term refers to people who go on a date with someone they're not particularly interested in - just so they can eat at a nice restaurant without footing the bill.

But not everyone is a fan of the latest online dating trend.

'Sneating is awful. It lacks authenticity and integrity, and ruins if for the genuine people out there,' Australian dating expert Samantha Jayne told FEMAIL.

The term 'sneating' refers to people who strategically go on date because they want to eat at a nice restaurant without having to foot the bill

'To go out with someone purely for the purpose of a "free meal" and taking advantage of the generosity of a chivalrous man is an absolute no-no,' she added.

Ms Jayne said sneating was one of the reasons some men prefer to split the bill on the first date.

She said it had a devastating impact on its victims and caused people to question the integrity of their dates.

'Sneating is awful and lacks authenticity and integrity and ruins if for the genuine people out there,' Australian dating expert Samantha Jayne told FEMAIL

Ways to spot or avoid being sneated - If your date has made no effort in their appearance and their conversations with you seems to be very short - If your date won't accept anything but an expensive restaurant there is a chance they are looking to sneat you - If your date orders the most expensive meal on the menu and continues to order, entree, mains, dessert and wine without even engaging with you it's alarm bells - If your date doesn't give you eye contact, there's no warmth or they don't ask you questions then it is likely you are being sneated - To avoid being sneated it's best to avoid expensive restaurants on a first date, stick to something more casual Advertisement

'If you are the one that is sneating it's important to think about what you are doing,' she said.

'At the end of the day it's just food and spending time with someone you have zero interest in, comes at a consequence.

'Time is something that you can never get back so it is a waste being sneaky when you could be spending time with someone that you genuinely want to connect with.'

Just because someone buys you a meal doesn't mean you owe them anything, but Ms Jayne said was important to 'practice common decency'.

'If you happen to go on your date and think you have zero interest, then be polite, keep things short and sweet, and keep things simple,' she said.

'You just never know who they might know!'

Just because someone buys you a meal doesn't mean you owe them anything, but it's important to 'practice common decency'

Although the term was added to the Urban Dictionary in 2011, the phrase gained little momentum until a woman called Lucy wrote a piece for Whimn about her own experience with 'sneating'.

Lucy wrote how she was struggling to make ends meet, and went on a series of dates simply to enjoy delicious meals.

Rather than lobster or anything lavish, she opted for fruit and vegetable-based dishes because that was the type of food she was missing out on most due to her 'student poverty'.

'I've been dating like this for about six months now, and I've scored probably close to 40 free meals from nice restaurants,' she said.

'And the bonus is that I'm casting my net more broadly than I otherwise would, so I'm meeting lots of interesting guys.'

This story gained even more momentum when it was shared by the New York Post where they said sneating 'feeds on chivalrous men'.Ruby Lee didn't meet the desired 'criteria' for her dream job but after an interview and 10 long days of waiting she was awarded the position.

The mother-of-two dubbed the 'job whisperer' is now hoping to encourage others to branch out of their respective industry shells - and apply for something they might ordinarily think they're unqualified for.

Speaking toWhimn, Ms Lee, from Melbourne, outlined the top three ways she'd go about approaching a new prospect.

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Ruby Lee didn't meet the desired 'criteria' for her dream job but after an interview and 10 long days of waiting she was awarded the position

Look beyond just one website

People often use traditional job-hunting websites to scour the internet for job openings.

But for Ms Lee it was Twitter that revealed her perfect position, and she'd motivate others to look on social media networks for their next career move too.

'Before I spotted it on Twitter, I had spent weeks typing "Tech Startup Recruiter" into the search field of a single job site,' she told the publication.

'Before I spotted it on Twitter, I had spent weeks typing "Tech Startup Recruiter" into the search field of a single job site,' she told the publication

'I was often left wondering if there were job opportunities out there that I was missing.'

Needless to say there were, with options like LinkedIn, CareerOne, Gumtree, Indeed and Spot Jobs giving clients an additional space to look for candidates.

Focus on your 'all-rounder' skills

While people might go to university to get a degree in nutrition, computer software or engineering, there are also a host of non-specialist skills employers will find pleasing across the board.

Things like being a good leader, listener or fast worker are all traits that be applied to each and every job you apply for - you only need to show the executives in an interview that you have them.

For Ms Lee, who spent eight years working in the area of recruitment, she was almost too shy to apply for something she desperately wanted.

For Ms Lee, who spent eight years working in the area of recruitment, she was almost too shy to apply for something she desperately wanted

'I was told people in the tech world have their own culture, think differently to "enterprise people", and that I'd struggle to fit in given my very corporate background,' she explained.

But this wasn't the case, having landed the job and marvelling the bigwigs with her ability to learn quickly.

Sell yourself the right way

No matter what kind of job you're applying for it's important to put your best foot forward immediately, and demonstrate why you're the ideal candidate.

Despite there being more experienced people going for the job, Ms Lee was awarded it based purely on her transferable skills and willingness to absorb the role quickly.

Prepare for the interview days in advance and ensure you've got any of the company 'lingo' down before presenting yourself.Australian cosmetic site Beauty Heaven recently revealed their annual Best in Beauty Awards, revealing the nation's favourite product across a variety of makeup and self-care categories.

Accolades were given for the most popular female, male and unisex fragrances, as well as the most-bought household scent.

An Australian brand known for its commitment to chemical free, natural ingredients was recognised as the go-to perfume for women nationwide - and it retails at a very reasonable $28.

Australia's favourite beauty brand Jurlique took the title for best female fragrance with its signature Essence of Rose Oil (pictured)

BEST FEMALE FRAGRANCE

Formulated in the rural hills of South Australia, Jurlique took the title for best female fragrance with its signature Essence of Rose Oil.

This $28 natural roll-on perfume is alluring, feminine and floral, and comes in a convenient 10ml bottle.

Beauty Heaven reviewers gave the product three stars out of five, praising the natural ingredients of Rose Oil and describing the scent as 'soft and beautiful'.

'Jurlique Oil has a glorious true rose fragrance  I love wearing it!' a consumer wrote.

But a number of users noted the short lasting life of the perfume, with one declaring it to have 'zero staying power'.

RUNNERS-UP FOR BEST FRAGRANCES 2018 Female runner-up: Lancome La Nuit Tresor Eau De Parfum - $140 for 50ml Male runner-up: Lancome Hypnose Homme EDT - $110 for 50ml Unisex runner-up: Florentine Iris Eau De Toilette by Ermenegildo Zegna Parfums - $305 for 125ml Household runner-up: Guava and Lychee Sorbet Madison Jar by ECOYA - $42.95 Advertisement

BEST MALE FRAGRANCE

Voted best male fragrance of the year was Michael Kors Eau de Toilette Pour Hommes, which retails at $125 per 120ml bottle.

A 'powerful yet discreet' scent, the wildly popular cologne contains exotic cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, tarragon, bergamot and thyme and received a 4.5 star rating on Beauty Heaven.

'I've never been much of a perfume wearer but this is perfect  it's subtle but spicy and doesn't overpower you,' one user said.

Voted best male fragrance of the year was Michael Kors Eau de Toilette Pour Hommes (pictured) which retails at $125 per 120ml bottle

BEST UNISEX FRAGRANCE

Suitable for both men and women, the gender neutral Musk Eau de Toilette Spray ($76) from cult brand Kiehl's took the title for best unisex fragrance.

Boasting a five star rating on Beauty Heaven, this citrus scent is bursting with bergamot and orange blossom, as well as sprinklings of rose, lily, natural ylang ylang and neroli.

'I was given Musk as a gift and have fallen in love  it's simply divine,' one delighted user said.

Other fans called the product 'intensely sexy' and 'truly timeless  a classic scent'.

Gender neutral Musk Eau de Toilette Spray (left, $76) from cult brand Kiehl's took the title for best unisex fragrance while Glasshouse Fragrances' Florence candle won best home scent (right)

BEST HOME FRAGRANCE

Taking gold in the home fragrance category is the $42.95 Wild Peonies and Lily Triple Scented Candle from Glasshouse Fragrances.

Inspired by the Italian city of Florence, this floral candle has 'fruit top notes of cheery and peach, middle notes of white flower, peony, lily and jasmine and woody base notes of amber'.

The scented household decoration received a five star rating from reviewers, with one gushing that she 'absolutely loved it'.The Duke of Sussex has made no attempt to hide his 'accelerating' hair loss thanks to marital happiness with new wife Meghan, a cosmetic surgeon has claimed.

The 34-year-old royal is now losing his hair as quickly as his older brother Prince William, according to Dr Asim Shahmalak.

The surgeon, who is based at Crown Clinic in Manchester and specialises in hair transplants, says that men happy in settled relationships make less effort to disguise their hair loss after finding their life partner.

Pictures of Harry and Meghan touring Australia last week show a rapid deterioration in Harry's hair; the bald patch, which was previously only centred on his crown, now extends to right across the back of his scalp.

And Dr Shahmalak, whose clients include Calum Best and Dr Christian Jessen, has produced an image of how Prince Harry will look at 50 if his current rate of hair loss continues.

Is this what Prince Harry will look like at 50? Celebrity surgeon Dr Shahmalak produced this image of how the royal could look at 50 if his current rate of hair loss continues

Dr Shahmalak says there is 'slightly less incentive' to cover up hair loss now that Harry is settled with wife Meghan (the couple are pictured in Melbourne on October 18)

He said: 'There has been a significant acceleration of his baldness in the last year and Harry is now losing his hair as rapidly as his brother William.

'If he does not take action now, he faces suffering from advanced male pattern baldness like his brother in his forties and beyond.

'The last year has been a wonderful period of happiness for Harry, culminating in his wedding to Meghan in Windsor in May.

'While marital happiness does not bring about any hormonal changes which would affect hair loss, research shows that men in settled relationships tend to do less to disguise their baldness.

'It reflects nature and the need to find a partner. Once that goal is achieved there is slightly less incentive to cover up hair loss.'

Dr Shahmalak (pictured at Crown Clinic in Manchester) says that men happy in settled relationships make less effort to disguise their hair loss after finding their life partner

He added: 'There are simple ways to mask the onset of hair loss in the short-term. You can use hair thickeners, which Wayne Rooney has done for years during big games to make his hair look thicker than it really is.

'You can also give the impression of thicker hair by dying it a darker colour, as David Beckham did recently when he was in Hong Kong.

'It is to Harry's credit that he has not resorted to either of these measures. He clearly has a wife in Meghan who loves him no matter what the state of his hair.

'It is very common for men who are thinning on top to grow a beard Dr Asim Shahmalak

The surgeon believes Harry may have grown his beard to compensate for the hair loss on his scalp.

He said: 'It is very common for men who are thinning on top to grow a beard. It does detract a little for the hair loss in the scalp.

'Beards are also a sign of virility and men are often reassured by the fact that while they may be losing hair on top, it still grows well in other parts of their body.'

Dr Shahmalak said the strong royal baldness gene means Harry is shedding hair like his grandfather Prince Philip, father Prince Charles and brother Prince William.Footage has emerged of the moment Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall shook their stuff on the dance floor.

The couple, who are on a nine-day visit on behalf of the British government to West Africa, were enticed onto the floor at a state dinner in Accra by the President of Ghana on Monday.

Camilla, who was wearing a pink Anna Valentine evening gown with huge diamonds at her ears and throat, proved to be a formidably nifty mover as she boogied with the Ghanaian leader.

Twinkle-toed Charles held hands with the First Lady for a more traditional shuffle around the floor.

The prince was sporting the Companion of the order of the star of Ghana, honorary division, which had been just gifted by the President - with the help of several staff who struggled to get it over his dinner jacket.

Charles dancing with the First Lady of Ghana Rebecca Akufo-Addo. He and Camilla are keen dancers and have displayed their talents in public on several occasions previously

Both Charles and Camilla are keen dancers and have displayed their talents in public on several occasions previously, the duchess even enjoying a quickstep with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Harwood.

The glittering dinner was the couples last engagement in Ghana before flying to Nigeria, where the prince met with traditional rulers - and found a touching memento of his mother.

Charles was introduced to seven of the countrys most powerful regional leaders at the residence of the High Commissioner in Abuja and immediately spotted that one of them, the Emir of Kano, had arrived in a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith driven by the Queen when she visited the country in 1956.

It was subsequently bought by his grandfather, the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi. So that car has been at the palace since 1956, he explained.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were invited onto the dancefloor during a glittering state dinner in Accra, Ghana on Monday night with the president and first lady

Camilla shakes her stuff at Jubilee House, Accra on the final day of her Ghana visit. Twinkle-toed Charles held hands with the First Lady, left, for a more traditional shuffle around the floor

The Duchess of Cornwall attends a State Dinner with Ghanaian First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House, in Accra, Ghana on Monday evening. The couple then headed to Nigeria

Asked whether he drives it very often, he said: Well, I drive it when I want to show off! If I come to Abuja and have a meeting with the President then I often take it as no-one has a car like that.'

The seven leaders, dressed in their traditional finery, arrived in a procession of vehicles shortly before the prince and were shielded from the sun as they stepped out by staff bearing brightly-coloured parasols.

They waited inside for the guest of honour to enter before being introduced to him, one by one.

After a handshake and an exchange of pleasantries, each man leader offered the British royal a gift - bowls, fans and books - which Charles warmly thanked them for.

The group was led by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and followed by the impressively dressed His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, who also carried a glittering staff.

Cheers! Camilla was wearing a pink Anna Valentine evening gown with huge diamonds at her ears and throat for the state banquet in Accra, Ghana on Monday

The Duchess of Cornwall pictured at the glittering dinner on Monday night, the couples last engagement in Ghana before flying to Nigeria, where the prince met with traditional rulers - and found a touching memento of his mother

Others in the group were His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borneo, His Imperial Majesty, the Oba of Benin, His Highness, the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, the Etsy of Nupe, and His Royal Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha.

One member of the entourage couldnt resist snapping a royal selfie of his boss, the Emir of Kano, with the prince, despite the solemnity of the occasion.

The royal party then posed for a group photograph.

Nigerias traditional rulers have their origins in the independent states and kingdoms that existed in Nigeria before the colonial period.

They still continue to command significant respect and influence in their respective communities.

After the introductions, the group sat down together for a discussion led by the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright.

He described it as a very rare opportunity for so many of the traditional rulers to come together.

He said the prince was keen to hear from them about the work they are doing to promote ethnic cohesion in a country riven by violent rivalry that has left thousands dead and what the UK could do to help.A series of photographs of Prince Charles have been released ahead of his 70th birthday next week.

One set, compiled by the Press Association, show the prince through the decades - from toddler to naval officer and then father.

The photographer David Hartley, who has followed the royal's journey throughout his career, has also selected some of his favourite images of the Queen's eldest son; from dashing polo-playing Prince to proud father, grandfather, and now, monarch-in-waiting.

The Princes, who is the countrys longest-serving heir to the throne, turns 70 on November 14.

In a photograph from 1948, one-month-old Charles is pictured sleeping soundly in the arms of his mother, then Princess Elizabeth, at his christening at Buckingham Palace.

After attending boarding school and going off to university, Charles joined the armed forces, earning himself a reputation as an Action Man for being a sailor, airman, marine, parachutist, diver, surfer, polo player and a jockey.

The 1980s brought a fairytale wedding to Lady Diana Spencer and the arrival of their two sons, before the problems in their marriage became plain to see.

Other photographs range from Charles with the Spice Girls in 1997 to the prince tobogganing with William and Harry in 1995, to his wedding with second wife Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.

Prince Charles is pictured here at the age of four in 1953, in a photograph released to mark his fifth birthday

Charles as Macbeth, acting out the famous dagger scheme in the Gordonstoun School production of the Shakespeare play in 1965, at the age of 17

The Queen is seen investing her eldest son, Prince Charles, as the Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in July 1969

Charles being handed his flying helmet before going for a flight in a Royal Navy Wessex V helicopter in 1974, at the age of 25

Royal photographer David Hartley captured this moment between Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the polo in Windsor, Berkshire, back in 1985

Both William and Harry inherited their father's love of polo. Prince Charles is seen strolling with his youngest son at the polo in Cirencester, Gloucester, back in 1991

Skidding down the slopes in the Swiss resort of Klosters on a toboggan with a 12-year-old Prince Harry on a father and sons ski trip in 1997

The Prince of Wales, then aged 55, and Prince William look in high spirits during a ski trip on the Madrisa slopes, Switzerland, in 2004

Charles, pictured at the age of 68, takes the salute during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle in 2017

Charles pictured in 1966 at the age of 17, wearing Balmoral tartan, in a portrait commissioned for his 18th birthday

Charles, pictured in 1976 at the age of 27, sported a new beard at Badminton, during the famous Horse Trials

Charles is pictured aged 30 in a Biggles-style flying outfit at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, where he fulfilled an ambition to fly a pre-war Tiger Moth biplane in 1979

The Princes of Wales, pictured at the age of 37, shares a kiss with then wife Princess Diana in 1986 after a polo match at Windsor

The royal is snapped shirtless on the polo field in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, in June 1988

Holding tight to Prince Harry's hand following the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor in 1991. Harry married Meghan Markle in the chapel in May

Cutting a dash with the ever-glamorous Princess of Wales on a family trip to Italy in 1991

The Prince of Wales and his then wife Princess Diana during their royal tour of India in 1992

Prince Charles is seen sharing a laugh with his eldest son Prince William at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, in September 2000

The family that plays together: The Prince and his two sons on the polo field at Cirencester Park in 2002

Charles clearly takes the competition seriously, as proven by the series of photos David Hartley snapped of his stretching on the sidelines at a polo match in Windsor later that same month in 2002

Then well into his 50s, Prince Charles showed no signs of retiring from his favourite sport

Charles, pictured at the age of 56, leaving St George's Chapel, Windsor with the Duchess of Cornwall on their wedding day in 2005

Cheering on the runners and riders with the Duchess of Cornwall at Cheltenham Races on St Patrick's Day in 2006

Charles, pictured at a state dinner in Ghana on Monday, turns 70 on November 14. He is the country's longest-serving heir

One-month-old Charles is seen with the then Princess Elizabeth after his christening ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1948

Eight-month-old Charles is pictured with his parents in the grounds of Windlesham Moor, which was the family's country home in Surrey

Prince Charles is pictured celebrating his third birthday at Buckingham Palace with his grandfather King George VI

Young Charles pictured leaning out of a window with the Queen on his fourth birthday in 1952

Charles pictured left in his seventh birthday portrait in 1955, and right, on his way to Cheam School in Berkshire at the age of nine in 1958

Charles, aged 13, with his father the Duke of Edinburgh (left) arriving at Gordonstoun for the Prince's first day at the public school in 1962

Prince Charles, pictured at the age of 32, and Diana pictured on their way to Buckingham Palace following their wedding in 1981

Proud father Prince Charles, pictured aged 33 with son Prince William, outside St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington in 1982

Prince of Wales wearing his new Royal Navy captain's uniform on his 40th birthday in 1988

Tensions between Charles, then aged 43, and Diana showed during their trip to Korea in 1992. The couple are pictured visiting a memorial to the Gloucester Regiment in Seoul

Charles is photographed here with the Spice Girls in 1997, at a Royal Gala celebrating the Princes Trust 21st Anniversary in Manchester. The Prince of Wales was 48 at the time

Charles and Camille Parker Bowles made their first public appearance together at the Ritz in London in 1999. Charles was 50 at the time

Charles. aged 59, and Camilla were seen roaring with laughter at the Mey Highland games in Caithness in 2008Early November it may be but the annual battle to persuade shoppers to part with their Christmas shopping budget is already well underway.

Despite the gloomy economic climate for high-street stores, there's plenty of festive cheer going on in these yuletide sales pitches - with Littlewoods the latest retail giant - following Tesco, Aldi and Asda - to unleash its Christmas ad.

The online store has gone for a circus-themed advert, which encourages the public to 'own the show'. The ad, which draws inspiration from the American musical film The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, features plenty of tricks and stunts to showcase the latest gadgets.

So, with the race now firmly on to produce an ad that can turn heartfelt sentiments into actual purchases, who's winning so far?

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Littlewoods has released its festive advert for this year, which focuses on a circus ring-inspired by the brand's purple circle logo

The commercial showcases the store's latest offerings through stunts and tricks, including one performer who balances a TV, a laptop, a phone and a pair of headphones on his foot

Another scene features a little girl who is using her magic wand to make toys, including a light-up unicorn, dance for her

LITTLEWOODS

Produced by creative agency St Lukes, the clip centres around a ringmaster mother performing at a circus inspired by the Littlewoods purple circle logo.

From a stack of phones, laptops and headphones precariously balancing on a performer's foot to a little girl using a magic wand to make a light-up unicorn dance, the ad quickly races through Littlewood's offerings.

Instead of using music from the original score, which won a Golden Globe for the song 'This Is Me', the producers used a cover by rock band Panic! at the Disco.

The clip also features a circus performer juggling baubles alongside a trapeze artist sitting on a moon shaped swing which she uses to attach a star to the top of a Christmas tree. Towards the end of the advert, the ringmaster mother returns and brings up five audience members who are dressed rather plainly.

Meanwhile, John Lewis keeps shoppers waiting for a glimpse of the Rocket Man...

The most anticipated of the festive ads, John Lewis' annual offering, is still being kept tightly under wraps, although fans were sent into a frenzy this week after an apparent first look at the commercial emerged online. The short clip, posted on Twitter, shows a mystery figure playing the opening notes of Elton John's Rocket Man at a piano, next to a Christmas tree hung with an astronaut bauble. The short video opens with an astronaut bauble hanging on a Christmas tree, pictured, and pans to the mystery figure at the piano Details of the John Lewis Christmas advert, including its release date, have not yet been confirmed by Sir Elton, 71, pictured on stage last month, is widely rumoured to be involved Excited viewers were quick to suggest it is a sneak-peak at the retailer's festive offering. It comes amid widespread speculation that Sir Elton will star in this year's TV spot - one of the most hotly-anticipated events of the season. The 16-second video, shot on a high quality camera, opens with a close-up shot of an astronaut bauble hanging on a twinkling Christmas tree. The camera pans to the left to reveal someone sitting at the piano in what appears to be a satin all-in-one costume, playing the opening bars of Sir Elton's 1972 hit Rocket Man. Last year, the retailer, who rebranded over the summer, featured a cuddly monster to try and persuade shoppers to spend with them. Advertisement

She then lifts up a shimmering silver partition before dropping it to reveal their brand new outfits, including a dapper looking suit, three different sequin dresses and a 'ho ho ho' Christmas jumper.

Julian Vizard, Creative Partner at St Lukes, said: 'When parents feel they have to pull off the biggest production of the year, Littlewoods is there to help them own it with easy ways to manage the cost.'

ASDA

This is followed by an avalanche of dancing skiers, Santas on motor bikes, cowboys riding Christmas trees

Asda has yet again become the first supermarket to kick off its Christmas campaign with the launch of its 'Bring Christmas Home' TV ad  which will hit screens tonight.

The adrenaline-fuelled ad sees Santa launch a flaming Christmas pudding into the air before an avalanche of dancing skiers, Santas on motor bikes, cowboys riding Christmas trees and even stunt driving Yetis descend down a snowy mountain to bring Christmas home to an excited young girl.

Set to the classic festive song 'Christmas (baby please come home)' the 60 second ad captures the spirit of excitement that is bringing Christmas home.

According to Asda's Chief Customer Officer Andy Murray, the inspiration for the ad was that sense of Christmas being a time when people focus a huge amount of energy and effort on bringing people together and 'coming home'.

The commercial begins with Santa launching a flaming Christmas pudding into the air

Asda is the first supermarket to launch its festive advert encouraging customers to 'Bring Christmas Home'

ALDI

Aldi's festive advert stars Kevin the Carrot for a third year, who drives a bright orange truck through a snowy forest

At the end of the advert Kevin's truck is left hanging off a cliff after a block of snow fell into his path

Aldi also released the first of its latest adverts earlier this week - and caused controversy when the brand was accused of copying the iconic Coca-Cola truck.

The commercial - a 60-second teaser for a second installment - sees the return of Kevin the Carrot, who appeared in last year's ad as well as 2016's, driving a bright orange truck with lights all around it.

By the episode's end, Kevin is seen teetering on the edge of a cliff-top, with viewers having to wait until the next episode to find out whether the festive carrot survives.

The vehicle's striking similarity to the instantly recognisable Coca-Cola truck hasn't gone unnoticed by Brits - many of who were fooled into thinking it was the original advert.

TESCO

It sees people debate the best ways to cook a turkey, or in this grandmother's case a goose

Exploring how different people celebrate Christmas, there is a special focus on how the nation enjoys food and drink

Tesco is the latest store to unveil its Christmas advert capturing the very different ways families celebrate the occasion

Tesco has captured the great festive debate in its 2018 Christmas campaign with the first in a suite of TV adverts.

The 'However you do Christmas, everyone's welcome at Tesco' campaign, celebrates the many debates, rituals and routines that make Christmas what it is for people up and down the country.

Building on the success of last year's adverts, the new campaign shows a number of families and friends uniting and embarking on the most established of seasonal get-togethers  and debating our traditional differences.

The campaign, which uses a composed version of Fleetwood Mac's hit, 'Go Your Own Way', will run throughout November and December, setting up the idea of 'However you do Christmas'.

AMAZON

Sing like you mean it! The back of a delivery truck is opened to reveal a stack of singing parcels

Easy collection: Another customer is seen using an Amazon Pickup Locker for their delivery

Lighting up the sky: A busy mother uses Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa to turn on the lights covering her house, pictured, allowing the company to plug more of its products

Online heavyweight Amazon has unveiled a 90-second feel-good TV spot to rival the likes of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer as it once again goes head-to-head with bricks and mortar stores with its one-stop shop approach.

The heart-warming campaign sees a chorus of animated Amazon boxes singing the Jackson 5 hit Can You Feel It? as they are transported to excited customers in homes, hospitals and office buildings around the world.

The 90-second Amazon offering opens with a single singing brown delivery box catching the attention of a little girl making a gingerbread house at the dining room table of a cosy family home decorated with twinkling fairy lights.

It cuts to a scene of an office worker typing away in her cubicle whose face lights up as the mailman pushes a stack of Amazon parcels past her desk.

Busy families, delivery drivers and a nurse tending to a child in their hospital bed all start to feel the festive cheer when they come face-to-face with the singing boxes.

ARGOS

The commercial sees the pink impish creature with bells on its ears making an effort to ruin the celebrations

When the skies open and it rains rather than snows the creature is seen reveling in the disaster

Argos is the second retailer to unveil its festive advert with 'the Christmas Fool' (pictured) taking centre stage

Another early runner, Argos has gone for a festive fool determined to ruin Christmas.

The mischievous impish creature causing chaos for families during the festive period by rewiring their lights, opening their gifts and stealing their instruction manuals.

Given a prime slot during Coronation Street on ITV and Gogglebox on Channel 4, the ad sees the sprite causing chaos for families during the festive period by rewiring their lights, opening their gifts and stealing their instruction manuals.

The creature is eventually foiled in its quest to cause chaos around the house by one of the retailer's Fast Track delivery drivers.

Last year the retailer was the first to launch its Christmas campaign on November 3 with its ultra modern take on Santa's workshop.

LIDL

The cut-price supermarket has gone for not one but three ads this year, the first of which aired back in September. Each mini-ad, just 20 seconds long, goes for the idea of how to upgrade your Christmas on a budget.A man with a fetish for feeding his 28st girlfriend says their relationship is at a sexual peak and has appeared on television to insist she's perfectly healthy.

Plus-size model Rosie, 23, who lives in Queensland, Australia, with Jeff, 25, gained a whopping 12 stone to please her fiance, who she first met on a website for people interested in 'feedism'.

The mother-of-one's weight is now more than double that of Jeff's.

The couple appeared via live video link on ITV daytime show This Morning to defend their controversial relationship - which revolves around their fantasy of sensual feeding - and Rosie explained that she had no plans to gain further weight.

I dont want to become 600 pounds and bedridden, my goal is to be plus size and be happy and healthy,' the mother-of-one said.

She added: 'I am not gaining weight constantly I am comfortable at the weight I am, I have stabilised it.'

Rosie and Jeff first met on a fetish site for 'feedism', the couple explained how he sensually feeds Rosie food and she has gained 12 stone since being in a relationship with him

This Morning viewers took to Twitter to slam the controversial lifestyle the couple enjoy comparing it to abuse and that it wasn't healthy

Rosie continued: 'Some people may say it isn't responsible but were definitely happy and content in our lives and not doing anything to harm anyone else.'

Viewers watching the interview took to Twitter to slam the couple's lifestyle choices: 'No, very wrong. She's putting her health at risk. Don't care how much you call it love, it's ridiculous.'

'Seems to me that feedism is a form of abuse Jeff clearly has no regard for Rosie's health,' suggested another.

'Sorry you have a son and you're willingly gaining so much weight which could be very detrimental to your health for the sake of a sexual fetish? Awful,' complained a third.

The couple, who are also known by their stage names Kalorie and Viktor Karbdashian, practice feedism which sees Rosie gaining weight and eating extra large portions of food.

Asked by presenter Philip Schofield what he found attractive about Rosie, Jeff, who goes to the gym four to six times a week, said:

'As you can see she is quite a large lady, it is hard to put a finger on it, she just floats my boat is that how you say it?'

Rosie eats 'regular meals' but says she has larger portions to put on weight as well as enjoying sensual eating sessions with Jeff. She explained that she doesn't plan to gain any more weight

The couple spoke to This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes via live video link to discuss their controversial lifestyle choices

Rosie said that she would still be the same weight if she was with Jeff or not, adding that she felt 'confident and sexy' at her larger size.

I feel confident and beautiful and sexy as a woman. I would still continue to be this person even before I met him. Just because I have had this gain of weight.

WHAT IS FEEDISM? Feedism is a sexual fetish where people partake in sensual feeding. It involves one partner being the 'feeder' encouraging the 'feedee' to gain weight for their own sexual arousal. It often means the feedee is larger, with most being women known as BBW - big, beautiful women - or SSBW super-sized beautiful woman. The sexual gratification comes from the partner gaining weight or becoming obese. Advertisement

I feel more confident and sexy the more I weigh. I go out in a bikini to the beach like everyone else, I wear tight clothes like everyone else. I just feel comfortable in my own skin. If I was smaller I wouldnt feel confident.'

Jeff added: 'In today's society a lot of things are about objectification our relationship definitely isnt that we got to know each other on a deep emotional level before physical attraction.'

Rosie, who is 28 stone, gained 12 stone over 18 months and eats 'regular meals' but says at night is when the sensual feeding takes place.

She said that the pair stay healthy by going on hikes and swimming to 'balance' the feeder lifestyle.

A lot of people think you have to be lazy and sit at home, I eat regular meals we like home cooked meals.

I eat larger portions. Then at night thats where the sensual feeding takes place Jeff gets sweets and treats and he will feed me and thats where we indulge in those kind of things.

'I am regular with my eating habits, but when you add that on top of it it adds to the weight.'

Jeff moved to Australia six months ago to be with Rosie for good, and they are now planning their wedding next month.

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30amPrince Charles picked out sweet pig ornaments for Prince George and Princess Charlotte while in Vanuatu earlier this year, a new documentary reveals.

Charles, 69, spotted two wooden pigs that he wanted to get for his grandchildren while visiting a market during his tour of the South Pacific island in April.

The royal said 'I'm wondering whether to buy a pig or not' while visiting one of the stalls, adding 'Children always like those don't they, pigs?'

The new BBC documentary, entitled Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70 - which airs on Thursday - reveals how his officials had to cobble together the correct currency in order to help the royal buy a number of items during his visit.

Prince Charles picked out sweet pig ornaments for Prince George and Princess Charlotte while a market in Vanuatu earlier this year (above), a new BBC documentary reveals

Charles, 69, told an aide 'I may have to take these back for the children'. George, five, and Charlotte, three, are pictured at Princess Eugenie's wedding in October

In the programme, Charles is seen asking a stall holder: 'Could I buy one of these? I'm trying to help contribute to the local economy in Vanuatu.'

After moving onto another stall, he commented: 'I'm wondering whether to buy a pig or not. Children always like those don't they, pigs?'

Addressing one of his aides, he then added: 'I may have to take these back for the children. Could I buy two of those?'

His team are then seen trying to get the right amount of the local Vanuatu vatu currency to pay for the items.

The Prince of Wales appears in new BBC documentary (above), entitled Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, which airs on Thursday

Officials accompanying Charles on the tour had to cobble together the correct currency in order to help the royal buy a number of items during his visit. Charles is pictured above during his visit to Vanuatu

It comes after the Daily Mail's Robert Hardman revealed that George, five, and Charlotte, three, call Prince Charles Grandpa Wales.

The nickname echoes the Queens own relationship with George V, whom she called Grandpa England.

Meanwhile, Charles expressed his fears for his Prince Harry and Meghan's unborn baby during a speech in Ghana earlier this week.

Speaking in Accra, he said: 'I am about to have another grandchild actually. I suspect quite a few of you may too have grandchildren or will do soon.

Accra, he told those at the meeting: 'I am about to have another grandchild actually. I suspect quite a few of you may too have grandchildren or will do soon.

Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70 airs on BBC One on Thursday at 9pm.The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.Prince Charles was wished a Happy Birthday by British model Naomi Campbell in Nigeria tonight who told him he was young in spirit.

The pair met at a reception at the Deputy High Commissioners residence in Lagos but have known each other for years through their shared charity work.

The function, which was attended by members of Nigerias fashion industry in traditional dress, saw the pair greet each other warmly.

Campbell said afterwards: Firstly I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday. He looks amazing. He doesnt look his age, his spirit is young. I told him that his spirit was young.

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell made a surprise appearance at a glittering reception in Lagos in Prince Charles' honour

Coming here at this time is so fitting. Right now Africa is such an important continent that has been so overlooked on so many levels. And he coming here brings light to that and focus. It means a great deal.

'So thats why I am so happy to be invited to come here tonight. To say thank you, because Africa is really about to explode in many directions and all for the good.

He is such an example to me. His commitment to the Commonwealth, thats amazing. I am very grateful. 

The British model looked statuesque in black velvet dress with a feather trim by Ralph & Russo - the same designer behind the dress she wore to Eugenie's royal wedding.

The pair met at a reception at the Deputy High Commissioners residence in Lagos but have known each other for years through their shared charity work

The British model looked statuesque in black velvet dress with a feather trim by Ralph & Russo - the same designer behind the dress she wore to Eugenie's royal wedding

The 48-year-old covered up in a blush pink shawl as she chatted to the prince and added a touch of bling to her ensemble in the form of several dazzling diamond bracelets.

The prince was also given a football shirt with the words HRH and 70 printed on the back by Nigerian international Joseph Yobo, a former Nigerian captain and Everton player.

Asked whether he was still tempted to play, the chucking prince laughed and said: Most definitely not.

The model wished Charles a happy birthday ahead of his 70th next week and praised his 'young spirit'

The 48-year-old covered up in a blush pink shawl as she chatted to the prince and added a touch of bling to her ensemble in the form of several dazzling diamond bracelets

The prince was also given a football shirt with the words HRH and 70 printed on the back by Nigerian international Joseph Yobo, a former Nigerian captain and Everton player

Asked whether he was still tempted to play, the chucking prince laughed and said: Most definitely not

The prince also viewed a giant bronze of his mother, the Queen, who sat for Nigerian sculptor Ben Enwonwu in the 1950s.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Prince of Wales began his birthday celebrations aboard a ship on a lagoon in Lagos today, with a surprise cake from the Nigerian Navy.

The Prince, who turns 70 next week, was given a special cake and a 'hip hip hooray' from troops as he watched a training exercise aboard a Royal Navy ship based in the region.

Paying tribute to the Armed Forces - the Navy and Royal Marines - who are training the Nigerian Navy on exercises to help combat piracy and terrorism, he spent time on the lagoon watching small rib boats on exercise.

Wearing sunglasses, he was greeted by Commander David Goodman of the Royal Navy and Captain Noel Madugu of the Nigerian Navy, and given a briefing on the Flying Bridge about how the countries are working together.

The Prince of Wales began his birthday celebrations aboard a ship on a lagoon in Lagos today, on the penultimate day of the royal tour

Charles, who turns 70 next month, met with naval officers as he was given a tour of a ship while in Lagos today

He was then ushered to the port side of the ship to see Nigerian servicemen, who are currently on a six-week training programme, show off their manoeuvres and simulated boarding.

The British Armed Forces are working in the region to help combat piracy, a major problem off the coast of Nigeria where pirates terrorise the Gulf of Guinea.

The UK is currently training Nigerians to deploy to Lake Chad, where Boko Haram militants use the waterways to cement a stronghold over the northeastern region.

Despite the serious message of the engagement, the trip ended on a lighter note when the Prince was ushered into a small room below decks to be given a cake featuring his own picture, alongside the Union and Nigerian flags.

The Prince of Wales was presented with a surprise birthday cake by naval officers, which featured a portrait of Charles

Navy chefs were seen carrying the birthday cake to Charles during a tour of the ship in Lagos

A card from officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy wished him 'many happy returns', in an effusive message reading, in part: 'May the Almighty God continue to shower his blessings upon you with more wisdom and good health as you strive to serve humanity as a Prince of Wales and most distinguished gentleman.'

As he disembarked, he was serenaded with three ringing cheers of 'hip hip hooray' in his honour.

Later the prince warned he fears leaving a 'totally destroyed environment' for the unborn grandchild expected by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The prince issued his warning to Nigerian business leaders, saying: 'As you know I'm about to have another grandchild I suspect some of you might have children or even grandchildren.

'It worries me deeply that we are going to leave behind a totally destroyed environment for these poor children to inherit. It ain't gonna happen in the future, it's actually happening rapidly.'

The Prince of Wales, 69, looked in high spirits as he went on to visit naval berths in Lagos, while donning a pair of sunglasses

Charles looked animated during the visit to the naval berths in Lagos, on the penultimate day of his African tour

The Prince of Wales was presented with a special birthday cake (above) ahead of his 70th birthday next week

Charles told a meeting of A4S - his sustainability project - how plastics are ruining the ocean and creating dead zones at the Kingfisher Club, in Lagos.

He said : 'Everything is part of a throwaway society that surely has to change otherwise we will disappear under a mountain of rubbish and pollution.

'It seems to me people like yourselves have a hugely important role to play as we face probably the greatest challenge ever faced by our global economy. So there's a more and more urgent need for real leadership.'

After the round table discussion, the Prince enjoyed a reception with the business leaders, where he was congratulated on his upcoming 70th birthday by an artist the same age - but discovered that not everybody works as hard as him.

Kolade Oshinowo, a distinguished Nigerian painter, was showing the Prince some of his art works in acrylic and oil at a reception hosted by the British Council in Lagos.

'So do you teach?' Charles asked him. 'No, I retired,' the artist said. 'I'm 70.'

The heir to the throne, who is still gearing up to take on the big job he has trained to do all his life, said: So we're the same age. It's my 70th birthday next week.'

Me Oshinowo, who retired when he was 60 and celebrated his 70th in February, replied: 'I am very happy for you.'

Dancers entertained the Prince of Wales at a reception hosted by the British Council in Lagos on Wednesday, as he approached the end of his West Africa tour without Camilla, who has flown back to the UK

Prince Charles appeared highly entertained by the performances laid on in Lagos for his arrival on Thursday

The royal had already toured Ghana and The Gambia with the Duchess of Cornwall before touching down in Lagos solo

How does one do it? Prince Charles looks bemused by the acrobatic efforts of one dancer at the British Council Arts Festival on Thursday

At the reception for people who work in the arts, Charles met some of Nigeria's biggest music and film stars and told them how he had helped talented young artists through The Prince's Trust.

He also told them of his love for African highlife music - he and Camilla were photographed dancing to highlife at a state banquet in Ghana earlier this week - and pidgin, which is spoken widely across Nigeria. 'I just love it. It makes me laugh so much,' he said.

Among the music performers there was singer and songwriter Mr Eazi, who has a worldwide following including a big fan base in Britain.

The star welcomed the royal visit and said Britain remained his number one market for streaming sales. 'He said he really liked highlife. He also talked about pidgin. I use a lot of pidgin in my music. I mix it with other languages,' he said.

Nollywood stars including actress Adesua Etomi and Zik Zulu told the Prince how Nigeria's film industry now employed two million young people and contributed 2 per cent of the country's GDP.

They said they planned to make a short 10-minute video showcasing their industry's talent and send it to the Prince.

Dancers sang Charles praises as they performed for him when he arrived and left.

Charles had touched down in Lagos without Camilla as he completes the final stage of his African tour alone.

Prince Charles touched down in Lagos without Camilla as he completes the final stage of his African tour alone. He is pictured being met by officials at Lagos International Airport

The Prince of Wales was given a red carpet welcome as he touched down in Lagos, Nigeria, on day eight of the royal tour

Charles is completing the final stages of the tour without wife Camilla, who has flown back to the UK on a scheduled flight

He looked in high spirits as he was given a red carpet welcome after landing in the Nigerian city.

Camilla. 71, flew back on a scheduled flight to London today following a day of engagements in Abuja yesterday.

The Duchess of Cornwall also joined her husband on the first two stops of her tour in The Gambia and Ghana.

The couple have been touring the countries on behalf of the British government, Clarence House announced last month.

Charles will return to the UK at the end of this week following the nine-day tour, in time for his 70th birthday celebrations next week.

The Prince of Wales has cut out a stop of a trip to Nigeria over security concerns, following months of deadly clashes between nomadic herders and farmers in the restive region.

Charles has been joined by Camilla for the majority of the tour, including in Nigerian capital Abuja last night (above)

Prince Charles and his second wife, Camilla, arrived in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Tuesday, on the tail end of a West African tour that has included Gambia and Ghana.

They were expected to travel to Nigeria's central city of Jos on Thursday, the last day of their stay, to discuss peace-building and conflict resolution.

'Due to operational constraints beyond our control, we have decided at this time not to include Jos during their royal highnesses' visit to Nigeria,' said a British foreign office spokeswoman on Monday.

'We are delighted to have an exciting programme of activity in Abuja and Lagos which will showcase those issues close to the Prince's and the Duchess's hearts,' she said.

'The decision was taken upon advice from the Nigerian government and others involved in security and operational aspects of the visit.'

Jos, the Plateau state capital of about one million people, is nestled in the hills of central Nigeria and has frequently been the scene of violence.

Plateau state lies in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt that separates the predominantly Muslim north from the largely Christian south.

It has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and religious tensions that flare up during election season.

Nigerians are set to vote in hotly contested presidential polls in February 2019.Oprah has already given us so much this year  from that iconic Golden Globes speech to campaigning for Stacey Abrams in the midterm elections  but it looks like the chat show host isn't done yet.

She revealed a few of her annual 'Favorite Things' on Good Morning America today and they included everything from artisanal popcorn to empowering jewelry and her favorite foot massager.

Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, joined Tory Johnson on Wednesday, November 7 for her weekly Deals and Steals segment to share a first look at the gifts Winfrey has on her list this year.

Oprah revealed her annual 'Favorite Things' on GMA today and they included everything from artisanal popcorn to empowering jewelry and her favorite foot massager

This year's list has 107 items on it  making it the biggest in the 22-year history of the franchise, with a select number of items available on Amazon

Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, joined Tory Johnson on Wednesday, November 7 for her weekly Deals and Steals segment

Lara Spencer modeled another fashion piece on the list this morning, Echo's faux fur vest, which is available in an array of colors and sizes.

12 lucky readers of the O Magazine will have a chance to win every item on her list through the 12-Day Give-O-Way Sweepstakes which runs through December 9

On the top of her Favorite Things is the truMedic Foot Massager, usually priced at $199 but available through Deals and Steals for $99.50 for a limited time. When talking about the gift, Oprah said: 'When I tried this foot massager, I swear fireworks lit the sky, waves pounded against the shore, and a choir of angels sang. This is some powerful pampering.'

The 64-year-old called the LA Relaxed jumpsuit a 'onesie for grownups' and it's also top of her list this year.

With Oprah jetting all over the world, she cites it as a must for travelling: 'This jumpsuit is a pleasure to wear on a long trip because you can curl up in it and still look fresh when you get where you're going. That stripe down the leg sure does slenderize.'

Normally priced at $168, it's down to $84 through GMA's deal.

Oprah said of the truMedic: 'When I tried this foot massager, I swear fireworks lit the sky, waves pounded against the shore, and a choir of angels sang. This is some powerful pampering'

Oprah hopes to see these Empowering by Maya J bracelets on the wrist of every chic shopper this holiday season

Comfort is a big feature on the list this year with Oprah showing off a number of adult onesies

The item on the list probably closest to Oprah's heart was the Empowered by Maya J bracelets, which not only look chic, but celebrate girl power and spread love, strength and positivity.

Words like 'Empowered', 'Fearless', and 'Strong' are just a few of what each bracelet indicates, which can be stacked or worn individually.

Oprah said: 'The words you see are the ones I want my girls at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy to use to describe themselves. Now they can wear a delicate reminder right on their wrist.'

Lara Spencer modeled another fashion piece on the list this morning, Echo's faux fur vest, which is available in an array of colors and sizes.

'Our magazine's very hip interns assure me that these sumptuous, satin-lined, fake-fur vests are very on-trend. Go faux!' Oprah said. They can be bought for $44.50, down from $89 on the discount site.

Though Oprah wasn't there to debut her list in person, she personally endorsed each of the items debuted on the show this morning.

Michael Strahan was called on to introduce one of Oprah's sweet treats  Popsanity Artisanal Popcorn, which range from $30 for a small gift bag all the way up to $180 for a giant tin of mixed flavors. All are available today only for 50 per cent off.

Popsanity Artisanal Popcorn, which range from $30 for a small gift bag all the way up to $180 for a giant tin of mixed flavors. All are available today only for 50% off on Deals and Steals

Robin Roberts modeled plush Vionic bedroom slippers that Oprah swears by after a long day spent on her feet

Oprah said of the vest: 'Our magazine's very hip interns assure me that these sumptuous, satin-lined, fake-fur vests are very on-trend. Go faux!'

Oprah surprised Georgia residents when she went door-to-door campaigning for Stacey Abrams ahead of the mid-term elections

Robin Roberts modeled plush bedroom slippers by Gemma that Oprah swears by after a long day spent on her feet. Available in sizes 5 to 12, the mules are on sale for $30 to $40, down from $80.

'These slippers aren't just made for shuffling around, with an orthotic footbed, they're bound to put a spring in your step. I slipped them on and thought I was walking on a cloud.'

This year's list has 107 items on it  making it the biggest in the 22-year history of the franchise. And for the fourth year in a row, curated items from her picks are available for purchase in the Oprahs Favorite Things store on Amazon.

She said of this year's list: 'I love discovering delectable, cozy, innovative new gifts and revisiting some of my past favorites to find the perfect present for each of the special people in my life, and then sharing these great finds with all of you!'

Other items include steel, reusable cocktail straws, truffled hot sauce and winter puff coats.

The full list of Oprah's Favorite Things is online and will be in her O magazine which comes out on November 20. 12 lucky readers will have a chance to win every item on her list through the 12-Day Give-O-Way Sweepstakes which runs through December 9.She was propelled into the spotlight as maid of honour at her sister's wedding last month.

And Princess Beatrice stepped onto the stage once again this week when she flew to Portgual to speak at a tech conference.

The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was a guest speaker at the Web Summit 2018 in Lisbon on Wednesday where she rubbed shoulders with industry experts from the likes of Apple and Pinterest.

Dressed in a businesslike ochre ensemble, Beatrice, 30, was there in her role as vice president of partnerships and strategy at US software company Afiniti.

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Back to business: Princess Beatrice stepped onto the stage when she flew to Portgual to speak at a tech conference in Lisbon, dressed in an ochre zip-up dress with statement shoulders

Princess Beatrice at the Web Summit 2018 on Wednesday. Beatrice is often invited to speak at tech events and recently took part in the the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona

Introducing the royal on the event's website, organisers used her full title - Princess Beatrice of York - and were quick to mention that she is eighth-in-line to the British throne.

They also detailed her charitable work and career trajectory, from research analyst to gigs at Sony and Sandbridge Capital, before being snapped up by Afiniti.

With Afiniti based in Washington DC, the Queen's granddaughter splits her time between London, Windsor and New York.

She recently spoke about the trials and tribulations of life as a princess, telling British Vogue: 'It's hard to navigate situations like these because there is no precedent, there is no protocol.

Sisterly support: Beatrice was recently maid of honour at her sister Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank (second left, with mother Sarah Ferguson and the bridesmaids and page boys on the steps of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on October 12)

Beatrice with mother Sarah at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on October 12 for Eugenie's wedding. The princess splits her time between London, Windsor and New York

'We are the first: we are young women trying to build careers and have personal lives, and we're also princesses, and doing all of this in the public eye.'

Beatrice is often invited to speak at tech events and took part in the the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona earlier this year.

The jet-setting princess is believed to have stayed single since she split from Dave Clark more than two years ago - only to see him get engaged to his new girlfriend soon after.

She was last spotted joining her newlywed sister Eugenie at a Casamigos tequila party at Isabel Mayfair.The Queen strolled through the trading floor at Schroders this morning in the City of London, as she officially declared the historic British company's new offices open.

Enjoying the stunning view of the capital from the 10th floor of the glitzy new address, the 92-year-old monarch looked on fine form as she mingled with the suits of the City.

Elegantly dressed in a warm teal coat with matching hat - both adorned with black velvet detail - the Queen accessorised with her favourite matching black leather handbag.

The Queen looked elegant in a teal coat and hat, both finished with splashes of black velvet, as she arrived at the new Schroders Headquarters at 1 London Wall Place

Welcome to the City! Charles Bowman, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, welcomes the Queen from the royal Bentley at the swanky new offices of the historic British company

The monarch, with her trusty black leather handbag, looked in fine form as she prepared to take a tour of the asset management company's new building

Money talks! The Queen admires some of the artifacts from the company's history including a lavish golden globe

Schroders, which specialises in asset management, first traded back in 1804 and recently moved to the state-of-the-art new offices at 1 London Wall Place in the City.

The company's Chairman Michael Dobson and Group Chief Executive Peter Harrison gave the Queen a tour of the swish new offices before she met up with the latest generation of employees, many of whom come from a military background.

Executives showed the Queen the company's impressive artwork collection, some of which is created from 19th century share certificates and old bonds.

The Queen told traders she was impressed by the views from the 10th floor  and joked that they would distract its staff.

Landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral, the Gherkin skyscraper and the London Eye could be clearly seen from the lofty heights of the Schroders building at 1 London Wall Place.

The Queen admires the plaque that marks the official opening of the building, which was adorned with poppies to mark Armistice Day

Company executives look on as the Queen officially declares the premises open for business

And when the opening was made official, the Queen was given three cheers in a very British tradition

The signature to have! The Queen pens a note to the company's employees in the visitors book

The Queen also sported a beautiful diamond brooch on her left shoulder

Might they get distracted? The 92-year-old takes a tour of the 10th floor, where impressive views of London's skyline awaits

Richard Beastall, a partner with architects TP Bennett, who led the team which designed the building's interior, told the Queen that all the meeting rooms were at the top to take advantage of the 'great views'.

The royal visitor made those around her laugh when she quipped: 'Quite difficult to concentrate  always looking out the window.'

During the visit, the Queen formally opened the building, which is the new headquarters of Schroders  a global investment management company founded more than 200 years ago.

Mr Beastall said later: 'The top four floors have the meeting rooms because they have fantastic views, we also have wonderful terraces for events.

'The feedback is everyone is loving working here; we hope to make people more productive and leave the building feeling healthier.'

The Queen toured the building, meeting everyone from board members and senior managers to investment workers and some of the longest-serving and newest staff.

On Twitter, the company tweeted: 'We were honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to officially open our new London headquarters at 1 London Wall Place.

'Hosted by our Chairman Michael Dobson and Group Chief Executive Peter Harrison, Her Majesty heard about our company's history, and met a number of our people.'Meghan Markle famously chose a chunky Victoria Beckham knit for one of her engagement photos with Prince Harry, but there's a reason we never see her in the designer's dresses.

In a resurfaced interview the then actress gave to Glamour before her relationship with now husband Prince Harry was made public, Meghan said she avoids certain shapes because she doesn't have the 'long torso' they require.

So while the Duchess of Sussex, 37, who is now expecting her first baby, invited the Spice Girl turned fashion mogul to her wedding in May, we're unlikely to see her in a VB dress any time soon - even though she said at the time she 'loves' her designs.

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Meghan Markle revealed her unusual body hang-up was her 'short torso' in a recently resurfaced interview, during which she admitted not being able to wear Victoria Beckham dresses.

Speaking in a past interview with Glamour, Meghan, who is 5ft6ins, admitted she feels her torso isn't long enough to wear certain dresses.

Talking about how she chooses her outfits, she said at the time: 'What I'm starting to learn is, even though things look amazing on the hanger, it doesn't mean they're going to look amazing on me.

'For example I love Victoria Beckham dresses, but I don't have the long torso to support that silhouette.'

Despite Victoria, 44, being a pal of Meghan's, 37, and even attending her wedding to Prince Harry in May of this year, the designers tailored dresses are famous for their accentuated waistlines (seen on Victoria above)

Explaining her daily go-to outfits during the interview, Meghan also admitted she usually wore shift dresses, pumps and cropped jackets, adding that she had started to wear longer dresses as she grew older.

Avoiding prints, the former Suits star also revealed she had a tendency to coordinate her outfits by sticking to one colour, discussing her love for tonal dressing.

But despite not being able to wear the designer's dresses, in February Vanity Fair reported that Meghan was turning to Victoria for style tips.

A source close to them, said: 'They get along well and have been in touch recently. Meghan really likes Victoria's style and was keen to pick her brains about pulling together a working wardrobe.'

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex admitted that her torso 'wasn't long enough' to wear certain clothes- the designer's dresses included (seen on her wedding day with Prince Harry this year)

Earlier this year Victoria attended Meghan's wedding in one of her own designs- a calf-length navy dress from her pre-spring/summer 2019 collection, paired with orange heels.

'I love a bit of navy,' she explained. 'The dress is one of my favourites: it isn't in store until November, but we've had so many inquiries about it that I'm seeing whether I can bring it forward.'

The designer also said she approved of Meghan's 200,000 wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's Claire Waight Keller, saying she looked 'absolutely beautiful.'Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has been forced to cancel a string of upcoming engagements - including a visit to Tanzania - due to ill health.

The Dutch royal, 47, who recently enjoyed a state visit to the UK with her husband King Willem-Alexander, 51, is believed to be suffering with a suspected intestinal infection.

The news was announced by the royal family this week in a short statement that said: 'Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will not be carrying out any official duties for the coming period on the advice of her doctor.

'Her health symptoms point to an intestinal infection. Further tests will be done to confirm this diagnosis.'

It's been announced that Queen Maxima has cancelled her upcoming engagements due to a suspected

Argentine-born royal made a state visit to the UK with her husband King Willem-Alexander where she enjoyed the company of the British royal family including HRH Queen Elizabeth

Queen Maxima was due to undertake a trip to Tanzania in her role as the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, which has been cancelled.

The news follows the Argentine-born royal's most recent engagement last Friday, when she toured the Amsterdam headquarters of 113 Suicide Prevention, an organisation that provides support for people in crisis across the country.

The cause is one incredibly close to Maxima's heart. Her younger sister Ines Zorreguieta, 33, was found hanged at her apartment in Buenos Aires in June this year after reportedly battling with depression and mental health issues.

The queen consort spent time speaking to volunteers and touring the facility.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands became emotional during a visit to a suicide prevention hotline (pictured) - five months after her sister took her own life

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

Maxima's sister was a psychologist who worked for an office on social policies at the president's office.

Ines was also godmother to Queen Maxima's 11-year-old daughter Princess Ariane.

Following news of her sister's death, Maxima cancelled all engagements and flew to Argentina to be with her family.

The following month she broke her silence to say: 'My sweet and talented younger sister Ines was also ill. She was unable to find happiness and sadly couldn't get better.

Maxima, known for her broad smile and enthusiasm at public appearances, appeared solemn as she arrived for the engagement today, pictured

She added: 'Our only consolation is to think that she has finally found peace.'

Ines was the youngest daughter of government minister Jorge Zorreguieta and his second wife Maria del Carmen Cerruti Carricart's children.

The Zorreguieta family have been landed gentry, professionals, politicians, and statesmen for generations.

Ines and Queen Maxima have two brothers as well as three half-sisters; Maria, Dolores and Angeles.An actress who has graced the screen in Call The Midwife and Upstairs, Downstairs has become the first woman with Down's syndrome to receive an MBE.

Sarah Gordy said it was 'just fantastic' to be at the honours ceremony at Buckingham Palace - and admitted she and her mum shed a tear when they first heard the news.

Dressed in a beautiful teal velvet dress with matching hat, the actress received the honour for her services to the arts and people with disabilities from Prince William.

Sarah Gordy, who has appeared in hit series Call the Midwife and Upstairs, Downstairs said it was a 'fantastic' honour to be recognised with an MBE at Buckingham Palace today

Prince William, wearing his military regalia, took care as he pinned the honour on Gordy; the award was received for her services to the arts and people with disabilities

The actress played Sally Harper, a young woman with Down's syndrome who is sent to an institution by her family, in Call the Midwife

Gordy was among the list of figures awarded titles in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June and enjoyed a lengthy chat with the Duke of Cambridge as her mum, sister and dad looked on.

She said afterwards: 'I've worked really hard in what I believe in. I'd like to inspire others and empower others to believe in themselves, especially people with Down's syndrome. The world is their oyster.'

Gordy revealed that Prince William said she was 'lovely' and asked about her charity work.

She said she cried with happiness after finding out she was to receive the honour, adding: 'My mum cried when she first got the letter and I cried too.

'My dad was very proud of me and so was my sister, who is here with me today.'

The actress revealed that she and her mother shed a tear when they received the letter imparting the news that her charity work had been recognised by the crown

Gordy, who took her mum, dad and sister along to Buckingham Palace said she was delighted her work - including as a celebrity ambassador for Mencap had been recognised. Right: The actress shakes hands with the Duke of Cambridge after receiving her award

The actress said she had previously visited Buckingham Palace as a celebrity ambassador for Mencap, a UK charity for people with a learning disability.

She said visiting the palace for a second time was 'very exciting'.

Gordy is best known for her role as Lady Pamela Holland in the BBC TV series Upstairs Downstairs. She starred in Call The Midwife as Sally Harper, a young woman with Down's syndrome who is sent to an institution by her family.Gay newlyweds surprised their wedding guests with an incredible first dance mashup that ended with a Dirty Dancing-inspired lift.

P.J. Simmons, 51, and Noah Aberlin, 36, spent seven weeks choreographing and rehearsing their six-song dance, which they performed at their wedding in Coxsackie, New York, on October 7.

After posting a video of their epic first dance on YouTube, the nearly five-minute performance has garnered more than 1.2 million views and turned the newlyweds into viral stars.

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Performance: P.J. Simmons, 51, and Noah Aberlin, 36, performed an incredible choreographed first dance at their wedding in Coxsackie, New York, on October 7

Incredible: The two ended the nearly five-minute routine with a Dirty Dancing-inspired lift

Andrew Holtz of Holtz Wedding Photography also captured the moment in a series of stunning pictures highlighting some of the unforgettable moments from their dance.

The clip begins with P.J. and Noah gazing into each other's eyes and swaying to a slow song until the music cuts out.

It's clear that the guests think there is an issue with the audio equipment  until Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine's 'Conga' starts blaring through the speakers.

Once they realize what is happening, the crowd cheers and screams for the couple as they launch into their energetic salsa routine.

When the song changes to 'Everybody Dance Now,' P.J. and Noah throw off their suit coats and begin the hip-hop portion of their dance that includes the 'Running Man.'

After a quick ode to Madonna's hit 'Vogue,' they show off their disco moves while dancing to KC & The Sunshine Band's 'Get Down Tonight.'

Crowd-pleaser: The couple's wedding guests clapped and cheered as they performed

In sync: P.J. and Noah started the performance with Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine's 'Conga'

Dancing the night away: They busted out a few classic dance moves during the hip-hop segment

The two then grab canes from behind the DJ booth and channel their inner Fred Astaire with a tap dance to 'Puttin' On The Ritz.'

For their finale, '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' is playing as they launch into Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey's iconic dance from the film Dirty Dancing.

After nailing the moves, they reenact Johnny and Baby's famous lift from the movie to thunderous applause.

Although they are both phenomenal performers, Noah is the only one who has a professional background in dance.

He has a master of fine arts in musical theater from Syracuse University and has toured the country with shows such as The Producers and The Wizard of Oz.

Noah choreographed most of the dance, taking moves from a creepy disco scene in the movie Ex Machina and the comedy musical Young Frankenstein.

From the movies: The disco portion of the routine was inspired by a creepy scene in the film Ex Machina

Props: P.J. and Noah grabbed canes while channeling their inner Fred Astaire

It shows! The couple spent seven weeks choreographing and rehearsing the routine

However, P.J. is also a fan of dancing, and he worked with his salsa instructor Wil Nieves to put together their 'Conga' routine.

The two have been together for 10 years after being set up by a mutual friend, but their wedding was the first time they ever performed a choreographed dance like that.

'Working on it together was so fun  especially trying to nail the Dirty Dancing lift,' Noah told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'We hadnt really ever danced together like that before, which made it really special.

'We laughed a ton in the process. By the time our wedding day came, we were super-excited to share it with folks.'

P.J. admitted that he was 'a bit terrified' to post the video on YouTube because he has 'seen so much anti-gay fear and hatred' in his lifetime, but aside from some hurtful comments, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

'How the hell can anyone watch something like this and still be against gay marriage?? This was awesome!' one person wrote.

Last song: For their finale, they danced to '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' as they reenacted an iconic scene from the film Dirty Dancing

Nailed it: Their guest went wild after they pulled off the film's famous lift

'I actually cried, cheered, clapped, laughed watching this,' someone else added. 'You two are amazing, you look so good together, and your dancing is amazing. What a beautiful, gorgeous moment, thank you so much for sharing it with us.'

The couple decided to use their new platform to create a Facebook fundraiser for the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit that aims to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the world.

In the description of their YouTube video, they called it a 'tribute to everyone who has helped us live our lives openly and without fear  and to all the brave people working out there so hard on that front.'

In just six days, they raised $17,843 and are close to reaching their $25,000 goal.

'I never, ever imagined in my lifetime I would see the day when two men could be married  and to be surrounded by so much love and support if they did,' P.J. told Yahoo Lifestyle.

'I am so grateful to every single person who, in their own way, has contributed to this wave of positive change.'Viewers were left in tears following BBC Two's harrowing documentary Doing Money which focuses on modern day sex slavery.

The programme, which aired on Monday night, reenacted the real life story of a kidnapped Romanian woman called Ana.

The disturbing story sees Ana, played by Anca Dumitra, being kidnapped in broad daylight on a suburban London street, before she is smuggled to Ireland to be exploited by violent sex traffickers.

In what was described as 'disturbing viewing', viewers followed her story, which included her being beaten and raped before the perpetrators took to an underground site to 'review their experience'.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer Jenny Jones described her horror at the documentary based on a real life story, which culminated in her abusers getting just three years in prison.

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Viewers were left shocked after BBC 2 aired a documentary on modern day sex slavery, which reenacted the real life story of a kidnapped Romanian woman called Ana

The disturbing story sees Ana, played by Anca Dumitra, being kidnapped in broad daylight on a suburban London street, before she is smuggled to Ireland to be exploited by violent sex traffickers

'Have watched and known of some awful things, but Doing Money on BBC2 this evening was truly disturbing viewing, with the end result of an amazingly brave victim coming forwards and her pimps/abusers only get three years in prison! Horrific', Jenny wrote.

Admitting it had moved her to tears, Joany from Bristol tweeted: 'Oddly it was the shock that Ana's pimps got just 3 years in prison that caused me to burst into tears #doingmoney'.

And many more shared their outrage, with Claire McGing admitting: 'Doing Money was gut-wrenching, revealing the brutal realities of sex slavery and exploitation of women & girls (5 million trafficked globally last year).'

Debbie Hill added: 'Harrowing and heartbreaking - such brave women living through the most awful horrific time'.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer Jenny Jones described her horror at the documentary based on a real life story, which culminated in her abusers getting just three years in prison

The documentary by writer Gwyneth Hughes and director Lynsey Miller sees Romanian cleaner Ana snatched off the streets by Romanian pimps and people traffickers.

Petrified by their threats to kill her mother if she attempts to escape, she is sold to various pop-up brothels across Ireland.

Kept prisoner, harrowing footage sees men paying extra to rape, beat and torture her.

And when one does help her to escape, he ends up forcing her to sell her body again.

Petrified by their threats to kill her mother if she attempts to escape, she is sold to various pop-up brothels across Ireland, joining other women of the trade

The documentary by writer Gwyneth Hughes and director Lynsey Miller sees Romanian cleaner Ana snatched off the streets by Romanian pimps and people traffickers

Unable to escape her fate, Ana runs into the former clients, including the leader of an organised crime gang, in cafes and even shopping malls.

Shockingly Thursdays are described as 'peak time', as her clients- many married men- visit the women while their wives are shopping.

And when Ana's boss questions her over a nasty review where the complainant claims she has 'bad breath', she heartbreakingly replies: 'My teeth are broken into pieces. Of course my breath smells.'

The documentary ends with Ana's final encounter with detectives, who refuse to say whether her best friend is dead or alive, in what has been described as brutal viewing.

The documentary ends with Ana's final encounter with detectives, who refuse to say whether her best friend is dead or alive, in what has been described as brutal viewing

Many tweeters shared their outrage, with: 'Doing Money was gut-wrenching, revealing the brutal realities of sex slavery and exploitation of women & girls (5 million trafficked globally last year)'

This comes just weeks after the first ever campaign targeting the perpetrators of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Scotland was launched by police.

Officers said traffickers are making potentially millions of pounds from sexually exploiting victims who are left 'highly traumatised' by the experience.

The 25,000 campaign aims to raise public awareness of what may be going on 'in plain sight' in their communities.

Since January 1 this year 44 women and two men have identified themselves as victims of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and came forward to seek support.

Of those, seven were girls under the age of 18.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: 'Human trafficking and exploitation are appalling abuses of human rights, leaving victims highly traumatised and living in fear.'Mary Borden was the most unlikely of witnesses to the horrors of the Somme. A beautiful American heiress and darling of London society, she counted Noel Coward among her friends, and was once described as the best-dressed of English hostesses.

Yet there she was, in an apron spattered with mud and blood, writing by candlelight in a military hospital just three miles from the front where tens of thousands were being slaughtered every week.

After tending to the dying and wounded all day, she would record her experiences in a snatched few moments before sleep.

The guns are pounding. An attack is announced for tonight, she wrote one night. The struggle is ceaseless. An inflow of men covered with blood, men without faces, without arms, without legs, men raving in delirium, dying in your arms as you take off their clothes. Despite lacking any nursing experience when war broke out in 1914, she had used her own wealth to set up a much-needed field hospital.

Married mother-of-three Mary Borden (pictured) wrote love poems at the Battle of the Somme after beginning an affair with Captain Louis Spears. Her forgotten work is included in a major new art installation at the Tower of London to mark 100 years since the wars end

But even that is not the most remarkable part of her story; for in that devastated landscape this married mother-of-three began an affair with a British Army officer which inspired her to express her feelings for him in some of the most moving verse to emerge from the Great War.

She is the only woman I know who was writing love poems at the Battle of the Somme, says Paul OPrey, professor of modern literature at the University of Roehampton, London.

Her passionate Sonnets To A Soldier, along with other evocative poems, including The Song Of The Mud and Unidentified have long been overshadowed by the work of celebrated male war poets such as Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke and Siegfried Sassoon.

She is the forgotten voice of the war, says OPrey. But, now, Mary Borden is getting the recognition she deserves, with the inclusion of one of her love sonnets in a major new art installation at the Tower of London to mark 100 years since the wars end.

The Tower has again teamed up with designer Tom Piper, the visionary behind the epic Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, which in 2014 marked the centenary of the start of World War I by planting 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for each of the British and Commonwealth servicemen who lost their lives.

Every night this week, up to and including Remembrance Sunday, the dying strains of The Last Post will give way to a choral work featuring Marys words set to music. This accompanies the lighting of 10,000 individual torches to honour the fallen with a creeping wall of flame in the moat.

Tickets to enter the moat itself have already sold out. But Beyond The Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers can be seen for free from Tower Hill and the surrounding area  and so far thousands of people have been attending each night this week.

Almost all will be hearing for the first time the opening lines of her third sonnet:

If you this very night should ride to death

Straight from the piteous passion of my arms

In the nights leading up to Remembrance Day Marys words will be set to music at the Tower of London (pictured) alongside the lighting of 10,000 individual torches to honour the fallen

Both poignant and powerful, the sonnets were never intended for publication. Yet they played a role in exposing Mary and Louiss illicit relationship, the eventual course of which tested even her free spirit.

Described by Noel Coward as a small attractive woman with deep sleepy eyes and a rather nervous smile, Mary was born in Chicago in 1886, the daughter of a multi-millionaire who had made his fortune from silver mining.

She always wanted to be a writer, but at 19, following her fathers death, her deeply religious mother persuaded her to use some of her inherited income  equivalent to around 1 million annually today  to tour Christian missions in India.

It was there that she met Douglas Turner, a young Scottish missionary, and they were engaged within a week. But after their marriage in 1908, their incompatibility was reflected in Marys first and very successful semi-autobiographical novel, The Mistress Of Kingdoms, about an heiress struggling to cope with life as a missionarys wife in India.

Following its publication in 1912, Douglas reluctantly agreed that they should move to London where Marys wit and intelligence made her a popular hostess  albeit one who almost ended up in prison after joining a demonstration by the Suffragettes and throwing a stone through a window at the Treasury.

She spent five days in police cells, but was mortified when Douglas paid her fine because it prevented her imprisonment in Holloway.

Mary first encountered Captain Louis Spears (pictured) while working in her second hospital in 1916 and became smitten

Sonnets To A Soldier III If you this very night should ride to death Straight from the piteous passion of my arms; If you still breathing in the sobbing breath Of my desire, still faint with my alarms Should come upon the vast immensity Of nothingness, my last poor trembling kiss Upon your lips, should face eternity And gaze full conscious into the abyss; You would not falter at the last my friend Nor put to shame your clear courageous mind Under the menace of the desolate end; But with one lighted look for me, behind, Youd take the leap, with a last challenge, cry That there is no beyond, and thus superbly, die. (copyright Patrick Aylmer) Advertisement

Her vivacity and social commitment attracted friends including playwright George Bernard Shaw and novelist E.M. Forster, and also a lover, the artist Percy Wyndham Lewis. He was said to relish affairs with married women for the thrill of deception without the fear of entanglement.

Their affair ended in the spring of 1914 as she finally tired of his cruel and drunken behaviour. And when war broke out a few months later and her husband departed for France, the same sense of moral duty which had attracted her to the Suffragette cause saw her determined to do what she could for the war effort.

Less than a month after giving birth to their third daughter on New Years Day 1915, Mary left the children with a nanny to work at a typhoid hospital in Dunkirk, where she learned to dress wounds and prepare patients for surgery.

There she felt she had found her true vocation and that July set up the first of three hospitals she would run before the wars close, all as close to the fighting as possible, her bravery securing her both the Croix de Guerre and the Legion dhonneur, Frances highest civilian honour.

Situated between Dunkirk and Ypres, it achieved such high survival rates that injured men pleaded to be sent there, but still she lost count of those who died as she knelt by their stretchers: Great strong broken men who apologised in whispers for the trouble they gave me in dying; slender boys whom I held in my arms while they cried for their mothers and mistook me for some anxious woman I would never see.

She first encountered Captain Louis Spears while working in her second hospital, at the Somme. The dashing 30-year-old intelligence officer arrived in the winter of 1916.

Mary (pictured) would write love poems at night documenting the passion of her affair that she missed in her marriage

Their first meeting was fleeting but Mary was smitten and by the following spring the pair were writing daily and meeting as often as possible.

In him she found a passion and intimacy which had always been missing in her marriage to Douglas, says Jane Conway, author of the biography Mary Borden: A Woman Of Two Wars. She would work on her love poems at night, the eighth sonnet reminding Spears that they should be

Glad for this our little time

More glad than ever lovers were before.

And let us dare to fashion the sublime

Within the ghostly chasm of the war.

In the ninth, she describes how her love for him inspired her to keep going for patients who

From the unknown woman dressed in white

Seem in some strange way to gather hope.

They do not know that in this shadowed place

It is your light they see upon my face.

Sadly, that light was soon to cause her great unhappiness. During one period of leave, Spears visited an old flame named Jessie Gordon at her flat in London and left one of Marys poems there. A jealous Jessie sent it to Marys husband Douglas, precipitating divorce proceedings and a long and bitter battle over custody of their daughters which, although she won, destroyed her relationship with Douglas. Mary and Louis married in 1918, but their relationship was far from smooth.

Captain Louis Spears (pictured) became a general in World War II that saw Mary return to nursing and running a mobile ambulance unit

Louis later became a Conservative MP and then a general in World War II, a conflict in which Mary returned to nursing, running a mobile ambulance unit in France, North Africa and the Middle East. She achieved many of her literary ambitions, with her novels compared with those of Charlotte Bronte and Henry James.

But for all her open-mindedness  one of her books so enthusiastically endorsed sex outside marriage that her mother burned all the copies she could find  her marriage was blighted by Louiss affair with his secretary Nancy Maurice who, 14 years her junior, began working for him in 1918 and exerted a hold on him described by one of his officers as possessive in a demoniac sort of way.

Mary and Louis continued to share marital homes, but over the decades Nancy competed relentlessly for his attention. She has got everything she wanted, except your name, Mary wrote to Louis in 1955, after he went on an extended holiday in the Adriatic with Nancy. That [Mary and Louis] stayed together puzzled many of their friends, says Conway. But she remained devoted to Louis and, in his own uncompromising way, Louis loved her too and was proud of her achievements.

When, in December 1968, at the age of 82, Mary died peacefully at their home in Warfield in Berkshire, Louis was at her side, his hand in hers. Before his own death six years later, he yielded to Nancys pressure to marry her.

However, the relationship begun in the horror of war is the one that endures in the verses Mary Borden penned. They were discovered in an archive by Professor OPrey who included them in Poems Of Love And War. They were not published during her lifetime because they were probably too personal, too intimate, especially as her husband was a public figure, he says.

But he believes she would have approved of their inclusion in the commemoration at the Tower.

Nothing could ever have fazed her. But I think she would have been incredibly proud that the voice of the many brave women who, like her, volunteered to go to the war to save life and to help the wounded, will be the focus of a nations gratitude and respect.Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 82F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early with some clearing overnight. Thunder is possible early. Low 56F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.Have you ever wondered what happens to the air quality in your home when you light a scented candle, cook dinner or open a window?

Diesel fumes and smog aside, experts are increasingly suggesting that air pollution within our homes could be a cause for concern.

Research indicates that indoor air pollution has a significant impact on health, says immunopharmacology professor Stephen Holgate, of the University of Southampton, who is an expert in the impact of air pollution on health.

We estimate that it is responsible for up to 9,000 deaths per year of the estimated total 40,000 deaths from air pollution in the UK, he says.

Claire Coleman recorded the levels of pollutants around her home throughout the day using Dysons Pure Cool air purifier

According to him, this is because we spend 90 per cent of our time indoors. This is often in poorly ventilated homes, where people are exposed to toxic air pollutants including formaldehyde (given off by wooden furniture, paint, certain fabrics and fragranced products) and a cocktail of volatile organic compounds, he adds.

The most significant sources of these pollutants come from cooking on gas, solid-fuel burning stoves, cleaning products, paints and new furniture and furnishings.

Exposure to these types of pollutants can cause skin reactions, dizziness and headaches, aggravate allergies and exacerbate respiratory and heart problems. In certain extreme cases the pollutants can even impair brain function or be carcinogenic.

Its a worrying prospect that made me want to know what was getting up my nose in my home. So I enlisted the help of Dysons Pure Cool air purifier (from 399.99, dyson.co.uk) to record levels of pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)  see the box above right.

So what happened when I went about my day? The results are fascinating

8.15AM: MAKING THE BED

By shaking out the feather duvet and pillows, I caused a serious spike in levels of PM10, the bigger particles found in the air. So should I be concerned? If this level were measured outside over a sustained period, it would be considered poor air quality.

Frank Kelly, professor of environmental health at Kings College London, points out that most of the research has looked at outdoor air pollution rather than indoor.

Claire measured high levels of large particles after making her bed and was advised to open a window in the future to ensure the room is well-ventilated (file image)

We dont yet know whether similar compounds found inside the home will have the same effect on health as those found outside, or whether one source is more or less harmful than another. But it would seem sensible to avoid excessive exposure to these types of pollutants, he says.

Score: High levels of large particles; the other readings are normal.

Tip: Try to open a window when youre making the bed to ensure the place is well-ventilated.

8.45AM: SPRAYING DEODORANT

Within seconds of using the spray, the levels of particulate matter shot through the roof. I asked Professor Kelly to explain the difference between these particle types.

Any particles over 10 microns wont enter the airways, but anything smaller than 2.5 microns [such as those from the deodorant] will go deeper down into the lungs, he says.

Research to date suggests that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 is associated with exacerbating asthma, lung cancer and pulmonary disease, as well as heart disease, and most recently Alzheimers and dementia.

We now think any pollution you breathe in could affect any organ if youre exposed to enough of it for a long enough period.

Score: Soaring levels of large and small particles. The other readings are normal.

Tip: Switch to a solid version of deodorant rather than a spray.

Research shows a link between exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and health conditions including dementia, asthma and lung cancer (file image)

What are the four worst pollutants? PM10, large airborne particles that measure under 10 microns (about a tenth of the diameter of a human hair), such as pollen and dust. This is measured in micrograms (a millionth of a gram) per cubic metre of air. According to EU standards, this should not exceed an average reading of 40.

PM2.5, small airborne particles measuring under 2.5 microns, such as cooking gases and smoke. This is measured in micrograms per cubic metre of air. The EU says this figure should not exceed an average reading of 25.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs or solvent fumes), such as those given off by paint. Dysons air purifier doesnt measure absolute figures for this. Instead it gives the levels a score from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest levels of VOCs.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2 or exhaust fumes), produced by gas stoves and cars. Again, rather than measuring absolutes, levels of NO2 are scored from 1 to 10. We tracked the levels of all these compounds on a single day in my home. The baseline tests I did at 8am show that the air quality in my flat was pretty good initially, with low levels of each pollutant. Advertisement

9AM: USING HAIRSPRAY

hairspray caused the levels of VOCs (the sort of chemicals often found in paint and solvents, which catch in the back of your throat and can give you headaches) in my flat to reach the highest possible reading.

Less is known about the VOCs, as they are traditionally harder to measure than particulate pollution, explains Professor Kelly.

We know that at high levels they can cause itchy eyes, coughing and tightness in the chest in the short term.

And, in the long term, because theyre a pollutant, the gas will enter the lungs and lead to inflammation.

Score: Highest possible levels of solvent fumes. High levels of small and large particles. Exhaust fume reading is normal.

Tip: Think about switching to an unscented styling product in a form such as fixing putty or gel.

10AM: OPENING THE WINDOWS

I dont live on a very busy road but, nevertheless, when I open the windows the levels of NO2 shoot up. In fact, the 20 highest NO2 levels that the Dyson purifier picked up in the day were all during the half hour that the windows were open onto the road.

Nitrogen dioxide comes from the burning of fossil fuels. It inflames the lining of the lungs and can reduce immunity to lung infections, causing wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis. If youre prone to asthma, it can cause more frequent and more intense attacks, especially in children.

Score: Mid-range levels of exhaust fumes. The other readings are normal.

Tip: If you have a choice, ventilate your home by opening windows that dont overlook a road. Invest in an air purifier which can remove gases such as NO2.

Claire saw soaring levels of small and large particles after cooking bacon in a pan and was advised to use the extractor fan every time she cooks (file image)

11AM: LIGHTING A SCENTED CANDLE

Lighting the candle led to a significant rise in the levels of PM2.5 and PM10. The initial strike of the match and flare of the flame caused a surge and, as the candle burns, levels of these particles remained high.

As Professor Alastair Lewis of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of York explains, anything fragranced has the potential to cause problems. Fragrance compounds on their own arent harmful, but almost every fragrance compound whether natural or synthetic, in a candle, an air freshener, a deodorant or a perfume  breaks down over a few hours and days into fine particles and formaldehyde, a potentially long-term irritant in the air.

Score: High levels of large and small particles. The other readings are normal.

Tip: Cut down on scented products and open your windows (if they dont overlook a road) to freshen things up instead.

12.30pm: COOKING

When I popped some bacon in a pan, the PM2.5 and PM10 levels rocketed.

Although we dont yet know for sure, Id anticipate that the types of particle pollutants you get from any cooking situation are likely to be most similar to the types you get outdoors, which also come from burning or combustion, says Professor Kelly. Its therefore possible they will also have the same long-term effects.

Score: Soaring levels of large and small particles. The other readings are normal.

Tip: Make sure you use the extractor fan in your kitchen every time you cook.

Experts advise applying perfume in a well-ventilated room and investing in house plants (file image)

2.30PM: USING CLEANING PRODUCTS

Although the levels of particle pollution went up when I dusted and polished, its the levels of VOCs  the volatile chemicals found in paint and solvents which can cause irritation  that are a potential cause for concern. Only hairspray and perfume (see below) recorded higher levels of VOCs.

This is mostly because almost all of the cleaning products we buy these days are highly perfumed.

Score: Mid-range levels of solvent fumes. Low rise in large particles.

Tip: Switch to unscented cleaning products. Bear in mind that even natural formulas that have naturally derived scents still contribute to formaldehyde levels in the home. Use microfibre cloths which have been proven to clean effectively with water alone.

4PM: APPLYING PERFUME

If I look at all the VOC readings taken that day, and take the 50 highest readings, 17 of them are down to me spraying perfume (the rest are hairspray, while one is due to cleaning products.)

Score: High levels of solvent fumes. The other readings are normal.

Tip: Always apply perfume in a well-ventilated room, but think about getting some house plants, too.

Although theres some controversy over how well they can help, laboratory-based research suggests plants such as the Boston fern and the golden pothos can help remove volatile gases, such as formaldehyde, from the air.She is often referred to as Europe's most stylish royal, and tonight saw Queen Letizia prove she is deserving of that title.

The Queen of Spain stepped out in a fitted black jumpsuit as she joined King Felipe VI at the 'Noche De la Economia Valenciana' reception on Wednesday.

The mother-of-two looked her elegant best in the sleeveless ensemble which she paired with a studded clutch bag for a chic finish.

She teamed her jumpsuit with a pair of peep toe stilettos and opted for a pair of oversize earrings and a stack of diamante bracelets for this evening's reception.

The Queen of Spain stepped out in a fitted black jumpsuit as she joined King Felipe VI at the 'Noche De la Economia Valenciana' reception on Wednesday

The 46-year-old swept her brunette locks into a low chignon and opted for a dramatic smoky-eye to complete her look this evening.

Meanwhile husband King Felipe VI put on a dapper display in a navy pin stripe suit and a statement tie this evening.

The 'night of Valencian economy' was held at the city's famous Palau de Les Arts on Wednesday.

About 1,000 guests attended the event today including the mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribo , among others.

The mother-of-two looked her elegant best in the sleeveless ensemble which she paired with a studded clutch bag for a chic finish

Meanwhile husband King Felipe VI put on a dapper display in a navy pin stripe suit and a statement tie this evening

The royal couple were last spotted on Monday evening where they attended the 20 anniversary of La Razon newspaper in Madrid.

Former journalist Letizia looked her very chicest in a gold glittery skirt from high-street store Zara paired with a tailored black blazer and heeled boots.

The ex-reporter looked right at home as she celebrated La Razon which was founded in 1998 by Luis Maria Anson.

Queen Letizia is mother to Princesses Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 11, with husband King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014.

The royal couple were last spotted on Monday evening where they attended the 20 anniversary of La Razon newspaper in Madrid

Former journalist Letizia looked her very chicest in a gold glittery skirt from high-street store Zara paired with a tailored black blazer and heeled boots

Letizia married King Felipe ten years ago at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid.

The relationship began in November 2002 and in 2003, just months after she had been promoted to the position of anchor on the national news channel, she quit her job and days later the royal engagement was announced.

Letizia is the granddaughter of a taxi driver and the eldest daughter of Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez, a journalist, and first wife Maria de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodriguez, a nurse and hospital union representative.

She attended public high school and did a degree at the Complutense University of Madrid. She later gained an MA in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.

King Felipe ascended the throne following the abdication of his father King Juan Carlos in 2014.Tess Holliday and her husband, Nick, looked very much in love as they enjoyed a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood in Southern California on Tuesday.

The two were seen sharing a passionate kiss in front of a Homer Simpson statue while touring the theme park's Springfield area that is inspired by the fictional town in The Simpsons.

The 33-year-old plus-size model looked right at home in a Bart Simpson-patterned T-shirt, which she wore under a black pinafore mini-dress.

Out and about: Tess Holliday enjoyed a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in Southern California on Tuesday

Pucker up: The 33-year-old and her husband, Nick, were seen in a passionate embrace under the watchful eye of Homer Simpson

Afternoon date: Tess and Nick appeared to be spending some quality time together without their children

Tess had her long auburn hair back in a bun, and she topped off her look with a black beret, orange heart-shaped glasses, and large hoop earrings.

The body positivity advocate kept her hands free by sporting a black fanny pack around her waist, and she donned stylish yet practical platform sandals for the day of walking.

Her short sleeves revealed her empowering tattoos of 'badass' women she has said she admires - Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy, Mae West and the drag queen Divine. These are the kinds of women, she has said in the past, she hopes to become.

But unlike these strong women who never had children, Tess is a mom of two. She and Nick are parents to a two-year-old son, Bowie, and a 12-year-old son, Rylee, who is her child from a previous relationship she had at age 20 when she was working at Wal-Mart.

Although they often take their children to theme parks, they seemed to be enjoying some alone time on Tuesday afternoon.

Style: The plus-size model looked right at home in a Bart Simpson-patterned T-shirt, which she wore under a black pinafore mini-dress

Prepared: Nick wore a fedora and carried a cross-body bag while they walked around the theme part

All smiles: Tess struck a pose with a Marilyn Monroe impersonator

When they weren't locked in an embrace, they were seen walking side by side through the theme park.

Nick had on a black T-shirt, acid wash black jeans, and black sneakers. The Australian artist donned a tan fedora on his head and a green cross-body bag over his shoulder.

Tess took to Instagram that day to share a snapshot of herself posed between Bart and Lisa Simpson, writing: 'Eat my shorts!'

She also posted an Instagram Stories photo of herself flashing the peace sign while posing in front of an entrance shaped like Krusty the Clown as well as a fan's throwback picture of herself and Nick on Splash Mountain at Disneyland.

While Tess and Nick spent the day of the midterms election at the theme park, she was one of the many famous faces who attended the Telethon for America to promote voter registration on Monday.

Fun times: The model posted an Instagram Stories photo of herself at the park (left) as well as a throwback picture of herself and Nick on Splash Mountain in Disneyland (right)

Star-studded event: Tess was one of the many famous faces who attended the Telethon for America to promote voter registration on Monday

Many of the stars who participated in the non-partisan event spent the telethon calling voters and asking them about their plans to vote.

Tess, who has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, donned a figure-hugging knit dress and a leather jacket thrown over her shoulders as she posed for red carpet photos at the event.

Her hair was in glamorous waves and pulled half up. She topped off her outfit with a pair of white patent leather mules.

'Just hangin out in a room full of people way more famous than me callin folks for #telethonforamerica askin yall to VOTE! So much fun, & plz go vote tomorrow!!' she posted on Instagram that night.Last month she showed her love for bold colours as she fulfilled her maid-of-honour duties for sister Eugenie, wearing a bright blue Ralph & Russo dress.

And Princess Beatrice didn't shy away from her love of statement shades as she attended Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America on Wednesday night.

The eighth in line to the throne, who celebrated her 30th birthday in August, turned heads in a plunging red dress as she mingled with Kate Moss, 44, at the prestigious member's club.

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Princess Beatrice turned heads in a vibrant red velvet dress as she attended Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America on Wednesday night

Putting on a stylish display, Beatrice's dress featured a plunging neckline adorned with a poppy brooch, and was nipped in at the waist by a wide black belt.

Leaving her glossy tresses loose, the royal accessorised with a Gucci bee-embellished clutch and a pair of black killer heels.

Beatrice added a bejewelled remembrance poppy to her ensemble ahead of armistice day.

She was joined by Kate Moss, who put on a chic display in a silk black dress teamed with a gold waist belt and accessorised with a gold chain bag.

The eighth in line to the throne, who celebrated her 30th birthday in August, turned heads in a plunging red dress as she mingled with Kate Moss, 44, at the prestigious member's club

Sadie Frost and Jade Jagger were other celebrities spotted attending the charity fundraiser.

Beatrice, who works for business management consultancy Afiniti and splits her time between London, Windsor and New York.

She and sister Eugenie, 28, who married Jack Brooksbank last month, recently touched on everything from life in the spotlight to fashion, social media and Eugenie's upcoming wedding in a Vogue interview.

At one point, they discussed living in the public eye as they say they constantly face 'mockery' and criticism.

Last month she showed her love for bold colours as she fulfilled her maid-of-honour duties for sister Eugenie, wearing a bright blue Ralph & Russo dress

Maid-of-honour Beatrice also gave a reading at sister Eugenie and her new husband Jack Brooksbank wedding last month, opting for a passage from The Great Gatsby to read out to guests at St George's Chapel

Of doing media interviews, Beatrice said: 'It's hard to navigate situations like these because there is no precedent, there is no protocol.

'It's hard to navigate situations like these because there is no precedent,' said Princess Beatrice, the vice-president of a technology company.

'We are the first: we are young women trying to build careers and have personal lives, and we're also princesses, and doing all of this in the public eye.'

Eugenie, who will tie the knot with Jack Brooksbank in October, added: 'We want to show people who we are as working, young, royal women, but also not to be afraid of putting ourselves out there.'

'Nowadays it's so easy to recoil when you see a perfect image on Instagram - but it's important that it's real. We're real.'More than a fifth of children stabbed in London are attacked on their way home from school, researchers have warned.

Doctors said there was a 'significant peak' of knife attacks on under-16s between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.

They called for schools to introduce a staggered finish to the day, to stop pupils leaving all at once, and called for a visible police presence at bus and train stations after school hours.

The report, published in the BMJ Open medical journal, follows widespread concern about violence on Britain's streets.

A 16-year-old rapper yesterday became London's fifth stabbing victim in under a week as the number of people knifed to death in Britain this year hits 250.

Local youngsters left flowers at the scene of the latest murder in Tulse Hill today

A 16-year-old rapper yesterday became London's fifth stabbing victim in under a week as the number of people knifed to death in Britain this year hits 250

Just last Thursday evening, 15-year-old Jay Hughes was killed by a stab wound to the heart when he was attacked outside a takeaway in Bellingham, south-east London.

And college student Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was knifed to death outside Clapham South Tube station, in front of fellow pupils at 4.30pm last Friday.

The researchers, led by doctors at Barts Health NHS Trust in London, said knife injuries have soared in recent years.

They examined medical records of under-25s treated for stab wounds in London hospitals between 2004 and 2014.

Some 1,824 young people had been stabbed - of whom 172 were aged under 16, 861 were 16 to 19, and 791 were aged 20 to 24.

Around 22 per cent of the under 16s who were knifed were attacked on a schoolday afternoon. This rose to 11 per cent among 16 to 24 year olds.

College student Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was knifed to death outside Clapham South Tube station, in front of fellow pupils at 4.30pm last Friday

Malcolm was from Peckham, south-east London, and was a student at a college near the scene where he was attacked. He was killed in a suspected revenge attack for the earlier slaying of a rival (pictured, the tube station where he was stabbed)

Sadiq Khan: 'It could take a GENERATION to tackle the knife crime epidemic' Sadiq Khan today said it could take a generation for the bloody knife crime epidemic gripping London to be tackled. The London Mayor said children in primary schools have started carrying knives and to make 'significant progress' fighting the scourge 'can take up to 10 years'. But his comments risk sparking fury as families of those murdered who have pleaded for an immediate end to the violence. Mr Khan told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: 'It will take some time. I know that because of the lessons we've learnt from places like Glasgow, where it took them some time to turn this round. 'To really make significant progress can take up to 10 years, a generation. 'They saw in Scotland what we are seeing in London, which is children in primary schools thinking not only is it OK to carry a knife, but it gives them a sense of belonging in joining a criminal gang and it makes them feel safer and they see nothing wrong in getting involved in this sort of behaviour. 'On one hand, we've got to be tough in relation to enforcement. That's why we've got officers as part of the violent crime task force doing intelligence-led stop and search, taking knives off our streets, guns off our streets, making arrests. 'At the same time, on the other hand, we've got to give young people constructive things to do, investing in youth centres, youth workers, after-school clubs.' Advertisement

Timings and locations of stabbings were gathered from ambulance service data as well the hospital trauma registry.

The majority of attacks were within three miles of the victims' homes, the figures showed.

Between 2004 and 2014, the number of stab wounds treated in London hospitals increased by an average of 25 per cent each year.

'Interpersonal violence involving knives is a major public health problem,' the researchers wrote.

The frequency of stab injuries rose sharply in the late teenage years, reaching a peak at age 18 before gradually declining.

The authors wrote: 'In children the spike in frequency in the late afternoon and early evening was attributable to incidents occurring on school days.

'The majority of stabbings in this time frame on school days occurred within 5km [3 miles] of home, which encompasses the average distance from home to school in children living in London.'

The researchers, who also included experts from Newcastle University, London Ambulance Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service, said schools must do more to help.

They wrote: 'The sharp increase in stab injuries between the ages of 14 and 16 suggests that educational programmes and other preventative interventions are best delivered in primary or early secondary education.

'We have shown that assaults resulting in penetrating injuries occur in distinct age-related patterns.

'Specifically, the period immediately after school accounts for a large proportion of incidents in children, and these predominantly occur close to home and school.

'This represents an opportunity for targeted preventative strategies in this population.'

The doctors recommended schools let pupils out at different times to stop them leaving all at once, and also called for a visible police presence at bus and train stations and takeaways at the end of the school day.

They wrote: 'Given the peak in incidents at the end of the school day, an attractive option is staggered release times from school which could be coupled with a visible deterrent by law enforcement at transport hubs, eateries and other areas of pupil congregation after school.'The Samaritans has launched a hard-hitting campaign with the message 'small talk saves lives'.

In moving footage released today, a member of the public is shown interrupting someone's suicidal thoughts on a train platform simply by saying 'can't believe this weather'.

The charity is encouraging people to trust their instincts and spark up a conversation if they see someone looking isolated, withdrawn or standing alone on a platform without boarding a train.

'Even if small talk doesnt come naturally to you, if something doesnt feel right, please try to start a conversation,' Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said.

This comes after the number of people stepping in to prevent someone taking their own life at a train station is up 20 per cent from last year.

A hard-hitting Samaritan campaign is encouraging the public to make small talk with people at train station platforms if they suspect someone is contemplating suicide. A clip shows a man standing alone while looking withdraw and not boarding a train - telltale signs to look out for

The Small Talk Save Lives campaign was developed after research suggested that for every life lost on the railway, six are saved by those around them.

Former Big Breakfast presenter Gaby Roslin will be voicing station announcements to commuters across the country. She got involved after approaching someone in the park who did not look right. She is pictured at the Pride Of Britain Awards 2018, Londo

In moving footage released by the charity, a woman can be seen making small talk about the weather with passers-by.

She then uses this same line after seeing an isolated man looking distressed on a train platform.

The campaign also includes a special station announcement for commuters across the UK urging them to make small talk, which is voiced by TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin.

The former Big Breakfast presenter got involved after she stopped to talk to someone who didn't look right in a park.

'The little conversations we have every day can be all thats needed to interrupt suicidal thoughts,' she said.

'Once you know that you have the power to make a difference, youre more likely to step in and do something.

'Just a few words can have a huge impact.'

Between January and September this year a member of the public intervened in a suspected railway suicide 136 times, Network Rail figures reveal.

'Its really heartening to see more members of the public feeling they have the confidence and knowledge to act if theyre worried about someone, and were grateful for their support,' Ms Sutherland said.

'Suicide is preventable and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life.

'A phrase as simple as, "I cant believe this weather", could be enough to interrupt a persons suicidal thoughts.

'Theres no evidence youll make things worse.'

A member of the public approaches the man saying 'can't believe this weather' before asking him if he is alright. This can be all it takes to interrupt a person's suicidal thoughts

The clip ends with the man being supported by a trained member of railway staff

WOMAN SAVED A YOUNG MAN'S LIFE AFTER SHE FOUND HIM CRYING WHILE WALKING HER DOG Gillian Assor saved a man's life after she found him crying while walking her dog. She asked him if he was alright and stayed with him until he became calmer A woman saved a young man's life after she approached him while walking her dog. Gillian Assor, from Hertfordshire, was walking her pet with her husband one evening when they came across a distressed man. 'It was getting dark and as we were walking I noticed a young man, he was bent over and sobbing, and in a place where he could have come to harm,' she said. 'I couldnt just walk past him. I said, "excuse me, are you okay?" And he replied straightaway, "no, Im not".' Mrs Assor stayed with the unnamed man until he became calmer and eventually called his parents, who came to pick him up. A few weeks later, he contacted Mrs Assor via social media saying 'you saved my life'. Advertisement

Although there is no single sign that suggests someone may be contemplating suicide, the message is to act if you have any suspicions.

This may range from approaching the person to distract them from their thoughts, alerting a member of staff or calling the police. Physical intervention is not needed.

Although some may feel uncomfortable going up to a stranger, the minister for mental health Jackie Doyle-Price is urging the public to not be shy.

'When you realise speaking up could have the power to save someones life, our own personal discomfort quickly seems insignificant,' she said.

'Its promising to see the success of the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign so far and I look forward to seeing it continue to make a real difference.'

The campaign was launched with the British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry late last year.

Thousands of railway staff have since been trained by the Samaritans.

Ian Stevens, head of suicide prevention at Network Rail, said: 'One life lost is one too many; we want to highlight how suicidal thoughts can be interrupted, and that people can and do recover.

'Realising another person cares enough to stop and talk to you can make all the difference. It can be the first step on that road to recovery.

'Were working hard across the rail industry to inform both our staff and customers of the important role they can play in suicide prevention.'

British Transport Police chief constable, Paul Crowther added: 'Were also encouraging those who dont feel comfortable or safe to intervene to tell a member of rail staff or a police officer  many of whom have been trained by Samaritans  or call 999.'

This comes after the head of the NHS said last month social media companies should be forced to pay a 'mental health levy' to help address problems linked to sites like Facebook and Instagram.

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, argues a financial contribution from social media sites would help to 'stem the tide of mental ill health' in the UK.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.

Although some may feel uncomfortable approaching a stranger, it could save their life

Samaritans believe we all have it in us to make a big difference and stop someone's suicideNearly half of pensioners prescribed statins give them up within a year, a study suggests.

Researchers warned that known side effects  which include a risk of diabetes, erectile dysfunction, sleep problems and muscle pain  are putting off 45 per cent of over-65s within 12 months, with the over-85s even less likely to keep taking their pills.

Statins are taken once a day by six million Britons to reduce cholesterol and ward off heart disease.

Side effects - such as risk of diabetes, erectile dysfunction, sleep problems and muscle pain - are putting off 45 per cent of over-65s within 12 months

Statins are taken once a day by six million Britons to reduce cholesterol and ward off heart disease

For those with heart problems  particularly if they have had a heart attack or stroke  the cheap pills are proven lifesavers, slashing the chance of a repeat.

Although there is less evidence that they work for older people, experts warn that an ongoing row over side effects and benefits has muddied the water, leading many people to ditch their prescription.

The Australian researchers, who studied 22,000 over-65s, said doctors must teach patients about side effects.

Danny Liew, of Monash University in Melbourne, said: The study findings highlight the need for interventions to improve statin use among older adults in order that the benefits can be realised.Spending too much time gawping at screens is making children more likely to be short-sighted, become overweight and get cancer, experts say.

A review of 80 studies on more than 200,000 people has ranked smartphones and tablets alongside sugary drinks as one of the biggest risks for childhood obesity.

Being overweight can lead to a dozen types of cancer, including breast, colon, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreas and prostate.

As well increasing their risk of dying young, too much time on gadgets is damaging youngsters' eyes  the number of short-sighted children has doubled in 50 years.

Researchers say the findings are a 'significant concern' and call for more control on junk food adverts, which worsen the effects of children doing less exercise.

Every extra hour a day spent on a gadget raises a child's risk of becoming short-sighted by three per cent, according to research by King's College London

Research done by the World Cancer Research Fund examined the causes of weight gain in children around the world.

It found increasing amounts of time spent on smartphones, tablets and gaming is a big driver of children getting fatter  that and sugary drinks make up the top two.

'The report highlights the importance of acting early to help prevent cancer,' Sophia Lowes of Cancer Research UK told The Telegraph.

'Obese children are five times more likely to be obese as an adult, which is worrying because then theyll be at an increased risk of different types of cancer.

'Thats why its vital we see a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts on TV and similar protection for children viewing adverts on-demand and online.'

Experts say as well as leading to children doing less exercise, sitting inside looking at screens makes youngsters more likely to overeat on snacks.

They call this 'passive over-consumption'  meaning children snack on junk foods which they often see advertised on the same devices they're spending their time.

In addition to the obesity and cancer risks, spending too much time in front of screens also increase the number of children with myopia  short-sightedness.

The proportion of children worldwide with short-sightedness has more than doubled from 7.2 per cent to 16.4 per cent in the past 40 years.

This effect has been dubbed 'digital myopia', and King's College London researchers, in a separate study, found every hour a day spent on devices raised a child's risk of sight damage by three per cent.

Past research has suggested children spend, on average, eight hours a day using gadgets.

Professor Chris Hammond, from King's College, told The Telegraph: 'I think it is a significant concern.

'We do believe that young children staying indoors and spending hours on screens is bad for eyesight, not to mention obesity and fitness.

'I think our concept in myopia is clearly that close work is a risk factor, and outdoor activity is protective.'

Eye expert Dr Mohamed Dirani wrote in the British Journal of Opthamology: 'The age of smart device uptake is getting younger, with many two-year-olds spending up to two hours a day on devices.

'The use and misuse of smart devices, particularly in our paediatric populations, must be closely monitored to address the emerging phenomenon of digital myopia.'A father who has suffered a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis has finally had a life-saving lung transplant after three false hopes.

James Beeching, of Hastings, East Sussex, had documented his agonising wait on Facebook with candid videos.

He even made poignant recordings for his twins, with wife and primary school teacher, Becky, to remember him by, in fear of his incurable genetic condition.

Now, the 36-year-old can finally walk his children, Isobel and Logan, four, to school.

'Now I have moments of pure euphoria and find myself crying with joy at how easy life can be,' Mr Beeching revealed.

'I can play hide and seek with my kids, walk them to school, bring my wife breakfast in bed  all things that once seemed impossible.'

James Beeching, 34, had made a Facebook video directed to his young twins, fearing he wouldn't survive cystic fibrosis whilst waiting for a lung transplant (pictured with his twins Isobel and Logan)

Mr Beeching was added to the donor waiting list in 2017, but his health deteriorated over the year, rarely spending time out of hospital (pictured in hospital last September)

Mr Beeching, from Hastings, is overwhelmed with joy after finally getting a lung transplant for cystic fibrosis after three false hopes. Above, with his wife Becky, 34, on their wedding day

Mr Beeching, a former community fundraiser, was just two when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis  which causes the lungs to become clogged with sticky mucus.

He had a relatively normal childhood, except for undergoing daily physiotherapy and enzymes that he took with every meal to aid digestion.

Then, in his late teens, his hospital stays increased, as his body became unable to fight off simple infections.

WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS? Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that affects around 70,000 people worldwide. A defective gene causes a build-up of mucus in the airwaves, making it increasingly difficult to breathe over time. Mucus also blocks the natural release of digestive enzymes, meaning the body does not break down food as it should. While healthy people cough naturally, that does not happen for people with CF. Eventually, lung function depletes to the point that sufferers will need a double lung transplant to survive. Advertisement

His lung function was also in a continuous decline, leading to his assessment for a transplant, before he was added to the waiting list in January 2017.

Worried his time would run out, he made a heart-wrenching video talking to his twins.

The video was shared more than 16,000 times, amassing thousands of likes and comments.

He said at the time: 'I decided to make the video, too, because I wanted them to see and hear me, and if I go in the next couple of years they may not be able to do that from memory.

'Now, they've got something to watch when they're at an age where they can understand death.'

After that, Mr Beeching's health deteriorated more and more, and his hospital admissions got longer.

He said: 'I'd rarely be out of hospital for more than three or four weeks, before I'd need to go back in for more intravenous antibiotics.'

Then, in April 2018, Mr Beeching contracted a particularly nasty infection, which he feared could spell the end.

Mr Beeching was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of two, an incurable disease which causes the lungs to become clogged with sticky mucus. Above, Mr and Mrs Beeching with their two children, Isobel and Logan.

Mr Beeching and his family at Christmas 2017, almost a year after being added to the donor waiting list. In April 2018, Mr Beeching contracted a particularly nasty infection, which he feared could spell the end (pictured with his wife and twins during Christmas 2017)

'Life became more difficult and my body was really struggling': Mr Beeching, with his children in hospital, said his wait for a transplant was exhausting

Completely coincidentally, just a day after his admission to west London's Royal Brompton Hospital to be treated, he received a phone call telling him some donor lungs had potentially become available.

Racing across the city, he arrived at Harefield Hospital in Hillingdon, Greater London  one of the most experienced centres in the world for heart and lung transplants  to await his news.

Disappointingly, the lungs were unsuitable. He said: 'False alarms do happen, so while it was emotional, it didn't shock me.

'I decided to record a Facebook video that night, thanking people for their support so far and encouraging them to sign up as donors if they wanted to.

'Looking back at that video now, I can see how unwell I was, struggling to breathe.'

Two months later, the day before his June birthday, Mr Beeching received a second call.

'That was another false alarm,' he added. 'I do understand why this happens and that the organs aren't always suitable, but it was incredibly emotionally and physically exhausting.'

Just 24 hours later, a third call came through, but, once again, the transplant could not proceed.

Luckily, even without the transplant, Mr Beeching managed to spend the majority of the summer out of hospital with his family, but was still growing weaker all the time.

'Life became more difficult and my body was really struggling,' he said. 'I was needing more and more oxygen and generally finding it hard to keep up.'

Then, in August 2018, Mr Beeching received a fourth call  and this time, the transplant went ahead.

He recalled: 'I've always been a logical, rational person, so I remained calm, all too aware that it could be another false alarm.

'Then, all of a sudden it was, "James, go get showered, it's going ahead".

'People ask me now if I was scared, but I really wasn't. I knew this is what had to happen.

'Without a transplant, I don't think I'd have made it through this winter. A transplant was my only hope of spending more time with my family.

'I had also said everything I needed to say to my loved ones back in April when that first call came in.'

Thankfully, the operation was a success and, after five weeks in hospital recovering, Mr Beeching was allowed home.

'I can play hide and seek with my kids, walk them to school, bring my wife breakfast in bed  all things that once seemed impossible', Mr Beeching said. Above, with his family after returning from hospital after his transplant

'It's almost like when you buy a second-hand car  at first, every little noise makes you nervous, but you do get more used to it as time goes on': Mr Beeching said of his new lungs. Above, with his family after recovery

Aside from a couple of complications along the way, he is currently doing very well and his new lungs growing stronger every day.

'It's almost like when you buy a second-hand car  at first, every little noise makes you nervous, but you do get more used to it as time goes on', he said.

He also continues to update his online followers about his progress and is now sharing his story to thank them for their support, as well as to encourage more people to sign up as donors.

He said: 'There's no way I could've done this by myself. It took an army  a wonderful team of medics, a selfless donor, my amazing loved ones, message after message on social media and my own mental strength.

'There's not a day that goes by when I don't think about my donor and their family. I feel so incredibly humbled and grateful by what they've done.

'In a way, I'm even grateful to my own lungs. It'd be easy to want to be rid of them and think they didn't work, but actually, they got me through 36 years and helped me travel, meet my wife, have my two children and build a beautiful home.

'If people don't want to be organ donors, I'm not out to change that, as it's a very personal decision. It always shocks me, though, to hear how many do want to, but haven't got round to joining the register.

'It takes less than two minutes and it's important to remember to share your wishes with loved ones, too, but I hope I can show that transplants do work. They help people live for many more years, and live well.'A woman is having to endure 10 cycles of chemotherapy after discovering an itch on her breast, which she thought was an allergic reaction, was actually a rare cancer.

Charlotte Wittman, 44, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in April after thinking the itch on her chest was caused by washing powder.

The doctors' surgery receptionist had to have her left breast removed last month and has had four gruelling cycles of chemo already  but is expecting another six.

Ms Wittman, from Birmingham, has also suffered through sepsis  a deadly complication of infection  which hospitalised her just months ago.

She will also need radiotherapy after the chemo to make sure all the cancer is gone.

Charlotte Wittman, a doctors' surgery receptionist from Birmingham, thought an itch on her breast was a reaction to her laundry powder but it turned out to be a rare form of breast cancer

Ms Wittman, 44, has had to have four courses of chemotherapy in the past six months and has had surgery to remove her left breast in a bid to get rid of all the cancer cells  she expects to have another six rounds of chemo and then radiotherapy before her treatment is complete

Despite being 'driven nuts' by an itch on her breast for three weeks, Ms Wittman or her partner, Gary Bogle, 51, never expected it to be a sign of cancer.

But she became concerned after it kept happening in the same place, and only on one side.

'My boob was scabby and bloody basically because I was scratching so much in my sleep,' Ms Wittman said. 'I felt like I was definitely having an allergic reaction.

'The itch was towards the middle of my chest, at the bottom of my breast. I didn't know whether it was because it was sweaty and that was irritating it.

'It flittered into my head that it might be something, but I didn't think in a million years it might be cancer.

'My partner couldn't see anything  nothing dodgy, just a bit of a rash and that was it. I had none of the orange peel skin or anything like that which they say is a common symptom.

'I got all that after my diagnosis, but I was totally oblivious that it was anything at the beginning. I just went to the GP because it was driving me nuts.'

When Ms Wittman was diagnosed she and Mr Bogle, a courier, were devastated by the news because his late wife had died from breast cancer 14 years earlier.

Ms Wittman claims her GP was not particularly worried about her symptoms, but referred her to the breast clinic 'just to cover all bases'.

Ms Wittman and her partner Gary Bogle, 51, were shocked to find out her itch was cancer and were devastated because Mr Bogle's ex-wife died of breast cancer 14 years ago

Ms Wittman will undergo a total of 10 rounds of chemotherapy (pictured: her hair loss during treatment earlier this year)  doctors believe they managed to remove all the cancer during surgery but need to be sure

A consultant did a mammogram and a scan of her left breast, and after a biopsy it was confirmed that she had inflammatory breast cancer on April 25.

Just one to five per cent of breast cancers are an inflammatory diagnosis.

WHAT IS INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER? In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells may not grow as a lump that can be felt in the breast. They grow along tiny channels in the skin of the breast called the lymph vessels, which are part of the immune system and transport white blood cells around the body and drain fluid from tissues and organs. The cancer is particularly rare and only makes up one to five per cent of all breast cancer cases  there are 55,122 new cases of breast cancer in the UK each year, suggesting a maximum of 2,756 which are inflammatory. Symptoms often develop quite suddenly and may include the breast becoming red and inflamed, firm, swollen, hot to touch. Inflammatory breast cancer can spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer, so treatment is often started straight away. Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK Advertisement

The disease blocks the immune system's lymph channels in the breast and stops them from draining excess fluid away from the organs.

With her partner and friends by her side, Ms Wittman started her exhausting course of chemotherapy on May 11.

But after her fourth course of chemo, Mr Bogle became alarmed when his partner's temperature spiked, so he rushed her to A&E.

Ms Wittman spent six 'horrendous' days in hospital with sepsis triggered by a urinary tract infection.

Sepsis is a complication which, if not treated quickly, can cause the internal organs to shut down and be deadly within days.

But Ms Wittman made a full recovery and, after two more courses of chemotherapy, doctors decided she was strong enough for surgery to remove her breast on October 8.

The inflammatory cancer was in her skin rather than in a lump, so doctors agreed Ms Wittman would need her left breast removed completely.

'There was no other option but to remove my breast,' said Ms Wittman. 'I got told very early on which I think helped me accept it and know the way it was going to pan out.

'By the time it got to the mastectomy, I accepted it in my head that it had to be done, but I was worried how I was going to feel because I am quite big-breasted.

'It feels a bit odd and I can't wear a bra but it hasn't really bothered me yet.'

Of the 24 lymph nodes removed from her breast, five were cancerous  doctors are confident they have removed the cancer but the treatment isn't over yet.

Ms Wittman will need more chemotherapy then radiotherapy to follow that up.

Ms Wittman (pictured during her chemotherapy, wearing a cold cap which is used to try and prevent hair loss) said she 'didn't think in a million years' the itch in her breast could be cancer

Ms Wittman says she hasn't been bothered yet by having her breast removed, though she can't wear a bra and has numbness around the surgical scar, and is pleased to be healing 'very well'

'It's a rare cancer so they have to act quickly which is why they do chemotherapy first and then a mastectomy,' she said.

'I've now got a scar from the mastectomy from the middle of my breast bone right round under my arm, more or less straight across and under my armpit.

'It's very numb under my armpit still because the surgeons cut through your main nerve to reach your lymph nodes.

'I am healing very well, even though it's still quite sore.'

Ms Wittman, now recovering at home (pictured before her diagnosis) wants other women  especially young women  to be aware of their breast cancer risk and to get checked if they notice anything strange

Now recovering at home, Ms Wittman is urging other women to get checked out if they suspect any changes to their breasts.

She said: 'A lot of people think cancer affects just older women, but it's not at all.

'There are people in their twenties going through it and they haven't even lived their lives yet.

'I think we should keep drumming this home because I don't think people think to look unless they have a family history of [cancer].

'I can't fault the NHS. They've been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole thing.'A father-of-three who dismissed his hearing problems as a cold for more than two years was eventually diagnosed with a rare nose cancer that is 'invading his skull'.

Ben Wilkinson, 42, from Longlevens, Gloucester, lost his hearing in his right ear in 2016, which he put down to his frequent colds.

It was not until his GP recommended an MRI scan following a routine hearing test in September last year that doctors discovered the shift manager had a 4cm tumour behind his nose at the base of his skull.

Mr Wilkinson was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and underwent a gruelling two-and-a-half hour operation in May to remove the tumour.

But due to the mass being situated close to critical nerves, only part of it could be taken out.

Mr Wilkinson has been told he could have radiotherapy to reduce the growth, however, this can damage healthy surrounding tissue, leaving patients unable to swallow, see or hear.

The NHS has turned down his application for more precise proton beam therapy, despite doctors saying there is a 50 per cent chance his cancer will return without it.

Ben Wilkinson dismissed his loss of hearing as a cold for more than two years. It was not until his GP recommended an MRI scan following a hearing test that he was diagnosed with a rare cancer behind his nose. He is pictured after surgery to remove part of the growth

Despite being diagnosed in September, Mr Wilkinson only told his children last week that he is ill. Pictured left to right is his step daughter Ella, 16, wife Bozena, 43, daughter Lily, 11 and son Eli, five. His tumour is situated too close to his critical nerves to be removed completely

An MRI scan showed he has a tumour behind his nose at the base of his skull. This was pushing on a tube in Mr Wilkinson's middle ear, which was affecting his hearing. Surgery to remove part of the tumour boosted his hearing by 85 per cent but there is a 50 per cent the mass will return

Speaking of his initial symptoms, Mr Wilkinson said: 'I always had problems with my hearing. Every time I got a cold, my right ear got affected but I never thought anything of it.

'I had been to the doctors but as I always had a cold it was dismissed as mucus from the cold.

'I was referred to an ENT from my GP at my employers request as I had low results in my annual hearing tests for two years. It always seemed like I had a cold when I had the tests.'

Mr Wilkinson then underwent an MRI scan that revealed his tumour.

'I was devastated when doctors told me it was a very rare type of cancer, so rare there was barely even a name for it,' he said.

'To make it worse, it was my daughter's 16th birthday the same day.

'We only told our kids a week ago. I said to my wife that we need to tell them, I didn't want them to find out any other way.

'We tried to comfort them and told them "daddy is going to be okay".'

Despite putting on a brave face, radiotherapy to treat the cancer could leave Mr Wilkinson deaf, while leaving it may be fatal.

'The cancer is invading my skull, and the tumour is very close to critical nerves linked to the communication system,' he said.

'I am still young, I have a family and I want to be able to spend time with my kids.'

Mr Wilkinson (pictured with Eli) has been told the cancer is 'invading his skull'. Although radiotherapy could treat the tumour, it often also damages healthy tissue, leaving patients unable to see or hear. 'I am still young, I want to be able to spend time with my kids,' he said

Pictured after surgery to remove part of the growth, it was then doctors told Mr Wilkinson he had adenocarcinoma, which his surgeon had seen three times in 20 years. Mr Wilkinson applied for proton beam therapy, which targets the tumour, on the NHS but was turned down

In May this year, Mr Wilkinson went under the knife with surgeons going through his right nostril in an attempt to remove the mass.

However, they discovered it was situated close to critical nerves linked to the brain's communication system and the right carotid artery, which carries blood to the head and neck.

'After my operation, the surgeon told me what I had was called "adenocarcinoma" and he had only seen three similar cases in 20 years,' Mr Wilkinson said.

'My hearing came back at 85 per cent as the tumour had been pushing on my eustachian tube, which was what had been causing the hearing loss.'

WHAT IS ADENOCARCINOMA? Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the mucus-secreting glands found throughout the body. It can occur anywhere in the body, with is prevalence varying depending on where it affects. The disease is most common in the: Lung - adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer, which makes up 80 per cent of lung cancers

Prostate - adenocarcinoma accounts for 99 per cent of all prostate cancers

Pancreas

Oesophagus - adenocarcinoma is the most common type

Colorectal - adenocarcinoma accounts for 95 per cent of colon and rectal cancers

Cervix - adenocarcinoma is responsible in more than one in 10 cases Adenocarcinoma affects around one in every 100 people diagnosed with cancer of the nose and nasal sinuses. Treatment varies on where the cancer grows in the body. It may include surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be used in combination with surgery. Source: Cancer Treatment Centers of America Advertisement

Unable to remove the tumour, the medics discussed Mr Wilkinson's other options, with one being proton beam therapy.

After doing his own research, Mr Wilkinson discovered this treatment is specifically intended to remove tumours in sensitive areas, such as the head or spine, without damaging any healthy tissues, unlike radiotherapy.

In August, Mr Wilkinson applied to the NHS proton therapy panel for funding after his oncologist told him he met all the requirements for the treatment.

But he claims the NHS declined his application on the October 17 and have since refused to tell him why despite his many calls and emails.

'The only reason that I could see from my rejection letter was that they said it looked like maximal resection had not been achieved, which was one of the listed criteria,' Mr Wilkinson said.

'My surgeon had already confirmed he had taken out as much as he could without killing me.'

Mr Wilkinson and his wife Bozena, 43, are now fundraising to go to Prague to have proton beam therapy at a cost of 66,500 for 38 cycles over eight-to-ten weeks.

They have raised more than 8,000 of their 70,000 target to date.

Without this treatment, Mr Wilkinson will be forced to undergo standard radiotherapy, which can affect the facial muscles, speech and eyesight.

'I am just failing to understand why I am not a good fit for proton beam therapy,' he said.

'There are many long term complications with radiotherapy and I want the best treatment.'

An NHS England spokesperson said: 'The NHS does fund proton beam therapy in this country and internationally where top doctors say it is advantageous, but it is not always clinically appropriate or a better treatment than other options already available on the NHS.

'Together with the Department of Health and Social Care we are also now funding the development of two new world class PBT centres in Manchester which will open in 2018 and in London in 2020 to treat an estimated 1,500 cancer patients a year.'Jersey will become the first place in the British Isles to allow all GPs to prescribe medical cannabis.

Politicians on the island have voted to allow every doctor to prescribe cannabis-based medicines, whereas in the UK only specialists are allowed to do so.

A neurologist has now called on mainland Britain to follow suit, arguing the current rules 'narrow the pool of expertise' among medics allowed to dish out the drug.

Cannabis-based medicines could be available as soon as February for people living on the Channel Island off the north-west of France.

Cannabis-based medicines will be available from all doctors in Jersey from February, whereas the mainland UK only allows specialists to prescribe the medications since they became legal last week

Montfort Tadier, a member of the Jersey government, successfully brought in his plan for cannabis medication yesterday.

It voted for all doctors  including GPs  to be able to prescribe cannabis derivatives, individual components such as cannabidiol (CBD), and pharmaceutical medicines based on parts of the marijuana plant.

And the government's health minister will bring the plans in time to make the products available by February 28, the BBC reports.

The move will not change the law on smoking cannabis or resin  any growing, dealing or use of street cannabis will remain illegal.

Professor Mike Barnes, a neurologist in the UK who had one of his reports used by the government when they changed their drug laws, said he is concerned about Britain's overall stance.

He added the mainland should do the same as Jersey.

WHEN DID MEDICAL CANNABIS BECOME LEGAL? Medical cannabis has been available on prescription in the UK since November 1 2018 after it was approved by the Government in July. Home secretary, Sajid Javid, said in the summer: 'Following advice from two sets of independent advisors, I have taken the decision to reschedule cannabis-derived medicinal products  meaning they will be available on prescription. 'This will help patients with an exceptional clinical need.' Mr Javid added it is 'in no way a first step to the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use.' After a high-profile campaign of public pressure on the Government to help reduce seizures in children suffering with epilepsy, the law was changed to allow cannabis-based medication to be prescribed to treat them. Possession of the class B drug will still carry an unlimited fine and up to five years in jail, while dealers face 14 years in prison. Advertisement

'I cannot see a logic in restricting prescriptions to hospital consultants, which narrows the pool of expertise, particularly in Jersey,' Professor Barnes said.

'It is cannabis expertise that is required and not disease specific expertise.'

Professor Barnes, former president of the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine and a founder of the MS Trust charity, says cannabis expertise is rare among medical professionals.

Doctors will only be allowed to prescribe cannabis products which have been pre-approved by the health service, but will be given greater power than they have now.

Certain cannabis-based medicines have been available on prescription for years if patients meet the right criteria.

One example is Sativex, a mouth spray used to relieve muscle stiffness and pain in people with multiple sclerosis.

However, Mr Tadier said patients had to go through a 'long and arduous' to get hold of the drug.

Now specialists all over Britain are legally able to prescribe other medications such as epidiolex  an epilepsy medicine for children  and nabilone  to relieve vomiting in chemotherapy patients.

It is unclear which drugs will be approved for prescription but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has been commissioned to make guidance clearer.

After the debate in which his plans were voted for by other deputies, Mr Tadier said: 'We seem to have a states assembly that's relatively open minded.

'It's a positive step for the island and it means we're leading the way in the British Isles on this subject.'

Montfort Tadier, a member of the Jersey government, successfully passed a motion to allow GPs to prescribe medical cannabis products

The island's health minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, opposed the law change and said the government should take a 'cautious, step by step approach' to cannabis, but he was outvoted.

When medical cannabis was legalised, the UK's Home Secretary Sajid Javid said it would be strictly controlled in order to prevent it being abused.

Prescriptions can only be made by doctors on a specialist register of the General Medicine Council, a statement claimed.

Clark French, of the United Patients Alliance, said specialists are expected to be inundated with requests for cannabis products.

He said he hopes the law will be expanded to allow prescriptions to be made by family doctors.

Blair Gibbs, policy head of The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, said: 'This has moved incredibly fast  leading to possibly the biggest ever overnight change in prescription medicine.

'It has been a brave decision to start with this, but as research and understanding is accrued, the decision to broaden the access and availability of cannabis-based medicines will become less difficult.'

He added the CMC is putting together policy proposals for the use of medicinal cannabis in the UK, which will be published in the coming weeks.NHS emergency services in England are struggling to cope with a 'year round crisis' that is damaging patient care, leading doctors have warned.

Patients even received worse care last summer than in five of the eight most recent winters, NHS England figures reveal.

Some 125,215 patients were left stranded for more than four hours on a trolley while waiting for A&E care last summer. This is more than in any winter between 2011 and 2015.

'Behind these figures lie real stories of misery. We cannot and should not allow this appalling state of affairs to continue,' Dr Simon Walsh, member of the The British Medical Association, said.

NHS emergency services in England are struggling to cope with a 'year round crisis' that is damaging patient care, leading doctors have warned (stock)

Figures released by NHS England show a record 226,176 patients were forced to wait for emergency hospital care last winter.

This is a staggering 200,000 more than in the same time period in 2011, a BMA investigation revealed.

Numbers began to rise in 2016 when 155,277 patients were forced to wait to receive emergency care, which then increased further still to 177,012 in 2017.

And between the winter of 2011 and 2018, the number of patients being seen within the recommended four hours of arriving at A&E decreased from 96.6 per cent to 85 per cent.

Trolley waits of more than four hours also rose from just 29,636 to 226,176 - a seven fold increase.

Emergency admissions increased by 19 per cent from 1,290,056 to 1,529,087.

And it's not just winter care that has gone downhill.

Just 89.3 per cent of patients were seen within four hours of arriving at A&E last summer compared to 97.3 per cent in 2011.

JUST HOW STRETCHED IS THE NHS? Waiting times at over-stretched A&E units are at their worst level since records began, according to official figures in April 2018. Experts said the NHS was in the grip of an 'eternal winter' and many hospitals are still struggling to cope with the unprecedented pressure. Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt was forced to admit it was the 'worst winter ever' amid a severe outbreak of flu and cold weather. Chiefs cancelled thousands of operations in a controversial move to ease pressure. And experts have suggested this may be the only option to stop a crisis next year. The latest monthly data from NHS England also shows that waiting times for routine operations, such as knee and hip replacements, are at their highest since 2004. And violent assaults on staff have risen by 10 per cent in a year  partly driven by frustration with waiting times. Advertisement

The number of patients forced to wait on trolleys also rose six fold from 18,095 patients to 125,215.

While emergency admissions increased by 25 per cent from 1,247,113 to 1,558,691.

'These figures lay bare the long-term underfunding of emergency care services in England that have experienced years of declining budgets and staff shortages at a time when patient demand has rocketed,' Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said.

'It is shocking that the number of patients waiting more than four hours for treatment on trollies has increased seven-fold during the winter months since 2011, with almost 200,000 more patients left in this appalling situation.

'Compliance with the four-hour waiting time target has dropped 11 per cent since 2011 and even during the supposedly quieter summer period there have been similar declines.

'Most worryingly, the pressure on the NHS has developed into an all year crisis.'

Speaking of the figures, Dr Walsh said: 'Tens of thousands of patients are being left in crowded, cramped corridors, waiting for treatment while others are having to endure longer waits to even see a doctor or nurse.'

He added, however, the recent budget shows the Government is committed to investing in emergency care.

'But this analysis shows the NHS needs this funding urgently,' Dr Walsh said.

'The BMA remains unconvinced that what has been pledged will meet the sheer scale of the problems underlined by our analysis.

'It is vital that the Government ensures that frontline healthcare staff are given the resources they need to deliver the standard of care that patients deserve.'

The BMA examined data from NHS England on emergency admissions, trolley waits of more than four hours and the percentage of admissions sorted within four fours.

The health service came under significant additional pressure last winter due to the 'perfect storm' of extreme weather, the worst flu season in a decade and high levels of norovirus.

Health leaders have been warned the NHS is likely to come under immense strain once again this winter.The author Vladimir Nabokov was almost driven to suicide by psoriasis, a new study has claimed.

The American-Russian writer, best known for his 1955 novel Lolita, reportedly suffered from the common skin condition for decades.

Although it isn't talked about in his novels, Nabokov mentioned the sore and itchy illness in letters to his wife, Vera, between 1923 and 1977  the year he died.

He describes grim images of bloody underwear, insomnia and flakes of his skin falling from his body onto the carpet.

In 1937 he said 'I'd reached the border of suicide', admitting he was convinced he was losing his mind.

Vladimir Nabokov, who lived from 1899 to 1977 (pictured in 1951), suffered with psoriasis for decades and detailed the frustration and embarrassment he felt in regular letters to his wife, Vera

Nabokov's most famous work is the novel Lolita, written in 1955, in which a professor called Humbert Humbert falls in love with a 12-year-old girl

Researchers from the Hopitaux de Paris in France studied Nabokov's letters and suggest he had particularly bad psoriasis that damaged his mental health.

The incurable condition, which affects around one in 50 people,is caused by the immune system malfunctioning and produces patches of dry, scaly and red skin.

These areas can be very flaky and crusty and may be particularly sore and itchy.

When Nabokov was alive psychodermatology  study of the mental impacts of skin conditions  did not even exist, but it is well established now.

Past research shows between 10 and 58 per cent of people with psoriasis are depressed because of it, and between 2.5 and 7.2 per cent suffer suicidal thoughts.

Nabokov wrote in 1937: 'I'm so tortured by my [psoriasis] now I can tell you straight that [...], I'd reached the border of suicide'.

Nabokov's psoriasis made him extremely itchy, causing insomnia and worsening his mood, something which is not uncommon among people with psoriasis.

He wrote: 'I don't sleep at night because of its furious itchy  and this greatly affects my mood. Sometimes I simply thought I was losing my mind.'

WHAT IS PSORIASIS? Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin and sometimes the joints. Around two per cent of people in the US and UK suffer from the condition. Psoriasis occurs when a person's skin replacement process takes place within days rather than the usual 21-to-28 days. The accumulation of skin cells builds up to form raised plaques, which can be flaky, scaly and itchy. Psoriasis arthritis can occur in the joints near affected skin, causing them to become tender, swollen and stiff. Anyone can suffer, but psoriasis is more common in people in their late teens-to-early 30s or those between the ages of 50 and 60. Psoriasis' cause is unclear. Flare-ups can be triggered by stress, skin injury, hormonal changes and certain medications. It is not contagious and there is no cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms via topical creams, gels and medication. Source: Psoriasis Association Advertisement

He wrote of 'constant thoughts about my bloody underwear, blotchy mug and the scales pouring down on the carpet'.

In a letter published in the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers suggested a particularly severe flare-up of psoriasis may have been linked to the stress of cheating on his wife.

They add his letters give a useful insight into the psychological effects of psoriasis, improving doctors' ability to treat patients with severe forms of condition.

'Nabokov's psoriasis is known about, but the psychological impact of his condition is not discussed enough,' said Dr Laurie Rousset, one of the researchers.

'His letters paint a vivid picture of a man who was often tormented by the symptoms, social anxiety, and who struggled with shame.

'Nabokov's experiences highlight how important it is that patients feel in control of their condition and are happy with their treatments.'

Daragh Rogerson of the British Association of Dermatologists added: 'Treatments for psoriasis have come a long way since Nabokov's time, as has the availability of psychological support.

'The itching, the insomnia, and the emotional toil of the condition are still common themes raised by patients.

'This is one of the reasons why we launched our support website, Skin Support.

'I hope this powerful testimony will highlight to both doctors and patients the importance of managing the mental aspects of this condition, as well as the physical.'If you've suffered from anxiety, depression or relationship problems, a psychological theory called 'attachment theory' can help you get to the root cause of your difficulties and give you a greater understanding of what's going on.

Attachment theory was developed by British psychiatrist John Bowlby in the 1960s. The theory explains how our brains are programmed to help us survive and thrive in the environment we are born into.

Our self-esteem, ability to control our emotions and the quality of our relationships are all affected by our attachment style.

We've known for over 50 years that attachment styles can predict and explain children's behaviour.

More recent research has shown that attachment styles also continue to affect our behaviour in adulthood.

Helen Dent, emeritus professor of Clinical and Forensic Psychology at Staffordshire University, explains how 'attachment theory' can shed light on how we form and conduct relationships

Four attachment styles

Infants develop one of four main attachment styles in response to the care they receive from their parents or other carers during infancy.

Carers who are sensitive to children's needs foster a 'secure attachment style'.

Carers who become distressed and retreat when their children are upset create an 'avoidant attachment style'.

Carers who respond sensitively but are often distracted from their caregiving create an 'anxious attachment style'.

And carers who harm their children through neglect or abuse, create a 'disorganised attachment style'.

As children, we develop an attachment style that keeps us safe by programming us to behave in certain ways towards our carer when we are anxious or afraid.

These behaviours elicit a response from our carer that, ideally, should be protective.

Our brains are programmed through the relationship with our main carer.

During this process, we learn to recognise and control our emotions and we create a 'template' that guides our social interactions and informs us whether and how we are valued by other people.

Faulty template

Someone with a secure attachment style feels valued by others, can rely on them to be helpful and is able to control their emotions.

At the other end of the spectrum, someone with a disorganised style does not feel valued by others, easily loses control of their emotions and resorts to manipulative behaviour to coerce others into providing help.

When we feel anxious or fearful, the template created during infancy tells us how to respond.

The world we live in now is often different from the one we were born into when our attachment style was forming, so our response to life's events may be unsuitable.

For example, someone with an anxious attachment style who constantly talks about their latest problem may lose friends who become frustrated by their inability to help.

Research shows that attachment style affects our performance in many areas of life, including physical and mental health, finding a compatible romantic partner, and our behaviour in family, social and work contexts.

Attachment style even affects the type of religious belief we hold, our relationships with pets and whether our home feels like a haven.

Once you know your own attachment style  which you can easily discover by completing an online survey  you will be able to predict what your response is likely to be in different circumstances.

For example, if you have an avoidant attachment style, you fear rejection and may decide not to go for a promotion at work.

When you realise that your fear of rejection is caused by your carer's own difficulties when you were little, it may help you change your own mindset.

Taking such positive steps can help you develop a more secure attachment style.

So take steps to find out what your attachment style is  it can only be of benefit.Were the members of the legendary musical group Bon Jovi medical visionaries? How else do you explain Shot to the Heart? This prophetic song predicted the protective benefits of the flu shot against heart disease more than 30 years before researchers would arrive at the same conclusion.

Earlier in 2018, researchers from the University of Toronto published a ground-breaking study in the New England Journal of Medicine linking heart attacks and influenza. The study by Dr. Jeffrey Kwong and colleagues examined almost 20,000 patients who tested positive for influenza.

They discovered that the risk of a heart attack increases 600 per cent within a week of influenza infection. While the risk increased with other respiratory infections, influenza caused the greatest increase.

As a molecular cardiologist, my research focuses on developing new treatments for heart attacks. The discovery that influenza is such a powerful risk for heart attacks presents researchers and health-care professionals with a new challenge in dealing with patients who have heart disease.

Glen Pyle is a professor who specializes in heart failure at the University of Guelph in Canada. He explains why rates of heart attack are higher in those who don't get the flu shot

Flu shot decreases risk of heart attacks

With influenza rearing its ugly head every year, what can be done to protect the heart? It turns out something as simple as the flu vaccine may provide a protective 'shot to the heart.'

Investigators from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology in Taiwan examined the medical records of 80,000 elderly patients over 13 years. This study found that an annual influenza vaccination decreased the risk of a heart attack by 20 per cent and offered similar protection against strokes.

The flu shot doesn't just decrease the risk of heart attacks. It also protects patients who already have heart disease. In a study from The George Institute for Global Health at University of Oxford, the health records of 59,202 heart failure patients were examined.

Researchers found that patients who were vaccinated against influenza were 27 per cent less likely to be hospitalized for heart failure complications.

Even the wrong strain protects the heart

Unlike most vaccinations that target one type of infection, there are many strains or types of influenza. Each year scientists predict what type will be most common and recommend an annual vaccination against that strain.

The uncertainty about which type of influenza will dominate means the vaccine is not always highly effective. On average, the effectiveness of the annual influenza vaccine is 50 to 70 per cent.

Interestingly, even when influenza vaccinations are not 100 per cent effective against the flu, they still provide protection against heart disease.

One study shows that patients whose vaccination failed to prevent an influenza-like illness had lower rates of cardiovascular events compared to people who were not vaccinated.

Similarly, a 2017 study by published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases reported that even when influenza vaccination fails to prevent the flu, the severity of the infection is less and there are fewer complications.

Social media myths

The health benefits of the flu shot are clear and widely supported by research. Most countries recommend annual influenza vaccinations, especially for high-risk groups like seniors, children under five years of age and people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease.

Canada has set a target of 80 per cent influenza vaccination coverage for seniors with chronic medical conditions. According to Statistics Canada, 32 per cent of seniors in this group received a flu shot in 2013-2014.

In Europe, fewer than half of people in high-risk groups receive a flu shot and similarly low rates are reported in the United States and Australia.

Why are influenza vaccination rates so low? The propagation of myths and misconceptions about the risks and benefits of vaccination through social media is a significant driver.

Misinformation about the flu shot is increasingly causing people to question its value. Additionally, people in low-risk groups may decline to get a flu shot because of a sense of invulnerability.

Invest in herd immunity

While it's true that healthy people are at low risk for complications from influenza, declining vaccination puts others at risk.

Healthy people who are not vaccinated increase the chances of contracting the flu and passing it along to high-risk individuals. Vaccination of healthy, low-risk individuals is crucial to maintaining the health of the general population, a phenomenon called 'herd immunity.'

This flu season, roll up your sleeve and get a flu shot. Do it for your heart. Bon Jovi would tell you that anything else is just Bad Medicine.The 'last search' for missing Malaysian airlines flight MH370 has come to an end in the remote Indian Ocean - leaving the families of victims with nothing but hope.

Malaysia said the search by Texas-based firm Ocean Infinity, which has used a deep-sea vessel to scour the seabed, would end today after two extensions of the original 90-day time limit.

Australia said a four-year search for the missing aircraft had been the largest in aviation history and tested the limits of technology and the capacity of experts and people at sea.

But Transport Minister Michael McCormack added there would always be hope of finding the Boeing 777, which vanished on March 8, 2014 with 239 on board while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing.

The 'last search' for MH370 has come to an end in the remote Indian Ocean - leaving the families of victims with nothing but hope. The plane is pictured over Poland a month before it vanished

Malaysia said the search by Texas-based firm Ocean Infinity, which has used a deep-sea vessel to scour the seabed, would end today after two extensions of the original 90-day time limit. Pictured: A girl has her face painted during a Day of Remembrance for MH370 in Kuala Lumpur

'Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the 239 people on board MH370,' Mr McCormack's office said in a statement. 'We will always remain hopeful that one day the aircraft will be located.'

Malaysia signed a 'no cure, no fee' deal with Ocean Infinity in January to resume the hunt for the plane, a year after the official search in the southern Indian Ocean by Australia, Malaysia and China was called off. No other search is scheduled.

Ocean Infinity chef executive Oliver Plunkett said the search would soon end after covering more than 112,000 square kilometers (43,000 square miles) of remote ocean floor - an area more than four times larger than the zone targeted by experts as the most likely crash site.

'I would firstly like to extend the thoughts of everyone at Ocean Infinity to the families of those who have lost loved ones on MH370. Part of our motivation for renewing the search was to try to provide some answers to those affected,' Plunkett said in a statement.

'It is therefore with a heavy heart that we end our current search without having achieved that aim,' he added.

Plunkett said he was pleased to hear the new Malaysian government had made finding the Boeing 777 that vanished with 239 people aboard a priority.

'Whilst clearly the outcome so far is extremely disappointing, as a company, we are truly proud of what we have achieved both in terms of the quality of data we've produced and the speed with which we covered such a vast area,' Plunkett said.

Pieces of debris have been found as far away as La Reunion (pictured), but the main body of the plane has still not been located

'We sincerely hope that we will be able to again offer our services in the search for MH370 in the future,' he added.

Australia, Malaysia and China agreed in 2016 that an official search would only resume if the three countries had credible evidence that identified a specific location for the wreckage.

The search area deemed by experts to be the most likely crash site was 9,650 square miles, an area roughly 25% larger than Wales.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's transport minister, Anthony Loke, said a full report into MH370's disappearance would be published in the near future, but he did not give a date.

'I can assure you the final report will be published with full disclosure. There will not be any edits, or anything hidden,' he told reporters late on Monday.

Asked whether the report would refer to controversial elements of the MH370 case, he said: 'To me, whatever elements, we will just publish it'.

The Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing.

The original search focused on the South China Sea before analysis revealed the plane had made an unexpected turn west and then south

The original search focused on the South China Sea before analysis revealed the plane had made an unexpected turn west and then south.

Australia co-ordinated an official search on Malaysia's behalf that scoured 46,000 square miles and cost 200 million Australian dollars (113m) before it ended in 2017.

Last year, Australian authorities said the MH370 captain had flown a route on his home simulator six weeks before the disappearance that was 'initially similar' to the course actually taken by the aircraft.

Peter Foley, who led the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's search efforts, told an Australian Senate hearing 'control inputs' had been made to fly the airliner off course, but he could not say if one of the pilots had done so.

Malaysian investigators said in 2015 they had found nothing suspicious in the financial, medical or personal histories of the pilots or crew.

Danica Weeks, an Australian resident who lost her husband on Flight 370, urged Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to call on the new Malaysian government to be more transparent about what they knew about the mysterious disappearance.

'There've been so many theories and rumours and we don't know what is true and what isn't,' Ms Weeks told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

'I want Julie Bishop to say to the Malaysian counterparts now: 'what do you have? Where is the investigation at'?'

Foley, told an Australian Senate committee hearing last week that he still hoped that Ocean Infinity would be successful.

'If they're not, of course, that would be a great sadness for all of us,' Foley said.A convicted killer turned Instagram star has taken control of one of Australia's most powerful outlaw motorcycle clubs.

Moudi Tajjour, 34, who rose to prominence after a brief marriage to Salim Mehajer's sister Sanaa, is the Nomads OMCG's new national president after an internal power struggle with previous club boss Michael Clarke.

Daily Mail Australia understands Tajjour is now considered national president by all of the Nomads' chapters except Canberra, who still support local member Clarke.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, the bikie confirmed he had taken charge of the Nomads OMCG and said he wanted to move control of the gang back to Sydney.

'I've made the decision to take over the national presidency,' Tajjour said.

'Having been out of the club for 12 months I felt it was time to rejoin my mates.'

Scroll down for video

Convicted killer turned Instagram star Moudi Tajjour (pictured) is the new national president of the Nomads OMCG, it can be revealed

'There's been some division within the club recently but I've got a lot of support (from) all the chapters in Sydney and Melbourne are behind me, as well as our boys overseas,' Tajjour said

The high-profile bikie last year stepped away from the club he joined at age 15, but announced in a social media post this week: 'I am back'.

By taking over the top job Tajjour follows in the footsteps of his brother Sleiman, who previously held the role of national president.

Tajjour said even after he left the gang he was 'haunted' by authorities, despite trying to 'reform' his life and a brief marriage to Mehajer's younger sister Sanaa.

'The banks had shut down my businesses, even though I was retired and had just got married,' the bikie said.

'This club has been my family since I was 15. Being away from the boys was making me miserable and even though I was trying to reform they were still targeting me.

'Staying out of the bikies was making me miserable, so the only option was to come back to the club with my brothers and whatever happens, happens.

'There's been some division within the club recently but I've got a lot of support. All the chapters in Sydney and Melbourne are behind me, as well as our boys overseas.'

It is understood the role of Tajjour's vice president will be filled by Blacktown chapter member Ben Taylor.

Earlier this year Tajjour was pictured standing arm-in-arm with Clarke and dozens of other Nomads members in full club colours in Canberra.

The bikie gang has regularly used the ACT as a getaway location, free from the anti-consorting laws readily enforced in NSW by Strike Force Raptor.

It is understood the role of Tajjour's vice president will be filled by Blacktown chapter member Benny Taylor (right)

Tajjour (left) previously held the job of Sergeant at Arms when his older brother Sleiman (right) was national president

Earlier this year Tajjour was pictured arm-in-arm with then-national president Clarke and other Nomads members in Canberra. The club often uses the ACT as a getaway from the consorting laws enforced in NSW by Strike Force Raptor

Tajjour denied the photo, which was posted to Instagram, was an attempt at taunting the strike force.

'We were not taunting police... we were simply catching up with our brothers having a great time riding and partying,' he said at the time.

Strike Force Raptor boss Superintendent Deborah Wallace declined to comment on Tajjour's return to the Nomads when approached by Daily Mail Australia.

But a NSW Police Force spokesperson said in a statement they would 'continue to target' bikies.

'While we have seen a noticeable change in OMCG behaviour  including members handing in colours  the NSW Police Force will continue to target any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity,' the statement read in part.

Tajjour, who was jailed over the 2006 manslaughter of Robin Nassour, the younger brother of Fat Pizza star George, was the youngest ever member to join the Nomads ranks in the late-1990s.

After leaving school in Year 8 he joined the Nomads as a 'nominee', but had to wait 16 months before becoming a fully fledged member.

Tajjour (pictured) declined to comment when approached outside his western Sydney home, but later issued a statement through his lawyer

Tajjour (right) made headlines in late-2017 for his brief marriage to Sanaa Mehajer (left), sister of disgraced Sydney businessman Salim Mehajer

Tajjour (left) smiles for a photo with his cousin and Sydney nightclub indenity John Ibrahim (right)

Since then he has been Sergeant at Arms and Vice President, as an understudy to his older brother Sleiman.

'I was 15 years old - the youngest bikie to ever join a club - but I was a nominee for 16 months because I kept punching on with members, so my cousin Sam Ibrahim kept taking my colours,' Tajjour told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year.

'You'd get put in a circle and have a crack with the boys for a few minutes, and if you didn't drop your guard and fought until you got knocked out, you'd get your colours.

'You'd come into the clubhouse and they'd say: "It's on now, are you sure you want to do this? How much do you want your colours?"... and you'd punch on with hard men, but you'd earn your colours the right way.

In a rare photo of his early days as a Nomads member, Tajjour is pictured standing in club colours alongside brother Sleiman and their cousin Michael Ibrahim, youngest brother of Kings Cross nightclub owner John.

Moudi is the only one of those in the photo not to currently be in jail or out on bail.

A rare photo of Tajjour's early days as a Nomads member shows him standing alongside older brother Sleiman (left) and cousin Michael Ibrahim, younger brother of Kings Cross nightclub owner John

Tajjour (front right) poses for a photo with fellow Nomads MC members during his days as the club's vice president

Having spent the best part of the last two decades as part of the Nomads MC, Tajjour has made headlines for different reasons in recent times.

In late-2017 there was his marriage to Sanaa Mehajer, the younger sister of disgraced Sydney businessman Salim.

Their relationship lasted only a few months, ending while away on their honeymoon and being followed by several incidents that led to police taking an AVO out against Tajjour on behalf of Mehajer.

More recently he has gained a cult following on his Instagram page 'Cant_Fight_Fate', which has close to 30,000 followers.Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Foxconn is struggling to find enough skilled workers for its planned facility in Wisconsin and may bring in personnel from China,

Foxconn, which makes devices and components for Apple and other tech firms, is facing a tight labor market for the manufacturing plant, which is getting some $3 billion in incentives from the Midwestern state.

The company has pledged to hire 13,000 workers at the southern Wisconsin site, but some reports say the total may be lower as Foxconn scales back its initial plans.

Foxconn is facing a tight labor market for the manufacturing plant, which is getting some $3 billion in incentives from Wisconsin

People, familiar with the matter, claimed that Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou was looking for company engineers in China to transfer to the location

'Wisconsin first commitment remains unchanged,' the company said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. They added that the new hires 'will work on high-value production and engineering assignments and in the research and development field.'

People, familiar with the matter, claimed that Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou was looking for company engineers in China to transfer to the location that is just 20 miles outside of Milwaukee.

The company would later assert that claims of the Chinese recruitment efforts were 'untrue.'

The groundbreaking for the plant was attended in June by US President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for the decision by the company to locate the plant in the United States.

The groundbreaking for the plant was attended in June by US President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for the decision to move the plant there

Republican Governor Scott Walker (left), who lost his re-election bid in Wisconsin, was touting the Foxconn deal as an achievement but Tom Evers (right) claim the state will end up losing as a result of the large subsidies

Republican Governor Scott Walker, who lost his re-election bid in Wisconsin, was touting the Foxconn deal as an achievement but his critics claim the state will end up losing as a result of the large subsidies.

Democrat Tony Evers, the man who beat Walker for the race, claimed that the project took away money for other state ventures.

Part of the problem also stems from Wisconsin's low unemployment rate, which is currently at 3.0 per cent. That is significantly lower than the 3.7 per cent national average.

Foxconn has pledged to donate $100 million to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's school of engineering.Gang boss Domenic 'Mick' Gatto has penned a heartfelt tribute to Australia's oldest known contract killer.

Gatto, 63, described convicted murderer James Frederick Bazley, 92, who passed away at a Melbourne nursing home on Thursday, as a 'very loyal, staunch' friend and offered his 'deepest and sincerest condolences' to his family, Herald Sun reported.

'Deepest and sincerest condolences to Lillian, Brad, Vernita and all the Bazley family,' Gatto said in a tribute to the publication.

'Jimmy was a very loyal, staunch friend. Mick Gatto and family. REST IN PEACE.'

Gang boss Domenic 'Mick' Gatto (pictured) has penned a heartfelt tribute to Australia's oldest known contract killer

Bazley, nicknamed 'Iceman', was long believed to have been behind the 1977 execution of businessman Donald Mackay in Griffith, in the New South Wales Riverina.

Bazley was believed to have been paid $10,000 to murder Mr Mackay, who was shot dead outside The Griffith Hotel.

Along with Gianfranco Tizzoni and George Joseph, he was charged with conspiring to murder Mr Mackay two years after his death but was never convicted of the crime.

He always denied pulling the trigger on the prominent anti-drugs campaigner, who went missing from a car park in July 1977.

Mr Mackay's disappearance was one of the largest police investigations at the time, with more than 3,500 people interviewed.

Gatto described Bazley as a 'very loyal, staunch' friend and offered his 'deepest and sincerest condolences'

James Frederick Bazley (pictured), who was known as the 'Iceman', was believed to have gunned down the prominent Liberal anti-drugs campaigner in Griffith in 197

The 43-year-old had previously helped police bust a large marijuana crop in nearby Coleambally, and detectives believed that may have led to his murder.

Bazley was handed a life sentence in 1986 for his role in the killing of Isabel and Douglas Wilson, who were part of the 'Mr Asia Drug Cartel'.

Their bodies were found buried in Rye in May 1979.

Bazley's sentence for the couple's slaying was slashed to 15 years, but an extra four years were added after he was convicted for a 1978 armed robbery that netted him $270,000.

Former assassin James Frederick Bazley (right), who was the prime suspect in the Donald Mackay (left) killing in 1977, died aged 92 at a Melbourne nursing home on Thursday

The hitman walked free from prison in 2001 to live out the rest of his days with wife Lillian in Carlton North.

After his release, Bazley spent time with Victorian Calabrian mafia heavyweight Mario Condello, Mick Gatto and other members of the Carlton crew.

He moved into a Melbourne nursing home, where he died last week, for the final years of his life.A notorious woman dubbed the 'dine-and-dash queen' after she allegedly racked up hefty bills in restaurants and hotels and left without paying is now eating her meals behind bars.

Perth woman Lois Loder, 44, appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court by video on Tuesday, where her bail application was delayed until later this month.

She's currently remanded in custody at the Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration facility for female offenders, The West Australian reported.

Loder (pictured) was dubbed the 'dine-and-dash queen' after she allegedly left several Perth businesses without footing the bills she had racked up

Loder, who also goes by a number of aliases, faces 33 charges of fraud along with 16 charges of attempted fraud in addition to charges to stolen property and drugs.

She has pleaded guilty to 28 charges and was warned by a magistrate in June she was looking 'squarely' at a stint in prison if convicted.

Loder was taken into custody following the latest incident in September, where she allegedly fled the Gordon St Garage cafe in West Perth without footing the $22.50 bill for a croissant and mojito cocktail.

At the time, she attempted to explain the alleged incident, which she claimed was a miscommunication.

Lois Loder is currently in custody at Perth's Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration facility (pictured) for female offenders

'I have lots to say about this latest scandal - the guy .... is talking absolute rubbish,' Ms Loder told Daily Mail Australia in September.

'When I read what he said, I couldn't believe he was talking about the same occasion.'

'He said I couldn't pay by card, only cash, due to the electricity being disconnected. I said that's fine and that I only had a $20 note on me.

'If I had known I would've got more from the ATM. It was at this point I was thinking I might go, but he told me to sit down.'

The cafe's manager Callum Jennings disputed Loder's claims.

Cafe manager Callum Loader got this photo of Lois Loder in September after she allegedly walked out without paying for a mojito and croissant

'We had a quick chat when she came in before ordering a croissant from me over the counter and later a mojito,' he claimed at the time.

'She was only there for a couple of minutes before a colleague of mine noticed she was scurrying away outside a different exit.

'I then waited until I was pretty sure she was making a run for it and followed her outside, pulled her up and said 'you'll need to come back and pay for your bill' and she then tried to convince me that she left some money on the table but I didn't believe her.'

Loder was dubbed the 'dine-and-dash queen' after she allegedly left several West Australian businesses without footing the bills she had racked up.

Terrazza Cafe Applecross posted photos of Lois Loder and her boyfriend on its Facebook page last year with claims the couple left without paying for lunch

Lois Loder (pictured) has pleaded guilty to 28 charges and faces time in prison if convicted

She first made headlines in April when restaurant Elmar's in the Valley took to social media attempting to identify her after she and her partner allegedly skipped out after racking up a $250 bill.

Her co-accused Chiminh Phun, 41, will reappear in court this month, The West Australian reported.

Several other Perth businesses then came forward to allege they too believe they were targeted by the pair.

When it came to settling her debt with establishments she allegedly scammed, Loder resorted to threatening to plague public platforms with false negative reviews.

Notorious 'dine-and-dash queen' Lois Loder's (pictured) was remanded in custody after her bail application was delayed until later this month

They included cafe Terrazza Cafe Applecross, which alleged Ms Loder and her partner targeted its business last year, leaving without settling a bill of about $200.

Photos of the pair were posted to the cafe's Facebook page, with it asking public members who knew the couple to let them know 'they haven't paid for their lunch'.

Shortly after, Loder used her alias account 'Lois Lynn' to give a one star review, writing 'Awful. Really bad. Wouldn't go there unless you like pubic hair in your butter'.

The alleged unpaid bills totaled thousands of dollars, including an almost $2000 stay at the Quest West Perth, $960 at Ocean View Motel, a $500 tab at 3 Sheets Restaurant in Hillarys and $240 at The Royal on the Waterfront.A 63-year-old man has been accused of sexually abusing a four-month-old baby girl.

Police officers responding to a 911 call in the town of Ciudad Juarez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua arreted a man identified as Julio Rene.

It came after the mother of the child returned home Monday to find her infant daughter crying uncontrollably.

Julio Rene, 63, has been arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a four-month-old girl in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

The woman, who had stepped out after Julio Rene asked her if she could go shopping for groceries, decided to check up on her daughter, perhaps thinking the baby's needed her diaper changed, according to El Diario de Juarez.

The concerned mother was shocked when she saw her four-month-old daughter had injuries.

When the mother attempted to question Julio Rene about whether he had abused the defenseless infant, he became uncomfortable and she called 911.One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has snapped on live TV after being asked if she would be able to keep former federal Labor leader Mark Latham in line.

Mr Latham is running as her right-wing party's lead upper house candidate at next year's New South Wales state election - 15 years after he mocked her for going to jail.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic annoyed Senator Hanson when he repeatedly asked her if she would be able to control her outspoken recruit, who led Labor to defeat at the 2004 federal election.

'Look, um, I dont know why you keep going back to keeping him in line,' she told the Nine Network on Wednesday morning.

'This is why I wanted Mark on board, because of his knowledge, because of his experience, and no one can knock him.

'He was Labor Party Opposition leader in the federal Parliament.'

In August 2003, four months before he became federal Labor leader, Mr Latham mocked Senator Hanson's jail sentence in Queensland for electoral fraud, which was later overturned on appeal.

'She's just been a candidate in the recent NSW election campaigning for tougher penalties. Now she's got one,' Mr Latham told reporters as an Opposition frontbencher.

One Nation hasn't won a seat in the NSW Parliament since 1999, when Senator Hanson's former adviser David Oldfield was elected to the Legislative Council for an eight-year term.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (right) has snapped on live TV after being asked if she would be able to keep former federal Labor leader Mark Latham (left) in line

Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) annoyed Senator Hanson when he repeatedly asked her if she would be able to control her outspoken recruit

Senator Hanson herself ran as a failed NSW upper house candidate in 2003 and 2011.

While immigration is a federal issue, Mr Latham said he wanted to be in the NSW Parliament to advocate for better urban planning.

'The number one issue in Sydney is overpopulation, over development, the city becoming unliveable and dysfunctional,' he told the Nine Network.

'And at state level, better planning to make sure we don't have over development, that we have an end to urban sprawl, rows of apartment towers clogging up our city.

'That's not the Sydney way, it's not the Australian way.'

In 2003, Mark Latham (pictured in 2017) mocked Senator Hanson's jail sentence in Queensland for electoral fraud, which was later overturned on appeal

Mr Latham earlier this year quit Senator David Leyonhjelm's libertarian Liberal Democrats and sparked speculation he might be joining One Nation when he recorded robocall messages for Senator Hanson's party ahead of the August Longman federal by-election in Brisbane's outer-north.

The former Labor leader was last year sacked from Sky News for asking on air if a Sydney schoolboy, making an International Women's Day video, was gay.

In 2015, he was dismissed as an Australian Financial Review columnist for making unkind Twitter comments about Rosie Batty, a former Australian of the Year whose 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father.

Pauline Hanson (pictured) herself ran as a failed NSW upper house candidate in 2003 and 2011

Mr Latham briefly had an internet subscription program, Mark Latham's Outsiders, with right-wing Canadian group Rebel Media.

Since quitting federal Parliament in 2005, Mr Latham has been a critic of Labor's factional system, left-wing identity politics, political correctness and high rates of immigration.

During the late 1980s, Mr Latham worked at NSW Parliament House as an adviser to then Labor Opposition leader Bob Carr and was a protege of former Labor prime minister Gough Whitlam before being elected as the member for Werriwa, in Sydney's south-west, in 1994.

No former federal Labor leader has quit the party to join other groups on the right since former prime minister Billy Hughes left the ALP in 1916 over wartime conscription.A manic ex-boyfriend who threatened to 'eat' his former partner is set to walk free from court.

The sentencing of Damien Tehira Walters, 29, has angered New Zealand anti-domestic violence advocates who believe it fails his victim.

The Dunedin resident was sentenced to a year in prison but is due to be released as he had already served six months in custody, the New Zealand reported.

Judge John Macdonald heard evidence of how Walters threatened to pick up a firearm, before returning to a South Dunedin home where his ex-partner was with a friend, two days after they broke up in April.

Walters' victim hid in a bedroom while her ex smashed her car outside (file picture)

Walters smashed a glass sliding door, kicked a car door panel and also broke two car windows while his ex hid in a bedroom.

He began throwing her belongings from the house on to the footpath.

Walters then called her phone and said he was going to 'kill her, eat her, waste her and rip her apart'.

Leaving the scene, Walters continued to phone his victim, threatening to return, shoot her, and shoot at her home.

Walters pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional damage and one of threatening to kill as a result of the incident.

He also admitted to a charge of cultivating cannabis, after police uncovered a cupboard that had been converted into a mini-grow room for the drug during their search.

But his defence lawyer Steve Turner argued that Walters had paid for the damage he caused, compensated the victim further for the trauma she suffered and now accepted the relationship was over.

The defence also argued their client had been through residential rehabilitation at Moana House in 2014 and his offending - which spanned eight pages of convictions - had slowed.

Given the six months he had spent in custody, Walters was now scheduled for imminent release, with Judge Macdonald imposing six months' release conditions and making a protection order in favour of the victim.

White Ribbon NZ is encouraging men to take responsibility and end violence against women (file picture)

But a spokesman from White Ribbon NZ has argued that while the sentence may seem inadequate, men also needed to take responsibility for ending the violence.

White Ribbon's manger Rob McCann told Daily Mail Australia: 'This does not send the message that men's violence towards women is taken seriously.

'In NZ we have the highest rate of reported domestic violence in the developed world with 41% of our front line police officers time spent on family harm.

'While we need our judicial system to send a clear message, we also need men in New Zealand to 'Stand Up'.

''ll it takes for bad things to happen is for good men to do nothing.'A 98-year-old Second World War veteran lies unconscious in a hospital bed after thieves broke into his home and beat him senseless for a 20 TV.

Peter Gouldstone is fighting for his life with two bleeds on the brain after he was left battered and bruised in a raid on his home in Enfield, north London.

His son, Simon, who found him lying in his ransanked home, called on the burglars to 'examine their consciences', asking: 'How can you live with yourselves?'

Mr Gouldstone's son told a press conference that he is 'lost for words at man's inhumanity to man'.

Peter Gouldstone, 98, lies in a hospital bed with two bleeds on the brain after thugs broke into his house in Enfield, north London and beat him up so they could steal his television

Mr Gouldstone was found injured by his son, Simon (pictured). He called on the thieves to 'examine their consciences' when he spoke outside Edmonton Police Station today

Attack victim Mr Gouldstone served in Italy during the Second World War before working for the Post Office as a telephone engineer, retiring around 1980.

His wife of 65 years, Joan, died several years ago.

His son found him in a 'semi-conscious state' in his bedroom of his house where he had lived for more than 60 years.

Thieves had broken in through the back door and dragged the elderly man around the property during the terrifying ordeal.

His son, a former civil servant, told reporters: 'The house was very cold, he was in amongst quite a lot of turmoil. He couldn't communicate, he had bruising on his arms and face.

'I don't know how they can live with themselves. The sooner they're locked up the better.'

Shocked police say the level of violence meted out in the 'brutal and senseless attack' was 'completely excessive'.

They released a picture of the Panasonic television taken in the raid. The same TV can be bought second-hand on eBay for 20.

After beating the 98-year-old and dragging him around his home, thieves made off with this Panasonic TV, a similar model to which can be bought on eBay for just 20

A pensioner is fighting for his life in hospital after he was attacked by robbers at his home

Met Detective Inspector Paul Ridley said: 'This was a callous and despicable attack and we are desperate to catch them.

'We believe one or two people entered the house and attacked Mr Gouldstone - from his injuries we believe that he was dragged through the house.

'They made off with a black 26 inch Panasonic TV - the level of violence was completely excessive.

'It was only due to a member of the public that our alarm was raised - otherwise things could've been different.

'We are doing everything in our power to further this investigation, no arrests have been made at this point.'

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, pictured with the victim's son, said the level of violence used by the burglars was 'completely excessive'

Residents in the street where the break-in happened say they do not feel safe due to the number of burglaries in recent years

Mr Gouldstone's neighbours say the area is a 'burglary blackspot', with one resident having been burgled six times in the last 10 years.

Khalid Mahmood, 42, added: 'I do feel unsafe - I'm here with three kids and my wife. My next door neighbour was 92-years-old. She was burgled twice leading up to her death four years ago.

'The poor woman would not stop shaking, she lived on her own and she was in fear of another break-in. These things are something you've come to expect.'

A police officer was stationed outside Mr Gouldstone's home this morning

Another elderly neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she had called Mr Gouldstone's son on Tuesday morning after noticing his garage door was open, which was 'unusual'.

She said: 'His son came and then police and an ambulance were here until it was dark. I've known him for many, many years and he has a charming family. It's not nice, you just have to lock up and hope.'

Another neighbour said she saw the pensioner being taken away on a stretcher.

A police cordon was set up in the alleyway behind the row of terraced houses on Wednesday morning and the fence of Mr Gouldstone's garden appeared to have been knocked down.

Neighbour Pio Gomes, 78, said Mr Gouldstone was rarely seen outside his home.

Mr Gomes said: 'After that he wouldn't come out much. I used to take his bins out for him because he wasn't steady.'

The neighbour added: 'His son Simon used to come round and take him out, take him shopping.

'Of course it affects you because it's worrying. It's callous. Who could have done this to an old man like him?'

Police have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them about the raid

Several neighbours, many of them elderly, said there had been some burglaries on the road in recent years.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police believe there was a disturbance at the address and said a Toshiba television and other items were missing.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley added: 'This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home. The level of violence used was completely excessive.

'From our inquiries we have established that the victim was spoken to by a family member on the telephone on Monday 5 November at 2pm and had not raised any concerns.

'We are therefore confident the attack has taken place in the 20-hour window between then, possibly Bonfire Night, to when he was discovered.

'I would urge any members of the public that may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, N11, to come forward to my investigation team as a priority.'The Ryanair cabin crew pictured lying on a Spanish airport office floor last month after becoming stranded by bad weather have been sacked.

The image was 'staged' by six crew members in protest at their treatment at Malaga Airport on the Costa del Sol in the early hours of October 14.

They were part of a group of eight pilots and 16 cabin crew based in Portugal who say they were forced to spend several hours in the room after landing at Malaga just after midnight following diversions caused by Hurricane Leslie.

The image was 'staged' by six crew members in protest at their treatment at Malaga Airport on the Costa del Sol in the early hours of October 14

Today, Luciana Passo, head of the SNPVAC cabin crew union in Portugal, confirmed the sackings.

He said: 'Ryanair thinks it was harmed by the publication of that photograph when it was no more than a show of the crew members' justified feeling of indignation.'

Promising a swift union response to the airline's 'awful' decision, he added: 'The union's legal team are now dealing with the matter.'

It released CCTV video footage showing how the crew laid down on the floor to pose for the picture that went viral on social media

After the photo is snapped the crew members get up from the floor and get back on with their duties

The budget airline complained the photo had been staged after union representatives claimed last month 24 crew members spent more than seven hours in the office sharing seven chairs and the floor before they were taken to a VIP area to sleep on shared sofas.

It released CCTV video footage showing how the crew laid down on the floor to pose for the picture that went viral on social media.

The company admitted the crew had spent 'a short time' in the room because a Bank Holiday in Spain meant nearby hotels were full, but refuted claims anyone had slept on the floor.

Fernando Rikote, a Malaga-based delegate for SITCPLA, the Spanish union for airline employees, said the crews only flew back to Porto at 11.30am the following day 'without proper rest, without sleeping at all.'

He claimed that when the crew asked the operating captain of the plane that flew them back to Portugal if they could open the aircraft bar and heat up some sandwiches and have some soft drinks, he called the operation room in Dublin for permission and was told: 'No they can't.'

Another union rubbished the idea Ryanair couldn't find room for the crew in one of the 88,000 hotel beds Malaga has.

Leading Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha said it had been told by the company six workers had been fired for 'a serious breach of contract' for staging a photograph to support a false claim'

Aviation expert Alex Macheras, responding to the picture when it first appeared on a Facebook page called Ryanair MUST change, linked it to the strikes that have affected the airline and tweeted: 'Once again, it become quite clear why Ryanair cabin crew are frequently striking, citing poor working conditions.'

Leading Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha said it had been told by the company six workers had been fired for 'a serious breach of contract' for staging a photograph to support a false claim.'

A Ryanair spokesman confirmed: 'All 6 cabin crew members in Porto were dismissed on Mon 5 Nov for breach of contract on grounds of gross misconduct, after staging a fake photograph to support a false claim (widely reported in international media outlets) that they were 'forced to sleep on the floor' of the Malaga crew room, which was behaviour which damaged their employer's reputation and caused an irreparable breach of trust with these 6 persons.'TV vet Dr Chris Brown has explained why Irish horse The Cliffsofmoher couldn't be saved after shattering his shoulder during the running of the Melbourne Cup.

The five-year-old stallion looked anxious and distressed before the start of Tuesday's race - before suffering the devastating injury almost as soon as the stalls opened.

After The Cliffsofmoher was euthanised on the course, Dr Brown - known as the 'Bondi Vet' - revealed why the horse had to be put down after the race.

Top vet Dr Chris Brown has explained why Irish stallion The Cliffsofmoher (pictured) couldn't be saved after shattering his shoulder during the Melbourne Cup

An Irish horse (The Cliffsofmoher pictured on Tuesday) has died after being injured during a fall early in the Melbourne Cup race

Dr Brown said horses have 'massive engines' but are 'built around a light frame'.

'If the horse has a fatal flaw, it's those long leg bones,' he said.

'Despite carrying over 500kg in weight at any one time, they're surprisingly light and thin.

'The sad result being that if forces come from a strange angle (from a knock or a stumble) or a stress fracture is already present, the bone doesn't just gently break, it tragically explodes.'

'Multiple, misshapen bone fragments are then left behind. Fragments that then can't be pinned or plated back into place,' Dr Brown wrote on his Facebook page.

Dr Brown said unlike household pets, horses struggle to cope using three legs while another is healing.

'That big body of theirs becomes susceptible to circulation problems and pressure sores if they're doing anything but standing on all four legs with their weight evenly supported,' he wrote .

'(Rest in peace) CliffsofMoher. At just five years of age, you were gone too soon...'

Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have called for an investigation into the horse's death - having previously demanded the race be scrapped altogether.

The activist group called The Cliffsofmoher 'the most recent victim of the cruel annual spectacle'.

Dr Brown (pictured) - known as the 'Bondi Vet' - took to Facebook to detail why The Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised

The horse (pictured being examined on Tuesday) was reportedly agitated before the barrier gates opened, with one commentator describing him as 'melting like an ice cream'

The Cliffsofmoher's jockey Ryan Moore (pictured) walks away in despair after his hose Cliffsofmoher was injured at the Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday

Why The Cliffsofmoher had to die With the tragic loss of The CliffsofMoher in todays Melbourne Cup, naturally a lot of people want to know why a broken bone so often means a horse must be sadly put down. Heres your answer... Sure, horses are bred for speed. Like a formula one car, they have massive engines (heart, lungs and muscles) built around a light frame. But if the horse has a fatal flaw, its those long leg bones. Despite carrying over 500kg in weight at any one time, theyre surprisingly light and thin. The sad result being that if forces come from a strange angle (from a knock or a stumble) or a stress fracture is already present, the bone doesnt just gently break, it tragically explodes. Multiple, misshapen bone fragments are then left behind. Fragments that then cant be pinned or plated back into place. Source: Dr Chris Brown Advertisement

'Considering Australians hate cruelty to animals, commemorating a day on which horses routinely die in the Melbourne Cup is fundamentally un-Australian,' a PETA spokesman said on Tuesday.

'While public holidays give Aussies a break, horses are breaking legs.'

The stallion was lathered in sweat in the mounting yard when waiting to be loaded into the starting barriers before the race.

'He's melting like an ice-cream at the moment,' Channel Seven commentator and top racehorse trainer Richard Freedman said.

'He's really sweating up badly.'

Despite his nerves, the horse jumped well from the gate and galloped freely before suddenly falling just as the field passed the winning post for the first time.

Irish jockey Ryan Moore immediately stopped riding the five-year-old.

Veterinary and course staff ran out to the stricken stallion and immediately saw the horse's injury was so severe that he would have to immediately be put down. They erected a screen around him to block the view from the crowd.

The Cliffsofmoher's death is the third time in five years a horse has died after running in the Melbourne Cup - an awful record for the country's most prestigious turf event, and far in excess of the usual rate of fatalities in racing.

Another horse, Galaxy Rider, had a horror fall in a later race during the Melbourne Cup event

The death will fuel claims, from animal rights activists, the race that stops the nation is cruel, after two horses collapsed and died during the 2014 Cup while the following year Red Cadeaux had to be put down after shattering a leg

The Cliffsofmoher profile Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Age: Five years old Prize money: $1.7million Foal date: December 3, 2014 Advertisement

Two horses died following the 2014 Cup, while Red Cadeaux had to be put down after suffering a leg injury.

The deaths have added to animals rights activists' calls for racing to be better regulated or even banned.

'Our thoughts are with animal lovers across the country who have been affected by this loss, and confronted by the very real risks posed by racing to the horses involved,' RSPCA Australia's Jane Speechley said.

'RSPCA Australia has long voiced its concerns about the welfare of racehorses, including the use of inhumane devices such as whips and tongue ties, as well as the risk to injury and death during races.'

Joseph O'Brien, son of the horse's trainer Aidan O'Brien, was upset but philosophical when discussing the incident with the Herald Sun.

'It's a shocking thing but unfortunately things can happen to a horse galloping around the field at home. It's very sad.'

'It could have been worse, Ryan (Moore) could have taken a fall off him [Cliffsofmoher], someone could have been seriously injured.'

Racing Victoria issued a statement confirming the equine tragedy.

'The horse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained,' Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity services Jamie Stier said.

'This was an unfortunate incident that happens infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing.'

The Cliffofmoher was at odds of $19 to win the Cup and deliver owner Lloyd Williams a third straight victory in the big race.

The Cliffsofmoher (pictured in October 2018 at Werribee racecourse in Melbourne) was shot after injuring his right shoulder, a year after making its impressive Australian debut

The horse, which was based at County Tipperary in Ireland, had won more than $1.7million in prize money.

Kyle Sandilands' girlfriend Imogen Anthony also took to Instagram to blame the race day at Flemington for the death of the horse.

'It shows how much we have no regard for life in general. Another living thing's LIFE. Not even to eat, not even to survive, purely just to run for your viewing pleasure and win back a fifty buck bet...'

'The Melbourne Cup is not fun - it's disgusting ~ it shows that our country is only 200 years old and we are fresh off the barbarian boat... [sic].'A spate of horrific shark attacks has prompted experts to warn swimmers of a 'feeding frenzy' as summer approaches.

Following the fatal mauling of a doctor in Queensland's idyllic Whitsundays and an attack at New South Wales' notorious Ballina beach, experts have revealed why shark attacks are occurring at a rapid rate this season.

Speaking about Monday's attack, Dr Barbara Wueringer from Sharks and Rays Australia warned that swimmers need to remain vigilant as the nation heads into summer.

Daniel Christidis, 33, was mauled to death by a shark when he was attacked about 5.30pm on Monday while on holiday around the Whitsunday islands, QLD (pictured)

'From the perspective of a biologist, It's really hard to tell what happened there but something must have brought these animals in,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'Sharks are really far roaming predators so you will find them anywhere in the ocean but there must be some reason why these animals are biting people in that area.'

Dr Wueringer commended the government's decision to stop deploying drumlines and instead focus on keeping people out of the water.

'This is a famous anchor spot for yachts but doesn't necessarily mean people should jump in the water because they might be disposing of organic waste, such as fish carcasses,' she said.

'So obviously everyone needs to be mindful in the area of sharks.'

Dr Wueringer referred to the Taronga Conservation Society Australian Shark Attack File which lists precautions that can be taken to minimise the risk of attacks.

'I think it's the responsibility of the media to spread that information so that people become more aware of the guidelines,' Dr Wueringer said.

Queensland Fisheries Minister Mark Furner agreed and and made it clear people shouldn't swim in Cid Harbour.

'As local charter operators have advised, Cid Harbour is primarily a site for mooring,' he told the Toowoomba Chronicle.

'The disposal of food scraps can attract sharks and that means no one should swim in Cid Harbour under any circumstances.'

Daniel Christidis, 33 (left), was attacked by a shark while swimming in Cid Harbour less than two months after Tasmanian tourist Justine Barwick (right)

Taronga recommends swimming at patrolled locations and to avoid swimming in areas where dangerous sharks are known to congregate.

It is also important to avoid swimming at dusk, dawn or night as well as dirty water where it's difficult to see a shark.

Monday's attack occurred at dusk.

Curator of the Australian Shark Attack File, John West, listed a number of theories on why sharks likely attack.

Common theories guess the sharks could be hungry, mistakenly confuse humans for prey or feel threatened when human's have invaded their personal space.

They are also attracted to bright colours, blood and urine and sound as well as being inquisitive animals.

Speaking about Monday's attack, Dr Barbara Wueringer from Sharks and Rays Australia warned that swimmers need to remain vigilant as the nation heads into summer (pictured: Byron Bay, where the most common shark attacks have occurred between 1990 and 2016)

Data compiled by Shark Research Institute's 'Global Shark Attack File' revealed the top 13 locations for unprovoked shark attacks between 1990 and 2016 - with most attacks occurring in New South Wales

The top 13 Australian locations for unprovoked shark attacks between 1990 and 2016: Byron Bay, NSW: 12 Ballina, NSW: 6 Sydney Harbour, NSW: 5 Newcastle, NSW: 4 Cottesloe Beach, WA: 4 Bondi Beach, NSW: 3 Seal Rocks, NSW: 3 Bells Beach, VIC: 3 Fingal Bay, NSW: 3 Shelly Beach (Central Coast), NSW: 3 Lennox Head, NSW: 3 Mona Vale, NSW: 3 Middleton Beach, WA: 3 SOURCE: Shark Research Institute's 'Global Shark Attack File' Advertisement

Data compiled by Shark Research Institute's 'Global Shark Attack File' revealed the top 13 locations for unprovoked shark attacks between 1990 and 2016 - with most attacks occurring in New South Wales.

According to the institute, there have been 295 unprovoked shark attacks - 122 in NSW - between 1990 and 2016.

Within the 26-year time span, the institute recorded 42 fatalities nationally.

Byron Bay, NSW, recorded the most unprovoked attacks within the time span, tallying 12 incidents and two fatalities.

Also in NSW, Ballina recorded six attacks and one fatality.

Sydney Harbour was third on the list with five attacks over the two decades and famous Bondi Beach came sixth for three shark attacks.

On Wednesday morning a 43-year-old man was attacked by a shark in Ballina, the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where he sustained a gash to his leg.

The attack comes less than two days after Daniel Christidis, 33, was mauled to death by a shark when he was attacked about 5.30pm on Monday.

The young doctor was taking part in a five-day sailing holiday around the Whitsunday islands, QLD.

According to the institute, there have been 295 unprovoked shark attacks - 122 in NSW - between 1990 and 2016 (pictured: Bondi Beach where there were 3 attacks in the time span)

Sydney Harbour was third on the list with five attacks over the two decades

Christidis was killed less than two months after two tourists were attacked in the same body of water within 24 hours of each other, resulting in the culling of six sharks.

Tourist Justine Barwick, 46, was attacked on September 19 while swimming off a private yacht in Cid Harbour.

The next day, 12-year-old Hannah Papps was mauled by a shark in while swimming in the same harbour and lost her leg.

The Queensland government soon after released a 'catch and kill' order on predators in the area, resulting in the culling of five tiger sharks and one other.

Fisheries Queensland issued a statement soon after the attacks, telling people that Cid Harbour was 'not safe for swimming'.

The last shark attack in the Whitsunday Islands before the latest spate occurred in 2010, when 60-year-old tourist Patricia Trumbull was attacked off Dent Island.A Tennessee family and wildlife officials they were working with were stunned to learn a rare albino raccoon was responsible for ravaging their backyard last month.

Alpha Wildlife was called to investigate a Collierville home after a family said a mammal had knocked over their seat cushions, rummaged through their bird feeder and created a mess on the property.

The organization's co-owner Matthew Caldwell toldUSA Today when he arrived to the home, he found paw prints on a glass table and railing that matched that of a raccoon.

He put two traps outside the home and returned later to find a albino raccoon in one trap and a regular raccoon in the other, after the family phoned him about the shocking albino sighting.

A Tennessee family found this albino raccoon in their backyard last month

The rare raccoon was estimated to be 25 to 30 pounds

Caldwell said they asked him over the phone: 'Have you ever seen an albino raccoon?' He replied: 'not in person.'

'It was definitely thrilling, I guess you could say... some wildlife biologists say raccoons are albino. Id say thats fairly rare,' Caldwell said.

The raccoon was estimated to be 25 to 30 pounds. It was later set free at the Meeman-Shelby Forest.

Animal experts estimated that only one in every 750,000 raccoons are born albino.

Animal experts estimated that only one in every 750,000 raccoons are born albino

While they can live to their full age, their lack of coloring makes them easier to spot by predators.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency furbearer biologist Daniel Stanfield told WMC 5 that while the albino raccoons are unusual to find, many of them have been spotted in Shelby County.

He also warned the public not to get near the raccoons.

'He looks cute and docile, but just like any wild animal, he can be dangerous,' Parrish told the outlet.Hope Hicks was busy marking two milestones last weekend - her 30th birthday and her new gig as the chief of communications at Fox.

The former White House communications director, whose birthday is October 21, spent Friday night celebrating with Trump aides over 'wine and cupcakes' at Dina Powell's Manhattan apartment, according to Vanity Fair.

Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former comms director Anthony Scaramucci, were reported to have gathered at Manhattan's upper east side to celebrate Hicks.

Sources tell DailyMail.com former Trump economic adviser Gary Cohn was also in attendance.

Hope Hicks celebrated her 30th birthday and her new position at Fox in New York City on Friday. The former WH communications director was spotted shopping (pictured) in the city on the weekend of her birthday, October 21

The intimate gathering was reportedly held at former WH aide Dina Powell's Manhattan apartment

The gathering was meant to be a sendoff for Hicks, who started her new position at Fox in Los Angeles on Monday. Hicks is expected to early about $1 million in her new gig - five times what she was earing at the White House, according to Politico.

However, one person who was noticeably absent was Hicks's lover and disgraced former White House staff secretary, Rob Porter, the outlet reported.

A friend told Vanity Fair that Porter's absence was a 'relief' to Hicks's parents.

Porter was forced to resign in February after DailyMail.com revealed he had been accused of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives.

Hicks left the White House in March and moved to New York, but the two were dating months later, according to DailyMail.com's exclusive reporting and photos.

Last month it was announced Hicks had landed the role of chief communications officer at FOX, the new company being built out of the remains of Rupert Murdoch's empire.

Hicks will be based in Los Angeles - far from where she made her name on the East Coast, first in Donald Trump's presidential campaign in New York and then in his White House as one its most public faces.

Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former comms director Anthony Scaramucci were reported to have gathered at Dina Powell's upper east side apartment (pictured)

Hicks left the White House in March and moved to New York, but the two were dating months later, according to DailyMail.com's exclusive reporting and photos. According to Vanity Fair he was not at the party

Hicks will be top PR honcho at the rebuilt FOX and her duties include oversight of the communications shop for the company that owns the cable news channel her former boss loves to watch.

Her title is executive vice president and chief communications officer for Fox. She will report to Viet Dinh, Fox's chief legal and policy officer.

Bu she will work closely with Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, The New York Times reported.

Lachlan Murdoch will be chair and chief executive of the reconstituted FOX.

After Hicks left the Trump administration, her communications job was filled by Bill Shine, a former executive at Fox News who became White House deputy chief of staff and communications chief.A man in Florida was arrested Monday after threatening to blow up the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections office in an effort to stop incessant election related robocalls.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office arrested Daniel Chen, 65, after he made the menacing call to the county's elections office.

'The investigation began [Monday] afternoon when the Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Supervisor of Elections who advised that a telephone call was received from a male who was upset due to receiving unsolicited calls from political candidates,' Brevard County Sheriff's Office said in a release.

According to Fox News, Chen said he tried to stop the calls all week without success.

Christopher Thomas Queen, 48, (left) of Claysville, Pennsylvania was arrested after police say he threatened to shoot up a polling location on Tuesday. Daniel Chen, 65, (right) of Brevard County, Florida was arrested for threatening to blow up a polling location Monday after receiving numerous political robocalls

Chen was charged with making a false report of a bomb and is being held on $15,000 bail.

In the same Florida county on Tuesday, a voting precinct in Palm Bay was briefly placed on lockdown after someone reported seeing a man in a car with a gun, according to Florida Today.

The incident was soon cleared and the polling location reopened.

A voting precinct in Brevard County's Palm Bay was also briefly placed on lockdown after someone reported seeing a man sitting in his car with a gun, Florida Today reported.

The incident was soon cleared and the voting precinct reopened.

Also on Tuesday, Christopher Thomas Queen, 48, of Claysville, Pennsylvania was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot up a polling center, according to NBC 2.

The man grew frustrated after polling workers told him he was not registered to vote. He stated he was promised money and a gun if he voted 'single party.'

It is unclear who had made the promise to Queen.

He then threatened to shoot up the polling site, which was at South Franklin Fire Hall.

Queen is charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.Advertisement

Megyn Kelly was expecting to be front and center for NBC's midterm coverage before she was ousted from Today by the network bosses for her blackface remarks.

Instead of sitting among her colleagues at the anchor desk Tuesday, as the 47-year-old had previously anticipated, she spent part of her day unloading an SUV in front of her home alongside her husband Doug Brunt.

Megyn and Douglas unloaded groceries and a car seat during the rainy New York day, as voters headed to the polls in throngs for the heated elections.

NBC had announced that Megyn was going to be an integral part of their election night coverage back in September.

She was featured in a promotional shot for NBC's midterm coverage alongside heavyweights Lester Holt of the networks Nightly News, Today host Savannah Guthrie and Meet the Press anchor Chuck Todd.

Megyn Kelly was seen for the first time during election day, unloading groceries with her husband Doug Brunt from an SUV near their New York City Home on Tuesday

A lot to unpack: Megyn anticipated being front and center for NBC's special election night coverage until she was ousted by network execs for insensitive comments about blackface

Instead of being seated alongside prominent NBC presenters such as Lester Holt of the networks Nightly News, Today host Savannah Guthrie, Meet the Press anchor Chuck Todd and revered anchor Tom Brokaw, Megyn unpacked the SUV during the big midterm coverage day

It was the first time Kelly was seen out and about on a day she should have been alongside her colleagues breathlessly covering the critical midterm elections

 Slide me  Now you see her, now you don't: NBC added an enormous star to cover up their former fallen star who was previously featured in the network's midterm coverage promo. Unfortunately placed veteran news anchor, Tom Brokaw, also suffered in the cover-up as he was the only host seated to Megyn's left

With the shot already perfected, and circulated, NBC had to wipe her image off of the promo.

Faced with a conundrum of how to get rid of Megyn seated at the anchor desk, they opted to completely cover her with a gigantic star that read 'The Vote: America's Future.'

An unfortunately situated Tom Brokaw was also covered. He was the only host seated to Megyn's left.

With little other option, NBC placed the star over the revered anchor as well.

The promo was released via a video ad spot on Monday. It showed only Holt, Guthrie and Todd at the desk for its 'The Vote: Americas Future' special live broadcast.

The ad was released as exit negotiations between Kelly and the station drag on for a second week.

Megyn's husband lugged a large item swaddled in a blanket from the waiting SUV

Megyn and Douglas appeared animated at times during what must be a difficult day for the news host who had made insensitive remarks about blackface- to a panel of white guests

Megyn and Douglas chatted with the driver and appeared to be discussing a slip of paper during the rainy New York day

Among items the couple unloaded from the SUV was a car seat and groceries

As the couple parted ways with the driver, Megyn shook his hand

During NBC's midterm coverage Chuck Todd, Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Tom Brokaw, and with Andrea Mitchell sitting in at the hosting desk, breathlessly covered the polls and projected winners through the evening.

Megyn spent her day out of the glare of studio lights, running errands during the rainy election day in New York City.

Earlier in the day, Megyn's husband was seen taking one of their children to school.

It is understood executives had hoped to use the glamorous mother-ofthree more in its political coverage as a way to get some of their moneys worth out of their three-year deal with her.

In January, Dailymail.com exclusively revealed that NBC staff members were 'horrified' that Kelly was part of the team covering the State of the Union.

Much to the chagrin of NBC staffers, she joined the political powerhouse line-up in the weeks leading up to the midterms.

Kelly was due to join NBC heavyweights Lester Holt (left), Savannah Guthrie (middle) and Chuck Todd right)

Megyn Kelly was scheduled to front NBC's midterm election coverage on Tuesday night before she was dramatically fired from the network over her 'Blackface' comments

Kelly (left) previously hosted in a round-table format with the NBC heavyweights in September

Kelly currently remains in exit negotiations with NBC over her severance package

'Megyn announced publicly that she was done with politics,' said the source, referencing the comment she made back in September about what she planned to cover on her NBC morning show.

No one knows what to talk with her about at the table for the coverage.

The network confirmed Megyn's SOTU appearance around the same time it was revealed she would be staying back at 30 Rock with Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager for the Winter Olympics.

Megyn Kelly was photographed for the first time in a week exiting her Upper West Side apartment building on Wednesday (above)

She came armed with a smile and some doughnuts (above) as she approached a group of waiting photographers and asked that they not take pictures

Kelly was photographed for the first time in a week exiting her Upper West Side apartment building last Wednesday

Her husband Douglas Brunt was not with her but could be seen looking on from above from one of their apartment windows (above)

Kelly and NBC are said to fighting over money and whether or not Kelly will sign a non-disclosure as part of her exit.

Its all out war in negotiations between Megyn and NBC, said one source close to Kelly.

She doesnt just want the remainder of her $69 million contract, she wants more money on top as compensation for what she believes is NBCs attempt to not just have her off the air but to end her career.

Megyn Kelly had texted Luann de Lesseps to apologize for referencing her Diana Ross costume (above) in the panel about blackface that led to her dismissal from Today reports US Weekly

An NBC source with knowledge of the situation said that Kelly is also refusing to sign an NDA unless her monetary demands are met, although a source close to Kelly claims it is not money that is the issue.

Megyn apologized to colleagues after her comments defending racist Halloween gags prompted an immediate backlash.

Kelly made the offending remarks during an awkward roundtable discussion about inappropriate and offensive costumes on her eponymous one-hour block of the Today show, known as Megyn Kelly Today.

During the segment on Tuesday, Kelly said it was OK when she was growing up for white people to dress up as black characters, and she spoke out against a controversy that erupted last year over a reality star who portrayed Diana Ross.

'But what is racist? Kelly asked. Because 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.

'Back when I was a kid that was OK, as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character'.

Later in the discussion, Kelly brought up Luann de Lesseps, a star on The Real Housewives of New York who drew a backlash last year for dressing up as Ross.

Many observers were aghast at Kelly's comments, and some noted that the panel did not include a single person of color.

Also absent from the discussion was any mention of the ugly history of blackface, a tradition spanning centuries meant to perpetuate racist stereotypes.

Kelly left Fox News in 2017 to sign a contract with NBC worth a reported $23 million a year.Blockchains LLC CEO Jeffrey Berns has announced plans for a smart city in the Northern Nevada desert, as big as nearby Reno and half the size of Prague, that will run entirely on 'four life-changing technologies together'.

He revealed at a Prague Blockchain Week event Thursday how the 67,000 acre plot will be home to a 1,000-acre technology campus where developers will help build the city using artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, 3D printing and Blockchains cryptocurrency.

Dubbed Graphene Valley, the high-tech facility will work on innovative concepts for clean water and energy, where customers living in the city will experience a whole new relationship with provider NV Energy by buying, storing, creating, trading their own forms of energy.

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Blockchains LLC CEO Jeffrey Berns announced a smart city in Nevada desert

Blockchains founder (pictured Thursday at Prague Blockchains Week) said: 'We could disrupt virtually every industry'

It will be as big as nearby Reno and half the size of Prague at 67,000 acres

Berns added that more information about his grand plan would be revealed over the next six months.

With a residential community on the cards, there will be supermarkets, schools and even banks rooted in the infrastructure of the public company Blockchains.

'The true power of blockchain is the public being in control of itnot us, not anybody else,' he told BreakerMag.com.

The city will also be home to the world's first eSports stadium for multiplayer video game competitions. Berns believes eGaming 'will one day overtake professional sports'.

Blockchains' desert city will be in good company with the likes of Google and Tesla having set-ups in the surrounding area.

The sole aim isn't to make himself any richer but to empower the people by freeing them from traditional banking and transactions as we know it.

Perhaps most importantly for Blockchains is the existence of a nuclear-hardened bunker that ensures the safety of residents' digital assets.

Telling BreakerMag.com it's 'more secure than Fort Knox' and was previously owned by cryptocurrency company Xapo.

The city will be run entirely on 'four life-changing technologies together': artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, 3D printing and Blockchains

The 67,000 acre plot will be home to a 1,000-acre technology campus where developers will help build the city

There will be supermarkets, schools and even banks rooted in the infrastructure of the public company Blockchains

Dubbed Graphene Valley, the high-tech facility will work on innovative concepts for clean water and energy

Berns said more information would be revealed over the next six months

The company which was originally the platform behind cryptocurrency Bitcoin, aims to cut the risk of fraud by having utter transparency in transactions through use of real-time updates that don't require verification from a third party like a credit card might.

Trading can be done in minutes via a shared database where a digital letter of credit speeds up transactions.

Berns, a self-confessed hater of banks for their inefficiencies, revealed however that he had purchased his own bank ahead of the announcement.

He encouraged listeners in the Czech Republic capital to move to Nevada for the perks of huge tax breaks.

Berns was inspired to open his own bank when the government subpoenaed records of Coinbase customers, a company that provides digital currency exchange for the likes of Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum.

A couple of years ago the IRS demanded records which included customers' IP addresses, login times and other revealing data.

Customers living in the city will experience a whole new relationship with provider NV Energy by buying, storing, creating, trading their own forms of energy

Blockchains' desert city will be in good company with the likes of Google and Tesla having set-ups in the surrounding area

Ethereum is how the former lawyer  who ended up limiting the IRS's ability to get access to records - made his fortune.

He told the audience how after his banking with a provider of 21 years was shut down after suing the IRS, he decided to provide a way for people to benefit from banking that's not motivated by greed by using the legal fees he'd won.

'It will provide security that is unmatched  that no bank, no single government will be able to offer,' he told the Prague Blockchain Week audience.

He added to BreakerMag.com: 'I'm somebody who always dives headfirst into everything. You go big or you go home. I've filed class actions against 60 of the largest banks in the world. That's just how I do things. If we're going to do this, we have to do it right and do it big.'

Berns pumped between $250 million and $300 million of his own money into the project

He has set up a 25,000 sq ft office and hires 70 people on his team of staff

Berns tried to keep the project quiet by buying the land through 15 corporate entities

Berns revealed he'd pumped between $250million and $300million of his own money into the project in order to set up a 25,000 sq ft office and hire 70 people.

Ninety percent of Blockchains' profits will be shared among six groups of stakeholders in 'distributed collaborative entity'.

They include Berns' employees and investors who he hopes will eventually develop a governance model.

Although he tried to keep the project quiet by buying the land through 15 corporate entities, his sales agent leaked it to the media before he could announce his grand plan.

'If you think about what we're attempting to do, we have a lot of targets on our back,' he told BreakerMag.com. 'We could disrupt virtually every industry. And I felt it was important to acquire the assets, the propertythe fortresses and the vaults, all of that stuffbefore anyone knew anything.'An 'unexpected level of driver absences' have caused commuter chaos in the middle of the work week.

Transport NSW announced that an unforeseen number of bus drivers from the Hills District, in greater western Sydney, called in sick on Wednesday.

It comes the morning after the Melbourne Cup race day celebrations when many revellers traditionally choose to spend their winnings in the pub.

A Transport NSW spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the driver absences.

Transport New South Wales has been put on the back foot after an 'unexpected level of driver absences'have caused commuter chaos in the middle of the work week

'A larger than expected number of drivers called in absent at CDCs HillsBus depot in Sydneys North West this morning,' the spokesman said.

'This has unfortunately resulted in a number of delays and cancelled services and Transport for NSW apologise to customers impacted.'

The spokesman said fortunately no school services had been impacted by the driver shortage.

Transport NSW has also moved to address the commuter chaos that will likely spring up around the shortage of drivers.

Transport NSW announced that an unforeseen number of bus drivers from the Hills District, in greater western Sydney, called in sick on Wednesday causing some commuter chaos

'We are working with HillsBus to ensure that as many trips as possible are covered for the remainder of the day,' the spokesman said.

'Customers are advised to visit www.transportnsw.info for the latest information and to plan their journey.'

The spokesman also said StationLink buses have not been affected.

Extra buses from the South Granville bus depot have been sent to Hills District to transport commuters into the Sydney CBD.The breathtaking sight of a rainbow over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. has social media users seeing it as an omen on Election Day.

The remarkable sunset in the capital came after two days of intense rain.

The photos taken in D.C. show a bright-colored rainbow as well as a pink-blue-purple mix created by the breaking up of the clouds as dusk approaches.

On social media, liberals hoped that the rainbow and the idyllic post-rain sky signified an omen of a sweeping Democratic victory in Tuesdays midterm elections.

The breathtaking sight of a rainbow over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. has social media users seeing it as an omen on Election Day

The image above shows sunset as seen over the White House on Tuesday

Ripples of sunlight are seen in the skies at sunset near the West Wing of the White House (left)

Washington, D.C. has experienced two straight days of rain. The skies opened up on Tuesday

The photos taken in D.C. show a bright-colored rainbow as well as a pink-blue-purple mix created by the breaking up of the clouds as dusk approaches

Dear God let this be a good sign, tweeted Eric Holthaus.

Amee Vanderpool tweeted: The US Capitol had a gorgeous sunset and a rainbow just now. It may not mean anything, but I'm gonna run with it and take it as a sign.

Heres your sign, tweeted Patricia Wilson.

Hayley Miller tweeted: Stunning rainbow next to the Capitol after a dark, rainy day.

Dear God let this be a good sign, tweeted Eric Holthaus

Phil Elliott was more cautious, tweeting: No. Do not use that rainbow over the Capitol as a metaphor for anything, writers. You're better than that

Amee Vanderpool tweeted: The US Capitol had a gorgeous sunset and a rainbow just now. It may not mean anything, but I'm gonna run with it and take it as a sign'

Hayley Miller tweeted: Stunning rainbow next to the Capitol after a dark, rainy day. It must be a sign, a man next to me says as he snaps a photo

After taking a photo of the rainbow, Patricia Wilson tweeted: 'Here's your sign'

It must be a sign, a man next to me says as he snaps a photo.

Phil Elliott was more cautious, tweeting: No. Do not use that rainbow over the Capitol as a metaphor for anything, writers.

You're better than that.

Lauren Biagini tweeted: Please let this rainbow above the Capitol be a good omen today.

Theres a beautiful rainbow on top of the US Capitol right now before the election results come in! tweeted Maria Cardona.

I am taking that as a good sign for Dems! Go Blue! And those who havent yet voted- GO VOTE!!!

Rehan Choudhry tweeted: Is anyone else feeling the rainbow over the Capitol is a sign tonight?

Given Vice President Mike Pences historic positions on LGBT rights, one Twitter user quipped: Theres a Mike Pence joke in here somewhere...it just hasnt come to me yet.

The rainbow flag is the symbol of the LGBT community.

Most Twitter users who responded to the rainbow were liberals though there were a few conservative users who weighed in for their side as well.

I see a lot of reddish color, go Trump, vote republican! tweeted one Twitter user.

Another Twitter user posted: It's definitely a sign of the red tsunami that's about to hit. America's future so bright it's Gotta Wear Shades.

Twitter user Joe Lueras tweeted: In reality a rainbow is Gods sign not a LGBT sign so yes, a red title wave is coming but you wont die, dont be scared.His latest novel begins with a gruesome KGB assassination, and charts the actions of a ruthless Moscow regime.

So Jeffrey Archer may not be surprised  if a little disappointed  that he has failed to find a publisher for his book Heads You Win in Russia.

The former MP, 78, has been turned down by 21 companies, even though 16 of his previous releases were translated for Russian audiences.

Jeffrey Archer may not be surprised  if a little disappointed  that he has failed to find a Russian publisher for his book Heads You Win, which depicts a cruel Kremlin regime and political assassination

In being effectively banned by Russia, he can now claim to rank alongside George Orwell and Boris Pasternak, whose novels Animal Farm and Doctor Zhivago were outlawed by Communist censors.

Heads You Win  released in Britain last week  follows protagonist Alexander Karpenko, who flees Russia in the Sixties following the assassination of his father. He returns years later to confront his past.

Heads You Win  released in Britain last week  follows protagonist Alexander Karpenko, who flees Russia in the Sixties following the assassination of his father. He returns years later to confront his past

Archer, who spent two weeks researching the novel in St Petersburg last year, has even been warned by well-placed political friends to hire bodyguards while promoting the new novel.

Jeremy Trevathan of Pan Macmillan, Archers UK publisher, said: Jeffrey is the master of the unexpected plot twist and this book is one of his absolute best in that regard. It is a real shame that it is being denied to Russian readers and fans of Jeffrey, who would especially enjoy the twists and turns in this particular novel.

Archer has sold more than 330 million books across 97 countries since publishing his first novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, in 1976.

His back catalogue includes three volumes of prison diaries following his 2001 conviction for perjury and perverting the course of justice, which saw him sent to HMP Belmarsh.

He had served as an MP from 1969 to 1974, becoming deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985, and was awarded a peerage by John Major in 1992.

His failure to find a Russian publisher comes months after Moscows ministry of culture banned British satirist Armando Iannuccis film The Death Of Stalin from cinemas.

The Bafta-nominated comedy, starring Michael Palin, and Steve Buscemi, depicts the chaotic aftermath of the dictators death but was deemed to contain information whose distribution is legally banned in Russia.Advertisement

Plenty of Melbourne Cup revellers will be feeling a little worse for wear after a fun-filled day celebrating the race that stops the nation.

Australians, as always, let loose as they celebrated wins, losses, and the start of what's known as 'the silly season' in the run up to Christmas.

While most kicked off celebrations about lunchtime - some got a little excited and continued partying into the early hours of Wednesday morning - with pubs and clubs across Australia packed with well-dressed racing fans.

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As racegoers begin to make their way home after Melbourne Cup Day, some had to take a moment to rest after standing all afternoon during the races

One women racegoer found thongs were perhaps not the best footwear for a sodden Flemington

One man in a dashing blue suit found a unique way to hold a bottle of champagne and help his friend on a slippery surface at Flemington after a savage downpour

This young lady was keen to get into the spirit of the Melbourne Cup, and appeared to be enjoying herself in a white ensemble with black ankle boots peeping over the hedges

This woman appeared to be unsteady on her feet after celebrating the Melbourne Cup in Sydney, leaning on her male friend for support

While the Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in Melbourne, the first Tuesday in November is considered a normal working day in other states - at least until lunchtime.

In Sydney, most restaurants and pubs in Sydney were at capacity early - and it was a similar story in the suburbs.

Parramatta, in Sydney's west was also a hive of activity, as was Cronulla. Those marking the day were also out in force in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin and Canberra - with racetracks all hosting meetings to coincide with the big race in Flemington.

One woman enlisted the help of a male friend to help her up an outdoor staircase, and she appeared quite chuffed with herself

This well-dressed man reflects on a day's celebrations on the footpath outside a Sydney establishment

Another lady decided to kick off her shoes and give her feet a rest after the Melbourne Cup celebrations

This man had a slightly unusual way to say farewell to his friends in Sydney's eastern suburbs as he and a lady friend rounded out their celebrations

This young couple took the opportunity to enjoy a passionate embrace on Tuesday after the Melbourne Cup

A man in a black suit dances to the music after an exciting finish to the Melbourne Cup

As the fun times flowed, the result in the main race didn't seem matter to many.

The Melbourne Cup was won by English galloper Cross Counter, ahead of Marmelo and A Prince of Arran.

The triumph was overdue for Godolphin - the world's richest racing stable - who previously chased Melbourne Cup success without joy for two decades.

Celebrations were dampened by the death of another contender, The Cliffsofmoher, which was euthanised post race after shattering his right shoulder.

One punter also won't forget the 2018 Melbourne Cup in a hurry - after boldly wagering $50,000 at the TAB on Cross Counter, he picked up a cool $500,000.

These two men appeared to be having a moment of reflection after the running of the Melbourne Cup

Two women in Sydney donned all black ensembles for the big race, one in a thigh-skimming dress and the other in a smart pant set

Police appear to have a heated exchange with a man just moments before he was eventually arrested on Melbourne Cup day

The man was then escorted into a police paddy wagon with his hands cuffed following his arrest in Sydney

This man won't forget the Melbourne Cup in a hurry following his run in with police. He lies on the pavement despairing with the floor with his t-shirt on inside out

There was no denying the-free spirited nature of this woman, who happily danced around for all to see in the street

A friend of the free-spirited lady captured filmed her dance moves on her phone

The Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay was a popular destination for those keen to enjoy the Melbourne Cup

Tempers flared and tensions became heated at times between punters and security guards at venues across AustraliaLabor leader Bill Shorten has been mocked on Twitter for photo bombing his wife Chloe's group selfie at the Melbourne Cup.

The Opposition Leader had his left thumb up in the background as his glamorous spouse posed in a picture with New South Wales Liberal minister Matt Kean on Tuesday.

Mr Kean, the state Minister for Better Regulation, tweeted the image of Mr Shorten in the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse.

'The photo bomb that stops the nation,' he told his 3,709 social media followers.

Labor leader Bill Shorten (centre) has been mocked on Twitter for photo bombing his wife Chloe's (second left) group selfie at the Melbourne Cup

Matt Kean, the NSW Minister for Better Regulation, tweeted the image of Mr Shorten in the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse with the caption: 'The photo bomb that stops the nation'

The photo bombing federal Labor leader appeared to be in good spirits at the Tabcorp marquee, having placed a $20 bet on the 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter.

One Twitter comment congratulated Mr Shorten, who hails from Melbourne, for doing something endearing.

'I reckon you captured the most engaging thing Shorten has ever done,' the self-described 'dirty lefty hippy' said.

Another social media remark was less charitable, with conservative activist Aaron MacLeod suggesting Mr Shorten be photo shopped out of the picture.

'There's software now that can take out unwanted images,' he said.

Mr Shorten took refuge from the rain inside the Tabcorp with former The Bachelor star Nick Cummins and Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

The photo bombing federal Labor leader (left with wife Chloe) appeared to be in good spirits at the Tabcorp marquee, having placed a $20 bet on Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter

One Twitter comment congratulated Mr Shorten, who hails from Melbourne, for doing something enduringA desperate Queensland mother has brought new meaning to the phrase 'keeping it in the family' by selling marijuana to her ice addict son.

The News Mail reported that on Monday local Bundaberg woman Tina Ann Giles, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying dangerous drugs and a possessing drug utensil charge.

However, Mrs Giles defended her actions because she believed providing these to her meth addict son Levi Thompson Giles, 22, was 'the lesser of two evils.'

Tina Ann Giles claims she sold cannabis to her son Levi Thompson Giles because it was a better option than his drug of choice, ice

Mrs Giles' defence lawyer argued that his client's son had 'an ice problem at the time', which was why the mother sold him marijuana three times.

'It's a dreadful thing for a mum to give her son drugs, but she rationalised it by saying that, as he was an ice addict, she was hoping it was the lesser of two evils,' Mr Messenger said.

The unconventional dealer-user partnership was discovered by police in June last year, after inspecting officers a found an iPhone with text communications between the mother and son.

Police identified that Mr Giles was using his then-partner Tyler Ord's mobile to complete cannabis business transactions with Giles senior.

A number of text messages between Mr Giles and his mother were found including: 'Hey mum, I'll pay $100 for a q (a quarter of an ounce of marijuana) if you can possibly do it, I can't find anyone else'.

Another read: 'Hey mum it's me ... I've got $90 to my name I was wondering if you could maybe do a q in the morning, I can't do anything more tonight...'

The third and final one from Mr Giles read: 'Couldn't do me q for $100? ... I still haven't been able to get anything'.

Mrs Giles responded to this message by saying: 'Alright Levi, then that's it unless you have your money here at 7.30am in the morning ...'

In 2016, Mrs Giles, who had held no criminal record until she was 31, was sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment of three months for possessing 23g of marijuana and a bong.

However, she has always asserted that her substance use was medicinal and coincided with a diagnosis of cancer, as well as a number of other health issues, including Crohn's disease. Furthermore, her lawyer claimed that Giles 'doesn't use cannabis herself (any more).'

Acknowledging Mrs Giles's co-operation with police Magistrate Belinda Merrin deemed suspended terms of imprisonment the most appropriate course of action.

Mrs Giles was sentenced to six months imprisonment for each drug supply charge and one month for the possess drug utensil charge, with the charges wholly suspended for 12 months.New prison letters have revealed the final wishes of whacked Boston mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger, including his desire to be buried next to his longtime girlfriend.

Bulger, who was murdered last week just hours after he was transferred to USP Hazelton in West Virginia, penned the letters to a woman in California after his arrest in 2011, the Boston Globe reported.

The letters were written to a young woman whom Bulger, 89, and his girlfriend Catherine Greig lived next to in Santa Monica during their 16 years on the run - years that Bulger said in the letters were the happiest of his violent life.

'I want to live until she is free,' Bulger wrote in a letter postmarked November 3, 2011. 'After that I will refuse all medical care. I have a family member, a lawyer, who I wrote for final instructions  No autopsy. I want to be buried next to Catherine and that's it  Simple.'

James 'Whitey' Bulger and Catherine Greig are seen in their 2011 booking photos. Prison letters from Bulger reveal that he hoped to be buried next to his longtime girlfriend

Greig and Bulger are seen walking her poodles together in 1988. Bulger said that his years on the run with his longtime gal pal were the happiest of his life

Bulger wrote the letter to a woman who lived near them in the Santa Monica apartment complex above, where he and Greig posed as a retired couple from Chicago

The family member Bulger mentions is likely his brother William Bulger, a former president of the Massachusetts state Senate who has a law degree.

However, an autopsy was most certainly conducted despite Whitey Bulger's wishes, given that he was murdered behind bars while a federal inmate.

The current disposition of Bulger's remains is unknown, as are plans for a funeral.

Sources close to Bulger's inner circle have told DailyMail.com that there may not even be a funeral, with one possibility being a cremation and burial in a relatively unmarked grave, so as not to attract tourists.

If there is a service, it is unclear whether Grieg, who remains incarcerated at minimum-security Waseca FCI in Minnesota, would be granted temporary release in order to attend, as the two never married and such furloughs are usually granted only for the funerals of relatives.

The warden at Waseca declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com, and said that Grieg did not wish to discuss her plans with the press.

Greig, 67, is due for release on September, 29, 2020, after she was sentenced to nine years for her role in hiding Bulger from authorities.

Bulger and Greig are seen together in 1988. They lived on the run from the FBI for 16 years

The door to Bulger and Greig's apartment is seen the day after their arrest in 2011. Bulger was convicted of his role in 11 murders and sentenced to two life sentences

Federal agents seized various weapons (above) from Whitey Bulger's apartment in Santa Monica, California, following his arrest there with Greig in 2011

In the letters obtained by the Globe, Bulger wrote that his goal was to live long enough to see her walk free from prison.

'I must wait for a natural death  my family has suffered enough because of my wild life, and suicide is taboo in old-time Catholics  also it wouldn't be fair to Cathy,' Bulger wrote in September 2011. 'I want to see her free and one day be side by side forever. I don't talk this way to my family  they hope for better days.'

Bulger seemed to hold out little hope for religious salvation in his letters, jokingly referring to welcoming the heat of hell while complaining about his drafty cell.

He also spoke of getting letters from strangers, including 'some Religious elderly woman who wants to save my soul.'

He added: 'Good of them to try. But for me it's the 'End of the Trail.' '

Another prison letter from Bulger obtained by DailyMail.com revealed that he had one hero in his life  a vicious cop-killer he loved because he was even more violent than he was.

Bulger idolized Jack Twining, who spent time with him in Alcatraz and Leavenworth in the 1950s and 60s, he said in the five-page letter obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com.

In the letter, written to schoolteacher Jeff Kelly, Bulger describes how Twining  who killed himself after a 1970 California shootout in which four cops died  strangled and beat a fellow prisoner and then tried to gouge out his eyes.

The notorious mobster also griped in the letter about his treatment in prison, complaining 'pervert' guards would inspect his naked body multiple times a day.

When Bulger, 89, was killed last week in Hazelton Federal Penitentiary in West Virginia, his killers gouged his eyes and tried to cut out his tongue.

Two mobsters are alleged to have killed him within 12 hours of him arriving at the prison because he had been an FBI informant.

James 'Whitey' Bulger idolized felon Jack Twining, who he met in Alcatraz in the 1960s, because he was 'one of the most dangerous men I ever knew'. Pictured: Bulger's mugshot from Alcatraz in November of 1959

Bulger wrote in a letter: 'Jack Twining was one of my best friends in prison. We both wound up in Alcatraz  deemed incorrigible.' Twining (pictured) was 35 years old when he killed himself after the Newhall Incident in California in 1970, where he killed four cops

Bulger wrote in part on this mugshot photo of Twining: 'Jack Twining one of my best friends in prison - were in Atlanta - in Alcatraz - Jack killed Mollet a usual predator - Good Riddance. This is last photo of Jack alive'

The Boston mob boss, who was killed last week in Hazelton Federal Penitentiary, revealed his admiration for the fellow criminal in a letter to teacher Jeff Kelly. Kelly wrote to Bulger using the Taunton High School address rather than his own 'out of an abundance of caution'

Kelly, 43, (pictured) wrote to Bulger in 2016 as part of a project for the elective course he teaches upperclassmen at Taunton High School in Massachusetts

'Jack Twining was one of my best friends in prison,' Bulger wrote. 'Met him in Alcatraz Pen.

'Jack was doing 30 years for Bank Robbery. I was doing 20 years for Bank Robbery.

'Jack was young and one of the most dangerous men I ever knew. We both wound up in Alcatraz from Atlanta  deemed incorrigible,' he bragged.

Bulger sent the letter to Kelly, a Massachusetts teacher who had contacted him as part of a school project on '20th Century Dictators and Disasters.'

'The Twining stuff is bone-chilling,' Kelly, 43, told DailyMail.com. 'I had never heard of Jack Twining. Whitey said ''Google him,'' which surprised me that an 80-something year-old-man is so 21st Century literate.

'Whitey described not only the crimes in graphic detail, but also refers to Twining as a close friend and wants him to rest in peace.

'The Whitey Bulger I grew up hearing about was a career criminal and a murderer who ruined the lives of countless families in the New England area,' said Kelly, a married father-of-two, who was raised in the Boston suburb of Norwood.

But he said the letter did not change his opinion of Bulger. 'If anything it solidified it. He spoke about fellow murderers in an endearing manner.'

Kelly said he had asked Bulger for details of his life in prison, but unprompted, nearly one-third of the reply talked about Twining.

Kelly, 43, wrote to Bulger in 2016 as part of a project for the elective course he teaches upperclassmen at Taunton High School in Massachusetts.

In his five-page letter, Bulger (pictured in 2011) showed no remorse for his crimes, which include at least 11 murders. He even bragged about his notoriety

Bulger said he stopped Twining (pictured) killing another man he identifies as 'Mitchell' in Leavenworth Maximum Security Prison in Kansas

'The Twining stuff is bone-chilling,' Kelly, 43, told DailyMail.com. 'I had never heard of Jack Twining. Whitey said ''Google him,'' which surprised me that an 80-something year-old-man is so 21st Century literate'

Kelly said he had asked Bulger for details of his life in prison, but unprompted, nearly one-third of the reply talked about Twining. Kelly said the letter did not change his opinion of Bulger. 'If anything it solidified it. He spoke about fellow murderers in an endearing manner'

In his letter to Kelly, Bulger included a newspaper clipping of the Newhall Incident, where Twining and fellow career criminal Bobby Davis killed four cops after a road-rage incident. Pictured l-r: Officers Roger Gore, Walt Frago, James Pence and George Alleyn who were killed

He found his students gravitated towards murder stories and he wrote to several notorious killers, including members of the Manson family and Robert Kennedy's murderer Sirhan Sirhan.

He asked the prisoners about how they felt about politics and current events when they were the age of his students, never really expecting a reply.

But Bulger  Federal prisoner number 02182-748  wrote him a detailed five-page letter from his cell in Coleman II federal lock-up in Florida, the prison he was in until just days before his murder.

He wrote of his health problems, what he deemed his harsh treatment in prison, and of Catherine Greig, his common-law wife, who was arrested alongside him when he was finally nabbed in Santa Monica, California, in 2011 after more than 16 years on the run. They had been living quietly in a third floor apartment, three blocks from the ocean, calling themselves Charlie and Carol Gasko.

But the passages on Twining stand out for the gleeful way Bulger reminisced about his fellow prisoner's violence.

'Jack Twining  look up on computer, Google ''The Newhall Incident''  we were very good friends,' wrote Bulger in spidery, at times illegible, handwriting.

Twining was 35 when he shot himself at the end of the Newhall Incident in April 1970. He and fellow career criminal Bobby Davis killed four cops in Newhall, California after a road-rage incident. After the shootings Twining took another man hostage for five hours before shooting himself dead.

In his letter to Kelly, Bulger included a newspaper clipping of the Newhall Incident, which described how, during the hostage-taking, Twining talked to reporters by phone. 'I don't hate the police,' he said. 'They have a job to do and so do I. After what happened, they can't offer me anything. I don't want to spend the rest of my life on death row.'

Bulger clearly idolized Twining for his violence, gleefully recalling how he killed fellow prisoner Walter Mollett in Alcatraz in 1959.

'An Alcatraz sexual predator 'Mollet' committed suicide by bothering Jack  wrote threatening letters to Jack,' Bulger said in the letter. 'Twining saved them.'

In this photo taken June 24, 2011, the top corner third floor apartment, upper left, where fugitive crime Bulger and Greig lived after spending more than 16 years on the run

He continued in the letter: 'One day Mollett came near Jack who hits him, karate chop to neck, dropped him, knelt on him, strangled him, then let him come to, then choked him unconscious.

'Then said ''Now you die.'' Strangled him then tried to rip his eyes out, then beat his head against a capped off low pipe  cracked his head open  brain came out.

'Mollett was Dead. Jack jumped up and down, screamed ''Best Day of My Life.''

'From that moment Jack lived to kill. He was put in isolation for doing the world a favor.

Bulger idolized Twining for his violence, recalling how he killed fellow prisoner Walter Mollett (pictured) in Alcatraz in 1959

'Jack spent months in isolation hole  Rough,' Bulger continued in the letter dated November 30, 2016.

A judge ruled that Twining had killed Mollett in self-defense and eventually he was freed from Federal prison, vowing he would never go back inside.

'Jack knew he was never coming back to prison  told me 'I Live to Kill' and when I get out, if anyone orders me around, pushes me, bothers me, I'm going to kill them.'

Bulger said he told his friend his life was like 'running down a steep mountain where you're going to fall and die.'

'I know it,' Twining replied. 'I want to die  I hate the world, I want revenge!'

Bulger said he stopped Twining killing another man he identifies as 'Mitchell' in Leavenworth Maximum Security Prison in Kansas.

'Didn't like the way he looked at him, made a small sword to kill Mitchell in the yard, ran at him. Mitchell puts his arm up to ward off  cut his hand or arm then his head.

'I grabbed Mitchell,' wrote Bulger. 'Asked him ''do you want to leave here alive''  ''Yeah''  told him don't look at Twining, no eye contact, avoid him.'

And in another passage, he said Twining tried to poison a prisoner with a candy. 'Took Mounds Bar, cut open and filled space with experimental poison. Gave it to Joe the Polack in Leavenworth  he came from upstate N.Y.  Joe ate it  ''Delicious''  in fact asked Jack for more.'

Bulger said Twining was released after 16 years in prison. 'Went North, may have killed Fed Officer in Wash. State and cop in Oregon  2 or 3 murders he was suspected of  then the 4 highway patrolmen in Northern CA, all young, saw it on TV back home in Boston.

Bulger said his favorite time in prison was the early morning when things were quiet  saying he started writing at 2:05am

The notorious mobster also griped in the letter about his treatment in prison, complaining 'pervert' guards would inspect his naked body five times a day. Bulger included in his letter records from Alcatraz which appear to prove his contention that he was given LSD as part of the experimental MK Ultra program (pictured)

In his letter, Bulger showed no remorse for his crimes, even boasting about his notoriety by including a website which mentioned him alongside Al Capone (pictured)

'Took family hostage, told police on phone ''I'm not going to prison, I've done all the time I'm doing''  he had father, mother and son hostage, told police on phone ''If you rush this house I'll kill these people  I'm coming out TOES UP.''

'He let woman and son leave alive  told law if you rush in I kill him  then put barrel of pump shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

'Saddened me, but in minutes I was glad he did it  his war was over.'

Then, in an attempt to explain his friend's lust for violence, Bulger told Kelly about Twining's life. 'Jack never sat down to a holiday dinner with a family,' he wrote.

In his letter, Bulger even asks Kelly if he is related to three Kellys he knew through his life of crime in the Boston area

'He was adopted young, was happy, was playing with a ball, it rolled into bushes by the house. Heard the male say to his wife ''Why did we take the Bastard home for?'' (sic)

'Jack ran away then, back to orphanage and lifetime of torment.

'He was a close friend  his struggle is over  RIP Jack!'

In his letter, Bulger showed no remorse for his crimes, which include at least 11 murders. He even boasted about his notoriety by including a webpage which mentioned him alongside Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and Robert Stroud, the 'Birdman of Alcatraz,' among the most famous inmates held on the San Francisco Bay island prison.

He said his favorite time in prison was the early morning when things were quiet  saying he started writing at 2:05am.

He complained that while awaiting trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, a 'Goon Squad' of prison officers had made his life hell. 'Sleep Deprivation, Degrade and Dehumanize  called Special Treatment  I had 4 months of it from the Goon Squad who took care of the Dirty Work at the County Jail.'

He claimed he was strip searched five times a day, saying guards 'inspect my naked body, remind me of perverts.

'Then they leave with ''Have a Nice Day.'''

And he griped about the length of the sentence his girlfriend Greig received for harboring him.

'She had never been arrested before, never took drugs or smoked  little alcohol, tipsy 3 or 4 times in 61 years.

'Held, no bail, put in isolation cell for a year until trial, then pleads Guilty  usually in such a case Guilty plea is rewarded with easier sentence.

'Not Catherine, she received longest prison sentence ever given in US history at present, 11 years 2 months.'

Greig, now 67, actually received eight years for harboring Bulger and another 21 months for contempt of court. She is currently serving time in federal prison in Waseca, Minnesota, and is due to be released in 2020.

Bulger, who was in a wheelchair when he was killed, said he had a heart attack while awaiting trial in Plymouth which left him with a heart murmur and A-fib. He was told he needed an operation but refused and was sent back to prison.

In his letter, Bulger even asks Kelly if he is related to three Kellys he knew through his life of crime in the Boston area.

'Had a crime partner, Ritchie Kelly, way back at a young age, taught me a lot  was drunk and beaten to death.

'Martin Kelly, a legend in Andrew Square, owned bar then Dover Cafe in Rough South End  he was stabbed in back, almost died. Did time in Charlestown State Prison  robbery.

'Billy Kelly, physically big, was on Death Row in Fla. for years in the 70s & 80s & 90s for a murder.'

It was while writing about Billy Kelley  whose name he misspelled  that Bulger abruptly ended his letter.

'Are you related to Billy Kelly?' he asked, then continued: 'Out of space  hope you can decipher this, signing off, Jim Bulger  everything true.'A Dutch couple who have been living off the land in the New Zealand wilderness for a decade have no intention of going back to civilisation any time soon.

Miriam and Peter Lancewood came up with the idea of living in remote South Marlborough, on New Zealand's south island, after finishing a hike in their native Holland.

'We wanted to be a part of nature, rather than just observing it,' Ms Lancewood told Daily Mail Australia. 'We wondered whether we could survive a year in the wild.'

Miriam and Peter Lancewood (pictured) have lived in the New Zealand wilderness for the past decade after coming up with the idea during a hike in Holland

They told their families they would only be gone for a year, but 10 years on they are still living the ultimate nomadic lifestyle which they adore because they feel so free by removing the modern conventions and conveniences from life.

'It's perceived as being scary but I see the wilderness as my home, so I feel very comfortable there, we sleep when we are tired, usually when the sun goes down. When the first birds sing, we wake up,' Mrs Lancewood recently told ABC News.

Before they left the Netherlands, they prepared by packing two 85kg bags with everything they needed - from rolled oats to milk powder, flour yeast, honey, rice and vegetables.

'We counted out everything perfectly, including the teabags,' Ms Lancewood said.

They also trained by completing grueling 10-day hikes through the bush where they'd light fires in the rain.

Ms Lancewood also hoped the skills she'd developed as a P.E teacher at home would help them survive in the wilderness.

'I knew how to shoot with a bow and arrow at a target, which I knew would be useful,' she said.

'What I didn't know is how much more difficult it is to shoot at something moving.'

Pursuing their idea of a radically different lifestyle, the pair began to prepare to head to New Zealand.

They told their families they would only be gone for a year, but 10 years on they are still living the ultimate nomadic lifestyle and don't intend on stopping soon

Ms Lancewood (pictured) described the experience as a complete life changer which put life into full perspective

'We eat when we are hungry. We don't know the days of the week, or the date. That is irrelevant really,' she said.

She described the experience as a complete life changer which put life into perspective.

'In the mountains I feel very small. I am insignificant really, and my petty little problems seem even smaller, it seems that the trees pull the burdens off your shoulders,' she told ABC News.

She described living in the wilderness as living inside a 'living world' and doubts if her and her partner will ever move back to civilisation.

Having to hunt for their own food also taught Ms Lancewood the value of eating off the land and what is provided, having been a vegetarian prior to moving into the wild.

She described her lifestyle as 'living without time' and overcoming the obstacles that come with living solely off the land

Ms Lancewood is a talented archer and uses those skills to supply food for herself and Mr Lancewood.

She described her lifestyle as 'living without time' and overcoming the obstacles that come with living solely off the land.

'To do something like this, you do need to be physically quite strong and have quite a bit of endurance and stamina,' says Ms Lancewood.

'But I'd recommend it to many people. I don't think I will ever go back to civilisation.'

For further insight into their experiences Ms Lancewood has written a book chronicling her adventure, titled Woman in the Wilderness.A toddler has suffered second-degree burns on the soles of her feet after standing on a scorching hot metal plate while playing at a park.

The 18-month-old's mother, Simone Pickering, was sitting just metres away from her daughter at Ipswich River Heart Parklands, south-west of Brisbane, at the time.

Ms Pickering said she heard harrowing screams before glancing over to see her baby 'paralysed' on top of the grate.

A baby girl (pictured) has been left with second degree burns on the soles of her feet after standing on a scorching hot metal plate while at a water park with her family

The 18-month-old's mother, Simone Pickering, was just metres away (bench circled) from her daughter at Ipswich River Heart Parklands, south west of Brisbane, at the time

Ms Pickering and her husband immediately launching into panic mode and rushed their child to Lady Cilento Children's hospital, where she was pumped with painkillers and underwent surgery.

'Watching her tiny little body laying limp on the hospital bed with cords and tubes running everywhere crippled me,' Ms Pickering wrote on Facebook.

Given that the weather was a mild 25C, she felt comfortable allowing her daughter to walk around shoe-less, a decision she said had almost caused her to 'lose her mind'.

Ms Pickering is now taking aim at Ipswich Council, claiming they're to blame for what she said is irresponsible placement of a potential safety hazard.

'This time it was the negligence of our local council and the engineers that has left our 18 month old with partial thickness (second degree) BURNS to the bottom of both feet.'

The parents rushed their child to Lady Cilento Children's hospital where she was pumped with painkillers and underwent surgery (pictured during surgery) before being sent home days later

'What you don't expect to have to tell your children is to watch out for scorching hot metal covers placed right in the path of little feet at a Splash and Play Water Park of all places.'

Ms Pickering said she was 'angry that councils are aware of the issue' but neglected to do anything about it due to a lack of funding.

She said it was unlikely her daughter, even after a full recovery, would ever know a 'normal' feeling in the bottom of her feet.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Ipswich Council said it had 'erected a safety barrier around the pit cover' after receiving a call about the incident.

'Council received a call about this incident on 1 November 2018. It was the first reported incident of this type at River Heart Parklands,' it read.

'Water parks will always need service pits and as this one is not located in the immediate vicinity of the water play area it may not have been identified as a potential hazard in safety audits.

'The pit cover has since been coated with a heavy paving paint that has reduced its temperature. As an additional measure inspections have been carried out in other water parks for potentially similar situations.

'Council urges parents of young children to be mindful of the risk of all exposed surfaces being hot during summer.'Only one in four urgent police callouts is crime-related, a report reveals today.

Officers are taking the burden from other public services such as health workers because they are the first line of response, MPs revealed.

Instead of focusing on spiralling crimes such as violence and burglary, forces are tackling mental health incidents and minor car accidents. As a result, there are fewer officers for beat policing, MPs on the Commons public accounts committee said.

The report said: The polices main duties are to protect the public and prevent crime. Forces are dealing with more incidents which are not crime-related with fewer frontline staff.

Only one in four urgent police callouts is crime-related, a report reveals today

It added that funding cuts mean officers were unable to catch as many criminals, it took longer to investigate offences and some forces could no longer afford neighbourhood policing. But former home secretary Amber Rudd hit back, saying the surge in violence on Britains streets was not caused by having fewer officers, but drugs.

Committee chairman Meg Hillier said: The thin blue line is wearing thinner with potentially dire consequences for public safety.

The assessment comes just a week after Sara Thornton, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, called for officers to focus on solving burglaries rather than dealing with wolf whistling.

The assessment comes just a week after Sara Thornton, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, called for officers to focus on solving burglaries rather than dealing with wolf whistling

Her colleague, Chief Constable Dave Thompson, said: Policing is at the tipping point.

Police funding has fallen by 19 per cent in real terms since 2010 and officer numbers are down by more than 20,000. Arrests in England and Wales have halved in a decade, while recorded crime has risen in areas including homicide and knife offences.

John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation, said: This report is the latest in a series of huge red flags for the Government. This is a national scandal.A man who smuggled over 19 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia worth $2.2 million to pay off his debts following a motorcycle crash in Bali has been jailed for 11 years.

Jai Stephen Drake was paid $30,000 to smuggle the drug on a flight into Perth airport in March this year, The West Australian reported.

The court heard Drake, who was a talented rugby league player in his youth, agreed to traffic the drugs to help pay off $40,000 in debts he accrued after being in a motorcycle crash in Bali in August 2016.

Drake flew business class to Perth, had made it through security, and was walking towards the airport exit when police stopped him and searched his luggage.

Drake flew business class to Perth, had made it through security, and was walking towards the airport exit when police stopped him and searched his luggage. There is no suggestion the man pictured had any involvement in or knowledge of the smuggling

Officers found 20 sealed packages labelled as refined Chinese tea which contained meth that was tested to be between 80 and 84 per cent pure.

Judge Laurie Levy took into account when sentencing Drake in District Court on Tuesday that the motorcycle accident had cause him a brain injury, affected his ability to reason, and had directly resulted in the offending.

At the time of the accident Drake was treated in Bali and then flown to a Sydney hospital where he underwent brain surgery.

His defence lawyer, David Edwardson, told the court Drake was duped into trafficking the drugs at a vulnerable period where he was under mental and financial stress.

'One can see how vulnerable he was and how he was used in an opportunistic way by others to effectively be a mule,' he said.

The court also heard Drake had bought the ticket to Perth using a fake drivers' licence under the name Chris Russell.

Drake was jailed for four offences, including possessing meth with intent to sell or supply.

He will be eligible for parole after serving nine years.Sam Gyimah, whose parents are from Ghana, condemned the belief that white people cannot have an opinion worth sharing because they do not know what it means to be black

Debate among students is being stifled because white people are not allowed to talk about race, the universities minister has warned.

Sam Gyimah, whose parents are from Ghana, condemned the belief that white people cannot have an opinion worth sharing because they do not know what it means to be black.

He said people are also finding themselves unable to voice views on transgender issues unless they are trans themselves.

The minister stressed these are symptoms of a student monoculture which assigns people an identity and tells them they cannot comment on anything else. He insisted labelling people and putting them in silos is damaging because it stops them speaking freely.

Mr Gyimah, an Oxford graduate, delivered his damning verdict on student politics in a speech at the Wonkfest higher education ideas conference in London. He said: When I talk about monoculture, what I mean is having a culture where dissenting views  whatever they are  are unwelcome.

And people can only speak from the silos or the identity that is prescribed them.

If there was an issue to do with race, someone might say to you How do you know what it means to be black?. Of course you might not be black, but it doesnt mean that you dont have an opinion that is worth sharing.

His comments come after Oxford professor Nigel Biggar (pictured) was branded racist and a bigot for suggesting the British Empire had good as well as bad aspects

If there is a trans issue, and you are a 50-year-old white man and you got involved in it, [people might say] you shouldnt comment on this because its not the silo allocated to you.

Mr Gyimah added that all too often people are told they are not allowed to talk about trans issues unless they are trans themselves. He said: It has become the case that people feel they cannot deviate from the silo that has been assigned to them by the monoculture  and it stifles debate.

His comments come after Oxford professor Nigel Biggar was branded racist and a bigot for suggesting the British Empire had good as well as bad aspects. Student campaigners suggested he was viewing history through a white male lens.

Meanwhile, professors who have raised concerns about the transgender lobby have been shouted down because they do not know the torment of gender dysphoria. Mr Gyimah said dismissing people because of their identity is often simply a convenient way to silence their voice, adding: There is a lot of that in our universities.

Private schools have been told to share facilities like swimming pools, playing fields and science labs  and even teachers  with state schools in new Government guidelines. They may also invite local disadvantaged children to take part in mixed lessons in the optional scheme.

A number of schools already have such partner schemes.Ohio has overwhelmingly voted against lessening drug possession and use to a misdemeanor on Tuesday.

More than 64 percent of voters shot down Issue 1, meaning those who are found using or in possession of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, meth and fentanyl, will be slapped with a felony charge if convicted.

The failed measure would have reduced penalties for low-level drug offenses to no more than misdemeanors rather than fourth and fifth-degree felonies.

If passed, judges would not be able to send users to jail or prison unless it was their third or more conviction in two years.

Ohio has overwhelmingly voted against lessening drug possession and use to a misdemeanor on Tuesday

It also would have prohibited courts from ordering offenders on probation for felonies be sent to prison for non-criminal probation violations.

The measure failed to pass, despite Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg donating $1 million to help pass it.

Issue 1 supporters argued the estimated $136 million a year saved by not jailing offenders could be used for treatment for drug addicts.

Among the probation requirements that offenders could violate and still avoid jail time included: missing probation meetings, drug screenings and anger management sessions, cutting off GPS tracking monitors and violating no-contact orders.

The measure failed to pass, despite Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg donating $1 million to help pass it.

To get sentences reduced up to 25 percent, offenders, including violent offenders, needed only to participate in some jail programs, but didn't need to complete them or participate in them with any success, critics argued.

Most judicial and law enforcement groups opposed the measure known as Issue 1.

And it became a point of debate in the Ohio governors race, with Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine opposed and Democratic candidate Richard Cordray supporting it.

Also on election night, Ohioans chose a senator, four statewide officeholders and two Supreme Court justices.Two boys arrive at the scene of the stabbing on the Tulse Hill Estate to put down flowers

A mother cried 'God, save my boy' after finding him bleeding to death in the latest appalling example of London's violent crime crisis.

She had come in her car to collect the 16-year-old but instead found he had been stabbed multiple times.

He is thought to have been set on by a knife gang in the capital's fifth killing in just six days  and 119th this year.

Named locally as John, the victim is said to have been part of a drill music group, the Lower Tulse Hill gang, performing under the pseudonym JaySav.

Drill is a controversial and violent British brand of rap music.

Rivalry between local groups, as well as the violent content of the lyrics, has been blamed for a series of deaths.

Online fans wrote messages of commemoration for JaySav, with some saying the south London 'crew' in question had lost up to five members to gang violence.

Monday's incident saw police being called to reports of a shooting at 10.53pm on Tulse Hill. Paramedics tried to save the teenager, but he was pronounced dead an hour later.

A police officer stands by the taped area while a young man pays his respects with flowers

A large kitchen knife was recovered from bushes near the crime scene yesterday. It is not thought to have been used in the killing

Officers said there was no evidence that a gun had been fired.

One witness said: 'A car drove on to the estate and then the boy was left on the floor. I was absolutely terrified  his stomach had been slit open.

'The boy's mum came driving down in an Audi and sounded the horn again and again. She was screaming 'Save him, save him. God, save my boy'.'

Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, (pictured) was named as teenager who was stabbed to death outside Clapham South Tube station on Friday

A friend of the victim said: 'Growing up around here, you become used to it. You can tell the difference between a gunshot and a firework', he said. 'I heard a person say 'We got him, we got him'.'

Another associate said: 'John was in a gang, he had enemies. They did things  you know like gang stuff. Whoever did this, they were not targeting John  they rolled up on his gang.

'John must have been on his own and that's why they targeted him. He was stabbed five times, in the heart and in the stomach.' The youngster is the third London teenager to be fatally stabbed in just six days.

Jai Sewell, 15, was stabbed to death with a machete following a row outside a chicken shop on Thursday, witnessed claimed

At least one violent drill music video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times online, was filmed just yards from the spot of the stabbing.

In it, balaclava-clad rappers brag about 'cheffing' their enemies  a graphic term for butchering foes with a blade. A large kitchen knife was recovered from bushes near the crime scene yesterday. It is not thought to have been used in the killing.

Another witness, Elena Erik, 42, said: 'I looked out from the balcony and I saw the mum. She was crying 'my son, my son' as he was lying on the floor. It's so sad.'

A local resident who knew the victim's mother said she had been to the flats before to pick up her son because she did not like him hanging around there.

Rocky Djelal, 38, was fatally injured in Southwark Park, Rotherhithe, just before 2pm on Wednesday

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh of the Met said: 'I am appealing to anyone who has information that could assist this investigation to come forward and speak to police.

'We believe the victim was attacked by a number of suspects and the altercation would have undoubtedly drawn the attention of those in the vicinity.'

Scotland Yard announced it was stepping up patrols in the wider area.

Stabbing victims in recent days include Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17; Jai Sewell, 15; and Rocky Djelal, 38.

So far in London this year there have been 119 violent deaths, including two cases that are being treated by Scotland Yard as self-defence.Former Las Vegas Topshop manager Auna Irvine says that when Sir Philip Green was her boss he slapped her bottom and called her fat.

In an interview last night she claimed that he would also call her sexy and discuss her breasts.

Ms Irvine said that his conduct would 'definitely be classified as sexual harassment' in the US in an interview with the BBC.

Another woman says Sir Philip constantly unleashed volleys of verbal abuse while she worked for the fashion tycoon.

The anonymous former senior staff member at Arcadia Group described Sir Philip - who is facing harassment allegations - as 'really aggressive'.

Ms Irvine (left) has accused Sir Philip (right) of sexual harassment including slapping her bottom and calling her fat

'He verbally harassed people and it was a constant verbal barrage - it was an attack,' she said.

'But when it becomes constant and you're not given the right to reply, and when you do reply, your reply is considered worthless, there's nowhere for you to go. And he owns the company that you're working for.'

Other people who used to work at the company have reported that the industry chief threw items at those he considered were under-performing.

Sir Philip was last month revealed to be the businessman behind a court injunction preventing the press from publishing allegations of sexual assault and racial harassment levelled at him.

Ms Irvine (pictured) says that she was called sexy by the fashion tycoon in what she said would definitely be considered sexual harassment in the US

When the allegations surfaced, Sir Philip vehemently denied them, telling the Mail on Sunday that he had only ever engaged in 'banter' which had 'never been offensive'.

But last night's accuser said that his remarks were 'absolutely not banter', adding: 'This was aggressive, it was threatening, it was constant and it just brought you down constantly.'Florida Sen. Ben Nelson is calling for a recount, after tallies show Gov. Rick Scott leading him by fewer than 35,000 votes.

'We are proceeding to a recount,' Nelson said Wednesday, following a nail-biter election where the vote count continued into the night.

Florida law provides for an automatic recount if the margin is less than 0.5 per cent of the vote. As things stand, Scott's margin is at 0.4 per cent of the vote.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the gap was 34,537 votes out of more than 8 million cast.

Scott's campaign says the race is done.

'This race is over,'Scott spokesman Chris Hartline said, WTSP reported. 'It's a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.'

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, claimed victory Tuesday night

Either way, it won't affect control of the Senate, which Republicans already achieved Tuesday night by knocking off Democratic incumbents and preserving all but one of their own.

The state-ordered recount raised the prospect of another legal battle in Florida, home to the bitter recount court fight that decided the 2000 presidential election.

The Nelson camp said Florida's 67 county supervisors would recheck their tallies, while the campaign would reach out to voters unable to cast ballots due to lack of ID or other issues.

Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is expected to address the media on Wednesday

Floridians went to bed Tuesday without knowing whether Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson had held on to his seat or lost to Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott led by less than half a percentage point with nearly all votes counted: leading by about 34,435 votes out of more than 8 million cast.

The margin, if it sticks, would trigger a mandatory recount in the state.

The razor thin margin means every possible vote becomes critical, including overseas and military ballots, provisional ballots and vote by mail ballots that have defects such as a missing or non-matching signature.

Marco Rubio, the Sunshine State's other senator, tweeted after midnight that the race was, in fact, over.

'Bill Nelson has conceded to our new Senator & my new colleague [Rick] @ScottforFlorida,' he wrote. 'What exactly is CNN & other outlets waiting for to call the race? We don't need CNN to swear him in to the Senate, but its kind of annoying anyways.'

Scott and Rubio would together become Florida's first all-Republican U.S. Senate delegation in more than a century.

Confusion reigned throughout the night as votes were tallied.

Scott, who dropped $50 million of his own funds in the contest, claimed victory just before midnight.

It's just hard to believe that we're here now,' he said. 'Now that this campaign is behind us that's where we're going to leave it.'

However, the Associated Press had not called the race as of Wednesday morning.

There was a belief Nelson conceded to his GOP rival, but the campaign put out a statement in the early morning hours clarifying that Nelson was still waiting for all the ballots to be counted.

President Donald Trump backed Scott, a wealthy former healthcare executive who, like the president, poured giant amounts of money into his own campaign

'This is obviously not the result Senator Nelson's campaign has worked hard for,' the Democrat's campaign manager Pete Mitchell said just after midnight.

'The senator will be making a full statement tomorrow to thank all those who rallied for his cause.'

One reason for Tuesday's confusion was that Florida election law requires an automatic recount in contests where the margin of victory is less than one-half of one percent.

That number would work out to 40,276  which means Nelson's lead sets in that margin.

Dan McLaughlin, the Nelson campaign's manager, told supporters late Tuesday that he and the senator were looking at potential 'irregularities' with votes

Sen. Marco Rubio insisted that Nelson had conceded the race to Scott, and vented on Twitter at CNN for refusing to declare Scott the winner

Scott, term-limited out of the governor's mansion, didn't court President Donald Trump's support but also didn't shy away from it.

During his final campaign rallies, the president tore into Nelson. His predecessor, Barack Obama, stumped in Miami and called Nelson 'my friend.'

Trump claimed Nelson never called 'to ask for my help' with Florida's problems and hailed Scott's response to hurricanes.

'I am here a lot and I never see Senator Nelson until six months before the election,' Trump said.

Scott had to pour $51 million of his own money into the race to stay competitive. The wealthy former healthcare executive raised another $14 million. Nelson's war chest held $25 million.

Well over $100 million was spent overall on the contes, much of it on television ads.

Outside groups spent even more heavily on attack ads and caustic mailers trying to impact the result.An Australian man and his Indonesian girlfriend arrested in Bali on narcotics charges could face the death penalty.

Gold Coast man Brendon Luke Johnsson, 43, and Indonesian Remi Purwanto, 43, were accused of cocaine dealing after they were allegedly caught with 13 packets of cocaine in Bali in August.

Johnsson and Purwanto are charged under Indonesian drug laws, which carry the death penalty for drug dealing more than five grams.

Johnsson's stepfather Ashley Robinson and Tora Solutions security consultant John McLeod were present at the prosecutor's office, where police handed over the pair on Tuesday, according to the Courier Mail.

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Gold Coast man Brendon Luke Johnsson, 43, (left) and Indonesian Remi Purwanto, 43, (right) have been arrested in Bali on narcotics charges and could face the death penalty

The pair will be charged with article 114 of Indonesia's drug laws, which carries the death penalty for drug dealing more than five grams

The pair will be brought to the Depasar District Court for trial.

'Beside the suspects, police also handed over the evidence - 13 packs of cocaine weighing total 11.6 grams, an electric scale, a blue fabric bag and two plastic spoons,' Denpasar prosecutor office crime section chief Arief Wirawan said.

Johnsson and Purwanto were pictured in orange suits and balaclavas in August after Indonesian authorities arrested them on the resort island for allegedly possessing cocaine valued at $3,636 or 39 million Rupiah.

Police raided a boarding house where a woman, Bena, was found with a packet of cocaine in her pocket, along with two packets in a sanitary pad package and one packet in a pillow.

Johnsson and Purwanto were pictured in orange suits and balaclavas in August after Indonesian authorities arrested them for allegedly possessing cocaine valued at $3,636

Bena confessed she bought the drugs from Purwanto which led the police to raid Purwanto's boarding house in Kuta beach.

Police alleged that both Johnsson and Purwanto admitted to using cocaine for the past five years but have never been arrested.

The couple were held in the Denpasar police station jail since their arrest but are expected to transfer to the Kerobokan jail while awaiting trial.A defiant Stacey Abrams refused to concede the Georgia governor's race early Wednesday morning, telling her Demorcatic supporters that despite trailing by about 3 percentage points she expected to come back enough to trigger a December runoff.

'You're going to have a chance to do a do-over,' she said, talking to voters in a state where nearly 3.8 million people cast votes in a contest that held the potential for her to be the first black female chief exective of a U.S. state.

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, led Abrams with 51 per cent of the vote to her 48 per cent. The state's election law calls for a runoff when no candidate wins an outright majority of votes.

If Kemp's lead were 40,000 votes narrower, he would be beneath that threshold.

'Votes remain to be counted,' Abrams said. 'There are voices waiting to be heard. Across our state folks are opening up the dreams of voters in absentee ballots, and we believe our chance for a stronger georgia is just within reach.'

Tens of thousands of absentee votes were mailed to Georgia election officials.

'I promise you tonight we're going to make sure that every vote is counted. Every single vote! Every vote's getting counted!' she said.

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams spoke to supporters about her expectations of a run-off during an election night watch party on Tuesday

Abrams supporters cheered as she explained that she had no plan to concede the race; she would be the nation's first black female governor if she should prevail

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp won 51 per cent of the vote, but tens of thousands of absentee ballots remain outstanding and they could be enough to shrink his lead to smaller than the simple majority needed to win outright

Kemp pulled ahead early in the state that traditionally supports Republicans and never seemed to lose momentum as he collected support from President Donald Trump.

Abrams had backing from Oprah Winfrey, Will Ferrell and Barack Obama, and turned much of the campaign into a referendum on voter suppression and hacking scandals linked to her Republican foe.

Kemp ran in lockstep with the president, who campaigned by his side on Sunday in Macon. Trump said that he would be a 'great executive' and Georgia would go 'backwards' if Abrams was elected.

Ugly race-based assaults on Abrams were flying around in the final days of the campaign, after a white nationalist group deployed robocalls mimicking Winfrey.

A comment from the president calling Abrams' qualifications into question also ruffled feathers. She's a Yale-educated lawyer who served as the state's House minority leader.

Kemp was fending off attacks of his own after he made unfounded claims about an alleged hacking attempt he pinned on Georgia's Democratic Party. He also faced calls to resign as secretary of state from Abrams and others amid litigation over the state's implementation of voter identification law.

President Trump made Georgia one of his last stops this week as he embarked on an 11 rally swing to battleground states across the nation.

He claimed Sunday in Macon that Abrams wants to ax the Second Amendment and allow illegal immigrants to vote and hold political office. He portrayed the former romantic novelist and tax attorney as too radical for Georgia.

Trump said earlier in the week that Abrams is 'not qualified' to hold office 'by any stretch of the imagination.'

Abrams called the comments 'vapid and shallow' on a Sunday morning program.

Trump told a Macon, Georgia, crowd in the afternoon, 'Stacey Abrams is one of the most extreme far-left politicians in the entire country, you know that.'

Trump said Stacey Abrams wants to ax the Second Amendment and allow illegal immigrants to vote and hold political office

Trump told a Macon, Georgia, crowd in the afternoon, 'Stacey Abrams is one of the most extreme far-left politicians in the entire country'

Macron, Georgia is Trump's latest stop ahead of the upcoming midterm elections on Tuesday

Abrams faced an uphill battle against Kemp in the state that Trump won by five points in 2016.

She pulled out all the stops, with Winfrey and Obama campaigning for her in the same week.

Trump said that the celebrity endorsements were unlikely to get Abrams elected, and he turned out to be right. He said that Kemp was simply the best-suited candidate.

'He studied for this job for a longtime. He will be a great executive, and he will keep Georgia on the path it is going, which is up,' Trump told reporters as he left the White House en route to his campaign rally with Kemp on Sunday.

Trump reiterated his belief that Abrams, who would have become the first black, female governor in the nation's history if she'd been victorious on Tuesday, is not fit for office.

'If she gets in, Georgia goes backwards,' Trump said. 'If he gets in, Georgia goes forward.'

Abrams, meanwhile, smacked Trump on Sunday as 'vapid and shallow' over his claim that she's 'unqualified' for statewide office.

'I find his assessments to be vapid and shallow. I am the most qualified candidate,' she told 'Meet the Press' on NBC News. 'There is no one more qualified standing for this office in Georgia. And I look forward to having the voters of Georgia say the same.'

Abrams said that the GOP was attacking her credentials, because they're running 'scared' in the statewide election.

But in Macon, the president offered a host of reasons why Abrams' positions are too far to the left for Georgia and she shouldn't be promoted.

He said the Second Amendment is 'under siege and Stacey and her friends will get rid of it.'

Please give us all guns right now, he said, doing an impression of Democrats. 'She supports a socialist take over of healthcare, which means you will never be able to see your doctor.'

He used the healthcare jab to as a segue into a slap at Obama, who has hit the trail hard in the final days of the midterms to campaign for Democrats.

'And just like President Obama  Im going to be very nice, did not tell the truth,' he said. 'Keep your doctor, you can keep your plan, he said it 28 times,' Trump said. 'You put Stacey in there, and you're gonna have Georgia turn into Venezuela. And I dont think the people of Georgia like that.'

Laying into Abrams, he said, 'I spoke to law enforcement, I spoke to everybody [she] is really weak on crime, really weak on crime. Thats not what you need. She wants to end the death penalty for even the most vicious and ruthless killers.'

'She even, listen to this, voted to allow illegal aliens to hold public office,' he said.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, poised to become the first black woman in the governor's mansion if she's victorious on Tuesday, smacked President Trump as 'vapid and shallow' over his claim that she's 'unqualified' for office

Trump assessed in front of reporters at the White House on Thursday that she's not 'qualified' for the job but didn't say why believes that. He's seen here on Saturday in Belgrade, Montana

The president's comments about Abrams and Kemp and their qualifications came as the Georgia secretary of state's office launched an investigation into the state's Democratic Party, just two days before voters had to decide between him and Abrams.

Kemp, the Georgia secretary of state, has claimed the Democratic Party of Georgia attempted to hack the state's voter registration system  yet provided no evidence to support the charge. The secretary of state's office refused to supply any details, as well, and the Democratic Party denied the unverified allegation.

Abrams had previously called on Kemp to resign as secretary of state over alleged voter suppression tactics that have made it more difficult for African-American voters to cast ballots.

Abrams, who is neck-and-neck against Kemp in the polls, has called the claim a 'desperate ploy' to distract voters before Election Day

'He is desperate to turn the conversation away from his failures, from his refusal to honor his commitments, and from the fact that he's part of a nationwide system of voter suppression that will not work in this election,' she said on Sunday.

Georgia is litigating its voter identification rules requiring information to be a precise match to the Social Security Administration's listing for an individual to cast a ballot in the mid-term election.

A federal judge in an injunction on Friday said that Georgia must ease up on the rules that bar individuals from casting a ballot if there's even a slight variation, caused sometimes by a data entry problem, such as a missing hyphen or spelling error.

Georgians who show proof of citizenship must be allowed to vote on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor L. Ross said.

Kemp's office says it has already been living up to that standard in early voting.

The race was in a dead heat leading into Election Day, with Kemp up by a single point in the Real Clear Politics average. An Atlanta Journal Constitution poll had the race tied.

Star power has put a national spotlight on the contest, with Will Ferrell, Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama flocking to the state to help Abrams. Vice President Mike Pence campaigned in Georgia last week for Kemp.

Winfrey in her appearance on Thursday recounted the history of voter suppression as she urged African-Americans to go to the polls on Election Day.

'I'm here today I'm here for the men who were lynched and humiliated and discriminated against and suppressed,' she said. 'For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn't have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state or this country, you are dishonoring your family.'

Obama said in a barn-burning speech at Morehouse, a Historically Black College and University, that that the other side is 'trying to scare you with all sorts of bogeymen, trying to scare you with all kinds of divisive issues.'

He accused Republicans of 'repeated, constant, incessant, nonstop attempts to divide us.'

The former minority leader of the Georgia House and Yale Law School graduate noted on NBC's Meet the Press (pictured that she's a former civic leader and a tax attorney

President Trump is rallying Republicans in the state this afternoon for candidate Brain Kemp. Pictured: Kemp speaks as Abrams look on during a debate in Atlanta, October 2018

The former president went after Kemp's office specifically for 'trying to disenfranchise people and take away the right to vote' and took a dig at the Republican candidate for bailing on Sunday evening's debate to campaign with the president.

'What is he afraid of?' Obama asked. 'He's afraid of Stacey, I guess.'

President Trump was rallying Republicans in the state on Sunday afternoon at his first of two back-to-back events less than 48 hours before the polls open nationwide.

In Georgia, early voting began in the middle of October and ended on November 2. More than two million people cast ballots in that time frame, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's office.

A white nationalist group that had been targeting another African-American gubernatorial candidate, Andrew Gillum, in Florida, started running robocalls in Georgia on Friday impersonating Winfrey and making racist and anti-Semitic claims in an effort to hurt Abrams' candidacy.

Abrams' strategic communications coordinator, Abigail Collazo, linked the hateful calls to Trump's visit to Georgia, saying in a statement provided to CNN, 'These automated calls are being sent into homes just days before President Trump arrives, reminding voters exactly who is promoting a political climate that celebrates this kind of vile, poisonous thinking.'

'Over the last few weeks we've seen increasing desperation from many dark corners trying to steal the election, cheat, lie, and prey on people's fears rather than having the respect to listen to voters and speak to their hopes,' she said.

Trump said that Gillum is 'not equipped' to be governor during a Saturday night rally in Pensacola. He didn't say why he believes the Tallahassee mayor does not have the qualifications to lead the state, although he has attacked Gillum on Twitter for alleged ethics violations.

Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama headlined events for Abrams in Georgia on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. Pictured: Winfrey and Abrams greet the audience at a town hall style event at the Cobb Civic Center on Thursday in Marietta, Georgia

Trump assessed in front of reporters at the White House on Thursday that Abrans is not 'qualified' for the job in Georgia but didn't say why he believes that.

'I've always liked Oprah. You know, Oprah is good. But the woman that she's supporting is not qualified to be the governor of Georgia, by any stretch of the imagination,' he asserted. 'And I think Brian is going to be a great governor of Georgia. I think he'll be a fantastic governor. He's totally qualified.'

Obama argued on Saturday that Abrams is the 'most experienced, most qualified' candidate in the race.

'As President Obama pointed out, I am the most qualified candidate running, if you look at both my academic background, my work history,' Abrams said Sunday, echoing the former president on CNN. 'I have been deputy city attorney. I was the Democratic leader for seven years. I have been successful as a businesswoman, as a writer, and as a tax attorney.'

She added: 'I know what I'm talking about, and I have the plans to prove it.'

Trump ignored a question from the pool as he boarded Air Force One for Macon about his diss on Abrams. He told reporters at the White House, however, that Kemp is 'running a great campaign' and he's 'studied for this job for a long time' as he fielded questions before his departure.

The president said that he has no knowledge of the hacking incident outlined by Kemp's office, and when asked if he believes there was voter suppression in Georgia, he said he did not.

'A lot of people are voting, and I think a lot of Republicans are voting because they want to see Georgia go forward, not go backward,' he said. 'If she gets in, Georgia is going backward. If he gets in, Georgia goes forward. And that's what people want.'President Donald Trump's half-hearted plea to voters to sack the only Democrat who offered his support to Brett Kavanuagh fell on deaf ears in West Virginia.

Sen. Joe Manchin cruised to reelection on Tuesday evening, with nearly 50 percent of the vote to challenger Patrick Morrisey's 46 percent. He was declared the winner of the race by networks with 45 percent of precincts reporting.

Trump campaigned on Friday night against Manchin, in spite of the senator's vote to put Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.

The president said that Manchin took too long to give in, waiting until it was clear that the GOP would get the number it needed to support the high court appointment.

'I have to say, I like Joe. The problem is, I'm just not going to get Joe's vote. Just not gonna get it,' Trump said in Huntington. 'I like him, he's a friend of mine. I'm just not gonna get his vote.'

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders admitted outside the White House on Tuesday evening that the argument wasn't enough to get the incumbent senator kicked out of office.

'Joe Manchin's one of the few Dem  the only Democrat  to come out and vote for Brett Kavanaugh. I think that's a moment that's probably helped him in some cases,' she told DailyMail.com.

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President Donald Trump 's half-hearted plea to voters to sack the only Democrat who offered his support to Brett Kavanuagh fell on deaf ears in West Virginia

Sen. Joe Manchin cruised to reelection on Tuesday evening, with nearly 50 percent of the vote to challenger Patrick Morrisey's 46 percent. He was declared the winner of the race by networks with 45 percent of precincts reporting

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders admitted outside the White House on Tuesday evening that the argument wasn't enough to get the incumbent senator kicked out of office

The president's West Virginia audience told him in response, 'Joe's gotta go,' at the rally in support of Morrisey, the GOP's nominee for the U.S. Senate.

Unlike he has done at other rallies when he's campaigning against incumbent Democrats, the president didn't give the senator an unflattering nickname. For the most part, he avoided laying into him at all.

Instead, he brought up Manchin's support in 2016 for Hillary Clinton, suggesting that the attempt to knock his self-identified 'friend' out of office was fair game for that reason. He also spent several minutes dissecting Manchin's last-minute decision to support Kavanaugh.

'Even with Justice Kavanaugh, you know I called Joe, I said, "Joe, do me a favor, I'd like you to vote," 'Trump said disclosing calls to the senator that the White House had refused to confirm at the time.

He said that Manchin told him he 'may' cast a vote for the judge. 'But, I was like, "You gotta vote before I win, not after we have the vote," ' Trump said that he told him. 'Because nobody has ever been treated worse than Judge Brett Kavanaugh.'

President Trump campaigned on Friday night against Manchin in Huntington, in spite of the West Virginian's vote to put Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court

Manchin challenger Patrick Morrisey declared at Friday night's rally: 'President Trump needs a staunch ally in the U.S. Senate. I will be that ally'

Trump argued as he often does that Kavanaugh was badly mistreated by Manchin's party.

'He got blindsided like nobody ever got blindsided. What happened to him is disgraceful. And what the Democrats did, and the way they played that was a disgrace,' the president recited.

The president claimed that Manchin waited 'one-tenth of a second' by his count to cast his vote.

'So we didn't need Joe's vote. And he pressed that button. I think it was about one-eighth of one second after we had the final vote from Susan Collins,' Trump contended.

Manchin skipped his turn during a procedural vote and offered his support to Kavanaugh only after the GOP reached him 50 senators, making him vote 51 on the motion that the vice president could have played tie breaker on for the final vote, if it came down to it.

Trump said that he told Manchin after, 'But Joe, I said, "Joe that doesn't count. That doesn't count." Because if we would have needed the vote, it was not going to happen.'

Disappointed, Trump said he told him, '"Do it before we have the vote."'

'But I was watching for that one-eighth of a second, I was watching, and he didn't do it. He didn't do it,' the president assessed.

The audience of West Virginians, Ohioans and Kentucky residents attending the rally inside of an airport hanger responded to an invocation of Clinton by chanting, 'Lock her up!'

After Manchin's challenger, Morrisey, took the stage and knocked Manchin around for supporting Clinton, the president took the mic back and noted that the Democratic senator had endorsed the former first lady and Democratic nominee for president in 2016.

'He was all for Hillary Clinton. He was for Hillary Clinton,' Trump said. 'She was against coal. She was against he miners. She got no support in this state, and yet Joe was totally in her camp. So that sort of, that sort of tells you.'

The audience of West Virginians, Ohioans and Kentucky residents attending the rally inside of an airport hanger responded by chanting, 'Lock her up!'

Morrisey claimed during his remarks on stage that Manchin had attacked him for supporting the president.

'I will never apologize for defending President Trump, nor will I kneel to the alter of Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi,' he asserted to cheers. 'President Trump needs a staunch ally in the U.S. Senate. I will be that ally.'

At the end of the rally the president said that he'd take Manchin to dinner still, if he wins, and that his endorsement of Morrisey wasn't personal, it was just politics.New York avowed Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become the youngest woman to be elected to Congress after defeating Republican opponent Anthony Pappas.

The 29-year-old South Bronx native secured a House seat for New York's 14th congressional district on Tuesday.

Her victory was widely expected after Ocasio-Cortez scored an unanticipated upset over 10-term U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary in June with a low-budget campaign.

She is one of a handful of Congressional candidates who identified as democratic socialists and has promised to try and push the Democratic party further to the left.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the House seat for New York's 14th congressional district after defeating Republican Anthony Pappas on Tuesday

The 29-year-old, who is now the youngest woman to be elected to Congress, spoke to her supporters during her election night party in the Queens

Ocasio-Cortez won the support of the left by advocating for government-paid health care for all, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition and the abolition of the federal department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

She also became a popular figure among celebrities and young voters which landed her on Stephen Colbert's late-night show.

On Tuesday night, failed New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon congratulated Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet calling her a 'powerful vision of what our country can should be.'

Ocasio-Cortez had thanked her supporters in a tweet one minute before the polls closed.

'I am so thankful for every single person who contributed, amplified, and worked to establish this movement. Never forget the hard work it took to get us here. No matter what happens, this is what it takes,' she said.

Her victory marks another astonishing achievement for a woman who was working as a bartender at the start of her campaign.

She championed her working-class and Puerto Rican roots as the daughter of a cleaner and a father who died in his 40s, embodying a different generation of politician. She also shuns corporate donors.

Ocasio-Cortez compared the fight against climate change to the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II, calling it a 'major existential threat' and has likened electing Democrats to ending slavery.

Ocasio-Cortez had thanked her supporters in a tweet one minute before the polls closed

On Tuesday night, failed New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon congratulated Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet calling her a 'powerful vision of what our country can should be.'

Ocasio-Cortez holds a Puerto Rico flag as she greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City

But the right has branded her politics 'dangerous' and she has also taken hits from centrist stalwarts, former senator Joe Lieberman saying her primary win seemed 'likely to hurt Congress, America and the Democratic Party.'

Only time will tell whether the progressive Democratic wing that she embodies represents the future or a Tea Party-style spinoff as mainstream liberals scramble for ways to contain Trump.

'On any given day, no one can agree if she is the next Sarah Palin, the next Obama or a Venezuelan dictator,' summed up Vogue.

Pragmatists say she will eventually have to compromise her ideals. Debt-free college and universal health care sound appealing, but are expensive propositions.

With New York's 14th district, encompassing parts of the Bronx and Queens, leaning heavily Democrat, she was believed to be a shoo-in for the House for this election.

Ocasio-Cortez was born in 1989 to parents Sergio Ocasio-Roman, who was born in New York City, and mother Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, a native of Puerto Rico.Republican Kim Davis (pictured), the Kentucky county clerk who denied same-sex couples marriages licenses in 2015, was voted out in favor of Democratic challenger Elwood Caudill, Jr. in Tuesday's election

The Kentucky county clerk who denied same-sex couples marriages licenses in 2015 was voted out in Tuesday's election.

Republican Kim Davis lost her re-election bid to remain Rowan County Clerk by a slim margin, according to the Lexington-Herald Leader.

Democratic challenger Elwood Caudill, Jr. won the contest by a vote of 4,210 to 3,566, which is a difference of only 644 votes.

The current population of Rowan County, Kentucky is estimated at 24,517, with 81 percent (or about 19,858) of those people estimated to be of voting age, according to 2017 US Census data.

On Tuesday, Democratic challenger Elwood Caudill, Jr (pictured) won the contest to hold the Rowan County Clerk position by a vote of 4,210 to 3,566 (a difference of only 644 votes)

Davis infamously spent five days in jail in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing religious objection to uphold the June 2015 Supreme Court ruling requiring that same-sex marriage be legal in all 50 states

When Davis infamously spent five days in jail in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, one of the people she denied access to was David Ermold, along with his partner, David Moore.

At the time, Davis said she was acting 'under God's authority' by refusing to grant the license.

Claiming religious reasons for the discrimination, Davis was unwilling to comply with the 5-4 US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges from June of 2015 that held same-sex marriage must be legal in all states.

One of the people Davis denied access to was David Ermold, along with his partner, David Moore; Ermold (right), who pledged to run against Davis himself for the role, is shown attempting to hand Rowan County clerks Nathan Davis (left) and Roberta Earley (second from left) a copy of the ruling from US District Court Judge David Bunning, instructing the county to start issuing marriage licenses, in Morehead, Kentucky on August 13, 2015

Robbie Blankenship (left) and his partner of 20 years, Jesse Cruz (right), of Corpus Christie, Texas, leave the Rowan County Clerks Office after being denied a marriage license on September 2, 2015 in Morehead, Kentucky

Ermold tried to make good on his promise, but lost his Democratic primary bid to Caudill, Jr.; Ermold (right) is shown filing to run for Rowan County Clerk in Kentucky as Clerk Kim Davis looks on, on December 6, 2017, in Morehead, Kentucky

Throughout the course of Davis's indignance, she also denied a license to Robbie Blankenship and his partner of 20 years, Jesse Cruz, of Corpus Christie, Texas.

The could were forced to come back two days later to receive their license, on September 4, 2015.

It was in the midst of this battle to uphold the law that Ermold then pledged that he would run against Davis, given the next opportunity to do so.

Ermold tried to make good on his promise, but lost his Democratic primary bid to Caudill, Jr.

Caudill, Jr. then ran on a platform focused on promising to perform the duties required of the role of Rowan County Clerk.

The Lexington-Herald Leader called the race for Caudill, Jr. just before 8pm Eastern, with all 17 districts reporting their voter tallies.Advertisement

Americans unsure of who to vote for on Election Day are asking a familiar friend - Google.

Google Trends posted the most popular search entries from the past week - with questions like 'who to vote for today' and 'what to bring to vote' among the most popular search items.

The web site said that election-related searches spiked considerably on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the top trending Google search was actually in Spanish - donde votar, or where to vote.

Google said that term spiked by 3,350 per cent.

The Latino voter turnout is expected to increase 15 per cent in this years midterm elections, according to Business Insider.

Google doesnt indicate how many searches were made using the term, but they do calculate the increase in traffic around the term.

The above chart from Google Trends shows search interest in elections starting in January 2004. The highest interest in the elections was in November 2016

Google Trends also offers users a chance to gauge just where their state ranked in terms of interest in election-related items

The above Google Trends chart indicates that health care and immigration were the most searched topics in the run-up to the election

According to Google Trends, the highest level of interest in the election was in Washington, D.C. and Delaware

Google Trends posted the most popular search entries from the past week - with questions like 'who to vote for today' and 'what to bring to vote' among the most popular search items

The search engine also noted that three of the top five trending search topics in the US right now are for the #midterms: Polling place: +350%; Voting: +300%; Election day: +300%.

On Tuesday, the top trending Google search was actually in Spanish - donde votar, or where to vote. Google said that term spiked by 3,350 per cent

Of the top five trending searches on Tuesday, the most searched term was Andrew Gillum. Google said that Gillums name was entered more than 500,000 times.

Gillum, of course, is running for governor of Florida. If elected, he would be sthe first black governor in the history of the Sunshine State.

The second most searched entry on Tuesday was Stacey Abrams.

She, too, is running to become the first black governor of a southern state - Georgia.

If elected, she would make history as the first female African American governor in the nations history.

Googles realtime search trends from the past 24 hours show that the midterm election is on most peoples minds.

The top two search trends were United States elections, 2018 or United States midterm election.

Beto ORourke, the Democrat running against incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz, was the sixth highest realtime search trend.

Voters were deeply divided about Republican President Donald Trumps job performance and the direction of the country as they cast ballots in Tuesdays congressional midterm elections, according to the Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll.

Voters were deeply divided about Republican President Donald Trumps job performance and the direction of the country as they cast ballots in Tuesdays congressional midterm elections, according to the Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll. The above image shows people voting at a mall in Henderson, Nevada

After some voting locations closed on the East Coast but before every vote was counted, early poll results found that about half of those who voted believed the country was on the 'wrong track,' and four in 10 said it was headed in the 'right direction.'

A slightly larger number of voters disapproved of Trumps job performance, compared with about four in 10 who approved, the poll found.

The poll, conducted online on Tuesday, was based on responses from 36,740 people who voted in 37 states. The poll is ongoing and will be updated as people continue to vote.The wife of a crooked banker who blew 16million shopping at Harrods is fighting extradition to her homeland.

Zamira Hajiyeva, 55, was arrested after the Azerbaijani authorities accused her of embezzling state funds.

Zamira (pictured left in 2015) is married to chairman of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, Jahangir Hajiyev (right), who was arrested in his native Azerbaijan in December 2015 accused of embezzling more than 100 million from the bank

After a brief court appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court she swapped her 15million Knightsbridge mansion for a prison cell as her bid for bail was blocked.

Her husband Jahangir Hajiyev is serving a 15-year prison sentence for embezzlement while chairman of Azerbaijan International Bank.

Mrs Hajiyeva is at the centre of an inquiry by the National Crime Agency into dirty overseas cash.

She has been ordered to explain how she funds her lifestyle, which includes a 16million bill at Harrods over ten years.Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas won reelection Tuesday night, holding off a hard fought challenge from Democratic upstart Beto O'Rourke.

Early results showed O'Rourke running neck and neck with Cruz but the incumbent senator managed to pull off a victory.

With 79 percent of the vote in, Cruz was leading O'Rourke 51 percent to 48.4 percent.

O'Rourke gave an impassioned concession speech to screaming fans where he told his hometown: 'El Paso, I love you so much' and then dropped the f-bomb as some networks carried his speech live.

'I want to thank this amazing campaign of people,' he said. 'All people all the time, all the time, in every single part of Texas, all of you, showing the country how you do this. I'm so f****** proud of you guys.'

MSNBC was airing his speech when the obscenity occurred.

'Sorry for the F-bomb,' anchor Brian Williams said. 'We have no control of what's in the concession speeches.'

Beto O'Rourke dropped the f-bomb in his concession speech after his loss to Ted Cruz

O'Rourke with his wife Amy

Sen. Ted Cruz managed to hold a challenge from Beto O'Rourke

Cruz has led in the polls throughout their matchup -but O'Rourke gave him enough of a political scare he campaigned like a man who was afraid he'll lose: holding some 50 rallies in the past six weeks and bringing in his former rival for the 2016 presidential nomination, Donald Trump.

Democrats held on to faint hopes that record high early voting numbers - more Texans voted early in 2018 than voted in total in 2014 - would give the result they desperately hoped for in the most expensive Senate race in the 2018 midterms.

But even a loss for O'Rourke could be a win.

The two-term Congressman from the Texas-Mexico border has exploded on to the national scene. His extensive use of social media - even doing Facebook Lives in his car as he drives between campaign rallies and orders from Whataburger - has endeared his aw-shucks demeanor to Democrats across America.

He set a Senate fundraising record when he brought in $38 million in the third quarter - giving him a war chest presidential candidates would envy - but, more importantly, he's breathed new life into the Democratic Party in Texas, a state they have long hoped to turn blue thanks to its rising Latino population.

All this has resulted in O'Rouke being named as a possible 2020 presidential candidate, which he denies interest in, keeping a laser-like focus on his Senate bid while still maintaining his laid back attitude.

More Texans voted early in 2018 than voted in total for 2014, which O'Rourke has claimed would help him.

'I think the more people that show up, the better we do,' O'Rourke told CBS' '60 Minutes' on Sunday night.

'The people who are fired up right now are fired up to do something great for this country. That's my sense. I don't have a pollster, so I can't quantify this assumption for you. But the turnout that we're seeing is already off the charts,' he added.

Beto O'Rourke poses for a photo with his family outside of a polling place before voting; his wife, Amy and three kids - Ulysses, 11, Molly, 10, and Henry, 7,

Cruz brought in President Trump to campaign for him

Nearly 4.9 million votes were cast in the 30 most populous counties in Texas when early voting ended Friday night, the Texas Secretary of State's Office reported.

That tops the total statewide turnout from 2014 by 157,000 votes.

The top 30 counties are home to about 80 percent of all Texans.

But Cruz argued the math is in his favor.

Republicans in Texas hold the governor's mansion, majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, both U.S. Senate seats, and, of the 36 congressional districts in the state only 11 are held by Democrats.

A Democrat in Texas hasn't won statewide election Texas since 1994.

'If you look at the dynamics, we've got numbers on our side. There are a lot more conservatives than there are liberals. What the O'Rourke campaign has had on their side is intensity. The liberals who are in Texas are really, really mad. They hate President Trump. That anger is dangerous. I mean, that anger is mobilizing. It means they're gonna show up no matter what. As I've said, they'll crawl over broken glass to show up,' Cruz told '60 Minutes.'

He conceded: 'Intensity is always potent. Intensity turns people out at the polls.'

Cruz wrapped up his campaign on Monday with a final stop at the spot where he officially launched his re-election bid: a Houston-area honky-tonk called the Redneck Country Club.

'Every liberal in the state of Texas are going to show up and vote,' he warned the packed hall.

'We are going to win this race,' he added. 'And let me tell you how I know that: Because this is Texas. And in Texas it is in our DNA, it is in our blood to defend liberty.'

Cruz wrapped up his campaign with a final stop at the spot where he officially launched his re-election bid: a Houston-area honky-tonk called the Redneck Country Club.

The media mobs O'Rourke after he voted Tuesday morning

Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke voted in El Paso Tuesday morning with his wife, Amy, three kids - Ulysses, 11, Molly, 10, and Henry, 7, and members of the media in tow

O'Rourke has made extensive use of social media during his upstart campaign - conducting Facebook Live videos from his car as he drives to campaign stops - while Cruz has used the more traditional approach of rallies and retail politics.

He raised an record breaking $38 million in the third quarter of his Senate campaign.

'I think the way in which we are running it, without PACs, without special interests, without pollsters, without consultants, going to every county, all 254. At this really divided moment, everybody, knowing that they're invited to be part of this,' O'Rourke told CBS.

No big name Democrats - like former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden - have appeared for O'Rourke.

'I'm not distancing myself. But I don't want anyone coming in from the outside. I want the people of Texas to decide this on, on their own terms,' O'Rourke told CBS News.

Cruz brought in the big GOP - President Donald Trump - to campaign for him.

The president slammed O'Rourke during the Oct. 22 rally and praised Cruz, his one time rival for the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump called O'Rourke a 'stone-cold phony' as he mocked him for campaigning on his nickname Beto instead of his given name 'Robert'.

'And he pretends to be a moderate, but he's actually a radical, open-borders left-winger,' Trump contended, painting him as a proponent of a 'socialist take-over of health care' who wants to 'take away your guns'.Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has rejected calls for British jihadis to be flown back from Syria and Iraq to face trial in the UK.

Mr Williamson said he did not want troops having to deal with Islamic State extremists who had been the cause of so many deaths.

Speaking in the Middle East, where he is announcing a new British training base in Oman, he said: Do I want to see our Royal Air Force flying these people back to our country? Never.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has rejected calls for British jihadis to be flown back from Syria and Iraq to face trial in the UK. Mr Williamson said he did not want troops having to deal with Islamic State extremists who had been the cause of so many deaths

I dont want to see the RAF flying people who tried to do harm and hurt to British people.

I am not going to be in a position where I am using British Armed Forces to bring back jihadists who have done harm to our country, and who think it is acceptable to throw people  because of their background because of their faith, sexuality  off buildings.

Do I think it is right to use the Armed Forces to bring these types of people back? No.

Mr Williamson has been watching joint Omani-British military exercises in the desert ahead of the opening of the base in March.

His comments come after officials examined the possibility of extraditing a British citizen suspected of fighting for IS from a jail in Iraq last year.

Ministers blocked the plan, fearing it would open the floodgates.

Since then the Government has come under pressure from the US and Kurdish leaders in Syria to take responsibility for its own citizens.

Last month commander of US special operations Major General Patrick Roberson called on Britain to take back two suspected members of Jihadi Johns Beatles IS gang being held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

ahead of the opening of the base in March. His comments come after officials examined the possibility of extraditing a British citizen suspected of fighting for IS from a jail in Iraq last year

Asked if El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey should be repatriated to the UK, Maj Gen Roberson told the BBC: We would certainly like them to be.

He said the Syrian Democratic Forces and the US were working very hard to make sure that the countries of origin get these foreign terrorist fighters back into their custody.

Maj Gen Roberson said it was a decision for each country involved, but added: I think the SDF and us would certainly like them to be repatriated to where they came from.

Kotey and Elsheikh are accused of belonging to the four-man cell suspected of 27 beheadings. Jihadi John  Mohammed Emwazi  was killed in a US air strike in 2015, while fourth supposed member Aine Davis has been jailed in Turkey.

Mr Williamsons comments come almost a year after he said jihadists should not be allowed back into UK. He sparked fury after he told the Mail: A dead terrorist cant cause any harm to Britain.He was first diagnosed with a virus by doctors and told to take painkillers

A devastated couple is urging other parents to trust their gut instincts after their son died unexpectedly just days after his second birthday.

Kate and Ross Upton from Brisbane were told by doctors that their son Arlo Jack simply had a virus but he died 48 hours later.

The toddler first showed signs of illness when he started coughing on October 27, just before the family headed out to Halloween festivities.

A devastated couple are urging other parents to trust their gut instincts after their son (pictured) died unexpectedly just days after his second birthday

The toddler first showed signs of illness when he started coughing on October 27, just before the family headed out to Halloween festivities

By the following afternoon Arlo had developed a temperature and began vomiting.

The couple made an appointment with their GP, but were told it was a virus and were sent away with painkillers.

While his temperature went down, little Arlo developed a worrying rash.

He was also refusing to eat and his temperature hit 39C, but wouldn't go down despite him taking Panadol and Nurofen.

Mr Upton stayed home with him on Monday, October 29, when the parents decided to take him to another doctor, who also told them the virus would pass.

The worried mum and dad also took him to a community centre but were given the same diagnosis and advice.

From that point on, the chain of events took a terrifying turn.

Arlo turned blue around his mouth and his family called an ambulance.

Mrs Upton is now advising all parents to go with their gut instinct regarding their child falling ill and recommends taking children to see a doctor for 'any cough or sniffle'

His condition deteriorated rapidly in the ambulance and he was placed on a life support machine after going into cardiac arrest.

The ambulance had to stop to pick up more paramedics nearby, with eight medics treating him at one stage.

'It went from okay to bad really quick,' mother Mrs Upton, 34, told 9 News.

Medics initially thought that Arlo could be suffering from sepsis, however when they brought him into hospital they re-diagnosed him as having a gene mutation called LPIN1 deficiency, resulting in acute skeletal muscle damage.

At one point the parents were told that Arlo might have to have his fingers or toes amputated to save him, but it was too late.

Arlo suffered a seizure at 5.30am on Thursday, November 1 and was pronounced dead later that day.

'It was the only option. His brain had swollen. He was almost unrecognisable.'

'We spent a few hours singing to him, cuddling him and talking to him before they took the ventilator off,' Mrs Upton said.

At one point, Arlo's three-year-old sister, Frankie, asked the heartbreaking question: 'Mummy, is Arlo going to die?'

Mrs Upton, who also has a three-year-old daughter, Frankie, is now advising all parents to go with their gut instinct regarding their child falling ill and recommends taking children to see a doctor for 'any cough or sniffle'.

If an autopsy reveals that Arlo did have a gene mutation, his parents and sister will all have to undergo testing to see if they also carry the condition.Arizona voters handed a decisive defeat to a Republican-led effort to massively expand eligibility for school vouchers in the state.

Proposition 305 had become one of the most contentious ballot-box battles over school choice in the 2018 midterm elections.

But the ballot measures loss with Arizona voters is not necessarily a defeat for school choice advocates.

While the measure, if it had passed, would have expanded eligibility, it could have eventually constricted the overall number of students who receive vouchers.

For that reason, some prominent school choice lobbying and advocacy groups with deep ties to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and the deep-pocketed brothers, Charles and David Koch, had abandoned the ballot initiative, even urging voters to reject it.

Currently, Arizona Empowerment Scholarships are restricted to select groups of students, such as those attending low-performing schools or those in foster care.

Republican state lawmakers passed a law in 2017 that would make all of Arizonas 1.1 million public school students eligible for the voucher-like program.

But that law also included a cap on the number of students who could receive vouchers at 30,000. That was fine with some school choice proponents when the bill was being passed because there would likely be the opportunity to lift the cap through later legislation.

But that was before the referendum.

Once voters weigh in on Prop. 305, some school choice advocates worried the cap would be permanent, eliminating any chances to expand the program beyond that cap.

As it stands now, only select groups of studentsthose living on an American Indian reservation, in foster care, from military families, attending low-performing schools, and students with special needs or with a sibling already in the programcan receive vouchers. But the program can continue to grow by about 0.5 percent of the public school population each year indefinitely. Currently, because of the restrictions on eligibility, the program never hits its cap.

This is why the American Federation for Children, a prominent school choice group that lobbied for the original law, reversed its stance on the expansion.

"[H]ad Prop 305 passed, Arizonas Voter Protection Act would have made it nearly impossible to improve and expand the program legislatively in the future, said John Schilling, President of the American Federation for Children, in a statement. While passage of 305 would have made all K-12 students eligible, we can now look forward to removal of the current growth cap of 5,000 new students a year and funding for every ESA will remain significantly higher.

The director of Americans for Prosperitythe influential conservative advocacy group funded by the Koch brotherstold The Arizona Republic the group was not backing the ballot measure for similar reasons.

The challenge to Prop 305 was led by a grassroots group of parents and educators called Save Our Schools, which gathered enough signatures to stall the law passed in 2017 from going into effect until voters had the chance to weigh in directly. The American Federation for Children sued to scuttle the voter referendum but lost .

Save Our Schools also welcomed Tuesdays outcome.

Tonights election result should tell elected officials one thing: Enough, said Dawn Penich-Thacker, the groups co-founder, in a statement. Enough of selling out our nations future in service of some billionaires ideological pet project. Fund our schools. Pay our teachers. Respect our choice of strong public schools.

Technically, the Empowerment Scholarships are not traditional school vouchers, but a hybrid voucher program called an education savings account . A percentage of state per-pupil dollars are put into special savings accounts parents can draw from to spend on a range of educational services. That includes private school tuition, like a traditional voucher, but also can include home-schooling supplies, tutors, college courses, or even therapy.

Making all students eligible for education savings accounts is sort of a Holy Grail to voucher proponents, given that ESAs give parents near-total control over how money is spent on their childs education.

Arizona is the second state to attempt to expand eligibility for education savings accounts to include all public-school students, and its also the second state in the last few years to have this effort stall.

Nevada, in 2015, was the first state to pass whats been called a universal school choice law . But the program has been in a legal limbo since then and remains unfunded.

See all 2018 education-related election results here .An eagle-eyed father was stunned when he spotted what looks like a plane underwater off the coast of Scotland on Google Earth.

Robert Morton, 55, found a clear image of what appeared to be an airliner under the ocean near Edinburgh.

The father-of-three, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, described his chance discovery as 'incredible and very strange' to Mirror Online.

Robert Morton found a clear image of what appeared to be an airliner under the ocean near Edinburgh

'It looks like it is underwater,' he told the website.

But he conceded that it's more likely to be a glitch that occurred when a Google satellite snapped the image as a plane flew by.

The location of the plane is less than nine miles from Edinburgh Airport.

'I have never heard of any aircraft crashing leaving Edinburgh or that area,' Mr Morton said.

At first glance, the Google Earth image looks like a plane underwater off the coast of Scotland

'I know the picture of the plane isn't really in the water, it's probably the satellite looking down on it through thin cloud giving it that appearance.'

It comes after a pilot claimed to have discovered parts of doomed Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in a jungle in Cambodia using Google Earth.

Daniel Boyer says he has located the engine, tail and cockpit of the plane buried in the jungle north of Phnom Penh using Google Earth.Muslim senator Mehreen Faruqi has been called a 'maggot' and told to go back to Pakistan after she tweeted the Melbourne Cup was deadly to horses.

The Greens MP, who moved to Australia in 1992, received a barrage of abuse on social media following the death of Irish stallion The Cliffsofmoher.

The senator for New South Wales, who only last year renounced her dual Pakistani citizenship, was trolled online after tweeting the five-year-old horse was 'killed for the sake of gambling by racing in the Melbourne Cup this afternoon'.

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Muslim senator Mehreen Faruqi (pictured) has been told to go back to Pakistan after she tweeted the Melbourne Cup was deadly to horses

The Greens MP, who moved to Australia in 1992, received a barrage of abuse on social media following the death of Irish stallion The Cliffsofmoher (pictured on Tuesday)

Senator Faruqi, the Greens's animal welfare spokeswoman, was told to leave Australia by several social media trolls.

'P*** off back to where you came from,' one man wrote on her Facebook page.

'Clearly you have no intention to assimilate or embrace the culture that has dragged you into equality as a woman and provided you with a wage well beyond the slums of your home land.'

The 55-year-old lawmaker said she was targeted because of her skin colour, three months after telling the Senate 'everyone' who was not a white, straight male experienced 'online harassment, bullying and toxicity'.

The senator for New South Wales was trolled online after tweeting the five-year-old horse was 'killed for the sake of gambling by racing in the Melbourne Cup this afternoon'

'This is what happens when people of colour speak out on almost any issue,' she said.

Senator Faruqi has posted a compilation of the most vile social media messages, following her 'horse racing kills' and 'nuptothecup' messages.

'F*** of you filthy unelected foreign interloper,' one man said of the woman who in August filled Lee Rhiannon's casual Senate vacancy.

'P*** off back to your s***hole of Pakistan. Ya maggot.'

Senator Faruqi has posted a compilation of the most vile social media messages, following her 'horse racing kills' and 'nuptothecup' messages

The senator said she was targeted because of her skin colour, three months after telling the Senate 'everyone' who was not a white, straight male has harassed online

Not all her critics were abusive, however, with conservative Jewish activist Avi Yemini questioning how she could campaign against animal cruelty but fail to condemn halal slaughter practices, where live sheep and cattle have their throats slit so the meat is fit for Muslims to eat.

'Senator Mehreen Faruqi is out campaigning today against the Melbourne Cup for animal cruelty. Meanwhile, she fully supports halal slaughter,' he said.There are growing calls for a crackdown on whips in horse racing after six jockeys were fined or suspended for excessive use in the Melbourne Cup.

The RSPCA reignited its campaign on a ban on whips when Melbourne radio host Neil Mitchell sparked debate on his 3AW program on Wednesday.

Among the riders penalised on Tuesday include Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who was fined $3,000 after riding Cross Counter to victory.

Kerrin McEvoy's Melbourne Cup victory on board Cross Counter on Tuesday was bittersweet after he was fined $3,000 for excessive whip use

Second place getter jockey Hugh Bowman, who is also the regular rider of record breaking mighty mare Winx was suspended for a month for three offences.

Regan Bayliss, ($1500) and Cup third place getter Michael Walker ($400) also copped fines along with Dwayne Dunn and Damian Lane ($800 each).

'Is that cheating or breaking the rules'?' Mr Mitchell asked 3AW listeners.

'I'm told it's really common around race meeting every day of the week for jockeys to be fined for overuse of the whip.'

Mr Mitchell added he senses that community support has shifted towards a ban in recent years.

Current racing rules allow each jockey to hit their horse up to 18 times throughout the race.

It's in stark contrast to harness racing, where whips were banned across Australia two years ago.

'There is absolutely no evidence that whips don't hurt horses,' RSPCA Australia spokeswoman Jane Speechley told 3AW listeners on Wednesday.

'We say that good racing is about good horsemanship, good breeding and good training, and if you let racing be about that there's really no place for a whip.'

Hugh Bowman, who rode second placed Marmelo in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup has been suspended for one month for excessive whip use

The RSPCA insists it has no concerns with a safety device being for urgent safety situations.

'It's the routine use of the whip to urge on tired horses to run faster than they otherwise would be able to, that's what we're concerned about,' Ms Speechley said.

The radio segment divided opinion on social media.

'I didn't watch the race yesterday- first time ever, I love the Melbourne Cup but too many horses die and I can't in all good conscience support it anymore. There are many people who feel this way,' one listener commenter on 3AW's Facebook page.

Another added: 'If you hit any other animal with a whip, you would be prosecuted.'

The use of whips has been banned from harness racing (pictured) since 2016

But there were almost as many people in favour of the current rules.

'If you don't like horse racing there is a simple solution don't watch it,' one punter commented.

Another added: 'I love how people think they know what's best for an animal, animals are just as competitive as us.'

One woman called for the RSPCA to instead turn its focus to the many reports of cruelty and neglect of ex-racehorses.

Opinion is divided over the use of whips in horse racing following the 2018 Melbourne Cup

The debate over whip use was reignited on Tuesday when Cliffsofmoher became the latest horse to die in the Melbourne Cup.

It's in the wake of similar tragedies in the race in recent years.

'In that field alone, horses were hit with whips several hundred times at least, with the highest number of hits occurring in the final 100 metres, when they are already tired,' Ms Speechley said in a statement following Tuesday's race.

'We're seeing a growing number of Australians who feel uncomfortable about watching horse racing, and tragic incidents like these provide a catalyst for that concern.'

Craig Williams, who rode sixth placed Youngstar in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup urged racing authorities to not change the rules when the whip was banned in harness racing in 2016

Three-quarters of Australians quizzed in a poll said they do not support the whipping of horses in racing in a PLOS One study earlier this year.

Jockey Craig Williams urged Racing Australia not to changed with whip rules when it was banned in harness racing in 2016.

'I think they've done a terrific job to have the whip rules where they are, regarding the number of strikes and public perception,' he told The Herald Sun at the time.

'You wouldn't want to see a coroner's report that said a jockey died because he was unable to control a horse because he had no whip.

Cox Plate-winning trainer Colin Little added: 'The whip is vital as a control tool.A billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel chain will become the richest governor in U.S. history after defeating the Republican incumbent in Illinois.

Democrat J.B. Pritzker, 53, was projected to defeat Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner after polls closed on Tuesday, with the Republican incumbent conceding defeat to the hotel heir.

Rauner, a multi-millionaire who served one term, issued his concession less than an hour after polls closed, recounting his phone conversation with Pritzker moments prior: 'I said, Godspeed. I hope and pray you serve Illinois well.'

Pritzker, whose net worth is estimated at $3.5 billion, spent some $171.5 million of his own money on the campaign, the Chicago Tribune reported, paying for an onslaught of TV and online ads attacking Rauner and building his own name recognition.

Democrat J.B. Pritzker, 53, (left) was projected to defeat Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner after polls closed on Tuesday. Rauner (right) conceded shortly after polls closed

Pritzker is seen with Hillary Clinton in a roundtable discussion in Chicago last month. He backed Clinton in her 2008 primary for president despite Obama's Illinois ties

Courtesy: WGN

The billionaire Pritzker's family name is ubiquitous around Chicago, where it adorns the bandshell in Millennium Park, Northwestern University's law school, the University of Chicago's medical school, a military museum, and a children's zoo.

Pritzker himself was born in California, where his father had moved to help run the fledgling Hyatt hotel chain.

He became involved in Democratic politics in his 20s, campaigning for Senator Ted Kennedy in his 1980 presidential primary bid against Jimmy Carter, and going on to work on Capitol Hill for Democratic Senators Terry Sanford of North Carolina and Alan Dixon of Illinois.

Pritzker returned to his family's longtime bastion of Chicago in the 1990s, attending law school at Northwestern before going on to run a failed campaign for U.S. House in 1998.

Despite Barack Obama's Illinois ties as a US Senator, Pritzker backed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential primary, serving as a national co-chair of her campaign.

After Obama's primary victory, Pritzker helped unite the two camps for the general - and Obama repaid the favor by campaigning for the billionaire in Chicago ahead of Tuesday's election.

Former President Barack Obama and gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker share the stage during a get-out-the-vote rally at the UIC Pavilion on Sunday in Chicago

Last year, Pritzker became embroiled in one of Illinois' most embarrassing gubernatorial scandals after FBI wiretaps of him emerged having a 2008 conversation with then-governor Rod Blagojevich.

Blagojevich, who was later sentenced to 14 years in prison for soliciting bribes for political appointments, and Pritzker discuss the idea of the billionaire's appointment to the office of state treasurer.

'That's the one I would want,' Pritzker tells Blagojevich on the tapes obtained by the Tribune. However, Pritzker was never charged with illegal conduct in the matter, and insists he did nothing to break the law.

Pritzker also made headlines last month, when he was accused of a 'scheme to defraud' taxpayers by removing toilets from a Chicago mansion and declaring it 'uninhabitable' as part of a property tax reassessment that saved him $330,000.

A review by Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard also found that family members and associates made 'false representations' to the county assessor about the condition of the Chicago mansion.

Illinois' then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) and J.B. Pritzker are seen together in 2006

The allegations were not enough to derail Pritzker's campaign, after incumbent Rauner pumped $50 million of his own money into the race but had no hope of keeping pace with Pritzker's spending.

Rauner was elected in 2014 on a platform of cleaning up corruption in the state capital, but angered his Republican base by signing laws expanding gay, abortion, and immigrant rights, and nearly lost his primary in this election.

When he is sworn into office in January, Pritzker will step into what has been described as the worst job in American politics.

Illinois has teetered on a financial precipice for years, with billions in unfunded pension liabilities and a credit rating near junk status.

Rauner himself called the state a 'banana republic' during a bitter standoff with Democrats in the legislature that left Illinois with $7 billion in unpaid bills.

Pritzker will become the richest governor in U.S. history, and the second richest elected official, after former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.More than 700,000 tons of plastic packaging will be thrown away before the Government introduces a tax to curb its use, it is forecast.

Philip Hammond announced plans in last weeks Budget to charge manufacturers for making or importing plastic with less than 30 per cent recycled content.

However, the tax will not be introduced until April 2022. That will mean more than one trillion pieces of plastic will be produced in the four years before it comes into effect, Labour is warning.

That would include nearly 830 billion additional pieces of non-recyclable plastics which could end up in landfill, the party said. The Chancellor also said he would not impose a charge on the non-recyclable coffee cups which end up in our oceans, despite widespread public support for the move.

A failure to introduce a latte levy will mean that an additional 100,000 tons of coffee cups will end up as waste over the next four years, Labour forecast.

Shadow environment spokesman Sue Hayman said: Its scandalous that over 700,000 tons of additional plastic waste will devastate our environment while the Tories dither and delay over even the most basic of measures.

Yet again the Government is showing a shocking disregard for the environment at a time when the urgency and seriousness of the situation has never been clearer.

In January, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee called for 25p to be charged on top of the price of all hot drinks bought in single-use cups.

Ministers have made tackling plastic pollution a priority following a Daily Mail campaign which resulted in a charge for plastic bags that cut usage by nearly 90 per cent.

But the Treasury refused to introduce a similar levy for disposable plastic vessels, which includes coffee and water cups. Around 2.5 billion single-use coffee cups are used in Britain each year and most end up in landfill.

During his budget speech, Mr Hammond said he wanted Britain to be a world leader on the issue, adding that plastic is deadly to our wildlife oceans.

He said he had looked carefully at the case for introducing a levy on the production of disposable plastic cups.

But, he told the Commons: I have concluded that a tax in isolation would not at this point deliver a decisive shift from disposable to reusable cups across all beverage types.The woman who fatally hit two children with her car in a Brooklyn crosswalk and caused one of their mother's to lose her unborn child earlier this year has committed suicide.

Dorothy Bruns, 44, was found dead in her Staten Island home by a friend on Tuesday afternoon. Bruns, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and seizures, reportedly left a suicide note.

Bottles of prescription pills were also found nearby.

Dorothy Bruns, 44, committed suicide in her New York home on Tuesday, eight months after she killed two children and a Broadway actress's unborn baby while behind the wheel

In March, she accidentally killed Joshua Lew, one, and Abigail Blumenstein, four, after suffering a seizure behind the wheel.

Bruns, 44, was found dead in her Staten Island home by a friend on Tuesday afternoon

She also hit Abigail's mother, Ruth Blumenstein, who was 39 weeks pregnant.

Blumemstein, who is a Broadway actress, survived but her unborn baby died as a result of her injuries.

Though it was an accident, Bruns was facing charges because she was not supposed to drive.

She was facing 15 years behind bars and was due in court when she killed herself.

The charges included manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, assault and reckless driving.

Bruns was freed on $75,000 bond in September.

On March 5, Bruns was behind the wheel of her car when she fatally hit two children in a Brooklyn crosswalk and caused a woman to lose her unborn child. Bruns had a seizure while stopped at a red light and her car moved forward, striking the two mothers and their children as they crossed the road

Tony Award-winning actress Ruthie Ann Blumenstein and her four-year-old daughter, Abigail (left). Abigail died and her mother, who was 39 weeks pregnant at the time, was injured. She lost her unborn baby. Laura Lew and her one-year-old son Joshua (right) were also hit. Joshua died and his mother was injured

Moments before the crash, the two kids and their mothers had just gotten off the bus and were crossing the street when Bruns who was driving a white Volvo sped through the intersection at 9th Street and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, striking the families.

Horrifying video captured at the scene shows the white car rolling into the crosswalk as the unsuspecting pedestrians are struck.

Blumenstein, who goes by the stage name Ruthie Ann Miles, won a featured actress Tony in 2015 for her role as Lady Thiang in a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I.'

The crash prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio, a traffic safety advocate who lives in Park Slope, to propose changes to state laws that would extend and expand speed enforcement cameras around school zones, escalate fines for repeat offenders up to $350, and strip vehicle registration for dangerous drivers.

Her health issues had become such that this past January she went on medical leave from her job at ClearCaptions.

She returned in February when she was given medical clearance, according to a source familiar with the situation.

In September 2017, Bruns struck a pedestrian in Long Island City, Queens.

However the NYPD highway safety cop failed to document the crash properly, which would have flagged her driving record, according to the Daily News in a report last month.

Additionally in the past two years she accrued four speed violations and four red light violations.

Bruns told local authorities that she has no recollection of the incident and was unaware of what she had done until she was notified.

Toxicology results came in during the crash. Bruns came up negative for possible drug or alcohol traces.Brandon Keith Hatfield broke into St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

A 23-year-old Florida man was charged with burglary, damaging property and criminal mischief after being caught on camera jumping into a crocodile enclosure Tuesday.

Brandon Keith Hatfield could be seen on surveillance video after breaking into the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park when it was closed.

He put himself in serious danger by plunging into the pool with the three creatures ranging from 9ft to 12ft.

Footage showed Hatfield scaling a 20-foot fence at the Nile Crocodile exhibit where on the other side of the pit he invaded was a lagoon with hundreds of alligators, reports First Coast News.

After knocking down a swim-up statue in the middle of the pit he could be seen getting thrown about by one of the crocodiles in the clip, that shows a partially obstructed view of the action.

But he managed to escape the reptiles in a struggle where he was bitten on his left foot.

The Florida man was caught on camera jumping into enclosure of three crocodiles

The man had sneaked his way into the venue fully clothed but was later spotted in a neighbor's back yard with shorts halfway down his backside.

A woman called law enforcement about the man 'doing a slow, creeping crawl' around outside her home at around 7am Tuesday.

'There's a man with only gym shorts crawling,' the wife of resident Jeff Black said during the call to emergency services. 'He's just crawling with his shorts halfway down his [butt] and no other clothes.'

Black said he was prepared to release his dogs on him.

'A little weird to see somebody that early in just boxers going over your wall into your property,' he said. 'He kept saying, "I was held hostage in a pool with gators."

'He says, "Yeah, I got bit by alligators." Everybody's looking at him like, "OK, he's got to be on something".'

Hatfield scaled the fence which had hundreds of alligators on the other side

He arrived in clothing and left behind a Crocs shoes and shorts

He was filmed Tuesday in a struggle with a reptile at the Nile Crocodile exhibit

When staff at the alligator farm arrived at the venue they initially believed someone was playing a prank when looking at the state of the pool.

They later discovered a break-in had occurred when they found 'a lot' of blood at the top of the zip line platform that goes over the croc enclosure.

It's no surprise staff thought it was all a joke at first; the man had left behind shorts and a single shoe from the Crocs brand, ActionNewsJax.com reports.

When police found the man he was bloodied and Fire Rescue confirmed he had been bitten shortly afterwards.

He was rushed to Flagler Hospital but later arrested when law enforcement realized he had obtained the injuries in the incident that caused more than $5,000 in damage.

Hatfield was then charged with two counts of violating probation on previous drug possession and theft charges.

Neighbors found him with only a pair of shorts on and called the cops around 7am

Neighbor Jeff Black said he was prepared to release his dogs on him at first

St. Augustine Police Officer Dee Brown said 'he was possibly high on something'. Toxicology results have not confirmed whether he was under the influence.

However a police report stated Hatfield was unaware the crocodile tried to eat him.

When asked if he had been at the alligator farm he replied: 'Oh no sir, I wasn't.'

His arrest report added Hatfield told officers an 'old man had the alligator on a leash and he was surrounded by all these baby alligators in the old man's garage'.

It continued stating 'the old man was feeding him to his alligators' and 'began forcing him to drink this Black concoction'.

One crocodile bit Hatfield on his left foot and he was taken to Flagler Hospital with injuries

The pool was filled with the three creatures ranging from 9ft to 12ft in size

Hatfield will be transferred to St. Johns County Jail when he recovers enough from his non-life-threatening wounds.

While Hatfield may have no idea how risky his stunt was, the park director said he was fortunate to have gotten away.

'It was pretty clear that he had an encounter, and he's lucky to still have his foot,' John Brueggen said to ActionNewsJax.com.

In the park's 125 years it was the first time any trespassing like that had happened.

'I would think he's on some sort of drugs,' Brueggen added.

Confirming none of the crocodiles were harmed in the incident, he continued: 'I'm concerned about an individual who literally climbs up a wall that's meant to keep you from crocodiles and leaps over the wall into the water with them.'

Park staff discovered the break-in had occurred and was captured on surveillance cameraAlabama and West Virginia voters have added pro-life measures to their states' constitutions in case Roe V. Wade is overturned.

Alabama voted to acknowledge unborn babies' 'right to life' in Tuesday's elections, with more than 60 percent wanting to 'recognize the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life'.

The amendment will also secure 'the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate.'

West Virginia narrowly passed a pro-life measure that ruled citizens have 'no right to abortion' and the state is not required to fund abortions. Alabama also passed a similar measure.

The amendments were proposed in case Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, is overturned - ensuring that both states' constitutions could not be used to allow abortions.

The language does not limit access to abortion as long as Roe v. Wade remains in place, but it would become the state's top legal guidance if Roe is altered or overturned.

Alabama and West Virginia voters have added pro-life measures to their states' constitutions in case Roe V. Wade is overturned

Brett Kavanaugh, the controversial recently appointed Supreme Court Justice, has stoked both hopes and anxieties that the court will be more open to abortion restrictions.

During his hearings, Kavanaugh would not say if he found the ruling to be an 'important precedent' but his interpretation of when a woman can exercise her right to an abortion is much more narrowly defined than what federal law currently allows.

In a memo Kavanaugh wrote in 2003, which was made public during the hearings, he acknowledged that the Supreme Court 'can always overrule' Roe v. Wade.

'I am not sure that all legal scholars refer to Roe as the settled law of the land at the Supreme Court level since Court can always overrule its precedent,' he wrote, adding that some conservative justices then on the court 'would do so.'

Opponents argue the amendments would clear the way to ban all abortions in the state if Roe is reversed.

'Amendment 2 would pave the way to ban abortions without exception in Alabama which would mean that there are no exceptions for rape or incest or if the life of the woman were in danger,' said Katie Glenn, state director of Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Brett Kavanaugh, the controversial recently appointed Supreme Court Justice, has wavered on if he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, once he was on the highest court

Proponents say the amendment is a statement of what Alabama voters believe, and have accused opponents of exaggerating the implications.

'If you are a pro-life voter who believes in protecting the rights and lives of unborn babies, you have an opportunity to do that by voting yes for Amendment 2 on Nov. 6,' said Rick Renshaw, the political director of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama, a group formed by conservative and anti-abortion groups, to support the amendment.

Renshaw said the language would 'position Alabama in the future for public policy decisions on abortion if Roe. V. Wade was overturned.' He added that is 'a big if.'

Eric Johnston, director of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition, said even if Roe is overturned, the constitutional language does not restrict abortion by itself. He said lawmakers would have to come back and approve criminal statutes to spell out what is and isn't legal.

Alabama has a decades-old existing statute on the book that predates Roe that makes it a crime to induce, or help induce, an abortion unless necessary to preserve a mother's life or health.

Oregon voted against banning the use of public funds to cover a majority of abortions on Tuesday, meaning Medicaid patients will still have coverage for the procedure

The GOP-controlled Legislature approved the measure in the 2017 legislative session to put on the ballot during this year's general election when they are also up for election.

Planned Parenthood has given nearly $800,000 to Alabama for Healthy Families, a group formed with other advocates of abortion rights, to fight the amendment.

In Oregon, citizens voted against banning the use of public funds to cover a majority of abortions on Tuesday, meaning Medicaid patients will still have coverage for the procedure.

The state is one of 17 states that uses its own money to provide abortions to women eligible for Medicaid.

Under the rejected measure, the state constitution would allow funding for abortion only if a woman is in danger of death because of her physical condition or in cases where funding is required under federal law, which now includes rape and incest.

Voters in Oregon have rejected funding bans in 1978 and 1986.The jockey of The Cliffsofmoher has been praised for his heroic efforts to save his horse from suffering a painful death.

The Melbourne Cup was marred by tragedy on Tuesday when the five-year-old stallion shattered his shoulder mid-race and had to be euthanised.

Cliffsofmoher, an Irish-trained horse, jumped well from the gate and galloped freely before suddenly slowing just as the field passed the winning post for the first time.

The jockey (right) of The Cliffsofmoher has been praised for his heroic efforts to save his horse from suffering a painful death

The Melbourne Cup was marked by tragedy on Tuesday when the five-year-old stallion shattered his shoulder mid-race and had to be euthanised (pictured: The Cliffsofmoher rolling in sand after a trackwork session in October)

The moment Irish jockey Ryan Moore noticed there was something wrong with the stallion he eased off and allowed the horse to slow down.

Instead of pushing The Cliffsofmoher to perform and finish the race, Moore ensured he would not endure further pain and suffering.

If he forced The Cliffsofmoher to continue, it is likely the young horse would have fallen on the track.

Equine Veterinarians Australia spokesman Ian Fulton, who was in attendance at the cup, told Seven News the jockey's actions should be praised.

'The jockey did a tremendous job to pull the horse up instantly and very carefully,' Dr Fulton said.

'I had full vision, the jockey dismounted and kept the horse calm and the horse stood still.

The moment Irish jockey Ryan Moore (pictured) noticed there was something wrong with the stallion he eased off and allowed the horse to slow down

Veterinary and course staff ran out to the stricken stallion and immediately saw the horse's injury was so severe that he would have to immediately be put down. They erected a screen around him to block the view from the crowd

'It was just an amazing effort by the jockey that needs to be acknowledged.'

The Cliffsofmoher profile Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Age: Five years old Prize money: $1.7million Foal date: December 3, 2014 Advertisement

Moore has not spoken to the media following the race but he is reportedly 'shattered'.

Veterinary and course staff ran out to the stricken stallion and immediately saw the horse's injury was so severe that he would have to immediately be put down.

They erected a screen around him to block the view from the crowd.

The Cliffsofmoher's death is the third time in five years a horse has died after running in the Melbourne Cup - an awful record for the country's most prestigious turf event, and far in excess of the usual rate of fatalities in racing.

The Cliffsofmoher was at odds of $19 to win the Cup and deliver owner Lloyd Williams a third straight victory in the big race.

The horse, which was based at County Tipperary in Ireland, had won more than $1.7million in prize money.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have called for an investigation into the horse's death - having previously demanded the race be scrapped altogether

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have called for an investigation into the horse's death - having previously demanded the race be scrapped altogether.

The activist group called The Cliffsofmoher 'the most recent victim of the cruel annual spectacle'.

'Considering Australians hate cruelty to animals, commemorating a day on which horses routinely die in the Melbourne Cup is fundamentally un-Australian,' a PETA spokesman said on Tuesday.

'While public holidays give Aussies a break, horses are breaking legs.'The young actress at the centre of the Geoffrey Rush sexual harassment allegations wanted her informal complaint about the actor to remain confidential and desperately wanted to avoid the limelight when it was leaked to the media, a Sydney court has heard.

Eryn Jean Norvill actions were not those of a person motivated to seek publicity or anything else and she'd been an impressive, brave witness during Rush's defamation trial, barrister Tom Blackburn SC has told the Federal Court.

Mr Blackburn was giving his closing submissions for Daily Telegraph publisher Nationwide News and journalist Jonathon Moran, who are being sued by Rush for defamation over a poster and two articles.

The young actress at the centre of the Geoffrey Rush sexual harassment scandal was desperate to keep her name out of headlines and avoid the limelight, a court heard

Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush (pictured) became embroiled in the controversy after the Daily Telegraph published two separate articles based on informal complaints made by his colleague

The publications related to a complaint of inappropriate behaviour by Rush toward a co-star - later revealed to be Norvill - during the Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear.

Rush, 67, has vehemently denied the allegations against him and says the Telegraph made him out to be a pervert and a sexual predator.

Nationwide News and Moran are arguing a defence of truth in the judge-alone trial after Norvill - who didn't speak with the journalist for his articles - agreed in July to testify.

Mr Blackburn on Wednesday told Justice Michael Wigney the case was essentially a contest between her evidence and Rush's.

Some of Norvill's allegations to the court were that Rush made groping gestures and sexual innuendo toward her in rehearsals, that he stroked her lower back backstage and deliberately touched her breast as he grieved over her character's dead body during a performance.

Mr Blackburn suggested there was nothing in the proceedings for her except stress and anxiety, and someone in her position wouldn't put themselves through the experience of testifying unless they had a true story to tell.

The publications related to a complaint of inappropriate behaviour by Rush toward Ms Norvill during the Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear (pictured together during rehearsal)

Geoffrey Rush (left) arrived hand in hand with his wife, Jane Menelaus (right), at the New South Wales Supreme Court during his defamation case against the Daily Telegraph

When Rush's barrister accused Norvill of telling 'a pack of disgusting lies' about the star actor, he didn't put to her any reason why she would.

'He didn't do that because it was just a kind of extravagant flourish,' Mr Blackburn said.

Justice Wigney said he was troubled by Norvill's claim the rehearsal room was complicit, and he had to address the issue of corroboration.

'With the exception of (actor Mark Leonard Winter) ... there's just no corroborating evidence, but there's a series of witnesses who said they didn't see it,' the judge said.

Mr Blackburn said Norvill hadn't told the court that Rush's actions were 'happening all day in front of the cast'.

The trial continues.A group sent more than 10,000 pizzas to hungry voters as they waited in long lines that plagued polling places across the country Tuesday.

The group Pizza to the Polls collects social media reports of long lines and doles out pizzas accordingly.

The nonprofit enjoyed a boost in recent days because of tweets and donations from celebrities like Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Mandy Moore and Patton Oswalt, raising more than $300,000 over a 24-hour period.

The group Pizza to the Polls collects social media reports of long lines and doles out pizzas accordingly

People would post photos and videos on social media showing them in long lines that often went on extensively

Pizza to the Polls made it out to over 576 polling places in over 43 states. In total, $376,320 was raised in 2018, according to the group's website.

Co-founder Katie Harlow of Portland, Oregon, said she and two friends came up with the idea in 2016 after seeing long lines during the early voting.

'We just wanted a way to help out and siphon our jitters into something productive,' she said. They picked pizza to keep people in line because of its mass appeal and because it's easily shared.

Donations from celebrities like Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Mandy Moore and Patton Oswalt helped the group raise more than $300,000 over 24-hours

A Domino's employee delivers pizza to the Galleria Mall in Nevada

Yoga teacher Angie Starz ate some cheese pizza delivered by the group during her two-hour wait to cast her ballot in Chicago on Monday.

'People that were crabby and quiet transformed into talkative and were connecting with one another,' she said. 'It's amazing how a little bit of pizza can shift a mood.'

The pizza deliveries are a barometer of where the worst lines are occurring.

Pizza to the Polls made it out to over 576 polling places in over 43 states. Polls in Ferguson, Missouri

Pizza came from all types of shops and came in different sizes (right). A little boy enjoys a slice in Costa Mesa, California (left)

'The worst has been Georgia. We're getting reports of three-hour, four-hour lines. Which is really frustrating for us,' she said. 'We really wish we didn't have to do this.'

Harlow said they will be delivering pizza in 2020 as well and will aim to do so until people aren't waiting in voting lines anymore.

'We know we're not changing the world with pizzas, but it's nice to feel like you're making a difference,' she said.

In total, $376,320 was raised in 2018Christine Hallquist, a former energy CEO, lost her bid on Tuesday to make history as America's first transgender governor with Vermont voters re-electing the Republican incumbent, according to projections after polls closed.

The 62-year-old Democrat was projected to have lost to Phil Scott, a comparatively popular and moderate Republican who has only been the bucolic northeastern state's top executive for two years.

With 98 per cent of precincts reporting, Scott maintained a 15-point lead on Hallquist, who conceded defeat.

Cancer survivor Hallquist had jumped into politics with the idea of helping to lead a 'blue wave' against President Donald Trump.

Christine Hallquist, a former energy CEO, lost her bid on Tuesday to make history as America's first transgender governor

Scott distanced himself from Trump in the mostly left-leaning state, whose most famous politician is Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist re-elected as an independent earlier on Tuesday.

Hallquist had defied death threats to run, hoping that Democrats and independents would flock to the polls to put her over the line.

Having made history as becoming the first transgender person to win a major party nomination for governor, Hallquist already considered herself a role model and her candidacy as expanding America's moral compass.

Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott smiles after voting in Berlin, Vermont on Tuesday. He was successful in his reelection bid, defeating challenger Hallquist

She told AFP in an interview in September her gender status was 'not an issue for Vermont,' and that it rarely came up with voters.

Before running, she was best known in Vermont for leading the charge toward renewable energy and as a pioneering American CEO who transitioned on the job and who until 2015 was officially Dave.

Had Scott been defeated, he would have become Vermont's first incumbent governor ousted since 1962.A repeat prankster left Melbourne Cup punters furious after he pulled an obnoxious prank midway through the iconic race.

Shammi Prasad crashed a live screening of the race that stops a nation at Parkwood Tavern in the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

In a video uploaded to YouTube, Mr Prasad said he would 'stop the race that stops the nation.'

Shammi Prasad crashed a live screening of the race that stops a nation at Parkwood Tavern in the Gold Coast on Tuesday

Mr Prasad was sitting in the venue scoping out the area as he worked to hatch his master plan.

'As you can see behind me, we've got the projector on the roof and the screen to my right.

'There's security right behind me.

'The only real option is to grab a seat, head over to the projector, stand on the seat and turn it off and just claim the victory and casually walk out.'

With punters fully engrossed in the race, an audacious Mr Prasad capitalised on the crowd's concentration to enact his plan.

The serial prankster placed a chair under the projector before he stood on top of it to turn off the machine.

Mr Prasad raised his arms in triumph to a stunned crowd before he slowly made his way for the exit.

Though a furious punter pulled Mr Prasad back and with the help of a venue staffer led Mr Prasad back towards the projector.

Mr Prasad (pictured) is no stranger to the world of pranks with more than 380,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and more than 100,000,000 views on a recent Halloween prank video shared on his Facebook account

Mr Prasad hotfooted it while the staffer tried to turn the projector back on.

His cameraman stayed behind to video the aftermath.

Queensland Police attended the venue, but a spokeswoman told The Courier Mail no incident had been reported.

Mr Prasad is no stranger to the world of pranks with more than 380,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and more than 100,000,000 views on a recent Halloween prank video shared on his Facebook account.Democrat candidates Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland broke new ground on Tuesday, becoming the first Native American women elected to Congress, according to projections after polls closed.

Davids, 38, of Kansas, is an attorney by training and a former mixed martial arts fighter. She is also openly lesbian and a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She defeated Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder.

Haaland, 57, of New Mexico, beat Janice Arnold-Jones, a Republican, and Lloyd Princeton, a Libertarian. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe.

The two women were among a record number of Native Americans who ran in the midterm elections for congressional seats, governor's offices, state legislatures and other elected posts.

Democrat house candidate Sharice Davids reacts before speaking to supporters at a victory party in Olathe, Kansas on Tuesday

Supports for Democrat house candidate Sharice Davids react to election returns during a watch party in Olathe, Kansas on Tuesday

'Strong, Resilient, Indigenous,' reads the t-shirt worn by Davids in one of her campaign ads for election in the state's 3rd congressional district, which includes Kansas City and its southern suburbs.

Haaland is a well-known community activist in her solidly Democratic district, working tirelessly to encourage Native Americans - who make up two percent of the U.S. population - to vote.

She cut her teeth working as a volunteer for John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004 - making endless cold calls to rally Native Americans to vote.

Since then, she has not stopped campaigning: she worked full-time as a volunteer for Barack Obama, and on dozens of local and state campaigns.

She ran for lieutenant governor and served one term as the state party chair.

U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Deb Haaland hugs a supporter after winning her midterm election in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday

'We need real people who are talking about our issues and know what it feels like,' Haaland told AFP in an interview ahead of the elections, in which she ran in New Mexico's 1st congressional district seat.

'We have people in Congress right now who... don't know what it's like' to be without food or proper health care, she said.

She said although her disdain for President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, health care and other issues motivated her to run, that was not the only reason.

Haaland and Davids join a number of Democrats who have flipped seats in the House of Representatives, helping their party seize control of the lower chamber from the Republicans and dealing a stern rebuke to Trump.A diabetic six-year-old boy who died while undergoing alternative Chinese therapy was unable to walk and vomited regularly in his final days alive, an inquest has heard.

A Sydney jury was told of the boy's condition after he underwent 'slapping and stretching therapy'.

The boy's mother, father and grandmother, and traditional Chinese healer Hong Chi Xiao have all pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after his death in April 2016.

The boy death died in a Sydney hotel he visited after the week-long healing workshop.

Crown prosecutor Sharon Harris told a Downing Centre District Court jury on Wednesday that Xiao had told participants insulin 'could be generated by slapping and stretching'.

The boy's mother, father and grandmother, and traditional Chinese healer Hong Chi Xiao (pictured) have all pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after his April 2016 death

He also allegedly suggested that the boy's mother should stop his insulin injections.

In opening submissions, Ms Harris said Xiao told participants ahead of the workshop that slapping and stretching of the body 'activated the body's self-healing power and unlocked the body's energy channels'.

Such treatment, termed paida lajin, could heal cancer, Parkinson's disease and both types of diabetes, Xiao claimed according to the Crown.

'If you take insulin, that is not healing, that is called drug addiction,' Ms Harris said Xiao had instructed.

Ms Harris said Xiao instructed the mother to stop her son's insulin injections and, as the boy showed signs of the diabetic ketoacidosis that eventually killed him, that the vomiting of black and yellow substances was good for him.

In his final days, the boy vomited repeatedly, his eyes were becoming yellow, his feet were cold and he was wheeled around in a pram because he couldn't walk, prosecutors allege.

Such treatment, termed paida lajin, could heal cancer, Parkinson's disease and both types of diabetes, Xiao claimed according to the Crown (photo of a past patient)

A diabetic six-year-old boy who died while undergoing alternative Chinese therapy was unable to walk and vomited regularly in his final days alive (stock image)

Both the mother and grandmother argue they thought Xiao was a doctor and therefore didn't seek medical treatment or inject insulin.

The mother wasn't some 'alternative medicine fanatic' and was looking for other treatments rather than a cure to diabetes, her lawyer told the jury.

The father's lawyer asked the jury consider over the six-week trial how much the father knew about his son's condition and whether a duty-of-care breach amounted to gross criminal negligence.

Xiao's barrister Robert Cavanagh said it was in dispute that the 'self-help' treater assumed a duty of care over the six-year-old.

'This was a workshop for a number of people,' he said.

'This method is an offering to people of alternative treatment.'

The trial continues.

Crown prosecutor Sharon Harris told a Downing Centre District Court (pictured) jury on Wednesday, Xiao had told participants insulin 'could be generated by slapping and stretching'



Oregon has voted against banning the use of public funds to cover a majority of abortions on Tuesday, meaning Medicaid patients will still have coverage for the procedure.

The state is one of 17 states that uses its own money to provide abortions to women eligible for Medicaid.

Under the rejected measure, the state constitution would allow funding for abortion only if a woman is in danger of death because of her physical condition or in cases where funding is required under federal law, which now includes rape and incest.

Voters in Oregon have rejected funding bans in 1978 and 1986.

Oregon has voted against banning the use of public funds to cover a majority of abortions on Tuesday, meaning Medicaid patients will still have coverage for the procedure

Oregon was one of three states - along with Alabama and West Virginia - voting on abortion-related measures.

In Alabama, voters moved to acknowledge unborn babies' 'right to life' on Tuesday, voting to include anti-abortion language in its state's constitution.

More than 60 percent of the state's voters supported to 'recognize the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life'.

The amendment will also secure 'the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate.'

It goes a step further and states Alabama's constitution does not provide a right to an abortion or require funding for abortions.

The language does not limit access to abortion as long as Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a right to abortion, remains in place, but it would become the state's top legal guidance if Roe is altered or overturned.

Voters in Oregon have rejected funding bans in 1978 and 1986

In West Virginia, citizens were asked to vote on adding anti-abortion language to its constitution.

If passed, it would ensure the state's constitution could not be used to allow the procedure in case Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Already, the state has a law that restricts access to Medicaid funding for abortion and has a law that criminalizes abortion, calling for jail time for anyone who performs or receives one.

However, the laws are not in effect because both federal and state court rulings found them unconstitutional.

The amendment was proposed in case Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, is overturned - ensuring that the state's constitution could not be used to allow abortions.The House is getting its first two Muslim women and Massachusetts is getting its first black congresswoman while Arizona and Tennessee stand to elect their first woman senators in Tuesday's midterm elections.

Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan won their respective races and will represent their districts in the House of Representatives.

Both women ran in strongly Democratic regions.

Tlaib, a Palestinian American, will take over the seat vacated by former Rep. John Conyers.

Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American, will take over the seat vacated by former Rep. John Conyers. She is seen above celebrating her victory in Detroit on Tuesday

Ilhan Omar of Minnesota (seen above in Minneapolis on Tuesday) will also become the first Somali American to be elected to Congress

Omar will not only be among the first Muslim women elected to Congress. She is also the first Somali American to win election to national office, according to CNN.

Both Omar and Tlaib were endorsed by Democratic Socialists of America, the liberal wing of the Democratic Party that counts among its high-profile members another rising female star - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez easily won election in her district which spans parts of the New York boroughs of Queens and the Bronx.

She made national headlines in September when she defeated powerful incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary.

The high-profile midterm cycle that produced a record number of women contenders and candidates of color meant several winners will take office as trailblazers, marking firsts for their race and gender.

What is already the most diverse Congress ever could become even more so after Tuesday's elections and will include several trailblazers.

Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley will represent Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District in the next Congress.

Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley (seen above in Boston on Tuesday) will represent Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District in the next Congress. She is the first black Congresswoman to be elected in Massachusetts

Pressley stunned the political establishment in September, defeating a 10-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, and was unopposed on Tuesday.

And regardless of who wins in Arizona's competitive Senate race, the state will elect either Republican Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema as the state's first woman to serve in the chamber.

Also in the Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessee's first woman senator.

Georgia governor's race candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become America's first black woman governor, and Florida Democrat Andrew Gillum was bidding to become the first black governor of Florida.Democrats have lost a bid to make Andrew Gilum the first black Florida governor - but have kicked Scott Walker out in Wisconsin as they flipped a series of key races to take mansions in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Kansas, which are all states President Donald Trump carried in 2016.

The Tallahassee mayor conceded to GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis, a 40-year-old former congressman and Navy officer whom President Donald Trump heavily campaigned for.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers has defeated Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, denying the polarizing Republican and one-time presidential candidate a third term.

As of 11.30pm on Tuesday, Democrats had won gubernatorial mansions in Michigan, Kansas, Illinois , Maine, and New Mexico.

In Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams would be the nation's first African American female governor if she wins, is too close to call.

And Republicans' held the Ohio governor's mansion with Mike DeWine's win.

Republican Ron DeSantis got major backing from the president and won by the tightest of margins - 49.85 to 48.93

Democrat Andrew Gillum conceded to GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis, whom President Donald Trump heavily campaigned for

Democrat Stacey Abrams would be the nation's first African American female governor if she wins but Brian Kemp appears to be ahead in a race that was still too close to call late Thursday

In Florida, Gillum told a crowd of supporters Tuesday night: 'It is quite a treat to see y'all are still here. We could not be prouder of the way we ran this race. We recognize we didn't win it tonight. We didn't win this transaction.  But what we believe in holds true today,' he said.

Gillum's race drew national attention and enthusiasm.

A victory would have made him the first black governor of a state that has seen racial strife in recent years.

However with 97 per cent of the vote counted, Gillum trailed DeSantis by less than a percentage point.

Gillum opened up a lead in pre-election polls that he maintained for weeks facing DeSantis, an oustpoken conservative who has been a regular Trump defender on Fox News.

Gillum, 39, told reporters Monday he had visited the more conservative Florida panhandle on Monday to 'let them know that you plan to work on their behalf also' if elected.

But he also worked to turn out young and minority voters, concluding his campaign with a final 'Bring it Home Midnight Rally' at Florida A&M, accompanied by rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

The contest featured racist robo-calls by an Idaho white supremacist group, a televised statement by DeSantis that voters could 'monkey this up'  though he denied it was a racist dog whistle, and pushback from Gillum in a televised debate.

'I'm not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist. I'm simply saying the racists believe he's a racist,' he said.

Trump labeled Gillum a 'socialist' and said Tallahassee, where Gillum is mayor, was 'one of the worst' cities in the country.

The president also called the Democratic mayor 'not equipped' to be governor and would 'destroy this state that I love.'

In Georgia, Republican Brian Kemp is leading Abrams, in a race that saw star power flood into the state - but he is just above 50 per cent and the Democratic candidate dramatically said early Wednesday that she was not conceding and would fight for every vote.

That sets up a potentially lengthy examination of outstanding ballots. If Abrams can get Kemp's lead to under 50 per cent, she gets a run-off.

"We believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach, but we cannot seize it until all voices are heard," Abrams said in the early hours of Wednesday. "I promise you tonight we're going to make sure that every vote is counted."

The national spotlight was bright on the state.

Will Ferrell, Oprah Winfrey and former President Barack Obama flew in to help Abrams.

Vice President Mike Pence and President Trump have campaigned for Kemp.

But the race has been besieged by accusations of voting problems as Kemp, the Georgia secretary of state, has claimed the Democratic Party of Georgia attempted to hack the state's voter registration system  yet has provided no evidence to support the charge.

The secretary of state's office is refusing to supply any details, as well, and the Democratic Party is denying the unverified allegation, calling it a 'political stunt.'

Additionally, Abrams has called on Kemp to resign as secretary of state over alleged voter suppression tactics that have made it more difficult for African-American voters to cast ballots.

Georgia is litigating its voter identification rules requiring information to be a precise match to the Social Security Administration's listing for an individual to cast a ballot in the mid-term election.

A federal judge in an injunction on Friday said that Georgia must ease up on the rules that bar individuals from casting a ballot if there's even a slight variation, caused sometimes by a data entry problem, such as a missing hyphen or spelling error.

Georgians who show proof of citizenship must be allowed to vote on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor L. Ross said.

Kemp's office says it has already been living up to that standard in early voting.

According to the Associated Press, more than 51,100 Georgians will be affected this election by the issue that could prevent them from casting a ballot, if they do not bring the proper documents.

Democrat Tony Evers (left) has defeated Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (right), denying the polarizing Republican and one-time presidential candidate a third term. Trump attended a rally alongside Walker during his long stretch of campaigning before Tuesday's vote

Republican Mike DeWine, who campaigned with President Trump, kept Ohio's governor's mansion in Republican hands. The pair are pictured on stage in Cleveland on Monday

In Wisconsin, Evers pulled out a razor-thin, one percent win over Walker, who had been a rising star in the Republican Party.

The close contest has the Walker team buzzing about a possible recount, a decision likely to be made in the days ahead as military ballots come in and are counted.

Wisconsin was another state Trump visited, campaigning for Walker in Mosinee a week ago.

Trump praised the work Walker did to help Wisconsin, particularly with the FoxConn plant the president visited in the state.

'There's no plant like it in the United States,' Trump said at the rally with Walker. 'This is truly one of the great plants, certainly in this country and it was done because of Scott Walker.'

Three years ago, Walker was a rising GOP star talked about for president. But he lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential primary, his candidacy never really gaining traction.

The president reminded him of their race when he campaigned for him.

'(Walker) ran against me in the primary, he was tough, he can be nasty,' Trump said. 'But I got him set up with an incredible company called Foxconn they came to Wisconsin with the most incredible plan, has anyone seen this place? It's the most incredible thing I've ever seen.'

Walker's eight years in charge was marred by controversy - a loud, messy fight with public unions that drew national attention to the state, approving a voter ID law, making the Badger State a right-to-work state and allowing concealed weapons.

Evers ran on a mainly anti-Walker platform, in a win being seen as a rebuke of his policies.

Trump won Wisconsin by one point in 2016.

Billionaire J.B. Pritzker won in Illinois for Democrats; former President Barack Obama campaigned for him. In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer won

Democrat Janet Mills will become the first female executive of Maine

Democrats picked up the governor's seat in Maine, where state attorney general Janet Mills will become the first female executive of the state.

She replaces term-limited Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who she clashed with on a number of issues in her attorney general role.

In Illinois, billionaire J.B. Pritzker beat incumbent GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner. Former President Barack Obama was involved in this contest to lead his home state, campaigning for him on Sunday.

The wealthy Pritzker family owns the Hyatt hotel chain and were big contributors to Obama.

Penny Pritzker, J.B. Pritzker's sister, served as Obama's Commerce secretary.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer defeated GOP Gov. Bill Schuette, ending eight years of Republican control in a state President Trump narrowly won in 2016.

Her running mate, Garlin Gilchrist, will be the state's first black lieutenant governor.

In one of the bigger upsets of the night, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a close Trump alley.

Democrat Laura Kelly (left) beat her Republican rival Kris Kobach (right) in Kansas

Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham will become first Latina Democratic governor in New Mexico

In California, Democrat Gavin Newsom, with his son Dutch, won the governor's race as expected

The race was in a dead before the election, with Kobach either up by 1 point or in a tie with Kelly.

Kobach led a botched effort to find voter fraud in the 2016 election when he headed the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity after Trump charged - without proof - 3 million illegal immigrants voted.

The commission was quietly disbanded and never provided any evidence to the charge.

And Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Steve Pearce in New Mexico. Republican Susana Martinez is the outgoing governor.

Grisham is the first Latina Democratic governor of the state.

In Connecticut, the governor's race is too close to call although Democrat Ned Lamont is in the lead. A victory there would keep the governor's mansion in Democratic hands.

And, in California, former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom took the governor's mansion, as expected, running on a mostly anti-Trump campaign.

A few other firsts in the night: Republican Kristi Noem will become the first female governor in South Dakota. And Democrat Jared Polis won in Colorado to become the nation's first openly gay governor.

Overall, 36 states had gubernatorial elections this year and Republicans were defending 26 seats.A huge manhunt is underway for a violent predator who attacked two women in dark alleyways at night within just 10 minutes of each other.

Both incidents happened in Ashfield, in Sydney's inner west. with a 30-year-old attacked near a Norton Street laneway and a 34-year-old nearby on Carlisle Street.

The first was set on from behind at 8pm Tuesday - the man put a hand around her mouth and squeezed her neck until she was able to wrestle her way free.

Police are on the hunt for a violent man who attacked two women in dark alleyways within just 10 minutes of each other in terrifying nighttime ordeals

The second woman recalled a similar encounter, telling Nine News the man 'growled' as he strangled her and covered her mouth.

'I was like screaming and I was maybe throw my arm around and just do all what I can do and he stopped and threw me away on the ground,' she said.

A distance of just 250 metres separated the two attacks, with the perpetrator last seen running down Carlisle Street.

'I just won't allow something to happen to me in my backyard. It's just not right,' the second victim said.

Both incidents happened in Ashfield, in Sydney's Inner West, with a 30-year-old attacked near a Norton Street laneway and a 34-year-old (pictured) nearby on Carlisle Street

Superintendent David Johnson said on Wednesday he had 'every available detective' working to track down the man, who was described as thin and about 190cm tall.

He was also described to have long dark hair and was wearing a white cap, white sneakers, beige shorts and a long sleeve black shirt with white logos on its sleeves.

'Clearly this is an abhorrent attack on two innocent female victims,' Superintendent Johnson said.

He also reassured residents the area was safe and told them not to fear going outside their house.The Iowa man charged with the first-degree murder of his infant son found dead in a maggot-infested baby swing last year, was declared guilty Tuesday.

Zachary Paul Koehn, 29, of Alta Vista, was convicted in under two hours and received a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole for the child endangerment that caused the death of four-month-old Sterling Koehn.

'He let Sterling rot in that room. He left him there to die,' Assistant Attorney General Denise Timmins said.

Father Zachary Paul Koehn, 29, of Alta Vista, was convicted in under two hours Tuesday

The Iowa father's infant son Sterling (pictured) was found maggot-infested in a baby swing after dying from diaper rash last year

Koehn's two-year-old daughter was also in the apartment at the time the baby was found dead

The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reported he showed little emotion when the verdict was read.

Koehn's defense team had argued the child's mother, Cheyanne Harris, had the main responsibility for the baby as he had been working 70 to 80 hours a week as a trucker.

The 21-year-old will face a separate trial at a later date.

Timmins alleged that the father's motive may have been that he did not want the child.

He didn't believe he was his biological son initially due to his lighter complexion. It was later determined that the child was his.

Timmins also noted his drug habit that caused him to spend $140 to $280 per week on meth that he also gave to Harris.

'He trusted her, yet he's the one who gave her drugs,' Timmins added in response to Koehn's excuse he had trusted the child's mother to take care of the baby.

The four-month-old Sterling Koehn (above) had been in the same diaper for nine to 14 days when his body was found dead in the swing

Zachary Koehn (pictured October 30) was flanked by attorneys Les Blair III and Steven Drahozal, as he sat in court in Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Courtesy of KCRG

Koehn's trial had been moved from Chickasaw County to Henry County to counter pretrial publicity in the case.

His attorneys said he didn't notice Harris was suffering from depression that prevented her from properly caring for the baby because he was busy providing for his family

However, Timmins told the jury that Koehn was home often enough to recognize the signs of neglect but did nothing about it.

The court had heard devastating testimony about how the boy's maggot-infested body was found after he died of extreme 'diaper rash' at the start of his father's trial for murder.

Sterling had been in the same diaper for nine to 14 days when his corpse was found in the swing August 30, 2017, at his parents' apartment.

In opening statements, McAllister said the baby's heavily soiled diaper had attracted bugs that had laid eggs, which had hatched into maggots.

The resulting diaper rash led to ruptured skin, and e.Coli bacteria set in.

'He died of diaper rash. That's right, diaper rash,' McAllister said.

Koehn and Cheyanne Harris' (pictured together) baby Sterling was found in the swing

The baby's father Zachary Paul Koehn (left) was convicted of first-degree murder and child endangerment. His mother, Cheyanne Harris (right), is also charged and faces a separate trial

A coroner's report showed the baby died of malnutrition, dehydration and the infection.

An autopsy found the infant was underweight at 7lbs. It also uncovered maggots on the child's skin and clothes, indicating he hadn't been washed, changed or removed from the swing in more than a week.

The medical examiner ruled the child's death a homicide by failure to provide critical care.

In opening statements, Koehn's attorney said the baby's death was a tragedy, but not a crime.

McAllister denied the defense's claims, saying Koehn was an experienced parent.

He noted that Koehn's two-year-old daughter was also in the apartment and was healthy, and that Koehn had money to buy food and baby supplies. He stated Koehn was a drug user.

Jordan Clark (pictured October 31), a former friend of Koehn's, testified he wasn't even aware the man had a baby

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Coleman McAllister told jurors on Tuesday that the couple's (pictured) child 'died of diaper rash'

Nurse and county rescue squad EMT Toni Friedrich testified that she was the first to arrive at the apartment after Koehn called 911 to report the baby had died.

Friedrich said Koehn showed no emotion when he led her to the dark, hot bedroom where the baby's body was.

The baby's 'eyes were open, and it was a blank stare,' she said.

Friedrich said when she touched the baby's chest, his clothing was crusty. When she moved his blanket, gnats flew up, she said.

According to reports, Koehn told police and medics that Harris fed the baby at 9am that morning and the child was fine.

But he claimed that when he checked on his son at around 11am or 11.30am, he found the baby dead.

Jordan Clark, a former friend of Koehn's, testified that he wasn't even aware the man had a baby.

Cheyanne Harris' (pictured) baby's heavily soiled diaper had attracted bugs that had laid eggs, which had hatched into maggots

After the couple's arrest in October last year, it emerged that both have a history of drug use including meth.

Department of Correctional Services reports indicated Koehn had just started a new job and was in substance abuse treatment.

He had last used methamphetamine about two months ago before his arrest.

Harris, who had moved to live with a relative in Riceville after Sterling's death, was also in treatment for substance abuse when she was arrested, the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reported at the time.

She last used meth two or three weeks before her arrest, it was reported.

Harris told officials she was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.Boeing issued a safety warning today about its new 737 Max jets which could have a fault that causes them to nose-dive.

The special bulletin sent to operators was about a sensor problem flagged by Indonesian safety officials investigating the crash of a Lion Air 737 that killed 189 people last week.

The planemaker said local aviation officials believed pilots may have been given wrong information by the plane's automated systems before the fatal crash.

An AOA sensor provides data about the angle at which wind is passing over the wings and tells pilots how much lift a plane is getting.

All 189 people on board the Lion Air jet were killed when the plane crashed into the Java Sea on October 29 just minutes after taking off from Jakarta.

According to a technical log the Lion Air plane, which had only been in service a few months, suffered instrument problems the day before because of an 'unreliable' airspeed reading.

Investigators examine engine parts from the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 at a port in Jakarta

Since the privately owned budget Indonesian carrier was founded in 1999 by the Kirana brothers, its aircraft have been involved in at least 15 safety incidents

Minutes after takeoff the plane suddenly nose-dived hitting speeds of 600mph before slamming into the sea.

The warning issued today read: 'The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee has indicated that Lion Air flight 610 experienced erroneous input from one of its AOA (Angle of Attack) sensors.

'Boeing issued an Operations Manual Bulletin (OMB) directing operators to existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor.'

Indonesian investigators said this week that the plane had an air-speed indicator problem on the doomed flight and on three previous journeys.

The pilots radioed a request to return to Jakarta to land, but never turned back toward the airport.

On Monday angry relatives demanded answers from Lion Air founder, Rusdi Kirana, on why the jet was cleared to fly.

As a result of an investigation into the crash the jet manufacturer is said to be preparing a bulletin to be sent to operators of the 737 jets warning about faulty cockpit readings that could cause a dive.

The notice refers to the 'angle of attack', which is the angle of the wing relative to oncoming air stream, a measure that indicates if a plane is likely to stall.

This angle of attack, which is a calculation of the angle at which the wind is passing over the wings, is used to be determined if a stall is imminent.

Indonesian accident investigators said on Monday that an airspeed indicator on the crashed jet was damaged for its last four flights, but US authorities responded cautiously to suggestions of fleet-wide checks.

Workers helps lift a damaged tyre alongside Indonesian forensic police from the the Lion Air jet at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta

Families and colleagues of victims of Lion Air flight cry on deck of the Indonesian Navy ship KRI Banjarmasin during a visit to the crash site yesterday

Inspectors found faults on two other Boeing 737 MAX jets, including one which mirrored a problem reported on board the Lion Air plane.

Aviation analyst Dudi Sudibyo said the cockpit display issue could include a speed-and-altitude glitch reported in the doomed jet the day before it crashed.

Bloomberg News reported the planned bulletin from Boeing earlier on Tuesday and said the manufacturer would alert pilots to follow existing procedures to address the issue.

Boeing declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Representatives of 737 MAX operators, Singapore Airlines Ltd offshoot SilkAir, Garuda Indonesia and Canada's WestJet Ltd, said they had not yet received a bulletin from Boeing.

Search teams have filled some 186 body bags with remains found after the devastating crash, but only 44 victims have been identified so far.

Divers have recovered one of the two 'black boxes' - the flight data recorder - but are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder, in the hope it will shed more light on the cause of the disaster.

Indonesia has had nearly 40 fatal aviation accidents in the past 15 years, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

Since the privately owned budget Indonesian carrier, Lion Air, was founded in 1999 by the Kirana brothers, its aircraft have been involved in at least 15 safety incidentsA thoroughbred breeder has been killed in a horrific hay baler accident just hours after the Melbourne Cup.

Basil Nolan Jr, 45, died at Raheen Stud near Warwick in southern Queensland sometime between 11 and 11.50pm on Tuesday.

The tragedy has sent shock waves among the tight-knit racing community, as the Nolan family have been breeding horses on the property since the 1960s.

The tragedy has sent shock waves among the tight-knit racing community, as the Nolan family have been breeding horses on the property since the 1960s.

Basil Nolan Jr, 45, died at Raheen Stud near Warwick in southern Queensland sometime between 11 and 11.50pm on Tuesday.

'Unfortunately a male person has been located trapped between the tray and the frame of the hay accumulator,' Senior Sergeant Jamie Deacon said.

Mr Nolan was found by a co-worker, who 'freed the deceased and commenced CPR,' Sgt Deacon said, the Warwick Daily News reported.

Mr Nolan was unable to be revived.

Leading the tributes for Mr Nolan was the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association who said 'Basil Junior was always full of life, hardworking and exceptionally passionate about the thoroughbred industry.

'He was well respected and highly regarded and took on any task enthusiastically and with the utmost professionalism. There was rarely a time that you'd see Basil Junior without a smile on his face.'

Tributes for Mr Nolan also flooded social media, where the much-loved father of four was remembered as 'an absolute gentleman', 'a wonderful bloke' and a breeder with 'a great passion for his horses.'

Popular thoroughbred breeder Basil Nolan Jr was killed in a hay baler accident in QueenslandDemocrat Jared Polis has made history after he became America's first openly gay governor.

Polis, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2009, won the gubernatorial Colorado race on Tuesday.

The five-term congressman, 43, who defeated Republican Walker Stapleton, was open about his sexual orientation during the campaign, often referring to it in his criticism of President Donald Trump.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis speaks at his midterm election night party in Denver, Colorado US

Polis, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2009, won the gubernatorial Colorado race on Tuesday

Kate Brown became the first bisexual governor when she was elected in Oregon in 2015, while another governor, Jim McGreevey of New Jersey, came out as gay before resigning in 2004.

But Polis is the first openly gay candidate to be elected governor.

He will succeed Democrat John Hickenlooper, who has been in office since 2011.

Polis, right, and his partner Marlon Reis at their home in Boulder with their nine-week-old son CJ, in 2011

The Democratic victory in the House will usher in a wave of more diverse and progressive representatives including Polis, the first two Muslim women in Congress, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Illhan Omar of Minnesota; and Sharice David of Kansas, the first Native American woman in Congress.

A self-made millionaire and tech entrepreneur, Polis was admitted to Princeton at age 16 and has said that he set his sights on becoming governor when he was in college.

Polis, who is Jewish, switched his name from Jared Schultz to Jared Polis at age 25 to honor his grandmother, he has said.

The liberal Polis, a five-term congressman, easily defeated three challengers in the top race of the purple state's midterm primary.

Colorado's last Republican governor was Bill Owens, who served from 1999 to 2007. Centrist Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper is term-limited.

Gabierla Martinez (L) and Cesar Delgado (R), both of Lakewood, Colorado, cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis as he speaks at his midterm election night party in Denver, Colorado

Polis, a tech entrepreneur and one of the wealthiest members of Congress, advocates single-payer health care, local control over Colorado's $31 billion oil and gas industry and lofty renewable energy goals for the state.

He invested $12 million in his campaign and is a fierce critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies and efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

He defeated Walker Stapleton, a distant relative of President George W. Bush, who closely wedded himself to Trump on virtually every issue - even refusing to condemn the Trump administration's immigrant family separation policies - except trade, where he opposes tariffs that could produce a trade war and harm Colorado industries.An American woman claiming she can communicate with animals has been mocked for promising to speak with dead Melbourne Cup horse The Cliffsofmoher.

Suzy Godsey, who charges money for lessons on how to talk to the animals, was promoting her services on Facebook, less than a day after the Irish stallion was euthanised at Flemington Racecourse.

'People have all sorts of opinions about this Melbourne Cup tragedy, but what is the horse's point of view?,' she asked her 2,052 Facebook followers on Wednesday morning.

'Join me for a Facebook live chat where I will be communicating with the spirit of Cliffsofmoher, the horse who was euthanised.'

American Suzy Godsey (pictured) claims she has the ability to talk to animals - a claim met with plenty of scepticism

Suzy Godzey (pictured) who claims to be an animal whisperer, is poised to 'chat' with Melbourne Cup horse CliffsofMoher, who was euthanised post-race

Suzy Godsey, a self-confessed animal whisperer, will look to communicate with the 'spirit' of CliffsofMoher, who was euthanised post the Melbourne Cup

Her Facebook followers were sceptical of the self-described 'international animal communicator', with Mark Kempster describing it as 'honestly the dumbest thing I have seen'.

Another man Michael Fitzgerald suggested she had mental health problems.

'I cannot fathom the stupidity. If you're talking to a dead horse then I'm afraid you need a padded cell,' he said.

Godsey, who has her own YouTube channel, may have been beaten to the dead horse, with James Murphy sarcastically suggesting he had already called the thoroughbred.

'Just got off the phone with Cliffsofmoher. Said he was sorry to everyone who bet on him,' he said.

For those interested in witnessing Godsey's attempt to 'speak to the horse on the other side', her Facebook page will be video streaming at 11.30am on Thursday morning (AEST).

The Cliffsofmoher was put down shortly after 3pm on Tuesday after injuring his right shoulder during the first 600 metres of the Melbourne Cup race.

Animal rights activists, including PETA, the RSPCA and the Australian Greens, have used the tragedy to describe horse racing as a 'cruel sport.'

Facebook user Mark Kempster has his doubts over Suzy Godsey's animal skills, stating it 'is the dumbest thing he has ever seen'

Michael Fitzgerald stated if Godsey has the ability to talk to a dead horse she 'needs a padded cell'

James Murphy mocked Godsey, stating he had already spoken to the horse

It is not known whether Godsey will attempt to ask The Cliffsofmoher his so-called views on the gaming industry or whether he felt nervous ahead of the 157th running of the Melbourne Cup.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Godsey, who lives in New Mexico, for a response.

Her website offers classes on how to 'talk to the animals' for $476.

She describes herself as the 'executive creator' of the Texas-based Access Consciousness company which promotes 'mindfulness' classes and animal whispering.The Navy SEAL veteran who was mocked by Pete Davidson for losing an eye in Afghanistan has won his House race and become Texas' youngest congressional representative.

Republican Dan Crenshaw, 34, was declared winner with 53 per cent of the vote with 87 per cent of precincts reporting.

He beat Democrat Todd Litton, who received 45 per cent of the vote, and will replace outgoing Republican Rep. Ted Poe in U.S. House District 2.

Scroll down for video

Republican Dan Crenshaw, 34, is pictured after he was declared winner with 53 per cent of the vote

After his win Crenshaw tweeted: 'Texans are hard working, love their country and believe in the American ideal; the greatest set of ideas for a free people that the world has ever known'

He added: 'As a team that was the message we spread for the last year. Thank you for your dedication and trust. See you in Washington!'

Crenshaw (pictured celebrating) was mocked by Pete Davidson for losing an eye in the Afghanistan war

Shortly after his victory, he tweeted: 'Texans are hard working, love their country and believe in the American ideal; the greatest set of ideas for a free people that the world has ever known.

'As a team that was the message we spread for the last year. Thank you for your dedication and trust. See you in Washington!'

And in his victory speech, Crenshaw talked about the team who helped him win, including a man named John Noonan who convinced him to run.

He joked: 'He's very upset right now, he's upset because the recent Saturday Night Live controversy has resulted in me having more Twitter followers than he does.'

His win came just days after Davidson joked on Saturday Night Live that viewers 'may be surprised to hear that Crenshaw is a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie' while a photograph of him wearing an eye-patch flashed on the screen.

He then laughed, saying: 'I'm sorry. I know he lost his eye in the war or whatever.'

Crenshaw fired off a nonchalant tweet afterwards which said Davidson, who was until recently Ariana Grande's fiance, was the 'real atrocity'.

Dan Crenshaw appeared on Fox on Monday to double down on his criticism of Pete Davidson for his joke on Saturday Night Live over the weekend

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He intensified his criticism of the young comedian during an appearance on Fox and Friends on Monday morning, however, and said NBC should apologize.

'Listen, I have thick skin. In the SEAL teams we poke fun at each other all the time, but I have certain rules for when my friends poke fun at me,' Crenshaw said.

'It has to be original, it has to be witty and it has to be actually funny, all right.

'And this wasn't funny.'

He went on to say the network 'should' apologize but he refused to demand an apology from either NBC or Davidson and suggested that they donate to a veterans charity instead.

Pete Davidson came under fire after he made fun of Dan Crenshaw, a Navy SEAL who lost his eye in Afghanistan

'They probably should apologize but this doesn't mean I'm going to demand an apology. I don't want to demand an apology that is hollow and empty,' he said.

'I do think that today's culture and today's politics, we tend to throw rocks at each other back and forth, demanding apologies for every upset that is done to us.

'They certainly crossed the line but their apology won't mean anything to me. I think what they should do is pull their money together and donate to some veterans charities that are out there that could really use their help,' he said.

Later, he told CNN that Davidson and the show's producers should give $1million.

'Let's throw a figure out there - a million dollars - and we will donate that to a series of veterans non-profits that helps veterans,' he said.

On Monday morning, Crenshaw described the mission where he suffered the injury. He said he was lucky to be able to see at all.

'We were in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. It went off right in front of me, it killed my interpreter and it completely blinded me,' he explained.

Crenshaw was injured during his third deployment in 2012 when he was hit by an IED blast during a mission in Afghanistan

Crenshaw's right eye was destroyed in the blast and his left eye was badly damaged from it. He is pictured right with his wife Tara Crenshaw

'I was put into a medically induced coma and I woke up five days later. My right was gone and they weren't sure if I'd ever see out of my left eye again.

'It's actually a miracle that I can see at all and continue serving the american people.'

Crenshaw added of the joke at his expense: 'What passes for humor these days is not what used to pass for humor. That's the big tragedy in all this. Why can't we just be funny again? What happened to our comedy in this country?

'Why can't we give the American people a break and separate comedy from politics.

'This one was pretty inappropriate.' In earlier remarks, he called it 'mean-spirited'.Christopher Martinez, 47, was booked into a Fresno County jail in California on Tuesday

A California man tried to hijack a bus full of elementary schoolchildren by allegedly grabbing the female driver by the collar and telling her he needed to go to the mission...Jesus is coming!

The incident took place at a gas station in Fresno at around 6:30pm.

That was when a school bus filled with 41 students from Reagan Elementary School in Kingsburg pulled into the station, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

The students had just returned from a science camp in Oakhurst. The bus stopped at the station so that they could use a restroom.

Police said that Christopher Martinez, 47, stepped inside the bus and demanded that the driver hand over the keys.

Im taking over the bus. Get out of your seat. I need to take the bus to San Gabriel Mission, Martinez is alleged to have said.

As a teacher escorted students to and from the bus, Martinez allegedly grabbed the driver by her collar and pulled her from her seat.

Martinez allegedly tried to carjack a bus filled with schoolchildren from Reagan Elementary School in Kingsburg (seen above)

He is said to have told the driver that he needed to take the students with him.

The driver then snatched the keys from the ignition, triggering an alarm.

She then shouted at Martinez to get off of him, according to police.

Martinez then began walking toward the back of the bus and then to the front again, though police said he did not harm any of the children.

At that point, the teacher and bus driver demanded that Martinez leave the bus.

A gas station attendant then intervened and tried to get Martinez to leave, police said.

Martinez complied and walked to the convenience store as police arrived on the scene and arrested him.

He was booked into Fresno County jail and held on $27,500 bail.

Martinez faces charges of attempted carjacking and attempted kidnapping.Michigan midterm voters have followed the precedent set by nine other states already legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

The cash crop is expected to bring in enormous revenue for Michigan with marijuana and edibles subjected to a 10 per cent tax in addition to the state's regular six per cent sales tax.

Those funds will be a boon to help fund schools, roads, local governments and FDA-approved research on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans struggling with PTSD and other conditions.

Michigan state officials showed the measure passed with 58 to 42 per cent with 55 per cent reporting.

Michigan voters said yes to Prop 1 which legalized recreational sale and use of marijuana

Residence are now allowed grow up to 12 plants and have up to 10 ounces in their homes

Michigan's Prop 1 now allows adults 21 and older to purchase, possess and use cannabis.

Additionally people can now legally grow up to 12 plants for personal use and up to 10 ounces can be kept at a place of residence.

Just like the states that legalized before Michigan, businesses looking to operate dispensaries and the like will have to be state licensed marijuana.

On the other hand, North Dakota voters nixed their proposal, Measure 3. There were some potential pitfalls with the drafting of the measure, which lacked any provisions to regulate the marijuana industry in the state.

The voted down measure would have wiped away criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and selling marijuana, with the exception of selling to people under 21.

It also failed to impose a structure to license farmers or stores.

'The victory in Michigan highlights just how widespread support is for marijuana policy reform, Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project told Forbes.

Businesses looking to get in on the green action will have to be licensed by the state

'This issue does not only enjoy strong support on the coasts, but also in the Midwest and all throughout the country. '

'Marijuana has now been legalized for adult use in one out of every five states and medical use in three out of every five, so it is safe to say federal law is in need of an update,' Hawkins added.

Canada took the cash crop to federally legal status last month after several cities had legalized it first.

A Gallup poll released last month found that 66 percent of Americans, the highest level ever in the firm's nearly 50 years of surveys on the topic, support marijuana legalization.

Thus far California, Colorado, Washington, Alaska, D.C., Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and now Michigan have, or are in the process of implementing their own recreational marijuana programs.Accused Bourke Street rampant driver James Gargasoulas pleaded not guilty to the charges made against him on Wednesday.

Gargasoulas allegedly mowed down pedestrians on Melbourne's Bourke Street on January 20, 2017, killing six and injured dozens more.

He has been charged with six counts of murder and 27 of reckless conduct endangering life.

Accused Bourke Street rampant driver James Gargasoulas (pictured) pleaded not guilty to the charges made against him on Wednesday

Gargasoulas allegedly mowed down pedestrians on Melbourne's Bourke Street on January 20, 2017, killing six and injuring dozens more

Gargasoulas pleaded not guilty to all 33 charges before retaking his seat and taking a sip of water, the Herald Sun reported.

The victims of the car attack include three-month-old Zachary Bryant, Thalia Hakin, 10, Matthew Si, 33, Japanese student Yosuke Kanno, 25 and Sydney woman Jess Mudie, 22, who were all killed after being hit along Bourke Street.

He is currently standing trial at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Gargoulas' trial continues with 20 witnesses expected to give testimonies.The New Jersey nightclub that was temporarily closed in September after a video emerged showing lewd sex acts, has been handed back to landlords after their eviction was request was granted Thursday.

The Hub in Hoboken has now officially been shut down for good after Hudson County Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Militello gave the go-ahead for the property to be used otherwise.

He declared in a document co-owners, Dian Fini and Mario Fini were 'entitled to immediate and exclusive possession of the property known as 16-18 Hudson Place'.

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The Hub in Hoboken, New Jersey was officially shut down for good after landlords successfully evicted the brand's owners Thursday

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Militello gave the go-ahead for the property to be used for a new purpose

The Finis shared the news via Dian's blog Monday stating they are 'pleased to have prevailed in the eviction of HUB, which failed to honor its lease obligations'.

They noted that part owners of the nightlife brand let the acts they were accused of happen on their own watch, writing 'management apparently allowed events to occur that resulted in it's own demise'.

James and Brian McCue are brothers who control LLCs that own a majority stake.

As a result of the stories that tarnished their reputation, the Finis wish to get rid of the name and re-open doors under a new brand.

'We are glad HUB will never open again. Sadly, many people lost their jobs and these events created economic fallout for all those associated with it, including us,' the blog stated. 'We look forward to finding a new tenant who will contribute positively to the Hoboken community in this beautiful space.'

The space is located directly across the street from the Hoboken PATH, NJ Transit trains, ferries and light rail.

Fini and her partner were keen to disassociate themselves with the social media video that emerged of what went on inside the club.

Dian Fini and Mario Fini were 'entitled to immediate and exclusive possession of the property known as 16-18 Hudson Place'

'I hope everyone knows we are good, law-abiding people, who love Hoboken, a place where we live and work and have raised our family,' Dian continued. 'Mario and I have strong ties to the Hoboken community where we also employ many people who share our concern for and commitment to the community.

'Thank you to all who have reached out to us offering love and support. We will never forget your kindness during these unfortunate events.'

Next the issue of their liquor license must be resolved, reports NJ.com.

Teak on the Hudson LLC, which James McCue holds a one per cent stake in, faces a total of 53 charges from the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board that will not be affected by the eviction ruling.

The city and all those involved were working on a settlement agreement to avoid an ABC hearing. It was scheduled for 2pm November 6, the day of the midterm elections, but was adjourned Monday night.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

A video on social media of lewd sex acts being performed by patrons got them in trouble in September. A woman is shown (left) laying on her back on top of the bar, topless, while she is showered with champagne. Another woman on all fours on the bar shown while a man places his face in her backside (right)

The Hub landed in hot water after video emerged showing multiple women being showered with champagne at the establishment while at least two had sex acts performed on them.

The video was posted in part to the Instagram story of Kirill Bichutsky, on his account under the username '@slutwhisperer.'

Mayor Ravi Bhalla called the display an 'affront to human decency' and a 'horrific objectification of women.'

The Hub issued an apology over social media the same day it was closed by the ABC board.

Bhalla said in a statement he will use his powers 'to make sure it never happens in our city again.'

He added: 'This is not what Hoboken is about, it is not what the people of Hoboken deserve, and I simply will not allow it to happen again under my watch.'

The video, only part of which is shown here, included multiple women laying on the bar at the Hub, being doused in champagne.

One woman laid on her back, topless, while being sprayed with a bottle of the sparkling beverage.

The video was posted in part to the Instagram story of Kirill Bichutsky (pictured), on his account under the username '@slutwhisperer'

Another woman was on all fours while her backside was sprayed with champagne, and the bottle was rubbed on the exterior of her body, without penetrating her.

At the conclusion of this clip, club promoter Kirill brings the camera to his own face, with his eyes wide.

Additional footage shows another woman situated on all fours on the bar while a man has placed his face in her backside.

In another video clip that is too graphic to include here, a woman laid on her back while she was vaginally penetrated, digitally, by a man.

After the videos were posted publicly, the ABC board temporarily closed the Hub for business, citing the liquor license holder with offenses including multiple counts of allowing assault and lewd activity within the establishment.

The Hub previously responded to its temporary closure with an apology over social media

The Hub responded with the following public statement addressed to its loyal customers and guests:

'On behalf of management, ownership, staff and all involved in our business, we would like to extend a sincere apology for the deplorable and unfortunate incident that took place on the evening of Saturday, September 8th. The actions of the individuals are by no means behavior we allow, permit nor promote. The individuals involved were escorted out by management and security.

'We have allocated all of our resources and administrative personnel to this matter, in an effort to comply with the Hoboken PD and NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Further, we are taking all necessary measures to prevent anything of this nature from occurring again.'

Police officers were standing guard outside the Hub's doors, blocking entry, on Wednesday.

'I saw videos of activity that I never could imagine would occur anywhere, especially in a business open to the public,' Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said in a statement on Thursday, confirming a criminal investigation into the incident was underway.

'To state that this conduct will not be tolerated... is a major understatement. Any other bar owner that thinks they can allow or promote this type of activity in the city of Hoboken will face charges which could lead to a revocation of their license and severe penalties.'Just days ago, Meghan Markle delivered a powerful speech about women's suffrage, and many are speculating whether the US citizen practiced what she preached on Election Day Tuesday.

Markle, who is still in the lengthy process of becoming a British citizen following her May matrimony to Harry, would have been able to cast her vote at a poll or send an absentee ballot.

It's unclear, however, whether The Duchess actually did so. Kensington Palace has declined all requests to remark on the matter.

People reports that Markle's office would not elaborate, and simply replied: 'No comment.'

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaks to invited guests during a reception at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand on October 28, 2018. Kensington Palace refused to confirm whether she voted on Election Day

Markle spoke about women's voting rights at the formal in the Government House on October 28, 2018

Last Sunday, Markle delivered a speech on feminism at the Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, in honor of the country's 125th anniversary of women's suffrage.

The Duchess said at the formal: 'Women's suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women but also about what that represents.

'The basic and fundamental human right of all people - including members of society who have been marginalized - whether for reasons of race, gender, ethnicity or orientation - to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.'

And in November 2016, she promoted voting in a post penned on her lifestyle blog, The Tig.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the reception October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand

She wrote at the time: 'The right to vote is something for which blood, sweat, and tears have been shed; the struggle was endless for us to have this liberty.

'I ticked the boxes on my absentee ballot last week, closing my eyes and thinking of my great grandparents who didnt have this right (and thinking of how it would have changed the lives of my grandparents if they had).

'So on this day we urge you to exercise said right. Please vote. The fact that we can makes us the lucky ones.'

Now that Markle is a member of the royal family, getting involved in politics won't be as simple.

Royal.uk.com even states about Queen Elizabeth's role in government, that she is to 'remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters' and is 'unable to vote or stand for election.'U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has abruptly shelved plans to meet a senior North Korean official in New York without explanation, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation were due to be held on Thursday.

But the State Department said in a short statement on Wednesday that the officials would meet later 'when our respective schedules permit'.

It offered no reason and North Korea's propaganda services have not mentioned the meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly shelved plans to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chol. The pair are pictured in July in Pyongyang, North Korea

After last year's fears of war, North Korea and the United States are trying to revive stalled diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons.

There was much talk of the possibility of success following a meeting in June between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but in the months since there has been little to quiet skeptics who believe the North will never give up weapons it has described as necessary to counter a hostile Washington.

Pompeo was supposed to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol.

The U.S. State Department earlier said the top U.S. envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, was to join Pompeo and Kim to discuss how to get to what it calls 'achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization' of North Korea.

South Korean presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said later Wednesday that his government doesn't believe U.S.-North Korea negotiations have completely broken down or 'lost their momentum' because of the postponement.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry also expressed hope that the U.S. and North Korea can quickly reschedule a high-level meeting.

In the months since President Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un there has been little to quiet skeptics who believe the North will never give up weapons it has described as necessary to counter a hostile Washington

South Korea's presidential Blue House said the United States had informed it of the talks' postponement in advance. But the Blue House would not reveal the reason for the postponement and referred questions to the State Department.

News of the postponement came after North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. on Friday for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

In a statement, North Korea warned it could bring back Kim Jong-un's 'byongjin' policy of simultaneously advancing its nuclear arsenal and its economic development if the United States doesn't change its stance. The North stopped short of threatening to abandon nuclear negotiations with Washington.

Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University and a policy adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said a high-level meeting between the U.S. and North Korea immediately after the U.S. midterm elections was never realistic, especially when the North was in no mood to make any concrete concessions.

Trump's engagement with North Korea in recent months was apparently timed to the midterms, but he will no longer agree to major meetings if there are no realistic expectations of progress in nuclear diplomacy, Koh said.A Thai man who was reportedly the leader of a dog sex ring has been charged after shocking video footage of him allegedly having sex with a canine has emerged.

Dumrongpol Sarnmeung, 53, turned himself in to Sarapee Police Station last week after animal welfare group Watchdog Thailand provided videos to authorities.

Police allege Sarnmeung was the leader of the locally known 'Bobo Group', which provides videos of people having sex with dogs to a members-only beastiality club.

Dumrongpol Sarnmeung, 53 (pictured), turned himself in to Sarapee Police Station last week after animal welfare group Watchdog Thailand provided videos to authorities

According to Thai website Coconuts, the 53-year-old allegedly invited people to join the Facebook group for a fee of 200 (THB), which is is approximately $8 (AUD).

The fee enabled members to access videos of people having sex with dogs, with the option to pay extra to meet dogs for 'swinging sex' once a month.

In the group, Sarnmeung allegedly keeps members updated on dogs available for abuse, as well as the location of the house where members could meet up to have their way with canines.

Senior Sergeant Major Mongkhol Khamwang told Coconuts the 53-year-old had been charged and investigators are preparing to move forward with prosecution.

'The perpetrator told us that he's been doing this for 10 years now, which is about when our photo evidence dates back to,' Sgt. Major Mongkhol said.

The officer said Sarnmeung has confessed to posting the explicit photos and videos in the group but has denied having sex with the animals - despite video evidence.

Sgt. Major Mongkhol said police are still gathering evidence and ensure that the perpetrators will be 'prosecuted to the fullest extent'.

'This case is especially inhumane. We want to make sure it doesn't happen again,' he said.

The members-only Bobo group provided access to videos of people having sex with dogs, with the option to pay extra to meet dogs for 'swinging sex' once a month

Watchdog Thailand confirmed that the organisation had been investigating the group for some time and it had taken more than a year to reveal the house location.

'The investigation will lead to the arrest of members of the group, whom we have already identified with their names and profiles,' a Watchdog Thailand spokesperson told The Nation.

The Soi Dog Foundation, which funds Watchdog Thailand, praised the animal welfare group for identifying the alleged perpetrator of the Bobo group.

Soi Dog founder John Dalley said beastiality is an 'insidious' crime that's not limited to Thailand, which often leads to the death of the animal.

Sarnmeung has confessed to posting the explicit photos and videos on the members-only group page (pictured) but has denied having sex with the animals - despite video evidence

'This pervert has been operating for a long time and has finally been caught. We hope the courts will show no leniency,' Mr Dalley said.

Sarnmeung is charged with violation of the 2014 Thai Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act, which could result in a two-year jail sentence or 40,000 (THB) fine.

He is also charged with violation of article 14 of the Computer Act prohibiting the promotional of obscene objects online, which could result in a five year jail sentence or 100,000 (THB) fine.

Sarnmeung has been released home after he turned himself in last week - pending further investigations.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Watchdog Thailand for comment.A church warden and magician have appeared in court over the murder of an inspirational elderly teacher in a quaint Buckinghamshire village.

English teacher Peter Farquhar, 69, and his 83-year-old neighbour Ann Moore-Martin were both found dead in the village of Maids Moreton, near Buckingham.

The pensioners lived three houses apart in Manor Park in the village and died within a year and a half of each other.

Mr Farquhar's lodger, Ben Field, 27, a church warden, and 31-year-old Martyn Smith appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court today.

They are charged with conspiracy to murder Ann Moore Martin and Peter Farquhar, the murder of Peter Farquhar and the attempted murder of Ann Moore Martin.

Ben Field, 27, a church warden, and 31-year-old magician Martyn Smith, have been charged for questioning over the murders of 69-year-old Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin, 83

Mr Farquhar and Miss Moore-Martin (left and right) died within a year and a half of each other

Field also faces two charges of fraud and three of burglary and Smith one fraud and two of burglary.

Field, who has glasses and a beard, and Smith, who has a light brown beard, smiled at their parents in the public gallery. They spoke to confirm their dates of birth, addresses and nationalities.

They were remanded in custody by the Chair of the Bench Lynne Jones to appear before a judge at Oxford crown court tomorrow.

A 22-year-old man from Olney was also arrested on suspicion of one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count conspiring to commit fraud by false representation and one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation.

Charges facing the warden and magician Ben Field, 28, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder Ann Moore-Martin and Peter Farquhar, one count of murder of Peter Farquhar, one count of attempted murder of Ann Moore-Martin, two counts of fraud and three counts of burglary. Martyn Smith, 32, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder Ann Moore Martin and Peter Farquhar, one count of murder of Peter Farquhar, one count of attempted murder of Ann Moore-Martin, one count of fraud, and two counts of burglary. Advertisement

He has been released under investigation.

It is understood that both men helped look after Mr Farquhar as his health deteriorated in the final months of his life. After his death Field then moved in with Miss Moore-Martin.

Locals described Mr Farquhar as a gentle but determined man and were baffled as his health suddenly deteriorated and he went into a nursing home just a few hundred yards from his house.

One local told how the ex-public school teacher and regular churchman was normally outgoing but suddenly turned quite introverted.

An original inquest into his death ruled that he died from drinking too much and there was no mention of any suspicion of foul play.

Mr Field was one of the main beneficiaries of his will and was given the right to live in his 300,000 home for as long as he wished.

All Mr Field was required to do was keep the property in good condition, pay the bills and ensure the contents of the house remained insured.

The pensioners lived three houses apart in Manor Park in the village of Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire

However, Mr Field had moved out within a year and purchased a flat in Towcester, Northamptonshire. The property was bought for 97,500, paid for in cash.

The church warden, from Olney, Buckinghamshire was one of three executors of Mr Farquhar's will and also received powers over the former teacher's unpublished manuscripts.

The other two executors were believed to be Mr Farquhar's two nephews and the pair benefited from the eventual sale of his Maids Moreton property that was sold for 290,000 in December 2016.

Mr Farquhar had already published a number of novels and it was thought that Mr Smith and Mr Field were keen for him to continue publishing further novels and use his vast literary library to start a documentary film about his life.

The pair began a company called Farquhar Studies that was registered at Mr Farquhar's former address from July 2015 and dissolved in November 2016. Mr Smith and Ben Field had listed themselves as joint directors.

Mr Farquhar lectured at the University of Buckingham and had previously taught at Manchester Grammar School and Stowe School in Buckinghamshire

Mr Farquhar was a retired part-time English lecturer at the University of Buckingham, having previously taught at Manchester Grammar School and Stowe School in Buckinghamshire.

A friend of Mr Farquhar claimed that before his death he was suffering from a urinary tract infection and complained of restlessness and 'bad thoughts' at night.

Two days before his death he told friends 'Hallelujah, I'm feeling a lot better'.

Inspirational teacher who taught Channel 4 journalist Mr Farquhar was remembered by family, friends and former pupils as an eccentric but inspirational figure. Born in Edinburgh in 1946 and educated at Churchill College, Cambridge, he spent three decades teaching at 12,000-a-year Manchester Grammar School. It was there that he inspired pupil David Scheinmann to write a character based on him for the 2014 movie Believe, set in 1980s Manchester. Mr Farquhar moved to leading public school Stowe in Buckinghamshire, and settled in the village of Maids Moreton. One former pupil, Channel 4 political correspondent Michael Crick, described him as 'bird-like in appearance', but what he lacked in physical stature, he made up for with his lightning mind and quick wit. He never married and had no children. Advertisement

Channel 4 News political correspondent Mr Crick, who was taught by Mr Farquhar at Manchester Grammar School and who remained life-long friends with him, said he was shocked by his death.

Speaking before they were charged, a Thames Valley Police spokesman said: 'Thames Valley Police has re-arrested two men in connection with a murder investigation, after two elderly residents died in Buckinghamshire.

'The investigation is in relation to the deaths of two residents of Maids Moreton, near Buckingham: Peter Farquhar died on 26 October 2015, aged 69, and Ann Moore-Martin died on 12 May 2017, aged 83.

'The men were originally arrested in connection with the investigation on 16 January this year, but were re-arrested today. They are currently in police custody at this time.

'A 27-year-old man, formerly of Towcester, Northamptonshire, now of Olney, has been re-arrested on suspicion of one count of murder of Peter Farquhar, conspiracy to murder Peter Farquhar, one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation, and one count of burglary.

'A 31-year-old man, from Redruth, Cornwall, has been re-arrested on suspicion of one count of murder of Peter Farquhar, one count of conspiracy to murder Peter Farquhar, one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation, and one count of burglary.

'They each remain on bail until November 15 for further offences: one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to murder, one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation and one count of conspiracy to defraud.'A doctor who lured a pharmacist from behind the counter with flowers before trying to stab her, said he only had the knife on him in case there was a 'kerfuffle'.

Brian Holder, 69, fronted Port Augusta Magistrates Court where he pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a pharmacist, but guilty to one aggravated count of intentionally causing harm.

It was heard in court that Holder had visited a Terry White Pharmacy at Port Lincoln in South Australia on October 10, 2017, according to the ABC.

A doctor who lured a pharmacist from behind the counter with flowers before trying to stab her, said he only had the knife on him in case there was a 'kerfuffle' (stock photo)

Brian Holder, 69, fronted Port Augusta Magistrates Court (pictured) where he pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a pharmacist, but guilty to one aggravated count of intentionally causing harm

The visit came after pharmacist Kelly Akehurst reported Holder to the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in May of the same year.

Mrs Akehurst had made the complaint after she found Holder to have overprescribed codeine and benzodiazepines to local patients.

Following an AHPRA investigation, limitations were placed on Holder and his ability to prescribe medication.

Prosecutor Patrick Hill told the Supreme Court Holder made the trip to the pharmacy at Port Lincoln to confront Mrs Akehurst.

'He attended at the dispensary counter at the rear of the store and asked for the complainant by name and then waited for her, away from the counter, in an open space, back near the entrance.'

Holder had with him a bouquet, and a 15cm fishing knife tucked in his suit jacket pocket.

Mrs Akehurst met Holder at the front after a colleague told her the mother-of-two had received a delivery of flowers.

It was heard in court that Holder had visited a Terry White Pharmacy at Port Lincoln in South Australia on October 10, 2017, according to the ABC (stock photo)

"But instead of giving her the flowers, he [Holder] reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the fishing knife, effectively from behind the bouquet, Mr Hill said.

The prosecutor went on to say Holder stepped towards the pharmacist to stab at her chest, 'very much in the direction of her heart.'

After an intense struggle, the pharmacist managed to break free with deep lacerations to her arm, hand and thumb.

The attacker fled to the car park before driving back to his hotel room where he attempted to take his own life.

Prosecutor Hill said Holder had written a suicide note and even mailed life insurance papers to his wife.

Holder revealed he had wrestled with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation all his life.

Brian Holder was once a general practitioner at Reynella Medical Centre (pictured) in Morphett, South Australia

At the same time, he did not hold anything against the pharmacist for earlier submitting a complaint to the AHPRA.

He said he was under the firm belief his patients were in need of the prescribed medicine.

Holder said he had planned to confront the pharmacist and explain to her the consequences of her actions, and even try to instill guilt in her.

That he carried a knife was in the case there was a 'kerfuffle' and he needed to make a quick getaway.

It was heard Holder had asked hotel staff for scissors to open the packaging of the knife, before the attack happened.

When staff commented on the size of it, Holder allegedly downplayed the comments and said 'it's not like I'm going to stab anyone with it.'

The prosecution did not accept Mr Holder's guilty plea to the lesser charge of attempted aggravated assault causing serious harm with intent.

Justice Ann Vanstone heard the trial in the absence of a jury and will hand down her verdict in the time to come.It is believed the plot was aimed at getting revenge for the death of Saffie Roussos (pictured), the youngest of the 22 killed in the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017

An 'anti-Islamic' terror suspect was plotting to blow up a mosque to avenge the killing of an eight-year-old girl in the Manchester Arena bombing, a court has heard.

Steven Bishop, 40, is accused of tampering with fireworks in a bid to create a bomb which he aimed to set off with a detonator he bought on the dark web.

It is believed the plot was aimed at getting revenge for the death of Saffie Roussos, the youngest of the 22 killed in the IS bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

Bishop, from Thornton Heath, south London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and is set to next appear at the Old Bailey.

He is expected to deny the charge of preparing for a terrorism act.

Saffie, from Leyland, Lancashire, had attended the concert on May 22, 2017, with her mother Lisa, 48, and her sister Ashlee Bromwich, 24.

She was killed when suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated his device. Her mother and sister both suffered serious injuries.

After the attack Saffie's mother Lisa awoke from a coma to be told of her daughter's death.

In the weeks that followed Abedi's suicide attack the family's chip shop business became a sea of floral tributes to the little girl.

However the family has since moved away from their home and chip shop The Plaice on Hough Lane, in Leyland, Lancashire, where Saffie played a 'massive part'.He was first diagnosed with a virus by doctors and told to take painkillers

A three-year-old girl left her mother heartbroken after she asked if her gravely ill younger brother was going to die.

Arlo Jack Upton, a two-year-old from Brisbane, tragically passed away on November 1 following a dramatic 48-hour illness.

Kate and Ross Upton, the parents of the toddler, initially were told by doctors their son had contracted a virus.

Inexplicably, Arlo suffered a seizure and died 48 hours later.

The toddler first displayed signs of illness when he started coughing on October 27, just before the family headed out celebrate Halloween.

A devastated couple are urging other parents to trust their gut instincts after their son (pictured) died unexpectedly just days after his second birthday

The toddler first showed signs of illness when he started coughing on October 27, just before the family headed out to Halloween festivities

By the following afternoon Arlo had developed a temperature and was vomiting.

The couple urgently made an appointment with their local GP only to be told it was a virus and be sent away with painkillers.

While his temperature did reduce, little Arlo developed a worrying rash.

He was refusing to eat and his body temperature hit almost 40C, and wouldn't go down despite taking Panadol and Nurofen.

Mr Upton stayed home with him on Monday, October 29, when the parents decided to take him to another doctor, who also said the virus would pass.

The worried mum and dad also took Arlo to a community centre but for a third time were given the same incorrect diagnosis and advice.

From that point, events took a tragic turn.

Arlo turned blue around his mouth and his family frantically called an ambulance.

His condition deteriorated rapidly and he was placed on life support after going into cardiac arrest.

The ambulance stopped to pick up more nearby paramedics, with eight medics treating the youngster at one stage.

'It went from OK to bad, really quick,' Mrs Upton, 34, told 9 News.

Medics initially felt Arlo could be suffering from sepsis, however when they brought him into hospital they re-diagnosed him as having a gene mutation called LPIN1 deficiency, resulting in acute skeletal muscle damage.

At one point his parents were told Arlo might have to have his fingers or toes amputated to save him, but it was too late.

Mrs Upton is now advising all parents to go with their gut instinct regarding their child falling ill and recommends taking children to see a doctor for 'any cough or sniffle'

Arlo suffered a seizure at 5.30am on Thursday, November 1 and was pronounced dead later that day.

'It was the only option. His brain had swollen. He was almost unrecognisable,' Mrs Upton said.

'We spent a few hours singing to him, cuddling him and talking to him before they took the ventilator off.'

Mrs Upton is now advising all parents go with their gut instinct regarding their child falling ill and also recommended seeing a doctor for 'any cough or sniffle'.

If an autopsy reveals Arlo did have a gene mutation, his parents and sister will undergo testing to see if they also carry the condition.The National Trust has been forced to admit it was wrong to cover up artwork that featured men at an exhibition promoting the role of women.

Visitors at the former stately home of 19th century industrialist Lord William Armstrong and his wife Margaret were baffled when they saw room after room full of artwork covered by white sheets.

The recent exhibition at the couple's old mansion at Cragside in Rothbury, Northumberland was meant to celebrate her life and promote the role of women.

But in a failed bid to get visitors to see the 'lack of female representation in art' the Trust decided to cover all male-focused artwork with plastic sheets.

After countless tourists complained the Trust has been forced to admit their idea backfired.

Visitors at the former stately home of 19th century industrialist Lord William Armstrong and his wife Margaret at Cragside in Rothbury, Nothumberland were baffled when they saw room after room full of artwork covered by white sheets (pictured)

A statue on the upstairs floor at Cragside covered in a plastic sheet (right) was just one of a number of art works covered up (left)

A spokesman told The Guardian: 'The project was not about censoring art or being politically correct.

'It was designed to encourage visitors to look at the collection differently and stimulate debate.

'Sometimes it doesn't work as we intended and we accept the feedback we have received.'

The spokesman added that the positive and negative feedback will see the project 'reviewed thoroughly'.

The 'Great Cragside Cover Up' was funded by a 114,748 government grant courtesy of Victoria Atkins, minister for women.

But with visitors paying 49 for a family ticket, several were unimpressed.

Cragside (pictured) was home to Victorian industrial magnate William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong, founder of the Armstrong Whitworth armaments firm

Exhibition-goer Jim Herbert, told BBC Newcastle: 'Having paid a touch under 50 to get in, it is disappointing not to be able to see the whole collection, and I fail to see how hiding exhibits deemed as male can do anything to encourage female achievement.

'I can't help but think that an extra exhibition recognising the achievements of women would be more constructive.'

Another said: 'It was ridiculous. Whole corridors and room after room were completely covered.'

It was part of the National Trust's Women and Power programme for the centenary of women's suffrage.

The three-week exhibition, which ended on Sunday, was designed to encourage visitors to 'notice the absence of the female voice' by 'concealing male representation'.

This poster was put up on the wall to explain the thinking behind the 'Women in Power' exhibition

But it was so unpopular that staff reportedly had to empty the visitor comments box three times a day because it was overflowing with complaints.

Sir Roy Strong, 83, former director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, said: 'Lord Armstrong would be horrified to see his art being used to deliver a diatribe on political correctness.

'His art collection was given to the National Trust in good faith. The fact they have gone on to use it in this way will be extremely off-putting to any future donors.'

He added: 'If the public pay to see an art collection they expect to see what is there.

'It's insulting  to censor paintings to make a political point. I find the whole thing infantile and rather sad. It is completely pointless. I'm sure the donor would be turning in his grave.'

Cragside in Northumberland draped a number of paintings and sculptures showing men with white sheets or plastic bags to highlight the marginalisation of women in art

Another visitor, Sharon Wilkinson, 64, accused the National Trust of 'abusing something in their care'.

Visitor Scott Anderson, 36, said: 'This is just PC for PC's sake. Covering up male art is not going to achieve equality.'

She added: 'Believing that the only way to put women forward is to put men backwards is mad.'

Scott Anderson, 36, added: 'This is just PC for PC's sake. Covering up male art is not going to achieve equality.'

The collection at Cragside, acquired by the National Trust in 1977, includes paintings by JMW Turner and Raffaello Sorbi.

Harriet Sutcliffe, an artist and a PhD researcher at Newcastle University involved in the exhibition, defended the project in an online video, saying that the artists were 'frustrated' by not being able to showcase Lady Armstrong's life.

She said: 'We thought actually by concealing some of the male objects and artefacts within the house, it might shift the lens slightly so that these women would finally have a space for three weeks to shine.'

The trust has been embroiled in a number of rows over political correctness, including asking volunteers to disclose their sexual and gender orientation and making some wear gay pride badges.Michael Christopher Diaz was arrested Monday and charged with abducting a baby and stealing a vehicle

A man accused of kidnapping a baby in Georgia has been arrested in Mississippi.

Michael Christopher Diaz was arrested Monday and charged with abducting a baby and stealing a vehicle.

On Monday night, Pearl police received a call from a clerk at the Ramada Inn on Airport Road claiming that a weird man was on the premises and had a baby with him.

'He was under the influence of marijuana, we know for sure, because that's what alerted her,' Pearl Police Chief Dean Scott explained to the WAPT.

Police ran the tags on Diaz's vehicle and learned that he was wanted for stealing a vehicle and kidnap.

It is believed that the man abducted the baby from Dallas, Georgia, with the intention of heading to Los Angeles.

On Monday night, Pearl police received a call from a clerk at the Ramada Inn on Airport Road

Police ran the tags on Diaz's vehicle and learned that he was wanted for stealing a vehicle and kidnapping a baby

Hotel staff said that the man was detained in his room by police , but they had to use a taser to restrain him.

'He gave up a fight in the room. I heard that he had to be tased,' Christina Campbell, an employee at the hotel, said to WLBT.

'He said something along the lines of he was going to have to be killed before he gave the baby up. So, they did tase the dad, so he did put up a fight.'

Police at the scene also stated that the baby reeked of marijuana.

DHS has the baby in their custody and will be keeping her until she can be returned to her family.

Diaz was also revealed to be the girl's father.

The man was found to have a criminal history that includes stealing other vehicles.Train stations in Barcelona and Madrid were evacuated this morning amid fears a woman was travelling between the cities with a grenade which turned out to be a belt buckle.

Police cleared Barcelona-Sants when a security scanner flagged up a suspicious object in a suitcase at 8am local time. They also shut platforms at Madrid Atocha station.

A woman travelling from Barcelona was searched when she got off her train at Madrid and the all-clear was given.

Police cleared Barcelona-Sants when a security scanner flagged up a suspicious object. Pictured: An image of the scan showing the belt buckle

Police cleared Barcelona-Sants station (pictured today) when a security scanner flagged up a suspicious object in a suitcase at 8am local time

Mossos d'Esquadra regional police in Catalonia cordon off one of the entrance at the city's main train station in Barcelona

Catalan police (pictured today) confirmed the suspicious object had turned out to be harmless

A photo of the luggage scan posted on the Twitter feed of Catalonia's Mossos police force showed what looked clearly like a grenade.

Most Spanish stations require passengers boarding trains to put their luggage through scanners.

Police subsequently evacuated two high-speed trains at the Barcelona station but didn't find anything, a spokesman said.

'Then we saw that this person could be in a train going to Madrid. We warned national police,' he added.

People were then evacuated from the Spanish capital's main Atocha station, the state-owned Adif company which manages the country's railway stations.

Police said they created a security zone on part of a platform at the station, which was the scene of one of Europe's worst terror attacks in 2004 when 191 people were killed in explosions on commuter trains.

When the train arrived, they checked the luggage and found that the grenade-like object was actually a 'belt buckle,' a police spokeswoman said.

It is unclear why security personnel in Barcelona let the passenger get onto the train if they were worried about the potential grenade.

Sants is Barcelona's main station. High-speed trains to France leave from the station as well as destinations in Spain including the Costa Blanca.A Cambridge-educated junior doctor who was caught drink driving twice has been allowed to keep her job after a misconduct hearing ruled she did not pose a risk to patients.

Dr Lauren Fowler, 25, drank white wine with friends over lunch then crashed her Ford Ka in an area busy with pedestrians. The medic was so drunk she was barely able to speak to police, who found an empty bottle of wine in the footwell of her car.

Fowler was bailed but stopped again less than two months later after she consumed half a bottle of vodka then drove around a hotel car park near her family's home in Styal, Cheshire. Tests showed she was more than three times the drink drive limit.

Dr Lauren Fowler, 25, drank white wine with friends over lunch then crashed her Ford Ka in an area busy with pedestrians. She is pictured in undated social media photos

Earlier this year, Fowler admitted drink driving and failing to provide a breath specimen but got a suspended prison sentence after claiming she had an addiction to alcohol due to the 'stress' of studying medicine at Imperial College London.

Fowler claimed she drank heavily during her studies at the world-renowned university and said did not know who to turn to for help. She has since stopped drinking and is currently serving a three-year driving ban.

On November 2, the first-year doctor faced a misconduct hearing held in private at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester but was told she could continue working in medicine under supervision for the next 20 months.

In a redacted document issued after the hearing, panel chairman Gillian Temple-Bone said: 'The Tribunal was aware that there had been a risk to Dr Fowler and to the public by her actions, although fortunately they were minor incidents with no injuries.

'We have heard evidence her performance has exceeded expectations, and that her clinical work has posed no risk to patients.

She has also fulfilled the requirements of her criminal sentencing, including carrying out unpaid work and has voluntarily attended a drink-driving course. Dr Fowler, in oral evidence and through the reports of others, has shown she is very remorseful.'

Fowler was bailed but stopped again less than two months later after she consumed half a bottle of vodka then drove around a hotel car park near her family's home in Styal, Cheshire. Here she is pictured outside court in January

Miss Temple-Bone added: 'The tribunal has no evidence to suggest there have been any issues to date regarding patient safety. On looking at the events of the past year following the convictions, Dr Fowler has done everything possible to remediate her conduct.

'The Tribunal recognised she was convicted in a court of law, currently remains under a driving ban and has experienced public opprobrium through publicity - all highlighting to her and others the inevitable consequences and unacceptability of her behaviour in the eyes of the public.

'Overall, the Tribunal has noted her remorsefulness. It has received positive reports and testimonials from colleagues who say she is a promising young doctor who excels in her training.

'Her offending was serious but not of being fundamentally incompatible with continued practice. The punitive effect of a more serious sanction such as suspension would be disproportionate.'

Fowler had pursued her career in medicine after she excelled at Stockport Grammar school, where she was a senior prefect and attained two A* grades and an A at A Level.

She was also shortlisted for a UK Scientist of the Year award for a research project she carried out at Manchester University in 2011.

It is thought Fowler attended Clare College at Cambridge before enrolling in 2014 at Imperial College, which was founded by Prince Albert in 1845 and ranks 8th in the Times Higher Education World University.

But within days of her graduation ceremony, Fowler went out for lunch in Manchester during which she shared a bottle of wine with friends - and then drank more wine whilst at the wheel of her car.

Earlier this year, Fowler (seen in undated social media photos) admitted drink driving and failing to provide a breath specimen but got a suspended prison sentence after claiming she had an addiction to alcohol

During her court appearance last January before Stockport JPs prosecutor Joseph O'Connor said: 'Police attended a minor road traffic collision and met the defendant who was clearly intoxicated. She was swearing and slurring her words and they could smell intoxicants on her breath.

'When they tried to speak to her they had trouble understanding what she was saying, she was incoherent and the officers assumed she was drunk.

'As she was arrested she admitted that she had drunk two bottles of wine and was taken to the police station. She was described as acting very emotionally and she failed to provide a specimen of breath because she was so upset.'

She was bailed to face court but was held again on December 9 after being caught drink driving at the Stanneylands boutique hotel in Wilmslow.

Mr O'Connor added: 'She collided with another car whilst trying to leave the car park of the Stanneylands Hotel.

The disciplinary tribunal decided Fowler (pictured in an undated photo) did not pose a risk to patients so should be allowed to continue in her job

'When the police arrived they tried to speak to her, but the noticed a smell of intoxicants on her breath and she was slurring her words.

'She was taken to the police station and gave two samples of breath. In interview she made admissions and told then she had drunk half a bottle of vodka before deciding to go to the gym. She accepts she shouldn't have driven.

'The second offence was committed whilst she was on bail, which is an aggravating factor. She was inebriated during the accident.'

Tests showed Fowler had 112 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

In mitigation her lawyer Helen Turner said: 'This is somebody who was arrested for the first time in their life, she has never been to a police station before -she has an addictive behaviour and a very stressful lifestyle.

'When she was 15 years old she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, received treatment for this and it was more or less cured. She flourished in her exams whilst this was going on and has flourished in her first year as a junior doctor.

'It is insurmountable the amount of work she does. She works 48 hours during the week, and she works over time, and also volunteers at the weekend. You can't deny the dedication she has for her career.

'She has already made steps to making sure this never happens again. She has given up alcohol completely. She has removed all temptation to ever get behind the wheel by selling her car.

'She has been seeing an addiction counsellor every week. She has shown an incredible amount of remorse for her actions. Her character references indicate that this isn't the kind of thing you would expect from her.'Theresa May is facing pressure to sack her housing tsar Sir Roger Scruton today amid accusations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Labour MPs are demanding the philosopher be dropped from his new role heading a commission on building 'beautiful homes'.

The calls came after remarks by Sir Roger were highlighted in which he took aim at billionaire George Soros, describing Jews in Budapest as part of the 'Soros empire'.

In other comments, he said states dominated by Islam were often 'failures as nations', and suggested homophobia is 'not normal'.

In a statement on his website, Sir Roger said he had been 'offended and hurt' by suggestions he is 'anti-Semitic or in any way 'Islamophobic''.

Ministers are facing pressure to drop Sir Roger Scruton (pictured) from a new quango advising on 'beautiful' housing

Labour MPs demanded Theresa May and James Brokenshire reconsider the appointment

But Labour MP David Lammy said: 'Roger Scruton reckons Islamophobia and homophobia are 'invented' and conservatives suffer from the 'only 'phobia' permitted'.

'Excuse me while I fetch my tiny violin. Why have the Tories appointed him an adviser months after they promised to 'stamp out' Islamophobia?'

Fellow Labour backbencher Luciana Berger tweeted that the comments highlighted by the Red Roar website meant Sir Roger had 'not place advising the government'.

'An individual who peddles antisemitic conspiracy theories has no place advising government about anything,' she said. '@theresa_may please intervene/ @JBrokenshire should urgently reconsider his appointment.'

Sir Roger was appointed to chair the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission earlier this week, with Communities Secretary James Brokenshire saying it would 'kick-start a debate about the importance of design and style'.

The Ministry of Housing said the quango would 'develop a vision and practical measures to help ensure new developments meet the needs and expectations of communities, making them more likely to be welcomed rather than resisted'.

Sir Roger is a 'conservative thinker who specialises in aesthetics with particular attention to music and architecture'.

The 74-year-old has written more than 40 books, including 1980's The Aesthetics Of Architecture.

He was knighted in 2016 for his services to philosophy, teaching and public education.

In the statement on his website, Sir Roger said 'nothing could be further from the truth' than the claims of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

'If people actually read my comments regarding the interplay between George Soros and Hungary they will realise they are not in any way anti-Semitic, indeed quite the opposite,' he said.

Mrs May, pictured at a First World War commemoration yesterday, and Mr Brokenshire are under pressure to rethink the appointment

'Only two years ago I supported George Soros by making representations to Prime Minister Orban's regime to keep open the Central European University so that intellectual freedom could continue to flourish in Hungary.

'My statements on Islamic states points only to the failure of these states, which is a fact. My views on Islam are well known and can be found in my book The West And The Rest.'

A spokesman for the Ministry of House said: 'Professor Sir Roger Scruton, as a long-standing public intellectual, has strong views on a number of issues.

'He received a knighthood in 2016 and advised the Coalition government on design.

'His commitment to driving quality in the built environment is well known and he has published extensively on architecture and place, which makes him an excellent candidate for the unpaid chairmanship of the Building Better, Building Beautiful commission.'The boss of one of Britain's biggest home builders who tried to defend his 75million bonus will stand down at the end of the year to diffuse the row.

Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn will leave the company at the end of the year because the pay row had become a 'distraction'.

Initially, Mr Fairburn was due to receive 100 million between his pay and bonus. He tried to defend the size of his package during a television interview, but was heavily criticised instead.

Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn, pictured, will stand down from his role with the home builder on December 31 after a row erupted over his 75 million pay and benefits package

The Charles Church group said Mr Fairburn will be replaced temporarily by David Jenkinson, who is the group's managing director.

As part of his departure, Mr Fairburn will be able to keep the 75million, but will not have to work his notice period and will not receive any further bonus.

Persimmon, which is the country's second largest home builder, has begun a search for a permanent successor to Mr Fairburn.

The group said the furore over his pay had become a 'distraction' that was having a 'negative impact on the reputation of the business and consequently on Jeff's ability to continue in his role'.

But it said that, as he was leaving at the company's request, it was not legally able to withhold any of the share payouts due under the controversial 2012 long-term bonus scheme.

It said it had agreed with Mr Fairburn to cut his 12-month notice period and that he will not receive any further salary or benefits after December 31.

He also has no bonus entitlement for 2018.

Chairman Roger Devlin said: 'Given the continuing distraction around the scale of his remuneration resulting from the 2012 LTIP (long-term incentive plan), the board believes that it is now necessary for there to be to be a change of leadership.'

Mr Fairburn said: 'I had hoped that revealing my plans to create a charitable trust and to waive a proportion of the award would enable the company to put the issue of the 2012 LTIP behind it.

'However, this has not been the case and so it is clearly now in the best interests of Persimmon that I should step down.'

Mr Fairburn's pay packet sparked outrage among politicians and shareholder earlier this year.

His mammoth 75 million payout would have been an even higher 100 million, until Mr Fairburn voluntarily moved to calm the furore by handing back 25 million in bonuses.

He also pledged to forgo his next annual bonus and hand over a 'substantial amount' of his pay award to charity.

Other executives also picked up bumper pay deals under the lucrative share scheme, collectively worth more than 100 million.

The group saw 48.5 per cent of investors vote against the pay plans in April as they vented anger over the payouts.

The bonus was more than 20 times his 2016 pay packet and was due to a long-term incentive plan from 2012.

Mr Fairburn's pay was way above the average for top CEOs, which stood at 5.7 million in their 2017 financial year, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the High Pay Centre think tank.

The company admitted the row had become a distraction and had asked Mr Fairburn, pictured here last month during the controversial interview - to leave at the end of the year

Full-time employees in Britain were paid just less than 30,000 pounds on average in 2018, according to official data.

Fairburn, who has been in the business for 29 years, became CEO in 2013 as many builders began their strong recovery from the financial crisis and subsequent recession, with the firm more than doubling its market capitalisation to 7.5 billion during his tenure.

In April, a shareholder vote narrowly backed the housebuilder's pay scheme by 51.5 per cent of votes cast to 48.5 per cent against, whilst some 31 per cent abstained.

But last month a clip of Fairburn refusing to answer questions about his bonus was widely shared on social media.

Persimmon chairman Roger Devlin said: 'Given the continuing distraction around the scale of his remuneration... the Board believes that it is now necessary for there to be to be a change of leadership.'

The director of the High Pay Centre Luke HIldyard said the 'whole saga will be a warning sign to other companies contemplating such excessive payouts', while adding that shareholders had failed in their role to police excessive pay.

He said: 'We need more democratic models of company oversight with a much stronger role for the workforce.'

Some housebuilders have faced criticism for their bosses' remuneration packages and bumper profits which have been helped by a government 'Help to Buy' scheme, which offers buyers the ability to purchase a new-build home with a small deposit.

But Persimmon continues to post strong results, saying on Wednesday that sales since it reported half-year results on August. 21 were up 3 per cent.

Shares in the company were up 1.4 per cent shortly after the announcement.Ten men have been arrested on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar for 'being gay' days after a high-profile politician created a hit squad to hunt down homosexuals.

The group were detained when police raided a party at Pongwe Beach after authorities received a tip-off from members of the public.

The arrests come days after Paul Makonda, the regional commissioner for Dar es Salaam, said an anti-gay surveillance team would be using social media to hunt people down.

Ten men have been arrested for being gay - just days after Paul Makonda (pictured), the regional commissioner for Dar es Salaam, announced an anti-gay hit squad

He also encouraged people to hand over names of anyone they suspected of being gay so authorities could investigate.

His comments were subsequently denounced by the Tanzanian government - but homosexuality is still a crime in deeply religious Tanzania and homophobic rhetoric has been on the rise since President John Magufuli was elected in 2015.

Seif Magango, East Africa Deputy Director for human rights group Amnesty International, said: 'This is a shocking blow following the Tanzanian government's assurance that no-one would be targeted and arrested because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

The surveillance team is made up of 17 people including state officials, police and people involved in the media (file)

'This appalling attack on Tanzanian people simply exercising their human rights shows the danger of inflammatory and discriminatory rhetoric at senior levels of government.

'We now fear these men may be subjected to forced anal examination, the government's method of choice for 'proving' same-sex sexual activity among men. This must not be allowed to happen - these men must be released immediately.'

The ten men are being held at Chakwal police station in Unguja, despite the fact no charges were brought against them.

Six others at the party on Saturday night managed to flee from police.

Human Rights group Amnesty International has established that the men were arrested for allegedly conducting a gay marriage, with police saying they found the men sitting in pairs 'two by two'.

Homosexuality is still illegal in Tanzania, where it is widely viewed as a mental illness, and can be punished with up to 30 years in jail (file image)

Mr Magongo said: 'It's mind-boggling that the mere act of sitting in a pair can assume criminal proportions. The police clearly have no grounds to file charges against these men in court, despite arresting them three days ago.'

Last week, Makonda, who is a close ally of President Magufuli, said: 'I have received reports that there are so many homosexuals in our city, and these homosexuals, are advertising and selling their services on the internet.

'Therefore, I am announcing this to every citizen of Dar es Salaam. If you know any gays ... report them to me, give me their names.'

The anti-gay surveillance team will be made up of 17 people including state officials, police and people involved in the media.A record number of women have been elected to the House of Representatives, including the youngest ever, the first Native American and first Islamic women.

So far 116 women now sit in Congress, smashing the record of 107 in a historic election night full of celebrations.

Among the winners were the youngest woman ever elected to US Congress and several who overcame racial or religious barriers.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, a New York Democrat is the youngest woman to get elected to US Congress.

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, celebrates in New York with Democrat voters as she becomes the youngest woman to get elected to US Congress

Ocasio-Cortez a Puerto-Rican holds the flag of her mother's homeland with a supporter at her election night party in New York last night

Ocasio-Cortez has said she is still paying off her student loans and until recently had no health insurance.

She shocked many in New York politics, including herself, when she defeated 10-term representative Joe Crowley in New York's Democratic congressional primary last spring.

The victory made her the national face of young, discontented Democrats - often women and minorities - trying to shove their party to the left.

One of the nation's first Islamic woman members, Ilhan Omar, 36, celebrated with crowds of Somali-Americans as she was elected by Democrat voters in Minnesota.

Ilhan Omar, 36, became one of the first Islamic women elected to the house as the Somalian-American was elected last night alongside, Rashida Tlaib

Omar arrives for her victory party last night in Minneapolis, Minnesota - home to the world's largest Somali population outside of East Africa

She was born in Somalia but spent much of her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp as civil war tore apart her home country.

She arrived in the United States aged 12, teaching herself English by watching American TV and eventually settling with her family in Minneapolis, home to the world's largest Somali population outside of East Africa.

She was joined by another Muslim woman, Rashida Tlaib, who claimed victory for the Democrats in Michigan.

The 42-year-old's relatives in the West Bank greeted the news with a mixture of pride and hope that she had be able to take on a US administration widely seen as hostile to Muslims and the Palestinian cause.

Rashida Tlaib, 42, a Muslim with relatives in the West Bank at her victory party last night in Detroit, Michigan

Debra Haaland, 57, one of the first Native American women elected, speaks to her mother last night in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Haaland celebrates with her brother last night as news of her historic victory breaks

Debra Haaland has become the one of the first Native American woman elected to Congress by New Mexico Democrat voters, joining Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids.

There has only been one previous Native American in Congress: Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado from 1987 to 1993.

Haaland, 57, a tribal member of the Laguna Pueblo who was born in Winslow, Arizona, defeated a crowded field of mainly Hispanic candidates in the Democratic primary.

Her fellow Native, Davids, 38, introduced herself to voters with a video of her kicking a large punching bag, then upended politics in deep-red Kansas by ousting a Republican incumbent and becoming the first LGBT Native American elected to US Congress.

She garnered national attention as part of a crop of diverse Democratic candidates.

Sharice Davids, 38, an LGBT Native American making her victory speech last night in Olathe, Kansas

Abby Finkenauer reacts after learning of her victory last night in Duburque, Iowa

Another 29-year-old celebrated last night - Abby Finkenauer an Iowa Democrat, 10 months older than Ocasio-Cortez, defeated two-term Republican incumbent Rod Blum in a fiercely-contested race.

Finkenauer styles herself as a folksy champion of working-class families, she is a union favorite and frequently discusses how her father is a welder and her mother is a school district employee.

After Hillary Clinton's defeat to Donald Trump more women than ever before won major-party primaries as the Democrats took a majority in the House.

Women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate - with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jasser (pictured) is said to have been murdered in jail

Another dissident journalist has reportedly been tortured and killed in Saudi Arabia.

Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jasser is said to have been murdered in jail a month after Jamal Khashoggi was slaughtered in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.

News site The New Khaleej reported Al-Jasser's death on Saturday quoting human rights sources. The report has not been confirmed.

Human rights groups say the Saudi government believed Al-Jasser secretly ran a Twitter account called Kashkool, which exposed human rights violations by officials and the royals.

Saudi spies in Twitter's regional HQ in Dubai unmasked him and he was arrested in March, according to reports.

The spy ring was said to be run by Saud al-Qahtani, Crown Prince Mohammad's 'thuggish' aide who was demoted after being blamed for the Khashoggi crisis.

If true, the revelations that Saudi Arabia is still killing journalists even after the uproar caused by the Khashoggi scandal will dismay the West.

It comes after Turkish media claimed yesterday that Saudi consulate staff tried to dismantle CCTV equipment at their Istanbul compound to help cover up Khashoggi's murder.

Human rights group Prisoners of Conscience claimed al-Jasser was behind a Twitter account critical of the royals

Khashoggi (pictured), a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government, disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2

Workers attempted to tear out a security camera inside the building on October 2, the day the writer walked in and was killed, according to reports in Turkey.

Attempts were also made at tampering with a video system in the police security booth outside the complex days later, it is claimed.

According to Turkey's pro-government Sabah newspaper, a member of staff at the consulate went to access the police security post video system at 1am on October 6.

Sabah said the same individual entered a digital lock code into the system to block access to footage showing movements at the entrance - including the moment Khashoggi arrived at the consulate.

However, Al Jazeera reports that police had already deciphered codes and accessed the system before the attempted tampering allegedly took place.

Meanwhile, Turkey's foreign minister has claimed a 15-man Saudi team that flew to Turkey before the killing of Jamal Khashoggi must have been acting on orders.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Mevlut Cavusoglu added that it was Saudi Arabia's responsibility to tell Turkey what happened to the Khashoggi's body, according to Anadolu news agency.

But he reiterated Ankara's stance that the directions had not come from King Salman.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.A woman got the ultimate revenge on her ex-boyfriend who stole from her to pay for a trip to Paris with his other girlfriend - by meeting him with police at the airport.

Angel Exford, 29, dated Michael Fehsenfeld, 26, for a few months before their relationship broke down in September.

On a date before the break-up he claimed he had lost his wallet so she gave him her purse to pay for their meal.

He used the chance to take her card details and after blocking her on social media, money started to mysteriously leave her account.

From flowers to hotel rooms the final straw came when flights and accommodation to Paris were paid for with her card.

She realised he was showering another girlfriend with gifts and a romantic getaway - so she decided to get revenge.

Miss Exford found out when Mr Fehsenfeld was due to fly to Paris and turned up at Gatwick Airport to catch him on October 5, where police were ready to arrest him.

The dental hygienist, from south London, shared the story on Twitter where it has gone viral with the hashtag #fraudbae.

Angel Exford, 29 (pictured left) dated Michael Fehsenfeld, 26 (right) for a few months before their relationship broke down in September. When he stole from her to pay for a trip to Paris with his other girlfriend, she got revenge by meeting him at the airport

Mr Fehsenfeld (pictured with his other girlfriend at Gatwick airport) was caught red-handed on October 5. Police arrested him and he was charged and convicted of fraud

Mr Fehsenfeld pleaded guilty to fraud at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on October 22 and was later sentenced to a 26-week sentence suspended for two years, as well as 150 hours of supervised community service.

Miss Exford received compensation, while her ex-lover was left with fraud on his record for taking her card details and using them with intent.

Dental hygienist Miss Exford, from Lambeth, south London, said: 'We'd only been dating for two or three months and I was starting to really like him.

'We'd met at an event over summer and it was physical attraction initially.

'He seemed like a nice normal guy and we were getting on well.

'But in July, on a date to a Camden nightclub, he told me he'd lost his wallet. I agreed to pay for the date and he took my card up to pay.

'It didn't even cross my mind that he would then steal my details and use my money to spoil his real girlfriend.

Other girlfriend: After ending his relationship with Miss Exford, it emerged Mr Fehsenfeld was seeing a different woman (pictured) and used his ex's money to buy her presents

Angel Exford (pictured) has had her fraud story shared thousands of times online with the hashtag #fraudbae going viral

Mr Fehsenfeld, who managed to avoid jail for fraud, is pictured in front of a Range Rover wearing a large gold watch

'After that date he blocked me on all social media which I thought was odd.

'Then a month later, I noticed money disappearing from my account.

'I couldn't believe it, flowers and flights to Paris were just some of the things he bought.'

Miss Exford was unable to see her ex's posts, so got her friends to follow him on social media to find out what he was doing.

Then when an easyJet transaction showed up on her account, it had a flight reference on it, which she used to track his details - exposing him and his other girlfriend as the people who were booked in to travel to France.

The love rat's other girlfriend posted images of flowers he bought her - using Miss Exford's card - on her Instagram

Miss Exford found her ex had bought roses for his other woman using her money

Miss Exford created a group chat with her friends to help expose 'fraudbae'

She added: 'Thanks to my friends who helped assemble all the evidence from Twitter where he'd written he was going to Paris, I was able to go to the police.

'I cancelled all my cards and as my card had been used for the flights I was able to access his boarding passes, one for him and one for his girl.

'We then decided to confront Michael with police at Gatwick Airport and he was arrested.'

As well as flowers and the trip to Paris, the fraudster had used Miss Exford's money to pay for a Sky TV subscription, council and parking ticket bills - as well as buying likes on his Instagram account - totalling 1,200.

She decided to publicly expose her love-rat on social media, and her post has since gone viral with thousands of likes and re-tweets.

Miss Exford is pictured in her Facebook photos. She has had a surge in followers after she shared her experiences online

Angel Exford said she was hesitant about sharing her story at first. But when she realised her ex had been using her money to pay for gifts for his other girlfriend, it was the last straw

The dental hygienist (pictured) has had a surge in followers since chronicling the 'fraudbae' story on her social media channels

Writing on a long Twitter thread, she posted: 'I was a bit hesitant about exposing Michael Fehsenfeld as I didn't want my business out like that and I just couldn't deal with the stress of it.

'However he really took the p*** out of my life and disrespected me to a whole new level when I was nothing but kind to him.

'Now I'm like f*** this humble, be the better person c***.

'This is why people feel the need to walk all over me! I'm so over it. I wanna make sure he doesn't do this to anyone else.'

Mr Fehsenfeld's social media accounts are also at the centre of the scandal, facing an onslaught from angry girls fuming at his actions.

He has tried to laugh off the ordeal, even adopting the #fraudbae hashtag himself. He is pictured signing what appears to be a contract

One person posted: 'Such an attention seeker... why didn't they keep this man in jail?'

Another wrote on his page: 'Karma is real, people like you make me sick.'

Mr Fehensenfeld has tried to laugh off the awkward affair, posting images on his Instagram with the #fraudbae hashtag.

He also uploaded a video of him rapping about what happened, with one line of a song saying: 'I'm seeing all the s*** that's happening, it is what it is. Fraudbae. Yeah OK.'

Almost twelve thousand users have shared the thread, warning others of 'fraudbae'.

She added: 'We nicknamed him 'fraudbae' and made sure we had all the evidence.

'Having them as a support system was the thing that kept me going. I just look as myself as blessed.

'I have attracted loyal friends and I will always be there for them like they have been for me.'A father in Shanghai, China went above and beyond to surprise his daughter at school.

The three-year-old girl burst into laughter when her father showed up in an inflatable dinosaur costume at her kindergarten last Wednesday on Halloween.

The heart-warming act was a reward for the girl's good behaviour at school, her parents told reporters.

A three-year-old girl was in for a big surprise when her father showed up in an inflatable dinosaur costume at her kindergarten in Shanghai last Wednesday on Halloween

The heart-warming act was a reward for the girl's good behaviour at school, her parents said

The girl's mother posted the hilarious clip on popular video app Dou Yin, where it has gathered nearly 150,000 likes and has been widely shared.

In the four-part clip, the father is seen in the two-metre high green T-rex costume, marching towards the kindergarten entrance among a crowd of surprised parents waiting for their children. A very puzzled-looking security guard let him in.

He crams through the door and approaches his daughter, who is seen lining up with the rest of her classmates.

Recognising her father, the girl's look of bemusement broke into smiles and excitement.

In the four-part clip, the father is seen in the 2-metre high green T-rex costume, marching towards the kindergarten entrance among a crowd of surprised parents

The father crams through the door and approaches his daughter, who is seen lining up with the rest of her classmates. It took the girl few seconds to recognise her dad in the costume

'Daddy! Daddy!' she shouted, reaching up to pet the large dinosaur head while other parents and children laughed.

When the girl's mother asked what kind of reward she wanted for her good behaviour at school, the three-year-old mentioned that she hoped a dinosaur could come pick her up from school one day, according to Beijing News.

'She fulfilled her promise to us to behave well at school, so we wanted to fulfil our promise to her,' the girl's mother told reporters. 'It's just mutual respect, I think.'

Recognising her father, the girl's look of bemusement broke into smiles and excitement

She and her husband then purchased the costume online before giving their daughter the adorable surprise.

The video, also shared on Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo, saw the the loving parents widely praised.

'What a nice dad! So much love in this family,' a comment read.

'Such a creative method to reward a child's good behaviour,' another said. 'Very good parents!'Donald Trump took credit for pulling a handful of vulnerable Senate Republican candidates who embraced him across the finish line, and taunted those who failed to get with the program.

The president used his Twitter account to laud those who cooperated and send a signal to any others who might try to forge their own path, after an election night that saw some House Republicans who tried to keep their distance from the volatile president losing their seats.

'Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm Election, embracing certain policies and principles, did very well,' the president wrote Wednesday morning.

'Those that did not, say goodbye!' he taunted them.

'Yesterday was such a very Big Win, and all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!' he added.

Earlier, Trump wrote: 'Thanks, I agree' in response to a post by David Asman after the Fox Business anchor suggested victorious GOP candidates owe Trump 'their political career'.

Asman had tweeted: 'How do the Democrats respond to this? Think of how his position with Republicans improves - all the candidates who won tonight. They realize how important he is because of what he did in campaigning for them. They owe him their political career'.

Republican senators are celebrating a growing majority and hold out hope of picking up even more Democratic scalps in a series of nailbiters.

In Montana, the race between Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Matt Rosendale is too close to call.

Donald Trump (pictured) has this morning highlighted his own influence in expanding the Republican Senate majority

The US President tweeted 'Thanks, I agree' in response to a post by David Asman after the Fox Business anchor suggested victorious GOP candidates owe Trump 'their political career'

It comes after the defeat of at least three Democratic incumbents  Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota, Claire McCaskill in Missouri - and the apparent defeat of Bill Nelson in Florida.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Three of the Democratic losses all came in heavily Republican states carried by President Trump in 2016 - while Nelson's Florida has consistently been won or lost by tiny margins.

Donnelly and McCaskill were running competitive races as gauged by opinion polls; Heitkamp was not.

KEY SENATE RESULTS INDIANA - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Mike Braun (Republican) beats incumbent Joe Donnelly (Democrat) 52.8 to 43.1 MISSOURI - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Josh Hawley (Republican) beats incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat) 51.9 to 44.9 NORTH DAKOTA - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Kevin Cramer (Republican) beats incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat) 54.7 to 45.3 WEST VIRGINIA - DEMOCRAT HOLD: Jos Manchin (Democrat) beats Patrick Morrisey (Republican) 49.5 to 46.3 TENNESSEE - REPUBLICAN HOLD: Marsha Blackburn (Republican) beats Phil Bredesen 55.4 to 44.1 Advertisement

Nelson did not concede in public but made a statement through a spokesman, the Tampa Bay Tribune reported which suggested he could challenge the outcome and threw the race into confusion until he speaks.

'This is obviously not the result Senator Nelson's campaign has worked hard for. The senator will be making a full statement tomorrow to thank all those who rallied for his cause,' the spokesman said.

The margin for a recount in Florida is 0.5 per cent of the total. With 99 per cent reporting, Republican Rick Scott was on 50.3 per cent, and Nelson on 49.7 - meaning he could be in the zone for a recount.

The defeat of the three ensures Republicans will have of a margin to push through President Trump's judicial and executive appointments, as several more centrist Republicans retire  though the loss of the House to Democrats delivers a blow to any prospect of a Trump legislative agenda.

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Leading political prognosticators had already anticipated the likelihood of Republican gains in the Senate. Nevertheless, with close polling and great uncertainty about the electorate that would show up, there was still a chance Democrats would take over the Senate.

That would have brought an even more dramatic reordering of the balance of power than what occurred Tuesday with the GOP's loss of the House.

Donnelly's loss came in first, taking the wind out of Democrats' hopes they might be able to defy polls and recapture the Senate.

Republican Mike Braun was leading Donnelly by 54 to 42 per cent, with half the vote counted Tuesday night, when ABC News and NBC both called the race.

Donnelly's defeat was followed by the defeat of Heitkamp, who was trying to hang on in a seat President Donald Trump carried by 35 percentage points. Republican Kevin Cramer defeated her, ending her Senate service at a single term.

NBC called Heitkamp's defeat. She was trailing Carmer 58 to 42 with 35 per cent of the vote counted.

DEFEATED: Red state Democratic senators Joe Donnelly was defeated in Indiana and Claire McCaskill in Missouri

PRICE PAID: Heidi Heitkamp (pictured) went down in North Dakota after voting against Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation

McCaskill was trailing Josh Hawley, the Missouri state attorney general.

The defeat of a the Democratic incumbents, along with Cruz's survival, ensured Republicans would pad their 51-seat Senate majority, even as the results came in for other outstanding Senate races.

Another Democratic hope that had been fading for days was finally extinguished when Rep. Marsha Blackburn defeated Phil Bredesen in Tennessee.

However West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who cast a vote in favor of Trump's nominee Brett Kavanaugh, managed to hang onto his Senate seat. He was on the cusp of 50 per cent of the vote with 93 percent of precincts reporting.

The GOP majority was 51 to 49 when the night began.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz held off a stiff challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke and declared victory in Houston

Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke voted in El Paso Tuesday morning with his wife, Amy, three kids - Ulysses, 11, Molly, 10, and Henry, 7, and members of the media in tow

To prevail, Democrats already faced high odds of having to take down Republican incumbents by holding virtually all of the seats they are defending. Democratic incumbents were already endangered in North Dakota and Missouri.

President Donald Trump identified Indiana as a critical pickup opportunity, traveling to the state twice in the four days in the final days of the campaign. He attacked Donnelly by linking him to the national party and gave face time to Braun with his appearances.

Braun led throughout the night as the results came in. The president held his final campaign rally of the cycle in Missouri, signaling the importance the GOP placed on taking down McCaskill, who came into office by defeating a weak opponent, former Rep. Todd Akin.

Donnelly was considered one of the nation's most vulnerable incumbents, representing a state that voted heavily for Trump, who beat Hillary Clinton by 19 percentage points in 2016.

Braun, a GOP businessman, blasted Donnelly as under the sway of national Democratic Party leaders like Nancy Pelosi, and made the link relentlessly in TV ads. Donnelly hit back in TV ads that highlighted the health plans Donnelly provided to his employees that included a $10,000 deductible.

Trump used his Twitter account to rip Donnelly in the final stretch.

'Rumor has it that Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana is paying for Facebook ads for his so-called opponent on the libertarian ticket. Donnelly is trying to steal the election? Isnt that what Russia did!?' Trump wrote.

The tweet drew outrage from the Indiana Democratic Party chair, John Zody, who responded that the ads 'are perfectly legal, factual and accurately represent [independent] Lucy Brenton's anti-tax record.'

Donnelly sought to position himself as a centrist, having come into Congress by defeating a Tea Party-backed candidate, Richard Mourdoch.Theresa May (pictured at a First World War commemoration yesterday) has been struggling to thrash out a deal with the EU

Theresa May has called in the Cabinet to read a nearly-complete version of the Brexit divorce deal - as EU leaders said the package is in the 'landing zone'.

The PM has invited ministers to study a draft text of the Withdrawal Agreement at a secure location in Whitehall.

It is the latest sign that the two sides are closing in on an agreement - although crucially the document still lacks the section on the Irish 'backstop'. The provision is intended to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic if no wider trade agreement is sealed by the end of a mooted transition period in December 2020.

Donald Tusk dropped a major hint of an impending Brexit breakthrough earlier.

The EU council chief - who has the power to trigger a summit that could sign off a divorce deal - said he had spoken to the PM to 'take stock' on progress. Finland's premier suggested all the biggest issues were now in the 'landing zone'.

But Brexiteers heaped pressure on Mrs May to hold firm.

Tory Eurosceptics warned that they would not be 'hoodwinked' into backing a settlement, while Labour joined calls for the government's full legal advice on any deal to be published.

The DUP - which is propping Mrs May up in power - also warned that it is ready to force an election if she reneges on her promise that nothing will divide Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Cabinet ministers are expecting to hold a snap meeting within days to approve a package after frantic efforts to resolve the standoff over the Irish border.

A leaked memo has revealed what appears to be the government's plan to sell the deal to voters by touring the country and seeking endorsements from world leaders and business chiefs.

No10 sources tried to play down the prospect of an imminent breakthrough, suggesting the call with Mr Tusk was just to keep him updated. Irish PM Leo Varadkar said a decisive summit this month was still possible but becomes more difficult with 'every day that passes'.

Donald Tusk fuelled speculation about a breakthrough today after a call with Mrs May

Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove (left) as well as Home Secretary Sajid Javid (right) voiced fears at Cabinet that the concessions may go too far

A leaked memo revealed what appears to be the government's plan to sell the deal to voters by touring the country and seeking endorsements from world leaders and business chiefs

At a tense meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, Mrs May briefed ministers on compromise plans for the Irish border 'backstop'  the final stumbling block in negotiations with Brussels.

At least seven Cabinet ministers warned the PM that the latest proposals, which concede that the UK will not be able to withdraw unilaterally from the arrangements to avoid a hard border between Norther Ireland and the Republic - may be a concession too far.

Those raising concerns about the country being trapped indefinitely in a customs union included Sajid Javid, Michael Gove, Gavin Williamson, Penny Mordaunt, Chris Grayling, Liz Truss and Jeremy Hunt.

Irish border backstop mechanism is the final hurdle in divorce talks The Brexit divorce negotiations have boiled down to the issue of the Irish border. Brussels had initially demanded that Northern Ireland stays within its jurisdiction for customs and most single market rules to avoid a hard border. But Mrs May 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, and accepted the need for extra regulatory checks in the Irish Sea. Brussels has also given ground, and now appears to be prepared to sign off a UK-wide backstop in the divorce deal. That leaves the mechanism for ending the backstop as the final hurdle to overcome - but the two sides have different views. UNILATERAL EXIT Dominic Raab has been arguing that the UK should be able to scrap the backstop arrangements by giving three to six months' notice. That would assuage Eurosceptic fears that the country could end up being trapped in an inferior customs union indefinitely, unless the EU gives permission for it to stop or a wider trade deal is sealed. ALL-WEATHER BACKSTOP For its part, the EU has been adamant that the backstop must offer an 'all-weather' solution to the Irish border issue and stay in place 'unless and until' it is superseded by other arrangements. The bloc has already effectively killed off calls for a hard end date to the backstop - and No10 is now convinced that a simple unilateral notice period will not unlock the talks. COMPROMISE PLAN Mrs May and Irish PM Leo Varadkar have discussed a 'review mechanism' for the backstop, which could involve an independent arbitration body assessing whether the terms were being honoured and if the arrangement should be ended. Potentially this could provide a solution that allows Mrs May to say the backstop would not go on for ever. But the devil will be in the detail, and ministers are keen to ensure there are 'robust' ways for the UK to escape. Advertisement

But a crucial intervention was made by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox. The eminent QC and strident Brexiteer is said to have told the gathering that a 'review' clause could be enough to give the UK an escape route.

Mrs May told her ministers that a deal has to be struck this month if it is going to be implemented in time for the UK's departure from the EU in March.

They were warned Parliament is scheduled to sit for just 74 days before the UK leaves the EU, with a mass of legislation still to pass.

The PM insisted this did not mean she was ready to strike a deal 'at any cost', and said contingency plans for a 'no deal' Brexit were being stepped up.

Mr Tusk tweeted today: 'Phone call with PM @theresa_may this morning to take stock of progress in #brexit talks and discuss way ahead.'

The Irish border has been the most vexed issue in the negotiations with the EU.

The outline divorce package agreed last December included a commitment to a 'backstop' to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

It would only come into effect after a Brexit transition period finishes at the end of 2020. Under the plan, customs and regulatory rules would stay aligned in key areas unless a wider trade pact removed the need.

Both sides insisted the provision  to be included in a Withdrawal Treaty - was a fallback and not their favoured outcome.

But tensions quickly arose over what form the backstop would take. Brussels initially demanded that Northern Ireland stays within its jurisdiction for customs and most single market rules to avoid a hard border.

Mrs May flatly rejected that 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.

However, that concept will be fiercely resisted by Eurosceptics who say there must be a time limit.

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 and is drawing up an 'independent' mechanism, which could involve arbitration on whether the terms are working and being honoured.

Documents leaked to the BBC last night suggest Mrs May is already behind schedule.

An apparent blueprint for selling a deal suggested she had hoped to strike an agreement this week before going on a tour of the four nations of the UK to promote it.

The leaked Government communications memo suggests ministers will declare the plan a 'historic moment' and urge MPs to 'put your own interests aside, put the country's interests first and back this deal'.

But Tory Brexiteers warned the public won't be foooled by any attempt to 'hoodwink' them  and even suggested that Mrs May has already agreed a deal without the Cabinet's approval.

Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Daily Telegraph: 'There are rumours a deal has been done without keeping the Cabinet properly informed. If there is an attempt to soften up and hoodwink people there will be no trust left.'

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker said: 'It looks like exactly the kind of back-of-the-envelope post-exit plan to sell a rubbish deal I would have expected.'

Ministers have been told to 'stand by your diaries' for a second Cabinet meeting to sign off the proposals, which could come as early as tomorrow.

Some ministers have pencilled in Saturday - as Mrs May is due to be in France with Emmanuel Macron for First World War commemorations on Friday.

May faces demands to publish legal advice on Brexit deal Theresa May is facing mounting demands to publish the government's legal advice on any Brexit deal. Labour has vowed to join with Tory Eurosceptics and DUP to force release of the full advice. Legal advice received by the government is regarded as secret. Tony Blair issued an extract of the advice before the Iraq War - although the full version was leaked years later. Sir Keir Starmer, in Brussels for talks, said he would use a parliamentary mechanism to try and force publication. He added that it was 'essential MPs are given the opportunity to scrutinise the Attorney General's legal advice before voting on the final deal'. 'The public have the right to know precisely what the Cabinet has signed up to and what the implications are for the future.' Former Brexit Secretary David Davis demanded at the weekend that the government publish its legal advice on the Irish border backstop. The DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said that he supported releasing the information. 'I think its in the public interest we understand fully whats happening here. Its because it affects the whole UK therefore it shouldnt just be the DUP that sees this advice, or the government,' he said. Advertisement

A No10 source said: 'We are not there yet, but it does now look like there is a way through.'

On a visit to Finland today, Mr Varadkar told journalists: 'I think it's possible for us to come to an agreement in November with a view to having a summit in November, but I do think with every day that passes the possibility of having a special summit in November becomes less likely.'

He added: 'Not getting it done in November doesn't mean we can't get it done in the first two weeks in December.'

Finnish PM Juha Sipila also struck an upbeat tone, saying all the key issued were now in the 'landing zone'.

DUP chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson upped the ante this morning, warning that the party - which is propping up Mrs May in power - is 'not afraid of a general election'.

'If we think a Brexit deal is not good for the United Kingdom, we will say so. We've been very clear about that,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'The one thing you won't accuse the Democratic Unionist Party of is not being straight talking. We are straight talking.'

Labour's Sir Keir Starmer today stepped up warnings that the party will not back 'bilnd Brexit' as he held talks in Brussels.

The shadow Brexit secretary told Today: 'It is not the duty of the Opposition to back the Prime Minister come what may.

'What we can't be expected to do now, with a gun to our head, is to back the Prime Minister whatever she brings back, however good or bad and without any detail.

'That is not opposition - that is surrender.'

He added that it was 'essential MPs are given the opportunity to scrutinise the Attorney General's legal advice before voting on the final deal'.

'The public have the right to know precisely what the Cabinet has signed up to and what the implications are for the future.'

Sir Keir raised eyebrows by failing to state explicitly that Labour will vote against, rather than abstaining, if a deal does not meet the party's six tests.

However, aides insisted Labour MPs will be whipped to oppose any such package.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis demanded at the weekend that the government publish its legal advice on the Irish border backstop.

Sir Jeffrey said today that he supported releasing the information - which is typically kept secret.

'I think its in the public interest we understand fully whats happening here. Its because it affects the whole UK therefore it shouldnt just be the DUP that sees this advice, or the government,' he said.

'If the House of Commons is going to have a meaningful vote on a deal that includes, and upon which this legal advice is very, very important, then I think people are entitled to know what that advice is.'

Downing Street insisted earlier this week that it did not comment on legal advice. Tony Blair published an extract of the government's legal advice before the Iraq War. The full version was leaked years later.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss (left) and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (right) were among those to speak out

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (left) as well as Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt (centre) and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (right) have spoken out

A draft Brexit deal agreed - but how WILL Theresa May persuade her Cabinet, Brussels and Parliament to back it (and save her job)? Theresa May (pictured at the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday) has struck a Brexit deal with Brussels - but now has to sell it to her Cabinet and then Parliament Emergency EU Summit, Brussels, November 25 What will happen? If the divorce package is agreed between the two sides, it will need to be signed off by EU leaders. EU council president Donald Tusk will convene a summit where formal approval will be given by EU leaders. This is expected sometime between November 22 and 25. Will the whole deal be agreed? The Brexit deal is due to come in two parts - a formal divorce treaty and a political declaration on what the final trade deal might look like. The second part may not be finished until a regular EU summit due on December 13-14. Assuming the negotiations have reached an agreement and Mrs May travels to Brussels with her Cabinet's support, this stage should be a formality. What if there is no agreement? If EU leaders do not sign off on the deal at this stage, no deal becomes highly likely - there is just no time left to negotiate a wholly new deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured) is still a crucial figure in the Brexit drama The so-called 'meaningful vote' in the UK Parliament, December 2019 What will happen: A debate, probably over more than one day, will be held in the House of Commons on terms of the deal. It will end with a vote on whether or not MPs accept the deal. More than one vote might happen if MPs are allowed to table amendments. The vote is only happening after MPs forced the Government to accept a 'meaningful vote' in Parliament on the terms of the deal. What happens if May wins? If the meaningful vote is passed, there will be a series of further votes as the withdrawal treaty is written into British law. It will be a huge political victory for the Prime Minister and probably secure her version of Brexit. What happens if she loses? This is possibly the most dangerous stage of all. The Prime Minister will have to stake her political credibility on winning a vote and losing it would be politically devastating. Brexiteers do not want to sign off the divorce bill without a satisfactory trade deal and Remainers are reluctant to vote for a blind Brexit. She could go back to Brussels to ask for new concessions before a second vote but many think she would have to resign quickly. The Prime Minister (pictured at the EU Council in June) has made clear the UK will leave without a deal if MPs reject her package Ratification in the EU, February 2019 What will happen? After the meaningful vote in the UK, the EU will have to ratify the agreement. The European Parliament must also vote in favour of the deal. It has a representative in the talks, Guy Verhofstadt, who has repeatedly warned the deal must serve the EU's interests. Will it be agreed? In practice, once the leaders of the 27 member states have agreed a deal, ratification on the EU side should be assured. If the deal has passed the Commons and she is still in office, this should not be dangerous for the Prime Minister. Exit day, March 29, 2019 At 11pm on March 29, 2019, Britain will cease to be a member of the European Union, two years after triggering Article 50 and almost three years after the referendum. Exit happens at 11pm because it must happen on EU time. If the transition deal is in place, little will change immediately - people will travel in the same way as today and goods will cross the border normally. But Britain's MEPs will no longer sit in the European Parliament and British ministers will no longer take part in EU meetings. Negotiations will continue to turn the political agreement on the future partnership into legal text that will eventually become a second treaty. Both sides will build new customs and immigration controls in line with what this says. Transition ends, December 2020 The UK's position will undergo a more dramatic change at the end of December 2020, when the 'standstill' transition is due to finish. If the negotiations on a future trade deal are complete, that could come into force. But if they are still not complete the Irish border 'backstop' plan could be triggered. Under current thinking, that means the UK staying in the EU customs union and more regulatory checks between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. Eurosceptics fear this arrangement will prevent the country striking trade deals elsewhere, and could effectively last for ever, as Brussels will have no incentive to negotiate a replacement deal. Advertisement

In detail, how plan could be sold to the British public Nov 6: Cabinet discusses proposed deal. Nov 8: Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab announces 'a moment of decisive progress'. The narrative should be one of 'measured success, that this is good for everyone, but won't be all champagne corks popping'. Nov 19: After ten days of behind-the-scenes talks in Brussels, Theresa May uses a speech to the CBI conference to announce she has 'delivered on the referendum'. Mr Raab will make a statement to Parliament, 25 business leaders will back the deal and 'lots of world leaders', such as Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, will 'tweet their support'. Nov 20: Seven days of parliamentary debate on the deal will begin, with the theme of 'Delivering for the Whole of the UK'. The PM will visit the north of England 'and/or Scotland' and 100 business leaders will be targeted to come out in support of the deal. Nov 21: Chancellor Philip Hammond will open the Commons debate on the theme of 'economy, jobs, customs'. Nov 22: Sajid Javid will lead the Commons debate and give media interviews on the theme of 'taking back control of our borders'. Nov 23: The Commons will debate the financial aspects of the deal, including the impact on NHS funding. Health Secretary Matt Hancock will make a related hospital visit. Nov 24: MPs will sit on a Saturday for the first time since the Falklands War to debate the impact on Northern Ireland. The PM will visit the Province. Irish PM Leo Varadkar will be asked to speak out in support. Nov 25: Liam Fox will lead Commons debate on 'global Britain', including the potential for trade deals and the impact on security co-operation with the EU. Nov 26: MPs will debate 'taking back control of our laws'. The Prime Minister will do an interview with 'Dimbleby' (thought to be the BBC's David Dimbleby). Nov 27: Michael Gove will lead a debate on the impact on farming and fishing before MPs vote on the deal in the evening. Written at the bottom of the memo in block capital letters: 'HISTORIC MOMENT, PUT YOUR OWN INTERESTS ASIDE, PUT THE COUNTRY'S INTERESTS FIRST AND BACK THIS DEAL' Advertisement

Labour's no to a 'blind' deal Labour will not back any Brexit deal that leaves the UK in only a 'temporary' customs union, John McDonnell has said. It is committed to keeping the UK in a permanent customs union and the Shadow Chancellor said the PM's plan for a temporary one will fuel uncertainty. Asked if Labour would vote against a customs union option unless it was permanent, Mr McDonnell told the BBC's Newsnight show: 'Yeah, I think so, because... we'll see what she comes back with and we will be straight and honest with people, if it doesn't protect jobs and the economy we can't support it.' Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer will hold talks with EU officials in Brussels today and warn Labour is opposed to a so-called 'blind Brexit'. Tory Brandon Lewis said the views were evidence of Labour leadership's wrecking tactics, adding: 'Labour has spent the last two years doing everything it possibly can to frustrate the Brexit process.' AdvertisementThrough the ages, books have been accused of promoting everything from cannibalism to witchcraft. Children's stories, classics, and scientific studies have faced bans in various countries across the world because they were deemed obscene, Islamophobic or simply too controversial.

Here are just some of the books which were initially banned upon publication:

The Satanic Verses

Salman Rushdie

Rushdie's fourth novel was inspired in part by the life of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. But the magic realist epic book sparked controversy upon its publication in 1988.

Muslims accused it of blasphemy and mocking their faith, resulting in a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then Supreme Leader of Iran, on 14 February 1989. He called upon Muslims to kill not only Rushdie but also his editors and publishers. The result was several failed assassination attempts on Rushdie, who was placed under police protection by the UK government, and attacks on several connected individuals such as translator Hitoshi Igarashi, who was stabbed to death at the University of Tsukuba in 1991 by an unknown assailant.

Violent demonstrations ensued in Pakistan, copies of the novel were burned in Britain, where several bookstores were bombed; and the work was banned in several countries.

Lady Chatterley's Lover

D.H. Lawrence

Penguin's 1960 publication of the original text of Lady Chatterley's Lover led to arguably the most famous trial in literary history when they had to prove the work had enough literary merit to warrant its explicit content under the obscenity law. Penguin won, with EM Forster defending it in court, and Lawrence's story of Lady Constance Chatterley and her affair with gamekeeper Mellors went on to sell three million copies in the three months after the trial.

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Orwell's allegorical 1945 novel about the Soviet Union was banned in the USSR until the 1980s. Through the animal inhabitants of Manor Farm, Orwell criticised what he saw as a brutal dictatorship and reign of terror. Before it could be banned it was also rejected several times for publication, as it was written during the UK's wartime alliance with the Soviet Union. It was also temporarily banned in the UAE because of its talking pigs, seen to be against Islamic values.

Doctor Zhivago

Boris Pasternak

Pasternak's depiction of Russian life after the Bolshevik Revolution was banned in the former Soviet Union until 1988. Such was the native hostility towards his book's apparent criticisms of the Bolshevik party that Pasternak turned down the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958 after being threatened with ejection from the USSR.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L Frank Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) was banned in many US libraries and schools in the 1930s and again in the 1950s for promoting 'unwholesome' values via its independent female protagonist and its 'ungodly' characters such as witches and flying monkeys.

Lolita

Vladimir Nabikov

The story depicting a sexual relationship between a middle-aged man and a 12-year-old girl was published in 1955. The UK Home Office ordered British Customs officials to seize any copies entering the UK in a ban which lasted until 1959. The British publication by Weidenfeld and Nicolson affected the reputation of the British publisher and politician, Nigel Nicolson.

Mein Kampf

Adolf Hitler

Hitler's autobiography and manifesto sold millions of copies during the Nazi regime but was banned in Germany in 1945. It has been subjected to various bans across the world including Argentina, where its publication or import in significant numbers is illegal. It was not published in Poland until 1992.

Harry Potter

J K Rowling

Despite more than 450 million copies of the Harry Potter series being sold around the globe, the first four books are the most banned books in America. Accused of promoting witchcraft and the occult, and labelled a 'masterpiece of satanic deception', the books have been banned and burned across the US, although many schools have stood firm against parental requests to remove the books from their libraries.

Beloved

Toni Morrison

Although it won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Morrison's story of an escaped slave named Sethe has been challenged again and again by parents when it is given as set reading in English lessons. The book's violence and sexual content have repeatedly provoked controversy and ten years after its publication it was entirely banned from English classes at a high school in Kentucky, and students from one Idaho district had to have parental permission to study it.

The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer

Written at the end of the 14th century, Chaucer's collection of stories in Middle English has been banned, challenged and censored for centuries. The stories follow a group of pilgrims making up tales on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket and are filled with sexual innuendo, swearing and perceived criticism of the church. It was censored widely on first publication and them under the 1873 Comstock Law it was banned from being posted in the US, with several modern editions still heavily edited for profanity.

Letters From Burma

Aung San Suu Kyi

This collection of essays from Nobel Peace Prize winner and current Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was banned in her native Burma while she was under house arrest for fifteen years, despite being widely available across the world. In these letters she paints a picture of her Burma; from the impact of the political situation, to the people who have supported the National League for Democracy, to the landscape and customs of the country itself.

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green

Despite being one of the biggest young adult sensations of recent years, Green's mega-bestseller was banned in a school district in California after a parent challenged it's 'morbid plot, crude language and sexual content' saying it wasn't appropriate for middle school aged children. Hazel and Gus' heartbreaking love story is only the second book to be banned in the district after Robert Cormier's 1974 novel The Chocolate War.

Not Without My Daughter

Betty Mahmoody

This is the true story of Betty Mahmoody who travelled to Iran from the US to meet her husband's family. Once there she realised that her husband and his family had always intended them to stay, and that she and her daughter were trapped with an increasingly violent man in a society where most women were treated as property. This account of her attempts to escape with her daughter was banned in Iran for its depiction of the patriarchal culture there

The Complete Fairy Tales

Brothers Grimm

Although the Brothers Grimm were the collectors rather than the inventors of the fairy tales they published, they were still banned in Germany after the fall of the Nazis. The collection was banned by the Allies who claimed the roots of Nazism could be found in the stories; particularly citing the way the Nazis used Little Red Riding Hood as a symbol of the German people being saved from the Jewish wolf.

The Well of Loneliness

Radclyffe Hall

Hall's lesbian romance was the subject of an obscenity trial despite featuring no explicit or erotic scenes. The story follows an upper-class woman who falls in love with a female ambulance driver during World War One, but is rejected by her family and society because of the relationship. The campaign against it was spearheaded by the then-editor of the Sunday Express and a British court judged it obscene for its 'unnatural practises between women'. In 1949 it was republished without challenge and has been in print continuously since.

The Witches (Colour Edition)

Roald Dahl, illustration by Quentin Blake

Dahl's beloved but dark tale of witches living in disguise as normal women has been challenged consistently since it was published in 1983, primarily in the US. Criticisms against it include not teaching moral values (Iowa in 1987), turning children towards the occult (Dallas in 1991) and satanic themes (Ohio in 1998). Most of Dahl's books have been challenged or banned over the years, with The BFG even being accused of promoting cannibalism.

Source: Penguin and Encyclopedia Britannica and TelegraphThis is the shocking moment a group of desperate migrants sprint after a lorry and risk their lives as they try to jump on board and head to Britain.

In the video the refugees are seen lying in wait for the British lorry, sprinting alongside it and trying to leap on the back as it heads for a ferry port in northern France.

The group, who ignore the danger of a second lorry following behind, spring on the back of the lorry when it slows down for a roundabout but are thwarted when the vehicle speeds back up towards 30mph.

The footage was filmed in the Normandy town of Ouistreham, which is close to the ferry terminal at Caen and has recently become a target for migrants trying to cross the Channel.

A group of migrants follow the British lorry driver as he steers his way through the French port town of Ouistreham which has become a target for people trying to cross the Channel

Moments later a second group try their luck when the truck brakes to negotiate a corner, as a handful of them hurl themselves onto the back.

French police then arrive on the scene to detain the men.

The dramatic footage was taken from a dashcam in the second lorry, which was was travelling in convoy with the vehicle in front which was carrying a flight simulator.

Migrants are targeting the small port town in northern France because it is easier to get on board than in Calais, a Sky News report claimed earlier this year.

Mark Dennis, the driver of the second truck, is from Southampton, Hampshire, but has lived in Limoges, south west France, for two and a half years.

The 41-year-old said the problem is a daily occurrence and is getting worse.

He estimates that there are over 100 migrants who line the streets in the space of less than a mile before the ferry terminal.

He said: 'The situation is pretty bad at the moment. There are over 100 migrants lining the street of the village which you have to drive through to get to the ferry terminal.

Four of the migrants chase the lorry heading for Britain as one tries to jump on the back of the moving vehicle and three others try to keep up

One of the migrants leaps on the flat back of the lorry - which was carrying a flight simulator - as he tries to get on board a ferry to take him to Britain

After the Calais Jungle was shut down many migrants moved to Ouistreham, more than 200 miles south-west on the northern coast of France, to access the town's ferry port

'There are several roundabouts and chicanes so the abnormal load lorries are very vulnerable when they have to slow down as the migrants will try and get on them and bury themselves in the load.

'The police seem to allow this and then follow the lorry to the ferry terminal where they pull it over and round up the migrants.

'One of the migrants' strategies is to hurl themselves in front of a car so the lorry behind has to brake suddenly and they can get on the back then.

'I feel for the migrants as they must be really desperate to get in this country but it is very alarming for lorry drivers.

'You fear you are going to run someone over and the authorities seem powerless to stop what's going on.

'I drive that route often and this is happening all the time - if anything, things are getting worse.'

Nearly 1,000 people are still camped out in northern France desperately hoping to get into Britain, despite the demolition of the Calais jungle in October 2016.

Most of the migrants in the small fishing town of Ouistreham have fled from war-torn Sudan.

One of the migrants is seen with a French police van in the background as authorities stop the migrants who were trying to jump on the back of a lorryTwo tigers rescued from the hell of the Syrian war after being left in a derelict zoo surrounded by dead animals have been reunited for the first time.

Sayeeda and her brother Sultan were snatched to safety from what remained of Aleppo zoo in August last year.

Behind them, in shattered cages and compounds, 140 creatures lay dead - killed by bombs, bullets, starvation or stress, including the young tigers' parents.

After the war began in 2011 and fighting intensified in Aleppo, the zoo's caretakers were forced to abandon its inhabitants.

Scroll down for video.

Sayeeda and her brother Sultan were rescued from what remained of Aleppo zoo and reunited for the first time the Netherlands

After their traumatic time in war-torn Syria the reunited siblings splashed each other with water at their new home in the Netherlands

The pair were malnourished and traumatised after being abandoned in the derelict zoo in the war-torn region, close to the frontline

Reunited: The siblings played together for the first time since being separated by the Syrian war

Getting the pair out of Syria to safety 14 months ago was a tough mission as the frontline in the civil war was just a sniper's bullet away from the abandoned Magic World of Animals zoo.

Sayeeda and Sultan were part of a small menagerie ferried across the border into Turkey, forced to cross three separately held rebel areas in one of the most daring animal rescues ever mounted.

The shell-shocked tigers were joined by three lions, two Asian brown bears and two hyenas.

Eventually, they were flown to rescue facilities in Jordan, and two months after their liberation, the tigers arrived at Four Paws' Felida Big Cat centre in the Netherlands.

The three-year-olds were traumatised and malnourished and at one point Sultan went into cardiac arrest when he was given anaesthesia for a health check-up.

So far they've made the long, delicate road to recovery in separate compounds in the Netherlands.

The tigers were left in the hell of the war and surrounded by 140 dead animals, including their parents

The owner of the Magic World of Animals zoo begged an ambulance driver to help and charities and Turkish authorities were mobilised to rescue the tragic beasts

The mission to get the tigers and other surviving animals to safety from rebel held areas was one of the most daring animal rescues ever mounted

When he was being rescued Sultan went into cardiac arrest when he was given anaesthesia for a health check-up

But now they're together again  chasing and teasing each other, splashing in a water pool, and chewing on sweet pumpkins and scented hay.

The pair can be seen playing happily together after being re-united for the first time.

Each day they will be given more time to socialise as part of their return to physical and mental health.

The aim is to eventually release them into a much larger compound in the wilds of South Africa.

Simone Schuls of the international animal charity, Four Paws, which organised the rescue from Syria, said getting the sibling reunited was a vital part of their rehabilitation.

He said: 'It's incredible to see them like this. In the wild, tigers are often solitary creatures, but getting Sayeeda and Sultan together again is a crucial part of their rehabilitation.

'They learn from each other and gain confidence every day. Their balance is improving and so is their general awareness.

Sultan was taken from Aleppo zoo in northern Syria to the Al-Ma'wa wildlife reserve near Souf, Jordan, on August 14, 2017, where he relaxes in a water pool

Sayeeda and Sultan are now in the Netherlands receiving rehabilitation before hopefully being transferred to a much larger facility in South Africa

They are now playing together, chasing and teasing each other, splashing in water pools, and chewing on pumpkins and scented hay

Sayeeda and Sultan at the Four-Paws rescue centre in Jordan after being rescued from Aleppo zoo

'We can already see they are more relaxed, and that's important. Sultan is so much stronger than Sayeeda and he could seriously injure her. Instead he just tolerates her teasing him.

'It's great to watch them inspire each other to a better quality of life. But they still tire very easily and after a play session they often both fall into a contented sleep. So we're building things up gradually.'

The international Four Paws animal charity admitted it dealt with some 'very bad men' to negotiate the safe passage of the last nine animals out of the remains of Aleppo zoo to their new home in neighbouring Jordan.

Austrian charity Four Paws, with the help of the Turkish government and a local security company, crossed into Syria from Turkey in August last year to rescue the animals from the abandoned zoo Aalim al-Sahar in Aleppo.

Four Paws animal keeper, Juno Van Zon, was part of the rescue mission and trained the tigers to climb into their transport cages without the need for sedation.

He said: 'Tigers like Sayeeda and Sultan look strong and mighty, but sometimes after trauma, they have sensitive problems just like humans. It's very emotional for me to see them making their way back to full health.'Advertisement

A British couple have defended their choice to take their 20-month-old around the world despite facing criticism back home as they insist their son is learning more while backpacking then he would be in childcare.

Former PhD student Emma Stirk, 26, has put her scientific career on hold to become an 'around-the-world mum' as she backpacks across the globe with her toddler in tow.

Since putting her career on hold, Emma has travelled to 45 countries with her fiance Kieran, and now the pair have passed the travel bug on to their son Roscoe, who has already taken in 12 different countries.

The toddler's proud parents say that since being born, Roscoe has learned to roll over in Montenegro, learned to walk in Italy and started to run in Bali.

But the family has received criticism for their choice to go backpacking with Roscoe, having been told that he will not be able to remember it and that he is susceptible to illness abroad.

Emma Stirk and her fiance Kieran have defended their choice to take their 20-month-old (pictured together at An Bang Beach in Vietnam) around the world despite facing criticism back home

The family (shown in Cambodia, left, and Ayutthaya in Thailand, right) has received criticism for their choice to go backpacking with Roscoe, having been told that he will not be able to remember it and that he is susceptible to illness abroad

The toddler's proud parents say that since being born, Roscoe has learned to roll over in Montenegro (shown), learned to walk in Italy and started to run in Bali

Since putting her career on hold, Emma has travelled to 45 countries with her fiance Kieran, and now the pair have passed the travel bug on to their son Roscoe, who has already taken in 12 different countries, including Thailand (left) and Vietnam (right)

'Travelling with a baby can throw you into some pretty stressful situations,' said Emma, from Leeds from West Yorkshire.

'We actually find it easier looking after a toddler while on the move than while at home because when we're travelling Roscoe has constant stimulation. He develops so much when he's exposed to different environments.

'Travelling with a baby requires more luggage and organisation but it's one of the best things we've done. It also helps break down language barriers and opens conversations with so many people which wouldn't have happened otherwise.

'I don't think there's ever a perfect time or age to travel with children and we're fully aware that Roscoe is unlikely to remember the adventures so far.

'But he started to roll over in Montenegro, learned to walk in Italy and ran in Bali. We have it all on camera.

'It's never too young to build their open-mindedness and encourage them to appreciate life from different perspectives. Roscoe is at his happiest when we're all together exploring somewhere new.'

The family take a rest at the Train Street cafe in Hanoi in October. Emma claims that the youngster is 'at his happiest when we're all together exploring somewhere new'

Emma said the family's current trip has seen them visit Thailand (left), Vietnam (right), Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, completing about 50,000 air miles including some interrailing around Europe

Emma wheels Roscoe round Heathrow Airport in May 2018. Although they are looking to return to the UK for Christmas, they hope to be back overseas next year

The family pictured in Chiang Mai in September 2018. The family are currently on a trip around south-west Asia, taking in countries such as Thailand and Cambodia

Kieran, a software developer, can carry out much of his work from wherever they are in the world. The couple are frugal with their money whilst living in the UK, managing to save 7,000 for their current trek of three months.

Emma said the family's current trip has seen them visit Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, completing about 50,000 air miles including some interrailing around Europe.

She added: 'The most difficult part is long haul flights - especially when he was trying to crawl everywhere and touch everything.

'We try to minimise difficulties by flying at night, so he might sleep, and we try to bag a row for ourselves on the plane.

'We've had lots of comments about whether he will remember it or not, or that we're doing it for us and not him and that it isn't fair on him.

'Our response when people tell us that he could get ill is that we have been sensible and avoided malaria-ridden areas and have given Roscoe all the necessary vaccinations.

'We found that Roscoe actually picked up a lot more illness from going to childcare back at home than while we've been abroad.'

You can check out the family's travels by visiting @exploringwithmamabea and by going to exploringwithmamabea.comAdvertisement

A jaguar and her cub were spotted taking an unusual stand on how to best prepare dinner in southwestern Brazil.

The cub and mother had dived into a river in the Pantanal wetlands and caught a 10ft long anaconda snake.

After they dragged the snake onto the river-bank, they began a tug of war: fighting over the long reptile in the sand.

Pulling their weight: The jaguar and her cub had caught a 10ft long anaconda snake in the Pantanal wetlands in southwestern Brazil, and ended up having a fight over it

The moment was captured by British tourist Emma Greenwood, 34, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, who says she thought the mother jaguar was indulging the cub.

'It was such unusual behaviour,' she said of the animals.

'Jaguars are very secretive when they get a kill and take it away into the bushes.

'But this adult and her cub were on the beach for quite a while.

Game face on: The mother and cub were first spotted by the water's edge, as they were on the hunt for anacondas

Dinner is ready: After catching an anaconda, the pair dragged the snake onto the sandy banks of the river

Family tradition? The photos emerged just weeks after similar snaps were taken in the same area of Pantanal in Brazil

Same, same: As there are only 15,000 wild jaguars left in South America, this is likely the same pair who enjoy a play-fight

'It looked to me like the mother was tolerating the cub, which was playing around with it.

'Maybe she was letting the cub practice its killing technique.'

The photos emerged just weeks after similar snaps of a jaguar and her cub play-fighting over a large anaconda were taken in the same area.

As there are only an estimated 15,000 jaguars left in the wild in South America, it is not unlikely that it is the same pair of mother-and-cub who take pleasure in playing with their food.A former soldier and the adorable puppy he saved from rubble in war-torn Syria have finally met again after seven months apart in an emotional reunion.

Bomb disposal expert Sean Laidlaw, 30, credits tiny dog 'Barrie' with saving his life after he pulled the pet from a bombed out building while stationed in Syria, in February 2018.

Mr Laidlaw heard whimpering before digging out the tiny Asian Shepherd cross, he then kept around for three months before returning home.

The private contractor from Essex was reuinted with Barrie on Saturday, November 3, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.

Sean and his 'man's best friend' have gone through five countries, two war zones, 3,000 miles and a 12-hour drive to be together in what he says is his 'happiest moment ever'.

Sean, from Hornchurch, Essex, did two tours in Afghanistan in his 10 years with the Royal Engineers before returning to war zones as a bomb disposal expert.

He said: 'I feel like it may come across that I saved Barrie's life, but I feel like she saved mine.

Barrie and Sean Laidlaw, 30, were inseparable after he rescued her from rubble in Syria

Barrie and Sean Laidlaw, 30, were inseparable after he rescued her from rubble in Syria

Sean who now runs a gym is getting Barrie used to life in Essex after she moved from Syria

Barrie quickly became part of Sean's life as he brought her back to stay with him at his camp

'Working in a war zone, coming back to camp you sit in your room on your own. To have a companion you can play with and train, it kept my mind away from all the things I was seeing and doing out there.

'You can only imagine how bad Syria is, and to be able to come back to the camp and train her for three hours, take her for a walk, things like that really took my mind away from where I was.

'It gave me a bit of normality, she definitely kept me sane.

'She stayed with me all day, every day. She did jobs with me, I'd wake up, she'd come eat with me, she'd then sit in the passenger seat of my car when we drove to Raqqa.

'Having a companion, is one of the best things to help with PTSD. A dog always makes you happy, always wants to be with you.

Barrie was in a bombed out school building where four other puppies died. Sean Laidlaw refused to give up on her and won her trust

'Going to Paris was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but I left the house at 6am and just sped there.

'Meeting her at the airport, seeing her in the flesh, was one of the best moments of my life. I've never been so happy.

'Everyone's got their lives, my parents and girlfriend are at work, and so when I get back I at least know I've got my dog, and she'll always be there.'

When Sean found Barrie she had her nestled in rubble from a school that had exploded and collapsed.

A terrified Barrie, surrounded by four dead puppies, initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up.

He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area as it wasn't safe from explosives.

After three days the furry pooch grew to trust Sean and the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.

Sean named her Barrie when he first spotted her, and by the time he came to discover she was a girl, the name had already stuck.

Barrie spent each day following Sean on jobs in Raqqa, and even had a harness made from a bullet-proof vest and a plush teddy bear made of jeans made for her.

Sean made a jacket for Barrie and the pair travelled together on his jobs across Syria

Sean, who now runs a gym, said: 'I think as soon as Barrie and I bonded, where I could pick her up, for me she'd already become my dog.

'When we got back to camp, she lived in my room, I looked after her, I was responsible for her. She slept in my room, I was training her, I was feeding her.

'She stayed with me every day all day. She did jobs with me, I'd wake up, she'd come eat with me, she'd then sit in the passenger seat of my car when we drove to Raqqa.'

Sean contacted War Paws - a charity based in Iraq who specialise in bringing dogs home from war-torn areas - to find a way to bring Barrie back with him after his contract was due to run out.

In February, Sean set up a gofundme page to bring Barrie to the UK and raised 4,500 - but that was the first of many hurdles in their path.

Barrie was brought to Iraq in April where she was vaccinated and checked by War Paws before being flown to Jordan in August, where she was quarantined for two months.

In April, after four months in Syria, Sean returned to the UK for a short leave when his contract was abruptly cancelled, and he was informed that he wouldn't be returning to Syria.

Barrie hiding in Raqqa in February after being found by Sean Laidlaw. She was surrounded by her dead siblings after the school they sheltered in blew up

Sean Laidlaw, 30, was stationed in Syria in February 2018 as a private contractor leading a bomb disposal team when he found whimpering Barrie

Barrie would not go to Sean at first but he returned over a number of days to build up her trust

He said: 'I might be one of the only people who was unhappy not to go back to Syria. I was on the way to the airport with my dad when I got a message telling me not to board my flight and go home.

'I thought there might be a security issue, but then I got a call that night saying the contract is cancelled and that everyone is being sent back home.

'I put the phone down and immediately called the charity, I didn't think of anything else and tried to see how I could get Barrie home.

'When it came to going home without her, I thought I'd never be able to leave her so I started thinking about how I could bring her back.

'It's very difficult to be apart, my biggest issue was that I never had that moment with her to say goodbye as when I left I thought I'd see her in a couple weeks.

'But then months passed and she's gone from a puppy to a full-grown dog. That was hard for me, as I worried she was a totally different dog.'

The plan to fly Barrie to London Heathrow in late October quickly collapsed as Barrie was missing some paperwork and the nervous pooch wasn't allowed to travel.

Barrie was told his contract was cancelled but Barrie remained in Syria. The former soldier began to look for ways to get her home

Sean and Barrie helped one another through their time in the war zone but Sean said it was the puppy who saved his life

Reunited at last! Barrie and Sean met again at Charles De Gaulle Airport after seven months apart

Sean Laidlaw, 30, anxiously waiting for Barrie in Paris on Saturday after he successfully found a charity to help bring her home

Sean made a vest for Barrie from a bomb jacket and a teddy bear from old denim jeans

Barrie travelled with Sean on jobs around Syria as he worked dismantling explosives in the war-torn country

Barrie has grown up significantly since the pair were separated and now Sean will get her used to life in the UK

The heart-melting journey that brought a soldier from Essex and an abandoned dog from Syria together finally came to its culmination on Saturday, November 3

Barrie was alone without Sean for seven months while he battled to have her brought back to the UK

Sean was prepared to fly to Jordan to pick up his best friend, but owner of War Paws, Louise Hastie, came to the rescue as she was already flying two dogs from Jordan to Paris.

Sean made the 12-hour journey from Essex to Paris at 6am on Saturday, November 3, in what he says was a surreal feeling.

Sean said: 'All the help we've received to bring us together has been amazing, just to bring one dog to Essex, it's been incredible.

'Thinking about having Barrie with me now, the life we can have together - it's surreal.

'One of my biggest fears was that she wouldn't recognise who I was, or that she would be a different dog to the girl I left.

'It was pure joy when she realised who I was. She's exactly as she was back in Syria, it was just great to have my dog again.

'I'd be willing to travel across the whole world to have Barrie with me.'Australian tourists in Bali are being told to take extra precautions because of an outbreak of a viral brain infection transmitted through mosquitoes.

Indonesia's Ministry of Health has revealed they're keeping close tabs on Balio the deadly Japanese Encephalitis after a spike of cases in Bali and Manado, in North Sulawesi.

The infection is commonly transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, but birds, bats, cows, and pigs can also carry the disease.

Japanese Encephalitis is most commonly transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito (stock image)

The virus can cause blindness, weakness, movement disorders and in 30 percent of cases, death.

The disease takes up to 15 days to develop with warning signs flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fever and convulsions.

Ministry of Health Director of Surveillance and Quarantine, Vensya Sitohang, said in Nusa Dua on Tuesday that Bali has had the most cases, followed by Manado, North Sulawesi, according to the ministry's data.

Australian tourists are being told to take precautions travelling to tourist Indonesian hot-spots such as Bali after a spike in Japanese Encephaltis (stock image)

Effects of the virus can include blindness, weakness, movement disorders and in 20-30 percent of cases, death. Symptoms can take up to 15 days to become apparent and include flu-like signs such as a headache, fever and convulsions (stock image)

The ministry say they're now introducing a vaccine in Bali in the hopes it will prevent the transmission of the infection to other regions in the country.

Vaccinations are starting from those aged nine months to 15 years-old as children under the age of 15 are most susceptible to infection.

Aside from the vaccinations, tourists are urged to use insect repellent, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, to shut windows and use air-conditioning when indoors (when possible) and to pick accommodation that provide screens on windows or mosquito nets around beds.

WHAT IS JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS (JE) ? - Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of brain inflammation in Asia and the western Pacific. - For most travelers to Asia, the risk for JE is very low but varies based on destination, duration of travel, season, and activities. - Humans can get virus if bitten by an infected mosquito. - Most human infections show mild to no symptoms. - However, a small percentage of infected persons develop inflammation of the brain, with symptoms including headache, high fever, disorientation, coma, tremors and convulsions. - 1 in 4 cases are fatal as there are no specific treatment for JE. - Steps to prevent JE include using personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites and vaccination. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advertisement

.An armless man has moved the hearts of millions after providing around-the-clock care for his sick mother despite his disability.

Every day, Chen Cifang, from China, uses his feet to spoon-feed his mother Lu Dongyue who recently had a stroke. While doing so, the 29-year-old man always ensures that the food would not burn his mother's mouth before giving it to her.

He also helps his 68-year-old mother brush her teeth, wash her face and tie her hair.

Chen Cifang, 29, uses holds a spoon with his foot and feeds food into his mother's mouth

The man from China was born without arms, but he looks after his mother after she fell ill

Mr Chen told MailOnline: 'No matter what I do for her right now, it cannot express how much I owe her and how much I love her.'

The devoted man adds that what he does is nothing ordinary, but a son's duty. He says it is his turn to look after his mother who raised him with blood, sweat and tears.

'My mother went through great hardship bringing me up. However, she has never thought of giving me up.'

Mr Chen's mother had an ischemic stroke on October 9. After she was rushed to the hospital, Mr Chen nursed her in her ward 24 hours a day.

Under his meticulous care, she recovered fast and well and was allowed to go home by doctors two week later.

Mr Chen puts toothpaste onto a toothbrush before helping his mother clean her teeth

The man said: 'No matter what I do for her right now, it cannot express how much I love her'

Mr Chen was born without arms in Xujiawan village in the city of Enshi in central China's Hubei Province.

His father died from a stroke when he was nine months old, and his mother had to raise him and his elder brother, who is 11 years his senior, all by herself.

'To raise me, my mother suffered a lot.'

Mr Chen recalls when he was little, none of the local schools wanted to enroll him because of his disability. His mother encouraged him to practise writing with his feet while carrying on looking for a school for him.

Mr Chen said his mother had suffered a lot bringing him up and he would be forever grateful

He also helps his mother brush her teeth, wash her face and tie her hair (pictured) daily

Mr Chen took care of his mother 24 hours a day for two weeks when she was hospitalised

When he was nine, his mother took him to a primary school to beg the headmaster to recruit him. They were rejected seven times, but his mother didn't give up.

At the last and eighth time, his mother was so determined to convince the faculty that she asked a little Chen to dress himself up, drink water and write characters in front of the teachers.

He completed the tasks without any problems and the school finally agreed to take him in.

The man now runs a successful food store online and looks after his mother in his spare time

Mr Chen says even at the age of nearly 70, his mother still has to do farm work to subsidise the family.

Mr Chen now runs a physical shop as well as an online shop, selling specialty foods from his county.

The strong-willed man wants to support him and his family through his hard work and doesn't consider himself any different from other people.

'I have never thought of giving myself up. Although I don't have arms, I have two feet and a healthy body like everybody else.'

In order to look after his mother, Mr Chen brought her from their old home in Xujiawan to his store in Sanguan town to live with him in the shop.

He spends all his spare time nursing her, who is still recovering from her stroke.

'The doctors said it would take about a year for my mother to recover. My biggest wish is for her to get better and become healthy again soon.'Dozens of hungry polar bears are besieging a Russian village with locals shooting rubber bullets and flares to protect themselves.

Some 25 bears plus cubs are prowling Ryrkaypiy, which has a population of 766 in the remote Chukotka region of Siberia.

The bears are scavenging in the village because the sea's winter ice is unusually thin so they can't move offshore to hunt in deep water.

Dozens of hungry polar bears are besieging a Russian village with locals shooting rubber bullets and flares to protect themselves

Village head Yevgenia Malakhova said: 'We have to constantly scare away the bears.'

Residents have been forced to use rubber bullets to frighten them but the wild animals only retreat temporarily.

It is illegal to kill the endangered predators.

Tatiana Minenko, head of the local Polar Bear Patrol, said: 'We can't do anything because polar bear migration routes lies right next to our village.

'Our main job is to protect humans and bears from clashing.

'As soon as we get a call about another polar bear in the village, we rush there with signal rockets and guns with rubber bullets.

The polar bears were attracted by a walrus rookery in a special protection zone in the Russian far eastern region of Chukotka

The bears are scavenging in the village because the sea's winter ice is unusually thin so they can't move offshore to hunt in deep water

Some 25 bears plus cubs are prowling Ryrkaypiy, which has a population of 766 in the remote Chukotka region of Siberia. Pictured: A bear moves away after locals released a flare

'Each time we try to scare a bear as much as possible so it doesn't get back to the village and realises that humans are dangerous.'

Residents are scared to venture out especially at night.

'The bears moved close to the village, they also walk back and forth all along the shore line,' Malakhova told the Siberian Times.

'The animals are irritated because they are ready to leave the area and start hunting in the deep sea, but ice is too thin.'

Extra street lights are being installed so villagers can see the bears.

Army servicemen have cleared the village's shore of bodies of dead seals on which the bears are feeding.

'So far thanks to efforts of the Bear Patrol we are managing well,' she said.A former homeless man with a string of criminal convictions raised 30,000 to study at Oxford University after securing the backing of an Oscar-winning director.

Roy Celaire, 31, went to a struggling secondary school in London and was kicked out of the family home as a 17-year-old.

He managed to complete his A-levels, earned a place at Brunel University and completed a Master's degree at London School of Economics while working full-time.

Roy Celaire, who crowdfunded his place at Oxford University, pictured at his new college

Now he has raised 30,000 to fund a master's in social anthropology at the prestigious Keble College, Oxford, which he is enrolled in.

The crowdfunding scheme has come under fire after it emerged Celaire was a convicted fraudster.

In 2015, Celaire was found guilty of failing to declare a change in circumstances which affected his housing and council tax payments.

A year later, he was convicted of neglect after a man in his care scalded himself with hot water.

Despite his criminal past, Celaire was backed by Jon Blair CBE, who won an Oscar in 1995 for documentary Anne Frank Remembered and co-created Spitting Image.

Speaking about his childhood in Hackney, Celaire said: 'I wanted to come to Oxford so desperately. I'm a black man from a council estate, it's not easy to get here from my background.

'When I got into Oxford, people said 'Aren't you worried you'll feel out of place?', but just because I'm poor and black, it doesn't mean I don't see myself here.

'The Holly Street Estate was awful. People were injecting drugs on the stairs, and everything stank of p***.

'Once, when I was lying down, a mouse crawled over my face. It was real poverty.'

Despite being aware of Celaire's criminal past, the director said he felt the need to help him

He added that his time in school was fraught with misbehaving children and there was a sense the pupils were 'expected to fail'.

Celaire said: 'I was in the top sets, but students would throw things and be so disruptive.

'You were expected to fail. My teachers would be shocked if they heard I'd made it to Oxford.'

Celaire was speaking about his situation with a colleague while working in Waitrose when Blair overheard his story.

Despite researching his background and finding out about Celaire's criminal past, the filmmaker felt compelled to help him.

Blair said: 'I questioned him at length about the circumstances of his convictions but felt that he made some errors of judgement and some mistakes which he truly regretted and didn't think that this reflected on who he was.

'My view was and remains that these events were in the past and this young man should be given every opportunity to make a new life for himself by becoming an academic anthropologist as is his dream.'

Celaire was accepted into Oxford in March 2017 but turned to GoFundMe after failing to raise the money needed to enroll.

The sights around Oxford will prove vastly different to his former school, Homerton College of Technology in east London, which was closed due to low attainment and gang activity.

Celaire added: 'I'm glad I told my story.

'I wasn't sure how people would react, and I was almost embarrassed to share where I had come from, but people were so compassionate.

Oxford University said it would have been aware about Celaire's criminal conviction through the application process

'I want to show others in my situation that if you want to go to Oxford or Cambridge, don't think you can't.'

A spokesperson for Oxford University said declared criminal convictions are considered during the application - with 'physical harm' and 'drug trafficking' offences particular areas of concern.

The spokesperson said: 'While you'll understand we cannot discuss individual cases I can confirm that at the time he would have applied for postgraduate study all applicants were asked about any relevant unspent criminal convictions in their application form.

'The university would then have considered any declared criminal convictions in line with our procedures.

'The nature of Roy's offences as they have been described did not relate to physical harm against the person or drug trafficking, which are the main relevant categories for concern as described in our criminal convictions procedure.'

When asked about ethnic diversity at Oxford University, the spokesperson said: 'On the question of diversity, I would note that the postgraduate student body is quite diverse: nearly 34% of all postgraduate student come from ethnic minority backgrounds.

'Oxford is committed to recruiting talented students regardless of background, and also takes seriously its role in supporting students and staff and ensuring a more inclusive institutional culture and curriculum.

'Students and staff from across the collegiate university are involved in initiatives including curriculum reviews, BME staff mentoring and diversifying Oxford's iconography.'Ben Goldsmith, pictured with his wife Jemima Jones, has apologised for his angry tweet

The millionaire brother of Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has been mocked for blaming rush-hour London Underground chaos on immigration in an angry tweet.

Ben Goldsmith found himself waiting on a packed platform for a Victoria Line train towards Brixton as commuters faced delays due to a faulty train.

But the 38-year-old Government adviser and financier was slammed for 'racism' and 'dog-whistle politics' after claiming 'open borders' had caused the problems.

He said: 'It's really easy to advocate for open borders and a swelling population in England when you're on you're a*** at home in North London all day.

'The open borders people should be asked to take the appallingly crowded Victoria Line into Central London every morning for a week.'

The tweet immediately attracted scorn online, with David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham in North London, telling him: 'Ben, it's rush hour.

'Go to New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, Istanbul or Dhaka at nine in the morning and find me an empty carriage. London is very clear: we value immigration and celebrate diversity. If you want a quiet commute, try the Highlands.'

Mr Goldsmith's now-deleted post claimed 'open borders' had caused the Tube problems

Mr Goldsmith later deleted the tweet and wrote an apology, saying he had been 'grumpy'

Food critic Jay Rayner added: 'That would be Ben Goldsmith, son of a man born in Paris, from a Jewish family which, like mine, had to be allowed in to a country that had always welcomed immigrants for the value they brought to society.

'Plus rush hour has always looked like that. (I live on the Victoria Line)'.

Mr Goldsmith later deleted the tweet, saying: 'Some people have commented on a tweet I sent earlier today while grumpy on an overcrowded Tube train.

'I apologise for the offence caused to those people and I have removed the tweet.'

Mr Goldsmith, seen at his wife's book launch at 5 Hertford Street in London's Mayfair in April

Others pointed out that people from ethnic minorities were at the front of the image.

Mr Goldsmith married Kate Rothschild in Suffolk in 2003, but they later divorced

Journalist and TV pundit Shebab Khan said: 'Zac Goldsmith's brother used a picture of some brown people commuting during rush hour as a reason to call for clampdown on immigration i.e: 'I didn't get a seat on the train this morning, so it's time for immigrants to p*** off.''

And journalist Hussein Kesvani added: 'Just wanted to say that it's incredibly normal to take pictures of non white people taking public transport to make this point.'

Services on the line were operating with minor delays due to a faulty train at Euston yesterday, according to Transport for London.

Mr Goldsmith, who is married to former model Jemima Jones, is the son of late tycoon James Goldsmith and runs an investment trust.

He used to be married to the heiress Kate Rothschild, before they split in 2012 after it was revealed she had been seeing the US rapper Jay Electronica.A video shows the moment a traffic warden slaps a parking ticket on a police car parked in a disabled space as a large crowd of people laugh.

The clip was filmed yesterday outside the British Heart Foundation shop on the High Street in Brentwood, Essex.

A person in the crowd is heard saying that the fine had 'made their day' and that they have 'never seen anything like it', while one man asks the traffic warden if the ticket is a 'joke'.

The video shows the parking warden slapping a parking ticket on the police car's windscreen after the vehicle was left in a disabled parking space

The man filming approaches the warden and asks: 'Is this for real?' The warden looks almost perplexed and answers: 'What's your business?'

The traffic warden can later be seen taking pictures of the signpost next to the road which displays: 'Disabled badge holders only.'

Police have confirmed that the officer was not on an emergency call at the time of the incident and they have been 'given words of advice' after 'parking inconsiderately'.

Mario Slimani, posted the clip yesterday on Facebook and many of those who viewed it condemned the parking warden's actions.

In the post he said: 'On my way to the gym Brentwood.

'This has made my day.'

The road is bordered by a parking lane designated for disabled badge holders only.

The video begins with the traffic warden standing in front of the police car which is parked on the disabled spot.

The man filming says that this has to be a joke with another woman agreeing that it must be.

Laughter ensues as the warden applies the yellow ticket to the windscreen, with a female voice remarking: 'This has made my day'.

The man filming approaches the warden and asks: 'Is this for real?'

The warden looks almost perplexed and answers: 'What's your business?'

He can later be seen taking pictures of the signpost next to the road which displays: 'Disabled badge holders only.'

The man filming keeps laughing, and repeats over: 'This has made my day.'

The clip has now attracted nearly 30,000 views.

Glen Bolton wrote: 'What a k*. As if our police don't suffer enough of a financial burden, and that ticket is paid for from the taxes he pays. They could have been responding to an emergency. Prick.'

The clip was filmed outside the British Heart Foundation on the High Street in Brentwood, Essex

There was a very small minority who thought the warden was within his rights.

Mandy Bradley added: 'Police officers think the law and rules don't apply to them so fair play. It's a disabled space so unless it's a serious emergency then he shouldn't be parked in a disabled space to get his Costa Coffee.'

In a statement, Essex Police, said: 'An officer was parked in a restricted bay on Brentwood High Street for a few minutes on Tuesday, November 6.

'The driver of the car was making enquiries related to an ongoing investigation, but we recognise that this was not an emergency situation.

'Our officers always try to park in places where they can easily respond if called to emergencies.

'However, we acknowledge that on this occasion the parking was inconsiderate and the officer involved has been given words of advice.'

South Essex Parking Partnership, which is jointly responsible for on-street parking tickets with Essex County Council, insists that the ticket was issued correctly.

A spokesperson for the SEPP) said: 'SEPP will not issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) to police vehicles that are considered to be on official police duty. However, on this occasion the enforcement officer considered that the vehicle was not on official duty and hence a PCN was issued. SEPP recognise that Police officers require to be within easy reach of the vehicle to be able to respond to emergency calls and although the area in question is designated for blue badge parking only, we have advised the enforcement officer to also take this into consideration should a future situation arise.'Hopes of a DNA breakthrough in the probe into British newly-wed Kirsty Maxwell's fatal balcony plunge in Benidorm have been dashed.

Spanish police have found 'no foreign DNA' present on the 27-year-old after analysing samples from under her nails and other body parts.

Mrs Maxwell, of Livingston, West Lothian, died after plunging 100ft from the balcony of a tenth-floor hotel room where five men were staying, after reportedly walking in to their room by mistake.

The family of Kirsty Maxwell, 27, from West Lothina, family had hoped tests on samples taken from her body might show up DNA from one of the five men being probed over her death

Mrs Maxwell's family had hoped tests on samples taken from her body might show up DNA from one of the five men being probed over her death and back their belief 'something dark' happened in the holiday flat before she went over the edge.

Judge Ana Isabel Garcia-Galbis may now consider ending her 18-month criminal probe, as she has previously stated that she was only awaiting the results of the DNA tests 'to conclude her investigation.'

The five British men being probed over Mrs Maxwell's death - Joseph Graham; Ricky Gammon; Anthony Holehouse; Callum Northridge; and Daniel Bailey, all from Nottingham - would be spared trial if the case is closed.

Today it emerged court officials have also asked her widower Adam Maxwell to help them secure another copy of the video showing the 27-year-old and two friends taking a lift to their rooms around three hours before she died.

Judge Garcia-Galbis sought Mr Maxwell's help in contacting Kirsty's friend Michelle Sneddon so she could be summonsed as a witness to a hearing tomorrow in Benidorm and hand over the footage.

Moments before: CCTV footage from the hours before she died shows Mrs Maxwell and her friends coming back to their hotel after a night out in Benidorm

Mrs Maxwell, pictured with her husband Adam, died after plunging 100ft from a balcony of a tenth-floor hotel room where five men were staying, after reportedly walking in by mistake

Two men who were part of the large group the five men had travelled to Benidorm with, have also been called to court tomorrow morning to give evidence as witnesses.

Eight police officers have been asked to attend a second hearing on Thursday next week which was originally understood to have been scheduled for October 12.

Both hearings will take place behind closed doors, as is customary in Spain where only trials take place in public.

A source said today: 'The family had placed their hopes in the possibility something was going to be found, some biological evidence linking Joseph Graham or the other suspects to what happened and supporting their foul play claim, and absolutely nothing has been found.

'It was a comprehensive examination which included analysis of the underside of Kirsty's nails to see if samples of someone's else skin could be recovered that might suggest a struggle had taken place.

Spanish police found 'no foreign DNA' present on the 27-year-old's body

'All the tests came back negative.

'The absence of any incriminating DNA on Kirsty's body means the case is a step nearer to being closed.

'No decision on closure is obviously going to be taken before the upcoming court hearings but bar some sort of unexpected surprise, things are a lot nearer that point now.'

Another insider said: 'The court hearings have been called by the judge but they're taking place because the state prosecutor has called in the new witnesses and says he wants the police involved in the case to give evidence.'

Mrs Maxwell's family have hired former police detective David Swindle to try to uncover what happened the night Kirsty died.

The footage of Mrs Maxwell returning to the Payma Apartments in Benidorm's Little England area shortly before her death - which the judge has asked for a copy of - were shown as part of BBC documentary Killed Abroad which was screened in Scotland in August.

Mrs Maxwell plunged to her death after entering a tenth-floor room where five British men were partying.

Investigators believe she panicked after waking up following her night out with friends and mistakenly walking into an apartment she thought was her friends' room.

Her family believe she may have been the victim of foul play and their former lawyer went on record to say she may have been fleeing an 'imminent aggression' by one of the men inside.

Mr Maxwell, who married Kirsty in September 2016, claimed in a newspaper interview after his wife's death 'something dark' had happened in the apartment and vowed: 'I won't rest until I know the truth.'

Mr Graham, the only one of the five men who was arrested immediately after Mrs Maxwell's death, was once quizzed about an alleged sex assault in Britain which he has described as a 'misunderstanding'.

Mr Graham told police Kirsty was acting as if she was 'mad, drunk or drugged' and headed for the bathroom before trying to get through an indoor window and then disappearing from his view as she headed towards the balcony.

All five men, who are back in the UK after court quizzes, have categorically denied any involvement in the incident, calling it a 'tragic accident', and none have been charged with any crimes.The father of one of the men questioned over the burning of a Grenfell Tower effigy was shot in the head and dumped in a suitcase 16 years ago, it emerged today.

Paul Bussetti was among six men questioned by police after a video of men burning a model of the fire-hit tower block was circulated online.

He is in hiding today, along with his wife, daughter and his daughter's boyfriend, after the group were whisked out of Croydon police station by officers last night.

Friends have told how Bussetti's father, Lorenzo, known as 'Len', was previously the victim of a horrific murder in London in 2002.

Paul Bussetti (left) is one of six men questioned over the burning of a Grenfell Tower effigy. It emerged today that his father, Lorenzo (right), was murder in east London in 2002

Bussetti and his wife Gemma have gone into hiding after he was released by police last night

Bussetti's daughter Danielle was also at the bonfire party. Her boyfriend Trent Bogle is one of the six people questioned by police

Mr Bussetti Snr, a millionaire landlord who owned four houses, was shot in the head in Brixton before his body was hidden in a suitcase and dumped in bushes in Hackney.

A court later heard that Paul had been involved in the searches for him after he went missing. One of his father's tenants was later charged with the murder.

A friend of Bussetti's told The Sun: 'Paul should know better. His dad was murdered in a horrific attack and put in a suitcase. He himself should know how it feels to lose someone.'

Mr Bussetti Snr was described at the time of his death as a 'laid back, easy-going and non-confrontational' person whose family were expecting him home at the time he was murdered.

Bussetti Jnr is now in hiding along with his wife, Gemma, and daughter, Daniella, after the anger over the Grenfell bonfire video.

Bussetti was a neighbour of Clifford Smith, who hosted the party which caused anger around the country. He is understood to work in the scaffolding business along with his son.

He drives a black Range Rover with a personalised number plate while his daughter has recently taken delivery of a new Fiat 500 car.

Family members of the men yesterday claimed that the incident was simply a joke that got 'out of hand' after a drinking binge.

Mr Bussetti and his family, whose 500,000 home (pictured) has a 'party animals' plaque in its porch, are scared for their safety

This is the horrifying moment a group of friends torched an effigy of Grenfell Tower on Bonfire Night which had faces on the side

A relative of Bussetti said: 'We're in so much danger now. They didn't want it to go this far. They are not racist. It's been blown out of proportion. It was horrible what they've done. Let them try to forget it'.

The woman, who described herself as a close family member, added: 'I admit it's stupid, so stupid. The comments that were made were just not nice. It's so bad. They knew it was wrong, that's why they came forward.'

She added: 'We fear for our safety. They are going to be paying now, aren't they?'

Another woman at the property, where Bussetti's Range Rover sport featuring personalised number plates and a St George's flag sat outside, said: 'They're hard working people. It was stupid and distasteful. There was no malice in it.'

However, neighbours described Bussetti, 46, as 'aggressive' and said he constantly started arguments over parking. They said large groups of women revellers visited the property in the evening, upsetting other residents.

A local resident added: 'They are very much into their parties and get very drunk. They do no need an excuse to drink.'

Steve Bull (pictured) and his partner, a teacher, are believed to have made the effigy as part of a competition. Mr Bull is believed to be pictured with the model, right

Bobbi Connell, 19, pictured and circled in the video, has been named by his grandfather as being in the shocking Grenfell Tower bonfire film

Welder Cliff Smith was among the people arrested but they have all been released as police work out if they can be charged

Mark Russell, who lives around a two miles away in West Norwood with his wife Debbie (together left), is in the video (right)

Who are the Grenfell effigy burning gang? Clifford Smith, 49, a welder, hosted the bonfire party at his South Norwood home. His son Bobbi Connell, 19, who lives with his father at the address, is also understood to have handed himself in to police with his father on Monday night. Removals and van hire company director Steve Bull, 55, is understood to have built the Grenfell Tower effigy with the help of his teacher partner, who has not been named. Bull used to be married to Clifford Smith's sister Karen but they have remained good friends and enjoying fishing together. Paul Bussetti, 46, who is also in the scaffolding business, was at the event with daughter Daniella Bussetti, 19, wife Gemma and son Charlie, a friend said. Mr Bussetti, who lives in a neighbouring street to Mr Smith, was the son of property millionaire Lorenzo, known as Len, who was shot in the head and murdered by a tenant in a row over money in 2002. Daniella's boyfriend Trent Bogle, 19, the son of a south-east London pub landlord, was also filmed at the event and is also believed to have been questioned. Friend Mark Russell, 49, who lives around two miles away from his friend Cliff Smith in West Norwood, was also in the film. It is not known if his wife of 27 years Debbie was at the party. Advertisement

Six suspects, aged 19, 19, 46, 49, 49 and 55, were arrested and released under investigation over the bonfire video.

They were all arrested under section 4a of the Public Order Act after attending a police station in Croydon, South London.

It is thought the group were driven out of the back of the police station custody suite in two unmarked vans that went in different directions to a secret location.

A police statement said: 'The Met's Grenfell Tower Investigation Team continues to lead enquiries.'

The suspects from south London have been arrested on suspicion of breaching the Public Order Act over the sick bonfire party on Saturday.

Detectives will also be investigating if the fire was one of three other crimes: A hate crime, outraging public decency or sending malicious communications because the video was shared on WhatsApp by a partygoer.

But prosecutors are split over whether the men could or should be put in the dock, with the one of the CPS' former top lawyer saying: 'Something that's grossly offensive doesn't necessarily become a criminal offence'.

The video was filmed at the address of Smith, who is a buy-to-let landlord, in south Norwood.

The Prime Minister led condemnation of the bonfire, saying: 'To disrespect those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower, as well as their families and loved ones, is utterly unacceptable.'

The chairman of the public inquiry into the fire, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, said yesterday: 'It must be shocking and distressing to all those involved.

'I am very pleased to hear that the authorities are taking the matter very seriously.'Helen Evans, 44, left her colleague feeling 'intimidated and extremely upset' when she allegedly groped him at a parent-teacher evening - but was never proseccuted

The male colleague of a female teacher who allegedly grabbed him by the testicles after ripping open his shirt at a parent-teacher evening has branded her a 'narcissist'.

Helen Evans, 44, left her colleague feeling 'intimidated and extremely upset' when she allegedly groped him at Llanishen Fach School, Cardiff, in May 2013.

The man gave up teaching shortly after the alleged 'sexually motivated' attack - and said Miss Evans' behaviour was the main reason.

She did not deny the incident happened and was reported to police - but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take the case any further.

Miss Evans is also accused of bringing in a snake without permission - terrifying a phobic colleague - and allegedly called senior staff at the school 'dumb and dumber'.

The teacher and alleged victim, who cannot be named, told a disciplinary hearing: 'I was completely shocked. Out of the blue Miss Evans strode up to me, faced me, with one hand ripped on my shirt and got underneath and grabbed my testicles.

'It was completely unprovoked. I made a noise as she caught me and she rushed away'.

He added: 'She didn't come up to me and apologise. But Helen did what Helen wanted to do. She ignored advice and warnings and had no empathy for other colleagues.'

Helen Evans, 44, left her colleague feeling 'intimidated and extremely upset' when she allegedly groped a male colleague at a parent-teacher evening at at Llanishen Fach School, Cardiff (pictured)

The hearing was told the incident happened at a fundraising event involving parents and teachers in May 2013.

Miss Evans, a teacher of 22 years, was approached by her colleague a few days later in the staff room.

He said: 'I whispered to her that if that had been a man to a woman it would've been handled differently. She didn't react.

'She has never approached me in a sexual way before. My guess is that it was more of a control issue - exerting control over another colleague, getting one up on them.

'Helen always liked to be the centre of attention - she had narcissistic tendencies.

Miss Evans, a teacher of 22 years, is also accused of bringing in a snake without permission - terrifying a phobic colleague - and allegedly called senior staff at the school 'dumb and dumber'

'It was a shock, I don't expect anyone to treat someone like that'.

A Fitness to Practice hearing was told the incident took place at Llanishen Fach Primary School in Cardiff.

The male colleague said the aftermath of the incident was dealt with in-house.

The matter was referred to police but the Crown Prosecution Service did not take it any further.

He added: 'It was dealt with in-house - there should have been procedures that should have been followed.

'My fear was in order to protect the school's reputation it was kept in-house to carry on pretending everything was fine.'

EWC presenting officer Hannah Eales added: 'In a meeting with Miss Evans, Miss Evans confirmed the incident happened, describing it as part of a much wider group of silly behaviour.

'An event between consenting adults and just silly behaviour.'

Headteacher Sarah Coombes said the male teacher alleged the assault happened at a parent-teacher event.

She said the colleague felt 'intimidated and extremely upset' and his self esteem was lowered in the 'sexually motivated' incident.

Miss Evans is also accused of bringing a snake into the school in 2015 without a risk assessment.

Ms Coombes said: 'Colleague C has an extreme phobia of snakes and was not made aware of the visit.'

Miss Evans, who worked at the school for 22 years, also allegedly called senior staff 'dumb and dumber' as they entered a room.

The hearing was told she failed to mark books correctly - using phrases like 'wicked dude' and 'love it babes' - before being dismissed in April 2015.

Presenting officer Hannah Eales said the allegations related to 'bullying behaviour and sexually motivated actions'.

Miss Evans is accused of failing to follow management instructions, behaving unacceptably towards colleagues and making inappropriate comments.

Miss Evans is facing eight allegations - including failing to follow management instructions, behaving unacceptably towards colleagues and making inappropriate comments.

She is also accused of providing inaccurate information in school reports, behaving in a sexually-motivated way to a colleague, and being 'dishonest' in her monitoring of pupils.

Miss Evans won a case for wrongful dismissal at a lengthy employment tribunal but is now facing disciplinary action from the professional body and could face being banned from teaching.

The Education Workforce Council hearing in Cardiff continues without Miss Evans, who initially declined to attend.

At her home today she said: 'There have been lots of staff leaving the school in recent years because of new management.'

'I am seeking legal advice so I can respond to what has been said at the hearing.

'I used all of my money on legal fees for the tribunal which is why I did not have representation for the Fitness to Practice hearing.

'I am trying to put the discussions at the hearing on hold so that I have the chance to respond to the allegations against me.'A major hospital in northern France was on terror alert today after a woman told staff she had a bomb and was about to set it off.

Anti-terrorist police surrounded the medical facility in the Channel port town of Dunkirk on Wednesday morning before the woman was detained.

'Entrances have been sealed off, while the emergency is dealt with,' said a local police source, adding: 'Those living nearby have been told to evacuate the area.'

A major hospital in northern France was on terror alert today after a woman told staff she had a bomb and was about to set it off. Pictured: Police at the scene

The unidentified woman is said to be known to the local authorities as a patient suffering from psychological problems, said the source.

'There are no indications that this is terrorism related, and may well be a false alert.'Theresa May has been accused of 'unforgivable cowardice' after experts hired to test cladding after the Grenfell Tower fire were banned from criticising the government.

A contract signed with engineering firm WSP just 12 days after the disaster stated that it must not generate 'adverse publicity' for the Cabinet Office or other Crown bodies, including the PM's office.

The gag drew fury from Labour politicians, although the Cabinet Office insisted the clause was a standard feature of contracts across the public and private sector and did not prevent people acting as whistle-blowers.

Tottenham MP David Lammy accused Mrs May of trying to 'gag firms and charities' in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy.

A contract signed with engineering firm WSP just 12 days after the Grenfell disaster (pictured) stated that it must not generate 'adverse publicity' for the government

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott was among those who condemned the contract terms

'This shows unforgivable cowardice,' he said. 'If you respected the 72 that died, you would have let firms follow the truth wherever it led.'

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: 'To save face the Government places gagging orders on experts trying to get to the truth of the #Grenfell Tower fire. This is shameful.'

The Grenfell United campaign group told The Times: 'The focus at every level of government must be to get to the truth about how and why Grenfell happened. No-one should be deterred from speaking out.'

A wider investigation by the newspaper found that 40 charities and more than 300 companies had been blocked from publicly criticising the Government.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett said it was 'hypocritical' because Mrs May had vowed to crack down on the use of non-disclosure agreements.

'Civil society organisations are often best placed to speak out when government gets it wrong. When they can't, our democracy is worse off for it,' he said.

'The Conservatives seem to regard this as a fair price to avoid bad headlines, yet it's public money that pays for it and it's the public interest that suffers.'

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: 'Standard contracts in the public and the private sector contain provisions to protect the commercial interests of government and its suppliers in a reasonable way.

'These contracts do not prevent individuals from campaigning on specific issues, acting as whistle-blowers or raising concerns about policy.'

The Cabinet Office signed the deal with WSP to advise officials on whether cladding used by the government estate complied with building regulations on June 26 last year.

Theresa May (pictured with Jeremy Corbyn at a First World War commemoration yesterday) was accused of 'cowardly' behaviour over the restrictions

The contract, for 100,000 plus VAT, stated the company should make sure that neither it nor anyone working for it should 'embarrass' or be 'in any way connected to material adverse publicity' relating to the Cabinet Office or other Crown bodies.

A WSP spokesman told the Times: 'We helped the Cabinet Office's government property unit understand which types of cladding used across the UK Government's estate are unlikely to comply with building regulations so that the tragedy at Grenfell doesn't ever happen again.'

Charities have also criticised the use of so-called gagging clauses and have sought clarity from Mrs May about their ability to speak out.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), said: 'It's vital that charities are able to criticise and provide feedback on government programmes and how they affect the people they work with.

'Given the nature of their work, charities have real insight into how these policies are working in the real world. And they speak up for people who just aren't heard in Whitehall.

'This issue has rumbled on for some time and we are calling on the Government to provide absolute clarity about whether these clauses, in any way, should prevent charities from speaking out.

'I have written today to the Prime Minister to ask her to confirm whether these clauses would prevent charities from publicly expressing concern about a particular policy or programme.'Advertisement

A talented art teacher has drawn the faces of all 637 service personnel who were killed in Afghanistan in order to encourage her students to remember the fallen ahead of Remembrance Day.

Sam Bailey, 48, started the challenge after being concerned about the amount of pupils not wearing poppies ahead of Remembrance Day at the school she teaches at in Northampton.

The mother-of-three also wanted to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after her ex-partner Alex Salustro, 29, was medically discharged from the Army in 2015.

Sam Bailey (left) started the project in 2015 which includes drawings (right) of over 600 army personnel. She started the project when her ex-partner returned home from war suffering from PTSD

The pencil images created by Sam Bailey are collected in two self-published books. She started the challenge after being concerned about the amount of pupils not wearing poppies ahead of Remembrance Day

All proceeds from the drawings created by Sam Bailey will go to the Royal British Legion. Ms Bailey currently teaches at a school in Northamptonshire

He had suffered a back injury but was diagnosed with PTSD shortly after returning home.

She began the project shortly his return and set up the Regimental Art Company with former Royal Anglian soldier Mr Salustro.

It took her 12 weeks to draw those killed in the Afghanistan campaign between 2001 and 2014.

This piece shows two armed soldiers walking through a field of beautiful pink flowers. It took ms Bailey 12 weeks to complete all of the images

Ms Bailey said she had felt compelled to tell the stories of war in a different way. Here soldiers help hang the artwork side by side

Ms Bailey sketched all soldiers including Private David Forshaw (left) which was included in the books she has compiled of the drawings (right)

She collated the drawings from a list from the Ministry of Defence and contacted the families of those killed to complete the project.

Ms Bailey who teaches at the Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton said: 'I did it because these soldiers needed to be remembered.

'I work in a school and I speak to student's every day and you can see they aren't wearing the poppy ahead of Remembrance Day.

Major Paul Harding is pictured (left) with a smile and a tidy mustache while Sapper Luke Allsopp is pictured (right)

Sam Bailey, from Northampton, was inspired to draw the 637 faces when her former partner struggled with depression after leaving the Army

Ms Bailey sketched a picture of Sergeant Les Hehir with his children (left) as well as a drawing of Corporal Channing Day (right)

'They just see war as a collection of old grey images, not connected with reality.'

The Mighty 456 was published in 2016, she then went on to create her second volume, The Illustrious 181, which depicts every forces member to die in Iraq, and it will be published ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Ms Bailey said she wanted to do something to help the children appreciate the sacrifices made by service personnel both past and present.

Corporal Ben Leaning (left) was sketched smiling with his uniform while Fusilier Gordon Gentle (right) was drawn with his full military uniform

'This is the first time anyone has done anything like this and it's to show these people were loved and their memories are perpetuated - it's important to remember them.

'And it's not just to honour those who have died, it's to help their family and friends, those that came back with PTSD can see that their comrades are honoured.

'It was all self-funded and many of the families of those that died sent me pictures that were different to those released by the Ministry of Defence.

Ms Bailey, who teaches at Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton, said she felt compelled to tell their stories in a different way and therefore set about by taking on the mammoth challenge of over 600 sketches

A/corporal Marcin Wojtak (left) was sketched in full uniform complete with helmet while L/Corporal Scott Hetherington (right) was pictured in what looks to be a 'Help for Heroes' t-shirt

'When a soldier died the family used to only get 24 hours to provide a statement and a picture, otherwise, a picture that the army had would be used.'

In total the UK lost 179 forces personnel during the Iraq war from 2003 to 2009. British armed forces remain in Iraq in a training and protection capacity and two more soldiers died there in 2017 and 2018.

Ms Bailey added that the reason the portraits can be so powerful is because families themselves have had time to provide the pictures after reflection.

The images sketched by Sam Bailey closely resemble photographs. The images have now been collected in two self-published books

The image on the left is a sketch of Fusilier Samuel Furst from the second battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland other soldiers were also sketched (right)

'Members of the families would say things like 'you have caught his eyes'.

'Sometimes the family would send three, four or five pictures so I ended drawing well over 500 sketches and I still had my full-time teaching job to do as well.

'I don't know how I managed to get through it but I started posting the first four pictures on Facebook and I did not think that anyone would be interested.

Corporal Russell Aston was sketched (left) and Sergeant Chris Hickey (right) was also drawn as part of the project

'Then the family of Fusilier Samuel Flint-Broughton got in touch to say he would have been 25 the week I drew it - they put it into a memory box on his birthday for his mother.

'At one point I was drawing 27 pictures a day. It was overwhelming to do it over the 12 weeks but I managed to complete it and I'm proud of the finished results.'

Another of the images that Ms Bailey had sketched was that of Pte Eleanor Dlugosz who was killed in a roadside bomb attack in 2008.

At one point Ms Bailey said she was drawing 27 of the sketches (left) a day. Each sketch has been drawn by Ms Bailey, including this of Rifleman Aaron Lincoln (right)

Ms Bailey said that Eleanor's mother had gotten in touch after learning of her drawings and asked for her daughter to be drawn without her hair being scraped back in the traditional army style, the BBC reported.

Ms Bailey was sent images of 19-year-old from Stockport in her carefree youth.

Her drawings formed part of a military art exhibition and have now been compiled into two books with the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

Private Conrad Lewis was sketched (left) as was Corporal David O'Connor, whose image can be seen (right)A poster calling for information on Emanuela Orlandi, who disappeared aged 15 from a Rome street in 1983

More bones have been found on the grounds of the Vatican embassy in Italy linked to a teenager who vanished more than 30 years ago.

Last week, remains were discovered at the consulate in Rome, sparking a fresh interest in the case of Emanuela Orlandi who vanished aged 15 in 1983.

As police returned to the compound yesterday, coroner Giovanni Arcudi said preliminary examinations of bones found last week indicated they belonged to a woman likely in her 30s.

It's raised concerns that the missing teenager, the daughter of a Vatican employee, was held captive for years before being killed.

Despite the age of the bones, the Orlandi family lawyer, Laura Sgro, told the ANSA news agency her clients are waiting for DNA results.

The teenager was one of two 15-year-olds, along with Mirella Gregori, who went missing in Rome in the space of 40 days in 1983.

The two girls' disappearance has sparked a range of theories over the years, especially surrounding Emanuela's case and its links to the Vatican.

Cold War politics, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, alleged Vatican links to the Italian criminal underworld and claims of satanic orgies by prelates have all been blamed for the girl's disappearance.

Emanuela, who was last seen on a street in Rome, disappeared after leaving her family's Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson in Rome. Her father was a member of the Holy See police force.

Rome's chief prosecutor has been called in to investigate the find.

One theory suggests she was kidnapped by hostage-takers trying to have Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot the Pope in St Peter's Square in 1981, freed from prison.

Shortly after she disappeared the police are claimed to have received anonymous calls, which said Emanuela would be freed if the Turkish gunman was released.

Forensic investigators are working to determine the age of the bones as well as the date of death.

The Rome embassy is in the upscale residential neighborhood of Parioli, near the city's Villa Borghese museum.

Protesters hold posters with Emanuela Orlandi's image calling for 'truth and justice' for the 15-year-old who vanished in 1983, in a demonstration in St Peter's Square in 2012

The last major twist in the case came in 2012, when forensic police exhumed the body of a reputed mobster from the crypt of a Roman basilica in hopes of finding Emanuela's remains too.

However, that search turned up no link.

More recently, a leading Italian investigative journalist caused a sensation when he published a five-page document last year that had been stolen from a locked Vatican cabinet that suggested the Holy See had been involved in Orlandi's disappearance.

The Vatican immediately branded the document a fake, though it never explained what it was doing in the Vatican cabinet.

The document was purportedly written by a cardinal and listed supposed expenses used for Orlandi's upkeep after she disappeared.

The Vatican has repeatedly maintained that it has co-operated fully with police investigating the Orlandi case.This hilarious video shows a dog owner tucking into her breakfast as her Golden Retriever balances it on her head.

As Myzer sits patiently, student Nicole Armbruster places an empty bowl on her snout.

She then pours cereal and milk into the bowl and proceeds to eat it as she sits on a kitchen stool.

The loyal dog tries her best to keep balance but the bowl flies off her snout and crashes to the floor when she suddenly twitches her nose.

Aquarium volunteer Nicole, from Cincinnati, USA told Caters Clips: 'Myzer has always been a very loyal dog and does whatever you ask of her. She has the perfect Golden Retriever personality and loves to please us.

'We wanted to test her ability by making, and balancing cereal on her nose.'

Nicole is currently studying at Ohio University but has enjoyed dressing up Myzer for the last couple of years.

As Myzer sits patiently student Nicole Armbruster places an empty bowl on her snout

Nicole, who volunteers at an aquarium, then pours cereal and milk into the bowl

As Nicole sits on a stool she eats the cereal from the bowl. Myzer then twitches and the bowl crashed to the floor

She added: 'She loves being the centre of attention.

'We have a lot of videos and pictures we're thinking about doing, such as dressing her up in Ellen underwear [underwear range produced by American comedian Ellen Degeneres] and as a weatherman.'

Golden Retrievers are renowned for their eagerness to learn, obedience and intelligence and for those reasons they are considered very easy to train.

Golden Retrievers' intelligence means they also make excellent guide and service dogs.The parents a bullied 10-year-old boy who is brain dead and on life support after trying to take his own life have told of their grief.

Landen Lewis tried to take his own life in his bedroom after returning home from school in Nevada, Missouri, last Friday.

He gave no warning to his mother Britany and stepfather Jon about what he was planning and was even 'giddy', they said.

Now, he is brain dead in the hospital. His parents are about to turn off his life support and say they will donate his organs to other children, something he'd expressed interest in in the past.

Since his suicide attempt, the family says they have been told by his friends that he was being 'picked on' by teachers.

Landen Lewis, 10, tried to kill himself in his bedroom in Nevada, Missouri, last Friday. He is now brain dead

It is unclear how long after he tried to take his own life his parents found him.

Describing finding him, Britany said: 'I was like no. It's not real. It's not real. All I could think was I've got to get him to breathe.

'I've got to get him to breathe.'

Bryant Elementary School, where he was a student, has also been in touch to tell her that he had been in trouble repeatedly and was removed from class several times but teachers would not tell her why, she said.

'I didn't even know he'd been in trouble three times until the principal had called me and told me that she had pulled him out of class three times and wouldn't tell me why,' his mother told Fox 4.

The boy's mother and stepfather have said repeatedly that he was bullied, though it is not clear if they mean he was victimized by school staff or by other children.

'My beautiful intelligent baby boy was an old soul, he would help anyone who needed help and would you the shirt off his back.

'He wanted to take everyone's pain away and he wanted no one to feel alone.

'My baby was someone who could carry a conversation with you about the universe.

Landen's mother Britany and stepfather Jon have spoken out to say there were no signs he was planning to take his own life

Landen (center with his siblings and stepfather) was 'giddy' when he came back from school, according to his parents

'What happened to my child could have been prevented had everyone just been nice to him once or twice,' Britany said in a Facebook post on Monday.

She went on to say that while she did her best, the school 'failed' him.

Landen's organs will now be donated to other children

'As parents we trust a school to take our child for 8 hrs a day in these 8 hrs they are suppose to expand our child's mind and help them grow as little humans.

'The school failed my son and I pray no other child has to go through what my little precious boy has.

'Bullying is not okay no matter what age, and grown people should never bully a child.

'Love your babies hold them close and whisper a prayer that no child ever go through this,' she said.

A spokesman for Bryant Elementary School did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Wednesday morning.

They previously declined to go into details of the boy's death, telling Fox 4 they could not discuss them because they were limited by privacy laws.

According to his mother, Landen had once told that her that he wanted to donate his organs to other children if he ever died.

'His step dad made a joke that went like, "I plan to use all of mine but they are welcome to whats left" when he put the organ donor on his driver's license and so Landen asked about it and after explaining it all to him, he said that if anything ever happened to him that he would want to donate to,' she told DailyMail.com on Wednesday.

If you or anyone you know needs confidential help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website here.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:John Michael McGrath arriving at Wrexham magistrates court, charged with sexual offences

A gang of travellers plied two girls in care with alcohol and drugs before raping them multiple times during a five-month campaign of abuse, a court heard today.

The victims were groomed and taken to hotels where they were given alcohol and harassed into having sex with multiple men, Mold Crown Court heard today.

Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said the defendants sexually exploited the vulnerable girls between December 2011 and April 2012 while they were in care at a home near Wrexham.

Vans and pick-up trucks would drive past the home and on one occasion, one of the victim's names was called out on a loud-hailer to beckon them into the vehicle.

John James Purcell, John Anthony Delaney, John Michael McGrath and Todd James Wickens, deny all charges against them.

'The defendants well knew how old those girls were and, indeed, seemed to be excited by their extreme youth,' the prosecutor alleged.

'They also knew that, though they submitted, those girls did not truly or genuinely consent to what was done to them.'

One of the alleged victims, now 22, was moved to a rural care home at Brymbo, near Wrexham.

The girls were told they were boring if they refused to drink, and once drunk, they 'didn't really know what they were doing' and were forced into sex, sometimes without protection.

The men, who remained sober as they exploited the girls, booked several hotels including the Travelodge near Halkyn and the Dene Hotel in Chester, where they did not have to provide identification.

Hotel rooms away from the hotel reception were deliberately chosen by the men, so staff were unaware when more men arrived.

Defendant John James Purcell booked the rooms and associates of John Delaney would turn up. As many as seven men at one time would be invited to the room, the court heard.

The victims would also be taken to secluded spots away from the public during the horrific abuse, which last for more than a year.

They would also be forcibly separated and told they would be re-united once they performed sex acts on the men.

Other times the men threatened to drop the victims far away from their homes.

John Delaney hides his face from the camera as he leaves Wrexham Magistrates Court in January this year charged with sexual offences (left) and Todd James Wickens (right) denies raping a girl under 16

One of the complainants told people she felt 'dirty and horrible' but at the time felt it was an 'escape from what she was going through'.

Mr Philpotts added: 'She had, of course, been groomed. Often, the girls would be so intoxicated that they were powerless to resist whatever was happening to them.'

During one incident at the Dene Hotel, it was claimed as many as six or seven other men arrived.

One girl who was allegedly raped saw another victim being sick as four or five other men surrounded her and sexually abused her.

She told the men to stop but they then turned their attention to her and told how they 'forced themselves' on her.

One of the girls was taken to a secluded car park near where she was raped by a man in the back of a silver BMW.

She was scared because she did not know him and had not expected to have sex with him. He had never been identified.

But abuse had 'become the norm' for her and felt she would be harassed until she submitted.

Mr Philpotts said that Todd Wickens collected a girl from the home and John McGrath would be with him.

It was alleged Wickens raped her from behind when they were outside.

She turned and realised McGrath had taken his place and was also having intercourse with her. 'She told him to stop but he persisted,' he said.

Delaney, 33, of Wrexham, faces four counts of rape of a girl under 16, four counts of trafficking women within the UK for sexual exploitation, the sexual assault of a girl aged under 16 years and arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

John James Purcell, 31, of Ellesmere Port, faces three charges of rape, four charges of trafficking and one of arranging a child sex offence.

Wickens, 28, of Wrexham, faces two charges of raping a girl aged under 16 years, and one charge of trafficking a female for sexual exploitation.

McGrath, 27, of Wrexham, is charged with raping a girl aged under 16 years 2011 and 2012.An electrician who racially abused a taxi driver after he was unhappy with the quote for his journey home from a railway station has been fined 1,000.

Ashley Fordham, 30, launched the racist tirade just before midnight on December 30 2017 at Tunbridge Wells railway station taxi rank.

Fordham, 30, was quoted 42 by Abdullah Shaheed for his journey from the station in Kent to his home in Horsmonden which is eight-and-a-half miles away.

He then became abusive and told Mr Shaheed: 'I'm born in England. I'm English, you're not.', Sevenoaks Magistrates Court heard today.

A shocked Mr Shaheed, who is originally from Afghanistan but has lived in Tunbridge Wells for 15 years, did up his window but before he could lock the driver's door, Fordham opened it.

Fordham continued his abuse, calling the taxi driver a 'Muslim c***', a 'Bengali c***' and a Muslim f***'.

The court heard how Mr Shaheed then got out of the taxi in fear of being assaulted, to get help from the fellow drivers on the rank.

Other taxi drivers and members of the public intervened and Mr Shaheed took out his phone and started recording what was going on.



Ashley Fordham, 30, called Abdullah Shaheed a 'Muslim c*** and a Muslim f***'. He was held back by this man during his racist tirade

A video of part of the incident which showed Fordham shouting 'you Muslim c*** and a Muslim f***' at the taxi driver went viral after being posted online.

In mitigation, defence counsel, Jag Takk, explained that Fordham had expected to be quoted a figure of around 25, as it was not yet past midnight.

The court also heard that Fordham was pushed in the chest, after stepping out of the taxi.

Mr Takk said: 'When [Fordham's] been pushed in the chest is when he gets really angry and we see how he's behaved in the video.

He continued: 'If you watch it carefully, someone is saying, 'oh yes' and laughing as they are recording.'

'The video suggests he is enjoying and relishing the prospect of what he's going to do with the video footage,' he added.

Mr Takk also sought to question the motive for a video of this nature being shared online.

He said: 'If he's a victim, he wouldn't want to keep watching the video, they would want to put the incident behind them so he can move on.'

Fordham pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated offence of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

Sentencing, Magistrate Bensted-Smith, said: 'We will deal with it by way of a financial penalty. Having taken into account the early guilty plea, there will be a fine of 700. That gets uplifted by 300 for the racial element.'

Fordham was also ordered to pay costs of 420, including 200 compensation for Mr Shaheed.Steven Tomsett, 18, broke both ankles in the 'terrifying' incident while bell ringing

A bell-ringer who thought he was going to die when he was flung into the air during a practice session is suing the church for damages.

Steven Tomsett, 18, broke both ankles in the 'terrifying' incident at St Helen's Church in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

The trainee engineer also damaged his right leg and injured his lower back when he was sent flying into the air in January after the wooden stay which keeps the bell upright was broken.

Mr Tomsett, who was 17 at the time of the accident, said: 'I was pulled quickly up into the air and just remember looking down and seeing everybody's faces looking up at me. It was terrifying and was one of those moments when you think you are going to die. I thought is this really happening to me?

'At about 20ft up I let go and came crashing down and then heard somebody shouting for me to let go.

'The pain I felt was just indescribable. I was in absolute agony. It's fair to say I was using language that shouldn't probably be used in church.'

The wooden stay, which was broken at the time of the incident, is designed to keep the bell in an upright position between ringing, when the bell is stood.

The trainee engineer damaged his right leg and injured his lower back when he was sent flying

The teenager was rescued from the church tower by the fire service who winched him to the floor, as a stretcher could not be taken along the spiral staircase to the bell ringing room.

Mr Tomsett, who is being represented by law firm Hodge Jones & Allen, is making a personal injury claim against the church and says the incident has left him in 'constant pain'.

I was in absolute agony. It's fair to say I was using language that shouldn't probably be used in church Steven Tomsett

He said: 'I'm taking action against the church as this whole thing was avoidable if the bells had been maintained properly.

'I'm the only one who has suffered. I lost my job, I'm in constant pain and now the church has said what happened is not their fault. It doesn't seem right.'

A Christian community has worshipped at the site of St Helen's since at least 995 AD, with the present structure first taking shape in 1180.

Mr Tomsett, 18, was injured in the incident at St Helen's Church in Abingdon, Oxfordshire

The church's website states that the building had major renovations in the Georgian and late Victoria era - and a new ring of bells was installed in the tower in 2006.

The Diocese of Oxford, in which St Helen's is located, has been asked for comment.

Dr Christopher O'Mahony, president of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, told MailOnline: 'We were very saddened to hear of Steven's accident when it occurred in January 2018, and we wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

'Bellringers take health and safety very seriously, and incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare.

'The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has well established safety and maintenance guidelines for bell towers to ensure that ours is a low-risk activity.

'The ringers of St Helen's Abingdon in particular are justifiably proud of their training and safety record, taking appropriate action when the incident occurred.

Firefighters winched him to the floor because a stretcher could not be taken to the room

'Week after week over many centuries, throughout the UK and across the world, volunteers ring bells in celebration or in sadness, calling out to their local communities on occasions both sacred and civic.

'Often described as part of the 'soundscape of the nation', our bellringing heritage is actively pursued by over 30,000 individuals on a regular basis in complete safety.

'This coming Sunday, on the historic centenary of the 1918 Armistice, bellringers will be taking part in one of the largest massed ringing events ever undertaken, as we acknowledge those who made the supreme sacrifice in wartime.

'Whilst extending every sympathy to Steven for his very unfortunate experience, bellringers and members of the public can be reassured that ringing is a safe and enjoyable activity, offering many health and social benefits.'Retired businessman Jimmy McGlinchey was beaten and strangled to death

A 94-year-old British man has been murdered during a brutal robbery at his home in South Africa.

Retired businessman Jimmy McGlinchey was beaten and strangled to death by burglars who made off with his car and two Persian rugs.

The thugs broke into his house in Hayfields, a wealthy suburb in the city of Pietermaritzburg, by forcing open a kitchen door.

Mr McGlinchey's body was discovered by his housekeeper who alerted neighbours before police were called.

The pensioner, who lived alone following the recent death of his wife, was declared dead at the scene on October 31.

The grandfather is said to have been found naked with strangulation marks on his neck and bruises on his body.

He had lived in South Africa for more than 30 years and is survived by three children and seven grandchildren. He had emigrated from Scotland to Zambia where he ran a trucking business.

Mr McGlinchey's VW Polo was stolen in the incident, as well as two Persian rugs. The car was later found abandoned.

His son-in-law, Dino Santoro, said neighbours had contacted his wife Alison - Mr McGlinchey's daughter - telling them about the tragedy.

He told a newspaper: 'It's hard to process. He lived here for about 30 years and all he ever lost was a hosepipe. I am trying to fit new locks in the house, and my wife is not coming to the home until the scene is cleared.

'This was a senseless killing of an absolutely good gentleman.'

Mr McGlinchey's daughter lives near his home and he had two sons who live in Australia.

His neighbour Greg Bowden, the chairperson of the Hayfields Neighbourhood Watch, said: 'It is certainly a shocking incident, and one that was unexpected.

'Since the neighbourhood watch has become more organised, we've seen a substantial drop in crime.

'We get petty crimes, but not serious ones like this.'

Police in South Africa have not made any arrests in the case and said there investigation is ongoing.

Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane, of the South African Police Service, said: 'We can confirm that a case of house robbery and murder was opened at Alexandra Road police station after James McGlinchey was killed at his home in the Hayfields area.

'The vehicle that was taken from the house was later recovered at Mount Ayliff. The investigation continues.'

This incident is the fourth high-profile murder of an elderly person in Pietermaritzburg this year, after three people were murdered at care homes. The area is around 50 miles from the city of Durban.

Kershwin Goldstone, 22, was this year sentenced to three life terms in prison for the murders of Patricia O'Connor, 92, Roland Heathcote, 89, and Patricia Elizabeth Tugwell, 89, after he gained entry into their rooms at old age homes and robbed and murdered them.

In April, 2015, Scots grandmother Sandra Malcolm, 74, was beheaded in a horror killing at her home in Cape Town.

Mrs Malcolm, who was originally from Monifieth, Angus, was hacked to death by Sheree Prince, 22, who had broken into her home.

Prince was later given a life sentence after she admitted the murder.A London hotel has installed a whisky vending machine ahead of the Christmas party season allowing revelers to avoid long queues at the bar.

The service has been launched at the Napoleon Hotel in Moorgate, central London and will be available for the party season.

The shots of single malt are contained inside a plastic pouch and cost 7.95 each.

The Napoleon Hotel in Moorgate, Central London has a whisky vending machine which offers single malts from different distilleries for 7.95 each

Customers have to buy tokens from the bar before being allowed to select their whisky

The pouches contain 50ml of single malt whisky and cost 7.95 each

Customers have to buy tokens from the Devil's Darling bar inside the hotel from 5pm each day.

The tokens can be used in the vending machine between 10am and 2am according to the promoters.

A selection of single malt whiskies will be on offer, each of them for the same price of 7.95.

Customers will be able to read about each of the whiskies before making their choice.

The machine has been launched by the Black Rock Bar in Shoreditch, who are behind a subscription service called Whisky-Me.

Customers can use the machine between 10am and 2am - as long as they have a token

Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson of the Black Rock Bar have curated the selection of whisky which they claim 'best represent the flavours and diversity of single malt'.

Some of the whiskies on offer are from world famous distilleries such as Macallan, Royal Lochnagar and Aberfeldy.

Mr Aske said his company is 'on a mission to reinvent whisky's stereotypically serious image with a fun, contemporary approach and a belief that everyone should be able to enjoy delicious whisky without being a connoisseur'.Michael Thornton, 27, failed to turn up to Maidstone Crown Court last month for sentencing following his conviction for owning a dog which attacked the toddler on April 4 last year

A dog owner said by a judge to have 'not had the guts' to turn up to court following a savage attack in which a toddler was horrifically mauled and scalped is finally behind bars.

Michael Thornton went on the run on the day he was expected to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court in Kent last month.

Thornton, 27, had admitted being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place.

The court heard the animal, which was a banned pitbull-type, clamped its jaws on the head of the 18-month-old girl as she played in a park in Jenkins Dale, Chatham, Kent, with her sister on April 4 last year.

The dog, called Max, was being walked by a 15-year-old girl at the time. She had been paid to do so with cannabis by Thornton and his girlfriend Hayley Eldridge.

Eldridge, a 29-year-old mother of three from Chatham admitted the same charge, as well as one of perjury. She was jailed for a total of 25 months when she appeared in court for sentencing on October 10.

Thornton from Chatham was jailed in his absence for two years by Judge David Griffith-Jones QC, who also issued a warrant for his arrest.

Michael Thornton (left) and Hayley Eldridge (right) both from Chatham are pictured at Maidstone Crown Court today. The pair have denied being owners of a dog which caused injury to an 18-month-old

Police finally caught up with him yesterday and brought him to court to appear before Judge Griffith-Jones.

Thornton admitted failing to surrender during yesterday's hearing. The court heard that Thornton had failed to appear for several previous court hearings.

He was ordered to serve an addition 28 days on top of the existing two-year sentence for absconding.

The judge told him although he had again 'deliberately tried to delay justice', a lengthy sentence was not necessary.

The police covered up the pitbull cross dog in Holcombe road

'You didn't have the guts to turn up to your sentencing hearing on October 10. This was deliberate behaviour on your part, your attempt to delay the inevitable day of reckoning,' said Judge Griffith-Jones.

'In light of your failure to attend it is important to mark that failure by an additional term of imprisonment. But I don't feel it necessary to impose a particularly lengthy term.

'I impose the shortest term I feel I properly can in all the circumstances, and these circumstances include your appalling record of numerous failings to surrender and failures to comply with other court orders. That is a susbstantial aggravating factor.'

Thornton will serve half his total jail term less 26 days spent on tagged curfew.

The court heard on a previous occasion that the dog had been repeatedly struck in its face with a chain by the teenager shortly before it attacked the toddler.

Thornton, left, and his girlfriend, Hayley Eldridge, right, paid a 15-year-old girl in cannabis to take their illegal pitbull dog for a walk in Chatham, Kent, in April 2017 when it attacked the toddler and left her with life changing injuries requiring reconstructive surgery

Her injuries were so severe that she faces years of surgery. Her scalp could not be re-attached and her skull has been left exposed until she is old enough for a skin graft.

The dog, described as aggressive by people living in the area, had to be shot by police marksmen at the scene. Tests later revealed it to be a banned breed under the Dangerous Dog Act.

It had only been owned by Thornton and Eldridge for six days and they told police they thought it was a Staffordshire bull terrier cross.

The perjury offence related to Eldridge lying during a family court hearing that she was not facing a charge over the dangerous dog.

Thornton, pictured outside Maidstone Crown Court in August failed to show up last month for his sentencing hearing

The teenager who walked the dog pleaded guilty at a hearing in the youth court in October last year. She was handed a 12-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work.

The court on that occasion heard a victim impact statement from the toddler's father in which he spoke of how the incident had 'changed my family's life forever'.

He said: 'I'm angry, I'm very angry. My little girl does not deserve what has happened to her.

'I do not understand how and why this happened to my little girl. I do not understand how the owners have let this happen, how did they let this happen to my little girl?

'We have years of hospital visits when we should be taking our daughter to children's parties.'Thousands of Connecticut ballots had to be counted by hand overnight because they got wet from heavy rain on Election Day.

Election officials in Hartford and New Haven were hand-counting ballots, which got damp from rain-soaked voters who were waiting to put them in scanning machines.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill said she had to tell election officials to 'get out your hairdryer' as they continued to count ballots in the state's tight gubernatorial race.

Some polling places even had to bring in backup machines to replace those that were damaged by wet ballots.

Thousands of Connecticut ballots had to be counted by hand overnight because they got wet due to heavy rain on Election Day

'We are in the back room still counting numbers because so many people voted,' Merill said around midnight.

'A lot of cities are still counting. We have, believe it or not, wet ballots. We are telling them to get out your hairdryer.'

The wet ballots were being counted amid an extremely tight race between Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski.

Stefanowski conceded to Lamont just after 9am on Wednesday morning.

Lamont made huge gains overnight as he carried major cities like Bridgeport and Hartford by 15,931 votes and 17,238 votes, respectively, according to the Hartford Courant.

Election officials in Hartford and New Haven were hand-counting ballots, which got damp from rain-soaked voters who were waiting to put them in scanning machines

'Good things come to those who wait and things look great!' Susan Bysiewicz, Lamont's running mate, posted to Facebook on Wednesday morning.

'Thanks to everyone working hard to correctly tally the results. We are excited and thankful. Proud to be part of this ride with Ned Lamont!'

The gubernatorial race got its first dose of Election Day drama when Stefanowski filed a request for a court injunction to separate ballots from a group of same-day registration voter applicants.

Stefanowski argued that the new voters, who were from New Haven and the University of Connecticut, were still waiting for their applications to be processed when the polls closed at 8pm.

Some first-time voter had been allowed to vote after swearing as a group they had never been registered to vote before in the state.

The wet ballots came amid an extremely tight race between Democrat Ned Lamont (pictured) and Republican Bob Stefanowski

As of Wednesday morning, Lamont appeared headed for victory against Stefanowski (pictured) with 48.1 percent of the vote and 91 percent of precincts reporting

The move was prompted by long lines of people seeking Election Day registrations, according to Secretary of State spokesman Gabe Rosenberg.

'Every registered voter currently in line at 8pm is allowed to vote. They can vote! But they can't be mass sworn in at 7.45pm and they can't be sworn in after 8pm,' Stefanowski tweeted.

'The law is clear. If you are registered and in line - vote! If you are not registered before 8pm - you can't vote.'

Both registrars agreed to separate all Election Day Registration that were not properly processed before 6pm in New Haven and Mansfield.A Texas couple allegedly bought $45,000-worth of rifles and attempted to hand them over to someone in Mexico.

Francisco Sevilla-Alvarez and Perla Franco-Hernandez have been charged with making false statements to a gun dealer and purchasing firearms for another individual, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

Sevilla-Alvarez, a legal permanent resident, and Franco-Hernandez, a naturalized US citizen, reportedly purchased a $9,100 rifle, a $9,000 rifle, a $14,000 rifle and a $12,750 rifle with a silencer in October, the Fort Worth Star Tribune reports.

The married couple from Presidio, near the US-Mexico border, bought the firearms from a dealer more than 500 miles away in Mineral Wells.

Francisco Sevilla-Alvarez and Perla Franco-Hernandez have been accused of buying four rifles worth nearly $45,000 for someone in Mexico (stock image). The couple from Presidio, Texas, traveled some 500 miles to Mineral Wells to purchase the firearms, according to court filings

According to state records, Franco-Hernandez filled out the paperwork for the rifles because Sevilla-Alvarez couldnt pass the background check. He had been denied the first time the couple tried to buy a firearm, according to the criminal complaint.

The dealer placed an order for the rifles after the couple paid because they were not in stock at the time due to their high price tag.

When they returned on October 31 to pick up one of the rifles, Sevilla-Alvarez and Franco Hernandez were met by investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Franco-Hernandez allegedly told authorities that someone in Mexico, who was not identified in court documents, gave them money to buy the rifles.

She said that on four occasions bags of money were left around Presidio for her to pickup, and her husband would tell her where to retrieve them.

Sevilla-Alvarez said that on other occasions he would leave his vehicle unlocked and someone would deposit cash in it, the complaint says.

Once they had the rifles, Sevilla-Alvarez planned to drop the rifles off at predetermined locations in Presidio so the buyer could retrieve them and bring them back to Mexico.

Sevilla-Alvarez reportedly indicated that the couple dropped a rifle off in Presidio at least once.A preschool in east China is being investigated after one of its students was bitten by a rat during nap time.

The four-year-old boy was sleeping in a classroom at Donghai Kindergarten in Hefei, Anhui province on Monday when the rodent bit his finger under the covers.

The pupil, surnamed Wang, was immediately taken to hospital where he received treatment including a rabies shot, according to authorities.

The four-year-old boy was sleeping in a classroom at Donghai Kindergarten in Hefei, Anhui province on Monday when the rodent bit his finger under the covers

Pictures show the boy was left with a bloody bite mark on his right ring finger

Shocking video footage shows a teacher rushing into the classroom to check on a student, who was reportedly heard screaming.

To her horror, a large rat popped out before scurrying across the boy the moment she lifted his duvet.

Pictures show the boy was left with a bloody bite mark on his right ring finger.

She immediately alerted emergency services and the child was taken to Sixth People's Hospital.

Shocking footage shows a teacher rushing into the classroom to check on a student, who was reportedly heard screaming during nap time on Monday

The four-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he received a rabies shot after being bitten

He received interferon treatment and a rabies shot, according to Xin'an Evening News.

Another 30 students were evacuated from the classroom right away. The school will pay for the boy's medical expenses.

'Upon inspecting surveillance footage and following a hospital checkup, it was concluded that the child was bitten by a rat,' officials in Jingkai district said in a Weibo post yesterday.

Pest control and sanitation works of the entire school have been implemented by the relevant departments, the statement said, adding further investigations are being carried out.

Pest control and sanitisation measures at Donghai Kindergarten have been carried out

Officials will also provide regular updates on the school's hygiene practices after several parents voiced their concerns regarding food and safety following the incident, the statement added.

A person could develop an infection if bitten by a rat, also known as rat-bite fever. The disease can be transmitted either through an infected rat's bite or scratch or by simply handling a rat with the disease.

It can also be contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated by rat feces.

Symptoms of rat-bite fever usually appear three to 10 days after the exposure or bite but may occur up to three weeks later. They include fever and chills, headache, vomiting, rash and swelling.Fast food giant Domino's Pizza has announced plans to launch a dating app to match customers over their favourite toppings.

Chief executive Don Meij said Domino's is set to launch a dating app in Netherlands at the company's general meeting in Brisbane on Wednesday.

'Simply swipe your favourite pizza and the Domino's dating app will connect you to other pizza lovers, find a match, and go on a date,' he said.

Fast food giant Domino's Pizza has announced plans to launch a dating app in the Netherlands

'Domino's provides the meal, and even the conversation starters. What better to bond over than your shared love of pineapple on pizzas?'

Customers will soon be able to order Domino's largest pizza yet - a 30-inch named the 'Big One'.

The takeaway company has also announced 30 new recipes, including sides and desserts, to launch in Australian and New Zealand stores in the coming summer.

Mr Meij said sales have grown in Europe but is only a 'short-term effect'.

New pizzas along with a loyalty scheme will roll out in European stores.

The dating app soon to be launched will connect pizza lovers over their favourite toppings

Domino's sales will be maintained with the launch of the 30 new menu items and other initiatives.

Same-store sales growth in Japan were at five per cent, compared to 0.9 per cent growth within 2018.

Mr Meij said at least 225 new stores will open after Domino's reports their half-year results in sales growth.

Domino's has stores operating in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and parts of Europe.Fox News' coverage of the midterm elections on Tuesday night was missing one notable name as Sean Hannity did not appear on the program.

Hannity announced he would be skipping the network's coverage in his radio show Tuesday, just days after Fox News announced he would be appearing in the coverage.

Hannity did not play a huge role in Fox News' Election Night coverage in the past, with Megyn Kelly having anchored the network's 2016 special with Brett Baier.

Kelly was also off the air on Tuesday after being ousted by NBC from their coverage, and Bill O'Reilly remains without a show on the air, resulting in a spectacular fall from the grace for the trifecta of Fox News superstars.

Hannity did still find a way to throw his support behind President Trump despite the fact that Republicans lost control of the House, tweeting: 'MOST in the media are absolutely clueless-tonight was a massive win 4 DJT & the ppl he campaigned 4-remember btwn the House & Senate Obama lost 69 seats, Clinton lost 60 seats-the democrats winning the house is meaningless - stay tuned for my analysis on radio & TV. Great night.'

That TV analysis will be coming Wednesday night it would seem, when Hannity returns to the air on his Fox News show.

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Missing midterms: Sean Hannity did not appear on Fox News during the network's coverage of the midterm elections on Tuesday night (Hannity and President Trump above on Monday)

Missing Megyn: Megyn Kelly, who previously featured in the Fox News primetime line-up with Hannity was also kept off air after NBC dropped her from their coverage (Kelly above in January covering the State of the Union)

Over O'Reilly: The third member of that unstoppable primetime team, Bill O'Reilly (above), also did not appear on air during any of the networks' midterm election specials

Hannity, whose primetime show did not air due to the election, sat things out just hours after his employer released a terse statement in response to the host's choice to speak at a rally in support of President Trump.

'Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,' said the statement.

'This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed.'

There was not comment as to how it was addressed, but it would appear Hannity may have been kept off the air as a result of his actions.

Fox News would not comment on how the situation was 'addressed,' or provide any information about Hannity's actions beyond its initial public comment.

Most media companies very clearly state that journalists cannot publicly endorse a political candidate or donate to campaigns.

In 2010, MSNBC suspended Keith Olbermann after he gave money to three Democratic congressional candidates.

Parent company Disney went a bit easier on George Stephanopoulos back in 2015 when he was forced to reveal he had made donations to The Clinton Foundation totalling $75,000 while reporting on the former president.

Hillary was not running for office at the time those donations were made and Stephanopoulos, who served as Bill Clinton's communications director and senior adviser for policy and strategy, issued a public apology.

That has not been the case for Hannity however, who previously suffered no fallout when it was revealed he was a client of lawyer Michael Cohen, who at the time was also President Trump's legal adviser.

Hannity responded to the revelation that he had paid Cohen for legal advice by stating: 'Michael Cohen has never represented me in any matter. I never retained him, received an invoice, or paid legal fees. I have occasionally had brief discussions with him about legal questions about which I wanted his input and perspective.'

Hannity, in his response to the criticism on Twitter, also failed to acknowledge the fact that he could have also taken the stage and delivered a series of non-partisan remarks.

Hug bugs: It is unclear if the decision to skip the special was made by Hannity or the network, with neither side commenting on the matter (Hannity and Truymp)

 Slide me  Here today: Kelly was even edited out of NBC promo material after being dropped from the coverage

He did not do that however, choosing instead to go on the attack, taking aim at the same people President Trump has declared public enemy number one - the media.

'By the way, all those people in the back are fake news,' Hannity told the crowd of Trump supporters, resulting in boos from the audience.

He clarified his remarks in a tweet on Tuesday, writing: 'To be clear, I was not referring to my journalist colleagues at FOX News in those remarks. They do amazing work day in and day out in a fair and balanced way and It is an honor to work with such great professionals.'

That was clear to those in attendance however, as the press pit was corralled into one pen to the side of he stage while Fox News was given its own area that was equal in size right in the middle of he venue.

The Fox News host also had bodyguards with him as he greeted guests at the event and paused for photos.

Hours earlier he had denied that he would be campaigning at the event but did admit he would be there covering the final push, as he had in 'every election past.'

He was not the only Fox News personality to take the stage either, with Judge Jeanine Pirro also making an appearance.

'There's a woman on Saturday night that treats us very, very well. And she does it with love and with passion for the country - not for me, it's not a passion for me, it's a passion for the country,' declared President Trump while introducing Pirro.

She spoke briefly, but in a clearly non-partisan statement declared: 'If you like the America that he's making now you gotta make sure you get out there tomorrow.'

The audience could not contain their excitement when they saw Pirro and Hannity on Monday at the Show Me Center, with Hannity showing off the size of the Fox News pen in one video.

Fan ran up to get photos and pose with the hosts, who Trump introduced by stating: 'I have a few people that are right out here, and they're very special. They've done an incredible job for us. They've been with us from the beginning, also.'

Hannity reveled in the attention, and later posted videos of his interactions with audience members to his social media accounts.

Pirro, meanwhile, has not addressed her decision to take the stage and speak at the rally.

A number of people were not buying Hannity's claim that this was all a big surprise, including Preet Bahara.

'Liar,' declared the former US attorney for the Southern District of New York.An 83-year-old woman was struck and killed outside an eastern Pennsylvania polling place just moments after she voted on Tuesday morning.

Marlene Raub was hit by a minivan being driven by a 78-year-old woman outside the Forks Township municipal building at 10.45am in what authorities say was an accident.

Witnesses say Raub had just cast her ballot in the midterm elections and was walking outside with a cane when the vehicle making a left turn knocked her to the ground, leaving a pair of black diabetic shoes standing in a puddle of water.

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Voter killed: Marlene Raub, 83, was walking with a cane when a minivan hit her outside the polling place at the Forks Township municipal building in Pennsylvania Tuesday morning

The elderly woman's diabetic shoes are seen standing in a puddle of rainwater after her hospitalization

Bystanders administered first aid and attempted to revive Raub by performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

According to police, the 78-year-old female driver remained at the scene and was let go without being charged, reported NBC10.

Dozens of voters continued to walk in and out of the polling place on Zucksville Road as police investigated the deadly crash outside.

On Tuesday evening, Democratic candidate Susan Wild, who won the race against Republican Marty Nothstine in the 7th congressional district, asked her supporters for a moment of silence in Raub's honor during her victory party at Coca-Cola Park.

Raub had just cast her ballot in the midterm elections when she was fatally struck

The driver, aged 78, stayed at the scene and was later let go without being charged

'My heart breaks for her and for her family and the idea that she was just performing her civic duty that so many in this district and across the country did today,' Wild said.

Raub lost her husband of 52 years, World War II veteran Carl Raub, in June 2011. The couple are survived by five children, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Raub's long-time neighbor and fellow widow Margaret McGaughey described the elderly woman and her late husband as 'great people' and told The Morning Call she was not surprised that the 83-year-old ventured out into the rain on Tuesday to cast her vote.

'She had strong opinions,' the neighbor said. 'She kept up with current event.'An asylum seeker who is on hunger strike because he was not released into the community along with his relatives is being fed intravenously in hospital at a cost to taxpayers that has already reached $300,000.

Omid Bagheri Jebeli, 23, was taken to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital from Villawood detention centre in April after he refused to eat, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The man allegedly stopped eating after he was separated from his mother and sister, who were granted community detention while their refugee status was processed.

Omid Bagheri Jebeli, 23, was taken to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital (pictured) from Villawood detention centre in April after he refused to eat

Unable to be with his family, the man is believed to have been on a hunger strike for several days before he was transferred to the western Sydney hospital.

Since then, the Iranian man has continued to fast and his condition has significantly deteriorated, with doctors turning to drastic measures to keep him alive.

It's reported that Mr Jebeli is now being fed via a nasal gastric tube, which delivers food and other essential nutrients in liquid form directly into his stomach.

Doctors and nurses are also believed to be keeping the 23-year-old hydrated by administering fluids via an intravenous drip.

It's been estimated that Mr Jebeli's treatment has so far cost taxpayers a whopping $300,000 - and this will increase as long as he refuses to eat.

Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital general manager Peter Rophail said the facility has been treating a patient who is on a 'self-imposed hunger strike'.

The man allegedly stopped eating after he was separated from his mother and sister, who were granted community detention while their refugee status was processed

'The Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Border Protection is responsible for costs of the healthcare provided to this patient,' Mr Rophail said.

Shortly after his arrival at the hospital, the New South Wales Greens staged a vigil, claiming Mr Jebeli was forced into not eating after he was granted refugee status but kept in detention.

A spokesperson for NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told the Daily Telegraph the minister supports the 'lifesaving care' staff are providing at the hospital.

The Australian Border Force has not commented on whether the 23-year-old will return to the detention centre following his treatment.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Australian Border Force for comment.A surgeon has described the tense atmosphere in an operating theatre as a pioneering robotic heart operation went catastrophically wrong.

At one point one of the assisting medics had his arms knocked by the robot which was being used to repair retired music teacher and conductor Stephen Pettitt's heart valve, an inquest was told.

Communication between lead surgeon Sukumaran Nair and his assisting surgeon Thasee Pillay was difficult because of the 'tinny' sound quality coming from the robot console being operated by Nair.

Surgeon Sukumaran Nair (left) has described the tense atmosphere in an operating theatre as a robotic heart operation on patient Stephen Pettitt (right) went catastrophically wrong

Mr Pillay told how he had to raise his voice as the robot knocked one of the theatre assistants and when he realised that stitches in 69-year-old Mr Pettitt's heart were not being placed in 'an organised fashion.'

At the hearing in Newcastle, Mr Nair admitted he was 'running before he could walk' in using the robot because he lacked experience in using the robot in a training capacity.

He missed a training session in Paris using a cadaver and another session at his own hospital because he was busy with other surgery.

Despite that he conducted the operation to repair Mr Pettitt's leaking mitral valve using the Da Vinci robot for the first time, which was also the first operation of its kind conducted in the UK.

When things started to go wrong, two proctors - supervisory experts trained to take over in a crisis - had left.

The operation using the Da Vinci robot (file image) was the first of its kind conducted in the UK

Mr Pillay said he thought they had 'gone to the coffee shop' for a break when in fact they had left Newcastle's Freeman Hospital and gone home part of the way through the procedure in February 2015.

They were not on hand to help when father-of-three Mr Pettitt's intra aortic septum was damaged and Mr Nair was no longer able to see clearly when blood spattered the robot's camera.

The robotic operation was abandoned and open chest surgery began, by which time Mr Pettitt's heart was functioning 'very poorly.'

He died a few days later on March 3rd after going into multiple organ failure.

Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Pillay told the hearing he was standing a few feet away from Mr Nair facing the patient while the lead surgeon had his head in a console facing away from him.

Mr Nair admitted he was 'running before he could walk' in using the Da Vinci robot (file image)

Whilst he could hear Mr Nair's voice through a microphone, his method of making himself heard if he saw something going wrong was to shout.

He was asked: 'Was communication difficult?'

He answered: 'We were not far apart but Mr Nair's voice comes through a microphone and it is tinny, the acoustics were not very good.

'There were times when I raised my voice, one was when the sutures were not being placed in an organised fashion and were criss crossed.'

The stitches had to be taken out and replaced, which extended the operating time, the hearing was told.

Mr Pillay said that he raised his voice again when a colleague standing over Mr Pettitt 'had his arms knocked by the robot.'

He said he called for the proctors to be called in at the point he realised the stitching was criss crossed and when told they were not there he at first assumed they were taking a coffee break.

Consultant cardiothoracic anaesthetist Kevin Brennan said the proctors, supplied by Edwards Lifesciences, had been helpful in setting up the operation.

But he added: 'I had no idea of their timescale and that they were not staying for the duration.'

He added: 'The proctors leaving was a crucial moment. The loss of that vital assistance was a major blow at a critical time.'

Northumbria police were called in to investigate after Mr Pettitt's death, the hearing was told.

Mr Pettitt died at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle (pictured) after the operation went wrong

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Mr Nair agreed when Barry Speker, for the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, read from an official report by a professor that his cross-clamp times in non-robotic operations were slow and moving to robotic procedures was 'a premature step, running before you could walk'.

Mr Nair said: 'At the time, I should have gained more experience and my clamp times would have been shorter with time.'

Speaking about gaining patient consent, Mr Nair said: 'I made it clear to him that he is going to be the first robotic mitral valve repair patient.

'I had explained to him about risks. I agree, I did not tell him he ran a higher risk being the first robotic mitral valve patient.'

Asked if he was keen to get the robotic mitral valve replacement surgery up and running, he said: 'Developing it in a country is something an innovative surgeon would be looking to do.'

Mr Nair, who trained in India and London and previously worked at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, said he now works in Scotland and no longer does robotic surgery.

Dr Anthony George, a consultant anaesthetist in the operation on Mr Pettitt, said that communication problems between the two surgeons were 'at the core of the failure.'

He also said that Mr Nair was aware the supervising experts - known as proctors - were intending to leave at lunchtime and not return but chose to go ahead without them.

Mr George said: 'I think the proctors should have stayed for the whole case, their departure is significant.

'I think communication problems the two surgeons experienced was a core part of the failure of the repair.

'If they had been able to place those sutures precisely and correctly then the outcome would have been different.'

Mr George said the the anaesthetic proctor told him at the beginning of the operation that they would be leaving at lunchtime.

He said he told that to Mr Nair, who did not seem surprised.

Mr George said: 'I don't recall exactly what was said but the implication was that he was happy to continue with the process.'

He said the robotic operation continued after he told them he was concerned that it was going badly.

He was asked by the Pettitt family's lawyer Georgina Nolan whether he could have indicating his worries more forcefully.

Mr George said: 'I expressed my concern to both surgeons that things were not going well. The report into this incident said later that it was not my place to harass surgeons and that is not the role I took on.'

Tensions between the surgeons led to shouting between them, he said.

Mr George said that it appeared they were both unable to tell what the other was saying and were also disagreeing over the placing of the stitches in Mr Pettitt's heart.Russia says Trump faces 'unpleasant challenges' as the Democrats seized the House and the probe into 2016 election tampering is brought back to the forefront.

International reaction has been mixed as the bombastic President lost his House majority today.

The Democrats now have the power to strike at Trump's global business empire and his international dealings.

They can explore everything from Chinese trademarks granted to companies linked to Trump and his daughter Ivanka, to a firm backing of Robert Muller's probe into 2016 election tampering.

President Trump gives two thumbs up as he campaigned in Cleveland, Ohio in the run-up to the polls opening

The Kremlin said their relationship with the US could not get much worse, but added that Trump now faces new and 'unpleasant challenges'

The Kremlin said the results were unlikely to hurt ties further as, 'it'd be hard to make (the relationship) even worse.'

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, 'there are no bright prospects on the horizon' for improving the relations.

A meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin planned for next week in France has been scrapped.

A senior Russian lawmaker, Konstantin Kosachev, says a Democratic majority in the House means Trump will face 'unpleasant challenges.'

China says the relationship between the world's two largest economies is so important that interests on both sides will continue pushing for cooperation regardless of the outcome of U.S. elections.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying declined to comment directly on the outcome but says 'regardless of the result ... we believe the two governments and the two peoples all want to maintain the sound and steady development of bilateral relations because we believe it is in the best interests of the international community.'

President Xi Jinping's spokeswoman Hua Chunying said 'regardless of the result ... we believe the two governments and the two peoples all want to maintain the sound and steady development of bilateral relations

Democrats celebrated last night in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania as their Democrat hopeful defeated the Republican rival

President Trump has slapped punitive tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese exports to the U.S. and threatened billions more.

China has retaliated with tariffs on soybeans and other key U.S. exports. Frictions over Taiwan, human rights and the South China Sea have pushed relations to their lowest ebb in years.

Germany's foreign minister said: 'What this election doesn't change is that without the U.S., we will not be able to solve problems in an ever more complicated world.'

Maas added: 'We must remain realistic. In the past two years, the balance in the partnership with the United States has shifted for the foreseeable future, and the election won't change anything about that either.'

Maas renewed his argument that Europeans must answer Trump's 'America First' policy with a 'Europe United' approach.

The Democrat majority in the House could lead to investigations outside the U.S. and into Russian election tampering, or even Ivanka Trump's business ties to China

Japanese officials say their alliance with the United States remains unshakable regardless of U.S. election results.

Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters that the Japan-U.S. alliance is 'unwavering' despite mixed election results for Trump.

Nishimura says Japan will cooperate with the U.S. in efforts to denuclearize North Korea and in other areas.

Democrats celebrated into the night as they seized the House majority from Trump's Republican Party in the first nationwide polls since he took office two years ago.

Trump Tweeted this morning: 'If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!'Borat returned to American TV screens last night as Sacha Baron Cohen brought the character back for a spoof campaign video supporting Donald Trump.

In his first onscreen appearance since 2012, the bumbling Kazakh journalist went door-to-door in a California neighborhood for an election special broadcast of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

The skit saw Borat vowing to tamper with the electorate's midterm elections, declaring 'it's up to Kazakhstan to swing the election for Premier Trump' and knocking over a 'polling place' sign.

Borat returned to American TV screens last night as Sacha Baron Cohen brought the character back for a spoof campaign video supporting Donald Trump

In his first onscreen appearance since 2012, the bumbling Kazakh journalist went door-to-door in Los Angeles for an election special broadcast of ' Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

In one scene, having been invited into the home of a Trump supporter, he asks: 'Who are the fake news who say that [Trump] is not a racist?'

The man replies: 'In my opinion the fake news people say he is a racist and I don't believe he is, I don't see any evidence of that.'

A confused Borat replies: 'But what is the problem being a racist? I am a racist, it is nice.' The man disagrees.

In another scene, Borat knocks on a door to be greeted by a woman. The backward journalist seems confused when told there is not a man he can speak to - and even more perplexed when informed she is allowed to vote.

'It is not against the law?' he asks, dressed in his iconic grey suit.

But he perks up on finding out she is a Trump supporter, saying: 'We hear there are nasty fake news people who say Donald Trump is bad to immigrant children - we hear that he keep the Mexican children in cages? Is true?'

Later in the sketch, the famously anti-Semitic presenter devises a plan to stop a Jewish Democrat from reaching a polling station by blocking him strips of bacon and shouting 'you shall not pass'

He then laughs and offers her a high five, which she accepts, before adding: 'Cage for them is nicest place they have ever been?'

He also suggests feeding them was a 'waste of money'.

Later in the sketch, the famously anti-Semitic presenter devises a plan to stop a Jewish Democrat from reaching a polling station by blocking him strips of bacon and shouting 'you shall not pass'.

After another excruciating conversation with an elderly Republican voter, he signs off: 'Back to you now Jimmy, you liberal elitist, Hollywood bubble globalist Jew mouthpiece.'

Cohen's film Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was a huge success when it was released in 2006, raking in $261 million worldwide.

He also picked up a Golden Globe Best Actor in a Motion Picture award for his comedy performance.

Angry Anderson has spoken out for the first time since his 26-year-old son was found dying in a park after a bloody and allegedly drug-fuelled fight.

Anderson, who was backed up by his eldest son Galen, shot down claims that his son Liam was 'best friends' with the accused killer, Mathew Flame, 20.

'They were not best friends ... He [Flame] wasn't even in Liam's main group of friends,' Anderson told The Daily Telegraph.

Angry Anderson (right) has spoken out for the first time since his 26-year-old son Liam (left) was killed on Sunday night, saying he was never 'best friends' with his accused killer Mathew Flame

'Liam was trying to help him.. he was such a decent human being,' Anderson said of his late son

Anderson said he had always taught his children to 'do the right thing' and to 'look after people,' which Anderson believes his son was doing on Sunday morning.

The rocker's son was allegedly attacked by Flame in a park in Queenscliff, on Sydney's Northern Beaches after ingesting alcohol and MDMA capsules during a long night of partying.

According to documents tendered to Manly Local Court on Monday, Flame fled the party after briefly losing consciousness, fearing he may have overdosed.

For his own safety, Liam begged Flame to stay and after he refused, Liam ran after him, court documents stated.

Police allege that Flame (pictured left) and Liam (pictured centre) left a house party together after Flame was worried he was overdosing

Police allege that Flame (pictured bottom right) turned on Liam (pictured above Flame), kicking and punching him repeatedly, not letting up until police arrived and had to subdue him with capsicum spray

Police allege that Flame turned on Liam, kicking and punching him repeatedly, not letting up until police arrived and subdued him with capsicum spray.

Detective Inspector Michael Boutouridis called the scene 'quite bloody' with Liam's facial injuries so grotesque the Anderson family were encouraged to not request a viewing of their son's body.

'Liam was trying to help him,' Anderson reiterated.

'He was such a decent human being.'

The same sentiments are also being said for Flame, as former coworkers and family members tell of their shock over his involvement.

Ryan Walsh, Flame's boss for 'about a year' said Flame had never been any trouble.

'He's pretty placid at work,' he said. '[I'm] a bit shocked.'

Detective Inspector Michael Boutouridis called the scene 'quite bloody' with Liam's facial injuries so grotesque the Anderson family were encouraged to not request a viewing of their son's body

Flame's lawyer Charles Waterstreet told ABC News what had happened was a 'double tragedy.'

'It's a double tragedy for two very, very good families and two very, very good boys.' Mr Waterstreet said.

On Monday, Mr Waterstreet asked the court if his client could undergo a mental health assessment while in custody, along with a medical assessment for injuries sustained on Sunday.

The request came after a source told The Sydney Morning Herald that Flame was under an 'MDMA enduced psychosis' at the time of the fatal beating.

Flame appeared at Manly Local Court on Monday afternoon, where he didn't apply for bail, which was formally refused until his next court appearance on January 29.A Colorado father is demanding an apology after he was mistaken as a sex offender and barred from his son's school performance.

Larry Mitchell arrived at Aurora Hills Middle School with his wife to watch their 11-year-old son perform in a Writers' Cafe on October 26.

But problems arose after Mitchell gave his ID at check-in to school security, which said he was a match to a sex offender.

The Aurora Public School systems uses a program called the Raptor Visitor Management System to check all visitors against the National Sex Offender Registry.

Colorado father Larry Mitchell is demanding an apology after he was mistaken as a sex offender and barred from his 11-year-old son's school performance (pictured here together)

Mitchell arrived at Aurora Hills Middle School with his wife to watch their 11-year-old son (all pictured together) perform in a Writers' Cafe. But problems arose after Mitchell gave his ID to school security at check-in

Mitchell denied he was a sex offender, but the school said he could only attend his son's event with an escort.

'Basically, what you have in that moment is me arguing that I'm not a sex offender in front of strangers and people who spend the day with my son and the people in the office publicly asserting that I am a match,', Mitchell told Yahoo!

'I basically felt like the only one in the room who didn't think I was a sex offender. The other parents were sharing looks with each other that seemed to imply that I was a real pain, and that it's a shame they had to deal with me.'

Mitchell said the school never showed him the photo or information that allegedly 'matched' his license, and he found out that the middle and last name were different.

The father heard that two of his names and his date of birth may have matched the sex offender's, but that the district 'would not confirm any of that'.

Mitchell was especially shocked by the incident because he is a teaching artist who has been in no less than 10 public schools already this year.

The Aurora Public School systems uses a program called the Raptor Visitor Management System (pictured) to check all visitors against the National Sex Offender Registry

Mitchell said the school never showed him the photo or information that allegedly 'matched' his license, and he found out that the middle and last name was different. Pictured are the first results that show up when 'Larry Mitchell' is searched in the National Sex Offender Registry

'I have worked in the schools of the Denver metro for four years. I check in with my ID every time,' he wrote on a Facebook post. 'This has never happened before.'

Mitchell said he tried to explain 'multiple times' to officials at the school that the match was a mistake and that he frequently 'visits schools all over the state'.

Mitchell said he tried to explain 'multiple times' to officials at the school that the match was a mistake and that he frequently 'visits schools all over the state' for his job

'I've had at least six background checks since moving to Aurora for various employers. I was even background-checked for a program in Aurora by the district a couple of years ago,' he told Yahoo!

'I'm in schools at least once every two weeks. This has never happened to me. Nothing even close. Never even had to resubmit for any of my background checks.'

Mitchell declined to go to the event with an escort and instead waited in the car for his wife, who was allowed to watch his son's performance.

The school has since claimed that Mitchell left before the staff could 'verify the error on their own' and clear his name, which he denies.

'Nobody was trying to clear me,' he said. 'It was enter with a security guard or nothing. No empathy or attempt to clear the matter. Nobody was looking into anything.'

Mitchell said the district later told him it was an issue that could only be solved by the police department, which then informed him that they had nothing to do with the screening process.

'They did run my license and I'm clear,' he added. 'I also contacted the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. They also cleared me.'

Mitchell wrote about the incident on Facebook and demanded an apology from the school

Aurora Hills Middle School (pictured) said it has since determined that Mitchell is not on the National Sex Offender Registry and will not be required to have an escort when he visits his son

Mitchell said he has not heard from the school or district since the incident occurred.

The school is standing by how it handled the incident, saying there was 'enough similarity' between the sex offender and Mitchell's information.

'Out of an abundance of caution we followed our protocol,' Auroa Public Schools spokesman Corey Christiansen told KDVR.

The school said it has since determined that Mitchell is not on the National Sex Offender Registry and will not be required to have an escort when he visits his son at school.

But Mitchell said he is embarrassed and angry by the situation and wants an apology from Aurora Hills Middle School.

He had planned to volunteer at the school and potentially set up a playwriting program, but now is having second thoughts.

'It'd be like me saying, "It's totally okay that you never apologized to me, that you never contacted me, and that you never looked into forming a new policy. Here's some free labor,"' he said.

'I still don't know how I feel about attending future events at the school.One hundred people have been kidnapped from the migrant caravan by Mexican cartels who lured them in by offering them rides in fruit trucks and locking the doors afterwards, according to human rights officials.

The drug gangs are said to have seized on the weary Honduran travelers by offering them rides in Puebla City on their way to Mexico City this week.

Despite being warned not to accept rides from unofficial volunteers, the migrants were desperate after having promises of transport from Mexican City officials withdrawn.

Arturo Peimbert, head of the Ombudsman for Human Rights of the People of Oaxaca, said on Tuesday that some of those kidnapped were children.

They were most likely snatched by the notoriously violent Los Zetas gang and were boarded into the backs of two separate trucks.

One hundred migrants from the caravan making its way through Mexico were kidnapped this week by the Los Zetas cartel after accepting rides from them in fruit trucks. Pictured is a different truck on Monday

He told HuffPost Mexico that it was largely the fault of local officials who have refused to help the migrants with their journey.

The stretch of land between Veracruz and Mexico City is notoriously dangerous, he said.

The migrants had hoped to be given rides which would take around 5 hours to get them from Veracruz to Mexico City.

Instead, they were forced to walk and make numerous rest stops in dangerous, cartel-riddled towns.

According to Peimbert, the cartels said they would take migrants on their fruit trucks for 150 pesos ($7.50) per person.

Once they were in the backs of the trucks, the doors were padlocked shut, he said.

Some members of the smaller, second caravan have reportedly been detained by Mexican immigration officials. The exact number remains unclear.

Despite warnings from human rights activists, the migrants have been hailing rides to help them along. Above, a migrant child hails a ride on Monday on the highway from Puebla to Mexico City

A young boy walks along the highway from Puebla City to Mexico City which has been referred to as the 'route of death'

Thousands of others have made it to Mexico City where they are being housed in the Jesus Martinez stadium

A migrant climbs aboard the back of a truck in Tapanatepic, Mexico. He is a member of one of the second caravans

WHO ARE LOS ZETAS? The Zetas gang, also known as Los Zetas, was originally part of the Gulf cartel, one of Mexico's largest and deadliest criminal organizations which was established in the mid 1980s. Zetas was formed in 1997 by a group of Special Forces defectors which served the larger cartel and acted as enforcers for them. They were hired, predominantly, as bodyguards and assassins and there were 31 of them in total to begin with. Their name translates to 'The Zs' and is derived from the code names given to their leaders - all of which start with the letter Z. Because of its members advanced military training, they brought a new level of sophistication to the underworld and created fresh challenges for US law enforcement agencies trying to crack down on the Mexico's drug gangs. Vasquez was working Zetas (other members pictured above in a file photo as they are arrested in Mexico City in 2011) as a regional boss In 2002, they struck out on their own. Unlike other gangs which navigated large parts of the underworld through making deals with violence a collateral side effect, the Zetas MO is torture and terror. They are responsible for the 2010 massacre of 72 illegal migrants whose bodies were found dumped in a mass grave in San Fernando. Images of the victims, who were from other Central and South American countries, shocked the world and illustrated the brutality of the Mexican cartel world. They were savagely killed after refusing to work for Los Zetas or give them money to be released. Zetas was behind the massacre of 72 illegal migrants in San Fernando in 2010. Its thugs murdered the group then dumped their bodies in a mass grave when they refused to work for them Advertisement

They are around 200 miles behind the first caravan and 100 miles in front of the third.

There are now an estimated 7,000 people marching in total towards the US. As they make slow progress through Mexico, troops are descending on the US border to bolster their presence.

President Trump has promised a 'tent city' to house detained migrants and says he will not engage in 'catch and release' like his predecessors.

He has repeatedly labeled the caravan an 'invasion' and has come under intense scrutiny for his rhetoric on the subject.

He was particularly lambasted for a video that compares the migrants to psychopathic killers. It was dubbed 'racist' and was dumped by major television networks.

Once they reach Mexico City, the first caravan will still be 700 miles from McAllen, Texas, where they are likely to try to cross over.

Most are from Honduras but other Central American migrants have joined them since they set off.A Wall Street billionaire says he may be packing his bags and moving to Puerto Rico to avoid taxes.

John Paulson made his $6.2billion fortune betting against the U.S. housing market ahead of the 2007 and 2008 financial market crash and is the founder of Paulson & Co.

On Monday he said that after his children, aged 13 and 16, head to college, he may move to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico to take advantage of the island's commonwealth tax advantages.

Wall Street billionaire John Paulson says he's planning to move to Puerto Rico to avoid taxes

'It's the only place a U.S. citizen can go and literally avoid, legally, all their taxes,' he said, adding that he'll likely move once his children, aged 13 and 16, head to college. Paulson pictured above with family in 2014

'It's the only place a U.S. citizen can go and literally avoid, legally, all their taxes,' Paulson said at the Beryl Elite investment conference in Manhattan on Monday, according to Bloomberg.

'It's difficult to move with them. But once, I think, our children go to college, I think it's likely we'll establish residence in Puerto Rico,' he added.

Heading to the island will be an easy feat for Paulson, who owns several hotels and office space on the island.

Furthermore, new residents to the U.S. territory are exempt from the federal income tax and Puerto Rico taxes on passive income.

He wants to move to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico to take advantage of Act 22 in which new residents to the island are exempt from the federal income tax and taxes on passive income. The island pictured above in September 2018, still reeling from Hurricane Maria

According to the act, new residents are only subject to taxes levied by the island like sales tax and license fees

Like many, Paulson said he's also attracted to the moderate climate and beaches.

In 2012 Puerto Rico passed Act 22 - the Act to Promote the Relocation of Investors to Puerto Rico - in an attempt to re-brand itself as a 'global investment destination' like the Cayman Islands.

The act made Puerto Rico the only place in the country where passive income from capital gains, interest, and dividends are federally untaxed, according to CBS.

New residents are instead only subject to taxes levied by the island like sales tax and license fees.

The act is not available to current island residents.

The island is currently is bankrupt and struggling to pay back $74billion in debt. On top of that the island is still reeling from Hurricane Maria's blow after it ripped through through last year, killing an estimated 2,975 people.Advertisement

Men, women and children who live separately from modern society as part of an indigenous Indonesian tribe have been revealed in a fascinating series of pictures and portraits.

The heavily tattooed tribesmen of Mentawai live a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the coastal and rainforest environments of the islands.

The Mentawai people, characterised by their heavy spirituality, body art and their tendency to sharpen their teeth, have a population of around 64,000 and live 90 miles from the coast of West Sumatra.

A young male member of the indigenous Mentawai tribe has tattoos across his arms and wears a flowery headband and dozens of colourful wristbands. Tattoos are synonymous with the tribe and children sport body ink from a young age

One of the adult male members shows off his sharpened teeth - a tradition that involves using a chisel to grind them down to a point. The heavily tattooed tribesmen of Mentawai live a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the coastal and rainforest environments of the islands

The 64,000-strong indigenous group still hunt fish and animals with poisoned arrows (pictured) and use the skulls of their prey to decorate their homes

Mentawai use bark and leaves as clothes, adorning themselves with necklaces and flowers in their hair and ears (shown). Right, a male tribe member sets off on a hunt - typically seen as the man's role - while women are usually tasked with fishing

Their homes are made by weaving bamboo strips together to make walls and thatching the roofs with grass.

The floor is raised on stilts and is made of wood planks, and they decorate the interior with the skulls of their prey.

Mentawai use bark and leaves as clothes, adorning themselves with necklaces and flowers in their hair and ears, with women typically wearing a cloth wound around the waist and small sleeveless vests.

A woman with a flamboyant feathered headpiece stands in front of her home, called an uma, which is made by weaving bamboo strips together to make walls and thatching the roofs with grass. The floor is raised on stilts and is made of wood planks

Two boys who've adorned themselves in colourful flowery headbands and beaded necklaces wrap their arms around one another in the communal long house

Women wear colourful headdresses, jewelry and accessories made up of feathers, leaves, bark and pearls. The indigenous people live in clans of up to 80 members

A heavily tattooed man and his partner relax outside of their home. Tattooing is done with a needle and wood which is hammered on the needle by a shaman called sikerei

Body ink on the island is an identity and a personal or communal reflection of the people's relationship to nature, called arat subulungan. Here, two tattooed males have similar designs on their body which include stars, leaves and patterns down their arms

Tattooing is done with a needle and wood which is hammered on the needle by a shaman called sikerei, while they sharpen their teeth with a chisel for aesthetic reasons .

Body ink on the island was an identity and a personal or communal reflection of the people's relationship to nature, called arat subulungan.

The semi-nomadic people still hunt fish and animals with poisoned arrows.

The tribe believe every living object has a spirit and worship nature, particularly the river. They think damaging or polluting the water source is a sin.

Their days are spent hunting and fishing and these tasks are divided by gender. While hunting is for men, fishing is predominately a woman's chore.

The Mentawaian's social life revolves around their clans, and at the centre is the communal long house.

The tribe has a custom of throwing a feast for everyone before the first hunting to avoid any bad omen. A man and woman appear from the communal long house, where they spend large chunks of time socialising as a clan

An older male member, sporting a pendant made out of a leaf, lights up a cigar (left) while a younger female peaks her head around the corner of her home

A young hunter-gatherer hovers his hands over a fire. The tribe has a tradition of sending a young boy on the first hunt to avoid any bad omens

The clans vary in size between 30 to 80 members and every person has a job to do.

The tribe has a custom of throwing a feast for everyone before the first hunting by a boy to avoid any bad omen.

The women use Panu, a rod made of two three centimetre long blades, to catch fish in an act they call Manino.

Four tribesmen huddle in close and appear to deliberate in the communal log house. Men, women and children in the tribe all love to dance, depicting their love for nature through a set of movements called Laggai Turuk

The Mentawai people, both old (left) and young, use the night to indulge in spirited recreation, losing themselves in a trance-like state as they dance together

The tribe has managed to live separately from the hustle and bustle of modern society in their clans on the Siberut island in Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

A crafty young woman managed to create a backpack using bamboo (left) while a woman gazes into the distance wearing an intricate headpiece

The only specialist in the Mentawai community is its medicine man who is responsible for communicating with the spirits and the souls. Here, a man and woman pose for portraits in their traditional clothes and jewelry

There are still 5,000 different indigenous groups in 90 countries worldwide. Indigenous people live in every region of the world, but about 70 per cent of them live in Asia. Here, two women show off their hand-crafted headpieces and beaded necklaces

The Mentawai people hunt wild pigs, deer, primates and fish for food and keep pigs, dogs, monkeys and sometimes chickens as pets. Here two youngsters smile for pictures during a rare encounter with people from the western world

Since they are not familiar with weaving techniques, they still use bark and leaves to cover their privates while they allow their upper body to remain uncovered.

After a hard day hunting and fishing, the Mentawai people use the night to indulge in spirited recreation, losing themselves in a trance-like state as they dance together.

Mentawai men, women and children all love to dance, depicting their love for nature through a set of movements called Laggai Turuk.

They wear colourful headdresses, pearls, feathers and leaves.

The only specialist in the Mentawai community is its medicine man who is responsible for communicating with the spirits and the souls. In cases of misfortune or illness, he is called in to restore harmony within the group.A 69-year-old Dutchman is battling to legally reduce his age by 20 years so he can get more work and attract more women on Tinder.

Emile Ratelband argues that if transgender people are allowed to change sex, he should be allowed to change his date of birth because doctors said he has the body of a 45-year-old.

The motivational speaker, a media personality in the Netherlands, is suing his local authority after they refused to amend his age on official documents.

The real-life Benjamin Button? Emile Ratelband (pictured in front of court) is battling to reduce his age by 20 years

Mr Ratelband's case has now gone to a court in the city of Arnhmen in the eastern Dutch province of Gelderland.

He was born on 11 March, 1949, but says he feels at least 20 years younger and wants to change his birth date to 11 March, 1969.

Mr Ratelband, who has converted to Buddhism, said: 'I have done a check-up and what does it show? My biological age is 45 years.

The positivity guru, a media personality in the Netherlands, is suing his local authority

'When I'm 69, I am limited. If I'm 49, then I can buy a new house, drive a different car. I can take up more work.

'When I'm on Tinder and it says I'm 69, I don't get an answer. When I'm 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position.

'Transgender people can now have their gender changed on their birth certificate, and in the same spirit there should be room for an age change.'

The Dutchman said he is discriminated against because of his age on a daily basis.

He complains that companies are reluctant to hire someone the age of a pensioner as a consultant.

And he says his move would also be good news for the government as he would be renouncing his pension until he reaches retirement age again.

The judge said that he had some sympathy with Mr Ratelband as people could now change their gender which would once have been unthinkable.

But the court said there would be practical problems in allowing people to change their birth date and it would mean legally deleting part of their lives.

The judge asked Mr Ratelband about the status of his early years, from 1949 to 1969, if his official birth date was put back.

'For whom did your parents care in those years? Who was that little boy back then?,' the judge asked.

The court is due to deliver a written ruling within four weeks.Rudy Giuliani and his estranged wife Judith faced off in a bitter divorce hearing at Manhattan Supreme Court this morning.

The court heard how President Trump's lawyer cut off his wife's credit card when she filed for divorce in April, while going on a $900,000 spending spree.

Judith's lawyer Bernard Clair said Giuliani spent a total of $286, 532 on Dr Maria Ryan, whom Judith accuses of being his mistress, including $70,000 from his personal checking account.

Giuliani also spent $165,000 on travel including limousines, taxis and hotels, $12,000 on cigars and more than that amount on fountain pens, which he collects.

Rudy Giuliani, 74, spent nearly $900,000 since the divorce filings in April on travel, hotels and his alleged mistress Dr. Maria Ryan,53, the court heard

Judith Giuliani (above) maintains her husband spent the night with Dr Maria Ryan at a hotel in Whitefield, New Hampshire, in March

Former New York mayor Giuliani arrived just after 9am and strode towards room 300, the venue for the couple's case, flanked by his legal team and security with a confident swagger.

Asked if he had anything to say about his divorce he simply shook his head, smiled wryly and said, No.

The stakes are high for Giuliani, who is estimated to be worth $45 million.

Third wife Judith has insisted there was no prenup when she married him in 2002.

She glided into the courtroom to where her husband was already sitting with his legal counsel, Faith Miller, who stood as she extended a hand in greeting.

The divorce court heard how Giuliani spent $12,000 on cigars and more than that amount on fountain pens, which he collects, since Judy filed divorce papers in April

Judith's attorney Bernard Clair accused Giuliani of suffering from SIDS - Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome - since April

Guiliani remained stubbornly seated, his back to his wife as she extended her hand over his shoulder forcing him to shift in his seat and return her handshake.

Judith Giuliani's attorney said: My client doesnt care about romantic connections with Dr or Mrs Ryan what she cares about are these expenses for these people are continuing while she has not received any support since August, not a dime!

Good to see you Rudy, she said.

It was a superficial display on niceties in an already ugly divorce.

Judith claims he was having an affair with 53-year-old Maria Rose Ryan, a doctor and hospital CEO.

Maria is also the mother of Vanessa Ryan, Giuliani's assistant who he defended in court in May as she stood accused of financial fraud.

Judith's attorney Bernard Clair said of Giuliani His action, his conduct is not something to be proud of.

Giuliani and the older Ryan were seen together at the Mountain View Resort and Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire, on March 29 and reportedly spent the night together in the $524-a-night Summit Suite after dining on prime rib and watching The Godfather.

Judith, who married Giuliani in 2003 after he left his second wife for her, filed for contested divorce in New York City on April 4, a week after his trip to New Hampshire where he was also filmed visiting Ryan's hospital by a local news network.

In an excoriating opening statement attorney Bernard Clair laid out the details of financial dealings that Giuliani has fought to keep secret and accused Giuliani of suffering from SIDS - Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome - in the wake of divorce filings in April.

Giuliani has contended that he was kicked out then locked out of their Manhattan apartment - an apartment he is fighting to reclaim, after the divorce was filed by Judith

His voice raising in disbelief Clair said, My client doesnt care about romantic connections with Dr or Mrs Ryan what she cares about are these expenses for these people are continuing while she has not received any support since August, not a dime!

Clair accused Giuliani of hiding behind the notion of income deficit while spending generously on the woman with whom he has consistently denied a relationship.

Judith Giuliani (above) arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court to face her estranged husband Rudy in their divorce case

In opening the days proceedings Clair had begun by acknowledging the debt the nation owed to Giuliani for his actions post 9/11, saying, Mr Giuliani has a lot to be proud of as Americas mayor post 9/11. He was a leader we needed and I would be remiss if I didnt thank him for his service.

But it was the debt owed by Giuliani to his estranged wife with which Clair was most interested today. And in that, he said, His action, his conduct is not something to be proud of.

For all his wealth and public profile Clair stated, In this action Mr Giuliani is no different and is treated the same as the bartender in Buffalo or the billionaire on Bond Street.

Judith beamed after leaving the two-hour divorce hearing where her attorney had accused husband Rudy of suffering from SIDS - Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome

And while Giuliani is spending extravagantly on himself and Ryan, Clair demanded, Whats happening to [my clients] lifestyle that she has enjoyed since 1999 and then after the marriage?

Motions were being heard today in front of Justice Michael Katz who at times appeared less than impressed by Clairs playing to the gallery.

In regards to the legal fees being claimed by Judith, Justice Katz noted that they were substantial.

Its a substantial case your Honor, Clair retorted.

The couples six properties - including two apartments in Palm Beach, a house in the Hamptons and a Manhattan property with a monthly expense of $35,000 - were also the subject of furious debate. One of the properties is solely in Judith's name.

Rudy Giuliani (above) arrived just after 9am to Manhattan Supreme Court, the venue for his case, flanked by his legal team and security with a confident swagger.

Yet Katz wondered why the two parties couldnt work out what seemed to him to be easily divided.

Giuliani has contended that he was kicked out then locked out of their Manhattan apartment - an apartment he is fighting to reclaim.

According to Katz, As it stands he could move back in tomorrow.Im not sure thats a good idea [but he could].

For the only time in proceedings Giuliani smiled behind his hand.

Katz continued, The two properties in Palm Beach that seems easily divideddifferent months in the year.

Giuliani has also sought to have a gag order instated to prevent both him and his estranged wife from speaking publicly about their relationship and proceedings.

Judith gave a lengthy interview to New York Magazine in August in which she hinted at dark changes in her husband saying that for reasons she understood both as a nurse and a spouse he was not the same man she married.

Giuliani is seen leaving his divorce case hearing where his wife Judith's attorney said Giuliani spent a total of $286,532 on Dr Ryan including $70,000 from his personal checking account

Among the expenses for which Judith argued - a total sum of $63,000 since August - are the continued care of her 87-year-old mother (an expense to which Guiliani has agreed), the cost of her personal assistant (whose existence Giuliani disputes) and membership of country clubs. The couple are members of a total tally of 11.

Before Faith Miller embarked on her retort to Clairs motion, Katz appeared to caution both parties. Urging them to attempt to come to agreement over these matters in private he said, That would treat their marriage with more respect than throwing out all their dirty laundry for airing in public.

Nevertheless Miller went onto take issue with Judiths claims, unaired to that point, that Giuliani spent $90,000 on jewelery for Mrs Ryan and $58,000 on flying Mrs Ryan and her daughter around in a private jet.

In fact, Miller argued, that $90,000 was spent on a variety of things including a 30 year anniversary for a longstanding employee. Ryan is the mother of Guilianis assistant, Vanessa.

As for those flights, Miller said that of those six flights had 16 passengers and the total for all of them came to $58,000.

According to Miller, Guiliani has spent more than $1million on Judith since April.

Judith, 63 filed for divorce on April 4. She filed a contested divorce, citing their assets as the source of dispute. It was a week after his trip to Ryan's hospital

Directly addressing Clairs claims that Guiliani has concealed the truth of his financial status she said, Nothing nefarious has happened here. Mr Giuliani has not hidden anything.

Instead, she said, there had simply been a change in the financial status quo since the couples separation in April.

In 2017 Giulianis approximate income was in excess of $9million wheresas last year it was just shy of $5million.

Giuliani has, according to his counsel been painstakingly honest in his financial dealings - a comment at which Judith closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

Giuliani denied having an affair but said he and Ryan, who is 21 years younger than him, is a 'very, very fine woman'

According to Miller he has paid $150,000 a month to his wife since April while, with a pot of $7million to which she has sole access she has no real need for financial support. Judith shook her head vehemently saying, Thats not true.

With her brief response complete, Judge Katz retired telling parties he did not envisage coming to any quick conclusion and saying, Dont expect a decision tomorrow morning.

Wearing her sunglasses and cutting a glamorous figure, Judith was smailing as she left the two hour-long hearing.

Asked by DailyMail.com what she thought of the assertion that her husband had been painstakingly honest in his disclosures she remained silent. Her attorney Clair said, Its going to be no comment.'

Judith has previously been outspoken about Giuliani and Ryan.

In a statement after filing for divorce, she said: 'My husbands denial of the affair with the married Mrs. Ryan is as false as his claim that we were separated when he took up with her.'

Giuliani has denied infidelity, insisting that he and Ryan, who he called a 'very, very fine woman', were 'friends'. He added there was 'no proof' they had sex.

In June Giuliani told DailyMail.com: 'We'd be crazy with her married and her husband and a friend of mine  we'd be crazy to do stuff like that.'

On March 29, Ryan spoke about the importance of cyber security at hospitals during Giuliani's visit

Giuliani suggested Judith had accused him of adultery during their marriage in order to gain an advantage in divorce proceedings. 'My guess is she's going to want more [than 50 percent] and that's what this is about,' he said.

On March 29, Giuliani visited Cottage Hospital where Ryan is the CEO. Local networks filmed Giuliani's visit at the time.

He said he was there to look at the hospital's cyber security equipment which was of interest to one of his businesses, Giuliani Security and Safety.

Ryan also gave an interview about the importance of looking after patient documents.

Afterwards, they drove an hour to the hotel where staff said Giuliani was treated like a 'VIP'.

He had arranged with staff to have access to the private screening room for him to watch The Godfather and The Godfather II.

On the night in question, he, Ryan and two other men had dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Giuliani dined on a $32 Prime Rib.

Afterwards, he and Ryan went back to his room, the $524-a-night Summit Suite.

'We were all surprised because he is really getting on in years, and she was quite a bit younger than him.

'We were all like, "Hmmm,"'' the hotel staff member said.

The visit on March 29 came a week before Judith filed for divorce on April 4.

Giuliani admitted having dinner with her at the hotel in March but said they dined with others and that there was 'no proof' they had had sex.

'I do know Dr. Ryan. She is a friend of mine, so is her husband Bob.

'Shes a PhD and a very, very fine woman.

'I was in effect separated by then,' he said.

Pushed on whether or not the pair had a romantic relationship, he said: 'I never spent the night with her. Theres no proof. There cant be because we never did anything.'

Giuliani and Judith's romance famously began when Giuliani was still married to his second wife, Donna Hanover.

He met Judith, then Judith Nathan, in a cigar bar in 1999 while he was still mayor.

In 2000, he announced at a press conference that he was leaving Hanover, the mother of his two children.

She was unaware of it beforehand and later participated in her own press conference where she claimed he'd had a previous affair with a different woman.

Giuliani's first marriage, to Regina Peruggi, was annulled in 1982 because they were second cousins.

The rumored affair and marital mess serves as fresh embarrassment for President Trump who is under siege by pornstar Stormy Daniels and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti.

They say that in 2016, Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen paid Stormy $130,000 to ensure her silence over an alleged affair she had with Trump in 2006.

Giuliani was brought on to Trump's legal team to hep settle the matter but instead, he appears to have hindered it.

RUDY'S FAILED ROMANCES Rudy Giuliani married his second cousin, Regina Peruggi, in 1968. They were together officially until 1982 when they had the marriage annulled. By then, Giuliani had taken a job in the Attorney General's office in Washington DC and had launched his political career. They had been separated for seven years beforehand, parting ways in 1975. In 1982, he met Donna Hanover who would become his second wife. Before they could tie the knot, he and Peruggi had to have their marriage dissolved. It was both dismissed by a court and annulled by the church and the pair claimed that they did not know they were related despite growing up together. He and Hanover married in 1984 and had two children together. They were together, seemingly happily, until the mid nineties when it was reported that Giuliani, by then the mayor of New York City, was having an affair with his press secretary, Cristyne Lategano. The pair denied it fervently. Hanover alleged that Giuliani had been having an affair with his press secretary, Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas, which he denied In 1999, at a stunning press conference, he announced his diagnosis along with the news that he was leaving Hanover for Judith Nathan who he described, like he did Ryan on Tuesday, as a 'very, very fine person'. Hanover gave her own press conference afterwards on the steps of Gracie Mansion where she alluded to his alleged affair with Lategano. 'Today's turn of events brings me great sadness. I had hoped to keep this marriage together. For several years, it was difficult to participate in Rudy's public life because of his relationship with one staff member,' she said. Giuliani later said that his prostate cancer diagnosis meant he wasn't having sex with anybody. 'Psychologically, too, if someone tells you you have cancer, the last thing you think about is sex, and then later on, it comes back,' he told Howard Stern in 2002. He said he regained his strength 'within six months to a year'. Donna refused to leave Gracie mansion and filed a restraining order to keep Judith out of it. In 2003, Giuliani and Judith married in 2003 and, despite Donna's attempts, continued to live in Gracie Mansion. Giuliani beat his cancer in 2002. Advertisement

During an interview with Sean Hannity earlier this month, Giuliani confirmed what Trump had been dancing around for months - that the money was paid, that the president knew about it and that he even gave Cohen, who had 'funelled it through his law firm', the amount back.

'The money is going to turn out to be perfectly legal.

'Thethat money was not campaign money, sorry. Im giving you a fact now that you dont know: Its not campaign money. No campaign-finance violation.

'[They] funnelled it through the law firm, and the President repaid it,' he said.

He was also slammed for his recent claim that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 'got on his hands and knees and begged' for a meeting with Trump.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was forced to speak out after that comment to insist: 'Giuliani does not speak for this administration'.

He was also slapped down by First Lady Melania Trump after asserting that she 'believes' the president did not sleep with Daniels in 2006.

Stephanie Grisham, Melania's spokesman, told The New York Times afterwards: ''I don't believe Mrs. Trump has ever discussed her thoughts on anything with Mr. Giuliani.'As Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman awaits the start of his trial in New York, an old associate continues to maintain the jailed kingpin's Sinaloa Cartel afloat and he's amassed a multi-billion dollar fortune along the way.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada-Garcia helped 'El Chapo' construct a network that has exerted its influence in illicit markets as close as the United States and Colombia, and as far as New Zealand and Russia, through the distribution of cocaine, heroin and other drugs while tapping into the lucrative human trafficking business.

Under the watch of the 70-year-old, the criminal organization has been able to haul in a whopping $11billion based on seizures and pricing provided by the Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA], according to Bloomberg.

'El Mayo' has positioned himself as one of the richest men in the narcotics, earning $3billion since 2001.

With 'El Chapo' [right] locked up in New York City jail and expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars, 70-year-old 'El Mayo' [left] has led the Sinaloa Cartel's day-to-day operations while battling diabetes

Zambada-Garcia, who is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's [FBI] most wanted list, continues to manage the Sinaloa Cartel's day-to-day dealings despite battling a bout with diabetes.

Mike Vigil, who once led the DEA's international operations, recognized 'El Mayo's' business smarts as the head of a criminal syndicate that has spread its wealth and laundered its unlawful profits through international banks and companies.

The American agency tasked with battling drug smuggling and distribution has pointed out 250 business that have benefited from the Sinaloa Cartel's illicit earnings, including a dairy company, water park and a daycare center allegedly operated by his daughter Maria Teresa.

'Even though he's only had maybe an elementary-school education, he's received a Harvard-level education from some of the most prolific, knowledgeable and astute drug lords that Mexico has ever had,' Vigil told Bloomberg.

Vincente Zambada, the oldest of 'El'Mayo's' three sons, is currently serving a 10-year sentence in the U.S. after he was extradited from Mexico in 2010

The United States Department of Justice is offering a reward of $5million for information leading to the arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada-Garcia, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel

The United States Department of Justice had placed a reward of $5million for the capture of "El Mayo, who has never spent a day of his life in jail unlike his associate, 'El Chapo', who broke out of two Mexican jails.

However, Zambada-Garcia's three sons haven't had too much luck with the narco business.

Vicente Zambada, 43, has been under U.S. custody since 2010 serving a 10-year sentence. The Sinaloa Cartel leader's middle son, Ismael "El Mayito" Zambada-Imperial, 34, was extradited to the U.S. in 2015. Serafin Zambada, 27, was released from jail in September after serving five years.

In a 2010 interview with Proceso, 'El Mayo', admitted the possibility of being arrested created a sense of 'panic' despite how hard to he worked to maintain a low profile in public and wouldn't rule out committing suicide if it meant avoiding doing time in jail.

'I don't know if I'd have the courage to kill myself. I'd like to think so, that I'd kill myself.'A country that has been plagued by warring drug cartels is now seriously considering decriminalizing the use of marijuana, and it is looking to its neighbors up north as well as in the southern end of the Western Hemisphere on how to go about it.

On Tuesday, Mexico's incoming Domestic Affairs officer and former Supreme Court judge, Senator Olga Sanchez-Cordero, presented a proposal to her colleagues in the Mexican legislature supporting the new government's position on the legalization to a certain extent.

'This initiative proposes an adequate and responsible legislation model for a Mexican reality that opts for change and recognizes the historical moment that we are prepared to undertake it,' the former judge stated in her proposal, according to Mexican outlet, Semana.

Canada legalized the personal use of marijuana October 17. Uruguay has acknowledged the practiced since 2013.

Senator Olga Sanchez-Cordero [left], who will be the next Domestic Affairs officer when Mexico's president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador [right] takes office December 1, has been at the forefront of a movement to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana

Just days after the Canadian government gave the green light, Mexico's next foreign minister when Mexico's president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office December 1 applauded his counterpart's proposal.



'We think it is a very interesting option in the short term for Mexico,' Marcelo Ebrand told the AFP. '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,' he added.

Mexico could be in line to become the third country in the world to approve the recreational use of marijuana.

Although Mexico's Supreme Court concurred the complete ban of recreational marijuana consumption is unconstitutional during a session held on October 31, it didn't completely legalize it.

The latest ruling was the fifth time since 2015 that Mexico's highest court cleared a path for the personal use of weed, but it didn't pave way to its commercialization.

The legalization for home growing of cannabis will have to be approved by Federal Committee for Protection from Sanitary Risks [COFEPRIS] and the Mexican parliament will have to amend some of the laws that bans the use of marijuana.

Since 2015, the Mexican Supreme Court had ruled the complete ban of recreational weed consumption is unconstitutional. The legalization of the drug is being heavily considered by the new incoming government, and it is already looking to Canada and Uruguay on how to go about making it legal

According to Marcelo Ebrand, Mexico's next foreign minister, there are more than 9,000 people in Mexican jails convicted for the 'possession or production of cannabis'. Former presidents Vicente Fox (2000-2006) y Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000) expressed in the past their willingness to decriminalize the use of personal marijuana

Mexico could be in line to become the third country in the world, along with Canada and Uruguay, to approve the recreational use of marijuana

In the past, former presidents Vicente Fox (2000-2006) y Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000) have expressed their willingness to decriminalized the use of personal marijuana, seeing it as a tool that could minimize the power drug cartels hold over the lucrative market and establish a sense of calm in a country that has been darkened by crime.

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, and 21,283 have been killed through the first nine months of 2018.

Mexico's position on the ban of marijuana could very well change in the coming months under President Lopez Obrador's government.The battle to replace Paul Ryan as leader of House Republicans kicked off in earnest on Wednesday, as conservative Republican Rep. Jim Jordan announced his challenge to California Congressman Kevin McCarthy for the top spot.

The battle could put President Donald Trump in a tough spot.

McCarthy has been getting closer to the president, aiding his agenda on Capitol Hill, advising him behind the scenes, and first daughter Ivanka Trump made a rare campaign appearance for him.

Conservative Rep. Jim Jordan announced his bid to lead House Republicans

GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been running hard for the top GOP spot

But Jordan has been a staunch Trump ally too, investigating the Justice Department's role in Hillary Clinton's private email server, slamming special counsel Robert Mueller's probe, and offering a resolution to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

And it's been long expected that McCarthy and Jordan will face off. Jordan made it official on Wednesday.

'I plan to run for minority leader,' Jordan told Hill.TV's 'Rising.'

'In 2016, the American people elected Republicans to come here and change this town. I think the president is doing just that, but I don't think they see the same intensity from folks in Congress, folks in the House of Representatives,' he said.

'Have we replaced ObamaCare yet? Have we secured the border yet? Have we reformed welfare yet? No,' he added.

McCarthy has been campaigning hard among the GOP caucus for their vote.

He raised $60 million for House candidates, visited 40 states, and campaigned for more than 70 sitting members and nearly two dozen challengers, according to the Washington Times.

But the Freedom Caucus Jordan heads has long been a plague to Republican leaders and could be the same to McCarthy if he prevails to the top spot.

The group of right wing lawmakers were problems for Ryan and, before him, Speaker John Boehner.

The battle could put President Trump, who's been getting closer to McCarthy, in a tough spot

Speaker Paul Ryan is retiring at the end of the year

'There has always been a naturally dissenting 15 to 30 members,' Speaker Newt Gingrich told the Washington Times. 'They had them when I was speaker, they had them with Boehner was speaker, and they had them with Ryan a speaker. Kevin will have to figure out how to work with them.'

McCarthy currently serves behind Ryan, in the Number Two spot among the House GOP.

Jordan slammed the current leadership in the House, saying they were not willing to engage in debate with Democrats.

'Now that we're in the minority, that's about all what we can do is debate, but fight hard in the debate for the principals, for the things that we know the American people sent us here to do in 2016. Show them that we deserve to be back in power in 2020,' he told The Hill.Vicki Ward, 66, of Perth, Scotland (pictured trying to cover her face for photographers outside court today) was today cleared of stalking after a judge ruled in her favour

A 'neighbour from hell' has been cleared of stalking after a judge ruled CCTV footage from the woman's home proved she was not scared of her.

Amanda McGowan claimed Vicki Ward, 66, made her life a misery and would chase after her trying to film and take photos of her.

She described a heated row over a parking space as 'horrific' and said she was 'shocked, frightened and intimidated'.

But the pensioner, of Perth, Scotland, was today cleared of stalking after a judge claimed CCTV footage at Ms McGowan's home showed she 'wasn't scared of her'.

Ms McGowan told Perth Sheriff Court: 'I had to get CCTV installed after Mrs Ward moved into the property.

'She was trying to take photos of me.

'She was chasing me round trying to get video or pictures of my face.

'Sometimes she would say things to try and get a reaction. She would stand in front of my car taking photos or video of me.

'I was shocked, frightened and intimidated because there was no reason for her to be there. The police have been called numerous times.

'She was stalking me, taking photos constantly. It just makes you feel vulnerable and scared. I can't go out when she is there. It has affected everything in my life.

'It got to the stage where I was dreading going out and I was dreading coming in. I live by myself and it was just horrific.'

She said she installed her CCTV system to film Ward filming her and her other neighbour Doug Pearson, footage from which was played to the trial.

But Sheriff Linda Smith found her not guilty of stalking.

Amanda McGowan (pictured outside court today) claimed Vicki Ward, 66, made her life a misery and would chase after her trying to film and take photos of her. But the judge ruled CCTV at her home proved she was not scared of the pensioner

Sheriff Smith said: 'There is no doubt there has been a course of conduct. There has been a great deal of CCTV footage shown to the court.

'It is significant that some of that showing the accused's behaviour was taken without her knowledge of it being recorded.

'You would expect this to assist the Crown's case. Although both stated in evidence they were placed in fear and alarm by the accused, I am not satisfied it supports them - quite the contrary.

'They were clearly gossiping about ongoing problems since the Wards moved in.

'Miss McGowan stands by while Mr Pearson makes fun of the accused. The CCTV footage demonstrates they were in no way fearful of the accused.'

Ward was found not guilty of engaging in a course of conduct that caused Miss McGowan fear or alarm between 20 July and 22 August last year.

She was also found not guilty of stalking Douglas Pearson between 20 and 28 July 2017 and willfully damaging his car by striking the door of her Mini against it on 28 July.Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden would thump President Trump in the popular vote if an election were held today according to a new poll.

The Reuters/Ipsos Election Day opinion poll found Biden emerged as the front-runner in a field of Democrats likely to take shape shortly as candidates line up for the challenge against President Trump.

Their poll found Biden would be triumphant, scoring 51 percent to Trump's 39 percent in a hypothetical popular vote.

Barack Obama's former Vice-President received 29 percent of the support from a field of Democrats.

Trump was combative in the face of Democrat victory as he took to Twitter this morning: 'To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words - FAKE NEWS!'

Former US Vice President Joe Biden addresses the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Washington, DC in September

Bernie Sanders, an independent potential candidate, thanks supporters last night in Burlington, Vermont

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who made waves as he challenged Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016, finished second in the hypothetical field with 22 percent.

The rest of the poll was tied between Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California.

All of the Democrats fared well in a hypothetical popular vote against Trump.

The poll found Sanders, Booker and Harris would also defeat Trump nationally if the election were held today.

Trump did the best against Booker, losing by only 4 percentage points in the hypothetical popular vote.

In 2016, Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots but lost the presidential election to Trump, who won the state-by-state Electoral College vote.

Opinion polls at this early a stage tend to be largely dominated by those with the most widespread name recognition.

Senator Cory Booker, another Democrat hopeful, speaks during a midterm rally in support of Senator Bob Hernandez on November 4 in Hoboken, New Jersey

Senator Elizabeth Warren, another potential challenger, greets supporters after her victory speech in Boston yesterday

Several polls after the 2014 congressional midterm elections found Jeb Bush, who ultimately lost his bid for the Republican nomination, to be the front-runner.

Few polls even included Trump who stunned the globe with his victory two years ago.

On the Republican side, 65 percent of Tuesday's midterm voters said they would renominate Trump to represent their party.

Another 11 percent said they would prefer Vice President Mike Pence and 12 percent said they did not know who should be the nominee.

The poll was conducted online on Tuesday and based on responses from 38,196 people who voted in 37 states.

Trump took to Twitter this morning to claim 'success' in the midterms despite his party losing their majority.

'To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words - FAKE NEWS!' He wrote to his followers.The missing 15-year-old boy who fled from his family's million-dollar New Jersey home the day before Halloween wrote a note to his parents saying he did not want to be found.

It's been revealed that Thomas Kolding took $1,000 in cash from his own savings, left his cell phone at home and packed a large backpack with his belongings when he ran away from home on his bicycle.

Thomas' distraught father Nicolai Kolding said in a Facebook post Wednesday morning that his son is 'safe' but still not home. He wrote that as of Saturday, Thomas was in the Philadelphia area and appeared safe and in control.

'So we know he's safe. East Coast,' his father wrote. 'In time more can be shared.'

Mr Kolding revealed that his honor student son left after an argument with his parents over his grades.

Thomas Kolding, 15, ran away from his family home in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey the day before Halloween

A photo shows him at the Walter Rand Train Station in Camden, New Jersey, wearing an orange and black striped shirt with a backpack on Saturday

Thomas' father Nicolai Kolding took to Facebook Wednesday morning saying the family know he is safe, but he is still not home

His father, a Real Estate executive, told the Daily Record Wednesday: 'We believe he is safe but we still have a long way to go.'

'We're buoyed by the news. We're heartened by it. This was a very important sighting and it looks as though he's in control,' Kolding said.

A photo shows the teen appearing to be running at the Walter Rand Train Station in Camden, New Jersey, wearing an orange and black striped shirt with a backpack.

His father revealed they had an argument over grades before Thomas ran off

On Monday, Mr Kolding said: 'The argument about his grades may have been the trigger. I was trying to motivate him and get him to live up to his potential.

'I think he was feeling pressure at school, and I want to believe that some strange part of him needed to get away for a while.'

Mountain Lakes police told the family that Thomas, the oldest of three sons, took his bike to the Denville train station, bought a ticket and rode the train until getting off at the Newark-Broad Street Stations.

From there he boarded a train to New York Penn Station.

Surveillance video shows Thomas at the Newark station, but there is no footage of him in New York.

The investigation shows Kolding had a strong interest in traveling to California and had done research on the state on his laptop, Mountain Lakes police said.

'He's a wonderful, amazing kid, and we want him home. He's never been any trouble, and we're so impressed and in awe of him and his ambition,' his father said.

Mr Kolding added that his song is a savvy traveling, having traveled from their vacation home in Norway back to New Jersey alone this summer.

An outdated photo shows the Kolding family. Thomas is the oldest of three boys

He rode his bike to the Denville train station and boarded a train to Newark - Broad Street Station. He is then though to have taken another train to New York Penn Station

His father said the high school freshman had earned the $1,000 he took with him from shoveling snow, mowing lawns and pet-sitting for his neighbors.

He also added that he believes Thomas intended to be gone for long because he left behind his collection of gemstones and old coins.

'He loves his collections, and the fact he left them behind tells me something,' Kolding said

The teen's mother, Aleksandra Wieleba Kolding, took to her Facebook page to appeal for information after her son first went missing.

'Our son, Thomas, has been missing since Tuesday. He is a wonderful, resourceful, and far-too-adventurous young man who we are worried about beyond words,' Wieleba Kolding said.

Kolding is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. He weighs approximately 120 lbs and is 5 feet 3 inches tall.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Mountain Lakes police.

The teenager's mother, Aleksandra Wieleba Kolding, took to her Facebook page to appeal for informationAmerica woke up today, the day after the midterms, to find out what it already knew beforethat the country under President Donald Trump is still deeply divided.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz beat rising Democratic star Beto ORourke in a closely contested Texas Senate race and Andrew Gillum lost the Governor race in Florida against Trump supporter Rick DeSantis.

However, the Blue Wave was certainly felt in the House, where the Democrats have taken the majority for the first time since 2011.

Although the Senate races predictably were not drenchedwith the Republicans picking up three seats, losing one and leading in three more races that have yet to be declaredthe House win means the Democrats have finally regained some power that will allow them to check Trumps power.

The Democrats regained the majority in the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterms

The current House Minority Leader and likely Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi described the Democrats victory as being about about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration.'

'Americans can have confidence in everything their Congress works on, from healthcare to taxes to guns to clean air, clean water for our children, when they know the people's interest will prevail, not the dark special interests,' she said, pledging 'accountability' and 'transparency.

Democratic Representative of Maryland Elijah Cummings is in line to become the chair of the House Oversight Committee and after the Democrats win, he said that government oversight has been virtually nonexistent for the past two years.

'Yesterday, the American people voted to change that. They voted for transparency and accountability. They voted to make sure our government works effectively and efficiently for the American people. And they voted to bring integrity back to government, he said

'As part of that mandate, I plan to shine a light on waste, fraud, and abuse in the Trump Administration.

Here is what the Democrats Midterms House win means for Donald Trumps Presidency.

Trumps tax returns

One of the most incendiary aspects of Trumps presidential candidacy has been his refusal to publish his tax returns, an unprecedented action that has carried on into his Presidency. This may change now.

As MSNBCs Ari Melber reported on Tuesday night, citing a senior Democratic source, the House Ways and Means Committee plans to request Trumps tax returns.

And although Trump said that he doesnt care about the Democrats requesting his tax returns, the Wall Street Journal wrote back in October that the documents would would provide a detailed look at his finances, including the sources of income, business partners and charitable contributions.

Previous efforts by the Democrats to get Trump to release his tax returns were thwarted by the current chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Republican Congressman Kevin Brady.

Investigations into Trump

Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff is poised to become the new Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, taking over from the controversial Republican Devin Nunes, one of Trumps most fervent protectors.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that reopening the Committees investigation into Russias 2016 Election interference would be a top priority for Adam Schiff, as would an investigation into any leverage Russia may have over Trumps business interests.

The president has sought to keep that off limits, but if that's the leverage Russians pose that's a real threat to our country, Schiff said.

There are also likely to be investigations into the appointments of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The former is already under investigation by the Justice Department for potentially using his office for personal gain, while the Democrats wanted the latter to be investigated by the SEC and accused him of lying to Congress about proposed citizenship questions on the 2020 Census.

There may also be a House Foreign Affairs Committee investigation into Trumps relationship with Saudi Arabia following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Impeachment

Amid all the talks of various House Committees investigations during the campaign, the threat of impeachment was kept on a back-burner.

As of now, many outlets are reporting that impeaching Trump is not an immediate priority for the Democrats, although the on-going Mueller investigation could change all that should it reveal its findingsif anyin the coming months.

The process of impeachment only takes a House majority to start, although the task of actually removing the President from office is the Senates responsibility, which may go a long way to explaining the Democrats reticence to make it a centrepiece of their return to Congressional power.

Policies

Trumps easy ride is over when it comes to passing legislation as a Democratic majority in Congress means that Republicans cant pass any bills unless they agree. It also means that the Democrats control what bills even see the light of the floor.

The Democratic majority also suggests potential clashes over bills that simply have to be passed, including raising the debt-ceiling and government funding.

Rep Jerry Nadler, who is likely to lead the Judiciary Committee in January, told CNN that it would take a closer look at the controversial Trump policies including family separation, environmental laws, the raids on the Affordable Care Act, as well as long-running issues such as gun control.This is the third story in a series about teaching the midterm elections. See the previous posts on ballot initiatives and voter turnout .

How do you make the midterm elections come alive, especially for students who already feel disenfranchised? That was the challenge faced by Chelsea Ann Hittel, a social studies teacher at the Heather Ridge School, an alternative middle and high school in Frederick County, Md. Most of her students attend the school because they didnt succeed in a regular high school curriculum; many are on individualized education programs.

The curriculum for government is very dry and unengaging, honestly. Kids come into government already hating it. They think its going to be boring, Hittel said. So instead of talking about tax policy and foreign policy, I decided, Lets get down to what really affects you and what you can really act on.

A lot of my kids come in feeling cheated, I guess, by authority figures and the system, they feel like they dont have a voice, and yet they are the ones most impacted by the decisions politicians make about social welfare and education. Its my opportunity to use my platform to show them how they can have a voice in the classroom, she continued.

Hittels curriculum was based on two project-based learning opportunities to prep kids for the upcoming elections. In the first, students were asked to investigate local candidates positions on the opioid epidemic, which has hit this part of Maryland heavily. In Frederick the opioid crisis is actually the biggest issue in the election for county sheriff , and has also been a key theme in the Maryland gubernatorial election.

A lot of these kids think that there is one quick fix, and this was looking at the fact that every solution that policymakers propose is going to have a consequence, Hittel said. It might be monetary, or backlash from another political party.

One thing her students found challenging was identifying reliable information from among a competing set of editorials, news articles, and campaign websites.

This is another issue with midtermsthere just isnt a whole lot of information out there. It really shouldnt take as much effort as it does to take to find out what the candidates for sheriff think about opioids, she said.

The Right to Vote

Hittels other project-based unit for the midterms incorporated history alongside civics. (One of the useful things about project-based learning, she says, is that each project can wrap in so many learning standards at once.)

For this unit, Hittel posed this essential question: Is voting an American right, responsibility, or privilege?

I had no intention of doing this unit, but a couple of weeks into school a student said to me: I dont ever plan on voting, and I was like, Whoa. Yeah you are,  Hittel said.

The unit begins with students outlining what the Founding Fathers said about the franchise, what the U.S. Constitution says, and comparing that to the current debates in the states over access to the ballot. Students were surprised to learn that in the countrys early days, voting truly was a privilege afforded only to the landholding eliteand many groups were not extended the franchise until they went through years of painful struggle.

They were doubly surprised to find that the theme of voter suppression has been a major concern in the 2018 midterm elections.

Theyve been really kind of shocked because theyve assumed voting is a right, and they were shocked at some of the methods that states were using to suppress voter turnout. And we were able to connect it back to how states did this back after the 13th Amendment through literacy tests and poll taxes, she said.

Best of all, Hittel says, is how students have responded to these lessons.

My third-block government class is the highlight of my class every day. They come in, theyre ready to learn about this stuff, theyre engaged. Theyre respectful of one another, and respectful of the issues, she said. Thats what I love about this generation coming up behind me. They really are ready to talk about these things.

Photo: Courtesy of Chelsea Ann Hittel

Reporting was supported by an EWA fellowship grant.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.A slavery gang who forced vulnerable victims to sleep on bug-infested mattresses and live in freezing hovels while paying them less than 5 a week have been jailed.

Ringleader Ainars Pelcis and eight others in his gang brought around 28 men and women to Derbyshire from Latvia and signed them up to work with local recruitment agencies.

They then hijacked their bank accounts to siphon off the cash their victims earned and used it to fund lavish lifestyles, including the purchase of a mansion near Riga.

A slavery gang trafficked vulnerable men to the UK from Latvia, keeping one man in this -16C hovel with no heating

A victim in his 60s was being used by the gang, who moved men to the UK to be exploited

Meanwhile, gang members harvested their UK earnings and lived in this mansion in Latvia

The gang was uncovered after one of them assaulted a woman member of the group in a taxi office in Derby.

When police went to the address where the pair lived, they found a group of vulnerable Latvian men living inside.

Officers then raided six properties in Derby last September and found ten more victims.

UK detectives traced the group back through their network to Latvia, where local police found a man in his 60s living in a squalid shack, without heating, in temperatures as low as -16C.

One of the victims said in court that the gang gave him between 1 and 5 per week, even though he knew he was earning much more.

He said: 'I was working and keeping a note of my hours. I thought they would be honest and give me the money.'

Another victim was told he only got 10 once 'food and accommodation' had been paid for. He said: 'They said the agreement is 10 the rest is not my business.'

When police raided properties in Derby where the gang kept their victims, they found mattresses infested with bugs

Police released this photo of one of the bugs found where the exploited men were sleeping

Ringleaders Ainars Pelcis and Magdalena Kleina have both been jailed for five and a half years

Detective Sergeant Carl Chetwyn said: 'The criminals in this case didn't see borders; they saw vulnerable men who they could exploit for their own gain.

'We knew that we needed to ignore borders and work with an overseas force to snare the main players in this gang and truly dismantle their operations.'

Nine members of the gang admitted offences linked to human trafficking and exploitation, and were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today.

Ringleader Ainars Pelcis, 54, and Magdalena Kleina, 55, both of Derby, were jailed for five-and-a-half years each.

IIgvars Pelcis 33, was given three years and eight months; Jolanta Pelce, 37, and Karlis Aleksandrovs, 42, were each given a two-year sentence.

Left to right: Ilgvars Pelcis, Madara Stromane and Karens Pelcis have also been jailed

Another of the houses in Latvia in the network used by the gang as they trafficked victims

The gang moved victims into a house in this street in Derby, where men slept two to a bed

Karens Pelcis, 25, and Madara Stromane, 24, got six years each. Andris Krauklis, 39, was sentenced to 15 months and Imitra Didzus, 33, was given 14 months.

Karlis Aleksandrovs, Jolanta Pelce, Andris Krauklis and Imitra Didzus were released from custody, having been in jail since their arrest.

Judge James Sampson said: 'What is clear from the evidence is that the defendants are thoroughly greedy and dishonest and clever.

'They had an astute understanding of their victims, who had low expectation of life. One was thankful of the bed he shared with another man. Conditions were squalid by our standards.'

Some of the gang may be allowed to serve some of their sentences in Latvian prisons, Derbyshire Police said.Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has been sued in New York by investors

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has been sued in New York by investors who claim he lied about the health of his company before share prices plummeted.

The suit against Ryanair Holdings Plc claims Europe's largest airline defrauded investors and inflated its share price by overstating its ability to manage labor relations and keep costs down.

The complaint was filed on Tuesday night in the US District Court in Manhattan by an Alabama pension fund, seeking class-action status and damages for investors in Ryanair's American depository shares from May 30, 2017 to September 28, 2018.

Ryanair did not immediately respond on Wednesday to requests for comment.

The complaint said Ryanair misled investors in regulatory filings and conference calls about its labor stability, including 'industry leading' contracts with pilots and cabin crews, and its positive impact on operations.

It said the truth came out when labor unrest forced the Dublin-based low-cost carrier last December to recognize unions for the first time, and led this summer to costly strikes that stranded thousands of passengers in several countries.

'Unbeknownst to investors, the company's historical profit growth was built on an undisclosed and unsustainable foundation of worker exploitation and employee turnover,' the complaint said.

'The decline in the price of Ryanair ADSs was the direct result of the nature and extent of defendants' fraud finally being revealed to investors and the market.'

Ryanair cited labor issues on October 1, when it cut its full-year profit forecast. Its share price closed that day more than one-third below its level in mid-March.

Ryanair cited labor issues on October 1, when it cut its full-year profit forecast. Its share price closed that day more than one-third below its level in mid-March (stock image)

O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive since 1994, said last month he hoped to reach labor agreements with all of the carrier's major unions before Christmas.

ADSs on June 30 accounted for 43.7 percent of Ryanair's issued ordinary shares, assuming all were converted into ordinary shares, the company has said. Ryanair's market value is roughly $16 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

The lawsuit was filed by the City of Birmingham Firemen's and Policemen's Supplemental Pension System. Its law firm Robbins Geller Rudman and Dowd specializes in securities fraud.

It is common for shareholders to sue companies in the United States after what they consider unexpected share price declines.

The case is City of Birmingham Firemen's and Policemen's Supplemental Pension System v Ryanair Holdings Plc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 18-10330.

A Ryanair spokesperson told MailOnline:

'We haven't yet received any such documentation, however these claims are doomed to fail as they have no basis in fact or reality. Ryanair shares are one of the best performing airline shares in 2018, despite significantly higher oil prices and lower fares which are affecting all EU airlines.

Contrary to these invented claims, Ryanair has experienced very little industrial action this year from its staff. Over just 8 days (5 days of action by just 25% of Irish pilots, and 3 days of action by less than 25% of cabin crew and pilots across 5 other EU countries) Ryanair continued to operate more than 90% of its published schedule with minimal customer disruptions.

Most of Ryanair's flight disruptions (like all other EU airlines) this year were caused by ATC strikes and staff shortages, mainly in France, Germany and the UK, which are an industry problem afflicting all EU airlines and their passengers.

Ryanair will vigorously defend and defeat these bogus 'ambulance chaser' claims.'A Texas middle school teacher has died after he committed suicide inside his classroom while school was in session.

Jordan Halane, 31, was found alone and unconscious in his classroom by another staff member at Wessendorff Middle School, in Rosenberg, on Monday.

Medical personnel were immediately called to the school and Halane was taken to Oak Bend Medical Center, where he later passed away.

The school has not provided details on Halane's cause of death.

Texas middle school teacher Jordan Halane has died after he attempted suicide inside his classroom while school was in session

Halane, a Fine Arts teacher and piano and voice instructor, had just gotten married in 2016

'Unfortunately, we believe it was the teacher's intent to harm himself,' Principal Sonya Sanzo said in a letter to parents obtained by KHOU.

'There were no weapons on campus and students were never in any danger.'

Sanzo said that students were placed 'on a hold' and 'remained in their classrooms' while medical officials arrived at the school and transported Halane to the hospital.

'Students were unaware of the medical emergency, which occurred in a portion of the campus that was not directly accessible to students,' she added.

The students then continued on a 'slightly modified schedule' and 'were unaware of the medical response'.

Sanzo said classes were still dismissed at the end of the day as usual to 'ensure all students had safe transportation and supervision available'.

'Our focus is always on the safety and well-being of our students. We felt that you should be aware of the situation in case your child comes home with questions or concerns,' she added.

Halane was found alone and unconscious in his classroom by another staff member at Wessendorff Middle School, in Rosenberg, on Monday

Medical personnel were immediately called to the school (pictured) and Halane was taken to Oak Bend Medical Center, where he later passed away

Crisis counseling teams are being made available to the school's campus throughout the week as needed.

Halane, who tied the knot in December 2016, was a Fine Arts teacher at the school and a piano and voice instructor.

He called himself a 'lifelong music lover' who was 'passionate about education and the arts'.

'To me, music is like a box,' he wrote in his teacher profile. 'You get out of it, what you put into it.'

'I love giving my students the tools they need to succeed musically, and build off of the natural talent they have.'

For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click hereJudge Mary Lazarus slammed social services bosses for placing a boy in the care of foster parents when his grandparents didn't know he had been born

Council social services bosses have come under fire from a family court judge after a little boy was placed with foster carers when grandparents who might have offered a home were unaware he had been born.

Judge Mary Lazarus has complained about a 'wide-ranging composite set of failings' by staff at Kent County Council.

She also said lawyers involved, and a guardian appointed to represent the boy, had to bear a share of the blame.

The judge has concluded that the boy, whose mother has mental health difficulties, should stay with the couple who are fostering him.

She said the child, now around 15 months old, has settled well in a loving home and is thriving.

But she said if the boy's mother's parents had known of his existence they would 'at the very least' have been considered as carers.

She said they had been placed in an 'unfair situation' which should never have arisen.

Detail of the case has been outlined in a written ruling published by Judge Lazarus.

She had analysed evidence at a private family court hearing in Bromley, south London, a few weeks ago.

The judge said the family involved could not be identified.

'This was indeed a situation that should never have arisen, on a number of fronts,' said Judge Lazarus in her ruling.

'It represents a wide-ranging composite set of failings on the part of the local authority, its social work child protection and adult mental health teams, the legal representatives of all the parties, the children's guardian and the court.'

The judge said the boy's maternal grandparents should have been told of his birth and assessed as care candidates before he was placed with foster carers.

She said 'at the very least' their position would have been 'included in any consideration' of the case.

But she concluded that the boy should stay at his foster home 'notwithstanding the unfair situation' his grandparents had been placed in.

Judge Lazarus blamed Kent County Council for a 'wide-ranging composite set of failings'

Judge Lazarus said the boy's welfare was her 'paramount concern'.

The judge said he had 'bonded and settled very well' with his foster carers, who had provided a loving home where he had 'thrived'.

She said moving the boy to his grandparents' home would disrupt his life and 'pose an unacceptable risk of traumatic and damaging distress'.

Judge Lazarus said he would stay in contact with his mother, her parents and other maternal relatives

She said the boy's mother had 'long-standing' mental health problems and said his father was 'unknown'.A Virginia mother who pleaded guilty to repeatedly giving her three young children marijuana to smoke has been sentenced to 10 days in jail followed by probation.

Stephanie Hamrick, 28, pleaded guilty to child neglect and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The single mom was sentenced to jail time and four years' probation Tuesday, in a plea deal that prevented her children from having to testify against her.

Mom sentenced: Stephanie Hamrick (left and right), 28, was sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to repeatedly giving marijuana to her two young daughters and a son

Hamrick was arrested in June after police raided her room at this Budget Inn motel in Staunton, Virginia

The Staunton woman was arrested in June and accused of dealing marijuana and providing it to her three kids, ages seven, 11 and 14, reported Staunton News Leader.

Prosecutors said one of her children showed them videos documenting the marijuana use.

Hamrick's lawyer, Eric Swortzel, says his client does not have custody of her children. He says she didn't provide a reason for offering her underage children marijuana.

Police acting on a tip raided a room at the Budget Inn motel on Greenville Avenue in Staunton on June 29 where Hamrick was staying at the time, and seized a small amount of marijuana, along with a digital scale and four cellphones.

One of the woman's children furnished police with video and photos depicting drug use, as well as text messages proving that the mother was a drug dealer.

In court on Tuesday, Judge Charles Ricketts III said he was 'shocked' by the facts of the case and had Hamrick remanded to jail immediately after the hearing.Dame Jenni Murray has pulled out of an Oxford University talk after student groups have called for her invite to be revoked 'because of her transphobic rhetoric'.

Oxford SU LGBTQ+ Campaign, Oxford University LGBTQ Society and Oxford SU Women's Campaign, collectively wrote a statement condemning the Oxford History Society's decision to invite her to speak this Saturday at Oriel College on the topic of 'Powerful British Women in History and Society'.

But she will now no longer speak, due to 'personal reasons', The Times reported this morning.

It comes after opponents referred to a 2017 Sunday Times article in which the Woman's Hour host commented on transgender women.

Dame Jenni Murray (pictured) has previously said that transgender woman should not call themselves 'real women'

The group accused her of making 'explicitly transphobic comments' in the article where she 'repeatedly insinuated that transgender women and girls are not women and can only pretend to be women.'

In the article, she wrote that 'it takes more than a sex change and makeup' to become a woman, and she told trans women to not call themselves 'real women'.

The presenter had said that she felt 'fury' when India Willoughby, a trans woman, described hairy female legs as 'dirty'.

'There wasn't a hint of understanding that she was playing into the stereotype  a man's idea of what a woman should be,' she said.

She also added that transgender women had grown up with all the privileges of being a man and 'did not have the shared experience of growing up female'.

The collective statement from the student groups slammed her opinion and said: 'Her views, which clearly reflect a lack of engagement with the vast majority of actual trans people, and are in sum deeply harmful to trans women and trans feminine people, contributing to and exacerbating the harassment, marginalisation, discrimination, and violence that they already face.

Societies at Oxford University (pictured) often invite public figures to speak at events

'Inviting Murray to talk in this capacity leaves her transphobic rhetoric essentially unchallenged.

'While there may be 'ample time for questions', the decision to offer Murray a platform is not apolitical or neutral, especially when her views cause tangible harm to vulnerable members of our society.'

It is unclear how much Dame Jenni's decision to pull out was influenced by the groups opposing her visit.

Speaking the MailOnline, a spokesperson for Oxford University said: 'Oxford is committed to supporting the University's transgender students and staff and to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes equality and diversity.

In 2011 Dame Jenni Murray (right) was made a Dame Commander by the Queen (left) during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace

'We are also committed to freedom of expression, and this event is entirely suitable for a student society.'

However, the university did not state whether or not the event would still go ahead following the letter by the three student groups.

Oxford University History Society is a student group and is not an official committee of the university or its history department.

Speaking to Oxford's independent newspaper Cherwell, Oxford University History Society referred Cherwell to the event's Facebook post, which stated: 'Jenni Murray was invited for her prominent role as presenter of BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour, as well as for her historical writings.

'As a society we condemn any transphobia and do not necessarily endorse the views of our speakers.'

Speaking to the MailOnline the president Oxford University's OULGBTQ+ Society President Elinor Oppenheim said: 'The LGBTQ+ Society were incredibly disappointed to see that Jenni Murray has been invited to talk at an event called 'Powerful British Women' without mention of her recent transphobic discourse.

'The event originally contained no mention of her exclusion of trans women, a significant subsection of the community. The implication of this invite is that Jenni Murray herself is a 'powerful British woman', and a paragon of British feminism. This event was not set up as a debate to challenge her discriminatory views, but as a celebration of her recent work. This leaves her trans-exclusionary brand of feminism unchallenged, and further perpetuates her views.'

Elsewhere the Co-chair of Oxford SU LGBTQ+ Campaign, Aaron Hughes said: 'The Oxford SU LGBTQ+ Campaign condemns the invitation of Jenni Murray by the Oxford University History Society on the grounds that she has repeatedly and publicly expressed transphobic and transmisogynistic views.

'We believe that there is an important distinction between free speech and hate speech, and that to give a platform to a speaker who has endorsed transphobic hate speech would be to create a hostile and degrading environment for transgender students and staff at the University of Oxford.

'We call upon the University and affiliated associations to carefully consider the implications of inviting speakers who endorse hate speech for future events.'

MailOnline contacted Dame Jenni Murray and Oxford SU Women's Campaign for comment.A teenage extremist who tried to radicalise his younger brothers is facing jail after he was exposed by a Dutch blogger for posting radical material online.

Sudesh Mamoor Faraz Amman, 18, from Harrow, North London, used a family Whatsapp group to share recruitment material with his five younger brothers.

The document, an al-Qaeda magazine called Inspire, edition 16, was sent to the group, which also included extended family members in Sri Lanka.

It encouraged readers to launch lone wolf attacks following pipe bomb attacks in New York and New Jersey in September 2016.

He also shared bomb-making instructions with a person he was in a relationship with, according to prosecutors.

Amman smiled and laughed throughout the hearing at the Old Bailey, including when he was told by Judge Mark Lucraft QC, that he was facing a custodial sentence of 'some length.'

Sudesh Mamoor Faraz Amman kept a stash of terror documents including bomb-making and knife fighting manuals to share with friends

He pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing material useful for terrorism and seven counts of disseminating material on Skype between April 19 2017 and April 2 2018, on the basis of recklessness.

Kathryn Selby told an earlier hearing that Amman came to the attention of police through a Dutch blogger who captured postings of an 'extremist Islamic nature.'

He was arrested by armed police in a street in North London after Mark Van Der Berg, who runs an anti-extremist blog, highlighted the existence of posts in a closed Telegram chat room.

Amman's social media chat was said to have included an 'expressed desire to carry out a knife attack.'

When police arrested him they found he had instructional material on knife fighting techniques, including documents called Bloody Brazilian Knife Fighting Techniques, US Army Knife Fighting Manual Techniques and Close Combat.

He also had a number of bomb-making manuals including How to make a bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom, the Improvised Munition Handbook, and the Anarchist Cookbook.

Bearded, with long hair, glasses and a black prayer cap, Amman was living at home with his mother and six other siblings who are said to be known to social services.

Mark Van Der Berg (seen) who runs an anti-extremist blog, highlighted the existence of posts in a closed Telegram chat room

The material he disseminated, which began when he was 17, included the document How to make a bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom and a number of gory videos with titles including The Islamic State - my revenge, and Let's go for Jihad.

He denied that the Army of Madinah in Kashmir, a book by the British al-Qaeda leader Dhiren Barot - who is serving 30 years for a plot to blow up central London hotels using radiological 'dirty bomb' - was a terrorist publication.

Two charges related to possessing and disseminating the book on Whatsapp and Skype, were ordered to lie on file, along with a charge of possessing a document on making plastic explosives from bleach.

Amman will be sentenced next month.Wrong-way driver, Alvin Hubbard III (pictured), 45, of Maryland, who killed Audie Trinidad and his four daughters, has been charged with vehicular homicide

A wrong-way driver who killed a father and his four daughters in a horrific crash has been charged with vehicular homicide.

Alvin Hubbard III, 45, of Maryland, faces five vehicular homicide charges for the deaths of Audie Trinidad, 61, and his daughters Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17 and 14-year-old twins Melissa and Allison.

He was indicted by a grand jury on Monday and was also charged with three counts of vehicular assault, inattentive driving and driving on the wrong side of the road, according to Delaware Online.

Authorities said there was no evidence during the investigation that Hubbard had been using drugs or alcohol.

State justice department spokeswoman Julia Lawes told the news site that the indictment 'alleges that Hubbard operated his truck in a criminally negligent manner when he exited his lane of travel, crossed the center median between a multi-lane highway, and crashed into oncoming traffic'.

Investigators have not released any information about why Hubbard's truck crossed the median.

On July 6, Trinidad, his wife, Mary Rose Ballocanag, 53, and their daughters were traveling down Route 1 in Delaware when Hubbard smashed into their minivan.

The family was on the way back to New Jersey from a beach vacation when the crash occurred.

Ballocanag was the sole survivor of the crash.

Hubbard faces five vehicular homicide charges for the deaths of Audie Trinidad (center), 61, and his daughters Kaitlyn (second from right), 20, Danna (left), 17 and 14-year-old twins Melissa (right) and Allison (third from left)

On July 6, Trinidad, his wife, Mary Rose Ballocanag, 53, and their daughters (pictured) were traveling down Route 1 in Delaware when Hubbard smashed into their minivan

The family was on the way back to New Jersey from a beach vacation when the crash occurred. Ballocanag (second from left) was the sole survivor of the crash

The widow, a nurse at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, has endured multiple surgeries since the tragic crash, and still has a long way to go, her family said, after suffering multiple fractures to her arms and legs.

'When Audie, Kaitlyn, Danna, Melissa and Allison died, part of me died,' Ballocanag told the New York Post following the crash.

'And I'm dying inside over and over again,' she added.

Ballocanag and her family had been coming back from vacation in Ocean City, Maryland, when their lives were cut short.

Her oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, had plans to follow in her mother's footsteps, and had just finished her latest semester of nursing school at College of Mount Saint Vincent in The Bronx.

Danna was set to begin her senior year of high school in the fall.

Twins Melissa and Allison were about to join their big sister in the same building, scheduled to start their first year of high school as ninth graders.

They were traveling northbound on Route 1 in Delaware just before 4pm on July 6, when a maroon pickup truck travelling southbound crossed the center median into oncoming traffic - slamming into the family's white Toyota Sienna minivan.

Kaitlyn (second from left) had just finished her latest semester of nursing school, Danna (second from right) was set to begin her senior year of high school and twins Melissa and Allison (center) were about to start their first year of high school as ninth graders

Ballocanag says she plans to sue the driver, Hubbard, over the horrific crash

Photos from the scene show the minivan with its roof ripped off and a tarp covering the inside

Officials said the Ford pickup, driven by Hubbard first hit the rear driver's side of a 2002 Mercury Sable, which was being driven by Brian Kern, 24, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The collision forced the Mercury Sable to spin out of control.

The truck then rammed directly into the Trinidad family's 1998 Toyota Sienna.

Photos from the scene showed the minivan with its roof ripped off and a tarp covering the inside of the vehicle.

According to the Post, Ballocanag said she plans to sue Hubbard.

Ballocanag announced her plans to file suit alongside her lawyer, Diana Lucianna, on July 27.

'Justice will not bring them back,' Ballocanag said. 'But we will be in a safer place.'

A vehicular homicide charge is a felony with a minimum prison sentence of one year.An Egyptian military court has sentenced eight ISIS fighters to death for a deadly attack against an army checkpoint in 2016.

The court in Ismailia, northeast Egypt, also sentenced 32 people to life imprisonment, while two others were given 15 years.

The accused were found guilty of killing several soldiers in an attack on a checkpoint and an army vehicle two years ago, a military source said.

The eight ISIS fighters, sentenced at a court in the port city of Ismailia, northeast Egypt, pictured, were found guilty of killing several soldiers in a 2016 attack

The eight who were sentenced to death were not present in court, a judicial source told AFP without elaborating.

The method of execution for civilians in Egypt is hanging, and so far a dozen people have been executed in 2018.

All those sentenced were identified as members of the Egyptian branch of IS, which has led an insurgency in North Sinai and carried out several attacks across the country.

Egypt's army launched a major offensive in February dubbed 'Sinai 2018' to dislodge the insurgents from the peninsula.

More than 450 suspected jihadists and around 30 Egyptian soldiers have been killed since the offensive began, the army said in October.

Since Egypt's military toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2014, the government and security forces have cracked down hard on secular opposition and Islamist extremism.

Jihadist attacks have killed hundreds of police, soldiers and civilians.

IS claimed responsibility for an attack last week against Egyptian Coptic Christians in Minya province, which killed six Copts and one Anglican.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had words of warning for House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - don't try to impeach President Donald Trump as such a move backfired on the GOP in the 1990s.

'Presidential harassment,' he warned, can be a losing proposition for the party in control on Capitol Hill.

'The business of presidential harassment  which we were deeply engaged in in the late 90s  improved the president's approval rating and tanked ours,' McConnell said a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had words of warning for House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - don't try to impeach President Donald Trump as such a move backfired on the GOP in the 1990s

Nancy Pelosi is expected to be House Speaker next year after Democrats won the majority

Democrats are vowing to investigate Trump's financial records and some have talked about impeachment proceedings

'The whole issue of presidential harassment is interesting,' he noted. 'I remember when we tried it in the late '90s. We impeached President Clinton. His numbers went up and ours went down, and we underperformed in the next election.'

'So the Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is a good strategy,' McConnell added. 'I'm not so sure it'll work for them.'

The Senate Republican leader was basking in the glow of victory on Wednesday, after his party picked up at least three seats in the Senate: North Dakota, Missouri, and Indiana.

Races in Montana, Arizona, and Florida are too close to call.

'It's a rare opportunity to see McConnell smile,' the famously stoic Senate leader joked, his face cracking into a rare grin.

He said he has spoken to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be speaker next year after her party won control of the lower chamber on Tuesday.

Democrats have made rumblings about challenging her leadership but a serious contender has yet to emerge and she has given no indication she will loosen her iron grip on her caucus.

Democrats, however, are vowing to start investigating President Trump, particularly his financial records and some liberals have whispered about impeachment.

McConnell advised Pelosi not to go that route, pointing out Republicans suffered after the House voted for articles of impeachment against then President Bill Clinton in 1998. The Senate acquitted him of the charges.

In December 1998, Clinton's approval rating has jumped 10 points to 73 percent after the House invoked two articles of impeachment, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll at the time.

And the unfavorable view of the Republican Party jumped 10 points.

Democrats did not win control of the House in the 1998 midterms, but they were able to hold off losses typically experienced by a sitting president's party. The party ended up picking up four seats.

Before the election, Pelosi sounded a note of caution about what the Democrats would do if power swung back their way, saying she didn't like the word 'impeachment' - something that would disappoint the far left in the party, who are eager to see impeachment proceedings being against Trump.

Democrats would 'make sure we are exercising our balance of power,' she said, adding she hears on the campaign trail that people want 'checks and balances' in the federal government.

She dismissed talk by liberals that Trump should be impeached - either over any potential finding that his campaign colluded with Russia in 2016 or over something in his financial records, which she has Democrats will request should they take control of the House.

'Impeachment - to use that word - is very divisive. That isn't a path I would like to go down,' she said.

McConnell said impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton backfired on the GOP

President Trump repeatedly invoked Kavanaugh's name when he campaigned in states he won in 2016 for GOP Senate candidates, like Josh Hawley in Missouri

McConnell also said he thought the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was 'like an adrenaline shot' for his party in the final days of the election.

President Trump repeatedly invoked Kavanaugh's name when he campaigned in states he won in 2016 for GOP Senate candidates, proving a winning strategy in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana where the three Democratic incumbents voted against Kavanaugh.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia - the only Democrat to support Kavanaugh's confirmation - won reelection.

'It was like an adrenalin shot. We were worried about lack of intensity on our side and I think the Kavanaugh fight certainly provided that,' McConnell said.

Legislatively, the Senate GOP leader said he hoped the government would not shut down during the upcoming funding fight.

'Hopefully we'll not be headed down that path,' he said.

Funding for the government runs out Dec. 7. Partial funding for the government has been approved but major areas - including Homeland Security - still need their 2019 funding approved.

And a battle over Trump's border wall could be the first item on the agenda when Congress returns to Washington D.C. after the election.

'We certainly going to try to help the president achieve what he'd liked he to with the wall and border security,' McConnell said when asked if he could get the $5 billion needed to build the wall

McConnell said he thought the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was 'like an adrenaline shot' for his party

McConnell said the election results brought a 'rare smile' to his face

But, he cautioned, it would 'have to be done with bipartisan votes.'

That could be different with Democrats in control on the other side of Capitol Hill. The party has long said it wants a resolution for Dreamers, young illegals brought to the country by their parents as children, as part of the package.

And, speaking at Harvard University's Institute of Politics before the election, Pelosi said the president's wall was 'immoral.'

'It's immoral, expensive, ineffective and not something people do between countries,' she said. 'In any event, it happens to be like a manhood issue for the president, and I'm not interested in that.'

She said there was 'nothing' she would trade on her agenda in order to let the president build his billion-dollar wall.

But McConnell thanked the president for his helping in keeping the Senate in GOP control.

President Trump held 11 rallies in six days in the lead up to election day, focused heavily on Senate races.

'I want to thank the president. He was extremely helpful to us in states where he is in excellent shape,' McConnell said.

'He worked very hard and brought out crowds,' he said. 'He clearly had an impact.'

McConnell cracked another rare smile when he was asked about Senate Democrats who were looking at challenging Trump in 2020, saying they were likely to be a problem for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

'It's going to be fun to watch the democratic presidential aspirants, which we have a number in the Senate, and Chuck may have a number of absences to worry about  but it'll be fun to watch,' he said.By Trend





Extractive Industries Transparency (EIT) Commission held a meeting on November 6, 2018 at the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the participation of representatives of civil society and extractive companies operating in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting the draft EIT Report 2017 was presented to the participants. The Report includes information on reconciliation of the Governments revenues from the extractive companies and payments of these companies to the Government, as well as other significant information on extractive industry of Azerbaijan and activities of the state-owned enterprises.

Additionally, the execution status of the project on Beneficial Ownership disclosure, EIT Mainstreaming  integration of the EIT into the government agencies routine work were discussed. Presentations were made by the civil society representatives regarding the project on preparation of the Azerbaijan Standard for EIT reporting, determining the level of participation of civil society institutions in establishment and implementation of EIT system and analysis on compliance of reports and disclosures on extractive companies payments on oil, gas and other extractives to the Government and Governments receipts from extractive companies with principles and criteria of April 5, 2017 Decree.A Chinese university's policy of mailing detailed transcripts directly to parents might well be every student's worst nightmare.

Several students from Shenzhen University said their parents have received packages that included detailed grade reports, marking schemes, instructors' contact information, and an ominous note with the title: 'A Letter to Parents.'

Pupils said they were only asked by the college to provide their home addresses for 'safety and security purposes', according to Shenzhen Evening News.

Shenzhen University's policy of mailing transcripts directly to parents at home might well be every student's worst nightmare. Addresses were collected for 'safety reasons', students said

Several students from Shenzhen University said their parents have received packages that included detailed grade reports, marking schemes and contact information of instructors

It appears that the letters were only delivered to the parents of students at the university's College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, the report added.

The aim is for the school to improve communications between parents and instructors and keep parents informed of their children's academic performance, a spokesperson told video news site Pear Video.

'Shenzhen University has magically sent my grades to my parents,' according to a screenshot of one student's WeChat post included in the Shenzhen Evening News report.

'My roommate is on the phone explaining to her mother the report card and the marking scheme. I feel myself panicking,' another person said. 'I wonder if i would get a call from my dad later.'

The express package addressed to parents with 'transcript' written on the cover

It appears that the letters were only delivered to the parents of students at the university's College of Life Sciences and Oceanography. 'A Letter to Parents', the first line reads

'Is it too late to transfer schools now?' another asked.

One student proudly announced that he successfully 'intercepted' the package before his parents got home.

The university's decision has sparked heated debate online. While some users - most of them parents themselves - expressed their support of the policy, others believed it to be an invasion of students' privacy.

'As a parent, I think this is a great policy!' one user commented. 'I spend so much money on my kid's tuition every year and yet I still have no idea what their teacher's phone number is.'

'If your parents pay for your school fees, they deserve to know how you're doing at school. Why don't you pay for your own tuition then?' another comment read.

'These students are adults already. Is it really appropriate for the school to violate their privacy like that?' another user argued.

A detailed explanation of the courses' marking scheme is also included in the package

It appears that Shenzhen University is not the first college to keep parents in the loop this way

'As a student myself, if my parents ask me about my grades, I will tell them the truth. It's not respectful for the school to just mail my results straight to my parents,' another person said.

It appears that Shenzhen University is not the first college to keep parents in the loop this way. Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Xi'an Jiaotong University in Shaanxi, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics in Hangzhou and other institutions have been carrying out similar policies.

Yang Dongming, a former academic director at East China Jiaotong University, told the NetEase news site that the college had been sending grade letters to parents for the past two decades.

'If students' grades are not too ideal, they will definitely be under some pressure after their parents receive their results. But university students are adults, and we hope that this pressure can be turned into motivation for their studies,' Yang was quoted as saying.Colton Treu, a 21-year-old accused of plowing into a group of Girl Scouts on the side of a road in Wisconsin on Saturday morning, was reportedly fighting his roommate for control of his pickup truck just before the crash, which killed three children and a parent

A 21-year-old accused of plowing into a group of Girl Scouts on the side of a road in Wisconsin was reportedly fighting his roommate for control of his pickup truck before the crash, which killed three children and a parent.

Colton Ray Treu admitted to police that he and his roommate John Stender Jr had been 'huffing' computer keyboard cleaner before he got behind the wheel of his Ford F-150 pickup truck on Saturday morning.

Treu said he 'lost control of the vehicle and fishtailed after Mr Stender grabbed the steering wheel from him' on the rural highway near Lake Hallie, according to a criminal complaint.

Stender told authorities he took the steering wheel to correct Treus driving, which prompted his roommate to yell and violently grab the wheel back.

As he did so, the truck swerved into the ditch and struck the five victims, killing four and seriously injuring another.

Treu sped off after the collision, and Stender told police 'the next thing he recalled is waking up down the road', the complaint says.

Tire tracks marked with spray paint lead to where Treu's Ford f-150 pickup truck went off the road and struck five people, killing three girls and one parent and severely injuring another girl

Authorities tracked a Treu's truck by following a 'fresh fluid trail' that led them nearly two miles from the scene of the crash to the apartment he shares with Stender.

The vehicle had 'significant front-end damage, with weeds observed stuck in the front bumper', according to the criminal complaint.

Both men turned themselves in to police hours later and admitted they had intentionally inhaled chemicals to get high 'just prior' to the crash.

Treu was hit with 11 charges on Tuesday, including four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of a hit-and-run resulting in death. The punishment for those charges alone is up to 160 years in prison.

The crash killed nine-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, and 10-year-old Haylee Hickle and her mother, 32-year-old Sara Jo Schneider, from the Town of Lafayette.

Another 10-year-old struck in the crash, Madalyn Zwiefelhofer, remains hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where shes being treated for severe injuries including an aortic rupture and acute respiratory failure.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for her medical costs says: 'Madalyn will get through this. Shes still battling and is in stable condition in the ICU.'

The victims were among a group of five adults and seven children from Girl Scout Troop 3055. The fourth graders from the Chippewa Falls School District were picking up trash along County Highway P when they were struck.

Victim Jayna Kelley, nine, is pictured with her mother and troop leader Robin Kelley moments before the crash on Saturday morning alongside a rural highway in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin

Ten-year-old Autumn Helgeson was also one of the three Girl Scouts tragically killed

Ten-year-old Haylee Hickle (left) and her 32-year-old mother, Sara Schneider (right), a security guard from the town of Lafayette, were also killed in the horrific crash

Another 10-year-old struck in the crash, Madalyn Zwiefelhofer (pictured), remains hospitalized with severe injuries including an aortic rupture and acute respiratory failure

'There was no warning. It was fast. It was from behind. No one could turn around,' Robin Kelley, the troop leader and mother to Jayna, said to CBS News.

She and her daughter posed for a photo just moments before the accident.

'All the girls, they're family. They were Jayna's closest friends,' Kelley added.

Her husband, Brian, added: 'You want to get mad about it, and you feel guilty about it, but you can't. It was just something that was out of our control.'

On Sunday night mourners at Halmstad Elementary School held a candlelit vigil to pay tribute to the girls.

The victims were among seven children and five adults who were working in the ditches along the roadway.

'Our hearts are broken for the girls and families of the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes,' CEO Sylvia Acevedo of Girl Scouts of the USA said in a statement Sunday.

'The Girl Scout Movement everywhere stands with our sister Girl Scouts in Wisconsin to grieve and comfort one another in the wake of this terrible tragedy.'

Lake Hallie police Sgt Daniel Sokup said the pickup, a black Ford F-150, crossed a lane and veered into a roadside ditch, striking the victims. Medical personnel are pictured at the sceneA Nebraska couple accused of abusing their teenage sons by keeping food from them and locking them out of the bathroom so they couldn't shower have taken plea deals.

Blaine Busker, 41, and his wife Donella Busker, 38, entered no-contest pleas in Dakota County Court on Tuesday to misdemeanor child abuse.

Prosecutors agreed to drop additional counts of abuse in return for their pleas.

Blaine Busker, 41, and his wife Donella Busker, 38, entered no-contest pleas in Nebraska's Dakota County Court on Tuesday to misdemeanor child abuse

The couple, who live in Emerson, were accused of locking cupboards and the refrigerator in their home so their 14 and 15-year-old sons could not eat snacks.

They also allegedly only allowed the boys to wash their clothes once a week and shower every other day.

The parents also put a padlock on the bathroom door to stop them from using the shower.

Court documents say the couple allegedly knocked the two boys to the ground and sat on them for long periods of time, which made it hard for them to breathe, as a form of punishment.

The couple, who live in Emerson, were accused of locking cupboards and the refrigerator in their home so their 14 and 15-year-old sons could not eat snacks

The abuse stemmed from January to June, according to authorities.

Donella had reportedly been receiving $5,000 payments from the state to care for the children up until June when authorities removed them from the home.

When sheriff's deputies took the children away, Donella allegedly said: "I have called the state several times and have asked the state to take the kids away'.

The Buskers also have a younger son.

Donella is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, while her husband will be sentenced the following day.The family of a man accused of raping a 12-day-old baby stepped forward to offer a surety of 10,000.

The 25-year-old - who must remain anonymous to protect the child's identity - was arrested on October 2 following a reported rape in County Down, Northern Ireland.

He denies sexual assault of the newborn boy and grievous bodily harm with intent. Today he was refused bail at Newry Magistrates' Court as his defence argued that his family supported him, BBC reports.

The child was left needing treatment in intensive care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

The defendant accepts he had sole responsibility for the child from 10.30pm to 8.30am on the night the injuries are said to have occurred.

Inmates at HMP Maghaberry in Northern Ireland such as murderers are being kept away from the alleged rapist, who is deemed a 'Special Person at Risk'

The prosecution opposed bail arguing that an EU arrest warrant could be required as he wanted to stay at an address in the Republic of Ireland.

They also argued that the address offered to house the defendant belonged to his alcoholic father, whose condition would prevent him from keeping tabs on his son.

Details of the case were described as 'grotesque' and not read out in open court.

The defence said that their client was 'entitled to a presumption of innocence' and should not be refused bail.

The child's injuries had to be treated in the intensive care unit at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

'This case will take some time to get to a full hearing,' the barrister said. 'A similar case, where the child died, took up to three years to be heard.

'The seriousness of the crime cannot prevent bail. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence.'

District Judge Eamonn King refused the application.

It comes after reports last month that the defendant was punched and kicked by prisoners at HMP Maghaberry in Northern Ireland after being arrested two weeks ago.

The alleged rapist was being kept in a single cell on 24-hour guard in jail to 'stop other prisoners from attacking him'.

Because he is treated as a 'Special Person At Risk', inmates such as terrorists and murderers are kept away from him - but he was still attacked.

An inmate suspected of launching the attack was stripped of privileges as a prison orderly.Kyle Blood, 38, pictured leaving a Metropolitan Misconduct Hearing in Fulham yesterday, was previously cleared of sexually assaulting a woman by a jury

A predatory police officer who performed a sex act on a sleeping woman on a train following a drunken night out has been sacked from the force.

Police Sgt Kyle Blood had previously been cleared of sexually assaulting the woman by a jury but a judge publicly cast doubt over his fitness to wear the uniform.

At a Metropolitan Police misconduct hearing held in Fulham, London, today, Blood was dismissed following 16 years of service after the panel found he took advantage of the vulnerable woman.

His sacking comes after it was revealed he was also cleared of raping a woman he met on the dating site Plenty of Fish in 2016.

In a harrowing recounting of events, the woman revealed in a victim impact statement that she hates herself for falling asleep that night.

Tribunal chair Christopher McKay read out the statement from the woman referred to as AB. He told the tribunal: The events have had a significant impact on AB.

She says that she hates herself for falling asleep on a train and allowing him to destroy her trust in people.

'She mistakenly believed that that he cared about her welfare. As a result of this she says that she finds it really hard to trust people.

Blood was making his way home from a night out in Soho, central London, where he had been drinking cocktails and downing shots of Sambuca in the early hours of June 17, 2016.

Both he and the woman boarded a Thameslink train at Kings Cross Station shortly after 11:20pm and he performed a sex act on her between St Albans and Harpenden, it was said.

After leaving the train the woman sent a text to a girlfriend about what had happened, the tribunal heard.

Mr McKay said he behaved inappropriately when he attempting to wake the woman, who was a complete stranger to him, by touching her calf and tapping her head.

The panel accepted she kissed him and then went back to sleep.

During Blood's trial, the woman from the train had claimed she awoke to find him assaulting her, but a jury at Luton Crown Court (pictured) cleared him of assault by penetration

He said: The panel accepts her evidence that she woke up to find that he had penetrated her with one finger.

The panel is satisfied that she did not consent and that he had insufficient grounds to conclude that she was.

The panel finds that he did get on to his knees in front of her and the panel is satisfied that he did this in preparation of having sexual intercourse.

The panel is satisfied that he lifted her two legs in the air and that he looked down the aisle to see if anyone would interfere with what he was going to do.

She woke up and immediately thought he was going to have sexual intercourse with her.

Blood accepts she told him to stop and said: I dont want this.

He said: By this she meant that she did not want him to have sexual intercourse with her.

Stephen Morley, for the Met Police, said: 'Sergeant Blood admitted breaching the standards. The only real issue is consent.

'Although consent is a big issue the appropriate authority takes the view that it makes no difference because we will be asking you to dismiss the sergeant.

'The evidence suggests that he really did not care one way or the other about consent.

'This is not a naive young man out on the town. He was 36-year-old man. He is an experienced police officer and an experienced police sergeant.

'He knows about vulnerable people, he deals with them all day in work. He knows about consent. He did not make a mistake, he knew what he was doing.

'He ran away. Sergeant Blood ran from that train. We saw the evidence of the CCTV footage of him withdrawing down the platform and then jogging down the platform. When he was asked about that in his evidence, he said he needed the toilet.'

In cross examination Blood said he would run when he was out on a night out, describing it as one of his 'mannerisms'.

But Mr Morley told the Metropolitan Police disciplinary hearing: 'Clearly unbelievable - much more likely he was simply running away from trouble, because he knew he was in trouble.'

He said within minutes of getting off the train at Luton he lifted up a woman at the White House pub and kissed her.

Blood's lawyer Aisla Williamson admitted the sergeant made rapid advances on women. She said: 'It is clear in recent years that the rules of dating have changed dramatically.

'Sergeant Blood was a man who if he met somebody he liked was prepared to move fast. He was prepared to kiss women and exchange phone numbers.

'It is not a breach of professional standards for an officer to go to a club and kiss, talk and drink with a person they find attractive with their consent.'

Colleagues of Blood testified to his character on the second day of the hearing, describing him as 'professional' and 'committed to providing a good service to the community.'

When first arrested Blood spent nine hours in a police cell waiting for questions from his colleagues and advice from his lawyer.

During Blood's trial last year, the woman had claimed she awoke to find him molesting her, but a jury at Luton Crown Court cleared him of assault by penetration.

The officer admitted he breached the standards of his profession in a gross manner but denies the 31-year-old was asleep when he made his advances.

Blood joined the police in 2002 and has worked in Enfield, Walthamstow, and Barking.

He became a sergeant in 2012 and was 36 at the time of the brief encounter.Labour has warned it will not back so-called 'Blind Brexit', as Tony Blair insists leaving the EU can still be stopped.

As Theresa May struggles to get a divorce deal with the EU over the line, Sir Keir Starmer upped the ante by insisting Parliament must be told exactly what the future trade relationship will look like.

Mrs May is thought to be on the verge of thrashing out a compromise on the Irish border 'backstop' - the final obstacle.

Meanwhile ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted he was 100 per cent committed to stopping Brexit and will fight 'up to the very end,' as reported by The Sun.

Speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon today, Mr Blair said: 'I am 100 per cent opposed to Brexit - and up to the very end I am going to do everything I can to stop it.'

The former Prime Minister added he thought Theresa May- who faces a massive battle to push a potential deal through parliament- would not be able to continue if MPs voted down the deal she might secure with Brussels.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured in Brussels for talks today) upped the ante by insisting Parliament must be told exactly what the future trade relationship will look like

He added: 'In my view, a General Election is highly unlikely because of the state of the Conservative party.

'They don't want an election, No Deal is obviously absurd.

'I think at least we should have the chance to go back to the people  and here's the reason why it's not undemocratic, in the two years and more since we had that vote our knowledge of what it means has been hugely enlarged.'

Labour has already said it will vote against anything that does not pass its six tests - widely seen as designed to be impossible.

Tory Eurosceptics have vowed to block any pact that would keep Britain too closely lashed to EU rules, while the DUP says it could force an election if there is a risk the UK will be split.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair has urged Remainers to stand firm against any package Mrs May brings home - saying the whole process of leaving the EU can still be stopped.

Theresa May (pictured at a First World War commemoration with Jeremy Corbyn yesterday) is thought to be on the verge of thrashing out a Brexit compromise with the EU

The former prime minister said the British people should be given the chance to vote again on whether to remain in the EU because otherwise they faced either a 'pointless' or a 'painful' version of Brexit.

Mr Blair said it was a mistake to pull out of the EU at a time when the economic rise of China meant Europe had to stick together.

Speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Mr Blair said he was '100 per cent opposed to Brexit' and 'up to the very end I am going to do everything I can to stop it'.

'I think it is possible to stop it. It's not in our political interest, it's not in our economic interest, I think it weakens Britain and it weakens Europe.'

Mr Blair, who was being interviewed on stage by CNBC's Karen Tso, said a second referendum was possible if Parliament rejected a deal agreed by Theresa May.

'In my view a general election is highly unlikely because of the state of the Conservative Party, unless they are suicidal - which in politics today you can't discount.

'Let's assume they are not, they won't want an election. No deal is obviously absurd, I think at least we should have the chance to go back to the people.'

Mrs May is facing mounting demands to publish the government's legal advice on any Brexit deal.

Labour has vowed to join with Tory Eurosceptics and DUP to force release of the full advice.

Legal advice received by the government is regarded as secret.

Tony Blair issued an extract of the advice before the Iraq War - although the full version was leaked years later.

Sir Keir, in Brussels for talks, said he would use a parliamentary mechanism to try and force publication.

At an event in Lisbon today, Tony Blair said it was a mistake to pull out of the EU at a time when the economic rise of China meant Europe had to stick together

He added that it was 'essential MPs are given the opportunity to scrutinise the Attorney General's legal advice before voting on the final deal'.

'The public have the right to know precisely what the Cabinet has signed up to and what the implications are for the future.'

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis demanded at the weekend that the government publish its legal advice on the Irish border backstop.

The DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said that he supported releasing the information.

'I think it's in the public interest we understand fully what's happening here. It's because it affects the whole UK therefore it shouldn't just be the DUP that sees this advice, or the government,' he said.

Sir Keir raised eyebrows by failing to state explicitly that Labour will vote against, rather than abstaining, if a deal does not meet the party's six tests.

However, aides insisted Labour MPs will be whipped to oppose any such package.He may be the world's most notorious drug lord, but even El Chapo apparently needs a little bit of tenderness.

El Chapo's defense team have filed a request that he be allowed to hug his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, in the courtroom.

The request specifically asks if El Chapo can give his wife 'a brief, momentary greeting to include perhaps an embrace'.

El Chapo's lawyers said it would be a 'humanitarian gesture' for the man who has been linked to nearly three dozen murders.

They noted that El Chapo has not had any contact with Aispuro for two years since his arrest and has not been able to see, call, or write to her while in solitary confinement.

El Chapo's defense team have filed a request that he be allowed to hug his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, in the courtroom

The request specifically asks if El Chapo can give his wife (pictured arriving at a Brooklyn courtroom in August) 'a brief, momentary greeting to include perhaps an embrace'

'It is well known that solitary confinement poses negative effect to a person's sanity,' the filing, obtained by ABC News, added.

'The only human contact Mr Guzman has had since his extradition has been with the jail personnel when putting and removing his shackles, and a quick handshake from his attorneys when he goes to court'.

US District Judge Brian Cogan has not yet ruled on whether El Chapo will be allowed the hug.

While the kingpin sits in a New York prison awaiting trial, Aispuro has been living the life of luxury.

The former Mexican beauty queen regularly showcases her glamorous life in photos posted on her social media account.

In recent months, the 29-year-old has shared photos of herself beachside in a bikini, soaking up the sun in Los Cabos and showing off her Prada purses.

El Chapo's lawyers said it would be a 'humanitarian gesture' to allow El Chapo to hug his wife after being in solitary confinement for two years

They noted that he has not had any contact with Aispuro (pictured with their two children in February) for two years since his arrest and has not been able to see, call, or write to her

The mother-of-two also made headlines in September after throwing an elaborate Barbie-themed birthday party for the couple's seven-year-old daughters Emaly and Maria.

Some Mexicans reacted with fury after news of the lavish birthday party emerged, accusing Aispuro of using 'blood money' from her 61-year-old husband's drug empire.

Aispuro, who wed El Chapo in 2007, has US nationality. Their daughters were born in America but live in their father's home state of Sinaloa.

The whole family has attended El Chapo's various court appearances in New York this year.

US District Judge Brian Cogan has not yet ruled on whether El Chapo will be allowed the hug. Pictured are two of El Chapo's attorneys arriving to the courtroom on Monday

A jury of seven women and five men were selected on Wednesday for El Chapo's trial. They will remain anonymous.

The selection comes after Cogan was forced to dismiss everyone from a Michael Jackson impersonator to a man who often orders the 'El Chapo' sandwich at his local deli.

One potential juror was dismissed after he asked a court security officer to help him get El Chapo's autograph.

When questioned about it on Tuesday, the man confessed to the courtroom: 'I'm a bit of a fan.'

The remark prompted a smile from El Chapo. His lawyers tried to keep him on but the judge dismissed him.

Cogan was also forced to dismiss five people who said they would be scared for their safety if they were selected.

While El Chapo sits in a New York prison awaiting trial Aispuro has been living the life of luxury

The former Mexican beauty queen regularly showcases her glamorous life in photos posted on her social media account

The mother-of-two also made headlines in September after throwing an elaborate Barbie-themed birthday party for the couple's seven-year-old daughters Emaly and Maria

Among them was a young woman who was heard crying 'profusely' in the hall, saying that her mother had told her they would have to get a new house.

When the judge read out her remarks, El Chapo laughed.

Others were dismissed for having watched the Netflix series Narcos, which details the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Some were dismissed because they said they had heard about the Netflix documentary which is believed to have led to El Chapo's capture.

The courthouse was surrounded by high level security on Tuesday as the selection continued.

El Chapo's lawyers are eager to dispel the idea that he is a violent criminal and say all the added security around the courthouse and trial do nothing to help his reputation.

Armed police stand outside the United States District Court on Monday on the first day of jury selection in El Chapo's trial

'He's a mythical figure at this point,' his lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman said on Monday.

'And if you read the many books that have been written about him, even by the agents in the case, they even discuss it  they don't know what was real and what wasn't real.'

The judge has ruled that the jury may be sequestered for some of the trial, which is expected to take as long as four months. Opening statements will begin next week.

El Chapo famously escaped from Mexican prisons twice before being arrested and turned over to the US in January 2017.

If convicted, he will spend the rest of his life in a US prison.

El Chapo is charged with 17 counts of drug trafficking and running a criminal enterprise known as the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico's most violent and dangerous organized crime syndicates. He has pleaded not guilty.Lee Rigby (pictured), 25, was brutally hacked to death by Islamic terrorists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale on his way back to Woolwich Barracks on May 22, 2013

An unofficial memorial to murdered solider Lee Rigby will not be removed after residents warned of 'riots' if it was torn up.

The plaque in Woolwich, south-east London, was installed over the weekend in place of a paving slab near the Royal Artillery Barracks.

It serves as a reminder to the brutal killing carried out nearby by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale in May 2013.

There were fears the plaque would be removed, as bosses at the Royal Borough of Greenwich stressed a 'permanent local memorial' had already been installed in 2015.

This one, however, is located a short distance away at St George's Garrison Church which some say is not close enough to the scene of his death.

Alison Miles, who lives nearby, warned of drastic action if the memorial were to be removed.

He told the News Shopper: 'They have taped and coned it off. If they take it away there will be riots.

'If they take the memorial then they are going to have to take me too.

'I wouldn't go into a graveyard and start digging up graves. It's a memorial, it is disgusting (to rip it up).'

Over the weekend an unofficial plaque (pictured) to Fusilier Rigby was installed in place of a paving slab near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich - close to where the brutal attack took place

The local council recently installed cones around the plaque, leading to fears it would be removed.

Dozens took to Facebook and Twitter soon after the news broke, expressing their anger and disappointment.

Ian Hawke, who has created a Facebook page dedicated to Fusilier Rigby, said in a video that he was 'gobsmacked' by the appearance of cones and tape.

He said: 'Why are they removing it before Remembrance Day? This is getting beyond a joke.'

Ian Hawke (pictured), who has created a Facebook page dedicated to Fusilier Rigby, said in a video he was 'gobsmacked' and 'furious' over news the plaque would be removed

Later in the video, he urged people to stand on the memorial and make sure it was not removed.

Another, writing on Twitter, said: 'Why can't there be a memorial for Lee Rigby at the place he was butchered?

'Fallen police officers and all sorts of other murder victims have memorials in London. Why not one for this man?'

A change.org petition has also been created urging council bosses to leave the memorial in place.

Created by Ted Newman, it reads: 'Recently a memorial stone was laid where British soldier Lee Rigby was brutally murdered [...] in Greenwich South London.

'The stone is harming nobody, yet Greenwich council have decided to remove it.

'We demand that Lee Rigby's stone is left in place.'

The petition has now been signed by 1,071 people out of a proposed target of 1,500.

Commenting on the petition, Anne Ellis said: 'This soldier deserves a memorial. He fought for this country and was brutally murdered whilst walking along the street minding his own business.'

A change.org petition (pictured) has been started urging bosses at the Royal Borough of Greenwich to leave the recently installed memorial alone

Lee Rigby's killers Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) pictured in undated police handout photos. The two were found guilty of the murder of 25-year-old Lee Rigby in May, 2013

Bosses at Royal Borough of Greenwich Council have since responded to rumours of the plaque's removal.

Danny Thorpe, leader of the council, told the News Shopper: 'Over the weekend a member of the public replaced a paving slab by the site of Fusilier Rigby's murder with a memorial stone.

'Rumours are circulating on social media that we are planning to remove that memorial this week - these rumours are not true.

'We continue to talk to members of the Rigby family and have not reached a decision on the new memorial stone.'

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were found guilty of the murder of Fusilier Rigby in May 2013.

In broad daylight, Drummer Rigby, 25, the married father of a little boy, was run over then hacked to death in front of horrified onlookers.President Donald Trump slammed a list of fellow Republicans who lost their seats on Tuesday  and said they went down to defeat for failing to sufficiently 'embrace' him.

The president spoke after Democrats seized control of the House, in part by wiping away remaining centrist Republicans who represent swing and suburban districts where the president is unpopular.

At the traditional post-election press conference, rather than admit a 'shellacking' as his predecessor once did, Trump declared a 'big win'  then called out people he deemed responsible.

'You had some that decided to, let's stay away. Let's stay away. They did very poorly,' Trump said. 'I'm not sure that I should be happy or sad, but I feel just fine about it,' he said.

President Donald Trump went after fellow Republicans who lost their seats for failing to 'embrace' him. He said that is why they lost

'Carlos Curbela,' Trump said, mispronouncing the name of defeated Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo.

'Mike Coffman,' Trump said. 'Too bad, Mike,' Trump continued, calling out the Colorado lawmaker who previously served in the Army and Marines.

'Mia love,' Trump said. He vented: 'I saw Mia love, she called me all the time to help her with a hostage situation. Being held hostage in Venezuela. But Mia love gave me no love, and she lost. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.' He was referring to Joshua Holt, an American who was jailed in Venezuela.

Love's race has not yet been called. She is trailing Democrat Ben McAdams by 3 percentage points, with thousands of votes still outstanding.

'Mia love gave me no love, and she lost. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia,' said Trump

He also brought up Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, who went down in a Washington, D.C. suburb with a big Democratic constituency. 'Barbara Comstock was another one,' Trump said. 'I think she could have won that one. She didn't want to have any embrace. For that I don't blame her. But she lost, substantially lost.'

He also called out Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam, saying he 'didn't want the embrace.'

Bob Hugin, center, the Republican candidate in the New Jersey Senate race, stands with his wife Kathy Hugin, left, and their daughter Hilary Hugin as he concedes victory to Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., during an election night party, Tuesday

'[Minnesota Rep.] Erik Paulsen didn't want the embrace,' Trump said.

'And in New Jersey, I think he could have done well but didn't work out too good, Bub Hugin. I feel badly, because I think that's something that could have been won. That's a race that could've been won.' Hugin was Trump's campaign fundraiser for the state in 2016. He also named New York Rep. John Faso.

Trump also called out Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA), who was a top Democratic target, and who lost her seat

Trump also called out New York Rep. John Faso

Hugin ran as an independent voice in Democratic-leaning New Jersey. Trump, who heralded his own efforts to prop up Republicans, sent out an Election Day tweet backing Hugin, a former phrarma exec.

He said Hugin 'would be a Great Senator from New Jersey' and said he 'has my complete and total Endorsement!' Hugin's opponent, Sen. Bob Menendez, who avoided corruption charges through a mistrial, retweeted the president's endorsement of his opponent.

'Those are some of the people that decided for their own reason not to embrace, whether it's me or what we stand for. But what we stand for meant a lot to most people,' Trump said.Malfunctioning voting machines, missing power cords and hours-long lines at the polls are being scrutinized by candidates and election officials in Georgia, where the governor's race is undecided while votes are still being tallied.

Democrat Stacey Abrams, vying to become the nation's first female black governor, trails Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp, the state's chief elections official. Ballots are still being counted, and Abrams' campaign thinks she may have enough for a runoff.

At a news conference Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he heard the voting process was 'very efficient' in Georgia. But some areas of metro Atlanta that typically lean Democratic experienced problems and delays.

Ontaria Woods arrived at a polling place in Snellville, just northeast of Atlanta, about 7am Tuesday to vote. More three hours later, she was still waiting, with roughly 75 to 100 people in line.

'That's the majority of people in this line, African-Americans,' she said. 'We're begging them: "Please, stay."'

Some of the longest lines formed at polling places near historically black colleges in Atlanta.

Voters in Georgia experienced long lines and problems with voting machines on Election Day Tuesday. Two polling places were court-ordered to stay open three hours after the polls closed statewide because of the extensive delays

Ballots are still being counted in Georgia as Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams (left) hopes her race against Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp (right), Georgia's top election official, will be close enough to call for a runoff

'We have a lot of college students over there, and they like to vote out of precinct,' said Richard Barron, director of registration and elections in Fulton County, home to most of Atlanta.

'When you vote out of your precinct, you have to vote a provisional ballot,' he said. 'And provisional ballots create lines because they take longer to process.'

Courts ordered extended voting hours in two polling sites near the colleges. The last voter from those sites cast a ballot about 11.30pm Tuesday, Barron said.

The elections chief wasn't immune to the difficulties: When Kemp went to cast his ballot, he had an issue with his voter card, but it was fixed quickly.

The same or similar problem affected voters in four large precincts in Gwinnett County - a populous swing county - and at least one in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta, election security expert Harri Hursti said Wednesday.

Voters in those places were not able to vote for hours because the electronic poll books used to check in voters were not writing to the smart cards needed to cast ballots, Hursti said.

'When those machines are down, it eliminates the possibility of voting with the touch screens,' said Joe Sorenson, a Gwinnett County spokesman.

Mylandria Ponder, 26, is a would-be first-time voter who went to the her polling place in Atlanta on Tuesday, but left after waiting 80 minutes and not yet casting a ballot

Voters wait to cast their ballots after Fulton County Superior Court ordered the polling location in Atlanta to remain open until 10pm, a full three hours after polls closed statewide

In Snellville, some machines poll workers use to check in voters didn't have power cords and ran out of batteries. Paper ballots were handed out for about 15 minutes before the issue was resolved.

'It was a human error issue,' Sorenson said. 'A person who packed that machine didn't pack it properly, and the person who set it up should have noticed it.'

Fulton County's Barron said that although Kemp is secretary of state, 'he doesn't have any say in county operations'.

'A lot of people see things on social media or they are really quick to assign nefarious intentions to people, especially like my staff who are just dedicated public servants,' he said.

'They assign these intentions or motivations to them that couldn't be farther from the truth. I think it's unfortunate that the distrust in government has reached a point that it has.'

Multiple lawsuits have been filed in the contentious race, with voting rights groups contending that Kemp has sought to suppress the minority vote in Georgia, which he fiercely denies.

With votes approaching 3.8 million, Kemp has just more than 50 percent of the vote, which would give him the majority threshold required for victory.

But Abrams and her campaign say they believe there are enough ballots still uncounted to force a runoff.

To do that, Abrams needs to pick up about 15,000 votes among an unknown number of ballots across the state, her campaign officials said Wednesday.

Tyra Moreland, with the Georgia Department of Elections, directs voters away from their usual polling place at an Atlanta library to a new one about two miles away on TuesdayBy Trend





Russias food retailer X5 Retail Group, which owns one of the largest retail chains of supermarkets and shops in Russia, plans to strengthen partnership with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and expand the range of imported products, Maxim Novikov, the director general of RVI, a subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group, told Trend.

According to him, increasing the volume of imports of fruits and vegetables from the countries of Central Asia, in particular, from Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan is an important area of ??work for the X5 Retail Group.

Novikov noted that fruits and vegetables from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are represented in most stores of X5 retail chains, including Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel and Perekrestok Express.

"The company purchases watermelons, persimmons, pomegranates, grapes, melons, nectarines, peaches, apricots, lemons, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, feijoa, plums, corn, garlic in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan," Novikov said.

It was earlier reported that Uzbekistan will expand the supply of agricultural products for the X5 Retail Group in line with the partnership agreement signed by the Uztrade Company, a subsidiary of the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan, and the Russian RVI, which is a leading subsidiary of the X5 Retail Group.

X5 Retail Group is a leading Russian food retailer. The company operates several retail formats: proximity stores under the Pyaterochka brand, supermarkets under the Perekrestok brand, hypermarkets under the Karusel brand, and convenience stores under the Perekrestok Express brand.

On Sept. 28, 2018, the Russian edition of Forbes magazine published a rating of the largest private companies, in which X5 Retail Group ranked second after Lukoil.

Russia is the second largest foreign trade partner of Uzbekistan. In January-September 2018, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia amounted to $4.18 billion, of which $1.53 billion accounts for exports from Uzbekistan and $2.65 billion for imports from Russia.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia for the same period amounted to $1.69 billion, of which $443 million accounted for exports from Azerbaijan and $1.25 billion for imports from Russia.Advertisement

The latest progress on the Royal Navy's newest aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was today made public, ahead of Prince Charles' 70th birthday - who the vessel is named after.

The 65,000-ton behemoth has been taking shape at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife over the past four years and is being built in the record-breaking design of the 3.1 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Just months ago the ship's operations centre was completed and crew are already practicing being in charge of the Ship Control Centre, which oversees the marine engineering aspects of the massive carrier.

In all, more than 3,000 compartments have to be signed off before she leaves her berth at Rosyth to undergo sea trials next year in the hands of a combined Royal Navy-civilian crew.

The 65,000-ton behemoth has been taking shape at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife (pictured) over the past four years and today the latest on construction was made public with new images

A workman walks across the ramp area of the flight deck during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The vessel's sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth has been trialing the F-35B Lightning II jet which comes with a vertical landing mechanism

Work continues on the flight deck during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier. Around 3,000 people are said to be involved in the vessel's construction in Scotland

Neil Simpson from Aircraft Carrier Alliance on the Bridge during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier. Just months ago the ship's operations centre was completed and crew are already practicing being in charge of the Ship Control Centre, which oversees the marine engineering aspects of the 65,000-tonne carrier

The vessel is still scheduled to launch in late 2019 with sea trials. The carrier's sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth, launched this year and spent a week in New York soon after its maiden voyage

Today the Ministry of Defence confirmed to MailOnline that the vessel was still due to launch in 2019 and that construction was going forward as planned.

The ship will be the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy after the HMS Queen Elizabeth launched in August and recently paid a visit to New York.

In September, Commodore Stephen Moorhouse took over command of the HMS Prince of Wales, and will be the first sea-going captain of the vessel.

The hand-over from an Engineering Senior Naval; Officer to a Warfare Commanding Officer was a major milestone in the ships build programme.

Captain Moorhouse took over from Captain Ian Groom who spent more than two years leading the engineering and construction of the vast ship.

He said: 'I am delighted to assume command of HMS Prince of Wales at this exciting time as we prepare the ship to enter service.

'She will operate of the centre of a Maritime Task Group that will support the UKs diverse diplomatic, security and economic interests around the globe.'

Gavin Rose from Aircraft Carrier Alliance views the thermal metal spray coated landing area of the flight deck during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier

Sir Simon Lister, managing director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance speaks to the media during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier. The vessel has been under construction for the past four years at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, Scotland

Captain Moorhouse (right) took over from Captain Ian Groom as the man at the helm of the ship. Captain Groom had spent more than two years leading the engineering and construction of the vast ship. Captain Moorhouse is seen here with Sir Simon Lister (left), the managing director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance

Stuart Justice from Aircraft Carrier Alliance walks across the ramp area of the flight deck. The aircraft carrier is scheduled to operate V/STOL aircraft including 40 F-35B Lightning II jets, some of which are currently undergoing tests on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Petty Officer Mark Hammond (left) and Sean Scott (right) from Aircraft Carrier Alliance explain the working of the operations room during a tour of vessel. Both the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique relationship between BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence

Pictured is the gate which will open to allow HMS Prince of Wales to travel through when it leaves Rosyth Docks to begin its sea trials. These are expected to begin in late 2019 after the ship's generators and gas turbines are switched on this year

In the same way the HMS Queen Elizabeth was constructed before it, there are currently 3,000 people in Rosyth working on the vessel, with another 8,000 people working at sites around the country.

To give an idea of its size, the 280m vessel is longer than the Houses of Parliament. And its length is greater than the height of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

Its generators and gas turbines are scheduled to be switched on this year bringing the ship to life and this is to be followed by sea trials in 2019.The mother of kidnapped North Carolina 13-year-old Hania Noelia Aguilar has issued a heartbreaking plea for her return, saying: 'I just want my daughter back'

The mother of the 13-year-old girl kidnapped from her own lawn in North Carolina has issued a heartbreaking plea for her return.

'I am here waiting for you, I love you, and I only care about you,' Hania Aguilar's mother said in a statement on Tuesday.

'I don't have anything against whoever did this to you. I just want you back. I just want my daughter back.'

Hania was abducted from the Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton just before 7am on Monday.

Family members said the eighth grader went outside to start a relative's SUV to prepare to leave for the bus stop.

A witness then saw a man grab Hania and force her into a green Ford Expedition with South Carolina license plates NWS 984 before driving off.

On Tuesday the FBI announced it was offering a $15,000 reward in the case.

Authorities have since expanded the search for the teen, circulating her picture across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.

'I am here waiting for you, I love you, and I only care about you,' Hania Aguilar's mother said in a statement on Tuesday. 'I don't have anything against whoever did this to you'

It also conducted a roadblock canvas in the area where Hania was last seen, showing drivers her missing poster to see if they had any helpful information.

The Lumberton Police Department and FBI also released a surveillance image of the SUV that was captured near Hania's home just minutes after the kidnapping.

Investigators are continuing to collect and analyze surveillance video in the area and are asking anyone in Lumberton who has a camera or surveillance system to save the video and immediately contact them.

They are following nearly 50 leads in Hania's disappearance, which is being treated as a stranger abduction.

The FBI has released a surveillance image of the SUV that took Hania on Monday morning. It said the picture was snapped just moments after the kidnapping

A witness saw a man force Hania into a green Ford Expedition like the one pictured with South Carolina license plates NWS 984 before driving off

The state Bureau of Investigation and state Highway Patrol have also joined the search.

Investigators have been interviewing witnesses, family and friends for the investigation.

Hania was last seen wearing a blue shirt with flowers and blue jeans. The man was said to be wearing all black with a yellow bandana over his face.

The SUV reportedly had a Clemson University sticker on the rear window and paint peeling on the hood.

Investigators are seen outside Hania's home at the Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton

'Hania, we are praying for you,' family friend Maria Bonilla told WSOC. 'Praying hard for you to come back home.'

Bonilla added: 'All her friends at school were crying and waiting for her to come back home.'

Neighbor Richie Chavis described Hania as a friendly child who waves and smiles all the time.

'That's just wrong,' Chavis said of her alleged abduction. 'Wrong in so many ways.'

The Lumberton Police Department set up a special tip line for Hania and asks that anyone with information call 910-272-5871.Theresa May is facing growing pressure to sack her new housing tsar after it emerged that he claimed there's 'no such crime as date rape.'

Professor Sir Roger Scruton was announced as the chairman of a new public body that will 'champion beautiful buildings' last week.

The government is facing calls to sack the conservative academic after it emerged he had described homosexuality as 'not normal' and said Islamophobia was a 'propaganda word'.

Now, Buzzfeed News revealed that Sir Roger once called date rape a 'supposed crime' and dismissed sexual harassment as 'impoliteness' and advances 'made by the unattractive.'

Theresa May (left) is facing growing pressure to sack new housing tsar Roger Scruton (right) after it emerged that he claimed there's 'no such crime as date rape'

He made the comments while giving a lecture called 'Sexual Morality for Heathens' at Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 2005.

During the lecture, Sir Roger claimed that women who made allegations of date rape were withdrawing their consent afterwards because 'the whole thing went too quickly.'

'Whole new crimes have come into existence, like this supposed crime of 'date rape,' he said, according to Buzzfeed.

'What that means is  of there is no such crime  but nevertheless, when a woman cries 'date rape', what she means is 'the whole thing went too quickly.'

'You know, 'I was not prepared,' and so consent is withdrawn as it were in retrospect.'

He acknowledged to his audience that his remarks were 'extremely controversial.'

But he went on to make similar comments about sexual harassment  which he called a 'huge injustice' to those who are accused.

He said: 'Nowadays, of course, 'sexual harassment' just means sexual advances made by the unattractive, who are the majority, so there is a huge injustice in this.'

A series of comments Sir Roger has made in interviews, books and articles were highlighted by BuzzFeed News.

The government is facing calls to sack the conservative academic after it emerged he had described homosexuality as 'not normal' and said Islamophobia was a 'propaganda word'

Among them was a 2007 article for The Telegraph, in which he wrote: 'Every now and then, however, we wake up to the fact that, although homosexuality has been normalised, it is not normal.'

On BBC Radio 4's A Point of View in October 2015 he said: 'The orthodox liberal view is that homosexuality is innate and guiltless.

'Like the Islamists, the advocates of this view have invented a phobia with which to denounce their opponents.

'Deviate in the smallest matter from the orthodoxy, and you will be accused of homophobia and, although this is not yet a crime, it is accompanied, especially for those with any kind of public office, by real social costs.'

Despite the backlash over comments Sir Roger made about Islamophobia and homophobia, the government insisted he is an 'excellent' candidate to advise ministers on housing.

Sir Roger said he was 'offended and hurt' by suggestions he was Islamophobic and said 'nothing could be further from the truth'.

'My statements on Islamic states points only to the failure of these states, which is a fact,' he said.

Labour MP Wes Streeting said the appointment was 'an appalling error of judgement' from Housing Minister James Brokenshire (pictured)

Liberal Democrat housing spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse told Buzzfeed: 'Someone with these views has no place in advising the government on anything, and it is deeply concerning that the Conservatives have associated themselves with offensive views like this.

'Roger Scruton should never have been employed and the PM should ask him to resign.'

Labour MP Wes Streeting added: 'With every passing hour it becomes clear that Roger Scruton has a history of making offensive comments.

'It beggars belief that he passed a vetting process. This is an appalling error of judgment from the Secretary of State and the prime minister should sack him immediately and ask James Brokenshire how this appointment was ever made in the first place.'

But the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a statement in support of the professor.

A spokesman for MHCLG said: 'Professor Sir Roger Scruton, as a long-standing public intellectual, has strong views on a number of issues.

'He received a knighthood in 2016 and advised the Coalition government on design.

'His commitment to driving quality in the built environment is well known and he has published extensively on architecture and place, which makes him an excellent candidate for the unpaid chairmanship of the Building Better, Building Beautiful commission.'Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that he's no bigot, denying reports that he has used racially-charged slurs in describing black Americans.

'I have never used racist remarks,' he claimed.

And he accused an African-American reporter of asking him a racist question about whether his embrace of economic 'nationalism' hints at support for white nationalism.

'What you say is so insulting to me,' he told her. 'It's a very terrible thing that you said.'

Trump called 'false' a claim from his former attorney Michael Cohen that he he once said 'black people are too stupid to vote for me.'

President Trump denied on Wednesday that he has ever used racist language

He said a black PBS reporter asked him a 'racist question' that conflated his brand of economic 'nationalism' with 'white nationalism'

Cohen also said this month that his former boss had once described a contestant on his show 'The Apprentice' a 'black f*g' and declared he would never let him win.

'I would never do that, and I don't use racist remarks,' the president said generally during a wide-ranging press conference a day after historic midterm congressional elections.

'And you know what? If i did, you people  you would have known about it.

He also addressed rumors, fed by claims from actor Tom Arnold and fired former White House aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman, that 'Apprentice' outtake footage exists that proved he has used the N-word to describe black Americans.

'I've been hearing there are tapes for years and years. "There are tapes." Number one, I never worried about it because I never did,' he insisted.

Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen claimed this month that Trump once told him black Americans were 'too stupid' to vote for him

Omarosa Manigault-Newman, at one point Trump's highest-ranking black aide, claimed in a tell-all book that she confirmed tapes exist showing Trump using the 'N-word'

When Manigault-Newman, once Trump's highest-ranking black adviser, first claimed such tapes existed, she was on a PR tour promoting her tell-all book.

Trump fired back, using his Twitter feed to call her a 'crazed, crying lowlife' and 'that dog.'

A PBS reporter who is herself African-American asked Trump if he was emboldening white nationalists by describing himself generally as a 'nationalist.'

'I don't know why you'd say that,' Trump replied, shaking his head. 'That's such a racist question.'

'I mean, I know you have it written down and you're going to tell me  let me tell you, it's a racist question.'

The Trump White House has struggled to differentiate economic nationalism from more sinister uses of the term since the early days of 2017 when former Trump adviser Steve Bannon adopted it to describe the president's trade and economic agenda.

Trump typically uses the term in contrast to 'globalism,' in keeping with his 'America First' philosophy that often puts other nations at a financial disadvantage.

'I love our country. I do. You have nationalists. You have globalists,' Trump said.

'I also love the world, and I don't mind helping the world, but we have to straighten out our country first.'

In defending his record with African-Americans, trump boasted that polls show him with 'my highest numbers' of suppor tin that community.

One recent survey from Rasmussen, a generally Trump-friendly poll, found that approval number at 36 per cent.

A different poll, from Quinnipiac University, put his backing amongblack voters at just 8 per cent.Motel 6 will pay up to $7.6 million to Hispanic guests to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit claiming that it violated their privacy by regularly providing guest lists to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Terms of the preliminary settlement with eight Hispanic plaintiffs - seven from Arizona and one from Washington state - were disclosed in a November 2 filing with the federal court in Phoenix.

Motel 6 also agreed to a two-year consent decree barring it from sharing guest data with immigration authorities absent warrants, subpoenas, or threats of serious crime or harm. Court approval is required.

Motel 6 will pay up to $7.6 million to Hispanic guests to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit claiming that it violated their privacy by regularly providing guest lists to ICE agents

Motel 6 did not admit liability, and denied engaging in unlawful conduct.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed the lawsuit after the Phoenix New Times reported that ICE agents had arrested 20 people over six months at Motel 6s in Arizona, using guest lists to target people by national origin.

'Motel 6 fully recognizes the seriousness of the situation and accepts full responsibility for both compensating those who were harmed and taking the necessary steps to ensure that we protect the privacy of our guests,' Motel 6 and MALDEF said in a joint statement.

A settlement had been reached in July, but no terms were disclosed at the time.

The terms were announced shortly before the U.S. midterm elections, in which President Donald Trump has made immigration a central issue.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed the lawsuit after it emerged that ICE agents had arrested 20 people over six months at Motel 6s in Arizona, using guest lists to target people by national origin

Up to $5.6 million will go to Motel 6 guests who faced immigration removal proceedings after their personal information was shared. They are eligible to receive at least $7,500 each.

Another $1 million was set aside for guests who were questioned or interrogated by immigration authorities, with each guest receiving $1,000.

The remaining $1 million will go to guests whose information was turned over to immigration authorities from February 1, 2017 to November 2, 2018. They will receive $50 each.

Motel 6 will also pay up to $1.3 million for the plaintiffs' legal fees and administrative costs.

The chain is controlled by the private equity firm Blackstone Group LP, which bought the brand in 2012.

Motel 6's management company, G6 Hospitality, has said it ordered its more than 1,400 U.S. and Canadian locations in September to stop voluntarily giving guest lists to ICE agents.Tesla has been hit with a range of allegations about the in-house medical clinic in its California factory.

The clinic is housed in Tesla's Fremont factory where around 10,000 people work.

According to a scathing report by Reveal, it is designed to reduce the number of workplace injuries that are put on the books by downplaying injury severity and discouraging people from taking days off.

Five former medical staff who worked at the clinic and some injured former employees claimed as part of it that only doctors were allowed to call 911 and not anyone who suffers a severe injury on the factory floor.

Even in severe cases including a man who had his finger severed during one accident and another whose hand was broken, Tesla allegedly insisted that they take a Lyft to the emergency room instead of calling an ambulance.

A view inside Tesla's Fremont factory where 10,000 people work and where the clinic is

Among former workers who complained about the practices was Stephon Nelson who said a Model X crushed his back while he was working on it.

Tesla, which is worth $60billion, declined to comment on the report but the doctor in charge of the clinic vehemently denied the allegations.

The report claims that not calling 911 was due in part to a desire to keep costs down but that it was also a tactic used by Tesla to minimize the official number of accidents because EMTs are duty bound to Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health to report any severe work place injuries they respond to.

Most of the claims come from Anna Watson, a former medical assistant who worked there for three weeks in the summer. She was fired by Tesla for not deferring to doctors.

She said: 'The goal of the clinic was to keep as many patients off of the books as possible.' Watson has been working as a physician's assistant since 1998, according to her LinkedIn page.

She said that at Tesla, workers who came to the clinic were often told to go back to the factory floor not long after being seen, even if they reported extreme pain.

Dr. Basel Besh, who is in charge of the clinic, vehemently denied malpractice

Sometimes they would be told they could go to the emergency room but only in a Lyft which worried the medical assistants in some cases because they feared the workers might pass out en route.

In August alone, there were 45 injuries reported. Watson claimed the real number was likely double that based on the three weeks she spent working there.

Four other medical assistants corroborated her claims.

'It was bullying and pressuring to do things people didnt believe were correct,' one said.

Nelson, the worker who said he was crushed by a Model X, said he begged for an ambulance but was denied one.

'I couldnt walk, I couldnt sit down. I couldnt even stand up straight. I just felt heartbroken.

'What they was telling us in the orientation, that Tesla is a company that cares about their employees safety, it just seemed like it was just a whole reversal,' he said.

Another man claimed to have been electrocuted twice by touching a forklift. He said it caused him to wet his pants and that his life has not been the same since.

He filed a claim for compensation but it was blocked after a Tesla official said there was no electricity running through the fork lift at the time. The worker who was actually using it said there was.

A log sheet of injuries from August detailed dozens of injuries including crushed hands and pinched fingers.

According to a similarly scathing report that was carried out by Reveal in April, Tesla has a high number of work place injuries because CEO Elon Musk does not like the color yellow - the ubiquitous color to signal hazardous equipment - and he also does not like beeping fork lifts.

Tesla declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by DailyMail.com but the doctor in charge of the clinic, Dr. Basel Besh, denied them vehemently.

Tesla CEO said in the past that allegations about the clinic were 'unfair'

He said: 'Any suggestion that myself or any of my medical team at AOC allow external factors to influence our medical care in any way is false and inaccurate.'

He said that while it was often the case employees were sent to the hospital in a Lyft, it was only ever instructed if they did not require an ambulance.

'Ambulances should be reserved for life or limb threatening injuries... every ambulance that is thoughtlessly called for a non-life-threatening injury is one less ambulance that is available to actually save a life rather than be used as a convenience.

'Most importantly, all members of my team are empowered to call 911 for any limb or life-threatening condition,' he said, denying the claim that it had to be a doctor

Dr. Besh added aimed the California Medical Board is investigating Watson and said that his staff follows strict, ethical guidelines.

'Not all patients in pain should be off work, at home and on opioids.

'In fact, it is most often in these patients best interest to have supportive care that enhances their activity, their function, and their well-being,' he said.

DailyMail.com could not immediately independently verify that the Californian Medical Board is investigating Watson.

After the April report, Musk, who stepped down as the chairman earlier this year after a series of scandals, said the accusations were 'unfair'.

He told shareholders at a meeting this summer that the issue was 'important' to him, adding: 'We obviously owe a great debt to the people who are building the car.'Beto ORourke captivated young voters in a way few politicians have since President Barack Obama.

The 46-year-old El Paso, Texas Democratic United States representative, was defeated in the race for a seat in the United States Senate by Ted Cruz in Tuesdays mid-term election. Still, his supporters are hopeful they havent seen the last of him.

Before ORourke could even concede to Cruz, 47, Democrats around the country were tweeting about a potential Beto 2020 Presidential campaign. Some even speculated that he might join forces with Tallahassee, Florida Mayor Andrew Gillum, whose gubernatorial dreams were dashed on Tuesday.

Beto O'Rourke ran against Ted Cruz in the 2018 mid-term election on Tuesday and lost

Beto O'Rourke gained tons of followers during his Senate run and is now a Presidential hopeful

Updated my yard sign ! Go BETO 2020 !, one ORourke fan tweeted, along with a photo of a Beto for Senate sign that had been altered to say Beto for President.

Another tweeted: Heres to fighting like hell. #BetoORourke #Beto2020.

ORourke hasnt yet said whether he would consider a presidential run.

What do we know about Beto ORourke? Heres the run down.

Who is Beto ORourke?

Beto ORourke, born Robert Francis ORourke on September 26, 1972, is a US representative and has been since 2012. He represents Texass 16th congressional district.

The charismatic politician comes from El Paso, Texas. Hes an Irish-American, but was given the traditional Spanish nickname Beto by his family in childhood to distinguish him from his grandfather for whom hes named.

ORourke graduated from Columbia University in 1995 with a degree in English literature. He returned to El Paso, Texas in 1998.

From 2005 to 2011, ORourke sat on the El Paso city council. He initially wanted to run for county judge, but was persuaded to run for city council instead.

In 2012, he ran in the Democratic primary against Silvestre Reyes, whom he defeated by a small margin. The main difference between the pair was their stance on LGBTQ rights and drug regulations.

ORourke then defeated Republican Barbara Carrasco in the general election. He won re-election in 2014.

He decided to run for Senate in 2018 and, initially, was considered a longshot candidate. Texas hasnt elected a Democrat to the Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.

ORourke proved his critics wrong, amassing a massive following. Still, he was not able to defeat Ted Cruz in the 2018 mid-term elections.

He is married to a woman called Amy and has been since 2005. The pair share three children: Ulysses, Molly and Henry.

Beto ORourke real name

During their opposing Senate campaigns, Ted Cruz criticized Beto ORourkes name. He accused him of changing his name to appeal to other voting demographics.

ORourke did not attack Cruz, but responded by releasing a photo of himself as a toddler wearing a sweater that read: Beto. According to the El Paso Times, the Montessori school ORourke attended as a child confirmed that he went by the name Beto ORourke in school.

Beto ORourke policies

Beto ORourke is a Democratic politician from Texas. Hes known for being a strong supporter of veterans issues and has served on committees like the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

He supports the idea of a universal health care system and believes the US should continue on with the Affordable Care Act and expand Medicaid coverage. ORourke has proposed that the ACA offer Medicare and Medicaid as public options for coverage in an effort to expand coverage and lower costs.

Hes a supporter of increased Pell Grant scholarships and Federal Perkins Loans to ensure Texans have access to an affordable education.

ORourke opposes President Donald Trumps border wall proposal as well as the decision to place armed National Guard troops at the border. Hes a supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which aims to protect people illegally brought to the US as children from deportation.

Hes a staunch supporter of an assault weapons ban and universal background checks. Hes also staunchly against bump stocks, which are attachments that make semi-automatic rifles fire faster.

ORourke has also voted against laws that would allow concealed carry licenses to be issued in one state and recognized in another.

Hes pro-choice and has argued against Texas lawmakers decisions to close womens health clinics, limiting access to basic healthcare. In 2017, ORourke voted against a bill banning abortion at 20 weeks because he feared It would endanger the lives and health of women in Texas.

ORourke has long been outspoken in his support of ending federal regulations on marijuana.

Beto ORourke vs Ted Cruz poll results

On Tuesday, Ted Cruz defeated Beto ORourke in a 50.9 per cent to 48.3 per cent victory. The incumbent Senator received 4,228,832 votes to ORourkes 4,015,082.

Beto ORourke concession speech

Beto ORourke delivered his concession speech Tuesday night after he was narrowly defeated by Ted Cruz.

In it, he said: Tonights loss does nothing to diminish the way I feel about Texas or this country. Im so f***ing proud of you guys.

He later said: It is the greatness to which we aspire and the work we are willing to put into it to achieve it by which we will be known going forward. This campaign holds a very special place in the history of this country. Every day going forward. You have made this possible.

ORourkes campaign raised a record $60 million.

Will Beto ORourke run for President?

Following Beto ORourkes defeat in the mid-term elections in 2018, his supporters are hoping hell run for president in 2020. While he himself hasnt indicated that he intends to do so, hes already garnered support from Texans, many young Democrats and celebrities.

Beto 2020

What Beto O'Rourke did in Texas was absolutely amazing andwhile I'm certainly not announcing support for any candidateI do believe, fervently, Beto should run for President of the United States in 2020.



100% serious. If he can get 48% in Texas, anything is possible nationally.  Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) November 7, 2018

Beto 2020. Lets do this.  olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) November 7, 2018

See you in 2020. The only man left in politics whos as genuine as they come. #beto2020 https://t.co/RQPnC4wuHn  Janet Oloyede (@ohsnapjanet) November 7, 2018

Looks like Dems will take the house! Do not let all of the other noise tonight deflate you. We finally have a check on the President. Tonight is a win for democracy. Oh and...#Beto2020  Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 7, 2018

I just want to thank @BetoORourke you gave me hope for a better future for #DACA students! I am extremely proud of you. You made a change specially in young people THANK YOU! (Hopefully you will run for president) #Beto2020 pic.twitter.com/EIic3r6F8H  Airam (@_agrrcurlyy) November 7, 2018

me patiently waiting for 2020 just to vote for beto all over again pic.twitter.com/V8BfdE9kEP  em (@themxbc) November 7, 2018

Beto lost? Thats ok. Now he can run for President.  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 7, 2018President Donald Trump endorsed Nancy Pelosi for House speaker after Republicans' stinging defeat and said he'd deliver the votes she needs for the position if Democrats refuse to provide them.

He said they could have a 'beautiful bipartisan' relationship and pass substantive legislation. She's worked 'long and hard' for the job and 'deserves' the great honor, he claimed.

'Shes fought long and hard, shes a very capable person, and you have other people shooting at her trying to take over the speakership,' he said of Pelosi. 'I said, if its appropriate, I said if we can, if she has a problem I think I could very easily supply her the necessary votes.'

Trump warned Democrats that they could play hard ball with him and spend their time probing him, or they could lay down arms in the spirit if bipartisanship.

He said he truly appreciated Pelosi's message Tuesday evening on national unity, and claimed that in a call she made him no promises on impeachment.

President Donald Trump endorsed Nancy Pelosi for House speaker after Republicans' stinging defeat and said he'd deliver the votes she needs for the position if Democrats refuse to provide them.

It was a new day for the president, as far as Democrats who have the power to make his next two years a living nightmare were concerned. Trump boasted about blocking their 'blue wave' and preventing the kind of blowout that Obama faced in his first mid-term.

He contended that he has been hobbled by, but came back from, a slew of GOP retirements. Trump insisted that longtime Republican members left, because they were giving up powerful and term-limited chairmanships.

The president had fighting words for Democrats who would use their newfound posts to investigate him, telling them it could backfire when he runs for reelection against one of their own in 2020.

'We should get along and get deals done. Now, we can investigate. They look at us. We look at them. It goes on for two years. Then, at the end of two years, nothing is done,' he said. 'Now, whats bad for them is, being in the majority, Im just going to blame them. You understand. Im going to blame them. Theyre the majority.'

Offering a candid assessment, he said, 'Honestly, it makes it much simpler for me. I  they will be blamed.'

'I also believe that Nancy Pelosi and I can work together and get a lot of things done, along with Mitch and everybody else that we have to work with. I think well get a lot done,' he said, referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

It was losing Republicans for whom Trump had the snidest remarks, however, mocking loses by Barbara Comstock in Virginia and Mia Love in Utah.

'But Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost. Too bad, Mia!' he retorted.

Despite the heavy GOP losses, Trump declined to lay into retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan, who at 48 is leaving of his own accord. Republicans could lose an Arizona Senate seat, as well, as a result of incumbent Jeff Flake's self-inflicted departure.

GOP Rep. Martha McSally is hanging on by a thread in the race to succeed him against Democrat Krysten Sinema. The open seat could end up moving from the Republican column to that of Democrats.

Trump didn't seem to mind too much on Wednesday, retorting at a news conference, 'I retired him. Im very proud of it. I did the country a great favor.'

Republicans could pick up two additional Senate seats in the end, expanding their 51-person majority by as many lawmakers. The slim but firm hold on the upper chamber will effectively halt any further efforts to remove the nation's chief executive.

In the House, the GOP did not fare nearly as well. Democrats pulled ahead by winning 25 of the 23 seats necessary to flip the balance.

And yet, Trump said, 'We did incredibly...This was a great victory for us. And again, from a deal-making standpoint, we are all much better off the way it turned out. Because I really believe, if the Democrats want to, we can do a tremendous amount of great legislation.'

The likely speaker's office signaled that peace talks were in progress when Trump called Pelosi to concede the House on Tuesday night after she denounced 'division' and promised to put 'checks and balances' on the White House.

It was a more graceful end to the evening for Trump than his White House had claimed; Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had refused to acknowledge that Pelosi would be the next House speaker two hours prior as she brushed off Democratic gains in the lower chamber.

Even if Democrats do take the House, she had said, Trump won't be calling their party leader.

'I'm not sure why he would call Nancy Pelosi considering a lot of members of her own party said they wouldn't support her,' Sanders asserted. 'If Democrats win tonight, I think you need to wait and see who their speaker is.'

At 11:45 pm, the president did call to congratulate Pelosi, however, the Democratic leader's spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet.

'He acknowledged the Leaders call for bipartisanship in her victory remarks,' Hammill said.

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Sanders confirmed that he called every current leader, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the outgoing speaker, Ryan, less than an hour after.

Her statement merely said that Trump 'spoke' with Pelosi and did not disclose the content of the call.

Trump did not make an on-camera appearance on Tuesday night as he watched the returns in the White House residence with friends and family and called winning candidates.

His only public statement was a short tweet that said: 'Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!'

Sanders came before the cameras twice to say that he was upbeat about the results.

'So far we feel good about where we are,' she told Fox News as bad news about the House started rolling in but Republicans kept their edge in the Senate.

Speaking to reporters piled one on top of another to get the president's first reaction to his party being pushed from power, Sanders said that candidates that Trump campaigned alongside were doing well in the mid-terms and he deserves credit for their successes.

'I think James Carville said it best when he said anybody that was anticipating a blue wave tonight is not going to get it. Maybe you get a ripple, but I certainly don't think you get a blue wave,' she said of the beating House Republicans were taking.

NEXT SPEAKER? The president refused to call Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday to congratulate Democrats on their successes in the House. White House said she might not be speaker, so he doesn't see the point

The president's spokeswoman, Sarah Sanders, said that Donald Trump, who was said to be watching the returns in the residence with friends and family, was upbeat about the GOP's prospects

Democrats gained control the House of Representatives after Tuesday's election for the first time in eight years, giving them the ability to deeply complicate the next two years of Trump's presidency with investigations, subpoenas and even an impeachment proceeding.

A former House speaker, Pelosi could return to that role in January, although dozens of Democratic incumbents have said they want a fresh face and younger blood to lead them. The 78-year-old congresswoman from California has lead the Democratic Party for more than a decade and has already been speaker once.

Control of the chamber will switch hands for the third time in 12 years when the new legislative session begins. America had not seen that level of fluctuation in Congress since World War II.

Democrats needed a shift of just 23 House seats to claim the gavel. Most forecasters considered that outcome likely but not guaranteed.

With Trump as president, the nation's off-year political contest took on the character of the World Series instead of the sleepy minor-league affairs they usually are.

At stake was the future of the populist political movement that sent him to Washington. He hoped a win for Republicans would quiet his critics inside the GOP and embolden him for at least two more years of pro-business, 'America First' governing that's hawkish on trade and uncompromising toward illegal immigration.

But a Democrat-led House is likely to cripple his legislative agenda and bring the wheels of government to a halt as his political enemies launch investigations into allegations of election-year collusion with Russia and a growing list of other scandal-ready material.

It could also prompt him to veto legislation that emerges from a split Congress, something he hasn't had to do so far.

Republicans' majority in the Senate is safe after challengers bounced incumbent Democrats inIndiana and North Dakota Democrats were bounced from the upper chamber of Congress and a liberal former governor endorsed by pop star Taylor Swift failed to capture a seat vacated by a retiring Republican.

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FIRST BLOOD: Republican Rep. Barbara comstock (right) was bounced from her job by upstart Democrat Jennifer Wexton (left) in Tuesday's midterm congressional election, the first of what liberals hope is a night full of flips and reversals

Back to Washington: Donna Shalala was the Health and Human Services secretary during the Bill Clinton presidency, and she won a House seat Tuesday as part of a strong night for Democrats

ALL THE FLIPPED HOUSE SEATS DEMOCRATIC PICK-UPS Virginia 2nd: Democrat Elaine Luria beat incumbent Republican Scott Taylor Virginia 7th: Democrat Abigail Spanberger beat incumbent Republican Dave Brat Virginia 10th: Democrat Jennifer Wexton beat incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock Florida 26th: Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell beat Republican Carlos Curbelo Florida 27th: Democrat Donna Shalala, beat Republican Maria Elvira Salazar New Jersey 11th: Democrat Mikie Sherrill beat Republican Jay Webber New Jersey 7th: Democrat Tom Malinowski beat incumbent Republican Leonard Lance New Jersey 2nd: Democrat Jeff Van Drew beat Republican Seth Grossman New York 11th: Democrat Max Rose defeated Republican Dan Donovan New York 19th: Democrat Antonio Delgado beat incumbent Republican John Faso Pennsylvania 5th: Democrat Mary Gay Scanlon beat Republican Pearl Kim Pennsylvania 6th: Democrat Chrissy Houlahan beat Republican Greg McCauley Pennsylvania 7th: Democrat Susan Wild defeated Republican Marty Nothstein Minnesota 2nd: Democrat Angie Craig beat incumbent Republican Jason Lewis Minnesota 3rd: Democrat Dean Phillips beat incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen Kansas 3rd: Democrat Sharice Davids beat incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder Colorado 6th: Democrat Jason Crow beat incumbent Republican Mike Coffman. Texas 32nd: Democrat Colin Allred beat incumbent Republican Pete Sessions. Oklahoma 5th: Democrat Kendra Horn beat Republican Steve Russell Arizona 2nd: Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick beat Republican Lea Marquez Peterson Iowa 1st: Democrat Abby Finkenauer beat incumbent Republican Rod Blum. Iowa 3rd: Democrat Cindy Axne beat Republican incumbent David Young Illinois 14th: Democrat Lauren Underwood beat Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren Illinois' 6: Democrat Sean Casten beat Republican incumbent Peter Roskam REPUBLICAN PICK-UP Pennsylvania 14: Republican Guy Reschenthaler beat Democrat Bibiana Boerio Advertisement

Senate results came fast and furious, dashing Democrats' hopes of assembling a majority that could block Trump's future judicial and Cabinet nominees and make impeachment a real possibility.

As polls closed one time zone at a time in what politicians on the left and right have called 'the most important election' in most Americans' lives, they drew first blood by knocking off a Republican congresswoman in a suburban Virginia district just outside of Washington. They elected a Bill Clinton-era Cabinet member.

GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock failed to fendoff political newcomer Jennifer Wexton, losing the seat in Congress she has held for just two terms.

Wexton and other Democrats managed to brand Comstock 'Trumpstock,' linking her with parts of the president's agenda that have grown unpopular in the left-trending suburbs of Washington, D.C.

A Republican has represented voters in Virginia's affluent 10th Congressional District for 60 of the last 66 years. But the Democrat-heavy base in the suburbs surrounding the ultimate government-run 'company town'  Washington, D.C.  has expanded in recent election cycles, devouring previously safe GOP territory year after year.

Democrats got their second win of the night in Florida, where former President Bill Clinton's Health and Human Services secretary, Donna Shalala, won a House race that was considered a coin flip on Tuesday morning.

New Yorkers sent 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist, to the House of Representatives in a deep blue district.

Tuesday's crucial contests were a referendum on the first two years of Trump's presidency and will determine how much  or how little  help he will have in Congress during the rest of his first term.

At the White House, his press secretary insisted that his legislative priorities wouldn't shift, regardless of whether his party controls a majority of offices.

'The President's agenda isn't going to change regardless of whose party is there. We are still going to be an administration that is focused on lowering the taxes, growing our economy, creating jobs, defeating ISIS, remaking the judiciary, fixing the tremendous opioid crisis that we have, I think we can work with Democrats on that,' she said.

She said that Trump still wants to pass an infrastructure package and claimed that immigration 'is a place where we have to spend some time.'

'Hopefully Democrats will do what they have been unwilling to do in the past and that's come to the table and actually do the job they were elected to do and work with the President to solve some problems.'

In exit polling published by ABC News and other outlets, Trump received 44 per cent approval for his job performance as president. Fifty-five per cent disapproved. That's actually higher than the marks Trump had received in many national polls during the past six weeks.

A 53-43 majority of voters told pollsters after casting their ballots that they would prefer to see Democrats control the House when the next Congress is seated in January.

Twenty-nine-year-old Democratic nominee for New York's 14th congressional district Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won a House seat in a stunning turnaround after unseating a long-term incumbent with an unapologetic message of democratic socialism

Every seat in the House of Representatives was up for grabs on Tuesday, along with 35 of the 100 Senate seats. Voters also decided on 36 races for state governors.

Republicans were aiming to hold their majorities in both chambers of Congress. Democrats were trying to take over in what pundits called 'blue wave' that the Trump administration said it would block with a 'red wall.'A Democratic awakening in Texas stopped shy of putting Beto O'Rourke in the U.S. Senate, but in Houston, one major upset prevailed: a 27-year-old Colombian immigrant, who has no political experience, was elected as the top official of the nation's third-largest county.

Democrat Lina Hidalgo came to the U.S. as a teenager in 2005, just two years before popular Republican Harris County Judge Ed Emmett took office and later steered Houston through some of the nation's biggest natural disasters.

Now Hidalgo has his job after ousting him in a historic and narrow victory Tuesday night that was largely unexpected, but also a clear signal of Democrats having new life in Texas after decades of lopsided defeats and little political power outside big urban cities.

'Easily the most under appreciated upset in Texas,' tweeted Julian Castro, former President Barack Obama's housing secretary, who is leaning toward making his own presidential run in 2020.

Lina Hidalgo addresses the crowd at an election night celebration hosted by the Harris County Democratic Party after accepting a call from current Harris County Judge Ed Emmett conceding the race to her on Wednesday, November 7

Hidalgo talks with campaign volunteers outside of a polling place located at the SPJST Lodge 88 in the Heights, Tuesday in Houston

The 27-year-old has no political experience, and was elected as the top official of the nation's third-largest county. She is seen talking with campaign volunteers Tuesday in Houston

Many Democrats on the ballot in Texas this year had their chances propelled by O'Rourke, who energized his party like no other candidate in a generation.

He lost by fewer than three percentage points to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in what was closest Senate race in Texas in 40 years.

Hidalgo, who graduated from Stanford University and has worked as a translator at a Houston hospital, becomes the top elected official in a county of 4.7 million people.

Hidalgo narrowly ousted popular Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (pictured) Tuesday night

The county is smaller only than Los Angeles County in California and Cook County in Illinois, which surrounds Chicago.

She is also the first Latina elevated to the job in Harris County, which is among the most diverse in the country.

In Texas, the title of 'county judge' is a misnomer.

They are not judges in courtrooms but rather presiding officials in their counties who have a big say in spending and are in charge of local emergency responses.

That makes the job especially high-profile and powerful in Houston, where disasters like Hurricane Harvey and flooding have wreaked havoc in recent years.

Hidalgo joins 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cotez, the New York congresswoman-elect, as Democrats under 30 with no political experience who defied the odds in big races in the 2018 midterms.

Hidalgo joins 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cotez, (pictured Tuesday speaking to supporters in Queens) the New York congresswoman-elect, as Democrats under 30 with no political experience who defied the odds in big races in the 2018 midterms

Hidalgo has never attended a meeting of Harris County's governing commissioners court, the Houston Chronicle reported .

'It's an amazing victory and it's about everyone coming together for a better community,' Hidalgo told reporters after her victory Tuesday night.

'A county government people can see, a county government people can feel. A county government that makes sure Harris County is at the forefront.'

Hidalgo ran on better flood control and criminal justice reform. Emmett blamed his lost on straight-ticket Democratic voters who also knocked out other Republicans around Houston.

'Keeping the straight ticket option for 1 more election cycle turned out to be a disaster for all Republicans,' he tweeted .Advertisement

These spectacular images show millions of Hindus around the world celebrating Diwali, also known as the festival of lights.

The multi-day holiday, also called Divali and Deepavali, is a Hindu holiday held annually that represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Often called the festival of lights, Diwali commemorates the return of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, to his people after being exiled for 14 days.

The dazzling pictures from Pakistan, India and Dubai, show the brilliant lights that adorn many places during the festival and accompanying fireworks and festivities.

Hindus in Kolkaka, eastern India, light the lamps with a painted floor as a part of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights

Devotees light earthen lamps in extraordinarily beautiful scenes on the banks of the River Sarayu as part of Diwali in Ayodhya, India

Hindus light fire crackers amid smog on the occasion of Diwali festival in Ahmedabad, India, this evening. Diwali is known as the festival of lights and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and commemorates the Hindu God, Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya

Indian dancers perform during the Diwali festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this evening. The Hindu festival, celebrates the spiritual victory of light over darkness and good over evil

A child from the Pakistani Hindu community celebrates Diwali with a sparkler, as others gather behind him in Karachi, Pakistan

While exiled, Hindus believe he fought and defeated Ravana, a multi-headed demon-king, marking the joyous occasion with the Diwali festival.

The holiday is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Newar Buddhists.

The five-day holiday is always held in autumn annually during Ashwin, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar and typically falls between the middle of October until the middle of November.

Diwali occurs on on Wednesday November 7, this year, though celebrations span from Monday November 5 to Friday November 9.

Kim Jung-Sook, pictured left, wife of South Korean President Moon Jae-in walks with artists dresses as Hindu deities, Ram, Lakshman, and Sita during Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India

Indians shop for idols of Hindu goddess Lakshmi ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights at a road side market next to a giant sized image of Hindu goddess Kali that is rented out for religious processions in Hyderabad, India

Indian girls light earthen lamps on a 'Rangoli' as they celebrate Diwali, in Guwahati on November 6, 2018. - 'Diwali', the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya

Residents walk in a slum's alley illuminated by colorful lights on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India

A Hindu man lights lamps on the occasion of the Diwali Festival at the Akshardham Temple, in Gandhinagar, about 30 kilometres north of Ahmedabad, India

Indian women burn firecrackers at the Diwali festival celebrations in Bhopal, India. The multi-day holiday celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil

The holiday takes its name from the brilliant lights that adorn many places during Diwali.

To celebrate Rama's victory over Ravana, lights are lit to adorn businesses, homes, temples, offices and on the street.

Day one of the festival, known as Dhanteras, sees Hindus clean their home thoroughly, buy new lights and plants and offer prayers.

Fire crackers bursting ahead of Diwali, the festival of Lights, at Wadala in Mumbai, India a few days ago. The five-day holiday is always held in autumn annually during Ashwin, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar and typically falls between the middle of October until the middle of November

Women light lamps around a colourful Rangoli decoration that they made on the eve of Diwali festival celebrations in Bhopal, India, yesterday evening

Devotees fly sky lanterns as they celebrate the Hindu festival Diwali, the festival of lights in Kolkata, India, this evening

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra along with stockbroker traders pose as they hit the ceremonial gong to start a special 'muhurat' trading session for Diwali in Mumbai, India, today

A Pakistani Hindu girl holds an oil lamp to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights in Karachi, Lahore, today

Hindus light fire crackers amid smog on the occasion of Diwali festival in Ahmedabad, India, this evening. Hundreds of people faced breathing problem and poor visibility due to heavy smog after fireworks set off during the Diwali festival and worsened the air pollution problem

A Pakistani Hindu woman carries oil lamps while praying during Diwali Festival in Lahore on this evening

On the second day of Diwali, called Naraka Chaturdashi, Hindus rise early before sunrise and cover themselves in holy oil, continue prayer and buy treats.

Diwali itself is held on the third day of the festival and sees gifts exchanged, feasts held with family members and friends, fireworks set off in celebration and a prayer ritual known as the puja performed.

Govardhan Puja, the fourth day of the festival, is when Hindus offer vegetarian food to the god Krishna at shrines in their homes or temples and light oil lamps.

Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta, Bhai Bij and Bhatru Dviteeya, marks the fifth and final day of Diwali.

The day revolves around family, particularly the relationship between siblings. Sisters often invite their brothers to their homes for meals while prayers are also offered for those who cannot visit.

Residential buildings are decorated with colorful lights, as a firecracker lights up, during Diwali festival on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, this evening

Indian businessmen pray in front of their record-keeping books as part of a ritual to worship the Hindu deity of wealth goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ahmedabad, India, this evening

The northern Indian city of Ayodhya managed to break a Guinness World Record on Tuesday by lighting 300,150 earthen lamps and keeping them burning for at least 45 minutes on the banks of the river Saryu as part of the annual celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook attended the record-breaking event after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a four-day visit to India.

Her presence was significant because of a Korean legend that a princess from Ayodhya traveled to Korea and married a king, becoming a Korean queen in the year 48 AD.

The first Lady of South Korea Kim Jung-Sook (second from left) attends with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (L) the ground-breaking ceremony of the Queen Suriratna (Heo Hwang-ok) memorial in Ayodhya on November 6, 2018

Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh, was given a certificate certifying the record by Guinness officials who had monitored the attempt with drone cameras.

As dusk fell in Ayodhya, where Hindus believe the god Lord Ram was born and where he returned after 14 years in exile, volunteers lit lamps, called diyas, snaking along the river, through lanes and at houses.

A similar attempt failed to break the record last year, when strong winds blew over many of the lamps. Tuesday's feat broke a record from 2016, when 150,009 lamps were lit.

Purnima Shukla, a Saket Degree College student, was among 5,000 volunteers involved in the ceremony.

'Last time we missed it by a whisper but this time we ensured that all the lamps were aglow. Oil was poured frequently, and we used sheets to block wind where it was very windy,' she said.By Trend





The share of agricultural products in Azerbaijan's non-oil exports accounts for more than 47 percent, the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev said at the opening ceremony of the First China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy said in a message Nov. 7.

Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping also attended the opening ceremony.

The exhibition, which is held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, brought together more than 3,000 companies from 170 countries. The first import exhibition in China features over 100 types of new products and technologies. More than 30 Azerbaijani companies operating in food production sector, present their products at the national pavilion.

A number of forums are also held as part of the first China International Import Expo. On November 6, the Azerbaijani delegation took part in a forum dedicated to ecological agriculture and food security, jointly organized by the Chinese Market Administration, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shanghai Municipality.

Speaking at the forum, Shahin Mustafayev stressed that the Azerbaijani-Chinese relations are based on the principles of mutual respect and fraternity.

Azerbaijan has not only become one of the first countries to support China's "One belt, One road" strategy, but also takes part in the implementation of this initiative, he said.

"Using the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as part of Chinas One Belt and One Road initiative opens up broad opportunities for cooperation in the economic sector, in particular in investment, trade and transit. Azerbaijan is interested in cooperation with China not only in the transport and transit sector, but also in agriculture and food security," Mustafayev said.

Chinese companies are already successfully cooperating with Azerbaijan in the development of cotton production and the material-technical base of sericulture.

The minister added that Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of agriculture. As a result of the measures taken, the production of agricultural products over the past 15 years has increased by 1.7 times, and in the first nine months of 2018 - by 4.3 percent. He also noted that the share of agricultural products in Azerbaijan's non-oil exports accounted for more than 47 percent.

The minister also said that in the Doing Business 2019 report of the World Bank, Azerbaijan entered the list of 10 reformer countries and was declared the country that had the most reforms. In the new report, Azerbaijan climbed 32 steps and ranked 25th among 190 countries, and also became a leader among the CIS countries.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation, namely the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Seyfaddin Talibov, the Acting President of Azerbaijan Investment and Export Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev and the Deputy chairman of the Food Security Agency Rufat Rustamzade also participated in the Trade and Investments forum.







President Donald Trump refused to say he would comply with newly-empowered Democrats if they exercise their power under the law to get hold of his tax returns.

With Democrats soon to take over the House and its investigatory and oversight power, Trump got asked whether he would block Democrats or allow them to have his returns. Existing law states they can require the administration to hand over any return.

'If I were finished with the audit, I would have an open mind to it,' Trump said, repeating his claim from two years ago that he would voluntarily release his return when he is no longer under audit.

'They're under audit, they have been for a long time. They're extremely complex. People wouldn't understand them,' Trump said.

'They're extremely complex. People wouldn't understand them,' President Donald Trump said of his tax returns. He refused to say he would comply if the newly empowered House Democrats demand them

He then went on to cite a raft of other arguments  that the returns are complicated, that they were prepared by a good firm, that the return is long, that people will be disappointed by what's in it, that his financial disclosure is a better yardstick, that he ran a great company, and that lawyers would advise against releasing it while under audit.

Democrats are signaling they will demand the returns anyway.

'When we go down any of these paths, we'll know what we're doing and we'll do it right,' said House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, who is running for Speaker.

'We do not intend to abandon on relinquish our responsibility as Article One, the first branch of government, our responsibilities for accountability, for oversight and the rest. This doesn't mean we go looking for a fight. But it means we see a need to go forward, we will,' she said.

Trump began his extended answer by pointing to the complexity of his taxes.

'They're extremely complex. People wouldn't understand them. They're done by among the biggest and best law firms in the country  same thing with the accounting firms. The accountants are very, very large powerful firm from the standpoint of respect, highly respected,' Trump said.

'Big firm. A great law firm or you know it very well,' he continued. 'They do these things, they put them in. But people don't understand tax returns. Now, I did do a filing of over 100 pages, I believe, which is in the offices and when people went and saw that filing and they saw the magnitude of it, they were very disappointed and they saw the detail,' Trump said, referencing his annual financial disclosure.

That form reveals income streams and debts only in broad ranges.

'You'd get far more from that and I guess we filed that now three times. But you get far more from that than you could ever from a tax return,' the president said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin could be in the position of fielding requests for Trump's tax returns

'I can do whatever I want,' said President Trump when describing what might happen if Democrats take the House and demand his tax returns

The only Trump tax return the public has seen got leaked to the New York Times during the 2016 campaign

Then he returned to the audit issue  something that is automatic in the case of presidents, and not uncommon with large complex firms.

'But when you're under audit  and I'm on a very continuous audit because there are so many companies and it is a very big company, far bigger thank you would even understand, but it's a great company, but it's big and it's complex and it's probably feet high,' Trump said of his return.

'It's a very complex instrument and I think that people wouldn't understand it,' he continued. 'But if I were finished with the audit, I would have an open mind to it. I would say that, but I don't want to do it during the audit and really no lawyer even from the other side, they say, often, not always but when you're under audit you don't subject it to that. You get it done and then you release it. So when that happens, if that happens, I would certainly have an open mind to it,' the president said.

Question: So that means if the audit is still on, you will not turn over the tax returns or you're going to fight to block it.

When it's under audit - nobody would. Nobody turns over a return when it's under audit, okay?

President Trump's response to whether he will release his tax returns 'They're under audit, they have been for a long time. They're extremely complex. People wouldn't understand them.' 'They're extremely complex. People wouldn't understand them. They're done by among the biggest and best law firms in the country  same thing with the accounting firms. The accountants are very, very large powerful firm from the standpoint of respect, highly respected.' 'Big firm. A great law firm or you know it very well. They do these things, they put them in. But people don't understand tax returns. Now, I did do a filing of over 100 pages, I believe, which is in the offices and when people went and saw that filing and they saw the magnitude of it, they were very disappointed and they saw the detail, you'd get far more from that and I guess we filed that now three times. But you get far more from that than you could ever from a tax return.' 'But when you're under audit  and I'm on a very continuous audit because there are so many companies and it is a very big company, far bigger thank you would even understand, but it's a great company, but it's big and it's complex and it's probably feet high.' 'It's a very complex instrument and I think that people wouldn't understand it but if I were finished with the audit, I would have an open mind to it. I would say that but I don't want to do it during the audit and really no lawyer even from the other side, they say, often, not always but when you're under audit you don't subject it to that. You get it done and then you release it. So when that happens, if that happens, I would certainly have an open mind to it.' Question: So that means if the audit is still on, you will not turn over the tax returns or you're going to fight to block it? 'When it's under audit - nobody would. Nobody turns over a return when it's under audit, okay?' Advertisement

Congressional tax committees have the power under a 1920s law to gain access to tax returns.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin addressed the issue this week. 'The first issue is they would have to win the House, which they haven't done yet,' he told the New York Times. 'If they win the House and there is a request, we will work with our general counsel and the I.R.S. general counsel on any requests,' he said, using noncommittal language.

Democrats during the 2016 demanded Trump release his tax returns. He said he would, pending completion of an audit. He never did, and also declined to release his tax returns as president. Party nominees have publicly released their returns for decades.President Donald Trump ditched his attorney general on Wednesday and replaced him with a former federal prosecutor who has been openly critical of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe and will now have the power to end it.

Jeff Sessions was not expected to last long after Tuesday's elections, and Trump at a news conference declined to give him a boost of confidence.

Trump shared the news in a tweet; a Justice Department spokeswoman said shortly afterward that Sessions' chief of staff, Matt Whitaker, would have responsibility for overseeing Mueller.

Sessions had recused himself from that role early on in the Trump administration, putting it in the lap of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein  who eagle-eyed reporters spotted heading to the White House hours after the president gave Sessions his walking papers.

Democrats rang the alarm in the meantime about a 'constitutional crisis' set off by Trump's 'fear of being implicated' in crimes by special counsel Mueller.

Sessions left his Justice Department office after dark on Wednesday in a wake-like scene with applause on the sidewalk that extended long after he entered a waiting SUV.

Jeff Sessions' resignation letter to President Donald Trump, delivered Wednesday, was undated and made it clear that he was quitting because the president told him to

Sessions left the Justice Department's headquarters after dark on Wednesday to the sound of applause from his staff

The wake-like scene included somber ranks of Sessions' colleagues applauding him before and after he got into a waiting SUV to leave

HIT THE ROAD, JEFF: The president fired his attorney general Jeff Sessions on Wednesday and announced the change on Twitter

Justice Department Chief of Staff Matt Whitaker is now acting attorney general, with control over everything in the agency including the Russa probe, from which sessions recused himself in 2017

Democrats rang the alarm in the meantime about a 'constitutional crisis' set off by Trump's 'fear of being implicated' in crimes by special counsel Mueller

In Whitaker, the president will get the partisan ally at Justice that he's always wanted.

Whitaker wrote in an essay for CNN last year that Mueller was 'dangerously close to crossing' a 'red line' by considering broadening his investigation to include a probe of the Trump family's business dealings.

'It does not take a lawyer or even a former federal prosecutor like myself to conclude that investigating Donald Trump's finances or his family's finances falls completely outside of the realm of his 2016 campaign and allegations that the campaign coordinated with the Russian government or anyone else,' he wrote then.

'That goes beyond the scope of the appointment of the special counsel.'

Senate Democrats presented the op-ed as evidence that Whitaker must also recuse himself, following the temporary appointment.

Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat and likely challenger to Trump in 2020, helped lead charge. 'Matt Whitaker should recuse himself from supervision of the special counsel,' Booker said.

'Jeff Sessions firing at the hands of the President is an alarming development that brings us one step closer to a constitutional crisis. Im concerned that President Trump made this decision based on his fear of being implicated by Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and frustration with Sessions recusal from that investigation,' a statement read.

Rep. Adam Schiff, soon to be chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, agreed.

'The firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions places the Special Counsels investigation in new and immediate peril. It is abundantly clear that Sessions was forced out for following the advice of ethics lawyers at the Department of Justice and recusing himself from the Russia probe,' he stated.

The Democrat with the power to unilaterally probe Trump, beginning in January, said 'interference with the Special Counsels investigation would cause a constitutional crisis and undermine the rule of law' as he warned the president that Congress will come after him if he seeks to 'interfere in the impartial administration of justice, the Congress must stop him.'

Schiff told Trump flatly: 'No one is above the law.'

Senator-Elect Mitt Romney, a Republican whose hot-and-cold relationship with Trump has seen vicious campaign-season fireworks, threw his own senatorial-sounding brushback pitch.

'It is imperative that the important work of the Justice Department continues, and that the Mueller investigation proceeds to its conclusion unimpeded,' Romney tweeted.

Sen. Cory Booker, a likely challenger to Trump in 2020, and Rep. Adam Schiff, soon to be head of House Intelligence, said that Trump was on the brink of bringing about a constitutional crisis

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein departed the West Wing of the White House on Wednesday

Rosenstein appears to have survived the bloodletting that put Attorney General Jeff Sessions out to pasture, but he has lost the authority to oversee Mueller's Russia probe

Trump has openly called the Mueller investigation a 'witch hunt' and blamed Sessions for accepting the attorney general job without disclosing that he would have to step away from managing it.

Whitaker argued that Rosenstein should have ordered Mueller 'to limit the scope of his investigation to the four corners of the order appointing him. If he doesn't, then Mueller's investigation will eventually start to look like a political fishing expedition.'

Rosenstein appeared to keep his job on Wednesday, coming to the White House and leaving with a broad grin on his face.

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, told reporters that he found the timing of Sessions' dismissal 'very suspect' and believed no attorney general should be allowed to interfere in any way with Mueller's operation.

'Protecting Mueller and his investigation is paramount,' Schumer said. 'It would create a constitutional crisis if this were a prelude to ending or greatly limiting the Mueller investigation.'

Speculation ran rampant on Tuesday that Mueller might release a report on his findings as soon as all the results from Tuesday's midterm elections were made final.

That expectation has been complicated by the possibility of a rnuoff in the Georgia governor's race that could see voters going back to the polls in four weeks.

Sessions' resignation letter to the president made clear that he did not willingly vacate his position as America's top law enforcement officer.

'At your request, I am submitting my resignation,' he worte in the undated letter obtained by DailyMail.com.

A Capitol Hill source said Wednesday that Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, who survived a scare against a Democratic challenger on Tuesday, recommended Whitaker for a promotion last month.

The source said that King advised Trump to consider helping Whitaker if he were to fire someone in a senior DOJ position.

Whitaker is a life-long Iowan who played tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 1991 Rose Bowl game.

Jeff Sessions was not expected to last long after Tuesday's elections; Trump resented him for recusing himself from supervising a special counsel probe into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russian agents in 2016 to tilt the presidential election's results

King said Wednesday in a phone interview that he spoke with the president on October 2 in the Oval Office and urged him to 'empower' Whitaker and make sure he wasn't 'caught in the crossfire,' sensing that changes were coming.

'The president said he was a Whitaker fan,' King told DailyMail.com. 'And he asked me to call Matt, and tell him that he loves him.'

Trump had already spoken personally with Whitaker in late September about the possibility of replacing Sessions, a West Wing aide told DailyMail.com last month.

A senior Republican said then that Whitaker was in a 'grooming exercise' to become attorney general, and had been expected to replace Rosenstein on an acting basis until his planned resignation evaporated in September.

A farewell message to Rosenstein, drafted for Sessions to issue but later scrapped, revealed that Whitaker would have stepped in.

Trump parried a question about Whitaker during an October interview on the Fox News Channel.

'I never talk about that but I can tell you Matt Whitaker's a great guy,' he said then.

'I'm not doing anything,' Trump added. 'I want to get the elections over with. We'll see what happens.'

Whitaker, a former Iowa federal prosecutor, was also on a short list to replace White House Counsel Don McGahn two months ago, according to the Axios news website.

A senior Republican congressional aide told DailyMail.om in October that Whitaker was put in place to run Sessions' DOJ office 'as a grooming exercise.'

'The feeling there is that he's the heir apparent, that he'll be the next attorney general, unless someone who's bulletproof and has a big name wants the job,' the aide said.

Sessions was the first of Trump's backers in Congress to be awarded a prized position in the administration. But he quickly fell out of favor. He pushed oversight of the Russian election meddling and collusion investigation onto his deputy who in turn hired a special counsel.

Trump has made his displeasure with Sessions over his recusal from the Russia probe broadly known. He said he would never have appointed the former Alabama senator, had he realized that he'd that he'd be backing away from the investigation that's been a lingering dark cloud.

Sessions was part of Trump's transition team and advised his campaign. He failed to recollect properly during his nomination hearing that he'd had several campaign encounters with high-level Russians, including one that took place in his United States Senate office.

The president said as Democrats threatened to remove him from office for obstructing justice that he would leave Sessions right where he was. The pledge had an expiration date of Tuesday's election and Trump couldn't could get rid of the ex-Republican senator fast enough.

HOW JEFF SESSIONS WENT FROM DONALD TRUMP BOOSTER TO BETE NOIRE February 28, 2016: Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions officially endorses Donald Trump for president September 8, 2016: Sessions meets with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in his Senate office November 18, 2016: Trump announces Sessions' nomination as Attorney General February 8, 2017: Senate confirms Session as Attorney General by a vote of 52 to 47 March 2, 2017: Sessions recuses himself from the Russia investigation after reports of his contacts with Kislyak, which he did not disclose in his confirmation hearing March 4, 2017: Session and Trump meet at Mar-a-Lago where the president asks him to reverse his recusal; Session refuses May 9, 2017: Sessions delivers a memo written by Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to the President recommending Trump fire FBI Director James Comey May 17, 2017: Robert Mueller is appointed special counsel by Rosenstein July 25, 2017: Trump tweets: 'Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!' March 16, 2018: Sessions fires Deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe May 30, 2018: In a string of tweets, Trump quotes an interview with GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy, who had said there were a host of good attorneys the president could have named as AG: '...There are lots of really good lawyers in the country, he could have picked somebody else!' And I wish I did!' August 1, 2018: Trump tweet seems to suggest Sessions should fire Mueller: 'This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!' Sept. 19, 2018: Trump tells The Hill of Sessions: 'I don't have an attorney general. It's very sad.' November 7, 2018: Sessions resigns 'at Trump's request' Advertisement

The president said in a tweet that a permanent replacement would be nominated later, and didn't rule out giving Whitaker the job.

'We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well,' he said.

A second tweet said, 'We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.'

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham had suggested on Election Day that Sessions' days at Justice were numbered.

'I think Jeff will step aside after the midterm and the President will nominate somebody,' he said as he paved the way for an immediate resignation. 'Every president deserves an attorney general they have confidence in. I like Jeff Sessions but this is just not working. So if we hold the Senate, I think you will probably see a new attorney general sometime next year.'

Within minutes of the firing, Sen. John Cornyn, another Judiciary Committee Republican, released a pre-written statement about Sessions.

'Attorney General Sessions has selflessly dedicated more than 40 years to serving the people of Alabama and the nation,' he said in the statement that was obviously premeditated. 'Those who know him understand his commitment to the rule of law, and his deep and abiding concern for our country.'

The GOP leader wrote, 'I'm proud to call him a friend. I wish Jeff and Mary the best of luck in their next chapter, and I hope everyone will join me in honoring his public service to the country.'

He mentioned nothing of the Mueller probe that Trump wants to end or the partisan bickering over Sessions' replacement that sure to ensue.

It didn't come up in official statements from Graham, either, or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

'I thank Jeff Sessions for his dedicated service as Attorney General. Throughout his career, as a prosecutor, a Senator and as Attorney General, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the rule of law and his love of our great nation. I wish him well and look forward to working with him in any future endeavors,' the top Republican in the Senate stated.

Sessions' replacement will be vetted by the Senate Judiciary Committee and put before the full body for a vote. The GOP maintains a 51-seat majority that could expand by two more seats when all is said and done.

Trump had signaled that Sessions' time was up long before Wednesday, and it was only a matter of time before the president fired him.

Still, the departure came as a shock in Washington, where Trump had just preached a message of unity and bipartisanship.

The president had refused to say at his news conference if Sessions had job security.

'I'd rather answer that at a little bit different time. Were looking at a lot of things,' Trump said. 'I'm very happy with most of my Cabinet. We're looking at different people for different positions.'

Creating a platform for the departure of Sessions and others, Trump said, 'I know it's very common after the midterms. I didn't want to do anything before the midterms, but I will tell you that for the most part, I am extremely happy with my Cabinet.'Disgraced former Texas Tea Party congressman Steve Stockman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding charitable donors and secretly funneling the proceeds to pay for personal and political expenses.

The 61-year-old Republican was dressed in an orange prison uniform and had his ankles chained when he was sentenced in Houston on Wednesday for orchestrating the elaborate four-year scheme.

Officials say Stockman and his co-defendants solicited $1.2million in donations from charitable organizations based on false pretenses from 2010 to 2014.

They then used a series of sham nonprofit organizations and dozens of bank accounts to launder the money before it was used for a variety of personal and campaign expenses.

Steve Stockman, 61, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Houston Wednesday for defrauding charitable donors and using the proceeds to pay for personal and political expenses

Stockman was convicted back in April on 23 of 24 counts, including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.

Two aides who pleaded guilty in the scam - Thomas Dodd and Jason T. Posey - have yet to be sentenced.

Stockman served in the U.S. House from 1995 until 1997, and from 2013 until 2015. He failed in his 2014 bid for the U.S. Senate.

Evidence from his trial established that in 2010, Stockman and Dodd received a $285,000 donation from an elderly donor in Baltimore, Maryland that was to be used for charitable and educational purposes.

Instead, the pair used a sham charity named the Ross Center to funnel the money to be used for a variety of personal expenses.

Stockman served in the U.S. House from 1995 until 1997, and from 2013 until 2015. He failed in his 2014 bid for the U.S. Senate. He is pictured with Steve Chabot, R-Ohio (left) in 2015

Stockman, pictured during a Tea Party Patriots rally, was convicted back in April on 23 of 24 counts, including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering

In 2011 and 2012, the pair received an additional $165,000 from the same donor, which authorities say Stockman used illegally to finance his 2012 congressional campaign.

Evidence showed that shortly after Stockman took office in 2013, he and Dodd used another sham nonprofit - Life Without Limits - to receive a $350,000 charitable donation that was meant to be used to create an education center named the Freedom House.

Authorities say Stockman, Dodd, and Posey instead used this donation for a variety of personal and campaign expenses, including illegal conduit campaign contributions, a covert surveillance project targeting a perceived political opponent and mailings promoting Stockman's candidacy for U.S. Senate in early 2014.

It was also found that Stockman failed to pay taxes on the $1.2million fraudulently acquired donations.The woman who fatally ran over two children with her car and caused a mother to lose her unborn child earlier this year, was found dead with a startling suicide note saying 'I can't do this anymore'.

Dorothy Bruns, 45, was found dead in her Staten Island home by a friend on Tuesday afternoon.

She was surrounded by numerous prescription pills bottles and a small handwritten note saying; 'I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore'

The note also instructed: 'do not resuscitate'.

Dorothy Bruns, 44, was found dead in her Staten Island home on Tuesday after committing suicide. A friend discovered her in bed surrounded by several bottles of prescription pills and a small handwritten suicide note saying 'do not resuscitate'

'There was a suicide note recovered at the scene as well as evidence of prescription pills, and beyond that I'll defer to the [Medical Examiner' to conclude the investigation,' NYPD Chief of Detectives said during an unrelated press briefing on Wednesday.

She was found dead eight months after she killed two children and a Broadway actress's unborn baby while behind the wheel

The friend went to check on her after she didn't hear from her for a couple days, according to the New York Post. One source says that the note gave the friend who found her power of attorney.

Bruns reportedly suffered multiple sclerosis and seizures. She pills to treat cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and depression around her at her deathbed.

On March 5, Bruns was driving in Brooklyn and accidentally killed children Joshua Lew, one, and Abigail Blumenstein, four, after suffering a seizure behind the wheel at a crosswalk.

She also hit Abigail's pregnant mother Ruth Blumenstein. She was a Broadway actress and survived the hit. She 39 weeks pregnant then but lost the unborn baby as a result of her injuries.

Bruns was not supposed to be driving at the time of the accident as she was facing charges.

She was facing 15 years behind bars and was due in court when she took her own life.

She had been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, assault and reckless driving.

Bruns was freed on $75,000 bond in September.

On March 5, Bruns was behind the wheel of her car when she fatally hit two children in a Brooklyn crosswalk and caused a woman to lose her unborn child. Bruns had a seizure while stopped at a red light and her car moved forward, striking the two mothers and their children as they crossed the road

Tony Award-winning actress Ruthie Ann Blumenstein and her four-year-old daughter, Abigail (left). Abigail died and her mother, who was 39 weeks pregnant at the time, was injured. She lost her unborn baby. Laura Lew and her one-year-old son Joshua (right) were also hit. Joshua died and his mother was injured

Broadway star Ruthie Ann Blumenstein (pictured above) lost her unborn child due to her injuries following the March 5 accident

Moments before the crash, the two kids and their mothers had just gotten off the bus and were crossing the street when Bruns who was driving a white Volvo sped through the intersection at 9th Street and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, striking the families.

Horrifying video captured at the scene shows the white car rolling into the crosswalk as the unsuspecting pedestrians are struck.

Blumenstein, who goes by the stage name Ruthie Ann Miles, won a featured actress Tony in 2015 for her role as Lady Thiang in a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I.'

The crash prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio, a traffic safety advocate who lives in Park Slope, to propose changes to state laws that would extend and expand speed enforcement cameras around school zones, escalate fines for repeat offenders up to $350, and strip vehicle registration for dangerous drivers.

In light of Brun's death Mayor Bill de Blasio - who once said she should 'have never been allowed to be driving a car - shared his condolences.

'Any time someone takes their own life its profoundly sad. And obviously, all we have focused on in terms of mental health is getting people the help they need and getting people to come forward with their problems, so that we can avert tragedies like this,' he said on Wednesday.

Locals gathered to lay flowers near the site where the two young children were struck and killed by Bruns on March 5

Bruns health issues escalated to the point that she went on medical leave at her job at ClearCaptions. this past January.

She returned in February when she was given medical clearance, according to a source familiar with the situation.

In September 2017, Bruns struck a pedestrian in Long Island City, Queens.

However the NYPD highway safety cop failed to document the crash properly, which would have flagged her driving record, according to the Daily News in a report last month.

Additionally in the past two years she accrued four speed violations and four red light violations.

Bruns told local authorities that she has no recollection of the incident and was unaware of what she had done until she was notified.

Toxicology results came in during the crash. Bruns came up negative for possible drug or alcohol traces.A group of women who used a male bathroom at Tuesday's Melbourne Cup are being shamed online for their lack of social etiquette.

The racegoers decided to 'pop a squat' in a male urinal at Flemington instead of queuing at the usually crowded female toilets.

The desperate move may have seemed a grand time-saving idea at the time but the ladies are likely regretting their decision.

A male onlooker flabbergasted at what he saw during the 'race that stops the nation' has posted some unflattering photos online.

Scroll down for video

A group of women defied all social etiquette and decided rather than wait in line for a toilet with their fellow fillies, they would 'pop a squat' in the male urinals instead

The disgusted reveller wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday: 'Flemington 2018. I've never seen this at a car event or burnout comp. keep it classy ladies'.

The women didn't seem the least bit concerned though, all appearing to have found great humour in their unconventional use of the toilet block.

Despite their purses on the dirty bathroom floor alongside bottles of champagne and their plastic glasses, they appeared to see absolutely no error in their ways.

That wasn't the case for outraged social media users however, who described the behaviour as 'disgusting' and said the girls 'should be ashamed of themselves'.

Many were particularly put-off by the way the girls leveraged their weight using the 'splash back' wall, where men often aimed their urine directly.

Despite their purses on the germ-infested bathroom floor alongside bottles of champagne and their plastic glasses, they saw absolutely no error their ways

'Eww they're touching the p**s part with their hands!,' one of many to point out the unsanitary act wrote.

'Omg their hands are on the urinal,' another added, with someone else stating they would 'sooner find a shrub than do that'.

Several others thought such incidents were fairly common at large festivals and car events where there often was not enough toilets to cater to the huge crowds.

'Just shows you, you can dress all fancy have the most expensive clothing and act all high and mighty but this is a true reflection of people with absolutely no pride or class and certainly no moral compass. Nothing to be proud of,' someone wrote.

The women weren't the only ones to loosen their morals slightly during Cup day, with plenty of punters spotted becoming increasingly rowdy as the afternoon wore on.The Pentagon has quietly stopped calling the deployment of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border 'Operation Faithful Patriot,' dropping the name even as thousands of American forces head to southern Texas, Arizona and California.

According to U.S. officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis directed the department to stop using the name and simply describe the mission as military operations on the border. The change was ordered early this week, but no reason was given.

Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, would only say that the department is no longer using the name. But other U.S. officials said Mattis didn't like the name and believed it was distracting from the troops' actual mission, which is in support of the border patrol. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations.

Border ops: 19th Engineering Battalion, 41st Clearance Company, Fort Riley, KS, receive transport near the Mexican border at Donna, Texas as part of what the Pentagon is no longer calling Operation Faithful Patriot

Arrival: Troops arrive at the border crossing at Donna, TX

Brushed aside: At the Pentagon Jim Mattis, the Defense Secretary, previously bristled when asked about the deployment saying: 'We don't do stunts at this department.' Now he has banned it from being called Operation Faithful Patriot

The name hasn't been formally changed or rescinded, but the Pentagon has stopped using it in press releases and documents.

Pentagon officials rolled out the name last month after President Donald Trump ordered thousands of active duty troops to the southwest border in response to a caravan of migrant families walking slowly north through Mexico toward the U.S.

As of Wednesday, more than 5,600 troops have been deployed to Texas, Arizona and California and are mainly in staging bases. Only about 500 troops are actively supporting operations on the border, and many of those have been installing coils of razor wire and erecting tents to house U.S. troops and border patrol.

The military says it will deploy a total of about 7,000 troops, but has left open the possibility that the number could grow. Last week, Trump said he would send as many as 15,000 troops. There also have been about 2,100 National Guard troops operating along the border for months as part of a separate but related mission.

The Pentagon still has refused to release any cost estimates for the troop deployment.

The name adjustment was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Mattis had pushed back last week on suggestions that the move to send thousands of active-duty troops to the Southwest border is a political stunt ahead of the midterm elections.

Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon that the deployment of more than 5,200 troops is based on a request from the Department of Homeland Security and said: 'We don't do stunts in this department.'

But the active-duty troops being sent are limited in what they can do under a federal law that restricts the military from engaging in law enforcement on American soil.

That means the troops will not be allowed to detain immigrants, seize drugs from smugglers or have any direct involvement in stopping a migrant caravan that is still about 1,000 miles from the nearest border crossing.

Instead, their role will largely mirror that of the existing National Guard troops - about 2,000 in all - deployed to the border over the past six months, including providing helicopter support for border missions, installing concrete barriers and repairing and maintaining vehicles.

The new troops will include military police, combat engineers and helicopter companies equipped with advanced technology to help detect people at night.

Allowed: National Guard personnel - including these in Ajo, Arizona - are already maintaining CBP vehicles. Active duty troops will do the same

Not allowed: This car was stopped by CBP agents near Blythe Station, California, with 40 pounds of heroin, valued at more than $688,000, and nearly 25 pounds of cocaine worth close to $280,000. The military will not be allowed to carry out such stops

Not allowed: Soldiers and Marines deployed by the president for Operation Faithful Patriot will not be allowed to stop and detain migrants crossing the border. U.S. forces are forbidden from carrying out law enforcement on U.S. soil

Allowed: U.S. Army National Guardsman Sgt. Oscar Escobar was deployed in 2011 to help carry out surveillance on the border. This new deployment will see regular troops used for the same duties

R. Gil Kerlikowske, Customs and Border Protection commissioner from 2014 to 2017, said the military cannot stop asylum seekers who show up at border crossings to seek protection, and that Border Patrol agents have had no trouble apprehending people who cross illegally.

'I see it as a political stunt and a waste of military resources and waste of tax dollars,' said Kerlikowske, who was at the helm during a major surge of Central Americans migrants in 2014.

'To use active-duty military and put them in that role, I think is a huge mistake. I see it as nothing more than pandering to the midterm elections by the president.'

Traveling mostly on foot, the caravan of migrants are still weeks, if not months, before reaching the U.S. border.

Thousands have already dropped out, applying for refugee status in Mexico or taking the Mexican government up on free bus rides back home, and the group is likely to dwindle even more during the arduous journey ahead.

And despite the heightened rhetoric, the number of immigrants apprehended at the border is dramatically lower than past years.

Border Patrol agents this year made only a quarter of the arrests they made in 2000 at the height of illegal immigration, when the agency had half of the staffing it does today.

The demographics have also drastically changed, from mostly Mexican men traveling alone, to Central American families with children.

Migrants arriving at the border will now see a sizable U.S. military presence - more than double the 2,000 who are in Syria fighting the Islamic State group - even though their mission will be largely a support role.

That's because the military is bound by the Posse Comitatus Act, a 19th- century federal law that restricts participation in law enforcement activities.

Unless Congress specifically authorizes it, military personnel can't have direct contact with civilians, including immigrants, said Scott R. Anderson of The Brookings Institution.

Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, head of U.S. Northern Command, said Tuesday that at least 5,239 troops were being sent to the Southwest border as the Pentagon works to meet requests from the Department of Homeland Security.

'The 5,239 are going forward and there will be additional forces over and above the 5,239,' he said, adding that number 'is not the top line.'

Asked about the use of weapons, O'Shaughnessy said the active-duty troops have been given clear guidance on the use of force and there will be unit and individual training to make sure they know what they can and can't do. Generally, U.S. troops are authorized to use force in self-defense.

Still, the large troop deployment will be limited to performing similar support functions as the National Guard troops Trump has already sent to the border.

These include 1,500 flight hours logged by about 600 National Guard troops in Arizona since they were deployed this spring.

Members of the guard have also repaired more than 1,000 Border Patrol vehicles and completed 1,000 hours of supply and inventory, according to Customs and Border Protection.

In one case, a group of Border Patrol agents tracking drug smugglers in the remote Arizona desert in August called on a National Guard helicopter to keep an eye on the suspects and guide agents on the ground until they had them in custody.

That operation resulted in several arrests and the seizure of 465 pounds of marijuana.

It remains unclear why the administration was choosing to send active-duty troops given that they will be limited to performing the support functions the Guard already is doing.

The California National Guard has pledged up to 400 troops to the president's border mission through March 31. Jerry Brown, the only Democratic governor in the four states bordering Mexico and a frequent Trump critic, conditioned his support on the troops having nothing to do with immigration enforcement or building border barriers.

Brown said the California troops would help fight transnational criminal gangs and drug and firearms smugglers.

In New Mexico, 118 Guard troops have been helping with vehicle maintenance and repair, cargo inspection operations, surveillance and communications.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledged 400 troops to the border in April. Maj. Gen. John Nichols, the head of the Texas National Guard, told Congress in July that his troops served in a 'variety of support roles,' including driving vehicles, security monitoring, and administration.A Florida man admitted to police that he killed and chopped up his roommate because he could have 'possibly be the next mass killer that we hear about in the media.'

Eric Dacosta, 52, allegedly shot 42-year-old Paul Stephen Darmetko in the back of his head on October 4. He was charged with premeditated murder.

The Fort Lauderdale man was also accused of dismembering the man's body in his bathtub before wrapping the body up and dumping in in a canal on Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County.

Eric Dacosta, 52, (left) allegedly shot 42-year-old Paul Stephen Darmetko (right) in the back of his head on October 4

The Fort Lauderdale man was also accused of dismembering the man's body in his bathtub before wrapping the body up and dumping in in a canal on Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County

On October 13, Darmetko's mother called police to report that her son was missing. She shared that Dacosta told her that he had not heard from his housemate since October 5, according to arrest records obtained by the Sun-Sentinel.

Darmetko's remains were found on October 7 by Hunters. An autopsy revealed that he had been shot in the back of the head.

Investigators also stated that a .22 caliber bullet was found inside the man's skull.

Dacosta surrendered to police on October 20 with help from his lawyer, Michael Dutko. He claimed that he wanted to offer the victim's family closure as to what happened.

Dacosta shared that he and the victim had known each other for five years, but had only moved in together for five months.

The arrest record states that Dacosta claimed that Darmetko threatened to kill him in an October 4 outburst that spawned from discussions about an upcoming visit from the victim's ex-wife

He informed the investigators of Darmetko's supposed use of cocaine, claimed that the victim suffered from undiagnosed mental illness and that he was prone to belligerent outburst.

And even though he was struggling through a divorce, friends didn't remember Darmetko as a violent man.

'I don't have anything disparaging to say about the young man,' said Janine Babich, who had known the victim since the 1990s and had done business with Darmetko for 10 years.

'He always appeared to be an easy going fellow,' she added. 'Until the divorce proceedings he was always a customer that paid his bills and stayed up to date.'

Dacosta informed the investigators of Darmetko's supposed use of cocaine, claimed that the victim suffered from undiagnosed mental illness and that he was prone to belligerent outburst

The arrest record states that Dacosta claimed that Darmetko threatened to kill him in an October 4 outburst that spawned from discussions about an upcoming visit from the victim's ex-wife.

Dacosta would shoot the man soon after that altercation, putting a plastic over his head an a belt around his neck in an effort to control the blood.

The suspect told police that he then put Darmetko's body in the bathtub and grabbed a hunting knife so that he could 'make him smaller.'

Dacosta then put various body parts in plastic bags and placed them in a 'chest freezer' on the back porch.

He told police that it was only a matter of time before Darmetko killed him or someone else, which is what prompted him to remain at the home even though he was not in immediate danger.

A GoFundMe has been made for the two children of Paul Darmetko. So far, it has raised just over $8,000 of its $100,000 goal

The Fort Lauderdale resident then drove the remains to a wildlife park on October 6. He had been familiar with the area, having hunted there.

During a court appearance on Tuesday, the suspect was ordered to be jailed without bond.

A GoFundMe has been made for the two children of Paul Darmetko. So far, it has raised just over $8,000 of its $100,000 goal.

'Pauls light has gone out but will burn on in the lives in spirit and Jake and Lily through their laughter and in their smiles,' the post said.

Darmetko was the owner of the Metko Marine of Fort Lauderdale. He operated the business for about 12 years, according to records.An armed citizen was captured on camera holding a bloodied knifeman at bay just moments after he murdered his girlfriend in front of their five-year-old son.

David Lee Morris, 29, was arrested after he allegedly murdered his girlfriend Gabrielle Maria Garcia, 28, in a busy Seattle food court in broad daylight.

But before officers arrived, it was Scott Brown who made sure Morris couldn't flee the scene.

A passerby captured the tense moment Brown kept his gun trained on Morris while another man begged him to put the bloodied knife on the ground.

Armed citizen Scott Brown was captured on camera holding bloodied knifeman David Lee Morris at bay just moments after he murdered his girlfriend in front of their five-year-old son

A passerby captured the tense moment Brown kept his gun trained on Morris as he waited for police to arrive

'Jesus Chris put his life on the line for you man, it ain't worth it,' the man can be heard screaming at Morris.

Brown then tells Morris to get on the ground and put down the knife, but he refuses.

Instead he continues to walk toward Brown, his arms wide open and the knife still in his hand.

The pair walk backwards together for minutes but Brown never lowers his gun.

'I just kept trying to get him to put down the knife,' Brown later told KCPQ. 'We just kept walking backwards and backwards and backwards.'

'I was looking around for police, security. The point was to hold his focus, there were people around everywhere.'

Brown said that Morris 'kept trying to convince me to shoot him', even telling him to 'make the shot count' and confessing he had just 'killed the only person I ever loved'.

Brown can be heard telling Morris to get on the ground and put the knife down, but he refuses

A security guard for the area then sprays pepper spray at Morris, who continues to walk away

But Morris then turns back toward Brown, who continues to keep his gun trained on him

Two men who appear to be security guards at the Seattle Center, which includes the city's famous Space Needle, then arrive and tell everyone to clear the streets.

One of them goes up to Morris and tries to pepper spray him, but he seems unfazed and tries to turn around and walk away.

But Morris then turns back toward Brown, who continues to keep his gun trained on him.

Seattle police finally arrive on the scene and scream at Morris to get on the ground. He falls to his knees and puts his hands in the air but suddenly decides to stand up.

'He wants to die!' one female bystander screams as Morris refuses to get back down on the ground.

The police then Taser him and he screams out in pain and falls to the grass.

Seattle police then finally arrive on the scene and scream at Morris to get on the ground. At first, he gets on his knees

But Morris suddenly decides to stand up and police repeatedly tell him to get on the ground

Morris is currently being held at King County Jail on $2million bail.

Morris confessed to police that he murdered Garcia and told them he thought killing his girlfriend would improve their son's life, according to the Seattle Times.

He told police he first thought of killing Garcia in April or May but hoped to 'rehabilitate' their relationship.

Garcia obtained a temporary protection order against Morris on October 9. It was reissued later that month.

She had already begun court proceedings for a parenting and child support plan in March, which was finalized by the court on October 17.

But the estranged couple met on Friday to take their son to the Pacific Science Center.

Morris told police he was 'trying to engage her in conversation about their relationship problems' but she continued to avoid the topic.

He pulled out his knife in preparation of killing her in the Science Center, but decided he wanted to talk to her more while they bought pizza for their son.

'He wants to die!' one female bystander screams as Morris refuses to get back down on the ground. The police then Taser him

He screams out in pain and falls to the ground as police run toward him and detain him

Morris then brought up their relationship again while they sat at MOD Pizza, but Garcia stood up and told him she was going to the bathroom.

He thought she was going to the bathroom to call her attorney so he 'decided it was time to kill her', according to the affidavit.

Morris said he plunged the knife in Garcia's throat several times because 'he knew the first penetration did not hit the jugular properly', according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

A witness yelled at Morris while another ran to get towels and give Garcia first aid. A third witness threw a chair before Morris walked away.

Mike Carter, a manager of one of the restaurants in the food court, also witnessed the horrific scene with Brown, who is one of his employees.

Brown (pictured) said that Morris 'kept trying to convince me to shoot him', even telling him to 'make the shot count'

Brown, who was at the food court on his day off, turned to Carter and said: 'I have a carrier's permit and I'm carrying. Should I go over there?'

Before Carter had a chance to reply, Brown had already run off to help.

'He was in no way looking to harm the man,' Carter told the Seattle Times. 'He was just trying to keep the focus on him until police arrived.'

Garcia was rushed to a local hospital, where she died a few hours later from her injuries.

The couple's son was taken into custody and Seattle police are consulting with Child Protective Services on his placement.

Morris was still holding the knife and 'had visible blood on him' when police detained him at the scene.

Morris stabbed his girlfriend Gabrielle Maria Garcia, 28, multiple times in the neck at Mod Pizza (pictured in file photo) at the Seattle Center in broad daylight on Friday

Brown, who was at the busy food court (pictured in a file photo) on his day off, decided to help when he heard her screams

Authorities said he was 'very talkative' and told investigators in an on-camera interview that he believed murdering Garcia 'was best' for their son.

He thought he didn't have a chance to get custody of the boy and wanted to kill Garcia so their son could be raised by her brother while he was in jail.

'Morris acknowledged this may traumatize [the couple's son] if he remembers it, but he hopes he represses the memories'.

Carter hailed his employee as a hero for standing up to Morris during the horrific ordeal.

'Do you want someone who just potentially tried to kill his girlfriend - do you want that man's attention on you?' he said.

'The situation was handled so smoothly in the worst circumstances, and handled properly. Police came, the man was detained, nobody else was hurt.'

'We all pray for the victim, and the child, and the family, and everyone else,' he added.

'My heart weighs heavily for everyone who was hurt, both physically and emotionally.'KEY SENATE RESULTS INDIANA - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Mike Braun (Republican) beats incumbent Joe Donnelly (Democrat) 52.8 to 43.1 MISSOURI - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Josh Hawley (Republican) beats incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat) 51.9 to 44.9 NORTH DAKOTA - REPUBLICAN GAIN: Kevin Cramer (Republican) beats incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat) 54.7 to 45.3 WEST VIRGINIA - DEMOCRAT HOLD: Incumbent Joe Manchin (Democrat) beats Patrick Morrisey (Republican) 49.5 to 46.3 TENNESSEE - REPUBLICAN HOLD: Marsha Blackburn (Republican) beats Phil Bredesen 55.4 to 44.1 MONTANA - DEMOCRAT HOLD: Incumbent Jon Tester (Democrat) beats Matt Rosendale 49.3 to 47.8 FLORIDA - OUTCOME STILL UNKNOWN: Rick Scott (Republican) is ahead of incumbent Bill Nelson (Democrat) 50.2 to 49.8 but is demanding a recount Advertisement

Democrats got one piece of late good news in the Senate Wednesday as Montana's Jon Tester was projected to win by 49.3 to 47.8 per cent against Republican Matt Rosendale.

The surprise outcome came after hours of counting and represents a break in the pattern of red-state Democrats who voted against Brett Kavanaugh falling.

But in Arizona it could be days before a nail-bitingly close senate race for the open seat vacated by Republican Jeff Flake is known.

Martha McSally, the Republican candidate was on 49.3 per cent and Kyrsten Sinema on 48.4 per cent but absentee ballots are still to be counted and the process is expected to take days, with legal challenges almost inevitable.

And in Mississippi there will be a runoff election for the seat vacated by retiring Republican Thad Cochran, who had stood down over ill health.

Under state rules the winning candidate has to achieve a 50 per cent knockout but two rival Republicans split the vote.

Officially-endorsed Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith only reached 41.5 per cent of the vote, with unofficial Republican Chris McDaniel taking 16.4 per cent, while the Democrats' Mike Espy was on 40.6 per cent.

The runoff election will be held on November 27 - five days after Thanksgiving - with Hyde-Smith taking on McDaniel.

And to top the uncertainty, Florida's Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is demanding a recount in his race against Republican Rick Scott, claiming it is within

That makes the final make-up of the Senate unclear, with Republicans already on a majority with 51 seats but with the potential to extend that to 54 by the end of November.

Tester's victory is one of the few bright spots for Democrats in red states - and he is the only one to survive a concerted effort by Trump to unseat him.

Trump had visited the state to campaign against the incumbent, who now has a third term despite the president taking Montana by 20 points in 2016.

Trump had said he wanted to make Tester pay at the polls for helping derail Ronny Jackson, his nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs and the personal doctor who gave him .

Tester is the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and had revealed a string of allegations of misconduct by Jackson, a serving rear admiral who Trump had praised. The allegations were denied by Jackson and remain unresolved.

Winner: Jon Tester hung on despite a concerted effort by Trump to unseat him because of his role in stopping Ronny Jackson, his personal doctor turned nominee to run Veterans Affairs

Uncertainty: In Arizona it could be days before a nail-bitingly close senate race for the open seat vacated by Republican Jeff Flake is known. Martha McSally (left), the Republican candidate was on 49.3 per cent and Kyrsten Sinema (right) on 48.4 per cent but absentee ballots are still to be counted and the process is expected to take days

Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle had also traveled extensively to the state to boost Tester's opponent Rosendale, the state auditor.

Tester had insisted that Montana voters across the political spectrum would support him after examining his record and took a victory lap in Great Falls late Wednesday morning mountain time.

The glimmer of light came after a night of darkness in the Senate races, with the defeat of at least three Democratic incumbents  Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota, Claire McCaskill in Missouri - and the apparent defeat of Bill Nelson in Florida.

And in an emotional punch for aspiring Democrats, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz survived a strong challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke.

Three of the Democratic losses all came in heavily Republican states carried by President Trump in 2016 - while Nelson's Florida has consistently been won or lost by tiny margins.

Donnelly and McCaskill were running competitive races as gauged by opinion polls; Heitkamp was not.

The defeat of the three ensures Republicans will have of a margin to push through President Trump's judicial and executive appointments, as several more centrist Republicans retire  though the loss of the House to Democrats delivers a blow to any prospect of a Trump legislative agenda.

Leading political prognosticators had already anticipated the likelihood of Republican gains in the Senate. Nevertheless, with close polling and great uncertainty about turnout, there was still a chance Democrats would take over the Senate.

That would have brought an even more dramatic reordering of the balance of power than what occurred Tuesday with the GOP's loss of the House.

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Donnelly's loss came in first, taking the wind out of Democrats' hopes they might be able to defy polls and recapture the Senate.

Republican Mike Braun was leading Donnelly by 54 to 42 per cent, with half the vote counted Tuesday night, when ABC News and NBC both called the race.

Donnelly's defeat was followed by the defeat of Heitkamp, who was trying to hang on in a seat President Donald Trump carried by 35 percentage points. Republican Kevin Cramer defeated her, ending her Senate service at a single term.

NBC called Heitkamp's defeat. She was trailing Carmer 58 to 42 with 35 per cent of the vote counted.

McCaskill was trailing Josh Hawley, the Missouri state attorney general.

The defeat of a the Democratic incumbents, along with Cruz's survival, ensured Republicans would pad their 51-seat Senate majority, even as the results came in for other outstanding Senate races.

Another Democratic hope that had been fading for days was finally extinguished when Rep. Marsha Blackburn defeated Phil Bredesen in Tennessee.

However, West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who cast a vote in favor of Trump's nominee Brett Kavanaugh, managed to hang onto his Senate seat. He was on the cusp of 50 per cent of the vote with 93 percent of precincts reporting.

DEFEATED: Red state Democratic senators Joe Donnelly was defeated in Indiana and Claire McCaskill in Missouri

PRICE PAID: Heidi Heitkamp went down in North Dakota after voting against Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation; Bill Nelson is behind in Florida but demanding a recount

Texas Senator Ted Cruz held off a stiff challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke and declared victory in Houston

Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke voted in El Paso Tuesday morning with his wife, Amy, three kids - Ulysses, 11, Molly, 10, and Henry, 7, and members of the media in tow

The GOP majority was 51 to 49 when the night began.

President Donald Trump identified Indiana as a critical pickup opportunity, traveling to the state twice in the four days in the final days of the campaign. He attacked Donnelly by linking him to the national party and gave face time to Braun with his appearances.

Braun led throughout the night as the results came in. The president held his final campaign rally of the cycle in Missouri, signaling the importance the GOP placed on taking down McCaskill, who came into office by defeating a weak opponent, former Rep. Todd Akin.

Donnelly was considered one of the nation's most vulnerable incumbents, representing a state that voted heavily for Trump, who beat Hillary Clinton by 19 percentage points in 2016.

Braun, a GOP businessman, blasted Donnelly as under the sway of national Democratic Party leaders like Nancy Pelosi, and made the link relentlessly in TV ads. Donnelly hit back in TV ads that highlighted the health plans Donnelly provided to his employees that included a $10,000 deductible.

Trump used his Twitter account to rip Donnelly in the final stretch.

'Rumor has it that Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana is paying for Facebook ads for his so-called opponent on the libertarian ticket. Donnelly is trying to steal the election? Isnt that what Russia did!?' Trump wrote.

The tweet drew outrage from the Indiana Democratic Party chair, John Zody, who responded that the ads 'are perfectly legal, factual and accurately represent [independent] Lucy Brenton's anti-tax record.'

Donnelly sought to position himself as a centrist, having come into Congress by defeating a Tea Party-backed candidate, Richard Mourdoch.

MEET THE NEW REPUBLICAN SENATORS Indiana: Mike Braun Joe Donnelly's defeat was to Mike Braun, 64, a heavily Donald Trump backed businessman and former member of the state's House of Representatives. He voiced strongly socially-conservative positions on abortion and gay marriage and spoke for the repeal of Obamacare Missouri: Josh Hawley Claire McCaskill was beaten by Josh Hawley, a 38-year-old who was the state's attorney general. The youngest new entrant to the Senate backed Trump vocally on trade and immigration North Dakota: Kevin Cramer Heidi Heitkamp's defeat by 67-year-old Kevin Cramer means the veteran North Dakota Republican politician moves from the House to the Senate. He strongly associated himself with Trump - and was rewarded by the president who spoke at a campaign fundraiser in Fargo in September Tennessee: Marsha Blackburn Retiring Republican Bob Corker's open seat goes to Marsha Blackburn - who defeated Taylor Swift's call for people to vote against her on the way to a 26 point win. A veteran Republican, the 66-year-old won a Congressional seat in 2002. She was briefly a member of the House Freedom Caucus, and has generally been conservative. Florida: Rick Scott With an estimated net worth of $255 million, ex-GOP Florida governor Rick Scott becomes one of Washington's wealthiest as soon as he is sworn in in January. A controversial healthcare executive whose firm Columbia/HCA was found to have defrauded Medicare and Medicaid, he became governor in 2010. Term-limited, he spent his own money heavily and was boosted by Donald Trump aggressively campaigning in Florida. Advertisement

Joe Manchin cruises to reelection with 50 percent of the vote after Trump fails to convince West Virginians they should vote out the only Democrat who supported Kavanaugh

President Donald Trump's half-hearted plea to voters to sack the only Democrat who offered his support to Brett Kavanuagh fell on deaf ears in West Virginia.

Sen. Joe Manchin cruised to reelection on Tuesday evening, with nearly 50 percent of the vote to challenger Patrick Morrisey's 46 percent. He was declared the winner of the race by networks with 45 percent of precincts reporting.

Trump campaigned on Friday night against Manchin, in spite of the senator's vote to put Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.

The president said that Manchin took too long to give in, waiting until it was clear that the GOP would get the number it needed to support the high court appointment.

'I have to say, I like Joe. The problem is, I'm just not going to get Joe's vote. Just not gonna get it,' Trump said in Huntington. 'I like him, he's a friend of mine. I'm just not gonna get his vote.'

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders admitted outside the White House on Tuesday evening that the argument wasn't enough to get the incumbent senator kicked out of office.

'Joe Manchin's one of the few Dem  the only Democrat  to come out and vote for Brett Kavanaugh. I think that's a moment that's probably helped him in some cases,' she told DailyMail.com.

Sen. Joe Manchin cruised to reelection on Tuesday evening, with nearly 50 percent of the vote to challenger Patrick Morrisey's 46 percent. He was declared the winner of the race by networks with 45 percent of precincts reporting

Manchin challenger Patrick Morrisey declared at Friday night's rally: 'President Trump needs a staunch ally in the U.S. Senate. I will be that ally'

The president's West Virginia audience told him in response, 'Joe's gotta go,' at the rally in support of Morrisey, the GOP's nominee for the U.S. Senate.

Unlike he has done at other rallies when he's campaigning against incumbent Democrats, the president didn't give the senator an unflattering nickname. For the most part, he avoided laying into him at all.

Instead, he brought up Manchin's support in 2016 for Hillary Clinton, suggesting that the attempt to knock his self-identified 'friend' out of office was fair game for that reason. He also spent several minutes dissecting Manchin's last-minute decision to support Kavanaugh.

'Even with Justice Kavanaugh, you know I called Joe, I said, "Joe, do me a favor, I'd like you to vote," 'Trump said disclosing calls to the senator that the White House had refused to confirm at the time.

He said that Manchin told him he 'may' cast a vote for the judge. 'But, I was like, "You gotta vote before I win, not after we have the vote," ' Trump said that he told him. 'Because nobody has ever been treated worse than Judge Brett Kavanaugh.'

Trump argued as he often does that Kavanaugh was badly mistreated by Manchin's party.

'He got blindsided like nobody ever got blindsided. What happened to him is disgraceful. And what the Democrats did, and the way they played that was a disgrace,' the president recited.

The president claimed that Manchin waited 'one-tenth of a second' by his count to cast his vote.

'So we didn't need Joe's vote. And he pressed that button. I think it was about one-eighth of one second after we had the final vote from Susan Collins,' Trump contended.

Manchin skipped his turn during a procedural vote and offered his support to Kavanaugh only after the GOP reached him 50 senators, making him vote 51 on the motion that the vice president could have played tie breaker on for the final vote, if it came down to it.

Trump said that he told Manchin after, 'But Joe, I said, "Joe that doesn't count. That doesn't count." Because if we would have needed the vote, it was not going to happen.'

Disappointed, Trump said he told him, '"Do it before we have the vote."'

'But I was watching for that one-eighth of a second, I was watching, and he didn't do it. He didn't do it,' the president assessed.

After Manchin's challenger, Morrisey, took the stage and knocked Manchin around for supporting Clinton, the president took the mic back and noted that the Democratic senator had endorsed the former first lady and Democratic nominee for president in 2016.

'He was all for Hillary Clinton. He was for Hillary Clinton,' Trump said. 'She was against coal. She was against he miners. She got no support in this state, and yet Joe was totally in her camp. So that sort of, that sort of tells you.'

The audience of West Virginians, Ohioans and Kentucky residents attending the rally inside of an airport hanger responded by chanting, 'Lock her up!'

Morrisey claimed during his remarks on stage that Manchin had attacked him for supporting the president.

'I will never apologize for defending President Trump, nor will I kneel to the alter of Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi,' he asserted to cheers. 'President Trump needs a staunch ally in the U.S. Senate. I will be that ally.'

At the end of the rally the president said that he'd take Manchin to dinner still, if he wins, and that his endorsement of Morrisey wasn't personal, it was just politics.

Taylor Swift's Democratic pick for Tennessee senate seat Phil Bredesen LOSES by a whopping 26 POINTS despite the pop star's very vocal backing

Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn shook off Taylor Swift's foray into politics to win election Tuesday night, keeping a Senate seat President Donald Trump campaigned for safely in GOP hands.

Blackburn defeated Democrat Phil Bredesen by 26 points, 62 percent to 36 percent.

Trump was in Tennessee on Sunday night as part of his six day, 11-rally swing as he attempted to shore up the GOP majority in the Senate to act as a wall in case Democrats won the House.

And Swift took to Instagram on Election Day, posing for a photo with a Bredesen campaign sign as she encouraged her followers to vote.

Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn shook off Taylor Swift's foray into politics to win election Tuesday night

Phil Bredesen votes Tuesday in Nashville

Last month, Taylor Swift dipped her toe in politics when she took to Instagram to endorse Bredesen.

'As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me,' the 28-year-old artist wrote in a post on Instagram.

'She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape.

'She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values.'

But Blackburn made her closing argument to voters about Hillary Clinton.

She told a cheering crowd at the Chattanooga event with Trump on Sunday: 'And if you want to vote no on Hillary Clinton and her cronies one more time, stand with me and let's win this election!'

Blackburn is close to the Trump family. She has worked with Ivanka Trump on child care issues.

Swift also explained why she was finally speaking out about her political views, something she had previously received intense pressure to do.

'In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now,' she wrote.

Trump was campaigning in Tennessee along GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn on Sunday

Taylor Swift makes last-minute plea to fans on Election Day

'I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.

'I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.'

It did not take long for Trump to respond to Ms Swift's Instagram post last month, saying the pop star 'doesn't know anything' about Congresswoman Blackburn.

President Trump said Blackburn 'is doing a very good job in Tennessee. She's leading now substantially, which is good. She's a tremendous woman.'

'I'm sure Taylor Swift has nothing, or doesn't know anything about her. And let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 per cent less now, okay?' the president grinned.Laura Ebert, 54, was filmed on a home's security camera stealing two Republican posters on a stranger's front lawn in Rosendale, New York

A New York professor has been arrested after she was caught on camera ripping off then stealing two pro-Republican signs perched on a stranger's front lawn.

Laura Ebert, a 54-year-old lecturer at State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, was caught on Rosendale's home's security camera swiping the signs endorsing Republican Rep. John Faso and GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro.

Video of her theft on October 30 shows Ebert driving up to the house and rolling slightly onto their front lawn in her red pick-up truck with the trunk open.

In the clip Ebert seems determined as she charges towards the two signs, rips them from their post, and throws them into her open trunk.

After the signs went missing homeowners Patrick and Lisa McGovern checked their security camera footage and brought it to police.

On October 30 she snatched the signs endorsing Republican Rep. John Faso and GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro and threw them into her car

She pulled up the stranger's home, grabbed the signs, then sped off in her car

Little did she know her entire stunt was caught on the Rosendale home's security camera

Ebert has been charged with misdemeanor larceny for her anti-conservative stunt by the Rosendale Town Police Department.

The theft took place in Rosendale, about eight miles from her college.

Lisa McGovern shared the hilarious video on November 1 on Twitter writing: 'My signs for #NY19 @JohnFasoNY and @MarcMolinaro were just stolen from my front lawn.'

'It's crazy in our area lately. It's never been like this. People are getting over-emotional,' Lisa, a registered Independent, said to Fox News.

But when she found out that the thief was a local professor, she couldn't help but laugh.

Making a break for it: She threw the signs into the open truck of her red vehicle

She said: 'I meant no personal harm, and don't know the person whose lawn the sign was on. I have family I love that support Trump, so I was after the sign, not the person'

'I kind of thought it was funny in a way, because of the times, you hear about stories of the professors being very liberal and not allowing people with conservative or Republican views to speak...almost like trying to shut down my voice, which seems antithetical to what a professor should be doing because we should all have a voice,' she said.

Ebert says that she was overcome with emotion when she drove off with the signs. She said never intended to harm McGovern, a stranger, or anyone in the home.

She defended her name in an interview with Campus Reform saying 'I did it in a moment of weakness and high emotion'.

'I meant no personal harm, and don't know the person whose lawn the sign was on. I have family I love that support Trump, so I was after the sign, not the person,' she added.

Ebert was charged with misdemeanor larceny for her anti-conservative stunt and is set to appear in court on November 13

'I have apologized and feel bad, but clearly the GOP is putting a big deal [of] spin on this. Many signs have been taken and disfigured, which, while no excuse for my bad behavior, doesn't warrant the death threats I have received on my email about it. Nor the smear campaign after me including notifying my supervisor,' she said.

According to her police report she's set to appear in court on November 13.

It's unclear if she continued her sign-stealing rampage and targeted other homes as well.

Lisa McGovern said on Twitter that Ebert allegedly 'denied everything' in the incident and threw all the signs in a ditch on the side of the road.By Trend





Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Charge d'Affaires of Columbia in Azerbaijan Marta Ines Galindo Pena upon the end of her diplomatic term, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message on Nov. 6.

Gratification with bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Colombia, including cooperation in the political, economic and cultural areas was expressed at the meeting.

The great potential for further development of relations was also emphasized at the meeting.

The importance of mutual high-level visits in the further development of bilateral relations was stressed.

Marta Ines Galindo Pena expressed gratitude for the support rendered during the diplomatic mission.

Mammadyarov thanked Marta Ines Galindo Pena for her contribution to development of relations between Azerbaijan and Colombia and wished her success in her future activity.A photo showing a smiling former death row inmate with a #VOTED sticker on his forehead has captured the social media spotlight.

Anthony Hinton spent 28 years on Alabama's death row before his release in 2015.

The group that helped free him, Equal Justice Initiative, tweeted the picture with the message, 'For 30 years, Mr. Hinton was stripped of all his rights while he sat on Alabama death row for a crime he didn't commit. Today, he arrived at the polls at 7am and exercised his right to vote.'

The post has been retweeted and liked thousands of times.

Equal Justice Initiative spokeswoman Tania Cordes said Hinton was first in line at his polling place, arriving before the doors opened Tuesday.

She said he wore the sticker on his forehead so no one would miss it.

Anthony Hinton spent 28 years on Alabama's death row before his release in 2015. He is seen above after casting his ballot and voting in Montgomery, Alabama on Tuesday

The photo went viral, with social media users praising Hinton for his 'strength, determination, and defiance'

'The joy on his face! Omg you know he's the best guy at a party,' tweeted Jennifer Bene

'I just don't know what could top this pic,' tweeted D.L. Mayfield

Hinton was released after new ballistics tests contradicted the only evidence against him.

He spent 28 years on death row for two 1985 murders that occurred during separate robberies of fast-food restaurants in Birmingham.

He was set free in April 2015 after new ballistics tests contradicted the only evidence - an analysis of crime-scene bullets - used to convict him decades ago.

Hinton was arrested for the two 1985 murders after a survivor at a third robbery identified Hinton in a photo lineup - even though he was clocked in working at a grocery store warehouse 15 miles away.

Hinton is seen above leaving Jefferson County jail in Birmingham, Alabama after spending nearly 30 years on Alabama's death row

He was convicted of two murders which took place after two separate robberies of fast food restaurants in Alabama in 1985. Hinton is seen above in an undated mug shot

There were no fingerprints or eyewitness testimony, but prosecutors said at the time that bullets found at the murder scenes matched a .38-caliber revolver that belonged to Hinton's mother.

His poorly funded defense hired a one-eyed civil engineer with little ballistics training to rebut the state's evidence.

The defense expert was obliterated on cross-examination as he admitted he had trouble operating the microscope.

Attorney Bryan Stevenson, director of the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative, who took up Hinton's case 16 years ago, said an independent analysis showed the bullets didn't come from the gun, and fought for years to get the state to take another look at the case.

Earlier this year, Oprah Winfrey (seen left with Hiton on CBS This Morning on June 5) selected his memoir, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row, for her book club

A breakthrough only came when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Hinton's defense was so deficient that it was unconstitutional.

Prosecutors dropped plans for a second trial when three state forensic experts couldn't determine if any of the bullets were fired through the revolver, or even from the same gun.

'They took half my life and it's like they didn't care. They were willing to kill an innocent man,' Hinton said.

'Thirty years ago, I had a judge that stood up proudly and sentenced me to death. I had a prosecutor who couldn't wait to get in front of a camera and say that they had took the worst killer off the streets of Birmingham. But come April 3, no judge was willing to say Mr. Hinton we apologize for the mistake that was done. No D.A. was there to say we apologize.'

Winfrey's book club has created dozens of best-sellers and within hours of her announcement The Sun Does Shine was No. 1 on Amazon.com

During Hinton's 28 years on death row, dozens of inmates, men he came to view as family, were executed either by Alabama's 'Yellow Mama' electric chair or by lethal injection.

'The generator would kick in when they pulled the switch. The lights would dim on and off,' Hinton said. Alabama for years traditionally performed executions at midnight.

Hinton's luck began to change after his release.

Earlier this year, Oprah Winfrey selected his memoir, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row, for her book club.

Hinton called Winfrey's endorsement 'the second biggest surprise' of his life.

'The biggest surprise was being charged with a crime I didn't commit,' he said.

Winfrey's book club has created dozens of best-sellers and within hours of her announcement The Sun Does Shine was No. 1 on Amazon.com, displacing the Bill Clinton-James Patterson thriller The President is Missing.A woman who tried to arrange 'sexy time' with a mother and daughter was foiled by an undercover cop.

Janelle Ann Hall, 46, pleaded guilty at the Southport District Court, Gold Coast, on Wednesday to one count of using the internet to procure a child.

The single mother of a sick child escaped jail time when Judge Katherine McGinness suspended the 18-month prison sentence for the same period of time due to 'exceptional circumstances', the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

In November 2017, Hall responded to an ad posted by Queensland police officers to Craigslist offering a 'mother and daughter' experience, prosecutor Kathleen Christopherson told the court.

The mother of an ill 13-year-old was foiled by an undercover cop online after she tried to arrange 'sexy time' with a mother and daughter (stock image)

'She has responded to that and suggested that the mother and daughter and herself play out a ''sexy time'',' Ms Christopherson said.

Hall was reminded the daughter was 14-years-old but continued to express explicit desires - sending more than 205 messages about what she wanted to do with the duo.

Police caught Hall at a Gold Coast Surf Club after she tried to arrange a meeting with the mother and daughter.

Ms Christopherson argued that the text messages were 'more than just ideal fantasy'.

Defence barrister Bernard Reilly said Hall has three adult children, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old who suffers from a type of autism, tourette syndrome and epilepsy.

Janelle Ann Hall, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of using the internet to procure a child at the Southport District Court, Gold Coast, on Wednesday

He said Hall was struggling with her mental health and her only other criminal history involved drug related offences.

Judge McGinness said Hall's role as a carer for her children, her own health issues and out of character behaviour were deemed 'exceptional circumstances'.

Those convicted of sexual offences involving children in Queensland must serve prison time unless they can prove such circumstances.House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi blasted the firing of attorney general Jeff Sessions, and called it a 'blatant move' to undermine special counsel Robert Mueller.

The newly empowered House Democrats brandished their new oversight power and hinted at an investigation, even as Democrats were powerless to stop the president from initiating what they warned was a 'constitutional crisis.'

Trump had already gotten a green light from Republican senators who had backed off from their warnings that Trump dare not move against Sessions or seek to squelch Mueller.

'It is impossible to read Attorney General Sessions firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by @RealDonaldTrump to undermine & end Special Counsel Muellers investigation,' Pelosi tweeted.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Trump's moves a 'blatant attempt by ... to undermine & end Special Counsel Muellers investigation'

She also took aim at ultraloyalist Matt Whittaker, Sessions' chief of staff, who Trump announced would be taking over at Justice. Whittaker hasn't been confirmed by the Senate, and has spoken about ways to snuff out the Mueller probe by cutting its funding.

Sessions had recused himself from that role early on in the Trump administration, putting it in the lap of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein -- who was spotted heading to the White House hours after the president gave Sessions his walking papers.

'Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Muellers investigation,' Pelosi, who is running for Speaker, wrote.

Pelosi called on Congress to take 'immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation

'Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts,' she wrote.

She has previously called for legislation that would protect the special counsel's investigation.

The incoming House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Jerold Nadler of New York, hinted at a probe.

'Americans must have answers immediately as to the reasoning behind @RealDonaldTrump removing Jeff Sessions from @TheJusticeDept. Why is the President making this change and who has authority over Special Counsel Muellers investigation? We will be holding people accountable,' Nadler wrote.

President Donald Trump, left, appears with Attorney General Jeff Sessions during the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. in 2017

Special counsel Robert Mueller's probe

Justice Department Chief of Staff Matt Whitaker is now acting attorney general, with control over everything in the agency including the Russa probe, from which sessions recused himself in 2017

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer warned of the urgency of the matter during his post-election press conference Wednesday. It took place just as news of Sessions' firing was breaking, and he had to urge reporters to save questions about it until later in the event.

'We would hope, if there's a constitutional crisis, that our Republican colleagues would join us in thwarting the president from creating that crisis,' Schumer said.

House Democrat Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) can force administration officials to testify about Trump's personnel moves and the Russia probe

HOW JEFF SESSIONS WENT FROM DONALD TRUMP BOOSTER TO BETE NOIRE February 28, 2016: Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions officially endorses Donald Trump for president September 8, 2016: Sessions meets with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in his Senate office November 18, 2016: Trump announces Sessions' nomination as Attorney General February 8, 2017: Senate confirms Session as Attorney General by a vote of 52 to 47 March 2, 2017: Sessions recuses himself from the Russia investigation after reports of his contacts with Kislyak, which he did not disclose in his confirmation hearing March 4, 2017: Session and Trump meet at Mar-a-Lago where the president asks him to reverse his recusal; Session refuses May 9, 2017: Sessions delivers a memo written by Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to the President recommending Trump fire FBI Director James Comey May 17, 2017: Robert Mueller is appointed special counsel by Rosenstein July 25, 2017: Trump tweets: 'Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!' March 16, 2018: Sessions fires Deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe May 30, 2018: In a string of tweets, Trump quotes an interview with GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy, who had said there were a host of good attorneys the president could have named as AG: '...There are lots of really good lawyers in the country, he could have picked somebody else!' And I wish I did!' August 1, 2018: Trump tweet seems to suggest Sessions should fire Mueller: 'This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!' Sept. 19, 2018: Trump tells The Hill of Sessions: 'I don't have an attorney general. It's very sad.' November 7, 2018: Sessions resigns 'at Trump's request' Advertisement

Two prominent Republicans, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Judiciary chairman Charles Grassley of Iowa, had earlier made statements that pressured Trump to hold off.

But they backed away from that position in the weeks before the elections, and a removal of Sessions was clearly forecast.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner, whose panel is conducting its own Russia probe, said in a statement: 'No one is above the law and any effort to interfere with the Special Counsels investigation would be a gross abuse of power by the President.'

'While the President may have the authority to replace the Attorney General, this must not be the first step in an attempt to impede, obstruct or end the Mueller investigation,' Warner added.

'Senators from both parties have repeatedly affirmed their support for Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. Every one of them should speak out now and deliver a clear message to the President that the Special Counsels investigation must continue without interference.'

Other Democrats piled on.

Pelosi immediately responded to the Sessions firing on Twitter

Incoming Judiciary chairman Jerrold Nadler hinted at an investigation

Said Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey: 'Jeff Sessions firing at the hands of the President is an alarming development that brings us one step closer to a constitutional crisis. Im concerned that President Trump made this decision based on his fear of being implicated by Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and frustration with Sessions recusal from that investigation.'

Booker continued: 'Congress must immediately pass our bipartisan bill to protect Mueller from political interference so he can do his job and follow the facts wherever they may lead. Additionally, Matt Whitaker should recuse himself from supervision of the special counsel given his past comments targeting the Mueller investigation and advocating for limits on its scope and cuts to its funding.'

'By firing Attorney General Sessions, the president has made abundantly clear that hell take any action he can to undermine the Mueller investigation,' said Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who Trump mocked on the campaign trail as a 'leaker.'

'Rod Rosenstein has been capably overseeing Robert Muellers work and should continue in that role. No one who lacks Senate confirmation should be placed in charge of this investigation, especially Matthew Whitaker who publicly criticized Robert Muellers work just last year,' said Feinstein.

She added: ''Whitaker should come before the Senate Judiciary Committee as soon as possible and make a firm commitment not to interfere in the investigation, to include restricting the investigation or making changes in personnel. The special counsels work is critical and important. It must not be touched, abated or changed in any way,' she added.

'There is a pretty strong case for obstruction of justice here,' said Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democratic House Intelligence panel member, told CNN Wednesday.

By Wednesday night, no senior Republicans had issued statements critical of the decision, shift from a year ago, when colleagues of the former Alabama senator implored Trump not to fire him during his fury over the Russia probe.

'Jeff Sessions is a friend, a former colleague, and an honorable public servant. He is a man of deep conviction and principle who has always stood up for the rule of law,' said Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman.

'As a senator and as attorney general, Jeff has always had the best interests of our country at heart. While Im disappointed he will no longer serve in this role, I want to thank him for his faithful service to our country,' Portman said.

Justice Department staffers including Rosenstein gathered outside the building and applauded Sessions as the he made his final departure and entered a black car to be driven away.New boss: Dave Jenkinson was paid 40 million in the same bonus scheme that cost his predecessor his job

The new boss of shamed building firm Persimmon was paid 40 million in the same bonus scheme that cost his predecessor his job.

Dave Jenkinson, who is taking over following the departure of Jeff Fairburn, has also suggested that developers should be allowed to build on the green belt.

The 51-year-old, currently Persimmon's managing director, will become interim chief executive when Mr Fairburn, 52, leaves at the end of the year.

Mr Fairburn was finally ousted yesterday after a bitter row over a 102 million bonus that soared in value as the Government's Help to Buy mortgage scheme boosted the company's share price.

The windfall was cut to 75 million following a fierce backlash from critics at a time when many families are struggling to get on or move up the housing ladder despite assistance from the taxpayer.

Mr Fairburn had pledged to hand some of the money to charity but it was not enough to save his job.

The company said yesterday the pay deal was still a 'distraction' and 'continues to have a negative impact on the reputation of the business'.

Mr Fairburn was informed of his likely fate by new Persimmon chairman Roger Devlin over the weekend, and his departure was signed off during a conference call of board members on Tuesday night.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: 'It's about time  and I hope the lesson has been learned by other executives not to be greedy.'

Mr Fairburn will keep his bonus but will not get a payoff. He will be given up to 10,000 to cover any legal fees, the company said.

Ousted: Former Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn after a bitter row over a 102 million bonus. The windfall was later cut to 75 million

But the decision to promote Mr Jenkinson raised eyebrows because he also benefited from the extravagant bonus scheme, earning a total of 40 million in Persimmon shares.

Mr Jenkinson has also argued that protections on green belt land should be rolled back so more homes can be built.

Two years ago, he said: 'It's absolutely impossible in my opinion to reach the output numbers, I think, unless we do it. If you look at the 100,000 houses we're short of a year, it's all tied up in the green belt local authorities  every piece of it.'

Critics reacted with anger last night to Mr Jenkinson's appointment, even on an interim basis.

Luke Hildyard, director at the High Pay Centre, said: 'Mr Fairburn had become something of a poster boy for executive greed and the furore clearly wasn't going to go away.

'The change in chief executive was overdue and sends an important message about excessive and disproportionate executive pay.

'But at the same time, it's striking that his interim replacement was part of the same incentive scheme, and was paid an astonishing 40 million.

'This was less than Mr Fairburn but remains an obscene amount for someone who wasn't even the lead executive.'

Matt Thomson, head of planning at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: 'Green belt land is some of the most profitable for developers to build on due to it being shovel-ready, surrounded by countryside and within commuting distance to major cities  making its release for development extremely desirable for housebuilders.

'Calls from the new head of Persimmon to relax green belt policy will have little to do with his desire to build more affordable homes, but to fill his already bulging pockets at the expense of important and valued countryside. His comments should be simply ignored.'

Announcing the shake-up at Persimmon, Mr Devlin said: 'The board believes that it is now necessary for there to be a change of leadership. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Jeff for his significant contribution to the business over a 29-year period.'

He said Persimmon shares had doubled in value under Mr Fairburn, but added that 'the company has learned its lessons' and pledged to focus on building better-quality homes following a string of complaints about shoddy workmanship.

'When people buy a home they care about the quality of home, the finish, and the time it takes to deliver,' he said.

'This is what really matters to our customers.'

Mr Fairburn said: 'It has been an honour to lead Persimmon. I had hoped that revealing my plans to create a charitable trust and to waive a proportion of the award would enable the company to put the issue behind it.

'However, this has not been the case and so it is clearly now in the best interests of Persimmon that I should step down.'A stranger followed a terrified woman up to her apartment, forcing her to scream and barricade herself inside.

Sarah, 44, noticed an unknown man follow her into her Melbourne apartment building after a night out with friends.

Disturbing footage shows the man, who didn't have a security pass, sneak through the door behind her.

Disturbing footage has captured the terrifying moment a stranger followed a woman up to her apartment, forcing her to scream and barricade herself inside (pictured)

He then hides behind a wall as the 44-year-old stands alone and waits for the lift.

Sarah said she began to worry when the stranger followed her into the lift.

'I was just worried that he was going to attack me,' she told 7News.

When she got to her floor and the man followed her out of the lift, o she began to scream at the top of her voice in fear.

He quickly fled the apartment building before she barricaded her door with her dining room table and chairs.

After a night out with friends Sarah noticed an unknown man followed her into her Melbourne apartment building (pictured)

The 44-year-old has submitted the footage to Victoria Police twice since the incident six months ago, but they have yet to take action.

'Nothing had been followed up because a crime in their words had not been committed,' Sarah said.

She said the man had no legitimate reason to being on her floor, as none of the other residents could identify him.

She hasn't seen the man since, but remains fearful that it could happen again.

'We should be able to walk around without being fearful,' Sarah said.More than 550 sub-postmasters branded crooks by their own bosses turned the tables yesterday by taking the Post Office to court.

In a landmark class action, they told the High Court in London their lives had been ruined by false accusations of theft.

Some had attempted suicide while others had died fighting for justice in a dispute spanning more than a decade, the court heard.

More than 550 sub-postmasters branded crooks by their own bosses turned the tables by taking the Post Office to court (pictured). From left, Jasvinder Barang, Karen Wilson, Scott Darlington, Jo Hamilton, Sue Knight, Nigel Night and Tracey Merritt

One widow brought some of her late husbands ashes in a small box so he could finally have his day in court.

Running post office branches in village stores, the sub-postmasters and mistresses were the backbones of their communities until the Post Office prosecuted them as thieves.

Many were jailed, ended up bankrupt and had their good reputations shredded over thousands of pounds supposedly missing from their branch accounts.

But it later emerged that glitches in new computer terminals installed in their shops could have been blamed for the shortfalls.

Ex-postie turned 60 in prison One of the claimants in the High Court case is Noel Thomas, who spent his 60th birthday behind bars. He was sentenced to nine months after pleading guilty to false accounting over 50,000 missing from his tiny post office in Anglesey. The ex-postmans problems began when the Horizon computer system kept reporting money as missing after 2000. Noel Thomas (pictured) was sentenced to nine months after pleading guilty to false accounting over 50,000 missing from his tiny post office in Anglesey Mr Thomas, now 71, told a BBC documentary: They said I was the only person who had a problem. They dont know where the money is and I dont. I didnt steal it. He was charged with theft and false accounting but the former was dropped in return for him admitting the latter. The Post Office later admitted in documents seen by Panorama that while it could not rule out theft, the missing money was probably caused by operational errors. Advertisement

The Post Office insists there is nothing significantly wrong with its computers and has so far spent 5million of taxpayers money on lawyers to fight off the claims of its former sub-postmasters.

They came from all over the country yesterday for the first court hearing in their long quest for justice. The Post Office faces a compensation bill of up to 1billion if it loses.

Jo Hamilton, 61, a former postmistress from Hampshire who now has a criminal record, said outside court: We have come here today to seek justice. It is not about the money, it is about clearing our good names.

One widow, Karen Wilson (pictured) brought some of her late husbands ashes in a small box so he could finally have his day in court

None of these people are thieves. They were hard-working pillars of the community who never even had a parking ticket until this wretched computer system came along.

Karen Wilson, 64, whose postmaster husband Julian died from cancer two years ago after battling for justice for a decade, said: I have some of his ashes with me because I promised him I would never give up fighting to clear his name.

About a dozen of the 557 claimants attended court yesterday. Their QC, Patrick Green, told Mr Justice Fraser that many claimants had been unfairly jailed for offences including false accounting, fraud and theft, when the real culprit was the malfunctioning Horizon computer system that records over-the-counter transactions in post offices.

The sub-postmasters accuse the Post Office of not bothering to investigate glitches in the IT system, while relentlessly pursuing them through the courts for money which the computers claimed was missing, he added. The case will last months and is being split into two or three trials. The first will determine the contractual relationship between the claimants and the Post Office.

The Post Office denies the allegations and argues the burden of proof is on the claimants to demonstrate that the Horizon computer was responsible.

It said they were simply trying to avoid their responsibility for the losses and described the case as an ambitious attempt to rewrite the contract between it and the sub-postmasters.A man was punched through an open window, pulled from his car and stabbed multiple times in a wild road rage incident in Sydney.

The 25-year-old was the passenger in a grey Jeep Wrangler when the violent dispute broke out at an intersection in Belmore, south west of Sydney, on Tuesday evening.

The 50-year-old driver had earlier been involved in a traffic incident on Canterbury Road, with the attack unfolding as he pulled up at the Chapel Street intersection.

Police said two men got out of a white car and approached the Jeep about 6.40pm.

The 25-year-old was the passenger in a grey Jeep Wrangler when the violent dispute broke out at an intersection (pictured) in Belmore, south west of Sydney, on Tuesday evening

The 25-year-old got out of the car but suffered several stab wounds in the violent scuffle.

The attackers fled to their vehicle when the 50-year-old got out and intervened.

The young victim was then taken Canterbury Hospital and later transferred to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Police on Wednesday seized a white Toyota Camry in Punchbowl and took it to be forensically examined.

The young victim was then taken Canterbury Hospital and later transferred to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (pictured) where he remains in a stable condition

They have appealed to the public for help in their investigation and called on drivers who may have been using Canterbury Road at the time of the incident.

Anyone with dash cam footage or other information that may assist the investigation have been urged to come forward.

People with useful material can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.John Bercow has used his official powers to hush up information about the behaviour of disgraced Labour MP Keith Vaz.

The Commons Speaker used parliamentary privilege to block a freedom of information request from the BBC.

The corporations journalists were trying to find out information about Mr Vazs behaviour on official trips abroad, during which he was accused of breaking parliamentary rules and bullying staff.

An initial request was refused, but the rules allow appeals to be referred to the Information Commissioner, and then to the courts. Mr Bercow used privilege to block the request under section 34(3) of the Freedom of Information Act.

Bercow (pictured with Vaz at Leicester City) blocked a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC

This allows the Speaker to issue a certificate to prevent the request to avoid infringement of the privileges of either House of Parliament.

The Speaker is the only authority who can block requests for information about the House of Commons, where Mr Vaz sits as an MP.

The move by Mr Bercow, who is himself accused of bullying former staff, will not go down well with MPs who have called for him to stand down.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: What weve got is a Speaker of the House of Commons who is accused of bullying and denies it protecting his close friend Keith Vaz, who is accused of bullying and denies it. You can only imagine what the general public will make of this. It is clear that the Speaker protects his dwindling band of friends.

BBC Newsnight has claimed that clerks raised concerns that Mr Vaz did not abide by all the rules for trips, which are paid for by taxpayers. The MP denies the claims.

Former clerk Jenny McCullough accused the Leicester MP of bullying her and forcing her out of her job following a trip to Russia and Ukraine in 2008.

Bercow (pictured) has faced allegations of bullying and intervened to help Vaz, also accused of bullying

Mr Vaz is being investigated by Parliament to determine whether he broke the rules by paying male prostitutes.

He was caught in a newspaper sting in 2016 after hiring the men and telling them he was a washing machine salesman called Jim before discussing buying cocaine for them.

Mr Vaz, who is married with two children, stood down as chairman of the Commons home affairs committee after the story broke.

An investigation into the veteran Labour MP was opened by Parliament, but later suspended for medical reasons.

Scotland Yard dropped its own investigation but a separate probe by the Commons sleaze watchdog was opened.

Mr Bercow has been accused of bullying Kate Emms, his former private secretary, out of her job. She was reportedly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after less than a year working for him.

Angus Sinclair, Miss Emmss predecessor, said he too had been bullied by Mr Bercow.

He said the Speaker had physically intimidated, demeaned and mimicked him before he took compulsory early retirement. Mr Bercow denies both allegations.

A spokesman for Mr Bercow said: The information requested relates to the private business of select committees and is covered by parliamentary privilege.

We would not release that information under any circumstances, irrespective of which members or select committees were involved. The act requires that the Speaker sign any certificate that privilege applies.Momentum is plotting a major campaign to strong-arm all Labour MPs into voting down Theresa Mays Brexit deal.

At least a dozen of Labour MPs are expected to support the agreement that the PM brings back from Brussels, which could prove vital to getting it through the Commons.

Senior Labour figures with Brexit-backing constituencies, including ex-minister Caroline Flint, have suggested they would struggle to vote against something that prevents the UK from crashing out of the EU with no deal.

But Momentum is getting ready to launch an offensive to exert pressure on MPs not to vote for the deal in defiance of Jeremy Corbyn.

The hard-left group Momentum is urging Labour MPs not to vote for any Brexit deal Theresa May brings back from Brussels in defiance of Jeremy Corbyn (pictured here at Prime Minister's Questions last week)

At least a dozen of Labour MPs are expected to support the agreement that the Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured) brings back from Brussels, which could prove vital to getting it through the Commons

The hard-Left faction, which grew out of Mr Corbyns 2015 leadership campaign, has started building a fighting fund so it can have maximum impact. The move will raise fears among Labour MPs that they will face efforts to deselect them by Momentum activists if they back the Brexit deal.

In a message to supporters, the group said: Reports are circulating that Theresa May will try to pressure centrist Labour MPs into propping up her government and backing whatever last minute Tory Brexit deal she cobbles together. Were preparing now to launch a major campaign, helping you make sure that Labour MPs vote with Jeremy.

It sets out the results of a consultation of Momentum members. Of the 6,500 who replied to the survey, 92 per cent said they would like to see all Labour MPs vote it down. Asked about the possibility of a second Brexit referendum, just 17 per cent of Momentum members said they would not support holding another vote. Some 41 per cent said Labour should commit to holding a poll in all circumstances, while 40 per cent said they would support one if there is no general election.

Becky Boumelha, of Momentums national coordinating group, warned in The Guardian: With increasingly vibrant, active local parties and a Labour membership of more than 500,000, any Labour MP who votes with the Government is going to have a hard time explaining themselves back in their constituencies.Advertisement

As anglers' tales go, Hamish Currie's is one to knock you flat he has caught the biggest skate ever landed.

The 8ft 3in long, 300lb fish took more than an hour to reel in.

With a 7ft wingspan, it is almost 100lb heavier than the previous world record for a giant common skate.

Mr Currie, 59, who caught it off Portrush, Northern Ireland, said of the 'once in a lifetime' moment: 'My legs were shaking.

Angler Hamish Currie (pictured with the skate) caught the biggest skate ever landed. The 8ft 3in long, 300lb fish took more than an hour to reel in

'It's definitely a peak in my career. I've never seen anything of that size before and I'm very proud of it. It put up one hell of a fight and I was shattered.'

After he hauled the skate on to his boat Predator, it was tagged for conservation purposes and put back into the ocean within four minutes.

Mr Currie landed his recordbreaker in June but spoke about it to mark the end of the UK's shark and big game fishing season.

The previous record skate, 7ft 3in long and weighing 208lb, was caught off the Isle of Skye in 2014.

The biggest fish caught in UK waters is believed to be a 505lb bluefin tuna landed off Pembrokeshire last year.

With a 7ft wingspan, it is almost 100lb heavier than the previous world record for a giant common skateArabtec Holding, a leading construction company in the Middle East region, has registered a net profit attributable to the parent of Dh181 million ($49.2 million) for the third quarter, growing more than twofold from last year's figures of Dh75 million ($20.4 million).



Announcing the results for the first nine months ending September 30, Arabtec Holding said its revenue for the period grew higher, by 12.7 per cent, from Dh6.3 billion to hit Dh7.15 billion.



A leading Dubai-based contractor for social and economic infrastructure, Arabtec said its Q3 debtor days got reduced by a further two days to 166 days contributing to a positive net cash from operating activities of Dh193 million.



The groups backlog increased to Dh16.4 billion, reflecting its increasing focus on social and economic infrastructure and industrial sectors.



Backlog is supported by a strong Dh45.8 billion pipeline of identified opportunities within Arabtecs addressable market, said the top builder.



Moving towards 2019, Arabtec continues to simplify the business through standardised processes and enabling tools and the removal of duplicated functions and activities through shared services and outsourcing. It continues to review non-core assets which are not considered key to the business for divestment or development.



Moelis & Co have recently been appointed to advise and assist Arabtec with debt financial modelling, structuring options and engagement with finance providers.



On the solid performance, Group CEO Hamish Tyrwhitt said: "I am pleased to report another positive quarter of results. Debtors days are continuing to decrease through our efforts to close out completed projects and shorten the payment cycle for current projects. This has contributed to a further improvement in cash from operations and an Dh146 million reduction in net debt. Strengthening the balance sheet remains a strategic priority going into 2019."



"The Dh3.2 billion award by Adnoc LNG to Target Engineering and Tecnicas Reunidas and further infrastructure work awarded to Arabtec Engineering Services highlights our progress in building a stronger presence in the infrastructure and industrial sectors," stated Tyrwhitt.



"Both of these sectors offer a strong pipeline of addressable opportunities, which we are well-positioned to pursue,"he added.-TradeArabia News Service



David Cameron was spotted walking past Downing Street yesterday  prompting speculation that he had popped in to see his successor Theresa May.

But he denied he was in Westminster to advise the Prime Minister as she reaches the final stages of a possible Brexit deal.

He said he was on his way to the Treasury to collect some papers for his book on his time in No10. Mr Cameron, pictured outside the Downing Street gates yesterday, insisted he backed Mrs May, saying: I fully support what shes doing.

Former PM David Cameron was spotted walking past Downing Street yesterday (pictured), but when questioned about why he was in Westminster he denied it was to advise the Prime Minister

After quitting Parliament following the EU referendum, Mr Cameron signed an 800,000 contract to publish his memoirs  buying a 25,000 shepherds hut in which to write.

He also took on roles with a UK-China investment fund and Alzheimers Research UK. Last week, he was reported to be considering a return to frontline politics, possibly as foreign secretary.Theresa May (pictured at the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday) has struck a Brexit deal with Brussels - but now has to sell it to her Cabinet and then Parliament

Emergency EU Summit, Brussels, November 25

What will happen? If the divorce package is agreed between the two sides, it will need to be signed off by EU leaders.

EU council president Donald Tusk will convene a summit where formal approval will be given by EU leaders. This is expected sometime between November 22 and 25.

Will the whole deal be agreed? The Brexit deal is due to come in two parts - a formal divorce treaty and a political declaration on what the final trade deal might look like.

The second part may not be finished until a regular EU summit due on December 13-14.

Assuming the negotiations have reached an agreement and Mrs May travels to Brussels with her Cabinet's support, this stage should be a formality.

What if there is no agreement? If EU leaders do not sign off on the deal at this stage, no deal becomes highly likely - there is just no time left to negotiate a wholly new deal.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured) is still a crucial figure in the Brexit drama

The so-called 'meaningful vote' in the UK Parliament, December 2019

What will happen: A debate, probably over more than one day, will be held in the House of Commons on terms of the deal.

It will end with a vote on whether or not MPs accept the deal. More than one vote might happen if MPs are allowed to table amendments.

The vote is only happening after MPs forced the Government to accept a 'meaningful vote' in Parliament on the terms of the deal.

What happens if May wins? If the meaningful vote is passed, there will be a series of further votes as the withdrawal treaty is written into British law.

It will be a huge political victory for the Prime Minister and probably secure her version of Brexit.

What happens if she loses? This is possibly the most dangerous stage of all.

The Prime Minister will have to stake her political credibility on winning a vote and losing it would be politically devastating.

Brexiteers do not want to sign off the divorce bill without a satisfactory trade deal and Remainers are reluctant to vote for a blind Brexit.

She could go back to Brussels to ask for new concessions before a second vote but many think she would have to resign quickly.

The Prime Minister (pictured at the EU Council in June) has made clear the UK will leave without a deal if MPs reject her package

Ratification in the EU, February 2019

What will happen? After the meaningful vote in the UK, the EU will have to ratify the agreement.

The European Parliament must also vote in favour of the deal. It has a representative in the talks, Guy Verhofstadt, who has repeatedly warned the deal must serve the EU's interests.

Will it be agreed? In practice, once the leaders of the 27 member states have agreed a deal, ratification on the EU side should be assured.

If the deal has passed the Commons and she is still in office, this should not be dangerous for the Prime Minister.

Exit day, March 29, 2019

At 11pm on March 29, 2019, Britain will cease to be a member of the European Union, two years after triggering Article 50 and almost three years after the referendum.

Exit happens at 11pm because it must happen on EU time.

If the transition deal is in place, little will change immediately - people will travel in the same way as today and goods will cross the border normally.

But Britain's MEPs will no longer sit in the European Parliament and British ministers will no longer take part in EU meetings.

Negotiations will continue to turn the political agreement on the future partnership into legal text that will eventually become a second treaty. Both sides will build new customs and immigration controls in line with what this says.

Transition ends, December 2020

The UK's position will undergo a more dramatic change at the end of December 2020, when the 'standstill' transition is due to finish.

If the negotiations on a future trade deal are complete, that could come into force.

But if they are still not complete the Irish border 'backstop' plan could be triggered.

Under current thinking, that means the UK staying in the EU customs union and more regulatory checks between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland.

Eurosceptics fear this arrangement will prevent the country striking trade deals elsewhere, and could effectively last for ever, as Brussels will have no incentive to negotiate a replacement deal.February 28, 2016: Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions officially endorses Donald Trump for president

September 8, 2016: Sessions meets with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in his Senate office

November 18, 2016: Trump announces Sessions' nomination as Attorney General

February 8, 2017: Senate confirms Session as Attorney General by a vote of 52 to 47

March 2, 2017: Sessions recuses himself from the Russia investigation after reports of his contacts with Kislyak, which he did not disclose in his confirmation hearing

March 4, 2017: Session and Trump meet at Mar-a-Lago where the president asks him to reverse his recusal; Session refuses

May 9, 2017: Sessions delivers a memo written by Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to the President recommending Trump fire FBI Director James Comey

May 17, 2017: Robert Mueller is appointed special counsel by Rosenstein

July 25, 2017: Trump tweets: 'Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!'

March 16, 2018: Sessions fires Deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe

May 30, 2018: In a string of tweets, Trump quotes an interview with GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy, who had said there were a host of good attorneys the president could have named as AG: '...There are lots of really good lawyers in the country, he could have picked somebody else!' And I wish I did!'

August 1, 2018: Trump tweet seems to suggest Sessions should fire Mueller: 'This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!'

Sept. 19, 2018: Trump tells The Hill of Sessions: 'I don't have an attorney general. It's very sad.'

November 7, 2018: Sessions resigns 'at Trump's request'If Elon Musk has his way, in around 100 days, the world's largest battery will power South Australia.

The Tesla founder says installation of the 100 megawatt (129MWh) lithium ion battery is now half-way complete.

It will be more than three times larger than any existing power storage facility when it's finished.

The project grew out of a Twitter bet between Musk and Australian software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes where Musk promised he could build the battery 'in 100 days or its free'.

It comes a year on from South Australia's disastrous blackouts caused by a major storm, which devastated the state.

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Elon Musk has announced the company is halfway done installing the 100 megawatt (129MWh) lithium ion battery near Jamestown, in South Australia's mid-north

MEGAWATT LITHIUM ION BATTERY Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company is halfway done installing the 100 megawatt lithium ion battery, which will be more than three times larger than any existing power storage facility. The battery is being built at a wind farm operated by France's Neoen that is located about 225 km (141 miles) from the South Australian capital of Adelaide and will supply power to the lithium-ion storage cells. Last year's state-wide blackout was blamed by opponents of renewable energy on the state's rush to embrace wind and solar, and fuelled a backlash that has split Australia's conservative federal government and led to renewed calls to support coal-fired power. Advertisement

Musk says he's confident he can deliver on his promise but admits the project is not without risk as it seeks to go 'three times further than anyone has gone before'.

Tesla won a bid in July to build a 129 megawatt hour (MWh) battery and the state is counting on it to be ready by the start of the southern summer in December when electricity demand begins to peak.

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk vowed to install it within 100 days of signing a grid connection agreement or give it to the state for free.

The grid agreement was signed on Friday, triggering the countdown, a Tesla spokesperson said.

At an event highlighting the construction progress on the battery, Musk once again spoke of the future he sees for renewable energy and batteries.

'This is just the beginning. What this serves as is a great example of what can be done,' Musk said at the event, which was powered entirely by battery packs.

Musk was speaking from the construction site of the battery, which is being built at a wind farm operated by France's Neoen that is located about 225 km (141 miles) from the South Australian capital of Adelaide and will supply power to the lithium-ion storage cells.

Last year's state-wide blackout was blamed by opponents of renewable energy on the state's rush to embrace wind and solar, and fuelled a backlash that has split Australia's conservative federal government and led to renewed calls to support coal-fired power.

South Australia hopes the Tesla battery will forestall further blackouts, but Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison says it is just a 'Hollywood solution' that is not solving the bigger problem of how to supply power when the wind isn't blowing.

Elon Musk says he's confident he can deliver on his promise but admits the project is not without risk as it seeks to go 'three times further than anyone has gone before'

Tesla won a bid in July to build a 129 megawatt hour (MWh) battery and the state is counting on it to be ready by the start of the southern summer in December

'The batteries are on track to be operational by December 1,' South Australia Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis told Reuters.

Analysts have estimated the battery should cost around $750 (US $585/439) to $950 (US $741/556) per kilowatt, or up to $95 million (US $74 million/ 56 million).

Musk said in July the cost to Tesla would be '$50 million [US $39 million/ 29 million] or more' if it failed to deliver the project on time.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned the country faces a very tight power market this summer, following the closure of one Australia's biggest coal-fired power stations in the neighbouring state of Victoria.

A Tesla representative (right) demonstrates the Tesla Powerwall battery storage device to potential customers at the Tesla store in Sydney. At the event, Musk once again spoke of the future he sees for renewable energy and batteries

Mr Musk's company Tesla will partner with French renewable energy group Neoen to build the 100 megawatt lithium ion battery

'The battery has a very useful role to play in the South Australian electricity system at the moment,' said Sydney-based energy analyst David Leitch at ITK Services Australia, adding it was valuable insurance against the much heavier costs of another blackout.

The state's biggest power user, global miner BHP's Olympic Dam copper mine, alone lost $105 million (US $82 million/ 62 million) last year when it was shut for two weeks by the blackout, wiping out the mine's annual profit.

The battery has been designed to help cover temporary dips in wind power, say for 15 minutes, or help control frequency on the grid at times when natural gas-fired plants are unable to help balance generation and power demand.

'What they're trying to do is buy a little bit of time for other systems to respond to fluctuations,' said Bikal Pokharel, an analyst with energy consultants Wood Mackenzie in Singapore.

Musk was speaking from the construction site of the battery, which is being built in Jamestown about 225 km (141 miles) from the South Australian capital of Adelaide

A Tesla Powerwall unit sits inside a home in Monkton, Vermont, US. Musk said in July the cost to Tesla would be '$50 million [US $39 million/ 29 million] or more' if it failed to deliver the project on timeBritain's information watchdog has asked Facebook's regulator to investigate how the company targets, monitors and shows adverts to users.

The Information Commissioner said it was concerned about the practices used at Facebook and how political parties are targeting users online.

It comes after Trump affiliated firm Cambridge Analyctica improperly harvested the personal data of 87 million Facebook users.

The commission said that it had also found broader issues at Facebook, which it had referred to the Irish Data Protection Commission, the lead supervisor for the social network in the European Union.

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Britain's information watchdog has referred Facebook to the Irish Data Protection Commission to investigate how the company targets, monitors and shows adverts to users

A spokesman for Facebook said it had been made aware of fake political adverts on the network.

The social network said it looked forward to discussing the matter.

'We regularly engage with regulators regarding our advertising tools, which we believe fully comply with EU data protection laws,' a spokesman added.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) said it would assess the information and decide what steps were required.

Under the EU's Global Data Protection Regulation, a firm found to have broken data processing and handling rules can be fined up to 4 per cent of their global revenue of the prior financial year, or 20 million (17m / $23m), whichever is higher.

Facebook had total revenue in 2017 of 35.41 billion (30.9bn / $40.7bn).

The Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed the role that personal data plays both for marketers and political groups in the internet age.

The political consultancy was able to harvest the data of 87 million people after a researcher created an app that was downloaded by 270,000 people, providing access not only to their own but also their friends' personal data.

Cambridge Analytica worked on Donald Trump's U.S. presidential campaign in 2016.

'Citizens can only make truly informed choices about who to vote for if they are sure that those decisions have not been unduly influenced,' Britain's Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said in a report to lawmakers published on Tuesday.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg came under severe scrutiny after it emerged that personal data of 87 million Facebook users had been sold to consulting firm Cambridge Analytica

'We have uncovered a disturbing disregard for voters personal privacy,' Denham said. 'Social media platforms, political parties, data brokers and credit reference agencies have started to question their own processes - sending ripples through the big data eco-system.'

The Commissioner has also launched audits into the role of credit reference agencies such as Experian and sent assessment notices to data brokers including Acxiom as it seeks to understand the market for buying and selling personal data.

Acxiom said in a statement that it would cooperate fully with the Information Commissioner and that in Britain it does not host, offer or process any 'special category' data, as defined by the GDPR, that includes political data.

'Staff must undertake yearly training and exams and as part of ensuring compliance with applicable data protection law, Acxiom underwent and passed an independent data protection audit by the Direct Marketing Association in May this year,' it said.

The GDPR was brought in by the EU in May to protect personal information and has forced the different online players to make sure they have permission from users to handle their data.

The British Commissioner has already slapped the highest possible fine of 500,000 pounds ($653,800) on Facebook for the misuse of data, but said on Tuesday it was referring other outstanding issues to Ireland.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed the role that personal data plays both for marketers and political groups in the internet age

'We have referred our ongoing concerns about Facebooks targeting functions and techniques that are used to monitor individuals browsing habits, interactions and behaviour across the internet and different devices to the to the Irish Data Protection Commission,' the British watchdog said.

The BBC in October reported that a fake political advert had been posted to Facebook. Facebook had said earlier in October that advertisers that mentioned political figures, material or parties would be obliged to provide evidence of their identity and location and state on Facebook who was paying for the ad.

Facebook has also sought to give users more control over their privacy by making data management easier.

Credit data company Experian said it was aware of the UK watchdog's concerns.

'As a highly regulated business, we work closely with regulators and strictly comply with data protection laws in all of the countries that we operate in, and we remain vigilant when it comes to data security and integrity,' it said in a statement.

($1 = 0.7648 pounds) (Reporting by Kate Holton, Alistair Smout and Kylie MacLellan in London and Noor Zainab Hussain; Editing by Jane Merriman and Mark Potter)Russia's space agency says that one of the International Space Station's computers has malfunctioned, but the glitch doesn't pose any risks to the crew.

Roscosmos said Tuesday that one of three computers in the station's Russian module has failed.

It said Russian flight controllers plan to reboot it Thursday.

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The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking. Roscosmos said Tuesday that one of three computers in the station's Russian module has failed.

The agency emphasized that the computer problem wouldn't affect the station's crew - NASA's Serena Aunon-Chancellor, Russian Sergei Prokopyev and German Alexander Gerst.

It said two other computers can maintain the station's operation.

The glitch follows last month's aborted launch of a new station crew.

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin landed safely after their Russian booster rocket failed two minutes into the Oct. 11 flight.

Last week Russia's space agency revealed new video footage of the Soyuz rocket failute that forced astonauts to abandon their mission to the International Space Station 50 miles above Earth.

It shows one of the rockets four boosters failing to release properly, causing the terrifying spin.

Usually, the four boosters fall away perfectly symmetrically, creating a visual phenomenon sometimes referred to as a 'Korolev Cross,' after a Soviet rocket engineer.

Russian investigators say that the rocket itself was sound - and a sensor that sent the signal to jettison the rocket was to blame.

The Soyuz-FG rocket carrying a NASA astronaut and a Roscosmos cosmonaut failed two minutes into the Oct. 11 flight, sending their emergency capsule into a sharp fall back to Earth.

They landed safely on a steppe in Kazakhstan, but the aborted mission dealt another blow to the troubled Russian space program that serves as the only way to deliver astronauts to the orbiting outpost.

Roscosmos' executive director Sergei Krikalyov said the probe found that a malfunction of a sensor which signals the jettisoning one of the rocket's four side boosters caused the booster to collide with the second stage of the rocket, but didn't explain why it didn't work.

The next crew is set to be launched in early December.A scientific paper led by two researchers at Harvard University made a splash this week by claiming that a cigar-shaped rock zooming through our solar system may have been sent by aliens.

The researchers noted in a pre-print of the article that it was an 'exotic scenario,' but that 'Oumuamua may be a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization.'

Oumuamua, the first interstellar object known to enter our solar system, accelerated faster away from the Sun than expected, hence the notion that some kind of artificial sail that runs on sunlight - known as a light sail - may have helped push it through space.

This photo released by the European Southern Observatory on November 20, 2017 shows an artist's impression of the first interstellar object known to enter our solar system: Oumuamua

WHAT IS A LIGHTSAIL? Much like the wind pushing a sailboat through water, solar sails rely on sunlight to propel vehicles through space. The sail captures constantly streaming solar particles, called photons, with giant sails built from a lightweight material. Over time, the buildup of these particles provides enough thrust for a spacecraft to travel in space. Advertisement

'Currently there is an unexplained phenomena, namely, the excess acceleration of Oumuamua, which we show may be explained by the force of radiation pressure from the sun,' co-author and Harvard astrophysicist Shmuel Bialy told AFP via email Tuesday.

'However this requires the body to have a very large surface and be very thin, which is not encountered in nature.'

Their suggestion of an alien force at work went viral.

But other astronomy experts aren't buying it.

'Like most scientists, I would love there to be convincing evidence of alien life, but this isn't it,' said Alan Fitzsimmons, an astrophysicist at Queens University, Belfast.

'It has already been shown that its observed characteristics are consistent with a comet-like body ejected from another star system,' he told AFP.

'And some of the arguments in this study are based on numbers with large uncertainties.'

Katie Mack, a well-known astrophysicist at North Carolina State, also took issue with the alien hype.

'The thing you have to understand is: scientists are perfectly happy to publish an outlandish idea if it has even the tiniest sliver of a chance of not being wrong,' she wrote on Twitter.

The JPL team has not yet worked out how to power the craft - and many of their ideas rely on technology that doesn't yet exist, such as this laser sail being developed by the Breakthrough project, which hopes to make to same trip to Alpha Centairi.

'But until every other possibility has been exhausted dozen times over, even the authors probably don't believe it.'

Asked if he believed the hypothesis he put forward, Bialy told AFP:

'I wouldn't say I 'believe' it is sent by aliens, as I am a scientist, and not a believer, I rely on evidence to put forward possible physical explanation for observed phenomena.'

A photo released by the European Space Agency on June 27, 2018 shows an artist's impression of Oumuamua

The other co-author, Avi Loeb, chairman of Harvard's astronomy department, told NBC News humanity may never know more about the mysterious object, since it has traveled far away and isn't heading back.

'It is impossible to guess the purpose behind Oumuamua without more data,' Loeb was quoted as saying.

Their paper was accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, and will appear on November 12.

Oumuamua, Hawaiian for 'messenger' or 'scout,' was first viewed by telescopes in October 2017.

The alien rock is about 1,300 feet long (400 meters) long, and only about 130 feet wide.Google is finally fixing a memory management issue with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

Users began reporting unexpected app crashes with their new devices earlier this month.

Now, a fix is widely expected to arrive in a December software update.

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Google is finally fixing a memory management issue with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Users began reporting unexpected app crashes with their new devices earlier this month

The search giant said a fix will hit devices 'in the coming weeks' and it will 'keep background apps from being prematurely closed in certain situations,' according to 9to5Google.

The update won't arrive in Google's November security update, which rolled out on Monday, but could possibly come in the December update.

The bug stems from issues with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL's RAM management.

It causes apps to randomly crash, particularly when several are open at once.

Users on Twitter mentioned that attempting to use the camera while music was playing caused their streaming apps to crash.

In some cases, apps shut down while they were being used.

One Twitter user said: 'I have a few memory concerns with the phone: a couple of times, music or podcast apps have just closed without warning, likely because the OS needed to free up RAM.

'I've also had a few photos just not save after taking them, which may be frame buffer issues but may just be bugs.'

Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL come with 4gb of RAM, which means they should be able to handle several complex actions at once.

The user reports suggest it's more likely a software bug.

Other software bugs have been reported previously, such as a bug that prevented some photos from saving to devices.

Another bug caused buyers of the new Pixel 3 phone to see a second 'notch' at the side of the screen. The firm said the bug can be fixed with a software update that's 'coming soon'

Google later fixed this issue in a software update issued late October.

That's after another bug caused buyers of the new Pixel 3 phone to see a second 'notch' at the side of the screen.

The firm said the bug, which users took to Twitter to share images of, can be fixed with a software update.

The bug is believed to be caused by issues with the phone working out its orientation.

Google told Android Police it was aware of the bug and a fix was 'coming soon'.Researchers have found a new species of ape that roamed Earth 12.5 million years ago - and weighed just 8lbs when it was fully grown.

The tiny ape, known as Simiolus minutus, was found in the Tugen Hills of Kenya.

Experts believe the mini ape, weighing slightly less than an average house cat, subsisted mainly on leaves, which led to its downfall as it was unable to compete with colobine monkeys that dined on the same leaves.

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The fossil molars were found at three different sites in the Tugen Hills of Kenya. The tiny ape, known as Simiolus minutus,is a new species.

WHY DID THE TINY APE DIE OUT? Fossil molars from the tiny ape, now housed in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, show evidence of leaf eating, which suggests that it was in direct competition with the earliest colobine monkeys for food resources. Researchers believe it was unable to compete with colobine monkeys that dined on the same leaves. Advertisement

Stony Brook University anthropologist James Rossie made the find of the first day of a dig in the area.

Now, a study authored by Rossie and his former doctoral advisor, the late Andrew Hill of Yale University, shows that this belongs to a new species of ape.

The fossil molars were found at three different sites along the Tugen Hills and Lake Baringo Basin by Rossie and Hill in 2004, just more than a decade before Hill's death in 2015

The find gives important clues about the unexplained decline in diversity of apes during the Miocene epoch.

Rossie said fossil molars from the tiny ape, now housed in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, show evidence of leaf eating, which suggests that it was in direct competition with the earliest colobine monkeys for food resources.

Rossie said the small ape is also the latest-surviving member yet described of the small apes that flourished in the early Miocene epoch.

The palate of a chimpanzee, left, compared to a Simiolus minutus molar, center. The figure on the right is the same chimpanzee palate, but scaled down to match the Simiolus molar.

At the beginning of the Miocene epoch, there were only a few species of monkeys, while apes were represented by a broad radiation of species ranging from 4 to 50 kilograms; today, however, there are only a handful of ape species remaining.

Precisely what caused the decrease in ape diversity and rise of monkey diversity is a mystery that paleontologists have been contemplating for decades, Rossie said, and many suspect that direct competition between the two groups was to blame.

'One thing this shows us is that some apes were leaning toward folivory [leaf eating] at just the time when monkeys were evolving their uniquely effective adaptations for it,' said Rossie, .

Fossil molars from the tiny ape, now housed in the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, show evidence of leaf eating, which suggests that it was in direct competition with the earliest colobine monkeys for food resources. Pictured, Olivia, a five-year-old Angolan colobus monkey, clutches her baby at the Brookfield Zoo

'Under those circumstances, I'm not surprised that this is the last you see of these small apes.

'We've previously found the earliest colobine monkeys at these sites, and now we have an ape that looks like it would have been in direct competition with them for food.'

The paper, entitled 'A new species of Simiolus from the middle Miocene of the Tugen Hills, Kenya,' is set to published in the December issue of The Journal of Human Evolution.NASA have begun conducting tests to see how Texas residents react to noise from experimental aircraft that will dramatically reduce flight times by half.

The space agency launched a research project on Monday as they continue to experiment for it's next airliner the X-59 or the 'Son of Concorde', as it's dubbed by aviation fans.

The aim of the testing is to see if residents living near the Texas Gulf Coast hear noise from the jets, travelling faster than the speed of sound, without making the explosive noise of a sonic boom.

The company claims that the noise it will make doing 940mph or 1,515 kmph will be 'no louder than the clunk of a car door closing'.

On Monday, the two F/A-18's used in the trials climbed to at 55,000 feet/ 17 km above the gulf of Mexico and began a dive towards Texas accelerating trough the sound barrier about 23 miles from the coast before pulling up and back out to sea.

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NASA has begun testing aircraft off the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston to see how the residents respond to noise from a new experimental X-59 or the 'Son of Concorde'

Two F/A-18's used in the trials climbed to at 55,000 feet/ 17 km above the gulf of Mexico and began a dive towards Texas accelerating trough the sound barrier about 23 miles from the coast before pulling up and back out to sea

Nasa has announced a series of new tests for its 1,100mph (1,770kph) supersonic commercial airliner tipped to be the follow-up to the legendary Concorde. The plane (artist's impression) aims to cut out the noise associated with supersonic travel

Jerry Baker, 46, who lives behind the island's sea wall, is one of the 500 residents recruited by NASA to listen out for noise and heard 'several loud bangs' on Monday.

'The first one was the loudest,' he said. 'It rattled the windows.' Yesterday the thumps were quieter. 'I just heard one, right at eleven o'clock.' 'Very small, two tiny bumps.'

NASA hopes the result of the sonic tests will convince aviation authorities to change regulations on flights over land to allow for a new generation of supersonic jets.

Concorde operated from 1976 until it petered out in 2003 because of the cost of running he aircraft, the crash of 2000 and threat of terrorism after the September 11th attacks and noise of loud sonic booms in residential areas.

The first flight of the X-59, which could one day fly from London to New York in just three hours without giving off a loud sonic boom, is scheduled for 2021.

The craft could become the first commercial supersonic aircraft to carry passengers since the iconic Anglo-French jet Concorde was decommissioned 15 years ago.

Nasa pilot Jim Less will fire off 'quiet' sonic booms over a small city in Texas this month in a bid to gauge public reaction to the dampened supersonic thuds. Pictured is Less with the F-18 fighter jet aboard which he will perform the research

Ahead of this the space agency will use a modified combat jet to check the 'acoustic signature' of the engines to be used in the airliner, by sending it into a series of dives.

It has recruited 500 people on the ground to then answer surveys about the noise generated by the the F/A-18 Hornet, to ensure the flight is quiet as it flies over Texas.

Nasa has announced a series of new tests for its 1,100mph (1,770kph) supersonic commercial airliner tipped to be the follow-up to the legendary Concorde. The plane (artist's impression) aims to cut out the noise associated with supersonic travel

Before the aircraft takes to the skies, Nasa is investigating whether members of the public are put off by the noise produced by X-59 when it breaks the sound barrier.

Tests scheduled for November will see an F-18 fighter jet conduct dive manoeuvres off the shores of Galveston, Texas - an island city near Houston.

The first flight of the X-59, which could one day fly from London to New York in just three hours without giving off a loud sonic boom, is scheduled for 2021

The plane will rapidly descend from almost 50,000 feet (15,200 metres), briefly going supersonic and firing off the sound likely to come from X-59 aircraft.

The noise, which Nasa calls a 'sonic thump', should sound more like a car door slamming as opposed to the booms produced by existing supersonic aircraft.

The agency will measure the sounds using sensors on the ground while gathering public reaction through a series of surveys.

Sasha Ellis, a NASA spokesperson for the X-59 mission, told Newsweek : 'We're solely focused on addressing the challenges of quiet supersonic flights over land, reducing that sonic boom to a sonic thump.'

Nasa pilot Jim Less will fire off 'quiet' sonic booms over a small city in Texas this month in a bid to gauge public reaction to the dampened supersonic thuds. Pictured is Less with the F-18 fighter jet aboard which he will perform the research

WHAT IS NASA'S 'SON OF CONCORDE' X-PLANE? Nasa is developing a 1,100mph (1,770kph) aircraft that has been dubbed the 'son of Concorde'. The vehicle is the first in a series of aircraft Nasa is developing with Lockheed Martin in a quest to build a commercially viable supersonic jet. It is designed to fly at Mach 1.4 (925 mph / 1,488 kph) at an altitude of 55,000 feet (10 miles). Dubbed the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST), the research craft aims to cut out the sonic booms associated with supersonic travel. Pictured is an artist's impression of the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD) The aircraft is shaped to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight to reduce the volume of the shaped signature, and was developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works over 20 years. The team is hoping to achieve a sonic boom 60 dBA lower than other supersonic aircraft, such as Concorde. Recent research has shown it is possible for a supersonic airplane to be shaped in such a way that the shock waves it forms when flying faster than the speed of sound can generate a sound at ground level so quiet it will hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all. Advertisement

Alexandra Loubeau, Nasa's team lead for sonic boom community response research at Langley, said in July: 'We'll never know exactly what everyone heard.

'We won't have a noise monitor on their shoulder inside their home.

'But we'd like to at least have an estimate of the range of noise levels that they actually heard.'

X-59, which Nasa is developing with Lockheed Martin's aeronautics branch, is scheduled to make its first flight in 2022.

Originally named the Low-Flight Flight Demonstrator by Nasa, the agency announced in June that the aircraft was to be called X-59 QueSST going forward.

The US Air Force made the name change in-part as a hat tip American X-plane history, which began in 1947 with the world's first supersonic plane, the the Bell X-1.

'For everyone working on this important project, this is great news and we're thrilled with the designation,' Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for Nasa's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, said in a statement in June.

Nasa is developing the aircraft with Lockheed Martin's aeronautics branch with test flights planned for 2022. The plane is dubbed the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (artist's impression)

The X-59 project aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms that echoed above cities in the era of Concorde, while travelling at speeds of 1,100mph (Mach 1.4 / 1,700 km/h).

The loud booms that rang out whenever a Concorde broke the sound barrier were often described as 'unsettling' by members of the public, which ultimately limited the aircraft to flights over the Atlantic when it began carrying passengers in 1976.

X-59 is designed to stop shockwaves triggered by the movement of air particles when an aircraft breaks the sound barrier from merging - a phenomenon that gives off the telltale sonic boom of supersonic aircraft.

Nasa hopes to reduce the sound of the sonic boom to a quiet thud, similar to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance or a neighbour closing their door.

Nasa is developing the aircraft with Lockheed Martin's aeronautics branch with test flights planned for 2022. The plane is dubbed the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (artist's impression)

'With the X-59 you're still going to have multiple shockwaves because of the wings on the aircraft that create lift and the volume of the plane,' said Ed Haering, a Nasa aerospace engineer at Nasa's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.

'But the airplane's shape is carefully tailored such that those shockwaves do not combine.

'Instead of getting a loud boom-boom, you're going to get at least two quiet thump-thump sounds, if you even hear them at all.'

Nasa's November tests will produce similar shockwaves using an F-18 fighter jet to conduct sharp manoeuvres in the air.

HOW WILL NASA REDUCE THE SOUND OF SONIC BOOMS? In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail. These are known as bow and tail shocks, respectively. As these shockwaves pass over the ground, air pressure rises sharply, declines, then rises rapidly again. It's this that produces the classic 'double-bang' sonic boom. In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail Reshaping the aircraft to produce a longer, more slender shape is the best way to generate shockwaves of lower, more equal strength that do not form into such strong bow and tail shocks. Nasa and other organisations are working on creating shapes to reduce sonic booms. Stretching the nose to break the bow shock into a series of weaker shockwaves is particularly effective. This lowers and spreads that initial pressure peak and softens the first bang of the sonic boom. Advertisement

The aircraft, pilot by Nasa researcher Jim Less, will dive from 49,000 feet (15,000m) and go briefly supersonic before levelling off at 30,000 feet (9,000m).

Shockwaves produced by the manoeuvre will concentrate directly below the aircraft in the form of a very loud, focussed pair of sonic booms.

A few miles from the dive points, the noise quickly trails off as they spread out and weaken.

Flights conducted by Nasa in November will study the US public's reactions to 'quiet' supersonic noises above their homes. Pictured is an artist's impression of the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD)

'The result in that area: a pair of quiet sonic booms  soft thumps, really  which people on the ground, including those Nasa researchers and resident volunteers, might barely notice, if they hear anything at all,' the agency wrote in a statement.

QueSST is the latest addition to the X-series of experimental aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts.

The team hopes to reduce the sound of the sonic boom to a quiet thud, similar to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance or a neighbour closing their door. This graphic compares the F18 sonic boom to the sonic 'thump' that Nasa aims to achieve in the future

Their X designation indicates their research mission status within the US system of aircraft naming.

This all dates back to Chuck Yeager's sound-barrier-breaking craft, the X-1, a rocket enginepowered aircraft, designed and built in 1945, that achieved a speed of nearly 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 kmh) in 1948.

The team hopes to reduce the sound of the sonic boom to a quiet thud, similar to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance or a neighbour closing their door. This graphic compares the F18 sonic boom to the sonic 'thump' that Nasa aims to achieve in the future

Nasa's vision for the X-59 was approved In the latest proposed US budget released by the Office Of Management And Budget In Washington, DC, in February.

The space agency was awarded $19.9 billion (14.3bn) for the next year, $500 million (360m) more than the previous year.

It is not known what proportion of this has been allocated for the supersonic aircraft project.

QueSST will be used as a test bed for technologies that could make their way into commercial planes.

Nasa is hoping to see the first flight tests take place in 2022, with public reaction tests to the final aircraft scheduled for the following year.Cleanroom requirements for various industries such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace and medical technology will be the highlight of Cleanzone Middle East 2018, a new summit dedicated to cleanroom technology next week in Dubai.



Cleanrooms, as their names suggest, are highly sanitised and decontaminated spaces considered as a prerequisite along the supply chain of many manufacturing and research facilities.



Theyre designed to maintain extremely low levels of particulates, such as dust, airborne organisms, or vaporised particles. They range in size from small rooms to thousands of square metres covering entire facilities, and are used widely in semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, life sciences, and other fields sensitive to environmental contamination.



The inaugural edition of Cleanzone Middle East 2018, which takes place from November 12 to 13 at Dubais Conrad Hotel, will shine the spotlight on the latest trends and developments in a global cleanroom technology market thats estimated to be worth $4.86 billion by 2025, according to a report by Grand View Research (GVR).



The UAE and wider Middle Easts contribution to the market will increasingly grow in the coming years, as underlined by a strong turnout at the two-day summit of global expert speakers and leading international exhibitors exploring the regions future opportunities.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Cleanzone Middle East is the first international iteration of the Cleanzone brand in Messe Frankfurt Germany, which in 2018 featured 78 exhibitors from 10 countries and 1,300 participants.



The Dubai edition has signed on leading cleanroom technology players as official Launch Partners including HHAC, Waldner, Ortner, PMMR, and vali.sys. Other headline exhibitors include Bronze Sponsors Camfil, Igienair, and Rigel Life Sciences, while Prime Exhibitors include Elis, ISOONE, PPS, and Masarat for Accreditation.



As a result of stricter product quality standards, cleanroom technology is playing an increasingly important role in the Gulf states, said Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt. With Cleanzone Middle East, we aim to give our customers the opportunity to participate in this attractive market of the future.



Nathan Lloyd, chief operating officer of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, added, The UAE already has cleanrooms across various industries including aviation, paints, coatings, food processing and manufacturing, healthcare and automobile spare parts manufacturers.



A key challenge has been creating awareness and understanding about cleanroom technology and its role in economic development, which is even more critical now, given the ambitious plans by regional governments to diversify their economies.



Cleanzone Middle East 2018 will address this and much more, bringing together an inspiring programme of case studies, keynote presentations, and panel discussions of industry best practice, and how they can be applied to the UAE and wider region.



Cleanzone Middle Easts Cleanroom Technology Congress will cover the four strategic themes of cleanroom design and architecture; engineering and development; monitoring and validation; and quality control and decontamination.



Highlights on the opening day include an overview of the Middle East cleanroom technology market by GVR, and a panel discussion on how to support cleanroom development in the region.



More high-level discussions and presentations take place on the second day before delegates make a site visit to Abu Dhabis Masdar City, dubbed as the worlds most sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood. Delegates will tour Masdars sustainable and innovative features, including its own cleanroom facility in the Masdar Institute. - TradeArabia News ServiceThey were a group of violent Iron Age warriors who cut off the heads of their enemies and nailed them to their shields.

And now scientists have revealed the infamous Gauls embalmed the severed heads of their foes to help preserve the grisly trophies.

Traces of conifer resin have been found on severed skulls collected by one of the Celtic tribes in southern France.

Scientists suggest the trophies were dipped in the chemical before they were put on prominent display at the site, which is thought to have once been a Gaul settlement.

Ancient texts had hinted the warrior tribes embalmed the heads of their foes, but the study represents the first physical evidence of the practice.

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Scientists have revealed that the infamous Gauls embalmed the severed heads of their foes to help preserve the grisly trophies

'Ancient texts told us about the head [being] embalmed with cedar oil,' study coauthor Dr Rejane Roure, from Paul Valery University of Montpellier.

'Thanks to our chemical analysis we know that this information is right,' she told the Guardian.

The skulls were discovered at the Iron Age settlement of Le Cailar in the south of France, about 18 miles (29km) from Montpellier.

The Gauls, who occupied much of France and southern Britain from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD, were famed for their gruesome head-severing practices.

Other Gaul sites have yielded a sculpture of a mounted warrior on a horse featuring skulls tied around the animal's neck.

Human skulls found at Gaul settlements show signs of decapitation, and some have been found with nails inside them.

Bone fragments at Le Cailar were discovered among several weapons in an area that suggests they were on display at the camp.

The team took samples from 11 human skull fragments, which showed cut marks that suggested the brain was removed.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE 'HEAD CULT' THE GAULS? Pictured is the territory occupied by the Gauls during the 1st Century BC The Gauls were a group of Celtic peoples who occupied part of western-central Europe during the Iron Age. They were fearsome warriors who cut off the heads of their enemies and hung them over their horses for all to see. Some attached the heads of fallen foes to their shields to terrify their enemies when they next went into battle. Celts believed the head was the key to the soul and represented a medium for communication with the afterlife. Fourth-century Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus wrote that the Gauls were tall, light-skinned, light-haired, and light-eyed. 'Almost all Gauls are tall and fair-skinned, with reddish hair. 'Their savage eyes make them fearful objects; they are eager to quarrel and excessively truculent.' The group inhabited an area known as Gaul for roughly 1,000 years from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD. Advertisement

Pictured is an artist's impression of the First Century BC Gaul leader Vercingetorix

A chemical analysis showed traces of cholesterol and fatty acids, suggesting the skulls were rubbed with human, animal or plant fats.

Tiny amounts of substances called diterpenoids were also found - a telltale sign that the bones were dipped in resin from a conifer tree.

Conifer resin, the dried and sticky sap from the tree, has preservative properties and is used by honey bees to seal gaps in damaged hives.

Researchers say the finding adds weight to reports from ancient texts that suggest the Gauls embalmed the heads of their foes after they had removed them.

It remains unclear how the tribe embalmed the heads, but scientists believe they may have dipped skulls into the resin, or poured it over them.

They may have had to apply the resin more than once as time went on.

The skulls were discovered at the Iron Age settlement of Le Cailar in the south of France, about 18 miles (29km) from Montpellier

Dr Roure said the heads were likely preserved to maintain the facial features long after death.

'The ancient texts said only the most powerful enemies and the most important enemies were embalmed  maybe that was to be able to say 'see that face, it was some big warrior',' she said.

Greek texts claimed the Gauls never gave back such heads 'even for an equal weight of gold'.

'We think that means sometimes some people tried to buy the heads,' Dr Roure said.

The full findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.A British baby furniture company has created the world's first cot with an iPad - prompting an online backlash from parents.

Gary Taylor, owner of Birmingham-based furniture company Babeek, designed the 1,500 ($2,000) cot after he had trouble putting his nine-month-old baby to sleep.

According to Mr Taylor, he included the iPad in the crib so he could play his young daughter white noise to help her nod off.

But parents have slammed the 'ridiculous' creation, claiming the smart cot was a way for lazy mothers and fathers to occupy their children.

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A British baby furniture company has created the world's first cot with an iPad - prompting horror from child psychologists

On Facebook, Ana Belem said: 'This is wrong on so many levels. There's a limit for technology and this is just way over that limit!!! Shame on you.'

Josephine-Freya Gilbert said: 'Oh dear God no! Brain dead kids with parents who can't be a***d to actually parent!'

Danielle West said: 'This has got to be a joke the most ridiculous thing ever. What's wrong with reading/singing/talking about the day with your child to settle them for bed!'

And Lyndsey Leigh added: 'My God I hate seeing babies stuck in pushchairs with a phone or tablet shoved in their lap, lazy parenting at its best and now this.'

Creator Mr Taylor, who lives in Birmingham, explained how the iPad could be used as a way for parents to make life easier for themselves.

He said: 'For me, it's about getting our child to sleep.'

Gary Taylor (left), owner of Birmingham-based furniture company Babeek, designed the 1,500 ($2,000) cot after he had trouble putting his nine-month-old baby to sleep

According to Mr Taylor, he included the iPad in the crib as he could play his little daughter white noise to help her nod off

Mr Taylor and his wife Gemma used to use their phones to play white noise to get their baby Graysie to sleep.

From time to time the music cut out if their phone range and disturbed their child.

So they decided to build one into the little girl's crib and with the built-in iPad, the white noise app can be downloaded and played with no interruptions.

Chartered child psychologist Dr Andy Allen also criticised the creation.

The crib received criticism online with some people saying it is damaging to babies' health

He said: 'Given the available literature surrounding screens and sleep and that of early attachment, creating a cot with a built in iPad is simply outrageous.

'Whilst it could be argued that it could be used as a nightlight, to play soothing melodies or be a means for a parent to keep their eye on their child.

'It won't be long before apps are developed simply to occupy a baby or child.

'Cots are a safe place for sleeping and resting - period.'

Mr Taylor defended the placement of the iPad and said that only lazy parents would even think of leaving their child in a cot for longer than half an hour.

Mr Taylor defended the placement of the iPad and said that only lazy parents would even think of leaving their child in a cot for longer than half an hour

He said: 'It's not to sit your child in the cot all day watching Peppa Pig. That's not the idea.

'People who work for a living thought it was a great idea. Without me being nasty, people who would leave their kid in the front room all day were hammering it.'

He said he is simply selling a product parents want.

'People are saying it's an early start but that is just the modern day. Sorry to say it. I don't see any kids playing outside any more.

'Kids are stuck on their computers. That's not my fault. That's the way the generation is going. I'm giving people what they want.'Russia is developing a moon base which will be operated with remote-controlled avatars, according to the country's space boss.

Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, has laid out plans to put robotic avatars on our natural satellite and have them operated by people on Earth.

He claimed this endeavour is more ambitious than the iconic US 'Apollo' programme of the '60s and '70s.

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Dmitry Rogozin (oictured), head of Roscosmos, has laid out plans to put robotic avatars on our natural satellite and have them operated by people on Earth

'This is about creating a long-term base, naturally, not habitable, but visited. But basically, it is the transition to robotic systems, to avatars that will solve tasks on the Moon surface,' Mr Rogozin said.

He was not drawn on the appearance or role of these robotic systems and did not provide a timeline for its introduction.

Roscosmos has also mused that it will put humans on the moon for the first time around 2030.

The space agency is reportedly looking into the use of lunar soil as a potential building material and using 3D printing techniques to manufacture a variety of structure.

Mr Rogozin revealed that Russia would go to the moon despite issues plaguing its new piloted spacecraft.

It says it will use the Angara carrier rocket and the existing Soyuz spacecraft to reach the moon.

On October 11 a manned Soyuz rocket malfunctioned 50 miles above the ground on the way to the International Space Station.

Russian Aleksey Ovchinin and American Nick Hague survived the ordeal after the booster on their Soyuz rocket malfunctioned and the rocket automatically turned back during a dramatic 7G 'ballistic re-entry'.

He was not drawn on the appearance or role of these robotic systems and did not provide a timeline for its introduction. Roscosmos has also mused that it will put humans on the moon for the first time around 2030 (file photo)

The Soyuz rocket: Decades of blasting into space The Soyuz programme is an ongoing human spaceflight programme which was initiated by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s, originally part of a Moon landing project. There have been 138 manned missions, of which 11 have failed and one astronaut has died. Here are some of the notable failures, including one in 1967 when an astronaut was killed, one in 1975 when two astronauts hurtle to Earth. 1967: Soviet astronaut Vladimir Komarov was killed during landing due to a parachute failure 1975: Two Russian astronauts had to abort a mission to a Russian space station at an altitude of 90miles due to a rocket failure. They hurtled towards Earth and safely landed in the Altai Mountains on the Russia-China border. One of the astronauts never flew to space again, never fully recovered from the accident and died aged 62 in 1990. The other made two more flights. 1983: A rocket malfunctioned during the countdown to take off in southern Kazakhstan. Automatic systems ejected the two Russian crew-members just seconds before the rocket exploded. The fire burned on the launch pad for 20 hours. 2002: A Soyuz ship carrying a satellite crashed during launch in Russia when a booster suffered an engine malfunction. The ship landed near the launch pad, killing one engineer on the ground. 2011: A Soyuz-U mission carrying cargo failed to launch to the International Space Station when the upper stage experienced a problem and broke up over Siberia. 2016: Another cargo ship was lost shortly after launch, likely due to a problem with the third stage of the Soyuz-U. August 2018: A hole in a Soyuz capsule docked to the International Space Station caused a brief loss of air pressure and had to be patched. The Russians claimed the hole was drilled deliberately in an act of sabotage either on Earth or in orbit. Another theory is that the hole was a production defect. Advertisement

Mr Rogozin revealed that Russia would go to the moon despite issues plaguing its new piloted spacecraft. It says it will use the Angara carrier rocket and the existing Soyuz spacecraft to reach the moon

This was the first in-flight launch abort of a crewed Soyuz mission since 1975.

The Soyuz rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Mirny, Russia at 03:15 Moscow Time (00:15 UTC) today.

Previous manned Soyuz missions have failed with astronauts on-board.

In 1983 a crew was forced to eject from their rocket as it exploded on the launchpad and a 1975 missions saw the Soyuz capsule crash back to Earth from 90 miles up after a rocket failure.

The crews survived in both missions.

In total Soyuz rockets have been launched 745 times of which 21 have failed. Thirteen of those failures have been since 2010, calling into question the continued reliability of the rocket.Old masters dont come any older than this.

Painted at least 40,000 years ago, this red-orange cave painting of a horned beast  possibly a bull or cow  is the earliest figurative drawing ever discovered.

Created by an unknown human hand, it is an incredible leap forward and marks the moment that humans first painted the world they saw around them.

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Painted at least 40,000 years ago, this red-orange cave painting of a horned beast  possibly a bull or cow (bottom left)  is the earliest piece of figurative art ever discovered

Before this there have been scratchy, crisscross designs, possibly by Neanderthals 64,000 years ago.

But this is the oldest known representation of an animal in two dimensions.

The image was found in a limestone cave in Borneos East Kalimantan province.

The beast has a spear hanging from its flank - making it also the earliest depiction of an animal being killed by man.

Writing in the scientific journal Nature, researchers led by Professor Maxime Aubert of Griffith University write: to our knowledge is currently the oldest date for figurative artwork from anywhere in the world.

Using high-tech methods which measure radioactive decay they dated the limestone crusts that have grown over the art.

This allows them to estimate the minimum age of the art found underneath.

Some of the hand stencils at the cave, Lubang Jeriji Sale, are even older - dating to 51,800 years ago.

Before this there have been scratchy, crisscross designs, possibly by Neanderthals 64,000 years ago. But this is the oldest known representation of an animal in two dimensions. The image was found in a limestone cave in Borneos East Kalimantan province (pictured)

The image was found in a limestone cave in Borneos East Kalimantan province (pictured). Using high-tech methods which measure radioactive decay they dated the limestone crusts that have grown over the art

The only rivals for the title of oldest figurative art in the world are not paintings, but carvings produced at the other end of the vast Eurasian landmass.

These figurines carved from mammoth tusks, also dating around 40,000 years ago have been found in what is now the Swabian area of Germany.

One sculpture, dubbed the Venus of Hohle Fels, has been described as prehistoric porn because of the figurines exaggerated breasts and genitalia.

Researchers at Griffith say that the finding adds to the view that cave art - one of the most important innovations in human cultural history - did not arise solely in western Europe as long believed.

Instead, ice age artists in Southeast Asia played a key role in its development.

Pictured are mulberry-coloured hand stencils superimposed over older reddish/orange hand stencils. The two styles are separated in time by at least 20,000 years

Pictured are mulberry-coloured hand stencils from East Kalimantan. This particular style of hand stencil dates to the height of the Last Glacial Maximum about 20,000 years ago

Pictured are human figures from East Kalimantan. This style is dated to at least 13,600 years ago but could possibly be 20,000 years old

Professor Aubert said: The oldest cave art image we dated is a large painting of an unidentified animal, probably a species of wild cattle still found in the jungles of Borneo - this has a minimum age of around 40,000 years and is now the earliest known figurative artwork.

Who the ice age artists of Borneo were and what happened to them is a mystery, said team co-leader Dr Pindi Setiwaan, an Indonesian archaeologist.

Borneo is at present the Earths third largest island.

But throughout most of the ice age it actually formed the easternmost tip of the vast continental region of Eurasia - and was connected by land to Europe, around 8,000 miles away on the same landmass.

The only rivals for the title of oldest figurative art in the world are not paintings, but carvings produced at the other end of the vast Eurasian landmass. Pictured are human figures that are at least 13,600 years ago

Associate Professor Adam Brumm, a Griffith archaeologist, added: It now seems that two early cave art provinces arose at a similar time in remote corners of Palaeolithic Eurasia: one in Europe, and one in Indonesia at the opposite end of this ice age world.

The rock art in the area was first documented in the 1990s.

The mountainous area is home to 52 rock art sites in eight different mountain areas over a distance of 62 miles (100km).

The art is often found in remote, difficult to access high level caves that contain little other evidence of human habitation.

As well as cave art, the area is home to unusual bats and insects - including a four-inch long, cave-dwelling cockroach.Tooth-like scales of sharks and chicken feathers are created by the same process and explained by a theory from the legendary code-breaker Alan Turing.

His reaction-diffusion theory is widely accepted as the way in which many animals get unique patterns in their feathers, fur, teeth and teeth.

It has now been extended to include the development of shark scales - a group of animals that are very distantly related to the other known animals.

The findings help explain how the scales of a shark evolved to reduce drag and be more energy efficient while swimming.

Scientists believe this patterning could help in designing shark-inspired materials to improve energy efficiency.

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Scientists studied the small-spotted catshark at about 80 days post-fertilisation using RD modelling and gene expression analysis (pictured). They found that the same core genes involved with feather patterning also underpin the development of shark scales

Alan Turing developed the brilliant reaction-diffusion system in 1952, just two years before his tragic death.

Prior to this he was famously involved in the cracking of the Enigma code used by the Germans during the Second World War.

His equations describe how molecular signals can interact to form complex patterns in a variety of different systems.

In the paper, published in the journal Science Advances, researchers compared the patterning of shark scales to that of chicken feathers.

Dr Gareth Fraser, now at the University of Florida, said: 'We started looking at chicks and how they develop their feathers.

'We found these very nice lines of gene expression that pattern where these spots appear that eventually grow into feathers.

'We thought maybe the shark does a similar thing, and we found two rows on the dorsal surface, which start the whole process.'

They found that the same core genes involved with feather patterning also underpin the development of shark scales.

Researchers know believe that these common genetic signals may be involved in the patterning of a variety of 'epithelial appendages'.

These include spines, teeth, hair, fur, scales and feathers and has likely contributed to this process for at least 450 million years - the entire history of vertebrates.

From the scales of a snake to the feathers of a flamingo, modern vertebrates showcase an array of epithelial appendages.

These structures all possess similar developmental positioning in relation to one another because they grow from a common place within skin cells, known as the epithelial placode.

Although evidence has been found in many animals, the theory was never proved for more distantly related vertebrates that diverged from the same ancestral lineage long ago.

Finding evidence of the same mechanism in species as distantly related as sharks and chickens provides evidence that it is integral to many groups of animals and is genetically encoded throughout all vertebrate ancestry's.

Scientists studied the small-spotted catshark at about 80 days post-fertilisation using RD modelling and gene expression analysis.

This is a CT scan of a catshark embryo 90 days after being fertilised. Tooth-like scales of sharks and chicken feathers are created by the same process and explained by legendary code-breaker Alan Turing's theory of reaction-diffusion

Who was Alan Turing? Pioneering scientist who helped crack Hitler's enigma machine only to be convicted for homosexuality after WWII Alan Turing (pictured) was a British mathematician best known for his work cracking the enigma code during the Second World War Alan Turing was a British mathematician born on June 23, 1912 In Maida Vale, London, to father Julius, a civil servant, and mother Ethel, the daughter of a railway engineer. His talents were recognised early on at school but he struggled with his teachers when he began boarding at Sherborne School aged 13 because he was too fixated on science. Turing continued to excel at maths but his time at Sherborne was also rocked by the death of his close friend Christopher Morcom from tuberculosis. Morcom was described as Turing's 'first love' and he remained close with his mother following his death, writing to her on Morcom's birthday each year. He then moved on to Cambridge where he studied at King's College, graduating with a first class degree in mathematics. During the Second World War, Turing was pivotal in cracking the Enigma codes used by the German military to encrypt their messages. His work gave Allied leaders vital information about the movement and intentions of Hitlers forces. Historians credit the work of Turing and his fellow codebreakers at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire with shortening the war by up to two years, saving countless lives, and he was awarded an OBE in 1946 for his services. Turing is also widely seen as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence due to his groundbreaking work in mathematics in the 1930s. He was able to prove a 'universal computing machine' would be able to perform equations if they were presented as an algorithm - and had a paper published on the subject in 1936 in the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society Journal when he was aged just 23. But he was disgraced in 1952 when he was convicted for homosexual activity, which was illegal at the time and would not be decriminalised until 1967. To avoid prison, Turing agreed to chemical castration  hormonal treatment designed to reduce libido. As well as physical and emotional damage, his conviction had led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for GCHQ, the successor to the Government Code and Cypher School, based at Bletchley Park. Turing was awarded an OBE in 1946 for his codebreaking work at Bletchley Park, pictured, which is credited with ending World War II two years early Then In 1954, aged 41, he died of cyanide poisoning. An inquest recorded a verdict of suicide, although his mother and others maintained that his death was accidental. When his body was discovered, an apple laid half-eaten next to his bed. It was never tested for cyanide but it is speculated it was the source of the fatal dose. Some more peculiar theories suggest Turing was 'obsessed' with fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and his death was inspired by the poisoned apple in the story. Following a public outcry over his treatment and conviction, the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a public apology in 2009. He then received a posthumous Royal pardon in 2014, only the fourth to be issued since the end of the Second World War. It was requested by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who described Turing as a national hero who fell foul of the law because of his sexuality. An e-petition demanding a pardon for Turing had previously received 37,404 signatures. A 2017 law, that retroactively pardoned all men cautioned or convicted for homosexual acts under historical legislation, was named in his honour. Advertisement

This showed evidence of dorsal denticle rows acting as 'initiator' rows, triggering the patterning of the surrounding tooth-like skin.

When compared with -catenin (-cat), an early regulator of chick epithelial placode signalling, in the birds they saw a similarity between the two animals.

The same model was then applied to two other fish: the thornback skate and the little skate.

It is believed that this provided the development of the evolutionary advantageous drag reduction and armour.

Dr Fraser added: 'We teamed up with a mathematician to figure out what the pattern is and whether we can model it.

'We found that shark skin denticles are precisely patterned through a set of equations that Alan Turing - the mathematician, computer scientist and the code breaker - came up with.

'These equations describe how certain chemicals interact during animal development and we found that these equations explain the patterning of these units.'

The researchers also showed how tweaking the inputs of Turing's system can create a diverse range of scale patterns.

They believe the natural variety in this system could explain the scales in shark and ray species alive today.

Rory Cooper, a PhD student at Sheffield University, said: 'Sharks belong to an ancient vertebrate group, long separated from most other jawed vertebrates.

'Studying their development gives us an idea of what skin structures may have looked like early in vertebrate evolution.

'We wanted to learn about the developmental processes that control how these diverse structures are patterned, and therefore the processes which facilitate their various functions.'

This scanning electron microscopy image of a catfish hatchling's scales. The findings of the study help explain how the scales of a shark evolved to reduce drag and be more energy efficient while swimming

Scientists used a combination of techniques, including reaction-diffusion modelling, to create a simulation based on Turing's equations.

Mr Cooper added: 'Scientists and engineers have been trying to create shark-skin inspired materials to reduce drag and increase efficiency during locomotion, of both people and vehicles, for many years.

'Our findings help us to understand how shark scales are patterned, which is essential for enabling their function in drag reduction.

'Therefore, this research helps us to understand how these drag reductive properties first arose in sharks, and how they change between different species.'

He said patterning is an important aspect that contributes to achieving drag reduction in certain shark species. Another is the shape of individual scales.

The researchers now want to examine the developmental processes which underlie the variation of shape both within and between different shark species.

Mr Cooper added: 'Understanding how both these factors contribute towards drag reduction will hopefully lead towards the production of improved, widely applicable shark-inspired materials capable of reducing drag and saving energy.'A Stockholm-based startup has developed a talking AI assistant with a face.

Furhat combines digital assistant technology akin to Alexa or Siri and humanoid robots like SoftBank's Pepper to create a device that's creepily lifelike.

It's essentially a disembodied head that can be customized with different faces - even characters from the sci-fi film Avatar.

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WHAT IS FURHAT? Furhat is a social robot created by Stockholm-based startup Furhat Robotics. It weighs just over 7lbs and is essentially a disembodied head with a face projected onto it. AI allows the device to speak, engage and react to users, while a camera allows it to maintain eye contact. Furhat can speak more than 30 languages and users can customize its face by swapping out animations. Currently, the device is being marketed to businesses and organizations. Advertisement

Furhat was first unveiled earlier this year, but Furhat Robotics debuted the latest version of its AI assistant at the Web Summit conference on Tuesday.

A wide-angle projection system is built into the device, which enables it to display animated faces on the head.

Each face has its own personalities and quirks 'like a real human,' Furhat Robotics says.

'Furhat is a social robot that communicates with us humans as we do with each other - by speaking, listening, showing emotions and maintaining eye contact,' the firm explained.

'It can serve customers, provide companionship, train employees or teach a language.'

Furhat comes with a range of pre-selected expressions and gestures that can be customized by users.

This is so that when people interact with Furhat, it's capable of responding and interacting just like a human would.

Furhat comes with a range of pre-selected expressions and gestures that can be customized by users. When people interact with Furhat, it responds and interacts just like a human would

Furhat was first unveiled earlier this year, but Furhat Robotics debuted the latest version of its AI assistant at the Web Summit conference on Tuesday. It's unclear how much the device costs

Regular faces can be projected onto the head, but Furhat Robotics said it also allows users to choose from animal and character faces.

The robot listens, speaks and reacts all while maintaining eye contact with the user, thanks to a camera integrated in the device.

Furhat's eyebrows move up and down or furrow in confusion, while its mouth is able to arc into a smile or a grimace.

'A wide-angle, high fidelity camera and beamforming stereo microphones give Furhat outstanding situational awareness,' Furhat Robotics said.

Furhat listens, speaks and reacts, while maintaining eye contact with the user. Its eyebrows move up and down or furrow in confusion, while its mouth arcs into a smile or a grimace

Two Hi-Fi speakers are situated below Furhat's head to power its voice. It uses AI to understand natural language and speak over 30 languages thanks to text-to-speech technology

Two Hi-Fi speakers are situated below Furhat's head to power its voice.

It can speak over 30 languages thanks to text-to-speech technology.

What's more, users can record their own voice and have Furhat lip sync automatically, the firm noted.

Furhat uses artificial intelligence to understand natural language, as well as respond.

'This is the culmination of many years of dedicated research and development both internally and through working with industry and technology partners,' Furhat Robotics CEO Samer Al Moubayed told New Atlas.

Users can record their own voice and have Furhat lip sync automatically. Furhat uses artificial intelligence to understand natural language, as well as respond

'From its beginnings at KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) we have taken Furhat to a point where social robots are no longer a hope for the future but a reality of today.'

It's unclear how much the device will cost and average consumers can't yet purchase Furhat through the firm's website.

For now, Furhat Robotics is marketing the social robot as a device for businesses and organizations.

The company said it's working with Disney, Honda, Intel and Merck to bring Furhat to the workplace.Advertisement

Samsung has finally taken the wraps off its futuristic folding phone.

The Korean tech giant unveiled a prototype version of the device today at the 2018 Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco, which it says is due to arrive in the 'coming months.'

It boasts an Infinity Flex Display, which enables it to transform into a phone or a tablet when it's opened and closed.

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Justin Denison, Samsung's senior vice president of mobile product marketing, unveiled the firm's first folding phone onstage at the 2018 Developer Conference in San Francisco. It features a 7.3-inch screen that can transform into a phone or tablet

Samsung says the 7.3-inch 'Infinity Flex Display' can be folded 'hundreds of thousands of times' thanks to the display's thinness and flexibility. The screen has a protective layer, giving it the same finish as a photo, that's both flexible and tough

SAMSUNG'S FOLDING PHONE SPECS Infinity Flex Display 7.3-inch screen 45% thinner display than previous models Android software optimized for folding format Multi-active window enables up to 3 apps to run at once Advertisement

There's a small screen on the outside of the phone and another, larger display that reveals itself once the device is unfolded.

Samsung says the 7.3-inch screen can be folded 'hundreds of thousands of times' thanks to the display's thinness and flexibility.

'Users now have the best of both worlds: a compact smartphone that unfolds to reveal a larger immersive display for multitasking and viewing content,' Samsung explained.

'The app experience seamlessly transitions from the smaller display to the larger display as the device unfolds.

'In addition, users can browse, watch, connect and multitask without losing a beat, simultaneously using three active apps on the larger display,' the firm added.

Google revealed new Android support for 'foldables' before Samsung had the chance to debut its own folding phone. Android will now support devices that are half-phone, half-tablet with a high-tech, wraparound screen

However, the firm didn't reveal too many details about the device, hoping to keep the design safe from competitors.

'There's a device inside here,' Justin Denison, Samsung's senior vice president of mobile product marketing, said on stage. 'And it is stunning.'

The screen has a protective layer, giving it the same finish as a photograph, that's both flexible and tough.

'For this display to be foldable, it had to be thinner than any other display we've ever made,' Justin Denison, Samsung's senior vice president of mobile product marketing, said on stage.

When users open the phone, their apps move seamlessly from the outside of the device to the interior screen. Users can have up to three apps running at once on the tablet-sized screen, using what Samsung calls its Multi-active window feature

Samsung put its proprietary Infinity Flex Display technology in its new foldable phone. It's likely that this device won't be hitting the shelves any time soon, however, as Samsung hasn't yet given it a name, price tag or release date

The display is 45 percent thinner than Samsung's other smartphone models.

On top of that, Samsung says it has some other high-tech screen technology up its sleeve.

It's also working on rollable and stretchable displays - though it's unclear when these will come to fruition.

When users open the phone, their apps move seamlessly from the outside of the device to the interior screen.

Samsung didn't reveal too many details about the device, hoping to keep the design safe from competitors. There's no price tag for the product, or a release date, although Samsung said it expects to begin mass production of the device soon

As part of the launch, Android also unveiled a new software format specifically modified for 'foldables.' Android will now support devices that are half-phone, half-tablet

Users can have up to three apps running at once on the tablet-sized screen, which Samsung calls its 'Multi-active window' feature.

'Apps you were using when the device was closed are right there waiting for you when its open,' Denison said.

Samsung says the 7.3-inch screen can be folded 'hundreds of thousands of times' thanks to the display's thinness and flexibility. The device was teased ahead of the event on Wednesday

It's likely that this device won't be hitting the shelves any time soon, as Samsung hasn't yet given it a name, price tag or release date.

That said, Denison said Samsung expects to begin mass production of the device 'in the coming months.'

As part of the launch, Android also unveiled a new software format specifically modified for 'foldables.'

Android will now support devices that are half-phone, half-tablet with a high-tech, wraparound screen.

'It's an exciting concept and we expect to see foldable products from several Android manufacturers,' Dave Burke, vice president of engineering for Android, told a Google conference on Wednesday.

'In fact, we're already working closely with Samsung on a new device they plan to launch early next year,' Burke said.

When users open the phone, their apps move seamlessly from the outside of the device to the interior screen. Users can have up to three apps running at once on the tablet-sized screen

The announcement was made Wednesday at Google's developer conference, Android Dev Summit, in Mountain View, California.

Making matters slightly awkward, the move was announced as Samsung hosted its own developer conference in San Francisco.

Google is partnering with Samsung to develop software for foldables.

VP of engineering Dave Burke said Google is 'enhancing Android to take advantage of this new form factor with as little work as necessary.'

In teasing the software capabilities, it also revealed that Samsung's foldable phone would be launching next year.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.Advertisement

NASA has revealed a stunning new image of the latest testing of the Orion capsule that could one day take man to Mars.

The capsule is set to be blasted off next year on an unmanned mission around the moon, and will eventually be a 'workhorse' for NASA, doing everything from taking astronauts to the International Space Station to being used on deep space missions to Mars.

The latest tests saw NASA working with the US Navy to 'validate procedures and hardware that will be used to recover the Orion spacecraft after it splashes down following deep space exploration missions.'

The tests used the USS John P. Murtha to recover the test version of the Orion capsule at sunset in the Pacific Ocean.

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The latest tests saw NASA working with the US Navy to 'validate procedures and hardware that will be used to recover the Orion spacecraft after it splashes down following deep space exploration missions.'

The latest tests saw NASA working with the US Navy's USS John P. Murtha to 'validate procedures and hardware that will be used to recover the Orion spacecraft after it splashes down following deep space exploration missions.'

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN ORION SPLASHES DOWN? NASA is developing multiple methods to get the crew out of the spacecraft on the day they return home, which gives recovery personnel and mission controllers flexibility to account for the crew's health, weather and the condition of the recovery personnel and equipment in the area in real-time. Orion is designed to sustain a crew that has splashed down in the ocean for up to 24 hours. It will be equipped with such a raft and a few additional emergency supplies such as water, tools and signaling mirrors, should the crew ever be in a situation where a team of recovery personnel is not immediately available to assist them Advertisement

'The Underway Recovery Test-7 (URT-7) is one in a series of tests that the Exploration Ground Systems Recovery Team, along with the U.S. Navy, are conducting to validate procedures and hardware that will be used to recover the Orion spacecraft after it splashes down following deep space exploration missions,' NASA said.

NASA engineers worked alongside Sailors from the John P. Murtha, Special Boat Team 12, and Navy divers from Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 11 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 to test recovery operations of the Orion test article.

Tests were conducted throughout the day and night in varying sea states.

'John P. Murtha was tasked to assist NASA with their seventh Underway Recovery Test. Our crew executed of every assignment given to them flawlessly and their recovery-at-sea experience and dedication directly contributed to our overall mission success,' said Capt. Tony Roach, commanding officer USS John P. Murtha.

One of the more important capabilities of the ship is the ship's ability to recover the test capsule using the ship's well deck, designed to launch and recover amphibious craft.

NASA astronauts training for a possible mission to Mars have previously practiced water maneuvers in a mock-up Orion space capsule in the Gulf of Mexico.

Several astronauts trained in the open water, about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) from Galveston, Texas.

During the crew egress testing, a joint team from the Orion and Ground Systems Development and Operations programs, along with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force, evaluated how the crew will get out of the capsule with assistance and by themselves.

The astronauts wore bright orange training uniforms as they trained for a possible water landing, jumping into the water, using flotation devices and deploying a life raft.

Coast Guard and other NASA and military safety personnel were positioned nearby.

'Astronauts returning to Earth in Orion will have spent many days in space, and we want to make sure the last part of their journey goes smoothly no matter what kind of conditions they land in,' said Tom Walker, rescue and recovery lead for Orion at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The tests come as the 'powerplant' for the first Orion mission around the moon arrived with NASA. In Florida, the module will be joined with the Orion crew module built by Lockheed Martin, followed by over a year of intensive testing before the first three-week mission orbiting the Moon is launched in 2020, albeit without people.

'Our testing in the Gulf of Mexico gives us an opportunity to practice and evaluate our plans and hardware for how to get crew out of Orion as safely and efficiently as possible.'

NASA is developing multiple methods to get the crew out of the spacecraft on the day they return home, which gives recovery personnel and mission controllers flexibility to account for the crew's health, weather and the condition of the recovery personnel and equipment in the area in real-time.

Orion is 16.5 feet (5 meters) in diameter and 10.8 feet (3.3 meters) high It will weigh about 31,000 pounds (14,000 kg) empty and have a habitable volume of 692 cubic feet (11 cubic meters).

Orion is designed to sustain a crew that has splashed down in the ocean for up to 24 hours.

When the capsule and its crew return from deep space missions, during one recovery method, small boats of Navy personnel will arrive soon after landing.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover signals back up to astronaut Daniel Burbank that he is OK after jumping into the Gulf of Mexico from the Orion capsule the astronauts are using to practice an emergency egress situation during recovery testing about four miles off of Galveston Island, Texas. The testing is the first time since the Apollo program that NASA has practiced such egress techniques from a capsule in open water.

In this Thursday, July 13, 2017 photo, NASA astronaut Victor Glover jumps into the Gulf of Mexico while practicing an emergency egress situation aboard the Orion capsule they are using for recovery testing about four miles off of Galveston Island, Texas. The testing is the first time since the Apollo program that NASA has practiced such egress techniques from a capsule in open water. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)

They will assist the crew as they exit through the side hatch of the capsule and onto rafts, and take them and the capsule back to an awaiting Naval ship.

Crew members must also be prepared to get out of the spacecraft's if conditions aren't as favorable.

ORION VS APOLLO - A GIANT CAPSULE UPGRADE View of United States Navy frogmen from USS Yorktown standing on an inflatable surrounding the Apollo 8 Command Module capsule containing NASA astronauts, Commander Frank Borman, Lunar Module pilot William Anders and Command Module pilot James Lovell prior to opening the hatch following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on 27th December 1968. The Apollo 8 spaceflight blasted off from Kennedy Space center in Florida on 21st December 1968. Orion is 16.5 feet (5 meters) in diameter and 10.8 feet (3.3 meters) high It will weigh about 31,000 pounds (14,000 kg) empty and have a habitable volume of 692 cubic feet (11 cubic meters). By comparison, Apollo's Command Module had a diameter of 12.8 feet (3.9 meters) and a height of 11.4 feet (3.47 meters). Its total weight was 12,787 pounds (5,800 kg) and its crew cabin volume was 218 cubic feet (6.17 cubic meters). A little-known fact of the Apollo, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz missions is that, upon splashdown, the space capsules rolled upside down in the ocean during about half of the landings. Astronauts hung safely, face-down, in their seat harnesses as round, balloon-like devices called righting spheres were inflated to roll the capsules back over. The spheres, part of the spacecraft's uprighting system, were attached at the top portion of the capsules. The compressor-inflated balloons were designed to flip the capsules upright in the event of either landing upside down, or rolling over after landing in the sea. Obviously, designers expected such events, as this system was installed on all the command modules. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin standing by a boiler plate Apollo capsule on the deck of the NASA vessel Retriever during water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. The new Orion capsule is far larger than Apollo Upon returning to earth, the spacecraft parachuted to a splashdown upright on the broad heat-shielded base, lowered gently by three huge 'chutes. But, in rougher seas, or if the wind caught the parachutes as they floated to the surface, the capsules rolled or were dragged over. When that happened, the command module pilot would flip a switch to deploy the righting spheres and start compressor fans to inflate them. Advertisement

If the capsule were to land off course and recovery teams were not expected to arrive quickly, or water intrudes into the crew module before they arrive, astronauts must be prepared to get out of the spacecraft alone.

NASA also is evaluating how well crew members can get out of the spacecraft within three minutes and into a raft by themselves, without the assistance of recovery personnel.

On human missions, Orion will be equipped with such a raft and a few additional emergency supplies such as water, tools and signaling mirrors, should the crew ever be in a situation where a team of recovery personnel is not immediately available to assist them.

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke jumps into a life raft from an Orion capsule the astronauts are using for a recovery test about four miles off of Galveston Island, Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. The testing is the first time since the Apollo program that NASA has practiced such egress techniques from a capsule in open water.

In this Thursday, July 13, 2017 photo, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and support staff, NASA Astronauts Daniel Burbank, Stanley Love, Mike Fincke and Victor Glover practice egress techniques from NASA's new Orion capsule about four miles off of Galveston Island, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The testing is the first time since the Apollo program that NASA has practiced such egress techniques from a capsule in open water.

Astronauts and engineering test subjects wore Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits, modified versions of NASA's orange Advanced Crew Escape suits in development for use during Orion launch and entry, making the testing as true to mission scenarios as possible.

The testing builds upon the development and execution of recovery procedures practiced in the Neutral Buoyancy lab at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, a 6.2 million-gallon pool that is used for astronaut training and provided a calm environment for initial testing.

Engineers expect to conduct additional future crew egress testing in open water.

The Orion spacecraft is being prepared at Johnson Space Center in nearby Houston.

It is intended for flight with NASA's new SLS or Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket the agency says it has ever built.Amazon employees plan to take CEO Jeff Bezos to task about the firm's controversial facial recognition software, Rekognition.

The tech giant will host an all-staff meeting on Thursday and it's there that employees will flood executives with questions about Rekognition, as well as why Amazon continues work with immigration authorities, according to Recode.

Pressure has been mounting for Amazon to cancel its contracts with ICE and law enforcement agents, which allow them to test out the facial recognition technology.

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Amazon employees plan to take CEO Jeff Bezos (pictured) to task at an all-hands meeting on Thursday about the firm's controversial facial recognition software, Rekognition

Amazon lets employees submit their questions for Bezos and other executives beforehand using an online form.

They then go through the list and decide on which questions to answer.

A group of employees plan to submit numerous questions on the topic of Rekognition with the hope that executives will have no choice but to answer them.

'We know that the questions are now pre-screened, but we think that if enough people submit questions, there is a greater chance we can hold leadership accountable,' an Amazon employee told Recode.

'Write your own personal message, or copy/paste this one if you dont have time: Why is Amazon continuing to support ICEs regime of deportation, and even offering to sell them facial recognition software?'

This time, the meeting will be livestreamed to all employees globally.

Employees plan to submit numerous questions on the topic of Rekognition, Amazon's facial recognition tech, with the hope that executives will have no chance but to answer them

The group includes staffers who have previously spoken out about Amazon's facial recognition technology.

In June, hundreds of Amazon employees penned a letter addressed to Bezos, titled 'We Won't Build It,' calling on him to end Amazon's Rekognition contracts with the police.

The letter detailed concerns around how the technology would be deployed, as well as the possibility for bias, citing 'historic militarization of police, renewed targeting of Black activists, and the growth of a federal deportation force currently engaged in human rights abuses.'

Employees also urged Amazon to end its relationship with Palantir, a controversial data company.

It comes as Amazon has defended its Rekognition tech, alongside growing concerns from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union.

Facial recognition is used by many technology companies, but activists say Amazon's system could lead to dangerous surveillance powers for law enforcement

WHAT HAS AMAZON SAID ABOUT ITS RECKOGNITION AI FACIAL RECOGNITION TOOL? Amazon has defended giving its Big Brother-style facial recognition tool to police following an outcry from civil rights groups. Amazon's facial recognition tool, dubbed 'Rekognition', is currently being used by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Florida. In an emailed statement, however, the firm said it has ' many useful applications in the real world', such as locating lost children at amusement parks It also noted that the company 'requires that customers comply with the law and be responsible when they use' its software products. Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman said: 'Our quality of life would be much worse today if we outlawed new technology because some people could choose to abuse the technology. 'Imagine if customers couldn't buy a computer because it was possible to use that computer for illegal purposes?' Advertisement

The ACLU claims the software guide for the AI 'reads like a user manual for authoritarian surveillance'.

But Amazon said 'quality of life would be much worse' if technologies such as this were blocked because of fears they may be misused.

It has pointed out that its tool has helped find lost children in the past, and claims it has great potential for fighting crime in future.

Amazon Rekognition has been used for a number of positive purposes already, the company claims.

This includes using the program to find children lost in amusement parks and identifying people who have been abducted.

However, Amazon is drawing the ire of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other privacy advocates over the tool.

Amazon offers the technology to law enforcement for just $6 (4.50) to $12 (9) a month. It counts the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Oregon and the city of Orlando as customers

First released in 2016, Amazon has since been selling it on the cheap to several police departments around the US, listing the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Oregon and the city of Orlando, Florida among its customers.

Amazon offers the technology to law enforcement for just $6 (4.50) to $12 (9) a month.

Deputies in Oregon had been using Rekognition about 20 times per day - for example, to identify burglary suspects in store surveillance footage.

Last month, the agency adopted policies governing its use, noting that officers in the field can use real-time face recognition to identify suspects who are unwilling or unable to provide their own ID, or if someone's life is in danger.

'We are not mass-collecting. We are not putting a camera out on a street corner,' said Deputy Jeff Talbot, a spokesman for the sheriff's office.

'We want our local community to be aware of what we're doing, how we're using it to solve crimes - what it is and, just as importantly, what it is not.'Dubai Municipality highlighted the pivotal role being played by the civic body in implementing several initiatives, projects and laws related to sustainability, at a key summit in Dubai.



The sixth International Conference for Sustainable Construction Materials, which concludes today, was organised by Dubai Municipality under the theme, "Building the Future  Construction Technology of Tomorrow" at Conrad Dubai Hotel.



The Dubai Municipality's key initiatives cover many areas such as sustainable urban planning, environment, waste water treatment, solid waste management, thermal insulation, energy conservation, green building and its evaluation system (Al Saafaat), in order to reach the ultimate goal of making Dubai a sustainable green city.



Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, CEO of Dubai Municipality for the Environment, Health and Safety Sector, and a number of researchers and experts in the field of sustainable construction materials are taking part in the event.



Al Awadhi, who delivered the opening speech, stressed the pivotal role played by Dubai Municipality in the use of modern digital technologies and advanced technological applications, that have reflected positively on the services of testing and issuing conformity certificates and labels for construction materials, products and systems, which has a significant impact on enhancing the performance of the construction sector in accordance with the highest standards of quality and sustainability.



He pointed out that this year, the conference focused on ways to look ahead in terms of finding alternatives and smart technologies in the development of construction materials, products and systems.



Al Awadhi said the conference will support in enhancing the ways of benefiting from scientific and knowledge expertise and development opportunities that will be presented in this distinguished scientific gathering, which will help in the process of inventing creative and sustainable solutions that support the efforts to address environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.



Al Awadhi also opened the exhibition, which was held alongside the conference.



The exhibition was attended by a number of establishments and companies in the field of sustainable construction materials.



On the second day, today, the conference programme included a field visit to Expo 2020 site, where participants were briefed on the progress of the important global event, especially the construction work, as well as a field visit to the Sustainable City site to learn about the most important techniques used there.-TradeArabia News ServiceInternational travel has been on the rise since 2017, with 10 special cities around the world picking up the majority of out-of-towners.

According to Mastercard, Bangkok, Thailand, London, England, Paris, France, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore were the top five international travel destinations in the last year.

A major deciding factor when picking a travel destination is price. While travelers may snag a cheap flight and hotel accommodation, they can end up spending a fortune on food and drink and getting around. Unsurprisingly, tourists spent the most money per day in Dubai  a whopping $537.

Here's a look at the top ten cities visited in 2017 and how much money visitors spent there daily.

Bangkok, Thailand was the most traveled-to tourist destination in 2017 with more than 20 million people flocking there from around the world

Bangkok, Thailand: $173 per day

More than 20 million people visited Bangkok, Thailand in 2017. This year, the city is expected to see an increase of more than nine per cent.

Its popularity may be due in part to the fact that Bangkok is one of the cheaper international trips to take. While a flight may run you between $500 and $800, it doesnt cost much to enjoy yourself. On average, travelers stayed 4.7 nights and spent just $173 per day.

In 2017, London, England proved to be an affordable and worth-while destination for international travelers

London, England: $153 per day

In 2017, London, England saw more than 19 million international visitors. Its expected to see a three per cent increase in 2018, likely due to the affordability.

Although London is often touted as one of the pricier places to live and work, travelers spent an average of $153 a day. Most people visited for about 5.8 nights, according to Mastercard.

Paris, France saw more than 17 million international travelers in 2017 and is expected to receive an increase of 2.9 per cent more

Paris, France: $301 per day

Paris, France is the third most popular destination with international travelers. In 2017, 17.44 million people visited the City of Light.

Theyre projected to see a 2.9 per cent increase in international visits this year. Most people visit Paris for a little over two days and they spend an average of $301 per day.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates was one of the most popular tourist destinations for international travelers in 2017

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: $537 per day

Last year, Dubai, United Arab Emirates hosted about 15.79 million international visitors. Theyre expecting to see an increase of 5.5 per cent in 2018.

Most travelers visited Dubai for a brief 3.5 nights. Average daily spending was about $537 a day.

Singapore was visited by more than 13 million international travelers seeking adventure in 2017

Singapore: $268 per day

Singapore was popular with international travelers in 2017 with 13.91 million people flocking there from their respective corners of the world. Mastercard projected there will be a four per cent increase in visits in 2018.

On average, visitors to Singapore spent about $286 daily. Most travelers stayed about 4.3 nights.

New York hosted more than 13 million international travelers in 2017 and will see an increase of more than four per cent

New York, US: $147 per day

New York was the only Top 10 travel destination in the United States. It saw about 13.13 million visitors in 2017 and is expected to receive an increase of a little over four per cent in 2018.

Most travelers stayed 8.3 nights. They typically spent $147 per day.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia drew in 12.58 million people in 2017  a figure that's expected to increase by 7.5 per cent in 2018

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: $124 per day

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was popular with international travelers in 2017 with 12.58 million people jetting there at some point. The capitol city can expect to see an increase of 7.5 per cent in visitors by the time 2018 is done.

Kuala Lumpur is popular for many reasons, but one of them may be how affordable it is. On average, people visited for 5.5 nights and spent just $124 per day.

Tokyo, Japan took in more than 11 million international visitors in 2017 at low cost to them

Tokyo, Japan: $154 per day

More than 11 million people from all over the world visited Tokyo, Japan in 2017. The city will see an increase of just 1.6 per cent in 2018, Mastercard reported.

Most people who visited Tokyo in 2017 stayed a little over six nights. An average day cost about $154.

Istanbul, Turkey was among the most popular destinations with international travelers in 2017 and its expecting a huge increase in 2018

Istanbul, Turkey: $108 per day

Istanbul, Turkey was wildly popular with travelers in 2017 and its expected to rise exponentially in 2018. More than 10 million people made the journey there last year.

Mastercard has predicted that 19.7 per cent more travelers will head there in 2018.

The average visitor spent 5.8 nights there and spent a mere $108 per day. The sheer affordability is likely a major factor in Istanbuls popularity with those bitten by the travel bug.

Seoul, South Korea was the only top 10 destination that saw a decrease in international visitation in 2017

Seoul, South Korea: $181 per day

Seoul, South Korea is the only city in the top 10 travel destinations that saw a decrease in the number of visitors they had in 2017. About 9.54 million people traveled there.

Experts predict the city will see an increase of about six per cent by the end of 2018.

The average traveler comes to Seoul for a little over four nights and spends close to $181.Advertisement

China - it's at once a mystery and yet something so familiar to Westerners.

Its culture - its food, the way its people dress, its ideologies - is known across the world.

But it still remains something of an undiscovered country for many outside its borders.

We're hoping that these stunning images will reveal a bit more about the country and underscore just what a jaw-droppingly diverse place it is.

It's a country with neck-straining skyscrapers, cormorant fishermen, dramatic waterfalls, terrifying glass walkways, Unesco-listed national parks and, for a bonus, the world's biggest city square.

Scroll down to see China in all its glory - and perhaps adjust your bucket list.

The Li River loops around the karst mountains in Guilin. The Chinese regard the scenery in Guilin as among the most beautiful in the world

The Chinese just can't seem to get enough of nerve-shredding walkways. Here's one made out of glass on Tianmen Mountain

A spectacular shot captured from Victoria Peak, the highest part of Hong Kong, showing the skyscrapers below. There are 1,500 buildings in Hong Kong that are classed as skyscrapers, meaning they are taller than 328 feet

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. This image of its high-rise buildings has a hypnotic quality about it

Wispy clouds hang over a winding road that leads up one of the hills in the stunning Tianmen Mountain National Park. The mountain itself has been named as one of the most scenic in China

The lush green fields of the Longsheng Rice Terrace in Guangxi province. This upland area has been cultivated for rice for over 800 years using a terrace and irrigation system

The Lujiazui district of Shanghai is classed as the city's financial district. It's home to the bizarrely shaped Shanghai World Financial Centre (the second-tallest building in this shot), which has been compared to the shape of a bottle opener

The high-rise buildings of Shanghai, this time captured in an image that shows the Huangpu River looping around them. The meaning of the name of the city of Shanghai is 'upon the sea'. This alludes to the Shanghais location along the Yangtze River Delta near the South China Sea

The 1,535ft Oriental Pearl Tower, left, can be seen dominating the skyline of Shanghai. Until 2007, it was the tallest structure in China

The sun sets on waterlogged rice fields in Yuanyang County. Around 200million tons of rice are produced in China each year

Two ships sail down the Yangtze River amid breathtaking hills. The river is the longest in Asia, stretching for almost 4,000 miles

Cars travel along a highway through China's capital Beijing. Due to rising car ownership, Beijing is one of the worst places in the world for air pollution

The Li River meanders around the lush green hills in Yangshuo County. We just couldn't resist featuring this scenery twice

The Great Wall of China is estimated to stretch more than 13,000 miles across China. It attracts 10million visitors each year

The incredible jagged peaks located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie. The area is on Unesco's world heritage list and the site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks. Some rise to 600ft

Mist swirls around the peaks of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in this wonderful picture taken from a tourist boat on a lake below

The Twin River Bridge spans the Yuzhong peninsula in the south western city of Chongqing. The city is the fourth biggest in China after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin

Tianjin (its financial district is pictured), has a population of around 15million and its metropolitan district covers 4,200 square miles

A farmer guides his water buffalo across a stone bridge in the Guilin region. Water buffalo are the most important animal for these farmers as they are able to till the flooded rice paddy fields

Cormorant fishing in China is a practice that stretches back at least 1,000 years. The birds dive and catch fish for their masters but are prevented from swallowing big catches by a snare tied around their throats. This beautiful image was captured in Guilin

Welcome to the world's largest city square - Xinghai Square, which was built in 1998. It's located in the city of Dalian and covers 270 acres

Xinshi is a Chinese 'water town' that was built around 1,000 years ago. China can be overwhelmingly industrial and wonderfully quaint...

A hidden settlement sits in the basin of a valley in the Yandang Mountains in eastern China. The mountains are thought to be one of the areas where the South China tiger can be found

Dam that's beautiful: The small islands that are scattered in Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang province. The lake, which is a fresh-water, human-made body of water, was formed in 1959 after the completion of the Xin'an River hydroelectric station

The colourful mountains of the Zhangye National Geopark close to China's border with Mongolia. Sandstone and mineral deposits have created the swirling orange, yellow and white lunar-like landscape

A light monorail track has been built to go through a hole in a residential 19-storey building in China. The city of Chongqing in the south-east of the country has a population of 49 million packed into 31,000 square miles, causing urban planners to look creatively at solving space issues. A special railway station was built into the block of houses, set into the sixth to eighth floors

Yunnan province in south west China is known for its diverse landscape. Pictured are rural farming fields giving off a red autumnal glow

The Karakul Lake in Xinjiang, an autonomous region of north western China. There are two Kirgiz settlements along the shore of the lake and pictured is a traditional Kirgiz yurt

The Blue Moon Valley, pictured, takes it name from the striking colour of the river close to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan. The river is fed by melting snow and ice running down from the peak

The Detian Waterfall is often described as Asia's biggest trans-national waterfall as it sits on the border of both China and Vietnam. Over the past 1,000 years, the waterfall has eroded and has moved slowly upstream

The Crescent Moon Spring in Dunhuang is an oasis in the middle of the desert. The oasis, which is believed to have existed for 2,000 years, was shrinking fast due to increasing desertification in the region before the government began to refill it

Winters can be harsh in northern China and it is not unusual to see snow in cities such as Harbin, Beijing and Tianjin

A giant panda clings on to a tree in Chengdu while posing for the camera. The bear is native to central China but there are just over 1,800 left in the wild

A traditional boat floats past the historic buildings lining a canal in Shanghai. These days, the boats are popular with tourists

Shipping containers are lined up ready to be loaded at Shanghai International Shipping Centre. The port of Shanghai is the busiest in the world in terms of cargo tonnage moved

The Yingwuzhou Bridge in Wuhan crosses the mammoth Yangtze River. Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, and is the most populous city in central China. Around 10million people live thereAdvertisement

An abandoned psychiatric hospital for most people would be something to steer well clear of.

But for photographer James Kerwin, just such a place became the springboard for a fashion photo series with a distinctly creepy aesthetic.

After taking a picture of his model girlfriend, Jade, inside the former Severalls Psychiatric Hospital in Colchester, Jade's hometown, he has gone on to snap her in eerie abandoned buildings in 12 European countries.

Jade in 2015 modelling a floral dress while leaning against a wall inside the abandoned Severalls Asylum in Colchester, Essex

The wallpaper peels from the walls inside this abandoned hotel in France as Jade poses. James says he was pleased Jade's dress matched the decor

A haunting picture inside Chateau Miranda in Belgium, which used to be a former school. The theme of this shoot was 'lost child'

During a trip to Belgium in 2015 James and Jade carried out a shoot for a local designer. It took place in an abandoned office block

The couple travelled to Poland and found this colourful staircase in an abandoned house and carried out an impromptu shoot

James, who is originally from Norwich, has now built a portfolio of work for himself and Jade by shooting in old chateaux, disused trains and abandoned hotels.

The Severalls Psychiatric Hospital shoot took place in 2015 - and it was a brand new experience for James.

He said: 'It was only my second ever image taken inside these dark and poorly lit buildings.

The ornate walls and candle holders are still intact inside this abandoned French chateau. Jade wears a dress by a Belgium-based designer

Furniture and a toy pram lay abandoned inside an empty mansion in France. Jade wore a bespoke dress for this eerie shot

Jade poses in the same spine-chilling Parisian mansion, but wearing a different dress

The rooms inside this derelict French chateau were still full of furniture. Jade just so happened to have packed this purple dress, which almost blends in with the surroundings

'We managed to take just three shots before being asked to leave by the security team. Nevertheless, we were happy because we had a great result.

'The first image that we captured although its not the most technical of images, Jade still loves it to this day. It was the start of a story and of a string of images that we were to shoot across Europe and beyond.

'I find places through friends, by chance or by hours and hours of research online.'

The pair have now visited countries including France, Belgium, Hungary and Ukraine, all with Jade's wardrobe in tow.

The couple have explored several abandoned buildings in the UK including the now empty Royal Hospital Haslar in Hampshire, which used be a military facility

Jade pets a stray dog inside an empty former sanatorium in Georgia. The animal had approached them during the shoot

Jade lays against a smashed up piano outside a derelict palace in central Poland in a shot captured last spring

Jade poses in the snow outside the the Chateau de Gudanes in the south of France. It was abandoned but has now been renovated by an Australian family

James added: 'Jade finds the dresses online, through collaborations with designers and also some of the simpler designs in local charity shops, where she returns them afterwards so not to waste them.

'Sometimes as well fashion shops and retro designers have contacted us over the past four years and asked us to shoot their dresses or outfits.

'Each image tells a story of an adventure, travel and portrays my unique style. But it also provides us with memories as time flies by, year after year.'

During a road trip around France, the pair discovered a disused railway carriage and thought it would be the perfect place for a shot of Jade wearing a retro dress

While the pair were in Hungary, they came across an abandoned Soviet railway train to pose against

To capture this stunning image, Jade climbed up the steps inside an abandoned former power plant in Hungary wearing a red dress to stand out against the bleak background

In April 2007, James and Jade travelled to Pripyat, a ghost town in Ukraine. They carried out a Tomb Raider-themed shoot overlooking the rooftopsWith the nation in the grip of Melbourne Cup fever on Tuesday morning, it appears the Today show hosts got a little delirious with excitement.

During a jokey discussion about the favourites to win the big race, co-host Georgie Gardner paid a compliment to news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, saying, 'Just like the horse [Yucatan], you are a Today show favourite.'

'Wow,' said Karl. 'You're not comparing Sylvia to a...? No.'

Neigh good: Today show newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys was jokingly compared to a horse by Karl Stefanovic during an off-colour Melbourne Cup segment on Tuesday. Pictured: Karl (left) with co-host Georgie Gardner

'Oh, just keep out!'' Georgie, 48, replied in mock outrage. 'You're a meddler, today, you're causing trouble!'

Sylvia, 32, graciously laughed off the gag.

Karl's off-colour comment, while not ill-intentioned, is unlikely to do much to help rehabilitate his image in the eyes of the public.

During a jokey discussion about the favourites to win the big race, co-host Georgie Gardner paid a compliment to news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, saying, 'Just like the horse [Yucatan], you are a Today show favourite.' 'Wow,' said Karl. 'You're not comparing Sylvia to a...? No'

And it's another headache for the Myer branding expert who has been hired to help repair the Today show host's public image in the wake of dwindling ratings

Karl has hired a branding guru to help repair his battered public image and 'save his $3 million a year job'.

Mitch Catlin, a marketing strategist from the Catchy MMM group, has taken on the the embattled Today show host as a client, The Herald Sun reported on Friday.

Last chance? Karl 'has hired a personal branding expert to repair his battered public image' and 'save his $3 million a year job' as Today show faces worst ratings in 12 years

Mr Catlin told the Herald Sun that his aim is to remind the public that: 'That Karl is likeable and a good newsman.'

With more than 15 years of experience in senior marketing, brand and media roles, Mr Catlin claims he's 'looking forward' to working with Karl.

Mr Catlin, who now owns his own media marketing and management company, started his career with senior journalistic roles across radio and television including Chief of Staff of Network Ten in Melbourne and a reporter for the Seven Network.

Help: Mitch Catlin, a marketing strategist from the Catchy MMM group, has taken on the the 44-year-old embattled Today show host as a client. Mitch (pictured centre) helped bring Ellen DeGeneres (pictured left) and her wife Portia de Rossi (pictured right) to Australia in 2013

He's best known for his work with livening department store Myer in the marketplace in the 2000s, and signing A-lister Nicole Kidman as the global ambassador for supplements brand Swisse in 2012.

It's been reported Mr Catlin was also behind American TV host Ellen DeGeneres recording a week of talk shows in Australia in 2013.

Catlin was also seen attending to supermodel Elle Macpherson this week on behalf of luxury vehicle brand, Lexus.Australian fans of the Spice Girls have been left devastated after the band announced a reunion tour that will only include six shows across the UK.

On Monday Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C released a video on their social media channels, revealing the much-anticipated reunion - which will go ahead without Victoria Beckham.

'Breaking Spice news,' the band said on Twitter. 'Tickets on sale Saturday 10.30am.'

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'Friendship never ends': Australian fans of the Spice Girls have been left devastated after the band announced a reunion tour that will only include six shows across the UK

But Australian fans of the iconic 1990s girl-group were left outraged that the country will again miss out on the action.

The group's 2007-08 world tour famously fell apart before they reached the country, despite the band announcing a Sydney date.

Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment.

'@GeriHalliwell Spice Girls in all their band history have never had tour dates in Australia ever, that's one thing that has hurt me,' wrote one user.

What you really, really don't want: Aussie fans were left devastated by the annoucment

'And what about Australia @Spicegirls? Or is the UK the only bloody country in the world?' asked one fan.

'Literally been waiting for the Spice Girls to announce their tour. AND IT'S ONLY IN THE UK?!?! Tell me this is a mistake,' another fan Tweeted.

Another concurred: 'I'm gunna cry if @Spicegirls don't come to Australia! Us Aussies need some spice in our life!'

'I need this': Many fans have been waiting decades for the band to tour Australia

'I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want... the Spice Girls to tour Australia... and to win the lotto #dreambig,' said one hopeful fan.

However, there does appear to be a chance Australian fans won't miss out on seeing the band perform Down Under thanks to a recently comment made by Mel B on British Panel Loose Women.

When asked whether the band was planning a world tour she said: 'We are. The hopes are that we go everywhere else in the world, but right now it's just the UK.'

Why not us? While the Spice Girls have never performed a show in Australia, the band did enjoy a brief pit-stop in late 1997 to promote their cinema classic Spiceworld: The Movie

While the Spice Girls have never performed a show in Australia, the band did enjoy a brief pit-stop in late 1997 to promote their cinema classic Spiceworld: The Movie.

To the fury of fans across the globe the group pulled out of their 'world tour' in 2008, announcing that they would not be visiting Australia, China, South Africa or Argentina due to 'family commitments.'

A no show: Victoria Beckham has announced that she will not be joining the band on tour as she is too busy with her fashion label

'Sadly the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments,' they said in a statement.

'Due to the phenomenal demand for tickets in the UK and the US along with the touring logistics for such a massive production it was not possible to fit everything in.'

Tickets for the UK dates will go on sale on Saturday.Ali Oetjen's season of The Bachelorette has been clouded by controversy following bombshell allegations that the blonde cheated on her ex Grant Kemp, earlier this year.

But one person who doesn't believe the 32-year-old's questionable past is the reason the Channel 10 dating show is currently suffering its worst ratings ever is Matty 'J' Johnson.

The former Bachelor, who found love with Laura Byrne in 2017, jumped to Ali's defense during an interview with Daily Mail Australia at Derby Day on Saturday.

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EXCLUSIVE: 'The show is wholesome': Matty J defends Ali Oetjen's cheating allegations while branding ex Grant 'jealous' and claims Bachelorette ratings flop is down to rival programs (Matty J pictured with girlfriend Laura Byrne at Derby Day on Saturday)

'At this point, they're just wild accusations by Grant,' Matty said of Grant's claims that Ali engaged in a sexual act with another male on his staircase back in March this year.

'What's his motive? Maybe he's jealous that she's back in the spotlight and he's not. It's hard to know what is the truth and what is a made up story.'

Ali allegedly cheated on her ex-boyfriend Grant - who she met on Bachelor in Paradise - while she was visiting him in Los Angeles earlier this year.

'At this point, they're just wild accusations by Grant,' Matty said of the American reality star's claims Ali engaged in a sexual act with another male on his staircase (Pictured; Ali with Grant Kemp on set of Bachelor In Paradise in Fij last year shortly after meeting)

Hours before The Bachelorette premiere last month, Daily Mail Australia published a series of bombshell texts that seemingly proved Grant's version of events.

In the texts, Ali apologised for her behaviour and begged for forgiveness.

Despite countless opportunities during interviews, Ali has failed to ever confirm or deny the rumours and regularly brushes off the scandal.

'No excuses': Ali allegedly cheated on her ex-boyfriend Grant Kemp while she was visiting him in LA in March. Hours before The Bachelorette premiere last month, Daily Mail Australia published a series of bombshell texts (above) that seemingly proved Grant's version of events

Matty, who first starred on Georgia Love's season of The Bachelorette in 2016 before becoming The Bachelor himself in 2017, also discussed Ali's ratings disaster.

'It could be down to the fact that there's a lot of love on TV at the moment and I guess there's a lot of competition with Love Island and Married At First Sight,' he reasoned.

'I don't think The Bachelor (franchise) needs to do anything different.

'Of all the shows its definitely the most wholesome and credible at creating couples.

'Like every good product there's always going to be good peaks and troths, and I think it won't be long until The Bachelor is back on top.'

Matty's season of the show premiered to 846,000 viewers and peaked with 1,116,000 during the finale - averaging somewhere between those numbers for most episodes.

In comparison, Ali's season premiered to 631,000 viewers and has since dropped to 512,000 viewers across the five major cities, delivering its lowest ever numbers.Kris Smith is set to welcome his second child into the world next month.

And as he prepares for the new arrival with his pregnant girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris, Kris, 40, has revealed not everybody has congratulated them on their happy news.

While ex-girlfriend Dannii Monogue, who he shares first child with, has gushed over their baby joy, his most recent ex-girlfriend Maddy King has not.

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EXCLUSIVE: Not so friendly exes? Kris Smith reveals ex-girlfriend Maddy King is yet to congratulate him and Sarah Boulazeris on their baby joy

While speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, the Myer ambassador carefully responded when asked if Maddy, 30, has wished them well.

'I got a congratulations from the family, yeah, that was nice,' Kris answered, while appearing to suggest he has only heard from Maddy's family - not her.

The model dated Kris on and off for four years before splitting for good in October 2016.

He admitted at the time he was not interested in dating anybody else.

'I got a congratulations from the family, yeah, that was nice,' Kris said while appearing to suggest he has only heard from Maddy's family - not her (Kris and Maddy pictured in 2016)

Over: The model dated Kris on and off for four years before splitting for good in October 2016, with him admitting at the time he was not interested in dating anybody else

During his interview with Daily Mail Australia, Kris also revealed how he is approaching parenthood different this time round.

'You worry about the first one, you worry are you capable, can you do this?' he said.

'And then the common sense kicks in and it's just a joy and the best time of your life.'

Bumping along nicely: Sarah is due to give birth in December

He knows what he's doing! During his interview with Daily Mail Australia, Kris also revealed how he is approaching parenthood different this time round and is no longer 'worrying'

Despite eight-year-old son Ethan being predominately based in the UK with mother Dannii, Kris then confirmed he is not planning on relocating to ensure the siblings are close by.

'We're happy here and Ethan is here a lot,' he said of his long distance co-parenting set up with the Australian pop star turned TV personality.

'We've set up a nice home and it is only a flight away.'

'We're happy here and Ethan is here a lot': Kris discussed his long distance co-parenting set up with ex Dannii Minogue, who lives predominately in the UK, with their son Ethan, eight



She spent her morning presenting Sunrise in a pair of strappy heels.

And after wrapping up hosting duties for the day, Samantha Armytage literally kicked off her heels to enjoy the rest of the Melbourne Cup.

As the rain continued to bucket down at Flemington Racecourse, Sam smartly unbuckled her shoes with the help of a wardrobe assistant.

Comfort over style! Samantha Armytage has stepped out of strappy black heels and into a pair of nude flats after hosting Sunrise at the Melbourne Cup, on Tuesday



She then switched her footwear to a pair of cosy nude ballet flats.

Wearing the same elegant Camilla and Marc frock, she also took off the red, beige and pink floral headpiece she had on during the broadcast.

She carried a large black tote with her race day essentials, after toting around a small black clutch.

Helping hand: The blonde bombshell was seen at the event in a pair of strappy black heels that matched her navy off-the-shoulder frock

Feet on the ground: The breakfast TV host was later seen slightly dressed down version of her TV ensemble. Wearing the same elegant frock, she stepped into a pair of nude flats and took of the red, beige and pink floral headpiece she had on during the broadcast

It is unclear if Sam was heading home for the day or getting ready to get changed into a second ensemble.

Earlier in the day, Samantha kicked off Cup Day celebrations with a stylish selfie that showed off her unique headpiece.

The media personality also flaunted her flawless glowing makeup look, with peach blush cheeks, pink lips and lashings of mascara.

'Melbourne Cup Day 2018 flowers everywhere,' she wrote in the caption.

Pop of colour: Earlier in the day, Samantha kicked off Cup Day celebrations with a stylish selfie that showed off her unique headpiece

.She stunned in an all-white outfit at Derby Day on Saturday.

And on Tuesday at the Melbourne Cup, Rebecca Harding once again stood out in a beige mini dress and headpiece as she returned to Flemington Racecourse.

The 27-year-old flaunted her trim pins in the structured frock, which she teamed with an oversized bow headband.

Raising hemlines! Rebecca Harding flaunts her trim pins in a structured mini dress and oversized statement headpiece at the Melbourne Cup

Ahead of the event, model and yoga teacher Rebecca revealed she was wearing a Lillian Khallouf dress and an Anna Shoebridge headpiece on Instagram.

Her dress featured a bustier-style top and short sleeves.

She had her long dark locks out and over her shoulders in loose tousled curls.

Her makeup included dewy foundation and a bronze eye, which was completed with lashings of mascara and a nude lip.

Natural beauty: Her makeup included dewy foundation and a bronze eye, which was completed with lashings of mascara and a nude lip

Legs eleven! The 27-year-old flaunted her trim pins in the structured frock, which she teamed with an oversized bow headband

Designer: Ahead of the event, model and yoga teacher Rebecca revealed she was wearing a Lillian Khallouf dress and an Anna Shoebridge headpiece on Instagram

On the day, she was joined by boyfriend Andy Lee, who looked dapper in a maroon suit jacket and navy trousers.

The pair appeared in high spirits, mucking around as they posed for photographs.

The loved-up couple dated for 18 months and then split, before rekindling their romance in December 2016.

Date day! On the day, she was joined by boyfriend Andy Lee, who looked dapper in a maroon suit jacket and navy trousers

Smitten: The pair appeared in high spirits, mucking around as they posed for photographs

No ring... yet! In September, they sparked engagement rumours when they enjoyed a trip to New Zealand, but Andy shot down the speculation when appearing on the Today show last month

In September, they sparked engagement rumours when they enjoyed a trip to New Zealand, but Andy shot down the speculation when appearing on the Today show last month.

Meanwhile Rebecca stunned at Derby Day on Saturday, wearing a white jumpsuit.

The Witchery creation featured an off-the-shoulder design and a long layer of material at the front.She's the AFL WAG and fashion blogger who is known to perfect her sartorial choices.

So it came as no surprise to see Jessie Murphy [nee Habermann] stun at Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old put on a busty display in a black-and-yellow frock by Eliya the label, which featured a statement puffy shoulder and revealed a generous glimpse of cleavage.

Hot to trot! AFL WAG Jessie Murphy [nee Habermann], 28, stunned in a cleavage-baring statement frock at Melbourne Cup on Tuesday

She accessorised her look with a black, mesh visor-inspired fascinator by Ezara J and a pair of pointy-toed metallic pumps.

Wearing her hair up in a sleek high ponytail, Jessie commanded attention as she posed and beamed in front of onlookers.

Prior to her arrival, she took to Instagram to reveal a sneak peek at her race-day look with a sizzling selfie.

Picture-perfect: Jessie's statement frock also featured ruffles just below the bust, highlighting her slender waist

Holding onto the ends of her long blonde locks, the mother-of-one gazed intently at the camera.

Jessie's striking facial features were enhanced with a flawless complexion, defined brows, a false set of lashes, contoured cheekbones and and a glossy pink lip.

Jessie is the wife of AFL Carlton player Marc Murphy, 31.

Pouty: Her striking facial features were enhanced with a flawless complexion, defined brows, a false set of lashes, contoured cheekbones and and a glossy pink lip

Glamour couple: Jessie is the wife of AFL Carlton player Marc Murphy, 31 (left)

Marc proposed in September 2015 with a giant diamond sparkler and they married in December 2016.

Jessie stunned in a custom white OGLIA-LORO haute couture gown featuring '200 metres of tulle', while her wedding band was a gleaming diamond sparkler from Anton Jewellery.

The blushing bride later slipped into a second gown by the same designer, which, like her wedding gown, also took four months to make.

In a surprise twist, the happy couple skipped romantic ballads and chose Jay Z and Kanye West's hip-hop hit 'N***as in Paris' as their entrance song.

Jessie and Marc welcomed their first child, son Max, in January this year.Fujairah Terminals, an operational arm wholly-owned by Abu Dhabi Ports, has signed a MoU with United Steel Industries, a premier manufacturer of rebars, rods and wire coils, thus reinforcing its commitment to the UAE business community.



The agreement supports the handling of the companys import and export shipments through Port of Fujairah and means that Fujairah Terminals will facilitate all required logistics support for the company, said a statement from the firm.



The MoU was signed by Ahmed Al Mutawa, chief executive officer of Fujairah Terminals, and Mamed Magomadov, partner at United Steel Industries.



The partnership enables USI to benefit from the Fujairah Terminals strategic location and platform to efficiently access the region, it added.



Al Mutawa said: Our continued collaboration with USI stems from our commitment to consistently play a vital role in supporting the economic and social development of the emirates business community.



The MoU portrays our organisations competitive advantage and will provide USI with increased time efficiencies and immense cost reductions. We look forward to continue solidifying our position within the UAEs strategic expansion into markets in the Indian sub-continent and East Africa, he added.



Magomadov said: It is privileged for us to be in relation with Fujairah Terminals for all our cargo import and export handling including logistic services. Our decision to invest in our relationship with Fujairah Terminals is motivated based on multiple business factors that will gain us a competitive advantage.



By choosing to utilise the Fujairah Terminals, we will be benefiting from increased time efficiency, cost reduction and a convenient location only few kilometres from our steel plant, he added.



Through Fujairah Terminals, Abu Dhabi Ports is enhancing existing infra and super structure; in addition to managing all container, general cargo, roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) and cruise ships in the port.



It further extends this exclusivity throughout the emirate of Fujairah for container business. Abu Dhabi Ports is also deepening of berths to enable the port, which already serves clients and companies in the entire Gulf Region, Indian Ocean and Indian Subcontinent, to cater to larger vessels, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceThomas Ravenel was ordered by a judge in South Carolina to stand trial on Monday for the alleged assault of his children's nanny.

The 56-year-old Southern Charm star was arrested in September after his former nanny Dawn Ledwell claimed she was in his Charleston, South Carolina home in January 2015 when he allegedly took off her pants and fondled her.

Judge Stepehn Harris ordered Ravenel to stand trial during a preliminary hearing in Charleston after deciding there was enough probable cause to move the case forward, according to a report by Us Weekly.

Standing trial: Thomas Ravenel, shown in his mugshot following his arrest in September, was ordered by a judge on Monday to stand trial for the alleged assault of his children's nanny

Ravenel was charged with second-degree assault and battery after his arrest.

A Charleston police detective testified at the preliminary hearing that photos showed scratches on the nanny's body.

An affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com outlined the charges against Ravenel.

'While inside the location, the defendant undressed and made sexual advances on the victim,' the affidavit said.

Sexual advances: Former nanny Dawn Ledwell alleged in an affidavit that Ravenel assaulted her

'The defendant grabbed the victim's hand and placed it on his penis before attempting to [remove] the victim's clothing. While attempting to remove the victim's clothing, the victim's underwire bra cut into her skin and her shirt wrapped around her neck, which caused the victim to struggle to breathe.'

The affidavit said the victim 'crouched down to the ground to try and prevent further assault' before Ravenel 'allegedly put his penis in her face'.

An attorney representing Ravenel, who wasn't required to attend the hearing, told the judge that it was a case of 'he said, she said,' according to local TV affiliate WCSC.

Reality star: Ravenel, shown in June 2017 in New York City, was an original primary cast member of Bravo's Southern Charm when it premiered in 2014

Ravenel faces up to three years in prison, if convicted.

Bravo shortly after Ravenel's arrest announced that the original primary cast member would no longer appear on Southern Charm.

Ravenel and his ex Kathryn Dennis, 27, have four-year-old daughter Kensie and two-year-old son Saint together.

Reality stars: Kathryn Dennis and Ravenel are shown in a 2014 season one still from Southern Charm

Dennis filed to modify custody and visitation arrangements after his arrest.

Ravenel's courtship, relationship, acrimonious breakup and custody issues with Dennis formed a central story line over multiple seasons of the Bravo show.

His opulent homes also were a frequent backdrop for the show as he hosted parties and polo matches.

Two children: Ravenel and Dennis, shown in March 2015 in NYC, have four-year-old daughter Kensie and two-year-old son Saint together

Ravenel already has been convicted of a felony.

He was arrested in 2007 less than a year into his term as South Carolina treasurer after buying cocaine for himself and friends.

The real estate developer pleaded guilty and spent 10 months in prison.

Ravenel also pleaded guilty in 2014 to riving under the influence in Long Island, New York, resulting in his license being suspended for six months.She never misses a swanky social event.

So it was no surprise to see reality star Anna Heinrich dolled up for the Melbourne Cup with her actor beau Tim Robards on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old stunned in a strapless multi-coloured number with a bright red stripe across the bust from Australian designer By Johnny.

All dolled up! Reality stars Anna Heinrich (L) and Tim Robards (R) looked suave and stylish as they headed to the Melbourne Cup

Golden couple: Anna and Tim turned the races into a date day as they attended the Melbourne Cup at Flemington together

She added a matching red fascinator to complete her stylish ensemble, and wore her blonde locks in loose beachy waves.

In an awkward turn of events, Anna wrote on Instagram that she was 'dressed for a sunny day' - despite the fact that it's bucketing down rain in Melbourne.

Torrential downpours are causing chaos at the prestigious horse race, leaving jockeys struggling to see and soaked punters huddled under umbrellas.

Rain, rain, go away! In an awkward turn of events, Anna wrote on Instagram that she was 'dressed for a sunny day' - despite the fact that it's bucketing down rain in Melbourne

Rainbow delight: Anna didn't find herself restricted to just one hue, opting for a strapless multi-coloured dress from Australian designer By Johnny

All smiles! Despite dreary conditions on the day, Anna wasn't letting the wet weather dampen her cheery disposition

The 'craziest weather ever' at Flemington Racecourse has jockeys struggling to see more than two metres ahead of them, forcing the second race to be delayed by 15 minutes.

'It's obviously very hard going out there. My goggles were full of water when I came back to scale. Boots are full of water now. There's a lot of surface water,' jockey Beau Mertens told reporters after the race.

Disaster! Torrential downpours are causing chaos at the prestigious horse race, leaving jockeys struggling to see and soaked punters huddled under umbrellas

'I have (ridden in conditions like it), and they usually call them off. But I don't think they'll be doing that today. I think I've got about a kilo of water in each boot. I'm all done for the day, thankfully.'

Retired jockey Katelyn Mallyon said the conditions would be dangerous out on the track, amid speculation races could be called off.

'A lot of jockeys don't wear gloves and it will be slippery. That is also a problem,' she told the Herald Sun.Australia's biggest celebrities and A-listers from around the world united on Tuesday at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup.

And while stars including Sam Smith, Lara Worthington and Elyse Knowles sipped free champagne in the exclusive Birdcage, a handful of reality stars and other well known Aussie public figures didn't appear to score an invite.

Ali Oetjen, Kiki Morris and Sophie Tieman led the list of very familiar faces that got glammed up and dressed in their best to watch the race at their own parties.

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Didn't get an invite? Ali Oetjen, Kiki Morris and Sophie Tieman lead the celebs dressed up to watch the Melbourne Cup at home (Ali Oetjen pictured with a colleague in Adelaide)

Bachelorette Ali shared a series of images ahead of the race with her Adelaide co-workers.

And while one of her girlfriends kept it casual in a denim jacket for their low-key viewing party, Ali went all out in a bright red trouser suit and fascinator.

'Love my work family, get together for Melbourne Cup,' Ali captioned her pictures.

Wrong state? Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris, who appeared on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor Australia, looked red carpet ready ahead of the race ...in front of the Sydney Habour Bridge

Ali wasn't the only female from the Bachelor franchise going all out for their own Melbourne Cup party either.

Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris, who appeared on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor Australia, looked red carpet ready ahead of the race.

The beauty shared a photograph of herself in a tailored lime green trouser suit with black hat on Tuesday afternoon, tagging several designers and stylists in the post.

However, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind her in the photograph, it seemed doubtful Kiki would be making it to the actual race as she was in the wrong state.

Over in Brisbane, former Bachelor 'villain' Romy Pouiler shared a selfie dressed up on route to a race party at a local Queensland bar.

No rain over here! Over in Brisbane, former Bachelor 'villain' Romy Pouiler shared a selfie dressed up on route to a race party at a local Queensland bar

Some of Married At First Sight's most memorable male contestants united to watch the race in Melbourne.

But sadly for Patrick Miller, Sean Holland and Simon McQuillan they were forced to watch in city bar Storyville, rather than from the nearby Flemington Racecourse.

'The well respected boys night right here with Simo and Sean,' Patrick tagged a group photograph from their Z-list party.

Married At First Sight party! Sadly for Patrick Miller, Sean Holland and Simon McQuillan they were forced to watch in Melbourne bar Storyville, rather than from the Flemington Racecourse

Sydney also played host to several celebs that didn't make it to the actual event.

The Bachelor's Sophie Tieman shared a selfie sipping wine while watching along at Planar Restaurant on the harbour.

Love Island Australia's Eden Dally and Bachelor In Paradise star Sam Cochrane joined the blonde at the Sydney based event on Tuesday afternoon.

She's all white in Sydney! The Bachelor's Sophie Tieman shared a selfie sipping wine while watching along at Planar Restaurant on the harbour

Double trouble: Love Island Australia's Eden Dally and Bachelor In Paradise star Sam Cochrane also joined the blonde at the Sydney based event

Model Kyly Clarke headed to The Star Casino for her celebrations.

And despite being a state away from the actual race, that didn't stop the beauty styling herself to perfection before stepping out at the event in Sydney.

'Having the BEST TIME @thestarsydney Melbourne Cup celebrations,' Kyly captioned one selfie while having fun in New South Wales.She's the glamorous AFL WAG who welcomed her first child, son Max, with husband Marc Murphy in January.

And at Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, Jessie Murphy [nee Habermann] told Daily Mail Australia that she hasn't felt any pressure in losing the baby weight.

The 28-year-old also revealed that she's not in a rush to add to their brood.

EXCLUSIVE: AFL WAG Jessie Murphy [nee Habermann], 28, told Daily Mail Australia at Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, that she hasn't felt any pressure in losing the baby weight

'I've just embraced motherhood each day as it comes. It's such a rewarding job to be a mother, so I haven't felt any pressure at all,' Jessie said of losing the baby weight at her own pace.

'It's your body, so you can't really compare yourself [to others], and I just keep active really. Max is about 10 kilograms now, so even holding him is a workout,' the fashion blogger added.

Jessie also revealed her ideal form of exercise when she finds a moment for herself.

No pressure: Jessie, who welcomed son Max in January, said: 'It's such a rewarding job to be a mother, so I haven't felt any pressure at all'

'I've just been doing clinical Pilates at the moment, but that's really all I've got time for,' the Melbourne-born star said.

And with her hands full with baby Max, Jessie told Daily Mail Australia that she and husband Marc are in no rush to add to their brood.

'Max is only nine months now. It's nice to get to a year with Max and just enjoy each day,' she said.

Jessie gave birth to Max on January 14, and has been keeping her 229,000 Instagram followers up-to-date with her journey as a first-time mother.

Family: Max is the first child for Jessie and her AFL star husband Marc Murphy [pictured], 31

The close pal of Rebecca Judd wed AFL Carlton player Marc Murphy, 31, in a lavish ceremony at venue Luminare, South Melbourne, in December 2016.

Jessie stunned in a custom white OGLIA-LORO haute couture gown featuring '200 metres of tulle', while her wedding band was a gleaming diamond sparkler from Anton Jewellery.

In a surprise twist, the happy couple skipped romantic ballads and chose Jay Z and Kanye West's hip-hop hit 'N***as in Paris' as their entrance song.She is known for vibrant music sets.

But DJ Havana Brown, 33, stood out in a neon orange ensemble at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

The blonde beauty flaunted her trim figure and ample assets in a brightly-coloured outfit that featured a plunging neckline.

Taking the plunge! DJ Havana Brown flaunts her ample assets in a neon orange pantsuit and matching hat at the Melbourne Cup

It also featured a waist belt and pleats, while her pants flared out at the legs that hid her heels.

She teamed the look with a matching wide-brimmed hat that hid her luscious blonde locks and accessorised with a cream YSL purse.

For makeup the blonde beauty opted for dramatic eye look with defined brows, lashings of mascara and smokey eye shadow.

Standing out: The blonde beauty flaunted her trim figure in a brightly-coloured outfit that featured a plunging neckline

Poser: She teamed the look with a matching wide-brimmed hat that hid her luscious blonde locks and accessorised with a cream YSL purse. Pictured Havana and a fellow racegoer

After the main race, the stunner took the DJ decks to do perform a set for guests at the Pace Penthouse marquee in the Birdcage.

She appeared in her element as she played tunes for the crowds.

This comes after DJ Havana Brown told Daily Mail Australia she wants to be 'completely ready' before she and her fiance Vince Deltito start a family together.

In her element: After the main race, the stunner took the DJ decks to perform a set for guests at the Pace Penthouse marquee in the Birdcage

DJ queen: She appeared in her element as she played tunes for the crowds

She said: 'I guess I want to make sure I'm completely ready before well that we're both completely ready.'

Vince, who she got engaged to in 2015, cheekily chimed in: 'I'm ready! She's not ready, but I'm ready.'

The stunner spoke about her own desire to have a family, saying: 'One day I'm like, I would love to have kids and the next day I'm like hell no!'

With her successful career still keeping her busy, the LA-based musician said she was not afraid to juggle work and family life.

'I can still have a baby. I mean Cardi B has proved that one,' she noted with a laugh.He's been in the public eye for the wrong reasons of late.

But on Tuesday actor Vince Colosimo appeared in festive spirits as he returned to the spotlight at the Lexus marquee on Melbourne Cup Day.

The 51-year-old posed with a luxury car before laying across the hood, his arms outstretched.

Actor Vince Colosimo returns to the spotlight as he poses with a Lexus at the Melbourne Cup ...after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of the illegal drug ice

Showing his appreciation for the bronze-toned vehicle, the Underbelly star smiled for the camera as he hammed it up.

Wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and colourful, bright orange and yellow tie, the star appeared to be enjoying his day.

He completed the ensemble with a white pocket square, a gold cup pin on his lapel and patent leather pointed dress shoes.

Having fun? Wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and colourful, bright orange and yellow tie, the star appeared to be enjoying his day

The new appearance comes after The Second actor's high profile legal woes.

In November 2017, Vince was convicted and fined for driving through Melbourne's CBD while suspended and under the influence of ice.

He pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates' Court after being charged with driving on a suspended licence with the drug in his system when stopped and tested on 5 March 2017.

Issues: The new appearance comes after recent legal woes. In November 2017, Vince was convicted and fined for driving through Melbourne's CBD while suspended and under the influence of ice. Pictured leaving Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 3, 2017

New project: Colosimo is pictured in psychological thriller The Second, a Stan original film

He said nothing in court, except to acknowledge that he understood the penalty.

Magistrate David Starvaggi convicted and fined Colosimo $3,500. He also cancelled his licence for five months.

It was the third time that Colosimo had been caught driving on a suspended license, The Age previously reported.He was rebuffed by Georgia Love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette.

But once-single Cameron Cranley debuted his new relationship at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old arrived at Flemington Racecourse with gorgeous blonde Alex Gough on his arm.

EXCLUSIVE: 'It was a summer romance that turned into something more!' The Bachelorette's Cameron Cranley confirms new romance ...and says he 'feels sorry' for Nick Cummins

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Cameron revealed that things had turned serious between the pair after they met on holiday.

'We met overseas and just kept talking,' he said. 'It had the opportunity to become more.'

Cameron says what began as a 'summer romance' has become his 'happily ever after'.

'It was a summer romance that turned into more. It became something real,' the strapping firefighter admitted.

Cute: Cameron and new flame Alex Gough (right) were first seen together during a holiday in Bali in mid October, when Perth-based Cam posted a cosy photo of the pair together

Alex and Cameron were first seen together during a holiday in Bali in mid October, when Perth-based Cam posted a cosy photo of the pair together.

An insider claimed to Daily Mail Australia at the time that the twosome had known each other for months and share mutual friends.

Cameron went on to say that he'd tuned into the recent season of The Bachelor and felt 'a little bit sorry' for Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, who failed to pick a winner during the show's season finale.

Sorry mate! Cameron went on to say that he'd tuned into the recent season of The Bachelor and felt 'a little bit sorry' for Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins (pictured) who failed to pick a winner during the show's season finale

Claim to fame: Cameron was rebuffed by Georgia Love (right) on the The Bachelorette in 2016

'Good on him,' Cam said. 'He stuck to his guns. Its easier to go the way everyone is pushing you. He did his own thing.'

As for rumours that Cameron was approached to this year's Bachelor, the emergency worker says the talk was overstated.

He reveals: 'There was no meeting. There was a discussion, that was it'.She was linked to Shane Warne in the wake of her shock split from Married At First Sight star Nick Furphy earlier this year.

But on Tuesday, model Amy-Lee Dixon stunned while enjoying a girls' day out with gal pal Shadi Kazeme at Melbourne Cup.

Taking to Instagram, the beauty, 26, flaunted her slender curves in a figure-hugging white number while bringing the glamour with a red silk turban.

Girls just wanna have fun! Amy-lee Dixon cuts a glamorous figure as she steps out with Shadi Kazeme at Melbourne Cup... months after split from MAFS star Nick Furphy

Accessorizing with an eye-catching gold tassel earring, the former Miss World Australia finalist toted a matching clutch and dazzling bracelets and bangles.

And Amy-Lee rocked a dramatic make-up palette consisting of flawless complexion, dark brows and a deep red lip.

By contrast, Shadi - who runs a hydration clinic offering IV vitamins drips - cut a dapper figure in a dashing three-piece suit ensemble and designer loafers.

Gorgeous: Taking to Instagram, the stunner flaunted her slender curves in a figure-hugging white number while bringing the glamour with a red silk turban

Partying it up at the A-list event held at Flemington Racecourse, the new couple appeared to hop between the exclusive Mumm and Pace marquees.

It's the latest outing for the close friends who have previously stepping out at a string of premieres and showbiz parties.

Enjoying the festivities at Flemington, Amy-Lee's gorgeous appearance follows her split with Married At First Sight star Nick Furphy amid a reported flirty friendship with Shane Warne.

Calling quits after just four months together earlier this year, the Spin King appeared to swoop in with a series of flirty messages on Amy-Lee's on social media.

Revellers: Partying it up with friends at the A-list event held at Flemington Racecourse, the close friends appeared to hop between the exclusive Mumm and Pace marquees

In a rather awkward twist, the trio were actually pictured together at a charity poker event in Melbourne in November last year, believed to be where Amy-Lee and Shane first met.

Subsequently, Amy was forced to defend herself after fans slammed her for dumping Melbourne tradie Nick, 31, to be with 'someone with a larger public profile.'

Three's a crowd! In a rather awkward twist, the Spin King (left) was pictured with Amy-Lee and Nick (right) at a charity poker event in Melbourne in November last year

Ultimately the online flirtation amounted to little more than that.

Elsewhere Nick has been since linked with fellow reality star Carly Bowyer.My Kitchen Rules made headlines last month after a trailer for the upcoming season showed a couple being branded 'dinner party terrorists' by their co-stars.

Now, a new trailer has been released online teasing an exciting new season that will honour the show's decade-long anniversary.

In the short clip, judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans look stylish in suits as they encourage fans to watch the show and reflect on the last ten years of the series.

'They fight until the last second!' My kitchen Rules promises fans an exciting tenth anniversary season... after THAT explosive trailer showed 'villains' being branded as 'dinner party terrorists' by their rivals (pictured are judges Manu Feildel, L, and Pete Evans, R)

'It has been a wonderful ten years, we've seen a lot,' Frenchman Manu says in the clip.

Pete continues: 'There are moments where these teams, they want to walk away.'

Manu adds: They fight until the last second.'

Looking back on the years: 'It has been a wonderful ten years, we've seen a lot,' Frenchman Manu says in the clip

Manu continues: 'I'd like to invite you to come and celebrate our tenth anniversary. This year on My Kitchen Rules, it's about celebration.'

During the short trailer, the pair also walk up to a large cake decorated with twinkling sparkler candles.

This is the first trailer released to the public by Seven.

What's to come: Last month, Channel Seven's aired an exclusive preview of the upcoming season at the network's Upfronts event in Sydney- in which a very controversial new duo were be labelled as 'dinner party terrorists' for picking fights with other contestants.

Last month, Channel Seven's aired an exclusive preview of the upcoming season at the network's Upfronts event in Sydney.

While the trailer hasn't been unveiled to the public, Daily Mail Australia can report that a very controversial new duo will be labelled as 'dinner party terrorists' for picking fights with other contestants.

Manu, Pete and Colin Fassnidge will all return to Channel Seven in 2019 for the 10th anniversary special event series of My Kitchen Rules.He's been laying low following the controversial Bachelor finale last month.

But after re-surfacing at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, celebrations reportedly turned a little sour for Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the 31-year-old Wallabies star left the Cup after an 'altercation' with two men.

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'A guy and his mate were hassling him over something and they got rough': The Bachelor star Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins reportedly left one of the marquee at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday after an 'altercation'

The publication reports Nick chose to leave through the back of one of the marquees in the Birdcage, after the alleged tiff.

An onlooker told the publication: 'The guy and his mate was hassling him over something and they got rough so security stepped in as a precaution and went out back. The other guys were kicked out.'

They added: 'Nick didn't do anything wrong, he was a really nice guy.'

Walking away: The publication reports Nick chose to leave through the back of one marquee in the birdcage after the tiff (pictured with his manager)

The publication claims Nick later rejoined the marquee and before attending an after party at Crown.

Nick meanwhile told the publication on the day that he was enjoying himself at the Cup and after he had 'bounced back' after The Bachelor.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nick for comment in relation to this story.

Party time! The publication claims Nick later rejoined the marquee and before attending an after party at Crown

It seems that despite the small 'altercation', Nick enjoyed himself at the event, which was attended by the likes of Jodi Anasta, Lara Bingle and Samantha Armytage.

He shared a series of festive videos to his Instagram stories, which showed him raving about loses his sunglasses before dancing with racegoers.

One video shows Nick behind the DJ booth, turning knobs as he shoots confetti in the air.

Having a ball! The 31-year-old shared a series of festive videos to his Instagram stories on Cup Day, which showed him raving about loses his sunglasses before dancing with racegoers

In one clip, the rugby star claimed his sunglasses were stolen.

Nick says to camera: 'Either way, someone's stole me [sick] sunnies, okay, and I'm not upset, I'm disappointed, okay.'

Yet one more clip shows the former rugby union player excitedly singing Daryl Braithwaite's The Horses on a dance floor.The US Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump. They rode a wave of dissatisfaction with Trump to win the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years.



Tuesday's vote was seen as a referendum on a polarising president, even though he is not up for re-election till 2020, reported BBC.



The election confirms a historical trend for the party that is not in the White House to make gains in the mid-terms.



Democrats converted the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into solid electoral gains in the first nationwide vote since the president swept to power two years ago.

In midterm elections two years after he won the White House, Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their majority in the US Senate following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, reported Reuters.



But with his party losing its majority in the House, the results represented a bitter setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.



With some races still undecided, Democrats appeared headed to a gain of more than 30 seats, well beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.



The newly empowered House Democrats will have the ability to investigate Trumps tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and allegations involving his 2016 campaigns links to Russia.



They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hardline policies on trade.



A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaces that he obstructed justice or that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.



House Democrats could be banking on launching an investigation using the results of US Special Counsel Robert Muellers already 18-month-old probe of allegations of Russian interference on Trumps behalf in the 2016 presidential election. Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion, said the Reuters report.



Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America, Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi told cheering Democrats at a Washington victory party, saying House Democrats would be a check on Trump.



We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we cant, Pelosi said.



The BBC's US partner network CBS projects the Democrats will win the 23 seats they need to take over the lower chamber of Congress. Americans voted for all 435 seats in the House.



House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - who is set to become Speaker, a position she held from 2007 to 2011 - told cheering supporters in Washington: "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America."



Despite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, Tremendous success tonight.



President Trump focused on the Senate, and praised himself by quoting a commentator.



Theres only been 5 times in the last 105 years that an incumbent President has won seats in the Senate in the off year election. Mr. Trump has magic about him. This guy has magic coming out of his ears. He is an astonishing vote getter & campaigner. The Republicans are.........," said the tweet.



Female candidates performed particularly well in an election cycle that had been billed as the Year of the Woman.



Two 29-year-old Democrats, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Abby Finkenauer - are due to be the youngest women ever to win House seats.



Ilhan OImar and Rashida Tlaib are the first Muslim women and Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. All are Democrats.

Despite the tight poll race, most Democratic candidates stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the campaigns final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

n the last two decades there have only three election cycles where one party picked up 24 or more seats. Tuesdays gains were the biggest since 2010, when a wave of conservative anger against Democratic President Barack Obama gave Republicans a massive 64-seat pickup.



Every seat in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs.She's been busy filming her new movie in New Orleans.

And Katie Holmes was back on the set of The Secret on Tuesday, shooting scenes for the upcoming adaptation of the self-help book. The actress was spotted bounding across a swath of grass and was smiling from ear to ear as she did.

This sighting comes just five weeks before her 40th birthday.

Frolicking: Katie Holmes was back on the set of The Secret on Tuesday, shooting scenes for the upcoming adaptation of the self-help book

The Batman Begins star was dressed in casual attire, sporting blue jeans and a sleeveless, striped top.

She donned a pair of brown boots and her brunette tresses blew back behind her as she jogged out into the leaves of grass.

Various bracelets bounced on her rests and a silver pendant necklace ricocheted repeatedly off her chest.

On the move: The 39-year-old actress was spotted bounding across a swath of grass and was smiling from ear to ear as she did

At another point, Katie was spotted walking along the sidewalk adjacent to the green patch with her script in hand.

Her lips were painted a powerful pink and just a hint of blush was visible on her prominent cheekbones.

The Hollywood actress is co-starring in the feature film alongside Jerry O'Connell, 44.

At work: The Batman Begins star was dressed in casual attire, sporting blue jeans and a sleeveless, striped top

The film, will carry the popular book's central tenet of the power of positive thinking throughout a story about a young family.

'A young widow with three children who hires a handyman to fix her house, only to realize that, as he grows closer to the family, he carries a secret connection to her past,' explained The Hollywood Reporter about the plot.

Andy Tennant - the man behind hits such as Hitch, Sweet Home Albama, and Fool's Gold - is directing the movie.Priyanka Chopra celebrated her pending nuptials with Nick Jonas with a grand bachelorette party in Amsterdam.

The Quantico actress sent love to those who missed out on the soiree in a glamorous photo of the party, shared on Instagram Tuesday.

Giving a shout-out to future sister-in-law Danielle Jonas, the wife of eldest Jonas brother Kevin, the starlet told the mother-of-two how much she missed her in the caption.

Dearly missed: Priyanka Chopra sent love to those who missed out on her bachelorette soiree in a glamorous photo of the party, shared on Instagram Tuesday.

'Payjamas are cool..' Priyanka wrote, adding the tags '#bridesquad' and '#payjamasandheels.'

Priyanka tagged her close friends that couldn't make it, writing 'you were missed' to Danielle and others.

'@tam2cul @srishtibehlarya @daniellejonas @mubinarattonsey you were missed' the Baywatch actress concluded.

Though Danielle couldn't make it future sister-in-law Sophie Turner, who is engaged to Joe Jonas, was there.

Guests: Though Danielle couldn't make it future sister-in-law Sophie Turner, who is engaged to Joe Jonas, was there

Too busy: Danielle Jonas revealed she had to miss her future sister-in-law Priyanka Chopra's bachelorette bash because she was moving houses on Monday; (pictured September)

Also in attendance was Armie Hammer's wife Elizabeth Chambers.

Danielle revealed she had to miss her future sister-in-law Priyanka Chopra's bachelorette bash via Instagram on Monday.

The wife of Kevin Jonas, 32, commented on a post-soiree snap posted by Nick Jonas' fiance as she wrote: 'Moving to another house stinks. Wish I could have gone. Im glad you guys are having fun!'

Party time: The bachelorette party was documented on social media by Priyanka

The picture had Priyanka and Joe Jonas' beau Sophie Turner lounging on a sofa with sleep masks that read Hungover as she captioned the snap: 'The morning after...'

And it seems Danielle missed quite a shindig as the Priyanka and Sophie shared a plethora of party pics.

The star and a handful of her nearest and dearest started off the bachelorette weekend on a boat while cruising down the Amstel river in Amsterdam.

After the boat ride, Priyanka posed with her party guests outside in a black, pink and orange sweater, a plaid skirt and booties.

Family affair: Danielle is married to Kevin Jonas, who is the brother of Joe and Nick; (pictured 2012)

As is typical with bachelorette parties, there were plenty of cocktails and the bride appeared to be enjoying a mint flecked mojito through two straws in an image on social media.

Priyanka and Nick got engaged while in London celebrating her 36th birthday on July 18.

Priyanka finally confirmed the rumors as she showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring in an Instagram snap.

Almost sisters: Danielle hung out with Joe's fiance Sophie Turner in September

'A day in the life of a bachelorette:' Priyanka and her pals were dressed for fall as they headed out for the star's soiree

Stunning! On Sunday night, Sophie showed off her future sister-in-law on social media dressed in a fabulous short white lace dress with a sheer feathered cape

So festive! The star appropriately accessorized with a bachelorette crown and a sash that read 'bride to be'

Nick and Priyanka only started dating in May after first stepping out together at the Met Gala in 2017.

He purchased a $6.5m Beverly Hills home three months before proposing to Priyanka, it has been revealed.

On June 22, Nick and Priyanka travelled to India where they met her mother Madhu.

He shared a shot writing, 'Future Mrs. Jonas. My heart. My love.'

'The wedding is happening in India in December,' an insider told Us Weekly on Wednesday.Her father Mohamed Hadid has landed in headlines after a 25-year-old Polish model revealed details of their three-year long affair exclusively with DailyMailTV.

But Gigi Hadid put on a brave front as she stepped outside on Election Day in New York City.

The model, 23, gave the thumb's up as she wore her 'I Voted' sticker with pride.

Brave front: Gigi Hadid managed to put a smile on her face as she stepped outside on Election Day in New York City

Smile on her face, the catwalk queen was beaming as she made her way outside into the crisp autumn air.

Gigi was bundled up against the elements in a burgundy cardigan sweater, ripped jeans, and glossy ankle boots.

She wore her silky brunette locks down in a chic, side swept style and complimented her blemish-free complexion with a dewy tint upon her cheeks and golden eye shadow.

Gigi couldn't have been more pleased with herself for voting this year.

Sweater weather: Gigi was bundled up against the elements in a burgundy cardigan sweater, ripped jeans, and glossy ankle boots

Catwalk queen: It has been a busy few days for the star, and the next few days are about to get even more hectic with the upcoming Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which will film on Thursday

The model urged followers to head to the polls and even shared a snippet of her New York City ballot.

Gigi also wished her father Mohamed a happy 70th birthday as she shared a series of sweet images of them over the years.

On Tuesday, however, Mohamed landed in headlines after aspiring model Justyna Monda, 25, revealed details of their three-year affair exclusively to DailyMailTV.

Election Day! The model urged followers to head to the polls and even shared a snippet of her New York City ballot

Aww: Hadid posted photos of her with her father over the years in honor of his 70th birthday

Justyna flew on a private jet and stayed in luxury hotels across Europe from 2014 to 2017 with the multimillionaire real estate mogul, who turns 70 today.

The father of catwalk stars Gigi and Bella Hadid has been engaged to reality star Shiva Safai, 36, for five years but no wedding plans have been forthcoming.

Justyna, who bears a striking resemblance to Hadid's 23-year-old daughter Gigi, struck up a relationship with Mohamed over Instagram in September 2014.

The sexual relationship continued over social media until the end of 2017 when Justyna decided that she wanted to move on with her life.It was recently revealed that she has been happily dating burger CEO John Miller.

And Jennifer Garner struggled to wipe the smile off of her face as she talked on the phone on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old actress was dressed down for the outing, sporting her favorite bright unmissable sneakers.

Who's on the phone? Jennifer Garner struggled to wipe the smile off her face whilst on the phone out and about in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Jennifer wore a black sweater with a broken heart faintly visible on the front. She teamed her pullover with a matching pair of trousers.

The Logan Lucky actress accessorised with a large bag and held onto her car keys as she partook in a happy conversation on her phone.

The mom-of-three kept a low profile with shades covering her makeup free complexion, and styled her brunette locks back into a ponytail.

Casual: The 46-year-old actress was dressed down for the outing, sporting her unmistakably bright sneakers

Woman on a mission! She accessorised with a large bad and held onto her car keys as she partook in a happy conversation on her phone

Jennifer's outing comes as she took to Instagram on Monday to urge fellow American citizens to vote.

She wore a smiliar sweater and went makeup free for the important selfie.

'Every #vote counts. us,' she captioned the shot.

Beautiful: The mom-of-three kept a low profile with shades covering her makeup free complexion, and styled her brunette locks back into a ponytail

She voted! Jennifer's outing comes as she took to Instagram on Monday to urge fellow American citizens to vote

Jennifer also took to her social media account on Tuesday to announce she would be giving some M&Ms with her face on it to a lucky fan who had exercised their civic duty to vote.

And whilst being quite active on social media, the ex-wife of Ben Affleck is yet to share a post with her new beau.

Radar recently reported that the Camping beauty had been dating burger CEO John Miller for longer than the past six months.

Prize! Jennifer also took to her social media account on Tuesday to announce she would be giving some M&Ms with her face on it to a lucky fan who had exercised their civic duty to vote

Was he the one on the phone? And whilst being quite active on social media, the ex-wife of Ben Affleck is yet to share a post with her new beau John Miller

'Garner and Miller both have seperate families that they are focused on,' reported People last week.

'They see each other when they can. It's not serious, but she enjoys his company. She seems very excited about the future.'

Jennifer shares children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six, with her ex-husband Ben Affleck, 47.She has conjured up countless mouth-watering recipes from her designer TV kitchen for years.

Surrounded by the latest gadgets and gizmos, youd think Nigella Lawson would feel at home in the ideal cooking environment.

However the celebrity chef has admitted she prefers her kitchen to be slightly shambolic  as she hit out at Bake Offs quest for perfection.

Slapdash style: Nigella Lawson doesnt like precision in the kitchen

The 58-year-old criticised the hit Channel 4 show for being more about the craft

The 58-year-old criticised the hit Channel 4 show for being more about the craft.

I certainly think when people say, you have got to make 26 biscuits and they have all got to be identical  when I make 12 they dont look identical. For me there is more joy in abundance than in precision. Decisions make me more stressed than actions.

She said that worrying too much about impressing dinner party guests can add stress to the evening, and that it doesnt matter how quickly or neatly you chop.

Perfection makes you automatically tense and the whole thing becomes a test, she told an audience in London.

Ones job to have people over, is to make them feel at ease. That is more important than making everyone clap when they see a starter.

The self-proclaimed home cook even admitted she was embarrassed by her own cooking style.

Most people who chop vegetables on television do it very fast and very neatly, she said. I am clonking away and I am very slow.

But I dont think you have to chop carrots very fast to make a stew or in order to eat something.

(pictured: BLT produced by Steven on The Great British Bake Off episode one

Nigella admitted she prefers her kitchen to be slightly shambolic  as she hit out at Bake Offs quest for perfection (pictured: Fake pancakes made by student Liam)She has a reputation for her flair for glitz

And Lisa Rinna managed to add a splash of personality to even a casual, muted ensemble when she was glimpsed carrying a yoga mat in Los Angeles Tuesday.

The 55-year-old Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills spruced up a simple black workout getup with gleaming aviators, a print bandanna and a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Exercise regimen: Lisa Rinna managed to add a splash of personality to even a casual, muted ensemble when she was glimpsed carrying a yoga mat in Los Angeles Tuesday

Tucking her cropped hair behind her ears, the Melrose Place alumna slipped into a fitted black top that emphasized her taut frame.

Lisa, who told Today in 2015 that '25 years ago, I had my lips injected with silicone,' rounded off the look with charcoal leggings and matching sneakers.

The reality TV icon fired up her Twitter page that day to reveal she had added yet another accessory to the outfit - an 'I VOTED' sticker pasted onto her bandanna.

Swanking about: The 55-year-old Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills spruced up a simple black workout getup with gleaming aviators, a print bandanna and a Louis Vuitton handbag

On the move: Tucking her cropped hair behind her ears, the Melrose Place alumna slipped into a fitted black top that emphasized her taut frame

She celebrated her 20th anniversary last year with actor Harry Hamlin, her co-star in the TV movies Sex, Lies And Obsession and Bratty Babies.

Harry and his doppelganger Lisa share a brace of daughters - Delilah, 20, and Amelia, 17 - both of whom have gone into modeling.

The scene-stealing reality star, who confessed to In Touch in 2011 that she has had Botox and fillers in her face, said on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills last month that she believes her castmate Lisa 'Vanderpump's had a facelift.'

Coordinated: Lisa, who told Today in 2015 that '25 years ago, I had my lips injected with silicone,' rounded off the look with charcoal leggings and matching sneakers

Family history: She celebrated her 20th anniversary last year with actor Harry Hamlin, her co-star in the TV movies Sex, Lies And Obsession and Bratty Babies

Lisa Rinna is no stranger to spreading eyebrow-raising theories about her colleagues - she infamously once sniped that her then fellow real Housewife Yolanda Hadid had Munchausen syndrome and was faking her Lyme disease.

On a fiery reunion episode, Lisa Rinna accused Lisa Vanderpump of having told her to spread Munchausen gossip for the show's 'storyline' - which Vanderpump denied.

Before slicing off her bit of reality TV notoriety, Lisa was a soap star famed for her scenery-chewing turn on Days Of Our Lives, to which she returned this year.Just last week she announced that she had gotten engaged.

But Zoe Kravitz looked to be back to business as usual on Tuesday, as she was spotted strolling through New York City.

The 29-year-old actress cut a casual figure as she did her best to keep warm in the chill autumn air.

Cozy: Zoe Kravitz looked to be back to business as usual on Tuesday, as she was spotted strolling through New York City

The Big Little Lies star bundled up in a cozy-looking blue plaid coat with a hoodie underneath.

She kept things comfortable by donning black sweatpants and a pair of black sneakers.

Zoe shaded her eyes with red-tinted glasses and had headphones on while she strolled about the Big Apple.

Staying warm: The 29-year-old actress cut a casual figure as she did her best to keep warm in the chill autumn air

Zoe opened up to Rolling Stone recently about her engagement to Karl Glusman.

'I'm engaged. I haven't told anyone yet - I mean, I haven't told the world. I wanted to keep it private,' she told the magazine.

Apparently the two have been able to keep things under wraps for months, as he proposed in February.

Announcement: Zoe opened up to Rolling Stone recently about her engagement to Karl Glusman

Zoe revealed Karl was planning to propose to her during a romantic trip to Paris, but work intervened so he popped the question while they were at home instead.

Recalling the pair sharing an embrace before romantic moment, she said: 'I was in sweatpants. I think I was a little drunk.

'I could feel his heart beating so fast - I was like, 'Baby, are you OK?' I was actually worried about him!'She's had a busy day claiming Spotify's top spot with her new single Thank u, next, and being announced as Billboard's Artist Of The Year.

But Ariana Grande still made sure she headed to the polls to cast her vote on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old songstress took to social media to share the news with her 133 million followers, while encouraging them to do the same.

Follow her lead: Ariana Grande encouraged her 133 million Instagram followers to vote on Tuesday, after sharing a video of herself at a polling booth with her manager Scooter Braun

Taking to Instagram Ariana reposted manager Scooter Braun's video of her at the polling booth.

'@arianagrande voted So should you,' he captioned.

Ariana was dressed in a white top with her brunette locks styled into her signature half-up half-down ponytail.

She voted! Ariana was dressed in a white top with her brunette locks styled into her signature half-up half-down ponytail

Nonna voted! Taking to her Stories, she shared a screenshot of a phone conversation she had with her mom Joan

She had on a full face of makeup with blushed cheeks, a cat-eye and a nude lip.

And Ariana wasn't the only Grande family member to vote in the 2018 Mid-Term Election.

Taking to her Stories, she shared a screenshot of a phone conversation she had with her mom Joan.

'thank u, vote': And with her latest track, Thank u, next, topping the charts, many, including Twitter have added their own political twist to the title

'WE DID IT!! I'm so proud of nonna,' she shared, adding an adorable photo of Ariana's grandma Marjorie, 93.

And with her latest track, Thank u, next, topping the charts, many, including Twitter have added their own political twist to the title.

'thank u, vote,' Tweeted the official Twitter account.

Ariana even shared a screenshot of a Tweet that used some of the song lyrics to describe how they felt about Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and current leader Donald Trump.Kim Kardashian took to social media after voting in Tuesday's midterm elections, but husband Kanye West remained quiet.

The 38-year-old reality star posted a selfie on Instagram Stories showing her 'I Voted' sticker after casting her ballot.

Kardashian shared a close-up image with her 120 million Instagram followers that only showed her full lower lip, dark hair and voter sticker on her gray top.

Civic duty: Kim Kardashian took to Instagram on Tuesday after voting in the midterm elections

West, 41, took to Twitter last week to announce that he was 'distancing' himself from politics after unabashedly supporting President Donald Trump, 72.

The rapper met with President-elect Trump in December 2016 and said he would have voted for the businessman and TV personality if he had voted in the 2016 presidential election.

He also joined Trump last month in the Oval Office and went on a long rant on a variety of issues.

The 21-time Grammy winner hugged Trump during his meeting while wearing the president's red Make America Great Again cap.

Political distance: Kanye West, shown last month while meeting with President Donald Trump in the White House, announced last week that he was 'distancing' himself from politics

Voting motivation: Kim also posted on Instagram that she voted for the future of her son

West last week disavowed the so-called Blexit movement by conservative commentator Candace Owens, 29, that urged black Americans to leave the Democratic Party and register as Republicans.

'I introduced Candace to the person who made the [Blexit] logo and they didnt want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it,' he tweeted on October 30.

'My eyes are now wide open and now realize Ive been used to spread messages I dont believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!,' he added in another post for his nearly 29 million followers.

Showing support: Kanye wore a red Make America Great Again hat while meeting last month with Trump

West last week pledged $126,460 to the progressive campaign of Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia after earlier contributing $73,540 to help her pay off previous Illinois election fines.

Kardashian also met with Trump in May in the Oval Office as she sought clemency for Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old woman sentenced to life in prison for cocaine trafficking.

Johnson after serving 21 years in prison had the rest of her life sentence commuted by Trump.

Clemency sought: Kim also met with Trump in May as she sought clemency for Alice Johnson

Kardashian last month during an appearance on The Alec Baldwin Show credited West's support of Trump for Johnson's freedom.

Kardashian wasn't the only celebrity sharing their 'I Voted' sticker selfies on Instagram.

Katy Perry, Jessica Biel, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Alyssa Milano, Drew Barrymore, Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris, Demi Lovato, Jeff Goldblum, Marc Jacobs, Phoebe Robinson, Olivia Culpo, Mischa Barton and more posted about fulfilling their civic duty.

The midterm elections are a referendum on the first two years of Trump's presidency and will determine how much  or how little  help he will have in Congress during the rest of his first term.Made In Chelsea stalwart Ollie Locke has made a major jump in his acting career - trading structured reality for the bright lights of Hollywood.

The 31-year-old TV star - who has appeared on MIC since its inception in 2011 - has been spotted on set of upcoming movie Greed in Greece with actors Isla Fisher, Steve Coogan and Shanina Shaik.

In a snap uploaded by Australian actress Isla, 42, Ollie can be seen in the background, in a tuxedo, amid a plethora of extras; but according to an industry source, Ollie's involvement in the production sees him far more involved than merely being a background character.

From the small screen to the silver screen: Made In Chelsea stalwart Ollie Locke has made a major jump in his acting career - trading structured reality for the bright lights of Hollywood

'Ollie was out in Greece last month for a large portion of the shoot after landing a part in Greed,' the source told MailOnline. 'He's starring alongside Isla and Steve, who are obviously huge names in the acting world.

'Ollie's fans will have to wait a while before the movie is released, but it's pretty exciting that someone from Made In Chelsea has cracked Hollywood and will be appearing on the big screen.'

MailOnline has approached Ollie for comment.

Greed has been in production on Greece's Delos Island over the past few weeks and follows the story of a narcissistic retail mogul [Coogan], who is married to Fisher's character - the only person in his life who understands his egotism.

In good company: The 31-year-old TV star has been spotted on set of upcoming movie Greed in Greece, which also stars Shanina Shaik

Co-stars: Steve Coogan and Isla Fisher also star in Greed, as a billionaire and his wife

Blink and you'll miss: In a snap uploaded by Australian actress Isla, 42, Ollie can be seen in the background, in a tuxedo, amid a plethora of extras

Spotted: According to an industry source, Ollie's involvement in the production sees him far more involved than merely being a background character

It's being directed by English filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, who has helmed the likes of 24 Hour Party People and The Wedding Guest.

Ollie has made no secret of the fact that he had hopes, when he was younger, of being an actor.

Known as one of the more 'expressive' stars of MIC, Ollie's always had his fingers in plenty of pies. Having penned Sunday Times bestseller Laid In Chelsea and appearing on various other reality shows, the TV personality went into the world of online dating, co-launching gay app Chappy last year.

Stalwart star: Known as one of the more 'expressive' stars of MIC, Ollie's always had his fingers in plenty of pies

'My new family!' In early October, he uploaded a snap of him relaxing on a beach with [R-L] former Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas actor Asa Butterfield and Kingsman actress Sophie Cookson

Since then, he has also landed a part on ITV2 scripted comedy series Plebs.

2018 has seen him write a book - which is teased on his Instagram page as 'coming very soon' - but also shooting Greed.

Ollie had teased he was up to something on Instagram during October; he uploaded various posts from Greece, captioning them with '#secretproject'.

Thesp: He has also landed a part on ITV2 scripted comedy series Plebs, which aired last year

Sultry: Two weeks later he uploaded another image of him overlooking the Greek sea

In early October, he uploaded a snap of him relaxing on a beach with former Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas actor Asa Butterfield and Kingsman actress Sophie Cookson. In the snap, Ollie branded them his 'new family'.

Two weeks later he uploaded another image of him overlooking the Greek sea.

'When you have a day off filming and I thank the world so much I get to do my job! I love trying to make people smile and will do everything in my power to try do that everyday! Xxx #greece #filming #secretproject, ' was the caption, still not letting on why he was abroad.

Tease: Posing again with Pearl, and joined this time by Bad Education actress Sarah Solemani, Ollie snapped a selfie in front of the sunset

On location: Simultaneously, co-star Isla has uploaded shots from Greece with some of the same actors and actresses, seemingly confirming she and Ollie are indeed working on the same project

At the end of October, another shot materialised to mark the end of his shoot. Posing again with Pearl, and joined this time by Bad Education actress Sarah Solemani, Ollie snapped a selfie in front of the sunset.

He wrote: 'The eve of the last day of filming in Greece I cant wait for you all to watch what we have made! After 3 weeks we have all had a moment/s missing our families but beyond any project I have ever worked on became such a large part of each other lives and I cant wait to continue with more stories back at home Xxx [sic].'

Simultaneously, co-star Isla has uploaded shots from Greece with some of the same actors and actresses, seemingly confirming she and Ollie are indeed working on the same project.Oklahoma principals and school administrators who ran for state office had a good day at the ballot box on Tuesday, with at least four winning their races, according to preliminary results from the Oklahoma election board.

Among the first races to be called was that of Republican Ronny Johns, the principal of Ada Junior High School in Ada, Okla., who defeated Democrat Daniel D. Manuel in House District 25.

Johns, who spoke to Education Week this summer, said he was running for office primarily on an education agenda, including increasing education funding in a state where budget cuts had led his school to slash electives and leave staff positions unfilled. But his platform also encompassed addressing the opioid crisis, boosting funding for other state agencies, and working with legislators on both sides of the aisle.

And on the campaign trail, voters were eager to remind Johns to also pay attention to rural healthcare, infrastructure, and small businesses.

Oklahoma saw an unprecedented number of educators, primarily teachers and former teachers, declare their candidacy this year after teachers staged a nine-day walkout in the spring to call for increases in teacher pay and general education funding. Among the pool of educator-candidates were principals, former principals, and counselors.

Many of Oklahomas legislators who voted against the funding package to increase teacher pay earlier this year were defeated in the primaries.

Other winners Tuesday included Republican Sherrie Conley , a school administrator in Oklahoma City, who ran in the 20th district against Steve Jarmon, a Democrat and former teacher. She defeated Jarmon by garnering 72 percent of the vote, according to Tuesdays preliminary results.

Melissa Provenzano, a Democrat and an assistant principal at Bixby High School, in Bixby, Okla., defeated Republican Dan Hicks in District 79.

And Danny Sterling, a Republican who retired at the end of last school year as principal of Tecumseh High School, ran unopposed in District 27 and won his seat.

But not all principals were victorious. Democrat Joan Gabelmann, an assistant principal in Lawton, about 90 miles from Oklahoma City, lost to Republican Trey Caldwell in District 63.

In North Carolina, nine-time incumbent Linda Johnson beat back a challenge from Aimy Steele, who until the end of last school year was principal of Beverly Hills STEM Elementary School in Concord, N.C.

Steele, a first-time candidate, was seeking to unseat the powerful chair of the state House K-12 and appropriations committees in the 82nd legislative district.

With all precincts reporting on Tuesday night, Johnson had nearly 53 percent of the vote, according to North Carolina State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement.

While education was a central focus, Steele said she was equally passionate about adding her voice to issues that affect schools, including affordable healthcare, transportation, the opioid crisis, and criminal justice reform.

Steele told Education Week this summer that educators voices were sorely lacking in the state capitol, when legislators debate and decide policies that directly impact schools and students.

Johnson told us that the Republican education platformincluding boosting teacher and principal compensation and developing leadership opportunities for principalshad been shaped directly by listening to educators, including principals.

But she agreed that more current educators, including principals, should be part of the states General Assembly.

Photo: Republican Ronny Johns, the principal of Ada Junior High School, in Ada, Okla., won his race in Oklahoma House District 25. Photo courtesy Ronny Johns.Over 150 senior IT professionals from the region will attend the Future Datacentres and Cloud Infrastructure Summit in Dubai, UAE, which will focus on the trend witnessed in this growing industry, the opportunities and challenges present in operating an effective IT infrastructure.



To be hosted by Expotrade Global, the two-day event kicks off on April 8 at Habtoor Grand Resort.



The summit will see experts discuss and share insights on the topics pertaining to the future of datacentres, datacentre colocation, protecting datacentre in the cybersecurity age besides the importance of datacentre architecture and disaster recovery and the preference of the industry cloud computing or datacentre.



According to experts, digitisation of business models across industries has led to the creation of massive amounts of data sets.



To manage these data sets that have a crucial impact on businesses, it is important to have a robust, secure and effective IT infrastructure in place as datacentres quite literally serves as a large reservoir of data, they stated.



In a world where all businesses heavily depend on data, the importance of maintaining and operating a datacentre effectively cannot be emphasised enough. According to market reports, the global datacentre market size is expected to reach approximately $174 billion by 2023.



The Middle East region is expected to witness the highest growth in datacentre construction, with a heavy preference shown towards colocation facilities. The dynamic growth for datacentres in this region is attributed to organisations across various industries undertaking measures to improve its business processes while maintaining cost efficiency, said the reports.



Reports indicate that at least nine public cloud datacentres are scheduled to be operational in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the coming year. Infact, given the regions adoption of cloud infrastructure, industry reports indicate that this sector is set to reach $8.79 billion by 2022.



Industry leaders Ahmad Mohd Darwish Al Emadi, chief information officer, Dubai Municipality; Kumar Prasoon, group chief information officer (CIO), Safeer Group  Century Malls; Faisal Ali, group chief information officer, Gargash; Frank Watts, chief information officer, Al Tayer Group; Jayesh Maganlal, head of IT Infrastructure, cloud and operations, Majid Al Futtaim Properties; and Hashim Saeed, head of information technology, Azizi Group, are the top speakers at this event.



Brad Hariharan, regional director, Expotrade Middle East, said: The summit will provide a platform for highlighting the importance of datacentres in this region.



With the growing market demand, we believe this event will prove to be a valuable platform for all relevant stakeholders to network with other industry peers and engage in discussions on where this industry is headed and the trends that will shape the datacentre landscape in the region, he added.  TradeArabia News ServiceShe's scheduled to walk the runway in the upcoming Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Thursday.

And on Tuesday, it was yet another fitting session for Gigi Hadid, 23, who looked incredible as she made her arrival at the brand's headquarters in New York.

Hadid stunned in a beautiful multi-colored oversized shearling jacket from TODS with an accompanying pair of denim jeans with brown patterned sides and leopard print boots.

She's an Angel: Gigi Hadid looked incredible as she headed to a Victoria's Secret fitting in a Tod's jacket in New York, just days before the show kicks off

Below her coat was a white sweater while a black handbag appeared to have concluded the model's attire for her busy outing in the Big Apple.

The girlfriend of pop star Zayn Malik had her tresses in a wavy hairstyle while her pretty facial features had been enhanced with a radiant touch of makeup.

Hadid kept a nonchalant facial expression as she made her arrival as she gears up for quite the big occasion.

She's glowing: The girlfriend of pop star Zayn Malik had her tresses in a wavy hairstyle

On the move: Her pretty facial features had been enhanced with a radiant touch of makeup

Last year, the blonde beauty was forced to pull out of Victoria's Secret fashion extravagant because her visa to enter China  where the show was held  had been denied.

Her sister Bella Hadid ended up walking the runway without her sibling.

This year, however, Victoria's Secret is making its return to New York, which just so happens to be the state where the Rebook ambassador happens to reside.

Impeccable dress sense: Below her coat was a white sweater while a black handbag appeared to have concluded the model's attire for her busy outing in the Big Apple

Making sure it fits just right: The second dress fitting comes just days after she was first seen at the Victoria's Secret headquarters, subsequently confirming her placement on the show

She's beyond excited: Despite her hectic schedule, Hadid has handled the pressure of her busy career rather well as she entered the New York building

She's scheduled to join sister Bella, Stella Maxwell and best pal Kendall Jenner for the fashion show, which is expected to achieve a global viewership of 800 million people, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Less than two weeks ago, Hadid had found herself in a tight schedule when she made a quick exit from the Balmain x H&M event in the hopes of making her flight for a scheduled photo shoot out in Brazil just one day later.

Fortunately for her, she ended up getting there in a swift.

Posing up a storm: Hadid flaunted her attire in an Instagram post looking sensational

Despite her busy schedule, on Tuesday, Hadid still found the time to vote on Election Day, as mentioned on her official Instagram page.

And yet despite her busy schedule, on Tuesday, Hadid still found the time to vote on Election Day, as mentioned on her official Instagram page.

'Feelin extra fresh headed to my second @victoriassecret show fitting bc #ivoted today ! Sticker even changed looks w me' the California native started off her caption.

'Ps. Can't waaaiiiiitttt for VS rehearsals tomorrow & can't wait for u to see my looks / the show airing Dec 2nd on ABC.'

Her partake in Thursday's show will be Hadid's third time walking the runway for the fashion house.She recently celebrated being named the highest-paid actress in Hollywood.

But on Tuesday, Sofia Vergara cut a casual figure while running errands in Beverly Hills.

The Modern Family actress surprisingly ditched her signature pump heels in favor of a pair of sandals while strolling through the streets of California.

Keeping busy: Sofia Vergara rocked a casual figure wearing denim pants and a grey top while running errands in Beverly Hills, California on Tuesday

Sofia added a grey top with an accompanying pair of ankle-high denim pants while holding on to a light pink handbag.

Her brunette tresses were partially tucked behind her ear while the Columbian beauty had her pretty facial features enhanced with a radiant touch of makeup.

The Hot Pursuit movie star remained in a nonchalant manner while holding on to her phone as if she was expecting a call.

Unlike her usual attire: Sofia's brunette tresses were partially tucked behind her ear while the Columbian beauty had her pretty facial features enhanced with a radiant touch of makeup

It's an interesting look seeing the wife of Joe Manganiello cut a casual figure given that she's known to flaunt her voluptuous curves in fancy apparel.

Meanwhile, just last week, Sofia had taken to her official Instagram account as she celebrated Latina Equal Pay Day.

The mother-of-one gushed that while there was plenty of more work to do, she's proud of how far her community has come.

Helping a good cause: Last week, Sofia had taken to her official Instagram account as she celebrated Latina Equal Pay Day

'Today is #LatinaEqualPay Day where we must fight for equal pay,' she started off her caption.

'There's still so much work for latinas to do to be treated equally. I am #phenomenallyLatina, and I support Latina equal pay!

'@phenomenal.ly t-shirt proceeds benefit the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.'

In the same week, Forbes had revealed that Sofia earned a stunning 42.5 million in the course of just one year thanks to her starring role on ABC's Modern Family along with several lucrative endorsement deals

Making money moves: Forbes revealed that Sofia had earned a stunning $42.5 million

Building a brand: The majority of her income was outside of the money she already accumulated from her recurring role on the ABC sitcom

From June 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018, Sofia made a whopping 73 per cent more than the second-ranked star, Kaley Cuoco, who earned an impressive $24.5 million.

Although it's the role that catapulted her to international fame, Sofia's work on her hugely-popular sitcom only makes up a portion of her income.

Nearly half of the Colombian-born beauty's millions come from licensing deals, including a line of furniture at Rooms To Go and a coffee machine she helped design with SharkNinja.

Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay and Sofia's co-star Julie Bowen took the third and fourth place, earning $13 million and $12.5 million respectively.Jackie 'O' Henderson was spotted enjoying a coffee with Beau Ryan on Wednesday after the radio star slammed 'disgusting' rumours she had 'found comfort' in her married colleague following the collapse of her marriage.

It seems the coworkers are not letting the speculation get them down, with the pair hanging out together on the balcony of KIIS FM studios in Sydney.

Newly single Jackie and Beau were expressionless as they sat at a wooden table that had coffee cups and cigarette packets on its surface.

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Just friends! Jackie 'O' Henderson and Beau Ryan were spotted enjoying a coffee together on the balcony of KIIS FM studios on Wednesday, after the blonde beauty blasted 'disgusting' rumours she 'found comfort' in her colleague following the collapse of her marriage

They were joined in the alfresco area of the KIIS FM headquarters by several of their colleagues from the network, including the Kyle & Jackie O show's departing producer, Bruno Bouchet.

The sighting comes just one day after Jackie blasted several magazines for suggesting she had 'found comfort in the arms' of Beau after she split from her husband of 15 years, Lee Henderson.

Slamming New Idea and Woman's Day on her radio show on Tuesday, Jackie blasted the allegations, describing them as 'disgusting'.

Taking a break: Newly single Jackie was seen holding a cigarette as the pair took a break

Getting their caffeine hit: Coffee cups, ash trays and a cigarette packet could be seen on the table's surface

Just friends: The sighting comes just one day after Jackie blasted several magazines for suggesting she 'found comfort' in the arms of Beau after her marriage breakdown

Earlier this week, Woman's Day claimed Jackie's close friendship with Beau caused friction within her marriage to Lee.

'I completely understand why Lee was jealous. Jackie gushes about Beau all the time, and they laugh a lot together,' a 'source' allegedly told the magazine.

'And he's been raving about Jackie to anyone who will listen.'

Rival magazine New Idea also got in on the action, claiming that Jackie sought 'comfort in the arms' of Beau, and that the former NRL player made her laugh 'like no one else'.

Jackie was irate at the accusations and didn't hold back with her fury during the KIIS FM segment.

Not holding back: On the Kyle & Jackie O show on Tuesday, Jackie described reports in New Idea and Woman's Day as 'disgusting'

Rumours: Earlier this week, Woman's Day claimed Jackie 'gushes about Beau all the time' while rival New Idea reported the blonde had sought 'comfort in the arms' of her colleague

'It is completely false': Jackie was furious at the claims and vented her frustration on-air

'It is completely false and those types of allegations are really hurtful to both families involved in this,' Jackie fumed.

'I would have welcomed a phone call from either magazine for my side of the story but of course there was no phone call made, they just ran with those allegations.'

Beau, who regularly fills in for Jackie's co-host Kyle Sandilands, is married to Kara Ryan, and the couple share two children: Remi, five, and Jesse, one,

Team bonding: Beau and Jackie were joined in the balcony area at KIIS FM headquarters by several of their colleagues from the radio network

Meanwhile, The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney also reported on Saturday that the pair has 'noticeable on-air chemistry,' and Jackie has been 'leaning on' Beau for support amid her split.

A spokesperson for ARN told Daily Mail Australia the same day that any speculation that Jackie and Beau's relationship is anything but 'professional' is completely false.

'Beau is a regular guest on KIIS 1065 with Kyle and Jackie and is a great contributor to the show,' the statement read.

'Confirming that their relationship is strictly professional and any speculation otherwise is completely fabricated and categorically untrue.'

Back to work: Jackie, Beau and the others were photographed heading back inside

Shutting down claims: A spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Jackie and Beau's relationship 'is strictly professional and any speculation otherwise is completely fabricated and categorically untrue.'

Jackie announced her split from Lee on October 26, and it was revealed they had been separated for some time.

The radio star told Daily Mail Australia that the pair will 'remain best friends' and that their 'focus' going forward is on their daughter Kitty, seven.

'After 18 years together, we have made the decision to separate. We do so amicably, sharing many incredible memories and remaining best friends,' she said.

'Our focus for this next chapter is of course our wonderful daughter and continuing to provide her love and happiness, together.'

The former couple were married for 15 years, but together for 18.

Jackie and Lee married in 2003, after meeting at a bar when Lee was backpacking around Australia.She's an in demand actress and a doting mother of three.

And on Tuesday, Zoe Saldana was also the errand runner as she went grocery shopping for her family in Los Angeles.

The Avatar star, 40, showed off her natural beauty as she stepped out makeup-free.

Stunner: Zoe Saldana, 40, showed off her natural beauty as she went grocery shopping in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Zoe was dressed in a gray sweater and blue jeans and left her long hair loose and worn with a center parting.

She wore an 'I voted' sticker on her sweater after casting her ballot in the US midterm elections.

She had earlier posted a selfie with her husband Marco Perego to Instagram showing them wearing their 'I voted' stickers and standing in front of an American flag flown at the polling place.

'For my country, for my family, for my people, for the state we call home,' she wrote in the caption.

Shopping trip: Zoe was dressed in a gray sweater and blue jeans and left her long hair loose and worn with a center parting

Civic duty: The actress had earlier posted a selfie with husband Marco Perego to Instagram showing them wearing their 'I voted' stickers and standing in front of the polling place

Zoe, 40, and Marco, 39, tied the knot in London in 2013.

They are proud parents to twin sons Bowie and Cy, born in 2014, and son Zen, who was born last year.

The Hollywood star has been busy on the big screen, reprising her 2014 Guardians of The Galaxy character Gamora in a 2017 sequel as well as this year's Avengers: Infinity War.

She's also wrapped production on two more Avatar movies for director James Cameron - The Way of Water, set for a 2020 release, and The Seed Bearer.

She will star as Neytiri in a further two currently in production - The Tulkun Rider and The Quest for Eywa.Brie Larson resorted to weak wordplay while urging people to vote in the midterm elections.

The 29-year-old actress took to social media on Monday and posted a photo of herself in her Captain Marvel costume inside a phone booth among Rock The Vote posters.

'CAPTAIN MARVOTE IS A BAD PUN BUT NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE VOTE TOMORROW,' she wrote for her nearly 2.5 million followers on Instagram and Twitter.

Bad pun: Brie Larson used weak wordplay as she urged people to vote on social media in the midterm elections

Brie will play the title role in the upcoming superhero film Captain Marvel by Marvel Studios.

The film is set in the 1990s when both telephone booths and the Rock The Vote logo were ubiquitous.

Brie also took to social media on Tuesday as she continued to encourage voting.

She shared a photo of herself in a grey plaid suit wearing a black T-shirt that read 'The young people will win'.

Show them: The 29-year-old actress also took to social media on Tuesday as she continued to urge voters to cast their ballots

'Let's show 'em what we're made of. #VoteForOurLives,' Brie wrote along with the photo.

Brie in Captain Marvel will portray Carol Danvers, a former US Air Force pilot who becomes Captain Marvel - one the galaxy's most powerful heroes - after Earth is caught in the middle of an intergalactic conflict between two alien worlds.

Captain Marvel will be released on March 8, 2019.

Marvel superhero: Brie, shown in April in Hollywood, will play the title role of Captain Marvel in the upcoming film due out on March 8

The character's appearance was teased in the post-credits of Avengers: Infinity War as Nick Fury [Samuel L. Jackson] summoned her after Thanos armed with the Infinity Gauntlet snapped his fingers killing half of all life in the universe.

Fury disintegrated after the Thanos snap, but will play a digitally de-aged younger version of himself in Captain Marvel.

The currently untitled sequel to Avengers: Infinity War will be released on May 3, 2019.

Brie won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a kidnap and rape victim in the 2015 drama Room.

Indie drama: Jacob Tremblay and Brie are shown in a still from the 2015 drama RoomShe's known for her glamorous lifestyle and fashion-forward wardrobe.

And Rebecca Judd, 35, was the epitome of glamour as she arrived in New York on Tuesday to watch the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

The AFL WAG flashed her bra in a sparkling black blazer and tight leather pants as she shared envy-inducing snaps of the Big Apple.

Living the life! Rebecca Judd flashes her bra in a plunging blazer and leather pants as she jets to New York to watch Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

She finished the look with matching stilettos and her giant wedding ring.

'First night in NYC, dinner at Kingside NY for Victoria Secret Australia, wearing Aje,' the caption read.

In a separate video, the mother-of-two was seen opening up a gift box from the lingerie giant.

Showered with gifts: In a separate video, the mother-of-two was seen opening up a gift box from the lingerie giant

'Dear Rebecca, Thank you for your support in attending the VS Fashion Show, sincerely yours, Rachel Lee - VS Australia,' a card read.

In other images, she posed inside a New York restaurant and later on the street wearing her chic outfit.

Stunning: Rebecca oozed glamour as she posed on the streets of Manhattan

The radio host is attending the exclusive fashion event to interview Australian models on behalf of Chadstone shopping centre.

In her Instagram post, Rebecca referenced Melbourne's Chadstone shopping centre, for which she is a brand ambassador, posting a picture of the invite and a microphone.

Plum gig: The mother-of-four was invited to attend the VIP event in Manhattan

Around $12 million has been invested in this year's glittering Victoria's Secret parade.

It's one of the most prestigious events on the international fashion calendar, watched by 800 million people around the world.

Previous Victoria's Secret catwalk shows have included models Alessandra Ambrosio, Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Helena Christensen and Miranda Kerr.

Leggy display: Australia's own Shanina Shaik, 27, will walk in this year's show, which takes place on November 8

Australia's own Shanina Shaik, 27, will walk in this year's show, which takes place on November 8.

Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Rita Ora and others will perform at the event.

Rebecca's husband Chris Judd, 35, will have his hands full while his wife is away, looking after the couple's four children Oscar, seven, Billie, four, and twins Tom and two-year-old twins Darcy.She's the highly successful model who scored a coveted spot to walk in the iconic Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this week.

And in the lead-up to the show, Australian model Nyadak 'Duckie' Thot reflected on the progress made in terms of diversity by the fashion and beauty industries.

'The industry has definitely made strides in terms of representation recently and I'm so glad to be a part of this change,' the 23-year-old said during an interview with Vogue last week.

'The runway should represent what's happening in the world': Model Duckie Thot claims Victoria's Secret has made strides with diversity

But Duckie, who is the daughter of South Sudanese refugees, admitted that the issue of representation exists beyond the catwalk and that not enough progress has been made.

Having previously revealed that some makeup artists do not carry her foundation shade and that some hair stylists are unaware of how to style her natural tresses, the Melbourne-born model reiterates the importance of diversity.

'Diversity is important because beauty and fashion are such integral parts of culture and the runway should represent what's actually happening in the world,' she told the publication.

'The industry has definitely made strides in terms of representation recently and I'm so glad to be a part of this change,' the 23-year-old said during an interview with Vogue last week

'If the representation isn't there in the shows and marketing, it can be problematic in making marginalised communities feel like they don't belong,' she added, explaining that seeing models of colour on the runway helped her visualise herself in their place.

Meanwhile, Shanina Shaik stated that Victoria's Secret 'has opened up to more diversity over the years' in an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Monday.

'I think we will see more and more in the coming years,' the 27-year-old model added.

'Diversity is important': Duckie, who is the daughter of South Sudanese refugees, admitted that the issue of representation exists beyond the catwalk - revealing some makeup artists do not carry her foundation shade and that some hair stylists are unaware of how to style her natural tresses

Last year, the line-up of models for the global annual show was revealed to be its most diverse in the lingerie brand's history.

Nearly 50 per cent of the models cast for its 2017 catwalk were revealed as being Asian, black or Hispanic.

According to Teen Vogue, this figure was 25 per cent in 2015 and 30 per cent in 2016.

Duckie shot to fame after placing third on Australia's Next Top Model in 2013 and is also one of the face of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna.

'I think we will see more and more in the coming years': Meanwhile, Shanina Shaik, 27, stated that Victoria's Secret 'has opened up to more diversity over the years' in an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Monday. Pictured in 2012She surprised fans last week by debuting her baby bump at Derby Day.

And now Nikki Phillips has opened up about her second pregnancy, calling it a 'miracle' and confirming that it was a happy accident.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, the 35-year-old said: 'This time round it was completely unplanned and completely lucky.'

Baby on board! Nikki Phillips has opened up about her second pregnancy, calling it a 'miracle' and confirming that it was happy accident

'I would say that both my children, this one and Jett, are complete miracles in their own rights.'

The Kiwi model and her partner Dane Rumble welcomed their first child Jett last year.

Nikki's journey to motherhood hasn't been easy, with the blonde suffering three miscarriages before welcoming Jett.

'This time round it was completely unplanned and completely lucky,' she told the Daily Telegraph

The socialite opened up about her miscarriages in a heartbreaking blog post last year.

'Its the most emotional roller-coaster I have ever been on,' she wrote. 'From extreme highs to devastating lows.'

'My heart was broken and I was so low, but life continues as does work and putting on a brave face masked the pain.'

'Miracle baby': The Kiwi model and her partner Dane Rumble welcomed their first child Jett last year

Nikki and Dane, who are both from New Zealand, first met at a Jamiroquai concert where Dane was the opening act.

They tied the knot in Bali in 2014, with Nikki sporting two custom wedding dresses for the occasion.

Nikki is best known for appearing on New Zealand's Next Top Model in 2009.

She now keeps busy as a blogger, Instagram model and socialite.He was brought onto the show as a mentor to young amputee Jack Webster.

And Lance Corporal Cassidy Little has admitted he had to 'pinch himself' after landing the role on Coronation Street, seven years after losing his own leg in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

The 37-year-old told The Sun he never expected to make the jump to acting after making his soap debut in recent weeks, playing Paralympic champion Greg Kennedy who helps Jack embrace his new life.

Open: Lance Corporal Cassidy Little has admitted he had to 'pinch himself' after landing a role on Coronation Street, seven years after losing his own leg in Afghanistan's Helmand Province

He said: 'I have to pinch myself. Obviously Corrie is a national institution and to rock up to something like that is huge.

'They've got a one-legged soldier who believes in motivating people to play a one-legged guy motivating someone who has lost his leg.

'It's a big deal. I've had emails from hundreds of people, some of whom have lost limbs.'

New venture: The 37-year-old plays Paralympic Greg Kennedy, who has been acting as a mentor to young amputee Jack Webster

Cassidy went onto describe the moment his own life was changed forever, when on May 27, 2011 he was caught in a blast in Helmand Province.

The marine had been patrolling with comrade Sam Alexander, who was killed instantly after stepping on an IED.

Cassidy was placed in a coma and woke up two weeks later in Birmingham to find his leg had been amputated, adding that he first thought he'd been captured by The Taliban after coming round.

Truthful: Cassidy lost his own leg in 2011 while on a tour of Afganistan's Helmand Province, and went added that he thought he'd been captured by The Taliban after waking up in hospital

Fans will see Greg on screen again next week as he returns for three more episodes in Jack's storyline, with the schoolboy still struggling to come to terms with his new prosthetic.

Cassidy went onto explain that he has suffered from bouts of PTSD since his time in the army, and has been on anti-depressants for two years as part of his recovery.

Some soap fans may recognise Cassidy after he appeared on The People's Strictly in 2015, winning the competition with dance partner Natalie Lowe.Cat Deeley has weighted in on the US midterm elections and urged her American social media followers to get out and vote.

The British host, who resides in Los Angeles with her husband Patrick Kielty and their two sons; Milo and James, shared a motivational post to her 252,000 followers, which saw her posing in her bikini alongside her pal Mark Kanemura.

In the shot, the TV presenter posed in a khaki-coloured bandeau bikini while waving the Union Jack alongside her friend, who held the Star Spangled Banner in his hand.

Weighing: Cat Deeley has weighted in on the US midterm elections and urged her American social media followers to get out and vote

Looking down the camera, she left her hair in a wet tousled style that fell down her back as she posed alongside the pool.

The So You Think You Can Dance? host captioned the shot: 'With a little help from @mkik808 ... Please vote. #vote #voterregistration #votesaveamerica #votetoday #votingmatters' alongside a number of US flag emojis.

Her post comes two months after the busy mum recently revealed she was 'done' with children and has no desire to try for a baby girl.

'No, I think I'm done. I love my boys. I can't believe how lucky I am to have them,' she told Closer magazine. 'I'm good, I think. Ask me again in 12 months' time!'

Love: The British host resides in Los Angeles with her husband Patrick Kielty and their two sons; Milo and James

'Being a working mum of two is kind of kind of like a massive juggle, where you throw all the balls up in the air and you try to keep them all up there.'

They broke the news of baby James' arrival into the world in a statement to People.

'We are over the moon with happiness and Milo is the perfect big brother,' the couple told the publication.

She made the initial announcement about her latest pregnancy back in January on Twitter.

'Done': Her post comes two months after the busy mum recently revealed she was 'done' with children and has no desire to try for a baby girl

'Over-the-moon to share that Milo is going to be a big brother,' she wrote 'can't wait to be a family of four in the spring. We're all so excited.'

Last year, Cat admitted that she was more than ready to have another child, as she revelled the role of mother.

Six months before, talking about her wish to have more children, she told The Mirror: 'I would love some more. But I have got to get on with it if I do.

Family: 'No, I think I'm done. I love my boys. I can't believe how lucky I am to have them,' she told Closer magazine. 'I'm good, I think. Ask me again in 12 months' time!'

'When you go for your check-ups they call you a "geriatric mum". That is the terminology they use, I swear. They say, "Ma'am, you are triple high risk".'

The phrase is used to refer to women who get pregnant after the age of 39, where it is considered that there is a high risk of abnormalities.

Risks are said to include premature birth, low birth weight in the baby, stillbirth and chromosomal defects in the baby.Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is set to host 27 of the worlds leading oil industry chief executives to discuss the impact of digitalization, technology and the Fourth Industrial Age on the future of the global oil and gas industry.



The senior executives, representing many of the worlds major oil, gas and petrochemical companies, have been invited to the third Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable on November 11 by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Adnoc Group CEO.



The roundtable, a unique and exclusive, invitation-only gathering to be held under the Chatham House Rule to increase openness of discussion, will provide a high-level forum for dialogue on the evolving dynamics of the energy industry.



The high-level participation by the worlds leading oil, gas and petrochemical chief executives is a demonstration of the convening power of Abu Dhabi as a global hub for the worlds oil and gas industry and its leadership in the conversation around the evolving energy mix. -TradeArabia News ServiceShe took to social media on Tuesday to proudly reveal she had voted in the midterm elections.

And hours later, Kim Kardashian, 38, was seen exiting a restaurant in Hollywood in style as she enjoyed a night out.

The reality star, 38, lived up to her fashionista status as she clad her famous curves in a neon yellow bodysuit and oversized white blazer.

Fashionista: Kim Kardashian, 38, was seen exiting a restaurant in Hollywood in style as she enjoyed a night out a few hours after voting in the midterm elections

Kim stuck to neutral white in the form of her slick collared blazer and matching loose-fitting bottoms.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star added a pop of colour with the bold bodysuit, which appeared to be one-shouldered in design.

Strutting along in a pair of perplex heels, the mother-of-three looked a vision with a tumbling brunette locks and her heavy layer of glamorous make-up.

Kim's sighting comes after she informed her Instagram followers that she had voted in the midterm elections.

Eyes on her: The reality star lived up to her fashionista status as she clad her famous curves in a neon yellow bodysuit and oversized white blazer

Glam: Strutting along in a pair of perplex heels, the mother-of-three looked a vision with a tumbling brunette locks and her heavy layer of glamorous make-up

Civic duty: Her sighting comes after she informed her Instagram followers that she had voted in the midterm elections

The TV personality posted a selfie on Instagram Stories showing her 'I Voted' sticker after casting her ballot.

Kim shared a close-up image with her 120 million Instagram followers that only showed her full lower lip, dark hair and voter sticker on her gray top.

Meanwhile, Kim's husband Kanye West, 41, took to Twitter last week to announce that he was 'distancing' himself from politics after unabashedly supporting President Donald Trump, 72.

The rapper met with President-elect Trump in December 2016 and said he would have voted for the businessman and TV personality if he had voted in the 2016 presidential election.

He also joined Trump last month in the Oval Office and went on a long rant on a variety of issues.

Voting motivation: Kim also posted on Instagram that she voted for the future of her son, Saint

Political distance: Meanwhile, Kanye West - shown last month while meeting with President Donald Trump in the White House - has announced that he is 'distancing' himself from politics

The 21-time Grammy winner hugged Trump during his meeting while wearing the president's red Make America Great Again cap.

West last week disavowed the so-called Blexit movement by conservative commentator Candace Owens, 29, that urged black Americans to leave the Democratic Party and register as Republicans.

'I introduced Candace to the person who made the [Blexit] logo and they didnt want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it,' he tweeted on October 30.

'My eyes are now wide open and now realize Ive been used to spread messages I dont believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!,' he added in another post for his nearly 29 million followers.

Showing support: Kanye wore a red Make America Great Again hat while meeting last month with Trump

West last week pledged $126,460 to the progressive campaign of Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia after earlier contributing $73,540 to help her pay off previous Illinois election fines.

Kardashian also met with Trump in May in the Oval Office as she sought clemency for Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old woman sentenced to life in prison for cocaine trafficking.

Johnson after serving 21 years in prison had the rest of her life sentence commuted by Trump.

Clemency sought: Kim also met with Trump in May as she sought clemency for Alice Johnson

Kardashian last month during an appearance on The Alec Baldwin Show credited West's support of Trump for Johnson's freedom.

Meanwhile, Kim wasn't the only celebrity sharing their 'I Voted' sticker selfies on Instagram.

Katy Perry, Jessica Biel, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Alyssa Milano, Drew Barrymore, Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris, Demi Lovato, Jeff Goldblum, Marc Jacobs, Phoebe Robinson, Olivia Culpo, Mischa Barton and more posted about fulfilling their civic duty.

The midterm elections are a referendum on the first two years of Trump's presidency and will determine how much  or how little  help he will have in Congress during the rest of his first term.She sparked speculation of a new romance back in August when she was seen packing on the PDA with Gabriel Glenn.

And Paris Jackson enjoyed a date night with the musician on Tuesday, heading to The Viper Room in Los Angeles.

The 20-year-old showed off her signature style, channeling seventies hippie-chic and appeared in high spirits as she left the venue with Gabriel and pals.

Rocking out: Paris Jackson enjoyed a date night with rumoured boyfriend Gabriel Glenn on Tuesday, heading to The Viper Room in Los Angeles

Paris cut a casual figure in light denim flared jeans, off-the-shoulder brown knit and a Boho belt, which had gold medallions hanging from it.

Opting for comfort, she wore a pair of sandals on her feet and toted a brown leather jacket, while the three-quarter length sleeves of the jumper showed off her numerous tattoos.

She complemented the look with multiple chain necklaces and wore her long tresses down for the Austin Brown and the Black Cattles show, later tying it up into a messy bun.

Boho: The 20-year-old showed off her signature style, channeling seventies hippie-chic and appeared in high spirits as she left the venue with Gabriel and pals

Paris gave a pal a friendly hug as she accompanied Gabriel outside so he could smoke a cigarette.

The daughter of the late Michael Jackson was first linked to the musician back in August.

At the time, a source insisted to People the two were 'just friends.'The pair performed together at an event as The Soundflowers.

Paris previously was in a relationship with drummer Michael Snoddy and has recently linked to model Cara Delevingne.

Hosting an 'Ask me anything' session on her Instagram account, Paris responded when one fan asked: 'Are you bi?'

Seventies fashion: Paris cut a casual figure in light denim flared jeans, off-the-shoulder brown knit jumper and a Boho belt and accompanied Gabriel outside so he could smoke a cigarette

She replied: 'That's what you guys call it, so I guess, but who needs labels?'However, she refused to confirm whether or not she was dating Suicide Squad star Cara. 'None of yourgoddamn business,' she said when fans prodded.

Following the fan Q&A session, Jackson expressed her frustration on Twitter when Digital Pride 'welcomed' her to the LGBTQ community.

'How many times have I publicly referred to the community as 'my fellow LGBTQ+'? I've been apart of the community for years,' she tweeted.

'I even mentioned having crushes on girls when I was eight in a magazine. I've been caught kissing girls in public. This is not news'She branded her ex beau Giovanni Pernice a 'full of s**t' in an explosive argument at the Pride Of Britain Awards last week.

And Jess Wright showed her former boyfriend what he's missing as she stepped out for her brother Josh's birthday meal at Leeds' Tattu restaurant, alongside younger sister Natalya on Tuesday evening.

The ex TOWIE star, 33, took a walk on the wild side as she sported a leopard print biker jacket, tied in with a pair of glossy black leggings and a low-scoop vest.

Putting the drama behind her: Jess Wright stepped out for her brother Josh's birthday meal at Leeds' Tattu restaurant, alongside younger sister Natalya on Tuesday, after her row with ex Giovanni Pernice

Upping the style ante, the TV personality enhanced her height with a pair of patent heeled boots, and toted a sophisticated chain-strap handbag.

Jess added a hint of sparkle to her ensemble as she accessorised with diamond stud earrings, a flashy crucifix necklace and a gold designer watch.

With her tresses worn in a poker straight fashion, the reality star complemented her features with pink-toned make-up and false lashes.

Style savvy: The ex TOWIE star, 33, took a walk on the wild side as she sported a leopard print biker jacket, tied in with a pair of glossy black leggings and a low-scoop vest

Heartache: The brunette branded her ex beau Giovanni, 33, a 'full of s**t' in an explosive argument at the Pride Of Britain Awards last week (pictured in April)

Meanwhile, Natalya, 18, looked effortlessly chic in a floral midi dress, teamed with a trendy leather jacket.

Taking style tips from her sister, the model also sported a pair of black boots, as well as a designer handbag.

The teen styled her chocolate tresses into loose waves, which worked perfectly with her brown lipgloss and light strokes of foundation.

She's got it! Upping the style ante, the TV personality enhanced her height with a pair of patent heeled boots, and toted a sophisticated chain-strap handbag

Striking display: Jess added a hint of sparkle to her ensemble as she accessorised with diamond stud earrings, a flashy crucifix necklace and a gold designer watch

Radiant: With her tresses worn in a poker straight fashion, the reality star complemented her features with pink-toned make-up and false lashes

The pair were also joined by brother Mark, 31, and his wife Michelle Keegan, also 31, for the glitzy celebration.

Arriving to the bash arm-in-arm, the couple proved they are still as loved-up as ever, as they made a rare public appearance together.

Meanwhile, Jess' ex Giovanni, 33, recently hit back following an explosive row with the brunette at last Monday's Pride Of Britain Awards.

All eyes on them: Meanwhile, Natalya, 18, looked effortlessly chic in a floral midi dress, teamed with a trendy leather jacket

Her mini-me: Taking style tips from her sister, the model also sported a pair of black boots, as well as a designer handbag

Loved-up: The pair were also joined by brother Mark, 31, and his wife Michelle Keegan, also 31, for the glitzy celebration

Smitten: Arriving to the bash arm-in-arm, the couple proved they are still as loved-up as ever, as they made a rare public appearance together

The pro dancer liked a tweet from an impassioned Strictly fan that read: 'Name me one woman other than Jess or Georgia [May Foote] he's officially been with. He doesn't go through womean. He actually seems like a genuine guy. [sic]'

Jess was seen screaming at her Strictly star former flame in a shocking row which saw her brand him 'full of s**t', before she was heard saying: 'You broke my heart, you lied to me'.

The Charity awards ceremony was the first time the TV stars had seen each other since their split in April.

Hitting back: The pro dancer recently liked a tweet from an impassioned Strictly fan that criticised his ex (pictured with dance partner Faye Tozer at Pride of Britain Awards)

The liked tweet was part of a series from Strictly mega fan Lanya Parr.

Quoting a since deleted tweet criticising Giovanni she wrote: 'Okay, no, I've seen too many of these tweets this afternoon about @pernicegiovann1. This is probably the worst one but anyone who ACTUALLY watched the video can clearly see she's the one shouting and swearing at him. He's completely calm. He doesn't shout ONCE'.

She went on: 'She points in his face and angrily swears and shouts at him. Not ONCE did he raise his voice at her. NOT ONCE. He actively tried to calm her down, pulling up a chair to get her to sit and she continues to yell at him. He is NOT the one to blame her.

Brutal: The liked tweet was part of a series from Strictly mega fan Lanya Parr

Not holding back on her criticism of the Essex beauty, she added: 'What's more outrageous is that she thought the Pride of Britain was the right place to have a go at him. This is an evening that means so much to so many inspirational people. This behaviour trashes the entire atmosphere of last night and that is downright selfish'.

MailOnline has contacted Jess and Giovanni's representatives for comment.

The row comes days after the heartthrob was hit with claims that he is dating current Strictly star Ashley Roberts, with rumours reaching fever pitch about their blossoming romance on the show, where he is currently paired with Faye Tozer.

Explosive: Jess was seen screaming at her Strictly star former flame in a shocking row which saw her brand him 'full of s**t'

After making dazzling appearances along the red carpet, things seemed to take a downward turn later in the evening as they locked horns behind the scenes.

In the clips, while Giovanni and various others tried to diffuse the row, Jess raged: 'I got in a cab and I never saw you again for six months, you're talking s**t. You used me... Publicity, fame. No-one who loves someone drops them...

'You're jealous of everything. We were together six months, you never cared about me. I want to know why - you left me!'

Jess and Giovanni were first romantically linked in December when they were spotted on a date by eagle-eyed onlookers. The lovebirds enjoyed a cosy drink at Soho House before they went onto watch West End production Dream Girls.

Way back when: Jess and Giovanni were first romantically linked in December when they were spotted on a date by eagle-eyed onlookers (pictured in March)

An insider told The Sun: 'It was obvious to everyone it was a date. They were talking really closely, leaning into each other.'

A close pal to Jess elaborated to the publication: 'They've been on a few dates, but it's early days. They met through her brother Mark's Strictly connections from when he was on the show and they're getting to know each other.'

In April however, things came to a crashing close when a source said: 'He was really into Jess and did want to make a go of it, but he struggled with the attention she gets and her popularity.'

'They've tried to keep things amicable and told people they have both agreed to go their separate ways, but he was the one who first suggested things were going to end. She has been really upset by this. It's a real shame but hopefully things will stay civil.'They fell in love on the second season of The Bachelorette.

And on Tuesday, Georgia Love's beau Lee Elliott, 37, revealed his plans to propose.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph at Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, the plumber said he will pop the question to Channel Ten reporter, Georgia, soon.

'It will be in Italy, the most beautiful place in the world': Former Bachelorette winner Lee Elliott reveals his plans to propose to Georgia Love

'It will be within the next one to two years,' he said.

'And it will be in Italy, the most beautiful place in the world.'

Georgia added, 'That's the first time I've heard that'.

Wedding bells? 'It will be within the next one to two years,' Lee said of his proposal plans

In August, the loved-up couple celebrated their two year anniversary.

Lee took to Instagram and shared a touching tribute.

'I have loved you for 2 years, 24 months, 104 weeks, 730 days, 17,520 hours, 1,051,200 minutes, 63,072,000 seconds,' he wrote.

'My only regret is that I didn't find you sooner so that I could love you longer! Happy second anniversary, my love!'They're said to have been secretly dating for months and Susanna Reid and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish stepped out for a date night on Tuesday.

The Good Morning Britain anchor, 47, looked very loved-up with her handsome boyfriend, 53, as she held onto him tightly while walking through the streets of London's Soho.

The new couple went for a meal at Yauatcha, before no doubt checking out the new Christmas lights.

Close: They've been secretly dating for months and Susanna Reid and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish stepped out for a date night in Soho, London, on Tuesday

Gorgeous couple: Susanna, 47, looked very loved-up with the handsome man, 53, as she held onto him tightly

The chemistry between the pair, who were introduced by Piers Morgan, 53, in New York two years ago, was clear to see.

Susanna was dressed casually for the outing, wearing a satin cream blouse tucked into skinny jeans and brown suede ankle boots.

She kept out the cold wearing a cream teddy coat, while Steve mirrored her style wearing jeans, brown suede boots and a navy blazer.

Food for thought: The new couple went for a meal at Yauatcha, before no doubt checking out the new Christmas lights

On fire: The chemistry between the pair, who were introduced by Piers Morgan, 53, in New York two years ago, was clear to see

Lovely: Susanna was dressed casually for the outing, wearing a satin cream blouse tucked into skinny jeans and brown suede ankle boots

Looking good: She kept out the cold wearing a cream teddy coat, while Steve mirrored her style wearing jeans, brown suede boots and a navy blazer

The Good Morning Britain presenter  an ardent Palace supporter  accompanied Parish as the south London side took on Premier League rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.

A source told The Sun on Saturday: 'They have real chemistry.'

Susanna is said to have been on a number of dates with Steve, rumoured to be worth around 45m, and it's thought they've been on a romantic mini-break together.

Lots in common: The Good Morning Britain presenter  an ardent Palace supporter  accompanied Parish as they took on Premier League rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Going well: Susanna is said to have been on a number of dates with Steve, rumoured to be worth around 45m, and it's thought they've been on a romantic mini-break together

Lots to do: The pair are said to have gone out for dinner together, as well as enjoying cinema trips and dates in Selhurst Park to show their support for Crystal Palace FC

New love: Susanna separated from her partner Dominic Cotton in 2014, after being with him since 1998, and following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013

Doing it all: Shes been a single mother to sons Sam, 16, Finn, 14, and Jack, 13 since splitting with her ex in 2014 after 16 years together

The pair are said to have gone out for dinner together, as well as enjoying cinema trips and dates in Selhurst Park to show their support for Crystal Palace FC.

Susanna separated from her partner Dominic Cotton in 2014, after being with him since 1998, and following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.

Shes been a single mother to sons Sam, 16, Finn, 14, and Jack, 13 since splitting with her ex in 2014 after 16 years together.

Look good together: Steve mirrored Susanna's style in his jeans and brown boots combo

Beaming: Steve had a big smile on his face as he and Susanna failed to leave one another's side

Hold on tight: Susanna gripped the arm of her beau tightly as they enjoyed their walk together

Stop a minute: Steve snapped something on his phone, while Susanna took a step back for a momentKeeley Hawes led the way on Tuesday evening as entrepreneur Johnnie Boden hosted an autumn dinner in Londons Ladbroke Grove.

Local restaurant 108 Garages bare brick decor provided the relaxed, bohemian backdrop as Bodyguard star Keeley joined Boden and a host of guests at the lavish, invite-only event.

The British actress, 42, looked suitably elegant in an Emilie floral print midi-dress from Bodens online catalogue while making her way into the Golborne Road venue.

Looking good: Keeley Hawes led the way on Tuesday evening as entrepreneur Johnnie Boden hosted an autumn dinner in Londons Ladbroke Grove

With fluted sleeves, a fixed-wrap neckline and a cinched fabric belt, the outfit proved to be a fashion high point as she mingled with guests including former British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman, actress Camilla Rutherford and Isabel Spearman.

Rounding off her look with a pair of distinctive ankle-stretch boots in rich burgundy, Keeley ensured she caught the eye during her latest public appearance.

The actress was treated to a sumptuous meal of octopus, Wagu Beef and chocolate artichoke, selected from a specially curated autumnal menu.

The flowers were provided by royal favourite Willow Crossley, of Oxfordshire, who also styled the event.

Tasteful: The British actress, 42 (pictured, with Johnnie Boden) looked suitably elegant in an Emilie floral print midi-dress from Bodens online catalogue while celebrating at local restaurant 108 Garage

In attendance: Other guests at the celebratory event included former British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman (L) and actress Camilla Rutherford (R)

Let's eat: Keeley and Alexandra enjoyed a sumptuous meal of octopus, Wagu Beef and chocolate artichoke, selected from a specially curated autumnal menu

Keeley's appearance at the celebratory event comes after BBC show Bodyguard's explosive season finale became the most-watched drama since records began in 2002.

The popular political thriller, starring Keeley as fictional Home Secretary Julia Montague and Richard Madden as Protection Command officer David Budd, was watched by an audience of 17.1 million across 28 days.

The figure was calculated using Barb's updated four-screen measure, which was introduced in August and now includes data for those viewing programmes through online non-TV devices such as PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets.

Striking: Isabel Spearman caught the eye in a vividly printed evening dress as she took her seat at the exclusive dinner

Holding court: Keeley enjoyed an animated conversation with Alexandra, Johnnie and Isabel on Tuesday evening

Say cheese: (L-R) Alexandra Shulman, Johnnie Boden and Lucinda Chambers posed for a jovial snap in front of 108 Garage's bare brick walls

The 28-day consolidated figure for the dramatic finale - without accounting for online non-TV devices - is 15.9 million, a figure the BBC said is still the highest audience for a drama programme since current records began 16 years ago.

The Bodyguard also had the largest audience recorded for a TV programme that was not a sporting or national event since 2010.

Last time a drama had figures peak above 17 million was Only Fools and Horses' Christmas Day episode in 2002, which had an audience of 17.4 million.

Raising a glass: Caroline Issa was also on hand to help Boden celebrate on Tuesday evening

Take your seat: The lavish table setting awaited guests at the west London venue

Created by Jed Mercurio, the series is also BBC iPlayer's most successful box set ever, with more than 38 million streaming the series so far.

A week after airing the finale of the BBC One series was revealed to have become one of the top five most-watched programmes of this decade, based on seven-day consolidated viewing figures.

Within a week of airing, the show racked up a huge television audience of 14.34 million, which included those who recorded the episode and watched it up to seven days later.She is set to jet off to Australia soon for her presenting gig on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

And Holly Willoughby shared a sweet Instagram picture as she joyously held onto a scrumptious cake, which has 'Good Luck Down Under' sprawled across in icing.

The TV presenter, 37, captioned the snap: 'Mmmmmm yummy.... my girls know what I like... thank you beautiful ladies @ruby1kid @shishib #nikidemetz and @emmaleebunton .'

'MY girls know what I like!' Holly Willoughby, 37, shared an Instagram picture as she joyously held onto a scrumptious cake, which has 'Good Luck Down Under' sprawled across in icing

Holly, who is set to return to our TV screens in less than two weeks, was further spoilt by her pals as she uploaded yet another snap of goodies.

This time she was gifted with an Australia travel guide, personalised mug and an outback hat.

'Oh my goodness... youve thought of everything!... just the best!!!! xxx,' she enthused.

Earlier this week,Holly could hardly contain her excitement at the thought of jetting off to Australia to present I'm A Celebrity as she revealed a jungle gift her friend had given her on Instagram on Sunday.

Send-off presents: The TV presenter, who is set to return to our TV screens in less than two weeks, was further spoilt by her pals as she uploaded yet another snap of goodies

Essentials: This time she was gifted with an Australia travel guide, personalised mug and an outback hat

Meanwhile Scarlett Moffatt, 28, marked her last night in the U.K with a farewell roast dinner with all of her friends and family, telling her followers she had never cooked in her kitchen before.

Holly looked thrilled to receive her gift ahead of her presenting stint, showing off a book which featured a variety of jungle-dwelling animals- no doubt in reference to her extreme fear of creepy crawlies.

She captioned the post: 'My lovely friend @ejhughes6 just got me the best going away pressie! #welcometothejungle.'

The television presenter was inundated with fans wishing her luck as she prepares to step into Ant McPartlin's shoes to present the show.

Countdown is on: Earlier this week, Holly could hardly contain her excitement at the thought of jetting off to Australia to present I'm A Celeb as she revealed a jungle gift from her pal on Sunday

Saying her goodbyes: Scarlett Moffatt, 28, meanwhile marked her last night in the U.K with a farewell roast dinner with all of her friends and family

Raring to go: Holly looked thrilled to receive her gift, showing off a book which featured a variety of jungle-dwelling animals- no doubt in reference to her extreme fear of insects

One wrote: 'Enjoy every minute of it holly, good luck x, Have fun, watch out for the creepy crawlies,' while another added: 'Good luck Holly you will be amazing xx'

Another viewer commented: 'Looking forward to the outfit change, I mean what shoes though?! You cant do heels on those bridges, can you? Good luck Holly, not that you need it xx,' with another chiming: 'Can't wait to see you Holly good luck xxx'

Meanwhile Scarlett, who presents the I'm A Celeb spin-off show Extra Camp, shared snaps of her family roast dinner, saying 'Going to miss these beautiful souls while I'm in Australia'.

Posting a video ahead of the festivities, the Gogglebox star said she is somewhat of a novice in the kitchen.

'My friends and family have come round the house now which they do most Sundays, I do have a kitchen but I have never cooked in it.

Home sweet home: Scarlett, who presents the I'm A Celeb spin-off show Extra Camp, shared snaps of the get together, saying 'Going to miss these beautiful souls while I'm in Australia'

So soon! ITV have reportedly confirmed that I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will return to our TV screens in less than three weeks

'My mum always brings the roast round, I'm starting to feel a bit guilty. I do provide the mint sauce and Procecco though.'

According to reports, fans won't have long to wait until the new series begin, where they will see Holly stand-in for Ant McPartlin and co-host the show alongside returning presenter Declan Donnelly.

A TV insider has alleged to The Mirror that I'm A Celeb will return on Sunday 18 November.

This year's series will differ from the rest as regular show host Ant McPartlin won't be appearing for the first time in 16 years, as he takes an extended break from TV to continue with his recovery following a drink driving incident and his battle with alcohol and painkiller addiction.

Holly has been drafted in to replace him for the series, with her addition to the show being widely speculated and later confirmed in August.

As she prepares to jet out to Australia, Holly nervously confessed she thinks her new role will be a 'disaster'.She's following in her mother's footsteps, taking the fashion world by storm.

And Anais Gallagher has shown off her modelling credentials once again, starring in clothing brand X-Girl's fashion campaign.

The daughter of Oasis rocker Noel, 18, appeared to be a natural in front of the camera as she worked all angles during the retro fashion shoot.

Poser: Anais Gallagher has shown off her modelling credentials once again as she starred in clothing brand X-Girl's campaign

Anais wasn't afraid to clash a blue hoodie with red joggers as she posed by the roadside, while in another photo she rocked a brown camouflage puffa jacket.

The model, who is proudly apart of the next generation of the famed 'Primrose Hill set', wore electric blue eye-shadow throughout the edgy photoshoot.

The teenager oozed confidence in a purple cardigan and leopard print trousers and was also not afraid to don a bright pink cowboy hat for another look.

At ease: The daughter of Oasis rocker Noel, 18, appeared to be a natural in front of the camera as she worked her angles during the retro fashion shoot

On trend: The model, who is proudly apart of the next generation of the famed 'Primrose Hill set', wore a grey sporty hoodie in another snap

Working the camera: The teenager oozed confidence in a purple cardigan and leopard print trousers

Statement: She donned a bright pink cowboy hat for another look and a tartan panelled coat

Love for fashion: The teenager has been working hard to step out of her father's shadow and has recently been announced as a contributing fashion editor at Tatler

Anais also channeled nineties fashion in a range of skate-inspired sweatshirts, hoodies and jackets.

The teenager has been working hard to step out of her father's shadow and has recently been announced as a contributing fashion editor at Tatler and enrolled at Camberwell College of Arts in South London.

The fashion maven recently revealed to Tatler about her rise up the socialite ranks in London, and accepting her place as part of London's exclusive Primrose Hill Set's 'next generation'.

Inspired: Anais channeled nineties fashion in a range of skate-inspired sweatshirts,hoodies and jackets

Nineties look: Anais wasn't afraid to clash colours as she showed off red joggers and a brown camouflage puffa jacket

The group - named after the affluent London district - originally formed in the 1990s when a number TV and film actors, including Jude Law, Rhys Ifans and Ewan McGregor, lived close by and featured in each other's projects.

Anais' mother Meg was also a notable member, and the young star explained that it's now just another part of her life as she's grown up with friend Rafferty Law, who is the son of Jude and Sadie.

Of the infamous group, Anais said: 'I've learned now, you've got to embrace it. We all still live there, we've grown up together and are relatively close.

Causing a stir: The fashionista has previous experience in the fashion and modelling world, having been signed up to a modelling agency at the tender age of 11

'There's a deep connection with these friendships because they've been there our whole lives..'

The fashionista has previous experience in the fashion and modelling world, having been signed up to a modelling agency at the tender age of 11.

The catwalk queen appeared in her first campaign for Accessorise when she was just 14 and was recently unveiled as the new face of Reebok.The Bachelorette's Kaitlyn Bristowe is 'devastated' over her split from fiance Shawn Booth.

The 33-year-old 'wants to be married and have kids' a source told People magazine, but realised Shawn, 31, just wasn't going to make that commitment.

Canadian Kaitlyn and Shawn, from Conneticut, made their home in Nashville after he proposed to her on the reality show three years ago.

The Bachelorette's Kaitlyn Bristowe, 33, 'wants to be married and have kids' and is 'devastated' over her split from Shawn Booth; she is seen back in April

But despite the ring on her finger, the pair never actually walked down the aisle.

'This was the last thing Kaitlyn wanted,' the insider said. 'She was willing to fight for the relationship, but there was nowhere for it to go.'

In a statement given to People when they split, the couple announced they decided to break up after 'thoughtful, respectful consideration', and plan on remaining friends.

'Even though we are parting as a couple, we're very much committed to remaining friends,' the reality TV stars explained.

Split: Kaitlyn and Shawn are seen in November last year; they had a three-year engagement

'We have both evolved as people, which is taking us in different directions, but with the hope that we will continue to support each other in new ways.

'Due to the nature of how we met, our relationship has always been very public, and we have enjoyed sharing it with all of you, but we ask that you respect our decision and our privacy at this time.'

The couple had been plagued by split rumors, but had insisted all was well in their relationship.

Kaitlyn addressed the speculation on a summer episode of her podcast, Off The Vine, insisting she and Shawn were completely devoted to each other.

High point: Kaitlyn became engaged to Shawn on The Bachelorette finale after ending it with runner-up Nick Viall

'Shawn and I are 110 percent committed to each other and, yes, we are still together,' she said back in August.

The reality star was even talking about their wedding in June.

'We talk about doing it in Hawaii,' she told Us Weekly, though added she and Shawn 'go back and forth with if we want it big or small, we haven't made the decision on that.'

Speaking about their future together, Kaitlyn told E! in May, 'We just hope we are healthy and happy. Maybe married. Maybe babies? Ok I'll calm down.'

Not to be: The former couple with their dog, Tucker Doodle, back in November

Season 11 of The Bachelorette began with a major twist.

In a departure from prior seasons, the male contestants voted who they wanted to be the Bachelorette - Kaitlyn or Britt Nilsson.

Kaitlyn was ultimately chosen, and she became engaged to Shawn on the finale after ending it with runner-up Nick Viall.He earned his Hollywood heartthrob status appearing in 1980s teen dramas St. Elmo's Fire, Oxford Blues and The Outsiders.

And now Rob Lowe, 54, has swapped the bright light of Los Angeles for the local butchers in East Lincolnshire as he films new ITV crime drama Wild Bill alongside Angela Griffin, 42.

The American actor, known for his roles in The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters and Parks and Recreation, was spotted on Wednesday on the show's Midlands set holding a tray of raw sausages and a humble pork loin.

New venture: Rob Lowe, 54, has swapped the bright light of Los Angeles for the local butchers in East Lincolnshire as he films new ITV crime drama Wild Bill alongside Angela Griffin, 42, on Wednesday

Dressed to impress, Rob, who plays Chief Constable Bill Hixon, was clad in his character's police uniform, equipped with his trusty hat walking through Boston, Lincolnshire.

Filming his scenes, the US star was joined by Angela, who donned a navy skirt, cream shirt and beige trench, as they walked through the market place's cobbled pavement.

Angela's character, who appears to be a journalist, carried a notepad and dictaphone in her hand as she furiously questioned the new cop in town.

In between scenes, the Hollywood actor was bombarded by fan requests for a selfie after his appearance in Boston sent the town into a tizzy.

Pork anyone? The American actor, known for his roles in The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters and Parks and Recreation, was spotted on Wednesday on the show's midlands set holding a tray of raw sausages and a pork loin

Cop on: Dressed to impress, Rob, who plays Chief Constable Bill Hixon, was clad in his police uniform, equipped with his trusty hat walking through Boston, Lincolnshire

Rob plays a high-flying US cop who is appointed Chief Constable of the East Lincolnshire Police Force in the upcoming ITV series, according to Backstage.com.

Moving to the midlands with his teenage daughter in tow, his character Bill Hixon hopes to tackle crime in the town when a 'colourful cast of locals forces him to question everything he thought he knew about life.'

His move to the UK comes months after he and wife, jewellery designer Sheryl, put their Montecito mansion, located next door to Oprah Winfrey, up for sale in June following the devastating mudslide that let 21 dead.

The Lowes listed the six bedroom property for $47 million, which boasts a formal dining room and a formal living area, an office, a film screening room, and a piano bar.

Snap happy: In between scenes, the Hollywood actor was bombarded by fan requests for a selfie after his appearance in Boston sent the town into a tizzy

Action: Filming his scenes, the US star was joined by Angela, who donned a navy skirt, cream shirt and beige trench, as they walked through the market place's cobbled pavement

The guesthouse itself features two bedrooms and its own kitchenette while the pool house, which spans 800 square feet and includes a full kitchen and one more bedroom.

One motivation to sell included the fact that the couple's sons are grown up and have moved out, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Matthew graduated from Duke and is in law school and the couple's younger son graduated Stanford this summer.

New role: Rob plays a high-flying US cop who is appointed Chief Constable of the East Lincolnshire Police Force in the upcoming ITV series, according to Backstage.com (Pictured L-R: Angela Griffin)

'Were looking forward to our next real estate adventure,' the star of The West Wing said in a statement.

The Lowes built their dream home in 2005, even bringing in a feng shui master to create the perfect flow of energy.

But now, with their boys gone, the Lowes do not need all of the space encompassed by the 20 rooms spread over close to 10,000 square feet.

The main part of the house boasts six bedrooms, a formal dining room and a formal living area, an office, a film screening room, and a piano bar.Bahrain Airport Company will showcase the Airport Modernisation Programmes (AMP) latest developments in front of the global aerospace community at the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2018, set to be the biggest yet.



BAC is a Gold Sponsor of the commercially-focused biennial airshow, which brings together leading civil and military aviation companies and senior government figures from around the world to conduct business and explore potential partnerships.



Held under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the supervision of BIAS Supreme Organising Committee Chairman, HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, BIAS 2018 will take place from November 14 to 16 at Sakhir Air Base. It is being organised by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Royal Bahraini Air Force, in association with Farnborough International.



This years BIAS marks a milestone for the AMP with a number of agreements for strategic projects and key concessions at the new Passenger Terminal Building set to be awarded during the event. Representatives from renowned local, regional, and international companies will sign the agreements alongside the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Engineer Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohamed, and BAC chief executive officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah.



This years BIAS Exhibition will be the biggest in the events history. Exhibitor numbers are up 70 per cent from 2016 and the Exhibition Hall has doubled in size, spanning 9,000-sq-m. In addition to its own pavilion, BACs wholly-owned subsidiary, Hala Bahrain, and its joint venture with the National Oil and Gas Authority, BAC Jet Fuel Company, will each have separate stands to showcase their products and services to the aviation community.



BAC is also hosting the eagerly anticipated Airport Conference under the patronage of the Minister. Senior decision makers from leading regional airlines and airports will come together for an engaging panel discussion to explore the various issues shaping the regions aviation sector. Titled Into the Future: Challenges and Opportunities for Gulf Region Airports and Airlines, it will be held on November 15 at the Farnborough International News Network Theatre in the BIAS Exhibition Hall.



Al Binfalah said: The eyes of the global aerospace community will be firmly on the kingdom during the fifth Bahrain International Airshow. The event attracts aviation leaders from around the world and provides an ideal platform for us to showcase Bahrains competitive advantages as a regional hub as well as the significant improvements being made to BIAs infrastructure, facilities, and services through the Airport Modernisation Programme. BAC is looking forward to networking with top international airlines and logistics companies during the airshow and exploring potential channels of cooperation that will bring us closer to our goals, which include developing new routes out of BIA, transforming air cargo into one of Bahrains primary industries, and increasing the aviation sectors contribution to the national economy in line with Bahrains Vision 2030. - TradeArabia News ServiceShe is gearing up for her fifth strut down the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York on Thursday.

And Stella Maxwell has gushed about the upcoming catwalk spectacle, telling Glamour Magazine that she feels empowered by walking down the runway in her underwear for the famous lingerie brand.

Showing off her jaw-dropping figure for the online digital cover and accompanying shoot, the Belgian model, 28, also blasted critics of the annual VS show in the interview - admitting that the Angels 'work hard for months' for the gig.

Angel power: Stella Maxwell has gushed about the upcoming Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, revealing that she feels empowered by walking down the runway in her underwear for the famous lingerie brand

Stella, who first walked down the Victoria's Secret runway in 2012, enthused about landing the coveted modelling job again.

'I am getting more used to the role. It is like playing a role, you have to get into character. I bring a lot of my personality to it as well, so I try to get the balance right or being myself, representing the brand whilst feeling sexy, confident and empowering women.'

And the blonde bombshell, who is in a relationship with actress Kristen Stewart, is adamant about the positive message behind the VS show.

'For me it feels really empowering to walk down a runway in my underwear! The message I want to send out is that women are sexy.

Well earned: Dishing to Glamour magazine, the Belgian model, 28, also blasted critics of the annual VS show in the interview - admitting that the Angels 'work hard for months' for the gig

'Getting more used to the role': Stella, who first walked down the Victoria's Secret runway in 2012, enthused about landing the coveted modelling job again

'We have girls from all over the world in the show  its just a very sexy and confident role and situation you are lucky to be in.

'I personally really enjoy it and really enjoy the moment of the runway show. I think its all about feeling good AND looking amazing,' she stated passionately.

And while Stella is a firm believer in the message behind Victoria's Secret, the brand hasn't come without his haters.

Over the past month, plus-size Australian model Robyn Lawley began a petition to boycott VS for their failure to represent body diversity.

'It's empowering!' The blonde bombshell, who is in a relationship with actress Kristen Stewart, is adamant about the positive message behind the VS show

Backlash: While Stella is a firm believer in the message behind Victoria's Secret, the brand hasn't come without his haters.

And touching upon the charged topic of body image, Stella expressed: 'All our hard work we have been doing over months comes to a point where you go, "yes, this is it, this is what I have been working so hard for!"'

However, Stella did admit that criticism was the greatest pressure on women today: 'We are all scrutinised. Everyone. Man, woman, everyone, especially if you are in the public eye in any way on social media.

'Its about doing you and not worrying too much about other things. Only worry about the things that are really worth worrying about,' she revealed.

Criticism: Over the past month, plus-size Australian model Robyn Lawley began a petition to boycott VS for their failure to represent body diversity

Stella will be joined at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show by Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Barbara Palvin, Devon Windsor, Shanina Shaik and more.

And speaking on her fellow runway pals, Stella confessed: '[Its an amazing camaraderie so we just really want the best for each other. We are a family.'

Victoria's Secret's annual fashion show is set for November 8 in New York City, but it won't be aired until December 2 on ABC in the States.

Read Stella's full feature in the November Digital Issue of GLAMOUR UK.Big Brother 19 alum Christmas Abbott was arrested for criminal mischief this week in Tampa, Florida stemming from an incident that happened over the summer when she was eight months pregnant.

A warrant had previously been issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office for the 36-year-old. Christmas turned herself to authorities at 1:57 pm ET on Tuesday for the felony charge.

In August, Christmas, allegedly flew off the handle after finding out the father of her baby was having an affair, according to a police report.

Booking photo: Christmas Abbott, 36, was arrested for criminal mischief on Tuesday in Florida over an incident with her ex-boyfriend and his alleged mistress in August; her booking photo is seen here

The reality star drove 'to the gym to confront her child's father's romantic partner.'

'Once there, she threw a coffee cup and caused a scene,' police said. 'The suspect entered her Mercedes Benz SUV and proceed to ram the victim's vehicle twice.'

The victim's vehicle, a Honda Civic, suffered over $5000 worth of damage.

When an officer arrived at the scene, he said that Christmas began crying and told him she 'lost it' over the cheating allegations.

According the officer, the reality star's baby daddy, Benjamin Bunn, and his alleged mistress both admitted to having a relationship but claimed they were no longer together.

According to police: 'The suspect entered her Mercedes Benz SUV and proceed to ram the victim's vehicle twice'

The arresting officer described Christmas as 'loud and boisterous' during his investigation of the scene and explained he had to tell her multiple times to stop 'screaming' at the victim.

Because of the 'hot weather' and her pregnancy, Christmas was allowed to remain unrestrained but police threatened to cuff her after she ignored their commands to stop 'flailing' and went into a 'fit of rage.'

According to the victim's sworn statement, the reality star allegedly called her a 'pathetic home wrecking little s***.'

Back to normal: Following her arrest, Christmas shared snaps with her son on social media

She was issued a warrant and allowed to turn herself in to police at a later date, which she did on Tuesday.

The TV star only spent about an hour with police before being released on her own recognizance, according to her arrest records.

The reality star just welcomed her first child, Loyal Atticus Abbott, almost exactly a month before she turned herself in to authorities, on October 8.

Following her arrest, Christmas has been very active on social media, sharing memes and selfies.

'Theres moments that are hard as hell but countless more that are priceless:' Christmas made no mention of her arrest on social media but mentioned 'hard' moments

On Wednesday she posted a video breast feeding her son as well as a sweet selfie with the infant.

She wrote in the caption: 'How could I ever get enough of that sweet smile?! I literally can stare and watch him all day long just to watch him & maybe see a lil laugh or giggle.'

Adding: 'He simply lights up my heart & makes me so fulfilled!'

Claim to fame: Christmas finished in third place in her season of Big Brother

Christmas made no mention of her recent brush with the law in the caption, however, the reality star made a veiled reference to 'hard' moments.

'No teaching point on this post,' the Big Brother star wrote. 'Just some simple love & appreciation for my son & all that he brings into my life.

'Theres moments that are hard as hell but countless more that are priceless.'

Christmas finished third on season 19 of the hit CBS show Big Brother.America Pie star Jason Biggs and author Jenny Mollen revealed on Tuesday why they refer to their four-year-old son Sid as 'the Dictator.'

'Well, we don't call him that to his face!' the 39-year-old influencer clarified to Good Morning America.

'We call him the dictator behind his back. He doesn't know. He's strong. He speaks German. It's intense.'

Hey everybody! Jenny Mollen and husband Jason Biggs checked in with their fans on Good Morning America this week

Nickname: The actor and author revealed on Tuesday why they refer to their four-year-old son Sid as 'the Dictator' (pictured Tuesday)

Even the NY Times bestselling author's elaborate gourmet school lunches come under scrutiny when the 'Roman emperor' gives his 'thumbs up or thumbs down.'

'He'll be like, "Mommy, today the bear was boring,"' Jenny deadpanned.

The New Jersey-born 40-year-old is happy to let Mollen handle the school lunches.

'In our relationship, one thing that we've done really well is we've identified what sort of responsibilities we like to take on with the kids,' the Raisin Bran spokesmodel explained.

Impressive: Even the NY Times bestselling author's elaborate gourmet school lunches come under scrutiny when the 'Roman emperor' gives his 'thumbs up or thumbs down' (pictured October 29)

Jenny said: 'He'll be like, "Mommy, today the bear was boring"'

When asked whether they consider sex a good work-out, Jason joked: 'It depends on who's, sort of, running the show. She's usually on her phone, scrolling Instagram'

'Once you do it, you're like, "I'm the best!"' Jenny then compared sex after a decade of marriage to 'getting on the treadmill'

'I'm more involved in the school stuff.'

When asked whether they consider sex a good work-out, Jason joked: 'It depends on who's, sort of, running the show. She's usually on her phone, scrolling Instagram.'

Jenny then compared sex after a decade of marriage to 'getting on the treadmill.'

'When you're married this long, you're like, "How do I do it? Do I want to?"' Mollen said.

Met on the 2008 set of My Best Friend's Girl: For their morning show appearance, the inseparable couple braved the Manhattan rain in sensible fall ensembles

Here comes 'Jadon'! Jenny often refers to Jason as 'Jadon', a nickname he acquired as a result of Auto-correct

Stylish: Mollen flashed a big smile in a navy polka-dot knit sweater, grey skinny jeans, a blue Chanel purse, and black booties

'And then once you do it, you're like, "I'm the best. I'm so proud of myself. I deserve a medal."'

For their morning show appearance, the inseparable couple - who met on the 2008 set of My Best Friend's Girl - braved the Manhattan rain in sensible fall ensembles.

The former child star sported stubble and wore a navy jacket over a matching sweater, blue jeans, and brown boots.

And the Arizona-born blonde flashed a big smile in a navy polka-dot knit sweater, grey skinny jeans, a blue Chanel purse, and black booties.

'Lit!' Left out of the televised conversation was Jenny and Jason's 13-month- old son Lazlo, whom she Insta-storied a censored snap of Tuesday

'Turns out this s*** is hard': Biggs' GMA appearance came a month after he celebrated one year of sobriety by proudly posting his silver Alcoholics Anonymous medallion

Left out of the televised conversation was Jenny and Jason's 13-month-old son Lazlo, whom she Insta-storied a censored snap of Tuesday.

Biggs' GMA appearance came a month after he celebrated one year of sobriety by proudly posting his silver Alcoholics Anonymous medallion.

'I first tried to get sober over five years ago, when the weight of my obsession with booze and drugs became too heavy for me to handle,' the American Pie alum wrote.

'Turns out this s*** is hard. After some fits and starts, I've managed to put together one year of sobriety. Im as proud of it as anything in my life. If you're struggling, know there's help. Don't be ashamed. We can do this.'

The Montclair State University drop-out and the UCLA grad - who hasn't acted since 2016 - previously collaborated in Amateur Night (2016) and L!fe Happens (2011), as well as Netflix's Chelsea (2017).Katie Price has reportedly splashed out on a pink Barbie-style wrap for her Suzuki jeep, as she battles to avoid bankruptcy.

According to The Sun that 40-year-old made yet another outlandish purchase, as she attempted to life her spirits after another run-in with the police earlier this week.

It comes as Katie prepares for yet another hearing in the coming weeks to decide whether she will have to pay debts estimating to range from 250,000 to 500,000.

New purchase: Katie Price has reportedly splashed out on a pink Barbie-style wrap for her Suzuki jeep, as she battles to avoid bankruptcy

A source said: 'Katie loves to make a statement so having a personalised Barbie car was like a dream come true!

'Everyone thought it was a bit too much but she loved it. She didn't even think about the price, she just had it done! What Katie wants, Katie gets.'

Katie also allegedly contact the wrap company Valet Magic herself, with sources adding she was 'good as gold.'

Big buy: The company also posted some snaps of the transformed vehicle to their social media

Daring buy: According to The Sun the star contacted the company directly and was 'good as gold.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Katie Price and Valet Magic for comment.

Valet themselves posted a snap of Katie's transformed car to their Instagram along with a matching Barbie key ring.

The caption read: 'When your asked to build a Barbie jeep by @officialkatieprice. Was a laugh delivering it.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Katie Price and Valet Magic for further comment.

Katie's new buy came after she had yet another run-in with police last week, allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle when officers insisted she do so, on the grounds she was still banned.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said 'they demanded she get out of her vehicle and accused her of being disqualified from driving, which Katie refuted.'

Tough time: Katie's new purchase comes as she continues to battle bankruptcy ahead of her next court appearance in the coming weeks

It's said that the police officers' system had flagged up that she was disqualified. They then re-checked this and learnt that it was an error and so she was allowed to drive on.

Katie's new purchase comes after it was also reported she has shut down her struggling fashion business KP Boutique after it accrued a paltry 13 in profit.

Official papers confirm that Katie, 40, has applied to have the business closed within the next week, according to The Sun.

Just last week it was reported that Katie had staved off bankruptcy for another month - but could be made homeless at a court hearing in December.

Not a penny: It was revealed earlier today that the star has shut down her struggling fashion line after it amassed a mere 13 in profit

The former glamour model narrowly avoided being declared bankrupt in August, when she was given 12 weeks to come up with the money she owes to creditors.

Her lawyers came back to London's High Court today (November 7th) for a fresh hearing over how she will clear up a 22,000 debt with the taxman.

Estimates over the Loose Women panellist's total debts have ranged from 250,000 to 500,000, but the case was once again put off last week, with the legal team stating she has a meeting planned with tax officials for November 16.

Stepping out: Meanwhile, Katie's ex-husband Peter Andre was seen arriving at The One Show

Casual: The Mysterious Girl hitmaker was dressed down for his TV appearance

It is thought she will attempt to be enter into an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), a formal alternative for indebted people wishing to avoid bankruptcy.

Katie reportedly fears she could be forced to sell her 2 million West Sussex mansion if a trustee is brought in to sell off her possessions, but is unlikely to be made homeless before Christmas due to rules allowing people living with children to appeal for a 12-month delay to losing their home.

In recent months there have been reports that the former model, a keen horsewoman, had been trying to sell off her pink horsebox and a number of her animals.Part one of the Keeping Up With The Kardashians episode where Tristan Thompson's cheating scandal is exposed aired on Sunday - with part two set to premiere in just a few days.

But Khloe Kardashian brushed aside the drama on Wednesday as she posted an absolutely adorable image of her daughter True, seven months.

Khloe, 34, held her beaming baby girl in her arms while sporting colorful hats in the sweet Instagram post.

So ridiculously cute: Khloe Kardashian brushed aside the drama on Wednesday as she posted an absolutely adorable image of her daughter True, seven months

The mother of one captioned the image: 'This picture makes me smile seeing Trues beautiful face!! You are EVERYTHING to me sweet True,' adding a heart emoji and a note to her fans: 'Smile today! It's contagious.'

Khloe shared a snap from her recent family trip to Bali.

The mother and daughter duo wore brightly colored hats and matching white ensembles.

True, who was born April 12, appeared mid-giggle in the cute image as Khloe smiled at the camera.

Happiness: Khloe, 34, held her beaming baby girl in her arms while sporting a colorful hat in the sweet Instagram post; seen in another snap from Bali

On Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal was finally addressed.

Kendall Jenner is seen gasping in shock with Scott seated next to her in the car as she reads the Dailymail.com exclusive story.

She quotes the Dailymail.com story to which Scott responded: 'Bro, that's pretty serious its it, is it for sure, for sure?' to which Kendall says Kim sent it to her.

Kim was with a producer seemingly filming scenes for KUWTK when she gets an alert and sees the article.

Drama: On Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal was finally addressed; pictured last week

Saying 'yikes', Kim sends the article to her family members, before she finally looks up and tells the producer: 'There's video of Tristan making out with a girl.'

Kourtney then tells the camera: 'I mean, I can't even imagine being in Khloe's shoes. Just how, like, reckless it all seems. This is really shocking and obviously heartbreaking. The whole thing makes me disgusted.'

Kylie sent the article to Khloe, explaining why she did that: 'No one had the courage to tell Khloe because we knew she was days away from giving birth,' said the 21-year-old.

'We didnt want to stress her out, but we knew that it was the right thing to do. So Im the one that told Khloe. I didnt want to hurt her feelings, but I felt like she should hear it from one of us versus on the internet.'

How it went down: Days after the scandal broke, Khloe gave birth to daughter True; Despite it all, Khloe and Tristan are still in a relationship

When it dropped: Kim was with a producer seemingly filming scenes for KUWTK when she gets an alert and sees the article

In April, Dailymail.com exclusively revealed that Tristan was seen kissing a strip club worker while Khloe was nine months pregnant.

Days after the scandal broke, Khloe gave birth to daughter True; Despite it all, Khloe and Tristan are still in a relationship.

UsWeekly reports that Khloe is 'skeptical' of him and that they are not 'on solid ground.'

Adding that Khloe has bad feelings as she watches the show - with the scandal in her face again.

The magazine's insider said that the Good American co-founder has her doubts 'that things will ever be completely, perfectly rectified.'

Tristan also apparently didn't want to watch his cheating scandal play out on TV, as sources reveal.

She had asked him if he wanted to watch the episode and he had no interest in doing so.

From the episode: Days after the scandal broke, Khloe gave birth to daughter True; Despite it all, Khloe and Tristan are still in a relationshipAdvertisement

If it's good enough for Kim Kardashian, then it's good enough for The Situation.

Mike Sorrentino and his bride Lauren Pesce have released a stunning picture from their wedding day, showing them stodd against a backdrop of white flowers.

The flower wall bares quite the similarity to the extravagant one first seen at Kim's 2014 Italian wedding to Kanye West.

Spot the difference: Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino and Lauren Pesce have a Kardashian moment as they pose in front of flower wall at their wedding; seen are the newlyweds, left, and KimYe in 2014, right

Novel at the time, and the pet project of multi-talented Kanye, after the couple's picture was broadcast around the world the flower wall sparked many an imitation, some more convincing than others.

So popular did they become, that back in March, celebrity florist Jeff Leatham, a close pal of Kris Jenner, pronounced them 'over'.

But that news obviously didn't reach The Situation, or perhaps he simply didn't care.

The Jersey Shore star shared his romantic picture to Instagram, with the caption The Hitchuation Wedding', crediting his photographer, celebrity wedding snapper Anthony Serrantonio.

Stunning: The Jersey Shore star shared his romantic picture to Instagram, with the caption The Hitchuation Wedding', crediting his photographer, celebrity wedding snapper Anthony Serrantonio

The original: Novel at the time, and the pet project of multi-talented Kanye, after the couple's picture was broadcast around the world the flower wall sparked many an imitation, some more convincing than others

The picture was one of several giving a glimpse into his opulent big day, in Pompton Plains, New Jersey last Thursday.

The 33-year-old bride wore a long white gown and matching veil as she posed next to her 36-year-old reality star husband.

Confirming the special news with Us Weekly, the couple said: 'We are so incredibly excited to begin our journey as husband and wife!'

'We are each other's best friend and together we can handle anything. Thank you to all our family, friends and fans who have supported us every step of the way. Gym, Tan, Laurens is the new GTL! With Love, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sorrentino.'

College sweetheart: Mike posted this frameable snap with the caption 'The Sitch got Hitched'

Inspiration? The two also shared a shot in the classic wedding pose, also seen on KimYe's Vogue cover

Of course their Jersey Shore mates were there to support.

Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Deena Nicole Cortese, Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, Paul 'DJ Pauly D' DelVecchio and Vinny Guadagnino joined the celebration along with JWoww and Snooki's four-year-old daughters Meilani and Giovanna

Ronnie's on-off girlfriend, Jen Harley was present with their six-month-old daughter Ariana as well.

Hitched! The Situation and college sweetheart Lauren are man and wife, in this picture they shared with UsWeekly

Earlier in the day the Situation's bride-to-be posted an Instagram in anticipation of the nuptials.

'Wedding time. Baby time,' Pesce posted on the morning of their big day.

In another photo of the couple, posted to the Jersey Shore star's Instagram Story, a suit-clad The Situation picks up Lauren and gazes lovingly into her eyes.

His college sweetheart wore an elegant white dress and rose-colored heels for the romantic photo op.

Meanwhile Pesce shared a couple of selfies to her own social media account, with the simple caption, 'wedding ready [DIAMOND EMOJI]'.

The look of love: In another photo of the couple, posted to the Jersey Shore star's Instagram Story, a suit-clad The Situation picks up Lauren and gazes lovingly into her eyes

Ready to go: Meanwhile Pesce shared a couple of selfies to her own social media account, with the simple caption, 'wedding ready [DIAMOND EMOJI]'

Another heartfelt post by Sorrentino showed the lovebirds kissing on a bench at sunset.

The sweet snap was captioned: 'Today I marry my best friend, My College Sweetheart, My everything.'

'Together as a team we can accomplish anything. I am so grateful that you are by my side.'

'I promise to be my best self everyday & make you proud to call yourself Mrs. Sorrentino.'

'Love you with all my heart. Here's to our big day'.

Get a room! Another heartfelt post by Sorrentino showed the lovebirds kissing on a bench at sunset

Mike and Lauren were engaged on Valentine's Day and the moment was captured on cameras for Jersey Shore.

Talking to Us Weekly in April, the MTV figure said: 'I approached the executive producers and I let them know, "Listen I really want to do this. This show is really special to me. This is the show that introduced me to the world." It was really special for me to do this, to get down on one knee on Jersey Shore.'

The wedding will come before the Jersey Shore reality star is sent to prison for eight months for tax evasion, which will begin in 2019.

In addition to his time behind bars, Mike has a two year supervised release, 500 hours of community service and was given $123,913 in restitution - which he's already paid off.

He also was served a $10,000 fine that must be paid in 30 days.She's whisked her boyfriend Adam Collard away for a birthday trip to Miami.

And Zara McDermott is making sure it's a trip to remember for her Love Island beau, wowing in another sizzling swimsuit for a beach day on Wednesday.

The former government adviser chose a plunging cut-out one-piece as she frolicked in the Florida sunshine with a shirtless Adam.

Wow factor: Love Island star Zara McDermott is making sure it's a Miami trip to remember for her beau Adam Collard, wowing in another sizzling swimsuit for a beach day on Wednesday

Zara flaunted her tanned figure in the black swimsuit, which featured a daringly low neckline to highlight her assets.

Cut-out detail on the stomach flashed more skin while the high rise bottoms showed off her pert derriere as she posed in the surf.

A pair of round retro shades and poker-straight locks were the finishing touches to Zara's glam beach look.

This is the life! The former government adviser chose a plunging cut-out one-piece as she frolicked in the Florida sunshine with a shirtless Adam

Beach ready: Zara flaunted her tanned figure in the black swimsuit, which featured a daringly low neckline to highlight her assets

Checking out the view: Cut-out detail on the stomach flashed more skin while the high rise bottoms showed off her pert derriere as she posed in the surf with a besotted Adam

Adam was also showing off his beach body, stripping off his shirt to flaunt his muscular physique.

The personal trainer walked in the surf in a pair of white swimming shorts, displaying his impressive tattoo collection.

Zara revealed last week that she was treating Adam to the luxury holiday for his 23rd birthday.

Beach glam: A pair of round retro shades and poker-straight locks were the finishing touch to Zara's glam beach look

Good looking pair: Adam was also showing off his beach body, stripping off his shirt to flaunt his muscular physique

Inked: The personal trainer walked in the surf in a pair of white swimming shorts, displaying his impressive tattoo collection

Birthday boy: Zara revealed last week that she was treating Adam to the luxury holiday for his 23rd birthday

Writing on Instagram she said: 'Happy birthday to my baby. I am taking him to Miami and the Bahamas next week!!! Was so hard keeping it a secret.'

She also revealed a hand-written note that read: 'To my amazing boyfriend Adam.

'Pack your bags because on 5th November we are jetting off to MIAMI BEACH for a week, staying in the Fontainebleau hotel. Get ready to eat at Nobu, party and LIV and SO much more!

Surprise! Writing on Instagram she said: 'Happy birthday to my baby. I am taking him to Miami and the Bahamas next week!!! Was so hard keeping it a secret'

Trip of a lifetime: So far the couple have spent plenty of time on the beach since landing

Thanks babe! Adam looked in great spirits as he splashed about in the ocean with his girl

Working on her tan: Zara was looking bronzed as she left the beach with her flip flops in hand

'Then on 12th November we are flying to the Bahamas for 5 days, staying at the Atlantis! We will be visiting hidden beaches on our own private boat, swimming with sharks, going to the water park and meeting the pigs in the Exuma Islands!

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you're as excited as I am! Zara xxx'

The pair's romantic getaway comes amid rumours ITV2 bosses are set to reunite the cast of Love Island for a Christmas special.

The Sun have reported that producers are keen to reunite the cast at the Mallorca villa, in what could prove to be an awkward night as only four out of the series' nine couples are still together.

Luxury break: The couple have been inseparable since falling for each other on Love Island in the summer

Besotted: The pair were early leavers from the ITV2 show but are two of the few to make their romance work outside of the villa

An ITV source said: 'Bosses have been wanting to get the cast back together for a few years now but have finally been given the green light because of the success of this year's show.

'They know exactly the kind of drama that viewers want to see and getting together the couples who have split will certainly make for tense viewing.

'Producers are in the process of getting people to sign up and they are hoping that everybody agrees to it.'

The reunion show will reportedly follow the format of the spin off After Sun and will take place back in the famous villa, while the insider adds that previous series contestants could also make an appearance.

Back for more? The pair's romantic getaway comes amid rumours ITV2 bosses are set to reunite the cast of Love Island for a Christmas special

Still in love: Producers are keen to reunite the cast at the Mallorca villa, in what could prove to be an awkward night as only four out of the series' nine couples are still togetherShe's the TOWIE stunner who's successfuly kept her boyfriend out of the limelight.

And on Wednesday night, Chloe Lewis ensured that all of the attention was on her as she stepped out in a pillar-box red trouser suit to attend the Abbott Lyon x Chloe Lewis Christmas Campaign Launch Party at Vanilla in Fitzrovia, London.

The reality star, 27, cut a striking figure as she strolled towards the bash, opting to go bra-less in the plunging suit jacket and coordinating cropped trousers.

Bold! On Wednesday night, Chloe Lewis, 27, stepped out in a red trouser suit to attend the Abbott Lyon x Chloe Lewis Christmas Campaign Launch Party at Vanilla in Fitzrovia, London

Chloe ensured her slim figure was on display with a chunky red belt cinching in her waist, and she kept her look elegant with a pair of chic black pointed stilettos.

The TOWIE babe accessorised with a single ring on her index finger, and carried a sleek black tote bag in her hand as she posed for snaps.

Chloe parted her brunette tresses at the side and styled her long locks into a chic chignon bun at the nape of her neck.

The reality stunner enhanced her natural beauty with a contoured base, brown lip-liner and lashings of mascara.

Stunning: The reality star cut a striking figure as she strolled towards the bash, opting to go bra-less in the plunging suit jacket and coordinating cropped trousers

Supportive: Chloe was joined by a host of her reality star friends, with Courtney Green being the first of her TOWIE pals to arrive

Gorgeous: She ensured her slim figure was displayed with a red belt cinching in her waist

Simple does it: Chloe she kept her look elegant with a pair of chic black pointed stilettos

Chloe was joined by a host of her reality star friends, with Courtney Green being the first of her TOWIE pals to arrive.

The stunning brunette, displayed a serious look on her face as she posed for photographs clad in silky cropped tracksuit bottoms.

Courtney teamed her high-waisted trousers with a long sleeved white crop top which allowed for a flash of her slim waist to be displayed.

Why so serious? The stunning brunette, displayed a serious look on her face as she posed for photographs clad in silky cropped tracksuit bottoms

Details: The TOWIE babe accessorised with a single ring on her index finger, and carried a sleek black tote bag in her hand as she posed for snaps

Chic: Chloe parted her brunette tresses at the side and styled her long locks into a chic chignon bun at the nape of her neck

Sublime: Her fellow TOWIE star, and longtime friend Chloe Meadows stunned in a diamante encrusted ruffle co-ord

The TOWIE star added height to her petite frame with a pair of camel coloured heels, and clutched onto a nude tote bag.

Courtney had a black biker jacket draped over her shoulders to keep the winter chill at bay, and accessorised with a smattering of rose gold jewellery.

Her fellow TOWIE star, and longtime friend Chloe Meadows stunned in a diamante encrusted ruffle co-ord, flashing her toned stomach in the pretty set.

The black two-piece comprised long black trousers with eye-catching ruffles down the side of each trouser leg, and a matching low-cut crop top.

Wow! The black two-piece comprised long black trousers with eye-catching ruffles down the side of each trouser leg, and a matching low-cut crop top

Beauty: The blonde beauty styled her long blonde hair straight and sleek, with pretty curls at the end, and opted for a subtle smokey eye and glossy lip

Beauty: The reality stunner enhanced her natural beauty with a contoured base, brown lip-liner and lashings of mascara

Co-stars: The TOWIE babes stood in height order for a group shot

The tiny gem embellishments gave her ensemble a polka-dot feel, and Chloe added extra glam with barely-there stilettos and a blood red pedicure.

The blonde beauty styled her long blonde hair straight and sleek, with pretty curls at the end, and opted for a subtle smokey eye and glossy lip.

Love Islander Alexandra Cane donned a chic black bandeau dress which clung to her curves, for the star-studded bash.

Gorgeous: Love Islander Alexandra Cane donned a chic black bandeau dress which clung to her curves, for the star-studded bash

Stylish: The make-up artist teamed her simple mini-dress with a luxe off-white tailored jacket

Eye-catching: As she arrived at the launch party, Alexandra ensured she was wrapped up, with a multicoloured faux fur jacket adding extra warmth

The make-up artist teamed her simple mini-dress with a luxe off-white tailored jacket and a pair of black barely-there stilettos.

As she arrived at the launch party, Alexandra ensured she was wrapped up, with a multicoloured faux fur jacket adding extra warmth.

The raven-haired beauty styled her long longs into voluminous waves, and showed off her make-up skills with a heavily bronzed face and a dark brown smokey eye.

Skills: The raven-haired beauty styled her long longs into voluminous waves, and showed off her make-up skills with a heavily bronzed face and a dark brown smokey eye

Work it: Alexandra's co-star, Ellie Brown, ramped up the sex appeal, opting to go bra-less in a sheer lace body, and leaving very little to the imagination in the process.

Toning it down: The petite star flaunted her assets in the skimpy number, but added some modesty by teaming the revealing leotard with high-waisted cropped black trousers

Pretty: The Love Island star gave herself a central parting, and styled her long block hair extensions into glamorous curls, while she kept her make-up to a minimum

Alexandra's co-star, Ellie Brown, ramped up the sex appeal, opting to go bra-less in a sheer lace body, and leaving very little to the imagination in the process.

The petite star flaunted her assets in the skimpy number, but added some modesty by teaming the revealing leotard with high-waisted cropped black trousers.

Ellie teamed her all-black ensemble with gold strappy stilettos and the chain strap of a salmon pink faux snake-print embossed handbag hanging over her shoulder.

The Love Island star gave herself a central parting, and styled her long block hair extensions into glamorous curls, while she kept her make-up to a minimum.

Bronzed: Alexandra displayed heavily-bronzed pins

Details: The Love Islander accessorised with a rose gold watch, bracelet and hoop earrings

Graceful: Alexandra took a load off, sitting down while the party continued around her

Guests at the Abbott Lyon x Chloe Lewis bash were treated to guest DJ performances, as well as cocktails and canapes.

They were given the opportunity to preview the new watch, jewellery, bag and accessories collections ahead of Christmas.

Chloe has become a star since appearing on reality show, TOWIE, and has previously why her boyfriend Danny Flasher hasn't followed in her footsteps to become a cast member.

Speaking to This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, the starlet confessed that her stock broker beau has no interest to star on the show as he has a 'good job'.

Elegant: Chloe posed for photographs as she arrived at the bash

Poser: Alexandra sat elegantly as she was photographed during the event

Celebrations: Chloe grabbed an assortment of pink balloons from the ceiling of the venue

She shared: 'The show have asked me about him coming on, it's his choice he's got a good job [boyfriend whos not on the show]'.

Proving their romance to be going from strength to strength, Chloe revealed in April that the pair had moved in together, telling the Daily Star:

'We are loved-up and happy and I'm living with him now.'

The brunette has refused to let her man join TOWIE following the demise of her relationship with former fellow co-star Jake Hall, who is now engaged and has a daughter with Misse Bequiri.Bella Hadid was all smiles as she headed to the Victoria's Secret offices on Wednesday for her last fitting ahead of the show.

The supermodel flashed a peace sign as she headed into the lingerie giant's headquarters in New York with just hours to go before Thursday's Fashion Show.

Sister Gigi wasn't far behind and was spotted leaving her apartment in an orange hoodie and navy shorts which showed off her long legs.

Runway ready! Bella Hadid was spotted at the Victoria's Secret headquarters on Wednesday with just a day to go before the Fashion Show

Model mania: The brunette beauty showed off her tiny waist in some loose fitting corduroy pants with white belt

On her way: Sister Gigi wasn't far behind and was spotted leaving her apartment in an orange hoodie and navy shorts which showed off her long legs

Bella, 22, showed off her tiny waist in a white cotton bodysuit and some baggy brown corduroys which she teams with a velour bomber jacket.

She sported some chunky heeled Dr. Martens and carried a stylish white backpack.

Bella and Gigi will also be joined by superstar model Kendall Jenner on the runway, the second time the trio have walked the show together.

Many familiar faces will be back for the show including vets Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Elsa Hosk, Sara Sampaio, Lais Riberio, Josephine Skiver, Stella Maxwell, Jasmine Tookes, Taylor Hill, Romee Strijd and Martha Hunt will all be there.

Missing from the show will be Alessandra Ambrosio who hung up her wings after 12 years last year.

Feeling good! The supermodel flashed a peace sign as she headed into the lingerie giant's headquarters in New York with just hours to go before Thursday's Fashion Show

Shady lady! Bella looked stylish as ever in her sleek sunglasses

Bella, 22, showed off her tiny waist in a white cotton bodysuit and some baggy brown corduroys which she teams with a velour bomber jacket

Lithe physique: Bella shared some snapshots at a fitting this week showing her slender figure which drew some criticism from fans for being too skinny

Well heeled: Completing the look was some chunky heel Dr. Martens

Superstar models: Gigi and Bella will be joined by Kendall Jenner for the show again this year

Lily Aldridge is missing it as she's currently pregnant with her second child.

Newcomers include Duckie Thot and Winnie Harlow.

Hosk, 30, will model the Dream Angels Fantasy Bra this year.

The Swedish Victoria's Secret Angel has been chosen to walk in the special lingerie set - which has been crafted by ateliers at Swarovski - when the show is filmed in New York City on November 8 and she is beyond excited to have been chosen for the honor.

The set, valued at $1million, took over 930 hours to create and has over 71 carats with the center piece.

Incoming: Kendall was spotted leaving her apartment on her way to the fitting

Coming through: Georgia Fowler and Romee Strijd oozed style as they headed to the VS offices

Red hot: Josephine Skriver looked leggy in a leather skirt and ankle boots as she headed into VS HQ

Stunning: Shanina Shaik turned heads in a black bodysuit and over the knee boots

American beauty: Devon Windsor flashed her tummy in a cropped patchwork jacket over a tie-waist shirt

Work it: French model Cindy Bruna looked sensational as she arrived to rehearsals

Catching: Cindy caught up with pal and fellow model Toni Garn

Dressed to impress: Cindy sported an oversized tweed blazer dress for the show

Low-key: Toni wore a pair of high-waisted satin culottes

Model behaviour: Kelsey Merritt (L)and Lorena Rae posed for photos outside the rehearsal space

Getting chic done: American model Lameka Fox flashed her taut abs in a pair of pvc culottes

Meanwhile it was revealed this week that the highly anticipated catwalk will be graced by musical artists Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts.

The show will air as a Holiday Special on ABC Sunday December 2.

'The show is a year-long production, and 2018 promises to be our most ambitious yet,' said Victoria's Secret executive producer Ed Razek.

'We have more musical guests, more fashion and more stories than ever; and, of course, 60 of the world's top models.'

Denim days: Willow Hand accentuated her slender legs in a pair of distressed skinny jeans

Hot footing it: Winnie Harlow sparkled in red while Barbara Palvin opted for all black with sexy cut-outs

Peace! Lais Ribeiro donned leather jacket by Nour Hammour, hot pants with a busty bodysuit and knee-high boots

Let's do this: The models hopped on a bus to head to the rehearsalsCourteney Cox is all about 'me time' this week.

The 54-year-old Friends star was spotted grabbing dinner with pal Jennifer Meyer on Tuesday night after spending a relaxing day at the salon.

The duo were seen heading into their usual spot, Giorgio Baldi, a pricey Italian joint in Santa Monica, California, and the star looked absolutely wrinkle free.

Girls night out: Courtney Cox was spotted grabbing dinner with pal Jennifer Meyer at a swanky Santa Monica restaurant on Tuesday and she looked wrinkle free

Courteney, who is famous for playing Monica Geller on Friends, was in the same simple yet chic ensemble she was seen wearing earlier in the day while visiting a salon.

The star rocked a pair of straight leg jeans that she cuffed at the ankle with a black T-shirt which was tucked and bloused into the waist band.

On top, the actress kept warm with a brown suede duster coat and carried a leather Chanel purse.

Her iconic raven locks were left loose and in waves, swept behind one ear and she wore minimal makeup.

Long time friends: Jennifer reportedly designed the engagement ring Courteney received from fiance Johnny McDaid in 2014

A pair of slightly tinted eyeglasses with thick black plastic rims covered her piercing blue eyes.

On her feet the mother of one stepped out in loafer slides.

Her dinner date, jewelry designer Meyer, opted for a pair of strappy black heals which she paired with grey skinny jeans that featured torn knees.

Casual chic: The 54-year-old kept her look simple in jeans, a T-shirt and some black slip-ons

The 41-year-old ex-wife of Toby Maguire topped off her look with a cozy oversized sweater and pulled her blonde locks back into a low ponytail.

Long running relationships in Hollywood are rare and that counts for friendships too.

Cox and Meyer have bucked the trend, however, and are frequently spotted together catching up over a nice meal.

Pampering! Earlier in the day, Courteney was in Beverly Hills getting her nails done at a salon

Jennifer even reportedly designed the engagement ring Courteney received from fiance Johnny McDaid in 2014.

The actress seemingly had a relaxing Tuesday and spent some time getting a spa treatment before heading to dinner with her pal.

Cameras spotted Courteney in Beverly Hills earlier in the day at a nail salon.Best Western Hotels & Resorts has revealed plans to launch another modern international hotel in the heart of Osaka, Japans second largest city, commercial centre and culinary capital.



Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2019, Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama is a newly-constructed property in the citys Chuo-ku ward, just a one-minute walk from Kitahama Station. From there, travellers can connect to the entire city and beyond via the Osaka Subway and Keihan Main Line.



Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama is located close to the Aji River and surrounded by key business and leisure attractions such as the Osaka Securities Exchange, Nakanoshima Park, Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics. Other major locations including Osaka City Hall, Goryo Shrine, Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of History are within easy reach.



Upon opening, this new upper-midscale hotel will feature 80 sleek and contemporary rooms. All of the rooms are fully equipped with international standard services and facilities such as high-speed wi-fi, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, refrigerators, toiletries, hairdryers and working desks. Guests will be able to dine at the onsite restaurant or grab 24-hour snacks and drinks from a vending machine. A laundry service is also available.



This new property will become the third Best Western hotel in Osaka, following Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi and Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto. It will also mark the debut of the upper-midscale Best Western Plus brand in the city.



Japan is one of the largest and most important Asian markets for Best Western, so we are delighted to secure yet another impressive property in this dynamic country. As Japans second largest city, commercial hub and the heart of the Kansai region, Osaka has a huge amount of potential for international travel, as well as the thriving domestic market. By offering a collection of globally-recognized hotels in strategic locations across the city, Best Western is perfectly placed to meet this demand commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts managing director of International Operations - Asia.



Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama will harness our companys timeless values of world-class hospitality, service, connectivity and value-for-money, allowing guests to stay in comfort and style. I look forward to introducing this new era of upper-midscale hospitality to guests in Osaka when the hotel opens early next year Berrivin added.



A major port city and commercial hub, Osaka is famous for its architecture, nightlife and street food. It is also home to enchanting cultural landmarks such as Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha, one of Japans oldest Shinto shrines. The citys two airports, Kansai and Itami, handle more than 40 million passengers per year.



Today, Japan is home to more than 15 Best Western properties, ranging from urban hotels in key cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido, to beach resorts in Okinawa, convenient airport hotels and more. - TradeArabia News Service

There have been rumours of romantic strife since Megan Barton-Hanson was accused of disappearing with TOWIE star Pete Wicks on a boozy night out at a strip club.

Yet the blonde beauty and her boyfriend Wes Nelson packed on the PDA as they put on a united front at the Woo Woo party in Soho, London on Wednesday.

The Love Island couple were seen sharing a sweet smooch and wrapping their arms around each other as they got caught up in the moment at the glittering event.

Sealed with a kiss! Megan Barton-Hanson and Wes Nelson packed on the PDA as they put on a united front at the Woo Woo party in London on Wednesday

Smartly dressed Wes wrapped his arm around Megan's envy-inducing waistline while they posed for a cute couple's snap on the staircase.

The pair brushed off the gossip on everybody's lips, looking closer than ever at the event where they were seen stealing a number of amorous kisses.

Megan gave onlookers an eyeful as her cleavage threatened to spill out of the dangerously low-cut LBD.

Take the plunge: Megan gave onlookers an eyeful as her cleavage threatened to spill out of the dangerously low-cut LBD

Kiss and tell! The pair brushed off the gossip on everybody's lips as they looked closer than ever at the event where they were seen stealing a number of amorous kisses

As well as the revealing neckline, the reality star showed off her legs in the daringly thigh-grazing hemline of her dress.

The Woo Woo party was a launch pad for the new feminine care brand which attracted a slew of stars to the occasion.

On the night, Megan was announced as their brand ambassador to spearhead a campaign that aims to raise the level of debate around a number of important female sexual health and well-being issues.

Inseparable: Megan and Wes couldn't hide their delight after moving into their two-bed home in Camden recently following the rumours

Good together: The pair have been going strong since Love Island and are one of the remaining couples still going strong following their exit from the villa

Megan commented on the partnership: 'Im excited to be supporting Woo Woo with this important campaign. We need to really change our approach on sex education and hygiene.

'That old British notion of "Well lets not talk about that really needs to change. Its good to a see a brand thats willing to take the lead in this area and Im really proud to be supporting them in doing so."'

Their Love Island co-star Eyal Booker also made an appearance among the likes of Tallia Storm, Nadia Essex and Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell.

Pin-credible style: As well as the revealing neckline, the reality star showed off her legs in the daringly thigh-grazing hemline of her dress

Hitting back: They have been weathering a media storm after Megan Barton-Hanson was accused of disappearing with TOWIE star Pete Wicks on a boozy night out at the strip club

Moving on: But evidently Megan and Wes haven't let the gossip ruin their flourishing and strong romance in the public eye

Recently, Megan and Wes were hit by claims of furious arguments and rumours of a night in a strip club with Pete Wicks, yet they dismissed the claims.

Megan wrote on Instagram: 'I love you to the moon and back thank you for supporting me through these past hellish weeks your my world and wouldn't have been able to get through it without you [sic]'.

Last week, Megan was accused of disappearing with TOWIE star Pete during a boozy night out at a strip club while Wes was in Belfast doing a PA.

Ssssssssssssexy! TOWIE star Chloe Sims made a very sexy arrival in her skintight snakeskin-inspired bodysuit which was cinched at the waist with a metallic belt

Looking good: The reality star teamed her skintight outfit with a fur coat worn slung around her shoulders

And later on, she finally addressed the claims made by The Sun, calling them 'bulls***.' Before her most recent post, she shared an impassioned message to Instagram on Tuesday after maintaining a degree of silence around the issue.

She wrote: 'Last night @prideofbritain was an absolute honour with @wes.nelson. Amazing to be in same room as so many brave, selfless heroes. Im so happy to have our new home and be on this journey together.

'I did plan on writing a long caption to address all of the recent BS stories about our relationship etc but to be honest Im knackered, I have a lot going on right now and just cant be a***d!'

Monochrome maven: Georgia Kousoulou looked chic in a slinky bodysuit with a cowl neckline and skintight ripped black jeans

Turning heads: The blonde beauty added height with a pair of Perspex heels and slung a textured jacket from her arms

Bold: Marnie Simpson showcased her fantastic shape in her tight lycra jumpsuit and her snakeskin heels

Stealing the limelight: The Geordie Shore star, 26, certainly took centre-stage in her one-piece, which featured numbers along the side and a zip-down neckline

Killer accessories: She added height with a pair of Perspex heels favoured by the Geordie Shore set and carried her belongings in a tiny hologram-effect bag

Double trouble: Best pals Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows looked chic on the night

'Slowly realising all that matters is whats going on right here, right now and that me and Wes are happy. Everything else is just part of the show/media pantomime...

'Hope you are all having a nice day and getting excited for Halloween. Love, positivity and happiness. Meg.'

Following the rumours, Megan and Wes continued to stay strong in the face of their haters as they moved in to their new Camden home.

The couple revealed that they've been living with each other since the first week of coming out the Love Island villa, and later put a deposit down on a two bedroom house in Camden, which they have now moved into.

Familiar face! Their Love Island co-star Eyal Booker also made an appearance among the likes of Tallia Storm, Nadia Essex and Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell

Turn the other cheek! Eyal and TOWIE's Bobby Norris mingled with a scantily clad female guest

Good fun: The Woo Woo party was a launch pad for the new feminine care brand which attracted a slew of stars to the occasion (Pictured: Emily Blackwell)

Sizzling in scarlet: Tallia Storm looked sensational in red when she headed to the party in a hoodie-inspired dress with a sheer skirt teasing her long legs

Out and about: Nadia nailed an edgy style as she hit the town in her knee-high boots and her skull pattern print scarfShe's been pictured with a bloodied face on the set of her latest movie Eve in recent weeks.

But on Wednesday Jessica Chastain swapped her gritty role for a spot of glam, looking phenomenal as she launched the Christmas tree illuminations at Paris department store Galeries Lafayette.

The Interstellar actress, 41, showed off her stunning figure in a black strapless gown teamed with dazzling jewels.

Lights, camera, action! Jessica Chastain looked phenomenal as she launched the Christmas tree illuminations at Paris department store Galeries Lafayette on Wednesday

Jessica's figure-hugging dress complemented her stunning complexion, while she added to the glam factor with a glittering necklace.

Black strappy heels, picture perfect hair and a slick of deep red lippie to match the pop of colour in her necklace were the finishing touches to the chic ensemble.

New Yorker Jessica looked delighted to be experiencing the City of Lights, happily posing for the cameras before switching on the illuminations.

Simply stunning: The Interstellar actress, 41, showed off her stunning figure in a black strapless gown teamed with dazzling jewels

The actress has been spending most of her time in Boston this autumn, shooting her new big screen venture, Eve.

Insights with respect to the film's plot and storyline have stayed under wraps since the film's title and the cast were first revealed at the Toronto Film Festival a month ago.

Jessica co-stars in the action flick alongside Colin Farrell, 42, and the pair have been pictured bloodied and bruised on set.

Strike a pose: New Yorker Jessica looked delighted to be experiencing the City of Lights, happily posing for the cameras before switching on the illuminations

Ready for her close up: A slick of deep red lippie to match the pop of colour in her necklace was the finishing touch to the chic ensemble

Other notable names include John Malkovich and rapper Common, who is expected to play Chastain's ex-fiance.

Tate Taylor reportedly took over Matthew Newton's position as the director of the project following claims that Newton had an extensive past with domestic violence and alleged assault, according to Variety.

Chastain wrapped shooting scenes for It: Chapter 2 only weeks prior to starting work on Eve.She became a household name starring as Gabriella Montez in the Disney franchise High School Musical.

And Vanessa Hudgens' latest film Netflix's The Princess Switch is sure to be another hit.

The 29-year-old actress plays two roles - a Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess from a country called Belgravia, complete with a posh accent.

In character: Vanessa Hudgens' latest film Netflix's The Princess Switch is sure to be another hit; pictured as Stacey, a baker from Chicago

The story starts with a baker from Chicago named Stacey who is invited to participate in a Christmas baking competition - thrown by the royal family of Belgravia.

After she arrives to the country and sets up at the contest, she runs into Lady Margaret Dellacord, Duchess of Montenaro - who looks exactly like her.

'I think we were destined to run into each other,' Margaret tells Stacey during their chance encounter.

Margaret is supposed to marry Prince Edward on New Year's Day but she doesn't like being in the spotlight and wants to know what it's like to be a normal girl.

Double trouble: The 29-year-old actress plays two roles - a Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess from a country called Belgravia, complete with a posh accent

The plot: The story starts with a baker from Chicago named Stacey who is invited to participate in a Christmas baking competition - thrown by the royal family of Belgravia

Twins: After she (Stacy, L) arrives to the country and sets up at the contest, she runs into Lady Margaret Dellacord, Duchess of Montenaro (R) - who looks exactly like her

She tells Stacey she wants to switch places with her for only two days: 'I become you and you become me.'

Stacey agrees and the women switch places; Stacey even cuts her hair like Margaret as well.

Immediately after the switch, Stacey - who is pretending to be Margaret - meets her fiance Prince Edward over breakfast; he tells her: 'I'm determined to spend as much time together as we can over the next few days.'

She responds with 'How smashing.'

What an idea: She tells Stacey she wants to switch places with her for only two days: 'I become you and you become me'

In: Stacey agrees and the women switch places and cuts her hair like Margaret as well

Here it goes: Immediately after the switch, Stacey - who is pretending to be Margaret - meets her fiance Prince Edward over breakfast

In one hilarious scene, Stacey - who is pretending to be Margaret - tries to get onto a horse during an outing with Prince Edward - only to fall onto the ground as she attempted to get on.

In another scene she gives Prince Edward a hug but apologizes that is wasn't dignified, with Edward, played by Sam Palladio telling her he 'quite' liked it.

Meanwhile, Margaret - who is pretending to be Stacey - tells the baker's co-worker 'Christmas should be about love,' to which he says: 'I never seen you so sentimental.'

Margaret responds: 'Well maybe you don't know me that well.'

However, things get complicated when Stacey falls in love with Prince Edward and Margaret falls in love with Stacey's co-worker.

The Princess Switch starring Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladio is set to premiere on Netflix on November 16.

Uh oh: In one hilarious scene, Stacey - who is pretending to be Margaret - tries to get onto a horse during an outing with Prince Edward - only to fall onto the ground as she attempted to get on

Falling in love: In another scene she gives Prince Edward a hug but apologizes that is wasn't dignified, with Edward, played by Sam Palladio telling her he 'quite' liked it

Making memories: Meanwhile, Margaret - who is pretending to be Stacey - tells the baker's co-worker 'Christmas should be about love,' to which he says: 'I never seen you so sentimental'

Magical: However, things get complicated and Stacey and Margaret try and figure out how to get out of their mess they made

It must be love: Stacey begins falling in love with the Prince as she spends more time with him

Shy: Another scene shows Margaret get nervous around Stacey's co-workerThe Victoria's Secret Fashion Show films on Thursday and one Angel is already whipping up excitement on social media with a sizzling new photo.

Behati Prinsloo put on a leggy display in the sultry snap that she posted on Instagram to her 5.4 million followers on Wednesday.

The Namibian beauty was dressed only in a long sleeve black bodysuit in the photo, a pair of snakeskin booties and dark sunglasses.

Stunning! Behati Prinsloo shared a leggy snap on Instagram Wednesday ahead of returning to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this week

'Blow out by @_lorennaadine,' she wrote in the caption referring to her hairstyle.

Adding: 'but nothing to wear'

The mother of two will be wearing a lot less tomorrow when she returns to the catwalk as a Victoria's Secret Angel after a two year hiatus.

Behati took a break from the annual lingerie extravaganza to have her two daughters, Dusty, two, and Gio, who will turn one in February.

Hiatus: The model took two years off from the show to have her two baby girls, practically back to back

Good to be back: The catwalk queen looked delighted to be back in the Victoria's Secret fold as she arrived at the brand's offices on Wednesday

She shared a snap of her rock hard abs on Instagram recently and wrote: 'After two babies back to back, doing the @victoriassecret show felt like a dream.'

The supermodel added that she was 'proud' of her body and felt better than ever.

Earlier this week, the wife of Adam Levine was spotted with model Romee Strijd heading to a fitting for this year's show.

Stepping out in style: Behati strutted her stuff in a grey band tee, cropped leather pants and foxy snakeskin heeled boots, with a red fur-look coat thrown over her shoulders

Mom goals: Behati said she was 'proud' of what her body could do in a post on Instagram about returning to the catwalk

Keeping it light: This year the model says she is a lucky one because her 'wings are very light'

This year, the model told Harpers Bazaar she lucky because her 'wings are very light.'

The 30-year-old started modeling with the iconic label in 2007 but didn't become a full fledged Angel until two years later.

Behati has walked in the premiere show an impressive nine times already.

'Welcome home:' Returning to the show was like returning home, the model said

Returning to the show has been a positive experience for the beauty who told Harpers Bazaar that when she arrived for her fitting, someone said, 'welcome home.'

Fellow models Candice Swanepoel, Kendall Jenner and the Hadid sisters will all be taking to the catwalk on Thursday in New York to film this year's annual show which will air next month.

This will be the first show in nearly two decades without model Alessandra Ambrosio who retired from the show earlier this year.

Model behaviour: The supermodel teamed her grungy get-up with a pair of chic shades as she put the final preparations to her Angel look

She's back! Behati told her Instagram followers she feels 'healthier and stronger than ever' following the birth of her two little girlsShe's a regular face on the party circuit.

And Sadie Frost was putting in an appearance at the Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America on Wednesday night.

The actress, 53, was doing her bit for the important cause at the glitzy event, turning heads in a dazzling metallic dress as she enjoyed the same party as her model daughter Iris Law, 18.

Show of support: Sadie Frost was putting in an appearance at the Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America on Wednesday night alongside her daughter Iris Law, 18

Sadie's bronze number was embellished with shimmering sequins and set off with a pair of chunky ankle boots.

She added a pair of semi-sheer tights for extra warmth, and carried a designer bag in one hand.

The star styled her brunette bob in a sleek style and highlighted her features with plenty of bronzer.

Glamorous: The actress, 53, was doing her bit for the important cause at the glitzy event, turning heads in a dazzling metallic dress

Posing up a storm: The star joined forces with Jake Chapman at the event

Couple: Iris was looking stunning in a black jumpsuit as she posed with her rumoured boyfriend, Burberry model Kelvin Bueno, 20

Iris was looking stunning in a black jumpsuit teamed with a gold necklace and matching earrings.

The rising star of the modelling world posed with her rumoured beau, Burberry model Kelvin Bueno, 20, who she was first linked with a year ago.

Sadie meanwhile was recently spotted cosying up to her boyfriend Darren Strowger as they attended the Big Up Uganda charity gala for Save The Children.

The actress and her multi-millionaire businessman boyfriend wrapped their arms around each other's waists as they got cosy at the glitzy fundraising event.

Picture perfect: Sadie posed for photos with Kate Moss' other half Count Nikolai von Bismarck

Biding adieu: Sadie left the worthwhile event with her beau Darren

Sadie looked fabulous in her navy and white patterned number which was slashed to her thighs to show off her lean legs.

Sadie and her beau Darren proved they are stronger than ever after they hinted at a split earlier this year.

Back in May, the pair were seen having an emotional chat over a meal  which saw Sadie hand him back a ring, seemingly marking the end of their three-year romance.

Taking the lead: Darren held onto Sadie's hand as they walked to their waiting car

The duo had met at a north London cafe, but left shortly after the awkward exchange, with an onlooker claiming Darren had left in tears.

A source told The Mirror at the time: 'Sadie looked really upset, she put her hand on Darrens head and handed him her ring. She looked particularly downbeat as they left the cafe and Darren was crying.'

However, the duo appear to have got things back on track, and have been seen together at a number of events since  including the Epsom Derby in June.

No Frost-y relationship here! Sadie was recently spotted cosying up to her boyfriend Darren Strowger as they attended the Big Up Uganda charity gala for Save The Children

Happy days: The actress, 53, and her multi-millionaire businessman boyfriend wrapped their arms around each other's waists as they got cosy at the glitzy fundraising event

Sadie went on to gush about her man in an interview with Closer later that month, revealing: 'Darren is very confident, very extrovert, generous and romantic.'

When asked whether she would tie the knot again, she replied: 'Being married before hasn't put me off, so never say never.'

Sadie and Darren began dating three and a half years ago, after being introduced by their mutual friend Kate Moss.

Darren has been described as a 'perfect fit' for the fashion designer following her previous marriages to Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp  who she split with in 1995  and Alfie actor Jude Law.

Former flames Sadie and Jude amicably raise their children Rafferty, 22, Iris, 17, and Rudy, 16, together.

Sadie also has another older son Finlay, 28, from her first marriage to musician Gary.

No ice between them: Sadie and her beau Darren proved they are stronger than ever after they hinted at a split earlier this year

Time to go! Following the bash Iris was seen jumping into a waiting car to make her way homeShe was recently accused of getting a bum lift by her fans, despite her public vow to ditch plastic surgery for good.

But Marnie Simpson proved she was unfazed by the speculation about her figure, as she attended the Woo Woo party at celebrity hotspot The Box in London on Wednesday.

The Geordie Shore star, 26, certainly turned heads as she debuted a bizarre grey wig and slipped her surgically-enhanced curves into a skintight catsuit.

Bold look: Marnie Simpson debuted a bizarre grey wig as she flaunted her surgically-enhanced curves in a catsuit in London on Wednesday... after being accused of getting a bum lift

Marnie certainly took centre-stage in her one-piece, which featured numbers along the side and a zip-down neckline that flashed a generous glimpse of her decolletage.

She added height with a pair of Perspex heels favoured by the Geordie Shore set and carried her belongings in a tiny hologram-effect bag.

The reaity star's outing comes after she was accused of having a bum lift after sharing shots of her perfectly rounded bottom with Instagram followers on Tuesday evening.

She prompted a mixed response from fans while promoting a muscle stimulator on social media, with two of the stick on devices firmly attached to her buttocks.

Stealing the limelight: The Geordie Shore star, 26, certainly took centre-stage in her one-piece, which featured numbers along the side and a zip-down neckline

Killer accessories: She added height with a pair of Perspex heels favoured by the Geordie Shore set and carried her belongings in a tiny hologram-effect bag

Remind you of anyone? Marnie appeared to have taken style tips from her Geordie Shore co-star Chloe Ferry's MTV EMAs getup over the weekend

The Woo Woo party was a launch pad for the new feminine care brand which attracted a slew of stars to the occasion.

On the night, Megan was announced as their brand ambassador to spearhead a campaign that aims to raise the level of debate around a number of important female sexual health and well-being issues.

Meanwhile, Marnie recently confessed to regretting her long list of surgical procedures, which includes liposuction, a nose job, lip fillers and a boob job, and is terrified to go 'under the knife' again.

The MTV star, who has been diagnosed with body dysmorphia, has said that she's 'learned a big lesson' from her numerous cosmetic procedures.

Hair today, gone tomorrow: Marnie showed off her ice-blonde locks in a series of sultry Instagram Stories

Permanent addition? The reality star wrote on social media: 'Feeling this blonde hair you know, do you think I suit it better than dark?'

The brunette beauty told Closer in a new interview: 'I regret my lips. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't have touched them. I haven't had lip fillers in a long time - I got them all removed.

'A doctor told me I've destroyed my natural lip line from the constant fillers, so I'll never be completely happy with my lips. Obviously, I've learned a big lesson and it's tough.'

As well as accepting the pitfalls to her plethora of procedures, Marnie admitted that the idea of going under the knife again terrifies her after learning of British mother-of-three Leah Cambridge death following her bum lift in Turkey in August.

She said: 'It really affected me, hearing about the things that have happened to young girls, so I'm scared to ever do it again myself. Surgery is just too risky.'

Divided opinion: Marnie was recently accused of having a bum lift after sharing shots of her perfectly rounded bottom with Instagram followers on Tuesday evening

Surgery: The backlash came after Marnie confessed to regretting her long list of surgical procedures, which includes liposuction, a nose job, lip fillers and a boob job, and is terrified to go 'under the knife' again

Marnie's made numerous dramatic changes to her look since joining Geordie Shore in 2013 and despite her recent comments she told The Sun in 2017 that she would never stop going under the knife.

She told The Sun: 'Once you go down that route you can't stop it. You want to perfect everything which is impossible.

'So if people were to come to me and ask about plastic surgery I always say, "don't do it because it's a road that you'll never come back from".

'But if you've got something you really hate then get it fixed. Otherwise you'll never ever be happy with it.'

During the summer, she ran into difficulty when she struggled to make it through an automatic face recognition machine due to the difference between her passport picture and current look.

Candid: The MTV star, who has been diagnosed with body dysmorphia, has said that she's 'learned a big lesson' from her numerous cosmetic procedures (Pictured in 2013)She's the daughter of Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall.

And Georgia May Jagger oozed elegance as she stepped out in a silky red dress to attend the Second Annual DKMS Big Love Gala at The Roundhouse in London on Wednesday night.

The blonde beauty, 26, was joined at the black-tie fundraiser by supermodel Eva Herzigova, 45, who stunned in an elegant black floor-length gown

Stunning: Georgia May Jagger, 26, (left) oozed elegance in a silky red dress to attend the Second Annual DKMS Big Love Gala at The Roundhouse in London on Wednesday night, joined by the likes of Eva Herzigova (right)

Georgia opted for a classic, vintage glamour look, slipping into a blood-red midaxi dress, which effortlessly draped over her sensational figure.

The fashion designer added a current twist to her chic ensemble, with tartan pointed stiletto heels keeping her look up-to-date.

Georgia clutched onto the shoulder strap of her handbag, and on arrival kept the winter chill at bay with a long-line stone coloured suit jacket.

The blonde beauty styled her platinum locks into vintage Hollywood curls, and opted for a smokey eye to enhance her natural beauty.

Wow! Georgia opted for a classic, vintage glamour look, slipping into a blood-red midaxi dress, which effortlessly draped over her sensational figure

Twist: The fashion designer added a current twist to her chic ensemble, with tartan pointed stiletto heels keeping her look up-to-date

Supermodel Eva flaunted her youthful-looking appearance as she stunned in a chic sleeveless gown with a sweetheart neckline, which showcased her ample cleavage.

The catwalk queen drew attention to her slim midsection with a gold waistband embellished with black gems, and arrived with a black jacket draped over her shoulders.

The A Prominent Patient actress added another touch of sophistication to her sultry appearance with a sleek pair of open toed heels.

Gorgeous: Supermodel Eva flaunted her youthful-looking appearance as she stunned in a chic sleeveless gown with a sweetheart neckline, which showcased her ample cleavage

Sublime: After making her way inside, Eva removed her jacket and displayed the jewel-adorned straps of her sensational frock

After making her way inside, Eva removed her jacket and displayed the jewel-adorned straps of her sensational frock.

The mother-of-three ensured all eyes were on her as she styled her blonde bob into a perfectly coiffed hairdo, and added statement earrings for an additional wow-factor.

She accentuated her out-of-this-world beauty with light strokes of neutral-toned make-up, and held onto a chic clutch as she posed for photographs alongside her partner Gregorio Marsiaj.

The Italian businessman looked handsome in a a classic black Tux, as he stood alongside the supermodel.

Couple goals: She held onto a chic clutch as she posed for photographs alongside her partner Gregorio Marsiaj

Dapper: The Italian businessman looked handsome in a a classic black Tux, as he stood alongside the supermodel

The DKMS Big Love Gala is held annually to raise crucial funds to register potential bone marrow donors for blood cancer and blood disorder patients in need of lifesaving transplants.

DKMS began with one familys search for a blood stem cell donor. In 1990, Peter Harf and his daughters went door-to-door in an effort to find a donor match for his wife and their mother, Mechtild Harf. They registered 68,000 donors in just one year.

Sadly, Mechtild lost her battle, but, in her honour, the Harfs started a blood stem cell donor centre (DKMS) that has since grown to be the worlds largest. DKMS operates in the US, Germany, the UK, Poland and Chile.

Globally, over 8 million donors have been registered and provided more than 70,000 patients with second chances at life.

Stepping out: Jemma Kidd (left) and Meredith Ostrom (right) were also in attendanceFour months after welcoming her miracle baby through in vitro fertilization, Brigitte Nielsen shared a picture of herself and daughter Frida donning glamorous dresses on Wednesday.

The Danish 55-year-old - who boasts 238K social media followers - captioned the mother-daughter snap: 'Dream, never stop Believing it #dreams #babygirl!'

Nielsen - who had her eggs frozen age 40 - conceived the child with her fifth husband, former bartender Mattia Dessi, whom she reportedly met on the 2004 set of VH1's Strange Love and wed two years later.

'Dream, never stop believing it!' Four months after welcoming her miracle baby through IVF, Brigitte Nielsen shared a picture of herself and daughter Frida donning glamorous dresses on Wednesday

The 6ft1in Amazon is also mother to four sons - Julian, 34 (with ex-husband #1 Kasper Winding); Killian, 28 (with ex-fiance Mark Gastineau); and Douglas, 25; & Raoul Jr., 23 (with ex-husband #4 Raoul Meyer).

Brigitte (born Gitte) will next reprise her 1985 role in Rocky IV as Ludmila Drago in the eighth installment Creed II, which hits US theaters November 21 and UK theaters November 30.

The platinum blonde 'spent three weeks' on the Philadelphia set playing the ruthless wife of Russian boxer Ivan (Dolph Lundgren) and mother of his successor son Viktor (Florian Munteanu).

Had her eggs frozen age 40: The Danish 55-year-old conceived the child with her fifth husband, former bartender Mattia Dessi, whom she wed in 2006 (pictured Saturday)

Mother-of-five: The 6ft1in Amazon is also mother to four sons, including 25-year-old Douglas (R) from her fourth marriage to Raoul Meyer (pictured October 14)

'Nielsen has not been told if her role made the final cut,' a source told The Blast on October 2.

'The studio has been testing parts of the film in front of focus groups, but has told Nielsen's camp that the final version of the film has not yet been decided.'

Michael B. Jordan returns to the ring as light heavyweight boxer Adonis Creed aka Donnie Johnson, whose trainer and mentor is Rocky Balboa (Brigitte's ex-husband #2 Sylvester Stallone).

Pictured in 1985: Brigitte (born Gitte) will next reprise her Rocky IV role as Ludmila Drago in the eighth installment Creed II, which hits US theaters November 21 and UK theaters November 30

Last year, Variety reported that the twice-rehabbed former model replaced Mark Salling as the villain in Adi Shankar's Gods and Secrets, which has yet to see the light of day.

Salling committed suicide, age 35, on January 30 less than a month after being indicted for receiving and possessing child pornography.

Nielsen will also appear as Ezilda in Katerina Gorshkov's wilderness camp drama The Experience, which has no release date.

'Nielsen has not been told if her role made the final cut': The platinum blonde 'spent three weeks' on the Philadelphia set playing the ruthless wife of Russian boxer Ivan (R, Dolph Lundgren) and mother of his successor son Viktor (Florian Munteanu)They were last spotted together at Princess Eugenie's evening wedding reception.

And it's of great surprise Kate Moss and her love Count Nikolai von Bismarck enjoyed a rare date night at Annabel's, in London on Wednesday.

The couple, who tend to shy away from the limelight, attended the star-studded Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

Couple goals: Kate Moss, 44, enjoyed a rare date night with Count Nikolai von Bismarck, 30, at stylish Annabel's charity art auction, in London on Wednesday

Kate and Nikolai looked inseparable as they got cosy inside of the venue, their first public sighting since the star-studded royal wedding after party.

The couple escaped the notice and prying eyes of the public after returning from their sun-soaked romantic getaway on a yacht sailing around St Tropez, France.

Still sun-kissed, Kate showcased the glowing effects of her tan when she made her glamorous arrival at the bash on the arm of her beau.

One to watch! As one of the most well established British supermodels, of course Kate had a divine dress to wear for the special date night

Having a whale of a time! The couple appeared to be in great spirits at the bash

Saucy: The model teased a glimpse of her naked skin and cleavage in the sexy keyhole neckline of her elegant floor-length number

Keeping it glam: Kate proved to be the social butterfly as she was also seen rubbing shoulders with Fat Tony over the course of the evening

Catwalk queen: The supermodel put on a stylish display as she left the venue

Dapper: Kate's boyfriend Nikolai was dressed to impress, donning a navy coat, suit and orange shirt

As one of the most well established British supermodels, of course Kate had a divine dress to wear for the special date night.

The model teased a glimpse of her naked skin and cleavage in the sexy keyhole neckline of her elegant floor-length number.

Golden stitching and sequinned detailing stitched into the dress at the waist ensured all eyes were fixated on the runway queen's incredible shape.

She's stunning! Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again star Lily James looked astonishing in her trendy black jumpsuit which was hoisted in at the waist with a skinny belt

Blondes don't have more fun! Recently having ditched her trademark blonde tresses, the actress continued to show off her brunette locks

A huge A-list turn out made their appearance at the charity art auction, including the likes of hot couple Lily James and Matt Smith.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again star Lily looked astonishing in her trendy black jumpsuit which was hoisted in at the waist with a skinny belt.

Recently having ditched her trademark blonde tresses, the actress continued to show off her brunette locks.

What a party! Her boyfriend, former Doctor Who star Matt Smith was also in attendance

Magical night: The actor rubbed shoulders with Darren Strowger inside the glamorous event

Just hanging out: Lily appeared to be in great spirits as she posed with Noel Gallagher's wife Sara MacDonald

Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch also made a commanding arrival at the bash as the footballer proudly showed off his glamorous wife.

The mother-of-three, who has recently returned to modelling following the birth of her third child in January, looked incredibly sexy in her velvet LBD.

A sheer neckline, with a delicate polka dot pattern, teased a glimpse of the model's bare skin beneath her racy ensemble.

Perfect pair: Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch also made a commanding arrival at the bash as the footballer proudly showed off his glamorous wife

What a couple! The married lovebirds looked closer than ever as they enjoyed a night away from their parenting duties to their three young children

Date night: Abbey and Pete grabbed a taxi home following the star-studded event

Weary: The couple looked a little tired following their busy evening

Abbey polished off her look with statement drop earrings, a rectangular clutch, sky-high heels and she wore her golden locks in a layered blow dried style.

Peter showed off his style goals in his expensive two-piece suit which he dressed down by wearing the collar of his white shirt open.

The married lovebirds looked closer than ever as they enjoyed a night away from their parenting duties to their three young children.

Looking sensational! Sadie Frost made her stunning arrival in a sequinned thigh-grazing number with her daughter Iris Law in tow

Wow: Sadie looked amazing in her sequinned ensemble when she partied among the stars at the charity art auction

Sadie Frost made her stunning arrival in a sequinned thigh-grazing number with her daughter Iris Law in tow.

Jude Law's daughter, 18, was a sight to behold in her figure-hugging dress, with its plunging neckline and a leg-flashing split.

Never one to miss a party, Tamara Ecclestone made her arrival on the arm of her handsome husband Jay Rutland.

Cosy: Lovebirds Tamara and Jay enjoyed some romantic quality time as they took time away from looking after their daughter Fifi for the night

Legs for days: The Formula One heiress cut a trendy figure in her blazer-style dress, with golden buttons stitched into the design

The Formula One heiress cut a trendy figure in her blazer-style dress, with golden buttons stitched into the design.

Lovebirds Tamara and Jay enjoyed some romantic quality time as they took time away from looking after their daughter Fifi for the night.

Elsewhere, Kate embarked on a romance with German aristocrat Nikolai in late 2015, following her split from The Kills rocker husband Jamie Hince.

Going out: Tamara rubbed shoulders with the glamorous Abbey inside of the event

Friends in high places: Kate also joined forces with Princess Beatrice of York who donned a festive burgundy velvet number

Take to the stage: The young royal looked comfortable as she gave a speech on the night

Recently, Kate and Jamie were the picture of the friendliest exes in the world as they enjoy time out in Los Angeles with the supermodel's daughter Lila.

Kate and Nikolai were hit by split claims in October last year, but silenced rumours by putting on a loved-up display at a number of public events soon after.

Proving their romance is only going from strength to strength, the pair were even seen purchasing a new puppy in London late last year.

Pretty in polka dots: Lily partied the night away with model pal Poppy Delevingne as well as Lily's beau Matt Smith

Three's a crowd: Poppy was joined by socialite Mary Charteris (L) and model of the moment Adwoa Aboah

Going strong: Peter and Abbey held each other's hands when they made their departure from the star-studded event in Mayfair

Home time! Peter and Abbey looked close as they made their way home in a taxi together

Looking good! Princess Beatrice made her getaway in her seasonally on trend velvet dress and heels on leaving the partyShe recently returned from a sun-soaked family getaway to Dubai.

And Abbey Clancy was enjoying a night out with her husband Peter Crouch on Wednesday, attending the Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America at Annabel's in London.

The couple - who raise three children together - looked smitten as they posed inside the swanky private member's club.

Date night: Abbey Clancy was enjoying a night out with her husband Peter Crouch on Wednesday, attending the Annabel's Art Auction fundraiser in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America at Annabel's in London

Abbey showed off her incredible model physique in a black LBD with a sheer bodice featuring a subtle polka dot pattern.

The Britain And Ireland's Next Top Model host styled her enviable blonde locks down in loose waves and opted for subtle smoky make-up.

The duo enjoyed a cocktail or two as they mingled with a host of famous faces including supermodel Kate Moss and actress Lily James.

Glamorous: Abbey showed off her incredible model physique in a black LBD with a sheer bodice featuring a subtle polka dot pattern

Party pal: Abbey was also spotted catching up with Formula One heiress Tamara Eccleston

Beauty: Abbey looked lovely in her velvet number with bow detailing on one side

Strike a pose: She was also spotted letting loose with Cinderella actress Lily James

Abbey was also spotted catching up with Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone, who put in a stylish appearance in a military inspired blazer dress.

The star's outing comes after she showed off her incredible post-baby body in a maroon bikini as she held her nine month old son Johnny in a sunny poolside location.

Abbey donned a straw fedora and string swimwear as she put her incredibly toned physique on full display.

Homeward bound: Peter was the perfect gentleman as he held Abbey's hand while escorting her out of Annabel's and into a cab

Elegant: The model maintained her sophisticated party look by throwing a chic black tailored coat over her pretty dress

Back to the babies: The couple called it a night and headed home in the back of black cab

The getaway comes just days after the blonde beauty launched a new collection with high street brand Lipsy, as she exclusively told MailOnline that she's thinner now than before she had kids.

She is proud mum to Sophia, seven, Liberty, three, and 10-month-old Johnny.

Speaking about her body hang-ups, she said: 'I don't like my stomach. I think after having children and getting older your body changes...'

'I'm thinner than before I had children but my skin is not what it was before after being stretched to oblivion.

'I would like younger skin. I think when you feel tired you feel down on yourself.'

While her sensational good looks are the focus of her career, she admits there are elements she would change - although admits husband Peter would oppose any plans.

All partied out: The pair headed home to their three children; Sophia, seven, Liberty, three, and baby Johnny, 11 months

She said: 'Beauty has changed so much it's not just about putting on creams now. Times have changed so much and you just look at the Hadids and Kendall Jenner and all the stuff the young people are having done...'

Abbey also told of her hectic lifestyle in the Crouch-Clancy household, revealing: 'Typical day, we get up around six, half six. We go down, we have breakfast, I make three different types because no one will eat the same thing...

'Then try and squeeze in homework because Sophia won't do it when she gets in from school. Trying to get that done in between giving Johnny his porridge then we get in the car and get to school and read a book on the way to school...

Bombshell: The star's outing comes after she showed off her incredible post-baby body in a maroon bikini as she held her nine month old son Johnny in a sunny poolside location

'If I do reform Pilates then my mum will have Johnny for an hour. Eat all the kids left overs, clean the kitchen.

'I'm always on the go. We don't sit down, have a nap, watch TV, I'm quite a highly-strung person.'

Abbey will no doubt set jaws dropping with the new Lipsy collection, which features a host of stunning ensembles including a sexy tuxedo-inspired look, a glittering jumpsuit and a bang on-trend zebra print shirt.The Apprentice had the unexpected effect of making you feel maybe Ryanair and easyJet weren't that bad after all.

Anytime was better than the thought of travelling with the budget airlines created by the candidates in this week's task: Manage-Air and (wait for it) Jet Pop. Yes really.

Team Collaborative were probably doomed from the beginning thanks to Lord Sugar's insistence that their Project Manager had to be hapless wannabe actor/extra Kurran Pooni, but the brand they came up with sealed it.

Oh dear: Team Collaborative were probably doomed from the beginning thanks to Lord Sugar's insistence that their Project Manager had to be hapless wannabe actor/extra Kurran Pooni, but the brand they came up with sealed it

The fact the logo replaced the letter 'o' in Jet Pop with a cartoon bomb confirmed their airline was basically named after an explosion.

Not so much a case of a celebratory 'boom!' but the opposite.

Collaborative were marketing Jet Pop as a 'party airline' by actively encouraging the public to want to travel with a bang.

'Are passengers waiting in the departure lounge going to be concerned that their jet might pop?' the boss of London's City airport asked after Collaborative's pitch. Probably not, you thought, but the association was hardly ideal.

Right then: Collaborative created a budget airline called Jet Pop

Typically on this show, their opponents almost produced something equally dumb.

Karren Brady carped that Team Typhoon's logo for Manage-Air looked like 'something to do with Play School' and Lord Sugar that its motto ('save and prepare') 'sounded like an ad for a pension.'

Meanwhile, the message represented by the song Sabrina the grating PM chose for the Manage-Air TV ad didn't seem ideal: Highway To Hell.

Lord Sugar must have known how AC/DC felt. It was going to be a long series. At the start he described the advertising task as his 'favourite.' Whether it still was by the end he didn't say.

The prospect of finding a candidate to invest his 250,000 in must have seemed even further away.

Right then: The fact the logo replaced the letter 'o' in Jet Pop with a cartoon bomb confirmed their airline was basically named after an explosion

The previous leader (Jackie Fast) showed herself up with her design of Jet Pop's uniform: a sub-1970s sexist 'boob tube' that Jackie thought 'screams fun!'

She also finished her pitch to an audience of industry experts with the rally cry: 'Welcome aboard Popjet!'

The likes of Jasmine, Sian, and Khadija were at best unimpressive or their ideas slightly bonkers, while Sarah-Anne, Daniel, and Tom were just dead wood.

Kayode was all talk and wanted Jet Pop's ad to feature a passenger in the toilet.

No one in their right mind would want to pay a quarter of a million pounds to have Sabrina as their business partner and listen to her voice.

Camilla meanwhile came up with a brand that made Jet Pop seem appealing as an airline: 'Strawpedo'  surely the worst final four letters imaginable.

Hmm: 'Are passengers waiting in the departure lounge going to be concerned that their jet might pop?' the boss of London's City airport asked after Collaborative's pitch. Probably not, you thought, but the association was hardly ideal

It all led to what must have been the least surprising exit The Apprentice has ever had when the Project Manager for Collaborative, Kurran (or 'Captain Kurran' as he insisted on being called) was fired.

Having been a virtually pointless candidate throughout the previous five tasks, Kurran demonstrated he was even more useless as Team Leader.

The way he talked and conducted himself, Kurran came across as a stupid person's idea of someone clever.

Khadija summed him up best after he made the mistake of antagonising her by (unfairly) bringing her back into the boardroom.

Fail: Having been a virtually pointless candidate throughout the previous five tasks, Kurran demonstrated he was even more useless as Team Leader

'The difference between you and me Kurran,' she raged, 'is that I own a business. You just want to be an actor!'

Pretty damning, not least because he wasn't even good at that. To his credit at least he went out in style  like Sinatra.

'My advert was gold,' he argued in the taxi home. 'It's just a shame Lord Sugar couldn't see it. I came here and I did things my way.'

These were the Top 12 Most Excruciating Moments of Kurran's final, funniest, performance:

Not great: The way he talked and conducted himself, Kurran came across as a stupid person's idea of someone clever

1. 'I feel like everything I've done in my life has led to this moment'

- Kurran opening his inspiring team talk to Collaborative

2. 'I'm just happy that we're all here together to experience it'

- Kurran's follow-up message, despite his colleagues' expressions not indicating their agreement

3. 'Don't go crazy-crazy on it but keep it chic'

- Kurran's (nonsensical) summary of how he wanted Jackie and Sabrina to brand their 'party' airline Jet Pop

4. 'Fly Pangea'

Undecided: 'Fly Pangea' was the name Kurran wanted at the start and the end of Collaborative's campaign for Jet Pop (and during)

- the name Kurran wanted at the start and the end of Collaborative's campaign for Jet Pop (and during)

5. 'Pangea is to do with planet earth  the time before all the continents were broken down and the tectonic plates shifted'

- Kurran's enthusiastic defence/justification for his name for the airline. Camilla: 'it doesn't scream 'party' though does it!'

6. 'I've got a really good vision. Just trust me on this'

- Kurran, explaining to Daniel and Khadija why the TV ad he was directing wasn't necessarily going to follow the storyboard they'd written after all

7. 'Khadija got a bit lippy but it's cool. She's not used to this game. Not many people are'

- Kurran, casually dismissing his colleague's complaints filming Jet Pop's TV ad, as if only an actor like himself understood the artform

8. 'I think the name Jet Pop is sleazy. I'm actually really upset about it'

- Kurran, not exactly feeling positive about the brand, on his way to direct the TV advert for Jet Pop

9. 'I'd prefer it if you made me the captain'

Not impressed: He said at one stage: 'I think the name Jet Pop is sleazy. I'm actually really upset about it'

- Kurran's one suggestion to Jackie (despite his reservations about the name) for her pitch: 'welcome to Jet Pop, the UK's best budget-friendly airlines. My name's Jackie Fast, assisted by the rest of cabin crew  Kurran and Daniel'

10. 'I think it went as well as could be expected'

- Kurran's upbeat assessment after a pitch that included Jackie getting their airline's name wrong, inspiring nerves laughs by undoing the halter-top, and enthusing the uniform was 'easy to wipe down'

11. 'Are you actually crazy right now?!'

- Kurran's (less-than-business-like) reaction when Jackie suggested he hadn't pushed hard enough for the name Pangea over Jet Pop

12. 'So this is outrageous. This is actually cr-azy. Wow!'

- Kurran's (less-than-business-like) reaction when Khadija suggested the difference between them was that while she owned a business 'you just want to be an actor.'

Which was actually true...They are set to walk the runway at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City, which films on Thursday and broadcasts December 2.

And one day before filming, Kendall Jenner was spotted hugging close friend - and fellow Victoria's Secret fashion show cat walker - Gigi Hadid as they arrived to rehearsals.

Kendall, dressed in all black, grinned ear to ear as she reunited with Gigi, who donned shorts with a bold hoodie.

Catching up: One day before filming, Kendall Jenner was spotted hugging close friend - and fellow Victoria's Secret fashion show cat walker - Gigi Hadid as they arrived to rehearsals

Kendall, 23, chose leather trousers with a coordinating denim ruched jacket, adding pointed boots.

The model wore her brunette locks in a center parted ponytail with pink lipstick and defined brows.

Gigi flashed her legs in spandex shorts with a bright orange hoodie adding booties; she sported a calf-grazing black Mandkhai jacket with orange accents.

The 23-year-old model wore her blonde hair loose and in waves with mauve lips and smokey eye makeup.

Besties: Kendall, dressed in all black, grinned ear to ear as she reunited with Gigi, who donned shorts with a bold hoodie

Pals: Kendall, 23, chose leather trousers with a coordinating ruched denim jacket, adding pointed boots

Last week, Kendall and Gigi were both confirmed to walk in this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

This will be Kendall's third time walking the annual show; she first walked in 2015 and returned in 2016.

Gigi has previously walked in the 2015 and 2016 show as well.

Stylish: The stylish pals headed to Victoria's Secret rehearsals on Wednesday afternoon

Wow: This will be Kendall's third time walking the annual show; she first walked in 2015 and returned in 2016; pictured November 30, 2016 at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris

Gigi's sister and Kendall's pal - Bella Hadid - is also set to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion show.

Bella has walked in the 2016 and the 2017 Victoria's Secret fashion show.

This year Victoria's Secret Angel Elsa Hosk has been chosen to wear the coveted Fantasy Bra, which costs $1 million.

The Atelier Swarovski designed look features a crop top with 2,100 crystals.

Gorgeous: Gigi has previously walked in the 2015 and 2016 show as well; pictured at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 30, 2015 in Paris, France

Flawless: Gigi's sister and Kendall's pal - Bella Hadid - is also set to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion show; pictured November 20, 2017 at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in ShanghaiShe was already left fuming by his plans to have multiple stag dos in the run up to their Maldives wedding next year.

But Billie Faiers took it one step further on Wednesday's new episode of The Mummy Diaries, banning her fiance Greg Shepherd from sharing any of his wild antics from his first stag do in Marbella on social media.

But fans were left bemused by Billie's golden rule, after pointing out the reality star went on to post countless photos and videos of her hen do in Ibiza just weeks later.

Laying down the rules: Billie Faiers banned Greg Shepherd from sharing any of his wild antics from his first stag do in Marbella on social media on Wednesday's The Mummy Diaries

The episode started with Billie criticising Greg's choice of activities in Marbs, telling her broker beau:

'I think you're a bit old for a foam party, I thought you were a bit classier than that.'

'We're going to a really nice beach club, nice restaurants, we're not going to a foam party. It's going to be so much classier,' Billie added of her hen do in Ibiza.

Round one: Greg and his mates jetted to Marbella for his first stag do

Wild: Fans were left bemused by Billie's golden rule, after pointing out the reality star went on to post countless photos and videos of her hen do in Ibiza just weeks later

And Billie had one golden rule for her fiance, telling him: 'I know they're going to stitch you up but I don't want any of it on social media because it's just embarrassing.'

'If there's anything that comes out you'll be sacrificing the wedding.'

Greg didn't stick to the rule though as her sister Sam soon spotted a video posted on Instagram.

Caught out: Greg didn't stick to the rule though as her sister Sam soon spotted a video posted on Instagram

Boys will be boys: In the short clip, Greg's playful pal has his shorts pulled down at a beach club, with his modesty protected by an '18' emoji

Not happy: 'Why has he put that on Instagram?' Billie raged. 'I know he's got the 18 thing on there, but that's just inappropriate'

In the short clip, Greg's playful pal has his shorts pulled down at a beach club, with his modesty protected by an '18' emoji.

'Why has he put that on Instagram?' Billie raged. 'I know he's got the 18 thing on there, but that's just inappropriate. He's just disregarded everything I've said to him and he just doesn't listen.'

'Why can't they just keep things to themselves? Why does everything have to go on social media,' Billie and Sam mused.

Remember this? Fans were bemused by the Instagram ban though, with many tweeters remembering just how much content Billie and her sister Sam posted during the Ibiza hen

Insta fan: 'Billie so jealous... swear your hen do was all over your Instagram#MummyDiaries,' one fan tweeted

Fans were bemused by the Instagram ban though, with many tweeters remembering just how much content Billie and her sister Sam posted during the Ibiza hen, which will be shown in next week's episode of The Mummy Diaries.

'Billie so jealous... swear your hen do was all over your Instagram#MummyDiaries,' one fan tweeted.

'Sam & Billie saying why would you put everything on instagram is an unbelievable cliche #MummyDiaries,' another pointed out.

'Billie saying Greg cant upload his whole stag do on social media. Pretty sure ur hen do was #MummyDiaries.'

Despite their tiffs, viewers labelled Billie and Greg 'couple goals' though, with one fan tweeting: 'I love Billie I want to be her!! Her and Gregs relationship is the best !!'She welcomed her third child, daughter Rani, just a month ago.

But Kate Hudson got back to work on Tuesday, as she joined designer Michael Kors for an event to promote his charity campaign.

With her blonde hair in a chic, tousled bob, and wearing a long-sleeved patterned dress, the actress sat on stage at the event in Los Angeles.

Day job: Kate Hudson gets back to work after the birth of month-old baby Rani as new mom hosts charity campaign in Los Angeles on Tuesday

The two talked about Kors Cares, the designer's fundraiser for the World Food Program.

Joining them on stage were Tina Leung and Rohan Asad.

As for Kate, she was looking radiant after the birth of her daughter.

Weighty subject: The actress joined designer Michael Kors for an event to promote his charity campaign, Kors Cares, a partnership with the World Food Program

New mom: The 39-year-old actress welcomed Rani Rose with boyfriend Danny Fujikawka last month, and sources have said she's been over the moon with her new arrival

The 39-year-old actress welcomed Rani Rose with boyfriend Danny Fujikawka last month, and sources have said she's been over the moon with her new arrival.

An insider said: '[Kate] can't stop smiling. She's always wanted a daughter so this is really a dream come true.'

The Almost Famous actress already has sons Ryder, 14, and Bingham, seven, from previous relationships, and the two boys are 'so excited' to be big brothers to their sister.

Speaking to People magazine, the source added: 'And her big brothers are so excited - they'll be so protective and sweet to her always.'

Having fun: Kate larks around with Tina Leung, who wears a shirt from the Kors Cares range

You first! Kate chats to designer Kors

Kate announced she had given birth to her baby daughter on her Instagram page.

She wrote: 'We have decided to name our daughter Rani (pronounced Ronnie) after her grandfather, Ron Fujikawa. Ron was the most special man who we all miss dearly. To name her after him is an honor. Everyone is doing well and happy as can be. Our family thanks you for all the love and blessings that have been sent our way and we send ours right back.'

But while Kate is enjoying the baby snuggles right now, she has plenty of projects in the pipeline.

Happy: Kate was looking radiant after the birth of her daughter

Hollywood blood: Kate is the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn

She will star in the forthcoming Sia biopic Sisters, out next year.

And she is set to star with Craig Robinson in Blood Moon, the upcoming third feature film from writer director Ana Lily Amirphour, with Zac Efron also in talks to join the cast.

The news comes from Deadline, who report that the new fantasy adventure from the A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night filmmaker will be produced by John Lesher.

The upcoming project focuses on a girl who possesses strange and dangerous abilities, and escapes from a mental asylum in Now Orleans.

Kate's last big screen role came as Eleanor Strubing in 2017's Harshall, while the previous year saw her appear in Kung Fu Panda 3, Mother's Day and Deepwater Horizon.A top Victorian judge says the media will always choose to report on Australian-African youth crime, creating a "false impression" of the scale of the problem.

Victorian County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd has told ABC TV's Four Corners the media's consistent reporting on crime committed by African youth from Melbourne's western suburbs had fuelled the public's perception on the matter.

"That creates an impression that ...a very significant proportion of our work is taken up with African youths from the western suburbs of Melbourne," he told the ABC's program, which aired on Monday night.

Only a "tiny" proportion of the 1600 people sentenced a year received media coverage, and the media was sure to report on offending committed by those with African heritage, he said.

"If you are an African offender, and certainly if you're an African youth of South Sudanese background from the western suburbs of Melbourne, rest assured your case will be reported upon," he said.

His comments follow follow a political war of words over Melbourne gang violence and its links to the Australian-African community.

People born in Sudan and South Sudan make up 0.1 per cent of Victoria's total population, but the community is responsible for one per cent of crime in the state.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said authorities should be "fair dinkum" about dealing with Sudanese gangs in Victoria, while Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said people were scared to go out for dinner in Melbourne due to "African gang violence".

The issue of crime among African youths in Victoria first came to notice in 2012 when the Apex gang emerged, but debate intensified following a breakout of violence at Melbourne's Moomba festival in 2016.Cooper Cronk will be fit to kick off Sydney Roosters' NRL premiership defence after undergoing successful surgery on his shoulder.

Cronk's herculean effort to play through the grand final with a fractured left scapula will go down in premiership folklore, and he was required to have a plate inserted after the match.

Off-contract at the end of 2019, the Roosters confirmed on Tuesday Cronk will have no issue running out against South Sydney in the opening round at the SCG.

Former Rabbitoh Angus Crichton will also be available after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder to fix an ongoing issue.

Fellow forward Zane Tetevano was also injured in the grand final win over Melbourne, but will recover from his ruptured bicep in time for round one in March.

But the news isn't so good for newcomer Ryan Hall, who is still expected to miss the start of the campaign after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Wigan last Super League season.Prime Minister Scott Morrison will finally join Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy on the campaign trail this week.

Questions have been raised about Mr Morrison's absence from the crucial early days of the election campaign as well as the Liberal election launch.

Mr Guy, who has always maintained the prime minister would join him at some stage, confirmed the news on Tuesday.

"He is coming down here to campaign with me, I'm pleased to say," Mr Guy told reporters in Drouin.

"Not today, he's in Queensland and I'm in Gippsland, but he is coming down to campaign with me very soon - in the next couple of days, I believe."

Mr Morrison is spending the week touring marginal LNP seats in Queensland, in what is widely considered a soft-launch of his federal election campaign.

Asked on Monday whether his four-day bus tour amounted to a quasi-campaign, Mr Morrison replied: "This is me doing what I do. I'm out, I'm listening, I'm hearing and I'm doing. That's what I'm doing as a prime minister."South Australian medical professionals say the health system is under unprecedented stress after a record 18 ambulances were left ramped in the carpark of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

But Premier Steven Marshall says the situation was "always going to happen" because of cuts made by the previous Labor government.

The Ambulance Employees Association on Monday night posted to Facebook photos of ambulances ramped outside the emergency department.

"This was the RAH at 10.30 last night - 18 ambulances ramped - the most there's ever been at one time," the post read.

"Every ambulance that's ramped is an ambulance that's not available for those that have called 000 and are still waiting."

The Salaried Medical Officers Association also took to social media to say the situation was "pretty bad" and an employee had been assaulted by a patient.

Premier Steven Marshall said the situation was completely unacceptable but was "always going to happen".

"We inherited a mess from the previous government," he told reporters.

"We're doing everything we can to fix it as quickly as possible but there's no silver bullet."

He said the government would open an additional 20 beds at the Repatriation General Hospital, and had put $800 million back into the health budget.A Queensland woman jailed for the manslaughter of her little boy says the time she spends behind bars should be cut because she did not inflict the injuries that killed him.

Heidi Strbak pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing her four-year-old son Tyrell Cobb in May 2009, and was sentenced in December nine years' jail.

She is appealing the length of that sentence on grounds trial judge Justice Peter Applegarth did not properly assess the evidence and that it was incorrect for him to find she caused the fatal blows.VICTORIA'S CAMPAIGN SHOWDOWN WENT ON, DESPITE TUESDAY'S RACE THAT STOPPED THE NATION

WHERE THEY WENT:

* Daniel Andrews: Maroona (in the electorate of Lowan) and Noble Park (Mulgrave)

* Matthew Guy: Newborough (Morwell), Drouin, Moe and Garfield (Narracan)

WHAT THEY SAID:

* "We have a shortage of qualified shearers and it's one of those areas where government can step in and make a profound difference with training," Premier Daniel Andrews on a push for new wool industry workers

* "He is coming down here to campaign with me, I'm pleased to say," Matthew Guy on when Prime Minister Scott Morrison will join him on the state election campaign trail.

TUESDAY'S PROMISES:

* Labor:

- $1.2 million to expand Certificate III shearing courses

- $6 million to upgrade student accommodation and facilities at Longerenong, Dookie and Glenormiston agricultural colleges

- $3 million to improve health and safety on farms

- $500k for Young Farmer Scholarships

- $500k digital agriculture

* Liberal-Nationals:

- $2 million to relocate and rebuild Drouin ambulance station

- $1 million to expand the First Responder PTSD and Psychological Injury Provisional Support Program to include frontline prison officers

- $2 million for RSL building maintenance fund

- $2 million for Moe Activity Centre.Scott Morrison's pick for the Melbourne Cup may not have come in, but on day two of his Queensland tour the prime minister was a hit with the punters.

With just minutes to spare before the running of the famous horse race in Melbourne on Tuesday, Mr Morrison made a surprise but rock star entrance at Corbould Park Racecourse in Caloundra, 100km north of Brisbane.

Pretty girls in high-heels and hats, well-tanned boys and rusted-on Liberal voters mobbed Mr Morrison as he made his way through the crowd and to the bar.

As shouts of 'ScoMo' rang out from the crowd, Mr Morrison chose a can of the iconic local brew, XXXX.

Beer in hand, Mr Morrison grinned and laughed with the locals as they slapped his back, snapped selfies and welcomed him to the sunshine state.

Punters could have been forgiven for thinking they'd stumbled into a Liberal Party campaign rally such was the enthusiasm for the prime minister in the general admission public area.

Mr Morrison was clearly pleased with his reception as he made his way to the betting pit, where Brisbane bookie Wayne Gennon took a $100 wager from the prime minister on mare Youngstar for the win.

"I love mugs' money!" a laughing Mr Gennon yelled after taking the bet.

The lifelong Liberal voter was only joking, he said.

All eyes were on the big screen during the race but soon returned to a bemused Mr Morrison, as he realised he'd done his dough - Youngstar ran sixth.

It didn't matter.

Mr Morrision was a hit with the locals and the planned charm offensive was back on track after Monday's social media ScoMo Express fail.

The prime minister is expected to head north next, with visits planned to Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Mackay, taking in the marginal seats of Capricornia, Flynn and Dawson.A Sydney police officer said he wanted to rape Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young's daughter during a threatening phone call made to her electorate office, court documents show.

Sean Daniel Murphy, a senior constable with NSW Police, has pleaded guilty to making the offensive remarks during a brief call to Senator Hanson-Young's Adelaide office in July.

Court documents released on Tuesday show a Greens campaign manager answered the 57-year-old's call before the officer asked: "Can I have a picture of the senator's daughter?"

He was told no and asked why he would want such a picture, to which he replied in an aggressive manner that he wanted to sexually assault the girl, according to the tendered factsheet.

Murphy told federal police in a recorded interview three weeks after the call he didn't know if he'd made the offensive comment as he'd been drunk.

But he recalled saying the senator "needed to get f*****", asking for the daughter's photo and saying: "Do you know under Islam you can f*** nine-year-old girls?"

The officer also admitted to police he'd made a similar call to the senator's Canberra office on July 4.

Murphy is charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

His barrister told the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday his client was "contrite without relief" and offered to apologise in person to Senator Hanson-Young.

"He is appalled by his conduct. He immediately admitted what he had done," barrister John Davidson said.

Mr Davidson said Murphy had been receiving psychiatric treatment in hospital for post-traumatic stress disorder after three decades of police work on the street.

The court was told Murphy had received two bravery awards over his 36-year police career.

"He's seen more blood and mayhem than perhaps anyone else can imagine," he said.

Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson said the difficulty was the alleged offending had been "quite distressing" to the people concerned.

"There is no issue with that," Mr Davidson said.

"He is no threat. He will never be a threat."

Ms Atkinson agreed to place Murphy on bail on the conditions he not contact any witnesses or the senator's electorate office and that he reside either at a Campsie address or the hospital where he is being treated.

NSW Police on Tuesday said Murphy was currently suspended.

He will be sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court on February 1, 2019.The brother of an aspiring Melbourne cancer specialist killed by a shark in the Whitsunday Islands says the world has lost a devoted and empathetic surgeon.

Daniel Christidis, 33, died after being mauled in Cid Harbour on Monday on the first day of a yachting holiday with friends and colleagues.

The Victorian doctor suffered bites to his left thigh, right calf and left wrist while paddling boarding about 5.30pm.

It was the third serious shark attack in the harbour in two months after Tasmanian woman Justine Barwick and Melbourne girl Hannah Papps were bitten in September.

In an Instagram post of a photo of the two brothers on a yacht, Michael Christidis says his brother was a deeply devoted doctor who was well respected by both patients and colleagues.

"Daniel was all about getting everything meticulously right in life; to live deeply and fully, which he did," he said on Wednesday.

"If you knew my brother, you know just how much the world is at a loss right now."

He would illuminate any room he entered with his charm and wit, he said.

"I've lost a brother, best friend and mentor but I will not lose the spark Dan provided me each and every day," Mr Christidis said.

As tributes flowed for his brother on Wednesday, the state government called a meeting of experts for Friday to discuss how best to manage sharks in the popular holiday destination.Voters cast their ballots for Early Voting at the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office in Norwalk, California on November 5, 2018, a day ahead the November 6 midterm elections in the United States

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake.

As polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his divisive, nativist political agenda over the next two years.

At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country.

For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the midterms could finally see his wings clipped.

According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate.

US President Donald Trump arrives at a Make America Great Again rally in Cape Girardeau, Missouri the night before the election

But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises.

After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper.

Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies -- in three states on Monday alone. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the first two years of his term.

Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans."

Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms.

Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas.

- Hot economy, hot rhetoric -

With turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for a surprise

At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win."

But as he touched down in Indiana for the second leg of his final-day tour Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp.

"We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber.

The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favors the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern.

New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth."

But to the dismay of some Republicans he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasize a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants.

Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole.

Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans.

In traditionally red Texas, popular Democrat Beto O'Rourke is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz

Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar."

"He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio.

Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colorful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims.

However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter was charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump.

Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead.

US midterm elections

He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States -- in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.Harvey Weinstein walks away from the court room with his lawyer Benjamin Brafman in New York City on October 11, 2018

Harvey Weinstein's defense lawyer went back on the offensive Monday, petitioning a New York court to throw out the entire remaining sex assault case against his client, alleging new evidence and fresh police misconduct.

Last month, a judge threw out one of six original assault charges -- of a forced act of oral sex in 2004 lodged by Lucia Evans against the disgraced movie mogul -- due to witness inconsistencies and police misconduct.

On Monday, defense lawyer Ben Brafman asked for the five remaining charges to be dismissed or for the court to hold a hearing to "determine the full extent" of what he called "misconduct."

He suggested a police detective had committed "additional misconduct" involving one Weinstein's accusers, failing to disclose that the two continued to communicate after the alleged assault.

Brafman had already asked in August for the entire case to be thrown out, disclosing emails that allegedly showed his client and the alleged rape victim were in a "long-term, consensual, intimate relationship."

On Monday, he followed up with another extensive court filing and released what he said was a text message, sent by one of the Weinstein accusers, months after the alleged assault in which she seemingly tried to meet up with him.

"Hi! Just wondering if u have any news on whether harvey will have time to see me before he leaves? x Miriam," she allegedly texted in February 2007.

Brafman complained that police misconduct and perjury committed by Evans "irreparably prejudiced the grand jury" and that messages from another accuser Mimi Haleyi to Weinstein show that any sexual contact was "purely consensual."

He also sought to toss two sexual predator charges, the most serious against Weinstein, on the basis of "constitutionally flawed legal theories and not supported by credible evidence."

The judge dropped the 2004 charge after a detective failed to turn over details from a witness interview, and a draft email from Evans to her husband that exposed further inconsistencies in her account.

As things stand, Weinstein, accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct, could still spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of rape in March 2013 and a forced act of oral sex in 2006.

The 66-year-old was arrested in May. He is at large on a $1 million bail and denies any non-consensual sex.

His arrest and arraignments have led #MeToo campaigners to hope that the twice-married father of five will be put on trial, convicted and sent to prison.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 20.

Brafman, one of the most celebrated criminal defense attorneys in America, helped former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn escape criminal prosecution for alleged sexual assault in 2011.US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (R) and China's defense minister, General Wei Fenghe, seen during a visit by Mattis to Beijing in June 2017

The United States and China will hold top-level security talks on Friday, the State Department announced, in a sign of easing tensions after months of escalation over trade and regional disputes.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will host senior Chinese officials in Washington for the second US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue, following a meeting in June 2017.

The announcement of talks with senior Communist Party foreign affairs official Yang Jiechi and General Wei Fenghe came on the eve of US congressional elections, in which President Donald Trump has cast China as a villain set on bringing him down.

In early October, a US defense official said that a planned visit by Mattis to China had been canceled because Beijing declined to make Wei available.

But addressing a Middle East security conference last week, Mattis said that Wei would shortly travel to Washington, adding that "strategic competition does not imply hostility."

Washington and Beijing have been locked in a high-stakes standoff over Trump's move to end what he says have been years of unfair trade practices by China.

Trump imposed new tariffs on roughly half of Chinese imports this summer while Beijing fired back with tariffs on most US products.

- US offensive on China -

Trump turned the feud into a full-press offensive -- boosting military support for rival Taiwan, stepping up denunciations of Beijing's human rights record and curtailing its access to US nuclear technology.

In a speech that some observers said recalled the Cold War, Vice President Mike Pence vowed to challenge China on multiple fronts and accused Beijing of interfering in US elections by buying advertisements extolling the trade relationship.

But Trump sounded a more conciliatory note last week, heralding "very good" talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and later declaring that he expected their trade conflict to end with "a very good deal."

Xi earlier Monday also offered a more forward-looking note as he wooed investors in Shanghai. He pledged to welcome imports, streamline customs clearance and crack down on intellectual property infringement -- longtime goals of foreign business leaders, although many of them have grown jaded after similar promises in the past.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, addressing the Bloomberg New Economy Conference in Singapore, said that the world's two largest economies will "both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation."

"China will stay calm and sober-minded, embrace greater openness and work for mutual benefit," he said.

But views on China have hardened across the political spectrum in Washington, with a growing number of US policymakers saying that Beijing's calls for calm masks a bid to seize advantage.

On security, the focus of Friday's talks, the United States has accused China of increasingly bold moves in the dispute-rife South China Sea and of harassing US warships in international waters.

Also likely high on the agenda will be North Korea, which counts on China as its most important ally. Pompeo is due to meet Thursday in New York with the right-hand man of leader Kim Jong Un, who held an unprecedented summit with Trump in Singapore in June.

Trump is eager to meet Kim again to work on a potentially historic deal to close the Korean War officially. Trump and Xi are separately expected to hold talks in one month's time in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of a gathering of the Group of 20 major economies.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting delegation of US lawmakers last week that he hoped their countries can meet "halfway" amid friction over trade, security and other issues.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and North Korean number two Kim Yong Chol -- pictured in July 2018 -- will meet for talks in New York

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet a top aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in New York on Thursday, the State Department said.

The US chief diplomat and Kim Yong Chol "will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization," a statement said, referring to the June meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The New York meeting comes with the two sides at loggerheads nearly five months after the summit, in which Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.

North Korea's foreign ministry has warned that Pyongyang will "seriously" consider reviving its nuclear weapons program unless US sanctions are lifted.

In announcing the meeting with Kim Yong Chol, Pompeo said he expected to "make some real progress" including on laying the groundwork for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Kim Yong Chol is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader.

He visited the White House in the diplomatic run-up to the Singapore summit, and has been Pompeo's chief interlocutor in the months since.

In mid-October, Pompeo invoked the possibility of a second summit, preceded by talks with Kim Yong Chol.

"We're working on finding dates and times and places that will work for each of the two leaders," Pompeo said at the time.

Despite a lack of visible progression in talks, Trump has often pointed to the detente with North Korea -- the subject of saber-rattling rhetoric and soaring tensions early in his term -- as a signature foreign policy accomplishment.As many as one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities are being kept in extra-judicial detention in China's fractious far western Xinjiang region, according to estimates cited recently by an independent UN panel

China's mass detainment of ethnic Uighurs and its crackdown on civil liberties will likely figure high on the agenda Tuesday when countries meet at the UN in Geneva to review Beijing's rights record.

As many as one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities are being kept in extra-judicial detention in China's fractious far western Xinjiang region, according to estimates cited recently by an independent UN panel.

The centres where they are thought to be detained have come under increasing scrutiny this year, with rights activists describing them as political re-education camps.

They say members of China's Muslim minorities are held involuntarily for transgressions such as wearing long beards and face veils.

Countries at the UN Tuesday "must send an unequivocal message to the Chinese government that their campaign of systematic repression in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, including the arbitrary detention of up to one million people, must end," Patrick Poon, China researcher at Amnesty International, said in a statement.

Washington also wants Beijing to provide "the number of people involuntarily held in all detention facilities in Xinjiang during the past five years"

The so-called Universal Periodic Review -- which all 193 UN countries must undergo approximately every four years -- will start with China presenting a report on its rights situation and changes made since it was last in the spotlight in 2013.

During the half-day session, diplomats from around the world will have the chance to raise concerns, ask questions and make recommendations for changes.

- 'Egregious human rights' -

"All UN member states have an equal opportunity to press China on its egregious human rights record, and they shouldnt waste it," Human Rights Watch's Geneva director John Fisher said in a statement Monday.

Some countries have already submitted questions in advance, including the United States, which is leading demands for Beijing to come clean on the Uighur crackdown.

Some countries have already submitted questions in advance, including the United States, which is leading demands for Beijing to come clean on the Uighur crackdown

"Can China clarify the basis for its apparent criminalisation of peaceful religious practices as justification to detain people in these political 're-education' camps in Xinjiang, as well as which officials are responsible for this policy?"

Washington also wants Beijing to provide "the number of people involuntarily held in all detention facilities in Xinjiang during the past five years".

Beyond Xinjiang, China will also come under scrutiny for other aspects of its human rights record, including a dramatic crackdown on civil liberties and religious freedoms since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012.

In July 2017, dissident activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo died of liver cancer while under police custody.

In 2015, more than 200 Chinese human rights lawyers and activists were detained or questioned in a sweep known as the "709" crackdown.

That year also saw five Hong Kong-based booksellers known for publishing gossipy titles about Chinese political leaders disappear, before they resurfaced in mainland China.

China's crackdown on civil society is sometimes felt as far away as Geneva.

In a report published last year, Human Rights Watch accused Beijing of sabotaging UN efforts to promote rights, maintaining that Chinese officials routinely photograph and film activists on UN premises, in violation of UN rules, and bar Chinese activists from travelling to the UN in Geneva.

In the most shocking case, Chinese authorities detained activist Cao Shunli in 2013 as she attempted to travel to Geneva ahead of the last UPR review of China's rights record.

After being held for several months without charge, she fell gravely ill and died in March 2014.

"Chinese activists have been imprisoned, tortured, and fatally mistreated for the chance to challenge Beijing over its human rights record," HRW's Fisher said.

"Governments that don't seize this opportunity to speak out embolden China, weaken the UN, and demoralise activists struggling across the world to hold Beijing accountable."Work on Cairo's 13th-century al-Zahir Baybars mosque in the neglected Islamic quarter resumed last month after being halted during the turmoil that followed the ouster of the dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011

Workers perched on scaffolding delicately repair Cairo's 13th-century al-Zahir Baybars mosque, a vital restoration project in the Egyptian capital's neglected Islamic quarter.

Halted by the popular protests that toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and the ensuing political and economic turmoil which enveloped the country, restorative work on the Mamluk-era mosque picked back up last month.

On the other side of the quarter, similar work on the 14th century al-Maridani mosque has just begun.

The capital's Islamic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 often referred to as historic Cairo, boasts some 600 listed monuments.

But the task to patch up decades of dilapidation is immense, and Egyptian authorities are struggling to come up with the cash after unrest and jihadist attacks have driven away tourists and slashed crucial income.

Islamic Cairo is packed with ornate monuments, mosques and mausoleums, and its narrow streets are punctuated with trinket shops, cafes and traditional old homes -- an urban fabric layered in centuries of history

Islamic Cairo is packed with ornate monuments, mosques and mausoleums, and its narrow streets are punctuated with trinket shops, cafes and traditional old homes -- an urban fabric layered in centuries of history.

For Luis Monreal, head of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, refurbishing the area is a never-ending project.

"It's like painting an aircraft carrier: when you finish one side, you have to start over again on the other," he said.

Part of the Aga Khan Foundation, his outfit has been working on restoration projects in the area since the early 2000s.

- 'Rapid deterioration' -

In the immediate aftermath of Mubarak's 2011 fall, many of the area's squat traditional buildings were torn down and replaced with structures of six to eight floors.

Meanwhile, rampant theft saw centuries-old objects disappear from mosques.

And even if looting and illegal construction have since decreased, according to authorities, the historic heart of Egypt's teeming capital of 20 million is still choked with pollution, its streets cluttered with rubbish.

UNESCO has warned several times in recent years of increasing degradation in historic Cairo, raising the alarm as it has for many other heritage cities across the globe.

While tourism has picked up since it dropped in 2011, the 8.2 million people that visited Egypt in 2017 are still far behind the country's 14.7 million visitors in the year before the uprising

In 2017, its World Heritage Committee urged Egyptian authorities "to take all needed measures to halt the rapid deterioration" of sites across the quarter.

In an October visit to monitor new restoration work, Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany highlighted budget issues as one of the central challenges facing the district.

"It's always said that Islamic antiquities are in bad condition. It's a fact," he said, adding that failing sewers and monuments in residential areas had also created issues.

The antiquities ministry is fed by revenues generated at Egypt's wealth of historic monuments.

And while tourism has picked up since it dropped in 2011, the 8.2 million people that visited Egypt in 2017 are still far behind the country's 14.7 million visitors in the year before the uprising.

With earnings from the sites down, much of the restoration work has been dependent on foreign funding.

Kazakhstan is putting up 4.8 million euros ($5.5 million) to finance work on the Baybars mosque.

Meanwhile, the European Union is contributing 1.2 million euros for the al-Maridani mosque, in tandem with the Aga Khan Foundation which has put forward 133,000 euros.

From his renovated home in historic Cairo, architect Alaa al-Habashi said time was of the essence in the push to preserve the area.

"It cannot wait... if we want to stay on the World Heritage List there is not a minute to lose," he said.

The only way to effectively combat the decay, he said, was "to get citizens involved".

From his 16th-century home, known as Bayt Yakan, Habashi runs an art collective and organises conferences around the "revitalisation of the historic city".

- 'A big challenge' -

A project designed by the Aga Khan Foundation for the al-Maridani mosque includes the creation of a touristic route through the neighbourhood and training for residents on accommodating tourists

The Aga Khan Foundation has designed a similar project, although on a much bigger scale, around the al-Maridani mosque.

It includes the creation of a touristic route through the neighbourhood and training for residents on accommodating tourists.

"This will generate economic activity, tourism... but the project also has a social dimension," said Ibrahim Laafia, head of cooperation with the EU's delegation to Egypt.

But good work often runs up against bureaucratic hurdles.

All projects have to navigate the labyrinthine overlap of jurisdictions between local authorities in Cairo and the ministries of antiquities, tourism, housing and religious endowments.

In 2015, Cairo authorities created the governorate's first department for the preservation of antiquities.

Its director, Riham Arram, said that while the city is making slow progress, preserving its history is still "a big challenge".

"We have not managed to do everything. It's true that there is still illegal construction... but we will continue," she said, explaining reforms could increase fines for unlawful building.

"Now security has stabilised, the country is stable," she said.Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne will raise the issue of internment camps in Xinjiang, where rights groups say a million people are being held for political re-education

Australia's concerns over internment camps in China's far west, where rights groups say up to a million people are being held without charge, will be raised this week when the country's foreign minister visits Beijing, she said Tuesday.

Marise Payne said she will register "serious concerns" over the huge facilities in Xinjiang, where activists say hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and other mainly-Muslim minorities are detained in political re-education camps.

The visit is the first by an Australian foreign minister in almost three years, as Canberra and Beijing seek to move past a period of awkward diplomatic relations.

"Obviously we have a very substantial relationship, and it works in the interests of both sides and we're committed to building on our comprehensive strategic partnership," Payne told national broadcaster ABC.

While China is Australia's largest trading partner, ties between the two governments have been strained in recent years over allegations Beijing was interfering in domestic politics and using donations to gain access.

But amid a growing trade spat between the US and China, Payne's visit is seen as an opportunity for Canberra to leverage its economic relationship.

In a statement late Monday, Payne said strategic cooperation with China "is a priority of the highest order for Australia".

However, she said, her government did "have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang" and would raise the issue with her opposite number Wang Yi while she is in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

"There'll be statements made in the (United Nations) Human Rights Council this week, and I will pursue matters in the course of my discussions in an appropriate way," she told Australian broadcaster ABC.

China is expected to be grilled about the camps as it undergoes its periodic review by the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday. Beijing has defended the facilities, saying they are "vocational education and training centres" and are part of its efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

Australian foreign affairs officials have said that three Australians were detained in camps in Xinjiang last year before being released.

Canberra has also been critical about growing Chinese influence in the Pacific islands, which it views as its backyard, via aid programmes as part of a "soft diplomacy" push.

Some Chinese investments and land purchases in Australia have meanwhile been knocked back over "national interest" reasons, prompting Beijing to accuse Canberra of being biased.China's President Xi Jinping vowed at the opening of a new import fair in Shanghai that China had a "sincere commitment" to open its markets

The EU business lobby in China has dismissed President Xi Jinpings latest market-opening pledge as a rehash of earlier unkept promises, saying European companies had become "desensitised" to Chinese vows.

Xi vowed at the opening of a new import fair in Shanghai on Monday that China had a "sincere commitment" to open its markets, despite foreign accusations that it was dragging its feet or backsliding amid calls to remove barriers to market access.

The Chinese leader announced steps would be taken in several areas but the EU chamber said in a strongly worded statement that much of what Xi promised was a reiteration of past statements.

"This constant repetition, without sufficient concrete measures or timelines being introduced, has left the European business community increasingly desensitised to these kinds of promises," it said in a statement late Monday.

The chamber said expectations for Xis speech opening the China International Import Expo had been "continuously stoked" by the Chinese government.

"With this in mind, European businesses think that the commitments made... do not go as far as is necessary."

Xi said China would "step up" efforts to stimulate imports, lower tariffs, ease customs clearance procedures, and implement harsh punishments for intellectual property infringements, among other things.

But he was light on specifics and provided no timelines.

The chamber noted that Xi briefly mentioned removing caps on foreign investment in education and medical services, and support for accelerating negotiations on an EU-China investment agreement, calling them "potentially significant".

"That said, European business had higher hopes for what had been marketed by the Chinese government as a milestone event," chamber vice president Carlo D'Andrea said.

China has touted the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai as a important signal of its willingness to open markets

"What matters to us is that concrete actions are forthcoming and that reforms are clearly timetabled. If China really will continue to open up, we would have expected additional and specific commitments to have been announced by President Xi."

Beijing has touted the week-long expo as a important signal of its willingness to open markets, as it grapples with Washington in a trade war in which both sides have imposed punitive tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

In a speech at Davos nearly two years ago, Xi presented China as a beacon of globalisation, in a counterpoint to Trump, but critics say he has yet to deliver on such promises.

Foreign businesses complain about a range of policies that benefit local firms, requirements that foreign companies form joint ventures with Chinese partners, forced technology transfers, rampant intellectual property violations and restrictive red tape.Racing out of barrier 19, Cross Counter (R) powered down the finishing straight to edge fellow British horse Marmelo and win the Melbourne Cup

British raider Cross Counter won the coveted Aus$7.3 million (US$5.2 million) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday to give the renowned Godolphin stable their maiden victory after 20 years of trying.

The four-year-old gelding handed jockey Kerrin McEvoy his third victory in the famous 3,200-metre (two mile) handicap race, with Charlie Appleby the first English trainer to claim the trophy.

Racing out of barrier 19, Cross Counter powered down the finishing straight to edge fellow British horses Marmelo and Prince of Arran to win Aus$4 million.

"I thought, mate is this happening again?," said an ecstatic McEvoy.

"I'm just lucky I can ride light on these lovely stayers prepared unbelievably well by Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. And third Melbourne Cup, woo!" he exclaimed

It was the first win for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin, who have been trying to crack the "race that stops the nation" since first trying with Faithful Son in 1998.

"This is everybody's dream. It's sinking in now. This is all down to Sheikh Mohammed," said Appleby.

"He's the one that's given us the encouragement to take the chances in what we do.

"I'm just delighted. What a ride."

Fortunately for punters, flamboyant British billionaire Marwan Koukash's seven-year-old gelding Magic Circle didn't win despite being one of the favourites.

If it had, the former owner of the Salford Red Devils rugby league team had vowed to strip down to his lucky tie and skimpy underwear in celebration.

First staged in 1861, The Melbourne Cup has been run on the first Tuesday of November since 1876 and winning it instantly makes the horse a household name in Australia.

So important is the race that it is a public holiday in the state where it is held -- Victoria -- although it has not enjoyed its usual central focus during the annual spring carnival this year.

That's because of increasing attention being given to the Sydney-run The Everest in mid-October. Now in its second year, it is world's richest turf race and was won for a second straight time by Redzel, also ridden by McEvoy.

And there have also been the exploits of the world's top-rated horse Winx, who smashed legendary sprinter Black Caviar's Australian win record in August and then late last month clinched a record fourth Cox Plate and 29th victory in a row.Cross Counter seized victory with a burst of speed in the home straight.

Cross Counter led a British one-two-three to win the coveted Aus$7.3 million (US$5.2 million) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday and give the renowned Godolphin stable their maiden victory after two decades of frustration.

The four-year-old gelding handed jockey Kerrin McEvoy his third victory in the famous 3,200-metre (two mile) handicap, the 'race that stops a nation', with Charlie Appleby the first English trainer to claim the trophy.

Racing out of barrier 19 on a rain-affected track, Cross Counter put on a withering burst of speed down the finishing straight to edge fellow British horses Marmelo and Prince of Arran and win Aus$4 million. Pre-race favourite Yucatan came 11th.

But there was sadness among the 100,000-strong crowd with Irish five-year-old The CliffsofMoher, ridden by champion jockey Ryan Moore, euthanised after suffering a fractured right shoulder early in the race.

"I'm just lucky I can ride light on these lovely stayers prepared unbelievably well by Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. And a third Melbourne Cup, woo!" said an ecstatic McEvoy, who also won in 2000 and 2016. "I'm over the moon."

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy promised his wife Cathy that if he won the Melbourne Cup he'd buy her a new house

McEvoy's wife will also be happy with her husband -- who steered Redzel to victory at the world's richest turf race, The Everest, in Sydney last month -- after he promised that if he won, he'd buy her a new house.

"I did promise (the kids) a swimming pool. And (wife) Cathy and myself have been looking around for a bigger house... and I said to one of the reporters yesterday that if I won I would buy Cathy a new house, so look out," said McEvoy.

- 'What a ride' -

It was the first win for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin, who have been trying to crack the Melbourne Cup since first trying with Faithful Son in 1998.

"This is everybody's dream. It's sinking in now. This is all down to Sheikh Mohammed," said Appleby.

"He's the one that's given us the encouragement to take the chances in what we do.

"Coming in to today, this horse ticked a lot of boxes. I'm just delighted. What a ride."

The Melbourne Cup has been run on the first Tuesday of November since 1876 and always draws an enthusiastic crowd keen to enjoy a day out

Fortunately for punters, flamboyant British billionaire Marwan Koukash's seven-year-old gelding Magic Circle didn't win despite being one of the favourites.

If it had, the former owner of the Salford Red Devils rugby league team had vowed to strip down to his lucky tie and skimpy underwear in celebration.

First staged in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has been run on the first Tuesday of November since 1876, and winning it instantly makes the horse a household name in Australia.

So important is the race that it is a public holiday in the state where it is held -- Victoria -- although it has not enjoyed its usual central focus during the annual spring carnival this year.

That's because of increasing attention being given to The Everest in mid-October. Now in its second year, the world's richest turf race was won for a second straight time by Redzel.

And there have also been the exploits of the world's top-rated horse, Winx, who smashed legendary sprinter Black Caviar's Australian win record in August and then late last month clinched a record fourth Cox Plate and 29th victory in a row.A New Zealand baby was plucked from the ocean as he floated past a fisherman in a rescue hailed as "miraculous" by water safety experts, who warned the accident could easily have ended in tragedy.

Gus Hutt was preparing for an early morning fish when he saw what appeared to be a doll bobbing past him in a rip current at Matata Beach in the North Island's Bay of Plenty.

"I thought he was just a doll," Hutt told the Whakatane Beacon of the incident on October 26. "So I reached out and grabbed him by the arm, even then I still thought it was just a doll.

"His face looked just like porcelain, with his short hair wetted down, but then he let out a little squeak and I thought 'oh God this is a baby and it's alive'."

It turned out the "doll" was 18-month-old Malachi Reeve, who had opened the zip of his sleeping parents' tent, then made his way out of a beachside campsite and into the water, where a current caught him.

Hutt, a local, said he had altered his usual routine slightly and was about to cast off about 100 metres (110 yards) from his normal spot on the shoreline when the object floated by.

"He was floating at a steady pace with a rip in the water. If I hadn't been there, or if I had just been a minute later I wouldn't have seen him," Hutt said.

"He was bloody lucky, but he just wasn't meant to go. It wasn't his time."

Malachi's parents were alerted and rushed to the camp reception, where mother Jessica Whyte found her boy "purple, cold and looking smaller than usual".

But after treatment from paramedics he was given the all clear and Whyte said he was unaffected by his ordeal.

"He's himself. Maybe he'll be more aware of water, not run into beaches. But he's definitely himself," she told the Stuff news website.

She said the toddler had been fascinated by the sea the previous day and must have woken up early to explore.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Jonty Mills said Malachi's case may have ended happily but it showed the dangers children face around water.

"This is a pretty miraculous survival story," he told AFP.

"It really is just a matter of luck that the fisherman was in the right place at the right time and was able to pull the child out of the water."

He said seven pre-schoolers drowned last year in New Zealand and there had been three fatalities involving children under five so far in 2018.

"It takes less than a minute for a child to drown," he said.

"The only way to keep babies and toddlers safe around water is constant active adult supervision at all times."Workers in Taiwan's billion-dollar fishing industry say tougher laws and penalties affecting them are too strict

Fishermen and their families took to the streets in Taiwan Tuesday against what they said was an unfair crackdown on the industry which has been accused of illegal practices and human rights abuses.

The rally by coastal and long-haul fishermen in the capital Taipei is the latest challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen who has already faced major protests by disgruntled military veterans and labour unions over pension and other reforms.

It comes ahead of local elections on November 24, seen as a mid-term barometer after Tsai's first two years in office.

Over a thousand people gathered outside the agriculture council building, blowing horns and throwing paper money before marching to the legislative building. Many had travelled up from the south of Taiwan where the industry is concentrated.

"I understand the need for sustainability, but government enforcement has been too tough and the fines too high," said one protester who works on a deep-sea fishing boat and gave his surname as Tsai, adding his earnings have dropped considerably since new rules were introduced.

The rally is the latest challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen who has already faced protests by military veterans and labour unions over pension and other reforms

Taiwan's billion-dollar fishing industry, which has one of the largest longline tuna fleets in the world, traditionally supports Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

But in the past three years it has been targeted by domestic and international agencies over poor regulation and conditions.

Taiwan has imposed tougher laws and penalties since the European Union issued the island with a "yellow card" in 2015 for "serious shortcomings" in its management of the industry.

A decision on whether that warning will be lifted is expected next month.

Tsai Bao-Hsin, head of the Liuchiu Fishermen Association of coastal fishing fleet owners, told AFP ahead of the rally that catches are shrinking.

He accused the government of kowtowing to EU demands without considering the impact on communities.

Wang Shin-chan, head of the Fishermen Self-Help Association, told AFP that penalties introduced by Taiwan's fisheries agency were too high.

"Each fine is at least one million Taiwan dollars ($32,000). Who can afford that?" he said.

A 2016 Greenpeace report described Taiwan's fishing industry, which uses thousands of migrant workers, as "out of control", with rampant labour and human rights abuses, including physical abuse and witheld payments.

The industry has also been criticised for the practice of shark finning -- where the predators' fins are sliced off and the rest of the still-living body dumped back into the ocean.

Taiwan enacted its own Distant Water Fisheries Act in 2017 to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated activities.

But in May this year a Taiwanese fishing boat became the first to be detained by the UN's labour organisation for violating its new industry rules.

The boat was detained in Cape Town, South Africa, and inspectors found a lack of documentation and poor health and safety conditions, according to the International Labour Organisation.

The owner of the ship and the captain were fined NT$3.75 million ($120,000) by Taiwan authorities when it returned to base in September.

Last month Taiwan's fisheries agency imposed a Twd$11.4 million fine ($367,000), its highest ever, on a fishing boat caught with prohibited shark species.Pu Wenqing says she fears her son will die behind bars awaiting trial

Unable to see her son ailing in prison, the 85-year-old mother of China's first "cyber dissident" has come to Beijing to plead his case, fearing he will die behind bars.

Pu Wenqing said scrutiny had now fallen on her -- local police have started calling her since she arrived in the capital in October to try and secure the release of her 55-year-old son, Huang Qi, for medical treatment.

He was arrested in 2016 for "leaking state secrets" and Pu has not been allowed to visit him in prison since then, she said.

Huang, who suffers from high blood pressure and late-stage kidney disease, is being held at the Mianyang Detention Centre in southwestern Sichuan province, his home region. He has yet to have a trial date set.

"He's been beaten in jail and abused, and the money his family sent has been withheld from him," Pu told AFP, citing Huang's account to his previous lawyer, whose legal license was reportedly cancelled earlier this year.

"Without medical treatment, my son will die in prison -- under false accusations -- very soon," Pu added.

The octagenarian mother is worried that her son will suffer the same fate as dissident Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, who died from liver cancer while under police custody in 2017.

- Dissident website -

Huang ran a website called "64 Tianwang", named after the bloody June 4, 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters.

The site, which has reported on local corruption, human rights violations, and other topics rarely seen in ordinary Chinese media, is blocked by the Great Firewall.

Last month, Pu travelled to Beijing to submit documents to China's Ministry of Public Security detailing her son's alleged abuse at the detention centre and requesting medical release.

But the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the highest legal supervision body in the country, refused to accept her paperwork, she said.

Pu's son Huang Qi was arrested for running a website that reported uncensored news

The ministry and the procuratorate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On Monday, 14 non-profit organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, called for Huang's immediate and unconditional release.

Pu, who is temporarily based in a relative's apartment in the capital, said she doesn't dare leave the house, fearing authorities might pick her up and place her under house arrest back in Sichuan.

"I'm already 85, I'm sick all over," Pu told AFP, tears welling up in her eyes. "I have high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. I have a lot of illnesses."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to see my son before I die in this enormous prison," she cried, referring to China.

Shortly after her son was bundled away by police in 2016, Pu said she was held for 19 days at a local hospital in Neijiang city in Sichuan province. Security guards kept her under watch 24/7.

Neijiang authorities told AFP they would not comment on the case over the phone.

- 'Mental pressure' -

It is not uncommon for police in China to place family members of activists under house arrest -- especially those who draw attention to their loved ones' plight.

In April, Li Wenzu, the wife of rights attorney Wang Quanzhang, was placed under house arrest after marching nearly 100-kilometres in a bid to shine light on her husband's disappearance after a 2015 police sweep on more than 200 attorneys and rights campaigners.

Liu Xia, the widow of Liu Xiaobo, suffered from years of de facto house arrest after her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 -- an award that infuriated Beijing.

Liu Xiaobo passed away last year, the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to die in custody since Nazi Germany and his wife was finally allowed to travel to Germany in July.

Chinese authorities want detainees to "worry about the suffering of their spouses and children and especially their elderly parents," explained Joshua Rosenzweig, East Asia research director at Amnesty International.

"They're hoping that mental pressure will lead even the most committed activist to cave in and confess to some ridiculous political charges," he told AFP.

Huang's work has repeatedly drawn the ire of Chinese authorities.

In 2009, he was sentenced to three years in prison after campaigning for parents of children killed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which left nearly 87,000 people dead or missing and authorities facing huge public anger over shoddy building construction.

Five years later Huang and at least three citizen journalists who contribute to 64 Tianwang were detained by police after the site reported on a woman who set herself on fire in Tiananmen Square.

The website was awarded a Reporters Without Borders prize in early November of 2016. A few weeks later, Huang was detained in his hometown of Chengdu, according to Amnesty International.Israeli security forces inspect the scene of an attempted stabbing of Israeli civilians near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on November 5, 2018

Israel's parliament will renew debate next week on a bill that would make it easier to sentence Palestinian attackers to death, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday while vowing to have it passed.

"After over three years of a stubborn struggle, the death penalty for terrorists law will finally be brought to the law committee next Wednesday (November 14), and then for its first reading in the Knesset plenum," Lieberman said on Twitter.

"We won't relent or stop until completing the mission."

The bill, which passed a preliminary vote by the full parliament in January, would ease the requirements military courts in the occupied West Bank must meet to sentence Palestinians convicted of "terrorist" crimes to death.

As the law stands now, a panel of three military judges must unanimously approve any death penalty in military courts.

The new bill, planned by members of Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party at his behest, would change the requirement to a majority instead of unanimity.

Israel has not carried out any executions since 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was hanged.

Israel abolished the use of capital punishment for murder in civil courts in 1954, though it can still in theory be applied for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, treason and crimes against the Jewish people.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for the death penalty in certain cases.

But a senior member of Netanyahu's party said Tuesday that he would object to the bill since the Israeli security establishment opposed it.

"I won't support imposing the death penalty before there's a serious debate and decision in the government and security cabinet," Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz wrote on Twitter.

"According to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), Shin Bet (internal security service) and all the security establishment not only would (the death penalty) not help the fight against terror, it would cause great damage," he said.

A law to sentence "terrorists" to death was one of Lieberman's election promises in 2015, and government support for it was a condition for Yisrael Beitenu joining Netanyahu's coalition.

Israeli elections are expected to be called in the coming months and politicians have been ramping up campaign rhetoric.

The Palestinian government on Tuesday said the bill was "a public invitation to commit murder, and execution, and carry out massacres against our Palestinian people."

"This is a clear breach of laws, international and humanitarian," a statement from the Palestinian government said.A file picture shows Yemeni pro-government forces firing a mortar round in the area of al-Fazah in Yemen's Hodeida province on June 15, 2018

Government troops and rebels clashed again Tuesday near a Yemeni port city crucial for humanitarian aid, where hundreds of thousands of civilians could be trapped as war closes in.

The United Nations' children's agency warned that that the fighting had placed the lives of dozens of children in danger at a hospital perilously close to the fighting.

Five days of battles between Iran-linked Huthi rebels and the army, allied with a regional military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, have left more than 150 combatants dead in the Red Sea province of Hodeida.

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition on Monday said the government alliance had no plans to launch a full offensive to retake Hodeida.

But multiple military officials on the ground reported their troops had encircled the rebel-held city.

The rebels have also confirmed fierce fighting in the area via their Al-Masirah television station.

Conflict in Yemen

The fighting comes as the United Nations pushes to restart negotiations between warring parties, after Geneva talks failed to materialise in September.

Hodeida is one of the last Huthi strongholds on Yemen's western coastline. The rebels seized the port, along with the capital, in 2014.

The rival Saudi-led camp, a powerful military alliance that includes the United Arab Emirates, has since retaken most of the country's ports.

- Children at 'imminent risk' -

The United Nations' children's fund -- which has called Yemen a "living hell" -- warned Tuesday that the fighting was now dangerously close to Al-Thawra hospital in the city's south.

The battle puts "59 children, including 25 in the intensive care unit, at imminent risk of death," UNICEF said in a statement.

UNICEF reported that medical staff and patients in the hospital, located between the fighting and port, had heard heavy bombing and gunfire.

"Access to and from the hospital, the only functioning one in the area, is now imperilled," it said.

"The toll in lives could be catastrophic if the port is damaged, destroyed or blocked," it added.

The port of Hodeida is crucial for aid delivery and food imports to Yemen, where famine looms over 14 million people and a child dies every 10 minutes, according to the UN.

Displaced Yemeni children from Hodeida province sit on water containers in a street in the southwestern Yemeni city of Taez, on September 30, 2018

Medics at hospitals in the Hodeida neighbourhood of Bajil reported they had received the bodies of 49 Huthi rebels on Tuesday morning.

Hospitals in government-held Mokha, south of Hodeida, said 15 soldiers had been killed.

Rights groups warn the worst could be yet to come in Hodeida.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Tuesday said: "As fighting intensifies in Hodeida, MSF is concerned for patients and staff at Al-Salakhana hospital and for thousands of residents who remain in the city.

"All parties to the conflict must ensure that civilians and facilities such as hospitals are protected in Yemen," the aid group tweeted.

Save the Children has reported almost 100 air strikes counted by its staff at the weekend -- five times as many as in the whole first week of October.

- Failing economy -

The poorest country in the Arab world, Yemen is now home to what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The World Health Organization says 10,000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led coalition intervened on the side of the government in 2015.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has been pushing for new talks between warring parties, after a round scheduled to be held in Geneva in September collapsed

Yemen's government on Tuesday approved new budget and tax collection measures aimed at bolstering the central bank.

The cabinet backed the formation of a committee tasked with setting the government budget for 2019, according to state news agency Saba.

It also passed a resolution pushing for the collection of owed taxes and customs "on all taxable imports at all land, sea and air ports in liberated areas", or areas under government control.

The Yemeni riyal has plunged more than 36 percent this year, despite a $2-billion deposit in the central bank by Saudi Arabia aimed at saving the currency.

The riyal's slide has triggered a sharp rise in the prices of commodities, especially food and fuel, leaving millions unable to afford basic staples.Cameroon's President Paul Biya has ruled the country for 35 years

Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh term after disputed elections and amid mounting unrest in an English-speaking region.

He pledged to uphold the "integrity (and) unity" of the West African nation in a ceremony overseen by parliament speaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril.

Biya, who has ruled the country for 35 years, was declared victor in the October 7 vote with 71 percent of the ballot.

But the elections were marked by low voter turnout, violence and allegations of fraud.

On the eve of Biya's inauguration, 79 students and three supervisors, including their headmaster, were abducted from a school in the Northwest Region, where anglophone separatists have launched an armed campaign for independence.

Cameroon's 22 million people are mainly French-speakers, but around a fifth are English-speaking.

In 2016, resentment at perceived discrimination in education, the judiciary and the economy fanned demands for autonomy in the Northwest and neighbouring Southwest Region.

In 2017, as Biya refused any concessions, radicals declared an independent state -- the "Republic of Ambazonia" -- and took up arms.

Attacks by the secessionists and a crackdown by the authorities have led to the death of at least 400 civilians this year as well as more than 175 members of the security forces, according to an NGO toll.

More than 300,000 people have fled the violence, many of them living hand-to-mouth in the forests, and some across the border into Nigeria.

In the October election, turnout was a meagre five percent in the Northwest and 15 percent in the Southwest -- but Biya won more than two-thirds of the vote in both regions.Supporters of Madagascar presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina celebrate as they go to a campaign rally in Tulear airport, on November 4, 2018. Former President Marc Ravalomanana and rival Andry Rajoelina are frontrunners in the November 7 ballot

Grand firework displays, giant screens and chartered helicopters -- leading contenders in Madagascar's elections on Wednesday have been battling to outdo each other with extravagant campaigning in stark contrast to the deep poverty of voters.

In the capital Antananarivo, former president Andry Rajoelina flies to his campaign headquarters, which is also his television station, in a helicopter.

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who is hoping to retain power, draws big music stars to his rallies where on Sunday a drone captured the mood and relayed live visuals.

Likewise, millionaire former president Marc Ravalomanana showed off in similar style during a rally at Mahamasina stadium in Antananarivo which featured a giant inflatable zeppelin displaying his portrait.

Former party organiser Rajoelina, exhibits a little more opulence at his rallies. He steps on stage doling out promises backed by videos clips on giant screens, topped off with blaring music and fireworks.

Electoral posters are seen at a bus stop in Antananarivo on November 6, 2018, on the eve of in the first round of the presidential elections

Avoiding atrociously bad roads that are characteristic of the country, the three frontrunners in Wednesday's election have criss-crossed the large Indian Ocean island in helicopters and flooded cities and villages with their campaign t-shirts and other paraphernalia.

The three have all ruled over the island nation, which has been progressively been getting poorer since independence from France in 1960, according to researchers.

Madagascar is now ranked among one of the world's poorest nations, but elections campaigns in the country are expensive and extravagant.

- World's most costly campaign? -

A European Union-sponsored study in 2016 found that Rajaonarimampianina blew $43 million (37.7 million euros) on his campaign for the 2013 election, translating to $21.50 per each vote he got, making it by far the most expensive campaign globally.

He spent nearly twice as much as US President Donald Trump on each voter who cast ballots for him, according to the study.

The budgets for this year's campaign have been "shocking", said the head of the EU observer team Cristian Preda.

Leasing a helicopter costs several thousand dollars a day, according to Transparency International in Madagascar (TIIM).

The trio, who are leading the pack of 36 candidates in the race, have been discreet with their campaign budgets.

Supporters of Madagascar presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina attend a campaign rally campaign rally on November 4, 2018. If none of the candidates gets more than 50 percent of the votes cast, a second round will be held on December 19

One of the candidates had the audacity to complain "that he was short of $100 million to win," said Preda.

Civic groups Rony and TIIM have jointly deplored "the indecency of deploying massive resources by some candidates in the face of poverty".

There is no limit to how much finance a candidate can spend on election campaigns in Madagascar.

"What is scandalous is that we do not know where the money comes from," said Transparency International's country boss Ketakandriana Rafitoson, in a country plagued with corruption.

Only six "small" of candidates out of the 36 have responded to a civil society survey on the source of their funding.

"It confirms our conviction about the opacity of the campaign," said Rafitoson.

- 'Poor because of politicians'-

Rajoelina has promised to open up about his political finances only after campaigning is over.

"I will obviously submit the documents on my campaign funding," he told AFP.

Ravalomanana says he didn't pay for helicopters, which belong to a "friend" in South Africa.

A driver of an oxen-pulled cart wears a t-shirt of the Madagascar presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina while ferrying tourists from the boat into the port in Tulear, on November 4, 2018

"I ran a campaign that is in standing with my image and is reasonable vis-a-vis the population," said Rajaonarimampianina.

In a poor neighbourhood of the capital, and with indignation, voter Jimmy Ramaherison complained saying "it's shocking that they spend so much, they do not even look at us".

"If we are the poorest country in the world, it's because of these people," said a frustrated Ny Rado Rafalimanana, a fringe candidate.

During one of his final rallies at the weekend in the southwestern city of Toliara where many residents rely on oil lamps for lighting, Rajoelina promises to build an Olympic-sized swimming pool as computer-generated images of a pool were flashed on a giant screen.

Fireworks lit up the sky in the country where only about 13 percent of its population has access to electricity.

"We are living in darkness right now, I am here to bring back the light," Andry Rajoelina told AFP.

Madagascar in 2017 had per capita GDP of $449, according to the World Bank.

With an extreme poverty rate of 76.2 percent, it relies mainly on international aid and has the sixth highest rate of malnutrition in the world.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.DR Congo goes to the polls on December 23 to choose a successor to President Joesph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001

Leaders of Democratic Republic of Congo's divided opposition will meet in Geneva on Thursday to choose a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, sources said on Tuesday.

"All opposition heads will gather in Switzerland to attend a meeting to designate a joint candidate," one of the challengers, Freddy Matungulu, told AFP.

"The public has high expectations. We as a group cannot make any claim on winning the presidential elections unless we act together," he said.

Peter Kazadi, deputy chief of staff to leading opposition figure Felix Tshisekedi, said Tshisekedi would take part, and the meeting would probably last three days.

The December 23 elections are critical for the future of the DRC, a sprawling, mineral-rich state that has never experienced a peaceful transition of power since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

Twenty-one candidates are standing in the presidential vote, which will be combined with a parliamentary election and elections to the provincial assemblies.

At stake is who will succeed President Joseph Kabila, 47, who has been in power since 2001.

His second and final elected term in office ended nearly two years ago, but he stayed in office thanks to a caretaker clause in the constitution.

Months of speculation over Kabila's intentions, marked by protests that were repressed at a cost of dozens of lives, ended in August when he threw his weight behind Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a hardline former interior minister and loyalist.

On October 25, opposition parties agreed during talks in Johannesburg to name a unity candidate by November 15.

One of the challenges facing them is to forge a joint stance on the use of electronic voting machines -- a technology that some critics condemn as an invitation to electoral fraud.Supporters of the DACA program, which protects undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as children, protest at the Capitol in March 2018

The Trump administration is seeking the conservative-leaning Supreme Court's endorsement to kill the "Dreamers" program, which protects about 1.8 million undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children.

Late Monday the Justice Department announced it was bypassing regional appellate benches and going straight to the high court to gain support for its effort to end the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The move came on the eve of midterm congressional elections in which Trump and Republicans portrayed illegal immigration as a threat to US security.

Solicitor General Noel Francisco said injunctions by three lower courts have prevented the administration from ending the program, which the Trump administration says has only encouraged people to try to enter the United States illegally.

Cancelling the program could result in the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of people who have grown up inside the United States after being brought into the country illegally as children years and sometimes decades ago.

Many of them now have families and jobs of their own and are well integrated into US society.

The government argues that the injunctions have prevented the Department of Homeland Security from moving ahead with Trump's September 2017 order to rescind the DACA policy.

The policy, put into place by former president Barack Obama, protected from deportation 700,000 "Dreamers" registered under the program and another 1.1 million who qualify but are not registered.

"The last administration started DACA without a mandate or even an authorization from Congress or the courts; this administration can therefore end DACA at any time," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement.

Earlier this year the Republican-led Congress failed to pass immigration reform proposals which could have resolved the legal status of those qualified for DACA, possibly offering a clear path to citizenship.

The lower court rulings left the 700,000 protected but prevented any more from registering for the program.

In the meantime Trump has been able to add another conservative justice to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, who was approved in early October.

That leaves the conservatives with a solid five-to-four majority in the high court, elevating the chance the Trump administration could win support for its stance on DACA.Fake medicines cause about 100,000 deaths a year in Africa, the World Health Organization says

A court in Benin on Tuesday sentenced an opposition MP to more than six years behind bars and fined him 4.5 million euros ($5.1 million) in connection with a scandal involving fake drugs.

The sentence came as Benin cracks down on the trafficking of expired and counterfeit drugs in West Africa -- a business that has deeply alarmed health watchdogs.

At a hearing in the country's commercial capital Cotonou, the court handed Atao Hinnouho a prison term of 76 months for trying to prevent a search of his home and for customs fraud linked to the import of banned merchandise.

He was also ordered to pay 3.0 billion CFA francs in fines, damages and interest payments.

But he was acquitted of another charge of attacking an officer in uniform.

After arriving at the court in a wheelchair, Hinnouho -- whose parliamentary immunity was lifted in July -- listened to the verdict in silence, his head bowed. Friends, supporters and family members quickly left after the verdict was read out.

Aboubakar Baparape, one of his lawyers, denounced it as "a political trial" and vowed to appeal.

Hinnouho, who has been in jail since May, was one of the key players working with New Cesamax, a laboratory based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Following a raid on his home in December 2017, police seized several hundred boxes of medicines after which Hinnouho went on the run only to be caught several months later.

Two of his aides were arrested and sentenced in March to between six months and four years in prison over the sale of false and illegal drugs.

- 100,000 deaths per year -

Last year, Benin launched a crackdown on expired and counterfeit drugs after growing alarm over the scale of such trafficking in West Africa.

Fake medicines are drugs that are bogus or below regulatory standards but often are outwardly indistinguishable from the genuine product.

Taking them may do nothing to tackle an illness or -- in the case of antibiotics -- worsen the problem of microbial resistance.

According to the World Health Organization, fake medicines are responsible for more than 100,000 deaths per year in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN health body estimates that one out of 10 medicines in the world is fake, but the figure can be as high as seven out of 10 in certain countries, especially in Africa.

In August 2017, Interpol said it seized 420 tonnes of counterfeit medicine in a massive operation involving 1,000 police, customs and health officials in seven countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates

Election officials began counting ballots in Madagascar after Wednesday's vote for a new president in which three former heads of state ran as the Indian Ocean island seeks to defuse a political crisis.

Attempts by the most recent president Hery Rajaonarimampianina to change the island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo.

The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising an election in this impoverished nation with a history of coups and unrest.

Nearly 10 million voters were eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who also included two ex-prime ministers, several pastors and a rock star.

To win, a candidate must get 50 percent of the votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19. Only about 44.5 percent of voters turned out, according to the electoral commission.

Provisional results, expected by November 20, must be confirmed by the High Constitutional Court by November 28.

Security forces were on alert across the capital which has seen months of sometimes violent protests ahead of the vote

"I want a president who gets me out of poverty," said Eline Faraniaina, a retired 60-year-old, as she cast her ballot at a vocational college.

Two of the candidates, both former presidents, said Wednesday they were confident of victory.

"I am optimistic and positive, I do not think there will be a second round," dairy tycoon Marc Ravalomanana said at his political headquarters, where dozens of supporters gathered.

For his part, former nightclub promoter Andry Rajoelina spoke to hundreds of supporters gathered at the studio of his TV chain Viva, saying he was satisfied the early results "express the desire for change."

- Torches for power cuts -

Ravalomanana ruled from 2002 to 2009, followed by Rajoelina who was in power until 2013, and then Rajaonarimampianina until earlier this year.

The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters.

Madagascar still suffers from widespread poverty despite its natural riches

The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana.

Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's term was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers.

If re-elected, he has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development.

"Frankly it's difficult to live like that. There are days when I can't feed my children," said Tantely Randriandrina, a washerwoman who earns less than $1 a day.

- Grinding poverty -

A man wears a t-shirt of Andry Rajoelina, who was running again for president after serving as head of state between 2009 and 2013

The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP.

"The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life.

"It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them."

Rajaonarimampianina called it "a big day... a victory for democracy" after casting his ballot.

Ravalomanana has a tense relationship with Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising.

Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty.

The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana

The main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have crisscrossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future.

"They should revive the country. Madagascar suffers malnutrition and is ravaged by cyclones," said retiree Lili Rahaingo, 68, as she queued to vote in the capital.

Although two people died in bloody protests in April, campaigning has been peaceful and the vote passed off without incident, the interior ministry said.

- Buying votes with tiles, t-shirts -

Some candidates have been accused of vote-buying, with the local head of Transparency International Ketakandriana Rafitoson saying she was "disgusted" by the offer of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to secure votes.

Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and had unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Both Ravalomanana and Rajoelina were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013.Madagascar's last three presidents are all seeking to return to power: (left to right) Marc Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina and Hery Rajaonarimampianina

Thirty-six candidates will do battle to win the presidency in Wednesday's polls.

The three frontrunners are former presidents and here are their profiles:

- Ravalomanana: milkman-turned-millionaire -

Marc Ravalomanana, 68, was ejected from power in 2009 and is looking to get his revenge at the ballot box.

A former milkman born to a peasant family, he went on to form an agro empire after creating Tiko yoghurt.

The newly wealthy self-made man became the mayor of Antananarivo in 1999.

Two years later he took power from outgoing president Didier Ratsiraka following violent street protests.

He was reelected in 2006 in the first round of voting and secured the cancellation of Madagascar's debt.

Self-made businessman Marc Ravalomanana served as mayor of Antananarivo before rising to the presidency

While his supporters lauded his indefatigable energy, critics accused him of acting like a dictator and criticism mounted from the end of 2008.

On February 7, 2009, his presidential guard opened fire on supporters of then Antananarivo mayor, Andry Rajoelina, as they marched on the presidential palace.

Ravalomanana was forced to hand power to the army who subsequently passed the presidential reins to his rival Rajoelina.

He then went into exile, not returning to the Indian Ocean island nation until the election of Hery Rajaonarimampianina in 2014.

Asked how he would react to a Rajoelina win, Ravalomanana told AFP: "I would accept the results, within limits".

- Rajoelina: return of 'the disc jockey'? -

Andry Rajoelina, 44, is the pollsters' favourite and has attracted impressive numbers to his rallies, which have featured performance artists and fireworks.

His policies have attracted ridicule from his rivals, such as a proposal to fit zebu cows with trackers to battle rustling, and a scheme to convert Tamatave port into a "Malagasy Miami".

Rajoelina burst onto the political scene in 2007.

Andry Rajoelina assumed the presidency after his predecessor Ravalomanana was forced to step down in 2009

He was previously known for promoting parties in the capital, earning him the nickname "the disc jockey", but caused an upset when he won the city's mayoral race.

Helped by his own Viva broadcasting channel and strong communications skills, he quickly established himself as the leading voice of opposition to then-president Ravalomanana.

His supporters openly defied the regime with the tacit support of the military, who helped oust Ravalomanana in 2009.

Rajoelina defended his elevation to the presidential palace on the wave of a coup d'etat.

"It was a popular uprising," he told AFP.

The handsome then thirty-something struggled to lead the country out of crisis as its unelected leader.

His rivals also accused him of turning a blind eye to the pillage of the country's natural resources.

His failings won him the nickname "crayfish" -- a crustacean that walks backwards.

Under international pressure, Rajoelina did not contest the 2013 election and backed his victorious former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

The two men fell out shortly after and will face off at polls for the first time this year.

- Rajaonarimampianina: economist and poet -

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who turns 60 on Tuesday prides himself on his low-key demeanour and is perhaps the most understated of the leading contenders.

As president, the economist hoped to turn the page on years of turmoil.

But his term from 2014 to 2018 did not escape the instability that has rocked the country since independence.

Rajaonarimampianina survived parliamentary manoeuvres to oust him as well as a mass protest movement earlier this year that claimed the lives of two people.

Hery Rajaonarimampianina served as finance minister before assuming the presidency in 2014

Before winning the top job, he served as Rajoelina's finance minister, overhauling the country's finances and integrating aid and private spending into the fiscal mix.

He also restored stability to the local currency.

But critics, especially in Rajoelina's camp, accuse him of having closed his eyes to the trafficking of endangered rosewood and precious stones.

He was a virtual unknown in 2013 but benefited from the election bans imposed on Ravalomanana and Rajoelina.

In line with the constitution, he resigned on September 7 to contest this year's polls.

He has promised the profoundly poor nation "a new phase in its development" if elected.

tm-pa-bed-gw/jj/jeUS forces and members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) patrol the Kurdish-held town of Al-Darbasiyah in northeastern Syria bordering Turkey

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his threats to crush Syria's Kurds, this time in northeastern areas of the war-torn country where US forces are present.

Turkish shelling has hit positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as Ankara warns of a new offensive to clear the militia from its border.

The United States has scrambled to contain the tensions, as it seeks to retain the YPG as a key partner in its battle against a resilient Islamic State group.

- How serious are threats? -

Since 2016, Turkey has carried out two operations against Kurdish forces in Syria, the last of which saw Ankara-backed Syrian rebels seize the northwestern enclave of Afrin in March.

Erdogan has since repeatedly threatened to march east into more Kurdish-held territory, but analysts say the timing adds weight to the latest warnings.

Syrian Kurds demonstrate in Qamishli against Turkish shelling of Kurdish militia posts in northern Syria

Turkey brokered a deal with Russia in September to stave off a regime attack on the northwestern rebel bastion of Idlib, thus freeing it up to set its sights on Kurdish-held territory further east.

On the world stage, Ankara is feeling emboldened and seeks to score diplomatic points as Saudi Arabia, a rival regional heavyweight, grapples with global outrage over the murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

And Turkey has seen its relationship with NATO ally Washington improve after it freed American pastor Andrew Brunson from detention last month.

With shelling east of the Euphrates River, analysts say Erdogan is testing the waters, specifically to see how the United States will react.

"He is trying to see how far he can go with military action in the areas east of the Euphrates before the US responds negatively," said Nicholas Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security.

- What can US do? -

Turkey views the YPG as "terrorists", but for the United States they are a key ally in its fight against IS jihadists.

In response to Turkish shelling, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said it had temporarily halted its offensive against jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor

The YPG has spearheaded a Kurdish-Arab alliance, backed by the US-led coalition, that has pushed back the extremists from Syria's northeast.

But the battle is not yet over, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance is still fighting the jihadists in the country's far east near the Iraqi border.

In response to Turkish shelling, the Kurdish-led SDF last Wednesday said it had temporarily halted its offensive against the jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

"The United States is stuck in the middle of all of this, wanting only to push the anti-IS offensive to a conclusion on schedule," said Aaron Lund of The Century Foundation.

"For the Syrian Democratic Forces, this must seem like a rare source of real leverage over the superpower," Lund said.

The day after the SDF announced it was suspending fighting, Turkish and US troops began joint patrols on the outskirts of the flashpoint city of Manbij.

They had been laid out as part of a "roadmap" reached by the NATO allies in June to avoid a clash, and under which YPG forces were to withdraw from the city.

On Friday last week, US forces started patrols in Kurdish-held areas along the Turkish border, sparking criticism from Ankara.

- Will fight against IS suffer? -

Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said Washington was in a bind.

US soldiers provide security during a visit by a US delegation to the northern Syrian city of Manbij in March, 2018

"If the US give in to Turkey, they will no longer be able to count on the Kurds" to fight IS, he said.

The SDF has yet to announce a resumption of the military operation it launched in September to expel IS from its last holdout on the Iraqi border.

Kurdish affairs expert Mutlu Civiroglu said the pause in fighting sent "a clear message to the international coalition".

The SDF is saying, "We're partners, and when I am facing threats like this you have to stop it," he said.

Many fighters on the Deir Ezzor front hail from Kurdish-held towns on the Turkish border, Civiroglu said.

"Their homes, their families are under attack," he said. For them, "it's hard to focus on the fight -- already a very tough fight."

Analysts say Turkey's threats are only one of many hurdles to defeating the jihadists, who launched a deadly counter-attack during sandstorms late last month.

Current tensions could draw out the battle against IS in far eastern towns, including Hajin, but are unlikely to reshape the battlefield.

"IS is militarily defeated even though it's putting up a fight in Hajin," said Aaron Stein, a resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

"The US will get it done, eventually."Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo issued a public apology for rapes committed by troops as they crushed a pro-democracy uprising in 1980

South Korea's defence ministry on Wednesday broke decades of silence to apologise for martial law troops raping women including teenagers when they crushed a pro-democracy uprising in 1980.

Defence minister Jeong Kyeong-doo issued a public apology for the inflicting of "unspeakable, deep scars and pain" on "innocent women" who were raped and subjected to "sex torture" by soldiers cracking down on protests against a military coup by general Chun Doo-hwan.

Demonstrators in the southern city of Gwangju and passers-by were beaten to death, tortured, bayonetted and disembowelled or riddled with bullets.

Conservatives in the South continue to condemn the uprising as a Communist-inspired rebellion.

According to official figures, more than 200 people were left dead or missing, while activists say the toll may have been three times as much.

Chun's troops were believed to have also carried out widespread sexual assaults against women but the issue has long been swept under the carpet as traumatised victims remained reluctant to come forward.

The mood changed following the election of liberal current President Moon Jae-in, who made uncovering the truth about Gwangju a campaign issue, and when one of the victims was emboldened by South Korea's growing #MeToo movement.

Protestor Kim Sun-ok told a television interviewer in May that she had been raped by an interrogator in 1980, prompting authorities to launch an investigation that confirmed 17 cases.

"The investigation has confirmed rapes, sexual assaults and sex tortures were committed by martial law troops," the defence minister said in a statement.

Victims included teenagers and young women, including "young students and a pregnant woman who were not even taking part in the protests", he told a press conference.

"On behalf of the government and military, I bow deeply and offer my words of apology for the unspeakable, deep scars and pain inflicted on innocent victims," Jeong said.

But Kim rejected the apology.

"I didn't listen to it because of my traumatic experience," she told AFP. "But unless those responsible are brought to justice and duly punished, a million apologies would be meaningless."The kidnappings on Monday were the first such mass abductions seen in Cameroon and coincide with an upsurge of political tensions in the majority French-speaking country

Ninety children kidnapped from a school in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon were freed days later in a military operation, the defence ministry said Wednesday.

Armed separatist militants on Monday stormed a school in Bamenda, capital of the Northwest Region, seizing 79 schoolboys and three adults, prompting urgent calls for their release.

When the group was freed on Wednesday, it turned out there were another 11 pupils with them, who had been abducted from the same school five days earlier.

The Presbyterian Church which runs the school said the 11 had been taken on October 31 but the news was kept secret to enable negotiations with the kidnappers.

It was the first mass kidnapping to hit Cameroon and one of the gravest incidents in 13 months of pro-independence violence.

The students and three adults were freed in a military operation which began "in the early hours of the morning" on Wednesday, Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo said in a statement.

"When they have been checked by the (military's) psychological unit and have undergone a thorough medical check, the freed pupils will be soon sent back to their families," he added.

A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday showed 11 boys aged about 15 identifying their school and saying they were abducted by the "Amba Boys" -- a name for anglophone separatists.

A source close to the establishment said Wednesday these were the 11 who had been snatched on October 31.

- 'No ransom demand' -

A map of Cameroon showing the troubled English-speaking regions

The attack targeted pupils and staff at the Presbyterian Secondary School in the Northwest Region -- one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities.

The chain of events leading up to their release was not immediately clear, nor was the identity of the kidnappers.

Communications Minister Issa Bakary Tchiroma said "all 79 students" had "been released", while the Presbyterian Church separately announced news about the other 11.

It said the school would remain closed "until further notice".

On Tuesday, Reverend Foki Samuel Forba, a leading member of the church, said he had been negotiating with the kidnappers, who were not demanding a ransom but the closure of the school.

The kidnappings took place a day before Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office, and coincided with an upsurge of tension in the majority French-speaking country.

Such mass kidnappings were previously unknown in Cameroon, although they are notorious in neighbouring Nigeria where Islamist Boko Haram militants snatched more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014.

So far, 107 have been found or released but the jihadists abducted scores more from neighbouring Yobe state in February this year.

- Schools in the firing line -

The students' release comes a day after Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office

Cameroon's Biya on Tuesday promised to address "frustrations and aspirations" in English-speaking regions in his first public acknowledgement of resentments in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

In 2016, anger at perceived discrimination in education, the judiciary and the economy fanned demands for autonomy there.

But Biya refused any concessions and a year later, radicals declared an independent state -- the "Republic of Ambazonia" -- taking up arms soon after.

Separatists have since attacked police and troops and have targeted other state symbols, prompting a severe official crackdown.

They have also boycotted and torched schools on grounds that the French system discriminates against anglophone pupils.

As the school year resumed in September, several secondary schools were attacked, a headmaster was killed and a teacher was badly wounded.

In the month since Biya won reelection, the security situation in the anglophone areas has deteriorated rapidly, with dozens of opposition supporters arrested, journalists detained, and an American missionary shot dead in his car.

At least 400 civilians and more than 175 police and soldiers have been killed in the year to September, NGO figures show, with the violence forcing more than 300,000 people out of their homes.Yemeni pro-government forces advance towards the rebel-held port city of Hodeida on November 6, 2018

Yemeni pro-government forces said Wednesday they had advanced closer to the rebel-held port city of Hodeida after fierce battles that have killed nearly 200 fighters in the past week.

The clashes come as the United Nations pushes to restart negotiations between the warring parties, after planned talks in Geneva collapsed in September before they even began.

In the past 24 hours, 27 Iran-backed Huthi rebels and 12 pro-government fighters have been killed on the outskirts of Hodeida city, a medical source told AFP on Wednesday.

A pro-government military source said that loyalists backed by a Saudi-led coalition made "limited advances" towards the city and its Red Sea port, through which more than 70 percent of the impoverished country's imports pass.

The coalition is supporting the Yemeni troops on the ground with fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters, he told AFP.

Rights groups have voiced fears for civilians after fighting intensified in the region.

Yemeni pro-government forces advance towards the rebel-held port city of Hodeida on November 6, 2018

Save the Children reported almost 100 air strikes -- five times as many as in the whole first week of October -- at the weekend.

Hodeida, one of the last Huthi strongholds on Yemen's western coast, was seized by the rebels along with the capital Sanaa in 2014.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened on the side of the government the following year.

Hodeida port is crucial for aid delivery and food imports to Yemen, where famine looms over 14 million people and a child dies every 10 minutes from easily preventable diseases, according to the UN.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of using Hodeida port to smuggle missiles to the Huthis, a charge Tehran denies.

The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war since 2015, although rights groups say the toll could be five times higher.Gabonese President Ali Bongo, seen casting his vote in Libreville last month in legislative and municipal elections

Political speculation and concerns for the economy have gone into overdrive in Gabon as questions grow over the fate of President Ali Bongo who was hospitalised in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.

According to a non-Gabonese source close to Bongo, the president "suffered a stroke."

"It's no longer life-threatening, and he is no longer under artificial respiration," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Bongo was still in Riyadh.

An AFP journalist who went to Riyadh's King Faisal Hospital where Bongo was admitted, was on Wednesday told that all information on the president's health was subject to either a "royal order" or authorisation from the Gabonese embassy.

Bongo, 59, fell ill on October 24 during a visit to Riyadh to attend an economic forum.

His spokesman Ike Ngouoni said doctors there had diagnosed him with "severe fatigue" and ordered bed rest.

Since then, there has been no official news, and details that are circulating are either sketchy or unverified.

This vacuum -- along with memories of the secrecy-shrouded demise of Bongo's father, Omar Bongo, who died in office in 2009 after decades at the helm -- has set the rumour mill churning at full tilt.

Gabon's President Ali Bongo is currently understood to be staying at the King Faisal Hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh

"We don't have enough information," said Ange-Gael Makaya Makaya, a university student who said people were "speculating too much" on social media which he said wasn't an accurate indicator of the public mood.

Mamadou Tsoumou, a 65-year-old engineer and former governor of Estuaire province, was equally cautious about over-reacting.

- Doubts and uncertainty -

A Gabonese journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "only a very limited circle of people, including the president's wife, Sylvia Bongo, has access to the facts."

And a diplomat told AFP that the government's official communications strategy, of saying nothing, had only "fuelled doubt".

That uncertainty, in a country where the president has wide-ranging executive powers and wields extensive personal influence, is starting to weigh on the business sector.

"A Gabonese business leader told me he was planning to put the brake on a number of projects in which he had invested," said economist Mays Mouissi.

Bongo served as foreign and defence minister during his father's rule, and was elected head of state in August 2009 after his death.

He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.

Despite the official silence, Bongo is still officially expected in Paris for this Sunday's November 11 centennial commemorations of the World War I armistice, a French diplomat said.

- A history of secrecy -

In May 2009, there was a news blackout over the death of Gabon's Omar Bongo, with the government only announcing the president's passing on June 8

Memories are still fresh of the news blackout surrounding the final weeks of Omar Bongo, who served a president for 42 years.

In May 2009, the government said Bongo had taken time off to mourn the death of his wife and had gone to Spain to rest.

At the same time, the international media was reporting that Bongo was stricken with cancer and had been rushed to Barcelona for treatment.

The government persistently denied the reports until, on June 8, it announced that Bongo had died of a heart attack -- a day after it had been reported by a French news weekly.

The Gabonese constitution sets down clear procedures if the president is incapable of continuing in office.

The government, Senate or National Assembly must ask the Constitutional Court to confirm a presidential vacancy.

Once this is done, the speaker of the Senate is declared interim president, pending the holding of elections, which must be held within 45 days.

- 'Plane crash' -

"Nobody really knows what's happening," said a source close to the Bongo clan.

"It's like being on a plane just before it crashes," said a member of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG).

A Gabonese political analyst said the centre of power was divided between two groups.

"On one side, there's the 'hardline group,' which has several generals and advisers clustered around Frederic Bongo, the president's brother and head of the intelligence service," he said.

Hovering in the wings is opposition leader Jean Ping, who lost the violence-hit 2016 elections to Bongo by a few thousand votes.

On Saturday, Ping -- who insists he is the country's truly elected president -- broke a months-long silence to make a "speech to the nation" from his home in Libreville.

He called on citizens to "transcend their divisions and place the nation above our individual ethnic or clan interests."On the day after his Republicans lost the House of Representatives -- while tightening their grip on the Senate -- Donald Trump focused his main message on unity

An upbeat President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised a post-elections era of "love" in Washington, saying he can work with opposition Democrats in a newly divided Congress, yet warning the gloves could come back off at any time.

In a first indication of how he confident he feels after Tuesday's legislative polls, Trump fired his attorney general, immediately raising questions over the integrity of a bombshell probe into whether Russia colluded with his 2016 presidential election campaign.

But on the day after his Republicans lost the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years -- while tightening their grip on the Senate -- Trump focused his main message on unity.

"The election is over, everybody is in love," he told a freewheeling press conference at the White House.

Trump cast the result as a victory, especially for himself, saying that his personal interventions in the midterm campaign had saved numerous Republicans from defeat, while those who "didn't want the embrace" failed.

At the same time, he was eager to project a softer image after having been widely accused of going too far with attacks on "evil" political opponents and a never materializing "invasion" of illegal immigrants.

Democratic House minority leader Nancy Pelosi celebrates the party's takeover of the House of Representatives

Trump said he "would love to have a very even, modest, boring tone."

And he predicted that the Republicans' loss of the House to the Democrats would actually encourage cooperation in Washington, rather than herald complete gridlock.

"I would love to see unity, peace, love, and any other word you want to use," he said. "Obviously I think that we had to... wait until the midterms were over. Now they are."

"It really could be a beautiful bipartisan type of situation."

- Peace offer with threat -

Trump's peace overture to the same Democrats he has spent the last weeks vilifying came after the likely new speaker in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, also reached out.

Democrats seized control of the House of Representatives while Republicans held on to the Senate in US midterm elections

"A Democratic Congress will work for solutions that bring us together, because we have all had enough of division," said Pelosi.

Adding to the good vibes was Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who painted the upper house as "a pretty collegial place."

"Even though we had big differences over things like taxes and judges, there were plenty of other things we did together and no reason that would stop simply because the House now becomes Democratic," he said.

Trump cited health care and infrastructure as areas where the two parties could work together.

But if the president held an olive branch in one hand, he had a club in the other.

Talk is growing that one of the Democrats' first moves on taking control of the House at the start of 2019 will be to try to force access to Trump's tax returns, which he has controversially refused to make public.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions was fired by President Donald Trump on Wednesday

The powerful committees in the House could also bore down into murky allegations of collusion between Trump's 2016 election campaign and Russia -- a matter already subject to a huge independent investigation.

The sensitivity surrounding that scandal was highlighted yet again Wednesday when Trump fired Sessions.

And Trump made clear that if Democrats try their own inquiries, then peace and love will wither.

"They can play that game," he said. "All you are going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth.

"I think that I am better at that game then they are actually," he said.

- Angry -

Donald Trump'post-midterm press conference featured him in several angry exchanges with reporters, including CNN's White House correspondent Jim Acosta

As if any reminder was needed that Trump is generally more combative than cuddly, the press conference featured him in several angry exchanges with reporters.

According to Trump, "very hostile media coverage" is a constant problem and he lost his temper when CNN's White House correspondent Jim Acosta asked if he had been "demonizing" immigrants in his midterm campaign rallies and also whether he was concerned by the Russia probe.

"You are a rude, terrible person," he told Acosta in front of the world's media.

"You shouldn't be working for CNN," he said. "When you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people."

Where Trump clearly was happier was in his increasingly bullish view of his reelection chances in 2020.

Republicans backed by the White House defeated Democratic senators in several states won by Trump in 2016 -- Florida, Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. Trump sees his influence on the Republicans' performance Tuesday as a sign that his brand is rock solid.

Democrats gained seven governorships but fell short in a high-profile race in Florida, which -- as Trump noted on Wednesday -- is expected to play a key role in 2020.

"We saw the candidates that I supported achieving tremendous success last night," Trump said.

burs-sms/ecFormer US President Barack Obama (C) and Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (L) pose for a photo during a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections

Former US president Barack Obama spoke of his pride Wednesday over Democratic gains made in the midterm congressional elections -- but warned the battle for much-needed reforms had only just begun.

Democrats won the House of Representatives on Tuesday but Republicans increased their majority in the Senate in an election which revealed a country still sharply divided along party lines.

"Our work goes on. The change we need won't come from one election alone -- but it is a start. Last night, voters across the country started it," Obama said in a statement.

"I'm hopeful that going forward, we'll begin a return to the values we expect in our public life -- honesty, decency, compromise, and standing up for one another as Americans, not separated by our differences, but bound together by one common creed."

Obama said attention would inevitably be focused on the Democrat's taking control of the lower chamber of Congress from President Donald Trump's Republican Party.

But he urged supporters to reflect on how that victory was secured -- "by competing in places we haven't been competitive in a long time, and by electing record numbers of women and young veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, a surge of minority candidates, and a host of outstanding young leaders."

"The more Americans who vote, the more our elected leaders look like America," he said.Authorities in Bangladesh worry many refugees may risk travelling to South-East Asia by boat, a route once popular among Rohingya seeking economic opportunities outside the grim and crowded camps

Bangladesh's coast guard rescued 33 Rohingya and detained six alleged human traffickers from a fishing trawler headed for Malaysia in the Bay of Bengal, an official said Wednesday.

The rescued included 14 men, 10 women and nine children who had been living in refugee camps in the southeastern Bangladesh district of Cox's Bazar, according to Fayezul Islam Mondol, coast guard commander in the southeastern coastal town of Teknaf.

"We have captured six traffickers as well. All of them are Bangladeshis," he told AFP.

Some 720,000 refugees of the persecuted Myanmar minority have taken shelter in Bangladesh camps since August last year.

They fled what the UN has described as ethnic cleansing in Buddhist-majority Myanmar's western Rakhine state, and have joined some 300,000 refugees already living in camps in Cox's Bazar.

People smugglers in recent years have sent tens of thousands of Rohingya from the Bangladesh camps to Malaysia, before Bangladesh launched a crackdown in 2015 after Thai authorities discovered mass graves and boats overcrowded with thousands of migrants drifted at sea.

Mondol said the Rohingya rescued Wednesday had boarded a dilapidated fishing trawler on an uncertain "sea voyage to Malaysia".

The boat was intercepted Wednesday evening by a coast guard boat near Saint Martin's Island, the last territory of Bangladesh, situated only a few kilometres (miles) away from Myanmar's Anauk Myinhlut coastline.

One of the arrested traffickers, Abdus Shukur, 55, told AFP that the fishing trawler had been due to transfer the Rohingya to a bigger Malaysia-bound ship moored neared the island in the Bay of Bengal.

"We were forced by an influential local to take these (Rohingya) people on the fishing boat. We were instructed to board them on an awaiting ship near Saint Martin's," Shukur said.

Authorities in Bangladesh worry many refugees may once again risk travelling to South-East Asia by boat, a route previously popular among Rohingya seeking economic opportunities outside the grim and crowded camps.

Most voyages take place between November and March when seas are most calm.

A local government official said with the approach of winter, traffickers were now trying to lure Rohingya again to the dangerous boat journeys.

"The sea is getting calm and there are high demand among the refugees to travel to Malaysia," Teknaf mayor Abdullah Monir said.

"The traffickers are therefore taking the opportunity to float their boats again," he said.

On Tuesday, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained 14 Rohingya on Teknaf coast who had allegedly been cheated by human traffickers.

Local BGB spokesman Major Shariful Islam said they paid nearly $120 each to a fellow refugee in Kutupalong, the largest Rohingya refugee settlement, to be sent to Malaysia.

"But the man sent them to a brief boat journey and later dropped them off Teknaf coast after three days," Islam said.Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a point of having gender parity in his caucus

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Americans on Wednesday for electing a "historic number of women" in midterm elections.

Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against US President Donald Trump, women voters and candidates were poised to play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power.

A record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- were candidates for the US Congress.

The Center for American Women and Politics projected 96 women won House races, beating the previous record of 85 representatives. But there will be one less woman in the Senate, from 23 to 22, according to projections.

"I want to start by congratulating all the candidates who stepped forward in the US midterms and highlight the historic number of women who were elected in yesterday's elections," Trudeau said.

"That's obviously good news."

Among the elected women were Sharice Davids in Kansas and Deb Haaland in New Mexico, who became the first Native American women elected to the US Congress.

In the Midwest, onetime Somali refugee Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, shared the historic distinction of becoming the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.

And in New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at 29 years old.

The new Congress, whose term begins in January, will be tasked with ratifying a new continental trade pact with Canada and Mexico after a deal was announced on October 1.

Trudeau when he took office in 2015 had made a point of having gender parity in his caucus, telling a reporter who asked why it was important for him: "Because it's 2015!"US President Donald Trump says he hopes to meet next year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but is no rush

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he hoped to meet again early next year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but insisted he was in "no rush" after top-level preparatory talks were abruptly postponed.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been set to meet a top North Korean official on Thursday in New York to prepare a second summit and work on a potentially landmark deal on ending the totalitarian state's nuclear program.

But North Korea has stepped up its demands for an easing of US sanctions and the State Department, without offering a reason, said late Tuesday that Pompeo's meeting was off.

Trump, in a free-wheeling news conference after midterm elections, said he was willing eventually to ease the pressure on North Korea.

"I would love to take the sanctions off, but they have to be responsive, too," Trump said.

Trump played down the delay in Pompeo's meeting with Kim Yong Chol, a right-hand man of North Korea's leader, and said it was a scheduling issue.

"We will make it another day. But we are very happy how it is going with North Korea," Trump said.

"But I will say this, I will say this very simply -- We are in no rush, the sanctions are on," he said.

North Korea has demanded that the United States end its tough economic sanctions now that it is negotiating with Trump over its nuclear program.

State-run media, in a statement last week, warned that North Korea was "seriously" considering a return to a guiding policy of building nuclear weapons and said that sanctions were "incompatible" with improving relations with Washington.

But the Trump administration says that sanctions must remain as pressure until a final accord, rejecting an incremental approach favored by ally South Korea as well as calls to end sanctions by China and Russia.

- 'Nobody else' but Trump -

Trump met in June in Singapore with Kim in the first-ever summit between the two countries that never formally ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

Trump has cast his diplomacy with the elusive thirtysomething leader as evidence of his masterful deal-making. Just a year ago, he was threatening "fire and fury" against North Korea.

At the news conference, Trump pointed out that North Korea has not tested further missiles amid the talks.

"We made more progress in that four or five months (since the summit) than they have made in 70 years," he said, referring to previous US leaders.

"And nobody else could have done what I have done," he said.

His insistence on being in "no rush" -- which he repeated five times in different formulations -- may be a response to criticism that North Korea has not moved quickly enough since the summit.

Many North Korea watchers doubt that the regime will ever truly give up nuclear weapons, to which three generations of the Kim dynasty have generously devoted the country's scarce resources.

North Korea -- considered by human rights groups to be one of the most oppressive regimes in the world -- has for years sought formal US recognition as a way to guarantee the regime's survival.

Former president Barack Obama, who generally welcomed chances to improve relations with US adversaries, was skeptical of North Korea and pursued a policy of "strategic patience" -- effectively deciding to wait indefinitely so long as the regime does not budge.Romain Franck appears in court the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on March 19, 2018, to face charges of smuggling guns from Gaza

A Frenchman formerly employed by his country's Jerusalem consulate and accused by Israel of smuggling guns between the Palestinian territories will argue he was "tricked", his lawyer said Wednesday.

Romain Franck, who worked as a driver for the consulate, is standing trial for exploiting reduced security checks for diplomats to transport 70 pistols and two automatic rifles from the Gaza Strip to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Shin Bet internal security agency said Franck, who was arrested in February, was motivated by money in the five instances he smuggled guns for a network involving several Palestinians.

Speaking after a hearing at the district court in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, Franck's lawyer Kenneth Mann stressed that his client's actions were not those of an ideologue seeking to empower Palestinian militants in their battle with Israel.

Mann said his client had been "tricked" by his alleged Palestinian accomplices.

"He was scared, he is young and inexperienced," Mann told reporters.

"He has no ideological or political involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

The Shin Bet said Franck had been paid a total of around $5,500 for his efforts.

Israeli officials have stressed he acted on his own without the consulate's knowledge, adding that diplomatic relations with France were not affected.

The Wednesday hearing was limited to procedural discussions. Franck attended but said nothing.At least 120 women will serve in Congress, a record 98 in the House of Representatives and 22 in the Senate, including the youngest congressional women in history Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (pictured) of New York and Abby Finkenauer of Iowa

The US election has swept a record number of women into Congress, fired up by disgust of Donald Trump, emboldened by the #MeToo movement and making the Democratic Party more diverse and younger than ever.

The class of 2019 includes the youngest congressional women in history, 29-year-olds Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Abby Finkenauer from Iowa, as well as the first two Native American women, and the first two Muslim women, Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib and Somali-American Ilhan Omar.

With results still trickling in, at least 120 women will serve in Congress, a record 98 in the House of Representatives and 22 in the Senate, says the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

The previous House record was 85. The wins bump up female representation in the lower house to at least 23 percent, still dismal in the world rankings.

More women in office wil likely blaze a trail for others to follow in the future -- particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds -- but currently they still only make up less than a quarter of Congress

"The more Americans who vote, the more our elected leaders look like America," said former president Barack Obama, praising the record number of women, a surge in minority lawmakers and record voter turnout.

The vast majority of newly elected women are Democrats. They include veterans, a former CIA operative, a teacher who grew up the daughter of a drug addict, a one-time bartender and dozens of first-time candidates.

Many jumped into politics, outraged that Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, often considered the most qualified presidential candidate in history, while boasting of grope and accused of sexual misconduct.

Many were appalled by what they consider Trump administration abuses -- attempts to roll back health care, restrict abortion rights, separate migrant families at the border and threaten environmental protections.

- 'Injustices' -

"Until this heartless administration is held accountable for their numerous injustices, we will not stop," tweeted Donna Shalala, a former Clinton cabinet minister who defeated a Republican woman in a Florida congressional seat by championing public education, health care and social security.

Distinctive is the success of women of color. Connecticut and Massachusetts each elected their first African American women into Congress.

Distinctive is the success of women of color, with Connecticut and Massachusetts electing their first African American women into Congress, the first two Latinas elected from Texas, and Muslim Somali refugee Ilhan Omar elected from Minnesota

Another two Democrats made history as the first Latinas elected to Congress from Texas, a deeply red state. Omar, elected from Minnesota, emigrated to the United States as a child after fleeing war-torn Somalia.

These are totally new voices "that have never been at the federal policy level and federal policy making table," says Kelly Dittmar, associate professor of political science at Rutgers University and a scholar at CAWP.

Women of color "see the benefits of being in office as outweighing the potential costs and challenges," she told AFP.

"Particularly, they see the cost of not being at the table as greater than the cost of mounting the challenges."

Women were also elected governors in Iowa, Maine and South Dakota for the first time, as well as in the territory of Guam. Democrat women flipped Michigan and Kansas, defeating male Republican incumbents.

But what will more women in office mean?

- 'Temper expectations' -

It means that women are better represented. Research shows that women are more likely to raise policies related to women's health and family than men.

Michigan governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer attributed her success and that of other women to outworking their opponents and "staying focused on the dinner table issues that really matter to families"

Michigan governor elect Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday attributed her success and that of other women to outworking their opponents and "staying focused on the dinner table issues that really matter to families."

"Health care and clean drinking water in my state. Infrastructure. I know that resonated because it's the most obvious challenge we have as a state and we need a governor that will fix it," she told CNN.

Women are also harder working. A 2010 study by researchers from the universities of Stanford and Chicago found that female legislators brought back $49 million more for their districts per year than male counterparts.

More women in office will likely blaze a trial for others to follow in the future -- particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds.

While notable Republican successes include the first female senator elected from Tennessee and the first female governor of South Dakota, there are concerns that the overt Democrat disparity could fan the partisan divide.

And despite the gains, a 2015 Pew report ranked the United States a dismal 33rd among 49 "high-income" countries and 83rd among a larger group of 137 countries when it came to representation in national legislatures.

"We have to temper our expectations a little bit," cautioned Dittmar. "They will still be less than a quarter than of Congress," she added. "Male Republican leadership is still guiding the agenda."US President Donald Trump (L, pictured July 2018) and Russian President Vladimir Putin will both be in France for the centenary of World War I, but Trump says he has no plans to meet separately

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he had no plans to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Paris at the weekend, despite an earlier announcement from Moscow that the pair would talk there.

The two leaders will be in France on November 11 for events to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, which more than 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend.

"I believe that President Putin will be there, we do not have anything scheduled," Trump said at a White House news conference.

"I do not think that we have anything scheduled in Paris. And I am coming back very quickly."

Earlier in the day, however, Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said the pair had scheduled a brief conversation.

"It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," he told Russian news agencies.

Ushakov said the prospect of a full meeting between the presidents had prompted huge international media interest, leading to concern from the French organisers this could overshadow the commemorations.

The pair were set for a more detailed discussion during the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month, to be confirmed after Paris, Ushakov said.

Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow.

Last month Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch the INF pact.

Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger.

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton indicated during a trip to Moscow in October that the White House wanted a Paris meeting and Putin said he was interested.

A first bilateral summit between the two leaders took place in Helsinki in July.

After the meeting Trump came under strong domestic criticism for adopting a distinctly conciliatory tone despite his own security services' warning that Russia meddled in US elections.

On Wednesday Trump once again insisted the investigation into his campaign's possible collusion with Russia as a "hoax".

Earlier in the day the Kremlin said it saw little prospect for the normalisation of US-Russia ties, as Moscow braced for a new round of US sanctions.Britain's Prince Charles (C), Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son and heir, spoke in pidgin to assembled dignitaries during a visit to Lagos, Nigeria

Hes better known for speaking the Queens English but the Prince of Wales on Wednesday turned to pidgin as he visited Nigerias commercial capital.

"How you dey? (How are you?)" he asked assembled dignitaries, including former heads of state, presidential candidates, leading politicians, and stars from the world of fashion, music and the arts.

Queen Elizabeth IIs eldest son and heir, who turns 70 this month and winds up a tour of The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria on Thursday, said he was pleased to be back in "Lasgidi" (Lagos).

"I find it hard to believe that nearly 30 years have passed since I first came to this city," he added in a speech at the British Deputy High Commissioners residence.

"As they say, `God don butta my bread (God has blessed me)," he said, praising the city for its dynamism and energy.

Lagos -- home to more than 20 million people and driver of the economy of Africas most populous nation -- is a hub of innovation and industry.

Charles, whose Princes Trust has helped launch the careers of hundreds of thousands of young entrepreneurs, said both shared the same spirit of imagination and ingenuity.

"If life dey show you pepper, make pepper soup," he said, which roughly translates to "life is what you make it".COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - China and India are closely watching the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, which has been a battleground in their struggle for geopolitical supremacy in South Asia.

Chinese and Indian diplomats have been careful not to overtly take sides in the political turmoil, which has seen President Maithripala Sirisena oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, and suspend Parliament.

Wickremesinghe, meanwhile, has holed up at the prime minister's residence and insisted he is Sri Lanka's rightful leader.

The caution exercised by the Asian giants stands in contrast to calls from Western diplomats for Parliament to immediately be summoned for a floor vote on Rajapaksa's appointment and underscores the economic and military importance the countries place on the Indian Ocean island nation.

"They're hedging their bets," said Bharath Gopalaswamy, director of the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center. India and China "both have stakes in the global system and want to play a bigger role, so they have to signal they'll work with whomever."

For China, Sri Lanka is a critical link in its massive Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to use infrastructure projects to expand trade across a vast arc of 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and Europe. It has handed out billions of dollars in loans for Sri Lankan projects over the past decade.

In this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, photo, Sri Lankans spend their evening outside the Chinese funded sea reclamation project in Colombo, Sri Lanka. China and India are closely watching the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, the latest venue for their struggle for geopolitical supremacy in South Asia. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Located just 23 kilometers (14 miles) off its southeast coast, India sees Sri Lanka as a bulwark in its military defenses to ward off potential Chinese incursions and also sees the island as a key partner for regional trade. India has grown wary of China's economic influence over Sri Lanka and was troubled by a 2014 port visit from a Chinese submarine and warship.

Sri Lanka's ties to both nations date back thousands of years. It was a stop along China's old Silk Road trade routes, where merchants picked up pepper, cinnamon, ivory and pearl.

Sri Lanka traces much of its genealogy and culture to India, with folklore saying the island's majority Sinhalese are descendants of an Indian prince banished there 2,000 years ago.

The nation's minority Tamils, meanwhile, are in part the descendants of more than a million tea and rubber plantation workers brought to Sri Lanka from southern India by British colonial rulers in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Yet that hasn't always led to smooth relations. During Sri Lanka's decadeslong civil war, which pitted Tamil rebels against the government, India intervened in the 1980s by sending a peacekeeping force that quickly found itself engaged in battle with the rebels. They were asked to withdraw a few years later amid allegations of abuses against Tamils.

China filled the vacuum left by India, providing military assistance that helped the Rajapaksa-led government defeat the rebels in 2009. In 2012, China helped block a UN Human Rights Council resolution demanding that the Sri Lankan government investigate war crimes. It would later pass, but it prompted little action by Rajapaksa, who was in power from 2005 to 2015.

China is partly involved in the current crisis because of tensions over the billions of dollars of loans it has given to build a network of highways, the Hambantota seaport and airport in Rajapaksa's home district, and other projects. The most iconic of these has been the $1.5 billion port city being built on reclaimed land off Colombo's coast.

Sri Lanka's debt more than tripled during Rajapaksa's presidency, Sri Lankan Central Bank figures show.

New Delhi and other international critics have called the loans a debt trap.

Central bank figures , however, show that Sri Lanka's debt to India stood at 145 billion rupees (about $19.9 billion) in 2017 versus 135 billion rupees (about $18.5 billion) owed to China the same year.

Rajapaksa's defeat at the polls in 2015 was partly a reaction to all of that debt, said Gopalaswamy, the analyst.

Likewise, Wickremesinghe, prime minster from 2015, saw his popularity begin to wane last year after his government handed over operations of the Hambantota port to a Chinese company in a 99-year lease.

"From a democracy perspective, there's been huge public resentment because the quality of these projects is questionable, there's little parliamentary scrutiny and no one knows where this money ends up," Gopalaswamy said.

Responding to public outrage over the lease, China in July offered Sirisena a nearly $300 million grant that the president said could be used "for any project of my wish."

With so much at stake, the Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, was among the first to congratulate Rajapaksa after he was appointed prime minister on Oct. 27. But that day, Cheng also visited Temple Trees, the official prime minister's residence, where Wickremesinghe has been holed up since his ouster.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that Cheng's visits to rival prime ministers was simply part of China's policy of maintaining "friendly exchanges will all parties in Sri Lanka," repeating China's routine assertion that it doesn't interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

But after the surprise win of an opposition candidate in the Maldives who campaigned on a promise to reduce China's role in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation, Sri Lanka's strategic position has increased. If projects in the Maldives are canceled, Sri Lanka would be China's main Indian Ocean link between Asia and the Seychelles, off the coast of East Africa.

A spokesman for Sri Lanka's new government, Kehaliya Rambukwella, said Rajapaksa had spoken to Chinese officials about revising the terms of the Hambantota port lease.

New Delhi doesn't have many options for how to respond to the crisis, said G. Parthasarthy, a retired Indian diplomat and an expert on Sri Lanka affairs.

"We would like to see South Asia integrated much more closely with India, so we cannot be seen as taking sides," Parthasarthy said, adding that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe in separate visits to New Delhi last month.

The day after his ouster, Wickremesinghe met with Colombo-based diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Australia, the European Union and India, among others. Many issued statements calling for the country's constitution and democracy to be respected. Sirisena held his own meeting with foreign diplomats on Oct. 29.

Wickremesinghe said he hasn't received any official support from foreign powers, nor has he sought any.

"I agree with them that the constitution must be followed," he said.

Since the crisis began, constitutional scholars have argued over whether Sri Lankan law allowed the president to remove the prime minster and appoint someone new.

Sirisena on Sunday ordered Parliament to reconvene Nov. 14 for a confidence vote on Rajapaksa. China and India will be closely watching to see if the vote eases or exacerbates the crisis.

___

Associated Press writers Krishan Francis in Colombo and Christopher Bodeen in Beijing contributed to this report.

In this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, photo, a Chinese man walks along a street while speaking on his mobile phone in Colombo, Sri Lanka. China and India are closely watching the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, the latest venue for their struggle for geopolitical supremacy in South Asia. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

In this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, photo, Sri Lankan men walk along the shore near the Chinese funded sea reclamation project in Colombo, Sri Lanka. China and India are closely watching the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, the latest venue for their struggle for geopolitical supremacy in South Asia. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)MILWAUKEE (AP) - Relatives of a Girl Scout and her mother who were killed in a hit-and-run crash in Wisconsin that also claimed the lives of two other girls struggled Monday to come to terms with their sudden, heartbreaking loss, saying "we all expect them to come back."

Sara Jo Schneider, 32, and her 10-year-old daughter Haylee Hickle were among a group of adults and children who were picking up trash in the ditches of a rural highway when a pickup truck that veered off the road struck them Saturday morning, said police in Lake Hallie, a town about 95 miles (152 kilometers) east of Minneapolis. The truck driver later told authorities he was inhaling chemical vapors before the crash.

Schneider's mother, Judy Schneider said her daughter and granddaughter's deaths are "still not real for any of us," and her 6-year-old grandson, Jasper, can't grasp what happened.

"He doesn't understand," Schneider said. "He said, 'If the doctors work real hard, sometimes God lets them come back.'"

Lake Hallie police said the 21-year-old pickup driver, Colten Treu, and a passenger told investigators they had been huffing just before striking the Girl Scout troop. Authorities said Treu sped off after the collision, but surrendered hours later. He is being held in the Chippewa County Jail on $250,000 bond and faces 13 possible charges, including four counts of intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

Treu made his first court appearance Monday and has another hearing scheduled for Tuesday, when prosecutors are expected to formally charge him.

Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Schneider said her daughter, granddaughter and grandson moved in with her a couple of years ago and they expected the house in the Town of Lafayette to be their "forever home."

"It was a little piece of heaven," she said. Now, she said, "It's going to be hollow."

Nine-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, were also killed. Another 10-year-old girl who was struck was in stable condition at a hospital Monday.

The Girl Scouts out on the highway that day were all fourth-graders at Halmstad and Southview elementary schools in the Chippewa Falls School District. The children and their adult chaperones wore bright green safety vests as they walked along both sides of County Highway P, which they had adopted as a community service project.

Hundreds of community members huddled under umbrellas in the rain Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil outside Halmstad Elementary. Girl Scouts sang songs in memory of the victims, who were members of Troop 3055. A makeshift memorial of teddy bears, balloons and candles was set up on two wooden benches.

Schneider said her daughter's "favorite time with her kids was all in their jammies, curled up to watch a movie."

She said Haylee and her mom "were both exceptional artists" and Haylee dreamed of being an animator. She hated bugs, loved reading "Warrior Cats" books, and could sketch "a wonderful picture in 15 minutes or less," Schneider recalled.

Haylee also enjoyed painting and working on clay pottery with her mother. Haylee's father died when she was 3, Schneider said.

"Haylee would've never made it if she lost her mother," the grandmother said. "And Sara would've never been able to come back from losing Haylee."

___

Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this story.

___

The Latest developments: https://bit.ly/2ztjggZ

Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Girl Scouts sing as hundreds of community members turn out in the rain Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018, for a candlelight vigil at Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis., in remembrance of three fourth grade Girl Scouts and a parent who died Saturday, after being struck by a pickup truck while their troop was picking up trash along a rural highway. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Steve Kinderman/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP)

Teddy bears, flowers, and candles were placed on benches outside Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis. as a memorial to the three Girl Scouts who were struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three girls and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Girl Scout Jessica Lauterbach, 12, of Altoona, Wis., attends a candlelight vigil at Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018, in remembrance of three fourth grade Girl Scouts and a parent who died Saturday, after being struck by a pickup truck while their troop was picking up trash along a rural highway. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Steve Kinderman/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP)

This photo provided by the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin shows Colten Treu, who is accused of striking and killing three Girl Scouts and a parent and critically injuring a fourth girl who were picking up trash along a rural roadway near Chippewa Falls, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Treu was being held in the Chippewa County Jail on 13 possible charges, including four counts of intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. (Chippewa County (Wis.) Sheriff's Office via AP)

Tire tracks marked with spray paint lead to where a vehicle struck three Girl Scouts and an an adult chaperone on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Lake Hallie, Wis. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three girls and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

A relative of the adult victim struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday looks at the path he thought the truck took when it veered off Wisconsin County Hwy. P, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)ATLANTA (AP) - The bruising race for governor of Georgia has been roiled by unsupported, eleventh-hour allegations from Republican candidate Brian Kemp, who is also the state's chief election official, that Democrats sought to hack the voter registration system.

His Democratic opponent, Stacey Abrams, said he is making a baseless accusation to deflect attention from an apparently severe security flaw in the system Kemp is responsible for overseeing.

Here's a look at the dispute, how it unfolded and what's at stake.

THE ALLEGATION

Kemp asked the FBI on Sunday to investigate the Democratic Party, accusing it of trying to hack the system he controls as secretary of state. He offered no evidence in support of his request for a probe of the opposition.

The FBI declined to comment.

In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, photo, Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks during a rally at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown, Ga. The official office of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Sunday, Nov. 4, it is investigating the state Democratic Party in connection with what it said was an attempted hack of the state's online voter database that will be used at polling places in Tuesday's election. (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP)

Kemp leveled the allegation after an attorney for election-security advocates notified the FBI and Kemp's office on Saturday that a private citizen alerted him to what appeared to be a major flaw in the database used to check in voters at the polls.

Independent computer scientists told The Associated Press that the flaw would enable anyone with access to an individual voter's personal information to log on to Georgia's MyVoter registration portal and alter or delete any voter's record, potentially causing havoc.

THE DEMOCRATS' RESPONSE

Abrams on Monday called him a "bald-faced liar" who cooked up the allegation to deflect attention from his record of incompetence as secretary of state presiding over an antiquated, vulnerability-laced elections system.

"There was never a hack," she told a gathering at a Savannah union hall. "What was wrong is that he failed to do his job. He is abusing his power."

THE BACKGROUND

The finger-pointing is the latest turn in a campaign whose final weeks have been dominated by charges of voter suppression and countercharges of attempted voter fraud.

Polls suggest Kemp and Abrams are locked in a tight race in a contest that has taken on historic significance because Abrams could become the nation's first black female governor.

She has accused Kemp of using his post as secretary of state to make it harder for certain voters to cast ballots. Kemp has countered that he is following the law and that Abrams and advocacy groups are trying to help noncitizens and others cast ballots illegally.

Last month, a federal judge endorsed plaintiffs' arguments that Kemp has been derelict in his management of the state election system and that the setup is lacking in reliability.

The atmosphere has left partisans and good-government advocates alike worrying that the losing side will not accept Tuesday's results.

HOW THE LATEST ALLEGATION UNFOLDED

According to AP interviews and records released by the Georgia Democratic Party, a lawyer for election-security advocates, David Cross, notified both the FBI and Kemp's counsel Saturday that a citizen had alerted him to the flaw.

The citizen also separately informed the Georgia Democratic Party, whose voter protection director then sent an email to two Georgia Tech computer security experts, one of whom sits on a commission created by Kemp.

"If this report is accurate, it is a massive vulnerability," wrote the director, Sara Tindall Ghazal.

The online news outlet WhoWhatWhy obtained copies of some of the correspondence and published a story about the system flaw on Sunday - just as Kemp's office issued the first of two statements accusing Democrats of a "failed cyberattack."

That statement - bereft of specifics - remained prominent on his office's main web page late Monday afternoon.

THE FLAW

Four security experts independently confirmed to the AP that the voter registration site is highly vulnerable to hacking.

They said they could not duplicate the worst vulnerability identified by the "private citizen" because that would require illegal tampering. But they said the flaw would let any user logging onto the system to access and alter the records of anyone in the system.

The experts were also able to identify additional flaws. One would allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the voter registration site that could spy on visitors or steal or alter data. Another flaw: The site lacks "URL sanitizing," standard code for preventing infections from visitors.

"This is the easiest part of an assignment that we give to undergrad students in a security class. It's unbelievable how they didn't do this," University of Michigan computer scientist Matthew Bernhard told the AP.

Another computer expert who reviewed the vulnerability, Kris Constable of PrivaSecTech in Vancouver, Canada, said the system "clearly has never been audited by any computer security professional."

During a campaign stop Monday, Kemp acknowledged "a potential vulnerability that we found about" but insisted without offering details that the state's election systems are secure.

GEORGIA'S PAST PROBLEMS

The state is one of just five that continue to rely exclusively on aged electronic voting machines that computer scientists have long criticized as untrustworthy because they are easily hacked and don't leave a paper trail that can be audited in case of problems.

In 2015, Kemp's office inadvertently released the Social Security numbers and other identifying information of millions of Georgia voters. His office blamed a clerical error.

His office made headlines again last year after security experts disclosed a gaping security hole that wasn't fixed until six months after it was first reported to election authorities. Personal data was again exposed for Georgia voters - 6.7 million at the time - as were passwords used by county officials to access files.

Kemp's office blamed that breach on Kennesaw State University, which managed the system on Kemp's behalf.

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Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long and Jill Colvin in Washington;Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; and Ben Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report. Bajak reported from Boston.

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsWASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration was caught between allies at home and abroad and the reality of global economics as it reinstated sanctions Monday on Iran, forced to carve out exemptions for important allies and back off on measures that could have been even more punishing for Tehran.

The U.S. granted waivers to allow China and seven close U.S. partners and allies to continue importing Iranian crude and other petroleum products without penalty, bowing to concerns that a complete end to Iran's exports would cause a major spike in world oil prices and cause other economic disruptions. Trump conceded that reality on his way to a last-minute campaign event a day before critical midterm congressional elections.

"We have the toughest sanctions ever imposed but on oil we want to go a little bit slower because I don't want to drive the oil prices in the world," he told reporters. "I could get the Iran oil down to zero immediately, but it would cause a shock to the market."

The newly reinstated sanctions target Iran's energy, financial and shipping sectors and are aimed at forcing Iran to end ballistic missile program and end its support for armed movements throughout the Middle East.

The measures restore all the U.S. sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 accord that gave Iran billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, a deal that Obama administration critics had argued was too soft on the Islamic Republic.

In reinstating the measures, the Treasury Department imposed penalties on more than 700 Iranian and Iranian-linked individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels. Among those are 50 Iranian banks and subsidiaries, more than 200 people and ships, Iran's state-run airline Iran Air and more than 65 of its planes.

COMBO - This combination of two pictures shows U.S. President Donald Trump, left, on July 22, 2018, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Feb. 6, 2018. The Trump administration is announcing the reimposition of all U.S. sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. The Trump administration is announcing the reimposition of all U.S. sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. (AP Photo)

The sanctions freeze any assets that those targeted have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them. They will also affect non-Iranian companies that deal with sanctioned Iranian firms and officials.

Yet, while the administration seeks to cut off Iran's oil revenue, it is allowing Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey to continue purchasing Iranian oil as long as they work to reduce imports to zero.

"When I look at the list, it's obviously very large economies that still in many ways depend on Iran oil imports and at this time don't have any strong alternatives," said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.

"This is part of the Trump team's trying to balance its maximum pressure campaign against Iran versus its concerns over where the global prices of oil might go and how that could negatively impact everyone including America. I don't support this policy, but if you are going down this path, it's a way to lessen the risk of economic blowback in America."

Three of the eight waiver recipients - Greece, Italy and Turkey - are members of NATO. Japan and South Korea have mutual defense treaties with the U.S. and have a key part in the North Korea denuclearization initiative. India, the world's largest democracy, plays a critical role in the administration's "Indo-Pacific" strategy, which seeks to unite countries in the region into forming a bloc to counter China's growing assertiveness.

All of them lobbied heavily to be granted the six-month exemptions while promising to further reduce or end their imports and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the waivers were based on the specific circumstances of each and the need "to ensure a well-supplied oil market."

China is the single-largest importer of Iranian oil and forcing it to look elsewhere to fuel its dynamic economy would likely have rocked the market.

For some waiver recipients, domestic concerns were paramount.

South Korea, for example, is reliant on oil imports to drive its economy. It had been consultation with the Trump administration since the U.S. pullout from the Iran nuclear deal in May. Seoul says it will reduce oil imports from Iran by a "significant" amount but the waiver will allow it to maintain a stable supply of a light form of crude known as condensate.

Seeking to deflect criticism from some Iran hawks concerned that the sanctions don't go far enough, Pompeo stressed that U.S. pressure on countries to stop buying Iranian oil had already reduced its exports by more than a million barrels of crude per day costing the country $2.5 billion revenue.

Some leading Iran hawks appeared to agree with the administration's approach.

"We are encouraged that these waivers will only be temporary and one-time," said United Against a Nuclear Iran, a prominent group that was harshly critical of the nuclear deal and the sanctions relief it brought.

In addition to the oil exemptions, Pompeo said limited waivers had been issued to allow European and other firms to continue conversion work on three of Iran's nuclear facilities.

"Permitting these specific activities to continue is an interim measure that preserves oversight of Iran's civil nuclear program," the State Department said. "This oversight enhances our ability to constrain Iran's program and keep pressure on the regime while we pursue a new, stronger deal."

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Maria Danilova and Matthew Pennington contributed to this report.COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation.

The rally near Parliament came amid a constitutional crisis sparked by President Maithripala Sirisena's move to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with ex-leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and suspend Parliament.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate his official residence, insisting he is the lawful prime minister and that the president had no constitutional right to replace him. Thousands of his supporters have been keeping vigil.

Supporters of Rajapaksa at the rally chanted "Whose power is this? Mahinda's power!"

As patriotic songs blared over loudspeakers, thousands shuffled through heavy rain toward a makeshift stage. Police and Sri Lankan special forces with semi-automatic rifles stood guard.

Police estimated 120,000 people attended the rally. State television reported there were at least 200,000.

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, right, and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, center attend a rally held out side the parliamentary complex as police officer tries to control the crowd in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018.. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Pradeep Kariyawasam, the head of Rajapaksa's party in Colombo, said that although Wickremesinghe continues to maintain he is the country's legitimate leader, "the people are with us."

"Give people a chance to choose their government and not hide behind constitutional interpretations," he said.

Sirisena and Rajapaksa arrived at the rally amid loud cheers.

Sirisena told the crowd that the change he initiated was more than a personnel shift.

"I ousted a vision that is incompatible with our local culture and values, and that works according to foreign agendas," Sirisena said.

"For the past 3  years, poor people were suppressed by Ranil Wickremesinghe's economic and political vision. Local thoughts were rejected and an extreme neo-liberal form of governance was carried out."

He was referring to Wickremesinghe's free-market economic policies and public-private partnerships with companies from China and India to operate strategic centers such as ports and airports.

Rajapaksa supporters have accused Wickremesinghe of selling Sri Lanka's assets, citing a 99-year lease agreement his government struck with Hong Kong conglomerate China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. last year to operate a failing port developed with Chinese debt during Rajapaksa's decadelong presidency.

"Foreign countries are trying to take our resources, take our land," said Mithra Kumara Jayasinghe, a wedding photographer at the rally who said he had voted for Rajapaksa the two times he was elected president, in 2005 and 2010, and when he lost a re-election bid in 2015.

Critics of Sirisena's actions say Parliament was suspended to give Rajapaksa time to gather enough support to survive a no-confidence vote when lawmakers reconvene Nov. 14.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said on Monday that he won't recognize the new appointments until either side is able to prove it has a majority. It means that the speaker still recognizes a Wickremesinghe-led Parliament.

"I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they (the pro-Wickremesinghe lawmakers) and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament," he said.

The statement was fuel at Rajapaksa's five-hour rally. Lawmaker Susil Premjayantha told the crowd that electing a new speaker could be the first order of business when Parliament reopens, suggesting the party will bring a no-confidence motion against Jayasuriya.

Wickremesinghe said in an interview with The Associated Press last week that there is credible evidence that Rajapaksa's party is attempting to buy support in Parliament. Palitha Range Bandara, a United National Party lawmaker, has said that he was offered millions of dollars and a minister portfolio if he crossed over.

Lawmakers from Rajapaksa's party have denied the allegations.

Seven members of Wickremesinghe's United National Front have defected to Rajapaksa's government.

On Saturday, the Tamil National Alliance - an ethnic minority Tamil party - said it will support a no-confidence motion to be brought against Rajapaksa, after one lawmaker from their party joined Rajapaksa's government.

The Tamil party's 15 votes could give Wickremesinghe's camp a decisive edge over Rajapaksa.

Both Sirisena and Rajapaksa attempted to woo Tamil lawmakers in their speeches at the rally.

Speaking in the Tamil language, Rajapaksa promised to fulfill the Tamil people's needs.

"What I ask from all Tamil and (Tamil-speaking) Muslim people and their political parties is to help to build up our country. I trust you and you can always trust me," Rajapaksa said.

Ethnic minority Tamils in the country's north and east are still reeling from the effects of a 26-year civil war between Tamil Tiger separatists and government troops.

Rajapaksa is seen as a hero by the ethnic Sinhalese majority for winning the conflict.

Tens of thousands of civilians were reportedly killed in the final months of the war in 2009, when government troops brutally crushed the rebels. Thousands more are still missing.

Sirisena came into power in 2015 promising to address the issues affecting the Tamils and investigate allegations of war crimes against both sides of the conflict, but has done little in either area. He was also critical of investigations into military personnel accused of human rights violations during the civil war.

Among the crowd Monday was Basil Ros, 58, a fisherman from the village of Negombo.

Ros said a local lawmaker from Rajapaksa's United People's Freedom Alliance bused him and his wife in with many others, pledging to give them 1,000 rupees (about $5.80), food and alcohol.

He said he hadn't received any money yet.

"You can't trust politicians," he said. "They might pay; they might not."

After sacking Wickremesinghe, Sirisena announced that he made the replacement in part because Wickremesinghe and a Cabinet colleague were behind an alleged assassination plot against him.

Details of the alleged plot have not been disclosed and Wickremesinghe has repeatedly denied the accusation.

Tensions had been building between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe for some time, as the president did not approve of economic reforms introduced by the prime minister.

Sirisena said at the rally that he would not be discouraged by resistance in Parliament, civil society and the international community to his actions.

"Even if there are threats, pressure and forces, I will only move forward and will not take a step back," he said.

A Sri Lankan police officer tries to control supporters of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan police officers try to control supporters of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, right, and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wave to supporters during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, right, and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attend a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. The rally near Parliament comes amid a constitutional crisis sparked by President Maithripala Sirisena's move to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with ex-leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, and suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)NEW YORK (AP) - A judge launched a trial Monday in New York City over challenges to the federal government's decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census by urging lawyers to put as much as possible on the public record because of high interest in the issues.

U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman told lawyers to publicly file summaries of interviews lawyers conducted with key witnesses in the case.

"Public access to court documents is particularly important in this case given the public interest in it," Furman said just before testimony began.

The first witness - Duke University Professor D. Sunshine Hillygus - said there was considerable evidence that adding the question will depress participation by noncitizens.

Hillygus, who served six years on the scientific advisory committee for the census, said she has concluded plans by the U.S. government to take steps to prevent damage to the overall count by adding the question are unlikely to be adequate.

The decision, she said, "violates the spirit" of guidelines set up to protect the census and "undermines not only the accuracy and completeness of the census ... but the integrity."

The trial stems from lawsuits brought by a dozen states and big cities, among others. They say the citizenship question will discourage immigrant participation and dilute political representation and funds for states that tend to vote Democratic.

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood attended the trial Monday.

Furman, who is hearing the case without a jury, has harshly criticized the federal government's efforts to delay or stop the trial. He called them remarkable because government officials insist a speedy resolution of lawsuits is necessary so census preparations can proceed.

When he took the bench Monday, he acknowledged that the U.S. Supreme Court said Friday the trial can proceed over the objections of the Justice Department.

"It came down to the wire but here we are," Furman said.

The Justice Department insists Furman should decide the case based only on the administrative record rather than evidence gathered by the plaintiffs, which includes the deposition of Commerce Department officials and others.

Furman said he will allow evidence to be submitted during the trial before he decides whether it is appropriate to consider it when he issues his opinion.

In a recent opinion, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas essentially invited Justice Department lawyers to request to stop the trial.

When the high court ruled Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross did not have to submit to an immediate deposition, Gorsuch wrote a partial dissent. In it, Gorsuch - joined by Thomas - suggested that Furman delay the trial and await further Supreme Court guidance.

Furman struck back in a written decision giving the trial a green light: "It is the Government's conduct in this case, not the Court's review, that is 'highly unusual, to say the least,'" he said, highlighting a partial quote from Gorsuch.

Gorsuch had written the trial would probe the Commerce secretary's "mental processes."

"This is all highly unusual, to say the least," Gorsuch said.

Three days after Furman ruled, the Justice Department returned to the Supreme Court, seeking to block the trial.YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats in national, regional and state parliaments, according to complete preliminary results.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy took seven of the 13 seats made vacant by death or resignation. Initial results for 12 races showed it had won six seats, and the delayed result for the 13th race, for a lower house constitutency in western Chin State, gave it its seventh victory.

The results for Saturday's polls showed the NLD generally retaining support in the country's heartland, but yielding seats to parties representing ethnic minorities in the areas where they live, mostly in border regions.

The NLD won a landslide victory in the 2015 general election, when there was wide-ranging popular support to end decades of military rule. But minority groups have been disappointed that the government of NLD leader Suu Kyi has failed to meet their demands for greater autonomy and a halt to aggressive army activities in their territories.

While the results of the small number of races have a negligible effect on the political balance of power, the contests were being watched for trends ahead of the next general election in 2020.

The return of voters to ethnic minority parties representing their interests had already been seen in another set of by-elections last year. What this year's polls seemed to underline was the danger to the NLD of a weak voter turnout, which was probably behind the upset defeat of an NLD candidate for a Yangon regional parliament seat.

That contest was won by a representative of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the country's main political grouping after the NLD. The military-backed USDP won three seats in Saturday's polls.

Suu Kyi's appeal with the country's Buddhist majority has not suffered much from a crisis involving 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority who fled a brutal army counterinsurgency campaign in the country's west. However, economic development has been lagging and is a source of disappointment among her supporters.

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This story has been corrected to show that election day was Saturday instead of Sunday.From the Vatican's St. Peter's Square to the Great Synagogue of Sydney, armed guards provide earthly protection for worshippers as they seek out the divine. And still an unexpected noise can send a spasm of fear through a congregation.

There is a security checkpoint to reach the Western Wall, the holy site of prayer in Jerusalem's Old City. Shiite pilgrims in Iraq, whether on their way to Basra or performing rituals in Karbala, are surrounded by uniformed soldiers.

Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. But American worshippers are not immune to the risk of attack that has struck so often in many places.

Eleven people died in a Pittsburgh synagogue last month when an anti-Semitic gunman burst inside, raging against Jews. It ranked among the deadliest attacks on Jews in the United States, a country founded on religious tolerance and a spirit of welcome in houses of worship.

In Iraq, houses of worship have been favorite targets for the warring parties since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, unleashing a widespread violence and a sectarian war. Since then, Iraqis have welcomed the security blanketing mosques, churches and temples.

"I feel comfortable when I see security guards at the mosque gate and their presence brings tranquility while praying," said Fadhil al-Kinani, a 45-year old owner of a construction materials shop in Baghdad's eastern district of Sadr City, who performs the five daily prayer services in a nearby mosque.

In this April 16, 2017, photo Christian militiamen stand guard during Easter mass in Qaraqosh, outside Mosul, Iraq. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

"I agree that such places must be free of arms, but in the Iraqi context it is a must and I see no harm in their presence since they are stationed outside the mosques given the unpredictable security situation," said Al-Kinani, a father of four.

But it's not just the Iraqi context.

In Denmark, a Jewish security guard protecting the main synagogue was shot to death in 2015 after blocking an Islamic extremist gunman trying to get inside. Guards are routinely posted outside services and rituals for a variety of religions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, yet attackers still find ways to kill.

Shiite cleric Mir Hussain Nasiri bemoans the cost ever-more-intrusive security has had on congregations. For most worshippers the peace that they once found in their mosques has been replaced by fear.

"Even the sound of a tea cup dropping and breaking will frighten people. Immediately they think maybe it is an attack," he said.

There are metal detectors outside the Coptic Church that Dina Atef frequents, but she's dubious that they serve much of a purpose.

"We always get the feeling that anything is bound to happen which makes us think twice before heading there," she said. "It happens that I shudder at the simplest noise or loud sound when I am praying there,"

Back in the day, the House of the Lord had 212 guards - or so the Old Testament book of Chronicles says - "toward the east, west, north and south."

"You must feel safe to pray," said the Rev. Patrick Desbois, a French Holocaust researcher, priest and advocate for the Yazidi people in Iraq. "If you are praying and you have an eye on the back door, it is very difficult."

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Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad; Amir Shah in Kabul, Afghanistan; and Menna Zaki in Cairo contributed.

In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, photo two security guards, left, stand ready as Muslims prepare to pray inside the Moscow Cathedral Mosque in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr.)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo soldiers patrol at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

In this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, photo Pittsburgh Police officer Sarah Pratt gets a hug from before a Shabbat morning worship service led by Rabbi Chuck Diamond is held outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 photo, people go through a security check so they can enter the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's Old City. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo New York City police officers watch as rabbis gather for a group photo at the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in New York. More than 5,000 of the orthodox Jewish leaders are taking part in the annual meeting. The NYPD has increased patrols at houses of worship in light of the recent fatal shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo a New York City police officer stands next to his patrol car as he watches over crowds of rabbis gathering for a group photo at the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in New York. More than 5,000 of the orthodox Jewish leaders from around the world are taking part in the annual meeting. The NYPD has increased patrols at houses of worship in light of the recent fatal shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

In this Friday, Oct. 2, 2018, photo armed security guard Mario Diaz walks across the hallway as a group of Muslims pray at Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles. Diaz is one of two guards working at the mosque, one inside and the other one outside. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo an Italian policeman patrols in a faithful crowded St. Peter's Square during Pope Francis' Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo Italian Carabinieri, paramilitary policemen, patrol in St. Peter's Square as faithful line up to pass through security checks at the Vatican. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo Somali security forces patrol in front of the Isbaheysiga mosque, or Mosque of Islamic Solidarity, the largest in the capital Mogadishu, in Somalia. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo Afghan security guard the gate of the Karti Sakhi shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo a Pakistani security personnel stands guard at a church during Sunday services in Peshawar, Pakistan. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, photo a Pakistani police officer stands alert as people offer Friday prayers in Peshawar, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo, Pakistani police officers check worshippers visiting the famous shrine of Sufi Data Gunj Baksh in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo Pakistani police officers check worshippers visiting the famous shrine of Sufi Data Gunj Baksh in Lahore, Pakistan. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

In this Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, photo a Pakistani police officer stands alert as devotees visit the shrine of Bibi Pakistani Daman in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo police officers search Shiite Muslims who arriving to attend their religious congregation in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)

In this April 16, 2017, photo a Christian militiaman stands guard during Easter mass in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

In this Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, photo with attendance low because of ongoing security concerns, Iraqi Christians pray during Sunday Mass in the near empty Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, photo Iraqi Security forces guard the Shiite faithful pilgrims while performing their rituals in Karbala, Iraq. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

In this Oct. 30, 2018, photo Iraqi Security forces guard while the Shiite faithful pilgrims on their way to perform their rituals in Basra, Iraq. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, photo a security man, right, opens a heavy gate to let a man in for the evening service at The Great Synagogue in Sydney. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

In this Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, an Indian police officer talks on his mobile phone as he stands guard outside the 16th-century Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram in the southern Indian state of Kerala. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

In this Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, photo, an Indian paramilitary soldier guards inside a Hindu temple in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are routinely at risk of attack in many parts of the world. And so worshippers themselves often feel the need for visible, tangible protection even as they seek the divine. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, photo a police officer guards people offering prayers at Suneiri mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - A shark killed a man in an island harbor on Australia's Great Barrier Reef where two tourists were mauled on consecutive days in September in a spate of attacks that has left authorities struggling to explain an apparent escalation in danger in an internationally renowned vacation destination.

The 33-year-old victim, Daniel Christidis, was among 10 friends who set out from Airlie Beach on the Queensland state mainland on Monday morning on a rented yacht to sail themselves on a five-day cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, Police Inspector Steve O'Connell said.

They anchored 23 kilometers (14 miles) from Airlie Beach in Cid Harbor, intending to spend their first night in the popular, protected anchorage on Whitsunday Island, the uninhabited largest island in the group, he said.

Christidis, a urologist from the city of Melbourne, was taking turns with a woman standing on a paddle board or swimming in the harbor late Monday afternoon. He had dived into the water to give the woman her turn on the board when he was attacked, O'Connell said.

There were more than a dozen yachts in the harbor at the time. French-speaking tourists launched a dinghy from their yacht and rescued Chritidis, O'Connell said.

They brought Christidis to his own yacht, where most of the group had medical backgrounds, including two doctors.

In this Nov. 5, 2018, image made from video, a victim of a shark attack is wheeled on stretcher by paramedics after a rescue helicopter transporting him landed at Mackay Base Hospital helicopter platform in Mackay, Queensland state, Australia. A shark killed a man near an island harbor on Australia's Great Barrier Reef on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, officials said. (Channel 7/Channel 9 via AP)

"Despite their best efforts, the injuries were too severe," O'Connell told reporters.

Christidis was taken by helicopter to the Mackay Base Hospital, 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the south, where he died.

"CPR was ongoing for a very long time and every solid effort was made to save that man's life," O'Connell said, referring cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"They did everything imaginable to try to save the man. It's just - the injuries were so severe," he added.

Christidis' employer, Austin Health, said the doctor was a research fellow.

A 46-year-old tourist, Justine Barwick, was attacked on Sept. 19 while swimming from a yacht in Cid Harbor and is recovering. A 12-year-old tourist, Hannah Papps, was attacked in the same harbor while swimming from a yacht the next day, losing a leg.

The last shark attack in the Whitsunday Islands before the latest spate occurred on Feb. 13, 2010, off Dent Island where 60-year-old tourist Patricia Trumbull survived lacerations to her buttocks and major blood loss.

Tourism Whitsundays chief executive Peter O'Reilly said at the time that the Trumbull attack was the first in the islands in 13 years and only the third ever recorded.

Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, which represents more than 3,000 tourism businesses, said on Tuesday that authorities were examining why the unprecedented series of attacks had occurred and whether environmental changes were a factor.

"We need to now have the scientific background and investigation of what is causing this sudden spike of attacks and interactions with sharks. We simply do not know why this is occurring and what is responsible for it," Gschwind said.

The species of sharks involved in the attacks have not been identified.

Police and fisheries boats were patrolling Cid Harbor on Tuesday and advising tourists on yachts to keep out of the water, O'Connell said.

Authorities killed six sharks in the Cid Harbor area in a week following the September attacks in a bid to reduce their numbers in the popular tourist location. Critics argued that killing sharks was not the answer.

Gschwind called for a science-based response to the latest tragedy.

Australia had not experienced a fatal shark attack since April 17 last year and it has averaged fewer than two deadly shark attacks per year in recent decades.LAKE HALLIE, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a mother struck by a pickup truck along a rural Wisconsin highway (all times local):

4:55 p.m.

The grandmother of one of three Girl Scouts killed in a Wisconsin hit-and-run crash says the child dreamed of being an animator and shared a love of crafts with her mom, who also died in the accident.

Judy Schneider says the deaths of her daughter and granddaughter Saturday morning in Lake Hallie are "still not real for any of us."

Schneider's daughter, 32-year-old Sara Jo Schneider, and granddaughter, 10-year-old Haylee Hickle, were killed along with 9-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie. Schneider and her daughter lived in the town of Lafayette.

Police say 21-year-old Colten Treu (TROO) had been inhaling chemical vapors before crashing his truck into the group as they picked up trash along a rural Wisconsin highway in Lake Hallie. Prosecutors are considering vehicular homicide charges and he is being held on $250,000 bond.

Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

___

11:25 a.m.

A 21-year-old driver accused of killing three Girl Scouts and a mother in northwestern Wisconsin is being held on $250,000 bond while he faces charges of vehicular homicide.

Colten Treu (TROO) made his initial court appearance Monday morning in Chippewa County. Police say Treu had been inhaling chemical vapors before the crash around 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Lake Hallie.

Authorities identified the girls as 9-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, and 10-year-old Haylee Hickle, from the Town of Lafayette. Hickle's mother, 32-year-old mother, Sara Jo Schneider, was also killed.

The victims were picking up trash in the ditches of County Highway P when they were struck.

Prosecutors are considering 13 charges against Treu, including four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

___

8:50 a.m.

Police say the 21-year-old driver accused of striking and killing three Girl Scouts and a mother and injuring a fourth girl had been inhaling chemical vapors before the crash in northwestern Wisconsin.

Authorities are recommending 13 charges against Colten Treu, including four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Lake Hallie police say Treu and a passenger in his pickup truck told police they had been intentionally inhaling chemical vapors, or huffing, just before the crash around 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The fourth-graders from the Chippewa Falls School District were picking up trash along County Highway P as part of a community service project when they were struck.

The victims were among seven children and five adults who were working in the ditches along the roadway.

___

8:30 a.m.

Authorities have identified the three Girl Scouts and a parent killed after they were struck by a pickup truck along a rural Wisconsin highway.

Lake Hallie police say 9-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, were killed in the Saturday morning collision. Ten-year-old Haylee Hickle and her 32-year-old mother, Sara Jo Schneider, from the Town of Lafayette, were also killed. Authorities say another 10-year-old Girl Scout who was injured, but not identified, is hospitalized in stable condition.

The victims were picking up trash in the ditches of County Highway P when they were struck Saturday about 11:30 a.m. Police have arrested 21-year-old Colten Treu, of Chippewa Falls. He is jailed on 13 possible charges, including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

Treu is expected to appear at a bond hearing at 10 a.m. Monday.

___

7:30 a.m.

Authorities say a 21-year-old driver was intoxicated when he struck and killed three Girl Scouts and a parent and critically injured a fourth girl along a rural Wisconsin road.

Police say the fourth-graders and a mother were collecting trash in Lake Hallie Saturday morning when they were struck by the truck. The driver, Colten Treu, sped away, but later surrendered to authorities.

Chippewa County Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Jensen says Treu is being held on 13 possible charges, including four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

Jensen says Treu will have a bond hearing at 10 a.m. Monday. He says Treu does not yet have an attorney.

The girls were members of Troop 3055 in nearby Chippewa Falls.

___

11:16 p.m.

As a western Wisconsin community grieves the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were struck by a pickup truck, authorities still haven't released the names of the victims or a fourth girl who survived.

Police say they were hit over the weekend when the pickup veered off a rural highway in Lake Hallie as they collected trash along a rural highway and then sped away.

The girls were fourth-graders and members of Troop 3055 in nearby Chippewa Falls, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Minneapolis.

Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup says the pickup crossed a lane Saturday morning and veered into a roadside ditch, striking the victims.

The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, later surrendered. Sokup says he will be charged with four homicide counts.

This photo provided by the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin shows Colten Treu, who is accused of striking and killing three Girl Scouts and a parent and critically injuring a fourth girl who were picking up trash along a rural roadway near Chippewa Falls, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Treu was being held in the Chippewa County Jail on 13 possible charges, including four counts of intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. (Chippewa County (Wis.) Sheriff's Office via AP)

Teddy bears, flowers, and candles were placed on benches outside Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis. as a memorial to the three Girl Scouts who were struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three girls and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Girl Scouts sing as hundreds of community members turn out in the rain Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018, for a candlelight vigil at Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis., in remembrance of three fourth grade Girl Scouts and a parent who died Saturday, after being struck by a pickup truck while their troop was picking up trash along a rural highway. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Steve Kinderman/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP)

Girl Scout Jessica Lauterbach, 12, of Altoona, Wis., attends a candlelight vigil at Halmstad Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018, in remembrance of three fourth grade Girl Scouts and a parent who died Saturday, after being struck by a pickup truck while their troop was picking up trash along a rural highway. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Steve Kinderman/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP)

Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Tire tracks marked with spray paint lead to where a vehicle struck three Girl Scouts and an an adult chaperone on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Lake Hallie, Wis. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three girls and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

A relative of the adult victim struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday looks at the path he thought the truck took when it veered off Wisconsin County Hwy. P, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community is grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and an adult who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)UVALDE, Texas (AP) - A newlywed couple died when the helicopter they were flying in hours after their wedding crashed into a hill in the rugged terrain of southwest Texas.

William Troy Byler and Bailee Raye Ackerman Byler, both 24, were killed in the crash shortly after midnight Sunday about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of Uvalde and about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of San Antonio, said Steven Kennedy, justice of the peace for Uvalde County Precinct 1. The 76-year-old pilot, Gerald Douglas Lawrence, also was killed, according to Kennedy on Monday.

The newlyweds were seniors at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, according to The Houstonian , the university's student newspaper. They married Saturday night at a large Byler family ranch near Uvalde and left aboard a Byler family helicopter after the reception, Kennedy said.

The crash happened about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from where the helicopter took off. The flight was to carry the newlyweds to San Antonio International Airport, where they were to board a plane for their honeymoon destination. It's not clear where they planned to go for their honeymoon.

"It's very rocky, rough terrain and this particular hill has a 400- or 500-foot rise," Kennedy said.

Lawrence had been a pilot for the family for years and had flown helicopters in Vietnam during his combat service, Kennedy said. An autopsy has been ordered on the pilot to determine if a physical condition might have been a factor in the crash, he said.

The helicopter crashed about 5 to 10 minutes after takeoff, strewing wreckage across the rugged hillside about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the nearest road and leaving the main body of the aircraft "hanging perilously," Craig Hatch, an air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a news conference Monday.

Investigators plan to retrieve the wreckage before performing their close inspection, but "getting back there with a trailer and truck and with people to lift the helicopter is going to be difficult," Hatch said.

The cause of the crash hasn't been determined, but Hatch said a preliminary NTSB report will be issued in about two weeks.Successful by traditional measures, the board of the Singapore American School asked Superintendent Chip Kimball, to help make the school as good at life prep as it was at college prep. That launched an extraordinary six-year journey fired by more than 100 school visits and intense staff study.

Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Sparrow was Kimballs partner on the journey. She has deep roots in the community, did her student teaching at SAS and has led the academic program for a decade.

On a recent visit to the 4,000 student school, we saw 20 signs of progress in talent development, care and guidance, and high impact teaching.

Talent Development

1. Clear institutional commitments. Clear goals translate into role clarity. Positional expectations have been updated several times. They inform hiring, development and appraisal.

We pay attention to talent and teacher and mid-level leadership, said Kimball. People often go to the technical aspects of the work but attitude is just as important--the willingness to speak truth, take feedback, and learn from failure.

You cant innovate in a culture of fear, added Kimball.

2. Professional learning communities. For the last eight years, PLCs have been central to professional learning and improved practice at SAS. Theyve been supported by strengths-based training and facilitated leadership.

3. School visits. Over 100 faculty members visited over 100 schools on six continents. They took lessons back to SAS and discussed them in PLCs.

4. Teacher leadership. About 160 of the 400 faculty have leadership roles. If PLC is the fulcrum for classroom change than leadership was the fulcrum for school change, said Kimball.

5. Onsite doctoral program. In partnership with University of Southern California, 16 SAS faculty recently graduated with a doctorate in education. They received a scholarship for committing to a 3 years postdoc.

Care and Guidance

6. Elementary Social Emotional Learning. SAS adopted a responsive classroom model to promote social and emotional learning. Every adult has been trained on how to talk to children, explained Sparrow. We stress being safe, responsible, and kind.

SEL is part of a culture of excellence, possibilities, extraordinary care. Added Kimball. And in our school visits, we found few schools that are exceptional at all three.

7. Response To Intervention. RTI is used in K-12. Were getting better at answering PLC question 3 (what if students struggle) and question 4 (what if students already know), said Kimball. You cant have effective RIT without a PLC, added Kimball.

8. Pastoral care. To improve both functions, SAS separated college counseling and pastoral care. College applications are becoming more challenging, said Kimball, and we didnt want to impact the college admission process.

A new student life center (below) has improved social and emotional support and learning.

9. Advisory. A high school advisory period was added and the middle school home-base structure was updated. An advisor works with 8-12 learners with a focus on relationships and pastoral care.

Every good school we visited had a high functioning advisory system, said Kimball.

10. Mentoring. With more project-based learning at SAS, Kimball said the focus has shifted from the quality of the final product to the process of learning. That often includes seeking and accessing the help of mentors and serving as a peer mentor--skills that will serve them well in college and beyond. Mentoring is particularly important on the SAS campus where a quarter of the student body turns over annually.

In the upper division, self-directed Catalyst projects are a cultural, instructional and course-specific student0directed self-study project. For these projects, students are expected to secure and utilize a mentor in a relevant field.

High Impact Instructional Strategies

11. Reggio. Two years ago, the early learning program and space received a Reggio-inspired transformation and it has proven successful and popular. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is an approach to teaching, learning and advocacy for children.



With Quest, a project-based upper division microschool (see #17), it was a precursor of the change process modeling collaboration, cultural competence and creativity.

12. Language immersion. A primary Chinese language immersion program (below) has been successful and popular and is being extended one grade at a time.

13. Middle-grade projects. Twice a year for six weeks, middle school students have time each day to pursue a passion project during an expanded homeroom period. Teachers received training that included completing their own project. Parents receive frequent communication about the academic intent of the program.

14. Inquiry-based learning. Students are encouraged to pursue inquiry-based learning across the curriculum with a cycle of question, investigate, create, and reflect. Initially, the process begins with teacher-driven prompts (like readers and writers workshop), then moves to a shared inquiry, and finally personalized inquiry (with individual pacing and product with some teacher support).

15. Maker libraries. The middle school library features a well-stocked makerspace with tools old and new (check out this video ). The high school library is a favorite (air conditioned) hang out space (below) as well as a project lab and makerspace.

16. Catalyst Project. Every student is required to conduct a self-directed project of at least a semester in length during their junior or senior year with. They secure and work with a mentor in a relevant field and combine school and work-based learning aiming for specific goals and developing in key outcome areas (character, collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, and cultural competence, as well as self-awareness and application).

17. Quest. A project-based microschool (below) is open to juniors and seniors. Units of study focus on interdisciplinary collaborative ventures and often connect students with industries in areas including engineering, information technology, and marketing.

18. Advanced courses. SAS offers more than 40 advanced courses including Advanced Placement (AP) and internally developed Advanced Topic (AT) courses. The AT courses, developed by SAS faculty in conjunction with college faculty, are more in-depth than the AP courses they replace (AT Computational Physics v. AP physics) or fill gaps in the AP offerings (AT Kinesiology).

In a decision that some parents considered controversial, SAS capped the number of AP courses a student could take a seven. This was done to promote deeper learning and discourage the AP obsession that wasnt improving college entrance options.

The decision to augment AP with AT courses was taken after speaking with dozens of admissions officers at leading universities. Admissions officers told us our kids were capable but not interesting, said Kimball. The AT courses promote critical outcomes and make SAS students more distinctive. Many of the AT courses offer college credit from leading universities.

19. Competency. With a grant from a parent, SAS hired three curriculum specialists to work with elementary, middle, and high school teams to develop a competency-based curriculum. A well-developed competency framework has been drafted and will be introduced next year. Standards-based grading is already in place K-8.

20. Model Classrooms. In preparation for rebuilding and remodeling the entire SAS campus, model classroom pods called Pathfinder Spaces were developed to illustrate the future learning environment and to investigate specific options regarding groupings, dividing walls, furniture, lighting and air conditioning systems.

These flexible learning spaces are different than the open concept of the 1970s, said Kimball. The goals, strategies, practices, equipment, and materials are different--teachers are actualizing the four questions of PLC in real time, added Kimball.

The progress the SAS team has made over the last six years is remarkable. Add SAS to your list of schools worth visiting.

Key Takeaways

[:15] About todays episode with Tom, Chip Kimball, and Jennifer Sparrow.

[1:10] Tom welcomes Chip and Jennifer to the podcast.

[1:21] Toms and Chips background together, and why Chip decided to join SAS in 2012.

[2:50] Chips progress in shaping SASs education and facility.

[5:26] Jennifers background as an international educator, and what originally drew her to SAS.

[8:12] Tom highlights some of the remarkable progress at Singapore American School since he last visited (two years ago), such as the talent

agenda.

[11:18] Jennifers and Chips thoughts on fostering talent and the importance of their institutional commitments.

[14:18] About SASs professional learning communities (PLCs).

[15:20] Jennifer discusses how the school continues to support, encourage, and monitor their PLC practices.

[17:05] Chip describes some of the investments that theyve made to strengthen their PLC practices.

[20:44] Tom highlights another sign of remarkable progress at Singapore American School: care and guidance (such as adding more social-emotional programming). Jennifer and Chip speak about their work toward this and the progress theyve made.

[22:53] Two more signs of progress at Singapore American School: better response to intervention and PLC (What if kids dont get it? How do we intervene? And if they do get it, how do we accelerate their learning?)

[26:11] Why Chip decided to break the roles of college counseling and pastoral care into two separate areas.

[30:27] Jennifer and Chip discuss the next steps to the work that starts with responsive classrooms: advisory.

[32:29] A focal point of SAS: mentoring (both for students and from students).

[34:24] Jennifer and Chip talk high impact instructional strategies at SAS.

[37:40] What is try time for students in middle school?

[43:23] About SASs three tiers of inquiry-based learning.

[45:33] About SASs personalized inquiry catalyst graduation requirement.

[47:45] One of SASs most ambitious changes: becoming a leading AP factory and then scaling that back by strategically replacing AP courses with more advanced topic courses created by teachers and college faculty.

[52:10] Another academic area SAS is making huge progress in--competency-based learning.

[56:03] About SASs new learning spaces on campus.

[1:02:57] Tom congratulates Chip and Jennifer on the progress theyve made at SAS.

Mentioned in This Episode

Singapore American School Episode 162: Personalize Learning and Build Agency by Using the 4 PLC Questions Why Flexible Learning Environments Creating The Future of Learning: Singapore American School

The photos above were taken by Tom Vander Ark. Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update . This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures, please see our Partner page .TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - More than 5 million voters have already cast ballots in the battleground state of Florida as candidates for governor and U.S. Senate made their last pitches Monday, the day before the rest of the state chooses candidates.

In the governor's race, Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum spent the day in north Florida communities that tend to vote Republican - a departure from past elections when the Democratic nominees have focused on the party's strongholds in South Florida.

"We've been to red areas, we've been to blue areas, we've been to purple areas," Gillum told a packed church in Marianna. "Our message hasn't changed in any of those places."

His opponent, former Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, campaigned in Orlando with Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, urging a crowd of about 100 to get neighbors, co-workers and relatives to vote Tuesday.

"Let them know the future of Florida is at stake. We will be different if Andrew Gillum is elected and we will be different for the worse," DeSantis said. "Why would we want to shoot ourselves in the foot? It will be a self-inflicted wound."

His comment came three days after Gillum left the campaign trail to return to Tallahassee, where a gunman fatally shot two people, shot and wounded four others and pistol-whipped a seventh victim before killing himself.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, center, marches to the Caleb Center arm-locked with Al Sharpton, and local politicians and supporters, as part of the "Souls to the Polls" one of many events prior to the elections on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)

As of Monday morning, Democrats had a slight advantage in votes cast by mail or at early-voting sites before Election Day.

Democrats have cast 2.06 million ballots. Republicans have cast 2.04 million. More than 948,000 voters with no party affiliation have also voted.

This year's totals far exceed those of 2014 midterms, but are still short of the 6.6 million who voted ahead of the presidential election in 2016.

Florida's more than 13 million registered voters are also deciding a pivotal U.S. Senate contest between Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and Republican Gov. Rick Scott. It's Nelson's toughest challenge since being elected in 2000: Scott has pumped more than $60 million of his own money into his campaign.

Nelson repeated his campaign tradition of sign waving in Orlando, Melbourne and other central Florida locations on the day before the election, while Scott was using his private plane to make several stops around the state.

"We win with votes. Votes, votes, votes," Scott said in Hialeah in speech that lasted less than five minutes. "This is about our kids and our grandkids. What kind of future are we going to leave for them."

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, center right, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and his wife Ann Scott, center left, pause for a photo with attendees during a community BBQ event at Sheffield Park in Lynn Haven, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (Patti Blake/News Herald via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis takes a selfie with one of his supporters during a rally on the final day of early voting, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Boca Raton, Fla. (John McCall/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Tallahassee mayor and Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida, Andrew Gillum, center, takes a moment for pictures before marching to the Caleb Center arm-locked with Al Sharpton, and local politicians and supporters, as part of the "Souls to the Polls" one of many events prior to the election day on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)BRUSSELS (AP) - Eurozone finance ministers urged Italy on Monday to respond to European Commission demands for a new budget plan after the EU's executive wing rejected Rome's original spending package.

The commission supervises EU countries' budget plans and said it considered the blueprint for next year submitted by Italy's populist government to be out of line with rules and Rome's promises to lower public debt.

Portugal's Mario Centeno, who chaired the meeting of ministers from 19 nations sharing the euro currency, said he hoped Italy would take steps to bring the plan "in line with our fiscal rules."

At the end of the meeting, the finance ministers threw their weight behind the demand for Italy to change its plan.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said: "We share the evaluation of the European Commission. Above all, the European Commission is extending a hand to Italy and I would like Italy to grasp that hand."

Italy's debt load is the second highest in Europe, after Greece. Many are concerned about financial turmoil in Europe if Italy loses control of its finances, but the government says a sharp increase in spending is needed to jumpstart economic growth.

Italian Finance Minister Giovanni Tria, right, talks to European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici prior to a meeting of Eurogroup Finance Ministers at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Finance Ministers from the 19 nations using the euro currency gather in Brussels on Monday to debate draft budget plans amid tensions over whether Italy's planned spending package breaks promises to cut public debt. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Italy has Europe's fourth-largest economy and the bloc would struggle to bail it out.

EU Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici recalled that Italy has until Nov. 13 to submit a new budget plan. The European Commission will rule on that plan, as well as the others in Europe, on Nov. 21.

"When a member does not respect the rules it has an impact on the others," Moscovici said.

Asked whether some deal or compromise could be found between Brussels and Rome, Moscovici said: "No. We're not in a negotiation. We're not in a discussion. The rules are the rules."

He recalled that the cost of servicing Italian public debt is already equal to the country's entire spending on education - 65 billion euros ($74 billion) a year, or about 1,000 euros per citizen.

The budget dispute leaves many uneasy. EU countries have agreed to allow the commission to supervise their budget plans and take legal steps against those who refuse. But countries still determine their spending priorities and Italy's government appears determined to go its own way.

Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra backed the budget supervision process but he would not speculate about what Italy might do or what response might be needed if it refuses to submit a new plan.

"This is a dialogue between the Commission and Italy. The Commission has rejected the Italian budget. It is now up to Italy to respond," he told reporters.

Italian Finance Minister Giovanni Tria, right, talks to French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire during a meeting of Eurogroup Finance Ministers at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Finance Ministers from the 19 nations using the euro currency gather in Brussels on Monday to debate draft budget plans amid tensions over whether Italy's planned spending package breaks promises to cut public debt. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Parts of the southeastern United States are at risk for severe weather including tornadoes early on Election Day, but officials said people should still be able to vote even if storms cause power outages.

The first of the bad weather began hitting Louisiana Monday evening.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office posted on its Twitter feed that multiple tornadoes touched down in the parish. It did not give information about damage or injuries. But NOAA's Storm Prediction Center reported at least two homes were damaged in the parish due to a possible tornado and high winds.

A storm system moving out of eastern Arkansas late Monday ahead of a cold front will spread across the region during the overnight hours into Tuesday, the Storm Prediction Center said.

The weather service said powerful tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rains are possible overnight in an area that includes eastern Arkansas, northeastern Louisiana, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama and western Tennessee as far north as the Kentucky line.

There was a slight risk of severe weather over a wider area, and more than 23 million people total live in areas with at least a marginal risk of severe weather, forecasters said. Storms could reach from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.

In Mississippi, the secretary of state's office said voting machines have back-up batteries. If the batteries fail, local election officials are ready to move emergency paper ballots, as already happens during occasional machine failures, said Leah Rupp Smith, a spokeswoman for the office.

Brandee Patrick, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office, described a similar system there.

"It takes quite some time for the batteries in the machines to go out," Patrick said. "But if all else fails, there will be paper ballots if the machines have no power."

The Alabama secretary of state's office is working with emergency management officials and the governor's office and has a plan for Election Day, said spokesman John Bennett, who refused to release details "to avoid misinforming members of the public." Several school systems in north Alabama delayed opening on Tuesday as a precaution to allow time for the system to pass.

The threat of severe weather follows storms that were blamed for two deaths in the Gulf Coast area last week. More than 100,000 homes and businesses were left without power by that system, which included at least a dozen tornadoes.

___

AP writers Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Rebecca Santana in New Orleans contributed to this report.BALTIMORE (AP) - A Maryland judge has denied a request to reduce a five-year prison sentence for a former Episcopal bishop who was drunk and texting when she struck and killed a bicyclist with her vehicle.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory rejected Heather Cook's request at a Monday hearing. She had been seeking a reduction by having two of her four sentences changed so they would run concurrently instead of consecutively.

The 62-year-old Cook has served about three years for the 2014 collision that killed Thomas Palermo.

Prosecutors and Palermo's relatives have opposed Cook's bid for early release.

Cook was the second-highest-ranking Episcopal leader in Maryland when the crash occurred.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Baltimore Police Department shows former Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook. A Maryland judge is set to decide whether to reduce a prison sentence for the former Episcopal bishop who was drunk and texting when she struck and killed a bicyclist with her vehicle. The Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory is scheduled to preside over a hearing Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, for Cook's request for a reduction in her five-year sentence. The 62-year-old Cook has served approximately three years of her sentence for the 2014 collision that killed Thomas Palermo. (Baltimore Police Department via AP, File)NEW YORK (AP) - The latest on the federal trial of a lawsuit brought by states and cities opposing a Commerce Department decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census (all times local):

7:20 p.m.

A New York judge hearing legal challenges to a decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census has told lawyers to put as much as possible on the public record because of high interest.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman told lawyers Monday as a trial began to publicly file summaries of interviews lawyers conducted with witnesses.

He says public access to court documents is important because of interest in the case.

A dozen states and big cities, among others, are challenging inclusion of the question.

Furman is hearing the case without a jury. He acknowledged the Justice Department objects to the trial. Its lawyers say Furman should base his ruling solely on the administrative record rather than testimony and newly unearthed evidence.

___

11 a.m.

A federal trial has begun in New York City over challenges to the federal government's decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

The first witness - Duke University Professor D. Sunshine Hillygus - says there is considerable evidence adding the question will depress participation by non-citizens.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman, who is hearing the case without a jury, has harshly criticized the federal government's efforts to delay or stop the trial.

He called them remarkable because government officials insist a speedy resolution of lawsuits is necessary so census preparations can proceed.

The trial stems from lawsuits brought by a dozen states and big cities, among others. They say the citizenship question will discourage immigrant participation and dilute political representation and funds for Democrat-leaning states.

___

5:30 a.m.

A New York federal judge is ready to hear evidence from critics of a Commerce Department decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

The trial Monday is proceeding on schedule despite the Justice Department's invitation to the Supreme Court to block it.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman last week harshly criticized the federal government's efforts to delay or stop the trial.

He called them remarkable given that the federal government insists a speedy resolution of lawsuits is necessary because of the need to finalize census preparations.

The trial stems from lawsuits brought by a dozen states and big cities, among others. They say the citizenship question will discourage immigrants from participating and dilute political representation and funds for states that tend to vote Democratic.WASHINGTON (AP) - The path to power in the House winds through a few dozen districts, many of them suburban, in Tuesday's election. Republicans defending their majority and Democrats looking to gain 23 seats they would need to win control.

After the first polls close in the Eastern United States, the tallies will start revealing clues to where Americans stand in 2018 on immigration, guns, health care, gender equality in the #MeToo era - and who they want representing them in Washington during the next two years of Donald Trump's presidency.

Some races to watch for those keeping score, listed in order of poll-closing times:

___

KENTUCKY

The ruby-red state known for the Derby and sweet bourbon is hosting one of the most competitive and expensive races in the country. The Lexington-area battle pits third-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr against Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine fighter pilot. Trump won the 6th District by more than 15 percentage points in 2016. But with the help of carefully shaped campaign ads that went viral, McGrath holds the edge on campaign fundraising.

In this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, Virginia Congressman Dave Brat, R-Va., left, shakes hands with Democratic challenger Abigail Spanberger, right, after a debate at Germanna Community College in Culpeper, Va. The path to power in the House runs through a few dozen districts in Tuesday's election, with Republicans defending their majority and Democrats looking to gain 23 seats they would need to win control. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Polls in the district close at 6 p.m. EST

__

GEORGIA

Red-hot Georgia is home to a House race that turns on issues of race and gun laws. Republican Rep. Karen Handel narrowly won her seat in a special election last year that set a record for spending. Now her Democratic challenger is Lucy McBath, a former flight attendant turned gun control activist. McBath's 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was killed by a white man at a gas station in 2012 when the black teenager refused to lower the volume on the rap music in his car. The district north of Atlanta leans Republican, but Trump won it by only 1 percentage point.

Polls close at 7 p.m. EST.

___

VIRGINIA

Rep. Dave Brat won his seat after upsetting House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the 2014 Republican primary. Now, it's Brat's turn to fight for re-election to the Richmond-area district against Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who is one of a record number of women running for Congress this year.

Polls close at 7 p.m. EST

___

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina's 9th District became a key election bellwether when the Rev. Mark Harris narrowly ousted three-term Rep. Robert Pittenger in the GOP primary, giving Democrats a wider opening in solidly red territory. Democrats answered with Dan McCready, an Iraq War veteran, solar energy company founder and Harvard Business School graduate. Trump won the district by 12 points and a Democrat hasn't been elected to represent it since John F. Kennedy was president.

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. EST

___

OHIO

It's a rematch in central Ohio's 12th District between Republican Troy Balderson and Democrat Danny O'Connor. Balderson won short-term control of the seat in August during a special election after Republican Pat Tiberi retired. Republicans in the district appear divided over the president, making the seat vulnerable to a Democrat who, like O'Connor, has supported some Republican ideas. He's engaged to a Republican who calls herself a "Dannycrat."

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. EST

___

FLORIDA

National Republicans and Democrats are pouring major resources into the Miami-area 27th District seat, held since 1989 by retiring Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The Democratic nominee , former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, has ramped up her Spanish-language advertising and Hillary Clinton campaigned for her. But she's facing a stiff challenge from her Republican opponent, Maria Elvira Salazar, a Cuban-American and former broadcast journalist who, unlike Shalala, speaks Spanish. Though Trump won Florida in 2016, Clinton won this congressional district by nearly 20 points.

Polls close at 8 p.m. EST

___

NEW JERSEY

Along with California and Pennsylvania, suburb-filled New Jersey is a key battleground for House control. Two seats are open, vacated by veteran Republican Reps. Frank LoBiondo and Rodney Frelinghuysen , and could fall to the Democrats.

Keep a close eye on the 3rd District south of Trenton, which twice voted for President Barack Obama but went for Trump by about 6 percentage points. Fighting for re-election is Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur, who helped strike a deal that pushed the GOP's "Obamacare" repeal bill to House passage (it failed in the Senate). His Democratic opponent is political newcomer Andy Kim, a National Security Council staffer under Obama who has worked in Afghanistan.

Polls close 8 p.m. EST

___

PENNSYLVANIA

Democrats have particular reason to believe they can flip as many as six seats in the Keystone state. A state Supreme Court decision in January threw out 6-year-old congressional district boundaries as unconstitutionally drawn to benefit Republicans. The replacement districts approved by the court's Democratic majority have created more competitive contests.

One key race is playing out in the Philadelphia suburbs. Freshman Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, has a centrist voting record and has explicitly tried to put distance between himself and Trump. He's facing Scott Wallace, a longtime Democratic Party donor who was co-chairman of the Wallace Global Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports liberal social movements. He's heavily funding his campaign and outspent Fitzpatrick nearly 5-to-1 in the July-September quarter.

Polls close at 8 p.m. EST.

___

KANSAS

Trump and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi loom large over a race in Northeastern Kansas. That's where Democrat Paul Davis, the former state House minority leader, and Republican Steve Watkins, an Army veteran and engineer, are battling for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Lynn Jenkins. Davis has said he would not support Pelosi for speaker if Democrats win the House. And Republicans were hoping that Trump's visit to Topeka last month would boost Republican Steve Watkins, who has faced questions over claims he made about his qualifications and background.

Polls close 9 p.m. EST

___

MINNESOTA

Four House seats could flip from one party to the other in this traditionally Democratic stronghold.

For evidence of Democratic gains, look to the state's booming suburbs. Clinton won Minnesota's 3rd District west of Minneapolis by 9 percentage points. GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen is under heavy pressure from Democrat Dean Phillips there. Paulsen avoided Trump's recent rally in Rochester and his rally this summer in Duluth, and he has said he wrote in Marco Rubio's name in the 2016 election. Still, Trump endorsed Paulsen last month.

Polls close 9 p.m. EST

____

NEW MEXICO

The open 2nd District seat left open by Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running for governor, offers a look at how the parties fare along the border with Mexico, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. Pearce attracted support from Hispanics and the region's oil and gas interests. But the race between Democrat Xochitl Torres Small and GOP opponent Yyvette Herrell has focused on hot-button issues such as immigration and guns. Torres Small has raised more than five times the campaign cash drawn by Herrell.

Polls close 9 p.m. EST.

___

NEW YORK

This deep-blue state offers a look at how race and Trump's clout are playing out in the president's home state.

North of New York City in the 19th District, an ad released last month by the Republican National Congressional Committee showed clips of Democrat Antonio Delgado performing songs from his 2006 rap album under his stage name, A.D. The Voice. Delgado, a Rhodes scholar and Harvard Law School graduate, said his opponent, Rep. John Faso, was using racial attacks to alienate him, a black first-time candidate in a district that is more than 90 percent white. Voters there are evenly split among Democrats, Republicans and independents, and went twice for Obama but favored Trump.

And in the Buffalo-area's 22nd District, first-term Rep. Claudia Tenney, an early Trump supporter, is drawing comparisons to the president by brashly suggesting some people who commit mass murders are Democrats and promoting a petition to lock up Clinton. But in a close race against Democrat Anthony Brindisi, she's shifted to a softer tone of bipartisanship. Brindisi, a state assemblyman, argues that Tenney's hyper-partisan approach undermines her claim of working across the aisle. Trump beat Clinton by nearly 16 percentage points here.

Polls close 9 p.m. EST.

___

IOWA

One Iowa race offers a test of whether a Trump-style advocate for immigration limits can win.

Republican Rep. Steve King is keeping a low profile in his bid for a ninth House term, his success suddenly in question after he was engulfed in controversy for his support of white nationalists. But Democrats, already hoping to flip two other seats among Iowa's four-person delegation, have a tough road to success in the 4th District that voted for Trump by 27 percentage points. In an unusual move, the GOP's campaign chief condemned King the week before the election, but it's unclear whether the criticism will boost his Democratic opponent, J.D. Scholten.

Polls close 10 p.m. EST.

___

CALIFORNIA

Democrats have targeted a string of Republican-held districts in California that carried Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

One such battleground in the nation's fruit-and-nut basket, the Central Valley, is where Republican Jeff Denham is trying to keep Democrat Josh Harder from taking his job. Fallout from Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings and fights over health care and immigration have produced a tossup race where Democrats count a slender registration edge. Denham, a centrist who voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, won re-election by 3 percentage points in 2016, while Clinton won the district with about 49 percent of the vote.

In another test of GOP clout in a rapidly diversifying district, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's re-election is in question for the first time in 30 years. A wave of new and more diverse residents and divisions over Trump and the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct have produced a strong challenge from Democrat Harley Rouda. The district went to Clinton in the 2016 presidential contest.

Polls close at 11 p.m. EST.

___

WASHINGTON STATE

Southwest Washington's 3rd District offers a test of whether the tea party-driven GOP House takeover in 2010 survives. Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, first elected that year and twice re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote, has been out-raised in campaign funding by Democrat Carolyn Long. Herrera Beutler has broken with her party on such issues as health care. But Long has emphasized her credentials as an outsider. The district stretching east along the Oregon border voted for Trump by 7 percentage points.

Polls close at 11 p.m. EST.

___

Follow Kellman at http://www.Twitter.com/APLaurieKellman

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics .

___

This story has been corrected to show that poll close time in Kentucky's 6th is 6 p.m. EST.

In this Oct. 29, 2018 photo, Kentucky's 6th Congressional District candidates Amy McGrath, left, Andy Barr, center, pose for photos before the start of a debate in Lexington, Ky. Barr, the Republican incumbent, faces a tough challenge from McGrath, a Democrat. The Lexington-area battle pits third-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr against Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine fighter pilot. Trump won the 6th District by more than 15 percentage points in 2016. But with the help of carefully-shaped campaign ads that went viral, McGrath holds the edge on campaign fundraising. (AP Photo/Adam Beam)SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) - A 37-year-old transient is in custody after opening fire inside a Northern California rehab center, killing one and wounding two others early Monday, authorities said.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office said that Davance Lamar Reed is in neighboring Sonoma County Jail after a pursuit unrelated to the shooting. He made admissions to detectives that tied him to the crime scene at the Helen Vine Detox Center in San Rafael, the office said.

The sheriff's office identified the wounded as facility employee Anthony Mansapit, 32, and Brittney McCann, 30. Authorities say McCann had dated the suspect.

Both remain in intensive care at Marin General Hospital.

Deputies responding to calls that employees had been shot found three victims, said Marin County Sheriff's Sgt. Michael Brovelli said.

The office declined to name of the deceased male pending notification of family.

The detox center is a licensed 26-bed co-ed residential detoxification program that treats people with alcohol and drug addiction, as well as "co-occurring psychiatric problems."

In 2011, it became part of Buckelew Programs, a nonprofit organization that provides counseling and other services to those with mental illness and addiction in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties, according to its website.

Email and phone messages left with the nonprofit were not immediately returned Monday but it said on its website it's cooperating with the investigation.

"Our hearts are with the staff, clients and families affected at Helen Vine Recovery Center" the nonprofit said on its Twitter account.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and midterm elections (all times local):

11:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he's hoping a supporter will be fine after a medical incident at his final rally ahead of Tuesday's midterm election.

Trump paused his stump speech for roughly five minutes after being alerted to a medical emergency in the crowd of thousands.

As emergency workers made their way to the woman, Trump said: "Take your time. Take your time. Relax." After several minutes the audience broke into the hymn "Amazing Grace."

Resuming his speech after the supporter was taken out of the arena, Trump said of the singing, "That was beautiful."

President Donald Trump opens his arms to Rush Limbaugh as he arrives to speaks during a rally at Show Me Center, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

He adds: "Hopefully she'll be OK."

Medical emergencies are common at presidential rallies, where security requires attendees to be in place for hours ahead of time.

___

10:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump is holding his final rally of the 2018 midterm election campaign.

Trump appeared Monday night in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, his third rally of the day and 11th in his final sprint before Election Day.

He is in the Mississippi River town to tout Missouri's Republican attorney general, Josh Hawley, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill.

But first he appeared with some of his favorite conservative commentators, radio host and Cape Girardeau native Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro.

The outcome of the midterm elections has become a referendum on Trump's presidency and is likely to alter its course.

___

7:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump is featuring a trio of women who work for his administration at one of his last get-out-the-vote rallies.

Trump's daughter and senior adviser Ivanka Trump made her second appearance of the day alongside the president in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Monday. Trump invited White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and counselor Kellyanne Conway on stage to speak as well.

Sanders opened her remarks with a dig at the media, joking that she wasn't used to addressing friendly crowds.

Women are expected to play a critical role in Tuesday's midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress.

The latest NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll found 49 percent of women disapprove of Trump's performance, compared with 44 percent of men.

___

7:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump has been interrupted multiple times by protesters during his Indiana rally on his final midterm sprint.

On three occasions Monday, demonstrators began to chant against Trump, only to be drowned out by a crowd of Trump supporters in a downtown Fort Wayne coliseum.

The protesters were escorted out. Trump told one demonstrator to "go home to mommy."

Protesters were a common sight at Trump's 2016 campaign rallies, with the occasional brief bouts of violence between the demonstrators and Trump supporters.

They have become a far rarer sight since Trump took office, which the president noted Monday.

He wryly mused that he was "not surprised" they would be a factor in Indiana, but it wasn't clear what he meant.

___

6:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump is making a final elections argument by claiming that Democrats will take a "wrecking ball to our economy and to the future of our country."

Trump made the second of his final three rally stops on Monday in front of a loud, packed crowd in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He says, "A vote for Republicans is a vote to continue our extraordinary prosperity." He says, "A vote for Democrats is a vote to bring this economic boom crashing down very rapidly."

The president went on to declare that a Democratic victory would produce "a socialist nightmare."

Trump was in Indiana to back Republican Senate candidate Rep. Mike Braun, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly.

___

6:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump has penned an election-eve op-ed running on the Fox News website.

The piece on the president's favorite news channel's website urges voters to keep Republicans in power to keep the economy growing.

Trump writes that "America faces a critical choice" in Tuesday's midterm elections and claims that, if Democrats win control of Congress, they will "take a giant wrecking ball to your economy and your future."

The message has been part of the president's closing argument, but it has been overshadowed by his focus on hard-line immigration issues in the final days of the campaign.

Some Republicans worry that Trump's decision not to focus more on the economy has been detrimental, especially among suburban, college-educated women who could determine control of the House.

___

4:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump is urging Republicans to turn out for the midterm elections in order to keep his "political movement going."

Trump on Monday in Cleveland repeatedly drew stark contests between Republicans and Democrats, saying the opposition party was for "open borders" and for "rising" crime.

He also invoked the final days of the 2016 campaign, comparing his upset victory then to Republicans defying the polls now and potentially keeping both houses of Congress.

Most polls suggest that the GOP will maintain control of the Senate but could lose the House.

In Ohio, Trump went through some of his campaign greatest hits, including a swipe at his 2016 general election foe, Hillary Clinton.

Trump is set to do rallies in Indiana and Missouri later Monday.

___

3:30 p.m.

First daughter Ivanka Trump is joining her father during his final campaign blitz before the midterm elections.

Ivanka Trump, who is also a senior White House adviser, rarely makes campaign appearances, but she traveled with President Donald Trump for his Cleveland rally on Monday.

The president appeared to mock the #MeToo movement when he introduced his daughter, saying, "You're not allowed to use the word 'beautiful' anymore when you talk about women. It's politically incorrect."

Trump vowed to never use that word again. His daughter then promoted the White House's economic policies and its strong jobs record.

___

3:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump is kicking off his final campaign blitz before the midterm elections by declaring that "everything is at stake."

Trump's first stop Monday was in Cleveland, where he stumped for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for governor.

He bashed DeWine's Democratic opponent, Richard Cordray, whom he declared "a bad person" who "has hurt a lot of people."

The midterm elections have become a referendum on Trump, who urged the crowd to maintain Republican control in both the House and the Senate.

He says, "In a sense, I am on the ticket."

But in recent days, Trump has distanced himself from Republican efforts to hold the House, which most pollsters believe could flip to the Democrats.

After Ohio, Trump will travel to Indiana and Missouri.

___

2:35 p.m.

President Donald Trump is forecasting Cabinet changes after the election, calling such adjustments "very customary" but offering no timeline for them.

Still, Trump says Monday that he's supported by "some really talented people" and that "for the most part, I love my Cabinet." The president answered questions from reporters before he boarded Air Force One for a flight to Ohio for the first of three closing campaign rallies.

Trump replied that he was "surprised" by a question about whether he planned to replace Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

He also said Ryan Zinke has done a "very good job" as Interior secretary despite a series of inquiries into his conduct, including one matter that's been referred to the Justice Department for further investigation.

Trump says he'll review any reports about Zinke's conduct.

____

11:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is imploring his supporters to vote on Tuesday, saying the media will treat the midterm results as a referendum on his presidency.

Trump is telling supporters on a tele-town hall organized by his re-election campaign that, even though he's not on the ballot, "in a certain way I am on the ballot."

He adds that, "whether we consider it or not, the press is very much considering it a referendum on me and us as a movement."

Trump is also making the case that, if Democrats win control of Congress, they will work to roll back everything he's tried to achieve, saying "it's all fragile."

Also joining the call were Trump's son, Eric Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican leaders.

Trump is holding three get-out-the-vote rallies Monday in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri.

____

11:20 a.m.

President Donald Trump is stoking anxiety about illegal voting - a practice found to be rare - on the eve of Tuesday's elections.

Trump tweeted Monday that "Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesday's Election (or Early Voting). Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!"

Trump repeatedly claimed after taking office and without evidence that 3 million to 5 million people voted illegally in 2016. He claims that's why Democrat Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than Trump nationwide.

Studies have found voter fraud in the U.S. to be rare. The Brennan Center for Justice found that most reported cases can be traced to other sources, such as clerical errors.

____

12:30 a.m.

The president and a former president are putting in their closing arguments with time running out before crucial midterm elections.

President Donald Trump urged voters in Tennessee and Georgia Sunday to back Republicans in statewide races, warning that Democrats favor high taxes and illegal immigration. Democrats offered former President Barack Obama for their closing argument. Appearing in Indiana, and later in Chicago, Obama warned Democrats not to be distracted by lies and fear-mongering.

Trump appeared to distance himself from the fate of House Republican candidates as he devotes his final time before Tuesday's midterm elections to helping Senate and gubernatorial candidates.

President Donald Trump greets press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway after they spoke at a campaign rally at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

President Donald Trump and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders listen as White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway speaks at a campaign rally at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Fort Wayne, Ind. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump looks to the cheering crowd as he arrives to speak at a rally at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Fort Wayne, Ind. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

James Crockett, 10, holds a mask of President Donald Trump before he speaks at a rally at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Fort Wayne, Ind.. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump acknowledges his supporters after speaking at a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

President Donald Trump stands on stage with his daughter Ivanka Trump as she speaks during a campaign rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

James Crockett, 10, holds a mask of President Donald Trump and cheers as he arrives for a rally at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Fort Wayne, Ind.. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The crowd cheers as President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A supporter of President Donald Trump hold up a sign that reads "Finish the Wall" during a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A boy looks to the stage as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally mat the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The election often doesn't end on election night on the West Coast, where a majority of voters cast their ballots by mail or drop them off.

And with competitive congressional races in Washington state and California, the outcome of any close race could take days to determine.

COMPETITIVE RACES TOO CLOSE TO CALL?: Three of Washington state's 10 U.S. House races are being watched nationally as Democrats eye potential gains that could determine control of the chamber. The party needs a net gain of 23 seats nationwide to win back the House. California - where more than 67 percent voted by mail in the primary - has more than half a dozen competitive races in GOP-held districts.

WHAT DOES ELECTION NIGHT IN A VOTE-BY-MAIL STATE LOOK LIKE?: In a state that doesn't require ballots to be in by election night, like Washington, a significant portion of the vote will not be processed until the day or days after the election.

Washington state's 39 counties all post their initial results - of ballots received in the previous days - after 8 p.m. on election night. Many counties do daily updates after that, but because of the number of steps involved in ballot verification, including sorting, signature verification and assessment of ballots for extraneous marks, the updates can feel painfully slow.

In California voters also have the option of balloting by mail. Those ballots too must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than three days later. In past elections, some close California races have not been called for days.

Sandy St. Dennis drops her ballot at a drop box outside of Olympia City Hall in Olympia, Wash., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. St. Dennis said she was concerned about policies related to climate change, immigration and women's rights and said she hoped Democrats regained control of Congress. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte)

HOW MANY STATES VOTE BY MAIL? According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 37 states and the District of Columbia offer some type of early voting, and 27 states and D.C. offer "no-excuse" absentee voting. While more than 20 states allow certain elections to be held by mail, only Washington, Oregon and Colorado conduct all elections exclusively by mail.

Colorado and Oregon both require that ballots, whether they are mailed or dropped off, be received by elections officials no later than Election Day. In Washington state, ballots just need to be postmarked by Election Day.

WHAT DO SUPPORTERS OF VOTE-BY-MAIL SAY? Former secretaries of state, Phil Keisling of Oregon and Sam Reed of Washington, co-wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in September lauding what they call "vote-at-home" laws that they credit for higher turnout in those states. More than 80 percent of voters in Oregon and Washington returned their ballots in the 2016 general election; the national turnout rate was about 61 percent.

"Vote-at-home's power derives from it being an opt-out rather than an opt-in election system," they wrote. "Election Day realities for other voters - bad weather or traffic jams, work schedules and family obligations - don't thwart our voters in exercising their most fundamental of rights."

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2018 file photo, Emily Carlson, left, and Nikita Smith, right, stack ballots from Washington state's primary election at King County Election headquarters in Renton, Wash. Winners in close U.S. House races from the Nov. 6, 2018 election might not be known for days or weeks in Washington state and California. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

FILE - In this June 10, 2016 file photo, San Li, a temporary worker at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office, inspects a mail-in ballot before it is counted in Sacramento, Calif. Winners in close U.S. House races from the Nov. 6, 2018 election might not be known for days or weeks in Washington state and California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)CARY, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina have accused the son of an appeals court judge of burning a cross in a park and threatening to damage a synagogue.

Cary police Capt. Randall Rhyne said a man went to the synagogue Saturday and rang the doorbell, which was answered by a woman who was monitoring it. Police said the man made disparaging statements against Jews and their religion.

Investigators say the same man burned a cross in a city park Oct. 26.

Authorities filed charges against 20-year-old William Josephus Warden of Cary. He is the son of state Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman. She said in a statement that the incident stems from her son's mental illness.

Warden is jailed on a $20,000 bond. It's not known if he has an attorney.UVALDE, Texas (AP) - The Latest on a Texas helicopter crash that killed three people (all times local):

3:15 p.m.

A federal official says a helicopter carrying a young couple who were married just hours earlier crashed into a rocky hillside five to 10 minutes after takeoff from a Texas ranch.

Craig Hatch, an air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said during a news conference Monday that wreckage is strewn across the hillside that rises above rugged terrain about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Steven Kennedy says William Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler, both 24, were killed in the wreck, which occurred late Saturday or early Sunday.

Also killed was pilot Gerald Douglas Lawrence, who Kennedy said served as a pilot during the Vietnam war. The helicopter was owned by the family of William Byler and Lawrence had been a pilot for the family for years.

Kennedy says the couple was supposed to be flown to San Antonio where they were to get a flight for their honeymoon destination.

Hatch says it's too early to determine what caused the crash but that a preliminary NTSB report will be issued in about two weeks.

___

12:40 p.m.

A Texas official says a helicopter carrying 24-year-old newlyweds shortly after their wedding ceremony struck a rural hillside, shattering the aircraft and killing the couple and the pilot.

Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Steve Kennedy told the San Antonio Express-News Monday that the aircraft was carrying William Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler late Saturday to a regional airport from where they planned to fly to their honeymoon destination.

Kennedy says the helicopter was owned by William Byler's father but was being flown by 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, who had piloted the craft for about 20 years.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the crash occurred northwest of Uvalde, which is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

It's not yet clear what factors contributed to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to release more details Monday.

___

8 a.m.

Family members say a Texas couple was killed in a helicopter crash just hours after they were married.

Houston TV station KTRK reports that Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were married Saturday night at a ranch in Uvalde, about 80 miles (125 kilometers) west of San Antonio. Byler's grandfather, William Byler, tells the TV station that the couple died when a helicopter that had departed the wedding reception crashed.

The TV station reports that the helicopter's pilot was also killed in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board says it's investigating the crash and the cause is not yet known.

The Houstonian student newspaper reports that the newlyweds were seniors at Sam Houston State University.NEW YORK (AP) - Jury selection began Monday for the U.S. trial of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman with potential jurors, including a self-described professional Michael Jackson impersonator, quizzed about how much they knew about Guzman's reputation as a ruthless drug lord in Mexico.

They were also questioned in Brooklyn's federal court about their views on the legalization of marijuana, their fluency in Spanish and their feelings toward both law enforcement and cooperating witnesses. Guzman sat at the defense table listening through an interpreter and wearing street clothes - a dark suit and a white shirt with an open collar - instead of a jail uniform for the first time since he was extradited to the United States early last year.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to charges that his Sinaloa cartel smuggled tons of cocaine and other drugs, laundered billions of dollars and oversaw a ruthless campaign of murders and kidnappings. He faces life in prison if convicted. Opening statements in the trial are expected Nov. 13.

Potential jurors arrived at the courthouse Monday to find it under tight security that included heavily armed officers, some doing sweeps with bomb-sniffing dogs. Prosecutors have also sought to hide the identity of cooperating witnesses out of concerns the cartel could seek retribution, while a judge is keeping the jury anonymous to protect them from intimidation.

Most of the would-be jurors questioned at the outset said Guzman's name "sounded familiar" to them. Some mentioned they were aware he had escaped from prison in Mexico. Others recalled how he did an interview with actor Sean Penn while he was on the run.

One potential juror was excused after she indicated the case made her feel unsafe. Another was sent home after she said she couldn't be impartial, saying, "I feel very bad about drugs."

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2017 file photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Jury selection has begun under tight security at the New York trial of the Mexican drug lord. Potential jurors were quizzed Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, about their attitudes on drug trafficking and how much attention they've paid to news reports about Guzman. (U.S. law enforcement via AP, File)

One man mentioned that a local deli near where he works has on a menu featuring a bagel sandwich with a name that was a reminder of Guzman.

"I don't know why it's called the 'El Chapo,'" he said. "But it's delicious."

And as for the Michael Jackson impersonator, prosecutors expressed some concern his identity couldn't be kept secret because there are so few people in his profession.

Both he and the sandwich-lover were kept in the jury pool for the time being.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court seemed reluctant Monday to agree with companies seeking to overturn a decades-old Virginia ban on mining radioactive uranium.

The justices heard arguments in a case brought by the owners of a massive uranium deposit in Virginia's Pittsylvania County, which borders North Carolina. It's the largest known uranium deposit in the United States, and its owners have said it contains enough uranium to power all of the country's nuclear reactors continuously for two years.

Virginia says nothing in the federal Atomic Energy Act keeps it from banning uranium mining, which it has done since the 1980s. But the uranium companies argue that the state's purpose in passing the ban was improper. The companies argue the state can't ban uranium mining based on concerns about radiological hazards connected with what happens next: processing the radioactive uranium and storing the radioactive waste that results. Virginia says its purpose doesn't matter.

During arguments Monday, both liberal and conservative justices seemed to voice concerns about wading into lawmakers' motives in passing the mining ban. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts and liberal justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor all seemed to raise issues with doing so.

Gorsuch noted that "every piece of legislation has a variety of motives behind it." And Sotomayor asked lawyer Charles Cooper, who was arguing on behalf of the uranium deposit's owners, whether determining the lawmakers' motives would "require deposing every single legislative member." Kagan suggested that looking at purpose could invite "gamesmanship" where lawmakers would conceal their true motives for passing legislation.

Justices Samuel Alito and Stephen Breyer, however, seemed more inclined to side with the uranium deposit's owners and consider the ban's purpose.

In this Oct. 4, 2018 photo, the U.S. Supreme Court is seen at sunset in Washington. The Supreme Court is refusing a new invitation to rule on gun rights, leaving in place California restrictions on carrying concealed handguns in public. The justices on Monday rejected an appeal from Sacramento residents who argued that they were unfairly denied permits to be armed in public.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

"So what's wrong with looking at purpose here?" Breyer at one point asked Toby Heytens, who was arguing on behalf of Virginia.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh also seemed potentially open to letting courts take a limited look at purpose.

Though Virginia's uranium mining ban has been in place for decades, the deposit's owners first sued over it in 2015. That's in part because a few years after the deposit was discovered, the price of uranium plummeted and interest in mining it had waned. But after the price of uranium rebounded, the deposit's owners attempted to convince Virginia lawmakers to reconsider the ban from 2008 to 2013. After that effort failed, they sued the state in federal court in an attempt to invalidate the ban and clear the path for mining the uranium, which they say is worth several billion dollars.

The Virginia deposit could be turned into usable uranium in three steps. First, the uranium ore would have to be mined from the ground. The uranium would then need to be processed at a mill, where pure uranium is separated from waste rock. The waste rock, called "tailings," which remain radioactive, would then have to be securely stored.

The Atomic Energy Act allows the state to regulate the uranium mining, the first step in the process. The federal government has oversight over the other steps.

The case is 16-1275 Virginia Uranium v. John Warren.

___

Follow Jessica Gresko on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessicagreskoTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The man who shot and killed two women at a yoga studio was fired from his job as a substitute teacher for inappropriately touching a middle school girl, a Florida school district said.

Paul Scott Beierle, 40, posed as a customer during a yoga class Friday, then began shooting, authorities said. A 61-year-old faculty member at Florida State University and a 21-year-old FSU student from Georgia were killed. Five others were injured. Beierle then killed himself.

It's unclear why Beierle chose that yoga studio in the Florida capital. He had lived in Tallahassee from 2011-2013 but had recently been living several hours away. Police have not released information on a motive.

But what's clear is that Beierle had a history of harassing women and acting inappropriately. From pinching women's buttocks to tickling a middle school student to appearing to make misogynistic videos, there were several red flags surrounding his behavior.

Kelly Schulz, a spokeswoman for the Volusia County School District, said Monday that Beierle was fired in May after he asked a female student if she was ticklish and then touched her at the top of the stomach "below the bra line," a district report says.

"Student was frightened and hid behind another student," the report said.

Police investigators work the scene of a shooting, Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. A shooter killed one person and critically wounded four others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself Friday, officials said. (Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)

School personnel records show that students and a parent complained about Beierle's conduct at a different school prior to the May incident.

Nicole Gillespie said her twin eighth-grade daughters told her on the first day of school in August of 2017 that Beierle, who was teaching language arts, was "creepy."

She encouraged her daughters to give him a chance, but they insisted his behavior of calling only girls to the front of the room was inappropriate.

"Mom, he's staring at us," they told her.

When Gillespie looked him up on the internet, she found pictures of burlesque dancers, inappropriate sexual discussions and photos of him with weapons on his Facebook page. Her daughters told school authorities of their discomfort, and he was moved to a different school.

Schulz said Beierle was hired in 2017 after he passed a federal and state criminal background check both with Volusia County Schools and the Department of Education. He was issued a teaching certification by DOE in July 2015, she said.

Beierle was a military veteran with degrees from Binghamton University and Florida State University. Raised in Vestal, New York, he appeared to have made videos detailing his hatred of everything from the Affordable Care Act to girls who'd allegedly mistreated him in middle school. The videos were posted four years ago, and were removed from YouTube after the shooting.

Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, appeared to post a series of videos in 2014 where he called women "whores" if they dated black men, said many black women were "disgusting" and described himself as a misogynist.

A Tallahassee police spokesman wouldn't confirm or deny the videos were Beierle's. However, the man speaking in the videos looks like him, and biographical details mentioned in the videos match known facts about Beierle.

In 2012, he was arrested twice for grabbing women on FSU's campus. Charges were dropped.

Four years later, Beierle was arrested for misdemeanor battery after a woman said he approached her at the swimming pool of a Tallahassee apartment complex, complemented her rear end and offered to rub sunscreen on it, records show. The woman said she declined the offer and Beierle then slapped her on the buttocks and grabbed her.

Court records indicate prosecutors agreed to dismiss the battery charge after Beierle completed a six-month diversion agreement requiring him to stay out of trouble, not drink alcohol to excess and to follow a psychologist's recommendations.

This undated photo provided by Leon County Sheriff's Office shows Scott Paul Beierle. Two people were shot to death and five others wounded at a yoga studio in Tallahassee, Fla., by Beierle, a gunman who then killed himself, authorities said. The two slain Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, included a student and faculty member at Florida State University, according to university officials. (Leon County Sheriff's Office via AP)ATLANTA (AP) - A federal appeals court is considering whether a lower court judge was wrong to rule that Alabama's execution protocol should be unsealed at the request of news outlets.

U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre ruled in May that the public has "a common law right of access" to a redacted version of the state's lethal injection protocol and related court records. The state appealed, and a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Monday heard arguments in the appeal.

The Associated Press, The Montgomery Advertiser and the Alabama Media Group had asked the court in March to unseal records in a lawsuit brought by death row inmate Doyle Lee Hamm. Alabama prison officials in February halted Hamm's scheduled execution at the last minute when the lethal injection team was unable to connect an intravenous line to his veins.

Alabama has for years refused to release the details of its execution process and where it gets the drugs used in lethal injections.

The public has a great interest in understanding how Alabama carries out executions and the unsealing of the documents would likely "promote understanding of a historically significant event," Bowdre wrote in a 19-page memorandum ordering the release of the records. She wrote that the state could keep secret some information, like the names of low-level prison employees involved in executions.

Hamm's attorneys had sued to block his execution, saying his veins were so damaged by lymphoma, hepatitis and past drug use that it would be extremely difficult to execute him. As part of that litigation, the state provided Hamm's attorneys with a redacted copy of the execution protocol after securing a protective order from the judge to keep it confidential.

Stephen Frisby, a lawyer for the state argued in court that while the execution protocol was provided to Hamm's attorneys and the judge, it was never attached to a filing in the case and therefore shouldn't be considered a judicial record that is subject to release.

Bowdre had concluded in her order that it was a judicial record because she "needed and relied upon" that document to decide Hamm's case. The reason it wasn't formally filed is because the parties and the court were rushing to address Hamm's claim before his scheduled execution date, she wrote.

Frisby argued that even if the execution protocol is subject to the common-law right of access, the state's interest in keeping it secret for security reasons outweighs the interest of news outlets to access it.

Catherine Martinez, representing the news outlets, acknowledged that the state has legitimate security interests but argued that redactions can eliminate that problem. The balancing test between the parties' interests starts with the presumption that judicial records are open to the public, she said.

Frisby also argued that the news outlets shouldn't have been allowed to intervene in Hamm's case because they waited until the case had been dismissed. But Martinez noted that their motion was filed the same day that the case was dismissed and that the court's jurisdiction over a sealing order extends beyond the end of the case.

The panel of judges grilled Frisby, repeatedly asking why an execution protocol should be exempt from release and whether the public is entitled to know what the judge considers when deciding a case.

But Judge Gerald Tjoflat cautioned Martinez not to take the harsh questioning of the state as an indication that her side had a leg up. The judges asked Martinez about the timing of the new outlets' motion to intervene in the case and the balancing test judges use to determine whether to unseal documents.CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's government said Monday that it is fortifying a remote stretch of border with Colombia after three of its soldiers were killed in an ambush that also wounded 10 others.

The attack drew a rare moment of agreement between the two neighboring South American countries, whose relations have been strained by denunciations by Colombian authorities of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for leading his nation into an economic crisis that has caused masses to flee across the border into Colombia.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said a Colombian paramilitary group attacked Venezuelan soldiers Sunday in the state of Amazonas. The ambush was retaliation for Venezuela's arrest hours earlier of nine people in the group from Colombia, he said.

Padrino Lopez didn't identified the group, but said the attack was another example of how Colombia's internal unrest has spilled across the border for 60 years, putting Venezuelans in danger.

Colombia's government has signed a peace deal with the country's largest guerrilla force, but other groups remain active and some renegades reject the peace deal. Right-wing paramilitary groups also have been active in Colombia.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack on Venezuelan soldiers, calling it terrorism. One of the people Venezuela arrested was Colombian, Luis Felipe Ortega Bernal, a recognized leader of National Liberation Army, or ELN, Colombian officials said.

"Colombia rejects terrorism and violence generated by organized armed groups such as the ELN," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that Colombia will continue to fight the group. "The fight against terrorism is a duty of all the states."CROCKERY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A western Michigan man will spend the rest of his life in prison in the fatal shooting of a neighbor as she cleared snow near her home.

WOOD-TV reports that 64-year-old Wendell Popejoy was sentenced Monday. He was found guilty last month of first-degree murder.

Sheila Bonge (BON'-gee) was slain in December 2017 outside her Crockery Township home, northwest of Grand Rapids. Police say she was shot while using a snowblower on an easement that she and neighbors used to get to their driveways.

Members of her family found Bonge's body under snowfall down a hill behind Popejoy's house.

After his arrest, Popejoy told police that the 59-year-old Bonge was a "nuisance to the neighborhood" and the killing was a "snap decision."

Wendell Popejoy, right, stands next to defense attorney Jeffrey Kortes during his sentencing at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Popejoy was convicted of murder in the Dec. 26, 2017, killing of his neighbor, Sheila Bonge, in Crockery Township. Bonge was shot while she was snowblowing an easement that she, Popejoy and another neighbor used to get to their driveways. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a fatal shooting at a California rehab center (all times local):

5:55 p.m.

Northern California authorities say a 37-year-old transient who opened fire inside a rehab center, killing one and wounding two others, is in custody.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office says Davance Lamar Reed is being held in Sonoma County Jail after a pursuit unrelated to the shooting.

They say Reed made admissions that tied him to the crime scene at the Helen Vine Detox Center in San Rafael.

One of the wounded is Anthony Dominguez Mansapit, a 32-year-old employee. The other is Brittney Kehaulani McCann, 30, who authorities say has a relationship with the suspect.

They did not name the man who died.

___

12:30 p.m.

Authorities say they have identified a shooter who remains at large after opening fire inside a California rehab center, killing a man and wounding two other people.

However, the Marin County Sheriff's Office declined to release the name of the suspect or identify the victims.

Authorities say they want to protect the investigation into the attack Monday at Helen Vine Detox Center in San Rafael. A possible motive has not been disclosed.

The office says a man and a woman remained hospitalized. Their conditions were not disclosed.

___

8:45 a.m.

Authorities say a shooter opened fire inside a California rehab center, killing a man and wounding two other people.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded Monday to calls that employees at the Helen Vine Detox Center in San Rafael had been shot.

Deputies found three shooting victims - a man who died at the scene, and a man and woman who were rushed to a hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known and they have not been identified.

The office says the shooter fled and deputies are searching the area with assistance from four other law enforcement agencies.

The detox center says on its website it treats people with alcohol and drug addiction and "co-occurring psychiatric problems."RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Federal authorities violated a federal law aimed at preserving endangered species by planning to shrink the territory of the only red wolves living in the wild, a federal judge ruled in blocking a move that environmentalists said would hasten the animal's demise.

U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ruled in an order signed Sunday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also violated the Endangered Species Act by authorizing private landowners to kill the canine predators even if they aren't threatening humans, livestock or pets.

The ruling represents a victory for environmental groups who argued in their lawsuit that the federal government neglected the wolves for years and allowed their population to decline. About 35 red wolves remain in the wild, all in eastern North Carolina. They numbered about 120 a decade ago. About 200 live in captive breeding programs.

The wildlife service announced a plan in June to constrict the wolves' territory from five counties to federal land in two counties, as well as lifting restrictions on killing wolves that stray from that area. The new rules implementing the plan were set to be finalized by Nov. 30.

Some landowners argue the wolves are nuisance animals that frequently wander onto their farms or scare game animals off hunting land. They also question whether they are a species unto themselves or a hybrid.

"It is undisputed that the reintroduction of the red wolf into the Red Wolf Recovery Area is not without its challenges, but absent a change in Congress' mandate or a decision to delist or reclassify the red wolf" from the endangered species list, the wildlife agency's decisions amount to a failure to uphold its conservation duties, Boyle wrote.

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2015, file photo, a female red wolf is shown in its habitat at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, N.C. Federal authorities violated a federal law aimed at preserving endangered species by planning to shrink the territory of the only red wolves living in the wild, a federal judge ruled in blocking a move that environmentalists said would hasten the animal's demise. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

The groups who filed the lawsuit in 2015 - the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Welfare Institute - said the wildlife service's proposal would reduce the protected range of the red wolves by almost 90 percent. In 2016, a group of 30 scientists condemned such a scenario because the limited area proposed by USFWS could not support a viable population of red wolves and its proposal was inconsistent with the best available science.

In 2016, Boyle sided with the conservation groups when he issued a preliminary injunction that essentially halted all authorizations for landowners to trap or kill the wolves. Boyle's ruling Sunday made that injunction permanent.

Once common across the Southeast, the red wolf had been considered extinct in the wild as of 1980. Releases of captive-bred wolves started in 1987.

____

Follow Emery P. Dalesio on Twitter at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio. His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/emery%20dalesioNEW YORK (AP) - Pipe bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc is set to make his first court appearance in New York.

Sayoc was being transferred from federal custody in Florida and was expected to arrive in New York ahead of a Tuesday court hearing.

Prosecutors say they will ask a judge to hold Sayoc without bail because he is considered dangerous.

Sayoc faces charges for allegedly mailing more than a dozen explosive devices to prominent Democrats, critics of President Donald Trump and CNN.

Prosecutors say the most recent crude bomb was recovered Friday in California, addressed to the liberal activist Tom Steyer.

None of the devices exploded, and no one was injured in the pipe bomb scare.

FILE - This Aug. 30, 2015, file photo released by the Broward County Sheriff's office shows Cesar Sayoc in Miami. Pipe bomb suspect Sayoc is making his first court appearance in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Broward County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Sayoc faces nearly 50 years in prison if convicted.

His lawyer has questioned the evidence in the case.Indonesian officials are providing the strongest hints yet that a faulty airspeed indicator played a role in the deadly crash of a Lion Air jet into the Java Sea.

Investigators said Monday that one of the so-called black boxes showed that the airspeed indicator on the Boeing jet malfunctioned on its last four flights, including the Oct. 29 crash that killed all 189 people on board.

Airspeed indicators have been around for decades to tell pilots how fast they are flying. They are paired with separate indicators measuring the degree to which the nose is pointed up, down or level.

Modern jetliners have redundant measurements to help pilots spot and disregard a single reading that looks unlikely and possibly erroneous.

Speed-measuring systems consist of tubes and sensors that measure air pressure generated by the plane's movement and compare it with surrounding air pressure. They fail occasionally, especially in bad weather at high altitude, when the tubes located under the plane's nose can become jammed with ice, preventing air from reaching the sensors. The Oct. 29 Lion Air flight took off in good weather.

Frozen pitot tubes were blamed for the 2009 crash of Air France Flight 447, which killed all 228 people on board. The year before, the U.S. Air Force said moisture in sensors caused the 2008 crash of a B-2 stealth bomber on Guam; both pilots ejected safely. In 2015, a wasp nest plugged the sensors on an Allegiant Air jet leaving St. Petersburg, Florida, forcing pilots to cut the flight short and land in Orlando.

Relatives pray for victims of the Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea listen during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Distraught and angry relatives of those killed when a Lion Air jet crashed last week have confronted the airline's executives during a meeting arranged by Indonesian officials. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Pilots train in simulators to learn how to notice potentially faulty readings and work around them. They learn the normal power settings and attitude, or nose-up and nose-down settings, for each of the various phases of a flight. A problem with the airspeed system should not result in a crash under most circumstances, according to safety experts.

"If you were driving down the interstate and the speedometer failed, would you expect to crash the car?" said John Cox, a former airline pilot and now a safety consultant. He said a faulty airspeed system might have contributed to the crash, but that based on what we know so far, it shouldn't be considered the cause of the crash.

Safety experts said investigators will look at why Lion Air didn't ground the plane if it experienced recurring problems with the sensors and subject it to more rigorous inspection and testing until the problem was fixed.

Alan Diehl, a pilot and safety consultant, said the report that the same problem happened four times and was never fixed suggests that the problem may have been intermittent, making it harder to pin down.

"Intermittent failures are very difficult for maintenance personnel to trouble-shoot because a lot of times they just say, 'Cannot duplicate,' and they write it up that way," Diehl said.

The pilots' actions will also be studied. Data transmitted from the plane and captured by flightradar24.com indicates that the plane continued flying at high speed away from the airport to which they intended to return, which Cox said seemed unusual.

The data transmissions - which will have to be confirmed through comparison with information from the plane's black boxes - also show that a moderate reduction in altitude turned into a dramatic rate of descent, a loss of control.

Cox said that once investigators have all the data, they will work backward to determine if there was a problem with one of the plane's systems or if pilot decisions put the plane in peril.

"We know that three other crews faced a similar challenge in this airplane and they landed successfully," he said, referring to the findings of airspeed indicator malfunctions on four flights including the fatal one.

In a modern jet like the Boeing Max 8 that crashed, readings from airspeed sensors are processed by a computerized "flight management system" and sent to displays in the cockpit. They also have analog backup systems.

Despite all their training in flying without airspeed indicators, however, pilots can become unnerved when confronted by failure of a system that they count on. Some experts believe the hazard has increased with today's highly automated cockpits.

In the Air France accident, all three primary and two backup airspeed-reading systems failed. "The crew got saturated trying to figure out why their computers weren't working, and they quit flying the airplane," said William Waldock, who teaches accident investigation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Divers have recovered one of Lion Air Flight 610's two black boxes, the flight data recorder. They have not yet found the other one, which captures conversations in the cockpit and ambient sounds such as a change in engine noise.

"They need to find that cockpit voice recorder," Waldock said, "because that is going to tell us what the crew did in response to whatever situation they had."

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David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriterHOUSTON (AP) - A jury on Monday convicted the husband of a former sheriff's deputy of murder for the strangulation death of a man the couple confronted outside a Houston-area restaurant.

Terry Thompson's trial will move to its punishment phase on Tuesday, and attorneys will present additional testimony over several days before jurors deliberate a sentence. Thompson faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors argued Thompson wanted to kill John Hernandez, 24, and kept him in a chokehold even after he stopped resisting. Thompson's attorneys countered that he was only defending himself after being punched in the face and insisted Thompson kept Hernandez subdued only until he stopped resisting.

Prosecutors said Thompson was quickly in control of Hernandez after the two got into a scuffle when Thompson saw Hernandez urinating outside a Denny's restaurant in Sheldon in May 2017. His wife, Chauna Thompson, 46, arrived later to help her husband restrain Hernandez. She was off-duty at the time and was later fired by the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

"It's the right outcome," Tom Berg, first assistant district attorney for Harris County, said of the guilty verdict. "We will be asking for a lot of time because he took another man's life."

Terry Thompson's attorney, Scot Courtney, declined to comment after the verdict.

FILE - In this June 13, 2018, file photo, Terry Thompson, accused of fatally choking John Hernandez, is shown in court in Houston. A jury on Monday, Nov. 5, convicted Thompson, the husband of a former sheriff's deputy, of murder for the strangulation death of a man the couple confronted outside a Houston-area restaurant. ( Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool, File)

It was the second time a jury had deliberated Thompson's case. His first trial in June ended with a hung jury.

After Monday's verdict, Hernandez's family waited in the courtroom until Thompson, who had been free on bond, was handcuffed and taken into custody.

"The prosecutors tried the case like it was their own family. They gave us more hope that justice would be done," said Ignacio Hernandez, John Hernandez's father.

During closing arguments Friday, prosecutor John Jordan played cellphone video and 911 calls in which witnesses can be heard pleading for Thompson to let go of Hernandez and Hernandez can be heard gasping for air.

Jordan said that during the altercation, Hernandez signaled with his hand that he was no longer resisting but that Terry Thompson kept him in a chokehold for an additional three minutes and 36 seconds until Hernandez went limp.

"Terry Bryan Thompson did not kill John Hernandez because he had to. He killed him because he wanted to," Jordan said.

Courtney, Thompson's attorney, portrayed Hernandez as the aggressor, saying he was drunk and belligerent and never stopped fighting Thompson until he passed out.

Thompson was only trying to have dinner with his kids when he was attacked by Hernandez and had no intention of killing him, Courtney said.

"He doesn't say, 'I'm going to kill you.' He says, 'Stop!'" to Hernandez, Courtney said.

Hernandez died at a hospital three days after the confrontation. A medical examiner ruled he died of lack of oxygen to the brain caused by strangulation and chest compression.

Hernandez's family has remained critical of the investigation, saying deputies at the scene didn't interview potential witnesses and initially tried to have an assault charge filed against Hernandez.

Hernandez's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Thompsons, asking for at least $1 million in damages. The lawsuit is pending.

Chauna Thompson, who was also charged with murder, is set for trial in April.

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For the latest details on this story: https://bit.ly/2RzFMwc

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at www.twitter.com/juanlozano70BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A preliminary autopsy report indicates a Canadian man who went missing after attending a friend's bachelor party in Montana drowned in a creek.

Yellowstone County officials say no foul play was suspected in the death of 37-year-old Cameron Collin of Airdrie, Alberta.

His body was found Saturday in Pryor Creek, south of Billings, not far from where he was last seen.

The medical examiner's office is waiting for toxicology results before issuing a final determination on Collin's cause of death. The tests could take several weeks.

The Billings Gazette reports Collin was in the Billings area for a friend's wedding.

He attended a bachelor party on Oct. 4 but did not join the group when they went into town. He was reported missing when he failed to show up for the wedding.

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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.comLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Planned Parenthood said Monday it's now complying with an Arkansas law that was put on hold requiring doctors providing abortion pills to contract with a physician with admitting privileges at a hospital who agrees to handle any complications.

Attorneys for Planned Parenthood Great Plains and the state of Arkansas asked a federal appeals court to lift a judge's ruling that had prevented the state from enforcing the abortion pill restriction. A federal judge in July had issued a preliminary injunction but ordered Planned Parenthood to continue trying to find a contracting physician.

Monday's joint filing said Planned Parenthood found a physician willing to contract with it.

"(Planned Parenthood is) therefore currently in compliance with the contracted physician requirement, and the parties move to vacate the preliminary injunction as moot and dismiss the appeal," the filing said.

Planned Parenthood had argued Arkansas' restriction would have made the state the first in the nation to effectively ban abortion pills. Arkansas had argued the law was needed to protect women from any complications from the abortion pills. But Planned Parenthood argued that such complications are rare, and that those complications can be handled by hospitals without contacting the group's physicians.

"The removal of the preliminary injunction will allow Arkansas law to take effect, ensuring that women have access to reliable emergency health care following complications associated with medication abortions," Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said in a statement. "After challenging this requirement for three years and claiming it could not comply, Planned Parenthood has finally agreed to follow this common-sense law."

Planned Parenthood had previously been unable to find any Arkansas obstetricians willing to handle hospital admissions, and said many doctors cited a fear of being harassed over an association with an abortion provider, objections from employers or a personal opposition to abortion.

Planned Parenthood administers pills to end pregnancies at its clinics in Fayetteville and Little Rock, but does not perform surgical abortions. Bettina Brownstein, an attorney for Planned Parenthood, said the physician is also contracting with a third facility in Little Rock not affiliated with the organization that administers the pills and also performs surgical abortions.

Brownstein said finding a physician doesn't alleviate the concerns Planned Parenthood raised about the restriction, which was approved by state's Republican legislature and governor in 2015.

"After three years of searching, we were finally able to comply with this medically unnecessary requirement," Brandon J. Hill, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement. "Although we believe this restriction does nothing to protect the health of Arkansans, we remain devoted to providing comprehensive reproductive health care to our patients, including safe, legal abortion no matter what."

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Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademilloSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Hector Ferrer, the former president of Puerto Rico's Popular Democratic Party, has died. He was 48.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello declared five days of mourning in a statement Monday in which he called Ferrer a tremendous person and said he considered Ferrer a friend despite being leader of the island's main opposition party.

Ferrer was an attorney and former senator who stepped down as party president last month, citing his battle with cancer of the esophagus. He served as a senator from 2000 to 2012 and was well known for his love and promotion of sports.

Ferrer is survived by his parents, a brother, two sons and a daughter.HELENA, Mont. (AP) - An international organization observing the U.S. midterm elections decided on Monday to pull its two Montana-based election monitors from the state after one of them pleaded guilty to drunken driving.

Ognjen Domuz, a 30-year-old citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the influence after he was stopped early Saturday morning in Helena. He was fined $785 and ordered to be evaluated for chemical dependency, Helena municipal court officials said. Specific details on his blood-alcohol level were not immediately available. The legal limit in Montana is .08.

Domuz is one of 36 observers with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe dispersed across the U.S. to monitor and report on campaign activities, media coverage, voter registration and Election Day procedures for the midterm elections.

Thomas Rymer, a spokesman for the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said all OSCE observers must follow a strict code of conduct that requires them to obey the laws of the country being observed and to comport themselves in a respectful and professional manner.

"This is unacceptable," Rymer said of the charge against Domuz. "We are currently making arrangements to withdraw the observer from the field and immediately send him home."

The OSCE observers work in two-person teams, and the second member of Domuz's team also will depart Montana to work with the OSCE team in Washington, D.C., Rymer said.

The presence of the observers in Montana drew the attention of Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton, whose office sent out a notice last week to county election administrators to report any interactions they have with the observers.

Stapleton's director of elections and voter services, Dana Corson, wanted to know a range of information from where the observers were staying to what information they were seeking.

Corson and Stapleton's chief of staff, Christi Jacobsen, declined comment.

The OSCE regularly observes the elections of the 57 nations that make up its members, including the U.S. The organization, which was created during the Cold War as a bridge between East and West, has monitored seven U.S. elections since 2002.

The observers will compile their observations in a report that will be shared with the public and the U.S. government. The Montana observers had already been in the state compiling information before Domuz's arrest, and that information will still be a part of the final report, Rymer said.SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Two condemned multiple murderers, including a serial killer, apparently committed suicide within hours of each other on the nation's largest death row, California officials said Monday.

Corrections officials said they found Andrew Urdiales, 54, unresponsive during a security check at San Quentin State Prison late Friday.

He was sentenced to death on Oct. 5 by an Orange County judge for killing five women in California, and previously faced the death penalty for three murders in Illinois.

The California victims were Robbin Brandley, 23, in January 1986 in Mission Viejo; Maryann Wells, 31, in September 1988 in San Diego; Julie McGhee, 29, in July 1988 in Cathedral City; Tammie Erwin, 20, in April 1989 in Palm Springs; and Denise Maney, 32, in March 1995 in Palm Springs. The murders occurred while he was stationed at various U.S. Marine Corps facilities in Southern California.

He previously was convicted of killing Cassie Corum, 21, and Lori Uylaki, 25, both from Hammond, Illinois; and Lynn Huber, 22, of Chicago, in the mid-1990s. Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted his sentence to life in prison in 2002 for two murders, and his third sentence was also commuted when Illinois banned the death penalty.

He had been on California's death row since Oct. 12.

FILE - In this March 21, 2018 file photo, Andrew Urdiales looks back into the courtroom gallery as opening statements began his trial in Santa Ana, Calif. Urdiales was later found guilty of the murders of five women in Southern California more than two decades ago, and was sentenced to death on Oct. 5, 2018 by an Orange County judge. Urdiales was one of two condemned men who apparently committed suicide within hours of each other on the nation's largest death row, California officials said Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Corrections officials said they found Urdiales, 54, unresponsive during a security check at San Quentin State Prison late Friday. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP, File)

Separately, authorities say they found Virendra Govin, 51, unresponsive alone in his cell in a different death row housing unit late Sunday.

Govin was sentenced in December 2004 for committing four Los Angeles County murders.

The victims were Gita Kumar, 42; Plara Kumar, 18: Tulsi Kumar, 16; and Sitaben Patel, 63. Govin, his brother Pravin Govin, and Carlos Amador, then set the Kumars' home on fire in 2002. Govin arrived on death row in January 2005. His brother, Pravin, has been on death row since September 2005.

Officials said that while both men's deaths are being investigated as suicides, there is no indication that their deaths are related.

California has not executed anyone since 2006 and inmates are far more likely to die from suicide or old age.

Since California reinstated capital punishment in 1978, 79 condemned inmates have died from natural causes, 25 have committed suicide, 13 have been executed in California, one was executed in Missouri, and one was executed in Virginia.

There currently are 740 offenders on California's death row.

While suicides are not uncommon, the pair of deaths comes weeks after a rare slaying.

Officials said Jonathan Fajardo, 30, was fatally stabbed Oct. 5 in a recreational yard. Fellow inmate Luis Rodriguez, 34, is considered the suspect, but investigators were trying to determine a motive and how he obtained or was able to make the weapon.

The suspected suicides were announced the same day that a federal court-appointed special master who oversees prison mental health care criticized California corrections officials for proposing that they be allowed to start negotiating an end to federal oversight of suicide prevention efforts.

Special master Matty Lopes called the state's proposal "incredibly premature" given the continued problems outlined in an expert's report also released Monday.

Attorneys representing inmates said the state's suicide rate is, for the second year in a row, on track to exceed 24 suicides per 100,000 inmates. That was before six suicides since Sept. 1, including the two on death row.

That far exceeds the national state prison rate of 16 suicides per 100,000 inmates.

The exchange came as a federal judge considers appointing an outside investigator to weigh a whistleblower's allegations that top California corrections officials are misleading federal officials about improvements in the treatment of mentally ill inmates.

State officials again denied that there was any fraudulent activity but said some mistakes have since been corrected.

This undated photo released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Virendra Govin. Govin is one of two men on California's death row for committing multiple murders that was found dead at San Quentin State Prison. California prison officials said Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, they are investigating both deaths as suicides. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina say a 13-year-old girl has been kidnapped from a mobile home park.

Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill said at a news conference that a witness saw a man dressed in black with a yellow bandana grab Hania Noelia Aguilar in the Rosewood Mobile Home Park on Monday.

Police say the eighth grader had taken her aunt's keys to start the vehicle to prepare to leave for the bus stop. They say the man forced her into the green Ford Expedition with South Carolina license plates NWS 984 and drove off.

McNeill says investigators are interviewing witnesses, family and friends, canvassing the neighborhood and checking area surveillance cameras.

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This story has been corrected to show the girl's middle name is Noelia, not Noleia.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The Latest on severe weather in the Deep South (all times local):

7 p.m.

A sheriff's department in central Louisiana says multiple tornadoes have touched down in the parish.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office posted the news on its Twitter feed.

It did not give information about damage reports or injuries.

But the Storm Prediction Center reports at least two homes were damaged in the parish due to a possible tornado and high winds.

The center says a system moving out of eastern Arkansas late Monday will spread across the region during the overnight hours into Tuesday.

The weather service says powerful tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rains are possible overnight from northeastern Louisiana through northern Tennessee. That includes much of northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama.

__

9:10 a.m.

Forecasters say there's another threat of severe weather including tornadoes across the southeastern United States.

The Storm Prediction Center says a system moving out of eastern Arkansas late Monday will spread across the region during the overnight hours into Tuesday.

The weather service says powerful tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rains are possible overnight from northeastern Louisiana through northern Tennessee. That includes much of northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama.

Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee and Huntsville in Alabama could see severe weather.

There's a slight risk of severe weather over a wider area that includes Shreveport, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Birmingham. Storms could reach from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.

The threat follows severe storms that were blamed for two deaths in the Gulf Coast area last week.ATLANTA (AP) - Tuesday's midterm elections will mark the first nationwide voting since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 presidential race, with federal, state and local officials seeking to reassure the public their voting systems are secure.

There have been no signs so far that Russia or any other foreign actor has tried to launch cyberattacks against voting systems in any state, according to federal authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security has been working over the last year to improve communication and intelligence-sharing with state and local election officials who were largely left in the dark about Russian activities in 2016. Federal agencies including Homeland Security and the FBI have opened a command center to help state or local election offices with any major cybersecurity problems that arise.

"Things are running pretty smoothly around the country," said Matt Masterson, senior cybersecurity adviser with the Department of Homeland Security.

The same can't be said for all security preparations, or for early voting and the voter registration process in some states.

DHS officials have boasted that the 2018 midterms will be the most secure election in U.S. history, pointing to federal intrusion-detection sensors that will protect "90 percent of election infrastructure," as DHS Undersecretary Christopher Krebs tweeted in mid-October. Those sensors sniff for malicious traffic, and are installed on election systems in 45 states.

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks during a campaign stop at Peachtree DeKalb Airport on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

But similar sensors used at the federal level have performed quite badly. According to a Sept. 14 letter from the Office of Management and Budget, those sensors had a 99 percent failure rate from April 2017 onward, when they detected only 379 out of almost 40,000 "incidents" across federal civilian networks.

Voters casting ballots early have encountered faulty machines in Texas and North Carolina, inaccurate mailers in Missouri and Montana, and voter registration problems in Tennessee and Georgia. In other states, including Kansas, Election Day polling places have been closed or consolidated.

Some of the problems have prompted lawsuits, and there is concern that last-minute court rulings on voter ID requirements in a handful of states will sow confusion among voters and poll workers.

The challenges come amid a surge of interest, with registrations and turnout running well ahead of what is typically seen during a midterm election.

Wendy Weiser, who oversees the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU, said she believes efforts to restrict voting access have been "more intense" than in previous elections but said efforts to combat them also have increased dramatically.

"These hurdles often work because people aren't willing to go to the trouble of going through the various hoops that the state puts in front of them," Weiser said. "Really motivated voters can overcome these kinds of hurdles."

The issue of election security is clearly on the minds of voters. A recent Chicago Harris/AP-NORC poll found that nearly eight in 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned about potential hacking of election systems, with 45 percent saying they are extremely or very concerned.

A key concern is that five states exclusively use electronic voting machines that do not produce a paper trail that can be used to verify election results if questions about the final tally arise.

Georgia, where the governor's race is among the most closely watched elections in the country, is one of the states where voting rights groups have been raising numerous concerns about election security and voter access.

Over the weekend, reports of security vulnerabilities within the state's online voter registration portal prompted a flurry of accusations from the Secretary of State's office, which is overseen by Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp. His office claimed without providing evidence that Democrats had tried to hack into the system. Democrats dismissed that as an effort to distract voters from a problem in a system he oversees.

Kemp is one of two Republicans who are overseeing elections this year while also running for governor. Former President Jimmy Carter is among those who have called for him to step down, but Kemp has insisted that he will continue to do the job while warning of the potential for voter fraud.

While experts have said voter fraud is exceedingly rare, Republicans have used it to justify strict voter ID laws, purging of voter rolls and other measures that make it more difficult to vote.

President Donald Trump has often cited voter fraud as a reason he lost the popular vote two years ago and has raised the issue during his recent campaigning. On Monday, he was asked what proof he had of people attempting to vote illegally in the midterms.

"All you have to do you is go around, take a look at what's happened over the years and you'll see," he said outside Air Force One on his way to a rally. "There are a lot of people, a lot of people, my opinion and based on proof, that try and get in illegally and actually vote illegally."

Nationally, some 6,500 poll watchers are being deployed by a coalition of civil rights and voting advocacy groups, including Common Cause, to assist people who encounter problems at the polls. That is more than double the number sent to polling places in 2016, while the number of federal election monitors has declined.

The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that it is sending personnel to 35 jurisdictions in 19 states, which is less than the 67 jurisdictions in 28 states that received assistance in 2016.

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Long reported from Washington.

___

Follow Christina Almeida Cassidy at http://twitter.com/AP_Christina and Colleen Long at http://twitter.com/ctlong1

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks at the Longshoremen Union Hall during a "Get Out The Vote" rally in Savannah, Ga., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Madelyn Whitehead, 2, helps her father, Rob Whitehead, from Maryland Heights, vote during absentee voting on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at the St. Louis County Board of Elections in St. Ann, Mo. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A New Zealand fisherman plucked a toddler from the ocean in a "miraculous" rescue after thinking he was watching a doll float past.

Gus Hutt was at the beach checking his fishing lines at about 7:15 a.m. on Oct. 26 when he spotted the 18-month-old boy and reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Even then, I still thought it was just a doll," he told local newspaper the Whakatane Beacon. "His face looked just like porcelain with his short hair wetted down. But then he let out a little squeak and I thought 'Oh god, this is a baby and it's alive.'"

The boy, Malachi Reeve, had escaped from his parent's tent while they were sleeping while the family was camping at Matata Beach on the North Island during the quiet spring season.

Murphy's Holiday Camp co-owner Rebecca Salter told The Associated Press that the rescue was "miraculous and fateful" after Hutt, a regular at the campground, had decided to fish at a different spot than usual and the sea had been particularly calm.

Salter said she and her husband were drinking coffee and planning out their day when the drama unfolded. They rushed to help.

In this Oct. 29, 2018 photo fisherman Gus Hutt is with his wife Sue where he saved saved 18-month-old Malachi Reeve after he had escaped from his parents' tent at Matata Beach, near Whakatane, New Zealand. Hutt was fishing when he plucked a toddler from the ocean in a "miraculous" rescue after thinking he was watching a doll float past. (Troy Baker/Whakatane Beacon via AP)

"My husband came around the corner with the baby in his arms," she said. "I ran into the house and grabbed a whole heap of towels and blankets so he would be warm. He was just whimpering the whole time."

Salter said Malachi was drenched, had sand all through his hair and clothes, and was very pale. It took them a while to figure out who had lost the boy, she said, and then they woke the parents.

"They were horrified and in disbelief," Salter said. "They were woken up to find their baby wasn't there. It was surreal to everyone involved."

The boy's footprints were visible in the sand, showing where he'd wandered from the tent into the water. He'd floated about 15 meters (50 feet) before Hutt spotted him.

"If I hadn't been there or if I had just been a minute later I wouldn't have seen him," Hutt told the newspaper. "He was bloody lucky but he just wasn't meant to go. It wasn't his time."

Mom Jessica Whyte told news website Stuff that her heart just about stopped beating when she was first told Malachi had been found in the water.

"Oh god it was amazing seeing him," she told Stuff. "I gave him a big hug."

She said she wanted to warn other parents to zip their tents up tight and consider using a padlock when camping with toddlers.

Police said they attended the scene along with an ambulance, and that the boy was taken to a hospital for a check-up. Police said they didn't plan to take any further action in the case.

The local newspaper printed a story about the rescue last week but it took a while before other media picked up on it. Salter said they weren't used to such attention at their quiet beach.

Hutt said Malachi was doing just fine when his parents stopped by to thank him.

"He was wriggling, trying to get down to have a look at everything," he told the Whakatane Beacon. "He was just a lovely, cheeky little fella."WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is picking the man who oversaw the vetting process for his running mate to be the new ambassador to Australia.

The White House says Trump plans to nominate Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. to the post. Culvahouse has led the international law firm O'Melveny & Myers.

Long affiliated with Republican officeholders, Culvahouse was an aide to Tennessee Sen. Howard Baker and later counsel to President Ronald Reagan for the final two years of his administration. He advised Sen. John McCain on his search for a running mate in 2008 and performed that task for Trump in 2016.

Culvahouse earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the New York University School of Law.

Former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer on Tuesday welcomed the filling of the post that has been vacant since 2016.

Fischer has been a vocal critic of the U.S. delay in filling a key Pacific diplomatic post, describing it in January as "beyond acceptable" and bordering on a "diplomatic insult."

"Better late than never after more than a two year gap, I welcome the nomination," Fischer said in an email.ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's hotly contested and potentially historic governor's race may not be over yet, with Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp awaiting the final accounting of absentee and provisional ballots.

With reported votes approaching 3.8 million, Kemp was just shy of 51 percent, but Abrams and her campaign said there were enough ballots outstanding, particularly absentee ballots in heavily Democratic metro Atlanta counties, to bring the Republican below the majority threshold required for victory.

"We believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach, but we cannot seize it until all voices are heard," Abrams told excited supporters who remained at a downtown Atlanta hotel into the early hours of Wednesday. "I promise you tonight we're going to make sure that every vote is counted," Abrams added.

As the clock neared 3 a.m., Kemp took his turn on a hotel stage in his hometown of Athens and expressed confidence that a final result - whenever it comes - will go his way.

"There are votes left to count, but we have a very strong lead," Kemp said. "And folks, make no mistake, the math is on our side to win this election."

If Kemp and Abrams were to finish below 50 percent, they would meet in a Dec. 4 runoff. That would mean four more weeks of bitter, race-laden campaigning in a contest both have described as a "battle for the soul of our state."

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp gives a thumbs-up to supporters, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

With most of the rest of nation finishing its midterm campaigns, that would also focus a white-hot spotlight on a race that already has drawn massive investments of time, money and star power - from President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama to media icon Oprah Winfrey - with Abrams trying to make history as the first black woman to lead a U.S. state and Kemp trying to keep GOP-run Georgia from sliding into presidential battleground status ahead of 2020.

Kemp mentioned Trump's backing in his remarks early Wednesday, but said having his supporters in front of him was more important. "Over the last 21 months, we've chopped a lot of wood," he said.

The prospects of a razor-thin result and potential runoff come after weeks of wrangling over a Georgia election system that Kemp runs in his post as secretary of state, leaving open the possibility that Abrams supporters may not accept a loss. Kemp has steadfastly defended his job performance and refused calls to step aside - the latest coming in an Election Day lawsuit.

The Protect Democracy nonprofit announced that it filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to keep Kemp from being involved in counting votes, certifying results or any runoff or recount. The lawsuit says that Kemp presiding over an election in which he is a candidate "violates a basic notion of fairness." Secretary of State's office spokeswoman Candice Broce called the lawsuit a "twelfth-hour stunt."

Abrams has called Kemp "an architect of suppression," and voting rights activists expressed concerns throughout Tuesday amid widespread reports of technical malfunctions and long lines at polling stations across the state. Some said they waited three hours to cast ballots, and watched dozens of voters abandon lines in frustration.

The elections chief wasn't immune to the difficulties: When Kemp went to cast his ballot, he had an issue with his voter card, but it was fixed quickly. He walked by reporters and said, "Take Two."

Abrams, a 44-year-old Atlanta attorney, former state minority leader and moonlighting romance novelist, already has made history as the first black woman to be nominated for governor by either major party. She'd also be the first woman or nonwhite governor in Georgia history.

Kemp, a 54-year-old businessman and veteran secretary of state, is vying to maintain the GOP's hold in a state where Republicans have won every governor's race since 2002, though by increasingly narrow margins amid a growing and diversifying electorate.

Ballot access and election integrity flared up in the final weekend after a private citizen alerted the Georgia Democratic Party and a private attorney of vulnerability in the online voter database Kemp oversees. The attorney alerted the FBI and Kemp's office, and then Kemp announced, without providing any evidence, that he was launching an investigation into Georgia Democrats for "possible cybercrimes."

Kemp pushed back Monday against concerns that his call for an investigation is politically motivated. Abrams would have none of that, declaring Kemp a "bald-faced liar" intent on deflecting attention from security problems with his system.

The contest has been so intense that early voting approached the overall number of ballots cast in the governor's race four years ago.

"I've never seen a time where the state of Georgia had more at stake than we do in this contest," Kemp told supporters at one campaign stop.

In the closing days, Kemp basked in Trump's glow, pulling out of a debate to attend a Sunday rally that drew thousands of boisterous Republicans to central Georgia to see Trump deplane from Air Force One.

Abrams, meanwhile, argued that the contest should be about more than identity politics.

"I don't want anyone to vote for me because I'm black," she told supporters in Savannah on Monday. "And no one on the ballot needs a vote because we're women. And I don't even want you to vote for us just because we're Democrats. You need to vote for us because we're better."

On policy, the principal dividing lines are health care (Abrams wants to expand Medicaid insurance; Kemp wants to maintain Georgia's refusal); education (Kemp supports private school vouchers; Abrams opposes them); and criminal justice (Kemp is a law-and-order conservative; Abrams focuses on rehabilitating non-violent offenders and criticizes cash bail as unfair to poorer defendants).

The Georgia outcome also is among the most closely watched of any midterm contest because of Abrams' aggressive strategy to attract new voters - particularly nonwhites and younger Georgians - with an unabashedly liberal message, rather than focusing on older voters within the traditional midterm electorate.

The excruciatingly close outcome partly validates Abrams' strategy, but Kemp also expand the Republican advantage across rural and small-town Georgia.

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Associated Press writers Kate Brumback and Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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Follow Barrow and Nadler on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP and https://twitter.com/benjaminrnadler .

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters about a suspected run-off during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faced Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp arrives to an election-night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams cheer as they get word of results during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faces Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Supporters of Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp react Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks to reporters after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams react as she exits her vehicle at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Mike Young reacts during an election night watch party for Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp gives the thumbs up sign as he and youngest daughter Amy Porter leave after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, right, escorts Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams through a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Activist Jo Handy reacts to drivers as she shows her support for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp poses for a photo with his family after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams listen as she speaks at Annie D's restaurant on Election Day in Buena Vista, Ga., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats seized the House majority from President Donald Trump's Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a "blue wave" that never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nation's suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion." But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

The new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Party's dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

But the Democrats' edge is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority, Democrats have won 219 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races.

Trump was expected to address the results at a post-election news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday.

Sydney Crawford, 84, left, of New York City, and JoAnn Loulan, 70, of Portola Valley, Calif., watch election returns during a Democratic party election night event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The president's party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps - and his long-withheld tax returns.

Early Wednesday, Trump warned Democrats against using their new majority to investigate his administration.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," Trump tweeted, "then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!" It wasn't clear what "leaks" he was referring to.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.

The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.

The GOP's successes were fueled by a coalition that's decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Three candidates had hoped to become their states' first African-American governors, although just one - Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams - was still in the running.

Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates - with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters - conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their "blue wall" Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP's Senate majority, even as the party lost control of the House. In a tweet Wednesday, he referred to the election results as a "Big Victory."

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate: The president's party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to VoteCast, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trump's most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. A handful of others played outsized roles in their parties' midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.

Said Warren: "This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight."

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Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Zeke Miller in Washington, Kantele Franko in Westerville, Ohio and Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report.

__

This story has been corrected to show former New York City mayor reference to Michael Bloomberg, not Tom Steyer.

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Democrat Madeleine Dean celebrates after winning Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District race, in Fort Washington, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, R, speaks to supporters, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at an election night party in Scottsdale, Ariz. Incumbent Ducey defeated democratic challenger David Garcia for his second term. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Members of the Trumpettes celebrate as incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is announced as the winner over Democratic challenger Rep. Beto O'Rourke in a tightly contested race at the Dallas County Republican Party election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at The Statler Hotel in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Voters wait in line in the gymnasium at Brunswick Junior High School to receive their ballots for the mid-term election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Brunswick, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A line forms outside a polling site on election day in Atlanta, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

A voter casts his ballot at a polling place facing the Pacific Ocean at Duke's restaurant Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Voters cast their ballots at Robious Elementary School in Chesterfield, Va., on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (Daniel Sangjib Min/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

California gubernatorial Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom ties the shoe laces of his son Hunter, 7, as his son, Dutch, 2, looks on after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Larkspur, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Mitt Romney, Republican U.S. Sen.-elect from Utah, speaks to an election night party after his victory Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Gene Sweeney Jr)WASHINGTON (AP) - Tweetstorms and a trade war. Kanye in the Oval Office. Kavanaugh in the hearing room.

President Donald Trump's presidency has been a wild, turbulent, two-year ride. Now it's time for voters to weigh in how much they're enjoying it.

Republicans' across-the-board control of Congress is at stake in Tuesday's midterm election, along with command of governors' offices and statehouses around the country.

The president has barnstormed the nation this fall, holding multiple rallies a week, mindful that his future will be shaped by Election Day. "Even though I'm not on the ballot, in a certain way I am on the ballot," Trump said Monday.

A guide to what to watch as results come in Tuesday night. All times are EST.

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Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters at a rally, Monday, Nov., 5, 2018, in Richmond Hill, Ga. Republican candidate Brian Kemp and Abrams are locked in a tight race that could head to a runoff if neither wins a majority Tuesday. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

THE TIMELINE

Polls start closing at 6 p.m. in Kentucky. But things will really get rolling at 7 p.m., when polls close in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia. Another wave of numbers will begin coming in after 7:30 p.m. from North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. A big chunk of data will come after 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. when states such as Texas, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania begin reporting. The 11 p.m. batch of states includes California, home to several competitive congressional races. Alaska, where polls close at 1 a.m. Wednesday, will end the night.

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THE EARLY VOTE

Much of America has already voted . Based on reports from 49 states, through Monday, at least 36.4 million people voted in the midterms before Election Day. And in a sign of the growing influence of early voting, 30 states reported exceeding their total number of mail and in-person votes cast ahead of the 2014 midterm elections.

A big question: Does it mean a higher turnout?

Turnout in midterm elections is typically near 40 percent, much lower than presidential elections, where turnout has hit around 60 percent in recent cycles. University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, who studies voting patterns, estimated recently that about 45 percent of eligible voters could cast ballots this year, a turnout level that hasn't been seen in nearly a half century.

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EARLY TEA LEAVES

For an early read on how things are going, keep an eye on two congressional races in Virginia: a district in the Washington suburbs represented by Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock and another in the Richmond area held by Republican Rep. Dave Brat.

Trump has struggled with college-educated women in the suburbs and Comstock's district could be among the first casualties as she faces Democrat Jennifer Wexton. Brat, meanwhile, won his seat by upsetting then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the 2014 GOP primary. But this time he is facing a serious threat from Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer.

Another district to watch is in Kentucky - the Lexington-area battle pitting third-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr against Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine fighter pilot. Trump won the 6th District by more than 15 percentage points in 2016. But McGrath has pushed Barr to the edge with the help of sharp campaign ads that went viral.

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AP VOTECAST

The Associated Press will debut a new survey of the American electorate in Tuesday's elections that aims to more accurately capture the story of how Americans voted and why.

The launch of AP VoteCast is the largest change in the way final information about voters' choices is collected by media organizations since CBS News first conducted an exit poll in 1972.

VoteCast is conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for AP and Fox News. Both AP and Fox were members of the National Election Poll, which has for decades conducted the exit poll.

The remaining members of the pool - CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC - will again rely on an exit poll conducted by Edison Research. Several other major news organizations, such as the Los Angeles Times, will use VoteCast.

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HOUSE STAKES

Republicans have had control of the House since the tea party helped sweep them into power in the 2010 midterms. Nearly a decade later, the GOP is trying to avoid a "blue wave" that returns Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats to the majority.

Control of the House is expected to be determined by a few dozen districts , many of them in the nation's suburbs. Democrats need a net increase of 23 seats to win back control - a number that many GOP officials concede is a very possible outcome.

The House races will offer clues to where Americans stand in 2018 on immigration, guns, health care, gender equality in the #MeToo era - and determine who they want representing them in Washington during the next two years of Trump's presidency.

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SENATE STAKES

Republicans hold a narrow Senate majority, 51-49, but have a huge advantage in these contests because the battle for control runs mostly through states that Trump won in 2016.

To put it simply: Democrats are on defense. Of the 35 Senate races, 10 involve Democratic incumbents seeking re-election in states won by Trump, often by large margins. Democrats' hopes of recapturing the Senate hinge on all their incumbents winning - a difficult task - and on flipping seats in Nevada, won by Hillary Clinton in 2016, and a few states that lean Republican, most notably Arizona, Tennessee and Texas.

Trump has coveted seats held by several red-state Democrats, including Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Strategists from both parties consider Heitkamp the most vulnerable Democrat but say the Senate makeup could be shaped by a number of narrowly contested races, including Arizona, Missouri, Indiana and Montana.

Another epic clash to watch: a race involving Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's one-time GOP presidential rival, against Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who hauled in a massive $70 million during the campaign. Cruz is still considered the favorite - Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in 30 years.

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TRUMP

Air Force One ferried Trump across the country on Monday for rallies in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, and the president didn't return to the White House until well after midnight. On Election Day, the president was appearing in local interviews around the country but wasn't expected to make any public appearances at the White House.

But any viewer should keep a second screen handy to watch Trump's Twitter feed. The president is known for offering his first take on many key events on Twitter - and that could certainly happen as the election results come into fuller view.

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YEAR OF THE WOMAN?

A record number of women are on the ballot - and could become the story of the 2018 election .

Two years after Clinton's defeat, more women than ever before won major party primaries for governor, the Senate and the House this year. The results could significantly increase the number of women in elected office.

About 235 women won their primaries for the House, according to records kept by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. In the Senate, a record 22 women won their primaries. And a record 16 women were nominated for gubernatorial races.

Many Democratic women, including first-time candidates, have said Trump's election motivated them to run for office. But the election is also following the emergence of the #MeToo movement, the massive women's march after Trump's inauguration and the pitched battle over the Supreme Court confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Women currently account for one-fifth of the 535 House members and senators. By next January, that number could change.

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MAKING HISTORY

The night could witness a generational change in Congress and herald in a number of barrier-breaking officeholders.

In New York City, 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is expected to become the youngest woman elected to Congress. In Georgia, Stacey Abrams is vying to become the first black woman to be elected governor in the nation. Andrew Gillum could become Florida's first black governor. And Ayanna Pressley is the favorite to become Massachusetts' first black woman elected to Congress.

South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem could become her state's first female governor. Vermont's Christine Hallquist could become the nation's first openly transgender governor. And Idaho's Paulette Jordan is trying to become the country's first Native American governor.

Native American women could also win seats in Congress. In New Mexico, former state Democratic Party chairwoman Deb Haaland is trying to become the first Native American woman elected to Congress. She could be joined by Sharice Davids of Kansas, a Native American woman who is also attempting to become the state's first openly LGBT candidate to win a major office.

In Michigan, Rashida Tlaib could become first Muslim woman and first Palestinian-American in Congress. She could be joined by Minnesota's Ilhan Omar, who is also trying to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress along with the first Somali-American elected to the House.

And no matter what, Arizona's Senate race expects to make history. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema could become the first openly bisexual senator and the state's first female senator. If Republican Martha McSally wins, she will become Arizona's first female senator.

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VOTING PROBLEMS

The elections will mark the first nationwide voting since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 presidential race. Federal, state and local officials have sought to reassure the public that their voting systems are secure.

So far, there have been no signs that Russia or any other foreign actor has tried to launch cyberattacks against voting systems in any state, according to federal authorities.

Some states have already dealt with voting problems. Voters casting ballots early have encountered faulty machines in Texas and North Carolina, inaccurate mailers in Missouri and Montana, and voter registration problems in Tennessee and Georgia. In other states, including Kansas, Election Day polling places have been closed or consolidated.

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INDICTED, YET VICTORIOUS?

Two Republican members of Congress are trying to win another term while facing separate federal charges.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and his wife are accused of misspending more than $250,000 in campaign funds on everything from tequila shots to airfare for a family pet. Prosecutors say the couple tried to conceal the illegal spending as donations to charities, including groups for wounded veterans. Hunter faces Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar in a GOP-friendly district in the San Diego area.

Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., is accused of illegally leaking confidential information about a biopharmaceutical company to his son and the father of his son's fiancee that allowed them to avoid hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock losses.

Collins' most serious charge carries a potential prison term of up to 20 years. If Collins wins in the western New York district and is later convicted and forced to resign, a special election would be held.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is still under indictment - he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of securities fraud. But the Republican is favored to win a second term, helped by a positive assessment from Trump, who singled him out at a rally in Houston as doing a "great job."

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Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/KThomasDC

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks to reporters during a stop at a campaign office Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Atlanta. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Democratic Congressional candidate Amy McGrath speaks to volunteers for her campaign on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Lexington, Ky. McGrath, a retired Mariner fighter pilot, is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in one of the most closely watched Congressional races in the country. (AP Photo/Adam Beam)

Donald Trump Jr., center, and former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, right, urge a crowd of supporters to vote for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, left, at a rally on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Mount Sterling, Ky. Barr is in a tight race for in Kentucky's 6th Congressional district against Democrat Amy McGrath. (AP Photo/Adam Beam)

Seventh District Congressional candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks during a rally in Richmond, Va., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)WASHINGTON (AP) - Resigned to the loss of one-party control over Washington in Tuesday's elections, President Donald Trump stared down the prospect of endless House investigations, stymied policy efforts and fresh questions about the resilience of his unorthodox political coalition. He celebrated GOP success hanging on to the Senate and distanced himself from any blame.

Trump stayed quiet for much of election night as Republicans maintained their hold on the Senate and Democrats captured control of the House - a shift all but certain to redefine his presidency. Late in the evening, he offered a brief tweet that simply read: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"

Early Wednesday, Trump declared on Twitter: "Now we can all get back to work and get things done!" The president was expected to further address the results and his role in the outcome at a White House news conference later Wednesday.

Trump called House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, a conversation that her office said included congratulations and a nod to her pitch for bipartisanship.

Widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's presidency, Tuesday's results offered a split decision that revealed deep tensions in the American electorate - distances that could easily widen during two years of divided control. Trump's aggressive campaign blitz, which paid off in some key victories, suggests he is likely to continue leaning into the fray.

Control of the House gives Democrats the ability to launch investigations into the president and stifle his agenda. But White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders minimized the magnitude of Democratic gains.

President Donald Trump looks at his watch near the end of a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

"Maybe you get a ripple, but I certainly don't think that there's a blue wave," she told reporters, pointing to several early Republican wins.

As for Republicans retaining control of the Senate, she called it "a huge moment and victory for the president."

White House aides called on Democrats to work with Republicans in the next Congress.

Said White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, "I don't know that there will be much of an appetite for Democrat lawmakers to spend all of their time, or most of their time or even a fraction of their time investigating, instigating, trying to impeach and subpoena people."

In addition to his conversation with Pelosi, Trump called Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as a number of candidates he backed during the race, the White House said.

Trump had aggressively campaigned in the closing days of the race, his focus on boosting Republicans in states that he carried in 2016. In the three races he targeted in the final day, Trump's picks all won Tuesday night, with Republican Mike Braun defeating Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Republican Josh Hawley defeating Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri and Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine defeating Democrat Richard Cordray in the race for Ohio governor

The White House for days has been stressing the historical headwinds it faced: In the last three decades, 2002 was the only midterm election when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats. And only twice in the past eight decades has the president's party picked up House seats in the midterms.

Trump spent election night watching returns with family and friends at the White House, his shadow looming large over the results.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

Anticipating the possibility of keeping the Senate but losing the House, aides in recent days had laid out the political reality to Trump, who could face an onslaught of Democratic-run investigations. In turn, Trump began trying out defensive arguments ahead of Election Day, noting that midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House, pointing out a high number of GOP retirements and stressing that he had kept his focus on the Senate.

Aides set up televisions in the White House residence for Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their guests to watch election results come in, with the sets tuned to different cable news channels. Among those expected were Trump's adult children, White House aides, Republican officials and presidential friends.

The election served as a referendum of sorts on Trump's racially charged appeals and the strength of the coalition that powered him to the White House - a group he will need again in just two years.

Overall, more voters disapproved of Trump's job performance than approved - a finding that is largely consistent with recent polling. Voters scored Trump positively on the economy and for standing up "for what he believes in." But the president received negative marks from voters on temperament and trustworthiness.

Still, about one-third of voters said Trump was not a factor in their votes.

Trump's scorched-earth campaigning came to define the 2018 campaign. In the final days, he sought to motivate supporters with the battle over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Returning to his immigration-heavy 2016 playbook, Trump went on to unleash his full fury on a caravan of migrants slowly making their way to the southern border. His take-no-prisoners approach troubled many Republicans seeking to appeal to moderate voters in suburban House districts, but Trump prioritized base voters in the deep-red states that could determine the fate of the Senate.

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AP writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.

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Follow Lucey on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@catherine_lucey and Lemire at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina say a man has been killed at a shooting in a Walmart and a suspect is in custody.

News outlets report Huntersville police say the shooting happened Monday afternoon. Police Chief Cleveland Spruill says a man was shot and killed near the produce section of the store. He says it's too early in the investigation to say how the suspect and victim were connected.

Spruill says an on-duty officer was in the store and responded upon hearing gunfire. Other officers and a SWAT team training nearby then arrived.

Authorities haven't released the names of the victim and suspect yet. Walmart released a statement about the attack, thanking police for a quick response that ended in an arrest.MADRID (AP) - Spanish rescue workers combed the seas and shores of southern Spain on Tuesday, searching for 17 missing migrants a day after finding the bodies of 17 other migrants who died trying to cross the Mediterranean in boats departing from North Africa.

The Spanish Civil Guard said it had found four bodies of migrants and 22 survivors Monday, all men from northern Africa, after their wooden dinghy hit a reef close to the coast, west of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Civil Guard said 13 of the survivors were thought to be unaccompanied minors.

It also said 17 other people traveling were missing, but could have reached Spanish shores. The Civil Guard on Tuesday resumed the search for them both on sea and land.

Earlier on Monday, Spanish maritime rescuers found 80 people, including five women, and recovered the bodies of 13 dead migrants in the Alboran Sea, part of the western Mediterranean migrant route into Europe.

The migrants were traveling in two different boats, the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service said, adding that they were all transferred to the Spanish enclave of Melilla, which borders Morocco.

The U.N. says over 2,160 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe this year, 564 of them trying to reach Spain.

In this photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, migrants arrive at the port of San Roque, southern Spain, after being rescued by Spain's Maritime Rescue Service in the Strait of Gibraltar. Spain's maritime rescue service saved 520 people trying to cross from Africa to Spain's shores on Saturday. Also, one boat with 70 migrants arrived to the Canary Islands. Over 1,960 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe this year, according to the United Nations. (AP Photo/Marcos Moreno)

At the Strait of Gibraltar on the western edge of the Mediterranean, Africa and Europe are only 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) apart but the waters there can be dangerous due to high winds and strong currents. Still, the short distance has made that route the most popular choice for migrants heading to Europe after fleeing violence or poverty at home.

Nearly 54,000 migrants have entered Europe this year through Spain, more than the combined migrant arrivals to Italy and Greece, which had been the most popular migrant destinations in previous years. One-fifth of them arrived in October, the month with most migrant arrivals so far this year, according to U.N. statistics.KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A United Nations report released Tuesday found that 56 civilians were killed and 379 others wounded in attacks during Afghanistan's recent parliamentary election.

Fifty-two civilians were killed and 339 others were wounded in election day violence, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan report said. The rest were killed or wounded in the days that followed when delayed polling took place in some provinces.

Election day for Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections since 2010 was Oct. 20 and took place against a backdrop of near-daily attacks by Taliban insurgents, who have seized nearly half the country and have repeatedly refused offers to negotiate with the Afghanistan government. The U.S.-backed government is rife with corruption and many Afghans have said they do not expect the elections to be fair. Yet millions of Afghans have defied Taliban threats and waited, often for hours, to cast their votes.

The numbers reveal that more civilians were harmed in this year's election violence than in the four previous Afghanistan national elections, according to the report.

Voting in some provinces was extended by a day to Oct. 21. Elections were delayed for a week in southern Kandahar province after an attack by an elite Afghan guard killed two top government officials, including a powerful provincial police chief. Eastern Ghazni province was the only one of 34 Afghan provinces where the election could not take place for security gets better. Voting there has been postponed for a year.

Despite the violence, the U.N. report said many Afghans exercised their right to vote, with the first day of polling seeing the highest number of civilian casualties recorded on any election day since the U.N. agency began documenting civilian casualties in 2009.

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018 file photo, an injured man receives treatment in an ambulance after a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in a new report released Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, that 56 civilians were killed and 379 others wounded in attacks during the recent parliamentary election. The numbers reveal that more civilians were harmed in this year's election violence than in four previous Afghanistan national elections. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

According to the Independent Election Commission, of approximately 8.8 million Afghans registered to vote, around 4.2 million cast a ballot in the election.

From the beginning of the voter registration period on April 14 through the campaign period and two days of silence ending Oct. 19, the day before the election, UNAMA verified 152 election-related security incidents resulting in 496 civilian casualties, of which 156 were killed and 340 were wounded.

"Women and children comprised 35 percent of these civilian casualties," the report said.

Preliminary results from the election will not be released before mid-November and final results will not be out until December.TOKYO (AP) - The leaders of Malaysia and Japan agreed Tuesday that Japan will issue yen-denominated bonds of up to 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion) to help the Southeast Asian country battle its large government debt.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan also will provide loans to help Malaysia in areas such as education, transportation and people exchanges.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 93, who has long advocated learning from Japan's postwar economic growth, resumed the country's leadership in May and is tackling debt problems left behind by his predecessor.

"I have so much respect for Prime Minister Mahathir's vigorous effort to build a country of fairness by once again bearing a heavy responsibility as leader," Abe told a joint news conference. He said Japan is committed to continuing its cooperation and assistance for Malaysia, including in investment, technology and infrastructure, including high-speed train systems.

Mahathir thanked Japan for its "very positive attitude" in helping to resolve Malaysia' financial problems.

His government says Malaysia has national debt and liabilities of nearly 1.1 trillion ringgit ($264 billion), almost 40 percent more than disclosed by the former government, in part because of a massive graft scandal at a state investment fund.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad exchanges smiles with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the end of their joint news conference at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Issei Kato/Pool Photo via AP)

The 1MDB fund scandal contributed to the ouster of former leader Najib Razak in May elections, ushering in the country's first change of power since independence from Britain in 1957.

Abe said Japan's planned issuance of yen-denominated "samurai bonds" will be guaranteed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and further details will be worked out.

Earlier Tuesday, Emperor Akihito presented Mahathir with one of Japan's highest awards for his international and cultural achievements.

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Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchiBANGKOK (AP) - Health authorities in Thailand are racing to contain a measles outbreak in the country's southern provinces, where 14 deaths and more than 1,500 cases have been reported since September.

Officials blame the comeback of the disease on low vaccination rates in the south caused by misconceptions among the Muslim population about the nature of the vaccine.

Islam prohibits the consumption of pork, and vaccine makers sometimes use gelatin derived from pork products as a stabilizing agent. However, health official Vicharn Pawan said Thailand imports measles vaccine products that do not contain porcine gelatin.

The recent cases in Buddhist-dominated Thailand's Muslim-majority southern provinces represent half the total for the whole country since the beginning of the year.

Measles cases nationwide have increased in recent years, Thailand's Health Ministry said. Last year, nearly 3,000 cases - with no deaths - were reported, compared to just over 1,000 in 2012. According to the U.N.'s World Health Organization, this year Japan and Brazil have also reported measles outbreaks, while Europe experienced a surge in 2017 with more than 20,000 cases and 35 deaths.

"Increasingly, there is a lot of misunderstanding about vaccinations that spread around Muslim communities here. Some said it is against their religion to receive vaccine shots, while others think it's not safe," said Anchanee Heemmina, a rights activist who lives in an affected area in the south.

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, file photo, a health worker prepares a syringe with a vaccine against measles in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Health authorities in Thailand are racing to contain a measles outbreak in the country's southern provinces, where 14 deaths and more than 1,500 cases have been reported since September. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)

The Indonesian Ulema Council, the religious body governing the world's largest Muslim population, had to deal with the same problem earlier this year when some local Muslim groups declared their opposition to the vaccine. It ruled that Muslims were allowed to use such vaccines out of necessity until other options were available. Its statement came after a measles outbreak in Indonesia's eastern province of Papua was believed responsible for the deaths of as many as 100 children.

The Indonesian controversy may be responsible for the concerns among Muslims in Thailand and other countries.

According to the Thai Health Ministry's Prevention and Control office, the misunderstandings about vaccinations have resulted in some areas in which only 60 percent of the population receives immunizations.

For highly contagious diseases such as measles, the World Health Organization says at least 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated for a community to be considered immune to the spread of the disease.

Health authorities in Thailand have posted messages from local religious leaders on their websites urging people to accept vaccinations.

One video message from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand explains that even if vaccines contain religiously prohibited items, the medical benefit to a person and the community would take precedence.

Health workers meanwhile are visiting schools and homes in areas with measles outbreaks to target children under age 5 for free vaccinations, offering them also to others who are judged vulnerable. They are also trying to spread the word that Islamic religious bodies have given their approval for the use of such vaccines, said Vicharn Pawan, director of the Health Ministry's Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior.

Resistance has not been overcome. Twenty families from three villages in Yala province refused vaccinations, with 10 of the families signing formal letters stating their intention to not receive any immunizations in the future, public broadcaster ThaiPBS reported Monday.

Yala's public health office said in a statement that its medical teams will continue to work in the communities to address their concerns.

"We are still facing tough tasks," said Vicharn. "But health workers will continue to reach out to communities. Even if they refuse vaccinations this time around, we will have to keep up the visits and continue to deliver the message that vaccines are good for their health and their community."SHANGHAI (AP) - The Chinese government granted 18 trademarks to companies linked to President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump over the last two months, Chinese public records show, raising concerns about conflicts of interest in the White House.

In October, China's Trademark Office granted provisional approval for 16 trademarks to Ivanka Trump Marks LLC, bringing to 34 the total number of marks China has greenlighted this year, according to the office's online database. The new approvals cover Ivanka-branded fashion gear including sunglasses, handbags, shoes and jewelry, as well as beauty services and voting machines.

The approvals came three months after Ivanka Trump announced she was dissolving her namesake brand to focus on government work.

China also granted provisional approval for two "Trump" trademarks to DTTM Operations LLC, headquartered at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York. They cover branded restaurant, bar and hotel services, as well as clothing and shoes.

The marks will be finalized if there is no objection during a 90-day comment period.

All the trademarks were applied for in 2016.

A document from the website of China's Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce showing provisional approval of a trademark for Ivanka Trump Marks LLC is seen on a computer screen in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. The Chinese government granted 18 trademarks to companies linked to President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump over the last two months, Chinese public records show, raising concerns about ongoing conflicts of interest in the White House on the eve of a national election. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

"These trademarks were sought to broadly protect Ms. Trump's name, and to prevent others from stealing her name and using it to sell their products," Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Ivanka Trump's ethics attorney, said in an email. "This is a common trademark practice, which is why the trademark applications were granted."

Both the president and his daughter have substantial intellectual property holdings in China. Critics worry that China, where the courts and bureaucracy are designed to reflect the will of the ruling Communist Party, could exploit those valuable rights for political leverage.

There has also been concern that the Trump family's global intellectual property portfolio lays the groundwork for the president and his daughter, who serves as a White House adviser, to profit from their global brands as soon as they leave office.

"Ivanka receives preliminary approval for these new Chinese trademarks while her father continues to wage a trade war with China. Since she has retained her foreign trademarks, the public will continue to have to ask whether President Trump has made foreign policy decisions in the interest of his and his family's businesses," wrote Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a government watchdog group that first published the news about Ivanka Trump brand's new Chinese trademarks.

Lawyers for Donald Trump in Beijing declined to comment.

Companies register trademarks for a variety of reasons. They can be a sign of corporate ambition, but many companies also file defensively, particularly in China, where trademark squatting is rampant. Trademarks are classified by category and may include items that a brand does not intend to market. Some trademark lawyers also advise clients to register trademarks for merchandise made in China, even if it's not sold there.

China has said it handles all trademark applications equally under the law.

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Associated Press researcher Chen Si in Shanghai contributed to this report.

Follow Kinetz on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ekinetzKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The NATO chief urged the Taliban on Tuesday to stop killing their fellow Afghans, an appeal that came just hours after the insurgents attacked border troops in western Farah province, killing at least 20.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the "Taliban must realize the war does not benefit anyone."

A resurgent Taliban now hold nearly half of Afghanistan and carry out near-daily attacks on Afghan security forces, inflicting heavy casualties. The Taliban view the U.S.-backed government in Kabul as a dysfunctional Western puppet and have refused repeated offers to negotiate with it.

But Washington and NATO are holding out hope, seeking to find a negotiated exit to 17 years of war.

Speaking alongside Stoltenberg, Ghani said his government hopes "the beginning of formal negotiations is not far."

"The result has to be an inclusive Afghan peace, one that all Afghans accept," he said. To this end, "we support the engagement of our international colleagues."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaks during a press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, at the presidential palace, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

The remarks of the two stood in sharp contrast to the violence that shakes the nation almost daily.

In western Farah province, the Taliban attacked an Afghan border base on Monday night, killing at least 20 troops and abducting about 20 others.

According to Abdul Samad Salehi, a provincial council member, about 45 border forces were based at the outpost in the Posht Koh district as it was overrun by the Taliban, setting off an hours-long gunbattle. All communication with the base was lost, he said.

Three guards managed to reach a nearby village while the rest were either killed or taken by the Taliban, Salehi said. A senior army official in Farah, who was not authorize to speak to the media, confirmed the casualty figures.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Farah attack; he also claimed several military vehicles and large amounts of amination were seized.

One of the key demands of the Taliban is that all foreign forces should leave the country.

Stoltenberg said one of the reasons for the high casualties among the Afghan security forces is that they have taken the responsibility for the "security of the entire country."

"There no way I can go back to Europe or to United States, NATO allies and partners and say that it didn't exactly go as we expected, so now we should leave (Afghanistan)," Stoltenberg said. "That will be a total wrong approach; we are here because it is in our interest to be here, to increase our own security."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, right, listens as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)ROMAGNE-SOUS-MONTFAUCON, France (AP) - On the final morning of World War I, U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing was not eager to stop fighting. After all, if one nation had momentum after the first global war's four years of unprecedented slaughter, it was the United States.

U.S. troops would push forward on several fronts in France until the minute a cease-fire took effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, six hours after it was negotiated. With more time, the Americans might even have entered Germany soon after, establishing themselves as the world's ascendant military power.

When Pvt. Jose De La Luz Saenz was awoken along the front lines of the Meuse-Argonne offensive in northeastern France on Nov. 11, 1918, the pre-dawn instructions were not only about sealing the imminent cease-fire.

"The orders called for continuing the artillery fire with the same intensity until eleven in the morning," Saenz noted in his published diary.

And despite the promise of the armistice, "the day seemed like all others because the artillery duel appeared to be continuing with even greater intensity," he wrote.

In addition to military reasons, there was also a political point to be made, said Nicolas Czubak, a French military historian specializing in northeastern France, where U.S. troops fought.

FILE In this Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 file photo, re-enactors in World War I military uniforms carry an American flag in the Meuse-Argonne cemetery, northeastern France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

"For the Americans, it really is to show that they have played as important a role in victory as the other armies," Czubak said.

After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1 years. On Nov. 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over.

"If war had continued into 1919, the No. 1 army in the world fighting at the front would have been the U.S. Army - without a doubt," Czubak said. "It is also why he wanted to continue even after Nov. 11."

Near the place where Saenz heard bombshells explode a century ago now stands the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at the French town of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. American soldiers who died on that armistice day - 100 of them - are buried there along with 14,146 fellow U.S. troops. The cemetery holds the largest number of U.S. military dead in Europe.

By the time World War I ended, Americans had been in enough battles that they were interred in a half-dozen cemeteries dotted across northern France. In a war where the dead would be counted in millions - 1.4 million for France, 1.1 million for British imperial forces - the United States had 126,000 dead to mourn.

When U.S. President Donald Trump joins other world leaders at World War I armistice events hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron this weekend, he plans to visit some of the burial sites.

And standing among the white crosses, Trump will see that the pre-eminent military force he commands had its roots in French soil, where U.S. troops were instrumental in turning the tide after their nation shed its isolationism and stood by its European allies.

If the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery symbolizes America's coming-of-age in the war, the Aisne-Marne cemetery at the Belleau Wood battleground marks its beginning.

When the war started in 1914, most Americans considered it "Europe's war." A hit song in 1915 was titled "I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier" and President Woodrow Wilson won re-election in 1916 with the campaign slogan "He kept us out of war."

German belligerence soon had Americans rethinking the wisdom of isolation, said Bruce Malone, a historian and superintendent of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

"Unrestricted warfare, sinking ships with Americans on them or American ships" and the infamous Zimmermann telegram in which Germany promised to give Mexico some American territory if it kept the U.S. engaged shifted the momentum, he said.

"Even President Wilson, who did not want to be in the war, had no choice," said Malone.

On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war, much to the relief of its European allies.

"It wasn't going well in Europe at the time, and the Germans were actually gaining some momentum. The Allies were essentially running out of men to fight the war," Malone said.

There was one problem though, he added.

"We join the war. We've made promises, but we don't have an army. Certainly not of the European standard," he said.

Speed was of the essence. Russia left the war in March 1918 and Germany had sent its troops to the Western front for a final full onslaught. Just in time, U.S. soldiers started arriving en masse.

Pershing, disregarding British and French pleas to use U.S. troops to beef up depleted lines under British and French command, always wanted his men to fight as an independent American force. A major breakthrough came at Belleau Wood, when U.S. forces stopped a German advance on Paris against heavy odds. It proved their mettle to the enemy and allies alike.

The Americans kept building on their newly acknowledged grit through the end of the war. Saenz was there to record it.

"The bloody fighting and our victory was the decisive blow that finished the Teutonic pride and dispelled forever the Germans' false dream of global conquest," he wrote after a Nov. 2 victory.

Instead, the United States could start dreaming of making the next century its own.

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Videojournalist Mark Carlson and photojournalist Virginia Mayo contributed reporting.

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For more information on World War I, go to The Associated Press' WWI hub: https://www.apnews.com/WorldWarI

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World War I: An AP Centennial Commemorative Edition. Available now exclusively at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JGrx5U

FILE In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 file photo, footsteps are seen as the snow falls at the Meuse-Argonne American World War I cemetery in Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, May 26, 2018 file photo, a view of the U.S. 42nd Division monument at Fere-en-Tardenois France. The memorial, a bronze sculpted by British artist James Butler, represents an American soldier carrying the body of his dead comrade. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, a statue of three soldiers at the World War I Navarin Memorial in Souain-Perthes-les-Hurlus, France. Located in the spot where the Battle of Champagne raged and depicts three patrolling soldiers in the guise of General Gouraud, Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, the son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who died in 1918 in the Tardenois, and the brother of the sculptor who fell on the Chemin des Dames. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 1918 file photo, a U.S .Army 37-mm gun crew man their position during the World War One Meuse-Argonne Allied offensive in France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo, File)

FILE In this Sunday, May 27, 2018 file photo, US Marines march during a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, May 27, 2018 a US Marine walks among graves at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this photo taken on Friday, March 24, 2017, barbed wire surrounds a World War I German trench line at the Mound of Vauquois in Vauquois, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

FILE - In this file photo taken on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, the graves of US nurses Dorothy Cromwell, left, and Gladys Cromwell, right, at the American Cemetery in Suresnes, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

FILE _ In this file photo taken on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, the grave of World War I officer William C. Rock from Pennsylvania is decorated with the French and American flag at the American Cemetery in Suresnes, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

FILE In this Wednesday, May 23, 2018 file photo, a World War I bomb crater in the woods among overgrowth and trees near the American Monument of Chateau Thierry in Chateau Thierry, France. After the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, its standing army of 127,500 became an armed force of 2 million within 1  years. On Nov 11, 1918, allies like Britain and France were exhausted, Germany was as good as defeated and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing had another 2 million troops ready to come over. AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Japan, South Korea and other major oil importers welcomed Tuesday the decision by the Trump administration to let them continue to import Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products despite the re-imposition of sanctions on Tehran.

The risk of excessive disruption to world markets was a key factor behind the decision to allow exemptions for some of the biggest, most oil-thirsty economies. It appeared to have paid off.

As of midday Tuesday oil prices had fallen moderately, with benchmark U.S. crude down 0.3 percent and Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, down nearly 0.4 percent. The fear was that the sanctions deadline would have pushed oil prices sharply higher.

Five of the eight economies granted waivers as long as they work to reduce oil imports from Iran to zero are in Asia: China, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The others were Greece, Italy and Turkey.

The sanctions on Iran were lifted under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. President Donald Trump rejected that accord, and on Monday the U.S. Treasury Department imposed penalties on more than 700 Iranian and Iranian-linked individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels in the new sanctions.

The new sanctions were particularly aimed at Iran's vital oil industry, which provides a crucial source of hard currency.

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2014, file photo, a partially constructed gas refinery at the South Pars gas field is seen on the northern coast of Persian Gulf in Asalouyeh, Iran. Japan, South Korea and other major oil importers welcomed Tuesday the decision by the Trump administration to let them continue to import Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products despite the re-imposition of sanctions on Tehran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Japan said it was pleased to be temporarily spared from possible penalties for importing Iranian oil. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters Tokyo was analyzing the potential impact and was in close consultations with the U.S. on protecting Japanese companies from "adverse consequences."

Those would include penalties for breaking long-term oil purchasing agreements.

Still, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said Tuesday that the waiver had "opened breathing room" for South Korea's oil refining industry, which relies on imports of a very light crude oil called condensate.

The waiver also is a relief for South Korean companies that export to Iran: The U.S. also agreed to uphold a special transaction system set up in October 2010 after discussions between Washington and Seoul that essentially allows South Korea to take Iranian oil as payments for its goods.

With the U.S. upholding the transaction system, South Korean companies will be able to continue exporting non-sanctioned items to Iran, officials said.

India has a similar arrangement whereby Iran can use crude oil to pay for food and other necessities.

"These countries currently take the lion's share of Iranian oil exports. It is therefore likely that Iranian oil exports will stabilize at their present level of a good 1 million barrels per day," analysts at Commerzbank said in a commentary.

They said Iran's exports could well recover somewhat since Japan and South Korea had sharply cut their imports in the past few months as they sought the waivers from the U.S.

For both Japan and China, Iran is a significant but not huge supplier. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Qatar and Kuwait export more crude oil to Japan than Iran.

China, which said it regretted the U.S. rejection of the deal with Iran, is the single-largest importer of crude oil, at about 9 million barrels a day, and also of Iranian oil, so cutting off all shipments could have jolted global markets.

But while its demand is huge, China has diversified and relies on Iran for less than 10 percent of its total crude oil imports, with Saudi Arabia, Angola, Russia, Oman and Iraq providing more than half, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Major European allies have opposed the U.S. decision to reject the nuclear deal with Iran. The 28-nation European Union reportedly is preparing a new financial mechanism to help its companies avoid U.S. sanctions, and that could help keep Iranian oil exports flowing.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street office said Tuesday that the U.K. will continue to expand trade relations despite the decision.

"We regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S.," May's spokesman James Slack said. "We continue to fully support expanding our trade relationship with Iran and encourage U.K. businesses to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that arise."

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Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Danica Kirka in London and Elaine Kurtenbach in Bangkok contributed.KARAWANG, Indonesia (AP) - Relatives of Lion Air crash victims prayed and threw flowers into the Java Sea where the jet plunged into the water more than a week ago, killing all 189 people on board.

Two Indonesian navy vessels took hundreds of relatives to the crash location on Tuesday where a massive search effort is still underway.

Many wept when they saw search personnel working. Officials from the navy and search and rescue agency and Lion Air employees threw wreaths into the sea.

Investigators on Monday said the brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane had a malfunctioning airspeed indicator on its last four flights including its fatal Oct. 29 flight, based on an analysis of its flight data recorder. Lion Air said after the crash that a technical problem with its previous flight was fixed. Searchers are still hunting for the cockpit voice recorder.

Santun, who uses a single name, said visiting the location helped him accept what had happened to his daughter, Putri Yuniarsih.

"Up until now I believed that my daughter would be found safely but if God decided differently and my daughter is found dead or not even found then as a father I would sincerely accept it," he said.

A relative sprinkles flowers during a prayer for the victims of the crashed Lion Air flight 610 on an Indonesia Navy ship in the waters where the airplane is believed to have crashed in Tanjung Karawang, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board.

Lion Air is one of Indonesia's youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people.

A relative cries during a prayer service for victims in the crashed Lion Air flight 610 aboard an Indonesia Navy ship in the waters where the airplane is believed to have crashed in Tanjung Karawang, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Relatives sprinkle flowers for the victims of the crashed Lion Air flight 610 from an Indonesia Navy ship in the waters where the airplane is believed to have crashed in Tanjung Karawang, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

A relative attends a prayer for the victims of the crashed Lion Air flight 610 on an Indonesia Navy ship the waters where the airplane is believed to have crashed in Tanjung Karawang, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's foreign ministry says a top Trump administration diplomat is in Islamabad on a day-long visit and has held talks with Pakistani officials.

Tuesday's statement says that said Alice Wells, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, and Pakistani officials discussed a range of issues, including peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan.

It says the two sides "agreed to continue efforts to promote the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region."

Washington has long accused Pakistan of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charge and says it is ready to help resolve the 17-year-long war next door.BEIJING (AP) - Leaders of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and other global financial organizations warned Tuesday that trade tensions pose a growing risk for emerging economies.

With the U.S. and China embroiled in their worst trade conflict in decades, global growth has "plateaued and some downside risks have materialized," the leaders said in a joint statement issued after a meeting in Beijing.

"We are concerned about a further escalation of trade tensions, and the spillover effects on vulnerable emerging markets," the statement said, specifically mentioning employment as a concern.

The leaders said they were "very strongly concerned" about protectionism and one-sided measures and urged support for broader efforts such as the World Trade Organization.

Conflicts over technology policies and other trade issues have led the U.S. to impose tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Chinese exports. China has responded in kind.

The disruptions to trade as companies adapt and prices rise are adding to pressures on China's leadership as the economy slows due to longer-term factors.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde attends a news briefing after the Third Round Table Dialogue in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP)

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the IMF forecasts that China's economy will grow at a 6.6 percent annual rate this year, slowing to 6.2 percent next year.

But she gave Beijing credit for tackling some key troubles.

"Significant progress has been made in rebalancing the economy, slowing credit growth, addressing risks in financial sector and government off-budget borrowing, and continuing to open up the economy," she said in an address to the meeting.

Also attending Tuesday's meeting was World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, WTO head Roberto Azevedo, leader of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Angel Gurria, Financial Stability Board Chairman Mark Carney and International Labor Organization Deputy Director-General Deborah Greenfield.

Left to right; Chair of the Financial Stability Board Mark Carney, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Angel Gurria and Deborah Greenfield of the International Labour Organization attend a news briefing after the Third Round Table Dialogue in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP)CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's president says media coverage played a "negative role" in the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi consulate in Turkey last month.

Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi told reporters Tuesday "we need to stop and wait for the relevant authorities and judicial bodies (in Saudi Arabia) to announce the outcome of the investigations."

Saudi authorities denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts for weeks before acknowledging he was killed inside the consulate by Saudi agents. That acknowledgement came after Turkish media reported that the Washington Post columnist had been killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad. His body has yet to be recovered.

Saudi Arabia has given Egypt billions of dollars in aid in recent years.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Election Day (all times local):

1:54 a.m.

Democrat Stacey Abrams says votes remain to be counted in the tight Georgia governor's race and vows to wait for them all.

Abrams told supporters at her election night party that they would "have a chance to do a do-over" in her race against Republican Brian Kemp, implying a runoff.

Kemp has a narrow lead in the vote count, but it was still possible the race could go to a runoff. In Georgia, a race goes to an automatic runoff if neither candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

Early returns showed Kemp running up large margins across rural and small-town Georgia, but parts of metro Atlanta, where Abrams' strength is concentrated, had yet to report.

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams finishes addressing supporters during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams expects a runoff with Republican opponent Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Some of those Atlanta-area counties had extended voting hours for some precincts to accommodate the crowds and compensate for problems.

___

12:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump has called to congratulate Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi as her party stood on the brink of recapturing the House of Representatives.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president made a series of calls while watching the election results late Tuesday.

Pelosi's spokesman Drew Hammill said Trump called Pelosi to congratulate her and to note her tone of bipartisanship.

Sanders says Trump also called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "to congratulate him on historic Senate gains."

Trump also called outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

And he called several Republican winners for whom he campaigned in recent weeks, including incoming Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, incoming Ohio governor Mike DeWine and incoming Florida Sen. Rick Scott.

___

12:20 a.m.

Women will break the current record of 84 serving at the same time in the U.S. House.

With ballots still being counted across the country, women have won 75 seats and are assured of victory in nine districts where women are the only major-party candidates.

From the Women's March opposing President Donald Trump the day after he was inaugurated in January 2017 through a stream of sexual assault accusations later that year that sparked the #MeToo movement, outrage and organizing by women have defined Democratic Party politics this election cycle.

More than 230 women, many of them first-time candidates, were on the general-election ballots in House races.

Despite the gains, men will continue to hold the vast majority of House seats.

___

12:15 a.m.

Democrats have picked up at least 23 House seats, putting them on track to reach the 218 needed to seize control from Republicans after eight years.

Democrats knocked off at least 17 GOP incumbents, picking up moderate, suburban districts across the country. Democrats won seats stretching from suburban Washington, New York and Philadelphia to outside Miami, Chicago and Denver. West Coast results were still coming.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger of Virginia defeated Republican incumbent Dave Brat in suburban Richmond to give Democrats the 23rd pickup.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is hailing "a new day in America."

___

11:30 p.m.

Republican Ron DeSantis will be Florida's next governor, riding President Donald Trump's support to a victory over Democrat Andrew Gillum.

The 40-year-old former congressman and Navy officer won Tuesday after Trump came to Florida twice in the final six days of the election to help increase Republican turnout. Gillum was hoping to become Florida's first black governor.

DeSantis was considered an underdog until Trump injected himself in the Republican primary, helping DeSantis cruise to victory over better-funded and better-known Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

DeSantis stumbled after his nomination, most notably by saying Floridians shouldn't "monkey this up" by electing Gillum. Although he took a more moderate turn after the primary, DeSantis relied heavily on Trump in the campaign's final days.

___

11:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is deeming the election results a "tremendous success," as Republicans maintain control of the Senate but Democrats make gains in the House.

Trump tweeted Tuesday night: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"

Trump spent the evening watching returns in the White House with family and friends. He spent the days leading up to Election Day on a campaign rally blitz, aimed at boosting Republicans running for Senate.

___

11:15 p.m.

Florida Democratic nominee for governor Andrew Gillum is conceding to his Republican rival Ron DeSantis. AP has not called the race.

The Tallahassee mayor was seeking to become the state's first black governor and become the first Democrat to win the governor's race in more than 20 years.

Returns show that DeSantis has a narrow lead in the race. DeSantis was supported by President Donald Trump.

Gillum tells a crowd at Florida A&M University: "I sincerely regret I couldn't bring it home for you." But Gillum, who is just 39 years old, vowed to remain involved in politics.

"I can guarantee you this I'm not going anywhere," said Gillum. "We're going to fight, we're going to keep fighting."

Gillum pulled off an upset when he won the Democratic primary in August.

___

11 p.m.

Democrats have won half the seats they need to reclaim the House majority, while Republicans were picking up key Senate contests.

Democrats picked up at least 12 Republican-held House seats in early returns but fell short in a closely watched race in Kentucky as they fought to wrest control of the chamber after eight years of GOP rule.

Democrats needed a net gain of 23 seats to control the House and gain a check on President Donald Trump.

Democratic gains included several suburban districts eyed for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton, including seats outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami and Denver.

Meanwhile, Republicans Mike Braun and Kevin Cramer won Democratic-held Senate seats in Indiana and North Dakota, ousting incumbents Joe Donnelly and Heidi Heitkamp.

___

10:50 p.m.

Republicans have retained Senate control for two more years, shattering Democrats' dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them into the majority.

The result was all but assured when Republican Kevin Cramer ousted North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and when Republican businessman Mike Braun ousted Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz fended off a spirited challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn triumphed in Tennessee.

The GOP's gains come even as the results in Nevada and Arizona have yet to be determined.

___

10:25 p.m.

Democrats are gaining ground in their fight for control of the House, picking up key seats in Florida, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

The early wins give Democrats a share of the seats they'll need for House control. They won two seats in Florida, knocking off two incumbents there, and have won three seats in Pennsylvania, where court-ordered redistricting made the terrain more favorable to Democrats. They have also defeated a Republican incumbent in Minnesota.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win the House.

___

9:50 p.m.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says a Democratic wave may look more like a "ripple."

Sanders spoke to reporters at the White House Tuesday night, as election returns were still coming in. She says, "Maybe you get a ripple but I certainly don't think that there's a blue wave."

She says there is still a "long way to go," but the White House feels "good about where we are right now."

Should Republicans lose the House, Sanders says the president's agenda is not going to change.

Speaking on Fox News, Sanders said the candidates that Trump campaigned for are doing well. She also said that if Republicans should lose the House, Democrats should try to work across the aisle.

__

8:10 p.m.

Polls have closed across the East Coast, but the results in some of the most closely watched races remain too close to call.

Polls across six states closed at 7 p.m. EST, including battlegrounds Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky. Polls in other key states including Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey closed at 8 p.m. EST.

At least two lower-profile elections with presidential implications were decided after the first major wave of polls closed in the East.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders easily won his third term as he considers another bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. And Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another potential 2020 contender, also won her race.

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots in the midterm elections, per a wide-ranging survey by The Associated Press.

___

7:15 p.m.

As polls begin to close, the White House is stressing the effort President Donald Trump put into a political ground game aimed at putting Republicans in the win column for Tuesday's midterm elections.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says in a written statement that Trump has headlined 50 political rallies, 30 in the past two months. He's campaigned for dozens of candidates at all levels of government.

Sanders says the Republican National Committee raised more than $250 million under Trump to defy what she calls "midterm history," which tends to favor the party that does not control the White House.

Sanders says the president and first lady Melania Trump are looking forward to watching election results Tuesday night with friends and family in the White House residence.

___

4 p.m.

President Donald Trump is spending Election Day calling allies, tweeting endorsements and following news coverage, after concluding a six-day rally blitz in Missouri late Monday.

Trump packed his closing argument with hardline immigration rhetoric and harsh attacks on Democrats as he stared down the prospect of Republican losses that could shadow his presidency.

Faced with the possibility of keeping the Senate but losing the House, aides have begun laying out the political reality to Trump, who could face an onslaught of Democratic-run investigations and paralysis of his policy agenda.

Trump has already been trying out defensive arguments, noting that midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House, pointing out a high number of GOP retirements and stressing that he has kept his focus on the Senate.

__

11:45 a.m.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts across the U.S.

Some of the biggest problems Tuesday were in Georgia, a state with a hotly contested gubernatorial election. Voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote.

At a polling place in Snellville, Georgia, more than 100 people took turns sitting in children's chairs and on the floor as they waited in line for hours.

Voter Ontaria Woods said about two dozen people who had come to vote left because of the lines.

At a poll site in Atlanta, voters waited in the rain in long lines that stretched around the building.

Hannah Ackermann said officials at the polling site offered various explanations for the delay, including blaming workers who didn't show up and overloaded machines.

___

10:50 a.m.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says the midterm elections are basically a referendum on Republican efforts to scrap Obamacare.

The California Democrat says at a Tuesday morning press conference that the election is "about health care."

Pelosi credits Democratic politicians and activists across the country with helping to fend off attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act following 2016 election results that left Republicans in control of Congress and the White House.

Pelosi says that after 2016 Democrats "didn't agonize, we organized."

She forecasts Democratic victories across the country, but with a small overall margin of victory. Pelosi says that as few as 25,000 votes nationwide could swing the results.

Pelosi has remained noncommittal amid speculation that she would step aside to make way for new leadership, regardless of the election results.

___

10:25 a.m.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he hopes the outcome of the U.S. midterm election will ease domestic tensions in the United States and enable Washington to focus on global issues.

Speaking to reporters in Madrid on Tuesday, Lavrov lamented that Russian-American ties have become "hostage to internal political squabbles in America."

Lavrov said he is hopeful that the election will help stabilize domestic politics in the U.S. "so that Washington could concentrate on some positive steps on the international arena."

Lavrov also reiterated Moscow's position that it is not meddling in U.S. elections.

He said, "All the accusations that we will be meddling in today's elections turned out to be empty statements."

____

9 a.m.

Severe weather in several Southern states could affect voter turnout on Election Day.

A line of storms moved through the Deep South overnight and early Tuesday morning, knocking down trees and power lines from Louisiana to South Carolina. There were no serious injuries but an estimated 11,000 residents were left without electricity.

A separate storm front in central Tennessee overnight killed one person, injured two others and also left thousands without power.

The National Weather Service warned of a possibility of high winds, severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes Tuesday around Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Dry weather was forecast for the West and Southwest, but significant snow accumulations were expected across the northern Rockies.

__

1 a.m.

A turbulent election season that has tested President Donald Trump's slash-and-burn political style against the strength of the Democratic resistance comes to a close as Americans cast ballots in the first national election of the Trump era.

As voters head to the polls Tuesday, nothing was certain.

Anxious Republicans have privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but fear the House is slipping away.

Democrats' very relevance in the Trump era depends on winning at least one chamber of Congress. They remain laser-focused on health care as they predict a nationwide "awakening" that will break up the GOP's monopoly in Washington and state governments.

The first polls close at 6 p.m. EST.

__

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party at an election night returns event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. State Rep. Ilhan Omar has won Minnesota's 5th District race to become the first Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. (Mark Vancleave/Star Tribune via AP)

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum gives his concession speech Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. Gillum lost to Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Members of the Trumpettes celebrate as incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is announced as the winner over Democratic challenger Rep. Beto O'Rourke in a tightly contested race at the Dallas County Republican Party election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at The Statler Hotel in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Stephanie Anderson screams as Virginia's 10th congressional district is called for Democrat Jennifer Wexton while attending her party at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dulles, Va. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via AP)

A view of the White House on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Voters line up in the rain outside Bright Family and Youth Center in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Across the country, voters headed to the polls Tuesday in one of the most high-profile midterm elections in years. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Jess King, right, Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, and her daughter Esme King-Martin, 13, arrive to cast her vote at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Lancaster, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

James Fitzgerald, of Boonsboro, Md., a poll worker for the last four months, sets up a voting booth at Northern Middle School in Hagerstown, Md., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, on the eve of the 2018 midterm elections. (Colleen McGrath/The Herald-Mail via AP)

Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship checks for voter signatures while collecting ballots at the drive-up ballot drop site in downtown Bend, Ore., on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (Joe Kline/The Bulletin via AP)

A line forms outside a polling site on election day in Atlanta, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Yolanda Jimenez casts her mail-in ballot in at the voting center at the California Museum Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. Voters will pick a new governor and weigh in on contests for the U.S. Senate, Congress, the state Legislature and ballot measures along with local candidates and issues. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)MUENSTER, Germany (AP) - A 94-year-old former SS enlisted man went on trial Tuesday in Germany, facing hundreds of counts of accessory to murder for alleged crimes committed during the years he served as a guard at the Nazis' Stutthof concentration camp.

Johann Rehbogen was pushed into the Muenster state court trial in a wheelchair, a wooden cane at his side and briefcase on his lap. He appeared alert and attentive as presiding judge Rainer Brackhane asked him questions, answering in slow, concise sentences.

Rehbogen is accused of working as a guard at the camp east of Danzig, which is today the Polish city of Gdansk, from June 1942 to about early September 1944.

There is no evidence linking him to a specific crime, but over 60,000 people were killed at Stutthof and prosecutors argue that as a guard, he was an accessory to at least hundreds of those deaths.

The retired civil servant showed no reaction as prosecutor Andreas Brendel read the accusations against him, detailing the horrific way prisoners at Stutthof were killed. Some were given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. Others were forced outside in winter without clothes until they died of exposure, or put to death in the gas chamber.

"Anyone who heard the screams from outside the gas chamber would have known that people were fighting for their lives," Brendel said.

A former 94-year-old SS guard holds his walking stick at the beginning of a trial in Muenster, Germany, Tuesday, Nov.6, 2018. He is charged of accessory to murder for serving at the Nazis' Stutthof concentration camp. (Guido Kirchner/dpa via AP)

Rehbogen, a former SS Sturmmann - roughly equivalent to the U.S. Army rank of specialist - does not deny serving in the camp during the war, but has told investigators he was unaware of the killings and did not participate in them.

No pleas are entered in Germany and Andreas Tinkl, one of Rehbogen's attorneys, would not comment on his client's defense. He said Rehbogen would address the court at some point during the trial, which is scheduled into January.

Rehbogen lives in Borken, near the Dutch border. In deference to his age and health, the trial is being restricted to a maximum of two hours a day, on no more than two non-consecutive days a week. At the same time, because he was under 21 at the time of his alleged crimes, he is being tried in juvenile court and faces a maximum 10 years in prison if convicted.

Seventeen Stutthof survivors or relatives of victims have joined the trial as co-plaintiffs, but Brendel said it was unclear whether any would testify in person due to their ages.

In one of several statements read by their attorneys, survivor Judy Meisel remembered being forced by the Germans into a ghetto at age 12, where she said she endured hunger, daily humiliation and terror.

"But I was not prepared for what came next," said Meisel, who today lives in Minneapolis. "Next came Stutthof and I experienced the unimaginable, the hell organized and executed by the SS."

Rehbogen, who was given headphones so he could clearly follow the testimony, showed no reaction as Meisel said the last time she saw her mother, they were both standing among a group of naked women about to be forced into the gas chamber, before she herself was able to break away.

"Stutthof was organized mass murder through the SS, made possible through the help of the guards," she said.

Ben Cohen, Meisel's grandson who came from New York to attend the trial, said hearing her statement with one of her former captors in the same room was both important and moving.

"I know her story so well it is emotional every time I hear it, but it takes on more importance than my own emotions now," he said.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which helped locate Stutthof survivors for the case, stressed that even more than 70 years after the end of World War II it is not too late to pursue justice.

"The passage of time in no way diminishes the guilt of Holocaust perpetrators and old age should not afford protection to those who committed such heinous crimes," said the center's head Nazi hunter, Efraim Zuroff.

Even though the number of suspects is dwindling, the special federal prosecutor's office that investigates Nazi war crimes still has multiple cases ongoing.

The legal reasoning that being a camp guard is itself enough to be found guilty of accessory to murder, even without specific evidence of a crime, was first used successfully against former Ohio autoworker John Demjanjuk in 2011.

Demjanjuk was convicted on allegations he served as a Sobibor death camp guard. He denied the accusation and died before his appeal could be heard.

The 2015 conviction of former Auschwitz guard Oskar Groening using the same argument, however, was upheld by Germany's top criminal court on appeal.

The Stutthof case is the first use of this reasoning for a concentration camp guard instead of a death camp guard. But prosecutors have expressed confidence it can be applied, since tens of thousands of people were killed in Stutthof even though its sole purpose was not murder.

Stutthof was established in 1939 and was initially used as the main collection point for Jews and non-Jewish Poles removed from nearby Danzig.

From about 1940, it was used as a so-called "work education camp" where forced laborers, primarily Polish and Soviet citizens, were sent to serve sentences and often died. Others incarcerated there included criminals, political prisoners, homosexuals and Jehovah's Witnesses.

From mid-1944, it was filled with tens of thousands of Jews from ghettos being cleared by the Nazis in the Baltics as well as from Auschwitz, and thousands of Polish civilians swept up in the brutal suppression of the Warsaw uprising.MOSCOW (AP) - A Moscow court has arrested a 14-year-old boy believed to be linked to a bomb attack at a local branch of Russia's main intelligence agency in a northern city last week.

The court on Tuesday ruled to keep behind bars the teenage Moscow resident, whose name is not disclosed because he is underage. Russian news agencies reported that investigators believe that the teenager has ties to a 17-year-old male technical college student who set off the bomb Wednesday at a branch of the FSB in the city of Arkhangelsk. The attack injured three security officials and killed the student.

Authorities called it a "lone wolf" attack but said the bombing prompted an investigation into an anarchist chat group where he had posted a warning.WHEATON, Ill. (AP) - A suburban Chicago man has pleaded guilty to supplying a fatal dose of methadone to a 15-year-old student from Spain.

DuPage County prosecutors say 38-year-old Francis Emanuele of Downers Grove pleaded guilty Monday to drug-induced homicide and indecent solicitation of a child.

Prosecutors say the student fell ill and later was found not breathing in her bed on May 3, 2016.

Investigators found a syringe and bottle containing a clear liquid in her bedroom that later was determined to be methadone. Authorities say Emanuele supplied the girl with the drug and taught her how to ingest it.

The girl met Emanuele because she was friends with another foreign exchange student who was living with Emanuele's family.

Emanuele is next due in court Dec. 17.GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - NASA is monitoring how residents living near the Texas Gulf Coast react to quiet sonic booms as the space agency works on an experimental aircraft that could significantly reduce commercial flight times.

NASA launched a two-week research project Monday on quiet supersonic research flights near Galveston, the Houston Chronicle reported. NASA is flying an F/A-18 jet in a unique maneuver over the Gulf of Mexico to assess the community's response to the noise.

A spokesman said NASA officials hope the tests will produce data that can be used by the agency when testing the X-59 low boom flight demonstrator, the experimental aircraft it hopes could eventually reduce commercial flight times by half.

The Concorde, an airplane tested decades ago, could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours by traveling twice the speed of sound. But federal aviation officials banned it after residents complained about the plane's sonic boom.

Supersonic flights by passenger planes are banned over land or close to shore in the U.S., although the Federal Aviation Administration can allow exceptions.

NASA recruited about 500 volunteers from the Galveston area to give feedback and define the level at which they were able to hear the sonic booms from the F/A-18. The project marks "the first time in decades that we have reached out to a large community as part of our supersonic research," said Peter Coen, NASA's commercial supersonic technology project manager.

CHANGES LOCATION OF EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - In this April 17, 2018 photo, a NASA image of a F/A-18 performing a Sonic Boom over Edwards Air Force Base in California, is shown on a TV screen in Galveston, Texas. NASA has begun a series of supersonic research flights off the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston to test how the community responds to noise from a new experimental aircraft. (Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Atmospheric turbulence and humidity can affect how some areas perceive the "quiet thumps" made from the jet's special maneuver, according to NASA officials.

NASA will provide the collected public response data to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has banned supersonic passenger flights over land partly because of concerns about how they'll affect communities and infrastructure.

Some Galveston residents posted on Facebook about the sonic booms on Monday, the first day of testing.

"I heard the 'quiet thump' this morning," resident Jeff Daniels wrote. "It's definitely much better than a traditional sonic boom but I wouldn't want to listen to it all the time such as regular commercial air flights. It still rattles the windows."

___

This story has been corrected to show the test flights near Galveston are being conducted by F/A-18 jets, not the experimental aircraft, and that NASA didn't conduct the Concorde tests.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.comWASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans retained Senate control Tuesday after ousting Democratic incumbents in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri, delivering a victory to President Donald Trump by preserving the chamber as a showplace for his conservative priorities for two more years.

To seal the win, the GOP drew backing from hard-right voters in rural, deep-red states, where Trump's nativist, racially tinged rhetoric and insult-laden discourse were as stirring for some conservatives as they were infuriating to liberals elsewhere.

"Donald Trump went out and worked his tail off," Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., who heads the Senate GOP's campaign committee, said in an interview. He cited Trump rallies that drew thousands in crucial states during the campaign's closing weeks and added, "The president was THE factor."

The significance of the Republican victory in the Senate, which the party has dominated for the past four years, was magnified because Democrats wrested House control from the GOP. That's a sure-fire formula for two years of legislative gridlock and positioning for the 2020 presidential and congressional elections.

Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, the only GOP incumbent seeking re-election in a state Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won in 2016, became the only Republican senator to lose. First-term Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen ousted him, attacking him for backing last year's Republican effort to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law.

Republicans retained Senate seats in the South, Midwest and West and ensured at least a 51-49 majority, equal to their current margin. With three races unresolved early Wednesday, Republicans stood a chance of expanding their majority with wins possible in Florida, Arizona and Montana.

Sen.-elect Josh Hawley makes his victory speech while his wife Erin looks on during an election watch party Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 in Springfield, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

They paved their path to victory by defeating Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Missouri's Claire McCaskill. They kept competitive seats in Texas, where Sen. Ted Cruz fended off Rep. Beto O'Rourke, the well-financed liberal darling, and Tennessee, where Rep. Marsha Blackburn prevailed.

Trump called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., "to congratulate him on the historic Senate gains," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. It was just the second midterm election in over three decades when the party holding the White House gained seats.

The Republican Senate win was especially significant because that chamber confirms nominations, including for Supreme Court justices and federal judges, a top GOP priority.

The GOP agenda includes tax and spending cuts, trade, immigration restrictions and curbs on Obama's health care law. Short of compromises, perhaps on infrastructure, its initiatives will go nowhere in the House.

Even passing many bills will be difficult for the Senate. The GOP will fall short of the 60 votes needed to break Democratic filibusters, procedural delays that kill legislation.

Though Republicans entered the night commanding the Senate only narrowly, a crucial piece of math worked for them: Democrats and their two independent allies defended 26 seats, Republicans just nine.

"Senate Democrats faced the most difficult political map in 60 years," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of Senate Democrats' political arm. He lauded his party for winning at least half the 10 seats they were defending in states Trump carried and preventing Republicans from capturing a filibuster-proof majority.

Blackburn, a conservative and ardent Trump backer, defeated former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, 74. Bredesen had promised a bipartisan approach if elected.

Heitkamp lost to GOP Rep. Kevin Cramer, whom Trump persuaded to seek the Senate seat. McCaskill was denied a third term by Josh Hawley, 38, Missouri's hard-right attorney general, who called McCaskill too liberal for the state.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin was re-elected in West Virginia, which Trump captured by 42 percentage points. Democratic incumbents prevailed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, which Trump carried narrowly.

Tuesday's midterms were among the most bitter in years, with Trump stoking conservatives' fears of caravans of immigrants traversing Mexico and inaccurately painting Democrats as broadly striving to bring socialism to the U.S. He acknowledged the contest would be a referendum on his presidency.

Democrats hoped their supporters' would surge to the polls. Fueling their intensity were Trump's anti-immigration stances, his efforts to dismantle health care protections enacted under Obama and the #MeToo movement's fury over sexual harassment.

"Ever since President Trump has been in office, it has just been not the country that I am used to or that I thought I would be in," said Sarah Roth, 22, a Democratic voter from Minnetonka, Minnesota. "And so this really was my opportunity to help this country in changing who is making the decisions."

AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate conducted by The Associated Press, highlighted Trump's impact. Nearly 4 in 10 said they were casting ballots to express opposition to him, while just 1 in 4 said their vote was an expression of support.

"I believe he values immigration, but he wants to make sure we're safe," said Tina Newby of Wetland, Michigan, a GOP voter. "I like the fact that he is not a politician, and I forgive some of the socially incorrect or politically incorrect things that he says."

Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democrats Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar were easily re-elected. All three and Sherrod Brown, a pro-labor senator victorious in Ohio, are considered potential 2020 Democratic presidential contenders.

Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez won a third Senate term in New Jersey, despite a federal bribery indictment that prosecutors dropped this year after a mistrial. Also victorious was Republican Mitt Romney, the vanquished 2012 GOP presidential candidate, who grabbed an open Utah seat.

AP VoteCast is a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters and nonvoters conducted for the AP by NORC at the University of Chicago.

___

AP reporters Jeff Baenen in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and John Flesher in Traverse City, Michigan, contributed.

Well-wishers surround Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., after she addressed supporters at an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in West Fargo, N.D. Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer defeated Heitkamp. (AP Photo/Ann Arbor Miller)

Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott kisses his wife Ann as he speaks to supporters at an election watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., leaves her polling place after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Kirkwood, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Sen.-elect Josh Hawley walks on stage with his wife Erin to make his victory speech during an election watch party Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 in Springfield, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Rep. Beto O'Rourke, the 2018 Democratic Candidate for the Senate in Texas, waves to supporters as he leaves a polling place with his family after voting, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen votes Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Bredesen is running against Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., for the U.S. Senate. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a campaign event Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cypress, Texas. Cruz is being challenged by Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Republican Senate candidate Josh Hawley waves to the crowd after being introduced by President Donald Trump during a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)WASHINGTON (AP) - The Democrats took back the House with a surge of fresh new candidates and an outpouring of voter enthusiasm Tuesday, breaking the GOP's monopoly on power in Washington and setting the stage for a multitude of investigations of President Donald Trump that could engulf his administration over the next two years.

Ending eight years of Republican control that began with the tea party revolt of 2010, Democrats picked off more than two dozen GOP-held districts in suburbs across the nation on the way to securing the 218 seats needed for a majority.

As of early Wednesday, Democrats had won 219 races and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races. Democrats lead in nine of those, Republicans in 14. The final count is likely to leave Democrats with a narrow majority that could be difficult to manage and preserve.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is seeking to reclaim the gavel as House speaker, called it a "new day in America."

She saluted "those dynamic, diverse and incredible candidates who have taken back the House for the American people."

With the Republicans keeping control of the Senate, the outcome in the House could mean gridlock for Trump's agenda on Capitol Hill - or, conversely, it could open a new era of deal-making.

David Rosen, from left, Jennifer Karol and her husband Tom Karol react to an update on the 32nd Texas congressional race during an election night party for Democratic candidate Colin Allred at the Magnolia Hotel Dallas Park Cities in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Allred is running against incumbent Republican Pete Sessions for the Texas 32nd U.S. congressional house district. (AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn)

As the majority party, the Democrats will chair important committees and will have expansive powers to investigate the president, his business dealings and the inner workings of his administration, including whether anyone from the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

They will have authority to request Trump's tax returns and subpoena power to obtain documents, emails and testimony.

However, any attempt to impeach Trump is likely to run headlong into resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Pelosi, meanwhile, is likely to face a challenge for the speakership from newer or younger members later this month. And the Democrats could see a struggle inside the party over how aggressively to confront the Trump administration.

During the campaign, Pelosi urged candidates to focus on lowering health care costs and creating jobs with infrastructure investment, and she tamped down calls for impeachment.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of ugly rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, health care and the role of Congress in overseeing the president.

In locking down a majority, Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Denver and Dallas that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Democrats made only slight inroads in Trump country, where they tried to win back white working-class voters.

Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, but the GOP's hold on power was further weakened by an unusually large number of retirements as well as infighting between conservatives and centrists over their allegiance to Trump.

The Democrats, in turn, benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities, many of them motivated by revulsion over Trump.

As the returns came in, voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. Perhaps the biggest new political star among them is New York's 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal firebrand from the Bronx.

Also among them are the first two Native American women elected to the House - Democrats Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico - and the first two Muslim-American women, Rhasida Tlaib of Michigan and Minnesota's Ilhan Oman.

The Republican side of the aisle elected mostly white men.

In trying to stem Republican losses, Trump made only passing reference to his $1.5 trillion tax cut - the GOP Congress' signature achievement - and instead barnstormed through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark and foreboding warnings. He predicted an "invasion" from the migrant caravan making its way toward the U.S. and decried the "radical" agenda of speaker-in-waiting Pelosi.

On Tuesday night, he called to congratulate Pelosi and acknowledged her plea for bipartisanship, the leader's spokesman said.

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots, according to a survey of the American electorate by The Associated Press. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their votes.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration Cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in a nearby district.

In the suburbs outside the nation's capital, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock - among the most endangered GOP incumbents, branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats - lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator.

And outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time tea party favorite Rep. Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the GOP vote to gut the Affordable Care Act. Like other Democrats across the country, Spanberger emphasized protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage or charged more by insurers.

Pennsylvania was particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play. Democratic favorite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

In Kentucky, the heart of Trump country, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Republicans had expected the GOP tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the East and West coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.

The tax law was particularly problematic for Republicans in high-tax New Jersey, where at least three GOP-held seats flipped. The winners included Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who ran for a suburban Newark seat.

The GOP campaign committee distanced itself from eight-term Rep. Steve King of Iowa after he was accused of racism and anti-Semitism, but he won anyway.

In California, four GOP seats in the one-time Republican stronghold of Orange County were in play, along with three other seats to the north beyond Los Angeles and into the Central Valley.

"We always knew these races are going to be close," said Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, co-chair of House Democrats' recruitment efforts. "It's just a very robust class of candidates that really reflects who we are as a country."

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics . Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lisamascaro and at https://twitter.com/AP_Politics .

Democrat Jennifer Wexton, left, smiles as former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe gives her a kiss at her election night party after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

New York Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, center, signs a register before voting, Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018, in the Parkchester community in the Bronx, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Democratic congressional candidate Amy McGrath stands in line with her family while waiting to vote on Election Day in Georgetown, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

Candidate for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., waits in line to vote in Langhorne, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Andy Kim, the Democratic candidate in New Jersey's third Congressional District, holds his son as he stands with his wife Kammy Lai and their son as they prepare to vote Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Bordentown, N.J. Kim is facing Tom MacArthur, the Republican incumbent candidate in New Jersey's third Congressional District. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Haley Stevens, candidate for Michigan's 11th Congressional District, gives a thumbs up as exits her polling place Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Rochester Hills, Mich. Stevens is running against Lena Epstein. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Maryland's 6th Congressional District candidate Amie Hoeber greets voters in front of a voting location Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Potomac, Md. David Trone, a Democrat and co-owner of a national wine store chain, is running against Hoeber, a Republican and national security consultant. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - A record number of women were elected to the House on Tuesday, nearly two years after women spilled out into the streets of Washington and in cities across the country in defiance of the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The incoming class of lawmakers could have a stark impact on politics in the nation's capital, particularly within the Democratic Party, after a midterm election that was widely seen as a referendum on Trump's first term.

As of Wednesday, voters were on track to send at least 100 women to the House, surpassing the previous record of 84. According to data compiled by The Associated Press, 237 women ran for the House as major-party candidates this year. That number is expected to grow, as results had not been called for more than a dozen races in which women are running.

Among the new lawmakers headed to the House is Jennifer Wexton, a Virginia state senator who defeated incumbent Barbara Comstock in one of the most closely watched races across the country. And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the former Bernie Sanders organizer who won an upset primary victory over a senior House Democrat, will also head to Congress.

The Election Day gains by women were the capstone on a midterm election that has been defined by the energy of women, both on the political left and right. Women not only ran for office at an unprecedented rate, several knocked off white male incumbents during their party primaries. They mobilized on the grassroots level and played larger roles as donors than in previous election cycles.

There was also a historic gender gap that showed women more supportive of Democrats than Republicans. According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more evenly divided in their vote.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., smiles as she is cheered by a crowd of Democratic supporters during an election night returns event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

In victory speeches across the country, women acknowledged the groundbreaking year.

"I am so honored to share both the ballot and the stage with the many visionary, bold women who have raised their hand to run for public office," said Ayanna Pressley, who became the first black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts. "Now, listen, I know for a fact none of us ran to make history, we ran to make change. However, the historical significance of this evening is not lost on me. The significance of history is not lost on me, including my personal one."

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala noted that both of her opponents in the race for a House seat from Florida were women.

"This is the year of the woman, and the fact that women were willing to put themselves on the line is important, whether they've been Republicans or Democrats," said Shalala, a first-time candidate for elected office.

Women also contested governor's races across the country. Twenty-two states have never elected a woman as governor, and six states have female governors today. This year, women tied the record for most governor's seats women have ever held - nine - a number that was previously reached in 2004 and 2007. Stacey Abrams, one of 16 women running for governor this year, remains in a tight contest in Georgia.

The surge of female candidates this year has drawn comparisons to the "Year of the Woman," when in 1992 voters sent 47 women to the House, and four women joined the Senate bringing women's numbers to six.

This year, women not only increased their numbers, but the new class of lawmakers also includes women from a wide patchwork of backgrounds, adding to a Congress that is expected to be more diverse.

"This isn't just the year of the woman, this is the year of every woman," said Cecile Richards, who served as the president of Planned Parenthood for more than a decade, noting the groundbreaking diversity among the women who have run for office this year.

Texas is set to send its first Hispanic women to Congress, as Democrats Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia both won their races. In Kansas, Sharice Davids, a Democrat running in a suburban Kansas City district, will become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first openly LGBT person to represent Kansas at the federal level.

Women also reached a record number in the Senate. As of Wednesday morning, 24 women were set to serve in the Senate come January, one more woman than the current record of 23.

Tennessee gained the state's first woman in the Senate as Marsha Blackburn defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen.

"Now you don't have to worry if you're going to call me congressman or congresswoman or congress lady," Blackburn said in her victory speech. "Now, senator will do."

Also in the Senate, Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin held off a challenge from Republican Leah Vukmir, but her fellow Democrats Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Claire McCaskill of Missouri were defeated by their Republican opponents.

The gains among women on Capitol Hill come as potential Democratic candidates for president are already taking steps to challenge Trump, several prominent female Democrats among them.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the Democrats who is considering the 2020 race, said that the two years since Trump ascended to the White House had ushered a new generation of women into public life.

"Women who had never run for anything stepped up to put their names on the ballot," she said. "They ignored the party bosses who said they should wait their turn. They ignored the consultants who said they should cover up their tattoos and smile more, and they ignored the powerful men of the Republican Party who never took them seriously anyway."

"They refused to let anyone shut them up or stand in their way, and that is how real change begins," she added.

Democrat Madeleine Dean celebrates after winning Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District race, in Fort Washington, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Andria Tupola, Hawaii Republican candidate for governor, works the phone bank for some last minute campaigning at her campaign headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Honolulu. Tupola is challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. David Ige. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks at the Macomber Recreation Building during a "Get Out The Vote" rally in Rincon, Ga., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds reacts after casting her ballot in the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Osceola, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2018 photo, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her debate with Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa. (Rodney White/Des Moines Register via AP, Pool, File)

Kansas gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly signs in to vote Tuesday morning, Nov. 6th, 2018 at the Topeka Civic Theater in Topeka (Rex Wolf/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

Kansas gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly votes Tuesday morning, Nov. 6th, 2018 at the Topeka Civic Theater in Topeka, Kans. (Rex Wolf/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

FLE - In this Oct. 1, 2018, file photo, Kansas Democratic Congressional candidate Sharice Davids talks to volunteer at her campaign office in Overland Park, Kan. Davids is challenging Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder in Kansas' 3rd District in the Nov. 6 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

New Mexico candidate for congress Deb Haaland and candidate for state auditor Brian Colon greet each other at Cocina Azul restaurant in Albuquerque, N.M., on midterms election day Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Juan Labreche)QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - Medical workers were evaluating a former Ecuadorian vice president convicted in Latin America's biggest graft scandal following a health scare after more than two weeks on a hunger strike, authorities said late Tuesday.

Ecuador's government announced that Jorge Glas is stable but will be transported to a medical facility where he can receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes.

Former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa stated earlier on Twitter that Glas' health had declined.

Glas declared a hunger strike in October to protest his transfer to a high-security prison. A nonprofit human rights group that recently visited the ex-vice president noted that his health was deteriorating but that he'd refused hospitalization.

Glas was sentenced to six years in 2017 after his conviction on charges he orchestrated a plot to receive millions in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. He claims the charges against him amounted to a political persecution.CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - A man used his surfboard to fend off a shark that bit him on his calf off an Australian beach two days after a fatal attack on the Great Barrier Reef.

Lee Jonsson, a 43-year-old teacher aide at a local school, was bitten Wednesday at Shelly Beach off Ballina in New South Wales state. Japanese surfer Tadashi Nakahara died at the same beach in 2015 after a great white shark 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) long tore off both his legs.

Government shark experts measured the tooth imprints in Jonsson's surfboard and concluded a juvenile great white shark 2.6 meters (9 feet) long was responsible.

Ballina Shire Mayor David Wright said Jonsson came onshore after he was bitten while lying on his board, wrapped his leg and went to the hospital for treatment of a 20-centimeter (8-inch) wound.

"It dragged him off and he fought the shark with his board," Wright said. "It's one of those unfortunate things."

Beaches in the area are expected to be closed for at least 24 hours.

In this Nov. 7, 2018, image made from video police holds a victim's surfboard at a police station in Ballina, Australia. A man has used his surfboard to fend off a shark that bit him on his calf off an Australian beach two days after a fatal attack on the Great Barrier Reef. The 43-year-old surfer was bitten Wednesday morning, Nov. 7, at Shelly Beach off Ballina in New South Wales state. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)

On Monday, a shark killed a man in a harbor in the Whitsunday Islands, where two tourists were mauled in September. The islands are 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) north of Ballina.

The victim, 33-year-old doctor Daniel Christidis, had been diving from a paddle board while on a yacht cruise. Police Inspector Steve O'Connell said the group included other doctors who worked to save him but Christidis was injured too severely.

The spate of attacks in the Whitsundays has left authorities struggling to explain an apparent escalation in danger in the internationally renowned vacation destination. In September, two Australian tourists were mauled on consecutive days, one a 12-year-old girl who lost a leg.

Tourism Whitsundays general manager Natassia Wheeler said Christidis' group of 10 friends had been warned when they rented the yacht not to swim in the harbor where he was attacked.

The briefing by the rental company "involved saying no swimming at all in Cid Harbor, ... no swimming at dusk and dawn - all of the standard safety procedures," Wheeler told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Rescue helicopter crew member Ben McCauley, who accompanied all three Cid Harbor shark attack victims on the 100-kilometer (60-mile) flights from Cid Harbor to Mackay Base Hospital, said his role had taken a personal toll.

"It's tough. If you went home and came to work the next day and pretended it doesn't affect you, you're just lying to yourself," McCauley said.WASHINGTON (AP) - What is already the most diverse Congress ever will become even more so after Tuesday's elections, which broke barriers of race and gender.

For the first time, a pair of Native American congresswomen are headed to the House, in addition to two Muslim congresswoman. Massachusetts and Connecticut will also send black women to Congress as firsts for their states, while Arizona and Tennessee are getting their first female senators.

The high-profile midterm cycle that produced a record number of women contenders and candidates of color means a number of winners will take office as trailblazers. The inclusive midterm victories bode well for future election cycles, said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co-founder of Higher Heights for America, a national organization focused on galvanizing black women voters and electing black women as candidates.

"This is going to be a long process to get us to a point of proportionate representation, but tonight is a giant step forward for what leadership can and will eventually look like in this country," Peeler-Allen said. She added that even women of color who were unsuccessful will inspire a new crop of candidates, similar to the white women encouraged to run after Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential election loss.

Some of Tuesday's black female pioneers, like Illinois nurse and Democrat Lauren Underwood and Connecticut teacher and Democrat Jahana Hayes, were first-time candidates. Others, like Massachusetts' Ayanna Pressley, were political veterans. Most were considered longshots.

Several will represent districts that are majority white and that have been historically conservative, their victories a rejection of conventional wisdom on electability and the effects of gerrymandering that have historically assigned elected officials of color to represent minority communities.

FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2018 file photo, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley speaks at a rally at City Hall in Boston. On Nov. 6, Pressley became Massachusetts' first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

Pressley, a Democrat and Boston city councilwoman, will represent Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District in the next Congress. Pressley stunned the political establishment in September, defeating a 10-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, and ran unopposed in the general.

"None of us ran to make history," Pressley told supporters in her acceptance speech Tuesday. "We ran to make change. However, the historical significance of this evening is not lost on me. The significance of history is not lost on me."

Half a century ago this week, New York's Shirley Chisholm was elected the first black woman in Congress, and several of the black women elected Tuesday have said their campaigns were inspired by her example.

Also in the House, Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids were elected the first two Native American women to serve in Congress.

Democrat Mike Espy, who will face Mississippi Republican Rep. Cindy Hyde-Smith in a December runoff, could become the state's first black senator since Reconstruction.

And regardless of who wins in Arizona's competitive Senate race, the state will elect either Republican Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema as the state's first woman to serve in the chamber. Also in the Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessee's first woman senator.

Georgia candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become America's first black woman governor, while Democrat Andrew Gillum narrowly lost his bid to become the first black governor of Florida.

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan also lost her race to become the country's first Native American governor.

In Colorado, Jared Polis will be the country's first openly gay man elected governor. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevy, elected in 2001, had been outed as gay while in office.

___

Whack is the AP's national reporter on race and ethnicity. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsThe theory about the deployment a Russian military base in Belarus as a response to the deployment of a large U.S. base in Poland existed a little longer than a week. The reports about it and analytical substantiation of the Moscow and Minsk actions alarmed the West so much, that it has immediately started to probe the situation  a group of American analysts was sent to Belarus.

The end of the hysteria was put by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. At a meeting with American analysts, he said: Being foreign policy experts, you understand all the risks that any military confrontation between the West and the East can bring. Our country is absolutely not interested in conflicts, either hot or frozen, be it a neighboring country or our own territory," Lukashenko stressed that the military doctrine of Belarus is of an exclusively defensive nature.

"The need for a Russian military base is a far-fetched issue. We are in a military and political alliance with Russia. There would be no difference whether or not a military base is set up here. We are not hosting this base only because we want to show that we are sovereign and independent, we are not hosting it because we do not need it  we will fulfill our duties ourselves, in accordance with our ideas and military and defense plan with Russia," Lukashenko said, stressing that the deployment of such a base on the territory of Belarus makes no sense. According to him, deploying an air base is especially useless, since if necessary, the estimated time of arrival of any aircraft from Russia is less than 5 minutes - "so why do we need to become a target for a potential aggressor by deploying an air base."

Actually, Lukashenko was himself involved in the turmoil. His recent vague statement that Moscow and Minsk will have to respond to the deployment of "extra" military bases in Poland was interpreted in Washington as an intention to deploy a joint Russian-Belarusian military base on the territory of Belarus. This, by the way, was not the first ambiguous remark by Minsk about the appearance of a U.S. armored division in Poland on a permanent basis.

Earlier, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said he did not rule out the deployment of a foreign military base in the republic. But this statement was actually disavowed by the Russian ambassador to Minsk, Alexander Surikov, who said that the parties are not conducting negotiations on the Russian military base, but if such an issue is raised, we will discuss it.

According to local media, there are two Russian military bases operating on the territory of Belarus today: the Volga radar station, which is part of the missile attack warning system, and the Russian Navy communications center.

According to some experts, Washington's challenge in the form of an armor division base in Poland can only strengthen military relations between Moscow and Minsk. The partnership between Russia and Belarus, in addition to cooperation within the CSTO, is expressed in regular joint exercises. In particular, the West-2017 exercises were held last year, which allowed Moscow and Minsk to assess the degree of readiness of both their troops. The West 2017 exercises were also useful in helping to identify a certain difference between the level of training in the Russian and Belarusian troops, and, as experts say, this difference cannot be leveled unilaterally, which also actualizes the issue of integration in the military sphere.

And then the position of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko raises the question, who does not want to make the final big step, limiting himself to what he has, and sometimes is okay with an outright speculation about the Union State of Russia and Belarus - like, a common state has already been created, what else?

According to most Belarusian political scientists, Lukashenko fears not only a decline in the sovereignty of his state, although he cannot be called indifferent in this matter, but rather a weakening of his own power, which cannot be ruled out to a greater or lesser extent during integration processes. Therefore, whenever the situation seems to be overdue, the Belarusian leader finds reasons for maintaining the status quo in Russian-Belarusian relations.

He provides enthusiastic comments on such statements by Moscow as the recent one, that any military attack on Belarus will be regarded by Moscow as an attack on Russia with all the relevant consequences. And he does not stint on similar ones in return. And in fact, it is possible that he will not forget about the allied duty if something happens. However, Lukashenko will avoid everything which even theoretically threats his sole authority in Belarus, unless the threat does not arise ... to his personal power.WASHINGTON (AP) - Paul Ryan had to know it was coming.

The minute the House speaker shot down President Donald Trump's latest campaign-season gambit on immigration - an assertion that he could rewrite citizenship rights with the stroke of a pen - Ryan had to be braced for Trump's counterpunch. True to form, the next day, less than a week before Election Day, the hit came in a tweet. The Republican president publicly declared that the Republican speaker "knows nothing about!" birthright citizenship.

Ryan picked up the phone and called the president to tell him he'd gone too far.

Indeed, Trump had been on a tear. Instead of closing out the midterm campaigns hailing congressional Republicans' signature accomplishment - a massive tax cut - Trump was railing against a migrant caravan still hundreds of miles from the U.S. border. The migrants were a national security threat, he said. He was sending more than 5,000 troops to the border.

Enough about immigration, Ryan told him.

The extraordinary call, which has not previously been reported, barely made a ripple in Trump's White House. The president had no intention of following the soon-to-be-retired speaker's advice. Later that day, Trump would declare he might even send 15,000 troops. By the next day, he claimed he'd told the military that if migrants try to throw rocks, the troops should act as though the rocks are "rifles."

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Ryan would call Trump again days later to no avail. His failed effort to refocus Trump was illustrative of Republicans' back-to-back struggles that had run, mostly in the background, for months. At first, the struggle was to get Trump to pay attention to the election. Then it became an effort to curb his excesses when he finally did.

Interviews by The Associated Press with Democratic, Republican and White House insiders make clear that Trump - with his drumbeat of provocations and his invective about the migrant-caravan-loving "Democrat mob," ''Pocahontas," ''evil" on the other side and "low IQ" - put people in both parties on the spot. Take him on? Avert your eyes? Excuse him? Embrace the blunt, crowd-pleasing talk? Responses differed, even in the same party. But one election truism, voiced by a White House official, came to the fore: Contented voters tend not to vote. Angry, fearful ones do.

In a campaign of raw passions, intersecting with a slaughter in a Pittsburgh synagogue and mail bombs targeting some of the Democratic subjects of Trump's wrath, there was little room for contentment in the election that would flip control of the House to Democrats while preserving Republican control of the Senate.

This account of the midterm campaign is based on interviews with more than 25 campaign operatives, party officials and White House aides, most of whom spoke to the AP about blunders, high points and turning points on condition their words not be used until control of Congress had been decided. Some spoke on condition of anonymity to describe operations they were unauthorized to speak about publicly.

___

WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT?

For Republicans, a sense the sky was falling formed early this year when Democrat Conor Lamb took a House seat in solid Republican territory from the GOP with a victory in March over Rick Saccone. The contest left a bitter aftertaste for Republicans who saw their party struggle to find new and appealing candidates to step in for a wave of retirees. Meanwhile, Democrats fielded a diverse lineup of contenders, some with potential star power like Lamb, an ex-Marine who won again Tuesday night.

"If you're casting a movie about a congressman, Conor Lamb could play the role," said Corry Bliss, who runs a super PAC aligned with Ryan. "And we have to spend three months banging our heads against the wall trying to get someone elected who I think was physically allergic to raising money and doing work."

Even after the Pennsylvania harbinger, House Republicans found it difficult to get Trump's interest.

The House majority leader, Kevin McCarthy, raced to strike deals with jittery lawmakers, trying to persuade them not to retire. He worked to recruit the best candidates with sometimes disappointing results.

Trump was largely uninterested, frustrating House Republicans. In August, McCarthy tried to engage Trump, organizing a conference call with the president, GOP House campaign chairman Steve Stivers and Republican Troy Balderson, who was running in a special election in Ohio. The president got off the call and enthusiastically tweeted his support for Stivers - the wrong man.

Over time, the majority leader helped drive home the stakes of losing the House with a what's-in-it-for-Trump checklist, a party official said. The most obvious would be the difficulty of passing Trump's agenda with a split Congress. As well, the House has powers of investigation, and Democrats planned to use them against a president who already feels dogged by "witch hunts."

On Wednesday, Trump said he'd adopt a "warlike posture" if House Democrats come after him with investigations of his financial and other matters - and try to use the Senate to retalitate.

__

WHERE'S THE MONEY?

Cash was another issue.

In June, top Republicans gathered at a luxury mountainside resort in Park City, Utah, for Mitt Romney's annual political retreat. Among the speakers was Michael Bloomberg, the former Republican-turned-independent mayor of New York, a fixture at gatherings of wealthy political influencers.

Something about Bloomberg's 40-minute speech felt different this time. As guests exited, several commented to the AP that Bloomberg sounded like he was giving a Democratic presidential stump speech.

"Two or three weeks later, I walked out of my quarterly board meeting, and there it was on my phone: Bloomberg announces he's spending $100 million to help Democrats take back the House," Bliss said. "It all made sense."

Bloomberg's influx of cash caught Republicans off guard and opened a fundraising deficit that the GOP couldn't come close to making up.

"It was a real game changer," Bliss said. "It would have been manageable without that."

Some GOP officials had complaints about how money was spent by the National Republican Congressional Committee's independent expenditure arm.

For example, money continued to be poured into Rep. Barbara Comstock's suburban Virginia district long after party leaders deemed the race a lost cause. Democrat Jennifer Wexton defeated her Tuesday.

In Florida's 26th district, the outside group locked in TV airtime for the fall in July when rates were cheaper. In September, the group canceled the buy - only to rebook it one day later at a far higher rate. Democrats narrowly prevailed there Tuesday.

By Labor Day, Charlie Kelly, executive director of House Majority PAC, the outside group supporting Democrats, had already secured more than $40 million for TV ads to run after the holiday, twice the usual amount.

His Republican counterparts had already burned through as much cash just propping up the unpopular GOP tax plan and efforts at a repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law. That was on top of huge sums Republicans spent salvaging GOP seats in special elections.

___

HOUSE DEMS ON TRACK

Democrats had far less trouble keeping members and allies on course with their message to voters.

The script was set early. In February, the House Majority PAC asked Republican voters in suburban swing districts to journal, for three days, about their priorities. People wrote about their views on open-ended questions: What do Democrats stand for? Republicans?

What voters scribbled in their online notebooks, and said in focus groups later about the president, showed Democrats the importance of clearing out the noise of the Trump administration and focusing on the kitchen table issues. Perhaps the partisan divide wasn't so wide after all.

"That to me was sort of an eye-opening moment," Kelly said. "My goodness, we can win these places."

Almost every time Trump interjected a new topic - Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the migrant caravans - the top House Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, would urge colleagues to stay focused on lower health care costs, better jobs by rebuilding infrastructure, spending more on education and cleaning up government.

"Our candidates are sticking with that message no matter what he does or says," Pelosi said during a Tucson, Arizona-area swing through a GOP open seat that Republicans all but abandoned weeks earlier.

They also went looking for new Democratic voters - particularly in Florida.

The resettlement of Puerto Ricans fleeing to Florida after Hurricane Maria in 2017 was a key opportunity.

Estimates of the number who came to Florida fluctuated. Many did not have permanent addresses where campaign staff and volunteers could find them to encourage them to register to vote.

But they did have cellphones.

People on the Democratic National Committee's technology team, led by former Uber executive Raffi Krikorian, wondered if they could use those cellphone numbers to track which people from the island were now living in Florida. The Democratic group had already spent $1 million to add 100 million cellphone numbers to its voter database.

This time, the DNC bought voter information from commercial aggregators that tracked what cellphone towers certain numbers were pinging off. They focused on Puerto Rican cellphone numbers that pinged off towers in Florida for 30 days or more - a timeline that DNC officials believed showed that a person had relocated to the state.

The search resulted in 300,000 numbers in Florida alone, as well as thousands more in other states. The DNC started texting messages to those numbers encouraging people to register to vote and back Democratic candidates.

___

HERE'S THE PRESIDENT

By midsummer, top Republican operatives were bracing for the prospect of losing up to 60 seats in the House, far more than the 23 the Democrats needed to take control. There was even talk of Democrats taking the Senate, although those races were largely in conservative-leaning states.

On the House side, Trump's volatility was hurting Republicans in the polls, particularly with independents and women. His cozy appearance alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, didn't help matters, and his administration's child separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border exponentially deepened the damage.

One GOP operative described the summer trend as getting worse by the day.

By Labor Day, many Republicans were so outwardly worried that the House was lost that they were already dissecting how it all went wrong and assigning blame. Democrats were widening the battleground, polling in many districts looked dismal for the GOP and Trump didn't seem to care.

Then Kavanaugh took his seat in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room.

The Supreme Court nominee's wrought, explosive defense of the sexual allegations against him did more than clear the way for his confirmation. It gave Republicans a rallying cry against the "mob" - the emerging buzzword that summed up Democratic opposition to Kavanaugh, to the GOP-held Congress and to Trump's agenda.

Republicans needed anger on their side, said a party official, and suddenly had it.

Many Republicans believed the #MeToo movement had gone too far and a good man's reputation had been smeared.

Trump, now in full campaign mode, rolled into his hotel late the night of the Kavanaugh hearing for a House Republican fundraiser. His tardiness hardly mattered. He regaled donors and GOP lawmakers with stories as if it were their own private Trump rally. The event brought in $15 million for House campaign committees.

Fundraising went through the roof. The Sunday after the Thursday, Sept. 27, hearing was the largest online fundraising day in the Republican National Committee's history. Small-dollar donations soared 418 percent in the days afterward. A single text message, which usually brings in about $10,000, brought in seven times that amount on a Saturday.

___

THE KAVANAUGH EFFECT

On Oct. 4, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a moderate in conservative North Dakota, sat in a secure room at the U.S. Capitol, peering through black-framed glasses at the FBI report about Kavanaugh.

She looked up from the table and said quietly to fellow Democratic senators in the room: "I can't do this" - meaning she could not vote to confirm the man who'd been accused of sexual assault.

There was a heavy tone of reservation in her voice. One colleague said that it was painful for her and that she knew she was committing political suicide.

Heitkamp would not recover. Republican Kevin Cramer defeated her Tuesday.

North Dakota wasn't an outlier. Working-class voters, particularly men, had the same reaction to the Kavanaugh allegation.

In the days after his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, testified on Capitol Hill, the chairwoman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party called the DNC with an urgent warning: The confirmation fight appeared to be galvanizing white men in rural parts of Wisconsin - the same voters who helped tilt the state toward Trump in the 2016 election.

Chairwoman Martha Laning told DNC officials that her team had been monitoring Republican pages on Facebook and other social media sites and was suddenly seeing more engagement from men than earlier in the year, according to one Democratic official.

The hearing was an "adrenaline shot" for GOP voters, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his post-election appraisal Wednesday.

Democrats' hopes of pulling off a wave powerful enough to give them Senate control faded fast.

Privately, Democratic officials were more conservative than they were letting on about their prospects in Texas in the Senate race between Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke. Although O'Rourke was raising eye-popping amounts of money and drawing national attention, his campaign wasn't doing some basic things, like polling. He lost Tuesday.

By mid-October, Democrats had largely given up on Heitkamp. If the state weren't so inexpensive, campaign groups probably would have pulled out weeks before, according to one Democratic official. But with the low cost of television time and other campaign infrastructure, Democratic campaign committees decided it was better to keep spending a bit of money there than to be seen abandoning an incumbent senator.

Among Democrats' most vulnerable Senate candidates was Bill Nelson, the 76-year-old former astronaut who had held his seat since 2001. The biggest boost for Nelson came when Florida Democrats nominated Andrew Gillum - the young black mayor of Tallahassee - as their candidate for governor.

Gillum instantly energized Florida Democrats, giving Nelson a boost in the process. According to one Democratic official, the party probably would have written the Senate seat off if it hadn't been for Gillum's primary victory. Gillum lost Tuesday; Nelson's race was too close to call.

___

THE MIGRANTS

Kavanaugh was sworn in a month before Election Day. House Republicans knew they could neither sustain the momentum nor keep the president focused for that long.

Trump quickly found his closing message.

The president sent out his first tweet about the caravan on Oct. 16. At a Montana rally two days later, he declared the election was about "jobs versus mobs."

"This will be an election of Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order, and common sense," Trump said.

A White House official said the rhetoric reflected the understanding that contented voters aren't engaged voters. Fear drives turnout, the official said.

The president, acknowledging his tax cut was failing to drive voters, pledged a second one would come. Then that idea seemed to vanish. Trump conceded economic talk was less interesting and garnered less buzz than his immigration threats.

Over the following three weeks, Trump, his administration and his campaign deployed ever more dire warnings about the consequences of Democratic control of Congress. The president stoked fears about illegal immigration and predicted economic collapse if Democrats won.

Trump's fierce words about the migrants - as reflected in his suggestion that they'd be shot by U.S. authorities if they threw rocks - were enough to make some Republicans wish the election were two weeks earlier, in what they perceived as the Kavanaugh bump.

It stopped the moment, a GOP operative said.

Independent-minded voters who thought Democrats went overboard in assailing Kavanaugh were now viewing Trump as having gone over the top.

It may not have helped Democrats, but it made some voters disengage, the operative said.

___

Associated Press writers Cal Woodward, Jill Colvin, Catherine Lucey, Jonathan Lemire and Steve Peoples in Washington and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, delivers his victory speech during an election night party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)WASHINGTON (AP) - A polarized nation is now more deeply divided.

In a single flurry of elections Tuesday, Democrats took control of the House of Representatives. Republicans held their grip on the Senate. And the breach that divides Americans - urban from rural, white from black, conservative from liberal - stretched ever wider.

The midterm results highlight a political sorting in America that has accelerated during Donald Trump's presidency. Race, class and geography separate the parties as much as ideology, with the president as the dividing line.

Democrats surged to their new House majority by picking up seats in more affluent and highly educated suburban districts. Voters in the suburbs skewed toward Democrats by a nearly 10-percentage-point margin, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate.

College-educated women, in particular, helped carry Democratic candidates, motivated in part by a deep opposition to Trump's nationalist agenda and racially charged rhetoric.

"This gender gap has been increasing cycle after cycle," said Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily's List, a group backing Democratic female candidates. "Particularly under this Trump administration, that's going to continue moving forward."

The West Wing of the White House at sunset on election day in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

But the Democratic gains were limited to the House. The Senate landscape told a different story, of a segment of the country that looked far different.

Republicans increased their Senate majority with support from the same coalition of voters that propelled Trump to the presidency two years ago: whites without college degrees - particularly men - in more conservative, rural states. GOP candidates defeated Democratic incumbents in North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri.

The GOP victories appeared to reinforce the politics behind Trump's closing message - a mix of dark, inaccurate warning about an "invasion" of immigrants streaming across the U.S. border. The fear, it seems, does motivate Republicans. And few can summon that anxiety like Trump.

"He is absolutely the only Republican who could generate the kind of enthusiasm in the base that was necessary to compete in a really difficult midterm," said Josh Holmes, a longtime political adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

With each party taking control of one chamber of Congress, and another presidential election fast approaching, these divisions will be a defining feature of American politics through 2020. Each party now has a template for success in the Trump era and will spend the next two years trying to replicate it.

The midterm results hold some long-term promise for Democrats, a party that was banished to the political hinterlands in 2016.

Some Democratic-leaning states that flipped for Trump two years ago - Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania - swung back to the left Tuesday, electing Democrats in key Senate and governors' races. That suggests Trump's victories in the Midwestern battlegrounds could have been an anomaly, not a permanent realignment.

The president can take solace, however, in the fact that Republicans were victorious in Ohio and Florida, two of the most important political battlegrounds. In Florida, Trump acolyte Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum, the young, black mayor of Tallahassee who had appeared poised to become a national party star.

Demographics remain a looming problem for Republicans in a nation that continues to grow more diverse. Unless the GOP can boost its appeal with minorities, as well as younger Americans, the party may simply run out of voters to carry its candidates to victory.

But what's good for the Republican Party long-term is not necessarily Trump's focus.

The president spent little time during this election year trying to win over his critics or bring highly educated voters back into the Republican fold. He doubled down on the issues that helped him win in 2016, particularly hardline immigration policies.

But those same political maneuvers cost Republicans in the House, where the fight for control played out in moderate, suburban districts Trump lost in 2016. A strong economy and a pro-business tax plan that Republicans believed would appeal to the wealthier, better educated voters in these areas were overshadowed by the president's vitriol.

Trump now faces a choice as he plunges into his own re-election campaign. He can moderate his policies and his tactics and try to appeal to those voters who abandoned the GOP this year. Or he may conclude that the same coalition of voters that carried him to the White House two years ago will show up in large enough numbers when his name is on the ballot.

__

AP polling reporter Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report.

__

Editor's Note: Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics for the AP since 2007. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, dances to the music as she steps away from the podium past Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., far left, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., after speaking about Democratic wins in the House of Representatives to a crowd of Democratic supporters during an election night returns event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey celebrate after winning the Florida Governor's race during DeSantis' party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando on Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP)HELSINKI (AP) - Hungary's ruling party pledged Wednesday to respect democracy and the rule of law as center-right parties across Europe weighed whether to eject it and the Hungarian prime minister from the biggest and most influential political group in the European Union.

Fidesz party lawmakers made the commitment at a congress of the European People's Party group, where an "emergency resolution" was introduced partly to establish where the stridently nationalist party's sympathies lay.

Delegates at the congress vowed to promote the values of "human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights." democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights."

The EPP, the group uniting Europe's center-right parties, has been wringing its hands over whether to keep Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Fidesz in the fold or cut them loose before European Parliament elections in May.

Far-right and populist parties have made big gains in EU countries as their leaders bicker over what experts say should be an eminently manageable level of mass migration. Orban's government erected razor-wire fences to keep migrants out as hundreds of thousands of people - most of them refugees from Syria and Iraq - tried to enter Europe in 2015.

EU lawmakers voted in September to pursue unprecedented action against the Hungarian government for attempting to undermine the bloc's democratic values and rule of law. However, some EPP insiders fear that pushing Orban out might push him into the arms of far-right parties such as nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) or France's National Rally.

Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila, left, welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Prime Minister's official residence Kes'rantain, in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Center-right leaders and senior politicians from across Europe on Wednesday thrashed out their strategy to hold power in the next EU elections and weighed whether Hungary's stridently nationalist ruling party should remain part of their political family. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Others worry that a policy of containment might undermine the EPP and shift it further right.

A recent battle between Brussels and Italy's populist government over the country's budget plans and stalled negotiations over Britain's departure from the EU in March are other sources of concern that the European project could face chaos after the May parliamentary polls.

In their resolution in Helsinki, Finland, delegates underlined that the group's values were "being challenged in an unprecedented manner" and said populist and nationalist extremism were among the biggest threats "to freedom and democracy in Europe since the fall of the Iron Curtain."

The two-day meeting - involving government leaders from Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia and the EU's main institutions - is a chance for the group to thrash out its strategy to hold power in the polls and nominate its lead candidate.

Two men are in the running for that role and vying to become the next president of the European Commission, the powerful executive arm that proposes and enforces EU laws.

The favorite is Germany's Manfred Weber, a 46-year-old conservative's conservative from Bavaria. Weber is more open to accommodating Orban and has received the Hungarian leader's endorsement in the runoff.

His opponent, Alexander Stubb, is a former Finnish prime minister and part-time triathlete with a slick social media campaign that promotes him as part of "the next generation of Europe."

Ahead of the resolution vote, Stubb told The Associated Press that if Orban "signs it, he continues in the party but sticks to the line and stops talking about illiberal democracy, which is nonsense." He added: "If he doesn't sign it, he's out."

Asked by AP why the EPP even felt it had to define its values in a resolution, Weber said "there is no debate about any kind of value inside the EPP group." He said the EPP "invented" the European dream.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose governing coalition includes a far-right party, said that "the cores values that we have in Europe are sacred, and they should be protected in member states."

EPP patriarch, group President Joseph Daul, played down the concerns about Orban.

"In every family there is an enfant terrible," Daul said. "But because I'm a Christian Democrat, I prefer to keep my enfant terrible inside the family and to be able to talk to him and reason with him."

The EPP's main opposition, the Socialists and Democrats, will have current Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans standing as their lead candidate, and the center-left is already accusing its rivals of selling out.

"Conservatives are clearly no longer reliable partners when it comes to fighting the dark forces that are trying to undermine rule of law, democracy and solidarity in Europe," Socialist leader Udo Bullmann said in a statement Wednesday.

___

David Keyton and Jari Tanner contributed to this report.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto listen to Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache during a joint press conference following their meeting in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Finnish police patrol the Helsinki Fair Centre, the venue of the EPP, European People's Party congress in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Center-right leaders and senior politicians from across Europe are gathering to plot their strategy to win the next EU elections, and must also decide whether Hungary's stridently nationalist ruling party should remain part of their political family. (Heikki Saukkomaa/ Lehtikuva via AP)

Rival candidates to lead the EPP, Alexander Stubb, left of Finland and Manfred Weber of Germany, talk during the EPP, European People's Party congress in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Center-right leaders and senior politicians from across Europe are gathering to plot their strategy to win the next EU elections, and must also decide whether Hungary's stridently nationalist ruling party should remain part of their political family. (Heikki Saukkomaa/ Lehtikuva via AP)

Chairman of the European People Party group (EPP) Manfred Weber at the EPP congress in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Over two days in Helsinki, Finland, heavyweights from the European People's Party _ the group uniting Europe's center-right parties _ will stake their claim to the EU's top political posts. The leaders of Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and the EU's main institutions will all attend. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finland's former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb attends the EPP congress in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Over two days in Helsinki, Finland, heavyweights from the European People's Party _ the group uniting Europe's center-right parties _ will stake their claim to the EU's top political posts. The leaders of Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and the EU's main institutions will all attend. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz attends a press conferance at the Prime Minister's official residence Kes'ranta in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 on the occasion of the European People's Party EPP congress in Helsinki. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Italian Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, Matteo Salvini, attends the LA7 TV program 'Otto e Mezzo' in Rome, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (Massimo Percossi/ANSA via AP)JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - A crucial sensor was replaced on a Lion Air jet the day before it plunged into the Java Sea, and that sensor replacement may have exacerbated other problems with the plane, Indonesian investigators said Wednesday.

That sensor, known as the "angle of attack" sensor, keeps track of the angle of the aircraft nose to help prevent the plane from stalling and diving.

Earlier this week, Indonesian officials hinted that airspeed indicators played a role in the deadly Oct. 29 crash that killed all 189 people on board.

The jet's airspeed indicator malfunctioned on its last four flights, and that problem was related to the sensor issue, said Soerjanto Tjahjono, chairman of Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee, on Wednesday.

Lion Air's first two attempts to address the airspeed indicator problem didn't work, and for the Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane's second-to-last flight on Oct. 28, the angle of attack sensors were replaced, Tjahjono said.

On the Oct. 28 flight, from Bali to Jakarta, the pilot's and copilot's sensors disagreed. The 2-month-old plane went into a sudden dive minutes after takeoff, which the pilots were able to recover from. They decided to fly on to Jakarta at a lower-than-normal altitude.

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, file photo, navy personnel carry the remains of a victim of Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea at the Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Boeing Co. says it has issued a safety bulletin that reiterates guidelines on how pilots should respond to erroneous data from an "angle of attack" sensor following last week's crash of a Boeing plane in Indonesia that killed 189 people. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File)

The next day, during the deadly crash, the plane hit the water at very high speed just 13 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. Its flight crew had requested permission to return to the airport several minutes after taking off.

"The point is that after the AOA (sensor) is replaced, the problem is not solved but the problem might even increase. Is this fatal? NTSC (National Transportation Safety Committee) wants to explore this," he said.

Even if an angle of attack sensor on a jet is faulty, there's generally a backup system in place for the critical component, and pilots are trained to handle a plane safely if those sensors fail, airline safety experts said.

There are audio signals and physical warnings that can alert the pilot to malfunctioning equipment or other dangers, said Todd Curtis, director of the Airsafe.com Foundation.

"They should have been completely engaged in what was going on inside that cockpit, and any kind of warning that came up, they would have been wise to pay attention to it," Curtis said.

Investigators are likely focused on how a single sensor's failure resulted in a faulty command that didn't take into account information from a second sensor, said John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems.

"We don't know what the crew knew and didn't know yet," Cox said. "We will."

Boeing, which manufactured the Lion Air plane, issues safety-related bulletins, and had previously circulated instructions about what flight crews should do if sensors fail.

Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee said it had agreed with Boeing on procedures that the airplane manufacturer should distribute globally on how flight crews can deal with "angle of attack" sensor problems.

But a Boeing statement said a safety bulletin, sent to airlines on Tuesday, directs flight crews to existing guidelines on how they should respond to erroneous "angle of attack" data. It wasn't immediately clear if it plans an update, though comments from Indonesian officials indicate they expect one.

Indonesian investigators said their flight procedure recommendations to Boeing were based on how the flight crew responded to problems on the Bali-to-Jakarta flight.

"The draft of what will be conveyed by Boeing this morning has been presented to us," said air accident investigator Nurcahyo Utomo.

"There are some things that we ask for explanation and some that we ask to be removed, and there has been an agreement between the NTSC and Boeing to release a new procedure to all Boeing 737 MAX users in the world," he said.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency on Wednesday extended the search effort for a second time, saying it will continue until Sunday. Body parts are still being recovered and searchers continue to hunt for the cockpit voice recorder.

The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board.

Lion Air is one of Indonesia's youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people.

___

Business Writer Cathy Bussewitz contributed to this report from New York.WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The mayor of Warsaw on Wednesday banned radical Polish nationalists from marching on the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence due to security concerns. The move prompted Polish leaders to quickly draw up plans for an inclusive march Sunday that could be embraced by all citizens.

It was a significant about-face for the populist government, which has been trying not to alienate far-right voters but then faced the strong possibility that the main news from Poland on its centennial would have been about extremists or even violence. It seemed the Warsaw mayor, normally a political rival from the opposition centrist Civic Platform, offered them a way out of their predicament.

Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said she wanted to put a stop to the extremist displays that have appeared yearly on Poland's Nov. 11 Independence Day holiday at far-right marches that have drawn tens of thousands to the capital.

At last year's march, some marchers carried racist and anti-Islamic banners calling for a "White Europe" and displayed white supremacist symbols like the Celtic Cross. There were also cases of violence against counter-protesters.

The event drew heavy media coverage and international criticism.

Lawmakers in the European Parliament called the participants "fascists" - a label that infuriated the conservative Polish government, whose leaders said most people marched with the national flag and without the racist banners. They mostly praised the march as an expression of patriotism, with one minister calling it a "beautiful sight."

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, Demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland. Thousands of nationalists marched in Warsaw on Poland's Independence Day holiday, taking part in an event that was organized by far-right groups. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

This year, Poland is celebrating the centenary of its independence, gained in 1918 at the end of World War I.

"This is not how the celebrations should look on the 100th anniversary of regaining our independence," Gronkiewicz-Waltz told a news conference. "Warsaw has suffered enough because of aggressive nationalism."

Gronkiewicz-Waltz noted that the chief organizer of the Warsaw far-right march is a leader of the National Radical Camp, which traces its roots to an anti-Semitic movement of the 1930s. She said she has asked the government to outlaw it but has been ignored.

"The capital city saved the honor of the country," the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza wrote.

Many other Poles have resented how the nationalists in recent years have managed to draw so much attention on Independence Day, overshadowing other celebrations.

President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met after the mayor's announcement and announced that a march organized by the government would take place in Warsaw on Sunday instead. Presidential spokesman Blazej Spychalski invited all Poles to march with national flags to show that "we are one white-and-red team," a reference to the flag's colors.

The government had held failed talks earlier with the far-right nationalists, hoping to make their march a state event, but far-right organizers refused the government demand that marchers could carry flags only, no banners, Morawiecki said.

A similar ban on a far-right Independence Day march was announced Tuesday by the mayor of the western Polish city of Wroclaw, who cited the risk that participants might incite racial and ethnic hatred.

The bans followed signals that extremists from elsewhere in Europe planned to travel to Warsaw on Sunday.

Mass walk-outs by Polish police officers in recent days also raised concerns that clashes between participants and counter-protesters could get out of hand if there were not enough officers to intervene.

Meanwhile, a controversial statue of the late President Lech Kaczynski was installed in a central Warsaw square ahead of its weekend unveiling as part of the centennial celebrations.

Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the identical twin of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the right-wing Law and Justice party currently in power.

While Poles have universally mourned the deaths of the president and the 95 other people who perished with him they remain divided on how to judge his presidency and whether he deserves such hero status.

More than 140 memorials to him already exist across the nation of 37 million people.

Authorities in Warsaw's local government opposed the statue and its central location. Pro-government provincial authorities were in favor. The clash is playing out in Poland's court system even as the 7-meter (23-foot) statue went up.

The end of World War I is also being marked on Sunday in Paris, where dozens of world leaders will gather, including host French President Emmanuel Macron and counterparts Donald Trump of the United States, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In Britain, Armistice Day will be commemorated Sunday with a solemn ceremony at the Cenotaph in London that will be attended by Queen Elizabeth II. Special tributes to fallen and injured servicemen will also include a Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London.

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, Demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland. Thousands of nationalists marched in Warsaw on Poland's Independence Day holiday, taking part in an event that was organized by far-right groups. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

A worker cleans a statue depicting late Polish President Lech Kaczynski after it was installed at a central square in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the twin brother of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the current ruling party, Law and Justice. The statue will be official unveiled on Saturday as part of the centennial observances marking 100 years of Polish independence. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

A worker cleans a statue depicting late Polish President Lech Kaczynski after it was installed at a central square in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the twin brother of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the current ruling party, Law and Justice. The statue will be official unveiled on Saturday as part of the centennial observances marking 100 years of Polish independence. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, Demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland. Thousands of nationalists marched in Warsaw on Poland's Independence Day holiday, taking part in an event that was organized by far-right groups. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Workers polish the new monument to late President Lech Kaczynski who died in a 2010 plane crash, just days before the ceremonious unveiling of the monument, that is a point of political contention, in Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday, Nov. 07, 2018. The unveiling Saturday will be part of ceremonies marking 100 years of Poland's independence. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Workers polish the new monument to the late President Lech Kaczynski who died in a 2010 plane crash, just days before the ceremonious unveiling of the monument, that is a point of political contention, in Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The unveiling Saturday will be part of ceremonies marking 100 years of Poland's independence.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

A statue depicting late Polish President Lech Kaczynski stands at a central square in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Kaczynski, who was killed in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, was the twin brother of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the current ruling party, Law and Justice. The statue will be official unveiled on Saturday as part of the centennial observances marking 100 years of Polish independence.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)TOAMASINA, Madagascar (AP) - Vote counting started Wednesday evening in Madagascar where citizens cast their ballots with hopes that a new leader will take this Indian Ocean island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption.

Polls closed at 5 p.m. local time (1800GMT) after a day of generally calm and uneventful voting.

The 36 presidential candidates have all promised to improve the country's economy, create new jobs and end graft, but the three leaders in the race are familiar faces who offer little chance of a dramatic change, say political analysts.

"I was looking forward to this election because the misery in Madagascar is everywhere! Our country is rich! Why are the Malagasy people, for the most part, poor?" said Judith Rasolofo, 52, a housewife with five children. "I want to see something new in Madagascar!"

Bruno Bezara said he came to vote first thing in the morning.

"I was in a hurry to come and vote because it's very important," said Bezara, 65. "I want change because there are many things that do not work in our country."

Ballots are counted at the end of a days voting in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters went to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

The winner must take more than 50 percent of the votes cast and with such a large number of candidates, it is likely the race will go to a second round, scheduled for Dec. 19.

The three former presidents who are the leading candidates have all voted. Former President Marc Ravalomanana, who ruled between 2002 and 2009, voted in his Faravohitra neighborhood, in the center of the capital, Antananarivo.

Andry Rajoelina, who was president during the transitional period of 2009 to 2013, voted in the capital's Ambatobe district.

And former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who led the country from 2013 to 2018, also voted in the Antananarivo. According to Madagascar's laws, Rajaonarimampianina resigned in order to campaign, leaving the country to be run by the president of the senate.

Voting took place normally in the center of Toamasina, a large port city on the east coast of the island.

With an estimated 76 percent of its 25 million people in extreme poverty, Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to the World Bank. There are 9.9 million registered voters who will go to the polling stations. Preliminary results are expected by Nov. 14 and officials have until Nov. 28 to declare the final outcome.

"We hope that the calm and orderly atmosphere will continue throughout the day and especially after the closing of the polls," said Christian Preda, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission in Antananarivo. "We hope that these elections will be an opportunity to consolidate the democratic achievements of the Malagasy."

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voting started Wednesday in Madagascar where nearly 10 million registered voters are casting their ballots with hopes that a new leader will take this Indian Ocean island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

Voters queue to cast their votes at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

Presidential hopeful Andry Rajoelina, casts his vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

Presidential hopeful Andry Rajoelina, casts his vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A voter goes through the voting process at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters go to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

Voters wait to cast their ballots at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters went to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

Voters inside a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters went to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

An electoral official keeps watch over a ballot box at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters went to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)

A woman goes to cast her vote at a polling station in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Voters went to the polls to elect a president with hopes that a new leader will take the Indian Island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. (AP Photo/Kabir Dhanji)Jeff Sessions pushed out after a year of attacks from Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out Wednesday after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks from President Donald Trump, who inserted in his place a Republican Party loyalist with authority to oversee the remainder of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

The move has potentially ominous implications for special counsel Robert Mueller's probe given that the new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, until now Sessions' chief of staff, has questioned the inquiry's scope and spoke publicly before joining the Justice Department about ways an attorney general could theoretically stymie the investigation.

Congressional Democrats, concerned about protecting Mueller, called on Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation in its final but potentially explosive stages.

That duty has belonged to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and closely monitors his work.

The resignation, in a one-page letter to Trump, came one day after Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives and was the first of several expected post-midterms Cabinet and White House departures. Though Sessions was an early and prominent campaign backer of Trump, his departure letter lacked effusive praise for the president and made clear the resignation came "at your request."

___

White House suspends CNN's Acosta after Trump confrontation

NEW YORK (AP) - The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Donald 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, "That's enough!" and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta.

White House press secretary Sarah 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, ma'am," he told her.

Acosta tweeted that Sanders' statement that he put his hands on the aide was "a lie."

___

Trump, Democrats confront thorny life under divided Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - Suddenly facing life under divided government, President Donald Trump and congressional leaders talked bipartisanship Wednesday but then bluntly previewed the fault lines to come. Trump threatened to go after House Democrats who try to investigate him, while Rep. Nancy Pelosi said her party would be "a check and balance" against the White House.

The day after midterm elections reset Washington, Trump took a victory lap at a raucous news conference, celebrating Republican Senate wins but distancing himself from the GOP's loss of the House. He said he was interested in working with House Democrats but was ready to respond if he felt he was being ill-treated.

As long as Republicans have controlled both houses of Congress, Democrats have been hampered in pursuing any significant probes of Trump and his administration, and he made it clear he expects the Senate to follow that course.

"They can play that game," he said of possible House Democratic investigations, "but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate."

On Capitol Hill, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said Democrats must decide how much "harassment" they want to pursue against Trump, while suggesting there could be limited opportunities to work across the aisle. And Pelosi, who is expected to run for a second stint as speaker when Democrats take the House majority in January, said the party has "a responsibility to seek common ground where we can." But she added, "Where we cannot, we must stand our ground."

___

Midterms offer clues for Trump, Dems in '20 presidential bid

WASHINGTON (AP) - This week's midterm elections offered revealing lessons for both parties as battle lines begin to emerge for the 2020 presidential election.

For Democrats, a string of statewide victories in Rust Belt states opened a potential path back to the White House. But President Donald Trump's Republican Party found strength in critical states that often hold the keys to the presidency.

Perhaps no state offered Democrats more hope than Wisconsin, which shocked the party in 2016 by narrowly falling into Trump's column. Republican Gov. Scott Walker's narrow loss in his bid for a third term left Democrats optimistic they could reclaim Wisconsin along with other traditionally blue states that Trump carried, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.

"To have Walker lose is a significant turning point that the right candidate in 2020 could win all of these states" across the industrial north, Democratic pollster Paul Maslin, who advised Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin's campaign. "If they do, Trump's map starts to get more difficult."

Still, there are plenty of reasons for caution for Democrats. Gains in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania were offset by mixed results in Ohio and GOP dominance in electoral powerhouse Florida.

___

Kemp's campaign declares victory in Georgia's governor race

ATLANTA (AP) - Republican Brian Kemp's campaign declared victory Wednesday in the Georgia governor's race, though Democrat Stacey Abrams insists that enough ballots remain to leave open the possibility of a runoff in a race that Kemp oversees as secretary of state.

The Associated Press has not called the contest.

Ryan Mahoney, a top Kemp campaign adviser, told reporters in a conference call that the numbers show Abrams can't win and a runoff won't happen - but stopped short of declaring victory until pressed by an Associated Press reporter. Only then did Mahoney say Kemp is certain of victory and preparing to take office in January.

"We are declaring victory," Mahoney said. Another campaign official, Austin Chambers, added: "The message here is pretty simple: This election is over, and the results are clear."

Kemp was not on the call but is expected to speak publicly on Thursday, the same day that a federal judge in Atlanta holds the first hearing on an Election Day lawsuit that seeks to have Kemp barred from having any further role in managing the election.

___

Acting attorney general has questioned Mueller investigation

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The man who will serve at least temporarily as the nation's top law enforcement official is a relatively inexperienced Republican Party loyalist from Iowa who has called for limiting special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Matthew G. Whitaker, 49, will become the nation's acting attorney general following the forced resignation of Jeff Sessions. President Donald Trump announced the appointment Wednesday, saying on Twitter that Whitaker "will serve our Country well" and that a permanent attorney general will be nominated later.

The former federal prosecutor served as Sessions' chief of staff for one year.

The bulk of Whitaker's relevant experience came when he served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 until 2009, a position for which he was recommended by Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, now chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In that role, the telegenic former college football player managed attorneys who prosecuted federal crimes and represented the government in civil matters in half of Iowa.

Recent acting and permanent attorneys general have been longtime government lawyers or high-ranking politicians with more experience navigating Washington than Whitaker.

___

In Honduras, most returnees from caravan hope to try again

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AP) - The Metropolitan Grand Central bus terminal in this city where the migrant caravan traveling through Mexico originated more than three weeks ago is a place of crossing destinies for Hondurans dreaming of seeking a better life in the United States.

Some of the dozens of people sleeping on the concrete floor or outside on the grass underneath palm trees bathed by the light of street lamps are awaiting buses to the Guatemalan border to begin the journey north. Others are arriving after failing to complete the trip and are being ferried back to the precarious lives they left behind.

Hundreds of the mostly Honduran migrants who set out with the caravan that has traversed hundreds of miles through three countries before arriving in Mexico City this week have returned home, according to the Mexican government. Some grew disillusioned. Others simply wore out. Still others were detained and returned, or gave up on waiting for possible asylum in Mexico and accepted bus rides back home.

Disembarking at the bus station in San Pedro Sula, nearly all of those returning said the same thing: Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they intend to try again.

"I would go 30 times more if possible," said Daniel Castaneda, an 18-year-old from the central city of Comayagua. He was detained shortly after migrants in a caravan following in the footsteps of the first one clashed with police on a bridge on the Mexican border with Guatemala late last month.

___

Smartphone makers bet on foldable screens as next big thing

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - For the past few years, the smartphone industry has been searching for a breakthrough to revive a market mired in an innovation lull and a sales slump. A potential catalyst is on the horizon in the form of flexible screens that can be folded in half without breaking.

Samsung and several rivals are preparing to roll out such screens to make devices more versatile for work and pleasure. The foldable screens could increase display space to the size of a mini-tablet, but fold like a wallet so they revert to the size of regular phones. But there are questions about price and durability.

If the new phones fulfill their makers' ambitions, they will become a leap ahead for an industry whose origins can be traced to the old flip phones that consumers once embraced as cool and convenient. Foldable-screen phones, though, won't need hinges because they have continuous displays that can bend.

In an indication of how difficult it is to make a flexible screen that's also durable, Samsung first announced plans to build a folding-screen phone five years ago. It wasn't until Wednesday, though, that Samsung finally provided a glimpse at what it's been working on.

"We have been living in a world where the size of a screen could only be as large as the device itself," said Justin Denison, Samsung's senior vice president of mobile product marketing. "We have just entered a new dimension."

___

Report: Google planning big New York City expansion

NEW YORK (AP) - The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is planning a major expansion in New York City.

The newspaper reported Wednesday that the company plans to add space for more than 12,000 additional New York workers. The Journal cited anonymous people familiar with the plans.

The paper said Google has New York real estate deals in the works that would give it room for nearly 20,000 workers. Those include buying or leasing a 1.3 million-square-foot building in the city's West Village neighborhood due to be completed by 2022.

The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Seattle-based Amazon is reportedly considering dividing a new second headquarters between New York's Long Island City and Crystal City in northern Virginia. That would potentially add 25,000 jobs to each place.

___

Saints sign ex-Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant

METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Dez Bryant has found a new team, agreeing to join the already prolific offense of the surging New Orleans Saints.

The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, who has been looking for an NFL home since becoming a free agent in April, will now have a chance to catch passes from one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history in New Orleans' Drew Brees.

"There is certainly a skillset that he has that is going to be beneficial. So I look forward to getting to work with him. I look forward to building a rapport with him. I look forward to getting him involved in this offense and just become a complement to all the guys that we already have," Brees said. "He'll be a great addition."

The 30-year-old Bryant and the Saints agreed to contract terms on Wednesday, and it remains unclear to what extent Bryant will play when New Orleans visits Cincinnati on Sunday.

Bryant spent his first eight years in the NFL with Dallas and last season caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns, including a 50-yard scoring play, for the Cowboys.ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's defense chief has welcomed a U.S. decision authorizing multimillion-dollar rewards for information on the whereabouts of top Kurdish rebel leaders, but urged the U.S. to also adopt a tough stance against Syrian Kurdish militia.

The United States announced Tuesday that it would offer a total of $12 million for information leading to the "identification or location" of three senior leaders of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which both Turkey and the United States have branded a terrorist organization.

U.S. support to a Kurdish militia group in Syria - which Turkey considers an extension of the PKK - has raised tensions between the NATO allies, however.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said: "We expect the same stance, approach and viewpoint against (Syrian Kurdish militia), which is no different than the PKK."WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and the midterm elections (all times local):

2:45 p.m.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned as the country's chief law enforcement officer at President Donald Trump's request.

Sessions announced his plan to resign in a letter to the White House on Wednesday.

Trump announced in a tweet that Sessions' chief of staff Matt Whitaker would become the new acting attorney general.

The attorney general had endured more than a year of stinging and personal criticism from Trump over his recusal from the investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

FILE - In this July 13, 2018 photo, Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice.

___

1:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's (pahm-PAY'-ohz) meeting with his North Korean counterpart was postponed but is being rescheduled.

Pompeo had been scheduled to meet with Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday.

Trump says he's likely to meet with the North Korea leader early next year and there's "no rush" to engaging in denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.

Trump met Kim Jong Un in June for a landmark meeting in Singapore, where the two leaders agreed on vague goals of denuclearization. There's been little progress since then.

North Korea has continued a yearlong halt in weapon tests but wants U.S. sanctions eased. In recent days, North Korea criticized the U.S. for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

Trump says he'd "love to take the sanctions off" but North Korea has to make concessions, too.

___

1:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he would consider raising other tax rates to pay for a middle-class tax cut.

Trump said at a Wednesday press conference that if Democrats offer an idea for tax cuts he would work with them, even if it would require "some adjustment" to other rates.

The president did not say what any changes to rates could look like but said, "I would certainly be willing to do a little bit." He says Democrats would need to propose a plan, given that he would need bipartisan support in the Senate.

Trump said during the midterm campaign that he would offer a plan for a 10 percent middle income tax cut. But he has not provided any details. Republicans passed a massive tax cut package last year.

____

12:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Vice President Mike Pence will be his running mate in 2020, impromptu confirmation that could give sign makers a head start on printing political signs for the next presidential election.

In the middle of a news conference at the White House on Wednesday, the Republican president was unexpectedly asked if Pence would be on the ticket.

Trump said he hadn't asked Pence yet but then turned to the vice president and said: "Mike, will you be my running mate? Will you?"

Pence acknowledged that he would.

___

12:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump has sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another he's a "rude, terrible" person.

He told yet another reporter he's "not a fan of yours, either."

The president's 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 man's actions to the caravan.

Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all.

___

12:35 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he's happy with "most" of his Cabinet as he suggests changes may be coming.

Trump said at a Wednesday press conference that he is "looking at different people for different positions," adding that "it is very common after the midterms."

Asked specifically about the future of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Trump says, "I'd rather answer that at a little bit different time."

Trump has long been frustrated with Sessions over his recusal from the Russia investigation. Rosenstein's future appeared uncertain after reports that he discussed secretly recording Trump.

On Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (ZIN'-kee), Trump says he wants to "study whatever is being said." Trump adds that he's doing an "excellent job." Zinke faces a series of inquiries into his conduct.

___

12:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump is warning House Democrats about spending the remaining years of his presidency investigating him and the administration.

Trump said at a post-election news conference Wednesday that Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together for the American people.

Democrats won back control of the House. Many have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions.

Trump says he's been hearing about investigations since he began running for president and refers to it as "investigation fatigue."

He says he will respond in kind if House Democrats flood his administration with subpoenas and government will come to a halt.

Trump adds that Democrats have "nothing, zero" on him.

___

12:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is calling out Republican candidates who apparently did not support him enough and lost congressional seats in Tuesday's elections.

At a news conference in the White House East Room on Wednesday, Trump crowed that Republicans held control of the Senate and then took aim at members of the House, where the GOP lost.

Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado blames his loss on resentment toward Trump in his Denver-area district. The president responded: "Too bad, Mike."

Trump says Utah Rep. Mia Love "gave me no love, and she lost," even though the race was too close to call.

Trump says his vigorous campaigning stopped a so-called "blue wave," ''if there ever was such a thing."

The GOP is expected to add to its Senate edge, but Democrats regained control of the House.

___

12:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Republicans "defied history" in the midterms as he seeks to take credit for expected Republican gains in the Senate while minimizing House losses.

Trump discussed the election results at a White House press conference on Wednesday. He says Republicans "dramatically outperformed historical precedents."

The GOP is expected to add to its Senate edge, but Democrats regained control of the House. The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency showed the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in today's political landscape.

Midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House. Trump stressed the anticipated Republican pickups in the Senate and said the GOP had surpassed expectations in the House, citing the high number of retirements.

___

9 a.m.

President Donald Trump says Democrat Nancy Pelosi "deserves" to be the next House speaker.

Democrats won back control of the chamber in Tuesday's election and Pelosi would be in line to be elected speaker. The California Democrat was the nation's first female speaker from 2007-2011. But a number of House Democratic candidates have said they won't support her for the top role.

Trump said Wednesday that "if they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!"

House Democrats meet later this month to elect party leaders and Pelosi is expected to win most of those votes. But being elected speaker in January requires a majority of House votes.

Pelosi has been up front about not wanting to pursue impeaching Trump.

___

8:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is warning Democrats against using their new majority in the House of Representatives to investigate his administration. He said in a tweet Wednesday that if they do, the Republican-controlled Senate may investigate Democrats.

With the Democrats in the majority they will have the power to launch investigations and subpoena records, including possibly Trump's tax filings and private business dealings.

Trump said that if the Democrats plan to "waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," then Republicans "will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level."

He said that "two can play that game!"

It wasn't clear what leaks he was referring to.

Asked about potential investigations, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said in a CNN interview Wednesday that "the president is not nervous about anything."

__

7:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump is praising candidates who embraced his policies and principles during the midterm election, saying they "did very well."

In a tweet Wednesday, Trump tells those candidates who avoided him to "say goodbye!"

Trump campaigned repeatedly for Republican Senate and gubernatorial candidates in Missouri, West Virginia, North Dakota, Florida, Georgia and other states where he won in 2016. Several of those candidates won their races Tuesday night, while other contests remained too close to call.

Trump says Tuesday's "Big Win" for Republicans was achieved "all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!"

But Tuesday didn't bring complete good news for Republicans; Democrats won back control of the House.

Trump is scheduled to "discuss our success in the Midterms!" at a White House news conference later Wednesday.

__

7:40 a.m.

President Donald Trump will address the midterm election results at a late-morning White House news conference.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Twitter that Trump will take questions from reporters at the White House at 11:30 a.m. EST.

Democrats took back control of the House from Trump's Republican Party. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate by defeating several Democrats in states where Trump was elected by wide margins in 2016. Republicans also preserved governorships in key states like Ohio and Florida.

Trump campaigned aggressively in the closing days of the campaign, mostly to help Republican Senate candidates.

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With the loss of the Republican majority in the House, President Donald Trump is facing the prospect of endless House investigations and fresh questions about the resilience of his unorthodox political coalition.

Still, he celebrated GOP success hanging on to the Senate and distanced himself from any blame. Late Tuesday, Trump tweeted: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Early Wednesday, Trump added: "Now we can all get back to work and get things done!"

On Tuesday, Trump called House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, a conversation that her office said included congratulations and a nod to her pitch for bipartisanship.

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump points to CNN's Jim Acosta as he speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump points to CNN's Jim Acosta during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Republican Senate candidate Josh Hawley, center, while walking off stage at the end of a campaign rally as Hawley's wife, Erin Hawley, right, watches at the end of a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Donald Tusk warned on Monday that the bitter feud between Warsaw and Brussels over the rule of law could lead to Poland stumbling out of the EU by accident. Financial Times reports in its article Poland risks falling out of EU by accident, warns Donald Tusk that Mr Tusk, who served as Polands prime minister from 2007 to 2014, and has long been the arch-rival of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said that even if Mr Kaczynski had no intention of taking Poland out of the EU, the UKs exit showed that countries could also leave the bloc as a result of miscalculations.

For me it doesnt matter whether Jaroslaw Kaczynski is planning an exit from the EU, or only initiates certain processes that result in this. I have experience with [UK] prime minister [David] Cameron. I worked with him day by day to avoid Brexit, said Mr Tusk. He came up with the idea of a referendum and then did everything to keep Britain in the EU, but [in the end] he led [the UK] out . . . and I fear that in Europe the will to keep Poland in the EU by all means might be smaller than in the case of the UK . . . So the situation, in my opinion, is very, very serious. Polling data ranks Poland among the most pro-EU member states, and Mr Kaczynskis PiS party has never suggested holding a referendum on membership of the bloc. Party leaders have always dismissed claims that they want to lead Poland out of the EU as a political ploy by the opposition.

However, since sweeping to power three years ago, PiS has found itself at loggerheads with Brussels on issues ranging from migration to logging, while senior figures have often attacked the blocs institutions. In September, President Andrzej Duda, who was supported by PiS in his bid for office, branded the bloc an  imaginary community from which Poland gained little. The most serious clash with Brussels, however, has been over a series of fiercely contested judicial reforms that have, among other things, forced around a third of Polish Supreme Court judges into early retirement.

PiS says the changes are necessary to purge an inefficient system that has not been adequately reformed since the collapse of communism. But critics say they undermine judicial independence and the EUs top court last month ordered Poland to freeze the reform and reinstate the judges until it could issue a ruling on the matter. PiS initially gave conflicting signals over whether or not it would abide by the ruling from the European Court of Justice. In recent days, senior officials have said they will fulfil the ECJs demands, but have yet to do so.

The warning by Mr Tusk, who was in Warsaw to give evidence to a parliamentary commission, was the latest in a series of interventions that have fuelled speculation in Warsaw that he could seek to return to Polish politics after his term in Brussels expires, potentially as a candidate in presidential elections in 2020. However, when pressed on the matter by journalists, he declined to say whether or not he had any plans to do so.LONDON (AP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk spoke by phone Wednesday amid signs of movement in deadlocked Brexit talks.

Tusk tweeted that the pair spoke "to take stock of progress in #brexit talks and discuss way ahead." Tusk has said he is willing to call a special EU summit if there are new proposals from Britain to unblock talks.

May's Cabinet has been inching closer to agreeing a common stance on the key issue - maintaining an open border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.'s Northern Ireland after Britain leaves the EU. The emerging plan involves keeping the U.K. in a customs union with the EU until a permanent trade treaty is worked out, to remove the need for border checks.

But some pro-Brexit Cabinet ministers want to see legal advice drawn up by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox before they agree to anything. They fear Britain being locked permanently into a customs union with the EU, which would limit the U.K.'s ability to strike new trade deals around the world.

Opposition Labour Party spokesman Keir Starmer also said the legal advice should be published, because "the public have the right to know precisely what the Cabinet has signed up to and what the implications are for the future."

Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but divorce negotiations have been hamstrung by divisions within May's Conservative government over how close an economic relationship to seek with the bloc.

Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila, left, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk at the Prime Minister's official residence Kesaranta in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2018. Conservative leaders from across Europe are gathering to plot their strategy to win the next EU elections, and must decide whether Hungary's stridently nationalist ruling party should remain in their political family. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Lehtikuva via AP)

Some ministers, including Treasury chief Philip Hammond, want to keep closely aligned with EU rules to avoid barriers to business with Britain's biggest trading partner. Pro-Brexit Cabinet members want a cleaner break so that the U.K. can set its own trade policies and sign new deals around the world.

A document leaked to the BBC suggests the government hopes to bridge the Cabinet divide and strike a deal this month, which would then be put to lawmakers for approval.

The memo describes how May would try to win parliamentary and public support for an agreement before urging lawmakers to "put the country's interests first" and back the deal in Parliament.

The document appears to consist of notes rather than a finished proposal. May's office did not deny it was genuine but said the document's "childish language" and misspellings made clear it "doesn't represent the government's thinking."BERLIN (AP) - Jewish students in Berlin on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass," when Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

Some 30 students from the Jewish Traditional School lit candles and recited prayers at their school as Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal urged them to jointly overcome Germany's past by building a secure future for Jews in the country.

"This is the city where the Holocaust was planned and executed from," said Teichtal, a community rabbi and the head of the Jewish outreach group Chabad in the German capital.

"What better answer is there than that, in this very city, the students of the Jewish school from Berlin should jointly pray and light candles showing that the answer to darkness and the evil of the past is to create education for the present and the future," he said.

Eighty years ago this week, on Nov. 9, 1938, the Nazis killed at least 91 people, burned down hundreds of synagogues, vandalized and looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and arrested up to 30,000 Jewish men, many of whom were taken away to concentration camps.

On Wednesday, students assembled under a maple tree in front of their school building. They prayed in Hebrew and German and lit six white candles to commemorate the synagogues that were burned down, as well as the 6 million people who perished in the Holocaust.

Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, center, light candles with students during an event to commemorate the victims of the Nov. 9, 1938 terror against the Jews in Germany at the Jewish Traditional School in Berlin, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. On the event the school also remember to the victims of the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, United States, on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

"I lost a big part of my family ... my great-grandparents, their siblings, and therefore it is all very special for me," said 15-year-old student Clara Eljaschewitsch. "It is sad ... I think a lot about it."

Kristallnacht - which got its name for the shattered glass from Jewish-owned store windows that covered German streets - is often referred to as the beginning of the Holocaust. Still it would be years before the Nazis formally adopted their "Final Solution" for the Jews of Europe, which would evolve into a policy of mass murder.

Teichtal also condemned the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh last month in which 11 people were gunned down in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.

"It's a terrible shock ... for the Jewish community worldwide. And it shows once again that the ugly head of anti-Semitism can show itself anywhere in the world and we have to actively combat it," he said.

Berlin's top security official took a step in this direction on Wednesday, banning a far-right protest planned for Friday, the exact anniversary of Kristallnacht.

In explaining his decision, state interior minister Andreas Geisel said such a demonstration would "in a blatant way negate the moral and ethical significance of this memorial day," the German news agency dpa reported.

Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, center right, and Rabbi David Gewirtz, center left, pray during an event to commemorate the victims of the Nov. 9, 1938 terror against the Jews in Germany at the Jewish Traditional School in Berlin, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. On the event the school also remember to the victims of the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, United States, on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)SANAA, Yemen (AP) - Troops from a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition pounded Houthi rebel positions in Yemen's Hodeida with airstrikes and a ground assault on Wednesday and now control a major road leading into the city, military officials and witnesses on both sides of the front line said.

An Emirati-trained force known as the Giants, backed by Apache attack helicopters, secured an urban area along 50th Street, which leads to the city's key Red Sea port facilities some 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, they added.

Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals or lack of authorization to brief journalists, they said that the Iran-backed Shiite rebels had been firing mainly from elevated and rooftop sniper positions, and have now resorted to burning tires to obscure the gunships' view. Most civilians have fled the area, they said.

Dozens of fighters have been killed and hundreds wounded from both sides since a renewed coalition offensive on the city began five days ago, following calls by the Trump administration for a cease-fire by late November.

The fighting has left dead bodies lying on the ground and inside burnt-out vehicles at the city's edge, according to witnesses. They said several civilians have been killed by shelling in residential areas.

The Saudi-led coalition, which seeks to restore to power the internationally recognized Yemeni government, has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015. The stalemated conflict has generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2018 file image made from video, a severely malnourished seven-year-old Amal Hussein - whose name means "hope" in Arabic, is weighed at the Aslam Health Center in Hajjah, Yemen. On Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, Geert Cappelaere called the situation a "living hell" for all Yemeni children, noting the death of Amal a child whose emaciated body gained attention on the front page of the New York Times last week. In a speech delivered in Amman Cappelaere said, "There is not one Amal - there are many thousands of Amals." (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa, File)

Hodeida, the main portal for humanitarian aid to the suffering population, has become the epicenter of the conflict.

A Save the Children supported health facility in Hodeida came under attack on Tuesday morning, damaging one of the pharmacies that supply life-saving medicines, the charity said in a statement.

The group said shelling has also hit residential areas in Hodeida, where the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, roughly half of them children, are in danger.

The charity did not elaborate on which group attacked the facility.

The head of the U.N.'s food and agriculture agency and other groups say the conflict has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine, underlining how the international community is failing to end hunger.

"We are watching before our eyes an unprecedented human tragedy," Food and Agriculture Organization chief Jose Graziano da Silva told a high-level briefing on food insecurity at the U.N. in New York.

"Yemen is living proof of an apocalyptical equation: conflicts and food security go hand in hand, and when there is an overlap of climate change and conflict, famine is already on the horizon," he said.

Also on Wednesday, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders said it was closing its humanitarian project in the southern Dhale province due to security concerns amid the fighting there.

Besides Dhale, other active fronts in Yemen include the provinces of Bayda, to the south, and the Houthis' northern strongholds of Hajjah and Saada.

The United States has sold billions of dollars' worth of arms to Saudi Arabia and provides logistical and other support to the coalition.

In a statement, rebel leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi described the U.S. cease-fire call as hypocritical, given that fresh fighting erupted almost immediately after it was delivered.

"The Americans have always sought to escalate, putting out statements of peace while preparing for war," he said in comments carried by rebel media channels, saying the new offensive was expected. "The American role is central and essential in the military operation against our people."

The rebels, who brandish "Death to America and Israel" slogans similar to that of the Iranian leadership, accuse the coalition of being stooges of masters in Washington and Israel.

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Rohan reported from Cairo.MOSCOW (AP) - Thousands of troops in World War II uniform marched across Moscow's Red Square on Wednesday in a re-enactment of a historic wartime parade.

On Nov. 7, 1941, Red Army soldiers marched directly to the front line during the Battle of Moscow to repel the invading Nazi forces closing in on the Soviet capital.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the 1941 parade was "a symbol of courage and faith," paving way for "the first difficult step toward victory over the Nazis."

The Nazis closed in on Moscow in early October 1941 after quickly seizing huge chunks of Soviet territory and inflicting huge losses to the Red Army after invading the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. In some sectors at the front, Nazi troops came as close as 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the Russian capital.

But the Nazi offensive lost its momentum in mid-October as it faced adverse weather and logistics challenges, allowing the Soviet command to bring in reinforcements and strengthen the city's defenses.

As the fate of Moscow was still hanging in the balance, Soviet leader Josef Stalin ordered the Nov. 7 parade to boost the troops' morale. The parade has acquired a major symbolic significance, becoming a show of Soviet determination and resolve.

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Battle of Moscow marked the first time since the start of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union when the Red Army managed to stop the advancing Nazi forces and drive them back. It was the first major Nazi defeat since the start of World War II.

Wednesday's re-enactment featured about 5,000 troops in period uniforms, vintage T-34 tanks and other WW II weapons.

During Soviet times, annual military parades were held on Nov. 7 to commemorate the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. The holiday was abolished in 2005, but many older Russians still celebrate it.

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms sit in the back of a truck as the St. Basil's Cathedral is reflected in the windshield prior to the start of the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral and thew Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniform sit in the back of a GAZ AA during the Nov. 7 parade, with St. Basil Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The parade marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms prepare to the start of the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniform march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms stand prior to the start of the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II winter uniforms sit in the back of a Soviet made ZIS-5 truck as the the Spasskaya Tower is reflected in the windshield prior to the start of the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral and thew Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Spectators with Russian national and Red flags watch as Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers march along Red Square during the Victory parade carrying the Victory in the WWII Flag during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral and thew Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

People walk around a WWII style legendary Soviet tank T-34 after the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The parade marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II winter uniforms stand prior to the start of the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral and thew Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian girl-cadets march during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, with St. Basil Cathedral and thew Spasskaya Tower in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The event marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A volunteer dressed in a Red Army World War II uniform sits atop of a tachanka a horse-drawn machine gun, during the Nov. 7 parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The parade marked the 77th anniversary of a World War II historic parade in Red Square and honored the participants in the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Oklahoma say a 16-year-old girl has died after being shot in the head by her mother while she slept.

Okmulgee County Sheriff's Investigator Duston Todd said in a news release that Kloee Toliver "succumbed to her injuries" Tuesday night.

Toliver's mother, Amy Hall , told officials that she shot Kloee early Nov. 1 at their home in Okmulgee, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of Tulsa. Hall also fatally shot her 18-year-old son , Kayson Toliver, and tried to shoot her 14-year-old daughter.

Kloee Toliver was declared brain dead earlier this week, but was kept on life support until her organs could be donated.

Hall is jailed on a first-degree murder charge in her son's death. Todd says another first-degree murder charge will be added in her daughter's death.MOSCOW (AP) - The Kremlin says it hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia next year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Wednesday that "I hope the visit could be possible next year." The announcement contrasted with earlier Kremlin statements that Kim was expected to visit Russia this fall.

Last month, the Kremlin said Putin had extended an invitation to Kim to visit Russia and that Moscow was working on the details of where and when that meeting could happen.

North Korea entered talks with the U.S. and South Korea earlier this year, saying it's willing to negotiate away its advancing nuclear arsenal. Nuclear diplomacy later stalled because of suspicions over how sincere North Korea is about its disarmament pledge.MOSCOW (AP) - The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russia and the United States have agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid diverting attention from weekend commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of World War I's end.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump expect to see each other briefly but won't have a full-scale meeting during the centenary Armistice Day events, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.

Ushakov said France conveyed concern that a Putin-Trump summit would steal the limelight from the Paris observances. Officials from the U.S. and Russia decided to delay the meeting until the end of the month, when both leaders expect to attend a Group of 20 summit in Argentina.

Trump said Monday he "probably" would not be meeting with Putin in Paris, but will meet with him during the G-20.

When U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton visited Moscow last month, he and Russian officials also talked about the presidents visiting each other's countries, according to Ushakov.

"A possible exchange of visits to Moscow and Washington was discussed, but there was no specific talk about the issue yet," he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, listens during a meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russia and the U.S. have agreed not to hold a full-fledged meeting of President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris, bowing to the French concern that the summit would distract public attention from the Armistice Day 100th anniversary. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Bolton said last month that Putin was invited to visit Washington next year, but a date had not been set.WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats have regained control of the House from President Donald Trump's Republican Party in the midterm elections , powered by a suburban revolt that has threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda.

But the GOP added to its Senate edge and prevailed in some key races for governor Tuesday, beating back the potential of big Democratic gains across the board. The "blue wave" that some had feared from Election Day never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency showed the limits of his hard-line immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion." But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

The new Democratic House majority will end Republican dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who would be in line to become the next speaker, spoke of "a new day in America." Trump, in a tweet, said that "in all fairness" Pelosi "deserves" to return to her former role as speaker, despite some rumblings in her party. "She has earned this great honor!"

But the Democrats' edge is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-member House, Democrats have won 220 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 22 races.

The Capitol is seen on the morning after Election Day as Democrats took back the House with a surge of fresh new candidates and an outpouring of voter enthusiasm ending eight years of Republican control, in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump was expected to address the results at a postelection news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday.

The president's party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate. But Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps - and his long-withheld tax returns.

Early Wednesday, Trump warned Democrats against using their new majority to investigate his administration.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," Trump tweeted, "then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!" It wasn't clear what "leaks" he was referring to.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.

The elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.

The GOP's successes were fueled by a coalition that's decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Three candidates had hoped to become their states' first African-American governors, although just one - Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams - was still in the running.

Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates - with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters - conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their "blue wall" Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by the state's education chief, Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP's Senate majority, even as the party lost control of the House. In a tweet Wednesday, he referred to the election results as a "Big Victory."

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate. A president's party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to VoteCast, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite, Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trump's most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 percentage points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats, respectively.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Some others played outsized roles in their parties' campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.

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Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Zeke Miller in Washington, Kantele Franko in Westerville, Ohio and Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report.

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For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPoliticsNICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - The Latest on the influx of migrants into Europe (all times local):

4:25 p.m.

British officials say a Romanian man has been charged with people trafficking after Border Force agents found 21 people concealed in a truck filled with sparkling water.

Andrut Mihai Duma was charged with assisting unlawful entry into the United Kingdom. His case will be heard Nov. 26.

The Home Office said Wednesday that the truck was stopped on Nov. 1 at the port of Newhaven shortly after it arrived on a ferry from Dieppe, France. Officials discovered 10 adults and 11 minors, all Vietnamese.

Officials say the minors have been placed in social care. Two of the adults have been removed from Britain and the other eight have been required to report to the Home Office regularly as their cases are heard.

___

3:10 p.m.

Cyprus police say 36 Syrian migrants have reached the Mediterranean island nation by boat from Turkey.

Police said the migrants, including one woman, landed on a beach in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north of the ethnically divided country early Wednesday and walked southwards before being picked up by police.

Police said the migrants' boat was first spotted some 30 miles (50 kilometers) off the country's northwestern coast and a patrol vessel had been dispatched to locate it.

But the boat evaded police, dropped off the migrants and sailed away. Police said all 36 migrants are in good health.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the midterm elections (all times local):

7 p.m.

Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Knight has conceded the last GOP-held House seat anchored in Los Angeles County.

Democrat Katie Hill holds a 2-point lead, and Knight said Wednesday that the voters have spoken.

Thousands of ballots remain to be counted, and The Associated Press has not called the race.

Knight was seeking a third term in the 25th District in northern Los Angeles County.

Katie Hill, a Democratic Party candidate from California's 25th congressional district speak waves at supporters during an election watch party Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Santa Clarita, Calif. Hill is running against Republican incumbent Steve Knight. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A political newcomer and centrist, the 31-year-old Hill supports universal health care and counts Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren among her supporters. In campaign ads, she also highlighted her family's police and military service.

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4:50 p.m.

Republican Mike Dunleavy has fended off Democrat Mark Begich to win the Alaska governor's race.

Dunleavy cast himself as tough on crime and supported a full payout of the check Alaskans receive from the state's oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. The payout has been limited since 2016 amid a state budget deficit.

Dunleavy says Alaskans have lost faith in government and have little trust in politicians.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, ended his re-election campaign last month after his lieutenant governor resigned for what Walker described as an inappropriate overture to a woman. Walker said he concluded he could not win against Begich and Dunleavy and said he thought Begich would be better for Alaska than Dunleavy.

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1 p.m.

Montana Democrat Jon Tester has won a third Senate term, beating Republican Matt Rosendale, the state auditor.

President Donald Trump had taken a personal interest in defeating Tester, and had visited the state to campaign against the incumbent. Trump had said he wanted to make Tester pay at the polls for helping derail a Trump nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tester is the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Tester insisted that Montana voters across the political spectrum would support him after examining his record.

Trump held four rallies in Montana and sent his eldest son and Vice President Mike Pence to headline more appearances. Rosendale also got help from outside cash that poured into the race.

__

12 p.m.

There's a winner in the race for Connecticut governor, and it's Democratic businessman Ned Lamont.

The 64-year-old cable TV company founder has prevailed over Republican businessman Bob Stefanowski. Lamont's victory means the seat stays in Democratic hands, with the Democratic incumbent, Dannel Malloy, set to leave office.

Lamont has promised to be a "firewall" against the policies of President Donald Trump.

Lamont poured more than $12 million of his own money into the hotly contest race.

He'd run for office before, losing bids for the Senate in 2006 and for governor in 2010.

Lamont's win completes a Democratic sweep of the top offices on the ballot in Connecticut, including the re-election of Sen. Chris Murphy

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9:25 a.m.

Democrats have regained control of the House from President Donald Trump's Republican Party in the midterm elections.

There was a revolt in the suburbs Tuesday against the GOP, and the political upheaval now threatens what's left of Trump's agenda.

But on Election Day, Republicans added to their edge in the Senate and prevailed in some key governor's race.

All in all, Republicans beat back the potential of big Democrat gains across the board. The "blue wave" that some feared never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency showed the limits of his hard-line immigration rhetoric in today's political landscape, where college-educated voters in the suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion."

But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stands.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy reacts to early favorable returns with state party chair Tuckerman Babcock in Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 In Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy is in a tight race with Democrat Mark Begich. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen)

Sen. Jon Tester surrounded by family and supporters, announces his victory Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 in Great Falls, Mont. Tester has won a third term in the U.S. Senate by beating Republican Matt Rosendale. Tester won Tuesday's close election despite President Donald Trump taking a personal interest in defeating him. (Thom Bridge /Independent Record via AP)The international panel session titled "Minsk ghetto: 75 years later" was recently organized at the History Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University by the Russian information and analysis agency Vestnik Kavkaza, the Diaspora History Laboratory of the History Faculty, the All-Israel Association of People from Belarus, the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the history department of Belarusian State University and the 'Historical Memory' Foundation for the Promotion of Actual Historical Research. On the sidelines of the event, Vestnik Kavaza spoke with Associate Professor of the Source Study Department of the Faculty of history at Belarusian State University (BSU) Kuzma Kozak.

- What do you think cause attempts to glorify Nazi collaborators in some countries of Europe and the post-Soviet space?

- Now states pursue a policy that aims to change their past, to glorify their past, to find new heroes in new conceptual conditions. We often see that murderers play the role of righteous men or angels. But there should be no forgiveness for the murderers; there should be no change in the attitude towards them either.

- Three million people were killed on the territory of Belarus. A rich Jewish tradition and culture was destroyed. About 800 thousand Jews were killed. We have about 1000 settlements, former Jewish towns without a single Jew living there. Architecture, synagogues, monuments, places of murder remain somewhere... Now there are voices that those who killed people should be justified!

- How can one resist it?

- In the European context, if we talk about near and far neighbors, Belarus remains, perhaps, the only republic which gives a quite clear signal - the memory lives in our families, in our hearts. Our history does not turn into a war of memory. Nazism, which has various manifestations, including neo-Nazism, cannot be justified. Everyone should know and remember what is behind the activities of those who burned people alive, killed in gas chambers, did not give any chance of survival even to young children. It was done consciously, it was done publicly. This tragedy sobers so many people in Belarus. People from other countries come to us to find out what it was, how it was. We must all e united to condemn the activities of the Nazi criminals by any means possible.MEXICO CITY (AP) - Central American migrants on Wednesday continued to straggle in for a rest stop at a Mexico City stadium, where about 4,500 continue to weigh offers to stay in Mexico against the desire of many to reach the U.S. border.

Mexico City officials said they expected as many as 1,000 more might arrive at the Jesus Martinez stadium as lagging members of the caravan trail in, their journeys slowed by difficulties in getting rides or by hopping aboard trucks that veered off their route.

Angel Eduardo Cubas of La Ceiba, Honduras, reached the shelter early Wednesday after being split off from the caravan. Like many migrants he had to find his way back to the relative safety of the caravan in an unfamiliar country, with no money.

"There were a lot of people who got dropped off somewhere else," said Cubas, who at one point lost his two children, 2 and 6, before finding them again. "It was ugly, going around looking" for his kids, the 28-year-old father said.

Members of the caravans of migrants, which President Donald Trump made a central issue in U.S. midterm elections, declined to take an immediate decision Tuesday night on whether to stay in Mexico or continue north, opting to remain in the capital at least a couple more days.

"Nobody is in more of a hurry than me to get going (to the U.S. border), but we have to go all together," said Sara Rodriguez of Colon, Honduras.

Central American migrants rest at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Rodriguez, 34, fled her country with her 16-year-old daughter Emily, after the girl began to draw unwanted attention from a drug trafficker who just got of prison and pledged to go after her. Rodriguez left her 7-year-old son with her husband in Honduras. "Even though it hurts to leave my son ... I had to protect her," Rodriguez said, weeping.

Mexico has offered refuge, asylum or work visas to the migrants and the government said 2,697 temporary visas had been issued to individuals and families to cover them while they wait for the 45-day application process for a more permanent status.

Rina Valenzuela, who is from El Salvador, listened attentively to aid workers from the nonprofit Institute for Women in Migration as they explained the difficulties of applying for and securing asylum in the U.S. Valenzuela decided she would better off applying for refuge in Mexico.

"Why go fight there, with as much effort and as much suffering as we have gone through, just for them to turn me back? Well, no," she said.

Hundreds of city employees and even more volunteers helped sort donations and direct migrants toward food, water, diapers and other basics. Migrants searched through piles of donated clothes, grabbed boxes of milk for children and lined up to make quick calls home at a stand set up by the Red Cross.

Employees from the capital's human rights commission registered new arrivals with biographical data- such as age and country of origin- and placed yellow bracelets on wrists to keep count of the growing crowd.

Maria Yesenia Perez, 41, said there was no space in the stadium when she and her 8-year-old daughter arrived Tuesday night, so the two from Honduras slept on the grass outside. Migrants pitched tents in the parking lot and constructed makeshift shelters from plywood covered with blankets and tarps. Forty portable toilets were scattered across the grass.

Several smaller groups were trailing hundreds of miles to the south; officials estimated about 7,000 in all were in the country in the caravans.

Trump portrayed the caravan as a major threat, though such caravans have sprung up regularly over the years and largely passed unnoticed.

Former Honduran lawmaker Bartolo Fuentes, who denies accusations he started the caravan, described it as a natural response "to a situation more terrible than war." He said about 300 to 400 Hondurans leave their country on an average day.

"What do we have here then? The accumulation of 20 days" of normal emigration, he said.

A woman performs as a mime for Central American migrant children at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Central American migrants line up in front of water tanks at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Central American migrants take shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A migrant child sits outside a tent, taking shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A volunteer trims the hair of a Central American migrant at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A Central American migrant receives a dental checkup in a shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Central American migrants eat breakfast in a shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A Central American migrant trims his facial hair in a shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Central American migrants settle in a shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Central American migrants settle in a shelter at the Jesus Martinez stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Humanitarian aid converged around the stadium in Mexico City where thousands of Central American migrants winding their way toward the United States were resting Tuesday after an arduous trek that has taken them through three countries in three weeks. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)WASHINGTON (AP) - Suddenly facing life under divided government, President Donald Trump and congressional leaders talked bipartisanship Wednesday but then bluntly previewed the fault lines to come. Trump threatened to go after House Democrats who try to investigate him, while Rep. Nancy Pelosi said her party would be "a check and balance" against the White House.

The day after midterm elections reset Washington, Trump took a victory lap at a raucous news conference, celebrating Republican Senate wins but distancing himself from the GOP's loss of the House. He said he was interested in working with House Democrats but was ready to respond if he felt he was being ill-treated.

As long as Republicans have controlled both houses of Congress, Democrats have been hampered in pursuing any significant probes of Trump and his administration, and he made it clear he expects the Senate to follow that course.

"They can play that game," he said of possible House Democratic investigations, "but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate."

On Capitol Hill, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said Democrats must decide how much "harassment" they want to pursue against Trump, while suggesting there could be limited opportunities to work across the aisle. And Pelosi, who is expected to run for a second stint as speaker when Democrats take the House majority in January, said the party has "a responsibility to seek common ground where we can." But she added, "Where we cannot, we must stand our ground."

After midterm elections that served as a referendum on Trump's divisive presidency, Congress and the White House reckoned Wednesday with expected Republican gains in the Senate and a Democratic flip of the House. The early positioning provided the first glimpse of how all parties will balance calls for bipartisanship with an appetite for anger going into the next two years.

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By turns combative and conciliatory, Trump said Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together. On legislative prospects, Trump said he could potentially work with Democrats on issues such as taxes, infrastructure and health care, saying it "really could be a beautiful, bipartisan type of situation."

And Pelosi, during a news conference that was delayed because of Trump's lengthy remarks, said she had worked productively with President George W. Bush when she was speaker a decade ago on taxes and other issues, and she welcomed the chance to do so again with Trump.

"We'd like to work together so our legislation will be bipartisan," she said.

Still, Pelosi said Democrats weren't elected to be "a rubber stamp" for Trump.

Some House Democrats have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions. But, he warned, he will respond in kind and government will suffer.

Plus, he said, Democrats have "nothing, zero," on him. Of the special counsel's Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration for more than 18 months, Trump said, "I could end it right now" but "I let it go on."

Shortly thereafter, however, it was announced that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had been forced out. His departure followed 18 months of criticism and insults from Trump, who had appointed him but objected to Sessions' stepping aside from the Russia probe rather than guiding. It.

On the potential for House investigations, Pelosi said Democrats will have a "responsibility for oversight" when they take charge in January and she will leave final decisions to committees. She wouldn't answer a question about whether Democrats will seek Trump's tax filings, but said committee requests for documents and hearings won't be "scattershot."

Democrats are expected to investigate Trump's business dealings, his Cabinet's conduct and his campaign's possible ties to Russia, among other issues.

"We'll know what we are doing and we'll do it right," she said.

Pelosi spoke with Trump and McConnell after the Democrats' victory. McConnell said Wednesday that the two had discussed how they might "find a way forward" in a divided Congress.

He and Pelosi, the Kentucky senator said, are "not unfamiliar" with one another as longtime leaders and colleagues.

As for congressional action the rest of this year, he said he could not imagine taking up immigration and acknowledged that the Democratic House and Republican Senate were likely to go their separate ways when it comes to the legislative agenda

"Areas for legislative agreement will be more limited," he said.

"The one issue that Leader Pelosi and I discussed this morning where there could be a possible bipartisan agreement would be something on infrastructure, but there could be a lot of other things," he said.

McConnell also echoed Trumps' warnings on investigations, saying: "The Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is good strategy."

___

AP writer Eric Tucker contributed.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks in during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Pelosi says she's confident she will win enough support to be elected speaker of the House next year and that she is the best person for the job. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaking to members of the media at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Donald Trump points to CNN's Jim Acosta during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The European Central Bank's leadership has nominated financial regulator Andrea Enria for the job of top European Union banking supervisor, a decision that could influence later jockeying for high EU financial posts.

Enria was nominated Wednesday by the central bank's governing council to succeed Daniele Nouy as head of the single supervisory mechanism for a single, five-year term. Nouy's term expires at the end of the year.

Enria is chair of the London-based European Banking Authority, responsible for drawing up rules for European banks. He would take over as chief enforcer of the rule book, heading the ECB's supervisory arm, created in 2014 as part of the EU response to the continent's debt crisis. The supervisory arm has the power to pull the plug on failing banks and trigger their restructuring or winding down.

The candidacies of Enria, an Italian, and Irish central bank deputy governor Sharon Donnery were forwarded to the ECB after interviews with members of the EU parliament's economic committee. The nomination faces a vote in the full EU parliament.

Enria has led stress tests of European banks, the most recent of which was published Friday.

The choice of Enria over Donnery could in theory boost the chances of Irish central bank chief Philip Lane for a choice post coming up next year on the ECB's six-member executive board, which runs the central bank's day-to-day operations at its Frankfurt headquarters. The thinking is that Ireland would be less than likely to get two top economic jobs in quick succession.

FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 file photo, Chairperson of the European Banking Authority Andrea Enria speaks at a hearing of the European Chairs of the Supervisory Authorities at the European Parliament in Brussels. The European Central Bank's leadership has nominated financial regulator Andrea Enria for the job of top EU banking supervisor. Enria was nominated Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 by the central bank's governing council to succeed Daniele Nouy as head of the single supervisory mechanism. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File )

Peter Praet, the Belgian ECB board member in charge of economics and monetary policy, ends his term in May 2019; whether his replacement will get the same portfolio is not certain.

Ireland has never had an official on the six-member board since the founding of the euro in 1999.

___

This story corrects when Praet's term ends: it is in 2019, not this year.ATLANTA (AP) - The Republican nominee has declared victory in a hotly Georgia governor's race, which he oversees as the state's top elections official.

His Democratic opponent says ballots remain to be counted.

Here's a look at what's happening in the contest between Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams one of the nation's top midterm matchups that pitted a disciple of President Donald Trump and the would-be first black woman ever to lead a U.S. state as governor.

KEMP DECLARES VICTORY; ABRAMS HASN'T CONCEDED

With more than 3.9 million votes counted, Kemp stood at 50.3 percent, enough for an outright victory under a Georgia law requiring a majority to win a general election without a runoff.

But the Abrams campaign maintains there are more ballots to be counted. Kemp doesn't dispute that; he just argues it's mathematically impossible for Abrams to pick up enough votes to pull Kemp below a majority. (A Libertarian candidate is taking about 1 percent of the vote.)

This combination of May 20, 2018, photos shows Georgia gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, left, and Brian Kemp in Atlanta. Democrats and Republicans nationwide will have to wait a bit longer to see if Georgia elects the first black woman governor in American history or doubles down on the Deep South's GOP tendencies with an acolyte of President Donald Trump (AP Photos/John Amis, File)

An aide in Kemp's state office said Wednesday afternoon that about 22,000 provisional ballots are left to count, with a high proportion - but not all - expected to be counted.

Abrams' campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, estimates her candidate needs a net gain of about 15,000 votes to force a runoff.

Kemp's campaign adviser, Ryan Mahoney, says that's mathematically impossible, but Groh-Wargo counters that the campaign isn't yet satisfied only 22,000 uncounted ballots remain.

She notes the estimate comes from Kemp's office, which she says should not be taken at face value considering the boss is on the ballot.

WHY THIS RACE IS IMPORTANT

Abrams' historic candidacy made this a race to watch from the start. She's already the first black woman in U.S. history to be a major party's gubernatorial nominee. In Georgia, one of the original 13 states, she'd be the first woman, and the first nonwhite governor.

Beyond breaking barriers, the matchup exhibits the nation's bitter partisan, ideological divides and underscores the cultural and racial fissures still lingering in the Deep South.

Abrams is a 44-year-old lawyer, former state legislative leader and moonlighting romance novelist who campaigns as an unabashed liberal. She promises to expand Medicaid insurance coverage and prioritize spending on public education, while endorsing tighter gun regulations and criticizing President Donald Trump's hard line on immigration.

Kemp is a 55-year-old two-term secretary of state who's echoed Trump's immigration rhetoric. He's flaunted his guns, chain saw and pickup truck in his campaign ads. He promises to "put Georgians first," blasts "fake news" and lambastes Abrams as a tool of "socialists" and "liberal billionaires" who "want to turn Georgia into California."

Both nominees framed the race as a "battle for the soul" of the state - a characterization supported by Georgians voting in numbers nearing their turnout for the 2016 presidential election.

The stakes are high enough that Trump and former President Barack Obama made opposing visits within 48 hours on the final weekend. Oprah Winfrey, the media icon who typically sits out politics, came to campaign for Abrams.

All this plays out in a Georgia on the cusp of becoming a true battleground state ahead of the 2020 presidential campaign. As governor, Kemp would be Trump's biggest cheerleader in a state the president won by 5 percentage points in 2016. Abrams would be among the most coveted endorsers in what's likely to be a crowded Democratic field of aspiring presidents.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Kemp's aides say he's preparing his transition to take office in January.

Abrams' camp says it's leaving open "all options," including litigation.

So in a race already fraught with racial innuendos surrounding the voting system that Kemp runs, the coming days will likely be neither calm, nor quiet.

Abrams has called Kemp "an architect of voter suppression" for the way he's managed voter registration rules and elections. In outlining the possibilities of a runoff, the campaign attributed an apparent rise in provisional and paper ballots to a shortage of reliable voting machines, and blamed Kemp for the lack of preparation.

Kemp has insisted he's done his job and argued that Abrams wants to help noncitizens vote illegally. He cited a speech in which she listed "undocumented" people as being part of her coalition.

But Kemp also had to acknowledge within days of Tuesday's voting that the online voter registration system he oversees was vulnerable to hackers. When a whistleblower alerted a voting rights lawyer who alerted the FBI and Kemp's office of an apparent weakness, Kemp accused the Georgia Democratic Party, without offering evidence, of trying to tamper with the system.

Given that environment, it's not unreasonable to wonder whether Abrams' supporters will accept Kemp's claim of outright victory.

___

Follow Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, right, waits backstage with her family and friends before speaking to a crowd of supporters during her election night watch party at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Georgia's hotly contested and potentially historic governor's race may not be over yet, with Democrat Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp awaiting the final accounting of absentee and provisional ballots. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Publication deadlines led a South Carolina newspaper to go to print showing the wrong winner for what turned out to be the state's most significant call in this year's midterm elections.

The State newspaper in Columbia printed its Wednesday edition with the headline, "Arrington goes to Washington."

The Associated Press called the race for Democrat Joe Cunningham at 2 a.m. Wednesday. He defeated Republican Katie Arrington by about 4,000 votes.

Some on social media called the paper's front a "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment, referencing the Chicago Daily Tribune's headline naming the wrong winner of the 1948 presidential election. The Arrington headline, near the top-left corner, was not nearly as large as the 1948 headline, which stretched across the page.

Cunningham is the first new Democrat to join South Carolina's delegation in more than 25 years.

Republican nominee for Congress Katie Arrington concedes the race to Democrat Joe Cunningham during her press conference at the Staybridge Suites in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

Joe Cunningham, Democrat running for congress, waits in line to vote at St. Andrews School of Math and Science in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, November, 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

Democrat nominee for Congress Joe Cunningham reacts after voting at St. Andrews School of Math and Science in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, November, 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats set to run the House for the first time in eight years have a brimming list of priorities to tackle, topped by election laws and ethics rules, prescription drug prices and infrastructure.

But with the 2020 presidential and congressional elections on the horizon - and yes, they're already coloring decision-making - most Democratic proposals have a better chance of becoming campaign issues than enacted law.

One thing seems certain: A Democratic-controlled House will mean plenty of hearings and investigations. Newly armed with the power to set the agenda and issue subpoenas, Democrats are itching to burrow into President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign's connections with Russia, his personal finances and his undermining of President Barack Obama's health care law and environmental protections.

Here's a look at Democrats' early priorities and the hurdles they face:

___

FIRST, DECISIONS

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, steps away from the podium as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., makes the thumbs up sign, after Pelosi spoke about Democratic gains in the House of Representatives to a crowd of Democratic supporters during an election night returns event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. At far left is Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., with Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Unlike the Senate, where determined opponents can use procedural roadblocks to derail the majority's legislative train, the House operates on raw political muscle. A united majority can get its way every time.

Because Democrats will control the schedule, GOP efforts to repeal Obama's health care law or broadly cut taxes anew won't see the light of day. That still leaves Democrats with decisions and internal divisions to sort through.

On what issues should they try striking deals with Trump and Republicans to show they can govern? Which bills should be designed to highlight their values, knowing that many will go nowhere in a GOP-run Senate? Which investigations could prove fruitful and sate liberal voters' demands for bruising Trump, and which risk becoming counterproductive distractions?

Democrats' answers will depend on who their leaders are, how demanding the party's hard-left base proves to be and how their burgeoning field of 2020 presidential candidates steers the debate.

___

LEADING OFF

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., hoping to reprise her 2007 through 2010 role as speaker, has talked about a first bill - HR1 - revamping campaign finance laws, election statutes and ethics requirements. The goal: Demonstrating that Democrats care about reform and that Trump's "drain the swamp" mantra has achieved anything but.

While final decisions remain, Democrats are considering steps like curbing large political donations, toughening disclosure requirements for corporations and big contributors and offering public financing to congressional candidates. They could propose making it easier for people to register and vote, helping states protect ballot security, requiring presidential and vice presidential candidates to release tax returns and barring lawmakers from joining corporate boards.

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OTHER EARLY GOALS

Democrats want to lower prescription drug costs, perhaps by letting the gigantic Medicare program negotiate prices for pharmaceuticals it purchases. This is a potential area for deal-making with Trump, who's discussed cutting drug costs.

Democrats want to reduce health care costs overall, which their candidates highlighted in their midterm election campaigns, and buttress Obama's health care law. Ways and Means Committee Democrats are considering reversing Trump's move to allow low-cost, short-term insurance policies that don't require coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

They also want to upgrade roads, schools, mass transit and communication systems in what Pelosi calls "a new, green way," an effort Democrats say would raise paychecks. Trump has also championed infrastructure. The big dispute is over how to finance the mammoth investment.

___

ALSO ON THE AGENDA

Even as Trump made anti-immigrant fervor a focus of his campaigning for Republicans this year, Democrats talked of helping young "Dreamer" migrants stay in the U.S. permanently. A battle with Trump, who has tried ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects hundreds of thousands of young migrants from deportation, ended in a Senate stalemate last winter.

Other Democratic priorities include expanding background check requirements for gun purchasers; requiring civil rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and reversing Trump rollbacks of Obama-era curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and Trump's expansion of mineral drilling on public lands.

___

A TEMPTING TARGET

How to pay for their initiatives? Some Democrats say privately that one possibility is erasing reductions that last year's GOP-written, $1.5 trillion tax cut bestowed on wealthy Americans. That could provide real cash while bolstering Democrats' message that they're fighting for the middle class.

Another possibility is raising the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gasoline tax, last boosted in the 1990s, by up to 1 percent annually. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., likely next chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, proposed that last year.

As for the billions Trump wants to pay for his proposed wall with Mexico, Pelosi, an ardent foe of the structure, calls that "a manhood issue" for Trump that doesn't interest her.

___

IMPEACHMENT? NYET, FOR NOW

Many hard-left Democrats are itching for an impeachment showdown. Party leaders worry that without a bombshell from special counsel Robert Mueller about Russia's role in Trump's campaign, an impeachment drive would alienate moderates and independents.

But House probes of the Russia connection remains fair game.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, wants to learn if Russians used laundered money for transactions with the Trump Organization, which runs the president's businesses. He also wants more information about communications the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., had with his father and others about a June 2016 meeting between Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer.

The judiciary committee could try moving legislation protecting Mueller. Trump has repeatedly criticized the special counsel as running a "witch hunt."

___

FOR INVESTIGATIONS, A TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT

Obtaining Trump's tax returns, and their untold detail on his business entanglements and tax strategies, has been a top Democratic priority.

Congress' tax-writing committees can by law obtain records from the IRS. Trump, who's refused to release them, might not comply, sparking a court fight and letting Republicans argue that Democrats are going after their political opponents' tax records.

Other areas Democrats could aggressively pursue include:

-Whether Trump violated the Constitution's ban on presidents accepting gifts from foreign governments;

-The administration's decision not to oppose efforts by 20 GOP state attorneys general to invalidate the health care law;

-Trump's separation of migrant children from their parents;

-The FBI investigation of sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation fight, and whether the White House curtailed it;

-Forcing pharmaceutical executives to testify on drug prices.

-Investigating Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke over a Montana land deal and a rejected Connecticut casino project.

___

AP congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro and reporters Matthew Daly, Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking contributed.LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) - The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward in the case of a 13-year-old girl kidnapped from a North Carolina mobile home park.

News outlets report the search for Hania Noelia Aguilar also expanded Tuesday as authorities circulated her picture across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

Family members say the eighth grader went outside Monday morning to start a relative's SUV to prepare to leave for the bus stop.

Police say a man then forced her into a green Ford Expedition with the South Carolina license plate NWS 984 and drove off.

FBI Supervisor Andy de la Rocha read a statement from Hania's mother saying she doesn't "have anything against whoever did this to" her daughter and just wants her back.ISLAMABAD (AP) - A Christian woman acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court eight years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy was flown Wednesday night to a facility in the capital Islamabad from an undisclosed location for security reasons, two senior government officials said.

Amid tight security, Asia Bibi left a detention facility in Punjab province for the flight to the capital, the officials said. Troops guarded the roads leading to the airport from which she departed, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday as they were not authorized to speak to media on the record.

Authorities last month said they arrested two prisoners for allegedly conspiring to strangle her and since then additional police and troops have been deployed to the facility in Punjab. Officials said Bibi will be safer at the new facility in Islamabad.

Bibi's transfer comes a week after the high court in a landmark ruling acquitted Bibi and ordered her released, a move that triggered nationwide protests. Bibi's release was put on hold Friday after authorities held talks with radical Islamists who want her publicly hanged.

Authorities now say Bibi may not leave the country because a petition for a review of the court's ruling was filed by a radical Islamist lawyer requesting the acquittal be reversed. Pakistani courts usually take years to decide such cases.

Bibi was arrested in 2009 on charges of insulting Islam's prophet and she was sentenced to death in 2010. Her family has always maintained her innocence and says she never insulted the prophet.

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2010, file photo, Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman, listens to officials at a prison in Sheikhupura near Lahore, Pakistan. Italy is working to help relocate the family of a Pakistani Christian woman acquitted eight years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy, amid warnings from her husband that their life is in danger in Pakistan. (AP Photo, File)

Blasphemy against Islam is punishable by death in Pakistan.

___

Tanveer reported from Multan, Pakistan.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A bitter and expensive clash between Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson remains too close to call, despite Scott's declaration of victory.

Nelson has not conceded. His campaign says it's preparing for a recount and will have observers in every one of the state's 67 counties to monitor the process.

Scott's lead narrowed slightly Wednesday to about 30,000 votes out of more than 8.1 million cast - a margin of less than one half of 1 percent. Under state law in Florida, a recount is mandatory if the winning candidate's margin is 0.5 percentage points or less.

Chris Hartline, a spokesman for Scott's campaign, criticized the Nelson campaign for pushing ahead for a recount.

"This race is over," Hartline said. "It's a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists."

But the recount is automatic unless Nelson agrees to forgo it. Counties have until Saturday to turn in their first set of unofficial returns. If the margin remains under 0.5 percent at that point, then Secretary of State Ken Detzner is required to order the recount.

Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife Ann by his side at an election watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

An attorney for Nelson said late Wednesday that he intends to aggressively examine and address reports of ballot problems. The Nelson campaign believes the results of the election are still unknown since there are ballots yet to be counted, Marc Elias said in a statement.

"We're doing this not just because it's automatic, but we're doing it to win," Elias said.

Florida was the scene of a monumental recount battle in 2000 that pitted scores of lawyers against each other in the presidential race. George W. Bush won the presidency by 537 Florida votes over Al Gore after the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately declared an end to the counting.

The stakes aren't as high this time, but a Scott win would end the political career of the 76-year-old Nelson, who is seeking a fourth Senate term.

Scott had declared victory during an election party in his home town of Naples late Tuesday when near-total results showed a thin lead, saying the campaign had been "divisive and tough" but that he vowed to change the direction of Washington, D.C.

"Change is never popular. I tried to use every effort to change the state of Florida and together we did," Scott said.

As the night wore on Nelson did not address his supporters in Orlando. Instead he had an aide say shortly after midnight that while many news reports were declaring Scott the victor, Nelson would have no statement until later Wednesday.

"This obviously is not the result Sen. Nelson and his campaign had worked so hard for," aide Pete Mitchell said.

The two candidates are heavyweights within each party: Nelson has withstood years of GOP dominance to remain the only Democrat elected statewide, while Scott is a two-term governor urged by President Donald Trump to take Nelson on.

Nelson was been viewed as one of the more vulnerable Democrats thanks to the formidable challenge from Scott, a former hospital chain CEO who has poured more than $60 million of his own fortune into his campaign.

When Scott first jumped in last April, the contest was seen as one of the marquee races in the nation. It was soon overshadowed by the governor's race: a vitriolic competition between Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum that became a proxy battle between Trump and his Democratic opponents. DeSantis had trailed in almost every poll leading up to Election Day, but he parlayed Trump's strong endorsements in the Republican primary and general election to pull off an upset. Gillum would have been the first Democrat elected to the office since 1994, and the state's first-ever African-American governor.

Scott spent nearly two weeks off the campaign trail to respond to Hurricane Michael, which pummeled several counties in the Florida Panhandle and was responsible for dozens of deaths.

The two candidates disagreed on issues ranging from gun control to environmental policy to health care. Nelson was a strong supporter of the federal health care overhaul pushed into law by President Barack Obama, while Scott had called for the law to be repealed and replaced.

Scott, however, was forced to air a television ad in which he promised to retain the current plan's consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Florida is among the states that are part of a lawsuit challenging the overhaul. The lawsuit was handled by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Scott maintained that he was not consulted about it before it was filed. But after he was aware of it, he remained largely silent until it became an issue in the campaign.

Differences between Scott and Nelson took a back seat to mutual disparagement and personal attacks, as well as Scott's links to Trump. At first Scott distanced himself from the president, but in the final week of the race he showed up at two political rallies Trump held in Florida.

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott kisses his wife Ann as he speaks to supporters at an election watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Attendees at an election watch party cheer as the watch televised election results, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Polling workers help people to check in at Miami Beach Fire Station No. 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Miami-Dade County, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

FILE- In this Oct. 23, 2018, file photo shows Sen. Bill Nelson campaigns in Orlando. Republican Gov. Rick Scott is challenging Nelson. Florida will vote for governor, U.S. Senate, Cabinet seats, Congress and decide 12 ballot questions. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

Voters cast their ballots at Legion Park in the Upper Eastside neighborhood in Miami, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Carl Juste /Miami Herald via AP)The international panel session titled "Minsk ghetto: 75 years later" was organized at the History Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University by the Russian information and analysis agency Vestnik Kavkaza, the Diaspora History Laboratory of the History Faculty, the All-Israel Association of People from Belarus, the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the history department of Belarusian State University and the 'Historical Memory' Foundation for the Promotion of Actual Historical Research. On the sidelines of the event, Vestnik Kavaza spoke with head of the archival department of the Research and Educational Holocaust Center Leonid Terushkin.

- How important is the discussion of events in the Minsk ghetto after 75 years?

- This is an extremely important event. Practically for the first time such a significant scientific institution as Moscow State University holds a major international forum, bringing together historians who study the history of the Holocaust, in particular the Minsk ghetto. Here they can discuss everything and even argue, as I've already seen. The history of the Minsk ghetto only seems to be well studied, but there are still a lot of unknown aspects. I mean the fate of specific people, resistance, collaborationism. Now all these issues have surfaced and escalated. Russia and Belarus can and must cooperate in this aspect. Who else can be involved in studying history of the Minsk ghetto if not Russian and Belarusian historians. We often missed this topic, our colleagues from Israel, the U.S. and Germany were ahead of us. They really tried and hurried, and we lagged behind, although the most interesting materials is here - in Russia and Belarus. Therefore, I consider this a very important event.

- What do you think cause attempts to glorify Nazi collaborators in some countries of Europe and the post-Soviet space?

- The legalization of former Nazis, the legalization of those who participated in the implementation of Nazi crimes, these are purely political events. If it is beneficial to someone, such solutions will be implemented. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that Nazism, although it was defeated in the armed struggle, but, unfortunately, is not eradicated. On the other hand, some European countries are in a situation when the so-called fighters against communism are also Nazi criminals. There are a lot of people living in this discord, both the public and the ruling circles of a number of states. We cannot be neutral about this, we never get tired of telling what certain Nazi collaborators have done.

More recently, we received previously unknown documents from Russia's FSB archives with several other names. Of course, for those who survived the Holocaust, as well as for their descendants in Russia, Belarus, Israel and the whole world, any legalization of former Nazi criminals is out of question. It's impossible. The Nuremberg Trial's decisions have not been canceled. And I hope it stays that way.LAKE HALLIE, Wis. (AP) - Funeral arrangements are set for three Girl Scouts and a mother who were killed in a hit-and-run in rural northwestern Wisconsin.

A funeral service for 32-year-old Sara Schneider and her 10-year-old daughter, Haylee Hickle, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Chippewa Valley Bible Church in Chippewa Falls. Nine-year-old Jayna Kelly will be eulogized Friday at 11 a.m. at the same church.

Ten-year-old Autumn Helgeson will be memorialized at 6 p.m. Thursday at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Minneapolis.

The four were killed Saturday while they picked up trash along a Chippewa County highway.

Vehicular homicide charges have been filed against 21-year-old Colten Treu, who authorities say inhaled chemical vapors before he crashed his pickup truck into them.

Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - Scientists have found the oldest known example of an animal drawing: a red silhouette of a bull-like beast on the wall of an Indonesian cave.

The sketch is at least 40,000 years old, slightly older than similar animal paintings found in famous caves in France and Spain. Until a few years ago, experts believed Europe was where our ancestors started drawing animals and other figures.

But the age of the drawing reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, along with previous discoveries in Southeast Asia, suggest that figurative drawing appeared in both continents about the same time.

The new findings fuel discussions about whether historical or evolutionary events prompted this near-simultaneous "burst of human creativity," said lead author Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist and geochemist at Griffith University in Australia.

The remote limestones caves on Borneo have been known to contain prehistoric drawings since the 1990s. To reach them, Aubert and his team used machetes to hack through thick jungle in a verdant corner of the island.

Strapping on miners' helmets to illuminate the darkness, they walked and crawled through miles of caves decorated with hundreds of ancient designs, looking for artwork that could be dated. They needed to find specific mineral deposits on the drawings to determine their age with technology that measures decay of the element uranium.

This composite image from the book "Borneo, Memory of the Caves" shows the world's oldest figurative artwork dated to a minimum of 40,000 years, in a limestone cave in the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. Scientists say the red silhouette of a bull-like beast, upper left, is the oldest known example of animal art. (Luc-Henri Fage/kalimanthrope.com via AP)

"Most of the paintings we actually can't sample," said Aubert.

Aubert and his fellow researchers reported in 2014 on cave art from the neighboring Indonesian island of Sulawesi. They dated hand stencils, created by blowing red dye through a tube to capture the outline of a hand pressed against rock, to almost 40,000 years ago.

Now, with the Borneo cave art, the scientists are able to construct a rough timeline of how art developed in the area. In addition to the bull, which is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide, they dated red- and purple-colored hand stencils and cave paintings of human scenes.

After large animal drawings and stencils, "It seems the focus shifted to showing the human world," Aubert said.

Around 14,000 years ago, the cave-dwellers began to regularly sketch human figures doing things like dancing and hunting, often wearing large headdresses. A similar transition in rock art subjects happened in the caves of Europe.

"That's very cool, from a human point of view," said Peter Veth, an archaeologist at the University of Western Australia, who was not involved in the study. "People adopted similar strategies in different environments as they became more modern."

The island of Borneo was still connected to mainland Southeast Asia when the first figurative drawings were made about 40,000 years ago - which is also about the time that the first modern humans arrived in Europe. The earliest drawings of animals in the French cave of Chauvet have been dated to about 33,500 to 37,000 years ago.

Whether new waves of people migrating from Africa brought the skills of figurative cave painting with them, or whether these arts emerged later, remains unclear. Scientists have only a partial record of global rock art. The earliest cave etchings have been found in Africa and include abstract designs, like crosshatches, dating to around 73,000 years ago.

The next stage of research in Indonesia will include excavations to learn more about the people who made these paintings. A few sites have already been identified, containing human bones, prehistoric jewelry and remains of small animals.

As for the red bull, its meaning remains a mystery.

"We think it wasn't just food for them - it meant something special," said Aubert.

___

The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.ATLANTA (AP) - Republican Brian Kemp's campaign declared victory Wednesday in the Georgia governor's race, though Democrat Stacey Abrams insists that enough ballots remain to leave open the possibility of a runoff in a race that Kemp oversees as secretary of state.

The Associated Press has not called the contest.

Ryan Mahoney, a top Kemp campaign adviser, told reporters in a conference call that the numbers show Abrams can't win and a runoff won't happen - but stopped short of declaring victory until pressed by an Associated Press reporter. Only then did Mahoney say Kemp is certain of victory and preparing to take office in January.

"We are declaring victory," Mahoney said. Another campaign official, Austin Chambers, added: "The message here is pretty simple: This election is over, and the results are clear."

Kemp was not on the call but is expected to speak publicly on Thursday, the same day that a federal judge in Atlanta holds the first hearing on an Election Day lawsuit that seeks to have Kemp barred from having any further role in managing the election.

The Abrams campaign responded late Wednesday that Kemp's state office had not shared with the public or with the Abrams' campaign the detailed data behind his claims, instead asking Georgians to take him at his word.

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp gives a thumbs-up to supporters, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

"The sitting secretary of state has declared himself" the winner, said Abrams' campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo. "We don't accept or reject what he said. He needs to show proof."

The stand-off leaves open the possibility of litigation as Abrams' campaign has spent the day pushing for the continued counting of absentee, mail-in and provisional ballots and renewing its concerns that Kemp remains the chief elections officer supervising his own election, a race already marked by disputes over the voting process.

With reported votes exceeding 3.9 million - almost 95 percent of Georgia's 2016 presidential turnout - Kemp has just more than 50 percent.

Before the Kemp campaign declared victory Wednesday, Groh-Wargo estimated that about 15,000 votes separate Kemp from a runoff. She says at least that many outstanding absentee and mail-in ballots remained to be counted.

Kemp's spokeswoman in the secretary of state's office, Candice Broce, said that by Wednesday afternoon the number of uncounted absentee and mail-in ballots was less than 2,000 - with her boss still above the 50 percent threshold.

Broce said about 22,000 provisional ballots have yet to be processed, according to a canvass of county officials across the state. Mahoney asserted that those numbers make it impossible for Abrams to pick up enough votes to deny Kemp an outright victory.

In 2016, with a slightly larger electorate, there were 16,739 provisional ballots. Of those, 7,592 were counted. State and campaign officials said they expected a much higher proportion to be counted this year.

Kemp's office has not released a county-by-county breakdown of provisional ballots, but Abrams' campaign said they believe they are concentrated in metro Atlanta counties where Abrams won a large share of the vote. Broce said Kemp's office is working on releasing more detailed information.

If a runoff is necessary, the second round would take place Dec. 4, extending one of the marquee races of the November midterms as Abrams tries to become the first black woman elected governor in American history while Kemp looks to maintain the GOP's domination in a state evolving into a genuine two-party battleground.

Either way, Georgians are sure to see a new round of bitter recriminations over ballot access and voting rights that could leave some voters questioning the outcome of a contest both nominees have described as a "battle for the soul of our state."

"This is why we had a steady drumbeat for him to resign," Groh-Wargo said Wednesday, noting Abrams' and others' warnings about the potential for chaos in a tight election. "Here we are," she said.

Kemp, 55, told his supporters early Wednesday that "there are votes left to count, but we have a very strong lead. ... The math is on our side to win this election."

His cushion for an outright majority later shrank after more ballots had been counted. So far, turnout exceeds the 2014 governor's race by about 1.3 million votes.

Kemp's office, meanwhile, deflected the criticisms.

Broce noted local elections authorities manage the voting process and ballot tabulation. "Counties have not completed certification and we are still waiting for counties to provide their tabulations leading up to that certification," she said.

A nonprofit group, Protect Democracy, filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to keep Kemp from being involved in counting votes, certifying results or any runoff or recount. Broce called it a "twelfth-hour stunt."

State law gives counties until next Tuesday to complete vote counts and certify results to state elections officials. The statewide certification must follow by Nov. 20.

The indefinite extension in Georgia focuses a white-hot spotlight on a race that already has drawn massive investments of time, money and star power - from President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama to media icon Oprah Winfrey.

The tight returns and potential runoff come after weeks of wrangling over Georgia's election system and Kemp's performance as its chief executive. Kemp has steadfastly defended his job performance and refused calls to step aside.

Abrams, 44, has called Kemp "an architect of suppression," and voting rights activists expressed concerns throughout Tuesday amid reports of technical malfunctions and long lines at polling stations across the state.

The elections chief wasn't immune to the difficulties: When Kemp went to cast his own ballot, he had an issue with his voter card, but it was fixed quickly.

In the closing days, Kemp basked in Trump's glow, pulling out of a debate to attend a Sunday rally that drew thousands of boisterous Republicans to central Georgia to see Trump deplane from Air Force One.

Abrams answered with Obama and Winfrey.

Even if Abrams ultimately falls short, she has outperformed her fellow Democratic nominees from recent election cycles.

That validates her strategy of reaching out to nonwhite and younger voters who don't usually cast midterm ballots instead of Democrats' previous focus on trying to convert older white voters who'd long drifted toward Republicans.

Her success came at a cost, however, as unofficial returns showed Kemp expanding the GOP's advantage across rural and small-town Georgia.

___

Follow Barrow and Nadler on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP and https://twitter.com/benjaminrnadler .

___

For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters about a suspected run-off during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faced Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

This combination of May 20, 2018, photos shows Georgia gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, left, and Brian Kemp in Atlanta. Democrats and Republicans nationwide will have to wait a bit longer to see if Georgia elects the first black woman governor in American history or doubles down on the Deep South's GOP tendencies with an acolyte of President Donald Trump (AP Photos/John Amis, File)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, right, waits backstage with her family and friends before speaking to a crowd of supporters during her election night watch party at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Georgia's hotly contested and potentially historic governor's race may not be over yet, with Democrat Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp awaiting the final accounting of absentee and provisional ballots. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp arrives to an election-night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams cheer as they get word of results during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faces Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Supporters of Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp react Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks to reporters after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams react as she exits her vehicle at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Mike Young reacts during an election night watch party for Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp gives the thumbs up sign as he and youngest daughter Amy Porter leave after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, right, escorts Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams through a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Activist Jo Handy reacts to drivers as she shows her support for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp poses for a photo with his family after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams listen as she speaks at Annie D's restaurant on Election Day in Buena Vista, Ga., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)ATLANTA (AP) - The Latest on the race for Georgia governor (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

A campaign adviser for Republican Brian Kemp adviser says the candidate is declaring victory in Georgia governor's race.

Campaign official Ryan Mahoney made the announcement during a Wednesday afternoon conference call with reporters. Kemp was not on the call.

Mahoney says, "We are declaring victory."

A second campaign official, Austin Chambers, said on the call, "The message here is pretty simple: This election is over, and the results are clear"

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks with supporters after a long election night in Athens, Ga., Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Georgia's hotly contested and potentially historic governor's race may not be over yet, with Democrat Stacey Abrams and Kemp awaiting the final accounting of absentee and provisional ballots. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)

Kemp has just more than 50 percent of Tuesday's vote, which would give him the majority threshold needed to secure a victory. The Associated Press has not called the race.

Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams has not conceded the race, and her campaign believes there are enough uncounted ballots to force Kemp into a runoff.

___

4:30 p.m.

Stacey Abrams' campaign is making a post-election advertising push to make sure no provisional ballots go uncounted in her bid for Georgia governor against Republican Brian Kemp.

The campaign announced an ad buy Wednesday on Georgia radio stations that focus on black and Latino audiences.

The campaign is encouraging voters who cast provisional ballots to call the Democratic Party's voter protection hotline so Abrams' aides can track those ballots.

Incomplete returns show Kemp with a lead that puts him narrowly above the majority threshold required to avoid a Dec. 4 runoff.

But Abrams' campaign believes there are enough uncounted ballots to force Kemp below 50 percent and trigger a runoff.

___

2:15 p.m.

Two of Georgia's largest counties were still tabulating thousands of votes as Democrat Stacey Abrams tries to narrow the gap in a close race for governor with Republican Brian Kemp.

Gwinnett County spokesman Joe Sorenson said Wednesday that nearly 20,000 absentee ballots and about 2,000 provisional ballots were being counted. He didn't know how many had been counted or when that would be complete.

In Fulton County, Director of Registration and Elections Richard Barron says nearly 3,700 provisional ballots have yet to be counted, along with an unknown number of ballots mailed from overseas.

Kemp has just more than 50 percent of the vote, which would give him the majority threshold needed to secure a victory.

Abrams and her campaign said Wednesday that they hope to pick up about 15,000 votes to force a runoff.

___

1:15 p.m.

A spokeswoman for the Georgia secretary of state's office says a lawsuit seeking to keep Secretary of State Brian Kemp from further presiding over the midterm elections is a "twelfth-hour stunt."

Kemp is Georgia's top elections official and the Republican candidate for governor.

Nonprofit Protect Democracy said in a news release that the lawsuit was filed at 5 p.m. Tuesday. It seeks to keep him from being involved in counting votes, certifying results or any runoff or recount.

The lawsuit says that Kemp presiding over an election in which he is a candidate "violates a basic notion of fairness."

Secretary of state's office spokeswoman Candice Broce said in an email that Kemp has been notified of the lawsuit. She said it won't keep the office from fulfilling its responsibilities.

___

4:15 a.m.

Republican nominee for Georgia governor Brian Kemp says he is "confident victory is near" but is waiting on final results in the close race.

Kemp told supporters at his election party Tuesday night that "the math is on our side to win this election" but stopped short of claiming victory.

Earlier, opponent Stacey Abrams implied that a runoff is likely in the election. The Democrat told supporters they would "have a chance to do a do-over."

The Associated Press has not called the race.

Kemp has a narrow lead in the vote count but the race could still go to a runoff. In Georgia, a race goes to an automatic runoff if neither candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters about a suspected run-off during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faced Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp arrives to an election-night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams cheer as they get word of results during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Abrams, the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States, faces Republican challenger Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Supporters of Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp react Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp speaks to reporters after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams react as she exits her vehicle at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Mike Young reacts during an election night watch party for Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Athens, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp gives the thumbs up sign as he and youngest daughter Amy Porter leave after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, right, escorts Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams through a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Activist Jo Handy reacts to drivers as she shows her support for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams at the Deshon Plaza Shopping Center in Stone Mountain, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp poses for a photo with his family after voting Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Winterville, Ga. Kemp is in a close race with Democrat Stacey Abrams. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Supporters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams listen as she speaks at Annie D's restaurant on Election Day in Buena Vista, Ga., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)DETROIT (AP) - A former Michigan state trooper will face a second trial in April in the death of a Detroit boy who crashed an all-terrain vehicle after he was shot with a Taser.

Mark Bessner's first trial ended without a unanimous verdict on Oct. 31. A judge on Wednesday set another trial for April 1.

Bessner is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of 15-year-old Damon (Da-MAHN') Grimes, who crashed an ATV in August 2017.

Bessner shot Grimes from the passenger seat of a moving patrol car as he and his partner pursued the boy at high speed. Bessner says he believed Grimes was armed, but the teen had no weapon. He quit the state police.

___

This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of 'quit.'GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Palestinian officials say a fisherman has been shot dead by Egyptian naval forces off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Nizzar Ayyash of the fishermen's union says that 32-year-old Mustafa Abu Ouda had been fishing alone in his boat off the coast of the southern border town of Rafah on Wednesday.

Ayyash says at least three fishermen have been killed by Egyptian fire in recent years.

Egypt has been battling an Islamic insurgency in the neighboring Sinai peninsula since 2013. Its army has imposed a buffer zone along the Gaza border and beefed up maritime security.

Egypt and Israel have also maintained a blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza since the Islamic group took power in 2007.

Hamas called on Egypt to investigate Wednesday's shooting.One Ryanair customer took matters into his own hands in hilarious fashion after the airline changed its hand luggage rules for the second time this year.

From November 1 the Dublin-based airline introduced charges for passengers flying with a small suitcase, saying the measure is necessary to reduce delays.

And while customer Lee Cimino told the Press Association: I love Ryanair, he also added: Its just this new charge is a bit too far really.

Lee was flying to Belfast with Ryanair for a birthday night out with a friend, and it was on this journey he decided to perform his own minor protest.

I fly with them a lot and theyre always great, its just a bit annoying, said Lee of the charge. I just thought: I wonder if theres anything I can do to get around it?

I found an old coat and took it to a tailors in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent called Sew Wot? They were brilliant. They came up with most of the ideas. They must have thought: What on Earth is this all about?! but they did an amazing job.

A man wears a tailored coat to avoid additional charges while flying (Photos courtesy of Lee Cimino)

With the coat prepared and the idea in place, Manchester Airport was the location of Lees stunt. But was there ever a moment the plan looked doomed to fail?

We got to Manchester Airport at about 6am and I didnt get as many funny looks as I thought I would, said Lee. My mate said I just looked like a hipster!

The coat only had a few clothes in it and I just put it in the tray like you normally would. I dont know how close I came but as I understand it, Im not doing anything wrong with wearing the coat.

Airport charges are a common source of irritation for tourists, so how has his video been received?

The reaction has been good, Lee said. Some people think Im tight but its not about that. I think it strikes a chord with people as everyone has had an experience with the airlines.

Id encourage more people to try it, otherwise how far will they go? As I say, this is not me having a go at Ryanair. I love them, its just raising a point.

Lee also told the Press Association he is considering auctioning the coat to raise money for charity, offering to give an amount to a charity of Ryanairs choice.

In response, Ryanair told the Press Association: Thanks to our larger free small bag allowance (40% bigger) and cheaper checked-in bag option (8 for a 10kg bag), Ryanair customers can bring all they need without having to board the aircraft looking like the Michelin Man or Joey from Friends.

Weve received lots of positive feedback from customers and airports across Europe on our new bag policy, which is leading to faster check-in, security and boarding, and improved punctuality.

Is this the last over-sized coat Ryanair will have to deal with?Remain would win a new Brexit poll by 54%-46%, according to analysis of one of the largest surveys carried out on the issue.

Some 20,000 people were questioned in a Survation poll for Channel 4 which estimated 105 local authority areas that voted Leave in 2016 would now be carried by the Remain side.

Channel Four said a multi-level modelling technique, which successfully predicted the 2017 general election result, had been used in the exercise.

Debate Participants including Nigel Farage, Justice Secretary David Gauke, shadow trade secretary Barry Gardner, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and Channel 4 host Krishnan Guru-Murthy at the Channel 4 Brexit debate Live (Aaron Chown/PA)

In a no deal scenario, a majority of voters would back staying in the EU, at least temporarily, according to the poll.

The survey found that in a no deal situation 35% believe Britain should remain in the EU, while 19% would want to delay leaving to allow more time for talks, and 36% would wish to quit the bloc.

Asked how they would vote if the Government secured a deal and it was put to the people, 33% said they would reject it, 26% accept it, 34% did not know, and 7% indicated they would not vote.

Justice Secretary David Gauke told the Channel 4 programme that revealed the results: If we leave on no deal terms theres is no good shying away, it will be very bad for us economically.

Justice Secretary David Gauke at the Channel 4 Brexit debate Live (Aaron Chown/PA)

If we can get a good deal, and that means removing all the frictions. The Chequers-type deal, as I say, if we dont have friction with trade, then, economically, I dont think its going to make a particular big difference one way or the other.

Figures showed that 45% of people thought Brexit would be good for immigration levels, while 24% said it would be bad, and 31% said it would make no difference.

And 42% said immigration more generally has had a positive influence on Britain.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: Funny isnt it? On the one hand we are being told Brexit has made people hostile towards migrants, on the other we are told we are more relaxed about it.

You cant have it both ways. The truth of it is, the reason those figures have changed is a big chunk of the electorate think the immigration issue has been dealt with because we voted Brexit, and they think our major political parties will carry out their wishes.

Actually, the pennys not yet dropped. That there is no intention for this Government or this opposition to deal with open door immigration.

The modelling technique showed that support for leaving the EU has fallen most dramatically in the local authorities areas that saw the highest leave vote shares in 2016.

Some 43% said they would support a second referendum that was a binary choice between a deal and staying in, with 37% opposing a vote on those terms.

However, while it was backed by 63% of people who voted Remain, it was backed by just 20% of Leave voters.Deontay Wilder warned he has transformed into a killer as he ramped up his preparation for his fight with Tyson Fury, dismissing Anthony Joshua as a coward.

US heavyweight champion Wilder is putting his WBC belt and 40-0 unbeaten record on the line when he faces Fury in Los Angeles on December 1.

During a warm-up event in the city on Monday, the Bronze Bomber told reporters he was in wonderful condition.

He said: Im feeling wonderful. My mindset has changed, my body has changed, I feel like a killer. Im transformed into a killer.

Wilder compared his preparation for the bout to that of a soldier in the military, who knows theyre going into dangerous territories and have to be prepared.

The 33-year-old added: When its time for fighting and Im risking my life, I turn into the Bronze Bomber. When Im in the ring its a different thing than when Im just Deontay Wilder.

Deontay Wilder takes on Tyson Fury next month (Steven Paston/PA).

On a potential fight with IBF, WBA and WBO champion Anthony Joshua, Wilder added: I dont have a message for Anthony Joshua.

Its all about Tyson Fury. I dont want anyone to ask me about Anthony Joshua. He was a coward and thats that.

Wilder has been training in his home state of Alabama for the fight and revealed he has not yet contacted former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko for tips on how to fight Fury.

Tyson Fury will test Deontay Wilder in Los Angeles (Liam McBurney/PA).

Klitschko fought  and lost to  the Gypsy King in 2015 and Wilder said: I personally didnt reach out to him, I dont even know if my team have either.

Thats a great idea, I havent even thought about that one. Weve just been going along with what we know.

What weve been doing has been amazing. But thats maybe something we will probably reach out and do and ask him how he was feeling, what was he thinking.

Anthony Joshua is not in Deontay Wilders thinking (Nick Potts/PA).

What was the thing that caused him to throw not so many punches as we know he could do? I feel if Klitschko would have thrown punches like we know he could do, it wouldve been a different result in the fight.

Wilder, who boasts a punishing 40-0 record with 39 wins coming by knockout, said he was so tired of talking about the fight and warned 30-year-old Fury he doesnt know what hes gotten himself into.

He added: Nothing at all that concerns me or scares me (about Fury). Im the best in the world.For the next few weeks, Rick will be out and about discussing his new edited volume, Bush-Obama School Reform: Lessons Learned . While hes away, several of the contributors have agreed to stop by and offer their reflections on what weve learned from the Bush-Obama era. This week, youll hear from Josh Dunn, a professor of political science at the University of ColoradoColorado Springs. Hell be discussing the implications of the Bush-Obama emphasis on school reform as a civil rights issue.

In our system, implementing national policy is made even more difficult when you have to depend on state agencies, school boards, principals, and teachers far removed from Washington. Just because you can bribe or blackmail states into adopting Washingtons policies doesnt mean that you can make them do so effectively.

This is true in many areas, not just education. For example, Washington used grants to induce every state into setting a 55 mile-per-hour speed limit but it couldnt make the Montana Highway Patrol vigorously enforce such a stupid rule for a large western state. Similarly, the national government could not control how enthusiastically or not states and school districts implemented No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Common Core, and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs).

The problems created by these policies point to the second lesson of Bush and Obamas civil rights education agenda. Federalism still matters. Ignore at your peril.

Two obtuse and inflammatory comments by Margaret Spellings and Arne Duncan illustrate the near total lack of concern for federalism during this period.

In 2005, Spellings chastised the state of Connecticut for being un-American. Connecticut had the temerity to request a waiver from NCLBs yearly testing requirement for grades 3-8 since it already tested every other year. It wasnt sure that doubling its testing requirements would actually be educationally productive. Spellings bristled, saying that NCLB was designed to close the achievement gap between white and black students, so anyone disagreeing with its requirements was practicing the soft bigotry of low expectations. Naturally, Connecticut officials resented being accused of trying to perpetuate the achievement gap.

Then, in 2013, Duncan said it was fascinating that some Common Core opponents were white suburban moms whoall of a sudden, [learned] their child isnt as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isnt quite as good as they thought they were. Alternatively, perhaps these parents just thought the onslaught of testing unleashed by Common Core was educationally counter-productive.

These statements were a direct result of policy choices being framed as civil rights programs. Niceties like federalism and what parents want shouldnt get in the way of protecting students rights. Hence, policy disagreements werent just policy disagreements. Instead they were Manichean struggles between the forces of good and evil.

Since NCLB was constructed with little thought about the preferences of states and school boards, none of this is surprising. And since the practical question of how to implement it in a decentralized federal system was ignored, it proved unworkable in practice. However, instead of causing a chastened federal government to reconsider, it led to even more intrusion into the authority of states and school districts. After all, when policies are framed as civil rights programs you cant just abandon them. The failure became the pretext for more heavy-handed federal action which created more animosity toward the federal government.

NCLB also set the stage for aggressive OCR action during the Obama administration. NCLBs wildly implausible requirements created the conditions for the department to issue a slew of arbitrary and unlawful waivers nationalizing education policy even more. The strained readings of NCLB were then mirrored by the strained readings of other federal statutes in DCLs. Aggressive, unilateral, legally dubious action became standard operating procedure. After launching its regime by waiver, the agency was emboldened to expand its policy-making adventures. NCLB had created the perception that remedying unequal outcomes was within the authority and ability of the federal government. In short, aggressive, poorly constructed federal education policy led to more aggressive, poorly constructed policy.

Perhaps it is not surprising that the federal government would believe that framing education reform as a civil rights initiative is the key to success. After all, desegregation was the preeminent example of national reform of local schools. But that ignores the fact that segregation was an obvious civil rights violation where not having a federally approved testing regime seems like, well, not so much of a civil rights violation. At the least, it lacks the same moral urgency of desegregation.

Desegregation then is really the exception that proved the rule that education still largely remains the province of state and local governments. Attempts to force reform on them without adequate buy-in are doomed to failure. As a chastened Lamar Alexander put it, dictating reform from Washington actually creates a backlash, making higher standards more difficult to hold onto and teacher evaluation systems more difficult to create because of all the anger . . . Its just not the way you make permanent improvements in 100,000 public schools. The community has to own the change. The teachers in the school have to own the evaluation system and believe its fair or itll never work. Its almost like the Constitution matters, isnt it?

Josh DunnRussia is ready to cut the price for its gas to Moldova, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said, adding he had discussed that matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin during recent talks in Moscow.

According to him, the Russian side is ready to revise the gas price for Chisinau, bearing in mind the fact that Moldova has been granted an observer status with the Eurasian Economic Union. "We discussed a possible 25-30% reduction of the price, a considerable sum for our consumers," the Moldovan leader told the NTV Moldova television channel.

At the same time, Dodon said he had discussed possible price reduction with CEO of Russias gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller.

The Moldovan president noted however the gas price matter would depend on the relations between the two countries after the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova in February 2019. "Much will depend on the results of the voting and on our foreign policy after that," TASS cited Dodon as saying.A man whose trial over the IRAs Hyde Park bomb collapsed in controversial circumstances has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of two soldiers in Northern Ireland in 1972.

John Downey was detained by Irish gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Mr Downey, 66, was arrested in Co Donegal and is expected to appear at Dublin High Court on Tuesday afternoon to face extradition proceedings.

Detectives from An Garda Siochana (in a joint operation with PSNI) have arrested a 66 year old man in Donegal on suspicion of the murder of 2 UDR soldiers in 1972 & on suspicion of aiding and abetting an explosion. He is due to appear at Dublin High Court tomorrow afternoon.  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) November 5, 2018

The 66 year old man arrested today in Donegal on suspicion of the murder of 2 UDR soldiers in 1972 and on suspicion of aiding and abetting an explosion, was made under a European Arrest Warrant.  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) November 5, 2018

Prosecutors in Northern Ireland have decided there is sufficient evidence to prosecute him for the murders of Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston, 32, a father of four, and Private James Eames, 33, a father of three, in Co Fermanagh.

They died when an IRA bomb exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen on August 25, 1972.

In 2013, John Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in a bomb in Londons Hyde Park in 1982.

He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blairs government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Runs (OTRs) scheme.

The scene following an IRA car bomb blast in Hyde Park (PA)

Trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney ruled that Mr Downeys arrest at Gatwick Airport, as he transited the UK on the way to a holiday, represented an abuse of process and he put a stay on any future prosecution in relation to the Hyde Park case.

The episode sparked a government inquiry into the OTR scheme.

Mr Downey has always denied any involvement in the Hyde Park attack.

The four soldiers killed in Hyde Park were Trooper Simon Tipper, 19, Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, 19, Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, 36, and Lieutenant Anthony Daly, 23.

The IRA car bomb exploded as they made their way from their Kensington barracks to a Changing Of The Guard ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.

Announcing Mondays arrest, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, from the PSNIs Major Investigation Team, said: The PSNI has been liaising closely with An Garda Siochana and todays arrest demonstrates the benefits of joint working between police forces and other national partner agencies.

The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active.

Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed on Monday a decision has been taken to prosecute a 66-year-old man for the Cherrymount murders.

A PPS spokesperson said: Following careful consideration of all available evidence, a decision has been taken to prosecute one person for the offence of murder and for aiding and abetting the causing of an explosion.

Extradition proceedings were initiated in the High Court in Dublin on Monday November 5, to seek the extradition of one man from the Republic of Ireland for trial in Northern Ireland.

One man was subsequently arrested in County Donegal this evening and is due to appear in court in Dublin tomorrow.

As proceedings are now live and before a Court, we will not be making further comment on this case at this point.

The families of the two deceased have been kept informed of developments.The Prince of Waless visit to a Nigerian city has been cancelled after security measures introduced following deadly regional clashes disrupted plans for the trip.

Charles is said to be disappointed not to be travelling to Jos on the last day of his west African tour, when he would have heard first hand about the inter-communal violence between farmers and cattle herders.

The Foreign Office stressed the cancellation on Thursday was not security related, as the recent clashes would not have prevented the visit, but rather it was the authoritiessecurity measures, introduced after the violence, which have affected operational arrangements for the trip.

While in Kumasi, The Prince of Wales also met the Konohene and visited a cocoa farm to see how modern agro-forestry practices are making cocoa farming more productive & sustainable. @DFID_UK#RoyalVisitGhana @ClarenceHouse pic.twitter.com/7UgDBlTRfr  UK in Ghana  (@UKinGhana) November 5, 2018

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: Due to operational constraints beyond our control, we have decided at this time not to include Jos during their royal highnesses visit to Nigeria.

We are delighted to have an exciting programme of activity in Abuja and Lagos which will showcase those issues close to the Princes and the Duchesss hearts.

The decision was taken upon advice from the Nigerian Government and others involved in security and operational aspects of the visit.

The Prince of Wales is in Africa with the Duchess of Cornwall (Joe Giddens/PA)

The prince will now spend Thursday in the Nigerian capital of Abjua when he is due to hear about efforts to bring the communities together in Nigerias plateau state.

Thank you to all the performers, staff and children at the Ghana International Junior School. pic.twitter.com/IxFu7wCWjP  The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) November 5, 2018

Clashes between the mostly Muslim nomadic cattle herders and Christian farmers, usually over land and grazing rights, have escalated into deadly violence which has killed thousands over the last year.

Earlier the prince, who is on the Ghana-leg of his west African tour, gave a speech where he outlined his continued concerns about the threat of climate change, rapid urbanisation and depletion of resources.

He told his audience, which included Ghanas president Nana Akufo-Addo and the Duchess of Cornwall, that the Commonwealth could play a vital part in safeguarding the planet.

Charles said: In such an uncertain and changing world, none of us can know what kind of a planet our grandchildren, and great grandchildren, will inhabit, but the Commonwealth, it seems to me, offers us a vital mechanism to help ensure that it is not poisoned and polluted and that its vitality is not compromised.

Therefore, we owe it to them  and to every one of our 2.3 billion fellow Commonwealth citizens  to renew and strengthen the partnerships between us, and use them to give life to the aspirations of each generation.

After the speech, the prince attended a plastics event where groups, from artists and civil society to the Ghanaian government and industry experts, outlined plans and ideas to tackle the issue.The SNP has said the chaos and despair of Brexit could result in a narrow majority of Scots voting for independence.

The party made the claim after a new poll finding more than a third of people were more likely to back leaving the UK after the country exits the European Union.

Applying that to the result of the 2014 referendum  in which Scots voted by 55% to 45% to stay in the Union  could result in a 51.39% vote for independence, with 48.61% against, according to its analysis.

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said the figures showed a significant swell in support for Scotland taking all decisions over our future for ourselves following Britains departure from the EU.

He said: As the chaos and despair at Westminsters handling of Brexit continues, more and more people are drawn to the opportunities and hope for the future that independence offers.

Majority of Scottish voters back opportunity & hope with independence over Brexit despair & chaos in new @Survation poll.



YES: 51.4%

NO: 48.6%



Poll also shows Scottish support for Remain higher than in 2016 & @theSNP 13-points clear of Tories on Westminster voting intentions  Fergus Mutch (@Fergoodness) November 5, 2018

The research, carried out by Survation for Channel 4, has been described as the biggest piece of independent research on attitudes to Brexit, with 20,000 people across the UK questioned.

More than a third of Scots said Brexit makes them more likely to vote for independence, according to a new poll. (Robert Perry/PA)

Overall it found that the UK would now vote to remain in the EU by a majority of 54% to 46%.

In Scotland, where 1,725 people were questioned, the poll found 64.7% want to stay part of the the EU, with 35.3% in favour of leaving  a larger majority in favour of remain than in the 2016 referendum.

Asked how Brexit would affect their vote in an independence referendum, 37.8% of Scots said they were more likely to back leaving the UK  with just over 26% much more likely to do so.

Meanwhile 25.4% said they were more likely to vote to stay in Britain, while 30.6% said they were neither more or less likely and 6.2% did not know.

More than half (53.8%) of Scots said Brexit would be bad for the economy, while 43.8% said it would have a negative impact on the NHS.

Meanwhile 45.2% of voters north of the border fear leaving the EU will be bad for their household finances.

Mr Brown said: People are right to be concerned about the harm that Brexit will do to our economy, our NHS and their household incomes. Brexit could cost every person in Scotland 2,300 a year and will put 80,000 jobs on the line.

The more Tory and Labour politicians ignore Scotlands interests and seek to stop us from making decisions over our future the more support for the SNP and independence will continue to grow.The man who shot and killed two women at a yoga studio had been fired from his job as a substitute teacher for inappropriately touching a middle school girl, a Florida school district has said.

Paul Scott Beierle, 40, posed as a customer during a yoga class on Friday, then began shooting, authorities said.

A 61-year-old faculty member at Florida State University and a 21-year-old FSU student from Georgia were killed, and five others were injured. Beierle then killed himself.

It is unclear why Beierle chose that yoga studio in the Florida capital. He had lived in Tallahassee from 2011 to 2013 but had recently been living several hours away. Police have not released information on a motive.

Paul Scott Beierle (Leon County Sheriffs Office/AP)

Beierle had a history of harassing women and acting inappropriately, from pinching womens buttocks to tickling a middle school student to appearing to make misogynistic videos, there were several red flags surrounding his behaviour.

Kelly Schulz, a spokeswoman for Volusia County School District, said Beierle was fired in May after he asked a female student if she was ticklish and then touched her at the top of the stomach below the bra line, a district report said.

Student was frightened and hid behind another student, the report said.

School personnel records show that students and a parent complained about Beierles conduct at a different school before the May incident.

Nicole Gillespie said her twin eighth-grade daughters told her on the first day of school in August 2017 that Beierle, who was teaching language arts, was creepy.

She encouraged her daughters to give him a chance, but they insisted his behaviour of calling only girls to the front of the room was inappropriate.

When Ms Gillespie looked him up on the internet, she found pictures of burlesque dancers, inappropriate sexual discussions and photos of him with weapons on his Facebook page.

Her daughters told school authorities of their discomfort, and he was moved to a different school.

We are heartbroken but we are strong. We are a community united against violence. Our thoughts and prayers stay with the victims of the tragic act of violence at Hot Yoga. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the shooting.https://t.co/7A3bPDw1EJ #TallyStrong #OurCityOurHome pic.twitter.com/NLBFnpWrUO  Tallahassee Police (@TallyPD) November 3, 2018

Ms Schulz said Beierle was hired in 2017 after he passed a federal and state criminal background check with Volusia County Schools and the Department of Education. He was issued a teaching certification by the DOE in July 2015, she said.

Beierle was a military veteran with degrees from Binghamton University and Florida State University.

Raised in Vestal, New York, he appeared to have made videos detailing his hatred of everything from the Affordable Care Act to girls who had allegedly mistreated him in middle school.

The videos were posted four years ago, and were removed from YouTube after the shooting.

Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, appeared to post a series of videos in 2014 where he called women whores if they dated black men, said many black women were disgusting and described himself as a misogynist.

A Tallahassee police spokesman would not confirm the videos were Beierles, but the man speaking in the films looks like him, and biographical details mentioned in the videos match known facts about Beierle.

In 2012, he was arrested twice for grabbing women on FSUs campus, but charges were dropped.

Four years later, he was arrested for battery after a woman said he approached her at the swimming pool of a Tallahassee apartment complex, complimented her bottom and offered to rub sunscreen on it, records show.

The woman said she declined the offer and Beierle then slapped her on the buttocks and grabbed her.

Court records indicate prosecutors agreed to dismiss the battery charge after Beierle completed a six-month diversion agreement requiring him to stay out of trouble, not drink alcohol to excess and to follow a psychologists recommendations.John Downeys collapsed trial for the Hyde Park bomb murders triggered a major political controversy over the until then little known On the Run scheme.

The OTR scheme was set up by Tony Blairs Labour government in 2000 in response to Sinn Fein lobbying for republicans who had fled the UK during the Troubles and were unsure whether they were wanted by the police.

The republican party had stressed the importance of addressing the issue in the context of shoring-up republican support for the peace process.

Under the terms of the scheme names of individuals were passed to the Government, the majority through Sinn Fein.

The names were then handed to police and prosecutors to assess their status.

A report on each individual, some of whom were Sinn Fein members, was sent back to the Government and, if they were declared as not being wanted, a letter of assurance was then issued to the individuals.

The scene after a car bomb exploded near Hyde Park Barracks (PA)

In February 2014, Old Bailey trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney found that Mr Downeys arrest at Gatwick Airport in 2013, when he had been sent a letter in 2007 stating he was free to return to the UK, represented an abuse of process  not that the letter conferred immunity from prosecution.

Mr Downey, 66, has always denied involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bomb attack by the IRA.

The PSNI was heavily criticised in the wake of the judgment as an evidence report it compiled on Mr Downey, which the Government used to determine whether to issue the letter, had not stated he was being sought by the Metropolitan Police.

A judge-led review of the OTR scheme ordered by then prime minister David Cameron found that it was systematically flawed in operation, but not unlawful in principle.

Lady Justice Hallett said a catastrophic error had been made in the Downey case, but she insisted the letters of assurance did not amount to amnesties or get-out-of-jail-free cards.

Following the probe, the PSNI undertook to review the evidence in all 228 applicants made under the scheme to explore whether other errors have been made.

That exercise is still ongoing.An effigy of Boris Johnson holding an axe and Theresa Mays severed head was met with jeers and calls for him to be burned during bonfire celebrations.

The tableau dragged through the narrow streets of Lewes depicted the former foreign secretary with his stomach protruding from his shirt and a cat with the face of Jacob Rees-Mogg pawing at his knee.

An effigy of Boris Johnson with Theresa Mays head (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Crowds crammed into the East Sussex county town on Monday for its world famous fireworks event. Shops and homes were boarded up as tens of thousands of people attended.

As the giant model went past, there were boos and people shouted out burn him.

This is the second time in a week an effigy of blundering Mr Johnson has featured in bonfire celebrations. A guy designed to look like him was also burned at Edenbridge in Kent on Saturday.

An effigy of the Prime Minister  in a leopard print dress and shoes, in an apparently sinking ship called 10 in reference to Downing Street  was met with a similar response.

Police were heckled for removing participants from the parade who had been throwing firecrackers, but there were huge cheers for a group of women dressed as suffragettes.

Dubbed the UKs bonfire capital, the towns seven bonfire societies are known for producing controversial tableaus of public figures which are paraded by torchlight before being set on fire.

Politics featured heavily in this years choice of characters with a third guy appearing to show Mrs May driving a red Brexit bus off a cliff as Mr Rees-Mogg sits behind.

Participants parade through the town of Lewes (Gareth Fuller/PA)

There was also a ghost train, driven by a skeleton with a ghoul soaring above it, which featured the slogan Bring back our trains in a nod to the problems with Govia Thameslink and Southern Railway, which serves the town.

Members of Lewes Borough Bonfire Society  which created the design  hit out at the company for limiting the train service during the event.

The town was among those on the south coast hit by major disruption during the long-running union dispute over working conditions and during the recent timetable overhaul.

The town has earned a global reputation for its riotous Bonfire Night celebrations and for producing controversial effigies which have in the past sparked criminal inquiries.

Others who previously appeared in tableau form include David Cameron, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Jeremy Clarkson and Sepp Blatter.

In 2014 police investigated after complaints were made over an effigy of ex-Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, but prosecutors ruled no criminal offence had taken place.

The event has also faced criticism for allowing participants to black-up while in character.

This year a Zulu dance troupe which regularly attends reportedly pulled out in protest over claims that a bonfire society went back on its agreement to ban the practice.

The society apologised and said it was a a significant error of judgment, according to the BBC, although some locals argued it was a tradition that dated back years.

Some members of other visiting societies were still seen wearing blackface paint as part of costumes during the parade.

The event not only marks the tale of Guy Fawkes and the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot on November 5 1605, but also commemorates the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs in the towns High Street in the 16th century.

To mark their demise, 17 burning crosses are carried through the town, and a wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the war memorial.

A flaming tar barrel is also thrown into the nearby River Ouse, said to symbolise the throwing of magistrates into the water after they read the riot act to bonfire boys in 1847.Advertising could be fuelling the sexual exploitation of children online, the Home Secretary has warned.

Sajid Javid has ordered expert analysis into the issue as part of the Governments efforts to counter the threat posed by paedophiles on the internet.

Officials say adverts for legitimate products, including from well-known brands, are appearing on sites hosting child abuse.

Ministers have commissioned the Internet Watch Foundation to carry out research into the scale of the problem.

Announcing the measure ahead of meetings in the US with tech bosses, Mr Javid said: Keeping our children safe is my mission as Home Secretary and it is vital tech companies take their responsibility seriously.

I have demanded action and will be discussing the progress industry has made during my visit to the US  as well as seeing the latest tools being developed to detect online child grooming.

This Government is leading the response against these sickening crimes.

Ive commissioned new research to look at how advertising is fuelling the sexual exploitation of children online and I am providing further funding for schemes to tackle the live-streaming of abuse.

Earlier this year, Mr Javid warned that some abuse websites are generating a profit through advertisements by legitimate companies without their knowledge.

As well as the IWF research, the Home Secretary will chair a new taskforce to bring together representatives from ad agencies, trade bodies and brands to discuss steps to stop criminals having access to the revenue stream.

Susie Hargreaves, chief executive of the IWF, said it has been asked to provide data to explore how legitimate advertisers are being exploited by offenders, intent on sharing horrific imagery of child sexual abuse online.

Sajid Javid warned some abuse websites are generating a profit through advertisements by legitimate companies without their knowledge (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

She added: Using a variety of sophisticated techniques to avoid detection, offenders are exploiting online advertising networks to monetise their distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Mr Javid will hold meetings in Silicon Valley to assess the progress tech giants are making in eradicating online child sexual exploitation.

He will also visit Microsofts headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to convene a hackathon in which experts will work to come up with tools to detect online child grooming.

The visit comes weeks after Mr Javid described his shock at discovering the scale of the danger posed by paedophiles on the internet.

In a speech in September he disclosed that the National Crime Agency estimates that around 80,000 people in the UK present some kind of sexual threat to children online.

Referrals of child abuse images to the NCA have surged by 700% in the last five years, while separate figures suggest police in England and Wales record 25 child sexual offences involving the internet every day on average.Spending on a Government scheme intended to help working families with the costs of childcare is set to fall by hundreds of millions of pounds, Labour has warned.

The party said analysis of Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts, released with last weeks Budget, showed spending on the tax-free childcare scheme (TFC) was projected to be down 600 million over the next four years compared with the last forecasts in March.

Under TFC, HM Revenue and Customs tops up the sum parents pay for childcare by up to 20%, up to a maximum of 2,000 per child per year.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said the latest figures showed families would not get the support they need.

Austerity is clearly not over for hard-pressed families, she said.

The Budget has completely failed to provide children with the best possible start in life, and parents will once again be left without support in accessing the childcare they need.

Childcare (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The fact that projected spending has fallen by hundreds of millions of pounds yet again means thousands of parents will not be getting the support they need with the cost of childcare.

Conservative Party vice chairman Tom Pursglove said the Governments balanced approach to the economy would see a real-terms increase in childcare spending since 2010 of 6 billion a year by 2020.

This includes delivering our commitment to provide working parents of three and four-year-olds 30 hours free childcare a week  helping them balance work and family life and give children the best start in life, he said.

Labour dont know how to handle the economy which means they wouldnt be able to provide the funding our children need.A Grenfell Tower bonfire night effigy, a new death tax, the latest on Brexit and Ant McPartlins judicial dressing-down make headlines on Tuesdays front pages.

An image of the burning effigy, described as utterly unacceptable by the Prime Minister, is on the front the Daily Mirror, which reports that police are probing the incident.

The Sun leads with McPartlins court no-show, and says Mr Justice Mostyn warned there was not one law for the famous and one for the rest of the community.

Tomorrow's front page: Ant McPartlin kisses lover Anne-Marie Corbett during a stroll - as a judge blasted him for missing his divorce hearing https://t.co/6Fi3qluTs4 pic.twitter.com/Y91juDMHWh  The Sun (@TheSun) November 5, 2018

The Daily Star also leads with the presenters absence. McPartlins spokesman later said he was advised he did not have to attend the hearing and did not intend to disrespect the court.

The Daily Mail reports that grieving families will face having to pay increased probate costs from April, calling it a stealth death tax.

The Times leads with a study that suggests women who are morning people and get up early are significantly less likely to develop breast cancer.

What the papers say - November 6

Tomorrow's front page: Early risers 'are 40% less likely to get breast cancer' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/s7jWepJ1pO  The Times (@thetimes) November 5, 2018

Theresa May is due to meet with her Cabinet on Tuesday as the Brexit negotiations reach a critical point, The Guardian reports.

The Guardian front page, Tuesday 6 November 2018: PM faces cabinet after Varadkar stands firm on Brexit backstop pic.twitter.com/QzmrgAYhVJ  The Guardian (@guardian) November 5, 2018

The Financial Times says the Prime Minister will put pressure on Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers that blocking her proposals will risk the costs of no-deal.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 6 November https://t.co/XcGwHjU5SA pic.twitter.com/tLFgwUNOc3  Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) November 5, 2018

Meanwhile, a Commons environmental committee has warned incomplete Brexit plans could let polluters go unpunished and damage wildlife protections, The Independent reports.

The Prince of Wales has urged the world to end plastic pollution and protect the planet for the next generation, including his unborn grandchild, the Daily Express says.

Todays @Daily_Express front page



- Prince Charles launches war on plastic for all our grandchildren



- Judges slam Ant for missing divorce hearing



- #SpiceGirlsReunion - but wheres Posh?#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/u6rXK9nbou  Daily Express (@Daily_Express) November 5, 2018

And the Daily Telegraph carries allegations by a former employee of Topshop boss Sir Philip Green, who has been accused of harassing staff.Theresa May is facing her Cabinet after Dublin insisted it would not accept any unilateral UK ability to end a Brexit backstop agreement on the Irish border.

The meeting of senior ministers on Tuesday comes after Justice Secretary David Gauke said a no-deal EU exit would be very bad for the UK economy.

(PA Graphics)

Mrs May is understood to be seeking an opt-out to dampen hardline Tory and DUP concerns over plans for the whole of the UK to remain temporarily in a customs union with the EU after Brexit in order to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

The tough talk from Ireland came as shadow chancellor John McDonnell confirmed Labour would not support a temporary customs union with the EU.

Asked if Labour would vote against a customs union option unless it was permanent, Mr McDonnell told BBC2s Newsnight: Yeah, I think so, because well see what she comes back with and we will be straight and honest with people, if it doesnt protect jobs and the economy we cant support it.

All the messages that we get back over this whole period is that our European partners desperately want what we want  a deal that will protect their jobs and their economies in the same way that we want to.

So, we think theres a deal to be had if they recognise that the deal is unacceptable to Parliament, I think that opens up a vista of the opportunity of the real negotiations.

Mr Gauke told a Channel 4 Brexit debate show: If we leave on no-deal terms theres no good shying away, it will be very bad for us economically.

If we can get a good deal, and that means removing all the frictions. the Chequers-type deal, as I say, if we dont have friction with trade, then, economically, I dont think its going to make a particular big difference one way or the other.

Justice Secretary David Gauke at the Channel 4 Brexit debate (Aaron Chown/PA)

Amid reports that Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and other Cabinet Brexiteers were pushing for the UK to be able to quit any backstop with a few months notice, there was brighter news for the PM as it was reported the EU was prepared to offer London a compromise on the Irish issue.

Brussels may put forward an independent mechanism by which Britain could end a temporary customs arrangement with the EU, according to The Times.

After days of speculation a deal on the Irish border issue was imminent, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar used a telephone call with Mrs May on Monday to reject her calls for any agreement to include a mechanism to bring an end to the backstop  designed to ensure there is no hard border in Ireland if the UK and EU fail to reach a broader trade deal.

However, Mr Varadkars spokesman said the Irish premier indicated he was ready to consider proposals for a review mechanism, though only if it was clear that the arrangement could not be ditched unilaterally by either side.

The backstop issue has become the major obstacle to agreement on the UKs withdrawal from the European Union, due to take place on March 29, 2019.

Meanwhile, a Survation poll of 20,000 people for Channel 4 estimated Remain would win another in/out referendum by 54%-46%.

Using a multi-level modelling technique, the broadcaster said 105 local authority areas that voted Leave in 2016 would now be carried by the Remain side.Washingtons actions if the US imposes sanctions against Russias sovereign securities to be challenged, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said.

"We will challenge the US authorities actions (in case of sanctions against Russias state debt), attack to the extent possible. We have platforms suitable for that, first of all, the G20 platform, the Financial Stability Council platform," TASS cited Storchak as saying.

"So far there is no information as to whether the US Treasury has changed the position announced at the end of February. The behavior of investors dealing with the Russian debt is more proactive rather than based on an unbiased assessment of the US authorities actions. They seek to pre-empt withdrawing their assets from OFZ," the finance minister explained.

As reported earlier the U.S. might tighten sanctions in November, particularly by banning transactions with the Russian sovereign debt with maturity over two weeks (only concerns new placements) and restricting dollar transactions of the largest Russian banks.A man whose trial over the IRAs Hyde Park bomb collapsed in controversial circumstances will appear in a Dublin court later as Northern Ireland prosecutors seek to extradite him to face charges of murdering two soldiers.

John Downey was detained by Irish gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Downey, 66, was arrested in Co Donegal and is expected to appear at Dublin High Court this afternoon to face extradition proceedings.

Prosecutors in Northern Ireland have decided there is sufficient evidence to prosecute him for the murders of Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston, 32, a father of four, and Private James Eames, 33, a father of three, in Co Fermanagh.

They died when an IRA bomb exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen on August 25, 1972.

In 2013, Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in a bomb in Londons Hyde Park in 1982.

The scene following an IRA car bomb blast in Hyde Park, London (PA)

He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blairs government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Runs (OTRs) scheme.

Trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney ruled that Downeys arrest at Gatwick Airport, as he transited the UK on the way to a holiday, represented an abuse of process and he put a stay on any future prosecution in relation to the Hyde Park case.

The episode sparked a government inquiry into the OTR scheme.

Mr Downey has always denied any involvement in the Hyde Park attack.

The four soldiers killed in Hyde Park were Trooper Simon Tipper, 19, Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, 19, Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, 36, and Lieutenant Anthony Daly, 23.

The IRA car bomb exploded as they made their way from their Kensington barracks to a Changing Of The Guard ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.

Announcing Mondays arrest, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, from the PSNIs Major Investigation Team, said: The PSNI has been liaising closely with An Garda Siochana and todays arrest demonstrates the benefits of joint working between police forces and other national partner agencies.

The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active.

Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed on Monday a decision has been taken to prosecute a 66-year-old man for the Cherrymount murders.

A PPS spokesperson said: Following careful consideration of all available evidence, a decision has been taken to prosecute one person for the offence of murder and for aiding and abetting the causing of an explosion.

Extradition proceedings were initiated in the High Court in Dublin on Monday November 5, to seek the extradition of one man from the Republic of Ireland for trial in Northern Ireland.

One man was subsequently arrested in County Donegal this evening and is due to appear in court in Dublin tomorrow.

As proceedings are now live and before a Court we will not be making further comment on this case at this point.

The families of the two deceased have been kept informed of developments.A legal challenge against a decision to prosecute a mother who obtained abortion pills for her teenage daughter in Northern Ireland will be heard later.

The woman is judicially reviewing the move to prosecute her for procuring abortion medication for her pregnant 15-year-old child.

The case before Belfast High Court, known as JR76, represents the latest challenge to Northern Irelands restrictive laws on terminations.

TOMORROW: a mother from Northern Ireland who bought her daughter abortion pills is in court to challenge the prosecution against her.



Amnesty and the legal team will give a statement at the court before the hearing. #NowForNI



Details --> https://t.co/53LcwfW7s5  News From Amnesty (@NewsFromAmnesty) November 5, 2018

Unlike other parts of the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, meaning abortion is illegal except where a womans life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious danger to her mental or physical health.

The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing two counts of procuring and supplying the abortion drugs with the intent to procure a miscarriage, contrary to the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act.

She could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

Pro choice advocates outside the High Court in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

The woman is taking a judicial review, claiming the decision to prosecute contravenes her human rights. The case is due to be heard over two days.

The mother is supported by Amnesty International and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which are both intervenors in the case.

Watch our Chief Commissioner speak about @NIHRC intervention in JR76, before the challenge continues in court next week. pic.twitter.com/lcyHFWQmk5  NIHRC (@NIHRC) November 2, 2018

In the summer, the Commission lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of the regions abortion law.

But a majority of judges said the existing law was incompatible with human rights law in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and sexual crime.

The mother at the centre of the latest case has previously spoken of the impact the decision to prosecute has had on her and her family.

The fear and pain of it all  I feel like I am not allowed to move on, she said.

Ahead of the hearing, her solicitor Jemma Conlon said: This is an important day for my client. At the centre of this case is a loving mother and daughter who, over the past five years, have had to repeatedly endure and relive a private and distressing time in their lives.

If were successful in our challenge to the prosecution, this will contribute to the dismantling of a law that for so long has been used as a weapon against women and girls rights.

Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty International, added: This case is the first ever direct challenge to a prosecution under Northern Irelands restrictive abortion law.

All this mother has done is help her daughter access abortion pills that are prescribed free on the NHS in every other part of the UK. This is an obvious and cruel injustice.

This woman has done nothing wrong and yet our laws treat her as a criminal. Its unacceptable that she has had to suffer and endure five distressing years of legal battles and a fight against a prison sentence.

Anti-abortion activists gathered outside the High Court the last time the case was listed.

They argued that the judicial review should be rejected, stressing the importance of upholding the law in regard to abortions in Northern Ireland.Four friends hope to channel the spirit of Britains armed forces veterans when they take on a trans-Atlantic rowing race in aid of two military charities.

The Row4Victory quartet, from North Yorkshire, are due to set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands next month bound for Antigua in the Caribbean  a 3,000-mile journey expected to take just over a month.

The annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, dubbed the worlds toughest rowing race, will see 28 teams from across the globe take part  battling chronic sea sickness, crippling sores and extreme deprivation, as well as the worst the ocean has to offer  in an effort to raise charity cash.

The Row4Victory team members - captain Will Quarmby and servicemen Duncan Roy,Fraser Mowlem and Glyn Sadler - training at sea ahead of the start of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which starts next month. Picture: Gary Lawson / PA handout

Row4Victory said it was a natural fit to raise money for both the Royal British Legion and local military charity Soldier On, with one current and two former armed forces personnel among their number.

Team skipper Will Quarmby, a 35-year-old coffee shop owner and father-of-three from Northallerton, said humbling accounts from the frontline of the First World War  recalled in recent days to mark the centenary of the conflicts end  would act as the perfect inspiration for when team members are experiencing some of their lower moments at sea.

He said: I think when we were looking at the dates of the race, we realised we were going to be setting off just after the centenary to start this race  it just made so much sense to raise money for those charities.

We will obviously have that inspiration on those dark days. We know there is an end goal in sight  they [soldiers in the First World War] didnt have a clue.

We know the race is going to take a maximum number of days, weve got enough food and water. Yes, its going to be hard but ultimately we are going to get to the other side.

But they [soldiers] didnt know what they were going out to. Its definitely going to be a stark reminder of the hardship they went through.

Mr Quarmer will be joined on board the tiny vessel by fellow rowing enthusiasts Fraser Mowlem, a 41-year-old serving Royal Air Force chief technician from Linton-on-Ouse, and Northallerton residents former Royal Marines Commando Lance Corporal Glyn Sadler, 37, and 28-year-old Sapper Duncan Roy, who was medically discharged from the Royal Engineers in 2018.

The Row4Victory captain Will Quarmby with team members, servicemen (l-r) Duncan Roy,Fraser Mowlem and Glyn Sadler at Linton-on-Ouse RAF base ahead of their involvement in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge next month. Picture: Rob Blenkinsop / PA handout

It was Spr Roys involvement with Soldier On which prompted his interest in rowing  and in turn convinced the quartet to raise money for the charity in return.

Mr Quarmer said: Weve tried to be realistic with our fundraising  if its 50,000 for each charity, that can make a real difference to someone like Soldier On.

When Duncan was medically discharged he was put in touch with Soldier On who really supported him, and now North Yorkshire has really got behind us, so we want to come back and put some money into something local.

The other day I transferred some money to Soldier On which helped people go on personal development courses, so already the row has had a positive effect.

It means on those low points when we are out on the ocean and having a bit of a hard time, we can say to ourselves  chin up, weve already helped some people improve their potential, lets crack on.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge begins on December 12. The current race record of 29 days and 15 hours was set by London quartet the Four Oarsmen last year.Talks are expected to take place following the decision by Michelin to close its Dundee tyre factory in the next couple of years.

The firm has confirmed plans to shut down the Tayside plant, which has 845 employees, by mid-2020, saying the site has faced serious difficulties in recent years.

Troubles at the base, which opened in 1971, have been partly blamed on competition from cheaper products from Asia.

The trade union Unite described the move as a hammer-blow for Dundee, saying closure would be a betrayal of the workforce who have worked to make changes at the site.

The workforce can be assured Unite will fight tooth and nail to save our factory, we will leave no stone unturned to keep this factory open. Unite will work day and night to ensure that all options remain on the table.



We will respond to any company announcement in due course.  Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) November 5, 2018

The Scottish Government said it will leave no stone unturned as it tries to find a sustainable future for the plant.

Economy Secretary Derek Mackay will be in Dundee on Tuesday, where he hopes to meet representatives of the workforce, the city council and the management team to discuss whether there are viable options for the future of this site.

Talks are expected after Michelin announced plans to close its Dundee factory (Ben Birchall/PA)

Michelin announced its intention to shut the factory in a statement on its website on Monday evening.

It said: Despite the groups continuous efforts, and the factory employees dedication to making the site economically sustainable through the implementation of several action plans  70 million euro has been invested in recent years to modernise the site  the accelerated market transformation has made the plant unsuitable and its conversion is not financially viable.

Against this backdrop, the Michelin Group has had to announce its intention to close the Dundee factory by mid-2020.

Michelin said it will implement a personalised support programme for each of the factorys employees and will work to help create 845 new jobs in the area.

It is to begin a consultation with employees and trade unions on the closure plan over the next fortnight.

In September, it emerged that jobs were under threat at the factory amid an influx of cheaper foreign imports into the European market.

Production for the next three years at the site was expected to stand at no more than 5.4 million tyres a year, described by the firm as significantly below capacity.

Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said shutting the base would be a hammer-blow for the city.

He said: It would be devastating and a betrayal of the workforce who have made major changes to working practices at the site in order to secure its long-term future.

The workforce can be assured Unite will fight tooth and nail to save our factory, we will leave no stone unturned to keep this factory open.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard MSP said it was devastating news.

He said: It is now key that the Scottish Government does everything it possibly can to keep the factory open and protect jobs. This should include working closely with Michelin, trade unions and the Dundee community to provide urgent clarity on the current situation.

Mr Mackay said his immediate priority is trying to find a sustainable future for the site that will protect jobs.

He added: I was informed at the end of last week of the possibility of closure and immediately sought discussions with the senior management team at Michelin.

I know the workforce and unions have gone to immense lengths to make the plant as competitive as possible to secure its future, and we will leave no stone unturned in trying to protect the future of the Dundee site.Members of the Royal Voluntary Service were able to keep in touch with what was happening in the organisation with the Bulletin newsletter.

It was produced every month from November 1939 to December 1974, and initially cost 1d for eight pages of news.

More than 419 issues of the newsletter were printed and they offered practical advice on setting up a clothing store or suggesting recipes to make the most of rationing.

This reporting of goings on from centres all over the UK became a staple of the Bulletin, with the From the Centres latterly the Reports from Everywhere column surviving until the last issue.

During the Second World War, one of the branches of the Royal Voluntary Service, the Housewives Service, maintained links with its compatriots in the Soviet Union.

Issue No 25 of the Bulletin in November 1941 printed an exchange of letters between the Housewives Service of London and the Housewives of Moscow.

The WVS Bulletin of November 1941 publishes letters exchanged between women in London and Moscow (Royal Voluntary Service/PA).

The meeting of housewives of Moscow sends you, housewives of London, its warm militant greetings, the Soviet women wrote.

We Women of Moscow are helping the front by concrete deeds, giving all our strength and labour for the annihilation of German fascism, that wickedest enemy of mankind, which has drenched all Europe in blood, which brings to the nations medieval barbarism, rape, death to children, old people and women, hunger and destruction.

We call upon you, women of London, to wage an active struggle for the liberation of humanity from Hitlerism, for its complete destruction.

In reply, the Housewives Service of London wrote: The women of Britain are massing in their millions to work and to endure for victory in the present, and to plan for a peace based on sanity and good faith in the future.

Out of the agony which the German blood-lust has brought upon Europe a finer civilisation must spring to life.

The women of Russia and the women of the British Empire must play a leading part in the creation of this new world.

The following months Bulletin offered advice on games to play at village Christmas parties, such as musical arms, blowing the feather and Moriarty, are you there?

The Bulletin also gave members ideas for holding childrens Christmas parties during the Second World War (Royal Voluntary Society/PA).

That month there was also a recipe for the Golden Grove Christmas Pudding, which only needed ingredients readily available.

The Golden Grove Christas Pudding recipe was designend with rationing in mind (Royal Voluntary Society/PA).

Although the materials are not available for the pre-war pudding, the recipe needs only those materials which are easy to obtain; it is suitable for children and makes a delicious pudding for any festive occasion, the newsletter said.

Women from the Royal Voluntary Service also helped run British Restaurants  communal kitchens offering low cost meals to bombed out civilians  and the Bulletins offered tips for large scale catering.

Sausages are not popular in British Restaurants and it is usually found necessary to disguise them, the Bulletin noted, as it offered a recipe for savoury roll, served with gravy.They were the backbone of the home front during the Second World War, and to many they were the Army that Hitler forgot.

More than one million women joined the Royal Voluntary Service, and thanks to their tireless efforts the women in green  as they became fondly known  were central to winning the war.

The organisation was founded in 1938 by Lady Stella Reading as the Womens Voluntary Service for Air Raid Precautions as Britain prepared for war.

They assisted civilians during air raids by providing emergency rest centres, they also ran mobile canteens and helped with the evacuation and billeting of thousands of children.

A volunteer from the WVS scrubs the floor of a canteen in London during the Second World War (Royal Voluntary Society/PA)

By 1943, the Royal Voluntary Service was involved in almost every aspect of wartime life from the collection of salvage to the knitting of socks and gloves for merchant seamen.

To mark 80 years of the Royal Voluntary Service, a new photography exhibition was held in London to tell the remarkable history of the organisation.

And the charity, which has now transformed itself into a leading provider of social care, has also opened its extensive archive in Wiltshire to tell some of the extraordinary stories of its members during the Second World War.

Many of these accounts of everyday heroism are contained within the monthly narrative report that each centre had to complete in quadruplicate with one copy kept by the centre, one sent to the county office, one to the regional office and one to headquarters London.

Examples of the reports detail the difficulties faced with helping thousands of families and unaccompanied children who were escaping the Blitz  including many who went home.

A group of children are pulled by Chummy the donkey at Coram Court nursery in Lyme Regis during the Second World War (Royal Voluntary Society/PA).

The centre organiser for Dorchester & Rural District wrote in March 1941: WVS did all waiting, washing up and bathing of children.

The girls were washed two at a time in one bath, which had to be thoroughly scrubbed between each lot.

In May 1941, West Dorset District report noted: So long as fares are paid and re-evacuation is possible at any moment, evacuees, including families with children, constantly return to London.

This makes great difficulties for the country organisers, as the village hostesses quite naturally resent being used by the evacuees as in-expensive lodging-house keepers.

In nearby Wimborne, a report in June 1941 detailed how locals were helping the evacuated children cope with their new lives.

I thought this advisable as formerly when the evacuated children were asked if they had made any friends the answer was nearly always the other children do not want to make friends with us, the report said.

As well as helping evacuees, members of Royal Voluntary Service attended anti-gas lectures and learnt how to tackle fires.

A member of the WVS in Bath cleans a gas mask during the Second World War (Royal Voluntary Service/PA).

They also knitted, sending parcels overseas to British troops, as well as to the Soviet Union and the occupied countries.

By November 1942, a work party in St Austell Rural centre had completed 4,042 articles since the war began and raised 213 for comforts for the troops.

A report noted: Mrs Tucker, aged 82, is the oldest member of the Party and her record to date is 118 pairs of socks, 21 scarves, 18 pairs of cuffs and 89 squares for blankets.

Volunteers in Portsmouth taught the men to mend their own clothes who were becoming quite enthusiastic about learning new skills.

They also complained about severe pilfering of knitted sweaters, scarves and socks from a parcel sent to the Merchant Navy.

In Wareham, the Bridge House Canteen served 50,399 cups of tea or coffee and 27,019 meals during 1940/41.

Another more unusual entry comes from Portsmouth in November 1943 and details how our dogs hair expert attended a demonstration at Harrods of knitting jumpers from dog hair.

Two members of the WVS groom dogs to make clothing from animal hair during World War Two (Royal Voluntary Society/PA).

We hope to have some garments on show soon, so that we may make the need known to all local dog owners, and to make a large increase in our wool salvage, the report said.

As the war was drawing to a close, some of the members of the Royal Voluntary Service complained about the complexities of the needlework they were being asked to do.

A report from Lyme Regis in February 1945 noted: Many workers have asked us to mention that they think it is a pity that the Board of Trade patterns for Skirts for Europe make so much work.

A simpler pattern would have been just as good and so many more could have been made in the time.

But they were not exempt from suffering casualties, with 235 members killed during the war.

With the Luftwaffe targeting the port of Penzance, the centre offices were bombed and in September 1942 had to find new accommodation.

In spite of falling ceilings and plasterless walls and the eventual falling in of the roof we managed to carry on for a fortnight in the remains of our old premises until the Surveyor forced us to leave because the building was unsafe, the report noted.A British sailor who reported his new wife missing from their sinking catamaran off the coast of Cuba has pleaded guilty to her manslaughter.

Lewis Bennett, of Poole in Dorset, admitted a charge of involuntary manslaughter at a change of plea hearing in Miami, Florida, on Monday, following the death of Isabella Hellmann in 2017.

Bennett entered the plea after US prosecutors reduced a charge of murder for the 41-year-old to one of unlawful killing without malice.

Attorney Fajardo Orshan said: Although nothing can ever erase the pain and suffering caused by Lewis Bennetts criminal acts, the US Attorneys Office and our law enforcement partners hope that the defendants admission of guilt is a step toward justice for the victim, Ms Isabella Hellmann, and her family.

The federal government remains committed to the safety and security of our US citizens, whether they are at home in South Florida or travelling on the high seas.

The couple  who married three months earlier  started their expedition in St Maarten in April 2017, before sailing the catamaran Surf Into Summer to Puerto Rico and Cuba. They then left for their home in Delray Beach, Florida.

According to court documents, experienced sailor Bennett was awoken on May 15 2017 when he heard a loud noise while resting in their cabin.

He said he climbed to the exterior of the boat and observed that the sails and rigging were loose, the helm of the vessel was unmanned, and his wife  who had limited emergency sailing procedure knowledge  was not there.

Bennett said he could not recall whether he called out for his wife, he did not deploy flares to illuminate the area in order to look for Ms Hellmann or to signal his position in the open water.

Lewis Bennett pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter (Broward Sheriffs Office/PA)

The court heard Bennett  a dual British-Australian national  did not search for his wife with either the catamaran or the attached dinghy, nor did he immediately activate any emergency equipment or raise the alarm.

He later abandoned the 37ft vessel and boarded the life raft. Expert testimony found the vessel had been deliberately sunk by allowing water into the hull.

It was not until Bennett boarded the life raft that he called for help and reported his wife missing, approximately 45 minutes after he woke up in the cabin.

Ms Hellmanns body has never been found.

Prosecutors initially alleged he murdered her and deliberately scuttled the vessel to end his marital strife, thus inheriting her apartment where they lived in Delray Beach and the contents of her bank account.

Investigators also discovered that Bennett was smuggling rare coins during his rescue, which they alleged could have been a further motive to kill her.

Bennett had reported the coins, worth nearly 30,000, as being stolen from a former employer in St Maarten a year earlier.

He admitted transporting the coins and is currently serving a seven-month jail sentence.

Bennett faces a maximum eight-year prison term when he is sentenced next year.England slumped to 113 for five after a series of sloppy dismissals marred the opening morning of the first Test in Sri Lanka.

The tourists won the toss and opted to bat first at Galle but any hopes they had of building a steady foundation quickly bit the dust.

Keaton Jennings was the top scorer with 46 but even he cannot claim to have read conditions well, edging between wicketkeeper and slip on 12 and dreadfully dropped by Angelo Mathews on 26.

Englands Keaton Jennings is bowled (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

He was eventually clean bowled attempting a backfoot cut against Dilruwan Perera, one in a series of unforced errors.

On a surface where spin traditionally dominates it was seamer Suranga Lakmal who drew first blood with two wickets in as many balls in the third over. Debutant opener Rory Burns was strangled down the leg side for nine and Moeen Alis latest outing at number three ended with a golden duck as he lost his off stump.

Joe Root and Jennings put on 62 at a decent rate to suggest a fightback was on but the England captain misguidedly charged retiring local hero Rangana Herath, misreading the length and yorking himself. Fireworks were released above the nearby Galle Fort toasting the 40-year-old spinners 100th wicket at the venue.

Ben Stokes completed a miserable session when he lunged to sweep Perera, leaving his stumps exposed as he failed to make contact. Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes, Englands second debutant, were left to resume the battle after lunch.Donald Trumps presidency has been a turbulent ride for America and the wider world.

On Tuesday, Americans have a chance to deliver their verdict on Mr Trumps two years in office in the US midterm elections.

At stake is the Republicans control of US congress  comprising the house of representatives and the upper chamber, the US senate  along with the partys command of governors offices and statehouses around the country.

Here is a guide to what to watch as a night of drama unfolds:

(PA Graphics)

 Timeline

Polls start closing at 6pm EST in Kentucky (11pm GMT), but things will really start rolling at 7pm (midnight GMT), when polls close in Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Virginia.

Another wave of numbers will begin coming in after 7.30pm (12.30am on Wednesday) from North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. A big chunk of data will arrive after 8pm and 9pm (1am and 2am GMT) when states such as Texas, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania begin reporting. The 11pm EST (4am GMT) batch of states includes California, home to several competitive congressional races. Alaska, where polls close at 1am (6am GMT) on Wednesday, will end the night.

 Early voting

Much of America has already voted. Based on reports from 49 states, at least 36.4 million people voted in the midterms before election day. In a sign of the growing influence of early voting, 30 states reported exceeding their total number of mail and in-person votes cast ahead of the 2014 midterm elections.

Turnout in midterm elections is typically near 40%, much lower than presidential elections, where turnout has hit around 60% in recent cycles. University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, who studies voting patterns, estimated recently that about 45% of eligible voters could cast ballots this year, a turnout level that has not been seen in nearly a half century.

Beto ORourke, the Democratic candidate for the US senate in Texas (AP)

 Key races

Two congressional races in Virginia could provide an early steer on how things are going: a district in the Washington suburbs represented by Republican representative Barbara Comstock and another in the Richmond area held by Republican Dave Brat.

Mr Trump has struggled with college-educated women in the suburbs and Ms Comstocks district could be among the Republicans first casualties as she faces Democrat Jennifer Wexton. Mr Brat, meanwhile, won his seat by upsetting then-house majority leader Eric Cantor in the 2014 Republican primary. But this time he is facing a serious threat from Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer.

Another district to watch is in Kentucky  the Lexington-area battle pitting third-term Republican representative Andy Barr against Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine fighter pilot. Mr Trump won the 6th District by more than 15 percentage points in 2016, but Ms McGrath has pushed Mr Barr to the edge with the help of sharp campaign ads that went viral.

Democratic congressional candidate Amy McGrath (AP)

 Who controls the house?

Republicans have had control of the house of representatives since the Tea Party helped sweep them into power in the 2010 midterms. Nearly a decade later, the party is trying to avoid a blue wave that would return Nancy Pelosi and her house Democrats to the majority.

Control of the house is expected to be determined by a few dozen districts, many of them in the nations suburbs. Democrats need a net increase of 23 seats to win back control  a number that many Republican officials concede is a very possible outcome.

The house races will offer clues to where Americans stand in 2018 on immigration, guns, health care and gender equality in the #MeToo era, and will also determine who they want to represent them in Washington during the next two years of Mr Trumps presidency.

(PA Graphics)

 Whats at stake in the senate?

Republicans hold a narrow US senate majority, 51-49, but have a huge advantage in these contests because the battle for control runs mostly through states Mr Trump won in 2016.

Of the 35 senate races, 10 involve Democratic incumbents seeking re-election in states won by Mr Trump, often by large margins. Democrats hopes of recapturing the senate hinge on all their incumbents winning  a difficult task  and on flipping seats in Nevada, won by Hillary Clinton in 2016, and a few states that lean towards the Republicans  most notably Arizona, Tennessee and Texas.

Mr Trump covets seats held by several red-state Democrats, including Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Strategists from both parties consider Ms Heitkamp the most vulnerable Democrat, but say the senate make-up could be shaped by a number of narrowly contested races, including those in Arizona, Missouri, Indiana and Montana.

The epic clash to watch involves Texas senator Ted Cruz, Mr Trumps one-time rival for the Republican presidential nomination, who is up against Democratic representative Beto ORourke, who has massive campaign funding. Mr Cruz is still considered the favourite  Texas has not elected a Democrat to the senate in 30 years.

Donald Trump drums up support at one of his many rallies (AP)

 Trump

The US president has staged a number of rallies across the country, and on election day he will be making a series of media appearances. Mr Trump is well known for his candid views expressed on Twitter, so anyone with a close eye on proceedings will be watching his feed.

Residents vote early at the Douglas County Election Commission office in Omaha, Nebraska (AP)

 Women

A record number of women are on the ballot  and could become the story of the 2018 election.

Two years after Hillary Clintons defeat, more women than ever before won major party primaries for gubernatorial, senate and the house races this year. The results could significantly increase the number of women in elected office.

About 235 women won their primaries for the house of representatives, according to the Centre for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. In the senate, a record 22 women won their primaries, and a record 16 women were nominated for gubernatorial races.

Many Democratic women, including first-time candidates, have said Mr Trumps election in 2016 motivated them to run for office. The election also follows the #MeToo movement, as well as the massive womens march after Mr Trumps inauguration and the pitched battle over the US supreme court confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Women currently account for one fifth of the 535 House members and senators. By next January, that number could change.

Andrew Gillum (AP)

 The history makers

The night could witness a generational change in US congress and herald a number of barrier-breaking officeholders.

In New York City, 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is expected to become the youngest woman elected to congress. In Georgia, Stacey Abrams is vying to become the first black woman to be elected governor in the nation. Andrew Gillum could become Floridas first black governor, and Ayanna Pressley is the favourite to become Massachusetts first black woman elected to congress.

South Dakota representative Kristi Noem could become her states first female governor. Vermonts Christine Hallquist could become the nations first openly transgender governor, and Idahos Paulette Jordan is trying to become the countrys first Native American governor.

Native American women could also win seats in congress. In New Mexico, former state Democratic Party chairwoman Deb Haaland is trying to become the first Native American woman elected to congress. She could be joined by Sharice Davids of Kansas, a Native American woman who is also attempting to become the states first openly LGBT candidate to win a major office.

In Michigan, Rashida Tlaib could become first Muslim woman and first Palestinian-American in congress. She could be joined by Minnesotas Ilhan Omar, who is also trying to become the first Muslim woman elected to congress along with the first Somali-American elected to the House.

No matter which way the voting goes, Arizonas senate race expects to make history. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema could become the first openly bisexual senator and the states first female senator. If Republican Martha McSally wins, she will become Arizonas first female senator.

Early voters queue up at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, Ohio (AP)

 Voting problems

The elections will mark the first nationwide vote since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 US presidential race. Federal, state and local officials have sought to reassure the public that their voting systems are secure.

So far, there have been no signs that Russia or any other foreign agency has tried to launch cyber-attacks against voting systems in any state, according to federal authorities.

Some states have already dealt with voting problems. Voters casting ballots early have encountered faulty machines in Texas and North Carolina, inaccurate mailers in Missouri and Montana, and voter registration problems in Tennessee and Georgia. In other states, including Kansas, polling places have been closed or consolidated.

Ammar Campa-Najjar will battle indicted US representative Duncan Hunter in the race for Southern Californias 50th district (AP)

 Indicted, but elected?

Two Republican members of congress are trying to win another term while facing separate federal charges.

Duncan Hunter and his wife are accused of misspending more than 250,000 dollars (192,000) in campaign funds on everything from tequila shots to air fares for a family pet. Prosecutors say the couple tried to conceal the illegal spending as donations to charities, including groups for wounded veterans. Mr Hunter faces Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar in a Republican-friendly district in Californias San Diego area.

Chris Collins is accused of illegally leaking confidential information about a biopharmaceutical company to his son and the father of his sons fiancee which allowed them to avoid hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock losses.

Mr Collins most serious charge carries a potential prison term of up to 20 years. If he wins in the western New York district and is later convicted and forced to resign, a special election will be held.

Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is still under indictment  he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of securities fraud. But the Republican is favoured to win a second term, helped by a positive assessment from Mr Trump, who singled him out at a recent rally in Houston as doing a great job.The boss of low-cost carrier Norwegian has warned it must cut costs despite recording an 8% growth in passengers last month.

Chief executive Bjorn Kjos said the airline faces tough competition and high oil prices as it enters the quieter winter months.

It carried almost 3,389,000 passengers in October, an increase of more than 240,000 compared with the same month in 2017.

Norwegians load factor  the average percentage of seats filled per flight- fell 2.4 percentage points to 85.0% over the same period.

The airline saw a 29% growth in capacity year-on-year, highlighting its rapid expansion.

Mr Kjos said: We are very pleased that an increasing number of passengers choose Norwegian for their travels.

Airline Norwegian recorded 8% passenger growth last month (Norwegian Air Shuttle/PA)

The long-haul routes represent the largest growth this month and the demand is satisfactory.

However, we are now entering a period of lower demand, tough competition and high oil prices, making it even more important for the company to continue reducing its costs.

Norwegian has struggled to contain costs during its growth, and had around 2 billion of net debt at the end of last year.

The airline has invested heavily in new aircraft. It will take delivery of 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft this year.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary predicted it would go bust this winter, but the Scandinavian carrier insisted his comment has no root in reality.

Two budget carriers  Primera Air and Cobalt Air  collapsed last month.

Aviation experts believe there will be an increase in airline consolidation in the coming months.

Icelandair has agreed to buy all shares in rival Icelandic airline WOW Air.

In April, British Airways owner IAG acquired a 5% stake in Norwegian with a view to starting takeover discussions.A scientific conference titled The First Secular Parliamentary Republic in the East: Values and Heritage was held in the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin yesterday. The conference was organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Germany and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ADR (1918-1920).

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany Ramin Hasanov and coordinator of the German Foreign Ministry for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia Michael Siebert addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

The diplomat, in particular, said that by proclaiming the first democratic republic in the East 100 years ago, Azerbaijan became a secular state, where religion was separated from the state, women were endowed with rights and national minorities became full citizens of the new country. The German community was also granted rights. First university, opera and ballet emerged in the East. The Ambassador thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the support in organizing the conference.

Siebert recalled that there is no anti-Semitism and xenophobia in the country today, as in the distant years. Tolerance and ethnic diversity reigns in the state. "The Silk Road, including the railway from Baku to Kars and further to Europe, is very important for Germany, and Azerbaijan plays a big role in it," the speaker noted.

A documentary about the history of ADRs was shown to the participants.

Advisor to the director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Rashad Karimov, spoke about the history of the formation of the ADR, its traditions, its inherent novelty. He stressed that for the first time the Azerbaijani language was given the status of the state.

The first university in the history of the Azerbaijani people was created, embassies began to open after the de facto recognition of the ADR League by the Nations at the Paris Peace Conference.

Karimov also spoke about the restoration of the Azerbaijani tricolor as a state one a decade later. He also recalled that this happened in Nakhchivan for the first time on the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who in those years was chairman of the Supreme Majlis of autonomy.

Researcher at the Free University of Berlin, Enrico Zivard, in his report noted the need to study history. "One, who does not know his history, cannot understand this day," the scientist cited the German quote.

Head of the International Relations Department of ANAS, Ph.D. Nargiz Ahundova told about the diplomatic mission of the ADR at the Paris Peace Conference, about the difficulties on the way to Paris, especially the artificial obstacles in obtaining a French visa. The scientist spoke about the multinational composition of both the population of the ADR and its parliament. She paid special attention to the German community of Azerbaijan and the attention paid by the leadership of the first republic to the Azerbaijani Germans.

Leading researcher at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Ph.D. Lamia Gafarzade, in her report highlighted the achievements of ADR in the field of culture, education, and the observance of human rights in the country. She recalled the national composition of the ADR parliament, its truly democratic character.

Head of the Department of History of Azerbaijan at the Humboldt University, Professor Eva-Maria Auch shared her understanding of the term "friendship of peoples" in the context of Azerbaijan-German relations.

Associate Professor at the University of Potsdam, Matiyas Dofnfeld, noted in his report that representatives of various nations, religions and trends peacefully coexist in the country today thanks to the policies laid down by the prominent politician, Heydar Aliyev. He spoke about a series of international humanitarian forums held in the Azerbaijani capital, inter-civilizational dialogue events, which testify to the attention of the country's leadership to this topic.

The author of the architectural and tourist guide Heike Maria Jochenning presented her work to the audience. It includes descriptions of Icherisheher, the city center, historical monuments. She admitted that she particularly admired the entrance to the palace of the Shirvanshahs, made by stone carvers. Jochenning told about the architects who worked in Baku and turned the city into one of the most beautiful corners of the world.Not sure how to handle your fizz ahead of the festive season?

Well, Pippa Guy, senior bartender at the world-renowned American Bar at The Savoy and author of Lets Get Fizzical: Over 50 Bubbly Cocktail Recipes with Prosecco, Champagne and other Sparkling Wines, can help.

To make the best cocktails, you need to know exactly how to handle your fizz  plus having a few fun facts up your sleeve is a great way to amuse your guests whilst you make the drinks, she explains.

Heres what you need to know to get the party started

1. How many grapes go into a bottle of bubbles?

It takes approximately 600-800 grapes to make a single bottle of sparkling wine. So, when you think about the time and labour that goes into producing the fruit, its no wonder a bottle of bubbly can get pricey.

2. How do you open bubbles safely?

Be careful when opening fizz. Open the wire cage and, keeping your hand over the cork, twist the bottle to release. Dont twist the cork, and never open in the direction of another person or a breakable object.

3. How much pressure does fizz create?

The pressure in a bottle of champagne is equivalent to the pressure in the tyre of a double-decker bus. This means fizz needs extra thick bottles and corks to prevent it from exploding.



4. Can I keep it fizzy with a spoon?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is an old wives tale. Sticking a spoon in the top of your bottle of bubbly wont make it last any longer. Seal it with a champagne stopper to retain the fizz.

5. Which fizz is which?

The most confusing fizz jargon is the terminology around the levels of sweetness. When champagne was first made, it was sweetened with large amounts of sugar. Over time, a desire for dryer (less sweet) styles developed and winemakers started adding less dosage (sugar). These wines were named demi-sec or sec, meaning half-dry or dry. The demand for even drier wines increased so they had to invent new terms that meant drier than dry. This is how the word brut was born.

To put it simply, the styles translate as below.

Brut nature: Completely dry, zero added sugar

Extra brut: Extremely dry

Brut: Very dry, the most common style

Extra Dry: Off-dry

Sec: Slightly sweet

Demi-sec: Sweet

Doux: The sweetest style of sparkling wine

Here are two fizzy cocktails to get you started, one with prosecco, another with champagne

1. Prosecco Mojito Reinvented

(William Reavell/PA)

This should appeal to lovers of a fresh, long fizz drink and the passionfruit adds some extra zing.

Ingredients: 60ml rum, 30ml lime juice, 15ml sugar syrup, scooped 1/2 passionfruit, 6 mint leaves, prosecco to top, crushed ice.

Method: Muddle the mint, rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, and passionfruit in a highball glass. Top with prosecco, then add crushed ice. Garnish with a half passionfruit or mint.

2. Royal Silver Bullet

(William Reavell/PA

This drink takes inspiration from the classic Silver Bullet cocktail, but the addition of champagne adds a little extra fun.

Ingredients: 30ml gin, 15ml Kummel (liquer), 15ml lemon juice, champagne to top.

Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, Kummel and lemon juice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with champagne and garnish with silver leaf or edible silver glitter for an exciting, sparkly finish.

(DK/PA)

Lets Get Fizzical by Pippa Guy is published by Dorling Kindersley, priced 7.65. Available now.Another week goes by, another hilarious meme goes viral on Twitter; this one features an emoji you will have definitely used before.

The latest meme to go viral, which features the handshake emoji, celebrates things you never thought would be paired together, like supermarket cashiers and the pop star Ariana Grande.

Here are the best examples of the handshake meme, which might just inspire you to create your own.

1. Somebodys favourite food got involved.

Child me Adult me





chicken nuggets   (@0Demure) November 6, 2018

2. An Ariana Grande fan made a meme about her single Thank U, Next.

3. A mashup with the get that bread meme was born.

(Pattanaphong Khuankaew/Getty Images)

Me Jean

Valjean





getting

that bread  charlie (@echarliestewart) November 5, 2018

4. Somebody explained how their drunk and sober selves match up.

5. These two groups have more in common than you might think.

guys at girls at the

the gym nail salon



good set  ry fieri (@cadetkellyfan) November 5, 2018

6. This sad truth was voiced.

7. One user explained the similarities they have to New York trains.

8. This user explained a childhood dream.

Post-World War I me in fourth

writers & artists grade





thinking all your problems

would go away if you lived in paris  gabbi gabbi boyd boyd (@GabbiBoyd) November 5, 2018

9. The meme can explain your pets bad habits.

me dogs







eating food that

fell on the ground  kate (derogatory) (@katewhiteshark) November 3, 2018

10. Finally, what does Taylor Swift have in common with Lord Voldemort?A shark has killed a man in an island harbour on Australias Great Barrier Reef where two tourists were mauled on consecutive days in September.

The 33-year-old victim was among 10 friends who set out from Airlie Beach on the Queensland state mainland aboard a rented yacht for a five-day cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, police inspector Steve OConnell said.

They anchored 14 miles from Airlie Beach in Cid Harbour, intending to spend their first night in the popular, protected anchorage on Whitsunday Island, the uninhabited largest island in the group.

The victim was taking turns with a woman on a paddle board in the harbour on Monday afternoon. He had dived into the water to give the woman her turn on the board when he was attacked, Mr OConnell said.

There were more than a dozen yachts in the harbour at the time. French-speaking tourists launched a dinghy from their yacht and rescued the man.

They brought him to his own yacht, where most of the group had medical backgrounds, including two doctors.

The victim is taken away by paramedics (Channel 7/Channel 9/AP)

Despite their best efforts, the injuries were too severe, Mr OConnell told reporters.

The Whitsunday Water Police will be conducting patrols of Cid Harbour today to reassure the boating community and tourists on the water following the death of a man bitten by a shark there yesterday. https://t.co/Yr9t09ZHBX pic.twitter.com/XgDi0Jx8KB  Queensland Police (@QldPolice) November 6, 2018

The victim was taken by helicopter to the Mackay Base Hospital, 60 miles to the south, where he died.

CPR was ongoing for a very long time and every solid effort was made to save that mans life, Mr OConnell said.

They did everything imaginable to try to save the man. Its just  the injuries were so severe, he added.

The attacks have left authorities struggling to explain an apparent escalation in danger in the internationally-renowned holiday destination.

A 46-year-old tourist, Justine Barwick, is recovering after she was attacked on September 19 while swimming from a yacht in Cid Harbour.

A 12-year-old girl, Hannah Papps, was attacked in the same harbour while swimming from a yacht the next day, losing a leg.

The last shark attack in the Whitsunday Islands before the latest spate took place on February 13 2010, off Dent Island, where 60-year-old tourist Patricia Trumbull survived lacerations and major blood loss.

Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, which represents more than 3,000 tourism businesses, said authorities were methodically examining why the unprecedented series of attacks had occurred and whether environmental changes are a factor.

He said: We need to now have the scientific background and investigation of what is causing this sudden spike of attacks and interactions with sharks. We simply do not know why this is occurring and what is responsible for it.

The species of sharks involved in the attacks have not been identified.A 16-year-old boy has died in the fifth suspected fatal stabbing to the hit the capital in a week.

The young victim was found with suspected stab wounds in Tulse Hill, south London, after police were called to reports of a shooting in Greenleaf Close at 10.53pm.

Paramedics tried to save the teenager, but he was pronounced dead at 11.41pm, the Metropolitan Police said as they launched a murder inquiry.

Officers believe the boy had suffered stab rather than gunshot wounds, although the Met stressed that inquiries were at an early stage.

No arrests have been made and the boys next-of-kin have been informed.

Police officers in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill, south London, where a 16-year-old boy died on Monday evening (Rick Goodman/PA)

The suspected murder would bring the number of homicides in London this year to 117.

On Monday, the Mayor of London warned it could take a generation to turn the tide of violent crime in the capital.

Sadiq Khan was speaking after a series of fatal stabbings in the capital in recent days.

On Wednesday, adored father Rocky Djelal, 38, was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in Southwark Park in Rotherhithe, south-east London.

The following day, 15-year-old Jay Hughes was killed in Bellingham, also in south-east London, by a stab wound to the heart.

Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was fatally knifed on Friday outside Clapham South Tube station in south London, near where he studied.

On Sunday, a man believed to be aged 22 was fatally stabbed in Samos Road, Anerley, also in south London.

This tragic death is yet another senseless loss of life, and my heart goes out to his family and friends.



Anybody who knows anything about this incident, or of anyone carrying a knife, should contact the police or @CrimestoppersUK. They are a danger to others, and to themselves. https://t.co/YmYL6oIYFO  Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 6, 2018

A neighbour in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill, thought she heard a gunshot before dashing outside and finding the teenager in a driveway, looking like an angel.

Paulina Wedderburn saw the victims emotional mother and father at the scene and said it it took some 15 minutes for emergency crews to arrive.

The boy was laying down. He looked like an angel, like he was sleeping, Mrs Wedderburn said on Tuesday morning.

I just feel sorry for the mum. The mums screams I cant get out of my head.

Its awful. Imagine being a mother seeing that.

The neighbour saw a black car driving off.

A big black Audi, I think, she said.

Mrs Wedderburn, who has lived in a flat in Greenleaf Close for decades, lamented the recent spate of violence and killings in south London, saying it had not always been that way.

Whats going on? What is it? Why do they have to be killing each other? she said.

When I was growing up in the 70s, if there was a fist fight, that was it. There was no knives.

All youre doing is upsetting families. If you saw the mum and dad, it was heartbreaking.

She added that the victims mother had been to the flats before to pick up her son as she did not like him hanging around there.

A murder investigation has been launched after a 16-year-old was found with fatal injuries in Tulse Hill. https://t.co/vvh7yKCxd4 pic.twitter.com/avgyWPMKnh  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 6, 2018

One of the boys friends, who lives at the estate and did not want to be named, also thought he heard a gunshot before he looked out of the window and saw the commotion.

Growing up around here, you become used to it. You can tell the difference between a gunshot and a firework, he said.

I heard a person say We got him, we got him.

He said it took about 20 minutes for emergency crews to arrive.

I lost a friend, he said. If they had come sooner my friend would still be alive.

A man from a private block of flats across the road said the local Tulse Hill community needed better leadership to stop the wave of violence.

We need some kind of leadership from the community here where its happening, Sean Seymour, said as he waited for a bus to work

This epidemic is just appalling.Talks are due to take place to discuss whether there is a viable option to secure the future of the Michelin tyre factory in Dundee.

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said she has not given up hope following the companys decision to close the facility in the next couple of years.

The firm has confirmed plans to shut down the Tayside plant, which has 845 employees, by mid-2020, saying the site has faced serious difficulties in recent years.

Troubles at the base, which opened in 1971, have been partly blamed on competition from cheaper products from Asia.

The trade union Unite described the move as a hammer-blow for Dundee, saying closure would be a betrayal of the workforce who have worked to make changes at the site.

Ms Robison said Michelin had appeared to have a bright future in the city after investing 61 million in the plant over recent years.

Michelins Dundee tyre factory (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The Scottish Government said it will leave no stone unturned as it tries to find a sustainable future for the plant.

Ms Robison said they should also explore whether anything could be done in relation to the Tay Cities Deal, through which 350 million of investment has been announced by both the Scottish and UK Governments.

The workforce can be assured Unite will fight tooth and nail to save our factory, we will leave no stone unturned to keep this factory open. Unite will work day and night to ensure that all options remain on the table.



We will respond to any company announcement in due course.  Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) November 5, 2018

She told BBC Scotland: The first stage is: is there a viable plan that could save this plant? Thats the question that needs to be asked and needs to be looked at in detail.

If the answer to that is yes, then its about looking at what would that take, where would it come from, is there something within the Tay Cities Deal?

I dont know the answer to that, I think were all trying to digest the news at the moment, but my view is I certainly havent given up hope.

I know that the strength of the workforce at Michelin and their management team  Ive never seen such a partnership in a private sector environment before  it is very very strong, and I know if there is a viable option that everybody would seize that, but we need to work out whether there is.

Economy Secretary Derek Mackay will be in Dundee on Tuesday, where he hopes to meet representatives of the workforce, the city council and the management team to discuss whether there are viable options for the future of this site.

Michelin announced its intention to shut the factory in a statement on its website on Monday evening.

It said: Despite the groups continuous efforts, and the factory employees dedication to making the site economically sustainable through the implementation of several action plans  70 million euro has been invested in recent years to modernise the site  the accelerated market transformation has made the plant unsuitable and its conversion is not financially viable.

Against this backdrop, the Michelin Group has had to announce its intention to close the Dundee factory by mid-2020.

Michelin said it will implement a personalised support programme for each of the factorys employees and will work to help create 845 new jobs in the area.

It is to begin a consultation with employees and trade unions on the closure plan over the next fortnight.

In September, it emerged that jobs were under threat at the factory amid an influx of cheaper foreign imports into the European market.

Production for the next three years at the site was expected to stand at no more than 5.4 million tyres a year, described by the firm as significantly below capacity.

Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said: The workforce can be assured Unite will fight tooth and nail to save our factory, we will leave no stone unturned to keep this factory open.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard MSP said it was devastating news.

Mr Mackay said his immediate priority is trying to find a sustainable future for the site that will protect jobs.

Factory bosses have closed the site until 7am on Thursday to allow the announcement to sink in, with workers still paid for their shifts.

Members of staff continued to leave and enter the base on Baldovie Road on Tuesday morning following a meeting with management.

The notice given to employees said the news will have come as a shock to you and your families and said they would have the opportunity to talk to a manager or member of the personnel team.

Explaining the reason for the proposed closure, the announcement said it was not economically viable for Dundee to produce small, low-cost tyres and a move to bigger tyres would be very expensive, with the capacity already existing elsewhere in Europe.

It said: It is very important to understand that these proposals have nothing to do with the factorys performance. They are driven completely by the very significant market changes.

These proposals are in no way a reflection of the Brexit context.

To allow you time to reflect on this information and speak with your families, the site will remain closed until Thursday at 7am.The Brexit campaign group founded by businessman Arron Banks has been warned it faces thousands of pounds in fines for data protection breaches, it has been reported.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) found Leave.EU staff used the personal data of customers of an insurance company owned by Mr Banks to unlawfully send them political marketing material, according to a leaked report.

The company, Eldon Insurance Services Ltd, and Leave.EU have been informed they face fines totalling 135,000, according to the BuzzFeed News website.

The details emerged as the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, was due to present the ICOs findings to MPs at a hearing of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday.

Arron Banks is being investigated by the National Crime Agency (Victoria Jones/PA)

Ahead of the hearing, Leave.EU hit out at the ICO, accusing it of acting in collusion with the committee and its chairman Damian Collins to discredit Brexit.

Eldon Insurance said that it had only received the notice of intent from the ICO at 4pm on Monday and would be making representations concerning its findings.

According to the leaked extract, in one incident in September 2015 a Leave.EU newsletter was sent to more than 319,000 email addresses on Eldons customer database.

Leave.EU told the ICO it was the result of an error in the email distribution system which it reported, but the ICO said it had no record of any such incident being reported to it.

The ICO also found Leave.EU sent emails to its subscribers promoting Eldon, which trades as GoSkippy.

More than a million emails were said to have been sent between February and July 2017 which included the companys banner and a discount offer for Leave.EU supporters.

It followed an email sent in August 2016 to 49,000 addresses on the Leave.EU database announcing a sponsorship deal with GoSkippy.

The report states: We have concerns about the overall management of the data within the company (Eldon), particularly about the arrangements for sharing personal data handled by the company and its associates.

We have evidence to show that customers personal data, in the form of email addresses, held by Eldon was accessed by staff working for Leave.EU and was used to unlawfully send political marketing messages.

The finding comes after it was announced that the National Crime Agency had opened an investigation into Mr Banks for suspected criminal offences over 8 million in campaign funding during the referendum.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham and deputy James Dipple-Johnstone will be speaking to @CommonsCMS tomorrow at 10:30am. You'll be able to watch live via: https://t.co/h5N2ruDpXR pic.twitter.com/aHZBGoAhXR  ICO - Information Commissioner's Office (@ICOnews) November 5, 2018

Leave.EU spokesman Andy Wigmore said: We are surprised as yet again it seems the ICO has also clearly been in collusion with Damian Collins and his committee to showboat an accusation and fine that we were only told about initially by BuzzFeed at 11pm last night.

Clearly due process is lost on these regulators  its just another attempt by Collins and his corrupt, biased fake news committee to attack Arron Banks and Brexit.

We will be requesting all correspondence under FOI from Collins to see what collusion (there was) between his committee and the ICO.

We note its just a notice of intent and we had the right to reply which had now effectively been sabotaged by Collins and the collusion of the ICO  clearly to discredit us and Brexit.

Eldon said in a statement: The notice of intent relates to solely to marketing banners that were placed on communications sent by Leave.EU to their members/subscribers, who had given their consent to receive communications from Leave.EU.

It should be noted that the ICO makes it clear in the notice of intent that they do not consider Eldon to have deliberately committed any contravention of the relevant regulations.

Whilst the notice of intent admits that no complaints were received from anyone that received the Leave.EU communications, which included the Eldon banners, it ignores the positive feedback that was received from some of those individuals in relation to the Eldon banners.

The notice of intent is not a final notice and we will be exercising our right to make representations to the ICO in relation to the content of and the decisions that the ICO intend to make in the notice of intent.Renowned chef Andrew Fairlie is stepping down from his two Michelin-starred restaurant at Gleneagles due to a terminal brain tumour.

He has been fighting the illness since 2005 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery but was told in June no further treatment was available, The Times Scotland reported.

Mr Fairlie is now retiring from the restaurant, which he established in 2001, to arrange a wedding with his partner Kate White and spend time with friends.

He said goodbye to colleagues in the kitchen on Saturday and will officially hand over the keys to the head chef Stevie McLaughlin, general manager Dale Dewsbury and his business partner Gregor Mathieson in February.

Mr Fairlie established his restaurant at the hotel in 2001 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at the luxury Pertshire hotel is the only one in Scotland with two Michelin stars.

Mr Fairlie told The Times: Giving up my restaurant kitchen was the hardest part.

The fact that Ill never be back, never have that buzz and atmosphere of the kitchen again, was very emotional.

But its dangerous for me to be there. Id just be a liability.

He added: I had so many sleepless nights worrying that my lifes work would turn to dust.

My worst case scenario was that Gleneagles would take back the space and give it to some other chef.

I am very grateful that it is not the case and that my legacy will continue.

Sharan Pasricha, founder and chief executive of Ennismore, which owns Gleneagles, said: Were immensely proud of all of Andrews achievements including being Scotlands only two-star Michelin restaurant for the past 12 years, and are delighted to continue the legacy of such an important and cherished culinary icon through the renewal of our long-term partnership with the restaurant.

Importantly, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is a close-knit team of experts who share Andrews vision, drive and passion for excellence, and who work tirelessly together to offer one of the finest culinary experiences in the world.

Were confident that, under Gregor, Stevie and Dales leadership, this deep-rooted ethos will be preserved, developed and enhanced for future guests, and well continue working closely with them to ensure it remains at the pinnacle of the global culinary scene.Nature documentary-makers fuel our desire to see animals in the wild, and no-one does it better than the BBCs Natural History Unit. Voiced by David Attenborough, their latest epic is Dynasties, a five-part series focusing on the family structures and struggles of five key species.

Sir David Attenborough (Nick Lyon/PA)

Concentrating their efforts on individuals, crews shot narratives over unusually long periods of up to two years. Many of the characters, likely to become stars, roam areas accessible by tourists, meaning it might just be possible to meet the Dynasties heroes in real life.

David the chimp



(BBC NHU/PA)

Having ruled his roost for three years, it was inevitable alpha male David would face challenges. Director Rosie Thomas recognised drastic changes were afoot and chose a troop of critically endangered western chimpanzees in southeast Senegal to tell a story of complex primate politics.

There was also quite a big imbalance between males and females  there was a lot of aggression and fighting in the group, she says.

Although studied by scientists for 20 years, Davids troop is inaccessible to tourists. Instead, try visiting the chimps in Tanzanias Mahale National Park. Steppes (steppestravel.com) offers a 10-day tour from 7,295pp, excluding flights.

Charm the lion



(Louis Rummer-Downing/PA)

No stranger to camera crews, the Masai Maras Marsh Pride have been well-documented. Yet, when filming the struggles faced by lead female Charm, following the departure of two key males, producer Simon Blakeney managed to capture their characteristics in unprecedented detail.

The matriarchs daughter was like a cat with a ball of string. If there was one chasing something while everyone else was relaxing in the sun, you knew that was Yaya.

Amusing incidents aside, Blakeney hopes the series will demonstrate just how vulnerable these predators are in the wild, especially as victims of habitat loss. Up to 10% of Kenyas population is being lost every year, and that sort of figure cant keep happening.

Exodus (exodus.co.uk) offers a nine-day Photographic Safari to the Masai Mara from 4,949pp, including flights. Departs January 9, 2019.

A colony of emperor penguins



(Stefan Christmann/PA)

Enduring the toughest breeding cycle of any bird, emperor penguins spend eight months preparing to give birth. Director Will Lawson and two cameramen flew to Atka Bay in Antarctica to document the process with a colony of 11,000 breeding pairs. Although studied by science, it was the first time they had been filmed.

During that time, the biggest challenge is the environment  the cold, the tempestuous unrelenting winds, the storms along the coast of Antarctica, says Lawson.

We hoped to pull out the key bits of behaviour and show that actually, there are individual characters in the colony. But its all about family and each family has a collective ambition to support the next generation coming through.

Its certainly not cheap, but if you really want to see the colony, Natural World Safaris (naturalworldsafaris.com) offers an eight-day Emperor Penguins & The South Pole Safari visiting Atka Bay from 57,895pp, excluding international flights. Departs NovemberDecember.

Raj Behra the tiger, India



(Theo Webb/PA

Home to an estimated 80 tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh attracts tourists, photographers and filmmakers such as Theo Webb. But pressure on space is building, and with the park surrounded by villages, theres simply no where else for the animals to go.

Our story focuses on an adult tigress and mother, Raj Behra. Its the story of her trying to raise her litter of cubs in this modern, changing world, and all the challenges she faces along the way, say the director.

The cats familiarity with vehicles also meant they were happy to walk out in the open. They walk so close, you cant fail to be emotionally attached, and appreciate their beauty and majesty.

Naturetrek (naturetrek.co.uk) offers a nine-day escorted IndiaBandhavgarh Tiger Reserve tour from 2,295 including flights. Departs October 26, 2019.

Tait and Blacktip the painted wolves, Zimbabwe



(Nick Lyon/PA)

Well known for their sharply-tuned hunting strategies, painted wolves  or wild dogs  are frequently depicted as killing machines. But they also have a caring side, and producer Nick Lyon was eager to show audiences the joy and love they seem to have for each other.

Our way of storytelling will really pull the audience into the mindset of these animals, seeing how tough their lives are  and that its only a strong family dynamic that allows them to exist in a very tough world. They are by no means the apex predator in [Zimbabwes] Mana Pools.

Wildlife Worldwide (wildlifeworldwide.com) offers a nine-day Wild Dogs & Elephants Photography tour based at Vundu Camp, where the crew stayed, from 7,545pp, excluding flights. Departs October 10, 2019.

Dynasties starts on Sunday, November 11 at 8.30pm on BBC One.Its official! The Spice Girls are going on tour  Mel B, Mel C, Geri, Emma and wait, thats just four. Yes, just the four of them will be back on stage as fifth member Posh is not joining them.

However, theres seemingly no animosity amongst the group. In fact, Beckham has already said she wishes her former bandmates all the best.

Queen of her own fashion empire and lauded by high fashion magazine editors around the world, Beckham is certainly busy. And she did already show her support and love of the band when she joined them for their performance at the closing ceremony of the Olympics at London 2012.

But now shes decided to step away  and heres why we think its ok to not always join in with your squad

You dont have to always say yes to be their friend

The Spice Girls Victoria Beckham perform during the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 London Olympics at the Olympic Stadium.

If youre the kind of person who gets FOMO when youre invited out, but arent keen to go, youll relate to this one. What if you dont go and its THE best night ever? Beckham must worry shell feel this a little  shell remember the heady days of performing (who can forget standing on a taxi?), and perhaps wonder if shes missing out on loads of fun.

Then theres the niggling feeling that if you let your squad hang out without you, youll miss making new memories. But you still have memories with them, and if you slide apart because they have made this one new experience without you there, that says more about them than it does about you.

Sometimes the squad goal isnt your goal

Beckham is bound to have new challenges she wants to embrace, for instance, shes very busy with family goals right now, and her business. Just because the girls in your squad all feel like going for cocktails or to karaoke, doesnt mean you do. And so, saying, no to a night out is absolutely fine if youre not currently in the same zone.

You might not be the first one to decline

All the focus right now is on the fact Posh isnt re-joining the group to go on tour. But hold up a second! Were forgetting that Geri  AKA Ginger Spice  once left the band to their own devices as a foursome. Remember, youre unlikely to be the first one to say youre not up for a group night out, and you wont be the last. Dont beat yourself up about it.

Personal reasons mean its too tough for you right now

A hen do when youre miserable about being single, a baby shower when youre trying to conceive, or a weekend away with a bunch of ladies who are married when youve just been through a split; sometimes events can be laced with sadness or upset. Then, its more than fine to take a step back.

Chances are, the organiser or hen will know and understand your reasons. Staying away can be hard when you wish you could go, but sometimes, its just too painful.

Its ok to say youve moved on

Even Adele  who now fills stadiums herself  is excited about the Spice Girls reunion, but you dont have to hark back, or dabble in the past, if it doesnt appeal. You might be invited to hang with mates youve known for years, but actually, you might feel like youve moved on.

Youd happily see them for dinner, perhaps, and youll reply on the WhatsApp group, but you know that three days in Paris with the gang will probably end in some awkward silences on the Eurostar home. And thats something your friendship can do without.

It can be about money

For many of us, another invite in our inbox can mean palpitations as we ponder how much things are going to cost. A hen do/spa weekend/mini break to Prague/dinner at a very posh restaurant just because, can mean a huge dent in the overdraft. Saying no because youre a bit skint isnt something to be ashamed of, and good friends should understand.

You dont have to share your reasons if youd rather not

Its unlikely well ever truly know the reason Beckham isnt joining the other girls on tour. But thats ok  and you can hold back on the explanations, too. Your friends dont need to know every detail of your reasons for saying you dont fancy a night out or weekend away. Just say you might be there for the next adventure  or a different one, another time.An audience member at a TV Brexit debate has gone viral after being caught on camera performing a dramatic eye-roll behind Nigel Farage, despite having voted to leave herself.

The former Ukip leader was speaking on Channel 4s Brexit: What The Nation Really Thinks on Monday night when the glance was caught by eagle-eyed viewers.

Journalist Hannah Jane Parkinson tweeted the moment, dubbing it the greatest eye-roll of 2018.

Theres been a lot of competition this year, but this has to be the greatest eye-roll of 2018. pic.twitter.com/bB2stJh1Ku  Hannah Jane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) November 5, 2018

The mysterious eye-roller then revealed herself to be student Harriet Ellis from Bristol, who attended the debate with a friend.

She told the Press Association: It was all very accidental, and I didnt even notice I was doing it!

I really like politics, and a friend at uni asked if I would be interested in attending a debate. Ive been trying to say yes to more things this year so I thought, why not?

Thanks for all the kind words, this is indeed me! pic.twitter.com/FsEfKo8LyF  Harriet (@harrietlucyel) November 5, 2018

The debate also featured Justice Secretary David Gauke, shadow trade secretary Barry Gardiner and the Green Partys Caroline Lucas on behalf of The Peoples Vote.

The programme was hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy in Birmingham, and featured the results from a Survation poll on Brexit of 20,000 Brits.

Among the findings, the survey found that more than four in 10 British people would support holding a second Brexit referendum.

(Aaron Chown/PA Wire/PA Images) Channel 4s Brexit debate at Custard factory, Birmingham.

Mr Farage was representing Leave Means Leave at the debate, which heard from both sides of the Leave and Remain divide.

Aside from her viral moment, Ms Ellis said the debate was good, adding: I think the survey results were very interesting.

Explaining why she voted to leave, Ms Ellis said: I dont like the hidden bureaucracy of the EU, and I think we should be promoting immigration from all countries, not just from the EU.Ukraines president Petro Poroshenko has signed a bill imposing jail sentences on Russians who cross the Ukrainian border illegally.

Under Ukraine's new legislation posted on the parliament's website today, Russian nationals will be subject to jail terms of up to eight years if they cross the Ukrainian border with fake documents or without documentation.

The Ukrainian parliament said that the president signed a bill making such crossings a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison. Current national legislation prescribes detentions of up to 15 days and imposes fines on offenders.

The new penalty applies to those who seek to harm the interests of the state, people banned from entry into Ukraine, as well as representatives of military units or other law enforcement agencies of the aggressor state, the Moscow Times reported.

The bill was adopted on October 18 by Verkhovna Rada.

The deputy dean of the Faculty of Global Economics and International Affairs of the Higher School of Economics of the National Research University, Andrei Suzdaltsev, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that "the border between Russia and Ukraine is one of the largest in Europe, and it is difficult to control it, which means that there will be incidents with the detention of our citizens. The Ukrainian side has declared Russia, in fact, its enemy, and Moscow has already imposed restrictions on the Russians to visit the Ukrainian territory - but its impossible to control everything. If there are unauthorized crossings, then the Ukrainian side can arrest such a person, and it will be very difficult for the Russian authorities to help, because it was not fixed in Russia that some citizens left for Ukraine. That is, the safety of the Russians was put at risk," he said.

Also, the language of the law makes it possible to consider all Russians who have ever been to Crimea to be subject to arrest. "They are unlikely to succeed in tracking everyone, although Kiev claims that they study databases of Crimean hotels, records Russians who have been there, and yet it creates a situation of potential hostage-taking. On the whole, this is a very problematic situation that a criminal punishment for Russians was introduced for the illegal crossing of the Russian-Ukrainian border. In my opinion, this punishment is excessive, and there will always be incidents, because the border with Ukraine is formally open," Andrey Suzdaltsev noted.Today millions of Americans are heading to the polls for the 2018 midterm elections, which many believe will be a crucial verdict on President Donald Trumps first two years in office.

But what are the midterm elections and why are they important?

What are the midterm elections?

Midterm elections occur halfway through each four-year presidential term of office, with key seats in both the houses of the United States Congress up for grabs.

Who is being elected?

All 435 seats in the lower chamber House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 upper chamber Senate seats will be at stake.

House of Representatives members serve two-year terms representing the people of a single constituency, while each state has two senators.

This year there are a record number of women on the ballot, which could significantly increase the number of women in elected office from a fifth of the 535 seats across both chambers.

There are also elections for 36 of the 50 state governors.

(PA Graphics)

Who is voting?

There are around 250 million Americans who are eligible to vote, but turnout in midterm elections is typically about 40%. This is much lower than presidential elections, where turnout has hit around 60% in recent contests.

The elections will mark the first nationwide vote since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 US presidential race but federal, state and local officials have sought to reassure the public that their voting systems are secure.

So far, there have been no signs that Russia or any other foreign agency has tried to launch cyber-attacks against voting systems in any state, according to federal authorities.

US House of Representatives: balance of power since 1964. (PA Graphics).

Why are these elections so important?

Republicans have had control of the House of Representatives since the 2010 midterms during Barack Obamas first term as president.

The Grand Old Party (GOP) also controls the US Senate, with 51 of 100 seats.

But with Mr Trumps first two years in office dividing opinion across the country, Democrats see these elections as a chance to take back control of both chambers of Congress from the Republicans. This will leave President Trump unable to pass key laws through the houses.

In order to take back control of the House, Democrats need to win 23 more seats, a number that many believe is very possible.

But while the party only needs two more seats to take control of the Senate, this is likely to be a much tougher challenge for the Democrats.

How close are the elections going to be?

Control of the House of Representatives is expected to be determined by a few dozen districts, many of them in the nations suburbs, and will offer clues to where Americans stand in 2018 on immigration, guns, healthcare and gender equality in the #MeToo era.

But the battle for the 35 Senate seats is expected to favour the Republicans because many of the contests are in states Mr Trump won in 2016.

US Senate elections 2018 (PA Graphics).

Democrats hopes of recapturing the Senate hinge on all 10 of their incumbents winning and on flipping key seats in states such as Nevada, Arizona, Tennessee and Texas.

What is going to happen?

The night could witness a generational change in the US Congress and herald a number of barrier-breaking officeholders.

In New York City, 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is expected to become the youngest woman elected to congress while Ayanna Pressley is the favourite to become Massachusetts first black woman elected to congress.

In Michigan, Rashida Tlaib could become the first Muslim woman and first Palestinian-American in Congress. She could be joined by Minnesotas Ilhan Omar, who is also trying to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress along with the first Somali-American elected to the House.

No matter which way the voting goes, Arizonas Senate race expects to make history. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema could become the first openly bisexual senator and the states first female senator. If Republican Martha McSally wins, she will become Arizonas first female senator.

What has President Trump being saying?

The US president has staged a number of rallies across the country, and on election day he will be making a series of media appearances. Mr Trump is well known for his candid views expressed on Twitter, so anyone with a close eye on proceedings will be watching his feed.Hundreds of relatives of victims have prayed and thrown flowers into the Java Sea where a Lion Air jet plunged into the water more than a week ago, killing all 189 people on board.

Two Indonesian navy vessels took the relatives to the crash location where a massive search effort is still under way.

Many wept when they saw search personnel working.

A relative cries during a prayer service (Tatan Syuflana/AP)

Officials from the navy, search and rescue agency and Lion Air threw wreaths into the sea.

One, named Santun, said visiting the location helped him grieve.

He said: Up until now I believed that my daughter would be found safely but if God decided differently and my daughter is found dead or not even found then as a father I would sincerely accept it.A mans body has been found on a footpath near a school.

Police were called to the scene off Kinfauns Drive in Drumchapel, Glasgow, at around 7.45am on Tuesday.

Officers are treating the death as unexplained and cordons have been put up in the area near Drumchapel High School while investigations continue.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

The body has still to be formally identified.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Drumchapel CID via 101, quoting incident number 0602 of Tuesday November 6 2018 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.

Police are investigating after a mans body was discovered (Joe Giddens/PA)

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.In two days time, the worlds most in-demand models will take to catwalk in New York for the most highly-anticipated fashion show of the year, clad in nothing but lingerie, heels and  for the chosen few  angel wings.

The annual Victorias Secret fashion show is an industry institution. But, while it has plenty of fans (nearly 5 million people watched the TV broadcast last year) and generates a lot of income for the brand, the event is increasingly being seen as an anachronism in the age of diversity.

Supermodel Robyn Lawley believes that Victorias Secret needs to change and has launched a petition asking people to boycott the show altogether.

Until Victorias Secret commits to representing ALL women on stage, I am calling for a complete boycott of this years Victorias Secret Fashion Show, she wrote in the petition.

Its time Victorias Secret recognized the buying power and influence of women of ALL ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.

Today, the 6ft 2, size 14 beauty led a diverse cast of models  including well-known names likes Hayley Hasselhoff, Felicity Hayward and Ashley James  at the Were All Angels lingerie show, staged by retailer Simply Be, to highlight what they see as lack of diversity at Victorias Secret.

From left: Hayley Hasselhoff, Joann Van Den Herik, Nahuane, Danielle, Felicity Hayward, Robyn Lawley, Ayesha, Kelly Knox, Anais and Ashley James, who walked in the `Were All Angels lingerie show (Simply Be/PA)

I started the petition with the help of a few women who have the same sentiments, Lawley says. Inclusivity and positivity at this level is so refreshing and important.

Ive worked with Simply Be over the years and Ive witnessed them champion women of all shapes and sizes throughout all of their campaigns.

The show featured models from sizes 10 to 22, looking fabulous in lingerie from the retailers AW18 collection.

The brand also unveiled the findings of its annual lingerie survey, which found that 73% of women feel that underwear advertising doesnt represent them or their body type, while 71% said that finding the perfect bra is the most difficult item to shop for in the wardrobe.

From left: Ashley James, Felicity Hayward, Robyn Lawley and Hayley Hasselhoff (Simply Be/PA)

Our Were All Angels show is a celebration of women and who they are, eliminating the idea that we are defined by our bodies, said Ann Steer, Chief Customer Officer at N Brown Group, which owns Simply Be.

Most presentations and campaigns of this type feature only size eight or smaller models but our line-up of incredible women highlights that there are no boundaries when it comes to size.

This isnt about thin shaming  we just think its time we saw more diversity in terms of size in advertising campaigns and on runways.

In the fashion industry as a whole there has been a change in the last few years with more and more brands and magazines using a range of models, and the likes of Rihanna championing diversity with her Savage X Fenty lingerie collection.

Against the backdrop of this improvement in diversity, its hard not to see Victorias Secret as one of the last brands clinging on to its old-fashioned ideas about what beauty means.

And yet the huge hype around the show  and equally huge viewing figures  remain.

Given the current climate, maybe this is the last year the bra-selling behemoth can get away with only featuring super-skinny models  thats what Lawley and co are hoping.Renowned chef Andrew Fairlie is absolutely humbled by messages of support after revealing he is stepping down from his two Michelin-starred restaurant due to a terminal brain tumour.

He has been fighting the illness since 2005 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery but was told in June no further treatment was available, The Times Scotland reported.

Mr Fairlie is now retiring from the restaurant at Gleneagles, which he established in 2001, to arrange a wedding with his partner Kate White and tweeted they will marry on Wednesday.

He said goodbye to colleagues in the kitchen on Saturday and will officially hand over the keys to the head chef Stevie McLaughlin, general manager Dale Dewsbury and his business partner Gregor Mathieson in February.

Mr Fairlie established his restaurant at the hotel in 2001 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at the luxury Pertshire hotel is the only one in Scotland with two Michelin stars.

Mr Fairlie told The Times: Giving up my restaurant kitchen was the hardest part.

The fact that Ill never be back, never have that buzz and atmosphere of the kitchen again, was very emotional.

But its dangerous for me to be there. Id just be a liability.

Absolutely humbled by the love and good wishes from all over the world thats why our industry is so special looking forward to marrying my rock and true love kate tomorrow. #best industry in the world #hispitality  andrew fairlie (@AndrewFairlie1) November 6, 2018

He added: I had so many sleepless nights worrying that my lifes work would turn to dust.

My worst case scenario was that Gleneagles would take back the space and give it to some other chef.

I am very grateful that it is not the case and that my legacy will continue.

Dozens of people have sent messages of support to Mr Fairlie including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who tweeted: Sending my thoughts and best wishes to @AndrewFairlie1 and his family  such a great talent and wonderful ambassador for our country.

He thanked those who had sent messages.

He tweeted: Absolutely humbled by the love and good wishes from all over the world thats why our industry is so special looking forward to marrying my rock and true love kate tomorrow.

Sharan Pasricha, founder and chief executive of Ennismore, which owns Gleneagles, said: Were immensely proud of all of Andrews achievements including being Scotlands only two Michelin star restaurant for the past 12 years, and are delighted to continue the legacy of such an important and cherished culinary icon through the renewal of our long-term partnership with the restaurant.

Importantly, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is a close-knit team of experts who share Andrews vision, drive and passion for excellence, and who work tirelessly together to offer one of the finest culinary experiences in the world.

Were confident that, under Gregor, Stevie and Dales leadership, this deep-rooted ethos will be preserved, developed and enhanced for future guests, and well continue working closely with them to ensure it remains at the pinnacle of the global culinary scene.An allegation of rape against a police officer was inappropriately recorded as an incivility instead of a crime, MSPs were told.

Kate Frame, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), spoke out after the organisation claimed Police Scotland failed to refer criminal allegations against officers to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) as required.

As well as an allegation of rape being recorded as an incivility, she added a case when someone reported being unlawfully detained by officers was treated as a quality of service complaint.

In another example, she said an allegation of someone being punched in the face was recorded by officers as excessive force instead of an assault.

Ms Frame was giving evidence to MSPs on Holyroods Justice Committee, who are examining the impact of the legislation used to create a nationwide Scottish police force.

She explained Pirc could be contacted to review complaints against police if the person making the allegations was not satisfied with the response from the force.

At @SP_Justice Committee, @DJohnsonMSP is concerned to hear allegations against Police Scotland of unlawful detention and rape being wrongly recorded by Police as 'quality of service' and 'incivility' complaints -- witness Kate Frame, Police Investigations & Review Commissioner.  Hannah Graham (@DrHannahGraham) November 6, 2018

In a submission to MSPs ahead of the meeting, it said several instances have been identified where Police Scotland has failed to refer criminal allegations against officers to the COPFS as required, or attempted to deal with serious and complex complaints via frontline resolution (a process that should be used only for minor and straightforward complaints).

Ms Frame said she had concerns about the level of police discretion which continues to allow them to investigate some of their own actions.

She said: At the recording stage, obviously there is significant discretion afforded to the police at that time, how a complaint is initially recorded by the police will generally determine the route that it then takes.

Recently, weve seen some evidence of serious criminal allegations which have been inappropriately recorded.

We have examples of a complaint where someone had been unlawfully detained. That was recorded by the police as a quality of service complaint.

There is another example of an allegation of rape, that was recorded as incivility.

There is a further example of someone who had been punched twice on the face that was recorded by the police as excessive force rather than assault.

She added: So in all of those cases the only reason and the only way in which we found out about how the recording process had taken place was because the complainers had made a complaint to the police, which had been dealt with, they felt dissatisfied and they came to us seeking a complaint handling review.

At that stage we were able to refer the matter to Crown Office for their instructions in relations to the criminality involved.

So had the complainers not had the option of coming through the complaint handling process we would have been none the wiser.

Police Investigations and Review Commissioner Kate Frame. (Scottish Parliament/PA)

Labours Daniel Johnson asked: Do I hear you correctly saying rape and assault were recorded as quality of service and incivility?

Can I just ask you to confirm that and more importantly comment on what is going on there? Is it incompetence? A clerical error? Or something more disturbing or untoward?

Ms Frame told him: I can confirm in relation to the example I gave of unlawful detention that was recorded as quality of service. In relation to an allegation of rape that was recorded as incivility.

She added: We were surprised when we received that through the complaint handling process.

I think there maybe a combination of factors that have contributed to it, either by the way of incompetence or other more sinister aspects.

Mr Johnson then pressed Ms Frame on how widespread such practice was, saying to the commissioner: You stated you are finding this out by accident because people are asking for a review of the internal police complaints handling.

Do you have any sense of how significant an issue this is?

Ms Frame said it was very difficult to assess that because it only is the complainers who come to us after the event, and some may very well not.

John McSporran, head of investigations at Pirc, said: Its the old adage you only know what you know.

If you can not examine it you cannot tell the extent of the problem and, at present, there is no audit of those sort of processes to determine the extent of the problem.

The problem might be small and there might be a few isolated examples but unless you can actually look at the extent of the problem, how do you tell whether wholesale change is necessary?Theresa May has told Cabinet that she will not agree a withdrawal deal with the EU at any cost.

The Prime Minister said any agreement will be dependent on an acceptable framework for future relations in areas like trade and security, expected to be covered in a separate political declaration.

At the regular weekly meeting in 10 Downing Streets, senior ministers discussed proposals for a review mechanism to ensure that the UK is not stuck indefinitely in a possible backstop arrangement designed to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

The meeting came as hopes of a special Brexit summit to finalise the withdrawal agreement in November appeared to be receding.

(PA Graphics)

A gathering of EU leaders in Brussels on the previously mooted date of November 17 is now thought to have been ruled out, while a special summit later in the month would be dependent on EU negotiator Michel Barnier declaring that decisive progress has been made in talks.

Mrs May assured ministers that there would be another Cabinet before any agreement is settled, though her official spokesman said no extra meeting has yet been scheduled ahead of the regular weekly gathering next Tuesday.

Dont be under any illusion, there remains a significant amount of work to do, the spokesman told reporters.

Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier spoke to Belgiums RTBF broadcaster (RTBF)

Mr Barnier himself said a breakthrough on the Irish border issue was not close.

For now, we are still negotiating and I am not, as I am speaking to you this morning, able to tell you that we are close to reaching an agreement, he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

There is still a real point of divergence on the way of guaranteeing peace in Ireland, that there are no borders in Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the single market.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Mrs Mays spokesman said: The Prime Minister said she was confident of reaching a deal. She said that, while the UK should aim to secure a withdrawal agreement as soon as possible, this would not be done at any cost.

The Prime Minister said that, once agreement was reached on a withdrawal agreement, it remains the case that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and it will be subject to securing an acceptable full future framework.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Prime Minister on Monday that he was ready to consider a review mechanism as part of a backstop arrangement to keep the border with Northern Ireland open after Brexit.

But he made clear that he would not accept an arrangement which gave the UK unilateral powers to ditch the customs union without the agreement of Brussels.

Mrs May is understood to view the mechanism as a means of allaying the concerns of Conservative and DUP MPs who want guarantees that any future membership of a customs union is temporary.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said Dublins stance was making a no-deal Brexit likely.

Looks like were heading for no deal, he tweeted.

Such an outcome will have serious consequences for economy of Irish Republic. In addition, UK wont have to pay a penny more to EU, which means big increase for Dublin. Cant understand why Irish Government seems so intent on this course.

Looks like were heading for no deal. Such an outcome will have serious consequences for economy of Irish Republic. In addition, UK wont have to pay a penny more to EU, which means big increase for Dublin. Cant understand why Irish Government seems so intent on this course. https://t.co/1L4WF1n85N  Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) November 6, 2018

Conservative MP Anna Soubry, a leading supporter of the Peoples Vote campaign for a second referendum, said: Today has seen the start of another effort to force the Cabinet and Parliament to accept a so-called Brexit deal that resolves nothing about our future but promises only extra costs, further uncertainty and less say in the rules governing how we run our economy.

Deal or no deal, its becoming clearer by the day that the UK is headed for a miserable Brexit. This has turned into a mess that nobody voted for and its only going to get worse.

A choice between a no-deal Brexit and a no-clue Brexit is no choice at all. Only a Peoples Vote offers the UK a real choice over our future.SNP bosses manipulated polling figures and tried to weaponise Brexit as they claimed majority support for independence, pro-UK campaigners have suggested.

The campaign group Scotland in Union hit out at at the SNPs interpretation of a survey that showed more than a third of Scots were more likely to back leaving the UK as a result of Brexit .

The SNP said its analysis of the Survation poll showed this could be a narrow majority for independence if there was a second referendum.

Party depute leader Keith Brown claimed the chaos and despair of Brexit significant had resulted in a significant swell in support for Scotland taking all decisions over our future for ourselves.

SNP strategist Ross Colquhoun tweeted the figures would mean a majority of 51.39% for independence, with 48.61% against.

Survation, which questioned 1,725 people in Scotland as part of a much larger survey, made clear afterwards there was no Scottish Indy Ref voting intention included in their research.

Scotland in Union has accused the SNP of trying to `manipulate Brexit polling. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Latest @Survation Westminster poll by @Channel4:



SNP 39.8% (+3.5)

Tories 26.8% (+0.5)

Labour 21.5% (-4.5)

Liberal Democrats 8.2% (+0.5)

Greens 1.8% (-)

UKIP 1.2% (-)

Other 0.6% (-)



Current voting intentions would put SNP 13 points clear - picking up 7 more Westminster seats.  Ross Colquhoun (@rosscolquhoun) November 5, 2018

Pamela Nash, the chief executive of the pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union, said: There are red faces all around at SNP HQ following this blunder.

The former Labour MP added: This desperate attempt to manipulate a poll has backfired and SNP deputy leader Keith Brown should apologise and set the record straight.

The SNP is weaponising Brexit to focus on the only thing it cares about  independence.

This is an important reminder for Remain voters in Scotland that the Nationalists want to use your vote to break up the UK. Whatever your views on Brexit, independence is not the answer.

Sorry to disappoint .@rosscolquhoun, but there isn't a headline Scotland voting intention in tonight's tables (Scotland was not weighted separately, so calculating the Westminster crossbreak for Scotland does not get you there. There is also no Scottish Indy Ref voting intention.  Survation. (@Survation) November 5, 2018

Survation asked people in Scotland how Brexit would affect their vote in an independence referendum, with 37.8% saying they were now more likely to back leaving the UK, including just over 26% who were much more likely to do so.

Meanwhile, 25.4% said they were more likely to vote to stay in Britain, while 30.6% said they were neither more or less likely and 6.2% did not know.

The SNP said if that was applied to the result of the 2014 referendum  in which Scots voted by 55% to 45% to stay in the union  it could result in a 51.39% vote for independence, with 48.61% against.

An SNP spokesman said: As the chaos and despair at Westminsters handling of Brexit continues, more and more people are drawn to the hope for the future that independence offers.

This poll is extremely encouraging for the SNP, but must make dire reading for Labour and the Tories. No wonder theyre so riled and in complete denial of the fact that support for independence is on the rise.

The party also said the Survation study showed Scotland as a country was more supportive of immigration than the other nations in the UK.Borough Market is arguably the most famous food market in Britain.

It sits in the belly of London Bridge, a network of railway arches and overhangs, full of winding pathways, with narrow roads to cross  hopefully without being squashed by delivery vans and crates of cheese  and the smell of baking bread and spices in the air.

Yes, its the oldest market in London  people have sold produce in one form or another at Borough Market since the 12th century  but in a sense it is representative of any market youd find in any town in Britain: There is food, lots of it, and the producers really know their stuff.

Most recently, Borough has been in the news less for its multicoloured cauliflowers and artisan coffee, and more because of a terror attack on the area in 3 June, 2017. A vehicle-ramming on London Bridge and a series of stabbings in nearby bars and restaurants in Borough, saw eight people killed, and almost 50 injured.

But food writer Ed Smith, author of the new Borough Market cookbook, a celebration of the producers, stall holders and soul of the market, is clear that, more than a year on, its business as usual.

The book itself charts a year of shopping and cooking using Borough produce, but its core principles really revolve around seasonal eating  so you can apply the logic  and recipes  to what you find at your own local Sunday farmers market.

Trained chef and foodie Smith, 36, who writes the blog Rocket & Squash, is a former lawyer, turned food writer and trained chef.

Hundreds of visitors take a stroll through Borough Market in London Bridge this afternoon.

Now, hes something of a Borough Market expert and can often be spotted on-site doing cooking demos. We sip on lattes and black coffee from The Colombian Coffee Company and wind our way between traders, nibbling as we go.

Supermarkets are so sanitised Smith explains, You miss out on knowledge, care, expertise Take Lizzie Vines, who runs Wild Beef with her husband Richard, an organic Dartmoor farmer. They have a couple of their native Devon cattle and Welsh Blacks butchered every week, hang them for at least another three, and sell the whole animals  nose-to-tail  at Borough.

Weve been here since the beginning, explains Lizzie, who remembers setting up in 1998 when only the original giants of Borough in its current incarnation, Neals Yard Dairy and Spanish food importers Brindisa, were trading. There was nowhere to buy coffee after the dawn drive up from Dartmoor, she says  unless you count McDonalds. Fortunately, thats no longer the case.

The practice of selling a whole, single animal, means you cant wander up to Wild Beef and demand to buy five fillet steaks for a dinner party youre hosting  theres only two per cow  its very much first-come, first-served.

But it encourages thriftiness, working with whats available and understanding whats sustainable. Visiting a market and engaging with stallholders directly, you cant help but get a sense of where your food comes from, and whats gone into getting it to you.

And sustainability is crucial to Borough Market  traders offer recyclable packaging wherever possible, leftover food is distributed to charity, or recycled into power, fertiliser and water at an anaerobic digestion plant. There are always new traders popping up too, with innovative ideas for cutting waste, like nibs etc. run by food waste entrepreneur Chloe Stewart, who makes granola and crackers using leftover juice pulp.

Its also, like many independent food markets, a gateway to slow food  foods that are grown or produced using traditional methods, rather than mass industrial techniques  and to new innovations. For instance, legend has it that Borough grocers Turnips introduced Britain to rocket: 20 years ago it was unheard of, says Smith.

Yes, it can be more expensive, shopping from independents, concedes Smith, noting that it can require more effort and time than whipping round the supermarket, but its undeniably worth it.

The Borough Market Cookbook by Ed Smith is published by Hodder & Stoughton, priced 25. Photographs by Issy Croker.The US midterm elections saw a record number of women elected to the House of Representatives, as well as historic wins from Muslim, black, Native American, and LGBTQ+ candidates.

In a night where Democrats took control of Congress, voters are on track to send at least 100 women to the House, surpassing the previous record of 84, while several winners are marking their place in history as firsts for their race, gender and sexuality.

Voters from various backgrounds took to social media to celebrate these largely Democratic wins, with one Muslim user saying that the diverse representation made her feel so much pride and happiness.

Women of color breaking so many ceilings:



- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez youngest woman elected to Congress

- Ilhan Omar the first Somali American elected to Congress

- Ayanna Pressley the first Black congresswoman from Massachusetts

- Rashida Tlaib the first Muslim congresswoman  Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani (@AdrienneMahsa) November 7, 2018

Please do not discount the history being made today:

The first Muslim women to serve in the House

The first Latinas in the House from Texas

The first Native American women in the House

The first Native American woman elected statewide in Minnesota

AND MORE....  Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) November 7, 2018

Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, through Democratic candidate Ayanna Pressley, while 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also made history to become the youngest woman in the House.

Meanwhile, party colleagues Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will be the first Muslim women in Congress.

Congratulations to my sister @RashidaTlaib on your victory!



I cannot wait to serve with you, inshallah.   Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018

Somali-American, Ilhan Omar's story is the extraordinary journey from living in one of the world's largest #refugee camps, #Dadaaab, to becoming one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress.



Congrats @IlhanMNhttps://t.co/q3IMxRGM3E pic.twitter.com/1OdFAwcYp4  Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) November 7, 2018

A number of Muslim women took to Twitter to express their joy at being represented in Congress for the first time.

Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Hannah Foslien/AP/Press Association Images and SG/AP/Press Association Images)

This honestly is so amazing and awesome! As a Muslim woman this is just beyond words too many emotions are going through me right now  pic.twitter.com/xfmksl3ZgG  Heedaya Kisswani (@HeedayaKisswani) November 7, 2018

to see two muslim women elected in congress has given me so much pride and happiness as a muslim woman. representation matters.  shehrose (@shehrose18) November 7, 2018

New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids were elected as the first two Native American women to serve in Congress.

Ms Davids also made history as an openly gay candidate, along with Colorados Jared Polis, who will be the countrys first openly gay elected governor.

The first Gay Governor in Colorado, the first two Muslim women elected into congress, the first Native & Lesbian women elected into congress and the youngest women elected to Congress is a Latina from the Bronx. This is America & all its beauty. The future is female & POC   Juan Hinojos Zapien (@JuanHinojosAZ) November 7, 2018

The Colorado cake baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple now has a gay governor.  Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) November 7, 2018

Ms Tlaib took to Twitter on November 6 to link her campaign to the surge of female political activism since the 2016 general election, referencing the millions of women who have marched in protests in the two years following.

Writing on the platform, she said: Today, women across the country are on the ballot. Yes, we marched outside the Capitol, but now we get to march into the Capitol. We are coming!

The victories for women werent confined to the Democrats, however  regardless of who wins in Arizonas competitive Senate race, the state will elect either Republican Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema as the states first woman to serve in the chamber.

And in the Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessees first woman senator, despite her opponent Phil Bredesen receiving the backing of pop star Taylor Swift.Moscow is in favor of a dialogue with Washington to solve the existing problems but so far it sees no bright prospects for normalizing bilateral relations, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

According to him, it is up to the Americans themselves to decide whether the domestic political situation in the US improved or deteriorated after the elections, and Kremlin has "no desire whatsoever to intervene there."

"One can assume with a high degree of confidence that, of course, no bright prospects for normalizing Russian-American relations are in the offing," he said when asked about relations between the two countries leaders after the November 6 midterm elections in the US.

"That does not mean, however, that we seek no dialogue, that we want no dialogue, because we have numerous problems that require Russian-American intercommunication. These are the problems of strategic stability and arms control," TASS cited him as saying. "These problems will not be solved by themselves without maintaining a dialogue," the Kremlin spokesman concluded.Democrats seized the House majority from Republicans in midterm US elections but the blue wave did not reach the Senate where President Donald Trumps party gained ground while some key state governorships remained in the red column.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Mr Trumps young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in Americas evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nations suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion.

Working class voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

However, the new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Partys dominance in Washington for the final two years of Mr Trumps first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

The presidents party will maintain control of the executive and judicial branches of the government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Mr Trumps personal and professional missteps and his long-withheld tax returns.

Tomorrow will be a new day in America, declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

(PA Graphics)

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillums bid to become the states first African-American governor.

The 2018 elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape US politics for years to come.

Republican successes were fuelled by a coalition thats decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees.

Democrats relied more upon women, black voters, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Women won at least 85 seats in the House, a record.

The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Democrat Ilhan Omar speaks after winning in Minnesotas Fifth Congressional District race (Hannah Foslien/AP)

Three candidates had hoped to become their states first African-American governors, although just one, Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, was still in the running.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Tonight, we reaffirm what makes Colorado the amazing state that it is.



Here, we dream, we dare, and we do. We embrace big ideas and we work sun-up to sundown to make them realities. We see the highest mountains and we climb them. We face the tough decisions and we solve them. pic.twitter.com/s5TgypKQs5  Jared Polis (@PolisForCO) November 7, 2018

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their blue wall Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016.

Democrats gained seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver.

Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former president Barack Obama and Mr Trump.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, seen as a possible presidential candidate, said it was a victory for women (Michael Dwyer/AP)

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a Republican incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House.

But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Representative Andy Barr.

Mr Trump sought to take credit for retaining the Republican Senate majority, even as the partys foothold in the House was slipping.

Residents vote in Omaha, Nebraska (Nati Harnik/AP)

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! Mr Trump tweeted.

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate.

The presidents party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Senator Ted Cruz delivers a victory speech (David J. Philip/AP)

In Texas, Senator Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at his recent rallies.

Republican Florida governor-elect Ron DeSantis celebrates victory (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/AP)

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one in four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Overall, six in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good.

Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Mr Trump was a reason for their vote.

(PA Graphics)

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Several television networks, including the presidents favourite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Mr Trumps most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Mr Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws.

"And lets make sure nobody re-writes history: This resistance began with women and its being led by women tonight." https://t.co/Nl102zgibz  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 7, 2018

He served as vice chairman of Mr Trumps now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40% by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era.

Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were five points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Bernie Sanders was re-elected (Charles Krupa/AP)

Meanwhile, the close of the 2018 midterm season marked the unofficial opening of the next presidential contest.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

A handful of others played key roles in their parties midterm campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided.

They included New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, California Senator Kamala Harris, former New York City mayor Tom Steyer and former vice president Joe Biden.

Ms Warren said: This resistance began with women and it is being led by women tonight.England tamed Sri Lanka in their own conditions on day two of the second Test in Galle, with Ben Foakes dream debut and a ruthless display of spin bowling putting them in full control.

The tourists batted at the start and the end of the day  all out for 342 then 38 without loss at stumps  and in between rolled Sri Lanka over for 203 in just 68 overs.

With a lead of 177 and three days to go, a first English victory at this famed Sri Lankan stronghold is well within sight.

Ben Foakes century set England up for an impressive day (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

Foakes started the day by putting the finishing touches to a classy maiden century and was last man out for 107 after adding 20 his overnight score.

He then gave a taste of the wicketkeeping skills which earned him his call-up in the first-place. Dimuth Karunaratne allowed the Surrey man to open his international account after just two balls in the field, feeling for James Andersons outswinger, and later he produced a highly accomplished stumping to break Sri Lankas best partnership of the day.

There was one more chance to impress and he duly took it, pouching a thick edge safely standing up to the stumps in the midst of a Sri Lankan collapse which saw them cough up a potentially match-defining first-innings deficit.

Ben Foakes impressed with the gloves as well as the bat (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

There is a potentially ticklish dilemma coming for the selectors, with Foakes giving every impression of being undroppable and previous incumbent Jonny Bairstow recovering fast from his ankle injury.

To focus solely on Foakes contributions would be to do a major disservice to the England attack, though, and particularly their trio of tweakers.

Sri Lanka are used to bundling visiting teams out with spin in Galle but here they were the prey, losing eight wickets to the turning ball. Moeen Ali led the way with four for 66 while Adil Rashid and Jack Leach took two apiece.

With Anderson and Sam Curran removing one opener each with the fleeting swing offered by the new ball, things were going close to plan in the field.

All that was needed to put a ribbon on the day was for Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns, fit after a blow to the back of the neck fielding at short leg, to negotiate 12 overs before stumps and they did so with minimal fuss.

Play began with England 321 for eight and several thousand sets of fingers crossed that Leach and Anderson could linger long enough to see Foakes from 87 to 100.

He promptly stroked the first ball of the day for four and was five short of his landmark when Leach nicked Dilruwan Perera to slip. A nervy moment, perhaps, but one Foakes banished with two more boundaries, pulling Suranga Lakmal to fine leg then punching back down the ground to celebrate in style.

He was gone moments later but had already inked his name into the record books as Englands 20th debut centurion and just the second wicketkeeper, following Matt Prior in 2007.

The Sri Lanka innings was topped and tailed with a cluster of wickets, 42 for four in 19 overs before lunch and 67 for five in the 19 overs after tea.

What happened in the afternoon session was a cool-headed aberration as both Dinesh Chandimal (33) and Angelo Mathews (52) knuckled down. Only Foakes stumping of the former prevented England going wicketless for two hours.

Either side they batted raggedly. Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva both failed to see the shine off the ball, after which it was spin all the way.

Leachs nagging discipline earned him the scalps of Kusal Mendis and Perera, while Rashid was used more sparingly on his way to two for 30.

Moeen reaped the biggest rewards, though, bowling Dhananjaya de Silva on the sweep and getting the key scalp of Mathews with the first ball after tea.

By now in a groove, he tempted Niroshan Dickwella and Akila Dananjaya to give up catches in successive overs.The family of an Ulster Defence Regiment soldier killed in a bomb attack in Northern Ireland over 40 years ago has welcomed the arrest of John Downey.

Mr Downey was detained in Donegal in the Republic of Ireland by gardai on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The warrant related to three offences including a bomb in Co Fermanagh in 1972 which killed two Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) members.

Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston, 32, a father-of-four, and Private James Eames, 33, a father-of-three, died when an IRA bomb exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen, on August 25 1972.

Mr Downey, 66, was remanded in custody after he appeared before the High Court in Dublin on Tuesday as Northern Ireland prosecutors seek to extradite him to face murder charges.

Defence barrister Garnet Orange confirmed in court that Downey is contesting the application and is anxious to get bail.

He added that his client suffers from a medical condition and has a heart monitor fitted.

Downey will appear at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday for a bail application hearing.

The extradition hearing will take place on Friday November 23.

A spokesman for Mr Johnstons family said: John Downey has for a long period of time been suspected to have been involved in the murder of our father and his colleague on August 25 1972 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

Whilst we welcome any development into the investigation of our fathers murder, we would appreciate that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.

In 2013, Downey was charged with murdering four Royal Household Cavalrymen in a bomb in Londons Hyde Park in 1982.

The scene following the IRA car bomb blast in Hyde Park (PA)

He stood trial at the Old Bailey, but the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blairs government that he was not actively wanted by the authorities.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Runs (OTRs) scheme.

Mr Downey has always denied any involvement in the Hyde Park attack.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly criticised Downeys arrest as an act of gross bad faith.

At a cross-border policing conference in Newcastle, Co Down, Police Service of Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin was asked to respond to Sinn Feins claim that the arrest of Mr Downey represented a breach of the undertakings he had been given by the UK government on his status as an On The Run.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin speaking to the media during the conference (Brian Lawless/PA)

My job is to investigate crime, place people before the courts, Mr Martin replied.

This is a murder investigation, a European arrest warrant has a high degree of judicial oversight both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

But that question is about politics and that question is best answered by politicians.More than 6,000 crosses and commemorative markers have been planted at Cardiff Castle to create a Field of Remembrance.

Each carries a personal message in memory of servicemen and women who died during the First World War and other conflicts.

The field was opened during a service attended by dignitaries including Carwyn Jones, the first minister of Wales, and Terry Whittles, national chairman of the Royal British Legion.

Carwyn Jones, the first minister of Wales, attended the service at Cardiff Castle (Claire Hayhurst/PA)

It is one of six Royal British Legion Fields of Remembrance, with others in London, Belfast, Gateshead, Staffordshire and Royal Wootton Bassett.

There will be more than 100,000 tributes planted across the six sites, taking the form of a cross, Muslim Crescent, Star of David, Sikh Khanda, Hindu Om or a secular tribute.

Mr Whittles said the events are particularly significant this year with the centenary of the Armistice on Sunday.

It is also important that we remember those who were left behind, he said. In particular the women who worked in the factories and the mills, and that whole generation from the First World War who did so much for medicine, engineering and so on.

Thats why the Legion this year is asking people to not just remember those who died, but also those who helped throughout, including all the Commonwealth nations.

We have a thank you campaign in order to do that.

Each cross bears a personal message (Claire Hayhurst/PA)

Lance Corporal David Iveson, 32, from Cardiff, said he was very honoured to plant a cross in the field for his fallen friends.

L/Cpl Iveson was medically discharged from the Army after suffering back injuries when the vehicle he was travelling in hit a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2005.

To be able to plant a cross here is a great honour, he said.

Nigel Adams also attended the service, marking his first official engagement as UK Government minister for Wales.

In this centenary year it is more important than ever that we pause to think of every man and woman who has lived, fought and died defending our freedom, he said.The Kremlin has said Russia and the United States have agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid diverting attention from weekend commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the First World Wars end.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump expect to see each other briefly but will not have a full-scale meeting during the centenary Armistice Day events, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.

Mr Ushakov said France conveyed concern that a Putin-Trump summit would steal the limelight from the Paris observances.

The exact location where the November 11 1918 armistice was been signed in the forest of Compiegne, north of Paris (Thibault Camus/AP)i

Officials from the US and Russia decided to delay the meeting until the end of the month, when both leaders expect to attend a Group of 20 summit in Argentina.

Mr Trump said on Monday he probably would not be meeting with Mr Putin in Paris, but will meet with him during the G20.

United States National Security Adviser John Bolton (Emily Michot/Miami Herald/AP)

When US National Security Adviser John Bolton visited Moscow last month, he and Russian officials also talked about the presidents visiting each others countries, according to Mr Ushakov.

A possible exchange of visits to Moscow and Washington was discussed, but there was no specific talk about the issue yet, he added.

Mr Bolton said last month that Mr Putin was invited to visit Washington next year, but a date had not been set.The wife of a Utah mayor who died while serving in Kabul has received a letter from an Afghan military officer describing how her husband taught me to love my wife as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor, 39, was a major with Utah National Guard and helping to train local defence forces when he was killed on Saturday in what was thought to be an insider attack by a member of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

Now Major Abdul Rahman Rahmani, an Afghan pilot and Marine Corps University graduate who served alongside Taylor, has penned an open letter to his former colleagues wife Jennie, opening up about all he learned from her husband.

Dear Mrs. Taylor,

Maj Taylor was my friend. I wrote this letter for his family.

I hope this little contribution eases your pain.



Note: this letter was sent to his physical add by one my American mentors. I tried to email too but I failed to find her email. pic.twitter.com/28nH7o4W6D  Col Rahman Rahmani (@rahmanrahmanee) November 5, 2018

In it he described how knowing Taylor changed his relationship with his own wife.

He wrote: He was an inspiring man who loved you all. I remember him saying, Family is not something. It is everything.

You may or may not be aware of some of our cultural differences, but in Afghanistan family is not everything, for many of us, family are treated as property.

The body of Major Brent Taylor arrives back on US soil (Steve Ruark/AP)

Here, a woman cannot express herself fully, either inside or outside the house. Here, most families treat children unfairly.

Let me admit that, before I met Brent, even I did not think that women and men should be treated equally.

Your husband taught me to love my wife Hamida as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts, to be a better father, to be a better husband, and to be a better man.

He went on to describe Taylor as a great man and a true patriot.

He died on our soil but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both of our countries, Rahmani wrote.

The letter struck a chord online with many in the armed forces and beyond.

I never met MAJ Taylor or MAJ Rahmani, but over the years I have known many Coalition and Afghan soldiers just like them. While I mourn the loss of MAJ Taylor and hope for MAJ Rahmanis continued safety and success, I am grateful to have served alongside so many like them. https://t.co/8YCF9GAteW  Pete Monks (@Pete_in_Kabul) November 7, 2018

I want to share this on #ElectionDay. My brother was Major Brent Taylor's campaign manager & a close friend of Brent & his family. My sister grew up w/& is friend's w/Brent's wife. Brent was a great person. Thank you @rahmanrahmanee for this great tribute. #family #love #peace https://t.co/7ahOUa4OVz  Steve Gerritsen (@stevegerritsen) November 6, 2018

In his final Facebook post, Taylor encouraged everyone in America to go out and vote in the midterm elections.

Freedom: Millions Defy Taliban and Vote in Afghan Elections The secret to happiness is freedom And the secret to... Posted by Brent Taylor on Sunday, October 28, 2018

His body was repatriated on Tuesday and Jennie Taylor said: It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come back to US soil in a flag-draped casket on our election day.

It is timeless and cherished honour to serve in our countrys armed services. That honour has been Brents as he served in the Utah National Guard for the past 15 years. And it has been mine just as long as I have proudly stood by his side.Fifteen children as young as 12 and six adults were found inside a refrigerated lorry entering the UK, it is understood.

Thought to be from Vietnam, the group were found concealed in a shipment of sparkling water at the Port of Newhaven in Sussex on Thursday.

The children were cold but are said to have not needed medical treatment and have been taken into the care of social services.

The lorry was stopped on its arrival from the French port of Dieppe.

A Romanian man, believed to be the driver, was arrested and charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK.

Andrut Mihai Duma, 29, is being held in custody until a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on November 26.

UK Border Agency staff monitors lorries (PA)

A man aged 18 and a woman aged 27 have been removed from the UK, while the remaining four  a woman and three men  are at immigration detention centres.What is already the most diverse Congress ever will become even more so after elections which broke barriers of race and gender.

For the first time, a pair of Native American congresswomen are heading to the House, in addition to two Muslim congresswoman.

Massachusetts and Connecticut will also send black women to Congress as firsts for their states, while Arizona and Tennessee are getting their first female senators.

The high-profile midterm cycle that produced a record number of women contenders and candidates of colour means a number of winners will take office as trailblazers.

Sharice Davids won her race (Charlie Riedel/AP)

The inclusive midterm victories bode well for future election cycles, said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co-founder of Higher Heights For America, a national organisation focused on galvanising black women voters and electing black women as candidates.

This is going to be a long process to get us to a point of proportionate representation, but tonight is a giant step forward for what leadership can and will eventually look like in this country, Ms Peeler-Allen said.

She added that even women of colour who were unsuccessful will inspire a new crop of candidates, similar to the white women encouraged to run after Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential election loss.

Some of Tuesdays black female pioneers, like Illinois nurse and Democrat Lauren Underwood and Connecticut teacher and Democrat Jahana Hayes, were first-time candidates.

Ilhan Omar poses for selfies with supporters (Mark Vancleave/AP)

Others, like Massachusetts Ayanna Pressley, were political veterans. Most were considered long shots.

Several will represent districts that are majority white and that have been historically conservative, their victories a rejection of conventional wisdom on electability and the effects of gerrymandering that have historically assigned elected officials of colour to represent minority communities.

Ms Pressley, a Democrat and Boston city councilwoman, will represent Massachusetts Seventh Congressional District in the next Congress.

Ms Pressley stunned the political establishment in September, defeating a 10-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, and ran unopposed in the general.

Tonight, we reaffirm what makes Colorado the amazing state that it is.



Here, we dream, we dare, and we do. We embrace big ideas and we work sun-up to sundown to make them realities. We see the highest mountains and we climb them. We face the tough decisions and we solve them. pic.twitter.com/s5TgypKQs5  Jared Polis (@PolisForCO) November 7, 2018

None of us ran to make history, Ms Pressley told supporters in her acceptance speech Tuesday.

We ran to make change. However, the historical significance of this evening is not lost on me. The significance of history is not lost on me.

Half a century ago this week, New Yorks Shirley Chisholm was elected the first black woman in Congress, and several of the black women elected Tuesday have said their campaigns were inspired by her example.

Also in the House, Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress.

Marsha Blackburn greets supporters after she was declared the winner over Phil Bredesen in Tennessee (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids were elected the first two Native American women to serve in Congress.

Democrat Mike Espy, who will face Mississippi Republican Representative Cindy Hyde-Smith in a December runoff, could become the states first black senator since reconstruction.

And regardless of who wins in Arizonas competitive Senate race, the state will elect either Republican Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema as the states first woman to serve in the chamber.

Also in the Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessees first woman senator.

Georgia candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become Americas first black woman governor, while Democrat Andrew Gillum narrowly lost his bid to become the first black governor of Florida.

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan also lost her race to become the countrys first Native American governor.

In Colorado, Jared Polis will be the countrys first openly gay man elected governor.

In New Jersey, Democratic Governor Jim McGreevy, elected in 2001, had been outed as gay while in office.The discovery of a mans body on a footpath has sparked a murder inquiry.

The body of 27-year-old Darren Sinclair was found by a member of the public in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow on Tuesday.

Police were called to the path near Kinfauns Drive at around 7.45am that day, where they cordoned off the area.

Officers had described the death as unexplained but confirmed they are now treating it as murder, following the results of a post-mortem examination.

They believe the answer to solving the crime lies in the local community, as they sought information on Mr Sinclairs last-known movements.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell, of Police Scotlands major investigation team, said: The family of Darren Sinclair have been left absolutely devastated by his death and it is vital that anyone with information which could help us provide them with answers comes forward.

Police are treating the death of Darren Sinclair as murder (Joe Giddens/PA)

At this stage we are looking to speak to anyone who has knowledge of Mr Sinclairs movements. He was last seen near to the Drumchapel Shopping Centre around 11.30pm on Monday evening and he was discovered shortly before 8am on Tuesday. Where was he during this time?

I am also appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Kinfauns Drive on Monday evening into Tuesday morning, and who may have seen or heard anything at all suspicious, to please get in touch.

The force said it is carrying out extensive inquiries, including examining CCTV footage and speaking to local residents and those connected to Mr Sinclair.

Mr Bell continued: No matter how insignificant you think your information may be, let us be the judge of that, as even the slightest detail could help us form a picture of the circumstances surrounding Mr Sinclairs death.

I am convinced that the answer to this dreadful crime lies within the heart of the Drumchapel community. It is imperative that members of the public come forward and provide us with the information we need to find answers for Mr Sinclairs family.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the team on the 101 number, quoting incident number 0602 from Tuesday.

The incident room can also be contacted on 0141 305 4550, while Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.India was divided in 1947  and Pakistan was formally carved out on August 14, 1947, all in the name of religious hatred. After Pakistan emerged on the map of the world, it started promoting religious terrorism in the region and globally as well. At some point or the other, the entire worlds top most wanted terrorists have had connections, or have been stationed, in Pakistan.

Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar, Mullah Mansoor, Hafiz Saeed, released Taliban leader Mullah Baradar and other terrorists found sanctuary in Pakistan under the protection of its army. The country is the second home to many of the world's religious terrorists because Pakistani military and intelligence  as well as the majority of Punjabis there  believe that the country has come into existence in the name of religion, so the protection of religious jihadist extremists is their duty and in their national interest.

Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar, Mullah Mansoor, Hafiz Saeed and other terrorists have found sanctuary in Pakistan. (Photo: Reuters)

Over the years, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan has fully supported "Kashmiri militants" and leaders who demand independence from India. From 1989 to 1999, the Pakistani state fully supported rebelling Kashmiris. During this period, thousands of Indian security personnel were killed by militants, and many more Kashmiri and Indian civilians also targeted by Pakistan-backed militants. Their actions established a reign of fear - and drove out the majority of Hindus from the valley.

The interesting thing is that in 1996, Baloch patriotic leader Hyrbyair Marri laid the foundation of the current Baloch freedom movement. For the first time in Baloch history, this saw the Baloch movement spread from Kohistan Marri area to Gwadar, Balochistan. People from across the region and from all walks of life contributed to the Baloch movement. A state minister from Balochistan, Hyrbyair Marri belongs to Kohistan Marri which has huge reserves of gas, oil and others mineral resources, all which he could have used for his own gain. Yet, he left his luxurious life and started the current Baloch movement.

A man who is trustworthy, extremely honest and loyal to the Balochi cause. Heroic and uncompromising, Marri enjoys the support of the entire Baloch nation. Even to the Pakistanis, it has always been clear that getting their hands on Khair Bakhsh Marri and Hyrbyair Marri is almost impossible.

Hyrbyair Marri laid the foundation of the current Baloch freedom movement. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

One of Pakistan's top politicians, Hasil Khan Bezanjo, informed the Pakistani parliament and military that they cannot bring Hyrbyair Marri to the negotiations table. The Pakistanis know that the movement Hyrbyair Marri started has totally disturbed Pakistan because it was this movement that encouraged towering Baloch leaders, like Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, to also join in.

A man who lived like a king in Dera Bugti, Akbar Khan left all things for the Baloch cause  and eventually embraced martyrdom for the dream of a free Balochistan.

His murder by Pakistan was a turning point. It showed the youth that if Nawab Bugti, at the age of 80, can sacrifice his life for the Baloch cause, then they can too.

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was one of the biggest leaders to have joined the Baloch freedom movement. (Photo: Reuters)

Hyrbyair Marri's brother, Balach Marri, who was a member of the Balochistan assembly, is another such figure who left a comfortable life to join the Baloch freedom movement. He also embraced martyrdom to further the cause of the Balochistan liberation struggle.

BNM leader Ghulam Muhammad was an ordinary man who embarked on an extraordinary journey of galvanising and organising Baloch people in support of Balochistans independence. Pakistani forces, it is said, abducted him along with his friends Lala Munir and Sher Mohammad Baloch from their lawyers office; their tortured dead bodies were found after seven days.

The Balochistan freedom struggle has also indirectly impacted the Kashmir issue.

In 2004 when Pakistan's military leadership was engaged in fighting against Nawab Akbar Khan and Balach Marri, top advisors on Kashmir apparently requested General Parvez Musharraf to divert Pakistans attention from Kashmir to Baluchistan and solve the Baloch issue first, or risk it festering and affecting the Kashmir movement.

According to some Pakistani military analysts, they worked out many fronts to counter the Baloch movement. ISI, through its puppets and undercover agents, attempted to divide the Baloch people on the basis of caste, class and tribe.

Many are systematically confused by the anti-Baloch freedom struggle campaign of ISI and its hirelings. (Photo: PTI)

Yet, those who were involved in the movement did not fall into the trap of these infiltrators  and Pakistan's false propaganda  but some Indians were confused and misled by the anti-Baloch freedom struggle campaign of the ISI and its hirelings.

Hence, there are some Indians who wrongfully believe that the Baloch are divided. But, even if they are, the important question is, who is attempting to divide the Balochis?

The main political stakeholders of the current Baloch struggle are Hyrbyair Marri, Brahumdagh Bugti and his Baloch Republican Party and Khalil Baloch. The weakening of any of these three major faces  and their parties  would be tantamount to the weakening of the Baloch struggle.

Yes, there might be some differences on different issues, but the fact remains that all of us are united on the question of Balochistans independence.

The irony is when there are differences of opinion in Europe  and other countries  the contradictions are called the "beauty of democracy". Yet, when that ''beauty of democracy'' comes to Balochistan, it gets called ''lack of unity''?

If Pakistan and China succeed in their plans of suppressing the Baloch liberation movement it would have devastating effects. (Photo: AP)

Even in the Pakistani side of Kashmir, there exist many parties with differing opinions, but the Pakistani state has never made the same excuse there. Even as the Pakistani government goes on to support the Kashmiri cause at the UN and other international forums, it used the same reasons to attack the Baloch movement.

Pakistan's former military generals and others have debated that if Pakistan succeeds in weakening the Baloch movement, not only will they be able to take control of Afghanistan through their proxies, but also be able to tackle the Kashmir issue more effectively. Thats why they are apparently making a scheme of bringing millions of Chinese and Punjabis to Gwadar, to totally destroy the Baloch and gain superiority over the area with the help of China.

If Pakistan and China succeed in their plans of suppressing the Baloch liberation movement, it would not only be disastrous for Balochistan but will also have devastating effects on the US, Afghanistan and India.

Through their proxy Taliban and other religious extremists, they will take control of Afghanistan, counter India through Kashmiri militants and weaken the US influence in the region with the Chinese influx in Gwadar.

China already plans to build a naval base inside a gated city and eventually take control of the Strait of Hormuz. Once China gets a stronghold in Gwadar, it will easily control the Chabahar port as well.

Thats why Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri rightly said that a stronger Baloch movement and an independent Baloch state can guarantee peace in the region and help get rid of Pakistans infiltration in Afghanistan and its international bullying and blackmailing tactics.

Also read: How Pakistan is splitting from deep withinKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Davos world economic forum was undermining itself by not allowing Russian businessmen Oleg Deripaska, Viktor Vekselberg and Andrei Kostin to attend.

The Davos forum became the Davos forum thanks to such businessmen. By rejecting such businessmen, the forum is hacking its own base," Reuters cited Peskov as saying.

The Financial Times reported yesterday that the men had been told to stay away from the event in January amid wariness over dealing with businessmen under sanctions from Washington.Normal life was thrown out of gear in poll-bound Mizoram on Tuesday as a collective of NGOs organised a state-wide protest against the removal of Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

The state's apex organisation of civil societies and student bodies  Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (MNCC)  is demanding the removal of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S.B. Shashank, after the latter ordered last week Chuaungo's removal.

Thousands of people held a peaceful protest in front of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Aizawl.

According to an official of the State Election Commission, Shashank last week removed the Principal Secretary (Home) from his post for "dereliction of duty and interference in election process".

"The Election Commission in its order said that if Chuaungo continues to hold his post, it would have an adverse effect on the conduct of a smooth, free and fair election in the state," the official said, quoting the poll panel order.

The CEO in his report to the Election Commission reportedly said that Chuaungo, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was creating obstacles so that Reang tribals, sheltered in Tripura for over 21 years, could not vote in the November 28 polls to constitute the 40-member Assembly.

A three-member Election Commission team, comprising Jharkhand CEO L. Khiangte, Election Commission Director Nikhil Kumar and Commission Secretary S.B. Joshi, arrived here on Tuesday to deal with the situation.

Most markets, shops and business establishments remained shut and private as well as passenger vehicles remained off the roads in support of the protests.

A senior police official said that attendance in government offices and banks was also low. "No untoward incident was, however, reported from anywhere in the state."

Christian-dominated Mizoram is the only state ruled by the Congress in northeast India that comprises eight States.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh strongly opposed the Election Commission's order removing Chuaungo.

The 35,000 Reang tribals, taking shelter in Tripura for over 21 years, have demanded setting up of polling stations in refugee camps so that they could cast their votes.

The Reang tribal refugees, comprising 5,907 families, fled Mizoram and have been staying in Tripura's Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions since October 1997 following ethnic tension after a Mizo forest official was killed.

Among the refugees, just over 11,000 are eligible to vote in the Mizoram elections.

Meanwhile, Mizoram CEO Shashank said in Aizawl that he never had any intention to hurt the sentiments of the local people.

"I strictly went by the rules and the Election Commission's guidelines," the CEO told reporters.

Mizoram Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J.V. Hluna on Monday wrote to Modi, seeking his intervention to restore normalcy in the state before the polls.

The two main political parties in the state - the Congress and the BJP - are also supporting the protests spearheaded by the MNCC.RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav, who met his father Lalu Prasad in Ranchi on Saturday regarding his decision to divorce his wife, did not return here as expected but left mid-way for an unknown destination, sources close to the family said Tuesday.

Yadav had met his father for a couple of hours at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Ranchi, where the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo is lodged in custody in connection with a fodder scam case, Saturday and checked in at a Bodh Gaya hotel Sunday night, local MLA Kumar Sarvjeet said.

He left the hotel Monday afternoon, saying he was going to Patna, Sarvjeet added.

"I met Yadav, along with other party leaders, over dinner Sunday. He was looking exhausted. He bade us goodbye Monday, saying he was returning home. I have the knowledge of his movements only till his departure from the Royal Residency hotel," the MLA told PTI over phone.

The mercurial elder son of Prasad and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, however, was yet to reach Patna, his family sources said.

Yadav had told reporters after meeting Prasad that he stood by his decision to give divorce to his wife of six months, Aishwarya Rai.

"No person can live a stifled life," he had said.

Yadav is said to be fond of visiting places of pilgrimage like Vrindavan and Varanasi for spiritual solace and one of his grouses against his wife is that she has not been able to adjust to his way of life.

Yadav, a former Bihar health minister, had recently spent a number of days in Vrindavan, where he was reportedly seen playing a flute with a peacock feather tied to his head in the midst of a herd of cows.

Neither Aishwarya, who is the daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai and granddaughter of former Bihar chief minister Daroga Prasad Rai, nor any member of her family has spoken on the matter so far.UP CM doesnt speak about Lord Rams statue or Ram Mandir

Without making any reference to Ram temple construction, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Faizabad district would be renamed as Ayodhya while the new medical college would be named after Raja Dashrath. He also announced setting up of an airport in Ayodhya which will be named after Maryada Purshottam Ram.

When Yogi started his speech during Deepotsava, the air was pregnant with expectations that he might make an announcement about construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. A day earlier he had said in Haridwar that he will make a big announcement in Ayodhya. People were also expecting him to say something about construction of the proposed statue of Lord Ram which is expected to come up on the banks of river Saryua.

But, the Chief Minister preferred to stay away from making any contentious announcements. In his oblique reference to the aspirations of the people, he said, I know what whole of Ayodhya wants. I want to assure you that no injustice will be done to Ayodhya.

It is believed that when he talked about aspirations he meant construction of Ram temple because a delegation of sants had closed-door meeting with the Chief Minister when he arrived in Ayodhya. When Yogi started his speech a sadhu came and gave a paper slip to him which people thought contained what sadhus wanted the Chief Minister to say.

During the speech, people raised slogans demanding construction of Ram temple immediately. Yogi ek kaam karo, Ram mandir ka nirman karo, was the slogan raised by the crowd. But Yogi preferred a middle path asking people to listen to him.

In his about 20-minute speech, he declared that Faizabad district will be renamed as Ayodhya as no one can compromise with the prestige of this place.

He also declared that the medical college, which is under construction, will be known as Raja Dashrath Medical College while the airport will be named after Lord Ram. The Chief Minister even said Ram ki pauri in Ayodhya will be developed like Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar and no nullah will be allowed to directly throw its effluent in Saryu river. He also talked about a Government plan of underground cabling.

When we talk about Lord Ram, one conjures up an image of Ram Rajya. In the last four and a half years, the Narendra Modi Government has worked to bring Ram Rajya.

Policies have been launched under which 36 crore bank accounts have been opened for the poor people in which over Rs 86,000 cr has been deposited. Under Aayushman Bharat scheme, the poor are given free health care while they are also given free electric and gas connections. This is what is a Ram Rajya where all the people are getting benefits from the State, he said.

He said the Prime Minister has proposed a Ramayana Circuit starting from Janakpuri to Sri Lanka. This circuit would be the embodiment of Indias policy that it wants peace.

Earlier in the day, he inaugurated projects worth Rs 176 cr for twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad. Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik, Governor of Bihar Lalji Tandon and MoS External Affairs Gen (retd) VK Singh also spoke on the occasion.To ensure effective patrolling, quicker response to distress calls specially in galis that are congested and localities that are unsafe for women; Delhi Police on Tuesday launched 300 modified Raftaar motorcycles for patrolling. The motorcycles were showcased in a function that was held near India Gate and was launched by Rajnath Singh, Home Minister of India in the presence of Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. In order to enhance the utility of the 2028 motorcycles that was allotted to different districts in Delhi, the Delhi Police decided to refurbish and modernise 300 of these motorcycles from all police stations.After over two weeks of operation, a team of experts finally tranquilised Royal Bengal Tigress Sundari near Majhipada village under the Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district on Tuesday.

This was informed by local Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Suvendu Behera.

The experts, including officials from Nandankanan Zoo and Satkosia, shot the tranquiliser at the big cat while riding atop elephant Yashoda, which was brought from the Chandaka forest for the purpose.

Further efforts were on to take Sundari into an enclosure before being likely to be shifted to the Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar.

Forest officials blocked the road near Pampasar to avoid disruption by villagers during the shifting of the tigress.

Sundari was relocated from Madhya Pradeshs Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to the Satkosia wildlife sanctuary on June 28 as part of an inter-State transfer project to increase the big cat population in Odisha.

However, Satkosia locals have been demanding shifting of the tigress from the forest after it killed a woman and a man and a cow in the villages in the Satkosia Forest Division.4 hours ago

Here's Why Black Friday May Come Early For Dicks Sporting Goods

DKS stock looks ready to move higher Dicks Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) will give investors one of the last data points to consider before Black Friday when it reports earnings on November 23.

Read ArticleTerrorist groups defeated in Syria are creating recruitment networks and sleeper cells in other countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting of the heads of intelligence services, security and law enforcement agencies.

"Having suffered a military defeat in Syria, terrorist groups are creating new footholds, recruitment networks and sleeper cells in other countries, continuing to take advantage of the persisting disunity of the global community and the fact that far from all states took the necessary legislative and law enforcement measures at the national level," the minister said

According to Lavrov, the capabilities of criminal groups in Syria and Iraq to regularly replenish their budget have been seriously undermined.

The top diplomat highlighted that the terrorists resistance "has not been broken completely." "One of the reasons is the ongoing external material support for radicals, including with arms," TASS cited him as saying.

"Russia repeatedly pointed to this problem. We will continue to consistently work to consolidate cooperation in this important area," the minister concluded.Symrise AG develops, produces, and supplies fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials, and functional ingredients. It operates through three segments: Scent & Care, Flavor, and Nutrition. The Scent & Care segment develops, produces, and sells fragrance ingredients and compositions, cosmetic ingredients, and mint flavors, as well as specific application processes for such substances. This segment's products are used by manufacturer of perfumes, personal care and cosmetic products, cleaning products, detergents, air fresheners, and oral care products. The Flavor segment provides flavors and functional ingredients used in the production of foods, beverages, and health products. The Nutrition segments offers tailored solutions from natural raw materials for use in foods, beverages, pet foods, and aquacultures. It operates in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Symrise AG was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Holzminden, Germany.

Read MoreThere is not enough analysis data for Hudson's Bay.

4.3 Community Rank

Outperform Votes Hudson's Bay has received 521 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes Hudson's Bay has received 295 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment Hudson's Bay has received 63.85% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Hudson's Bay and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe HBC will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe HBC will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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NextThere is not enough analysis data for Northstar Realty Europe.

4.5 Community Rank

Outperform Votes Northstar Realty Europe has received 195 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes Northstar Realty Europe has received 89 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment Northstar Realty Europe has received 68.66% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Northstar Realty Europe and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe NRE will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe NRE will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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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The United States imposes sanctions on other countries solely to solve its domestic political problems, Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

"It is obvious that all sorts of sanctions, talks about sanctions against Iran, sanctions against the Russian Federation, restrictions on supplies and duties against the EU, China are made in order to solve domestic political problems," TASS cited him as saying.

"This is quite bad, because it undermines the international regime, we talked about it here in China. President of China Xi Jinping talked about it, I talked about it - at the moment, there is practically a time bomb under the WTO regime," Medvedev added.The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited.The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: Accelerated Production Systems, Acme Elevator, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Advansor Germany GmbH, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International, Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Auto Glanz Solutions LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., BSC Filters Limited, Background2 Limited, Belanger, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., Blackmer, BlitzRotary GmbH, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CDS Visual, CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression BV, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DESTACO UK Limited, DFH Corporation, DFS Netherlands B.V., DSR BZ Holdings LLC, Datamax International Corp, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover CR spol s r.o., Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Products Segment Inc., Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings, Dover France Participations, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover Imaging & Identification Segment Inc., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International Ventures Tunisia S.a.r.l., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dresser Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty. Ltd., Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty. Ltd., Em-tec, Espy, Ettlinger, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries, Gala Kunststoff-und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems Company, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Hydronova Australia-NZ Pty Ltd, Industrial Motion Control LLC, Innovative Control Systems, Innovative Control Systems Inc., Inpro/Seal LLC, JK Group, JK Group S.P.A., JK Group USA Inc., K S Boca Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Knowles Electronics, LIQAL, Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MAAG, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM-IMAJE Corporation, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions, MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag Automatik GmbH, Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Gala Inc., Maag Italy S.R.L., Maag Pump Systems, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Reduction Inc., Maag Service (Malaysia) Sdn. Bdn., Maag Systems (Thailand) Limited, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje - Unipessoal Lda, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Philippines Corporation, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l., Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Singapore Pte. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International, OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluid Transfer Solutions (Jiang Su) Co. Ltd., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing, PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSD Codax Holdings Limited, PSD Codax Limited, PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG California LLC, PSG Germany GmbH, Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Production Control Services, Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario, Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser, Solaris Laser S.A., Somero Enterprises, Sound Solutions, Space S.R.L., Spirit, Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions, Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., Systech GB Limited, Systech Shanghai Consulting Company Limited, TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Triton Systems, Tulsa Winch Inc., UPCO Inc., US Synthetic, Unattended Payment Solutions LLC, Unified Brands, Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vehicle Service Group UK Limited, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., WSCR Corp., Warn Automotive LLC, Warn Industries, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems, Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., WellMark, XanTec Steuerungs- und EDV-Technik GmbH, and em-tec GmbH.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 U.S. has approved a sanctions exemption for the development of Irans Chabahar Port, arguing the exemption will help grow Afghanistans economy.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the exception after the administration on Monday reimposed the last batch of sanctions that had previously been lifted as part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

After extensive consideration, the secretary has provided for an exception from the imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) with respect to the development of Chabahar Port and the construction of an associated railway and for the shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistans use, as well as Afghanistans continued imports of Iranian petroleum products, the Hill cited the State Department spokesperson as saying.

The presidents South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistans economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India. We seek to build on our close relationships with both countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regimes destabilizing policies in the region and beyond," the State Department spokesperson added.

India is also one of eight countries that received waivers for oil sanctions that were reimposed Monday. The others are China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.Truist Financial Corp. operates as a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking services to individuals, businesses and municipalities. The firm offers a variety of loans and lease financing to individuals and entities, including insurance premium financing, permanent commercial real estate financing arrangements, loan servicing for third-party investors, direct consumer finance loans to individuals, credit card lending, automobile financing and equipment financing. It also markets a range of other services, including deposits, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, health Truist Financial Corp. operates as a financial holding company. It engages in the provision of banking services to individuals, businesses and municipalities. The company operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth; Corporate and Commercial Banking; and Insurance Holdings. The firm offers a variety of loans and lease financing to individuals and entities, including insurance premium financing, permanent commercial real estate financing arrangements, loan servicing for third-party investors, direct consumer finance loans to individuals, credit card lending, automobile financing and equipment financing. It also markets a range of other services, including deposits, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, health insurance and commercial general liability insurance on an agency basis and through a wholesale insurance brokerage operation, merchant services, trust and retirement services, comprehensive wealth advisory services, asset management and capital markets services. The company was founded on December 6, 2019 and is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. insurance and commercial general liability insurance on an agency basis and through a wholesale insurance brokerage operation, merchant services, trust and retirement services, comprehensive wealth advisory services, asset management and capital markets services. The company was founded on December 6, 2019 and is headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

Read MoreBuckeye Partners, L.P. owns and operates liquid petroleum products pipelines in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Domestic Pipelines & Terminals, Global Marine Terminals, and Merchant Services. The Domestic Pipelines & Terminals segment transports liquid petroleum products, including gasoline, jet fuel, and various distillates. This segment also provides crude oil services, including train loading/unloading, storage, and throughput; and turn-key operations and maintenance, asset development, and construction services for third-party pipeline, terminal, and energy assets, as well as operates and/or maintains third-party pipelines. It owns and operates approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline located primarily in the northeastern and upper midwestern portions of the United States, and services 100 delivery locations; 110 active terminals that provide bulk storage and throughput services with aggregate storage capacity of 55 million barrels; and 2 underground propane storage caverns. The Global Marine Terminals segment provides marine accessible bulk storage and blending, rail and truck rack loading/unloading, and petroleum processing services located primarily in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, as well as in the Caribbean. This segment owns and operates seven liquid petroleum products and crude oil terminals. The Merchant Services segment is involved in the wholesale distribution of refined petroleum products, including gasoline, natural gas liquids, propane, ethanol, and biodiesel, as well as petroleum distillates, such as heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil. This segment also provides fuel oil supply, butane, and distribution services. Buckeye GP LLC serves as the general partner of the company. Buckeye Partners, L.P. was founded in 1886 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Alamo Solar LLC, Align RNG Arizona LLC, Align RNG Arizona-Snowflake LLC, Align RNG California LLC, Align RNG California-Corcoran LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG Magnolia LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG North Carolina-Bowdens LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Azalea Solar LLC, BOE Holdings Inc., Blackville Solar Farm LLC, Blue Ocean Energy Marine LLC, BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar CT Inc., BrightSuite Solar SC Inc., BrightSuite Solar VA Inc., Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA CO-Fort Morgan LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Idaho LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Texas LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CEA TX-Dimmitt LLC, CID Solar LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Catalina Solar 2 LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cottonwood Solar LLC, Cove Point LNG LP, Cove Point LNG Limited, DE Arlington Solar LLC, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE Henrico Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Louisa Solar LLC, DE Newport News Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, DE Virginia Beach Solar LLC, DECP Holdings Inc., Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Dairy RNG NY LLC, Dairy RNG NY-Curtin LLC, Dairy RNG OH LLC, Denmark Solar LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Overthrust Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Services Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization Maryland LLC, Dominion Privatization Pennsylvania LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Construction and Maintenance LLC, Dominion Solar Gen-Tie LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings I LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings II LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings III LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects A Inc., Dominion Solar Projects B Inc., Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects I Inc., Dominion Solar Projects II Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., ESCT-SA-Suffield LLC, Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Enterprise Solar LLC, Escalante Solar I LLC, Escalante Solar II LLC, Escalante Solar III LLC, Four Brothers Solar LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings LLC, Granite Mountain Solar East LLC, Granite Mountain Solar West LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Hardin Solar Energy LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Imperial Valley Solar Company (IVSC) 2 LLC, Indy Solar Development LLC, Indy Solar I LLC, Indy Solar II LLC, Indy Solar III LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Iron Springs Holdings LLC, Iron Springs Solar LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Maricopa West Solar PV LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mulberry Farm LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, Pavant Solar LLC, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, QPC Holding Company LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Energy Services Inc., Questar Field Services LLC, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company, Questar White River Hub LLC, RE Adams East LLC, RE Camelot LLC, RE Columbia Two LLC, RE Kansas LLC, RE Kent South LLC, RE Old River One LLC, Richland Solar Center LLC, Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, SBL Holdco LLC, SCANA, SCANA Communications Holdings Inc., SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Energy Marketing LLC, SCANA Pharmacy LLC, SRFI LLC, Scana Corporation, Scott-II Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Selmer Farm LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Sol Madison Solar LLC, Somers Solar Center LLC, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, Sussex Drive Solar Project LLC, TA - Acacia LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Trask East Solar LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 201 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings LLC, and Yemassee Solar LLC.Washington

In a decision that could affect the nations very smallest school districts, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 applies to all political subdivisions, no matter how many employees they have.

The 8-0 decision rejects an argument that the ADEAs provision applying the law to private employers with 20 or more workers should also be read to apply to public employers.

Writing for the court in Mount Lemmon Fire District v. Guido (Case No. 17-587), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the ADEA establishes separate categories: persons engaged in an industry affecting commerce with 20 or more employees; and states or political subdivisions with no attendant numerosity limitation.

Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who had not yet been confirmed when the court heard arguments on Oct. 1, took no part in the case.

Most school districts tend to be quite large employers in their communities. But some regular districts with fewer than 20 employees likely exist, as do certain administrative or special-purpose school districts that may have light employment rosters.

It is now clear that any such district is subject to the ADEA, which prohibits discrimination against employees age 40 or above in hiring and other employment decisions.

The case before the high court involved the Mount Lemmon Fire District in Arizona, an 11-employee agency that in 2009 laid off its two oldest firefighters, then age 56 and 46, in a budget crisis. The employees sued under the ADEA, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, in San Francisco, sided with them that the language of the statute should be read to group public employers apart from the definition of private ones, for whom the 20-employee threshold applies.

Because different federal courts of appeals have interpreted the language differently, the Supreme Court took up the fire districts appeal.

Ginsburg noted that public employers were initially excluded from coverage of both the ADEA and the earlier, broader anti-discrimination law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Congress extended Title VII to public employers in 1972, and it provided the same threshold enjoyed by private employers under that law: Only those with at least 15 employees are covered, she noted.

In 1974, Congress amended the ADEA to cover state and local governments, but did so by adding them as a separate category of employer in the law, rather than adding them to the further language defining employer as a person engaged in commerce with 20 or more employees. (Though employers read the statutory language differently, leading to the dispute the court decided on Tuesday.)

In the same 1974 enactment, Ginsburg noted, Congress extended the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to all government employers, regardless of size.

In a seven-page opinion that is heavy on interpretation of the language of the various statutes, Ginsburg said the fair reading of the 1974 amendment to the ADEA was to treat public employers as a separate category of employer not subject to the 20-employee threshold.

The Fire District presses the argument that the ADEA should be interpreted in line with Title VII, which ... applies to state and local governments only if they meet a numerosity specification, Ginsburg said. True, reading the ADEA as written to apply to states and political subdivisions regardless of size gives the ADEA, in this regard, a broader reach than Title VII. But this disparity is a consequence of the different language Congress chose to employ.

Ginsburg dismissed the fire districts argument that exposing small local government agencies to liability under the age-discrimination law would risk curtailment of vital public services.

Experience suggests otherwise, she said. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has interpreted the ADEA to apply to small agencies for some 30 years, she said, and a majority of the states forbid age discrimination by political subdivisions of any size.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. Bhd., Bard Shannon Limited, Bard Singapore Private Limited, Bard Sourcing Office Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bard Sweden AB, Bard UK Newco Limited, Bard de Espana S.A., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Management Limited, Becton Dickinson (Mauritius) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Pty) Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Thailand) Limited, Becton Dickinson A.G., Becton Dickinson A/S, Becton Dickinson Argentina S.R.L., Becton Dickinson Asia Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Asia Limited, Becton Dickinson Austria GmbH, Becton Dickinson Austria Holdings GmbH, Becton Dickinson B.V., Becton Dickinson B.V. Saudi Limited Company, Becton Dickinson Benelux N.V., Becton Dickinson Biosciences Systems and Reagents Inc., Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Becton Dickinson Caribe Ltd., Becton Dickinson Croatia d.o.o., Becton Dickinson Czechia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Dispensing Belgium BVBA, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Denmark A/S, Becton Dickinson Dispensing France SAS, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Norway, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Spain S.L.U., Becton Dickinson Dispensing UK Ltd., Becton Dickinson Distribution Center N.V., Becton Dickinson East Africa Ltd., Becton Dickinson Euro Finance Sarl, Becton Dickinson Europe Holdings S.A.S., Becton Dickinson France S.A.S., Becton Dickinson GSA Beteilgungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings I Inc., Becton Dickinson Global Holdings II LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings IV LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings V LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VI LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Services Centre Sdn. Bdn., Becton Dickinson GmbH, Becton Dickinson Guatemala S.A., Becton Dickinson Hellas S.A., Becton Dickinson Holdings Limited, Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Hungary Kft., Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, Becton Dickinson Industrias Cirurgicas Ltda., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Holdings UK Limited, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc. 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.There is not enough analysis data for BlueRock Diamonds.

4.8 Community Rank

Outperform Votes BlueRock Diamonds has received 123 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes BlueRock Diamonds has received 46 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment BlueRock Diamonds has received 72.78% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlueRock Diamonds and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BRD will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BRD will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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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..Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. provides various financial products and services primarily in Italy. It operates through Banca dei Territori, IMI Corporate & Investment Banking, International Subsidiary Banks, Asset Management, Private Banking, and Insurance segments. The company offers lending and deposit products; corporate, investment banking, and public finance services; industrial credit, factoring, and leasing services; asset management solutions; life and non-life insurance products; and bancassurance and pension fund, and fiduciary services. It also provides consumer credit, e-money, and payment systems; wealth management and private banking services. The company serves individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, non-profit entities, corporates and financial institutions, private clients and high net worth individuals, institutional counterparties, and other customers. The company is headquartered in Turin, Italy.

Read MoreBT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreInvesco Senior Loan ETF's stock was trading at $20.75 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, BKLN stock has increased by 6.4% and is now trading at $22.08.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Zalando SE operates as an online fashion and lifestyle retailer. It offers a range of products, including shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and children, as well as free delivery and returns services. The company also sells its products through its Zalando Lounge; and brick-and-mortar stores in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Hamburg, Hanover, MAnster, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Ulm. It serves in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has a strategic partnership with Sephora SAS to create the online prestige beauty destination. Zalando SE was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest  Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16  Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets).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Total Energy Services Inc. provides various products and services to the oil and natural gas industry primarily in Canada, the United States, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Contract Drilling Services, Rentals and Transportation Services, Compression and Process Services and Well Servicing. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers contract drilling services to oil and gas exploration and development companies. As of December 31, 2020, it operated a total fleet of 98 drilling rigs. The Rentals and Transportation Services segment provides drilling, completion and production rental equipment, and oilfield transportation services in western Canada and in the United States. This segment owned and operated a fleet of 87 heavy trucks. The Compression and Process Services segment offers gas compression services; and designs and packages skid style compressors and proprietary trailer-mounted compressors under the NOMAD brand in Canada and the United States, the European Union, Australia, and Mexico. It had 54,800 horsepower of compression in its rental fleet. The Well Servicing segment offers well services. This segment operated a total fleet of 83 well servicing rigs across Western Canada, mid-western United States, and Australia. It has a strategic alliance with Pason Systems Inc. to develop and deploy drilling automation and optimization technologies. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of General Motors: 2140879 Ontario Inc., ACAR Leasing, ACAR Leasing Ltd., ACF Investment, ACF Investment Corp., AFS SenSub, APGO Trust, Adam Opel, Adam Opel GmbH, Aftermarket (UK), AmeriCredit, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan Company Inc., AmeriCredit Financial Services, AmeriCredit Financial Services Inc., AmeriCredit Funding, AmeriCredit Syndicated Warehouse Trust, Annunciata Corporation, Argonaut Holdings, Argonaut Holdings LLC, BOCO (Proprietary), BOCO (Proprietary) Limited, Banco GMAC, Banco GMAC S.A., Baylis (Gloucester), Boco Trust, Boden Brussels, CHEVYPLAN, CHEVYPLAN S.A. Sociedad Administradora de Planes de Autofinanciamiento Comercial, Cadillac, Cadillac Europe, Cadillac Europe GmbH, Carve-Out Ownership, Carve-Out Ownership Cooperative LLC, Chevrolet Deutschland GmbH, Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited, Chevrolet Sales India, Chevrolet Sales India Private Ltd., Chevrolet Sociedad Anonima de Ahorro para Fines Determinados, Controladora General Motors, Controladora General Motors S.A. de C.V., Cruise, DCJ1, DCJ1 LLC, DMAX, DMAX Ltd., Dealership Liquidations, Dealership Liquidations Inc., Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK, Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK Overseas Corporation, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), FAW-GM, Fundacion Chevrolet, G.M.A.C., GCAR Titling Ltd., GM (UK) Pension, GM (UK) Pension Trustees Limited, GM APO Holdings, GM Administradora de Bens, GM Administradora de Bens Ltda., GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters Ltd., GM Auslandsprojekte, GM Automotive, GM Automotive Services Belgium, GM CME, GM Canada Holdings, GM Canada Limited, GM Components Holdings, GM Components Holdings LLC, GM Cruise, GM Cruise Holdings LLC, GM Cruise LLC, GM Defense, GM Eurometals, GM Eurometals Inc., GM Europe Treasury, GM Finance, GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, GM Financial, GM Financial AB, GM Financial Canada, GM Financial Canada Leasing, GM Financial Canada Leasing Ltd., GM Financial Colombia Holdings LLC, GM Financial Colombia S.A. Compania de Financiamiento, GM Financial Consumer, GM Financial Consumer Discount, GM Financial Consumer Discount Company, GM Financial Del Peru, GM Financial GmbH, GM Financial Holdings LLC, GM Financial Insurance Services, GM Financial Mexico Holdings, GM Financial Mexico Holdings LLC, GM Financial Real Estate, GM Financial de Mexico, GM Financial de Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.R., GM Financial del Peru S.A.C, GM Global Business Services, GM Global Propulsion Systems -Torino S.r.l., GM Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, GM Global Technology Operations, GM Global Technology Operations LLC, GM Global Tooling, GM Global Tooling Company LLC, GM Global Treasury Centre Limited, GM Holden, GM Holden Pty Ltd., GM Holdings U.K. No.1 Limited, GM Inversiones Santiago Limitada, GM Investment Trustees Limited, GM Korea, GM Korea Company, GM LAAM Holdings, GM LAAM Holdings LLC, GM Mexico Holdings, GM Mobility Europe GmbH, GM PSA Purchasing Services, GM Personnel Services, GM Personnel Services Inc., GM Philippines Inc., GM Plats (Proprietary), GM Regional Holdings, GM Regional Holdings LLC, GM Retirees Pension Trustees, GM Retirees Pension Trustees Limited, GM Subsystems Manufacturing, GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC, GM Technical Center Korea Ltd., GM Viet Nam Motor Company, GM-DI Leasing, GM-DI Leasing LLC, GMAC - Instituicao Financeira de Credito, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios Ltda., GMAC Banque, GMAC Continental, GMAC Espana de Financiacion, GMAC Holdings (U.K.), GMAC Lease B.V. (aka Masterlease Europe), GMAC Nederland N.V., GMAC Prestadora de Servicios de Mao de Obra Ltda., GMAC Servicios, GMAC UK, GMAC de Venezuela, GMAC-Prestadora de Servios de Mo-de-Obra, GMACI Corretora de Seguros, GMACI Corretora de Seguros Ltda, GMAM Real Estate I, GMCH&SP Private Equity II, GMCH&SP Private Equity II L.P., GMF Australia Pty Ltd, GMF Europe, GMF Europe Holdco, GMF Europe LLP, GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust, GMF Funding, GMF Germany Holdings, GMF Global Assignment, GMF Global Assignment LLC, GMF International, GMF International LLC, GMF Leasing LLC, GMF Leasing Warehousing Trust, GMF Wholesale Receivables, GMGP Holdings, General Motors (China) Investment Company, General Motors (China) Investment Company Limited, General Motors (Thailand), General Motors (Thailand) Limited, General Motors - Colmotores, General Motors - Colmotores S.A., General Motors Advisory Services LLC, General Motors Africa and Middle East, General Motors Africa and Middle East FZE, General Motors Asia, General Motors Asia LLC, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, General Motors Asset Management, General Motors Asset Management Corporation, General Motors Australia, General Motors Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Austria, General Motors Austria, General Motors Auto, General Motors Auto LLC, General Motors Automobiles Philippines, General Motors Automobiles Philippines Inc., General Motors Automotive Holdings, General Motors Automotive Holdings S.L., General Motors Belgique Automobile NV, General Motors Belgium, General Motors Chile, General Motors Chile Industria Automotriz Limitada, General Motors China LLC, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology CIS LLC, General Motors East Africa, General Motors Egypt, General Motors Egypt S.A.E., General Motors Espana, General Motors Europe Holdings, General Motors Europe Limited, General Motors Financial Chile, General Motors Financial Chile Limitada, General Motors Financial Chile S.A., General Motors Financial Company, General Motors Financial Company Inc., General Motors Financial International, General Motors Financial Italia, General Motors Financial Suisse, General Motors Financial UK, General Motors Financial of Canada, General Motors Financial of Canada Ltd., General Motors Finland, General Motors France, General Motors GBS Hungary, General Motors Global Service Operations, General Motors Global Service Operations Inc., General Motors Hellas, General Motors Holden Australia, General Motors Holden Australia NSC, General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd., General Motors Holden Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Holdings LLC, General Motors IT Services (Ireland) Limited, General Motors India Private, General Motors India Private Limited, General Motors International Holdings, General Motors International Holdings LLC, General Motors International Operations, General Motors International Operations Pte. Ltd., General Motors International Services Company, General Motors International Services Company SAS, General Motors International Services LLC, General Motors Investment Limited, General Motors Investment Management, General Motors Investment Management Corporation, General Motors Investment Participacoes, General Motors Investment Participacoes Ltda., General Motors Investments, General Motors Investments Pty. Ltd., General Motors Ireland, General Motors Israel, General Motors Israel Ltd., General Motors Italia, General Motors Japan, General Motors Japan Limited, General Motors LLC, General Motors Limited, General Motors Manufacturing Poland, General Motors Nederland, General Motors New Zealand Pensions, General Motors New Zealand Pensions Limited, General Motors Overseas, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle Corporation, General Motors Overseas Corporation, General Motors Overseas Distribution, General Motors Overseas Distribution LLC, General Motors Peru, General Motors Peru S.A., General Motors Poland Spolka, General Motors Portugal, General Motors Powertrain (Thailand), General Motors Powertrain (Thailand) Limited, General Motors Research Corporation, General Motors South Africa, General Motors South Africa (Pty) Limited, General Motors Suisse, General Motors Taiwan, General Motors Taiwan Ltd., General Motors Technical Centre India, General Motors Technical Centre India Private Limited, General Motors Treasury Center, General Motors Treasury Center LLC, General Motors Turkiye, General Motors UK, General Motors Uruguay, General Motors Uruguay S.A., General Motors Venezolana, General Motors Ventures, General Motors Ventures LLC, General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai), General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., General Motors de Argentina, General Motors de Argentina S.r.l., General Motors de Mexico, General Motors de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., General Motors del Ecuador, General Motors del Ecuador S.A., General Motors do Brasil, General Motors do Brasil Ltda., General Motors of Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, General Motors-Holden's Sales, General Motors-Holden's Sales Pty. Limited, GigaPower LLC, Global Services Detroit, Global Services Detroit LLC, Global Tooling Service Company Europe, Global Tooling Service Company Europe Limited, Go Motor Retailing, Go Trade Parts, Grand Pointe Holdings, Grand Pointe Holdings Inc., Grand Pointe Park Condominium, Grand Pointe Park Condominium Association, H.S.H., Haines & Strange, Holden New Zealand, Holden New Zealand Limited, IBC Pension Trustees, IBC Pension Trustees Limited, IBC Vehicles, Lease Ownership Cooperative, Lease Ownership Cooperative LLC, Lidlington Engineering Company, Lidlington Engineering Company Ltd., Limited Liability Company "General Motors CIS", Master Lease Germany, Maven Drive, Maven Drive LLC, Millbrook Pension Management, Millbrook Pension Management Limited, Monetization of Carve-Out, Monetization of Carve-Out LLC, Motor Repris Automocio, Motors Holding, Motors Holding LLC, Motors Properties, Motors Properties (Trading), Multi-Use Lease Entity Trust, North American New Cars, North American New Cars LLC, Omnibus BB Transportes, Omnibus BB Transportes S. A., OnStar Connected Services Srl, OnStar Egypt Limited LLC, OnStar Europe, OnStar Europe Ltd., OnStar Global Services, OnStar Global Services Corporation, OnStar LLC, OnStar de Mexico, OnStar de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Opel Bank, Opel Danmark, Opel Group, Opel Group Warehousing, Opel Leasing, Opel Norge, Opel Sonderdienste, Opel Southeast Europe, Opel Sverige, Opel Szentgotthard Automotive Manufacturing, Opel Wien, P.T. G M AutoWorld Indonesia, P.T. General Motors Indonesia, PIMS, PIMS Co., PT. General Motors Indonesia Manufacturing, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Company Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios GMF Colombia S.A.S., Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Reliance Motor Car Company, Riverfront Holdings III Inc., Riverfront Holdings Inc., Riverfront Holdings Phase II Inc., SAIC GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd., SAIC GM Dong Yue Motors Company Limited, SAIC GM Dong Yue Powertrain Company Limited, SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Company Limited, SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited, SAIC General Motors Investment Limited, SAIC General Motors Sales Company Limited, SAIC-GMAC Automotive Finance Company Limited, SAIC-GMF Leasing Co. Ltd., Servicios GMAC S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Chengxin Used Car Operation and Management Company Limited, Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., Sherwoods (Darlington) Limited, Sidecar Technologies, Skurrays Limited, Stam-Terberg Autobedrijven B. V., Strobe Inc., VHC Sub-Holdings (UK), Vauxhall Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Vehicle Asset Universal Leasing Trust, Vickers (Lakeside) Limited, Vision Motors Limited, WRE, WRE Inc., and Zona Franca Industrial Colmotores SAS.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There is not enough analysis data for Greenland Acquisition Corporation Units.

4.9 Community Rank

Outperform Votes Greenland Acquisition Corporation Units has received 19 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes Greenland Acquisition Corporation Units has received 7 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment Greenland Acquisition Corporation Units has received 73.08% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Greenland Acquisition Corporation Units and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe GLACU will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe GLACU will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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Next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. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. 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 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.11 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Hugo Boss in the last twelve months. There are currently 6 hold ratings and 5 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" Hugo Boss stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in BOSS, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares.

View analyst ratings for Hugo Boss or view top-rated stocks.Deutsche Multi-Market Income Trust is a closed-ended mutual fund launched by Deutsche Wealth & Asset Management. It is managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The fund invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in income-producing securities such as US corporate fixed-income securities, debt obligation of foreign government their agencies and instrumentalities, debt obligation of US government and its agencies and instrumentalities, private mortgage backed issuers, and other income producing securities. For the fixed income component of its portfolio, the fund seeks a target allocation similar to 50% Credit Suisse High Yield Index, 25% Lehman Brothers Treasury Index, 15% Citigroup Non-USD World Government Bond Currency Hedged Index, and 10% Citigroup Non-USD World Government Bond Currency Hedged Index. It was formerly known as DWS Multi-Market Income Trust. Deutsche Multi-Market Income Trust was formed in January 23, 1989 and is domiciled in United States.

Read MoreLloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, credit cards, and other financial services to personal and small business customers. The Commercial Banking segment provides lending, transactional banking, working capital management, risk management, and debt capital market services to small and medium-sized entities, corporates, and financial institutions. The Insurance and Wealth segment offers life, home, and car insurance products; and pension, investment, and wealth management products and services. It also provides digital and mobile banking, and telephone services, as well as advisory services for savings, investments, and planning for retirement. The company offers its products and services under the Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, MBNA, Schroders Personal Wealth, Black Horse, Lex Autolease, Birmingham Midshires, LDC, IWeb, and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation brands. Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 1695 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreiShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF shares split before market open on Friday, October 26th 2018. The 4-1 split was announced on Friday, September 28th 2018. The newly created shares were payable to shareholders after the closing bell on Thursday, October 25th 2018. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF stock prior to the split would have 400 shares after the split.BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF's stock was trading at $50.40 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, ICSH shares have increased by 0.1% and is now trading at $50.43.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Jones Soda Co. engages in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of beverages and related products. The firm sells its products in grocery stores, convenience and gas stores, up and down the street in independent accounts such as delicatessens and sandwich shops, as well as through national accounts with several large retailers. It offers Jones Soda, Jones Zilch, Jones Stripped, Lemoncocco, and 7-Select Premium Sodas. The company was founded by Peter M. van Stolk in 1986 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Read MoreMacquarie Group Limited provides diversified financial services in Australia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through four segments: Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), Banking and Financial Services (BFS), Commodities and Global Markets (CGM), and Macquarie Capital. The MAM segment provides investment solutions to clients across various capabilities, including infrastructure and renewables, real estate, agriculture, transportation finance, private credit, equities, fixed income, and multi-asset solutions. The BFS segment offers personal banking products comprising home loans, credit cards, transaction and savings accounts, and vehicle finance; and wrap platform and cash management, financial advisory, private banking, and stockbroking services, as well as investment and superannuation products. It also provides deposit, lending, and payment solutions and services to business clients, such as sole practitioners to corporate professional firms. The CGM segment offers products in the areas of equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities and technology, media, and telecoms; risk and capital solutions; and specialized asset finance solutions. The Macquarie Capital segment provides advisory and capital raising services. It is also involved in facilitation, and principal lending and investments; and trading of fixed income, equities, foreign exchange and commodities, as well as provides broking services, corporate and structured finance, leasing services, capital raising and advisory services, and underwriting services;; Further, the company engages in the distribution and management of funds and wealth management products. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Read MoreBank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, through its subsidiaries, provides banking, financial, and insurance services to individuals, small and medium sized enterprises, and corporate customers. It offers current, savings, notice, instant access, and fixed term deposits; housing, student, consumer, business, syndicated, project, and shipping finance; and debit, credit, and prepaid cards. The company also provides hire purchase, factoring, guarantee, insurance, asset and wealth management, investment banking and brokerage, custody and depository, transfers and payment, and digital banking services. In addition, it is involved in property trading and development activities; land development and operation of a golf resort; management administration and safekeeping of UCITS units; administration of guarantees and holding of real estate properties; collection of the existing portfolio of receivables, including third party collections; and provision of card processing transaction, auction, and secretarial services. As of March 30, 2021, it operates through a network of 95 branches in Cyprus, as well as representative offices in Russia, Ukraine, and China. The company was formerly known as Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd and changed its name to Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company in January 2017. Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc..SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF's stock was trading at $41.87 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, PSK shares have increased by 1.7% and is now trading at $42.57.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.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The following companies are subsidiares of Zimmer Biomet: Abbott Spine, Beijing Montagne Medical Device Co. Ltd., Beijing Montagne Medical Device Co. Ltd., BioMet, Biomet 3i Australia Pty. Ltd., Biomet 3i Belgium N.V., Biomet 3i Benelux Holdings N.V., Biomet 3i Dental Iberica SL, Biomet 3i LLC, Biomet 3i Mexico S.A. de C.V., Biomet 3i Netherlands B.V., Biomet 3i Nordic AB, Biomet 3i Portugal Lda, Biomet 3i Switzerland GmbH, Biomet 3i Turkey, Biomet 3i UK Ltd., Biomet 3i do Brasil Comercio de Aparelhos Medicos Ltda., Biomet Acquisitions (Unlimited), Biomet Argentina SA, Biomet Australia Pty. Ltd., Biomet Biologics LLC, Biomet Brazil Medical Device Ltda., Biomet C.V., Biomet CV Holdings LLC, Biomet Cementing Technologies AB, Biomet Chile SA, Biomet China Co. Ltd., Biomet Deutschland GmbH, Biomet Deutschland Holding GmbH, Biomet Fair Lawn LLC, Biomet Finance US LLC, Biomet France Sarl, Biomet Global Supply Chain Center B.V., Biomet Healthcare Management GmbH, Biomet Holdings B.V., Biomet Hong Kong CBT Ltd., Biomet Hong Kong Holding Ltd., Biomet Hong Kong No. 1 Ltd., Biomet Inc., Biomet Insurance Ltd., Biomet International Inc., Biomet International Orthopedics LLC, Biomet Leasing Inc., Biomet Manufacturing LLC, Biomet Mexico S.A. de C.V., Biomet Microfixation B.V., Biomet Orthopedics LLC, Biomet Orthopedics Puerto Rico Inc., Biomet Spain Orthopaedics S.L., Biomet Sports Medicine LLC, Biomet Trauma LLC, Biomet U.S. Reconstruction LLC, Biomet UK Healthcare Ltd., Biomet UK Ltd., CD Diagnostics, CD Diagnostics Inc., CD Laboratories Inc., Cayenne Medical, Cayenne Medical Inc., CelgenTek Innovations Corporation, Centerpulse Ltd, Changzhou Biomet Medical Devices Co. Ltd., Citra Labs LLC, Clinical Graphics, Compression Therapy Concepts Inc., Compression Therapy Products, D.S. Comp Ltd., Dornoch Medical Systems, Dornoch Medical Systems Inc., EBI Holdings LLC, EBI LLC, EBI Medical Systems LLC, EBI Patient Care Inc., ETEX Corporation, ETEX Holdings Inc., Electro-Biology LLC, Endius, Espanormed S.L., Etex, ExtraOrtho, Hakuho Company Ltd., IC Guided Surgery SRL, Implant Concierge LLC, Implant Innovations Holdings LLC, Implex, InnoVision Inc., Interpore Cross International LLC, JERDS Luxembourg Holding Sarl, Kirschner Medical Corporation, Knee Creations, LDR Brasil Comercio Importacao e Exportacao Ltda., LDR Holding, LDR Medical Hong Kong (branch), LDR Medical S.A.S., LVB Acquisition Inc., Lanx Puerto Rico LLC , Lanx Srl, Medical Compression Systems Inc., Medtech SA, Medtech SAS, Medtech Surgical GmbH, Medtech Surgical Inc., NORMED Medizin-Technik GmbH, ORTHOsoft ULC, Ortho Transmission, Orthopaedic Advantage LLC, Ospol Participacoes Ltda., Representaciones Zimmer Inc. S. de R.L. de C.V., Respondwell, SM Re Ltd., Scandimed Holding AB, Shanghai Biomet Business Consulting Co. Ltd., Synvasive Technology, Synvasive Technology Inc., ZB COOP C.V., ZB COOP LLC, ZB Cayman (Asia) Holding Ltd., ZB Cayman Island CBT 2 Ltd., ZB Dental India Private Limited, ZB EMEA 1 LP, ZB EMEA Finance UK 1 Ltd., ZB EMEA Finance UK 2 Ltd., ZB EMEA Finance UK 3 Ltd., ZB EMEA US UK LLC, ZB Hong Kong CBT 2 Ltd., ZB Hong Kong Holding Ltd., ZB Hong Kong Ltd., ZB Manufacturing LLC, ZB UK Group Holdings Limited, ZH2LX Barbados Branch (branch), Zfx, Zfx GmbH, Zfx Innovation GmbH, Zhejiang Biomet Medical Products Co. Ltd., Zimmer (Shanghai) Medical International Trading Co. Ltd., Zimmer Asia (HK) Ltd., Zimmer Australia Holding Pty. Ltd., Zimmer Biomet (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Asel Alarabiya Limited Company, Zimmer Biomet Asia Holding B.V., Zimmer Biomet Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Austria GmbH, Zimmer Biomet BVBA, Zimmer Biomet CBT, Zimmer Biomet CBT 2, Zimmer Biomet CMF and Thoracic LLC, Zimmer Biomet Canada Inc., Zimmer Biomet Centroamerica SA, Zimmer Biomet Comp Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Denmark ApS, Zimmer Biomet Dental Canada Inc., Zimmer Biomet Dental K.K., Zimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbH, Zimmer Biomet Distribution LLC, Zimmer Biomet Finance Srl, Zimmer Biomet Finance US Holding Inc., Zimmer Biomet Finland Oy, Zimmer Biomet France Holdings SAS, Zimmer Biomet France SAS, Zimmer Biomet GK, Zimmer Biomet Global Holdings Switzerland GmbH, Zimmer Biomet Hellas SA, Zimmer Biomet Ireland Limited, Zimmer Biomet Italia Srl, Zimmer Biomet Korea Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Nederland B.V., Zimmer Biomet New Zealand Company, Zimmer Biomet Norway AS, Zimmer Biomet OUS Holdings AG, Zimmer Biomet Polska Sp. z.o.o, Zimmer Biomet Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Zimmer Biomet Pty. Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Romania S.R.L., Zimmer Biomet South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Zimmer Biomet Spain S.L., Zimmer Biomet Spine Inc., Zimmer Biomet Sweden AB, Zimmer Biomet Taiwan Co. Ltd., Zimmer Biomet UK Ltd., Zimmer Biomet US 2 Holding Inc., Zimmer CBT I Holding Inc., Zimmer CBT II Holding Inc., Zimmer CEP USA Holding Co., Zimmer CEP USA Inc., Zimmer CIS Ltd., Zimmer CV Inc., Zimmer Caribe LLC, Zimmer Cayman Islands Holding Co. Ltd., Zimmer Co-op Holdings LLC, Zimmer Colombia SAS, Zimmer Czech sro, Zimmer Dental (Shanghai) Medical Device Co. Ltd., Zimmer Dental Chile Spa, Zimmer Dental GmbH, Zimmer Dental Inc., Zimmer Dental Italy Srl, Zimmer Dental Ltd., Zimmer Dental SAS, Zimmer Finance Ireland, Zimmer France Manufacturing Sarl, Zimmer Germany Holdings GmbH, Zimmer GmbH, Zimmer GmbH Euro IP Branch (branch), Zimmer GmbH Winterthur Branch (branch), Zimmer Gulf FZ LLC, Zimmer Inc., Zimmer India Private Ltd., Zimmer International Logistics GmbH, Zimmer Investments LLC, Zimmer Knee Creations Inc., Zimmer Luxembourg II Sarl, Zimmer Luxembourg Sarl, Zimmer Manufacturing B.V., Zimmer Manufacturing B.V. (branch), Zimmer Medical Malaysia SDN BHD, Zimmer Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., Zimmer Orthobiologics Inc., Zimmer Orthopedics Manufacturing Limited, Zimmer Production Inc., Zimmer Pte. Ltd., Zimmer Slovakia sro, Zimmer Southeast Florida LLC, Zimmer Spine Next Inc., Zimmer Spine SAS, Zimmer Surgical, Zimmer Surgical Inc., Zimmer Surgical SA, Zimmer Switzerland Holdings LLC, Zimmer Switzerland Manufacturing GmbH, Zimmer Tibbi Cihazlar Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, Zimmer Trabecular Metal Technology Inc., Zimmer Trustee Ltd., Zimmer UK Limited, Zimmer US Inc., and Zimmer do Brasil Comercio Ltda..Tahoe Resources Inc., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, explores for, develops, and operates mineral properties in the Americas. It explores for silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper deposits, as well as precious metals assets. The company holds interest in the La Arena gold mine located in the Huamachuco district of northern Peru; Shahuindo mine located in the province of Cajabamba in northern Peru; and La Arena II, a copper-gold porphyry deposit located in Peru. It also holds interest in the Timmins mines, including the Bell Creek and Timmins West mines, the Fenn-Gib project, the Juby project, the Vogel project, and the Gold River project located in Timmins, Ontario. The company was formerly known as CKM Resources Inc. and changed its name to Tahoe Resources Inc. in January 2010. Tahoe Resources Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.

Read MoreTelefAnica Deutschland Holding AG provides integrated telecommunication services to private and business customers in Germany. It offers voice, data, and value-added services in mobile and fixed line networks; access to infrastructure and services for its wholesale partners; and digital products and services in the fields of Internet of Things. The company provides its products and services through a network of independently operated franchise and premium partner shops, and online and telesales channels, as well as indirect selling channels, such as partnerships and co-operations with retailers. It markets its products and services under the O2, Blau, AY YILDIZ, Ortel Mobile, FONIC, netzclub, and TArkeiSIM brand names. As of December 31, 2020, TelefAnica Deutschland Holding AG had approximately 47 million customers. The company was formerly known as TelefAnica Germany Verwaltungs GmbH and changed its name to TelefAnica Deutschland Holding AG in September 2012. The company is based in Munich, Germany. TelefAnica Deutschland Holding AG is a subsidiary of Telefonica Germany Holdings Limited.

Read MoreThundelarra Limited engages in the mineral exploration activities in Australia. The company primarily explores for copper, gold, and uranium; and base metals, such as nickel, zinc, lead, silver, and graphite. Its flagship project is the Garden Gully property comprising 2 granted exploration licenses and 15 granted prospecting licenses covering an area of approximately 78 square kilometers located in Meekatharra in the Murchison district of Western Australia. The company was formerly known as Thundelarra Exploration Limited and changed its name to Thundelarra Limited in March 2013. Thundelarra Limited is based in Nedlands, Australia.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc..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. 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Tony Evers, Wisconsins Democratic state superintendent who campaigned on a promise to restore respect for the states teachers and financially bail out its public school system, upset two-term Republican Gov. Scott Walker early Wednesday morning, in a hard-fought, nail-biter of an election.

Tony Evers provides us with a new direction that a lot of people want to go, said Danielle Moehring, 27, a scientist from Madison.

Ellen Martin, a 67-year-old retired occupational therapist from Madison, said she voted for Evers because he will save our state, especially the environment, education.

Martin said she thought voters in Wisconsin were tired of Walker after eight years in office.

I never liked him, Martin said. Hes shamed our state, embarrassed our state, ruined our politics.

This race had close from the start, pitting candidates who are opposites in nearly every way. Scott Walker has been the darling of tea party conservatives during his eight years in office. As governor he slashed taxes, cut funding to schools, and did away with bargaining rights for most public employees, including teachers. Walker, who can be a charismatic politician, survived a recall election in 2012 and was elected to a second term in 2014, despite the efforts of those who denounced his move to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state.

His opponent, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, is a long-time educator without Walkers political panache. That said, he has won three statewide elections to Wisconsins top education job.

Education was a key issue in this midterm election battle. Both candidates called for more money for schools, and Walker even boosted school funding by $636 million in his most recent two-year budget. He now calls himself the education governor. Evers argued that the funding increase doesnt made up for the deep cuts Walker enacted in earlier years and denounced the move as an election year flash in the pan.

The two also disagreed over private school vouchers. Walker has increased the states voucher program, while Evers, who supports traditional public schools, has indicated he wants to freeze voucher enrollment.

Walker had touted the states economic boom and low unemployment rate. He promised to increase funding for schools and roads, and continue a University of Wisconsin tuition freeze. Evers argued that the economic good times have left many in the state behind, and he assured voters he supports the Affordable Care Act and its protection of those with pre-existing conditions. Under Walker, Wisconsin joined a federal lawsuit opposing the health care law.

Wisconsin is considered a purple state, although in the last presidential election Trump barely won the state in 2016, becoming the first Republican to do since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

The Associated Press and Education Week staff writer Daarel Burnette II contributed to this report.Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required.

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New Delhi: Digital assistants, social media and third party channels are expected to be the primary channels for banking by 2022, apart from mobile and online, a report said Wednesday.

After existing digital channels (mobile and online), digital assistants, social media and third party channels are expected to be the primary channels for banking by 2022, as per the 10th annual Innovation in Retail Banking report.

The report was launched on Wednesday by Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys Technologies, and Efma, a global not-for-profit organisation.

According to the report, close to half of the respondents believe that less than 40 per cent of the current workload would move to public cloud by 2022 and 70 per cent say that artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have a significant impact in transforming customer service/support by 2022.

The research, in which over 300 banks participated globally, found that respondents see open banking APIs (application programming interface) as the top technology for the future of innovation, with it being stronger than 'emerging' areas such as machine learning, chatbots and RPA (Robotic Process Automation).

In the short term, banks will leverage open banking for compliance such as the Payment Services Directive (Europe), Unified Payments Interface (India) and New Payments Platform (Australia), it said.

The research also found that overall, organisations are taking a strategic perspective on the need for innovation ROI (return on investment).

In 2017, 31 per cent of firms had an innovation ROI perspective of one year, compared to only 17 per cent this year. In addition, 63 per cent looked for an ROI in 1-3 years as opposed to 54 per cent in 2017.

Respondents believe that retail banks consider digital commerce platforms (such as Alibaba) and technology giants as the innovation leaders for 2022. Similar to previous years, the greatest impact of transformation is expected to be in the areas of payments, mobile wallets and lending in the next three years.Actor Aditya Roy Kapur recently wrapped up shooting for director Abhishek Vermans upcoming film Kalank in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. During his stay in the city, the actor received a flood of fan clubs, requesting him to take out time to meet them. But he could only spend some time with them on Saturday, after his schedule in the city got over, informs a source close to the actor.

The source shares, The cast and the crew were requested not to take their phones on the sets of the film and avoid meeting outsiders when they were shooting. But Aditya made time for them after he wrapped up his schedule of the film.

Recollecting the fan frenzy on the sets, the source informed, As soon as a few fan clubs in Indore heard that Aditya was shooting in their city, they started making rounds of the hotel, where the actor had put up, to catch a glimpse of him. A few fans had also been visiting him on the sets every day in the hope to meet him.

The source also adds that every time the actor bumped into his fans, he would greet them with a smile.

Besides Aditya, Kalank features actors Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Kunal Khemmu, and Sanjay Dutt.

Aditya is paired with Alia, with whom he is also working in Sadak 2. Meanwhile, when not shooting, Aditya and Varun bonded over some local cuisines and lot of add sessions.Kamal Haasan launched the first look and title of his upcoming production with Vikram in the lead on Tuesday. Titled Kadaram Kondan, the film also has Akshara Haasan playing a crucial role in it.

The Kadaram Kondan poster shows a heavily tattooed Vikram sporting a funky hairstyle and flashy sunglasses. He is also handcuffed, with fragments of smoke around him and in an action mode. He appears more like a gangster who is so stylish and yet wild. The Petronas Towers featured in the poster suggests the story of the action film may be set in Malaysia.

Akshara Haasan

Kadaram Kondan could also be a reference to Chola King Rajendra Chola 1, who sent an expedition in 11th century to invade Kadaram (Sri Vijaya / Kidah in modern Malaysia) on behalf of one of its rulers who sought his assistance to gain the throne.

Bankrolled by Raaj Kamal Films, and directed by Rajesh M Selva, of Thoonga Vanam fame, the film has music by Ghibran.

While Vikram has Gautham Menon-directed Dhruva Natchathiram, expected to hit the marquee soon, the actor has also signed up a mammoth Malayalam period film Maapillai Kalagam where he plays a freedom fighter.

Kamal Haasan

Kamal, on the other hand, will be completing Sabaash Naidu before going ahead with the Shankar directorial Indian 2, which is a sequel to his earlier blockbuster, released two decades ago. The actor-turned-politician also announced a sequel to his 1991 film Thevar Magan.

Akshara was in the news recently for the wrong reasons where her private pictures were leaked online and went viral. It is not known if the pictures in which she is seen in inner-wear are morphed or not.

CT23Its focus is on high-impact interventions like access to contraception, maternity services and newborn and childhood nutrition. (Photo: AP)

London: Millions of women and babies could avoid untimely deaths if international donors step up to replenish a global health fund so it can expand to 50 countries, the philanthropist Melinda Gates said on Tuesday.

The co-chair of the multi-billion-dollar Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation told Reuters she and her husband see the Global Financing Facility (GFF), a fund aimed specifically at maternal, newborn and child health, as an investment in human capital that will swiftly show meaningful, measurable results.

After putting in a tentative $75 million of support for the GFF when it was first set up in 2015, the Gates Foundation will this week commit another $200 million at a replenishment meeting in Norway because we are seeing it work, Melinda Gates said.

If you invest in people - that is, in the human capital - youre going to get amazing growth in your country, Melinda Gates said in a telephone interview ahead of the GFFs replenishment meeting.

The GFF, led by the World Bank, was set up to help poor countries change the way they finance health to encourage long-term investment in policies that can save lives.

Its focus is on high-impact interventions like access to contraception, maternity services and newborn and childhood nutrition. Global health experts say these areas are often underfunded, leading to the deaths of more than five million women and children every year from preventable causes.

Reversing that underfunding, Gates said, would enable countries to take charge of their demographic future, reduce reliance on external aid and build healthy, working populations in growing economies.

The GFF is currently working with governments in 27 poor and developing countries, and wants to extend its reach to a further 23 countries with the highest rates of preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents by 2050.

A study published last month in the journal BMJ Global Health found that if the GFF were able to raise $2 billion in replenishment funds, it could expand to 50 countries. This would potentially save up to 35 million lives by reducing rates of maternal mortality, stillbirth, neonatal death and under-five mortality.

Melinda Gates said she had been struck by the way the fund engages governments and policymakers in recipient countries and secures their buy-in for long-term health plans.

She gave an example of Cameroon, where she said the government had as a result of working with the GFF promised to increase the share of the budget it spends on health to 20 percent over the next three years from 8 percent previously.

Thats exactly what this mechanism has driven them to do. And thats what Bill (Gates) and I like about it - its forcing countries to have a really unified plan, and to say lets ... keep investing in our health system.According to the police, Abdul was deployed to carry Rs 1.2 crore in cash to fill the ATMs. He along with his colleagues Srishaila, Harish and the gunman, Janith Singh, replenished cash in a couple of ATMs. (Representational image)

BENGALURU: A driver of a cash management company escaped with Rs 75 lakh in cash on Monday, while his van was doing rounds in East Division to replenish ATMs.

Kadugondanahalli police have registered a case and are on the lookout for the accused, identified as Abdul Shahid. The accused was working with Writers Safeguard Private Ltd, a cash management company.

According to the police, Abdul was deployed to carry Rs 1.2 crore in cash to fill the ATMs. He along with his colleagues Srishaila, Harish and the gunman, Janith Singh, replenished cash in a couple of ATMs.

The theft happened after the van reached an Axis Bank ATM on Nagawara Main Road. Srishaila, Harish and Janith Singh got into the ATM kiosk, while Abdul stayed back in the van, with Rs 75 lakh in it.

When three of them returned after a few minutes, they found that Abdul had abandoned the van and vanished with a metal trunk and two bags containing cash.

They immediately alerted the branch in-charge, K. Suresh Kumar, who rushed to the spot and filed a complaint with the jurisdictional Kadugodi police.

The police have registered a case and suspect the involvement of more people as Abdul alone could not have managed to escape with the metal trunk and two bags. The police are verifying the CCTV footage from surrounding areas to nab the accused.Vijayawada: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has launched efforts to build an anti-BJP narrative at the Centre, has decided to take forward the fight for the states rights and against the alleged injustice to the state by the BJP-led Central government by not honouring provisions of AP Reorganisation Act to the national-level.

Mr Naidu has decided to invite leaders of major political parties in the country to attend the last Dharma Porata Sabha being planned in the Capital region. Revealing details about the Dharma Porata meetings that are being held across the state at the party coordination meeting on Tuesday, he said that national-level leaders will participate in the last such meeting.

He said that until now, seven such meetings were held, the eighth one will be held at Nellore on November 10, and the ninth meeting will be held in Vizianagaram on November 27. Later, such meetings will be held at Anantapur and Srikakulam also.

Talking to party men at the meeting, Mr Naidu said that the BJP has been trying to bring in a rift among the political parties. He said that the NDA government was trying to intimidate the Opposition parties through false cases. Stating that the Centre has destroyed democratic institutions such as the CBI, ED and others, now they have turned towards RBI.

He pointed that already a Governor of RBI has resigned and another Governor was in the line to quit.

Mr Naidu said that Centre has decided to invoke Section 7 in the RBI. He also said that while the rupee value has depreciated, the prices of fuel, LPG and fertilisers have sky-rocketed.In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran. (Photo: File | AP)

Washington/New Delhi: The United States has exempted India from the imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan.

The decision by the Trump administration, which a day earlier imposed the toughest ever sanctions on Iran and is very restrictive in giving exemptions, is a seen as a recognition by Washington of India's role in development of the port on the Gulf of Oman, which is of immense strategic importance for the development of war-torn Afghanistan.

"After extensive consideration, the Secretary (of State) has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, with respect to the development of Chabahar port, construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistan's use, as well as the country's continued imports of Iranian petroleum products," a State Department spokesperson told news agency PTI.

The US on Monday imposed "the toughest ever" sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime's "behaviour". The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.

However, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that eight countries -- India, China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey -- were temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed "significant reduction" in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country.

Also Read: India among 8 nations exempted from US sanctions on Iran oil

To a question on the fate of Chabahar port after the US reimposed all its sanctions on Iran, the spokesperson said, "This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief."

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Pompeo's decision to give India an exemption from the imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the port is driven by the South Asian strategy, which was announced by president Donald Trump in August.

It states that India has a major role in bringing peace and development in Afghanistan. "The president's South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," the state department spokesperson said.

"We seek to build on our close relationships with both the countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regime's destabilising policies in the region and beyond," the spokesperson added.On his 64th birthday, the actor addressed media persons and made known the party's plan of action. (Photo: File)

Chennai: Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said his party is ready to contest the upcoming bypolls in Tamil Nadu, reports stated.

According to a Times of India report, the party has already appointed 80 per cent of field workers in the 20 assembly seats that they plan on contesting.

Just months ago, the actor-turned-politician had said that his party is ready for the 2019 general elections.

Earlier when asked whether his party will contest in the forthcoming bypolls in the state, Kamal had replied, "We will teach a lesson to the government to tell them about their duties, but we are not in the mindset to contest it."

On his 64th birthday, the actor addressed media persons and made known the party's plan of action.

These bypolls became necessary after the Madras High Court last month upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs.

Two Assembly seats - Thiruvarur and Thiruparankundram constituencies - have fallen vacant after the demise of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader A K Bose.

(With inputs from agencies)Uttarkashi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel on Wednesday.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the Prime Minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said.

He said that Diwali is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said that the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The Prime Minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

PM Modi said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP). The Prime Minister said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

He offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The Prime Minister later reached Kedarnath where he offered prayers and reviewed the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

He extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013 which killed thousands of people.

Responding to Diwali greeting from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, Modi had said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special."THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the reason for Centre's refusal to accept the aid offered by UAE Government for Kerala flood relief continues to remain a mystery.

The chief minister said industrialist M.A. Yusuf Ali had made public UAE's Rs 700-crore proposal with the permission of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He had informed the Prime Minister about their contribution for Kerala.

But the Centre declined to accept UAE offer. "Had the Centre allowed us, Kerala would have received thousands of crores from across many countries," he said while inaugurating a day-long workshop by Kerala Grama Panchayath Association (KGA) and Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) on "After flood activities and rebuilding new Kerala".

He said the government will seek contribution and technical expertise from all over the world for Rebuilding Kerala. The UN has estimated Rs 31,000 crore loss in the recent floods. The Centre could only provide Rs 4,790 crore as per existing provisions which means there is a gap of Rs 26,000 crores which the state government will have to mobilise on its own.

Pinarayi lamented that the Centre had denied permission to ministers to visit foreign countries for collecting funds for rebuilding Kerala from the NRKs.

The Centre's attitude was unfortunate as the government was not just concentrating on reconstruction but building a new Kerala.The chief minister lauded the unprecedented efforts of fishermen, local self government representatives and in carrying out the rescue operations during floods. He said those who lost their means of livelihood in the calamity would be provided jobs and additional resources.

Local bodies minister A.C.Moideen felicitated the members of KGA, officials and department heads for their exemplary work during floods. Ministers E Chandrashekharan, K K Shailaja and Thomas Isaac explained the future course of rebuilding activities being undertaken by the government.A top official of Milma said that the new range would be launched next month.

Thiruvananthapuram: To combat micronutrient deficiencies especially vitamin A and D among all age groups, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to introduce the fortification process in the state.

The Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2017 framed by FSSAI will come into effect in the state on January 1.

As part of its effort to implement the Act, the FSSAI in association with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), an independent non-profit foundation based in Geneva, conducted a workshop on fortification to brainstorm hundreds of food safety officials including assistant commissioners and lab analysts under the Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety (KCFS) recently.

To begin with, the Commissionerate is gearing up to facilitate good quality fortified milk and cooking oil in the state from January.

Joint commissioner of Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety K. Anil Kumar said the Act would be a boon for other states.

Fortification is very much necessary for states with micronutrient deficiencies. In Kerala, Attapadi tribal settlement is the only pocket where nutrient deficiency is being reported," he told DC.

"We are well equipped to enforce the Act in the state. However, a thorough study would be needed by urban health centres on the necessity of fortification in Kerala. He said that from January the Commissionerate would screen fortified products being sold in the state.

"We will collect samples and to make sure the claims labelled in the product are true," he added.As per the Act micronutrients for fortification purpose should be extracted strictly from vegetables. The Commissionerate is planning to tie up with Tata Trusts to procure extracted micronutrients. Meanwhile, Milma - Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd - is all set to launch fortified milk in the state.

A top official of Milma said that the new range would be launched next month.

"The design and logo of the new packet are being finalised. Fortified milk will be sold in the same price range like our other packet milk products," he told DC.BENGALURU: BBMP nominated member J. William was assaulted by four unidentified men with lethal weapons after he came out of a BBMP office in K.G. Halli on Tuesday evening.

William (40) was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment. The KG Halli police have registered a case and are on lookout for the accused.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 7.30 pm. The assailants were wearing helmets and waiting near the BBMP office. As soon as William came out of the office, they, stabbed him. When they noticed that locals were rushing to Willams rescue, they fled.

The police said the reason for the attack is yet to be known as the preliminary investigation showed multiple reasons and the police are trying to ascertain the exact motive. The police are also taking statement from people close to William regarding any rivalry.

K.G. Halli police have taken up a case of attempt to murder and verifying CCTV camera footage from surrounding areas.Thiruvananthapuram: Governor P Sathasivam has rejected the demand of Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala for probe against the sanctioning of breweries in the state. Mr Chennithala had urged the Governor that action should be taken against Excise T.P. Ramakrishnan under the Prevention of Corruption Act (2018 amendment) Section 17 in the distillery - brewery issue.He had submitted three letters raising the same demand.

After Chennithala gave the letter, the governor had sought explanation from the government on the matter. Chief Ministers office had then replied that the given sanctions were cancelled. Chief Minister's office also clarified a committee has been appointed to draft guidelines to sanction new breweries in the state.

Mr Sathasivam in his reply to the Opposition leader pointed out that the petition filed by the opposition in the High Court on the same issue was also rejected. Hence, there was no need for any inquiry.

Chennithala in the complaint had accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay-an and excise minister Ramakrishnan of entering in to conspiracy to provide licenses to Sree Chakra Distilleries, Pow-er Infratech, Apollo distilleries and Sreedhar breweries.

The decision to give Kinfra's 10 acre land was also taken without proper consultations, Mr Chennithala had alleged.Aizawl: Protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday after the state election official left for New Delhi after being summoned by the Election Commission.

The protests were called off at 1 pm after the CEO left Aizawl city for Lengpui airport, NGO Coordination Committee chairman Vanlalruata said. The CEO left for Delhi by the evening flight.

Earlier in the day, Shashank said he had been summoned by the Election Commission and he would meet the poll panel in the national capital on Thursday. The agitation demanding his removal had been launched on Tuesday and resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members in front of the CEO's office from 8 am.

The Assembly election in Mizoram is scheduled for November 28. Vanlalruata said the coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the CEO. "If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said.

The NGO Coordination Committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations in the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state. It also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014. The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee. On Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission. The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer. Thousands of people from the Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been lodged in six relief camps in Tripura.BENGALURU: Sandalwood actor Duniya Vijay on Wednesday appeared before DCP (South) Annamalai, who warned him against indulging in violence.

The actor, along with his second wife Keerthi and her parents, appeared before the DCP where he was made to give sureity bond of Rs 5 lakh.

The DCP (South) warned that they will take criminal action against Vijay, if he indulged in any violence.

Girinagar police had on October 27 booked a suo motu case against the actor and his family members for repeatedly filing complaints over domestic issues.

Following the orders from DCP (South) Annamalai, Girinagar police had registered a case against Duniya Vijay and seven others, including his first and second wife, under CrPC 107 as a preventive measure to maintain peace in the city.

Even after the police warning, the actor and his family continued to create nuisance in their locality and hence the Girinagar police had issued a notice on Saturday asking them to appear before them.In World War I, the British Indian Army sent seven Indian Expeditionary Forces to serve with the British Army and its Allies in various theatres of war. The total number of Indian troops and labourers were short of 1.5 million.

The bravery and sacrifices of Indian troops in this war were acknowledged by the armies and peoples of the Allied nations on whose soil they fought  to defend those countries  as being a decisive factor to the allied victory. 74,187 Indian soldiers were killed in this war. The outstanding valour by many Indian soldiers finally got acknowledged like never before by the British, who decided to bestow the coveted highest gallantry award in war  the Victoria Cross  to sepoy Khudadad Khan. That set a precedent and 11 more Indian soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross in that war.

Seven war memorials dedicated to Indian troops killed in various operations in various countries during World War I were built within a few years after the war by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Two of them were built in New Delhi, India. The famous majestic India Gate has the names of the 74,187 Indian soldiers killed in various battles of World War I etched on all of its walls. The second one in India was Teen Murti, recently re-named Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk, and is a memorial to the Indian Cavalry Brigade which liberated Haifa. Accounts of valour of the Indian cavalrymen are mentioned in school history books for classes three to six in Israel.

The other five are Chattri, at Brighton, UK; Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, Germany; Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial, France; Haifa War Memorial, Israel and Pieta Military Cemetary, Malta.

In recent years, two more World War I memorials to Indian soldiers, the eighth and ninth ones, were constructed.

The eighth was at Menin Gate, in Ieper, Belgium, named after the river Ipere which flows through it. Spelt by the French as Ypres, it was pronounced as Wipers by British troops. This memorial was inaugurated on 12 March, 2011.

The ninth one at Cambrai (pronounced Combray), France was constructed very recently. The Battle of Cambrai is best known for the Indian Armys 9th Hodsons Horse, which surprised the Germans by its rapid and unwavering advance under concentrated artillery fire and made a breakthrough in their defences. This very gallant episode was watched with great admiration by onlookers, because, for horse-mounted troops to advance in the face of heavy modern firearms requires the greatest courage and daring. Also in this battle, the very first of battle tanks manufactured then and named Big Willy, were used to make a safe lane through minefields.

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, at Ieper, Belgium, has thousands of names inscribed of British, Irish, Australian and Canadian soldiers, but only about 400 names of Indian soldiers. To quote researcher and author Dominiek Dendooven, In Flanders Field Museum, Ieper, the contribution of the Indians, though highly crucial, was largely underplayed.

In 2001, at the request of the Government of India, a separate memorial stone was placed at the lawns on the ramparts of the Meningate Memorial. This was a Duhallow Block, a gravestone used by the CWGC to mark the grave of a number of persons who had no known resting place.

On being posted to France as the Defence Attache and also accredited to Belgium, Brig. (now Lt. Gen. retd.) Amit Sharma first visited Ieper with his wife, Ms Renu Sharma in May 2008 and laid a wreath at the Indian Memorial. The Sharmas felt sad to see a mere gravestone as a memorial to over 9,000 Indian soldiers who had faced the first gas attacks at Ieper, prevented the city from being captured by the Germans and made the supreme sacrifice at Flanders Fields. Brig. Sharma decided that something had to be done. He discussed the issue with the local authorities and Indian Embassy officials. All felt that this was near impossible. It was like building a memorial of another country on the lawns of India Gate. Also, this would set a precedence and other countries too, would want to build their memorials at Menin Gate, which was neither desirable nor possible. But Sharma insisted and emphasised on the fact that it was the Indian soldiers who against all odds, including weather and gas attacks, had defended Iepe

r and prevented its capture by the Germans. A Duhallow Block was certainly not adequate nor appropriate to honour their sacrifices.

It took nearly two years of protracted efforts with the Indian ambassador in Belgium and the Indian high commissioner in UK lobbying with the CWGC headquarters in London, to get the approval of the Flemish government. While the construction of a new memorial was approved, it came with a strict caveat that the memorial would not be more than 180 cm high. It was a major challenge to make something striking only about six feet high.

Ms Sharma, who had been accompanying Brig. Sharma during numerous trips to Ieper, suggested the Ashoka Emblem. With the assistance of the CWGC Head Office in London, Brig. Sharma managed to make this into a turnkey project through the CWGC so that payments could be made through that office which would also handle its maintenance thereafter. A sculptor of international repute was identified near Ieper. The monument would be carved out of local stone, with a guarantee of a thousand years. In frequent trips from Paris to Ieper, Ms Sharma would sit for hours with the sculptor, to get the emblem made to perfection.

Finally, on March 12, 2011, the Memorial was inaugurated in the presence of the Citizens of Ieper including veterans of World War II, Belgian Armed Forces officials and personnel of the Indian Embassy. It was a very proud moment for all the Indians present to salute the National Flag at the memorial with Indias National Anthem being played by the Belgian Army band.

The memorial to Indian troops at Cambrai, France was constructed recently. It was the brainchild of Maj. Karun Khanna (Hodsons Horse, retd.) and his wife, who during their visit to the Cambrai battlefield in 2015, saw that there were memorials for the British, French and Canadian Armies for World War I, but none for the Indian Army. On return to India, Maj. Khanna began efforts to initiate action. Accordingly it was recommended to Lt. Gen. P.K. Singh and Sqn. Ldr. Rana T.S. Chhina, at the United Service Institutions Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, who, in turn, approached the Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat. A ceremony to announce the construction of this memorial was held at Cambrai on December 2, 2017 where Anthony McClenaghan, BEM, Brig. Clive Elderton, CBE (retd), Sqn. Ldr. Rana Chhina, MBE (retd.), Brig. S.K. Sharma, military attache, Embassy of India, France and Gerard Allart, mayor of Villiers-Guislain/Cambrai were present. Then in September 2018, Lt. Gen. Anil Bhalla (retd.), former c

olonel commandant of Hodsons Horse visited France, where he was conducted by mayor Allart to the site at Cambrai where the memorial to Indian troops has been constructed.

The formal inauguration of this memorial, scheduled for November 10, 2018, will befittingly be by vice president of India, Venkaiah Naidu.

To mark the completion of 100 years of World War I, the British high commission, New Delhi, has planned some events from 9th to 11th November. A joint India-UK military band concert will be held at India Gate on November 10th, followed by a reception at the British high commissioner's residence, when World War I diaries of Indian units will be presented to the Colonels of Regiments and their soft copy presented to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. On November 11th, Armistice Day, a remembrance ceremony will be held at the Delhi War Cemetery.

The writer, a retired Army officer, is a defence and security analyst based in New DelhiThiruvananthpuram: CPM on Tuesday demanded stern action against Sangh Parivar activists who assaulted a 52-year-old wom-an in Sabarimala.

State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the Sangh activists deliberately intercepted the woman and assaulted her to trigger violence. He said women above the age of 50 years were allowed to enter temple even before Supreme Court verdict.

Kodiyeri said RSS had reached a level where they are trying to attack all women and prevent them from entering the temple.

It is for women, devotees and democratic minded people to think whether what the RSS is doing is right. The family whic was attacked on Tues-day came from Thriss-ur for the choroonu of their child. They were detained and then betaten up badly," he added.

He said another dev-otee aged over 50 who came from Andhra Pradesh for Ayyappa darshanam was prevented from entering the temple on the pretext that she didnt have irumudi kettu. All these activities took place under RSS leadership. Now it is clear that the political agenda about which Sreedharan Pillai said recently, was operational in Sabarimala.

The criminal gangs are executing the RSS plan with impunity. He said the police did a commendable job in maintaining restraint despite grave provocation from RSS BJP workers.

The secular and democratic society of Kerala will guard against such provocative actions of the RSS and ensure peace and tranquillity in the state.Bengaluru: While the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) are celebrating their landslide victory in the Mandya Lok Sabha bypoll, the BJP is not down in the dumps either. Although it lost the bypoll, it polled over 2.4 lakh votes, almost three times the number it has won in previous LS polls.

In fact, so overwhelmed was the BJP candidate, Dr Siddaramaiah, that he distributed sweets among party workers to thank them for their efforts that fetched the party the 2,44,305 votes it never imagined it could win. In the 2009 parliamentary polls, the BJP won less than 10, 000 votes and although it did better in 2014, winning 80, 000 votes, it expected to get a mere 1.25 lakh votes this time in the Vokkaliga dominated constituency, where the election is fought on caste lines.

It was after its Vokkaliga leader, former Deputy Chief Minister, R Ashok and former MLC, Ashwathnarayanagowda refused to contest from Mandya that the party chose Dr Siddaramaiah, a former revenue officer and son of an ex- Mandya MLA, to contest from the constituency. A political novice, his selection surprised many in the party as he was no match for Mr Shivaramegowda of the JD(S).

But he toured all the seven assembly constituencies in the district and built a rapport with the people. Although state BJP chief, B S Yeddyurappa toured the district once, Dr Siddaramaiah largely managed the show himself with the help of Mr Ashok and Mr Ashwathnarayanagowda.

"It's only a beginning of the BJP's efforts to make an inroad into the district, " Dr Siddaramaiah declared following the results. The fact that the BJP polled over two lakh votes has not gone down well among Congress and JD(S) leaders, who believe it indicates a slow polarisation of votes in Mandya.

Should the JD(S) field Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy, or Ms Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, a retired IRS officer, from the constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll as rumoured, the BJP could field Dr Siddaramaiah again, according to party sources.Bengaluru: Playing the victim card to the hilt, Congress MP D.K. Suresh on Wednesday charged that central agencies have been indirectly building pressure on his brother, Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar, to cross over and join the BJP.

According to Mr Suresh, this was part of an ongoing effort by the BJP government and BJP national president, Amit Shah to mount pressure on Mr Shivakumar to jump ship.



Speaking to reporters here, flanked by fellow party MPs R. Dhruvanarayan, K.C. Ramamurthy, G.C. Chandrashekhar and B.N. Chandrappa., Mr Suresh said, "They (officials) have again mounted pressure on him to defect to save himself and his family members or stay and face the consequences." He added that it would be inappropriate to reveal which central agency made the offer, or when the latest offer was made.

It may be recalled that Mr Shivakumars house and other properties allegedly linked to him, were raided by Income Tax sleuths last year. Mr Suresh said the I-T wing had referred a case of criminal conspiracy to the Enforcement Directorate. "Weve been saying that the union government is misusing agencies to target leaders from opposition parties. I want to ask officials not to budge to pressure and work within the framework of the law."

Mr Suresh, who represents the Bengaluru Rural in the Lok Sabha, also asserted that neither his brother (Mr Shivakumar) nor his family members would succumb to pressure. "We are firmly with the Congress party. This is our commitment to the party," he declared.

Mr Ramamurthy, a Rajya Sabha member who was formerly an IPS officer, said all nine Congress MPs from Karnataka had sought an appointment with the Enforcement Directorate head to discuss how the central agencies were being misused. "On behalf of all the MPs, I wrote to the ED seeking an audience on September 13. So far, theres been no response whatsoever," Mr Ramamurthy contended.We are building a research team for our Auto-drive Team based in Palo Alto, CA, the company said in job advertisements on LinkedIn.

Chinese technology company Tencent Holdings Ltd is recruiting self-driving car engineers in Palo Alto, California, joining a crowded field of corporations vying for talent in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley is a hub for testing and research of autonomous vehicles, with five dozen companies permitted to test such cars on California roads. But state records as of last month did not show Tencent had an autonomous vehicle testing permit.

We are building a research team for our Auto-drive Team based in Palo Alto, CA, the company said in job advertisements on LinkedIn. There are at least nine postings on LinkedIn for engineering positions in areas including motion planning, sensor fusion, vehicle intelligence and machine learning.

The job postings date back between two weeks and a month, according to LinkedIn.

Tencent declined to comment on its self-driving plans in Silicon Valley.

Tencents Chinese rival Baidu Inc was one of the first of the new generation of Chinese companies to set up a base in Silicon Valley in 2011. It has an autonomous vehicle testing permit in California.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua in May, Tencent got the green light by the southern city of Shenzhen to test self-driving cars on some public roads. Tencent is headquartered in Shenzhen.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.HPEs User Data Repository (UDR) system suffered numerous cascading catastrophic failures, leading to major network outages in November 2016, April 2017, and May 2017, Megafon alleges.

Megafon, Russias No. 2 mobile phone operator, is suing Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a California court over major outages on its cellular network, court documents showed.

The suit, filed in the US District Court, Northern District of California San Jose Division on Oct. 23, alleges that HPEs Russia division signed a deal worth more than $28 million in 2013 to upgrade Megafons wireless network.

But the system HPE built to store user data and services repeatedly failed, Megafon alleges in the lawsuit, which could total more than $200 million, with the sum due to be determined by the court.

Megafon confirmed it had filed the claim and added that it is ready to reach a settlement with HPE, which declined to comment on what it described as ongoing legal matters.

HPE told Reuters it rejected the allegations in Megafons lawsuit and said it would vigorously defend itself.

HPEs User Data Repository (UDR) system suffered numerous cascading catastrophic failures, leading to major network outages in November 2016, April 2017, and May 2017, Megafon alleges.

Certain of these failures resulted in near shutdowns of Megafons cellular network of more than 80 million subscribers, the lawsuit, which was seen by Reuters, said.

MegaFons damages include funds paid to HPE, repair costs, lost customers, and ... the need to completely rebuild its UDR system at an estimated cost of more than $28 million.

Megafon said it decided in 2011 to upgrade its wireless network for LTE communications and to unite its eight regional networks into a single federal network accessible to users with a single SIM-card.

It signed a deal with HPEs Russia division after also receiving interest in the contract from Alcatel, Ericsson, Huawei, NSN, Oracle, Tekelec and ZTE, the lawsuit said.

Amazon plans to split HQ2 between two cities

In the court document, Megafon said it had awarded the contract to HPE as it promised the best solution.

HPE built a system, which was meant to allow Megafon to unite its regional networks, but this proved faulty and failed, Megafon said in the lawsuit.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.The social network said it needed to do further analysis to decide if the accounts are linked to Russias Internet Research Agency or another group.

Facebook Inc blocked about 115 user accounts after US authorities tipped it off to suspicious behavior that may be linked to a foreign entity, the company said in a blog post on Monday, hours before US voters head to the polls.

The social network said it needed to do further analysis to decide if the accounts are linked to Russias Internet Research Agency or another group. The United States has accused the Russian government body of meddling in US politics with social media posts meant to spread misinformation and sow discord.

Eighty-five of the removed accounts were posting in English on Facebooks Instagram service, and 30 more were on Facebook and associated with pages in French and Russian, the post said.

Some accounts were focused on celebrities and others on political debate, it added.

The tip came from US law enforcement on Sunday night, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebooks head of cybersecurity policy, wrote in the post.

The company announced its actions earlier in its investigation than typical given that we are only one day away from important elections in the US, he added.

This years contest has been portrayed as crucial by both Republicans and Democrats because both chambers of Congress, and the accompanying ability to pass or reject President Donald Trumps agenda, are up for grabs.

Americans should be aware that foreign actors, and Russia in particular, continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord, including through social media, federal authorities said in a statement on Monday.

Social media companies say they are now more vigilant against foreign and other potential election interference after finding themselves unprepared to tackle such activity in the US presidential election two years ago.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.Film: Sarkar

Tamil (U/A)

Director: A R Murugadoss

Cast: Vijay, Keerthy Suresh, Radha Ravi, Varalaxmi

Rating: 2 stars (out of 5)

A R Murugadoss tends to begin his films with a concept. Sadly, when the end credits roll, all we take back home is just the concept.

For when you are focused on elevating the hero to an ultimate mass leader, you often forget filmmaking. And when you are keen on offering a plethora of solutions to the central conflict, there is less of cinema and more of information. In Sarkar, Murugadoss biggest mistake is this: failing to entertain.

In his third association with Vijay, Murugadoss picks up yet another social issue. If it was terrorism in Thuppakki (2012) and farmers suicide in Kaththi (2014), in Sarkar, Vijay is out to fix the administrational mess in Tamil Nadu.

Sundar Ramaswamy (Vijay), CEO of a top California-based software firm, flies down to Chennai to cast his vote. But somebody has already cast his ballot illegally. An infuriated Sundar turns the assembly elections upside down. The highly influential man takes an oath to fight for democracy and beat the big baddy of TN politics Maasilamani (Pala Karuppiah).

For a masala film, there exists a serious lack of creativity. The hero's introduction, the most important aspect of these films, is outright dull in Sarkar. With zero build-up, the director uses the outdated idea of a song to throw the protagonist into the narrative.

Many potential 'whistle' moments get crushed due to the lack of knockout blows. Thanks to an unimaginative writing, Murugadoss closes these moments out with tedious fights or weary dialogues.

Not every director can engage the audience with a message-heavy movie. Murugadoss approach to highlight the problems of the state is through lengthy monologues of the protagonist. Sundar is the hope for the helpless. But we dont feel for them or their plight because the scenes are designed to tell us see how good the hero is.

The handling of the antagonist leaves you frustrated. Maasilamani is always shown as naive. His daughter Paapa (Varalaxmi) arrives too late in the story to take on her dads nemesis and fizzles out just as soon.

There is no scope for acting here for Vijay because he is only asked to execute one speech after another. Keerthy Suresh plays the typical commercial cinema heroine: a voiceless presence around the hero with no added value to the story.

Sarkar was supposed to be a Diwali delight for fans. But it doesnt set the screens on fire.Around 10 Indian workers die in Gulf countries every day and for every USD one billion remitted to India, 117 deaths occur, an analysis based on RTI replies and official documents shows.

At least 24,570 Indian workers have died in six Gulf countries, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE since 2012 till mid-2018, according to information collected by transparency activist Venkatesh Nayak of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). This number could increase once the complete figures for Kuwait and UAE are made available.

Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number with 10,416 deaths during this period while Bahrain accounted for the least with 1,317 deaths.

This would come to around 10 Indians dying a day in Gulf countries since 2012, Nayak, who analysed this information with the remittance data, said.

"These deaths are a matter of concern. Workers are dying in their productive age. It should concern the government and it should conduct a study on the working and health conditions of workers going to Gulf countries," he said.

Remittances from the Gulf countries accounted for USD 209.07 billion and Nayak's analysis of RTI data, Parliamentary questions and economic data, showed that there were more than 187 deaths for every USD one billion received from Oman during 2012-17. It was 183 deaths for Bahrain, 162 deaths for Saudi Arabia.

Qatar accounted for more than 74 deaths for every one billion USD received while the lowest figure of 71 deaths was from UAE, which interestingly was the source of the highest amount of remittances from Indian workers during this period.

Bahrain which came at the bottom of the list in terms of total remittances during the same period (USD 7.19 billion), stands at second place in terms of the number of deaths of Indian workers per USD billion remitted (183). "In other words, every USD billion earned by Indian workers remitted from Bahrain cost much more in terms of deaths than a similar amount remitted from UAE," Nayak said.

Comparing the remittances from Gulf countries at USD 72.3 billion since 2012 with other countries, the analysis said the remittance from the United States was only USD 68.37 billion while it was USD 23 billion from the United Kingdom and a mere USD17.3 billion from Canada.

"However, the Indian diaspora in the developed world seems to wield more political influence in India than the Indian worker community eking out a living in Gulf countries. This phenomenon also needs a deeper examination from researchers and academics. It appears that blue-collared workers are contributing more to Indias forex kitty than the white-collared workers in the developed countries," he said.

Read: Govt fails Gulf expats despite cash inflowWith a focus of building resilience, the fourth World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM) would be held in Mumbai early next year.

More than 1,200 to 1,500 delegates from across India and the world are expected to attend the mega event to be held from 29 January-1 February 2019 - the theme of which is 'Building Resilience to Disasters: Bridging Gaps between Promises and Action'.

The WCDM will provide opportunities to critically evaluate the challenges as well as opportunities for the implementation of the development agenda at the ground level, Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao said.



Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the increased frequencies and growing intensities of disasters around the world have been causing enormous losses of lives, livelihoods and assets.

Citing the example of Maharashtra, he pointed out that it has faced natural disasters like 1993 Latur earthquake, 2005 deluge in Mumbai, 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, successive droughts, industrial accidents, oil spills in coasts and so on. "The state government has taken several measures in the past, but still more needs to be done as climate change is posing new challenges," he said.

The WCDM-2019 is being hosted in association with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and the Disaster Management Initiatives and Convergence Society, Hyderabad (DCIMS).

"Its a very important in the current context and emerging scenarios, climate change, new threats," according to Daulat Desai, Director, Disaster Management, Government of Maharashtra.

The conference has Social Development Goals (SDG) as a central point and the themes include resilience of poor, resilient agriculture and livelihood, resilient health, education and well being, resilient infrastructure, resilient cities and human settlements, resilient communities and resilient businesses.India has kept mum on the mass detention of Uyghur Muslims in China, even as the communist country drew flak from the US and several other nations on the issue during a review at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

The Universal Periodic Review of China's human rights record at the UN HRC in Geneva this week saw as many as 13 nations strongly criticizing the government of the communist country over mass incarceration of about one million Uyghurs and other minority ethnic Muslims in internment camps at its Xinxiang Uyghur Autonoumous Region.

New Delhi, however, not only maintained silence on the issue but also lauded Beijing for its success in bringing down unemployment and alleviating poverty in China during the past five years since its human rights records had last come under review at the UNHRC.

Virender Paul, New Delhi's Deputy Permanent Representative to UN offices and other international organizations in Geneva, presented India's view during the UPR of China.

India appreciates various measures undertaken by China in ensuring housing, public health services and other specific measures targeting women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities, Paul said, presenting New Delhi's statement to the UNHRC.

India also commended the progress made by China in bringing socio-economic development, judicial reforms as well as in promoting human rights education.

New Delhi chose not to lend its voice to the clamour against Beijing at the international organization, ostensibly to make it sure that the efforts to mend India-China bilateral ties do not suffer a setback.

India's complex relations with China hit a new low last year over the 72-day long military face-off at Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan. The two neighbouring nations however have been trying to bring back the relations on track since early this year  with a series of high-level engagements, including an informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan in China in April and two meetings on the sidelines of multilateral conclaves at Qingdao of the East Asian nation in June as well as at Johannesburg in South Africa in July. Modi and Xi are likely to meet again on the sideline of the G 20 summit at Buenos Aires in Argentina later this month.

The Universal Periodic Review or the UPR is a mechanism instituted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 to review the human rights records of all the 193 nations, which are members of the international organization.

The UN HRC had conducted the first UPR for China in 2009 and the second in 2013.

The communist country underwent its third earlier this week with hundreds of Uyghur and Tibetan activists staging protests in Geneva, slamming Xi's Government in Beijing for persecution and violation of human rights of the ethnic minority communities.

Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland, Germany and France too joined the United States in criticizing China at the UN HRC for mass detention of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslims in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Chinese vice foreign minister Le Yucheng led the delegation from Beijing during the UPR of China at the UN HRC. He dismissed the criticism by the US and other nations, as the ones driven by politics.

Le, who was Beijing's envoy to India till 2016, defended establishment of vocational education and training centers at Xinjiang in China, stating that it was part of a preventive counter-terrorism initiative aimed at pre-empting radicalization of people.Congress MP D K Suresh, on Wednesday, claimed that the Central agencies had reposed an offer to his brother, Karnataka Minister D K Shivakumar, to jump ship and join the BJP.

This, Suresh said, was part of an ongoing effort by the BJP-led Centre, to mount pressure on Shivakumar and stunt his political growth.

They (officials) have again asked him to jump or stay, Suresh told a press conference here, flanked by fellow party MPs R Dhruvanarayana, K C Ramamurthy, G C Chandrashekhar and B N Chandrappa. I cant reveal which central agency officers made the offer, or when the latest offer was made, Suresh added.

Shivakumars house and other properties allegedly linked to him, were raided by Income Tax sleuths last year. Suresh said the I-T had referred a case of criminal conspiracy to the Enforcement Directorate.

Weve been saying that the Centre is misusing agencies to target leaders from the opposition parties. I want to ask officials, dont budge under pressure and work within the framework of law, Suresh, who represents Bengaluru Rural in Lok Sabha, said.

Ramamurthy, a Rajya Sabha member who was formerly an IPS officer, said all nine Congress MPs from Karnataka had sought an appointment with the Enforcement Directorates chief, to tell him how Central agencies were being misused.

On behalf of all the MPs, I wrote to the ED seeking audience on September 13. So far, theres been no response whatsoever. This is unlike anything Ive seen, because officials are always available to MPs, Ramamurthy said.

The Congress MPs also hit out at BJP leader B Sreeramulu for his Bellary Lok Sabha bypoll campaign slogan Shantha for Delhi, Shivakumar for jail. Clearly, Sreeramulu was made to say this, maybe by the BJP leadership that is desperate to put Shivakumar behind bars, Suresh said.A day after losing Bellary Lok Sabha constituency to Congress-JD(S) coalition, fresh trouble seems to be mounting on beleaguered BJP leader Gali Janardhana Reddy after the Central Crime Branch (CCB) formed a team to nab him for his alleged involvement in a Ponzi scam.

According to reports, Reddy's Enable India Company received 57kg gold bars from Ambidant Company, an investment firm. The owner of Ambidant Company, Fareed approached Reddy for this deal through latter's close-associate Ali Khan.

Ali Khan allegedly purchased gold bars in the name of Enable India Company. Ramesh, the owner of Rajamahal Jewellery, fabricated a bill.

In June, the Income Tax department had carried out a raid in Ambidant Company related to ponzi scam. Reddy's involvement has been unearthed during the investigation against the company.

Several people had raised complaints against Fareed for cheating after investing money in the company. In September, the investors had staged a protest in Bengaluru against Fareed.



Cartoon by Sajith Kumar



Reddy allegedly struck a Rs 21 crore-deal with an Enforcement Directorate officer at Taj West End Hotel to save the Ambidant Company, reported News9 channel. He also bribed Rs 1 crore to the officer named Brijesh in March 2018.

Reports say, police have launched a manhunt in Delhi, Hyderabad other cities to arrest Reddy, Ali Khan and Fareed's son. Reddy is suspected to be hiding in Hyderabad.

Police have already arrested Ambidant Company owner Fareed and Jeweller Ramesh in this case.

The 'kings' of Ballari

Reddy brothers - Karunakara, Somashekara, and Janardhana - ruled the northern Karnataka district of Bellary (now Ballari) for years. The children of a police constable grew up immensely to become the unquestionable satraps in the district.

Janaradhana Reddy, people called him as GJR or GJ Reddy Sir, began with a finance company in 1989 at the age of 21. His company, Ennoble India Savings & Investment Company Limited, had opened at least 125 branches across South India and later in 2003 stopped its operation after paying all the amount to depositors.

The heady rise began when Janardhana and his brothers, along with close associate B Sriramulu, entered politics and mining, roughly at the same time in the late 1990s.

He bought the Oblapuram Mining Company (OMCL) in 2001 with a licence to mine iron ore. Janardhanas elder brother Karunakara Reddy, and Sriramulu, too, were at one time the directors of OMC. The then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Rajashekara Reddy had also blessed their company with necessary assistance.

With the international price for iron ore skyrocketing, the export of ore from Ballari too increased and so also the wealth of the Reddys. Anecdotes abound about how the Reddys and Sriramulu used to helihop to Bengaluru in one of their three choppers, for lunch. Iron brought gold, and Reddy was known to buy gold in bulk as he fantasised himself as an incarnation of Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara empire.

Janardhana flaunted wealth. He made no bones of his donation of a Rs 45-crore diamond-studded crown to the presiding deity at Tirumala. He also acquired a golden peta (turban) besides a gown woven with gold thread. He got a special golden throne made by famed jewellers Krishnaiah Chetty & Sons of Bengaluru, whose worth is not known. Like the king he admired, Janardhana went on a spree of conquests, not provinces but mining firms and mining pits and eventually the entire Ballari district.

In 2016, Reddy organised a lavish wedding function by spending Rs 500 crore during the cash crunch after the surprise announcement of the demonetisation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This made international headlines.

READ: The rise, rise and fall of 'GJ Reddy Sir'

Political initiation

In 1999, when Sushma Swaraj of the BJP challenged Sonia Gandhi of the Congress who was contesting in Ballari, it was the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu who were the stormtroopers. They became very close to her, and used to call her their mother. She was a frequent visitor of Ballari till the scams of the Reddys were exposed.

With Swaraj's blessings, and that of many central BJP leaders, the Ballari trio became cabinet ministers when the BJP came to power in Karnataka. While Janardhana Reddy was in-charge minister of the iron-ore rich district, besides holding the tourism portfolio, Karunakara Reddy held the key revenue portfolio. Sriramulu was the health minister. The trio wielded considerable influence over the first-ever BJP government in the State.

Now the Reddys clout is almost faded as only Somasekhara and Sriramulu could win seats in the May 2018 Assembly elections. On Tuesday, the Congress wrested the Bellary Lok Sabha constituency from BJP in the byelection, where Sriramulu was an MP, after 14 years.

READ: Janardhana Reddy makes a jumbo return to BJP

Mining scandals

Serious charges of alleged illegal activities against OMC were made as early as 2006. The company had allegedly involved in encroachment of reserve forest land, illegal mining, encroachment of neighbouring mines, construction of illegal roads in the forest areas, tampering with the inter-state boundary and illegal transportation of iron ore. But no action was initiated to probe the charges, let alone stop it.

However, the unexpected death of YSR in 2009 came as a severe jolt to the Reddys. With Jagan taking the Congress head-on the leadership issue, many dubious financial transactions between the Reddys and Jagan started coming to the fore.

Karnataka Lokayukta has dedicated about 10 chapters on the role of "GJR Sir" in the report on illegal mining. The anti-corruption ombudsman has severely indicted the Bellary trio in its report and recommended further probe by enforcement agencies. The Lokayukta has also described Bellary under the rule of "GJR Sir" as "Republic of Bellary" and explained in detail how administration in the district was misused and abused to allow illegal mining thrive.

In November 2009, the then chief minister of AP K Rosaiah ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of illegal mining. The Reddys had initially managed to get a stay on CBI probe from the High Court.

But the stay was subsequently vacated, paving the way for the CBI to launch an investigation into the issue.

On September 5, 2011, the CBI arrested Janardhana Reddy and took him to Hyderabad. He spent 43 weeks in jail till he got bail on January 20, 2015, from Supreme Court with strict conditions, including a ban on entering Ballari district.

The fresh allegations of his involvement in the Ponzi scam may add to his woes.

READ: Grand welcome for Janardhana Reddy in BallariCentral Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths will soon question Ballaris mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, for his alleged involvement in a case of money laundering.

The case states that Reddys personal assistant Ali Khan, allegedly received 57 kilogram in gold bullion (worth Rs 18 crore) from a Ballari jeweller.

CCB sleuths chanced upon Reddys involvement while they were investigating a ponzi scam; where a company based in DJ Halli in Bengaluru, named Ambidant, had cheated investors to the tune of 600 crore.

21 cases

Around 21 cases were registered against the firm. Three cases were registered against its owners--a father-son duo-- identified as Syed Fareed Ahmed and Syed Afaq Ahmed.

The cases were registered in 2017 and both the accused were arrested and were later released on bail.

The firm promised investors high returns (upto 40 to 50%) in interest; to gain the trust of investors. The firm initially gave its customers good returns, but later, when the customer base and investments grew, they cheated their clients.

ED raid

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided the company after the allegations and cases were registered. As the cheated amount was over 600 crore, and nearly 15,000 investors were duped, the case was transferred to CCB.

During investigations, CCB sleuths, stumbled on numerous bank accounts held by Fareed and Afaq. Fareed had 12 bank accounts and a particular bank transaction of Rs 18 crore from his account to a city-based jewellers bank account caught CCB's attention.

Bengaluru jeweller

CCB sleuths identified the city-based jeweller as Ambika Sales Corporation and questioned Ramesh Kothari, its proprietor, with whom the 18 crore worth gold bullion transaction happened.

Kothari told the police that he had purchased gold bullion from a jeweller based in Ballari; identified as Ramesh, owner of Rajmahal Fancy Jewellers.

ALSO READ: Day after bypoll loss, cops hunt for Janardhana Reddy

He also told the police that the gold bullion weighed 57 kilograms. The police trailed the transactions and questioned Ramesh who alleged the gold bullion were handed over to Ali Khan, Janardhan Reddys personal assistant.

Reddy's photos

CCB sleuths during investigations also stumbled on some photographs on Fareed and Afaqs phone where they were meeting Janardhan Reddy at Taj West End Hotel in Bengaluru, in March 2018. The meet was facilitated by one Brijesh Reddy, a realtor and a HSR Layout resident.

We are yet to recover the gold from Ali Khan who is absconding, and we will question Janardhan Reddy about the alleged money laundering, said T Suneel Kumar, city police commissioner.

When asked why the mining barons involvement in the money laundering comes a day after Ballari bypolls, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said, If had disclosed Reddys involvement earlier, then the issue would have gotten politicised. We chose to follow instructions of our superiors to disclose it now.

Bullion for bail

CCB sources hinted that Janardhan Reddy took Rs 18 crore from Ambidants Fareed and Afaq, to bail them out of the cases against them (registered by police and Enforcement Directorate).

The deal was struck at the Taj West End Hotel and was facilitated by Brijesh Reddy for Rs 20 crore. Fareed had paid Janardhan Reddys personal assistant Ali Khan 18 crore in gold bullion as part of the deal.SALT LAKE CITY  Heres a look at the news for Nov. 6.

Here is everything you need to know about voting in Utahs 2018 election.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert cites scripture to defend a Democrat against a religious freedom ad. Read more.

The fallen Utah mayor killed in Afghanistan had one final message: vote. Read more.

These two Utah booksellers are protesting an Amazon-owned company. Read more.

Utah teens met at the State Capitol to share excitement and rally for voting. Read more.

The Utah Jazz lost their fourth straight game, losing 124-111 to the Toronto Raptors. Heres what happened.

A look at the ballot initiatives for Utah.

Our most popular stories:

A look at the national headlines:SALT LAKE CITY  Utah voters showed up at the polls on Election Day in record-breaking numbers.

Early numbers by county

 More than 268,000 people voted in Salt Lake County  the first county to release its early numbers after 8 p.m.

 Utah County saw more than 87,000 voters.

 In Davis County, more than 95,000 people voted, compared to 65,000 overall in 2014.

 More than 25,000 voters cast ballots in Summit County.

 More than 11,000 people voted in Iron County.

How this year compares

The state's elections director, Justin Lee, said that by Tuesday afternoon Utah had already passed previous midterms in the number of ballots cast.

About 815,000 ballots had been cast that officials had a record for as of late Tuesday night, Lee said, representing 58 percent of active voters.

"No question, we're breaking records," Lee said.

In 2010, 653,000 Utahns voted  51.55 percent of registered voters. In 1990 and 1994, the turnout was about 58 percent, Lee said, but this year's percentage may beat those numbers as many ballots are still in the mail or being counted.

Lines at polls

Utahns voting in-person Tuesday had varying experiences at polling locations.

Areas of Utah County saw heavy voter participation and long lines.

In response, elections officials relocated additional machines to locations in the north end of the county and provided some paper ballots to make sure everyone waiting had the opportunity to vote, according to Utah County Clerk/Auditor Bryan Thompson.

But as of 11 p.m., people were still lined up waiting to vote in Utah County.

"It's the first time for vote by mail in Utah County and we anticipated that a lot of people would still show up," said Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox in regard to the wait time in Utah County.

Voters in Eagle Mountain saw wait times of up to two hours but were treated to cookies, water, donuts, coffee and hot chocolate at different times throughout the day.

Larry Dew went to two voting centers in Lehi, only to find more than two-hour waiting times. As waits at Lehi's City Hall grew to as much as three hours in the evening, pizza was dispatched to sate hungry voters.

Summit County tweeted wait times of over 90 minutes in Park City, and encouraged voters to consider driving to Kamas or Coalville where wait times were under 10 minutes.

Lines were short at the Trolley Square voting center Tuesday morning, but each machine was still occupied and the room had a bustling atmosphere. In the first two hours, more than 100 ballots had been cast.

Shauna Bagley, the Trolley Square voting center lead, was impressed by the turnout and said she expected the evening hours to get very busy.

She believes this year's election drew more voters than usual for a midterm election because of the propositions and having a former presidential candidate on the ballot.

Grace Laughlin, who cast her first ballot Tuesday, comes from a family of dedicated voters.

"I like that I'm finally able to participate in the choices that are being made for me and the people I care about," she said after voting next to her parents.

Her father, Shawn Laughlin, was excited to see her participate in her first election.

"Normally we would just mail our ballots in, but we wanted to do it down here in person for her first time," he said.

University of Utah senior William Lewis cast his ballot at the Marriott Library polling station Tuesday.

"I think it's more fun to vote in person," Lewis said.

The voting center at Columbus Community Center wasn't as busy but received 35 ballots within the first two hours of opening.

"I want change, and it's time now," said James Montgomery after casting his ballot at Trolley Square. "Change is for the best, and people want something different now."

A previous version said 1.4 million votes had been counted as of Tuesday. That number actually represents the number of active voters. More than 800,000 votes were counted as of late Tuesday night.PROVO  Attorneys for a man charged with killing a young couple from Eureka and dumping their bodies down an abandoned mine shaft want the judge over the case to recuse herself.

They allege in new court filings that 4th District Judge Christine Johnson has shown bias and coordinated with prosecutors in her chambers to obtain testimony from Jerrod William Baum's girlfriend  the only witness tying him to the deaths  that could be used against him.

Court records show Johnson has not yet filed a response, but a prosecutor on Tuesday denied there was any coordination.

Defense attorney Dustin Parmley alleges that in order to give Morgan Reannon Henderson incentive to testify in Baum's murder trial, Johnson agreed to allow her to walk free once Baum's case is resolved.

Johnson on Oct. 5 sentenced Henderson, 35, to three years in jail after she struck a plea deal with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against Baum. Henderson, of Mammoth, Juab County, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. She admitted lying to authorities after she saw Baum drive Riley Powell, 18, and Brelynne "Breezy" Otteson, 17, to an abandoned mine, where police say he slit their throats and discarded their bodies on Dec. 30, 2017.

The judge at the time said she understood the reasons behind the plea deal.

"I have agreed to bind myself to the terms of it because I believe those reasons are important," she said in court, according to a transcript in court records.

Parmley argues that before Henderson admitted to the crimes and recounted what she had seen, the judge strayed from standard practice and placed her under oath in order to secure sworn testimony against Baum.

Parmley wrote that he tried to confirm his belief by asking the state for records. Prosecutors provided some of them, court documents show, but objected to handing over others.

"We think Judge Johnson has been a terrific judge on the Baum case, as well as the Morgan Henderson case," said deputy Utah County attorney Chad Grunander. "There was no coordination with prosecutors in the Henderson case.  We simply met her and explained what the resolution was going to be, and asked her to bind herself and agree, which is allowed under the rules and not uncommon."

He noted Henderson's defense attorneys were also present for the meeting with Johnson.

Grunander declined to give specifics, noting the state doesn't get a chance to respond in court when a defense attorney seeks to disqualify a judge.

Baum, 42, of Eureka, faces several felony charges, including two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. The case carries a possible death sentence if he is convicted.

Parmley did not immediately respond to messages left Tuesday.SALT LAKE CITY  As the body of Utah National Guardsman Maj. Brent Taylor was returned to the U.S. early Tuesday, his wife offered an emotional statement declaring that while the loss of her husband is devastating, she called it a "sacred honor" to know he died for his country.

Taylor's widow, two oldest sons and parents were on hand Tuesday morning as his remains were returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where Jennie Taylor made her first public comments following her husband's death, welcoming "Maj. Brent Russell Taylor back onto U.S. soil and back home to the land he has always loved so dearly."

"To call it a sobering event would be an unspeakable understatement," she said. "To say that our hearts are anything but shattered would be nothing short of true deceit. And yet, to deny the sacred honor that it is to stand that close to some of the freshest blood that has been spilt for our country would be absolute blasphemy."

"I personally cannot yet find words adequate to tell you all that I feel as I stand here this morning by the dawn's early light," she said. "And so I echo the words that someone recently shared with me.

"Brent may have died on Afghan soil, but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both of our countries," Taylor said. "Just two weeks before Brent was killed in action, on the day before Afghanistan hosted its first parliamentary election in eight years, there was an incident that took the life of one of my husband's dearest Afghan military colleagues and friends  a young lieutenant who at the age of 22 had recently finished his officer training," she explained. "Brent wrote, 'The strong turnout at that election, despite the attacks and challenges, was a success for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan and for the cause of human freedom. I am proud of brave U.S. and Afghan soldiers I serve with. Many American, NATO and Afghan troops have died to make moments like this election possible.'

"It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come home to U.S. soil in a flag-draped casket on our Election Day," she said.

"It is a timeless and cherished honor to serve in our country's armed services," Taylor said. "That honor has been Brent's since he served in the Utah National Guard for the past 15 years and it has been mine for just as long since I have proudly stood by his side. And it has been and will continue to be the great honor of our seven children for the rest of their lives and I pray for many generations to come.

"The price of freedom surely feels incredibly high to all those of us who know and love our individual soldier," she said. "But the value of freedom is immeasurable to all those who know and love America and all that she represents."

Sharing the comments her husband made before his death and that have now been widely shared on social media, she said, "Brent himself put it best just days ago when he implored of us all, 'I hope everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote. And whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, I hope that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us. May God forever bless America.'"

In addition to his National Guard service, Taylor was first elected to North Ogden's City Council and then as mayor. He was a father of seven children  four boys and three girls ranging from 13 years old to 11 months.

In Utah, to North Ogden City Recorder Annette Spendlove, the news of Taylor's death while serving in Afghanistan was more than the death of a respected colleague, it was the loss of a surrogate son. They met more than a decade ago when Taylor was first elected to the City Council when she said the city was deeply divided politically.

"I have seven (sons) and he was my eighth," she said. "He came in when our community was torn apart and he brought this community together."

"He brought our employees together (and) he just has a knack for doing those kinds of things," she said. "He could do that because he truly loved people and truly loved this community."

Upon initially learning of Taylor's tragic death at the hands of a member of the Afghan security forces who opened fire at a Kabul Military Training Center on Saturday afternoon, she first thought it was a terrible dream.

"I turned on the TV (late Friday evening) and fell asleep and woke up about 2 o'clock (Saturday morning)," she explained. "There was a news alert on that said an American soldier was killed in Afghanistan. I just thought in my mind that it couldn't be (Maj. Taylor). Then I found out later that day."

Noting that making the ultimate sacrifice can be part of a soldier's military service, as she watched Taylor leave on multiple deployments she tried to avoid thinking of the worst-case scenario.

"It was always in the back of our minds," Spendlove said about her city government colleagues who worked with Taylor. "We just put it in the back of our minds never thinking it would really happen."

Now with the reality setting in, she said the community can use Taylor's example of service to honor his memory in the years to come.

"(We can honor him) by donating time, by volunteering, by treating people with kindness and respect," she said. "That's what he did was treat people with respect."

She said that Taylor, who was only 39 when he died, leaves behind a strong legacy of community service and devotion to family as well as the nation.

"It's hard to lose someone who still had so much to do," Spendlove said. "What he was doing was for all of us. There will always be a special place for him in my heart."

Since his deployment in January, the city's Washington Boulevard has been adorned with a banner hanging in his honor along with more than 20 similar banners recognizing local residents who are currently serving overseas military missions. A man of humility, she said he wasn't particularly fond of such displays, but the city did it to recognize the service local military members make for the people who live there.

"He loved his family, he loved America, he loved this community and he loved God," she said. "He gave his life for us."SALT LAKE CITY  Within the span of a week, Dr. Kirsten Doub suffered both a black eye and bloody lip on the job. But its not the physical demands of her work, but the emotional ones, that make veterinary medicine so difficult, she says.

Doub, owner of Union Park Veterinary Hospital in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, concurs with a recent study that found veterinarians have high rates of moral distress, the psychological pain that occurs when a person feels compelled to act in a way that is contrary to his or her moral code.

"We are expected to be flawless and to drift off to sleep every night with a free conscience," Doub wrote recently on her Facebook page. And yet, "We are part of a profession plagued with the highest rates of suicide, depression and substance abuse."

The study, published Aug. 6 in the Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine, was the latest to show that a condition once mainly associated with war veterans is being noticed  and treated  in other professions.

Earlier this year, Dr. Simon Talbot and Dr. Wendy Dean, writing in the health and medicine publication STAT, said physicians are suffering from widespread moral injury because of their inability to offer quality patient care under the bureaucratic constraints of the health care system.

And moral distress and injury among nurses has been a concern for more than a quarter of a century.

In response to the growing awareness of the problem, a Texas seminary established a Soul Repair Center dedicated to research and education about moral injury. At its annual conference Nov. 15 in Denver, participants will participate in workshops to include the effects of moral injury on families, and discuss moral injury in sacred texts.

Moral injury can occur to anybody who has a developed conscience, experts in the field say. But people of faith are uniquely positioned to help sufferers because they are well acquainted with one component of healing: forgiveness.

Another thing that helps sufferers of moral injury or distress is something that anyone who listens well can do.

The cost of 'convenience euthanasia'

In a veterinary practice, moral distress might occur when a client asks the veterinarian to euthanize a pet when the animals condition could be treated. This happens almost daily or at least weekly for most veterinarians. It is one of the main reasons I opened my own hospital, said Doub, who said she will not perform convenience euthanasia.

But moral distress can also result from the reverse situation, according to the study authors. Nearly 8 in 10 veterinarians also report incidents when they believe euthanasia is the best thing for the pet, but the owners refuse and subject the animal to lengthy, expensive and ultimately futile treatment. In many cases, veterinarians may report feeling sad or upset without realizing what is happening on a deeper level: a conflict between their actions and their personal morals, authors Lisa Moses, Monica Malowney and Jon Wesley Boyd wrote.

The authors believe that the widespread incidence of moral distress and injury among veterinarians contributes to mental health problems and a suicide rate that is twice the average of the general population. Doub, whose practice now includes former clients of a Utah veterinarian and friend who took his own life in 2012, agrees.

Doub knew another veterinarian and a veterinarian technician who committed suicide. She believes ethical conflicts between pet owners and veterinarians are increasing, in part, because people are living beyond their means and dont have money saved for emergencies. When an emergency occurs and diagnostic tests and treatment is expensive, they either ask the veterinarian to euthanize the pet, or ask for a payment plan, which they sometimes dont honor.

Doubs friend who died by suicide, had a whole hospital full of cats who were dumped at his practice that he cared for himself. He offered payments and then people wouldnt pay him back. He hadn't had a vacation in five years."

In health care for humans, moral distress and injury occurs when outside constraints prevent physicians and nurses from providing care that they know a patient needs, according to a study published in 2017 in the journal Psychological Trauma. These constraints could include being compelled to care for more patients than time allows, having to follow a parent's instructions when the physician doesn't believe it's in the best interest of a child, or continue care that does not improve a patient's condition but instead prolongs dying.

The concept of moral injury was originally developed by a Massachusetts psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Shay, to describe the trauma suffered by veterans who witnessed or participated in atrocities during war. Shay says moral injury occurs when there is a betrayal of what one believes to be right, either by the person himself or by a person in legitimate authority."

"Both forms of moral injury impair the capacity for trust and elevate despair, suicidality and interpersonal violence. They deteriorate character," Shay wrote.

A loss to society

Although veterans of combat witness more trauma than the average suburban veterinarian, Rita Nakashima Brock, author of Soul Repair: Recovering from Injury After War, said it does not diminish their condition by extending the diagnosis to other professions. On the contrary, it helps to remove a stigma, said Brock, senior vice president for moral injury programs at Volunteers of America.

I think the way moral injury has moved into other spaces says that its a very strong concept, and that other human beings, just like veterans, can be in circumstances that cause them to lose their meaning system," Brock said. "And losing a meaning system is devastating, because its about everything you thought was right and good, everything you invested your sense of self in, starts to collapse."

A person's identity is "profoundly moral" and people usually automatically behave in ways that reflect that inner code, she explained. But then you can have an experience that causes you to fail to do the right thing, even if you want to do the right thing.

For example, Brock once had a conversation with a man who was fleeing the World Trade Center on 9/11 and saw an older man trip and fall, and he didn't stop to help him. When he looked back, two other people had stopped. Later, he began to doubt his capacity to behave morally because of the experience, she said.

In the aftermath of that, you start thinking, what do I believe, how could I have done that, how can I trust myself to be a good person? she said.

When moral distress or a moral injury afflicts a person in a profession, it not only hurts the individual, but society. A doctor, for example, may come to believe that she's not a good doctor anymore, after experiencing repeated moral distress, and disillusioned, leave the profession.

"It's not just the loss of their career; it's a major loss to society," Brock said.

'An ancient concept'

Nancy Ramsay, director of the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, said moral injury is an ancient concept with a new name.

History shows that even ancient cultures struggled with moral injury. We know that, in the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament, when there were battles, men didnt go right back to their towns. They had a process of ritual cleansing, or a year of penance before they could participate in sacraments again. War changes peoples lives forever, Ramsay said.

Moral injury is different from post-traumatic stress, however, she said. They can occur together, but theyre not the same." Post-traumatic stress occurs in the aftermath of an event in which a person thought they were going to die. It actually changes chemicals of the brain; it has physiological consequences."

Ramsay describes moral injury as the result of either perpetrating, failing to prevent, or witnessing an act that betrays your moral standards. People may also suffer moral distress or injury by being witness to the aftermath of an event.

Suddenly, you realize theres a capacity for destructiveness that went beyond the scope of your imagination, she said.

As for the difference in moral distress and moral injury, Ramsay said, Think of them on a continuum. Moral distress is uncomfortable, but its not the kind of devastating, life-changing trauma of moral injury. Moral injury, some people write about as if the world changes. The scope is more profound. Neither is comfortable, but moral stress is not as serious in its consequence, she said.

To help educate faith leaders on the scope and treatment of moral injury, Brite's Soul Repair Center offers seminars and conferences for people of all faiths, and other seminaries  to include Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Eden Theological Seminary near St. Louis, Missouri, and Boston University's School of Theology  are addressing moral injury in their program offerings.

Some hospitals are trying to help physicians and other health care providers with a caregiving program called "Code Lavender." But writing in STAT, Talbot and Dean said that's not sufficient.

"What we need is leadership willing to acknowledge the human costs and moral injury of multiple competing allegiances. .. Physicians must be treated with respect, autonomy, and the authority to make rational, safe, evidence-based and financially responsible decisions," they wrote.

As for veterinarians, the authors of the new study called for more instruction on ethical conflict and self-care in veterinary school.

"Regardless of the explanation, training in recognizing, naming and navigating ethical conflict as part of veterinary professional education could start to address the problem," the report said.

Steps to healing

Repairing a moral injury is as important as healing a physical injury, said Brock of Volunteers of America, because Human beings cant live without a meaning system.

One of the most important parts of recovery is being able to talk about what happened with a benevolent person who cares about you, Brock said. Once you begin to do that, you can start to process the story, to think about it from different angles.

Eventually, she said, You have to build a new moral system that is adequate to that experience. You're not well if you put it away and try not to think about it and just keep going."

Ramsay agrees that being able to talk frankly to someone who will listen without condemnation is critical to those wrestling with moral struggles. And doing so leads to another step  repentance and self-forgiveness.

Being able to safely say out loud what has happened, and explore the context of the action, helps people to look honestly at whether they could have done anything differently. It helps them distinguish between fault that they own and/or fault that belongs to another, or even to realize that the action that troubles them was simply the inevitable outcome of an incredibly complex and difficult situation.

That may not take away being haunted by what they saw and what they did, but hopefully it helps the process of remembering and mourning this life-changing experience, she said, adding that people who have religious faith may benefit from being able to confess their actions to a spiritual leader.

And whether or not people are religious, doing volunteer work or other good deeds may be both reparation and a source of healing. In addition, some people may find relief through a physical practice, such as meditation or yoga.

People who are suffering from a moral injury, either from their professional work or something they did in their personal life, might be able to take comfort in knowing that theyre not fundamentally broken, that their suffering is indicative that their conscience is working perfectly well.

You cant have moral injury without a conscience. Your conscience is working perfectly well," Brock said. "But what happened is, your conscience has become ungrounded from any meaning system that makes your conscience feel that its active and doing the right thing. Thats why youre so miserable.

"Its not a pathology; its a normal, human response to abnormal conditions. But it is a profound kind of suffering, she said.SALT LAKE CITY  The Governors Office of Economic Development Board voted Tuesday to approve a proposal for a new $337 million downtown convention center hotel.

The 680,000-square-foot hotel will be located on the southeast corner of the Salt Palace Convention Center block and will include between 700 and 750 rooms with 62,000 square feet of meeting space consisting of a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, a 14,000-square-foot junior ballroom and an outdoor rooftop amenity space, according to a news release.

The hotel at 200 S. West Temple will directly connect to the Salt Palace Convention Center and will be about 325 feet tall.

The New Convention Facility Development Incentive provides a post-performance incentive to add $281 million in capital investment over 20 years. The new convention center hotel will be a joint venture between DDRM, a real estate developer headquartered in St. George, and Portman Holdings, a real estate development, investment and management company.

The hotel convention center has been discussed for several years and is a need in our community, said GOED Executive Director Val Hale. With the approval of this incentive, the state can attract larger conferences and Utah can enter into a new market for meetings and conventions.

Portman Holdings and DDRM expect to break ground on the new facility in the fall of 2019 with the hotel operator to be announced early next year. The hotel is slated to open in 2022.

We are pleased to partner with the county and DDRM to build this convention hotel in Salt Lake City," Ambrish Baisiwala, CEO of Portman Holdings, said in a statement. "We have found Utah, Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City to be both business-friendly and a strong destination market with an excellent airport, infrastructure and leisure activities in proximity to the Salt Palace Convention Center.

DDRM is fortunate to join with Portman to bring this hotel to Utah," said Stan Castleton of the DDRM Companies. "Portmans convention hotel experience, creativity and financial resources are very prominent within the industry worldwide and will help us create something that will make the entire state of Utah proud.

Salt Lake City CH LLC may earn up to 100 percent of the new incremental states sales tax over the life of the agreement in the form of a post-performance Economic Development Tax Increment Finance tax credit rebate. The GOED board approved a post-performance tax credit rebate not to exceed $75 million over the 20-year agreement. Salt Lake City CH LLC may earn 100 percent of city and county sales tax and property tax over 25 years, including the conveyance of land on the Salt Palace site from Salt Lake County.

Each year that Salt Lake City CH LLC meets the criteria in its contract with the state, it will earn a portion of the total tax credit rebate.

Portman Holdings says the hotel may increase direct visitor spending in Utah by up to $45 million per year.Cookie banner

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By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.SALT LAKE CITY 

At rare moments, we see true nobility in action. When we do, all the petty bitterness and perpetual rage of political life in early 21st century America seems to fade, like a 2-year-old's tantrum at a public event, into meaningless noise.

Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden and a major in the Utah National Guard, didn't write his final Facebook post with any intention it would be widely quoted by the media. He had no idea it would be his final Facebook post. No idea that he would die, allegedly at the hands of one of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces members he was training; an inside attack by someone who betrayed his fellow soldiers.

What he wrote was a reflection of who he was. It just happened to come at a time when we needed to read it.

"As the USA gets ready to vote in our own election (Tuesday), I hope everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote," he wrote. "And that whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unite us than divide us. 'United we stand, divided we fall.' God bless America."

The question is, when was this sentiment most meaningful to his fellow citizens?

Until last night, I'm guessing, it easily resonated with many Americans. That's because they were caught up in Election Day magic  that indescribable feeling many of us get each November when voters realize they get to register their true feelings in the form of a dot on an official ballot.

The Atlantic featured a question on the cover of its October issue: "Is democracy dying?" Despite the thoughtful reflections inside by author and columnist Anne Applebaum, the question itself seemed a little blasphemous on Election Day.

Weren't we all feeling the magic? Didn't we hear about how voter turnout was higher than expected, and that Utah was poised to easily outpace the 46 percent who showed up during the last midterm election in 2014? Didn't we notice all the happy posts on our own Facebook feed from people who voted and were proud of it?

But now it is Wednesday morning and you know at least most of the winners and losers. (I, however, am writing this on Tuesday and remain in ignorant bliss.) Maybe some of your favorite candidates lost. Maybe one or more of the ballot issues in Utah didn't go your way.

Even the voter turnout might not seem so impressive when you consider it is a measure of the percentage of registered voters who showed up, not a measure of all eligible voters. When you figure in all those citizen adults who never bothered to register, despite Utah's commendable new law allowing them to do so even on Election Day, the true state of American democracy may not seem so great.

And then there is the grim realization that from this day forward, the 2020 campaign season is underway.

Taylor's concern seems directed more toward the cold reality of Wednesday morning than the idealism of Tuesday. Will we remember "we have far more as Americans that unite us than divide us?" Will we feel the urge to emphasize those similarities or to exploit and distort the differences?

It's important here to note that Taylor was much more than the sum of his last Facebook post. His record of service in Utah demonstrated a devotion to principles over fraternity. Look at his service on the Utah Transit Authority board, for example.

While other trustees last year voted for a revamped retirement plan that gave some executives more than three times what every other employee gets, Taylor was the only one who objected, calling it "not right."

He also was the lone dissenter to the agency's 2018 budget, believing it didn't represent the best use of public money.

He wasn't just being obstinate. His stated concern was with gaining the trust of taxpayers.

Nobility has everything to do with demonstrating a devotion to high morals and ideals. If Taylor didn't possess this, he likely still would be with us. His decision to join the military solidified after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. As he told the Deseret News last January, "God, country and family" were the most important things in his life.

It's up to everyone who read his final words and took comfort and inspiration from them to decide  were they meant just for Tuesday, or for Wednesday morning and beyond?Ah, Costa Rica, so long I have dreamed of visiting you and your amazing birds. Well, here I am, and so far I love this place. We will be here for three full weeks, so I should get to see most of the major habitat zones before we leave, if only the weather will help us out.

As many of might know by now, we have covered a lot of ground this year, with Costa Rica being our ninth country visited. Needless to say, with our budget pretty thin, we have put this leg of our Little Big Year together as inexpensively as possible. After landing in San Jose ay close to 10:00 PM, we made our way to our first Air BnB just north of the airport. The next morning we were up and away towards Bajos de Toro, and the Aurora Mountain Lodge, well up in the higher elevations. The information about the lodge says that you might need 44 to get there. We did not, but in some nasty weather, that driveway/road might get pretty rough. The house is on a working farm, in the far back end of a large mountain valley and tremendous. After two nights, with one full day to bird in between, I had added 28 new birds to the Little Big Year list, and 21 new Lifers! A few of the highlights here were the Common Tody-flycatcher, Gray-headed Yellowthroat, Torrent Tyrannulet, Violet Saberwing, Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Gold-wing Warbler Short-tailed Hawk, and the Slate-throated Redstart.

Here is that Common Tody-flycather.

This lovely fellow is the Passerinis Tanager, but the name is being switched to Scarlet-rumped Tanager at some point.

This is a repeat of the cover photo, but this is the Short-tailed Hawk, in the middle of the valley the lodge was located in.

Here is that Slate-throated Redstart.

The owners have planted a large number of Bird-of-paradise plants, and this Violet Saberwing has taken position of them.

In addition to the Violet Saberwing, just as we were leaveing the lodge, this Scintillant Hummingbird landed right next to the door way.

Our next stop was at the Hostel Casa Sarapiqui, which is on the property border of the De Silva Biological station. This reserve is well known in Costa Rica for an amazing amount of birds. The stay De Silva Biological Station, while well worth it, was a little bit more than we wanted to budget for, so the next best thing was staying right next door. We got our own kitchen, and run of the place as well as the 50 plus acres of a very nice variety of environments. We did get introduced to Geiner Huertas Reyes, who took us for a walk along part of the river and into a public park, where we put together a nice list of 61 species. Some of the highlights for here include my first Toucan, a Keel-billed Toucan, and the later in the day, a Collared Aracari. There were Montezuma Oropendolas, as well as Chestnut-headed Oropendolas, Red-lored Parrots, White-crowned Parrots, Black-headed Saltator, Black-cowled Orioles, tropical Pewees, Social Flycatchers, Greater Kiskadees, Rufous-tailed Jacamars, Keel-billed Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Red-leg Honey Creepers, Shining Honeycreepers, Broadwing Hawks, Gray Hawks, Gray-rumped Swifts, Mangrove Swallows, Long-billed Hermit, Plain Xenops, Long-tailed Tyrant, and the Buff-throated Saltator, just to name a few.

Here is a fun shot of a Groove-billed Ani, getting warmed up in a brief bit of morning sun.

In a display of color that is almost unmatched, this Red-legged Honeycreeper is actually quite hard to photograph. The colors are so reflective that no matter what angle to took, they seemed almost as if they were a bad photo-shop job.

This Rufous-tailed Jacana was found in the park with Geiner.

This Black-cheeked Woodpecker was shot right off the upper patio off our room.

The local owner of the hostel had kept back a few hands of the bananas that were harvested on the farm, and hung them for the birds. This Collared Aracari was just one of several birds to stop by for a banana snack.

The rainbow colored bill on this Keel-billed Toucan, was my first ever toucan. I am quite sure that at some point there I giggled when I saw it.

The Black-cowled Orioles turned out to be banana lovers too.

This is the only Black-headed Saltator I have seen all week, so I was quite glad to get this photo.

Costa Rica certainly has a few birds with some amazingly long names. This interesting bird is the Chestnut-headed Oropendola.

Another species in the long name category, would be this Common Chlorospingus.

We have seen a pretty large number of Black Vultures, as well as both the resident, and the migrant Turkey Vultures in the last week. This King Vulture has been the only one we have been able to spot.

After this stay, we were on our way north, very close to the Nicaraguan border, and the Cano Negro Wetland. We had scheduled a guided river trip here, in hopes to find some of the hard to locate water based species. This time we were staying at the Cano Negro Wetland Lodge, a nice group of casitas, with an owner run kitchen area that also provided meals if you should choose. The grounds around the lodge had enough birds to keep me busy, and our morning on the river helped us put together a list of 57 species. Some of the highlights for this area are Sungrebes, Black-headed trogons, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Pacific Screech Owls, Jabirus, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Boat-billed Heron, Squirrel Cuckoos, Amazon Kingfishers, Ringed Kingfishers, Green Kingfishers, American Pygmy Kingfishers, Belted Kingfishers, Blue-gray Tanagers, Gray-necked Wood-rails, White-fronted Crakes, Roadside Hawks, White-tailed kites, Northern Jacana, Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Olive-sided Warblers, Bare-throated Tiger-heron, Rufescent Tiger-heron, Green Ibis, Lineated Woodpecker, Paled-billed Woodpecker, and the Golden-olive Woodpecker, again, just to name a few.

Here is that Gray-necked Wood-rail, a bird that has been recently split and is now called the Russet-naped Wood-rail.

The Jabirus stayed quite a way away, but Jeanne and I got to watch this pair go thru several versions of a mating dance. Trading off a twig, wrapping necks, jumping up and downthey covered them all.

The morning we were on the boat, it pretty much never quit raining, sometimes a little, sometimes it came down in biblical proportions. This Slaty-tailed Trogon just never got us a great look, and when it was open, it was dumping rain.

This Squirrel Cuckoo, gave me my favorite photo of the trip so far.

I had hoped to find the Sunbittern and the Sungrebes on this leg. Oh well, one out of two with this awesome Sungrebe.

This Ringed Kingfisher is really big, but it still had a real mouth full with this fish. After bashing it on a branch to kill it, it did finally get it swallowed.

This is the female Ringed Kingfisher pictured below.

We found this Boat-billed Heron hiding back in a gap in the trees.

I have been able to track down quite a few of the Bare-throated Tiger Herons, but only one of the Rufescent Tiger Herons, seen here in all its bared glory.

I guess when it rains, you go looking for an umbrella, even if you are a Blue-gray Tanager.

I have had a tough time tracking down any owls, but we did find this pair of Pacific Screech Owls. The second bird stayed well hidden off to the right side.

The first week has everything I could have hoped for and more. The second week will find us going down the west side of the country, almost to Panama. If the weather will hold, I hope to put some pretty good numbers together by the end of next week. So far things are looking like this, for the Little Big Year.

As a side note, the birds that ended up being my 1000th bird of the year was the Green-breasted Mango Hummingbird, which unfortunately, I never did get a photo of!

Little Big Year Species  1045

eBird.org submissions  335

Costa Rica species  164OREM  Mitt Romney is headed to Washington after all.

The former Republican presidential nominee and Massachusetts governor can add U.S. senator to his list of political accomplishments after cruising to victory Tuesday over Democrat Jenny Wilson.

"During the next six years, I commit to devote my heart, my mind and my energy to be worthy of the trust that as the voters of Utah have given me," he said in his victory speech to a cheering crowd at his campaign headquarters.

Romney will take office amid a small blue wave that returned control of the House to Democrats. Republicans held a slim majority in the Senate. He said he would reach across party lines to find common ground.

Unofficial results showed Romney with 61 percent of the vote to Wilson's 33 percent. Three third-party candidates Tim Aalders, Craig Bowden and Reed McCandless combined for less than 6 percent of the vote.

Romney said his victory is a call to action.

"I believe it's a call for greater dignity and respect. I believe it's an affirmation that regardless of one's gender or ethnicity or sexual orientation or race or place of birth, that we are equal, not only in the eyes of God, but also in the respect and dignity we are due from government and from our fellow Americans," he said.

Romney said his win is also a call to action that is "long past due" on a balancing the federal budget, immigration reform and pushing back against the "heavy hand of the federal government."

"I will be one of one hundred United States Senators. But I believe that one person, doing the right thing at the right time can have a lasting impact," he said. "I will work with good men and good women in both parties to serve the cause of Americas enduring greatness."

Though he fell short of winning the ultimate Washington prize in 2012, Romney beat Wilson in a race that really wasnt in doubt since the day he jumped in last February. Being forced into a primary election in June proved to be more of a distraction than a challenge.

Romney will replace retiring seven-term GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch, who urged the former Salt Lake Olympics leader to run.

Though he will head to the nation's capital as Utahs junior senator, Romney will have instant credibility with his Republican colleagues, though he won't wield near the power of the venerable Hatch. Some observers expect him to seek positions on the Senate foreign relations and national security committees.

Asked if he had any advice for the junior senator, Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee said he would tell Romney to watch out for "mostly the hazing rituals."

Lee said Romney will bring a "great mind" to the Senate and that he looks forward to working with him. He said both of them see that the "strength of the American people lies not in the government but with its people, its communities its families and that Washington, D.C. doesn't have all the answers."

Utahns shouldnt expect Romney to be a counterbalance to President Donald Trump, at least when it comes to policy. He has, by and large, agreed with the Trump agenda, high tariffs on foreign goods being an exception. He also may disagree with the administration's approach to Russia.

Romney has distanced himself from his 2016 comments when he called Trump a "fraud" and a "phony," but said he would call out the president when he makes racist, misogynistic or anti-immigrant remarks.

At 71, Romney will be the oldest first-term U.S. senator ever elected in Utah. He has said he doesnt expect to serve more than two terms.

"This is the kind of celebration I was anticipating six years ago. You can dream," Gov. Gary Herbert said, referring to Romney's failed 2012 presidential bid.

Romney has ruled out running for president again.

Herbert said Utah's new senator has big shoes to fill in replacing Hatch.

"I think Mitt's is going to come as close as anybody to filling those shoes," he said. "He's not going to be your typical freshman senator  He's going to have a significant leg up and great opportunity to do something, to get things done."

Even with Democrats taking the House, Herbert said Congress is going to be "set up for his skill set." He's has the personality and negotiating style to bring people together, he said.

Early on in the campaign, political opponents, including conservative Republicans, questioned Romney's Utah ties and complained that his entry in the race should drive a conversation, not a coronation.

Romney made a point to familiarize himself with the state, traveling to all 29 counties and holding events around Utah. He said he had 7,000 volunteers working on his campaign.

In his victory speech, Romney praised Wilson, who he worked with during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games, for running a strong, competitive campaign.

Wilson, 53, started campaigning months before Hatch announced his retirement, expecting to challenge the longtime senator whose popularity in Utah was waning or run for an open seat should he step aside. Instead, she got Utah's favorite adopted son.

In her concession speech, Wilson said she entered the race with two objectives: to return a Senate seat to the people of Utah and to provide a voice for people who feel left out.

"I can tell you, that objective was met," she said of the latter. "Our campaign engaged with voters in every corner of this state."

Wilson said she will continue to fight for Democratic ideals "until the Trump rallies of division and hate are a thing of the past."

Though facing an uphill battle, Wilson campaigned hard on limited resources, raising less than $1 million compared to Romney's nearly $5 million, including $1.2 million from his presidential campaign account.

Wilson, a former chief of staff to Democratic Congressman Bill Orton, called for a new generation of leadership in Washington and "homegrown" representation for the state.

"I have one ask tonight of Mitt Romney," she said. "Do not forget about us, the people of Utah."SALT LAKE CITY  Utah voters like the idea of expanding Medicaid coverage in the state, with unofficial results Tuesday night showing Proposition 3 passing 55 percent to 45 percent.

Proposition 3 calls for expanding Medicaid eligibility to every Utahn in a household earning 138 percent or less of the federal poverty level, and paying for that expansion by raising the state sales tax from 4.7 percent to 4.85 percent on nonfood purchases.

The Proposition 3 campaign, called Utah Decides Healthcare, has estimated the tax increase would raise $91 million in state money, thereby triggering more than $800 million in matching federal funds to pay for the costs from about 150,000 projected new enrollees in the federal health insurance program.

"We're obviously feeling really good about the results coming in tonight. This is the culmination of six years of work here in Utah," said RyLee Curtis, campaign manager for Utah Decides Healthcare.

By 10:30 p.m., 10 counties had finished submitting total voting numbers on Proposition 3, but all were rural. Counting remained open in Utah's four largest counties, with the published votes showing voters in Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties favoring the initiative and Utah County voters coming down against it.

Curtis said the campaign was "feeling good about the votes" late Tuesday.

She said she felt Proposition 3 had strong appeal statewide because of how many rural Utahns are uninsured.

"I can tell you we're confident we've run the best campaign we possibly could have," Curtis said.

The Affordable Care Act mandated that each state expand Medicaid eligibility to everyone at 138 percent or less of the federal poverty level. But a 2012 Supreme Court ruling made Medicaid expansion optional on a state-by-state basis.

Full Medicaid expansion has failed multiple times in the Utah Legislature, including lawmakers' defeat of Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah expansion plan that he lobbied 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 extremely low-income Utahns, including the homeless, with a focus on bettering their behavioral health and substance abuse treatment options.

This year, the Legislature OK'd a bill instructing the Utah Department of Health to submit a federal waiver that seeks to offer Medicaid eligibility to all Utahns in households earning 100 percent of the federal poverty level, expanding coverage to an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 Utahns.

A waiver is needed with that bill because it seeks a full 90 percent to 10 percent federal matching rate without fully expanding coverage defined by the Affordable Care Act.

The push for full Medicaid expansion in Utah has been met with very little organized opposition this year. The only group that has reported any significant campaigning against the measure this year is a political issues committee called No on Proposition 3, which took about $35,000 in in-kind canvassing and advertising help from Americans For Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group, in late September and early October.

However, the push has had its critics, including Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, who was behind the narrowly targeted Medicaid expansion for Utah's extremely poor which passed in 2016.

Dunnigan said late Tuesday it appeared Proposition 3 would pass, and that "the upside is it will provide health care to quite a few low income adults."

But he said the worrisome risk is that "there's no top end or limit to what it could end up costing the state."

"Just because there's a sales tax increase associated with it doesn't mean that's going to be adequate to fund the expansion," Dunnigan told the Deseret News. "That's a big risk."

He also said that other states that have expanded Medicaid have found it entails paying for the coverage of "more people, and at a higher cost, than has been projected" there, and that the same could conceivably happen in Utah.LEHI  Even though incumbent Republican Rep. Mia Love trailed Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams in the 4th Congressional District race she said believes she can pull off a victory.

Love has 48.6 percent compared to 51.4 percent for McAdams in statewide results reported from the largely by-mail election, but both campaigns said they may not know the winner until later in the week as more votes come in and are counted.

"It looks really good. I'm optimistic about it but I am certainly going to wait until we get all those numbers in before we do anything," she told reporters. "But I feel fairly confident that this is going to work out."

During a second appearance at her campaign's election night party in a small conference room at a newly opened Lehi hotel, the two-term congresswoman said the turnout in Utah County was "off the charts."

Given how many voters waited in line for hours in largely Republican areas like Lehi and Eagle Mountain to vote Tuesday, Love said, "my gut tells me that we're going to pull this out."

Earlier in the evening, Love's campaign manager, Dave Hansen, said the long lines of voters in Utah County were a "very good" sign. The county, Love's conservative stronghold, makes up about 11 percent of the district.

Hansen said if turnout is strong enough in Utah County, Love can lose Salt Lake County and still win re-election. Poll watchers for Love reported about 2,000 voters were still waiting to cast their ballots in Utah County as of about 9:30 p.m.

He said it could take until Friday for "definitive results" in the race.

At the Utah Democratic Partys election night party at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, McAdams took the stage shortly before 10:30 p.m., drawing loud applause and wild cheers from a crowd of supporters.

I know theres a lot of excitement, a lot of optimism in the room. I have to say, its not over  but everything is looking good, McAdams said, to an explosion of cheers, and chants of Ben, Ben, Ben.

The only thing that is clear is that Utahns are ready for change, he said. They are sending a message that we want an independent voice to represent us in Washington.

McAdams said it will "take a few days before we know the outcome of this election, but if we win, this will be a win for people over politics, and "a win for fixing a broken Washington with your interests, not special interests writing the agenda."

He did not comment on Love's predicting a win, but speaking to reporters after his speech, he said he was cautiously optimistic.

There are a lot of votes still to be counted, he said, adding that a victory may have to wait until more votes are tallied perhaps on Friday, when Utah County was expected to release more results. Were still waiting to see how those come in.

Weve been working hard at this race for over a year now, so if it takes a few more days to find out if weve prevailed or not its worth the wait, he said. We are optimistic, and can wait a few days or however long it takes to see how this ends up.

McAdams stayed ahead throughout the night, but saw his lead narrow from 10 points in early results just from Salt Lake County to 3 points as more counties reported vote totals, especially Utah County.

"It's an impressive early lead for McAdams, but it is entirely from Salt Lake County," Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, cautioned after the initial results.

He said when votes come in from areas of the district that favor Republicans, "the margin will narrow considerably," pointing out that in 2016, Love won the Utah County portion of the district by 20,000 votes.

It's been a tight race all along, with most polling showing Love slightly ahead but McAdams within the margin of error. In the final weeks, the race was widely viewed by national analysts as a toss-up, or even leaning Democratic.

More than $10 million is expected to end up being spent on the 4th District contest, including several million dollars by partisan and special interest groups from outside Utah for attack ads targeting both candidates.

Love and McAdams also went after each other in TV commercials focused on accusations Love illegally raised campaign funds and McAdams is a tax and spend Democrat who backs House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for speaker.

Both candidates have repeatedly denied the accusations made against them but the contention continued throughout the campaign.

Even during their only debate, held in mid-October, the candidates seemed to spend more of their time taking swipes at each other than talking about their stands on issues.

Love, 42, the only black Republican woman in Congress, has campaigned on her accomplishments during two terms in office, including passing five bills in the House. One, helping small community banks provide loans, has been signed into law.

"I can say no matter what happens, I do my very best," Love has said about the race. "You don't have all the funds in the world to let people know all the things that we've done. But we've worked really hard."

The former Saratoga Springs mayor has touted support from members of the otherwise all-Democratic Congressional Black Caucus, and her ability to collaborate with President Donald Trump on some issues while criticizing him on others.

Trump has loomed large in the race, because despite the state's reputation as one of the most Republican in the nation, the president's popularity lags in Utah, especially in the 4th District.

McAdams, 43, a former state senator elected mayor of the state's largest county in 2012, has been backed by several Republicans, including Draper Mayor Troy Walker. The pair worked together on the homeless issue.

"I don't get credit for what I try to do or what I say I want to do. I'm judged based on what I accomplish," McAdams has said about serving as mayor.

He has promised voters he'd continue to cross the aisle if they send him to Congress "to overcome Washington's broken politics," and distanced himself from national Democrats like Pelosi.

This is McAdams first run for Congress.

Love lost her first bid for Congress in 2012, against then-Rep. Jim Matheson. When Matheson, the last Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, retired two years later, Love won the seat and was re-elected in 2016.

Salt Lake County is expected to release more results on Thursday, while Utah County will wait until Friday. The final canvass won't be until Nov. 26 at noon, when Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and other state officials meet to certify results.

Contributing: Katie McKellarSALT LAKE CITY  A majority of Utah voters backed an initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the Beehive State, with more than 53 percent in support of the measure out of nearly 740,000 ballots counted, according to results posted late Tuesday.

According to state elections officials, around 815,000 ballots had been cast in Utah during this election, a 58 percent turnout rate.

Regardless of the final outcome of the vote, however, state lawmakers are expected to convene soon in an effort to pass a compromise bill agreed to by major supporters and opponents of Proposition 2, effectively replacing the ballot initiative.

About 150 Proposition 2 supporters, including members of the Utah Patients Coalition, gathered at the Infinity Event Center downtown Tuesday let up a loud cheer upon seeing first results on the initiative.

The Infinity Event Center had the relaxed atmosphere of a self-assured campaign throughout the lead-up to the numbers being released, as supporters enjoyed pizza, listened to live music, talked and watched CNN on a large projector. Most who were looking on did not seem surprised at the early favorable results on the initiative.

However, initial results showing 64 percent support dwindled gradually until hovering just above 54 percent later in the evening. By about 9:30 p.m., as the percentages tightened, the crowd had thinned out slightly.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m., Utah Patients Coalition Director DJ Schanz told the crowd gathered to more subdued applause that Summit and Grand counties, none of whose results had been reported, "are going to kill it, so we think we're looking good."

Results late Tuesday showed a divergence in support for Proposition 2 among the state's four largest counties, with well over half of counted votes in Salt Lake and Weber counties favoring it and solid majorities in Utah and Davis counties opposing it.

Any tense moments among the crowd had passed by just short of 11 p.m., when Schanz and others associated with the campaign declared victory. A few leaving the event punctuated the cold night air with shouts of, "We did it!"

"I called this (race) 18 months ago," Schanz joked, saying he was always confident the measure would make it across the finish line.

Schanz told the Deseret News he was confident the numbers would hold in favor of Proposition 2 when every vote is counted.

He said Utah voters' support of Proposition 2, which has polled strongly for more than a year in the state, "shows an emphasis  on compassion for people that are suffering."

Utah voters' day of decision on Proposition 2 comes after a drawn out and highly public battle over the future of medical marijuana in the state that saw a highly popular signature-gathering drive, which gobbled up more than 153,000 names, pitted against ardent opposition from influential medical, law enforcement and faith groups.

Opposition to the initiative intensified in late summer. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August urged the state's voters to reject Proposition 2 and emailed its Utah members with the same message.

At that time, the church joined a broad coalition that included state lawmakers, business leaders, the Utah Medical Association and the Utah Sheriff's Association to say that while there is a recognizable benefit to medical marijuana, Proposition 2 did not include enough safeguards to protect against troublesome youth access and unfettered recreational use.

Beginning in September, Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes convened private talks between the initiative campaign, the Utah Medical Association, the church and others to see whether a compromise could be reached.

After dozens of hours of negotiations, the sides agreed to support the text of a compromise bill they drafted together, regardless of Proposition 2's Election Day outcome, and rolled back campaign advertising purchases.

In announcing the compromise, they said it struck the right balance between ensuring access for patients while involving medical professionals more in patients' purchase and use of marijuana and curbing opportunities for unenforced abuse.

Gov. Gary Herbert at the time announced a special session to be held shortly after the election to pass the compromise, and legislative leaders promised to do everything they can to make sure it is enacted.

Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, who has had a hand in multiple pieces of marijuana-related legislation in recent years, said the understanding in the Utah House of Representatives is that in the event of voters approving Proposition 2, "that  puts us back to Dec. 3, when we can first reasonably meet" for a special session.

That's because "the initiative does not legally come into effect until after the canvas," Daw said, and "we can't take any action to modify the initiative until after it comes into effect."

However, if Proposition 2 is defeated by voters, "the date that's been floated out there is Nov. 14," Daw said.

Despite the compromise, neither the initiative campaign nor its detractors recanted their position on whether or not it should pass, with each side prizing the leverage voters could give them on Election Day.

The compromise makes some adjustments to which qualifying conditions can get a person a medical cannabis card under Proposition 2, by changing the definition of chronic pain, for example.

Unlike Proposition 2, the compromise does not allow a person living 100 miles or more from a dispensary to grow up to six of their own plants.

The compromise also significantly decreases the number of facilities in Utah allowed to sell marijuana and requires a licensed pharmacist to work there, both of which are changes compared to the initiative.

The compromise keeps the permitted use of whole flower marijuana, but only when it is broken up into a blister pack, with each blister containing a maximum of 1 gram.

A modified version of the compromise bill was published on the Utah Legislature's website Tuesday. The new version narrows the definition of which employers may not "take an adverse employment action against" a worker or decline to hire a person on the sole basis of their marijuana use, and now applies that requirement only to public employers rather than private businesses.

The updated compromise makes slight adjustments to how long some medical cannabis cards remain valid and somewhat widens which post-traumatic stress disorder patients may qualify for a medical cannabis card.

The updated compromise also says police officers may not enforce any law in a way that "restricts an individual's right" to own a gun "based solely" on their legal possession or use of marijuana.

Opponents respond

The Utah Medical Association and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which argued that Proposition 2 should be defeated irrespective of the compromise expected to supersede it, said Tuesday the result did not change their focus on ensuring the compromise bill comes to fruition.

"Following the Savior Jesus Christ, relieving human pain and suffering, while protecting children, truly is at the heart of our interest in this matter.  Our expectation is that prompt legislative action will address the shortfalls of the initiative which have been acknowledged by advocates of Proposition 2," said Marty Stephens, director of community and government relations for the church, in a statement.

"The legislative alternative is better public policy and has broad support among Utahns."

Michelle McOmber, CEO of the Utah Medical Association, was optimistic the compromise will garner enough support in the Utah Legislature during the special session.

"Weve given a lot and I know the other side has given some, and I think thats what makes the process work," McOmber said.SALT LAKE CITY  Utah voters rejected a nonbinding opinion question that asked whether the Utah Legislature should to raise the gasoline tax by 10 cents a gallon to provide more funding for education and local roads on Tuesday.

Austin Cox, campaign manager for Question 1, said the ballot question was confusing for voters because it was nonbinding, that revenues would be shared with local roads, and historically, fuel tax has not funded education.

"This has been a very complicated message from Day 1. As soon as we made a compromise with the Legislature, we immediately saw support (for the former citizen's initiative Our Schools Now) decrease and we knew it was going to be a challenge," he said.

Heather Williamson, state director for Americans for Prosperity of Utah, which opposed the question, said the defeat was a vote against higher taxes.

"Utah already has a more than $750 million surplus on the books. Were pleased Utah voters recognize that our state doesnt have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem and voted down this unnecessary tax increase, said Heather Williamson.

We dont need more taxes, we need to make sure existing funds are spent wisely and effectively. Lawmakers must find more efficient ways to allocate resources to essential community needs.

Cox said hundreds of thousands of Utahns statewide cast ballots to support public education. As late as Tuesday afternoon, backers were calling voters encouraging them to vote in favor of the question.

With the final reports yet to be filed, total contributions to the Question 1 campaign in 2018, year to date - totaled nearly $2 million, according to the latest state campaign contribution disclosure reports.

The campaign spent more than $1.7 million, according to the latest report.

Significant contributions were made by a whos who of powerful and wealthy Utahns, among them Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller, Robert Marquardt, founder and owner of Management & Training Corp.; philanthropist Karen Huntsman and Khosrow Semnani, philanthropist and former owner of Envirocare.

Miller contributed $250,000 to the campaign in 2018.

Marquardt, his corporation and family members were early contributors to the initiative effort and later the opinion question, giving more than $250,000 to the effort since 2016.

Vivint Inc. contributed $150,000, according to state election reports.

Huntsman contributed $100,000 in 2018, according to state political expenditure reports, as did Alan and Karen Ashton; the Kem Gardner Family Partnership and Zions Management Service Co.

The National Education Association, led by former Utahn Lily Eskelsen Garcia, contributed $100,000 to the campaign as well, the report states.

"We still have a very strong coalition. We're not going anywhere. Our business community will continue to be engaged. We will continue to be engaged. We will continue to work with Governor Herbert, the Legislature and educators to make sure our kids have the opportunities that they need," Cox said.

Supporters of Nonbinding Opinion Question 1 campaigned on the premise that the average driver would pay just $4 a month more in fuel tax, which would generate more than $100 million annually for public education, the equivalent of $150 per student. Higher education would receive $25 million annually while local road funding would increase $55 million per year.

State motor fuel taxes are not dedicated to education. On the state level, income taxes fund education. Education also receives funding from the General Fund, fed by state sales and use taxes, alcohol and tobacco revenues and other sources.

Revenues raised by a motor fuel tax increase would offset general fund earmarks that, in past years, have gone to transportation projects and ostensibly make more General Fund revenue available for education.

Nonbinding Opinion Question 1 was placed on the ballot as part of a compromise between state lawmakers and backers of the citizen initiative Our Schools Now. The initiative sought to raise income tax and sales tax, resulting in an estimated $700 million for education annually.

Legislative leaders said raising the state's income tax would imperil Utah's growing economy, which was one reason Our Schools Now supporters agreed to the compromise.

In the waning days of the 2018 general session of the Utah Legislature, supporters of the citizen initiative campaign Our Schools Now agreed to halt their efforts. At the time, supporters were well on their way to collecting the required number of signatures to place the initiative before voters.

Lawmakers agreed to place Question 1 on the statewide ballot. They also agreed to a five-year freeze in the only property tax levy set by state lawmakers, which allows more education revenue to be captured as property values rise.

School bonds

From Randolph to St. George, local voters were asked to authorize more than $600 million in general obligation bonds to build and renovate schools, which in some cases would mean funding security measures to enhance school safety.

 A bond question posed by the Nebo School District Board of Education asked voters to approve issuance of $298 million in school building bonds to rebuild Springville, Spanish Fork and Payson high schools.

Early returns showed 54 percent of voters supported the bond while 45 percent opposed.

 Rapidly growing Washington County School District asked voter approval of $125 million in general obligation bonds to build schools, renovate existing schools and purchase land and school furnishings.

Early returns showed the question was too close to call, with just supporters outnumbering opponents by 370 votes.

 In Iron County, a $91.5 million bond issue would fund security updates to 15 schools, including surveillance systems and security doors.

The bond question was defeated with 59 percent voting against and 40 percent voting for it.

 Ogden School District asked voters to approve an $87 million bond to replace Horace Mann and T.O. Smith elementary schools, build an addition to Wasatch Elementary School, and renovate Polk Elementary School, which opened in 1927.

In early returns, 53 percent voted in support of the bond and 47 percent against.

 The tiny Rich School District, which has just over 500 students, proposed a $8.5 million bond to voters to finance construction of a science lab, arts facilities including a stage on its North Campus and a safety corridor between Rich High School and the elementary to help prevent slips and falls in winter months when high schoolers used shared facilities such as the lunch room, auditorium and library, among other improvements.

Early returns indicated support for the bond issue's passage with 57 percent of voters supporting it and 42 percent voting against.

Correction: An earlier version stated the Iron County School District bond was headed for passage with 59 percent voting in favor and 40 percent opposed. The outcome was the reverse. Voters rejected the $91.5 million bond question, according to final but unofficial results.SALT LAKE CITY  The Democrats will be taking back the House of Representatives, multiple news outlets project.

Fox News first projected that the Democratic Party would win the majority of the House of Representatives.

BREAKING: The Republicans are projected to maintain their partys control of the Senate, a victory for President Trump amid projections of a Democratic House of Representatives. https://t.co/4yNg8n30sj pic.twitter.com/xsnXMtY0Ft  Fox News (@FoxNews) November 7, 2018

NBC, Bloomberg and other outlets later projected the same thing.

BREAKING: Democrats will win control of the U.S. House https://t.co/bnGMjubO4r pic.twitter.com/7J5wnNVqQe  Bloomberg (@business) November 7, 2018

ABC News and others reported that the Republican Party would keep control of the U.S. Senate.

As @NBCNews projects Republican control of the Senate, Press Sec. Sanders calls it a huge victory for the president. pic.twitter.com/khUlO3sazP  NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2018

CNN projects: Republicans will keep control of the Senate.  Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) November 7, 2018

Thoughts about what this meant for the country flooded online:

Democrats clinch the U.S. House majority, according to projections from NBC and FOX.



This halts Republicans eight-year reign and will be viewed as a rebuke to President Trump.



But Republicans will keep control of the Senate.https://t.co/1dhW0YHIib https://t.co/8ZTnSia224  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) November 7, 2018

With Dems taking control of House you have to wonder whether Trumps tax returns will get subpoenaed.  Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) November 7, 2018

By the way, Dems will win the House and will torment Trump and the administration, which is really the most important takeaway from tonight despite the enjoyment I'm taking in the over-optimism that had Dems winning Texas senate races and stuff  John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) November 7, 2018

Trump is gonna get judicial noms and cabinet officials confirmed easily. In exchange, he will have to deal with aggressive House oversight. Who wins this tradeoff???  Sam Stein (@samstein) November 7, 2018

The GOP picked up 63 seats in 2010.



Sixty. Three. Seats.



Today is a bad day for House Republicans, no doubt about that, but it's nothing remotely approaching 2010. https://t.co/ZooClqROkw  Esoteric Jeff (@EsotericCD) November 7, 2018SALT LAKE CITY  Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said it is always a little nerve rattling when the early voting results come in because Salt Lake County reports first, and that's a losing battle.

But late Tuesday, with more results reported for the 2nd Congressional District, Stewart began to pull away from Democratic challenger Shireen Ghorbani.

As her numbers fell, Ghorbani conceded.

"She was a great opponent," he said from the headquarters of a GOP victory celebration.

He added, too, he was grateful that "by and large," it was a positive campaign.

Ghorbani, speaking from a stage in front of Democratic supporters at the Radisson Hotel, conceded the race, but still drew repeated applause.

"We could not be prouder of what we've done," she said.

Unofficial results showed Stewart with 57 percent of the vote, to Ghorbani's 39 percent.

First elected in 2012, Stewart won his previous three races with at least 60 percent of the vote.

"If I'm not right, my voters will punish me, no doubt about it," Stewart said a week before the election. "We trust our constituents to (say) what they think."

Ghorbani and her campaign volunteers knocked on thousands of doors in the vast 2nd District, stretching from Salt Lake City's east side to southern Utah.

Watching her mother die of pancreatic cancer two years ago prompted her to get into politics for the first time. She campaigned on health care reform, raising the minimum wage and for LGBT rights.

Ghorbani, a University of Utah communications professional in the facilities management department, and Stewart didn't agree on much, giving voters a clear choice in the election.

During their only debate, Ghorbani identified President Donald Trump as the biggest threat to national security. Stewart, who has defended the president on a number of fronts, said China is the nation's greatest threat.

Stewart has carved out a role on national security in his six years in Congress.

The former Air Force pilot considers his work on the House Intelligence Committee  much of which he says he can't talk about  his most important. He also sees a path for becoming the committee chairman should Republicans hold the House.

Stewart called China a "generational" threat to the U.S. He said China has a methodical plan to be the single dominant influence in the world in 2048, the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party in China.

"I think our children are going to have to deal with China in a meaningful way. I'm not predicting war  but our goals are at some point going to come into conflict and we're going to have to find some way to resolve that," he told the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards a week before the election.

U.S. foreign policy will have to pivot around a "new cold war" with China, Stewart said.

In addition to his work on the intelligence committee, Stewart helped pass bills for a national suicide prevention hotline and legislation making it easier for states to exchange federal lands to bring in money for schools.If it's life on top of the world you crave, then head up Russian Hill to get a gander of this fully renovated contemporary home with views of the city's most glorious landmarks as well as of Marin.

Built in 1990 with soaring ceilings and walls of windows that soak up all the natural light, the 5,800-square-foot house is spacious, airy, and hyper luxe.

Five bedrooms and a dreamy seven-and-a-half baths span five full stories where dark hardwoods, marble finishes, and modern fireplaces create a unified feeling throughout. And it's all about the detailsjust take a look at the central staircase with its glass banister that seems to float between levels (of course, you can always take the elevator).

The kitchenclad in white marble and dark macassar wood that envelops the built-in, double-door refrigeratoropens to an intimate living space with a fireplace; the formal dining area, meanwhile, has elegant recessed lighting and a delicate chandelier.

The master bedroom is a plush retreat with a sitting area and fireplace and French doors that open onto the terrace with a sweeping panorama of the city. Also not to be missed is the master's sprawling walk-in closet with its large, circular skylight.

On the top level, a comfy family room fits snugly into the treetops; there are also multiple patios and an expansive roof deck for basking in the sun (or fog).





Location: 1089 Chestnut St. (Russian Hill)

Size: 5,800 sq. ft.



Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 7.5



Asking price: $10,900,000

// For more information, visit pacificunion.com.SALT LAKE CITY  Early election returns Tuesday indicated most incumbent lawmakers will return to their respective seats in the Utah Legislature, but there will also be plenty of new faces in House and Senate chambers come January 2019.

In what many believed to be the most competitive House race, incumbent Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, appeared to be returning to another term representing District 36, leading Republican challenger Todd Zenger, a Granite School Board member.

Arent led Zenger by 64 percent to 36 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

The race took a nasty turn earlier this week after Zenger issued a controversial, scripture-quoting mailer that suggested only he backed religious freedom. The move was met by fierce pushback, including a scriptural challenge on Twitter from Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, who strongly defended Arent.

Zenger apologized Monday evening but on Tuesday issued a response to voters in the House district noting Arent's votes on bills passed in 2011 and 2015 on abortion and religious freedom-related issues.

"Ms. Arent's voting record is the best witness of where she stands. She and I do not stand together on these freedoms of exercise of religious and moral beliefs. I entered this race to give you an opportunity to decide for yourself who best represents your values. You choose," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Democrats appeared to be en route to capturing some seats in the House and Senate previously held by Republicans.

In the Senate District 8 race, Democrat Kathleen Riebe, a State School Board member, led in early returns  55 percent to 41 percent  over Sen. Brian Zehnder, R-Holladay, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Brian Shiozawa. A moderate, Shiozawa resigned to accept a job out of state.

In House District 32, Democrat Suzanne Harrison was ahead of Republican challenger Brad Bonham and United Utah candidate Bjorn Jones.

Harrison lost by a handful of votes two years ago. Her Republican opponent, then-incumbent Rep. Lavar Christensen, R-Draper, gave up the seat when he opted to run for state Senate.

Former Democratic Rep. Lawanna "Lou" Shurtliff appears to be headed back to the House representing District 10. In early results, she was leading Republican challenger Lorraine Brown.

The winner will succeed retiring GOP Rep. Dixon Pitcher, R-Ogden.

In Senate District 2, Salt Lake City Councilman Derek Kitchen, a Democrat, led Republican challenger Chase Winder in early returns by a margin of 77 percent to 22 percent. The winner succeeds Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, who decided not to run again.

Rep. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, had a sizable lead over Democratic challenger Christian Burridge for the Senate 11 seat. GOP Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, decided not to seek re-election to the seat.

State Rep. Becky Edwards, North Salt Lake, also did not seek re-election to the House District 20 race. At press time, GOP candidate Melissa Garff Ballard was leading Democrat Ryan Jones by a margin of 65 percent to 35 percent.

One other thing is certain: There will be new leadership in the Senate and House.

Neither House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, nor Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, sought re-election to their respective chambers. Hughes has served in the House since 2002, while Niederhauser took office in the Senate in 2007.

House Majority Leader Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, was leading his Democratic opponent Rich Miller, 77 percent to 23 percent. He is likely seek the House speaker's position.

In Senate District 28, Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, was well ahead of Democratic challenger Mark Chambers by a margin of 77 percent to 22 percent.

In all, Utah had 90 legislative races  all 75 House seats, and 15 Senate seats  including 68 incumbents seeking re-election.SALT LAKE CITY  More major ballots initiatives have passed across the country with wide-ranging impact for the states involved.

Missouri became the latest state to legalize medical marijuana, The Hill reports. The state passed Amendment 2, which would alter the states constitution to allow doctors to prescribe the drug based on medical conditions. The bill includes a 4 percent tax on marijuana sales. That money will go to health care for veterans.

Colorado passed an amendment that will officially abolish prison slavery, Vox reports. Colorado voters approved an amendment that will remove the state language that allowed forced prison labor without pay.

Arkansas and Missouri approved big minimum wage increases, according to The Washington Post. Arkansas will see wages jump from $8.50 an hour to $9.25 an hour on Jan. 1, 2019, and $10 on Jan. 1, 2020, and $11 on Jan. 1, 2021. Missouri, meanwhile, will see its $7.85 minimum wage climb to $12 over the next five years.

Michigan voters approved changes to the states voting laws, including bringing same-day voter registration, no-reason absentee voting and more changes to the state, The Detroit Free Press reports. Supporters of the proposal say it will help prevent fraud and help voters who have time constraints.

Alabama passed an anti-abortion amendment that could put major limits on womens access to abortion in the state, The Hill reports. The approved amendment will protect the rights of unborn children and and support the sanctity of unborn life. The bill says there are no constitutional protections for a womens right to an abortion, according to The Hill.

Florida approved Amendment 4, which automatically restores voting rights in the state for those who were previously convicted of felonies, according to Vox. The amendment restores rights to those who have completed their sentences. However, those convicted of murder or sex offenses are excluded.

Florida also approved Amendment 9, which puts a ban on offshore oil drilling and indoor vaping, Fox-13 in Tampa Bay reported. My colleague Sydney Chapman recently explained why this amendment matters.

Florida voters also approved Amendment 13, which abolished dog racing, according to FOX-4. Dog racing and betting on dog racing will no longer be available starting in December 2020.SALT LAKE CITY  The race between Republican incumbent Rep. Mia Love and her Democratic challenger, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, may still be too close to call in Utah, but President Donald Trump said Wednesday it's over.

At a White House news conference, Trump called out by name several Republican candidates who distanced themselves from him during the midterm campaign, including Love, first elected to represent the 4th Congressional District in 2014.

"You had some that decided, 'Lets stay away. Lets stay away.' They did very poorly. Im not sure that I should be happy or sad but I feel just fine about it," the president said.

See a map of the results for the U.S. 4th Congressional District representative race.

When he got to Love on his list, Trump said, "Mia Love. I saw Mia Love. She called me all the time to help with a hostage situation," a reference to Utahn Josh Holt, who was released earlier this year from a Venezuelan prison.

"But Mia Love gave me no love," he said. "She lost. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia."

However, many more ballots remain to be counted in Salt Lake and Utah counties, and both campaigns still see a path to victory. The latest statewide results posted Wednesday continue to show McAdams at 51 percent to 49 percent for Love.

The new numbers include an additional 3,784 votes reported Wednesday in Salt Lake County that narrowed McAdams' lead over Love there by less than a tenth of a percentage point.

McAdams is still at nearly 55 percent in Salt Lake County while Love remains at almost 45 percent. Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said more votes will be released on Thursday.

About 85 percent of the 4th District is in Salt Lake County, where McAdams has been elected mayor twice. Another 11 percent live in Utah County, where Love served as Saratoga Springs mayor.

The rest of the district is in Juab and Sanpete counties, where officials are reporting a total of 563 ballots remaining to be counted.

Love has lost in Salt Lake County in past races, but gone on to win because of strong support in the rest of the district. There are still more than 116,000 ballots to count in Salt Lake County, but it is not known how many of those are in the 4th District.

In Utah County, there are still almost 89,000 ballots yet to be counted. Scott Hogensen, Utah County's deputy clerk-auditor, said his "rough guess" is 1 in 7 of those ballots are from 4th District voters.

Love won 74 percent of the Utah County votes counted Tuesday, but no new results are set to be released there until Friday. Her campaign manager, Dave Hansen, said he believes even more of the uncounted Utah County votes are from the 4th District.

"There's a lot of guesstimating going on, but if you judge it on what's happened thus far, there's definitely a path to victory" for Love, Hansen said, adding that even though the change in Salt Lake County "was tiny, it moved in Mia's direction."

That's telling, he said, because "we're dealing with a race where small parts of a percent may make the difference."

McAdams is "just waiting and watching," campaign spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said. She said the campaign had no reaction to Trump's comments about Love.

Hansen declined to comment on whether the White House had offered to have the president appear in Utah to stump for Love  who had the state's most competitive race  as part of his national tour in the weeks leading up to the election.

Trump made a campaign stop in Elko on Oct. 20 for Nevada candidates.

A Utah Republican insider who asked not to be identified said Love was hurt by not accepting help from Trump because the conservative voters she's counting on to push her over the top do back the president, despite his relative unpopularity in a GOP-dominated state.

Trump, the insider said, is "rightly disappointed. He helps free Josh Holt and gets no credit or gratitude from Mia. Then he offers to rally the GOP base in Utah and is ignored. He battles for every seat possible and then a few self-righteous people in red states lose? He's mad. He has the right to be. Her campaign staff blew it."

But Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, called it "somewhat odd" that the president called out Love because with so many votes still to be counted, she still has a "plausible path" to victory.

"If she ends up winning, his comments today make clear that she did it without his help," Karpowitz said. "More importantly, it's not at all clear that a visit from him would have been helpful to her."

He said the 4th District "turns on how independents and moderate Republicans will vote. These are groups that are not likely to have been energized for Mia Love by the president's involvement in the campaign."

Holt, a supporter of Love, said Thursday said he was "shocked" by the president's reference to the nearly two years he was held in a Venezuelan prison before his release in May.

"I didn't know that it was Mia's responsibility to need to ask the president to help one of their citizens," he said. "I thought that was the entire U.S. government's responsibility to get me out of that situation, not just Mia Love's and Sen. Hatch's."

Contributing: Annie KnoxSALT LAKE CITY  A new state audit sheds light on local schools failing to report inappropriate conduct of educators to state licensing officials, which means problem educators avoid discipline and can readily move to other schools.

"Because these cases were not reported, the Utah State Board of Education's ability to manage and control educator licensure is diminished, and some educators have likely avoided USBEimposed discipline," says a performance audit by the Office of the State Auditor released Wednesday.

According to the audit, some examples of misconduct that likely should have been reported to the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission include:

 Sexually harassing female students, including touching the neckline of a female students shirt.

 Viewing pornography on a district computer.

 Pretending to cut a student with a box cutter and unintentionally cutting the student.

 Offering extra credit to female students if they dress in a certain way and making sexuallycharged comments to female students.

 Placing hands on a student in anger and placing the student against the wall.

 Disciplining a student by throwing a wrench at a student, which struck the student in the head.

 Slapping a student in the face.

 Physically fighting with a student.

 Coming to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 Making sexually harassing statements, including expressing a desire to watch two female students kiss in class.

Auditors discovered 58 cases of alleged educator misconduct that, based on available documentation, "should have been reported to UPPAC for investigation as required by law."

This is an average of nearly six unreported cases per year over about 10 years.

Auditors sampled 19 percent of educators during the fiveyear period from 20132018.

"We found 28 cases of alleged misconduct that likely should have been reported and only 17 that were actually reported," the audit states.

The audit also found that information regarding past educator misconduct is not readily accessible to schools.

However, the audit also concluded that the State School Board's licensing discipline has improved.

Auditors expressed concern about older disciplinary actions  one a decade old in which a teacher "exchanged inappropriate written communications with a student, including communications with sexual content. This educator received a twoyear license suspension," the audit states.

Recent cases in Idaho and Oregon in which teachers exchanged inappropriate text messages resulted in state officials revoking the educators' teaching license, the audit says.

More recently, the Utah State Board of Education has implemented rules "that provide discipline presumptions for different categories of misconduct. These presumptions appear to provide both consistency and a higher degree of discipline for certain categories of misconduct," the audit states.

The presumptions and the State School Board's specific actions taken in more recent cases "still are not excessive as compared to other states' discipline," the audit says.

Other states have revoked teaching licenses for unprofessional boundary violations with students.

"In a more recent Utah case, an educator's license was suspended for five years for engaging in extensive boundary violations with a student, including calling and texting the student, giving the student gift cards and meeting with the student outside of school," according to the audit.

However, the audit concedes "a perfect comparison of cases is difficult as each case is fact specific in determining appropriate discipline."

In a written response to the audit, Alisa Ellis, State School Board vice chairwoman, wrote that the board is committed to using its resources to investigate educator misconduct and holding schools accountable.

However, she wrote that comparing cases and disciplinary outcomes in other states to Utah cases is difficult due to a lack of detail and each case of alleged misconduct is "fact specific."

Due process is important in each case, she said.

The State School Board "is focused on providing a safe and positive learning environment for every student in the state and anticipates a comprehensive review of disciplinary presumptions through a Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission review group, which the (State School Board) has approved and is in process of establishing," Ellis wrote.WASHINGTON  Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out Wednesday after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks from President Donald Trump, who inserted in his place a Republican Party loyalist with authority to oversee the remainder of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

The move has potentially ominous implications for special counsel Robert Mueller's probe, given that the new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, until now Sessions' chief of staff, has questioned the inquiry's scope and spoke publicly before joining the Justice Department about ways an attorney general could theoretically stymie the probe.

Congressional Democrats, concerned about protecting Mueller, called on Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation in its final but potentially explosive stages.

That duty has belonged to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said he wants "answers immediately" and "we will hold people accountable."

The resignation, in a one-page letter to Trump, came one day after Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives and was the first of several expected post-midterms Cabinet and White House departures. Though Sessions was an early and prominent campaign backer of Trump, his departure letter lacked effusive praise for the president and made clear the resignation came "at your request."

"Since the day I was honored to be sworn in as Attorney General of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country," Sessions wrote.

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into Sessions' tenure, when he stepped aside from the Russia investigation because of his campaign work and following the revelation that he had met twice in 2016 with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.

Trump blamed the recusal for the appointment of Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct the probe.

The investigation has so far produced 32 criminal charges and guilty pleas from four former Trump aides. But the work is not done and critical decisions await that could shape the remainder of Trump's presidency.

Mueller's grand jury, for instance, has heard testimony for months about Trump confidant Roger Stone and what advance knowledge he may have had about Russian hacking of Democratic emails. Mueller's team has also been pressing for an interview with Trump. And the department is expected at some point to receive a confidential report of Mueller's findings, though it's unclear how much will be public.

Trump had repeatedly been talked out of firing Sessions until after the midterms, but he told confidants in recent weeks that he wanted Sessions out as soon as possible after the elections, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations.

The president deflected questions about Sessions' expected departure at a White House news conference Wednesday. He did not mention that White House chief of staff John Kelly had called Sessions beforehand to ask for his resignation. The undated letter was then sent to the White House.

The Justice Department did not directly answer whether Whitaker would assume control of Mueller's investigation, with spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores saying he would be "in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice."

Rosenstein remains at the department and could still be involved in oversight.

Without Sessions' campaign or Russia entanglements, there's no legal reason Whitaker couldn't immediately oversee the probe. And since Sessions technically resigned instead of forcing the White House to fire him, he opened the door under federal law to allowing the president to choose his successor instead of simply elevating Rosenstein, said University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck.

"Sessions did not do the thing he could have done to better protect Rosenstein, and through Rosenstein, the Mueller investigation," Vladeck said.

That left Whitaker in charge, at least for now, though Democrats, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer, said he should recuse himself because of his comments on the probe.

Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney from Iowa who twice ran unsuccessfully for statewide office and founded a law firm with other Republican Party activists, once opined about a scenario in which Trump could fire Sessions and then appoint an acting attorney general who could stifle the funding of Mueller's probe.

In that scenario, Mueller's budget could be reduced "so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt," Whitaker said during an interview with CNN in July 2017 before he joined the Justice Department.

In a 2017 CNN op-ed, Whitaker wrote, "Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing."

Trump's relentless attacks on Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump and despite the fact his crime-fighting agenda and priorities, particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies, largely mirrored the president's.

He found satisfaction in being able to reverse Obama-era policies that conservatives say flouted the will of Congress, encouraging prosecutors to pursue the most serious charges they could and promoting more aggressive enforcement of federal marijuana law.

He also announced media leak crackdowns and tougher policies against opioids, and his Justice Department defended a since-abandoned administration policy that resulted in migrant parents being separated from their children at the border.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

Trump repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse himself. The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller two months later after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

In piercing attacks, Trump called Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he wasn't more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it "disgraceful" that Sessions wasn't more serious in scrutinizing the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Department's inspector general to examine those claims.

The broadsides escalated in recent months, with Trump telling an interviewer that Sessions "never had control" of the Justice Department.

Sessions endured most of the name-calling in silence, though he did issue two public statements defending the department, including one in which he said he would serve "with integrity and honor" for as long as he was in the job.

Sessions, who likely suspected his ouster was imminent, was spotted by reporters giving some of his grandchildren a tour of the White House over the weekend. He did not respond when asked why he was there.

___

Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington and Ryan Foley in Iowa City, Iowa, contributed to this report.SALT LAKE CITY  A Boston political commentator has some thoughts about what Utahns could see from his old governor and their new U.S. senator.

WGBH News columnist David S. Bernstein wrote a column Wednesday titled, "Dear Utah  What To Expect When You're Expecting Mitt Romney."

"Been there, done that, as they say," he wrote. "This is a friendly letter from Massachusetts  until this week, the only jurisdiction to ever elect Romney to any office."

Massachusetts voters also rejected Romney once in his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Kennedy in 1994.

Romney evened his election record Tuesday to 2-2, coasting to victory in Utah over Democratic Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson. He said he was "humbled" by the support and vowed to represent the state with dignity, integrity and "in a manner that will make you proud."

The Republican senator-elect will attend freshman orientation in Washington next week.

In the column, Bernstein offers a few observations from Romney's term as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.

"To be sure, Romney is a different guy now than he was when he was our governor," he said. "Heck, given his predilection for convenient evolution, hes probably a different guy now than he was a few months ago.  "

Bernstein writes that as governor, Romney shunned blame for failures and took all the credit for things that went right, launched big projects that never came to fruition, effectively and quietly dispatched political enemies and showed that he "doesn't really get people."

Romney, he said, means well and there are reasons why he has had successes and why he has loyal followers. Among those traits is Romney's genuine belief in himself as a good guy.

Utahns, he wrote, wont have to worry about Romney being on the take and that he won't put up with scandal or misbehavior around him. Romney believes his political calculations are to put himself into a position to serve people better, Bernstein wrote.

"Thats not the worst thing in a politician," Bernstein concluded. "Besides, if it doesnt work out, hell probably just move on to another place and forget all about you. At least, that was our experience with Mitt Romney. Good luck!"

Romney didn't seek a second term in Massachusetts to pursue the Republican nomination for president in 2008, losing to the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

After his 2012 presidential loss, Romney moved his primary residence to Utah. He jumped into the Senate race at the urging of retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, whom he will replace.

Hatch tweeted Tuesday that Romney will "ensure Utah has a great seat at the table in the years to come."

Romney is likely to command attention well beyond his seniority in the Senate and well beyond even many members of the Republican leadership team, said Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy.

"That creates both opportunities and challenges. He has an opportunity to demonstrate a type of Republicanism that is very different in tone and style from that of Donald Trump, and he signaled that in his victory speech last night," Karpowitz said.

In his speech, Romney said regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race or place of birth, everyone is equal in the eyes of God and also in the respect and dignity they are due from government and fellow Americans.

What that will mean in terms of concrete positions on issues and his relationship with President Donald Trump remains to be seen, Karpowitz said.

Romney identified balancing the federal budget, immigration reform and returning power to the states among his priorities.

Even though Romney goes to Washington with an unusually high level of visibility, whether he is able to get things done in the Senate is still an open question, Karpowitz said.

"This is, after all, his first experience in the legislative branch, and that can be quite different from wielding power as an executive," he said.

Gov. Gary Herbert said Romney brings "cachet" and "common sense" to the job and that working in a divided Congress suits his skill for negotiation. The Democrats took control of the House on Tuesday, while the Republicans picked up a few seats to maintain a Senate majority.

Romney, however, isn't likely to become the next McCain or Jeff Flake or Bob Corker, three of Trump's harshest critics in the Senate. Romney distanced himself from his own biting commentary on Trump during the Senate campaign, but largely agrees with the administration's agenda.

Utah's new senator diverges from Trump on trade and tariffs and could put pressure on the president to take a tougher stance on Russia, which he called the biggest geopolitical threat to the U.S. during the 2012 presidential campaign.

GOP senators say they expect Romney to become a leader on international issues and believe he could end up with a seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Corker, R-Tenn., and Flake, R-Ariz., will be leaving, according to The Hill.

Romney could also emerge as an influential voice on health care, according to The Hill. In Massachusetts, he helped implement a universal health care system that later became a template for the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act.

Romney argued there were distinct differences between the two plans, but in a 2015 interview with The Boston Globe he acknowledged, Without Romneycare, I dont think we would have Obamacare.

During his Utah campaign, Romney favored replacing Obamacare with flexibility for states to use Medicaid funds to run their own programs for caring for the poor. He also promoted market-based incentives to reduce medical costs as well as cost-sharing insurance policies and health savings accounts.SALT LAKE CITY  The Sanpete County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether the mayor of the small, rural town of Fayette used city funds to pay utility bills.

The investigation comes on the heels of the town's former clerk being convicted last month of embezzling more than $229,000.

No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, but investigators served a search warrant at the town offices on Oct. 15 and seized laptops, other electronics and paperwork.

And Fayette Mayor Brenda Leifson's authority to write checks was taken away from her last month, according to Town Council minutes.

One councilwoman says she does not believe the new investigation will rise to the level of embezzlement. Fayette Councilwoman Patricia Murphy called it a case of small town government not "crossing their t's and dotting their i's."

According to a search warrant affidavit filed in Sanpete County's 6th District Court, another Fayette council member approached the Sanpete County Attorney's Office with concerns about Leifson.

Joan Spainhower claimed that the mayor told her she had been paying her son's water bill using town funds and did the same for Spainhower, the warrant states.

When a Sanpete County sheriff's deputy contacted Spainhower on Oct. 9, she told him the Town Council "had some issues with Brenda writing checks to her husband, but that the Town Council had cleared up and taken Brendas ability to write checks  away from her. She told me there was no need to file a complaint," according to the affidavit.

The sheriff's office, however, "determined the best course of action would be to investigate the allegation," figure out whether any public funds were being misused, and then present its findings to the Sanpete County Attorneys Office for review.

According to the warrant, investigators went to Fayette town office to seize laptops and other electronics, as well as records including checks, canceled checks and monthly water bill statements.

Both the sheriff's office and attorney's office declined comment to the Deseret News, saying the case is an ongoing investigation. Leifson did not return calls for comment.

The investigation comes on the heels of the conviction of former Fayette town clerk Tracy Kay Mellor, 63, who was accused of embezzling more than $229,000 from the town over several years. The investigation was started after Leifson, who had just become mayor, confronted Mellor about missing checks.

Mellor was convicted Oct. 10 of three counts of misuse of public funds, a third-degree felony. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21.

Murphy said while she could not fully comment on the investigation into the mayor because it is ongoing, she believes this situation is not the same as the Mellor case.

In a town of 250 people where everybody knows each other, there are times that proper governmental procedures become lax, said Murphy, who moved to Utah from Washington and said she's been trying to change the mentality.

"I know there is a cross the t and dot the i component of public service," she said. "I told her in advance, 'Don't do xyz' and she did xyz. She figures it's all for the good of the town. And the bottom line is the town did receive benefits for whatever money that she spent. It just wasn't allocated and approved by the town."

Murphy confirmed that the mayor's "check writing privileges" were taken away. According to the Fayette Town Council meeting's monthly minutes, a councilman had raised concerns in September that "he didnt like the way she was handling the towns money." The mayor's ability to write checks was then taken away in October, according to the minutes.

Fayette is about 6 miles north of Gunnison.

Contributing: Sam PenrodThis issue also includes numerous columns to give different ideas and inspirations around the world of design. In Studio Visit, Andrea Caputo visits the creative chaos of a New York office run by Florian Idenburg, Jing Liu and Ilias Papageorgiou (SO-IL), where what matters most is an ability to have shared experiences. According to Philippe Rahm, the climatic worth of architecture is more valuable today than its aesthetics. Marianna Guernieri brings us to Las Pozas, a Surrealist sanctuary deep in a forest in Mexico, which is the perfect mix of architecture and nature.

In a special insert, the best projects of the Gold Medal for Italian Architecture 2018 are presented. The Contract supplement provides an in-depth analysis of the realities that, in Italy and around the world, try to reconcile two opposing temptations: originality and repetition.The Donegal Intercultural Platform says it rejects what it describes as the repeated negative anti-Traveller and anti-Welfare recipient statements, mainly from Peter Casey during the presidential election campaign.

The group also condemned the national media for giving air-time and credence to the views.

Mr Casey, who is based in Donegal and came runner-up in the presidential election, was widely condemned for comments he made after he said Travellers are people camping on someone elses land.

The businessman also claimed Travellers should not be recognised as an ethnic minority.

He denied on The Late Late Show at the weekend that he was victimising anyone.

"I'm all about inclusion. We need more inclusion, he said.

"Marginalising a community is wrong. You don't create inclusion by marginalising a community.

"It's a stupid government that recognised (Travellers as an ethnic minority) and a weak government that did that. It's just wrong.

A statement issued by the committee of the Donegal Intercultural Platform said there is no place in our society for hate speech and scapegoating of groups of people on the basis of their ethnicity, ability, income or employment status.

As an intercultural platform we work tirelessly for unity of all the people living here, for respect and recognition of our variety and diversity. We do not fear difference, rather we celebrate it because it enriches everyones life and experience.

Referring to comments by Mr Casey that he wanted members of the community to move into the Phoenix Park in Dublin if he had won the presidential election, the statement from Billy Banda and Paul Kernan, Co-Chairpersons of Donegal Intercultural Platform, said:

We say an injury to one is an injury to all and we recognise the great wrong that has been done to the Traveller community by the belittling of their hard-won recognition as a distinct part of Irish society. We condemn suggestions that there should be a re-education concentration camp for Travellers in the Phoenix Park.

Donegal is becoming a much more multicultural place, with many staff employed in local shops, care facilities, hospitals and larger companies from every corner of the world and our energy focuses on building links and bridges between communities, nurturing respect and developing understanding.

The Donegal Intercultural Platform has been supported and accommodated by the voluntary commitment of Donegal Travellers Project and members of the Traveller community across the county. The Traveller organisation delivers intercultural training along with Platform members across the county promoting diversity and respect in the community and the workplace for all Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

The Donegal Intercultural Platform rejects all statements and comments made by Peter Casey and on social media that hurt and damage the building of positive relations between Travellers and the majority population.

The Intercultural Platform believes that organisations across the county must now take a stand to support an ethnic minority  the Traveller Community  and to help heal the hurt caused.

Lets build relationships and understanding  not walls and division, lets build peace and reconciliation not a climate of suspicion and hate.Teetering on the edge of a bridge at Christmastime, family man George Bailey is ready to leave life behind. His business is in ruins, and his family ties threaten to unravel. George can see no way forward, no futurethat is, until a real-life angel crosses his path.



That's the point of departure for San Francisco Opera's latest co-production, It's a Wonderful Life, a vibrant new take on the 1946 holiday classic. Just like Frank Capra's original film, this opera is a lush celebration of life's everyday pleasuresthe love stories, trials, and triumphs that make each day worthwhile.

And this being a holiday story, there's no shortage of magic, with breathtaking music and high-flying stunts manifested before your very eyes. The production, however, is no mere rehash. Composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Sheer have infused the film's storyline with a fresh new vision, heightened by a splash of jazz-age beats. Notable among the changes is the creation of the character Clara, an angel whose job is to help save George's life.

Clara's got a problem, though: Unlike all the other angels, she's still a rookie with no wings to fly. But this character's also got sass and charisma, and she's willing to stop at nothing to earn those wings by showing George just how valuable life is.

With its message about unity and friendship in the face of economic hardship, It's a Wonderful Life remains as timely as ever. This production is a lavish tribute to what ordinary people can accomplish with grit and sacrificeplus, of course, a little help from their friends.

In the spirit of community building, the San Francisco Opera is launching the Earn Your Wings campaign, in honor of all the real-life Claras and Georges out there in the Bay Area. This community initiative aims to recognize individuals who have made a profound impact on their communities, just like George Bailey did in It's a Wonderful Life.

Know an angel who deserves to be recognized? Nominate that person on social media, using the hashtag #EarnYourWings and tag @sfopera. We'll be featuring stories from our communities online every day at sfopera.com.

Then, on Saturday, November 24th, San Francisco Opera is inviting kids of all ages to attend a special performance of It's a Wonderful Life, as part of its first-ever Family Day. All tickets for youth under 18 are half off. The lobby of the War Memorial Opera House will be festooned with decorations and activities, plus we're hosting a Bedford Falls Makers Marketplace (11:30am to 2pm), complete with crafts, holiday gifts, and food trucks from Off the Grid in the courtyard of the War Memorial Opera House. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of holiday drinks, art and games.

Come join the Family Day fun, and revel in the joy of the holiday season! No matter how cold it is outside, It's a Wonderful Life will be sure to melt your heart.

// For more information and tickets, go to sfopera.com/wonderful.

Intermin divests interest in Lehmans JV for $2.5m cash

Perth, Nov 7, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Intermin Resources Limited ( ASX:IRC ) ( FRA:I6R ) ("Intermin" or "the Company") wishes to advise it has reached agreement with Saracen Mineral Holdings ( ASX:SAR ) ("Saracen") to divest Intermin's interest in the Lehmans Gold Joint Venture.The divestment package comprises 14 tenements to the north of Saracen's Thunderbox operation near Leinster in the northern goldfields of Western Australia (Figure 1 in link below) and includes the Otto Bore deposit, located 9km from the Thunderbox mill.Intermin, through its 100% owned subsidiary Black Mountain Gold Pty Ltd, held a 10% interest in the tenements and were free carried to a decision to mine. The Company also owned an exploration license to the east of the joint venture tenements on a 100% basis.The parties have now agreed to terminate the joint venture and Intermin has agreed to divest its 100% interest in the exploration license to Saracen on the following terms:- Payment to Intermin of A$250,000 in cash on execution (received)- Payment to Intermin of A$2.25 million in cash on completion- A 2.5% Net Smelter Royalty that is payable by Saracen once Saracen has produced 42,000 ounces of gold from the transaction tenements, and ending once Saracen has produced 100,000 ounces from the transaction tenements- Intermin to provide any required mining information to Saracen on the purchased tenement- Intermin and Saracen to be released from any rights and obligations under the joint venture agreementCommenting on the divestment, Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"Holding a minority interest in a project in the northern goldfields just didn't make sense for Intermin and would be a distraction from the Company's core focus of building a gold business in the Kalgoorlie region. This will enable Saracen to explore and develop the projects unencumbered and further strengthen Intermin's financial position as it continues with its gold exploration and mine development growth plans."To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

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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.With over 1.6 billion people globally connected to a small business on Facebook and 210 million to a small business on Facebook in Australia, local SMBs have the potential to speak to customers all over the world.

As Facebook regularly updates its tools for SMBs, the platform is making it easier for business owners to understand and use the various features to expand their business and speak to the correct audience. Below are three tips to help SMBs harness the Facebook platform and ensure they are speaking to the right consumers.

1) Start simply, build a Business Page

Starting on Facebook is easy, any small business can do it! All you need to do is build a Business Page. A Facebook Business Page creates a focal point for your company in the market, helping to increase exposure to potential customers. It also allows your business to receive Facebook Insights, meaning you can better understand your unique audience and ultimately connect with them in a more authentic way. Facebook has recently redesigned its Business Pages to ensure its even more compatible on mobile, making it easier for people to interact with their local businesses. For example, people can make a reservation at a restaurant, book an appointment at a salon, or see most recent photos, upcoming events, and offers from your business. Consumer can also now see Stories on Pages to get to know the people behind the business.

2) Ensure youre content is mobile first

As more people turn to their phones to discover a range of new things, from the latest trends to new products offerings, small businesses need a strong mobile strategy. 87% of Australians are now using a smartphone, brands must optimise their content for mobile, so they are able to reach the right consumer. With most people holding their phone vertically 90% of the time and 72% of millennials not turning their phones to watch widescreen videos, its important businesses create content that has a vertical focus. If consumers arent viewing content in widescreen, why should you be making it in that format?

A good strategy when creating mobile first content is to create it on your mobile. This means the content is already in the right format and easy for your consumers to view.

3) Get creative with your content

At Facebook, we know creating content isnt always easy, so to ensure all SMBs are created equal we made the creative studio, meaning all businesses have an even playing field and the same tools to develop interesting and unique content. The creative studio houses everything small businesses may need, from a brilliant camera, to a ton of easy to use apps. The aim of the creative hub is to help users to make world-class advertising for their business. The hub is a perfect example of how there are many more ways out there to build great work, without breaking the bank. With story content growing 15x faster than feed content and set to overtake it in terms of number of pieces produced, SMBs should also be looking how they create stories. A good place to start is testing a few different types of stories and seeing what your community engages with regularly. To help SMBs use the platform correctly, Facebook has also developed Blueprint. Blueprint is a global training and certification program that focuses on how businesses can market themselves on Facebook. As part of

Facebooks ongoing commitment to SMBs, the business has developed Blueprint courses specifically for this audience. These short courses provide information on the best practice for advertising on Facebooks family of apps and services. Tools such as SMB fast track are a great way for owners to get their businesses up and running on the platform. With Facebook continually updating its business tools, keep an eye on the Newsroom to ensure youre able to best harness the platform.

Strategic Investor, Equity Placement & JV Partner for Caula

Sydney, Nov 7, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - New Energy Minerals Limited ("NXE", the "Company") ( ASX:NXE ) ( FRA:GGY ) ( OTCMKTS:MTTGF ) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement ("Agreement"), with a Hong Kong-based investor group, in relation to a strategic equity placement and asset level investment and incorporated joint venture in respect of the Caula Vanadium-Graphite project.Highlights- Agreement with a strategic investor group led by Mr. Louis Ching, a highly influential Hong Kong-based businessman with extensive business interests in China and South Korea- $1.5 million placement in NXE, in two tranches at 6.5 cents (A$0.065) per fully paid ordinary share totalling approximately 23 million shares- $3.5 million project level investment and incorporated joint venture through subscription for new fully paid ordinary shares in Balama Resources Pty Ltd (presently a wholly owned subsidiary of NXE and which holds 80% of the Caula Vanadium-Graphite project) to acquire 50% of its post-issue shares- Settlement of Tranche 1 of the placement by NXE consisting of 17.4 million shares (~$1.1 million) on/before Tuesday 6 November 2018 under the Company's existing ASX Listing Rule 7.1 placing capacityThe detailed terms of the Agreement are set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement.The Agreement was entered into with UBezTT International Investment Holdings (BVI) Ltd, the private investment vehicle of Mr. Louis Ching (the "Investor"). Mr.Ching has extensive experience in commodity trading and business development in the People's Republic of China ("PRC") as well as several other countries in both Asia and Africa. Mr. Ching is the largest shareholder, Chairman and Managing Director of PT International Development Corporation Ltd ("PT International"), a Hong Kong-listed company ( HKG:0372 ).PT International is a diversified investment holding company with interests in a registered Hong Kong-regulated asset manager, oil port and storage facilities in the PRC, and is engaged in trading of commodities including copper cathodes and nickel briquettes and investment in other high growth investment projects. Mr. Ching is also a director and Deputy President of STX Corporation a South Korean-listed company (KRX:011810) with principal activities engaging in the trading of non-ferrous metals including zinc, nickel and stainless steel, as well as the provision of shipping and logistics services on a global basis.Dr. Bernard Olivier, Managing Director of New Energy Minerals commented: "This Agreement is an important step forward for NXE in fast-tracking the world-class Caula Vanadium-Graphite project towards development. Mr. Ching's access to both debt and equity capital throughout Asia, coupled with his extensive experience in commodity trading, will significantly assist in financing the Caula Project, but also in securing offtake agreements in the short term once the project is in production. The Company welcomes Mr. Ching as a strategic investor in New Energy Minerals and looks forward to working with him to move the Caula project into early cashflow."Mr.Louis Ching director and controlling shareholder of UBezTT International Investment Holdings commented: "We are very excited to make this strategic investment in New Energy Minerals and the Caula Vanadium-Graphite project. We were attracted to this investment by what we believe is a unique opportunity to achieve near-term production of vanadium and graphite, as well as by the quality and experience of the NXE Board and Management team. We look forward to working closely with the Board to bring our extensive commodity trading experience and networks in Asia to this project."To view tables and figures, please visit:About New Energy Minerals Ltd

New Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company's Caula vanadium - graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique.

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There has been so much water under the wireless bridge in the last few years. Sprint has tried to keep up with the big players, but even though it has a good quality mobile product and plenty of spectrum, it seems it just can't catch a break, win market share, and become more relevant.

Based on its latest earnings report, Sprint is in better shape today than it has been in recent years, but it is still struggling with the same issue it always has struggled with: market share. Sprint has had a big problem getting the marketplace to give it a chance.

If T-Mobile Can Grow, Why Can't Sprint?

Sprint has been dealing with this problem for decades. If T-Mobile can change and grow, Sprint can too. Why it hasn't is the question. The answer is, Sprint has not been aggressive enough -- not focused enough on growth. It has not thought of a new or different growth strategy, and stagnation has been the result.

Over the last decade, wireless customers for the most part have chosen between AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless and, to a lesser extent, T-Mobile. Verizon is the most expensive. AT&T is the most innovative. T-Mobile is the least expensive.

Sprint Slumps to No. 4

That leaves Sprint. After being acquired by Softbank, led by CEO Masayoshi Son, Sprint got a new CEO, Marcelo Claure. I held high hopes for the company at that point. It was starting to punch back and gain market share. I still believe Sprint could turn things around.

One challenge is that Sprint has a high cost of doing business, and it has been having a hard time dealing with that reality. The market share it gained came with a cost in lost profitability.

Now that it has backed away from being the lowest-priced competitor, Sprint has become more profitable, which is a good thing. The problem is that it still cannot win the trust of customers who continue to choose AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

The Best Wireless Carrier for You

The marketplace is a funny thing. Some customers want top quality. Some want more innovation. Some want fast wireless Internet speeds. Some want a giant footprint and coverage in more places. Still others are willing to trade all that for lower cost.

AT&T and Verizon have been winning the race for customers who want quality, reach, reliability, speed and so on. T-Mobile has been winning with customers who want the lowest cost.

Sprint, however, has been struggling. It is not in the same advanced stage as AT&T or Verizon. It doesn't offer low prices like T-Mobile.

Sprint's Spectrum

So, what does Sprint have? It has plenty of wireless data spectrum -- unused spectrum. It has been doing things with that spectrum, but it could do much more, and that would help put the company on a growth wave.

Sprint has been working with the wireless wholesale marketplace, for example. It provides wireless data service for an assortment of smaller competitors. This is great, but it is not enough. It really needs to turn up the growth dial in these sectors.

In order to do that, Sprint really needs to merge with T-Mobile. T-Mobile does not have nearly enough spectrum. Combining the companies could result in a strong No. 3 competitor.

T-Mobile needs Sprint's spectrum, and Sprint needs T-Mobile's marketing ability in order to grow. It's a match made in heaven.

5G: the Next Wireless Revolution

The companies have agreed to merge -- the only question is whether the proposed deal will be approved by regulators. If so, the combined company could grow in the coming 5G marketplace.

If regulators reject the deal, T-Mobile will continue to grow, even without wireless spectrum. Sprint, on the other hand, will be up against the wireless wall. It has a good -- not great -- product line. It has loads of wireless data spectrum. What it doesn't seem to have is marketing ability.

This is something Sprint has struggled with for more years than I can remember. I recall going to Sprint's wireless analyst meetings in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. I recall the same items being addressed by every past CEO, including Bill Esrey, Gary Forsee, Dan Hesse, Marcelo Claure and Michel Combes.

I have talked with senior executives of the company under every one of them. What I've concluded is that this is not a problem any CEO created -- but any one of them could have fixed it. Past CEO Dan Hesse was on track and improving the company when it was abruptly acquired by Softbank.

Since Sprint was ripped out of Hesse's hands, it has been getting better in some respects but worse in others.

It used to be the third-largest wireless carrier, but now it is fourth. Today, Sprint is more responsible with its pricing, which has helped with its profitability. However, it still has a real problem with growth.

Blocking Its Own Path

Why can't Sprint grow? I have been asking that question for decades. It's a good company with good people. It seems it just can't get out of its own way and let growth happen.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything on Sprint's horizon that could shake things up, which is why I say its best bet for growth is to complete the merger with T-Mobile. Will the deal be approved? Who knows? There has been plenty of pushback from various corners, so we'll have to wait and see what happens next.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network.

Jeff Kagan has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2010. His focus is on the wireless and telecom industries. He is an independent analyst, consultant and speaker. Email Jeff.



Appointment of Paul Morris as Strategic Advisor

Sydney, Nov 7, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Collaborate Corporation Limited ( ASX:CL8 ) (Collaborate or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has today appointed respected automotive industry veteran Paul Morris as Strategic Advisor to the Board.Mr Morris has had a long and distinguished career in the automotive industry in Australia and Europe working in a number of senior strategy, operational and sales roles with leading companies. Most recently Mr Morris was chief operating officer of the ASX-listed Automotive Holdings Group Limited, Australia's largest automotive retailer with 183 franchised dealerships representing 27 automotive manufacturers. His role included responsibility for mergers and acquisitions, mobility evolution, digital transformation and operational excellence.Previously Mr Morris was director of operations for Inchcape UK, covering eight countries, 16 brands and employing over 5,000 people. AS CEO of Inchcape Russia, Mr Morris was responsible for creating a high performance organisation with revenues of over US$1 billion.Mr Morris was also the managing director from 2005 - 2011 of Autonexus Australia, the entity that has facilitated rental pick ups and returns for DriveMyCar's Subaru and Peugeot collaborations.Mr Morris joins Collaborate as a Strategic Advisor as its DriveMyCar business unit accelerates its efforts to engage with automotive dealers and manufacturers to help them navigate the ongoing shift in consumer preferences and mobility needs which are increasingly moving online and favouring access to mobility solutions in preference to traditional vehicle ownership.Chris Noone, Collaborate CEO commented "We are very pleased to welcome Paul Morris to Collaborate as we embrace and leverage some of the biggest changes in the automotive industry in the last 100 years."Paul Morris commented "I am very excited to join Collaborate to assist with executing its vision for the future of vehicle access and usage. It is clear to me that Collaborate is ahead of the curve in its thinking around the future of mobility and due to the strong foundations and platform developed over many years it is very well placed to be a key component in how manufacturers and dealers work with consumers into the future."Also today, John Tolmie, the former CEO of Kennards Hire, will step down from his role as Strategic Advisor to the Board. The Board wishes to thank Mr Tolmie for his guidance and support provided to Collaborate since October 2016.About Collaborate Corporation Ltd

Collaborate Corporation Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:CL8). It is Australia's leading listed company focused on 'collaborative consumption', 'peer-to-peer' or 'sharing economy' businesses. Collaborate currently has three core business segments: www.DriveMyCar.com.au Australia's leading peer-to-peer car rental business; www.MyCaravan.com.au Australia's leading peer-to-peer caravan rental business; and www.Mobilise.com an online hire marketplace to unlock the enormous potential of under-utilised assets. Through our proprietary trust and reputation platform, www.peerpass.com.au we create 'trust' between individuals and make it possible for people to safely transact with each other in the sharing economy.

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Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions, is one of the most influential experts on cybersecurity and IT strategy in the United States. She is an authority on Internet security, data breaches and fraud mitigation.

She served as the first female chief information officer at the White House, overseeing IT operations for President George W. Bush and his staff.

With the U.S. midterm elections fast approaching, both Payton's observations about the current cybersecurity threat level and her advice about shoring up the nation's defenses carry special weight.

In this exclusive interview, she also shares her views on social networking, privacy, and the changing playing field for women who aspire to leadership roles in technology.

TechNewsWorld: What is the chief cyberthreat to the upcoming midterm elections?

Theresa Payton: My biggest worry and concern is that citizens will not trust election results and that the election process will lose legitimacy. We know that the Department of Homeland Security, working with state election officials, have raced against the clock to secure voting systems. Our U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly been on the record stating there is no evidence that cybercriminals modified or deleted any votes in 2016.

The next area of concern is for the communications, contacts, and digital campaigns of candidates being broken into and doxed. While the news focuses on securing the votes and the voter databases of the midterm elections, there is not a lot of attention on whether or not campaigns take threats targeting their campaigns seriously. Nothing would hit closer to home for a candidate than if their election was hacked and they lost -- or won.

"Cyber" is certainly a buzzword, but it's not a word without meaning. With the onslaught of breaches, candidates should be laser-focused on cybersecurity.

TNW: What should federal officials do to shore up election security? What should state and local governments do? Where does the buck stop?

Payton: It's crucial that elected officials on the left and right not politicize an issue in the short term that will have grave long-term consequences for national security.

Defensively, we need to harden our election infrastructure at the local level. This is the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS needs to continue to work at the local level with state election officials, but also to provide much more robust cybersecurity capabilities for protection and detection at the campaign level.

We also need to be sure that the intelligence and homeland security community is effectively sharing information and tools, techniques and tactics.

TNW: How serious are concerns that election interference might be caused by tampering with back-end election systems? What can federal agencies do to address the problems of outdated voting equipment, inadequate election-verification procedures, and other potential vulnerabilities? Is there an argument to be made for some level of mandatory federal oversight of state and local voter systems?

Payton: There are grave concerns about election interference and the race to secure them, globally, is under way. The idea that voter databases could be seeded with falsified data or modified has been around for decades, but the technical know-how and motive has caught up with that idea. Election officials in a race towards automation and efficiency may have helped criminals along, but it's not too late if we act now.

Today, there are entire countries totally relying on electronic voting: Brazil, since 2000, has employed electronic voting machines, and in 2010 had 135 million electronic voters. India had 380 million electronic voters for its Parliament election in 2004.

It is easy to see why electronic voting is the wave of the future and how the United States could model its own voting system after these countries. It's faster, cheaper and more accessible for those with disabilities. Also, would you miss the experience of, or the reporting of, the every-election-day headline of "Long Lines at the Polls Today"? Probably not. That is certainly less painful than a recount though.

We are headed towards electronic voting as the sole system we use despite these facts:

"The U.S. intelligence community developed substantial evidence that state websites or voter registration systems in seven states were compromised by Russian-backed covert operatives prior to the 2016 election -- but never told the states involved, according to multiple U.S. officials," NBC News reported earlier this year.

Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee's emails with the intention to "interfere with the U.S. election process," according to the director of national intelligence, James R. Clapper Jr., and the Department of Homeland Security.

As far as we know, despite the scans and alarm bells, no outside entity has changed any records in the registration database.

Scams such as "text your vote" were more prevalent than ever, and will increase as electronic voting becomes more widespread.

The good news is our government took this very seriously. Prior to the midterm elections, the Department of Homeland Security offered state election officials "cyber hygiene scans" to remotely search for vulnerabilities in election systems. They also conducted threat briefings and onsite reviews, as well as released a memo of "best practices" -- guidance how best to secure their voter databases.

Some have called for more federal oversight and moving towards a more restrictive security model, but the states own the voting process. Providing year-round briefings from DHS, FBI, CIA, and NSA would prove to be very helpful over time.

Also, we have to remember elections are decentralized. Sometimes there is security in obscurity. Each state in our country, plus the District of Columbia, run their own election operations, including voter databases. A hostile nation state could not feasibly wipe out each system with one wave of their magic wand.

How we vote, though, is just one-way our elections could be compromised. Another concern going forward must be disruption of Internet traffic, as we saw occurred just days before the last presidential election cycle on Oct. 21st, 2016, when the Mirai botnet crippled part of the Internet for hours.

A massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacked a host server causing major disruptions to some of the most highly visited websites in the United States. The attack was in two waves, first on the East Coast and then on the West Coast.

As our country votes on Election Day in different time zones, and polling stations close at different times, the similarity is chilling.

However, we need everyone to turn out to vote. The focus on bolstering our election security defenses is reassuring. What we know is the warning signs are there. As we move towards the future, and focus on creating and protecting a new system to collect our votes, we need to protect the one we already have.

Two things you can be sure of after this year's election: Eventually, every vote you cast in a United States election will be electronic, and one of those elections will be hacked. No doubt about it. But the recount in 2016 in Wisconsin reminds us all why we need a backup.

TNW: What are some ways candidates and campaigns can shore up their cybersecurity without draining their war chests? What are some of the practices they should implement in the very early days? A campaign that's very secure ultimately might lose due to lack of visibility. How can campaigns strike the right balance?

Payton: Never before have campaigns collected so much essential information that would be lucrative to so many cybercriminals. Credit card numbers, bank account information, addresses, online identities. The assets go on and on, and cybercriminals are just like bank robbers in the old days: They follow the money.

That is why in today's day and age, if you are on a campaign, whether it be state, national or local, you need to be as vigilant about protecting data as any business. Otherwise, you will lose your customers -- also known as constituents and voters.

Anyone on a tight budget can follow these guidelines to protect their campaign assets:

Make it as hard as possible on cybercriminals by separating donor information details onto a completely separate domain name with separate user IDs and passwords from the campaign. For example, your campaign domain might be VoteSallySue.com, but donor details would be stored at MustProtectDetails.com. Using that same practice, run all of your internal communications on a domain name that's not the campaign name -- i.e., email addresses should not be henry@VoteSallySue.com but rather henry@MustProtectDetails.com. Increase the level of protection for internal messages by using encrypted messaging platforms for internal communications, such as Signal or Threema. Also, be sure to encrypt all of your campaign's donor data. We have yet to hear a report of a campaign's donor data being hacked and used for identity theft, but we will -- of that I am sure. It would be too lucrative not to try. Once it is hacked, it will be hard to restore confidence in your operation. Just ask any major retailer, bank or organization who has recently been hacked, and they will tell you. I don't even need to use their names, you know the headlines. Train technology and campaign staff to spot spearphishing emails and scams. Oh, sure, you think everyone knows not to "click on that link," but recent studies illustrate doing just that is the No. 1 cause of breaches among employees. Another safeguard that raises the bar in terms of security is implementing two-factor authentication wherever feasible. When you use a platform that employs two-factor authentication, don't you feel safer? Possibly annoyed, as well, but certainly reassured that the extra step has been taken to secure your data. Don't you want the electorate to feel the same way? Finally, post a privacy policy that's easy to read, easy to find, and you'll find voters have more confidence in just your agenda.

TNW: How well -- or poorly -- have Facebook, Twitter, Google and other tech companies addressed the problems that surfaced in 2016?

Payton: I was encouraged to hear that with less than three weeks to go for the U.S. mid-terms, that Facebook has stood up a war room to combat social media community manipulation as the world heads into elections this fall and winter.

They have also said they have war-gamed a number of scenarios to ensure their team is better prepared for elections around the globe. Much is at stake, so the fact that Facebook also integrated the apps they have acquired -- such as WhatsApp and Instagram -- into the mix of the war room is a great idea.

If I were to give them advice, I would suggest that another great step to take would be to create a way to physically embed representatives from law enforcement, other social media companies -- including Twitter, Linkedin and Google -- and to allow election officials around the globe to have a "red phone" access to the war room.

TNW: What are some of the most pressing cybersecurity problems facing social networks, apart from their use as political tools?

Payton: The ability to change their business and moderator models, in real time, to morph quickly to shut down fake personas, fake ads, and fake messaging promoting political espionage, even if it means higher expenses and loss of revenue. Social media companies have made a lot of progress since the 2016 presidential elections and claims of global-wide election meddling, but the criminals have changed tactics and it's harder to spot them.

On the heels of the August 2018 news that Microsoft seized six domains that Russian Internet trolls planned to use for political espionage phishing attacks around the same time that Facebook deactivated 652 fake accounts and pages tied to misinformation campaigns, Alex Stamos, the former Facebook security chief, posted an essay in Lawfare, and stated that it was "too late to protect the 2018 elections."

TNW: What role should the government play in protecting citizens' privacy online?

Payton: As the Internet evolves, laws and regulations must change more rapidly to reflect societal issues and problems created by new types of behavior taking place online. Never before has the world had access to statements, pictures, video and criticism by millions of individuals who are not public figures.

The Internet provides us with places to document our lives, thoughts and preferences online, and then holds that material for an indefinite period of time -- long after we might have outgrown our own postings.

It also provides places where we can criticize our bosses, local building contractors, or polluters.

This digital diary of our lives leaves tattered pages of our past that we may forget about because we cannot see them, but they could be collected, collated, and used to judge us or discriminate against us without due process. The government needs to think ahead and determine which laws need to be enacted to protect our right to opt in and out of privacy features and to own our digital lives and footprints.

TNW: What is your opinion of Europe's "right to be forgotten" law? Do you think a similar law would make sense in the United States?

Payton: The European Union's "right to be forgotten" sets an interesting precedent, not just for its member countries but for citizens around the world. It is too early to know what the long-term impacts of the EU's decision to enforce a "right to be forgotten" with technology companies will be. However, it's a safe bet the law will evolve and not disappear.

There are concerns that giving you or organizations more control of their Internet identity, under a "right to be forgotten" clause, could lead to [censorship] of the Internet. Free-speech advocates around the globe are concerned that the lack of court precedent and the gray areas of the EU law could lead to pressure for all tech companies to remove results across the globe, delinking news stories and other information upon an individual's request.

A quick history lesson of how this law came about: A Spanish citizen filed a complaint with Spain's Data Protection Agency and indicated that Google Spain and Google Inc. had violated his privacy rights by posting an auction notice that his home was repossessed. The matter was resolved years earlier but since "delete is never really delete" and "the Internet never forgets," the personal data about his financial matters haunted his reputation online.

He requested that Google Spain and Google Inc. be required to remove the old news so it would not show up in search engine results. The Spanish court system reviewed the case and referred it to the European Union's Court of Justice.

Here is an excerpt of what the May 2014 ruling of the EU Court said:

"On the 'Right to be Forgotten': Individuals have the right -- under certain conditions -- to ask search engines to remove links with personal information about them. This applies where the information is inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant or excessive for the purposes of the data processing . A case-by-case assessment is needed considering the type of information in question, its sensitivity for the individual's private life and the interest of the public in having access to that information. The role the person requesting the deletion plays in public life might also be relevant."

In the U.S., implementing a federal law might be tempting, but the challenge is that the ability to comply with the law will be complex and expensive. This could mean that the next startup will be crushed under compliance and therefore innovation and startups will die before they can get launched.

However, we do need a central place of advocacy and a form of a consumer privacy bill of rights. We have remedies to address issues but it's a complex web of laws that apply to the Internet. Technology changes society faster than the law can react, so U.S. laws relating to the Internet will always lag behind.

We have a Better Business Bureau to help us with bad business experiences. We have the FTC and FCC to assist us with commerce and communications. Individuals need an advocacy group to appeal to, and for assistance in navigating online defamation, reputational risk, and an opportunity to scrub their online persona.

TNW: What is your attitude toward social networking? What's your advice to others regarding the trustworthiness of social networks?

Payton: Social networking can offer us amazing ways to stay in touch with colleagues, friends and loved ones. It's a personal decision as to how involved you are online, how many platforms you interact with, and how much of your life that you digitally record or transact online.

If you want to be on social media but don't want to broadcast everything about you, I tell my clients to turn off location tracking -- or geolocation tools -- in social media. That way you aren't "checking in" places. Cybercriminals use these check-ins to develop your pattern of life and to track your circle of trust. If a cybercriminal has these two patterns, it makes it easier for them to hack your accounts.

Register for an online service that will give you a phone number, such as Google Voice or Talkatone. Provide that number on social media and forward it to your real cellphone. Avoid personality surveys and other surveys -- they are often very fun to do, but the information posted often gives digital clues to what you may use for your password.

Always turn on two-factor authentication for your accounts, and tie your social media accounts to an email address dedicated to social media. Turn on alerts to notify you if there is a login that is outside your normal login patterns.

The amount of personal information you choose to share is up to you -- and everyone has to find that limit of what is too much -- but at the very least, never give out personally identifiable information like your address, DOB, financial information, etc.

TNW: As the first woman to serve in the role of CIO at the White House, under President George W. Bush, how did you feel about becoming an instant role model for girls and young women interested in tech careers?

Payton: It's an honor to think about the opportunity to give back and to help along anyone that wants to pursue this career path, especially young women. Candidly, we need everyone to fight the good fight. My heart breaks when I see computer and engineering classes with very few women in them.

We did not reach out to the women early enough, and when I talk to young women in high school and college about considering cybersecurity as a career, many of then tell me that since they have had no prior exposure they are worried about failing, and that it's "too late now to experiment." To which I tell them that it's always a great time to experiment and learn new things!

Prior to taking on the role at the White House, I had been very active in women in technology groups and was passionately recruiting young women to consider technology careers. At the time I was offered the role and accepted, I candidly didn't have an immediate aha moment about being a role model for women because of that specific job. I was most focused on making sure the mission was a success. I see it now and it's an honor to be able to be a role model and I strive to live up to that expectation.

The cybersecurity industry can do more to help women understand the crucial role that cybersecurity professionals play that make a difference in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, hackers, both ethical and unethical, are often depicted as men wearing hoodies over their faces, making it difficult for women to picture themselves in that role as a realistic career choice, because they don't think they have anything in common with hackers.

Studies show that women want to work in professions that help people -- where they are making a difference. When you stop a hacker from stealing someone's identity, you've made a difference in someone's life or business. At the end of the day, the victims of hackers are people, and women can make a tremendous difference in this field. This is something the industry as a whole needs to do a better job of showing women.

TNW: You're now the CEO of a company in the private sector. Can you tell us a little about what Fortalice Solutions does, its mission, and your priorities in guiding it?

Payton: Fortalice Solutions is a team of cybercrime fighters. We hunt bad people from behind a keyboard to protect what matters most to nations, business and people. We combine the sharpest minds in cybersecurity with active intelligence operations to secure everything from government and corporate data and intellectual property, to individuals' privacy and security.

At Fortalice, our strengths lie in studying the adversary and outmaneuvering them with our human-first, technology-second approaches.

TNW: How have attitudes toward women in powerful positions changed -- for better or worse -- in recent years?

Payton: Although thankfully this is beginning to change, I am typically the only woman in the room -- and that was common in banking as well as technology. I had to learn how to stand up for myself and ensure my voice was heard. I've had more than my fair share of times when my technical acumen has been discounted because I'm female.

I've learned that grace and tact go a long way, and I'm very, very proud to say that my company is nearly dead-equal male/female. We even started an organization called "Help A Sister Up" -- you can find us on LinkedIn -- that's dedicated to advancing women in technology and serving as a rallying point for them and their male advocates. We post job openings, interesting articles, avenues for discussion. Please join us!

TNW: What's your advice to girls and women entering technological fields about whether to seek employment in the private or the public sector? What are some of the pros and cons, particularly from the standpoint of gender equality?

Payton: An April 2013 survey of Women in Technology found that 45 percent of respondents noted a "lack of female role models or [the encouragement to pursue a degree in a technology-related field]."

It's been proven that professional mentorship and development dramatically increase participation in any given field, so the lack of women in cybersecurity is really a compounding problem -- we don't have enough women in cyber because there aren't enough women role models in cyber.

While connecting with other women has had its challenges, there are wonderful women in cyber today. Look at Linda Hudson -- currently the chairman and CEO of The Cardea Group and former president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. -- shattering the glass ceiling for women behind her. Also, up-and-comer Keren Elazari, a global speaker on cybersecurity and ethical hacker out of Israel.

I've been very lucky to work with wonderful, inspiring women in cyber, but I recognize that my exposure might be more than women starting their career. This brings me to my next point: I recommend all cyber practitioners, and especially women, take advantage of all the amazing free tools out there from RSA, TED talks, and even YouTube.

You can watch speeches from veteran cybersecurity professionals about their careers, hear their advice on how to succeed, and learn new skills to keep you competitive in the workplace. Consider free online courses in cybersecurity or popular programming languages like Python. Ask your colleagues to show you their favorite geek gadget or ethical hack.

There are some excellent security frameworks and guidance available for free online, such as the NIST framework, CIS Critical Security Controls, SSAE 16, and discussions on GDPR. Leverage social media to hear what's on the minds of security experts. You must be a constant student of your profession in this field.

Mick Brady is managing editor of ECT News Network.

Incredible news in New Zealand, as it has banned new permits for offshore oil and gas exploration in efforts to tackle climate change.

The Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Act passed its third reading in Parliament on Wednesday with 63 votes in favor and 55 against, New Zealand Herald reported.

"New Zealanders want to see a future for their country where we take action on climate change" Minister of Energy and Resources Megan Woods said at the third reading. "Where we have a long-term economic plan for our country, where we have the courage to look beyond the three-year political cycle and plan for the next 10, 20, 30 and 40 years."

The bill will preserve existing exploration permits, an area that covers roughly 100,000 square kilometers, Woods noted.

"Those permit holders will have the same rights and privileges that they do before this legislation comes into force," she said.

Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill - Third Reading - Video 1 www.youtube.com

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's coalition government first set the ban's wheels in motion in April.

"The whole world is going in this direction," Ardern said then. "We all signed up to the Paris agreement that said we're moving towards carbon-neutrality, and now we need to act on it."

Ardern continued, "Nothing will change overnight. These existing permits have very long lead times. We'll be seeing oil and gas exploration for a number of years to come. And the jobsthe four-and-a-half thousand jobs in this industrywill continue too."

"But we're putting a line in the sand and saying, now it's our job to plan for the future," she said. "We will make sure we've got that transition plan in place, and what the future of clean, green, carbon-neutral New Zealand looks like."

The government has pledged to power the country's grid with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and aims to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Greenpeace celebrated the legislation's passing and said it had "overwhelming public support." A government committee for the environment received more than 7,000 submissions on the bill, with around 85 percent in support of it or saying that it did not go far enough to tackle climate change, the organization said.

"Today we have passed an incredibly important law for the global climate. This law means that around four million square kilometers of the Earth's surface is now off limits to oil and gas companies, and any deposits under our deep seas will stay in the ground where they belong," Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Kate Simcock said in a press release.

"The science is very clearwe only have 10 years to halve our use of oil, gas, and coal or face the displacement of millions of people, catastrophic sea level rise, more extreme weather, and mass species extinction. That's going to mean massive changenot business as usualand we need to be prepared to take bold steps like this to protect humanity and the planet," Simcock added.

The center-right National Party was opposed to the bill and pledged to reverse the ban if back in government. The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ) also spoke against the legislation.

"The people most affected by this decision haven't been listened to and now face real uncertainty," PEPANZ CEO Cameron Madgwick said in a press release. "We need natural gas as a transition fuel towards a lower carbon economy. Turning off the tap when we have nothing concrete to replace it with is dangerous and irresponsible."By Warren Sanderson, Sergei Scherbov and Simone Ghislandi

Every year, the United Nations releases the Human Development Index (HDI).

The HDI is like a country's report card. In a single number, it tells policymakers and citizens how well a country is doing. This year, Norway was at the top of the class, while Niger finished last.

The index first appeared in 1990. Before then, a country's level of development was measured solely by its economic growth. By taking non-economic dimensions of human well-being into account, the HDI revolutionized the idea of what was meant by countries becoming "more developed."

The HDI has been wildly successful in changing the way people think about the development process. However, it still suffers from real flaws. There have been numerous attempts to do its job better, including one that we published on Nov. 6.

Eliminating the flaws in the HDI make a substantial difference. For example, Denmark was ranked fifth in the world according to this year's UN rankings, but our new index knocks it down to only 27th, switching places with Spain.

Problems With the HDI



Human development can be devilishly hard to measure. The HDI considers changes in three domains: economics, education and health. (One alternative to the HDI, the Social Progress Index, combines data on 54 domains.)

In our view, the HDI has three main problems. First, it implicitly assumes trade-offs between its components. For example, the HDI measures health using life expectancy at birth and measures economic conditions using GDP per capita. So the same HDI score can be achieved with different combinations of the two.

As a result, the HDI implies a value of an additional year of life in terms of economic output. This value differs according to a country's level of GDP per capita. Dig into the HDI and you will find whether it assumes an additional year of life is worth more in the U.S. or Canada, more in Germany or France, and more in Norway or Niger.

The HDI also struggles with the accuracy and meaningfulness of the underlying data. Average income could be high in a country, but what if most of it goes to a small elite? The HDI does not distinguish between countries with the same GDP per capita, but different levels of income inequality or between countries based on the quality of education. By focusing on averages, the HDI can obscure important differences in human development. Incorporating inaccurate or incomplete data in an index reduces its usefulness.

Finally, data on different domains may be highly correlated. For example, the GDP per capita and the average level of education in countries are strongly related. Including two highly correlated indicators may provide little additional information compared to just using one.

Our Indicator

We propose a new index: the Human Life Indicator or HLI.

The HLI looks at life expectancy at birth, but also takes the inequality in longevity into account. If two countries had the same life expectancy, the country with the higher rate of infant and child deaths would have a lower HLI.

This solves the problem of having contentious trade-offs among its components, because it has only a single component. It solves the problem of inaccurate data, because life expectancy is the most reliable component of the UN's index. Because GDP per capita, the level of education and life expectancy are closely related to one another, little information is lost by using a human development indicator based only on life expectancy.



Our index draws a different picture than the one made by the HDI. Based on data from 2010 to 2015, Norway is not on top of the list in terms of human development. That honor goes to Hong Kong, while Norway drops to ninth place. Norway ranks highly on the HDI in part because of the revenues that it receives from North Sea oil and gas, but even with that revenue, Norway's inequality-adjusted life expectancy is not the highest in the world.

What's more, on our measure, Niger no longer is last. That dubious distinction goes to the Central African Republic.

The UN puts Canada and the U.S. as tied at 10th place, but Canada is ranked 17th in the world using our system, while the U.S. does poorly, ranking as 32nd. This relatively higher ranking of Canada reflects the higher longevity of its inhabitants and the lower inequality in their ages of death compared to people in the U.S.

In our view, the genius of the HDI is too important to give up, just because of problems with its implementation. In our new index, we have provided a simple approach that is free from the problems of the HDI. There is no need to have just one measure of human development, but it is useful to have at least one without contentious flaws.

Reposted with permission from our media associate The Conversation.Tulsa, Okla.

There were tears of joy and tears of sorrow here at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tonight, as the teacher caucus and its supporters watched the election results roll in.

While teachers across the country ran for their state legislatures to champion public education, Tulsa was somewhat of an epicenter for the movement, with about a dozen area educators on the ballot. Several were here at the Tulsa County Democratic Partys watch party.

At least two educators from the group, which deemed itself the caucus, claimed big victories. Democrats Melissa Provenzano, an assistant principal at Bixby High School, and John Waldron, a social studies teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, both won their races for state House, according to the county Democratic party.

I think [Republicans] made a mistake when they came after teachers and education, Waldron told Education Week after his victory.

Still, the victory for teachers wasnt clear-cut. Several more teachers here lost their races. Republican Kevin Stitt claimed the gubernatorial election over Democrat Drew Edmondson, who made public education a centerpiece of his campaign and who teachers had rallied around.

In the races where the issue of public education was front and center, were doing well, but were not overcoming party politics on the overall state level, said Brendan Jarvis, a member of the Oklahoma Education Association board of directors and a 7th grade geography teacher in the Tulsa area. But there is definitely progress being made in this election. We are much better off than we were after the election two years ago. We have come a long way.

Teachers running in this state point to the nine-day walkout that took place in April as a critical factor that energized voters and brought education to the forefront of the election. Thousands of teachers had walked out of their classrooms, protesting a decade of stagnant pay and years of cuts to education dollars. Teachers ended the walkout with an average $6,100 pay raise and a small bump to school funding, but it was a far cry from their original goals.

In Oklahoma alone this election season, at least 66 current teachers filed to run for office, with many pointing to the walkout as the motivating factor. More than half were knocked out during the primaries, leaving at least 29 teachers on the ballot. Its unclear how many of those teachers won their state legislative races Tuesday.

Nationally, nearly 180 current K-12 classroom teachers had filed to run for state legislature this election , according to an Education Week analysis. More than 100 had advanced past the primary elections.

Angela Graham, a pre-K teacher who lost to an incumbent Tuesday night, said the campaign ultimately came down to the fact that her opponent had more money than she did. Graham ran as a Democrat, but during the watch party she sat with several of her teacher friends, who are Republicans. The fight for public education, Graham said, has transcended party lines.

And she doesnt view Tuesday as a defeat, she said.

I personally lost an endeavor that I chose to do, but the people of Oklahoma won because they have more advocates [in the legislature], she said, pointing to Waldrons and Provenzanos victories, along with those of other education-friendly candidates.

Meanwhile, Craig Hoxie, a science teacher at Booker T. Washington High School who lost his race for state House, said he was already planning to run again in 2020. In Oklahoma, he said, change is going to happen through incremental gains.

As the night drew to a close, educators here were still waiting to see the results for other legislative seats across the state. They were optimistic about voters defeating a controversial ballot measure, which would have amended the Oklahoma state constitution by removing restrictions on how school districts can use some property tax dollars. Supporters had said this amendment would give more flexibility to school districts, but opponentsincluding the state teachers union, the OEAworried that the measure would have widened the gap between poor and rich districts and shifted the financial responsibility of raising teacher pay to the districts rather than the legislature.

They were also wary of Gov.-elect Stitt, who made raising teacher pay part of his campaign but said he opposed the teacher walkout and that he wouldnt have signed the subsequent revenue package to raise teacher salaries through a tax increase.

The battle continues, Waldron said. Governor-elect Stitt says hes for education, so what does he mean? Well be asking him these questions, well try to find out what he means, and if he tries to shortchange the students of Oklahoma,  were going to hold him accountable.

After all, throughout election night, students were never far from the candidates minds. Several former and current students of the candidates were here at the watch party. As Hoxie checked his phone to look at the election results, he was also seeing student assignments roll in.

Fresh off his victory Tuesday, Waldron said he knew what he would say to his students when he next sees them: Im going to tell them I know Ive been a distracted teacher for a long time, and I wouldnt have done it if I didnt think it was important, he said. I felt like we made that sacrifice together, but we made it for a larger purpose.Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, has won her race for a U.S. House seat, representing Connecticuts 5th district.

A former high school history teacher and current district administrator, Hayes, a Democrat, will be the first black woman from the state to serve in Congress.

In her victory speech Tuesday night in Waterbury, Conn., Hayes noted the historic nature of her bid for office. Yesterday marked 50 years since Shirley Chisholm was elected as the first African-American woman to go to Congress, she said. Today we made history. This history teacher is making history.

Hayes defeated Republican Manny Santos, a Marine veteran and immigrant from Portugal, for the open seat. Santos is a former one-term mayor of Meriden, Conn., and a supporter of President Donald Trump.

During an election cycle in which more than 170 current teachers ran for office about 100 of them making it past their primariesHayes put education at the forefront of her campaign. Her platform called for more resources, support, and training for teachers, as well as increasing career-readiness training for students and making college more affordable.

She is also part of the wave of first-time Democratic candidateswhich includes many women of colorwho ran this year on progressive platforms. Shes advocated for single-payer health care, raising the minimum wage, and creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. She has said that Congress needs to look more like the population that its representing.

People have said to me, She doesnt have what it takes. Shes not built for this,  she said, during her victory speech. Not only am I built for this, Im Brass City built for it, said Hayes, referencing Waterbury, where she grew up and taught.

A Student-Centered Approach to Policy

Hayes said her win demonstrated that voters believe that we have to protect the future that we promise for our kids. As a 15-year veteran teacher and administrator in the Waterbury, Conn., public schools, Hayes work with students has informed her views on education policy.

On the campaign trail, she voiced strong opposition to arming teachers, saying that putting guns in educators hands would only make schools more dangerous. In an Oct. 17 debate against Santos, Hayes said that she supports the right to own firearmsshes married to a police officer and has said she has guns in her homebut that teachers shouldnt be tasked with operating a gun in a crisis situation.

I worked in a high school with 1,300 children. I would never want the responsibility of securing a firearm in that building, she said during the debate last month. I would never want to have to explain to a parent that I did not lock my desk, or I thought it was on my person, or Im not sure how your child got ahold of my gun.

Santos, referencing the news that the U.S. Department of Education wouldnt prevent states from using federal funds to arm staff , said he thought individual communities should be able to make the decision based on the local context.

Connecticuts 5th district encompasses Newtown, where a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Given this context, said Hayes, any conversation that begins with arming teachers is so incredibly tone deaf, and does not recognize the hurt and the pain that this community is still dealing with on a daily basis.

Hayes also said she would advocate to maintain protections for LGBTQ students and prevent civil rights protections from being ripped away.

When highlighting the value of education, Hayes has often referenced her own childhood. She grew up in public housing in Waterbury, raised by her grandmother as her mother struggled with addiction. Hayes became pregnant with her first child while in high school.

Teachers exposed me to a different world by letting me borrow books to read at home and sharing stories about their college experiences, she wrote in her National Teacher of the Year application . They challenged me to dream bigger and imagine myself in a different set of circumstances.

Hayes is a strong proponent of service learning and civic awareness.

In her work as a teacher, it was important to Hayes that her studentsmost of whom come from disadvantaged backgroundshad the opportunity to participate in the community. These kids are reminded that they too can be givers, she told Education Week in 2016 . Hayes has said that it was her students who inspired her run for office.

Rising Star

Hayes, who was the favored candidate for the seat that has been held by Democrats for the past 10 years, outraised her opponent by more than $1 million and saw support from established players in Connecticut politics. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, for example, who held that Congressional seat from 2007 to 2013, campaigned with her.

Jahana is really now a rising in star in Connecticut politics, even though shes never held any elected office before, Gary Rose, the chair of the department of government at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., said in an interview earlier this week.

Having won the National Teacher of the Year award lent Hayes name recognition and trust in the race, said Rose. But the conditions that have been driving teachers across the country to run for officeunderresourced schools and low payarent as central to the Connecticut districts congressional race, he said. Instead, taxes, jobs, and the economy are bigger concerns there.

But for Hayes, education is inextricably tied to these issues.

When were having a conversation about jobs and the economy, Im thinking about the child who comes into my classroom and says, Were changing schools because we have to move because we lost our house, she said in the Oct. 17 debate. When were talking about policies, Im thinking about people.

Related Video

Now that the midterm election is over, lets take stock of how these teacher candidates didand where teacher political activism is likely to go from here:Wisconsins top school official will now take over as that states governor, and that could mean increases in public school funding, along with better relations with teachers and organized labor.

State Superintendent Tony Evers, a Democrat who has been elected three times to that job, declared his victory in the very close race over incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker, tweeting A change is coming, Wisconsin.

Evers supporters were ecstatic.

An educator just showed Scott Walker the door, an educator showed a professional politician the door, said Julie Underwood, a professor and former dean at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education.

The contestwhich Evers ended up winning by just 1.16 percent, some 31,000 votes out of more than 2.6 millionattracted national attention and dollars, with President Donald Trump campaigning for Walker, and former President Barack Obama on the stump for Evers.

Dramatic Upset

Although the polls had indicated the race was neck and neck, Walkers defeat was still stunning. He had appeared to be something of a political phoenix, not only winning twice for governor but also beating back a recall in 2012.

That recall effort came after Walker angered many in the state by doing away with collective bargaining rights for most public employees, including teachers.

During his two terms as governor, Walker also cut property taxes and slashed state funding, including money for schools. He became a darling of the tea party and launched a failed bid for the presidency in 2015.

Evers has been the states elected school superintendent for nine years and is anything but a polished politician. The mild-mannered 67-year-old, a former teacher and a cancer survivor, is hardly a rousing campaigner, but his message of more money for education and roads, and his support of the Affordable Care Act, apparently resonated with those who went to the polls.

Some of the vote was also clearly anti-Walker, as opposed to pro-Evers. Many teachers say they have felt demoralized and demonized by Walker, and the head of the state teachers union says he expects that to change.

Evers realizes the way in which you return morale within the schools, within the teaching profession, is you make sure they have a voice at the table, said Ron Duff Martin, the president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. Marin said Walker never reached out to him in Marins three years heading the union.

Education funding was a key issue in this race. Walker boosted education dollars by $636 million in his most recent two-year budget and campaigned as the education governor. Evers argued the recent funding increase didnt make up for deep cuts Walker enacted in earlier years and denounced the move as an election year flash in the pan.

During the campaign, Evers told Education Week, People understand how important education is to not only our states economy but our states democracy. Its a Wisconsin value, he said, its not a Democratic or Republic value. Its what people want for their kids and grandkids.

Evers has pledged to increase school funding by $1.4 billion, boost money for special education, and work to restore some of the bargaining rights teachers and other public workers lost under Walkers leadership. He has not said how he will pay for his plan.

Challenges Ahead

Evers will have to work with a legislature controlled by Republicans, but under Wisconsin law, governors have broad discretion when it comes to proposing and crafting budgets. One local education official who asked to remain anonymous said, If youre Democratic or Republican and you ignore Tony Evers proposal for K-12 education, you do so at your own peril.

Wisconsin polls have shown that the public broadly supports more money for public education. Thats clear from the 82 school referenda on the midterm ballot. It appeared as of last week that all but six had passed or were too close to call, meaning voters approved more than $1 billion in new taxes to fund their local public schools, according to The Wheeler Report, an online news service.

Public education was at the center of this race from the start, and it was the clear winner on election night, said Heather DuBois Bourenane, the executive director of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Public Education Network.

One key question is what will happen to the states private school voucher program. Walker is a strong supporter of school choice and dramatically expanded vouchers. Enrollment has nearly doubled, to 40,000 students, and the number of private schools, most of them religious, accepting vouchers tripled during his tenure.

Evers has indicated he wants to freeze voucher enrollment. But Jim Bender, the president of School Choice Wisconsin, doesnt see that happening. He points out that undoing the voucher program would require a change in state law. Bender said the top GOP lawmakers in the legislature are strong supporters of school choice. The current law is very good for us, Bender said. We will still very much be in a growth mode.

Bender also questioned how Evers will pay for all the extra dollars he wants to put into public education. Most of his policy proposals in the campaign were pretty vague, Bender said.

Evers supporters insist its feasible given the states booming economy and if the new governor shifts priorities away from corporate tax cuts. It is doable with the resources of the state of Wisconsin if you value investing in children, said Underwood of UW-Madison.

For now, those who have been fighting against Walker are celebrating his loss and Evers victory. Bill Dunn has been a longtime participant in a daily singing protest at the state capitol targeting Walker and state legislators. How can an Evers administration not be a positive force for education, given his three decades of experience in public education? he asked.

Related Video

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker became a conservative hero after he slashed state spending, including for schools, and weakened teacher unions.







The Japanese government has recently announced their new plans to begin dumping the failed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility wastewater (which is highly radioactive) directly into the Pacific Ocean.

Apart from the fact that the radiation in the water exceeds the legally-permitted levels, the plant's operator, as well as documents reviewed by the U.K.'s Telegraph point to the fact that there's nowhere on site to place the waste. The storage capacity of the site is also on the verge of being maxed out completely.

The Japanese government has run out of space to keep the contaminated water from the three nuclear reactor plant destroyed in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan. The water was contaminated after coming in contact with the fuel that leaked from the nuclear plant.

They plan to release the nearly 1.09 million tons of water currently stored in 900 tanks into the Pacific Ocean. The government has received some aggressive backlash from environmental organizations, residents, and groups in Taiwan and South Korea. They fear that the radioactivity from one of the worst nuclear disasters in history may end up on their shores.

The Tokyo Electric Power Co., (TEPCO), which has been running the plant, has for a while now claimed that the only primary contaminant in the water is tritium in safe levels. You can find tritium in small amounts of drinking water, but it is dangerous in larger quantity.

The announcement by the government opens up questions about the repeated assurances they have been giving the people that the "Advanced Liquid Processing System" or ALPs, developed by Hitachi Ltd.'s nuclear arm has been removing all other radioactive materials to "non-detectable" levels. But with the plan to dump the waste into the water, it seems that wasnt the case.

According to The Telegraph, documents obtained from one of their source in the Japanese government shows that ALPS "has failed consistently to eliminate a cocktail of several radioactive elements such as iodine, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, tellurium, antimony, and strontium. Hitachi Ltd. declined to make any comment on the performance of its ALPS technology especially when they were asked about the documents. In a similar vein, the Japanese governments have declined multiple requests to comment on the glaring disparity between what was said and what was in the documents.

The Telegraph also stated that other "restricted" documents show that even the government branch in charge of handling the Fukushima disaster was unaware that the ALPS wasn't functioning properly and wasn't removing harmful radionuclides to "non-detect" levels. This means that no one is sure of the actual levels of the nuclear radiation of the waste being dumped moved from the site into the Pacific.

Just recently, TEPCO was forced to admit that a staggering 80 percent of the wastewater in its storage still contained radioactive substances far above the established levels.

TEPCO has now admitted that levels of strontium 90, for example, are more than 100 times above legally permitted levels in 65,000 tons of water that has been through the ALPS cleansing system and are 20,000 times above levels set by the government in several storage tanks at the site, explains The Telegraph.New Castle Rushen High School Plans

The Education Minister hopes plans for the first stage of work on a new Castle Rushen High School could go before Tynwald next year.

Graham Cregeen says new playing fields are the first step towards building the replacement facility, and should take a year to complete.

He was speaking at a meeting with Castletown Commissioners this week, where he gave an update on the progress of the plans.

It was revealed land adjacent to the current school site has been gifted to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture  a covenant is in place to ensure that land is used to develop the new playing fields.

Mr Cregeen estimates work on the new school, and other facilities could be complete by 2024, and cost between 30-40 million.

A replacement Castle Rushen High School was included in the 2018 Manx budget in a five-year capital investment plan worth 428 million.

Tynwald agreed to a sum of 500,000 for preparatory work, 55,000 of which was approved prior to the 18/19 budget, with the further 445,000 approved in Feburary.

Work on an overall design and a business case is ongoing, with the department taking inspiration from schools across the UK.

The existing Castle Rushen High School was built in 1961, with 480 pupils. Piecemeal extensions have been added throughout the last fifty years, and the school now caters for nearly 800 students.

Options such as a full refurbishment have been considered, but the consensus is now that demolition is better for redevelopment.

The Education Minister says lessons have been learned from the experience of the former Nobles Hospital, and simply adding new blocks to the school wasnt an option.

Mr Cregeen says sustainability is key to the future schools design, with ground source heat pumps being investigated.

Hes also ruled out an access road being built through the area to knock Rushen, or any development of housing near the school site.

Speaking after the meeting with the commissioners, Mr Cregeen explained what progress has been made to Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne:

Media

Graham CregeenArtists invited to submit designs for panels on promenade gateway bollards

Artists are being invited to submit designs to feature on gateway bollards as part of the Douglas Promenade Refurbishment scheme.

The bollards will indicate the entrance points to the low traffic speed area, at the southern end of Loch Promenade and the northern end of Harris Promenade.

Made of granite, they will be 1.4 metres tall and have an embossed Celtic Knot design on the top. Each of the four bollards will feature two side panels, 20cm wide and 80cm tall, which will carry the winning designs.

The project is being supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council, with chairman Marlene Hendy MLC and members Dave Armstrong and Phil Chadwick comprising the judging panel.

Emma Callin, Head of the Villa Marina, Gaiety Theatre and Arts, explained: This will be a wonderful opportunity for someone to be part of a lasting legacy for the Isle of Man. There could be up to 8 different designs or 4 pairs of designs that flow and complement each other.

Designs should be submitted no later than 2 January 2019 to the MyProm office on the ground floor, Sea Terminal, Douglas.Manx coins presented at Whitehall to mark Armistice Day

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK presented two 50 silver crowns commissioned by the Isle of Man Government to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day at the Ministry of Defence in London yesterday.

The presentation to the British Armed Forces and Royal British Legion was made in recognition of the close ties between the Island and the UK, and the losses incurred by both during the Great War and subsequent conflicts.

Mr Cannan MHK said: It was an honour to represent the Manx government at this event, to make the presentations and reinforce the strength of the bond and shared history which exists between the Island and the UK.

A similar event was held in the Island last week when 50 silver crowns were presented to Steve Rodan MLC, representing the Isle of Man County Branch of the Royal British Legion, and Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson, on behalf of Tynwald, to mark Armistice Day. The latter coin is now on public display in Legislative Buildings in Douglas.







An alarming number of pipe bombs have been sent recently in the mail to many vocal opponents of President Donald Trump. CBC News reports that at least 10 mail bombs were delivered to addresses in these states linked to: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, actor Robert De Niro, the CNN headquarters and California member of Congress Maxine Waters. Some were intercepted by the Secret Service and fortunately, none exploded.

This recent wave of violence has been blamed on President Trumps unchecked utterances which many see as able to inspire violence. President Trump has since made conscious attempts to assume a more restrained tone following the disturbing news. "See how nice I'm behaving?" Trump had said recently to supporters in Wisconsin.

While fellow Republicans say Trumps response to the bombings was professional and blame Democrats and the media for the tense political climate. Others have criticised the president's apparent levity in dealing with important issue at hand.

Veteran Democratic Strategist Hank Sheinkopf said the president's seemingflippancy in dealing with one of the largest plots in modern U.S. history to potentially harm prominent officials won't go unnoticed in key states such asFlorida, New York and California, where high-profile terrorist attacks and massacres are still embedded in voters' minds ahead of the midterms.

"Nobody wants to see anybody get blown up. Especially after 9/11 in New York," Sheinkopf said, "New York, Florida, L.A., you're talking about places that have experienced an extraordinary level of violence. This provides more impetus for suburban women who are significantly alienated from the president to feel more motivated to vote."

Sheinkopfis of the opinion that the president needs to adopt a less aggressive and more conciliatory approach to handling the issue. "It's the smart political thing to do," he said. "A tragedy is nonpartisan."

Jason Levin, a Democratic strategist with Cerrell Associates in Los Angeles weighs in on the issue as quoted in the report, "We've seen incredible acts of violence here in Southern California, in San Bernardino, and really around the country. The political violence we've seen, and these pipe bombs, underlines how far we've come from established political norms."

"When you're thinking about Democratic turnout in the midterms, political violence will seek to motivate voters who are deeply uncomfortable with the departure we've seen with those norms."

Recently, President Trump has taken to blaming the media for the way things have degenerated and appeared to be joking about his efforts to improve on his outbursts, Have you ever seen this? We're all behaving very well!" he had said, drawing laughs from his supporters.

Michael Cornfield, a George Washington University associate professor who studies presidential rhetoric, said the president was once more putting on a show, "He does this kind of stuff when he reads from a teleprompter or reads from a piece of paper, and does it in an in-joke voice. Like, 'They're making me do this. You people in the audience know I'd rather not, but they're making me do this.'"







Hours after a New York Times report revealed that Google had protected some male executives facing sexual misconduct allegations and offered them large sums to leave the company, the company has announced that it has fired 48 employees for sexual harassment during the past two years and sent them away without severance packages. This announcement was made recently in an email to Google employees from CEO SundarPichai.

The NYTimes report had revealed that the management at Google had been made aware of the fact that a female employee, who had been having an extramarital relationship with the creator of Android, Mr. Andy Rubin had accused the male executive of pressurizing her into performing oral sex in a hotel room in 2013. Company executives who preferred to remain anonymous due to confidentiality agreements signed confirmed to NYTimes that Googlehadat the time of these allegations, investigated and concluded the womans claim was credible. Mr. Rubin was notified, they said, and Mr. Page asked for his resignation.

However, Google decided not to publicize the fact that an employee had accused Mr. Rubin of sexual misconduct. Instead, they had given him a $90 million exit package, paid in instalments of about $2 million a month for four years and what the report describes as a heros farewell.

I want to wish Andy all the best with whats next, Larry Page, Googles chief executive then, had said in a public statement as Rubin was leaving. "With Android, he created something truly remarkable  with a billion-plus happy users."

Google employees, along with the general public are outraged by this report, as is to be expected. One LinkedIn user, Rand Fishkin says Google has some truly dark skeletons in its closet. This NYT report lays out some of the more high-profile ones. Just awful that women (that anyone!) have to deal with this crap. Rewarding sexual harassment, misconduct, and coercion with hundreds of millions of dollars is disgusting. I don't know how the company's leadership can claim a moral high ground anymore. #google #sexualharassment #metoo

A Google engineer and workplace activist Liz Fong-Jones, cited in the report has also strongly condemned this incident When Google covers up harassment and passes the trash, it contributes to an environment where people dont feel safe reporting misconduct, she said, They suspect that nothing will happen or, worse, that the men will be paid and the women will be pushed aside.

Mr. Rubin has since replied to these allegations through a spokesperson, who argued that Mr. Rubin had left the company of his own accord and that he had not been made aware of any cases of sexual misconduct. The New York Times story contains numerous inaccuracies about my employment at Google and wild exaggerations about my compensation, Mr. Rubin said in the statement, Specifically, I never coerced a woman to have sex in a hotel room. These false allegations are part of a smear campaign by my ex-wife to disparage me during a divorce and custody battle.NEW YORK...November 7, 2018 -- The Republic of Palau, a South Pacific island nation, became the world's first country to ban sunscreen products containing environmentally harmful ingredients last Wednesday, based in part on research conducted by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Prof. Ariel Kushmaro.

The research indicates that oxybenzone coming from swimmers' skin, municipal sewage discharge and coastal septic systems pollutes coral reefs. "We found that oxybenzone caused gross morphological deformities, DNA damage and endocrine disruption, which causes the coral to close up and die," explains Prof. Ariel Kushmaro, head of the Environmental Biotechnology Lab in the Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology and Engineering.

Palau's Responsible Tourism Education Act of 2018, which takes effect in 2020, prohibits use of environmental pollutants that threaten juvenile stages of many wildlife species, including corals, fish and microalgae. The banned substances contain sun protection factor (SPF) chemicals used in sunscreen lotions or fragrances that absorb ultraviolet sunlight. These include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor, and parabens. The four parabens, triclosan and phenoxyethanol are antimicrobial preservatives also used in shampoos, moisturizers, liquid soaps, and hair conditioners.

The ban follows a similar move in Hawaii earlier this year. On May 4, the Hawaii legislature banned oxybenzone (BP3) beginning in 2021 in an attempt to prevent coral bleaching, a condition by which corals expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white.

"We are pleased to see that governments are using scientific research conducted at Ben-Gurion University to protect the delicate coral reef systems and ocean wildlife that are already under significant stress from climate change," says Prof. Kushmaro.

"We hope other countries take note of these findings and initiate the appropriate action." Prof. Kushmaro holds the John A. Ungar Chair in Biotechnology and is a member of the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev.

Marine biologists and environmentalists, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), say the banned substances can reduce the resiliency of ecosystems to climate change factors and, by themselves, prevent the recovery of degrading wildlife and habitats. The resulting damage to coral reefs, including coral bleaching, in the South Pacific, Caribbean, Australia, Israel, and elsewhere poses a threat to one-quarter of marine species, and threatens shorelines and vibrant tourism in affected areas.

Palau, a tiny archipelago of approximately 300 islands located 400 miles southeast of the Philippines, has long been a pioneer in marine protection, introducing the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009. It is also known as one of the world's best diving destinations.

Ben-Gurion University Prof. Kushmaro is a contributor to the 2015 study "Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands," published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.

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American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more.

AABGU is headquartered in Manhattan and has nine regional offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aabgu.org.BOSTON, MA-- M. Brandon Westover, M.D., Ph.D., has been awarded a two-year, $300,000 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Breakthroughs in Gerontology (BIG) Award. The Glenn Foundation's BIG Award, administered by the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), provides $300,000 for research projects aimed at discoveries that address human aging and healthspan.

Dr. Westover is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

With the support of the BIG Award, Dr. Westover is developing methods to track brain aging by monitoring brain rhythms during sleep and studying how sleep problems affect brain health. His lab is creating computer programs that can measure brain health, so that they can assess how well treatments work.

Dr. Westover says "the award will allow us to develop a novel, easily deployable, low-cost marker of brain age that may help identify individuals with increased risk of age-related cognitive impairment."

"Our aim is to support research that leads to a greater understanding of biological aging that will contribute to the development of treatments or preventive measures that extend human healthspan," notes Mark R. Collins, President of The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research.

Since 2005, the Breakthroughs in Gerontology (BIG) Awards have provided more than $5,800,000 to 32 investigators nationwide. Awardees are selected by a committee of distinguished scientists working in the field of aging research.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research to translate the knowledge in the basic biology of aging into therapies and interventions that will help us all live healthier and longer as we grow older," notes Stephanie Lederman, Ed.M., Executive Director, AFAR.

###

About the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research - Founded by Paul F. Glenn in 1965, the mission of the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research is to extend the healthy years of life through research on mechanisms of biology that govern normal human aging and its related physiological decline, with the objective of translating research into interventions that will extend healthspan with lifespan. Learn more at http://www.glennfoundation.org

About AFAR - The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advance healthy aging through biomedical research. Founded in 1981, AFAR has championed the cause and supported the funding of science in healthier aging and age-related medicine. To address the shortage of physicians and researchers dedicated to the science of healthier aging, AFAR funds physicians and scientists probing the fundamental mechanisms of aging, as well as specific diseases associated with aging populations at critical points throughout their careers. Learn more at http://www.afar.org or follow AFAR.org on Twitter and Facebook.LA JOLLA, CA-- Peter Adams, Ph.D. has been awarded a two-year, $300,000 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Breakthroughs in Gerontology (BIG) Award. The Glenn Foundation's BIG Award, administered by the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), provides $300,000 for research projects aimed at discoveries that address human aging and healthspan.

Dr. Adams is a Professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, CA. SBP is an independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding basic human biology and disease, and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health.

With the support of the award, Dr. Adams will identify ways to prevent misfolding of chromatin (a mixture of DNA and protein) in the nucleus which causes cell and tissue dysfunction in aging.

Dr. Adams says "the BIG awards are important as they fund higher risk, potentially transformative projects with less preliminary data. This support will allow me to test the existence of chromostasis (chromatin homeostasis), and identify the genes involved."

"Our aim is to support research that leads to a greater understanding of biological aging that will contribute to the development of treatments or preventive measures that extend human healthspan," notes Mark R. Collins, President of The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research.

Since 2005, the Breakthroughs in Gerontology (BIG) Awards have provided more than $5,800,000 to 32 investigators nationwide. Awardees are selected by a committee of distinguished scientists working in the field of aging research.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research to translate the knowledge in the basic biology of aging into therapies and interventions that will help us all live healthier and longer as we grow older," notes Stephanie Lederman, Ed.M., Executive Director, AFAR.

###

About the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research - Founded by Paul F. Glenn in 1965, the mission of the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research is to extend the healthy years of life through research on mechanisms of biology that govern normal human aging and its related physiological decline, with the objective of translating research into interventions that will extend healthspan with lifespan. Learn more at http://www.glennfoundation.org

About AFAR - The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advance healthy aging through biomedical research. Founded in 1981, AFAR has championed the cause and supported the funding of science in healthier aging and age-related medicine. To address the shortage of physicians and researchers dedicated to the science of healthier aging, AFAR funds physicians and scientists probing the fundamental mechanisms of aging, as well as specific diseases associated with aging populations at critical points throughout their careers. Learn more at http://www.afar.org or follow AFAR.org on Twitter and Facebook.WASHINGTON -- Earth's water may have originated from both asteroidal material and gas left over from the formation of the Sun, according to new research. The new finding could give scientists important insights about the development of other planets and their potential to support life.

In a new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, a journal of the American Geophysical Union, researchers propose a new theory to address the long-standing mystery of where Earth's water came from and how it got here.

The new study challenges widely-accepted ideas about hydrogen in Earth's water by suggesting the element partially came from clouds of dust and gas remaining after the Sun's formation, called the solar nebula.

To identify sources of water on Earth, scientists have searched for sources of hydrogen rather than oxygen, because the latter component of water is much more abundant in the solar system.

Many scientists have historically supported a theory that all of Earth's water came from asteroids because of similarities between ocean water and water found on asteroids. The ratio of deuterium, a heavier hydrogen isotope, to normal hydrogen serves as a unique chemical signature of water sources. In the case of Earth's oceans, the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio is close to what is found in asteroids.

But the ocean may not be telling the entire story of Earth's hydrogen, according to the study's authors.

"It's a bit of a blind spot in the community," said Steven Desch, a professor of astrophysics in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona and co-author of the new study, led by Peter Buseck, Regents' Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University. "When people measure the [deuterium-to-hydrogen] ratio in ocean water and they see that it is pretty close to what we see in asteroids, it was always easy to believe it all came from asteroids."

More recent research suggests hydrogen in Earth's oceans does not represent hydrogen throughout the entire planet, the study's authors said. Samples of hydrogen from deep inside the Earth, close to the boundary between the core and mantle, have notably less deuterium, indicating this hydrogen may not have come from asteroids. Noble gases helium and neon, with isotopic signatures inherited from the solar nebula, have also been found in the Earth's mantle.

In the new study, researchers developed a new theoretical model of Earth's formation to explain these differences between hydrogen in Earth's oceans and at the core-mantle boundary as well as the presence of noble gases deep inside the planet.

Modeling Earth's beginning

According to their new model, several billion years ago, large waterlogged asteroids began developing into planets while the solar nebula still swirled around the Sun. These asteroids, known as planetary embryos, collided and grew rapidly. Eventually, a collision introduced enough energy to melt the surface of the largest embryo into an ocean of magma. This largest embryo would eventually become Earth.

Gases from the solar nebula, including hydrogen and noble gases, were drawn in by the large, magma-covered embryo to form an early atmosphere. Nebular hydrogen, which contains less deuterium and is lighter than asteroidal hydrogen, dissolved into the molten iron of the magma ocean.

Through a process called isotopic fractionation, hydrogen was pulled towards the young Earth's center. Hydrogen, which is attracted to iron, was delivered to the core by the metal, while much of the heavier isotope, deuterium, remained in the magma which eventually cooled and became the mantle, according to the study's authors. Impacts from smaller embryos and other objects then continued to add water and overall mass until Earth reached its final size.

This new model would leave Earth with noble gases deep inside its mantle and a lower deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio in its core than in its mantle and oceans.

The authors used the model to estimate how much hydrogen came from each source. They concluded most was asteroidal in origin, but some of Earth's water did come from the solar nebula.

"For every 100 molecules of Earth's water, there are one or two coming from solar nebula," said Jun Wu, assistant research professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University and lead author of the study.

An insightful model

The study also offers scientists new perspectives about the development of other planets and their potential to support life, the authors said. Earth-like planets in other solar systems may not all have access to asteroids loaded with water. The new study suggests these exoplanets could have obtained water through their system's own solar nebula.

"This model suggests that the inevitable formation of water would likely occur on any sufficiently large rocky exoplanets in extrasolar systems," Wu said. "I think this is very exciting."

Anat Shahar, a geochemist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, who was not involved with the study, noted the hydrogen fractionation factor, which describes how the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio changes when the element dissolves in iron, is currently unknown and difficult to measure. For the new study, this property of hydrogen had to be estimated.

The new model, which fits in well with current research, could be tested once experiments reveal the hydrogen fractionation factor, Shahar said.

"This paper is a very creative alternative to what is an old problem," Shahar said. "The authors have done a good job of estimating what these different fractionation factors would be without having the experiments."

###

The new study was funded by the Keck Foundation.

The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing 60,000 members in 137 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and our other social media channels.

Notes for Journalists

This paper is open access for 30 days. Journalists and public information officers (PIOs) can download a PDF copy of the article by clicking on this link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018JE005698

Journalists and PIOs may also request a copy of the final paper and multimedia by emailing Lauren Lipuma at llipuma@agu.org. Please provide your name, the name of your publication, and your phone number.

Neither the paper nor this press release is under embargo.

Paper Title:

"Origin of Earth's Water: Chondritic Inheritance Plus Nebular Ingassing and Storage of Hydrogen in the Core"

Authors:

Jun Wu: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;

Steven J. Desch: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;

Laura Schaefer: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;

Linda T. Elkins-Tanton: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;

Kaveh Pahlevan: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;

Peter R. Buseck: School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

AGU Press Contact:

Lauren Lipuma

+1 (202) 777-7396

llipuma@agu.org

Contact information for the authors:

Jun Wu: junwu1@asu.edu, +1 (480) 965-7250

Steven Desch: steve.desch@asu.edu, +1 (480) 965-7742

Peter Buseck: pbuseck@asu.edu, +1 (480) 965-3945







When Halifax resident, Terry Atkinson filed for a divorce from his wife in 2016, he had absolutely no inkling that his wifes boyfriend, a Halifax police officer would use a police computer database to improperly investigate him. Atkinson bares his mind in a recent chat with the Halifax Examiner.

Atkinson alleges in a lawsuit filed in Supreme Court Wednesday 24th Oct 2018that he and his wife, Crystal Feltmate had been separated since April 2015. Atkinson had filed for divorce in April 2016. Divorce proceedings dragged on for two more years and were concluded in 2018.

The lawsuit mentions that Atkinson was married to Feltmate and had two children with her. After their separation, Atkinson says, his ex-wife started dating Halifax Regional Police constable Philip MacDonald and moved in with him.

Atkinson alleges in the lawsuit that during the divorce proceedings, MacDonald used the Halifax Regional Police Database to query [Atkinson], without lawful justification and for personal gain.Atkinson suspects that during the divorce, MacDonaldused the police database to look for information about Atkinson in the police database that could help Feltmate in her divorce proceedings with Atkinson, even though he didnt find any such information.

Based on his suspicions, Atkinson filed a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) application for police records about himself. He got a reply to his FOIPOP in July 2017; and the response confirmed that enquiries using the police database system had actually been made on July 23, 2016; June 28, 2017; and July 4, 2017.

Armed with this information, Atkinson filed a complaint with the Police Complaints Commission in August 2017, but it was after nine months, in May 2018. He received a letter from the Police Commissioner Judith McPhee explaining why the complaint was dismissed.

The letter basically said that the date July 23, 2016, on which Atkinson's information was accessed had surpassed the 6 months' timeline for the filing of complaints under the Police Act. The Police Act. Section 29 of the Regulations read, If a complaint is made more than 6 months after the occurrence that gave rise to the complaint, the complaint must not be processed. The letter deliberately ignored the two 2017 queries that Atkinson says were also revealed through the FOIPOP request and dismissed the complaint based on the 2016 date of the first enquiry.

Snippets from the letter read:

I have reviewed the court cases and the literature which have addressed the interpretation of the timelines and, as such, I find I do not have any discretion, or latitude, to depart from Section 29 of our Regulations. The date of the occurrence that gave rise to the complaint is July 23, 2016, and therefore your complaint was beyond the six (6) month timeline and should not have been processed by my office. Given this, the file will be closed without any further action being taken.

This reply raises questions as to whether the police takes advantage of this Police Act to cover up for illegal and unprofessional behaviour and keep from being held accountable in case of corruption. Even though this Police Act has saved MacDonald from facing any criminal charges or disciplinary action, Atkinson has filed a civil lawsuit against MacDonald. The suit also names Crystal Feltmate, Dianne Paquet (Feltmatesdivorce lawyer), the Board of Police Commissioners, and Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais.WASHINGTON -- African-American job candidates are more likely to receive lower salaries in hiring negotiations when racially biased evaluators believe they have negotiated too much, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

The findings could help explain the serious wage gap faced by African-Americans, said lead study author Morela Hernandez, PhD, an associate professor of business administration at the University of Virginia. College-educated African-American men earn roughly 80 percent of the hourly wages of college-educated white men, according to the Pew Research Center.

"Racially biased people often believe negative stereotypes that characterize African-American job seekers as less qualified or motivated than white applicants," Hernandez said. "Those stereotypes can have serious repercussions for African-Americans who choose to negotiate their starting salaries."

The study, which the authors say is the first to examine this issue empirically, was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. In one experiment conducted online, 272 participants (57 percent male; 73 percent white, 10 percent African-American, 7 percent Asian-American, 6 percent Hispanic and 3 percent other) were randomly assigned to view one of two resumes that differed only in the photo of a male African-American or white male job applicant. All participants were asked to estimate the likelihood that the job seeker would negotiate his salary offer, and then they completed a survey about their own beliefs relating to racial bias.

More racially biased participants expected that the African-American applicant would negotiate less, an effect that wasn't found with less biased participants. The study analyzed the effects of racial bias on African-American job seekers and negotiators, not the prevalence of racial bias based on the race of the participants. The study did not examine whether white participants displayed more racial bias than participants of other races or whether the impact of racial bias was more extreme for white participants than those of other races.

A second experiment included 144 working adults (72 percent female; 50 percent white, 27 percent African-American, 14 percent Asian-American, 6 percent Hispanic and 2 percent other) along with 74 undergraduate college students (78 percent female; 21 percent white, 22 percent African-American, 20 percent Hispanic, 27 percent Asian-American and 10 percent other). In each group, participants were randomly assigned to be a job candidate or hiring evaluator, with each pair given 15 minutes for a face-to-face negotiation over a salary with a range of $82,000 to $90,000.

White and African-American job candidates negotiated roughly the same amount, but racially biased hiring evaluators believed both male and female African-American job applicants had negotiated more than their white counterparts. "This finding reveals how our brains can see something that isn't in fact there and how racial bias can distort reality," Hernandez said.

Each time an African-American job applicant was perceived to have made another offer or counteroffer, he or she received, on average, $300 less in starting salary. A third experiment conducted online also simulated salary negotiations and had similar results.

Racial bias in salary negotiations for African-American employees can have detrimental effects for their employers, including employee distrust and increased turnover, the study noted. Employers should design protocols with objective criteria for hiring negotiations, and hiring managers need to be aware of how their own racial bias may affect hiring decisions, Hernandez said.

###

Article: "Bargaining While Black: The Role of Race in Salary Negotiations," by Morela Hernandez, PhD, University of Virginia; Derek R. Avery, PhD, Wake Forest University; Sabrina D. Volpone, PhD, University of Colorado and Cheryl R. Kaiser, PhD, University of Washington. Journal of Applied Psychology. Published online October 18, 2018.

Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs Office and at

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/apl-apl0000363.pdf

Contact: Morela Hernandez can be contacted at HernandezM@darden.virginia.edu.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

http://www.apa.org

If you do not want to receive APA news releases, please let us know at public.affairs@apa.org or 202-336-5700.Researchers are passionate about the species they study, whether they're sending hawks into bat swarms or interfering in dolphin echolocation, but whose sonar system really is the best?

WASHINGTON D.C., NOVEMBER 6, 2018 - Active sensors are incorporated into a number of technologies, such as meteorology devices and self-driving cars, and use the echo from sound, radio or light waves to locate objects. But despite nearly a century of development, these active sensing technologies still fail to replicate the performance of sonars (sound waves) used in the biological world by dolphins and bats for echolocation.

To find ways to improve man-made active sensing, scientists worldwide study the sonar systems of bats and dolphins. During the Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week, Nov. 5-9, at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, Canada, Laura Kloepper, assistant professor at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, will compare bat and dolphin sonar systems, describing her work on how the two animals cope with acoustic interference. She'll use her findings to argue why bats have the superior system.

"I'm on Team Bat," said Kloepper. "But I'm going to be presenting dolphin work to argue why bats are better." She hopes her talk sparks a healthy debate between researchers of both animals.

Kloepper's talk is part of a special session devoted to bat and dolphin sonar systems. Several of the speakers in the session will appear in a press conference devoted to the subject.

Overcoming Interference, Bat and Dolphin Style

Scientists have long been puzzled by how groups of bats and groups of dolphins distinguish their individual echoes from others within their colony or pod. Laboratory studies have suggested a number of potential bat strategies to overcome this acoustic interference or jamming. "I'm going to be presenting the first study looking at how dolphins might be changing their signals to avoid jamming, or if they are even subject to any sort of acoustic jamming," said Kloepper.

Kloepper introduced dolphin clicking through a specialized setup of speakers and microphones at U.S. Naval facilities, to interfere with the echolocation of a single dolphin performing a behavioral task. "We were excited to see that when playing this stimulus we see a response," said Kloepper. "But they don't have the same level of control of their call as bats do."

She thinks that this difference in control is related to the level of complexity in the sounds the animals use to echolocate. "The probability of overlapping one call with another dolphin isn't high, because the clicks are so short, therefore dolphins don't really have a need to change to avoid any sort of acoustic interference," said Kloepper. "Bats, on other hand, have calls that are much longer in duration, so have a higher probability of overlapping with other bats when they are flying in the same airspace."

In her bat studies, Kloepper mounted cameras and microphones onto various mobile platforms, including a hawk trained to fly through, what she describes as "this incredible dark river of bats in the sky" -- the bat swarm. These studies and others have revealed that a number of bat species alter how the pitch changes over call duration; these bat species are referred to as frequency-modulating. "They have the ability to be really flexible with their echolocation, which is how they can overcome this jamming," said Kloepper.

Kloepper's team is comparing videoed behavior of bats with acoustic detail to answer questions such as what sounds are produced by bats in different positions in the swarm. They've managed to acquire some group behavioral information, but the challenge now is to address individual level detail. "We're currently developing new electronic hardware to go on our drone and hawk that will allow us to really home in on which bat is making which call when it's in the middle of this massive group," said Kloepper.

As for dolphins, Kloepper wants to expand their pilot study.

"We want to find out how they respond if we give even more interference -- will they be able to echolocate?"

###

Presentation #2pAB5, "Flexibility means adaptability: Bats adapt to jamming scenarios better than dolphins," by Laura Kloepper will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2:40 p.m. in the SHAUGHNESSY (FE) room of the Victoria Conference Center in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

A press conference on this topic will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6, 10:00 a.m. PT

Register at http://aipwebcasting.com.

MORE MEETING INFORMATION

USEFUL LINKS

Main meeting website: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/

Meeting technical program: https://ep70.eventpilotadmin.com/web/planner.php?id=ASAFALL18

Hotel information: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/#hr

WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM

In the coming weeks, ASA's World Wide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300-800 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video. You can visit the site, beginning in late October, at http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/.

PRESS REGISTRATION

We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Rhys Leahy or the AIP Media Line (media@aip.org, 301-209-3090). We can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information.

LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST

A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Times and topics to be announced. Members of the media should register in advance at http://aipwebcasting.com.

ABOUT ASA

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit https://acousticalsociety.org.

ABOUT CAA

The Canadian Acoustical Association (CAA) is a professional, interdisciplinary organization that fosters communication among people working in all areas of acoustics in Canada; promotes the growth and practical application of knowledge in acoustics; encourages education, research, protection of the environment, and employment in acoustics; and is an umbrella organization through which general issues in education, employment and research can be addressed at a national and multidisciplinary level. For more information about CAA, visit http://caa-aca.ca.The first study to explore adults' ability to differentiate and identify 2-year-olds' voices finds that beyond not understanding what they're saying, adults find it hard to even identify who is talking

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 6, 2018 -- Here's another reason you might be exhausted after that preschool birthday party: Your brain had to work to figure out who actually asked for more ice cream.

"What we found with two-and-a-half-year-olds is that it's amazingly hard for adults to identify who's talking," said Angela Cooper, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto.

Cooper's co-authored research will be presented in the poster session at the Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week in Canada, Nov. 5-9 at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, Canada.

The study, with University of Toronto professor Elizabeth K. Johnson and postdoctoral researcher Natalie Fecher, used a space alien interactive game created by Cooper to elicit recordings from over 50 native English-speaking Toronto-area two-and-a-half-year-old children individually saying 32 common words like tree, dog, ball and elephant. The same words were recorded by the children's mothers.

In the experiment, University of Toronto undergraduate students aged 18-25 each listened to 80 pairs of words spoken by 20 of the children and indicated whether the words were spoken by the same or a different individual. They did the same for 20 of the adult voices.

"Listeners were significantly worse at telling apart child voices relative to adult voices," Cooper said. Participants correctly identified different adult voices 65 percent of the time, but only about 40 percent of the time with the squeaky preschooler voices.

"I find it particularly interesting that the participants' ability to identify adult voices was not related to their ability to identify children's voices," Cooper said. "You're maybe using different information or you're processing things slightly differently when you're listening to an adult voice versus when you're listening to a child's voice."

In a second stage of the study, the researchers found that after a training session that included listening to just four different child and four different adult voices, participants had improved voice identification skills, though the improvement was less for children's voices than adult voices.

"Part of this training process is retuning what speech cues we need to pay attention to," she said. "Often children have particular mispronunciations. Some kids will say 'poon' instead of spoon, or elephant becomes 'ephant'. We might be actually cuing in to which child makes different kinds of errors."

In one of a series of follow-up studies, the researchers are using pupillometry, a measure of pupil dilation, to quantify adult cognitive effort involved in trying to differentiate between the voices of two-and-a-half-year-old children.

As for the next kids' birthday party?

"What I'd like to say to parents is that with exposure it does get easier over time," Cooper said.

###

Presentation #2pSC34, "Distinguishing Dick from Jane: Children's voices are more difficult to identify than adults' voices," by Natalie Fecher, Angela Cooper and Elizabeth K. Johnson will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2:00 p.m. in the Upper Pavilion (VCC) of the Victoria Conference Center in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

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WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM

In the coming weeks, ASA's World Wide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300-800 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video. You can visit the site, beginning in late October, at http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/.

PRESS REGISTRATION

We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Rhys Leahy or the AIP Media Line (media@aip.org, 301-209-3090). We can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information.

LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST

A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Times and topics to be announced. Members of the media should register in advance at http://aipwebcasting.com.

ABOUT ASA

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit https://acousticalsociety.org.

ABOUT CAA

The Canadian Acoustical Association (CAA) is a professional, interdisciplinary organization that fosters communication among people working in all areas of acoustics in Canada; promotes the growth and practical application of knowledge in acoustics; encourages education, research, protection of the environment, and employment in acoustics; and is an umbrella organization through which general issues in education, employment and research can be addressed at a national and multidisciplinary level. For more information about CAA, visit http://caa-aca.ca.In a surprise, scientists find that human babies laugh like nonhuman primates, new research that offers insight into how the production of laughter changes during development

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 7, 2018 -- Few things can delight an adult more easily than the uninhibited, effervescent laughter of a baby. Yet baby laughter, a new study shows, differs from adult laughter in a key way: Babies laugh as they both exhale and inhale, in a manner that is remarkably similar to nonhuman primates.

The research will be described by Disa Sauter, a psychologist and associate professor at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, during a talk at the Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week in Canada, Nov. 5-9 at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, Canada.

Along with her colleagues -- psychologist Mariska Kret and graduate student Dianne Venneker of Leiden University in the Netherlands, and Bronwen Evans, a phonetician at University College London -- Sauter studied laughter clips taken from 44 infants and children between 3 and 18 months of age. The recordings were taken from online videos in which babies were engaged in playful interactions. The recordings were then analyzed by 102 listeners, recruited from a psychology student population, who evaluated the extent to which the laughs in each clip were produced on the exhale versus the inhale.

Sauter and her colleagues found that the youngest babies commonly laughed on both inhalation and exhalation, as do nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. In the older babies studied, however, laughter was primarily produced only on the exhale, as is the case in older children and adults.

"Adult humans sometimes laugh on the inhale but the proportion is markedly different from that of infants' and chimps' laughs. Our results so far suggest that this is a gradual, rather than a sudden, shift," said Sauter, who points out that the transition does not appear to be linked to any particular developmental milestones. She noted, however that these results were based on the judgments of nonexpert listeners. "We are currently checking those results against judgments by phoneticians, who are making detailed annotations of the laughter."

Sauter said that there is no accepted reason why humans, alone among primates, laugh only on exhalation. One possibility, she said, is that it is a result of the vocal control humans develop as they learn to speak.

The researchers currently are examining if there is a link between the amount of laughter produced upon inhalation and exhalation and the reasons why individuals laugh, which also change with age. In infants and younger babies, as in nonhuman primates, laughter occurs as the result of physical play like tickling. In older individuals, laughter can arise from physical play but also from social interactions.

"Beyond that, I'd be interested in seeing whether our findings apply to other vocalizations than laughter," said Sauter. Ultimately, the research could offer insight into vocal production of children with developmental disorders. "If we know what normally developing babies sound like, it could be interesting to study infants at risk to see whether there are very early signs of atypical development in their nonverbal vocalizations of emotion."

The presentation #3aSC5, "How do babies laugh?" by Disa Sauter, Bronwen Evans, Dianne Venneker and Mariska Kret will be Wednesday, Nov. 7, 9:25 a.m. in SALON A of the Victoria Conference Center in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

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Hotel information: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/#hr

WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM

In the coming weeks, ASA's World Wide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300-800 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video. You can visit the site, beginning in late October, at http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/.

PRESS REGISTRATION

We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Rhys Leahy or the AIP Media Line (media@aip.org, 301-209-3090). We can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information.

LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST

A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Times and topics to be announced. Members of the media should register in advance at http://aipwebcasting.com.

ABOUT ASA

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit https://acousticalsociety.org.

ABOUT CAA

The Canadian Acoustical Association (CAA) is a professional, interdisciplinary organization that fosters communication among people working in all areas of acoustics in Canada; promotes the growth and practical application of knowledge in acoustics; encourages education, research, protection of the environment, and employment in acoustics; and is an umbrella organization through which general issues in education, employment and research can be addressed at a national and multidisciplinary level. For more information about CAA, visit http://caa-aca.ca.One of the first EEG studies to examine how 2- to 5-year-olds process their sleeping environments shows that children recognize sounds heard during naps, paving the way for cochlear implant research

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 6, 2018 -- Of all of our senses, hearing is the only one that has long been suspected as being "on" all the time -- even in our sleep. Sounds that occur during the night have a way of registering in the brain. Now a group of scientists in Tennessee is reporting the results of studies on what is heard and not heard during sleep and what that might mean for a developing brain.

At the upcoming Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week in Canada, held Nov. 5-9 at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, the team of researchers from Vanderbilt University will present an abstract and preliminary results from an EEG study in which preschool children showed memory traces for sounds heard during nap time.

The group's work is one of the first forays into how sleep environments affect preschool-age children.

"The type of environment in which children sleep has been a topic of conversation, especially in recent years," said Adrienne Roman, an author on the abstract. "But there's a big hole in the literature and the discussion about what goes on with preschool-age children, which was our jumping off point."

To study the brainwaves of young children, researchers used a portable EEG machine and tested individual children in a quiet, isolated room during nap time at a university preschool. Once asleep, the group played three nonsense words for a short period of time to the child.

The children showed positive signs for recognizing the test sounds in a lineup of other nonsense words (that they did not hear previously) in a follow-up post-nap EEG. This indicates that while they were asleep, the children were still processing auditory information.

One new feature of the group's study was that they were able to verify the children were indeed sleeping before administering the sounds -- not an easy feat for some of the youngest participants.

"Of course, they're tired and they're ready for their nap, so now you try to hook them up to this device, and a couple of them were not having it."

Roman hopes the work is the first step to understanding how these processes work in children who use hearing technology due to hearing loss, but, for the sake of comfort, remove the devices for sleeping. The group collected EEG data on one child who used a cochlear implant, establishing the feasibility of sleeping with one on, and plans to recruit more children with implants.

###

The presentation #2pPP7, "Your ears never sleep: Auditory processing of nonwords during sleep in children," by Adrienne Roman, Carlos Benitez, Sasha Key and Anne Marie Tharpe will be on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 3:55 p.m. in SALON B of the Victoria Conference Center in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

MORE MEETING INFORMATION

USEFUL LINKS

Main meeting website: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/

Meeting technical program: https://ep70.eventpilotadmin.com/web/planner.php?id=ASAFALL18

Hotel information: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/#hr

WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM

In the coming weeks, ASA's World Wide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300-800 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video. You can visit the site, beginning in late October, at http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/.

PRESS REGISTRATION

We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Rhys Leahy or the AIP Media Line (media@aip.org, 301-209-3090). We can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information.

LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST

A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Times and topics to be announced. Members of the media should register in advance at http://aipwebcasting.com.

ABOUT ASA

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit https://acousticalsociety.org.

ABOUT CAA

The Canadian Acoustical Association (CAA) is a professional, interdisciplinary organization that fosters communication among people working in all areas of acoustics in Canada; promotes the growth and practical application of knowledge in acoustics; encourages education, research, protection of the environment, and employment in acoustics; and is an umbrella organization through which general issues in education, employment and research can be addressed at a national and multidisciplinary level. For more information about CAA, visit http://caa-aca.ca.Where did Earth's global ocean come from? A team of Arizona State University geoscientists led by Peter Buseck, Regents' Professor in ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) and School of Molecular Sciences, has found an answer in a previously neglected source. The team has also discovered that our planet contains considerably more hydrogen, a proxy for water, than scientists previously thought.

So where is it? Mostly down in our planet's core, but more about that in a minute. The bigger question is where did all this come from in the first place.

"Comets contain a lot of ices, and in theory could have supplied some water," says Steven Desch, professor of astrophysics in SESE and one of the team scientists. Asteroids, he adds, are a source as well, not as water-rich yet still plentiful.

"But there's another way to think about sources of water in the solar system's formative days," Desch explains. "Because water is hydrogen plus oxygen, and oxygen is abundant, any source of hydrogen could have served as the origin of Earth's water."

In the beginning

Hydrogen gas was the major ingredient in the solar nebula -- the gases and dust out of which the Sun and planets formed. If the abundant hydrogen in the nebula could combine with Earth's rocky material as it formed, that could be the ultimate origin of Earth's global ocean.

Jun Wu, the lead author of the paper the team has published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, is an assistant research professor in both SESE and the School of Molecular Sciences. He says, "The solar nebula has been given the least attention among existing theories, although it was the predominant reservoir of hydrogen in our early solar system."

But first, some geochemical detective work.

To distinguish between sources of water, scientists turn to isotope chemistry, measuring the ratio between two kinds of hydrogen. Nearly all hydrogen atoms have a nucleus that's a single proton. But in about one in 7,000 hydrogen atoms, the nucleus has a neutron in addition to the proton. This isotope is called "heavy hydrogen," or deuterium, symbolized as D.

The ratio of the number of D atoms to ordinary H atoms is called the D/H ratio, and it serves as a fingerprint for where that hydrogen came from. For example, asteroidal water has a D/H of about 140 parts per million (ppm), while cometary water runs higher, ranging from 150 ppm to as much as 300 ppm.

Scientists know that Earth has one global ocean of water on its surface and about two more oceans of water dissolved in its mantle rocks. That water has a D/H ratio of about 150 ppm, making an asteroidal source a good match.

Comets? With their higher D/H ratios, comets are mostly not good sources. And what's worse, the D/H of hydrogen gas in the solar nebula was only 21 ppm, far too low to supply large quantities of Earth's water. In fact, asteroidal material is such a good match that previous researchers have discounted the other sources.

But, say Wu and co-workers, other factors and processes have changed the D/H of Earth's hydrogen, starting back when the planet was first beginning to form. Wu says, "This means we shouldn't ignore the dissolved solar nebula gas."

Concentrating hydrogen

The key lies in a process combining physics and geochemistry, which the team found acted to concentrate hydrogen in the core while raising the relative amount of deuterium in Earth's mantle.

The process began quite early as the Sun's planets were starting to form and grow through the merger of primitive building blocks called planetary embryos. These Moon-to-Mars-size objects grew very quickly in the early solar system, colliding and accreting material from the solar nebula.

Within the embryos, decaying radioactive elements melted iron, which grabbed asteroidal hydrogen and sank to form a core. The largest embryo experienced collisional energy which melted its entire surface, making what scientists call a magma ocean. Molten iron in the magma snatched hydrogen out of the developing primitive atmosphere, which derived from the solar nebula. The iron carried this hydrogen, along with hydrogen from other sources, down into the embryo's mantle. Eventually the hydrogen became concentrated in the embryo's core.

Meanwhile another important process was going on between molten iron and hydrogen. Deuterium atoms (D) do not like iron as much as their H counterparts, thus causing a slight enrichment of H in the molten iron and leaving relatively more D behind in the magma. In this way, the core gradually developed a lower D/H ratio than the silicate mantle, which formed after the magma ocean cooled.

All this was stage one.

Stage two followed as embryos collided and merged to become the proto-Earth. Once again a magma ocean developed on the surface, and once more, leftover iron and hydrogen may have undergone similar processes as in stage one, thus completing the delivery of the two elements to the core of the proto-Earth.

Wu adds, "Besides the hydrogen that the embryos captured, we expect they also caught some carbon, nitrogen, and noble gases from the early solar nebula. These should have left some isotope traces in the chemistry of the deepest rocks, which we can look for."

The team modeled the process and checked its predictions against samples of mantle rocks, which are rare today at Earth's surface.

"We calculated how much hydrogen dissolved in these bodies' mantles could have ended up in their cores," says Desch. "Then we compared this to recent measurements of the D/H ratio in samples from Earth's deep mantle." This let the team set limits on how much hydrogen is in Earth's core and mantle.

"The end result," says Desch, "is that Earth likely formed with seven or eight global oceans' worth of hydrogen. The majority of this indeed came from asteroidal sources. But a few tenths of an ocean's worth of hydrogen came from the solar nebula gas."

Adding up the quantities cached in several places, Wu says, "Our planet hides the majority of its hydrogen inside, with roughly two global oceans' worth in the mantle, four to five in the core, and of course, one global ocean at the surface."

Not just for our solar system

The new finding, says the team, fits neatly into current theories for how the Sun and planets formed. It also has implications for habitable planets beyond the solar system. Astronomers have discovered more than 3,800 planets orbiting other stars, and many appear to be rocky bodies not greatly different from our own.

Many of these exoplanets might have formed far from the zones where water-rich asteroids and other building blocks might have arisen. Yet they still could have collected hydrogen gas from their own stars' solar nebulas in the way that Earth did.

The team concludes, "Our results suggest that forming water is likely inevitable on sufficiently large rocky planets in extrasolar systems."

###

The authors of the paper are Jun Wu, Steven Desch, Laura Schaefer, Linda Elkins-Tanton, Kaveh Pahlevan, and Peter Buseck, all affiliated with SESE; Wu and Buseck are also affiliated with ASU's School of Molecular Sciences. The research was funded by the Keck Foundation.

Based in Los Angeles, the W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by the late W. M. Keck, founder of the Superior Oil Company. The Foundation's grant-making is focused primarily on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical research, science and engineering and undergraduate education. The Foundation also maintains a Southern California Grant Program that provides support for the Los Angeles community, with a special emphasis on children and youth.AWI researchers recently assessed subglacial lakes detected by satellite, and found very little water.

But if that's the case, what is the source of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet's massive ice streams?

In the course of an extensive Antarctic expedition, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) recently investigated several lakes beneath Recovery Glacier that had been previously detected by satellite remote sensing. The experts found very few substantial bodies of water, which is a surprising result: up to that point, the scientific community had assumed that overflowing lakes below the East Antarctic Ice Sheet were the reason that ice masses began sliding and forming ice streams to begin with. This new study has just been released in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Recovery Glacier, located in the Coats Land region of Antarctica, has always been a slumbering giant, transporting ice from the high plateau of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet down toward the Weddell Sea at a snail's pace of only 10 to 400 metres per year. Its drainage area stretches nearly 1000 kilometres inland from the Filchner Ice Shelf on the coast, and is nearly three times the size of Germany. These two aspects could make the glacier into a potential threat, in the event that climate change accelerates its tempo some time in the future. According to forecasts, if this comes to pass, Recovery may also be the stream through which East Antarctica loses the most ice. A global sea-level rise would be the direct result.

Yet, even after an expedition by glaciologists from the Alfred Wegener Institute, the reason why the ice masses of Recovery Glacier are in motion is no clearer than before. The research community had previously assumed that meltwater lakes below the East Antarctic Ice Sheet were the cause, the idea being that said lakes occasionally overflow their banks, creating a lubricating film on which the ice above can slide, like when a car begins to aquaplane. This was especially believed to hold true for those regions of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet in which gravity alone isn't sufficient for the ice to flow that fast; this also includes Recovery Glacier's region of origin.

"From satellite imagery of the glacier we can see, especially in the upper drainage basin, several flat, uniform areas on the surface. We had previously assumed that there were giant lakes below them that initiated the ice stream. Without these lakes, it was believed, streams like the Recovery Ice Stream could never form," says Prof. Angelika Humbert, first author of the new study and head of the AWI's Glaciology section.

Humbert and her colleagues can now disprove this hypothesis. In an extensive expedition during the Antarctic summer of 2013/14, the AWI experts used radar to survey Recovery Glacier from on board the research aeroplane Polar 6. The data collected provides an indication as to whether the ground below the ice stream is wet or dry. According to Humbert, "Before our expedition, the form of Recovery Glacier and the characteristics of the underlying rock were largely unknown.

Thanks to our data, we can now fill in some of the blank spots on the map of Antarctica." However, when it comes to large lakes - they had expected to find ones as large as Lake Constance - the scientists came up empty-handed, even though they analysed the radar data for every known lake criterion.

"To be on the safe side, we also used satellite data and double-checked the previously detected changes in elevation, which are an indicator of flooding lakes. Though we can reproduce the findings of our colleagues, and can certainly understand why they expected to find lakes there, we simply weren't able to confirm the presence of water at the respective locations," Humbert adds.

Thanks to Russian and British research projects at Lake Vostok and Lake Ellsworth, we know that there certainly are subglacial lakes in the Antarctic. "These lakes are accumulations of meltwater, which is created when subterranean heat begins melting the ice from below. Over thousands of years, the water slowly gathers in these depressions," explains AWI glaciologist and co-author Dr Thomas Kleiner.

Unfortunately, thanks to their latest findings, the AWI researchers now have more questions than answers on the role of subglacial lakes. "Our new results show that flooding lakes can't be the critical mechanism for the formation of an ice stream," says Angelika Humbert. "At the same time, we've now identified certain weaknesses in our radar-based techniques, which raises the question as to whether they're truly the best way to detect subglacial lakes. Since surface and elevation analyses have proven unsuitable, if we truly want to understand what sets ice streams in motion, the only remaining option is seismic measurements."

Seismic studies can't be conducted from on board aircraft, and land expeditions to regions as remote as Recovery Glacier are far more involved than the already-difficult aerial campaigns. Nevertheless, the AWI researchers plan to launch a follow-up expedition: in the Antarctic summer of 2020/21, they intend to take another look below the ice of Recovery Glacier by recording a seismic traverse. At the same time, one of the AWI's research aeroplanes will use the institute's new ultra-wideband ice radar to scan the glacier. Taken together, the two approaches will hopefully shed new light on what makes the ice of Recovery Glacier begin sliding in its region of origin. Insights into the mechanisms responsible for this and other ice streams are urgently needed, as they can be incorporated into ice and climate models to enhance their forecasting accuracy.

###Quite apart from the known links between knife crime and deprivation and male gender, there seem to be distinct temporal and geographical patterns by age group among young stab victims, indicate the findings.

The frequency of stabbings spikes between 1600 and 1800 hours, attributable to incidents occurring on school days, the findings show.

And nearly half of injuries (47%) in this age group occurred 1-5 km from home, reflecting the average distance from home to school for children living in the capital, say the researchers.

In 2017 just under 37,000 offences involving knives or other sharp implements were recorded in England and Wales-a rise of 26 per cent on the previous year's figures.

Young men between the ages of 16 and 24 from economically deprived urban areas are most at risk of knife crime, the evidence shows. But the study authors wanted to find out if there were any distinct timing and location patterns according to age group.

So they scrutinised 1824 patients under the age of 25 (out of a total of 3274) with knife wounds requiring emergency care at one major London trauma centre between 2004 and 2014.

Of these, 172 (just under 10%) were children under the age of 16; 861 (just over 47%) were aged 16-19; and 791 (just over 43%) were in their early 20s.

Between 2004 and 2014, the annual number of stab wound victims in these age groups rose by 25 per cent each year, with most cases (71%) coming from the areas of greatest deprivation.

To assess this in more detail, the researchers compared injury patterns in children with those in 16-24 year olds.

Among children, stabbings peaked between 1600 and 1800 hours, accounting for more than one in five (22%) injuries compared with around one in 10 (11%) in young adults, nearly one in three of whom (31%).were significantly more likely to be stabbed after midnight.

The researchers then looked at location and found that although a large proportion of stabbings occurred within 1 km of home across all age groups, children were significantly more likely to be stabbed between 1 and 5 km from home and less likely to be stabbed more than 5 km away.

When incidents were divided between those occurring on school days and those occurring on weekends/school holidays, the data showed that children were more likely than teens or young adults to be stabbed on a school day: 58 per cent vs 50 per cent.

On weekends and school holidays, the timing of stabbings in children matched that of young adults.

There were no obvious differences among the three age groups, but children tended to be more at risk of dying in hospital of their wounds, despite the comparable severity of their injuries, and the frequency of stab injuries rose sharply in the teenage years.

This is an observational study, so cannot establish cause. And the findings may not be more widely applicable to other areas or countries, say the researchers. Nor were they able to analyse behavioural patterns, time trends, or gang involvement.

In Glasgow, Scotland, a public health approach to curb violence, focusing on education, policing, and legislation, has seen a reduction in knife crime. And the researchers comment: "It is clear that a multifaceted approach with sustained investment from government and the community is required for effective violence reduction."

They suggest that, given their findings, a visible police presence in areas where schoolchildren tend to congregate after school, might be helpful.

And they conclude: "Our study illustrates and reiterates the potent influence of deprivation, age, and gender on the risk of violent injury...Long term multiagency interventions are essential to drive sustained reductions in interpersonal violence and will be better informed by the recognition of knife crime as a pressing public health issue."

###Transcription factors are proteins that determine whether specific genes are transcribed or not by binding to DNA. In other words, they help turn genes "on" or "off."

One such transcription factor, Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 2, plays a central role in many processes critical to cardiovascular homeostasis. Researchers also understand that levels of KLF2 increase with health and decline with disease. "We are very keen to identify the cellular pathways that regulate the increase or decrease in KLF2 levels in order to develop novel strategies to sustain levels and ameliorate cardiovascular disorders," said Mukesh K. Jain, MD, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Ellery Sedgwick Jr. Chair & Distinguished Scientist, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He is part of a trans-Atlantic network of international leaders in cardiovascular medicine who aim to find out.

Jain and his colleagues have been awarded a five-year, $6M grant from the Paris-based Fondation Leducq to conduct a thorough analysis of the pivotal role of KLF2 in vascular-related functions and disorders. The team's grant was one of five awarded globally and is, in the French foundation's words, "an indication of [our] enthusiasm for your proposal, and faith that the collaborative work of the network will significantly improve our knowledge and treatment of cardiovascular disease."

Joining Jain as part of the research team are eminent researchers from Yale University, the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Germany.

KLF2 and members of this family of transcription factors regulate hundreds of genes that control blood vessel function, often simultaneously, turning on and standardizing a coordinated genetic program governing vascular health. This includes the development of new blood vessels in embryos and adults and embryonic heart valve formation. KLF2 is also a major anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting agent, thereby promoting vascular health. But lower levels of KLF2 can cause inflammation and narrowing of the arteries, resulting in blockages in blood vessels, conditions that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. Additionally, the effects of cardiac medicines known as statins are mediated in part through KLFs.

How is KLF2 involved in such a broad range of life-sustaining activities and potentially lethal breakdowns?

To help answer this question, Jain and his colleagues have three aims. First, determine how KLF2 actually functions within a cell. This entails illuminating the cellular machinery it uses in controlling vascular processes. Second, determine what specific genes with blood vessels it targets to turn on and off. Third, test the findings of aims one and two in both human tissues and relevant mouse genetic models. The team expects that these studies will reveal the full KLF2 regulatory set of connections and identify new treatment targets for cardiovascular disease. The team will use insights from its studies on KLF2 to conduct analysis of KLF4, a related molecule with similar functions.

"KLFs are now known to serve as master regulators of the endothelium, the tissue that forms a single layer of cells lining the blood vessels, heart, and lymphatic vessels," said Jain. "Studying the mechanisms of KLF2 expression and its involvement in vascular physiology, and gaining an ability to control that function, have the potential to treat a broad array of cardiovascular diseases ranging from stroke and heart attack to brain-based cerebrovascular malformations."

Among its techniques, the research team will use CRISPR-Cas9-based approaches to delete certain genes in the KLF2 sequencing process and determine what affect this has on vascular development and function. This will help specify which genes are involved in various processes and diseases, boosting overall understanding and identifying targets for treatment, either through medication or gene-editing. The researchers will also utilize already FDA-approved medications on human cells and mice, seeking to determine which ones might be used to target the findings of the investigative team.

This work builds on seminal findings Jain published in 2004 that led to the discovery of KLFs in vascular biology. While KLFs were known to regulate critical functions based on studies in the 1970's and 1980's in flies, the link to cardinal functions of blood vessels was amongst the first in mammalian systems and represented a major advance in cardiovascular biology. KLFs have also been implicated in numerous biological processes that affect the development of cancer, metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, and aging.

The official grant process commences on January 1, 2019.

###

For more information about Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, please visit: case.edu/medicine.On Oct. 23, a team from the Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility was honored at the 2018 Federal Energy and Water Management Award Ceremony for upgrades made to the lab's data center, ultimately improving its energy efficiency. The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards are presented annually by DOE to recognize individuals, groups, and agencies for outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies at federal facilities.

The Jefferson Lab team--led by Bryan Hess, Carroll Jones and Chip Watson from Jefferson Science Associates, and Rick Korynta from the DOE Thomas Jefferson Site Office--successfully implemented data center improvement strategies that increased flexibility, decreased cost, and increased security and reliability of data center operations. This improvement effort, designed by Mason and Hanger and successfully executed by Carroll Jones, Russell Mattox, Mason & Hanger and Michele Solaroli, was part of a larger Utilities Infrastructure Modernization project at Jefferson Lab. This project allowed Jefferson Lab to cut waste by consolidating space and operating only one single highly efficient data center with an average power use effectiveness level of 1.27, an uninterruptable power supply and significantly reducing cooling water usage.

Carroll Jones, Facilities Division, and Allison Lung, Chief Planning Officer, attended the event held in Washington, D.C., with Jones accepting the award on behalf of the team. Each member of the team received a plaque commemorating the award.

###

Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, a joint venture of the Southeastern Universities Research Association, Inc. and PAE, manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or Jefferson Lab, for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.















The importance of sex in married life cannot be overemphasized. When a couple are in love, it connects them both in a very unique way unlike any other and aside from the obvious connecting part to having that special moment with your partner, there are some great medical benefits as well.

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Travel Association, it was discovered that couples who travel together see significant benefits to the quality of their relationship most importantlyimprovements in their sex life. Spending quality time with your partner on an erotic vacation is the perfect recipe to spice up life your sex life and rather than opting for popular vacation spots like Paris, Hawaii and Dubai, pack your bags and head to the Oxygen Retreatan erotic resort in the Dominican Republicfor an adventurous adult couple vacation.

This vacation gives you an opportunity to spend quality and uninterrupted time with your better half. Spending time in a wonderful setting strengthens the romance while bring you both closer together and re-igniting feelings of intimacy, which are often sacrificed during daily life.

In a survey of 1,100 U.S. adults, 72% of themacknowledged that travel inspires romance, and 28% reported that taking a trip actually improved their sex lifeand of these respondents, 40% said the improvement was permanent.

This spices up the romance, attraction, and leads to a healthy sex life. Traveling to the Dominican as a coupleespecially without kidscreates an opportunity to spend quality time together without the burdens and distractions that comes with everyday life.

When youre on a trip, you probably arent worrying about getting the laundry done or whos going to cook dinner. Youre more relaxed, more in the moment, and are more likely to have your own enjoyment on your mind, said Dr. Dana Fillmore, Therapist and co-Founder of StrongMarriageNow.com in a report.

At the Dominican resort, couples are greeted to a heightened sense of adventure and excitement from making love in an erotic location, and the quality of time spent with your spouse, both while traveling and at your destination. Unlike some other vacation spots, chances of being interrupted by any unexpected events or other tourists are extremely reduced.

The resortsaim to ignite passion and inspire erotic fantasy between couples, being an all-inclusive and completely clothing optional location.Couples will be surrounded by world-class amenities, white sand private beaches and the kind of deluxe accommodations you would expect from an exclusive, top quality erotic vacation. There are various activities to indulge in such yoga, aqua fitness and even erotic workshops to help you and your partner explore your sexual potential a lot deeper.

Spending a romantic weekend together with your partner at the Dominican is bound to leave a lasting effect on your connection to one another, even long after youve both returned from the trip.

Chances are, youll feel closer than you did before the trip  and those kinds of feelings have a way of perpetuating themselves. The closer you feel, the more affectionate you act. The more affectionate your actions, the closer you feel to your spouse, and so on, said Dr. Filmore.

Couples will also have a new set of experiences together, and this has been proven to be more valuable than some couples think. After a trip to the Dominican,couples will have newer stories to tell, newer jokes, newer knowledge about their fantasies and a whole new place/event/experience to talk about with each other. A single trip is bound to resonate with a couple for several years.

Iftheres a shared expectationbetween couples, vacationing together is a fantastic way to rekindle the sexual connection to one another and give themselves a chance to strengthen their love bond for weeks, months, and even many years to come.DURHAM, N.C. -- When Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, infects a human cell, it hijacks parts of the host to build protective layers around itself.

Inside this makeshift fortress, the bug grows and reproduces, eventually bursting out in search of a new target and killing the host cell. While scientists have known for years that Chlamydia protects itself in this way, they were missing the mechanics until now.

Researchers from Duke University and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, have shown that one Chlamydia protein, known as ChlaDUB1, is capable of manipulating human cells in two different ways, at least one of which appears to be essential for thriving inside its host.

The findings which appeared this week in Nature Microbiology could pave the way for treating Chlamydia with fewer antibiotics.

Structural biologists led by David Komander of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Chlamydia experts at Duke University collaborated on the study. Initially, Komander and postdoctoral fellow Jonathan Pruneda, now an assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University, contacted Duke Professor Raphael Valdivia, Vice Dean for Basic Science, to discuss the ChlaDUB1 protein, which Valdivia's team had worked on before.

ChlaDUB1 is one of a class of proteins generated by Chlamydia to disrupt host cell function. Komander, Pruneda, and colleagues found that the protein is an enzyme, a deubiquitinase, that removes ubiquitin, a small protein that human cells attach to other proteins to activate them or to indicate that those proteins should be torn up. Human cells use ubiquitin to send signals, many of which are important for inflammatory responses to pathogens like Chlamydia.

Komander's group determined through further study of the ChlaDUB1 enzyme's shape that it can also modify proteins with acetylation to disrupt the alarms human cells raise to fight infection.

"Instead of making two proteins, one that has the deubiquitinase activity and a separate one that has acetylation activity, they've combined that into the same protein," said coauthor Robert Bastidas, a research assistant professor who is part of Valdivia's group at Duke.

Chlamydia is unlike other bacteria in that it can't survive on its own outside of a human cell, Bastidas explained. He said it is likely that the bug has cast off large parts of its genome in order to better survive inside host cells. He hypothesizes that the bacterium saves space with this mashed-together protein, the only Chlamydia protein that has been found to have these two functions.

While it was clear that ChlaDUB1 was capable of both functions, Bastidas and his colleagues at Duke wanted to know what the enzyme was doing inside its host during Chlamydia infection. The researchers infected human cells with wildtype Chlamydia, as well as with mutant strains harboring defective copies of ChlaDUB1.

Once Chlamydia has built its fortress within the host cell, it breaks up the host cell's Golgi apparatus and maneuvers the pieces around itself. The Golgi apparatus is a cellular compartment that typically stays close to the nucleus of the cell and modifies proteins by adding sugars that serve as baggage tags indicating whether the proteins should go to the plasma membrane or to some other cellular compartment. It's not clear why the bacterium surrounds itself with pieces of the Golgi, perhaps to use the sugars and fats for its own growth, but it's the only bacterium known to do so.

In the scientists' infection trials, the wildtype Chlamydia chopped up the Golgi as usual. But when infected with a bug carrying a mutant enzyme, the human cells' Golgi remained intact, suggesting that ChlaDUB1's activity is necessary for this aspect of Chlamydia infection.

Bastidas also hypothesizes that the ability for ChlaDUB1 to remove ubiquitin from host proteins protects Chlamydia from the host inflammatory response.

Next, the researchers want to find a drug that will specifically disrupt the function of ChlaDUB1, thus slowing the bacteria's ability to fight off attack by the host immune system. "If we develop these inhibitors and they're specific enough, then we won't have to use antibiotics" or at least use fewer of them, said Bastidas.

In a world where antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic resistance or to disruption of the delicate microbiome of the vagina and the urinary tract, where Chlamydia prefers to reside, Bastidas says a more tailored therapy could prove a better tool to fight infection.

###

This research was supported by the EU FP7 infrastructure grant BIOSTRUCT-X (283570), the UK Medical Research Council (U105192732), the European Research Council (724804), the Lister Institute for Preventive Medicine, an EMBO Long-Term Fellowship, the National Institutes of Health (R01AI100759), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (STI CRC U19 AI084044), and North West Cancer Research.

CITATION: "A Chlamydia Effector Combining Deubiquitination And Acetylation Activities Induces Golgi Fragmentation," Jonathan N. Pruneda, Robert J. Bastidas, Erithelgi Bertsoulaki, Kirby N. Swatek, Balaji Santhanam, Michael J. Clague, Raphael H. Valdivia, Sylvie Urbe, David Komander. Nature Microbiology, November 5, 2018. DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0271-y. DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0271-yAt least a quarter of cancer patients across Europe who need radiotherapy don't receive it

7 November 2018, Brussels: Radiotherapy is 'undervalued' and 'needs greater investment' according to a new report published today (7 November 2018*) commissioned by the Marie Curie Legacy Campaign - an initiative of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the ESTRO Cancer Foundation (ECF).2

'Radiotherapy saves lives - either used alone or in combination with other types of cancer treatment,' says report author, Yolande Lievens, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, and Past-President of ESTRO. 'Currently, radiotherapy is recommended as part of treatment for more than 50% of cancer patients, but across Europe, at least a quarter of people who need radiotherapy do not receive it. This is wholly unacceptable and a missed opportunity for cancer patients.'

Entitled Radiotherapy: seizing the opportunity in cancer care, the white paper recommends a five point plan to boost uptake of radiotherapy and calls on all stakeholders - governments and policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients and professional societies, along with national and international research funds - to become 'radiotherapy ambassadors' to help raise awareness of the benefits of radiotherapy and secure its valuable position in comprehensive, optimal cancer care.

The report's authors cite shortages of high-quality equipment, variations in training, insufficient integration of radiotherapy into treatment plans, lack of investment in research, lack of general understanding of radiotherapy as a cancer treatment and misconceptions regarding the safety of radiotherapy among the important factors contributing to radiotherapy's poor image and underuse.

The report's five key recommendations are:

Make radiotherapy a central component of cancer care in policies, planning and budgets

Achieve recognition of all radiotherapy professions and harmonise education and training standards across Europe

Invest in research and use of data to continuously improve radiotherapy outcomes for patients and maximise the potential of innovation

Fully integrate radiotherapy into treatment planning and decision-making

Help improve general awareness and understanding of radiotherapy to ensure it can achieve its full potential for patient care

In 2018, 4.23 million people received a cancer diagnosis in Europe3 - and the incidence of cancer is increasing. The demand for radiotherapy is expected to see a 16% increase by 2025.4,5

'Radiotherapy appears to be left on the sidelines of national health policy agendas,' says Lydia Makaroff, Director of the European Cancer Patient Coalition. 'Greater investment, improved access and better understanding of radiotherapy - both at a national and international level - is vital. This will ensure that patients get the best possible and most effective care for their particular type of cancer, leading to better outcomes and more lives saved.'

###

A full copy of the report can be accessed here: mariecurielegacy.org

* The report has been launched to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Marie Curie, who pioneered research into ionising radiation, which laid the foundation for the use of radiation in cancer treatment.

Note to editors

Key facts about radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a safe, non-invasive and highly effective cancer treatment, using ionising radiation, predominantly via high-energy X-rays. It is recommended as part of treatment for more than half of cancer patients.

At least a quarter of cancer patients who need radiotherapy do not receive it. 1

By 2035, if every cancer patient who needs radiotherapy has access to it, almost one million more lives worldwide will be saved annually. 6

Radiotherapy saves lives: 40% of all cancers cured are eliminated by radiotherapy either alone or in combination with other types of treatment. 7

Radiotherapy is a key part of treatment for many of the most common types of cancer. 4,8

Radiotherapy can also alleviate cancer symptoms such as pain and improve cancer patients' quality of life. 6,9-11

State-of-the-art radiotherapy can specifically match the shape of the tumour it is targeting - thus avoiding damage to nearby healthy organs and tissue. 12,13

Continuous improvements in delivery of radiotherapy have allowed treatment times to be reduced; for example, the time for an average radiotherapy course for breast or prostate cancer has almost been halved in the past two decades. 14-18

Radiotherapy is not invasive - many patients receiving radiotherapy can still carry on with day-to-day life.8

About the report authors

The report has been authored by a panel of radiation oncology experts from across Europe under the auspices of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the ESTRO Cancer Foundation (ECF):

Joanna Kazmierska, Doctor of Radiation Oncology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland

Nuria Jornet Sala, Medical Physics Senior Consultant, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain

Michelle Leech, Associate Professor of Radiation Therapy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, Chair, Department of Radiotherapy, European Institute of Oncology, Milan; Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Milan, Italy

Yolande Lievens, Chair, Radiation Oncology Department, Ghent University Hospital; Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University; Past-President, ESTRO, Belgium

John Yarnold, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK

About ESTRO

ESTRO was founded in 1980, as a non-profit and scientific organisation that fosters the role of radiation oncology in order to improve patients' care in the multimodality treatment of cancer. With over 7,300 members in and outside Europe, ESTRO supports all radiation oncology professionals in their daily practice: radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiobiologists and radiation therapists and the wider oncology community. 'Radiation oncology. Optimal health for all, together' is the ESTRO vision. ESTRO promotes innovation, research and dissemination of science through its congresses, special meetings, educational courses and publications.

About the ESTRO Cancer Foundation and the Marie Curie Legacy Campaign

The ESTRO Cancer Foundation (ECF) was launched by ESTRO in 2012. Its ambition is to ensure that every cancer patient has access to appropriate and personalised cancer care. The ECF's projects are designed to raise awareness and understanding of radiotherapy. It is instrumental in facilitating research and making the resulting scientific data accessible and understandable to everyone.

The Marie Curie Legacy Campaign, pioneered by the ECF and ESTRO, is a global initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of radiotherapy and optimise the provision of radiotherapy in Europe and beyond.

For more information, visit: http://www.mariecurielegacy.org

For further information, please contact:

Lynsey Conway

Email: lynsey.conway@hpolicy.com

Tel: +447778 304233

Henry Arnold

Email: henry.arnold@hpolicy.com

Tel: +4420 3857 3646 / +447708 220932An effective regulation of programmed cell death is crucial for the correct development of embryos, a working innate immune system, and the prevention of cancer. How cells control the switch between cell survival and death, and which signalling pathways are involved, remain unclear. Proteins that interact with death receptors in these signalling pathways are often marked with various forms of ubiquitin chains, such as linear (M1) and K63-linked polyubiquitin chains. Deubiquitinating enzymes, which specifically break down ubiquitin chains, play a central role in the regulation of these chains, death receptor signalling, and cell fate.

"In our project, we want to investigate the network of M1-deubiquitinating enzymes and interactions with death receptor signalling in mammalian cells in order to understand the fundamental role of the ubiquitin in cell death or survival," explains Sjoerd van Wijk, group leader at the Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics. The ultimate goal is to understand human diseases, in particular how cancer develops and spreads, and how cells protect themselves against invasive bacteria.

In his research group, van Wijk pursues multidisciplinary approaches using state-of-the-art technology. Through collaborations with Dr. Manuel Kaulich (CRISPR/Cas9 Screening Centre at Goethe University), he has access to highly efficient screening methods to unravel the molecular events that control death receptor function. The analysis of these molecular complexes is also being supported by the ubiquitin mass spectrometry at the Institute for Biochemistry II at Goethe University (Prof. Dr. Ivan Dikic) and at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz (Dr. Petra Beli), as well as by the high-resolution microscopy at the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at Goethe University (Prof. Dr. Mike Heilemann).

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An image may be downloaded at: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/74652845

Credit: Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk

Further information: Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Niederrad Campus, Tel. +49 69 67866574, Email: s.wijk@kinderkrebsstiftung-frankfurt.de.

Current news about science, teaching, and society in GOETHE-UNI online (http://www.aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de)

Goethe University is a research-oriented university in the European financial centre Frankfurt The university was founded in 1914 through private funding, primarily from Jewish sponsors, and has since produced pioneering achievements in the areas of social sciences, sociology and economics, medicine, quantum physics, brain research, and labour law. It gained a unique level of autonomy on 1 January 2008 by returning to its historic roots as a "foundation university". Today, it is among the top ten in external funding and among the top three largest universities in Germany, with three clusters of excellence in medicine, life sciences and the humanities. Together with the Technical University of Darmstadt and the University of Mainz, it acts as a partner of the inter-state strategic Rhine-Main University Alliance. Internet: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de

Publisher: The President of Goethe University Editor: Dr. Anne Hardy, Referee for Science Communication, PR & Communication Department, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Tel: (069) 798-13035, Fax: (069) 798-763 12531.North China (35-40N, 110-120E) is a major region in China for winter wheat agriculture. It is in the spring (March to May) in this region that the reviving, jointing and booting stages of winter wheat mainly happen.

Spring cold spells in North China, hereafter referred to as "extreme spring cold spells" (ESCSs), have significant influence on crop yields in this region, though little attention has been paid to the issue previously

In a recently published study in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, Prof. Yali Zhu from Institute of Atmospheric Physics at Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that when an ESCS happens over North China, continuous negative temperature anomalies can have disastrous effects on the wheat yield, inducing yield losses of up to 20% or more. With warm winters becoming more frequent under global warming, the negative effects of ESCSs on crop yields may become more obvious. Thus, to better understand North China ESCSs and provide helpful information for their prediction, this study investigated the features of ESCSs over the past several decades.

During March-May, when the daily temperature remains at least 3C lower than the climatological daily mean in a continuous five-day period (?3/5 criteria, for short), an ESCS is identified. During 1961-2014, 21 ESCS events are identified. During an ESCS, northern Eurasia is controlled by large-scale positive sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies and an anomalous anticyclone that continuously transport northern cold air to North China, causing significant, persistent, lower-than-normal daily temperatures. In fact, these positive SLP and anticyclonic wind anomalies begin to appear over northwestern Europe about 10 days prior to the ESCS. The anticyclonic wind anomalies keep moving southeastward and expand to the west of Lake Baikal until two days before the ESCS. Then, the center of the anomalous low-level anticyclone moves over Lake Baikal, inducing northerly wind anomalies that transport cold air into North China. In the following days, as the positive SLP anomalies weaken, the anomalous anticyclone and related northerly winds appear to wane, and the ESCS gradually comes to an end.

"The results may prove meaningful for the prediction and early warning of ESCSs." Says Zhu.

###AMES, Iowa - Singing may provide benefits beyond improving respiratory and swallow control in people with Parkinson's disease, according to new data from Iowa State University researchers.

The results from the pilot study revealed improvements in mood and motor symptoms, as well as reduced physiological indicators of stress. Elizabeth Stegemoller, an assistant professor of kinesiology, cautions this is preliminary data, but says the improvements among singing participants are similar to benefits of taking medication. She presented the work at the Society for Neuroscience 2018 conference.

"We see the improvement every week when they leave singing group. It's almost like they have a little pep in their step. We know they're feeling better and their mood is elevated," Stegemoller said. "Some of the symptoms that are improving, such as finger tapping and the gait, don't always readily respond to medication, but with singing they're improving."

Stegemoller, Elizabeth "Birdie" Shirtcliff, an associate professor in human development family studies; and Andrew Zaman, a graduate student in kinesiology, measured heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels for 17 participants in a therapeutic singing group. Participants also reported feelings of sadness, anxiety, happiness and anger. Data was collected prior to and following a one-hour singing session.

This is one of the first studies to look at how singing affects heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol in people with Parkinson's disease. All three levels were reduced, but Stegemoller says with the preliminary data the measures did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in happiness or anger after class. However, participants were less anxious and sad.

Why does singing work?

The results are encouraging, but researchers still have a big question to tackle: what is the mechanism leading to these behavioral changes? They are now analyzing blood samples to measure levels of oxytocin (a hormone related to bonding), changes in inflammation (an indicator of the progression of the disease) and neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to compensate for injury or disease) to determine if these factors can explain the benefits of singing.

"Part of the reason cortisol is going down could be because the singing participants feel positive and less stress in the act of singing with others in the group. This suggests we can look at the bonding hormone, oxytocin," Shirtcliff said. "We're also looking at heart rate and heart rate variability, which can tell us how calm and physiologically relaxed the individual is after singing."

The research builds upon the team's previous findings that singing is an effective treatment to improve respiratory control and the muscles used for swallowing in people with Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is expected to double over the next 20 years. ISU researchers say therapeutic singing has the potential to provide an accessible and affordable treatment option to improve motor symptoms, stress and quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease.

In this video from 2017, Stegemoller leads a singing group for people with Parkinson's disease: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNmm3uvYo_c

###New Orleans, LA - Jayne Weiss, MD, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, is the lead author of an editorial about inaccuracies in the medical literature that medical professionals rely upon to diagnose corneal dystrophies, as well as a free resource that provides correct information. The paper is published in the November 2018, issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, available at https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(18)30440-9/fulltext.

Corneal dystrophies comprise a group of relatively rare genetic eye disorders in which material accumulates in the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye. This abnormal material can cloud the cornea, resulting in blurred or loss of vision in some patients. These disorders can affect both eyes, progress slowly and are hereditary. While there are some common characteristics, there are 22 distinct corneal dystrophies, and an accurate diagnosis is critical to proper treatment. Correctly characterizing a corneal dystrophy can be challenging, even for experts, much less clinicians who have never seen one. So clinicians frequently turn to the worldwide medical literature to learn about corneal dystrophies and often base their diagnoses upon information they find there.

Dr. Weiss and her colleagues write that publications on corneal dystrophies in the medical literature, however, can be confusing, contradictory or simply wrong. Errors arise from historical descriptions made before the invention of equipment like the slit lamp, confounding translations from scientific papers written in foreign languages, ignorance of previously published findings, misleading nomenclature, and difficulty in purging erroneous information from peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. As well, advances in molecular genetics and newly discovered information in other disciplines have expanded or changed our knowledge.

In 2005, Weiss created and continues to chair the International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) to decrease published inaccuracies leading to confusion and provide clarity in diagnosing these disorders. Members from around the world are geneticists, pathologists and ophthalmologists specializing in corneal diseases with expertise in specific dystrophies.

A dynamic effort, IC3D periodically updates and revises its information. Its most recent article, a revision of its 2008 publication, was published in Cornea in 2015, available at http://www.corneasociety.org/sites/default/files/publications/ic3d_classification_of_corneal_dystrophies_edition.1.pdf .

This revision of the IC3D classification includes an updated anatomic classification of corneal dystrophies more accurately classifying one of the forms of corneal dystrophies that affect multiple layers rather than being confined to one corneal layer. Typical histopathologic and confocal images were also added to the corneal dystrophy templates.

"Our IC3D nomenclature for corneal dystrophies has become accepted internationally as the standard and is also used by the American Academy of Ophthalmology," notes Weiss. "I am proud that its easy accessibility by patients and clinicians alike has facilitated diagnosis and potentially treatment in individuals with these conditions."

###

Editions of IC3D Classification of Corneal Dystrophies have been translated to Spanish and German, and all versions of the publications are available at no cost here: http://www.corneasociety.org/publications/ic3d .

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's flagship and most comprehensive health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment, or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC.A new NASA laser instrument set to launch to the International Space Station in December will help scientists create the first three-dimensional map of the world's temperate and tropical forests. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation, or GEDI, is scheduled to launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. From the station, GEDI's advanced laser technology will reveal the three-dimensional structure of forest ecosystems around the globe.GEDI pronounced "Jedi," will soar over both the dark side and the light side of Earth at 17,150 miles per hour. Measurements of the height of foliage, branches, trees and shrubs below its path will yield new insights into how forests are storing or releasing carbon.

"We'd like to be able to understand what the role of forests are," said Principal Investigator Ralph Dubayah of the University of Maryland, College Park. "We want to know how much carbon is being stored in trees because if we cut those trees down, that's a potential source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."

The GEDI mission is designed to help researchers locate those sources and stores of carbon. Scientists know how much carbon is going into the atmosphere, but are much less certain about where and in what quantities carbon is being absorbed, explained Laura Duncanson, a research assistant professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Earth's oceans and forests take up atmospheric carbon, but scientists want to investigate which forests are taking in the most, or if those forests will continue to do so through time. GEDI will help unravel this mystery by providing the first highly detailed forest carbon stock map, pinpointing in fine detail where the Earth's most carbon-rich forests are.

"To effectively manage forests toward mitigating climate change, we need to know how much carbon they store and how that's distributed spatially, and that's what GEDI will give us," Duncanson said. "We can't know how much carbon is released to the atmosphere through deforestation and forest degradation until we know how much is already there; GEDI will collect new data and fill this big, critical carbon knowledge gap."

The Lidar Strikes Back

GEDI's lidar instrument sends laser pulses down to Earth, where they penetrate forests below the station's orbit at temperate and tropical latitudes. The laser beams ricochet off the first thing they hit, which can be a leaf atop a dense canopy, a protruding branch, or the ground from which the forest emerges. The energy returned to the GEDI telescope on the International Space Station will provide an intricate three-dimensional map of forest canopies.

"We can send out a little pulse of light and it travels down, reflects off the surface, and comes back," Bryan Blair, GEDI instrument scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and deputy principal investigator, said. "We can see and measure how tall the tree is and we can actually see how dense are the foliage and branches as we go down."

When looking at anything, such as a building or a tree, what you see is light reflecting off the surface. The GEDI team is replicating that function using a laser, which is also made of light. However, GEDI is a very specific wavelength that allows scientists to filter out any other type of light, Blair explained.

"We just provide our own light source," he said. "It reflects off all the leaves, then the branches, and eventually the ground."

A comprehensive 3D map of canopy height and structure helps scientists determine the height and the mass of trees. A tall, broad tree will store more carbon than a short one. Trees, when dried, are composed of approximately 50 percent carbon, which would be released into the atmosphere if a tree was cut down and burned. Mature forests are vital to maintaining stored carbon within their trunks, but young, rapidly-growing trees generally take in atmospheric carbon at a much higher rate.

"We want to measure how much carbon is in the forest, which is related to how tall the trees are, how big around they are, how many branches there are, how many leaves there are, and how big the roots are," Blair said.

GEDI floods a dense canopy with laser light pulses that bounce back after making contact with an object. The end result is a comprehensive view of the density all the way down to the ground, Blair explained. The biggest challenge is having enough laser power and sensitivity to see through tropical forests, which is something GEDI does well. The instrument can work well even in the world's densest forests, where less than 1 percent of the light that shines down makes it all the way to the ground.

In addition to forest structure, GEDI will measure patterns of different environments within tropical and temperate forests. Limited data from field plots and airborne and space-based lidar have given scientists an idea of how habitat structure varies at specific locations, but GEDI's advanced technology will fill in the missing pieces of information around the Earth, said Scott Goetz, deputy principal investigator and professor at Northern Arizona University.

"We'll be able to inform models of biodiversity, including patterns of species richness and specific habitat requirements of threatened and endangered species." Goetz said. "If we're better able to map where those habitats are using GEDI canopy structure data combined with other satellite data, it will help with the conservation of those species and forests harboring high biodiversity."

GEDI is slated to begin its two-year science mission aboard the station by the end of 2018. The GEDI Science Team expects to process incoming information and make it available to the public within six months of launch.

The $94 million mission was competitively selected as a NASA Earth Venture-Instrument mission in 2014. Led by the University of Maryland in collaboration with Goddard, GEDI has the highest resolution and densest sampling of any lidar every put in orbit.

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Banner photo: Engineer Bente Eegholm's reflection can be seen in the primary mirror of the receiver telescope.

Photo by: NASA Goddard/Desiree StoverSAN DIEGO - An experimental drug is showing some promise in stopping mood abnormalities and cognitive disorders similar to those seen in people with Gulf War illness, an animal study suggests.

The research was presented Nov. 7 in San Diego at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.

"Our results in mice indicate that this small experimental molecule is capable of preventing development of cognitive difficulties and mood deficits if the treatment starts early," said Glenn Lin, the study's principal investigator and a professor of neuroscience at The Ohio State University.

"Importantly, we also found that this small molecule can significantly ameliorate cognitive and mood problems when the symptoms are already present," said Lin, who is part of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's Neurological Institute.

Gulf War illness is characterized by a cluster of central nervous symptoms believed to have been caused by a combination of wartime exposures that are not well-understood.

"These veterans have difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering recent information and trouble finding words when speaking. They also often feel down or depressed, irritable, moody and anxious, and have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep," Lin said.

There currently is no medication known to improve these problems.

The Ohio State lab and others working on Gulf War illness have found that dysregulation of glutamate, a major neurotransmitter in the brain, may contribute to the symptoms patients experience. The scientists - including a team at Harvard Medical School - have collaborated to develop potential therapies that normalize the glutamate activity.

The molecule tested at Ohio State normalizes dysregulation of glutamate in the brain, Lin said.

In the study being presented in San Diego, researchers tested the experimental treatment in mice with deficits comparable to those seen in people with Gulf War illness, said lead researcher and post-doctoral researcher Xueqin Wang.

The treated mice were given the compound early, in a study designed to mimic a preventive therapy.

"In people, this would be like giving a drug to soldiers before exposures that could cause illness," she said.

In the treated mice, compared to untreated animals, the researchers saw less behavior that would be comparable to anxiety and depression and also found some evidence of improved memory, she said.

Now, the team is working on a study designed to mimic treatment after symptoms arise - rather than preventive treatment, Wang said.

More research is needed to detail how the molecule may interact with the brain before it could be tested in humans, Lin said, adding that his team and others are studying the compound for use in a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and depression.

###

CONTACT: Chien-liang Glenn Lin, 614-688-5433; Lin.492@osu.edu

Written by Misti Crane, 614-292-5220; Crane.11@osu.eduGaithersburg, Md. -- The PETA International Science Consortium is excited to announce the winner of its second annual Early-Career Scientist Award, which sends a scientist to the prestigious Institute for In Vitro Sciences' Practical Methods for In Vitro Toxicology Workshop. Dr. Maria Laura Gutierrez, a researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was chosen from a pool of highly skilled applicants from around the world as the winner of a coveted spot at the annual four-day workshop. Held in January in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the workshop will include lectures by experts in the field of in vitro toxicology as well as opportunities for hands-on laboratory experience using human cells or tissue models in skin and eye irritation, skin allergy, and respiratory toxicity tests.

At the National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Dr. Gutierrez and a team of scientists are working to advance the development and implementation of non-animal methods to test cosmetics, pesticides, and household products. These methods will replace animal tests, including ones in which harmful chemicals are smeared onto rabbits' skin or into their eyes. Dr. Gutierrez's goal is to establish the first laboratory in Argentina dedicated to the promotion of non-animal test methods.

"The PETA International Science Consortium is thrilled to recognize this trailblazing early-career scientist and support her in her efforts," says Consortium Director Dr. Amy Clippinger. "Dr. Gutierrez's work to establish a non-animal testing laboratory and train researchers in Argentina will have a far-reaching impact on the reduction of animal tests."

While human-relevant, animal-free research methods are vital to a career in toxicology and are being widely adopted by industry leaders, graduate school programs often lag behind the times in providing a comprehensive background in these methods. The Consortium helps to fill this gap by providing awards and free educational materials on non-animal testing strategies, including factsheets, tutorials, webinars, and videos.

The Consortium is dedicated to furthering the education of talented young scientists through award competitions and educational materials with the goal of helping the next generation of scientists advance non-animal test methods.

The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. works to accelerate the development, validation, and global implementation of animal-free testing. It was established in 2012 to coordinate the scientific and regulatory expertise of its members--PETA, PETA U.K., PETA Germany, PETA India, PETA Netherlands, PETA France, PETA Asia, and PETA Australia. The Consortium and its members have donated millions of dollars toward helping to reduce and replace animal use.

The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. (IIVS), is a nonprofit research and testing laboratory dedicated to the advancement of in vitro methods worldwide. Founded in 1997, IIVS has worked with industry and government agencies to implement in vitro testing strategies that limit animal use while supplying key information for product safety and efficacy decisions.

For more information, please visit PISCLtd.org.uk or IIVS.org.

###Common sight along road sides in south Cameroon and western Gabon, and growing in hard-to-be-missed dense colonies, it remains a mystery how this locally useful new palm species Raphia zamiana (locally known as "Zam") has been missed by botanists until now, with its first collection dating to 2012. The overlooked giant has been recently described in the open access journal PhytoKeys, alongside a shy and rare endemic from the same genus.

Curiously, it might have been exactly the large size of Raphia zamiana that has discouraged botanists from collecting and cataloguing this species, according to the multinational team of researchers from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, National Herbarium of Gabon, Gabon, the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques - Ville de Geneve, Switzerland, the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France.

While this theory might sound strange at first, it is plausible, given that a single leaf of this large palm can reach up to 21 meters long and forms dense colonies in swampy areas. Large leaves are not uncommon among the representatives of, what is known as the most diverse genus of African palms, Raphia, with one species, R. regalis, having leaves up to 25 meters, a record in the plant kingdom!

Newly described and named to science, this species is, just like many other representatives of the genus, well-known and heavily used across its range. Uses, of what is locally known as "Zam" include: timber, locally referred to as "bamboo", used for construction, and fruits - for consumption and medicine. Finally, Zam is also used for wine tapping in certain parts.

"It is indeed incredible that such a large and useful palm has remained unknown to science until now," comments author Thomas Couvreur, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, IRD, France..

"This curious fact, however, underlines a bigger problem. While biodiversity is being destroyed at unprecedented rates, we still have a lot to discover and describe, even species that are common, well known and useful. This comes as a surprise to many people and underlines how much remains to be discovered in the tropics. Scientifically describing species, especially useful ones, is very important, as it "puts then on the map", which allows them to be studied and managed. In this sense, field work remains key.", concludes Thomas Couvreur.

The need to further study and conserve this group of palms is evidenced by a second newly described species in the same PhytoKeys paper. Named after its country of origin, Raphia gabonica, is restricted to only two small populations from central Gabon, where it occurs on hillsides and along small rivers.

Right upon description, R. gabonica is already threatened by extinction. It was assigned a preliminary IUCN status of "Endangered", because it is found in small unprotected pockets of forest along roadsides. It is now amongst the five most threatened palm species for the whole of Africa.

"Our study shows that, despite their economic and cultural importance across tropical Africa and for Africans, we still know too little about Raphia palms. This is very paradoxal and a gap that we need to fill, quickly" adds University of Yaounde PhD student Suzanne K Mogue.

"We hope that our amazing discoveries continue to stimulate further botanical studies and promote conservation efforts across Cameroon, Gabon and central Africa in general," concludes Professor Bonaventure Sonke of the University of Yaounde.

###

For more information on Raphia's in Cameroon and Gabon, please see this documentary produced by Joseph Fumtim and Thomas L.P. Couvreur, 28 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avSoLIusCCs&t=6s

Original Source:

Mogue Kamga S, Niangadouma R, Stauffer FW, Sonke B, Couvreur TLP (2018) Two new species of Raphia (Palmae/Arecaceae) from Cameroon and Gabon. PhytoKeys 111: 17-30. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.111.27175

Contacts:

Suzanne Kamga Mogue

Email: mogueblue@yahoo.com

Bonaventure Sonke

Email: bsonke_1999@yahoo.com

Thomas L.P. Couvreur

Email: thomas.couvreur@ird.frSolving a decades-old mystery, an international team of astronomers have discovered an extremely hot magnetosphere around a white dwarf, a remnant of a star like our Sun. The work was led by Dr Nicole Reindl, Research Fellow of the Royal Commission 1851, based at the University of Leicester, and is published today (7 November) in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

White dwarfs are the final stage in the lives of stars like our Sun. At the end of their lives, these stars eject their outer atmospheres, leaving behind a hot, compact and dense core that cools over billions of years. The temperature on their surfaces is typically around 100,000 degrees Celsius (in comparison the surface of the Sun is 5500 degrees).

Some white dwarfs though challenge scientists, as they show evidence for highly ionised metals. In astronomy 'metals' describe every element heavier than helium, and high ionisation here means that all but one of the outer electrons usually in their atoms have been stripped away. That process needs a temperature of 1 million degrees Celsius, so far higher than the surface of even the hottest white dwarf stars.

Reindl's team used the 3.5-metre Calar Alto telescope in Spain to discover and observe a white dwarf in the direction of the constellation of Triangulum, catalogued as GALEXJ014636.8+323615, located 1200 light years from the Sun. Analysing the light from the white dwarf with a technique known as spectroscopy, where the light is dispersed into its constituent colours, revealed the signatures of highly ionised metals. Intriguingly these varied over a period of six hours - the same time it takes for the white dwarf to rotate.

Reindl and her team conclude that the magnetic field around the star - the magnetosphere - traps material flowing from its surface. Shocks within the magnetosphere heat the material dramatically, stripping almost all the electrons from the metal atoms.

"It's like a doughnut made up of ultra-hot material that surrounds the already very hot star" explains Reindl.

"The axis of the magnetic field of the white dwarf is tilted from its rotational axis. This means that the amount of shock-heated material we see varies as the star rotates.

'After decades of finding more and more of these obscure stars without having a clue where these highly ionised metals come from", she continues, "our shock-heated magnetosphere model finally explains their origin."

Magnetospheres are found around other types of stars, but this is the first report of one around a white dwarf. The discovery might have far-reaching consequences. "We simply didn't take this into account", admits Reindl. "Ignoring their magnetospheres could mean measurements of other basic properties of white dwarfs are wrong, like their temperatures and masses."

It may be that a quarter of white dwarfs go through a stage of trapping and super-heating material. Reindl and her team now plan to model them in detail and to extend their research by studying more of these fascinating objects.

###

Media contacts

Dr Robert Massey

Royal Astronomical Society

Tel: +44 (0)20 7292 3979

Mob: +44 (0)7802 877699

press@ras.ac.uk

Dr Morgan Hollis

Royal Astronomical Society

Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 x118

Mob: +44 (0)7802 877700

press@ras.ac.uk

Science contacts

Dr Nicole Reindl

Research fellow of the Royal Commission 1851

University of Leicester

Mob: +44 (0)74 6241 9335

nr152@le.ac.uk

http://www.star.le.ac.uk/~nr152/

Images and captions

https://ras.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-11/J0146_PR100dpi.png

Artist's impression of the hot white dwarf GALEXJ014636.8+323615 (white) and its ultra-hot circumstellar magnetosphere (purple) trapped with the magnetic field (green). Credit: N. Reindl.

https://ras.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-11/J0146_sdss.png

Colour image of the white dwarf GALEXJ014636.8+323615 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

Further information

The new work appears in "Unravelling the Baffling Mystery of the Ultra-hot Wind Phenomenon in White Dwarfs", N. Reindl, M. Bainbridge, N. Przybilla, S. Geier, M. Prvak, J. Krticka, R. H. stensen, J. Telting, K. Werner, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Oxford University Press, in press. After the embargo expires a copy of the paper will be available from https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/mnrasl/sly191

Notes for editors

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 awards grants and fellowships in support of science and industry to the value of around 4m a year. First established in 1850 to stage the Great Exhibition, the Commission initially invested the Exhibition's profit by purchasing the land for development of the South Kensington cultural estate of museums, colleges and the Albert Hall.

Details of the 1851 Royal Commission's awards are on its website: http://www.royalcommission1851.org.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In a crystal, structural defects such as dislocations or twins are well defined and largely determine the mechanical and other properties. These defects can be easily identified as the broken long-range atomic order. However, the lack of a periodic microstructure makes the searching of similar structural defects a difficult task in amorphous materials. Recent studies found that amorphous materials are intrinsically spatially and temporally heterogeneous, which implies the possibility to identify the dynamic defect in a glass. Metallic glass (MG) with many unique properties is considered as a good model material for its relative simple structure. In the last few years, flow units as dynamic defects were observed and intensively studied in MG systems. A theoretical perspective of flow units was also developed, which not only successfully explains many important experimental phenomena, but also offers the guideline to optimize properties of glasses.

In a new review article published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, scientists at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China present the latest advances in the study of flow units which behaves as dynamic defects in metallic glassy materials. Co-authors Zheng Wang and Wei-Hua Wang summarized the characteristics, activation and evolution processes of flow units as well as their correlation with mechanical properties including plasticity, strength, fracture, and dynamic relaxation.

These scientists likewise outline applications of this flow unit perspective and some challenges.

"We show that flow units that are similar to the structural defects such as dislocations, are crucial in the optimization and design of metallic glassy materials via the thermal, mechanical and high pressure tailoring of these units." they state.

"It took more than half a century to finally identify the dislocations in a crystals, which have a much simpler configuration compared to glass. "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes" said by Mark Twain. The discovery of dynamic defects in glasses has followed a similar track to the identification of dislocations in crystals, and now we at the precipice of final answers to a longstanding questions."

###

See the article:

Zheng Wang and Wei-Hua Wang

Flow Units as Dynamic Defects of Flow Units in Metallic Glassy Materials

Natl Sci Rev 2018; doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwy084

https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwy084

The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China.A handful of international investors linked to economic activities that influence the stability of some of the world's largest forests and hence the global climate

Financial institutions, such as banks and pension funds, have a key role to play in efforts to avoid dangerous climate change. And it is not only about redirecting investments to renewable energy and low-carbon businesses, but also to bolster the resilience and stability of the Brazilian Amazon and boreal forests in Russia and Canada, two known 'tipping elements' in the Earth system. Such tipping elements have also been referred to as 'Sleeping Giants', because once "awakened" they can have pivotal impacts on the global climate by becoming large-scale emitters of carbon dioxide, as opposed to storing carbon in soil and vegetation.

This is the message of a new study published in the latest issue of Global Environmental Change.

"In contrast to standard approaches in green finance, we elaborate the ways in which financial actors are linked to economic activities that modify large ecosystems of key importance for stabilizing the planet's climate," explains author Victor Galaz, deputy director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.

The article is based on a study done by a team of researchers from the Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere programme (GEDB) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, the Australian National University and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

"Our research allows us to identify a small set of international financial players who can influence climate stability through their ownership of stock in economic sectors that modify both the Amazon rainforest and boreal forests," says co-author Beatrice Crona, Executive Director of GEDB and researcher at Stockholm Resilience Centre.

These financial institutions are denoted "Financial Giants" in the new study that also explores how incentives and disincentives currently influence their potential to bolster or undermine the stability of the climate.

"The study is the first of its kind to link data on global investors and the science on tipping points in the Earth system," says co-author Will Steffen from the Australian National University in Canberra.

The pivotal role of investors

In recent decades, scientists have begun to use the term 'tipping elements' or 'Sleeping Giants' to describe a limited number of biomes and processes on the planet that are exceptionally important for maintaining global climate stability. These biomes and processes can change rapidly when human pressures reach a critical level. The new study makes explicit the links between stock ownership, global institutional investors and two of these tipping elements: the Amazon rainforest and the boreal forests of Russia and Canada.

"We focus on these forested areas because they represent tipping elements that are highly vulnerable to tipping in the next few decades, and where the financial sector plays a crucial role," explains Victor Galaz.

This implies that the financial system can provide an important lever to help ensure the stability of these tipping elements in the near term and the long term.

The study concludes that the Amazon rainforest, boreal forests and other tipping elements are now systemic risks for the global financial system. If the internal dynamics of these large regions change, leading to the emission of large volumes of carbon into the atmosphere from soils and vegetation, then stabilizing the climate in the future will become significantly more difficult, in turn affecting financial stability.

A handful of stockholders

As the study shows, financial investments are already today contributing to economic activities that are pushing some Sleeping Giants towards their tipping points. For example, investors provide capital to, or own shares in, companies that produce soy, beef, timber and other commodities that require extensive deforestation and forest degradation.

The authors find that a handful of stockholders own substantial shares across the largest companies in the most significant sectors. The total holdings of these investors reach above the 10% threshold in three out of eight companies in the Amazon, five out of sixteen in Canadian boreal forests, and three out of five in Russian boreal forests, they write.

These institutional investors with a global reach are called 'Financial Giants' by the authors because they have a great but unrealized power to influence the resilience of several of the planet's 'Sleeping Giants'.

"Investors have several means at their disposal to influence the companies in their portfolio: They can require explicit targets to be met regarding reforestation and rehabilitation, as well as protecting and improving biodiversity. They also can credibly threaten to divest from the companies in case the interests and objectives would be too far apart. Next to reputational damage, this may affect the cost of equity for the divested firms," says Bert Scholtens from the University of Groningen.

In conclusion, the study emphasises that finance cannot be made solely responsible for a transition to climate sustainability, but the sector plays a critical role. More responsible leadership could contribute meaningfully to better management of these large forests, and hence contribute to climate stability.

###

For more information and access to the article, please contact:

Fredrik Moberg

Press contact

Stockholm Resilience Centre

fredrik.moberg@su.se

Tel: +46706806553

Owen Gaffney

Press contact

Stockholm Resilience Centre

owen.gaffney@su.se

Tel: +46734604833

More info:

Reference

Galaz, V., Crona, B., Dauriach, A., Scholtens, B., Steffen, W. 2018. Finance and the Earth system - Exploring the links between financial actors and non-linear changes in the climate system. Global Environmental Change 53:296-302

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378018300360

The new study is the result of a scientific project called Earth System Finance, which is housed at the Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere programme (GEDB) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and conducted in collaboration with the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Future Earth.

Data sources

The study combines various data sources on resource extraction by key economic sectors in the selected tipping elements such as Trase.earth and Global Forest Watch, with corporate and equity data from Orbis and Thomson Reuters Eikon. Details and limitations can be found in the Supporting Information of the article.

Infographics

Diagrams and illustrations showing the study's main results are available at request.Berkeley -- Injuries can't heal without a constant influx of blood's key ingredient -- oxygen.

A new flexible sensor developed by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, can map blood-oxygen levels over large areas of skin, tissue and organs, potentially giving doctors a new way to monitor healing wounds in real time.

"When you hear the word oximeter, the name for blood-oxygen sensors, rigid and bulky finger-clip sensors come into your mind," said Yasser Khan, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley. "We wanted to break away from that, and show oximeters can be lightweight, thin and flexible."

The sensor, described this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is made of organic electronics printed on bendable plastic that molds to the contours of the body. Unlike fingertip oximeters, it can detect blood-oxygen levels at nine points in a grid and can be placed anywhere on the skin. It could potentially be used to map oxygenation of skin grafts, or to look through the skin to monitor oxygen levels in transplanted organs, the researchers say.

"All medical applications that use oxygen monitoring could benefit from a wearable sensor," said Ana Claudia Arias, a professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley. "Patients with diabetes, respiration diseases and even sleep apnea could use a sensor that could be worn anywhere to monitor blood-oxygen levels 24/7."

Existing oximeters use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to shine red and near-infrared light through the skin and then detect how much light makes it to the other side. Red, oxygen-rich blood absorbs more infrared light, while darker, oxygen-poor blood absorbs more red light. By looking at the ratio of transmitted light, the sensors can determine how much oxygen is in the blood.

These oximeters only work on areas of the body that are partially transparent, like the fingertips or the earlobes, and can only measure blood-oxygen levels at a single point in the body.

"Thick regions of the body, such as the forehead, arms and legs, barely pass visible or near-infrared light, which makes measuring oxygenation at these locations really challenging," Khan said.

In 2014, Arias and a team of graduate students showed that printed organic LEDs can be used to create thin, flexible oximeters for fingertips or earlobes. Since then, they have pushed their work further, developing a way of measuring oxygenation in tissue using reflected light rather than transmitted light. Combining the two technologies let them create the new wearable sensor that can detect blood-oxygen levels anywhere on the body.

The new sensor is built of an array of alternating red and near-infrared organic LEDs and organic photodiodes printed on a flexible material. The team used the sensor to track the overall blood-oxygen levels on the forehead of a volunteer who breathed air with progressively lower concentrations of oxygen -- similar to going up in altitude -- and found that it matched those using a standard fingertip oximeter. They also used the sensor to map blood-oxygen levels in a three-by-three grid on the forearm of a volunteer wearing a pressure cuff.

"After transplantation, surgeons want to measure that all parts of an organ are getting oxygen," Khan said. "If you have one sensor, you have to move it around to measure oxygenation at different locations. With an array, you can know right away if there is a point that is not healing properly."

###

The co-authors on this work are Donggeon Han, Adrien Pierre, Jonathan Ting, Xingchun Wang and Claire M. Lochner of UC Berkeley; and Gianluca Bovo, Nir Yaacobi-Gross, Chris Newsome and Richard Wilson of Cambridge Display Technology Limited.

This work was supported in part by Cambridge Display Technology Limited (CDT, Company Number 2672530) and by Intel Corporation via Semiconductor Research Corporation Grant No. 2014-IN-2571(San Antonio, Nov. 7, 2018) -- Millions of couples who have trouble conceiving may get relief from new research led by scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The researchers have developed a high-resolution genetic map showing how men produce sperm cells. Their effort could help address genetically based challenges with male fertility, a major cause of conception problems.

The researchers' findings reveal detailed information about which genes are turned on or off in stem cells that ultimately grow into sperm cells. This data could give doctors crucial insight into the development of sperm in a patient, a perspective that was lacking up until now.

UTSA researcher Brian Hermann says the new knowledge could be a game changer for uncovering what can go wrong in men who suffer from infertility.

"We took a new, cutting-edge approach down to the level of individual cells to understand all the changes in which genes are used to make sperm in the testicles. That previously had not been possible and impedes progress toward a cure for male infertility," said Hermann, a biology professor and director of the UTSA Genomics Core.

The findings appear in the November 6 edition of the scientific journal, Cell Reports. Professors Hermann and John R. McCarrey led the group, which included researchers at UTSA and across the country.

Together, the team built a comprehensive digital library of the cell types required for sperm production in mice and men. They examined more than 62,000 cells and identified 11 different gene expression profiles; their work even uncovered rare and new cells for which little data was previously reported. The research, which began in early 2014, was supported by the Kleberg Foundation, the Hurd Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

According to the NIH, reproduction issues in males contribute to at least half of infertility cases among couples. Many cases of male infertility are treated with medication. Some even require surgical procedures. Yet, in almost half of these same cases, the reasons for male infertility are unknown.

UTSA's digital roadmap was constructed using the sequencing of genes expressed in germ cells. The researchers used high-tech machines which allow scientists to examine tens of thousands of individual cells and produce the library of genes expressed in each cell in one to two days. The method also employed cutting-edge bioinformatics, data analytics that decode gene expression data generated from the cells.

UTSA's individualized approach to profiling gene expression at the single-cell level is what makes this work different. Previous methods have relied on analyzing groups of cells, but when they are bundled together in experiments, the differences among the individual cells are averaged and therefore obscured. Hence, UTSA's new approach provides important data that can help uncover the biology underlying how sperm are produced and what may go wrong in men who suffer from infertility.

"This is how we find the needles in the haystack," said Hermann. "We weren't previously able to separate different cells with different functions, so in order to understand exactly how they are different, we looked at individual single cells, instead of the typical way of grabbing them all in bulk as a group."

UTSA's new digital gene expression library offers many scientific applications. It could help improve clinical diagnoses in men with infertility because their gene expression "signatures" will be different than those in the normal men now described in this new database. The UTSA resource can also provide a foundation to help innovate the next generation of male contraception and to even potentially develop sperm outside the body.

The researchers are hopeful that the methodology can also be applied to other biological processes in the body in order to uncover new information on which to base novel approaches to diagnose, treat or prevent a wide variety of diseases.

"It's been a dream for decades to take the most primitive cells in the testis and convert them into sperm in a petri dish, yet this has never worked," said Hermann. "If anyone is going to generate sperm cells in a dish, they'd want to know how similar those cells are to those that occur naturally in the body. The data we have generated now provides a reference library for comparison."

###AUSTIN, Texas -- Even a Category 4 hurricane doesn't kill the mood for coastal fish - and that's good news for all species, as well as for a multibillion-dollar recreational fishing industry. As extreme weather patterns threaten to bring more and larger storms to the Gulf Coast, new findings from the University of Texas at Austin's Marine Science Institute show some important fish species are able to continue spawning even in a severe storm.

"This data gives us a little insight into how key species will handle changing and unpredictable conditions," said Christopher Biggs, a Ph.D. candidate studying fisheries ecology and lead author on a paper published this week in Biology Letters. "They are somewhat preadapted to this. They regularly deal with changing situations. They might be better suited to handle the changing climate in the future."

Biggs and a team of scientists from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) and the University of Florida discovered that spotted seatrout kept spawning in late August 2017, even as the eye of Hurricane Harvey passed overhead, bringing with it windspeeds of up to 134 miles per hour and a storm surge of 8-10 feet.

"These fish are resilient and productive, even in the face of such a huge storm," Biggs said. "On land, it was complete destruction, but these fish didn't seem disturbed."

Understanding the trout's reproductive patterns and habitat needs is critical for the Texas coast, where sport fishing generates about $2 billion annually for the local economy, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The murky waters of the Gulf of Mexico can make tracking the seatrout difficult, so the scientists study spawning patterns and behavior by placing underwater microphones in known spawning locations and leaving them there to record what follows.

Seatrout are actually not trout but a type of drum fish, and males make a distinct pulsing noise when spawning. The sound allows researchers to map and observe changes at spawning sites -- information that state and federal agencies can use to help maintain healthy, sustainable fisheries.

In reviewing recordings captured in 2017, the scientists were surprised to find that the fish were spawning every day during the spawning season. And when Hurricane Harvey hit, they were more surprised that the storm did not disrupt the spawning. The only difference was that immediately after the storm, the fish began spawning 2.5 hours early. Over the course of the five days after the storm, the spawning patterns returned to normal.

The time difference was possibly due to water temperature differences brought on by the storm, Biggs noted, as the temperature returned to normal at about the same rate as the spawning patterns.

"Seatrout are an important part of the ecosystem," Biggs said. "They are one of the most popular recreational fish. They are a top predator in the estuary and a favorite food for dolphins."

The data coming out of the hurricane is a bright spot for the Marine Science Institute, which had several other projects severely disrupted by Harvey. Most of the buildings on the campus were damaged, equipment worth millions of dollars was damaged or destroyed, and many experiments were lost or set back as a result of the storm.

Repairs continue on the MSI campus. The Estuarine Research Center, one of three main laboratory buildings, reopened for scientists and students in September. The campus is expected to reopen to the public in 2019.

###

Brad Erisman, an assistant professor of marine science based at UTMSI, and Susan K. Lowerre-Barbieri of the University of Florida contributed to the research. The research was funded by the Texas State Aquarium WCCR Fund; a Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservationist Award; a Mission-Aransas NERR Graduate Research Assistantship; the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation; and J. and T. King.Continued Expansion, Fed Rate Hike and US-China Trade War Ceasefire Expected

Midterm results not likely to effect ongoing economic policy

Expectation of one more Fed rate hike this year

60% chance of and end to the US-China trade war

With the dust settling on the US mid-term elections, Danske Bank proposes its going to be business as usual for the US economy with further positivity coming in the form of a likely end to the US-China trade war.

The US mid-term elections are now over and the result was more or less as expected with a divided Congress with the Democrats controlling the House of Representatives and the Republicans retaining control of the Senate.

"With a divided Congress, we should not expect changes to economic policy and hence we maintain our view that the implications for the economy and markets should be limited.

"US expansion is set to continue.

"Trump has criticised the Fed but it is likely to continue its hiking cycle by hiking once more this year and three times next year.

"Democrats likely to start impeachment process but Trump is unlikely to be convicted.

"We expect Trump to remain hawkish on foreign policy.

"Positive signs in US-China trade war lately with a 60% probability of a ceasefire.

Markets have yet to reach a consensus on the economic ramifications of the mid-terms with, for example, the Euro exchange rate complex making gains throughout this mornings session.Privacy Settings

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NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.From: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP -- The Herman Group Austin , TX Wednesday, November 7, 2018

The Herman Trend Alert November 7, 2018 Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough Though Pancreatic Cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths and has just a seven percent five-year survival rate, a new breakthrough holds promise for a major improvement in the tricky treatment protocol. The problem is to target the cancer with radiation treatment. The unhealthy cells are often hidden behind the stomach or other organs so sometimes the healthy cells are accidentally being hit by radiation. The Results of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge



Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this new treatment is that it was invented by a 13-year-old middle-school student from Oregon named Rishab Jain. Interestingly, this breakthrough is an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to find and track the healthy cells of the pancreas in real time. The young scientist's algorithm not only improves the accuracy of treatment but also increases the impact of the radiation treatment. As the winner of the contest, Jain received a check for $25,000 USD. Deadly Pancreatic Cancer + AI = Innovative Solution



Last year when he discovered the lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, Jain started working on the project. As luck would have it, at the same time, he was also working on artificial intelligence (AI) programming and wondered if he could combine his knowledge of both fields to develop a solution. Exactly how it works



Breathing and other bodily processes often causes the pancreas to move around the abdominal area and be masked by other organs. In the past, doctors have sometimes needed to utilize an "error circle" with radiation treatment to ensure they targeted the pancreas. However, using an error circle frequently killed healthy cells with the diseased ones. Using machine learning, Jain's algorithm helps doctors more precisely locate the pancreas. Jain's tool tracks the pancreas in the scan itself, so that the radiotherapy treatment is applied to kill only tumor cells. Adaptable Software



Jain's software works with hospitals' existing radiotherapy equipment or may be incorporated directly into new machines. He is currently in communication with doctors at local Oregon as well as big-name national hospitals, including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He hopes to tweak and eventually implement his idea. Jain will use some his winnings to advance his machine learning project and fund the nonprofit he created, Samyak Science Society, which will promote STEM learning for children with limited opportunities. The balance will go toward Jain's college fund, so he can study to become either a biomedical engineer or a doctor. He is interested in biomedical engineering, because it includes both fields; thereafter, he wants to attend medical school to become a doctor. Our young people are a valuable resource



Jain is a shining example of the brilliance of our young people. Our ideal future will include our finding more ways to capitalize on their intelligence and enthusiasm for solving society's biggest challenges. Special thanks to Bob Prichard and Inside Edition for their reporting on this breakthrough. *********  Copyright 1998-2018 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 336-210-3548 or http://www.hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit http://www.HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." ********* The Herman Group is a firm of Strategic Business Futurists concentrating on workforce and workplace issues. We forecast the future and advise clients regarding relevant trends and how those trends may affect their lives. Applying our expertise as Certified Management Consultants, we advise corporate leaders regarding employee retention and organizational development to help them build workforce stability. We help organizations become Employers of Choice. We also work with Employer of Choice, Inc. to formally recognize employers that meet the stringent standards dictated by the labor marketplace. As authors of management books and as active professional speakers, we inform and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world of work. You did really get the ball rolling with our retention presentation, overall we have seen a move in the right direction with our turnover. In practice since 1980, we have served a wide variety of clients throughout the United States and in other countries. Our global affiliates assist us in sharing our expertise and advice with clients internationally. Our team of professional consultants and trainers is supported by an administrative staff that gets things done. We also have consultants certified to deliver our programs in your local area. Delivering to both small and large groups across 100 industries, The Herman Group has provided over 2,500 educational and informative keynote speeches and training seminars worldwide. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, we travel extensively to meet the needs of our clients. We can always be reached through the support team in our office at (800) 227-3566. Overseas callers may reach us through 336-210-3547. Should you have any questions after touring our website, please call or e-mail us at info@hermangroup.com. Get started now on improving the stability and performance of your workforce and increase your chances for success in the future.

Hardwired For Connecting Through Stories

We are helpless story junkies says author, journalist, and storyteller Michelle Weldon We cant help it. Its part of our human nature to crave and connect with stories.Your brain on story acts very differently than when your brain is receiving data, facts and information. It changes its structure and releases cortisol and oxytocincalled the human bonding or empathy chemical. Thats why you sometimes say, I felt as if I was really there, or I could feel their pain, when you read or listen to a story.Storytelling and engaging in a narrative structure are biological processes that are hardwired into our brains says writer and storyteller Gabrielle Selz and neurobiologist Dr. James Zull Stories provide the perfect vehicle for human connection, even if that connection is through the words we read on a page or screen, hear in a podcast or watch in a movie. As listener and story teller engage with facts, emotions, and the narrative, the two form a bond. The story triggers a release of neurotransmitters that affect both their left and right hemispheres allowing their brains to function in a more complex and unified way.During the storytelling and listening process, our brains link unrelated images and better understand critical information. Stories help us retain new facts and connect important information as our brains respond with shadow activity which is similar to muscle memory says Gregory Berns Emory University Professor of Neuroeconomics and Director of the Center for Neuropolic. We remember and feel that story long after we read or hear it.

When we participate in storytelling, story listening or a narrative, we



actually strengthen our brains neural connections,

form new neural pathways and

shift the architecture of our brain

says neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Siegel.

This Is Your Brain On Stories

When we listen to or tell stories, we activate the language processing parts of our brains. We decode words and their meaningsListening to and telling stories trigger other parts of our brain as well. When we hear someone describing a good meal, our sense of smell and taste are stimulated. If we hear about someone riding a bike, our motor cortex of the brain ignites. We feel and sense the same thing as the person sharing the story as well as the characters of the story.As we listen to a story, our brains search for a similar experience. We fire up the brains insula (also known as the insular cortex) searching for a similar experience. The insula helps us relate to the story tellers experience of pain, joy, fear, or success. Its responsible for compassion, empathy, motor control, cognitive functioning to name a few.When we share stories about experiences that have had a transformative effect on us, those narratives can have the same effect on our listeners. We synchronize our brains. We can actually help the listener arrive at the same conclusion we did by sharing a story.A story kindles another persons brain so that the listener adopts the narrative into their own experience and ideas says Princeton neuroscience researcher Uri Hasson

Storytelling is the only way to plant ideas into other peoples minds says Hasson.



Developing Your Conference Story Arc

Conference organizers that grasp our brains need for stories can use narratives to help their participants develop and grow.Every story has a problem to solve. And every story has a beginning, middle and end. Where that challenge begins and ends depends upon your story arc. As you plan your conference, take into account one of the biggest challenges that your target market faces. Then make it the central focus of your conference.Use the story arc concept to carefully craft the story and message you want your participants to experience.

A story arc is an extended, continuous storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television series, comic books, video games, films etc. Each episode follows a dramatic arc with the story unfolding over several episodes.

The story arc can serve as a template for the sequence of participant experiences. Consider each programming element as an episode to unfold your narrative.

Then remind your audience that as the primary characters of the story, its their job to solve the challenge in order to succeed.

Whats the most memorable story from a conference that you can remember that served as a frame for your learning? What examples have you seen for an overarching story arcnot the event themethat activated participants brains?

DAYTON, Ohio  A shortage of pilots caused by a surge in retirements, national security needs and demand for air travel continues to hamper the Air Force.

This usually happens when the economy is strong and commercial airlines are hiring.

But this time is different. This time, even commercial airlines are struggling to find pilots at the same time the Air Force is fighting to fill cockpits.

The Air Force has about 18,000 of the roughly 20,000 pilots it needs. In 2017, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein said the problem worries them.

With 2,000 pilots short, itll break the force, Wilson said in 2017. It will break it.

Its almost worse now, because not only is the Air Force having problems, but the airlines are having problems, said William Jay Jabour, a prior Air Force fighter and test pilot and retired vice commander of the former Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The problem is serious across the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, said Col. John Robinson, commander of the 445th Operations Group, based at Wright-Patterson.

Were in pretty good shape right now, Robinson said about Wright-Patt, but added that Air Force-wide many see the situation as a crisis, and there is keen competition between the military and the airlines.

Commercial airlines are hiring everybody and anybody they can, Robinson said.

Weary of long deployments away from family and interested in better-paying opportunities, military pilots are drawn to airlines or other civilian jobs.

Said Robinson, Its not going to go away any time soon. And part of it is that since 9/11, forces have been flown a lot.

Commercial pilots for smaller carriers such as Dayton-based PSA Airlines also feel the same draw to bigger, better-paying airlines.

Pilots want to be with Delta and American and all that, Jabour said. The smaller regional airlines, like PSA, they have a real challenge getting people in the entry level of the pilot field.

PSA has aggressively offered recruitment bonuses. And just this spring, the airline launched a cadet academy program offering qualified candidates a chance to train at one of American Airlines partner flight schools.

A PSA spokeswoman declined to make PSA President Dion Flannery available for comment.

Pilot retirements and airline growth compound the problem, said ABX Air Captain Rick Ziebart. The pipeline is so thin to fill those slots.

And pilot requirements are time-consuming. Federal law requires experience of 1,500 flight hours to be an airline transport pilot.

We prefer not to water down the requirements, Ziebart said.

A recurring problem

The overall problem is clearly cyclical, Jabour and others said.

When I was a young guy back in the 70s, we had the same kind of thing happen, Jabour said. Airlines were hiring, the Air Force was stable or decreasing in size.

Will the problem ease when the economy weakens? Not necessarily, said Michael Mattock, a senior economist with Rand Corp., which has close ties to the Air Force.

The commercial demand for pilots is driven largely by needing to replace retiring pilots, Mattock said. A weakening economy may reduce airline demand for pilots somewhat, but they will still need to replace many retiring pilots.

Jeff Lane is a former Air Force pilot who now works for SP Global Inc. as a principal software engineer.

The 54-year-old was active in the Air Force for eight years. Then he flew for the West Virginia Air National Guard for 14 years. He flew the OV-10 Bronco and the F-16 in active duty and the C130 in the Reserve.

And he loved it. But it wasnt an easy life.

I was moving around a lot, Lane said. I moved seven times in five years, something like that. I wanted a little more control over my life.

He added: Some of the ground work wasnt thrilling me.

Pilots are sitting in the Air Force saying, Whats my lifestyle like now? Whats my pay? What are the demands on my family? said Clay Pittman, chair of the Aviation Technology Department at Sinclair Community College and a former Air Force pilot.

Limited options

Addressing the issue will be challenging for either side. There are no quick solutions.

For the next 10 to 15 years, the shortage will not let up any, Robinson said.

I think there are limited options, Pittman said.

The Air Force can redouble efforts to make pilot careers in the Air Force more appealing by, for example, reducing the additional administrative duties expected of pilots, Mattock said. And the Air Force can lobby Congress for an increase in the maximum AvB (aviation bonus pay) available to pilots.

A survey of Air Force crews presented on the blog War on the Rocks suggests that freeing pilots of administrative duties may be an idea whose time has come.

Some pilots are warming to the idea of a career track that focuses on flying and less on administrative tasks, according to blog authors Jesse Friedel and Matt Cancian in a September 2018 War on the Rocks post.

The Air Force should strongly consider establishing a technical fly-only track in the long term, while in the short-term increasing airman and contractor support for administrative functions, Freidel and Cancian wrote. (Col. Friedel is identified as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and an F-16 pilot. Cancian served as a Marine captain from 2009-2013, the blog says.)

A flying-only track would probably keep some pilots on the active force from leaving, Robinson said.

Pittman lived the problem  he is a six-year Air Force veteran who flew for 27 years in the Reserve. One attraction that kept him serving was: He could stay in the cockpit.

I had many jobs (in the Reserve), Pittman said. But all those positions still involved flying. It was a still a flying billet, a flying slot.

In time, Air Force officers who rise through the ranks fly less and less. Its unavoidable, according to those who have served.

The Air Force is a service where historically the pilots have been commanders; they run the Air Force, Lane said. They need that career-broadening experience.

Pittman called it the up or out career model.

Real opportunities

Pittman pointed to pay, saying the Air Force has historically resorted to bonuses to keep pilots on board.

They pay very, very large bonuses, he said. Typically, the bonuses could reach six-figures, spread out over the length of a pilots renewed commitment, he added.

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, is chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. The issue of pilot retention has been on the subcommittees radar, he said.

Turner said he understands the current shortage is about 1,800-plus pilots. The committee asked the Air Force to perform a real analysis of the gap.

A report to the committee is due Dec. 7.

The committee is also looking at demands on pilots. Today, only officers can control UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). A question committee members are asking is: Can enlisted airmen or warrant officers undertake the flying of UAVs, as well as others, that can free up pilots for flying planes, Turner said.

And Turner believes education should be considered and perhaps pushed.

There was a time when people would dream of being a pilot, Turner said. And today, they have real opportunities to get training.WASHINGTON - With U.S. oil sanctions against Iran now back in effect, the question plaguing oil analysts is how much crude exactly will this take off the world market.

If the Trump administration begins cracking down on foreign companies that do business with Iran, then that oil is expected to come off the market much more dramatically.

"The administration did what it said it was going to do, but the big question is how will administration proceed from here?" David Mortlock, an attorney at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said Monday at an event hosted by the Washington think tank Atlantic Council. "We will see how this plays out over the next few months."

FALLING PRODUCTION: Iranian oil exports fall to 1.6 million barrels a day

Iranian production has shrunk by more than 1 million barrels a day since June, after the Trump administration announced it was pulling out of the Iranian nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions. But Iran is still producing close to 1.5 million barrels a day, according to a report last week by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Uncertainty still exists" about how much of that oil comes off the market, the report reads, with the Trump administration yet to clarify how quickly the sanctions are being rolled out and what actions it will take against countries that still buy Iranian crude.

Oil markets so far are signalling that they don't expecta big hit to global supplies. Oil fell below $63 a barrel in morning trading in New York.

Some Iranian crude will still be exported for now, with the Trump administration announcing Friday it was granting waivers to eight countries, including China, India, Japan and South Korea.

At the same time, data out of Iran indicates that more oil is leaving the country than the government's official reports would indicate, said Holly Dagres, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Also, she added, there are reports that Iranian tackers are turning off their tracking devices to avoid detection, at the same time Iran is covertly selling crude to other countries to be blended into their exports.San Antonio-based USAA announced Tuesday that its selling its investment management business to Ohio-based Victory Capital Holdings Inc. for at least $850 million.

Its the largest transaction USAA has done in at least the past two decades, possibly ever, USAA CEO Stuart Parker said in a phone interview.

USAA Asset Management Co. oversees the investments of USAA customers who have invested in mutual funds, college savings plans and exchange-traded funds.

USAA members will have access to twice the number of mutual funds and three times the number of ETFs through Victory, Parker said.

We just think our members will be better served, he explained.

As part of the deal, Victory will have the rights to offer products and services using the USAA name. They will be offered through a newly created investment franchise under Victory, USAA Investments.

Parker cited industry consolidation and dramatic investment fee reductions when asked why the company had decided to sell USAA Asset Management. He also said USAA members have expressed an interest in a wider selection of investment options.

When we looked at Victory, they can really provide that, Parker said. Theyre a really top-ranked mutual fund and ETF company. Theyre solely focused on investments.

Publicly traded Victory plans to establish a presence in San Antonio and offer positions to about 300 USAA employees who manage the USAA mutual funds. Less than 100 other USAA employees could eventually lose their jobs, USAA said.

USAA Investments will become Victorys 11th investment franchise, according to Victory Chairman and CEO David Brown. Its other franchises include RS Investments and Sycamore Capital.

The transaction, which does not include USAAs securities brokerage business, is expected to close by the second quarter next year. It will take an additional year to 18 months to transfer USAA mutual fund and ETF accounts to Victory.

USAA Asset Management had $69.2 billion in assets under management in 53 investment funds as of Sept. 30.

The acquisition will give Victory about $144.4 billion in assets under management, according to a news release issued by both companies.

We actually couldnt be more honored to be associated with USAA, Brown said in a phone interview. We hold them in really high regards. They have tremendous investment talent. They have a really wide product set. Their mission on serving their members is something that is very culturally similar to the way we look at how we serve our clients.

Victory plans to relocate some of its executives from other offices to San Antonio, Brown added.

USAA provides financial services and insurance to current and former members of the military and their families. It has more than 12.7 million members and nearly 34,000 employees.

USAA issued a request for proposals after deciding to sell USAA Asset Management, Parker said. Several companies expressed interest, but the number was quickly narrowed down to a few, he added.

Just the (Victory) culture, the way they treat their employees, the way they treat their investors, their past performance, it made a pretty easy decision for us, Parker said.

While Victory has agreed to pay $850 million to acquire USAA Asset Management, the deal could include additional payments based on future business performance.

USAA said net proceeds from the transaction will directly benefit its members rather than its bottom line.

USAA said it will distribute an appropriate amount as part of the annual member distribution process next year. It also said the move will improve the competitiveness of its banking and insurance products.

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Cathy Williams, the narrator of Texas writer Sarah Birds rambunctious, beguiling new novel Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen, comes out guns a-blazin in the story of her life, which the author tells credibly in the voice of a 19th-century black woman: Royal blood runs purple through my veins. And I am talking about real Africa blood. Not that tea-water queens over in England have to make do with.

Her grandmother, Williams relates, was one of the Leopard Kings six thousand warrior-wives, with possum teeth, filed to points so, if need be, she could rip an enemys throat out.

As the 398-page novel rapidly unfolds,we learn that Williams, the only woman to serve with the Buffalo Soldiers, shares a certain ruthlessness with her African grandmother, unforgiving of her enemies, unrelenting in her pursuit of a life she can be proud of.

The regal African ancestry is one of many embellishments Bird adds to Cathy Williams life, of which little is truly known, given the non-person status of African Americans throughout much of American history and the fact that little was written down.

Bird, who has penned romance and comic satire and historical fiction, doesnt apologize for spicing up Williams biography in her 10th novel: "You get a rip-snortin yarn, Cathy! You deserve it! she recently told the Dallas Morning News.

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird St. Martin's Press 416 pages, $27.99 Express-News Book & Author Luncheon When: 10 a.m. (book sales), 11:30 p.m. (luncheon) Nov. 16 Where: Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St. Cost: $90 ($900 per table of 10) On the web: makelivesbetter.uthscsa.edu Participants: Sarah Bird, Julian Castro, Elizabeth Crook, Adrian Davila, Joe Holley, Pat Mora, Mimi Swartz More coverage in the Sunday Taste/mySA section. See More Collapse

Indeed, Bird has written a strange, surreal, Twain-like fable, a meditation on the value of acceptance, whose MLK-like moral might be: Skin color and gender should not determine the weight of a persons character.

Daughter taps into the current national zeitgeist with a wise, courageous character of color who died (probably) in 1893.

The fact that a 69-year-old white woman tells the story of young black slave-turned-soldier who lived in a previous century has raised some eyebrows in publishing circles. Bird deflects: This is not my story. I hope that this is the beginning of Cathys story being told in so many other ways.

Williams life is screenplay stuff, which Bird wrote first and tried (and failed) to sell in Hollywood. She heard of Cathy Williams in the late 70s while researching African American rodeos, and has only now, 40 years later, felt obliged to tell the tale in book form.

What is known is that Williams was born a slave in Missouri around 1844. As contraband, she latched onto Gen. Philip Sheridans vast army as a cooks helper, marching with the fiery Irishman through the decisive, scorched-earth Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864.

After the war, what were her choices? Return home? She had no home. Laundress, pot-scrubber, prostitute  thankless, degrading jobs  were her only options.

Then, at least in Birds imaginative tale, Williams encounters Sgt. Levi Allbright, an apostle of Frederick Douglass and a recruiter for a black regiment that would become known as the Buffalo Soldiers, during a celebration of the end of the war.

Sergeant Allbright saw who freedom would make us into, Williams realizes.

She learns a valuable lesson: Fear can be ordered about. She sees a way to an honorable life in the army.

Although Williams knows she is taking a huge risk, she is certainly no lilac in spring.

Time I was twelve, I was taller and stronger than any boy on the place. With my skirts looped up around my waist, I could swing a broadax sure and steady from cant see to cant see and was cutting half a cord a day like any man.

Williams, as William Cathay, joined the U.S. Army in 1866 as a man, was sent to fight in the Indian wars in the Southwest, then got sick. A doctor wh examined her discovered she was a woman. She was discharged in 1868 and later ran a boardinghouse in a Colorado mining town. She remains the only woman known to have ridden with the Buffalo Soldiers.

A St. Louis newspaper reporter  Birds Cathy calls him a skunk dump  wrote about her in a condescending 1876 article. Most people didnt believe her story, which, more than a century later, Bird tells with gleeful audaciousness.

The reader can almost hear the author giggling as she calls forth major events in Williams life, from picking off Johnny Rebs at the Battle of Cedar Creek to witnessing Lee and Grant at Appomattox to enduring barracks life, all the while concealing a secret that could have got her killed. Even Custer makes a cameo. And Bird invents a heart-wrenching, enduring romance that sometimes touches on magical realism. Yes, there is even a tender love scene.

This is historical fiction, after all, and Bird has a lot of fun mythologizing Williams life. She has imagined a woman who breaks bonds and sets a shining example. There is empathy in her intent, as well as an underlying sense of anger and injustice in her prose.

When Indians steal a young white girl from a West Texas ranch, white officers as well as black soldiers are justifiably incensed. Williams thinks: What about Clemmie? Her little sister was taken to the big house and raped repeatedly over the years by Old Mister in Missouri. What about all the other slaves that got used any way Master saw fit?

I saw it again, Old Misters hand on my little sisters shoulder, guiding her up the steps, into the house, into his bedroom, and the rage roaring through me melted and ran out my eyes.

Perhaps myth is good medicine.

Steve Bennett is a San Antonio freelance writer. steve.bennett0921@yahoo.comI say casserole. You say:

No thank you.

Lets just go out.

Trasharole.

I know, because I asked. The responses, which came from people I know and respect, indicate just how severe of a public relations crisis the once-adored casserole has on its hands.

But all is not lost for casserole fans.

Cooks across the country have been busy modernizing Americas favorite regional casseroles, swapping cream-of-muckety muck for real, fresh ingredients and set it-and-forget it for actual cooking technique. That means you can now serve them to friends and family without a twinge of guilt.

On ExpressNews.com: Grilling: Its whats for breakfast

Zachary Garza has cooked at several high-profile restaurants in San Antonio, including a stint as the executive chef at the Culinary Institute of Americas Nao. Despite his familiarity with tall toques and starched whites, Garza will go to bat for King Ranch Chicken.

Its something my grandmother made several times a month, Garza said of the venerable Tex-Mex hotdish of corn tortillas and shredded chicken in a creamy sauce. Eating that dish reminds me of ... sharing a meal around her table.

But when Garza makes it, he eschews the classic recipe and its convenience ingredients in favor of a from-scratch version by author Lisa Fain of the Homesick Texan blog and cookbooks.

On ExpressNews.com: Woman who created green bean casserole dies at 92

For Garza, the biggest challenge in reclaiming any casserole recipe boils down to substituting processed, preserved and otherwise unpleasant packaged foods. Instead of canned cream of mushroom soup, Garza opts for dried and ground mushrooms and a swirl of fresh cream.

Basically I ask, Where can I find a concentrated version of this flavor, but its still a whole food?  Garza said of his approach.

He extends that philosophy to other common casserole ingredients, and here are his tips:

Substitute a can of salt-laden chicken stock for a bottle of high-quality bone broth.

Does the recipe call for a can of tomato soup? Add sun dried tomatoes to that bone broth, simmer it until theyre tender, and blend it smooth.

Re-create cream of celery by stirring ground celery seeds and a spoonful of Greek yogurt into the broth.

This week we have recipes for a quartet of familiar casseroles reconfigured with modern tastes in mind. They might take a few more minutes to make than the good old open-a-can-of-whatever version, but they will be all the more flavorful for the effort.

Recipe: Skillet Turkey Tetrazzini

Recipe: Mushroom White Bean Cassoulet

Recipe: Fancy-Pants King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Recipe: Wild Rice Hotdish with Ras el Hanout and Dates

Paul Stephen is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephenFor Carl Sevier, a 50-year-old former military intelligence non-commissioned officer and software engineer, the hardest day of his 2,190.9-mile thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail this past summer was in the Grayson Highlands of Virginia.

Some know the spot for its band of roving ponies and Appalachian vistas, but Sevier hiked through and spent the night in the middle of a blizzard. Snow was blowing sideways, and blazes  or trail markers  were painted on rocks somewhere under that snow. He describes the hike in freezing weather and walk through icy water to get out as horrible.

For Mark Maynard, an outdoorsman who worked at Bass Pro Shop before quitting to make the hike, the hardest day is also an easy call: Mahoosuc Notch in western Maine. Hikers make part of the climb on all fours, over boulders the size of buildings. The deep gap in the Mahoosuc Range has been dubbed by others as the hardest mile on the AT.

And thats saying something about the trail that goes through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine, across mountain ranges with postcard-perfect views.

Back home, the two San Antonians, who finished their thru-hikes about a month apart, met up for the first time since their adventure at an outdoor table at Bakery Lorraine at The Pearl. Hugs are followed by a lot of laughs and tales about great days on the AT and the colorful characters they met.

Sevier, called the professor on the trail, and Maynard, known as 50 cent, are back to enjoying the things they missed on the trail  especially family and good food. They hiked with people with nicknames like Granite Man, Moose, Beast and Rambo.

You make friends for life, for sure, said Maynard.

Sevier lost 30 pounds during his 162 days on the trail, which ended when he summited Mount Katahdin on Aug. 14. Hes gained the weight back but his 6-foot-1 frame is still lanky. At trails end, he ate three lobsters right off the boat in Maine and raves about his girlfriends home-cooked pot roast, which hes enjoying these days.

Maynard dropped 20 pounds on the AT and came home to barbecue at the Smoke Shack in San Antonio and fajita tacos at La Botana in Harlingen.

They hit the trail the first week of March on Springer Mountain, Ga., with their eye on the finish line five or six months later.

They both admit they thought of quitting along the way, after hiking through 28 days of rain, or listening to fellow hikers cry in their sleeping bags as winds whipped the rustic shelters on the coldest nights. They both suffered foot or ankle injuries, and both lost feeling in their big toes.

About the Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail gets about 3 million visitors a year. States along the AT are Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the AT. More info at appalachiantrail.org See More Collapse

You just have to not quit that day, said Maynard.

Added Sevier, I never thought about not finishing, but I thought about quitting. You know you can do it, but in that moment, you dont want to be there. You want to go home.

They said it was mental toughness that kept them going.

Its not a physical thing, said Sevier. Its literally a mental drive you have to have.

One of those bad days was when he lost his memory stick full of months worth of photos and video he shot on the trail, Sevier said. But a couple of hikers came up behind him with the stick, asking if he had dropped it.

Both describe trail magic, great things happening on the AT. Like when a local offers a hiker a sausage biscuit and a cup of coffee, or an orange or beer or roasted nuts. Or a ride into town to get off the trail. Or when hikers run across an ice chest along the roadside containing peanut butter fluff sandwiches left for them.

It really turns the day around, Maynard said.

When they describe some of the best things about the hike, the taste of fresh water right out of the ground makes both of their lists. So does scenery, of course. Places like the Smoky Mountains or the often-photographed McAfee Knob in Virginia over the Shenandoah Valley.

Big shared meals  steaks, sandwiches or soup  also make their lists.

Sevier often repeated his mantra, No snakes, no bears on his videos recorded as he walked. He saw just one small bear late during the hike. Maynard saw 20 bears, and a moose bluff-charged him, stopping short.

About 50 percent of people planning thru-hikes quit by the time they get to the Smoky Mountains, said Sevier. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, only about 1 in 4 attempting the thru-hike finishes it, with a typical hiker taking five to seven months.

On the day Sevier reached the AT northern terminus on Mount Katahdin, Maine, It was a perfect day, he said. I started early, so I was done early.

The days 10-mile hike started about 4 a.m. It ended with a scramble up the rocks to the sign that marks the end of the trail. Video of the happy moment is now posted on his website, sevierconditions.com.

He was the first to arrive there that day, and he made coffee and breakfast before having his photo taken in the iconic spot when others arrived.

For Maynard, The worst day of the whole trip was the last day. By the time he got to Mount Katahdin on Oct. 12, it was 40 degrees at the base of the mountain, colder higher up the trail, and the wind was blowing hard. The sign on the top of the mountain  that famous photo spot  was in the clouds.

But, at age 25, he had finished and someone took a photo.

Maine was really pretty, said Sevier. At the time youre in Maine, you just want to get done.

It was gorgeous, added Maynard, describing the fall colors of mid-October.

Theyre each planning new adventures. Maynard plans to hike the Pacific Coast Trail, a longer trek at 2,650 miles, in 2020. For Sevier, a trip to Alaska and the Arctic Circle is next.

But for now, Sevier is back teaching school as a substitute in the Northeast ISD, where he worked before leaving for the hike in March. Hes writing a book about his hike and has posted a lot of video from it on his website.

Maynard is considering employment options, maybe buying some land and thinking about what new equipment he wants to get before his next hike.

For anyone considering a hike like the AT, they have this advice: Go with realistic expectations. Have a plan, but dont be afraid to change the plan. And hike at your own pace.

It was a wonderful adventure, Sevier said. You find yourself using lessons you learned on the trail every day.

Terry Scott Bertling is a travel writer and teaches journalism classes at Texas State University. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram: @TerryBertling.AMMAN, Jordan  A U.S.-backed military offensive has stalled against the Islamic States last vestige in eastern Syria.

Booby traps, land mines and a militant counterstrike during a fierce sandstorm after the campaign began in September have knocked the coalition back on its heels.

And last week, the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led militia that is fighting the Islamic State with U.S. help, suspended operations after Kurdish positions farther north were shelled by Turkey  not far from U.S. advisers.

U.S. diplomats and generals rushed to ease tensions with the Turks, who consider Kurdish fighters terrorists despite their partnership with the United States.

But the episode underscores the shifting nature of the fight against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, a still-potent threat as it pivots from its battlefield losses in Iraq and Syria to directing guerrilla insurgencies in the Middle East and beyond.

Although ISIS safe haven in Iraq and Syria has largely collapsed, its global enterprise of almost two dozen branches and networks, each numbering in the hundreds to thousands of members, remains robust, Russell Travers, the acting head of the National Counterterrorism Center, told senators in Washington last month.

Last week, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians to a monastery in Egypt, which killed seven people and wounded 19 others. Dutch officials said in late September said they foiled a large, multisite terrorist Islamic State attack there.

In Jordan, state intelligence officials said they had worked closely with the CIA to thwart more than a dozen terrorist plots in the past several months in the Middle East and Europe.

A classified U.S. military program in Jordan, called Operation Gallant Phoenix, is scooping up data collected in commando raids in Syria and Iraq and funneling it to law enforcement agencies in Europe and Southeast Asia, according to U.S. military and intelligence officials who described details of the initiative on condition of anonymity because of its secretive nature.

In Afghanistan, the Islamic States local branch has conducted a spate of high-profile attacks against civilian and government targets in Kabul while carving out a sanctuary in the countrys east, Travers said. Other Islamic State affiliates in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, Libya, Yemen and western Africa continue to mobilize fighters and execute attacks against local governments and group rivals, fomenting and leveraging instability in these already beleaguered areas.

ISIS remains an adaptive and dangerous adversary and is already tailoring its strategy to sustain operations amid mounting losses, he said.

Other networks that are less formally aligned with the Islamic State, including extremists in other parts of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Philippines, continue to conduct attacks that showcase the groups reach.

To be sure, thousands of Islamic State members  including senior leaders, veteran field commanders and foreign fighters  have been killed in U.S. airstrikes and partner actions. The extremist group now holds less than 1 percent of the territory it seized in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

But the Islamic State has reverted to its insurgent roots  an atomized, clandestine network of cells with a decentralized chain of command, Western and Middle Eastern counterterrorism officials said.

The move follows plans that the extremist network drew up in the months before its main strongholds in Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa, Syria, fell to coalition forces last year.

Weve expected that as the physical caliphate went away, the remnants of this would attempt to revive themselves and revive their networks, and take on these insurgent, guerrilla-like tactics, Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the head of the militarys Central Command, said in an interview in Bahrain last week.

Were well prepared for that, said Votel, who oversees the U.S. military in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. These organizations never go away in one fell swoop.

The number of foreign terrorist fighters, once pouring into Iraq and Syria at about 1,500 a month, has dropped sharply. But the Islamic State still attracts about 100 new foreign fighters to the region each month, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a meeting of military chiefs in October.

On its current trajectory, ISIS could regain sufficient strength to mount a renewed insurgency that once again threatens to overmatch local security forces in both Iraq and Syria, the Institute for the Study of War in Washington concluded in a recent analysis.

In Iraq, Islamic State sleeper cells in recent months have carried out raids and ambushes against Iraqi security forces and civilians, particularly in Anbar, Kirkuk and Salahuddin provinces.

And as the Islamic State hunkers down in Syria, including in caves and fortified tunnels in Hajin and a few surrounding villages in the Euphrates River Valley, it wields a diminished but still formidable social media prowess to rally its followers on the ground and on the internet.

It is displaying its wins on its official online channels, including the alleged capture of enemy fighters and the killing and wounding of many others, said Laith Alkhouri, a senior director at Flashpoint, a business risk intelligence company in New York that assesses the global terrorist threat.

Travers, the American counterterrorism official, agreed.

Its propaganda fronts still produce a range of high-quality content, including foreign language products that promote its evolving narrative of enduring resistance and vitality, he said.

The fighting in Hajin and nearby villages, where militants hide amid some 60,000 residents, is some of the most intense since the coalition pushed the Islamic State out of Raqqa and Mosul, allied officials said.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has lost 327 fighters since the beginning of the military operation in September, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group based in Britain that monitors the war through contacts on the ground.

The Islamic State has been avoiding direct clashes with our forces, relying on targeting with artillery and heavy weapons the obvious routes our fighters are forced to take in order to advance, said Mustafa Bali, a militia spokesman.

In the last several days, hardened Islamic State fighters using small arms and mortars, and relying on a sandstorm as cover, counterattacked. They killed several militia troops and regained territory the extremist group had lost to the U.S.-backed coalition a few days earlier.

The storm had grounded U.S. and allied warplanes that support the militia on the battlefield  a vulnerability U.S. officials said Islamic State fighters were keenly aware of and exploited. The militia rushed 1,000 more troops from northern Syria to the combat zone, joining the several thousand already there, a senior U.S. official said.

Now, U.S. and coalition officials said, the military offensive that was planned to be wrapped up by December looks like it will drag into early next year. And that was before Turkey, a NATO ally, attacked Kurdish positions in northern Syria, prompting Kurdish commanders to suspend its offensive against the Islamic State.

Bali said the pause would continue until the United States and its allies stop the Turkish hostility and remove its threat.

The offensive against the Islamic State in Syria has sputtered before.

Earlier this year, thousands of Kurdish fighters and commanders who make up the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces diverted to defend Afrin, in Syrias northwest, where other Kurdish militia forces were facing sharp attacks from Turkish troops.

On Friday, top Pentagon and State Department officials spoke to Turkish officials to defuse the latest tensions. After meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Washington, David Hale, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, called for a halt of exchanges of fire in the area, and underscored the need for stability in northeast Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, according to a State Department statement.

On Sunday, U.S. troops patrolled northeastern Syria near the Turkish border in three armored vehicles, officials said, the second show of force aimed at easing tensions since Friday.

Allied warplanes, using a break in the weather over the weekend and noting that ISIS let their guard down, carried out a flurry of airstrikes against militant command centers over the weekend, Col. Sean Ryan, a spokesman for the U.S.-led command in Iraq, said in an email.

U.S. officials said they were taking the long view of the fight against the Islamic State.

We still are putting great pressure on them, Dunford said last month. Were denying them sanctuary from which to plan attacks.

This article originally appeared in The New York TimesPrint Navigacia: > News > > Slovak films heading to Havana

Slovak films heading to Havana

The upcoming showcase Jornadas de cine eslovaco (Slovak Film Days) kicking off Tuesday, November 6, in Multicine Infanta, Havana, Cuba, will introduce a selection of five successful Slovak films of the past three years, as well as one archive title from the collection of Slovak National Film Archive to Cuban audiences.



The showcase will open with nationally and internationally acclaimed thriller The Line (d. Peter Bebjak), crime story set against the backdrop of Slovak-Ukrainian borderlands, followed by Stanko (d. Rasto Boros), tragicomic road movie that equally deals with the topic of crossing borders, but also captures the birth of an unusual friendship between two characters living on the edge of society.



67th Berlin IFF success Little Harbour (d. Iveta Grofova, Crystal Bear Award), film inspired by true events about two children, whose innocent play will change their lives forever, will be introduced by producer Katarina Krnacova. Coming-of-age drama Filthy (d. Tereza Nvotova) will open the theme of sexual abuse and dealing with feelings of guilt, shame and fear.



The weekend programme of the showcase will introduce digitally restored feature animation The Bloody Lady (d. Viktor Kubal, 1980) from the collection of National Film Archive of Slovak Film Institute. Tragic love story is inspired by the legend about the cruel Countess of Cachtice. Closing film of Jornadas de cine eslovaco is road movie Out (d. Gyorgy Kristof), a mans odyssey across Eastern Europe full of strangely absurd events, that will be introduced to Cuban audiences by the director himself.



The showcase will be held from November 6 to 11, 2018 in Multicine Infanta, Havana, Cuba. All films will be screened in Slovak with Spanish subtitles.

The showcase Jornadas de cine eslovaco is organised by Slovak Film Institute on behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cuba, Slovak Embassy in Havana, Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Slovak Republic, and Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematograficos (ICAIC).



PROGRAMME:

The Line / November 6/ 20.00 / opening of the showcase

Stanko / November 7 / 18.00

Little Harbour / November 8 / 18.00

Filthy / November 9 / 18.00

The Bloody Lady / November 10 / 17.00

Out / November 11 / 17.00AUSTIN  Republican Agriculture Commissioner Sid Millers bested political newcomer and former Air Force Colonel Kim Olson in the general election Tuesday in a tighter-than-expected contest.

The first-term incumbent who lacks support from farmers and ranchers held a narrow lead against Olson, according to preliminary election returns. However, his support from voters trailed behind that of Gov. Greg Abbott, Comptroller Glenn Hegar and General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush.

While the agriculture commissioner is responsible for protecting consumers from poor gas quality, harmful pesticides or wrong weights of foods, Miller has used his bully pulpit to rally for President Donald Trump and other conservative causes that have little to do with the day-to-day issues of his office. Miller has also been involved in several controversies, including taking a taxpayer-funded trip out of state to compete in a rodeo and another to obtain a Jesus shot said to cure pain for life.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Election 2018: Live updates

Miller lacked three key endorsements from three main agriculture industries  farmers, ranchers and gas stations  after a first term in which Miller raised fees and battled with barbecue restaurants over their meat scales and gas stations over costs for safeguarding gas quality.

Olson, a retired lieutenant colonel and bee keeper from Mineral Wells, entered the race as one of two women near the top of the ticket trying to unseat GOP incumbents after 24 years of uninterrupted Republican control.Gov. Greg Abbott has won a new term.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales is the next Bexar County district attorney.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz wins re-election.

Republican Dan Patrick has won another term as lieutenant governor.

Ken Paxton declared the winner in race for Texas attorney general.

Republican Rep. Will Hurd has won another term.

Two of three controversial charter amendents in San Antonio win approval; a third is defeated.

Update 2:30 a.m.: At about 2 a.m. it appeared that the race between Republican incumbent Rep. Will Hurd and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones had taken a surprising Dewey-Truman twist. With a reported 100 percent of the vote counted, Jones led Hurd by 282 votes. But by 2:30 a.m. Hurd retook the lead when Medina County reported new numbers for one precinct. Secretery of state election officials said Medina County had failed to update the precinct. With that update, Hurd moved forward by 689 votes.

One of three controversial city charter amendments proposed by the firefighters union was defeated Tuesday. San Antonio voters decided against Proposition A, which would have made it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates. But voters approved the other two: Proposition 2, which will cap the city managers salary, and Proposition C, which will give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations will be taken into binding arbitration. Of the three, Prop C was the closest, with 183,732 (50.78 percent) voting for it and 178,109 (49.22 percent) voting against it.

Update 11:45 p.m.: After a spokeswomen hinted at conceding the race, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones briefly met with reporters and made similar comments. What was said, however, appeared to be short of a concession.

I am extremely proud of the campaign that my team and I have run, Jones said. Its been an amazing opportunity to give voice to the issues that matter to Texans all across Texas 23. Its been my honor to speak with communities and to really think about how best to serve these communities. So while it didnt shake out the way we would want we ran a campaign that we are proud of and that really reflected Texas values. 

And with that she left the building, refusing to answer any follow up questions.

Her Republican opponent, incumbent Rep. Will Hurd, called his victory the largest seen in over two decades in his district in a speech to his supporters.

Ted Cruz leads Beto ORourke by a 3.1 percent margin with 6,974 of 7,949 precincts in.

Update 11:20 p.m.: Gina Ortiz Jones spokeswoman Noelle Rosellini read a short statement that sounded like a concession.

Although this wasnt the outcome that we wanted, the work and the groundswell of support, the people that turned out ... they have all built a foundation for Democrats to win in Texas, she said.

The stage and podium had been completely dismantled and most of the volunteers were heading out the door by the time Rosellini met with the press.

With 73 percent of the vote in, incumbent Republican Will Hurd led 50.1 percent to 47.9 percent.

After finishing the statement, Rosellini refused to take any follow up questions.

Just before 10:30 p.m., after supporters had been waiting for more than three hours, Hurd walked into the hotel ballroom to cheers and applause as Queens We Are the Champions played.

Upon taking the stage with his campaign team, Hurd thanked Ortiz Jones and her supporters for getting into the arena and engaging in the competition of ideas and called upon people from across the political spectrum to work together.

Hurd credited his staff and volunteers with what he called a historic win for the notorious swing district, despite a toxic political environment. Their strategy, he said, relied on dispensing with conventional wisdom.

We achieved the largest victory this district has seen in over two decades, Hurd said, to a round of applause. We achieved this largest victory in a political environment that ended the careers of dozens of my colleagues.

Update 11:05 p.m.: Voters now favor Proposition C, which gives the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration. Both C and Proposition A, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, had been losing.

Proposition A continues to lose with 83 percent of all precincts reporting. Proposition C had been very close, with slightly more against it than for it.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily with nearly 59 percent of the vote.

Ted Cruz continues to hold a 2.9 percent edge in the race for Texas Senate with 78 percent of all votes counted.

Update: 10:38 p.m.: Ted Cruz holds a 2.9 percent edge in the race for Texas Senate with 67 percent of all votes counted.

In Texas 2, the Houston area, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Dan Crenshaw, a Republican who was recently the butt of a joke on Saturday Night Live, easily defeats Democrat Todd Litton and two other candidates.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. John Culberson trails Democrat Lizzie Fletcher with 86 percent of the vote reported in Texas 7, also in the Houston area.

Another Houston Republican, Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, wins a new term, however, hell be in the minority if the Democrats take the House as projected.

Update: 10:20 p.m.: Propositions A and C continue to lose with 62 percent of all precincts reporting. Proposition C is very close, with 49.74 for and 50.26 against.

Proposition B is winning handily, with 58 percent of the voters in favor.

County Judge Nelson Wolff is coasting to another term with 57 percent of the vote, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Paul Elizondo is winning with 66 percent, and state Reps. Donna Campbell and Lyle Larsen are en route to new terms in the Legislature.

Update: 10:05 p.m.: With 56 percent of the vote in, Sen. Ted Cruz maintains his slight edge over Beto ORourke. Many of the votes in ORourkes stronghold of El Paso County have been counted.

Republican Chip Roy continues to lead Democrat Joseph Kopser in Texas 21 with 64 percent of the vote counted.

Republican incumbent Will Hurd leads Democratic challenger Gina Ortiz Jones with 44 percent of the vote counted.

Update 9:44 p.m.: The Associated Press projects Ted Cruz the winner in Texas Senate race. Cruz holds a 51.3 percent to 48 percent edge in statewide voting with 38 percent of all precincts reporting.

Update 9:37 p.m.: Propositions A and C were losing with 31 percent of all precincts reporting, while Proposition B was winning easily. Sen. Ted Cruz began to pull away in the Texas Senate race, with 51.1 percent of the vote, his best margin of the night. Around 36 percent of all precincts had reported.

Both MSNBC and Politico were projecting Cruz to defeat Beto ORourke.

Republican Chip Roy had 50.8 percent of the vote compared with his challenger, Joseph Kopser, who had 47.4 percent with 95 of 396 precincts reporting in Texas 21.

In Texas 23, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones had a razor-thin lead over her Republican foe, incumbent Will Hurd.

Update 9:18 p.m.: Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, is the apparent winner of the race to be the next Bexar County district attorney.

Republican Tylden Shaeffer, also a defense attorney, conceded moments ago.

After early voting results were released, Gonzales was ahead by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent.

At Gonzales election party, the mood was lively as the votes were tallied. Dozens of supporters  many of them adorned in Joe Gonzales for District Attorney apparel  talked among themselves as Gonzales made his way around the room shaking hands and giving hugs.

In the meantime, Sen. Ted Cruz took the lead over Beto ORourke with 24 percent of all precincts reporting. ORourkes stronghold of El Paso County had not reported its votes in. Cruz held 50 percent of the votes versus 49 percent for ORourke.

Elsewhere around the state, Webb County Interim Elections Administrator Jose Salvador Tellez told the Laredo Morning Times that the polling site at Texas A&M International University in Laredo opened late, at 7:30 a.m., because the election judge slept through her alarm.

Update 9:01 p.m.: With 12 percent of all ballots cast, Bexar County reported that Beto ORourke had collected 58 percent of the area vote in his Senate challenge to Ted Cruz, while Republican Chip Roy was ahead 50 to 48 percent over his Democratic foe, Joseph Kopser.

In the race for Texas 23, incumbent Republican Will Hurd carried 52 percent of the Bexar County vote to Gina Ortiz-Jones 46 percent.

Incumbent Democrats Henry Cuellar and Lloyd Doggett were winning seven in every 10 Bexar County votes.

Nelson Wolff was headed to another term as Bexar County judge with 57 percent of the vote over his principal challenger, Republican Tom Rickhoff.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, who was netting 80 percent of the Bexar County vote, was in a celebratory mood Tuesday night.

Man isnt this a lot better than 2016? He said to cheers. Every countywide judicial Democrat is winning.

He later praised Beto ORourke for what he called an almost exclusively positive campaign to unseat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, saying, The perception is that (Texas) is the face of hyper-partisanship. Who would have thought 20 months ago that a Democrat would be leading in the early voting?

Update 8:43 p.m.: In Bexar County judicial races, from probate to district courts, the early voting had Democrats winning virtually every race by 8 to 10 percentage points.

One of the earliest leaders was lawyer Oscar Kazen, who is trying to unseat Republican Probate Court No. 1 incumbent Kelly Cross, who was once Kazens boss and unceremoniously fired him in 2016.

The early votes had Kazen leading Cross 57 to 42 percent, with just over 400,000 votes counted.

In the Texas Senate race, Beto ORourke held 50 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Ted Cruz with 6 percent of all precincts reporting. Libertarian Neal Dikeman had 1 percent.

Inside a ballroom at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade, several young children wearing red and gray Will Hurd for Congress shirts ran in circles in front of a small stage flanked by the Texas and American flags. It was after 8 pm and Hurd had not yet arrived at his campaigns watch party, but dozens of supporters chatted and milled about as music played from speakers.

Summer Knowlton, a 19-year-old political science major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, voted for the first time last week after volunteering for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC that works to elect Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives.

With so many younger voters turning out to vote when they typically do not, Knowlton said, its even more important to me to stick hard to my beliefs, which include the desire for immigration reform, low taxes and keeping Texas red. In talking to voters the past week, Knowlton said many people she talked to said they had already voted or were on their way to do so, reflecting this years surging early voting numbers.

Gina Ortiz-Jones was polling 50 percent of the vote with 16 percent of all precincts reporting, while Hurd had 49 percent and their Libertarian challenger, Ruben Corvalan, had 1 percent.

While Knowlton said she was fairly confident that Hurd would prevail, she added that many in the room were concerned about what would happen in the close Senate race between Cruz and ORourke.

Im kind of nervous, she said.

Update 8:33 p.m.: Propositions A and B are losing, while Proposition B is winning, with 57 percent in favor. Joseph Kopser and Chip Roy are still neck and neck in Texas 21, with Gina Ortiz Jones slightly ahead of Will Hurd in Texas 23.

Update 8:23 p.m.: Bexar County elections officials say 128,030 voters cast ballots as of 7:15 p.m. and there could have been more in line. That pushes Bexar County's total turnout to more than 543,000 voters, which is unprecedented for a midterm election and there are still more mail-in ballots that will be counted Wednesday. Elections officials are also reporting that people are still in line to vote at the Dellview polling site.

Early results: Three controversial charter amendments supported by the firefighters union and blasted by a wide cross-section of community leaders, perhaps the hottest items on the local ballot, were getting mixed support based on early voting results.

Propositions A and C, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, and give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration, respectively, were losing in the early and mail-in vote.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily, with 57 percent of the vote.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, led the race for Bexar County District Attorney after early voting results were released Tuesday evening.

Gonzales led the race with 58 percent of the early vote in his bid against Republican Tylden Shaeffer, a defense attorney who has promised to be tough on crime and put violent offenders behind bars.

More than 57 percent of those casting ballots early did so on a straight-Democratic ticket.

That helped power an early commanding lead for Senate challenger Beto ORourke over Sen. Ted Cruz, with the Democrat taking close to 60 percent of the vote with early and mail-in ballots from Bexar County.

Libertarian Neal M. Dikeman trailed in third place.

Statewide, the Associated Press reported that ORourke was slightly ahead of Cruz, with 1 percent of all precincts reporting as of 7:49 p.m., or a little more than 3.3 million votes.

In other contentious races Republican Chip Roy edged his Democratic challenger Joseph Kopser for Rep. Lamar Smiths District 21 seat, with Libertarian Lee Santos in a distant third. There was a total of 415,292 early and mail-in ballots cast in the county.

Incumbent Republican Will Hurd led Gina Ortiz Jones, a Democrat, in District 23, commanding more than half the vote, with Libertarian Ruben Corvalan in third. In other congressional races, Reps. Henry Cuellar and Lloyd Doggett, both Democrats, established early commanding leads over their challengers in Districts 25 and 35, respectively.

Democrat Lupe Valdez was well ahead of Gov. Greg Abbott, with 52 percent of the vote, while their Libertarian Party challenger Mark Tippetts got less than 2 percent of the early and mail-in vote in Bexar County.

Another Democrat, Mike Collier had 55 percent of the Bexar County early and mail-in vote over Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Libertarian Kerry McKennon netted just over 2 percent. Attorney General Ken Paxton was well behind his Democratic challenger Justin Nelson, who collected close to 60 percent of the early and mail-in vote.

Libertarian Michael Ray Harris had a little over 2 percent of those ballots.

In the battle for Bexar County judge, incumbent Nelson Wolff took a comfortable lead over Republican Tom Rickhoff, holding 57 percent of the early and mail-in votes, with Libertarian Lauro Bustamante in third place with 3 percent.

Three controversial charter amendments supported by the firefighters union and blasted by a wide cross-section of community leaders, perhaps the hottest items on the local ballot, were getting mixed support.

Propositions A and C, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, and give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration, respectively, were losing in the early and mail-in vote.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily, with 57 percent of the vote.

More than 57 percent of those casting ballots did so on a straight-Democratic ticket.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, led the race for Bexar County District Attorney after early voting results were released Tuesday evening.

Gonzales led the race with 58 percent of the early vote in his bid against Republican Tylden Shaeffer, a defense attorney who has promised to be tough on crime and put violent offenders behind bars.

Early voters supported the Southwest Independent School Districts $75 million bond by a 2-1 margin. It is not projected to increase the tax rage. Major projects include renovations to Southwest High and Scobee Middle Schools and a new natatorium.

Almost 54 percent of early voters in Southside ISD, however, rejected that school districts $17.25 million bond although it too is not expected to increase tax rates. Most of the money would build a new indoor facility for band, dance, cheerleading, Reserve Officers Training Corps and community use.

In South San Antonio Independent School District, incumbents are trailing their challengers for all three contested seats with only early votes counted.

In District 1, Mandy Martinez, 34, is ahead of incumbent board president Angelina Osteguin, 44, with just under 60 percent of the early votes. In District 3, Homer Flores, 46, leads incumbent Edward Mungia, 25, and Gilbert Rodriguez, 45, is ahead of board member Luis Rodriguez, 65, for the District 6 seat.

The incumbent board members have pointed to their experience helping turn the district around during their campaigns, while their opponents are calling for change after a failed tax ratification election and the closure of three schools in the last two years.

A near record number of people cast early and mail-in ballots in Bexar County this fall, a mark that fell short of the total in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency but was above what officials have seen in typical midterm elections.

Trumps name wasnt on the ballot, but he was certainly on the minds of those who streamed to the polls, including first-time voter Maria Velayo.

Im not into politics until lately. Ive been constantly watching a lot of news and seeing whats really going on in our nation, Velayo, 44 of San Antonio said outside the Great Northwest Library.

Not only the rallying, but the way he handles the policy, the problems for our country; not only the border but so many other things, too many to say, she added. So in general I dont like him.

Staff Writers Gilbert Garcia, Rich Marini, Bruce Selcraig, Emilie Eaton, Peggy OHare, Alia Malik, Vincent Davis, Krista Torralva and Liz Teitz contributed to this report.

sigc@express-news.netA handful of San Antonio suburban cities also held elections Tuesday, voting on city council races as well as bond and tax issues.

Cibolo

Political newcomer Mark Allen handily defeated the citys mayor pro tem, while two incumbents easily held on to their seats.

Allen took about 61 percent of the vote in his race against Mayor Pro Tem Jim Russell for the District 5 seat. District 4 Councilman Ted Gibbs was re-elected with about 51 percent of the vote; his challenger was Chris Schlein. District 1 Councilwoman Jennifer Schultes defeated Ben Davila Jr. with about 59 percent of the vote.

In the District 6 race, Tim Woliver cruised over Dick Hetzel in the race to replace Councilman Jay Hogue, who moved from the city and resigned shortly before the election. Woliver received about 66 percent of the vote.

Related: San Antonio voters reject one of three firefighter-sponsored charter amendments

Allen, 42, an IT employee with WellMed, said he was cautiously optimistic in viewing the early voting. A strong turnout in this midterm election, plus his hitting the ground running with a campaign after Labor Day, were factors in his taking the early lead, he said.

A lot of people I spoke with during the campaign are concerned about our roads, traffic and congestion, Allen said. They want quality businesses in town, so they dont have to drive into San Antonio and Schertz to spend their money there.

Gibbs appeared to be headed to a second term on the council.

Were a fast-growth city, and we have a lot of needs, things we have to deal with, he said.

Gibbs said the city is largely dependent on its homeowners for property tax revenue, rather than having a large commercial base to generate tax revenue.

We have to attract more business, more retail. Our tax base is based on property tax, and not sales tax revenue, he said.

The citys growth affects two other issues that constituents mentioned during his campaigning  roadways and safety.

Even with the FM 1103 project, thats not going to sustain us in the future, based on our growth, he said. Whats it going to look like in 10 years? It wont be what it is today.

A lot of people talked about keeping Cibolo safe, because with growth, where theres an influx of people, youre going to get an influx of crime.

Converse

Converse residents voted by a large margin to split the half-cent sales tax to create a street maintenance fund of about $600,000.

More than 70 percent of voters cast ballots for the proposition, which would use half of the Economic Development Corp. sales tax to establish a street maintenance fund for future expansion.

Former EDC members Kate Silvas and Marc Gilbert won two council seats, returning to the citys governing body.

In the City Council race, Deborah James won Place 2 with 59.6 percent of the vote; Silvas, former Converse EDC executive director, won 60 percent for Place 4; and Gilbert, EDC board president, had 53.9 percent for Place 6.

Schertz

Only two council seats were on the ballot.

In District 6, where Councilwoman Angelina Kiser did not seek re-election, Allison Heyward defeated Chelsea Skrobarcek with about 56 percent of the vote. And in District 7, incumbent Councilman Bert Crawford lost to Schertz Economic Development Corp. President Tim Brown, who garnered about 58 percent of the vote.

Brown, a Realtor, said the citys dismissal of its former city manager motivated him to run.

We had a very, very efficient city manager who resigned under pressure without any reasons provided, he said. That was wrong and  then we had the raising of the tax rate, on top of soaring property values through the area.

I just felt it was time to get it all back on track.

He said Schertz needs a council that is going to challenge the city staff to save, and determine what are the must-haves, what are the wants, and what are the niceties.

He said the council has to work with the EDC to create a more attractive business setting that will bring in more business, so the city can rely more on sales tax revenue than property taxes.

Windcrest

Windcrest residents approved a $7.4 million bond package for road improvements and a $2 million bond package to equip the volunteer fire department in early voting. Voters also filled three City Council seats vacated by incumbents.

The bond package, which will fund repairs to sidewalks and a half-dozen streets, including three major roadways, had 55 percent of the vote.

Fifty-six percent of voters supported supplying the fire department with firetrucks and equipment.

Mayor Dan Reese said he was proud that residents voted for both bonds.

It proves they are aware of the needs and want to fund the needs, he said.

Reese said the citys task is to spend the funds wisely.

In Place 1, Sherillyn Flick beat three other candidates with 37 percent of the vote. Cindy Strzelecki had 60 percent in Place 2, and Greg Turner finished with 61 percent of the vote for Place 3.

Elsewhere

With two of five precincts counted, and all the early votes in, voters in Leon Valley were handily approving a proposition to continue the citys Crime Control and Prevention District and its 1/8 of a cent sales tax.

Meanwhile, China Grove voters rejected Proposition A, 61 percent to 39 percent. By the same margin, the voters approved Proposition B.

In Sandy Oaks, residents chose challenger Micki Ball as mayor over incumbent Karen Tanguma, who has served as mayor since 2016. Ball won with 59.5 percent of ballots cast.

Anthony K. Garcia won the seat for alderman for Place 2. Residents voted for David Tremblay for Place 1. Charles Fillinger won alderman, Place 4, with 51.5 percent of the vote.

Voters in an area of the county near Camp Bullis and another area near Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland strongly rejected the city of San Antonios efforts to annex the areas.

Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavisState Rep. Philip Cortez bucked recent history and became the first representative in his district to win re-election in a decade.

Cortez declared victory around 9:15 p.m., thanking his supporters for their show of devotion.

I wasnt expecting it in any way, I just prepared as best I could, Cortez said. We didnt take this for granted one bit.

Republican Michael Berlanga, who was hoping to flip the seat red once again, conceded shortly after and congratulated Cortez. He attributed the loss to Democratic enthusiasm at the top of the ticket.

Clearly, the momentum is not with the Republican party, Berlanga said.

The district has flipped in each of the last four elections. Cortez has run in three of them  winning the seat in 2012, losing it in 2014 and regaining it in 2016.

First and foremost I wanted to thank the families of District 117 for giving me the honor of representing them at the capital, he said.

The representative said re-election would help him with seniority at the statehouse, which influences committee appointments and standing.

Its nice to have that stability, Cortez said.

The candidates complimented each other for running a civil, positive campaign.

In all, eight of the countys 10 legislative seats were contested this November, along with one of its four Senate seats. The races across the county mirrored Cortezs victory: No seat changed party hands.

Democrats kept six House seats while Republicans maintained two of them, plus the Senate seat.

Democratic Reps. Roland Gutierrez (HD-119) and Diego Bernal (HD-123) were unopposed, and in House District 125, Rep. Justin Rodriguez easily won over a Libertarian challenger in House District 125.

Here are how the races were decided:

Senate District 25

Bexar Countys only state Senate race featured Sen. Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels Republican, securing a third term in a reliably conservative district that spans from north San Antonio to south Austin.

Campbell held a 16-point lead over Democrat Steven Kling with 57 percent of precincts reporting.

Kling, a Dripping Springs resident, is an Army veteran who works in information technology. He had said he was hoping to tap into new Democratic enthusiasm in the district.

Democrats were poised to flip two Senate seats statewide, as GOP Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas and Konni Burton of Colleyville trailed late in their race.

That could have been enough to undo the Republicans super-majority in the chamber  which allows them to bring bills to a vote without Democratic support  but Pete Flores flipped a district red in September, protecting the GOP stronghold.

House District 116

Former Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer will return to the seat he held from 2000 to 2014.

The Democrat bested GOP candidate Fernando Padron by a wide margin Tuesday night in this reliably blue district, which covers a sliver of San Antonios North West side. He led by 40 points with nearly half the precincts reporting.

Martinez Fischer unseated Democratic incumbent Diana Arevalo in the March primary. He previously represented this district for 14 years until mounting a state Senate campaign in 2015 that he lost to Jose Menendez.

House District 117

After four consecutive flips, Cortez secured his re-election Tuesday by a comfortable margin in this perennial swing seat on the western portion of Bexar County.

House District 118

Political newcomer Leo Pacheco secured his spot at the statehouse, beating Republican John Lujan by 16 points, with 93 percent of precincts reporting.

Pacheco, who works in human resources at Palo Alto College, had defeated incumbent Rep. Tomas Uresti in a primary challenge earlier this year.

Lujan was making his third bid for the seat in the last three years. He briefly represented the district after winning a special election in January 2016 before losing the seat in November of that year. A tech executive and retired firefighter, Lujan was the first-ever Republican to represent HD-118.

House District 120

Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins won re-election over Republican Ronald Payne, garnering about two-thirds of the vote with 75 percent of precincts in.

Gervin-Hawkins was first elected in 2016. The district covers the much of San Antonios East Side.

House District 121

Joe Straus wont represent this district for the first time since 2003, but the seat will remain in Republican hands.

The House speaker did not seek re-election this year, leaving an open seat that became the most expensive legislative race in the county.

Business lawyer Steve Allison, a Republican, will take his place, after defeating Democrat Celina Montoya.

Im feeling good. Im glad its over, said Allison, who also fended off a brutal and costly primary against tea party candidate Matt Beebe.

A representative from the Montoya campaign said they wouldnt comment Tuesday night.

Allison led by 8 points with 95 percent of precincts in. The district was created in 1981 and has never been held by a Democrat.

Both candidates had vouched for their abilities to work with the other party, molding themselves after the former speaker. Straus had endorsed Allison.

The district covers a swath of northwest Bexar County.

House District 122

Rep. Lyle Larson, who had to stave off attacks from the governor during his primary, won his fifth term Tuesday.

He carried a 14-point lead with 88 percent of precincts in.

Claire Barnett was mounting the first Democratic campaign there since 2010.

House District 124

Rep. Ina Minjarez, first elected in a 2015 special election, secured her second full term over GOP challenger Johnny Arredondo.

Minjarez held a 35-point lead in the comfortably Democratic district, which includes parts a part of the citys West Side.

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The government has filed a motion seeking to dismiss lawsuits filed against the Air Force by victims of the Sutherland Springs massacre and claim a law meant to prevent gun violence also shields federal employees who mess up.

At least five lawsuits, which have been consolidated in federal court in San Antonio, claim the Air Force should be liable for failing to report shooter Devin Patrick Kelleys domestic violence conviction to an FBI database. Kelley had a history of behavioral problems and was kicked out of the military branch in 2014 after serving a year in the brig. The time behind bars was part of a plea deal in 2012 for a domestic violence incident in which he beat his wife and fractured his stepsons skull.

His conviction never appeared on the National Criminal Information Center database, or NCIC, which would have prevented him from legally purchasing firearms that he bought between 2012 and 2014, according to the lawsuits, which cite the 25-year-old Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. The Act was named after James Brady, President Ronald Reagans press secretary who was shot during an attempted assassination of the president on March 30, 1981.

Among the guns Kelley obtained was an AR-556 rifle he bought in April 2016 that he used to kill 26 worshippers and injure more than 20 at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Nov. 5, 2017.

The Air Force has already publicly admitted it did not report the conviction, as required.

But in a 40-page motion filed late Friday, government lawyers cited a number of cases and laws they believe shield the Air Force personnel from bureaucratic bungling, including the Brady Act.

The federal statute on which the plaintiffs primarily base their claims (the Brady Act) expressly provides that no liability for damages may be imposed on employees of the federal government for failing to prevent the sale of a firearm to a person prohibited by law from receiving it, wrote lawyers for the Justice Department, which is defending the Air Force. This statutory immunity also shields the United States from liability to the plaintiffs in these cases.

The various plaintiffs attorneys are coordinating media responses through the law office of Rob Ammons. He could not be reached for comment. Their court response is not due for several days.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence had no comment on the feds using the law as a shield. But in the case of Dylann Roof, a white supremacist who shot and killed nine African-American worshippers in 2015 at a church in Charleston, S.C., the Brady Center filed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing against the governments shield claims.

A lawsuit against the federal government in the Charleston shootings had alleged that the government should be liable for a number of failures during the background-check process that allowed Roof to obtain his guns. The case was dismissed earlier this year; its on appeal.

In the brief, which was filed for the appeal, the Brady Center asserts that the provision of the Brady Act is clear that immunity from a lawsuit does not extend to the federal government itself  only to limited local and state government actors, and even then, only in certain circumstances. The federal government, according to the filing, remains liable in rare circumstances like the one that led to the Charleston shooting. The brief argues that the victims families should be able to hold the government accountable through the lawsuit and that doing so is consistent with the Brady Act.

Brady background checks save lives, and have stopped more than three million gun sales to prohibited purchasers since the Brady Act became law, Brady Center attorney Mariel Goetz said in a statement issued last month related to the Charleston case. But the system only works if the government does what it has promised to do. As the organization that fought to make the Brady Act law, we are firmly committed to ensuring that the government does its job to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them. Responsible parties must be held accountable when they fail to do their duty and deadly shootings result. In this case, that includes the federal government.

Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedlandDemocrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, won his bid for Bexar County district attorney, soundly defeating Republican Tylden Shaeffer.

Starting with early voting results, Gonzales had a solid lead of 16 percentage points, which didnt change as most of the remaining ballots were tallied Tuesday.

At Gonzales election night party, the mood was lively as he made his way around the room, shaking hands and giving hugs to at least 100 supporters, many of them wearing Joe Gonzales for District Attorney apparel.

For the first time in six months, I think I am going to sleep like a baby tonight, Gonzales told the cheering crowd. There are many people to thank, but first let me introduce myself. My name is Joe Gonzales, and I am your Bexar County district attorney.

He paused, smiling. Man, that has a ring to it, doesnt it? The crowd erupted in cheers again.

Gonzales victory speech came after Shaeffer called about 9 p.m. to concede the election. Gonzales took to the stage with Shaeffer still on the phone to thank his opponent for a fair, respectful race.

Tylden Shaefer just called me to concede, he said. I respect Tylden, and I look forward to working with him.

Sheriff Javier Salazar was among the supporters at Gonzales watch party. He said he looked forward to working with Gonzales in the new year.

The low-key race between Gonzales and Shaeffer followed a heated Democratic primary during which Gonzales defeated the incumbent, Nico LaHood. Gonzales and Shaeffer shared the same motivation to run for the office. Both believed that LaHood, a controversial first-term district attorney, was not suited for the job.

As Gonzales and Shaeffer have similar backgrounds  both served as Bexar County assistant prosecutors and later as criminal defense attorneys  the race has largely been defined by their different visions for the countys top law enforcement post.

Gonzales, 59, has described himself as a hard worker from a family of modest means who relied on part-time jobs and financial assistance to pay for college and law school. Throughout his campaign, he has advocated for criminal justice and bail bond reform, such as limiting pretrial incarceration to those deemed too dangerous to release.

Shaeffer, 55, touted himself as a tough-as-nails prosecutor who would take violent criminals off the street and put them behind bars. He said he wanted to create a cyber crime unit to protect individuals and businesses from telemarketing and internet scams.

Gonzales spent most of Tuesday night thanking his campaign staff and supporters.

Twelve months ago, I turned my life around, Gonzales said, referring to his decision to run. I turned my office upside down. I turned my family upside down.

But I had to do this, he added. This is the culmination of a whole lot of hard work, not just from me, but from my whole staff. I want to thank everyone for their work in this campaign.

He introduced several individuals he hopes to hire as prosecutors and investigators when his staff takes office Jan. 1. He said its important to hire people who represent the whole county.

Folks, Im serious when I say Im committed to bringing true criminal justice reform to Bexar County, Gonzales said. I believe that the residents of Bexar County have spoken. They want change, and change we will have in Bexar County.

Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeatonIncumbent school board members lost to challengers across the board in the Edgewood, South San Antonio and East Central independent school districts Tuesday, according to final unofficial returns.

Edgewood

In Edgewood ISD, challenger Dina Serrano enjoyed a substantial lead over Richard Santoyo as votes were counted and finished with almost 56 percent of the vote. Santoyo was appointed to the board after the state took control of the district in 2016. If Serrano wins, however, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will determine when she can replace Santoyo.

This summer Morath said he wanted Edgewood back under a locally elected seven-member board by May 2020, but has not signaled how fast or in what order he will replace the appointees with elected trustees.

Im excited. Im just ready, so whenever theyre ready, Im ready to start, Serrano said.

Santoyo, who could not be reached Tuesday night, had said he was prepared to help ease the way for Serrano if she wins.

I want to make sure its a smooth transition, whether its her or someone else and whether its now or in the future, he said.

Serrano, a former teachers aide in Edgewood, chalked up her win to her involvement in the community. Shes vice president of her neighborhood association and active on the Parent Teacher Association. She said she started thinking about seeking a board seat while she was still working in the classroom, and began pursuing her masters degree in early childhood education from Texas A&M University San Antonio.

And it all started by working at Edgewood, she said.

South San

Three incumbent board members lost their South San board seats Tuesday, with voters choosing new trustees to lead a district still recovering from years of turmoil.

In final returns, Mandy Martinez, 34, ousted board president Angelina Osteguin, 44, with 57 percent of the vote.

Martinez, who works at Palo Alto College in Admissions and Records, said she wants to bring her decade of higher education experience to the South San board, to work to increase parent involvement, improve academic performance and better promote the districts successes to combat declining enrollment.

She opposed a tax ratification election this summer, calling it a bad time to ask for more money after closing schools. With a better explanation to the community about how the money would be used, it could work a second time, she said.

Osteguin called the results disappointing, and attributed the loss to the failed attempt at a tax rate increase. I will support my kids and other kids in the community, and hold the board accountable, she said.

Homer Flores, 45, a produce salesman and son of a former South San trustee, ousted City Council aide Edward Mungia, 25. Flores, who said last week that he wants to fix the disconnect between the community and folks that represent them, received just over 61 percent of the vote.

Gilbert Rodriguez, 45, an IT professional, took 62 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent Luis Rodriguez, 65.

East Central

In East Central Independent School District, challenger Monique Mo Presas won with 63.12 percent of the vote over trustee Michael W. Feller. In District 5, incumbent James T. Mulkey started behind challenger Gloria Gutierrez when early votes were turned in, but finished with a narrow lead of 50.32 percent of the vote.

Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralvaWhen John Faultersacks wife, Angelita, became gravely ill five years ago, he began creating toys out of wood. He described it as a form of therapy.

After his wife of 40-plus years passed away in 2016, his toy-making continued. It brought him comfort while he grieved and reminded him that some things in life are more durable.

But the most heartening aspect of Faultersacks simple, cheery creations is how they console another grieving group  children whove been removed from their parents because of abuse or neglect.

About seven years ago, Faultersack, 72, became a volunteer with Child Advocates San Antonio, or CASA. The group pairs court-appointed, trained volunteers with children in the states foster care system. The adults make sure the childrens medical, legal and economic needs are met and provide a consistent and caring presence in their lives. They also take them to fun activities.

Faultersack decided to take his volunteer work a step further. He makes 35 or more wooden toys a year that are given to CASA kids at Christmas.

My toys are just a little piece of happy, he said.

On a recent morning, a bevy of brightly colored toys was arranged in a circle on Faultersacks living room floor. There were stacking toys, trains, trucks and cars for younger kids. Catapults and tiddly-winks games and Ferris wheels. Doll houses and garages and wagons.

Faultersack, a former farm boy from Wisconsin who moved to San Antonio five decades ago to work at Lackland AFB, designs the toys, using his longtime experience as an air-conditioning system designer. Before that, he was a teacher and educational therapist, work that gave him insight into young minds.

He creates his toys in a cramped, 9-by-13-foot metal shed in his backyard. He has to stoop a bit to accommodate his six-foot-tall frame. A shelf holds cans of paint and stain. Theres a band saw and a drill press and various sanders. Wooden boards lean against walls; baskets hold wooden blocks.

I just tinker, Faultersack said while showing a wagon still in need of wheels.

He gave his first batch of wooden creations to CASA about four years ago after seeing the kinds of toys donated one Christmas. He said they were mostly plastic and kind of tacky.

Each year, an estimated 5,000 children in Bexar County are removed from their homes because of suspected abuse and neglect; about half end up in foster care.

Almost 1,800 children received help from a CASA volunteer this fiscal year, but some go without. A CASA official said about 670 people became CASA volunteers this year  about 300 short of the goal.

Making things harder, children in temporary or permanent state custody are often moved around to multiple places because of conflicts and other trouble in foster homes.

Faultersack, as a volunteer, has helped a half-dozen children through CASA over the years.

These kids are alone, ripped out of their home at no fault of their own, he said. They dont understand whats going on. Its a catastrophic change.

Faultersack, who retired several years ago, is not there to see a childs face light up upon getting one of his toys. Thats the job of the volunteer. But he hopes the toy is something a child will keep and take with him or her, no matter what happens.

Its something that, if they child is transported from one place to another, the toy will survive. Theyre pretty sturdy, he said.

Marina Gonzales, president and CEO of CASA, said Faultersacks toys send a message to the children that theyre worthy. It shows them someone spent considerable time and effort because they matter.

Often these children are placed in group homes or shelters, where there arent a lot of resources to celebrate the holidays, she said. Its really important to provide these kids with a sense of normalcy and holiday cheer. Theyve been removed from the only home they know.

Faultersack wants to get the word out that CASA is in dire need of volunteers. He tells the story of going to pick up a child at a foster home.

Another little girl clamped onto my leg, he said. She said, I want a CASA.

The young man Faultersack has been mentoring for the past five years is about to become 18 and will age-out of the foster care system. After that, Faultersack will be done volunteering, he said. But he wont stop making toys for CASA.

Ill keep making as many as I can, he said.

Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltjeBexar County Judge Nelson Wolff was riding a comfortable lead with 57 percent of the early vote in his bid for a fifth full term in office Tuesday, giving him a sizable margin over his Republican challenger.

His opponent, Tom Rickhoff, a longtime probate court judge who ran a low-key and minimally funded race, captured 39 percent of the early votes, while a Liberterian candidate, Lauro Bustamante, drew almost 4 percent. At press time, only the early votes and a third of the precincts had been counted.

Wolff sounded relaxed and assured of victory because of the large turnout recorded during early voting, during which more than 415,000 Bexar County residents cast ballots.

Im feeling real good, Wolff said Tuesday night, noting hes usually faced a struggle to win as a Democrat running in non-presidential election years. This time  the Democrats came out.

Wolff believes the strong Democratic turnout amounted to a public rejection of President Donald Trumps political style.

More Information steam See More Collapse

Divisiveness, name calling, ethnic politics, all the things that Trump has been practicing - I think this is a resounding no to what hes doing, Wolff said. I dont know any other reason (Democrats) turned out as big as this. I think thats what its saying, more than anything.

Rickhoff declined to comment Tuesday evening.

Wolff was first appointed county judge in 2001 and was elected to the post a year later. He has served in that role ever since. Before entering county government, he was a Texas state representative, Texas senator, San Antonio city councilman and San Antonio mayor.

Wolffs campaign spotlighted his record in economic development and job creation, his efforts to start the digital public library known as BiblioTech, his work to revitalize downtown, such as the opening of San Pedro Creek Culture Park earlier this year, and his expansion of Bexar County law enforcements manpower and budget.

Rickhoffs campaign focused on reducing the countys debt, curtailing spending and ethics reform. He has served as an assistant U.S. attorney, district judge and appellate judge before he became a probate judge.

Precinct 2 Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, a Democrat, also appeared poised for victory, capturing two-thirds of the early vote and with a third of precincts counted, well ahead of his Republican challenger, attorney Theresa Connolly.

It was much different from a close runoff that happened earlier this year when Elizondo narrowly defeated challenger Queta Rodriguez during the Democratic primary.

When the vote turns out this heavy and you get a large plurality like that, its very gratifying, Elizondo said.

Elizondo was first elected as Precinct 2 county commissioner in 1982. This would mark his 10th term as county commissioner.

Bexar County District Clerk Donna Kay McKinney and County Clerk Gerard Gerry Rickhoff, both Republicans, werent faring as well in their quests for re-election as both trailed their opponents.

McKinney, who was first elected district clerk in 2010, appeared headed for a defeat with 44 percent of the vote, while her Democratic challenger, Mary Angie Garcia, a former deputy district clerk, held steady with 56 percent.

Gerry Rickhoff, the brother of Tom Rickhoff, was first elected county clerk in 1994 and was seeking a seventh term in office. He lagged in second place with 45 percent of the vote, while his Democratic challenger, Lucy Adame-Clark, a longtime Bexar County Sheriffs Office employee, won 55 percent.

Peggy OHare is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHareHours after incumbent Rep. Will Hurd declared victory in the closely-watched 23rd district congressional race, his Democratic challenger, Gina Ortiz Jones, said Wednesday the election was not over and that she would press on until all ballots had been counted.

It could be days or weeks before the race is definitively resolved.

Returns that flowed in from across the sprawling district Tuesday evening showed Hurd leading by a comfortable margin. The Republican, a former CIA agent, is seeking re-election to a third term in Congress.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Hurd appeared before supporters in a hotel ballroom on San Antonios Northwest Side to celebrate what he called a historic victory.

After 11 p.m., Ortiz Jones appeared to concede the election, thanking her supporters and expressing pride in her campaign. While it didnt shake out the way we would want, we ran a campaign that we are proud of and that really reflected Texas values, she said.

At 11:51 p.m., the Associated Press called the race for Hurd. News organizations across the state, including the San Antonio Express-News, reported that the Republican had withstood Ortiz Jones challenge.

Over the next few hours, however, the race tightened dramatically as returns came in from Ortiz Jones pockets of strength, notably in El Paso County in the districts far western reaches.

It came down to the last precinct in Medina County to report results.

At around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, figures posted by the Texas secretary of states office showed Ortiz Jones pulling off a come-from-behind upset by a margin of 282 votes.

Soon afterward, the AP rescinded its projection of a Hurd victory, saying the contest was too close to call.

The early-morning theatrics were the result of a reporting error in Medina County. In calculating vote totals for one of eight precincts in Medina, county officials neglected to include votes cast on Election Day, according to Sam Taylor, communications director for the secretary of states office.

For about a 30-minute window, Ortiz Jones appeared to have won, Taylor said.

The error was corrected, and the updated results showed Hurd with a 689-vote lead.

Wednesday afternoon, Culberson County officials confirmed another error in which the county gave Ortiz Jones 451 more votes than she actually received.

The latest data from the AP showed Hurd leading by 1,150 votes, or half of one percentage point. The unofficial tally was 102,903 votes for Hurd and 101,753 for Ortiz Jones.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Hurd declared victory for the second time.

With all precincts reporting, Im proud to have won another tough re-election in the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, Hurd said in a statement. Im proud to be the first person to hold this tough seat three elections in a row (in) more than two decades. Im ready to get back to work for my constituents.

But Ortiz Jones was not prepared to concede.

This election is not over  every vote matters and must be counted, said Noelle Rosellini, the Democratic candidates communications director, in a statement. Ginas campaign has been powered by grassroots energy from day one, and we wont stop working until every provisional ballot, absentee ballot, and military or overseas ballot has been counted.

State election officials will now review returns from all counties and count all provisional, military, overseas and mail ballots. The process, known as the official canvass of votes, occurs after every election. Taylor said it usually takes two to three weeks. Until the canvass is completed, the results are not official.

Mail ballots were accepted at election offices until 5 p.m. Wednesday, and overseas and military ballots can arrive five or six days after the election, according to Taylor.

He said theres no way to determine how many votes are outstanding in the districts 29 counties. In the Bexar County portion of the district alone, 874 mail ballots had not been counted as of Wednesday morning.

Taylor said he didnt know of any other counties where there was an apparent discrepancy in vote tabulations of the kind found in Medina and Culberson.

Congressional District 23 is one of Texas only perennial swing seats, stretching from San Antonio to part of El Paso County and including 800 miles of border. Hurd won his previous two elections by razor-thin margins: 1.33 percentage points in 2016 and 2.1 percentage points in 2014.

A candidate can ask for a recount if he or she lost by less than 10 percent of the winners vote total. Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence analyst, is well within the margin to request a recount, Taylor said. But the Democrats camp was focused Wednesday on counting every outstanding vote.

The deadline to request a recount is 5 p.m. on the second day after the final canvass.

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San Antonio voters rejected the most consequential of three city charter amendments proposed by the firefighters' union, but approved the others, including one that limits the salary and tenure of future city managers.

The amendment that was defeated, Proposition A, would have made it easier to challenge tax and spending decisions by the City Council at the ballot box.

With all precincts counted, the amendment went down by a vote of 194,035 to 163,799, according to unofficial returns posted by the Bexar County Elections Department.

Elected officials and business leaders were relieved at the result, saying Prop A would have destabilized San Antonio's finances and put its AAA credit rating at risk.

Proportion B  which caps the salary and limits the tenure of future San Antonio city managers  passed easily, with 215,845 in favor and 148,790 opposed.

RELATED: Why Beto O'Rourke lost

The measure was widely seen as a referendum on the popularity of City Manager Sheryl Sculley, although its restrictions will not apply to her. She has frequently clashed with the firefighters' union.

The third union-sponsored amendment, Proposition C, gives the firefighters' union sole authority to declare an impasse in contract negotiations and submit the dispute to binding arbitration. It passed narrowly, with 183,732 votes in favor and 178,109 against.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Tuesday night that the election results amounted to a statement by voters that "we want San Antonio to be a great city built on prosperity and equity for all people."

At the same time, the mayor said passage of Prop B showed that "the salaries of public executives are clearly a sensitive issue."

Under the proposition, future city managers cannot serve more than eight years and cannot be paid more than 10 times what the city's lowest-paid full-time employee earns.

Sculley collects a base salary of $475,000, plus a bonus of up to $100,000 a year based on performance. Her most recent bonus, for 2017, was $75,000, bringing her total compensation to $550,000. She has held the position since 2005.

RELATED: Results from the 2018 General Election in Texas

Prop B also requires a super-majority vote  by more than two-thirds of City Council members  to appoint a new city manager.

Sculley's contract expires Dec. 31 but she can remain in the position indefinitely. Nirenberg said city officials would "have to study the implications of Prop B on the future of San Antonio."

Stephen Moody, the fire union's sergeant at arms, conceded early Tuesday evening that Proposition A had failed.

"I am a 'people spoke' guy," Moody said. "So it doesn't really bother me personally. I wanted them to have a say."

The three propositions were the outgrowth of a long-running dispute between the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association and city officials, notably Sculley.

Prop A, had it passed, would have reduced the number of signatures required to challenge decisions by City Council through ballot measures.

The threshold is now 10 percent of the city's registered voters, or about 70,000 signatures. The proposition would have cut the number to 20,000, and opponents of a council decision would have had 180 days, rather than the current 40, to gather signatures.

Prop A would also have expanded the kinds of decisions that could be challenged at the ballot box to include votes on spending, taxes, land use and utility rates.

Greg Brockhouse, the lone City Council member to support the three amendments, said the split election results show that voters trust council to make decisions but want to rein in the city manager. He described voters' approval of Prop B as a first step toward a strong-mayor form of government.

"The public is saying we have to fix that (city manager) position  too much pay, too much power," he said.Roald Dahl: Royal Mint rejected writer over his anti-semitism

You wont see a coin that commemorates the life of Roald Dahl (13 September 1916  23 November 1990) because the Royal Mint was put off by the authors antisemitic views. The Guardian says the Royal Mints planned to produce a coin in 2014 to coincide with the centenary of Dahls birth. But this was stopped when it was decided that Dahl was not regarded as an author of the highest reputation.

Instead of Dahl, the Mint opted for coins to mark the lives of William Shakespeare and Beatrix Potter.

The decision was made despite the Royal Mail honouring the childrens author with a set of commemorative stamps celebrating his books, many of which have been adapted into films. These include Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the BFG. The minutes state: The themes set out below were considered but not recommended. 100th anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl. Associated with antisemitism and not regarded as an author of the highest reputation.  In 1983Dahl told the New Statesman: There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity, maybe its a kind of lack of generosity towards non-Jews. I mean, theres always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didnt just pick on them for no reason.

Dahl told the Independent in 1990:

Im certainly anti-Israeli and Ive become antisemitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism. I think they should see both sides. Its the same old thing: we all know about Jews and the rest of it. There arent any non-Jewish publishers anywhere, they control the media  jolly clever thing to do  thats why the president of the United States has to sell all this stuff to Israel  

So instead of Roald Dahl, we got coins for Potter, the woman who opined: The strongest impelling motive of the Jewish race is love of profit as distinct from any other form of money earning.

What is is about wealthy, guilt-ridden Christian anti-Semites and their hatred for Jews who work in the face of prejudice to be as successful as they are?

Spotter: Guardian

Anorak

Posted: 6th, November 2018 | In: Key Posts, News Comment | TrackBack | PermalinkVelma Hernandez cast her first vote 40 years ago, but she never considered working on a campaign until last December.

Hernandez, 58, went to see Beto ORourke speak and came away a convert.

I said to myself, Hernandez recalled, OK, I agree with him on everything that he stands for. Im going to do what I can to help get him elected.

That meant volunteering to serve as a precinct captain with San Antonio for Beto, the local contingent of crusaders determined to get the El Paso congressman elected to the U.S. Senate.

READ ALSO: Why Beto O'Rourke lost

That effort fell short Tuesday night, as ORourke dropped the closest statewide contest in Texas in a generation. Along the way, ORourke emerged as a political rock star, with viral videos and endorsements from celebrities ranging from Beyonce to Natalie Portman.

The real story of the ORourke campaign, however, came from the dedicated foot soldiers who basically sacrificed a year of their lives to accomplish the impossible for a Democratic Senate candidate, running against the 2016 GOP presidential runner-up, in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat statewide in 24 years.

Hernandez is an unsung part of that story. She started block walking for ORourke in January and helped execute the Low Voter Precinct Project, an effort by San Antonio for Beto to infiltrate underperforming areas and get people to the polls.

I was very disappointed when I saw that my precinct was one of the low-voter precincts. So I thought, You know what? Youre going to have to try to do something about it.

Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, you have to like the fact that both Bexar County and the state of Texas came out to vote for this midterm election in a way that weve never seen. More than 540,000 voted in Bexar County, compared with 304,000 for the 2014 midterms. And Texas early voting numbers exceeded the total 2014 turnout.

READ ALSO: Gov. Abbott wins re-election as other statewide Republicans claim victory

ORourke and his followers played a big role in that. His supporters saw the candidate relentlessly crisscrossing the states 254 counties, finding joy in the exhausting grind of the political process, and they got carried away with the sense of possibility he offered.

That spirit manifested itself in the Burro Brigade, a group of 30 local volunteers who drove anyone who needed a ride to polling sites on Election Day.

The brainchild of local artist Cruz Ortiz, the Burro Brigade provided 42 rides Tuesday, and perfectly captured the spirit of ORourkes 20-month, do-it-yourself adventure.

Ortiz said Tuesday that one male voter asked his Burro Brigade driver, after he cast his vote, if she could take him for a raspa. Of course, she did.

That spirit also could be seen in the commitment of Ruby Perez, described by fellow group member Susan Korbel as the queen of the South Side.

Shes gone to every single door, every single retail establishment, everything, Korbel said.

ORourkes defeat couldnt hide the fact that he put a serious dent in a Republican red wall that had rendered every U.S. Senate race in this state since 1988 a foregone conclusion for the GOP.

The big question underpinning ORourkes campaign was whether it would be the first major step in a Democratic bid to shift the political power in this state, or whether it would be revealed as a trendy, cult-of-personality movement that dies after Election Day.

In other words, would his highly competitive performance be a source of encouragement to long-suffering Dems, or further cause for demoralization, because they invested so much hope in his chances for victory?

ELECTIONS 2018: Results from the General Election in Texas

The coming months will answer that question, but Ernest Gonzales sees this campaign as a beginning, not an end.

Gonzales, a 2016 Bernie Sanders acolyte who joined the San Antonio for Beto group, said the pro-ORourke collective is determined to build on what it accomplished this year; to mobilize again, possibly for the 2017 municipal elections.

I think its the start of a blue wave, Gonzales said.

Even as Democrats fell Tuesday in one statewide race after another, the dominant takeaway was how unexpectedly tight some of these races were; how Dan Patrick had to sweat to retain the lieutenant governors office, and how Attorney General Ken Paxton got pushed by Democratic challenger Justin Nelson.

It had the feel of early 70s elections when then-dominant Texas Democrats could sense that Republicans were gaining on them but didnt know exactly what to do about it.

We did the best that we could, Hernandez said this week.

She was talking about her local volunteer group, but the sentiment could also be applied to her candidate and her party.

Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470Tom Fox/Associated Press

By any standard except that of unreasonably high expectations, Democrats are going to do well Tuesday. I expect they will gain about 35 seats in the House to take back control. They won't regain the majority in the Senate, but they will keep it close and score a few surprises, with Phil Bredesen in Tennessee and Beto O'Rourke in Texas as the likeliest upsets. Democrats will end the night with about eight more governors, with signature wins likely in Florida and possible in Georgia.

After the election, there will also be two under-reported stories: First, Democrats showed strength in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, states crucial to tilting the electoral college to Donald Trump in 2016; and second, once again, millions more Americans will have cast their votes for Democrats than for Republicans, but due to gerrymandering and a Senate map that mostly featured red states, that margin will not translate into even more electoral gains.To take Americans minds off his problems, President Trump offers another shiny object: birthright citizenship.

The legal concept is jus soli, Latin for the right of the soil. In the United States  and more than 30 other countries, including Canada and most of Latin America  if youre born there, youre a citizen. This includes the children of illegal immigrants.

In about two dozen countries  mainly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East  at least one parent must have legal status for a child born on their soil to get citizenship. Only two nations  India and Malta  are so strict that they deny citizenship to children born on their soil unless at least one parent is a citizen.

Thanks to the 14th Amendment, the United States has it right. But what the U.S. Constitution giveth, Trump wants to taketh away.

You ought to keep 10 things in mind:

When conservatives parrot the talking point that the Supreme Court has never ruled on whether the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment applies to the children of undocumented immigrants, theyre missing the point. There are reams of issues that the court has never decided because theyre ridiculous. Note that the court has also never ruled on unicorns. This could be one of those issues.

The underlying assumption of those who want to deny citizenship to the children of the undocumented seems to be that U.S. citizenship is extremely valuable. But if they want to be stingy about who becomes a citizen, then why do we give the privilege away automatically to the native-born who did nothing to earn it?

Most illegal immigrants come from Mexico and Central America. So Trumps attack on birthright citizenship should be seen as just another hate-filled strike against the nations 58 million Latinos, many of whom get up and go to work everyday to help keep America great.

Its simply false to say that no other country confers birthright citizenship. Besides, what the folks who say that likely mean is that few countries in Europe offer it. Who cares? The United States hasnt followed Europes lead on much of anything since the Marshall Plan. When was the last time you heard of the French Dream?

Trump warns that U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants have the benefits of citizenship. This implies that they are takers. But countless studies show that immigrants are just as likely as the U.S.-born to be productive members of society, if not more so.

Opponents of birthright citizenship also claim that the privilege acts as a magnet that draws refugees and migrants to this country. Thats nonsense. Ive spoken to dozens of immigrants over the years, and I can tell you this much: There is a jobs magnet, and a family reunification magnet. There is no citizenship magnet.

Its pointless to dwell on the intent of the 14th Amendment. With the Constitution, intent is debatable  and not worth much. The 14th Amendment also guarantees equal protection of the laws. The fact those words were written to protect freed slaves doesnt mean that they dont also protect other groups from unfair treatment.

The 14th Amendment confers U.S. citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Some insist illegal immigrants dont qualify. Thats absurd. Were talking about the child, not the parents. And if the government can deport or imprison you, then youre subject to its jurisdiction.

Republicans like Trump dont really care about citizenship. They care about what citizenship bestows: the right to vote. They know theyve misbehaved by picking on Latinos, and theyre due a spanking at the ballot box that theyre desperately trying to avoid one way or another. Thats what this is all about.

Once upon a time, some Republicans made a play for Latino voters. Those days are over. The only voters that Trump is trying to rile up so they turn out on Tuesday are those whose American Dream is an America without brown people in it.

Trump and other Republicans like to pick on Latinos. But this time, they picked the wrong spot to poke.

Those voters care about children and families. Defend them, and we will always remember. Attack them, and we will never forget.

ruben@rubennavarrette.comDemocrat Ned Lamont may be the apparent winner, but it was Bob Stefanowski who defined the 2018 election with his one-note, two-word serenade: Lower taxes.

Well never know how and whether the Madison business executive could have cut taxes at all, though its been clear all along his vow to eliminate the states personal income tax was political folly.

But make no mistake, Gov. Ned Lamont will have to reckon with the anti-government forces Stefanowski unleashed in Connecticut. Thats now etched into the political landscape in a way that will shape the next governors term, just as tight spending and tense negotiations framed the last four years under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Its not that everyone agreed with Stefanowski, as we see from the result  a likely Lamont win by more than 30,000 votes. Rather, its that Stefanowski was able to shape the race around those two words  and thus himself  in an election marked by the sort of anger and frustration that powered President Donald Trump in 2016.

Take Eli Soto, a truck driver from Waterbury. Hes unhappy about a lot of what he sees, including taxes. The little guy is always going to suffer, Soto said Tuesday night at a neighborhood Chinese restaurant, hours after he voted.

But Soto, a youthful 45 who grew up in Puerto Rico and has a daughter in college, also worries about cuts affecting health coverage and crime in the cities. Of Stefanowski, he said, He said he had ideas for a tax cut and then it came up that he wouldnt do anything for two years. He didnt seem to have a plan.

He voted for Lamont, but now thinks the Democrat will feel pressure to cut taxes if he wins.

A couple of miles away, Dennis Cronin, a poll watcher and self-described Democrat whos willing to vote Republican, described going into the balloting without knowing who hed vote for. But the subject of the election, if not his most important issue, was clear to him: Taxes.

Whats remarkable is that Stefanowski was able to steer the debate so narrowly in a blue state with a long tradition of debating its broadest community aspirations. The election hewed so closely to taxes that it only touched on reducing spending in the most useless way  with the old, hackneyed political saws about cutting waste, outsourcing and zero-based budgeting.

It was not about the trade-off between cutting taxes and investing in cities, or maintaining social services, or upgrading roads and bridges, or boosting education.

All of that is what Lamont tried to make happen. But Stefanowski wouldnt play ball.

Lamont didnt win on a powerful personality and soaring dreams, though he showed fleeting signs of both. Rather, he won because the voters came out in force, more than a 65 percent turnout, drawn by dislike of Malloy and Trump  and stuck by Democratic values.

That is, with a slim plurality, they rejected Stefanowskis idea that cutting taxes is the sole answer to a very complex mess were in, 40 years in the making.

But that idea, in loss, still defined the race. Voters anger at high costs in Connecticut, along with anger toward all public institutions including the Republican Party itself  enabled Stefanowski to win a primary handily, without paying much heed to the party establishment.

In that way hes similar to his political model, Trump, except that Stefanowski, unlike Trump, is a decent human being.

I asked how he pulled off the steering feat on Tuesday in West Hartford, where Stefanowski brought his wife and three daughters to the polling place of his sister and her family, walking distance from the goverbnors mansion.

I dont know that Id say it was all about me, Id say its about two policies, Stefanowski said. He named Malloys higher taxes, and his own plan to lower taxes. So were saying the same thing.

Voters anger enabled him to set that minimalist agenda despite the fact that by his own reckoning, his major civic activity has been sitting on the board of a nonprofit, Catholic agency that helps low-income families in Bridgeport. Admirable, but not the stuff of ascension to the state Capitol corner office for a guy with zero experience in government or politics.

And he did it despite the fact that on Tuesday at the Madison Senior Center he cast his first vote in a state or presidential election since at least 2000. I was happy to vote today, were going to drive change, were going to put it through, he said in answer to my question  how did it feel to vote?

Its understandable that he started his day in Greenwich  not, notably, at Lamonts neighborhood polling place. All statewide Republicans must encamp in Greenwich, the partys largest town. But why did Lamont schedule a stop at the senior center in Madison, barely an hour after Stefanowski voted there? Lamont rescheduled to Guilford and never made it to Stefanowskis hometown, but the point was made  he needed to respond to Stefanowski.

What about that anger? Taxes are certainly high in Connecticut and were losing people. But theyre higher in other places that are magnets for young professionals  big cosmopolitan cities of the sort we lack. Lamont wanted to make the conversation about our cities but, again, there was so much anger over broken promises of the past  not his doing  that a cohesive debate never happened.

The governors budget is due the first week in February, around the time Lamont figures out how many bathrooms are in that governors mansion. Hell have strong opposition in the legislature and more important, the tail of a backlash that he cannot, and should not, ignore.

And so we move forward as a state with a new expectation about tax cuts, realistic or not, forged in one of the oddest campaigns in modern state history.GREENWICH  What was in doubt late Tuesday night became official Wednesday morning when Democrat Alexandra Bergstein was able to declare victory over incumbent state Sen. L. Scott Frantz.

Her victory margin of 600 votes out of 43,808 cast was slim  one percentage point away from triggering an automatic recount. But it was enough to propel Bergstein to an upset of the five-term Republican. In her first competitive race, she became the first Democrat elected to represent the 36th state Senate District since 1930.

Her victory capped off a potentially redefining night for Greenwich Democrats who, after being shut out of the state House of Representatives for a century, also elected Stephen Meskers in an upset victory over incumbent Republican State Rep. Michael Bocchino in the 150th House District.

I am elated. I am humbled. I am grateful and I am so ready to serve, Bergstein said Wednesday morning.

Frantz issued a brief statement through his campaign on Wednesday but did not offer any further comment.

I want to congratulate Alex Bergstein on her victory, he said. She ran a spirited race. I wish her luck as she embarks on her tenure as our next state senator. Important issues were raised during the campaign that I hope will continue to be addressed over the next two years.

Bergsteins success was powered by a dominant performance in North Stamford, which shares the district with all of Greenwich and part of New Canaan. Frantz carried Greenwich and New Canaan, but Bergstein won 59.6 percent of the Stamford votes, a margin of 2,336 that Frantz could not overcome with his slimmer wins in the other towns.

It was a sharp contrast to 2016, when Frantz coasted to a fifth term, winning all three towns, including Stamford by 80 votes.

Jackie Kaiko, who volunteered for Bergstein in Stamfords northern half, said her appeal was multifaceted and her campaign was smart to link up with grassroots groups in the neighborhood  Women on Watch, Indivisible Stamford and Moms Demand Action  soon after she earned the partys endorsement.

It kind of sprung up  tons of volunteers mushroomed all over the place, Kaiko said. We werent sure Stamford was getting the attention it should and that drove a lot of it.

The Stamford results did not tell the entire tale of the election, however. Had Frantz performed as well in Greenwich as he had in the past he would have been able to withstand the Stamford onslaught.

In 2016, for example, Frantz won 18,589 votes in Greenwich, a figure that dropped by 4,744 votes to 13,845 on Tuesday. Granted, more people voted in the presidential year two years ago, but Frantz carried 62.5 percent of Greenwich voters in 2016. He carried 52 percent of the town this year.

When Bergstein takes office in January, she will be part of a new Democratic majority in the state Senate, with the party retaking control two years after falling into a power-sharing 18-18 tie. Democrats also increased their majority in the state House and won the governorship with Greenwich resident Ned Lamont defeating Republican Bob Stefanowski in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Before she is sworn in, Bergstein said she will continue to do what she has done throughout her campaign.

I will talk to every voter in our district and I will be learning from them, Bergstein said. I will be learning from their ideas and their experiences so we can have a really thoughtful, constructive dialogue and open exchange of ideas. That is my preferred method of engagement. It was a hallmark of my campaign and I will continue to do it going forward.

She called for constituents to come together and revive their civic spirits even if they didnt vote for her.

We all want the same thing, Bergstein said. We want Connecticut to succeed. I know we can do that if we engage respectfully and constructively with one another moving forward.  For me this campaign was not about Democrat versus Republican or us versus them. That mindset is not how I think. Were all equal. Were all neighbors.

Frantz is co-chair of the Commerce Committee and of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Bergstein Wednesday said she had not yet spoken with party leadership about which committees she might join, but expected they would discusses the subject soon.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.comHistory and physics seem an unlikely pairing.

Students in Suchith Shantharajs and Paul Tripodis classes in the Information Technology School on the Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet campus made it work.

Pretty cool, shouted Mateo Davalos, a junior from Norwalk, as a projectile from the miniature catapult he built attempted to breach the medieval castle assembled by other of students a desktop away.

Groans on both sides erupted when  fundamental mechanics and velocity measurements aside  the projectile fell shy of the castle walls.

Entering its fifth year, Fairchild is a striking, $126 million facility that marries three schools, three branches of science and 1,500 students from 18 towns.

By design, it remains a work in progress.

We are always,constantly learning, said Michael Watson, principal at the Biotechnology Research and Zoological Sciences school at Fairchild.

I wouldnt say everything is perfect, added Victor Black, principal of Fairchilds Information Technology program. But I would have to say we are doing pretty well.

Each of us believes that it is never good enough, offered Jay Lipp, principal of the Aerospace/Hydrospace Engineering & Physical Sciences.

Still being discovered

More Information An open house for seventh and eighth graders will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday, December 11 Click here to find out more. The application process closes on January 11, 2019. See More Collapse

Fairchild was the city school districts first new high school in nearly a century when it was opened in the fall of 2013, tucked away on unused woodlands near the Merritt Parkway and Trumbull border.

Eco-friendly and flush with 3D printers, a flight simulator and other cool technology, the schools ribbon cutting drew the governor and a host of collegiate and business partners. The school promised to be different  with classes that are 80 minutes instead of 42, semester-length and completely project based in their approach.

Black said he still comes across locals surprised to learn the school exists.

Fairchild must draw 25 percent of its student body from suburban school districts to keep a state interdistrict magnet school subsidy of $3,000 for in-district students and $7,085 for suburban students. Combined, the three schools have 510 suburban students out of a total enrollment of 1,500 student this fall.

Because Fairchild operates as three distinct schools, that ratio must be met for each of them. This year, the Aerospace School fell short in the percentage of suburban students. It had 23.16 percent. As such, it needs to file a corrective action plan with the state to avoid losing magnet school funding.

Lipp said it is just a matter of getting the word out. Fairchilds victories, he said, arent publicized enough. The school has a Best Magnet School ranking by U.S. News & World Reports and was named a School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America.

Two years ago, Bridgeport began charging suburban districts $3,000 per student. Stratford, Shelton, Trumbull and Monroe refused, making it tougher for Fairchild to market themselves in those districts.

Parents find the school, anyhow.

Archana Ladhe, from Trumbull, has sent two daughters to Fairchilds Bio School.

Trumbull has great schools, but we wanted something more streamlined toward what my (older) daughter wanted to do, and this was a perfect fit, Ladhe said. The semester-based schedule, allowing students to take eight courses a year, let her daughter double up on math courses. Ladhe said she took them all.

No regrets, Ladhe said. For me this is a place my daughter feels she belongs.

Sibling rivalry

Saraiha James, a sophomore in the Aero school, wants to be a psychiatrist, not an engineer.

But she said she likes the push she feels at her school.

Aero works hard than the others, James declared.

When the school was not yet open, Watson, principal of Bio, predicted the schools would establish a healthy sibling rivalry. There is some crossover, but most students stick to their own wing of the building.

In IT one morning, Wayne Browns media class, all in dark lab coats, worked on 45-second commercials on teen driving. Most focused on distracted driving, with one group figuring out how to best superimpose cracked cellphone images across their story board.

The long class periods, Brown said, give students a chance to get their creative juices flowing. By the end of a two week unit, the brainstormed, filmed and edited finished products would be entered into a state Department of Motor Vehicles contest.

In a Bio class called Drugs and Behavior, teacher Melissa Brylls students worked to critique a dozen existing drug treatment and prevention programs. In Marissa Barrettos Capstone Class in the Aerospace School, a dozen students were channeling what they have learned since freshman year to improve an existing project or create a new one.

In Barrettos class, students in light blue lab coats were shooting for a better umbrella, a better dish rack, a better shoe.

In IT, Black said one student built a capstone project around her fear of public speaking. She created a virtual environment that allowed individuals to practice before delivering to a live audience. Many of the schools projects have end up in the state science fair.

Bumps in the road

Fairchild has not been without problems.

The school started with a four-year, $11.6 million grant from the Federal Magnet School Assistance Program.

The grant was not renewed, and its loss cost the school John Curtis, an administrator who had also helped develop the districts Inter-district Aquaculture program. The grant also bought loads of equipment and teacher training, and it fueled partnerships with area universities and corporations like Sikorsky Aircraft.

Now Fairchilds School Governance Council and parent groups are writing grants and working to maintain and grow partnerships.

We are reaching out to every source we can, Black said.

Because of chronic district money woes, there is talk of merging the schools into one, a move that would cut administrative costs.

Lipp said that was an awful idea.

The strength of the school is the thematic nature of each school that makes them stand out and student want to come here, he said.BBC trolls Everton fans over donation to Liverpool fan Sean Cox

Clickbait Balls courtesy of the BBC, which spots Everton player Seamus Coleman contributing to the fund set up to help Sean Cox, the Liverpool fan set upon by Roma fans before a Champions League match. The BBC says Coleman is worried Everton fans would question him for donating money to Liverpool fan Sean Cox. Sheesh! Coleman must think Everton fans are real numbskulls. Are they so loyal to Everton that theyll condemn a player for helping a fellow countryman  both Coleman and cox are Irish.

Clicking on the link were told:

Everton defender Seamus Coleman worried fans would question him for making a donation to help an injured fan of city rivals Liverpool.

Maybe rabid Liverpool fans dont want his money? Or maybe the BBCs heading is total clickbait balls:

You think Do you put your name towards it or not?' Coleman said. You might get people saying he might have put more money in or whatever, he added I wanted to put my name to it because sometimes that raises more publicity. Thats what the Liverpool manager did.

Mentions of Everton fans? Nil.

He doesnt say that at all though does he? You fucking horrible little arseholes, fuck off.  Everton Aren't We (@EvertonArentWe) November 6, 2018

Absolute joke! Everton and Liverpool share a great rivalry but when it comes to community we are always together i.e. Hillsborough. Good on Seamus for putting something back in!   William Wallace (@BillyWallace89) November 6, 2018

More BBC clickbait soon

Anorak

Posted: 7th, November 2018 | In: Back pages, Key Posts, Liverpool, News, Sports Comment | TrackBack | PermalinkMilford Police Department

MILFORD - Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect in a break-in of a motor vehicle last month.

The incident happened in a parking lot at 333 Boston Post Road on Oct. 27.(ANSA) - Rome, November 7 - Premier Giuseppe Conte said Wednesday that the conference on Libya that Italy will host in Palermo next week is a "fundamental step for the objective of stabilizing Libya and for the security of the whole Mediterranean. "We are satisfied at the high number of confirmations (of figures who will take part)," he told a question time session in the Lower House.

"The main players on the Libyan scene will be present.

"I want to stress that we do not think we can resolve all the problems. But we want to create a sustainable opportunity for encounter. "We want to overcome the current stalemate in the political process with elections as soon as possible, as soon as the necessary political, legislative and security conditions are satisfied".

3 1 of 3 Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





TRUMBULL  David Rutigliano, the restaurant owner and legislator, has won his fourth term to represent the 123rd House district, which sits entirely in Trumbull.

Unofficial returns had him up by about 900 votes late Tuesday night, a comfortable victory for the Republican. In early returns, he won 5,500 to 4,606 over his Democratic opponent, Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox.(ANSA) - Rome, November 7 - President Sergio Mattarella said Wednesday "we are in a time when tensions seem to multiply and artificially prevail", as well as "the exacerbation of clashes, the emphasis on differences, and the short-sighted erection of ideological and identity barriers that presuppose a permanent opposition with the other".

Mattarella made his remarks in a speech commemorating the Albanian military hero George Castriot Skanderbeg.

Skanderbeg was a nobleman who served the Ottoman Empire in 1423-43, the Republic of Venice in 1443-47, and lastly the Kingdom of Naples until his death in 1468. After leaving Ottoman service, he led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania and Macedonia.

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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COLUMBUS  A team of researchers is planning to study farmers fields in northwestern Ohio that have more phosphorus than the crops can use.

Called elevated phosphorus fields, or legacy phosphorus, such fields may be at higher risk of contributing to Lake Eries harmful algal blooms. Thats the premise of a new five-year, $5 million study that hopes to learn about those fields and lower that risk by creating new public-private partnerships.

Led by Jay Martin, an ecological engineering professor with OSUs College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), the study plans to monitor and manage more than a dozen elevated phosphorus fields, all in the Maumee River watershed.

Public-private partnerships

Researchers are partnering with nutrient service providers  consultants who advise farmers on crop and soil matters, such as the types and rates of fertilizer to apply  and some of the farmers they work with. The nutrient service providers are helping find farmers to help with the study; the farmers in turn are allowing their fields to be used as sites for the study.

Im excited, said Martin. This is a way that the agricultural community, Ohio State and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers, and nongovernmental organizations can work together to address an important unknown. By doing so, this will improve water quality while supporting agricultural production.

Maumee River watershed Phosphorus runoff from farm fields is a significant driver of the harmful algal blooms plaguing Lake Erie. The blooms are sometimes toxic, are often many miles wide, and threaten recreation, tourism, drinking water safety and peoples health.

The Maumee watershed, which empties into the lake at Toledo, is the lakes largest source of phosphorus loading. Martin said the study has four main parts: recruit the partner farmers; measure phosphorus runoff on the farmers fields; use and evaluate best management practices on the fields  practices aimed at reducing the fields phosphorus runoff while also maintaining their yields; and then, by helping form further public-private partnerships, expand the adoption of the practices throughout the watershed.

The study includes partners and supporters from CFAES, the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Ohio States Center on Education and Training for Employment, and 12 Ohio agricultural businesses and organizations.

USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture is funding the study, which started in September and will run through summer 2023.

Feeding algal blooms

Phosphorus, a nutrient, is needed for crops to grow. Its an important part of the fertilizers and manures that farmers apply to their fields. But rain can wash phosphorus out of the soil and then into drainage ditches, rivers and eventually Lake Erie.

In 2016, Ohio, Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario agreed to reduce the phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40 percent, with a goal of doing it by the year 2025. Experts think that such a reduction will keep the lakes blooms at safe levels.

The new study is specifically targeting elevated phosphorus fields, which bear that name because, after years of fertilizer or manure applications, theyve accumulated more phosphorus in their soil than their crops need.

The excess doesnt hurt the crops; the crops just dont use it up. But sometimes the phosphorus is released from the soil and ends up in Lake Erie, where it contributes to harmful algal blooms.

The hypothesis is that these elevated phosphorus fields contribute disproportionately to nutrient runoff, Martin said.

Until now, however, testing that hypothesis has been difficult. Locating an elevated phosphorus field requires soil test results, and those arent public information; theyre often kept only between a farmer and his or her nutrient service provider.

Involving farmers

The new study is solving that limitation by enlisting those individuals as partners. Research on farms Martin said that as a first step, a partnering nutrient service provider will invite a farmer to participate in the study.

If the farmer is interested, Martin and his colleagues will work with them to determine if the field has the needed characteristics and to make sure the farmer is comfortable with the arrangements. The team will compensate the farmer and nutrient service provider for their time, will pay for implementing and maintaining the management practices, and will keep the farmers name and location confidential.

If, on the other hand, the farmer isnt interested, things end there, and no one finds out anything about their field that they didnt know before we started, Martin said.

The team is now working to identify the study sites, with a goal of having 14 fields.

New methods needed

In the Maumee watershed and in other places, some farmers are reducing their phosphorus runoff by using the 4R practices. The 4Rs stand for the right source, right rate, right time and right place when it comes to applying fertilizer and manure. But the 4Rs dont help on an elevated phosphorus field because the farmer has probably already stopped applying additional phosphorus fertilizer.

Instead, other best management practices are needed  ones that keep nutrients in the field or that trap them at the edge of the field before they get into waterways. Martin said the study will implement a variety of best management practices at the study sites and then will evaluate the practices using edge-of-field water sampling.

The practices may include building wetlands, growing cover crops and installing phosphorus filters, among others. Based on the findings, the study will offer recommendations for farmers and nutrient service providers.

The Maumee River watershed covers an area greater than Connecticut: more than 4 million acres in parts of three states  Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The majority of the watersheds land use is agriculture.

About 12,000 farmers live in the watershed.

Whos involved. Other CFAES researchers involved in the study are Margaret Kalcic, Ryan Winston, Mike Brooker and Nathan Stoltzfus of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Robyn Wilson of the School of Environment and Natural Resources; Greg LaBarge of Ohio State University Extension; and Brian Roe of the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. OSU Extension is the colleges outreach arm.

Key partners on the study also include Jessica DAmbrosio of the Nature Conservancy, Kevin King of USDA-ARSs Soil Drainage Research Unit, the Nutrient Stewardship Council and the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. Collaborating on the study are four northwest Ohio nutrient service providers  Nester Ag, Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and the Farmers Elevator Grain and Supply Association  and the following organizations: the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, the Ohio Soybean Council, the Ohio Pork Council, the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, Mercer County Community and Economic Development, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

To learn more about the study, contact Martin at martin.1130@osu.edu.

Related coverage:(ANSA) - Rome, November 7 - Arcelor Mittal CEO Matthieu Jehl said Wednesday that the group aimed to make its Italian branch the best in Europe "as concerns environmental sustainability, security and performance". He was speaking to journalists in Taranto at the ILVA steel plant during the presentation of the industrial and environmental plan for the group. He added that "production will rise from 4.5 million to 6 million tons" but that "there is no ton of steel to be produced that is worth it if we cannot go home healthy." "Security, health and the environment are pillars for us alongside production performance," Jehl added.

Arcelor Mittal got the OK for a takeover of ILVA, which was placed in the hands of government-appointed administrators after being at the centre of environmental scandal linked to high cancer rates in the Taranto area, earlier this year.

A farmer has suffered a significant loss to his flock of pedigree Beltex ewe lambs following a devastating dog attack which has left seven injured and one dead.

One lamb has died while seven more were left injured following a dog attack last Sunday (28 October) in Angus, Scotland.

The attack left seven of the lambs requiring antibiotics, three needing stitches and one has been given a poor prognosis from the vet.

One of the lambs injuries were so bad that it had to be put down.

The lambs were the result of embryo transfer and were the last in that genetic line which means this is a significant loss for the farmer, Neil Caul of Balkello, Auchterhouse, who discovered the aftermath of the attack in the morning of Sunday 28 October.

This attack is one more in a long line of sheep worrying incidents which have occurred across the country due to irresponsible owners not keeping control of their dogs.

Dog Control Notices

NFU Scotland has recently called for local authorities to increase the number of Dog Control Notices (DCNs) issued for livestock worrying incidences, which a recent Freedom of Information request from NFUS to all local authorities in Scotland highlighted was at a very low number.

The union has also called on the Scottish Government to implement a Dog Control Notice database for all dogs and dog owners which are issued DCNs.

It is hoped that this would not only aid in monitoring dogs which are issued DCNs but would also further discourage owners from letting them off their leads around livestock.

Following on from the attack, Mr Caul said: The attack on these lambs was horrific and distressing to all concerned and those irresponsible dog owners should be held accountable.

The owners should at least have had the decency to come forward and let me know of the incident.

Mr Caul added: Their dogs would have been covered in blood, they know they did it and other people know they did it. It was a very cowardly act and far stiffer penalties need to be introduced to those responsible.

NFU Scotland Legal and Technical Policy Manager, Gemma Cooper said: Despite an increase in public awareness over the last five years, figures show that incidences are still far too frequent, and something has to be done. This is not just a couple of sheep to Mr Caul, it is his business, his livelihood.

NFU Scotland is backing Emma Harper MSPs proposal of a Members Bill to tackle the high number of livestock attacks which occur throughout the Scottish countryside and is also urging Local Authorities to make more use of Dog Control Notices.The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust has announced the appointment of the 2019 Nuffield Scholars, who are to commence their studies and travels in next year.

The nineteen Scholars, who come from across UK agriculture, food and rural industries, will have the opportunity to travel for at least eight weeks in order to investigate their topic fully and explore global practices.

Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust award approximately 20 individuals each year with the opportunity to research topics of interest in either farming, food, horticulture or rural industries.

A bursary of approximately 7000 will be given towards your travel and subsistence expenses. In addition, the Trust and the individual award sponsor will meet travel and expenses in relation to the Pre Study Briefing and Contemporary Scholars Conference. The total value of an award is in excess of 12,000.

UK agriculture is entering a period of unprecedented change, environmentally, socially and politically, says Mike Vacher, Nuffield Director.

Our 2019 Scholars were selected from a strong set of applicants for their ability to lead positive change in farming, food, horticulture and other rural sectors, as well as their potential to inspire others during their scholarships and beyond."

The Scholarships will be formally awarded at the Nuffield Farming Conference in Glasgow in late November, after which the Scholars will commence their 18-month long studies.

2019 Nuffield Farming Scholars

Ed Barnston (Cheshire, West Midlands)

Topic: Estate Management - benchmarking success

Generously supported jointly by The Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills

Dan Burdett (Sussex, South East)

Topic: Increasing productivity through increasing diversity on UK dairy farms

Generously supported by McDonalds Restaurants

Hannah Eastaugh (Leicestershire, East Midlands)

Topic: What is next for UK free range egg production in a growing & increasingly welfare conscious market?

Generously supported by The BEMB Trust

Heidi Hall (Yorkshire, Northern)

Topic: The Power of the Microbiome to produce Happy, Healthy Pigs

Generously supported by The John Oldacre Foundation

Chris Harrap (Yorkshire, Northern)

Topic: Tourism/education diversification for pig farms - can indoor housing be made visually pleasing to the uninformed public, to encourage engagement?

Generously supported by The John Oldacre Foundation

Claire Hodge (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Topic: Connectivity in seed potato supply chains'

Generously supported by The MacRobert Trust

Alice Jones (Leicestershire, East Midlands)

Topic: Understanding varieties, husbandry techniques and best practice in the commercial cultivation of elders for the UK elderflower processing industries

Generously supported jointly by Thatchers Cider and The John Longwill's Agricultural Scheme

Mark Little (Craigavon, Northern Ireland)

Topic: Feeding for health, combating antimicrobial resistance

Generously supported by The Thomas Henry Foundation

Sam Martin (Hampshire, South East)

Topic: How can a greater focus on key profit drivers be facilitated by automation and innovation in grass-based systems?

Generously supported by The Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust as a Clyde Higgs Scholarship

Penny Montgomerie (Ayr, Scotland)

Topic: What role should Young Farmer groups play in shaping the future of British Agriculture?

Generously supported by The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland

Grace OGorman (Greater London, South East)

Topic: Animal medicine best practice, unlocking the potential for UK farming

Generously supported by the AHDB

Sarah Pick (Yorkshire, Northern)

Topic: Replacement heifer strategies for a productive and profitable suckler herd

Generously supported by The Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Worshipful Company of Butchers

John Remnant (Leicestershire, East Midlands)

Topic: Ensuring the veterinary profession meets the needs of livestock agriculture now and in the future

Generously supported by The Trehane Trust

Vicky Robinson (Oxfordshire, Central)

Topic: Farmer to Farmer Knowledge Exchange: Relevance, Challenges and Future Direction

Generously supported by The Central Region Farmers Trust

James Smaldon (Devon, South West)

Topic: The future of precision poultry farming and strategies to ensure best possible animal welfare

Generously supported by The Three Counties Agricultural Society and McDonalds Restaurants

James Standen (Northumberland, Northern)

Topic: Achieving excellence in university and college farms. Implementing best practice from home and abroad

Generously supported by The John Oldacre Foundation

Charlie Steer (Cheshire, West Midlands)

Topic: The Circular Farm. Minimising input for maximum output in a mixed farming system

Generously supported by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Richard Walker (Dumfriesshire, Scotland)

Topic: Turning British Dairying Optimism Into Commercial Reality - Identifying and Exploiting Post Brexit Dairy Export Markets

Generously supported jointly by The Food Chain Scholarship and The Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award

Duncan Williams (Devon, South West)

Topic: How to get the whole UK dairy industry using antibiotics responsibly

Generously supported jointly by The Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust and The Richard Lawes FoundationDairy exporters from the UK will join the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board this month at one of Chinas leading food and drink fairs.

Six exporters will showcase the high-quality and superior taste of their products, which includes cheese, butter, milk and cream, at this years FHC China  one of Asias most influential shows for the industry.

The 22nd edition of the show will run from 13-15 November and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. With an exhibition size of 120,000 sqm, the event attracts around 2,450 companies from 69 countries.

AHDBs dairy export team is returning for a third year with its biggest presence on the British Pavilion  which, for the first time, will include a collaborative stand featuring all six exporters.

As well as showcasing products from the UK, a chef will also be on hand to serve up a selection of Chinese and British dishes incorporating dairy products.

AHDB Senior Export Manager, Lucy Randolph said: As one of the leading tradeshows for international companies looking to introduce their products into the Chinese market, FHC China offers an incredible opportunity for UK exporters.

With influential trade visitors attending, it is vital that dairy exporters from the UK have a strong presence at the show to collaborate with key decision-makers in China and Asia to help grow our exports to this all-important market, she said.

AHDB will be joined on the stand by Somerdale, Coombe Castle, Wensleydale Creamery, The Fine Cheese Co, Grandma Singletons and Nemi Dairy.

The UK will also be present on the Meat Hall at this important show, where the AHDB British Meat Pavilion will host the leading UK pork exporters.

The pavilion provides an excellent platform to meet new and existing clients in the all-important Chinese pork market.Farmers are calling for urgent action from the Government to make changes to the legislative and fiscal frameworks within which agricultural tenancies operate.

At least one third of the agricultural area of England and Wales is farmed by those who rent their land.

Although there are many good landlord tenant relationships, too often farm tenants are operating under restrictive agreements on short lengths of term at rents which are too high, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said: Michael Gove talks about the unfrozen moment afforded by Brexit allowing the UK Governments to produce domestically designed agricultural policy, free from the shackles of EU constraints.

However, Defra and the other devolved administrations have never been constrained by the EU in respect of agricultural tenancy legislation, or the taxation environment within which it operates and yet they have failed to respond to the changes that have been called for over the last 10 to 15 years, he said.

In the summer of 2017, Defra asked the Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG) to set out a framework of recommendations which would allow the tenanted sector of agriculture to be both sustainable and resilient for the post Brexit era.

Collectively, the group provided its recommendations to Government around five headings which were legislative changes required to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, legislative changes required to the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, taxation changes, reform of county council smallholding estates and Government policy for new entrants and retirement.

Over a year has passed since TRIG reported to Defra, and it was fully anticipated by the tenant farming sector that many of its recommendations would have made their way into the Agriculture Bill currently in the Committee stage within the House of Commons.

However, the TFA said the Government has "failed" to deliver anything in the Bill. The group is now pressing for a Government amendment to new legislation before the end of the current Parliamentary year.

Minister of State, George Eustice, is meeting with members of TRIG and other stakeholders on 12 November with the expectation that Defra is about to announce a consultation exercise around the recommendations made by TRIG.

Mr Dunn added: Whilst we have got to be encouraged that Defra has not forgotten the need to address issues impacting the tenanted sector of agriculture, the TFA is concerned that a further period of consultation will merely push important issues into the long grass.

We need a clear commitment to legislation from Government and a firm steer from the Treasury that it will seriously look at the fiscal changes which both TRIG and the TFA have proposed.

He said: This is a must if we are to set the right economic framework for long-term, sustainable and productive farm tenancies.The NFU has marked one hundred years since the end of World War One by paying tribute to the heroes who fought and those who helped produce the nations food during a time of crisis.

Over 250,000 farmers enlisted with the British Army to fight on the front line.

At the same time 66,000 soldiers, 12,000 members of the Womens Land Army and 148,000 women helped to tend the countryside to produce food to sustain the war effort.

NFU President Minette Batters said: As the nation remembers those who fought and died on the front line, the NFU wanted to pay its tribute, however small, to the people who gave so much during a time of bitter conflict.

We also pay tribute to the people who helped produce food to sustain the nation  a key supporting role during the ongoing crisis."

Ms Batters said: "The sacrifices made during the Great War are still felt around the world today, and we join everyone in remembering the people who fought for our country both on and off the front line.

It comes as an artist with a farming background combines soil from Yorkshire and mud from Belgium to create a unique art piece commemorating those who fell during World War One.

Last year, an artist decorated a tractor with poppies she had shaped and painted herself in time for Remembrance Weekend.

Caroline Jones, from Widnes in Cheshire, decorated a Nuffield Tractor to remember those who served during the first and second world wars, and in particular for the Womens Land Army.Unless the Government can negotiate continued UK participation in the EUs chemical regulation system, chemicals registered by UK companies wont be valid for sale in the EU, according to an influential committee.

The UK will also have incomplete safety information about chemicals being used in the UK after Brexit, the House of Lords Committee concluded.

?The chemicals sector is the UKs second biggest manufacturing industry, and exported 18 billion of products to the EU last year.

The Lords said it is "vital" for both human and environmental health that these substances are regulated safely after Brexit, in a way that allows chemical trade between the UK and EU to continue.

As part of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations, chemicals cant be sold in the EU unless they are registered by a company or representative based in the EU.

This means UK-based chemical companies risk losing access to the EU market unless they transfer their registrations, but the Committee found that this may not be possible before the UK leaves the EU, creating the risk of a trading hiatus.

Slow progress

Despite the importance of the chemicals sector to the UKs economy, the Committee concludes that the Governments preparations for addressing the Brexit challenge are not progressing quickly enough.

This risks human and environmental health, as well as disruption to the many supply chains that rely on access to chemicals produced across the EU.

If the UK cannot secure continued access to REACH, the Committee expresses concern about the Governments alternative plan to create its own database of chemicals approved for use in the UK.

In evidence given to the Committee the Minister responsible said they planned to simply copy and paste information from the EUs database, which the Committee concludes is not credible and raises serious legal concerns.

Lord Teverson, Chairman of the Committee, said: Chemical regulation might seem like a niche area of Brexit considerations, but chemicals are used to make products that we all use every day, and the chemical sector is key to the UKs economy.

At the moment theyre regulated by REACH, which combines legislation with an EU database, an EU regulator and the EU Single Market to keep us all safe.

Lord Teverson added: Although we welcome the Governments aim to remain part of the REACH system after Brexit, its negotiation red line on the UKs membership of the Single Market makes that highly unlikely.

That means it urgently needs to be working on a Plan B, and that simply hasnt happened, which leaves the sector facing a huge cliff-edge on the day we leave the EU, he said.

The Committee is calling on the Government to:

 Urgently explain how its independent regulatory regime would work;

 Put forward a more credible plan for collecting information on chemicals;

 Identify which UK agency will take on the role of chemical regulation; and

 Enable UK chemical businesses, including SMEs, to take steps to maintain their access to the EU market ahead of exit day.Farmer impaled by tine thanks those who saved his life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.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.(ANSA) - Rome, November 7 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that an overhaul of Italy's statute of limitations to stop criminals getting off because cases time out was crucial for his 5-Star Movement (M5S). There has been tension within the government over proposals to overhaul the statute of limitations, which have reportedly been met with resistance from the M5S's coalition partners in the League.

League leader, Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini has said that, while a reform of the statute of limitations was needed, it is also necessary to ensure cases do not drag on forever. "Breakfast this morning with (Justice) Minister (Alfonso) Bonafede to asses the situation on the anti-corruption measures that will soon be debated in parliament," Di Maio said via Instagram.

"Prison for the corrupt, bans from public office for the corrupt, statute of limitations after the first-instance verdict in criminal trials.

"The latter is a fundamental battle of ours for justice".

Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-CategoryDiwali In London

The entire Kapoor khandaan is in London to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali. Going by the picture, it looks like they're enjoying every single second of their stay together. Being with family during the festive season is the best feeling ever, isn't it?

Show At The Hamilton

The Kapoor family is surely one of the luckiest as they got tickets to the Hamilton. Usually, people find it really hard to obtain tickets to the show as its way too expensive and also gets sold out very quickly.

Walking The Streets Of London

Anil Kapoor and his beloved wife Sunita Kapoor walked the streets of London just like commoners and thankfully, they didn't get mobbed there like how it happens back in Mumbai.

What's A London Trip Without A Party?

Yes, it's true! A trip to London without a party sounds boring and Anil Kapoor and Sunita Kapoor are doing just that. Also, look closely at the picture, Anil Kapoor is having a Cuban cigar and has a shot of scotch whiskey in his hands. It's good times indeed!NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 6, 2018 / MonitorChain -- the real-time surveillance and smart contract alert system -- has partnered with software and blockchain development company The SilverLogic (TSL) to enhance their token contract security.

MonitorChain will provide an on-chain Ethereum contract monitoring and alert service to token contracts developed by TSL. Smart contract security has become a severe problem in the cryptocurrency space following the persistent high-profile exploits of token contracts, leading to millions in stolen funds.

The MonitorChain surveillance system enables instant alerts to TSL when specific triggers within smart contracts are executed. These triggers are based on the critical functions within a contract's code needed to exploit them and move funds to exchanges. TSL provides token contract development services for upcoming ICOs and STOs. Integrating MonitorChain into their services confers preventative security measures to their contracts, adding an important security layer.

The SilverLogic CEO, David Hartmann, stated:

'The focus of our blockchain solution is a simple user experience for all parties involved. Part of this effort is selecting best in class partners for KYC, signing, and other relevant areas. Together with MonitorChain, we have now found our partner in security monitoring.'

The MonitorChain alert system enables TSL to be notified about triggers in smart contracts such as changes to supply and minting rules, large transfers, and smart contract rules violations. TSL will be updated on instances of contract exploits in real-time, which will allow them to activate freeze functions in token contracts or even alert exchanges to blacklist the addresses trying to liquidate stolen funds.

Preventative measures offered by MonitorChain provide a crucial last line of defense and augment existing security standards such as smart contract auditing. MonitorChain is a product of the company Zenchain, led by CEO Seth Hornby, who commented:

'The best form of security is preventative, and together with The SilverLogic, MonitorChain intends to provide the highest level of fraud prevention in upcoming token contracts. By combining TSL's technical expertise with our cutting edge security monitoring, we aim to raise the bar for quality and trust in future token sales.'

Attack vectors continue to evolve in the emerging cryptocurrency ecosystem. Delivering preventative security measures with MonitorChain offers not only a powerful deterrent to hackers but also strong assurances to The SilverLogic's customers that their token contracts are not subject to potentially catastrophic exploits. Their partnership represents the significant progress made in emphasizing improved smart contract security in the industry.

About MonitorChain:

MonitorChain is an on-chain Ethereum Oracle alert system that surveys smart contracts across the network for changes to critical functions in token contracts. A product of Zenchain -- who is based in Victoria, BC Canada -- MonitorChain provides a security solution for exchanges, token issuers, and traders alike. Users can subscribe to the real-time surveillance system with graded alert levels based on the severity of triggers in contract functions.

About The SilverLogic:

The SilverLogic is a software development company in Boca Raton, FL that provides custom software including blockchain and smart contract development services. Their services range from customized payment solutions to distributed applications and record management. The SilverLogic also offers token contract development for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Security Token Offerings (STOs) on blockchain networks.

Contact:

shazirm@aol.com

SOURCE: MonitorChain

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527318/MonitorChain-and-the-SilverLogic-Partner-to-Enhance-Token-Contract-SecurityThe Tata Power Company to deploy an initial 35 MWh Energy Vault system planned for 2019; CEMEX partnership will support rapid adoption and deployment of Energy Vault's unique storage solution

Energy Vault, an Idealab company that creates renewable energy storage products, today announced the commercial availability of its groundbreaking solution. Based on the principles that underpin traditional gravity-based pumped hydro plants, the new technology combines conventional physics fundamentals of potential and kinetic energy with a proprietary, cloud-based software platform to operate a newly developed six-arm crane. The crane operation is fully automated and orchestrates the positioning of the massive concrete bricks that provide the basis for the efficient storage and discharge of electricity. The innovative use of low cost and environmentally-friendly waste debris concrete materials enables the Energy Vault system to achieve significantly lower cost per kilowatt-hour and high round trip efficiency while delivering a 30-40 year life without any degradation in storage capacity. The company also announced an agreement with The Tata Power Company Limited, India's largest integrated power company, to deploy an initial 35 MWh Energy Vault system with deployment expected in 2019. In addition, the company announced a technology and commercial partnership with CEMEX Research Group AG, a Swiss subsidiary of Mexico-based CEMEX (NYSE:CX, that will focus on material applications which include the optimization of various concrete based composite materials that will support Energy Vault's system deployments globally.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181106006096/en/

Energy Vault storage tower co-located with wind farm (Photo: Business Wire)

Renewables have struggled to more fully replace fossil fuel power due to production unpredictability and intermittency from reliance on factors such as wind and sunlight. In the absence of more efficient and cost-effective storage, the amount of electricity that can be delivered to the grid from renewable energy sources, even though now widely affordable, has been limited.

Energy Vault's breakthrough technology was inspired by pumped hydro plants that rely on the power of gravity and the movement of water to store and discharge electricity. The company's solution is based on the same well-understood fundamentals used in those plants, but replaces the water with custom made concrete bricks through an extremely innovative use of low-cost materials. The large bricks are combined with Energy Vault's patented system design and proprietary algorithm-based software, which calibrates the energy storage and subsequent electricity discharge while accounting for a variety of factors, including power supply, energy demand volatility, and weather. As a result, the company can deliver all the benefits of a pumped hydro system, but at a much lower price, higher roundtrip efficiency and without the requirement for specific land topography and negative environmental or wildlife impacts.

The system specifications and attributes include:

35 MWh nominal energy capacity and 4 MW peak power; can be modulated as required

Millisecond response ramp time with 100 percent full power achieved in 2.9 seconds, supporting critical Ancillary Services (spinning reserve, frequency response, black start, etc.)

Roundtrip efficiency of ~90 percent; zero storage degradation over time with no energy loss; >30-year lifetime with unlimited cycles

Disruptive economics ~50 percent below existing solutions on a capex $/kWh basis, ~80 percent lower when factoring in system life, operating, maintenance and replacement cost on a levelized cost of storage (LCOS) basis

Environmental sustainability of all materials through the product lifetime with utilization of debris materials that would otherwise be required to be land-filled

Further bolstering its eco-friendly advantages over existing chemical storage solutions is the fact that Energy Vault's storage conduit the large concrete bricks do not degrade over time and therefore eliminates the need for replacement equipment. Future systems will roughly double the amount of MWh energy storage capacity and peak power discharge while continuing to significantly reduce the cost.

Platform flexibility is one of the most critical investment criteria for energy providers, and the Energy Vault system was developed to be suitable for both "in front of the meter" and "behind the meter" applications. It can also be paired with renewable generation like solar PV for offgrid and microgrid solutions, allowing commercial and industrial customers to maximize their renewable power usage and delivering on the promise of reliable 24 hour a day power to remote towns and villages in emerging markets.

"The world needs rapidly scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions to meet one of the most urgent challenges the need to decarbonize our energy generation and we're thrilled to launch Energy Vault's unique technology to help solve this problem," said Robert Piconi, chief executive officer and co-founder, Energy Vault. "In addition to the vital environmental benefits that it provides, the system's radical reduction in $kWh and overall levelized cost of storage enables our customers to provide dispatchable and baseload power cheaper than fossil fuels for the very first time. We're also excited to begin our important collaboration with CEMEX whose innovation in material composite technologies and global footprint will help accelerate achieving our collective sustainability goals."

Energy Vault's new technology collaboration and development agreement with CEMEX Research Group AG (Switzerland) will enable joint technology teams to focus on material applications which include the optimization of various concrete and soil composite materials that form an integral part of Energy Vault's storage solution. The collaboration also includes a focus on carbon and CO 2 reduction methodologies given the role that utility-scale energy storage will now play in enabling various renewable energy technologies.

"Energy Vault's team has developed a disruptive platform, and we are enthusiastic to work with their team to deploy an environmentally efficient and cost-effective energy storage solution that is highly viable," said Dr. Davide Zampini, Head of CEMEX Global R&D and IP. "We share a common commitment to enable a future where resources are used responsibly, which is paramount to CEMEX's strategy for sustainable development."

"Innovation in energy storage represents the largest and most near term opportunity to accelerate renewable deployments and bring us closer to replacing fossil fuels as the primary source to meet the world's continual growth in energy demand," said Bill Gross, co-founder, Energy Vault, and founder, Idealab. "We're excited to support Energy Vault in bringing this groundbreaking technology to the market."

As part of its efforts to rapidly bring projects to market, Energy Vault has initial agreements with customers on multiple continents.

The announcement is being made at the Energy Storage North America (ESNA) conference at which Bill Gross will deliver a keynote address later today.

About Energy Vault

Energy Vault, an Idealab portfolio company, is a creator of renewable energy storage products that are revolutionizing the approach to long duration, utility scale energy storage. Applying conventional physics fundamentals of gravity and potential energy, the system combines an innovative six-arm crane design that lifts specially designed, massive concrete bricks with a proprietary, cloud-based software platform that orchestrates the storage and discharge of electricity. Utilizing 100 percent eco-friendly materials at unmatched cost levels, Energy Vault is accelerating the transformation to a fully renewable world.

For more information about Energy Vault, please visit energyvault.ch

About CEMEX

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable services to customers and communities in more than 50 countries. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com

About Tata Power

Tata Power is India's largest integrated power company and, together with its subsidiaries jointly controlled entities, has an installed capacity of 10857 MW. A pioneer in the field, it has a presence across the entire power value chain: Generation of renewable as well as conventional power including hydro and thermal energy; transmission distribution, trading and coal freight logistics. With renewable energy assets in solar and wind accounting for 22% of the company's portfolio, Tata Power is a leader in clean energy generation. In line with the company's view on sustainable and clean energy development, Tata Power is steering the transformation of utilities to integrated solutions by looking at new business growth in EV charging storage, distributed generation rooftops, microgrids and home automation smart meters.

It has successful public-private partnerships in generation, transmission distribution in India namely: 'Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.' with Delhi Vidyut Board for distribution in North Delhi; 'Tata Power Ajmer Distribution Ltd.' with Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. for distribution in Ajmer; 'Powerlinks Transmission Ltd.' with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. for evacuation of Power from Tala hydro plant in Bhutan to Delhi; 'Maithon Power Ltd.' with Damodar Valley Corporation for a 1050 MW Mega Power Project at Jharkhand. Tata Power is serving more than 2.6 million distribution consumers in India and has developed the country's first 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Mundra (Gujarat) based on super-critical technology.

With growing international focus, Tata Power's global presence includes strategic investments in Indonesia through a 30% stake in the coal company PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC); 26% stake in mines at PT Baramulti Suksessarana Tbk (BSSR); in Singapore through Trust Energy Resources; in South Africa through a joint venture called 'Cennergi' to develop projects in sub-Sahara Africa; in Zambia through a 50:50 joint venture with ZESCO for 120 MW Hydro project; in Georgia through AGL which is a joint venture with Clean Energy, Norway IFC for development of 187 MW hydro project; in Bhutan through a hydro project in partnership with The Royal Government of Bhutan.

With its 103 years track record of technology leadership, project execution excellence, world-class safety processes, customer care and driving green initiatives, Tata Power is poised for multi-fold growth and committed to 'lighting up lives' for generations to come. Visit us at: www.tatapower.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181106006096/en/

Contacts:

For Energy Vault:

Isaac Steinmetz

isaac@antennagroup.com

or

For CEMEX:

Media Relations

Jorge Perez, +52(81) 8888-4334

mr@cemex.comESSEN, Germany, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Brenntag (WKN A1DAHH), the global market leader in chemical distribution, posted further growth in the third quarter of 2018, recording an increase in its two key performance indicators operating gross profit and operating EBITDA. In light of the generally sound performance, the Brenntag Group is confirming its forecast for full-year 2018.

Brenntag generated sales of 3,221.8 million EUR in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 12.1% on the prior-year figure on a constant currency basis (+11.4% as reported). The operating gross profit achieved by the Group came to 678.0 million EUR, a rise of 7.9% on a constant currency basis (+7.2% as reported). Operating EBITDA rose by 5.0% compared with the good prior-year quarter on a constant currency basis (+3.9% as reported) to 224.5 million EUR. Profit after tax was up on the prior-year figure of 100.8 million EUR to 110.5 million EUR in the third quarter of 2018. This translates into earnings per share attributable to Brenntag shareholders of 0.72 EUR (+10.8%).

Steven Holland, CEO Brenntag AG, said, "In the third quarter, we saw further growth in our existing business combined with positive contributions from our acquisitions. The business demonstrated resilience in a slightly more challenging environment. In light of this generally positive performance, we are confirming our guidance for full-year 2018, forecasting operating EBITDA of between 870 and 900 million EUR."

In light of these results and the generally positive performance, Brenntag is confirming its guidance for full-year 2018, continuing to forecast clear growth in its key performance indicators operating gross profit and operating EBITDA. The Group confirms that it expects operating EBITDA to be in the 870 to 900 million EUR range, assuming that exchange rates remain unchanged over the period to year-end.

Find all figures and details for Q3 2018 on Brenntag's website: https://www.brenntag.com

Contact:

Hubertus Spethmann

Brenntag AG

Corporate Communications

Messeallee 11

45131 Essen

Germany

Telephone: +49 (201) 6496-1732

E-Mail: hubertus.spethmann@brenntag.de

https://www.brenntag.comChanges in the Supervisory Board

ABN AMRO announced today that Steven ten Have and Frederieke Leeflang have stated they will step down as members of ABN AMRO's Supervisory Board next year, in order to allow for the appointment of Ms Anna Storakers and Mr Michiel Lap, two intended new members with extensive experience in the financial sector. Anna Storakers and Michiel Lap will be nominated for appointment to the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting in April 2019 for a period of four years. Their appointment will be subject to regulatory approval.

Tom de Swaan, chairman of the Supervisory Board: "I'm pleased to be able to announce that we have two good candidates with broad experience in the financial sector, meeting our wish to further enhance the banking expertise within the Supervisory Board."

Anna Storakers spent the past nine years years working for Nordea, where she gained extensive experience in retail banking.

Michiel Lap has been working for international banks for many years, mainly in corporate and investment banking in London, including at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. Since 2015, he has been a Supervisory Board member at Arcadis.

Tom de Swaan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: "I fully respect Steven ten Have and Frederieke Leeflang's decision to step down in order to allow the Supervisory Board to take on members with more banking expertise. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank them for their valuable contributions in the past few years."

Steven ten Have has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2010. He held the position of interim Chairman of the Supervisory Board and was willing to prolong his involvement with ABN AMRO in order to ensure continuity of the Board's chairmanship.

Frederieke Leeflang has accepted other positions that are more closely related to her professional interests and disciplines, and that require a significant time commitment.

ABN AMRO Press Office

Jeroen van Maarschalkerweerd

Head of Media Relations & PA

pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com (mailto:pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com)

+31 20 6288900 ABN AMRO Investor Relations

Dies Donker

Head of Investor Relations investorrelations@nl.abnamro.com (mailto:investorrelations@nl.abnamro.com)

+31 20 6282282









This press release is published by ABN AMRO Group N.V. and contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation)

Press Release ABN AMRO - Changes in the Supervisory Board (http://hugin.info/172722/R/2224473/872227.pdf)



This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: ABN AMRO via Globenewswire

(article 14, subparagraph 1 of the law of 2 May 2007 regarding the disclosure of important shareholdings in listed companies)

Regulatory News:

ASIT biotech (Paris:ASIT) (BSE:ASIT) (ASIT BE0974289218), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and future commercialization of breakthrough immunotherapy products for the treatment of allergies, today announces that it has received a transparency notification dated 13 November, 2018, the result of which is following a capital increase completed on November 8th - that Rodolphe de Spoelberch have now 9,90% of the Company's voting rights, and has thus decreased its stake below the 10% threshold.

The statement dated 13 November 2018 notably includes the following information:

Purpose of the notification

Passive crossing of a threshold

Notification by

A person who notifies alone

Person subject to the notification requirement

Rodolphe de Spoelberch Rue Joseph Stallaert 20, 1050 Bruxelles

Date of the transaction

November 8th, 2018

Threshold crossed (%)

Downward crossing of the 10% threshold

Denominator

A total of 18,054,347 voting rights

This notification is available on ASIT biotech's website, in the Documentation Regulated information section: https://www.asitbiotech.com/investors/documentation

About ASIT biotech

ASIT biotech is a Belgian clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and future commercialization of a range of breakthrough immunotherapy products for the treatment of allergies. Thanks to its innovative ASIT+ technology platform, ASIT biotech is currently the only developer of allergy immunotherapy (AIT) product candidates consisting of a unique mixture of highly purified natural allergen fragments in an optimal size selection. This innovation results in a short treatment, expected to improve patient compliance and real-life effectiveness. ASIT biotech's product pipeline contains three novel ASIT+ product candidates targeting respiratory allergies with the highest prevalence (i.e. grass pollen: gp-ASIT+ and house dust mite: hdm-ASIT+), and food allergies (peanut allergy: pnt-ASIT+) that could significantly expand the current immunotherapy market. The Company believes that its innovative ASIT+ platform is flexible and would be applicable across a range of allergies.

ASIT biotech has a headcount of 26 staff members, at its headquarters in Brussels and a laboratory in Liege, Belgium.

Further information can be found at www.asitbiotech.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181114005682/en/

Contacts:

Company

Thierry Legon, CEO

ASIT biotech

Tel.: +32 2 264 03 90

investors@asitbiotech.com

Media and Investor Relations France

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky Pierre Laurent

Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

asitbiotech@newcap.eu

Media Relations Belgium

Laure-Eve Monfort

Tel.: +32 2 290 90 93

monfort@comfi.beItalian Manufacturer of Home Heating Products Will Support Jtul's Transformation Plan

OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire AICO S.p.A. ("AICO"), an Italian manufacturer of residential stoves, fireplaces, boilers and cookers from Ambienta SGR, a European private equity group. Closing is expected by the middle of November, 2018. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AICO offers a wide range of premium home heating products that are energy efficient and utilize pellets, a renewable energy source. The business features two well-established brands, Ravelli and Elledi, and they are exported to more than 40 countries. Headquartered in Palazzolo sull'Oglio, Italy, AICO's 150 employees oversee the design, manufacturing and in-house testing to ensure all products comply with European quality, safety and environmental compliance standards.

Upon completion of the transaction, AICO will be a synergistic add-on to Jtul Group ("Jtul"), a business acquired by OpenGate in March of 2018. Jtul is a Norwegian manufacturer of home heating products, primarily inserts, fireplaces and wood stoves, with four brands that are distributed across 45 countries, including Europe, North America and Asia. AICO will enhance the Jtul product portfolio with pellet technology products, a growing market for consumers demanding an alternative to wood-based home heating products.

Fabien Marcantetti, Managing Director at OpenGate Capital, led the transaction from the firm's Paris office and stated, "A key aspect in OpenGate's acquisition of Jtul is to identify both organic and inorganic opportunities for growth. Through AICO, we will immediately enhance Jtul and create synergies, enrich the product portfolio and expand into new markets. From an OpenGate perspective, this acquisition will mark an important step toward achieving our full potential plan for Jtul."

"We have been working closely with OpenGate's team of professionals on the AICO transaction, and we are happy with this add-on to our existing business. Upon completion of this investment, AICO's products will expand the Jtul portfolio, and enable the business to be a more complete supplier to the many exclusive and multi-brand specialty dealers. This is especially important in the Latin European Market, where use of pellets technology for heating is growing. This transaction will create synergies and give AICO the possibility to expand into new markets," said Jtul CEO, Nils Agnar Brunborg.

Jtul was the eighth acquisition through OpenGate Capital's first institutional fund, following the firm's previous acquisitions of Power Partners, Energi Fenestration Solutions, Bois Materiaux, Alfatherm, EverZinc, Hufcor and Mersive Technologies.

About OpenGate Capital

OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate's professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions, including corporate carve-outs, management buy-outs, special situations and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com.

About Jtul

Jtul is one of the world's oldest producers of stoves, inserts and fireplaces. Building on a proud Norwegian heritage, Jtul combines fine craftsmanship with the art of coping with the cold for 160 years. Jtul is headquartered in Fredrikstad, Norway and features four prominent brands Jtul, Scan, Ild and Atra, and proudly sells to 45 countries around the world. To learn more about Jtul, please visit: www.jotul.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005172/en/

Contacts:

OpenGate Media Contacts

Alanna Chaffin

Email: achaffin@opengatecapital.com

Telephone: +1 (310) 432-7000

or

Sitrick Company

Mike Sitrick

Email: Mike_Sitrick@sitrick.com

Telephone: +1 (310) 788-2850

or

OpenGate Business Development Contact

Joshua Adams

Email: jadams@opengatecapital.com

Telephone: +1 (310) 432-7000

or

Jtul Media Contact

Nils Agnar Brunborg

Email: Nils.Brunborg@jotul.no

Telephone: +47 (90) 60 55 78TOKYO and LONDON, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Sosei Group Corporation ("Sosei" or "the Company") (TSE: 4565), announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Heptares Therapeutics has entered a new collaboration agreement designed to extend its leadership in GPCR medicine design and accelerate new drug discovery.

The collaboration agreement with Germany-based DyNAbind GmbH aims to pioneer the application of next-generation DNA-based technologies against Stabilized Receptor (StaR) proteins to rapidly generate and optimize selective and potent small molecule drug candidates for multiple GPCR drug targets, including historically hard-to-drug targets.

Dr Malcolm Weir, Executive Vice President and Chief R&D Officer, said: "This exciting collaboration offers an opportunity to enhance further our world-leading StaR technology and structure-based drug discovery platform. By working with DyNAbind to deploy the very latest advances in DNA-encoded library technologies with StaR proteins we are adding a new approach to generate drug candidates to progress into our pipeline. This represents yet another example of how the Company is seeking out cutting-edge technologies to strengthen our platform and discovery capabilities and thereby maximize the long-term value we can derive from StaR proteins."

Financial terms of the collaboration are not disclosed. There are no material financial costs to the Company under the collaboration agreement, and Sosei retains all rights to advance the best compounds into discovery and development.

About DyNAbind

DyNAbind GmbH is a start-up company based in Dresden, Germany, offering a next-generation platform of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technologies for drug discovery and optimization. DyNAbind's founders have years of experience in developing and working with DEL technologies, which has driven the development of their novel Dynamic Library platform.

By specifically tuning a DNA architecture for transient interactions, fragment molecules in the library dynamically self-assemble and rearrange themselves into ideal binding structures, offering dramatically improved signal-to-noise ratios and reduced false positive hit rates. Follow-up quantitative hit validation can begin without the need for hit resynthesis, allowing meaningful results to arrive in days instead of months.

About Sosei

Sosei is an international biopharmaceutical company focused on the design and development of new medicines originating from its proprietary GPCR-targeted StaR technology and structure-based drug design platform capabilities. The Company is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of partnered and wholly owned product candidates in multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, cancer, metabolic diseases and other rare/specialty indications. The Company's leading clinical programs include a proprietary Phase 2 candidate for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in Japan, together with partnered candidates aimed at the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease (with Allergan) and immuno-oncology approaches to treat cancer (with AstraZeneca). Sosei's additional partners and collaborators include Novartis, Pfizer, Daiichi-Sankyo, PeptiDream, Kymab and MorphoSys. The Company is headquartered in Japan with R&D facilities in the UK and Switzerland.

Sosei is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (code: 4565). For more information, please visit http://www.sosei.com/en/.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Enquiries:

Sosei

Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

+81(0)3-5210-3399

Shinichiro Nishishita, Yu Okada

ir@sosei.com



Citigate Dewe Rogerson (for international media)

Mark Swallow, David Dible

sosei@citigatedewerogerson.com

+44(0)20-7638-9571

ROME - The NGO Save the Children said Wednesday that over 150 people had been killed in the fighting in Yemen's port city Hodeidah and that a health facility that it supports had been hit.



''Soldiers allied to the Government of Yemen are now waging a battle within the city area. The lives of hundreds of thousands of people, roughly half of them children, are in danger.



Artillery shelling is being used heavily by all sides. More than 150 people have been reported killed,'' it said in a statement. ''A Save the Children supported health facility in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah came under attack this morning, damaging one of the pharmacies that supplies life-saving medicines.



Shelling has also hit residential areas,'' it added. ''On the night of November 4, the Saudi and Emirati-led Coalition escalated their current military offensive including heavy airstrikes over the coastal city of Hodeidah. Soldiers allied to the Government of Yemen are now waging a battle within the city area. The lives of hundreds of thousands of people, roughly half of them children, are in danger,'' it said. The statement concluded by saying that there ''were temporary road blocks preventing people from leaving or entering the city overnight, in effect trapping them in an active conflict zone.



Save the Children is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of civilians trapped inside Hodeidah and urges the warring parties to stop the fighting immediately and seek a political solution to this brutal conflict. The UN Security Council must make this a reality.''AMSTERDAM, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Dutch proptech platform Lone Rooftop is set to expand into U.S. and global markets after securing funding from venture capitalist Nimbus Ventures. The $2.5 million investment earns Nimbus a coveted shareholder position and will directly fund Lone Rooftop's ambitious growth strategy to become the leading space utilization platform. It will also fund the company's massive scale-up over the next two years - with employee numbers expected to jump from 20 to over 100.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/780066/Lone_Rooftop.jpg )



Since its inception in 2014, Lone Rooftop has been helping large enterprises tackle inefficiency and optimize space utilization by up to 20-percent while saving organizations millions. By leveraging existing data sources like WiFi, integrating sensor data and applying smart algorithms, Lone Rooftop's Position Intelligence Engine (PIE) continuously calculates where and how many people are present inside a building - providing rich data and actionable insight in their proprietary dashboards. Alongside space optimization, this data is also being used to help employees find an available workspace or conference room as well as achieve energy savings by making lighting and climate systems smarter.

Accelerated U.S. Expansion

After gaining a strong footing in the Dutch and Western European market with huge potential for growth, Lone Rooftop sees the United States as the next natural frontier for their smart building software technology. "The increasing demand for our product from the U.S as well as the sheer size of the North American real estate portfolios are clear drivers for the decision to establish ourselves here," Lone Rooftop founder and CEO, Marcel Lamers, explained.

With funding secured, Lone Rooftop will open their first U.S. operation on the East Coast with the support of expanded product development and sales operation teams. "With this investment, we can realize our dream of global expansion and strengthen the role of our platform within the international global corporate real estate market," Lamers went on to say.

Global Opportunity

Alongside blue-chip customers such as ABN AMRO Bank, Philips and Royal HaskoningDHV in the Netherlands - the Smart Building SaaS Specialist is working with a growing number of international corporations who benefit from the rollout of Lone Rooftop technology across their global offices. The new capital will further fund this global support and expansion.

"Because our solution is characterized as a software implementation, we are very scalable, which means the growth potential is tremendous," admitted Lamers. "The smart building IoT market in the Netherlands is highly innovative and far ahead of other countries. We're looking forward to bringing this technology to global corporations - as no matter where you are in the world, or how big your company is, real estate costs represent one of the largest expenses."

Nimbus Ventures' Support for Growth

Nimbus Ventures is an independent venture capital fund for growth capital investments with a focus on innovative and scalable technologies. The Netherlands-based fund takes a hands-on approach to their investments, providing both strategic and tactical support that spans positioning, administration, optimization and strategic partnership guidance as the company scales.

This is the fifth investment for the relatively young investment fund, Lone Rooftop joining the ranks of Easee (online eye measurements), Reailisation (inventory optimization software for retail), Agrocares (agri-tech) and Boomerweb (a SaaS E-health solution). Now, Lone Rooftop looks forward to the same support demonstrated by Nimbus with the other companies in their portfolio.

Nimbus Ventures Partner, Auke van den Hout: "Next to the scalability of Lone Rooftop's product, we like the enormous potential in the smart building market. We look forward to working together on the international success of this company."SHANGHAI, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first import-themed national-level exhibition, which kicked off in Shanghai on November 5, 2018, Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. (Hainan Airlines) and Rolls-Royce Ltd., one of the world's three largest producers of aircraft engines, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the purchase of engines. The MOU is expected to facilitate a productive relationship between the two companies.

"This MOU further strengthens our successful cooperation and deepens our friendship with Rolls-Royce," said a spokesperson for Hainan Airlines. "Hainan Airlines celebrated the 10th anniversary of its cooperation with Rolls-Royce last year and looks forward to a deeper collaboration with the engine vendor in the fields of civil aviation, leadership development and management training."

"We are delighted to sign a MOU with Hainan Airlines on the engine purchase and TotalCare services at the CIIE. The MOU has consolidated our long-term relationship with the Chinese airline," stated Paul Freestone, Senior Vice President, Customers, Civil Aerospace, at Rolls-Royce. "Going forward, Rolls-Royce is committed to meeting the needs of the Chinese civil aviation market and creating greater value for customers by providing advanced products and innovative services."

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/721051/Hainan_Airlines_logo.jpg



KIBBUTZ YIZREEL, Israel, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Visit Maytronics' booth (Hall 4, Stand #4C52-54) to see world preview of new robotic pool cleaning solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT technologies, and advanced automation

Maytronics, the global leader in robotic pool cleaners, will make a massive splash at the upcoming Piscine Global show, at Eurexpo Lyon, 13-16 November 2018. Maytronics will debut a broad set of innovative technologies and products that together kick off a new era in pool cleaning. The new solutions will be exhibited at the Maytronics booth Hall 4, Stand #4C52-54.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/780926/Maytronics.jpg )



Introducing the smartest robotic pool cleaners

The show will mark the worldwide premiere of Maytronics' new line of smart robotic pool cleaners driven by revolutionary self-learning Opteq technology that enables personalized robotic pool cleaning by a robot that learns the pool and knows what it needs- an industry first. The new robots give pool owners unprecedented control as well as more freedom than ever, for a more enjoyable pool experience.

New "Always Connected" capabilities and new MyDolphin app

Maytronics will also present its new "Always Connected" cloud services, which enable pool owners to control their robots from anywhere via a new MyDolphin mobile app, using IoT connectivity of their robots to the Maytronics Cloud. "Always Connected" is being introduced with the new line of smart robots, selected Maytronics Dolphin M-Line and S-Line models, and the latest addition to the Maytronics Dolphin M-Line family - the M600. It will also be available with selected private label models.

First demos of Maytronics Poolside Connect solution - Allowing cable-free poolside area

The new Poolside Connect is a simple and esthetic inductive link solution for underwater power and communication with the robotic cleaner. Supporting selected Maytronics Dolphin robots, Poolside Connect enables a cable-free poolside area, even when the robot is working in the pool.

New line of premium pool covers

Targeting the high-end pool market, Maytronics is launching a new line of custom-made above-ground and underwater pool covers. The above-ground covers are available in white and stainless steel, with a solar version coming in 2019. The underwater covers are fully integrated in the pool environment with submerged grating and are ingeniously designed for ease of installation.

"These new solutions, and others that we will be introducing over the coming year, open a new era in pool cleaning," says Eyal Tryber, Maytronics' CEO. "As always, Maytronics is proud to lead the industry in innovation that drives new opportunities and growth for our customers and an ever-more exceptional experience for consumers."

New Authorized Reseller Program for Europe

Consumers and customers know they can trust Maytronics to stand behind its products and its brand. As part of these ground-breaking initiatives and Maytronics' commitment to the consumer experience, Maytronics is excited to introduce its new European Authorized Reseller Programme at Piscine Global 2018. The Programme recognises that Maytronics products are not only defined by their innovative technologies but by reliability and excellent end-user support throughout the life of the product. The Programme will thus ensure a consistently high-quality retail and after-sales service experience across Maytronics' European dealer network and will reward our customers for their investments in education, service and enhancing brand value.

Visit the Maytronics booth for live demos and more

Product demonstrations and presentations will run throughout the show at the Maytronics booth.

Media inquiries:

Noa Yonish

Maytronics Brand Manager

Mobile: +972-50-7589973

Mail: noa.yonish@maytronics.comAsseco South Eastern Europe (Asseco SEE), a leading provider of IT solutions and services for banks in the SEE region, and the NextGenPSD2 Implementation Support Programme (NISP), which supports banks and interbank processors throughout Europe in implementing the Berlin Group NextGenPSD2 Framework, have announced that Asseco SEE has joined NISP in its efforts to deliver assistance to banks regarding implementation and achieving compliance with all relevant PSD2 requirements.

Within the new financial landscape introduced by the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), the Berlin Group emerged as a widely respected, pan-European payments interoperability standards and harmonisation initiative. Aiming to provide further support in addition to standardization, a group of NextGenPSD2 implementers identified the necessity for assistance in the implementation domain and formed a new initiative NextGenPSD2 Implementation Support Programme (NISP) with a goal to help implementers achieve fallback exemption and reduce interoperability issues.

"We are proud that our initiative to support banks and other market participants through our NextGenPSD2 Implementation Support Program has gained recognition by more than 20 member organizations. Having Asseco SEE as a solution vendor and NISP member will significantly contribute to the diversity and bring added value to the support we can provide in order to help resolve any interoperability issues," said Dr. Ortwin Scheja, Project Lead of NISP.

Pointing out Asseco SEE's broad range of solutions and services, along with the proven experience in the implementation of digital banking and compliance solutions, Mr. Predrag Popovic, Asseco SEE Group Product Director, commented: "It is our great honour to be the first vendor to join the NextGenPSD2 Implementation Support Programme (NISP). With our know-how incorporated in the PSD2 Enabler solution, which fits the Berlin Group NextGenPSD2 Framework and enables full PSD2 compliance out of the box, we are sure our participation in the NextGenPSD2 Implementation Support Programme will be of immense assistance to all NISP members enabling them to optimise their implementations, deliver maximum quality and have their questions answered."

Earlier, Asseco SEE supported the Berlin Group's NextGenPSD2 Conference 2017, participated in the public market consultation on the specification content, and also delivered a series of PSD2-related webinars aiming to facilitate PSD2 implementation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005377/en/

Contacts:

Jovana Rakic

PR Marketing Manager

Asseco South Eastern Europe

jovana.rakic@asseco-see.rs

see.asseco.comHARVIA PLC PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 7, 2018 AT 12:00 A.M. EET

Harvia will publish its interim report for the period of January-September 2018, on Wednesday, 14 November 2018 at around 09:00 a.m. Finnish time. The stock exchange release and the presentation material in Finnish and English will be available at https://www.harvia.fi/en/investors/ (https://www.harvia.fi/en/investors/).

Analyst, investor and press briefing

Harvia will hold an analyst, investor and press conference on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Finnish time, at Hotel Kamp's Eino Leino cabinet (address Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki, Finland). The conference will be held in English. The conference will be hosted by Harvia's CEO Tapio Pajuharju and CFO Ari Vesterinen.

The conference can be followed as a webcast, accessible at https://harvia.videosync.fi/2018-q3-results (https://harvia.videosync.fi/2018-q3-results) . You can also participate by calling:

FI: 08 00523163

SE: +46 856642651

UK: +44 3333000804

US: +1 6319131422

After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions in Finnish and English. A recording of the webcast will be available later at the company's website.

HARVIA PLC

For further information, please contact:

CFO Ari Vesterinen, ari.vesterinen@harvia.fi , tel. +358 40 505 0440

Harvia in short

Harvia is one of the leading companies operating in the sauna and spa market globally, as measured by revenue. Harvia's brands and product offering are well-known in the market and the company's comprehensive product offering strives to meet the needs of the international sauna and spa market, of both private and professional customers.

Harvia's revenue amounted to EUR 60.1 million in 2017, its operating profit was EUR 9.3 million and adjusted operating profit EUR 10.7 million during the same period. The company employs some 365 professionals in Finland, China and Hong Kong, Romania, Austria, Germany and Estonia. The company is headquartered in Muurame, Finland, adjacent to its largest sauna and sauna component manufacturing facility.

Read more www.harvia.fi (http://www.harvia.fi/)

This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Harvia Oyj via Globenewswire

ROCKVILLE, Maryland, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Global fumed silica sales are likely to surpass 335,000 MT in 2018, up from 323,733 MT in 2017, according to a new Fact.MR study. Gains will be driven by sustained demand in end-use industries such as printing inks, paints, coatings, and adhesives.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/713666/FactMR_Logo.jpg )

Increasing demand for water-based coatings and paints for industrial and architectural application continues to be a driver for the market. Fumed silica is used on a large scale in paints and coatings to prevent corrosion and rust. Moreover, demand for silicone rubber is increasing in the automotive sector to improve fuel efficiency, thereby, accelerating the growth of fumed silica market.

Manufacturers are introducing new manufacturing processes and technologies to reduce the production time and cost. For instance, Evonik's new fumed silica manufacturing process, allow the coating and paint manufacturers to eliminate bead milling process. This results in reduced time, machine usage, and costs for end-use industry.

Request For Sample Report-https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2301

Hydrophobic Fumed Silica to Witness Significant Growth in the Fumed Silica Market

The demand for hydrophobic fumed silica is likely to grow at a significant rate in the future. Owing to the low cost and excellent properties, hydrophobic fumed silica is increasingly used across various industries. Hydrophobic fumed silica is finding large application in coatings, adhesives and sealants, greases, toners, and skin and personal care products.

"The fumed silica market is likely to see the highest growth in the sales of hydrophobic fumed silica in the coming years. The hydrophobic fumed silica is anticipated to see a huge demand, particularly in coatings and in personal care products. The hydrophobic fumed silica is likely to exceed US$ 500 million by 2018 end,"- Senior Analyst at Fact.MR.

With the increasing demand of hydrophobic fumed silica in different industries, manufacturers are focusing on offering better products and also expanding their business. For example, Evonik Industries, one of the leading players in the fumed silica market is expanding its hydrophobic fumed silica capacities in Rheinfelden, Germany. Adding 20% additional capacity, the expansion will become operational by the end of 2020.

Browse Full Report on Fumed Silica Market with TOC-https://www.factmr.com/report/2301/fumed-silica-market

Fumed Silica to Find Largest Application in Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber is used in various industries including construction, electronics, adhesives, and sealants. Hence, with the increasing production of silicone rubber, the demand for fumed silica is also rising. Moreover, silicone rubber is also finding large application in the automotive industry to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emission.

Meanwhile, the automotive sector is also using liquid silicone rubber, particularly in windshield wiper blades to ensure flexibility and extend its life. With the increasing use of liquid silicone rubber in wearables and medical devices, manufacturers in the fumed silica market are focusing on designing high-structure and high-surface-area fumed silicone especially for liquid silicone rubber.

North America is projected to dominate the fumed silica market. With the presence of major manufacturers and the opening of new production facilities in the region, the fumed silica market is flourishing in North America.

For instance, Cabot Corporation, a major manufacturer of fumed silica has planned to build a new fumed silica plant in Carrollton. This new plant will enable the company to meet the growing demand for fumed silica in various industries. Meanwhile, fumed silica market in China is also likely to see robust growth due to the rise in the application of paints and coatings.

The new research report by Fact.MR analysis the overall growth of the fumed silica market for the forecast period 2018-2028. According to the report, the market is projected to reach 4.9% CAGR during 2018-2028.

To Buy Fumed Silica Market Report, Check-https://www.factmr.com/checkout/2301/S

About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.

Contact Us

Rohit Bhisey

Fact.MR

11140 Rockville Pike

Suite 400

Rockville, MD 20852

United States

Email: sales@factmr.com



Web: https://www.factmr.com/

Blog: https://factmrblog.com/

Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/CHICAGO, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Power Rental Market by Fuel (Diesel & Gas), Power Rating, Equipment, End Users (Utilities, Oil & Gas, Events, Construction, Mining, Manufacturing, Shipping, Data Center), Application (Peak Shaving, Base Load, Standby), Region - Global Forecasts to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Power Rental Market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 14.5 billion in 2018 to USD 21.2 billion by 2023, registering a CAGR of 7.89% from 2018 to 2023.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg )



Don't miss out on business opportunities in Power Rental Market. Speak to our analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=744

The global power market is witnessing a significant growth, which is driven by the increase in power loss due to aging infrastructure and limited access to electricity in rural areas.

Utilities segment is expected to be the largest market for the global power rental solutions during the forecast period

The Power Rental Market in this report has been classified based on end-user into utilities, oil & gas, mining, construction, manufacturing, events, shipping, data center, and others. Utilities includes power plants that are owned and operated by multiple utility companies or by the government. Utilities, with the help of distribution lines, deliver energy from power plants to homes and businesses across various countries.

In the regions such as Africa and Asia Pacific, local grids lack reliable power supply because of poor transmission network. Unreliable supply from a local grid or limited access to the main transmission network prohibit the delivery of electricity required for commercial and residential users. In such cases, there is a high demand for power rental solution, utility companies use rental solution mainly during the peak demand period, to meet power deficit, during natural disaster, and during the maintenance of power plant. Hence, there is continuous demand for power rental from power plants in order to ensure continued power supply.

Browse and in-depth TOC on "Power Rental Market"

106 - Tables

46- Figures

198- Pages

View more detailed TOC @

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/rental-power-generation-market-744.html

"Gas fuel generators segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Power Rental Market during the forecast period"

Gas generators segment, by fuel type, is estimated to be the fastest growing market for power rental in 2018. Gas generators run mainly on natural gas and can be found in different sizes, ranging from portable to industrial. Natural gas generators require a well-developed gas distribution network, available in limited countries, for regular supply of natural gas to feed the generators.

Gas generators are more efficient than diesel generators and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Gas generators are preferred mostly by end-users as they emit the least amount of harmful pollutants, smoke, or particulate matter. They are mostly used for light duty applications, such as supplying electricity for residential purposes.

"North America is expected to hold the largest market size in the Power Rental Market during the forecast period"

The North American market dominates the Power Rental Market during the forecast period. The Power Rental Market in North America is driven by the emergency power required by the utilities during the natural calamities affecting the power generation and T&D activities in the country. In addition to this growing oil & gas exploration and production activity coupled with construction industry growth in nonresidential sector are driving the requirement for power rental solution in the region. The power rental solutions are required in the construction and oil & gas industry to meet the fluctuating power requirement of the project. The major end-user segments driving the Power Rental Market in the region are utilities, oil & gas, and construction.

Request for Free Sample Report @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=744

To provide an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes profiles of some of the leading players in the Power Rental Market, namely, Caterpillar, Inc. (U.S.), Aggreko, PLC (U.K.), Cummins, Inc. (U.S.), United Rentals, Inc. (U.S.), and Generac Power Systems (U.S.). Leading players are trying to penetrate the markets in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market share.



Browse Adjacent Markets @Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.





Contact:

Mr. Shelly Singh

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com



Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/rental-power-generation-market.asp

Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.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 6 November 2018 were:

78.08p Capital only

79.12p 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 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 6 November 2018 were:

342.26p Capital only (undiluted)

342.26p Capital only (Diluted for treasury shares)

342.41p Including current year income (undiluted) XD

342.41p Including current year income (Diluted for treasury shares) 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 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 6 November 2018 were:

396.24p Capital only (undiluted)

406.87p 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 25,000 ordinary shares on 23 October 2018, the Company has 176,330,242 ordinary shares in issue, excluding 16,681,600 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 6 November 2018 were:

529.23p Capital only

537.27p Including current year income

529.23p Capital only (adjusted for treasury shares)

537.27p 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 6 November 2018 were:

425.46c per share (US cents) - Capital only

325.26p per share (pence sterling) - Capital only

437.18c per share (US cents) - Including current year income

334.22p 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 6 November 2018 were:

172.56p Capital only

174.14p 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 6 November 2018 were:

681.63c per share (US cents) - Capital only

681.63c per share (US cents) - Including current year income XD

521.10p per share (pence sterling) Capital only

521.10p 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 6 November 2018 were:

188.41p Capital only (undiluted)

193.11p 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 6 November 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 6 November 2018 were:

1414.68p Capital only and including debt at par value

1408.45p Capital only and including debt at fair value

1440.68p Including current year income and debt at par value

1434.45p 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 06 November 2018 were:

166.76c Capital only USD (cents)

127.49p Capital only Sterling (pence)

173.94c Including current year income USD (cents)

132.98p 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.Investing RMB100 billion (US$15 billion) in technology R&D over ten years

Cutting-edge technologies empowering financial services and customer ecosystems

HONG KONG, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or "the Group" or "the Company", HKEx: 2318; SSE: 601318) today showcased its world-leading fintech and healthtech achievements, which underpin its "Finance + Ecosystem" strategy. The Group expects to invest RMB100 billion (US$15 billion) in technology R&D in the next decade to consolidate its technology leadership in the financial services industry.

At the Group's Investor Day on technology today in Hong Kong, Jessica Tan, Deputy CEO, COO and CIO of Ping An Group, said, "Our consistent focus and investment in technology R&D is paying off. We have already established global leadership in the cutting-edge technologies of AI, blockchain and cloud computing, which will be driving innovations in the financial industry for years to come."

Each year the Group invests one percent of its revenue in the R&D of fintech and healthtech. Ping An has invested US$7 billion in R&D in the past decade and expects to invest a total of RMB100 billion (US$15 billion) in the coming ten years.

Ping An's technology development is fundamental to the execution of its "Finance + Ecosystem" strategy, which is driving Group business growth. The core technologies of AI, blockchain and cloud computing has and will continue to empower the Group's five ecosystems -- financial services, health care, auto services, real estate services and smart city services. Through applying innovative technologies to these ecosystems, Ping An will be able to seamlessly engage with customers to offer simple, professional and relevant financial services to help them better their lives and to help Ping An growth its business.

Ping An's technology development has four key advantages:

Rich business scenarios - achieved from hundreds of cities and millions of businesses through its ecosystems.

Massive real-life data - covered 880 million population across finance, transportation, healthcare, education and daily lives

Strong talent - 5 research institutions; 23,000+ technical talents; 1,000+ top scientists and 2 overseas R&D centres

Long-term sustained investment commitment - US$7 billion invested in the past decade; US$15 billion in next decade. Healthy long term profit growth and ROE, compared to traditional peers, allows Ping An to make significant long term investments in technology

In addition, Ping An's five eco-systems have accomplished market-leading positions in many areas, including:

Financial Services Ecosystem: OneConnect being the largest financial services SaaS (Software as a Service) platform, serving 483 banks (including 93% of city commercial banks), 42 insurers and 2,400 other financial institutions. The platform represents one of the largest commercial blockchain platforms in commercial deployment in the world, with 40,000 nodes involving 200 banks, 200,000 corporates, and 500 other commercial and government entities. TPS (Transactions per Second) of the blockchain is at 50,000.

Healthcare Ecosystem: Good Doctor being the largest mobile health portal, with approximately 250 million users, (traffic being more than the next top 2-10 players combined).

Auto Services Ecosystem: Autohome being the market leader connecting the largest online user volumes among auto buyers, OEMs and dealers in China . Its market capitalization increased more than 3 times after Ping An's acquisition in 2016.

. Its market capitalization increased more than 3 times after Ping An's acquisition in 2016. Smart City Ecosystems: Ping An Smart City is a front runner in the sector in China covering 60+ cities, with 115 projects in progress, boasting the industry's most comprehensive solutions that are deeply integrated with city government on administrative processes, management, services and technology.

Jessica Tan added: "Ping An's strategy is guided by a vision to become a world-leading technology-powered financial services group. In the last decade, the Group has transformed its financial service offerings by using technology to pursue innovation, boost efficiency, cut costs, improve experience and manage risks. We have deployed our technology commercially in the market place and we are now exporting our technology by offering our solutions to other market players to use."

The Group's retail customers reached 182 million customers at the end of September this year. The internet user base using Ping An's five ecosystems has surpassed half a billion, contributing more than a third of the 33.4 million new customers acquired in the first nine months of 2018.

I n terms of technology outlook, Jessica said, "Technology advances are changing our lives and the way we do business. Ping An is leading the change in AI, blockchain and cloud, particularly in the five ecosystems of financial services, healthcare, auto, real estate and city services. Our technology is deployed and supporting our customers already, from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority eTradeConnect, to serving 3013 financial institutions, and to the person on their mobile looking for a loan to buy a car or seek medical advice or help their children's education. AI, blockchain, and cloud are already helping people better their lives and achieve their life goals."

NOTES TO EDITOR

Ping An outlined the achievements and development of its technologies and ecosystems at the Investor Day.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The failure in the past 70 years of AI was due to lack of computing power and data. Key to the development of AI in recent years is the availability of rich business scenarios and massive real-world data. These factors are a core advantage of Ping An. Ping An has the edge in AI because the Company has:

Top Talent: 1,000+ AI experts, 5 AI research institutes, 10+ world-class institutes for cooperative research.

Comprehensive Scenarios: Financial services company with full set of licenses, 5 ecosystems and 400+ AI application scenarios.

Cutting-edge Technology: #1 in 7 international contests in Face/Micro-Expression Recognition/OCR.

Massive Real-life Data: 30 years' worth of financial expertise & data accumulation, 880 million consumers, and 84 million+ enterprise data, financial-standard data security.

Blockchain

The future of blockchain lies in the creation of one connected network. Ping An has leading blockchain technology and the largest commercial blockchain network in the world.

Leading technology: the most comprehensive Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) solution and<0.05 second response time.

Ping An's blockchain throughput is up to 50,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS).

Largest commercial blockchain platform: with 40k nodes across 200 banks, 200,000 corporates, and 500 other entities.

nodes across 200 banks, 200,000 corporates, and 500 other entities. Ping An blockchain has been applied in multiple real life scenarios already, including HK eTradeConnect and OneConnects's China supply china finance platform.

supply china finance platform. Strong team: a group of technology, finance and IT experts with profound expertise.

Cloud

Ping An's demand created by the growth of its business has been driving the development of Ping An Cloud. Transformation into Cloud took 5 years and currently 80% of systems (4,000 systems) are on cloud. Ping An Cloud is also fast expanding into the five ecosystems of the Group. To date, Ping An Cloud is the largest and most widely used financial cloud in China with 9 authoritative certifications and 400+ patent applications.

Cloud services has made rapid development in the past decade and many market observers assume the market place is already well served. Ping An sees potential for cloud to develop beyond traditional business lines in ecosystems where the cloud market place is relatively unpenetrated. Ping An Cloud will focus on the five ecosystems whose untapped market potential is 7x of the entire cloud market in 2018.

Ping An Cloud's value proposition and advantages are:

Security & compliance at the highest level financial cloud in China with 9 authoritative certifications.

with 9 authoritative certifications. Stability & reliability, Ping An has 400+ patent applications of cloud core technologies; 98% end-to-end coverage.

Industry know-how, users cover 100 financial institutions, 2,500 healthcare institutions; 10,000 auto dealers and 7 smart cities.

Strong core team, top team all with 10+ years' experience in IT and internet from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Oracle and IBM.

Financial Services Ecosystem - OneConnect

Fintech helps financial institutions improve their return on equity and represents a promising market of US$40-50 billion in the region.

Ping An's OneConnect is the largest financial services SaaS with integrated AI+ Financial Services capabilities in China. It possesses a unique business model of "business + technology" to empower financial institutions:

- World's largest Fintech application in AI, Blockchain, & Biometric cognition, 1 bn+ facial and micro-expression usage / year.

- Strong combination of financial service DNA & cutting-edge technology, with 1000+ patents, 50+ products, and 2000+ APIs.

- 2,000+ staff with 46% R&D technical talents, all with rich experience.

- Leading financial services AI in China:

- 350+ AI researchers in OneConnect gamma lab.

- One Connect currently provides 50+ AI based solutions to help financial institutions address sales, product, risk management, service and operations pain points.

- Saved over US$45 billion (RMB 300 billion) in fraud detection and prevention, used by 3,000 financial institutions.

- Bank examples

- Customer Acquisition Case: The SAT solution helped 2 branches of a commercial bank to successfully reach out 10,000+ new customers and achieved a 25% customer conversion rate during their recent marketing campaigns for new credit products.

- Performance Improvement case: The SAT intelligence marketing solution successfully helped 22 branches of a city commercial bank to increase clients' activities. The transaction volume of their payment schemes increased by 3 times within 1 month.

- Risk control case: AI+risk control solution helped to reduce the approval time from 1 week to real-time, and reduce 67% of credit losses.

- OneConnect is an internationally scalable business that has begun to extend its geographical footprint beyond China to tap a USD80bn - USD100bn Asian Fintech revenue pool opportunity

- Delivered "eTradeConnect", Hong Kong's first blockchain-powered trade finance platform

- 100+ people for Asia expansion in Singapore/Southeast Asia and HK/Taiwan

- JV with SBI in Japan

Healthcare Ecosystem - Ping An Good Doctor

Ping An Good Doctor is a leading force in the future internet healthcare services. It has huge potential globally given growing healthcare market and obvious pain points with massive monetization potential (>USD 100Bn). In China, healthcare market is expected to be RMB1.6 trillion in 2026.

Ping An Good Doctor's unique value propositions are AI-assisted medical capabilities (aided by 1000 in-house medical staff), one stop platform with comprehensive services, diversified monetization channels and synergistic support from Ping An Group:

Dominant market player in a high growth potential market; Ping An's 48.6 million MAU, exceeds the combined MAU of top 2-10 companies in internet healthcare industry

228 million registered users, 16 in 100 persons are PAGD's registered users

531,000 daily average number of online consultations, equal to the amount of that in 250+ Grade III hospitals

Ping An's business is internationally scalable; Ping An recently established a 70/30 JV with Grab to penetrate SE Asia

Auto Services Ecosystem - Autohome

The auto ecosystem market in China has a market potential of US$1,200 billion with addressable market of US$365 billion in 2018. An AI-enabled platform, Autohome is the market leader connecting the largest online traffic in auto buyers, OEMs and dealers in China:

Strong market performance, market cap increased 3.2 times after Ping An's acquisition in 2016.

Continuous revenue growth enabled by 5 business pillars and AI across media, leads, data, financing and transactions.

Strong management team, all with 20+ years' experience in strategy, internet, auto and financial services.

Leveraging AI, big data and cloud, Autohome offers value to partners in the auto ecosystem in terms of traffic, leads, content and data:

To Consumers: Expand traffic coverage to entire life cycle; 35.5 million DAU which is #1 in the world in auto services

AI: Global Leading AI technology + big data application in automotive industry (covering marketing, call center, transaction and financing).

To Businesses: Improve sales through in-depth connecting industry, serving 100 OEMs, 26,000 auto dealers and 30,000 used car dealers.

Smart City Ecosystem - Ping An Smart City

Smart City solutions will unleash the full potential of cities. There are 500+ smart cities developing in China and the market for smart city solutions is expected to be US$2.6 billion.

Ping An Smart City is a front runner in China covering 60+ cities with 115 projects in progress:

Most comprehensive solutions in the industry: It is the only player with comprehensive 1+N solutions deeply integrated with the city government on processes, management, services, and technology.

Strong management team: All with 20+ years' experience in government, technology, finance and other areas; leveraging other companies in the Group to work closely with the government.

Ping An "1+N" Smart City Platform is composed of 1 Smart City Cloud + N service modules including Smart Transportation, Smart Healthcare, Smart Government Administration, Smart Education, Smart Environment Protection and Smart Elderly Care etc.

Smart Healthcare - #1 in disease prediction, # 1 in medical imaging, covering 3,000 hospitals in 15 provinces.

Smart Government Administration: 700+ services live, saved 2+ hours per person, serving over 3 million business entities and improved efficiency by 50%

Smart Transportation: AI+ Supervision, traffic violation recognition with 99% accuracy, 70% manual review workload reduced, minor accidents removal with 5 minutes

Full empowerment through Smart Environment protection, Smart Education and Smart Elderly Care

For enquiries, please contact:

Gareth Hewett

+852 68822027

gareth.john@pingan.com.hkFELTON, California, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The global herbal medicine market is expected to reach USD 117.02 billion by 2024, driven by rising popularity of herbal therapeutics compared to conventional drugs. The market for herbal medicines and remedies is anticipated to record profitable growth due to their cost-effectiveness as compared to allopathic ones.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg )

In 2016, Europe was the largest market for traditional medicines, contributing to 40.8% of the share and is expected to retain its leadership during the forecast period due to shifting from conventional drugs to herbal products. Fewer side effects and low toxicity compared to allopathy products are expected to provide a competitive advantage over other medicines in the market. Additionally, ready acceptance of herbal products owing to its benefits is the key factor for market growth and is expected to play a significant role in future.

Increased preference of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among others has resulted in the growth of herbal medicines in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to record the fastest CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. Furthermore, Europe is anticipated to generate maximum revenue over the forecast period due to increasing awareness created by various associations such as Association for Natural Medicine in Europe (AIME).

Concerning product segment, tablets & capsules are expected to witness the fastest growth owing to increasing acceptance of tablets over extracts and powders. Furthermore, properties such as high dose accuracy essential for optimum therapeutic effect will, in turn, promote the herbalism market growth. The extracts segment is expected to grow at a lucrative rate as they show an immediate therapeutic effect on administration.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Herbal Medicine Market Size and Forecast, By Product (Tablets & Capsules, Powders, Extracts), By Indication (Digestive Disorders, Respiratory Disorders, Blood Disorders), And Trend Analysis, 2014 - 2024" at:https://www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/global-herbal-medicine-market

For instance, in geriatric patients, extracts and other liquid dosage forms are preferred for administration as tablets show delayed therapeutic effect. Furthermore, extracts provide high potency as they possess only the active ingredients and no fillers which are present in tablets & capsules.

The rigorous focus on developing better extraction and purification techniques by herbal medicine manufacturers is expected to fuel the market. Furthermore, respective governments are also introducing several strategies to promote the uptake of herbal medicine market. For instance, in July 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology invested USD 12.5 million for development of herbal treatments for the treatment of cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Browse relatedreports by Hexa Research:

Doxorubicin Market - Doxorubicin is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug. It is an intravenous injection through a central or peripheral venous line. No pill form of this drug is available in the market. Doxorubicin market is expected to witness a significant growth in the developed regions due to the multiple incidences of cancer occurrence in these regions.

Antidiabetic Drug Market - The global antidiabetic drug market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period on account of increasing occurrence of diabetes; both type I and type II and increasing obesity among people across the globe.

Dyslipidemia Therapeutics Market - Dyslipidemia is an interminable metabolic disorder, described by improper level of low thickness lipoprotein, high thickness lipoprotein, and triglycerides. The expanding demand and solutions of these medicines is offering lucrative growth opportunities for the dyslipidemia market.

Medical Morphine Market - The global medical morphine market size was valued at USD 10.75 billion in 2016. Increasing use of the drug to relieve pain in cancer, arthritis and postoperative surgeries is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.

Hexa Research has segmented the global herbal medicine market based on Product, Indication, and region:

- Segmentation by Product, 2014 - 2024 (USD Billion)

 Tablets & Capsules

 Powders

 Extracts

 Others

- Segmentation by Indication, 2014 - 2024 (USD Billion)

 Digestive Disorders

 Respiratory Disorders

 Blood Disorders

 Others

- Segmentation by Region, 2014 - 2024 (USD Billion)

 North America

 U.S.

 Europe

 Germany

 Asia Pacific

 China

 India

 Central & South America

 Middle East and Africa

- Key Players Analyzed

 TSUMURA & CO.

 Dr. Willmar Schwabe India Pvt. Ltd.

 Blackmores

 NATURE'S ANSWER

 Arkopharma

 Arizona Natural Products

 Herbal Africa

 Bio Botanica, Inc.

 Sidomuncul

 Nature Herbs

About Hexa Research

Hexa Research is a market research and consulting organization, offering industry reports, custom research and consulting services to a host of key industries across the globe. We offer comprehensive business intelligence in the form of industry reports which help our clients obtain clarity about their business environment and enable them to undertake strategic growth initiatives.

Contact:

Michelle T.

Corporate Sales Specialist

Hexa Research

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-800-489-3075

Email: sales@hexaresearch.com



Web: https://www.hexaresearch.com/2018 'annus horribilis' with 102 dead off Morocco 49,000 have entered Europe from Spain's coast, IOM

(ANSAmed) - RABAT, NOVEMBER 7 - This year has been a horrible one for migrants in Morocco with 102 dead including both Moroccans and those of sub-Saharan origins, according to the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH). At the same time, over 4,700 migrants have been arrested in the Nador in northern Morocco near the Spanish enclave of Melilla since August, the NGO said. According to International Organization for Migration (IOM) figures, in 2018 over 100,603 people have managed to reach European coasts from Africa. Almost half of them entered Spain which in the past year has been the destination for 49,013 migrants, compared with the 27,715 who reached Greece and the 22,167 who arrived in Italy. The route running from the ancient Pillars of Hercules to Algeria is thus the new main migration route to Europe. It is also one of the most dangerous, however, accounting for over 556 migrant deaths. (ANSAmed).



UiPath impresses the jury at the IT in-house exhibition of the BMW Group

UiPath, the leading software provider for enterprise Robotic Process Automation (RPA), announced today that it was awarded the "Prize of the Jury" at this year's BMW Group IT in-house trade fair. The award was presented to UiPath for its memorable presence at the IT exhibition of the BMW Group in Munich at the end of October.

The jury, consisting of IT executives from the BMW Group, explained their decision by declaring that UiPath had a particular impact on visitors to the trade fair. In addition, the company is making a major contribution to value creation within the BMW Group.

UiPath had a booth at the trade fair and during the event program shared a presentation on the role of RPA and AI in the future workplace.

With the UiPath enterprise RPA platform, the BMW Group automates standardized and structured business processes with the support of software robots. This increases the cost efficiency of the automobile manufacturer and relieves its employees of monotonous routine tasks.

"We are delighted and honored to receive this award. It is a tribute to the outstanding collaboration between the BMW Group and UiPath that began in 2016. It's a prime example of how a company and its IT partner can work together to achieve the best," stated Walter Obermeier, managing director and vice president sales DACH at UiPath in Munich.

About UiPath

UiPath is leading the "Automation First" era championing one robot for every person, delivering free and open training and collaboration and enabling robots to learn new skills through AI and machine learning. Led by a commitment to bring digital era skills to more than a million people, the company's enterprise Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform has already automated millions of repetitive, mind-numbing tasks for business and government organizations all over the world, improving productivity, customer experience and employee job satisfaction.

Recently named the 6th happiest place to work by Comparably in the U.S., UiPath has become one of the fastest growing enterprise software companies in history. The company is backed by over $400 million in funding from Accel, CapitalG, Credo Ventures, Earlybird's Digital East Fund, Kleiner Perkins, Seedcamp and Sequoia.

www.uipath.com Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005229/en/

Contacts:

UiPath GmbH

Sabine Obermayr, +49-89-356475600

Marketing Director DACH

Luise-Ullrich-Str. 14, NOVE-Building

80636 Munchen

sabine.obermayr@uipath.com

www.UiPath.com/de

or

PR-COM GmbH

Kathleen Hahn, +49-89-59997-763

Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 6

80336 Munchen

kathleen.hahn@pr-com.de

www.pr-com.deVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2018 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSX-V: XIM) (OTCQB: XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") is pleased to provide an update on the Gold Drop Property which is currently under option agreement to GGX Gold Corp. (TSX-V: GGX) and located near Greenwood in southern British Columbia. To date Ximen has received the first two of four option payments, which consists of Stock and Cash, from GGX Gold Corp. (See News Release of July 27, 2016). Once all the payments and work commitments have been completed, Ximen will have a 2.5% NSR and the right for nine months thereafter to elect to form a joint venture with the GGX Gold by paying to GGX Gold the amount of money equal to 30 per cent of the total amount expended on the property by the GGX Gold. If Ximen exercises this joint venture right, Ximen and GGX Gold will enter into a joint venture for the exploration and development of the property.

Highlights from recent work on the Gold Drop Property in 2017 and 2018 include:

2018 Fall diamond drilling program currently underway. Three diamond drill holes have been recently announced as completed (News Release of November 6, 2018) with additional holes in progress,

Diamond drilling of 109 holes totalling 6,702 meters (a total of 90 holes testing the COD Vein in 2017 and 2018 and 19 holes in 2018 testing the Everest Vein),

Trenching of over 250 meters,

Drill intersections (core length) at COD Vein of 50.1 g/t gold over 2.05 meters, 54.9 g/t gold over 1.47 meters and 4.59 g/t gold over 16.03 meters,

Drill intersections (core length) at newly discovered Everest Vein of 10.55 g/t gold over 0.45 m, and 12.45 g/t gold over 0.85 meters, and

Pilot bulk sample concentration testing of 18kg of Everest Vein outcrop sample material across a gold shaker table identifying sample grade as 20.51 g/t gold.







The 2018 Fall diamond drilling program is targeting the gold bearing COD vein, with the focus being on an area of previous high grade gold drill intercepts.

Gold Drop Property Background Summaries

(Note: Information provided in this section come from GGX Gold Corp. news releases and NI 43-101 filings.)

GGX Gold Corp. (formerly Revolver Resources Inc.) optioned the 2150 hectare property from Ximen in June 2016 to acquire 100% interest. Additional staking in 2017 increased property to over 5,600 hectares.

The initial recommended work on the property as part of an updated NI 43-101 in July 2016 consisted of a two-phased program with estimated expenditures of approximately $600,000. Phase II being contingent on Phase I.

Phase I included partial rehabilitation and surveying of underground workings to access areas of documented significant veins and mineralization; underground geological mapping and systematic vein sampling in select areas; and structural mapping and vein channel sampling in select Ximen Mining Corp. 2014 trenches. The first priority area was in the historic Gold Drop - North Star workings.

Phase II work at the Gold Drop - North Star vein and other priority areas included regional scale geological mapping/prospecting and sampling, geochemical and geophysical surveys with potential subsequent detailed surveys, and trenching with systematic geological mapping and vein channel sampling followed by bulk sampling of gold and silver bearing veins to evaluate gold and silver grade.

Exploration on the Gold Drop property by GGX Gold Corp. commenced on May 1, 2017 with the primary focus being on six historic Au-Ag vein systems:

Gold Drop - North Star

Ken

Silent Friend

Amandy, and

Roderick Dhu

Tel - C.O.D. ("Gold Drop Southwest Zone")

Work was directed to locate and sample historic working in the Gold Drop Southwest Zone. The first week of prospecting was successful in locating the C.O.D. shaft, and numerous freshly exposed bedrock outcrops with sulfide bearing quartz veins and quartz vein float boulders. Thirty-nine rock samples were initially collected and sent for analysis. Seven grab samples of quartz veining returned values in excess of 1 g/t Au with two exceeding 10 g/t Au; one adjacent to the historic C.O.D. shaft (19.65 g/t Au) and a bedrock vein sample along a new access road (14.10 g/t Au). This new vein showing is approximately 680 metres northeast of the C.O.D. shaft. (News Release of June 8, 2017).

Encouraging early results quickly led to the following in 2017 :

Additional property staking to the west.



Additional mineral claims staked to increase property to over 5,600 hectares.

C.O.D. vein structure followed along strike for 160 m and remained open in both directions.

Excavator trenching doubled the size of the exposed C.O.D. vein to 160 m along strike. (News Release of July 4, 2017).

First batch of channel sampling of C.O.D. vein returned up to 6.12 g/t Au and 72.8 g/t Ag.



Initial sixteen 1.0m wide channel samples taken at approximately 1.5m intervals along exposed C.O.D. vein for strike length of 30m resulted in sample values ranging up to 6.12 g/t Au and 72.8 g/t Ag. (News Release of July 18, 2017).

Second batch of channel sampling of C.O.D. vein returned up to 43.2 g/t Au and 224 g/t Ag.



The second batch of forty-nine 1.0m wide channel samples taken at approximately 1.5m intervals along exposed C.O.D. vein returned anomalous to high grade values for gold ranging from 0.2 grams /tonne to 43.2 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, with 34 channel samples exceeding 1 g/t gold. The samples also returned values of 2.6 g/t to 224 g/t silver. (News Release of July 26, 2017).

Discovery of Everest Vein located 600m southwest of C.O.D. vein.



Chip samples collected across the approximate 0.4 m wide vein exposure returned up to 52.8 g/t Au and 377 g/t Ag, while a grab sample of a quartz vein boulder broken off the outcrop by the excavator returned 81.8 g/t Au and 630 g/t Ag (News Release of August 21, 2017).

Completion of Phase I and II diamond drilling on C.O.D. vein structure (27 holes totaling ~1500m)



The first batch of 2017 drill core samples included up to 24.1 g/t Gold and 192 g/t Silver over 0.48 m in drill hole COD17-3 - (News Release Aug 28, 2017)



Drilling yielded encouraging results including Hole COD17-14 grading 4.59 g/t Au and 38.64 g/t Ag over 16.03 metres core length with a high grade core grading 10.96 g/t Au and 89.86 g/t Ag over 5.97 metres of core length (News Release of Sept 7, 2017).

Completion of soil sampling program extended the existing drill target area by over 600m



A 334 soil sample program extended the target area by at least 600m and during the sampling program a new vein exposure was discovered in a small, 2 m deep historic adit 175 meters north of the C.O.D. trench (News Release of November 8, 2017).

Location and sampling of historic Silent Friend and Ken veins as well as other historic working on crown grants southwest of the Dentonia Mine.



Part of the fall prospecting focused on locating and sampling the Silent Friend and Ken veins near the Gold Drop Main Zone. Both of these returned significant values including 297 g/t Au and 1290 g/t Ag sampled in dump pile quartz from what is believed to be the southern Silent Friend showing.



Samples of dump pile material from a mineshaft north of this exposure assayed 6.98 g/t Au and 38.6 g/t Ag. Material from a mineshaft to the south, speculated to be the Ken mineshaft, assayed 4.47 g/t Au and 23.0 g/t Ag. (News Release of November 8, 2017).



Time was also spent prospecting 6 crown grants in the central portion of the Gold Drop Property. These grants are southwest of the Dentonia mine. Several historic trenches pits and workings were found and sampled. A sample collected in one of these exploration pits assayed 6.13 g/t Au and 30.3 Ag. (News Release of November 8, 2017).



Extensive exploration work has now been completed in 2018 consisting of drilling, trenching and bulk sample concentrating. Results from trenching which discovered the extension of Gold Drop vein system south of the underground workings are pending. This extension was highlighted by a vein exposed for 20m across widths from 0.6 to 2.0m trending north-south containing sporadic pyrite, chalcopyrite and trace amounts of galena mineralization. (News Release of September 20, 2018). Trenching focused on Silent Friend and Ken gold bearing vein systems is also pending (News Release of October 17, 2018).

The 2018 Fall Drilling Program on an area of previous high grade gold drill intercepts has started with the completion of three holes (News Release of November 6, 2018) and will continue through the rest of the year.







To date the 2018 exploration program have returned encouraging results including :



The most significant gold drill intersections (core length) from the Phase III diamond drilling on the COD Vein are as follows (News Releases of May 29, July 11-19-25, August 1-9-15-22-30 and September 6, 2018):



COD18-3 14.62 g/t Au over 2.1 meters COD18-26 10.30 g/t Au over 1.4 meter recovered core (within 2.35 meter interval) COD18-28 11.30 g/t Au over 0.51 meters COD18-33 8.65 g/t Au over 2.98 meters COD18-34 6.16 g/t Au over 3.41 meters COD18-37 8.23 g/t Au over 3.95 meters COD18-45 50.10 g/t Au over 2.05 meters COD18-46 54.90 g/t Au over 1.47 meters COD18-49 9.52 g/t Au over 1.47 meters COD18-54 7.60 g/t Au over 1.66 meters







The 2018 drilling program also tested the continuation of the Everest Vein, which is located southwest of the COD Vein worksite. Chip samples collected in 2017 across the approximate 0.4 meter wide vein exposure returned up to 52.8 g/t gold and 377 g/t silver while a grab sample of a quartz vein boulder broken off the outcrop by the excavator returned 81.8 g/t gold and 630 g/t silver (News Release of August 21, 2017).

The Everest Vein 2018 drill holes are located approximately 350 to 800 meters south of the area of 2017 and 2018 COD Vein drill holes. High gold intersections (core length) from the Phase III drill program at the Everest Vein include (News Release of July 19 and Sept 13, 2018):



EVE18-5 10.55 g/t Au over 0.45 meters EVE18-12 12.45 g/t Au over 0.85 meters











Neil Froc, P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, is responsible for the technical information contained in this News Release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

Ximen Mining Corp. 604 488-3900

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100 percent interest in all three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects are The Gold Drop Project and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past-producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently both the Gold Drop Project and the Treasure Mountain Silver Project are under option agreements. The option partners are making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of these projects.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XM and WKN with the number as A1W2EG

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

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.

Ximen Mining Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888,

Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/528221/Ximen-Mining-Corp-Exploration-Update--Gold-Drop-Project-Vernon-BCChampagne House Closes 200th Year with Notable Award and New Vintage Release

Champagne Billecart-Salmon announces the appointment of Mathieu Roland-Billecart to Chief Executive Officer. A member of the 7th generation of the family, Mathieu Roland-Billecart assumes the role in January 2019 from his cousin Francois Roland-Billecart, who has headed the company since 1992. The transition from one family member to the next generation has been one of the keys to Champagne Billecart-Salmon's two centuries of success.

Born in Champagne, Mathieu Roland-Billecart prepares to write a new chapter in the family history. After spending 15 years at a leading financial advisory firm in London, Mathieu has proven himself a thoughtful leader as well as an astute business manager, qualities that will enable him to lead a team long devoted to quality. He sat on the supervisory board for more than five years before joining the board of directors growing under Francois Roland-Billecart's guidance.

"Champagne Billecart-Salmon's strength rests on its solid family anchoring that allows us the luxury of taking our time to achieve excellence," commented Mathieu Roland-Billecart. "My role will be to continue along the path that my predecessors have defined, bringing to it my own contribution. My objective is to continue to develop and improve our wines, because those are what bring about our growth, and most importantly, the loyalty of our most discerning clients. I'm extremely proud to carry on the work of Francois, who has done a fantastic job over the last 30 years to make Billecart-Salmon one of the best champagne brands."

For Champagne Billecart-Salmon, this year has also been marked by anniversary celebrations, a new cellar, an exceptional harvest season, and, now, recognition by the business community. Champagne Billecart-Salmon was named Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the North of France region recognizing the company's 200-year journey and family management. The Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards pay tribute to the men and women who drive French growth and competitiveness.

This year also brings a new vintage Champagne release. The 2007 Champagne Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Elisabeth Brut Rose will release in France this year and arrive in the U.S. in early 2019. The cuvee distinguishes itself through its harmonious flavors and unique character. Comprised of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay from the House's top vineyards, it will age beautifully for the next ten years.

About Billecart-Salmon

Independent since its creation, Maison Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Ay by Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas Francois Billecart. Today, the seventh generation of the family continues to pursue a perpetual quest for quality. In constant pursuit of excellence and perfection, the House shapes its greatest Champagnes by mixing ancestral traditions with the most modern techniques. Elegant and harmonious, these Champagnes gracefully celebrate every precious moment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005214/en/

Contacts:

Benson Marketing Group

Sarah Jones Gillihan, 707-254-1114

jones@bensonmarketing.comVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) - StrikePoint Gold Inc. (TSXV: SKP) (OTCQB: STKXF) is pleased to announce results from initial prospecting at the "Big Nunatak" on the Porter Project near Stewart, British Columbia.

New 'On Trend' Discovery

A total of thirteen samples were collected on the Nunatak during initial prospecting in September. Samples were collected from quartz veins, sulphide-rich Jurassic-aged mudstones and contact zones with intrusive material from the Goldslide / Hillside Suite. Highlighted assays are shown in the table below.

Sample ID Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Description X956853 427 Trace Mudstone / siltstone with blebs of pyrite, found close boundary with intrusive dyke. X956598 109 0.78 Tuffaceous mudstone with blebs of pyrite and malachite, proximal to intrusive dyke. X956854 199 Trace Tuffaceous mudstone with semi-massive, fine grained pyrite blebs proximal to intrusive dyke.

This new sampling from Big Nunatak supports the establishment of a ten-kilometer-long mineralized trend running through the historic Silverado and Porter mines to the newly acquired Big claim block.

This first batch of samples ranged from trace to 427 grams per ton silver and covered an area of 150 meters by 120m. An additional 45 samples were collected from a wider area. Results are pending.





10 km Mineral Trend



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5044/40901_strikepoint1enhanced.jpg

Similarities to Other Local Mines

The geology of the Big Nunatak is strikingly like that found at the Red Mountain Mine (IDM Mining) which is approximately six kilometers to the northeast. The host rocks are Jurassic-aged sedimentary / volcaniclastic units from the Hazelton Group intruded by early Jurassic intrusions of the Hillside and Goldslide Porphyries.

The main ore zones at Red Mountain are found in the core of the Bitter Creek Anticline as sulphide-rich stockwork vein systems, primarily pyrite.

StrikePoint's recent sampling and these initial results contribute to the understanding and potential of the Big Nunatak and the extensive mineralized trend within the Company's thirty square kilometer property package.

Property Acquisition

The Big Property was acquired along with the Bada and Boom areas in September 2018 (see news release dated 12th September 2018) due to their potential to host additional mineralization and to expand the land holding beyond the initial Porter Project. The primary feature at Big is the Nunatak, an area of open rocky ground projecting from the Cambria Icefield.

About the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is an area of northwestern British Columbia that has seen extensive historic mining and prospecting activity, and has recently been the site of modern discoveries, including the Premier Gold, Snip and Eskay Creek Mines. The area has seen a resurgence in infrastructure investment which supports exploration activities, including upgraded transmission lines supplying clean, affordable and reliable hydroelectric power. Other recent improvements include highway upgrades, new ocean port infrastructure at the ice-free port of Stewart and the commissioning of three hydroelectric facilities.

StrikePoint Gold is a well-financed gold exploration and development company. The company controls a portfolio of gold and silver properties in the Yukon, British Columbia and throughout Canada.

QA/QC

The Company maintains a rigorous QA/QC program with respect to the preparation, shipping, analysis and checking of all samples and data from the properties. Quality control for field sampling and drill samples at the Company's projects covers the complete chain of custody of samples, including sample handling procedures and analytical-related work, plus the insertion of standard and blank materials. The QA/QC program also includes data verification procedures. ALS Laboratories in Vancouver, Canada (ISO 17025:2005 accreditation) assayed all grab samples from the current field program using fire assay and ICP Mass Spectroscopy methods.

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Andy Randell, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration of StrikePoint Gold. Mr. Randell is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101.

For further information, please visit our website: www.strikepointgold.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF STRIKEPOINT GOLD INC.,

Shawn Khunkhun

CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

Shawn Khunkhun

604-602-1440

sk@strikepointgold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) - GMV Minerals Inc. (TSXV: GMV) (the "Company" or "GMV") is pleased to release the results of its preliminary economic assessment (the "Study") for the Mexican Hat Project gold deposit located in Cochise County, Arizona ("Mexican Hat" or the "project"). GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company solely focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona.

PEA Highlights

The base case assumes a gold price of US$1,325/ounce ("oz"). All figures are stated in U.S. Dollars ("$") unless otherwise noted. All tonnages are metric tonnes. Precious metal grades are in grams per metric tonne (g/t).

The Technical Report pursuant to National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines for the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.

Mine life of 5-years with a 1-year pre-production period

Life of mine ("LOM") head grade of 0.66 g/t gold

Low LOM Strip Ratio of 2.8

Total amount of gold recovered is estimated at 470,000 oz

Average annual gold production of approximately 94,000 oz

Peak annual gold production of approximately 118,000 oz

LOM direct operating cash cost is estimated at $647/oz of gold recovered

All-in sustaining cost is estimated at $747/oz of gold recovered

LOM sustaining capital costs estimated at $36.4 million

The Mexican Hat Mineral Resource is currently open in three directions and to depth

Financial Indicators Before Taxes

NPV @ 0% US$133.3 M NPV @ 5% US$101.0 M IRR % 33.0% Payback (years) 2.0



Financial Indicators After Taxes

NPV @ 0% US$113.1 M NPV @ 5% US$83.9 M IRR % 29.0% Payback (years) 2.2

INITIAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ($ MILLIONS)

Mine Initial Fleet Lease $14.9 Pre-Production Waste Removal $15.2 Process $105.0 Owner's Cost $5.0 Total $140.1

OPERATING COSTS

The mine operating costs were calculated to average $1.84 per tonne moved.

Area Unit Cost (USD$/t moved) Drilling 0.26 Blasting 0.30 Loading 0.17 Hauling 0.43 Auxiliary Equipment 0.25 Mine and Maintenance General 0.18 Mine General and Administration 0.25 Total Cost 1.84

The life of mine operating costs were calculated to average $12.13/tonne ore.



Cost per Tonne of Ore Processed Mining $6.62 Process $4.21 G&A $1.30 Total Site Operating Cost $12.13

MINERAL RESOURCES

An updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Tetra Tech Inc. (Tetra Tech) with an effective date of June 22, 2018 and announced by GMV in a News Release dated July 17, 2018. Details of the Mineral Resource Estimate can be found in a Technical Report filed on SEDAR and announced by GMV in a News Release dated August 29, 2018.

Category Cut-off (g/t Au) Grade (Au, g/t) Tonnes Gold Oz Strip Ratio Inferred 0.20 0.616 32,876,000 651,000 2.56

The Mineral Resource Estimate has been constrained to a preliminary optimized pit shell, using the following parameters: SG = 2.57 gm/cc based on testwork, mining costs = $1.50/tonne, mining recovery =98%, mining dilution = 2%, process cost = $3.25 per tonne, G&A = $0.55 per tonne, gold price = $1,300 per troy ounce, throughput at 15,000 tpd, discount rate = 7%. Top cut at 32 g/t.

Mineral Resources constrained to optimized pit shells are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Conforms to NI 43-101, Companion Policy 43-101CP, and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Inferred Resources have been estimated from geological evidence and limited sampling and must be treated with a lower level of confidence than Measured and Indicated Resources.

All numbers are rounded. Overall numbers may not be exact due to rounding.

There are no known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources.

MINE PLAN

The mine plan is currently conceived as a conventional hard rock open pit. There are two independent pits which are developed with 5 phase or pushback designs. The mine plan produces a nominal ore tonnage to the process plant of 5,475 Ktonnes of ore per year (15,000 tpd) from a total material movement of 20,880 Ktonnes per year (52,200 tpd).

Over the course of the 5 year mine life, 25.1 Mtonnes of mineralization are planned for processing out of a total material movement of 96.4 Mtonnes.

The reader is cautioned that this mine plan is based on a mineral resource which includes inferred category mineralization. The reader is further cautioned that mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the mineral resources will be realized or that they will convert to mineral reserves.

There is no mineral reserve at Mexican Hat at this time. A component of the mineral resource, inclusive of inferred mineralization has been designated as potentially minable material for this PEA. This material does not constitute a mineral reserve and any reference to the word "ore" is for convenience of defining material that is planned for processing in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

INFRASTRUCTURE & PROCESS PLANT

The Mexican Hat Project is located in the southeastern part of the State of Arizona, approximately 115 km east-southeast of Tucson, and can be accessed from the Old Ghost Town Rd., a gravel road extending south of the Town of Pearce or north from Gleeson Rd.

Groundwater will be used as the source of water for mining operations. No permitting restrictions or quantity issues are anticipated.

A 69 kV powerline to site will be supplied by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. The power plant is located 30 km north of the site.

The crushing plant will produce ore with a 25 mm top size to be stacked on the heap. Pregnant solution from the heap leach will be processed in a conventional adsorption desorption recovery (ADR) plant. The process plant includes a refinery that will produce dore bars.

TECHNICAL REPORT

A National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant technical report entitled "Mexican Hat Project NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment" prepared by the following Qualified Persons will be filed by the Company within 45 days of this release on www.sedar.com:

Daniel Roth, PE, P.Eng. of M3 Engineering & Technology - Process Plant and Infrastructure Capital Costs, and Economic Analysis.

Justin Black, PE of M3 Engineering & Technology - Recovery Methods and Process Operating Costs.

Dave Webb, PhD., P.Geo., P.Eng. of DRW Geological Consultants Ltd - Property Description and Location, Accessibility, Climate, Local Resource, Infrastructure and Physiography, History, Geological Setting and Mineralization, Deposit Types, Exploration, Drilling, Sample Preparation, Analysis and Security, Data Verification.

John M. Marek, RM-SME of Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. - Mining Methods, Mine Operating Costs, Mine Capital Costs.

James Barr, P.Geo. of Tetra Tech - Mineral Resource Estimate.

John Fox, P.Eng. of Laurion Consulting Inc. - Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing.

Dawn H. Garcia, CPG, P.G. - Environmental.

All Qualified Persons have contributed to their corresponding sections in Interpretation, and Recommendations. The Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific, technical, and economic information obtained in this news release.

Ian Klassen, President of the Company states "We are pleased with these results as they demonstrate that the mineralization found to date is potentially economic with robust net operating revenues." The metallurgical results enable excellent recoveries at a coarse crush, keeping costs low. The Company wishes to confirm its internal economic assumptions to the public and can now focus on further expansion of the deposit. Development drilling will focus on:

Extensions to the known resource by 6 to 8 step out holes totaling around 2,500 m. Infill drilling of two to three drill holes totaling 700 to 800 m to discover additional gold resources within the pit, currently considered waste, due to a lack of drill test data. In addition, the program is expected to confirm a higher-grade domain located approximately 100 m from surface and within the pit. To add expected positive infill drilling assays into the PEA model.

In addition, certain recommendations regarding the collection of geotechnical, water, and environmental data can be collected with the next drill program enabling refinement of the economic model in future updates.

A PEA, as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), is an economic analysis intended to examine the potential viability of a mineral project. A PEA analyzes and assesses geological, engineering, and economic factors to reach its conclusions.

About GMV Minerals Inc.

GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat project, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company recently updated its inferred mineral resource to 32,876,000 tonnes grading 0.616 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 651,000 ounces of gold.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

______________________________________

Ian Klassen, President

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:

GMV Minerals Inc.

Ian Klassen

Tel: (604) 899-0106

Email: info@gmvminerals.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management of the Company regarding future events or results. Such statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements except as may be required by law.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.Tatiana Piccolo to report to new Chief Beauty & Brand Officer James Thompson as Avon re-energises brand and product marketing

LONDON, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) ("the Company") a globally recognised leader in direct selling of beauty and related products, today announced that Tatiana Piccolo is to join as Vice President Global Fragrance. A seasoned marketing executive with nearly two decades experience in beauty and direct selling, Tatiana joins on 26th November, reporting to fellow newcomer James Thompson. James joined on November 1st to lead Avon's brand rejuvenation following a 24-year career at Diageo PLC.

Tatiana brings extensive experience from Natura in Brazil and Latin America. At Natura she held local, regional and global roles across all categories and consistently delivered growth, market share increases and improved brand awareness. She has a strong track record in creating and launching brands and products and will bring this into effect at Avon as she drives fragrance category growth.

Tatiana will lead one of four global category communities reporting to James. This forms part of Avon's broader marketing transformation to modernise the brand and leverage the strength of Avon's beauty marketing and innovation to deliver more market-relevant, on-trend products.

James said:

"This is a new era for Avon's brand and product marketing as we inject new talent, unleash existing talent and overhaul our approach. I'm excited to be part of the transformation as we capitalize on Avon's existing brand awareness and strong heritage to build sustainable growth. Tatiana brings invaluable experience of growing market share in key categories and geographies and I'm delighted that she is joining the team at this pivotal moment."

Tatiana said:

"Avon's market penetration is already huge. We have a tremendous opportunity to build market share further and improve brand perception as we develop compelling consumer propositions across a range of price points to build Avon's position as a global fragrance powerhouse."

About Avon Products, Inc.

Avon is the Company that for 130 years has proudly stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and, above all, for women. Avon products include well-recognised and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques sold through approximately 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Company's ability to drive fragrance category growth, build market share, develop more compelling consumer propositions and modernize the Avon brand. Because forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility of business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic and business conditions in Avon's markets as well as the other risks detailed in Avon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Avon undertakes no obligation to update any statements in this press release for changes that happen after the date of this release.Infiniti Research, a world-renowned market intelligence solutions provider, has announced the completion of their latest article on the benefits ofcompetitive intelligence services.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005034/en/

Benefits of competitive intelligence services. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Competitive intelligence services are a great way to monitor the developments made by peer companies in any market. Without accurate data, it becomes quite difficult for businesses to become market leaders. Competitive intelligence services primarily focus on the strategies of competitors and offer real-time insights into the competitive landscape. Additionally, companies can keep a track of the past activities of their competitors, which helps them in forecasting the future activities of peer companies. This will not only help companies in forging business strategies but will also improve their financial status.

"Competitive intelligence services help businesses in improving the financial stability of companies by formulating impactful business strategies," says a competitive intelligence expert from Infiniti Research.

Continue reading to know more about competitive intelligence services and their benefits or request a free proposal.

Benefits of competitive intelligence services:

Analyze situations and design strategies

Competitive intelligence services are a great way to analyze the competitive business environment and fabricate future business strategies. These services help companies to cope with the changing market scenario and move in tandem with competitor companies. Since insights derived from competitive intelligence services are qualitative in nature, they act as an alarm for the businesses in case of any disruption in the market system. To know more about the impact of competitive intelligence services in businesses, get in touch with our experts.

Target potential competitors

In recent times, companies focusing on competitive intelligence services are availing a massive boost in their total growth. These services gain a comprehensive view and analyze the potential competitors in the market along with tracking competitors' activities. This helps businesses in planning their future according to market strategies followed by competitor companies. For more information on the competitive intelligence services followed by businesses to create a larger impact in the market, consult with our industry experts.

Product launch in the market

Estimating market size is vital for businesses before the launch of their product. Especially, during the launch of a new product, it becomes the most relevant step. This gives an analysis of the demand and supply cycles. Additionally, competitive intelligence services help in evaluating the success rate of the product in the future. To identify recent market dynamics with competitive intelligence services, Request a Proposal.

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/20181107005034/en/

Contacts:

Infiniti Research

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

US: +1 844 778 0600

UK: +44 203 893 3400

https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-usSpendEdge, a global procurement market intelligence firm, has announced the release of their Global Sodium Bisulfite Category Procurement Market Intelligence Report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005305/en/

Global Sodium Bisulfite Category Procurement Market Intelligence Report. (Graphic: Business Wire)

This procurement intelligence report provides an overview of the global sodium bisulfite supply market landscape and offers functional analysis of the major factors that are resulting in the dynamic demand and growth of this market. The growing requirement for wastewater treatment is promoting the demand for the sodium bisulfite solution, which is used as a strong reducing agent in the dechlorination of drinking water and for chlorine removal in wastewater. Extensive sodium bisulfite application in the photography industry is also supplementing this category's growth. Download a Free Sample Report to know more about the major cost drivers and strategic supplier selection insights for the sodium bisulfite market.

Analysis of the growth drivers for the sodium bisulfite is supported with the most appropriate set of procurement practices that were devised by our procurement experts who worked in close proximity with the leading companies in this market. Such practices are based on real-time scenario analysis which are being extensively leveraged to achieve cost-effective category procurement in this competitive market. Talk to our experts to get personalized guidance in creating a market strategy that is suited to your business requirements.

"The buyers must compare the inventory turnover of suppliers with industry standards to evaluate the sales that help in adjudging the overall quality of suppliers. Low inventory turnover is indicative of their inability to meet buyers' specific requirements that will lead to obsolescence and overstocking, which, in turn, can reduce the cost-effectiveness of the supplier," says SpendEdge procurement expert Anil Seth.

This procurement market analysis report features the key findings that essentially characterize the sodium bisulfite market and is, therefore, is functional in guiding the designing of an optimal procurement strategy:

Adoption of automated production systems will minimize suppliers' production costs

The supply market for sodium bisulfite is fragmented in nature with the presence of global, regional, and local players who focus on providing various grades of sodium bisulfite based on specific requirements of buyers

Purchase the full report and unlock your full market potential.

SpendEdge is now offering limited-time discounts on report purchases. Buy two reports and get the third one for free

SpendEdge's procurement market intelligence reports for the chemicals category offer information on category pricing strategies to help the buyers achieve significant cost-savings. The reports also offer information on supplier performance benchmarking criteria to help buyers reduce spend and establish better SLAs. Additionally, SpendEdge's reports offer insights into the sustainability and procurement best practices for the category.

Report scope snapshot: Sodium bisulfite market

US market insights

Supplier cost structure in the US

Margins of suppliers in the US

Category cost drivers

Interested to know more about the scope of our reports? Download a FREE sample

Best practices

Procurement excellence best practices

Procurement best practices

Sustainability practices

Want customized information? Get in touch

Category ecosystem

Competitiveness index for suppliers

Buyer power

Supplier power score

To view this report's table of contents, Download a FREE sample

Do you purchase multiple reports in a year? Our subscription platform, SpendEdge Insights, provides ready-to-use procurement research reports for multiple categories. Now access latest supplier news, innovation landscape, markets insights, supplier tracking, and much more at the click of a button. Start your 7-day FREE trial now.

Related Reports:

Global Ferrous Sulfate Category Procurement Market Intelligence Report

Global Sodium Thiosulfate Category Procurement Market Intelligence Report

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005305/en/

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https://www.spendedge.com/contact-usAscom Telligence has been named best communications system in the UK's Building Better Healthcare Awards.



BAAR, Switzerland, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Almost 600 healthcare leaders gathered in London to celebrate innovation in the built environment and medical device design. This annual event honors the innovation, architecture, people, products and services that are helping to transform patient care in both the NHS and private healthcare sector.

The best communications system award is part of the technology class which aims to identify the most innovative digital applications used in health and social care environments. Beating stiff competition, the judges were impressed with the feedback given by hospitals using Ascom Telligence (SWX:ASCN.SW). The Royal Free Hospital, London, was the first hospital worldwide to install Ascom Telligence at the beginning of 2018; quickly followed by Chase Farm Hospital.

Fiona Morcom, Clinical Implementation Lead for Nurse Call system, Chase Farm Hospital, said: "At Chase Farm's new digital hospital, we wanted a solution for nurse call that would help patients and staff to feel connected, and enable staff across all areas to better manage their clinical workflow, enabling more time for direct clinical care, and less time wasted in unnecessary footfall. Ascom's nurse call system enables our staff to feel in touch - wherever they are in their department or area. They're quickly able to identify calls and speak to patients or other staff members so that coordination of activity is seamless."

Ascom Telligence combines the latest nurse call technology with smartphones designed for healthcare environments, and software apps to meet the needs of a mobile workforce and modern hospital design. It helps to address the challenges that result from single room wards, lower staffing ratios and more complex patient needs.

Paul Lawrence, Managing Director Ascom UK, says: "In the UK, Ascom has been supporting the NHS and private healthcare sector for over 18 years. We're incredibly proud of this award that demonstrates that we remain at the forefront of innovation. It has been made possible by the commitment and dedication of our global and local product development and deployment teams, who have worked closely with our customers to make sure our solutions meet their needs now and for the future."

ABOUT ASCOM

Ascom is a global solutions provider focused on healthcare ICT and mobile workflow solutions. The vision of Ascom is to close digital information gaps allowing for the best possible decisions - anytime and anywhere. Ascom's mission is to provide mission-critical, real-time solutions for highly mobile, ad hoc, and time-sensitive environments. Ascom uses its unique product and solutions portfolio and software architecture capabilities to devise integration and mobilization solutions that provide truly smooth, complete, and efficient workflows for healthcare as well as for industry and retail sectors.

Ascom is headquartered in Baar (Switzerland), has operating businesses in 18 countries and employs around 1,300 people worldwide. Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.

This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase, or sell any securities. This document is not for publication in the United States of America or the United Kingdom and should not be distributed in any jurisdiction in a manner where such distribution would not comply with regulatory requirements. In particular, this document may not be distributed in the United States, to United States persons, or to publications with a general circulation in the United States. In addition, the securities of Ascom have not been and will not be registered in any jurisdiction outside Switzerland. The securities of Ascom may not be offered, sold, or delivered, and no solicitation to purchase such securities may be made within the United States or to U.S. persons absent an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States securities laws or within any other jurisdiction and in a manner where such offer, sale, delivery, or solicitation might not be in compliance with regulatory requirements (including the United Kingdom).Gaza: optimism grows with electrical power, more funds Possible to pay salaries, queues at cash machines

(ANSAmed) - GAZA, NOVEMBER 7 - The relative normalization in the provision of electrical power and new funds to pay salaries have sparked cautious optimism among the population in Gaza. On the background, international efforts are continuing to ease tension between Hamas and Israel and to reconcile Hamas with Abu Mazen's Palestinian National Authority.



Queues at cash machines were reported in Gaza City after Hamas announced that it is now able to pay, at least in part, the salaries of its employees. Hamas has also announced that thousands who were wounded in violence at the border with Israel will receive compensation. Hamas did not reveal the origin of the funding, only adding that the money came with the help of ''international observers''.



The effect was immediate with retail sales growing, a trend also to be attributed to the improvement in the provision of electrical power. This is also a consequence of mediations backed by Egypt and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov to bring back stability. (ANSAmed)PALM BEACH, Florida, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

The cannabis sector is currently riding a notable high as legalization continues to sweep the globe, with Canada becoming the most recent and largest country to date to legalize the substance for recreational use. As the industry has emerged as a unit capable of generating annual revenues in the billions, there have been a number of indirect effects and opportunities for businesses and investors alike. One of those is the operations side of the industry, as leaders need enhanced operations in order to maintain and increase the needed level of production to meet the rising consumer demand. By leveraging advanced cultivation services, leaders in the industry are able to focus on growing their business while their operations continue to improve seamlessly behind the scenes. Another appealing factor of this niche is the job creation associated with expanding grow services and operations, as the industry will add thousands of jobs over the next few years. As the cannabis market continues its rapid ascent into the multi-billion dollar stratosphere, the number of opportunities and spinoffs from the sector is most definitely expected to ascend as well. Active cannabis stocks in the markets today include: CROP Infrastructure Corp. (CSE:CROP) (OTC:CRXPF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB), The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (OTC:SPRWF) (TSX-V:FIRE), Isodiol International Inc. (OTC:ISOLF) (CSE:ISOL), Namaste Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:N) (OTC:NXTTF).

CROP Infrastructure Corp. (CSE:CROP) (OTCPK:CRXPF) BREAKING NEWS: CROP Infrastructure announced today that it is working towards complete vertical integration in California. Processing continues unchecked at Humboldt Farm and new automation equipment has arrived to increase efficiencies and continually increase return on investment (ROI) of finished inventory.

Additionally, CROP's Emerald Heights retail brand has just completed the stage three interview process with the City of San Bernardino which is a major hurdle before the final licensing review to open its first California retail location. CROP is currently going through the process of opening two Emerald Heights locations in Italy, one in Nevada and one at the aforementioned location in California.

The company's tenant is currently accepting and reviewing bids from distributors to represent the company's production under its Hempire, Evolution and White Rhino brands. The tenant has also applied for its own distribution license to represent its own production and the production of other complimentary producers in the region which will result in another license in the growing portfolio of tenant licensees.

CROP has also been notified that the tenants are preparing an extraction license application for Humboldt Farm which will maximize the ROI and broaden the range of Stock Keeping Units ('SKUs') available to retail locations.

CROP has submitted its building plans to the Humboldt County Building and Planning Department to increase the production of the California facility at a cost of $1,000,000 of which $250,000 has already been spent. The increased production will result in an additional ~12,000 pounds of high-quality cannabis and 3,000 pounds of secondary material per year.

CROP Infrastructure CEO, Michael Yorke, stated: "The significance of fully vertically integrating cannot be understated and we are working towards that end as rapidly as is practicable. As with CROP's worldwide tenant strategy, production is always focused on high quality at low cost. With extraction and retail verticals now in process, the opportunity to maximize ROI on a significant scale presents the opportunity to control CROP's tenant destiny and maximize future profits." Read this full announcement and more news for CROP Infrastructure at: http://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-crop/



Additional cannabis industry related developments from around the markets:

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB) Choom Holdings Inc. ("Choom") (CSE: CHOO; OTCQB: CHOOF) recently announced they have completed a non-brokered private placement of a debenture (the "Offering") in the principal amount of $20,000,000 in Choom by Aurora, convertible into common shares of Choom ("Common Shares") at a conversion price of $1.25 per Common Share, with a four year maturity date. Aurora has also secured the right to acquire up to 40% of the Company at $2.75 per Common Share. Choom is currently developing a network of retail stores which will feature a curated selection of products from various licensed producers with a strong focus on elevated customer experiences. Choom has secured the rights to 45 retail opportunities across Western Canada, rapidly expanding its commercial presence in highly strategic locations. This includes a total of 45 applications submitted, with 27 development permits and 18 building permits received from the various municipalities. In all cases the retail opportunities are subject to the necessary provincial and municipal government approvals.

The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (OTCQX:SPRWF) (TSX-V:FIRE.V) recently announced that 7ACRES branded High-End Cannabis is available exclusively through Canada's provincially regulated adult-use channels. More information about 7ACRES and its products can be found at 7ACRES.com. 7ACRES' Jean Guy strain is now available online in British Columbia, and the Company expects that Jean Guy will be online in Alberta , Ontario , Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island next week, and in Manitoba in early November. The balance of 7ACRES' full product lineup will be available shortly thereafter online and in brick-and-mortar stores. "In 2013 we started our journey to develop 7ACRES into Canada's leading brand for premium cannabis flower, delivering on consumer expectations for aroma, visual appeal and flavour," said John Fowler , President of Supreme Cannabis & Founder of 7ACRES. "We're now excited to make 7ACRES available to adult cannabis enthusiasts and consumers looking for a superior sensory experience when consuming cannabis. Our mantra at 7ACRES is 'RESPECT THE PLANT'. We believe that by respecting the plant, the people who care for it and the people who ultimately consume it, we have built a culture of continual improvement where consumers can expect that each flower experience is better than the last."

Isodiol International Inc. (OTCQB:ISOLF) (CSE:ISOL.CN) announced it is set to debut its newest CBD raw ingredient, Heneplex p200, at Supply Side West in Las VegasNovember 8th and 9th, 2018, booth 1557, to meet the new demand and market trend in the beverage sector. Heneplex p200 has the advantage of being far more versatile than traditional CBD hemp extracts and oils, which can be difficult to formulate and use to manufacture consumer good products. CBD hemp extract in an oil form sticks to just about everything, tastes bad to many users, and dissolves in few substances besides alcohols and oils. In short, formulating with CBD hemp extracts is challenging. p200 by contrast, can simply be mixed into food and beverage products, almost without exception, including protein shakes, juices, soda, coffee, tea, baked goods or frozen goods, or simply added to a glass of water. Management would also like to provide an update to its shareholders around the volatility of the stock and would like to address recent investor inquiries. The Company has not deviated from its business plan announced on June 29, 2018 and believes it is executing on its business strategies in each division with new revenue opportunities being added on a consistent basis. Further, management believes some of the Company's business strategies are in front of market trends that will soon be recognized by the market, particularly as legalization continues to trend in a favourable direction in the United States and Mexico.

Namaste Technologies Inc. (OTCQB:NXTTF) (TSX-V: N.V) last week announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cannmart Inc. ("Cannmart") has signed a Product Acquisition Agreement (the "Agreement") with Custom Cannabis Inc. ("Custom Cannabis"), whereby Cannmart will purchase packaged and tested cannabis products from Custom Cannabis to offer in Cannmart's online marketplace. Cannmart's "sales-only" license is the first of its kind in Canada to be issued to a non-cultivator, which allows Namaste to leverage its technology platforms and e-commerce expertise to sell medical cannabis procured from a variety of licensed producers throughout Canada. The addition of Custom Cannabis through this Agreement will further enhance Cannmart's offering of high-quality products. The Company continues to focus on securing supply agreements with licensed producers that will ensure product availability for the future.

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The new facility serves five countries and optimize operations in the entire Europe

Vivre, one of the largest online home & deco retailers, along with its regional logistic partner, opened its second warehouse in Europe, in the city of Senec, Bratislava. Slovakia becomes the starting point of a series of brand investments, as part of the brand's forthcoming extension strategy.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/781018/Vivre.jpg )



The new facility spans over 3,000 square meters, serving five out of the total nine countries Vivre is present in: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia and Croatia. It is enabled with technological equipments and flow sheets designed to suit the processing of both small (decorations, accesories) and large items, Focusing on technology makes it possible to implement and optimize a supply chain of over 1,000 suppliers and up to 500,000 unique clients.

The new facility required an initial investment of approximately one million euros in equipment, infrastructure and wares. About 50 employees ensure the orders' management, quality control and delivery. The supply chain in Slovakia plays a pivotal role in Vivre's European engagement, integrating suppliers and start-to-end services. Further investments are planned the following years to support the increase in processed volumes.

"The opening of a new facility in Slovakia, at the heart of the region, followed naturally the brand's geographical expansion in CEE. As our most recent investment, it will shorten delivery periods and enhance transportation safety, both key components of the Vivre experience. The Senec regional center now manages all orders in the region, helping us truly partner with our clients. In the forthcoming period, we will put more effort and invest more for the tens of thousands of products to reach them faster," stated Monica Cadogan, CEO Vivre.

Vivre enterted the Slovak market in 2015, having now extended in nine European countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. The new facility optimizes the orders' management, ensuring a shorter delivery period and higher storage capacity, consequently more products in stock, available for delivery in 3-5 working days.

The opening of a this new logistic center is part of Vivre's extension strategy in Europe, the platform serving 100,000,000 Europeans.

Vivre is an eCommerce launched in 2012, that offers furniture, decorations, textiles and accesories supplied by producers all around the world. Vivre offers approximately 50,000 products and has succesfully delivered over 3,000,000 orders.BLED, Slovenia, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At its THINK South East Europe conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced momentum of its cloud solutions among European startups. Several companies in the region have turned to the IBM Cloud for AI, blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in order to drive innovation and scale globally. They include blockchain-based digital identity provider, Blinking; developer and manufacturer of in-wheel electric propulsion systems, Elaphe; and cardiac medical devices developer, HeartBit.

"Startups and enterprise companies alike find value in IBM's open approach to cloud computing which, coupled with our deep industry expertise, provides the flexibility and services they need as they grow and transform," said Michael Paier, General Manager, IBM Southeast Europe. "By choosing IBM Cloud, organizations are able to do much more than just cut costs. By tapping exciting cloud-based services like Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT), they are able to innovate new business models and develop new services on the fly that help them differentiate from the competition."

Today's news builds on IBM's global cloud momentum amongst startups and global brands like Bausch + Lomb, Whirlpool and Kyocera, which are migrating major workloads and modernizing existing infrastructures with the IBM Cloud. Just two weeks ago IBM announced that hundreds of companies around the world (including New Zealand Police, China's Fuyao Group, Japan's Aflac Insurance, Turkey's credit bureau Kredi Kayit Burosu and Brazil's Fidelity National Information Services) are now using IBM Cloud Private to help modernize their existing IT investments and rapidly develop and deploy innovative new applications to meet market demand.

Startups across South East Europe using the IBM Cloud include:

Blinking, Serbia

Blinking is a blockchain-based digital ID solution provider that gives users control over their data, using Hyperledger Fabric on the IBM Cloud. Individuals create their own digital identity with a Blinking ID and then authenticate themselves using a variety of techniques including password, facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. With the service, individuals can authorize or revoke access to third-parties each time they are required to verify their identity. Using IBM Cloud Private, Blinking is piloting a Know Your Customer (KYC) service with five Serbian banks.

Careesma.co, Croatia

Careesma has built a virtual assistant called Smarty that simplifies student-facing services at the Zagreb School of Economic and Management. The system can rapidly respond to questions from students on a 24/7 basis regardless of where they are located. Smarty is based on IBM Watson Assistant, a service on the IBM Cloud which uses machine learning to help organizations build solutions that understand natural-language and respond to customers in a way that simulates a conversation between humans.

HeartBit,Hungary

HeartBit teamed up with IBM to build the back-end for its pioneering wearable ECG device. The system captures data from the Heartbit device, transmits it to the IBM Cloud via a mobile app, where it is stored and analyzed using the latest AI technologies. With insight from the Heartbit app, users can optimize their training schedules and get fit safely. The company selected IBM Cloud services due to the high levels of security of the IBM Cloud as well as IBM's leadership in data privacy.

Indivizo, Hungary

Indivizo offers data-driven recruitment solutions to help HR decision makers hire top talent faster. The company has incorporated IBM's Watson AI technology on the IBM Cloud to analyse video interviews with job applicants. Using advanced video analytics, Inivizo is able to create personality profiles that provide HR with additional insight about a candidate's suitability for a given position.

Elaphe Propulsion Technologies, Slovenia

Elaphe selected IBM Cloud to access IBM's Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to help advance the safety of next generation autonomous and connected electric and hybrid vehicles. With the IBM cloud, Elaphe is able to analyze real-time information about driving conditions and vehicle performance to generate valuable insight that can aid the development and operation of vehicles using the company's in-wheel powertrain systems.

About IBM Cloud

With $19B in annual cloud revenue, IBM is the global leader in enterprise cloud with a platform designed to meet the evolving needs of business and society. Moving past productivity and cost improvements, the IBM Cloud is tuned for the AI and data demands that are driving true differentiation in today's enterprise. IBM's private, public and hybrid offerings provide the global scale businesses need to support innovation across industries.

For more information on IBM Cloud, visit: ibm.com/cloud

To learn more about Startup with IBM and redeem credits, visit: https://developer.ibm.com/startups/

Media Contact

Danijela Radinkovic

IBM Media Relations

Danijela@hr.ibm.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/95470/ibm_logo.jpgQuimera Energy Efficiency (QEE) is celebrating the success of winning one of the AEE Awards 2018 by presenting the Monitor Save project in collaboration with Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel.

Winning the AEE award represents a big contribution towards sustainability goals of Andaz London Liverpool Street and is a big milestone for Quimera Energy Efficiency in terms of recognition of all efforts and quality of the project.

The innovative approach of the Monitor Save project provides intelligent monitoring-based commissioning service with no investment required from the client to fully optimize the facility. The in-built intelligent solution based on the IoT technology is costumed to every building's needs and is provided under performance based scheme resulting in continuous and autonomous commissioning.

In the case of the Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel, the project kicked off in 2016 and within a year 21% of electricity and 27,1% of gas consumption was saved. This translates in 500.000kg of CO2 emissions saved to enhance the sustainability of our environment. This was achieved using the methodology of Monitor Save, including the Bopstem technology provided by Wisestate, which is a ground-breaking IoT solution for HVAC control and automation without suffering guest comfort.

'Andaz London Liverpool Street, in line with Hyatt's overall sustainability strategy, is committed to operate in an environmentally conscious way and we value that Quimera Energy has been able to deliver on their promise to reduce consumption and footprint and win the AEE Award because of this' commented Otto Steenbeek, General Manager at Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel.

John Chambers, Business Development Director at Quimera Energy Efficiency says: "QEE would like to thank the management of the hotel, especially to Keith Large and Otto Steenbeek for the great contribution and collaboration on the Monitor Save project, as without their support, this project would not have been possible to realize. It has been a great pleasure to cooperate with professionals on this level to create a project of this quality deserving one of the AEE Awards 2018. The opportunity of our collaboration has created a fruitful relationship between both companies within EMEA and lately has been expanded to the Americas."

The AEE Regional Awards Presentations took place on Tuesday 16 October 2018 as part of the World Energy Engineering Congress, in Charlotte, USA and was received by Mr. Robert Patten, Vice President of Engineering & Capital Planning representing Hyatt Hotel Corporation who mentioned: "Quimera Energy works with Hyatt hotels to optimise our central cooling plants, heating plants, air handling systems, building automation system, and achieves very impressive results." accompanied by Mr. John Chambers, Business Development Director at Quimera Energy Efficiency.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a prestigious American association which shines the light on the important work that is being done in the field of energy by individuals, organizations, agencies, and corporations. Recognition of excellence by one's peers and other professionals in the energy industry is the purpose of this program from the Association of Energy Engineers. AEE among many other certifications also provides CEM, BEP, EEP and CIEP certifications that are recognized as proof of a high level of competence within constantly changing fields of energy. Quimera Energy is proud to take part on the recognition of the high quality work of energy engineers delivered in the Monitor Save projects spreading around the world.

For more information about the AEE Regional Awards please visit the following web page: https://www.aeecenter.org/regional-awards

This news is also available on:

http://www.quimeraee.com/2018/11/07/hyatt-wins-the-aees-western-europe-region-energy-project-of-the-year-award-for-2018-by-using-iot-technology-and-intelligent-energy-saving-methodology-provided-by-quimera-energy-efficiency/

-ENDS-

About Quimera Energy Efficiency

Quimera Energy Efficiency(www.quimeraee.com) is an international company based in London, UK that adopts a retro commissioning approach to energy efficiency, focusing on generating energy savings and minimizing emissions and carbon footprint by implementing IoT related solutions under performance-based scheme.

QEE's proven methodology in reducing energy consumption has been recognized by the biggest players of the global hospitality industry and is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, Caribbean area, as well as all around the Europe, India, United Arab Emirates and China.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 14 premier brands. As of June 30, 2018, the Company's portfolio included more than 750 properties in more than 55 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Residence Club and exhale brand names. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005543/en/

Contacts:

Quimera Energy Efficiency

Robert Motuz

Marketing Manager

Email: rmotuz@quimeraee.com

Phone: +44 2070487456

or

Hyatt Regency London

Maria Karapandeli

Marketing Communications Manager

Email: maria.karapandeli@hyatt.com

Phone: +44 7392 868188Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) - Icon Exploration Inc. (TSXV: IEX.H) ("Icon" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that it has now signed the formal share exchange agreement relating to its proposed change of business resulting from the acquisition of City View Green (the "Proposed Transaction").

As disclosed in prior news releases this past year, City View Green (or "CVG") is a private numbered company incorporated under the laws of Ontario that has an exclusive 5 year lease (with an option to renew for 5 years) with a further exclusive right to lease any future buildings and has added the option to buy the building and land owned by the building owner located in Brantford, Ontario. Additional buildings can be constructed and leased totaling approximately 120,000 ft of building space. City View Green has submitted an application to Health Canada for an Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR") licence and has received a file number indicating receipt of the licensed producer application under the ACMPR and further correspondence that CVG is currently in the in-depth review stage of the application review process. City View Green also owns standard operating procedures and extraction facility plans which it expects to utilize in its extraction business once it is granted the ACMPR licence. In addition, City View is in the process of completing the acquisition of a 19.99% interest in a private company that has made application for licences permitting it to operate retail cannabis stores in Alberta. As at September 30, 2018 (unaudited), CVG had current assets of $468,196 and total assets of $2,925,933, total liabilities of $132,250, no revenues and total comprehensive loss of $776,655. It is expected that prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction, CVG will have raised an additional minimum $1,000,000 and obtained a $1,400,000 line of credit for construction and equipment of its facility.

About City View Green

City View Green set out to build a state-of-the art cannabis company from the ground up. In just over 12 months, the company has made significant strides to develop a solid business footing while applying for its ACMPR licence.

City View Green believes it has assembled the right ingredients and fundamentals that incorporates a model that mirrors the early successful players in the cannabis sector. City View Green has set out on developing a state-of-the-art growing facility and extraction facility along with a retail strategy creating a truly vertically integrated cannabis company.

Over the past year, CVG's focus has shifted from being strictly a cultivation company, to becoming a multifaceted product offering cannabis company. While City View Green believes demand for cannabis flower will outstrip supply in the short-term, making flower a profitable business line, it also believes that the future points to extractions and the spinoff consumer products that can be created from extractions. City View Green realized early on that it isn't only about crop yield and that over the long term, it's about lowering production costs and developing efficient growing operations, as mature cannabis markets in the U.S. point to a lower price per gram for flower over time. CVG envisions price compression on a per gram basis similar to the U.S. market experience will occur in Canadian cannabis market for flower. On the extraction side of the business, the company has hired a management team that has expertise in concentrates, oils, distillates and isolates that will go into functional beverages, edibles, creams, cosmetics and other consumer related product offering for the recreational retail market.

CVG is already preparing a 40,000-square-foot growing facility in Brantford, Ontario, to produce pharmaceutical-grade cannabis once its ACMPR licence is granted, and has engaged experienced contractors with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and medical cannabis space. Initially, about half the facility will be outfitted with state-of-the-art LED lighting, HVAC systems and automation technologies to optimize the quality, safety and consistency of cannabis production. About 4,000 square feet will be devoted to an extraction laboratory, which will feature an ultra-efficient CO 2 supercritical extraction process and in the future ethanol extraction technology.

CVG believes it has assembled an experienced team that can deliver on its business plan. CVG has secured a Master Grower with cannabis-industry experience to attend to indoor grow operations and has identified both a Quality Assurance Manager and Head of Security. CVG has also retained an extraction expert from the Seattle, Washington cannabis market, who has amassed significant expertise in developing and launching new products from extractions. In addition, the company has shortlisted a number of potential candidates with strong experience in the alcohol and beverage industry to join CVG's team.

City View Green has negotiated an agreement with a private company that is seeking 37 retail cannabis licenses in Alberta. The agreement provides that on closing, each company will receive an equity interest equal to 19.99% of the other. It is the Company's view that this co-ownership between the two companies sets CVG apart from other early stage cannabis companies that have gone public. On completion of this transaction and issuance of the ACMPR licence to CVG, the retail company will have access to CVG's cannabis products and CVG will have access to a retail market once CVG's products are approved for sale, thus creating a vertically integrated operation. City View Green is also reviewing other retail opportunities in other provinces across Canada.

CVG has also had early discussions with various European groups to discuss offtake agreements for CBD oils and extracts.

CVG is currently working with several cannabis consultants, who are shepherding the company's ACMPR application through the licensing process. Out of approximately 2,800 companies that applied for an ACMPR licence, CVG is one of approximately 400 applicants still under consideration.

Rob Fia commented, "Although the process has taken longer than we wanted, we are pleased to finalize an agreement between City View Green and Icon. In the end, we feel it will be well worth the wait for our shareholders. The resulting company will be a true vertical operation in the cannabis space with a solid team at the helm. We believe we have already differentiated ourselves from other cannabis companies and will become a powerful entry into the cannabis marketplace."

The Share Exchange Agreement and Proposed Transaction

This Proposed Transaction, which will see the Company transition from a resource company to a company carrying on business in the cannabis sector, will constitute a "Change of Business" ("COB") as defined in Policy 5.2 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Proposed Transaction is not a Related Party Transaction (as such term is defined in Exchange policies); however, the three directors of Icon, Rob Fia, Joseph Heng and Stephen McNeill, currently own, in the aggregate, approximately 18.7% of the issued shares of City View Green and it is expected that at the time of closing the Proposed Transaction, they will own, in the aggregate, approximately 14.4% of the then issued shares of CVG. Shareholder approval will not be required in regard to this transaction unless the Exchange requires it. In such event, the Proposed Transaction must be approved by a simple majority of Icon's disinterested shareholders in attendance at a meeting of Icon shareholders or obtained by written consent.

Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement ("SEA"), Icon and City View Green will complete a business combination by way of share exchange between Icon and all of the shareholders of City View Green, whereby CVG will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Icon. On closing of the Proposed Transaction, Icon will issue 10.6 Icon common shares for every issued common share of CVG (the "CVG Shares"). In addition, all outstanding incentive options of CVG (the "CVG Options") will be cancelled and Icon will issue 5 Icon incentive options, each of which is exercisable for a period of five years, for each CVG Option so cancelled.

The parties contemplate that on completion of the Proposed Transaction, Icon will issue approximately 195,788,657 common shares of Icon (the "Icon Shares"). 106,441,667 Icon Shares, being the total number of Icon Shares issued to principals of the resulting issuer (directors, officers, 10% shareholders and any family members residing at the same address) and certain other shareholders, will be escrowed such that 10% will be released on closing of the Proposed Transaction and an additional 15% will be released every 6 months thereafter. Pursuant to the terms of the SEA, all other Icon Shares issued on closing will be subject to a voluntary escrow such that 20% will be released on closing of the Proposed Transaction and 20% will be released 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the closing date.

At closing, Icon will also issue 20,216,665 incentive stock options (the "Icon Options"), 6,700,000 of which will be exercisable at a price of $0.25/share and 13,516,665 of which will be exercisable at a price of $0.75/share. All Icon Options will vest as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Proposed Transaction. In addition, 9,250,000 Icon Options to be issued to principals and certain other optionholders of the resulting issuer will be escrowed pursuant to the escrow provisions set out above.

Icon currently has 31,941,426 shares issued and outstanding, 2,766,250 warrants outstanding and 3,037,734 stock options outstanding. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is estimated that there will be approximately 227,730,083 Icon Shares issued and outstanding immediately following closing of the Proposed Transaction (253,750,732 Icon Shares on a fully-diluted basis) with City View Green shareholders holding approximately 86% of the then issued Icon Shares (or 85.1% of the Icon Shares on a fully-diluted basis) and current Icon shareholders holding approximately 14% of the then issued Icon Shares (or 14.9% of the Icon Shares on a fully-diluted basis).

It is anticipated that upon closing of the Proposed Transaction, the current directors of Icon, being Rob Fia, Joseph Heng and Stephen McNeill will remain directors of the resulting issuer. In addition, at closing, the current sole director and officer of CVG will resign and CVG's nominee, Mr. Tim Peterson, will then be added to the Board of Directors of Icon. It is further anticipated that upon closing of the Proposed Transaction, the current officers of Icon, being Rob Fia, CEO, and Joseph Heng, CFO and secretary, will remain the officers of the resulting issuer.

Mr. Fia has been the Co-Head Corporate Finance of Kingsdale Capital Markets Inc. since 2004 and is also a director and the CEO of Therma Bright Inc. (TSXV: THRM) (since 2009). Mr. Fia was the CEO and a director of MCM Capital One Inc. (a TSX-V capital pool company which became "Enerdynamic Hybrid Technologies Inc." after the completion of its qualifying transaction). Mr. Fia has over 15 years' experience in the investment business, including both equity research and corporate finance. Mr. Fia began his career as a technology analyst with a Toronto-based investment bank in 1999 and in 2002, Mr. Fia created his own Limited Market Dealer involved in financing and advising high growth companies, primarily in oil and gas, mining, alternative energy and technology. He also helped co-found several new companies focused on gold exploration and oil and gas in Africa, Canada, Chile and Colombia. Mr. Fia received his Bachelor's of Commerce from the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Mr Heng is a Chartered Accountant with 40 years of experience. He has been self-employed for 18 years. Mr. Heng has over 14 years of public company management experience, having served in the role as a director and/or CFO for various public companies listed on Canadian stock exchanges during that time. Mr. Heng graduated from the University of Malaya with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1968. Mr. Heng obtained his Chartered Accountant designation from the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1973. Mr. Heng is currently a Life Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Mr. McNeill is managing partner in Q4 Communications, a marketing and digital advertising company. In 2013, Mr. McNeill entered the medical marijuana industry, and has provided communication, community liaison and other consulting services to a number of companies in Ontario and British Columbia that have either received their ACMPR licence to produce or have sought an ACMPR licence. He is a founding director of Georgian Bay Biomed, which is building a large-scale facility in Collingwood, Ontario. Mr. McNeill was involved in the application process, sourcing the company's quality assurance personnel, financing and community liaison. In early 2017, he was asked to join, as an associate, 3 West Management Group, an Ontario-based consulting firm of pharmaceutical, biomed and medical device experts with over 30 years experience. The team at 3 West has consulted for cannabis producers and applicants on matters related to branding and advertising. Mr. McNeill has also spent 30 years in journalism at daily newspapers such as The Globe and Mail and business editor at The Hamilton Spectator. He left the media industry to offer marketing and consulting services as described above.

Mr. Peterson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario. He is currently a director of Therma Bright Inc. (TSXV: THRM) (since Jan 2018). Previously, he was a director of Augen Gold, Trelawney Mining, Northern Crown Capital, Inc. (a merchant banking firm), Process Capital, Nordex Explosives and Oxygen and Prescott Paper Products, as well as the Mississauga Hospital Foundation. Mr. Peterson is a former Ontario MPP (Mississauga South). Mr. Peterson is the brother of two prominent Liberal politicians: former Premier of Ontario, David Peterson, and former federal cabinet minister, Jim Peterson.

Upon closing of the Proposed Transaction, Quinsam Capital Corporation, a public company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, will become an insider of the resulting issuer in that it will own approximately 15% of the then issued common shares of Icon (13.6% on a fully diluted basis).

The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions that are standard for a transaction of this nature, including but not limited to (i) receipt of all requisite regulatory, stock exchange, court or governmental authorizations and consents; (ii) the approval by the shareholders of Icon to complete the Proposed Transaction, if required; and (iii) issuance of the ACMPR license to City View Green, if required by the stock exchange. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms proposed above or at all.

Each of Icon and City View Green will bear their own costs in respect of the Proposed Transaction.

Icon Outstanding Warrants

Icon would like to take this opportunity to remind the holders of its outstanding warrants that the warrants expire on December 15, 2018. Any warrants not exercised by 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on December 15, 2018, will thereafter be null and void.

Cautionary Note

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval.Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained.There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.Trading in the securities of Icon, if reinstated prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction, should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Kingsdale Capital Markets Inc., subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence, has agreed to act as sponsor in connection with the transaction, if an exemption from sponsorship is not obtained or available.An agreement to sponsor should not be construed as any assurance with respect to the merits of the transaction or the likelihood of completion.

For further information contact:

Icon Exploration Inc.

Rob Fia, CEO & Director

Email: rfia@iconexploration.net

ABOUT ICON EXPLORATION INC.

Icon is a publicly traded company on the NEX Exchange (TSXV: IEX.H) our primary objective is to create a well-diversified company that will produce long-term returns for its shareholders and investors. Our current focus is on assessing potential acquisition targets in the cannabis industry. www.iconexploration.net.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider

(as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility

for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect Icon's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the business plans of Icon and City View Green, the status of the ACMPR license application, construction of the facility, CVG closing an additional seed raise and obtaining a construction line of credit financing prior to closing the Proposed Transaction, completion of the mutual share issuance between CVG and a cannabis retail company, the potential for other retail arrangements, engaging additional qualified personnel and team members, the potential for future offtake arrangements, the Proposed Transaction (including exchange approval, shareholder approval and the closing of the Proposed Transaction) and the board of directors and management of the Company upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Icon. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors include, among others, the following risks:

there is no assurance that Icon and City View Green will obtain all requisite approvals for the Proposed Transaction, including the approval of the TSXV , or approvals of their respective shareholders, and any such approvals may be conditional upon amendments to the terms of the Proposed Transaction;



there is no assurance that CVG will obtain an ACMPR license from Health Canada;



following completion of the Proposed Transaction, Icon may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations. Financing may not be available when needed or on terms and conditions acceptable to it;



new laws or regulations could adversely affect Icon's business and results of operations after completion of the Proposed Transaction; and



the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies. These fluctuations may adversely affect the price of Icon's securities, regardless of its operating performance.

There are a number of important factors that could cause Icon's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: limited business history of City View Green; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; laws, rules and regulations relating to the medical marijuana industry; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, and general market and industry conditions.

Icon cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Icon's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Icon has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ICON AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ICON MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States.The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.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 state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.Regulatory News:

The Combined General Meeting of Pernod Ricard's (Paris:RI) shareholders will be held on Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 2 p.m. at Salle Pleyel, 252, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore 75008 Paris.

The preliminary notice of meeting comprising the agenda and the draft resolutions was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) n125 of 17 October 2018 and the notice of meeting in the BALO n133 of 5 November 2018 and in Les Petites Affiches, a journal of legal notices.

These notices include information on how to attend and vote at the Combined General Meeting.

Information and documents pertaining to the Combined General Meeting are available in the General Shareholders' Meeting 2018 General Shareholders' Meeting section of Pernod Ricard's website: https://www.pernod-ricard.com/en/investors/our-financial-information.

Pursuant to applicable legal and regulatory provisions, documents that must be available for the shareholders for the purpose of general meetings are available at Pernod Ricard's registered office, 12 Place des Etats-Unis, 75116 Paris, as from today, the publication date of the notice of meeting and for at least fifteen days prior to the Combined General Meeting.

Documents listed in Article R.225-73-1 of the French Commercial Code are available on Pernod Ricard's website mentioned above since 31 October 2018, the twenty-first day that precedes the General Meeting.

In accordance with applicable regulatory provisions:

any shareholder holding registered shares may, up to the fifth day, inclusive, prior to the General Meeting, request these documents to be sent by the Company. For shareholders holding bearer shares, the exercise of this right is subject to the submission of a shareholding certificate delivered by their financial intermediary;

any shareholder may consult these documents at the registered office of Pernod Ricard.

Shareholders' agenda: 2018/2019 half-year results 7 February, 2019

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world's n2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of 8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 "Brand Companies" and 86 "Market Companies" established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard's strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005629/en/

Contacts:

Pernod Ricard

Julia Massies, +33 (0)1 41 00 41 07

VP, Investor Relations Internal Audit

or

Adam Ramjean, +33 (0)1 41 00 41 59

Investor Relations Manager

or

Fabien Darrigues, +33 (0)1 41 00 44 86

External Communications Director

or

Alison Donohoe, +33 (0)1 41 00 44 63

Press Relations Manager

or

Emmanuel Vouin, +33 (0)1 41 00 44 04

Press Relations ManagerPRESS RELEASE  PRESS RELEASE  PRESS RELEASE

Neovacs announces in vivo Proof of Concept success

for its IL-4 / IL-13 Kinoid a new Therapeutic Vaccine

to treat Mite-induced Asthma

IL-4 / IL-13 Kinoid induces strong production of neutralizing antibodies against cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 and inhibits bronchoconstriction

These results will help to define the future development in this indication in order to provide patients with long-term protection against allergic diseases.

Paris and Boston, November 7, 2018 - 5:45 pm CET- Neovacs (Euronext Growth Paris ALNEV), leader in active immunotherapy for the treatment of auto-immune and inflammatory diseases, announces today the successful in vivo proof of concept testing of its IL-4 / IL1-3 Kinoid therapeutic vaccine to treat respiratory allergies, in collaboration with a research team from the Institut Pasteur.

The IL-4 / IL-13 Kinoid, a therapeutic vaccine from Neovacs' innovative technology is designed to target allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergies. The results obtained in this preclinical study show that the vaccine is able to inhibit bronchoconstriction, and therefore to restore breathing capacity.

"These results establish a very important proof of concept for the strategy of our therapeutic products platform development based on Kinoid technology," said Miguel Sieler, CEO of Neovacs. "They validate our ability to produce effective drug candidates to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma which affects more than 300 million people worldwide[1]."

These results were obtained in collaboration with Dr. Pierre Bruhns and Dr. Laurent Reber's research team from Antibodies in therapy and Pathology, Inserm Unit 1222, Immunology department at Institut Pasteur:"These results represent an important step in the development of a long-term treatment against allergies, for which there is still no effective long lasting solution ", says Dr. Pierre Bruhns. Dr. Laurent Reber adds: "In this study we have targeted a decisive pathway to counteract the developing allergies process, IL-4 / IL-13 Kinoid could potentially be used to treat many types of allergic conditions."

In July 2018, Neovacs announced clinical results of its Phase IIb trial with IFNalpha Kinoid for the treatment of Lupus, validating its innovative approach in humans, and is pursuing now this clinical development into Phase III.

The company will continue in parallel with the next steps of this very promising IL-4 / IL-13 Kinoid program as well as the ongoing preclinical work in type 1 diabetes with IFNalpha Kinoide.

About Allergies

Allergies are a major public health problem whose prevalence is steadily increasing, affecting globally 300 million people suffer from asthma and about 200 to 250 million people suffer from food allergies. One tenth of the population suffers from drug allergies and 400 million from rhinitis1. To date, there is no effective treatment over time for these diseases. The cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 play a key role in allergic reactions and therefore represent major therapeutic targets. Most current treatments for allergies are symptomatic (mainly antihistamines and corticosteroids). The only therapeutic strategy developed to date is allergen-specific immunotherapy, which consists of administering increasing doses of an allergen over several months for desensitization. However, allergen-specific immunotherapy is limited by high levels of biomedical adverse reactions and poor long-term efficacy, particularly for food allergies.

About Neovacs

Listed on Euronext Growth since 2010, Neovacs is today a leading biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy technology platform (Kinoids) with applications in autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. On the basis of the company's proprietary technology for inducing a polyclonal immune response (covered by four patent families that potentially run until 2032) Neovacs is focusing its clinical development efforts on IFNalpha Kinoid, an immunotherapy being developed for the indication of lupus, dermatomyositis and also in preclinical trial for Type 1 diabetes. Neovacs is also conducting preclinical development works on other therapeutic vaccines in the fields of auto-immune diseases, oncology and allergies. The goal of the Kinoid approach is to enable patients to have access to safe treatments with efficacy that is sustained in these life-long diseases. www.neovacs.fr (http://www.neovacs.fr)

Contacts

NEOVACS - Corporate Communication & Investor Relations

Charlene Masson

+33 1 53 10 93 00

cmasson@neovacs.com (mailto:ntrepo@neovacs.com)

NEWCAP- Media

Annie-Florence Loyer

+33 1 44 71 00 12 / + 33 6 88 20 35 59

afloyer@newcap.fr (mailto:afloyer@newcap.fr)

Lea Jacquin

+33 1 44 71 20 41 / +33 6 58 14 84 66

ljacquin@newcap.fr (mailto:ljacquin@newcap.fr)

ORPHEON FINANCE - Financial Communication and Investor Relations

James Palmer

+33 7 60 92 77 74

j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com (mailto:j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com)



[1] Pawankar: Allergic diseases and asthma: a global public health concern and a call to action. World Allergy Organization Journal 2014 7:12.

Press release (http://hugin.info/160718/R/2224631/872323.pdf)



This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: NEOVACS via Globenewswire



Inventiva Announces Poster Presentation on Its YAP/TEAD Inhibitor Program at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium in Dublin

Recent results reveal potential of oral small molecules in pre-clinical development by Inventiva targeting the YAP/TEAD pathway as a potential therapy in the treatment of mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer

Daix (France), November 7, 2018 - Inventiva S.A. ("Inventiva" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), today announced that it will be presenting a poster on its YAP/TEAD pre-clinical program at the upcoming EORTC-NCI-AACR Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Symposium being held on November 13-16, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.

The poster to be presented, entitled "Discovery of promising anti-cancer drug combination using YAP-TEAD inhibitors with standard of care treatment in mesothelioma and NSCLC cells", illustrates some of the recent data observed by Inventiva in pre-clinical studies, which suggest that the YAP/TEAD inhibitor molecules being investigated by the Company may have potential as a therapy in the treatment of mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers.

Inventiva's YAP/TEAD approach aims at disrupting the formation of the transcriptional complex formed by YAP and TEAD, which are believed to be key players in the oncogenic process as well as in fibrogenesis.

Inventiva has observed that its lead YAP/TEAD inhibitor molecules have prevented the formation of the YAP/TEAD transcriptional complex in vitro and are associated with a reduction of YAP/TEAD target genes expression and anti-proliferative effects in cancer cell lines where proliferation is under the control of the Hippo pathway. The Company has also observed in xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice models that its YAP/TEAD inhibitor molecules exhibited activity both as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with standard of care.

Based on these promising results, the Company plans to finalize the toxicological studies necessary to advance its YAP/TEAD program into Phase I/II clinical development in 2019.

"We have made significant progress in our understanding of the Hippo pathway, which offers exciting potential for the treatment of rare and prevalent cancers," stated Pierre Broqua, Chief Scientific Officer and cofounder of Inventiva. "We have observed that our patented small molecules exhibited activity both as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with standard of care in pre-clinical models. In addition, molecules that inhibit the YAP/TEAD interaction have already shown a potential to overcome drug resistance and tumor escape mechanisms, which makes this pathway particularly interesting. Our program is advancing well and we are looking forward to see it progressing into Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies."

The event details for the presentations are as follows:

Poster Title: "Discovery of promising anti-cancer drug combination using YAP-TEAD inhihibitors with standard of care treatment in mesothelioma and NSCLC cells"

Session Title: Drug Resistance and Modifiers

Date: Tuesday, November 13th

Time: 10am to 2pm

Location: The Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin, Ireland

About the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium

Hosted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the 30th edition of the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium in 2018 brings together academics, scientists and industry representatives to discuss the latest developments in drug development, target selection and the impact of new discoveries in molecular biology.

About Inventiva: http://www.inventivapharma.com (http://www.inventivapharma.com)

Inventiva is a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of product candidates interacting with nuclear receptors, transcription factors and epigenetic modulators. Inventiva's research engine has the potential to open up novel therapies against fibrotic diseases, cancers and orphan diseases with substantial unmet medical needs.

Lanifibranor, its lead product, is an anti-fibrotic treatment acting on the alpha, gamma and delta PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), which play key roles in controlling the fibrotic process. Its anti-fibrotic action targets two initial indications with substantial unmet medical need: NASH, a severe and increasingly prevalent liver disease already affecting over 30 million people in the United States, and systemic sclerosis, a disease with a very high mortality rate and for which there is no approved treatment to date.

Inventiva is also developing a second clinical program with odiparcil for the treatment of patients with mucopolysaccaridosis type VI (or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome), a rare and severe gene disease affecting children. Odiparcil has also the potential to address other MPS types, characterized by the accumulation of chondroitin or dermatan sulfate (MPS I or Hurler/Sheie syndrome, MPS II or Hunter syndrome, MPS IVa or Morquio syndrome and MPS VII or Sly syndrome). Inventiva is also developing a portfolio of early research projects in the field of oncology.

Inventiva benefits from partnerships with world-leading research entities, such as the Institut Curie in the field of oncology. Two strategic partnerships have also been established with world-class major pharmaceutical companies, AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim, in the fields of autoimmune diseases (specifically in psoriasis) and fibrosis, respectively. These partnerships provide milestone payments to Inventiva upon the achievement of pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, in addition to royalties any approved products resulting from the partnerships.

Inventiva employs over 100 employees and owns R&D facilities near Dijon, acquired from the international pharmaceutical group Abbott. The Company owns, a proprietary chemical library of over 240,000 molecules as well as integrated biology, chemistry, ADME and pharmacology platforms.

Contacts

Inventiva

Frederic Cren

Chairman & CEO

info@inventivapharma.com

+33 3 80 44 75 00 Brunswick

Julien Trosdorf / Yannick Tetzlaff

Media relations

inventiva@brunswickgroup.com (mailto:inventiva@brunswickgroup.com)

+33 1 53 96 83 83 LifeSci Advisors

Monique Kosse

Investor relations

monique@lifesciadvisors.com (mailto:monique@lifesciadvisors.com)

+1 212 915 3820



Important Notice

This press release contains forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates with respect to the clinical development plans, business and regulatory strategy, and anticipated future performance of Inventiva and of the market in which it operates. Certain of these statements, forecasts and estimates can be recognized by the use of words such as, without limitation, "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will" and "continue" and similar expressions. Such statements are not historical facts but rather are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs. These statements reflect such views and assumptions prevailing as of the date of the statements and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause future results, performance or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual events are difficult to predict and may depend upon factors that are beyond Inventiva's control. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline product candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. Therefore, actual results may turn out to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements, forecasts and estimates. Given these uncertainties, no representations are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates only speak as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

Please refer to the "Document de reference" filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers on April 13, 2018 under n R.18-013 for additional information in relation to such factors, risks and uncertainties.

Inventiva has no intention and is under no obligation to update or review the forward-looking statements referred to above. Consequently, Inventiva accepts no liability for any consequences arising from the use of any of the above statements.

Inventiva - PR - EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium - ENG - 07 11 18 (http://hugin.info/175040/R/2224691/872361.pdf)



This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: INVENTIVA via Globenewswire

Agreement Will Facilitate Completion of First Prototype Product

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / Qrons Inc. (OTC PINK: QRON) ("Qrons" or the "Company"), a preclinical biotechnology company developing advanced cell-based solutions to combat neuronal injuries with a laser focus on treating traumatic brain injuries ("TBIs"), announced today that it has entered into an Agreement with Meir Hospital in Israel to obtain a reliable source of human placentas. This will allow Qrons to carry out development of its proprietary epigenetic modification system to induce neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells ("MSCs"). The Agreement is in compliance with the terms specified in the Protocol and the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, that provides guidance on conducting medical research on humans.

Co-founder and Head of Product Ido Merfeld commented "The agreement will provide us on-demand human placentas for the purpose of establishing our modified MSCs lines and supply models.

"We believe that this new source of placentas will accelerate our development of manufacturing procedures concerning MSCs extraction, modification and on-site hydrogel integration."

Jonah Meer, CEO of Qrons. "Our scientists with assistance under the Dartmouth College Sponsored Project currently remain on track to produce our first prototype product in the second quarter of 2019, followed by preparatory steps for clinical trials. Our solution aims to meet the huge unmet medical need of TBI, by healing the patient and avoiding long term treatment."

About Qrons Inc.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, the Company is a publicly traded preclinical stage biotechnology company developing advanced cell-based solutions to combat neuronal injuries with a laser focus on traumatic brain injuries. The technology could potentially treat a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. The Company's treatment integrates proprietary, engineered mesenchymal stem cells, 3D printable implant, smart materials and a novel delivery system. The Company entered into a license and research funding agreement ("License Agreement") and related service agreements with Ariel University R&D Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ariel University, based in Ariel, Israel. In consideration for payments under the License Agreement, the Company received an exclusive worldwide royalty-bearing license in Ariel patents and know-how to develop and commercialize products for neuronal tissue regeneration and/or repair, resulting from Ariel's research or technology or the Company's research funding. The Company entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Dartmouth College funding further research with Professor Chenfeng Ke and his team at the Chemistry Department, aiming to develop innovative 3D printable, biocompatible advanced materials and stem cell delivery techniques to treat TBI. The Company is negotiating, a worldwide, royalty-bearing, exclusive license with Dartmouth for Professor Ke's 3D printable materials in the field of human and animal health. Please visit http://www.qrons.com.

About Meir Hospital

Meir Medical Center opened in 1956 and is one of the leading medical centers in the Israel. The hospital, located in Kfar Saba, is part of a larger complex, Sapir Medical Center. Meir Hospital's teaching departments are affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, while laboratories are affiliated to Bar Ilan University. It is the base hospital for the Israeli Olympic team. Meir Medical Center specializes in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and spinal surgery and is accredited under the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission is a United States-based nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c) organization that accredits more than 21,000 US health care organizations and programs. The international branch accredits medical services from around the world

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning our future product development plans, other statements regarding future research, and any other statements which are other than statements of historical fact. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Company's actual operations, results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. The Company has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are the Company's need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development; successful development of clinical studies for any product we may develop, U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for any products developed, manufacturing of a commercially-viable version of our system and demonstration of safety and effectiveness sufficient to generate commercial orders by customers for any product we may develop. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact:

Jonah Meer 786-620-2410

Email: jmeer@qrons.com

SOURCE: Qrons Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527383/Qrons-Enters-into-Placenta-Sourcing-Agreement-under-the-Declaration-of-HelsinkiTerror: trial for Bardo attack adjourned to Jan. 25 Second hearing in Tunis for murder of 24 people in 2015

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, NOVEMBER 7 - A court in Tunis which hears terrorism cases has scheduled on January 25, 2019, the third hearing of the trial on the terror attack against the Bardo Museum in Tunis on March 18, 2015, in which 24 people died. Four Italian tourists were among the victims: Orazio Conte, Francesco Caldara and Antonella Sesino from Piedmont and Giuseppina Biella from Lombardy. Broadcast in a videoconference from Paris, the hearing on Tuesday was adjourned after judges ruled in favor of a request made by defense lawyers concerning the fact that some of their clients had refused to be filmed during the trial.



The 25 defendants (including two women) face various charges in connection with the deadly attack.



Twenty-two are currently in detention, three are free and 30 are being tried in absentia.



The judges ruled against the release of the jailed defendants, according to the tribunal's spokesperson, Sofien Sliti. The two young Tunisians who carried out the attack, Yassine Labidi and Jabeur Khachnaoui, were killed by special police forces after the attack.



The two men, who had received military training in Libya, walked into the museum armed with Kalashnikovs. The museum is right next to Parliament and the attackers wanted to strike one of the country's most symbolic site. Many of the defendants risk severe sentences, including the death penalty. (ANSAmed)Lauvray, seasoned semi-conductor executive, to scale the international deployment of

Kalray's intelligent solutions for data centers and autonomous vehicles



Grenoble, France and Los Altos, California, November 7, 2018 - Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris - ALKAL), a pioneer in processors for new intelligent systems, appointed Olivier Lauvray as Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development. In his new role, Lauvray will have the mission to scale up the company's ability to deploy its Massively Parallel Processor Array (MPPA) solutions and respond to strong international market demand.

"Olivier has a proven track record of scaling up semi-conductor businesses," said Eric Baissus, CEO of Kalray. "I am very pleased to welcome him to our executive team. Olivier has tremendous experience connecting the dots between cutting-edge technology, business and people to rapidly create significant market value and momentum. His extensive international experience in our target markets will serve as great assets to Kalray."

Lauvray is a technical and business savvy executive with more than 30 years of experience in the electronics industry, including various executive roles at Motorola, Freescale (NXP) and NetLogic Microsystems (Broadcom), spanning key roles from technology and product development to go-to-market and international sales development. Lately, as CEO of Encore Semi, a US-based semi-conductor scale-up, Olivier has been working with leading corporations in the storage, automotive and networking markets. He has built and led teams to successfully deploy on the market a variety of advanced hardware and software technologies, as well as products and services for both established and nascent industries.

"I am very excited to join Kalray and contribute to its growth," said Olivier Lauvray. "It is not often that a company has proven and patented solutions to address many critical challenges faced by our industry, including low-power artificial intelligence, low latency, flexible computing performance as well as secure/safe solutions. These unique capabilities enable Kalray to meet the demands of tomorrow's high-growth markets, such as autonomous vehicles, data centers and many other mission-critical applications."

Kalray went public in June of 2018 and raised 47.7M, the most significant IPO since the creation of Euronext Growth in Paris. Kalray is the pioneer of processors for new intelligent systems deployed in fast-growing sectors such as new-generation of intelligent storage servers and vehicles. In the storage industry, Kalray recently announced being the first to achieve NVMe-oF certification for a fully integrated system, the new worldwide standard for next-generation storage servers. In the automotive market, Kalray's MPPA processor, which was already successfully integrated into the Renault Symbioz concept car, also demonstrated the support of AI capabilities on Baidu's Apollo open platform, one of the leading platforms targeting next-generation autonomous vehicles.

Lauvray will assume his new role on November 19, 2018, leading and expanding existing sales and business development activities in Los Altos, CA, Japan, China and Europe.

_



ABOUT KALRAY

Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0010722819 - ALKAL) is the pioneer in processors for new intelligent systems. As a real technological breakthrough, "intelligent" processors have the capability to analyze on the fly, and in an intelligent manner, a very large amount of information, and to make decisions and interact in real time with the outside world. These intelligent processors will be deployed extensively in fast-growing sectors, such as new-generation networks (intelligent data centers) and autonomous vehicles, as well as healthcare equipment, drones, and robots. Kalray's offering encompasses both processors and complete solutions (electronic boards and software). Created in 2008 as a spin-off of CEA ("Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives", the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Kalray serves customers such as server manufacturers, intelligent system integrators, and consumer product manufacturers, including car makers. For more information, visit www.kalrayinc.com.

CONTACTS FOR INVESTORS



Loic Hamon

investors@kalrayinc.com

+33 4 76 18 90 71



ACTUS finance & communication

Caroline LESAGE

kalray@actus.fr

+ 33 1 53 67 36 79











MEDIA CONTACTS



Loic Hamon

communication@kalrayinc.com

+33 4 76 18 90 71



ACTUS finance & communication

Serena BONI

sboni@actus.fr

+ 33 4 72 18 04 92



SKYYA

Megan Kathman

megan@skyya.com

+1 (651) 785-3212

------------------------



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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-55875-pr-kalray-olivier-lauvray-en-07.11.2018-vdef.pdfBogart Group (Euronext Paris - Compartment B - FR0012872141 - JBOG), which specializes in the creation, manufacture and sale of luxury fragrances and cosmetics, has published its turnover for the nine months ended 30 September 2018.

Turnover in  million (unaudited) 2017 2018 Change Change

(like-for-like[1]) 9-month turnover 89.4 85.8 -4.0% -1.0% Distribution 28.0 24.5 -12.5% -8.3% Boutiques 61.4 61.3 -0.2% +2.3% Other income on ordinary activities (Licences) 1.1 0.9 -18.2% -18.2% Total 9-month revenues 90.5 86.7 -4.2% -1.2%

Bogart Group posted turnover of 86.7 million for the first nine months of 2018, down 1.2% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates (like-for-like) and down 4.2% as reported compared to the previous year, broken down as follows:

Distribution[2]: down 8.3% like-for-like. While business declined on emerging markets (Middle East and Latin America) due to order postponements by some distributors impacted by adverse currency movements, growth continued in Europe and the USA driven by the success of Carven's Dans ma Bulle fragrance. Note that the launch of Poker Face by Ted Lapidus has been postponed until early 2019 in the Middle East and Latin America in order to exploit the full potential of this new line.

Boutiques[3]: up 2.3% like-for-like. For the first nine months period the three countries in which Bogart Group operates (Germany, France and Israel) all outperformed their respective markets. In France, marked by an overall slowdown in the fragrance and cosmetics market, Group business was sustained by online sales.

Licences[4]: down 18.2% from the same period last year with business undergoing stabilization.

Bogart Group's financial position did not change significantly during Q3 2018 (the Distriplus acquisition taking effect on 1 November 2018).

Upsizing - Promising short and medium-term outlook

The acquisition of Distriplus, exclusive owner of the Planet and Di retail chains, is expected to have a major impact on turnover and earnings in the Boutiques business in Q4 2018, as the last two months of the year are traditionally a peak period for the sector (Christmas holidays).

With Distriplus on board, the Group expects to post annual turnover of around 300 million from now on. The acquisition will also have a positive medium-term impact on the Distribution business, which is expected to benefit from the marketing of the Group's own brands (Jacques Bogart and Ted Lapidus, but also Carven, April and Methode Jeanne Piaubert) via an extended network of 357 stores.

About BOGART Group

BOGART Group specializes in the creation, manufacture and commercialization of luxury fragrances and cosmetics. With a unique market positioning as a manufacturer-distributor, the Group is present in more than 90 countries, and markets its products in France via selective fragrance and cosmetics networks and overseas via local distributors and Group subsidiaries. The Group employs 1,134 members of staff and generates 77% of its turnover outside France. In 2017, the Group posted turnover of over 128 million.

Turnover by business division breaks down as follows:

- Distribution (29%): fragrances (Bogart own brands, Ted Lapidus and Carven, and licensed brands Chevignon and Naf Naf) and cosmetics (own brands Methode Jeanne Piaubert and Stendhal).

- Boutiques (71%): own-brand fragrance chain.

Total revenues (including Ted Lapidus licenses) amounted to more than 129.5 million in 2017.

BOGART Group is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (Ticker: JBOG - ISIN: FR0012872141)

Group website

www.groupe-bogart.com

CONTACTS

BOGART GROUP ACTUS finance & communication contact@jbogart.com

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 77 55 55 Anne-Pauline Petureaux

Analyst/Investor Relations

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72

apetureaux@actus.fr Alexandra Prisa

Press Relations

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 90

aprisa@actus.fr

APPENDICES

Nine-month turnover

m - IFRS 9-month 2018 turnover 85.8 9-month 2018 turnover at 9-month 2017 exchange rates 88.3 9-month 2018 turnover at constant consolidation scope and 9-month 2017 exchange rates 88.3 9-month 2017 turnover 89.4 9-month 2017 turnover at constant consolidation scope 89.2 Change in consolidated data -4.0% Change at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates (LFL) -1.0%

Total nine-month revenues (including Licences)

m - IFRS Total 9-month 2018 revenues 86.7 Total 9-month 2018 revenues at 9-month 2017 exchange rates 89.2 Total 9-month 2018 revenues at constant consolidation scope and 9-month 2017 exchange rates 89.2 Total 9-month 2017 revenues 90.5 Total 9-month 2017 revenues at constant consolidation scope 90.3 Change in consolidated data -4.2% Change at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates (LFL) -1.2%

[1] constant consolidation scope and exchange rates

[2] Turnover for Bogart's own range of fragrances and cosmetics generated by external networks

[3] Turnover for all ranges of fragrances and cosmetics sold in own-brand boutiques

[4] Turnover from Ted Lapidus brand licences

------------------------



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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-55866-pr_bogart_q3_def.pdfLauvray, seasoned semi-conductor executive, to scale the international deployment of Kalray's intelligent solutions for data centers and autonomous vehicles

Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris ALKAL), a pioneer in processors for new intelligent systems, appointed Olivier Lauvray as Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development. In his new role, Lauvray will have the mission to scale up the company's ability to deploy its Massively Parallel Processor Array (MPPA) solutions and respond to strong international market demand.

"Olivier has a proven track record of scaling up semi-conductor businesses," said Eric Baissus, CEO of Kalray. "I am very pleased to welcome him to our executive team. Olivier has tremendous experience connecting the dots between cutting-edge technology, business and people to rapidly create significant market value and momentum. His extensive international experience in our target markets will serve as great assets to Kalray."

Lauvray is a technical and business savvy executive with more than 30 years of experience in the electronics industry, including various executive roles at Motorola, Freescale (NXP) and NetLogic Microsystems (Broadcom), spanning key roles from technology and product development to go-to-market and international sales development. Lately, as CEO of Encore Semi, a US-based semi-conductor scale-up, Olivier has been working with leading corporations in the storage, automotive and networking markets. He has built and led teams to successfully deploy on the market a variety of advanced hardware and software technologies, as well as products and services for both established and nascent industries.

"I am very excited to join Kalray and contribute to its growth," said Olivier Lauvray. "It is not often that a company has proven and patented solutions to address many critical challenges faced by our industry, including low-power artificial intelligence, low latency, flexible computing performance as well as secure/safe solutions. These unique capabilities enable Kalray to meet the demands of tomorrow's high-growth markets, such as autonomous vehicles, data centers and many other mission-critical applications."

Kalray went public in June of 2018 and raised 47.7M, the most significant IPO since the creation of Euronext Growth in Paris. Kalray is the pioneer of processors for new intelligent systems deployed in fast-growing sectors such as new-generation of intelligent storage servers and vehicles. In the storage industry, Kalray recently announced being the first to achieve NVMe-oF certification for a fully integrated system, the new worldwide standard for next-generation storage servers. In the automotive market, Kalray's MPPA processor, which was already successfully integrated into the Renault Symbioz concept car, also demonstrated the support of AI capabilities on Baidu's Apollo open platform, one of the leading platforms targeting next-generation autonomous vehicles.

Lauvray will assume his new role on November 19, 2018, leading and expanding existing sales and business development activities in Los Altos, CA, Japan, China and Europe.

_

ABOUT KALRAY

Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris FR0010722819 ALKAL) is the pioneer in processors for new intelligent systems. As a real technological breakthrough, "intelligent" processors have the capability to analyze on the fly, and in an intelligent manner, a very large amount of information, and to make decisions and interact in real time with the outside world. These intelligent processors will be deployed extensively in fast-growing sectors, such as new-generation networks (intelligent data centers) and autonomous vehicles, as well as healthcare equipment, drones, and robots. Kalray's offering encompasses both processors and complete solutions (electronic boards and software). Created in 2008 as a spin-off of CEA ("Commissariat l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives", the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Kalray serves customers such as server manufacturers, intelligent system integrators, and consumer product manufacturers, including car makers. For more information, visit www.kalrayinc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005727/en/

Contacts:

KALRAY

CONTACTS FOR INVESTORS

Loic Hamon

investors@kalrayinc.com

+33 4 76 18 90 71

or

ACTUS finance communication

Caroline LESAGE

kalray@actus.fr

+ 33 1 53 67 36 79

or

MEDIA CONTACTS

Loic Hamon

communication@kalrayinc.com

+33 4 76 18 90 71

or

ACTUS finance communication

Serena BONI

sboni@actus.fr

+ 33 4 72 18 04 92

or

SKYYA

Megan Kathman

megan@skyya.com

+1 (651) 785-3212Miami entrepreneur Scott Cooper is using his online lifestyle brand, Scott Cooper Miami, to help students access post-secondary education. Through the creation of Scott Cooper Miami Scholarships, Cooper hopes to encourage students to pursue their career goals and give back to their communities

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / Scott Cooper, Founder and CEO of Scott Cooper Miami (SCM), is pleased to announce the recipients of two $500 (USD/CAD) Scholarships. The first recipient, Kylee from Tennessee, is majoring in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Business. The second recipient, Meg from Utah, is enrolled in a Dental Hygiene program and has plans to become a Physician's Assistant.

Applicants to the Scott Cooper Miami Scholarship were required to be entering or enrolled in a post-secondary program including Business, Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Healthcare, Education or Fitness. Applicants also provided a 500-word essay on how they will use their post-secondary education to become a leader in their industry and inspiring positive change in their community.

Scholarship recipients Kylee and Meg provided both high-quality and engaging responses to the essay portion of the application. Scott Cooper would like to thank every student for their application and wishes them the very best success in their educational endeavors.

To learn more about Scott Cooper Miami, visit

https://scottcoopermiami.info/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/scott-cooper-miami

About Scott Cooper Miami

Scott Cooper founded Scott Cooper Miami in 2016 as a way to promote his love for Miami. Over the last few years, SCM has grown from one blog to over five, discussing various topics, from the latest fashion trends to educational resources for toddlers.

For more information, please contact:

Scott Cooper

info@scottcoopermiami.net

Founder of Scott Cooper Miami

SOURCE: Scott Cooper Miami Scholarship

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527390/Scott-Cooper-Miami-Announces-Post-Secondary-Scholarship-WinnersBRUSSELS, November 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Union initiative supports the exchange of best practices for innovative solutions by EU cities to strengthen their sustainability and competitiveness as tourist destinations in the new industrial era

The winners of the first edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition were awarded today at a ceremony in Brussels, on the occasion of the European Tourism Day the largest annual meeting on European tourism.

Pia Pakarinen, Helsinki's Deputy Mayor, Alain Galliano, Vice-President of Lyon Metropole and Jean-Michel Daclin, President of ONLYLYON Tourism and Congress, received European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019 trophies on behalf of their cities and were delighted that long-term efforts in creating smart environments for tourists in their cities have been recognised at EU-level.

In praise of the winners, Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, stated: "I congratulate Helsinki and Lyon for the outstanding solutions that they put in place to make tourism in their cities smart and innovative. Our objective at EU level is to foster the sustainable development of tourism by showcasing innovative solutions from EU cities in tourism. We believe that the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative will help to establish a framework of exchange of good practices between European cities, including learning from each other and networking, creating opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships. Tourism is important for the EU economy so we all need to work together more effectively to be more competitive and grow in a sustainable way".

Pia Pakarinen, Helsinki's Deputy Mayor commented: "We very much appreciate the opportunity to be the first European Capital of Smart Tourism. The first ones always set the bar and we aim high."

David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropole, proud of his city's achievement said in a video message: "The exchange of good ideas has always moved us forward in Europe and that is why we are so pleased to receive this Award and to have the opportunity to share with other European cities a few of our ideas about smart tourism. We hope with our initiatives we can also inspire other cities!"

In addition, four cities received 2019 European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the four categories of the competition: Malaga (Accessibility), Ljubljana (Sustainability), Copenhagen (Digitalisation) and Linz (Cultural Heritage & Creativity).

The European Capital of Smart Tourism is a new EU initiative, based on a proposal from the European Parliament, which secured its funding for 2018 - 2019 through a Preparatory Action. The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in EU cities and their surroundings, increase their attractiveness as well as strengthen economic growth and job creation. It also aims to establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities participating in the contest, create opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.

In order to become a European Capital of Smart Tourism, a city needed to demonstrate exemplary achievements as a tourism destination in implementing innovative and intelligent solutions in all four award categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, cultural heritage and creativity. It also needed to convince the European Jury about its suitability to act as role model for other burgeoning smart tourism destinations.

Cities of more than 100.000 inhabitants were eligible in the first edition of this competition. 38 cities from 19 EU Member States applied, but Helsinki and Lyon stood out for their innovative tourism measures and the impressive programme of activities they have put together to celebrate their achievements.

Helsinki and Lyon have been awarded with promotional videos, exhibition at European Tourism Day and purpose-built giant sculptures which will be installed in prominent locations in the two cities. During 2019 both Capitals will benefit also from promotional actions at EU level.

To celebrate their success, Helsinki and Lyon have planned an exciting schedule of activities for 2019. For example, Helsinki will be launching a smart city guidance pilot scheme, making use of collaborative work with businesses and digital tools to create a smarter way to guide people in the city. Helsinki will organise a workshop with other European cities on smart tourism and will hold the World Tourism Cities Federation's annual global summit and trade fair.

Lyon's representatives will be travelling the globe for shows, press meetings and special events to inform new audiences about the city's smart opportunities. These activities will be supplemented by Lyon's 26,000 strong network of ambassadors. The city is also launching its "World Travel Influencer Meetings" and is taking part in the Global Sustainability Programme.

For all the latest news on the European Capital of Smart Tourism, including updates about the event programmes in both of the winning cities, sign up to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.



- Cross reference: Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -



Contacts

Friederike Sandow, +49-(0)-30-700-186-315

Sandra Bumbar-Malchow, +49-(0)-30-700-186-707

e-mail: info@SmartTourismCapital.eu



NotesVIENNA, Austria, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 7, during the 2018 European Utility Week in Vienna, Gosuncn and Power Plus Communication ("PPC", a leading manufacturer of smart metering and smart grid communication systems in Germany) jointly exhibited a Smart CDMA Router based on CDMA 450MHz, which has been successfully deployed in the power markets of many European countries.

The smart CDMA Router launched by PPC enables communication with various grid control devices and meters via RS485, LAN, and WMBUS. Through the CDMA 450MHz network, data can be uploaded to the management platform in real time to achieve accurate, reliable and real-time measurement management. PPCs Network Management System enables secure configuration changes and firmware updates of the devices.

Christian Freudenmann, Senior Product Manager Wireless M2M Solutions of PPC said: "The very good penetration properties of the 450MHz and the bandwidth of CDMA 450 are well-suited to cover the requirements of secure smart grid and smart metering applications in the European market. For those use-cases we designed an IPv6 and IPv4 Smart CDMA Router which connects Ethernet Devices or complete LAN networks, as well as WMBUS or RS485 devices, with the 450 MHz CDMA network using site-to-site VPNs. Beyond that, programmable and customer-specific applications can be added. In the Smart CDMA Router we deployed the Gosuncn MC5635. Gosuncn supported us in adapting the Smart CDMA Router to our customers' requirements in e.g. Austria, Netherlands and Germany. Gosuncn is a trusted communication solution partner."

Gosuncn provides a 3G communication module MC5635, based on CDMA 450MHz, PPC's Smart CDMA Router. MC5635 is developed on the Qualcomm platform, meets Gosuncn 30*30mm LCC unified form factors and supports CDMA 1X/EV-DO Rev.A/Rev. B450MHz with a theoretical maximum rate of 14.7Mbps DL/5.4Mbps UL. It features high RF sensitivity and low standby power consumption and can meet the industrial-grade high reliability required for power communication. Zhu Kegong, Vice President of Gosuncn, spoke highly of the cooperation: "In 2014, CDMA 1X module of Gosuncn was widely applied in the Dutch power market. This successful cooperation with PPC is another milestone for Gosuncn in the European power market, and the connection will create unlimited values for our customers and European power users."

Through its great efforts in the European market, Gosuncn has established in-depth cooperation with Dutch energy giants Alliander, Italian Power Company and German PPC. The cellular module product series has won a good reputation among its users. In the future, Gosuncn will empower the global smart meter market with smarter, safer and more reliable wireless connections and services.

About Gosuncn:

Gosuncn, a leading supplier of M2M wireless communication solutions Gosuncn Technology Co., LTD., referred to as Gosuncn, dedicated to the development, production and marketing of cellular M2M Modules, connected car solutions and IoT solutions.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/781009/GOSUNCN_ppc_solution.jpgBTG plc (LSE: BTG), the global healthcare company, highlighted the presentation of the two-year results for the SENTRY trial, at the Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA) conference in Las Vegas. The prospective, multicenter trial of the BTG Sentry, the world's first bioconvertible IVC filter, found that in addition to providing protection against pulmonary embolism (PE) during the transient risk period, the device also had zero instances of tilt, perforation, migration and embolization through two years of imaging-intensive follow-up.

"This long-term data marks a paradigm shift in pulmonary embolism protection and is exactly why we brought the BTG Sentry to market," said BTG Chief Commercial Officer John Sylvester. "The trial shows no device-related pulmonary embolism and zero stability complications. Physicians can have the peace of mind that they are protecting their patients from the devastating consequences of PE while reducing complications often associated with IVC filter retrieval. This device eliminates the need to retrieve and that truly makes it a next-generation device."

The findings were presented by principal investigator Dr. Michael D. Dake. In the long-term data, 85 patients were followed for 24 months using computed tomography (CT) or CT venography imaging. The rate of freedom from new symptomatic PE through 60 days was 100 percent and there continued to be no cases of device-related new symptomatic PE through 24 months.

There were no instances of filter tilt, migration, embolization, fracture or IVC perforation through 24-months. Two patients developed symptomatic caval thrombosis during the first month, however neither experienced recurrence after successful interventions and no further instances of symptomatic caval thrombosis occurred at 24 months. Filter bioconversion was successful for 95.7 percent of patients at 6 months, 96.4 percent at 12 months, and 96.5 percent at 24 months. No IVC stenosis was reported.

About the BTG Sentry Bioconvertible IVC Filter

The BTG Sentry Bioconvertible IVC filter is designed to provide protection from PE for the period of transient risk and then bioconvert to leave a patent, unobstructed IVC lumen, obviating the need to retrieve and addressing the typical filter-related complications of conventional IVC filters. U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for the Sentry device was obtained in 2017.

About the SENTRY Trial

The SENTRY Trial is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter registry trial. In the study, 129 patients requiring temporary protection against PE were enrolled at 23 sites in the United States, Europe, and Chile. The 12-month data was published earlier this year in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

About BTG

BTG is a global healthcare company focused on Interventional Medicine. Our innovative medical technology helps physicians treat their patients through minimally invasive procedures. We have a growing portfolio of products that advance the treatment of cancer and vascular conditions. BTG's Pharmaceuticals business provides products that help patients overexposed to certain medications or toxins. To learn more about BTG, please visit: btgplc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005083/en/

Contacts:

BTG

Andy Burrows, VP Corporate Investor Relations

+44 (0)20 7575 1741; Mobile: +44 (0)7990 530 605

or

Stuart Hunt, Investor Relations Manager

+44 (0)20 7575 1582; Mobile: +44 (0)7815 778 536

or

Chris Sampson, Corporate Communications Director

+44 (0)20 7575 1595; Mobile: +44 (0)7773 251 178

or

Greentarget Communications

Chris Gale, Vice President

+1-646-695-2883; Mobile: +1-203-570-4681Amsterdam, 7 November 2018 : LeasePlan Corporation N.V., a global leader in Car-as-a-Service, has today announced changes to its Managing Board.

Effective today, Gijsbert de Zoeten, Chief Financial Officer, and Marco van Kalleveen, Chief Operating Officer Europe, will resign from their board positions of the company by mutual agreement after helping to set up a strong foundation for LeasePlan and as the company prepares for its next phase of growth and development.

Gijsbert de Zoeten joined LeasePlan in 2016 as SVP Finance before becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2017. During his tenure, Gijsbert has successfully transformed the LeasePlan Finance function and played a vital role in the company's recent strategic review.

Marco van Kalleveen joined LeasePlan in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer Europe responsible for LeasePlan's European business and was central to the implementation of the company's Power of One LeasePlan operational excellence programme.

Jos Streppel, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said: "On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Gijsbert and Marco for their significant contributions to LeasePlan. They have played a key role in the company's transformation, bringing LeasePlan to its next phase of development. We wish them every success in their future endeavours."

Both Gijsbert de Zoeten and Marco van Kalleveen will remain available to support the transition process.

Media contact

LeasePlan Corporation

Harmen van der Molen

Tel: +31 6 5073 2424

Email: media@leaseplancorp.com

About LeasePlan

LeasePlan is a leader in two large and growing markets: Car-as-a-Service for new cars, through its LeasePlan business, and the high-quality three-to-four year old used car market, through its CarNext.com business. LeasePlan's Car-as-a-Service business purchases, funds and manages new vehicles for its customers, providing a complete end-to-end service for a typical contract duration of three to four years. CarNext.com is a pan-European digital marketplace for high-quality used cars seamlessly delivering any car, anytime, anywhere and is supplied with vehicles from LeasePlan's own fleet as well as third-party partners. LeasePlan has 1.8 million vehicles under management in over 30 countries. With over 50 years' experience, LeasePlan's mission is to provide what's next in mobility via an 'any car, anytime, anywhere' service - so our customers can focus on what's next. Find out more at www.leaseplan.com/corporate.

AttachmentMartin to Focus on LGA's Continued Vision of Simplifying Life Insurance

FREDERICK, MD / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / Legal & General America (LGA), a top ten U.S. life insurer, today announced the appointment of Karan Martin as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of its insurance division. Martin has been a key contributor to Legal & General in the UK, and most recently, has been serving as Chief Operating Officer, UK Protection & Strategy Director.

In her new role, Martin will help LGA to achieve its ambitious growth goals by leading operational transformation and delivering service excellence across the business. She will form part of the senior US leadership team reporting directly to Mark Holweger, President and CEO of the insurance division. Martin's official start date will be January 2019.

'I am very much looking forward to joining the US team to continue the development of our customer operations and supporting the growth of the business,' Martin said.

Martin's focus in the UK has been on 'doing the right thing, in the right way, for our distribution partners, customers, and colleagues.' She has delivered extensive process improvements including robotics automation and market-leading customer service capabilities. Martin will bring many of those innovative ideas to LGA; supporting the US team in its development and growth aspirations alongside its brokerage distribution partners.

'We are pleased to welcome Karan to our team at LGA and are looking forward to leveraging her expertise when it comes to simplifying the insurance process for our distribution partners and customers,' Holweger said.

Prior to joining Legal & General in 2011, Martin worked for Telefonica O2 in various customer service leadership roles. Earlier in her career, she worked for British Gas, Xerox and iDesk.

This announcement comes shortly after the appointment of Holweger as president and CEO of LGA's insurance division, with key focuses on continued business growth through investment in its distribution channels. Karan Martin's appointment will be made subject to obtaining US visa approval.

About Legal & General America

Legal & General America (LGA) is part of the worldwide Legal & General Group. For nearly 70 years, the Legal & General America companies have been in the business of providing financial protection through life insurance for American families. The Legal & General America companies are Banner Life Insurance Company and William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York. With more than $53 billion in new coverage issued in 2017, LGA is ranked in the top ten of U.S. life insurers and ended 2017 with in excess of $703 billion of coverage in force with 1.3 million U.S. customers. LGA shares Legal & General's independent financial strength ratings: A+ Superior from A. M. Best and AA- Very Strong from Standard and Poor's and Fitch.

Michelle Mead

Caliber Corporate Advisers

michelle@calibercorporate.com

888.550.6385 ext 7

SOURCE: Legal & General America

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527395/Legal-General-America-Announces-Karan-Martin-Will-Join-Its-Insurance-Division-as-SVP-and-COOLONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / In the course of an interview with the Times yesterday, the CEO of Randgold Resources Limited ("Randgold"), Mark Bristow, was asked to comment on the possible strategic options available to Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") in relation to Acacia Mining plc ("Acacia"), which is majority owned by Barrick. In the context of the discussion, a quotation was subsequently attributed to Mr. Bristow in an article published today under the headline "Barrick 'could buy out Acacia to end Tanzania dispute'" which stated:

"One of the options that Barrick has is to roll up Acacia into Barrick itself, in other words issue Barrick's shares to the Acacia minorities, take it back within the company and consolidate it."

Randgold, on behalf of Mr. Bristow, wishes to confirm that the views expressed by Mr. Bristow were his own and not those of Barrick and in no way were intended to reflect Barrick's intentions. Randgold also wishes to confirm that Mr. Bristow has held no specific discussions with Barrick or Acacia with regards to the making of a possible offer for Acacia. The Panel Executive has confirmed that there are no Takeover Code implications for Barrick nor its concert parties as a result of this announcement.

Enquiries

Randgold Chief Executive

Mark Bristow Financial Director

Graham Shuttleworth Investor & Media Relations

Kathy du Plessis

+44 20 7557 7738

randgold@dpapr.com

Further information

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction.

Dealing disclosure requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

The defined terms used in this section "Dealing disclosure requirements" are defined in the Code which can be found on the Takeover Panel's website.

Publication on Website

A copy of this announcement will be made available (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions) on Randgold's website at www.randgoldresources.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the business day following the date of this announcement in accordance with Rule 26.1(a) of the Code. The content of the websites referred to in this announcement are not incorporated into and do not form part of this announcement.

This announcement will also be available on SEDAR under Randgold's profile at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR under Randgold's profile at www.sec.gov.

Requesting hard copy documents

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, a person so entitled may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Computershare during business hours at 03707074040 (from within Jersey or the UK) or +44 3707074040 (from outside Jersey or the UK) or by submitting a request in writing to Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Team, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZY. If you have received this announcement in electronic form, copies of this announcement and any document or information incorporated by reference into this document will not be provided unless such a request is made.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Randgold Resources Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527392/Randgold-Resources-Limited-Announces-Clarification-StatementROME - The Senate on Wednesday approved the government's security-and-migration decree despite a mini rebellion by a handful of members of the 5-Star Movement (M5S).



The legislation, which was approved with a confidence vote with 163 votes in favour, 59 against and 19 abstentions, now moves to the Lower House. Among other things, the decree, drafted by Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League party, makes it easier for the authorities to deport asylum seekers found guilty of felonies. The package has caused tension within the ruling coalition due to the opposition of some members of the 5-Star Movement (M5S) to certain elements of it.



"Security and Immigration decree, time 12:19, the Senate approves!!!," Salvini said via Twitter.



"#Salvinidecree, historic day!".



The M5S's Upper House whip Stefano Patuanelli said disciplinary proceedings were being opened against five M5S Senators who left the floor when the key vote was taking place.



The ruling coalition now has to tackle another issue that has caused tension - the M5S's proposal for an overhaul of Italy's statute of limitations to stop criminals getting off because cases time out.



This has reportedly been met with resistance from the M5S's coalition partners in the League.



Salvini has said that, while a reform of the statute of limitations was needed, it is also necessary to ensure cases do not drag on forever.



Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio, meanwhile, the statute-of-limitations reform was crucial for his 5-Star Movement (M5S). "Breakfast this morning with (Justice) Minister (Alfonso) Bonafede to asses the situation on the anti-corruption measures that will soon be debated in parliament," Di Maio said via Instagram. "Prison for the corrupt, bans from public office for the corrupt, statute of limitations (suspended) after the first-instance verdict in criminal trials. "The latter is a fundamental battle of ours for justice".



Salvini on Wednesday ruled out the possibility that differences between his League party and the 5-Star Movement could lead to the government collapsing. "The government is absolutely not at risk," Salvini said.



"One by one, it will maintain all the commitments made with the Italian people, full stop. Everything can be resolved with good sense and humility.



"We'll sort this diatribe soon. "The jackals should accept that this government will keep working for five years".

Zug - The blockchain startup ambrpay has won the first prize of the CV Competition for Finance, the premier gathering of the blockchain community in Crypto Valley. Innovation based on distributed ledger technology was the main topic of the speeches, panel discussions and fireside chats. The Swiss Blockchain Federation, a Private Public Partnership, revealed its new plans for positioning Switzerland as the leading Crypto Nation.

The USD 100,000 cash prize of the CV Competition for Finance goes to ambrpay, a startup founded by Andreas Hauri, a neuroscientist who used to grow brains in a lab before he turned tech entrepreneur. Hauri conceived a new idea this summer - a B2B backend solution which enables users of subscription services to pay for subscription services with crypto currencies. Since then Andreas Hauri has developed the blockchain technology in the backend and won first customers for pilots.

"Good luck to Andreas with further scaling the company and we hope to be able to pay for our Netflix and Spotify automatically with crypto currencies soon", said Daniel Rutishauser, Head of Blockchain and Financial Services at Zug based information management firm inacta which is one of the co-founders of the CV Summit.

70 speakers, 900 attendees

Several financial institutions, universities and industry leaders partnered with the CV Competition for Finance. "The space is growing up. The startups solve real problems and create tangible products to drive blockchain adoption further. We are very proud that ambrpay has won this year's competition and welcome the team to the Crypto Valley ecosystem", said Mathias Ruch, ...

Den vollstandigen Artikel lesen ...Toronto and Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) -ACME Resources Corp. ("ACME" or the "Company") and Rapid Dose Therapeutics Inc. ("RDT") are pleased to announce that RDT's United States subsidiary, RDT Therapeutics Inc. ("RDT-US"), has signed an additional definitive five-year, renewable Managed Strip Services (MSS) Agreement with Chemesis International Inc. (CSE: CSI) ("Chemesis") for the territory of Puerto Rico.

Under the Managed Strip Services Agreement, Chemesis has been granted a license to use RDTs QuickStrip trademarks and proprietary delivery technology for cannabis products in Puerto Rico. Within the terms of the Agreement, RDT-US will provide licensing rights to Chemesis to produce, distribute and sell products across Puerto Rico using RDT's QuickStrip delivery method for the cannabis market. RDT-US and Chemesis have established a prior definitive agreement to license QuickStrip in the state of California and will now continue to build and expand the QuickStrip global footprint into the Puerto Rican marketplace.

RDT's game-changing, proprietary QuickStrip technology is a Quick, Convenient, Precise, Discreet oral fast-dissolving drug delivery system that offers an accurate dosing and smoke-free choice to consumers.

"RDT is excited to continue to develop its relationship with Chemesis to offer cannabis consumers in Puerto Rico a smoke-free delivery method that is consistent and precise," explains Mark Upsdell, CEO of RDT. "With Chemesis' worldwide reach, the QuickStrip brand will have the opportunity to establish and grow new markets around the globe."

"Our partnership with RDT now allows us to bring an alternative cannabis delivery system to consumers in Puerto Rico," said Edgar Montero, CEO of Chemesis. "This partnership allows us to bring the QuickStrip discrete and quick delivery system to the consumers of Puerto Rico. This partnership increases the reach of QuickStrip products with Chemesis and the company is a positive step forward in our business plan to provide consumers with high quality products. "

A Game-Changing Delivery System

About Rapid Dose Therapeutics

Rapid Dose Therapeutics, RDT, is a Canadian bio-technology company that provides innovative, proprietary drug delivery technologies designed to improve patient outcomes and quality of lives. Rapid Dose Therapeutics offers Quick, Convenient, Precise and Discreet choices to consumers and patients. RDT is focused and committed to clinical research and product development for the healthcare manufacturing industry - including nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cannabis industries. Within the cannabis sector, RDT provides a turn-key Managed Strip Service Program which enables RDT's QuickStrip proprietary drug delivery technology to be licensed by select partners. RDT is driven to expand globally into emerging markets, create value for both consumers and shareholders and continually create innovative solutions aimed at future market needs.

For more information, visit: www.rapid-dose.com

For media inquiries please contact:



info@rapid-dose.com

416-477-1052

1121 Walkers Line, Unit 3

Burlington ON Canada

L7N 2G4

About ACME - Proposed Business Combination

ACME and RDT have proposed a business combination which, when completed, will constitute a reverse take-over of ACME by the shareholders of RDT and the acquisition of RDT by ACME. The previously announced proposed amalgamation involving ACME, its wholly-owned subsidiary and RDT (the "Amalgamation") and all of the matters relating to the Amalgamation have been approved by more than 99% of the votes cast by ACME shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at an ACME shareholders meeting held on August 30, 2018 and by 100% of the votes cast by RDT shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at a RDT shareholders meeting held on August 27, 2018. For details of the proposed Amalgamation and other aspects of the proposed reverse take-over transaction, please refer to ACME's news release filed on ACME's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com on July 12, 2018 and the management information circular for the ACME shareholders meeting filed on ACME's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com on August 9, 2018.

More Information about ACME:

For more information about ACME, visit ACME's profile at www.sedar.com or contact Jorge Estepa, Corporate Secretary, 20 Adelaide Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2T6 Tel: (416) 818-4035

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward- looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Statements containing forward-looking information, including, without limitation, in respect of the delivery of products using the QuickStrip product delivery method, express, as at the date of this news release, the plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs of ACME and RDT as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical marijuana; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the medical marijuana industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability to implement its business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks.Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that statements of forward-looking information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, will prove to be accurate as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.Artificial intelligence, data and analytics and cybersecurity are among the topics discussed at ELM18, which kicked off this week. More than 200 corporate legal and claims professionals will attend Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions fourth annual user conference being held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 6-8, 2018.

Experts from some of the world's largest and most successful organizations, including Dell, Nationwide, and PNC Bank, will take part in an agenda filled with panels, workshops and roundtables. Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, will provide the keynote address.

The conference also includes a full day of free training for users of ELM Solutions' Passport, TyMetrix 360, and LegalVIEW platforms to help ensure they are optimizing their use of these enterprise legal management solutions. An awards ceremony will recognize client success and innovation, highlighting how the winners have transformed their legal or claims organizations.

"ELM18 is invaluable to myself and my team on two fronts," said Craig Hartsuyker, Regional Head of Claims Litigation at Farmers Insurance. "First, we have all of the technology and subject matter experts from ELM in one place to discuss what's been working well and how we can better utilize data and analytics to help address new business and operational challenges. Second, this event provides us with the opportunity to share our experiences and learn from some of the best corporate legal departments in the world."

Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions is the market-leading provider of enterprise legal spend and matter management and legal analytics solutions. Corporate legal and insurance claims departments and their law firms worldwide trust our flexible, multi-solution approach to help ensure compliance, control costs and collaborate more effectively. This includes Passport, the highest rated ELM solution in the 2017 Hyperion Marketview Legal Market Intelligence Report; TyMetrix 360, the industry's leading SaaS-based e-billing and matter management solution; and the LegalVIEW portfolio of legal analytics solutions based upon the industry's largest and most comprehensive legal spend database, with more than $100 billion in invoices.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance

Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance.

Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005881/en/

Contacts:

Wolters Kluwer

Chuck Miller

Director, External Communications & Brand

Office +1 320-240-5457

Mobile +1 320-217-9193

charles.miller@wolterskluwer.comBRIDGEWATER, NS / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / (TSX-V: SSE) (Frankfort: S6Q) -- Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announces that The Company is proposing to consolidate its Common Shares on a one (new) for five (old) share basis. The consolidation to be proposed for shareholder approval at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders to be held in early 2019. The Company also announces that:

The Company is proposing to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 60,000,000 units at a price of $0.025 per unit (the "Private Placement");

Each unit of the Private Placement will consist of one common share of the Company ("Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.05 per share at any time on or before the 36-month anniversary of the closing of the Private Placement.

In connection with the Private Placement, the TSX-V requires the Company to obtain written confirmation from shareholders of the Company holding not less than 50% of the Common Shares (determined as of completion of the Private Placement) that such shareholders will vote in favour of the proposed Consolidation at the Meeting.

About Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company pursuing exploration and development of the exploration of the Pino De Plata epithermal silver/base metal/gold project located in the prolific Sierra Madre Occidental region of western Chihuahua State of Mexico.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Company seeks seeks Safe Harbour.

Contact:

www.silverspruceresources.com

SOURCE: Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527394/Silver-Spruce-Resources-Inc-Announces-Proposed-Consolidation-of-Its-Common-SharesModel Price - US$ 710 to US$ 386 Per Carat

Model Grade - 11 to 8 cpht

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2018 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture Exchange: TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of an independent modelled grade and diamond value for an aggregate 77.94 carat parcel of 502 commercial size (+1mm) diamonds. Which were recovered from Large Diameter Drilling ("LDD") from four kimberlite units of the BK16 kimberlite pipe in the Orapa Kimberlite Field ("OKF"), Botswana.

The current LDD sample average price is US$ 176.44 per carat, this is derived from a valuation of three parcels totaling 502 stones (77.940 carats).

Parcel # of Diamonds Total Carats US$ / Carat 1 94 17.045 $195.45 2 130 17.700 $196.37 3 278 43.195 $161.03

The modelled average price ranges from a high of US$ 710 to US$ 386 per carat.

The five highest diamonds by value ranged from 0.965 carats to 1.935 carats with a total weight of 7.22 carats and have an average price valuation of US$ 612.85 per carat.

The modelled average grade ranges from a high of 11 cpht to 8 cpht.

3.8% of the diamonds tested were identified as Type IIa diamonds consisting predominantly of D color stones.

Breakage studies indicate that ~70% of the diamonds were unbroken and of those which were broken only 3.2% were heavily broken.

The Size Frequency Distribution ("SFD") study demonstrates the presence of large stones, indicating that 8.0% may be greater than 10.8 carats ("specials"), and 0.5% could be greater than 100 carats.

Bulk sampling Phase 2 is being planned

The diamond valuation was performed by QTS Kristal Dinamika ("Mr. Ray Ferraris") utilizing the current QTS proprietary Price-Book (Q3-2018). The grade and price modelling were performed by Dr. Lawless of Dr. Paddy Lawless & Associates CC. ("Dr. Lawless"), and uses proprietary modelling techniques, to predict the grade and average price per carat in a mine production scenario.

Photos of the diamonds are available at: http://www.tsodiloresources.com/s/Photo_Gallery.asp?ReportID=820507.

Dr. Lawless, stated "Based on my analysis of the diamonds, the modelled value of US$ 710 USD to $US 386 per carat and the grade of 8 to 11 cpht are both higher than the sample grade and value of the 2,076.76-dry metric ton LDD sample which represented ~0.01% of the kimberlite body tonnage. The sample grade and value are limited due to the relatively small sample size and hence are is not representative of the entire SFD of the deposit. The lack of large stones in the sample is due to their relatively low probability of occurrence. By using the actual size distribution of the sample (number of stones in each size class) and aligning it with a more complete 'reference SFD', grades and values were adjusted to remove the effects of the small sample size. As such, the modelled grade and value represent more realistic run of mine production. Based on the modelled diamond value and kimberlite grade additional sampling of the kimberlite is required to confirm these positive results and to improve on the diamond value."

Dr. Michiel de Wit, Tsodilo's President and COO commented that, "The promising modelled SFD grade and value indicates that BK16 deserves further work because BK16 could also be a high value diamond producer like AK6 (Karowe mine)."

BK16 Diamond Valuation

Tsodilo has recovered 502 diamonds to date weighing 77.94 carats from 3 parcels of commercial size diamonds (+1 mm) from 2,076.70-dry metric tonnes of LDD samples of the VK2, VK3, VKxxx and CB lithological domains in the BK16 kimberlite pipe. The diamonds were analyzed by Mr. Ferraris and Dr. Lawless at the Diamond Technology Park ("DTP") in Gaborone after deep-cleaning by acid boiling and sized to the +1 DTC sieve classes.

Mr. Ferraris determined the current market values for the three LDD parcels. Where Parcel 1 (94 stones, 17.045 carats) gave a value of US$ 195.45; Parcel 2 (130 stones, 17.700 carats) gave a value of US$ 196.37; and Parcel 3 (278 stones, 43.195 carats) gave a value of US$ 161.03. The average current market value of all the diamonds was US$ 176.44 per carat.

The five highest individual diamonds constituting more than 4% of the value of the overall parcel ranged in size from 1.935 carats to 0.965 carats, weighed 7.220 carats in total and had an average market value of US$ 612.85 per carat, see Table 1.

Table 1. The five highest individual diamonds constituting more than 4% of the value of the overall parcel.

Parcel Hole ID Size Stones Carats $ Per Carat Total $ 2 LDD_020V 6 Grainer 1 1.535 $ 755.00 $ 1,158.93 3 LDD_032V 6 Grainer 1 1.410 $ 748.00 $ 1,054.68 1 LDD_033V 5 Grainer 1 1.375 $ 705.00 $ 969.38 3 LDD_024V 8 Grainer 1 1.935 $ 350.00 $ 677.25 2 LDD_021V 4 Grainer 1 0.965 $ 585.00 $ 564.53 Totals 5 7.220 $ 612.85 $ 4,424.76

The chain of custody has been maintained to industry standards (see previous press releases on the Company's website describing the systems employed to ensure that industry standards were achieved).

The diamonds were classified using the Diamond Trading Company ("DTC") mass carater/grainer system for the 6, 5, 4 and 3 grainer size classes and the DTC Diamond Sieves ("DS") for the -3gr+11, -11+09, -09+07, -07+05, -05+03, -03+01 and - 1DS size classes. The masses of all recovered stones were recorded and valued in their respective size classes.

The QTS valuation of these LDD diamonds is considerably above the original basis for the historical diamonds recovered in 1999 and 2000 from BK16 which were valued in 2016 at $138 per carat.

More than half the diamonds were tested using a Yehunda Z-50 colorimeter where 3.8% of these were positively identified as Type IIa stones. Most of these are D color with one DE, one E and one F+ colors.

Type II diamonds are rare diamonds which have no measurable nitrogen levels. Type IIa diamonds are generally devoid of impurities and tend to have a colorless and low to no ultraviolet light fluorescence.

Mr. Ferraris of QTS stated that, "The overall parcel is dominated by white, gem-quality diamonds, many of which are G-color or higher. The proportion of low-quality diamonds is very low compared to other Botswana kimberlites. There is a general prevalence towards resorbed dodecahedron shaped diamonds, no boart quality diamonds were seen, and the presence of the high-quality Type IIa diamonds was confirmed."

SFD Value Modelling

Dr. Lawless determined the modelled prices for the 502 diamonds using statistical methods that can predict the possible proportion and price of each size class of diamonds in potential future run of mine production. The data used for modelling includes SFD data, QTS market prices for each size class, and estimated prices for larger diamonds that would be recovered in a production scenario but were not represented in this small diamond parcel. This method is based on a linear extrapolation (Figure 1) up to and including the 19.8 carat size class. Extrapolating a $/carat value to diamonds beyond the 19.8 carat class size was deemed inappropriate as the link between value and size in these larger class sizes becomes inherently uncertain. The $/carat value of these sizes were therefore limited or "flat lined" to the upper limit value of the >19.8 carat size class value.

The values of US$ 710.10 to US$ 386.43 per carat are recommended by Dr. Lawless as more representative of the true run of mine production diamond values that could be expected from BK16 within a large degree of uncertainty due to the nature of this type of modelling on a small parcel like this.

This type of price modelling is progressively more uncertain on smaller parcels of diamonds. In addition, due to the small size of the parcel, the modeled value is only indicative of future BK16 value and equally important is the fact that the higher average modelled price does not represent a maximum price and that the ultimate diamond price could be higher than US$ 710 per carat depending on quality. To gain more confidence on the value of the diamonds a parcel of at least 500 to 1000 carats are required.

Figure 1. Displays the linear model used to extrapolate the $/carat value into the larger size categories

to the upper limit of the >19.8 carats size class.

SFD Grade Modelling

The sample grade of the 2,076.70-dry metric ton sample was established at 3.8 cpht based on diamonds recovered to date. However, the confidence level of this grade is low because of the relatively small sample size that represents only ~0.01% of the BK16 kimberlite body, which is thus not representative for the entire SFD of the deposit. The absence of large stones in the sample for example is due to their relatively low probability of occurrence. By using the size distribution of the sample (number of stones in each size class) and aligning it with a more complete 'reference SFD', sample grades can be adjusted to remove the effects of small sample size (Ravenscroft 2016). Methods used to illustrate the SFD and applied by Dr. Lawless were:

Standard log base 10 - probability plot which assumes the SFD has a log base 10 - normal distribution. This diagram plots the cumulative percentage of carats greater than the lower critical stone sizes ("LCSS") of the various classes on a Probability Axis against the log base 10 of the LCSS of the classes;

Standard carats per hundred tonnes per Unit Interval (cpht/ui) plot which has a linear vertical cpht/ui axis against the log base 10 of the Average Stone Size ("ASS") of the various classes;

Stones per hundred tonnes per Unit Interval (stpht/ui) colloquially known as "SPTUI plots", which plot the log base 10 of stpht/ui against the log base 10 mid-point of the size classes on linear scales.

The 'modelling' exercise from the LDD combined data provided from all BK16 kimberlite phases has indicated a best Possible Content Curve SFD deposit caratage of 1,545,930 carats to 2,196,225 carats for the entire Exploration Target tonnage of 18.2 to 20.1 million tonnes for all kimberlite phases to a depth of 450 meters.

This implies a possible grade of 10.93 cpht to 8.49 cpht (two decimal places) at a DTC 01DS plate bottom cut-off of 0.82 mm. In practice the lower cut-off at the DMS treatment plant was set at 1.0 mm.

Impact of Diamond Breakage on the BK16 Diamond valuation

Diamond breakage occurs both naturally during diamond emplacement or eruption of the kimberlite, and un-naturally during various processes of extraction, drilling and recovery, commonly referred to as "winning" of the diamond, which create "fresh" breakages. Natural breakages of diamond are subject to chemical attack from the molten kimberlite which would have etched or produced resorbed broken surfaces, making them recognizable as "old" or "natural" breakage. As such only "fresh" or un-natural breakage is contemplated during diamond breakage studies of this type.

Diamond breakage studies conducted by Mr. Ferraris, indicated a low level of un-natural or 'fresh' diamond breakages. Most diamonds (69.7%) had zero breakage, and only some stones were chipped (17.5%), and 7.8% classified as lightly broken. Where only 3.2% of the diamonds were classified as heavily broken, and 1.8% were classified as fragments (Table 2). This low level of fresh breakages illustrates the well managed LDD and DMS treatment programs.

Table 2. Breakage Classification showing small levels of breakage.

Breakage Category Number of Stones Classified % of Stones Classified Unbroken 350 69.7% Chipped 88 17.5% Lightly Broken 39 7.8% Heavily Broken 216 3.2% Fragment 9 1.8% Total 502

Exploration Target Tonnage Update

The Exploration Target tonnage range of 18.2 to 20.1 million tonnes (Mt) is an update and an increase on the tonnages quoted in the Exploration Target Tonnage press release of July 15, 2015. The increase in volume of all the kimberlite units is due to new drill-hole information from the 14 LDD pilot drill-hole NQ drill core totaling 3,220 meters of drilling, of which 2,801 meters of kimberlite were drilled, see press release of June 26, 2017. The updated BK16 model produced with Gocad 3D software can be viewed at: http://www.tsodiloresources.com/i/pdf/BK16.pdf .

The tonnages produced for the BK16 kimberlite units are based on the volumes from updated modelling and an updated set of density core measurements of these two units down to a level of 450 meters below the surface. Where the lower Exploration Target tonnage of 18.2 Mt presented is based on the modelled volume and converted to tonnage using the lower average weathered kimberlite density of 2.29 g/cm3. Likewise, the upper Exploration Target tonnage of 20.1 Mt presented here is based on the modelled volume and converted to tonnage using the higher average fresher kimberlite density of 2.53 g/cm3.

The SFD modelling uses these tonnage ranges to extrapolate a total deposit caratage of:

Upper = 2,196,225 carats for the 20.1 Mt and 10.93 cpht modelled grade.

Lower = 1,545,930 carats for the 18.2 Mt and 8.49 cpht modelled grade.

For all kimberlite phases to a depth of 450 m.

Ongoing work

Crushing and X-ray treatment through the Bourevestnik Polus-M X-ray unit of the +3 mm concentrate fractions in order to liberate any locked-up diamonds is ongoing and auditing of the BV tailings through a simple grease recovering unit has recently commenced.

Future work

A second phase of bulk sampling to increase the sample caratage from BK16 is being investigated. This is necessary to improve the confidence limit of the US$ per carat modeled values for feasibility purposes. Several different scenarios are being investigated to recover a minimum of 500 carats either by extending the existing shaft and tunnels or using 24-inch LDD work either as cluster holes or individual holes on a grid system.

Disclosure

Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Form 43-101F1 and Companion Policy 43-101CP requires that the following disclosure be made: All references contained herein with respect to the potential quantity and grade derived by any method is at this stage of development conceptual in nature. At the present time, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

About Tsodilo Resources Limited

Tsodilo Resources Limited is an international diamond and metals exploration company engaged in the search for economic diamond and metal deposits at its Bosoto (Pty) Limited ("Bosoto") and Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") projects in Botswana and its Idada 361 (Pty) Limited ("Idada") project in Barberton, South Africa. The Company has a 100% stake in Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field (OKF) in Botswana and the PL216/2017 diamond prospection license also in the OKF. The Company has a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of seven metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. Additionally, Tsodilo has a 70% stake in Idada Trading 361 (Pty) Limited which holds the gold and silver exploration license in the Barberton area of South Africa. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba, Bosoto and Idada projects. Overall supervision of the Company's exploration program is the responsibility of Dr. Mike de Wit, President and COO of the Company and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

James M. Bruchs

Dr. Mike de Wit

Head Office

Website Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

President and Chief Operating Officer

Telephone +1 416 572 2033

http://www.TsodiloResources.com JBruchs@TsodiloResources.com

MdeWit@TsodiloResources.com

Facsimile + 1 416 987 4369



SOURCE: Tsodilo Resources Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/527388/Tsodilo-Resources-Limited-Announces-BK16-Independent-Modelled-Diamond-Valuation-and-Grade-ResultsWeekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft).

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.Washington, DC--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) - In connection with our ongoing efforts to help address investor confusion about the nature of their relationships with investment advisers and broker-dealers, the SEC's Office of the Investor Advocate today made available a report on investor testing conducted by the RAND Corporation. The investor testing gathered feedback on a sample Relationship Summary issued in April 2018 as part of a package of proposed rulemakings and interpretations designed to enhance the quality and transparency of investors' relationships with investment advisers and broker-dealers. The report is available for review and comment on the SEC's website.

"Based on my discussions with many retail investors over the last several months, it is clear to me that too many retail investors are not aware of the material aspects of their relationships with their investment professionals," said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton. "The results of RAND Corporation's investor testing support our efforts to provide retail investors with a clear and concise Relationship Summary to help them make important decisions about choosing to work with an investment professional. The SEC staff is carefully reviewing RAND Corporation's investor testing report as well as other information related to the proposed Relationship Summary that is available in the comment file."

RAND Corporation's investor testing of the Relationship Summary consisted of:

A nationwide online survey of over 1,800 individuals fielded through RAND's nationally representative American Life Panel

Qualitative in-depth interviews conducted in Denver and Pittsburgh fielded using independent market research firms

This report may be informative to those evaluating the proposed Relationship Summary. This report may supplement other information considered in connection with the final rule, and the Office of Investor Advocate is making this report available to allow the public to consider and comment on this supplemental information. Comments on this supplemental information may be submitted to comment File Nos. S7-08-18, S7-09-18, and S7-07-18 and are encouraged by Dec. 7, 2018.WorleyParsonshas been awarded a frame agreement for engineering and construction (E&C) services and a new contract in the UK with ConocoPhillips U.K., Ltd.Under the first contract, WorleyParsons will provide E&C services to assets in the central and southern North Sea.Under the second contract, they will provide EPC services, including precommissioning and commissioning, for a subsea tieback project to an existing platform.Meanwhile, Rosenberg WorleyParsons has also been awarded contract by Lundin Norway ASO in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.The objective is to prepare Lundins Edvard Grieg platform to receive and process oil and gas from nearby offshore fields. The project starts immediately and has a duration of two and a half years. The services will be executed from WorleyParsons Rosenberg in Stavanger.Shares in WorleyParsonsis trading 0.57 per cent lower to $13.99.Libya summit step forward for Med security - Italian PM High number of figures taking part says premier

(ANSAmed) - ROME, NOVEMBER 7 - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said Wednesday that the conference on Libya that Italy will host in Palermo next week is a "fundamental step for the objective of stabilizing Libya and for the security of the whole Mediterranean. "We are satisfied at the high number of confirmations (of figures who will take part)," he told a question time session in the Lower House.



"The main players on the Libyan scene will be present.



"I want to stress that we do not think we can resolve all the problems. But we want to create a sustainable opportunity for encounter. "We want to overcome the current stalemate in the political process with elections as soon as possible, as soon as the necessary political, legislative and security conditions are satisfied".(ANSAmed).



The reports of rift between the central bank and the government surfaced last month following which the finance ministry reportedly started discussion with the RBI under the never-used before Section 7 of the RBI Act.

New Delhi: Keeping up the heat on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government will continue to press the central bank to relax norms to boost lending and transfer at least a third of its Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserve, sources familiar with the discussions said.

In recent weeks, the rift between the RBI and the government has been widening over various issues.

Recently, the government cited never-used before provisions of law that gives it powers to issue directions to the RBI on mattes of public interest to resolve certain issues.

Citing Section 7 of the RBI Actan unprecedented move in the 80-year history of RBIthe government wants RBI Governor Urjit Patel to address three prime concerns. They pertain to transfer of surplus funds, easing of NPA norms to kick start lending and support growth, and easing liquidity crisis facing non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), sources had said.

These issues may figure during the RBI's board meeting on 19 November.

According to the sources, the government would continue to press the RBI to relax norms to boost lending and transfer at least a third of its Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserve.

The government wants the RBI to part with most of its profit as dividend. The central bank, however, feels that it needs to retain a share of profits to make its balance sheet stronger, as per media reports.

The government wants Rs 3.6 lakh crore of surplus to be transferred to it, the reports said.

In its attempt to clean up the banking system, the RBI introduced Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework that places curbs on lending, expanding branch network and dividend distribution on weak banks.

It has also mandated banks to declare a delinquent borrower even if payments were overdue by a day.

The government wants some of these strictures to be eased to kick start lending and support growth, the sources said.

One of the nominee director on RBI's Central Board S Gurumurthy has reportedly written to RBI Governor Urjit Patel regarding Deputy Governor Viral Acharya raising the issue of the bank's autonomy at a public event recently.

Sources had said that the RBI's board meeting on 19 November was pre-scheduled and routine. The last meeting of the board was held in October.

Apart from Patel and his four deputies, there are 13 nominated directors on the RBI's board.

The reports of rift between the central bank and the government surfaced last month following which the finance ministry reportedly started discussion with the RBI under the never-used before Section 7 of the RBI Act.

In a statement last week, the ministry said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured".

Last week, Economic Affairs Seceretary Subhash Chandra Garg and government nominee on the Board took an apparent dig at Acharya's 'wrath of financial markets' comment in a tweet saying vital indicators of the economy were showing improvement.

Acharya, in his much talked about speech last month, raised the issue of autonomy of the central bank and said that undermining the central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic".

"Governments that do not respect central bank independence will sooner or later incur the wrath of financial markets, ignite economic fire, and come to rue the day they undermined an important regulatory institution; their wiser counterparts who invest in central bank independence will enjoy lower costs of borrowing, the love of international investors, and longer life spans," Acharya had said.

The deputy governor's comment had generated controversy, hinting at the growing rift between the government and the central bank.By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday it was investigating whether General Motors Co , should recall an additional 1.7 million sport utility vehicles due to an issue with windshield wiper failures.

GM, the largest U.S. automaker, had recalled 367,800 2013 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs in the United States in August 2016 to address the problem.

But after receiving 249 complaints since then about similar problems in vehicles from five other model years, the federal agency said it was looking into whether the recall should be expanded to include a further 1.7 million vehicles from the 2010-2016 model years in the United States.

No crashes or injuries relating to the issue have been reported, GM said.

The automaker said it was cooperating with the NHTSA review.

The 2013 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs were recalled "because warranty data showed a higher-than-expected failure rate," and the company has continued to monitor field data on other model years of those vehicles, GM said.

"We will work with NHTSA on an updated review of the data for the vehicles covered by the query," GM added.

The recalls came after a GM Canada brand quality manager reported a potential safety issue relating to windshield wiper failures in Canada through GM's "Speak Up For Safety," program in late 2015, the automaker said.

GM said data showed significantly higher field incidents in parts of Canada with heavy road salt use, which prompted a June 2016 recall of 141,407 2010-2017 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs in Canada. Over the following two months, a higher number of U.S. reports prompted a U.S. recall of the 2013 model vehicles, the company said.

In March, GM expanded its recall in Canada to another 15,600 vehicles from the 2010-2017 model years, Transport Canada said.

In the 2016 recalls, GM said the front-wiper module would be replaced with a module that has a water deflector and, if needed, dealers would fill the water management hole and drill a new small hole in a different location.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, editing by G Crosse and Bernadette Baum)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel

Uttarkashi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with army and ITBP personnel on Wednesday.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said.

While interacting with Army and @ITBP_official Jawans in Harsil, spoke about the numerous steps being taken by the Government of India for the strengthening of the defence sector, welfare of ex-servicemen and highlighted how Indian forces are admired globally for the skills. pic.twitter.com/DFAuJfrQwy  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018

He said that Diwali is the festival of lights, it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said that the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

The prime minister recalled that he has been visiting soldiers on Diwali ever since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

The prime minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from nearby areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The prime minister is scheduled to go to Kedarnath later in the day to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013 which killed thousands of people.

Responding to Diwali greeting from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, Modi had said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special."India on Wednesday thanked the UN Postal Administration for issuing special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights

United Nations: India on Wednesday thanked the UN Postal Administration for issuing special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

The United Nations Postal Administration issued a special event sheet on October 19 to commemorate the festival of Diwali.

"The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN. Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.

The background of the sheet features the United Nations Headquarters building illuminated with the message of "Happy Diwali" to celebrate the spirit of the festival.

"Diwali, also known as Deepawali is the joyous and popular festival of lights, which is celebrated in India and by followers of many faiths across the world," the UN agency had said in its description accompanying information about the stamps.

During the celebration clay lamps known as diyas are lit to signify the victory of good over evil. The festival also symbolises the start of a New year for many communities, it said.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) had in October 2016 launched a commemorative stamp in honour of the festival of Diwali.

The USPS Diwali stamp became a reality after seven-years long efforts and advocacy by the Indian-American community and several Congressional resolutions by influential American lawmakers such as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.It's the one legend that actually sanctions playing cards with your family over Diwali, because hey, if the gods can do it, you can too

I have to leave Delhi every year for Diwali. It's the time of year for new beginnings, festivities, new clothes and also tremendous air pollution. Last year, I tweeted, Firecrackers are not a Hindu tradition and so many people rose up against me on Twitter. How dare I question anything, they asked. Were Christmas trees part of Christianity? (Yes, the pagans used the branches to decorate their homes as a symbol of spring to come. Hopeful, in the deep winter.) The time for firecrackers is gone, along with spraying DDT to kill mosquitoes, and smoking while you're pregnant. We know so much more now, so why is this something we keep sticking to?

Anyway, this column isn't about firecrackers  I have escaped them, and I hope you have too. This is a column about that beloved Diwali institution: gambling. See, up until now, I never knew why every year around this time, everyone had to have a cards party. How was me losing all my money part of Diwali tradition? Turns out it's all the fault of a much more canny player than I, the Goddess Parvati.

One day, Shiva and Parvati were chilling, as they did, up in the mountains, making love, talking of things, just enjoying each other, when that trickster sage Narada appeared, totally out of nowhere. Narada stories always involve the people he's talking to going through some distress, so you have to wonder why they let him come over at all. Take Narada off the group chat, guys!

Narada said, You guys may be really good at the sex, but you know what's better than sex? Gambling! (This was probably also a view taken by Yudhisthira, eldest of the Pandavas, who famously gambled away his wife ensuring that his 99 problems became 100 after all). Shiva and Parvati were taking a little break from all that romping anyway, and dice sounded fun, so they begin, and weirdly, Parvati is winning everything, even though her opponent is a god, and one of the mightier ones at that.

At one point, it looks like Shiva's winning, which sends Parvati into a sulk, and he thinks she's hot when she's mad, so he coaxes her into playing some more, at which point she's like, Fine, but up the stakes. If I win, I get to take all of this. She gestures at his trident (spiky), his earrings (shiny) and his moon (luminous.) At what must have been the tensest game of strip dice, Parvati wins after all, and it's Shiva's turn to go into a sulk. Since he's being such a poor sport, Parvati leaves him and takes everything with her, including his loincloth (furry, probably. It was cold in those mountains).

Anyway, millennia pass, Shiva's sulk has extended into prayers and meditation, and Parvati's sort of bored and lonesome without him. So she dresses like a tribal woman  a little cosplay to spice things up  and goes over to where Shiva's meditating. He's all for getting married again, but Parvati draws it out a bit, Talk to my father, Himalaya but the mountain isn't having any of it, and Narada appears again (why do you keep inviting him in, guys?) and tells Shiva women are fickle and Shiva's like, I'm so over this and Parvati has to go and flatter him and tell him how awesome he is before the two are united!

At least  that's one version of the story, from Richard Smoley's book The Dice Game of Shiva. Another version says that Shiva, not liking to lose, asked his old pal Vishnu to help, since all the gods stuck together. Vishnu possessed the dice, and made it come out in Shiva's favour, and when Parvati objected, he just said something about life being unpredictable and an illusion, a fail-safe way for ancient Hindus to wriggle out of arguments. A third story, and the most popular one, talks about how Parvati wins, and then loses to her son Karthikeya, who loses to Ganesh. It's the one legend that actually sanctions playing cards with your family over the holidays, because hey, if the gods can do it, you can too.

While the goddess of Diwali is usually Lakshmi with fortune to pass around, I like the idea of a poker playing Parvati taking her seat at cards parties, pushing her tokens across the table, winning hard. I don't think I'd like to go head-to-head with her though, so I'm going to fold before the session even begins.

Read more from the Mythology series here.

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is the author of several books, including The One Who Swam with the Fishes: Girls of the Mahabharata. She tweets @reddymadhavanAs the goddess associated with the perhaps the biggest Indian festival  Diwali  this seems a timely moment to deepen our understanding of Lakshmi, and all that she represents.

Editor's note: "The living (sajiva, in Sanskrit) seek food, the lifeless (ajiva) and the dead (nirjiva) dont. This makes food the fundamental target (laksh) of life. From laksh comes Lakshmi. Lakshmi is food (anna) in nature and wealth (dhana) in culture," writes Devdutt Pattanaik in his book 7 Secrets of the Goddess (published by Westland). As the goddess associated with the perhaps the biggest Indian festival  Diwali  this seems a timely moment to deepen our understanding of Lakshmi, and all that she represents. The following excerpt from 7 Secrets of the Goddess has been republished here with permission from the author, and Westland.

***

In the Puranas, Lakshmi has three fathers: Varuna, Puloman and Bhrigu. Varuna is an asura in the Vedas, but in the Puranas he becomes a deva, a god of the sea, source of all water. The Puranas describe Puloman as the asura-king and Bhrigu as the asura-guru. This makes Lakshmi the daughter of asuras. The word asura has been given a moral turn in recent times; they are visualised in childrens books as dark-skinned, fat, horned, ugly  the embodiment of evil. It is easy then to assume that Lakshmis association with asuras stems from the fear of materialism and the corrupting influence of wealth. But equating asuras with evil, and by extension devas with good, is more a convenient translation than a correct one, the result of a Judeo-Christian-Islamic lens that came to India first via Mughal rulers, and then the British.

In the Puranas, devas and asuras are both children of Brahma. Devas live in the sky and asuras below the earth. All wealth exists below the earth, for it is below the earth that seeds sprout, metal is created and water is hidden. To pull this wealth out, we need the sun (Surya), the wind (Vayu), fire (Agni) and rain (Indra); in other words, we need devas, who then become gods, as their actions favour humanity. Asuras become demons as they resist sharing Lakshmi with humanity.

Varuna, as god of the sea, gives its wealth of salt and fish and pearls freely, without asking anything in return. That is why perhaps Varuna is not asura, but deva. Varuna is also the symbol of generosity: one is who is truly affluent. Puloman rules the land below the earth and does not release Lakshmi easily. Humanity has to invent complex agricultural and mining processes to procure wealth from the earth. The wealth obtained is called Pulomi (which means daughter of Puloman), another name for Lakshmi.

Bhrigu, guru of the asuras, is associated with prediction and foresight. His son Shukra is associated with creativity. A man who can predict the future, who has foresight and is creative, is more likely to create wealth. That is why Lakshmi is called Bhargavi, daughter of Bhrigu. That makes her Shukras sister. Lakshmis value comes only when she leaves her fathers realm, when she is no longer immersed in water or buried under the earth. The creation of wealth then is a violent process: forests have to be destroyed to make way for fields and human settlements. Raw materials have to be pulled out of the ground for industries. In other words, asuras have to be killed to obtain Lakshmi. She dazzles only when she leaves her fathers realm and is seen seated beside Indra, god of the sky, bringer of rain, lord of Amravati.

Wealth that belongs to humans, which has been acquired from nature, is best represented by the pot. The pot is a human invention that allows people to own water and carry it wherever they go. It is the symbol of cultural intervention, of industry and market, creating value out of natural resources. Water in the forest is available for all animals; but water in a pot belongs to the owner of the pot and whosoever he or she gives it to. The pot that is Lakshmi belongs to Indra, and has been wrenched away from the asuras.

The asuras who are killed by devas are time and again resurrected by Shukra, who has the secret known as Sanjivanividya, which brings the dead back to life. This alludes to the fertility of the earth which brings back crops year after year. The act of harvesting the crops is equated with the killing of the asuras by devas, an act of violence that enables Lakshmi to come into the house of the farmer. Thus harvest festivals of India, be it vasant-navaratri (Goddess worship in spring) or sharad-navaratri (Goddess worship in autumn), marking the winter and summer agricultural cycles of India, are invariably associated with the killing of asuras: for example, Durga kills Mahisha-asura in Dussehra and Krishna kills Naraka-asura in Diwali. That is why the battle between devas and asuras is cyclical. It will never end as long as humans depend on harvesting natures bounty and seek the regeneration of natures fertility.

***

As Indras wife, Lakshmi is known as Sachi and Indra is known as Sachin. The arrival of Lakshmi turns Amravati into Swarga, or paradise. For she brings with her Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree; Kama-dhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow; Chinta-mani, the wish-fulfilling jewel; the Akshaya-patra, the cornucopia, the pot that is always overflowing with grain and gold. These treasures enable the devas to live a life of luxury. They do not have to work a single day. They simply have to make a wish and their desires come true. It is an enviable lifestyle.

What is never clarified in the Puranas is why Indra is entitled to all the pleasures that Lakshmi has to offer. It is simply assumed that wealth belongs to the devas. No explanation is offered. Modern retellings often equate asuras with the original forest-dwellers who were displaced by deva migrants who came with superior agricultural and pastoral technology. This is how the eternal battle between asuras and devas is explained sociologically. Marxist anthropologists equate devas as the haves and the asuras as the have-nots. Traditionalists tend to describe devas as good and thus entitled to Lakshmi, but this does not make any sense as Indra in the Puranas is always shown drunk on soma-rasa, immersed in sensory pleasures offered by apsaras, often being indifferent, even rude, to sages.

From the asura point of view, Indra is a thief. But unless the devas steal Lakshmi out of the subterranean realm, Lakshmi cannot have value. The asuras do not see it this way. They simply want their daughter/sister back. So they lay siege to Amravati and constantly fight the devas. This turns paradise into an eternal battleground, or rana-bhoomi, with devas constantly struggling to hold on to their wealth. Indra thus has prosperity but no peace. This naturally makes asuras, source of Indras great displeasure, the villains of the Puranas.

We can equate Indra and the devas with wealth-generators and value-creators who are often at the receiving end of criticism because the process of generating wealth is invariably violent: ecosystems are destroyed and people are compelled to work so that industries and markets can thrive. Wealth generation also creates social divides on economic lines, for those who establish industries and markets (devas?) feel entitled to claim the lions share of the wealth generated, much more than those who actually work in industries and markets (asuras?) who end up feeling deprived and often exploited.

The devas can also be inheritors who have not earned anything but have the benefit of enjoying vast wealth because they were born in a particular family. Indra is unable to see the unfairness of the situation because he is born into privilege. He is unable to see the rage of the asuras. Each demonises the other. Neither understands the other.

The conflict between devas and asuras is very much like the conflict between capitalists and socialists. For the devas, the battle is between those who create wealth and those who do not create wealth. For the asuras, the battle is between those who steal wealth and those who do not steal wealth. What is wealth creation for one group is wealth-theft for another group. Neither can agree about who should get the lions share of the wealth generated. Each one is therefore convinced the other is wrong, resulting in a relentless righteous battle.

***

While Indra may be happy with Lakshmi by his side, Lakshmi never seems happy to be beside Indra. She seems restless, always on the lookout for someone worthier.

Lakshmi is sometimes visualised seated next to Kubera, the rich king of the yakshas, who hoards treasure. Kubera is identified as Indras treasurer in some texts, but other texts identify Kuberas wife as Nidhi, goddess of treasures, another name for Lakshmi. Sachi is often described as being more faithful to Indras throne than to Indra the person, for Indra can be easily replaced by one more worthy. Indra is always insecure, never able to enjoy his vast wealth. His throne is always shaky, threatened by rishis, rajas and asuras. This is also why Lakshmi is called chanchala or whimsical, even cock-eyed (Lokhi-tera, in Bengali). No one is ever sure who the goddess of wealth and fortune will favour. She can appear suddenly without reason, and leave without warning.

Indra gets nervous when a rishi performs tapasya and seeks to generate tapa, the mental fire that will grant siddhi, powers that will enable the rishi to control devas. So he sends apsaras to seduce the rishis and disrupt their tapasya. He steals horses and disrupts the yagnas of rajas so that they are not a threat to his power. And he constantly runs to his father Brahma seeking help to kill asuras who lay siege to his paradise. He knows that he is king because of Lakshmi, and his kingdom is Swarga because of Lakshmi. This narrative reflects the insecurity that comes with wealth. The rich are never secure about their possessions; they constantly feel that people around them wish to steal what is theirs. This state of mind is the rana-bhoomi, the eternal battle that consumes Indras paradise.

The story goes that once Lakshmi left Indras side and went to the asura-king Prahalad. Brahma advised Indra to disguise himself as a servant and serve Prahalad diligently to find out why Lakshmi favoured him over Indra. Indra did as advised and Prahalad finally revealed his secret, Lakshmi is attracted to men of action, who demonstrate strength and smartness. If you display strength and shrewdness, she will come to you. If you fail to do that, she will not stay with you for long. Later, when Prahalad offered the disguised Indra a boon, Indra very shrewdly asked for all of Prahlad's merits. Prahalad, bound by his word, gave his merits away. As soon as merit moved from Prahalad to Indra, Lakshmi also moved from Prahalads side to Indras side.

***

In the Ramayana, Ravana, king of the rakhasas, has physical power or strength. He has 20 arms and 10 heads. With brute force, he overpowers his brother Kubera and drives him out of the golden island-city of Lanka. He lays claim to Kubera's kingdom and throne. He also abducts the wife of Ram, prince of Ayodhya. Thus Lakshmi comes to Ravana by force.

In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana, eldest of the Kauravas, is shrewd and guileful. He uses cunning to defeat his cousins, the five Pandavas, who are much stronger than him and who he feels are rivals to the throne of Hastinapur (which he is convinced is his birthright). First, Duryodhana tries to get rid of the Pandavas by gifting them a palace of lac, which he sets afire while they are asleep. Unfortunately, this plan fails. Later he invites the Pandavas to a gambling match and defeats them by getting his uncle, Shakuni, master of the dice, to play on his behalf. In exchange for their freedom, Pandavas have to forfeit rights over their land for 13 years. Thus Lakshmi comes to the Kauravas by guile.

But Lakshmi acquired through strength or guile can never be retained. Someone who is stronger or more shrewd always comes along and claims our Lakshmi. Thus Ravana meets his match in Ram, the prince of Ayodhya, who defeats him in battle. And Duryodhana finds his match in Krishna, the wily charioteer, who helps the Pandavas outsmart the cunning Kauravas. Indra is never able to keep Lakshmi by his side for as long as there is always a stronger or smarter asura who comes along.

***

In the early part of the Vedas indicated by Brahmana texts, we find hymns and rituals about acquiring and celebrating wealth that take the form of cows, horses, grain, gold, children. Wealth is seen as ushering in happiness. In the latter part of the Vedas indicated by the Aranyaka and Upanishad texts, we find a great discomfort with wealth. Wealth is seen as something that also brings with it a great deal of unhappiness: the envy of neighbours, loss of friends, quarrels within family. This shift in thought between early and later Vedic periods on the nature of wealth is reflected in how Indra is positioned. Indra is the great warrior king of the Vedas, but in the Puranas, he is insecure and helpless, constantly seeking the help of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Giving up wealth simply because its arrival can cause unhappiness is not the answer. What is, then? This inquiry leads us to Vedanta, which explores the relationship between mind and property. Vedanta means philosophy that was milked out of the Vedas. It was communicated to the common man through the stories of the Puranas.

In the Puranas, we learn of Lakshmis elder sister, Jyestha, also known as Alakshmi, who always accompanies her. She is the goddess of strife. She is the reason why the prosperity of Lakshmi is never accompanied by peace. The only way to get peace into the household is to discover and invoke either Shiva or Vishnu. When Lakshmi accompanies Shiva or Vishnu, then Alakshmi does not accompany Lakshmi, and so wealth is not accompanied by quarrels.

Indra is so focused on Lakshmi, or rather Sachi, his wife, that he is indifferent to Alakshmi. He takes no steps to protect himself from the envy and rage of those around him. Naturally, fortune and happiness are short-lived. Eventually, inevitably, while he is busy with his wine and women and other excesses, his enemies lay siege to Swarga and declare war.

One day, Lakshmi leaves Swarga in a huff when Indra insults her: in a drunken state, he throws a garland of lotus flowers gifted to him to the ground, allowing it to be trampled by elephants. This disrespect shown to wealth and affluence is something Lakshmi does not like, so she dissolves herself in the ocean of milk. With the disappearance of Lakshmi, the world becomes gloomy, and Indras paradise loses its affluence. The wish-fulfilling cow stops giving milk, the wish-fulfilling tree stops bearing fruit, the wish-fulfilling gem loses its shine, and the wish-fulfilling pot becomes empty. The only way to get Lakshmi back to Swarga is by churning her out from the ocean of milk. So Indra goes to his father Brahma for help, and Brahma directs him to Vishnu.

Vishnu advises that Indra first make friends with the asuras, as a counter-force is required to churn the ocean. He then forms the churning tool by using Meru, the king of mountains, as a spindle, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, as a rope. Akupara, the king of turtles, a form of Vishnu himself, keeps this aloft. The churning begins with the devas holding the tail-end of Vasuki and the asuras holding the neck-end. When the devas pull, the asuras let go. When the asuras pull, the devas let go.

The churning goes on for eons. And finally from the waters arises Lakshmi, along with all the treasures of paradise. Along with her come Kalpataru, Kamadhenu, Chintamani and Akshaya-patra, symbols of wealth. Also with her are the elephant Airavata and the flying horse Ucchaishrava, both white as milk, symbols of royal power. Also with her is Rambha, the most beautiful damsel, who is well-versed in all forms of pleasure, and Soma, the moon-god, the most handsome and romantic of men.

Lakshmi also brings with her a pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality. This is sought by everyone, but Vishnu tricks the asuras and ensures only the devas get to drink the amrita. The devas, rendered immortal, then rise to their heaven with Lakshmi and everything that brings prosperity, power and pleasure. But there is one change. Lakshmi herself chooses to go to Vishnu. She is drawn to him. This is significant: it establishes Vishnu as superior to Indra. Indra may have defeated the asuras, but it is Vishnu who enabled the victory. And even though Vishnu enabled the victory, he does not claim the much sought after amrita.

***

They may seem similar, but there is a vast difference between Indra and Vishnu. This difference is not about form, but thought. Indras name alludes to indriyas, or sense organs.

Indra symbolises the mind that enjoys pleasure, hoards wealth, and feels constantly threatened by others. He only wants to satisfy his needs and wants. By contrast, Vishnu is concerned about the needs and wants of others. Like Shiva, Vishnu wants to outgrow the world; but his method is different. While Shiva withdraws from society to outgrow his hunger, Vishnu engages with society to outgrow his hunger. He strives hard to help humans discover their dharma.

Dharma means potential. Every creature has to do what they are supposed to do, what they are capable of. It is the dharma of fire to burn, of water to flow, of trees to grow and bear fruit, of animals to run towards food and mates and away from predators. But what is human potential? Is it to create/hoard/distribute wealth to satisfy ones own hunger like Indra, or is it to outgrow hunger like Shiva? Humans are not clear about what path to take. That is why we need Vishnu.

Vishnu balances the shortcomings of Brahmas sons such as Indra with the possibility offered by Shiva. He knows that humans have the capacity to satisfy their own hunger as well as the hunger of others. They also have the capacity to outgrow  and enable others to outgrow  their own hunger. He works towards enabling people to become aware of this capacity, help themselves by helping others. And he does this in the most counter-intuitive of ways.

Superficially, it seems as though Vishnu favours devas over asuras. But a closer observation reveals it is not as simple as it looks. He is granting devas immortality. Why then is Indra still craving for Lakshmi? Should he not be happy as he no longer has to fear death and hence has no real need for Lakshmi? Should he not be content? But he is not: the hunger for Lakshmi continues. And ironically, Lakshmi, grabbed from the asuras, rejects the devas, and follows Vishnu. Vishnu has that which no one else has. Yes, Vishnu is stronger than anyone else. Like Shiva, Vishnu also knows that food does not satisfy hunger. It only amplifies hunger. One can never satiate human needs and wants. His focus on thoughts rather than things is what makes Vishnu attractive to Lakshmi.

***

Lakshmi has two forms: Bhu-devi and Sri-devi. Bhu-devi is the earth-goddess and embodies tangible wealth like food. Sri-devi is associated with intangible wealth or glamour. One can say Bhu-devi is natural wealth and Sri-devi is cultural wealth. In south Indian temples these two forms of Lakshmi are seen beside images of Vishnu.

In the Puranas, Bhu-devi is often visualised as a cow. The story goes that a king called Vena plundered the earth so much that the rishis had to intervene and kill this greedy king. They churned his corpse and from the purified remains created a new king, Prithu. Prithu was a form of Vishnu. He discovered that the earth had run away in the form of a cow, so he pursued her with his bow and arrow, threatening to strike her if she did not stop and allow his subjects to milk her. If you kill me, the world will cease to exist, she cried. But if you cannot be milked, the world cannot survive, argued Prithu. So finally, assured that he would protect her and not let anyone plunder her, Bhu-devi let herself be milked by all living creatures under the watchful eye of Prithu.

As Prithu, Vishnu declared that the kings of the earth would be guardians of Bhu-devi, and that he himself would descend on earth if she was troubled. He becomes the Go-pala, or caretaker of the earth-cow, Go-mata.

In the Bhagavata Purana, Bhu-devi comes weeping to Vishnu and complains about the weight of greedy kings that she

has to bear and begs him to relieve her burden. And so Vishnu descends as Parashuram, Ram and Krishna to kill all the greedy kings of the world. Thus the avatars of Vishnu are meant to secure Lakshmi. She is under Vishnus protection.

In the stories of his mortal avatars  Parashuram, Ram and Krishna  Vishnu never claims ownership of Lakshmi, even in situations when he is entitled to her.

***

In Krishnas story, the Goddess takes many forms. She is Radha to Krishna before his marriage; she loves him even though she belongs to another, thus defying all cultural norms. She is Rukmini who defies her father and elopes with him to Dwarka. She is Satyabhama who obeys her father and marries him, but constantly reminds him that it is her wealth, not his intelligence alone, that makes him an influential member of the Yadava clan.

Finally, the Goddess takes the form of Draupadi, who is helpless and abused despite having five husbands to protect her. Her husbands, the Pandavas, are described as Indras reborn. She needs Vishnu to help her and he does so, as Krishna, even though he is not obliged to do so by any social law or custom. He does so out of love.

Unlike Indra, who only sees Lakshmi as pleasure, Vishnu sees Lakshmi as his responsibility. Vishnu seeks to create an ecosystem where Lakshmi is not held captive; instead she is distributed and celebrated by all.

***

As Hinduism made its journey from Vedic ritualism to Puranic devotion, it became increasingly monastic. This meant that the yogi, one who does not care for wealth, was given more respect in society than a bhogi, one who enjoys wealth. In such a society, Lakshmi was seen as the source of all problems. Rather than taking responsibility for their own inadequacies, human society blamed Lakshmi for the conflicts of society.

This tension between the yogi and the bhogi is a constant theme in the Puranas. The yogi Shiva is turned into the bhogi Shankara when he marries Parvati. The bhogi Indra learns from the yogi Vishnu how to transform rana-bhoomi or battleground into ranga-bhoomi or playground. Similar tensions can be seen in temple lore, where the language is regional, and the themes more practical.

***

The following is an Odiya story which is part of the temple lore of Puri Jagannath temple where Krishna Jagannath is worshipped along with his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra:

One day, Balabhadra sees Lakshmi entering the house of a sweeper woman. He declares that she has been contaminated and orders his younger brother not to let her into the house. Krishna obeys and shuts the door of the temple. In the days that follow, to the great alarm of the divine siblings, no food is offered to them. On enquiry, they discover there is no food being cooked in the kitchen as all vegetables and fruits and cereals and pulses and spices have disappeared from the pantry and the market. There is not even a drop of water to drink. The siblings trace this catastrophe to their rejection of Lakshmi. Eventually Krishna apologises to his wife and begs her to return to the temple.

In this story, Krishnas ascetic brother, the yogi Balabhadra, learns that notions of contamination and pollution make no sense to the goddess of wealth. These are artificial cultural norms created by humans to satisfy their craving for hierarchy. Food will satisfy without discrimination the hunger of all, be it a sweeper, a king or a god. In other words, food is satya, truth independent of human opinion. Notions of contamination, which is the hallmark of the caste system, is mithya, dependent on human opinion. When we discover that Lakshmi does not discriminate between saint and thief, that all hierarchies are man-made creations, then Lakshmi becomes a tool for liberation.

***

The following is a Telugu tale from one of the richest temples of India  the Tirupati Balaji temple that enshrines Vishnu on earth:

The sage Bhrigu, a yogi, decided to pay a visit to Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. He found Brahma too busy conducting a yagna with Saraswati to pay him attention, so he cursed Brahma that he would not be worshipped at all. He found Shiva too busy being intimate with Shakti to pay him attention. This time, his anger wasn't as fiery, so he said Shiva would be worshipped, but only as an abstract symbol, the linga.

He then moved to the ocean of milk, to Vaikuntha, convinced that Vishnu would surely pay him attention. But there he found Vishnu sleeping, his feet being massaged by Lakshmi. Furious that he mattered to none in the trinity, Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on his chest, where is located Srivatsa, the symbol of Lakshmi.

Vishnu did not get upset; he understood Bhrigus frustration and apologised to the sage, and checked if Bhrigu had hurt his foot while kicking his chest. Watching Vishnu touch his feet, Bhrigu was happy. Then realisation dawned as to how foolish he was being: though he claimed to be a yogi, his attention-seeking behaviour revealed he was actually a bhogi.

Lakshmi did not appreciate Vishnus servility, whatever his reason. She was furious that Vishnu did not punish the sage for insulting the Srivatsa. She walked out of Vaikuntha in a huff and went down to earth. Vishnu followed her, desperate to bring her back, for Vaikuntha cannot remain Vaikuntha without Lakshmi.

He decided to stay on earth until Lakshmi agreed to return. But he found no house; devotees would give him shelter until someone richer or more powerful came along. Finally, he saw the seven hills that reminded him of the seven hoods of his serpent Sesha on whose coils he reclined on the ocean of milk. This was Tirumala, the sacred hill. Homesick, he wished to settle here, but for that he had to marry the local princess Padmavati, born of a lotus flower. Her father, the local king, demanded a huge bridal price. Without Lakshmi by his side, Vishnu was the impoverished Daridra Narayana, and so he had no choice but to take a huge loan from Kubera. This narrative demonstrates the value of wealth in society; even Vishnu needs wealth to get himself a wife and home on earth. One who rejects Lakshmi cannot expect to have a home or a spouse.

News of Vishnus marriage to Padmavati upset Lakshmi who came to the wedding and demanded her place in Vishnus chest. So Vishnu expanded his chest to accommodate his two wives. He placed the celestial Lakshmi (Sri-devi) on the left side of his chest, near his heart, and the terrestrial Padmavati (Bhu-devi) on the right.

This Vishnu at Tirumala is trapped and needs the help of his devotees to repay his debt, so that he can return to Vaikuntha. He is called Venkat, he who can destroy (kata) bondage (vem), for in exchange of the wealth received, he grants his devotees the wisdom of yoga that explains the relationship one should have with wealth in order to be truly happy. This is further demonstrated in the ritual of giving wealth to transform Daridra-Narayana (the poor Vishnu) into Lakshmi-Narayana (the rich Vishnu): when Lakshmi is used to enable others to repay their debts, Vaikuntha is established and Lakshmi becomes a tool for liberation.

Devdutt Pattanaik writes on the relevance of mythology in modern times, especially in areas of management, governance and leadership.At Delhis Rafi Marg, the basement gallery in the AIFACS (All India Fine Arts & Craft Society) building is uncharacteristically humming with visitors. Amid the bustle, photographer Praveen Jain adjusts his glasses and points to two photographs that he clicked, a year apart.

I waited for my moment, almost a year, to click the same photograph at the same location. Sometimes there is a story behind the story, he says. Mostly, such moments arrive without warning, he admits. A photographer never knows when he has become part of history, Jain adds. The exhibition 200 & one, showcases just how closely Jain has been on the trail of Indian history over the last 35 years and in particular, those who have shaped it  the politicians.

Jain began photographing professionally in 1981, for the Delhi Recorder. He went on to work with The Sunday Mail and the The Pioneer when it was headed by the late Vinod Mehta.

He gave me a lot of freedom. Supportive editors were crucial. We worked under severe pressure, having 36 unit reels and had to make sure we executed at least 3 events with each. The margin for error was minimal. I dont think journalists today feel that kind of pressure, nor are they similarly engaged with the profession. The stakes have lowered, he says.

Jain has captured Indias politicians in uniquely candid situations, be it on stage, in the lawns of their homes or having polite ear-to-ear chats in the corridors of power. His eye for moments where hard politicians come across as soft and vulnerable stand out, and so does the way he talks about them with affecting impreciseness; as if he sees them as no different from the average citizen, reflective in his work as well.

Though Jain is a self-taught photographer and began by clicking dogs and cats on the streets to put some money together, his breakthrough moment  also one that changed him as a person  came with the Hashimpura massacre in 1987.

I still hear those voices in my head. Once I had witnessed such an atrocity, nothing seemed more important to me than justice. Ive been threatened every which way and instructed to pull my work, but Ive never thought about it. All I could think was that people should get justice. It has taken 28 years, but at least it happened, he says.

Jain hid in the bushes to click photos during the murders, while several Muslim men were unlawfully executed in Hashimpura mohalla near Meerut.

That Jain became part of history so early in his career hasnt prevented him from treating politics at face value. Its all very dirty, he says pointing to a photo of a monkey inside the Parliament house  a metaphor for modern polity and its apathy.

After Hashimpura, Jain was again at the heart of a storm in Ayodhya. His photographs of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and of the inexplicably calm stupor of politicians that masterminded the event come across as profoundly disturbing  an almost prickly ease stamped across faces. But for someone who has witnessed so much churn, moments that were more torn than they were tied together Jains sense of context is charmingly wider, even jovial at times.

Sometimes you just dont know what might become of your work. You might be clicking something ordinary something that doesnt stand out but with time, it can become big, maybe pivotal to a lot of things, he says. Pointing to a photograph of Rabri Devi in her years before she became a politician, he says, "I clicked Lalu and Rabri back when they werent big names. I could never have predicted that they would become the powerhouses they did.

In Jains photographs, more than the political backdrop, humanity feels pre-eminent. Manmohan Singh, for example, cuts an incredibly solemn figure, PV Narsimha Rao an achingly old one, and the Gandhi family is a near narrative of life and death across frames. Vajpayee, whom Jain had personal access to, is almost spread across time and photos like a membrane of calmness, almost like a poetic pause amid the fury of political turnovers.

In a photo from 1996, he is seen seated in his room, watching the election results declare him a loser, with the kind of aplomb now feels rare. The politician of yesteryear allowed more access. But it wasnt as if they werent worried about how theyll be seen. While some offered me close access, some shunned me, almost felt violated by my work. I troubled them, but perhaps that is the point of this job, Jain says.

The new-age politician is self-aware, a self-marketer and courts partisan cameras like honey courts bees. Has the nature of the job, then, changed?

It has. It has become impersonal. A photographer just cannot get access to politicians like we used to and probably isnt that bothered either. There is no relationship anymore, just the option to click unlimited photos. It is unfortunate the way the very business of the image has been diluted. Even that tension, the limits we worked with breathed life into our work, Jain says.

That said, his photographs transcend time and will continue to do so even after he puts away his lens.

***

From Praveen Jain's collection (captions above images):

Congress leader Madhav Rao Scindia watches Sonia Gandhi paying homage to Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal.If buoyed by the Karnataka results, the Congress does succeed in building alliances for the 2019 polls, the BJP could face serious losses.

The top brass of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  meaning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah  cant be in a particularly festive mood with the Karnataka by-election results rolling in as a somewhat early, if poisoned, Diwali gift. But 4:1 defeat the BJP suffered at the hands of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance has to be unpacked a bit before its wider significance can be fathomed.

The statistics of the three Lok Sabha seats to which bypolls were held are illuminating. The BJP retained the Shivamogga seat, but its winning margin was seriously trimmed  down from the 3.63 lakh votes by which BS Yeddyurappa had won the constituency in 2014 to the 52,148 his son BY Raghavendra managed. The Congress' VS Ugrappa wrested the Bellary seat by nearly 3 lakh votes, overturning the 95,000 margin by which the BJP had won the seat in 2014. In Mandya, the JD(S) won by almost 3.25 lakh votes, but in 2014, it had scored a narrow victory over the Congress, with the BJP finishing a distant third. We will return to this result later.

The Assembly election results were, in fact, less significant statistically. In Ramanagaram, Anitha Kumaraswami won the seat her husband vacated by almost 1.1 lakh votes. Earlier this year, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had defeated his Congress rival by a margin of around 22,000 votes, while the BJP had breasted the tape a poor third. In Jamakhandi, the Congress candidate retained the seat by a margin of close to 40,000 votes, while earlier this year, it had secured a margin of a little less than 3,000 votes.

The really significant result among the Lok Sabha seats contested is the one for the Bellary constituency, which the Congress wrested from the BJP, overturning the significant margin by which it had lost in 2014. The Shivamogga result is quite important, as well, since the BJP saw its margin in a pocket borough nosedive. However, the Mandya result should encourage the BJP: it pulled in third with around 87,000 votes, while it polled almost 2.45 lakh in the by-elections.

As for the Assembly results, the significance of the Congress partys victory in Jamakhandi lies in the exponentially increased margin, though the BJP can take some comfort, not so much from the marginal increase in votes polled in Ramanagaram, where it had finished third earlier this year, as from the fact that the votes the alliance polled were nowhere near the aggregate of the votes polled as separate parties earlier this year.

However, in the broader context of the impending Lok Sabha elections, the Ramanagaram and Mandya results offer cold comfort to a party that is forever looking to aggrandise itself because the overall results have clearly spelled out what regional alliances can achieve  the grinding down of the self-proclaimed puissance of the party now ruling in Delhi.

Before we get to that, a few observations about the Karnataka results are in order. Local factors affected the precise contours of the results in some of the constituencies. In Ramanagaram, the BJP candidate practically pulled out of the fray two days before the elections to rejoin the Congress, while in Bellary, the sitting BJP candidate is reported to have complained that he hardly got any support from his party, while the alliance carpet bombed the constituency. But whether these are extenuating factors for the BJP is a moot question. It could well appear to many that these are, in fact, straws in the wind indicating that the electoral turnaround the party so loudly trumpeted earlier this year has evaporated. The BJP is on a sticky wicket in Karnataka.

And so it could be, too, elsewhere. In Uttar Pradesh, the replication of the alliance between the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, which succeeded in defeating the BJP in three important by-elections  those in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, first, and then in Kairana  earlier this year could by itself imperil its ambitious 2019 project. To recapitulate, the BJP and its allies won 73 of the 80 seats in 2014. If Opposition unity derails the saffron party in Indias biggest state, significant changes could ensue.

The outlook is not look particularly bright for the BJP in Maharashtra, the state that, at 48 seats, contributes the second largest number of seats to the Lok Sabha. In 2014, the party won 41 of these in alliance with the Shiv Sena against a divided Opposition. In 2019, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party will most likely contest as allies, unless the understanding they have already reached breaks down inexplicably. The threat posed by this alliance is compounded by the very real possibility that the Shiv Sena will not be in alliance with the BJP in 2019, an intention reiterated forcefully and often.

Take four other states where the BJP practically wiped out the Opposition: Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It won all the 51 seats from Gujarat and Rajasthan and 37 of the 40 seats in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The Congress failed to firm up alliances in the three states where elections will begin to be held days from now.

However, if buoyed by the Karnataka results, it does succeed in doing so next year, the BJP could face serious losses. The five states mentioned above contribute 219 seats to the Lok Sabha, of which the party and its allies won 202 in 2014. The BJPs duopoly is now treading on thin ice.

If media reports are to be believed, Shah is trying to brush aside the threat posed by Opposition unity at the state level, while also talking up the BJPs chances of scoring big in the North East, east and south. It is not quite clear what kind of mathematics is at play here. Shahs claims sound suspiciously, like sheer braggadocio, but the Opposition will not complain if it breeds an air of complacence.(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 7 - Turkey described as positive the US decision to offer a combined 12-million-dollar bounty for information on three leaders of the Kurdish PKK believed to be hiding in northern Iraq. In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry also urged Washington to end its support of Kurdish militias in the Middle East, which it says are directly linked to the PKK.



''We expect that this step will be supported by concrete actions in Iraq and Syria as part of the fight against the PKK and its affiliates'', the statement said.



The US decision appears like a new sign that Washington is acknowledging Ankara's requests after a political detente in the past few weeks following the release of evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson. (ANSAmed).Thousands of protesters gathered near Chief Election Officer SB Sashanks office in Aizawl demanding his removal after he accused the Mizoram government of meddling in the upcoming Assembly elections, scheduled to take place on 28 November

Aizawl: Thousands of protesters on Tuesday gathered near Chief Election Officer SB Sashanks office in Aizawl demanding his removal after he accused the Mizoram government of meddling in the upcoming Assembly elections on 28 November.

This comes after Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, state Principal Secretary (Home), was removed on Friday, 2 November, by the Election Commission of India following an allegation levelled by Sashank that the former had directly interfered in the election process and the security arrangement for the polls.

Called by the influential NGO Coordination Committee, an umbrella body of major civil society organisations and student associations, the peaceful demonstration involved people from all walks of life. All government offices, schools, and business establishments remained closed for the day in support of the statewide protest.

Along with Aizawl, the protest rallies were held in different parts of the state under the aegis of the NGO. A total shutdown was also observed in the Mamit town of western Mizoram to intensify the demand for the CEOs ouster.

The protesters warned that the Election Commission of India would be responsible if Mizorams record of holding the most peaceful elections in the country since 1972 turned into a nightmare this time.

The poll panel sent a three-member delegation to Aizawl on Tuesday which was greeted with black flags on their way to the capital from Lengpui. The delegation met civil society leaders late in the evening and assured them that they will put up the matter before the Election Commission of India.

Shashank had told reporters on Tuesday night that the Election Commission of India had suggested that he leave Mizoram and go to New Delhi to avoid further administrative crisis ahead of polls. He had said that he would leave for Delhi Wednesday afternoon.

The issue erupted after the CEO wrote a letter to the Election Commission of India in which he accused Chuaungo of obstructing their request to make special arrangements for displaced Brus/Reangs to come and vote in the state elections. Many of these Brus had been driven out of Mizoram due to ethnic conflicts with the Mizos in the late 90s and have been living in relief camps in Tripura for the past couple of decades.

According to Sashank, Chuaungo  a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer  opposed the usage of identification slip of Bru voters for any other purpose except for repatriation. The CEO asked the poll panel to remove Chuaungo from his post as the latter had also interfered in the security arrangement for the polls.

The Mizoram chief electoral officer also said that arrangement for deployment of Central Armed Police Forces personnel were being done based on the recommendation of the poll panel. The Election Commission of India has recommended 40 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, which according to Shashank was reasonably require to ensure free and fair elections.

Acting swiftly on the complaint raised by Sashank, the Election Commission of India removed Chuaungo on 2 November and barred him from his work until the elections.

The unprecedented move infuriated civil society organisations who have served a 'quit Mizoram notice' to the CEO asking him to leave Mizoram by 5 November to avoid mass protests. The NGOs said that Chuaungo, a Mizo officer, acted like any other Mizo and refused Bru identification slips to be used for electoral purposes. The NGOs are also against the deployment of additional personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces during the election, terming it a waste of the state's resources.

The civil society groups are of the opinion that the Bru people, who are reluctant to return, should not be allowed to exercise their franchise outside the state and they should be allowed to cast their votes only in their respective constituencies inside Mizoram.

Meanwhile, Shashank said that he was simply doing his duty based on the ECI's directive and that he didn't intend to hurt the sentiments of the people.

Addressing a protest rally in Aizawl, NGO Coordination Committee chairman and YMA president Vanlalruata alleged that Sashank was creating a rift in the Mizo society. Vanlalruata also warned that Mizos will look towards other East Asian countries if the Central Government continues to neglect the state.

The YMA president also added that they will cooperate with the Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections if Sashank is removed. YMA vice-president R Lalngheta threatened that they will resort to any sort of protest until the CEO leaves Mizoram. On Tuesday, YMA volunteers at Kolasib and Kawnpui towns on the Mizoram-Assam border reportedly blocked around 76 vehicles ferrying CAPF personnel and forced them to return to Aizawl.

President of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Federation, L Ramdinliana Renthlei shared the platform with Vanlalruata and said that while the Indian government paid sincere attention to the Bru issues, the voices of the Mizo people have always been unheard.

We have been neglected several times by the Union of India. The Mizo youths will not hesitate to take up arms like in the 1966 uprising if the Central Government continues to turn a deaf ear to our voices, he said, adding that Mizoram will fall into a state of turmoil if the Election Commission of India allows Bru people to exercise their franchise outside the state.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday to restore status quo.

Fleeing communal tension triggered by the murder of a Mizo forest guard by Bru militants in 1997, thousands of Brus fled Mizoram and live in six transit camps in Tripura since then. Several attempts to repatriate them have turned futile. Between August and September, only 40 families out of the 30,000 people in the camps chose to return home despite the announcement that the Centre and Tripura government would suspend all their relief and allowances from October and also shut down the camps.

(The author is an Aizawl-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters' grassroots network.)tech2 News Staff

The Android vs iOS argument is now ancient, but its also forever intriguing. The latest smartphone operating system data from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, details the user base shared by Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows and other platforms in 12 countries. The data has been recorded for the last three months ending September 2018.

The report shows a mixed picture for Android, which while losing ground to iOS in the United States, it has made significant gains across the five main European markets. With the high momentum sale of iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, iOS has gained five percent market share in the US.

iPhone 8 was the top selling model in the US over the quarter, with a 9.4% share of the handset market, and with iPhone XR launching outside this period wed expect Apple share to tick up further towards the end of the year, Dominic Sunnebo, Global Director for Kantar Worldpanel ComTech said.

According to the latest findings, in the US, Android accounts for 60.1 percent users, while iOS has a huge 39.7 percent user base. BlackBerry seems to have been completely ditched in the country, whereas Windows and other operating systems account for a small 0.2 percent in total.

Unfortunately, the report doesnt track the OS trends in the Indian market, but China is the only Asian market it has surveyed, where Android is ahead with a large margin, with 80.8 percent users using the platform, and only 18.9 percent interacting with iOS.

Apparently, Xiaomi has had a big hand in the Android jump in the Chinese as well as few European markets. Xiaomi is continuing to expand rapidly in Spain and, more recently, in Italy and France. The focused push that the two Chinese giants are making into Europe is causing pain for their rivals across the board, Sunnebo writes.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 was the top-selling model across the big five European markets in September. Meanwhile, the newly released Galaxy Note 9 also made it into the top 10 most popular models for the month. Further, both Huawei and Xiaomi achieved places in the top five handset ranking for the first time in the form of the P20 Lite and Note 5 respectively.

Apple continues to lead handset sales in Japan despite strong pressure from Sharp and Huawei. Both brands have seen strong gains, increasing their share of sales by 6 percent and 3.2 percent respectively; Sharps flagship Aquos R2 and Huaweis P20 Lite both made it into the top five best-selling list for the third quarter.Indo-Asian News Service

Microsoft's Head of digital Assistant Cortana is leaving the company by the end of the year, as Cortana has moved from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) research division into the Experiences and Devices group.

First reported by ZDNet on Tuesday, Javier Soltero, Vice President of Cortana, confirmed his departure in a tweet posted to his personal account.

1/ Some news on the work front... I've made the decision to leave Microsoft. The past 4 years have been an incredible experience. I'm humbled to have been a part of building something that 100M+ users depend on every day and grateful to have worked with some amazing people.  Javier Soltero  (@jsoltero) November 6, 2018

2/ I am deeply optimistic that Microsoft will continue to grow by building great products for people around the world. I'm grateful to have learned so much about what it really takes to have massive scale success & look forward to putting these lessons to work on something new.  Javier Soltero  (@jsoltero) November 6, 2018

"I've made the decision to leave Microsoft. The past 4 years have been an incredible experience. I'm humbled to have been a part of building something that 100M+ users depend on every day and grateful to have worked with some amazing people," Soltero tweeted.

Soltero helped Microsoft improve its Outlook iOS app.

He later became the overall head of Outlook before taking on the Cortana role in March this year.

Last month, Microsoft confirmed that Cortana was one of the technologies that management was moving from AI + Research to the Experiences & Devices team, which is under Executive Vice President Rajesh Jha.

"Microsoft is in the midst of trying to reposition Cortana from a standalone digital assistant to more of an assistance aide," the report said.tech2 News Staff

We have been hearing of rumours of a penta-camera sporting Nokia 9 for a while now. Even as we approach the year end and have seen smartphone makers move from having a dual rear camera setup to three-camera and four-camera setups on the back, looks like Nokia's next will have five cameras.

Nokia 9 is expected to be HMD Global's first Snapdragon 845 SoC powered phone. According to a report in 91mobiles, a 360-degree view of the renders of what could be the Nokia 9 is out. The render does reveal a lot of the things that we are expecting from Nokia's next flagship.

From the render video we notice a Nokia branded smartphone which does not sport a notch in the front, has a metal frame and on the rear is the penta-camera setup. The back panel seems to be curving towards the edges. The phone is expected to come with the PureView branding and Zeiss optics.

Considering there are five cameras, the Nokia 9 is expected to come with a regular lens, a telephoto lens, a depth-sensing camera and an ultra-wide lens at the very least. The arrangement in the circle also includes an LED flash unit and a dual-sensor for proximity detection.

In terms of specifications, the Nokia 9 is expected to sport a 5.9-inch QHD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, in-display fingerprint scanner (which is quickly becoming a trend now), it is expected to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with support for up to 8 GB RAM. The phone renders do not show a 3.5mm audio jack, so it looks like you will have to rely on Bluetooth earphones or use the USB Type C port for listening to music. As it has a glass back, the Nokia 9 could be expected to come with wireless charging as well. As Nokia has been running the Android One experience on its smartphones, it is expected to have Android 9 Pie on board at launch.

The Nokia 9 is expected to launch in early 2019. There are no hints on what the expected price could be. But considering this could be the world's first penta-camera smartphone, the price should definitely be on the higher side.Reuters

A US federal judge ruled on Tuesday that chip seller Qualcomm Inc must license some of its technology to competitors such as Intel Corp.

The preliminary ruling came in an antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm brought by the US Federal Trade Commission in early 2017. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial next year.

The preliminary ruling by Judge Lucy Koh in the US District Court for the Northern District of California said that Qualcomm must license some patents involved in making so-called modem chips, which help smart phones connect to wireless data networks, to rival chip firms.

Qualcomm and the FTC had jointly asked Koh last month to delay ruling on the issue for up to 30 days while they pursued settlement talks.

Koh denied that motion on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether the ruling would affect the settlement talks. Qualcomm shares were down about 0.3 percent to $63.26 after the news.

Qualcomm did not immediately return a request for comment. The FTC and Intel declined to comment.

Settling with US regulators would be a turning point for the San Diego chip firm, which has been defending its business model amid lawsuits from large customers such as Apple Inc and Huawei Technologies Inc, as well as dealing with regulatory challenges to its practices around the world.

At issue in the civil litigation and regulatory disputes is whether Qualcomms patent licensing practices, when combined with its chip business, constitute anti-competitive behaviour. Regulators in South Korea and Taiwan initially ruled against Qualcomm, but it has appealed the rulings and settled some of them.

In August, Qualcomm settled with Taiwanese regulators for $93 million and an agreement to invest $700 million in the country over the next five years.By Blaise Eyong and Josiane Kouagheu BAMENDA, Cameroon (Reuters) - Kidnappers freed scores of school children and a driver in west Cameroon early on Wednesday, but kept hold of a principal and one teacher, officials said, following an abduction blamed on anglophone separatists. Armed men who seized the youngsters on Monday in the city of Bamenda - a commercial hub of Cameroon's restive English-speaking region - released them about 18 km (11 miles) away in the town of Bafut, the army said. The scale of the incident - with some 80 children taken - was unprecedented in the country's long-running separatist crisis and a lack of official information fuelled confusion in the wake of their disappearance

By Blaise Eyong and Josiane Kouagheu

BAMENDA, Cameroon (Reuters) - Kidnappers freed scores of school children and a driver in west Cameroon early on Wednesday, but kept hold of a principal and one teacher, officials said, following an abduction blamed on anglophone separatists.

Armed men who seized the youngsters on Monday in the city of Bamenda - a commercial hub of Cameroon's restive English-speaking region - released them about 18 km (11 miles) away in the town of Bafut, the army said.

The scale of the incident - with some 80 children taken - was unprecedented in the country's long-running separatist crisis and a lack of official information fuelled confusion in the wake of their disappearance.

"I learned about the kidnapping on Facebook. I started praying for my daughter not to be among them," said Philo Happi, mother of a 15-year-old girl.

"I discovered she was kidnapped. I was crying. I was scared. (Now) the children have been found. I'm happy."

Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon who negotiated to free 78 children, said no ransom had been paid but gave no more details on the circumstances leading up to their release.

"The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying," he said, adding that one child had escaped on his or her own.

The freed children were unharmed although their clothes were dirty and they appeared exhausted, according to a Reuters witness.

Alain, 17, described how the kidnappers had taken them from school early Monday morning, forcing them to run and at one point cover their faces. They were not treated violently and received some food, he said.

"They gave us kontchap (a mix of corn and beans) to eat," he said. "It was not enough but they still gave us some. They also gave us water."

Army spokesperson Didier Badjeck said the kidnappers released the children after the military found out their location. Two other children were still missing, along with the principal and teacher, he said. Reuters was not able to independently verify if children were still missing.

Fonki and the Cameroonian military have accused anglophone separatists of carrying out the kidnappings, but a separatist spokesman has denied involvement.

On Monday, Fonki described how another 11 children were taken by the same armed group on Oct. 31, then released after their school paid a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs ($4,400).

The secessionists have imposed curfews and closed schools as part of their protest against Biya's French-speaking government and its perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking minority. The government has denied discriminating against them.

Cameroon's separatist movement turned violent in 2017 after a government crackdown on initially peaceful demonstrations by English-speakers. The linguistic divide is a legacy of a former German colony in central Africa that was divided between allies France and Britain at the end of World War One.

The latest kidnapping, which recalled the 2014 abduction of more than 200 girls by Islamist Militant group Boko Haram in Chibok in neighbouring Nigeria, was criticised by human rights groups.

(Writing by Tim Cocks and Juliette Jabkhiro; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Alessandra Prentice and Marie-Louise Gumuchian)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.What is hardly hidden from the public gaze is that the Donald Trump administration wants Pakistans help in bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table so that American troops can exit Afghanistan without any threat to the Ashraf Ghani government.

The United States is desperate to ensure the least dishonourable exit from Afghanistan, which has been rightly termed not only as the graveyard of empires, but also the graveyard of careers. The US president Donald Trumps Afghan strategy seeks to make sure that US forces leave Afghanistan sooner than later. As part of that strategy, the US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells is in Islamabad right now. Her meetings with Pakistans ruling elite assume significance due to several important events happening simultaneously. Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has just returned from China where he could not secure much-needed loans from his countrys all weather friend. Moscow-backed talks on the Afghan conflict are going to take place on 9 November where the Afghan Taliban, the Kabul government and several neighbouring countries will participate. A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is beginning a two-week trip to Islamabad to finalise the possible bailout package.

The US has been keenly following the recent developments in Pakistan-China relations. The focus of Imrans maiden trip to Beijing was on securing a huge amount of assistance for Pakistan. Since nothing of that sort happened as China is having its own financial problems due to the ongoing trade war with the US and moreover there is no free lunch in Chinas diplomatic lexicon, Pakistan is again desperate to secure a bailout from the IMF. But it is easier said than done since it comes with unbearable conditionalities which Imran can no longer avoid. The US has the trump card in this bargaining with Pakistan as it holds a large voting share in the IMF.

The US has vocally and openly expressed its displeasure over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, insisting that Pakistans current economic woes are mostly due to the geopolitical dimension of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) whose important component is the CPEC. Not long ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned the IMF not to approve any bailout package for Pakistan if it was meant for repaying the Chinese loans. Besides putting the CPEC projects under the scanner, the IMF will also seek greater details of the loans Pakistan has obtained from China, hardly a palatable sight for Pakistans security establishment. It, therefore, remains to be seen how the CPEC will be introduced to more areas of Pakistan as China claimed during Imrans visit. Beijings lofty promises of iron friendship and support for inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) cannot save Pakistan from the critical financial crisis.

Here comes the opportunity the US has been waiting for. The main focus of Wells Pakistan visit is to reset troubled relationship between Washington and Islamabad since diplomats of both the two countries are struggling hard to find a common ground on the Afghan endgame. Both sides continue to remain suspicious of each others strategic agenda in Afghanistan, and their policies have largely operated at cross purposes even as they profess the opposite. Pakistans security establishment has been trying its best to ward off American pressure but seems to have been left with very few options. Wells will undoubtedly demand greater compliance from Pakistans security establishment on the Afghan front if Islamabad wants to secure American acquiescence to the looming IMF bailout package.

What is hardly hidden from the public gaze is that the Trump administration wants Pakistans help in bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table so that a way could be found where American troops withdraw from Afghanistan without any threats to the survival of the US-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani. If Pakistan cannot convince the Afghan Taliban, as demanded by the Trump administration, it must take decisive military action against their leadership taking shelter on its soil. However, Trump is unwilling to tolerate the status-quo which has bled the US economy and negatively impacted Americas global prestige.

The US has already stepped up its diplomatic efforts in this direction. Americas special Afghan envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has been extremely busy in the shuttle diplomacy in the region. He has also been in touch with the Talibans political office in Qatar; he held direct talks last month with the Taliban representatives in Doha. Due to persistent demands from the US and Afghanistan, Pakistan had to release a key Taliban figure, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was deputy to the late Taliban Supreme leader Mullah Omar. Baradar had served in several key positions when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. He was arrested in 2010 from Karachi in a joint US-Pakistan operation. The Afghan Taliban has confirmed Baradars release, although there is no official word from Islamabad.

The outcome of Americas diplomatic efforts cannot be predicted as yet. However, India cannot remain as a mute spectator to what has been happening on the Afghan front. Since India has a direct stake in the evolving Afghan scenario, New Delhi must emphasise during its regular interactions at various platforms with Washington that appeasement would prove to be a decidedly costly policy towards Pakistan. Last month marked the 80th anniversary of the notorious Munich Agreement, which has become synonymous with the dangers of appeasing megalomaniacal tyrants and authoritarian ideologies. If the British and the French had resisted Hitler, it could have possibly prevented the outbreak of World War Second.

Appeasement of Pakistans military establishment by successive American administrations has made South Asia one of the most insecure, unstable places on earth besides magnifying the problem of terrorism, particularly in India and Afghanistan. Throwing diplomatic caution to the winds, he is the first American president to openly target Pakistans duplicity. Who can forget Trumps New Year tweet: The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! In fact, his drastic, unconventional approach has unnerved Pakistans security establishment which fears unravelling of a profitable military alliance that was born during the Cold War and renewed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Trumps frustration with the prolongation of the Afghan conflict and his desperation to ensure American exit from Afghanistan is understandable. But he must not avoid overhauling the way the US has conducted business with Pakistan. It is time to stop pretending that the US can work constructively with Pakistan unless Rawalpindi delivers on Afghanistan. Pakistans hands are tied at the moment and it is equally desperate to normalise the US-Pakistan ties. This situation must be exploited by the Trump administration at a time when China seems reluctant to bail out Pakistan.By Stephen Kalin RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman has embarked on a domestic tour this week with his favourite son, demonstrating his support for his chosen heir despite the crisis spawned by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Roads were lined with Saudi flags and images of the king and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, when they arrived in the central region of Qassim late on Tuesday. Distinguished figures greeted them and children offered flowers

By Stephen Kalin

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman has embarked on a domestic tour this week with his favourite son, demonstrating his support for his chosen heir despite the crisis spawned by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Roads were lined with Saudi flags and images of the king and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, when they arrived in the central region of Qassim late on Tuesday. Distinguished figures greeted them and children offered flowers.

The tour is the latest public outreach by the 82-year-old monarch, apparently intended to shore up the power of Prince Mohammed, known as MbS, who has taken over day-to-day rule but whose international reputation was battered in the month since Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

State media said the king laid the foundation for new or planned projects worth $1.12 billion and ordered the release of some people from debtors' prison in Qassim, a conservative province in the heart of the Arabian peninsula.

"There is a lot of tension, fear and apprehension among Saudis in the aftermath of the Khashoggi affair. So its a trip that reassures the various regions that the king is still in his place and hes the highest authority," said Madawi al-Rasheed, a London-based Saudi author critical of the Al Saud.

Turkish officials have accused MbS of ordering Khashoggi's murder. U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested ultimate responsibility lies with the crown prince as de facto ruler.

Saudi Arabia, which offered numerous contradictory explanations for Khashoggi's disappearance, now says the U.S.-based Washington Post columnist was killed in a rogue operation. MbS broke weeks of silence on Oct. 25 to vow justice would prevail.

King Salman stepped in to defuse the situation. He sent a trusted aide to Turkey last month, then fired five senior officials, including his son's most trusted adviser.

After weeks of lying low, the prince has now returned to the public stage. He visited troops near the border with Yemen, where Riyadh is involved in a 3-1/2-year war, appearing in an online video on Monday with a soldier he called a hero. In a ceremony at a Riyadh university, he laid the foundation stone for a planned nuclear research reactor.

Greg Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said the domestic tour with his father did not indicate that the royal family is in the clear yet, only that "the king is confident that nothing is afoot right now."

CIRCLING THE WAGONS

The 33-year-old crown prince is on course to become the first Saudi monarch from a new generation in 65 years, following a succession of six brothers drawn from among at least 45 sons of state founder Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who died in 1953.

But MbS's rise has upended the system of rule in place for decades, in which successive kings sought family consensus and allocated powerful posts to their brothers and nephews.

MbS consolidated his rule by stripping some of his most powerful cousins from positions of authority and locking some under house arrest. Others were caught up in an anti-corruption crackdown and confined inside a luxury hotel for months.

There have been signs since last week that some princes are being rehabilitated to foster family unity in the wake of the Khashoggi killing. Last week, one of the king's surviving younger brothers, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, returned from 2-1/2 months abroad where he had appeared to criticise the leadership.

Two of the king's nephews, detained last year, appear to have been released recently, with pictures circulating of them reuniting with family.

Diplomats say the ruling family is "circling the wagons". But there is no indication King Salman is considering elevating another prince, either to replace his son or balance his authority by serving as his deputy.

"MbS is not going anywhere. The family is meeting and they will unite stronger behind him," said a senior Arab diplomat. "There is no way back" after the king cleared MbS's path to the throne by sidelining potential rivals last year.

The king's decision to put MbS in charge of restructuring the intelligence apparatus - a move aimed at addressing a purported cause of the Khashoggi crisis - indicates that the crown prince remains "untouchable", the diplomat added.

On Tuesday evening, as King Salman and MbS arrived in Qassim, north of Riyadh, to a stadium of cheering residents, online photos emerged showing Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd with his brothers and daughters in a residential setting.

The images were the first of the prince, the son of a former king, since his detention, which the government never acknowledged. It was not made clear whether he had reached a settlement with the state like other detainees who were subsequently released, or if his freedom is still restricted.

Over the weekend, another of the king's nephews, a brother of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, was photographed at his ailing father's bedside after being held for months over online criticism of the anti-corruption purge ordered late last year by MbS.

The next day Alwaleed, who was among scores of top royals, businessmen and government officials held at Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton Hotel as part of the sweep, went on Fox News to defend MbS in the Khashoggi crisis and the anti-corruption campaign.

"I believe the Saudi crown prince will be 100 percent vindicated and exonerated, Alwaleed said of his cousin. Alwaleed's own detention was "forgiven and forgotten," he said.

(Editing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Peter Graff)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.By Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expects to meet again with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un early next year and that a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials supposed to have taken place this week would be rescheduled. Pompeo had been due to hold talks in New York on Thursday with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol aimed at paving the way for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un and at making progress on denuclearisation

By Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expects to meet again with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un early next year and that a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials supposed to have taken place this week would be rescheduled.

Pompeo had been due to hold talks in New York on Thursday with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol aimed at paving the way for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un and at making progress on denuclearisation.

The State Department said early on Wednesday that the meeting had been postponed, but gave no reason, raising concerns that talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear arms could break down. The State Department said the talks would be rescheduled "when our respective schedules permit."

Trump told a White House news conference the change was "because of trips that are being made," but did not elaborate on these."We are going to make it ... another day," he said. "But we're very happy with how it's going with North Korea. We think it's going fine. We're in no rush."

Trump said he still expected to hold a second summit with Kim. "Some time next year, I would say. Sometime early next year," he said.

Kim pledged to work towards denuclearisation at an unprecedented first meeting with Trump in Singapore but negotiations have made little headway since, with North Korea falling short of U.S. demands for irreversible moves to abandon a weapons program that potentially threatens the United States.

Pyongyang has complained that Washington has not made concessions in return for the moves it has taken and last Friday warned it could resume development of its nuclear program if the United States did not drop its sanctions campaign.

The Trump administration has said that sanctions will not be lifted until North Korea gives up its weapons.

"The sanctions are on. ... I'd love to take the sanctions off, but they (North Korea) have to be responsive, too," Trump said on Wednesday.

The State Department said "conversations continue to take place," with North Korea, and added: "The United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the Singapore summit in June."

South Korea, which has worked to encourage U.S.-North Korea dialogue, sought to play down the talks delay.

Its presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Seoul did not believe it would mean that the second summit would not take place and a senior South Korean foreign ministry official said that while the rescheduling was regrettable, there was no need to "overthink the postponement".

"I think we have to look at it as a part of the process of reaching complete denuclearisation and setting up a peace regime," the unnamed official told reporters.

Trump spoke after his Republican Party lost control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday after the Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with his presidency in mid-term elections.

Some analysts believe this weakened state could impact Trump's foreign policy and test his North Korean diplomatic gambit.

While Republicans maintained control of the Senate, the Democrats now have the opportunity to block Trump's agenda and open his administration to intense scrutiny.

Democrats have said they are determined to obtain more information about meetings between Trump and Pompeo and Kim, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much with little in return.

North Korea has for years pursued nuclear and missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions but the bellicose rhetoric from both Pyongyang and Trump that raised fears of war has eased this year.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, David Brunnstrom and Lisa Lambert in Washington; additional reporting by Eric Beech in WASHINGTON and Joyce Lee in SEOUL; Editing by Nick Macfie and James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expects to meet with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un some time early next year and that an expected meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and officials from the reclusive Asian nation will be rescheduled. 'We're very happy how it's going with North Korea.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expects to meet with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un some time early next year and that an expected meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and officials from the reclusive Asian nation will be rescheduled.

"We're very happy how it's going with North Korea. We think it's going fine. We're in no rush," he said at a press conference. "The sanctions are on. ... I'd love to take the sanctions off, but they (North Korea) have to be responsive, too."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Lisa Lambert; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Within 24 hours of Democrats seizing control of the US House of Representatives and raising the risks of investigations into Donald Trump's businesses, the US president fired US Attorney General Jeff Sessions - the country's chief law enforcement officer who has endured more than a year of blistering and personal attacks over his recusal from the Russia investigation.

New York: Within 24 hours of Democrats seizing control of the US House of Representatives in the 6 November midterm elections, US president Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions - the country's chief law enforcement officer who has endured more than a year of blistering personal attacks over his recusal from the Russia investigation - and instead appointed hardline (lackey) Republican Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general. Politicos in Washington reacted with shock at the news: "This doesn't pass the smell test! This is worse than Watergate!", exclaimed Tom Perez, a top Democrat. "Thankfully, we control the House now".

"Dear Mr President, At your request, I am submitting my resignation", reads the first line of Sessions' letter to Trump Wednesday afternoon. Trump's opponents are saying the US president has already crossed a red line. There is no ambiguity that Trump is moving as rapidly as possible to shut down the Mueller probe.

Reactions to Trump's tweet announcing the new appointment ranged from the cartoonish to the bizarre. This one on the reply thread sums up, if a bit crudely, the fears that may have led to Trump's decision. "We thank Donald J. Trump for his self-service and wish him jail. A permanent replacement will be elected at a later date."

With Democrats threatening investigations against Trump within hours of winning the House, there are real risks that some of this could touch his family. "Trump, his daughter and son-in-law are not expendable...he will protect himself at the expense of everyone else. That's what he's doing here by firing Sessions", said MSNBC host Chris Mathews. Sessions was the first prominent Republican to endorse Trump's outsider bid for presidency back in 2016 but Trump could never get over Sessions' recusal from the Russia probe and never tired of berating him in public over the last year.

Sessions knew this was coming, his resignation letter is undated and he was seen showing his grandchildren around the White House briefing room last week.

"I hate to sound sinister but there may be a quid pro quo here. You do this for me and I'll do this for you. That's most likely the deal that got Whitaker the acting attorney general job", is how legal experts are reacting to Trump's choice for Sessions' replacement.

....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

Whitaker will now be de-facto boss of Robert Mueller, who is running the investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the Donald Trump campaign. Whitaker has long railed against the Mueller probe, saying in a CNN opinion piece that it's going "too far".

Sessions' resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into the attorney general's tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential coordination between the president's campaign and Russia.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

The decision infuriated Trump, who repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse. The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel two months later after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

The rift lingered for the duration of Sessions' tenure, and the attorney general, despite praising the president's agenda and hewing to his priorities, never managed to return to Trump's good graces.

Sessions endured most of the name-calling in silence, though he did issue two public statements defending the department, including one in which he said he would serve "with integrity and honor" for as long as he was in the job.

The deteriorating relationship became a soap opera stalemate for the administration. Trump belittled Sessions but, perhaps following the advice of aides, held off on firing him. The attorney general, for his part, proved determined to remain in the position until dismissed. A logjam broke when Republican senators who had publicly backed Sessions began signaling a willingness to consider a new attorney general.

In attacks delivered on Twitter, in person and in interviews, Trump called Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he wasn't more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it "disgraceful" that Sessions wasn't more serious in scrutinizing the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Department's inspector general to look into those claims.

Asked whether Whitaker would assume control over Mueller's investigation, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Flores said Whitaker would be "in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice." The Justice Department did not announce a departure for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller more than a year and a half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

Trump held a combative, hour long press conference which was officially about his "great midterm results" but instead turned out to be a sour, one hour circus about how "all bets are off the table" if Democrats begin investigations. "If they do it, I do it better then them", Trump said repeatedly.

Sessions' dramatic departure offers a sample of how chaotic Washington is going to be for the next two years. It's just the beginning of an exodus from the Trump cabinet.Republicans were clinging to delicate majorities in the House and Senate Tuesday night as an anxious nation watched whether voters would reward or reject the GOP in the first nationwide election of Donald Trump's turbulent presidency.

Early results in the US midterm elections show Democrats inching towards majority control of the 435 member House as Republicans were clinging to delicate majorities in the Senate Tuesday night as an anxious nation watched whether voters would reward or reject the GOP in the first nationwide election of Donald Trump's turbulent presidency. At 10 pm EST (8:30 am IST), Democrats need 12 more to take the House for the first time in the Trump era (and in the last eight years).

Faced with the possibility of keeping the Senate but losing the House, aides have begun laying out the political reality to Trump, who could face an onslaught of Democratic-run investigations and paralysis of his policy agenda. In turn, Trump has already been trying out defensive arguments, noting that midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House, pointing out a high number of GOP retirements and stressing that he had kept his focus on the Senate.

As the first polls were closing Tuesday, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement reinforcing Trump's point. She stressed the president's efforts to mobilize GOP voters in a ground game aimed at "defying midterm history."

With control of Congress and statehouses across the nation at stake, many of the nation's top elections were too close to call.

Democrats seized early victories in contested House races in Florida and in Virginia, but lost a high-profile contest in Kentucky.

At the same time, Democrats re-elected embattled New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who, less than a year ago, stood trial for federal corruption charges. The Justice Department dropped the charges after his trial ended in an hung jury.

In Virginia, political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock. The Republican incumbent had been branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats in a race that pointed to Trump's unpopularity among college-educated women in the suburbs.

In south Florida, former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar.

Democrats failed to defeat a vulnerable incumbent in Kentucky, where Republican Rep. Andy Barr won over former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath.

Anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away. The GOP's grip on high-profile governorships in Florida , Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Fundraising, polls and history were not on the president's side.

"Everything we have achieved is at stake," Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested gubernatorial election. More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to an AP analysis.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

The nationwide survey indicated that nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good.

Two issues more than any others were on voters' minds: 25 percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

The president's current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, was the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the U.S. House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive. Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

Meanwhile, several 2020 presidential prospects easily won re-election, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Trump spent Tuesday at the White House, tweeting, making calls, monitoring the races and meeting with his political team.

He and the first lady were to host an evening watch party for family and friends. Among those expected: Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal adviser to the president.

Democrats, whose very relevance in the Trump era depended on winning at least one chamber of Congress, were laser-focused on health care as they predicted victories that would break up the GOP's monopoly in Washington and state governments.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

Democrats could derail Trump's legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate. Perhaps more important, they would claim subpoena power to investigate Trump's personal and professional shortcomings.

Some Democrats have already vowed to force the release of his tax returns. Others have pledged to pursue impeachment, although removal from office is unlikely so long as the GOP controls the Senate or even maintains a healthy minority.

Tuesday's elections also tested the strength of a Trump-era political realignment defined by evolving divisions among voters by race, gender, and especially education.

Trump's Republican coalition is increasingly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have a college degree. Democrats are relying more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

The demographic divides were coloring the political landscape in different ways.

Democrats were most optimistic about the House, a sprawling battlefield set largely in America's suburbs where more educated and affluent voters in both parties have soured on Trump's turbulent presidency, despite the strength of the national economy.

Democrats faced a far more difficult challenge in the Senate, where they were almost exclusively on defense in rural states where Trump remains popular. Democratic Senate incumbents were up for re-election, for example, in North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri  states Trump carried by almost 25 percentage points on average two years ago.

History was working against the president in the Senate: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats boasted record diversity on ballots.

Three states could elect their first African-American governors, while several others were running LGBT candidates and Muslims. A record number of women were running for Senate, House, governorships and state legislative seats.A resounding no. Americas voters young and old delivered a stinging rebuke against Donald Trumps bile-filled racist dog whistling brand of political campaigning for the midterm elections 2018 where he cast the choice as a battle against a migrant invasion which could end up putting (white) Americans at risk of violent crime versus military style border control and a threat to end birthright citizenship.

New York: A resounding no. Americas voters young and old delivered a stinging rebuke against Donald Trumps bile-filled racist dog whistling brand of political campaigning for the midterm elections 2018 where he cast the choice as a battle against a migrant invasion which could end up putting (white) Americans at risk of violent crime versus military style border control and threats to end birthright citizenship. Ever since 2.30 am on 9 November 2016, America has been waiting for this Tuesday and when it arrived, the bills came due for Donald Trump using politics as blood sport.

Democrats have stormed back to power in the US House of Representatives, a result that was widely feared by the Republicans who extended their slim Senate majority. The House and Senate going in opposite directions shatter Democrats' dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them into a total majority but it's the best place Democrats have been in the last eight years that they haven't held the House. This means two years of total misery for the White House aides in charge of firefighting.

"It's depressing as hell", White House insiders are saying after the suburban annihilation of Trumpism in the House elections. The House flip means leadership of every single committee in the House will change. First line of business will be to get their hands on Trump's tax returns. Gridlock and partisan acrimony will rise.

Young and old surged into voting booths across the country in record numbers. I voted against Trump because we still have the chance to be a decent country, enjoy pleasant relationships with other people who dont look like us, who live in our neighbourhoods, a wrinkled old lady in a wheelchair told television networks in El Paso, Texas.

"He has diarrhea of the mouth and diarrhea of the brain. He's just so irresponsible," said Don Albrecht, a 75-year-old accountant and Republican who voted for Trump in 2016.

"I don't think the American public is going to put up with it. I think there's going to be a big backlash against Republicans because of this divisiveness," he said before the results came in.

In the results of the US midterms 2018, there is no middle ground. Repudiation or validation of Donald Trump were the only ways people voted. The democratic process delivered the ultimate constitutional check against Trumpism, with two years to go before Trumps re-election bid.

Despite Trumps attempts to distance himself from a result like the one we have tonight  If we win, theyll say I had nothing to do with it; if we lose, theyll say its all my fault  the costs of Trumps tradecraft are now beginning to surface after the benefits have been priced in for nearly two years.

Here are the top takeaways from a historic election night in America:

The limits to immigration rhetoric

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots in the midterm elections, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate conducted by The Associated Press. Yes, immigration matters a big deal but the Trump version that delivered in 2016 backfired this time. Hawks in the White House rejoiced when Trump got after the migrant caravans like it was some warzone at the border, they told him to spike his campaign with more fear mongering and Trump did it in signature style. No, voters said; were not buying this. What worked in 2016 was swatted down in 2018. What gave? Not one but many breaking points, actually. The real violence of a synagogue attack in the week just before the election and the mail bombs both unleashed by Republican wingnuts contrasted starkly against the imagined violence from some distant dystopias created entirely by Trump. Trump called these events distractions from his #MAGA rallies and voters balked.

Referendum on Trump

Midterm elections in America are always seen as a referendum on the sitting president but Trump has made this one entirely about himself by fanning the fears of his base of mostly white voters with inflammatory speeches. The 2018 election represents more Senate and House races appear on their ballots. Barack Obama said the "character of the country" is on the ballot as a spate of hate crimes and politically motivated attacks rocked the country. When Trump wakes up on Wednesday morning, it will be a different American political power equation he will encounter, one where he will be held accountable and he will be hounded.

Not a blue wave but a pink surge

Stung by Trumps denigration of women both before he took office and till date, a record number of women ran for the US House this midterm and did well for themselves and their party. Nearly 100 women have been elected to the House tonight, by 11 pm. Did Trump see it coming? Yes, but the best he could muster up in response is to put a bunch of White House insiders  all women  on the stage in the fag end of the campaign and then take a cheap jab at trying to win over women voters saying they dont want it, they dont want the migrant caravans coming into this country. They dont feel safe! Too little too late. By then, 36 million votes had already been cast. The House is getting its first two Muslim women and Massachusetts is getting its first black congresswoman while Arizona and Tennessee stand to elect their first woman senators in Tuesday's midterm elections. Several female winners will take office as trailblazers, marking firsts for their race and gender.

The Democrats find a star

Finally, a young white man with charisma from Americas south  Beto O'Rourke brings that elusive X factor to become a national Democratic phenomenon. O'Rourke has shattered fundraising records and set off whispers that he could be a credible 2020 White House contender. A Democrat hasn't won a Texas Senate seat since 1988, and no one from the party has captured any statewide office since 1994, the nation's longest political losing streak. O'Rourke lost a close race in Texas but he and other Democrats who pulled off wins tonight prove that candidates and charm matter.

Turbocharged younger voters

Typical midterm elections tend to draw out an older, whiter electorate and fewer single women than presidential years. But deep disdain for Trump among the younger generation has changed the deal. We saw strong turnout tonight from supercharged younger voters stung by the outcome in 2016, and deeply aware that their generation could have made the difference for Hillary Clinton. A new poll from Harvard Institute of Politics this week found that 18-to-29-year-olds were far more likely to vote in Tuesday's midterm election than they were in 2010 and 2014.

Healthcare matters

Theyve gone localyeah, theyve gone local for this election, Trump whined as he closed out his arguments to voters across key battlegrounds. Thats right. As Trump manufactured conspiracy theories in closing weeks about a socialist takeover by the resistance the Democrats stayed laser-focused on health care at a time when insurance premiums and the price of prescription drugs is at risk of going through the roof. Their big message: Vote for us and pre-existing conditions will be covered in your insurance. It worked. "Understand why you won", strategists are telling Democrats, back from a prolonged stint in political wilderness.US president Donald Trump pounced on the mixed verdict from midterm elections 2018 and spun it as a tremendous success, signalling that hes not going to back down from his hardline agenda on immigration and race as a political battle cry that speaks the secret lingo that his predominantly white, male and rural base wants to hear all the way into Trumps 2020 re-election bid.

New York: US president Donald Trump pounced on the mixed verdict from midterm elections 2018 and spun it as a tremendous success, signalling that hes not going to back down from his hardline agenda on immigration and race as a political battle cry that speaks the secret lingo that his predominantly white, male and rural base wants to hear all the way into Trumps 2020 re-election bid.

Trump has good reason to stay on the offensive although one party rule is over for the next two years at least. Yes, Democrats are celebrating but their edge remains narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-member Houses, Democrats have won 220 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 22 races at noon on 7 November. Democrats are also fighting their way back to power in state capitols across the country in their nationwide strategy to reverse years of Republican gains in state capitols. Their victories in Illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin were balanced by Republicans holding on to one of the top prizes, Florida, and the governor's offices in Ohio and Arizona. All three states will figure prominently in the presidential map in two years.

Barely 24 hours before the final votes were cast on 6 November, in a show of online brute force to drive people to the polls, he said he has proof that illegal immigrants not just crash the border but also end up voting. A complete lie but Trump is not speaking to multicultural America, he is speaking to its most militant opponents who voted for him because he spoke to their fears of losing their dominant status as the white majority, not job loss or economic anxiety. Demographics is destiny, a divided political result also proved in Americas midterms - cast by pundits and politicos as the most consequential in a generation. Despite Democratic gains, the grim reality of Trump's hard right foot soldiers turning out in record numbers to vote for keeping Republicans in power in the Senate is equally stark. There are plenty of takers for Trump's caravan conspiracy, no matter how wacky or distorted.

Broadly, suburban, college-educated voters rejected Trumps warnings of a migrant invasion" while blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances. This is heartening for hawks in the Trump White House who dislike in equal measure the prospect of immigration-led demographic change and a female takeover in local and national government.

As of Wednesday, voters were on track to send at least 100 women to the House, surpassing the previous record of 84. According to data compiled by The Associated Press, 237 women ran for the House as major-party candidates this year. That number is expected to grow, as results had not been called for more than a dozen races in which women are running. Women struck by the "emergency" of the Trump presidency made headlines today and the male response in Trump country sounds like this: "It's every man's worst nightmare!"

The cultural divisions could not be starker but America has been here before. Back in the late 1950s (1958) bombs began exploding at places of worship and schools and public institutions about four years after the winners from the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education began enjoying the fruits of the Supreme Court decision. Desegregation was a triumph for many, but not for all. The fringe whites began organising to oppose desegregation. Thats when the violence began.

Columnist Ralph McGill wrote in the Atlanta Constitution at the time, an eerie reminder of what we were thinking when a Republican madcap spilled innocents' blood at a synagogue in Pennsylvania exactly two weekends ago. McGill wrote: "To be sure, none said go bomb a Jewish temple or a school. But let it be understood that when leadership in high places in any degree fails to support constituted authority, it opens the gates to all those who wish to take law into their hands.

The same questions were asked of Trump. His response: "There are a lot of things that are offensive...". For a win in 2020, Trump has already indicated in ample measure that the ends justify the means. I never regret anything, it all worked out nicely, he shot back when asked if he felt bad about alleging that an opponents father may have been involved in John F Kennedys assassination.

It's easy to say Americas tight embrace of Trumpism began with his 2016 election win but no, it began with Barack Obamas election if you take a 10 year view and it began with the Brown v. Board of the Presidency if you take a 50 year view. Five years before he ran and won the big prize, Trump began demanding that Obama prove his citizenship. When the White House served up Obama's birth certificate, sample how Trump responded: I feel Ive accomplished something really, really important. That is precisely how the 2020 election will be fought. Not the economy, jobs, healthcare but the palpable insecurity that Americans in the hinterland feel about the colour brown.

Congratulations to everybody who showed up and participated in our democracy in record numbers yesterday. The change we need wont come from one election alone  but it is a start. Last night, voters across the country started it. pic.twitter.com/gNk4WkeJUn  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2018Democrats seized the House majority from US President Donald Trump's Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda. But Republicans gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a 'blue wave' that never fully materialized.

Democrats seized the House majority from US President Donald Trump's Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda. But Republicans gained ground in the Senate, preserved key governorships and are celebrating historic turnout numbers while beating back a much hyped "blue wave" that never fully materialized.

With 218 seats needed for a majority in the House, Democrats won 219 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 23 races. Democrats won the Republican-held seats in Florida, Kansas, Colorado, New York, Virginia, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Democrats also gained seven new seats in gubernatorial contests.

In the Senate, Republicans expanded their majority, which Trump declared a tremendous success. Republicans now have 51 seats and Democrats, 43, and there are two independents.

Moreover, a record number of women also won races across the US, and candidates of colour and LGBT people broke barriers. Women won at least 85 seats in the House, making a new record. The House also got its first two Muslim women. Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

In locking down a majority, Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Denver and Dallas, which were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Democrats made only slight inroads in Trump country, where they tried to win back white working-class voters.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency indicate the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in US politics.

The new Democratic House majority will end the Republican Party's dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about healthcare, immigration and government spending.

Results won't bring Trump down

Even after Democrats seized the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the reality show-host-turned-president failed to respond with humility. Instead, he was triumphant.

He tweeted that the midterm elections  in which Democrats defeated his Republicans to control the lower house of Congress for the first time in eight years  were "a tremendous success".

His enthusiasm after losing half of Congress is not as unrealistic, as the Republicans expanded their Senate majority, while fighting with the House may yet be to his advantage when it comes to his own reelection in two years.

Trump is a president who since his shock 2016 election win against heavy favourite Hillary Clinton has repeatedly torn up the expected script to write his own.

Subpoena powers

Controlling the House means controlling committees with subpoena power. This will give Democrats the authority to delve deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps, including investigations into links to Russia, as well as his long-withheld tax returns.

The top Democrat on the judiciary committee, Jerry Nadler, told MSNBC's Ari Melber immediately after the election that "we'll use subpoena power if we have to, when we have to".

However, any attempt to impeach Trump is likely to run headlong into resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Not a politician famous for being able to take criticism, Trump can be expected to respond blow for blow. Washington, mockingly known as "the swamp", may be in store for some unprecedented partisan ugliness.

2020 election

Conflict with the Democrats could simply fuel Trump's real goal of reelection in 2020.

The Trump base will have no problem believing him when he says that Pelosi and her Democrats are to blame for every ill in the country.

And White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders noted another detail from the midterms that will quietly please Trump  candidates he supported in election rallies did "very well tonight".

In other words, the midterms are just the opening battle of the 2020 election  and Trump thinks he might just get back to winning.

With inputs from agenciesVoters in Colorado rejected Proposition 112, which was a measure that would have severely limited where oil companies in the state could drill new wells. If passed, it would have effectively banned drilling on 85% of nonfederal land in the state, which the industry believed could have caused Colorado's production -- the fifth highest in the country -- to tumble 50% in three to five years. However, with voters rejecting the proposition, drillers in Colorado can continue developing new wells on privately owned land under the current set of rules.

That defeat not only sent oil stocks with operations in Colorado soaring, but it fueled big gains in midstream companies focused on the state since they'll be able to build new pipelines and processing plants to support continued production growth in the region. Among the biggest gainers were Western Gas Partners (NYSE:WES), Noble Midstream Partners (NASDAQ:NBLX), and DCP Midstream (NYSE:DCP), which all soared double digits after the vote. Even with their big rallies, though, these midstream stocks still offer investors high-yielding dividends between 5.3% and 8.3%, making them enticing options for income seekers, especially since the voting results put their payouts on much more sustainable footing.

The green light to keep building

DCP Midstream has been rapidly expanding its footprint in Colorado's DJ Basin in recent years to support the growth of producers in the region. The company recently finished construction of its Mewbourn 3 natural gas processing plant, which helped alleviate some of the region's infrastructure constraints, providing producers like HighPoint Resources with a big boost during the third quarter. Meanwhile, the company also has the O'Connor 2 facility under construction, which it expects to finish early next year.

However, DCP Midstream had been holding off on making additional investments in the region, including the final investment decision on its Bighorn facility, until it knew the outcome of Proposition 112. With voters rejecting that measure, the company will likely give Bighorn the green light.

Meanwhile, Western Gas Partners and Noble Midstream Partners both have significant footprints in the DJ Basin that they expect to expand in the coming years due to the growth prospects of producers on their systems. In the case of Western Gas Partners, the company's main customer is on pace to increase its production from around 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D) up to 400,000 BOE/D by 2021, which will require it to build new infrastructure in the region to support that output. Noble Midstream, likewise, has big plans to continue expanding its midstream footprint in the state. That growth is a crucial part of the company's plan to grow its distribution at a 20% compound annual growth rate through 2022.

These deals now look like smart moves

Despite the uncertain outcome of Proposition 112, midstream companies have spent heavily on acquisitions to bolster their footprints in the region in the last year so that they could grow at a faster pace if that ballot measure failed. Those deals now look like they'll pay big dividends.

Noble Midstream made a bold move at the end of last year by partnering with privately held Greenfield Midstream to acquire Saddle Butte Rockies Midstream, which they've since renamed Black Diamond. The partners paid $625 million for Black Diamond, which has the rights to gather oil from producers in the DJ Basin. That deal has already paid big dividends, as volumes gathered have already surged 29% since that acquisition closed. Those volumes should continue growing since oil companies can keep drilling in the state without any additional restrictions.

Meanwhile, Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) recently made a big splash in the DJ Basin after partnering with private-equity giant KKR to buy DJ Discovery Services, which is a natural gas gathering and processing company in the southern part of the Basin. Williams, which will initially own 40% of the company, has pledged to invest $250 million in expanding Discovery's gas processing business through 2020, which will bring its stake up to 50%. In addition to that near-term growth, Williams believes that the acquisition of Discovery could open additional expansion opportunities, which it's now more likely to capture.

High yield and high growth that are still cheap

With voters rejecting Proposition 112, oil companies in Colorado will be able to continue drilling in the state, which should allow them to grow production in the coming years. Because of that, midstream companies focused on the region will need to build new pipelines and processing plants to support that production. As they do, it'll boost their cash flow, which will give them more money to sustain and likely grow their high-yielding dividends in the coming years.#MIDTERMS Joseph Smallhoover, le porte-parole des democrates americains en France, explique sur franceinfo que le fait que la victoire de son camp a la Chambre des representants alors que le Senat reste aux mains des republicains ne sera pas un probleme pour le fonctionnement des institutions americaines. "La Constitution des Etats-Unis prevoit la paralysie, ca fonctionne mieux quand tout est bloque", dit-il.

<span id="selection-marker-1" class="redactor-selection-marker"></span>Bennigans Makes Triumphant Return to Ohio

Legendary Restaurant Brands continues aggressive expansion strategy in smaller markets with Steubenville opening.

November 07, 2018 // Franchising.com // STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Steubenville, the town renowned as the birthplace of Dean Martin, the King of Cool, will soon have a new claim to fame with the arrival of Bennigans, the iconic brand beloved across the globe for its chef-driven, made-from-scratch American fare and friendly Irish hospitality.

Bennigans newest restaurant, located at 185 Franciscan Square across the street from Franciscan University, will kick off its grand opening festivities on Monday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony will be attended by Mayor Jerry Barilla, members of the Jefferson County Commissioners and other local dignitaries. Clergy from the university will offer a blessing for the new restaurant during the event.

Bennigans Franchisee Franco Carapellotti of family-owned Fraspada Management Inc. and Pittsburgh-based Prospera Hospitality - who will operate the restaurant - will be joined by Legendary Restaurant Brands Chairman and CEO Paul Mangiamele for the ceremony.

My family calls Steubenville home and I couldnt be more overjoyed to bring Bennigans to this great town, Carapellotti said. The local restaurant scene was starving for a brand with a rich history and national presence and Bennigans is the perfect fit. The new restaurant even features a mural of Dean Martin in his hometown of Steubenville. I cant wait to provide a Legendary dining experience to this entire community, including students and faculty of Franciscan University, for years to come.

This is an exciting time! said Prospera Hospitality Corporate Director of Food & Beverage Michelle LaValle-Denk. Were thrilled to be working with Fraspada and Bennigans to bring the Irish Hospitality of this Legendary Brand to Steubenville. The professionalism and experience of the team along with the offerings and design of the restaurant will prove to be a winning combination.

The newest Bennigans will offer fifteen beers on tap, multiple HDTVs and plenty of space for guests to celebrate all of their special occasions more than. The flavor-forward menu features signature, made-from-scratch Bennigans favorites like the World Famous Monte Cristo, Oh, Baby Back Ribs, the Turkey OToole, Linas Crispy Chicken Sandwich, one-of-a-kind Death by Chocolate dessert and an innovative hand-crafted specialty beverage program.

Im deeply impressed by the passion the Carapellotti family has demonstrated for Bennigans, Mangiamele said. Franco is exactly the profile of franchisee that I am proud to welcome to our beloved brand. Our expansion to Steubenville aligns well with our focus on smaller markets where Bennigans can be an integral part of the community. I know Francos devotion to the brand will resonate throughout the restaurant and will ensure that we deliver a memorable dining experience to every guest, every meal, every day.

Bennigans is experiencing aggressive growth worldwide to satisfy the pent-up demand for its signature menu items and reignite the emotional connection that guests feel for the brand. As it redefines the casual dining segment, Legendary Restaurant Brands LLC continues to experience significant unit growth, both domestically and internationally, while achieving solid revenue and profit growth over the last several years.

Since the end of 2012, the company has opened new franchise locations in Clarksburg and Frederick, Md.; Melbourne, Fla., Lexington, Ky.; Veracruz, Mexico; Larnaca, Cyprus; Obarrio, Panama; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, and UAE. Bennigans expansion continues to new markets like Tampa and Orlando and internationally to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Amsterdam and Pakistan, with more than 100 additional locations in development.

Steubenvilles new Bennigans will open daily at 11 a.m. For more information about the restaurant, visit BennigansSteubenville.com.

Youre with friends at Bennigans. The American Legend!

About Legendary Restaurant Brands

Legendary Restaurant Brands owns the iconic Bennigans and Steak and Ale brands - the pioneers of casual dining - as well as the non-traditional brand, Bennigans On The Fly. Bennigans is a high-energy neighborhood restaurant and tavern that is redefining and leading casual dining again. With chef-driven food, innovative drinks and warm, friendly Irish hospitality, this Legendary Brand delivers memorable dining experiences to every guest and offers a franchise model capable of compelling returns on investment. Steak and Ale is another American Original poised for a triumphant return. Redefined as a 21st Century polished-casual concept, the new Steak and Ale will once again set the standard for affordable, family-friendly steakhouses.

Media Contact:

Jami Zimmerman

Champion Management

Vice President Of Public Relations

O: 972.930.9933

C: 469.426.7657

jzimmerman@championmgt.com

SOURCE Legendary Restaurant Brands

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Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Thunder is possible early. Low 61F. WSW winds shifting to N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.The experiment might make you feel sick, but it could be very interesting if it were confirmed. English and Gambian researchers have used dirty socks to see if certain dogs are capable of detecting malaria.

In the past, studies have shown that malaria changes the production of certain hormones to make us more attractive and appealing to mosquitos, which therefore helps to spread the disease. And, although our noses are incapable of sensing the difference, it seems that a dogs sense of smell could actually be able to detect it.

175 pairs of socks from Gambia

To look into this theory, researchers gathered socks worn by children during the night in Gambia. Of the 175 pairs that were collected and sent to England, 30 belonged to children infected with malaria as revealed by blood tests. And the socks werent sent just anywhere but to the non-profit organisation Medical Detection Dogs in Milton Keynes.

In this centre, dogs have been trained to detect certain types of cancer but also to recognise early signs of Parkinsons disease. As part of the new study that was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene held in New Orleans, some dogs have also been trained to recognise the specific odours released by malaria before the first symptoms even begin to appear.

The results of this first experiment showed that the dogs managed to identify 70% of the pairs of socks that were owned by children infected by malaria. They also correctly recognised 90% of the socks that were worn by children that werent suffering from the disease. Professor Steven Lindsay from Durham University is leading this research. The Professor stated:

I think its quite extraordinary.

He continued by saying that he would like to see malaria-detection dogs help patrol in airports and seaports of countries that have recently become malaria-free and help to completely eliminate malaria in countries where it is still an issue.

The specialist, however, noted that at the moment, this was only a proof of concept. He would definitely like to see dogs better trained to improve their success rates and have more tests like this carried out in more realistic settings. So, the socks used in this experiment had to be frozen while they were transported which could have possibly changed the way they smelled when thedogs first came into contact with them.

A quick and inexpensive way to detect malaria

Researchers also hope to be able to train dogs to recognise the smell of malaria in humans rather than just from their clothes. The aim is that the canines will be able to identify this smell in more environments in order to reduce the spread of the disease and find asymptomatic patients faster in order to treat them quicker.

Malaria is one of the largest scourges in hot countries, with 216 million people infected throughout the world and which is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths every year. This disease is transmitted by infected female mosquitos that carry the parasites in their saliva. Sniffer dogs could also actually be used to detect malaria quicker than other methods and for a much lower cost.There's nothing that triggers our road rage more than a ridiculously slow driver, cruising obnoxiously under the speed limit and causing a massive queue of cars. We're talkin' 50km/h in an 80km/h zone. There's one word for it, just absolute MARES.

Unfortunately for some of us, you get so annoyed that your only option is to overtake, and this may not always actually be the safest option available to us.

Well, stress no more, as the NZ Police have expressed they are now wanting to take action against these drivers.

Stuff spoke with Tasman road policing leader Grant Andrews, who explained slow/incosiderate drivers are an issue all year round, but over holiday periods it's particularly accentuated.

"It's about making people aware," Andrews said. "The problem with impeding the [traffic] flow is people tend to make crazy decisions to overtake in areas where you wouldn't ... even sometimes on yellow lines."Key words and life-enriching sentences to use in Georgia - GeorgianJournalXiaomi to host an event in New York on December 8 News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu So, what do you expect from Xiaomi next month.

Xiaomi is a dominant player in its home market and a few other Asian markets including India. However, it has very little presence in the U.S. Now, it looks like the company is eying to strengthen its foothold in the American market too.

Well, Aaron Yang, the company's Operation Project Manager for North America has shared a Reddit post (via XDA Developers) inviting users to experience an event to happen in New York on December 8. Notably, this is the first such event hosted by Xiaomi in the country. The post asks users (residents of the US) to fill out a form to exhibit their interest in taking part in the event.

Entry into North America

The New York event to be hosted by Xiaomi in early December could mark the company's entry into the North American market. The timing of the event is really interesting. Back in March, a report tipped that the company is planning to enter the US market this year. However, as things were not easy for the Chinese companies in the US market, Xiaomi had to scrap or postpone its US entry. Even now, we can expect the company to test the waters with this event instead of launching new smartphones.

What to expect from the event?

Though there is no information regarding what we can expect from the event, we can expect the company to showcase the latest and greatest products at the event next month. As of now, there is no information regarding the venue or the timing. While all these details are likely to be revealed in the coming weeks, there are speculations that the Mi Mix 3 could be showcased at the event.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 was launched late in October. The device carries the highlight of being the first 10GB RAM smartphone to be launched in the market. It comes with several interesting and high-end specifications and features and is one of the highly-awaited global releases. If this device is showcased, we can expect the company to get some level of market presence in the US.

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Will Host Local Open House on Nov. 18

Cat McIntyre poses in front of a commissioned piece, that has taken her over a year to complete, in her gallery.

Local working artist Cathryn (formerly Reitler) McIntyre's work is easy to describe but, maybe, difficult to understand, while still being aesthetically enjoyable. McIntyre's work has been prominently featured in fairs, showings, galleries and hom...World renowned violinist Jack Glatzer (l) plays for residents of Valley View Home, while his associate, Dr. Margaret Hereld (r) looks on.

International violinist Jack Glatzer, along with his associate, Dr. Margaret Hereld, delighted residents and staff at both Prairie Ridge and Valley View Home on Oct. 31. A total of 18 Head Start children, who were visiting Prairie Ridge, also had...Governor Bullock announced four students were selected to represent Montana at the National Student Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 30. Pictured left to right are Governor Steve Bullock, Jimmy McAlister, from Paris Gibson Education Center, Lexie Pehlke, Raferdy Samson, Hot Springs High School, Madison Huckfeldt, Granite High School, and Helena mayor Wilmot Collins.

GHS senior Alexandra "Lexie" Pehlke got quite a surprise while in Helena at the Jobs for Montana's Graduates (JMG) 25th annual LEAD conference on Oct. 30. She was one of four students selected by Governor Steve Bullock to receive an all-expense pa...Judge Laird to Retain Seat

At press time the races for Senate, House, Public Service Commission and Clerk of Supreme Court had not been definitively reported. Projected leads showed Jon Tester with a slight lead over Matt Rosendale and Greg Gianforte had a seven point lead...The consolidated revenue from operations declined to Rs 436.1 crore for 2017-18 as against Rs 903.8 crore in FY17.

Total revenue was at Rs 514.6 crore in FY18 as against Rs 1,105.7 crore in the previous fiscal.

New Delhi: E-commerce firm Snapdeal has narrowed its consolidated losses substantially to Rs 613 crore for FY2017-18, as per regulatory documents.

The company, which competes with larger rivals like Amazon and Flipkart, had posted a consolidated loss of Rs 4,647.1 crore in FY2016-17, documents filed with the corporate affairs ministry showed.

The consolidated revenue from operations declined to Rs 436.1 crore for 2017-18 as against Rs 903.8 crore in FY17.

On standalone basis too, Snapdeal trimmed its losses to Rs 440.7 crore in FY18 from Rs 4,638.9 crore in the year-ago period. Total revenue was at Rs 514.6 crore in FY18 as against Rs 1,105.7 crore in the previous fiscal.

Snapdea said that the company had embarked on its journey towards profitability last year.

This year, we continued on this path and focused on building a leaner and more capital efficient business. We substantially reduced our costs, both variable and fixed overheads, it added.

The company said it reduced its business promotion expense by 88 per cent year-on-year. We optimised the team structure and leveraged technology more efficiently, which was critical in trimming our employee expenses by 68 per cent y-o-y. While all of this has come at the expense of lower top line, your company is extremely proud of its achievements and is absolutely confident that it is heading in the right direction to achieve profitability, it said.U.S. To Impose New Russia Sanctions Over Skripal Poisoning

RFE/RL November 06, 2018

The United States says it is eyeing fresh sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of a Russian former spy in Britain earlier this year.

The State Department announced on November 6 that it will consult with Congress on the fresh sanctions after Russia failed to meet a three-month deadline to comply with a 1991 U.S. law on preventing the use of chemical weapons.

The United States and its allies accuse the Russian government of involvement in the March nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in the English city of Salisbury.

Moscow strongly denies it was behind the poisoning, which has added tension to already severely strained ties between Russia and the West, leading to additional U.S. and European Union sanctions on Moscow and to diplomatic expulsions of Russian and Western officials.

The State Department determined in August that Russia violated the 1991 Chemical and Biological Weapons (CBW) Act in the Skripal case, and imposed a first round of sanctions targeting foreign aid, the sale of defense and security goods, and U.S. government loans for exports to Russia.

https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-sanctions-on-russia-over-poisoning-in-britain-go-into-force/29455293.html

Under the law, Washington must impose a second round of penalties unless Russia is found to have taken action to prove its compliance with the U.S. law within 90 days.

"We intend to proceed in accordance with the terms of the CBW Act, which directs the implementation of additional sanctions," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement as the deadline fell on November 6.

In September, Britain charged two Russian citizens -- identified as military intelligence officers Anatoly Chepiga and Aleksandr Mishkin -- with trying to kill the Skripals.

British authorities allege that the two Russians smeared a Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok on the front door of Skripal's home in Salisbury on March 4, the day the former Russian intelligence officer and his daughter were found incapacitated on a bench and rushed to the hospital.

Both survived after weeks in critical condition, but Dawn Sturgess, a woman who authorities said came in contact with the poison after her boyfriend found a fake perfume bottle containing it, died in July.

Skripal, a former colonel in the Russian military intelligence agency known as GRU, was convicted of treason in 2006 by a Russian court and had been serving a 10-year prison sentence when the swap, in which 10 sleeper agents including Anna Chapman were sent home to Russia from the United States, took place.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-to-impose-new-russian-sanctions -over-skripal-poisoning/29586267.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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388th Fighter Wing completes combat exercise

By 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published November 05, 2018

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- The 388th Fighter Wing's 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit recently completed a combat exercise where they tested and evaluated their capabilities to operate the F-35A Lightning II in a deployed environment.

The units focused on combat operations and tactical scenarios  aircraft battle damage, downed-pilot recovery, and fighting in an environment with limited or no communications.

The exercise generated nearly 150 sorties in two weeks, on top of normal flying operations.

"The tempo gives our Airmen a taste of deployed operations," said Lt. Col. Yosef Morris, 4th FS commander. "We want the first time they see these things to be in a training environment, and not when we're called upon to deploy during a contingency."

Pilots flew with more gear than they normally do during "home-station" operations, including side arms. Maintainers practiced loading various munitions and worked longer shifts, preparing aircraft sorties late into the evening.

The units also operated and launched jets from alternate locations and ran operations out of a secure deployable facility that houses mission planning, debrief, intelligence, and the Autonomic Logistics Information System, or ALIS, a program designed to help with operations, maintenance and planning.

"This was a big planning and execution effort for the 4th FS and 4th AMU," said 1st Lst. Eric Dolan, officer in charge of the 4th AMU. "It was designed to challenge us and provide our Airmen with experience and acclimate our new Airmen. They came away more confident in their abilities."

Hill Air Force Base is slated to be home to three F-35 fighter squadrons with a total of 78 aircraft by the end of 2019. The active duty 388th FW and Air Force Reserve 419th FW will fly and maintain the jets in a Total Force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components.

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At Least 13 Afghan Security Personnel Killed By Taliban Attack On Ghazni Checkpoint

RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan November 05, 2018

Afghan officials say at least 13 members of Afghanistan's security forces have been killed in a battle in Ghazni Province about 150 kilometers southwest of Kabul.

Mohammad Arif Noori, a spokesman for Ghazni's provincial governor, told RFE/RL that the battle began early on November 5 when Taliban militants attacked a checkpoint in the Khogyani district near the provincial capital.

Noori said six Afghan police and seven soldiers in the Afghan National Army were killed in the fighting. He said at least four other police officers were wounded.

He said at least six Taliban fighters were killed and 10 wounded in the three-hour battle.

Noori said the checkpoint had been set up in a strategic area on November 3 in an attempt to cut off a supply route used by the Taliban.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed in a statement sent to media that the Taliban were responsible for the attack.

The fighting comes three months after hundreds of Taliban militants launched a major assault on Ghazni city and briefly took control of parts of the provincial capital.

U.S. warplanes, drones, and helicopters were deployed in that battle to help Afghan government forces repulse the earlier Taliban assault -- which included fighting on the outskirts of the city in the Khogyani, Khwaja Omari, and Zanakhan areas.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-13-killed-taliban -attack-ghazni-checkpoint/29583225.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Mixed Reactions to Pakistani Cleric's Death

By Madeeha Anwar November 05, 2018

Reactions are mixed in Pakistan Monday over the assassination of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, a top Pakistani Islamic cleric, regarded as the "Taliban's Father" because of his influence over insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Family members confirmed that Haq was resting at his home Friday in Rawalpindi when he was killed with a knife.

The slain leader's son, Maulana Hamid-ul Haq, told local media that his father's security guard had gone to a nearby market when the attack occurred.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities are investigating the incident.

Hamid Mir, a Pakistani journalist with knowledge of the Taliban, believes Haq's assassination is political.

"Sami-ul-Haq's assassins want to not only destabilize Pakistan, but the whole region. Top Afghan officials had recently contacted Maulana to play a role to bring the Taliban to the peace table," Mir told VOA. "Maulana had always helped them, and this time, as well. He promised to play a role of mediating peace talks between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban."

Peace talks

Last month, Afghan officials met Maulana Sami-ul-Haq in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and urged him to use his influence over the Afghan Taliban to convince them to hold talks with the government.

Haq had agreed to be a mediator, and also indicated that he was willing to host the Afghan peace talks if called upon.

Rahim Ullah Yousafzai, a Pakistani journalist who has written extensively on Afghanistan and the Taliban, downplayed Haq's influence over the Taliban.

"The Afghan Taliban have a different narrative. They say the Taliban movement was initiated by Mullah Omar from Kandahar province in Afghanistan. Afghan Taliban regard Sami-ul-Haq as a teacher, but they do not necessarily agree with Haq's ideology," Yousafzai said.

Belqis Roshan, an Afghan senator, also downplayed the impact of Haq's death on the Afghan peace talks, but for a different reason.

"Sami-ul-Haq's death cannot affect the Afghan peace process in anyway, as somebody else will take his place," Roshan told VOA. "It's just like the Taliban, after Mullah Omer's death, Akhtar Mansoor took the lead. And after him, Hibatullah did," she said.

Afghanistan's High Peace Council (CPH), a government body tasked with talking to the insurgents, declined to comment.

Sayed Ehsan Taheri, a spokesperson for the HPC, told VOA earlier this year that invitations were extended to key Pakistani religious scholars, including Haq, when Afghanistan was preparing to convene a trilateral conference in Indonesia, where religious scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia took part.

"We are hoping that Pakistan religious scholars like Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, who see the war in Afghanistan as a legitimate jihad (holy war), would participate in the conference," Taheri told VOA in April.

Jihad in Afghanistan

Mohammad Nadir Memar, a political analyst from eastern Afghanistan, believes Haq was a staunch supporter of jihad in Afghanistan, and that his followers will stick to his ideology.

"Unfortunately, his party still sees the Taliban war in Afghanistan as a legitimate jihad, and its members would keep the momentum of this so-called jihad going," Memar said.

Tahir Ashrafi, president of All Pakistan Ulema Council, said Haq's death would further intensify the war in neighboring Afghanistan.

"If anyone thinks that jihad in Afghanistan will end with the death of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, he is mistaken," Ashrafi told the Pakistani Neo TV channel over the weekend. "The assassination of Haq will further intensify the war to an extent that no efforts can stop it."

Who was Sami-ul-Haq?

Sami-ul-Haq, 81, was head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), an Islamist party that supports the Taliban in Afghanistan.

He had remained active in Pakistan's politics since the 1980s. Haq was twice elected to the Senate, the upper house of Pakistan's parliament.

The slain Islamist leader was the head of Darul-Uloom Haqqania, a religious seminary in northwest Pakistan that educated most of the Taliban leaders, including Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban movement.

Other Taliban leaders, including Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, Siraj ud Din Haqqani and Jalal ud Din Haqqani, also graduated from Haq's religious school, dubbed the University of Jihad, in the region.

Haq was known to be a key supporter of the Afghan Taliban's fight against the U.S.-backed Afghan government and NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan.

The Taliban denounced Haq's killing, declaring it a "great loss for the Islamic world."

"He supported the oppressed Afghan nation during the Soviet invasion and American occupation of the country through his unforgettable services," the group said in a statement following Haq's assassination.

VOA's Urdu service, Ayaz Gul and Mohammad Habibzada contributed to this story.

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Kunsan Air Base revitalizes energy utilization

By Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published November 06, 2018

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron has launched its latest project to help Kunsan Air Base take its first steps in becoming more energy efficient and environmentally conscious by rolling out phase one of an infrastructure refresh plan with assistance from the Energy Savings Performance Contract.

The ESPC, a Department of Defense-wide initiative to assess energy consumption on military installations and make infrastructure more sustainable, has set the groundwork for the 8th CES to modernize facilities with energy saving technology. The first phase of the plan includes installing new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, Light Emitting Diode light fixtures, water conservation components, and performing a building envelope assessment on 363 buildings, or 90 percent of structures on base.

"Part of our commitment to both our Airmen and the mission is making sure that our infrastructure is not only up to date, but exceeding standards in terms of energy conservation," said Col. John Bosone, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "The Phase One project is a crucial first step to making this happen and giving Wolf Pack members for years to come the quality installation they need to not only maintain, but improve their lethality."

Reducing energy and resource consumption on base is also critical for personnel due to Kunsan AB's remote location and the need for good stewardship with resources shared by Gunsan City, like water. According to the project leads, every bit of conservation counts in the event that resources are not readily available or are running low.

"I think the Air Force understands the importance of energy resiliency and is taking a holistic approach to sustainability," said 1st. Lt. William Steers, 8th CES officer in charge of energy management. "From larger energy savings contracts to teaching Airmen the importance of not leaving their dorm lights on during the day are examples of how we're working towards being more efficient at all levels."

One of the project's main benefits is that it will continuously save money over time. The new lighting system will include more effective technology like fluorescent and halogen light bulbs that will not have to be replaced often. Once the updates are complete, Kunsan is projected to save more than $1.5 million in energy costs every year.

Phase one of the energy saving updates began in August of this year and are ongoing. The projected completion is scheduled for late November 2020.



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The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New Delhi: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel could resign at the central banks next board meeting on November 19, online financial publication Moneylife reported on Wednesday, citing sources in touch with the governor.

The government and the RBI have been fighting for weeks over how much autonomy the RBI should have as the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to reduce curbs on lending and to gain access to the RBIs surplus reserves.

The rift worsened late last month when one of the banks deputy governors said in a speech that undermining central bank independence could be potentially catastrophic.

Moneylifes report said if the feud escalates further, there is a good chance Patel will resign at the RBIs next meeting, saying he was tired of the struggle with the government, and it was having a negative impact on his health.

The report did not cite the number of sources. The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The story was written by veteran Indian financial journalist Sucheta Dalal who is well known for her investigative reporting. She is one of the founders of Moneylife.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the government intends to keep pressing its demands even if it risks provoking a resignation by Patel, according to three sources familiar with the governments thinking.NATO Secretary General and top military leaders visit Afghanistan

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

06 Nov. 2018

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg paid an official visit to Kabul on Tuesday (6 November 2018), accompanied by the Chairman of the Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti.

In a press conference following a meeting with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the Secretary General congratulated the government and people of Afghanistan on the recent parliamentary elections. "For the first time, the Afghan forces assumed responsibility for security during the election," he said, calling it "an important achievement". He added: "I look forward to a smooth completion of the election process, and to the presidential election in the spring of next year."

Mr. Stoltenberg underlined that NATO's support for Afghanistan will continue, saying: "NATO is determined to see Afghanistan succeed. That's why around 16,000 troops from 39 countries serve in our Resolute Support Mission." He welcomed that the mission's work has led to particular improvements in the Afghan Special Forces and Air Force.

The Secretary General and the Afghan leadership shared views on the security situation. Mr. Stoltenberg praised the Afghan forces for bravery and loyalty, and called on the Taliban and other insurgent groups to "stop killing their follow Afghans". He added: "the Taliban must understand that continuing the fight is pointless and counterproductive. To be part of Afghanistan's future, they must sit down at the negotiating table."

The Secretary General further stressed the need for an inclusive Afghan-owned and led peace process, saying: "the potential for peace is greater now than it has been in many years". He added that "we count on the government to meet its commitments for good governance, the rule of law, fighting corruption and protecting the rights of all - especially women."

Later in the day, the Secretary General and his delegation are attending a ministerial meeting chaired by National Security Advisor Dr Hamdullah Mohib. The Secretary General's delegation are also meeting with the Commander of the Resolute Support Mission, General Austin Miller, and with NATO's Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann, as well as with Allied ambassadors, and with representatives of the European Union and United Nations. Later on Tuesday, the Secretary General, Air Marshal Sir Stuart, and General Scaparrotti will also meet with representatives of Afghan civil society.

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Norway uses Exercise Trident Juncture to strengthen its national resilience

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

06 Nov. 2018

Trident Juncture 18, NATO's largest exercise in recent years, is also the Alliance's first military exercise to include substantial civil preparedness elements and to practice cooperation between the military and the civilian authorities. Norway, which is hosting the exercise, is using the collective defence scenario not only to train its armed forces, but also to build up its ability to respond to a crisis of any kind.

This is fully in line with the commitment that all NATO Allies have undertaken to increase national resilience, which is a key element of NATO's collective defence. Resilience is rooted in the Washington Treaty. At the Warsaw Summit in 2016, NATO leaders also pledged to enhance national resilience, including by improving civil preparedness.

To meet this pledge, Norway added an extra challenge to Trident Juncture 18, in the form of close interaction between the military participants and civilian crisis responders, such as the health service, the police, the fire department, and non-governmental organisations. Specific events have been integrated in the exercise programme, including simulated mass casualty incidents, evacuation drills, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies, taking care of evacuated civilians, and crisis management.

In addition to contributing to Norway's crisis management capacities, this also contributes to interoperability with other NATO Allies. Some of the forces participating in Trident Juncture have been involved in these events as well  for instance, Danish and French CBRN soldiers, part of NATO's Spearhead Force (the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force) in 2019, have been part of a simulation where they had to give first aid to victims of a chemical attack, and decontaminate the area.

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Navy, NASA Complete Underway Recovery Test 7

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS181106-22

Release Date: 11/6/2018 4:09:00 PM

From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) successfully completed test recovery operations of NASA's mock Orion capsule, Nov. 5.

The Underway Recovery Test-7 (URT-7) is part of a U.S. government interagency effort to safely retrieve the Orion crew module, which is capable of carrying humans into deep space.

This marks the first completion of a URT aboard John P. Murtha. NASA engineers worked alongside Sailors from the John P. Murtha, Special Boat Team 12, and Navy divers from Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 11 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 to test recovery operations of the Orion test article. Tests were conducted throughout the day and night in varying sea states.

"John P. Murtha was tasked to assist NASA with their seventh Underway Recovery Test. Our crew executed of every assignment given to them flawlessly and their recovery-at-sea experience and dedication directly contributed to our overall mission success," said Capt. Tony Roach, commanding officer USS John P. Murtha. "I am continually impressed and proud of the outstanding efforts of my crew members during each and every evolution."

San Antonio-class ships have distinctive capabilities essential to NASA's mission. One of the more important capabilities is the ship's ability to recover the test capsule using the ship's well deck, designed to launch and recover amphibious craft. John P. Murtha also has the ability to carry and deploy multiple small boats to assist in the recovery process of the capsule, and an advanced medical facility ideal for treating returning astronauts.

The tests allowed NASA and the Navy to continue to demonstrate and evaluate the recovery processes, procedures, hardware and personnel in a realistic open-ocean environment before conducting actual recovery operations.

"All test objectives were accomplished as planned," said Melissa Jones, NASA Landing and Recovery director. "The success of this week would not have been possible without the positivity and experience of the John P. Murtha crew."

John P. Murtha is homeported in San Diego and is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Commander, U.S. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. They coordinate with Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability.

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Russia's fighter jet intercepts U.S. aircraft over Black Sea

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 07:23, November 06, 2018

MOSCOW, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet has intercepted a U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries plane over the Black Sea near Russian airspace and escorted it away in a safe manner, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy announced that a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft was intercepted earlier on the day by a Russian fighter jet while flying in international airspace over the Black Sea.

The U.S. reconnaissance aircraft was spotted approaching Russia's airspace at around 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (0700 GMT) and was immediately identified by the Su-27 fighter jet "at a safe distance," Russian news agencies reported, citing a defense ministry statement.

After reporting back to the communications intelligence unit, the fighter jet escorted it away from the Russian airspace "in compliance with all security and safety requirements," it said.

According to the Russian defense ministry, the fighter jet returned to its home base after the U.S. plane altered its flight course away from Russian airspace.

The U.S. Navy, in a statement, called the interaction as "determined to be unsafe," saying the Russian SU-27 conducted "a high speed pass directly in front of the mission aircraft, putting at risk the pilots and crew."

Also on Monday, a Pentagon spokesperson said that the Russian jet came "very, very " to the U.S. EP-3 aircraft, adding that it made an additional pass after activating its afterburners to create more turbulence.

There was no communication between the two planes and the encounter lasted about 25 minutes, Spokesperson Eric Pahon told reporters at the Pentagon.

The Pentagon said that the EP-3 was conducting routine operations while the encounter happened, not provoking the Russian activity.

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Yemeni forces shoot down Saudi-led reconnaissance drone over Sa'ada

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 06:16PM

The Yemeni army has shot down a Saudi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as it was on a reconnaissance mission in Yemen's northern province of Sa'ada.

Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah satellite television network, citing a military source, reported that the drone was shot down on Tuesday as it was flying in the skies of al-Hisama neighborhood of the city of Dhahir west of the province.

Backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees and those of the Houthi Ansarullah movement, the Yemeni army also managed to shoot down two such drones last week, one over Yemen's western coastal province of Hudaydah and the other over Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Jizan.

Separately on Tuesday, Yemeni troops managed to kill more than 30 Saudi-led mercenaries and wound dozens more in the Midi Desert in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah province. They also destroyed as many as 11 military vehicles of the invaders.

Elsewhere in Hudaydah province, Yemeni forces killed some 25 Saudi-led Sudanese mercenaries in the vicinity of Hudaydah city.

Leading a coalition of its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan, Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall a former Riyadh-friendly regime, which had resigned amid popular discontent, and to crush the country's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has played a significant role, alongside the Yemeni army, in defending the nation and has been running state affairs in the absence of an effective government.

The aggression initially consisted of a bombing campaign, but was later coupled with a naval blockade and the deployment of ground forces to Yemen. According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis.

The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food. According to the world body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in more than 100 years.

More than three and a half years into that war, Saudi Arabia has achieved neither of its objectives. This is while it had declared at the start of the invasion that the war would take no more than a couple of weeks.

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Pentagon rejects request for boosting forces in Persian Gulf

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 04:31PM

The Pentagon has rejected a request issued by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) for deployment of additional troops to the Persian Gulf following the re-imposition of sanctions against Iran.

The American broadcaster CNN on Tuesday cited two military officials claiming the request for additional troops was made by CENTCOM in response to the US concerns that Iran could potentially launch an attack against American forces after the anti-Iran sanctions took effect on Monday.

The officials said the Pentagon had no intelligence indicating Iranians were planning retaliatory military operations against the US forces based in in the Persian Gulf.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, indicated that the Pentagon's inventory fell short of demand in terms of military resources such as troops and equipment.

"That is one of the more important tasks we face, is to prioritize and allocate resources in accordance with the strategy," he said. "And ... if you look at what the combatant commanders would identity as their requirements, our inventory falls short of meeting all of what the combatant commanders would want to have, so the art for us is to have enough of our forces forward to demonstrate commitment, assure our allies, to demonstrate the ability to respond -- which enhances deterrence -- and then have the inherent flexibility in the force to get the right amount of forces in the right place, at the right time in the event deterrence fails."

"That's the art of what we call global force management but it's the art of, really, priorities and allocating our resources against the strategy," Dunford added.

US-style negotiating

US President Donald Trump announced in May that he would pull the US out from the Iran nuclear agreement or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and re-impose sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the accord.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in a press conference in Washington on Monday, revealed the Trump administration's plan to force Iran to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs while diminishing Tehran's influence among its neighboring countries in the Middle East.

Pompeo said the US had persuaded more than 20 countries to completely stop, or at least reduce, their oil purchases from Iran, dealing a heavy economic blow to the Iranian nation.

Iran's top diplomat, Mohammad Javad Zarif, responded to the US sanctions re-imposed against the Iranian nation, saying Washington would once again regret its "unwise measures."

The Iranian foreign minister reiterated the United States has proven that it is not a "reliable negotiating partner".

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Taliban kill 20 Afghan troops near Iran border

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 11:14AM

At least 20 Afghan soldiers have been killed in an attack by Taliban militants against an outpost in Afghanistan's western Farah Province.

Local officials said the militants attacked the border post  manned by nearly 50 Afghan government soldiers  at the early hours of Tuesday.

A senior military officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said at least 20 troops were confirmed to have been killed, several had been injured, and the others were missing.

"Hours after the attack, we lost contact with the base and we still do not know the whereabouts of the remaining soldiers," the officer added.

The Taliban took responsibility for the assault, claiming that it had taken control of the base, killed 30 soldiers, and captured weapons and ammunition.

Farah, which borders Iran, has gained more significance for Taliban as the government plans to build a multi-billion-dollar pipeline in the province. The project also involves Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and India. The province has been the scene of several high-profile attacks in the recent past.

The Taliban threatened to seize the provincial capital in May.

On Monday, the militant group seized control of a key security post outside the central city of Ghazni, leaving 13 government forces dead.

Afghan people still face insecurity 17 years after the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror.

Taliban violence against election-related centers at record high: UN

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) said a record number of civilian casualties had been caused by attacks by the Taliban militant group against the Afghan parliamentary election-related centers in October.

The UN said in a report on Tuesday that the Taliban attacks on election day, October 20, and subsequent days  when delayed polling took place  resulted in at least 435 civilian casualties, including 56 deaths and 379 injuries.

According to the report, the toll was higher than the figures for the four previous elections.

The UN stressed that there had been "a deliberate campaign intended to disrupt and undermine the electoral process."

Taliban terrorists had called on Afghans to boycott the long-delayed parliamentary elections across the country and vowed to disrupt the voting.

Several attacks also targeted voter registration centers ahead of the election, some claimed by the Daesh terrorist group.

According to the UN, attacks by anti-government militants, mostly the Taliban, were conducted with rockets, grenades, and mortars as well as improvised explosive devices.

Referring to a campaign of threats, intimidation, and harassment, including abductions, that preceded the vote, the UN said, "The Taliban's actions forced many ordinary Afghans to choose between exercising their right to participate in the political process and risking their own safety."

The results of the parliamentary election have not been announced yet, with votes are still being counted.

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France's Macron calls for 'real European army' without US

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 11:01AM

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the establishment of a "real European army," claiming that Europe has been the chief victim of a recent US decision to scrap a major nuclear arms pact with Russia.

"We will not be able to protect Europeans if we don't decide to have a real European army," Macron said in an interview with Europe 1 radio on Monday.

He said Europe had to defend itself in a "more sovereign way" and without depending "only on the United States."

Macron's remarks came after US President Donald Trump confirmed late last month that his administration planned to abandon the landmark Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia over claims that Moscow has violated the Cold War-era pact, further vowing American development of such armaments.

The INF, which was signed in 1986 between then-US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, allowed the US to counter Chinese moves to build up arms in the Pacific but prevented Washington from deploying new nuclear armaments in response.

'Protection even from the United States'

Macron called for "protection from China, Russia, and even from the United States of America," implying that Trump's recent decision to withdraw the US from the INF Treaty would put European security at risk from the US side, too.

"Who is going to be the main victim [of Trump's decision to leave the INF]? Europe and its security," Macron underlined.

The EU has for years pressed for efforts to strengthen its own defense capabilities through defense spending increases, among other measures. Earlier this year, the European Commission announced that the bloc's 2019 budget stipulated the allocation of 245 million euros (287 million dollars) for the European Defense Industrial Development Program.

This is while the US has also been exerting pressure on EU governments, including France, to equip their armed forces with American-built military hardware. Paris, however, is resisting such pressure, as the French industrial and defense industries remain strong.

Also in August, the French president said that he would announce new proposals for the EU to boost its security, calling on the 28-member bloc to stop relying on the US to protect its sovereignty.

The development comes as a major trade dispute between the US and its European allies has escalated since March, when Washington imposed a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum imports from EU member nations.

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Russian jet intercepts US spy plane over Black Sea

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 10:29AM

A Russian fighter jet has intercepted an American spy plane that was taking part in a NATO military exercise over the Black Sea in an effort "to prevent a violation" of Russian borders, Russia's Defense Ministry says.

The ministry said in a statement on Monday that a Su-27 fighter jet had intercepted a US Navy EP-3E Aries spy plane that had been approaching the Russian border.

"It [the Su-27 jet] approached the aircraft at a safe distance and escorted it away from the airspace of the Russian Federation in compliance with all security and safety requirements," the ministry explained.

"The fighter's crew reported identifying the US electronic surveillance plane and escorted it to prevent a violation of Russia's border, while following all the safety guidelines," the statement added.

The US Navy, which has posted a video of the incident on Twitter, accused the Russian military of having conducted an "unsafe" operation.

The US Navy said that the "armed" Russian jet stayed around the EP-3 for about 25 minutes and that the US jet was "operating in accordance with international law."

"The crew of the EP-3 reported turbulence following the first interaction [between the two aircraft], and vibrations from the second," it added.

The American statement claimed that the maneuver "put our aircrews in danger."

The Russian ministry said the Russian fighter jet returned to its home base after the US spy plane altered its flight course away from the border.

This is not the first such incident between the Russian and US militaries over the Black Sea. In a similar incident earlier this year, a Russian Su-27 intercepted another EP-3 Aries over the Black Sea. At the time, the US Navy also accused Russia of "flagrantly violating existing agreements and international law."

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Saudi Arabia, allies intensify offensive on Yemen's Hudaydah

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 08:38AM

Saudi Arabia and its allies have intensified a brutal offensive on Yemen's Hudaydah  whose port is the country's only conduit to the outside world under a Saudi-led blockade  killing at least three people and injuring 35 others.

According to Yemen's al-Masirah television, medical sources said the Saudi airstrikes killed two people and wounded 24 others on the outskirts of the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah on Monday.

Earlier in the day, five inmates at Hudaydah's central prison were injured as Saudi warplanes launched several air raids on the prison.

A girl was also wounded and a mosque was damaged in an artillery attack launched by Saudi-backed mercenaries in the province.

Saudi-backed militants also conducted an attack on a Yemeni factory, leaving a worker dead and five others injured.

Al-Masirah released footage showing residential buildings targeted in the district of Hali in Hudaydah on Monday.

The Saudi-led coalition and militia groups loyal to Yemen's former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, have been pushing over the past several months to capture the city of Hudaydah, which is seen as the main entry point for food imports and aid relief needed by millions in the war-torn country.

They have severely intensified their attacks on Hudaydah over the past couple of days.

After visiting the streets of Hudaydah, Mohammed al-Bakhiiti, a member of the Political Council of the Houthi Ansarullah movement, said the Yemeni forces had managed to inflict heavy losses on the Saudi-backed mercenaries despite the aerial cover of the latter.

He said scores of militants had been killed.

Yemen's popular committees also released video footage, refuting claims of an advance made by the mercenaries in the city.

The escalating violence in Hudaydah comes despite a call by the United Nations (UN) for the resumption of peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.

Officials from the United States  which is itself aiding the Saudi-led coalition in the war on Yemen  have also called for a ceasefire in the country, amid mounting civilian casualties and the creation of the world's worst humanitarian crisis there.

Despite that, the Saudi-led coalition has purportedly sent 10,000 new forces to the Red Sea coast for the new offensive on Hudaydah.

Some observers see the intensified Saudi-led offensive on Hudaydah as an attempt to gain the upper hand in potential talks, especially after a call for a ceasefire by the coalition's main ally, the US.

'570k displaced Yemenis receive aid near Hudaydah'

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in New York City on Monday, UN secretary-general's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "Conflict has escalated significantly around Hudaydah City over the weekend, including increased clashes and air strikes as well as artillery shelling."

He stressed that affected areas are "primarily on the southern and eastern outskirts of Hudaydah."

Dujarric said humanitarian aid had been provided to nearly 570,000 displaced people in Hudaydah since the start of the Saudi-led offensive in the province last June.

"Since the June 1, more than 570,000 people have been displaced by conflict across Hudaydah Governorate; the UN and its humanitarian partners have reached nearly all these people with emergency relief packages," he said.

Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of Hadi back to power.

According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis.

Geert Cappelaere, the regional director for UN children's agency UNICEF, said Sunday that Yemen had turned into a "living hell" for children, with thousands dying every year from malnutrition and easily preventable diseases.

Cappelaere had recently visited Hudaydah.

The UN has estimated that up to 14 million Yemenis  nearly half the country's population  will suffer severe food shortages in the upcoming few months.

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Gujarat Deputy CM said BJP govt was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past legal hurdles and receives required support.

'We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time,' Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Ahmedabad: Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya, the Gujarat government on Tuesday said it was keen on renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles.

Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past the legal hurdles and receives required support.

"People are still having a feeling that Ahmedabad should be renamed as Karnavati. If we get required support to overcome the legal hurdles, we are always ready to change the name of the city," Patel told reporters when asked if the state government had a plan to rename India's only city having the 'World Heritage' tag.

Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval.

Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 AD had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed.

"We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time," Patel added.

Slamming the BJP government over the issue, state unit Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the promise to rename Ahmedabad was just another "poll gimmick" by the ruling party.

"For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus," said Doshi.

"BJP leaders dump such issues after coming to power. They only cheated Hindus all these years," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the eve of Diwali announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya.

"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)," Yogi Adityanath said in Ayodhya.

The BJP government in the northern state had already renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.US 'cannot win militarily' in Afghanistan, top American commander concedes

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 07:39AM

The United States "cannot win militarily" in Afghanistan, General Austin Scott Miller, the top US commander in the war-torn country, has conceded in a recent interview.

The United States -- under Republican George W. Bush's presidency -- and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban regime from power, but after more than 17 years, the foreign troops are still deployed to the country because the US has failed to defeat Taliban militants.

General Austin Scott Miller made the shocking assessment about the US-led military offensive in Afghanistan in an exclusive interview with NBC News, saying that the Afghan war cannot be won militarily and peace will only be achieved through direct engagement and negotiations with the Taliban.

"This is not going to be won militarily," Miller told the American broadcaster. "This is going to a political solution."

"My assessment is the Taliban also realizes they cannot win militarily," he said. "So if you realize you can't win militarily at some point, fighting is just, people start asking why. So you do not necessarily wait us out, but I think now is the time to start working through the political piece of this conflict."

"We are more in an offensive mindset and don't wait for the Taliban to come and hit [us]," he said speaking from the Resolute Support headquarters building in Kabul.

"So that was an adjustment that we made early on. We needed to because of the amount of casualties that were being absorbed," said Miller who survived a deadly Taliban attack in Kandahar Province last month but General Abdul Razeq, one of Afghanistan's most powerful security commanders, was killed.

Miller's comments reflect several realities portrayed in the latest report from the leading US government oversight agency on Afghanistan which has pointed out that the Afghan government has lost about half of the country's soil to Taliban militants and failed to choke off their primary funding source -- the narcotics smuggling.

In its quarterly report for the US Congress released last week, the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said the dire situation in Afghanistan is only deteriorating despite the presence of thousands of American troops on the ground.

The Pentagon watchdog's report further said the local Taliban -- which has been the main target of the war on terror -- "now controls more territory than at any time since 2001."

Only 55.5 percent of Afghan districts remain under the control or influence of the Kabul government, the lowest such figure since SIGAR began tracking district control in November 2015, according to the report.

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Kosovo Slaps Tariffs On Serbia, Bosnia For Lack Of Recognition, 'Savage' Acts

RFE/RL's Balkan Service November 06, 2018

PRISTINA -- Kosovo has imposed a 10 percent tax on products imported from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in a move it said was in retaliation for the two countries' lack of recognition and "savage" policies toward the young republic.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told reporters on November 6 that "for the first time in our new history," Kosovo has slapped tariffs on all products made in Serbia or Bosnia, although international brands produced in the two countries will be exempted.

The heated words and tariff moves appear to be a setback in attempts by Pristina and Belgrade to normalize relations, which have been tense since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Although more than 110 countries recognize Kosovo, Serbia does not.

Both countries have been told they must resolve their differences in order to make progress toward European Union membership. However, EU-sponsored normalization talks between the two countries' leaders have been stop-and-go in recent months.

'Clear Violation'

European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic called on the Kosovo government to revoke the new measures, saying they undermine regional cooperation and are in "clear violation" of the country's obligations under the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj said the tariffs were "a response to Serbia's savage campaign" against the international recognition of Kosovo, and he urged Kosovars not to buy Serbian products.

Haradinaj, meanwhile, said the action was taken because of Serbia's "illegal obstructionism [and] because there are threats from Serbia against innocent citizens of Kosovo just because their sons and daughters have joined the Kosovo Security Force [KSF]."

In October, Kosovo's lawmakers gave preliminary approval to legislation expanding the size and competencies of the lightly armed KSF in a session that was boycotted by ethnic Serb representatives, who complained it would lead to the creation of a Kosovar army in violation of UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Endrit Shala, Kosovo's minister of trade and industry, told Balkan Insight that Bosnia -- which also does not recognize Kosovo -- was hit with the tariffs because it was blocking goods from Kosovo from entering the country.

"Bosnia's approach to Kosovo is the same [as Serbia's]," Shala said.

"They put up barriers for Kosovo productsthey do not even recognize our documents," Shala said.

Official data shows that Kosovo imports some 400 million euros in products a year from Serbia, and about 81 million euros in goods from Bosnia.

With reporting by AFP and Balkan Insight

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-slaps- tariffs-on-serbia-bosnia-for-lack-of-recognitio -savage-acts/29586193.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Jet Intercepts U.S. Navy Plane Over Black Sea

RFE/RL November 06, 2018

The U.S. Navy has posted a video showing one of its aircraft being intercepted by a Russian jet in international airspace over the Black Sea.

A November 5 statement accompanying the video called the Russian SU-27 plane's interaction with the U.S. EP-3 Aries electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft "irresponsible" and "unsafe" due to "a highspeed pass directly in front of the [U.S.] aircraft."

"The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away," the statement added.

It said the intercept lasted about 25 minutes.

The Russian Embassy in Washington tweeted that its crew was "preventing a violation of Russian airspace and followed all necessary safety procedures."

The interaction occurred at about 10 a.m. on November 5, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.

Encounters between Russian and U.S. as well as NATO warplanes have increased as Moscow has been seeking to demonstrate its resurgent military might.

Such incidents have added tension to Russia's relationship with the West, which has been severely strained by Moscow's takeover of Crimea, its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, and its alleged meddling in the U.S. election in 2016, among other things.

In September, the Pentagon issued a protest after U.S. Air Force fighter jets intercepted two Russian long-range bombers in international air space west of the U.S. state of Alaska.

With reporting by TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian -jet-intercepts-u-s-navy-plane-over -black-sea/29585807.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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France Urges 'European Army' To Defend Against Russia, U.S.

November 06, 2018

French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for a "real European army" to allow the European Union to defend itself against Russia and even the United States.

Macron, who has pushed for a joint EU military structure since taking over the French presidency, said in a radio interview on November 6 that Europe needed to be less dependent on America.

"We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia, and even the United States," Macron told Europe 1.

"We will not protect Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army," he added.

Macron wants a nine-member European force, separate from NATO, that could intervene on short notice in conflicts or provide aid after natural disasters.

The nine countries' defense ministers are set to meet for the first time on November 7 in Paris to start thrashing out details of how the force would operate.

The EU is due to step up its defense spending beginning in 2021, earmarking some 13 billion euros ($15 billion) over seven years to research and develop new equipment.

Twenty-five EU countries have also pledged to better coordinate their defense cooperation with a program of joint military investment and project development, an initiative known as permanent structured cooperation, or PESCO.

The upcoming exit from the EU of Britain, long opposed to European military collaboration, has revived talk of defense cooperation, as have concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump may be less inclined than his predecessors to come to Europe's defense in the face of a newly assertive Russia.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/france-urges-european-army -to-defend-against-russia-u-s-/29586020.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Afghanistan Peace Council, Taliban To Send Delegations To Moscow Talks

RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan November 06, 2018

KABUL -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, in a surprise visit to Kabul, has called on the Taliban to participate in negotiations to end the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan, saying continued fighting in the war-torn country was "pointless and counterproductive."

"To be part of Afghanistan's future, they must sit down at the negotiating table," Stoltenberg told a news conference on November 6, urging the Taliban and other insurgent groups to "stop killing their follow Afghans."

The NATO chief's visit comes as Afghan officials and the Taliban separately said they would be sending a delegation to attend international peace talks in Russia this month.

It was not clear, however, if Stoltenberg was endorsing those talks, saying any peace process should be "Afghan-owned and led."

Some U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the Russia conference could derail efforts by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to persuade the Taliban to agree to negotiate an end to the war in Afghanistan.

The country's security forces are continuing to struggle to counter stepped-up attacks by the Taliban and other militant groups in their drive to force the Western-backed government in Kabul from power since the withdrawal of most NATO combat troops in 2014.

Highlighting the concerns over the security situation, the Taliban attacked an Afghan border post in the western province of Farah late on November 5, killing at least 20 soldiers and abducting about 20 others, officials said.

At the news conference following his meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Stoltenberg asserted that NATO was "determined to see Afghanistan succeed," citing the 16,000 troops from 39 countries participating in the Resolute Support Mission.

But he also said that the Western alliance's leaders "count on the government to meet its commitments for good governance, the rule of law, fighting corruption and protecting the rights of all -- especially women."

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, said it will send four representatives to the peace talks being organized by Russia on November 9.

The Taliban's political office separately told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that the militant group would participate in the talks, though it said it does not regard them as a "formal dialogue for peace."

The Afghan Foreign Ministry, however, did not say whether it would send a delegation to the conference, which was initially scheduled to take place in September but was postponed after Kabul insisted that the process should be Afghan-led.

"We are still negotiating with the Russian officials," ministry spokesman Sebaghtullah Ahmadi said. "We welcome any peace effort that is Afghan-led."

Speaking alongside Stoltenberg, Ghani expressed hope that "the day of the beginning of formal negotiations would not be far [away]. But it's not negotiations, it is the results [that matter]."

"The result has to be an inclusive Afghan peace that all Afghans buy into; and again this will be an inclusive process, we support the engagement of our international colleagues," he added.

Moscow has also invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan, and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Pakistan will "definitely" attend, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal told the AFP news agency.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether a U.S. delegation would attend.

U.S. efforts to bring the Taliban to the peace table have for years foundered over the militants' insistence on negotiating directly with Washington rather than the Afghan government, which it calls a "puppet" of the United States.

As recently as late October, U.S. and Taliban officials have conducted preliminary talks in Qatar, where the militants have a political office that serves as a de-facto embassy.

Also on November 6, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells was in Islamabad where she discussed peace and stability in Afghanistan with Pakistani officials, according to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said the two sides "agreed to continue efforts to promote the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region."

Washington and Kabul have long accused Pakistan of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charge and says it is ready to help resolve the Afghan conflict.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-peace- council-sending-delegation-moscow- peace-talks-/29584706.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Deadly Taliban Raid Overruns Afghan Police Base Near Iran Border

By Ayaz Gul November 06, 2018

Taliban insurgents killed more than 20 Afghan government forces before overrunning a key police base in the western Farah province bordering Iran, military officials said.

An Afghan National Army (ANA) officer confirmed Tuesday the deadly assault occurred overnight in the Pasht-e-Ko district. He told VOA on condition of anonymity that authorities were still determining the exact number of casualties because hours-long fighting had disrupted telecommunication lines in the district.

A provincial council member, Dadullah Qani, told VOA that around 50 Afghan border police personnel were stationed at the base when it came under attack just before midnight on Monday.

A Taliban spokesman claimed its fighters killed more than 30 Afghan forces and captured 20 others along with heavy weaponry and ammunitions placed at the base.

Farah borders Iran and several of its districts are either controlled or hotly contested by the Taliban. Insurgent attacks in recent months have killed hundreds of police and ANA personnel in the sparsely populated province.

Last week an ANA helicopter crashed due to "bad weather" in the Taliban-hld Anar Dara district, killing 25 people on board.

The deputy commander for western Afghanistan and the head of Farah's provincial council were also among those killed.

Iran denies U.S. and Afghan allegations Tehran is militarily helping the Taliban to increase its influence in the western border provinces of Afghanistan. The Islamist insurgency came close to capturing the provincial capital of Farah in May this year.

Taliban refuses to deliver Afghan corpses

Insurgents maintain they shot down the helicopter and retrieved all the bodies from the site. The Taliban has already released about a dozen bodies to their relatives but it is refusing to deliver the remaining "enemy corpses" until the Afghan government hands over to relatives the body of the executor of last month's high-profile attack in the southern city of Kandahar.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA on Tuesday that the swap demand had been conveyed to the Afghan government through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) but so far it has not been met. He rejected as propaganda official claims that the Taliban had received money from relatives before returning some of the bodies soon after the crash happened.

The Kandahar assault inside the highly secured governor's compound in mid October killed revered Afghan commander General Abdul Raziq along with the provincial spy chief. The attack injured the U.S. military commander for operations in southern Afghanistan and two other Americans while the U.S. chief of international forces in Afghanistan escaped unhurt.

Deadliest Afghan election

Meanwhile, the United Nations has confirmed that insurgent attacks during three days of voting last month killed or wounded 435 Afghans, making the parliamentary elections the deadliest on record.

Most of the casualties, including 56 deaths, occurred on October 20, the opening day of voting, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) noted in its special reported released Tuesday.

"The Taliban's actions forced many ordinary Afghans to choose between exercising their right to participate in the political process and risking their own safety," the mission said.

The Islamist insurgency had denounced the polls as an "American orchestrated" plot to extend "foreign occupation" of Afghanistan and had called on its fighters to make all possible efforts to disrupt the election process.

But despite the threats and violence, Afghan election officials say that more than four million of the nearly nine million registered voters cast their ballots, though many alleged a significant number of the votes were based on fake identification documents. Moreover, security concerns had prevented Afghan authorities from opening 2,000 of the total more than 7,000 polling stations on the day of balloting.

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Taliban says Moscow Meeting Not About Afghan Peace Talks

By Ayaz Gul November 06, 2018

The Taliban officially has confirmed it will attend a multilateral meeting hosted by Russia to discuss Afghanistan.

But a spokesman for the insurgent group clarified Tuesday its delegates will not engage in any Afghan peace and reconciliation talks at the Moscow gathering.

Zabihullah Mujahid said a high-ranking delegation from the Taliban's Qatar-based office will travel to the Russian capital to "partake" in the Friday meeting.

"This conference is not about negotiating with any particular side, rather it is a conference about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation," Mujahid asserted.

Moscow has invited 12 nations and the Islamist Taliban to the meeting. The United States and the Afghan government have both turned down the invitation. Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are among the expected participants.

While Afghan.government officials will not be in attendance, the country's High Peace Council (HPC) has already announced it will send a delegation to the conference in the Russian capital. The council of politicians, religious leaders and elders, is overseeing peace efforts with armed opposition groups, including the Taliban.

But the Taliban has long refused to hold direct talks the Kabul government and HPC, dismissing them as "American stooges".

This would be the first time the Taliban attended a Russia-organized meeting on Afghanistan, underscoring Moscow's increased contacts with the Islamist insurgency and active involvement in the turmoil-hit country.

"Every side and individual will articulate their views and policy in this regard and the representatives of the Islamic Emirate will also give a detailed speech and clarify their views and policy about all aspects of the issue including restoring peace and security to our beloved homeland and the region as well as ending the American occupation," Mujahid said.

Tuesday's statement by the Taliban defuses the hype around the Russian meeting, analysts say, because the insurgent group has already held two rounds of direct talks with the United States in recent months. Face-to-face talks with Washington had been a long-standing Taliban demand The latest meeting took place last month with newly appointed special envoy for Afghanistan's reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad leading the U.S. team.

Tuesday in Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani drew a distinction between the peace efforts the United States and Moscow are making.

"The efforts of ambassador Khalilzad are supportive. The distinction is that the U.S. always talked, but not negotiated. That principle has been reiterated and reaffirmed," Ghani explained when asked whether his government was satisfied with international peace efforts.

"The model of cooperation regionally is what happened in Uzbekistan, where the conference is jointly co-chaired and we move forward on that basis," the Afghan leader said while indirectly responding the upcoming Russian conference.

Neighboring Uzbekistan hosted with Afghanistan the international conference of 20 nations and international organizations in which Russia, Pakistan, the United States and Iran were among the participating nations. But the Taliban turned down an invitation to attend the meeting.

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AU Peacekeepers Accused of Killing 4 Somali Civilians

By Mohamed Olad Hassan November 06, 2018

Authorities in Somalia are investigating the deaths of four civilians reportedly killed by African Union troops Tuesday, after a roadside bomb targeted the peacekeepers' convoy.

The bombing occurred in Mogadishu's northern Huriwaa district, near Ex-Control Balad Junction, and damaged a water truck.

Witnesses tell VOA's Somali Service that afterward, AU troops looking for the perpetrators of the blast shot the civilians in a nearby auto repair shop. The victims included the drivers of public transportation vehicles and a dump truck.

Somali government officials confirmed the bombing of the convoy and the deaths that followed.

Witnesses and the relatives of the dead accused the AU troops of deliberately killing the civilians in retaliation for the attack. A spokesman for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said the mission was trying to verify the information, adding that he did not believe any civilians were deliberately killed.

More than 100 demonstrators protested at Ex Control Balad Junction, denouncing the killings and demanding justice from Somalia's government and from AMISOM.

Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for the roadside bomb and said the blast killed AU soldiers. Witnesses said they did not see any soldiers killed.

AMISOM has more than 22,000 soldiers and police, from six African countries, deployed in Somalia to protect the government there and fight the militants.

AMISOM has previously been accused of killing civilians, including an incident in which armored vehicles ran over civilians' cars.

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Activists: Bahrain Continues to Revoke Citizenship of Dissidents

By Fatiha Belfakir November 06, 2018

Human rights activists say the Bahrain government is continuing to target political opponents by using terrorism allegations to strip them of their citizenship.

"The Bahraini government has been using revocation of nationality, rendering many of its citizens stateless in the process, as a tool to crush all forms of opposition, dissent and activism," Sima Watling, Amnesty International's Bahrain researcher, told VOA.

"Arbitrarily depriving citizens of their nationality, rendering them stateless, is a violation of international law," she added.

Last week, a Bahraini court revoked the citizenships of 11 people charged with terrorism, according to local media reports.

The government has been revoking the citizenship of its people for several years as part of a state policy to crack down on alleged terrorists.

In May, a Bahraini court revoked the citizenship of 115 people during a mass terrorism trial, the highest number to lose their nationality at one time in the country.

Bahrain's public prosecutors said at the time that the 115 people were part of the Zulfiqar Brigades who were arrested in 2016 on charges of terrorism including building bombs, receiving weapons training and plotting to kill police officers in Bahrain. They were also accused of having ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Hundreds of cases

Watling said that since 2012, at least 741 cases of revocation of nationality have been recorded by her organization, including at least 252 in 2018.

Brian Dooley, a senior adviser at Washington-based Human Rights First, says the government might be deterring crimes with the measure, but the main goal is to crack down on those who are exposing corruption in the government.

"It is fake to say it is a counterterrorism measure," Dooley said. "It really is a way to intimidate and silence people who are drawing attention to some of the embarrassment of the government over corruption and human right abuses."

Individual cases

Syed Ahmed Alwadaei, the director of advocacy for the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, told VOA the Bahraini government revoked his citizenship in January 2015 over charges of disturbing the public security.

"I fled Bahrain after serving six months in prison, where I was subject to torture, and post my release I continued to suffer. I felt it was no longer safe to stay in Bahrain," Alwadaei said.

"Bahrain considers any criticism against the government or the exposure of the human rights situation as a threat to the state," he added.

Alwadaei has been granted asylum in Britain, where he now lives.

Jawad Fairooz, 57, a former Bahrain parliament member, also lives in London. He told VOA that authorities revoked his citizenship in 2012 when he was visiting his family in London.

"Up until now I don't know the reasons. Nobody [has given] me any reason why they revoked my citizenship," said Fairooz, chairman of London-based rights group Salam for Democracy and Human Rights.

"They [government] take away their pensions, they are not allowed to have health care, not allowed housing benefits, and their kids will be born stateless," he added.

The kingdom's ministry of foreign affairs did not respond to VOA's request for comment.

Terrorism laws

Since the Arab Spring, Bahrain has introduced laws that give courts sweeping powers to revoke the citizenship of anyone deemed a threat to the government.

"In July 2013, amendments were made to the 2006 anti-terrorism law giving courts powers to hand down rulings stripping defendants of their nationality when they are convicted with terrorism offenses," Watling said.

"On 24 July 2014, a new decree was issued amending the 1963 Citizenship Law, and was expanded to also include anyone whose acts contravene his duty of loyalty to the kingdom," she added.

Effective?

Analysts such as Christophe Paulussen, a senior researcher at the Hague-based Asser Institute, say stripping people of their citizenship is counterproductive.

"If that person has indeed been involved in crimes, then the victims are entitled to justice. However, if the country that had a jurisdictional link with that person disconnects that link, then you remove an important possibility to bring that person to justice," Paulussen said.

"Even if the former state is not endangered, that does not mean the security of other states is not jeopardized," Brian Dooley of Human Rights First said, agreeing with Paulussen's assessment.

"It is working in terms of intimidating people from criticizing the government. It is certainly not working in terms of preventing any terrorism," Dooley said.

Human rights

The majority of Bahrain's 1.4 million people is Shi'ite, but the Sunni Al Khalifa family has ruled the country since late 1700s.

The country's Shi'ite population has long complained about discrimination. Following the 2011 Arab Spring, they launched demonstrations and the kingdom promised reforms, but little has been done.

The United States has been critical of the kingdom's human rights record, but critics say the Trump administration's approval of a $3.8 billion weapons sale to Bahrain has emboldened the kingdom to disregard human rights concerns.

Iran's proxies

Iran is accused of instigating the Shi'ite majority against the government and in July, the U.S. State Department designated al-Ashtar Brigades, a Bahraini Shi'ite militant organization with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a specially designated global terrorist organization.

"Today's designation serves notice that the United States sees plainly what Iran is trying to do to Bahrain through its proxy, the terrorist group al-Ashtar," the department's counterterrorism coordinator Nathan A. Sales said in a statement at the time.

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Lukashenka Says No Need For Russian Military Base In Belarus, Praises U.S. Role In Europe

RFE/RL November 06, 2018

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said that the U.S. "military and political role" in Europe is crucial to regional security and emphasized that he does not want a Russian military base in his country.

Lukashenka, who frequently mixes praise and criticism of both the West and Belarus's giant eastern neighbor, Russia, was speaking to a group of U.S. experts and analysts in Minsk on November 6.

"The Belarusian armed forces are capable of providing security and performing their duties much better than any other country, including the Russian Federation," Lukashenka said.

"That is why today I see no need to invite some other countries, including Russia, to the territory of Belarus, to perform our duties. That is why we are absolutely against having foreign military bases, especially military air bases," he said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to station warplanes in Belarus in 2013, but they have not been deployed and the issue remains under discussion.

In January 2018, media reports in Russia and Belarus said that a Russian Air Force regiment that Moscow had planned to station in Belarus would instead be located in Russia's western exclave of Kaliningrad.

Lukashenka told his audience that Belarus was "a European country" that is interested in "a strong and united Europe," adding that Europe today is "a major pillar of our planet."

"God forbid somebody ruins it.... We are certain that regional security [in Europe] depends on the cohesion of the region's states and preservation of the United States' military and political role in the European arena," Lukashenka said.

"Belarus is eager to build an equal dialogue with all sides via reinstating normal ties with the United States, supporting good neighborly ties with the European Union, and widening partnership with NATO," he said. "We support more openness and development of mutual understanding in order to strengthen regional security."

An authoritarian leader who has ruled Belarus since 1994, Lukashenka has sought to strike a balance between Russia, which he depicts as both an ally and a threat, and the EU and NATO to the west. He has stepped up his emphasis on Belarusian sovereignty and expressions of concern about Moscow's intentions since Russia seized Crimea and backed armed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The EU eased sanctions against Belarus in 2016 after the release of several people considered political prisoners, but has criticized Lukashenka's government for a violent clampdown on demonstrators protesting an unemployment tax in March 2017.

Belarus and Russia are joined in a union state that exists mainly on paper, and their militaries have close ties -- though Lukashenka has resisted Russian efforts to beef up its military presence in Belarus, which lies between Russia and the NATO states.

The countries have held joint military exercises including the major Zapad-2017 (West-2017) war games.

Belarus is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EES) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, regional groupings observers say Russian President Vladimir Putin uses to seek to bolster Moscow's influence in the former Soviet Union and counter the EU and NATO.

With reporting by BelTA and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-says-no -need-for-russian-military-base-in-belarus-praises -u-s-role-in-europe/29585291.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Analysis by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found impact of drug-resistant infections had increased since 2007.

Specialists estimate that around 70 percent of bacteria that can cause infection are already resistant to at least one antibiotic that is commonly used to treat them. (Photo: AFP)

London: Superbug infections resistant to multiple antibiotics kill around 33,000 people a year in Europe, health experts said on Monday, and the burden of these diseases is comparable to that of flu, tuberculosis and HIV combined.

An analysis by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found the impact of drug-resistant infections had increased since 2007, with concerning rises in cases of bugs resistant to even the most powerful, last-resort antibiotics - including a class of drugs known as carbapenems.

This ... is worrying because these antibiotics are the last treatment options available, the ECDC said in a statement. When these are no longer effective, it is extremely difficult or, in many cases, impossible to treat infections.

Specialists estimate that around 70 percent of bacteria that can cause infection are already resistant to at least one antibiotic that is commonly used to treat them.

This has made the evolution of superbugs that can evade one or multiple drugs one of the biggest threats facing medicine today.

The ECDC study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, focussed on five types of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the European Union and in the European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

It found that around 75 percent of the burden of superbug disease is due to infections contracted in hospitals and health clinics - known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Strategies to prevent and control antibiotic-resistant bacteria require coordination at EU/EEA and global level, it said. It added that due to variations in the numbers of cases and the types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing infection in different countries, prevention and control measures need to be tailored to national situations.Pompeo to Meet with Top N. Korean Thursday in New York

By VOA News November 06, 2018

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with a senior North Korean official Thursday in New York City.

The State Department issued a statement Monday saying Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol, a senior advisor to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, will discuss "making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea.

Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump signed an agreement at their landmark summit in June to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, but the two sides have been at odds over the pace of Pyongyang's efforts to end its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea warned last week that it will consider reviving its nuclear weapons program if the United States fails to lift its crippling economic sanctions against the regime. It is also seeking a peace treaty with the United States and South Korea that will formally end the 1950-53 Korean War that split the communist North from the democratic South.

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Russia, Iran discuss situation around Iran deal in light of new US sanctions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, Nov 6, IRNA -- The situation around the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal in the light of the United States' new sanctions against Teheran was in focus of a meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

'The sides exchanged views on a range of topical issues of the international agenda, including the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program in the light of Washington's new package of anti-Iranian sanctions,' the ministry said.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the deal on Iran's nuclear program, was signed by Iran and six international mediators (the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, and France) on July 14, 2015. On January 16, 2016, the parties to the deal announced beginning of its implementation. Under the deal, Iran undertakes to curb its nuclear activities and place them under total control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange for lifting of sanctions imposed previously by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the United States over its nuclear program.

In May 2018, US President Donald Trump announced Washington's decision to withdraw from the deal, saying it leaves Iran a possibility to create a nuclear bomb bypassing all the restrictions. He warned the United States would reinstate its old anti-Iranian sanctions and would imposed new ones. The first round of sanctions covering Iran's automotive sector and trade in gold and metals was re-imposed in early August. Further sanctions went into effect as of November 5 in a bid to reduce Iran's oil revenues to zero.

8072**1396

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Iran engineers overhaul F-14 fighter jet

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 6, IRNA -- An F-14 Tomcat fighter jet has been overhauled by the Iranian engineers in the Esfahan-based Shahid Babaei Air Base in central Iran.

Over 35,000 man-hours was spent by engineers and technicians from 15 fields of expertise collaborated to take the grounded aircraft back to service, according to the press release published on the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) website.

The fighter successfully passed the final tests and returned to Iran army's air fleet on Tuesday morning.

Before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, only American engineers were authorized to carry out the maintenance operations of the F-14 fighter planes, which is now fully implemented by Iranian engineers.

9462**2044

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Russia, Germany slam US re-imposition of sanctions on Iran

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 04:24PM

Russia and Germany have slammed the United States' move to reinstate sanctions against Iran's vital oil exports, shipping and banking, saying Moscow and Berlin would continue trade with Tehran.

In Moscow's first official reaction since the restoration of Washington's bans on Tehran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the US sanctions are "not legitimate."

Russia, itself a target of separate US sanctions, expected there would be ways to pursue economic cooperation with Iran despite the US sanctions, he added.

Speaking in Madrid after a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Josep Borrell, the Russian foreign minister said Washington had used "unacceptable methods" to exert pressure on operators of the Belgian-based SWIFT global payment network to cut off Iranian banks.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia and its European partners were looking for ways to maintain economic ties with Iran. However, he did not give more details.

The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Monday the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran. The bans had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The re-imposition of the second set of sanctions came after Trump in May pulled the US out from the agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.

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.

Meanwhile, Russian news agencies on Tuesday quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that Russia's President Vladimir Putin discussed sanctions imposed by the US on Iran with his security council.

Peskov said that sanctions were "illegitimate."

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation "resolutely" condemned a recent "destructive" move by the United States to impose a new wave of sanctions on Iran, urging Washington to immediately review its policy of sanctions pressure against Tehran.

"If Washington, as it claims, is indeed interested in negotiations with Tehran, the policy of sanctions pressure aimed at diminishing Iran's economic and defense potential as well as undermining the internal political situation there must be revised immediately," the ministry said.

Germany will continue trade with Iran despite US sanctions: FM

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also on Tuesday criticized the re-imposition of the US sanctions on Iran, saying his country considered it to be a "wrong" move.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland in Berlin, Maas added that precautions were being taken "to ensure that business can continue with Iran."

He warned that economic destabilization of Iran would endanger European countries' security interests.

Despite Washington's withdrawal, Iran has not left the deal yet, but stressed that the remaining signatories to the agreement have to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to remain in it.

The other parties to the JCPOA have repeatedly announced that the deal is working and should stay in place.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif lashed out at the United States for imposing "illegal and draconian" sanctions on Tehran, saying Washington would once again regret its "unwise measures."

"The US administration appears to believe that imposing illegal, draconian sanctions on Iran will bring about such pain to our nation that it will force us to submit to its will no matter how absurd, unlawful or fundamentally flawed its demands are," Zarif said in an online video message.

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US will regret unwise moves against Iran: FM Zarif

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 02:15PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has lashed out at the United States for imposing "illegal and draconian" sanctions on Tehran, saying Washington would once again regret its "unwise measures."

"The US administration appears to believe that imposing illegal, draconian sanctions on Iran will bring about such pain to our nation that it will force us to submit to its will no matter how absurd, unlawful or fundamentally flawed its demands are," Zarif said in an online video message on Tuesday.

He added that fresh US sanctions against Iran were an "indiscriminate assault" and said the Islamic Republic has weathered "difficult times" in the face of 40 years of American hostility by relying solely on its own resources.

"Today, we and our partners across the globe will ensure that our people are least affected by this indiscriminate assault in the economic warfare that directly targets the Iranian people," the top Iranian diplomat added.

The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Monday the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's oil exports, shipping and banking. The bans had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The re-imposition of the second set of sanctions came after Trump in May pulled the US out from the agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.

After leaving the deal, the US administration vowed to bring Iranian oil sales to "zero."

It has, however, agreed to grant waivers to Turkey and seven other countries -- China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing Iranian oil without facing diplomatic consequences.

Elsewhere in his video message, Zarif pointed to gradual change of policies and attitude by previous US administrations towards the Iranian nation and said, "I am confident that Mr. Trump's administration will also reach to a conclusion that such policies will have no impact on determination of the great Iranian nation and the Americans will be obliged to change their policy."

He emphasized that the world stands against the US administration and no country except for some few states in the Middle East and the Israeli regime would abide by Washington.

The foreign minister added that the hostile US measures were aimed at separating the "Iranian people from each other and from the establishment."

He expressed confidence that "bad days" are awaiting the US administration which mostly tries to "cover atrocities of the Saudi regime and the Israeli regime instead of pursuing a policy in line with the US national interests."

Zarif said Washington would be better off rethinking its "longstanding and unconditional support" for Saudi Arabia and Israel, which has "blinded the US to their appalling atrocities."

He added that instead of relying on its "discredited addiction to unilateralism and sanctions, the US is better off addressing the catastrophes and crises it has engineered in our region."

In an exclusive interview over the weekend with USA TODAY, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran would be open to talks with the United States about a new nuclear agreement if Washington changes its "approach" to discussing the 2015 nuclear deal.

He added that Iran would weigh fresh diplomacy if there were "foundations for a fruitful dialogue" on the Iran nuclear reduction deal, stressing, "Mutual trust is not a requirement to start negotiations  mutual respect is a requirement."

In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo said the United Nations must hold the United States to account for its "illegal" move to reinstate sanctions on Tehran.

"The United Nations and its member states, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the international law, should resist against these wrongful acts and hold the United States accountable for such acts," Khoshroo said in his letter.

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President Erdogan: Turkey will not abide by US sanctions on Iran

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 10:00AM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed the US for rolling back sanctions on Iran, saying Ankara will not abide by the restrictive measures against its neighbor.

In comments to reporters on Tuesday, Erdogan said his country finds the American sanctions against Iran wrong, adding that the bans are merely aimed at unbalancing the world.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Washington against anti-Iran sanctions and said its attempt to isolate Tehran is "dangerous" and unwise.

The administration of US President Donald Trump on Monday reimposed a second set of sanctions with an aim to isolate Iran's banking and shipping sectors and slash its oil exports.

Those bans had been lifted under a 2015 multinational nuclear deal with Iran, which the US exited in May.

After leaving the deal, the US administration vowed to bring Iranian oil sales to "zero."

It has, however, agreed to grant waivers to Turkey and seven other countries -- China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing Iranian oil without facing diplomatic consequences.

"While we were asking (for) an exemption from the United States, we have also been very frank with them that cornering Iran is not wise. Isolating Iran is dangerous," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press conference in Japan on Tuesday.

Cavusoglu said the fact that the US is punishing the Iranian people by the sanctions is not "fair."

The top Turkish diplomat further called for dialog and engagement with Iran, saying sanctions would lead nowhere.

"Turkey is against sanctions, we don't believe any results can be achieved through the sanctions," Cavusoglu said.

Washington's latest sanctions  which have drawn global criticism -- are the second of their kind since its exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). A first round of bans was reinstated in August.

Currently, Iran and its other partners in the JCPOA are working to keep the deal alive. The Europeans are also devising financial mechanisms aimed at offsetting the negative impacts of the returning US sanctions.

Besides Tehran, Ankara has been hit by a wave of economic sanctions and tariffs amid a series of disagreements between the two NATO allies.

Iran and Turkey have already agreed to promote their business ties in a bid to counter the effect of unilateral sanctions imposed by Washington on both neighbors.

Last month, Erdogan censured US sanctions against Iran as unjust. He said the US had taken the wrong path by threatening and using blackmail instead of dialog, and that it was impossible for any country to trust Washington.

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Iran's Army Air Force, IRGC successfully drill missile strikes

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 09:55AM

Iran's Army Air Force and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have successfully launched missile strikes against mock enemy targets on the second day of major joint maneuvers.

Tuesday marked the second and final day of the exercises, dubbed Defenders of Velayat Skies 2018 drills, which involve the Army's Air Force and the Aerospace Division of the IRGC.

The joint forces conducted the strikes using medium-range surface-to-air Shalamcheh missiles and the Tabas medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system.

The strikes hit the designated targets, according to Iranian media outlets.

General Seyyed Mahmoud Moussavi, the spokesperson for the exercises, said, "The manufacturing and deployment of this equipment with advanced technologies shows that we are not faced with any bottlenecks [on the path of enhancing the country's defensive strength]."

"We can meet all our needs relying on domestic capabilities," he added.

The drills began on Monday in an area measuring 500,000 square kilometers across Iran.

The first phase of the drills saw the joint forces taking positions and rapidly spreading around the country, while detecting, identifying, intercepting, and destroying threats and engaging in electronic warfare against mock targets.

The maneuvers came only a day after the United States imposed new sanctions on Iran.

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What's So Tough About The 'Toughest Ever' U.S. Sanctions On Iran?

Frud Bezhan November 06, 2018

President Donald Trump labeled new U.S. sanctions on Iran as the "toughest ever," saying the punitive measures would force Tehran to end its "malign" behavior.

Analysts say the new measures that came into effect on November 5 are indeed the strongest sanctions regime imposed by Washington against Iran. But they also note that the sanctions lack the broad international backing that gave previous measures strength.

The new sanctions come months after Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers that was intended to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for relief from nuclear-related sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, as well as the termination of UN nuclear-related resolutions against Iran.

Trump said at the time that he would reinstate the sanctions that had been lifted as part of the deal, which he described as the "worst ever."

So what makes the new measures, which heavily target oil exports and which Iranian President Hassan Rohani has called "a new injustice," tougher than before?

Sanctions Strengthened

"The United States has not only reinstated all sanctions that were lifted as part of the 2015 nuclear deal, but it has also blacklisted about 300 new Iranian individuals and entities," says Ahmad Majidyar, the director of the Iran Observed Project at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

The U.S. Treasury Department on November 5 imposed sanctions on Iran's crucial oil, banking, and transportation sectors. The sanctions cover 50 Iranian banks and subsidiaries, more than 200 persons and vessels in its shipping sector, and targets Tehran's national airline, Iran Air, and more than 65 of its aircraft.

These measures are on top of existing U.S. sanctions linked to Iran's human rights record, alleged support for terrorism, and its ballistic-missile program that were maintained even under the nuclear deal.

Scott Lucas, an Iran specialist at Birmingham University in Britain and editor of the EA World View website, says the new U.S. penalties mark a shift from "targeted sanctions to sweeping general sanctions."

Lucas says, for example, that the declared aim of sanctions on Iran's crucial oil exports is to completely cut off this revenue source, not just limit it. Washington has given waivers to eight countries to purchase Iranian oil but they expire in March 2019.

"Instead of targeting Iranian companies or individuals, these new U.S. sanctions are aiming to choke off the regime entirely," says Lucas.

'Lack Of International Support'

The U.S. sanctions regime prior to the nuclear deal in 2015 was backed by measures by the UN Security Council and the European Union. But the latest U.S. measures are unilateral.

"The Trump administration may still find it difficult to enforce the stringent sanctions to its fullest potential because of a lack of international support to economically isolate Iran," says Majidyar.

While major international companies and banks will no longer risk doing business with Iran, says Majidyar, smaller and mid-size companies in Europe and Asia are expected to maintain some level of trade with Tehran, with some support from their respective governments.

Other analysts say that even unilateral U.S. sanctions will be extremely powerful and severely affect Iran's access to trading relationships, finance, and foreign investment.

"Many international companies have already voted with their checkbooks, and there's little question that Iran's economy will come under growing duress in the months ahead," says Naysan Rafati, an Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group.

Dozens of Western companies have pulled out of Iran in recent months out of a fear of huge U.S. fines.

'Destroying The Regime'

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on November 5 that the intention of U.S. sanctions was not only to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions but to "fundamentally change" Tehran's "destabilizing behavior."

Washington says the terms of the 2015 nuclear accord were not strict enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It also accuses Tehran of proliferating ballistic missiles and supporting armed groups in the region that the United States considers terrorist organizations.

But analysts suggest that the new U.S. sanctions are not intended to limit Tehran's nuclear program, but to destroy the clerical establishment.

"The reinstatement of U.S. sanctions isn't so much about the details of the sanctions with the intent of changing the regime's behavior," says Steve Hanke, an economist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "It's all about taking out and destroying the regime. The U.S. sanctions are now all about total war."

'Greater Shock Than Before'

Analysts say Iran stands to be hurt more by the latest U.S. sanctions than by previous measures, in large part because of the effectiveness of the latter.

Lucas says Iran's economy was "already battered" by previous rounds of sanctions. "It's a weakened economy that going to have to take a greater shock than before."

And Majidyar notes that the latest U.S. penalties -- which completely return the sanctions dropped in the 2015 deal, after a first round targeting financial transactions, aircraft, and heavy metals was reimposed in August -- may not be the last.

He says the U.S. Department of State may next designate Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The U.S. Congress is expected to introduce additional sanctions on Iran and its regional allies, and the Trump administration could try to work with its allies to impose human rights-related sanctions on Tehran as well, he says.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-toughest-ever-u-s- sanctions-explainer/29585958.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Advocates of Isolating Iran Say Trump's Sanctions to Get Tougher

By Michael Lipin, Farhad Pouladi November 06, 2018

U.S. foreign policy hawks who backed the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions on Iran's energy and banking sectors say there are several ways in which U.S. sanctions may get even tougher.

U.S. officials sanctioned Iran's energy and banking sectors Monday, completing a process of reimposing U.S. sanctions that were lifted under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with the Barack Obama administration and five other world powers. Speaking to U.S. TV network Fox Business the same day, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said more sanctions were coming.

"We're not simply going to be content with the level of sanctions that existed under Obama in 2015," Bolton said.

The Trump administration has said it is using sanctions to try to pressure Iran into negotiating a new deal that would permanently end what the U.S. sees as Iranian nuclear weapons ambitions and other malign activities. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

In a Tuesday interview with VOA Persian in Washington, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz said he believes the next rounds of U.S. sanctions will target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its dominant role in the Iranian economy.

"They are going to go after companies that are traded on the Tehran stock exchange and controlled by the IRGC or the armed forces," he said. "They also are going to go after the corporate conglomerates of Iran's Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]." Dubowitz is an adviser to the Trump administration on Iran issues.

Two possible targets

U.S. officials have yet to provide details on future Iran sanctions. But Dubowitz highlighted two potential targets of such sanctions:

Iran's Mostazavan Foundation and Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, both directly supervised by Khamenei. FDD has said the two foundations have a financial interest in nearly every Iranian industry and are worth approximately $200 billion.

"These are the kinds of foundations that I would like to see designated [for sanctions] because of their corruption and because the money is being used to enrich the supreme leader, the Revolutionary Guards and those responsible for the repression of the Iranian people," Dubowitz said. "So I think the [next] sanctions will get broader, deeper and even more targeted with respect to the supreme leader, the IRGC and their vast system of domestic repression."

Another supporter of tough Iran sanctions, U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), says it sees an imminent end to temporary U.S. waivers granted to eight governments to keep buying Iranian oil without facing U.S. penalties.

In a Monday briefing in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo identified the eight as China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.

"Each of those countries has already demonstrated significant reductions of the purchase of Iranian crude over the past six months," Pompeo said. "We continue negotiations to get all of the nations to zero."

In a Monday statement, UANI said it was "encouraged that these waivers will only be temporary and one-time." UANI is led by Iran policy experts and former U.S. government officials. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, Washington can spare international governments from sanctions for 180 days if they make a "significant reduction" to their purchases of Iranian oil. Pompeo did not indicate in his briefing if any of the eight governments that he named would get an extension of the six-month grace period.

SWIFT action sought

UANI also has urged the Trump administration to pressure the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) to "sever ties with Iranian banks and financial institutions."

The Belgium-based messaging system that connects more than 11,000 financial institutions around the world said Monday that it would suspend "certain Iranian banks" in the interest of the "stability and integrity of the wider global financial system."

Its announcement coincided with the Trump administration's sanctioning of 50 Iranian banks and their foreign and domestic subsidiaries.

Speaking to reporters last Friday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said SWIFT could face U.S. sanctions if it did not disconnect any Iranian financial institution designated by the U.S. "as soon as technologically feasible."

SWIFT did not specify whether it disconnected only some or all of the Iranian banks sanctioned by Washington. U.S. advocates for tough Iran sanctions have said all U.S.-designated banks must be disconnected from SWIFT in order for the sanctions policy to be effective.

In his Friday remarks, Mnuchin said Washington would allow some Iranian financial institutions to use SWIFT for humanitarian transactions. But he said international banks must be "very careful" that such transactions are not disguised for other purposes. UANI has called on the Trump administration to clarify its policy toward Iranian banks that facilitate both humanitarian trade and illicit activities.

Lifting waivers

Iran foreign policy hawks also are calling on the Trump administration to speedily lift temporary waivers granted to foreign companies to continue work on civilian nuclear projects at Iran's Arak, Bushehr and Fordow facilities. In Pompeo's Monday briefing, he said allowing these activities to continue for the time being without sanctioning them "will improve ongoing oversight of Iran's civil nuclear program and make these facilities less susceptible to illicit and illegal nuclear uses." That oversight is a part of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Washington Examiner executive editor Philip Klein, writing in a Monday op-ed, criticized the Trump administration's waivers for Iran's civil nuclear projects, saying they "merely perpetuate the global connection to Iran's nuclear program, thus keeping it more entrenched."

Klein urged Iran policy experts and U.S. lawmakers to use the coming weeks and months to demand that the Trump administration "follow through with full sanctions and kill the Iran deal once and for all."

This article originated in VOA's Persian service.

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Over 200 mass graves of Daesh victims found in Iraq, UN report says

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 03:24PM

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) says more than 200 mass graves, containing the remains of thousands of people, have been discovered in territories previously controlled by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Iraq.

"The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN Human Rights Office have documented the existence of 202 mass grave sites in the provinces of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar in the northern and western parts of the country," the OHCHR said in a report published on Tuesday.

The UN body further noted that there are maybe more mass graves, and it is difficult to determine the total number of people in the mass graves.

"The smallest site in west Mosul contained eight bodies, while the biggest is believed to be the Khasfa sinkhole in south of Mosul which may contain thousands," the report pointed out.

"Evidence gathered from these sites will be centralized to ensure credible investigations, prosecution and convictions in accordance with international due process standards.

"Meaningful truth and justice requires the appropriate preservation, excavation and exhumation of mass grave sites and the identification of the remains of the many victims and their return to the families," the OHCHR highlighted.

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Jan Kubis said, "The mass grave sites documented in our report are a testament to harrowing human loss, profound suffering and shocking cruelty.

"Determining the circumstances surrounding the significant loss of life will be an important step in the mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice," he said.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said "Daesh horrific crimes in Iraq have left the headlines but the trauma of the victims' families endures, with thousands of women, men and children still unaccounted for."

She added, "These graves contain the remains of those mercilessly killed for not conforming to Daesh's twisted ideology and rule, including ethnic and religious minorities."

"Their families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones. Truth, justice and reparations are critical to ensuring a full reckoning for the atrocities committed by Daesh," Bachelet noted.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the end of military operations against Daesh in the Arab country on December 9, 2017.

On July 10 that year, he formally declared victory over Daesh in Mosul, which served as the terrorists' main urban stronghold in the conflict-ridden Arab country.

In the run-up to Mosul's liberation, Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters had made sweeping gains against Daesh.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January 2017 after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19 last year.

Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks.

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1 People needlessly spend money on sweets and dry fruits to distribute as Diwali gifts, why not gift books to spread the light of knowledge.

Diyas, rangolis and paper lanterns look to replace noisy, toxic fireworks this Diwali, to prove that the festival of lights even without crackers can be just as enlightening.

Celebrations have begun for the most-awaited festival in India, Diwali. This year, a special emphasis is being placed on keeping the festival as eco-friendly and pollution-free as possible. The Supreme Court of India has issued guidelines to authorise the sale of only green and eco-friendly crackers and a time frame within which they can be burnt.

Not just the authorities, even at an individual level one can do a lot to make a difference and celebrate an eco-conscious Diwali. The speed at which we are polluting the environment is alarming and also hazardous for humans as well as animals. Nitin Malik, the lead vocalist of rock band Parikrama, strongly feels that there should be a blanket ban on crackers that give out toxic emissions and make noise.

Prem Dewan

He says, Every year my dog shivers and refuses to come out during Diwali because of the loud crackers. I feel no one should be allowed to burst crackers with loud decibel levels because it can lead to anxiety and cause heart problems in not just humans but also animals. A lot of animals and birds have very sensitive hearing, so imagine if we get scared by the noise how bad it must be for them. I stopped bursting crackers since 2001, when I learned that it causes so much pollution. Diwali is a festival of lights and even from a mythological point of view, it was celebrated by lighting lamps and diyas to welcome Lord Rama. The commercial aspect of crackers and fireworks came in much later and has no mention in the holy texts.

Mumbai-based socialite and entrepreneur, Dimple Nahar plans to organise a programme and invite a guru and motivational speaker to share the message of positivity. She says, We will use earthen diyas and handmade paper torans to decorate. Instead of oil, we will use ghee lamps made of clay and distribute healthy prasad. One can use coconut shells as diyas, use cinnamon sticks to decorate candles; it will not only give a rustic look but will also leave a delightful smell in the vicinity. Avoid using chemical rangoli colours, and opt for colourful painted rice or leaves, or spice powders that are easily available at home. We can also avoid bursting crackers and urge everyone to spend the evening with live bands or listen to kirtans and create spiritual awareness.

Stop giving gifts

In cities like Delhi, where gifting is an integral part of festivals, Mandeep Nagi, designer and founder of of a gifting brand, wants to completely ditch gifts this year as she finds it a nuisance due to the traffic and air pollution. She says, This Diwali, I have decided to not go anywhere to distribute gifts. I feel Indians waste a lot of fuel by visiting friends and family, and I will not do that this year as part of my eco-friendly contribution. Even the sweet boxes, no one likes to keep them!

People needlessly spend money on sweets and dry fruits to distribute as Diwali gifts. Instead, why not gift books to spread the light of knowledge.

Delhi-based publisher, Ajay Mago of Om Books International, says that Indians should surely opt for eco-friendly ways to celebrate the occasion. He asks, Do we really need a Supreme Court ruling to understand how celebrating Diwali as an irresponsible citizen could impact people across age groups in cities that enjoy the dubious distinction of being amongst the most polluted in the world? Diwali is essentially a festival of lights, so my personal favourites are the traditional clay diyas with wicks dipped in ghee/oil, candles of various sizes and shapes neatly lined up on boundary walls, railings, just about everywhere, making the entire city, country sparkle like a jewel. One can add to that strings of fresh marigolds and other flowers. And gifts only for my friends and family.

Fun without crackers

There is a lot of talk about the bursting of crackers and the pollution that people contribute to in the name of celebration. If you are planning on throwing an eco-friendly party, Prem Dewan, head of a luxury brand, shares some ideas. He says, I just attended a Diwali party which was eco-friendly with no compromise on having fun. The host organised a diya painting contest for the little ones. These diyas were further used to decorate the home with few flowers around it instead of electric lights. The food was served on banana leaves instead of thermocol plates and in earthen mugs instead of plastic cups. Instead of bursting crackers that add harmful toxic elements to the air, we launched paper lanterns in the sky and the effect was surreal.ISIL's 'legacy of terror' in Iraq: UN verifies over 200 mass graves

6 November 2018 - Investigators have uncovered more than 200 mass graves containing thousands of bodies in areas of Iraq formerly controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), according to a United Nations human rights report out on Tuesday.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said the 202 mass grave sites were found in governorates of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar in the north and western parts of the country  but there may be many more.

In the joint report, Unearthing Atrocities, the UN entities said the evidence gathered from the sites "will be central to ensuring credible investigations, prosecutions and convictions" in accordance with international due process standards.

Jan Kubis, the top UN official in Iraq and the head of UNAMI, said that the mass grave sites "are a testament to harrowing human loss, profound suffering and shocking cruelty."

"Determining the circumstances surrounding the significant loss of life will be an important step in the mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice," he added.

Between June 2014 and December 2017, ISIL seized large areas of Iraq, leading a campaign of widespread and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, "acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible genocide," the report states.

Traumatized families have the 'right to know'

The UNAMI-OHCHR report also documents the "significant challenges" families of the missing face in trying to find the fate of their loved ones.

At present, they must report to more than five separate authorities, a process that is both time-consuming and frustrating for traumatized families.

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, underscored that the families "have the right to know."

"ISIL's horrific crimes in Iraq have left the headlines but the trauma of the victims' families endures, with thousands of women, men and children still unaccounted for," she said.

"Their families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones. Truth, justice and reparations are critical to ensuring a full reckoning for the atrocities committed by ISIL."

Victim-centred approach needed

Among its recommendations, the report calls for a victim-centred approach and a transitional justice process that is established in consultation with, and accepted by, Iraqis, particularly those from affected communities.

It also urges a multidisciplinary approach to the recovery operations, with the participation of experienced specialists, including weapons contamination and explosives experts and crime scene investigators.

Alongside, it also calls on the international community to provide resources and technical support to efforts related to the exhumation, collection, transportation, storage and return of human remains to families, as well as their identification, particularly by helping strengthen the national Mass Graves Directorate.

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UN Myanmar Expert Urges Bangladesh to Halt Rohingya Repatriation Plan

By VOA News November 06, 2018

A United Nations' expert on Myanmar urged Bangladesh on Tuesday to "shelve plans" to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees to Myanmar's Rakhine state this month to avoid persecution.

Nearly three-quarters of a million of Myanmar's Rohingya fled Rakhine state in August 2017 after a military crackdown. Amid refugee and journalist accounts of widespread killings and rape and the torching of villages, the Rohingya settled in crowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh.

The two countries agreed on Oct. 30 to begin returning Rohingya refugees to Rakhine state by mid-November, but U.N. rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, said the time is not right for their return.

"The Myanmar government has failed to provide guarantees they would not suffer the same persecution and horrific violence over again," Lee said in a statement. Lee added that the underlying causes of the crisis must first be addressed, including the right of citizenship.

Lee's warning followed a Facebook admission Monday that the social media network played a role in the genocide against the Rohingya people.

Last August, U.N. investigators accused Facebook of being "slow and ineffective" in tackling how it was being used to spread hatred among the country's Buddhist population against the minority Muslim Rohingya. In doing so, it "contributed to the commission of atrocity crimes," investigators said.

The report concludes Facebook was not doing enough to help prevent the platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence, according to Product Policy Manager Alex Warofka, who wrote on the company's blog.

The report recommends Facebook create a rigorously enforced human-rights policy while clamping down on hate speech, as well as working to improve digital literacy, and the accuracy of the company's content in Myanmar.

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Saudis tampered with consulate's CCTV security cameras after Khashoggi killing: Report

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 03:51PM

Staff at Saudi Arabia's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul tried to dismantle closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) of the premises in an attempt to help cover up the gruesome murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the diplomatic mission last month, a report says.

According to a report published by Turkey's pro-government Sabah newspaper on Tuesday, the staff tried to rip out the camera inside the diplomatic mission in Istanbul on October 2, the day Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate.

It added that Saudis also had tried to tamper with cameras at the police security booth outside the building.

Khashoggi, 59, an outspoken critic of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city to complete some paperwork for his forthcoming marriage.

However, as diplomatic pressure grew tremendously on Riyadh to give an account on the mysterious fate of its national, in an unexpected statement last month, Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb admitted that Khashoggi had been killed in a "premeditated" attack in the consulate.

Saudi authorities have so far said that they do not know the whereabouts of the journo's body, which is widely believed to be dismembered or dissolved in acid, or both.

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Irfan Fidan said last week that the ill-fated journalist had been strangled upon his arrival in the consulate, and then his body was dismembered and destroyed.

The remarks bolstered Turkish investigators' line of thought that the remains could have been disposed of at the nearby consul general's house, dissolved in acid or dumped in a well on the property.

The gruesome crime has already caused an international uproar against Saudi Arabia, prompted a number of member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday to grill Saudi delegation, led by Bandar al-Aiban, head of the Human Rights Commission of the Arab kingdom, over the murder.

Separately on Monday, Sabah published a report, saying that Saudis had sent a two-man "clean-up" team to Istanbul to remove any evidence of Khashoggi killing.

It identified the men as chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani, tasked with erasing evidence before Turkish investigators were given access to the Saudi consulate and consul's residence.

Later on Monday, a Turkish senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report in a brief interview with Reuters.

Turkey to share more evidence with public

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated that it was "obvious" that the so-called hit squad had been sent to Istanbul to murder Khashoggi.

Turkish authorities believe that a 15-person "hit squad" was sent from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul to kill the journo.

"We have to find out who gave these instructions. This is the simple question that we have put to the Saudis as well. We made it very public. It's an ongoing investigation," Cavusoglu said, adding, ""Saudis proposed to have a joint working group and we accepted that but this working group should be a result-oriented one."

He went on to say that Ankara had further evidence about the journo's killing that it had yet to share with the public, adding that those details of the case would continue to be reported to the public until the probe was complete.

Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the order to slay Khashoggi had been issued from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government, while he stressed that he did "not believe for a second" that Saudi King Salman had ordered such a gruesome crime.

Turkish media have pointed the finger at the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with analysts saying that the Turkish government is keen to have the ambitious heir sidelined from the nexus of power in the Arab kingdom.

However, the Turkish president has yet to directly accuse the young crown prince, who has already condemned the murder as "a repulsive incident."

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MbS launches nuclear plant project amid Khashoggi drama

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 08:56AM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has laid the foundation stone for the kingdom's first nuclear research reactor as calls grow in the US for a halt to nuclear talks with the Riyadh regime, which has been rattled by a scandal over the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the project had been launched during bin Salman's visit to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh on Monday.

The reactor was among seven projects launched by the prince during the visit, said the report.

It did not provide details on when the reactor  which is said to serve research and development purposes  would be constructed

Bin Salman, also known as MbS, has been pushing for an atomic deal with the United States that could pave the way for the Saudi regime to enrich uranium, prompting speculation that the regime might be planning to develop nuclear weapons in the long run.

Before the outbreak of the Khashoggi scandal, US President Donald Trump had already drew criticism at home over plans to secure a nuclear deal with Riyadh at the cost of a domestic law that bans recipients of nuclear technology from enriching uranium and reprocessing plutonium, which could be used to produce fuel for nuclear weapons.

Bin Salman, during his visit earlier this year to the US, even spoke of producing nuclear weapons. He told US media that Riyadh would be quick to build nuclear bombs if Iran does so.

The civilian nature of Iran's nuclear program has on multiple occasions been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In recent weeks, a fresh controversy has been raised surrounding the US-Saudi nuclear talks as Riyadh's rulers stand accused of murdering Khashoggi upon his entry into the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in early October.

Turkish investigations have so far found that people from bin Salman's inner circle were part of a team of 15 Saudi operatives that perpetrated the crime.

Riyadh has admitted that Khashoggi was murdered inside its diplomatic mission, but sought to shield its powerful crown prince from the widening crisis, claiming bin Salman had not been aware of the scheme.

There have been calls inside the US and elsewhere in the world for sanctions against the Saudi regime over the case.

Late last month, a group of American senators asked Trump to suspend the nuclear negotiations amid the scandal.

"The ongoing revelations about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as certain Saudi actions related to Yemen and Lebanon, have raised further serious concerns about the transparency, accountability, and judgment of current decision makers in Saudi Arabia," the senators wrote in a letter to the US president.

"We therefore request that you suspend any related negotiations for a US-Saudi civil nuclear agreement for the foreseeable future," they added.

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Saudis Launch Nuclear Research Reactor Amid Competition With Iran

RFE/RL November 06, 2018

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman has launched the kingdom's first nuclear research reactor as part of a plan to diversify the kingdom's energy mix and acquire nuclear capabilities, state media reported.

The reactor launched on November 5 is among 16 that Saudi officials, citing archrival Iran's continued development of nuclear energy, have said they plan to build over the next two decades at a cost of $80 billion.

While Riyadh insists its goal is to diversify away from oil and gas, the main drivers of the kingdom's economy, the nuclear plans have raised concerns in the West about the possibility of a nuclear race between the two Middle Eastern rivals.

Like Iran, Riyadh insists its only goal is the development of peaceful nuclear technologies. But Prince Muhammad warned in March that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will do so as well.

Since that time, the United States has pulled out of Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, while Iran has said it will continue to honor the accord as long as it continues to reap economic benefits from the lifting of international sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities under the deal.

But top Iranian officials also have threatened to quit the agreement if U.S. sanctions on Iran's economy, which went fully into effect on November 5, squelch the benefit of its trade with the rest of the world.

Riyadh expressed deep reservations about the Iranian nuclear deal and applauded U.S. President Donald Trump's move to abandon it and reimpose sanctions on Iran.

The U.S. sanctions are aimed at forcing Iran to renegotiate the nuclear deal and curb its involvement in the wars in Syria and Yemen, where Tehran and Riyadh support opposing sides in the conflict.

The Saudi reactor project launched on November 5 was among seven projects officially started by the crown prince during a visit to Riyadh's King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

The government has provided few details about the research reactor, which is typically used for research, development, or education purposes rather than to produce electrical power.

Saudi Arabia currently draws on its abundant oil and natural-gas resources to meet its fast-growing demand for power and to desalinate its water.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/saudi-arabia-prince -muhammad-bin-salman-launch-first-nuclear-research-reactor- citing-competition-with-iran/29584752.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia,Iran underline continuing anti-terrorism war in Syria

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 6, IRNA -- Russia and Iran affirmed the necessity of continuing the war against terrorism in Syria till eradicating it completely.

Russian Foreign Ministry asserted in a statement on Tuesday that participants in the Russian-Iranian consultations in Tehran on the situation in Syria called for finding a political solution to the crisis that would guarantee respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, SANA reported from Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Russian President's Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin on Monday held meetings with Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani and Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari.

Talks during the meetings dealt with on a number of political issues, particularly the situation in Syria.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that the two meetings tackled the outcomes of the quadripartite summit held in Istanbul on Oct. 27th, in addition to the latest developments of the situation in Syria.

1396**1396

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Taiwan interested in drone choppers, mines from U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

2018/11/05 14:26:06

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) Taiwan's military is hoping to purchase MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned helicopters and Mk-62 Quickstrike Mines from the United States, a senior official said Monday.

Defense Ministry Department of Strategic Planning Director Wu Pao-kun () said the military is interested in the weapon systems because they fit perfectly into the Taiwan Armed Forces' strengthening of its asymmetric warfare capabilities amid a growing military threat and has adjusted its focus for defending against a possible Chinese invasion.

Despite Taiwan's interest, however, Wu said the U.S. has not agreed to sell Taiwan the weapons.

"We are still making more in-depth evaluations," Wu told lawmakers when asked to comment on the issue during a Legislative hearing.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the U.S. Armed Forces. It is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces.

Meanwhile, the Mk-62 Quickstrike Mine features a fast response-to-readiness capability and is a new-generation aircraft-laid bottom mine for use against submarines and surface targets.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/J

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Turkish police detain 13 suspects over affiliation to Gulen movement

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 6, 2018 04:23PM

Turkish security forces have arrested more than a dozen people on suspicion of affiliation to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspects were detained in 10 provinces across the country.

They apparently used encrypted messaging application ByLock, which the Turkish government claims to be the top communication tool among members of the Gulen movement.

The sources added that the arrests came after the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 26 suspects.

During the 2016 botched putsch, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and the government of Erdogan was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later.

Ankara has since accused Gulen of having orchestrated the coup. The opposition figure is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to topple the government via infiltrating the country's institutions, particularly the army, police and the judiciary.

Gulen has denounced the "despicable putsch" and reiterated that he had no role in it.

"Accusations against me related to the coup attempt are baseless and politically-motivated slanders," he said in a statement.

The 77-year-old cleric has also called on Ankara to end its "witch hunt" of his followers, a move he says is aimed at "weeding out anyone it deems disloyal to President Erdogan and his regime."

Turkish officials have frequently called on their US counterparts to extradite Gulen, but their demands have not been taken heed of.

Turkey, which remains in a state of emergency since the coup, has been engaged in suppressing the media and opposition groups suspected to have played a role in the failed coup.

Tens of thousands of people have been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of having links to Gulen and the failed coup. More than 110,000 others, including military staff, civil servants and journalists, have been sacked or suspended from work over the same accusations.

The international community and rights groups have been highly critical of the Turkish president over the massive dismissals and the crackdown.

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Here is what a new study has found.

Washington D.C. - A recent study suggests that wealthier people tend to contribute less in the struggle against climate change.

A collective-risk dilemma experiment with members of the public in Barcelona has shown that people are more or less likely to contribute money to fighting climate change depending on how wealthy they are.

And the results indicate that participants with fewer resources were prepared to contribute significantly more to the public good than wealthier people, sometimes up to twice as much.

As part of the study, the researchers designed a "lab-in-the-field" experiment involving more than 320 individuals divided into 54 groups of 6 people. The experiment was conducted as follows.

A total of 240 euros was given to each group of individuals. Each member of the group was given a specific amount of money. In half of the groups, the 240 euros were divided evenly into 40 euros for each member. In the other half, the money was distributed unevenly in quantities from 20 to 60 euros.

Over the course of ten rounds, each person then had to contribute to a common fund in order to reach a specific goal, namely 120 euros to be used in an action against climate change, in this case planting trees in Collserola.

The participants were allowed to keep any money that was left over. At the start of the experiment, each participant knew how much money the other had and at the end of each round they could see how much money each person had contributed.

In this way, the researchers were able to test the economic effort that each individual was prepared to make for a common benefit, in this instance the fight against climate change.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. The results showed that, although all the groups achieved the collective goal of 120 euros, "the effort distribution was highly inequitable", explained Jordi Duch, one of the researchers.

Specifically, participants with fewer resources contributed significantly more to the public good than the richer, sometimes up to twice as much. The researchers concluded that the poorest participants congregated within the two "generous clusters" whereas the richest were mostly classified into a "greedy cluster".

The results suggest that future policies could be improved if they reinforced climate justice actions in favour of the most vulnerable people and taught the importance of fairness rather than focusing on teaching people about generic or global climate consequences, as the latter has not been proven to lead to equitable contributions.

"In fact, the study demonstrates once again that cooperation is better than the competition at achieving socially desirable outcomes and that, in the case of climate change, cooperation is needed between all of the agents involved," said one of the other authors of the study.

The groups in which the initial capital was evenly distributed showed two different types of behaviour: one where individuals contributed with quantities considered fair (approximately half of their initial capital, and another where people contributed with much more than was considered fair.

In contrast, there were many differences in the groups in which the money was unevenly distributed from the start. Those with more money (50 or 60 euros) contributed less than was considered fair, in contrast to those who had less (20 or 30 euros), who proportionately contributed much more.

These results show that "given the inequalities, the poorest groups are the most vulnerable and, therefore, are the ones who suffer most" explained Julian Vicens, one of the researchers.

These data can be extrapolated and compared with the negotiations between rich and poor countries, where the most industrialised countries (which make the greatest contribution to global warming) have the most tools available to combat climate change and the poorest countries are the most affected.

These data can also be compared at local level, where people with fewer resources are the most affected by climate change and the most vulnerable.

The experiment was conducted using a tablet to simulate strategic social interactions based on game theory and to present social dilemmas that generate tension between individual interest and the common good and has involved classification mechanisms and machine-learning to identify patterns of behaviour.Corporations concessional schemes such as free passes cost it Rs 2K crore annually.

Mumbai: Certain schemes of the cash-strapped Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporations (MSRTC)  also known as the ST Corporation  such as providing free passes and tickets at a concession to senior citizens, schoolgirls and Divyangs, am-ong others, cost it Rs 2,000 crore annually.

The state government has paid Rs 607 crore for these schemes on Tuesd-ay, said a senior official in the ST Corporation. The fund will help to repay bank overdrafts (OD), which was taken to rele-ase the salaries, bonuses and arrears of one lakh ST employees.

The state government is funding around 24 sche-mes for ST passengers. About 38 crore people availed themselves of 24 ST bus schemes in 2017-18.

The Rs 607 crore will take care of the payment of employees, fuel expenditure and other ST Corporation expenses. This was the last instalment of payment for the financial year 2017-18.

From next year onw-ards, the payment for the schemes will be made on time resulting in no dues of the ST over the state government, a source said.

The ST Corporation ear-ns around Rs 8,000 crore annually while its expenditure is of Rs 8,600 crore.

An official said that the state government has owed the ST Corporation dues for the last couple of years, and the former is trying to manage its accounts with the several taxes that are levied on the corporation.

The payment of Rs 2,000 crore for the year 2018-19 will be made to the corporation before ending of the financial year 2018, he added. The ST has paid a bonus of Rs 50 crore to its one lakh employees. In addition to this, it has cleared the arrears of two years by taking OD on the banks.

MSRTCs vice-chairman and managing director Ranjit Singh Deol said, The state government has released 607 crore for 24 concessional schemes. The amount has been credited to the corporations account.

Transport minister Diwakar Raote said that Rs 607 crore has been released to the ST corporation for the concessional schemes. There has been no backlog of the ST corporation, he said. The payment of concessional schemes for 2018-19 will also be released soon.The Aanand L Rai-directed film is set to release on December 21.

Mumbai: Congress leader Charan Singh Sapra alleged on Tuesday that a scene in the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Zero hurts the sentiments of the Sikh community, and it should be removed. The Aanand L Rai-directed film is set to release on December 21.

Mr Sapra, who is vice-president of Mumbai Congress, said he has written to the deputy commissioner of police Zone 7 (Mulund area) in this regard. He has also written to the films producers, demanding that the offensive content be removed, he said.

The trailer of the film shows Shah Rukhs character wearing the gatra kirpan and making a mockery of it in a comic scene, he claimed. The kirpan has its own sanctity in the Sikh religion and is worn only by baptised Sikhs, Mr Sapra said. The police should register a case against the producers, he said, warning of protests otherwise.

The spokespersons of the films producers refused to comment on the issue.The times are fraught with tension, specially with a Chinese naval force prowling the contentious waters of the Indian Ocean region.

It is a historic day for India in terms of possessing a credible deterrence in a nuclear triad. As INS Arihant cruised the deep seas on its first deterrence patrol, fully loaded with nuclear warhead-enhanced ballistic missiles, it signalled the end of a two-decade challenge for Indian science and technology to enable the triad. What this essentially means is that even if the ground and airborne nuclear arsenal are attacked and disabled, the nation can still launch missiles from somewhere in the depths of the ocean. This helps enhance the confidence of having triple capability in the event of the country being attacked with nuclear weapons. This offers the most secure and powerful platform for retaliatory strikes, although much work remains for India to be as powerful as the Chinese submarines which can carry missiles of much longer range. Of course, there are plans for INS Arihant and more nuclear submarines to be similarly operational within the next five years or so.

Counterattacking launches are a part of Indias nuclear doctrine that stress we arent a first strike nation, unlike some prickly neighbours, which may not subscribe to the no first-use principle. Indias nuclear doctrine may not have been fully supported by the West, but we had ample Russian assistance in getting to where we are now. Great as the principle of deterrence is, what must be understood is the military power of preparedness comes at a very stiff price  the Arihant project is estimated to have cost Rs 90,000 crores  for the handful of nations that have kept faith in arming themselves with advanced, long-range nuclear weapons. Its a commentary on the state of geopolitics since the end of the Second World War that such powerful deterrence is required even for nations that believe in peace and which have no ambition whatever of annexing any land that doesnt belong to it.

Nuclear weapon-capable nations bear a huge responsibility, which is all the more reason why certain sobriety is expected in their statement of intentions. And talk of possessing a deterrence against nuclear blackmail is not designed to inspire any confidence of boosting peaceful regional ties. It is moot whether Pakistan will not arm itself with the same triad capability in the near future with Chinese help. History has seen that the neighbour had shown capacity to acquire knowhow to engineer its nuclear test 10 years after India first did in 1974. The times are fraught with tension, specially with a Chinese naval force prowling the contentious waters of the Indian Ocean region. Considering that, the fruition of Indias two-decade effort may have been well worth it. In the final analysis, nuclear deterrence is an onerous requirement, but not one to be boasted of with an in-your-face kind of confrontational attitude.Formula 1 has confirmed that Vietnam will feature in the 2020 calendar. A race will be held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. It's the first 'new' race organised completely by Liberty Media as they look to expand the Asian and global connection with the sport.

According to the chiefs of all parties involved in the deal, the 5.565km track will create an exciting race experience for drivers and fans. Chase Carey will tonight hold a grand ceremony at the Hanoi Citadel hotel to further enhance the announcement of the event.

F1 is excited to announce we will be racing in Vietnam in 2020!#VietnamGP pic.twitter.com/xeQmJSmEof

 Formula 1 (@F1) 7 november 2018

Reaction

Carey, the CEO of F1 spoke about his excitement of signing a new deal and confirmed he is "thrilled" to have the sport branching out.

"We are delighted to announce that Hanoi will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix," Carey told Formula 1.

"Since we became involved in this sport in 2017, we have talked about developing new destination cities to broaden the appeal of Formula 1 and the Vietnamese Grand Prix is a realisation of that ambition. We are thrilled to be here in Hanoi, one of the most exciting cities in the world right now with such a rich history and an incredible future ahead of it."

Liberty Media have been keen to show their intentions of attracting new audiences in every corner of the globe. At one stage, two races in China were on the horizon, but that now looks unlikely with the Vietnam Grand Prix giving Asia another race.

Carey was quick to lift the expectations of quality and excitement levels.

"We have worked to enable a circuit that will not only test the drivers but also ensure that our fans enjoy the racing spectacle. We are really looking forward to seeing Formula 1 cars speeding around the streets of this fantastic city from 2020," Carey added.

(Potential) Track Layout

Formula One is heading to Vietnam in 2020.... Are you a Fan of the track layout?



YES- Like

NO- RT pic.twitter.com/QhQemi9656  Formula One Daily (@FormulaOneDaily) November 7, 2018

From this image, the track seems to have two super long straights either side of a Monaco style hairpin. It includes fast sections and twisty, corner sections. Rather than a traditional street circuit, some corners look likely to be flat out.

Are you a fan of the track layout? Let us know in the comments!Ilhan Omar, of Somali origin, and Rashida Tlaib, of Palestinian origin. The first time also for the Amerinde: Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland. The victory of the Democrats in the parliament determined by women, young people, Hispanics. Republicans are strengthened in the Senate.

Washington (AsiaNews) - For the first time in the history of the United States, two Muslim women, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, will enter the Congress. The two Democratic candidates won the mid-term elections in the Minnesota and Michigan district respectively.

Ilhan Omar, 36 (photo 1), is of Somali origin having fled to the US from the war in Somalia. She carried out her campaign focusing on health guarantees for everyone and for debt free university studies. She will be the first woman member of Congress to wear the Islamic veil.

Rashida Tlaib, 42 (photo 2), was born in Detroit to Palestinian parents and is the oldest of 14 children. Her campaign has exploited feminist militancy, with demonstrations throughout the country following the election of Donald Trump. Last night, on Twitter she commented on her victory: "We marched outside the Capitol, but now we will do it inside. We are coming!".

Speaking of women, this time there are also two native American women elected to Congress. The first is Sharice Davids, 38, a Kansas Democrat. She is a lawyer, a martial arts enthusiast and a declared lesbian. She had already worked in the administration of President Barack Obama.

Deb Haaland, 57, is a single mother of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, who won in Arizona. In the past she overcame alcoholism and survived on state food vouchers.

The elections led the Democrats to have a majority in the House of Representatives, but the Republicans strengthened their presence in the Senate.

According to a survey on the vote by Reuters / Ispos, the Democrats' victory was fueled by women, young people and Hispanics. Women have declared to vote for Democrats at 55%; 49% in the mid-term elections in 2014. Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 supported the Democrats for 62%; in 2014 they were 54%. The Hispanics for Democrats were 33%; in 2014 they were 18%.by Melani Manel Perera

Karu Jayasuriya breaks his silence over political crisis. Slated for today, Parliaments re-opening has been postponed by another week. Activists suspect former dictator Rajapaksa is trying to buy opposition votes.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  After days of silence Karu Jayasuriya, the speaker of Sri Lankas Parliament, spoke about the countrys political crisis and its two prime ministers.

I consider it my paramount duty to act in accordance with my conscience for the protection of rights and privileges of the majority of the members of Parliament and prevent the destruction of democracy that we have safeguarded up to now, Mr Jayasuriya said.

The speaker has decided to maintain the status quo in Parliament before it was prorogued. The house was supposed to reconvene today, but is now expected back in session on 14 November, unless it is further delayed. A week from now, either claimant to the prime minister chair will have to obtain the confidence of the house.

The two rivals are Ranil Wickremasinghe, who was dismissed by President Maithripala Sirisena even though he is one of his allies, and Sirisenas new pick, former dictator Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has been accused of human rights abuses related to the countrys civil war. Sirisena was elected in 2015 against Rajapaksa.

"[T]he majority is of the opinion that all changes made in the Parliament are undemocratic and inconsistent with traditions of Parliament, Speaker Jayasuriya said.

I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament, he added.

Speaker Jayasuriya was presented with a motion signed by 116 deputies out of a total of 225 indicating their opposition to the presidents decision.

Outside of parliament, many activists fear that the continued prorogation of Parliament will help the former dictator to "buy" the necessary opposition votes to be voted in.

In light of this danger, lawmaker Range Bandara released an audio recording in which Rajapaksa is heard offering bribes in exchange for votes.A UN investigation has led to the discovery of pits containing up to 12 thousand corpses. They are located in the north and west of the country. Most (95) in the Nineveh Plain. Don Paolo: "Sign of memory" etched "on the people faces, even those of children".

Mosul (AsiaNews) - The graves contain "Yazidis, Muslims, foreigners captured and then executed; we do not know if there are also Christians of the Nineveh Plain "of whom" we have not had any news for some time ", but on this there are no" certain news "to this day.

This is how Don Paolo Thabit Mekko commented to AsiaNews on the news of the discover of over 200 mass graves containing thousands of corpses massacred by the Islamic State (IS, ex Isis). Found thanks to a UN investigation, they are located in the governorates of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar, in the north and west, territories once controlled by jihadist militias.

"The mass graves - says the Chaldean priest - are a sign of memory, they are traces that will remain for a long time, a reminder of what has happened". A tragedy, he adds, that has struck an entire people and that "today is etched on the faces of people, even those of children who bear the signs of trauma" which are not only physical but also psychological.

According to UN estimates, the graves contain the remains of at least 12 thousand victims. They represent a further confirmation of the brutality, the violence, the slaughter of those who rejected or criticized the jihadist ideology and the insane murderous violence of the militia. "They are a reminder of the harrowing loss of life and shocking cruelty," emphasizes Jan Kubis, UN special representative for Iraq.

The investigation has allowed the creation of remains from which we can trace the identity of the victims. Furthermore, discoveries can be a fundamental test in (future) trials for war crimes and crimes against humanity, without excluding the hypothesis of genocide, against senior officials or ISIS top members. Of the 202 mass graves found so far, 95 are located on the Nineveh Plain, 37 in Kirkuk, 36 in Salah al-Din and 24 in Anbar. There are between 6,000 and 12,000 victims among them, including women, children, the elderly and disabled people, foreign workers and members of the Iraqi security forces.

After a rapid rise between the second half of 2014 and 2105 in Syria and Iraq, coming to conquer half of the territory and committing atrocious crimes against humanity, the jihadists gradually lost ground under the military drive of Damascus (with its Russian ally) and the Iraqi army, supported by Kurds and a US-led international coalition. Today they control only some limited areas straddling the two countries; however, their ideology remains alive and military defeat does not erase the threat.

"The traumas of the jihadist domination are still alive and have entered common parlance and everyday life", says don Paolo. "Often those who wear a beard - he says - are associated with ISIS. The word itself, Daesh [Arabic acronym for SI] is used to terrorize people, to speak ill, to indicate unbecoming conduct. When someone hurts, he is told he is from Isis. All this shows how the tragedy is still alive ".

There are "open wounds" of those who "lost their loved ones", says the Chaldean priest, who are added "to the destruction of houses, churches, public buildings. To say that ISIS is not forgotten, it is not erased, it cannot be filed away as if it were in the past ". In terms of reconstruction "the work continues", concludes Don Paolo, but what is really needed "is a stable occupation and a profound process of psychological recovery of victims' traumas".Hyundai Motor Group and Grab Holdings Inc., Southeast Asias leading O2O (online to offline) mobile platform, announced an agreement under which Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation will invest an additional US$250 million into Grab and establish a partnership to pilot EV programs across Southeast Asia.

Under the EV partnership, Grab and the Hyundai Motor Group affiliates will bring together stakeholders from the EV industry to collaborate on measures to improve EV adoption and awareness in Southeast Asia.

As home to one of the worlds fastest growing consumer hubs, Southeast Asia is a huge emerging market for EVs. With its unparalleled footprint across the region, and an ever-expanding base of customers and merchants, Grab is an invaluable partner that will help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia. Dr. Youngcho Chi, Hyundai Motor Groups Chief Innovation Officer and head of Strategy & Technology Division

To start, Grab, Hyundai and Kia will launch a series of EV pilot projects in Southeast Asia starting with Singapore in 2019. The pilot projects will focus on utilizing EVs to maximize cost efficiencies for Grabs driver-partners.

The EV partnership will also work with regional stakeholders including governments and infrastructure players to improve EV infrastructure in the region, such as the building of a network of quick-charge stations.

The EV partnership will also explore the development of customized maintenance packages to Grab EV drivers and conduct research into how EVs can be most efficiently deployed in Southeast Asia under hot and humid climate conditions.

The three companies will also explore how to customize EVs to optimize them for mobility service platforms.

The additional investment builds on Grabs existing strategic partnership with Hyundai and brings Grabs current fundraising to US$2.7 billion raised. Grab is on track to raise more than US$3 billion by the end of this year. Investors in Grabs current financing round include Booking Holdings, Microsoft, Toyota, and global financial institutions such as OppenheimerFunds, Goldman Sachs Investment Partners, and Citi Ventures.

Hyundai first invested in Grab in January, and the two companies began exploring collaborations in the EV sector. Grabs latest initiative, which expands its cooperation with the Korean automotive group to include Kia, is a milestone in the companys continuing efforts to promote the use of EVs in Southeast Asia. In August, Grab announced a partnership with Singapores energy utilities provider, SP Group, to use SP Groups public EV charging network for its EVs.

Grab is one of the most frequently used mobile O2O platforms in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto more than 125 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 8 million drivers, merchants and agents. Grab has the regions largest land transportation fleet and has completed more than 2.5 billion rides since its founding in 2012. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food and package delivery services, across 235 cities in eight countries.by Paul Wang

Chinas economic slowdown is affecting its neighbours since the mainland is their top trading partners. The list includes Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. However, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia are replacing China as export hubs with many Chinese companies delocalising to bypass US tariffs. In the first nine months of the year, Cambodia's exports to the United States grew by 27 per cent.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  As the trade war between Beijing and Washington continues, other Asian countries are trying to figure out its repercussions on their economies.

Some have been negatively affected by Chinas economic slowdown. At the end of October, some PMI indices (which measure economic growth in various sectors) showed a drop in manufacturing activity in Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand. Even in South Korea, business confidence fell to its lowest level in two years. The reason for this is that China is their main trading partner.

For months the US-China trade war has penalised Chinese exports to the United States and vice versa. Many components of Chinese products come from neighbouring countries. Fewer Made in China exports means less business for suppliers.

Among the most affected countries are Taiwan  which sends 50 per cent of its exports to China  but also Singapore and Malaysia. Copper exports from Laos and Chinese tourism in Cambodia and Thailand could also be affected.

In its latest report on the Asia-Pacific region, the World Bank expects a 1 per cent drop in Chinese growth and 0.5 per cent in the rest of the region. The Asian Development Bank also predicts less growth for the region (6 per cent in 2018 and 5.8 in 2019).

However, some countries could take advantage of the trade war. To offset US tariffs, many Chinese companies are trying to relocate to neighbouring countries, driven also by lower labour costs.

Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh already benefit from delocalisation in electronics and garment industries. Cambodia is another country that could profit from this trend.

In the latter case, the reasons for this are better prices for Cambodian-made products compared to those made in China. Even before the trade spat, many Chinese companies were already moving to Cambodia because of lower labour costs. Now that process is accelerating.

The net result is that Cambodian exports to the United States in the first nine months of the year grew 27 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The vast majority of such exports, once almost monopolised by China, are garments, footwear products and travel goods such as suitcases and handbags.

With respect to the latter, exports from the Kingdom to the US were valued at about US$ 50 million a year before 2016, increasing to US$ 160 million in the first half of this year.Australia risks losing its supplier base but Darrell Lea saves Heritage, Simons says





DARRELL LEAS upward trajectory since its 2012 collapse is gathering further momentum with its recent purchase of Melbournes Heritage Fine Chocolates.

In 2012, all the chocolate makers retail stores were shut down and the business was taken over by Tony and Christina Quinn, entrepreneurial owners of VIP Pet Foods.

Darrell Lea again became profitable and in January this year proved an attractive acquisition for private equity firm Quadrant, which also purchased the rebranded VIP Pet Foods (now Real Pet Foods) before selling that on for a profit of over $500 million.

The sale in 2012 resulted in Darrell Lea primarily being a wholesale business with approximately 1200 licenced retailers. The Darrell Lea branded, company-owned stores closed in September of 2012 with over 400 jobs made redundant.

Currently, Darrell Lea products are retailed in Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, IGA, David Jones, Big W, Australia Post and independent retailers.

Also in Australian Food News

At 91 years of age, Darrell Lea is one of Australias oldest and most well-known confectionary brands. Quadrants executive chairman Chris Hadley believes it is this iconic status which positions it ideally for global markets.

The purchase of Heritage Fine Chocolates aligns with the growth strategy of Darrell Lea.

A spokesperson for the company says this acquisition allows Darrell Lea to establish a chocolate centre of excellence in Melbourne. The company now has new capabilities to expand its range of products and categories.

In 2014, managing director of Heritage Fine Chocolates, Michael Simons told the Herald Sun, the factory produced around 1000 tonnes of chocolate annually as one of the only local producers of chocolate Easter eggs left in Australia.

Today, he is reflective on the vast changes in the confectionary industry over the previous few decades, saying the landscape now is very different.

Small suppliers were encouraged and were an important part of the retailers supply strategy, Mr Simons says.

More recently as the major retailers moved to a business model of selecting only two major brands and a private label, the doors closed for many of the smaller independent suppliers.

Sadly, that saw a talent and investment drain as people lost confidence and left the industry, either voluntarily or through business failure.

Mr Simon says smaller businesses are not as sustainable as they were 20 years ago, and without investments such as this one in Heritage from Darrell Lea, Australia is at risk of fast losing some of its supplier base, leaving it vulnerable to having to import.

Darrell Lea and Mr Simons have both expressed their excitement and confidence in the future of confectionary manufacturing in Victoria as a result of the acquisition, with all Heritage staff maintaining their employment.UK High Street retailer rout rolls on as butcher gets the chop





CRAWSHAW, a chain of UK butchers shops, has closed 35 stores and one distribution centre resulting in the loss of 350 jobs, the latest in a line of High Street retailers running aground.

Administrators from EY are trying to sell the business while 19 stores continue to trade (nine of them factory stores).

The collapse of the company came after several years of financial losses.

The company joins a growing list of British retailers forced to seek protection from creditors after being hit hard by competition from online shopping platforms and a rise in costs from the pounds Brexit-induced weakness.

Anyone working in the retail industry worried about the future of their jobs should hope for the best but prepare for the worst, forecasters are saying.

Also in Australian Food News

Crawshaw though is the latest high street retailer to go bust after Evans Cycles, House of Fraser, Toys R Us and Maplin, while a string of other well-known names have shut dozens of stores via an insolvency process known as a company voluntary arrangement.

Last month Karen Millen bought parts of the Coast brand after the clothing store fell into administration, and in September, fashion brand Orla Kiely collapsed.

Along with these other high street retailers, Crawshaw has been hit by rising rents, higher business rates and fragile consumer confidence in the run-up to Brexit.

It has also been under pressure from the rise of the discount supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl, which have forced other supermarkets and Crawshaw to cut prices.

Crawshaw in May floated plans to explore a big box, destination store model, larger out-of-town shops, with parking, that sell big packs of fresh meat.

They are cheaper to open and fit out, and have in the UK performed better than the smaller high street stores, which also sell hot food such as whole cooked chickens, pies and filled baguettes.

Though these stores have been a failure recently in Australia, see Tasman Butchers demise.

MORE: Bygone: Big box store, bulk meat buying

Ranjit Singh Boparan, the entrepreneur known as the chicken king, is Crawshaws biggest shareholder with a 29.7% stake in the business and is an adviser to the board. His 2 Sisters Food Group also supplies Crawshaw.By Adam Brumm, ARC Future Fellow, Griffith University

Pindi Setiawan , Author provided

Cave paintings in remote mountains in Borneo have been dated to at least 40,000 years ago  much earlier than first thought  according to a study published today in Nature.

These artworks include a painting of what seems to be a local species of wild cattle, which makes it the worlds oldest example of figurative art  that is, an image that looks like the thing it is intended to represent.





Read more:

Ancient stone tools found on Sulawesi, but who made them remains a mystery





This discovery adds to the mounting view that the first cave art traditions did not arise in Europe, as long believed.

Remote rock art

In the 1990s, Indonesian and French archaeologists trekked into the remote interior mountains of East Kalimantan, an Indonesian province of Borneo.









Pindi Setiawan, Author provided





In limestone caves perched atop forbidding, densely forested peaks, the team discovered a vast trove of prehistoric artworks, including thousands of hand stencils (negative outlines of human hands) and rarer paintings of animals.

Strikingly, apart from the paintings themselves, the team found little other evidence for human occupation in the caves. It seemed as though people had made long and dangerous climbs to these clifftop caves mostly to create art.









Pindi Setiawan, Author provided





The team proposed that the prehistoric artworks can be divided into at least two chronologically distinct phases of art production.

The first phase is characterised by hand stencils and large figurative paintings of animals that are reddish-orange in colour.









Pindi Setiawan, Author provided





Hand stencils also characterise the later phase, but these stencils (and associated images) tend to be dark purple (mulberry) in colour. During this phase the artists also painted tattoo-like designs on the wrists, palms, and fingers of some stencils  in some instances, hand stencils were interlinked by motifs resembling tree branches or vines.









Pindi Setiawan, Author provided





Finally, the artists began to portray human figures in their art (see top image).

This amazing discovery raised a host of questions. How old was the cave art? Who created it and why?

In the early 2000s the French-Indonesian team dated part of a cave drapery formation that had grown over the top of a hand stencil.

The quality of the sample they dated was not ideal, but their results implied an age of at least 10,000 years for the underlying artwork.

New dates for old art

We now believe the Borneo artworks are far older than previously thought, according to research we conducted with colleagues from the National Research Center for Archaeology (ARKENAS) in Jakarta and other Indonesian scientists.

In our paper, we report uranium-series dates obtained from calcium carbonate samples collected in association with cave art from six East Kalimantan sites. This provides the first reliable estimates for the approximate time of rock art production.









Map source: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1 Arc-Second Global by NASA/NGS/USGS; GEBCO_2014 Grid, version 20150318, (gebco.net). Base maps generated using ArcGIS by M. Kottermair and A. Jalandoni. Figure design and formatting: Adam Brumm, Author provided





The oldest cave art image is a large reddish-orange painting of an animal, similar to the wild banteng still found in the jungles of Borneo. This has a minimum age of 40,000 years.

As far as we can ascertain it is the earliest dated figurative artwork on Earth.









Pindi Setiawan, Author provided





The reddish-orange hand stencil art was shown to be similar in age, suggesting that the first rock art style appeared between about 52,000 and 40,000 years ago.

The oldest mulberry paintings, including decorated hand stencils, date to about 21,000-20,000 years ago. A mulberry human figure was created at least 13,600 years ago.

Our dating implies that a major change took place about 20,000 years ago within Borneos rock art culture. This was during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), a time when the ice sheets were at their greatest extent and the global ice age climate was at its most extreme.

Perhaps life in this harsh world stimulated new forms of cultural innovation.

Or perhaps the East Kalimantan mountains became a refuge for people fleeing environmental changes wrought by the LGM, boosting population sizes and instigating social pressures that sparked new forms of intergroup communication, including art.

In 2014 we revealed that similar rock art appeared in the Maros caves of Sulawesi around 40,000 years ago.

Sulawesi is adjacent to Borneo and has never been connected to the nearby Eurasian continent. This large island is a vital stepping-stone between Asia and Australia.

Our latest discovery suggests that rock art spread from Borneo into Sulawesi and other new worlds beyond Eurasia, perhaps arriving with the first people to colonise Australia.

Two areas of Palaeolithic cave art innovation

The ice age region of France and Spain has long been seen as the global centre of cave art development owing to the stunning animal paintings known from this area.





Read more:

Ice age art and 'jewellery' found in an Indonesian cave reveal an ancient symbolic culture





But while Borneo is the planets third-largest island, for most of the ice age it was connected by lower sea levels to the vast continental region of Eurasia  Borneo and Europe were opposite extremities of this landmass.

So it now seems that two early cave art provinces existed at a similar time in remote corners of Palaeolithic Eurasia: one in Indonesia, and one in Europe.

A recent study suggests Neanderthals were making rock art in Spain 65,000 years ago, but there is good reason to question this claim.

It is of course possible that the first modern human rock art arose in Africa and was introduced to Eurasia by later migrations of our species.

Alternatively, Indonesia and Europe may have been separate areas of innovation where ice age rock art emerged independently - if so, it is possible the very earliest cave paintings may one day be found in Southeast Asia rather than Europe.

Adhi Agus Oktaviana, a researcher in archaeology and rock art from ARKENAS, contributed to this article.

Adam Brumm receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Maxime Aubert receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Pindi Setiawan receives funding from Bandung Institute of Technology and from Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education.

Originally published in The Conversation.By Peta King, PhD candidate, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute

from www.shutterstock.com

Welcome to the series This is research, where we ask academics to share and discuss open access articles that reveal important aspects of science. Todays analysis looks at a fun piece of research, a unique longitudinal study  and explores what this type of research can and cant tell you.

Once upon a time, a group of disheartened scientists found their tearoom bereft of teaspoons. Despite dispatching a research assistant to go purchase more  so sugar could be stirred and coffee dispensed  the newly purchased teaspoons disappeared within a few short months.

Exasperated by the disappearance, the scientists decided they would measure the phenomenon. Do the teaspoons really disappear over time?

The answer was a resounding yes: spoons in research institute tearooms seem to have legs. While good fun, the research is a good example of a study design referred to as longitudinal.





Read more:

How do we decide which disease to prevent next? Long-term studies help





What is a longitudinal study?

A longitudinal study uses continuous or repeated measures to follow particular individuals  in this case, teaspoons  over prolonged periods of time.

The studies are generally observational in nature: the scientists simply watch and collect data over time. Typically, no external influence is applied during the course of the study.

Beyond just working out where all the teaspoons have gone, this study type is also useful for evaluating the relationship between risk factors and the development of disease (for example, heart disease), and the outcomes of treatments over different lengths of time.

Tracking teaspoons

In this study, the main questions posed by our researchers were to determine the overall rate of loss of teaspoons, and to work out how long it took for teaspoons to go missing.

They purchased 70 teaspoons (16 of which were of higher quality), each one discretely numbered and then distributed throughout the institute. Counts of the teaspoons were carried out weekly for two months, then fortnightly for a further three months. Desktops and other immediately visible surfaces were also scanned for misplaced spoons.

After five months of covert research, the study was revealed to the institute, and staff were asked to return or anonymously report any marked teaspoons which may have found their way into desk draws or homes.

Good study design

This type of data collection provides a simple example of what makes a good longitudinal study.

If we break it down, a longitudinal study needs to:

take place over a prolonged period (this study was done over 5 months)

be observational in nature (teaspoons were observed and counted, there was no intervention)

conducted without external influences (teaspoon users/thieves were not aware they were being studied until the conclusion of the study itself).







Read more:

I've always wondered: why does lemon juice lighten the colour of tea?





What did the data say?

The results show that 56 (80%) of the 70 teaspoons disappeared during the study, and that the half life of the teaspoons was 81 days (that is, half had disappeared permanently after that time).

The study also showed the half life of teaspoons in communal tearooms (42 days) was significantly shorter than for those in research group specific tearooms (77 days). The rate of loss was not influenced by the teaspoons value.









Megan Lim and coauthors (BMJ), CC BY





All of these pieces of information directly answer the main question posed by the researchers.

What the study cant say

A longitudinal study is terrific at following individuals or teaspoons over a period of time and observing outcomes. But, by definition, the design means there can be no intervention (as we are just observing a phenomenon).

The researchers could not employ a tool or an intervention to prevent spoons from being misplaced, and the researchers could only report a spoon missing. As the study is observational only, there is no way of finding out what has happened to the spoon, just that it is lost.

The authors were able to conclude that the loss of workplace teaspoons was rapid, and their availability in the tearoom was constantly under threat.

Perhaps you should think about bringing your own teaspoon to work, and keeping it in your pocket.

The open access research paper for this analysis is The case of the disappearing teaspoons: longitudinal cohort study of the displacement of teaspoons in an Australian research institute.

Peta King does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Originally published in The Conversation.UPDATED WEDNESDAY 9:45 A.M.  Greenwich Democrat Alexandra Bergstein has declared victory in the 36th state senate district after numbers from the Secretary of States office shows her ahead.

Bergstein knocked off incumbent Republican State Sen. L. Scott Frantz in a major upset, becoming the first Democrat to win the seat, which covers all of Greenwich as well as portions of Stamford and New Canaan, since 1930. According to the states numbers, Bergstein defeated Frantz, a five-term incumbent, by a little more than 600 votes, winning 22,097 votes to Frantzs 21,474.

The numbers were enough that Bergstein declared on Wednesday that, "We did prevail."

Frantz and his campaign could not immediately be reached for comment.

Her victory capped off a historic night for Greenwich Democrats who, after being shut out of the state house for a century, also elected Stephen Meskers in an upset victory over incumbent Republican State Rep. Michael Bocchino in the 150th district.

"I am elated. I am humbled. I am grateful and I am so ready to serve," Bergstein said Wednesday morning.

Frantz won Greenwich by close to 1,000 votes, and also appears to have carried the portion of the district extending into New Canaan. But Bergstein decisively won with voters in North Stamford, taking 59 percent of votes cast there.

Bergstein said Tuesday evening that she was pleased with her campaign and those of her Democratic running mates. We have run incredible races. Im so proud, she said.

In recent weeks, Democrats in the district viewed the race as a chance to break a nearly 90-year Republican hold on the seat.

The last Democrat elected to the 36th state Senate District was H. Allen Barton in 1930, and Frantz had been easily elected to his five previous terms in the office.

But Bergstein ran an aggressive campaign that captured attention not often focused on the taken-for-granted district. In the closing weeks, she challenged Frantz on issues including gun safety laws and womens health. She questioned his leadership of a bipartisan group of legislators who fashioned the post-Sandy Hook gun laws, among the toughest in the nation, and criticized his support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski, who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

Frantz responded in ads and mailers, stressing his role in crafting the legislation and his support for the final package while claiming Bergstein did not understand the states legislative process.

Frantz, as he has in the past, focused on economic issues throughout the campaign, pointing to reforms  including spending and bonding caps  he and other Republicans had been able to get into the two-year bipartisan budget passed earlier this year.

Frantz criticized Bergsteins proposals to reintroduce tolls to state highways and move the states pension obligation to a shared-risk plan as impractical.

The issue of tolls weighed heavily on the campaign, with Frantz saying they would amount to another tax, burdening state residents who already pay a high gas tax, while Bergstein noted Connecticut is the only state in the region without highway tolls, allowing out-of-state drivers to use Connecticut roads for free.

Calling herself a different kind of Democrat, Bergstein said she would work outside of Hartfords two-party system, while Frantz kept his experience in office and expertise on the economy at the center of his run.GREENWICH  When Greenwich Academy sophomore Noor Rekhi read Code Girls, by Liza Mundy, she saw her fathers triumphant immigrant story in the books true account of female code-breaker Dot Braden.

Braden fought misogyny in pursuit of her dreams of success, while my father overcame harsh financial struggles while navigating his way through a foreign country, Rekhi wrote in her winning essay.

She won the high school essay competition held as part of Greenwich Reads Together, a community initiative with participation from the Greenwich public and independent schools, the Greenwich Library and many other groups in town. The Greenwich Rotary Club sponsored the contest, awarding cash prizes of $350 to each winner, who will be honored at the Flinn Gallery Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The organization chose Code Girls, Mundys researched account of the untold true stories of American women who were selected to break enemy code during World War II, as the book for the entire community to read. Greenwich Reads Together programming will include a talk by Mundy on Wedneday night in the Cole Auditorium at Greenwich Library.

Rekhis essay describes a 16-year-old who fled his family farm in India, with the clothes on his back and some money, to escape riots and religious persecution. He survived New York City winters without a coat, and worked at a clothing shop to pay the bills. He excelled in school but stood out because of his background.

Many people have told him that he could not succeed; he was a poor immigrant in Queens, with no familial connections, used textbooks and few belongings, she wrote.

Her father went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and earn his MBA.

People also judged Dot Braden  but based on her gender. They evaluated her appearance and gave her trivial jobs, but her code-breaking led to the discovery of a Japanese ship that Americans captured, giving troops much-need supplies and her nation an advantage in the battles in the Pacific Ocean.

Central Middle School sixth-grader Ashley Malkin won the essay contest in the middle school category, comparing the heels code girl Ann White had to wear during training and the career she had to give up to the experiences of her grandmothers, Barb and Terri.

Both my Grandma Barb and (code-breaker) Ann White quit what they loved because of what was expected of them by society at the time, Malkin wrote. Both changed their minds years later and returned to what they loved after realizing that what they knew was right was more important than what the majority of society still thought.

Her grammy Terri had to wear dresses even during the winter, and when she started wearing pants, co-workers condemned her choices as risque, Malkin said.

Malkins grandmothers stories inspired her to pursue her love of science.

When I was in elementary school, I loved going to science workshops. No one ever told me I shouldnt be there, but I could always see the other kids wondering why I was the only girl, she wrote. However, because of the lessons my grandmothers taught me, I never questioned my right to be there, and I still have a strong passion for science today.

Greenwich High School junior Cynthia Chen, Central Middle School eighth-grader Leia Wilson and Greenwich Academy sixth-grader Elsa Burgess were all awarded honorable mentions in the essay contest. Each receives a prize of $150.

Rekhi concluded her essay by saying challenge is a constant in life, but people can choose how to respond.

Do we cave when things get difficult? When others scoff at the possibility of us achieving our dreams? Or do we follow in the footsteps of Dot Braden and Jasjit Rekhi? Do we persevere?

jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.comGREENWICH  A lawsuit filed by the family of a 15-year-old Greenwich boy who killed himself after reportedly being bullied in school can proceed now that the states high court has declined to consider an appeal to dismiss the case.

More than five years after the teenagers death, the case has yet to move forward with depositions or preliminary trial proceedings.

Lawyers for the Town of Greenwich have repeatedly challenged the lawsuit brought by the family of Bartlomiej Bart Palosz on procedural grounds. In August, the case went to the state Appellate Court for review, principally on the issue of sovereign immunity, a legal concept that asserts that government employees or bodies cannot be sued for their official acts.

The Appellate Court determined that the trial court judge acted properly in dismissing the towns request to reject the lawsuit.

Late last month, the Connecticut Supreme Court declined a petition to review the Appellate Courts decision, meaning the case can now go forward.

Bart Palosz shot himself in the head after the first day of his sophomore year at Greenwich High School in August 2013. His family contends that school officials did not investigate or discipline students who had bullied their son, and they filed a lawsuit against the Town of Greenwich and the Board of Education.

The principal lawyer for the town on the case, Harold Friedman, said there are significant legal questions that needed to be resolved before the facts of the case could be addressed in court proceedings, hence the need for appeals to the upper courts.

Besides the issue of sovereign immunity, the towns legal team said there were ambiguities with the meaning of antibullying laws that needed to be addressed.

The Superior Court declined to review the Palosz case in a brief legal memorandum, without explanation.

David Golub, the lawyer for the Palosz family, expressed satisfaction with the latest ruling in the long-running case.

Its time for the town to sit down and settle the case, he said. The Stamford lawyer says he often interacts with acquaintances from Greenwich, and outside legal circles, he says he has been hearing opinions about the case and the time it has taken to proceed. The sentiment of the community  they feel this should be resolved, he said.

Since the recent decision by the Supreme Court, no court hearings have been scheduled on the case.

The Palosz suit could proceed on one of two tracks, Golub said. Lawyers could being a process leading to a negotiated settlement  were always open to negotiations, he said.

If a deal isnt reached, discovery in the civil case will begin with witnesses called in for depositions and documents collected and cataloged.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.comBy Ben Hoffman, Principal research scientist, CSIRO

CSIRO, Author provided

The invasive African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) was found on Lord Howe Island in 2003 following complaints from residents about large numbers of ants in buildings.

But weve managed to eradicate the ant completely from the island using a targeted mapping and baiting technique than can be used against other invasive species.









CSIRO, Author provided





A major pest

The African big-headed ant is one of the worlds worst invasive species because of its ability to displace some native plants and wildlife, and adversely affect agricultural production.





Read more:

In an ant's world, the smaller you are the harder it is to see obstacles





Its also a serious domestic nuisance. People can become overwhelmed by the large number of ants living in their buildings  you cant leave a bit of food lying around, especially pet food, or it will be covered in ants.

It remains unclear how long the ant had been on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea about 770 km northeast of Sydney, before being found. But it is likely to have been present for at least a decade.

Because of the significant threat this ant posed to the conservation integrity of the island, an eradication program was started. But on-ground work done from 2003 to 2011 had many failings and was not working.

In 2011, I was brought in to oversee the program. The last ant colony was killed in 2016, but it is only now, two years later, that we are declaring Lord Howe Island free from the ants.









CSIRO, Author provided





A super colony

The ability to eradicate this ant is largely due to its relatively unique social organisation. The queens dont fly to new locations to start new nests  instead, they form interconnected colonies that can extend over large areas.

This makes the ants distribution easy to map and treat. The ant requires human assistance for long-distance transport, so the ant will only be found in predictable locations where it can be accidentally transported by people.

From 2012 to 2015, all locations on the island where the ant was likely to be present were formally inspected. Priority was given to places where an infestation was previously recorded or considered likely. The populations were mapped, and then treated using a granular bait available at shops.

In the latter years we found 16 populations covering 30 hectares. Limited by poor mapping in the early years, we estimate that the ant originally covered up to 55 hectares, roughly 15% of the island.

Stopping the spread

The widespread distribution of the ant through the populated area of the island is thought to have been aided by the movement of infested mulch and other materials from the islands Waste Management Facility.

To prevent any more spread of the ant, movement restrictions were imposed in 2003 on the collection of green waste, building materials and other high risk items from the facility.

The baiting program used a product that contains a very low dose of insecticide that has an extremely low toxicity to terrestrial vertebrates such as pet cats and dogs, birds, lizard etc. The toxicant rapidly breaks down into harmless chemicals after exposure to light.

No negative impacts were recorded on any of the native wildlife on the island.

Importantly, the African ant usually kills most other ants and other invertebrates where it is present, so there are few invertebrates present to be affected by the bait.

Ecological recovery of the infested areas was rapid following baiting and the eradication of the African ant.

Another ant invader

One of the main challenges was getting the ground crew to correctly identify the ant.

It turns out there was a second (un-named) big-headed ant species present, also not native to the island, that created a lot of unnecessary work being conducted where the African ant wasnt present.









CSIRO, Author provided





Like numerous other exotic ant species present, this second species was of no environmental or social concern, so there are no plans to manage or eradicate it.

The protocols used in this program are essentially the same that are being used in other eradication programs against Electric ant in Cairns and Browsing ant in Darwin and Perth, because those two species also create supercolonies.





Read more:

We've got apps and radars  but can ants predict rain?





It is highly likely that those programs will also achieve eradication of their respective species, the first instance where an ant species has been eradicated entirely from Australia.

The fire ant program in Brisbane has many similarities, but there are distinct differences in that the ants there dont form supercolonies that are so easy to map, and the area involved is far greater.

Ben Hoffman receives funding from state and federal governments to do such work

Originally published in The Conversation.The number of Medicaid-insured children treated in Connecticut emergency rooms for behavioral health crises rose 20 percent between 2014 and 2016, mirroring a national trend - despite efforts to provide non-ER treatments, according to a study released Thursday.

In 2014, Connecticut ERs recorded 12,100 Medicaid-insured youth visits compared to 14,448 in 2016, according to a study of Medicaid-eligible patients ages 18 and younger commissioned by the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut.

Most of the children who go to emergency rooms with behavioral health issues go to one of five hospitals, according to data collected by consultant Beacon Health Options, which manages behavioral health care for the states Medicaid population.

Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford saw the most behavioral health-related ER visits, with 3,962 visits by Medicaid-insured youth in 2016. Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital had a combined total of 2,263 visits, followed by St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury with 1,185 and William Backus Hospital in Norwich with 1,203.

Charlotte Hungerford in Torrington saw 263 visits; Middlesex Hospital in Middletown saw 332; and Griffin Hospital in Derby saw 111 visits.

After those 2016 ER visits, the study reported, 10.4 percent of youths were readmitted to the ER within seven days, and 25.6 percent were readmitted within 30 days. The studys authors said this indicates that youth and/or family needs were not met at the visit or by the services utilized after discharge.

Hospital emergency departments are often ill-equipped to handle children experiencing behavioral health crises. Those children may benefit more from treatment at community mental health centers, schools or a pediatricians office, the reports authors wrote.

Emergency departments are not really set up from physical standpoint or from a staffing standpoint to be a primary care behavioral health treatment center, said Jeff Vanderploeg, the president and CEO of CHDI.

Many of the children did not have a follow-up appointment within a month of their initial trip to the emergency room, the study reported.

The reports authors reviewed several studies of both nationwide trends and the data from individual hospitals, including one that showed emergency room visits for publicly insured patients under age 18 experiencing psychiatric problems rose 26 percent from 2001 to 2010.

A 2014 national study cited in the report showed the numbers of psychiatric emergency room visits for children covered by private insurance declined during the same period.

In Connecticut, the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting prompted state officials to try to reduce behavioral health emergency room visits with initiatives to increase the number of crisis-stabilization beds, create Behavioral Health Assessment Centers and redirect children with autism spectrum disorders to specialized services.

The reports authors said some of those efforts have been effective, singling out the states Mobile Crisis Intervention Service hotline as a critical alternative to the ER that parents, guardians and teachers can call to request a clinician who will treat the child at their home or school.

We have one of the best behavioral health systems for children in the country ... and were still seeing a large number of children showing up to emergency departments for treatment, Vanderploeg said.

The report said nearly 1,300 Medicaid-insured children in 2016 were stuck in the emergency room after a behavioral health crisis, staying in the hospital for days or weeks before they were discharged, according to the data.

And about 35 percent of those children did not have a follow-up appointment to see a behavioral or mental health professional in the month after they went to the emergency room. Vanderploeg said that number could indicate poverty, lack of transportation or poor coordination between behavioral health providers are preventing parents and guardians from taking children to mental health appointments.

A CHDI working group that produced the report concluded that the state should try to alleviate pressure on emergency rooms by promoting collaboration between the hospitals, the states mobile crisis program and schools, and try to promote follow-up care at community health organizations for children who have been to the emergency room.

If someone is coming to the ED and the questions are really about how to manage or treat the individual in an ongoing way ... the staff are not necessarily trained or focused on addressing those questions, said Michael Hoge, the director of Yale Behavioral Health at the Yale Department of Psychiatry and a consultant on the working group. It raised the question of where else they would go.

Family members of children with behavioral health concerns said they relied on emergency rooms when the childs behavior was out of control or when the child had suicidal thoughts, often to get a diagnosis or guidance about how to cope, according to the report.

The working group delivered recommendations for state agencies to lessen emergency room visits and improve access to community-based mental health care, including:

 Allowing the Mobile Crisis Performance Improvement Center to focus efforts on increasing collaboration among the mobile crisis programs, the emergency departments, and schools.

 Fund the placement of care coordinators and family support specialists in high-volume emergency rooms.

 Provide telepsychiatry services connecting behavioral health specialists to emergency room staff, a service already available to pediatricians in Connecticut.

 Appropriate funds for the state Department of Children and Families to create Behavioral Health Assessment Centers that would provide evaluation during behavioral health crises, as well as treatment and referral, for children, youth, and families.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting. ( c-hit.org )The gig economy workforce is expected to hit 9.2 million Americans by 2021 as the convenience economy continues to expand from food delivery and ride-sharing to pharmaceuticals and on-demand event staffing. This was seen with Amazons recent acquisition of Pillpack and Ubers recently announced Uber Works program.

Related: 7 Reasons Why the Gig Economy is a Net Positive

Despite its obvious growth, this new employment model has been heavily criticized due to its lack of protections for gig workers. Certainly there has been a move toward expanded protectionsfor gig workers: The California Supreme Court Ruling made it more difficult for companies to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees. And New York States Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board ruled that Uber was liable for unemployment benefits for three drivers (and others "similarly situated").

But then came the Ninth U.S .Circuit Court of Appeals decision in September reversing a class certification order from a lower court case in which Uber drivers argued they should be categorized as employees rather than independent contractors.

The result has been to send a mixed message, leaving the employment structure of the gig economy in flux.

Rather than stripping access to benefits, companies leveraging a gig workforce should instead embrace employer status and offer adequate pay and protections to their workers. In doing this, companies can still enjoy the benefits of a flexible, on-demand workforce, but have a happy and motivated labor pool as well, ensuring that their own brand image is upheld and the customer experience is always positive.

Gig workers are the heartbeat of the gig economy and critical to its future, so there are good reasons why they should be treated fairly and evidence of how that ultimately benefits organizations. The why and how is presented below.

Related: How the Gig Economy Hurts Workers and Consumers

Fair pay

Unfair pay is just one pain point for gig workers that needs to be addressed in order for the convenience economy to continue its growth. Some studies have reported that ridesharing drivers can earn up to $25 an hour but once that is adjusted for gas, car insurance, mileage and maintenance expenses, the average net income can fall to just $9.21 an hour, and potentially much less.

Fees imposed by the companies themselves also contribute to diminished net income. Lyft takes a 20 percent cut of each fare from the driver -- plus the entire booking fee -- while Uber takes a 25 percent cut. In addition, independent contractors arent entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay or other hourly law mandates, such as meal periods and rest breaks.

Benefits

While there are safety risks associated with all jobs, driving is a particularly dangerous occupation. And estimated 20 mllion to 50 million Americans are injured in road crashes every year, a critical concern for ridesharing and delivery drivers who dont receive proper safety training or health insurance from their employers.

Even worse, 44 percent of independent workers rely on gig work as their primary source of income, yet arent entitled to unemployment insurance. If those workers are injured on the job and unable to continue working, they lose their entire income, without a safety net. This was the case for one gig worker who supported himself solely by driving for Lyft and Instacart  two gig economy behemoths. As he was filling an Instacart order, he injured his knee so badly that it required surgery. The driver was forced to take three months off for recovery. This meant his income was reduced to nothing, just when the medical bills were beginning to add up, leading to a year-and-a-half of homelessness.

Freelancers also dont have access to 401 (k) plans. Only 16 percent of gig workers have a retirement savings plan, which means that millions of gig workers are putting their long-term financial security at risk to help facilitate the growth of our on-demand economy.

Embracing employer status

While fair pay, insurance and other protections are critical for workers, there are many reasons why employers should want to invest in their employees and embrace employer status while still enjoying the cost and time-saving benefits of the gig economy.

A recent study found that employee benefits were among the top two contributors to employee job satisfaction and happiness, Guardian Insurance reported. Additional research by the University of Warwick showed that employees are 12 percent more productive when they are happy, indicating that investing in employees well-being by providing benefits can have positive effects on a companys success.

Embracing employer status can also help businesses protect their brand. For example, when restaurants outsource to third-party delivery services, they lose control of their brand from the moment the food leaves their restaurant, increasing the risk of cold food, delayed deliveries, negative customer interactions and ultimately, bad Yelp reviews, changed customer loyalties and a deteriorated profit margin.

When restaurants use their own team to deliver the brand-intended experience, they can better ensure food quality, delivery timing and the consumer experience is exactly as they expect. To facilitate this, restaurants and other businesses can partner with companies that provide a gig economy-like workforce but also take care of employment related burdens, ensuring workers are protected.

As the convenience economy continues to expand, it is important to remember that gig workers themselves are the heartbeat of this emergent industry. While California and New York recently passed legislation that once signaled a disruption of the gig economys employment model, there have been other decisions like the Uber dismissal case as well as Lawson v. Grubhub, in which the U.S. District Court of Northern California ruled that a Grubhub driver was properly classified and therefore not entitled to a minimum wage and overtime. The latter decisions show the obstacles that must be addressed before employment-related protections can be mandated.

Related: Why This Entrepreneur Thinks Uber Drivers Should Be His Employees

In order for the convenience economy to continue its success and growth, companies must embrace employer status and offer their workers benefits, insurance and other basic labor protections, which in turn will enable them to control their brand image and improve company productivity overall.

Related:

The Gig Economy Is Growing -- But Where Is It Headed?

The Surprising Reality Is Freelancers Are Happy and Prospering

The Secret to Retaining Productive Remote Workers Is Remembering They Are People



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We did it. We did it, Democrat James Maroney said jumping for joy and then looking for campaign workers to hug.

Maroneys victory kept the seat in Democratic control which the Republicans hoped to grab following the retirement of Gayle Slossberg, who held the seat for the Democrats since her election in 2004.

But Pam Staneski, the two-term Republican State Representative from the 119th district, was not ready to say this was her last foray in politics.

Standing with State Rep. Themis Klarides, the Republican minority leader in the state house, Staneski heard supporters urging her to run next year for mayor of Milford.

Im not saying no, Staneski replied.

Tuesday marked the rubber match in political battles between Maroney and Staneski. The pair previously split two races in representing the state house district 119 which encompasses Milford.

This time the battle was bigger including all of Milford and Orange and parts of Woodbridge and West Haven..

West Haven was the outlier, Staneski admitted Tuesday night.

It was there that Maroney got his biggest wins 1001-533 at Washington School and 975-564 at Surfsidehe won three of five polling places there. He also won big at West Shore Middle School 1423-1149 and Meadowside School 1379-1120 both in Milford.

I think the main thing was the work of the young people in our campaign, Maroney said. We had over 40 in our campaign and I want to continue their internship with these students learning about policy.It's a terrible day for notch haters. Samsung, one of the last holdouts in this regard, is ready to give up and join every other smartphone maker in Notchland.

At its developer conference today, the company teased three different notch designs that it plans to use for its devices in the near future. From the left to the right in the image below, we've got Infinity-U, Infinity-V, and Infinity-O. These are brands for the displays that will incorporate said notches.

As you can see, all three are basically shaped like the letters used to name them. U and V are traditional notches, albeit on the small side compared to what we've seen from other companies. O, on the other hand, seems to be a cutout of the display, meant to house the front-facing camera, but it's in a weird off-center position that might put people off even more than usual when it comes to notches.

New Infinity looks like the notch-less bezel-less display panel we've all been waiting for, so perhaps future flagships will get this design and the others will only appear on mid-rangers. One can hope. Either way, the era of Samsung not releasing notched handsets left and right is almost over. Brace yourselves.

ViaReports about the fingerprint sensor emerged from South Korea, revealing who will dominate the market next year. Qualcomm and MediaTek-owned Goodix are the two key players who will work with the biggest smartphone manufacturers in 2019.

According to industry insiders, Qualcomm has already won orders for ultrasonic FP sensors from Samsung for the midrange and high-end Galaxy models, with shipments scheduled for late 2018 and early 2019 This is hardly a surprise anymore, given the Korean manufacturer is ditching the iris scanner.

Fingerprint scanners under the display are the hottest trend right now with a growing number of smartphones implementing the technology. The Chinese manufacturer vivo was the first company to introduce such a sensor by Synaptics in its X20 Plus UD, launched in January. Today devices like the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, OnePlus 6T, Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro and Oppo RX17 Pro all implement the neat feature.

Qualcomm will combine its mobile AI enablement center in Taiwan, the resources of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor lab in California, and cooperation with Taiwan TFT panel makers to lower the production cost of an under-display fingerprint scanner.

While Qualcomm is concentrating on its partnership with Samsung, Goodix will work with mainly Chinese companies like Lenovo, Huawei, Xiaomi and vivo. It already landed orders for optical scanners and will start shipping them in the first half of 2019.

ViaIntroduction

During its annual developers conference (SDC 2018), Samsung just announced its Infinity Flex Display and a so-called One UI that makes company's foldable phones more usable but will also arrive on non-foldable devices (so the name Samsung Experience is going to be retired, it seems). It then talked about the scalability of Bixby and how the virtual assistant would grow in the future and eventually reach a broader range of Samsung and non-Samsung products.

Infinity Flex Display and One UI for the next foldable Galaxy smartphone

But let's talk about the interesting stuff first, hence the Infinity Flex Display. As expected, Samsung didn't announce a fully working flexible smartphone here but instead showcased its ready, elastic OLED panel that's going to be the centerpiece feature of its future foldable Galaxy phone. The display folds vertically so that the user can enjoy large-screen content without sacrificing portability. When opened, you get a 7.3" viewing area.

And here's where the One UI comes into play. Samsung has worked closely with Google and Android developers to design a UI that's minimalist and keeps the relevant content on the bottom half of the screen ensuring easy one-handed operation at all times.

But at the same time, the new UI optimizes the screen area for better productivity on the go as well. As you unfold the phone, the UI seamlessly transitions into an almost tablet-like device giving you more freedom to multitask. Samsung says that the One UI can keep three apps open at once making the most out of the big foldable panel.

There's no word on when exactly the foldable Galaxy smartphone will come out but on stage, we heard the company is gearing up to start mass production in the coming months.

It's not going to be an easy task to accomplish, mass producing such a device, if you consider how much of a technical challenge creating the Infinity Flex Display itself has been. Samsung had to replace glass with a new protective layer, an advanced composite polymer that's both flexible and tough. This was invented by the company for this purpose.

An additional challenge is inherent in the fact that the Infinity Flex Display will be folded and unfolded hundreds of thousands of times throughout the lifespan of the handset. That needs to not induce any degradation. For this Samsung made a malleable, foldable adhesive that keeps all the components securely stuck together while enabling them to flex.

The final and biggest challenge Samsung faced is that the Infinity Flex had to be thinner than any other mobile display it's ever produced. It made it so by reducing the thickness of the polarizer, creating an entirely new one that is 45% thinner.

In the future, Samsung wants to bring the world rollable and even stretchable displays, along with in-folding and out-folding ones.

Bixby platform opens to developers

On another note, Samsung also said a few words about its Bixby platform and its future. In essence, the controversial virtual assistant will become more useful and helpful thanks to Samsung opening up third-party app development for Bixby.

The so-called Bixby Developer Studio should help developers integrate Bixby into more products and services while the Bixby Capsules are selections of services or features for Bixby making them easily accessible for consumers to find in the Bixby Marketplace. The whole platform would help developers adapt their capsules to work not only with smartphones but with TVs, speakers and other home appliances part of the Samsung ecosystem.

Bixby will also receive an update expanding its support for more languages - British English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.Today, Verizon has announced some changes that its making to its prepaid tier of plans. Following the new plans on Metro by T-Mobile, Verizon is feeling the pressure to make its plans more competitive by cutting the cost and adding more value-added features to the prepaid service.

For starters, Verizons unlimited prepaid plan is now $65 with AutoPay (down from $75) and the $45 plan now has 8GB of high speed LTE instead of just 7GB. You can also add a Jetpack (Verizons branded portable LTE hotspots) or LTE tablet just as you would add a smartphone. Mobile hotspot is available on all plans except for the unlimited one, for obvious reasons. You can also now hold up to 10 lines with a prepaid account instead of just 5.

The pre-paid market is becoming more competitive in the US but Verizons plans are still not the best value in prepaid unlimited. Metro by T-Mobiles unlimited plan offers unlimited data, 15GB of LTE hotspot, Google One, and Amazon Prime are also included. Metros rates also include taxes and fees. Verizons plans do include unlimited talk and text to over 200 international destinations though.

Head to Verizons prepaid site to build and customize your prepaid family plan.

SourceGreat Northern Fairgrounds mill levy approved, Colby wins Blaine County sheriff race, Hutton wins Blaine County Commissioner

Editor's note: This version corrects the returns from Public Service Commission District 1 and notes that all precincts are not counted. It also adds the results from house districts 27 and 32 and from Blaine County.

8:50 a.m. - With all the precincts counted in Hill County, the unofficial tally shows several incumbents maintaining their seats, the tally throughout the state showing likely victors in some open seats and some races still too close to call.

With 100 provisional ballots yet to be counted, Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson, a Democrat, fended off a strong challenge from independent Mark Hansonl, 3,399 to 2,566.

Democratic Hill County Treasurer/Assessor Sandy Brown easily held off a challenge from Republican Penny Hadford 3,956 to 2,122, and in the nonpartisan race for Hill County justice of the peace, incumbent Judge Audrey Barger handily defeated her challenger, Bruce Grant, 4,495 to 1,240.

In the race for the seat in House District 28, incumbent Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, also easily held off his challengers. Bachmeier tallied 2,238 votes while Libertarian Conor Burns gathered 395 and former legislator Bob Sivertsen, running as an independent, took 1,168 votes.

In the race for House District 32 that stretches from the northeast corner of Chouteau County into western Phillips County, including the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, unofficial results from all 10 precincts show incumbent Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, fended off a challenge from former Rep. G. Bruce Meyers, R-Box Elder, 2,234 to 1,351.

The votes on approving a mill levy to add funds to the Great Northern Fairgrounds budget passed, with 3,425 votes in favor and 2,748 against.

Other races in open seats appear to be decided, while others are too close to call.

In the race for Senate District 14, incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, has a slight lead in the tally on the Montana secretary of state's website, 4,372 to the 4,293 garnered by Havre Democrat Paul Tuss. That was with 25 of 26 precincts fully reported.

In the race for House District 27, which along with House District 28 comprises Senate District 14, Fort Benton Republican Joshua Kassmier handily defeated Democrat Dan Nelson, also of Fort Benton, 3,287 to 1,371, with 26 of 27 precincts counted.

In the race for the seat in Public Service Commission District 1, Sun River Republican Randi Pinocci soundly defeated Havre Democrat Doug Kaercher, 38,032 to 25,774 with 119 of 142 precincts reported.

In contested Blaine County races, Republican Miles Hutton defeated Democrat Ken Kim Hansen 470-413 while Democrat Sheriffs Lt. John Colby, a Democrat, defeated Republican Undersheriff Frank Billmayer 1.514 tp 1,368 in the race for Blaine Count sheriff.

In the race for state district judge for Judicial District 17 in Blaine, Phillips and Valley counties, with all 13 precincts reported, incumbent Judge Yvonne Laird defeated challenger Peter Helland 4,531 to 3772.

12:03 a.m. With all nine Havre precincts counted, the unofficial tally shows Rep. Jacob Bachmeier has retained his seat representing House District 28 with 2,238 votes. Independent Bob Sivertsen garnered 1,168 with Libertarian Conor Burns taking 395.

10:18 p.m. With four Hill County precincts counted, the mill levy proposed for the Hill County Fairgrounds is off to an early lead with 1,1784 yes votes and 853 no votes.

In the race for Senate District 14, Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, has garnered 737 votes to Havre Democratic challenger Paul Tuss' 1,304

Incumbent Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, continues his lead in the race for House District 28 with 1,230 votes to Libertarian Conor Burns' 204 and independent candidate Bob Sivertsen's 573.

Incumbent Democratic Hill County Treasurer Sandy Brown maintained her lead with 1,237 votes t Republican Penny Hadford's 738.

Incumbent Audrey Barger leads challenger Bruce Grant in the nonpartisan race for Hill County justice of the peace 1,539-329, and incumbent Democratic Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson has 1,066 to independent challenger Dale Hansonl's 870.

In the race for the District 1 Public Service Commission seat, Democrat Doug Kaercher of Havre leads Sun River Republican Randy Pinocci 1,313 to 708.

9:48 p.m. With the first precinct fully reported in Hill County, Democrats are showing an early lead in contested races.

The results from Precinct 2 show Democrat Paul Tuss of Havre with 216 votes to incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, garnering 108 in the race for Senate District 14.

Incumbent Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, has 196 votes in the race for House District 28 to independent Bob Sivertsen's 78 and Libertarian Conor Burns' 45.

In the race for Hill County Commissioner, incumbent Democrat Mark Peterson has 172 votes to independent candidate Dale Hansonl's 138.

Audrey Barger

Democrat Doug Kaercher of Havre has 201 votes in the race for Public Service Commission District 1, ahead of Republican Randy Pinocci of Sun River, who has 120.

In the nonpartisan race for Hill County justice of the peace, incumbent Judge Audrey Barger has 243 votes to challenger Bruce Grant's 67.

Incumbent Democrat Sandy Brown leads Republican challenger Penny Hadford 201 to 111 in the Hill County treasurer/assessor race.

Watch here on the the Havre Daily News website for more updates on these and other races.

8:41 p.m. -- The polls in Hill County have closed and absentee ballots are being counted while the results from the first precinct have come in. Watch here at the Havre Daily News website for updates as results are released and for full coverage in Wednesday's edition.Results are mainly in for local legislative races although in one, it is still too close to call.

With 25 of 26 precincts reported at 10 this morning, incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, held a 79-vote lead over his challenger, Havre Democrat Paul Tuss.

The difference was less than the number of provisional ballots that will be counted in Hill County alone. The estimated number of provisional ballots in Hill County is 100.

Provisional ballots will be counted Tuesday.

Tempel said he has been following a few of the other races for this election, such as the U.S. Senate and House. He added that both races will be very close.

"I think it's been a good race, it's been real educational," Tempel said. "I've met a lot of nice people and I appreciate all the support I've got."

Tuss said the last nine months have been really rewarding for him.

"In fact I just got off doing my last door-to-door visit about three hours ago," he said. "We've probably hit 10,000 doors in this district and we've talked to thousands and thousands of people about what their priorities are for Montana and their families. It's been very rewarding. Win, lose or draw, I'm incredibly blessed to have been part of this process."

At that time, Tuss said it was still too early to say how the results would turn out and that only a couple of districts had reported in so far.

"It's gonna be a late night. I had originally anticipated that we'd have, kind of, the results by maybe 10 or 10:30, but I don't think so. I think it's going to be into the wee hours of the morning before we're probably out of here," he added.

But incumbent Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, handily won his re-election bid. Bachmeier garnered 2,238 votes to Libertarian Conor Burns' 395 and the 1,168 votes for former legislator Bob Sivertsen, who was running as an independent.

Before the final results were in, Bachmeier said that if he were re-elected it would mean a lot and would be an honor to represent the people of Havre.

"For me this job is about listening to what's on the hearts of people and going to the Legislature and representing them, but also coming back to them and saying, 'This is what you told me what was on your mind and this is what I did to work for you.' It's a really amazing opportunity to make direct impacts in people's lives," he added.

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State Sen. Russ Tempel talks to a supporter while waiting for election results.

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, also staved off a challenge. G. Bruce Meyers, who took the place of Windy Boy in House District 32 when Windy Boy successfully ran for the Senate, earned 1,351 votes while Windy Boy retained the seat with 2,234 votes.

In House District 27, which comprises Senate District 14 along with HD 32, Republican Joshua Kassmier easily defeated Democrat Dan Nelson, 3,287 to 1,371 with 16 of 17 precincts fully counted.

Rep. Jim O'Hara, R-Fort Benton, did not run for re-election, instead trying to regain his former seat on the Chouteau County Commission. He lost to incumbent Republican Commissioner Robert Pasha in the primary.

Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, received 3,800 votes in his unopposed bid to retain the seat in House District 33.Editor,

Expanded and Improved Medicare for All has benefits so clear and impressive, it is absurd for any informed American to not insist on congress implementing H.R. 676.

The U.S. spends twice as much per capita on health care as other industrialized nations, yet ranks near bottom on nearly all health indicators. Today, 30 million Americans still have no health insurance and another 40 million are underinsured. Medical bills are responsible for most bankruptcies, even in families with health insurance. Prescription dugs prices are the highest in the world. We spend $31 trillion per year on health care administrative costs.

Expanded and Improved Medicare for All cuts those costs and saves $500 billion per year. Negotiated drug and medical device prices could save $150 billion yearly. These savings are more than enough to cover all Americans with comprehensive care, including dental, vision and prescriptions, with no co-pays or deductibles. Fudning through modest progressive taxes would be less than all current health care expenses for 95 percent of households. Care would remain privately delivered with free choice of doctors and hospitals.

There would be no insurance companies maximizing profits. Employers would no longer have to provide health insurance. This is not socialized medicine.

Richard A. Damon, MD

BozemanThe national workplace mental health and wellbeing index score is 65 out of 100 which suggests that workplace mental health and wellbeing is still a work in progress.

Moreover, national index scores on mental health and wellbeing were different depending on business size, with small businesses performing better (67) compared to large organisations (63).

Indeed, a quarter of Australian workers reported experiencing high levels of stress in their current job, a major risk for depression and anxiety.

A fifth of these workers say they will leave their employer in the next 12 months, a statistic that was more prevalent among senior managers.

The report also found that one in five working Australians currently experience a mental health condition, with almost half (45%) reporting they experience some stigma related to mental health in their workplace. The most common group for this was younger workers (18-24 year olds).The thousands of Central Americans leaving for the United States arent abandoning their homes because they want to. Violence and poverty combine to leave no other option, says Ixchel Palencia, Americas program manager at Heifer International.

On October 13, a group of 2,000 people left San Pedro Sula, Honduras, headed north toward the U.S-Mexico border. As the migrant caravan traveled, more Hondurans as well as some Guatemalans, Nicaraguans, Salvadorians and Mexicans joined.

In response to the caravan, President Donald Trump said the U.S. government will cut international aid to the Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvadors governments, as they have failed to control the illegal migration.

Due to poverty and violence, thousands are leaving their homes in Honduras and headed toward the U.S. border. Photo by Russell Powell.

Reports differ as to the migrant caravans current size. Many estimate the caravan now numbers 7,000 people; the Honduran government says as some individuals turned back, and the number is now around 5,000. According to the government of Suchiate, Mexico, which shares a border with Guatemala, the caravan currently comprises 1,822 men, 1,565 women, 770 boys and 950 girls.

For Honduran migrants, it is estimated that 60 percent come from the outskirts of large cities and 40 percent from rural areas.

Usually, the violence is in the big cities, but youre seeing it more and more in rural areas, said Palencia, who is from Tegucigalpa, Honduras capital. A lot of it is drug related. But some of it is muggings, but they can be very violent. They might kill you for a cell phone.

Violence, in this case, is one of the consequences of wide-spread poverty. More than two-thirds of Hondurans struggle with poverty, and almost half of that group faces extreme poverty. Almost half of working age Hondurans are unemployed.

There aren't that many opportunities for people. To start a business, you need money. You need capital. People don't have it. Ixchel Palencia, Americas program manager for Heifer International

There arent that many opportunities for people, Palencia said. To start a business, you need money. You need capital. People dont have it.

The poverty rates have increased a lot, she said. Part of the reason is a rise in the cost of basic needs while the job opportunities that are available are typically temporary and dont pay well.

And poverty is also exacerbated by violence. One of the challenges people have is that you start a small business, then you face extortion, Palencia said. Gangs enact a tax on successful businesses and are threatened if its not paid.

People are afraid to show theyre doing well, Palencia said. If youre doing well, you have to have a low profile. Because youre a target.

The interchange of poverty and violence leads to several migrations for families. Faced with a lack of economic opportunities, people go to big cities, like Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula, looking for work. But the new city residents often must move into unsafe neighborhoods due to a lack of funds. So even if jobs are found, violence and extortion make city life untenable.

Education and health care are also scarce in Honduras. Direct threats from criminal gangs have led to cancelled classes or school closures. Hospitals are sometimes too overburdened to treat patients.

Many Hondurans decide the only option left is to try to start a life elsewhere. A human rights representative said that 300 people migrate from Honduras each day, Palencia said. Its something thats happening a lot, but now with the caravan, its more visible.

Palencia added that the primary reason for the caravan is safety. When traveling alone or in smaller groups, she said, Theres a lot of people who return to Honduras in a coffin.

In Honduras, Heifer is working with small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs to create opportunities so people dont have to make the harrowing decision to uproot their families.

Small and medium businesses represent a quarter of the Honduran GDP and comprise 60 percent of employment opportunities. In places like Olancho, one of the departments with the highest rate of migration, Heifer Honduras is emphasizing local development.

Heifer is working to provide opportunities for Hondurans like Maria Bonilla and Alex Gonzalez, who started their own bakery in Olancho. Photo by Chelsey Louzeiro.

Through the support of these family businesses, thats a way also that the families can have a better income and no need to migrate, Palencia said.

I think what Heifer is doing is giving opportunities, she said. Something we have to be clear about is that we cant make a change working alone. We have to work with the local government, the private sector and other organizations. Thats the way that we can make a change, and were trying to do that, making alliances with the private sector, with the tourism industry, the chamber of commerce. Those small changes could help.

The Heifer Honduras office contributed significantly to the data and context of this story.A Dublin man operating a drugs business selling thousands of euro worth of cannabis on social media was caught by eagle-eyed gardai, a court has heard.

Shane Valentine admitted having drugs for sale and supply when he appeared before Letterkenny District Court yesterday.

Gda Derek Connaughton was monitoring social media and saw a posting by Valentine (23) selling drugs.

When gardai raided his home in Glenoughty Close, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on July 19 last year, they found more than 7,500 of cannabis hidden in a false compartment in a tumble dryer.

A further search of the house uncovered 960 in cash, weighing scales and two mature cannabis plants worth 1,600.

Valentine, who is originally from Dublin, has 26 previous convictions for offences including assault, robbery and criminal damage.

He previously pleaded guilty to using a stolen credit card to buy more than 185 worth of pizza at Domino's Pizza in Letterkenny on November 1, 2016.

Homeless

Valentine's solicitor, Frank Dorrian, told the court he had been in care from the ages of three to 17 and had little contact with his biological parents.

He said his client had a partner and a child and had been given an opportunity to distribute cannabis.

Mr Dorrian said Valentine had found himself homeless before this and saw it as an opportunity to get his family "over the line".

"He did not see himself as a major player and got caught very early on," he said.

Mr Dorrian said there had been another raid on Valentine's house but nothing was found. He said he wore this as a badge of honour to show gardai he was now trying to go straight.

Valentine also pleaded guilty to a number of road traffic offences.

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until December 7 for a community service and probation report.

However, he warned Valentine: "Given the facts, it will be very difficult to avoid a custodial sentence, but we will see what we can do."Broadcaster Pat Kenny and his wife, Kathy, are opposing plans for three apartment blocks and seven houses on a site next to their Dalkey home.

In August, property firm Bartra Capital Property - founded by developer Richard Barrett - paid 3.1m for the Maple Tree House site adjacent to the Kennys' home and also paid for an additional 0.51 acre site to allow the planning application to be lodged last month.

The application consists of 19 apartments in three blocks ranging up to four storeys, along with five three-bedroomed homes and two semi-detached homes on the 1.4 acre site.

Architects for the scheme said that great care has been taken to protect privacy between the proposed units and out from the site to the existing houses.

Opposition

However, the Bartra plan is meeting with stiff local opposition, with 11 other objections lodged by locals in addition to the Kenny objection.

The comprehensive Kenny objection runs to 16 pages and is signed by Pat Kenny and Kathy Kenny.

The Kenny objection - which is carried out to a high professional standard and appears to have been drawn up by the Kennys themselves - points out that their home, The Anchorage, abuts the subject site.

The objection states: "In my opinion, the proposed development by the applicant is not in compliance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

The objection states that, if permitted, the development "would detrimentally impact on The Anchorage" and other residential properties in the area.

The objection adds: "It would also set a precedent that could ultimately seriously damage the character of the area."

The Kennys state that the proposed development would materially contravene the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Development Plan's policies and objectives for the subject site "and would have a detrimental impact on its character".

They state that planning permission should be refused as "this development is ill-thought and appears based on the quest for density alone with scant other consideration".

The Kennys state: "We have no desire to object to every development proposal, but we seek only to have appropriate development in terms of scale and function.

"At the outset, Ireland is undergoing a housing crisis. Therefore, it is incumbent to realise the development potential of serviced-residentially zoned land.

"However, as outlined clearly in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan, any densification of brownfield lands must be balanced with respect for the receiving environment of established residential properties.

"With that principle in mind, the crux of the issue in considering the proposed development is that the suitability of the site in principle and the ability of the receiving environment to absorb the proposal are two very different considerations."

The Kennys are opposing the plan on a number of grounds - density, scale and massing, design, traffic impact, impact on trees and habitat and residential amenity.

Privacy

The Kennys also state that the development will result in gross overlooking, along with loss of light and privacy of The Anchorage.

They say that "the Duplex apartments at the end of the site overlook The Anchorage and any roof terrace or window would be less than 15 metres from our daughter's bedroom window and 19 metres from our bedroom window".

The Kennys state that the loss of light on their property "would be disastrous".

The consultants state that the development will not have an adverse impact on residential amenities or views from the wider area and has an attractive design.Giedre Raguckaite was last seen unconscious at this house in Laytown on May 29

The best friend of a missing Lithuanian woman believes that she was raped before being murdered and her body disposed of.

Gardai yesterday appealed for information in the case of Giedre Raguckaite (29), who was last seen alive unconscious at a house in Laytown, Co Meath, on May 29 in the company of two Lithuanian men who carried her in and placed her in an ice bath.

Drugged

Forensic officers yesterday carried out a detailed search of the property, the first time that they had searched it even though they have questioned the two men over the suspected murder.

It is understood that some hours after Ms Raguckaite was brought to Laytown, the men left the property with her in a stolen Toyota Landcruiser and no one has seen her since.

Last night, her close pal Gedvile Hibner told the Herald that a witness had reported that Ms Raguckaite had been violently sexually assaulted before being killed and that she was in a drugged state.

In an appeal for information yesterday, Superintendent Gerry Curley said the last sighting of Ms Raguckaite was in the company of two men at a house on the Beach Grove estate in Laytown at around 11pm on May 29.

"Giedre was not seen leaving the house but we are satisfied that she left the house and the other two males left the house in the early hours of May 30. She has not been seen since," he said.

The garda Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the house and officers are understood to have been interested in one particular part of the building.

Gardai are following a definite line of inquiry and at this point there is no indication that Ms Raguckaite was trafficked.

Officers have looked into more than 170 lines of inquiry, including liaising with the PSNI, UK police forces, Interpol and the Lithuanian police.

Ms Raguckaite was first reported missing on August 22 by a member of the Lithuanian community living in Dundalk.Seven days of horror end with two ex-cops and two little girls dead

newsAs rumours of the romance gain steam, actor Arjun Kapoor and reality show host Malaika Arora were spotted on a dinner date on Tuesday. Arjun and Malaika were seen waddling through a sea of fans and paparazzi outside a restaurant in Mumbais Bandra.

Arjun was seen in a big black jacket while Malaika wore a white tank top and denims. While she kept her head low to avoid the camera flashes, Arjun put his arms around her to shield her from the crowd. Arjun was heard asking their fans to give them space as they made their way through. See pics:

The two were also seen at designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khoslas Diwali bash. Both came dressed in their festive best but werent spotted together. They also reportedly celebrated Malaikas birthday in Italy last month and were spotted holding hands at the airport.

Upon her return to India, film director and Malaikas co-judge on Indias Got Talent, Karan Johar, teased her about her holiday and if she went alone or not. He shared the video of his interrogation of Malaika on Instagram but she blushingly denied to answer his question.

Malaika and Arjun are rumoured to have been in a relationship since last year. However, they kept their public appearances to a minimum all this while. It is only recently that they have started heading out together.

A report in Filmfare also suggests that the two will tie the knot soon. Malaika and Arjun are extremely fond of each other. They have never really spoken about each other but they are extremely happy in their own personal space. In a steady relationship now, Malaika and Arjun plan to take their relationship to next level and tie the knot next year, a source told the magazine.

Malaika and her actor husband Arbaaz Khan got divorced in 2015 and continue to be friends, making frequent appearances together with their son.

Follow @htshowbiz for morePriyanka Chopra is busy painting the town red with her bride squad. The bride-to-be has been treating her fans with pictures and videos of her numerous and extravagant bachelorette parties- the latest one featuring her and the girl gang in payjamas and heels.

She took to Instagram to share the image in which she can be seen posing with cousin Parineeti Chopra and future sister-in-law Sophie Turner, among others.

Payjamas are cool.. #bridesquad #payjamasandheels @tam2cul @srishtibehlarya @daniellejonas @mubinarattonsey you were missed she captioned the post.

Priyanka and gang were in Amsterdam over the weekend to celebrate her impending wedding to Nick Jonas. She arrived back in Mumbai with Parineeti on Tuesday night and were spotted sharing a laugh at the airport. Priyanka was seen in a red top and high-waist pants combo while Parineeti was seen in grey jacket and denims.

Last month, the Baywatch stars bridesmaids Mubina Rattonsey and Anjula Achari had hosted a bridal shower for her at Tiffanys Blue Box Cafe in New York City, which was attended by all her family members and close friends.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreAs many as 18 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, parked in a residential colony in south Delhis Madangir village near Ambedkar Nagar were gutted after an unidentified man set them on fire in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.

Eight motorcycles and two cars were completely charred while other vehicles were partially burnt. The vehicles were parked outside residential buildings in a narrow street with a radius of around 10 to 15 metres, the police said.

According to the police, a timely alert by local residents and swift action by fire fighters and the local police helped control the flames, preventing the fire from engulfing other vehicles and buildings and averting a major tragedy.

The incident was captured in CCTV cameras installed in the narrow street where the vehicles were parked. The police said the footage shows the man pulling out the fuel supply pipes of the motorcycles and later setting them on fire using match sticks. They said the suspect appeared to be a vagabond.

We have registered a case under sections 435 and 427 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to property) of the Indian Penal Code against the unknown person at the Ambedkar Nagar police station. Our teams are analysing the footage to identify the suspect, who appears to be around 25-year-old, said Vijay Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (south).

A Delhi fire department official said that the fire control room had received a call around 2:30 am regarding the incident in Madangir village. Two fire tenders along with six firemen immediately reached the spot and doused the flames, said the fire official.

The police said that by the time fire fighters doused the fire, it had already engulfed other vehicles parked near the car and the two bikes. We checked the footage of the CCTV cameras. One footage shows a man opening the fuel pipe of a bike because of the which petrol starts falling on the ground. As the petrol flows towards other parked bikes and cars, the man sets two bikes and a car on fire using match sticks. He then left the area, said a police officer, probing the case.

DCP Kumar said that a manhunt was launched in the nearby areas, but the suspect could not be found. He said the police have activated their local intelligence network to identify the accused, who, he said, appeared to be intoxicated as well.

Investigators believe that the interrogation of the suspect might also help them solve the case of fire at Pushp Vihar auto pond in which around 200 cars, auto rickshaws, buses, and two-wheelers were gutted on May 29. The police are yet to make a headway in that case.The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered three First Information Reports (FIRs) pertaining to the violence between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the inauguration of the Signature Bridge on Sunday. While all three FIRs were registered at New Usmanpur police station, the cases were later transferred to the crime branch for investigation.

Joint commissioner of police (eastern range), Ravindra Yadav, said one of the three FIRs was registered against Amanatullah Khan, AAP MLA from Okhla, for allegedly threatening BJP Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari.

On Monday, Tiwari had emailed a complaint pertaining to the incident to the office of the deputy commissioner of police (north-east).

In his complaint to the deputy commissioner of police (north-east), Tiwari had said, I had no intention of sharing the dais with the honourable chief minister or any other dignitary AAP workers and supporters started sloganeering Manoj Tiwari haaye haaye, obstructed my way and assaulted me they also threatened to kill me.

The second FIR, police said, was filed against BJP workers for allegedly assaulting and threatening an AAP worker, identified as Taukir, who had lodged a written complaint at the police station. The joint commissioner of police said another FIR was registered against AAP workers on the basis of a complaint filed by BJP worker BN Jha, who had alleged he was assaulted and threatened by AAP workers.

Earlier in the day, the BJPs Delhi unit organised two protest marches in the city, demanding the arrest of AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan for allegedly manhandling their party president Manoj Tiwari at the event.

While around 300 BJP workers marched to Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Kejriwals residence in Civil Lines from Chandgiram Akhada on Tuesday morning, some other party members gheraoed AAP MLA Amanatullah Khans residence in Jamia Nagar with black flags. The protesters alleged that the violence against Tiwari was an insult to the entire Poorvanchali community.

BJP Delhi Pradesh vice-president Jai Prakash, who was among those protesting outside Kejriwals residence, said, The attack on Tiwari ji is an attack on the pride of the entire Poorvanchal community. The people of Poorvanchal should boycott this government and their politics of violence.

Senior BJP leader Rambeer Bidhuri, who led the protest outside Khans residence, said, Khans threat to Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari and pushing him down warrant his arrest. We will stage daily protests outside his house if the police fail to arrest him soon.For the first time in years, the run up to Diwali has been a test of effectiveness for the Delhi Police. With the ban on the sale and use of conventional firecrackers, the Supreme Court has tasked the police force to crack down against people found bursting firecrackers, as well as against firecracker sellers across the citys markets, who are now looking for clandestine ways to sell their old stock.

The police said that on Wednesday, Diwali day, the police would focus on stopping people from illegally bursting traditional firecrackers. Delhi Police spokesperson Madhur Verma said that local police stations have been instructed to increase patrolling around neighbourhoods to track any violation.

We will act on any complaints we receive in the control room and also inspect areas to check for remains of burnt crackers, Verma said.

After the court order, the police have already registered an FIR against a resident of Ghazipur for bursting crackers.

On the eve of Diwali, enforcement teams were seen guarding the wholesale cracker markets of Sadar Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Karol Bagh. Heavy deployment was seen near godowns and shops, wherever there was possibility of the illegal sale of crackers.

Apart from uniformed deployment, we also have police personnel doing the rounds of these markets in plainclothes, to catch any sale, an official deployed at Sadar Bazaar said.

In Old Delhi, local rickshaw pullers have also been roped in to provide information about any furtive exchange around the market. Officials deployed at the market said that most exchanges were found to have been happening at shops that were ostensibly selling decorative items for the festival.

HT had, on Tuesday, published a ground report of how cracker sellers with old stock were now resorting to novel ways to sell fireworks. Vendors around Old Delhi, Trilokpuri, Mayur Vihar phase-1, and New Kondli were offering home delivery of crackers at higher prices.

Since the Court order on October 23, the Delhi Police have seized around 5,000kg of illegal firecrackers, which contain polluting chemicals such as Barium, Sulphur, Aluminium, Copper, Lithium and Strontium. On Tuesday alone, the police seized 250kg of illegal firecrackers from Uttam Nagar, Sadar Bazar and Kalyanpuri.

The accused (in Uttam Nagar) were arrested for storing crackers without a licence. The Dwarka police have registered five cases following the Supreme Court order on sale of old firecrackers, deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Anto Alphonse said.

He said that Dwarka and Uttam Nagar have become new hubs for the illegal sale of firecrackers. Apart from Tuesdays seizure, around 30kg of firecrackers were seized from the area in the last two days.

On Sunday too, a dealer was arrested with 22kg of crackers from Uttam Nagar.

A trader in Jama Masjids wholesale market, who had been waiting for a temporary licence from the police to sell crackers this year, said that sellers like him are left with no other option but to find ways to dispose of the old stock.

There are sellers who have invested lakhs of rupees in buying stock and are left with no other option but to sell it illegally. This would not have happened, had the agencies found an alternative for us, the trader said, on the condition of anonymity.Motorcycle gangs forcing a car to stop on a flimsy pretext and then stealing belongings from the vehicle is a common modus operandi of Delhis notorious thak thak gangs. But an American woman of Indian origin was robbed near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in south Delhi by motorcyclists who allegedly sprayed a chemical that forced her to exit her car, and then stole her backpack while she was left gasping for breath on the side of the road.

According to the woman, the perpetrators sprayed a chemical on the bonnet which led to white fumes entering the car through the AC vents, leading to shortage of breath and the skin to burn.

The police, which is investigating the case, says this is a new method that is gaining popularity among thak thak (knock knock) gangs, which are given the name because they accost victims on a seemingly simple pretext, usually saying their car tyre appears to have a puncture in it.

The woman, who is in her forties, lives in New York. Last month, she was in India to perform a religious ritual for her late father. The alleged crime happened around 1.30 pm on October 22, a day before she was to return to the US.

The woman told HT and she and her Indian host were in a Toyota Innova, travelling from a private hospital to Connaught Place, when two men riding a motorcycle waved at them under the flyover near AIIMS.

The two riders pointed to our cars bonnet and gestured us to pull over. We thought they were being helpful, and stopped the car on the side of the road. Moments later, the AC vent of the car began releasing dense fumes that made us struggle to breathe. I thought I would choke, and feared the car would explode. I immediately came out of the car, said the woman, who asked not to be named.

She said she had just stepped out of her car when two men on another motorcycle came towards her and snatched a backpack in her hand. The pillion rider was not even wearing a helmet. He turned around to look at me after the robbery. The robbers were riding away at a leisurely pace. They seemed unafraid, the woman added.

When she checked the cars hood, she found a thick, black, greasy chemical on one side of the bonnet. We suspect the chemical was sprayed moments before the motorcyclists gestured to us. My host confirmed that there were no problems with the vehicle, she said.

The woman told the police that her backpack contained $3,000, an iPhone, her passport, cheque books, driving licence, health insurance card, and her late fathers locket. Since I lost almost all my documents, I would have struggled for days to get back to my country. But the US embassy in Delhi came to my rescue, said the woman, who flew out of India on October 23.

The embassy officials helped me register a police complaint online, she added.

When contacted, deputy commissioner of police (south) Vijay Kumar said the woman registered a lost and found report, about which the local police is not directly informed. We have now got in touch with the woman and are registering an FIR with the help of her Indian contact, the DCP added. According to him, what the woman described is one of the many modus operandi of thak thak gangs operating across India.

The woman says she put her robbed iPhone on surveillance and found that it was being used in and around Safdarjung Enclave.

Police statistics show that at least 19 snatching cases were reported everyday in Delhi till October 31 this year. A total of 5,726 such cases were registered in 190 police stations during this period.

The citys police commissioner, Amulya Patnaik, in his last interview told Hindustan Times that police have recognised snatching as one of the capitals biggest law-and-order concerns and they have proposed drastic changes that call for harsher sentences for the guilty.The Gurugram police has issued directions to 40 station house officers (SHO) in the city to implement the Supreme Court order, allowing the use of only green crackers between 8pm and 10pm on Diwali.

The police said they will take action against people bursting crackers before 8 pm and after 10 pm on Wednesday and will wait for a tip-off from the district administration teams in this regard.

We will arrest people bursting crackers beyond the prescribed time and also those selling crackers as no licence has been issued this year. We have no mechanism to check green crackers. Teams, including the pollution board members, will check and alert us if crackers being burst between 8pm and 10pm are not green, Arvind Kumar, station house officer, Sushant Lok, said.

Police commissioner KK Rao said that maximum force is being deployed on Diwali this time to ensure that residents celebrate a safe and clean Diwali. The SHOs have been asked to personally patrol their area concerned. Anyone found indulging in an illegal activity, be it bursting crackers, playing cards or gambling, will be booked, Rao said.

Rao said the police department will be on its toes until Thursday morning to check illegal cracker sale.

At least 20 personnel from each police station, including the SHO, will patrol their areas.

We have asked security guards to alert the police team if they find anyone bursting crackers or selling them. Our teams have also met the residents welfare associations and requested them to ensure that no one violates the rules and regulations in their respective areas, Rao said.

The police on Sunday had arrested two persons for allegedly selling firecrackers.

Additionally, police teams in civil dress have also been deployed in different parts of the city.

Around 1,765 police personnel will be deployed across the city for setting up nakas, patrolling, checking at public places such as bus stand, Metro station and around busy malls. Five hundred traffic policemen, members of special crime units and special staff will also be deployed in the city to ensure there are no traffic jams, said Rao.

The police has designated 49 PCR vans and 94 two-wheelers, to be used for patrol, in the city. The police said that they are combing densely populated pockets, including villages, and have increased surveillance and night patrolling.

A senior official said that this year, there is no holiday for the Gurugram police officers, as they have been asked to remain on duty to maintain law and order. Leaves of all police officers have been cancelled in view of the festival, the official said.

The teams are also conducting checks at Metro stations and have ensured that all platforms are covered with CCTV cameras. Also, the security guards deployed at the stations have been asked to keep a check on the baggage and focus more on frisking.

Around 1,000 personnel have been deployed in areas with heavy footfall, including MG Road, Sohna Road and Sadar Bazar. The police have been instructed to continue at their new posts till Thursday morning. Patrolling has also been increased at borders.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma, in his response to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), has dismissed the charge that he sought or accepted a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Hyderabad-based businessman Sana Satish Babu to shield him in the case against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, as alleged by CBI special director Rakesh Asthana.

Babu was a witness in the case, not an accused as claimed by Asthana, Verma told CVC, according to officials familiar with the development.

Babu is one of the main players in the fight between Verma and Asthana which split the agency down the middle, and, eventually, resulted in the government stepping in and divesting them both of their responsibilities.

Asthanas bribery allegation was countered by a first information report (FIR) filed by CBI against him, citing a complaint by Babu about a Rs 5 crore deal with middlemen acting on behalf of Asthana.

In an August 24 representation to cabinet secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Asthana alleged that Babu was an accused in the case against Qureshi and in order to save himself from CBI action, had paid bribe of Rs 2 crore to the agency chief. The representation was forwarded to CVC for further verification by the cabinet secretary on August 30.

On the basis of the representation, the CVC issued three notices to CBI seeking clarifications on September 11; the central vigilance body claimed that director Verma didnt cooperate with the inquiry, as it said in its order dated October 23 relieving him of his responsibilities. Asthana too was divested of his responsibilities as special director of the agency. The government on the same day nominated a joint director of the CBI, M Nageshwar Rao, as acting director of the agency. CBI filed its FIR against Asthana on October 15.

Verma challenged the CVC and government order in the Supreme Court and the top court on October 26 asked the vigilance body to complete the inquiry within two weeks under the supervision of former SC judge AK Patnaik.

In the course of inquiry entrusted to the vigilance body by the Supreme Court, the CVC sent a detailed questionnaire to director Verma to which he replied on Tuesday, said a government official who asked not to be identified.

Director Verma also told the CVC that following the registration of CBIs FIR against the meat exporter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) too initiated a money laundering probe against him and that even in that case, Babu was listed only as a witness.

On the allegations of deliberately keeping the FIR registered against Asthana under the wraps and not uploading it on the CBI website, Verma told the CVC that since search operations were being conducted on the basis of the FIR and the court was to be given a report of the searches carried out in the case, the agency took time to place the FIR on the website -- and that this has been done previously in other cases too. But the agency complied with the mandatory provision of sending a copy of the FIR to the court concerned within 24 hours, the government official added, citing Verma. Verma didnt reply to a phone call and a message from HT. Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary too didnt reply to a phone call and a message seeking comment. According to the official, Verma explained the reason why Babu, a bribe giver, wasnt booked, by referring to the amended Prevention of Corruption Act that gives protection to someone forced to give a bribe, but reports the matter within sevendays. Though Sana Satish Babu had started paying bribe in December last year as per his complaint but giving bribe became an offence only in July this year under the amended PC Act. And after the amendment, he paid another installment of bribe through Hawala but reported the matter within seven days. Thats why he was not treated as accused despite paying bribes since December last year, the official explained.

According to the official, Verma also denied the charge that he tried to stop a raid against Bihar strongman Lalu Prasad in what is known as the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) case. The CBI alleged that two IRCTC hotels were leased out flouting norms when Prasad was the railways minister. The agency alleged that Prasad and his family members received bribes in the deal.

Asthana claimed that the CBI director tried to stall raids on the premises of Prasad in April this year and also that agency joint director Vineet Vinayaks departure was delayed as Verma didnt give him permission to travel to Patna.

Verma told the CVC that Vineet Vinayak was a supervisory officer in the case and not part of the raiding team. He could have supervised the operation from anywhere. The director also pointed out that Lalu was finally charged with his approval only, the official said.TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, will meet former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also be present during the meeting, the JD(S) said on Wednesday.

Interestingly, Naidus meeting with the JD(S) supremo comes in the backdrop of the Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP,buoyed by the victory in the bypolls.

The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity.

BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat. The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combines spectacular victory in the by-elections.

JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidus meeting with Gowdais in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with secular party leaders across the country.

The bypolls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowdas cooperation, he added. Naidu had also recently met NCP chief Sharad Pawarand National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, among others.Unfazed by Janata Dal (United) reprimand for his DNA jibe, Union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday said he was deeply hurt by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars reported neech remark.

Kushwaha, who also heads the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) said he would not relent on the issue unless Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah intervened to clear the ambiguity surrounding the issue.

The RLSP, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) and the BJP are partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Upping the ante in the ongoing spat between the two alliance partners, Kushwaha said, I am writing to Amit Shah ji to look into the issue and, as the biggest alliance partner of the NDA, immediately convene a meeting for a clarity on the context or content of the Bihar CMs remark.

On Saturday, Kumar had responded curtly to a question from reporters in Patna on Kushwahas claim that the chief minister did not want to continue beyond 2020, saying Baatchit ka star itna neeche mat giraeeye (dont allow the level of debate to stoop so low).

It prompted the RLSP chief to follow it up on Sunday seeking the status on the DNA report of the JD(U) chief, first raked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a BJP election rally at Muzaffarpur in July 2015, bringing the two parties face-to-face.

I am deeply perturbed. The neech remark is propping up before me all the time. How can somebody talk like this in politics? This is totally unacceptable, Kuashwaha said, while reiterating that Kumar had shared his unwillingness to continue as CM on more than one occasion.

The Union minister said he was ready to retire from politics if Kumar publicly denied his claim. He also said he was willing to bury the hatchet with Kumar, whom he had termed as bade bahi (elder brother) in Gaya on Wednesday last, if he convinced him that the neech remark was not directed at him.

I will accept it, even if it is done in a closed door. The pain will ease, he said, stating his position.

On being prodded whether the bitterness had anything to do with the developments surrounding seat-sharing formula, announced at the joint press conference of BJP and JD (U) in Delhi, Kushwaha said, We want the exercise should be done taking into account the growth in our base. As for the issue of sharing loss (for accommodating the new ally), it does not gel with the selective denial in the distribution of rewards (in terms of ministerial berth in Bihar).

Whether things would change once the party gets accommodated in proposed cabinet expansion by the chief minister, the RLSP chief said he was not interested in getting representation for the party now. Had it been then (July 2017) it would have been different. Now, we are absolutely not interested in settling with leftovers, Kushwaha said.

Kushwaha, on his part, ruled out that the NDA was hurtling towards disintegration owing to ongoing tiff. I am not going anywhere. Unlike some forces in state BJP and JD (U), who are trying to foil the Prime Ministers chances for another term, I am doing whatever possible to have him re-elected in countrys interest.

The RLSP chief, who has been critical of his alliance government on the status of educational standard and law and order situation in the state, said it was the same set of leaders who were poisoning the ears of BJP high command against him.The central government is loosening its purse strings for its politically crucial PM-AASHA programme aimed at ensuring farmers earn higher prices, hoping to arrest a worrying trend of agricultural produce selling below federally fixed minimum rates a month after the start of summer-harvest sales.

The prime ministers office has asked for the programme to be ramped up, as arrivals of farm produce peak in large agricultural markets around the country.

The agriculture ministry, accordingly, has ratcheted up efforts to push states, said a ministry official, requesting anonymity.

Federally fixed minimum support prices (MSP) have been increased for 24 crops by at least 1.5 times the cost of production in an attempt to address farmer angst, which could be a major issue in coming state elections and next years parliamentary polls.

MSPs, which factor in costs of cultivation, are also meant to act as a benchmark rate for private traders to prevent distress sales by farmers.

To facilitate the implementation of the above scheme, the (agriculture) department has nominated nodal officers. The nodal officers will be visiting the allocated states shortly and will meet you and other related officers in person to explain about the scheme, agriculture secretary Sanjay Agarwal wrote in a letter to chief secretaries of all states. HT has seen a copy of the letter.

Under PM-AASHA, an acronym for Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (prime ministers farmers income protection drive), state governments essentially have two options.

They can opt for procurement, a traditional mechanism under which the government buys produce from farmers at minimum support prices, or MSPs, which were recently raised at least 1.5 times.

States also have the option of choosing the more innovative price deficiency payment mode involving direct cash payouts to farmers to bridge the gap between actual prices they receive and official MSPs. Most states are going in for procurement over cash payments, which require new processes.

Initial norms set for PM-AASHA, unveiled on September 12, stated that states could buy up to 25% of the total quantity of oilseeds, pulses or coarse cereals produced until prices came up to MSP levels. Niti Aayog, the national policy agency that devised PM-AASHA, went by the assumption that this would be sufficient to remove any surplus stocks, thereby raising prices for farmers.

States have now been told that they can buy more than 25% of the total production, the official cited above said, adding that an interministerial panel has been tasked with promptly clearing proposals from any state wishing to cross the 25% limit.

The bank guarantee or line of credit for these operations has been increased from Rs 29,000 crore to Rs 45,500 crore. Prices of commodities have been going down despite record funds allocated towards procurement. During 2010-14, total procurement was to the tune of Rs. 3,500 crore. From 2014-18, this rose almost 10 times, reaching Rs. 34,000 crore. During 2010-14, the line of credit was Rs 2,500 crore, while during 2014-18, this amount increased to Rs 29,000 crore.

Eleven states have sent proposals to the Centre for enhanced procurement under PM-AASHA, the official said. These are Andhra Pradesh, Karnakata, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Haryana, Odisha and Gujarat.

According to calculations by the think-tank ICRIER, the government needs to spend at least Rs 56,518 crore to plug a gap of 10% between MSP and market prices for 20 crops. If the gap is 20%, procurement should cost at least Rs 1.13 lakh crore. In case the gap is 30%, the spending will need to increase to Rs 1.7 lakh core.

The strategy clearly seems to enhance spending and government procurement, which implies that nobody expects private traders to offer the new higher MSP rates, said Sachin Kaul of Comtrade Solutions, a trade platform.

Prices of tur or pigeon pea, a widely grown pulse variety, have remained below MSP levels since last year. On July 1, the average all-India market price for tur was 3,694 for a quintal, against an MSP of Rs 5,675. On August 1, tur prices inched marginally up to Rs 3,712. On September 1, they dipped lower to Rs 3,585.In insurgency-hit Manipur, where nearly 950 security men have been killed in action over the last three decades, family members of several slain soldiers are still tethered to the force and are chasing a dream of one day joining the Indian Army.

Hatkhochin Haokip was widowed in 2009, when her husband Havildar Thanjalet Haokip of 11 Assam Rifles was killed in a fight with insurgents. His bravery was recognised the same year with Indias third-highest peacetime gallantry award, the Shaurya Chakra.

Almost a decade later, Hatkhochin says the purpose of her life is to send her two boys to the Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy (NDA), where cadets are groomed to become officers.

My boys are in the 12th and 6th standards at the Sainik School in Imphal. I want them to follow in their fathers footsteps. In fact, I want them to go a step ahead. Their father was a jawan, and they should aspire to be officers, said Hatkhochin, who lives in Churachandpur.

Grief, pride and a shared dream unite such military families in a state where extortion has become a way of life and where even Hindi films have not been screened for almost two decades because of a ban imposed by local insurgent groups.

Take the case of Neithinkim, in her twenties, who lost her husband Rifleman L Haokip three years ago. The soldier from 26 Assam Rifles was killed in an ambush by Naga insurgents in eastern Nagalands Tuensang district.

She now plans to join Assam Rifles, a force that allows women in the non-officer cadre.

Life is hard without him. My six-year-old son and I often talk about happier times. I have made up my mind to join Assam Rifles. I like army life, and who knows, one day our son may also choose army as a career, Neithinkim said.

The army is reaching out to such women, who it calls Veer Naris, and doing its best to help them achieve their dreams and carry forward the legacy of their loved ones, said an officer on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Jessica Roneimawi is 19. She lost her father Sepoy Isaak Khomawi of 4 Assam in the Siachen glacier in 2000. As a one-year-old then, Roneimawi has no memory of her father, but her mother Lalrosuong made sure that her bond with the army stayed intact as she was growing up. The BA second-year student has set her sights on joining the Officers Training Academy.

I think my father would have been proud of my career choice had he been around. I am going to give it my best shot and hope to wear the uniform my father once wore, she said.

Former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd) said the choices made by these brave ladies illustrated the strong bonds army families share with the force. I would say we are not a band of brothers but a band of families, said Hooda, who commanded the Leimakhong-headquartered 57 Mountain Division during 2009-11.

The Indian Army is doing its bit to help the children of Manipur realise their potential. In Leimakhong, it runs a hostel for young boys where the cost of education, board and lodging is borne by the force. The hostel, Disha, has 25 boys who study at the local Kendriya Vidyalaya and most of them want to join the armed forces.Former revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao of the opposition YSR Congress, eight senior IAS officers and other district-level officials from the stamps and registration department have been named in the multi-crore land scam in Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam district by the special investigation team (SIT).

The team, constituted by the government of Andhra Pradesh in June last year to inquire into complaints of tampering of records that lead to the alienation of 1,226 acres of prime government lands in 40 mandals in and around Visakhapatnam city, submitted a detailed report to the state cabinet on Tuesday.

The SIT, comprising deputy inspector general of police Vineet Brij Lal, joint collector G Srijana and deputy collector of Visakhapatnam L Vijayasaradhi recommended criminal action against those allegedly involved in the scam. The cost of land that slipped out of governments hands runs into hundreds of crores of rupees, the report said.

Dharmana Prasada Rao, who served as revenue minister during the period when the scam was reported, is accused of obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) by manipulating a section of official machinery for alienating three acres of land assigned to an ex-serviceman in favour of Virgin Rocks Private Limited, a granite mining and export company located in Madhuravada area for which he is a promoter.

Prasada Rao, the regional coordinator of the YSR Congress, alleged he was being targeted by the ruling Telegu Desam Party (TDP) in an apparent bid to browbeat leaders belonging to opposition parties.

We purchased the land at Rs 5.3 crore only after the seller obtained a NOC from the then district collector and the sale deed for the same was executed by the revenue and stamps and registration departments jointly. Where is the scope for tampering of records? he asked while speaking to the Hindustan Times.

The former minister pointed out that the SIT remained silent over the fraud in land deals reported from 2014 only to cover up the bigwigs in the ruling TDP.

Those accused in the scam as per the SIT report also include three IAS officers who served as Visakhapatnams district collector over a period of time, three other officers during their stint as joint collector, a district revenue officer, who was later promoted as an IAS officer and is currently serving as a district collector in the Rayalaseema region.

One of them is the then district collector and is currently on deputation at the Centre and another has opted for Telangana cadre after the states bifurcation.

Revenue minister KE Krishnamurthy announced the formation of the SIT after his cabinet colleague Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu, holding the roads and buildings portfolio, blew the whistle over the land scam.

Patrudu came out with specific complaints about tampering of records showing government lands as private to facilitate a change of hands in eight mandals. The then district collector admitted the alienation of lands to the extent of 360 acres through fraudulent methods after going into the veracity of the complaints.

This forced the government to constitute the SIT with terms of reference to extend the scope of probe up to 40 mandals and the period during which the scam took place also be extended up to 2004.

Some of the officers named in the scam could not be reached for their comments.New Delhi and Beijing will consider linking up military headquarters and regional commands with hotlines during the Defence Secretary level dialogue next Tuesday in an attempt to prevent any adventurism along the 3,488 kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries, people familiar with the matter said. The issue could be discussed in the two-day dialogue Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra is to hold with Lt General Shao Yuanming, the deputy chief of Joint Staff department, central military commission of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) on November 13 and 14.

Specifically, in addition to the hotline between the two countries military headquarters, diplomates based in New Delhi and Beijing added, there is the possibility of a hotline between PLA Commander of Western Theatre Command covering Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang, and a designated Indian Army Commander. The two hotlines will address the requirements of both countries: New Delhi wanted direct contact between the heads of military operations at the headquarters and Beijing, dedicated communication between heads of regional commands as there is no centralized military operations at the PLA headquarters. Indias problem in having a dedicated hotline between regional commands is that it does not have theatre commands concept in its military. In PLA, the Western Theatre commanders manage both the Tibet and Xinjiang regions bordering India, while the Indian Armys Northern, Central and Eastern Army commanders manage the LAC.

Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said that military hotlines will be helpful if they are between the highest military levels on both sides as PLA formations in Tibet should get instructions from PLA Beijing headquarters in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the LAC.

According to senior government officials, the two defence will finalise the bilateral military cooperation agenda for 2019, including bilateral military exercises and exchanges. India and China will be holding the hand-in-hand military exercise in Chengdu region next month with Special Representative dialogue on boundary issue scheduled on November 23, 24, and 25. The exercise  there have been six editions so far  was put on hold in 2017 on account of Doklam: India hosted the annual exercise in 2016.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity said India is unhappy at Chinas support for Pakistans shallow overtures to New Delhi. On November 4, a joint statement on Prime Minister Imran Khans visit to Beijing said :  China appreciates Pakistans quest for peace through dialogue, cooperation and negotiation, on the bases of mutual respect and equality and supports Pakistans efforts for improvement of Pakistan-India relations and for settlement of outstanding disputes between the two countries. The Chinese endorsement of PM Khan comes at a time when the Pakistan Army is routinely indulging in cross-border firing in support of terrorist infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.

On the bilateral front, the incidents of transgressions across the LAC have recorded a low this year with armies on both sides ready to discuss the issues rather than adopt an aggressive posture on the borders. Hindustan Times reported in June that the number was 20% down from last year.BJPs loss in four of the five seats in the Karnataka bypolls has vindicated peoples mood against the NDA rule, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday, as he prepares to meet his Karnataka counterpart HD Kumaraswamy and other leaders as part of his efforts to mobilise opposition forces against the Narendra Modi regime.

The outcome of byelections in Karnataka that saw the BJPs rout vindicated the public mood and undercurrents against the rule of NDA at the centre across the country. Its a clear indication that the ruling coalition is getting alienated from people on a fast track which could be seen in the BJP slide in Karnataka within six months of the state Assembly elections, Chandrababu Naidu was quoted as saying at a partys coordination committee meeting by the TDO office in a release.

According to sources in the chief ministers office, Naidu will meet Kumaraswamy and his father, HD Deve Gowda, former prime minister and the JD(S) chief, in Bengaluru on November 9.

Later that day, the Andhra chief minister will fly to Chennai and meet DMK chief and Tamil Nadu opposition leader M K Stalin.

The meetings come in the wake of the success of the JDS-Congress coalition in the bypolls in five constituencies of Karnataka and will give an impetus to the alternative front against the NDA, TDP spokesman D Manikya Varaprasad said.

The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance won two of three Lok Sabha seats and both the assembly seats with hefty margins in the Karnataka by-elections, results for which were declared on Tuesday.

Sources said Naidu may undertake similar visits to West Bengal and Kerala to meet the chief ministers Mamata Benerjee and Pinarayi Vijayan as part of his anti-BJP front mobilisation.

In a symbolic gesture, Naidu expressed his resolve to usher in Diwali for the country in true spirit by bringing an end to the NDAs misrule.

The real Diwali for the country is the day when the misrule of the NDA is put an end to, he said in his Diwali message to the people. Seeing a glow in peoples eyes is the real Diwali for me, he added.

The TDP leader during his two visits to Delhi in the last fortnight claimed to have gotten the support of Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, Mayawati of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, Sharad Pawar of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, Farooq Abdullah of National Conference of Jammu and Kashmir, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister and AAP leader, and Sharad Yadav of Lok Tantrik Janata Dal from Bihar, after meeting them.

Sources in the TDP said Naidu may give shape to his plans to float a front-like outfit after finishing the initial rounds of one-to-one interactions with the like-minded leaders from several states.Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) insisted on Tuesday that not much should be read into the results of the Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls in Karnataka because it was an academic election, there was a lack of enthusiasm among voters since the general elections are just months away, and that money and influence of the ruling Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress government played a role.

But several senior functionaries in the BJPs central leadership admitted the results -- winning one out of three Lok Sabha and neither out of two assembly seats -- were a cause of worry for the party.

We expected this Congress-JD(S) alliance to fail on the ground, because it was an alliance of compulsion and not choice. This did not happen in the by-election, said a BJP office-bearer in New Delhi on condition of anonymity, adding that it could cement a shaky partnership forged after the assembly elections with the sole purpose of keeping the BJP out of power.

We had two Lok Sabha seats. We lost one [Ballari], and retained one [Shivamogga], BJP general secretary in-charge for Karnataka P Muralidhar Rao said, indicating that it was not a serious concern. In Mandya, our vote share increased threefold.

A third BJP leader who asked not to be named said the partys loss in Ballari simply reflected the pattern of the assembly elections held in May this year. Out of eight assembly segments in Ballari Lok Sabha seat, the Congress won six in the May assembly election and the BJP could win just two, he said.

But we were behind the combined strength of the Congress and the JD(S) in Shivamogga during the assembly elections. We not only bridged that gap, but even gained a lead, the third leader added.

Rao said a bypoll was different from regular elections, and money power and influence of the state government also played a role in the outcome.

Another Karnataka leader, who is close to former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, blamed the controversial Reddy brothers of Ballari for the debacle. You agree or not, there is a certain dislike for Reddy brothers in Ballari, he said. Yeddyurappa and the Reddy brothers have a had a long-running battle.

But some senior BJP leaders are worried that a repeat of the 2014 Lok Sabha election, when it won 17 out of 28 seats in the state, would be difficult going by Tuesdays verdict.

If our victory margin in Shivamogga, a bastion of BS Yeddyurappa, has come down by 363,000 votes in 2014 to 52,000 now, it is a big warning bell for the party. Remember, Yeddyurappas son was the BJPs candidate, said a Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka who asked not to be named..

Experts concur with this line of thinking.

If the Congress-JD(S) alliance stays together, they will win more seats than the BJP, said Harish Ramaswamy, professor of political science with Dharwad-based Karnataka University.

There are four clear factors emerging out of the result. First, the Congress-JDS coalition is functional. Second, they have consolidated their own votes instead of eating into others. Third, the BJP is yet to set its house in order. And fourth, the BJPs effort to segregate people has not worked, he added.Karnatakas mining baron G Janardhana Reddy is being probed by the police for possible links to a man accused of running a ponzi scheme. Syed Ahmed Fareed, who is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate for the 600 crore scam, has claimed that he paid Rs 18 crore to the influential mining baron for help in settling the ED case, the Bengaluru police said

According to the police, Fareed allegedly cheated around 15,000 people to the tune of Rs 600 crore through his company Ambidant Marketing Finance Ltd by promising them 40-50% interest on investment. After a complaint was filed against Fareed by some members of the public last year, raids had been conducted on his offices and residences by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this year and his bank accounts were frozen.

Bengaluru police commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the city polices Central Crime Branch had been conducting a parallel investigation into Fareeds affairs, based on the complaints it had received

While the probe was going on, the officials came across a particular transaction of Rs 18 crore. Upon investigation it was found that the money was transferred from Ambidant to Ramesh Kothari, who runs a bullion business called Ambika Jewellers, Kumar said.

Upon being questioned, Kothari said he had given 57 kg of gold to Ramesh, who runs Rajmahal Jewellers, and he revealed that he, in turn, had handed over the gold to Janardhan Reddys assistant Ali Khan, he added.

According to the police, Fareed said he paid the amount because he was promised by Janardhana Reddy and others that they would help him out with the EDs case. Some meetings have taken place between Reddy, Ali Khan and Fareed, police said.

The whole transaction hinges on this transfer of Rs 18 crore. Fareed says the amount was given in lieu of help in the ED cases. We have to verify if this is a fact, Kumar said.

So far, Fareed and Ramesh of Rajmahal Jewellers have been arrested, and Kothari has been questioned, the police said.

Repeated attempts to reach Khan went unanswered.

The Ballari satrap

Reddy is no stranger to controversy, having been accused of illegally mining iron ore in Karnataka. And although the Central Bureau of Investigation had dropped some cases against him last year, the then Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had constituted a Special Investigation Team to reopen some cases.

Reddy was jailed for around four years in connection with the cases and continues to be banned from entering Ballari district. He had rented out a house on the outskirts of the district in Molkalmuru, from where his close aide Sreeramulu contested and won in the May assembly elections.

In 2016, Reddy had caused a furore after allegedly spending Rs 500 crore on a lavish wedding he threw for his daughter with the venue decked up to resemble Hampi. This was just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Two weeks ago, Reddy courted controversy yet again, when he seemed to suggest in a TV interview that the former chief minister Siddaramaiahs elder son had passed away because he had separated Reddy from his children by getting him sent to jail.Amid apprehensions that water level may plummet and create a deficit in the Nainital Lake, especially during the summers, the district administration has decided to further curtail the withdrawal limit from the lake to eight million litres water per day (MLD).

From 18 MLD until a few years ago to 12-13 MLD this summer, the administration has been cutting down the daily withdrawal limit from the lake, considered the lifeline of the small Himalayan hill station.

Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan executive engineer Sunil Tiwari said the decision was taken after assessing the water requirement in the coming months and after looking at ways to save the water level from going further down.

In the winter months, the demand for water is comparatively less, so we decided to curtail the limit. This way we can ensure a balanced water level in the lake. There has to be a balance between water recharge and water withdrawal, otherwise there would be no lake left here, he said.

Over the years, environmentalists, experts and locals have expressed concern over the increasing stress on Nainital Lake, which is facing a threat from the drying up of its source lake (Sukhatal), construction activities and encroachments on the slopes around it, construction debris, solid waste and other pollutants making their way into the lake waters, siltation and growing human population.

The kidney-shaped Nainital Lake, surrounded by hills, is situated at an elevation of 1,938 metres, with a width of 360 metres and a length of 1,442 metres at present. In 1839, a British sugar trader named P Barron is said to have stumbled upon this Himalayan lake while he was lost in the hills and was trying to find his way back.

Depth of Nainital Lake: Falling down, and down

As per the available records, the depth of the Nainital Lake during the British era was over 27 metres

In 1976-77, Kumaun Universitys geography department conducted a study and found the maximum depth to be around 23.7 metres

A report of the Geological Survey of India recorded the depth at 25 metres in 1979

In 2016, the state irrigation department reported that the lakes depth was around 17.25 metres

Over the last century, the lakes depth has roughly gone down by 10.15 metres.

According to officials of the irrigation department, the average depth of the lake at present is around 9 to 10 metres although its maximum depth ranges in the 20sPM Modi speaks on OROP at Harsil

As an RSS member,I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension.Many govts came&left.Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So,after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP:PM in Harsil pic.twitter.com/SjcB59EOLn  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

Feel fortunate to spend Diwali with you: PM tells jawans

I feel fortunate to spend my Diwali with such brave people, PM Narendra Modi tells jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil.

PM shares pictures of interaction with jawans

While interacting with Army and @ITBP_official Jawans in Harsil, spoke about the numerous steps being taken by the Government of India for the strengthening of the defence sector, welfare of ex-servicemen and highlighted how Indian forces are admired globally for the skills. pic.twitter.com/DFAuJfrQwy  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018

After prayers, PM Modi meets locals

PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple.

PM Modi with jawans of Indian Armed Forces at Harsil

PM Modi reviews reconstruction work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews the reconstruction work of the Kedarnath temple which was devastated in the 2013 flash floods that killed thousands.

PM offers prayers at Kedarnath temple

Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath. pic.twitter.com/Mdi9fRRWwX  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

PM Modi arrives in Kedarnath

Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kedarnath. He will celebrate #Diwali here today. pic.twitter.com/ukPASyxVAp  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

Indian Armed Forces draw admiration from across the world: PM

PM Modi also said India is taking great strides forward in defence. He spoke of various measures being taken for welfare of ex-servicemen, including One Rank, One Pension. He said that Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation from across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations.

PM Modi addresses jawans at Harsil

PM Narendra Modi was in Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said

PM Modi reaches Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dehradun and left for Kedarnath in a chopper.

PM Modi to arrive in Kedarnath shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to land in Kedarnath around 10am: Shyam Jaju, BJPs national vice-president.Dressed in heavy mountain gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

Greeting the jawans in the Harshil cantonment area, the prime minister said they, through their commitment and discipline, are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the countrys borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians, Modi told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. Likening the soldiers with diyas (earthen lamps), the prime minister said, The way a diya burns itself to light up the world you lead a hard life to spread the light of fearlessness all around. Remembering his long association with the forces, he said he had a chance to spend time in the company of soldiers early during his career and he was sensitive to their needs.

He described the implementation of one rank, one pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen, which had been hanging fire for over 40 years, a result of this close association with defence personnel.

As an RSS member, I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time, I heard a lot about one rank, one pension. Many governments came and went. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So after becoming prime minister, it was my responsibility to fulfil your dream, Modi said.

Though its implementation required huge funds to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, it was done. Today I am happy that over Rs 11,000 crore has already been paid under one rank, one pension, the prime minister said.

He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector.

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world. I feel proud when the Indian peacekeeping forces are praised for their skills, valour and discipline across the world, he said.

After his address, the prime minister distributed sweets among soldiers. He also met residents of the border village of Bagori and offered prayers on the banks of Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganga in Harshil.

The prime minister spent about 1.15 hours in Harshil, a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.

The prime minister later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.

Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.

A statement from the Prime Ministers Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. He interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex. The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.

The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters. After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans. In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost. Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers in Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.Protests for the removal of Mizoram chief electoral officer (CEO) SB Sheshank continued in Aizawl Wednesday, even as the Election Commission (EC) decided to send a senior official for talks with the apex body leading the stir while accepting the broad contours of its resolution on the CEO and Bru refugees submitted to a poll panel delegation.

After thousands of people gathered outside Sheshanks office in Aizawl on Tuesday to seek his removal ahead of the November 28 assembly polls, an EC team comprising Jharkhand CEO Lalbiakthanga Khiangte, EC director Nikhil Kumar and EC secretary S.B. Joshi held talks with the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee, an umbrella organization of non-government organisations and civil society groups.

Following the talks, the Coordination Committee Wednesday submitted a resolution, seeking the poll panel stand by its April 2014 commitment that in any future parliamentary or assembly elections in Mizoram, the Bru refugees living in camps in neighbouring Tripura could only vote within the state. It also reiterated the demand that Sheshank be removed from his post and the state.

Considering the urgency of the matter, a full Commission meeting was convened today (7th Nov 2018) to further build on this mutual understanding. After due deliberations of the resolution, the Committee, while accepting the broad contours of the resolution passed by the All NGO. decided to depute a higher-level ECI team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain, incharge Mizoram to have further discussion on 9th Nov 2018 at Aizawl with the representatives for the All NGO on their resolution, an EC press note said.

The other members of the team are Khiangte, Joshi, and Mizorams additional CEO Lalzarmawii, it added.

The poll panel also expressed its serious concerns on the violence in Kolasib district during protests against the CEO Tuesday.

As protests continued outside the CEOs office in Aizawl for the second day, Sheshank, who had not attended office Tuesday, left to meet Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat and other Election Commissioners in New Delhi, as per officials of the state election department, reported IANS.

The Coordination Committee, which comprises the Central Young Mizo Association, the Mizoram Senior Citizen Association, the Mizoram Woman Federation, the Mizo Student Association, and the Mizo Student Union, had asked Shashank to quit by November 5 and leave the state after the principal secretary (home), Lalninmawia Chuaungo, was removed following the chief electoral officers complaint against him.

Shashank had accused Chuaungo of interfering with the revision of electoral rolls of Bru refugees from Mizoram, who have been living in relief camps in Tripura since ethnic violence drove them away in 1997. Most Mizos, including the state government, are opposed to the Election Commissions proposal for allowing Brus to vote at their camps and want them to return to Mizoram for that.

The committee called for protests outside Shashanks office and launched the Save Mizoram Movement after he refused to quit or leave Mizoram. It has argued Shashanks move to have Chuaungo removed and the proposal to allow Brus to vote in Tripura camps could vitiate the atmosphere and create divisions among various groups.

Several political parties, including the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have also supported the committees stance and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention in removing Shashank.It was ecstasy, chaos and misery for Punjab government employees in a span of just three days.

On Saturday, some employees found they had been paid double salary for October, thinking that the Punjab government gave them a Diwali gift. But their happiness was short-lived as they could not withdraw their hard-earned money for three days. Their accounts were frozen after the government realised that some employees have been paid double salary following a technical glitch. And if this was not enough, the government debited the salary of some employees who did not even receive the double payment.

District public relations officer Prabhdeep Singh said he received an SMS on Tuesday evening that his salary has been debited form his account. I received a single salary and that too has been debited. With Diwali holiday tomorrow, I dont know what to do, he said in despair.

Earlier, it was utter chaos at the offices of the Punjab government in Ludhiana district as a number of employees belonging to different departments couldnt withdraw their salaries, a day ahead of Diwali. To add to this, a number of employees who had not received double salary also found their accounts frozen.

More than Rs 100 crore excess payment was made to government employees across Punjab. In Ludhiana district alone, it was Rs 63 crore and the figure was Rs 50 crore in Amritsar district.

It was on Monday that the employees realised that their accounts have been frozen and started visiting banks as well as the district treasury office.

On Tuesday evening, the administration issued directions to the zonal officers of Cooperative Bank, Union Bank of India and Punjab National Bank to revoke the bank accounts. But some employees, who had not received double salary, were shocked after they received an SMS saying that their October salary has been debited from their account.

Till the filing of this report, the salary of many senior officials in the administration and the police had been debited from their bank accounts sending them into a tizzy. The officials are working to resolve the issue and the employees whose salaries have been debited will get the money back soon, said a senior official in Ludhiana administration, requesting anonymity.

An assistant sub-inspector said he needed money to buy sweets, clothes and gifts for his family but could not withdraw the salary. I never received double salary, why am I made to suffer? Also, even those who have received double salary have not committed any mistake that they are being deprived of their money. I am not even able to withdraw the amount that was there before I received the salary, he said.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday a grand statue of Lord Ram will soon come up in Ayodhya, a day after announcing a flurry of projects for the temple town associated with the planned Ram Temple at the disputed site.

Ayodhyas identity is associated with Maryada Purshottam Bhagwan Shri Ram. There will be a statue for worshipping inside the temple but the other one will establish the towns identity, Adityanath said while speaking to reporters in Faizabad on Diwali, the festival of lights.

We will work on everything that will honour the faith as well as establish Ayodhyas identity. We are working towards giving the final touches to it, the chief minister, who on Tuesday associated the temple town with honour, pride and prestige, said.

The government, he said, is working on the survey and various architects have suggested their designs for the statue. We will keep working on it accordingly and proceed on it at the right moment.

The chief minister, however, did not comment on the proposed statues size.

Adityanath had announced on the eve of Diwali that Uttar Pradeshs Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya. The district comprises the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya, which the Hindus revere as Lord Rams birthplace.

He also announced a medical college named after King Dashrath, Rams father, will be built along with an airport named after Ram.

The chief minister brought the focus back on the Ram Temple once again as he said there will be a positive solution to the issue soon as there was a temple, there is one and it will continue to remain here and that there was no doubt about it.

People have demanded a grand structure at the place where Ram Lalla is. The government is also trying to give the same form to the place. And I think there will be a positive solution to the issue very soon, he said while replying to a query.

I have said there are many options available to us. We have faith in Indias constitutional system and we will find a solution to the issue within that system, he said.

Adding to his Tuesdays promises, Adityanath said a home for widows and orphaned children in the name of Lord Rams mother Kaushalya will be built in the town. He also announced the construction of a dam on River Saryu on the line of Hari ki Pauri in Haridwar for the availability of water around the year.

He assured that the land acquisition for the proposed Raja Ram Airport in Ayodhya will start soon.

In coming days Ayodhya will be counted as one of best cities of the world  Ayodhyas development is our priority list, the chief minister said.

The chief minister, who had promised good news to devotees of Lord Ram ahead of Diwali, offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple in the temple town and visited the makeshift temple at the disputed site earlier in the day.

Leaders of Adityanaths Bharatiya Janata Party had hyped up the chief ministers Diwali-eve speech at Ayodhya over the last few days. As he had spoken about his visit and asked people to expect some good news, BJP functionaries had pointed to a long-standing plan to build a huge statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

Mahant Satyendra Das, the head priest of the makeshift temple at the disputed site, however, had frowned at the plan, stressing that Lord Rams place was in a temple and not in the open.

The dispute  among Indias most sensitive and divisive political issue - has slowly returned to the political centre stage over the past few months. Last month, the Supreme Court turned down the UP governments request to expedite hearing the land title dispute case.

Hindus believe the 16th-century mosque, Babri Masjid, was built over a temple dedicated to Hindu god Ram, whose birthplace is also considered to be at the site. The mosque was demolished by a mob of thousands in 1992, triggering a cycle of violence and riots across India.The US announced on Tuesday it has provided for an exception from certain sanctions  an exemption, in other words  to the Iranian port of Chabahar that India has developed and used for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

This exemption is in addition to temporary allotments  Significant Reduction Exemptions from sanctions that the United States announced for India and seven major importers of Iranian crude oil on Monday, when the second and final round of sanctions went into effect fully.

After extensive consideration, the Secretary has provided for an exception from the imposition of certain sanctions with respect to the development of Chabahar Port and the construction of an associated railway and for the shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the Port for Afghanistan, a state department spokesperson said in a statement to the Hindustan Times on Tuesday.

Afghanistans imports of Iranian petroleum products were also being exempted from sanctions, the spokesperson added.

The exemptions were linked to the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, to which India has been a key contributor, a role that was recognised and reinforced by president Donald Trump in the South Asia strategy he announced in August 2017, earmarking an expanded role for New Delhi.

The spokesperson cited the strategy to say it underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistans economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India.

And the US, the official said, seeks to build on our close relationships with both countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regimes destabilising policies in the region and beyond.

The Hindustan Times had earlier reported Chabahar had been possibly given an exemption as it had not figured in the comprehensive list of 700 sanctioned Iranian individuals and entities  400 from the earlier rounds of sanctions and 300 new  that was published by the US treasury department on Monday. But there was no explicit announcement of confirmation, until Tuesday.

The state department confirmation should now lay to rest all uncertainties and concerns about Chabahar in New Delhi. With Pakistan denying India land transit through to reach Afghanistan, New Delhi developed an alternate route through Chabahar port in Iran, which it helped develop partly and also operates now.

India had lobbied the US privately and publicly for an exemption for the port citing the role it plays in Afghanistans reconstruction.

Since its inauguration last year, we have shipped about 110 thousand metric tons of much-needed wheat and 2,000 metric tons of pulses from India to Afghanistan through this port, Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale had said at a conference in New Delhi Delhi last week.

To tap its full potential for benefit of Afghanistan, we might also need to pursue the development of a rail line from Chabahar to Zahedan at some future stage, he had added.

Zahedan is also in Iran but closer to the Afghanistan border.The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance has emerged victorious in four out of five seats for which by-polls were held in the state of Karnataka. The results will definitely provide a boost to the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the state. But it is important to note that except in the Ballari Lok Sabha seat, where the Congress defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the first time in 14 years, incumbents have been re-elected in the other four seats.

The BJP has retained the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat. Janata Dal (S) candidates have been re-elected from the Ramanagara assembly and Mandya Lok Sabha seats. The Congress has retained the Jamkhandi assembly seat. So, is there a larger political message to be drawn from these results?

The question is relevant because the Congress and the JD(S) are expected to have a pre-poll alliance in Karnataka in 2019. An earlier analysis by this author showed that a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the JD(S) would have won 150 out of the 222 assembly seats in the 2018 elections.

Karnatakas political geography makes this alliance interesting because the traditional spheres of JD(S) dominance have seen a contest between the Congress and the JD(S). The BJP has mostly been a marginal player in these pockets. Given this peculiarity, a Congress-JD(S) alliance could lead to two conflicting outcomes in the state.

In the traditional JD(S) strongholds, a tie-up between the Congress and the JD(S) would create space for a new opposition force, potentially benefiting the BJP. However, the Congress and the JD(S) could gain from allying with each other in rest of the state where the BJP is a force to reckon with.

HT compared the difference in the combined vote share of the Congress-JD(S) and the BJP in past elections and these by-polls. For assembly seats the average of 2008, 2013 and 2018 elections was considered. The average of the 2009 and 2014 figures was used for calculating vote share difference for Lok Sabha seats. Because of delimitation of seats, earlier elections are not comparable.

In the Ramnagara assembly and Mandya Lok Sabha seat  both are JD(S) strongholds  the combined lead of the Congress-JD(S) over the BJP has come down in the by-polls. To be sure, it is still very large. In the other three seats the alliance has consolidated its position vis-a-vis the BJP. These trends capture the different political realignments discussed above.

The Congress-JD(S) alliance, if it continues, might help the BJP in breaking new ground in traditional JD(S) strongholds. However, from the standpoint of 2019, the BJP might be staring at significant losses in Karnataka. The party won 17 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2014 elections.India is continuously strengthening its defence weaponry but is equally mindful of the welfare of its defence personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he celebrated Diwali with army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost in Uttarakhand close to the China border.

We are continuously shoring up our defences, be it the army, navy or air force. We are also ensuring that our ever watchful and dedicated soldiers lead a good life even after retirement, PM Modi said at Harsil, around 45 km from the India-China border.

Reiterating how India had achieved the expertise to fire nuclear weapons from land, air and sea, following a successful completion by a deterrence patrol by submarine INS Arihant, he said all efforts were also being made to drive out darkness from the lives of the soldiers who ensure that the people of the country live fearlessly by guarding its borders, spending their days and nights in inhospitable conditions.

Referring to retired defence personnels demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP), the prime minister said it was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government which resolved the 45-year old demand. I first heard about it from retired army personnel during my sojourn in Himachal Pradesh long back, he said adding that as soon as he became the prime minister, he immediately ensured that the OROP issue was resolved.

The previous dispensation had set aside a budget of Rs 500 crore assuming that they would resolve the issue, using that peanuts amount after they return to power again, Modi said, in a veiled attack on the United Progressive Alliance regime. The BJP government, however, discovered that the amount was grossly inadequate.

We discovered that conceding that demand actually meant paying the retired army personnel their long-pending arrears worth Rs 12,000 crore, Modi said adding that the OROP issue was nonetheless resolved. Out of the total pending arrears, an amount of Rs 11,000 crore has already been paid to the retired army personnel.

He said he would frequently interact with army and Border Security Force during his tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat. I would rush to the (Pakistan) border to spend Diwali with our army and BSF jawans, Modi said.

Recalling his association with ITBP, he said it went back to the early 1980s when the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed. I was also a part of the pilgrimage the year when it was resumed, Modi said and recalled how ITBP men would render assistance to pilgrims, even carrying them on their shoulders while negotiating tough hill terrain.

Whenever it was required, ITBP soldiers would also carry pilgrims luggage on their shoulders, he said. They (ITBP men) would pitch in to help pilgrims in distress despite the fact that it was not their job.

Prime Minister Modi earlier visited Kedarnath where he was received by chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and other BJP leaders. After he performed puja at the shrine to Lord Shiva, he visited a gallery to see photographs of the reconstruction works. Later, he was also shown a related documentary before he undertook a spot visit to the site to check all the work personally. The prime minister did not speak to the media.

It was Modis third visit to Kedarnath in the past one and a half years. He had laid the foundation stones of five schemes for the Kedarpuri reconstruction project last October, four years after the shrine town was struck by the calamitous foods in which thousands of people were killed.

Naresh Bansal, the general secretary of the BJPs Uttarakhand unit, said the Prime Minister frequently visits the shrine town to personally monitor the reconstruction because it happened to be his pet project. Kedarnath is the centre of faith for lakhs of devotees who visit there annually... It will help attract many more once the reconstruction project is completed, he said.A 21-year-old woman has alleged that she was drugged and raped by four men, including her friend, at his flat in east Delhis New Ashok Nagar where he had invited her for a party on the night of October 31, the police said on Tuesday.

Deputy commissioner of police (east) Pankaj Singh said that the woman filed a complaint on November 2, on the basis of which a case of drugging and gangrape was registered against the four men at the New Ashok Nagar police station.

The police said the accused persons are on the run after allegedly having committed the crime. The police have been conducting raids at their possible hideouts in Delhi and adjoining states. All the four men are known to the woman. She named them in her complaint, the police said.

A police officer associated with the case said the woman, in her complaint, stated that one of the four men had befriended her through a social networking website a few months ago.

On October 31, the officer said, the man called the woman and invited her to a party that he had organised at his flat. The woman told the police that she met him in late in the evening and he took her to his flat where his three friends were already present.

The woman alleged that the four men spiked her cold drink with some drugs and took turns to rape her, the officer said.

When the woman regained consciousness, the four men threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the incident to the police. She left the flat and reached her sisters home. The woman told her sister about the incident the next day. On November 2, she approached the police and filed her complaint, the police said.

The officer said the woman earlier worked in a private company in Noida, but is currently unemployed. The accused men also work in private companies, he added.The Congress on Wednesday released its fourth list of candidates for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani, who joined the party last week, also figures in the 29-name list.

With the fourth list which has 27 new candidates and two candidates replacing those announced in the earlier lists, the Congress has named 211 of its candidates for the 230-strong assembly.

The first list of 155 names was released late on Saturday night, while the second and third lists with 16 and 13 names came out on Sunday and Monday.

According to the fourth list, Masani, the brother of Shivraj Chouhans wife Sadhna Singh, has been fielded from Waraseoni in Balaghat district.

Masani, who has done bit roles in Bollywood, had joined the Congress on Saturday in the presence of former union minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and the states campaign committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The development, which the Congress said was a major setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, came a day after a former Congress MP switched sides to join the BJP.

The BJP, however, had played down the defection. The Congress might feel happy, but it will have no impact on the party. It might be news for the media, it is not for us, party spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal had said then, adding that Singh has no political background.When I think of luxury hotels, I tend to stick to the familiar stereotypes. There are the grand hotels: in Mumbai, that list would include The Taj Mahal Hotel; in London it would be Claridges or The Ritz; in New York, the St. Regis or The Pierre. And then there is modern luxury. In Mumbai, that would be The Oberoi; in London it would be The Four Seasons; in New York, the Peninsula or the Park Hyatt.

Sometimes these categories are hard to separate. Take the case of the old Hyde Park Hotel, which was a grand hotel in its time. Except that while refurbishing it, Mandarin Oriental went for its signature style of Asian luxury with few references to the hotels glorious heritage. (Well, glorious anyway till Charles Forte took it over.) It is the same with The Oriental in Bangkok.

That hotel is always sold as a grand hotel, with a history dating back decades. But it consists of two tower blocks. There is just one tiny wing (called the Authors Wing) that has any history. And even that is mostly recent, having been rebuilt in the Seventies after a devastating fire.

Or there are grand hotels that deserve better but are run like modern American hotels by American companies. The Westins in Paris (the old Intercontinental), Rome (the Excelsior), and Madrid (the old Palace hotel) are grand old hotels that Starwood decided to run as five star (but not luxury) properties. In Venice, the wonderful old Europa and Regina was turned into a Westin and downgraded. But good sense has dawned. The hotel will now be restored to its original glory and rebranded as St. Regis.

In the late 1980s, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, the former owners of Studio 54, opened the hip Morgans and Royalton hotels in New York. They changed hoteliering forever by creating a new kind of hotel which was stylish and trendy. The bellboys were out-of-work actors and wore designer uniforms, the staff had to look as sophisticated and stylish as the guests and while hotel designers had normally been low-profile, these hotels celebrated the people who had designed them. Andree Putman (who did Morgans) earned fame and The Royalton made the international career of Philippe Starck who had, till then, been known only in design circles.

By the 1990s, hip hotels were everywhere. They catered to a younger demographic, acted as though style was more important than history or service and changed an entire generations outlook on hoteliering.

Every hip/design hotel owes something to Schrager and Rubells original vision. Starwood even started the self-consciously hip W chain to produce a corporate version of that kind of hotel.

When they opened, the hip hotels did not dare charge as much as the luxury hotels but over time, that has changed. These days Starwood/Marriott prices the W Hotels close to the rates charged by the luxury St. Regis hotels. People are more than willing to pay a premium for the hipness quotient.

In the course of the last couple of years, I have stayed at many hotels around the world. I have liked some of the modern luxury properties (the Park Hyatt in Dubai is absolutely stunning; easily the best hotel in that city) but my favourites have been the grand hotels with their sense of history and the legacy of the ages.

I loved the Maria Cristina in San Sebastian, the Alfonso XIII in Seville and (most of all) the Gritti in Venice.

The Park Hyatt in Dubai is absolutely stunning; easily the best hotel in that city. (Park Hyatt Dubai website)

But is there now a fourth category of luxury hotel? When I said I was going to Milan last month a friend recommended the Bulgari. I checked it out on the net and found it was eye-wateringly expensive. Then I got a good deal on the rate (very steep, even then) and decided to splash out.

I really did not know what to expect. The success of Philippe Starck as a distinctive hotel designer had pushed fashion brands into launching chains named after themselves. Armani, Versace, Missoni and many others all have brand extensions in the hotel sector. Would Bulgari be anything like them? And why, I wondered, did it get the highest room rates in Milan?

I am glad I chose the Bulgari because it showed me that there is a very small sliver at the top of the luxury segment that does represent a fourth category of hotel.

The Bulgari is not a grand hotel. It has under 60 rooms. It is not a hotel with a history. It is a converted church and monastery but the hotel does not draw attention to its antiquity. It is only when you ask that you learn that the restaurant was once the main church hall and that some of the rooms were occupied by nuns.

And yet, it is not modern. Though it was built at the beginning of this century, it has an air of timelessness. Most surprisingly, for a hotel named after a luxury brand, it is not hip or trendy.

I asked Attilio Marro, who now heads operations for all Bulgari Hotels, why the hotel did not scream Bulgari the way that a Versace Hotel constantly reminds you of the brands core identity (or essential vulgarity, depending on your perspective).

The Bulgari family approached Marriott Hotels in 2004 about partnering with them in a chain of hotels. (Bulgari website)

The answer was obvious enough but I hadnt quite worked it out till he explained it to me. Armani, Versace etc. are fashion brands. Fashion changes with each season and each collection. Bulgari is a jewellery brand. And jewellery is built to be timeless: ideally, it should be passed on from one generation to the next.

The Bulgari family approached Marriott Hotels in 2004 about partnering with them in a chain of hotels. The idea was to pattern the hotels not on any Bulgari design but on the core values of the brand: high quality materials, brilliance of design, an ability to last through the ages, etc.

Marriott agreed and the first hotel was built in Milan (the only one I have been to). The idea was to make it small and personalised. (Though I think they messed up by not building enough suites in relation to the rooms at such an upmarket property.)

How would regular Bulgari customers live? What kind of furniture would they have in their homes?Those were the kinds of questions they asked themselves.

Eventually they built a hotel where every cup and tea spoon was specially designed to the highest standards. The walls were much thicker than the average hotel wall so you had total privacy. As far as possible the doors to the rooms never faced each other. All the furniture was designed for the hotel by a top quality designer of residential furniture. The bathrooms were built to be large and spacious. The food is in the hands of a Michelin three star chef. In Milan and most other Bulgaris it is a Niko Romito. .

For all this detailing, the hotel is deliberately informal and understated in its elegance. The residential feel is the signature of the hotel. If you want to take off your shoes and sit by the fireplace in the area just off the lobby (as many guests do in the winter), the staff will encourage you.

Add personalised service to all this and you have some idea of why the hotel is always full despite the rates.

Not only are staff knowledgeable, helpful and charming, they go the extra mile. My wife asked the concierge for directions to a salon. The concierge didnt just give her a map, she walked her there. I began to worry about my Uber (the Bulgari is on a private road) and one of the doormen, noting my concern, dashed off into the main road and found the driver.

The Bulgari is deliberately informal and understated in its elegance. (Bulgari website)

I am not sure what category of luxury all of this falls into. I told Attilio of the old adage that a deluxe hotel must always be aspirational, like a dream for its guests and he looked dubious. That didnt hold true of the Bulgari, he said, because many of the guests were so wealthy that there was nothing aspirational about any hotel as far as they were concerned. He had been to some of their homes and realised that his hotel, for all its teak, marble and luxury materials, did not match up to what they were used to every day.

All this constitutes a category of luxury that is hard to define. I asked Sandeep Walia who looks after the Marriott/Starwood luxury properties in Western Europe where the Bulgaris rank in their universe. Marriott/Starwood now has so many luxury brands that it is hard to keep count: St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Ritz-Carlton, W, Edition (a hip hotel brands started by Marriott in collaboration with Ian Schrager which updates the old hipness formula for this era) and many, many others.

Sandeep is justly proud of all the companys brands but says that Bulgari is so exclusive and so special, it is like the Jeweler of Hospitality. Even as the Bulgari chain expands, he says, certain elements will stay the same: the furniture will still be top-line residential and will come from the same designer, the food will be handled by Niko and what they regard as the common thread of the hotels ( Contemporary, Refined, Luxurious and Easy) will continue.

It is a new dimension to luxury: the hotel that wants to be a piece of jewellery. But then, thats the thing about the hotel business. Nothing ever stays the same. New ideas and new concepts keep being invented.The Congress has reiterated its stand of not conceding equal number of seats to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the Lok Sabha elections. Moreover, to maintain pressure on its old ally, the party has decided to hold assessment meetings with aspirants in all 48 Lok Sabha constituencies next week.

The Congress and NCP, which had snapped 15-year-old ties ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections, had seat-sharing talks over the last one month. Although it has not arrived at any conclusion, both the parties have been vying for exchange of seats, while the NCP has been demanding equal number of seats for 48 constituencies. In the previous elections, the Congress had contested 27 seats, although it could win only two, while the NCP won four seats after contesting 21. The NCP has been banking on its strength of four MPs, two more than the Congresss while raising the demand for more seats.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar during his meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi last month too had urged for equal distribution of seats. State leaders have been opposing the NCPs unreasonable demand. Although the NCP has 4 sitting MPs, two are on the verge of leaving the party. The party has no candidates in most of the constituencies it is eyeing, said a Congress leader. The leader said as most smaller parties in the grand alliance are to be accommodated by the Congress, conceding 50% seats was not possible.

Meanwhile, the Congress has convened meetings on November 15, 16 and 17 for scrutiny of potential candidates. The panel of senior leaders headed by All India Congress Committee general secretary and Maharashtra incharge Mallikarjun Kharge will interview potential candidates from 48 constituencies. The panel will also judge the electoral position of the party in these constituencies.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, The talks between two parties have not been finalised yet though Pawarsaheb had demanded for 50% seats during his meeting with Rahulji.

Senior Congress leader and former state chief Manikrao Thakre said, There is no reason to concede 50% seats to NCP as our strength is intact in the state. The reports about the agreement over 50:50 formula are just rumours.

According to senior NCP leaders, the final decision is unlikely without a decision over inclusion of Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh. Both the parties still expect Ambedkar to join the grand alliance. Ambedkar has already announced an alliance with AIMIM. The grand alliance will have other smaller parties, including Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Paksha, Hitendra Thakur-led Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, Peasants and Workers Party and left parties among others.The Shiv Sena will field its candidates against ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Assembly elections.

While the BJP continues to be confident about allying with the Shiv Sena for the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019, the Sena has been repeatedly taking on its ally in elections  it earlier fielded candidates in Gujarat and for the Lok Sabha bypolls in Palghar.

Sena leaders said the party will adopt its Hindutva agenda in all three states. Elections in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases  on November 12 and November 20; Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will go to the polls on November 28 and December 7.

Rajya Sabha MP and Sena secretary, Anil Desai, confirmed the partys decision to contest against the BJP and other parties.

We will fight the election on our own strength, and as decided, we will contest it in all states, said Desai.

In Rajasthan, we are going to field candidates in 80 seats, in Chhattisgarh, we will contest 50 seats, and in MP, we will contest around 100 seats.

With just months left for the general elections, the results in the three states are crucial for the BJP especially because the party has been facing anti-incumbency. BJP leaders, however, feel the Senas entry is unlikely to have an impact on BJPs numbers. In Gujarat, the Sena failed to disturb the BJP electorally, and in a a neck-to-neck tussle, the BJP scored over the Sena in Palghar too. But Senas continuous attempts to damage BJPs prospects has widened the rift between the two parties further, leaders said.

State finance minister and senior BJP leader, Sudhir Mungantiwar, said Senas decision to contest polls in the three states would not dent the BJP in anyway. Even in the past, they have contested elections in other states. It is their right to contest. They will present their side, we will present ours; and the people will elect the ones they like, Mungantiwar said. The minister, who has been involved in alliance discussions with the Sena in the past, added, We do not think them contesting elections will have an impact in anyway. Hindutva is going to be our main agenda, apart from other local issues of the state. The selection process of the candidates was done through our state-level office-bearers, added a Sena functionary.Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is ready to face the bypolls for 20 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu whenever they were held.

At this point of time, we can say bypolls may be conducted. I do not know whether it will be held definitely. Suppose, if it is conducted, Makkal Needhi Maiam is ready to face it, he said.

Haasan was addressing reporters in Chennai on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

Bypolls are due in the 20 constituencies, which have fallen vacant following the Madras high court last month upholding the disqualification of the 18 AIADMK MLAs who back Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran and in view of demise of two sitting members, including DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

Answering a question, Haasan said his basic objective was to facilitate healthy politics.

When you say healthy politics, it also holds the meaning of being scam free. If we do healthy politics, everyone can strongly hope that all sectors will see growth, he said.

The popular actor said, I do not make any promises wherever I go. But, I receive it from them (people) instead. They all unanimously promised me that they made a mistake by accepting money for vote and that they will not do that again. I hope they will fulfil it, he said.

He dismissed the allegation of local Congress leader Karate Thiagarajan that his party was acting like a mouth piece of BJP.

In his birthday message to his party members and followers released on Sunday, Haasan has slammed existing political parties and politicians for viewing welfare as alms and charged that they indulge in corruption as if it is their full-time occupation.

The actor had also exhorted them to take up welfare activities rather than meeting him to wish him on his birthday.Seventy-nine school pupils abducted by gunmen this week in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon have been freed, the countrys communications minister told AFP Wednesday.

All 79 students have been released, said Issa Bakary Tchiroma, without giving details of the circumstances under which they were set free.

The kidnapping took place on Sunday near Bamenda, the capital of the troubled English-speaking region, according to Governor Deben Tchoffo.

A video purportedly of the kidnapped children was release on social media via men who call themselves Amba boys, a reference to the state of Ambazonia that armed separatists are trying to establish in Cameroons northwest and southwest regions.

In the video, the kidnappers force about six of the children to give their names and the names of their parents. The children said they were kidnapped late Sunday, and did not know where they are being held.

The men who identified themselves as the kidnappers had said they would only release the children when they achieved what they wanted.

We shall only release you after the struggle. You will be going to school now here, said the men who identified themselves as Amba boys. While the video could not be independently verified, parents reacted on social media saying they recognised their children in the video.

Hundreds have been killed in Cameroons Anglophone regions in the past year, where violence between armed separatists and the military have increased since a government crackdown against protesters in the northwest and southwest regions who claim that as the English-speaking minority they are marginalized by the French-speaking government.

Violent separatists took up arms to destabilise the Anglophone regions to win independence for the areas they want to declare a separate state, which they call Ambazonia.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ONBritains high court will next week begin hearing an Egyptian businessmans lawsuit against a member of Bahrains royal family for allegedly reneging on a deal to pay $1.5 million per meeting to spend time with top Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

According to court documents seen by HT, Ahmed Adel Abdallah Ahmed is seeking $42.5 million from Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali al-Khalifa, a distant cousin of the king of Bahrain and nephew of the deputy prime minister, for allegedly ending an exclusive agreement to set up meetings with 26 stars  ranging from Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt to Anil Kapoor.

The documents filed in the UK high court of justice Jeremy Cooke by Ahmeds counsel say that the businessman set up one-on-one meetings between the Sheikh and Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan at Mumbais St Regis Hotel on January 16, 2016, and February 11, 2016.

Two meetings were also arranged between the Sheikh and Ranveer Singh at Mina al-Salam Hotel in Dubai on March 6 and 17, 2016, and Aditya Roy Kapoor at the same hotel on March 16, 2016.

The papers state the Sheikh agreed to pay $1.5 million per meeting and a bonus of $500,000 for every third meeting.

They add that the Sheikh paid $4 million to Ahmed, who lives in Dubai, through a combination of cash and bank transfers but allege payments of $8.5 million were outstanding.

People familiar with the case said Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali al-Khalifa, believed to be in his fifties, had a long-standing fascination with Bollywood movies and stars since he was brought up by an Indian nanny.

The meetings, organised under an oral agreement struck by Ahmed and the Sheikh during a conversation in London in January 2016, were to last between 15 and 25 minutes, according to the papers.

The Sheikh also signed three special authorisation bonds asking Ahmed to arrange meetings for him with Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and other Bollywood stars during January March 2016.

The papers allege that the Sheikh also asked Ahmeds firm, CBSC Events & Exhibition and Conference Organizers, to sponsor a film awards event in Dubai in March 2016 so that the Sheikh could attend the function, meet Indian stars, and present at least one award.

However, the papers allege that the Sheikh subsequently refused to pay a promised amount of $500,000 for the film awards event and also cancelled planned meetings with Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan in April 2016.

The Sheikhs counsel argued an English court didnt have jurisdiction as he wasnt a resident of the UK and also challenged the claim of a legally binding agreement. However, the court concluded it could hear the matter as the oral agreement was concluded in London.

The court will hear arguments by both sides over five days from November 12, during which the two parties are also expected to be cross-examined.

Ahmed claimed he is owed $42.5 million to compensate for loss of expected earnings and the money he was owed for sponsoring the film awards event.

According to The Independent, the Sheikhs defence statement submitted to the court said he pulled out of the deal after Ahmed started to put unfair pressure on him, making unwarranted demands for very large sums of money and seeking to arrange meetings which were not convenient.

He said he was very enthusiastic about meeting Bollywood stars after being initially told by Ahmed that it would cost about $50,000 per actor. However, the Sheikh said Ahmed later told him it would cost about $500,000 to meet the most well-known stars.

The Sheikh said he paid $3.4 million to spend time with four stars before telling Ahmed in April 2016 that he didnt want him to arrange further meetings.

Pavani Reddy, managing partner of law firm Zaiwalla & Co, which is representing Ahmed, said: This is an interesting case and involves oral agreements reached in London between two parties from Middle East, concerning arranging meetings with famous Bollywood stars.Democrats didnt catch a blue wave. But they managed the next best thing: Divided government in the Trump era.

House Democrats won back the majority for the first time since the 2010 elections. Helped by President Donald Trump, Republicans captured Senate seats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota to maintain a narrow advantage.

In the Great Lakes region, Democrats secured governors offices in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, complicating the presidents re-election campaign in an area that propelled him to victory in 2016. But Trump helped Republicans claim governors seats in Ohio and in Florida, where his hand-picked choice, Ron DeSantis, edged Andrew Gillum in the states high-profile governors race.

Tuesdays midterm elections offered something for everyone. Democrats will control the House, but Trump will point to GOP success in the Senate as proof that he defied the odds and avoided the type of midterm wipeout that afflicted his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.

Yet Trumps administration will now face intense scrutiny from House Democrats and a slew of subpoenas and document requests of his Cabinet  not to mention a renewed push for the presidents tax returns. And as special counsel Robert Mueller presses forward with the Russia investigation, the most liberal members of the Democratic caucus are expected to sound the alarm for the presidents impeachment.

Key takeaways from Tuesdays election

Political polarisation

Democrats posted gains in House seats representing the nations suburbs, with many college-educated women turned off by Trumps first two years. Republicans strengthened their grip on the countrys rural and exurban areas, helping them defeat red-state Senate Democrats. The results could lead to more standoffs in Congress  theres already the possibility of a partial federal government shutdown in December over spending for Trumps signature border wall. And the outcome will produce fewer moderate lawmakers who can straddle the divide. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat, won re-election, but he will be the exception, not the norm.

Star destroyer

Trump allies dealt major blows to three of the Democrats breakout stars of the 2018 cycle. Democrat Beto ORourke lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas. Gillum lost his bid to become Floridas first black governor to DeSantis, whose public support from Trump propelled the former congressman to the top of the primary field. And Stacey Abrams campaign to become Georgias governor  and the nations first-ever black female governor  was trailing early Wednesday against Brian Kemp, who was also helped along by a critical Trump endorsement. Abrams declined to concede the race, pointing to votes that still needed to be counted and suggesting a likely runoff.

2020 implications

Trump has taunted the potential 2020 Democratic field as lacking any talent or the ability to give him a serious challenge. He will soon find out. Three potential candidates, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Kirsten Gillibrand, all won re-election to the Senate. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey were among the most sought-after surrogates during the fall campaign. ORourkes star power and massive fundraising haul generated chatter as a possible 2020 candidate  win or lose  but he said in the final days he wouldnt run in 2020. Despite Trumps dismissive approach, he will enter his re-election as an incumbent who lost the popular vote in 2016 and staring down key states  Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  now under Democratic control.

Rebuilding the blue wall?

After Trump won several Midwest states that had long been in the Democratic column, the party had hoped to rebuild its Midwest blue wall. Democrats made some progress, but just like the nature of the election, it was a split decision. Democrats picked up the governors offices in Michigan and Wisconsin and kept control in Pennsylvania. But Republicans won the governors races in Iowa and Ohio, giving Trump allies in two key presidential swing states. Remember, no Republican candidate for the presidency has ever won the election without winning Ohio.

Women rule

After Hillary Clintons defeat, more women than ever before won major-party primaries for governor, the Senate and the House this year. Tuesdays election produced a record number of women in the House and opened the door for women to hold state offices around the country. Democratic women like Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Cindy Axne of Iowa and Haley Stevens of Michigan helped the party flip Republican-held seats in the House. Republican Marsha Blackburn won an open Senate seat in Tennessee and the Midwest elected two female governors: Kim Reynolds of Iowa, a Republican who won a full term after succeeding Terry Branstad, Trumps ambassador to China, and Laura Kelly of Kansas, a Democrat who defeated Republican Kris Kobach. Women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Trump, the closer

Trump has long prided himself on the ability of his massive rallies to generate voter turnout and enthusiasm  and it paid off for him in the final days. The president staged rallies in five states  Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and Missouri  on the final two days of the campaign, helping his cause. In Georgia, Kemp was leading Abrams in the governors race but no winner had been declared. Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn won an open Senate seat. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, a former senator, won the race for governor. In Indiana, businessman Mike Braun ousted Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly. And Josh Hawley prevailed over Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, giving Republicans another Senate pickup.

For history

The night served as witness to a number of history-making breakthroughs  steps that will help make Congress younger and more diverse. In New York, 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to Congress. Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. Kristi Noem will become the first woman from South Dakota to serve as her states governor. The House will have two Native American women for the first time: New Mexicos Deb Haaland and Kansas Sharice Davids, who will also become her states first openly LGBT candidate to hold major office. And regardless of who wins in Arizonas competitive Senate race, the state will elect its first woman to serve in the chamber.Democrats have regained control of the House from President Donald Trumps Republican Party in the midterm elections, powered by a suburban revolt that has threatened whats left of the presidents governing agenda.

But the GOP added to its Senate edge and prevailed in some key races for governor on Tuesday, beating back the potential of big Democratic gains across the board. The blue wave that some had feared from Election Day never fully materialised.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trumps presidency showed the limits of his hard-line immigration rhetoric in Americas evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion. But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances.

The new Democratic House majority will end Republican dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trumps first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who would be in line to become the next speaker, spoke of a new day in America. Trump, in a tweet, said that in all fairness Pelosi deserves to return to her former role as speaker, despite some rumblings in her party. She has earned this great honor!

But the Democrats edge is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-member Houses, Democrats have won 220 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 22 races.

Trump was expected to address the results at a postelection news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday.

The presidents party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate. But Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trumps personal and professional missteps  and his long-withheld tax returns.

Early Wednesday, Trump warned Democrats against using their new majority to investigate his administration.

If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, Trump tweeted, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game! It wasnt clear what leaks he was referring to.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillums bid to become the states first African-American governor.

The elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come.

The GOPs successes were fueled by a coalition thats decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout.

Voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Three candidates had hoped to become their states first African-American governors, although just one  Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams  was still in the running.

Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their blue wall Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by the states education chief, Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOPs Senate majority, even as the party lost control of the House. In a tweet Wednesday, he referred to the election results as a Big Victory.

History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate. A presidents party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to VoteCast, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the presidents favorite, Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trumps most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor. Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trumps now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obamas and Bill Clintons numbers were 5 percentage points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats, respectively.

Several ambitious Democrats easily won re-election, including presidential prospects Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Some others played outsized roles in their parties campaigns, though not as candidates, and were reluctant to telegraph their 2020 intentions before the 2018 fight was decided. They included New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden.A onetime Somali refugee and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants shared the historic distinction Tuesday of becoming the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress.

Both women -- Ilhan Omar, 37, and Rashida Tlaib, 42 -- are Democrats from the Midwest and outspoken advocates of minority communities that have found themselves in the sights of US President Donald Trumps anti-immigrant policies.

Omar won a House seat in a strongly Democratic district in Minneapolis, Minnesota, succeeding Keith Ellison who was himself the first Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Tlaibs victory was no surprise. She ran unopposed in a congressional district that stretches from Detroit to Dearborn, Michigan.

Their stories trace a similar trail-blazing rise through local politics.

Ilhan Omar

Im Muslim and black, the hijab-wearing Omar said in a recent magazine interview.

I decided to run because I was one of many people I knew who really wanted to demonstrate what representative democracies are supposed to be, she said.

Omar fled Somalias civil war with her parents at the age of eight and spent four years at a refugee camp in Kenya.

Her family settled in Minnesota in 1997, where there is a sizable Somali population.

She won a seat in the states legislature in 2016, becoming the first Somali-American lawmaker in the country.

Before that, she had worked as a community organizer, a policy wonk for city leaders in Minneapolis, and as a leader in her local chapter of the NAACP -- the African-American civil rights group.

She decided to run for Congress after Ellison, who is also black, decided to give up his seat after 12 years in Congress to run for attorney general of Minnesota.

Omar has forged a progressive political identity. She supports free college education, housing for all, and criminal justice reform.

She opposes Trumps restrictive immigration policies, supports a universal health care system, and wants to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has conducted deportation raids.

Rashida Tlaib

Rashida Tlaib is the Detroit-born daughter of Palestinian immigrants -- the eldest of 14 children.

A fighter who once heckled US President Donald Trump during a 2016 campaign stop in Detroit, she says she didnt run to make history as Muslim.

I ran because of injustices and because of my boys, who are questioning their (Muslim) identity and whether they belong, Tlaib said in an US television interview in August.

Ive never been one to stand on the sidelines.

Like Omar, she blazed a trail through Michigan politics, becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature in 2008.

In August, she emerged as the winner of a Democratic primary for a seat vacated by John Conyers, a longtime liberal lion who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health.

With no Republican challenger in the race, Tlaibs election on Tuesday became a formality.

The seat she won is in a predominantly African American congressional district with few Muslim voters.

She says her constituents were attracted to her progressive politics, which are the polar opposite of Republicans.

Tlaib has advocated for universal health care, a $15 national minimum wage, union protections, and tuition-free college education.

She also has been mindful of the historic nature of her candidacy.

During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her immigrant mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success.

It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be, she said.Pipeline

6 November 2018

The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport will become the brand's first venture into Switzerland when building works are completed in 2020. Construction is now beginning on schedule, and a number of characteristic features are already emerging. As with all IntercityHotels, the USP will be easy accessibility. The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport is extremely conveniently positioned at Rumlang Station right next to the airport grounds themselves. Like all the brand's new generation hotels, its interior design concept will bear the signature of the Italian architect Matteo Thun.

The new IntercityHotel Zurich Airport will have around 260 rooms and will also boast a restaurant and a bar. A conference area of 450 square metres will offer sufficient space for meetings and events. A spa and gym area will ensure that guests also enjoy plenty of opportunity to relax. 180 on-site parking spaces will be available.

"The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport launches our brand in Switzerland and adds a highly attractive location to the portfolio," said Thomas Willms, CEO, Deutsche Hospitality. "We are very pleased that the project is now taking shape and are delighted to report that the official ground-breaking ceremony took place today together with Necron AG, our much-esteemed partner."

IntercityHotel has now moved to its fourth design generation, and the Italian architect Matteo Thun will be responsible for creating the hotel's look and feel. State-of-the-art technology will also be in place in Zurich in the form of the IntercityHotel App. This ensures a thoroughly modern experience by allowing guests to check in, check out and open the door to their room via smart phone.

Another of the brand's long-standing trademark features is the FreeCityTicket scheme, which is included in the room price and permits free use of the local transport system. Guests in Zurich will also be able to enjoy this convenient and environmentally friendly way of travelling from A to B within the city. The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport's location at Rumlang station not far from the A1 motorway offers fantastic transport links. Zurich International Airport can be accessed in only ten minutes, and the city centre is also just 15 minutes away.

Zurich has around 400,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city in Switzerland and acts as the most important traffic hub in the country for rail and air travel.

The project has been designed by the Kussnacht-based architectural firm Suter+Renner AG. The investor and developer is Necron AG of Zug, with which a lease agreement for the hotel has been concluded . Further projects are at the planning stage. Gerard van Liempt, CEO of Necron AG, added, "Step by step, IntercityHotel Zurich Airport is proceeding towards turnkey status. We are particularly pleased to be involved in implementing the first IntercityHotel GmbH venture in Switzerland and are looking forward to long-term cooperation."

IntercityHotel is continuing its course of international expansion. Following the recent signing of an agreement for the IntercityHotel Riyadh Malaz in Saudi Arabia, the brand is now also planning to strengthen its presence in Europe still further.Now Open

7 November 2018

Portugal has been one of the Barcelo Hotel Group's top destinations in 2018. Following the June grand opening of its first hotel in the country, Allegro Madeira (124 rooms), the chain is now welcoming guests to its first establishment in the Portuguese capital: Occidental Lisboa. This charming four-star hotel with 105 rooms was built in 2015 in the heart of the city, only five minutes walking from the famous Praca do Marques de Pombal and the elegant Avenida da Liberdade.

Occidental Lisboa, an excellent alternative for (re)discovering the Portuguese capital:

Just like other European cities, Lisbon is banking on its famous rooftop bars, and the one at Occidental Lisboa, housed on a sixth floor overlooking the river and the city, is one of the hotel's most attractive spots. Occidental Lisboa will also owe its success to the delicious food served at its a la carte restaurant that combines local specialities with international cuisine, in addition to its spacious and comfortable rooms. Additionally, the hotel will have a gym, a meeting room for up to 75 people and a car park.Appointment

7 November 2018

The Benson, a 287-room property located near Portland's iconic Pearl District and operated and managed by Coast Hotels, today announced the appointment of George Schweitzer as its managing director. In his new role, Schweitzer will be responsible for leading and managing all hotel operations. He will also work closely with appropriate departments to ensure the exceptional guest experiences for which the property is known.

Schweitzer brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality management, general management, software development and entrepreneurship to his new position at The Benson. Most recently, he served as CEO of West Coast Event Productions, where he managed operations, sales and administration for the company's Portland headquarters, as well as branch locations in Bend, Oregon, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to that, Schweitzer was regional vice president of the Portland-based hotel management company Crescent Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw a portfolio of properties throughout the country under multiple leading brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Sheraton. He also served as an acting general manager at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, Schweitzer was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Red Lion Hotels Corporation, a publicly traded company, from 2008 to 2013.

Schweitzer attended the University of Montana, the University of California-Los Angeles and California State University-Long Beach, where he received his educational background in business administration and political science. He also holds leadership positions in various community organizations: the Washington Tourism Alliance Board, the Spokane Metropolitan Boys & Girls Club and the Washington State University School of Hospitality Management.Supplier News

7 November 2018

SiteMinder, the global hotel industry's leading guest acquisition platform, has appointed its first CEO to drive the continued rapid growth of its business and 30,000-strong hotel customer base. Sankar Narayan is the current chief operating officer of cloud accounting software giant Xero, and his appointment as CEO will see him co-lead SiteMinder alongside founder Mike Ford, who will remain the managing director and assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board with a focus on driving the company's vision, strategy and product innovation.

From January, Sankar will join a distinguished leadership team that now includes David Barnes, the former chief commercial officer at Expedia company Wotif.com; Inga Latham, the former general manager of digital experience at multinational Commonwealth Bank; and Jonathan Kenny, the former CFO at global online education company 3P Learning.

"We are incredibly pleased with our global expansion and significant leadership position to date. We are also equally ambitious and excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of us, and the pivotal role we believe SiteMinder can play in the increasingly-connected travel ecosystem. Building extraordinary things takes extraordinary talent and we are committed to building a leadership team that reflects that ambition. Sankar's track record and outstanding skillset positions him as the ideal person for me to bring on as a partner in leading SiteMinder into the future," says Mr Ford.

Sankar Narayan has a 20-year track record in delivering operational excellence and business growth across the travel, technology, media and telecommunications sectors. In 2015 he joined Xero which grew its enterprise value from under A$2 billion to over A$6 billion during his tenure.

"Through innovation and strong execution, Mike Ford and the team at SiteMinder have built a global footprint that cements SiteMinder as the leading guest acquisition platform for hotels worldwide. In partnership with Mike, I look forward to driving growth and scale in the business to join the handful of globally-focused Australian technology giants. I am especially excited to be a part of an organization that is set to transform the global travel industry as we know it," says Mr Narayan.

SiteMinder first disrupted the global hospitality market in 2006 by introducing a Subscription-as-a-Service model that made it affordable for every accommodation provider to market and sell their rooms online. In 2014, it become the first Australian-headquartered investment for Silicon Valley-based TCV - which has backed the likes of Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and Xero - and today has more than 600 employees located in its Sydney, London, Dallas, Bangkok, Galway and Cape Town offices. Over the year ending June 2018, SiteMinder's technology generated 80.6 million reservations worth US$26.5 billion in revenue for hotels located in 160 countries.

About SiteMinder

In an age of rising choice and accessibility for curious travelers, SiteMinder is the name synonymous with the belief that technology can empower any hotel to win in a consumer-led world and unleash their potential. SiteMinder is the global hotel industry's leading guest acquisition platform, ranked among technology pioneers for its smart and simple solutions that put hotels everywhere their guests are, at every stage of their journey. It's this central role that has earned SiteMinder the trust of more than 30,000 hotels, across 160 countries, to generate in excess of 80 million reservations worth over US$26.5 billion in revenue for hotels each year. For more information, visit www.siteminder.com.Press Release

7 November 2018

The UNWTO/WTM Ministers' Summit, held yesterday by World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), was well received by participants from government and the private sector for its more dynamic new format leading to more concrete takeaways around this year's theme: Investment in Tourism Technology.

Advertisements

This year, the UNWTO/WTM Ministers' Summit held at World Travel Market, one of the world's biggest tourism trade show (6 November 2018), focused on investment in tourism technology with a novel format. For the first time the summit featured a panel of private sector leaders alongside a panel of ministers, sparking an open and useful exchange of ideas and opinions on how to channel private capital into innovative tourism technologies.

This meant that tourism ministers and high-level representatives from countries including Bahrain, Bulgaria, Egypt, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Uganda, Uruguay and the UK were able to directly reflect on and respond to the opinions voiced by the leading tourism and technology investment funds involved in the panel, such as Alibaba Capital Partners, Atomico and Vynn Capital.

"Without the support of the key tourism stakeholders, notably governments, corporations and investors, development and implementation of innovative products is not possible. Today's discussions shed light on the influential role of both sectors as well as the need for stronger public-private partnerships", said UNWTO Deputy Secretary-General Jaime Cabal opening the event.

A common sentiment amongst the panel of private sector entrepreneurs was that disruption leads change in the tourism sector, but regulation can be preventative to obtaining the attractive investment conditions needed to support disruptive new business ventures. It was suggested that regulation should be fixed in order to give clear guidelines to investors who wish to put private capital into new technology.

Several technology investors highlighted the need to narrow the opportunity cost and clear up the governance barriers for innovation in tourism. "It needs to be easy for start-ups to grow and expand - if rules change too quickly, investors will hesitate to invest," Katherine Grass of Thayer Ventures told ministers.

Lio Chen, Managing Director at the Travel & Hospitality Center of Innovation at venture capital firm Plug and Play, called for larger technology companies to engage with start-ups to boost ideas, human resources and investment. "I ask ministers to incentivize the top five corporations in their country to work with start-ups and foster innovation," he said.

On the subject of regulation, Michael Ellis, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said: "It's a question of balance, and it's a challenge to get that right, especially in technology." He also urged ministers to boost sustainability and help tackle the world's climate-related problems, such as rising carbon emissions.

Education was also highlighted as an element making investments more attractive. "Education allows technology to root into societies and contribute to making tourism more inclusive for communities," said Benjamin Liberoff, Vice-Minister of Tourism of Uruguay.

"We have brought the public and private sector together in a unique format, and hope it will deliver real change in the sector. As tourism grows, then technology will play a key role," said Simon Press, Senior Exhibitions Director of WTM London.

Moderated by Richard Quest of CNN International, the summit contributed to UNWTO's ongoing priority to place tourism at the centre of the global innovation agenda.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The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport is conveniently positioned at Rumlang Station right next to the airport grounds themselves.

The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport will become the brand's first venture into Switzerland when building works are completed in 2020. Construction is now beginning on schedule, and a number of characteristic features are already emerging. As with all IntercityHotels, the USP will be easy accessibility. The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport is conveniently positioned at Rumlang Station right next to the airport grounds themselves. Like all the brand's new generation hotels, its interior design concept will bear the signature of the Italian architect Matteo Thun.

The new IntercityHotel Zurich Airport will have around 260 rooms and will also boast a restaurant and a bar. A conference area of 450 square metres will offer sufficient space for meetings and events. A spa and gym area will ensure that guests also enjoy plenty of opportunity to relax. 180 on-site parking spaces will be available.

"The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport launches our brand in Switzerland and adds a highly attractive location to the portfolio," said Thomas Willms, CEO, Deutsche Hospitality. "We are very pleased that the project is now taking shape and are delighted to report that the official ground-breaking ceremony took place today together with Necron AG, our much-esteemed partner."

IntercityHotel has now moved to its fourth design generation, and the Italian architect Matteo Thun will be responsible for creating the hotel's look and feel. State-of-the-art technology will also be in place in Zurich in the form of the IntercityHotel App. This ensures a thoroughly modern experience by allowing guests to check in, check out and open the door to their room via smart phone.

Another of the brand's long-standing trademark features is the FreeCityTicket scheme, which is included in the room price and permits free use of the local transport system. Guests in Zurich will also be able to enjoy this convenient and environmentally friendly way of travelling from A to B within the city. The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport's location at Rumlang station not far from the A1 motorway offers fantastic transport links. Zurich International Airport can be accessed in only ten minutes, and the city centre is also just 15 minutes away.

Zurich has around 400,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city in Switzerland and acts as the most important traffic hub in the country for rail and air travel.

The project has been designed by the Kussnacht-based architectural firm Suter+Renner AG. The investor and developer is Necron AG of Zug, with which a lease agreement for the hotel has been concluded. Further projects are at the planning stage. Gerard van Liempt, CEO of Necron AG, added, "Step by step, IntercityHotel Zurich Airport is proceeding towards turnkey status. We are particularly pleased to be involved in implementing the first IntercityHotel GmbH venture in Switzerland and are looking forward to long-term cooperation."

IntercityHotel is continuing its course of international expansion. Following the recent signing of an agreement for the IntercityHotel Riyadh Malaz in Saudi Arabia, the brand is now also planning to strengthen its presence in Europe still further.

Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe

 2021 Hotel News ResourceJosh Littman joins IHG as Head of Luxury Development, Europe, responsible for overseeing development opportunities for IHG's luxury brand portfolio in Europe. Jon Colley has been appointed as IHG's Head of Development, UK and Ireland, responsible for accelerating our growth in this key market.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has today announced two new senior appointments to further reinforce its development presence in Europe.

Josh Littman joins IHG as Head of Luxury Development, Europe, responsible for overseeing development opportunities for IHG's luxury brand portfolio in Europe. Jon Colley has been appointed as IHG's Head of Development, UK and Ireland, responsible for accelerating our growth in this key market.

IHG is already a global leader in the luxury segment with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and our acquisition of Regent Hotels & Resorts in July further expanded our footprint in this fast-growing, high-value segment. Our luxury boutique brand, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, continues to expand in Europe, with signings including Paris, Frankfurt and Barcelona, as well as the Kimpton Fitzroy in London. This UK debut follows an agreement by IHG earlier this year to rebrand and operate a portfolio of hotels in the UK, which secured an additional three Kimpton properties in the UK, and made IHG the country's leading luxury hotel operator.

The UK remains a key market for IHG and accelerating our growth across our brand portfolio continues to be a focus. This includes opportunities for our new upscale brand, voco Hotels, which currently has two hotels in the development pipeline in the country, in addition to four properties that will rebrand as part of the UK portfolio deal.

Both roles will play a significant part in further developing and driving our brand portfolio in Europe.

Josh Littman joins IHG with a wealth of experience in hotel development and the luxury hotel sector. Josh began his career in operations, sales and marketing for Mandarin Oriental Hotels before working with Kerzner International's Atlantis and One & Only brands. Prior to joining IHG, Josh was Vice President and Head of Development, EMEA, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos. Before Hard Rock, Josh worked for real estate financial and economic advisory firm, Economics Research Associates, where he consulted on a wide variety of global luxury hospitality and real-estate investment and development projects.

Jon Colley joins the business with deep experience in hotel development and investment. He began his career in banking, working for Barclays as Relationship Manager in the Leisure team, before joining the Royal Bank of Scotland as Business Development Director  Hotels. He then spent five years at Hilton Hotels & Resorts as Development Director, UK and Ireland, before joining International Hotel Group as Chief Investment Officer before becoming Chief Executive Officer.

Rajit Sukumaran, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA), IHG, commented: "The appointments of Josh and Jon into these new roles reflects IHG's focus on accelerating growth in key markets, as well as capitalising on some significant opportunities for IHG in the high-value, high-growth luxury segment. Both join us at an exciting time as we pursue opportunities to develop both our existing and newly launched brands in Europe, and their expertise will be key to strengthening IHG's presence in the region."

Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe

 2021 Hotel News ResourceMoral disengagement is a crazy thing. Who would have thought that a druglord with thousands of hits on his kill count had a sentimental side he reserved for his better half.

Emma Coronel Aispuro, the woman who's stood behind through thick and thin, is at heart of the most recent court injunction in the US Government's federal case against extradited kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, on charges of plotting the international drug trade beyond Mexican borders.

"El Chapo" has one simple request above all when it was his turn to address the judge presiding over his trial: the embrace of his wife Emma Coronel Aispuro. According to official court documents, "The only human contact Mr. Guzman has had since his extradition has been with the jail personnel when putting and removing his shackles, and a quick handshake from his attorneys when he goes to court."

In other related news, a member of the grand jury was barred from completing his responsibilities after showing himself biased. The would-be juror admitted during the selection process that he had sought an autograph from the infamous kingpin. According to NBC News, a Michael Jackson impersonator was also eliminated from jury selection, for posing a serious threat to the legitimacy of the case.

The judge has yet to rule yay or nay on Guzman's request for a hug.Chinese-Canadian rap artist Kris Wu has sparked some controversy on social media with his latest release, November Rain. His album was purchased 14 million times in 24 hours, with 7 of its songs landing the Top 10 of the US iTunes. While this achievement is an unprecedented success for the rapper, the feat has been dampened by accusations of his win being propelled artificially. Since his drop entailed Ariana Grande's single "Thank U, Next" landing in the 5th spot, social media users claim that there is no way his numbers are organic.

American music enthusiasts attribute his success to the use of bots that have the capacity to generate these kinds of results. His fans are refuting these allegations.

"The sales results could be very authentic. It is normal for Kris' fans to make purchases several times per person to support their idol. They can afford it," a Beijing-based k-pop fangirl surnamed Hu told the Global Times on Tuesday.



Scooter Braun, Ariana Grande's manager, reportedly questioned the authenticity of Wu's popularity, tweeting "he is using bots they will handle it and we are not worried. It's unfortunate but you can't stop Ari," according to a screen grab circulated online.



Braun has since said that he never made those accusations himself: "There is a fake tweet going around." This comes after some press tweets have been deleted from his profile. "Thank u, next" was #1 on the US iTunes chart as of press time.



"His fans support his new album to give him the best birthday gift, but it is really funny to be misunderstood as a robot," one of Wu's fans "YiXIAYE_" tweeted on Sunday.



Wu has 158,000 followers on Twitter whose network is banned in China, and 44.7 million followers on China's Sina Weibo.Dave Chappelle is using his fame for good as he joins a long list of celebrities who have urged people in America to vote today. The comedian campaigned for Marylands Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Ben Jealous and even called citizens and knocked on front doors reminding everyone to cast a vote for his "Godbrother."

Put me on your speakerphone, please, Dave said to cold callers, as seen in the video below. This is absolutely Dave Chappelle the comedian and Im calling you guys with fantastic news: Youre on the cusp of having a wonderful governor in the state of Maryland named Ben Jealous.

Dave calls Ben is Godbrother because their fathers were best friends and he's supporting him because he's confident Ben will "do the right thing by Maryland.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1059203166686900224



In another video Ben and Dave even help a woman carry groceries into her home, proving that Ben's the man meant for the job.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1059207107222876161



Check out our full roundup of hip-hop acts who have called on their fans to do the right thing and vote.Election Day in the United States has come to an end, with the overall landscape becoming clear. Although there are still crucial votes to count, Democrats have secured the House of Representatives for the first time in almost a decade while the GOP retains control of the Senate. The victory comes with a few key losses though. Tallahassee, Florida Mayor Andrew Gillum lost to Ron DeSantis, shooting down hopes that the Sunshine State would elect their first Black governor. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams refuses to concede the Georgia governor's race to Republican candidate Brian Kemp. "I'm here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted," Abrams stated while suggesting that they'll wait for absentee ballots to be counted. Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz was able to defeat Democratic star Beto O'Rourke, despite the latter gaining nationwide popularity in the past few weeks.

History was made on other fronts though, as Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland were the first Native American women to be elected to Congress as well. CNN is also projecting that Colorado Democratic Rep. Jared Polis will win, making him the nation's first openly gay man elected to a governor's seat. With the GOP in control of the Senate, Trump will have a majority to confirm his executive and judicial appointments. In turn, Democrats taking the House means that Trump will have unavoidable roadblocks ahead for many of his legislative plans, such as the proposed border wall. Keep up with all the up to date election news here.Godzilla VS King Kong will be a remake of the classic Japanese monster fighting film, pitting two of the most legendary beasts against one another. Both Millie Boby Brown and Brian Tyree Henry have signed on to star in the film, with the former already starring in the upcoming Godzilla sequel King of the Monsters.

Last month, Godzilla VS King Kong director Adam Wingard uploaded a picture to his private Instagram account that hinted at a new look for the king of apes. The picture shows a production caution sign, warning those nearby that filming is taking place. "Danger. Area off limits. Great ape sighted," reads the caution sign, with a picture of King Kong posted beside the message. Wingard dropped into his own comments to write, "FYI this is not Kong's new design. He looks way cooler than this in the movie." Check out the photo here.



Hes got plenty of freedom to sort of play around with how he wants," Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts told Collider in regards to Wingard. "I always joke that my Kong was kind of like a character in a Shane Black movie in the sense that he just gets beat the fuck up by the end of the movie. Hes just battered and scarred, and so hes got that kind of reluctant protagonist vibe to him. I think Adams willing to take that anime thing and do what he needs to do as he squares off with Godzilla.On a night where the house and senate were being decided across bipartisan lines, voters in 4 states were decided on the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes. Two of the states were voting on the recreational ledgers: North Dakota and the state of Michigan to varying results, the Midwestern State proving more conducive to progressive change.

In Utah and Missouri, voters approved changes to the ledger, paving the way for marijuana use for medical purposes in each state. Utah's electoral sweep comes despite defiance from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' edict against marijuana, for any means of consumption.

Once passed (if passed), Michigan's vote to approve recreational usage would make it the 10th state do so. The States of Colorado, Washington, and California are often revered by Cannabis Culturists are the trailblazers in the North American "legalize it" movement. On the other hand, medical marijuana will have been made legal 33 times after the motions are passed in Missouri and Utah.

The push towards "legalization" is in part fuelled by the emergence of a fully-functioning Cannabis Industry that is currently projected to rake in billions domestically, globally, so long as changes are being amended into state legislation.Model and former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson has gained notoriety for her outspoken disposition. Back in 2016, she penned an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal about pornography and its effects on society, labeling it a dangerous addiction.

Anderson recently sat down an interview with Australia's 60 Minutes where she spoke candidly about her views on modern-day feminism and the #MeToo movement. Addressing feminism in general, Anderson said, "I think this feminism can go too far. I'm a feminist, but I think that this third wave of feminism is a bore. I think it paralyzes men."The actress also commented on the scandal surrounding disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women. Despite the numerous accusations, Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to five sex crime counts in New York. Alluding to the accusations made against Weinstein, Anderson said, "My mother taught me don't go to a hotel with a stranger. If someone opens the door in a bathrobe and it's supposed to be a business meeting, maybe I should go with somebody else. I think some things are just common sense. Or, if you go in, get the job."

Maintaining her stance and standing behind her controversial statements, Anderson added, "I'm Canadian, I'm going to speak my mind. I'm sorry, I'm not politically correct."

[via]Taraji P. Henson has had a stellar year both personally, and professionally. Henson has been involved in a number of projects slated for release this year including films, What Men What, The Best Of Enemies, Acrimony, and Disney film, Ralph Breaks The Internet.

The Empire star recently made an appearance at Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she discussed her latest professional endeavors and aspirations, as well as her impending wedding. Opening up their discussion, Kimmel asked Henson about her opinion on daylight saving time, a concept that both entertainers agreed is not as effective in saving energy as it is made out to be. Taraji then went on into details about her plans to safeguard a cut out of her character in Ralph Breaks The Internet. "Wait until you see me on my flight back to Chicago tonight with that cut out in the chair next to me," she said smiling.

When Kimmel asked Henson about her fiance, she revealed that he was backstage amidst the cheers of the audience who she gave a quick glimpse her impressive engagement ice. In speaking about her wedding plans, Henson shared, "I was pressuring myself because everyone was like 'when is the date, when is the date?'... And finally I was like, you know, I'm in control, we're in control, so we're going to wait."

Catch the Kimmel clip below.The Houston economy has largely recovered from the two-year oil downturn that began in 2014 and economic indicators suggest solid growth ahead for the region, according to analysis by a University of Houston economist.

The local economy, after struggling in recent years, is again adding jobs at a strong pace, supported by oil prices above $60 a barrel and a robust national expansion, said Bill Gilmer, an economist with the universitys Bauer College of Business.

Were back, Houston is fine, oil should stay around $65 per barrel, were in good shape, Gilmer told business leaders at a luncheon in downtown Houston. Its a great turnaround after several years of suffering from no growth.

$100 OIL: Oil could touch $100 if supply crunch worsens, Citi's Morse says

The metropolitan economy has picked up speed since the end of last year, when tens of billions of dollars in federal aid and insurance payments flooded into the region to rebuild after Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017. The Texas Workforce Commission has estimated that Houston has exceeded 120,000 new jobs over the past year, although many of the jobs were temporary jobs related to Harvey recovery.

Gilmer said the biggest plus for Houstons recovery was a strong U.S. economy, which has created jobs for 97 consecutive months and pushed the unemployment rate to 3.7 percent, the lowest in almost 50 years. The local economy is now much more closely linked to the U.S. economy, Gilmer said, and as long as the U.S. economy performs well, so will the economy in Houston.

The U.S. economy, Gilmer said, remains strong by virtually every economic measure and has strengthened significantly in recent months. The probability of recession remains near zero.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Average Houston family to spend $1,512 this holiday season

The Houston economy was also helped by the sustained recovery of the oil and gas industry, and $50 billion in petrochemical construction projects along the Houston Ship Channel linked to cheap natural gas. Natural gas provides the feedstock of plastics and many chemicals.

Houstons unemployment rate is about 4.1 percent, contributing to a tighter job market and shortages of qualified workers thats resulting in a rise in pay and benefits, Gilmer said.

Weve successfully turned the corner, Gilmer said.

Gilmer forecast that oil prices will remain stable for at least the near future. Oil settled in New York at $62.21 a barrel Tuesday, down 89 cents.

Oil and gas jobs are still key to local growth, Gilmer said. Houston lost some 74,000 oil-related jobs during the downturn and only 20 percent of those have returned. Efficiency gains through automation and other technological improvements mean that oil and gas employment is unlikely to regain its 2014 peak of about 300,000 jobs, Gilmer said.

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The region has about 245,000 oil-related jobs, Gilmer said. Even with oil at $100 a barrel, employment would still top out at about 272,000, he estimated.

The United States in August became the world leader in oil production at 11.3 million barrels produced per day. Gilmer said that at $60 per barrel, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the process the helps extract oil and gas from shale rock, could easily increase oil production to 12.5 million barrels per day by 2019.

The local housing market, like the national market, appears to be cooling, Gilmer said, largely due to rising mortgage rates. Inventories are rising and price increases are slowing, he said, forecasting that home sales in the region will remain flat.courtesy of The Joint Chiropractic

The Joint Chiropractic, a chain of chiropractic clinics, has opened its 14th Houston-area location in northwest Houston.



Located at 2105 Yale, the newest office joins the Arizona-based company's 400 nationwide locations.



READ MORE: Allergy clinic starts push into area with Sugar Land, Katy locations



"The Joint is sure to 'adjust' the accessibility and ease of chiropractic care for Houston patients with its no-appointment, no-insurance and no-hassle business model and team of experienced local chiropractic care experts," a statement read.



Medical files are shared through the company's network of chiropractors, allowing customers to use any The Joint Chiropractic facility.



READ MORE: Modern Acupuncture to open Kingwood clinic in August

"The Joint removes the hassle of insurance and booking appointments, making it more convenient for patients in Houston to maintain a chiropractic care regimen," Ben Crawford, owner of seven The Joint offices in Houston, said in a statement.Nadia Shihab grew up in Lubbock as the daughter of Iraqi immigrants, and shes well aware of what people think her world was like. At best, they might assume, it was boring. At worst, that her life was one constant microaggression.

But Shihab has no such sentiments. In fact, the filmmaker who now lives in Oakland, Calif., still yearns for the windswept plains, the open sky, the friendly people and the home in which she came of age.

She has poured those feelings into her new documentary, Jaddoland, a contemplative and often moving meditation on family, motherhood, home, identity and culture that premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival last month and screens at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival on Sunday, where Shihab will also make a guest appearance. Shot over a five-year period during her visits from California, Jaddoland focuses on Shihabs relationship with her visual-artist mother, Lahib Jaddo, but its also a love letter of sorts to life in West Texas.

I was interested in making a film about my home, Shihab says by phone from Oakland. At a certain point, I realized I couldnt make a film about my home without looking closely at my mother and my relationship with her. My mother is an artist. It wasnt until recently that I realized the impact that she had had on my way of seeing the world.

Jaddoland When: 7 p.m. Sunday Where: Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd. Details: $12; cinemahtx.org See More Collapse

And that world, initially at least, was Lubbock.

RELATED: What to see at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival this weekend.

I moved between the local immigrant Muslim community and the Texas community in school. I also moved between the more conservative Muslim community and my moms very liberal artist community, she says. I was also living an experience that I describe as between colonizer and colonized  I cant say I grew up feeling any sense of animosity toward the community I grew up in.

Whether people are talking about Middle America or immigrant communities, theres this way of speaking about the other that is so reductive, and I didnt experience life this way, she continues. I saw layers, I saw complexity and I saw the ways in which many people I grew up with had these hybrid identities, whether you were the child of immigrants or whether you were my working-class next-door neighbor who was fixing cars.

Lubbock light

One of the most striking aspects of Jaddoland is how it visually strives to capture the regions sense of flat desolation and wide, empty space. For Shihab, these attributes often used to bash Lubbock are not negatives.

When I moved away from Lubbock, I never had a sense of shame growing up there, she says. When I moved away to Austin and then eventually California, Id tell people I was from Lubbock and theyd get these looks and people would tell me, Oh, thats the armpit of Texas. Id never heard that. Nobody told me that growing up.

After I had left my home, I had this deep longing for it, she adds. And every time I would return, I would see the beauty there. Lubbock has the most incredible skies that Ive ever seen.  The light there is really wonderful, and I really tried to shoot only with natural light to really capture the way in which I experienced life there. And I feel the longing I had for my home after I had left in some ways parallels the longing my mother had for her home in Iraq after she left.

Family matters

Her mother isnt the only family member to show up in Jaddoland. Her brother, who now lives in California, and grandfather, who now lives in Canada, make appearances as well. But its Lahib who provides the movies through line as well as its title.

Jaddoland was a word that my mother painted on our front door many years ago after many visitors remarked that her home was so different than the rest of Lubbock, Shihab responded in a follow-up email. It comes from her last name, Jaddo, which means grandfather in Arabic. So on one level, Jaddoland is a reference to our roots and ancestors. But its also an imagined place that is neither here nor there. In that sense, its a place of reimagining ... where we are free to reimagine ourselves, our story and our place in the world.

So it was especially meaningful that she liked the movie.

RELATED: Artistic director Richard Herskowitz waves goodbye to Cinema Arts Festival.

My mom has always been supportive of the film but I also did not share the film with her until it was finished, Shihab says. She really loved the film. I think the way in which I tried to show her experience and the way that she straddled worlds. And that condition of dislocation, you can call it longing or alienation, but the way in which I tried to render that visible, it reflected her own experience and also parallels how she tries to do that with her own paintings.

She also cried. It brings up a lot.

California love

Perhaps surprisingly, Shihabs move to the West Coast had nothing to do with the film industry and everything to do with her other career in city planning.

Ten years ago, I was applying to graduate school in urban planning. UC Berkeley has one of the top programs, I applied and got in, says Shihab who works in community development and affordable housing when shes not making movies. (But) for the last year and a half, Ive been working full time on the film  and I just had a baby.

She plans to keep making movies and thinks her next project might fall somewhere between documentary and narrative. I think thats the most exciting place for me at this point, she says. Im definitely moving toward narrative but perhaps not strictly narrative.

Shihab loves California and is even trying to get her mother to move there. It has been really lovely to be in such a diverse place, she says.

Still, Shihab keeps returning to Lubbock.

Im hoping to go back this Christmas, she said. I miss it.

cary.darling@chron.comMany of Houstons military veterans are taking refuge in faith-based organizations  whether theyre seeking help transitioning to civilian life, support while coping with PTSD, temporary housing solutions or ways to network with friends who share their experiences.

The city has a large number of veterans to serve, each with varying needs, Kevin Doffing, CEO of Lone Star Veterans Association, explained.

Texas is home to the second largest veteran population in the country, he said.

More than 300,000 veterans live in the Greater Houston area, according to the citys Veterans Affairs Office. The veterans tend to head home when their tours are finished, Doffing added.

While Lone Star Veterans Association is not faith-based, the nonprofit has created a Christian group as part of its effort to build a supportive veteran community which is especially applauded by Americans all over the country with Veterans Day on Sunday.

Its bridging the gap between veterans and Christians  and helping them explore their faith journeys together, Doffing said. We want to help people find their faith, grow it and renew it.

He said Lone Star Veterans Association is comprised of a number of different groups  including the one for Christians, as well as one for members of the LGBTQ community, another for spouses of veterans and one based on career.

Members of each group meet regularly for social events and mentorship opportunities. Resource navigators are also on hand to connect veterans with programs and other possibilities.

More Information For information, visit catholiccharities.org. To learn more about Lone Star Veterans Association, go to www.lonestarveterans.org. For information about Camp Hope and the PTSD Foundation of America, visit ptsdusa.org. See More Collapse

Doffing said that while no single organization can provide all the programs needed to help veterans succeed when transitioning from military to civilian life, Lone Star Veterans Association focuses on building a community where individuals can support each other.

Its about sharing stories, creating community and getting people connected, Doffing said. And wed love to have more people join.

Membership is free. Doffing hopes to add more groups to the list as well, including one for parents of veterans.

Veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have found a haven at Camp Hope.

David Maulsby, a former pastor, serves as director of the PTSD Foundation of America, which is headquartered in Houston.

He said the group began simply, with peer-to-peer support about nine years ago.

We began by just walking the streets in downtown Houston, meeting veterans and hearing stories about why they were homeless, he said.

Then, they started forming support groups, a hotline and eventually a retreat in the northwest side of town called Camp Hope.

The facility opened in 2012 and offers temporary housing, group lessons, support sessions, mentoring and recreational activities like fishing and hiking. Veterans join with local churches and pastoral staff, as well as area businesses and volunteer organizations to follow a journey of personal healing.

Maulsby said that while Camp Hope is faith-based, participants do not need to believe in any particular religion  or have any belief system at all  to join the free program.

Most veterans had some faith connection before they went into service, and we want to help them make a reconnection, Maulsby said. Sometimes theyre angry with God or dont believe in God anymore, and we help them work through that. Were trying to restore what theyve lost.

Camp Hope is open to any male veteran from across the country. Eventually, Maulsby hopes to see the program expand to serving women as well.

The PTSD Foundation of America hosts group meetings for children, friends, spouses and family members throughout the week, as another way to help veterans find solace in their civilian lives.

The VA says were losing more than 20 vets every day to suicide and thats a staggering number, Maulsby said. We have to stop that. These veterans put on their uniforms and serve all of us. We owe something better than what theyre getting right now.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston helps women who, after serving their country, find themselves in crisis.

Christy Chatham, program director of the organizations Women Veteran Services, said that assistance is provided for rent, mortgage and food. Services also include employment and education guidance.

Catholic Charities operates a shelter for female veterans and their children, giving them about 90 days to stay while they transition back to civilian life. Counseling, which covers trauma to recovery, is designed to empower the women on their journey.

In addition, Catholic Charities offers a peer-to-peer support group, art therapy program, computer literacy classes and creative cooking courses.

The organization also runs the Lotus Project, which provides permanent housing for homeless and disabled women veterans, as well as financial counseling, mental health care referrals and life skills classes.

We steer them towards self-sufficiency, Chatham said.

As a veteran herself, she understands the difficulties women often face returning from service.

In the military, women are stripped of our femininity and emotionality, Chatham said. Thats hard for mothers when they return home. Theres a disconnect from her nurturing and her ability to connect with her husband and children.

In addition, women sometimes experience, but may not report, sexual trauma in the military, Chatham said. They dont speak about it, and it compounds the obstacles in their transition, she said.

Often, women struggle to build a career when they return home, Chatham added.

What we want to do through our programs is close that gap by giving women vocational skills and afford opportunities for greater incomes, she said. There are a lot of obstacles but not a lot of resources for women.

Lindsay Peyton is a writer in Houston.When they finally called Sherry Reynolds to the stage to accept the Handi Quilter Best of Show Award, she practically raced to the front of the ballroom at the George R. Brown Convention Center as friends stood with cell phones documenting every second on video.

Reynolds' winning quilt, an elaborate combination of metallic thread and ornate piecework finished off with embedded Swarovski crystals that danced in the light, earned a $12,500 prize from sponsor Handi Quilter at the International Quilt Festival.

It was the second Best of Show honor for Reynolds at the Houston show, which in the quilting world could be compared to the World Series, Super Bowl and the Oscars all rolled into one. In 2012, Reynolds won the top prize for a quilt titled "America, Let It Shine."

Getting political: Unique exhibit tackles top human rights topics

Her large quilt is an ornate pattern of reds, blues, greens and yellows -- it has to be seen in person to appreciate its extraordinary beauty -- was inspired by her late mother, Carolyn Craven, who died in November 2011 after struggling with multiple sclerosis for 40 years.

2018 International Quilt Festival When: 7-10 p.m. Nov. 7 Preview; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 8-10; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11 Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas Tickets: $15 general admission; $20 preview night (includes 1-day general admission); $50 full show pass (includes preview); $9 seniors (65 and older) and students Quilt show information: www.quilts.com Quilt winners information: www.quilts.org See More Collapse

"She was so determined and so admired. My mother was thankful for every day she had and when she was gone I wanted to make something beautiful in her honor," Reynolds said as fans gathered around to congratulate her. "It was such an epic journey, that quilt. It got me through the highest peaks and the lowest valleys."

"I miss my mom so much that sometimes I just look up to the sky to talk to her. I see this, my cathedral in the sky," Reynolds said, gazing up at her sparkling quilt.

Reynolds started the quilt in 2013 and while making it, her father, James Craven, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He died in April 2018.

Other exhibits: Texas flair and heroic women appear in special collections

In 2005, a friend made a quilt for bunk beds at the Reynolds' home and Reynolds decided to try to make a second one to match it. She said she'd never sewed or done anything artistic before, but that first quilt got her hooked on the craft.

The awards show Tuesday precedes the International Quilt Festival's Nov. 8-11 run. More than 1,700 quilts will be on display in a variety of exhibits at the four-day show. About half of the halls at the convention center are turned into a gallery for the quilts and the other half are used by vendors who sell every conceivable product related to quilting. More than 500 classes are taught as well.

Bob Ruggiero, vice president of communications for Quilts, Inc., said the 650 quilts entered in the competition were juried down to 345 using photographs of the quilts. Those 345 were sent in for in-person judging.

Some $97,250 in prize money is given out at the quilt festival.

Here are the winners of the festival's top prizes:

Handi Quilter Best of Show Award: "Eternal Beauty" by Sherry Reynolds of Laramie, Wyo., ($12,500); sponsored by Handi Quilter.

About the quilt: Finished in 2017 after about 5,000 hours of work, this dazzling quilt is made of 15,000 tiny pieces of cotton and silk fabric, metallic threads and Swarovski crystals. Reynolds dedicated the quilt to her mother, who died in November 2011 after a 40-year struggle with multiple sclerosis. "I miss my mom so much that sometimes I just look up to the sky to talk to her. I see this, my cathedral in the sky," Reynolds said of the quilt made with her mother's favorite colors.

Founders Award: "Over The Waves" by Setsuko Matsushima of Otsu-shi, Shiga, Japan, ($7,500); sponsored by the International Quilt Festival.

About the quilt: The stormy scene of this highly detailed, handmade cotton quilt offers support to those who suffered in the deadly tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011. The upper left corner shows a lighthouse projecting light through piecework that graduates from bright white to dark blue, effectively Matsushima's ray of hope for mankind.

World of Beauty Award: "An Old Woman With Joyous Face" by Marina Landi (with Natasha de Souza Bugarin) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, ($7,500); sponsored by Baby Lock.

About the quilt: Imagine the beautiful smile of an elderly woman whose face shows the wear of many years. Landi and Bugarin made this work from the photo of a woman who had enchanted them. They used hand-dyed silk fabric in a contemporary mosaic technique with fused applique and free-motion machine quilting. For additional effect, some of the piece is painted.

Robert S. Cohan Master Award for Traditional Artistry: "Reminiscence" by Mariko Takeda of Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan, ($5,000); sponsored by RJR Fabrics.

About the quilt: Delicate piecework on a bold yellow background, this very traditional quilt was made totally old school, with piecing, applique and quilting all done by hand. The quilt is bordered by a flowering vine that surrounds wheels of delicate prints and small bursts of flowers dispersed in a uniform pattern throughout its center.

Gammill Master Award for Contemporary Artistry: "Velvet Flowers" by Linda Anderson of La Mesa, Calif., ($5,000); sponsored by Gammill.

About the quilt: The Oaxacan tradition of hand-embroidered velvet for blouses and skirts is documented in this quilt that captures the skills of the women and men who still practice the beautiful craft in the village of Santa Rosa. Anderson's piece is made of cotton and uses raw-edge applique with stationary and free-motion machine quilting.

Pfaff Master Award for Machine Artistry: "Hope" by Ximo Navarro Sirera of Canals, Valencia, Spain, ($5,000), sponsored by Pfaff Sewing Machines.

About the quilt: Dense background quilting makes this piece's stitched center pattern appear like an ornate Turkish Tazhib design. Though the colors and pattern may seem simple in this photo, in person you'll see the painstaking detail that Navarro Sirera put into his quilt.

Koala Studios Master Award for Innovative Artistry: "Silent Canary" by Patricia Kennedy-Zafred of Murrysville, Penn., ($5,000); sponsored by Koala Studios.

About the quilt: In the 1940s, American coal miners worked long hours to provide for their families. This quilt, drawn from photos and newspaper clippings from decades ago, is a tribute to those who toiled in often dangerous conditions. Kennedy-Zafred used hand-pulled silkscreen images on hand-dyed fabric with fused applique and machine quilting.

Superior Threads Master Award for Thread Artistry: "Blue Anemone" by Andrea Brokenshire of Round Rock, Texas, ($5,000); sponsored by Superior Threads.

About the quilt: This quilt is as much a painting as it is a stitched craft. Quilted by machine, it's also hand painted on silk to achieve the effect of the various shades of blue and purple in this closeup of a blue anemone poppy. Brokenshire said she saw the flowers and was attracted to their vibrancy and how the petals cupped their center corona.

Judge's Choice: "Ruby" by Roxanne Nelson, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

About the quilt: Fused and raw-edge applique using commercial cotton and batik fabrics with machine quilting were used to bring Ruby, to life. Nelson wanted to capture the twinkle in her eye and the warmth of her smile through a fabric collage technique mimicking the use of acrylic paint.

Judge's Choice: "Stone Lakes" by Jan Soules, Elk Grove, Calif.

About the quilt: The quilter discovered the Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge on a walk near her home and was taken with its natural beauty. The hand-dyed and commercial fabrics, including a repurposed, hand-dyed blouse, were used to evoke land, lake and sky in this small, abstract piece.

Judge's Choice: "The Architecture of Trees" by Suzan Engler, Panorama Village, Texas

About the quilt: A single treen show through the moonlight is disected into a vertical tryptich placed on a simpler background. The artist digitally manipulated her own original photograph with professional fabric printing and machine quilting.In the late '90s, there was an expanding humanitarian crisis in Kosovo which had displaced 90 percent of the country's ethnic Albanian population. More than a million people were in need in the Balkans so, naturally, my grandmother, Seewee Dupuy, volunteered Wharton, Texas, to help.

Wharton, a town of 9,000, welcomed three extended families  more than 30 souls  all Muslims  fleeing ethnic cleansing. Seewee organized the effort; the St. Martin Episcopal Church took collections; the neighborhood grocery store donated food; she met with local business owners to get the newcomers jobs.

Her committee (which was most likely just her) found two apartments close together, she said, so the refugees "wouldn't feel so alone in a strange town." My grandmother had anticipated their needs, noting that she wasn't expecting to see any Kosovar men because "so many have been killed."

Seewee was then in her 70s, donning rubber gloves, scrubbing down the apartments before the families arrived while scheduling other Wharton residents to provide transportation, tutoring and help navigating the DMV. It was a matter of life and death, and Seewee was all business. She didn't like theatrics, and I would never describe her as sentimental. It wasn't a political stunt. She didn't have an agenda. To her, it was the right thing to do, and it simply needed to be done.

I imagine it was the last 20 years of Seewee leading her ever-present Texas tour groups that inspired the plan. Before the war, she had taken her Texans to Belgrade and near Dubrovnik where much of the bombing occurred. "It's a very poor country," Seewee told The Victoria Advocate. "We visited Muslim villages while we were there. I didn't notice any hatred."

Who does this? Who sees a story about injustice and peril  genocide  and then within three weeks coordinates a small town in Texas to host multiple generations of asylum seekers? The answer is my grandmother.

She was born on May 18, 1927, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with the name Fannie Lee Edgar, daughter of James Edgar and Fannie Lee Edgar (Wair). She graduated from high school at 16 and went on to study at Louisiana State University. There, she met a Cajun fighter pilot named Marsden Dupuy. They married shortly after the war ended; their marriage spanned more than 60 years. She passed quietly on October 30, 2018. She was 92. She's survived by two sons, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

According to my friends, drawn to her portrait on my bookshelf, Seewee looked like Lauren Bacall. My grandmother did seem polished and poised, even in knee-high muck. She had movie-star looks, but she was too busy to be a beauty queen. She did everything for her three sons and her husband. She made and washed clothes, grew food and made meals, ironed, mended, cleaned, stored, polished, packed, planned, raked, dug, aerated, disinfected, decorated, stripped, painted, stitched, rewired and repaired. I don't remember my grandmother ever sitting still.

For decades, she hosted a yearly picnic for seniors at the retirement home until they became younger, and then, much younger than she. She'd bring people meals, feed strangers and friends alike. I went with her once as she took soup to a man on the outskirts of town living in half a rotted trailer tied together with ropes and tarps. She'd heard at the thrift store where she volunteered that he had a cold.

Tina Dupuy

Once her boys were grown, in 1975, she opened a travel agency, Seewee's Travel in Richmond, Texas. She visited more than 150 countries, leading groups of Texans around the world several times over. She went to China at least a dozen times  which means I have evidence of her sitting still for at least 15 hours there and back.

She comes by this naturally. One of her ancestors got on the ship to the new world pregnant. That seems a heroic feat until you realize 17th-century women didn't have other options. Like every woman before her, Seewee's ancestor did what was asked of her and did what she had to do to survive.

There are a lot of these tales in Seewee's pedigree. Hers are people daring by choice and brave by necessity, none famous or celebrated. Seewee descends from a long line of soldiers and settlers, people who built a democratic experiment in the land of opportunity  people who fought and died for an idea. People whose sacrifice we mention on holidays and emboss on plaques."

She was proud to be a Daughter of the American Revolution, but she was thrilled to be a Daughter of the Republic of Texas. Her great-grandmother was born in Texas in the mid-1800s, and this delighter her. Of all the places she'd seen, of all the people around the world she'd met, she had a special love for Texas  an affinity for all Texans of every origin. She served her beloved community of Wharton County as long as she could. And since we're talking about Seewee, it was longer than most.

But you should know that she'd be horrified I'm here boasting about her good deeds. She'd say she'll get a big head if I don't stop.

In lieu of flowers, I'd ask for folks she inspired to donate their money or time to Houston's United Way.

Tina Dupuy is a former Capitol Hill staffer and an award-winning writer living in Manhattan.

Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It's polished and poised, even in knee-high muck.The Monday afternoon call was innocuous at first.

Brenda Battel, a staff writer for the Huron Daily Tribune in rural Michigan, was seeking a chance to speak with Republican Senate candidate John James on Wednesday after the election.

Battel left a voicemail message with the James campaign and alerted it to a potential follow-up email to further discuss his campaign against Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Then Battel appeared to think she'd hung up. She had not.

"Man, if he beats her . . . Jesus! F---ing John James. That would suck!" Battel is heard saying in a voicemail released by the James campaign. "I don't think it's going to happen though."

It's not clear whether Battel was talking to herself or to other people.

The incident prompted the Daily Tribune to fire Battel later Monday after less than three years on staff, Editor Kate Hessling said.

Hessling said accountability was a primary concern for her decision to terminate Battel, amid plummeting public trust in reporters and withering attacks on the news media from President Donald Trump.

"It's imperative that our reporters act professional and neutral when dealing with the public, and that was not done in this situation," Hessling told The Washington Post on Tuesday. "And that was inexcusable."

The voicemail message posted on YouTube by the James campaign was authentic, Hessling said.

Hessling said in a longer statement posted on the paper's website: "The Huron Daily Tribune sincerely apologizes to Mr. James and to the public. These statements do not represent the views of the Tribune as a whole, nor do they reflect the actions of a responsible journalist."

Battel could not be reached for comment.

The paper, which serves a rural area in Michigan's so-called upper thumb area, has been reduced to three full-time staff writers and five total staff members, Hessling said.

"We're a very tiny newspaper," she said.

James' campaign seized upon the incident to attempt to draw a wide correlation between the Huron paper and other forms of media.

"It shows you that some media will do anything to keep the status quo and career politicians in power," campaign manager Tori Sachs said.

James trailed double digits behind Stabenow, but his campaign - which accepted money from a white supremacist, according to the Detroit Metro Times - has sought Trump's help to raise the candidate's profile. It also has suggested that a stunning upset could once again happen in Michigan - a crucial state Trump narrowly won in 2016. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont edged out Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary election there.

The incident inflamed conservative outlets with what they consider evidence of widespread liberal bias in the media, including the Daily Caller, which first reported the story.

Fox News Channel anchor Tucker Carlson asked James about the incident Tuesday evening.

"I think this is the indication that you're getting, the uphill battle that many of us are facing because of a lot of the bias we're seeing out there," James said. "It's just not fair for those who share different opinions than some in the progressive liberal media."

James decried media bias on Fox News the same night Carlson's colleague Sean Hannity appeared on stage with Trump at a rally in Missouri despite assurances that he would not do that.

"I will not be on stage campaigning with the President. I am covering final rally for my show," Hannity wrote on Twitter earlier Monday.

But Trump asked Hannity to join him on stage. He embraced Trump, thanked him and borrowed a term to describe media colleagues as "fake news." The audience roared in approval.HONG KONG - Ivanka Trump-branded semiconductors and voting machines? In China?

That's an odd, if remote, possibility after Chinese trademark regulators awarded preliminary approval for 16 trademark applications from the president's daughter and White House senior adviser, online Chinese government filings show.

The approvals by Beijing on Oct. 13 were notable for their timing, coming just as Chinese and U.S. officials were seeking to restart trade talks that had collapsed amid acrimony. They also raised eyebrows for covering a grab-bag of products, including electoral hardware in a country not exactly known for its elections.

Ethics watchdogs have long warned about the possibility of foreign governments seeking to curry favor with President Donald Trump through his family's extensive business interests, and Ivanka Trump appeared to acknowledge the potential for conflict in her dual roles as White House official and international entrepreneur in July, when she shut down her namesake fashion line.

But the recent approvals are a reminder of the Chinese government's knack for making uncannily timed decisions when it comes to Trump family businesses - even if it's just coincidence, as Chinese experts say.

The October decisions were the largest batch of approvals for Ivanka Trump since her father entered the White House, and they came as he was locked in a trade standoff with China, according to Caroline Zhang of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) in Washington, who first pointed out the updated filings.

"Since she has retained her foreign trademarks, the public will continue to have to ask whether President Trump has made foreign policy decisions in the interest of his and his family's businesses," Zhang wrote.

The approvals were granted 2 1/2 years after Ivanka Trump's company applied, which is far longer than the average processing time of a year or less, said Hao Junbo, a trademark lawyer at the Hao Law Firm in Beijing.

"It's impossible to rule out political factors because the approval period indeed took quite long, and the timing of it came just right," Hao said, referring to the premise that Beijing made a conciliatory gesture after trade frictions took a markedturn for the worse in September.

"On the other hand," Hao added, "there's no evidence of anything unusual. With these matters, you could never confirm one narrative or another."

Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Abbe Lowell, Ivanka Trump's ethics attorney, said the applications were filed well before her father's election victory.

"These trademarks were sought to broadly protect Ms. Trump's name, and to prevent others from stealing her name and using it to sell their products," he said. "This is a common trademark practice, which is why the trademark applications were granted."

Given the scattershot nature of the applications, the 16 bids that China greenlighted in October gave Ivanka Trump a foothold in a sprawling number of markets. She is now poised to hold trademarks for senior homes and veterinary services; for batteries, wedding gowns and sausage casings.

All told, China has approved more than 30 of her trademark applications.

Jordan Libowitz of CREW, the ethics watchdog, said the group's data showed that some Ivanka Trump applications have taken even longer to process.

"We obviously do not know the reason behind the timing, although some others have suspiciously lined up with events involving the Trump administration," Libowitz said.

In May, China awarded Ivanka Trump seven trademarks around the same time that President Trump worked to save a Chinese state-owned telecom equipment maker when it was on the verge of going bust from U.S. sanctions. Last year, Ivanka Trump's clothing line received three trademarks on the same day she dined with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate.

And in a rare move, China reversed its decision to reject nine Donald Trump trademarks last year, The Associated Press found.

When Ivanka Trump shut down her brand in July, a person familiar with the situation told The Washington Post that company lawyers intended to continue seeking trademarks in China to protect her name from exploitation

Ethics experts argued that the moves would lay the groundwork for Ivanka Trump to pursue lucrative business opportunities in China after her father leaves office. They said this poses conflicts of interest for the White House regardless of whether she is stepping away from her company.

Whatever Ivanka Trump's motives, Charles Feng, a lawyer at East & Concord Partners in Beijing, said the practice of "trademark squatting" - firms applying for valuable trademarks with tenuous or nonexistent connections to the name - is real in China, and highly widespread.

A government database shows that more than 500 trademark applications have been made with either Ivanka Trump's name in Roman letters or Chinese characters. The real Ivanka Trump submitted 53 of the applications, records show, while Chinese companies and individuals lodged the rest.

Most of those poured in during the early months of President Trump's term, when the unorthodox president and his family became the subject of fascination on Chinese social media.

Those applicants for Ivanka trademarks include farm equipment manufacturers, asset managers, electronics makers and biotechnology firms. An investment adviser in eastern China and a Beijing weight-loss company submitted 20 applications - each - to use her name. A financial company wanted to register "Ivankarabella," a mash-up of the names of Ivanka Trump and her daughter.

"The squatters are really a problem in China, and the authorities get a ton of applications every day," said Feng, the lawyer with East and Concord Partners. "But they have a lot of authority and flexibility over how they approve them."

- - -

Lyric Li contributed to this report.Fort Bend County residents made history Tuesday night as Democratic candidate Brian Middleton beat Republican opponent Cliff Vacek in hard fought race to become the district attorney. Middleton will become the first ever African American top prosecutor for the county and the first Democrat to hold the critical office in 26 years.

And in a surprising twist, Fort Bend ISD board member KP George, a Democrat, was able to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Robert Hebert for county judge, whos served in the position for fifteen years.

Middleton, 46, who runs his own law firm in southwest Houston, succeeds John Healey, a Republican, who is retiring from the office at the end of the year. Middleton once worked as a prosecutor under Healey.

Its just surreal and it hasnt sunk in, said Middleton of his apparent victory, in a telephone interview Tuesday night. When I started this, nobody really thought it was a good idea but it was a dream and I put my fear aside not knowing how it would be possible. I really just thank God for making it possible.

Cliff Vacek, 71, a longtime district judge, survived a grueling primary contest against Sugar Land attorney Shawn McDonald to win a place on the November ballot and face Middleton in the election for district attorney. As part of his platform, Vacek proposed revamping the docket system so that cases can be set for trial in a timely manner and witnesses wont get called down to the courthouse, only to have the case reset.

I think the race is going to be very, very close, said Vacek on the last day of early voting Friday. I have no idea which way its going to swing.

The Democratic candidate for county judge, George, has served on the school board since 2014 and currently co-owns and manages a Sugar Land-based independent financial planning practice. He has raised three children in Sugar Land with his wife who teaches in Fort Bend ISD. Just an hour before polls closed in the county, George urged residents to vote for him in a video posted to his campaigns Facebook page.

I want you to come out and vote for me, so that together we are going to be victorious tonight, George said in his 11th-hour push outside a Randalls grocery store in Sugar Land.

As part of Middletons platform for district attorney, he said the intake process could be reformed so cases are more thoroughly reviewed before trial, improving the quality of cases going to court. He also has a passion for bail reform, adding that a risk assessment tool could be created to determine what type of bond should be set for a suspect.

The Fort Bend races were being closely watched, as the growing and diverse county backed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 but has continued to elect Republicans to top county offices.

In another growing suburban area, Montgomery County voters continued their streak of electing Republicans into top offices. GOP candidate Mark Keough, who served two terms as a state representative in The Woodlands, beat Democrat candidate Jay Stittleburg for the county judge seat by a wide margin. Stittleburg is the first Democrat candidate to run for the county judge post since 1990.

In the county commissioners court race, Pct. 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, Republican, defeated his Democratic challenger Ron Keichline, an environmental health and safety professional.

In the district clerk race, former office employee and Republican candidate Melissa Miller defeated Democrat John Brandon-Pierre. In the contest to become the county treasurer, Republican Melanie Bush won over Democrat Mandy Sunderland for the key post.

In Brazoria County, incumbent GOP county judge Matt Sebesta defeated Democrat candidate Robert Pruett, a retired Galena Park police chief. Joyce Hudman, the Republican incumbent for county clerk outpolled her Democrat opponent Rose MacAskie.

In Waller County, where Prairie View A&M students sued over alleged early voting suppression, Trey Duhon, the Republican incumbent for county judge, trounced his Democrat challenger Denise Mattox by a large margin.

Debbie Hollan, whos served as county clerk since 2011, was able to defeat the challenge from her Democratic opponent Shari Griswold.

brooke.lewis@chron.comState Rep. Sarah Davis, a moderate Republican who won a tough primary battle despite the opposition of Gov. Greg Abbott, held off a general election challenge from a Houston businesswoman to win a fifth term on Tuesday.

Two other Republican Texas House members representing districts wholly or partly in Harris County  Mike Schofield and Gary Elkins  were locked in tight races as their challengers benefited from a surge of straight-ticket Democratic votes. Complete but unofficial returns showed that another GOP incumbent, Dwayne Bohac, defeated Democrat Adam Milasincic by 100 votes out of more than 47,000 cast. Incumbents held comfortable leads in 19 other local House campaigns.

In the closely watched District 134 race, Davis, seeking a fifth term, defeated Allison Lami Sawyer, 33, the co-founder of a company that develops gas leak-detecting cameras used on oil installations.

Davis, 42, speaking to supporters before the outcome of her race was clear, said unexpected Republican losses showed that Republican leaders were reaping what they sowed.

On a state level, if we continue to govern from the fringe or from the far right, the election results that were seeing tonight should be perfectly predictable, because thats not who Texans are, Davis told the watch party crowd. Regardless if youre a Republican or Democrat, were Texans and we care about each other. We just want some common sense governance. If we continue to elect leaders who want to focus on very fringe issues, this party  my party  is going to continue to suffer losses.

District 134 covers West University Place, Southside Place, Bellaire, Rice University and the Texas Medical Center. Most of its voters are well-off and highly educated, and during the campaign, many indicated they would split their votes between Democratic and Republican candidates.

Davis supporters at a Republican watch party at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District grew anxious Tuesday night as early returns showed the incumbent leading by a slim margin. Some said they took comfort in the districts history of focusing on candidates more than parties.

John Michael Austin, a Rice University senior, noted that Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the district in the 2016 presidential race while Republican Mitt Romney carried it in 2012.

I would say voters in Davis district are well informed, and considering her record, Im sure theyll support her again, Austin said.

Davis Republican primary opponent, Susanna Dokupil, a conservative businesswoman, argued that some of Davis views, such as her support for abortion rights, showed that she was insufficiently conservative. Dokupil lost by 12 percentage points despite the assistance of Gov. Greg Abbott, who said Davis was absolutely hostile to the governors conservative agenda. Abbott spent more than $223,000 running campaign ads against Davis.

Sawyer took the opposite tack in the general election, attacking Davis from the left. Sawyer was particularly critical of the incumbents co-sponsorship of Senate Bill 4, which authorizes police to inquire about the immigration status of people they detain.

Sawyer called the law racist and said support for such a measure was particularly inappropriate for a legislator from a city as diverse as Houston.

The challenger, however, hoped to benefit from the presence on the ballot of other Democrats popular in District 134, including U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, who challenged Sen. Ted Cruz, and Lizzie Panell Fletcher, who sought to oust Rep. John Culberson.

The Davis-Sawyer contest drew widespread interest because Davis is regarded as the most centrist Republican in an increasingly conservative Texas House of Representatives.

Mike.Snyder@chron.com

Shelby.Webb@chron.comVoters on Tuesday granted Houston firefighters the same pay as police of corresponding rank and seniority, giving a boost to firefighters who long have felt neglected by City Hall while dealing a blow to Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city budget he administers.

The passage of Proposition B sets up a potential court fight over the legality of the measure, and raises the possibility that Turner may swiftly implement his pledge to lay off more than 850 firefighters and scores of other city workers to accommodate what he repeatedly has called the measure's "unaffordable" cost.

Turner and City Controller Chris Brown have projected pay "parity" will cost more than $100 million in its first full year of implementation, constituting a more-than-25 percent raise for firefighters.

The other city of Houston measure on the ballot, Prop. A  a vote to reaffirm Houstons pay-as-you-go street and drainage fund  passed easily. Voters created the program in 2010, but considered it again this fall because the Texas Supreme Court said the original ballot language did not make clear the program would include a new drainage fee. That fee was not at issue on Tuesday.

The mood at the White Oak Music Hall, where firefighters and their supporters gathered on election night, was euphoric, a stark departure from the angst and low morale of recent years.

Im excited, said Johnathan DeLeon, a 15-year veteran who was taking photos with friends. Its a big day for us. Its going to change firefighters families lives.

Many firefighters felt betrayed when Turner  whom they supported in 2015  pushed deep cuts to their pension benefits through the Texas Legislature, then drove a hard bargain in contract talks though firefighters had received just a 3 percent raise since 2011. Houston police, the firefighters union pointed out, have negotiated raises totaling 32 percent from 2011 through 2021.

The fire union declared an impasse in bargaining talks and sued the city last summer, then gathered tens of thousands of voters signatures on a petition to put the parity referendum on the ballot. When the petition remained uncounted months later, the firefighters sued and won to force the city to validate it and put it on Tuesdays ballot.

Houston firefighters want to make sure were equally valued, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association president Marty Lancton said Tuesday night. Weve remained committed to working with the city for the last year and a half, and we hope the city ends the divisive politics of public safety tonight.

Turner has stressed that firefighters rejected a 4 percent raise from his predecessor and a 9.5 percent offer from him. Firefighters say the former deal came with too many concessions and the latter was presented after talks already had broken down.

The mayor also repeatedly has said firefighters deserve a raise but that the city could not afford parity overnight. He held more than a dozen town halls across the city to make his case. As of Oct. 27, Turner, who faces reelection next year, had spent about $486,000 of his personal campaign funds to oppose Prop. B and promote Prop. A.

Turner said he thinks voters will be surprised by the fallout from the measure, which he said was not in the best interest of the city or the firefighters.

In a statement, the mayor said, "Some firefighters who had hoped to benefit from Prop B will lose their jobs instead - while older firefighters get a 29 percent pay hike, noting that police, solid waste, parks and libraries also will see cuts.

He later added, I wasnt just bluffing or being a demagogue. I fully understand the emotional appeal. I got that. But at the same time, there are no freebies.

Turner hinted at possible machinations to come, calling the petition language vague and ambiguous, but declined to commit to legal action to fight the measure. He also declined to lay out a timeline for when layoffs and service cuts would begin.

A statement from the Houston Police Officers Union was more direct: We will now research appealing to the court system to help protect Houstonians and our officers from the irresponsible actions by some in the Houston firefighters union.

Asked about the threat of layoffs, Lancton pointed to the vote tally, saying, Clearly the citizens of Houston are saying they do not want politics to be played on the backs of public safety.

City attorney Ron Lewis has said the firefighters new salaries would be reflected in the first pay period after the election is canvassed, a legal process that requires city council approval and by state law must be completed within 11 days of Election Day.

mike.morris@chron.com

st.john.smith@chron.com

alyson.ward@chron.comMore than 500 college students at Prairie View A&M marched to the polls together on Tuesday to protest voter suppression in Waller County.

Dubbed the "Parade of Voters," students at the historically black college met on campus to march to a polling location at the school's student center.

"It was great. Made me proud to be a student here," Justin Martin, a civil engineering major who attended the march told Chron.com. "In the past, people wouldn't have come out for something like this but there's been a really strong emphasis on voting recently and the students responded accordingly."

Now Playing: On Tuesday, more than 500 students at Prairie View A&M marched to a polling location on campus. Video: Justin Martin, Twitter

Martin said students were chanting things like "no vote, no hope" and "my voice, my choice."

The seemingly spontaneous rally began around 10:00 a.m., when dozens of students blasted air horns around campus to signal the start of the march.

Dozens of students walked out of class to go vote with the marchers and the crowd size eventually ballooned to hundreds of people.

Jessmine Cornelius, one of the students who helped organize the event, said the motivation for Tuesday's march was the voter suppression students historically and recently faced on campus.

In October, students at Prairie View filed a lawsuit against Waller County, accusing election officials of violating their civil rights by not providing a place to vote on campus during the first week of early voting.

"The County Commissioners court only gave us three days to early vote on our campus and none of those days were in the first week of early voting," Cornelius said regarding the lawsuit. "And their reasoning for that was because it was our annual homecoming which is absolutely bologna."

A few weeks before that, the Texas Secretary of State said students would not have to fill out additional paperwork after a mix-up with campus addresses and voting precincts, an annual voter registration disaster which has long drawn criticisms of voter disenfranchisement.

"I definitely wasn't expecting that big of a turnout so when I first saw it, I was in awe," Cornelius said of the march, which she said brought her to tears. "Then I had to think, we really have been pushing the history of suppression and the current struggle ... it was good to see that things were coming to fruition."

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.Voters casting midterm election ballots in Texas are divided over the state of the nation, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate.

As voters cast ballots for governor, U.S. Senate and members of Congress in Tuesday's elections, AP VoteCast found that 49 percent of Texas voters said the country is on the right track, compared with 50 percent who said the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Here's a snapshot of who voted and why in Texas, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, an innovative nationwide survey of about 135,000 voters and nonvoters _ including 3,711 voters and 827 nonvoters in the state of Texas _ conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

FOLLOW ALONG: Live updates of the 2018 Texas midterm elections in the Houston region



TOP ISSUE: IMMIGRATION

Immigration was at the forefront of voters' minds: 30 percent named it as the most important issue facing the nation in this year's midterm elections. Others considered health care (23 percent), the economy (19 percent), gun policy (7 percent) and terrorism (6 percent) to be the top issue.



STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Voters have a positive view of the nation's current economic outlook _ 71 percent said the nation's economy is good, compared with 29 percent who said it's not good.

CASTING BALLOTS: Hundreds of Prairie View college students march to the polls to vote



TRUMP FACTOR

For 36 percent of Texas voters, President Donald Trump was not a factor they considered while casting their vote. By comparison, 63 percent said Trump was a reason for their vote.



CONTROL OF CONGRESS

Tuesday's elections will determine control of Congress in the final two years of Trump's first term in office, and 74 percent of Texas voters said which party will hold control was very important as they considered their vote. Another 19 percent said it was somewhat important.



AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate in all 50 states conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 3,711 voters and 827 nonvoters in Texas was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English or Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files and self-identified registered voters selected from opt-in online panels. Participants in the probability-based portion of the survey were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 2.0 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including from sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.Voters are seeing long lines at multiple polling places across Houston due to technical difficulties.

3:15 p.m. CST Update:

Lacy Johnson got to cast a standard ballot after all. A poll worker error earlier in the day forced her to cast a provisional ballot, but Johnson was not satisfied.

She reached out to multiple advocacy groups and the Harris County Clerk's Office and eventually found someone with the election board who could walk poll workers through generating an additional access code.

Once she had a new access code, Johnson was finally able to cast her standard ballot.

****

At Four Points By Sheraton Houston Greenway Plaza, Election Judge Poppy Northcutt said several people showed up to the polling location with an outdated address.

She didn't remember the exact number of people who did so, but she said they were either given a provisional ballot or directed to a polling station in their listed precinct.

"Sometimes they think that updating [an address] is automatic," Northcutt said.

Northcutt also said election workers encountered a strange issue with the iPads used to verify voter registration.

Normally, election workers scan driver's license information with the device, and the voter's personal information shows up on the screen. But when workers scanned four voters' driver's licenses into the system, the wrong names appeared on the screen, she said.

Northcutt said she confirmed those voters' registration with the county.

"It's very strange," she said. "I haven't seen that particular thing happen before."

****

12:00 p.m. CST Update:

Lacy Johnson tried to cast her ballot but a mistake by poll workers made it impossible.

Johnson handed her driver's license to poll workers to get checked in. They printed out a bar code, which when scanned, would produce an access code she could use to cast her ballot.

But the bar code didn't scan. And the first poll worker had already moved away from the check-in screen, so the system showed that she had already voted. Her only option was to cast a provisional ballot at that point.

"They would not guarantee that my ballot would be counted," Johnson said. "I vote in every single election. This is the first time I've had anything like this happen."

Helen Bledsoe, the election judge at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, said the workers had problems with the iPads used to confirm voter registration on Tuesday morning.

She said it took about five to 10 minutes after polls opened to get the devices up and running.

Additionally, she said Johnson and another voter had to cast provisional ballots this morning because of a worker error with the iPad.

The worker accidentally closed out of the screen used to produce the code required to cast ballots, she said. That issue occurred with two consecutive voters, forcing the election workers to give each voter a new code with a provisional ballot, she said.

Bledsoe said the worker likely touched the wrong part of the screen and is now paying closer attention.

"We've gotten it all straightened out," she said as voters trickled into the church building.

Joseph Lorenzo Hall is the Chief Technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology. Hall says the system Harris County is using to check voters in makes it easy for a mistake to disenfranchise people.

"It's a horrific design," Hall said. "I'd expect this to be happening across Houston, but hopefully only for one to three voters per polling place"

It's not a huge number of voters but those voters are going to be pretty frustrated, according to Hall. An easy modification to the process is to ensure poll workers wait till the voter has activated the code before changing screens. It would result in some what slower lines but at least no one would lose their right to cast a standard ballot, according to Hall.

****

Original story, filed 8:30 a.m.:

Xenia Kulick got to her polling place at Notre Dame Catholic Church at 6:45 a.m. with about 20 other fellow voters. When doors opened, voters had to wait 20 more minutes as poll workers struggled to get registration check-in machines working properly. By the time Kulick cast her ballot, there was a long line of about 60 people waiting. Only one machine was up and ready to check people in. There were no issues with the voting machines themselves.

The election judge at the location says the iPads used to certify voter registration were down for less than 10 minutes. She has poll workers inputting addresses manually to not hold up the line. Roughly 70 people waiting to vote as of 8 a.m.

FREEBIES: Where to score deals for Election Day

Brianna Smith of Katy has waiting in line since 6:45 a.m. and has still not cast a ballot. Election workers told her there were issues with the machine that gives you your ticket to cast a ballot.

"This was an early voting location so I don't know how they could be having problems with their machines," Smith told a reporter Tuesday morning.

As of 8 a.m., the line to vote was wrapped around the building several times according to Smith.

David Goldblatt of Houston went to his polling place at the Holiday Inn near NRG Stadium at 6:45 in the morning. He said when he first arrived, none of the machines were working to check people in. Goldblatt waiting in line for 45 minutes before getting to cast his ballot. He said there was only two check-in machines working by the time he voted.

"In 2016, I didn't vote because I was in medical school in south Texas and I just didn't have the time," Goldblatt said. "It was very important to me to cast a ballot this time around."

Poll workers at Marshall Middle School in Houston kicked out a reporter trying to verify reports that the location did not open on time at 7 a.m. this morning.

"They had a little trouble getting in because no one would let them in this morning," said Mary Kartes, deputy clerk with the Harris County Clerk's office. "I don't think there was a delay."

A campaign worker outside the polling place said she heard from a woman saying the polling location was not open at 7 a.m.

Poll workers had difficulty using the check-in machines at Martin Elementary when polls opened this morning.

"We just had information overload," said the precinct's election judge Javier Pagan. He told a reporter that too many people were trying to enter access codes at once which caused a delay. It took an hour and a half before voters could start casting ballots.

Angela Holland, an election protection volunteer, said voting machines were not working when she arrived to a nursing home polling location off Voss in Houston. Half of the machines were up and running by 7:15 a.m. and 14 of 16 were operating by 8:15 a.m. The delay caused lines of 40 to 50 people but had settled down once everything was up and running.e exciting and they're saying it takes about 20 minutes to vote.

Reporter Samantha Ketterer contributed to this story.

The Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News are participating in Electionland, a ProPublica project that will cover access to the ballot and problems that prevent people from exercising their right to vote during the 2018 election. This story is part of that project.

You can help us by signing up now. Text VOTE to 81380. You can also WhatsApp at us at +1 850 909-8683 or reach us through Facebook Messenger here: http://m.me/electionland

matt.dempsey@chron.com \ julian.gill@chron.com \gabrielle.banks@chron.com

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WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election. Democrats have been activated in opposition to Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks Trump has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration. The outcomes of Tuesday's races, which will determine control of Congress, stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

VOTER SURVEY: Texans divided on state of the nation

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republican by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

Both parties' closing messages appeared to have animated their respective bases, according to VoteCast, with health care and immigration each described as the most important issues in the election by about 25 percent of voters. Of those who listed health care as the most important issue facing the nation, about 3 in 4 voted for the Democratic candidate. About the same percentage who described immigration as the most important issue cast ballots for the Republican.

Opposition to Trump proved to be more a motivating factor for Democrats than support for the president a factor for Republicans. Still, Republican voters tended to be overwhelmingly supportive of the president.

More voters disapproved of Trump's job performance than approved  a finding that is largely consistent with recent polling.

Voters scored Trump positively on the economy and for standing up "for what he believes in." But the president received negative marks from voters on temperament and trustworthiness.

Still, about one-third of voters said Trump was not a factor in their votes.

With the final days of the 2018 campaign interrupted by a spate of politically motivated attempted bombings and a massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, about 2 in 10 Democratic and Republican voters think their own party's way of talking about politics is leading to an increase in violence.

VoteCast debuted Tuesday, replacing the in-person exit poll as a source of detailed information about the American electorate. Developed with NORC at the University of Chicago, it combines a random sample survey of registered voters and a massive poll conducted via opt-in online panels. The resulting research has the accuracy of random sampling and the depth provided by an online poll that interviews tens of thousands.

VoteCast results cannot be reliably compared to the results of previous exit polls, as the two surveys use different methodologies to poll the electorate. Differences between the two may be the result of differences in survey methods, rather than real changes in opinions or makeup of the electorate over time.

___

AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted in all 50 states by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 113,677 voters and 21,599 nonvoters was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English and Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files; with self-identified registered voters conducted using NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population; and with self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels. Participants selected from state voter files were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.The 2018 election is nearly in the books: Democrats are on track to take the House, and Republicans will keep the Senate. And there was, and will be, plenty of shouting.

Here are some of the night's winners and losers:

- - -

WINNERS

Democrats: Republicans will pitch this as a split decision, because they held the Senate. It's not; the Senate map was highly favorable to them, meaning maintaining control of it was expected. Democrats just took over a chamber of Congress, and that's a big night for them, period.

J. Scott Applewhite, STF / Associated Press

Speaker(?) Nancy Pelosi: Good things (probably) come to those who wait. It's rare that a former speaker sticks around for as long as Pelosi did after losing the gavel in 2010. And it seemed especially odd that she did, given how tough we knew it would be for Democrats to win back the House this decade.

But she kept raising big money for her side, and she stuck around long enough. Now she just needs to make sure there aren't enough Democrats unwilling to vote for her to prevent her from actually becoming speaker again. It will be tough to stop her, though.

Mitch McConnell: It may not have been a huge surprise that Republicans held the Senate, but they did it with relative ease, meaning Republicans can keep confirming President Donald Trump's judges. And it will likely be easier now, given the GOP's majority looks as though it will expand slightly.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Oh, and the bonus for the Senate majority leader: Democrat Amy McGrath's loss in Kentucky's 6th district. The highly touted candidate and top fundraiser would instantly have been considered a potential candidate for McConnell's seat in 2020.

Florida's felons: Amendment 4 passed in Florida, restoring voting rights for convicted felons. That's both huge from a civil rights standpoint - especially given such ballot initiatives in Florida need to clear a 60 percent threshold - and from an electoral one. About 9 percent o the voting-age population in Florida is comprised of felons, and many of them are racial minorities. That could change elections (likely in Democrats' favor) for years to come.

Democratic diversity: Colorado's Jared Polis became the first openly gay man elected governor, and Democrats elected two Muslim women (Michigan's Rashida Tlaib and Minnesota's Ilhan Omar) and two Native American women (Kansas' Sharice Davids and New Mexico's Deb Haaland), among other firsts. They also may set the record for women elected.

John James: The Michigan Republican Senate candidate got little buzz, but he was actually closer to unseating Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., than the GOP was to holding the state's governor's seat. As of press time, he was losing by just six points.

James, an African-American Iraq veteran and conservative businessman, didn't get much national backing this time. He might in a future run.

Sherrod Brown 2020: Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, pretty easily dispatched Rep. James Renacci, R-Ohio, despite the GOP winning Ohio's governor's race. And then, in his victory speech, Brown left little doubt he's already eyeing the next prize: A presidential run.

"Let our country - our nation's citizens, our Democratic Party, my fellow elected officials all over the country - let them all cast their eyes toward the heartland, to the industrial Midwest, to our Great Lakes state," Brown said. He concluded: "That is the message coming out of Ohio in 2018, and that is the blueprint for our nation in 2020." He's running?

Beto 2020 (and beyond): No, things didn't go according to plan for Texas Democrats' new supposed savior. They haven't won a statewide race in 24 years - the longest such streak in the country - and that didn't change Tuesday.

But O'Rourke did raise a metric ton of money, and even a close loss (he trailed by just 3 points with 80 percent of precincts in) is likely to keep him on the radar. Given the very long list of Democrats expected to run for president, why not the guy who just made Texas competitive? He's got to be tempted.

- - -

LOSERS

Beto 2018, and its donors: A loss is a loss, and we shouldn't pretend it's not. It's got to be especially deflating for those who invested so much hope in O'Rourke's candidacy - and for the people who invested their hard-earned cash - a record $70 million worth of it. Democrats have a way of focusing on shiny objects, and this shiny object didn't prevail.

Ivan Pierre Aguirre

"It's the economy stupid:" The Trump era has forced us to reevaluate many political assumptions, and we can now add this Clinton-era adage to the list. The idea that the economy is the most important thing at all times doesn't make a whole lot of sense when the unemployment rate is 3.7 percent and 8 in 10 voters rate the economy positively, but the party in power loses a chamber.

The economy almost certainly helped Republicans, but it wasn't enough to save them, either because of external factors or because Trump was so focused on other things.

Trump's immigration strategy: It was fashionable to say that Trump's fear-based, anti-caravan strategy was ugly, but likely effective. And it might have been in Senate races in clearly red territory. But it didn't seem to do much of anything to save the House, which was the more endangered chamber. Exit polls showed about half of voters regarded Trump's rhetoric as "too tough."

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

In the end, it seemed more that Trump was just doing what he knew, rather than what would save one-half of Congress.

Voting against Kavanaugh: One vote can be oversold, but it's notable that Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., cast some of the most surprising votes against Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination - after voting for Neil Gorsuch - while Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., voted for Kavanaugh and did just fine in the Trumpiest state in the country.

Again, that vote may not have sealed the deal, but Donnelly and Heitkamp both underperformed expectations. Perhaps those voted reminded conservatives of the big downside of having a Democrat in the Senate.

Democrats' next generation of stars: It wasn't just O'Rourke losing a high-profile, tough race. Andrew Gillum lost for Florida governor. Stacey Abrams appeared likely to lose in Georgia's governor's race without even making a runoff. And Randy Bryce, the man Democrats fell in love with as a foil to House Speaker Paul Ryan (you know: Iron Stache), lost the open-seat race for Ryan's seat by double-digits.

These might have been the four most buzzy Democratic candidates - in fact, they were the four cited by Esquire - and they all came up short.AUSTIN  State Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston and El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar led the pack of women dominating in Tuesdays election, snagging two congressional wins in what many have coined the year of the woman.

Garcia and Escobar were locks to clinch easy wins in their Democratic races for the U.S. House. Other Texas women running for Congress, including Gina Ortiz Jones in the San Antonio area and Lizzie Fletcher in Houston, were in races that were too close to call Tuesday evening amid a slow rollout of vote totals.

Texas congressional delegation has been entrenched with men. No more than three Texas women have served in the U.S. House at one time for most of the past 20 years.

This year, 18 of Texas 36 congressional districts had women on the ballot  all but two of them Democrats.

Women have commanded greater political attention this year as more have run for office. But they still make up a minority of candidates here  26 percent of the total pool. Thirty percent of Texas legislative candidates were women this year, as were 19 percent of statewide candidates and 18 percent of Texas congressional candidates.

Nationally, women consistently make up 22 percent of congressional candidates, a number that has been remarkably stubborn.

Eighty-four women currently serve in the 435-member U.S. House. The number of women could go up as high as 103. The current makeup is 61 Democrats and 23 Republicans.

A total of 105 Texas women ran in the general election, taking on incumbents such as Gov. Greg Abbott and sitting congressmen, as well as vying for open seats.

Before Tuesdays election, the number of women Texans sent to Austin and Washington, D.C., was at a 15-year-low. A high of 50 women were elected to serve in state government and Congress in 2008. Women then began slipping in the next election, losing seats in the Texas House for four elections in a row.

I think early voting numbers show just how hard the women running have worked to earn voters interest and their vote, said Kimberly Caldwell, program director of Annies List, a group supporting 37 Texas women running for statewide and legislative office. She pointed to several races in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas where women claimed commanding leads.

Retired Air Force Col. Kim Olson was the only woman running statewide to inch toward a victory. She slightly trailed embattled Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in early Tuesday night results, showing the highest support from voters statewide.

Lupe Valdez, a former Dallas County Sheriff taking on Gov. Greg Abbott, failed to gain a foothold. The Associated Press called the governors race for the incumbent Republican early in the evening.

Texas was once known as a place that had several women in powerful positions in the state. In the early 1990s, half the states largest cities were run by women, along with Gov. Ann Richards serving as governor. The number of women in Texas politics climbed for the next two decades, but fell over the past 10 years.

Democrats hailed the election as a historic win for sending two Latinas to Congress for the first time in Texas history.

We recognize that the impact of these strong Latinas on the future of Texas will not only be measured by pieces of legislation  Congresswoman-elect Sylvia Garcias and Congresswoman-elect Veronica Escobars very presence in our nations halls of power will pave the road for generations of young Latinas to come, said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.AUSTIN  Democrats made substantial gains in the Texas Legislature on Tuesday, winning more than a dozen seats and sweeping out of office several Republicans aligned with the tea party, including one who called immigration enforcement on protestors.

Democrats exceeded expectations by flipping 12 seats in the Texas House in the Dallas, Houston and Austin areas. While not enough to claim a majority, they did narrow the GOPs control of the chamber and could wield considerable influence in selecting the next House speaker. The powerful role is being vacated by Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who didnt run for another term.

Republicans now hold the Texas House with 83 seats to Democrats 67. Eight GOP incumbents lost their re-election races including Rep. Matt Rinaldi, an Irving Republican who made headlines in 2017 for calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on protesters who held signs that read, I am illegal and here to stay.

Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, who in 2017 filed a version of the so-called bathroom bill affecting transgender people, lost to Democratic challenger Michelle Beckley.

Also ousted Tuesday were Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, who chairs the House Government Transparency & Operation Committee, Rep. Linda Koop, R-Dallas and Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin.

In the Senate, Democrats picked off two Republicans, Konni Burton of Colleyville and Don Huffines of Dallas. Democrats still fall one seat short, however, of having the votes needed to block or stall policies pushed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Republican majority.

The scenario could set up another legislative session in 2019 with conservative bills pushed through the Senate hitting roadblocks in the House  as in the 2017 legislative session, when the House was a foil to several controversial measures including the bathroom bill that would have required people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender listed on their birth certificates.

Many of the Democrats pickups came in the Dallas area, where demographic changes and high voter turnout helped to boost the partys candidates. Similarly, a handful of Republican candidates in Williamson and Hays Counties  traditionally red counties just outside of Austin  lost.

Texas Democrats faced a tough map, but we built the largest legislative battlefield in a decade and recruited incredible candidates, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. Our Democratic nominees were victorious because they made their case to Texans on the issues that keep them up at night.

Both state parties said they are already looking toward the 2020 election.

Last night we saw the culmination of several years of concentrated effort by the left  and the impact of over $100 million spent  in their dream to turn Texas blue again. Thankfully, they failed to win a single statewide elected office, Texas Republican Party chair James Dickey said in a statement. While we recognize our victories, we know we have much work to do  particularly in the urban and suburban areas of the state.

In an effort to beat back Democratic gains, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had pumped more than $1 million to vulnerable GOP state senate and House candidates in the months leading up to Election Day.

Republicans didnt flip any state House or Senate seats, and in several races they held on with razor thin margins.

Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, won by fewer than 150 votes out of more than 48,000 cast, according to a preliminary tally on the Secretary of States website.

The election also propelled Republican Angela Paxton, who is married to Attorney General Ken Paxton, to her first term in the Texas Senate. Ken Paxton, also a Republican, narrowly won his own re-election bid against Austin attorney Justin Nelson.

Moderate Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, won her re-election bid. Abbott had targeted Davis in the Republican primary earlier this year.

amorris@express-news.netThe midterm elections are finally over, more or less, and we got what we got  Donald Trump is still president.

Sorry, but someone had to say it.

Now back to the cold realities of everyday life in the White House of Weird, beginning and ending with: Who ordered the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and what consequences will there be?

You remember Khashoggi  the self-exiled Saudi reporter/U.S. resident and contributing columnist to The Washington Post who, upon entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul looking to secure a marriage document, vanished. His horrific fate allegedly involved being tortured, murdered, dismembered and removed piecemeal by a squad of hitmen who were waiting for him with a bone saw.

For a few days, at least, Khashoggi was the lead story for many media outlets, but then, trickle by trickle, his name has largely faded from the headlines, with the exception of the Post. Everyone was off to the races or to cover the next Trump campaign rally.

Day after day, Trump did what Trump does  said preposterous things so the media would break out in hives and move away from unpleasantness, such as whether the U.S. would hold the Saudis accountable for Khashoggis murder. The House and Senate have discussed curtailing the arms sales about which Trump has boasted, but otherwise, the status quo is relaxed and tanned.

Obviously, such global intrigues involving murder, money, oil, arms and conspiracy are complex, and this one is multipronged enough to ignite wars and destabilize global markets. The Trump administration apparently decided early on to make nice with Saudi Arabia and, as the president keeps saying, the consequences of bad blood between our two countries would be costly, both monetarily and perhaps geopolitically (to Irans benefit).

Theres surely nothing nefarious about any of the above unless you dont like supporting the continuing Saudi bombing of Yemen or the flow of Saudi money to Islamic extremists. But Saudi Arabia is the center of the Muslim world, and this fact is not to be trivialized.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS, meanwhile-friend of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, had been generally viewed as the great, new progressive hope of the desert kingdom. He wanted to put women in the drivers seat, literally, and move away from the strict enforcement of some Islamic dictates, such as stoning for certain offenses.

While stoning may be on the decline, murdering critical journalists and others who cross the royal family seems to be an acceptable practice.

So, what has happened in response to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi? Really, not much.

Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people implicated in Khashoggis murder and sent a team of investigators to help Turkey figure out what happened  although, according to a Turkish official, two members of the delegation (a chemist and a toxicologist) were there only to clean up evidence.

Turkey, meanwhile, has all but accused the crown prince of issuing the order for Khashoggis murder, while knowledgeable people in the field say it is nearly impossible anyone else could or would.

Thus, were left to speculate about a whodunit of the bloodiest sort. Depending on what the Saudis conclude, the U.S. may (or may not) impose sanctions on the individuals ... engaged in that murder, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Thatll show em.

Meanwhile, Trump has imposed sanctions on other countries buying oil from Iran, with the apparent expectation that Saudi Arabia will fill the void with its oil and prevent markets from misfiring. Arms will continue to be bought and sold on some basis, and Yemenis will continue to die.

Life, in other words, will go along as before. But Americans should never forget Khashoggi, nor our presidents apparent willingness to look the other way.

Parkers email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.Hypebot is so busy chronicling the new music business and how tech is changing discovery, marketing and monetization, that we seldom look behind the scenes at the people that make it all work. As we did with the Bandzoogle support team , here is a look inside the design team behind the music website builder and e-commerce platform.

_________________________

From the Bandzoogle blog

After taking some time to introduce you to the lives of our lovely support team, today we wanted to interview Josh, our Lead Designer at Bandzoogle.

He and his two man team (consisting of Josh and Daniel, our proudly Scottish designer) are responsible for the majority of the beautiful designs you know and love on Bandzoogle, including all of our templates, the look and feel of our features, and the control panel.

We sat down with Josh to ask about how a day generally looks as the Lead Designer for Bandzoogle.

Favorite part of the day

I love coming out of a meeting with solutions. Anytime I come out of a design presentation with great feedback and a path forward I feel rewarded. Or doing a design review with Danny and seeing my design brief come to life in his designs is also really fun. On the opposite end of that spectrum I love a quiet room (perhaps with some music on) and a blank canvas.

What is the design process like in a remote office?

Danny and I usually meet over voice chat and discuss the upcoming project (usually this is a new template). Well look over the design brief I crafted from a previous meeting with our product owner, support, and marketing.

I usually end up adjusting the brief as I get a load of good ideas from Danny in this meeting and adjust the brief accordingly. And from there I let Danny run wild with the design with the exception of some check-ins to do some critique. We do lots of screen sharing and Slack is integral to us keeping the lines of communication open for help or feedback.

Designing in a remote office is similar to being in a physical one. Whats funny is that when I used to work in a physical office the workflow actually started to play out as a remote office would with people 10ft from my desk sharing over chat and Basecamp rather than having me sit at their monitor with them.

The remote workflow, in my opinion, can be more efficient than being in the same room at times. Theres a lot less hovering than a physical office.

Favorite Design so far

This is a tough one. I think the design of our new image editor was a really satisfying project. Its a part of our platform that was heavily requested by users and the collaboration between support, design, and our developer Dave Spurr was really fun.

It was an interesting UI to design and prototype, but I also kept the specifications pretty loose which allowed Dave to really run with it and refine and tweak as we went.

I also really enjoyed creating the infographic for our 15th anniversary. This was different than many of the projects I work on so I liked being able to step out of the UI design tasks and do something a little more graphic design orientated.

A Day in the Life

8am-ish EST

Day starts out with getting a dark roast coffee from Capitol Grounds which is conveniently located across the street from my office.

8-9am EST

Get settled into my office and log into Slack. Many of my coworkers are on different timezones so Ill catch up on any chatter that was happening while I was sleeping.

I like to check our #jukebox slack channel where we share music. Ill pop on the latest music posted there while I move onto Basecamp and check updates on all of our active projects. Recently my morning ritual also involves pinging our developer Colin to discuss the latest Red Sox playoff victory or loss.

9am EST

If its a Monday Ill meet with Danny and go over projects from last week and see where we're at. The conversation usually ends with me asking many questions about Scotland (Dannys country of origin) as I have never been there. I learned about Lorne loaf last week.

We also spend this time looking over any design work that might be in progress. Danny is responsible for all of our gorgeous template designs and we will spend time screen sharing through Slack and critiquing his work.

Recently we revamped the way we develop templates in Sketch and how to better output a style guide for our developers, so sometimes we strategize how to make this document/workflow even better.

10am  12pm EST

At this point I leave Danny alone and let him get back to designing things and Ill post notes from our meeting. Because a bunch of our staff is in Europe the first half of the day is spent communicating with them before they sign off for the day.

Im involved in the majority of the projects at Bandzoogle, so I am either in stand up meetings or answering questions from the devs on Basecamp. We have at least 5-8 active projects going at once so there is usually lots of communication and QA and adjusting specifications during the lifecycle of a project. Around this time I am also usually asking Danny for his eyeballs on any design work Im currently working on for some opinions and critique.

12pm EST LUNCH!

I dont eat breakfast, so at this point I'm starving and need to get Thai food. There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe how delicious the food at Wilaiwans is. Im lucky in that my office is right above my wifes workplace so we get to enjoy lunch together. If I have time I also go for a 1.5-2 mile walk before I get back to my desk.

1pm -1:30pm EST

Depending if we have any more meetings I usually use this time to read or collect inspiration. I recently switched to Pixave for gathering and organizing reference and inspiration. I spend a lot of time either looking at UX inspiration or any design trends we may want to incorporate into the latest theme.

1:30pm-5:30pm EST

Usually my is head down and designing UX/UI for the next project. While my morning is usually geared around pushing existing projects my afternoon is all about the next projects in the pipeline.

I might also use this time to organize user testing with our QA expert Desi so we can either test legacy parts of the platform we are getting a lot of support requests on, or new projects that are getting ready for release. I also might be using this time to write up a brief for the next template project.

MORE: Behind The Curtain: Inside The Bandzoogle Support TeamMusicians Launch Post-Brexit Save Music Campaign

The newly launched Save Music campaign by the Incorporated Society of Musicians hopes to protect musicians post-Brexit by either maintaining their freedom of movement between countries or to introduce a special two-year working visa for them.

The UK based ISM recently introduced the Musicians and Brexit report that highlights concerns of the associations 9,000 members and the campaign follows an EU Select Committee report that recommends the introduction of a multi-entry visa for musicians and other creative industries.

For decades our musicians have had the right to travel freely across the EU, performing their music in numerous different countries to countless audiences, ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts told IQ magazine. For many musicians this has been of immense value in creating music, establishing their careers and keeping a roof over their heads.

The ability to travel freely lies at the heart of creating music  music is universal and knows no boundaries. The very best music often comes from musicians from all walks of life coming together to collaborate.

The House of Lords EU Select Committee report, published in July 2018, recognized the importance of freedom of movement for musicians and recommended a multi-entry visa enabling creatives, including musicians, to continue to work freely across the EU post-Brexit. We, along with many other music organisations, believe that a two-year visa is what is needed.

And yet at the moment government does not seem to be able to differentiate between immigration and life as a touring musician. Instead they are suggesting an extension of the disastrous PPE [permitted paid engagement] which prevented so many musicians performing at Womad earlier this year. It cannot be underestimated the damage that will be done to the music we enjoy, and the music that is yet to be created, if we dont get the two-year visa.

That is the ISM has launched Save Music, a campaign calling on everyone  and not just musicians  to lobby their MP and endorse the two-year visa.

 CelebrityAccess

Share on:Empowering, counting and hearing women: GAF7 showcases gender equality progress and challenges

by Kate Bevitt

November 02,2018 | Source: GAF

Emerging research methods and unique technologies that empower and benefit women, alongside women fishworkers organisations around the world, are helping to close the gender gap in fisheries and aquaculture. But more still needs to be done to ensure that women are heard, counted and empowered in local to international policy and decision-making arenas.



These were the key themes that emerged from Expanding the Horizons, the 7th Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries conference in Bangkok on 18-21 October 2018, which brought together around 150 experts, researchers and practitioners to discuss strategies to enhance gender inclusiveness and equality.



Turning #MeToo into #WeToo in aquaculture and fisheries



The seafood industry doesnt work if theres no women, just like it doesnt work if theres no fish. The world needs seafood to feed, and the industry needs women to make it happen, said Dr. Darian McBain, Global Director for Sustainable Development, Thai Union, in her keynote address. This set a vibrant yet serious mood for the conference organized by the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society, the Asian Institute of Technology and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific.



Over the four days, delegates heard 95 presentations and participated in nine special workshops. The conference, with sponsors including ACIAR and WorldFish, was organized around the themes of gender assessments, gender-disaggregated statistics, the seafood industry, governance, climate change, the sustainable development goals, research methods, and learning exchanges.



The broad range of topics reflects progress among the delegates says Holly Hapke, a member of the organizing committee whos been involved with the GAF network and conference since 2008. Theres been a movement toward more advanced gender analysis, evidenced by research into diverse areas such as the struggles of migrant women and womens position in value chains, said Dr. Hapke, who is the Research Development Director at the University of California, Irvine.



Emerging research methods to empower women



New research methods are emerging that empower women in the process, not just the outcome, and give them greater voice. One such method is the gender transformative approach (GTA), on which Cynthia McDougall, Afrina Choudhury and Steven Cole from WorldFish ran a special workshop.



GTA aims to spark women and men to critically self-reflect, leading to shifts in structures such as social norms and dynamics that perpetuate and reproduce inequalities. This is about households themselves deciding what works for them together to drive this change process and create enduring positive outcomes, Dr. McDougall said.



Another novel research approach thats increasingly being used in fisheries is photovoice, which was the focus of a special workshop by Janine Pierce, an adjunct research fellow at the University of South Australia and a board member of Aquaculture without Frontiers (Australia). Photovoice gives the chance to tell stories to participants (often women) who may not have had a voice previously to tell their story, said Dr. Pierce.



The method involves giving participants cameras to take photos on loosely-worded themes and to write or describe accompanying comments in a diary. To provide some hands-on experience, a handful of delegates including Chelcia Gomese, Senior Research Analyst from WorldFish Solomon Islands, participated in a photovoice project at the conference.



I really enjoyed doing it, and Im now planning to use photovoice in some upcoming research in the Solomon Islands to understand what matters to women around fisheries, Gomese said. I hope that this will raise the voice of women and communities at the government level and influence policy.



Gender research approaches provide new insights



A number of gender research approaches are being applied to fisheries and aquaculture, providing new insights into gender inequality.



One example is intersectionality, which was the focus of a special workshop by Marilyn Porter, Professor Emerita, Memorial University, Canada, and Holly Hapke.Women are not all the same, said Dr. Porter in the workshop. For example, a woman fisher in India will have a different experience than a male fisher or a Canadian woman fisher even though they are all fishers. Intersectionality allows us to unpick the differences in experiences and identities as well as, more importantly, see how these differences interact to affect the overall experience of both individuals and groups. In turn, this leads to a more sophisticated analysis and better targeted policy interventions.



Another research approach that holds valueand needs deepeningis the feminist perspective, which was the focus of a special workshop by Nalini Nayak and Cornelie Quist, founding members of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers.



Feminist researchers and activists in alliance with fishworker movements need to develop a cohesive conceptual framework that includes development approaches and policy measures, said Nayak. This should be focused on achieving socially and environmentally-just fisheries that sustain life and livelihoods. Such a framework will be critical to understanding the diverse and changing lives of women in fisheries in relation to the impacts of unsustainable global fisheries.



Innovative technologies



Many presentations highlighted how the introduction of new gender-sensitive technologies are enabling women to more fully participate in and receive benefit from fisheries and aquaculture.



One example, presented by Cecile Brugere, director, Soulfish Research and Consultancy, was on tubular nets for seaweed production in Zanzibar, which are showing promise for womens empowerment, livelihoods and the environment.



From two years of testing, we found that the tubular nets enhanced the growth and productivity of higher value seaweed strains, generated income and strengthened the links between women producers.



But innovations are never gender neutral she reminded delegates. If an innovation it is to change gender relations in a positive way, for example by empowering women, it needs to be introduced very sensitively and its uptake monitored over time alongside continuous capacity building.



Collective action by women



A key theme of the conference was the importance of collective action by women, which was underscored by comments by Belinda Richardson, Fellow, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.



Collective action is critical to driving policy that works for women. This is a herculean effort, because its often very difficult to bring those voices to the tables, she said.



But some examples presented at GAF7 offer hope. One, on the successes of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNet), presented by Editrudith Lukanga, the Secretary General, consists of women from 28 African Union countries.



Since forming in Tanzania in April 2017, weve been able to attract funding, which is huge success for us because resources are normally scarce and it enables us to come together. Through the network were raising our voices, in a unified way, for the inclusion of women in all decision making and policy processes, from planning to implementation to monitoring, Lukanaga said.



On this topic, delegates benefited from the insights of Margaret Harding, a fish processor and vendor, and one of the 25 members of the Central Fish Processors Association in Barbadosthe only post-harvest fisherfolk organization in the country.



Having the organization enables us to work freely. It enables us to do the things that we want like the upkeep of the market, abiding with regulations and complying with governance, she said of the organization that was formed in 2005.



Her advice to other fisher women is to be vocal. Get together. Make sure your voices are heard. It can happen. Let all of the women fisherfolk come together to work as one, she said.



More work to be done



At the conference, Dr. Meryl Williams, Chair of the GAFS launched the new From catch to consumer: Why gender matters in aquaculture in fisheries article as part of the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries website.



The article highlights the key actions that are needed to make real progress toward gender equality all of which were raised and discussed at the conference.



To count women, key stakeholders such as fisheries agencies need to collect regular and accurate gender-specific employment data on the catch-to-consumer pathway to track trends and progress.



By supporting womens empowerment, women can collaborate, assert their rights and upgrade their capacity, which requires funding and support for education, advocacy and legal resources.



To make women more visible, gender equality must be a stated priority in policy, research and development programs.



Investment into targeted gender projects, research and educational outreach needs to increase significantly, even a hundredfold, to achieve impact.



And gender equality cannot be achieved by gender researchers and practitioners alonea critical message summed up by co-organizer Kyoko Kusakabe, Professor, Asian Institute of Technology.



It is only by working in a collaborative waythrough transdisciplinary approaches and integrative policies with grassroots organisations and policy makersthat we can make real progress toward sustainable and socially-just small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, Dr. Kusakabe said.



The conference was organized by the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society, the Asian Institute of Technology and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific. It was sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, WorldFish, The Crawford Fund, Plan International, USAID Oceans and Fisheries, Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Bureau and the Commission on Gender and Geography, and had 17 partners and supporters from Asia, Australia and beyond.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.Chinese fishing fleet a security issue for Australia

by David Brewster

November 07,2018 | Source: The Interpreter

Chinas fishing fleet has been at the forefront of disputes in the South China Sea, and the expansion of China's fleet into the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean may soon create new security headaches for Australia.



In 2013, the decline of fish stocks in Chinese waters, together with Chinas growing demand for protein, led Xi Jinping to urge his nations fishermen: "Build bigger ships and venture even farther into the oceans and catch bigger fish."



With some 2,500 distant waters fishing vessels, Chinas heavily subsidised fishing industry is the worlds largest, and it is pushing into ever more distant waters. The World Bank estimates that China will account for some 37% of the global catch by 2030, many times that of any other country.



China is hardly the first country to exploit far-away fisheries or engage in illegal fishing, but never has it occurred on such a scale. The appearance of the Chinese fleet throughout the world is now a significant factor in the sustainability of fish stocks from Argentina to West Africa and from Somalia to Kiribati.



But despite serious and well-founded environmental concerns, this is not just about fish. The impact of Chinese fishing has important strategic consequences for Australias region in several ways. There is a good chance that fishing will become a key locus of disputes and incidents involving China. The collapse in fish stocks due to overfishing could have even greater implications for the region.



It seems likely that bigger fishing fleets chasing declining stocks will likely make fishing an ever more contested activity. Competition over access to fisheries will put states under greater pressure to assert claims and to police their national exclusive economic zones (EEZ).



More and more disputes are likely between Chinese and local fishers, and with local enforcement authorities. Disputes could also increasingly involve non-government organisations such as Sea Shepherd, which has worked with local authorities to catch illegal Chinese fishers in Gabon, Tanzania, and Timor Leste.



Fishing disputes could easily create a new set of regional flashpoints. Chinese fishers often show unusual assertiveness and there have been several instances of them using force against local authorities. In 2016, an Argentine coast guard vessel was forced to fire on a Chinese fishing boat that refused to stop in Argentinas EEZ. Ultimately the fishing boat sank after it tried to ram the Argentine ship, eliciting strong protests from Beijing.



Greater involvement by the Chinese navy and other maritime agencies can also be expected in support of Chinese fishers. In another instance in 2016, Chinese Coast Guard vessels intervened in or near Indonesian territorial waters to forcibly free a Chinese fishing vessel that had been detained by Indonesian authorities for fishing in the Indonesian EEZ. A recent report by former Navy rear admiral James Goldrick maps these sorts of grey zone operations in the maritime domain.



Other factors can also substantially complicate or heighten disputes with Chinese fishers. One is the growing use of armed private security contractors, already being seen in the Indian Ocean. Another is the Chinese Navys use of Sea Phantom, intelligence vessels disguised as fishing boats. These may be operating in or near Australian waters, in addition to the overt intelligence ships reported in 2017. What happens when local enforcement authorities intervene against these boats?



Of even greater concern is the consequence of a collapse in fish stocks. The UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that 90% of the commercial fish stocks it tracks have been overfished or fully fished, including the worlds 10 most commercially productive species. This problem will only worsen, due to growing demand, falling fish stocks and poor enforcement arrangements.



This may be compounded by climate change. A recent French study of fish stocks in the Indian Ocean documents the discovery of two dead zones, one in the Arabian Sea and another in the Bay of Bengal, where few creatures live in oxygen-depleted water.



As a report by the US National Intelligence Council argued, threats to the sustainability of fisheries in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea could pose a chronic and widespread challenge to US interests. Australia has even more direct interests.



The loss of regional fishing grounds could have a severe impact on littoral communities, creating a variety of security threats. The destruction of Somali fishing grounds by illegal fishers was a key factor in impoverished local fishermen turning to piracy. This sparked an international naval build-up in the western Indian Ocean over the last decade which has had far-reaching consequences for the region.

 Lowy Institute

Theme(s): Others.Fifth Our Ocean Conference generates US$10.7 bn in pledges

by Catherine Benson Wahlen

November 06,2018 | Source: IISD

The fifth Our Ocean Conference generated 305 commitments to maintain the sustainability of our oceans. Commitments focus on the Conferences six themes: marine protected areas (MPAs); sustainable fisheries; marine pollution; climate change; sustainable blue economy; and maritime security. The US$10.7 billion in pledges represent commitments from a wide range of actors, with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the corporate sector announcing the majority of the commitments.



The Conference convened from 29-30 October in Bali, Indonesia, and focused on the theme, Our Ocean, Our Legacy, with participants reflecting on choices and actions to maintain the sustainability of ocean resources and to preserve ocean health, as heritage presented for our children and grandchildren. The 2018 Conference also featured the third Our Ocean, Our Legacy Youth Leadership Summit.



Indonesia announced 23 commitments, amounting to over US$80 million. In addition, President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, said the government has met its commitment of conserving 20 million hectares of its sea, two years earlier than its target date of 2020. Indonesias commitments focus on improving management effectiveness of existing MPAs, designating additional MPAs and protecting sensitive marine ecosystems, among other actions.



The EU made 23 new commitments across the six themes of the Our Ocean Conference, representing approximately 300 million Euros. On the blue economy, the EU announced, inter alia: joint action with China on marine data; a research and innovation agenda for the Black Sea basin; promotion of Blue Labs in the EU to research and develop products or services in support of the blue economy; four regional projects under its satellite monitoring programme, bringing together 18 African countries and the African Union (AU) to develop services related to fisheries and aquaculture, coastal vulnerability and risk management, coastal ecosystems monitoring, ship trafficking and development of regional ocean forecast centers in Africa and the Indian Ocean; and support for the sustainable development of Seychelles fisheries sector. The EU will also enhance cooperation with South Africa and Brazil towards an All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance that will assess ecosystems, map the seafloor and develop innovative ecosystem-based aquaculture systems with the aim of having over 1,000 research teams working from Antarctica to the Arctic by 2020.



On marine protection, the EU announced, inter alia: projects to protect marine ecosystems and promote exchange of knowledge on effective management of MPAs between the Atlantic and Southeast Asia; a regional support programme for the sustainable management of natural resources in Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories; and a new version of the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA), an online database and information system on terrestrial, marine and coastal protected areas.

 1990-2018, IISD

Theme(s): Others.Imperial Valley News Center

New Research Center to Explore Spintronics Materials for Advanced Computing

Gaithersburg, Maryland - The U.S. Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its partners in the Nanoelectronic Computing Research (nCORE) consortium have awarded funding for a new research center to focus on novel materials for advanced computing systems.

The Center for Spintronic Materials in Advanced Information Technologies (SMART) will be led by and housed at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and will include researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Georgetown University and the University of Maryland. Through nCORE, NIST will provide $7.5 million over four years, funding that will be matched with a $2.8 million contribution from the SMART partners.

Spintronics focuses on the magnetic spin properties of electrons, as opposed to their charges, which is the focus of electronics. Spintronics offers advantages over electronics such as higher speeds, lower energy needs and increased stability under certain conditions. Advances in the materials needed for spintronics devices could enable new computational systems, including neuromorphic systems inspired by the human brain that promise to dramatically improve the efficiency of important tasks.

The new center is bringing together top experts in the fields of spintronic materials and device research. According to the SMART team proposal, the center will be driven by the need for innovative memory and processing architectures that promise to significantly improve the energy efficiency, throughput, and overall functionality of tomorrows computing paradigms; in particular, neuromorphic computing, probabilistic computing, in-memory computing, and wave-based information processing.

NIST launched the nCORE consortium in 2017 with SRCco, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Semiconductor Research Corporation. The $2.5 million-per-year public-private partnership supports basic research focused on the long-term needs of industry in the areas of future computing and information processing. The precompetitive research supported by nCORE explores fundamental materials, devices and interconnect solutions to enable future high-performance computing beyond conventional transistor technologies and classical information processing and storage.

The first nCORE center, NEW LIMITS, was launched in 2018, to develop and study new materials that will be applied in unique logic, memory and interconnect applications to enable novel computing and storage paradigms.

NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.Imperial Valley News Center

Bringing space trash safely back to Earth

West Lafayette, Indiana - Talk about space junk.

Orbital debris from spacecraft, the defunct satellites and fragments of spent rockets left suspended in Earths atmosphere, are slowly making their way back to Earth. Objects usually return after a few years, but debris trapped in higher orbits can remain for more than a century.

Purdue Universitys David Spencer, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, aims to develop a system that in the future would deorbit spacecraft launched by companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Boeing, as the spacecraft complete their missions. A space junk animation is available here.

Why is this important?

There are a number of high-value orbits that have become so populated with defunct satellites and debris spacecraft that theyre approaching a tipping point, Spencer said. Once that tipping point is reached, a cascade of uncontrolled collisions can occur, rendering the orbit unusable. And into the mix the thousands of satellites that companies plan to launch into orbit in the next several years, and the problem becomes much worse.

Spencer is a Purdue alumnus (89 and 91) with a background in planetary robotics. He spent 17 years at NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California as a mission designer and project manager for a number of planetary missions. His experience developing and operating spacecraft led him to work for a program called LightSail sponsored by The Planetary Society, which got him interested in deployable sail technology. Although the LightSail program will demonstrate the control of a solar sail employing solar photons to shape orbit and ultimately carry spacecraft higher, Spencer saw the potential to do the reverse.

Using many of the same technologies as solar sails, the application were working on here is a drag sail, he said. Instead of pumping up the orbit, we want to remove energy from the orbit by increasing the drag area and using the atmosphere to slow down the spacecraft causing it to deorbit.

Spencer and his team of students are developing a drag sail system that can launch with satellites and be deployed at the end of the satellites mission.

Drag sails could be used to pull down spacecraft and satellites at the end of their use. This would not only provide more room for new and improved satellite technology, it would also help keep astronauts safe from collision with orbital debris while they are in the atmosphere.

Development of this technology is providing an exciting opportunity for students at Purdue. When Spencer came to the university two years ago, he aimed to develop a small satellite program that would take students through the full life-cycle of a space flight project, including design, fabrication, testing and operations. But in addition to getting students involved with spacecraft development, he wanted the spacecraft they designed to have cutting-edge applications for advancing aerospace technologysuch as tackling the issue of orbital debris.

Working with students on projects that will advance the aerospace industry and benefit society overall, thats really rewarding, Spencer said. He aims to provide students with a learning experience and the opportunity to do something that will advance the field of space science and technology.

Spencers work aligns with Purdue's Giant Leaps celebration acknowledging the universitys global advancements made in space exploration as part of Purdues 150th anniversary. Space is one of the four themes of the yearlong celebrations Ideas Festival, designed to showcase Purdue as an intellectual center solving real-world issues.

One of Spencers most ambitious goals is to have Purdue lead a planetary mission within the next 10 years. He would like to see small satellite technology such as CubeSats, a type of miniaturized satellite used for research, be applied to planetary missions.

Small satellites can address key planetary science goals that larger missions dont address, he said. Purdue can make a lasting impact in this area.CDFA's FREP announces grant awards

Sacramento, California - The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is pleased to announce the award of over $1.1 million in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities. These grants will fund six projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer use in California agriculture and will advance farmers' understanding and implementation of best management practices for fertilizer and irrigation management.

This year, CDFA's Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board approved the following proposals for funding:

1. Understanding Influences on Grower Decision-Making and Adoption of Improved Nitrogen Management Practices in the Southern San Joaquin Valley - University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences and Department of Environmental Science and Policy

Adoption of improved nitrogen management practices is paramount to reducing nitrogen loading to California groundwater. Currently, there is a limited understanding of how growers decide to employ or reject best management practices. This project aims to quantify the current use of improved practices and characterize the barriers and incentives that drive grower behavior. Expanding on previous work conducted in the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valleys, the findings will help guide future research, policy, investment, and incentives necessary to meet agricultural and environmental challenges in California.

2. Improving Nitrate and Salinity Management Strategies for Almonds Grown under Micro-irrigation - University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences

The accumulation of salts in the root zone is a threat to irrigated agriculture. With the widespread conversion from surface irrigation to drip and micro-irrigation, new methods are needed to effectively reduce salt accumulation. The primary goal of this project is to develop best management practices that allow California almond growers with micro-irrigation to effectively leach salts while minimizing nitrate losses below the root zone. Additionally, to accommodate the change in irrigation practices from surface to low volume systems, this research will re-evaluate the dynamics of root growth, root activity, nutrient and salt movement, and crop response to saline conditions under micro-irrigation.

3. Assessing Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Management of Fresh Onions Produced in California Low Desert - University of California Desert Research and Extension Center, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California

California is the largest producer of onions in the nation, and a majority are grown in California's low desert region. The Imperial Valley is prone to soil salinization due to irrigation with saline water from the Colorado River. Grower adoption of improved irrigation and nutrient management practices is needed to mitigate salinization and reduce water pollution from excess nutrients in California's low desert region. This project will evaluate the effects of irrigation management and nitrogen fertilization rates on the yield and quality of fresh onion bulb production in arid regions using saline water to help growers make well-informed crop management decisions.

4. Promoting the Adoption of Soil Nitrogen Quick Tests by Spanish-Speaking Operators on Strawberry Ranches in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties - Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District (SCCRCD)

Over-application of nitrogen fertilizer in strawberry production on the Central Coast reduces the profitability of the crop and results in nitrate leaching to groundwater. This project will promote improved management practices to optimize nitrogen fertilization in strawberry production. SCCRCD will produce printed guidelines in Spanish and English to educate local growers on how to collect and process soil samples and perform Nitrate Quick Tests. This project will also encourage best management practice adoption through one-on-one field assistance, leveraging the longstanding relationships that the SCCRCD has developed with the Spanish-speaking agricultural community of the Pajaro Valley.

5. Efficient Water and Nitrogen Management Practices for Mixed Leafy Baby Green Vegetables in the Desert - University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences

Over the past decade, the production of leafy baby green vegetables, including baby lettuce, baby brassica, and baby spinach, has increased dramatically. These crops are grown at a higher density than full-season leafy greens and have a shorter season compared to full season crops. Limited information is available on how these factors affect fertilizer needs. This research will evaluate various nitrogen management practices for mixed conventional and organic baby vegetable production systems to gain a better understanding of the production differences. The studies will take place in grower fields to hasten technology transfer.

6. Pima Cotton Nitrogen Management, Uptake, Removal - Impacts of Varieties, Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigation - University of California West Side Research and Extension Center, University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences

Over the past three decades, California cotton production has shifted from specialized Upland cotton varieties to Pima cotton. Because of this change, nitrogen and irrigation management recommendations must be developed for Pima cotton varieties in California's semi-arid climate. This project will show whether the current guidelines for Upland cotton are applicable to Pima cultivars by evaluating the impact of nitrogen application rates and irrigation methods on total plant nitrogen uptake and yield potential. Multiple Pima varieties and soil types will be studied to better understand the overall nitrogen requirements of Pima cotton.Presidential Message on National Veterans Small Business Week

Washington, DC - During National Veterans Small Business Week, our Nation recognizes the dedicated men and women who have selflessly served our country in uniform and who now apply their knowledge and skills as small business owners.

During their military service, these veterans defended the Nation at home and abroad, protecting our freedoms and very way of life with courage and tenacity. As small business owners, they continue to contribute to the strength and prosperity of our Nation with their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas, achieving tremendous success in industry. In the United States, nearly 1 in 10 businesses is owned by a veteran, collectively generating more than $1 trillion in sales and employing more than 5 million people annually.

My Administration is committed to supporting these patriotic men and women as they transition from military service to the business sector and is fostering an environment in which all businesses, including veteran-owned businesses, can grow and thrive. Since I took office in January 2017, my Administration has cut burdensome regulations for American entrepreneurs and business owners. We have eliminated 12 outdated, unnecessary, or duplicative regulations for each new significant regulation created, saving $23 billion for American families and businesses in Fiscal Year 2018 alone. Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we have also made it easier for businesses to create new jobs, purchase new equipment, increase wages, and provide bonuses for their hardworking employees. Additionally, through the efforts of the Small Business Administrations Office of Veteran Business Development, we are providing entrepreneurship training and enhancing access to capital for veterans and military spouses as they start and grow their businesses.

This week in particular, we honor the critical role that veteran-owned businesses play in the success of our economy and of our Nation as a whole. The contributions of our veterans in the Armed Forces and in business have helped to build and preserve Americas greatness, and we owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay.Secretary of State Pompeo's Travel to New York City

Washington, DC - Secretary Pompeo will travel to New York City with Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun to meet with DPRK Vice Chairman of the Central Committee Kim Yong Chol on November 8.

The Secretary and Vice Chairman Kim will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK.Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva

Washington, DC - Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva today.

They discussed the importance of U.S.-Bulgarian bilateral relations, Bulgarias plans to modernize its military, and energy diversification as a European energy security priority. They also discussed global affairs such as Irans ballistic missile program, the importance of maintaining sanctions on Russia, and their shared interest in advancing stability, security, and prosperity for the countries of the Western Balkans.This year, 99 African American-led businesses made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country, measured by revenue growth over the past three years. The top 10 comprise a wide range of companies and industries, from IT to staffing to real estate. Here's a look at that distinguished group.

10. IBOX Global

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 357 Three-year growth 1,412% 2017 revenue $6.6M

Atlanta-based IBOX Global offers IT consulting, security, and support to government agencies, corporations, and public-sector organizations. The company, which works with clients such as the National Park Service, has a lot to celebrate this year--2018 is the 10-year anniversary of its founding.

9. Ensunet Technology Group

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 355 Three-year growth 1,478% 2017 revenue $3M

Ensunet Technology Group, which offers a range of IT management services, was founded by Paul Robinson in 2008. The company also ranks on the Inc. 5000 as the sixth-fastest-growing company in the San Diego metro area.

8. 2M Research

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 285 Three-year growth 1,706% 2017 revenue $9.5M

Founded by Dr. Marcus Martin and Dr. Eddilisa Martin, 2M Research is a research and advisory firm headquartered in Arlington, Texas. The company specializes in research for government clients.

7. BarnAllen Technologies

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 273 Three-year growth 1,815% 2017 revenue $54.5M

This IT company specializes in health information management for high-profile government clients including the Federal Trade Commission and the Executive Office of the President of the United States. The company appears on the Inc. 5000 list for the third year in a row. Located in Rockville, Maryland, BarnAllen Technologies is also among the fastest-growing companies in the state on 2018's Inc. 5000.

6. Cetechs

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 266 Three-year growth 1,827% 2017 revenue $6.6M

Cetechs, a Mesa, Arizona-based staffing firm, helps clients in Arizona with staffing and IT solutions.The company's founder, Wilbert Johnson, is a U.S. Army veteran, and the company works with government clients such as the U.S. Air Force.

5. Capitol Bridge

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 239 Three-year growth 2,004% 2017 revenue $3.1M

Also one of the fastest-growing franchise businesses on this year's Inc. 5000 list, Arlington, Virginia's Capitol Bridge offers strategic advisory and professional services to government customers, including the U.S. Army.

4. Y-Tech

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 224 Three-year growth 2,103% 2017 revenue $11.7M

Providing IT and consulting services to federal and state government clients, Y-Tech is also the second-fastest-growing Baltimore company on this year's Inc. 5000, as well as one of the top 20 government services companies.

3. ARM Consulting

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 203 Three-year growth 2,230% 2017 revenue $3M

ARM Consulting, based in Leesburg, Virginia, focuses on the HR, technology, and health care industries. The company specializes in servicing government clients, including the Department of State and the Defense Health Agency.

2. Compass

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 71 Three-year growth 4,309% 2017 revenue $370.6M

Compass, a real estate listing app that helps buyers find properties in popular locations like New York, Chicago, and Aspen, has been gaining attention ever since its 2012 launch. Its rapid growth is a reminder that long gone are the days when consumers' best option was to scroll through Craigslist postings.

1. Diversified Protection

2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 40 Three-year growth 6,574% 2017 revenue $36.6M

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Diversified Protection provides security services including locksmithing, ID badges, and even bodyguards. Besides being the fastest-growing African American-led company, Diversified Protection is among the Inc. 5000's top security businesses and top companies in Las Vegas.

EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES"I regret accepting my job at my current company."

This statement was put to more than 10,000 employees of Uber, Microsoft, Facebook, Intel, and dozens of other Silicon Valley businesses to gauge how many agreed. A startling number of respondents said they did.

Nearly one-quarter--23.4 percent--said "yes," meaning they regret accepting their current job. Facebook had the lowest percentage of employees who responded affirmatively, at just 12 percent. Google and LinkedIn also fared well compared with other big names. The survey takers were users of Blind, an app and website on which employees can anonymously discuss tech, culture, and hiring issues, and seek advice about their careers.

On the other end of the spectrum was Snapchat. Of the 102 users who work at Snap and answered the question, 39.2 percent said they regretted taking their position at the company.

Early this year, Snap restructured its content teams. In March it laid off more than 120 engineers, and later let go of about 100 sales staff. The company went public in March of 2017, and since has built a "track record of grinding through executives, pursuing questionable strategies, and falling short of investors' financial expectations," wrote Shira Ovide in Bloomberg Opinion.

Close behind Snap were Oracle, where 34.1 percent of employees expressed regret over accepting their jobs, and Intel, where 32.0 percent expressed regret.

While Blind users are anonymous, each profile indicates the user's employer, which Blind has verified by the person's email address. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have the most Blind users, with roughly 47,000, 31,000, and 12,000, respectively.

Blind was founded in 2013 by Sunguk Moon, a veteran of the South Korean search giant Naver. While there, he'd noticed employees spoke candidly to each other on the company's intranet--and was dismayed when it was shut down after employees started talking about "critical and sensitive issues," he told The Mercury News. Blind has raised $6 million in venture capital funding and is building an ad-supported business. (Blind did not respond to a request for more information about its survey or the company itself.)Business owners have reason to cheer the blue wave in Congress. Why? It's sure to mean legislative gridlock, which spells predictability for companies.

As expected, in Tuesday's midterm elections, Democratic lawmakers retook the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the Senate was left virtually untouched. That division is sure to leave Donald Trump's legislative agenda more subdued.

Not only was Trump poised to propose a second round of tax cuts, he was largely expected to try once again to unravel the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health law passed by Barack Obama in 2012. That law, among other things, established health-insurance exchanges and barred insurance companies from withholding coverage from those with preexisting conditions.

While these proposals may still get a hearing in Congress, the likelihood of them passing is negligible. Indeed, without control of both the House and Senate, "there will be total gridlock and no legislation on anything," says Robert Litan, an economist and non-resident senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institute.

Even so, the next two years under Trump will be eventful. Here are five major things to expect in the second half of Donald Trump's presidency:

1. The USMCA, a.k.a. the New NAFTA, could become law.

The president is expected to sign the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA--the free trade agreement poised to replace the 24-year-old North America Free Trade Agreement--before December 1. That is Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's last day in office.

While the current Congress is still in session until January, the USMCA isn't due to appear before lawmakers until the next legislative session begins. With Canada's last-minute adoption of the pact, the effort may well receive bipartisan support, making ratification all the more likely. That's good for entrepreneurs, who in general favor free trade agreements. "They don't like that their costs are going up," says Litan, referring to tariffs.

2. The regulatory rollback is likely to continue.

Nixing regulations will remain a key priority in the Trump administration. Nearly 150 environmental, agricultural, health, labor, and financial rules--from rolling back net neutrality to nullifying the arbitration rule, which prevented some financial companies from adding mandatory arbitration clauses to consumer agreements--have been rescinded since October 2017, according to the Brookings Institute's deregulatory tracker. And considering that the president doesn't need congressional approval to unravel additional rules from federal agencies, the trend will likely continue.

Expect change with respect to the types of cases that House committees choose to investigate, says Heidi Shierholz, a senior economist and director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan think tank. "There have been a huge number of hearings against collective bargaining," she says, highlighting the erosion of unions under the Trump presidency.

Business owners will of course applaud as Trump continues to cut red tape. Among other likely moves is the proposed repeal of the joint-employer standard. That was an Obama-era rule that suggested franchises and franchisees would be similarly liable for managing employees--and could get sued as a result of infractions. That provision is currently in a comment period for the next 30 or so days.

3. The federal minimum wage could creep up.

Some movement is likely on the federal minimum wage, Shierholz says. It currently stands at $7.25 per hour. It has been nine years since the last increase, in line with the longer stretches before a change has been made. A version of the Raise the Wage Act might be introduced in the House in the upcoming term, Shierholz predicts. That bill, first introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Patty Murray (D., Wash.) in 2017, would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024. Whether Trump would favor a wage hike is hard to tell. In public statements, he has said both that he favors a higher minimum and that Americans earn too much.

Business owners who employ low-wage workers are bound to take an interest in changes like these. While raising wages to $11 or $12 an hour is not expected to have an impact on unemployment, evidence suggests that going beyond those figures might, says Litan. "It's an incentive to adopt labor-saving technology," he adds. And even though you might already see fast-food eateries using iPads for ordering or robotic line chefs, if wages go beyond the $11 to $12 point, labor-saving tech adoption is expected to be far more dramatic.

4. The judiciary may play a larger role in business.

With two U.S. Supreme Court picks under his belt, Trump has effectively shifted the priorities of the High Court to the right. That's bound to be good for businesses, says Ari Ginsberg, a professor of entrepreneurship and management at New York University's Stern School of Business, who follows the judiciary's impact on startups. "Conservative justices have been good for business, and if there's another conservative justice, that will only increase the likelihood of pro-business decisions next term," he told Inc. in June, after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement and before Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed.

In particular, if the Supreme Court takes up cases related to patents and privacy, you can expect a pro-business bent. You're also likely to see more labor-related cases that favor employers, suggests Shierholz. She highlighted, as an example, Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, in which the U.S. Supreme Court in May held that individual arbitration agreements are enforceable.

5. Smaller immigration measures could get a hearing.Zero Mass Water uses some nifty science to squeeze potable water from the air. Founder Cody Friesen, a materials scientist and associate professor at Arizona State University, spent nearly seven years developing the Source Hydropanel. Using solar power, a single system can produce enough drinking water for two to three people each day--even in desert conditions.

A Solar Still

"The problem statement was: How can we leapfrog infrastructure, just as cell phones do?" Friesen says. The solar panel converts sunlight to energy, which heats the material inside and creates condensation. Water collects in a 30-liter reservoir. Minerals are added to improve taste, and ozone is added to maintain purity. Then the water is pumped directly to a household tap or a refrigerator's fill station. Because the unit has its own solar panel, everything occurs off the grid. "We're accelerating water delivery from what is basically the Roman era into the 21st century."

By The Numbers Liters of clean H2O that can be produced daily: 5 Cost for each Source panel: $2,000 Funding raised: $38 million Number of diarrheal deaths caused by contaminated drinking water each year: 502,000 Sources: World Health Organization

The Moisture Trap

The key is a super-absorbent, spongelike material that contains pores of varying sizes. A fan sucks air from the outside world and blows it through the material, which collects water at 20,000 times the concentration of vapor in the air. A microchip relays data on temperature, humidity, and water output, helping the company maximize water-producing efficiency.

A Thirst for Knowledge

Friesen was born and raised in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, which led him to think about water scarcity at an early age. Now, other students will follow in his footsteps: Several elementary schools in Arizona have installed Source panels to supply their water fountains. It's good hands-on science learning--even if the kids don't yet have a firm grasp on the thermodynamics.

Water, Water, EverywhereThe National Trust has been branded 'ridiculous' after covering up male artworks as part of an exhibit meant to celebrate female representation.

The Great Cragside Cover-Up, a six-week exhibit, opened on 13 October at Cragside, the Victorian country house where Lady Margaret Armstrong and her husband, 19th-century industrialist William Armstrong, once lived in Northumberland.

As explained on the National Trust's website, part of the collection at Cragside has been obscured by artists Kate Stobbart and Harriet Sutcliffe.

"This temporary intervention within the collection highlights the female representation within the art collection, photographs, sculptures and objects that are currently on display at Cragside," the Trust states.

The idea behind the project was to encourage visitors to "notice the absence of the female voice".

The initiative is part of a larger project stretching from June to November, dedicated to the women of Cragside.

Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Show all 5 1 /5 Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Human rights activist Gulalai Ismail was apprehended by Pakistan officials upon landing in Islamabad after a flight from London Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan

But visitors were "baffled" by the project, which some deemed "ridiculous", and wrote so many complaints that members of staff at Cragside had to clear the comments box multiple times a day, The Guardian reports.

Works of art by male artists or featuring men as their subjects were shielded from view, with statues wrapped in bags and paintings hidden under sheets, according to the newspaper.

 Women's Institute celebrates 100 years of campaigns

The National Trust said the exhibit, which concluded on Sunday, was "not about censoring art or being politically correct".

A spokesman told the publication it has received "a mix of positive and negative comments" and said the feedback would be "reviewed thoroughly".

The National Trust received a 114,748 government grant to promote its programme dedicated to women and industry. Part of this grant was used to fund the exhibition.Plans to commemorate Roald Dahl with a special edition coin were scrapped over concerns about the children's author's perceived antisemetic views.

Royal Mint decided to drop proposals to mark the centenary of Dahl's birth during subcommittee meeting held in 2014, also citing that he was not regarded as an author of the highest reputation.

The company instead decided to commission coins celebrating the lives of William Shakespeare and Beatrix Potter.

The minutes, obtained by The Guardian, read: The themes set out below were considered but not recommended. Hundredth anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl [in 2016]. Associated with antisemitism and not regarded as an author of the highest reputation."

In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Willy Wonka from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' Willy Wonka (pictured being played by Gene Wilder in 1967) is a bizarre and slightly unsettling man but who can say no to that delicious chocolate? Getty In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters The Oompa Loompas from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' Despite the characters' questionable evolution from being African pygmies in early editions of the novel, the Oompa Loompas were so fantastical they captured the imagination of generations. The first film's version of the characters are still a popular fancy dress theme. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Veruca Salt from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' The girl who "wants it now" is so incredibly vile she ended up in the rubbish after being judged a bad nut by Willy Wonka's squirrels. An American alternative rock band even took her name. YouTube In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters The Twits from 'The Twits' Mr and Mrs Twit are horrible, hideous and hateful, coating trees with glue to catch birds to at. But the Roly-Poly Bird and Muggle-Wumps teach them a lesson in the end. Quentin Blake/House of Illustration In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters James from 'James and the Giant Peach' James is beaten and starved by his cruel aunts after his parents are eaten by an escaped rhino but eventually gets to go on an adventure with the friends he has always waited for on his magic peach, ending up on the top of the Empire State Building. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Matilda from 'Matilda' Every little girl who read 'Matilda' wondered what it would be like to be the main character. Apart from th abusive family, the telekinesis must be endless fun. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Miss Trunchbull from 'Matilda' Miss Trunchbull, played by Pam Ferris in the 1996 film, is the aunt and headmistress of every child's worst nightmares. Just think of poor Bruce Bogtrotter and that cake. YouTube In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters The Big Friendly Giant from 'The BFG' A 24-foot-tall BFG works giving out good dreams to children and saves them all from people-eating giants. Shame about the snozzcumbers. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters The Grand High Witch from 'The Witches' The Grand High Witch, seen here in the film, must be one of Dahl's most terrifying creations. Turning children into slugs and squishing them, she wanted to destroy them all, she had no hair or toes and claws for hands. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Mr Fox from 'Fantastic Mr Fox' Mr Fox outsmarts those silly farmers, feeding his family by killing their chickens and avoiding starvation. In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters George from 'George's Marvellous Medicine' Some people would say that swapping your gran's medicine with poison isn't ok but that isn't the point here. YouTube In pictures: Roald Dahl's most enduring characters Grandma from 'George's Marvellous Medicine' Grandma was quite a character until she vanished: 'She was selfish grumpy old woman. She had pale brown teeth and a small pucker-up mouth like a dog's bottom.' YouTube

Dahl is one of Britain's most celebrated children's authors, penning Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and The BFG.

However, there was a darker side to the novelist. Dahl once told The New Statesmen: There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity, maybe it's a kind of lack of generosity towards non-Jews.

"I mean, there's always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didn't just pick on them for no reason. I mean, if you and I were in a line moving towards what we knew were gas chambers, I'd rather have a go at taking one of the guards with me; but they [the Jews] were always submissive.

Speaking to The Independent just months before his death in 1990, Dahl exacerbated the situation, saying: I'm certainly anti-Israel and I've become antisemitic inasmuch as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism.

Royal Mint's decision to forgo celebrating the author has been met with praise from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, their vice president Amanda Bowman calling it the "correct" decision. Labour MP Wes Streeting said that future generations of children should still enjoy Dahl's work but called it the "right decision" to drop celebratory plans.

He added: In some ways, for those of us who have never really known this side of Roalds character, its quite upsetting actually.

A spokesperson for Royal Mint said: Themes submitted for consideration to feature on Royal Mint coins go through a rigorous planning and design selection process governed by an independent panel known as The Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC).

Members of this committee include independent experts in the fields of art, history and design, as well as technical specialists from The Royal Mint.

There are usually a large number of subjects nominated and it is therefore not possible to feature them all. So the aim is to create a shortlist of themes that reflect the most significant and appropriate events for national commemoration.

On this occasion, the committee selected other themes to feature on coins for that particular year.

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The Roald Dahl Story Company has not responded to request for comment.Emma Thompson received her damehood at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday - and asked Prince William for a kiss.

The actor, 59, earned the accolade for her services to drama, as announced when she was recognised on the Queens Birthday Honours list in June.

Thompson collected the honour from the Duke of Cambridge and admitted she sniggered during the ceremony.

Recommended Meghan Markle discusses the effect of social media on mental health

I love Prince William, Ive known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other, she said.

I said, I cant kiss you, can I? And he said, No dont!

If youre first up you have to be more formal on such an occasion, but hes looking wonderful and doing so well.

He said, This day isnt about me, its about you.

Its really lovely because Ive always loved the boys and Ive always been a long-term correspondent with their dad, its a very lovely feeling.

Dame Thompson wore an emerald Stella McCartney suit, having purposefully picked a British designer, and sported a Fawcett Society equal pay badge.

"Im very outspoken, politically, Im a card-carrying feminist, human rights advocate, so good for them, because the establishment need more people who can speak up for those things," the Oscar-winning actor said.

Thompson now hopes to use her damehood to raise awareness for holiday hunger, which sees children going hungry during school holidays.

Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Show all 11 1 /11 Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors PA Wire/PA Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Getty Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Getty Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Getty Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Getty Images Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Getty Images

This is a very rich country with hundreds of thousands of children who dont get enough to eat," she said.

Im sorry, but thats just rubbish.

Im going, why isnt this top of the list? We have kids begging in schools for leftover food, thats just awful.

The dame won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her part in the 1992 romantic drama Howards End.

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The 1995 adaptation of Sense And Sensibility, for which she wrote the screenplay in addition to starring as Elinor Dashwood, earned her the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Additional reporting was provided by agencies.Jack White has spoken out in support of two women who were barred from kissing during one of his concerts.

Allyson Maclvor attended Whites show at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada on Friday night with a female friend. The two women, who are not in a relationship, were caught up in the moment as White sang The White Stripes Seven Nation Army and went to kiss each other, CBC reported.

Maclvor said an usher promptly intervened.

I embraced my girlfriend, and some staff member came in between us, and she said, This is not allowed here, the concert-goer told the publication.

The usher asked the two women to stop and put her hand between them, according to Maclvor.

It was very violating and invasive, MacIvor added. Its not something Id ever imagine experiencing, honestly.

The employee took the pair to talk to a manager, who apologised profusely, but it wasnt enough to relieve the hurt that came from the experience, Maclvor said.

Maclvor, a professional musician, wrote about the incident on her Facebook page. That was the first time she publicly discussed being gay.

Her post has received hundreds of supportive comments, including one from White himself.

The former White Stripes frontman took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of two women kissing during a Beatles concert in 1964, saying the image is dear to his heart.

Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Show all 35 1 /35 Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants take part in the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taipei, Taiwan, 27 October 2018. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Thousands of people attended the march in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. REUTERS Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants walk in the parade. REUTERS Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan The march took place ahead of a landmark vote next month on LGBT+ rights in Taiwan. REUTERS Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan On May 24 2017, the Constitutional Court in Taiwan ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the state. AP Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan After making its ruling on same-sex marriage in May last year, the court stated that its decision must be implemented in two years. AP Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan On November 24, a public vote will be held in Taiwan on same-sex marriage. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A participant of the march poses next to a wedding studio. REUTERS Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A young woman from Chongqing in mainland China holds a fan reading "free writers" before the start of the march. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants with Pikachu-styled costumes pose as they gather at the square outside the presidential office for the start of the march. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Thousands took part in the parade in support of same-sex marriage. REUTERS Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants in the square outside the presidential office before the start of the parade. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A couple take part in the march with their baby. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Members of Tokyo Rainbow Pride walk in the parade. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan The parade was awash with rainbow-coloured paraphernalia. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A participant of the march poses with a fan. AP Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A participant from Japan holds a banner before the start of the march. AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Young women display rainbow flags. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A person taking part in the march waves a rainbow flag. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A man, decorated with balloons and a rainbow flag, takes part in the celebrations. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan An American man and his Japanese partner, both wearing headbands saying 'Japan' in Japanese, kiss each other during the march. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Thousands of people attended the annual march. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Taiwan gay rights activist Chi Chia-wei attends the march. Chi became the first person in Taiwan to come out as gay on national television in 1986. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants take part in the march, organised by Taiwan LGBT Pride. AP Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants hold up a large rainbow flag. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan People walking in the parade. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A person stands in front of a rainbow-coloured flag. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A Japanese couple hold a sign saying 'You Are My Safe Harbour' in Chinese. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A man, decorated with balloons and rainbow flags, takes part in the march. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan The first Taiwan Pride march was held in 2003. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Participants display a huge rainbow flag during the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan Two men take a selfie in front of a rainbow flag. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan A man waves a rainbow flag during the march. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan The annual Taipei Gay Pride March is the largest in East Asia. EPA Best pictures from the 2018 Taipei Gay Pride March in Taiwan The Rainbow City Symphonic Band performs during the march. EPA

This is one of my favourite photos because of how beautiful the situation is; they are hiding in plain sight. It's 2018 now and two people expressing affection shouldnt have to hide, he wrote.

The news that two women were stopped from kissing during my show in Edmonton really disappointed me.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

White explained that during a later show in Calgary, he dedicated his song Love Interruption to Maclvor and her friend, while encouraging members the audience to share a kiss with their loved ones.

Lets promote love and acceptance wherever and whenever we can, White added.Its hard to imagine a closer fit between a show and a theatre. As part of her opening season at the transformed Tricycle (now re-dubbed the Kiln), Indhu Rubasingham has produced the first ever stage adaptation of Zadie Smiths White Teeth, a novel that is embedded in the Kiln Theatres bustling northwest London communities.

You enter the place from Kilburn High Road to discover that this thoroughfare has been reproduced onstage in a fine receding design by Tom Piper. Smiths book was such a spectacular critical and commercial success when it was published in 2000 that you may think it odd to that it has taken so long to reach the boards. (The Kilns adaptation, by Stephen Sharkey, has been in development for over five years.)

On the other hand, you can see why others may have been daunted at the prospect of grappling as a dramatist with this 542-page behemoth with its teeming hybrid of voices, textures and tones and mixture of sprawl and intricately recurring pattern as it examines questions of immigration, identity and Britishness. Its clear that Sharkey loves the book  and is steeped in it.

But he pays it the highest compliment in not being rigid with reverence about it. He makes some bold decisions that pay off with a freshness you might not have expected. At the heart of piece, there is still the friendship between Archie Jones (Richard Lumsden) and Bengali Muslim Samad Iqbal (Tony Jayawardena).

The Second World War and their farcically ignominious fortunes with their tank crew first brought them together; now they meet regularly for a drink in OConnells Pool House where there are no pool tables and the owner is Arab.

But this adaptation gives the proceedings a new back to the future frame which focuses on the fraught, loving mother-daughter bond between Archies half-Jamaican daughter, Irie (Ayesha Antoine), and Rosie (Amanda Wilkin), whom she is expecting as the book closes. Sharkeys version, set in the present day, imagines that the latter is a now a 25-year-old woman.

On suspecting that she herself has become pregnant, Rosie is pitched into a rewind of the past from which she hopes to glean details of her complicated family history (complicated  the c word) about which Irie has felt the need to be evasive (the identity of her father, say).

This lengthening of perspective and the tilt of gender are dramatically powerful, as the two women watch from the sidelines men-only scenes and offer their undeluded comments. Theres a witty, fantastical element too. The entire adventure may be the product of a coma that hospitalised Rose when Mad Mary (Michele Austin, brilliantly sly as a crazy pink-clad local character) stabbed a syringe in her thigh.

Rose gives us a snatch of Coma Chameleon [sic]. The dozen songs in Paul Englishbys score dont possess much personality of their own as they pastiche period styles (a two-of-a-kind vaudeville routine for Archie and Samada; a New Romantics number, etc) but they are amiable and put across with attractive verve by Rubasinghams 14-strong cast.

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Sid Sagar and Assad Zaman are extraordinarily striking as the twins Magid and Millat Iqbal, one of whom rejects his Muslim religion for rationalism, the other of whom takes up a militant version of it.

There is a delectably funny account of a PTA meeting during which Samad questions the cultural relevance of the Harvest Festival  asking to the slight embarrassment of the room where it says in the Scripture thou shalt go the back of thy cupboard and hunt out a tin of spaghetti hoops to give to the poor. What is remarkable about the scene is its good-heartedness. You cant be dogmatic about melting pots.

You raise a cheer for Smith  and for this lively, light-footed adaptation  that they know how to celebrate the gooey mess that ends up sticking to the bottom.

To December 22. Tickets are available herePoliticians and campaigners have expressed dismay that the European Union (EU) appears to be holding back on further restrictions on the continent's ivory trade, despite enormous global pressure.

Europe is the largest domestic market for ivory products in the world and research has demonstrated that illegally poached ivory often makes its way into the legal market.

In 2017, the European Commission banned the export of raw ivory, but many still think the only way to make a dent in demand for products made of the material is to ban the domestic trade entirely.

China, the US and the UK have already moved to halt such trade in an effort to make elephants a less lucrative target for poachers and to stamp out the corruption and organised crime the trade supports.

Despite the backing of African leaders and scores of European politicians, a new report outlining efforts to curb wildlife trafficking in Europe has removed a pledge to further restrict the trade.

The report notes that a public consultation at the end of 2017 saw a large majority of the 90,000 respondents calling for tighter EU rules on the ivory trade.

In a draft version leaked in July, the authors then went on to write: As a follow-up to this consultation, the commission intends to further restrict ivory trade in and from the EU. The commission intends to discuss the content of such restrictions with their member states and stakeholders in the coming months"

However, in the version released at the end of October, this section of text was missing.

Instead, the final report notes that other respondents opposed further limits on elephant ivory trade to and from the EU, especially for antiques.

Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts Show all 10 1 /10 Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts At the Mahouts Elephant Foundation in Thailand, endorsed by World Animal Protection, visitors can observe elephants in their natural environment World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts At the Mahouts Foundation elephants can be watched foraging for food World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts MandaLao Elephant Conservation in Laos, endorsed by World Animal Protection World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts MandaLao is home to elephants rescued from the holiday industry World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand is endorsed by World Animal Protection World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts At Boon Lotts, visitors can watch animal families bathing World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts Boon Lotts is a safe haven for 14 elephants abused in tourism World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts The Mahouts Foundation in Thailand World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts The Mahouts Foundation in Thailand World Animal Protection Elephant sanctuaries approved by experts The Mahouts Foundation in Thailand World Animal Protection

Besides the consultation respondents calling for tougher rules, 32 African nations have joined together in calling for an EU-wide ban, including a complete shutdown of the domestic market.

Further support has come from over 100 MEPs who wrote to the environment commissioner Karmenu Vella in July urging a total ban.

Responding to the discrepancy between different versions of the report, chair of interest group MEPs for Wildlife, Catherine Bearder said: "The EU is a major transit point for illegal wildlife products being shipped to the Far East and other global destinations. Elephants are being pushed to the brink of extinction and for what? For useless trinkets the world doesn't need.

Recommended African countries tell EU to ban ivory trade

"The European Parliament, the citizens of Europe and thirty-two African states want a complete ban on ivory sales. What's stopping the commission?"

Ms Bearder cited the recent report from Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) that recorded shocking average declines of 60 per cent in populations of animals across the world.

She said the EUs past success in banning seal products in 2009 should be imitated with a ban on elephant products.

Eleonora Panella, campaigns officer at the International Fund for Animal Welfare said: It is indeed disappointing to hear that the European Commission removed such a relevant statement. The public consultation that was held in December 2017 resulted in an overwhelming majority of citizens asking the EU to close their domestic markets. Member states are also moving towards that direction, and large online technology companies such as eBay have already taken decisive action.

In May, environmental secretary Michael Gove announced one of the worlds toughest bans on ivory sales for the UK, covering the sale of ivory items of all ages, not just those produced after a certain date.

Ms Panella added: We still hope that the European Commission will communicate soon that they are considering further restrictions.

A recent project conducted by campaigners from Avaaz together with researchers from the University of Oxford analysed 100 ivory items purchased in 10 EU countries, and found that many were made from material poached since global bans on the ivory trade had come into effect.

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Bert Wander, campaign director at Avaaz, said: Three months ago, we delivered smoking-gun evidence that illegal ivory from recently killed elephants is being traded in Europe, and the EU commission promised action to protect these magnificent giants.

Millions of people across Europe and the world are expecting them to keep that promise and shut down this deadly trade.

A European Commission spokesman said they were unable to comment on the contents of leaked reports, and noted that the EU had already taken substantial action to tackle ivory poaching.

"Fighting international ivory trafficking is a battle that we cannot afford to lose. The commission will continue to fight any kind of illegal trading, including the fraud of passing off recent ivory as antique," he said.

"Addressing elephant poaching and ivory trafficking is a cornerstone of the EU action against wildlife trafficking and the EU has recently adopted numerous initiatives to this end."Year upon year, the arrival of the festive period is accompanied by a number of annual traditions, such as the switching on of Christmas lights and the increased consumption of copious mince pies.

The annual release of heartwarming adverts has undoubtedly become one of the greatest customs of all, with each brand vying to be dubbed the most sentimental.

Who can forget the 2011 John Lewis advert that saw a young boy eagerly waiting for Christmas so that he can present his parents with a gift, or the 2014 Sainsburys advert that depicts the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914?

Here are 12 of the most emotionally stirring Christmas adverts to have ever been released:

1. The Long Wait

 John Lewis 'The Long Wait' 2011 Christmas advert

The John Lewis advert begins with a young boy frustratingly watching the seconds tick away on the clock as he waits for Christmas to arrive.

While he initially seems like a typical child desperate for a day of numerous presents, all is not as it seems.

On Christmas morning, the boy rushes out of bed, ignoring the presents on his bedroom floor so that he can retrieve the gift that hes been sweetly storing for his parents at the back of his wardrobe.

2. 1914

 Sainsburys Christmas truce advert

In 1914 on Christmas day, British and German soldiers on the Western Front forged a truce, which involved approximately 100,000 troops taking part in unofficial ceasefires and socialising with one another in celebration of the festive period.

In 2014, 100 years since the truce, Sainsburys released its advert depicting the event in partnership with The Royal British Legion.

All profits made from the sale of a 1 chocolate bar following the release of the advert were given to the charity to provide support for members and veterans of the British armed forces and their families.

3. The Man on The Moon

 John Lewis Christmas Advert 2015

Nearly a million of older people in the country experience loneliness during the festive season, according to Age UK.

This was highlighted in the 2015 John Lewis advert, which shows a young girl on earth making a connection with an elderly man residing on the moon.

4. Mogs Christmas Calamity

 Sainsburys Mogs The Cat Christmas advert

For Mog the calamitous cat, nothing appears to go her way in the 2015 Sainsbury's advert.

Having smashed the crockery on the kitchen table, crushed the presents with a cabinet and disintegrated the Christmas tree, it seems as though her family's Christmas Day is ruined.

That is, until their neighbours band together to help clean up their home and put on a spectacular meal for all to enjoy.

5. Coming Home

 No one can cope with this heartbreaking German Christmas ad

This advert by German brand Edeka went viral in 2015 for telling the tale of an elderly man who can't get his family to visit him for the festive period.

All of his children receive a message to say that their father has passed away, prompting them all to return to their family home as soon as possible.

As soon as they arrive, they're shocked with a huge Christmas surprise that will surely make even the coldest of hearts shed a tear.

6. Monty The Penguin

 John Lewis 'Monty the penguin' Christmas advert 2014

This John Lewis advert from 2014 depicts the friendship between a young boy and a penguin called Monty.

While their friendship is as strong as ever, the boy realises that something is missing from Monty's life, with the penguin exhibiting signs of loneliness.

He therefore makes the decision to make Monty's Christmas extra special with the gift of love.

7. English for beginners

 Polish Christmas advert showing grandfather learning English melts hearts

A couple of years ago, Polish company Allegro released an advert that shows an older man taking an English for beginners course.

The man works very hard to improve his English, placing sticky labels with English words around his home and listening to his language tapes while on the bus.

His motivation for learning English isn't made clear until the end of the video, when he visits family in the UK for Christmas, meeting his young granddaughter in person for the very first time.

8. The Journey

 John Lewis Christmas advert 'Snowman journey' 2012

Six years ago, this John Lewis Christmas advert stirred the hearts of the nation as people watched a snowman strive to buy a perfect gift for his love.

Set to Gabrielle Aplin's version of 'The Power of Love', this advert was transformed into a children's picture book soon after its first screening.

9. The Bear and The Hare

 John Lewis 'The Bear and The Hare' Christmas advert 2013

No one should have to miss out on Christmas, not even a hibernating bear.

Thanks to the gift of an alarm clock given to him by a hare, this advert portrays the bear waking up in time to join the rest of the woodland creatures under the Christmas tree.

10. The Snowman

 Irn Bru Christmas advert

In 2006, Irn Bru released its popular Christmas advert 'The Snowman', paying homage to and gently mocking the 1982 short film of the same name.

The advert has remained a classic ever since, showing the boy squabbling with the snowman over a can of the Scottish soft drink.

11. Holidays are Coming

 Coca Cola 2016 Christmas Advert 'Holidays are Coming'

The classic Coca-Cola 'Holidays Are Coming' Christmas advert has been around for numerous years, showing a young boy ringing a bell to signal that the Coca-Cola Christmas trucks are making their way to town.

It's undeniably cheesy, but it wouldn't be Christmas without this aged advert gracing the TV screen.

12. Christmas with love from Mrs Claus

 M&S Mrs Klaus christmas advert

Why does all the attention fall on Santa Claus when Christmas comes around?

In this 2016 Marks & Spencer advert, we're shown just what Mrs Claus gets up to behind the scenes, delivering presents in a red helicopter and making it back in time for her husband to arrive home from his long night of work.The world's most popular bitcoin wallet is giving away $125 million worth of the cryptocurrency Stellar as part of a major initiative to encourage its use as a mainstream form of payment.

Blockchain, which is named after the technology behind bitcoin, will offer $25 of Stellar lumens (XLM) for free to its 30 million users starting this week, making it the largest cryptocurrency giveaway in history.

The reason for giving away stellar rather than other popular cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or ethereum, Blockchain explained in a blog post, is because its network is well suited to large-scale usage.

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

"[Stellar's] token, XLM, enables quick, low cost, worldwide transactions, even when millions of people are using it at once," Blockchain CEO Peter Smith wrote.

"We're excited to add an entirely new way for users to get their first crypto... By growing the Blockchain community, we can help more people own and control their financial future."

As part of the giveaway, or 'airdrop', Blockchain is partnering with organisations to help build up the crypto community, including Code.org and the Stanford d.school's emerging tech initiative.

It is hoped these partnerships will help drive user adoption by increasing the availability and usability of Stellar in both developing and developed countries.

"By working with Blockchain to increase the availability and active use of lumens on the network, leveraging their almost 30 million wallets, we will increase the network's utility by many orders of magnitude," said Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Stellar Development Foundation.

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The price of Stellar has largely mirrored that of bitcoin, having experienced massive growth in late 2017 before seeing significant losses in 2018. In recent months, its price has been relatively stable and is currently trading at around $0.26 (0.20), however Stellar's current transaction volume is less than 2 per cent of bitcoin's.

Speaking at the Web Summit conference in Lisbon on Tuesday, 6 November, Blockchain CEO Peter Smith explained his vision for spreading awareness and usage of cryptocurrency.

"We're doing this because we want you to truly understand crypto," he told the audience. "And the only way to truly understand it is to use it."Construction group Persimmon has announced that chief executive Jeff Fairburn is stepping down due to the continued negative impact that his 75m bonus has had on the business.

Mr Fairburn is leaving by mutual agreement and at the request of the company, according to a statement to the London Stock Exchange, and will depart his role at the end of the year.

The building boss was awarded the bonus as part of a long-term incentive plan, which effectively hands over 9 per cent of Persimmons shares  worth hundreds of millions of pounds  to senior managers over a decade.

He was originally granted a 100m bonus, but after a public backlash agreed to reduce that sum by 25 per cent.

However, Mr Fairburn recently walked out of an interview after being questioned about the payout, leading to further publicity about the bonus, by far the largest paid to the boss of a public company in the UK last year.

Persimmon said on Wednesday that the board believes that the distraction around his remuneration ... continues to have a negative impact on the reputation of the business and consequently on Jeffs ability to continue in his role.

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Mr Fairburn said: It has been an honour to lead Persimmon through an exciting period of development. I had hoped that revealing my plans to create a charitable trust and to waive a proportion of the award would enable the company to put the issue of the 2012 LTIP behind it.

However, this has not been the case and so it is clearly now in the best interests of Persimmon that I should step down. I wish the company the very best for the future.

David Jenkinson, currently group managing director, will be appointed as interim chief executive on 31 December, and the board has begun a formal recruitment process to hire a permanent replacement.Theresa May has opened the doors of Downing Street to big business with five new advisory councils which will guide the prime minister on post-Brexit opportunities.

Executives from firms including BT, drugs giant GSK and defence companies BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce will form groups to help shape policy after the UK leaves the EU.

Tesco boss Dave Lewis, ITV boss Carolyn McCall and CBI head Carolyn Fairbairn are also among the big names in the new forums which will each meet the prime minister twice a year and a senior member of the cabinet once a year.

Councils will provide high-level advice and policy recommendations on the critical issues affecting business, Number 10 said.

Co-chaired by two business leaders, each council will have around 10 members representing core sectors of the UK economy, as well as a representative from the UKs key business groups.

The co-chairs are due to meet for the first time in Downing Street on Wednesday to put together an agenda.

BAE Systems chairman Sir Roger Carr, who will lead the industrial, infrastructure and manufacturing council, said: We are a vital part of the wealth-creating machinery of the country where improved training, productivity and exporting will be the cornerstones of our global success.

Engaging with the prime minister to tackle these issues in a focused and practical manner is a welcome and important step forward in achieving our collective growth ambitions.

Ms May said Brexit presents a huge opportunity to build a better, stronger economy for people all over the country.

So Ive asked these new councils to advise us on the opportunities and challenges facing business as we shape the UK for the future.

The announcement comes as businesss concerns grow that the UK may crash out of the EU without a deal, an outcome that threatens the future of some key industries.

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A group of 70 business leaders signed a letter to The Sunday Times this week calling for a peoples vote on the final Brexit deal. More than 1 million people have so far signed a petition backing The Independents Final Say campaign.

But granting companies regular access to the prime minister will raise questions over how much influence big firms have over post-Brexit policy

Britains EU departure presents an unprecedented opportunity for companies, with a swathe of regulation set to be rewritten and new trade deals to be signed.They would come to call it the voyage of the damned: 936 men, women and children, their only crime to have been born Jewish, crammed onto a steamship in a desperate attempt to flee Nazi Germany, but denied asylum wherever they turned.

The shunning of the refugees on the SS St Louis would later be remembered as a green light for the Final Solution, the spurious justification Hitler was seeking so he could claim that extermination rather than emigration was the only way to solve Germanys Jewish problem.

The ordeal of the passengers would in 1976 be turned into an Oscar-nominated film, Voyage of the Damned.

But in June 1939, Richard Dresel, 42, cloth trader, refugee, and father of the youngest passenger on the ship  a six-month-old baby girl called Zilla  had no such means of mass communication at his disposal.

Instead, as the ship steamed away from the safe haven of Havana, having being rejected by the government of President Frederico Bru of Cuba, Mr Dresel resorted to a much older method of communicating his distress.

He threw a bottle into the sea, containing a scrap of paper with his plea to the Cuban leader: Please help me President Bru or we will be lost."

A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Show all 11 1 /11 A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany on board the SS St Louis in 1939. Zilla Coorsh (nee Dresel) is the baby. Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Zilla Coorsh with her mother Ruth in later life Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Richard and Ruth Dresel in Germany, before the rise of Hitler forced them to flee Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Richard Dresel with his wife Ruth. He never told his daughter about the message in a bottle that he threw into the sea as the St Louis left Cuban waters Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Richard Dresel outside his shop in Bishop Auckland, County Durham Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Richard, Zilla and Ruth were able to settle in England. Others were less lucky. It is estimated that 254 of the St Louis refugees were later murdered in the Holocaust. Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Zilla Coorsh as a toddler Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Zilla with her parents. They never liked to talk about their experiences of escaping the Holocaust. 'You learn as a child, says Mrs Coorsh, 'Not to ask a question again when you see how upset that question makes your parents feel.' Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Alfred Dresel went to France, with fatal consequences Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' Ruth, Zilla and Richard Dresel arriving in England, from a 1939 newspaper report Coorsh family A story of the SS St. Louis and the 'Voyage of the Damned' The refugees on board the St Louis were rejected by country after country, allowing Nazi German propaganda to claim 'Since no one will accept the shabby Jews on the St Louis, we will have to take them'. Coorsh family

It is not known if President Bru ever got to read the message. What is known, however, is that rather incredibly it turned up at a car boot sale in Bath, England, in 2003 - minus the bottle and tucked into the pages of Voyage of the Damned, the 1974 book that inspired the 1976 film.

Mr Dresels daughter Zilla, by then living in Gosforth, Newcastle, arranged for the message to be donated to the Wiener Library for the Study of Holocaust and Genocide, in London.

And on Wednesday, by the altogether more modern means of Skype, Zilla, who survived to become an 80-year-old grandmother, will attend  in a virtual sense  a ceremony where Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau formally apologises for his countrys refusal to accept the refugees of the St Louis.

Its a very nice gesture, says Zilla, who now goes by her married surname of Coorsh.

But it occurs at a time when next door to Canada, President Trump of the US drops dark hints about unknown Middle Easterners infiltrating a caravan of immigrants coming from South America, and suggests his soldiers might shoot if any of them throw rocks.

 Donald Trump says stone-throwing migrants could be shot by US military

On her side of the Atlantic, Mrs Coorsh worries about the resurgence of antisemitism in her adopted country of England, and sees far-right anti-immigrant parties on the rise throughout Europe.

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, says the youngest survivor of the St Louis. It doesnt work in times of need, does it?

It didnt work for us and its not working for those poor people in South America.

The world has become a very cruel place.

It would be wonderful if this Canadian apology made some difference to the rest of the world, Mrs Coorsh tells The Independent. But with the way things are at the moment, its difficult to remain optimistic.

Zilla Coorsh with her mother Ruth, who died just short of her 93th birthday in 2003 (Coorsh family)

Mrs Coorsh compares the modern demonisation of Muslims to the past  and in some cases present  stigmatisation of Jews.

I feel so sorry for them, being lumped together with a tiny minority of fanatics.

And she deplores the way Donald Trump has sought to suggest that hidden among the South American migrant caravan are criminals and Middle Easterners with implied sympathy for Isis.

Trump says there are criminals among them, says the grandmother-of-four. Perhaps there are. Maybe there were some criminals on the St Louis  but then, as now, the vast majority were normal people, like a mother and father with a six-month-old baby girl.

People should put themselves in the position of those trying to reach America and consider how desperate they must be, she adds. It is not an easy journey they have undertaken. They would have to be absolutely desperate to want to do it.

Their situation might not be as acute as ours was, but the lives and livelihoods of their children depend on them reaching a place where they can at least try to earn a living.

As for her own journey, the full horror of the Holocaust might not have been imaginable to the outside world in 1939, but there was no doubting that the situation of German Jews was already, to use Mrs Coorshs word, acute.

Kristallnacht saw attacks on more than 7,000 Jewish shops and businesses (Creative Commons)

A week before Zilla was born, in November 1938, the Nazis launched Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, an orgy of destruction of Jewish shops, homes and businesses.

Richard Dresel and his older brother Alfred went into hiding to avoid being among the 30,000 Jewish men arrested by the Nazis.

Zillas 27-year-old mother Ruth returned home with her newborn baby from the Jewish hospital in Breslau to be told by neighbours that men had come to the house looking for her husband.

When the SS St Louis, a steamship of the Hamburg-American Line, left the German port on May 13 1939, Richard, Ruth, Zilla and Alfred Dresel were on board.

Zilla Coorsh as a toddler, after her voyage on board the St Louis (Coorsh family)

As Voyage of the Damned authors Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan Witts made clear, the trip had been approved by the Nazi high command over a convivial lunch at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin.

For Hitlers propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels the voyage of the St Louis could be used to show that the gracious Nazi government was treating the Jews well and even allowing them to leave if they wanted.

On Friday May 26, as the ship passed along the Florida coast, some excited St Louis passengers sent telegraph cables to anxious loved ones saying Arrived safely.

At about dawn on May 27, the SS St Louis anchored off Havana. The ships orchestra struck up Freucht euch des Lebens, Be Happy Youre Alive.

At first some passengers thought they hadnt entered the harbour itself because it was too shallow for a ship the size of the St Louis.

Then the truth dawned. They werent being let in.

The refugees on board the St Louis were rejected by country after country, allowing Nazi German propaganda to claim 'Since no one will accept the shabby Jews on the St Louis, we will have to take them'. (Coorsh family)

A week before the St Louis sailed, President Bru had issued Decree 937 making entrance to Cuba conditional on the written authority of two government ministers and the receipt of a $500 bond.

With Cuba in a time of need, economic depression made many of its citizens regard Jewish immigrants as competitors for their jobs.

News of the St Louis impending departure from Hamburg had led, on May 8 1939, to the largest anti-Semitic demonstration in Cuban history, with former president Grau San Martins spokesman urging protesters to fight the Jews until the last one is driven out.

Faced with such anti-immigrant hostility, President Bru was in no mood to agree to the plea of a refugee Jewish cloth trader, even if he did read Richard Dresels message.

On one occasion, disturbed during his siesta by the sound of St Louis siren drifting across to the Havana shore, he sent word that passenger demonstrations would not improve matters.

Only 28 of the 936 passengers were allowed by the Cuban government to disembark. A 29th passenger tried to commit suicide and was rushed to hospital in Havana on May 30.

The rest, however, were still on board when on June 2 President Bru officially ordered the St Louis to leave Cuban waters.

By the morning of June 4 the refugees of the St Louis came within sight of Miami.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Captain Gustav Schroeder cabled President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asking for help.

Roosevelt never replied.

An April 1939 opinion poll had suggested that 83 per cent of Americans opposed any loosening of immigration controls.

Roosevelt was due to run for re-election in 1940.

Before the St Louis even came within sight of Miami, the US government had decided to stick to the letter of the 1924 Immigration Act which set yearly quotas for immigrants from each country.

The rise to power of Adolf Hitler caused thousands to flee Nazi Germany (Getty)

Because of the fear caused by Hitler, the annual quota of 25,957 immigrants from Germany had already been filled.

On June 6 1939 Captain Schroeder decided he had no option but to turn the St Louis back in the direction of Europe.

On November 5 1940 Roosevelt was comfortably re-elected US president.

And then it was Canadas turn to reject the refugees of the St Louis.

On June 7, with the St Louis just two days sailing away from the coast of Canada, more than 40 prominent Toronto citizens publicly asked Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to take pity on the Jewish refugees.

But Canadas justice minister was emphatically opposed to admitting them and Frederick Blair, the head of the department which decided Canadas immigration laws, declared: No country could open its doors wide enough to take in the hundreds of thousands of Jewish people who want to leave Europe: the line must be drawn somewhere.

Mackenzie King was inclined to agree with his ministers. The previous year, he had confided to his diary: We must seek to keep this part of the [North American] continent free from unrest and from too great an intermixture of foreign strains of blood  I fear we would have riots if we agreed to a policy that admitted numbers of Jews.

Justin Trudeau is to make Canada the first country to apologise for refusing to allow entry to the Jewish immigrants on board the St Louis (Getty)

And so, as Justin Trudeau will acknowledge, Canada became the third country to deny sanctuary to the refugees on the St Louis.

It was a rejection that worked perhaps to Hitlers advantage. Goebbels directed his propaganda machine to ask how the rest of the world could criticise Nazi treatment of Jews when all these other countries didnt want them in their territories either.

On the day that Canada refused sanctuary to the ships passengers, German radio stations announced: Since no one will accept the shabby Jews on the St Louis, we will have to take them back and support them.

How now, these reports seemed to imply, could Germany rid itself of its Jewish problem?

Small wonder, perhaps, that at a 2011 commemoration event, Rudolph Jacobson, who had boarded the ship as a six-year-old, urged those present: Just remember the significance of the St Louis voyage. It gave the Nazis the green light for the Final Solution.

I think theres a lot of truth in that, says Mrs Coorsh. Although in one sense I really dont think Hitler felt he needed a justification for his extermination plans.

But yes, I think he wanted to show that he was not alone, that the Jews werent welcome anywhere, and we really were [regarded as] subhuman.

On June 17 1939, the weary immigrants found themselves back in Europe.

Richard Dresel with his wife Ruth. He never told his daughter about the message in a bottle that he threw into the sea from the St Louis (Coorsh family)

But they were in Antwerp, Belgium, not Germany.

At almost the last minute, a deal had been struck whereby Britain would take 288 refugees, France 224, Belgium 214 and Holland 181.

The generosity of these European countries, however, can be exaggerated.

Voyage of the Damned recounts how as the national representatives discussed which individuals would make up their share of the refugees, there was thinly disguised competition to get those with the lowest numbers on the waiting list for the US who would leave for America the soonest.

We tried to get people we could, so to speak, get rid of quickly, the Dutch representative admitted.

Although no-one in the St Louis ballroom knew it, this was also an unwitting exercise in separating those who would face Hitlers death squads in Nazi-occupied Europe from those who would make it to the relative safety of Britain.

It is estimated that 254 of the St Louis refugees were later murdered in the Holocaust.

Richard, Zilla and Ruth were able to settle in England. Others were less lucky. (Coorsh family)

Richard Dresel was the only passenger who got to decide where he and his family would go.

Mrs Coorsh explains: When everyone gathered in the St Louis ballroom to be told their allotted country, my father didnt hear his name called. So he went to the purser and said, You havent called my name.

To which the purser replied: Well, where would you like to go?

My mother wanted to go to France. She had been told, It will be wonderful. The weathers better. The foods better.

But my father was adamant. He admired the English, and he thought that with the sea between it and Germany, England would be safer.

He chose England, even though his brother Alfred was going to France.

And so on June 21 1939 the Dresels were still on board when the St Louis docked at Southampton.

The ship was greeted by a chorus of whooping ships sirens and firefighting boats sending jets of water high into the air. The port was rehearsing for a visit from King George VI, who was due to arrive the following day.

The Dresels survived to open their own clothes shop, Dresto Modes, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

It prospered and became a small chain of five shops which Mrs Coorsh and her husband helped run.

Alfred Dresel went to France, with fatal consequences (Coorsh family)

Her uncle Alfred was not so lucky. Three years after leaving the St Louis, in 1942, the 47-year-old was picked up by the authorities in Nazi-occupied France.

In one of the last postcards he was allowed to write, from a French internment camp, Alfred reassured Richard, Ruth and Zilla, My dear ones, peace has to arrive one day, and then we will hopefully all be together again.

It was not to be. Later that year, Alfred was deported to Auschwitz.

Mrs Coorsh never really spoke to her parents about what happened on the voyage of the St Louis and during the Holocaust that followed. She only learned about the heartbreaking message in a bottle when it was found in 2003.

By then her father had been dead 25 years, having passed away in 1978, aged 81, without ever having told his daughter about what desperation forced a rejected, frightened immigrant to do.

Perhaps, says Mrs Coorsh, she might have asked him once about the St Louis. But only once.

You learn as a child, says Mrs Coorsh, Not to ask a question again when you see how upset that question makes your parents feel.A regular shop-bought mushroom has been turned into an electricity generator in a process scientists hope will one day be used to power devices.

The bionic mushroom was covered with bacteria capable of producing electricity and strands of graphene that collected the current.

Shining a light on the structure activated the bacterias ability to photosynthesise, and as the cells harvested this glow they generated a small amount of electricity known as a photocurrent.

The fungi supported this process by providing the bacteria with viable surface on which to grow as well as nutrients to stay alive.

The research, published in the journal Nano Letters, is part of a wider effort by scientists to understand how biological machinery can be hijacked and put to good use.

Recommended Fungus extract kills viruses contributing to global bee decline

"In this case, our system  this bionic mushroom  produces electricity," said Professor Manu Mannoor, an engineer at Stevens Institute of Technology who led the research.

"By integrating cyanobacteria that can produce electricity, with nanoscale materials capable of collecting the current, we were able to better access the unique properties of both, augment them, and create an entirely new functional bionic system."

Professor Mannoor and his team found that bacterial cells lasted several days longer when placed on living mushrooms compared to other bases.

Cyanobacteria are known among bio-engineers for their ability to generate small jolts of electricity, but until now it has been difficult to keep them alive in artificial conditions.

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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. 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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. 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By creating a hybrid system that encourages the mushrooms and bacteria to collaborate, the scientists think they have solved this problem.

The systems were created by 3D printing an electronic ink containing strands of graphene, and then following this with a bio-ink containing the bacteria onto the cap of the mushroom.

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When light shone was on the mushroom, the bacteria began to photosynthesise and a tiny current of about 65 nanoamps passed into the network of graphene.

While the scientists think an array of these mushrooms would be enough to power something like an LED light, they are still way off powering larger electronic devices.

"With this work, we can imagine enormous opportunities for next-generation bio-hybrid applications," said Professor Mannoor.

"For example, some bacteria can glow, while others sense toxins or produce fuel.

By seamlessly integrating these microbes with nanomaterials, we could potentially realise many other amazing designer bio-hybrids for the environment, defence, healthcare and many other fields."Children may be more vulnerable to being stabbed on their way home from school, new research has suggested.

A study published in BMJ Open noted: The period immediately after school accounts for a large proportion of incidents in children, and these predominantly occur close to home and school.

Researchers analysed data on 1,824 people aged 25 and under who had been treated for a stab injury at a London trauma centre over the course of 11 years.

Of those, 172 were children, 861 were aged 16 to 19, and 791 were aged 20 to 24.

The findings may no longer depict patterns of attacks in the UK as the figures used end in 2014, which police leaders characterise as the start of a nationwide rise in violence.

The rise of county lines drug gangs, which use teenagers as mules, incitement on social media, a dramatic rise in knife possession among children and police cuts have significantly changed crime patterns in the past four years.

Knife crime is now at a record level, with police recording 39,332 offences in the year to June, amid rising murder and robbery.

Police leaders have compared violence to the Wild West and say they are finding children as young as nine carrying knives, as violence spreads to ever-younger children through siblings and peer groups.

 17-year-old boy killed stabbed to death outside Clapham South tube station

The studys authors said the incidence of interpersonal violence involving knives had progressively increased.

Between 2004 and 2014, the annual number of presentations for assault resulting in penetrating trauma rose by an average of 25 per cent each year.

Almost three-quarters of victims were from poorer areas, compared with just 1 per cent from richer districts.

The frequency of stab injuries rose sharply in the late teenage years, reaching a peak at age 18 before gradually declining.

Children were more likely to be stabbed on a school day than the older age group, with a significant peak in frequency between 4pm and 6pm.

Stabbings during this timeframe accounted for a fifth of all child stabbings, compared with 11 per cent in over-15s.

Young adults aged 16 and over were more likely to be stabbed after midnight compared with younger victims.

In children the spike in frequency in the late afternoon and early evening was attributable to incidents occurring on school days, the studys authors wrote.

The majority of stabbings in this timeframe on school days occurred within 5km of home, which encompasses the average distance from home to school in children living in London.

This means that a targeted preventative strategy could help reduce stabbings among youngsters, according to the researchers from Queen Mary University of London, London Ambulance Service, Newcastle University, Barts Health NHS Trust and South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Show all 21 1 /21 The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Oluwadamilolda Odeyingbo Oluwadamilolda Odeyingbo, 18, was killed in a fight in Chislehurst on 10 January 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Hasan Ozcan Hasan Ozcan, 19, was stabbed to death on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking on 3 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Sabri Chibani Sabri Chibani, 19, was stabbed fatally in the chest in Streatham on 11 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Promise Nkenda Lord Promise Nkenda, 17, was stabbed to death in Canning Town on 14 February 2018 Facebook The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Lewis Blackman Lewis Blackman, a 19-year-old rapper from Kentish Town, was stabbed to death in Kensington on 18 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Abdikarim Hassan Abdikarim Hassan, 17, was stabbed to death near his home in Camden's Peckwater estate on 20 March - less tahan two hours before another man was stabbed to death nearby Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Kelvin Odunuyi Kelvin Odunuyi, a 19-year-old rapper known as DipDat and Lampz, was shot dead in Wood Green on 8 March Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Lyndon Davis Lyndon Davis, 18, was chased down and stabbed to death in Chadwell Heath on 14 March Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Tanesha Melbourne-Blake Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Tottenham on 2 April PA The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Amaan Shakoor Amaan Shakoor, 16, was shot dead in Walthamstow on 2 April Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Israel Ogunsola Israel Ogunsola, 18, was stabbed to death in Hackney on 4 April Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, a 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect, was shot dead in a Kennington Street on 5 May Handout The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Jordan Douherty Aspiring rapper Jordan Douherty died of his injuries outside a birthday party in Romford on 23 June Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Katrina Makunova Katrina Makunova, 17, was stabbed to death in Camberwell on 12 July 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Latwaan Griffiths 18-year-old Latwaan Griffiths was fatally stabbed on 25 July and died in hospital after being thrown off the back of a moped in Camberwell Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Guled Farah Guled Farah, 19, was shot in Walthamstow on 22 September Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Ethan Nedd-Bruce Ethan Nedd-Bruce, 18, died after he was shot outside a party at a flat in Greenwich, south-east London, on 22 October. He had also been stabbed, but the gunshot wound was the cause of death. Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Jay Hughes Jay Hughes, 15, died was fatally stabbed outside a chicken shop in Bellingham, south-east London, on 1 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Malcolm Mide-Madariola Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was found suffering from a stab wound outside Clapham South Tube station on 2 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 John Ogunjobi John Ogunjobi, 16, died in front of his parents after he was stabbed in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill, on 5 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Aron Warren Aron Warren, 18, was found stabbed in a flat block in Greenwich on 8 December and died at the scene Metropolitan Police

They also called for better educational programmes to reduce violence.

The sharp increase in stab injuries between the ages of 14 and 16 suggests that educational programmes and other preventative interventions are best delivered in primary or early secondary education, they wrote.

They highlighted violence reduction schemes in Glasgow, which have resulted in declines in knife crime and are now being reflected in policymaking in England and Wales.

In Scotland, the study found that aggressive law enforcement coupled with a range of educational and behavioural programmes which raise awareness of the consequences of knife violence led to the success  while funding for police and other public services elsewhere has been gutted.

This work shows that children and young people in London are at risk simply due to where they live and go to school, said one of the study authors, Karim Brohi, a consultant trauma surgeon at Barts Health, professor of trauma sciences at Queen Mary University and director of the London Trauma System.

A long-term multi-agency and community approach is needed if we are to change the culture of violence that now permeates deprived areas of London.

Public health approaches to violence, such as with this study, can show who is at risk and allow the community and police to respond effectively  such as through after-school activities and targeted policing.

Lead author Paul Vulliamy, surgical registrar at Barts Health and clinical lecturer at Queen Mary University, added: We have demonstrated that there are age-specific epidemiological patterns of stabbings among young people, providing evidence for schools and children as specific targets for violence reduction strategies.

We can reduce knife violence and unnecessary child deaths, but need long-term evidence-based interventions in education, policing, the community and at home.

(ONS (ONS)

The report was released after five people were stabbed to death in London in the space of a week.

Father Rocky Djelal, 38, was killed in broad daylight in Southwark Park in Rotherhithe, southeast London on Wednesday.

The following day, 15-year-old Jay Hughes was killed in Bellingham, also in southeast London, by a stab wound to the heart.

Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was fatally knifed on Friday outside Clapham South Tube station in south London, near where he studied.

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On Sunday, Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, from Dagenham was fatally stabbed in Samos Road, Anerley, also in south London.

And on Monday night, a boy named locally as John died in front of his devastated mother of multiple wounds in Tulse Hill.

So far in London this year there have been 119 homicides, including two cases that are being treated as self-defence.

A third of the 117 remaining cases involved victims aged 16 to 24, while 20 were teenagers.

Additional reporting by PAA key supporter of Tommy Robinson will not be pursued for filming from inside the Old Bailey during the far-right figureheads contempt of court case, police have said.

Canadian Ezra Levant, who formerly employed Robinson for his Rebel Media website, posted footage on social media showing him going to a court window to look at a crowd of supporters protesting outside a hearing in September.

The same clip was later shared on the English Defence League founder's official Facebook page and watched hundreds of thousands of times.

It is illegal to take photographs or film inside courts in England and Wales and Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was convicted of breaking the same law last year.

City of London Police launched an investigation into whether Mr Levant had committed any offences but a spokesperson told The Independent that they had "concluded no further action will be taken in relation to a video posted to social media on 27 September from inside the Central Criminal Court [Old Bailey].

They added: The tweet we were investigating has been taken down and no further filming occurred within the courthouse during a related hearing in October. We would also take this opportunity to remind anyone seeking to take videos or photos within any court to check with court staff before doing so.

 Tommy Robinson addresses supporters outside court after case referred to Attorney General

Mr Levant raised funds for Robinsons legal costs after he was jailed at Leeds Crown Court in May and asked supporters for more money for him to travel London to report on the continuing case.

Robinson left Rebel Media in February and uses money donated by supporters to produce his own videos.

The 35-year-old was originally jailed for 13 months over a Facebook Live video he broadcast from outside the citys crown court in May, which allegedly violated blanket reporting restrictions on three linked grooming trials.

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.

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

The reporting restrictions were lifted last month, and 20 men have been jailed for 257 years for abusing girls in Huddersfield.

Robinson was also accused of breaching the conditions of a three-month suspended sentence he was handed for a separate contempt offence in Canterbury in 2017, where he attempted to film defendants in a gang-rape trial.

The Court of Appeal freed Robinson in August after finding that procedural failings by the judge who jailed him at Leeds Crown Court gave rise to unfairness.

They ordered a rehearing, saying the alleged contempt was serious and the sentence might be longer than that already served.

An Old Bailey judge has referred the matter to the attorney general to decide how to proceed, and lifted Robinsons bail conditions earlier this week.

A spokesperson for the attorney generals office said: 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.

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.A teenager has been stabbed several times in an attack on a street in northwest London.

Emergency services were called to the incident in Billy Fury Way, a path off Lithos Road, West Hampstead, around 8pm on Tuesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A male, thought to be in his teens, was taken to hospital suffering from stab injuries. His condition is currently unknown.

A crime scene remained in place on Tuesday night as police conducted enquiries.

The attack comes in a week in which five men, including two teenagers, have been killed in stabbings, all of which took place in the south of the capital.

On Wednesday last week, Rocky Djelal, 38, was killed during a knife attack in Southwark Park in Rotherhithe.

Little more than 24 hours later, 15-year-old Jay Hughes was killed in Bellingham during a stabbing at a chicken shop.

Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was fatally knifed on Friday outside Clapham South Tube station, close to where he studied.

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On Sunday, Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, from Dagenham was fatally stabbed in Samos Road, Anerley.

The following day, a 16-year-old boy named locally as John was stabbed to death in Tulse Hill.

Police have launched more than 100 murder investigations across London in 2018 in what has been a year of violence in the capital.Angel Exford initially blamed the money mysteriously vanishing from her bank account on a fraudster.

It was only after some digging that she realised the culprit was her ex-boyfriend.

Michael Fehsenfeld had used over 1,200 of her money to book a trip to Paris with a new partner and was met by police at the airport after Ms Exford tracked him down.

The pair dated for two months earlier this year.

Recommended Why not enough is being done to tackle bank fraud

During a dinner with friends he claimed he had lost his wallet, leading Ms Exford to give him access to her bank card.

This is the night I believe he took my bank details, the 29-year-old wrote on Twitter.

This is the last night time I saw him in person.

The couple broke up later that week and Mr Fehsenfeld then blocked his ex-girlfriend on social media.

She realised he had entered a new relationship and then noticed suspicious transactions were being made from her bank account.

This is where it gets interesting, she said.

Mr Fehsenfeld had used Ms Exfords money to pay for flowers for his new partner and for a trip to Paris with her.

He bought HIS girlfriend flowers with MY MONEY and sent it to her workplace as a surprise, Ms Exford wrote.

He had also used the money to pay for parking tickets, Instagram likes, bills from the council and a Sky TV subscription.

A friend helped Ms Exford to use her card details to access information about her ex-boyfriends trip abroad, including an easyJet flight reference.

The 29-year-old then worked out the time of his flight from Gatwick Airport and decided to approach the police.

She met Mr Fehsenfeld with police officers at the airport on 5 October where he was arrested.

The police were very impressed with our investigation, Ms Exford said.

Her friends went along to record the action and alerted the police officers when they realised Mr Fehsenfeld had changed his flight time.

He was arrested and pleaded guilty at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on 22 October and was later sentenced to a 26-week sentence suspended for two years, as well as 150 hours of supervised community service.

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He said he did it out of spite because of how things ended between us, Ms Exford said on Twitter.

The 29-year-old decided to publicise her story to warn other women about Mr Fehsenfeld.

I wanna make sure he doesnt do this to anyone else, she said, while also thanking the friends who had helped her.

She received compensation and her ex-boyfriend was left with fraud on his record for taking her card details and using them with intent.

The tale soon went viral with its accompanying hashtag #fraudbae.The Home Office has come under the spotlight a number of times this year for a series of embarrassing contradictions and U-turns  exposing nothing less than a department in disarray.

The Windrush scandal broke in April, revealing that people who had been in the UK for decades had been wrongly targeted by immigration officials, with some detained and deported.

Shortly after, the then home secretary Amber Rudd claimed there were no deportation targets  only to admit less than 24 hours later that some immigration officers did use targets for the number of people they should deport. She resigned days later, admitting she had inadvertently misled MPs.Public confidence and trust in police is breaking down as forces struggle to respond to crime because of government cuts, MPs have said.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that funding for policing is down by almost one-fifth since 2010-11, and there are nearly one-fifth fewer officers and staff.

It was released amid national calls for a crackdown on violence after five people were stabbed to death in London in just a week, and official statistics show knife crime at record levels.

Under 9 per cent of all recorded offences now result in the culprits being charged or summoned to court.

Police leaders told MPs how some local communities no longer feel safe after the decline of neighbourhood officers and high-visibility patrols.

Labour MP Meg Hillier, who chairs the committee, said: The thin blue line is wearing thinner with potentially dire consequences for public safety. Public confidence and trust that the police will respond is breaking down.

Funding reductions of nearly a fifth have placed severe strain on police forces, which have in turn been forced to cut back. The results are stark.

The Public Accounts Committees report followed separate warnings by the Home Affairs Committee and National Audit Office over the state of police funding.

Ms Hillier said that the strain on officers was having an impact on their own wellbeing, as they are forced to become first responders to mental health and other issues worsened by cuts to other public services.

This cannot continue, she added. Government must show leadership and get on with fixing the flaws at the heart of its approach to policing.

The Home Office must improve its understanding of the real-world demands on police, and use this information to inform its bid for funding from the Treasury. And when it secures that funding, it must distribute it effectively.

Ms Hillier said it was wholly unacceptable that despite accepting that the widely-criticised formula used to allocate funding to police forces in England and Wales needed to change three years ago, the Home Office has no firm plans to do it. The messages from communities and police forces across the UK are clear. The government must act now, she added.

MPs called on the government to establish regular reviews of local forces financial sustainability, following the loss of almost 50,000 fewer officers and staff, including 15 per cent fewer officers, since 2010.

Forces are struggling to deliver an effective service: it is taking longer for forces to charge offences; forces are making fewer arrests; they are doing less neighbourhood policing, the Public Accounts Committee said.

Forces are selling off more of their assets to try and raise some funds for capital investment and increasingly drawing on their reserves.

The report said police forces were increasingly prioritising their response to crimes because of insufficient resources, which are worsened by a top-slice of funding taken for national projects.

For example, 495m has been taken for police technology programmes, including the development of the Emergency Services Network, but by June it was running at least 15 months behind schedule.

Forces are also feeling the pressure of cost shunting as cuts to other areas of public spending, such as health, are passed onto policing because it is often the first line of response, members concluded.

MPs attacked the budget for awarding fresh funding to counterterror policing only, rather than forces more widely.

The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Show all 21 1 /21 The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Oluwadamilolda Odeyingbo Oluwadamilolda Odeyingbo, 18, was killed in a fight in Chislehurst on 10 January 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Hasan Ozcan Hasan Ozcan, 19, was stabbed to death on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking on 3 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Sabri Chibani Sabri Chibani, 19, was stabbed fatally in the chest in Streatham on 11 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Promise Nkenda Lord Promise Nkenda, 17, was stabbed to death in Canning Town on 14 February 2018 Facebook The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Lewis Blackman Lewis Blackman, a 19-year-old rapper from Kentish Town, was stabbed to death in Kensington on 18 February 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Abdikarim Hassan Abdikarim Hassan, 17, was stabbed to death near his home in Camden's Peckwater estate on 20 March - less tahan two hours before another man was stabbed to death nearby Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Kelvin Odunuyi Kelvin Odunuyi, a 19-year-old rapper known as DipDat and Lampz, was shot dead in Wood Green on 8 March Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Lyndon Davis Lyndon Davis, 18, was chased down and stabbed to death in Chadwell Heath on 14 March Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Tanesha Melbourne-Blake Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Tottenham on 2 April PA The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Amaan Shakoor Amaan Shakoor, 16, was shot dead in Walthamstow on 2 April Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Israel Ogunsola Israel Ogunsola, 18, was stabbed to death in Hackney on 4 April Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, a 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect, was shot dead in a Kennington Street on 5 May Handout The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Jordan Douherty Aspiring rapper Jordan Douherty died of his injuries outside a birthday party in Romford on 23 June Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Katrina Makunova Katrina Makunova, 17, was stabbed to death in Camberwell on 12 July 2018 Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Latwaan Griffiths 18-year-old Latwaan Griffiths was fatally stabbed on 25 July and died in hospital after being thrown off the back of a moped in Camberwell Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Guled Farah Guled Farah, 19, was shot in Walthamstow on 22 September Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Ethan Nedd-Bruce Ethan Nedd-Bruce, 18, died after he was shot outside a party at a flat in Greenwich, south-east London, on 22 October. He had also been stabbed, but the gunshot wound was the cause of death. Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Jay Hughes Jay Hughes, 15, died was fatally stabbed outside a chicken shop in Bellingham, south-east London, on 1 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Malcolm Mide-Madariola Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was found suffering from a stab wound outside Clapham South Tube station on 2 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 John Ogunjobi John Ogunjobi, 16, died in front of his parents after he was stabbed in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill, on 5 November Metropolitan Police The teenagers murdered in London in 2018 Aron Warren Aron Warren, 18, was found stabbed in a flat block in Greenwich on 8 December and died at the scene Metropolitan Police

A cash injection championed by the Home Office last year was largely driven by an increase in the council tax precept  the money taken from local residents for policing  and the committee said taxpayers were paying more to cover government cuts despite seeing fewer local officers.

Repeating calls first made in a 2015 report, MPs said the Home Office must develop better information on both crime and non-crime incidents attended by police forces.

They demanded that the Home Office develops a national strategy for policing within the next year, setting out what support they will be given for reforms.

The National Police Chiefs Council lead for finance, Chief Constable Dave Thompson, said there continue to be hard choices for chief constables.

Budget cuts have meant that core aspects of policing are at risk of becoming unsustainable and ineffective to the detriment of public confidence, he added. Policing is at the tipping point  and we need to move on from here.

The Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents 120,000 rank-and-file officers, said forces were running on empty.

Chair John Apter said: This report is the latest in a long series of huge red flags for the government. This is now a critical situation and a national scandal. And they cant say they werent warned

Dedicated police officers are at breaking point and are overwhelmed by the ever-increasing demands being heaped on them as a result of eight years of austerity.

He added: What will it take for the government to take its head out of the sand and do something about it?

The Public Accounts Committee report was released after ministers were warned that national officer numbers could hit a record low if forces are made to plug a 600m funding shortfall caused by proposed pension changes.

(ONS (ONS)

Police chiefs wrote to the government last month saying that up to 10,000 officers jobs could be cut after being told to find 165m in 2019-20 and up to 417m in 2020-21, and have threatened legal action over the move.

Ministers dispute the job figures but Sajid Javid has vowed to fight for more policing funding in an upcoming financial settlement and government-wide spending review.

Diane Abbott said police were being increasingly required to tackle social problems which have been deepened by Tory cuts in other budgets, especially local authorities.

The report presents a damning picture of government underfunding and mismanagement of the police force, she added. Austerity in policing continues, with the budget offering nothing new except a dubious claim to be increasing funding for counterterrorism. Police forces are reaching a crisis point and the government should end this reckless policy.

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A Home Office spokesperson said: We are on the front foot in engaging with the police and recognise the changing demands they are facing.

The governments balanced approach to the economy has helped ensure there is 1bn more of public money going into policing than three years ago and the home secretary has been clear that he will prioritise police funding.

As the chancellor noted in the budget, we will review police spending power at the provisional police funding settlement in December.A leading publisher is to remove a dedication to a special forces hero from the start of one of its books after a group of SAS veterans said the supposedly true story was as clear a case of stolen valour as you could find.

The veterans also challenged the books author to meet them privately so he could prove he really had served in the SAS, with some dismissing him as a Walter Mitty clown.

When Hodder & Stoughton released Pilgrim Spy in September it was billed as one of the great untold stories of the Cold War, involving roof top chases, a beautiful East German female suspected of being a Stasi spy and a climactic gun battle at Colditz Castle.

Its author, writing under the pseudonym Tom Shore, claimed to have been an SAS soldier who on a hitherto undisclosed secret solo mission took lethal action to thwart a plot to assassinate Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev when he visited communist East Germany in 1989.

But The Independent revealed how the thriller writer Jeremy Duns had noticed remarkable similarities between supposed SAS veteran Tom Shores true story, and the entirely fictional, but relatively obscure 1989 thriller Quiller KGB.

The author of Pilgrim Spy was also accused of having lifted large, unacknowledged chunks of Wikipedia to supply background context for his true story.

Hodder stood by the book, saying its editor believed Mr Shores story was true and had checked he was in the SAS.

A spokeswoman for the publisher said neither the editor nor Mr Shore had ever read Quiller KGB before the controversy started, and described the lifting from Wikipedia as sloppy, but not criminal.

After the story was published, however, an SAS veteran contacted The Independent to say he and ex-colleagues in the special forces and the Cold War BRIXMIS  British Commanders-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany - had been enraged by what they had read about Pilgrim Spy.

In comments passed to The Independent, one SAS veteran said the supposedly true story was as clear a case of stolen valour as you will find  a reference to people who have never served in the Armed Forces but pretend they saw combat in an attempt to gain approval from others.

The veterans were also particularly angry at Mr Shore for having dedicated his book to "boss" Brigadier Andy Massey and suggesting he served under the revered SAS leader, who died aged 55 in 1998, by calling him "the most gifted officer I've ever known".

That dedication was a real insult, said Keith Ball, the SAS veteran who contacted The Independent. Andy Massey was a really good guy, and we feel this bloke has defiled his memory.

The Independent has seen documentary proof that Mr Ball, 67, served in the SAS. He served under Andy Massey and was the SAS warrant officer attached to BRIXMIS in 1989, when Mr Shore is supposed to have foiled the Gorbachev assassination plot.

He told The Independent: When I saw the dedication, I thought, why Andy Massey?

Its to make him [Mr Shore] look like he served in the SAS, to make him look like he is authentic, and thats a really cynical thing to do.

Andy Massey was an honourable, decent man who served his country well, and his name should not be linked in any way whatsoever to a book filled with plagiarism and lies.

In the last few days it has become clear that the Massey family also did not approve of the dedication, which had been included at the start of the book without their prior knowledge.

As a result, Hodder has now promised the dedication will disappear from all future editions of Pilgrim Spy. It already appears to have been wiped from Kindle editions of the book.

The veterans, however, remain angry that the book will continue to be published as non-fiction.

Since they include SAS veterans from across all four squadrons of the regiment who served at the same time as Mr Shore, they have asked Hodder to let them meet the author to verify that he is a former special forces soldier, without ever revealing his true name.

The publisher has not directly responded to this request, but the books editor has told Mr Ball he continues to believe that Pilgrim Spy is a true story.

But among the comments passed to The Independent are those of an SAS veteran who claimed Mr Shore was a Walter Mitty clown who deserves to be outed.

A fellow SAS officer who became a good friend of Andy Massey said: I hold him in the highest regard and take any infringement of his personal space very personally, especially since he is now no longer with us and not available to voice an opinion of his own.

[Hodders] decision to publish this as a factual account is irresponsible, naive and unprofessional.

It is probably too late to withdraw it from sale for contractual reasons, but at the very least a statement to the effect that the events portrayed in the book cannot be verified as a true and factual account of real events should be made public.

The officer said that Mr Shore should be barred from the SAS Association [of veterans] for life, if indeed he ever served in the Regiment.

Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Trabi at intersection, Berlin 1997 Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Same intersection. Under Malboro Country; graffiti: Mao More than ever. Berlin, 1997. Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures By the Berlin Wall on the western side, Winter 1987. Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Workers desk at Project Manual Reconstruction of the Stasi File Authority, Zirndorf, 2000 Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Frau Paul, a former Eastern European political prisoner, outside the Hohenschonhausen Prison, Berlin,2006 Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Klaus Renft, a musician, in his apartment in Berlin 2000 Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall - In pictures Herr Christian showing Funder the petrol station where he used to spy in disguise.

He added: This guy hasnt the moral courage to reveal his own name while giving an account which most, if not all of us believe to be b*llocks. How is that fair?

Other veterans questioned whether Hodder had done enough due diligence fact checking, despite the publisher having vigorously insisted it had.

One veteran of BRIXMIS, the secretive unit whose members were allowed by the Soviets to enter East Germany, in uniform, during the Cold War, disputed Mr Shores account of incidents like a gun battle at Colditz Castle, saying: This is just complete and utter nonsense. Like many former colleagues I visited Colditz Castle several times in 1989 and 1990, as did members of the American and French missions.

It is completely inconceivable that this shootout took place there without us being made aware of it; we had a very good relationship with the staff there. This book should be reclassified immediately as being a work of fiction.

Other readers of Pilgrim Spy have also questioned some details in the book, particularly the cameo appearance of Vladimir Putin who is referred to as the head of the KGB in Saxony in 1989.

In the book, the man who is now the Russian president is first pointed out to Mr Shore by a former civilian cleaner at the Dresden headquarters of East Germanys Stasi secret police who spat on the floor as she said: His name is Major Vladimir Putin. He is the head of the KGB here in Saxony.

Mr Shore writes of Mr Putin as the head of the KGB in Saxony a further three times.

Some readers, however, have suggested this might seem a strange job title, given that to communist officialdom Saxony did not exist in 1989. The communist East German authorities had abolished the state of Saxony in 1952.

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The description of Putin as in charge of the KGB in Saxony also seems potentially difficult to square with other sources describing the head of the Russian spy services mission in Dresden as having been Lazar Matveev from 1982 until early 1989, and then Vladimir Shirokov.

Last year Mr Putin, who has made no secret of his KGB service while being relatively opaque about what he actually did, was photographed in a RT (formerly Russia Today) report visiting Mr Matveev, who was described as his ex-boss and the former head of the KGB intelligence group in Dresden.

Other reports and some books have described Mr Shirokov as Mr Putins boss in Dresden in the latter part of 1989.

Mr Ball said: Removing the dedication to a dead SAS officer who cant defend himself is a start, and you would hope it will be a deterrent to stop anybody else including tributes to people they didnt know just to enhance their book.

But Pilgrim Spy still needs to be classed as fiction.

He added: Stolen Valour is an unforgivable insult to those still serving in the Armed Forces, to all veterans and, even worse in our eyes, it is an insult to those who died serving their country.

"I believe there is a strong case for bringing a Stolen Valour Act into UK law, similar to the one that exists in the US.

The Hodder executive who edited Pilgrim Spy told The Independent: I can tell you that Tom Shore is preparing a way of settling issues you have raised through his lawyers and without disclosing his identity or whereabouts. He intends to have this ready next month. He is also preparing a website, where he will address further historical issues surrounding events described in the book.

I hope you have read Quiller KGB and agree with me that the accusation that Tom Shore plagiarised this novel is unjustified.Two MPs were metres away from the Westminster attacker as he stabbed a police officer to death outside the Houses of Parliament, a new report has revealed.

The unnamed politicians gave witness statements to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which concluded that a close protection officer had no reasonable option but to shoot Khalid Masood.

The 52-year-old terrorist had already killed four victims with his car on Westminster Bridge, before crashing and running through parliaments Carriage Gates entrance armed with two large knives on 22 March 2017.

One MP, codenamed Mrs D for the purposes of anonymity, was walking nearby in New Palace Yard when she heard noise that she initially assumed to be protesters.

Mrs D stated she saw Masood burst into the area from the main gate, moving rapidly although not necessarily running, towards the door to the House of Commons, the IOPCs report said.

Mrs D stated that she then heard another voice shout stop Masood continued to run.

She then saw the close protection officer raise both arms and heard gunshots, before Masood fell to the ground.

The MP described a feeling of relief to the IOPC and said the bodyguards calmness and skill undoubtedly saved many lives.

 Westminster attack: Pc Keith Palmer's death ruled as 'preventable'

Another MP, codenamed Mr O, was walking into the House of Commons for a vote when he saw a large number of people moving around and felt a sense of panic in the air.

He said he heard gunshots before seeing a man he later knew to be Masood fall to the floor, when he headed inside.

The only MP previously known to have witnessed the aftermath of the atrocity was defence minister Tobias Ellwood, who ran into New Palace Yard after Masood was shot and gave PC Keith Palmer first aid.

The officer died of his injuries at the scene and Masood was declared dead in hospital after being shot in the chest by a ministers bodyguard, known as SA74.

The IOPC conducted a report into the incident automatically because it involved the fatal use of force by police, but found no wrongdoing.

Regional director Sarah Green said: Officer SA74 ran towards sounds of a disturbance and then placed himself between Masood, who was carrying two large knives, and the officers he was pursuing.

It is clear he had no reasonable option but to shoot Masood, and it is also clear he acted swiftly and professionally to protect the public and fellow officers.

Officer SA74 and his colleagues acted with immense personal bravery, and I wish to record my deep sorrow for the tragic loss of PC Palmer, as well as the other victims of Masoods terrible actions on that day.

An inquest into Masoods death found he was lawfully killed, while separate inquests into those of his victims found that PC Palmer may have been saved if the Metropolitan Police had stationed armed officers on Carriage Gates.

Scotland Yard has since reviewed security around the Houses of Parliament and Mark Lucraft QC, the chief coroner of England and Wales, is writing a prevention of future deaths report.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

The IOPCs report said witnesses described unarmed police officers calling for firearms support as they ran from Masood.

SA74 moved towards the scene of the attack after hearing the sound of the car crash and shouting, and ordered Masood to drop his knives before opening fire.

Masood presented an imminent and serious threat to the lives of SA74 and others, the IOPC concluded, saying that the terrorist was moving towards the close protection officer as he was shot.

There is no indication that any of the three shots fired amounted to an unreasonable degree of force or that he continued firing for any longer than necessary.

Recommended The five victims who died in the Westminster terror attack

Another plain-clothed protection officer was pointing his handgun at Masood at the same time, and said he had his finger on the trigger as SA74 opened fire.

Another witness, who was visiting parliament at the time, described Masoods attack as savage, and said the officer did what he had to do.

If he didnt pull the gun out and give the guy two bullets then, other people would have died, he told the IOPC.

Sir Craig Mackey, who was acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police at the time, was also at the scene and locked himself in a car with colleagues during the attack because they were unarmed.

The atrocity, which lasted 82 seconds in total, left five victims dead.

American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 31, were hit by Masoods car on Westminster Bridge, where 29 other people were seriously injured. The terrorist then stabbed PC Palmer to death.

The atrocity was the first to be claimed by Isis in the UK and was followed by four other terror attacks in London and Manchester that year.

But Masood, who was linked to members of Anjem Choudarys banned al-Muhajiroun group, did not declare allegiance to the group in a jihad document sent to contacts before the attack.Labour will vote down any Brexit deal that does not contain details about what kind of trade deal Britain will have with the EU, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The partys shadow Brexit secretary is travelling to Brussels on Wednesday for meetings with senior EU officials where he is expected to make clear that the opposition party is opposed to a so-called blind Brexit.

Any Brexit deal will include two elements. Firstly, a withdrawal agreement  solving separation issues like Ireland, the divorce bill and citizens rights. But Theresa May has also promised a separate political declaration  a detailed outline of what Britains future trade relationship with the EU will look like, mostly on trade.

It is this latter agreement that outlines whether Britain intends to join a customs union, follow single market rules, or sign a free trade agreement  and whether to adopt models like Norway or Canada.

Delays and missed deadlines in negotiating the withdrawal agreement, particularly on the Irish border issue, however means that negotiations about the nature of the future relationship have effectively not even started.

To make matters worse, Theresa Mays opening Chequers proposal was rejected as unworkable by the EUs 27 remaining countries, and the prime minister has said she will not accept any other offer on the table.

Given the deadline to have everything agreed was October, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how a substantial future relationship could be negotiated in time for the parliamentary vote.

Under laws passed by MPs earlier in the Brexit process, both the withdrawal agreement and political declaration must be presented to MPs before any vote can take place.

Ahead of his meetings in Brussels, Sir Keir said: This is crunch time in the Brexit negotiations. Yet government divisions and delays mean that little time has been spent debating what our future trading and security relationship will be after Brexit.

Months of deadlock in Theresa Mays government mean were facing continued uncertainty and the prospect of years of further negotiations over our future relationship with the EU.

A blind Brexit could prolong business uncertainty and provide insufficient guarantees to protect jobs, the economy and rights. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, nobody voted for the purgatory of permanent negotiations.

Theresa May and Dominic Raab promised that the Brexit deal put before parliament will be detailed, precise and substantive. That is exactly what Labour expects and what I will be discussing in Brussels. If the final deal it is anything less than the government has promised, Labour will not support it.

Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio  the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters

Theresa May has said it would be difficult to pass any withdrawal agreement without a detailed outline of the future relationship. Whips are said to be particularly worried that MPs would balk at voting for a multibillion-pound divorce bill without any guarantees of a trade deal. The actual free trade agreement with the EU would be negotiated after Britain leaves, likely in the transition period.

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Sir Keir is expected to meet EU officials including Frans Timmermans, the deputy head of the European Commission; Markus Winkler, a senior EU parliament official; and Roberto Gualtieri, a socialist member of the EU parliaments Brexit steering group.

The shadow Brexit secretary met with Michel Barnier most recently in late September, alongside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator will be out of town for this visit, attending a party conference in Finland.The government is putting British citizens health at risk by failing to ensure the safety of dangerous chemicals after Brexit, a damning parliamentary report has warned.

Ministers have not done enough to secure the UKs participation in the EUs chemical regulation scheme or find an alternative once Britain leaves the EU, creating a huge cliff edge for companies that risk losing access to 18bn of exports, a committee of peers said.

The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee said the governments proposals for a UK chemicals database were not credible and raised serious legal concerns.

As a result, the committee said, there is an ongoing threat to human and environmental health, and a risk of chaos for businesses that rely on the thousands of chemicals imported from the EU.

Recommended May told to ensure EU citizens do not have to pay to stay after Brexit

Regulation of chemicals is currently managed by the EUs Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach) system.

Unless ministers are able to negotiate the UKs continued participation in Reach, the government will be forced to establish its own system for regulating chemicals when Britain leaves the EU.

That would mean chemicals licensed for use in the UK could not be sold in the EU, creating a major headache for manufactures which would lose access to a major market unless they transfer product registrations to EU countries. The committee said this was unlikely to be possible before Brexit.

At the same time, British authorities and businesses would not have access to full safety information for EU chemicals being used in the UK.

Minsters have said they hope to negotiate access to Reach but the Lords committee said this was highly unlikely. Plans for a UK register are not progressing quickly enough, it said.

The delay risks human and environmental health and disruption to the many supply chains that rely on access to chemicals produced across the EU.

The governments suggestion that it could simply copy and paste information from the EUs database was not credible and raises serious legal issues, the peers added.

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

Chemicals constitute the UKs second biggest manufacturing industry, with exports worth 18bn to EU countries last year.

21,000 chemicals are regulated under the Reach system, of which 5,000 are registered by UK-based companies.

The Lords committee warned: The loss of access to 16,000 substances after Brexit would have a serious impact on the UKs chemical industry and the many supply chains that rely on it.

Peers said the government must urgently explain how it will ensure the regulation of chemicals after Brexit and put forward a more credible plan for enabling the safe trade of products to continue.

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The committee chairman, Liberal Democrat peer Lord Teverson, said: Chemical regulation might seem like a niche area of Brexit considerations, but chemicals are used to make products that we all use every day, and the chemical sector is key to the UKs economy.

At the moment theyre regulated by Reach, which combines legislation with an EU database, an EU regulator and the EU single market to keep us all safe.

Although we welcome the governments aim to remain part of the Reach system after Brexit, its negotiation red line on the UKs membership of the single market makes that highly unlikely. That means it urgently needs to be working on a plan B, and that simply hasnt happened, which leaves the sector facing a huge cliff edge on the day we leave the EU.

A government spokesman said: We have set out our negotiating intention to be an associate member of the European Chemicals Agency.

If such an agreement is not secured, we are already well advanced in our preparations for establishing the appropriate body and mechanisms to have effective chemicals regulation, which safeguards human health and the environment.

A technical notice has already been issued on this, and we will continue to engage with businesses to ensure they have the information they need to prepare.The majority of members of the left-wing Momentum group back a fresh referendum on Brexit, a new survey has found.

53 per cent of people who responded to a major consultation by the organisation said they wanted Labour to commit to holding a fresh vote, either as a top priority or if the party cannot force a general election.

Forty-one per cent said they wanted a public vote in all circumstances, while a further 12 per cent said they wanted another referendum but only if there is no general election.

A further 28 per cent said they supported a vote remaining on the table as an option if there is no general election.

Just 17 per cent did not support a fresh referendum at all.

The survey is likely to pile fresh pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to back calls for a Final Say vote.

Campaigners seized on the findings and reiterated calls for Labour to shift its policy towards giving the public a say on the terms of Brexit.

Michael Chessum, national organiser of left-wing group Another Europe is Possible, which is campaigning for another referendum, said: The evidence can no longer be ignored  the activist base of the Labour left is overwhelmingly in favour of a fresh referendum if no general election can happen.

The most popular option on the survey was for a referendum in all circumstances, which is an incredibly strongly worded option.

Brexit means deregulation, attacks on workers rights and the end of free movement. There is simply no excuse  either for Labour as a whole, or for individual Labour MPs  not to oppose this agenda and give the people a final say.

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

Current Labour policy says the party will seek a general election if Ms May secures a deal, and only if it fails to secure one will it consider supporting a fresh referendum.

The Momentum consultation, which was completed by more than 6,500 people, found that 92 per cent of the groups members want Labour MPs to vote against whatever deal Ms May brings back from Brussels.

That will add to pressure on the 15 or so Labour MPs who, as revealed by The Independent last month, are considering backing the government.

According to the survey, 82 per cent of Momentum members think Brexit will make things worse for their friends, family and community, while 89 per cent believe MPs should not consider a no-deal outcome to be a viable option.

Raising the prospect of deselections, Momentum said MPs who defy the Labour whip to support Ms May would have a hard time explaining themselves back in their constituencies.

A Momentum spokesperson said: The view of members is clear: Theresa Mays Brexit deal will be a disaster for this country and all Labour MPs must vote it down if it fails Labours six tests.

It is not in the national interest to slip through the back door a Tory Brexit that will destroy our communities and crash the economy.

Propping up a destructive Tory deal will be kryptonite to Labour members, and any Labour MP who votes with the government will have a hard time explaining themselves back in their constituencies.Theresa May is facing a fightback from cabinet ministers who are demanding to see full legal advice before agreeing the Brexit deal she hopes to strike within days.

Up to eight ministers fear being bounced into giving their consent without knowing how difficult it will be for the UK to later break free from the EU customs union, The Independent understands.

Its basically the Pizza Club plus Sajid Javid, a source said  referring to an earlier private gathering of seven pro-Brexit ministers, with the home secretary also expressing the same fears.

Michael Gove, the environment secretary, led the call, at cabinet on Tuesday, after the prime minister indicated only a legal summary would be made available.

Mr Javid, Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, and Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, then indicated their agreement.

They are determined to avoid a repeat of the debacle of the Iraq War, when Tony Blairs cabinet was denied access to full legal advice and was presented with a short summary only.

After the invasion, it was revealed that the full advice warned a court might well conclude it was illegal under international law and trigger legal action against members of the armed forces.

Concerns rose on Tuesday when Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, gave a defence of the proposed deal that was largely political opinion rather than a legal judgement, it is said.

Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Show all 14 1 /14 Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Internal divisions in the Conservative Party have exploded into a bitter public row over Boris Johnsons disgusting criticism of Theresa May. Some senior Tories furiously denounced the former foreign secretary after he accused the prime minister of having wrapped a suicide vest around Britain Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Sajid Javid, Home secretary Sajid Javid, the home secretary, rebuked his former cabinet colleague and said: I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences. He told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that the public wanted politicians to use measured language BBC/PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide But other MPs leapt to Mr Johnsons defence, as dividing lines ahead of a possible leadership contest begin to take shape. The Uxbridge MP has repeatedly criticised Ms Mays Chequers plan and used a newspaper article on Sunday to suggest it amounted to wrapping a suicide vest around the British constitution. His latest salvo at the prime minister prompted immediate condemnation, with one minister publicly vowing to end Mr Johnsons career over the matter PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Alan Duncan, Foreign minister Alan Duncan, a foreign minister who worked in Mr Johnsons team for two years, wrote on Twitter: For Boris to say the PMs view is like that of a suicide bomber is too much. This marks one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics. Im sorry, but this is the political end of Boris Johnson. If it isnt now, I will make sure it is later. Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide James Brokenshire, Housing secretary Housing secretary James Brokenshire added his voice to the criticism, calling Mr Johnsons comments wrong He said: I think he is wrong on this...I think the tone that he has used isnt right and I think that we just need to be very focused on actually moving forward with the Chequers plan. AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Zac Goldsmith But as Tory hostilities spilled over into open public warfare, Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, an ally of Mr Johnson, hit back at Mr Duncan. He wrote: There are a number of possible motives behind this tweet, but given its author, we can be certain principles arent one of them. Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Jacob Rees-Mogg Senior Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Independent he thought Mr Johnsons suicide belt accusation was little more than a characteristically colourful catchphrase. He added: I agree with the sentiment. The criticism of Boriss wording merely serves to highlight his point. It means more people hear of Boriss criticism of Chequers and many will agree with him. Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Nadine Dorries Nadine Dorries, another Brexit supporter, said Mr Johnsons opponents were terrified of his popular appeal, adding: Dont underestimate the vitriol thatll be directed towards Boris today. He delivered the Leave vote, Remainers and wannabe future PMs hate him. If Mr Johnson became leader and prime minister he would deliver a clean and prosperous Brexit, she said Rex Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Andrew Bridgen Andrew Bridgen said Ms May was to blame for her leadership problems. Asked if Mr Johnson had put a bomb under her leadership, Mr Bridgen said: I think that Theresa May did that herself when she put forward the Chequers proposals without consulting widely prior to that. Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Steve Baker, former Brexit minister Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, warned Ms May the Conservatives faced a "catastrophic split" if she did not jettison her Chequers plan. Mr Baker, who quit the government in July over the scheme, said: When negotiating, the prime minister needs to demonstrate her intent and also her power to deliver. "If we come out of conference with her hoping to get Chequers through on the back of Labour votes, I think the EU negotiators would probably understand that if that were done, the Tory party would suffer the catastrophic split which thus far we have managed to avoid. But he insisted he did not want a change in the Conservative leadership, saying Brexiteers did not want to be in a position of conflict with our own prime minister Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Tom Tugendhat The deep divisions on the Tory benches were laid bare as Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee and is a possible leadership rival to Mr Johnson, also hit out at the former foreign secretary. Recalling how he encountered a suicide bomber in Afghanistan during his time in the army, Mr Tugendhat told Mr Johnson to grow up. He said: A suicide bomber murdered many in the courtyard of my office in Helmand. The carnage was disgusting, limbs and flesh hanging from trees and bushes. Brave men who stopped him killing me and others died in horrific pain. Some need to grow up. Comparing the PM to that isnt happy. PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Alistair Burt Alistair Burt, another Foreign Office minister who worked in Mr Johnsons team, said: Im stunned at the nature of this attack. There is no justification for such an outrageous, inappropriate and hurtful analogy. If we dont stop his extraordinary use of language over Brexit, our country might never heal. Again, I say, enough. AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide It comes amid that Ms Mays former aides drew up a dossier on Mr Johnsons sexual encounters with the aim of undermining his leadership prospects. The document was compiled in 2016, when the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP was seen as the main rival to Ms May in her bid to enter No 10. Downing Street and Conservative Campaign Headquaters (CCHQ) both denied having leaked the 4,000 word memo after it was circulated around Westminster AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Mr Johnson confirmed that his 25-year marriage to wife Marina had ended AP

The QC advised that a UK demand for the unilateral right to end the backstop  which would keep the UK in the customs territory until there is an alternative solution to avoid Irish border checks  could be dropped.

However, he is understood to have largely argued that was necessary as the only way to secure an agreement with the EU this month, rather than on the basis of how much power Britain would be giving up.

Mr Cox also acknowledged Northern Ireland would be under different regulations without, the pro-Brexit ministers believe, setting out the full legal implications of that.

They believe the cabinet shouldnt be palmed off with a summary, but must see the full legal advice unfettered by political opinion, said a source close to one concerned cabinet minister.

Michael was speaking for himself when he made the call, but the other ministers quickly nodded their agreement.

A second cabinet level source confirmed the environment secretary was backed by other ministers, saying: Gove isnt alone in this.

The pizza club meeting, last month, was also attended by Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary and Liz Truss, the Treasury chief secretary, and was hosted by Commons leader Andrea Leadsom.

At cabinet, Mr Cox, crucially, claimed agreeing to a mutual review of the backstop would not give the EU a veto  and that even a unilateral mechanism would require a ruling from another body.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Unionist Party, which is propping up the Tories in power, called for the full legal advice to be published to parliament.

If the House of Commons is going to have a meaningful vote on a deal upon which this legal advice is very important, then I think people are entitled to know what that legal advice is, said Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUPs chief whip at Westminster.Theresa May is facing pressure to sack her newly appointed housing tsar over claims he made Islamophobic, antisemitic and homophobic comments in a series of articles and books.

Professor Sir Roger Scruton, a controversial philosopher, was chosen to advise the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at the weekend, as chairman of a new public body to champion beautiful buildings.

Labour MPs are now urging ministers to sack the conservative academic after it emerged he had described homosexuality as not normal and said Islamophobia was a propaganda word.

Sir Roger also faced accusations of propagating antisemitic conspiracies about Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros in a 2014 lecture, where he said many of the Budapest intelligentsia are Jewish, and form part of the extensive networks around the Soros empire.

However, the government issued a statement in support of the professor, who denied the claims and said he was offended and hurt by allegations of Islamophobia and antisemitism.

The comments were highlighted by a BuzzFeed News investigation, which included a 2007 article for The Telegraph, in which he wrote: Every now and then, however, we wake up to the fact that, although homosexuality has been normalised, it is not normal.

Our acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, of same-sex couples, and of the gay scene has not eliminated our sense that these are alternatives to something, and that it is the other thing that is normal.

On BBC Radio 4s A Point of View in 2015 he said: The orthodox liberal view is that homosexuality is innate and guiltless.

Like the Islamists, the advocates of this view have invented a phobia with which to denounce their opponents.

Deviate in the smallest matter from the orthodoxy, and you will be accused of homophobia and, although this is not yet a crime, it is accompanied, especially for those with any kind of public office, by real social costs.

It also emerged that he described Islamophobia as a propaganda word in his 2017 book Conservatism: Ideas in Profile.

He said: There has been in official circles a deliberate silencing of discussion, a refusal to describe things by their proper names, and the adoption of the propaganda word Islamophobia to create a wholly imaginary enemy.

Labour MP Luciana Berger, parliamentary chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, called for Sir Roger to be removed from the post for his comments about George Soros.

She said: An individual who peddles antisemitic conspiracy theories has no place advising government about anything.

Theresa May, please intervene. [Housing secretary] James Brokenshire should urgently reconsider his appointment.

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

Fellow Labour MP Wes Streeting said: With every passing hour it becomes clear that Roger Scruton has a history of making offensive comments.

It beggars belief that he passed a vetting process.

This is an appalling error of judgment from the secretary of state and the prime minister should sack him immediately and ask James Brokenshire how this appointment was ever made in the first place.

And Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said: Someone with these views has no place in advising the government on anything, and it is deeply concerning that the Conservatives have associated themselves with offensive views like this.

Roger Scruton should never have been employed and the PM should ask him to resign.

An MHCLG spokesman defended the decision to appoint Sir Roger to the post.

The spokesman said: Professor Sir Roger Scruton, as a longstanding public intellectual, has strong views on a number of issues.

He received a knighthood in 2016 and advised the coalition government on design.

His commitment to driving quality in the built environment is well known and he has published extensively on architecture and place, which makes him an excellent candidate for the unpaid chairmanship of the Building Better, Building Beautiful commission.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

In a statement released on Twitter, Sir Roger said he had been offended by the allegations made against him.

Nothing could be further from the truth and I wish to rebut these incorrect assertions, he said.

If people actually read my comments regarding the interplay between George Soros and Hungary, they will realise they are not in any way antisemitic, indeed quite the opposite.

He added: Only two years ago I supported George Soros by making representations to Prime Minister Orbans regime to keep open the Central European University so that intellectual freedom could continue to flourish in Hungary.

My statements on Islamic states point only to the failure of these states, which is a fact. My views on Islam are well known and can be found in my book The West and the Rest.Seventy-eight students kidnapped from a boarding school in Cameroon earlier this week have been freed, according to reports.

The students, all boys aged between 10 and 14, were taken from a Presbyterian school in Bamenda an English speaking area on Monday, where militias have been demanding independence.

Two teachers are still believed to be held captive by the armed men, a priest conducting negotiations has said, Reuters reports.

"Praise God 78 children and the driver have been released. The principal and one teacher are still with the kidnappers. Let us keep praying," Samuel Fonki, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, said.

He had earlier put the number of children taken at 79, but later said one of their number was in fact a teacher, who remained with the kidnappers.

Separatists in the region are fighting to form an independent state they call Ambazonia. They have imposed curfews and closed down schools to turn them into training grounds as part of their struggle.

There have been reports of teachers being killed and buildings being torched during dozens of similar attacks.

After the kidnap a video was released on social media purporting to show the kidnappers forcing several children to give their names and the names of their parents and urging them to speak louder.

Many repeat the same phrase: I was taken from school last night by the Amba boys and I dont know where I am.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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The alleged kidnapper is recorded telling the students: We shall only release you after the struggle. You will be going to school now here  all of us stay here and fight for this struggle inside Ambazonia land.

Mr Fonki and the Cameroonian military have accused anglophone separatists of carrying out the kidnappings, but a separatist spokesman denied involvement.

In an inauguration speech following last month's election to extend his 36-year rule, President Paul Biya told the separatists to lay down their arms or face the full force of the law, offering no concessions to them.

Anglophone secessionists have imposed curfews and closed schools as part of their protest against Biya's French-speaking government and its perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking minority, although they had never kidnapped children before.

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Authorities had suspended the movement of all non-emergency vehicles in the area as a huge military search effort got underway.

Additional reporting by agenciesTen men have been arrested for being gay on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania, after police received a tip-off from members of the public about a same-sex marriage taking place.

The group were arrested when police officers raided a party at Pongwe Beach on Saturday night, according to Amnesty International.

Six others at the event fled.

Amnesty International said that the men were arrested for allegedly carrying out a gay marriage, with police saying that they found the men sitting in pairs two by two.

This is a shocking blow following the Tanzanian governments assurance that no one would be targeted and arrested because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, said Seif Magango, Amnesty Internationals deputy director for East Africa.

This appalling attack on Tanzanian people simply exercising their human rights shows the danger of inflammatory and discriminatory rhetoric at senior levels of government.

We now fear these men may be subjected to forced anal examination, the governments method of choice for proving same-sex sexual activity among men.

This must not be allowed to happen  these men must be released immediately.

The arrested men are currently being held at Chakwal police station on the island of Unguja, despite no charges having been brought against them.

Fears are rising about the treatment of LGBT+ people in Tanzania after the regional commissioner of the countrys economic capital Dar es Salaam called on the public to report people suspected of being gay.

Recommended EU recalls ambassador to Tanzania over crackdown on gay people

Give me their names, Paul Makonda said, speaking on 29 October.

My ad hoc team will begin to get their hands on them.

Mr Makonda also announced plans to set up a special committee to identify and punish gay people, prostitutes and online fraudsters.

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The committee will scour the internet to identify videos featuring supposedly gay content and Mr Makonda warned citizens to delete any sex pictures they had stored on their phones or face arrest.

He added that thousands of messages had already been sent in expressing support for the policy and outing people believed to be gay.

The Tanzanian government subsequently distanced itself from Mr Makondas comments and called them personal opinion.

However, LGBT+ people have criticised the ruling administration for its slow response and for failing to condemn the city chief.

In response, the European Union recalled its ambassador to Tanzania over the deterioration of human rights and rule of law in the East African nation.All day on Saturday, Yvonne Woodard and Doyle W Hebert tried to get their 11-year-old grandson to clean up his room at their home in Litchfield Park, Arizona, about 20 miles north-west of Phoenix.

Late that afternoon, the couple, who had custody of the child, sat down in their living room to watch television, the authorities said.

Then, according to a statement from Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, the boy, whose name was not released, picked up Mr Heberts handgun, came up behind the couple and fatally shot his grandmother in the back of the head.

Mr Hebert said he ran after his grandson, but then returned to his wife to try to give her first aid. Seconds later, Doyle heard another gunshot and saw the grandson take a few steps and then collapse to the ground; the grandson had shot himself, the statement said. The boy later died.

Mr Hebert retrieved the gun and called 911.

In describing what led to the shooting, the statement merely said:

They asked their grandson to clean his room and pick up after himself throughout the day, as he was being stubborn about it.

The statement said the authorities were still investigating, but added there had been no previous signs that the grandson might harm himself or someone else and there was no cause for concern prior to this event.

 Police officers bizarre lecture to 11-year-old black boy with a BB gun

Mr Enriquez did not reply to questions on Tuesday about what type of handgun had been used, how the child had access to it and whether there would be any charges related to the incident.

Mr Hebert declined to comment when reached by telephone on Tuesday.

School administrators at the Litchfield Elementary School District said in a statement on Monday that psychologists would be at Western Sky Middle School, where the child was enrolled, in Goodyear, a suburb of Phoenix, to help students.

We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of one of our students and his grandmother, the statement said. They were valued members of our Wildcat family at Western Sky Middle School and will be deeply missed. Our hearts are with the Hebert family and their loved ones as they endure this unimaginable pain.

Nice family, a neighbour, Walter Venerable, said, according to 3TV, a local news affiliate. I knew the kid. I mean, he would ride his bicycle around, play around the neighbourhood.

The New York TimesA father has admitted to murdering his pregnant wife and two young daughters before dumping their bodies in an oil field.

Christopher Watts, 33, agreed a plea deal to avoid the possibility of the death penalty for killing Shanann Watts, 34, and the couples two children Bella, four, and Celeste, three,

He had initially told police he strangled his wife in a rage after she killed the young girls at their family home in Colorado, a claim prosecutors described as a flat-out lie.

Wattss voice quavered as he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder at Weld County Court.

He also admitted two counts of murdering a child under 12, tampering with the bodies of the three victims and unlawfully terminating a pregnancy.

Shannann Watts had been 15 weeks pregnant when her husband killed her at their home in Frederick, about 30 miles north of Denver, on 4 August.

He then loaded the bodies of his wife and daughters into a truck and drove them to an oil company where he worked.

There, he submerged their remains in crude oil.

Shannan Watts was 15 weeks pregnant when she was murdered by her husband Christopher (Instagram) (Shannan Watts via Instagram)

After reporting his family missing, Watts made multiple television appearances pleading for their safe return. He was arrested on 15 August and their bodies were found a week later.

Watts told detectives his wife had killed their daughters following a row after he told her he wanted a divorce.

The spotlight that he tried to shine on Shanann - falsely, incorrectly and frankly a flat-out lie - has been corrected, said Weld County district attorney Michael Rourke after Watts admitted responsibility.

Under Colorado law, a first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

He deserves a life sentence for each and every act, Mr Rourke said.

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Watts had faced the possibility of the death penalty if convicted in a trial, but under the plea agreement prosecutors pledged to not seek the sentence.

Mr Rourke said he travelled to North Carolina, where Shanann Wattss family lives, to consult with them before entering into the deal.

Prosecutors have not said what they believe motivated Watts to murder his wife and children.

He had been having an affair with a colleague and the family had sizeable debts.A would-be suicide attacker who detonated a homemade pipe bomb on the New York City subway has been found guilty of terror offences.

Akayed Ullah injured himself and three other people when he detonated an improvised device strapped to his chest in an underground walkway between stations near Times Square in December 2017.

After the verdict was handed down in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Ullah told the judge he had carried out the attack in retribution for the actions of the US president.

Akayed Ullah detonated a pipe bomb strapped to his chest in a subway underpass (AP)

I was angry with Donald Trump because he says he will bomb the Middle East and then he will protect his nation, he said.

Judge Richard Sullivan replied: Right now is not the time for a statement.

The trial saw Ullah claim he had only intended to kill himself during the attack, which caused no fatalities and left a handful of commuters with minor injuries.

However, prosecutors said he wanted to maim or kill commuters as part of a lone wolf terrorist attack on behalf of Isis.

They disputed the defence claim, saying Bangladeshi-born Ullah would not have worn a bomb had he wanted to kill only himself.

They also cited social media postings by the defendant, as well as claims he made to investigators after his arrest that he did it for the Islamic State.

At trial, Ullah was confronted with his post-arrest statements and his social media comments, including Facebook taunts directed at Mr Trump before the attack.

Authorities said Ullahs radicalisation began in 2014, when he started viewing materials online, including a video instructing Isis supporters to carry out attacks in their homelands.

In closing arguments Monday, assistant US attorney George Turner said Ullah told investigators he wanted to avenge US aggression towards Isis and chose a busy weekday morning to attack, hoping to cause maximum damage.

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The prosecutor said the 28-year-old, of Brooklyn, followed the propaganda group online and wanted to follow its instructions to carry out a lone wolf terror attack on Americans.

His goal was to injure and kill innocent civilians, to terrorise, Mr Turner added.

Ullahs attorney Amy Gallicchio, had argued her client had detonated the device strapped to himself in an isolated corridor, as opposed to a packed subway carriage, in a bid to take his own life.

It was a disturbing act by a disturbed man, she said. This is not a lone-wolf attack.

Additional reporting by APIts not the most typical scenario: a Democrat who lost against a widely-unpopular Republican incumbent has become one of the potential frontrunners in the next presidential election.

Then again, Beto ORourke is not your typical political candidate.

The Democratic congressman, who sought to unseat Ted Cruz in the Texas midterms, garnered national recognition for launching a campaign based on unity and bipartisanship. His race broke fundraising records and spurred voter turnout across the Lone Star state, comparable to presidential elections.

For a region that had not elected a Democrat to statewide office in more than 30 years, it appeared for a moment in time as if Texas was about to send a progressive to the US Senate.

Mr ORourke won over more than 48 per cent of the state compared to Mr Cruz, who received 51 per cent of votes, with 94 per cent of polling sites reporting their data, the Associated Press reported early on Wednesday morning.

But the rising Democratic star captured the hearts and minds of voters across the country, who saw him as the perfect representation of a blue wave threatening to unseat a slate of Republican incumbents such as Mr Cruz in reliably red regions that became battleground states during this historic election season.

Its a very good day for his presidential prospects, but the campaign will start today, Brian Klaas, a political scientist and US election specialist at University College London, told The Independent.

Mr ORourke running for his partys presidential nomination, had he won on Tuesday night, would have been broadly seen as abandoning his post, Mr Klaas said.

The people who are opposed to the idea of Beto running will say, But what has he won other than a House seat? And thats the conventional wisdom, that you need to win the governorship or a Senate race statewide.

But Donald Trump didnt do that, so I think hes going to be a viable candidate almost immediately. Hes got the charisma, hes from a red state, which means he can pick up voters in non-traditional parts of America for Democrats, he would made Texas competitive  that would be an earthquake for the electoral college.

 Ted Cruz congratulates Beto O'Rourke 'he poured his heart into this campaign'

However, there are factors which make it unlikely Mr ORourke will win the Democratic nomination for 2020, including  Mr Klaas noted  the man himself having previously ruled it out.

Another is that the midterms were generally a victory of women, setting the Democratic nomination up for a potential female candidate.

If he doesnt run, and somebody who is a woman does, I think he would be the top choice for vice-presidential candidate, Mr Klaas said, adding: Hell either run, or hell be in contention very quickly for vice-presidential consideration.

Tony Pierce, who travelled from California to Texas with his wife in October in order to campaign for the Democratic candidate, told The Independent: I really think Texas is on its way. This is the start of their story. The next generations are going to build from here, and maybe thats the most inspiring part of all of this.

Shortly after the election was called for Mr Cruz, Twitter erupted with calls for Mr ORourke to now run in 2020 against Donald Trump  who threw his support behind Mr Cruz, stumping for his former opponent with whom he had exchanged controversial insults during the general election just two years ago.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Mr ORourke thanked his supporters on Tuesday night, telling them in a concession speech that immediately went viral: Im so f*cking proud of you guys.

He added: Tonights loss does nothing to diminish the way I feel about Texas or this country. I believe in you. I believe in Texas. I believe in this country.

Throughout the election, Mr ORourke flatly denied he would run against the president in 2020 if elected to the US Senate.

However, his loss has now left the door open for him to launch a presidential bid ahead of the next elections  and at a time when the Democratic Party has no clear frontrunner, the slot could easily go to a popular Democrat from a state like Texas rather than a coastal region such as New York or California.

#Beto2020 was one of the top trending hashtags on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with Twitter users imploring the Democrat to consider another campaign in the months ahead.

Beto might have lost Texas but his loss has paved the way for him to run for president, one user wrote.

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I dont know enough but I sure like what I see so far; and I know that sometimes things happens for a reason, said another.

As for Mr ORourke, the Democrat did not mention 2020 in his concession speech on Tuesday night. However, he hinted at continuing to fight for bipartisan values in Texas.

Ill work with anyone  anyone, anytime, anywhere  to make sure in the same way that youve been there for us, that now we can be there for you, he concluded. Not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Texans, as Americans.The midterm elections produced a mixed bag of results when it came down to the states considering legalising or marijuana for medical or recreational purposes.

Two states considered whether to legalise cannabis for recreational purposes, with voters in Michigan approving legalising the drug while those in North Dakota voting against doing so.

Meanwhile, voters in Utah and Missouri approved measures to legalise weed for medical purposes, in spite of protest from the Mormon church in Utah where a considerable portion of the population adheres to the religion.

The approval of recreational marijuana in Michigan would make it the 10th US state to legalise the drug for that use, after prominent states like Colorado, Washington, and California have paved the way. Recreational marijuana is also legal in the District of Columbia.

Medical marijuana will be legal in 33 states with the passage of ballot initiatives in Utah and Missouri.

The push for the legalisation of marijuana in the United States has led to an explosion in the market over the past several years.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Legal marijuana sales reached $9.7 billion in 2017, according to a report form Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics. That figure is a 33 per cent increase over the sales in 2016, and showed that legal marijuana sales could grow even in the face of an federal government that is anything but friendly to lax marijuana laws.

That market is only expected to grow, according to the report, and it is expected that legal marijuana will reach $24.8 billion in sales by 2021. That would represent a 28 per cent annual compound growth rate as more and more states legalise the drug for use.

The majority of Americans support legalisation of marijuana, with 64 per cent of Americans saying they favour legalisation in 2017. That poll showed that Republicans, too, backed legalisation for the first time.Democrats have regained control of the House  and plan to immediately take advantage of their newfound power.

The party enjoyed historic victories across the country in the 2018 midterms, unseating a string of Republican incumbents and introducing a wave of progressive first-time candidates, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York City to Ayanna Pressley in Boston.

With those wins has also come the power to subpoena Donald Trump, launch numerous investigations into his White House administration and relaunch probes into his 2016 campaign.

On Tuesday night, as polling data was pouring in from across the country showing a Democratic takeover, New York congressman Jerry Nadler issued a warning to the president.

This election was about accountability, The Democrat  who is now slated to become the chair of the House Judiciary Committee  said.

Donald Trump may not like hearing it but for the first time, his administration is going to be held accountable.

"Hes going to learn that hes not above the law."

Elijah Cummings, another key Democrat expected to chair a House committee, warned that lawmakers probably will seek to demand the presidents tax returns, which he refused to disclose during the 2016 presidential elections.

Those warnings were also echoed by a source who reportedly told MSNBCs Ari Melber the US House Ways and Means committee was intending to request Mr Trumps tax returns if the Democrats did successfully gain control on Election Day.

On Tuesday, Mr Nadler made clear he would be willing to use the subpoena powers his party had been handed during the crucial election.

Well use subpoena power if we have to, when we have to, he said.

However, it remains unseen whether the Democratic Party will collectively seek to remove Mr Trump from office  an unlikely move as the US Senate remains controlled by the Republicans, who have the president to thank in part for many of the partys narrow victories across the country.

Mr Nadler said its way too early to discuss impeachment proceedings after the midterms, while stopping just short of outright refusing to consider impeachment dependent on the outcome of a federal probe led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Mr Trump has a slew of Democratic opponents to face under the new House leadership, who will now head up some of the most important congressional committees.

Maxine Waters, an ardent Trump critic who has railed against the president for refusing to disclose his tax returns, is slated to become the chair of the House Financial Services committee. Adam Schiff will now lead the US House Intelligence Committee, as Mr Cummings chairs the Oversight committee.

Each of those committees could launch major investigations into Mr Trump and his dealings, potentially leading to two years of gridlock and contentious battles between congress and the Oval Office.

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On Tuesday night, Mr Nadler released a statement celebrating the Democratic victories and vowing accountability throughout Washington.

Tonight, the American people said definitively that they want to see a government that is being held accountable to our laws, to our values, and to the interests of the American people, he said.

Americans are tired of watching a Republican Congress fail in its constitutional duty to hold the administration accountable for policies that rip children from the arms of their parents, that allow domestic abusers and white supremacists to get their hands on deadly firearms without a full background check, that allow voters to be intimidated and their voices suppressed, that enable pervasive corruption to influence decision making at the highest levels of government, and that undermine the rule of law and interfere with the independence of our justice system.

This is what has been missing from the Republican congress, which has refused to uphold our laws off conduct oversight on important issues, and we must re-assert that we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.A voter advocacy group filed an emergency lawsuit just hours before polls closed in Georgia to keep Republican candidate and current secretary of state from presiding over his race against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Ms Abrams is hoping to make history by becoming the first African American, female governor in the US, all while the race has been plagued by perceived voter suppression.

Protect Democracy, the group who filed the suit, said in a statement Mr Kemp maintaining his government position while running violates a basic notion of fairness.

:: Follow live coverage as midterm results pour in from across US on crucial night for Trump

It added: "a man should not be a judge in his own matter  and has had predictable results: in recent days Defendant Kemp has used the official powers of his office to interfere in the election to benefit himself and his political party and disadvantage his opponents".

In the court document, Project Democracy said in the court filing Mr Kemp staying in office "poses a risk of bias under the best circumstances".

 Georgia gubernatorial candidate: 'I only remember the man who tried to tell me I don't belong'

The group has cited Mr Kemp's accusation against Democrats that they hacked the electoral system in the state after the state party reported a possible cybersecurity breach to Mr Kemp's government office.

The controversy is nothing new for this race.

Just days before ballots were cast, federal judges issued two rulings against the secretary of state's efforts to not count certain votes.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

In one ruling, approximately 3,600 new US citizens had asked for their ballots to be counted. The state's 159 separate county boards of elections use motor vehicle records to determine voter eligibility, but the records had not been updated with these voter's new citizenship status.

It resulted in their voter registrations to initially be rejected. The judge ruled these new Americans should be allowed to vote if they provide a poll worker proof of their citizenship.

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The other ruling was to have more than 50,000 absentee ballots, filed by voters who are travelling or stationed aboard during Election Day or early voting days, be counted after being rejected originally.

The Gwinnett County board of elections rejected the applications based on the state's "exact match" policy enacted by Mr Kemp in his official capacity.

The county has one of the fastest growing minority populations in the state as well, prompting several critics to cry foul about "blatant" voter suppression as Dr Carol Anderson, professor and author of One Person, No Vote, told The Independent.

Mr Kemp's campaign has not yet commented on the lawsuit.The Democratic Party has reclaimed control of the House during the historic 2018 midterm elections, as the Republicans held onto their majority in the US Senate.

Voters flocked to the polls for the first time since Donald Trump was elected in 2016. In many ways, the midterms were seen as a referendum on his presidency  and with the Democratic Partys victory comes numerous obstacles his administration will now face in attempting to push forward his conservative America First agenda.

Democrats flipped a slate of seats held by Republican incumbents in battleground states like Florida, Georgia and Texas, securing a significant majority that allows them to begin holding White House administration officials accountable, including the president.

Already, several Democrats have expressed an intention to demand the presidents tax returns, which Mr Trump refused to disclose during the 2016 general election.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high this year, as numerous Republicans faced a wave of progressive Democrats with bold agendas for their respective districts.

Tuesdays elections also tested the strength of a Trump-era political realignment defined by evolving divisions among voters by race, gender, and especially education.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Democrats relied more upon women, people of colour, young people and college graduates to push them over the finish line.

Women voted considerably more in favour of their congressional Democratic candidate  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 non-voters.

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In suburban areas where key House races were decided, voters skewed significantly towards Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

The demographic divides were colouring the political landscape in different ways.

History was working against the president in the Senate: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Additional reporting by AP.The Democrats are expected to win control of the House Representatives, according to a projection by Fox News.

While only 138 of the 455 seats had been officially counted by 9.50pm, the news channel projected the Democrats would flip the 23 seats required to take control of the lower chamber of congress.

While strategists from both parties had predicted such an outcome, such a result would likely create genuine challenges for Donald Trump.

While it would give him an opportunity to work Democrats  something he has claimed he is ready to do  the House is where any impeachment proceedings against him would begin.

 Midterm elections: Video shows voting machine select Republican candidate instead of Democrat in Indiana

Even if Democrats decided not to push for impeachments, they would at the very least be able to hold numerous hearings into the administrations actions.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Going into the night, most pundits believed the Republicans would do well enough to hold onto their narrow Senate advantage, and perhaps even add one or two seats  Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were both considered vulnerable.

They also predicted the Democrats would do well enough to win enough seats to pass the 218 seats needed to bag the House.

The drumbeat you hear across America is people voting, said Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who would hope to become Speaker of the House if Republicans lose.

I feel confident we will win.A Michigan reporter has been fired for unwittingly leaving a profanity-laced voicemail to a Republican candidate in the 2018 midterm elections.

Brenda Battel, who worked as a staff writer for the Huron Daily Tribune, was let go from the local rural newspaper after her accidental voicemail was first reported by the Daily Caller.

The reporter was apparently attempting to contact conservative candidate John James on Monday afternoon when she seemingly believed she had hung up the phone before saying: Man, if he beats her...Jesus!

F***ing John James, she added. That would suck!  I dont think its going to happen though.

Mr James was running as the Republican candidate in Michigan, where he lost Tuesday night to Democratic candidate Debbie Stabenow for US Senate.

Prior to his defeat, the Republicans senatorial campaign released the voicemail recording in a video uploaded to YouTube titled Voicemail.

The recording had garnered over 200,000 views by Tuesday night.

Ms Battel had worked at the Huron Daily Tribune for less than three years, according to her editor, Kate Hessling.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Its imperative that our reporters act professional and neutral when dealing with the public, and that was not done in this situation, the editor told the Washington Post on Monday. And that was inexcusable.

The newspaper also posted a public apology to Mr James and his campaign, writing on its website, The Huron Daily Tribune sincerely apologises to Mr. James and to the public. These statements do not represent the views of the Tribune as a whole, nor do they reflect the actions of a responsible journalist.

However, Mr James was no longer focused on the controversy after Tuesday nights election, thanking his supporters for their support during the crucial election.

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Thank you, co-pilots, the veteran tweeted. Your love and support means the world to me and my family. Our campaign has been about protecting the American Dream for future generations.

We elevated some important issues and our movement isnt going anywhere, he continued, adding, God Bless.

By Tuesday night, Ms Battels social media pages all appeared to have been removed or disabled, except for her Twitter account. The reporter tweeted, My apologies to @JohnJamesMI. I am human. I made a mistake.

While I did my best to be a fair, objective, professional journalist, what I said reflected none of those traits, she continued. For this, I am truly sorry to all of those who have been affected by my mistake.A deceased brothel owner and reality television star has won a state assembly seat in Nevada in the midterm elections.

Dennis Hof, who owned seven legal brothels in the state, died last month during his 72nd birthday celebrations.

His body was found on 16 October at his Love Ranch, in Crystal, Nevada.

The aspiring politician called himself "the Trump of Pahrump, after the town he hoped to represent.

He also wrote a book called The Art Of The Pimp, playing on the title of Donald Trump's own book The Art Of The Deal.

Hof posthumously defeated Democratic school administrator Lesia Romanov on Tuesday, according to The Nevada Independent.

"My man Dennis Hof crushed his opponent from the great beyond," Chuck Muth, his campaign manager, wrote on Twitter.

Hof's name was kept on the midterm election ballots as it was too late to alter them by the time of his death.

Mr Muth previously predicted that the 72-year-old's death would help him to victory,

"There are a lot of Republicans who were uncomfortable voting for Dennis because of the nature of his business and they now know that he is not the one who will be serving," the campaign manager said to Reuters.

They will feel much more comfortable casting the ballot for him knowing there will be another Republican to replace him."

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Nevada is the only state in the US where prostitution remains legal in some areas.

County commissioners will now meet to approve another local Republican put forward by the GOP to fill the seat,The results of the midterm elections will install a new wave of diverse, progressive, first-time candidates in congress.

Ahead of the election, white men represented 69 per cent of all governors and members of congress, but just a third of the United States population. This year, 58 per cent of candidates were white men.

As the results came in, the 2018 midterms became a night of firsts.

Women were running in record numbers as well as black and ethnic minorities and LGBT+ candidates who were in the running for House, Senate and governor seats, all helping to make it a record year for diversity.

Here are the newly elected congresspersons helping to diversify US politics and address the countrys historic imbalance.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Ocasio-Cortez was the shock winner in the Democratic primaries (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

At 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become the youngest women ever elected to congress. She will represent New Yorks 14th congressional district. A year before successfully taking on 10-term Democrat incumbent Joe Crowley in the 2018 primaries, Ms Ocasio-Cortez was working in bar to help support her family.

Our district is 70 per cent people of colour, and we have never had a person of colour represent us in American history, she said ahead of the election.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

Ayanna Pressley

Pressley defeated 10-term Republican Michael Capuano (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Ayanna Pressley has become Massachusetts first black congresswoman. In the state primary the Democrat defeated 10-term Republican Michael Capuano in a significant political upset. She had already become the first black woman to be elected to Boston City Council in 2009.

After her electoral victory last night she asked her supporters: Can a congresswoman wear her hair in braids? Rock a black leather jacket?

Young Kim

Young Kim is the first Korean-American elected to congress (AP)

Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to congress, representing Californias 39th Congressional District. She is herself an immigrant from South Korea and is said to have diverging views from Donald Trump on issues including immigration and trade.

Deb Haaland

Native American Haaland called for the impeachment of Donald Trump (Photos Debra Haaland)

Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids (see below).

Ms Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, and ran a campaign calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump as well as calling for greater environmental action and universal healthcare.

Sharice Davids

Davids and Haaland, above, are the first Native American women elected to congress (AP)

Sharice Davids of Kansas won her seat to become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House.

Ms Davids is an attorney and member of the Ho-Chunk nation. She is also a former MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter.

Rashida Tlaib

Democrat Rashida Tlaib outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing (AP)

In 2009 Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim American woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature, and the second Muslim woman in history to be elected to any US state legislature. Her midterms election victory makes her the joint-first Muslim women elected to congress, along with Ilhan Omar (see below).

Following her historic election she said: Being there [in congress] is going to be important so that my residents feel like they have a seat at the table but also someone with a lot of courage to stand up and speak up.

Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar speaks at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Reuters)

Minnesotan politician Ilhan Omar has become the first Somali-American elected to congress. She is also the director of policy and initiatives at the Women Organizing Women Network. She was born in Mogadishu, the youngest of seven siblings. Her family fled Somalia when the civil war broke out in 1991, settling in the US in 1995. She became the very first Somali-American elected to office in the US when she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016.

She said the politics of fear motivated her to enter the race, and her progressive campaign focused on raising wages, subsidising higher education and improving access to healthcare.

Jared Polis

Jared Polis won in Colorado; he is the first openly gay governor in the US (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Colorado has elected the USs first openly gay governor. Democrat Jared Polis was also the USs first openly gay man to be elected to the House of Representatives in 2008.

His gubernatorial campaign focused on free early-childhood education, and making Colorado into becoming a 100 per cent renewable energy state.

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Lauren Underwood

Represent-elect for Illinois, Underwood was part of the Obama administration (AP)

Nurse and health policy expert Lauren Underwood has narrowly beaten Republican Randy Hultgren to win a seat representing Illinois 14th congressional district.

Ms Underwood began her political career working as a special assistant for the Obama administration in 2014. Two years later, Obama appointed her senior adviser at the US Department of Health and Human Services where she helped implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.After winning the House of Representatives from the Republicans, the focus for Democrats now moves onto the presidential election.

Despite Donald Trump hailing Tuesdays midterms results as a very big win  his party increased their majority in the senate  Republicans lost the popular vote by up to seven percentage points.

With the Democratic Party apparently in the ascendency, who will emerge to lead it into 2020 and take on Mr Trump?

Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders:

Elizabeth Warren

Senator Elizabeth Warren (Reuters)

Disparagingly called Pocahontas by Mr Trump, the Massachusetts senator already appears set to run, after she released a DNA test widely seen as an attempt to end doubts about her claims to Native American heritage.

But the move to stop Mr Trumps attacks did not go well, with many seeing the results  she has an indigenous relative six to 10 generations ago  as proof she should never have claimed the identity as her own.

Nevertheless, the 69-year-old has made a name for herself by taking on big banks and was previously touted as a potential candidate in 2016.

Joe Biden

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

The former vice-president revealed in his autobiography last year that he would likely have challenged Hillary Clinton three years ago, but for the death of his son Beau that year.

He remains popular among Democrat voters and has the advantage of his close association to Barack Obama, who remains a close friend of the 75-year-old.

Mr Bidens age, however, could count against him. He is older than Mr Trump and would be 80 midway through any first term as president  he first attempted to win the Democratic nomination in 1988.

Kamala Harris

(Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The senator for California is part of an emerging group of younger Democratic politicians with progressive stances that appeal to the partys younger and increasingly energised voters.

After midterms hailed as a victory for women  unprecedented numbers of female candidates won seats this week  a female candidate could be seen as continuing a winning strategy.

California's attorney general between 2011 and 2017, the 54-year-old was impressive during Brett Kavanaughs grilling in front of the senate judiciary committee.

Beto ORourke

(Reuters)

Despite losing his Texas senate race to Ted Cruz, Mr ORourke is tipped by many as a future presidential candidate after running his opponent close in a state without a Democratic senator in 30 years.

The 46-year-old has the charisma and fundraising ability to appeal to the Democratic National Committee, as well as being a proven draw in Texas, which, if it voted red in 2020, would almost certainly mean a Democratic victory.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

The former congressman  he retired his seat in order to run for the senate  has publicly ruled himself out from the race, though that has been far from an impediment to running in the past.

Ironically, many see Mr ORourkes failure as making it more likely he will run in 2020  a victory followed by a presidential bid would have meant appearing to abandon his post just months into the job.

Bernie Sanders

US senator Bernie Sanders (pictured) criticised Donald Trump for being 'tougher' on on 'tearing' immigrant children from their families than on Russian president Vladimir Putin (AP)

The veteran politician ran an insurgent and highly effective campaign for the Democratic nomination against Ms Clinton in 2016, only narrowly losing out despite facing a DNC opposed to his candidacy.

Hugely popular among progressives, the 77-year-old helped inspire a political awakening among many young voters and has a network of activists who could be mobilised for any future run.

Like Mr Biden, however, the Vermont senators age could prove a hindrance  he would be 79 on inauguration day  and younger candidates are beginning to fill the political space he previously inhabited alone.

Kirsten Gillibrand

(Getty Images ) (Getty)

The lawyer and senator from New York remains an outsider, but has shown herself to be one of Mr Trumps staunchest opponents in congress, having overwhelmingly voted to thwart the presidents nominees for administration jobs.

She was previously considered a relatively conservative Democrat, but has veered left on issues such as gun control and immigration  she was the first senator to call for the abolishment of ICE earlier this year  since winning her seat in 2009.

The resistance to Mr Trump will play well with her partys base, though her previous support for conservative issues as a member of the House could undermine any attempt to win the nomination.The long prophesied blue wave was not the tsunami the Democrats had hoped for, but the party did successfully wrest control of the House of Representatives, bringing an end to the triple-headed Republican power-hold in Washington DC.

The Democrats gained over 30 seats in the House to give them their first majority since 2006, during George W Bushs second term, and which was lost in 2010 two years after Barack Obama took office.

The win installs a wave of diverse, progressive, first-time candidates in Congress, and the party immediately plans to take advantage of their newfound powers, which include being able to subpoena Donald Trump, relaunch probes into his 2016 presidential campaign and launch fresh investigations into his administration.

Democrat preparations for action in case of winning the House have reportedly been underway for months.

But the Republicans clung on to the Senate  the upper house  in an election that saw them defending nine seats  far fewer than the Democrats 26 which were up for grabs.

The Democrats may be in a stronger position than they have been in Congress for eight years, but without majorities in both congressional houses they will still struggle to block many of the Trump administrations political moves.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

With the Senate still on his side, Mr Trump will retain his ability to appoint his picks to the Supreme Court and Cabinet.

Nonetheless, the shift means Donald Trump could be forced to use diplomacy if he wishes to push through major pieces of legislation. Having spent his political career aggressively disparaging the opposition, the power shift could force the president to reassess his methods.

What can the Democrats do now they control the House?

Impeachment

With a Democrat majority there is likely to be a surge in investigations into the presidents numerous scandals and controversies  the party will have more money, staff, and control over the chambers committees. It is possible they could pursue formal impeachment action against Mr Trump, but there are major caveats and obstacles.

The House of Representatives can instigate impeachment proceedings, but it requires a majority House vote. With a Democrat majority, that is now much more likely, though many Democrats would be cautious about taking such action as historically such a move has generated a voter backlash.

Even if the House did take impeachment action, two-thirds of the Senate would then have to vote in favour of it, and the Republicans have strengthened their control of the Senate, making impeachment unlikely to be successful.

It is also thought Democrats are unlikely to make any serious moves towards impeachment until Robert Muellers investigation into election interference and possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign is complete.

Tax returns

Ever since Mr Trump announced his intention to run for president, his decision not to release his tax returns has been a major bone of contention.

Pursuing the elusive documents is said to be a top priority for the Democrats following their electoral success.

Representative Richard Neal, who is expected to lead the House Ways and Means Committee, told CNN in October he plans to first ask Mr Trump for them. Mr Trump has been asked to hand them over in the past, and has refused, but Mr Neal has said if the president does not hand them over, he will use an arcane IRS code to formally request them, a move expected to launch a lengthy legal battle.

But the documents could then be examined to see if Mr Trump had any business ties with Russia that could have led to Russian interference.

Russia

Speaking of Russia, a Democratic House could reopen the congressional investigation into Mr Trumps relationship with Russia, which the Republican-led house closed in March. A reopened investigation would be informed by Mr Muellers ongoing probe, and would likely seek to go after any unanswered questions from that investigation in order to reveal more and put further pressure on the president.

Mexico border wall

In order for spending bills to be enacted, they need to be passed by both the House and the Senate. With a Democratic-controlled House, any Republican efforts to secure funding for a US-Mexican border wall could be blocked from passing.

The Republicans have said they are committed to ensuring they secure the funding for the presidents signature election pledge, but Democrats have signalled they are willing to fight border funding.

In August Mr Trump said he was looking for about $5bn (3.8bn) in funding for this coming year, adding: Were building the wall, step by step.

In March, Congress allocated $1.6bn (1.2bn) in border spending  a portion of which will go towards replacing sections of existing border walls.

Healthcare

The two key issues on voters minds for the 2018 midterms appeared to be immigration and healthcare, with the Democrats running a strong campaign on protecting elements of improved affordability of healthcare insurance installed by the Obama administration.

The Democrats House leader Nancy Pelosi said after the midterms the party would focus on fighting to protect Medicare and Medicaid  long running programmes to provide health insurance to over-65s and disabled people regardless of income.

Democrats have also said they want to lower drug prices and health cover premiums and aim to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions from higher insurance premiums.

Dismantling Mr Obamas health reforms have been a key aspect of Mr Trumps legislative programme, but he struggled even to convince his own party that removing Obamacare in its entirety was a good idea.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Iran

Democrats were enraged by Mr Trumps withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran brokered by the Obama administration in 2015. But even with a House majority there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House.

US politicians are also wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties.

Trumps future ambitions

Donald Trump has already registered his 2020 campaign slogan as Keep America Great. Is the Democrat House win a setback to his presidential ambitions?

Losing control of the House, is entirely in keeping with recent US political history and is unlikely to spell disaster for Mr Trump in the coming years.

Most presidents who lose one or even both houses in their first midterms go on to re-election  including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.

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Herbert Hoover was the last president who lost a majority in Congress during his first term and then lost re-election  and that was in 1933 as the US was picking up the pieces of the stock market crash. But todays US economy is in comparatively rude health.Half of America is very unhappy with the presidency of Donald Trump, exit polls suggested, as millions cast their ballots in the costliest midterm elections in history and one considered the most consequential for decades.

Mr Trumps name was not on the ballot  the White House issued a statement saying he and the first lady were watching the result come on television  but early indications suggested the presidents approval rating, which at times has been historically know, was proving to be a crucial factor.

CNN said exit polls from across the country, suggested almost half of voters said they strongly disapproved of the presidents stewardship of the country, while 40 per cent said they approved of it. In all, two-thirds said Mr Trump was a factor in the way they cast their ballot.

As president, Donald Trump has headlined an unprecedented 50 rallies  30 in the last two months aloneand he has campaigned for dozens of candidates at all levels of government, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said in a statement.

The president has energised a staggering number of Americans at packed arenas and in overflow crowds at rallies across the country. Under President Trumps leadership, the Republican National Committee has raised more than a quarter billion dollars.

She added: The president and first lady look forward to watching the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

While turnout is typically lower during a midterm election than one when the White House is up for grabs, reports from various key states  among them Georgia, Kentucky and Indiana  suggested that long lines of voters turned out.

An awful is at stake in the 2018 midterms  a set of elections the parties are expected to have spent more than $5bn contesting. While much attention has been on the battles for the House of Representatives and Senate, dozens of races for governorships were also taking place. In Georgia, where the race has been dogged by accusations of voter suppression of minority communities, Stacey Abrams was seeking to make history by being the first black woman elected as a sate governor.

Going into the night, most pundits believed the Republicans would do well enough to hold onto their narrow advantage, and perhaps even add one or two seats  Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were both considered vulnerable.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

They also predicted the Democrats would do well enough to flip the 23 seats they need to win the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of congress and where any impeachment effort against Mr Trump would start out.

Early on Tuesday evening, lots of attention was being paid to Kentuckys 6th congressional district where Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine battling to oust Republican incumbent Andy Barr. Experts said if the Democrats were to enjoy the so-called blue wave many have talked about, a victory for Ms Mcgrath would be an early indicator of one. With around 70 per cent of the vote counted, Ms Mcgrath led Mr Barr 49.549.2

The drumbeat you hear across America is people voting, said Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who would hope to become Speaker of the House if Republicans lose it. I feel confident we will win.

The first actual result this cycle was in Guam, where the governors race was won by Democrat Lou Leon Guerrero  flipping the office from the Republicans for the first time since 2003.

Among its early projections, CNN predicted that Bernie Sanders would be reelected to his senate seat in Vermont. That means the 77-year-old is set for another six years unless Hillary Clintons surprisingly strong primary challenger in 2016, decides to make another run for the White House in two years time, something that would thrill his many supporters.Half of America is very unhappy with the presidency of Donald Trump, exit polls suggested, as millions cast their ballots in the costliest midterm elections in history and one considered the most consequential for decades.

Mr Trumps name was not on the ballot  the White House issued a statement saying he and the first lady were watching the results come through on television  but early indications suggested the presidents approval rating, which at times has been historically low, was proving to be a crucial factor.

CNN said exit polls from across the country suggested that almost half of voters strongly disapproved of the presidents stewardship of the country, while 40 per cent approved of it. In all, two-thirds said Mr Trump was a factor in the way they cast their ballot.

As president, Donald Trump has headlined an unprecedented 50 rallies  30 in the last two months alone  and he has campaigned for dozens of candidates at all levels of government, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.

The president has energised a staggering number of Americans at packed arenas and in overflow crowds at rallies across the country. Under President Trumps leadership, the Republican National Committee has raised more than a quarter [of a] billion dollars.

The president and first lady look forward to watching the results come in with friends and family in the White House residence.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

While turnout is typically lower during a midterm election than one when the White House is up for grabs, reports from various key states  among them Georgia, Kentucky and Indiana  suggested that long lines of voters turned out.

An awful lot is at stake in the 2018 midterms  a set of elections the parties are expected to have spent more than $5bn (3.8bn) contesting. While much of the attention has been on the battles for the House of Representatives and the Senate, dozens of races for governorships were also taking place.

In Georgia, where the race has been dogged by accusations of voter suppression of minority communities, Stacey Abrams was seeking to make history by being the first black woman elected as a state governor.

Going into the night, most pundits believed the Republicans would do well enough to hold onto their narrow advantage, and perhaps even add one or two seats; Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were both considered vulnerable.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

They also predicted the Democrats would do well enough to flip the 23 seats they need to win the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress and where any impeachment effort against Mr Trump would start out.

Early on Tuesday evening, lots of attention was being paid to Kentuckys 6th congressional district where Democrat Amy McGrath, a former Marine, was battling to oust Republican incumbent Andy Barr. Experts said if the Democrats were to enjoy the so-called blue wave many have talked about, a victory for Ms Mcgrath would be an early indicator of one. With around 70 per cent of the vote counted, Ms McGrath led Mr Barr 49.549.2

The drumbeat you hear across America is people voting, said Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who would hope to become Speaker of the House if Republicans lost it. I feel confident we will win.

The first actual result this cycle was in Guam, where the governors race was won by Democrat Lou Leon Guerrero  flipping the office from the Republicans for the first time since 2003.

Among its early projections, CNN predicted that Bernie Sanders would be re-elected to his senate seat in Vermont. That means the 77-year-old is set for another six years unless Hillary Clintons surprisingly strong primary challenger in 2016 decides to make another run for the White House in two years time, something that would thrill his many supporters.At around 11.15pm on election night, Donald Trump decided it was time to tweet.

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all, he said.

The White House said the president and the first lady, Melania, had been watching the election results pour in at the official residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in the company of friends and family.

Recommended Democrats take back control of House in major political shift for US

Were they watching a different election? Were they watching a movie? Had the teetotal president suddenly decided to visit the White House champagne cellar? How else, then, to account for such remarks?

Tuesday night was not a humiliation for Trump or the Republicans. They worked hard to hold on to control of the Senate. They also did enough to see off challenges from progressive would-be governors such as Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida

In Texas, Ted Cruz, the man who was effectively the Republican runner up to Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, saw off a stunning challenge from the charismatic Beto ORourke. All of that belongs in the positive pile.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

But Trumps evening tweet appeared to ignore the biggest takeaway of the night  the Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and his life is likely to become very much tougher indeed. At the time of writing, it is predicted the Democrats would have a majority of as many as 35 seats in the chamber.

As Bill Clinton knows, the House is where most legislation starts life, and where any impeachment of the president would begin. For tactical reasons, the Democrats did not talk about impeachment during the campaign, but once they take majority control of the House, that is likely to change.

At the very least, with a new crop of progressive representatives taking their seats  among them Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Alyssa Pressley and Ilhan Omar  there will be pressure on the leadership of the Democrats to press for hearings into the administrations conduct.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

That pressure will become all the more insistent if special counsel Robert Mueller returns a report that suggests Trump was somehow involved in colluding with Russia over the 2016 election.

Nancy Pelosi, the current Democratic leader in the House, celebrated the win with a phrase she may have borrowed from Ronald Reagan. Tomorrow will be a new day in America. Remember this feeling  the power to win.

One Democrat was very blunt about what Mr Trump now faced. Jerry Nadler said: Hes going to learn that hes not above the law. Others vowed to press the president to release his tax returns.

David Axelrod, the former chief strategist to Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, may have put it best on CNN.

He can claim that he feels good about about losing the House tonight. But you wont feel happy about down the road, said Axelrod, who was in the White House when Obama lost both the Senate and the House in the 2010 midterms.

He added: Youre always under scrutiny. You have to play defence.The results of the US midterm elections were broadly as expected and may not appear, on the surface, to be too bad for Donald Trump. The Democrats won the House, but the Republicans increased their grip, albeit slightly, on the Senate.

The outcome, however, is of great significance for the investigations into whether the US president was the Muscovian candidate for the White House, put there by Vladimir Putin.

It may also go towards shedding more light into Trumps personal finances, which he has managed to keep opaque. This is not just relating to his tax returns, which unlike previous presidents he has failed to produce, but also allegations about the financing of his property companies.

The plus factor for Mr Trump is that the increased Republican majority in the Senate makes it easier for him to fire the attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein. Indeed Mr Sessions was forced out by Wednesday afternoon. The Democrats are now less able to protect Mr Rosenstein, who - along with Mr Sessions - the president and his cheerleaders have publicly blamed for failing to curb special envoy Robert Muellers investigation into Russian collusion.

But the scenario that some of the presidents supporters have envisaged  one in which either of the replacements for Mr Sessions and Mr Rosenstein shut down the Mueller inquiry - is now unlikely, with the Democrats in charge of the House exploring measures to safeguard the special envoys task.

Mr Mueller and his team have kept a low profile in the run-up to the midterms by observing the justice department custom of not issuing indictments in the 60 days leading up to an election, or making any major pronouncements about the investigation.

This is what James Comey, when FBI director, singularly failed to do during the 2016 presidential election, announcing that he was re-opening the case of Hillary Clintons emails  an intervention that damaged her campaign and contributed to her losing at the polls.

The only thing of note about the Mueller probe in recent weeks has been a plot by right-wing activists involving false allegations against the special envoy, which quickly fell apart after checks by the media. Mr Mueller asked the FBI to look into the claims against him and this may lead to another line of inquiry if the attempted smear is shown to have any links with the Trump team.

The obvious question now is if and when impeachment proceedings will begin. A Washington Post-Schar School poll of battleground districts showed that nearly two-thirds of those who voted Democrat want congress to begin the process to remove Trump from office. A CNN exit poll found 77 per cent of Democrats and 33 per cent describing themselves as independents supported impeachment.

Democratic Party leaders, however, are cautious, with Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, saying she would not want to start proceedings without the backing of some Republicans. The move, she held, would have to be bipartisan and the evidence would have to be so conclusive.

The main source of any incriminating evidence would be Mr Muellers report, which may come before Christmas, although the timing is dependent on whether or not he gets to question Mr Trump. But, in the meantime, the switch in the control of the House means that the volume of investigations into Trump, his family and associates is going to rise significantly.

One of the main topics of interest is inevitably Trumps tax returns. Representative Richard Neal, who is due to head the Ways and Means Committee, has said he will ask Trump for them and, if he continues to refuse providing them, formally request the documents using IRS rules  a process that could take months through the courts.

The Oversight and Government Reform Committee has also stressed that it is going to be active. Elijah Cummings, who is expected to lead the committee, has wanted to stress he will try to be bipartisan.

I dont want people to think we are going to rush in and beat up on Trump, he said, before adding that the plan is to look at all things the president has done that go against the mandates of our founding fathers in the Constitution. He said: Right now, we have a president who is accountable to no one.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee have stated they will be looking at a range of issues, including the Trump administration separating refugee families, its reaction to the rise of white nationalism and the failure to defend the Affordable Care Act in a Texas court case.

Representative Jerry Nadler from New York, who will head the committee, is familiar with Mr Trumps real estate business in the city, which is part of a separate investigation. He said: Donald Trump may not like it, but, for the first time, his administration is going to be held accountable.

The allegations that Russians, including those in organised crime groups, were involved in Trump companies, is going to be one of the issues looked at by the House Intelligence Committee.

Representative Adam Schiff, who will be heading it, told CNN: The question that I dont know whether Mueller has been able to answer, because I dont know whether he has been given the licence to look into it, is Were the Russians laundering money through the Trump organisation? And that will be a very high priority to get an answer to, for the reason that, if they were doing it, its not only a crime, but its something provable.

The committee is also said to be interested in the Trump familys dealings with Deutsche Bank and what took place during talks at Trump Tower between Russians and Donald Trump Junior, the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner and his former campaign manager Paul Manafort. The British music promoter, Rob Goldstone, who arranged the meeting, has given evidence to the Mueller inquiry and Russia investigations by the House and Senate intelligence committees.

 What do the midterms mean for Trump?

The activities of the House Intelligence Committee will be of particular interest. It was accused of trying to carry out a cover-up for Trump in the Russia investigation with its previous Republican chairman, Devin Nunes, having to step down temporarily last year after it was revealed that he had made secret trips to the White House.

Under him, the committee sent two officials to London in an attempt, it was claimed, to discredit Christopher Steele, the former MI6 officer who produced the explosive dossier on Trumps Russian connection.

The Mueller investigation, meanwhile, continues. One of the latest lines of examination is the role of Trump advisor Roger Stone, who according to leaked emails told the Trump campaign that Democratic Party emails said to have been hacked by the Russians were about to come out before they became public.

Michael Cohen, Trumps personal lawyer, has testified under oath in open court that the president directed him to commit an election law felony. Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, the presidents former national security advisor, both already convicted, continue to be cooperating witnesses. Thirty-two people have already been charged so far in the investigation.

The midterms, as they have turned out, have not been the beginning of the end for Mr Trumps Russiagate woes; they appear instead to be just the end of the beginning  with a lot more to come out as the new-look congress begins its scrutiny of the president.Iran is worried about the health of US democracy.

Iranian state television zeroed on the voting irregularities reported throughout America during midterm elections, watched closely in the Islamic republic as well as around the world as a verdict on the first 22 months of the presidency of Donald Trump.

US rights groups report problems with machines in a dozen states, said a recurring caption on state-owned English-language Press TV.

Irans hardline Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, spun an entire article out of a tweet by Richard Haas, a former US diplomat who is president of the Council on Foreign Relations, lamenting that the election results underscore just how divided we are.

Irans US midterm election coverage highlighted irregularities at the polls (Press TV)

Perhaps no other nation has more of a stake in the success or failure of President Trump than Iran, which has become a target of the White House over its missile programme and deployment of armed proxies throughout the Middle East.

The US also regularly lambasts Irans human rights record. Last week, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in an interview that Washington wanted to restore democracy to Iran, adding to fears that the US seeks regime change in Tehran.

Just days before the elections on Tuesday, President Trumps adjutants unveiled what they touted as the toughest sanctions in history against the Islamic republic in a move that will likely increase economic hardship for ordinary Iranians. Some Iranians hoped that opposition Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives from Republicans might force President Trump to ease his policies.

Recommended These are the key new faces diversifying US politics

Everyone hoped the Democrats would take the Senate, and some in Iran believe that the pursuit of domestic issues and investigations by the House of Representatives could keep Trump busy and distract him from Iran a little bit, said Rohollah Faghihi, a Tehran-based writer and researcher who contributes to news website Al Monitor.

Iranian officials were largely silent on the election results. Most were off duty yesterday at the start of a long holiday marking the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

Many Iranians on social media celebrated the victory of Florida state legislature candidate Anna Eskamani, an Iranian-American Democrat, as well as other Muslim women voted to congress in Minnesota and Michigan.

Press TV regularly touted a tweet by EU deputy commissioner Frans Timmerman, who described the election as a victory of hope over fear, civility over rudeness, inclusion over racism, equality over discrimination.

US midterms Show all 15 1 /15 US midterms US midterms US midterms Candidates are fighting for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. The lower house of the United States Congress currently has a Republican majority Getty US midterms US midterms 33 of the 100 seats in the US Senate are up for grabs. The upper house of the United States Congress currently has a Democratic majority AFP/Getty US midterms US midterms President Barack Obama is braced for a potential clobbering from voters. If the Republicans emerge as the majority party in the Senate, the impact would be considerable Getty US midterms US midterms Michelle Nunn: Democratic US Senate candidate for Atlanta, Georgia Getty US midterms US midterms Nunn is in a tight race with Republican candidate David Perdue Getty US midterms US midterms Jason Carter: Democratic candidate for Governor of Georgia. The grandson of 39th US President, Jimmy Carter, is surging against the incumbent Republican Nathan Deal Getty US midterms US midterms In Florida Charlie Crist, once a Republican governor of the state, now turned Democrat, is trying to oust Rick Scott, the Republican incumbent Getty US midterms US midterms Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is hoping to win a second term If he does, he will be considered possible presidential material Getty US midterms US midterms Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, is also a possible future president, this time for the Democrats Getty US midterms US midterms Will Martha Coakley, a former Massachusetts Attorney General, be elected as the next Democratic governor of that state? AFP/Getty US midterms US midterms And an incumbent John Hickenlooper hang on for the Democrats as Governor of Colorado? Getty US midterms US midterms People will inevitably be thinking about the 2016 presidential contest. Hilary Clinton has her eyes on the prize as the forerunner in the Democratic race Getty US midterms US midterms Potential Republican Presidential candidates include Senator Rand Paul... Getty US midterms US midterms ... Republican Senator Ted Cruz Getty US midterms US midterms And former Florida Governor Jeb Bush Getty

But few believe that the elections will mark a US policy shift on Iran. Some analysts inside Iran noted that Senate Republicans tightened their grip over the more powerful upper chamber of the legislature, and that many Democrats are avowedly pro-Israel and may support the White Houses hawkish anti-Iran policies.

I think the harsh line on Iran would at best remain unchanged, if not get worse, said Babak Jafari, an international affairs correspondent for the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. Irans diplomacy apparatus lost a good opportunity to enter talks with Trump pre-election and pre-empt sanctions. Now its much more difficult for Iran.

Just as some in Washington criticise Mr Trump for having a posture rather than a policy, critics of the government of President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran argue that officials need to come up with a coherent proactive strategy to address Mr Trumps belligerence.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

Instead of pinning hopes on the collapse of Trump or exploiting the competition between political parties in the US, the Iranian government should make up its mind as to what it wants to do in the face of Trump, Ahmad Zeidabadi, an outspoken Iranian opposition activist, wrote on his Telegram page.

Regardless of where they stand on President Trump, many noted that Iran suffers endemic problems that wont go away regardless of who resides in the White House and how much power they have.

Some in Iran pray that the Trump presidential term ends as soon as possible, said Mahdi Khalili, a reformist-leaning political scientist. Some are happy and supported by Trump and his policies in trying to change the regime. The majority of society is now dissatisfied, whether on the issue of compulsory hijab, or in terms of salaries, income, and welfare.When Maria Valles Vda De Bonilla moved to the United States from El Salvador 16 years ago  aged 90  there was one thing she requested: to become a citizen.

She wanted to be able to vote in the adopted country she loves, something she was never able to do in El Salvador  first because it was not legal for women to vote, and later because the polling locations were too far away and the journey was unsafe.

On Tuesday afternoon, at age 106, Ms Bonilla sat in her wheelchair in a bright sapphire dress in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Fairfax County, Virginia, and took her oath of citizenship. She waved a tiny American flag and smiled, her eyes moist with tears.

"I am so happy, there are no words," said Ms Bonilla, who was surrounded by 18 family members who came to celebrate.

Ms Bonilla  who lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren  is not registered to vote in Virginia, so she did not get to cast a ballot vote in the midterm elections after her ceremony. But when you become a citizen at age 106, you are an optimist.

"Next time," she said, speaking in Spanish. "God willing."

It was a coincidence that the ceremony fell on an election day, she was part of a routine naturalisation ceremony with 12 other people from various countries, including Italy, India, Mexico, Cameroon and Thailand.

She is not the oldest person to be naturalised in the US. That honour goes to a Turkish immigrant who at age 117 took the oath in Los Angeles almost 20 years ago.

But Ms Bonilla is the oldest in recent memory, said Kimberly Zanotti, director of the Washington Field Office, who has worked at the office for seven years and in the Newark office for 18 years before that.

"It's fantastic," Ms Zanotti said.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

Ms Bonilla was born on 22 March 1912 and lived in rural El Salvador, farming beans, corn, rice and lettuce for most of her life. She had 18 children, according to her youngest daughter Bernarda Bonilla, 55. But only eight are still alive. Her husband died many years ago, nobody remembers exactly when, her daughter said. Her oldest child is now 75.

Women got the right to vote in El Salvador in 1939 when Ms Bonilla was 27 years old. But she lived far from a polling location for many years and never made the trip. When she got older, she moved to San Salvador, where the streets were too dangerous for her to leave the house and vote, according to her granddaughter Diana Cortez.

"You can't just walk around, no way," said her granddaughter Diana Cortez, 36. The criminal gang "MS-13 has taken over the country".

Freedom is one of the things that delights Ms Bonilla about this country, Ms Cortez said.

"She can walk around, go outside day or night, without any fear," said Ms Cortez, who is a manager at a health clinic. "We can't do that in El Salvador because of the crime."

Ms Bonilla came to the United States in 2002 to follow her children, who were all living here, and were worried about her living on her own at age 90. She also wanted to spend time with her grandchildren, who were all born here.

When she arrived, she immediately fell in love with her new home. But in recent years, her heart has started to give out, Ms Cortez said. In April, she had two heart attacks on the same day and almost died.

"She asked God to give her extra time to so this could happen," Ms Cortez said about her citizenship.

 Midterm elections: Video shows voting machine select Republican candidate instead of Democrat in Indiana

When they got home from the hospital, Ms Cortez filled out her grandmother's citizenship application and asked for a medical waiver, meaning Ms Bonilla would not have to complete the civics and language exam in order to become naturalised. The waiver was granted last week after she was interviewed by immigration officials who reviewed her paperwork. Because of her health and age, immigration officials decided to have her ceremony quickly.

Ms Bonilla was one of 19,000 people naturalised in the Washington Field Office in the past year and one of about 750,000 naturalised each year across the country.

Ms Cortez said her grandmother was honoured to be part of that group. She said the secret to her grandmother's longevity was a will to live.

"She never thought she'd live that long, to be honest," Ms Cortez said. "She doesn't know why God decided to have her here at almost 107. He must have a reason for her to be here. She wants to be here."

Then Ms Cortez paused and added another small clue.

"But grandma does like her tequila," she said. "We give her a shot sometimes. The doctor says not too much. He also says that she's 106, she can do what she wants."

The Washington PostHistory has been made after the US elected its first Muslim women to congress  Michigans Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

Ms Tlaib, a Palestinian-American, secured Michigans 13th congressional district in a race in which she was the sole major party candidate, having won the Democratic primary earlier this year.

Meanwhile, in Minnesotas Fifth congressional district, Somali-American Ms Omar bagged the seat previously held by Keith Ellison, the nations first Muslim congressman. Both women are Democrats.

Ahead of the race, Ms Tlaib told CBS: The first thing I think about when somebody says youre going to be the first Muslim is celebrate this moment. We changed the course of history at a time we thought it was impossible. And that if you just believe, believe in the possibility of someone like me.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

She added: I think people dont realise just how much of a roller-coaster it is and its happy chaos right now.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

Ms Omar, a Minnesota state congresswoman, ran a progressive platform that included Medicare for all, criminal justice reform and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, The Hill reported.

It said the Somali refugee came to the US at 12 years old. She has often spoken out against President Trumps travel ban against Muslim-majority countries.

Ms Omar beat out five other Democratic contenders for Mr Ellisons seat.

We did this together, Ms Omar tweeted. Thank you!Ted Cruz has defeated Democratic opponent Beto ORourke in Texas, securing another term as senator for the Lone Star state after a contentious battle, NBC News and CNN reported.

The Republican incumbent faced a historic challenge in Mr ORourke, an El Paso Democrat who captured the nation with a progressive campaign calling for unity in the reliably red state. However, Donald Trump threw his support behind Mr Cruz, stumping for the conservative senator in the final weeks of the election despite the two previously exchanging insults during the 2016 general elections.

Texas voters told The Independent they had supported Mr ORourke due to his progressive policies and calls for uniting a fractured and divided nation, particularly in a state where issues like abortion and gun control are considered taboo.

I agree with a lot of his positions, said Haley Smith, a San Antonio resident. My mom is a resident alien currently, so its a strong issue in my family. But Im also really concerned about our states healthcare issue, as Im a nurse, and its very, very important to me that all people can have access.

Joanne Sylvania, a Texas voter who saw Mr ORourke speak during an October rally, said she supported the candidates bipartisan messaging.

I was really taken by the unity, she said. And the fact that several times he said: You can be Republican, Democrat, independent, whatever; lets just work for the nation.

 Ted Cruz thanks supporters after re-election to US Senate

Mr Cruz began as the prohibitive favourite after his surprisingly successful 2016 presidential run, but he suddenly found himself in a tough contest against Mr O'Rourke, a little-known El Paso congressman and one-time punk rocker who became a national political sensation and shattered fundraising records despite shunning donations from outside political groups and pollster advice.

The Republican turned back his opponent with the help of Mr Trump, his bitter rival in 2016. The president took the unexpected step of travelling to reliably Republican Texas during crunch time, staging a Houston rally to energize his base for Cruz just two weeks before Election Day.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

The president praised the senator as beautiful and smart, a far cry from two years ago when he repeatedly mocked Cruz as Lyin' Ted, made fun of his wife's appearance and suggested that Mr Cruz's Cuban-born father had a hand in the assassination of John F Kennedy.

For months, Mr Cruz refused to entertain the notion that he'd lose, saying there are more Republicans in Texas than Democrats, so all he had to do to win was avoid conservative complacency. He also said Mr O'Rourke's support for impeaching Mr Trump, relaxing federal immigration policy, decriminalizing marijuana and implementing universal health care were too liberal for even many of the state's moderate Democrats and independents.

Still, the race laid bare that many Texas conservatives never forgave Cruz for clashing with Mr Trump at the end of the 2016 presidential primary and for refusing to endorse him at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland - a move many saw as putting personal ambitions over party.

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That's despite Mr Cruz being one of the fiercest supporters of the president and the policies of the Republican-controlled Congress since then, despite getting to the Senate in 2012 as a tea party insurgent intent on enraging establishment leaders from both parties.

Mr Cruz, 47, made no secret about wanting to run for president again once Trump leaves office. And though he was tested by Mr O'Rourke, avoiding what would have been a monumental upset means that remains a possibility.

Mr O'Rourke himself had been mentioned as a possible 2020 White House contender - but that was dependent on him staying within striking distance of Cruz.

Additional reporting by APAmericas political landscape has undergone a transformation, after a new crop of politicians - more diverse, more female and more progressive  helped Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives and place Donald Trump under unprecedented scrutiny.

After the most expensive midterm elections in history, and perhaps the most consequential for decades, the presidents Republican Party did enough to retain control of the Senate. It also held off stiff challenges in several high-profile state house races, including Florida and Georgia.

But on a night when Americas suburban voters appeared to reject Mr Trumps harsh rhetoric and policies, the nation elected a record number of women representatives, the first two female Muslim congresswomen, and a slew of candidates who ran on markedly progressive platforms. It was these candidates that helped the party secure the House for the first time since 2010 and enabled several Democrats to immediately put the president on warning.

Recommended Trump is fighting for his political life after Democrats take House

Nancy Pelosi, the current Democratic leader in the House and the woman who is likely to become its new speaker, told supporters: Thanks to you we owned the ground. Thanks to you tomorrow will be a new day in America. Remember this feeling, know the power to win.

She added: Today, the American people have spoken to restore that vision.

The White House issued a statement saying the president had called Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell to congratulate him on the partys gains. It said he also spoke with outgoing speaker Paul Ryan and Ms Pelosi. He and the vice president will continue to make calls tonight and tomorrow, said Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Ms Pelosis chief of staff, Drew Hammill, said Mr Trump had acknowledged the leaders call for bipartisanship in her victory remarks.

Yet Mr Trump appeared to be intent on ignoring the defeat in the House. Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all, he tweeted.

Nevertheless, Democrats made clear they would make use of their control of the House committees to place the administrations actions, and its members, under a scrutiny it has so far largely avoided.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

On Tuesday night, New York congressman Jerry Nadler, who is set to become chairman of the House judiciary committee, issued a stark warning to the president.

This election was about accountability. Donald Trump may not like hearing it but for the first time, his administration is going to be held accountable, he said. Hes going to learn that hes not above the law.

In may respects, Tuesday saw two political processes play out. By holding onto the Senate, and even adding members, Republicans achieved something that is rare for a party that controls the White House. Mr Trump will hope this shows he still has solid support across the breadth of the country that will stand him in good stead in 2020.

But in the House races, it was a different story. Polling data showed that in countless important suburban districts, women voters rejected the president and a rhetoric that has become increasingly divisive. Critics say it has helped create an atmosphere in which attacks such as the killings at a Pittsburgh synagogue have become more likely.

Young voters also swung aggressively towards Democratic candidates, with those 18 to 34 backing Democrats by 62 per cent to 34 per cent. That was a large increase from 2014, when 54 per cent of young voters backed Democrats and 36 per cent Republicans, which amounted to an 18-point gap.

CNN said nearly two-thirds of voters said Mr Trump was a reason for their vote, while about a third said he was not. Nearly four in ten voters said they cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, while a quarter of voters said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Exit polling also showed that of chief concern to voters was healthcare, an issue on which the Democrats had hammered Mr Trump and the Republican over their efforts to scrap Barack Obamas affordable care act. Around 58 per cent of voters said Democrats would better defend those who are or have been sick.

 Jimmy Kimmel Live asks: 'Did You Vote in the Midterms Today'

The Associated Press said six out of ten women cast their votes for Democratic candidates and four for Republicans. One of the results of this, is that the House was going to see its current figure of 84 congresswomen - a record high - broken.

It may not be a blue wave, its a rainbow wave, said CNN analyst Van Jones, describing what he sees as the beginning of a new Democratic party. Younger, browner, cooler, more women, more veterans.

Among the new crop of politicians were Sharice Davids of Kansas, who won her seat to become the become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House. Meanwhile, Michigans Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota became the nations first Muslim women to congress.

We always knew these races are going to be close, said congresswoman Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, co-chair of House Democrats recruitment efforts. Its just a very robust class of candidates that really reflects who we are as a country.

In some places, the efforts to make history fell short. The charismatic Beto ORourke, seeking to become the first Democratic senator elected from Texas for 30 years, was beaten by Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, 51-48 in an unusually close race for the 'red' state . Im so f***ing proud of you guys, the Democrat told supporters.

In Florida, Andrew Gillum, the former mayor of Tallahassee, narrowly missed his bid to become Floridas first African American governor. In Georgia, where the race for governor was dogged by allegations of voter suppression among minority communities, Stacey Abrams refused to concede defeat, but was trailing Republican Brian Kemp, 51-48. Hard work is in our bones and we have closed the gap between yesterday and tomorrow, she told supporters.

Republicans also made history. Congresswoman Kristi Noem became the first woman elected governor in South Dakota. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn became that states first female senator.Donald Trump  grumpy and perhaps sleep deprived  sought to defend the midterm elections as an incredible day for Republicans, despite his party losing the House of Representatives and opening the door to two years of intense scrutiny from Democrats.

Having praised Democratic minority leader Nancy Pelosi on Twitter, saying she deserved to be speaker of the House, he said he was ready to work with Democrats on Capitol Hill.

But during at an appearance at which he repeatedly snapped at the media and ordered reporters to sit down, displaying a degree of venom that was shocking even given his propensity for such attacks, the president made clear that such cooperation depended on them not launching a series of investigations into him or his administration  something many Democrats have already made clear they intend to do.

It was a big day yesterday, an incredible day, he said, in what was apparently only his third formal solo news conference at the White House. Last night the Republican Party defied history to expand our Senate majority while significantly beating expectations in the House.

Of the potential to work with Democrats, he added: It really could be a beautiful bipartisan situation.

Yet he said such cooperation depended on Democrats not seeking to hold endless hearing and investigations  something he said Republicans could also do through their continuing control of the Senate. You cant do it simultaneously, he said.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

He added: They can play that game, but we can play it better. All youre going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth, and two years is going to go up and we wont have done a thing.

The president spoke the morning after a day in which the political power structure shifted sharply in the US, Democrats winning 26 House seats to take control of the lower chamber for the first time since 2010. Even if Democrats opt not to push for impeachment hearings, they could hold a endless hearing, subpoena members of the government and act at a block to many of his policy ambitions.

Republicans managed to gain two seats in the senate, something Mr Trump said had not healed for 100 years. After mocking those Republican candidates who lost their seats after refusing to embrace him on the campaign trail, among them congresswoman Barbara Comstock of Virginia, Mr Trump claimed the gains in the Senate outweighed the loss of the House  a view few pundits would share.

 What do the midterms mean for Trump?

When the new congress is sworn in next January, Democrats will head House committees that can investigate the presidents tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and any links between his 2016 election campaign and Russia.

The Associated Press said Mr Trumps remarks came after Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, said he had spoken with Ms Pelosi about how they might find a way forward in a divided congress next year.

The GOP had a very good day on Tuesday despite the House loss, Mr McConnell said. Im proud of what happened. The president was very helpful to us.

On Tuesday night, Ms Pelosi told supporters: Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans, its about restoring the Constitutions checks and balances to the Trump administration.

But on Wednesday, while Mr Trump was speaking at the White House, Ms Pelosi was speaking on Capitol Hill and pointing out the limitations to possible cooperation. For starters, she said, Democrats did not support Mr Trumps policy of separating migrant children from their families at the US-Mexico border.

She said the Democrats now had a responsibility for oversight when they take charge of the House in January. If elected speaker, Ms Pelosi said she would leave final decisions about that oversight to committees.

She would not answer a question about whether they will seek Mr Trumps tax filings, but said committee requests for documents or hearings would not be be scattershot.

She added: Well know what we are doing and well do it right.The controversial killing of two man-eating tigers in the space of a few days have led experts to warn of the growing human-animal conflict in India.

Villagers in northern India crushed a tiger to death with a tractor on Sunday after it was accused of mauling a farmer. The killing took place inside an Uttar Pradesh wildlife reserve, making it a criminal offence under the Wildlife Protection Act.

And two days earlier, the hunt for a legendary man-eating tigress known as T-1 ended in national outcry after she was shot dead by the son of a famous professional tiger hunter.

A minister in Narendra Modis BJP-led government called the shooting of T-1, who was blamed for the deaths of 13 villagers over a number of years, a ghastly murder.

T-1 had been tracked by forest officials for two years, identifiable by her stripe patterns. Experts said that repeated failed attempts to capture her alive and move her out of conflict with humans in Maharashtra state had made her wise to their efforts. Matters were also made more difficult by the fact T-1 had two adolescent cubs.

On Friday she was finally cornered by hunters who were privately contracted by the state government after their own experts failed, and darted with a tranquilliser.

A photo released by the Maharashtra Forest Department shows the dead body of T1 (AFP/Getty Images)

But tranquillisers can be slow to act, and the hunters say T-1 roared and charged at their open Jeep. She was shot in the underbelly with a rifle by Asghar Khan, the hunters son, and died at the scene.

The federal minister for women and child development, Maneka Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said the killing was nothing but a straight case of crime. She said she was shocked that the Maharashtra forests minister, Sudhir Mugantiwar  a member of her own party  was still in post after ordering it.

And PETA India, the animal rights group, accused the authorities of killing the animal without deploying a veterinarian who might have been able to capture her non-lethally. Legal action is now expected to be taken against officials in the T-1 case.

The two deaths highlight a growing trend where what should be a national success story  Indias tiger population rose from 1,800 to 2,226 from 2010-2014  is clashing with human development of land.

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Mr Mugantiwar said the killing of T-1 followed the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and a state forestry official said the tiger was likely forced to stray out beyond her reserve because of the encroachment of people.

Any tiger would not normally venture out so far unless there was a large number of people entering its habitat and making it fearful for its life, said Pingale Bhanudas Narayan, deputy conservator of forests in the Yavatmal division of Maharashtra state.

New data released by the central government suggest that more than 1,608 humans were killed in human-wildlife conflict cases involving tigers, leopards, bears and elephants between 2013 and 2017.

The figures, reported by the Hindustan Times, are from the 23 states that record wildlife-human conflict data, meaning they are likely to be lower than reality.

The boundaries between spaces for human beings and wildlife were blurring by the day, said Dr Dipankar Ghose, director for species and landscapes at WWF India.

He told The Independent it was therefore unsurprising that instances of human-wildlife conflict were on the rise. While tigers have made the headlines recently and leopard spottings have become a problem on the outskirts of the capital Delhi, he said it was actually elephants that led to the greatest number of fatalities  around 400 every year.

WWF India works with local communities to install physical barriers and early warning systems, as well as using trained elephants to drive wild elephants away from villages, Dr Ghose said.

But the real problem lies in the divide between policies to protect animals and the attitudes of the humans living alongside them. Local media reported scenes of jubilation, with fireworks and feasting, among villagers at the news that T-1 had been killed.

Given the scale of the conflict, it is important to engage everyone in the assessment, prevention and management of human-wildlife conflict, Dr Ghose said. WWF India recognises that the wellbeing of these large mammals is intertwined with that of the local communities who live in and around their habitats.French president Emmanuel Macron has courted controversy by praising a World War I general who subsequently collaborated with the Nazis in World War II.

Mr Macron made the comments about Marshal Philippe Petain on a stop in the northern town of Charleville-Mezieres as part of his six-day tour of battlefields to mark the centenary of the end of World War I.

"Marshal Petain was also a great soldier during World War I" even though he made "fatal choices during the Second World War", Mr Macron said.

"My role isn't to understand that it's shocking or to comment about people. My role is to try to explain, be firm in my convictions, face our history," he added.

Petain led the French army to victory in Verdun in 1916, but gained infamy and a conviction for treason for his actions as leader of Vichy France from 1940 to 1944.

He is despised for his complicity in the Holocaust, among other things, and notably the 1942 deportation of 13,000 Jews from France, a third of whom were children, in the Vel' d'Hiv roundup.

The unusual presidential praise was criticised by France's leading Jewish group, known by the initials CRIF.

This 9 June 1941 photo shows France's Marshal Philippe Petain, who was convicted for treason for his actions as leader of Vichy France in the 1940s (AP)

"I am shocked by this statement by Macron," CRIF president Francis Kalifat told the Associated Press.

"Petain was the person who allowed the deportation of 76,000 French Jews to death camps," he added.

"Petain signed the (law on) the status of Jews that meant Jews were excluded from public function, education and forced to wear the Jewish star."

Mr Kalifat said it was "an insult" that a French president could honour Petain on "the same level as the other generals".

But he acknowledged the marshal's pivotal role in the Great War that earned him the nickname "Lion of Verdun".

French government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux played down the issue as a "false controversy".

Associated PressDozens of malnourished children in Yemens Hodeidah city are at imminent risk of death, the United Nations has warned, as fighting threatens to engulf the hospital where they are being treated.

At least 59 children, including 25 in intensive care, are receiving lifesaving treatment for starvation in al-Thawra medical centre, which is the only functioning hospital left in the war-torn Red Sea city.

But the building is now close to the front line and at risk of being bombed or shelled as fierce fighting between the Saudi Arabia-backed coalition and the Shia Houthi rebels draws close.

On Wednesday, Save the Children reported that a separate health clinic in another part of the city was hit, likely by artillery fire. One of its pharmacies, containing lifesaving medicines, was damaged.

Recommended Britain urges UN Security Council to back ceasefire in Yemen

Unicef told The Independent that should the children at al-Thawra hospital need to be evacuated they would have to travel as far as Sanaa, the capital, which is a seven-hour drive through 19 military checkpoints.

Transferring them such distances would likely kill them, said Unicefs Juliette Touma, who recently returned from the city.

One boy currently being treated at al-Thawra is Adam, who is 10 years old but weighs just 10 kilos. He has a brain condition and could already die any minute. It would be impossible to move him, Ms Touma told The Independent.

She added: The children cannot be moved from intensive care. That is why we issued an appeal to keep hospitals out of the line of fire so that these children can continue treatment.

Henrietta Fore, Unicefs executive director, said on Wednesday that fighting had drawn so dangerously close to the hospital access was now limited.

Medical staff and patients in the hospital have confirmed hearing heavy bombing and gunfire. Access to and from the hospital, the only functioning one in the area, is now imperilled, she added.

Unicefs teams on the ground are delivering assistance  Further escalation in the fighting will jeopardise these efforts, she added.

Yemen has been torn apart by a ruinous three-year war since Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched a bombing campaign in 2015 to oust the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who swept control of the country, ousting the recognised president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The fighting has sparked the worlds worst humanitarian crisis in terms of numbers: two-thirds of the 28 million-strong population now rely on aid. The UN warned last month that 13 million people could die from famine amid fears of a new wave of cholera.

Children are the hardest hit: according to Unicef, every 10 minutes a child dies from preventable diseases.

The UN and aid agencies have accused both sides of creating the humanitarian crisis. The Saudi-led coalition imposed a crippling land, sea and aid blockade, stifling the flow of aid and has been accused of repeatedly bombing marketplaces, hospitals and schools. The Shia Houthi group, meanwhile, has been accused of shelling aid convoys, planting thousands of explosive devices, and laying siege to pro-government areas.

Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Show all 17 1 /17 Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Doctors take some blood of Yemeni Yousef Abdullah Bakhit Ali, 13, suffering from severe acute malnutrition. With ongoing and unending conflict in Yemen, humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate across the country Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen A doctor weighs Yemeni baby Yahya Hamoud Ali Al Huzef, 9 months suffering from malnutrition Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Ali Mohammed Ahmed Jamal,12 years old and suffering from severe acute malnutrition. He arrives with his family at a Unicef supported treatment centre in a hospital in Sanaa Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen A doctor measures the arm of Yemeni Ali Mohammed Ahmed Jamal, 12, who is suffering from malnutrition at a treatment centre in a hospital in Sanaa Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen There are over 400,000 severely malnourished children in need urgent lifesaving assistance in Yemen Unicef/Abdulhaleem Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Ali Mohammed Ahmed Jamal is weighed Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen A doctor measures the arm of baby Yahya Hamoud Ali Al Huzef Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef are currently working to reach 275,000 malnourished children with critical life-saving supplies and care for over 5 million people with safe and clean water to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Yahya Hamoud Ali Al Huzef with his family in his house in the outskirts of the capital Sanaa Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen The country is on the brink of famine and children's chances of survival are becoming slimmer by the day Unicef/Abdulhaleem Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Ali Mohammed Ahmed Jamal has his arm measured Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef are currently working to provide nearly 1 million children with vaccines and healthcare Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef are working with partners around-the clock to save children suffering from malnutrition and disease Unicef/Abdulhaleem Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef are currently working to provide 9 million people with emergency cash assistance to help families buy basic commodities so they can survive Unicef/Huwais Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Ali Mohammed Ahmed Jamal is suffering from malnutrition Unicef Children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen Unicef/Abdulhaleem

The British government, which has authorised $5bn (3.8bn) worth of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia since the war began, has come under fire for its support.

Last week the Trump administration set a 30-day deadline for a ceasefire and the restarting of peace talks, which collapsed in September.

Despite verbal assurances from both sides that they were willing to participate, tens of thousands of government troops have rallied around Hodeidah, home to 600,000 people and now the focus of the fighting.

On Wednesday Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the Houthi rebel chief, vowed never to surrender to the Saudi-backed pro-government forces, heightening tensions.

 Malnutrition centre in Mukalla, Yemen provides care for children suffering hunger and famine

Does the enemy think that penetrating this or that area, or seizing this or that area, means we will be convinced that we should surrender and hand over control? Houthi said in a televised address. This is not happening and will not happen ever.

Hodeidah port is Yemens main entry point for humanitarian and commercial goods and serves more than 22 million people. Its destruction could have untold consequences.

Inside the embattled city, Ms Touma said doctors and nurses were struggling to treat the malnourished and sick despite not receiving their salaries for two years.

People are exhausted. It is very clear that they are tired of this senseless war that has dragged on for nearly four years. They are tired of their living conditions, the poverty, the lack of accessibility to basic commodities including food, she told The independent.

People are exhausted. It is very clear that they are tired of this senseless war that has dragged on for nearly four years Juilette Touma, Unicef

Everything is extremely grim. But despite not being paid for years, doctors, nurses and paramedics still show up for work.

Attacks on medical centres have already begun. In a different part of the city, Save the Children reported on Wednesday that one of its supported clinics came under fire.

Artillery shelling is being used heavily by all sides. More than 150 people have been reported killed, the group said in a statement.

There were temporary roadblocks preventing people from leaving or entering the city overnight, in effect trapping them in an active conflict zone, the statement added.Flights at Heathrow Airport are slowly getting back to normal after problems with the runway lights.

Thousands of passengers booked to travel to, from and through Europes busiest airport have experienced delays and disruption. What happened, and what are the consequences?

What was the problem?

The lights on the runways of Europes busiest airport failed in the middle of the night. Because of the normal curfew, no flights were due in or out at the time. Early on Wednesday morning, Heathrow Airport issued a statement saying: Our engineering teams are investigating a technical issue with the lighting system for the airports runways.

We have activated our contingency plans and both runways are currently open and operational.

So it was fixed  why the delays?

Recommended Pilot admits being 10 times over limit before Heathrow flight

While a solution was devised, many long-haul flights departing for Heathrow from airports around the world were held on the ground.

Some heavy delays have built up, with knock-on impacts on later departures from the airport. British Airways has delays of two hours or more on arrivals from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chennai, Cairo, Hyderabad, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Diego, San Jose, Seoul and Toronto, as well as three New York JFK flights.

Because of the problems with arriving flights, many long-haul departures are delayed because aircraft are out of position.

British Airways says it is planning to run all its services, but it is forecasting delays of an hour or more on flights later today to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Baltimore, Bangalore, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Riyadh and San Francisco.

The worst delay is this evenings service to Bangkok, which is over three hours late.

What about the other airlines?

A Virgin Atlantic flight to San Francisco is running an hour late, and Air Malta has a three-hour delay on its service to the island. But BA operates more than half the flights to and from Heathrow, so it is always worst affected. In addition, it is more affected by any disruption at the airport, because Heathrow is its main base.

Could it happen again  and at a more inconvenient time?

Heathrow Airport hopes not. A spokesperson said: Investigations continue to find the root cause of this issue and we apologise for any impact that this may have had on passengers.

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Are passengers entitled to compensation?

No, this counts as extraordinary circumstances, so no cash payout is due under the European air passengers rights rules. Furthermore because no long-haul flight is delayed by four hours, there is no automatic entitlement to a meal or refreshments.

But if the delay has a knock-on effect  for example a flight to New York with an onward link on the same ticket to somewhere else in North America  then the airline may need to provide accommodation before the next available flight.Ryanair has sacked the six cabin crew who staged a photo of themselves sleeping on the floor at Malaga Airport last month.

The airline employees from Porto were stranded in Spain on 13 October by Storm Leslie in Portugal. The image of them sleeping on the floor quickly went viral, with many citing it as proof of the budget airlines less than exemplary treatment of its staff.

However, soon afterwards Ryanair released footage proving that the picture was set up.

The budget airline told The Independent in a statement that all six cabin crew members in Porto were dismissed on Monday for breach of contract on grounds of gross misconduct after staging the photograph, which supported a false claim (widely reported in international media outlets) that they were forced to sleep on the floor of the Malaga crew room.

The behaviour damaged their employers reputation and caused an irreparable breach of trust with these six persons, Ryanair added.

At the time, Ryanair said in a statement that the image was clearly staged, and no crew slept on the floor.

Due to storms in Porto a number of flights diverted to Malaga and as this was a Spanish national holiday, hotels were fully booked, the airline said.

Luciana Passo, head of Portugals SNPVAC cabin crew union, told The Sun: Ryanair thinks it was harmed by the publication of that photograph when it was no more than a show of the crew members justified feeling of indignation.

Although the 24 stranded crew members were transferred to a lounge, they were allegedly not provided with food or drink by the airline during this time and were forced to share eight chairs to try to get some sleep, claimed Portuguese union official Fernando Gandra, a former Ryanair cabin crew member himself.

Im not going to comment on whether it was staged or not, he told the Irish Times at the time.

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Only the people who were there can make that statement.

The only place they had available was the floor The point is that Ryanair did not give their crews any place to rest.

SNPVAC corroborated these claims, saying in a statement: The 24 crew members were there from 1.30am until 6am (local time) without access to food, drinks and even a place to sit down, as there were only eight seats available for the 24 crew.A 24-hour strike is taking place on the Central and Waterloo & City lines on 7 November, with limited or no service across both lines.

The Central line will resume at around 5.30am on Thursday 8 November.

During the walkout, Central line tickets are being accepted on London Buses, London Overground, London DLR, TfL Rail and Greater Anglia services.Stand by for the hard sell of Theresa Mays Brexit deal. True, there isnt an agreement yet. Sources in Brussels tell me that the EU will not be bounced into accepting Mays latest proposal on how to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

But the prime minister made significant progress on Tuesday in persuading her cabinet to swallow its doubts about her plan. She is using the rising prospect of a chaotic no-deal scenario next March to pressurise her ministers and the EU to support her blueprint.

May will do the same when she faces her biggest Brexit hurdle: selling her deal to parliament, which has to approve it. A leaked document provides an insight into the governments thinking. Historic moment, put your own interests aside, put the countrys interest first and back this deal, it said, in a section on the critical Commons vote. Downing Street dismissed the leak, insisting this is not the governments communications plan  but it didnt do a Donald Trump and claim that it was fake.

My guess is that it was written by a junior official; five names listed as possible endorsers of the deal, including that of the Irish prime minister, were spelt wrongly. It was probably leaked by someone who doesnt think that Mays deal will be a real Brexit, despite the plan for her to make a speech saying we have delivered on the referendum.

The document, from the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU), was based on the cabinet signing off Mays agreement on Tuesday. In fact, another meeting will be needed, possibly later this week. Listing 27 November for the crucial Commons vote was naive, since the EUs timetable will almost certainly require the political declaration on future UK-EU relations to be approved at its summit on 13-14 December.

 James O'Brien's responds to a Brexit Poll which suggests that 58% of leave voters are happy to leave the EU even if it means the NHS has to stock pile medicines

I rather doubt that Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, will be the one to trumpet the crucial breakthrough, as the memo said. After enduring so much pain, surely May herself will be in the driving seat.

However, the approach set out in the document rang true. May will present her agreement as in the national interest; this deal is as good as it gets  and, in other words, no one else could get a better one.

It will suit the EU27 to say the same. They will be keen to put the messy, distracting Brexit process behind them, for a while at least.

Although the leaked report insisted the big sell will be about measured success rather than champagne corks popping, May will enjoy the taste of a crucial ingredient  momentum  once she gets her deal. Business will breathe a huge sigh of relief, not because it will be a great deal but because companies will have a status quo transitional period rather than chaos next March. It will be welcomed on the financial markets too. As one cabinet loyalist told me, the hope is that this creates a virtuous circle for May, which increases the pressure on MPs to support rather than wreck the deal.

Ministers know they will almost certainly need the votes of some Labour MPs to win the crunch Commons vote. But Tory whips calculate that only about 15 Labour backbenchers might buy the national interest argument, which might not be enough. The vote is on a proverbial knife edge.

It suits May to keep the spotlight on the important but arcane small print of the Irish backstop, the final piece of the withdrawal agreement jigsaw. Significantly, we learned on Tuesday that the declaration on the future relationship will come after the withdrawal agreement. This has the makings of another last-minute bounce just before the critical Commons vote.

MPs must put the statement about the future under the microscope. Although May will deny it is a blind Brexit, I suspect it will be a vague, all-things-to-all-people declaration about a future economic partnership and the EUs most ambitious free trade agreement ever. This lowest common denominator approach is designed to allow Eurosceptics to think the UK will eventually have an EU-Canada style trade deal, and pro-EU MPs to believe the proposed temporary customs union will last a long time  perhaps forever. Probably May judges that such contradictory signals offer her her only chance of scraping together a Commons majority.

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The sell will be hard in every sense of the word. Pro-EU Tories as well as Brexiteers should reject a deal that includes a woolly political declaration. The danger is that the transition is, as the appropriately-named former Brexit minister George Bridges warned, a bridge to nowhere.

Crucially, once the UK has signed its 39bn divorce cheque as part of the withdrawal agreement, it will have little leverage in the trade talks starting next year. No wonder the leaked document said the cabinet offices explainer of the deal for the public would compare it to no deal, but not to our current deal.One of the most closely watched races in the midterm elections was the race for Georgias governor. Republican Brian Kemp was facing off against Democrat Stacey Abrams. Late last night the race was too close to call, with hundreds of precincts not yet reporting  but in the end, Kemp came out victorious.

The race represents Democrats best chance in almost 20 years of winning a major statewide race in the state. The party has not won a race for Senator or governor in Georgia since 2000.

Nevertheless, Georgia is not as solidly Republican as it appears from the outside. Recent Democratic candidates for governor and Senate have won as much as 45 per cent or 46 per cent of the vote (the high point was Jim Martin, who won 46.8 percent of the vote in his 2008 Senate race).

African American and Latino populations, and a steady stream of people moving to the Atlanta area from more expensive, liberal cities, buoy the Democratic vote. As a result, for all their losses, Georgia Democrats tend to fare better in Georgia than in virtually any other red state.

This trend continued into 2018: the Georgia governors race was one of the most closely contested races in the nation, with no poll taken during the entire campaign giving either candidate more than a two-point edge.

One important factor in the race has been Kemps position as Secretary of State for the state of Georgia. Among other things, Secretaries of State are responsible for administering elections. This put Kemp in the unusual position of being in charge of, for example, certifying the voter registration applications of voters who were seeking to vote in an election he himself was running in. Kemp has held the position since 2010.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

As Secretary of State, Kemp has taken a number of actions which have made it more difficult for a massive number of Georgians to vote.

For example, Kemps office closed 214 voting precincts across the state. Additionally, he has overseen the purge of more than 1.4 million registered voters from the rolls  a move that the local newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, called the largest mass disenfranchisement in US history.

In the run-up to this election, Kemps office also denied 53,000 applications for absentee ballots and had to be ordered two separate times by federal courts to allow the affected voters to vote on election day. Kemp, it seemed, was pushing the limits on how far he could go to make it difficult for people to re-enter the voting rolls once their application had been denied. This has been a hallmark of his tenure as Secretary of State. He has taken a hard line in an effort, he claims, to safeguard procedures and prevent voting fraud.

However, Kemps critics charge that he has gone too far and engaged in an active campaign to prevent likely Democratic voters  in particular, black voters  from participating in the election. These critics point to the precincts closed by his office, which disproportionately served African American communities. Also of concern is the fact that 70 per cent of the people who were absentee ballots were from African American voters, even though only 32 per cent of the states population is black.

At one point, more than 4,700 absentee ballot applications in majority-black Dekalb County simply went missing. Compounding this perception, election-day snafus which prevented people from voting at all happened in counties with the most minority voters, primarily at precincts that serve black populations.

These moves hit especially close to home for Abrams, whose chance for victory depended heavily on an African American turnout. Her campaign invested heavily in mobilising black voters in ways that past Democratic candidates have not. Many of her campaign events have taken place in black communities and at events heavily attended by African Americans. She has courted and received the support of prominent Atlanta-area rappers, and perhaps most importantly, registered tens of thousands of new African American voters.

An Abrams victory would have be particularly meaningful for Democrats both in Georgia and nationwide. Nationally, Abrams would have been the first African American female governor of any state.

An Abrams victory would also have allowed the Democratic Party to make headway in its efforts to mobilise African American voters in general. In most elections, 85 to 90 per cent of African Americans vote Democrat. The higher the turnout among African Americans, the better Democrats tend to do.

An Abrams victory would have been a huge boost for Democrats, who have struggled for nearly two decades to cross the line from almost-winning to winning.

A Kemp victory, on the other hand, is something closer to a status quo outcome. It signifies that despite their narrow margins, Republicans are still in control of state-level politics in Georgia. And it is a victory for the increasingly dominant conservative wing of the Republican Party, where Kemp places himself ideologically.

In the primary election, he soundly defeated establishment Republican Casey Cagle by establishing strong conservative positions on illegal immigration and gun rights, and has much changed his stance since then. Indeed, Kemp very much modelled his political approach on Donald Trumps 2016 campaign.

Kemps success is yet one more sign that the Republican Party is transforming itself into the party of Trump. Out-and-out, far-right conservatives are edging out business-oriented, small-government conservatives.

Jeffery Lazarus is an associate professor of political science at Georgia State UniversityIm always sceptical when people start talking about waves. The child separation policy was going to outrage democrats into a blue wave in the midterms; Donald Trumps obsessive migrant caravan tweeting was going to cause a red wave, as Republicans became desperate to keep them away from the border. The injustice of the Kavanaugh confirmation, we were told, would lead to a pink wave of women candidates and voters. Because of course, men doing politics isnt a wave of any sort  its just politics as usual.

What we saw yesterday is in fact more akin to a rainbow wave. Democrats and Republicans, women and men alike voted in record numbers. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that traditional voting blocs are not a monolith, and the more people that vote the more representative of the population congress becomes.

According to The New York Times, approximately 114 million votes were cast in House races yesterday, compared to 83 million in 2014. As a result, the lower chamber is going to be looking dramatically different come January.

Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Sharice Davids (who openly identifies as a lesbian) of Kansas  one of the states with the most dangerous voter suppression attempts  will become the first Native American women elected to congress (I am wilfully choosing to ignore Elizabeth Warrens bizarre DNA test debacle).

Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota will become the first Muslim women in congress  the latter will be particularly powerful as a hijab-wearing woman who was born in Somalia, and came to the US as a refugee. She also replaces John Conyers, the Democratic representative who stepped down after allegations of sexual misconduct. In a country where the president shares Islamophobic rhetoric, refers to refugees as potential terrorists, says that migrants infest the country, mocks female victims of sexual assault and stands by the alleged perpetrators, Omars victory feels particularly poignant.

In Texas almost 40 per cent of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, yet the state had never before elected a Hispanic woman to congress. This year, Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia will change that. Massachusetts has voted in its first black House representative Ayanna Pressley, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at 29, will become the youngest woman to be elected to congress. Tennessee and Arizona have elected their first female senators and South Dakota its first female governor, while Colorados Jared Pollis is the first openly gay man to become governor.

All these firsts show that the tide is changing in American politics. Voters have rejected Trumps divisive rhetoric and prioritised diverse representation and this new make up in the House will be crucial when it comes to passing progressive legislation.

The midterm election has been fraught with claims of voter suppression across the country, yet turnout has been at an all-time high. This shows exactly why voter suppression is dangerous  limiting the number of people able to vote maintains the status quo. Low income voters and African American voters in particular are the most vulnerable, while also being those most likely to support Democratic candidates

Trump seems to have chosen to ignore the fact that his presidency has led to unprecedented numbers of voters turning out to ensure Democrats took the House. He has chosen to call election results a big victory and a tremendous success. In fact, Republicans gained two senators, and lost 26 House seats. But more importantly, its become apparent that his pandering to his base by pushing a conservative social agenda focused on vilifying immigrants, devaluing women and rolling back LGBT+ rights does not appeal to the majority of the electorate.

There are some sad losses for Democrats. Beto ORouke failed to unseat Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, and Heidi Heitkamp  somewhat predictably  lost her seat in North Dakota. Georgias dramatic governor race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and gun-wielding round up illegals and send them home myself Republican Brian Kemp has seen the GOP candidate win.

But Democrats were never expected to win the Senate  it was always about the House. This victory means that Trump will find it extremely difficult to pass legislation, and perhaps more importantly, the House can ensure investigations into everything from his dealings with Russia to his tax affairs. Impeachment seems unlikely (and perhaps unwise), but with the Democrats controlling the House, it is now a real possibility, and one the president should be concerned about.

 Midterms voters at Brooklyn Public Library forced to use emergency ballot box as 'all scanners broken'

Ballot measures have also shown a progressive shift in voters. Florida restored voting rights for the 1.5 million convicted felons  a measure which could have huge implications for the next presidential election, as could Michigans vote to tackle gerrymandering. Massachusetts upheld transgender rights, which could be crucial for the state if Trump goes through with his threats of doing the opposite. Oregon rejected an anti-abortion measure, while Michigan legalised recreational cannabis.

It seems that all the waves we were promised came to be, but Republicans have always been the most likely to vote anyway, so an uptake has always been much less likely to benefit them. The important takeaway is the clear evidence that higher voter turnout clearly leads to a more diverse and progressive result. Democrats should harness this knowledge going in to the 2020 campaigns, which by all accounts begin today.

Democrats will have realised that focusing on capturing specific demographics (or waves) of voters is reductive and useless. What they need to do is tackle voter suppression and gerrymandering hard, and mobilise voters who have lost interest in the democratic process.

Trump won the 2016 presidential election with a turnout at a 20-year low. Just over half the population voted. If 2020 can have anything like the turnout surge weve seen in the midterms, the Democrats should be home dry. If the midterms have taught us anything its that Americans are a lot more progressive than we thought  all the left needs to do is give them a voice.President Trump has demonstrated the power and influence of his endorsement in Florida, as his endorsee Ron DeSantis won against his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum, to be the 46th governor of the state.

But it wasnt a landslide: Gillum, a young progressive African American candidate was projected to win by many polls and was endorsed by the former president Barack Obama. In the end, he lost by approximately 1 per cent of the vote.

So how did this happen?

DeSantis, a Yale and Harvard Law graduate with a decorated military background, successfully competed against Gillum, a graduate of the historically black Florida A&M University. Aged just 23, Gillum became the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission and was elected as mayor of Tallahassee, Florida in 2014. A victory would have made Gillum only the fifth African American to serve as a state governor in US history,

Gillum was always thought to be the underdog in a contentious general election largely characterised by mud-slinging and race-baiting. In August 2018, Gillum was the surprise victor in a Democratic primary that consisted of candidates with more name-recognition and a lot more money. After winning the primary, Gillum found himself in competition against a Trump-endorsed, well-funded candidate in a state that had not elected a Democratic governor since 1990. Plus, he was a black candidate running for a statewide office. Few African Americans have ever won the statewide offices that usually launch candidates into national office.

Gillum also had some baggage that his opponent capitalised on. In 2015, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) posing as businessmen by the names of Mike Sweets, Mike Miller and Brian Butler told city officials that they would invest in local properties if given public funds.

US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Show all 28 1 /28 US midterm elections: voters head to the polls US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke talks with a supporters after he cast his ballot at El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Sarah Salem, 34, swims as voters cast their ballots at Echo Deep Pool in Los Angeles AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate to represent Virginia's seventh Congressional district in the US House of Representatives; casts her ballot to vote in the 2018 midterm general election, with her daughters Claire (L), Charlotte (Bottom C) and Catherine (R); inside a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter waits behind a line to cast their vote at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Representative Peter King and his wife Rosemary hand in their completed ballots as voters turn out at the Manor Elementary School in Seaford AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Two year old Mave Adilatta looks out from a voting booth as her mother casts her ballot in Cambridge, Massachusetts EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Beto O'Rourke, candidate for US Senate, speaks with reporters after voting REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voters fills out their ballot for the midterm election at a polling place in Madison, Wisconsin REUTERS US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Congresswomen Elect Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A sign showing voters where to cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election in the Mt Airy neighborhood in Philadelphia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist leaves after voting in Hyde Park, Vermont EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Members of the group Your Vote Matters place signs on an overpass in Saint Louis, Missouri EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at a polling station setup in a City of Hialeah Fire Station Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters enter a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Volunteers with the Democratic party take cover from the rain as they wait to speak to voters outside of a polling station AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 midterm election at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Streetsboro, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Democratic candidate for Vermont Governor Christine Hallquist campaigns in Stowe EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter of the Jewish community is seen leaving after he cast his ballot in the midterm election at the East Midwood Jewish Center polling station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City AFP/Getty Images US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters line up to cast their ballot just before the polls open in the mid-term election in Miami Getty US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center polling location in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Stickers that read 'I Voted' are seen at a polling station located at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Poll workers check over voting machinery before voters arrive at Franklin School in Ohio USA EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters cast their ballots at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna, Ohio EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Election judges take the oath before opening a polling location in Arlington Heights, Illinois EPA US midterm elections: voters head to the polls Voters arrive at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio AP US midterm elections: voters head to the polls People vote in Manhattan Reuters US midterm elections: voters head to the polls A voter uses an electronic voting machine AP

In 2017, the FBI issued a subpoena requesting public records. Later, Gillum met with FBI representatives without an attorney present and is currently not the subject of an FBI probe  but the DeSantis campaign was able to cast doubt on his integrity.

Because of these disadvantages, Gillum crafted an aggressive grassroots campaign that motivated Democrats into a large turnout while also soliciting the votes of independent and Republicans dissatisfied with former Governor Rick Scott and Trump. His campaign heavily used social media to spread information as well as to attract supports and funds.

What he lacked in funds he made up for in youthful charisma, but although his agenda pleased some voters, it alienated others. While Gillums supporters viewed him as a progressive, his opponents believed he was a socialist.

Nevertheless, the DeSantis campaign also had major missteps to overcome. After referring to Gillum as articulate he said, the last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state. That is not going to work. Thats not going to be good for Florida. Many perceived the phrase monkey this up as an unfortunate choice of words that were racially coded.

However, Trump not only endorsed DeSantis but also made several campaign appearances for him. Shortly after Gillums primary win, the president referred to him as a failed socialist mayor. He later referred to Gillum as a thief and who is mayor of poorly-run Tallahassee, said to be one of the most corrupt cities in the country.

Gillums supporters, meanwhile, saw similarities with another successful grassroots candidate: Barack Obama. The former president endorsed and campaigned for Gillum in the final days of his campaign, but he did not campaign for Gillum as frequently as Trump did for the governor-elect.

If you are wondering why Trump put so much effort into this race, its simple: the president has a special interest in the Florida race because of the state's critical role in presidential election results. Trump narrowly won Florida in 2016; he needs to win the states 29 electoral votes again to secure 2020 re-election. His efforts to win Florida again will be made significantly easier with a Republican governor that he has already campaigned for, rather than a Democratic governor who once suggested that he be impeached.

The lesson to be learned from this gubernatorial election is that both progressive and conservatives will be motivated to turn out in large numbers to support their candidates of choice. More importantly, a presidential endorsement has a significant impact on how the electorate votes  and they shouldnt forget it. Our past leaders hold just as much responsibility as our current ones to advocate on behalf of the leaders they believe in.

We elected these people for their voice; it should not suddenly disappear from politics at the end of their term in office. It needs, in fact, to be just as loud as the day they were elected.

Sharon Wright Austin is a professor of political science at the University of FloridaThe pollsters were right to be cautious. The US midterm elections produced a more mixed picture than either party might have hoped  or feared.

There was a bigger than expected majority for the Democrats in the House of Representatives; unexpected gains for the Republicans in the Senate; and better results for the Republicans in states where President Donald Trump stumped than where he did not.

The new House is now more diverse  more representative of the United States as it is today  and the first openly gay state governor was elected, in generally progressive Colorado. What is more, there was the highest turnout at midterm elections for decades  so a victory for democratic engagement, too.

The early consensus is that the advantage now lies with the Democrats. With control of the House, they also control all-important committees. They have some of the means to advance their agenda: on voting rights, healthcare, and domestic issues they campaigned on. Even if they cannot actually force legislation on to the books, they can at least put it on the political map before the next congressional and presidential elections in two years time, and they can check, or block, measures the president and the Republicans put forward.

Crucially, their House majority also gives them the power of subpoena, meaning that they could force Trump to supply his tax records and other potentially embarrassing or incriminating documents. They could also, if they chose  and Robert Muellers investigation gave them the grounds to do so  initiate impeachment proceedings against the president.

But the Republicans more secure hold on the Senate complicates this picture quite considerably. The President retains  has indeed strengthened  his power to make judicial, and some other key administration, appointments. While the House can block Republicans legislative plans, the Senate can block Democrats plans in return, so political gridlock could be at hand. And without a Senate majority, any ambitions the Democrats might harbour for impeachment will go nowhere.

My own view is that Donald Trump is actually in a stronger position  and the Democrats in a weaker position  than either side looks. First, Trump: these elections were seen, as first-term midterms commonly are, as a referendum on the president, and in the recent past  with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton  they have been a disaster for the occupant of the White House. With the Senate and some state governor results, plus his own, very personal role in the campaign, this was well short of a disaster for the president.

Second, the majority for the Democrats in the lower chamber is being presented as a new and welcome assertion of the checks and balances enshrined in the US constitution. To an extent that is true. But this downplays what seems to me to have been the quite successful operation of constitution over the past two years when confronted by a maverick and strong-willed president.

Legislation to roll back Obamas healthcare reforms, for instance, was diluted during its passage through congress. Leading Republicans forced Trump to rein in his desire to improve relations with Russia, while the new controls he demanded on migration were contested and then watered down considerably by the judiciary and popular lobbying.

What in many other countries would be called civil society also came into its own  remember the crowds turning up at airports to protest against the exclusion of mainly Muslim migrants and even green-card holders  something that may also help to account for the more diverse composition of the new congress. All in all, an unpredictable president, poorly versed in the political ways of Washington and seemingly unconstrained in his rhetoric and attitude to power, has in fact not been able to run roughshod over the US constitution.

Nor should it be assumed that the consequence of having a divided congress  with Democrat control of the House and Republican control of the Senate  will necessarily be gridlock. Trump, as he has frequently shown, especially in his approach to foreign policy, is a wheeler-dealer par excellence, who is prepared to make compromises for the sake of getting something done. There was criticism from Republicans during the present congress that some Democrats had been too amenable to doing deals with Trump, while some of the fiercest attacks on Trump came from his own side in the legislature, led by then veteran Senator John McCain.

Both Bill Clinton and George W Bush had to learn how to work effectively across the aisle, but to Trump it came naturally from his business experience. He may indeed come across as the most divisive of presidents, but his handling of congress has not always borne this out. Then again, even if the next two years generate only one legislative logjam after another, this may not necessarily redound to Trumps disadvantage. He can simply turn around and blame the Democrats, in a way he could not when the Republicans controlled both chambers.

So the Democrats achievement in winning a majority in the House may not necessarily prove as beneficial to their cause as it might appear today. Nor might it  yet  be such a harbinger of better fortunes in the 2020 presidential race as they might hope.

US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA

As the midterm campaign reached its climax, it was striking that the Democrats were effectively leaderless, with Barack Obama returning to the trail as their standard-bearer. Nor has the day after provided the great prospect for 2020  the equivalent of the 2002 Obama  that some had hoped for. Beto ORourke, seen as a candidate capable of challenging Trump at his own game and beating him, lost narrowly to the incumbent and former presidential candidate, Ted Cruz.

Now it may be that the subpoena power gained by the Democrats in the new House of Representatives or the conclusions of the Mueller inquiry, or indeed age, will blight Donald Trumps prospects for a second term. What looks unlikely to blight them, however, if the midterm campaign is anything to judge by, is the sitting presidents shrill, inflammatory, at times unscrupulous, and profoundly divisive use  and defence  of his power.

And this is because the climate of campaigning is at least as much about the cultural climate of the United States in the early 21st century as it is about Trump. He may have said, on the eve of these elections, that he wished he had adopted a softer style over the past two years; well, we shall see what we shall see. But a kinder, gentler sort of campaign for the White House in 2020? Even the mild-mannered Obama sharpened his rhetoric several notches in opposing Trump; the next Democrat for president will have little choice but to do the same.A top addiction specialist said he is ashamed of his profession as it has failed families in Ireland who are forced to travel abroad to access cannabis-based medicinal products.

Dr Garrett McGovern, a doctor who specialises in drug and alcohol addiction, said it was a disgrace that parents have to fight for medication that is immeasurably changing the lives of their sick children.

Dr McGovern, a medical director of the Priority Medical Clinic in Dublin, was speaking as medicinal cannabis campaigners and mothers of sick children called for Health Minister Simon Harris to lift the effective embargo on a Bill that would legalise the drug.

A year ago the Dail passed the Medicinal Use Regulation Bill on to the detailed scrutiny stage, but there has been a delay in rolling out the scheme.

In an emotional plea, Vera Twomey, mother of eight-year-old Ava who has epilepsy, called for greater access to medicinal cannabis.

Expand Close Medical cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey (Stefan Rousseau/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Medical cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The mother from Co Cork is forced to travel to Holland every three months to access the medication. Without it, Ms Twomey said, there would be catastrophic consequences for her health.

Dr McGovern said: As I sit here today watching this emotional panel I am actually ashamed to be a doctor.

I am ashamed of my profession today. They have let the women at this top table down.

Its a human rights issue and its an absolute disgrace.

We need to proliferate the number of people around this table and we need to make it a mainstream issue. In Ireland we have a history of exporting problems out.

Im proud of all of you, I dont think anyone in this room can understand what you guys are going through.

Its bad enough to be going through this but actually to have to fight in this way to be denied medication that is immeasurably changing the lives of your family and your children is disgraceful.

Ms Twomey, whose daughter suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, secured a licence so Ava could receive cannabidiol (CBD) oil and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil.

She called for Mr Harris to provide legislative change so that parents and children can access the medication locally.

Our family has to leave the country every three months, we have to reapply for our licence for medical cannabis every three months, she said.

This is very distressing and disturbing to the whole family environment to be leaving every 12 weeks. Any disruption in supply to Avas medication could have catastrophic consequences for her health if there is a breakdown in supply in Holland.

We are not getting support and being driven out of the country.

Thats not good enough. We want THC and we want CBD in the proper format because we want the best for our kids.

Expand Close A year ago, the Dail passed the Medicinal Use Regulation Bill on to the detailed scrutiny stage (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A year ago, the Dail passed the Medicinal Use Regulation Bill on to the detailed scrutiny stage (Niall Carson/PA)

My daughter is an important a person as any other person in this State and she has the right to be respected.

I want Simon Harris to do the right thing.

Gino Kelly, People Before Profit TD, said: This unnecessary hold up is preventing children and others who could benefit from access to medicinal cannabis from obtaining it.

What is needed is for the Medicinal Cannabis Bill to be allowed progress to the committee stage where it can be scrutinised and if necessary amended.

Also speaking at the event was Callie Blackwell who is one of the leading medicinal cannabis activists in Britain.

Her book, The Boy In 7 Billion, tells of how she gave her 14 year-old son illegal cannabis oil after being told he had less than one week to live.

She said that her son Deryn is now doing very well.A Government minister has been forced to defend the Taoiseachs comments on annual leave for medical staff.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed was representing the government during Leaders Questions and faced down a number of criticisms from across the House about his party leader.

During Leaders Questions on Tuesday, when asked by opposition leader Micheal Martin what plans the Government had for the forthcoming winter, Leo Varadkar referenced hospital overcrowding due to annual leave taken by staff.

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We need to make sure, for the first time ever, that during that period the radiology departments and labs are open and working at full whack, that consultants are not on holidays in the first week of the year, particularly those who work in the emergency departments, and that nurses are not on leave in the first two weeks of January, Mr Varadkar said.

Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane was first to reference the Taoiseach during Wednesdays questions.

Yesterday the Taoiseach let the mask slip again with the latest attack on doctors and nurses, in what was a vindictive attempt to shift blame for hospital overcrowding away from him, and the performance of this Government, he said.

Nurse and doctors leave is not the problem here, it is not the reason over one million people are waiting to see a consultant.

Mr Cullinane added that blaming frontline staff showed the true character of Taoiseach, before asking what plan the Government had for hospital overcrowding, and what increased investment strategy had been put in place.

Mr Creed denied that the Taoiseach had laid blame with the staff, but rather the poor management of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

I think, on the contrary, the Taoiseachs comments yesterday are clear evidence the Governments priority is to make sure we we deal with patients in an effective way, he said.

The Taoiseachs comments are a clear recognition that critical staff are critical to resolving this issue and, far from denigrating them, the challenge the Taoiseach posed yesterday is to HSE management, and what we need is appropriate management of human resources.

He added that the Government since 2014 has reversed cuts to bed capacity, but added: Its not like flicking a switch.

Mr Cullinane replied that Mr Creed had not answered his question and reminded the minister that his Government had been in power since 2011.

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Labour leader Brendan Howlin also criticised the Taoiseachs statements on Tuesday.

There may be scope to change rostering, but the Taoiseach should not blame staff, which he did, no matter what you say, for taking their annual entitlement to leave, he said.

If its a management issue, it should be addressed with trade unions and not abusing people in this House or in the public airwaves.

If this Government is serious about using resources effectively, to take pressure off the Christmas period it makes sense to offer home care packages to those in acute beds and awaiting transfer home.

The minister was also asked by People Before Profit TD Brid Smith if, as he supported the recent Google staff walkout in Dublin, he would also support nurses should they resolve to strike over pay and conditions.

Mr Creed replied: I am of the view negotiation is key in an effort to avoid strike action.A farmer who was killed in a farm accident in Co Waterford yesterday has been named locally.

Suckler farmer Patrick (Paddy) Drohan was killed following a fall from height in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford.

IFA Waterford County Chair Kevin Kiersey told FarmIreland said that Mr Drohan was a top suckler farmer in the area and will be missed by his wife and four children.

He was very hardworking. This came as a real shock to the community. Its very sad. My deepest sympathies are with his family.

Mr Drohan was a prominent suckler farmer in the region and took part in the Teagasc Better Farm Beef Programme. He held various farm walks on his land.

Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority Pat Griffin told FarmIreland that it was investigating the accident.

"The fatal accident is currently under investigation. This is particularly sad considering we had a fall from height campaign last month," Mr Griffin said.

Approximately 6pc of the working population are involved in agriculture but the sector frequently accounts for up to 50pc of workplace deaths.

In 2017, there were 31 farm fatalities, 25 in Republic of Ireland, 6 in Northern Ireland, with 4 due to falls, or falling objects, on farms.

Most falls from height are fatal, its not worth taking a risk, Mr Griffin said.

We are asking farmers to plan ahead and make sure that work at height is only carried out using the proper equipment and with protective measures in place. This can be done by carrying out a risk assessment that identifies all of the hazards especially when working to repair fragile roofs.

Figures at the recent Health and Safety Authority Farm Safety conference in Carlow show that of the 17 farm deaths this year, almost half involved agricultural machinery.Four Irish businesses have signed deals with Chinese partners valued at 50m in total.

The four Enterprise Ireland-backed firms operate in the healthcare, skincare, medtech and diagnostics sectors.

Among those confirming new partnerships is Irish Breeze, which has signed an agreement with website JD.com, one of the largest business-to-consumer online retailers in China by transaction volume and revenue.

Irish Breeze now plans to achieve sales of 25m within five years for its Water Wipes.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Sophia Zhang, head of business development for Irish Breeze in China, said the commitment of JD.com will help Irish Breeze in its expansion. "Once we fully know how to do business in this market we will consider adding more products into the market, but that won't happen this year or next year," Ms Zhang said.

The other Irish companies include Reagecon Diagnostics, a chemical and physical standards company, which has signed a distribution agreement with Beijing Thorigin worth 10m over five years.

Meanwhile, healthcare and medical products manufacturer Solvotrin Therapeutics and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical have entered an exclusive distribution agreement in the Chinese market for Solvotrin's product Active Iron.

The deal is worth 15m per year over three years. The fourth company, Novaerus, has secured a three-year distribution agreement with Hangzhou Door Import & Export worth 760,000 in product purchasing. The deals were announced at the inaugural China International Import Exhibition (CIIE), the world's largest trade exhibition.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys, who is leading the six-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission to China, described the agreements as "a testament to the hard work undertaken by Irish companies and the support offered by the Government through Enterprise Ireland".

"Our presence at CIIE demonstrates Ireland's commitment to China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, and I am delighted we had such positive outcomes from our engagement at the event."

Hostelworld, Glen Dimplex, Emerald Green Baby, Cartoon Saloon, PM Group, Orbis and PPI are also showcasing under the 'Irish Advantage' banner.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said there is great opportunity for Irish exporters to build on existing trade links with China and "to further develop the country's exporting market in the greater APAC [Asia-Pacific] region."Ikea has no plans to open further stores in Ireland, despite strong growth in sales.

Sales in Ireland grew 7.4pc in the companys last financial year, to 181.5m.

Ireland market manager Claudia Marshall said the company was focused on investing in its so-called multi-channel approach ie online sales as well as physical store sales.

We have no plans to open additional stores in Ireland at present, she said.

Ikea has recently introduced online shopping here and said that helped to boost Irish revenues.

Ms Marshall said the move to online has been a great success and has performed strongly in its first 10 months in operation, giving customers all over Ireland the opportunity to shop with IKEA whenever and wherever they want.

The sales figure covers the year to the end of August last.

The company also said it had been boosted by investment in its two outlets here  the full-sized store in Ballymun and its order and collection point in Carrickmines, South Dublin.

It said price reductions and the hot summer had also helped.

Ikeas seasonal sales saw a bumper boost and as a result, Outdoor Furniture was the biggest area of growth in IKEA Ireland this year, with a total sales increase of 29pc, the company said.

Based on sales, the best-selling product online was the HEMNES day bed and, in store, the most popular were the white KALLAX shelving unit and the white RIBBA frame.The Dublin brothers who made about 200m selling their car rental tech firm Cartrawler have seen profits at their ethanol-producing business soar 47pc to 35.5m.

Greg and Niall Turley were the co-founders of Cartrawler, which they sold between 2011 and 2014.

The Turley family, including the brothers, are the majority shareholders in Dublin-based Clonbio, which was founded by third brother Mark and which owns a processing plant in Hungary that produces ethanol from grain.

The facility also manufactures high-protein animal feed and corn oil.

The company, established by Mark Turley in 2008, said that its revenue rose 11pc to 278m last year.

It also slashed its debt pile, reducing short-term borrowings by 49m to 35m. Long-term borrowings were cut by 18m to 48m.

Since it was founded, Clonbio has received financing from entities including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Hungarian Export-Import Bank, a fund controlled by Cordiant Capital and Budapest Bank. At the end of 2016, its short-term borrowings included 59.1m in shareholder loans.

Mr Turley, who is Clonbio's CEO, said that the group has invested an additional 30m in its refinery so far this year. The plant is now the largest ethanol producer in Europe.

He said that the group expects to benefit from the wider introduction of petrol blended with ethanol across Europe. So-called E10 petrol is regular petrol that is blended with about 10pc ethanol. The fuel is already used in some countries. During the summer, the UK government launched a consultation process to help determine of E10 fuel should be introduced there by 2020. The fuel helps to reduce carbon emissions.

"We are strongly advocating for the introduction of E10 in Ireland," said Mr Turley.

E5 is currently the standard petrol in Ireland, and contains 5pc ethanol.

Clonbio's plant in Hungary, situated next to the River Danube, buys about 1.1m tonnes of feed corn every year from farmers. It produces 500m litres of ethanol a year, as well as 350,000 tonnes of animal feed, and 15,000 tonnes of corn oil.

Last year, additional investment in the plant resulted in great efficiency and higher operating levels, according to Clonbio.

Revenue reported by the company last year was lifted by higher ethanol prices as increased demand for the product was spurred by the continuing introduction of E10 in Europe. Ethanol prices also rose internationally, while there was reduced production capacity elsewhere in Europe.

Apart from the Turley family, other shareholders in Clonbio include Hugh Grennan, a co-owner of the Old Storehouse restaurant in Dublin's Temple Bar.Irish Central Bank deputy governor Sharon Donnery's gender was highlighted as a key reason she should get a top EU bank regulator job, according to the head of the European Parliament Committee that recommended her.

The European Central Bank's board will decide today whether Ms Donnery or Italian candidate Andrea Enria will be the next chair of the board of the powerful Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM).

This is the agency set up after the crash to ensure robust banking supervision across the euro area.

The two candidates emerged from a round of behind-closed doors interviews in Brussels with members of the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

A third candidate, Robert Ophele of France, didn't make it past the committee stage.

Now it has emerged that the head of the committee that sent both Ms Donnery and Mr Enria forward for consideration, Italian MEP Roberto Gualtieri, said the MEPs who backed the Italian cited "the added value of his stronger experience".

Meanwhile, those favouring Ms Donnery were "highlighting the importance of ensuring gender balance and promoting female candidates".

The comments are from a letter sent by Mr Gualtieri to the ECB and were reported by Bloomberg yesterday.

The confidential letter obtained by Bloomberg summarised the views of committee members. Fine Gael MEP for Dublin Brian Hayes is vice-chairman of the committee.

In the letter sent on October 23, Mr Gualtieri said that both candidates emerged as frontrunners and that the overall views among lawmakers were balanced.

The European Parliament is known to be keen to see more women in senior EU roles, but the explicit focus on Ms Donnery's gender is likely to be controversial, especially when the focus in relation to her rival was on his experience.

Ms Donnery has a career spanning over 20 years in monetary policy, banking supervision and management of bad loans.

She is deputy governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and was previously in charge of overseeing Irish banks.

Standards

She also led the ECB task force that has pushed banks to reduce bad debts faster, a move that's notably raised hackles in Italy, including criticism from European Parliament president Antonio Tajani and Mr Gualtieri himself.

Mr Enria is the current chairman of the European Banking Authority (EBA), the body that drafts technical standards for regulating lenders.

The ECB's Governing Council is due to vote on the appointment today.

Once that happens the name goes back to the European Parliament for confirmation, and ultimately must also be signed off by euro area members state government.Concerned: Niamh Sweeney, Facebook head of public policy, said funding a new online watchdog would draw criticism. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Multi-billion dollar tech firm Facebook says it should not pay to help set up a new watchdog to protect children online.

But the tech giant is now in the crosshairs of regulators in Europe and at home.

The European Commission wants more regulation of Facebook's controversial political advertising in the wake of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US.

The social network giant has told an Oireachtas committee it was concerned providing funding for a new child protection office would lead to it being criticised.

Facebook's head of public policy Niamh Sweeney said the company shouldn't have to pay to set up and run the new watchdog. "I suspect if it was funded by us, that would draw its own criticism," she claimed.

Ms Sweeney added freedom of expression was a cornerstone of the internet and it was important creating a watchdog did not limit people's ability to engage online.

She welcomed an opportunity to work with politicians and officials to create a legal definition of "harmful communications" to use against damaging content and delete it.

The Digital Safety Commissioner Bill, currently before the Oireachtas, proposes creating an office responsible for oversight and regulating companies. It would force firms to remove harmful online materials from their websites.

Department of Communications officials said there was a need for a regulatory body to monitor online platforms such as Facebook and Google - where harmful images and videos may be available or sent to vulnerable users.

Department assistant secretary Patricia Cronin said officials were examining how the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) could be used. The BAI currently regulates public and commercial broadcasters.

"A regulatory body will have to be established. It will be either a new one or an existing one and clearly the BAI is in the frame for that," she said.

Meanwhile, in Lisbon, European Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova said social networks need to be controlled more tightly because of their political influence.

"It is time to address non-transparent political advertising and the misuse of people's personal data," Ms Jourova said at the Web Summit.

"In our online world, the risk of interference and manipulation has never been so high. The Cambridge Analytica case has been a wake-up call that sent shockwaves through our democratic systems," she said.

Cambridge Analytica controversially used confidential data supplied by Facebook to target voters in the Brexit campaign.

On Monday, Facebook finally stopped showing Mr Trump's campaign ads, which were branded racist.

The adverts featured an immigrant convicted of killing two police officers.

"This ad violates Facebook's advertising policy against sensational content so we have rejected it," the company said.Google's Vice-President for product management, Tamar Yehoshua, delivers a speech at the centre stage of the 2018 edition of the annual Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon

Facebook has endured another day of bashing on the international stage with the European Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourova, telling the Web Summit that social networks need to be controlled more tightly.

"It is time to address non-transparent political advertising and the misuse of people's personal data," Ms Jourova told journalists at the Lisbon tech conference. "In our online world, the risk of interference and manipulation has never been so high. The Cambridge Analytica case has been a wake-up call that sent shockwaves through our democratic systems."

Ms Jourova also said that there is "strong determination" within the EU to move ahead with an EU digital tax, which Ireland opposes.

The criticism of the social regulation came after Facebook and Google both agreed to sign up to a new 'Contract For the Web', initiative set up by the founder of the worldwide web, Tim Berners-Lee.

The loosely-defined 'contract' asks for new systems of accountability for major tech companies and state bodies when it comes to building and using the web.

"A lot of things have gone wrong with the web," he said. "We need a revolution."

Mr Berners-Lee said that online companies can "do better" than they are at present. Irish tech entrepreneurs were out in force at the conference.

Alan Coleman, the Brite:bill founder who sold the Irish telecoms software firm to AmDocs for a reported 80m in 2016, was present with his new startup, Sweepr.

The firm aims to help people with everyday technical problems they have using artificial intelligence.

Other high-profile Irish technology founders present included Intercom co-founder Des Traynor, who said that his company will soon be rolling out a roadmap for its next big products.

The Web Summit is traditionally used by hundreds of European startups to find financial backers, partners and customers.

Organisers at the conference say that the number of people registered to attend the event is close to 70,000.Iraq plans to increase its oil output and export capacity in 2019, with a focus on its southern oilfields, and is close to reaching a deal with international companies, Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban has said.

The new minister also said the shortfall in oil supply caused by new US sanctions on Iran had yet to be gauged before Iraq and other Opec members could decide what action to take ahead of their policy meeting next month.

Iraq, Opec's second-largest producer, is targeting production capacity of 5 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2019, with average exports expected to reach around 3.8 million bpd.

Iraq currently pumps around 4.6 million bpd, second only to Saudi Arabia in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The bulk of Iraq's oil is exported via its southern terminals, which account for more than 95pc of state revenue.

Upgrading capacity, especially in the south, "is a top priority," Mr Ghadhban told Reuters in his first interview since taking over at the ministry last month. "We have had talks with international companies which lasted for a while, but now we are about to reach a deal and will settle this issue soon," he said.

In the coming years, Iraq plans to boost export capacity to 8.5 million bpd after upgrading its infrastructure, Mr Ghadhban said.

This would include 6.5 million bpd from southern oilfields, with 1 million bpd to become available after a new pipeline from the northern city of Kirkuk to Turkey's Ceyhan port on the Mediterranean is built.

The country is trying to recover from years of violence, including a war with Islamic State militants, that wrecked infrastructure. Baghdad is also seeking to reduce corruption and manage rivalries with the Kurdish authorities who run oil-rich areas in the north.

Mr Ghadhban, who replaced Jabar al-Luaibi as minister, is also looking to diversify Iraq's export outlets through new pipelines.

One of Iraq's immediate challenges will be to gauge the shortfall in global oil supply caused by sanctions Washington reimposed on Iran's oil sector on Monday.

Ghadhban said Iraq wanted to see the "actual decrease" before Baghdad and other Opec members decide how to deal with a reduction in Iranian shipments.

Mr Ghadhban did not specify what oil price he expected for 2019. He said a price above $70 per barrel was "fair" and that the higher the price, the better it was for Iraq.

"I compare it with previous prices ... when we talk about prices above 70 ... I say it's a fair price, it's not 30 or 50 and it's not 100.

"In principle, the higher the price, the better for Iraq. But we're not working alone .. we're a member of Opec. We see the interests of consumers and we want to be a viable producer and exporter," Mr Ghadhban said.

ReutersThe German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 6, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Growth in Germany, Europes largest economy, looks set to support the outlook for the euro area even as Italy dices with stagnation, according to the latest data.

Economists said it pointed to quarterly economic growth of about 0.3pc in the fourth

quarter of this year, up from 0.2pc in the second quarter.

Octobers headline composite output index for the euro area was revised upwards from an initial estimate of 52.7 to 53.1 as Germanys Composite PMI was revised up significantly from the first estimate of 52.7 to 53.4.

The national breakdown added to the evidence that Italys economy is struggling. In fact, on the face of it, Italys Composite PMI suggests that after stagnating in the third quarter, the economy contracted in October, said Jack Allen, senior European Economist at Capital Economics.

Italy is mired in a budget dispute with the European Union over its spending plans and its populist government has said it will not stand down, saying that the third-largest euro area economy needs a budget to boost growth after austerity.

The Purchasing Manager Index data released yesterday provided a more upbeat assessment for Europe than a survey by German research institute IFO for the euro area which dropped to its lowest level since mid-2016 and fell to 6.6 points for the outlook for the final quarter of this year from 19.6 points in the third quarter.

The euro areas economy is moving into rough waters, the research body said in its report, citing plunging expectations in Italy and Spain.

The world economy has now left behind an era of synchronised growth with the prospect of a full-blown trade war between the United States and China weighing on sentiment. With the US midterm elections threatening to overturn Republican control of the House of Representatives, there is also the risk of a return to government shutdowns which could dampen business and consumer sentiment in the worlds largest economy.Pete Brennan from Beatles Ireland makes a presentation to the Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring with a piece of stage from the Adelphi Cinema where the Beatles performed, watched by Gay Byrne. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Pete Brennan from Beatles Ireland hold a piece of the Adelphi Cinema stage where the Beatles played. Pictured with Gay Byrne. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Terrie Colman Black, who was at the Beatles Concert in the Adelphi Cinema when she was aged 14 with The Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Pictured is broadcaster Gay Byrne holding up a framed concert ticket from when the Beatles played in the Adelphi Cinema 55 years ago. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Pictured unveiling the Beatles plaque are Lord Mayor of Dublin Niall Ring with broadcaster Gay Byrne. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Members of Beatles Ireland Pete Brennan and Pat Moore hold up a framed picture of the Beatles arriving into Dublin. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Crowds gather during the unveiling ceremony of the Beatles Plaque, in Middle Abbet Street. Picture Colm Mahady /Fennells - CopyrightFennell Photography 2018.

Fans meet with their idols at the Beatles concert, Dublin 07/11/1963 Adelphi Cinema

Fab four: The Beatles at the Adelphi Cinema.

The only two Irish concerts ever performed by The Beatles in Ireland have been commemorated with a special plaque.

Paul, John, George, and Ringo brought Beatlemania to Dublin 55 years ago today with two concerts - in just one day - at the old Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street.

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On the night of November 7, 1963, they caused chaos in the city centre as thousands of young, screaming fans descended on the venue to catch a glimpse of their idols.

This was despite the fact that the 2,300 tickets for two capacity shows - one at 6.30pm and another at 9pm - had long sold out.

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Unfortunately, as the fans from the first show filed out of the venue on a manic high, they encountered those eagerly queuing for the second show and madness ensued.

Fifty extra gardai were drafted in to keep order, but at least one car was overturned, a taxi driver pulled from his car, and fire engines reportedly tried to calm the manic throng by ringing their bells.

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Following the concerts, the foursome escaped the mayhem in the back of an Evening Herald delivery van to return to their hotel, The Gresham, all but a stone throw away.

As part of Dublin City Councils commemorative plaque initiative, Lord Mayor Niall Ring unveiled a plaque on the back wall of what is now Arnotts department store to mark the event on its 55th anniversary.

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The Beatles provided the background music to my (very early) childhood, he said, And their visit here allowed Dubliners to experience something of the swinging 60s in our own city.

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I think its very fitting that this plaque is now in place to mark the spot where thousands of people stood on that famous night in 1963.

Gay Byrne also spoke at the unveiling, revealing that Paul McCartney told him they'd love him to be their agent. "I was very complimented," he said.

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Gay Byrne speaking at the #Beatles plaque unveiling! "Paul McCartney came to me & said we would love you to be our agent" "i was very complimented " pic.twitter.com/sJJ6SJPF6W  Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) November 7, 2018

Although they hailed from Liverpool, all four Beatles had Irish roots and they famously declared, on meeting press at Dublin airport upon their arrival, Were all Irish!.

Eanna Brophy, who was a young journalist working with the Press at the time, and who covered the Adelphi shows said, I knew instinctively that there was something special about these newcomers. Little did I realise how special.Fianna Fail is to review the partys policy on the Traveller community after a robust internal debate on the outcome of the presidential election.

During a parliamentary party meeting, TDs and senators agreed to establish a committee which would examine Fianna Fails stance on Travellers.

Fianna Fails equality spokesperson Fiona OLoughlin was nominated to carry out the review of party policy.

The review will examine what supports Travellers need and how relations can be improved with the settled community.

It is hoped the policy will be developed in tandem with Traveller advocacy groups.

The decision followed an hour long debate on the Traveller community which several sources said included a range of views from party members.

There was discussion about Traveller health, education and life expectancy and the point was made that the vast majority of Travellers are law-abiding.

A number of TDs said Fianna Fail should take heed of the outcome of the presidential election which saw almost one in four voters back controversial businessman Peter Casey after he criticised Travellers.

An RTE exit poll showed one in three Fianna Fail supporters voted for Mr Casey.

One source said there was an "undercurrent throughout the debate" that Mr Casey struck a cord with the public and Fianna Fail voters.

Speaking after the meeting, another Fianna Fail TD said: F**k Peter Casey himself, but he has hit a nerve."

"There are a lot of people who didnt actually vote for Casey who empathise with him," the TD added.

At the meeting, one party figure is understood have said the party should reflect the "majority not the minority" when developing policy.

Another source said: There wasnt anyone bashing Travellers.

A lot of people had sympathy for them and thought Casey was wrong for using Travellers (to get votes) whether intentional or not, the source added.

Another TD said: "Travellers can be their own worst enemy, but added that "they are no different than the settled community".

Cork East TD Kevin OKeeffe is understood to have told the meeting he had "no problem" with Travellers as he had danced with them in the dance halls years ago.

Carlow Kilkenny TD John McGuinness noted that Mr Casey had not been elected to any office yet he had caused an hour-long debate at the parliamentary party.

Galway West Eamon O Cuiv said the party should embrace all of the Travelling community.

Dublin South West TD John Lahart suggested the establishment of forums at local authority level to facilitate work between the settled and Travelling communities.Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago

People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant

Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin

A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky

Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley

The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky

People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky

Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin

U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin

Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant

A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Results of the pivotal midterm election are due this morning in what is being viewed as a referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump.

The first polls began to close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky on Tuesday as Americans cast votes at the end of a divisive campaign to decide whether Donald Trump's fellow Republicans maintain their grip on the US Congress.

But it could be hours before the winners are determined in dozens of tight races that will decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a 2016 upset became a referendum on the polarizing president, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box.

The Democrats are favored by election forecasters to pick up the 23 seats they need to gain a majority in the House, but have slimmer hopes of gaining control of the Senate, opinion polls show.

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All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday.

The volatile campaign was marked by clashes over race, immigration and trade. In the final stretch, Trump focused his rhetoric on hardline warnings about illegal immigration and liberal "mobs."

If Democrats capture the House, they could block Trump's agenda and launch congressional investigations into aspects of Trump's administration, from his tax returns to possible business conflicts of interest and the nature of his 2016 campaign's ties to Russia.

A Republican victory in both chambers of Congress would be a validation for Trump's polarizing style, a month after he solidified a conservative majority on the Supreme Court when the Senate confirmed his nominee Brett Kavanaugh after a fight that split the nation over sexual misconduct accusations against the jurist.

Expand Close The thin red, white and blue line: People queue up to vote in the US midterm elections at Grady High School in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday. Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images / Facebook

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Striking a dark tone at a rally in Indiana on Monday evening, Trump accused Democrats without offering any evidence of "openly encouraging millions of illegal aliens to break our laws, violate our borders and overrun our country".

US stocks ticked higher in thin trading on Tuesday, as investors awaited the election results.

Analysts expect pressure on stocks if Democrats gain control of the House and a sharper downward reaction if they win the Senate, too. If Republicans hold their ground, stocks could gain further, with hopes of more tax cuts ahead.Elderly woman died due to injuries she sustained as a passenger in a car driven by her husband. Stock image

An elderly woman died due to injuries she sustained as a passenger in a car driven by her husband.

Josephine and John Sugrue were driving to the shops in their Toyota Yaris when the accident happened on January 3 2017.

The couple were coming out of their estate at Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin when Mr Sugrue swerved to avoid an oncoming car and struck a pillar.

Mr Sugrue was driving with Mrs Sugrue in the passenger seat and both sustained bruising and broken ribs in the incident.

They were taken to St Vincents Hospital where Mr Sugrue recovered but his wifes condition deteriorated and she died on January 10 2017.

Josephine Sugrue (83) was a talented writer and artist before she developed Alzheimers disease, an inquest into her death heard.

Mr Sugrue had a history of dementia and osteoarthritis, Dublin Coroner's Court heard.

Medical reports detailed how her rib fractures initially went undetected following x-rays at St Vincent's Hospital.

Mrs Sugrue was treated with antibiotics but her condition deteriorated on January 4 with an elevated heart rate and rising temperature.

She developed pneumonia in her lung. A review of her x-ray revealed the rib fractures and a partial collapse of one lung with a number of rib fractures.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane noted the initial failure to diagnose the rib fractures but said this would not have changed Mrs Sugrues clinical management.

On January 10 staff noticed her breathing became shallow and they contacted family members advising them to come to the hospital.

However, Mrs Sugrue was pronounced dead at 6.45am, five minutes before family arrived at St Vincents Hospital.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as respiratory failure due to respiratory infection due to chest wall trauma due to a road traffic collision.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.The High Court has dismissed an application by former Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan for an order allowing her to bring a defamation action against the Irish Examiner newspaper.

Ms O'Sullivan, who served as Commissioner between 2014 and 2017, had claimed she was defamed by the Cork-based Irish Examiner newspaper in an article that appeared on the front page of the publication on October 4th, 2016 entitled "Senior Garda tried to 'destroy' source."

The newspaper denied the article was defamatory.

In September, Ms O'Sullivan applied to the High Court for an order permitting her to extend the time legally allowed to bring defamation proceedings against the newspaper.

Under the 2009 Defamation Act, litigants have up to 12 months from the date of publication to bring defamation proceedings against the publisher.

However, under section 38 of that Act, the High Court can extend the 12-month time limit to a maximum of two years.

The newspaper opposed the application for a time extension.

In a judgment today, Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington refused to grant Ms O'Sullivan an order allowing her to issue defamation proceedings outside the statutory limit of one year.

The Judge said that Ms O'Sullivan had said she did not bring the proceedings any earlier than she did because the former commissioner did not believe herself to be in a position to consider the matter from the date of publication until the conclusion of the Disclosures Tribunal.

The Judge said that those reasons, while sincerely and genuinely held, are "insufficient to disapply the one-year statutory limit.

Regard must be given to the time limit laid down by statute, the Judge said.

Ms O'Sullivan, the judge added, could have instituted proceedings within the statutory time limit.

The judge said the fact that the former commissioner did not do so "has consequences for her in now seeking to issue to intended proceedings".

"To make a decision not to deal with matters within a time limit imposed by the statue in my view is an insufficient reason to now grant an extension of it," the Judge said.

The Judge added the interest of justice require that no direction be given to disapply the one-year statutory time limit.

The judge said she was further satisfied that the prejudice to the plaintiff in being prevented from bringing the action against the newspaper does not significantly outweigh the prejudice to the newspaper in losing its statute of limitation defence.

After delivering her ruling the judge adjourned the matter for two weeks to allow the parties to consider her decision.

The article Ms O'Sullivan complained of reported that two senior Gardai had made statements under the protected disclosure whistleblower legislation alleging that senior Garda management conducted a major campaign to destroy them in the force in what was described as "a smear campaign. "

The allegations in the article were raised in the Dail by Michael Martin, and shortly afterwards an inquiry into the disclosures was ordered by the Minister for Justice.

In February 2017, the government announced that a Commission of Inquiry conducted by Mr Justice Peter Charleton would consider the claims in the disclosures made by Supt Dave Taylor and Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Ms O'Sullivan claimed she had not brought proceedings alleging defamation earlier because she was under the most intense strain from when the article was published to the conclusion of the public hearings of the Disclosures Tribunal.

The entire controversy had taken a considerable toll on her and her family, she said.

She said in a sworn statement that she feared the article and others will stand as a permanent record of the "horrendous and false allegations about me".

The newspaper, represented by Oisin Quinn SC and Shane English Bl, said it was only contacted by Ms O'Sullivan's lawyers in September 2018, one year and eleven months after the article she complains of was published.

No good reason had been advanced why she should be given an extension of time to bring her proceedings, it argued.

Denying it had defamed the former commissioner, the newspaper said it published the contents of what two Gardai had made in protected disclosures to the Minister for Justice about an alleged campaign to damage a garda whistleblower.

The newspaper added the story was dramatic news and hugely in the public interest given the concerns it raised, and that Ms O'Sullivan was not named nor identified in the article as being one of the senior gardai against whom allegations were being made in the protected disclosures.Patrick Kealy, (59), a Director of Five Lamps Inn Public House Limited, sought license to operate pub in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

Gardai have cited law and order concerns in an objection to an application by a company with directors who are members of the Travelling community who have sought a license to operate a public house in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

A company, Five Lamps Inn Public House Limited, with an address in Rathkeale, has made the application before Limerick Circuit Civil Court.

The directors of the company are Patrick Kealy, and his wife Breda Kealy, both with an address in the UK and at Red Brick House Fairhill, Rathkeale.

Evidence was initially heard during a sitting of the Circuit Court in Newcastle West on October 10th last, when then, a number of gardai gave evidence outlining concerns over the impact on law on order in Rathkeale should the license be granted to the applicant.

State Solicitor for County Limerick, Aidan Judge, while cross examining Patrick Kealy, (59), put it to the witness he was the Patriarch of the Kealy family, who were involved in a long running feud with other Traveller families.

Mr Kealy disputed this, but, said a number of families had shaken hands, and there were no ongoing difficulties between families.

The State says there is a sufficient number of public houses serving the Rathkeale area, as well as its surrounding hinterland, at all times of the year.

Traditionally, around Christmas time, there is a surge in the local Traveller population due to families returning to the town from abroad during the festive period.

The applicant has disputed other concerns raised by the State over the suitability of the proposed premises located on Main Street Rathkeale.

The property has lain vacant for the past number of years and is currently undergoing refurbishment works.

Last months hearing in Newcastle West court was told gardai have had to deploy enormous resources to Rathkeale at certain times of the year to maintain law and order.

In view of this, the state cited concerns over significant law and order enforcement issues in Rathkeale, should the applicant be granted the pub license.

The matter was listed for hearing of further evidence today at Limerick Circuit Civil Court, sitting in Limerick City, before Judge Eoin Garavan.

However, the matter was adjourned to next week for all parties to present further submissions.The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a garda accused of possessing images and videos of children being subjected to sexual acts.

Joseph O'Connor (58) of west Dublin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of possession of child pornography at his home in west Dublin on dates between July 30 and August 2 in 2011.

During a search of his home on August 2 gardai seized a laptop. Investigators analysed the laptop and found videos in the computer's recycle bin depicting boys under the age of ten being subjected to sexual acts.

Two videos depicted boys under 17 being subjected to sexual acts with a male adult. There were also multiple copies of 16 different images of children sexually exposed or being subjected to sexual acts.

Mr O'Connor told gardai that he had never seen the material before and denied downloading it. He described it as sick and said somebody else must have downloaded the files.

He said he believed that a man, Patryk Farrell, who came to his home for sex days before the laptop was seized had corrupted his computer.

Closing the State's case Alice Fawsitt SC told the jury that the prosecution is not required to prove that the accused viewed or did anything with the files. She said the State must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused knew the files were on his laptop.

She said there was no evidence of any virus on the laptop and no evidence of anything that might have happened to it the weekend before it was seized.

Paul Carroll SC, defending, told the jurors they must consider if it was possible that the files were put on the computer by somebody else. He said Mr O'Connor told gardai that hundreds of men had come back to his home for sex and that any of them could freely use his laptop.

Mr Carroll said that on July 29 Mr Farrell texted Mr O'Connor and told him he was bruised and that he was going to gardai and he would destroy him. Mr O'Connor went to gardai to report that Mr Farrell had stolen his garda ID, handcuffs and cash from his home.

Counsel asked if it was reasonable that his client knew Mr Farrell had made allegations to gardai and didn't destroy his laptop.

He has all these movies and he just puts them into a recycle bin? He doesn't go out and smash it up or throw it in the Liffey. He doesn't empty the recycle bin, counsel said.

He said the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Farrell or the 100s of men didn't have something to do with the files.

After around two hours of deliberations Judge Elma Sheahan told the jury of ten men and two women to suspend deliberations until tomorrow morning.Nicola Collins who was found dead in Cork

A MAN has today denied the murder of mother of three Nicola Collins (38) who was found with fatal injuries in a Cork flat last year.

The murder trial of Cathal O'Sullivan (44) opened before the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork, as he formally pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Collins.

The young mother, who was originally from Kerry, was discovered unresponsive in a Farranree flat in Cork in the early hours of March 27 2017.

Ms Collins was pronounced dead at the scene before she could be transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

O'Sullivan, who is originally from Charleville in north Cork, was charged with the murder of Ms Collins before Cork District Court in August 2017.

In response to the murder charge, he told Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and the jury of eight men and four women he was "not guilty".

The defendant appeared in court wearing a dark pin-stripe suit, white shirt and grey tie.

The Central Criminal Court jury was told the murder trial is expected to require two weeks at hearing.

Tom Creed SC, for the State, told Ms Justice Creedon that a significant number of witnesses were involved.

He said the schedule of witnesses would be discussed between the prosecution and defence legal teams to aid the trial process.

The case will formally commence with the State's opening address later this afternoon.

The body of Ms Collins, a native of St Brendans Park in Tralee, Co Kerry but who had been living at Clashduv Road in the Togher area of Cork over recent years, was found in an upstairs flat at Popham's Road, Farranree on Cork's northside last year.

The grim discovery was made at around 3am on March 27 after the alarm had been raised by a local resident.

Ms Collins was found with serious injuries when the emergency services were called to the flat which was located over a local grocery store.

Paramedics were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Garda investigation was upgraded to a murder probe following a post mortem examination at Cork University Hospital (CUH) by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Ms Collins is survived by her parents, Kay and Michael, her sister, Carly, and her children, Nick, Adam and Michael.A 70-year-old man told gardai he was acting in self-defence when he strangled his husband to be, a murder trial has heard.

Conor Devally SC opened the trial of Desmond Duffy at the Central Criminal Court, telling a jury of six men and six women that the accused and the deceased, Desmond Sullivan (59), shared a home at Somerville Park in Rathmines, Dublin 6.

Mr Duffy has pleaded not guilty to Mr Sullivan's murder at their home on May 23, 2016.

Mr Devally explained that as they share a first name, the deceased was known to friends as Little Des, the accused as Big Des. They were in a civil partnership and due to be married in July 2017.

They were drinking partners, Mr Devally said, and partners in life.

On May 23, 2016, after "a fair amount of drinking" they went home.

There was a row and in the wake of that Mr Sullivan lay at the threshold of the kitchen and downstairs bathroom.

Mr Duffy then called his partner's nephew, Garda Maurice Ward, who found the body and called gardai and emergency services.

When he spoke to gardai, Mr Devally said the accused suggested he was acting in self-defence, telling them he was not the aggressor and that he fended off an attack by squeezing Mr Sullivan, strangling his airways and causing his death.

Gda Ward gave evidence yesterday, telling Mr Devally that he received a call from the accused at about 10.15pm asking him to call over. He asked, "is everything ok?" and Mr Duffy responded: "No, it's not ok."

Gda Ward arrived at the house at about 10.45pm.

Mr Duffy was "shook" and apologised for bringing him there.

Gda Ward said he could tell from Mr Duffy's demeanour that something serious had happened and asked if an ambulance was needed.

Mr Duffy said: "Yes, I think so." Gda Ward asked if Mr Sullivan was dead and he replied again, "Yes, I think so."

In the kitchen, Gda Ward saw the body in a doorway leading to the bathroom and knew he had been dead for some time.

When he asked Mr Duffy what happened the accused told him they had a physical fight and raised his hands to his neck area, saying that he put his hands up and Mr Sullivan fell to the ground.

Under cross-examination, Gda Ward agreed with defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC that he had known the accused and deceased since 1996 and that the accused always seemed to be a gentle person.

He met them three or four times a year and never saw him being physically or verbally aggressive.

Both men were intelligent, he said, and great company.

He added: "They were a pleasure to be around. You wouldn't be short of conversation with them."

He further accepted that they were due to be married in July 2017.

The trial will continue in front of the jury and Justice Paul McDermott today.A Dublin man who used a homemade machete-type weapon his brother had constructed for Hallowe'en to rob a Dunnes Stores has been jailed for four and a half years.

Today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Richard Finan produced the weapon used by Karl McDermott (21) in the robbery.

He accepted that it appeared to be part of a drawer. Defence counsel Mark Lynam BL said that McDermott's younger brother, a metal fabricator, had constructed the knife.

Mr Lynam said that the knife had been made from metal at the back of a drawer for a Hallowe'en costume and was it was lying about McDermott's family home.

Counsel said McDermott had been taking tablets and took the weapon to commit a completely irrational robbery. He told Judge Melanie Greally that McDermott didn't need money, but was struggling in his own head.

McDermott, of Ratoath Avenue, Finglas, pleaded guilty to robbery and production of a handmade machete at Dunnes Stores, Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, on May 25, 2018.

His 45 previous convictions include robbery, possession of knives, criminal damage, violent disorder and drugs offences.

Gda Finan told prosecution counsel Diarmuid Collins BL that a Dunnes staff member was chatting to a colleague when she noticed a person walk toward the back of her checkout.

She told gardai this person had a very long silver knife and that he began roaring at her to open the till. The raider stood behind her as she struggled to open the till and once she had managed to do so, she ran into an aisle.

She next heard shouting and then saw the man being restrained on the floor by security staff with money all around him.

The woman's colleague picked up the knife, which had fallen to the floor when the man was tackled by security staff.

This witness described it as having a padded handle covered in tin foil that was screwed onto something shiny and curved at the top. She said it looked like a machete, but it wasn't one.

One of the security men who restrained McDermott described the raider as being very strong, foaming at the mouth and having a crazy look on his face.

Gda Finan said he and colleagues arrived, handcuffed McDermott and put him in the patrol car. He said they were going into the shop to retrieve the knife when McDermott escaped the car.

The garda said he restrained McDermott again and this time placed him into a garda van. The court heard McDermott made no comment in interview.

Gda Finan agreed with Mr Lynam that tablets and alcohol were at the root of McDermott's problems and that his brother had taken his own life while in Mountjoy Prison.

Mr Lynam submitted that McDermott had detoxed from drugs and attended counselling while in custody serving a previous sentence. He said McDermott's parents wanted their son to go back to the prison's medical unit.

Judge Melanie Greally gave McDermott credit for his early guilty plea, but noted that the weapon had been capable of serious injury.

She said though there were no victim impact reports, she was taking for granted that the staff members were fearful and that the robbery had had lasting consequences for them.

She imposed a five and a half year sentence with the final 12 months suspended for that period.The scene of the shooting on Church Avenue, inset, Paul Kavanagh

Paul Kavanagh reversed his car at speed in a bid to escape two gunmen who shot him dead.

The 26 year old was looking for parking outside his home on Church Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 when he was shot multiple times by two attackers. Witnesses saw the two gunmen holding guns in the air as they fled the scene at 11.30am on March 26 2015.

Mr Kavanaghs partner Gemma Roe told an inquest into his death that shed gone to the gym that morning. She drove back to the home the couple shared with their two daughters on Church Avenue shortly before 11.30am.

Parking was tight and I wouldnt be the best driver so Paul often parked the car for me, she said.

I pulled up outside and beeped and Paul said, wait and Ill get my slippers and then he came out and drove up the road looking for parking, she said.

When he had not returned ten minutes later, she grew concerned.

I had a feeling when I heard the ambulance and hed been gone so long, Ms Roe said.

Dublin Coroners Court heard from witness Jarlath Moran who saw Paul Kavanagh sit into the VW Passat and drive up the road before stopping and reversing at speed.

It was flying in reverse, Mr Moran said.

Dublin Coroners Court heard that Mr Kavanagh was reversing to escape his attackers but was forced to stop by a white Audi that pulled out and blocked the road.

Local resident Joseph Long heard a number of loud bangs and then saw a car hitting a parked car.

I saw one man running from the car with a gun held up in the air. Then I saw a second. They were both wearing ski-masks. They jogged off in the direction of Grace Park Road, he said.

Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) responded to a call at 11.30am. Mr Kavanagh had suffered a gunshot wound to the eye and two to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Mary Kavanagh who has since passed away, identified her sons body to Detective Sergeant Michael Mulligan at Dublin City Morgue. A postmortem conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis gave the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.

Gardai found a Glock 17 firearm with an extended magazine on the ground near the scene of the shooting. The Audi was set alight before the gunmen fled.

Gardai launched a full murder inquiry with 800 lines of inquiry and 500 statements collected but no arrests were made.

Det Sgt Mulligan said the investigation remained ongoing.

The jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane extended her sympathy to the family.

I know your family has been touched by a lot of tragedy, my deepest condolences on your loss, the coroner said.A young man has appeared in court accused of burglary raids on three businesses in south Dublin in one day.

Alex Kane (21) was remanded in custody after no bail application was made on his behalf.

Mr Kane, with an address at Mackintosh Park, Dun Laoghaire, is charged with three counts of burglary and one of unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

The offences are all alleged to have happened at locations in Stepaside, south county Dublin on November 6.

The three burglaries are alleged to have happened at Flemings Butchers, Simply Fresh shop and Borza Takeaway on the Enniskerrry Road, Stepaside.

He is accused of taking the vehicle at Stepaside Village.

Garda James Codd told Dublin District Court he arrested the accused at 12.53pm today at Dundrum Garda Station and he made no reply to the charges after caution.

Mr Kane was handed a copy of the charge sheets. The court heard the directions of the DPP were awaited.

The accused was not making any bail application at this time, his barrister told Judge Geraldine Carthy.

Judge Carthy remanded Mr Kane in custody, to appear in Cloverhill District Court on November 14. He consented to appearing in that court via video link. The judge assigned free legal aid after the accuseds barrister made an application and there was no garda objection.

M Kane, dressed in a dark puffer jacket, addressed the court only to say hello as the judge greeted him.

The charges against the defendant are under the Theft and Fraud and Road Traffic Acts.An independent review will be carried out into the Design and Build programme at the centre of school safety controversy.

The review, into issues such as building control regulations, workmanship, oversight and procurement, will be conducted by an external expert.

Education Minister Joe McHugh referred to the review at a meeting of the Oireachtas Education Committee yesterday, but he triggered some confusion when he said there would be both an independent inquiry and a review of the building programme.

Western Building Systems (WBS), the Co-Tyrone based contractor at the centre of the controversy, welcomed the commitment from the minister "to an inquiry into the construction of schools and a wider review of the schools building programme".

However, a Department of Education spokesperson clarified there would be a single, independent review, conducted by an external person. The results of the more detailed structural assessments at WBS-constructed schools will inform the review.

The minister was answering questions from TDs and senators about the unfolding saga over structural safety at a number of schools built by WBS over the past decade.

More than half of 42 schools built by WBS have been confirmed as needing remediation work or, at least, precautionary protective measures, pending further investigations.

Committee members quizzed Mr McHugh about a range of matters, including responsibility for certifying the buildings and who would pay the cost of remediation and other necessary works.

The minister said he would be pursuing "every possible channel" to ensure that whatever costs arise around remediation and disruption to schools would be recouped.

He said the issue of self-certification was "the space we need to bring the conversation into now". On the question of the appointment of clerks of works to school building projects since 2017, Mr McHugh said their role was to ensure work continued "and a good clerk of works could be taking photos" but they were not responsible for certification.

The minister said parents of pupils in two schools in Tyrrelstown, west Dublin, which are still closed, will be given the opportunity to visit them today to satisfy themselves they are safe,The independent review into the Design and Build programme at the centre of the school safety controversy will be conducted by someone with expertise in the construction industry, not a lawyer.

Education Minister Joe McHugh told the Dail today that he wanted the review to look at accountability and culpability, and also lessons that needed to be learned about building safe schools.

The Department is known to be keen to avoid a tribunal-type inquiry, usually conducted by a judge or senior counsel, which, potentially, could have implications for pursuing separate legal avenues.

Mr McHugh said I do not want it set up so that it will impact on the legal process, the legal channels have to continue, as he referred to legal action already initiated by the Department against the company at the centre of the building controversy, Western Building System (WBS).

I want to be crystal clear that, in parallel to this, we fully intend to pursue Western Building System through all contractual and legal challenges for the costs arising from the structural defects he said.

Labour TD Joan Bruton said it should be headed by someone extremely experienced and competent in relation to building and someone like a reputable senior counsel, because obviously there are a high number of issues as to where ultimately legal responsibility will fall.

Solidarity People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger asked would there be a criminal type investigation or would it just be an inquiry that would look at some specifics.

Meanwhile, the minster said the Departments legal teams were working closely with the Attorney Generals office and the Chief State Solicitors Office on the issue of responsibility.

The Department is pursuing Co Tyrone-based WBS in relation to fire safety works at four schools arising from checks conducted in the past year.

It was while conducting fire safety remediation work at Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Co Dublin that significant structural issues came to light, which led to structural checks on 42 WBS-built schools.

While Mr McHugh described Ardgillan as an outlier, 23 of the 42 schools have been confirmed as either needing remediation work or have precautionary protective measures in place pending further investigation.

Mr McHugh also addressed the issue of where responsibility lies for certifying projects built under the Design and Build programme, which has been the subject of a dispute between the minister and WBS.

He repeated that the contractor and the contractors design team are very clearly responsible for ensuring quality and for presenting certificates which confirm that the buildings are constructed in accordance with the works requirements and building regulations.

The certificates signed by Western Building Systems are on the Departments files  yet, as we now see, significant issues have been uncovered in buildings which were confirmed by the contractor as having been compliant with regulations.

Arising from concerns in relation to fire safety, since 2017 the Department appoints clerk of works to school building sites. WBS points to guidance on the Departments website setting out the role a clerk of works, including that person is there primarily to represent the interests of the client in regard to ensuring that the quality of both materials and workmanship are in accordance with architects/engineers drawings and specifications.

Independent TD Mick Wallace, who has a background in the construction industry, said that even with a clerk of works on a Design and Build site, the responsibility is 100pc with the contractor. He said if a clerk of works saw something a miss, they would not have the power to stop a contractor, who could say I will take responsibility for this.

Mr Wallace said the Design and Build approach creates huge problems.Pupils will return tomorrow to two west Dublin primary schools that have been closed over concerns around structural safety.

In the case of Tyrrelstown Educate Together, all pupils will be back in class, but some will be bussed to nearby Hansfield Educate Together, which is offering alternative accommodation.

First to sixth class pupils will move to Hansfield on a temporary basis, while junior pupils and children who need its special needs ASD unit will return to the Tyrrelstown building.

The neighbouring St Lukes National School has confirmed that third to sixth classes will return tomorrow and will be accommodated in the nearby Le Cheile secondary school.

But St Lukes is still awaiting the outcome of a further safety check on its own building to decide when a limited number of classes  from junior infants to second class - can return there.

Both schools need precautionary internal and external measures, which, even when they do open, will limit them to use their ground floor only, pending further investigations.

While precautionary measures were installed over the weekend, school management and parents had concerns and further work has since been carried out.

Today, parents from both schools met with representatives from the Department of Education, Punch Engineering, which installed the protective measures, the Gardai and an independent health and safety consultant to view the works and ask questions.

In a notice posted on the St Lukes website, principal Vivienne Bourke said "parents raised a number of concerns and asked many questions about the safety of the school building from perspectives such as: structural safety, fire safety and the additional needs of children with special educational needs etc."

She said the school patron and the board of management were satisfied that the ground floor was structurally sound, but taking into account the safety concerns raised by the parents, a second check was being conducted.

Ms Bourke said the patron and board of management would not be in a position to open the school on the ground floor, or the hall, until that safety check has been completed and the works recommended therein have been implemented fully.Giedre Raguckaite was last seen with two Lithuanian men

The best friend of a 29-year-old woman believes she was raped before being murdered, and her body brutally disposed of.

Gardai yesterday appealed for information in the case of Giedre Raguckaite, who was last seen alive at a house in Laytown, Co Meath, on the night of May 29.

She was in an unconscious state and in the company of two Lithuanian men who carried her into the house in their arms and placed her in an ice bath.

Forensic officers yesterday carried out a detailed search of the Co Meath property, the first time that they combed the house, even though they have questioned two men in relation to the suspected murder.

It is understood that some hours after she was brought to Laytown, the men left the property with Giedre in a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser and no one has seen her since.

Last night, her close friend Gedvile Hibner said that a witness had reported that her friend had been violently sexually assaulted before being killed while in a drugged state. She has pleaded for those with information to come forward, so that Giedre's shocked family may at least get her body back.

In an appeal for information yesterday in Dundalk garda station, Superintendent Gerry Curley said that the last sighting of Giedre was in the company of two men at a house in the Beach Grove estate in Laytown.

Superintendent Curley said: "Giedre was not seen leaving the house but we are satisfied that she left the house and the other two males left the house in the early hours of May 30, 2018. She has not been seen since."

The Garda Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the house and is understood to have been interested in one particular part of the building.

Gardai are following a definite line of enquiry and at this point there is no indication that she was trafficked.

Gardai have carried out over 170 lines of enquiry, including liaising with the PSNI, UK Police Forces, Interpol, and the Lithuanian Police.

Giedre's relatives were informed that the investigation had been upgraded to murder on Wednesday last week.Doctors who get the timeline wrong in cases of fatal foetal abnormality may be facing 14 years in jail, TDs were warned.

Proposed legislation will allow a pregnancy to be terminated in cases where a baby has a diagnosed fatal foetal abnormality and will die either "before or within 28 days of birth".

The normal 12-week rule will not apply to pregnancies where a fatal foetal abnormality is diagnosed.

But the 28-day time limit for life expectancy may have a potentially chilling effect on doctors, according to pro-choice TDs.

They said if doctors get the timeline prediction wrong, they may be facing a 14-year prison sentence.

A number of TDs who proposed amendments to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 said the 28-day time limit should be removed from the wording of the legislation and confined to guidelines instead.

They were before the Oireachtas Health Committee where 180 amendments to the proposed legislation widening the grounds for abortion were discussed. Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly said the 28-day clause should be deleted or changed to "shortly after birth".

Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly said if 28 days were what medics wanted, then it should be put in guidelines rather than legislation.

Doctors would err on the side of caution because of fear of criminal sanction, he added.

In response, Health Minister Simon Harris said he would look at it again before report stage of the bill.

Clarity

However, he said timeline clarity was sought by senior medics he had spoken to.

He said inserting "shortly after" could be open to legal challenge.

Meanwhile, the word "abortion" itself will not be inserted in the proposed legislation.

TDs Brid Smith and Louise O'Reilly had proposed the word be inserted.

Mr Harris said the bill had been drafted to mirror the language put before people in the referendum. He said that "to change it would not be in line with the legal advice received".

"The word 'abortion' is not in the Constitution either," he said. The amendment was withdrawn.The embattled health service is facing the threat of strike action by nurses over pay.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation will ballot for industrial action because of a claimed failure by the Government to address recruitment and retention of nurses.

If the strike goes ahead, nurses would take the picket line and only provide emergency cover.

In recent weeks, the union voted by 94pc to reject new pay proposals.

It is seeking a pay rise for all of its grades. The nurses want pay rises of up to 12pc.

Direct talks between the union and health officials will take place later this week.

Safety

The union said: "This is about safety. The HSE simply cannot hire enough nurses and midwives on these wages.

"Patients are suffering the consequences as our wards and services go understaffed.

"Nurses and midwives do not want a strike; they want a solution."Plans for a new 20-bed cystic fibrosis unit at Beaumont Hospital are at an advanced stage, with an application to begin the 11m development to be submitted within weeks.

A design for the two-storey building has been chosen, which will include single en-suite rooms.

Members of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and people with the condition met with Senator Catherine Noone yesterday, calling for confirmation that the project, which was promised in May 2016 under the Programme for a Partnership Government, would go ahead.

Alice Ward (23), a videographer from Sutton, Dublin, but living in Co Sligo, told the Irish Independent she had felt consistently let down by the country's health system.

"If I become sicker and sicker, which is very much the reality, and things don't change, I feel like I should go abroad to get a proper health service," she said.

Beaumont confirmed the planning application would be in place by the end of the month.

"Beaumont Hospital is eager to progress plans to develop a new unit on site," it said.

"The minister and the department remain fully committed to this project," a spokesperson for the Department of Health said last night. She said funding for projects was usually locked down once planning permission had been granted.Women in some of the poorest areas of Dublin are taking their lives in the same numbers as men for the first time.

Overall, women are twice as likely to suffer depression and anxiety as men, a new report has warned. The report by the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI), 'Out of Silence, women's mental health in their own words', also warned that Ireland has the highest rate for child suicide of girls in Europe.

NWCI's women's health co-ordinator and co-author of the report Cliona Loughnane said: "Women's voices are too often absent from the discussions on mental health in Ireland.

"Our report aims to bring women's mental health out of this silence. It highlights women's direct experiences, how they cope, how they keep themselves well and how they feel they could be better supported by services.

"Recent women's healthcare scandals have shown the need to listen to women and use their experiences to inform health policies and the provision of services for women and girls in all our diversity."

"Unfortunately, the findings of this project show that there are deficits in mental health provision for women. If we want to improve mental health outcomes for women, we must address issues such as women's shame and guilt when speaking out, the fear of their children being removed when seeking support, depression, low self-esteem and long waiting lists for care."

The report, which is based on conversations with more than 100 women from across Ireland, said women account for the majority of admissions to St Patrick's Mental Health Services in Dublin with the ratio of female to male admissions standing at 3:2.

The launch of the Women's Mental Health Network will provide opportunities for collaboration among different voices and sectors.THE improving economic conditions in Ireland over recent years has led to a resurgence in demand for party drugs like cocaine and MDMA, according to a new report.

The Cross Border Organised Crime Threat Assessment Report 2018, which looks at criminal activity on the island of Ireland, said that retailing at approximately 70 per gram and in constant demand across a wide variety of areas, cocaine is second only to cannabis in its attractiveness for organised criminal groups.

It is as yet unclear if the consumption of cocaine has returned to its 2007 peak and stabilised, but anecdotal evidence suggests that such a return is likely to occur soon if that has not already happened, it said.

The report was released as the sixteenth annual cross border organised crime conference, which opened today at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down.

The conference on the theme of Shared Problems, Shared Solutions takes place over two days, and brought together representatives from government departments, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, gardai, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and customs and Revenue Commissioners.

At todays session, the threat assessment report jointly prepared by the PSNI and gardai for the conference provided those present with an update into organised criminality on both sides of the border.

Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described work in preparation for Brexit as "well advanced" and said it was set against a context of strong co-operation between both organisations, and strong relationships which have been built up.

But we do require the legal underpinnings that allow us to share information, vehicles like the European Arrest warrant, all of those are important on the island of Ireland in terms of keeping people safe and the policing service that we provide.

But we will be re-doubling our efforts around cross border strategy, looking to that and then identifying what we think maybe gaps in powers, gaps in policing powers that may open up, and how those can be addressed, he said.

Commissioner Harris said that the issues for us are the impact of anti-social behaviour, local crime and the extent of travel that there is backwards and forwards across the border, and how criminals may use that to facilitate their activities and all forms of criminality, and also then the threat from organised crime.

Our strategy is to work together to prevent crime, he said.

The report looks at a wide variety of issues including human trafficking, money laundering, rural crime, and excise fraud.People who need the drug cannabis to help cope with illness and pain are suffering needlessly, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, has said.

Mr Martin said special legislation for medicinal cannabis, proposed by People Before Profit TD, Gino Kenny, was withdrawn almost two years ago. This was because an official review was promised leading to better supervised access to the drug in Ireland on grounds of special medical need.

He said that almost two years later nothing had changed and people, such as Cork woman Vera Twomey and her daughter Ava Barry, were forced to go to the Netherlands every three months to get the drug.

The Fianna Fail leader said the Government should allow a compassionate access scheme, and a reputable company engaged in medical cannabis supply across Europe, could deliver supplies in Ireland from the first quarter of next year.

The absence of such a compassionate access scheme represents the absence of compassion, Mr Martin told the Dail.

Replying for the Government, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said studies were ongoing, including contacts with countries including Denmark to see how they handled the issue.

Mr Creed insisted that there was no foot-dragging by the Health Department on the issue and all requests for access to medical cannabis, endorsed by a hospital consultant, had so far been granted.

The Minister said the Government wanted an appropriate access scheme which was well informed and correctly medically supervised.The bill would see the US offer around 5,000 work visas for Irish people very year, in return for an easing on restrictions on Americans retiring here.

A POTENTIAL deal that would boost working and residency rights for Irish and US citizens in each others countries could be a win-win situation, Fine Gael TD John Deasy has said.

The deal on the table would see the US offer around 5,000 work visas for Irish people very year, in return for an easing on restrictions on Americans retiring here.

A Bill has been introduced to the US House of Representatives that, if passed, would see Irish citizens become eligible to apply for the E3 visa scheme, currently only open to citizens of Australia.

The Australians only use around half of the 10,500 visas that are available to them every year.

Under the proposed legislation being put forward by Democrat Richard Neal and Republican Jim Sensenbrenner, Irish citizens would be able to apply for unused E3 visas.

A vote on the Bill could take place in the House next week, though the legislation would still require the unanimous consent of the US Senate.

According to the Irish Times, a key part of the agreement would be an easing of the rules here for US citizens that want to retire in Ireland, including allowing them the right to work for up to 20 hours per week and lowering income thresholds.

Mr Deasy, who is the governments special envoy to the US told Independent.ie: We still have a long way to go but weve never reached this far before with the E3 visa."

He also said We know there is a demand from US citizens who wish to retire to Ireland.

He said the deal could amount to a win-win situation for us and them.

News of the potential deal comes as immigration is a highly contentious subject in the US.

President Donald Trump ramped up rhetoric on border controls ahead of yesterdays mid-term elections, though it may not have helped Republican fortunes as they lost control of the House of Representatives.

Mr Trump sent thousands of troops to the border with Mexico after it emerged that there was a large caravan of migrants from Central America making their way North.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipiladuring a news conference at the Prime Minister's official residence Kesaranta in Helsinki, Finland, November 7, 2018. Lehtikuva/Antti Aimo-Koivisto via Reuters

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has directly called on the HSE not to sanction additional holidays for doctors and nurses over Christmas.

Despite criticism from medical unions, the Taoiseach has today gone further in his demands for changes to way hospital operate their Christmas rosters.

And he said while people might misrepresent his comments, he speaks the truth.

The situation is as simple as this: Every business, every industry, every service has a peak period of demand.

If youre working retail its the week running up to Christmas. If youre in education, its the first week or two of September. If youre in politics, its budget week and the few weeks around the budget. If youre in tourism, its the summer period and bank holidays.

And it makes sense if your service or your business well to always make sure that you match peak demand with peak resources, Mr Varadkar.

Replying to questions from Independent.ie in Finland, the Taoiseach said views he initially expressed in the Dail yesterday shouldnt be controversial comments.

No bed should be closed because people are on leave. The emergency department and medical consultants should be there. The surgeons can take their holidays during that period because operations get cancelled anyway.

So, its a question of meeting peak demand with peak resources. Thats the norm across industries. Its the norm across services. It should be the norm in the health service as well, he said.

Asked whether he intended to issue a direction to the HSE in order to back up his words, Mr Varadkar said: I wish I had the authority to do that. This is one of the biggest difficulties we have in our health service. Politicians and government have certain responsibilities but ultimately under law the health service is run by the HSE.

What Im saying to the HSE is what I think should be done.

He said the Irish people should know that the HSE has record financial resources, 1,500 more nurses than two years ago, more emergency department consultants and 250 additional beds than last year.

So, it should be obvious to everyone more money, more staff and more beds on their own wont work. We need to properly manage and deploy those resources when they are most needed. Thats what Im saying to the HSE, Mr Varadkar said.

Urged to apologise

Mr Varadkar has been challenged to publicly apologise to hospital workers for saying emergency department problems are caused because they dont turn up for work over the Christmas period.

Mr Varadkar faced a wall of criticism from all political parties for his remarks on Tuesday about the causes of over-crowding, queues, and reliance on trolleys, at hospital emergency departments.

The Taoiseach told the Dail it was time the hospitals operated at full whack over the upcoming Christmas holiday period, December 22 to January 3 next. He also warned that consultants and nurses must not take holidays in the first fortnight in January.

Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, said the Taoiseach had insulted the frontline hospital staff when he was asked why a winter health plan had not been published by the agreed deadline of last July.

Mr Martin said the Taoiseach, also a former health minister, had said previous winter plans had proved useless - including those published by Mr Varadkar and other Fine Gael colleagues since 2011.

He declared in a narky response that it was all the nurses fault, it was the consultants fault. It was classic blame someone else, Mr Martin said.

The Fianna Fail leader said Mr Varadkar response amounted to claims that key staff dont turn up over the Christmas holiday period.

When is the apology going to come - and when will the winter plan be published?, Mr Martin asked.

The Taoiseach also faced strong criticisms from Sinn Fein's David Cullinane, Labour leader Brendan Howlin, and People Before Profits Brid Smith. Ms Smith was scathingly critical of pay and conditions for nurses and warned that industrial action in hospitals was a real possibility.

The Taoiseach was absent from the Dail as he is visiting Finland for Brexit talks at a summit of EU Christian Democrat party leaders. Replying for the Government Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, said it was wrong to claim the Taoiseach was blaming doctors and nurses for the health service problems.

The Taoiseach didnt blame doctors or nurses. He said it was appropriate that there should be a critical mass of doctors and nurses on duty, and support services including laboratories, at the most challenging time for the health services, Mr Creed said.

The Minister told Deputy Smith that ongoing efforts were being made to engage with nursing unions on pay, recruitment and retention of staff.

Nurses and doctors hit back

Earlier today, the head of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), Dr Peader Gilligan, said that a lack of beds, not staff taking holidays over Christmas, is the cause of overcrowding in Irish hospitals.

Dr Gilligan, an emergency consultant and President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), said it would be more helpful to see a strategic plan to deliver more beds and recruit staff than blaming doctors and nurses.

Meanwhile, Phil Ni Sheaghdha of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said the Taoiseach was trying to deflect from the real problems.

There is no winter plan and said this winter is going to be as bad, but hopefully not worse, than last year.

Speaking on RTE's Today with Sean O'Rourke, she said INMO members work 365 days a year and many have built up a considerable amount of hours that they are owed.

She said one department in one hospital has 1,000 hours owed.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha said annual leave is curtailed over periods like Christmas and hospital rosters are "totally dependent on agency (staff) and overtime".

She added that said the healthcare system is also dependent on goodwill during crisis periods, such as Storm Emma in March.

Hospitals were plunged into winter levels of overcrowding today as 591 languished on trolleys waiting for a bed.

The number on trolleys is equivalent to one of the worst days of winter overcrowding even though it is still early in November.

There were 60 patients on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick this morning and 55 in Cork University Hospital.

Also hit was Letterkenny University Hospital where 48 patients needed a bed.

In Sligo, 45 patients were faced with delays although they should be in a bed in a ward.

The escalation comes in the wake of controversial comments made by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that all hospital staff must be on duty for the worst days of overcrowding after Christmas and in the early New Year.A beautiful newly-wed bride who ensured she made happy memories with her children after a terminal cancer diagnosis just five months ago has passed away.

Tributes have been pouring in on the death of 'ever-smiling' Kim Allen (34) from Kells, Co Meath, who lost her short battle with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer last Tuesday evening.

A GoFundMe page, set up by her sister Wendy Coyle last May, was swamped by donations from hundreds of well-wishers from all over the world wanting to help the mother of two make lasting memories with her children. Despite her illness, Ms Allen managed to bring her son Dean (17) and daughter Lauren (11) to fun-filled places, including EuroDisney, Amsterdam and on a helicopter ride, just three weeks ago.

She even got to marry the love of her life Martin Allen, who took her maiden name in her honour in a moving ceremony in June.

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Ms Coyle, whose own children Taylor and Brandon were extremely close to Ms Allen, said the family felt very privileged to have been able to care for her alongside her husband and the palliative care team.

"We are heartbroken and devastated but we're also so proud and so privileged to have been part of her life.

"She was always positive and surrounded by positive people and even in illness, she was an inspiration. She planned ahead and brought forward her daughter's 12th birthday, which is next week, in case she wasn't around.

"She organised a bouncy castle and unicorn cake as a surprise when she brought friends home from school.

"What was left of any money donated, she used to buy her son a car for his 18th birthday. She was always, always thinking of others and always made people feel special, no matter how long she met them for. She was cremated with her wish for her ashes to be buried under a tree in the homes of her children when they settle down in life in future years."

Just last May, Ms Allen thanked people who had donated to the GoFundMe page saying: "When I got the news of my illness, my world was turned upside down and honestly, I felt completely and utterly broken. But I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love that family, friends and complete strangers have shown to me."Most parents are aware of the statistics concerning childhood obesity. Some 25pc of three-year-olds and 20pc of five-year-old children are overweight or obese in Ireland, with heavier weights becoming the new norm. Most parents are equally aware of the tenets of good nutrition - less processed food, a high intake of fruit and vegetables and treats in moderation. But the reality of busy lives means it's not always possible to attain that optimum level of nutrition. One of the ways to gain control over family eating habits is to get cooking. Homemade dinners are cheaper, and there are many health benefits, with cooking an obviously important life skill.

A recent study conducted by SuperValu, showed that while 85pc of parents of primary school children are cooking at home most days, 15pc are not. Of those parents who cook at home, 69pc are involving their children in the cooking process, but only for basic tasks such as getting them to stir the pot or add ingredients. The study also revealed that 91pc of parents would like to see primary school children being taught to cook in school.

With this in mind, the food retailer has initiated a new programme called Cooking All-Stars to encourage children to cook and give them more confidence in the kitchen. The programme was launched by medical expert and mother-of-four Dr Ciara Kelly and SuperValu ambassador and healthy eater Bressie, with participating schools receiving a cooking kit which includes a range of cooking utensils, equipment and a recipe book, with training on how to implement the programme in the classroom.

It's never too soon to get your children in touch with their inner Jamie Oliver, according Dr Kelly. "I think from a very, very young age, you should have kids stirring, you should have kids doing a little basic chopping without too sharp of a knife like getting them to chop a banana with a butter knife," she says. "I do think from a very early age, you should be encouraging healthy options and making the healthy choice available to your kids. That will stand to them if that becomes their norm. Habits are exactly what they sound like; they're things that we form and that we develop and then they stay with us, and if you're doing something that's unhealthy as a habit, that stays with you too, unfortunately."

The broadcaster and GP maintains that cooking and healthy eating go hand in hand. "Processed food is high in fat in the main, high in sugar and high in salt. It's not good for you and it's very calorie dense," she says. "Whereas if you prepare food and make things like a stir fry with vegetables at home yourself, you can use much more of the healthier options like veg, salads and the proteins, and go easier on the fats and sugars and control this in the way you can't with processed food."

According to SuperValu's research one of the main deterrents preventing parents from letting their children get more involved in the cooking process is the inevitable mess that little hands create when they're helping out. But we should try to get over this, says Dr Kelly. "You can clean up your kitchen in 10 minutes, most people have a dishwasher - you can throw things in and wipe down a few surfaces. Kids love messy - think about when your kids are very small, and what they love to do. You give them sand, you give them water, they love muck, they love getting their hands dirty and they love getting into things. And that's what cooking is - it's getting your hands into stuff."

She is concerned that one in six families is not cooking at home and believes that we are underestimating what our children are able to do in the kitchen. "Kids are actually able to chop, fry, bake and boil. They're able to do it but we're not allowing them and we're not teaching them," she says. "Consequently you see them when they go to college. They call it the Fresher 15 where in first year of college adolescents and young adults that move out of home put on a stone and that's because they don't actually know that it's cheaper to cook something basic for yourself like an omelette than to buy a takeaway. But people are not making the omelette and they are buying the takeaway and a lot of it is down to a lack of skills."

She also believes it's important for parents to think about what they allow their children to cook and to consider other alternatives rather than just the usual favourites. "A lot of the time, what parents let their kids cook is fairy cakes or chocolate chip cookies. We'll often do a bit of baking with the kids, but why not teach them to make other things, like simple pasta dishes or a risotto and things that might actually be useful. If all they know how to eat or cook or prepare is treats, then don't be surprised if that's all they make," she says.

Of her own four children, some have demonstrated more aptitude than others when it comes to cooking, but she's made sure that all are equipped with basic culinary skills. "I don't think it can only be down to how motivated or interested they are," she says. "They need to know how to eat, they need to know what's good for them so from a very young age I would have said 'Look, treats are for Friday and they're not an everyday' so they understand that certain food is off the agenda from Monday to Thursday. But equally I have gotten all of them cooking, down to the youngest, so if they needed to they can make an Irish stew, they can make a spaghetti Bolognese, they can make scrambled eggs; they can make ordinary things to eat, and I do think it's important."

According to a study published this year in the Journal of Public Health Nutrition, the typical Irish shopping basket contains 45.9pc of ultra-processed foods (those containing a lot of added sugar salt and fat, such as instant noodles or some frozen meals) and this makes the country the third highest consumer in Europe of such foods after Britain and Germany. Dr Kelly acknowledges that some parents may have little to no cooking abilities themselves but she's hoping that this can change.

"It doesn't have to be fancy," she advises. "Obviously it takes a lot of skill to be an incredible cook but to be a basic cook, it doesn't take very many skills at all but people don't necessarily have that ability. I think that's really important that we help upskill our kids and indeed, hopefully, they'll take some of those skills back home with them. We have people who can't cook and we need to see that change."

See shop.supervalu.ie/shopping/kids-cooking for more information

Bressies tips for healthier eating

 Healthy eating is understanding the food groups and educating yourself on the fact that everybody is different and has different needs when it comes to food and a good place to start is avoiding processed food.

 There are mental health benefits of eating and cooking healthy food. Take a look at some of the research around good gut health and brain health and that's a really good area to start. Also, preparing, cooking and eating your own food can be really rewarding.

 Try to use as much fresh ingredients as possible when cooking. I always try to be seasonal and using fresh, seasonal veg is also a great way to ensure you're getting the best value in your weekly shop. I cook a lot of curries and soups using lots of in-season veg, which are very cheap.

 The best advice I would give here is to try to understand what's in your food. If you're buying something that's processed, know what has been put into it. The internet has made it really easy for us to Google what's in foods now and, ultimately, know what we're putting into our bodies. Where you can cook from scratch - you can never beat fresh fruit and veg!

 It's OK to pig out sometimes. I'm not necessarily a really super healthy eater; I just understand what eating healthy does for me. Like everyone else I like to pig out, I think it's important to pig out every now and again. For me it's doing that in a social situation. We need to have that positive relationship with food. When you start to understand your food, you can be aware that it's alright to do it sometimes.Just how good would it be to have possibly saved hundreds of lives? And that is not to mention the thousands of injuries avoided, the wrecked lives, lost jobs and broken families that may have been caused.

In a Dublin hotel room last Wednesday, I met Hunter Abbott who believes he may have done just that through the development of his AlcoSense Excel breathalyser which enables people to test themselves to check they aren't over the drink-drive limit or have any alcohol in their system which would impair their driving.

In a survey carried out by the company, more than 50pc of respondents said the breathalyser had stopped them going out on a journey which otherwise they would have done under the influence. And though Hunter is coy about how many of his breathalyser he has sold, he indicates that the survey could translate to "tens of thousands" - I think it is about 60,000 - people who have played it safe and not driven with the classic "drink in them".

But the AlcoSense project was not started for altruistic reasons. Hunter explains his wake-up call from a wedding in 2005 when he was the joint best man with his friend James: "We had been drinking together at the reception, we were definitely merry but I wouldn't say we were drunk; however, we were drinking to three in the morning. We got up and left the hotel at about noon, James went his way and I went mine. I got home safe and sound but later that evening James called. He'd been stopped by the police for speeding, got breathalysed and failed.

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"All of a sudden I realised that James and I had been matching our drinks, I too was probably over the limit when I was driving home from the wedding, completely unaware that I was. James lost his licence for 12 months, and then shortly after he lost his job as a result. The problem was that there was no way of telling when the alcohol had cleared your system, and because everyone's different you can't even calculate it."

Hunter knew he had been give an incredible free pass, especially as he is a successful professional racing driver and a conviction would have meant him losing his livelihood as well.

After two years of research and development, AlcoSense was launched in September 2007. And in the past 11 years, many, many accidents have been prevented.

Now Hunter and his company are making a bit of an assault on this country which for many reasons - including little enforcement, low Garda visibility and a perverse sense of denial - is still pretty poor about drink-driving. However, as the controversial automatic driving ban for relatively low doses of alcohol in the system came into effect last weekend that attitude might start to change.

As Hunter's experience shows, many drivers get behind the wheel the 'morning after', unwittingly over the legal blood-alcohol limit, with Road Safety Authority figures showing that one in eight drink-driving arrests occurs between 8am and 2pm.

If you drink four pints of medium-strong beer or four large glasses of wine, it could take as long as 14 hours for the alcohol to clear your system. If you drink between 9pm and 11pm, you may not be sober until 11am the following morning.

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Whatsapp The new breathalyser tells you if you are safe to drive

Alcohol is a factor in 38pc of fatal crashes in Ireland. Studies show that if you drive while at the Irish limit, you are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than when sober. Even with just one-fifth of the limit in your blood, you are still 37pc more likely. Hunter hopes that people will use his company's AlcoSense Excel breathalyser which shows your exact reading, so you know when you're clear.

The Excel is a personal breathalyser that enables drivers to make an informed decision about when alcohol has cleared from their system, avoiding potentially fatal guesswork.

In 2017, an average of 180 drivers were arrested each week in Ireland on suspicion of driving under the influence, while enforcement statistics for the first nine months of 2018 show more than 6,500 Irish motorists were arrested due to suspected intoxication.

Hunter says: "Even one alcoholic drink can slow your reaction time, inhibit judgment, reduce concentration and affect motor skills such as eye, foot and hand co-ordination - increasing the likelihood of an accident.

"Following the law change in Ireland last week, using a personal breathalyser could save your licence and, more importantly, could also save a life."

The award-winning AlcoSense Excel uses a smaller version of the identical fuel cell sensor found in several European and US police breathalysers, and can be set to any worldwide limit when driving abroad. In addition, just like police breathalysers, the AlcoSense Excel senses the volume of breath exhaled during the test and takes a reading after 1.2 litres of air - ensuring only the most accurate deep lung air is sampled, with easy-to-read on-screen prompts.

To improve accuracy even further, readings are fine-tuned according to temperature so even if there is the biggest snowfall for 30 years or the hottest summer on record, the Excel will compensate to ensure the correct reading. AlcoSense Excel is manufactured under ISO 13485 conditions, the quality benchmark for medical devices.

The AlcoSense Excel costs 119.99. The range also includes the AlcoSense Lite, Elite, Pro and Ultra, and is available in Ireland from Halfords or via the company's website www.alcosense.ie.

After 12 months the devices need to be re-calibrated, and drivers will be reminded of this after 11 months of use. The unit will be returned within five working days, having had a check using a police spec breath alcohol simulator. This can be arranged through the AlcoSense website.

I make no apologies for giving the space over to this topic this week, especially as we are approaching peak party and drinking season.

I liked Hunter. He is man with a mission and even if just one life is saved by somebody using his product over here it will be worth it. Be responsible, for your sake and everybody else's.

AlcoSense Irish freephone number: 1800719310Rey stands next to the Wailing Woman on Skellig Michael on the Wild Atlantic Way

Local guide Muiris Walsh of Iveragh Historical Tours, dressed as Chewbacca in the newly named Porgmagee, where film stars and crew departed for Skellig Michael,the location of Star Wars Episodes VII and VIII. Photo by Valerie OSullivan

The boost to Irish tourism from increased air links and popularity due to the filming of Star Wars and Game of Thrones here wont last forever, TDs and Senators have been warned.

Revenue in the tourism industry could also be hit by as much as 390m in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.

The remarks were made by Tourism Ireland's CEO, Niall Gibbons, and Failte Ireland's Paul Kelly at the Oireachtas Transport, Tourism and Sport committee - which is this morning examining the threat that Brexit poses to the industry.

Mr Gibbons said that there have been favourable winds for tourism in recent times, including a 39pc increase in air access since 2010 - particularly on trans-Atlantic routes - and supportive economic conditions in key markets.

He also said: The fashionability of the island of Ireland as a location for the likes of Star Wars and Game of Thrones, and our capacity to shift to new, lower cost, digital and social marketing have helped to deliver record performances.

Latest CSO figures indicate that over 8.2 million people visited the island from January to September of this year, a rise of 7pc, or about 542,000 extra visitors, over the same period in 2017.

But he warned: Few, if any, of those factors will continue in our favour indefinitely.

Economic uncertainty and fluctuating exchange rates have already impacted on visitor numbers from Britain, Mr Gibbons added, and he said research is showing a significant and worrying diminution in what we call Irelands share of voice, or visibility, in our top markets - with major competitors intensifying their advertising.

A critical component is the future of the EU-UK Open Skies Agreement post-Brexit, he said, which has the potential to have significant downside risks for Ireland if a successful resolution is not found.

'Tremendous uncertainty' surrounding Brexit

Meanwhile, Failte Ireland's chief executive, Paul Kelly, told the committee that tourism revenue could be hit by as much as 390m in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.

One study showed that the impact of a hard Brexit in terms of UK visitors alone would cost 260m, he said, while another scenario based on previous hits to the tourism industry - such as the 2010 volcanic ash cloud from Iceland which affected flights, and the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak - estimated that losses could hit 390m.

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Mr Kelly said there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty surrounding Brexit as negotiations with the EU continue and that, until talks are complete, its difficult to quantify what impact Brexit will have.

A 'no-deal Brexit scenario would impact Ireland as a whole, he added, but it would be particularly felt in some regional areas where there are few alternatives to replace the economic benefits generated by tourism.

Mr Gibbons also highlighted oil prices as a risk to the sustainability of air routes, but said that "Brexit dominates all other uncertainties".

"Since the UK voted to leave the EU, Tourism Ireland has taken a number of steps to monitor the situation, maintain confidence among our partners in Britain and at home and ensure we are ready to deal with the implications," he added.

Diversifying tourism markets

Tourism Ireland is working with industry partners to grow overseas tourism by 5pc this year, he said. This week, the marketing organisation has taken a stand of 70 businesses to the World Travel Market in London.

It plans to expect to place a more significant emphasis on season extension, regional performance and sustainability in 2019.

He welcomed an increase in tourism marketing funding in Budget 2019, and said this will allow Tourism Ireland to begin implementing new growth strategies in places like the United States, Germany, Britain, China and India.

Diversifying markets is part of Tourism Irelands response to Brexit (currently, 39pc of all overseas visitors to the island come from Britain).

This strategy "focuses more effort on markets with a longer stay and higher spend".

However, Mr Gibbons said a retention of the Common Travel Area (CTA) between Ireland and the United Kingdom and free movement of overseas visitors across the border is vitally important.

He pointed out that on average, 75pc of visitors from the United States to Northern Ireland and 63pc of visitors from Europe arrive via the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Gibbons said: "Tourism endured many crises over 20 years  like 9/11, the global financial crisis and terrorist attacks in North America and Europe. However, it also serves as an example of how compromise and goodwill between people can build a stronger future for us all".

Read more:In the two years since the 2016 US presidential election, we have learned a lot about malignant disinformation campaigns in Western democracies.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has indicted the Russian operatives who created fake identities and ran targeted advertising on Facebook. The ads themselves - supporting extreme anti-immigration groups and the phony "Army of Jesus" on the one hand, and fake "black lives matter" slogans on the other - have been made public. Reams of words have been written, studies have been made.

We know how social media increases polarisation, how fact-checking reaches only a narrow audience, how the lack of regulation enables false and opaque political advertisements, how algorithms favour extreme views. Facebook and Twitter have taken down some Russian-origin accounts.

We have learned a lot - and yet we have learned nothing. For these same distorting techniques are still in operation. They will affect the midterm elections. They continue to shape political debate in many countries around the world. They are being used by not just Russians, but people in the countries they seek to influence.

These campaigners, often hiding behind fake accounts, continue to act with impunity, promoting false narratives and relying on the main platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Google and especially YouTube - to amplify their messages.

What's worse, their messages are getting louder. After analysing 2.5 million tweets and 6,986 Facebook pages, the Oxford Internet Institute has just found that the amount of biased, hyperbolic and conspiratorial "junk news" in circulation is actually greater than it was in 2016.

More importantly, the messages are no longer seen just by a small fringe but are much more likely to be consumed by mainstream users of social media. At the same time, only a tiny percentage of political information available on social media actually comes from political candidates. People are now more likely to see a targeted ad from an unidentified political group with an opaque agenda, than something written by the people actually vying for their vote.

Those who follow the news online are also very likely to see information not created by humans at all. A new tool created by a start-up called Robhat Labs found that as of late last week, about 60pc of the conversation on Twitter is still driven by accounts that are probably bots (bits of code that can be programmed to mimic humans).

Another survey, conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, has found that nearly a third of the anti-Semitic propaganda pumped out online also comes from bots, and there seems to be no way to tell who is behind it.

Even after being told many times about the problem, YouTube still allows its algorithms to be manipulated by Russia Today, the Russian state broadcaster. The network's ongoing smear campaign against the White Helmets, a Syrian humanitarian group, still features high in search results.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, junk news was spread during the last election on not only Facebook but WhatsApp, where it can't be corrected, let alone traced.

We have learned nothing and we are doing nothing. The stopgap measures taken, voluntarily, by the social media companies are like Band-Aids on a gaping wound. Facebook and Twitter have both hired people to monitor their sites for "hate speech" - a term with a wide range of definitions - to dubious effect.

But other, more obvious steps have not been taken. Social-media bots could be banned altogether. More rigorous procedures could prevent the creation of anonymous accounts. YouTube, and others, could change their algorithms so that known sources of disinformation don't keep floating to the top. Lawmakers could force online political advertising to meet higher standards of transparency.

After the midterm elections are over, the US needs an informed national debate, a Congressional investigation that looks into all of the possible options, as well as a commitment by political leaders to take control of the information anarchy that will eventually consume them all. ( Washington Post)Bella Hadid walks the runway during the Moschino x H&M - Runway at Pier 36 on October 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

A model walks the runway during the Moschino x H&M - Runway at Pier 36 on October 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Candice Swanepoel walks the runway during the Moschino x H&M - Runway at Pier 36 on October 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

A model walks the runway during the Moschino x H&M - Runway at Pier 36 on October 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

As we pull up to the kerb, the paparazzi are impatiently staring in the window trying to determine if I am a "somebody" and the look of disappointment on their faces when they see me as I exit the vehicle tells me that I, in fact, am not.

I've arrived at exclusive London member's club Annabel's in Mayfair, here to celebrate H&M's latest designer collaboration, this time with Moschino, the Jeremy Scott-led Italian fashion house enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to its unique designs and and Insta-worthy pieces, which are being made available to a wider audience thanks to a brand new capsule collection with the high street brand.

The guestlist is proof that there is certainly full of somebodies, including Madonna (who arrived last) while Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix, Ashlee Simpson and rising star Mabel fill the VIP room in the members only club playing host to the European launch.

The collection is a celebration of consumerism and an ode to self expression in the form of over-the-top accessories for those who not only want to stand out from the crowd, but thrive on it.

Expand Close A model walks the runway during the Moschino x H&M - Runway at Pier 36 on October 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Most of the pieces are unisex and the menswear in particular sends a message that the days of stuffy men's clothing are gone: now, we gave CD print collared shirts and Goofy sweatshirts, not to mention a gold sequin puffer jacket which glitters even moreso in real life than it does in pictures.

A select number of the most sought after styles will be available directly in Ireland's flagship store in Dublin's College Green and the place has been buzzing with excitement as the launch date approaches. In fact, an oversized gold chain bag has been displayed in the window for the last two weeks, adding to the hype.

As usual, each region around the world has been given a specially curated edit particular to its market and for the Irish shopper, this means core items like the logo t-shirt and denim jackets will be at the heart of what's available. However, the entire collection in full will be available to Irish shoppers online - but these items sell like hot cakes, so have your wishlist ready and get there early.

Signature pieces include a gold leather jacket with chain detail, a pair of gold Moschino embossed earrings shaped onto condom wrappers and the a bustier style black leather mini dress Bella Hadid modelled at the global launch in New York last month.

Prices range from 9.99 299 - the most accessible Moschino will ever be to the average customer, including yours truly.

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In recent weeks, the influencer led campaign has filled Instagram feeds, showing real ways to style the clothing when you're not a supermodel. Yes, Gigi Hadid might be the face of the campaign but in Ireland, fashion influencers like Rosie Connolly, Louise Cooney and Lynn Kelly were along those given the task of stylising these extraordinary items to make them applicable to real life wear, and spoiler: It's absolutely fantastic.

The collaboration makes sense from everybody's point of view - H&M enjoys money-can't-buy publicity around the anticipation of another hit designer collection in advance, and Scott has always been vocal of his belief that beautiful garments should be accessible.

It's this devil may care attitude that has made him one of the industry's fastest rising stars: he's the man who made you want an oversized Windolene bottle as your phone cover and reinvigorated our collective love of bold print and unashamed logos.

These signatures inform this collaboration's core and having seen it first hand, it's certainly worth the hype.

Expand Close General atmosphere at MOSCHINO [tv] H&M Launch Party at Le Dernier Etage on November 6, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images for H&M) / Facebook

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"I am 'the people's designer', after all. Thats a title thats been bestowed on me; I think because I believe in the democratisation of fashion, and Ive found many different ways to reach people," he said about the collaboration, describing the looks as a "greatest hits collection".

It appeals to those who generally can't afford Moschino so aren't too concerned if a look is reminiscent of his AW15 collection.

By now, H&M's collaborations are legendary, since their debut pairing with Karl Lagerfeld and over the years have featured everyone from Kenzo, Versace, Erdem and Comme des Garcons. Every year is a surprise, but it's hard to think of a better marriage than this one - and if what I've seen in person so far is anything to go by, it's worth the early morning wake-up call and queue outside in the cold for a piece.

The collection launches in select Irish stores and online on Thursday, November 8 at 9am.Voting has started in Madagascar where nearly 10 million are casting their ballots to elect a new president that they hope will lead the Indian Ocean island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption.

The 36 candidates have all promised to improve the countrys economy, create new jobs and end corruption, but the three leaders in the race are familiar faces who offer little chance of a dramatic change.

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The winner must take more than 50% of the votes cast and with such a large number of candidates, it is likely the race will go to a second round, scheduled for December 19.

Preliminary results are expected by November 14 and officials have until November 28 to declare the final outcome.The wife of a Utah mayor who died while serving in Kabul has received a letter from an Afghan military officer describing how her husband taught me to love my wife as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor, 39, was a major with Utah National Guard and helping to train local defence forces when he was killed on Saturday in what was thought to be an insider attack by a member of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

Now Major Abdul Rahman Rahmani, an Afghan pilot and Marine Corps University graduate who served alongside Taylor, has penned an open letter to his former colleagues wife Jennie, opening up about all he learned from her husband.

Dear Mrs. Taylor,

Maj Taylor was my friend. I wrote this letter for his family.

I hope this little contribution eases your pain.



Note: this letter was sent to his physical add by one my American mentors. I tried to email too but I failed to find her email. pic.twitter.com/28nH7o4W6D  Col Rahman Rahmani (@rahmanrahmanee) November 5, 2018

In it he described how knowing Taylor changed his relationship with his own wife.

He wrote: He was an inspiring man who loved you all. I remember him saying, Family is not something. It is everything.

You may or may not be aware of some of our cultural differences, but in Afghanistan family is not everything, for many of us, family are treated as property.

Here, a woman cannot express herself fully, either inside or outside the house. Here, most families treat children unfairly.

Let me admit that, before I met Brent, even I did not think that women and men should be treated equally.

Your husband taught me to love my wife Hamida as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts, to be a better father, to be a better husband, and to be a better man.

He went on to describe Taylor as a great man and a true patriot.

He died on our soil but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both of our countries, Rahmani wrote.

The letter struck a chord online with many in the armed forces and beyond.

I never met MAJ Taylor or MAJ Rahmani, but over the years I have known many Coalition and Afghan soldiers just like them. While I mourn the loss of MAJ Taylor and hope for MAJ Rahmanis continued safety and success, I am grateful to have served alongside so many like them. https://t.co/8YCF9GAteW  Pete Monks (@Pete_in_Kabul) November 7, 2018

I want to share this on #ElectionDay. My brother was Major Brent Taylor's campaign manager & a close friend of Brent & his family. My sister grew up w/& is friend's w/Brent's wife. Brent was a great person. Thank you @rahmanrahmanee for this great tribute. #family #love #peace https://t.co/7ahOUa4OVz  Steve Gerritsen (@stevegerritsen) November 6, 2018

In his final Facebook post, Taylor encouraged everyone in America to go out and vote in the midterm elections.

Freedom: Millions Defy Taliban and Vote in Afghan Elections The secret to happiness is freedom And the secret to... Posted by Brent Taylor on Sunday, October 28, 2018

His body was repatriated on Tuesday and Jennie Taylor said: It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come back to US soil in a flag-draped casket on our election day.

It is timeless and cherished honour to serve in our countrys armed services. That honour has been Brents as he served in the Utah National Guard for the past 15 years. And it has been mine just as long as I have proudly stood by his side.An anonymous thank you letter has melted the hearts of the truly wonderful volunteers who put their lives on the line to save people at sea.

The handwritten missive was found by volunteers at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution station at Lyme Regis in Dorset last month.

The unnamed sender, who signs the letter simply as me, said they are lucky enough to have never needed saving but praised the work of the charity and its volunteers.

A lovely thank you letter was recently sent to the crew @LymeRegisRNLI. Receiving lovely words like this mean a great deal to us - we are so lucky to have such amazing supporters  pic.twitter.com/Coxhi657py  RNLI (@RNLI) November 7, 2018

They added: I love the sea, but I am not someone who is risky/brave/adventurous so I am usually firmly positioned on the beach.

Saying that, I know the people you save are not always risky, adventurous etc. Some people are really unlucky and find themselves in dangerous situations!!!

Then there is you people, TRULY WONDERFUL BRAVE people who risk their lives to save others.

You give your time to be there when others need. The sea is such a challenge at times and should be treated with caution  yet when others run away you run towards danger.

You go above and beyond everyday. So this letter is to say thank you we do appreciate you, we know the sacrifice you VOLUNTEERS make. We are proud of you.

The letter was warmly received by the team and the charity, which posted it on Twitter and said: Receiving lovely words like this mean a great deal to us  we are so lucky to have such amazing supporters.

The Lyme Regis volunteer press officer Seb Cope told the Press Association the note appeared at the station one day.

We'd say thank you very much or the letter, it's a very kind thing to do and we're very appreciative of the kind thoughtsSeb Cope

The 35-year-old said the team gets about a dozen letters a year from locals or children and community groups which visit, although not many anonymous ones.

Mr Cope added: Everyone was quite touched that someone had taken the time to write the letter.

Wed say thank you very much for the letter, its a very kind thing to do and were very appreciative of the kind thoughts.

Its nice to see that theyre a fan of saving lives at sea.

The volunteer team has had 37 callouts this year, ranging from rescuing people cut off by the tide to helping sailors with engine failure or who have capsized.

The RNLI provides 24-hour search and rescue services across the UK and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations.Democrats have won a majority in the US House of Representatives, gaining the power to investigate President Donald Trump and help shape Americas political agenda for the next two years.

The party picked up at least two dozen House seats in the American midterm elections, capturing the 218 needed to break the Republicans eight-year hold on the legislature that began with the Tea Party revolt of 2010.

While Republicans retained control of the US Senate, the Democratic win in the House ends the Republican monopoly on power in Washington and opens a new era of divided government.

Democratic candidates flipped seats in a host of suburban districts outside Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver, including many that were won by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential poll.

Democrats also made inroads in Trump country, winning several races dominated by white working-class voters.

As the majority party, the Democrats will chair powerful committees and have subpoena power to seek Mr Trumps tax returns and more aggressively investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, as well as possible collusion by the Trump campaign.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called it a new day in America.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of ugly rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, healthcare and the role of US Congress in overseeing the president.

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Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, but the Republicans hold on power was further weakened by an unusually large number of retirements as well as infighting between conservatives and centrists over their allegiance to Mr Trump.

The Democrats, in turn, benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities  many of them motivated by revulsion over Mr Trumps presidency.

As the results came in, voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the previous record of 84.

In trying to stem Republican losses, Donald Trump made only passing reference to his 1.5 trillion-dollar (1.14 trillion) tax cut  the Republican-controlled Congress signature achievement  and instead barnstormed through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark warnings.

He predicted an invasion from the migrant caravan making its way through Mexico towards the US and decried the radical agenda of speaker-in-waiting Ms Pelosi.

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Mr Trump also took little responsibility for the House, saying his focus was on saving the Senate.

On Tuesday night, he called to congratulate Ms Pelosi and acknowledged her plea for bipartisanship.

Healthcare and immigration were high on voters minds as they cast ballots, according to a ranging survey of the American electorate conducted by The Associated Press. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Mr Trump a factor in their votes.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while Republican congressman Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in another district.

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In the suburbs outside the nations capital, Virginia representative Barbara Comstock  branded Barbara Trumpstock by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator.

Outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time Tea Party favourite Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the Republican vote to gut the Affordable Care Act.

Pennsylvania was particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play.

Democratic favourite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

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In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a Republican incumbent to become one of two Native American women  alongside Deb Haaland of New Mexico  elected to the House. Ms Davids is also openly gay.

Democrats welcomed other firsts, including two Muslim-American women, Rhasida Tlaib of Michigan and Minnesotas Ilhan Oman, who is also the first Somali-American elected to US Congress. The Republican side of the aisle elected mostly white men.

In Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term representative Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Republicans had expected the partys tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the east and west coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a "real European army" to defend the continent against Russia, China and even the US.

Mr Macron, who has pushed for a joint EU military force since his election last year, issued the call in northern France in the run-up to the centenary of the end of World War I.

"We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army," Mr Macron said in the interview at Verdun, the scene of France's most bloody battle.

His call came as he was due to welcome Donald Trump, the US president, and other world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin, to France to commemorate the Armistice centenary this weekend.

Mr Macron said the continent could no longer rely on protection from America, citing the recent decision of Mr Trump to withdraw from a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, and he even suggested its old ally posed a potential threat.

"We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America," Mr Macron told broadcaster Europe 1.

"When I see President Trump announcing that he's quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security," he said.

Faced with "a Russia which is at our borders and has shown that it can be a threat", Mr Macron added: "We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the US."

Meanwhile, six people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a plan to attack Mr Macron. BFM TV reported that French security services arrested the six members of the far-right on suspicion of undertaking a "loosely formed" plan for "violent action" against the president. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]US attorney general Jeff Sessions has resigned as the countrys chief law enforcement officer.

Mr Sessions announced his resignation in a letter to President Donald Trump and said it came at your request.

The decision to leave his post comes after Mr Sessions endured more than a year of blistering and personal attacks over his recusal from the investigation into ties between Russia and Mr Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

Mr Trump announced the resignation in a tweet and tweeted separately that he was naming Mr Sessions chief of staff Matthew Whitaker, a former United States attorney from Iowa, as acting attorney general.

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into Mr Sessions tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential co-ordination between the presidents campaign and Russia.

Mr Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Mr Trumps hectoring of Mr Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

The Justice Department did not announce a departure for deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mr Mueller more than a year-and-a-half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

Trump is ending the Mueller investigation right before our eyes and if you expect the Republicans to do anything about it you have been sleepwalking through the last two years  Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) November 7, 2018

The relentless attacks on Mr Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first US senator to endorse Mr Trump and despite the fact that his crime-fighting agenda and priorities  particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies  largely mirrored the presidents.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Mr Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

The decision infuriated Mr Trump, who repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Mr Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse.

The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Mr Rosenstein, who appointed Mr Mueller as special counsel two months later after Mr Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey.

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The rift lingered for the duration of Mr Sessions tenure, and the attorney general, despite praising the presidents agenda, never managed to return to Mr Trumps good graces.

The deteriorating relationship became a soap opera stalemate for the administration. Mr Trump belittled Mr Sessions but, perhaps following the advice of aides, held off on firing him.

The attorney general, for his part, proved determined to remain in the position until dismissed. A logjam broke when Republican senators who had publicly backed Mr Sessions began signalling a willingness to consider a replacement.

In attacks delivered on Twitter, in person and in interviews, Mr Trump called Mr Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he was not more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it disgraceful that Mr Sessions was not more serious in scrutinising the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Departments inspector general to look into those claims.

The broadsides escalated in recent months, with Mr Trump telling a television interviewer that Mr Sessions had never had control of the Justice Department and snidely accusing him on Twitter of not protecting Republican interests by allowing two Republican congressmen to be indicted before the election.King Salman of Saudi Arabia was due to embark on an unusual tour of his country yesterday as the kingdom's international reputation continued to be battered by the fallout from the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

The 82-year-old was due to leave the capital Riyadh and visit several other provinces during the week-long trip, his first domestic tour since taking the throne in 2015.

The king's trip was announced with great fanfare and appeared to be an effort to project confidence and reassure ordinary Saudis amid the most intense international criticism of Saudi Arabia since the 9/11 attacks.

"It is timely and does send a signal to the domestic audience that the king is in touch with the population and remains the kingdom's leader and he continues to value the old ways of communicating with his people," said Dr Neil Quilliam, senior research fellow at Chatham House.

Meanwhile, several dozen members of the Saudi elite are believed to still be imprisoned one year after Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, ordered arrests of princes and business leaders.

The crown prince said last month that only eight people were still being held but the actual figure is closer to 45, according to the 'Washington Post'. Many of the high-profile detainees were released after handing over millions of dollars but senior figures, including Prince Turki bin Abdullah, a son of the former king, are still missing. A military aide to the prince was reportedly tortured to death, a claim that Saudi Arabia denies.

Turkey's government continued a campaign to keep pressure on the crown prince over Mr Khashoggi's death. Several times in recent days, senior officials, including Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, have said his death was ordered at "the highest levels of the Saudi government". ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]What is already the most diverse Congress ever will become even more so after elections which broke barriers of race and gender.

For the first time, a pair of Native American congresswomen are heading to the House, in addition to two Muslim congresswoman.

Massachusetts and Connecticut will also send black women to Congress as firsts for their states, while Arizona and Tennessee are getting their first female senators.

The high-profile midterm cycle that produced a record number of women contenders and candidates of colour means a number of winners will take office as trailblazers.

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The inclusive midterm victories bode well for future election cycles, said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co-founder of Higher Heights For America, a national organisation focused on galvanising black women voters and electing black women as candidates.

This is going to be a long process to get us to a point of proportionate representation, but tonight is a giant step forward for what leadership can and will eventually look like in this country, Ms Peeler-Allen said.

She added that even women of colour who were unsuccessful will inspire a new crop of candidates, similar to the white women encouraged to run after Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential election loss.

Some of Tuesdays black female pioneers, like Illinois nurse and Democrat Lauren Underwood and Connecticut teacher and Democrat Jahana Hayes, were first-time candidates.

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Others, like Massachusetts Ayanna Pressley, were political veterans. Most were considered long shots.

Several will represent districts that are majority white and that have been historically conservative, their victories a rejection of conventional wisdom on electability and the effects of gerrymandering that have historically assigned elected officials of colour to represent minority communities.

Ms Pressley, a Democrat and Boston city councilwoman, will represent Massachusetts Seventh Congressional District in the next Congress.

Ms Pressley stunned the political establishment in September, defeating a 10-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, and ran unopposed in the general.

Tonight, we reaffirm what makes Colorado the amazing state that it is.



Here, we dream, we dare, and we do. We embrace big ideas and we work sun-up to sundown to make them realities. We see the highest mountains and we climb them. We face the tough decisions and we solve them. pic.twitter.com/s5TgypKQs5  Jared Polis (@PolisForCO) November 7, 2018

None of us ran to make history, Ms Pressley told supporters in her acceptance speech Tuesday.

We ran to make change. However, the historical significance of this evening is not lost on me. The significance of history is not lost on me.

Half a century ago this week, New Yorks Shirley Chisholm was elected the first black woman in Congress, and several of the black women elected Tuesday have said their campaigns were inspired by her example.

Also in the House, Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress.

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New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids were elected the first two Native American women to serve in Congress.

Democrat Mike Espy, who will face Mississippi Republican Representative Cindy Hyde-Smith in a December runoff, could become the states first black senator since reconstruction.

And regardless of who wins in Arizonas competitive Senate race, the state will elect either Republican Martha McSally or Democrat Kyrsten Sinema as the states first woman to serve in the chamber.

Also in the Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn will become Tennessees first woman senator.

Georgia candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become Americas first black woman governor, while Democrat Andrew Gillum narrowly lost his bid to become the first black governor of Florida.

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan also lost her race to become the countrys first Native American governor.

In Colorado, Jared Polis will be the countrys first openly gay man elected governor.

In New Jersey, Democratic Governor Jim McGreevy, elected in 2001, had been outed as gay while in office.The Kremlin has said Russia and the United States have agreed not to hold a summit in Paris to avoid diverting attention from weekend commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the First World Wars end.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump expect to see each other briefly but will not have a full-scale meeting during the centenary Armistice Day events, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.

Mr Ushakov said France conveyed concern that a Putin-Trump summit would steal the limelight from the Paris observances.

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Officials from the US and Russia decided to delay the meeting until the end of the month, when both leaders expect to attend a Group of 20 summit in Argentina.

Mr Trump said on Monday he probably would not be meeting with Mr Putin in Paris, but will meet with him during the G20.

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When US National Security Adviser John Bolton visited Moscow last month, he and Russian officials also talked about the presidents visiting each others countries, according to Mr Ushakov.

A possible exchange of visits to Moscow and Washington was discussed, but there was no specific talk about the issue yet, he added.

Mr Bolton said last month that Mr Putin was invited to visit Washington next year, but a date had not been set.The man appeared at Cloverhill District Court when he was served with a book of evidence and returned for trial on indictment

A 10-year-old girl charged with killing a six-month-old baby boy told investigators she panicked after dropping the infant, and stamped on the child's head to stop the crying, a sheriff in Wisconsin said.

Handcuffed and wearing a leather restraint around her waist, the girl sobbed as she appeared in Chippewa County Circuit Court. A judge set bond at $50,000 (44,000). State law requires the case, at least initially, to be held in adult court.

First responders were called to a home day care on October 30 in the town of Tilden near Chippewa Falls. The baby was found to be unresponsive and bleeding from the head, according to officials. The baby was rushed to a local hospital then airlifted to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare hospital in St Paul where he died two days later.

Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk said a doctor told investigators that it was his view that the baby's injuries were not an accident.

Investigators interviewed four people at the home and the girl, who lives with foster parents at the house, "confessed to her involvement in the situation," said Mr Kowalczyk.

The girl's parents were with her in court. Authorities said she had been removed from their home and placed in foster care. The reasons for her removal were not disclosed.A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Americans experienced scattered delays at U.S. polling places in about a dozen states on Tuesday, largely in sites still using aging voting machines that were overwhelmed by a surge in voter turnout, according to officials and voter rights groups.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security described the problems as "sparse," and an official told reporters they did not seem to have been a significant impediment to voting.

Some Georgia voting centers, however, saw lines of hundreds of people waiting to cast ballots in an election that will determine control of both houses of Congress and three dozen governor's seats. Georgians were picking their next governor following a tight, bitter race in the Southern state.

Two senior legal experts who advise the Democratic Party told Reuters they were unaware of any serious hacking or electronic disruptions related to Tuesdays midterm elections anywhere in the United States. But one of the experts said that lines at polling places in Georgia were long and disruptive.

Officials in Philadelphia and North Carolina reported scattered voting machine outages, and addressed the problems by offering provisional ballots to some voters. Voter advocacy groups alleged equipment-driven delays in Florida and Texas.

Delays appeared to be most common in states with aging voting machines, said Lawrence Norden, deputy director of the Democracy Program at New York University's Brennan Center for Justice.

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 U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky Voters line up at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A golf cart passes a sign for a polling station in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago / Facebook

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"If you look at the picture, I don't think it's a coincidence that those states are at the top," Norden said. "I would also imagine that it's worse just because this seems to be a much higher turnout election, and I think when you get a much higher turnout election, the same problem will look a lot worse."

He also noted that there seemed to be fewer complaints of faulty voting equipment compared with the last U.S. congressional midterm elections in 2014 in states that have updated their machines, such as Virginia. Norden emphasized that his observation was based on anecdotal reports.

Broken voting machines were reported in at least 12 states on Tuesday, according to an "election protection" coalition of more than 100 groups that set up a national hotline for reporting irregularities.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes the Phoenix area, several polling places experienced delays due to printer malfunctions, County Recorder Adrian Fontes said. A civil rights group on Tuesday sent a letter to Maricopa County election officials demanding they extend hours at voting places where the malfunctions caused polls to open late or not at all.

In Georgia, the state sent investigators to look into problems with digital poll books, said state spokeswoman Candice Broce. Some voters were given provisional ballots instead of using regular voting machines, she said.

Postal worker Shirley Thorn, 56, said technical problems caused her to wait more than four hours at a polling station in Snellville, Georgia, to cast her ballot.

"I was determined I was going to cast my ballot today because it's a very important election," Thorn said.

Civil rights groups have already been locked in litigation with several states over voting restrictions that were passed in the lead-up to Tuesday's election.

North Dakota introduced a voter ID requirement that Native Americans say discriminates against them; Kansas and Georgia moved polling locations, and changes in Tennessee registration laws led to people being removed from the voting lists.

Advocacy groups said the changes stack the deck against minority voters who are likely to support Democratic candidates.

Each of those hotly contested states' top election officials have said the changes were made to protect against voter fraud and accommodate budgetary constraints, not to suppress voting.

Independent studies have found that voter fraud is extremely rare in the United States.The thin red, white and blue line: People queue up to vote in the US midterm elections at Grady High School in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday. Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

A pivotal midterm election drew US voters to the polls nationwide yesterday to decide which party should run the House and Senate for the rest of President Donald Trump's hitherto chaotic and divisive first term.

As key races remained tight around the country, Democrats were upbeat about their chance of winning the House after campaigns that emphasised kitchen-table issues and sought to harness opposition to Mr Trump among suburban women and college graduates.

Republicans, who were optimistic about keeping their majority in the Senate, told voters that Democrats would block Mr Trump's agenda while allowing undocumented immigrants and liberal "mobs" to overtake their communities.

As the first national election since Mr Trump's presidential upset in 2016, the midterms gave Democrats an opportunity to capitalise on his low 40pc approval rating, a restive national mood and frustration with one-party leadership in Washington under the GOP.

Former president Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats joined candidates on the campaign trail.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was upbeat about the Democrats' chance of winning the House. "Yes, I am," she said when asked by reporters at a briefing if she was 100pc sure that it will happen. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee later said its volunteers had knocked on 26 million doors and made 30 million calls.

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Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledged this week that, while he believes the GOP will keep its House majority, the president's party typically loses seats in the first midterm election.

Mr Trump spent the final weeks of the campaign telling supporters that Democratic victories would threaten their safety and stability.

"They want America to be a giant sanctuary city for drug dealers, predators and blood thirsty MS-13 killers," he said at a rally in Cleveland on Monday. "There's only one way to end this lawless assault on our dignity, our sovereignty, and on our borders, and that's by voting Republican tomorrow."

In the past few weeks, Mr Trump has proposed revoking birthright citizenship, repeatedly called a migrant caravan headed for the United States from Mexico an "invasion", sent more than 7,000 troops to the border to block it from entering the country, and released a campaign ad that major television networks deemed too racist to air.

This hard-line approach to immigration politics in the final stage of the campaign defied conventional wisdom among establishment Republicans, who wished Mr Trump would focus on the good economy and the party's tax cuts.

Mr Trump had no public events scheduled for yesterday and spent part of the morning on Twitter promoting GOP candidates and criticising Democrats. By noon, polls were open in every state, including Hawaii and Alaska. Some results were expected by this morning, with other counts expected to take longer.

In Snellville, a rural town in northern Georgia, people said that the line to vote at Annistown Elementary School was hours long because of problems with voting machines.

Takeya Sneeze, a 35-year-old African-American woman, said poll workers were "pumping provisional ballots like crack dealers in the '80s".

"This was voter suppression at its finest," she said.

Political observers had a close eye on Georgia, where Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams was running to become the country's first black female governor, and Republican Karen Handel's race was expected to serve as a bellwether for the direction of the House.

Mr Trump is expected to wield the axe in the wake of the midterms, with figures close to the president predicting that cabinet members will be forced out.

The US president did not reject suggestions he would reshuffle his administration when talking to reporters earlier this week, saying pointedly: "For the most part, I love my cabinet."

Another shake-up would likely further consolidate power under Mr Trump, removing moderating forces who at times have urged caution over policy, much to the president's frustration.

It would also once again push up the turnover figures for Mr Trump's White House, already one of the highest for a modern-day president. ( Washington Post)The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

U.S. President Donald Trump rallies with supporters at Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon, Georgia, U.S. November 4, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant

People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Representative Ben Ray Lujan celebrate during a midterm election night party hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, DC (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) / ALTERNATIVE CROPBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

US President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally in Cape Girardeau, Missouri REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump faced greater restraints on his presidency after Democrats won control of the US House of Representatives and pledged to hold the Republican accountable after a tumultuous two years in the White House.

Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their control of the US Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race and immigration.

But they lost their majority in the House, a setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.

With some races still undecided, Democrats were headed for a gain of more than 30 seats, beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

Seizing the Senate had never looked a likely prospect for the Democrats, and in the event they fell short of a tidal wave of voter support that would have given them control of both chambers of Congress.

Winning the Senate majority would have allowed Democrats to apply the brakes even more firmly on Trump's policy agenda and given them the ability to block any future Supreme Court nominees.

However, the Democrats will now head House committees that can investigate the president's tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and possible links between his 2016 election campaign and Russia.

The Democrats also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package, or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans, it's about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration," Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House Democrats, told supporters at victory party.

She said: "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America.

"We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we can't," Pelosi said.

Despite his party's poor showing in House elections, Trump wrote on Twitter, "Tremendous success tonight."

Trump - a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician - had hardened his rhetoric in recent weeks on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters. He threw himself into the campaign, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of liberal American "mobs" he says oppose him.

US presidents often lose the House in midterm elections in their first term. Former President Barack Obama's Democrats were hit with what he called a "shellacking" in congressional elections in 2010.

GRIDLOCK?

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 U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky Voters line up at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A golf cart passes a sign for a polling station in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

With divided leadership in Congress and a president who has taken an expansive view of executive power, Washington could be in store for even deeper political polarization and legislative gridlock.

European shares rebounded on Wednesday after the U.S. elections delivered no big surprise.

"With the Democrats taking over the House we will now have to see what gridlock in Congress means for policy. As for the market impact, a split Congress has historically been bullish for equities and we expect to see the same pattern again," said Torsten Slok, Chief International Economist of Deutsche Bank.

Investors often favor Washington gridlock because it preserves the status quo and reduces uncertainty, even though many in the market this time around had been hoping for a continuation of the Republican agenda.

Losing the House will test Trump's ability to compromise, something he has shown little interest in over the last two years with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.

There may be some room to work with Democrats on issues with bipartisan support such as an infrastructure improvement package or protections against prescription drug price increases.

"We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we can't," said Pelosi, who has been one of the most frequent targets for Trump's scathing attacks on his critics and political opponents.

Every seat in the House was up for grabs on Tuesday. The Republicans had an advantage in Senate races because elections were held for only 35 seats in the 100-member chamber and many of them were in states that often lean Republican.

Republicans built on their slim Senate majority and ousted four incumbent Democrats: Bill Nelson in Florida, Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

In the 36 gubernatorial contests, Democrats won governorships in states that supported Trump in 2016 but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio.

After their victory, House Democrats are expected to try to harden U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea, while maintaining the status quo on hot-button areas like China and Iran.

They could make life difficult for Trump by launching another congressional investigation into allegations of Russian interference on his behalf in the 2016 election. The Democrats are awaiting the result of an ongoing federal probe by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's role in that election.

Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.

A House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaced of collusion by his campaign, or of obstruction by the president of the federal investigation. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate, an unlikely scenario.

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the midterm campaign's final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

WOMEN, YOUNG, HISPANIC VOTERS FUEL GAINS

The Democratic gains were fueled by women, young and Hispanic voters, a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll found. Fifty-five percent of women said they backed a Democrat for the House this year, compared to 49 percent in the 2014 midterm congressional election.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 backed Democrats by 62 percent to 34 percent, up from 2014 when 54 percent backed Democrats and 36 percent supported Republicans. Hispanic voters favored Democratic House candidates by 33 percentage points - higher than the 18-percentage point gap that Democrats enjoyed in 2014, the poll found.

Democrats turned out to register disapproval of Trump's divisive rhetoric and policies on such issues as immigration and his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

A record number of women ran for office this election, many of them Democrats.

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map. Democrats who picked up Republican-held seats included Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, in Florida.

Some of the campaign's biggest Democratic stars lost. Liberal House member Beto O'Rourke's underdog Senate campaign fell short in conservative Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become Florida's first black governor.

The hotly contested gubernatorial race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

Republican gains in the Senate are sure to bolster the party's efforts to ram conservative federal judges through confirmation proceedings during a "lame duck" session that starts next week, as well as from January when the new Congress convenes.

Voters also punished moderate Senate Democrats running in Trump-heavy states who opposed the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Republican caucuses in both chambers have become even more conservative with the loss of moderates within Trump's party.A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Tuesday's US congressional elections ended with what might be called a split decision. Democrats gained more than enough seats to take control of the US House of Representatives, but lost ground to Republicans in the US Senate and came up short in some key governor's races.

Seven takeaways from the evening:

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 U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky Voters line up at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A golf cart passes a sign for a polling station in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

1) The urban-rural divide is as pervasive as ever. Democrats, as expected, won in suburban congressional districts in places such as Virginia and Pennsylvania. But they were hammered in Senate races in rural states, losing seats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. The party still is struggling to connect with blue-collar, white voters.

2) President Donald Trump remains an inescapable political force. Democrats credit Trump's unpopularity among women, minorities, young people and suburban voters with college degrees for their House wins. Republicans said his late-stage campaign efforts helped them pick up seats in the Senate. The president showed he remains popular in presidential swing states including Florida and Ohio.

3) Progressive stars had a tough night. Beto O'Rourke lost in Texas, Andrew Gillum in Florida and Richard Cordray in Ohio. None of them broke through, despite the enthusiasm they generated nationally. That means progressive candidates may have a tough time gaining traction in the scrum for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

4) Republicans held off a blue wave in governor's races. Trump-backed Ron DeSantis won in Florida, Mike DeWine took Ohio, Kim Reynolds won in Iowa. All three states are key presidential battlegrounds.

5) The Republican Party is more Trumpian than ever. Gone are Republican Trump critics in the Senate such as Bob Corker and Jeff Flake who are retiring. Also gone are Republican moderates in the House like Virginia's Barbara Comstock and Colorado's Mike Coffman who tried to keep some distance from the president but lost their races on Tuesday. Most of the remaining Republican congressional caucus is on board.

6) Wedge issues raised late in the campaign helped Republicans. The party was struggling to find ways to engage its base until Senate Democrats rose up against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. All three of the Democratic senators who voted for Trump's first high court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, and then turned around and voted against Kavanaugh lost their seats. Trump's continuing focus on the migrant caravan in Mexico turned out to be an issue that helped power some surprise wins in the Senate, but may have contributed to defeats in the House.

7) Democrats had big success in the Great Lakes. The party held onto Senate seats in states in the industrial Midwest that Trump won in 2016. Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin, Ohio's Sherrod Brown, Pennsylvania's Bob Casey and Michigan's Debbie Stabenow never faced a serious challenge from their Trump-backed opponents -- a positive sign for the party heading into the 2020 presidential campaign.Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump to win control of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, giving them the opportunity to block Trump's agenda and open his administration to intense scrutiny.

In midterm elections two years after he won the White House, Trump and his fellow Republicans expanded their majority in the US Senate following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues.

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 U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky Voters line up at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A golf cart passes a sign for a polling station in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

But with his party losing its majority in the House, the results represented a bitter setback for Trump after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership. With some races still undecided, Democrats appeared headed to a gain of more than 30 seats, well beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years.

The newly empowered House Democrats will have the ability to investigate Trump's tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and allegations involving his 2016 campaign's links to Russia.

They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaces that he obstructed justice or that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

House Democrats could be banking on launching an investigation using the results of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's already 18-month-old probe of allegations of Russian interference on Trump's behalf in the 2016 presidential election. Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.

'A NEW DAY'

"Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America," Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi told cheering Democrats at a Washington victory party, saying House Democrats would be a check on Trump.

"We will have a responsibility to find our common ground where we can, stand our ground where we can't," Pelosi said.

Despite his party losing the House, Trump wrote on Twitter, "Tremendous success tonight."

Trump called Pelosi, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and several of the Republican winners.

Trump - a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician - had hardened his rhetoric down the stretch on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of liberal American "mobs."

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the campaign's final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

In the last two decades there have only three election cycles where one party picked up 24 or more seats. Tuesday's gains were the biggest since 2010, when a wave of conservative anger against Democratic President Barack Obama gave Republicans a massive 64-seat pickup.

Every seat in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs.

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map. Democrats who picked up Republican-held seats included Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, in Florida.

In the Senate, where Democrats were defending seats in 10 states that Trump won in 2016, Republicans ousted four incumbent Democrats: Bill Nelson in Florida, Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

Some of the campaign's biggest Democratic stars lost. Liberal House member Beto O'Rourke's underdog Senate campaign fell short in conservative Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Andrew Gillum lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become Florida's first black governor.

In gubernatorial races, Republican Kris Kobach, a Trump ally, was beaten by a Democrat in Kansas. Democrats also captured governorships in Michigan and Illinois.

WOMEN, YOUNG, HISPANIC VOTERS FUEL GAINS

The Democratic gains were fueled by women, young and Hispanic voters, a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll found. Fifty-five percent of women said they backed a Democrat for the House this year, compared to 49 percent in the 2014 midterm congressional election.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 backed Democrats by 62 percent to 34 percent, up from 2014 when 54 percent backed Democrats and 36 percent supported Republicans. Hispanic voters favored Democratic House candidates by 33 percentage points - higher than the 18-percentage point gap that Democrats enjoyed in 2014, the poll found.

Democrats turned out to register disapproval of Trump's divisive rhetoric and policies on such issues as immigration and his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

A record number of women ran for office this election, many of them Democrats turned off by Trump's policy agenda.

The election results mean Democrats will resume House control in January for the first time since the 2010 election, beginning a split-power arrangement with the Republican-led Senate that may force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions and focus on issues with bipartisan support, such as an infrastructure improvement package or protections against prescription drug price increases.

It also will test Trump's ability to compromise, something he has shown little interest in over the last two years with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.

The loss of power will test Trump's political hold on House Republicans, most of whom had pledged their support for him lest they face the wrath of the party's core supporters, who remain in his corner.

With divided leadership in Congress and a president who has taken an expansive view of executive power, Washington could be in store for even deeper political polarization and legislative gridlock.

Republican gains in the Senate are sure to bolster the party's efforts to ram conservative federal judges through confirmation proceedings during a lame duck session that starts next week, as well as next year.

Voters also punished moderate Senate Democrats running in Trump-heavy states who opposed the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Republican caucuses in both chambers have become even more conservative with the loss of moderates within Trump's party, even as Democrats appear to be spoiling for a fight with Trump.

Investors often favor Washington gridlock because it preserves the status quo and reduces uncertainty, even though many investors this time around had been hoping for a continuation of the Republican agenda.

A Reuters analysis of the past half century showed stocks fared better in the two calendar years after congressional elections when Republicans control Congress and the presidency than when Democrats controlled the two branches, and at least as well as during times of gridlock.

"I think everyone was bracing for any possible, crazy scenario to show itself tonight but it basically looks like the baseline consensus forecast was correct," said Michael Purves, head of equity derivatives strategy at Weeden & Co, New York.Tuesday's elections sounded the starting gun for a long, crowded, expensive and no doubt dramatic race for the presidency.

Democrats, riding a wave of momentum from their gains in the US House of Representatives, enter the presidential cycle without a clear front-runner for the first time since the start of the 2004 campaign.

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 U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks after being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A snow covered car with a Trump sticker outside an election night party for U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom hugs his wife Jennifer as he celebrates being elected governor of the state during an election night party in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake A man wearing a New York Yankees hat votes during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A person arrives as early morning voting opens for the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters line up outside of the Center for Civil and Human Rights ready to vote, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, with her son Myles, checks in at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes arrives to fill out her ballot to vote at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Mist shrouds the U.S. Capitol dome on the morning of midterm Election Day, as voters go to the polls to decide the control of the U.S. House and Senate in the mid-term of the Trump presidency in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky The U.S. Capitol is shown as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum marks his midterm election ballot as his daughter Caroline and son Jackson, both age 4, watch in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley Democratic candidate for governor Michelle Lujan Grisham greets diners at Barelas Coffee House on midterm elections day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder People cast their ballots in the midterm election at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky Voters line up at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper Voters line up to vote as polls opened in the U.S. midterm congressional and gubernatorial elections in Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper A woman stands in a polling station at P.S. 140 during the midterm election in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Milford Hayes and his son Myles watch as Milford's wife, U.S. Democratic Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes, is interviewed at a voting station in Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin Stickers sit as an election worker waits for people to vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Voters wait in a line inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant People vote during the midterm election at P.S. 140 in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A golf cart passes a sign for a polling station in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, speaks with reporters after casting her ballot, at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S Senate candidate Matt Rosendale talks with supporters at an election night party in Helena, Montana, U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

More than two dozen possible contenders, including former Vice President Joe Biden and a gaggle of senators, governors, mayors and business leaders, have been jockeying for months to line up donors and evaluate their shot at the party's nomination.

Awaiting the winner will almost certainly be President Donald Trump, a Republican whose approval ratings have been mostly stuck below 50 percent since he took office but whose popularity within his party will make any potential challenge from another Republican the longest of longshots.

Trump loomed over Tuesday's midterm elections, fueling turnout among Democrats eager to reject him and driving many Republican candidates to pledge support for him or else face a backlash from their conservative base.

Democrats are already wrestling with questions about which candidate, strategy and approach are most likely to beat Trump on Nov. 3, 2020. Many Democrats are expected to jump in the race early, within the next few months.

Whoever emerges from the grueling state-by-state Democratic nominating process, which kicks off in Iowa in early 2020, will have to stand up to the pugilistic Trump while developing an appealing alternative agenda and uniting the party's sometimes feuding progressive and establishment wings, Democrats said.

"There will be a lot for Democrats to work through this time," said Jennifer Palmieri, communications director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 run. "It's not just finding the person who can beat Trump, but also the person who has a vision for unifying the country."

ENCOURAGING SIGNS

Democrats said the midterm campaign offered plenty of encouraging signs for the 2020 race, as grassroots enthusiasm to resist Trump led to a new majority in the House of Representatives, a flood of first-time candidates up and down state ballots and an explosion of left-leaning advocacy groups and grassroots protests.

Even the losing campaigns of unabashed liberals Andrew Gillum, who lost his bid to be the first African-American governor of the swing state of Florida, and Beto O'Rourke, who became a grassroots sensation but fell short in his US Senate bid in conservative Texas, offered lessons on how to run strong races on Trump-friendly turf, Democrats said.

"The model for 2020 is Andrew Gillum and Beto O'Rourke. The nominee is going to have to produce large-scale grassroots support and go everywhere and reach out to everybody," said Neera Tanden, president of the liberal Center for American Progress.

The midterm campaign showed the power of Trump and the #MeToo movement to motivate women, sparking an unprecedented number of female candidates and encouragement for women considering a 2020 run such as Senators Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar.

"We have a whole universe of suburban women and voters under 40 who are so ticked off at Trump they are coming out to vote in droves and energizing the base organically," said John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster for both Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

The Democratic contenders will have to navigate the struggle between the party's establishment and progressive wings that flared during the 2016 primary between Clinton and Bernie Sanders, with several candidates expected to test how far to the left they can run and still win a national election.

'THAT'S THE TRICK'

"That's going to be the trick in 2020 - can you be the person who puts that coalition together and holds it?" said US Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, one of the dozens of Democrats pondering a possible White House run.

"We need to think about how we reassemble a new progressive coalition that pulls in independents and moderate Republicans and independent women and working class people, and makes it a coalition we can sustain for a decade," Ryan said.

Sanders, who is considering another presidential bid, pushed the party and Clinton to the left in 2016 on signature issues such as universal healthcare, a $15 minimum wage and free tuition at public colleges.

The most successful Democrats during the midterms were able to talk about checking Trump while also offering an alternative liberal vision, Democrats said.

"Figuring out who can thread that needle is going to be a key part of the Democratic primary process," said Charles Chamberlain, executive director of the progressive Democracy for America political action group.

The crowded Democratic field, which could be bigger than the 17 Republicans who ran in 2016, could have plenty of familiar faces such as Biden, Warren and Sanders - ages 75, 69, and 77 respectively.

Biden was the early leader for the Democrats in a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day opinion poll at 29 percent. He was ahead of Sanders, who registered 22 percent. Both beat Trump in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup.

The field also should have plenty of less known contenders such as Governor Steve Bullock of Montana, former governors Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, and Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and New Orleans' former mayor, Mitch Landrieu.

THE RACE STARTS EARLY

With such a sprawling field, many candidates are expected to jump in early. Only one Democrat, little known US Representative John Delaney of Maryland, has formally announced a bid so far.

Trump, who filed for re-election the day he was inaugurated, is primed for the fight. He has taken to belittling potential Democratic rivals during his frequent political rallies to support Republican candidates, and has been building his supporter lists for nearly two years.

He already has a campaign slogan, "Keep America Great" - following "Make America Great Again" in 2016 - and has raised $106 million for re-election, financial reports show.

He is unlikely to face a serious Republican primary challenge, and any longshot bid would be a largely symbolic one from the party's narrow anti-Trump wing, led by Ohio Governor John Kasich, who lost to Trump in 2016, and Arizona Senator Jeff Flake. Both are frequent Trump critics who are leaving office.

"I would seriously doubt" there will be a challenge to Trump, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said, adding Republicans feel good about their political standing.

"From a right of center point of view, it doesn't get any better than this Congress. And I think the president has many things to feel good about," McConnell said.

Democrats have no illusions about the race. Trump has repeatedly shown his ability to dominate opponents and turn controversies into rallying cries for his base.

The 2020 campaign will be Trump's first time on a ballot since his shocking 2016 upset of Clinton, when he used his fame as a businessman and former reality TV star with no experience in elected office to cast himself as the change candidate who would smash the status quo.

This time, Democrats say they must be the agents of change.

"If we are in a race where voters are deciding between Trump and someone who is defending the Obama years, we'll be in trouble," Tanden said.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was supposed to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A senior North Korean envoys meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been delayed, throwing already deadlocked diplomacy over the Norths nuclear weapons into further uncertainty.

The State Department said in a short statement on Wednesday that officials would meet later when our respective schedules permit.

It offered no reason, and the Norths propaganda services had not mentioned the meeting.

After last years fears of war, North Korea and the United States are trying to revive stalled diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons.

There was much talk of the possibility of success following a meeting in June between president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but in the months since there has been little to quiet sceptics who believe the North will never give up weapons it has described as necessary to counter a hostile Washington.

Mr Pompeo was supposed to travel to New York on Thursday to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol.

Expand Close US president Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) / Facebook

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Whatsapp US president Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

South Koreas presidential office said the government will later announce its stance over the postponed meeting.

The US State Department earlier said that the top US envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, was to join Mr Pompeo and Mr Kim to discuss how to get to what it calls achieving the final, fully verified denuclearisation of North Korea.

Last Friday, North Koreas Foreign Ministry criticised the US for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

The North Korean statement warned North Korea could bring back Kim Jong Uns trademark byongjin policy of simultaneously advancing its nuclear force and its economic development if the United States does not change its stance.

The North stopped short of threatening to abandon ongoing nuclear negotiations with Washington.US president Donald Trumps Republicans seized victory in Indianas high-profile Senate contest, defeating Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly and making the Democrats narrow path to a Senate majority ever slimmer.

Mr Trump-backed businessman Mike Brauns win came as Republicans clung to delicate majorities in the House and Senate, and an anxious nation watched to see whether voters would reward or reject the party in the first nationwide election of Mr Trumps turbulent presidency.

With control of Congress and statehouses across the nation at stake, many of the nations top elections were too close to call.

Expand Close Republican Senate candidate Mike Braun saw off his Democrat opponent (Michael Conroy/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Republican Senate candidate Mike Braun saw off his Democrat opponent (Michael Conroy/AP)

Democrats won contested House races in Florida and Virginia, while a Republican beat back an aggressive challenge in Kentucky.

In the leadup to the election, anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away.

The GOPs grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Expand Close Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly, joined by his wife Jill, conceded defeat (Michael Conroy/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly, joined by his wife Jill, conceded defeat (Michael Conroy/AP)

Everything we have achieved is at stake, Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested election.

Expand Close Voters have been casting their ballots across the United States (John Minchillo/AP) / Facebook

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More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the US House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive while Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

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Democrats could derail Mr Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate.

The party were most optimistic about the House, a sprawling battlefield set largely in Americas suburbs where more educated and affluent voters in both parties have soured on Mr Trumps turbulent presidency, despite the strength of the national economy.

Democrats faced a far more difficult challenge in the Senate, where they were almost exclusively on defence in rural states where Mr Trump remains popular.

Democratic Senate incumbents were up for re-election, for example, in North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri  states Trump carried by almost 25% on average two years ago.

Three states could elect their first African-American governors, while several others were running LGBT candidates and Muslims. A record number of women were running for Senate, House, governorships and state legislative seats.The Republicans retained control of the Senate (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Republicans have retained Senate control for two more years, shattering Democrats dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them to a majority.

The result was all but assured when Republican Kevin Cramer ousted North Dakota Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp and when Republican businessman Mike Braun ousted Senator Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz fended off a spirited challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn triumphed in Tennessee.

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The Republicans gains came even as the results in Nevada and Arizona had yet to be determined.

Donald Trump spoke of a tremendous success in a post on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Democrats were gaining ground in the battle for House control, winning half of the seats they needed with dozens of additional competitive contests remaining.

Victories in contested House races across Florida, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Minnesota gave them cause for optimism.

The mixed results unfolded as an anxious nation watched to see whether voters would reward or reject the Republicans in the first nationwide election of Mr Trumps turbulent presidency.

In the lead-up to the election, Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away.

The Republicans grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Everything we have achieved is at stake, Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested gubernatorial election.

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More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the US House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive while some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

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Democrats could derail Mr Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House.President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump has revelled in his partys victories in the US Senate and mocked fellow Republicans who lost after not seeking his support.

Speaking in a 90-minute White House news conference after his party lost control of the House of Representatives in the US midterm elections, Mr Trump also suggested he may be able to govern more effectively after losing a chamber of the Congress.

Mr Trump faces the prospect, starting early next year, of endless investigations after Democrats formally take control of the House.

President Trump Hosts a Press Conference https://t.co/B9diJRU78o  The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) November 7, 2018

But he celebrated Republican success in retaining the Senate and seemed to blame losing candidates from his own party for distancing themselves from him.

Mr Trump told reporters: I thought it was very close to complete victory.

Mia Love gave me no love and she lost

Mia Love gave me no love and she lostDonald Trump

He also belittled the number of high-profile Democrats, including his predecessor, who supported their candidates, while suggesting that he alone was responsible for the Republican triumphs.

I only had me. I didnt have anybody else, Mr Trump said.

Though boasting that Republicans appear likely to hold the highest number of Senate seats in 100 years, Mr Trump was quick to distance himself from his partys failure to maintain control of the House.

In a remarkable scene, he called out defeated Republicans by name.

He said: Mia Love gave me no love and she lost.

Candidates who embraced our message of lower taxes, low regulation, low crime, strong borders and great judges excelled last night, he continued.

On the other hand, you had some that decided to, Lets stay away. Lets stay away. They did very poorly. Im not sure that I should be happy or sad, but I feel just fine about it.

To deal w harassment & filth spewed at GOP MOCs in tough seats every day for 2 yrs, bc of POTUS; to bite ur lip more times youd care to; to disagree & separate from POTUS on principle & civility in ur campaign; to lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u. Angers me to my core.  Ryan Costello (@RyanCostello) November 7, 2018

The presidents rebuke was felt on Capitol Hill. Ryan Costello, a Republican from Pennsylvania who announced his retirement from the House earlier this year, tweeted his displeasure with Mr Trump.

He wrote that his colleagues have had to bite ur lip more times youd care to; to disagree & separate from POTUS on principle & civility in ur campaign; to lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u. Angers me to my core.

Mr Trump suggested there could be room for bipartisanship, declaring that Democrats  who made opposing him a centrepiece to their campaign  would, in fact, be eager to work with him on issues like infrastructure.

But he also declared that Republicans would retaliate if Democrats use their control of the House to issue subpoenas to seek his tax returns and investigate his business dealings, his cabinets conduct and his campaigns ties to Russia.

They can play that game, but we can play it better. Because we have a thing called the United States Senate, Mr Trump said.

If that happens, then were going to do the same thing and government would come to a halt and were going to blame them.President Donald Trump reacts as reporters raise their hands to ask questions (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US President Donald Trumps relationship with the media has deteriorated further after a news conference where he called some reporters rude and accused one of posing a racist question.

Mr Trumgp ordered reporter April Ryan of the American Urban Radio Networks to sit down when she tried to ask him a question before saying Its such a hostile media at his post-midterm elections conference.

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The president complained that the media did not cover the humming economy and was responsible for much of the countrys divided politics. He said: I can do something fantastic, and they make it look not good.

His exchanges with Jim Acosta from news channel CNN and Peter Alexander from broadcaster NBC turned bitterly personal.

Mr Trump, who talked for nearly 90 minutes despite the run-ins with reporters, said: I came in here as a nice person wanting to answer questions and I had people jumping out of their seats screaming questions at me.

Mr Acosta and Mr Trump began sparring after the CNN White House correspondent asked him about why a so-called caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern US border was emphasised as an issue in the just-concluded midterm races. Mr Acosta questioned Mr Trump calling the migrants march an invasion and Mr Trump defended the term.

Jim Acosta tries to ask the President about the pipe bombs sent to CNN offices two weeks ago.



Trump: "When you report fake news you are the enemy of the people."



I don't know how else tons say it: the President of the United States is trying to incite violence agains the press. pic.twitter.com/JnlwgKmcFr  Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) November 7, 2018

You should let me run the country, Mr Trump said. You run CNN and if you did it well, your ratings would be much better.

When Mr Acosta pressed on with another question, Mr Trump said: Thats enough!

A White House aide then unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Mr Acosta.

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After Mr Acosta asked about the investigation of Russias involvement in the 2016 US presidential election Mr Trump tried to turn to Alexander.

Mr Trump said: CNN should be ashamed of itself having you work for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldnt be working for CNN. The way you treat Sarah Sanders is horrible. The way you treat other people is horrible. You shouldnt treat people that way.

Mr Alexander came to his colleagues defence.

He said: Ive travelled with him and watched him. Hes a diligent reporter who busts his butt like the rest of us.

Mr Trump replied: Im not a big fan of yours, either.

"I think that's unfair. In @Acosta's defense, I've traveled with him and watched him, he's a diligent reporter who busts his butt like the rest of us."



-- @PeterAlexander to President Trump  NBC News PR (@NBCNewsPR) November 7, 2018

I understand, Mr Alexander said, attempting to ask a question.

At that point, Mr Acosta stood back up and began mentioning, without a microphone, the explosive devices that were recently sent to CNN and some of the presidents political opponents.

Just sit down, Mr Trump said. When you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people.

CNN, through its public relations department Twitter feed, said that Mr Trumps attacks on the press have gone too far.

They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American, CNN said.

While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press, he has a sworn obligation to protect it. A free press is vital to democracy, and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere.

Mr Trump made several references in his news conference to how he feels mistreated by the press. He said he is damned by the press for having either too few, too many or just the right amount of press availibilities.

He turned specifically on reporter Yamiche Alcindor.

WATCH: President Donald Trump pushed back Wednesday against the idea his rhetoric could be emboldening white nationalists, telling @Yamiche: Thats such a racist question.



Learn more: https://t.co/ekJxLhT7Kz pic.twitter.com/fBFkojh5Y8  PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 7, 2018

She said: On the campaign trail, you called yourself a nationalist. Some people saw that as emboldening white nationalists

Mr Trump interrupted her, calling it a racist question.

Ms Alcindor pressed on: There are some people who say the Republican Party is seen as supporting white nationalists because of your rhetoric. What do you say to that?

Mr Trump talked about his supposed popularity with black Americans, and said he is more interested in advancing Americas interests than having a globalist point of view.

He said: To say that, what you said, is so insulting to me. Its a very terrible thing you said to me.

Ive personally interviewed white nationalists who say they are more excited by President Trump than other presidents in the past. Even if President Trump doesnt intend it, some see him as directly appealing to racists. https://t.co/nqJAmMs63y  Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 7, 2018

Ms Alcindor moved on to a different topic.

A note: I followed up the president calling my question "racist" with a policy question about his proposed middle class tax cut because that's what journalists do. We press on. We focus on the privilege of asking questions for a living. We do the work.  Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 7, 2018

Later, via Twitter, she said that she has interviewed white nationalists who say they are more excited by Mr Trump than they have been about other presidents.

Even if President Trump doesnt intend it, some see him as directly appealing to the racists, she wrote.

On CNN, anchor Jake Tapper said that there was nothing racist about her question and that Mr Trumps reaction was unfathomable.

Mr Trump told Ms Ryan repeatedly to sit down when she attempted to ask Mr Trump about charges of voter suppression.

He said she was rude for interrupting another reporter, although he did briefly answer one of Ms Ryans questions.UK authorities have extradited Ivica Todoric, the founder of a deeply indebted food and retail company, to Croatia.

A year after Todoric was detained in London on embezzlement charges, the 67-year-old landed in Zagreb on a commercial flight from London and was escorted by police to a prison in the Croatian capital.

Todoric is accused in Croatia of mismanaging the Agrokor company and embezzling millions. He was arrested in the capital a year ago under a European Arrest Warrant, but was set free on a 100,000 bail the same day he was arrested.

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He has maintained his innocence, claiming that he was the victim of rampant corruption at the heart of power in his country. A London court rejected his appeal last month and agreed to send him to Croatia.

Agrokor is a massive concern whose tentacles stretch throughout the Balkans. It employs 60,000 people and accounts for 15% of Croatias GDP.

It has collapsed under the weight of 6 billion euro (5.23 billion) in debt, including a disputed sum owed to two Russian state-run banks, Sberbank and VTB. It was put into state administration a year ago.

Agrokor creditors this year approved a settlement deal that includes giving the two banks a stake of over 46% to avoid bankruptcy.

It has prompted fears in Croatia that the Kremlin has been strategically trying to increase its political influence in the European Unions newest member through Agrokors troubles.People have been voting in the midterms (Mickey Welsh/AP)

The outrage of the Democratic resistance is facing off against the brute strength of president Donald Trumps Republican party in a fight for control of Congress and statehouses across the nation.

Fundraising, polls and history were not on the presidents side.

But two years after an election that proved polls and prognosticators wrong, an air of uncertainty  and stormy weather across parts of the country  clouded the outcome of high-stakes elections from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between.

Democrats seized early victories in contested House races in Florida and also in Virginia, where political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term representative Barbara Comstock.

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The Republican incumbent had been branded Barbara Trumpstock by Democrats in a race that pointed to Trumps unpopularity among college-educated women in the suburbs.

Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts easily won re-election as they consider bids for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Other 2020 prospects on the ballot included New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Thank you, Massachusetts! Six years ago, I promised to go to Washington to fight for you every single day. Tonight, let's send the powerful interests a message: We're just getting started.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 7, 2018

Anxious Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House was slipping away.

Everything we have achieved is at stakeDonald Trump

The Republican grip on high-profile governorships in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

Everything we have achieved is at stake, Mr Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested election.

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More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to analysis.

Nearly 40% of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Mr Trump.

Mr Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant invasion that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

All 435 seats in the US House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive while Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high.

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Democrats could derail Mr Trumps legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate.

The party were most optimistic about the House, a sprawling battlefield set largely in Americas suburbs where more educated and affluent voters in both parties have soured on Mr Trumps turbulent presidency, despite the strength of the national economy.

Democrats faced a far more difficult challenge in the Senate, where they were almost exclusively on defence in rural states where Mr Trump remains popular.

Democratic Senate incumbents were up for re-election, for example, in North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri  states Trump carried by almost 25% on average two years ago.

Three states could elect their first African-American governors, while several others were running LGBT candidates and Muslims. A record number of women were running for Senate, House, governorships and state legislative seats.The United Nations, commemorating the festival of lights this year, Diwali issued special postal stamps that were designed to represent the festival, the PTI reported.

The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN

Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights#Diwali2018 #HappyDiwali2018 pic.twitter.com/d86P4SBVsf  Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) November 6, 2018

Indian thanked the United Nations on Wednesday for issuing this special sheet. The sheet had come out on October 19. Meanwhile, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN. Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights.

The sheet had 10 stamps of the denomination of USD 1.15. Each stamp had a different set of earthen lamps or diyas that are considered sacred. The sheet features the United Nations building illuminated in green and blue colours with the message, Happy Diwali written on it.

Diwali, also known as Deepawali is the joyous and popular festival of lights, which is celebrated in India and by followers of many faiths across the world, the UN agency had said in its description accompanying information about the stamps.

The festival is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil and the United States Postal Service (USPS) had launched postal stamps that commemorated this festival in October 2016.

The issuance of postal stamps became a reality after vigorous efforts by the Indian-American community after seven-long years of efforts.

Several Congressional resolutions by influential American lawmakers such as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney resulted in the issuance of these stamps.In what could be described as one of the most heartbreaking discovery of all times, 200 mass grave sites were found in Iraq according to the United Nations, Reuters reported.

These burial pits were uncovered at sites which were formerly controlled by the Islamic State Of Iraq and Syria. The resting places had bodies of thousands of people including women and children. These people were held hostage by the ISIS as victims between June and December 2014 when the militant organisation had been carrying an operation to overtake large parts of northern Iraq.

Photo: AFP

The disabled, as well as members of the of Iraqs armed forces and police, had been buried in these grave sites. Reportedly, the ISIS has previously killed close to 33,000 civilians and 55,000 were injured during the procedure of seizing Iraqi territories and declaring them as a part of the so-called caliphate.

The burial places were confined mostly to four provinces of Ninewa, Kiruk, Salah al-Din and Anbar  in the north and western parts of the country, near the border with Syria.

Islamic State had entrenched itself in these areas until their defeat in December 2017 by Iraqi forces supported by a U.S.-led coalition, Reuters reported.

In a documented report, the UN anticipates that these grave sites are the resting place of nearly 6,000 to 12,000 corpses. So far only 28 such grave sites were excavated so far and only 1,258 bodies had been dug out.

Photo: AFP

The United Nations have termed these deaths as genocide or mass killings resulting due to war crimes. During the three year rule of ISIS, the militants carried out brutal killings, beheadings including that of journalists and targeted people for their reluctance, resistance, government ties, sexual and caste orientation and more.

They enslaved thousands of young women and girls and would resort to rape and murders. A few women who had been lucky enough to escape their torture narrated their heart-wrenching ordeal. ISIS men would use rape and sexual violence as rewards for recruits.

Members of ethnic minorities like Christians and Yazidis were often targeted by ISIS. However, what is beyond alarming is the number of bodies that have been recovered from each of these burial sites.

Photo: AFP

The smallest mass grave, found in Mosul, contains eight bodies while the biggest, the al-Khasfa sinkhole south of Mosul, is thought to contain roughly 4,000 bodies.

The UN has called for prompt action, protection of these sites to avoid contamination to ensure justice and accountability. The Iraqi government is faced with an impediment in the protection of these bodies. They are not only under-staffed but also lack the required funds to carry out the preservation of bodies.

Photo: AFP

The government cannot adequately protect and investigate the sites which are still littered with unexploded ordinance. The UN identifies this process as an important step in determining the circumstances around the loss of life and mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice, said UN representative for Iraq, Jan Kubis.Diwali is the festival of lights and joy. Sweets and food are the best part of this festival and you just cant stay away from it. People abroad also love Indian festivals and enjoy celebrating it. Spreading the love and joy in UAE, Emirates Airlines with a special mithai truck celebrated Diwali in a unique way.

The crew of Emirates distributed Indian sweets and desserts at Dubais famous Bollywood Parks and City Walks. They didn't just distribute the sweets but also danced on peppy Bollywood numbers.

This year, we are celebrating the Indian festival of lights like never before. Emirates wishes you a vibrant, joyful and prosperous Diwali. #HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/sVn6IIrQrl  Emirates Airline (@emirates) November 6, 2018

Emirates will also be celebrating Diwali in a very special way. The Dubai-based airline will also be offering Diwali treats to all its passengers from 7th to 10th November. While the passengers traveling in Economy class will be experiencing motichoor laddoo with all hot trays meals,' Business class passengers will enjoy anjeer-chakkar.

Twitter

On November 7, Emirates premium lounges in Dubai, Delhi, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kuala Lumpur will also join in the celebrations and serve sweets such as barfis, laddoos, jalebis; mains such as biryani rice and chapati; snacks like dal kachori, samosa; and desserts such as angoori rabdi, Rasmalai and kheer, the airline brand added in a statement.

It seems not just Indians but also people abroad are very excited for Diwali!It was a dark day for animal rights activists and wildlife enthusiasts when Avni, the tigress who was accused of being a man-eater was hunted down and killed.

Avni was tagged a man-eater and more than 100 men, tramped through forests looking for the tigress. She was a five-year-old and a mother of two cubs.

The hunt for Avni was led by Shafath Ali Khan, a sharpshooter and a highly controversial hunter. Khan was assigned to kill Avni, but the death blow was given by his son Asgar Ali Khan, who pulled the trigger in the absence of his father.

In an interview with Times of India, Shafath Ali Khan narrated his side of the story.

Also Read: Tigress Avni Shot Dead From Close Range. She Leaves Behind Two Cubs & A Lot Of Questions About Humanity

When asked about hunting Ali Khan said:

"Handling weapons and riding horses is in my blood. We are khandani people. My grandfather Nawab Sultan Ali Khan was a fearless target shooter and horseman. It is in our blood to face dangers."

Wildlife activists tagged Avni's killing as a cold-blooded murder, but Ali Khan defended saying:

"My job is that of a hangman, how can a hangman be a nasty person.?'

According to Khan, hunting and culling as a sport is fine as long as it doesn't reduce a species. He sites Jim Corbett as an example who shot down problematic tigers.

In the interview, Ali defended the allegations that he was anti-national and selling weapons to the Maoists:

"One of the police officers working with anti-Naxal intelligence agency SIB in Hyderabad wanted to buy one of our properties and my father agreed to sell it. However, the land deal didnt go forward."

Also read: Funeral Held In Nagpur For Tigress Avni As People React To Her Killing With Grief And Anger

"To put pressure, they foisted a false case against me alleging that I am supplying arms to Maoists I was acquitted by Supreme Court. I am a capitalist and born with a silver spoon. I dont subscribe to any left-wing ideology, he said."

A hundred laws broken. Two babies orphaned.

A mother cold-bloodedly murdered.

All on the basis of assumptions.

Dark day for the Nation. We failed you #Avni. pic.twitter.com/SGFhw6dQvv  Shreoshi Mukherjee (@shreomukherjee) 3 November 2018

In the past, he has been assigned many such hunts by various state governments, majorly from Maharashtra, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh to help him capture troublesome animals including tigers, leopards, bears and elephants.

In 2016, the Bihar government had roped in him to kill nilgais and according to his own account he had killed more than 250 of them, which he terms as 'free social service'.

Read the full interview here.

Also Read: After Avni, Another Tigress Killed, This Time In Designated Dudhwa Tiger Reserve In UPFormer Southern Illinois University student Pravin Varughese (above) was found dead in the woods near Carbondale, Illinois, on Feb. 18, 2014. A jury in June found Gaege Bethune guilty of murdering the Indian American student, but Judge Mark Clarke vacated the jurys decision and ordered a fresh trial, at which a new judge will preside. (India-West file photo)An Indian American couple, Shefali Desai Kalyani and her husband Vinay, founded We Care Charity in Salem, New Hampshire, to provide food and education to low-income people in the New England area as well as in India. (twitter photo)Whether defective cells in the body will live or die is determined by a sophisticated control system. Death receptors play important roles in this system and translate information from outside the cell into critical cellular responses, which are often deregulated in diseases like cancer and inflammation.

Cancer researcher Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk from Goethe University will investigate how these receptors function at the molecular level in a new research project which will receive 222,500 in funding over the next three years from the German Research Foundation (DFG).

An effective regulation of programmed cell death is crucial for the correct development of embryos, a working innate immune system, and the prevention of cancer. How cells control the switch between cell survival and death, and which signalling pathways are involved, remain unclear.

Proteins that interact with death receptors in these signalling pathways are often marked with various forms of ubiquitin chains, such as linear (M1) and K63-linked polyubiquitin chains. Deubiquitinating enzymes, which specifically break down ubiquitin chains, play a central role in the regulation of these chains, death receptor signalling, and cell fate.

In our project, we want to investigate the network of M1-deubiquitinating enzymes and interactions with death receptor signalling in mammalian cells in order to understand the fundamental role of the ubiquitin in cell death or survival, explains Sjoerd van Wijk, group leader at the Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics.

The ultimate goal is to understand human diseases, in particular how cancer develops and spreads, and how cells protect themselves against invasive bacteria.

In his research group, van Wijk pursues multidisciplinary approaches using state-of-the-art technology. Through collaborations with Dr. Manuel Kaulich (CRISPR/Cas9 Screening Centre at Goethe University), he has access to highly efficient screening methods to unravel the molecular events that control death receptor function.

The analysis of these molecular complexes is also being supported by the ubiquitin mass spectrometry at the Institute for Biochemistry II at Goethe University (Prof. Dr. Ivan Dikic) and at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz (Dr. Petra Beli), as well as by the high-resolution microscopy at the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at Goethe University (Prof. Dr. Mike Heilemann).

An image may be downloaded at: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/74652845

Credit: Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk

Further information: Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Niederrad Campus, Tel. +49 69 67866574, Email: s.wijk@kinderkrebsstiftung-frankfurt.de.

Current news about science, teaching, and society in GOETHE-UNI online (www.aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de)

Goethe University is a research-oriented university in the European financial centre Frankfurt The university was founded in 1914 through private funding, primarily from Jewish sponsors, and has since produced pioneering achievements in the areas of social sciences, sociology and economics, medicine, quantum physics, brain research, and labour law. It gained a unique level of autonomy on 1 January 2008 by returning to its historic roots as a foundation university.

Today, it is among the top ten in external funding and among the top three largest universities in Germany, with three clusters of excellence in medicine, life sciences and the humanities. Together with the Technical University of Darmstadt and the University of Mainz, it acts as a partner of the inter-state strategic Rhine-Main University Alliance. Internet: www.uni-frankfurt.de

Publisher: The President of Goethe University Editor: Dr. Anne Hardy, Referee for Science Communication, PR & Communication Department, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Tel: (069) 798-13035, Fax: (069) 798-763 12531.

Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Niederrad Campus, Tel. +49 69 67866574, Email: s.wijk@kinderkrebsstiftung-frankfurt.de.

https://aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de/englisch/improving-the-understanding-of-deathSwitch the Market flag

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for targeted data from your country of choice.Editors Note: This article was first published in August 2016.

If you have some extra cash, and you want to give your political candidates a boost this fallwhile also getting a nice tax breakyouve come to the right place.

We know what youre thinking: Campaign gifts arent tax deductible. Thats true, technically. But the beauty of Americas hallowed institution of philanthropy is that the rules around giving are so loose that any smart donorpeople just like youcan make gifts to achieve partisan goals and get the same tax deduction as if, say, they were helping out blind kids.

How exactly does this work in practice? Im glad you asked. Here are seven tips for deploying your tax-exempt charitable dollars to get your candidates elected. But with November right around the corner, youll need to hurry!

(1) Give to Mobilize Your Sides Voters

Everyone knows that elections are decided by turnout, and your gifts can ensure that the right voters come out in droves for the candidates you like. Its as simple as giving money to nonprofit groups that register voters known to back candidates on your side, or that push for laws making it easier for such folks to vote. Yup, thats all perfectly legal work for 501(c)(3) organizations. If youre rooting for Democrats, youll want to send your checks to groups that register low-income, nonwhite voters or seek full implementation of the National Voter Registration Act, which allows people to register when they get public assistance. Make sure only to back such work in swing states. No need to waste your generous gifts to improve civic life in places like California. If youre a Republican, Id recommend faith-based nonprofits seeking to register and educate evangelical voters. Youll be amazed by how those doing Gods work can sway elections by a few crucial percentage points.

(2) Finance Efforts to Suppress the Other Sides Voters

Turning out more of your sides voters is great, but even better is keeping the other teams voters away from the polls. If youre a Republican, I have some good news: Lots of 501(c)(3) organizations are working to do exactly that by pushing voter ID laws in the states or defending existing ones. Whats so great about voter ID laws? Thats easy: African-Americans and Latinos are far less likely to have ID! And we know how those folks tend to vote. So go crazy on this one, and dont worry about the IRS. Who are they to argue with nonprofit efforts to preserve the integrity of the U.S. electoral system? Also, if youre a wee bit embarrassed by this kind of givingsince people, um, died for the right to votejust use an anonymous donor-advised fund like DonorsTrust. Your secret will be safe forever. Again, though, remember to stick with giving in swing states. One other thing: If youre worried about recent court challenges to voter ID laws, I have plenty of legal policy groups I can highly recommend, like Judicial Watch, which is doing heroic work to keep people of color out of voting booths. Who said Jim Crow was dead?

(3) Smear Politicians You Dislike

Okay, enough with that all boring voting stuff. Lets get down to brass tacksnamely, finding ways your tax-exempt charitable gifts can be used to attack and discredit politicians you really dont like. I know, I know: Such work sounds like its gotta cross the legal line, and youre probably a little nervous about this kind of talk, as much you love the sharp elbow stuff. Actually, though, using philanthropy for character assassination is a piece of cake and will even pass muster with the lawyers at your family office. Richard Mellon Scaife could write a book on this subject (I mean, if he were still alive.) Scaife was the genius billionaire heir who was at the center of the quite real vast right-wing conspiracy that went after the Clintons in the 1990s, culminating in the impeachment of Bill.

Whatd Scaife do, exactly? For starters, he used his foundation to bankroll a nonprofit conservative magazine, the American Spectator and its Arkansas Project, which worked to dig up dirt on Bill. The Spectator scored big with the Troopergate story, which led to the Paula Jones lawsuit that, in turn, eventually arrived at Monica Lewinskys doorstep. That suit was supported over years by lawyers with ties to a nonprofit legal group that Scaife had also long supported, the Federalist Society. And many of the costs were borne by another nonprofit, the Rutherford Institute. These modest philanthropic investments paid off big time, since Clintons impeachment arguably explains Al Gores narrow loss to George W. Bush at a moment of record prosperity. Ask any Iraqi how the rest of the story goes.

Now, youre probably wondering what all this ancient history has to do with your charitable gifts. Its really pretty simple: All these same tactics still work today. If youre not a fan of Hillary Clinton, for example, Id recommend cutting a checkand fast!to the Government Accountability Institute, which is a nonprofit that describes itself as investigating crony capitalism and government malfeasance, but mainly seems to be a platform for Peter Schweizer, whos lately made a career of attacking the Clintons and the Clinton Foundation, through his book Clinton Cash and myriad media appearances. Wait, youre thinking, can your charitable gifts really bankroll a one-man partisan wrecking crew like Scheizwer? You bet they can. Just ask hedge funder Robert Mercer, who got to write off a $1 million gift to GAI in 2013.

(4) Defend Politicians You Like

Getting down in the gutter isnt for every philanthropist, I realize, and so you may be wondering how your gifts can be used to stand up for the worthy politicians you care about. Well, youre in luck, since there are plenty of options on this front, too. Consider David Brocks nonprofit operations. While Brock was the author of that Troopergate article I mentioned above, hes since turned into Hillary Clintons most aggressive defender. Brock is the guy who started Correct the Record, which works night and day to swat down Clintons critics. You cant get a deduction for donating to that group, which is a Super PAC, but you can give a generous charitable gift to Brocks other operation, Media Matters for America, a 501(c)(3) that also does a fair amount of swatting of Clinton attacks in service of its mission of comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. For example, it has run dozens of blog posts rebutting media claims about corruption at the Clinton Foundation. Media Matters is also pretty good at whacking Donald Trump for his many inanities, so this one is a twofer.

(5) Arm Your Candidates With Strong Ideas

At the end of the day, if you want your candidates to win elections, they better have some good ideas and smart advisors. Fortunately, this is the easiest kind of help you can provide with your charitable gifts. Just pump money into one of the many think tanks that work hand-in-glove with partisan public officials. If youre on the right, Id recommend the American Enterprise Institute, which offers a home to lots of former Bush administration officials who are deeply plugged in to GOP politics. Of course, the Heritage Foundation is another choice if you're a Tea Party type. As for Democrats, the Center for American Progress is the obvious place to send your tax-deductible gift, seeing as how its founder, John Podesta, now chairs Hillarys campaign and its current CEO, Neera Tanden, is a former Clinton aide who may well serve in her administration. CAP has provided all sorts of policy ideas that have been reflected in Hillarys positions. Lots of bang for the buck, here.

(6) Make Sure That People Like You Can Give Unlimited Donations to Politicians

All this roundabout philanthropy to influence elections may sound like a lot of trouble to some wealthy readers, whod rather stick to direct political giving. So lets talk about how your charitable gifts can allow you to play that game on a big, bold level. As you may know, Citizens Unitedwhich is boon to political junkie donors like youis likely to come under fierce attack in coming years, as the Supreme Court tilts left. If you want this landmark decision defending free speech to survive, Id recommend giving money to the conservative judicial groups that will be fighting tool and nail to preserve Citizens United. If you have to redirect some of your gifts away from Andover and Harvard, it will be worth it. Remember, we're talking about individual liberty, here.

(7) Stop Rich People From Giving so Much Money to Politicians

It sounds crazy, I know, but not all wealthy people want to be able to pay legal bribes to politicians. Some actually believe we should get money out of elections so that the will of the people triumphs over special interests and, presumably, ushers in a new era of progressive policymaking. If youre one of these rich liberals (a.k.a., class traitors), there are plenty of nonprofits working to get money out of politics at both the federal and state level, so take your pick. Bizarrely enough, some of America's top campaign donorslike George Sorosalso support such outfits. If I had more time, I'd square that circle for you.

One last thought: If money is ever actually barred from politics in any significant way, philanthropy will become an even bigger tool for influencing electoral outcomes and public policy. But heres some good news for the wealthy donor class: Pretty much the entire nonprofit and foundation establishment is dead set against tighter restrictions on the use of private wealth to influence public policy. So no matter what happens, rich people like you will always find a way to speak more loudly than your fellow citizens. I bet Alexis Tocquevillethat great early cheerleader for American civil societyis smiling from his grave. Right?Here's what I wrote back:

If I think about why innovation is so elusive -- the things that prevent a company from building deep innovation capability, it would come down to a half-dozen critical things that are interrelated:

1. Innovation identity crisis

Many companies struggle to identify what their innovative strength and style is. Are you a needs-based innovator, meaning you take a human-centered approach like good designers and design thinkers do? Or, are you more market-driven, meaning you're an optimizing fast follower that takes a more capitalistic approach, exploiting the philosophy behind Christensen's "innovator's dilemma" by quickly copying and even improving on game-changing innovations as they hit the market? Or is your strength that of a technologist, like an Apple or Google, constantly on the edge of what's achievable given technological advancement, be it yours or that of others?

If your organization simply doesn't know or can't easily conceptualize which of these categories it falls into, or should fall into, given its bench strength, you run the very expensive risk of "kitchen-sinking" innovation, scattering and squandering your attention and efforts.

2. Unclear innovation strategy

As the previous sentence implies, trying to be all things to all people just doesn't work, and big outfits have a tough time articulating the answers to the essential questions of strategy: where will you play and how will you win? Like any strategy, innovation strategy is a question of focusing resources, which is something different (albeit a nuanced difference) than prioritization. It's the ability to identify what you're going to say NO to. Steve Jobs was great at this. He said he was always proudest of the thousands of things Apple said no to.

3. Inaccessible definition of innovation

When I speak to groups I ask them to show their hands if they consider themselves good problem solvers. All hands raise. I ask for a show of hands for the learners. All hands up. Then I ask the true innovators to raise their hands. Less than 5% raise their hands. It's because people hear innovation and think: gizmo. Or app. Or code. Or product. Or service. Or feature. They think of innovation as a noun rather than a verb.

The best definition of innovation I've ever heard is by JetBlue's founder David Neeleman: "Innovation is figuring how to do something better than it's ever been done before." Dirt simple, and it doesn't matter if you're a CEO or administrative assistant...you can innovate at some level (and there are a few).

Without the clear definition of what's considered innovation, you can't ask people to innovate and expect an intelligent response.

4. No common methodology

We're not taught in school to innovate. Just the opposite. The natural curiosity we're born with and utilize during our first 5 years of existence--which is all about observation, experimentation, and play--gets schooled out of us. We're taught to get the right answer for the teacher. Then the right answer for the boss. We lose our natural born capacity to learn and create new knowledge.

So you have to unlearn the ways of business execution and reteach what came naturally: define a problem by observing or experiencing it, guessing how to solve it, creating a solution based on that guess, and quickly seeing if what you assumed might work actually does.

Without a common methodology, everything is ad hoc, hit or miss.

5. Methodology doesn't feature experimentation

Beyond not having a common method, you'll often find the de facto "innovation method" in reality being mostly an idea execution process, rather than a more scientific one. The mindset can't be "I know what will work and I'm going to ensure it does." It has to be "I think this may work so let me try it out."

Scientists work on hypotheses, which is a fancy term for guesswork. If people aren't getting their hands dirty out in the field with users and customers, testing early low-fidelity prototypes and adjusting a solution, they won't be able to truly innovate.

For some reason, the hardest thing for those charged with innovation is to get out of the office, out of their data reports, and do what all good designers do, and what the Japanese call genchi genbutsu (go look, go see): mingle with customers and users and get real behavioral feedback when learning needs and testing concepts. (I've even heard senior executives go so far as advising employees to "ignore negative feedback from customers.")

I learned how important it is to get out more and go face to face with customers while working with Toyota (which to this day stills runs over 1 million experiments a year companywide).

Look, innovation is an outside-in contact sport. If you want to grow something alone in a dark room, go farm mushrooms.

6. Mismatching talent to task

Companies love to move "high potential managers" into roles related to innovation. Bad move. Those folks are great at plans and budgets, aka convergent thinking. They're great at execution. They're great at growing lines of business. But what do you think they're going to do when you move them into the messy and uncertain world of pursuing mysteries and creating something new which, in all likelihood, will fail? They're going to try to plan, budget, execute, and obsess over revenue realization.

Innovation is about divergence, rapid prototyping, testing and failure. Larger, more mature companies have to figure out how to structure ways for innovative thinkers to break away from the main operation and get back to the metaphorical garage, with the charge being to solve a real problem and design a working prototype under a few intelligent constraints. (There are many such structures..check out my recent article on Gremlin Groups). If you don't, can't or won't, you'll end up hiring an outside firm that's set up to innovate for you. All you've done is outsource innovation and allow high potential managers to stay in their power zone of planning, budgeting, and executing.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, it just doesn't help your efforts to build innovation capability.

Reversing all of these elements is necessary to develop and sustain innovative capability. That's why innovation sounds so simple but is yet so hard!

This article originally appeared on LinkedInAs the UK government scrambles to finalize a Brexit deal while preparing for a no-deal possibility, one expert says the latter outcome is still on the table.

Until such time that were in a position to have agreed on a deal, the chances of us leaving on March 29 with no deal remain possible, likely  its difficult to put an actual measure on it, but there is certainly still a chance that well leave without a deal, said Christopher Croft, chief executive of the London & International Insurance Brokers' Association (LIIBA), which represents the interests of Lloyds insurance and reinsurance brokers operating in both London and international markets.

Theres no time for brokers to play wait and see over the course of the next five months  many are already looking at a variety of potential venues or subsidiaries through which to do business across the 27 countries that will remain part of the EU.

The main criteria in a lot of cases [is] they happen to have one or two offices in Europe already and theyll look to formalize one of those as a subsidiary. Others are needing to open somewhere and theyve been looking at a variety [of options], explained Croft. Belgium has been quite proactive in courting our members to open subsidiaries there, but weve had discussions with the Greeks and the Maltese, and the Cyprians as well, so theres no real one venue in which anybodys concentrating. Theres a variety of factors pushing people into different locations.

Read more: Lloyds CEO Inga Beale talks inclusion ahead of departure

While brokers based in the UK have a lot on their plates, Lloyds brokers spread around the world could see the reverberations of Brexit as well. A breakdown of its presence in major regions reveals the reach of the insurance and reinsurance market globally:

Customers in the United States hold 41% of Lloyds global premiums, and the market has 242 brokers in the country

In Canada, Lloyds is among the top three insurers considered for new business by brokers

Australia has 185 Lloyds coverholders and 15 service companies

Lloyds Asia is home to more than 200 underwriters representing 22 syndicates

However, Croft estimates that a large portion of global brokers wont be significantly impacted by the UKs departure from the EU.

Where [Brexit] has an impact is when either your client is within one of the 27 countries which will remain part of the Union or where youre seeking to place coverage that includes at least one of those countries, so a lot of business that comes into London will be unaffected, he said. Roughly estimate that about 15% of London business emanates from the EU and then there will be a degree of global program coverage on behalf of international clients, which includes EU coverage, but that does mean that theres a sizable proportion of London market business that isnt affected by Brexit.

Nonetheless, the political upheaval isnt the only hurdle facing Lloyds right now. Certain classes of Lloyds business have lost their popularity, with CNA Hardy announcing an exit from property treaty, marine hull, and CAR/EAR (construction/erection all risk) on the Lloyds platform, as well as turnover in the top C-suite and a 2 billion loss (approximately US$2.6 billion) last year. Innovation, or lack thereof, is also top of mind.

Traditionally, London and Lloyds particularly within London has been the place where new products have been invented, and there is a combination of anecdotal and also some statistical evidence that that position has been eroded slightly, said Croft.

That affects the way Londons role within the global market might be viewed. Traditionally, weve been the place where new products have been invented and then gradually commoditized until such point where markets possibly closer to the clients homes were able to write those. If London is not going to do that anymore then it needs to work out what it is going to do, and Lloyds in particular is at the heart of that. We would say the best answer to the question is for London to reassert its position as the center of innovation in international industry.

Read more: Lloyd's of London reviewing all aspects of business after major loss and CEO exit

Croft doesnt see any one market standing out to take over the role of innovator in the insurance industry, stating that no one center is able to compete with London when considering its long history as the place to come for new products, ideas and solutions, combined with the concentration of expertise in the market.

Its really a question of reinvigorating and reinstating Londons position in that sort of sphere, said Croft, though he returns to Brexit as the key issue thats immediately facing Lloyds.

Brexit is a peculiar challenge  its a driven by an enormous amount of political uncertainty and it creates a great lack of certainty, which is not great in an industry whose prime purpose is to bring certainty into uncertain lines. Its a particular challenge for insurance, but brokers are resourceful and good at solving problems, and Im sure we will solve it. Its just that when you are at the mercy of international politics, it can become quite complicated.Foley is just the latest person to be charged for large-scale crop-insurance fraud in Kentucky. In September, a federal grand jury charged 45-year-old Christopher G. Hickerson with allegedly scamming more than $1 million in fraudulent crop insurance claims. In March, farmer Ronnie Jolly was charged with allegedly grossing $2.6 million through fraudulent crop-insurance claims.

In October of last year, crop insurance agent Debra Muse was charged with helping farmers scam $169,000 in fraudulent crop-insurance payments.She was most recently a regional sales executive for the California area with Distinguished Programs, where Malkin specialized in niche commercial markets; Malkin also has over 10 years of sales experience.

We are so excited to welcome Brittany to the teamwith her experience, customer relationships and energy, were really looking forward to having her grow our Orange County and San Diego territory, said RIC vice president of business development Chris Garrison.

The value I bring to the table is my enthusiasm and customer service. I thrive most when I am able to connect with my agents in person, commented Malkin. I enjoy being their go-to-gal for solutions and providing that extra layer of support in every deal. Thats my commitment as I embark on this new opportunity with RIC!

On top of her insurance career, Malkin is an active Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. She is also a board member for the Young Professionals Committee in San Diego.Federal transportation safety investigators will try to determine what caused a helicopter to crash into power lines during an inspection flight in northern New York, killing two people on board and injuring two others.

The National Transportation Safety Board says investigators headed to Beekmantown Tuesday, a day after the helicopter hit power lines and burst into flames over a plowed farm field along a rural road.

Local media report that all four people jumped from the burning aircraft. Cellphone video taken at the scene showed flaming wreckage dangling from the wires before falling about 40 feet to the ground.

The names of the dead and injured havent been released.

Tuesday afternoons crash occurred while contract workers inspected power lines about 20 miles south of the Canadian border.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New YorkHDI Global Insurance Co., headquartered in Chicago, has expanded its Engineering Lines & Construction Division with several new hires.

John Sprague has been appointed senior construction liability underwriter. He will be responsible for the continued growth and development of the U.S. construction liability portfolio. In his 25-plus year career, Sprague has held various excess casualty underwriting and management positions in the E&S practices of Starr, Zurich and AIG.

Diane Kirt and Robert Pawula both join HDI from Seneca Insurance as engineering lines underwriters. They will support the divisions underwriting efforts, including rail and builders risk.

Paul Magiera, associate engineering lines underwriter, will lead the servicing of existing accounts and establish new processes to streamline existing procedures. He joins HDI from State Farm, where he spent 20 years in a variety of producer roles.

Julie Heller, construction liability associate underwriter, joins HDI from Starr where she spent over five years as an underwriting assistant in the Property Department. Heller will be responsible for account clearance, policy issuance, account premium processing and invoicing, rating, and various administrative and organizational projects.

Tom Barilich and Jeonghee Oh have been appointed senior risk engineers.

Barilich joins HDI with extensive broker, carrier and TPA experience, most notably having spent 20-plus years within AIGs construction and energy divisions as a technical services manager and crane subject matter specialist. At HDI, he will provide risk engineering activity for casualty lines, focusing on liability exposure control across the U.S.

Oh joins HDI from Aon, where he worked in the catastrophe model development group. He will provide HDIs underwriting team with engineering line risk assessment and appraising portfolios related to natural hazards.

Source: HDI Global SE (HDI)

Topics USA Underwriting ConstructionA young driver was inhaling chemical vapors, or huffing, just prior to striking and killing three Girl Scouts and a mother and critically injuring a fourth girl who had been picking up trash along a rural Wisconsin highway, police said.

Colten Treu, 21, sped off after the collision in Lake Hallie Saturday morning, but later surrendered.

Treu was being held in the Chippewa County Jail on 13 possible charges, including four counts of intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, Chippewa County Sheriffs Sgt. Robert Jensen said. His bond was set at $250,000 during his first court appearance Monday morning.

Lake Hallie police said Monday Treu and a passenger in the pickup truck both told investigators they had intentionally been inhaling chemical vapors just prior to the crash.

Lake Hallie police said Monday that the deceased were: 9-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, and 10-year-old Haylee Hickle and her 32-year-old mother, Sara Jo Schneider, from the Town of Lafayette.

The surviving girl was hospitalized in Rochester in critical condition.

The children were all fourth graders at Halmstad Elementary School and Southview Elementary School in nearby Chippewa Falls, about 90 miles east of Minneapolis.

Two small groups of Girl Scouts and their adult chaperones wore bright green safety vests Saturday as they walked along both sides of County Highway P, which they had adopted as a community service project.

Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said Saturday that Treus black Ford F-150 crossed a lane Saturday morning and veered into a roadside ditch, striking the victims.

Hundreds of community members huddled under umbrellas in the biting rain Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil outside Halmstad Elementary. Girl Scouts sang songs in memory of the victims, who were members of Troop 3055. A makeshift memorial of teddy bears, balloons and candles was set up on two wooden benches.

Our hearts are broken for the girls and families of the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, CEO Sylvia Acevedo of Girl Scouts of the USA said in a statement Sunday. The Girl Scout Movement everywhere stands with our sister Girl Scouts in Wisconsin to grieve and comfort one another in the wake of this terrible tragedy.

In a message to parents, Superintendent Heidi Eliopoulos said: This is a difficult time for our students, families and staff. We will be providing ongoing support for both students (and) families and staff for as long as needed.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Personal Auto WisconsinWells Fargo & Co. executives were warned that an auto insurance plan could be overcharging customers four years before the bank scrapped the program, according to a complaint released by a judge this week.

Several executives, including then-General Counsel James Strother and chief auditor David Julian, were among the bank officials briefed in 2012 about possible flaws in the auto insurance program that was ended in 2016, according to parts of a class-action lawsuit that were unsealed on Monday.

A Wells Fargo official declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit but said the bank intended to repay all customers who were hurt.

We have been reviewing customer accounts and developing a remediation plan  which we hope to finalize very soon, said spokeswoman Natalie Brown.

Strother, Julian and other executives named in the lawsuit could not immediately be reached for comment. Last month, regulators warned Julian and another bank official that they could face sanctions for their past work with Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo ended its auto insurance program in September 2016 after an internal review found many customers were being wrongfully placed in a costly product they did not need.

The bank had a right to force auto borrowers into the product called collateral protection insurance (CPI) if they let their own policies lapse. But ultimately, the bank said some 600,000 customers were forced into CPI unnecessarily when it reached a $1 billion regulatory settlement in April.

Wells Fargo initially estimated remediation efforts would cost $64 million, but that figure has since swelled as it determined more borrowers were owed greater amounts. In the third quarter, Wells Fargo set aside $241 million for those affected customers.

Its auto insurance abuses are part of a broader scandal over Wells Fargos treatment of customers. The bank revealed over two years ago that it opened millions of phony accounts in customers names without their permission to hit sales targets.

The San Francisco-based lender has since found sales abuses in businesses ranging from mortgage loans to wealth management.

The lawsuit was originally filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California, in August. Wells Fargo has fought to keep some details of the case under seal.

The plaintiffs say they are customers seeking reimbursement for wrongful charges, and allege Wells Fargo pushed drivers with poor credit into policies more often than well-off customers.

Wells Fargo was 10 times more likely to force borrowers with damaged credit into CPI insurance than those with high credit scores, according to the lawsuit, which cites an internal bank presentation.

Drivers of Tesla vehicles and others who carried high loan balances were exempted from CPI, according to the lawsuit.

(Reporting by Patrick Rucker Editing by Lauren Tara LaCapra and Phil Berlowitz)

Topics Lawsuits AutoSwiss Re Corporate Solutions appoints Michael LaRocca as head of Property & Specialty Lines North America, effective November 7, 2018.

In this role, LaRocca will be responsible for managing the strategy, development and performance of the companys Property & Specialty Lines portfolio.

Based in New York, he will oversee the general property, energy property, excess & surplus property, engineering & construction, general aviation and marine teams throughout the U.S. and Canada.

With 25 years of industry experience, LaRocca joins Swiss Re from XL Catlin where he was chief underwriting officer for property, North America, which he joined in August 2014, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Prior to that, he was large limits practice leader for the northeast region at American International Group (between December 2012 and July 2014). Previously, he held senior roles at Zurich North America, Tokio Marine Management, Gerling American Insurance Co., and FM Global, his profile said.

LaRocca holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College.

LaRoccas experience and expertise will help Swiss Re Corporate Solutions advance its strategic aspirations by developing our international programs to serve mid-sized and large companies headquartered in the U.S. and Canada, commented Ivan Gonzalez, CEO North America, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.

Source: Swiss Re Corporate Solutions

Topics Excess Surplus Property Swiss ReThe days of Mountain Home, Arkansas, firefighters potentially getting lost when responding to an emergency are now numbered. Thanks to a new system being put into place, the firefighters will be given directions and a host of other information in real time.

The system is called Active911 and involves software loaded on smartphones and tablets. The fire department is in the process of mounting iPads in firetrucks to accommodate the new software, the Baxter Bulletin reported.

As an example, lets say there is an accident on the Sheid-Hopper Bypass. A witness with a cellphone calls 911 and says the accident is on the bypass near College Street.

The 911 system pings the persons cellphone and gets the address of the nearest cell tower. When they dispatch the Mountain Home Fire Department, the address of that cell tower will populate on the iPads in the trucks and on any firefighters smartphone.

Additionally, the map firefighters see will show the location of fire hydrants nearby.

Lets say Engine 1 responds to the accident scene with four firefighters aboard, all of whom have the Active911 application on their smartphones. Any firefighter who opens the application on a phone or tablet will be able to see Engine 1 and the four firefighters traveling across the map in real time.

Now, lets say Engine 2 responds from a different location. Meanwhile, Engine 1 discovers the accident is not really near College Street, but rather half a mile east of the street. And the accident is not in the westbound lanes as reported by the caller but in the eastbound lanes.

Engine 1 stops at the accident and reports they are on scene. Now, Engine 2 knows exactly where the accident is because they can see on their map where Engine 1 has stopped, thus saving them time in locating the accident.

It doesnt matter how long youve lived here, youre always going to come across streets youve never heard of, said Cpt. Kris Quick whos heading up the effort to bring the system on line.

Its also easy to forget where a street is. Its great to have the route just pop up on the screen, Quick said.

The system provides the quickest route available, but cannot take into account given conditions on any random day.

Lets say weve got multiple trucks responding to an incident and the first truck in encounters construction, Quick said. They can alter the route and other responding units will go around the obstruction.

Maps with real-time locations of people and trucks arent the only pieces of information the system conveys.

Thanks to the Mountain Home Street Department, every fire hydrant in the city is now mapped out. When the fire department got the new software, the water department gave them precise GPS locations to all the fire hydrants.

Other information is being added to the system as time allows. Plans of buildings can be entered, along with locations of hazardous materials, drawings, pictures and other information about specific addresses.

In the case of fire hydrants, the department will eventually enter the flow ratings for each hydrant. If two fire hydrants are near a home on fire and one hydrant can provide 2,000 gallons per minute while the other can only provide 500, firefighters can choose the hydrant based on the size of the blaze.

In the future, the system will improve as firefighters enter more data about specific locations. One of the improvements they hope to make is to replace the Google mapping with the local 911 mapping, a more accurate and up-to-date rendering of local roads.

This system will get better and better as the years go by and we add more information, Quick said. There are cities that have been using it for several years and they say it gets better over time as you add more data to it, so it will always be a work in progress.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.The race for the next Georgia Insurance Commissioner was too close to call Wednesday morning, according to local media outlets in the state.

Republican and former deputy insurance commissioner Jim Beck had a slight lead over Democrat and insurance agent Janice Laws in the state election to replace Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, who decided not to seek re-election this year, opening up the playing field for the states top insurance post for the first time since 2010.

As of 12:30 EST, the Georgia Secretary of States election results showed Beck with 50.5 percent of the vote to Laws 46.9 percent, with the difference in votes between the two being just under 140,000. Libertarian candidate Donnie Foster was trailing behind significantly with only 2.6 percent of the vote. Atlantas FOX 5 News listed the race between Beck and Laws as too close to call.

The station also reported slow reporting of results Tuesday night due to voting issues in several counties. The states contentious governors race between Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams was also too close to call Wednesday.

Laws said on her Facebook page Wednesday morning that she was not conceding yet.

Friends, were still in the race. Standing until every vote is counted. Your vote matters. Stay tuned, Laws wrote on her official candidate Facebook page.

Beck, who announced his candidacy in Aug. 2017, has more than 30 years of experience working in the industry, including for an independent insurance agency, and serving for 12 years as a director for a Fortune 150 property and casualty insurance company.

During his public service, he served as Deputy Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for the State of Georgia, He was most recently chief of staff for Hudgens.

According to his campaign website, Beck said his top priorities if elected would be to focus on Georgia health care solutions centered on a free market system. His other priorities would include defending against insurance fraud against seniors and veterans and protecting consumers from runaway auto insurance rates.

In June, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Becks state work records had been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury. Becks campaign released a statement to the AJC at the time saying Beck didnt know what the investigation was about and that he was not in a position to comment on it. Last month, AJC.com reported that the U.S. Attorneys Office has yet to release any information on the case.

Laws is a 16-year-veteran of the insurance industry and current owner of her own agency, J. Laws & Associates.

She is also an author and founder of Total Life Empowerment, where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and agents. As an insurance professional, Laws has been recognized as a leader and pace-setter in the industry by Liberty Mutual Insurance CO. and Nationwide Insurance, according to her bio on her campaign site.

Laws, who moved to the U.S. from Jamaica as a teenager, according to her campaign site, also lists addressing the cost of auto insurance to Georgia consumers as one of her top priorities. She said Senate Bill 276, which passed in 2008, allows proposed insurance rate increases to go unchallenged.

Laws noted advocating for caps on health insurance premium increases, lower surcharges for accident and claims on car insurance, and ensuring fair underwriting practices for home owners and industrial loans, were also among her top priorities.

Topics GeorgiaICW Group Insurance Cos. has named Eric VonDohlen vice president of data analytics.

VonDohlen will oversee the companys data analytics operations and provide guidance on the curation, maintenance and management of new and existing data solutions. He will be based in the ICW Group corporate headquarters in San Diego, Calif. and report to John Novak, ICW Groups chief operating and strategic execution officer.

Prior to joining ICW Group, he was chief analytics officer at Elevate Credit, a fintech in the non-prime lending space. VonDohlen was also previously chief analytics officer at Triton Management Associates.

ICW Group is a privately held insurance company domiciled in California.

Topics Data DrivenCalifornia Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Wednesday issued a revised advisory workers compensation pure premium rate, lowering the benchmark to $1.63 per $100 of payroll effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Jones has reduced the advisory pure premium rate by about 42 percent since January 2015, when he approved an average pure premium rate that was $2.81 per $100 of payroll.

With an average filed pure premium rate of $2.13 per $100 of payroll as of July 1, 2018, insurers were on average applying pure premium rates that were roughly 19.7 percent more than the corresponding average advisory pure premium rate of $1.78 approved by the commissioner as of that date, according to the California Department of Insurance.

The indicated advisory pure premium rate level of $1.63 approved by Jones is about 23.5 percent lower than the industry filed average pure premium rate of $2.13 as of July 1, 2018, according to the CDI.

Savings for workers compensation insurers continue and all of those savings ought to be shared with employers, Jones said in a statement. Cost savings in the workers compensation system have helped insurers and employers deserve to share in the cost savings through lower premiums. I renew my call on workers compensation insurers to pass along savings to employers.

Jones decision results in an advisory pure premium rate that is below the $1.70 average rate recommended by the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau in its filing. Jones issued the advisory rate after a public hearing and review of the testimony and evidence submitted by stakeholders.

Related:

Topics California Workers' CompensationNEWS ALERT November 12, 2021, 4:39 p.m. EST: Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson announced on Nov. 12, 2021, that it will divide itself into two publicly traded companies, one to continue developing pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and the other to focus on consumer products. The transaction will take place sometime over the next 18 to 24 months.



Johnson & Johnson: A Brief Overview

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is one of the world's largest multinational corporations. Founded in 1886 by three brothers, the company is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It operates more than 250 different subsidiaries in over 60 countries, employing over 130,000 people. JNJ is a major innovator in the health care sector. In fact, it was the very first company to produce dental floss, feminine hygiene products, first aid kids, and maternity kits on a mass scale.

The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with share prices closing at $161.98 on June 18, 2021, with a market capitalization of $426.56 billion. JNJ reported $82.58 billion in revenue for the 2020 fiscal year$43.13 from the United States while the remaining $39.45 came from international sources.

Johnson & Johnson derives its profitability from three distinct segments: Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer products. What follows is a breakdown of the sales revenue by segment for the full year of 2020.

Key Takeaways Johnson & Johnson is a giant in the health care space that was founded in 1886.

The multi-billion market cap company has three key segments: Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer products.

The pharmaceuticals business makes up roughly half of Johnson & Johnsons pretax income.

Medical devices make up 40% and the consumer products division comprises 10% of its income.

Despite successfully developing the world's first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, JNJ had some challenges because of potential side effects and quality control issues.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical segment of Johnson & Johnson generates the majority of the company's sales. This division accounted for more than half of JNJ's revenue for the full year. At over 55% of overall revenue, pharmaceuticals drew in a total of $45.57 billion in sales. This was a growth of 8.4% from the previous year.

The company pointed to several highlights that boosted growth in the segment, including demand for some of its key biologic medications. These medications are used in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, cancer, psoriatic arthritis, and schizophrenia.

JNJ developed the world's first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, which contributed to its financial success for the fiscal year. Federal authorities in the United States approved the use of the vaccine in the fight against the pandemic in February 2021. Clinical trials demonstrated that the vaccine was 85% effective against the virus.

The U.S. rollout for the JNJ vaccine was stalled, following reports of severe side effects and issues with quality control. But the company's international vaccine rollout has progressed, with the U.K. government authorizing it for emergency use in May 2021. The vaccine is also awaiting approval for use in Japan as of June 2021. Plans are in the works to expand its use in India.

Johnson & Johnson's profitability is not broken down by region but the company does disclose U.S. and international sales totals.

Medical Devices

This division is divided into four different areas, including:

Orthopedics: joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, and power tools

Surgery: surgical systems and instruments

Interventional solutions: heart rhythm disorders and neurovascular care support for health care professionals

Vision

Revenue for the medical devices segment dropped in 2020 by 10.5%. The company attributed this to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as medical procedure deferrals. Medical devices generated about $22.96 billion in sales, which represented 27.8% of total revenue for the year.

Despite the challenges, the companyand the industryexperienced during the year because of the pandemic, Johnson & Johnson said it concentrated its efforts on urgent needs by training over six million medical workers and providing personal protective equipment.

Consumer Products

Johnson & Johnson's consumer products segment offers a broad range of products used in three distinct categories:

Skin health

Self-care

Essential health

These categories provide consumers with a wide range of products ranging from baby care, oral care, beauty products, women's health, wound care, to over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl.

This segment was responsible for 17% of total sales, representing $14.05 billion of revenue for the full year. According to the earnings report, the division's sales grew by 3% from the previous year, fuelled by demand for some of its key brand names, including Tylenol and Listerine.

The company also highlighted the launch of about 200 new product lines during the fiscal year. This included the release of a digital smoking cessation tool in the United Kingdom.Retirement is becoming more and more of a pipe dream for many workers. A troubled global economy paired with longer life expectancies is forcing many to continue to work far past the age they imagined because of a lack of sufficient savings.

This shortfall has spurred many governments to increase the age when citizens can receive money from social security plans in an effort to minimize the number of people in the system. However, not every country has been proactive enough to provide its inhabitants with an adequate retirement income. Heres a look at retirement rules and benefits available to citizens around the globe.

Key Takeaways Changes in the global economy, paired with longer life expectancies, are forcing many individuals around the world to continue to work far past the age they imagined because of a lack of sufficient savings.

Depending on the country you live in, there are many different retirement rules and benefits available to citizens; the U.K., Singapore, Malaysia, the U.S., Australia, and Canada all have very different approaches to ensuring that their citizens have adequate retirement income.

While some countries, such as the U.K., have mandatory retirement ages, other countries, such as Singapore, offer programs for re-employing retired workers as a means of providing its older citizens with more employment opportunities.

The U.K.

In 2011, the U.K. government ended fixed retirement in the country, which means that employers can no longer force staff to quit simply because they are 65 or older. It has also increased the State Pension age, which used to be 60 for women and 65 for men, on a sliding scale that started in 2011. It becomes 66 for both men and women, as of October 2020, and it will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

Workers in the U.K. can continue to work after they reach State Pension age and still receive their pension. They can also put off claiming their State Pension, which might make them eligible for extra State Pension funds or a lump-sum payment when they claim it.

In 2018, a survey by HSBC Bank called "The Future of Retirement: Bridging the gap," asked working-age women with a spouse or a partner if they had contributed less to retirement than their partners. At that time, 35% of respondents in the U.K. said "yes." This was compared to 9% of men in the U.K.

Out of the 16 countries surveyed (U.K., Australia, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, U.S., U.A.E., Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, France, Turkey, Taiwan, China, and Indonesia), the U.K. reported the highest number of women who had contributed less to their retirement than their partner.

Australia came in second, with 29% of women reporting that they had contributed less to their retirement than their partners (as compared to 10% of men).

In 2013, the same survey by HSBC Bank revealed that the U.K. was the worst in the world at saving for retirement. The average retirement savings amount in the U.K. was 73,000 (about $95,545.98 in U.S. dollars) for men and 53,000 (about $69,369.00 in U.S. dollars) for women. However, those who had financial plans and had received professional advice (about 40% of U.K. households at that time) averaged a savings of 123,000 (about $160,988.43 in U.S. dollars).

People in the U.K. are also choosing to retire later in life than in years past. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average retirement age for men rose from 63.8 years in 2004 to 64.6 years in 2010, and from 61.2 years to 62.3 years for women over the same period.

Singapore

In Singapore, there is a statutory minimum retirement age, which is currently set at age 62. This means that an employer can require an employee to retire upon reaching that age and prohibits any employers from terminating an employee on the grounds of age prior to reaching age 62.

At the same time, Singapore also maintains a re-employment program, per the Retirement and Re-Employment Act. This act is intended to provide older workers with employment opportunities. Employers may be required to "re-employ" a retired worker up to the "re-employment" age, which is currently set at 67 years of age. In order to be eligible for re-employment, an employee must meet certain criteria:

A Singapore citizen or permanent resident

Worked for their employer for at least three years prior to reaching the minimum retirement age

Satisfactory work performance as assessed by the employer

Medically fit to keep working

Under the Retirement and Re-Employment Act, the employee must be "re-employed" for at least one year (and the employment being renewable each year up to the "re-employment age").

Employees are not required to be "re-employed" if they choose not to be. However, an employer that is not able to provide a re-employment opportunity to one of their employees must make an Employment Assistance Payment (EAP) to the employee. This payment is generally 3.5 months' salary.

The Singapore government implements a comprehensive social security savings plan called The Central Provident Fund (CFP). Under the plan, all working Singaporeans and their employers make monthly contributions into four CPF accounts. Savings in the Ordinary Account can only be used for specific expenditures such as investment, education, CPF insurance, or to purchase a home.

The Special Account is earmarked for a persons elderly years and investments in retirement-related financial products. The Medisave Account can be used for medical expenses, such as hospitalization costs and approved medical insurance. Finally, the Retirement Account is automatically created when an employee turns 55 years old.

The government encourages retirees to supplement their CPF with personal savings. A 2017 government report stated the average balance for all CPF members was $87,400 in 2016.

Malaysia

This country in Southeast Asia enforces a compulsory retirement age of 60 for public sector employees. Early retirement is an option at age 40 after at least 10 years of government service. Public sector workers are provided with two types of retirement schemes, including the pension scheme, which entails a monthly fixed income, a service gratuity, and free medical treatment at government hospitals. The Employees Provident Fund scheme provides for retirement through a mandatory savings account in which employees and employers make monthly contributions.

The government has a mandatory retirement savings scheme for all Malaysians working in the private sector. The retirement age in the private sector is 60. The HSBC 2013 survey shows that just over three-quarters of respondents had saved enough for retirement, though nearly half of those who were not prepared did not realize that they were underfunded until after they had stopped working.

The percentage of retirement income that comes from pensions is much lower in Malaysia than in many other countries, with public and private pensions combining to comprise a mere 30% of all retirement income.

United States

The age at which U.S. citizens are eligible for full retirement benefits ranges from 66 to 67, depending on their year of birth. Early retirement begins at 62 when people can begin receiving a fraction of their full retirement payout.

The Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) for 2020 finds only 27% of retirees very confident in their ability to live comfortably throughout retirement, and this is following record lows from 2009 to 2013. Unfortunately, 32% of respondents still described themselves as not at all confident in their savings.

Notably, the least confident respondents tended not to have a specified retirement plan. According to a 2019 report by Northwestern Mutuals 2019 Planning and Progress Study, 15% of the 2,003 adults surveyed have saved not one single dollar for retirement.

Australia

Down under, the social security program is called Age Pension. The government describes Age Pension as an adequate income in your retirement. To receive Age Pension you must be at least 66 and meet the 10-year qualifying Australian residence requirements.

Income, assets, and other circumstances affect how much pension an Australian worker will get. As of October 2020, the qualifying age for Age Pension is 66 years. It will rise by six months every two years, reaching 67 by July 1, 2023.

Australia has a relatively conservative and mandatory retirement saving system for its citizens, which requires them to put away 9.5% of their salaries every year into a private/public 401(k) called a superannuation account. This amount will be raised to 12% between 2021 and 2025.

In 2010, the University of Canberras NATSEM unit found that women aged 55 to 64 years were estimated to have an average superannuation balance of about $54,500 AUD (about $39,333 in U.S. dollars), with average male superannuation balances at $113,200 AUD (about 81,700.97 in U.S. dollars).

Canada

In the wake of its first budget deficit since the mid-1990s, the Canadian government announced the eligibility age for Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) would gradually raise from 65 years of age to 67 by 2029. However, in 2019, the government of Canada restored the age of eligibility for OAS and GIS benefits from 67 back to 65 to help ensure future vulnerable seniors do not face higher risks of living in poverty. Eligibility will remain at age 65 as part of an effort to guarantee that seniors do not have to wait two additional years to collect their OAS and GIS benefits.

OAS is funded completely through government revenues as part of the countrys public pension system. Canadian citizens or permanent residents 65 and older who have lived in the country for at least 10 years are eligible for OAS. Pension increases in accordance with the number of years a person has lived in Canada.

Low-income Old Age Security recipients can also draw a monthly, nontaxable benefit from the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The average Old Age Security payout is $600.85 a month. Seniors who make less than $123,386 (individual income) annually are eligible for the maximum payout of $600.25 a month. Those individuals earning more than $123,386 cannot draw a pension from OAS (figures reflect the amounts made for December 2018).

On average, in 2018 Canadas seniors got $947 a month from the GIS. In September 2020, the maximum payout from the GIS was $916.38. According to a 2018 CIBC poll, 32% of Canadians between the ages of 45 and 64 have nothing saved for retirement.

The average amount that Canadians had saved for retirement was only $184,000, while 30% of respondents said they have no retirement savings and 19% have saved less than $50,000.

The biggest reason Canadians noted for not contributing is that they simply cant afford it. The percentage of retirement income in Canada that comes from pensions is also one of the highest in the world, with three-quarters of all retirement income coming from either public or private pensions.

The Bottom Line

Retirement is handled differently depending on where you live in the world, but it seems that most individuals and governments struggle with how to fund life after work. Your best bet is to take matters into your own hands. Dont count on government programs to sustain you through your retirement.November 7, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) LNG News - The following article/commentary is released on Enterprise Group, Inc. (TSX: E).

After Petronas et al rolled a frag grenade under the massive LNG Project in 2017 due to low prices, all is forgiven and earlier this month the group decided that a lot of LNG will flow out of Kitimat BC by the middle of the 2020's. As massive as this project is, it is likely only the first in a dozen megaprojects well into mid-century.

The main players; Royal Dutch Shell, Mitsubishi Corp., the Malaysian-owned Petronas, PetroChina Co. and Korean Gas Corp, have agreed to the $40-billion joint venture. A 670-kilometer pipeline delivering natural gas from the northeast corner of the province further includes a gas liquefaction plant in Kitimat on B.C.'s coast. Rather than drone on, here is an excellent Visual Capitalist piece that is pretty skookum.

TransCanada will build the 420-mile transport pipeline from Dawson Creek BC to Kitimat BC at the cost of $6.2 billion. First gas should flow pre 2025 just as China's gas needs enter the multi-decade growth

According to our 2H Global LNG Outlook, imports of LNG will set a new record this year on the back of a robust 8.5% growth - demand will reach 308MMtpa this year, up from 284MMtpa in 2017.... By 2030, 450MMtpa of LNG is needed, driven by Asia, which accounts for 86% of total growth. See the BNEF video on the Gas Markets Global: The Rise of LNG

Huge Opportunity? Sure. But Think Small.

Many opportunities abound in the LNG sector. Many companies don't even touch LNG: But without these specialized service companies, LNG ceases even to be viable.

Step One. Demand.

YoY, China gas import growth rose 52% to mid-2018. As more Asian demand at 1.6% per year to 2022 is moderate, demand starts ramping up nicely around that year. Until then, the play is likely construction and infrastructure companies. There will plenty of time to look at production estimates for post-2022, but if facilities, pipelines aren't built, it could get pretty lonely. And unprofitable.

If You Build It.

If a fraction of the dozen projects are built-Kitimat is the only one approved so far; the best leverage is in the smaller, specialized companies. They not only survived the ugliness that was the business climate in Western Canada but are stronger and the key to the economy of the west of Canada.

Step Two. Introducing Three Small but Key LNG Players (In no particular order)

ENTREC CORP ENT: CA

Entrec has massive trucks and hauling capacity. Likely all one needs to know. Business is simple but critical.

With Management and Board holding north of 50% of the shares, ENT's number of offices throughout critical areas -including Kitimat-is enticing. Add in the deep discount of 66% of NAV (C$0.58), and there are several potentialities for investors. $20 million market cap. Here's the Investor Deck.

"Given that we have a strong presence in the LNG area, including Kitimat, we are maximizing our efforts to win business," said Jason Vandenberg, CFO, and IR for ENTREC." We will benefit from both the construction of the LNG Facility and ancillary infrastructure as well as from increased natural gas exploration and production in NE BC and NW Alberta, where we are also well positioned."

MACRO INDUSTRIES MCR.CA

Macro's core business is providing pipeline and facilities construction and maintenance services to major companies in the oil and gas industry within Canada.

At a market cap near C$85 million, Macro is the big of the smalls. It is hip deep in the area.

The Company was recently awarded a contract for the construction of the Groundbirch Compressor Station; a two-unit greenfield compressor station located near Dawson Creek, B.C. that is part of the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. ("NGTL") North Montney Mainline Project. NGTL is a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Pipelines Limited.

Services include civil work, fabrication, and installation of piping and structural steel, coating, testing and commissioning as well as the installation of compression, pumping and process equipment.

The lump-sum contract value is more than $37.0 million. The shares showed the most 52-week volatility of three. And the most significant gains, depending on your trades of course.

Enterprise Group CA: E

Between December 2017 and May 2018, Enterprise's share price accomplished a stand-up double. From C$.30 to C$0.63. The Company made it a priority to keep shareholders informed, reducing debt to $0 and focusing the business into the go-to for mobile power, dryers, full camp builds, etc.

E continues to successfully execute its strong corporate mandate to be the largest specialized equipment rental and services organization, providing critical site infrastructure and services in Western Canada and beyond.

"Several factors led us to conclude that approval this LNG project would resolve right about now," stated Des O'Kell SVP of Enterprise. " Clues abounded as the related activity from Kitimat to Fort St. John; such as negotiations with First Nations, equipment plans and increased office leasing. The reality is that early exposure to this development trend is key; with a focused eye on commodity prices. Viewing this project as an initial LNG 'tap' to Asia heralds massive expansion potential; growing and enhancing Western Canada's energy exports for decades."

Step Three: Leverage

Investors are more than welcome to buy the significant plays, but as with most things, the suppliers to the project(s) will likely be the quarterly canary in the coal mine, developmentally and future growth. And as each grows their reps, they will probably get the first call for new projects.

Check this graph of 6 months of TRP: CA then;

Do the math

Check the smaller companies for the best leverage

Ascertain your level of risk

Consider $CA (dollar cost averaging)

Establish a hold time horizon; likely 2022-2025

Or be a trader.

This period will likely be volatile for the above companies (TRP as well)and not for the faint of heart. But probably worth a bit of your portfolio allocation. Why? Because there is only one truism in investing:

Fortune Favors the Bold and merde happens.

Faites Vos Jeux, mes amis.

For further Enterprise news and corporate updates, and to speak directly with the #management team, join the Enterprise "Investor Group on 8020 Connect http://bit.ly/2FNPjyk

Article source  Baystreet.ca

Disclaimer/disclosure- This third party news/article is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - News that Inspires big ideas Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

Disclosure this news article is a paid for news release on the Investorideas.com newswire by Enterprise Group, Inc. (TSX: E) and was not created or originated by Investorideas. Learn more about costs and our newswire service https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Enterprise Group, Inc. (TSX: E) is a previous featured monthly company on Investorideas expiring on May 1 2018 .More info https://www.investorideas.com/About/News/Clientspecifics.asp

Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspAlbuquerque, NM - November 7, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) New Mexico's First Congressional District has officially made history and Deb Haaland has been elected as one of the nation's first Native American Congresswoman. Following the historic win, Haaland addressed a crowd of supporters at the Albuquerque Hotel.

"New Mexico made history tonight," Haaland said. "I want to thank every single person who poured their heart and soul into this campaign. Congress has never heard a voice like mine, but when the 116th session of Congress begins, they will hear my voice."

During her campaign for congress, Haaland set a bold progressive agenda to put people before corporate profits. That included a Green New Deal and 100% renewable energy, Medicare for All, protecting and expanding Social Security, investing in public education, humane immigration policy and an end to deportations and the harassment of immigrants living in America, and women's reproductive rights.

"Healthcare is a right and not a privilege," Haaland said. "I will fight to ensure every child gets a high-quality public education -- including an early childhood education through universal pre-k and day care. I will fight for women's reproductive rights including abortion access. I will fight for a humane immigration policy. And I will fight for working families -- through policies like paid family leave and a $15 minimum wage -- to ensure every American has a real path to prosperity and success. And I will fight to ensure the federal government finally lives up to its trust responsibility to Native tribes."

In her victory speech, Haaland said:

"Seventy years ago, Native Americans right here in New Mexico couldn't vote. Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household, and as a 35th generation New Mexican, I never imagined a world where I would be represented by someone who looked like me.

"Tonight, New Mexico, you are sending one of our nation's first Native American women to Congress.

"We are at a critical juncture in our history. Now is the time to return to the most basic ideals of simply being good and kind people; welcoming the stranger; ensuring dignity and freedom for all -- no matter what we look like, who we love, how we pray, or where we were born."

Note to Press: A livestream of Deb Haaland's victory speech is available here.

Deb Haaland is a 35th generation New Mexican who is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, and also has Jemez Pueblo heritage. Deb grew up in a military family; her father was a 30-year combat Marine who was awarded the Silver Star Medal for saving six lives during Vietnam, and her mother is a Navy veteran who was a federal employee for 25 years in Indian education. Deb's family moved throughout the country during her father's military service; as a result, she attended 13 different public schools. She knows the sacrifices made by military families.

Deb is a single mother who volunteered at her daughter's pre-school in order to afford an early childhood education. Like so many New Mexicans, Deb had to rely on food stamps at times as a single parent. She has been a small-business owner. Deb has lived paycheck-to-paycheck and struggled to put herself through college and law school - but she did it through hard work and determination. Like so many New Mexicans, both Deb and her daughter are still paying off student loans.

Deb is running for Congress because she's lived the struggles of everyday New Mexicans. She understands their needs and is best equipped to be our families' fiercest advocate in Congress. She will fight tirelessly to create opportunities and improve livelihoods for all New Mexicans.

Learn more about Deb and her campaign at DebforCongress.com

More Info:

This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. 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.

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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspRoad Town, British Virgin Islands - November 7, 2018 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) announced today that its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Talon Nickel (USA) LLC (collectively, "Talon" or the "Company"), has entered into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Kennecott Exploration Company ("Kennecott"), a subsidiary of the Rio Tinto Group, pursuant to which Talon will have the right to acquire up to a 60% interest in the Tamarack Project on the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.

In addition, the Company has announced that it has entered into amending agreements in connection with its existing debt facilities with Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. ("RCF"). Subject to satisfaction of the conditions in the amending agreements, RCF has agreed to convert all outstanding amounts under the convertible loan facility as well as the promissory note at an effective conversion price of $0.11 per share (the "RCF Debt Conversion"). The RCF Debt Conversion would occur concurrently with the first payment to Kennecott under the Option Agreement. Following the completion of the RCF Debt Conversion, Talon will be a debt-free company, save for liabilities in the ordinary course of business.

"Today is a new start for Talon," said Sean Werger, President of Talon. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to acquire a majority stake in one of the world's only remaining undeveloped high grade nickel-copper-cobalt projects on infrastructure. Our strategy for the Tamarack Project is to eventually produce Class 1 nickel, which is required for batteries for the electric vehicle market. We would like to thank both Kennecott and RCF for their support thus far. It is a tremendous stamp of approval to have Kennecott maintain a significant stake in the Tamarack Project, and for RCF to convert all of its debt into common shares of Talon."

Option Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, Talon will immediately take over operatorship of the Tamarack Project (with certain Kennecott employees being seconded to Talon) and have the right to acquire a 51% interest in the Tamarack Project (for clarity which is an additional 33.44% to its current ownership interest of 17.56%) upon:

(1) the payment of US$6 million in cash to Kennecott, which is due on the effective date of the Option Agreement (the "Initial Payment");

(2) the issuance of US$1.5 million worth of common shares of Talon to Kennecott;

(3) within 3 years of the effective date of the Option Agreement, Talon either spending US$10 million or completing a pre-feasibility study on the Tamarack Project; and

(4) within 3 years of the effective date of the Option Agreement, Talon paying Kennecott an additional US$5 million in cash. Provided Talon has earned the 51% interest in the Tamarack Project, Talon shall then have the right to increase its interest in the Tamarack Project to 60% by:

(1) completing a feasibility study on the Tamarack Project within 7 years of the effective date of the Option Agreement, and;

(2) paying Kennecott the additional sum of US$10 million in cash on or before the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the Option Agreement.

Upon Talon vesting with its applicable joint venture interest in the Tamarack Project, the parties will enter into a new joint venture agreement, pursuant to which, so long as Talon has a majority interest, Talon will continue to act as operator of the Tamarack Project. In the event Talon has delivered a feasibility study on the Tamarack Project, upon the completion thereof, the parties will be required to fund the Tamarack Project in accordance with their respective ownership interests.

The Option Agreement will become effective 5 days following the shareholders meeting set forth below.

Conversion of Existing Debt Facilities

The Company is currently party to a US$16 million convertible loan facility (the "Convertible Loan") with RCF and a US$1 million unsecured promissory note (the "Promissory Note") both of which mature on April 2, 2019.

Pursuant to the terms of the amending agreements, the Company has agreed to reduce the conversion price under the Convertible Loan to $0.10 per share (from $0.156 per share) in respect of the principal component of the Convertible Loan (US$16 million) and maintain the conversion price at $0.156 in respect of the interest component of the Convertible Loan (approximately US$6.1 million) (the "Amended Convertible Loan"). In addition, the parties have agreed that the Promissory Note will be amended to provide for its conversion at a price of $0.10 per share for all outstanding principal and interest (the "Amended Promissory Note"). The Amended Convertible Loan and the Amended Promissory Note (and the conversion of thereof) will become effective immediately following the Initial Payment by Talon in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement and evidence of US$1.5 million in working capital to advance the Tamarack Project. Upon conversion of the Amended Convertible Loan and the Amended Promissory Note, RCF will be issued an aggregate of 275,505,477 common shares of Talon, representing approximately a 71% interest in the Company on a partially diluted basis.

Financing

Talon is currently considering a number of financing alternatives in connection with the Initial Payment which is due on the effective date of the Option Agreement. In connection therewith, RCF and the Company have entered into an agreement (the "Investment Agreement"), pursuant to which RCF has been granted the right to participate up to 49% of any financing undertaken to fund the Initial Payment, with a further right to take up any fundraising shortfall (the "RCF Back-Stop Right"). In addition, under the terms of the Investment Agreement, RCF will be entitled to participate in any future equity financings to maintain its pro-rata equity interest in the Company provided RCF continues to hold greater than 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Talon. Exercise of the pre-emptive rights under the Investment Agreement will be subject to TSX approval.

Shareholder Approval

The effectiveness of the Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement (including the RCF Back-Stop Right) are subject to shareholder approval and the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The shareholders meeting to consider these matters will be scheduled for a date to be announced by the Company in due course. The Company will also be providing a management information circular in due course, which will contain important additional information relating to the Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement.

RCF is a "related party" of the Company pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") as RCF, assuming the exercise of the conversion rights under the Convertible Loan, has beneficial ownership of, and control or direction over, directly or indirectly securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting securities. The Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement would all constitute a "related party transaction" under MI 61-101 as such transactions are either material amendments of the terms of an outstanding debt or liability owed to a related party and/or contemplates a security which is being issued to a related party.

The Company is seeking "minority approval" (as defined in MI 61-101) of transactions regarding the Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement pursuant to section 5.6 of MI 61-101. In determining minority approval for a related party transaction, the Company is required to exclude the votes attached to common shares that, to the knowledge of the Company or any "interested party" or their respective directors and senior officers, after reasonable inquiry, are beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised by "interested parties" and their "related parties" and "joint actors" (all as defined in MI 61-101). At the shareholders meeting, the common shares held by (i) RCF and (ii) any of its respective related parties, associates or affiliates, and any joint actors of the foregoing will be excluded for the purposes of determining minority approval of the Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement.

Haywood Securities Warrants

The Company has agreed to extend the expiry date of the outstanding 1,000,000 warrants originally issued to Haywood Securities Inc. on December 29, 2015 (the "Haywood Warrants") as consideration for their assistance with the original execution of the Convertible Loan with RCF. Each Haywood Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of Talon at an exercise price of $0.156 per share. The current expiry date of the Haywood Warrants is tied to the "Maturity Date" of the Convertible Loan, which is the earlier of November 25, 2018 and the occurrence of certain stated events. Due to the Amended Convertible Loan, Talon has agreed to extend the expiry date of the Haywood Warrants to November 25, 2020. All other terms of the Haywood Warrants (including the exercise price) will remain unamended. Extension of the expiry date of the Haywood Warrants is conditional upon shareholder approving the Amended Convertible Loan, the Amended Promissory Note and the Investment Agreement at the upcoming Talon shareholders meeting.

About Talon

Talon is a TSX-listed company focused on the exploration and development of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project in Minnesota, USA (which comprises the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project). The Company has a well-qualified exploration and mine management team with extensive experience in project management.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Sean Werger

President

Talon Metals Corp.

Tel: (416) 500-9891

Email: werger@talonmetals.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to closing of the Option Agreement including satisfaction of the Initial Payment, satisfaction of the conditions to the RCF Debt Conversion, receipt of necessary shareholder approval, the RCF Back-Stop Right, required TSX approval as well as financing alternatives and availability. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspCalifornia has become the first state in the U.S. to put cybersecurity regulations on the ever-growing Internet of Things, giving companies who produce those devices until January 1, 2020 to include specific security features.

The legislation requires security measures for any device that can connect to the internet and that has an IP or Bluetooth address, regardless of whether it processes personal information.

The law does not include a private right of action (unlike the California Consumer Privacy Act) and can only be enforced by the state attorney general, county counsel or a district attorney.

Palo Alto-based Morrison & Foerster partner Chris Lyon, who advises companies on issues related to the collection, use, sharing, and safeguarding of data, and helps them develop strategies to comply with U.S. and international privacy and data protection laws, said about the impact This new law sends a strong message that California expects manufacturers of IoT devices to take the lead in building data security into their products, regardless of the nature or sensitivity of data transmitted through those devices.

California has taken major strides toward regulating the Internet of Things, the network of internet-connected devices that includes everything from televisions and cars, to refrigerators, fitness trackers, and baby monitors, Lyon wrote in a short article about the new law.

When Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1906 and Senate Bill 327 into law, California took major strides toward regulating the Internet of Things, the network of internet-connected devices that includes everything from televisions and cars, to refrigerators, fitness trackers, and baby monitors.

Lyons article, co-authored by Allison Lauterbach Dale also explained, The legislation focuses in particular on user authentication, requiring the manufacturer of a connected device to equip the device with reasonable measures appropriate to the nature and function of the device, appropriate to the information it may collect, contain, or transmit, (and) designed to protect the device and any information contained therein from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure.

The requirement is not limited to devices that collect personal information, Lyon wrote. In fact, the legislation makes no reference to the concept of personal information. For devices equipped with a means for authentication outside a local area network, the law provides that either of the following will be deemed a reasonable security feature: the preprogrammed password is unique to each device manufactured, or the device contains a security feature that requires a user to create a new means of authentication before access is first granted.

The law creates a strong incentive for manufacturers to use one of these two approved security measures, particularly because the law provides no guidance in determining what other types of security measures will be considered reasonable, Lyon observes.

The legislation does not regulate medical devices, nor does it apply to manufacturers who are already regulated by HIPAA or Californias health privacy law. Connected devices whose functionality is subject to federal security requirements and regulations are also not subject to the new law.

The entire article, and more information about the new regulations can be found here: https://www.mofo.com/resources/publications/181001-new-california-iot-law.html

Edited by Ken BriodaghIKEA in Ireland have announced a rise in sales for the financial year ending August 31, 2018.

The retailer saw a 7.4% growth in sales of 181.5m on the previous financial year (FY17), meaning it now holds an 8.7% market share in the country's Home Furnishing market.

They claim that the launch of their online channel almost a year ago has been a significant growth driver with its online sales reaching 17.3m, accounting for 9.5% of total sales in the financial year.

Most of its online shoppers came from Dublin, followed by Cork, Galway and Kildare. IKEA.ie received more than 17 million visits in FY18, representing a 41% increase on FY17 and propelling it to the number 1 position in the online home market in Ireland, holding a 9.6% market share.

Claudia Marshall, IKEA Ireland Market Manager, said: We are delighted to complete another successful year of growth in Ireland and see our business grow from strength to strength. The stores ability to inspire consumers, in addition to expert advice from our co-workers, was a key factor in our success, together with the launch of our Shop Online channel.

"Our investment in multi-channel retailing this year was in direct response to the changing needs of our customers, and Shop Online was a big part of this journey. It has been a great success and has performed strongly in its first 10 months in operation, giving customers all over Ireland the opportunity to shop with IKEA whenever and wherever they want. We look forward to seeing this growth continue into 2019 and beyond.

Ireland's record high temperatures this past summer boosted IKEAs Outdoor Furniture sales which increased by 29%.

IKEA's flagship store in Ballymun and its Order and Collection Point in Carrickmines welcomed more than four million visitors during the year.

They say they are committed to paying the Living Wage, which will increase to the new rate of 11.90 from January 2019, and also signed the Irish Diversity Charter, stating its commitment to ensuring that the company supports a culture that is characterised by respect and appreciation for everyones diversity in the workplace.Xem them

...

Tin bai cuoi cung

Khong con du lieu e loadProposals to force women to pay for abortion services, except where her life is at risk, have been dismissed by the Oireachtas Health Committee.

The committee sat for almost nine hours yesterday to scrutinise 180 amendments which have been put forward on a bill to will allow for the roll-out of abortion services in this country.

Former Sinn Fein TD Carol Nolan put forward an amendment to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 which stated that no public money would be provided for terminations other than cases where there is a risk to the life of the mother.

Responding to the amendment, Health Minister Simon Harris asked if it would right to send women who have been raped or have suffered a fatal foetal abnormality a medical bill.

Heres some breaking news: women are taxpayers too, he told the committee.

This is about free, safe, and legal, if it is not free, it will still be legal but it will not be safe.

He added that he could not discriminate against some women because of the choice they were making.

He added: I thought Ireland had moved to a better place in that regard.

A number of TDs, including Independent Peter Fitzpatrick and Fianna Fails Margaret Murphy OMahony, cited the stretched healthcare system as reasons to charge women.

Ms Nolan said the 12m promised to provide the service was unacceptable.

However, Mr Harris said the funding for termination services will be far from generous and flaithulach, as the amount allocated is just 0.0007% of the total Health budget.

Ms Nolan said Mr Harris had bowed to pro-choice campaigners pressure.

She said: You once were pro-life, then when you realised when it wasnt popular or indeed wouldnt guarantee you your ministry, then you decided to turn, Im not that sort of a person, OK?

There is no need to behave like a frightened schoolboy.

Sinn Feins Louise OReilly asked that Ms Nolan, her former party colleague, consider the pregnant rape victim in direct provision.

I think this amendment is very regrettable she said, asking that it be withdrawn.

Solidarity-PBP TD Brid Smith asked why the amendment had not been ruled out of order when two separate amendments to allow women living in the North to access services here had been struck out.

A number of TDs said any mention of criminal sanctions should be taken out of the bill.

Mr Harris said he would bring forward suggestions at report stage to move the offences section from the front of the bill to further back. He said that, unlike most bills, this legislation that is read quite regularly.

However, Mr Harris said removing criminal sanctions would mean that there would be no repercussions for sourcing illegal abortion pills over the internet, for example, and stressed that in no other instance would it be legal to source unlicensed medication.

Fine Gael TD Kate OConnell called to remove the term end the life of the foetus and suggested it should be replaced by end a pregnancy, as this would make the bill more women-centric.The EUs chief negotiator has rejected British claims of a Brexit breakthrough, warning that a deal is not close despite ongoing London hopes of an agreement by the end of the month.

Michel Barnier said that he does not believe enough progress has been made to plan for a November 17 EU leaders meeting or November 22 special EU summit which would be key to any pre-December deal.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels as British prime minister Theresa May held a cabinet meeting in London, Mr Barnier said that, despite the backstop review plans, the reality is there is still a real point of divergence between EU and UK negotiators.

While saying there is still time to strike a deal, the EUs chief negotiator repeated that there can be no borders in Ireland and said that as a result he does not believes either side of the standoff is close to resolving the situation.

For now, we are still negotiating and I am not, as I am speaking to you this morning, able to tell you we are close to reaching an agreement, Mr Barnier told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

There is still a real point of divergence on the way of guaranteeing peace in Ireland, that there are no borders in Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the single market.

While senior EU figures are privately believed to be hopeful of some progress being made as a result of the backstop review offer, Mr Barnier public comments are crucial to any formal developments being given the green light.

This is because an EU leaders, meeting potentially on November 17 and a mooted emergency EU summit on November 22 on Brexit cannot be organised without Mr Barniers permission, which he was not clearly indicating yesterday.

The view appears to jar with leaked British government papers yesterday which suggested Ms May could travel to Northern Ireland on November 24, the same day as the DUPs annual conference.

The papers also suggest a schedule for how the British government would promote a deal to the public by the end of the month, with a potential extra cabinet meeting in the next week to potentially agree any deal.

While a backstop review is believed to be crucial to any progress, this review can only come into effect on the condition that the initial Northern Ireland backstop deal is allowed to be implemented in a worst-case scenario, if necessary.There are calls for the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to clarify what agreement, if any, has been made in relation to a review of a Brexit backstop.

It comes as Mr Varadkar yesterday rejected claims that he has made a major concession to the UK in the Brexit talks.By Christy Parker

A cancer support organisation is withdrawing from an east Cork town just months after its centre was officially opened by cancer survivor Majella ODonnell.

Cork Arc cancer support house in Youghal had been providing treatments and supports to upwards of 90 patients from east Cork and West Waterford.

Although officially opened last August, it had been providing a once-weekly service since May 2017.

The facilitys team of trained volunteers provided counselling, advice, therapeutic massage, reflexology, yoga, and other treatments to patients.

However, in a statement yesterday, city-based Cork Arc said it was withdrawing from Youghal as it was not possible to agree to a working arrangement in relation to the property.

Local volunteers in Youghal have indicated they intend to continue the service but the city-based charity said it was severing its role at the end of November.

Trustees of Cork Arc initiated the city-based project in 2001 and had a service up and running by 2003. It also operates out of Bantry in west Cork. The charity said it had invested heavily in developing its Youghal branch, including capital sums in the property at Friar St.

A statement said that, despite going to every possible length to ensure that the service was a success, the working arrangement was deemed unsatisfactory.

Under those circumstances, it was not possible to provide our service effectively from the premises, the statement said.

The property, a former B&B, had been purchased by the Youghal Cancer Support group on foot of a five-year fundraising drive initiated by a local cancer survivor. The building was reportedly leased by local charity Cuan House to Cork Arc for a nominal 1 fee.

Cork Arc said it had hoped to deliver services up to the end of 2018 but was asked to leave by the end of this month as Cuan House advised that they intend to operate a service from the premises from December.

A Cuan House spokesperson confirmed that the local body, also registered as a charity, intended to continue providing support services. The estimated running costs are 55,000.

Yesterday, its spokesman said the local trustees would issue, in due course, a full clarification following consultation with all of its members.

Widely supported across a huge catchment area, the group raised over 200,000 through community fundraising efforts, including a celebrity livestock auction at Dungarvan mart in 2013.

This story was edited after publication.The longest-serving councillor in Cork city says he's ready to call for the lifting of the controversial St Patricks Street afternoon car ban if data shows it's not working.

FF Cllr Tim Brosnan was reacting last night to comments from some traders in the retail sector who claimed the traffic measure is "strangling the city centre".

Mr Brosnan has asked city officials to provide hard data on footfall trends for next Monday nights council meeting to assess the impact of the car ban, reintroduced on August 9.

If city officials can stand up their assertions with hard data then we need to spend money pulling in shoppers to help the retail sector. If the data is unavailable or questionable then the Pana Ban must be lifted, he said.

Cllr Tim Brosnan

More traders went public with their concerns yesterday, with some claiming their afternoon trade is down by between 10% and 15%. The manager of three shoe shops, one in the city and two in suburban shopping centres, said his figures show business has shifted to the suburban outlets since August.

But the Irish Examiner has seen figures which show footfall remaining steady since the reintroduction of the bus priority lanes on the main street.

The city council has been tracking footfall there since August 2 using the Springboard pedestrian counting system.

Six cameras, at Daunt Square, Academy Street and at the northern end of St Patricks St, have provided data which shows footfall was up 15% the week after the car ban kicked in compared to the first week of the month. The trend continued, with footfall up 22%, 23%, and 17% each of the following weeks compared to the pre-bus lane week.

The week Sept 6-12 was up 22% compared to the first week of August, with the following weeks up 17%, 21%, and 23%.

The trend continued in October, with the figure for the week October 4-10 up 18% compared to the first week in August, and up 15% and 23% for the next two weeks, and up a phenomenal 41% from October 25 to 31, which included the Jazz festival.

But John Grace, who runs Graces Fried Chicken on Cook St, said the real story is reflected in the tills.

Im not knocking the policy. I would love to see such sustainable transport policies achieved without sacrificing my livelihood. But in this city, at this time, this strategy is killing business, its strangling the city centre. The bottom line is the footfall aint there, he told Neil Prendeville on RedFM.

No single event has had the significant effect that this has had. My business is down 10% in the last three months. Ive never seen a drop like that."

BIG CHARITY EVENT! Cork City (F) C v Traders United. 4pm Venue: Pana (no need for the Pairc, plenty of room for all). Special non appearance Ann Doherty. All proceeds got to recently laid off employees of City Traders @kennethnoflynn @CorksRedFM @96fm @EoinBearla @JohnMinihan pic.twitter.com/AT87s4uEQ2  John Graces Fried Chicken (@gracesfriedchic) November 5, 2018

Tom Murphy, of Tom Murphy Menswear, said the last two Saturdays were the quietest hes seen in 22 years.

Its worse than the recession, its the worst Ive seen it. It has had a massively detrimental effect on bodies coming in the door. Anyone working in the city centre will tell you business is down," he said.

Paul Gallagher, who runs Skechers in Opera Lane, Mahon Point and Wilton, who also serves on the Retail Excellence Ireland council, said since August 9, trade in the city store between 3pm and 6pm can be down by anything between 10% and 25%, and on some days by up to 35%, with figures in Mahon Point and Wilton up by single digit figures.

I want to see Cork as a vibrant hub for Munster but what we are doing is choking the city centre," he said.

I am in favour of the plan in principle but its blatantly not working. People are afraid of this kind of negativity coming up to Christmas but kicking stuff under the carpet wont fix things.By Gordon Deegan

The injecting centre for chronic heroin and cocaine addicts planned for Dublins inner city will result in a rise in crime in the area and will have a negative impact on tourism and business in the capital.

That is according to the chief executive of the Licensed Vintners' Association (LVA), Donall OKeeffe who has lodged a strenuous objection with Dublin City Council against the plan on behalf of his members.

Last month, plans were lodged for the redevelopment of Merchants Quay existing Riverbank building at 13/14 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8 and it will include the medically supervised seven injecting rooms.

Drug addicts will be allowed bring their drugs to the centre where they can safely inject and the centre is expected around 60 addicts each day.

However, in the LVA objection, Mr OKeeffe stated that the LVAs specific objections include the negative impact on the licensed trade, hospitality and tourism sectors as the proposed facility is 270m from Christchurch Cathedral, 300 from Dublinia, 600m from Dublin Castle and 700 Temple Bar Square.

Mr OKeeffe said that Temple Bar has a footfall of 22 million people annually and the LVAs objections also include negative impact on perceptions of safety in a critical tourism area, damaging the image and reputation of the city.

Mr OKeeffe also pointed out that the planned injecting centre is in very close proximity to the local national school - St Audeons, just 300m away

He said: It has 200 pupils who do not need to be further exposed to the problems of drug addiction.

Mr OKeeffe stated that it is also concerned that the planned injecting centre is close to the Central Business District of our capital city. It simply makes no sense to locate such a facility so close to extensive business and tourism venues.

Mr OKeeffe pointed out that it can be expected that public order and anti-social behaviour problems in the vicinity will increase. Crime - particularly - theft can be expected to rise in the area.

The LVA ceo stated that as drug consumption will be legal in the facility itself, it is likely to lead to a honey pot effect whereby both dealers and addicts will congregate in the area.

He said: This will inevitably lead to more problems.

Given there are 8,000-9,000 drug addicts in Dublin city, there seems to be huge potential issues with both addicts and dealers congregating around this proposed centre.

There will certainly be public order issues and it will prove detrimental to the residents, the national school and businesses alike.

Mr OKeeffe said that the proposed hours of opening from 6am to 9/10pm daily will cause severe impacts to residents, businesses and the local national school

Many of Mr OKeeffes claims are rejected in the planning documentation lodged with the proposal.

The Operations Plan states evidence does not support concerns that injecting facilities encourage drug use, delay treatment entry or aggravate problems with local drug markets.

The plan states: Instead, they facilitate safer drug use, increase access to health and social services and reduce public drug use and associated nuisance.

It adds that these services do not result in higher rates of drug related crime.

A decision is due on the application next monthEducation Minister Joe McHugh has warned that building failures of the kind that caused the closure of a number of schools around the country and remedial works at others may warrant criminal investigation.

He pointed out that under the Building Control Acts, it was a crime to construct substandard buildings.

I havent made contact with the gardai but I will say that its very specific in the law that there its not just about fines, its imprisonment. There has to be culpability, he said.

The minister was being questioned at an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Education Committee to discuss the concerns around the structural safety of 42 schools built by Co Tyrone company Western Building Systems (WBS).

Emergency assessments last week cleared 19 of the schools but others require varying degrees of remedial work and three have been shut down although two of them, Tyrellstown Educate Together and St Lukes National School in Dublin, are due to reopen tomorrow.

Mr McHugh said there would be an inquiry into the matter, as well as a review of the way the departments school building programme was run. He also said he was determined to pursue every avenue to ensure the costs of the remedial works and disruption were recouped.

We are going to pursue every possible channel to ensure that we get justice, not just from a taxpayers point of view, but justice for those communities as well, he said, adding that architects, designers, engineers, contractors, and anyone else involved in the projects who may have had a part to play in what has transpired were all within his sights.

Mr McHugh also said a conversation needed to be had about building controls and the current self-certification system for construction. He said that while local authorities were responsible for building control, they did not have dedicated building control units.

The review would also have to examine whether rapid build  which WBS specialised in  was the best way to respond to urgent demand for infrastructure. This was important in light of the current demand for rapidly built homes, he said.

TDs asked whether the department had ignored red flags about WBS after problems arose with a building for Whitehall College of Further Education in 2014.

Hubert Loftus, head of the departments planning and building unit, said those problems were specific to that building and different to the issues that had more recently arisen.

WBS last night said it has been trying to meet the minister for some weeks and that conclusions are being reached before all perspectives are known.

Committee members have not had the benefit of full information, not least the assessment reports from each of the schools reviewed, it said, adding that an inquiry would only be credible if it was independent of the two main contracted parties to every school project  the department and the contractor.

Todays committee un-derlines once more the shortcomings in the system, said WBS. Regardless of the multiple layers of inspections today, there is confusion and an increasing abdication of accountability. As is the case elsewhere, it is time to move fully to a truly independent certifier with no departmental or contractor involvement.By Elaine Keogh

Gardai investigating the murder of a Lithuanian woman who was last seen in Meath are understood to be following a definite line of enquiry.

Giedre Raguckaite, 29, was reported missing to gardai in Co Louth in August. Her last known address was the College Heights estate, Dundalk, but she moved out of there on May 23.

Garda Superintendent Gerry Curley said the last sighting of Ms Raguckaite was with two men at a house in the Beach Grove estate in Laytown, Meath, around 11pm on May 29. It is believed she was unconscious.

We are concerned at the condition she was in at that stage when she was taken into the house, said Supt Curley.

There are reports that she was put into an ice bath in the house before being taken away some hours later in a vehicle that had possibly been stolen.

Supt Curley said: Giedre was not seen leaving the house but we are satisfied that she left the house and the other two males left the house in the early hours of May 30. She has not been seen since.

The Garda Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the house and are understood to have been interested in one particular part of the building. The two men she was seen with, both Lithuanian nationals, have both been interviewed by gardai.

Gardai say they are following a definite line of inquiry and at this point there is no indication that Ms Raguckaite was trafficked.

Before her disappearance, she had always maintained regular contact with her family and friends.

Supt Curley said: We believe her disappearance is involuntary and we are seeking assistance from the public and particularly the Lithuanian community.

Ms Raguckaite moved to Ireland from England earlier this year to look for work. She has no family here.

Her mother is deceased and her last contact with her family was a phonecall to her father at 6.35pm on May 29.

It is not known where she stayed after May 23. Since the morning of May 30, her phone and social media accounts have not been used.

Supt Curley said: We believe she may have been staying in the Dundalk area with some other people during that period and we are very anxious to talk to anybody who provided accommodation for Giedre during that period of May 23-29 or anybody who has any knowledge of her whereabouts during that period.

She was reported missing on August 22.

An incident room was set up under Detective Inspector Martin Beggy and inquiries resulted in the investigation being declared a murder last week.

Gardai have carried out more than 170 lines of inquiry, including liaising with the PSNI, British police forces, Interpol, Lithuanian police, and the Lithuanian embassy.

Ms Raguckaite is described as 1.67m tall, of thin build, with shoulder length blonde hair, green eyes and was last seen wearing a pink T-shirt and dark blue jeans.

Information can be given to gardai in Dundalk on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any farda station.The government is to increase carbon taxes between now and 2030.

In his first speech since taking up the brief, the Minister for Climate Change Richard Bruton said Ireland is far off course to achieve the C02 targets we have committed to.At least 39m from excess domestic charges for using water will help fund Irish Water in the coming years.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy brought Irish Waters strategic funding plan to Cabinet yesterday, which projects up to 11bn being pumped into services over the next five years.

The plan to 2024 envisages that 6.1bn will go on infrastructure, while another 4.9bn will go on operational costs.

Funding will come from non-domestic sources and the exchequer but also from excess charges applied to homes. Excess charging was agreed after the new government was formed in 2016.

It is predicted that an estimated 8% of the population, who use large amounts of water, will end up paying levies. However, these do not come into effect for over another year.

The new threshold will see households that use 1.7 times the average amount receiving levies.

Cabinet heard yesterday that excess charges would amount to 39m over the next five years. These include estimates of 7m for 2020, the same for 2021, 8m for 2022, the same for 2023 and a further 9m collected in 2024.

Elsewhere, the Cabinet also agreed to extend compensation payments to women who worked in Magdalene Laundry Institutions but worked in an adjoining institute.

This compensation could be extended in up to 70 cases.

The attorney general will write to the women concerned later this week about the payments. It is then expected that the payments will be processed before Christmas.

The women are expected to get lump sum payments, pension-type supports as well as support for health benefits.

Meanwhile, the government also discussed Brexit and Taoiseach Leo Varadkars new commitment to possibly review the backstop guaranteeing a frictionless border. A spokesman for Mr Varadkar said that he was still open to the idea of a special November EU leaders summit over Brexit. However, a solid deal would have to be on the table, as had been advocated by European Council president Donald Tusk.

The cabinet also discussed the next possible reviews by the Law Reform Commission. Under recommendations from the Department of Taoiseach, work for the commission could include an examination of privacy and technology in the digital era, structured sentencing, perjury and regulation of detention in Garda custody.By Joe Leogue

The head of the ISPCC has warned that online safety is the child protection issue of our day.

His stark admission came as he revealed a 15-year-old girl told Childline she was contemplating suicide after nude photos she had sent her ex-boyfriend were circulated around her school.

ISPCC chief executive John Church told an Oireachtas committee that the girls situation is typical of hundreds of such cases that Childline encounters every year.

A 15-year-old female contacted Childlines web chart service, said Mr Church. She stated that she had sent nude pictures of herself to her boyfriend, and when she broke up, he sent them to his friends.

Now her friends and people in school are talking about her and calling her vile names. She feels really embarrassed, stupid, and ashamed. She said she feels very hurt and betrayed by her ex-boyfriend. She didnt think that he would do such a thing.

She said she was terrified her parents would find out and scared about how they might react, especially her dad as he is so strict. She said she is so upset she wants to kill herself.

Mr Church said the case is an example of the fear and isolation children feel when something they do online goes horribly wrong.

Ive only relayed one case example today, but there are hundreds which are out there, he said.

The Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment met to discuss proposed legislation that would establish a digital safety commissioner, whose office would oversee procedures to remove online content that it deems to be harmful.

Alex Cooney, CEO of not-for-profit organisation CyberSafetyIreland, said the number of online bullying cases has increased significantly over the past decade.

From talking to teachers and principals on a regular basis, theyre definitely seeing the fallout in the classroom, Ms Cooney said.

Children are coming in tired, children are falling out over cyberbullying incidents, or gaming, theres a clear dynamic.

I was talking to a principal yesterday in preparation for anti-bullying week next week, and he said in the 10 years he has been a principal, the change has been so stark. As a principal in the early years, he was dealing with bullying, but the amount of online instances that he is now having to deal with is incredible.

Teachers are dealing with this all the time in the classroom.

The committee also heard from officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, representatives from Google and Facebook, and from Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire who has proposed the bill.

Niamh Sweeney, Facebooks head of public policy said the social media company has concerns about the lack of definition of harmful communication, but said it would like to work with legislators on the wording.A man charged with murdering a man in Co Kerry three years ago has been remanded in custody for two weeks.

24-year-old Dmitriy Hrynkevich died in hospital two days after he was found assaulted in Tralee on September 30th, 2015.A no deal Brexit crisis could cost the Irish tourism industry as much as 390m - a prediction that is 130m worse than previously feared and could see thousands of people lose their jobs.

Failte Ireland chief executive Paul Kelly issued the dire warning after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's backstop climb-down ratcheted up speculation over whether a deal could be inching within reach.

Asked at the Oireachtas transport and tourism committee how damaging a worst case scenario no deal Brexit could be, Mr Kelly said such a situation will pose the Irish tourism industry severe problems.

The Failte Ireland chief executive said: "The Tourism Industry Council have published one scenario specifically looking at UK visitors, and they've made the estimate of 260m as a revenue impact of the industry.

"We've looked at alternative scenarios. They're only scenarios, and one would have placed the impact as 390m based on modelling of the ash cloud and foot and mouth [crises].

"They are only scenarios, and of course it will depend on aviation and open sky [in relation to Brexit]. But there's no doubt again it would be a very significant impact."

Mr Kelly said if a no deal situation occurs the tourism industry will need "in the region of 20m in incremental extra funding every year".

He added that the pre-budget 9% VAT rate on hotels "would have helped to continue to fuel the growth of the sector" had it been retained, and that job losses are likely as a direct result of a no-deal Brexit.

Asked about Brexit "pressure points", Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said that "if the British tourists decide to travel in less numbers, that's going to have an impact in Ireland".

Meanwhile, police chiefs on both sides of the border have pledged to find a way to continue co-operation whatever Brexit deal emerges.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin stressed the importance of maintaining partnership arrangements currently facilitated by their respective jurisdictions' membership of the EU.

They warned against the consequences of a hard border on the island, with Mr Harris cautioning it would create an "emotional driver" that violent dissident republicans would seek to exploit.By Louise Roseingrave

Paul Kavanagh reversed his car at speed in a bid to escape two gunmen who shot him dead, an inquest has heard.

The 26-year-old was looking for parking outside his home on Church Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 when he was shot multiple times by two attackers. Witnesses saw the two gunmen holding guns in the air as they fled the scene at 11.30am on March 26, 2015.

Mr Kavanaghs partner Gemma Roe told an inquest into his death that shed gone to the gym that morning. She drove back to the home the couple shared with their two daughters on Church Avenue shortly before 11.30am.

Parking was tight and I wouldnt be the best driver so Paul often parked the car for me, she said.

I pulled up outside and beeped and Paul said, wait and Ill get my slippers and then he came out and drove up the road looking for parking, she said.

When he had not returned 10 minutes later, she grew concerned.

I had a feeling when I heard the ambulance and hed been gone so long, Ms Roe said.

Dublin Coroners Court heard from witness Jarlath Moran who saw Paul Kavanagh sit into the VW Passat and drive up the road before stopping and reversing at speed.

It was flying in reverse, Mr Moran said.

Dublin Coroners Court heard that Mr Kavanagh was reversing to escape his attackers but was forced to stop by a white Audi that pulled out and blocked the road.

Local resident Joseph Long heard a number of loud bangs and then saw a car hitting a parked car.

Mr Long said: I saw one man running from the car with a gun held up in the air. Then I saw a second.

"They were both wearing ski-masks. They jogged off in the direction of Grace Park Road.

Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) responded to a call at 11.30am. Mr Kavanagh had suffered a gunshot wound to the eye and two to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Mary Kavanagh who has since passed away, identified her sons body to Detective Sergeant Michael Mulligan at Dublin City Morgue. A postmortem conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis gave the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.

Gardai found a Glock 17 firearm with an extended magazine on the ground near the scene of the shooting. The Audi was set alight before the gunmen fled.

Gardai launched a full murder inquiry with 800 lines of inquiry and 500 statements collected but no arrests were made.

Det Sgt Mulligan said the investigation remained ongoing.

The jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane extended her sympathy to the family.

I know your family has been touched my a lot of tragedy, my deepest condolences on your loss, the coroner said.By Catherine Shanahan and Juno McEnroe

The Taoiseach has called on hospital consultants and nurses to cancel Christmas leave to stave off pending chaos in hospital emergency departments.

Leo Varadkar suggested drastic measures were needed as the HSEs winter plan does not work.

His intervention comes as the health service faces severe disruption, with up to 500 ambulance personnel withdrawing from overtime from today, and nurses preparing to vote for all-out strike action.

Mr Varadkar said winter plans had been drawn up for over a decade and had failed every time. He said over the festive period, hospitals had been effectively closing seven out of 12 days.

He said: We need to make sure, for the first time ever, that during that period the radiology departments and labs are open and working at full whack, that consultants are not on holidays in the first week of the year, particularly those who work in the emergency departments and that nurses are not on leave in the first two weeks of January.

We need to make sure that every bed is open. That is the kind of winter plan we need; not the kind we have had for years and years that does not work.

Mr Varadkars spokesperson subsequently declined to say if staff would be directed to work over Christmas.

Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has not ruled out taking strike action over the festive season if its 40,000 members vote in favour of doing so.

The INMO has announced its intention to ballot nurses and midwives for all-out strike in the wake of pay proposals that fell far short of their demand for across-the-board pay increases, which they say are essential to recruit and retain staff.

Initial action would be in the form of a 24-hour work stoppage, with only essential care provided, with two 24-hour stoppages the following week. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the action was about safety.

The HSE simply cannot hire enough nurses and midwives on these wages, she said. Patients are suffering the consequences as our wards and services go understaffed.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha called on the Government to engage with the union in the next two weeks and make serious proposals to avoid industrial action.

Meanwhile, the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) is due to convene a special National Executive Committee meeting on November 15 with a view to seeking a mandate for industrial action, up to and including strike, after its nursing members also rejected pay proposals.

The PNA is also in dispute with the HSE over its refusal to engage with the branch of its union, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association which represents ambulance personnel.

The union said the HSE is refusing to make payroll deductions of union subscriptions for Psychiatric Nurses Association ambulance personnel members.

As a result of the row, about 500 paramedics and emergency medical technicians (about 30% of ambulance personnel nationally) are withdrawing indefinitely from working overtime, from today.

Sinead McGrath, national chairperson of the Psychiatric Nurses Association said the HSE in refusing to allow ambulance personnel to be represented by the association, should be aware that it is jeopardising the operation of the ambulance service which relies heavily on our members to undertake additional shifts.

A HSE spokesperson said the National Ambulance Service is working towards ensuring continuity of service: While the HSE does not anticipate any interruption in service delivery [today], we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely.

In the Dail, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said that about 100,000 patients will have waited on trolleys by the end of the year.A recent trip to England had Mary Leland fretting for the future of bookshops in the face of the challenge from Amazon

My train to Huntingdon departs from Kings Cross at Platform 9. But, Watch out for Platform 9" says a young voice from the kitchen as I leave the house.

At the station I find my required archway half-hidden by a swarm of children and adolescents, all exhilarated and patiently corralled around the mythical Platform 9. This cheerful throng has gathered in the name of a book.

It is in the name of a book that I reach Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, remembering the recent ending at home in Cork city of the 100-year long presence of Liam Russells bookshop.

The signs say Everything Must Go. Gone also is the Time Travellers Bookshop beside the river at Wandesfords Quay. There, Holgar Smyth has found the struggle too difficult and will concentrate instead on his premises in Skibbereen.

It is no surprise that small independent outlets and booksellers are drowning in the wash of the Amazon tide. The surprise is to read that Barnes and Noble, the vast American chain of bookshops, is reducing its spread because it is threatened by Amazons online impact.

And now comes the news that Foyles, the legendary and hugely influential London bookseller, has been bought by Waterstones (which already owns Hatchards and Dillons). Foyles was a family business, the most famous of its seven branches the one on the Charing Cross Road. It may be appropriate in this technological age that Waterstones, the relative newcomer to the trade, is the refuge of these long-established bookshops, strengthening itself to meet the Amazonian challenge which has defeated them.

Its like a giant spider weaving everything into its web, says Diana Boston when I meet her at the Manor at Hemingford Grey. Even Abebooks is in Amazon now.

Diana is the custodian of this ancient house, once home of her mother-in-law Lucy M Boston, author of The Children of Green Knowe series.

The Manor retains traces of its Georgian fame as the birthplace of the fabulous Gunning sisters, born here to an Irish father and a mother who rivalled the determination of Jane Austins Mrs Bennet by wedding two exquisite daughters into the British aristocracy.

In restoring the time-worn manor Lucy retrieved also something like its soul; its imagined life fed the ageless books she wrote here for children. She died in 1990 but Feste the rocking-horse remains at Green Knowe, along with some of the fabulous patchwork quilts Lucy stitched even when age dimmed her eyesight and passing schoolchildren dropped in to thread her needles.

Copies of her books are for sale here where they were written. But if you dont sell via Amazon people wont know that your books are still in print, Diana says. Thats an advantage but we dont make very much money from it.

Because Amazon can afford to be cheaper is one of the main reasons why so many bookshops are in trouble.

Endorsing my rarely-uttered conviction that dogs can read is the sign outside the entrance to Barter Books at Alnwick in Northumberland: Dogs Welcome.

While various canines slumber among the stacks their leashed owners browse the shelves, sit reading at a round table fenced by palisades of volumes or refill their tea and coffee from an alcove near the winter fire. Overhead a model train clacks along rafters decorated with literary quotations.

There is a colourful childrens section, there are glazed cabinets for first editions and rare and collectible volumes, the aisles are navigated by subject signage and a computer-aided search facility.

A Harry Potter fan at Platform 9 at Kings Cross station in London.

Alluring spines of contemporary fiction ( if you date contemporary from before the printing press) compete with topics ranging from Shakespeare to sheepscab while the annual footfall of 350,000 customers keep the tills ringing blithely.

Theres room for all this because we are in a former railway station, courtesy of the National Storage and Haulage Company and of Stuart Manley and his American wife Mary, proprietors of Barter Books.

The clue is in the name, says Manley. Were a second-hand bookshop operating on a barter system. We get our antiquarian items from serious auctions but most of the everyday stock just walks in the door and while we sell in the usual way we also use a system of barter credit.

As the everyday stock is replenished from trolleys wheeled past by some of the 50-strong staff, Manley explains that this location is not an accident. Im a model-maker and railway enthusiast at heart. But we needed a new idea and Mary, who is very well read, suggested a second-hand bookshop.

We found this premises with very accommodating landlords and Mary established the identity and the atmosphere and the customer preferences. Its grown into a most attractive place, thanks to her.

Innovation seems to be the key to survival, not to mind success. As for the bibliophile dogs: People can spend quite a bit of time in here. Often they call in after going for a walk, or they dont want to leave their dog in the car, or outside in the cold while they browse. Its one of our most popular features in fact.

Barter Books expresses Stuart Manleys faith in book tourism. Its quite a powerful thing, he says when I admit my fears for the independent bookseller.

When Kindles came out you couldnt open a paper without reading about the death of the book. In fact, people with Kindles still buy actual books, even children still love to have a real, physical book in their hands.

No, the most adverse effect on the retail book trade has come from Amazon, which can sell new books at a price cheaper than the traders can buy them. We sell via Amazon, our catalogue is there. But where new books are the core purchase the margins are too tight for the survival of smaller outlets.

And too tight also for some of the biggest outlets of all.

My journey ends where it began at Kings Cross. Its evening, but Platform Nine and Three Quarters is again thronged and jubilant. I salute these young evangelists of the book, and remember novelist Anne Patchett, founder of the Parnassus Bookshop in Nashville and author of The Bookshop Strikes Back (2013): If what a bookstore offers matters to you then shop at a bookstore This is how we change the world.Rather than being a tract hostile to religion, a secular Constitution should guarantee freedom of conscience and religious liberty for all citizens, writes TP OMahony

Most Irish people are aware that, in addition to our present Constitution  Bunreacht na hEireann  dating from 1937, there was an earlier one, the Irish Free State Constitution of 1922.

But not everyone knows there was an even earlier one than that, albeit a very cryptic one  the Constitution of Dail Eireann adopted on January 21, 1919, at the meeting of the First Dail.

The centenary of that first meeting in the Mansion House in Dublin  the real founding event of the State, the birth of our democracy  will be marked by big commemorations in a matter of weeks.

The brilliance cast by the Easter Rising often obscures the reality that it was the First Dail which originally established the authentic representative credentials of modern Irish democracy, said Brian Farrell in a Thomas Davis Lecture on RTE in 1994 on the 75th anniversary of the meeting in the Mansion House.

The Constitution endorsed at that meeting, described as provisional, had just five sections, but it had one of the essential elements of constitutional law in embryonic form, a blueprint for government.

Three other documents were produced at that historic first meeting  a Declaration of Independence, a Message to the Free Nations of the World, and a Democratic Programme.

And whereas the provisional Constitution lacked any statement of rights, there is discernible in the other documents, especially the Democratic Programme (praised by President Michael D Higgins in his acceptance speech following his recent re-election) an outline framework of rights.

The Democratic Programme of the First Dail (which was, sadly, quietly placed in cold storage) has, more than the others, enduring significance. The influence of the 1916 Proclamation is very evident.

And the architect of the Programme, Thomas Johnson, leader of the Labour Party, sought to reflect the insights of Padraig Pearse and James Connolly (thought to be the main drafters of the Easter Proclamation  no hand-written copy of which survives).

He did this to such an extent that his original version gave rise to controversy. The former professor of Modern History in UCC, Joe Lee, explained the background to this in his book Ireland 1912-1985: Politics and Society.

The draft contained too much of Pearse, not to mention Connolly, for the socially conservative elements in the Dail, said Prof Lee.

The draft was an attempt to foist on the Dail a programme that had never been presented to the electorate.

The actual Democratic Programme, finally cobbled together by Sean T OKelly, did in fact continue to incorporate more of the social doctrine of the Proclamation of the Republic than the electorate could be considered to have sanctioned.

Even after the editing by OKelly  at the insistence of, among others, Michael Collins (who wanted to suppress the document)  the adopted text still had a radical flavour.

Prof Farrell, in the aforementioned lecture, described it thus: This was a radically egalitarian, socially advanced, economically focused statement of objectives. It consciously echoed the words of Pearse in the Easter Proclamation of 1916 and re-affirmed Connollys mix of nationalism and socialism.

One of the key objectives declares that we reaffirm that all rights to private property must be subordinated to the public right and welfare.

Needless to say, when the drafting of the Free State Constitution got underway three years later in 1922 (a process overseen by Collins) this objective was ignored. Given the subsequent history of the Irish State, the obscene sums of money made from land and property speculation, and the scandals of the various tribunals of inquiry, it could have been a different society if an objective such as the above had been given constitutional underpinning.

In a much earlier Thomas Davis Lecture in 1966 (later published in a volume entitled The Irish Struggle 1916-1926), Patrick Lynch, who was lecturer in economics in UCD at the time, contextualised the ditching of the Democratic Programme in an essay entitled The Social Revolution That Never Was.

He stressed that it was very doubtful that a majority of the members of the First Dail would have supported the Programme without amendment if there had been any immediate prospect of putting it into force.

By 1922, the situation had changed.

Political liberation of the Irish Free State had been secured, said Prof Lynch.

The social conflict, as seen from Wolfe Tone to Connolly, and indeed by socialist republicans after him, had been submerged.

Nevertheless, the Democratic Programme remains, in the words of Prof Farrell, the best known and most frequently quoted document produced by the First Dail. President Higgins recent reference to it demonstrates yet again its enduring presence in the sub-culture of Irish politics.

Today, the Democratic Programme could serve as an inspiration for a new Constitution, a sort of springboard for such a document framed for the Ireland of the 21st century. This is a very different Ireland, a far more diverse society, than the Ireland of 1937.

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar hailed last months referendum to repeal our blasphemy laws as a small step towards creating a 21st century constitution.

It is very much part of an ongoing campaign in many ways to reform our Constitution, to make it a 21st century constitution for a 21st century Republic, said Mr Varadkar.

He placed the outcome of the public poll on blasphemy among a series of reforms, beginning with the decision to remove the special position of the Catholic Church from the Constitution in 1972, and including enshrining marriage equality and repealing the Eighth Amendment so as to give women access to abortion in Ireland.

This is the next small step in what is a very big deal, which is the reform of our Constitution, so the next set of referenda is pencilled in for May, he said.

On the same occasion, the Taoiseach said the Presidency may need reform. He favoured cutting the presidential term to five years.

I have to say my personal view is a five-year term would be more in line with modern norms than a seven-year term, said Mr Varadkar. That would require a referendum.

But if producing a 21st century constitution for a 21st century republic is such a very big deal, then why not abandon the piecemeal approach to reform and initiate instead a process for the drafting of a new constitution to replace Bunreacht na hEireann?

For one thing this would save a lot of money, because instead of an ongoing series of referenda, an entirely new document  just as in 1937  could be put to the people in one referendum.

The case for a new constitution is compelling. The Ireland of today is a very different Ireland to that which confronted Eamon de Valera in 1937. The new constitution, Bunreacht na hEireann, of which he was the main architect, is very time-conditioned.

For one thing, it was framed in the context of a society that was intensely Catholic. Now we are on the threshold of a post-Catholic Ireland, a fact acknowledged by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.

The latest findings established by the Washington-based Pew Research Center have revealed that just 69% of people in Ireland believe in God, while 26% do not. And belief in God is not the same as church affiliation. Ireland is also now very much a multi-faith society, with a growing number of citizens, according to the last census, professing no religion at all.

Writing of Bunreacht na hEireann, John A Murphy, emeritus Professor of Irish History at UCC, said:

In many respects, the Constitution bore a specifically Catholic complexion, expressing the values of a homogeneously Catholic Twenty-Six county society.

That society no longer exists, and any new Constitution would have to take account of this. In the midst of the present housing and homelessness crisis, the Democratic Programme of 1919 provides significant support for the inclusion of socio-economic rights in any new constitution.

In his landmark encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII opens with a section on rights, in which he stresses that every person has the right to life, to bodily integrity, and to the means which are necessary and suitable for the proper development of life; these are primarily food, clothing, shelter, rest, medical care, and finally the necessary social services. Any 21st century constitution would have to enshrine these rights.

Then there has been the rise and on-going impact of feminism. The calls for changes to Article 41.2 grow louder and more persistent. This deals with womens life within the home, and the need to ensure that mothers do not neglect their duties in the home.

In an Ireland where working mothers are now commonplace, this article is clearly outmoded when gender recognition, equality of opportunity, and parity of esteem have come to the forefront of our culture.

As Yvonne Scannell, lecturer in law at TCD, has emphasised: De Valeras Constitution was not consciously designed to advance the cause of womens rights.

Today womens rights would have to be high up on any reform agenda.

Then there is another fundamental question  is it time for a secular constitution, given all the changes that have occurred in Irish society in the 81 years since Bunreacht na hEireann was ratified?

Such a constitution should not be seen as a tract hostile to religion. In fact, it is vitally important that a secular constitution should enshrine and guarantee freedom of conscience and religious liberty for all citizens.By Steven Pressman, Colorado State University

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the midterm elections was that, unlike 2016, there wasnt one. Polls and pundits expected Democrats would take control of the House and Republicans would keep the Senate, and thats exactly what were getting.

The likely result: two years of congressional gridlock on economic policy, which requires both houses of Congress to agree on the same legislation. So, we can expect that the status quo on economic policy will mostly prevail.

There are, however, two economic issues on which the election outcome will make a meaningful difference: trade and infrastructure.

NAFTA lives

One of the first items of business in January after the new Congress gets sworn in will be the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.

The deal is intended to replace NAFTA, which President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from for several years. In reality, the new deal is little more than a slightly modified version of its would-be predecessor.

But before it can become the law of the land, Congress must ratify it, either by a majority vote by both houses or two-thirds of the Senate.

[media=gns][/media]

The USMCAs chances were already far from assured before the Democrats took the House. Now its failure is very likely.

So what happens next?

The simple answer is not much. NAFTA remains in force. Ultimately I believe thats a good thing for the U.S. economy because the new deal would likely shift auto industry jobs to Mexico.

With any luck, the USMCA defeat also convinces Trump to have second thoughts about his costly trade war.

But what if he tries to follow through on his threat to withdraw from NAFTA? Fortunately, most constitutional scholars say he cant do so unilaterally. Were he able to, however, the consequences for the U.S. economy would be severe.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer

Roads, bridges and bipartisanship

Infrastructure, on the other hand, offers a rare opportunity for House Democrats and Trump to find common ground.

The signs of a crisis in Americas infrastructure are unmistakable: derailing and delayed trains, crumbling roadways, collapsing bridges, undrinkable tap water and a wastewater system that is a menace to public health.

The American Society of Civilian Engineers estimated that Americas D+ infrastructure costs an average household US$3,400 annually. It also cost lives, as it did when a Minnesota bridge collapsed in 2007, killing 13.

In February, Trump proposed a fund to spend $1.5 trillion to fix the infrastructure mess, with the government putting up $200 billion and the private sector kicking in the rest.

While Democrats support infrastructure spending, the stumbling block in the Trump plan was the provision that the private sector would effectively own the roads and bridges that it builds.

While House Democrats may not support this plan, they would likely be willing to support something that mainly relies on just federal spending. And Republicans have a reason to go along as well: Infrastructure spending would boost economic growth, which is forecast to slow in 2019  just before the 2020 elections.

While a few hundred billion dollars in spending wont solve the U.S. infrastructure problem, it would be a good start. It would stimulate the economy and also make everyones lives more pleasant and less expensive  and may even end a little gridlock (pun intended).

Steven Pressman is a Professor of Economics atColorado State University. This article was originally published by The Conversation. Read the original article.America has voted, the results are in, but the countrys future remains uncertain  for now, writes Scott Lucas of the University of Birmingham.

Tuesdays Congressional mid-term elections were billed  rightly  as among the most important in US history. Decades of widening division have been exacerbated by an aggressive Donald Trump willing to remake the American system (some might say overrun it) with his rhetoric and executive orders.

After 35 Senate races and verdicts on all 435 House seats, there is no clear resolution. Democrats did take the House of Representatives with a large swing; but Republicans not only clung to the Senate, they increased their majority.

In some races, the GOP pulled off upsets. The current governor, Rick Scott, grabbed the Florida Senate seat narrowly from incumbent Bill Nelson, a victory replicated in the governors race by Ron DeSantis over Andrew Gillum  who would have been the first African-American to head Florida. The Republicans regained the Indiana seat by a larger margin with Mike Braun defeating incumbent Joe Donnelly; they took North Dakota as expected and are narrowly ahead in three other key races  a combination which could produce a 55-45 GOP advantage in the Senate for the next four years.

But Democrats flipped more than 30 House seats, in some cases by double-digit majority, in all areas of the country. They regained Trump territory, notably in Pennsylvania and even the deep-red state of Texas.

Across the US, the Democrats held a 9% margin over the GOP  the largest gap since 2008 and one of the biggest in midterm history.

So with no clarity, whats American future from November 7, 2018?

1. City-Suburb v. Country

This was an election that only widened the gulf between cities and their suburbs and rural areas. That split meant Democrats could pick up GOP House seats in areas such as northern Virginia, southern Florida, the suburbs from Pennsylvania to Colorado, and even the heartland of Kansas. But it also limited the advance in House seats that spanned urban and rural areas, such as the close-run race in central Kentucky.

And it was decisive in the vital state-wide victories in the Senate. The Democrats never had a chance in the deep red state of Tennessee. In Florida, the Democrats rolled up big margins in cities from Miami to Tallahassee but this was overtaken by the GOP tallies in the smaller but numerous rural districts from the Panhandle through the centre. Indiana went back to its deep Republican country roots to outnumber Democrat majorities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. North Dakota, the fourth most Republican state in the US, went back to the GOP, and rural Montana may also go.

2. Health care not enough to redraw map yet

Exit polls showed that healthcare, despite being down the list of headline issues in the campaign, was the number one priority for a plurality  about 40%  of voters. That portion topped the 20% each for the economy and immigration.

But that did not translate into a decisive rejection across the US of the GOPs efforts to gut Obamacare. It remains to be seen whether this was an uneven priority, with voters in some states  and House districts within states  putting more emphasis on the issue than others. Or it could be that a soft attachment to healthcare for more voters was outweighed by a hard emphasis on the economy and immigration for others.

3. Nor is surge of youth and women

The extent of the surge in turnout is still to be calculated, but exit polls point to a sharp rise in involvement of 18 to 24-year-olds and women. Some conventional wisdom held that this shift would boost Democrats  and exit polls showed a 19% advantage among women and 35% among the 18-to-24 group. Again, on a statewide level, this did not necessarily translate into gains.

But there was a Blue wave in the overall vote  and more than 100 women, the large majority Democrats, will be seated in the Congress in January.

Is there still more to be done by Democrats to galvanise the under-25s and women? Or is this an issue of a surge among dedicated older voters that will continue to bolster the Republicans?

4. Trump a double-edged sword for GOP

The spectre of an immigrant invasion, Trumps primary theme, offers a paradox. The false drama may have helped Republicans in unaffected areas far from the border. But in the immigration frontline of Texas it may have cost the GOP. And, in pockets like Kansas, Trump declarations such as the ending of birthright citizenship may have upset Republican campaigns and led to unexpected losses because of a backlash against the anti-immigrant drive as well as its effects on local communities.

In addition to Beto O'Rourkes near-upset of Ted Cruz, Democrats took a series of House seats, overcoming the urban-rural split in Texas and also flipping the GOP Senate seat in Nevada. Could Texans and Nevadans  the young, the suburban areas, Hispanic-Americans  have recoiled from Trumps scorched-earth rhetoric and policies such as indefinite detention and the separation of children from parents?

And Trump had some reverse Midas touches where his patronage contributed to defeat. In Kansas, Kris Kobach  a loud Trump cheerleader who headed the ill-fated White House voter fraud commission  unexpectedly lost the governors race.

6. Trump didnt win, but he will tweet #Winning

Donald Trump did not win these mid-terms. His party lost the House of Representatives. Some of his allies fell. And, if there was no Democrat Blue wave to retake the Senate, there are fast streams of opposition in many urban and suburban areas.

But Trump is never one to accept a reality offering less than victory. So he will seize upon the increase in the Republican majority in the Senate as not only a vindication, but an outcome due to his personal intervention. He will point from Florida to North Dakota as he persists with his anti-immigrant campaign. He will rail against a fake news media that does not grant him acclaim, and he will falsely claim voter fraud that prevented more #Winning, especially in the House.

7. More uncertainty  if Russia doesnt get Trump first

So its two more uncertain, possibly chaotic, years in the US. In normal times, a split Congress would be labelled as gridlock. But in the abnormal Trumpian years, the White House occupant is already beyond gridlock.

The Trump administration has not governed through legislation  it has only one bill, the December 2017 tax cuts, to its credit  but through executive orders and commands to agencies. These have ranged from immigration to tariffs to shredding of environmental protections and corporate regulations to ripping up international agreements.

Trump will press on. The language will be even more aggressive, the proposals more brash. He will be egged on by hardline advisers, including the xenophobic, anti-immigrant Stephen Miller, as well as some of the majority in the Senate, and Republicans who have held on in the House, including the white nationalist Steve King of Iowa and the indicted Duncan Hunter of California.

Robert Mueller

The 2018 midterm elections have not checked Trump. Democratic control of the House will not stop him, despite a possible attempt to subpoena Trumps tax records amid questions over his finances, alleged fraud and tax manipulation, and conflict of interest.

Perhaps the only barrier until 2020 is the Trump-Russia investigation led by Robert Mueller: its announcements and indictments have been paused this autumn but will now resume and possibly close with a showdown with Trump.

Last week, I concluded an assessment, The most important person in America on November 7 will be Robert Mueller. This morning, amid the lack of clarity, I am doubling down on that evaluation.

Scott Lucas is a Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 (12:01 am) - Score 2,297

The national telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has published a new letter that warns fixed telecoms providers against blocking or hindering consumers from being able to port their telephone numbers to a different provider, which is sadly something that continues to occur but is also unacceptable and unlawful.

Under the General Condition 18 (GC18) rule UK consumers are supposed to be able to keep their number when changing provider, except in certain situations. For example, its not always possible to keep your fixed line phone number when moving to a completely different physical network or exchange area (house moves etc.).

But recently there have been a number of cases where Ofcom has had or may have to take tougher action in the future (here and here). At the same time the increasing move toward IP based (VoIP / SIP) platforms and broadband-only connections is driving another big change in the market, with consumers gradually moving away from the old analogue style phone services of old.

In keeping with that the regulator and fixed line broadband ISPs / phone providers are already working on ways to make the process of porting your number to a different platform both quicker and easier (here), although its unclear how long it will take before that becomes a reality.

In the meantime Ofcoms new letter to the Office of the Telecoms Adjudicator (OTA) makes crystal clear their desire to tackle operators that obstruct legitimate number porting requests. It also calls for a new port override process to assist consumers in situations where their attempts to port a number are unfairly obstructed.Pulse Data Centre, built by construction firm FKG Group as part of its Toowoomba Technology Park, has been appointed to the official Queensland Government information and communications technology supplier panel for the provision of data centre as a service.

The appointment by CITEC, a division of the Queensland Governments Department of Housing and Public Works, follows a government review of the recently opened Toowoomba-based centres facilities, including a number of site visits along with confirmation of the centres Tier III Uptime certification and ISO Quality Certifications (ISO 27001, 14001 and 9001).

Pulse Data Centres official recognition by the Queensland Government allows for Queensland Government departments and agencies to benefit from pre-negotiated pricing and conditions, allowing for the quick and efficient acquisition of data centre capacity.

Pulse Data Centre general manager Peter Blunt said it should give both government and business clients increased confidence in the centres ability to support their data requirements.

Since our official opening in April 2018, Pulse Data Centre has won recognition as the nations first regional tier III data centre, reflecting the trend of large-scale data centres being located in lower-cost areas due to their economical land and building costs, enhanced security and ability to rapidly expand in response to client demand," he said.

The Queensland Government has a significant annual IT spend and we welcome their support for this Queensland-owned and operated data centre as a sign of their confidence in the states capabilities.

Pulse says the $40 million data centre, constructed by the FKG Group, has continued to attract local, national and international clientele due to its benefits including its location 500 metres above sea level, its value for money proposition to clients and its support for organisational disaster recovery and business continuity planning, along with the facilitating the growth of the fast-expanding Toowoomba regional economy.

Situated on a 30-hectare block, the data centre has immediate access to land for future expansion and also provides direct inland routes to major commercial centres such as Sydney and Brisbane, offering clients a high standard of physically diverse fibre connectivity.

Customers ranging from leading financial institutions, government to global giants can take advantage of the centres flexible offerings, from single racks to extensive private suites, protected by a fully integrated video, building and rack access security system, Blunt said.Two Australian hospitals have been officially recognised as the first hospitals to adopt the highest international standards of digital health at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society AsiaPac18 Conference and Exhibition.

St Stephens Hospital Hervey Bay (UnitingCare) and the Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne are being accredited as Stage 7  the most advanced stage of the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model.

St Stephens Hospital Hervey Bay has achieved EMRAM Stage 7 for its inpatient facilities and Melbournes Royal Childrens Hospital has achieved Outpatient EMRAM Stage 7 for its outpatient clinics.

According to John Daniels, global vice-president of HIMSS Analytics, the awards represent the first time that any hospital in Australia has reached this advanced stage of digital healthcare and could lead to significant improvements in patient care.

Technology is a tool that, when put in the right hands, can change lives. Australia is beginning to realise a future where integrated, more personalised care is a reality, Daniels said.

Historically, Australian doctors and nurses faced vast challenges from systems that didnt communicate with each other, lost records, and information accessibility. This is a major step towards overcoming these issues.

These hospitals are showing Australia what digital transformation can achieve  and the outcomes it delivers for Australian patients - and were delighted to be part of their journey.

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne uses technology to support the treatment and care of all children, particularly those with complex and chronic disorders, requiring care by multiple specialties.

And the technology allows clinicians to have a more holistic view of the care that each patient needs and receives: any clinician can receive a real-time, single view of the entire patient journey and the interplay between disciplines.

Prior to the introduction of the EMR, clinicians needed to hand write patient information, which had a number of challenges, particular with timeliness, communication across clinical disciplines, and when patients had multiple and simultaneous clinical needs.

But with the new electronic medical record system, it is much easier to see every single aspect of a patients care, from hospital operations, to outpatient services, and allowing staff to provide safer care and improve outcomes.

Along with improved clinical outcomes through a more co-ordinated delivery of clinical record keeping, the RCH has also opened this transparency up to patients and families. A new patient portal has strengthened the partnership between clinicians and patients families, enhancing the hospitals ability to deliver patient and family centred care.

We have invested significantly in upgrading our healthcare technology to improve outcomes for patients and their families, and we are seeing the benefits through clinical outcomes, hospital efficiencies and enhancing the transparent healthcare partnership between clinician, hospital, patient and family, said Jane Miller, RCH chief operating officer.

In Queensland, the states first digitalised hospital, St Stephens in Hervey Bay, has improved efficiencies and patient safety through the utilisation of electronic barcode scanning of blood and medication products. The new system also provides access to online data to monitor and improve care and share data with other health care providers caring for the hospitals patients.

Achieving the HIMMS Stage 7 accreditation has been a significant journey. Not only did we demonstrate how we were utilising the technology within our hospital, we were also assessed on our consistency of use, which showed a real behaviour shift by our team," said Darren Rogers, general manager St Stephens Hospital.

For St Stephens, the rewards of following the EMRAM process has extended past the utilisation of technology; it has strengthened our ongoing commitment to providing innovative health solutions for the safety and care of our patient.

HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database, and the O-EMRAM was developed in 2012 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of EMR systems at outpatient facilities.

HIMSS says these models consist of eight stages (0-7) that measure a hospital's implementation and utilisation of information technology applications, and the final stage, Stage 7, represents an advanced patient record environment.

The validation process to confirm a hospital has reached Stage 7 includes a site visit by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and former or current chief information officers to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the Stage 7 environments.

Around the world, adopting electronic medical records has been shown to help healthcare organisations to save lives by using data and analytics to improve high-quality care, safety, and efficiency, Daniels said.

Stage 7 is really the tipping point that allows hospitals and patients to see the true benefits of EMRs. The real goal across Australia is for all organisations to reach this stage and achieve better health through information and technology.

HIMSS will continue to work with State and National Governments to provide clear direction and help Australian healthcare organisations reach this level nationally.Panasonics Toughbook FZ-T1 rugged handheld is thinner and lighter than other devices in its class, according to the company.

The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 has been designed and built "from the ground up" for industries such as retail and hospitality, emergency services, manufacturing, and transport and logistics, according to Panasonic Australia Toughbook product marketing manager Clare Hose.

Despite being able to survive drops from 1.5 metres onto concrete floors, impacts of up to 300G, dust and water ingress (to IP68, including immersion in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes), it weighs just 230 grammes and is 13.1mm thick.

It is "the thinnest and lightest device of its kind available today,"said Hose, who added that the new model was part of Panasonics efforts to offer "products that are the right fit for our customers".

The greater reliability of rugged devices compared with their regular equivalents can reduce the five-year total cost of ownership by up to 15%, she said.

The FZ-T1 has a 5in (1280x720) daylight-viewable (450Cd/m^2) IPS touchscreen with rain mode (to prevent raindrops landing on the screen being misinterpreted as finger touches) and glove mode (to remove the need for bare fingertips).

It can be used at temperatures ranging from -10 to 50C.

Other claimed features include 12-hour battery life (augmented with hot-swap capability), triple microphones for noise suppression, Android 8.1 Oreo, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 quad-core CPU, 16GB flash memory, 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, and a scanner able to read 44 types of barcodes (1D, 2D and QR) at up to five scans per second. An optional accessory scanner (due in early 2019) has a range of up to two metres and features a pistol grip for more comfortable operation.

The range of accessories also includes a passive stylus, holster belts, and a selection of chargers and vehicle mounts.

The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 handheld with 4G data and voice capability is available now for $1899 RRP. This is Panasonic's first device of its kind to be priced below $2000, Hose observed. A Wi-Fi only version is also available.

Panasonic Australia has plans to release the 7in Toughbook FZ-L1 tablet for those requiring a larger screen.The European Union has almost completed a third inquiry into Google's parent company Alphabet  this time into the company's AdSense advertising business  according to the bloc's competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager.

Vestager hinted on Wednesday that the company could soon be hit with a third hefty fine, Reuters reported.

Google has already been hit with two massive fines by the EU. In June 2017, Google was fined 2.42 billion (US$2.7 billion) for allegedly abusing its search engine dominance to give illegal advantage to its own comparison shopping service. The company has appealed against this fine.

And then in July, the EU imposed a fine of 4.34 billion (US$5.05 billion, A$6.82 billion) on Google for allegedly breaching anti-trust rules over its Android mobile operating system.

In October, Googlethat it had also mounted a challenge to the second fine. The outcome of this appeal can again be contested, but only on points of law, in Europe's top court, the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Vestager made her comments on Wednesday at the Web Summit in Lisbon when asked for the latest on the probe.

Companies that breach EU rules can be fined up to 10% of their global turnover by Vestager.

The EU has also proposed that big technology companies be taxed on their revenue, and not profit, but that proposal has been opposed by some countries.

In the meantime, Australia's Treasury has made a similar proposal, which is yet to be considered by the Federal Government.Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 83F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. High 79F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.Chuck Fishman/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- One year after the Boy Scouts of America announced they would change its name to "Scouts" and start letting girls into their program, the Girl Scouts have filed a lawsuit against the organization.



The Girl Scouts' federal trademark suit claims if the Boy Scouts drop the qualifier "Boy," and use only "Scouts" to refer to its members, it challenges the Girl Scouts brand and mission.



Watch the video below from ABC's Good Morning America for more:

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Sunshine and a few clouds. High 72F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2018) - GMV Minerals Inc. (TSXV: GMV) (the "Company" or "GMV") is pleased to release the results of its preliminary economic assessment (the "Study") for the Mexican Hat Project gold deposit located in Cochise County, Arizona ("Mexican Hat" or the "project"). GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company solely focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona.

PEA Highlights

The base case assumes a gold price of US$1,325/ounce ("oz"). All figures are stated in U.S. Dollars ("$") unless otherwise noted. All tonnages are metric tonnes. Precious metal grades are in grams per metric tonne (g/t).

The Technical Report pursuant to National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines for the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.

Mine life of 5-years with a 1-year pre-production period

Life of mine ("LOM") head grade of 0.66 g/t gold

Low LOM Strip Ratio of 2.8

Total amount of gold recovered is estimated at 470,000 oz

Average annual gold production of approximately 94,000 oz

Peak annual gold production of approximately 118,000 oz

LOM direct operating cash cost is estimated at $647/oz of gold recovered

All-in sustaining cost is estimated at $747/oz of gold recovered

LOM sustaining capital costs estimated at $36.4 million

The Mexican Hat Mineral Resource is currently open in three directions and to depth

Financial Indicators Before Taxes NPV @ 0% US$133.3 M NPV @ 5% US$101.0 M IRR % 33.0% Payback (years) 2.0 Financial Indicators After Taxes NPV @ 0% US$113.1 M NPV @ 5% US$83.9 M IRR % 29.0% Payback (years) 2.2

INITIAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ($ MILLIONS)

Mine Initial Fleet Lease $14.9 Pre-Production Waste Removal $15.2 Process $105.0 Owner's Cost $5.0 Total $140.1

OPERATING COSTS

The mine operating costs were calculated to average $1.84 per tonne moved.

Area Unit Cost (USD$/t moved) Drilling 0.26 Blasting 0.30 Loading 0.17 Hauling 0.43 Auxiliary Equipment 0.25 Mine and Maintenance General 0.18 Mine General and Administration 0.25 Total Cost 1.84

The life of mine operating costs were calculated to average $12.13/tonne ore.

Cost per Tonne of Ore Processed Mining $6.62 Process $4.21 G&A $1.30 Total Site Operating Cost $12.13

MINERAL RESOURCES

An updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Tetra Tech Inc. (Tetra Tech) with an effective date of June 22, 2018 and announced by GMV in a News Release dated July 17, 2018. Details of the Mineral Resource Estimate can be found in a Technical Report filed on SEDAR and announced by GMV in a News Release dated August 29, 2018.

Category Cut-off (g/t Au) Grade (Au, g/t) Tonnes Gold Oz Strip Ratio Inferred 0.20 0.616 32,876,000 651,000 2.56

The Mineral Resource Estimate has been constrained to a preliminary optimized pit shell, using the following parameters: SG = 2.57 gm/cc based on testwork, mining costs = $1.50/tonne, mining recovery =98%, mining dilution = 2%, process cost = $3.25 per tonne, G&A = $0.55 per tonne, gold price = $1,300 per troy ounce, throughput at 15,000 tpd, discount rate = 7%. Top cut at 32 g/t.

Mineral Resources constrained to optimized pit shells are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Conforms to NI 43-101, Companion Policy 43-101CP, and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Inferred Resources have been estimated from geological evidence and limited sampling and must be treated with a lower level of confidence than Measured and Indicated Resources.

All numbers are rounded. Overall numbers may not be exact due to rounding.

There are no known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources.

MINE PLAN

The mine plan is currently conceived as a conventional hard rock open pit. There are two independent pits which are developed with 5 phase or pushback designs. The mine plan produces a nominal ore tonnage to the process plant of 5,475 Ktonnes of ore per year (15,000 tpd) from a total material movement of 20,880 Ktonnes per year (52,200 tpd).

Over the course of the 5 year mine life, 25.1 Mtonnes of mineralization are planned for processing out of a total material movement of 96.4 Mtonnes.

The reader is cautioned that this mine plan is based on a mineral resource which includes inferred category mineralization. The reader is further cautioned that mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the mineral resources will be realized or that they will convert to mineral reserves.

There is no mineral reserve at Mexican Hat at this time. A component of the mineral resource, inclusive of inferred mineralization has been designated as potentially minable material for this PEA. This material does not constitute a mineral reserve and any reference to the word "ore" is for convenience of defining material that is planned for processing in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

INFRASTRUCTURE & PROCESS PLANT

The Mexican Hat Project is located in the southeastern part of the State of Arizona, approximately 115 km east-southeast of Tucson, and can be accessed from the Old Ghost Town Rd., a gravel road extending south of the Town of Pearce or north from Gleeson Rd.

Groundwater will be used as the source of water for mining operations. No permitting restrictions or quantity issues are anticipated.

A 69 kV powerline to site will be supplied by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. The power plant is located 30 km north of the site.

The crushing plant will produce ore with a 25 mm top size to be stacked on the heap. Pregnant solution from the heap leach will be processed in a conventional adsorption desorption recovery (ADR) plant. The process plant includes a refinery that will produce dore bars.

TECHNICAL REPORT

A National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant technical report entitled "Mexican Hat Project NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment" prepared by the following Qualified Persons will be filed by the Company within 45 days of this release on www.sedar.com:

Daniel Roth, PE, P.Eng. of M3 Engineering & Technology - Process Plant and Infrastructure Capital Costs, and Economic Analysis.

Justin Black, PE of M3 Engineering & Technology - Recovery Methods and Process Operating Costs.

Dave Webb, PhD., P.Geo., P.Eng. of DRW Geological Consultants Ltd - Property Description and Location, Accessibility, Climate, Local Resource, Infrastructure and Physiography, History, Geological Setting and Mineralization, Deposit Types, Exploration, Drilling, Sample Preparation, Analysis and Security, Data Verification.

John M. Marek, RM-SME of Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. - Mining Methods, Mine Operating Costs, Mine Capital Costs.

James Barr, P.Geo. of Tetra Tech - Mineral Resource Estimate.

John Fox, P.Eng. of Laurion Consulting Inc. - Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing.

Dawn H. Garcia, CPG, P.G. - Environmental.

All Qualified Persons have contributed to their corresponding sections in Interpretation, and Recommendations. The Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific, technical, and economic information obtained in this news release.

Ian Klassen, President of the Company states "We are pleased with these results as they demonstrate that the mineralization found to date is potentially economic with robust net operating revenues." The metallurgical results enable excellent recoveries at a coarse crush, keeping costs low. The Company wishes to confirm its internal economic assumptions to the public and can now focus on further expansion of the deposit. Development drilling will focus on:

Extensions to the known resource by 6 to 8 step out holes totaling around 2,500 m. Infill drilling of two to three drill holes totaling 700 to 800 m to discover additional gold resources within the pit, currently considered waste, due to a lack of drill test data. In addition, the program is expected to confirm a higher-grade domain located approximately 100 m from surface and within the pit. To add expected positive infill drilling assays into the PEA model.

In addition, certain recommendations regarding the collection of geotechnical, water, and environmental data can be collected with the next drill program enabling refinement of the economic model in future updates.

A PEA, as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), is an economic analysis intended to examine the potential viability of a mineral project. A PEA analyzes and assesses geological, engineering, and economic factors to reach its conclusions.

About GMV Minerals Inc.

GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat project, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company recently updated its inferred mineral resource to 32,876,000 tonnes grading 0.616 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 651,000 ounces of gold.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

______________________________________

Ian Klassen, President

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:

GMV Minerals Inc.

Ian Klassen

Tel: (604) 899-0106

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management of the Company regarding future events or results. Such statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements except as may be required by law.November 7, 2018 / TheNewswire / Vancouver, British Columbia - Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. ("Volcanic") (TSXV: VG) announces that its Guinean operating subsidiary, Guiord SA ("Guiord"), has not been successful in securing renewed title to its Mandiana Project exploration permits in the Republic of Guinea.

Further to its news release of February 5, 2018, Volcanic has made considerable efforts to renew said title, a process that has been significantly hampered by irregularities and intransigence on the part of the former Administrateur Generale of Guiord. As well, the permit renewal process has been hindered by a lack of administrative clarity and a high degree of uncertainty on the part of the Government of Guinea. In particular, the Ministry of Mines and Geology has declined to acknowledge the authority of Volcanic's CEO as the new Administrateur Generale of Guiord despite his appointment being duly and legally registered with the Cour d'Appel de Conakry.

With no improvement expected in dealing with the Ministry of Mines and Geology, the Board of Directors of Volcanic has determined that it is not in the best interests of its shareholders to continue working in Guinea at this time. The Company is investigating its means of legal recourse in this matter, including seeking compensatory damages from the former Administrateur Generale of Guiord within and beyond the Republic of Guinea.

Volcanic also announces that it has withdrawn from its previously announced proposed acquisition of exploration permits located in the Ivory Coast. The results of management's due diligence exploration work did not justify continuing with the project.

About Volcanic

Volcanic brings together an experienced and successful mining, exploration and capital markets team focused on building multi-million ounce gold resources in underexplored countries. Through the strategic acquisition of mineral properties with demonstrated potential for hosting gold resources, and by undertaking effective exploration and drill programs, Volcanic looks to become a leading junior gold resource company.

For further information, contact Jeremy Crozier, at 604-801-5432, or visit our website at www.volgold.com.

Volcanic Gold Mines Inc.

Jeremy Crozier, President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and include, without limitation, statements about the Company's business goals. Often, but not always, these forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the Company or any joint venture partner not having the financial ability to meet its exploration and development goals; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to: that the Company's stated goals and planned exploration and development activities will be achieved; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. 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. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.Earlier this year, Liberty Life became one of the first global firms to suffer a major breach under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - forcing its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) onto television to limit the reputational damage.

Gary Allemann is managing director of Master Data Management

Privacy and ethics a major trend for 2019

If you are non-compliant  consumers will vote with their feet

Who is responsible?

Data governance is key

However, more recently, British Airways announced that nearly 400,000 customers had had their credit card details stolen due to a sophisticated attack against their online booking platform. Leaving many clients unhappy and vulnerable to fraud. South African multinationals doing business in both the European Union (EU) and South Africa, as a result, have to start complying and prioritising the compliance of both GDPR and the Protection of Personal Information (PoPI) Act.Many organisations in South Africa have posed the question: Why should we be GDPR compliant if we are located in South Africa and not the EU? Well, GDPR applies to any organisation holding the data of European citizens and has a worldwide applicability. This is why Gartner has identified data privacy and ethics as one of the top technology trends for 2019.In addition to GDPR, South African firms must also comply with PoPI Act - which shares many characteristics with GDPR but extends to protect the personal data of any South African legal entity. However, those organisations that do business elsewhere in Africa are finding that many of its fellow African countries have their own variations of data protection regulations that must be supported as well.Privacy is not simply a compliance or legal problem. Companies like Target have experienced consumer backlash based on overzealous use of analytics outcomes and data breaches - long before GDPR, while Liberty's share price lost 5% almost overnight following its breach.Consumers are becoming increasingly militant about how their data is used, and protected, and are willing to vote with their feet by moving to service providers that seem to take their needs and rights more seriously. Companies therefore need to define their ethical position with respect to the use of data and ensure that this position is reflected in their policies.The complexity of data management in modern businesses is tremendous. It is tempting to assume that data privacy and protection is a legal problem - assigning it to the Compliance team, or to appoint a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and make data privacy his or her problem. Yet, the reality is that data privacy is an all-encompassing challenge that goes well beyond the legal and security implications.Organisations should realise that everybody that works with data is responsible for data privacy - with ultimate accountability lying with the board.As a result, companies need to have clearly defined data policies, assign clear accountability (ownership) and ensure that they understand where personal data is stored, what it is being used for, and whether this is in line with the acceptable use policy.Data governance brings order to the complexity of modern business. Data governance is not about managing data  it is about governing behaviour. Accelerators, like Collibra GDPR accelerator, allow organisations to leverage best practise approaches and processes to govern the use of personal data in the business environment  with immediate alignment to GDPR and PoPI Act requirements.The organisations legal and compliance team can quickly assess the relevance of our accelerator to the businesses environment, and tweak it to ensure that your organisations risk is managed. Organisations Data governance is the critical discipline that enables GDPR compliance.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (US OTC: LUMIF) (the Company or Luminex) is pleased to announce that it has finalized the layout of an exploratory 4,500 metre diamond drilling program at its Orquideas earn-in project with First Quantum Minerals, located in the province of Zamora-Chinchipe in southeast Ecuador. The Company has applied for drilling and water permits and drilling operations should commence following approvals, currently anticipated for the first half of 2019.

First Quantum Minerals and Luminex geologists compiled and analyzed data generated from over 2,500 surface geochemical samples, mapping of lithology, structure and alteration, as well as interpretation of legacy aeromagnetic data and an Induced Polarization (IP) survey over 42.6 line kilometres. This work resulted in the definition of the eight planned drill holes.

The Orquideas porphyry copper project comprises a coincident copper-molybdenum geochemical anomaly extending 5.5 x 2 km trending northwest to southeast. Mineralized outcrops assaying up to 0.9% copper and 0.66% molybdenum are hosted in variably altered intrusive rocks of the Zamora Batholith, a known host of major porphyry copper/gold deposits such as Mirador, located 67 km to the northeast. This large geochemical anomaly contains four distinctive target areas, each with its own defining attributes; namely, the northern, central, south central and southern areas. The 4,500 metre drill program will test each target area, starting from the most prospective southern target and progressing northwards.

Map of Orquideas with Geochemical Anomaly Summary and 2019 Drill Plan





About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminexs Condor Gold-Copper project is located in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador consisting of approximately 100 thousand hectares, including the Orquideas and Pegasus projects being co-developed with First Quantum Minerals and Anglo American Plc respectively.

Further details are available on the Companys website at https://luminexresources.com/.

LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP. For further information contact: Signed: Marshall Koval Scott Hicks This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Marshall Koval, CEO and Director T: +1 604 646 1899

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the receipt of permit approvals for drilling operations, timing of commencement of the 4,500 metre drill program, completion of the drill program, and that the drill program will test each target area. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as will, should or variations of those words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will or should be taken, occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Companys continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.In a deep blow to the rule of law, promised accountability and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka, on 26 October President Maithripala Sirisena dismissed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and sought to replace him with former Sri Lankan president and strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. While the constitutional legality of this move is questionable, and the role the parliament might play still uncertain, it is an alarming betrayal of the principles Sirisena stood for when elected and a grave concern for the Tamil population. All Sri Lankans should be concerned about the threat to stability posed by further backpedaling on reconciliation and accountability for mass crimes.

Rajapaksa served as president of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, when Sirisena defeated him in a national election. His tenure was marked by allegations of authoritarianism, corruption and human rights abuses, especially against the countrys Tamil minority. As president, Rajapaksa oversaw the brutal military campaign at the end of the civil war in 2009, which left tens of thousands of Tamil civilians dead or missing. Despite the documentation of war crimes by independent UN panels, Rajapaksa continues to deny or defend the mass violations, playing into the hands of the Buddhist nationalists, and appealing to the military and security services.

Limited progress could be undone

In 2015 Sirisena was elected president on a platform of promoting democracy, respect for human rights, and reconciliation among all Sri Lankans following the brutal 25-year civil war. Accordingly, in October 2015, pursuant to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 30/1, Sri Lanka committed to promote a broad transitional justice agenda made up of four distinct pillars: an office on missing persons; an office on reparations; a truth and reconciliation commission, and a special court to hold accountable those responsible for atrocity crimes on both sides of the conflict. After two years of only marginal progress by the Sirisena government, on 23 March 2017, the HRC adopted a new resolution, stressing the importance of reconciliation through transitional justice, and giving the government two more years to fulfill its international commitments.

Sirisenas efforts to promote reconciliation and achieve accountability for gross human rights abuses have been insipid and disappointing. In particular his refusal to take any meaningful steps to establish an independent accountability mechanism to hold those responsible for mass atrocities, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, has demonstrated his bad faith. But the appointment of Rajapaksa as Prime Minister is a new low.

In October of this year, the Sri Lanka Monitoring and Accountability Panel  a panel of independent experts who monitor the transitional justice process from a victims perspective  warned that the resurgence of Rajapaksa would further undermine the commitments made by the government in the 2015. Rajapaksa has consistently belittled such efforts in favor of a rhetoric dismissing the concerns of Tamils, thousands who are still waiting to hear news of their loved-ones who have disappeared. The limited progress that has been made by the government over the last three years  including basic structures for an Office of Missing Persons and an Office of Reparations  could easily be undone by Rajapaksa. He is more likely to ensure impunity for past atrocities and promote perpetrators as national heroes.

A call for an independent evidence-gathering mechanism

Rajapaksas reemergence threatens other critical aspects of Sri Lankas progress from conflict to a functional democracy. These include an opening space for freedom of expression and civil society activity, allowing greater press freedom, withdrawing the military from Tamil-majority areas in the north and the east, and controlling security service abuses.

The HRC and the international community must take steps to ensure that reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka is not completely swept away as Rajapaksa regains power. Steps should include setting up an independent evidence-gathering mechanism related to atrocities for Sri Lanka with a similar mandate to those on Syria and Myanmar to investigate international crimes; and urging prosecutors in third states to pursue cases against Sri Lankan war criminals under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction.

The probability of authoritarianism and abuse of power posed by Rajapaksas appointment should be a wake up call to the international community. Having failed to prevent mass atrocities when Rajapaksa was last in power, the international community must be prepared to take decisive action.

Andrew Ianuzzi, Richard Rogers and Heather Ryan are international lawyers and members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring and Accountability Panel.The presidents of France and Mali paid tribute Tuesday to the role played by African troops who fought for France during World War I.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita attended a ceremony in the French city of Reims in northeast France to pay joint tribute to the soldiers.

Today, we honour heroes, said Keita, whose great-grandfather fought and died in the Battle of Verdun nearby and whose body was never found.

The nearly 200,000 soldiers who fought day and night, who fought for France and for themselves too, for justice and liberty, he said.

These implacable fighters, he said, had given their blood for world peace.

Macron did not speak during the ceremony. But in a tweet posted Tuesday, he said that as well as the French soldiers, it was the youth of the whole world who fell 100 years ago in villages whose names they did not know.

They included 200,000 African soldiers from the colonies.

The two presidents together laid wreaths at the Parc Champagne memorial and inaugurated a monument in memory of the African troops.

Tuesdays event was part of a series of ceremonies this week to mark the centenary of the end of the war.

The African troops were often referred to as Senegalese tirailleurs, or riflemen, even though they were drawn from all over West Africa.

But France has long been accused of having neglected their contribution to the conflict.

 Facing Frances colonial past 

The role of the estimated 200,000 African troops used by France remains one of many painful aspects of the countrys colonial history, which left deep resentment in Africa.

Macron, the first French president born in the post-empire era, has continued efforts by his predecessors to gradually address the injustices of Frances colonial rule, which he once called a crime against humanity.

In September, he acknowledged abuses by French troops during Algerias fight for independence, and he has expressed hopes for new relationships between Paris and its former colonies, so often weighed down by the burden of history.

Its the first time weve seen a tribute at this level, whats more with an African head of state, French historian Julien Fargettas, an author of several books on colonial troops, told AFP.

The story of African troops in the Great War is mostly one of exploitation and suffering  much like their European counterparts who were sent to die in droves by commanders on the Western front.

But most Africans were forcibly recruited when French tactics turned coercive in 1915 and 1916  provoking local riots  and then duplicitous from 1917 when men were promised benefits that never materialised.

Africans were also pressed into action on their own continent by France, Britain and Germany as the European powers fought over dominions carved out at a notorious 1885 conference in Berlin.

 Unequal treatment 

For those sent to France, once they had survived the journey by boat, they were then thrown into a war they neither understood nor were prepared for.

You need to imagine the shock for men who had come from some of the most remote areas of Africa who are then thrown into a modern, industrial war in the West, Fargettas said.

Combat mortality rates were a subject of controversy for years, but Fargettas says there is no evidence to confirm the idea that they were cannon fodder. Around 22 to 25 percent died, he says, comparable to the level for Europeans.

But off the battlefield, thousands more perished in the numbing cold of European winters or from a range of illnesses that their immune systems were unprepared for.

Mor Ndao, a history professor at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in the Senegalese capital Dakar, said he believes France has never recognised sufficiently the role and importance of the tirailleurs.

Their treatment has been unequal compared to their French and European brothers in arms, he said.

What continues to rankle is the issue of military pensions  which were much lower for African fighters and unadjusted for decades  as well as passports, which were often promised but rarely delivered.Are you looking for an exciting career change that involves working with people? As a bonus, you'd like something that includes travel and the opportunity to save some money? Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) allows you to do exactly this! TEFL, TESOL, CELTA - the name may differ, but the qualification is the same.

- 14 January  8 February 2019

- 18 February  15 March 2019

- 6 May  31 May 2019

- 1 July  26 July 2019

- 26 August  20 September 2019

- 28 October  22 November 2019

- 29 January- 27 April 2019

- 27 May  24 August 2019

- 10 September  7 December 2019

- 14 January- 5 April 2019

- 20 May  8 August 2019

- 9 September  29 November 2019

In addition to providing an alternative career path, the techniques and skills addressed on the TESOL course are extremely versatile. The communication skills youll develop while learning to manipulate language and express yourself even more concisely are transferrable to any job. In addition, your non-verbal communication skills will improve and youll be able to read people more effectively. All of this is over and above the how to that will be addressed in learning to teach language in a communicative and student-centred manner. By the end of the course, youll notice a tangible difference and awareness of your own language as well as that of other people, making you more competitive in the marketplace even if you choose not to teach EFL.With most employers looking for a minimum of a 120-hour TESOL course with teaching practice, Wits Language School provides exactly this with options to suit all schedules.We provide Full-time (4 weeks, Monday  Friday), Part-time (12 weeks, 2 evenings per week plus Saturday mornings) and Blended Learning (12 weeks online, 1 week on-site) options for our 120-hour TESOL course. All of these options include guided teaching practice with genuine EFL adult students. This ensures that you have some exposure to typical classroom situations before you start working as an EFL teacher. Each lesson you teach is immersive and observed with detailed and personalised feedback provided our trainers to help you improve in future lessons.At the start of the course, you will receive a detailed manual with study notes to guide you through the theoretical component. You will be provided with examples of lesson plans, course material to use in your teaching practice and more. Written assignments are tailored to address common issues in teaching as well as the students you teach during the course. Together with the teaching practice, you are provided numerous opportunities to develop your language awareness and practical skills, making you more competitive in the marketplace.All of our trainers have local and international teaching experience in addition to very specialised postgraduate qualifications. As a result, trainees are exposed to a diverse range of advice and teaching knowledge as well as practical advice related to working as an EFL teacher abroad. Were happy to assist with those difficult, country-specific questions that many recruiters dont talk about. Weve also carefully vetted each of the recruitment companies we work with to ensure that youre supported and appropriately guided in your job search after completing your TESOL.Even once youve completed the base TESOL course (or a similar teaching course), there are still many opportunities to enhance your knowledge in language teaching. Add to your qualification with one of our specialisation courses, like Teaching Business English or Young Learners, and find your niche in education. You can even take a Grammar for English Teachers course if youre looking to improve your own language knowledge prior to doing the TESOL or just to refresh your knowledge.Whatever course you choose, we guarantee it will be an exciting and rewarding experience that will leave you wanting more. So, dont delay in applying for our next TESOL course  you wont regret it!Applications for 2019 are now open!Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com.Voters in key states trust Republicans to protect pre-existing conditions

Health care was front and center in the 2018 midterm elections, with Democrats accusing their GOP rivals of undermining Obamacare's protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

Nationally, voters clearly felt the Democrats would better defend those who are or have been sick. Some 58% said Democrats would better protect health care for those with pre-existing conditions, compared to 34% who said Republicans would.

But voters in several key Senate races were more willing to trust Republicans with these popular Affordable Care Act provisions -- even though in some cases, the GOP candidates actively supported dismantling the landmark health care law.

Take Indiana, where Mike Braun defeated incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly. Hoosier State voters had equal confidence in Democrats and Republicans when it came to protecting those with pre-existing conditions.

Same thing happened in Missouri, where Josh Hawley bested incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill. Hawley is among the attorneys general who have filed a lawsuit in Texas District Court seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act, including its protections.

When it came to Trump's economic and immigration policies, voters in states sending Republicans to the Senate had more positive views than the national electorate. For instance, they generally felt their financial situations had improved from two years ago. And fewer felt the president's immigration measures were too tough.

1:42 a.m. ET / Tami Luhby

Who abandoned the incumbent Democratic senators in Indiana and Florida?

Republicans will keep control of the US Senate in large part because Democratic incumbents running in states won by President Donald Trump lost support among key groups that have backed the President. And this helped cost senators like Indiana's Joe Donnelly their jobs. Donnelly succumbed on Tuesday to Republican challenger Mike Braun.

Compared to his first election in 2012, Donnelly lost the backing of men, those without college degrees and those making less than $50,000, in particular, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll.

Donnelly saw his support among men slide 6 percentage points. He also saw a slide of 12 percentage points among those without college degrees and 11 percentage points among those making less than $50,000.

Indiana voters skewed red this year, with more approving of President Donald Trump than the general electorate.

Meanwhile, in Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson, another incumbent Democrat, was trailing challenger Republican Rick Scott and the race remained tight hours after polls closed. Regardless of the end-result, tonight's performance is a far different story for Nelson than 2012, when he won more than 55% of the vote.

Compared to 2012, Nelson's backing among those over age 45 dropped 7 percentage points. It dropped 9 percentage points among men, 7 percentage points among whites and 8 percentage points among those without college degrees.

Just over a majority of Florida voters approved of Trump, more than the electorate as a whole.

10:45 p.m. ET / Tami Luhby

Young voters support the Democratic candidate in higher numbers than last midterm

Preliminary CNN exit polls show voters between the ages of 18-29 reported supporting a Democratic candidate in the race for the House in higher numbers than in 2014. In the last midterm election, 54% of 18-29-year-olds voted Democratic while more than two-thirds said they voted for the Democrat so far in 2018.

While all age groups have supported a Democratic candidate in higher numbers than the previous midterm election, according to the early exit polling, the jump among the youngest voters is around 14 percentage points while those in other age groups moved up less than 10 percentage points.

9:24 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Most say Russia investigation is politically motivated

Slightly over half of voters in the 2018 election said that the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election is politically motivated, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll. Around 40% said that it's a justified investigation. President Donald Trump often refers to the investigation as a smear campaign and "witch hunt."

Around the same number who think the investigation is justified, about 40%, approve of the job Robert Mueller is doing handling the investigation, while slightly more disapprove of his job.

8:14 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Americans more worried about voters being blocked from casting ballots

President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the specter of voter fraud, warning as recently as Monday that law enforcement will be watching closely for any illegal voting.

"Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesday's Election (or Early Voting). Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!" Trump tweeted.

That's not in step with what worries Americans, however. More than half of voters said they were more concerned that people who should be able to vote will be prevented from doing so, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll.

Just over a third said they were more concerned that people who shouldn't be able to vote will cast ballots.

Precincts in a multitude of states extended hours today because of voting issues.

When it comes to foreign interference, half of voters said they don't think the government has done enough to protect this election, while just over one-third said enough has been done.

8:08 p.m. ET / Tami Luhby

Voters didn't support Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court

Almost half of voters opposed Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court, according to preliminary data from CNN's national exit polls. A little over 40% supported his appointment. Around half of men supported Kavanaugh's confirmation compared to fewer than 40% of women who voted in this election, a significant gender divide.

On Roe v. Wade, two-thirds of 2018 voters said they would like to keep the landmark Supreme Court decision in place while only a quarter want it overturned. More than 80% said that sexual harassment is a very or somewhat serious problem in our country today and almost half said it's very serious.

7:43 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Higher support for Trump in some key states

In Indiana, around half of voters approve of the job Trump is doing as President around the same as in Missouri, slightly higher than the nationwide average. Both states feature tight Senate races where Democrats are trying to hold on to seats in states Trump won in 2016.

Voters in Indiana and Missouri are split between whether their vote for Senate was in support of the President, opposition, or whether Trump isn't a factor in their vote. Around a third in both states said that their Senate vote was in opposition to Trump while around three-in-ten said it was in support of him or Trump wasn't a factor.

7:38 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Mixed views of Trump's agenda

The election was very much about President Donald Trump, as many voters cast their ballot specifically to oppose or support him. Similarly, reviews of his agenda and his accomplishments were mixed. About half of voters said that Trump's immigration policies are too tough, while around a third think they're just right and few, only about 15%, think he's not tough enough, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit polls.

The tax law passed by Republicans and touted by Trump hasn't had a lot of impact on American voters' personal finances, according to the poll. Close to half say they've seen no impact, while around three-in-10 said the law has helped and a quarter report the tax law has hurt them.

For his trade policies, which include new tariffs imposed on foreign countries and an update to NAFTA, about a third say they've had no impact on the economy in their area, but about 30% said that his trade policies have hurt them. A quarter indicate that his trade policies have helped their area's economy.

6:34 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Extremist violence was a factor in many votes in 2018

Around three-quarters said that extremist violence is an important factor in their vote for the US House in 2018, according to preliminary CNN exit data, with a quarter who said it's the most important factor and half who said it's an important factor. Few said that extremist violence is a minor or not a factor to their vote.

Another three-quarters of 2018 voters said that Americans are becoming more divided politically. Fewer than one-in-10 think the country is becoming more united, and slightly more say the country is staying about the same.

6:20 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Voters want more women and racial minorities elected to public office

Almost 80% of voters said that it's very or somewhat important that more women be elected to public office and almost half said it's very important. Slightly more women than men placed a priority on electing more women to public office, but not by much.

Slightly fewer but around seven-in-ten said that it's very or somewhat important for racial and ethnic minorities to be elected to public office. Around two-thirds of white voters said it's important to elect more minorities while around 80% of African Americans agreed.

6:17 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Most voters, particularly Democratic voters, want major changes in health care

It's no surprise that health care was the top issue for most voters. Roughly four in 10 voters listed it as their top concern, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll.

This was especially true among Democrats.

What is more surprising is that roughly seven in 10 voters said they wanted major changes to the nation's health care system, with more Democrats feeling this way than Republicans. Among voters who felt that health care needs minor, more were Republicans. More Democrats wanted no changes.

This is a huge swing from two years ago, when President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans saw their big wins at the polls as a mandate to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The effort ultimately failed, though the Trump administration continues to undermine the landmark health reform law through regulatory changes.

This election, however, revolved around retaining Obamacare's key provisions that protect those with pre-existing conditions. Democratic candidates repeatedly attacked their Republican rivals as jeopardizing the health insurance of millions of Americans who are or have been sick. The popularity of these Obamacare protections forced Republican candidates to promise to uphold these measures.

Many voters weren't convinced. More than half said Democrats would better protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions, while only one-third said Republicans would.

6:03 p.m. ET / Tami Luhby

Correction: This post has been updated to reflect it was more Republicans and not a majority of Republicans who support minor changes and more Democrats support no changes to the health care law.

Nancy Pelosi more unpopular than Donald Trump

The Democratic Party has slightly higher favorability than the Republican Party in preliminary data from CNN's national exit poll. About half of voters said they had a positive view of the Democratic Party, while the Republican Party is upside down, with slightly more than 40% saying they had a positive view of the Republicans.

The downside for Democrats is an extremely low favorable rating for Nancy Pelosi, the woman who would like to again be Speaker of the House if Democrats win control of the House of Representatives. Only about three-in-10 voters had a positive view of Pelosi and more than half had an unfavorable view. In fact, more voters had an unfavorable view of Pelosi than had an unfavorable view of President Trump, according to preliminary results.

-- 5:56 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

Most voters feel good or great about the economy

President Donald Trump has repeatedly highlighted how good the economy is doing under his watch.

Many voters agreed. More than two-thirds said the economy is excellent or good, though Republicans were much more likely to feel that way, according to preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll.

Just under a third of voters said the economy is not good or poor, and bof them were Democrats.

The economy, however, was not the key issue for many voters this midterm election. It ranked third, behind health care and immigration but well ahead of gun policy. The economy mattered more to Republicans than Democrats.

Nearly half of voters felt their financial situation is the same as it was two years ago. Just over a third said it was better, while a little less than 15% said it was worse.

Republicans were initially running on the tax cut package they passed at the end of 2017, though that fervor faded as the midterms approached. Voters were more muted about the tax cuts' effect on their lives. Nearly half said it had no impact, while just under a quarter said it hurt them. Just over a quarter said they were helped by the tax cuts.

-- 5:50 p.m. ET / Tami Luhby

Correction: The percentage of Democrats saying the economy was not good or poor has been corrected.

Voters decided a long time ago

A big majority of voters, about two-thirds, made their 2018 election decision before the last month, according to preliminary exit poll results. Only one-in-five said they decided in the last month and even fewer said they made up their minds in the last few days or last week.

About four-in-five have voted in a midterm election before, but about 15% said that this is the first time they've voted in a midterm. About 10% said they were first-time voters in the 2016 election.

5:34 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

More voted opposing Trump than supporting him

More than 40% of voters in the 2018 election approve of the job Trump is doing as President, according to the preliminary results from CNN's national exit poll. About three-in-10 said they strongly approve of Trump while almost half said they strongly disapprove of him.

Almost two-thirds said that Trump was a factor in their vote for the House today. About a quarter said their vote was in support of the President and almost 40% said that their vote was in opposition to him.

A majority, a little more than half, said things in the country are on the wrong track. About 40% say they're going in the right direction.

5:20 p.m. ET / Grace Sparks

This election is about Donald Trump

Two-thirds of voters say their vote in today's congressional election is about Donald Trump, according to early exit polls, and more say they're showing up at the polls to express opposition than support for the President. The President's approval rating is net negative among the nation's voters, and more say things in the country are on the wrong track than that they are going in the right direction. Still, nearly 7 in 10 say the economy is in good shape, and those who say their personal finances are in better shape now than two years ago outnumber those who feel their finances have worsened.

About 4 in 10 voters turning out to vote across the country choose health care as the most important problem facing the country, and more, 7 in 10, say the nation's health care system needs major changes. About 2 in 10 each choose the economy and immigration as their top issue, and 1 in 10 say it's gun policy.

With a historically diverse slate of candidates on ballots nationwide, about half of voters say it's very important to them that more women are elected to public office and that more racial and ethnic minorities are elected.

A sizeable 1 in 6 voters say this election is the first time they're casting a ballot in a midterm contest.

-- 5 p.m. ET / Jennifer Agiesta

These figures will change and be updated throughout the evening. Please check CNN's Election Center for the most updated data.WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on Jeff Sessions' resignation as attorney general (all times local):

5:15 p.m.

The top Democrat on the House oversight committee says Congress should investigate "the real reason" for the "termination" of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland says it is not acceptable if President Donald Trump requested Sessions' resignation to interfere with the special counsel investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates.

Sessions announced his resignation Wednesday.

Cummings is also pushing for Congress to "confirm" that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is recused from overseeing the investigation. Whitaker is expected to oversee the investigation despite being critical of it in public statements and chairing the campaign of a witness in the probe.

Cummings is set to chair his committee in January when Democrats take control of the House.

___

3:20 p.m.

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee says he wants "answers immediately" after Jeff Sessions was forced out as attorney general by President Donald Trump.

Rep. Jerry Nadler is in line to become the chairman of the Judiciary panel when Democrats take control of the House in January. He tweeted that "we will be holding people accountable."

Trump has long expressed frustration with Sessions over his recusal from the Justice Department's Russia investigation. Democrats worry that firing Sessions is a path to removing special counsel Robert Mueller and trying to end the probe.

Nadler says he wants to know why Trump is making the change and "who has authority over Special Counsel Mueller's investigation?"

___

3:15 p.m.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says it is "paramount" that the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller be protected by President Donald Trump's new attorney general.

Trump forced Jeff Sessions out as attorney general on Wednesday after the midterm elections. The president said Sessions' chief of staff, Matt Whitaker, would replace him for now, with a permanent replacement coming later.

Schumer says he finds the timing of Sessions' departure "very suspect." The New York Democrat says it would spark a "constitutional crisis" if Trump forced out Sessions as a "prelude" to ending or limiting Mueller's investigation.

Trump and Sessions had a falling out after the attorney general recused himself from Mueller's investigation. The president has repeatedly belittled Sessions in public and expressed regret about appointing him.

___

2:45 p.m.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned as the country's chief law enforcement officer at President Donald Trump's request.

Sessions announced his plan to resign in a letter to the White House on Wednesday.

Trump announced in a tweet that Sessions' chief of staff Matt Whitaker would become the new acting attorney general.

The attorney general had endured more than a year of stinging and personal criticism from Trump over his recusal from the investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice.COLESTIN, Ore. 

UPDATE: Fire officials have narrowed their estimate of the wildfire's size to 13 acres, now with 25 percent containment. They are calling it the "I5MP4 Fire"  burning, as it is, near milepost four on I-5.

"Firefighters have a good portion of the fire lined, and are working to completely line it by this evening. At this time, the spread has been stopped," ODF said.

No evacuation notices have been issued and the fire's cause remains under investigation. Resources from CAL FIRE are aiding Oregon crews due to the proximity to the state border.

(Updated 11/7/18 at 4:30 p.m.)

INITIAL REPORT: Fire crews from multiple agencies are actively battling a 10-20 acre wildfire along I-5 near the border between Oregon and California, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

"Right now, firefighters are battling one to two-foot flames. Conditions are looking favorable to allow crews to gain control of the fire by late this afternoon," ODF said.

The fire is located near milepost four of I-5 on the Oregon side. Currently, ODF says that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reporting "no to minimum delays" on the freeway.

Multiple agencies have responded, including ODF, Ashland Fire & Rescue, Jackson County Fire District #5, and Colestin Rural Fire District.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

"While Fire Season is officially over, warm temperatures in the afternoon pose an increased risk for wildfires to start and spread quickly. Please be aware, and remain vigilant into the winter months," ODF said.SALEM, Ore.  Josephine County may face legal action after approving an ordinance that promised to mitigate smart meter opt-out fees for residents who refuse they new machinery, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) decided on Tuesday.

The County chose to adopt that new ordinance on October 31, in spite of protest from utility company Pacific Power that the County did not have the authority to intervene over fees that were approved throughout the state by the PUC. The ordinance is set to get into effect in roughly three months.

In a meeting on Tuesday, the PUC raised the topic of the Josephine County ordinance, "which attempts to set rates for service and penalties for utilities that are inconsistent with the rates set by the PUC," the commission said in a statement.

During that meeting, the PUC voted in favor of referring the matter to the Oregon Department of Justice for "appropriate legal action."

Legal action is not the Commissions preference, said Megan Decker, Commission chair. But we need to be clear with customers and other jurisdictions served by Pacific Power that Oregons legal structure requires Pacific Power to charge rates set by the PUC. We encourage customers and communities affected by smart meter installations to continue to engage with the PUC as we explore viable, cost-based options for customers.

The PUC also discussed the fluidity of those opt-out fees, which may change once installation of the new meters is completed. Currently they are set at a monthly charge of $36 throughout Oregon.

"Today, Pacific Power reported that reliable new information on the cost of monthly meter reading for opt-out customers would not be available until installation is complete, but that discussion of alternative options to mitigate the cost of meter reading is underway," the PUC said.

Smart meters have faced some stiff resistance from activist groups, particularly in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Complaints range from concerns that smart meters lead to larger monthly power bills, can cause fires, violate privacy, or even claims that smart meter signals can cause serious health problems.

Pacific Power has addressed these concerns as either based on outdated information from earlier models in other states, or that the more extreme concerns are completely unfounded. They have also claimed that out-of-state groups have been responsible for spreading misinformation regarding smart meters.PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  The Latest on Election Day in Oregon (all times local):

9:08 p.m.

Oregon voters have passed a measure that amends the state constitution to allow government entities to use revenue from affordable housing bonds toward public-private development partnerships.

Measure 102 was leading in returns Tuesday night.

The measure's passage will give city and county governments more flexibility to work with private developers and non-profit organizations when developing much-needed affordable housing projects.

Until now, the government entity that used bond revenue for affordable housing had to retain complete ownership of the project, which limited the size of projects and the ability to secure more federal tax credits.

The measure was referred to votes by state lawmakers with bipartisan support and there was no major opposition to it.

__

9:05 p.m.

Oregon voters have rejected a measure that amends the state constitution to require a legislative supermajority for bills that raises revenue through tax exemptions, deductions, credits or fees.

The measure's failure means nothing changes.

Three-fifths of lawmakers in both legislative houses must approve bills that raise or impose new taxes but other ways of raising revenue -- such as trimming tax deductions -- still will only require a simple majority vote.

Those who opposed Measure 104 said it was an attempt to curb the power of Democrats, who currently hold the majority in both legislative houses.

Those in favor worried that state lawmakers would trim tax deductions and exemptions or increase fees to boost revenue.

___

9 p.m.

Oregon voters have rejected a measure that would have repealed the state's first-in-the-nation immigrant sanctuary law.

Measure 105 was trailing in returns Tuesday night.

Oregon became America's first sanctuary state when it adopted a law in 1987 preventing law enforcement from detaining people who are in the United States illegally but have not broken other laws.

Supporters of Measure 105, the repeal measure, said the law shields people who have committed crimes from potential deportation.

Those who back the sanctuary law say it was passed to address racial profiling.

The measure has split law enforcement.

___

9 p.m.

Oregon voters have rejected a measure prohibiting state funding for most abortions.

Measure 106 was trailing in returns Tuesday night. The measure's failure leaves in place insurance coverage for abortions for women who received their health care through state Medicaid.

The federal government bans Medicaid funding for abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or to save a mother's life.

Oregon is one of 17 states that uses its own money to provide abortions to women eligible for Medicaid.

Under Measure 106, the state Constitution would have allowed funding for abortion only if a woman is in danger of death because of her physical condition or in cases where funding is required under federal law, which now includes rape and incest.

Voters in Oregon had rejected funding bans in 1978 and 1986.

___

8:50 p.m.

Oregon's five congressional representatives have all been re-elected.

Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader won Tuesday night.

The state's long GOP House member, Greg Walden in eastern Oregon's 2nd District, also prevailed. Walden's Democratic opponent, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, had staged a long-shot bid to unseat Walden in the high desert, forests and mountains of the 70,000-square-mile (180,000- square-kilometer) district  the second-biggest in America among states with multiple districts.

___

8:30 p.m.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has been re-elected, winning her first full term as leader of the Pacific Northwest state.

Brown bested Republican Knute Buehler, who proved to be a strong challenger in a state where the GOP has a difficult time winning high-profile offices.

Brown was first appointed governor in February 2015 after John Kitzhaber resigned. She easily was elected in her own right in 2016 to finish out the term of John Kitzhaber, who resigned amid accusations of influence peddling involving his fiancee.

The 58-year-old Brown was a long-time state lawmaker before becoming secretary of state in 2009.

___

6:00 p.m.

Oregon's least populous county has the biggest percentage turnout of voters.

The secretary of state's office said that as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, 79.5 percent of Wheeler County voters had cast ballots.

The county's population is around 1,300. Located in the high desert of central Oregon, the county seat is Fossil.

Statewide, voter turnout by 5 p.m. Tuesday was 57.6 percent with 1,592,223 ballots received

___

12:33 p.m.

Democrats have a chance to win one more seat each in the state Senate and House in Tuesday's election.

If they do that and hang onto existing seats, they'll reach a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers. That would give them a better shot at increasing corporate taxes in a state where corporations pay one of the lowest rates in the nation.

Currently the Democrats hold a 35 to 25 seat edge in the House and the 17 to 13 advantage in the Senate.

___

11:20 a.m.

The ballot box by City Hall in downtown Lake Oswego, Ore., was busy with a steady stream of voters coming by car and by foot to drop their ballots off. Some took selfies with their ballots before depositing them in the narrow slot.

Volunteer Linda Brown guided voters to the box and said it had been busy since she arrived at 7:30 am. Elections workers had already emptied the ballot box once by 9:30 am, she said.

"The ballot box has been overflowing. Ballots were overflowing. They had to pick them up and it took them quite a while to change it out because it was so full," Brown said.

"Everybody who pulls away has a big smile on their face. Truly that's the best part."

_____

9:45 a.m.

Officials say half of all registered voters in Oregon still need to return their ballots to a secure drop-off location by the 8 p.m. Election Day voting deadline.

The Oregon Secretary of State's office reports that 49 percent of the nearly 2.8 million voters have already been returned as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Wheeler County in central Oregon leads in early-bird voters, with 69 percent of ballots already received, while Portland's Multnomah County barely beat the statewide average with its tally at 51.6 percent.

Oregon is an all vote-by-mail state.

_____

6:45 a.m.

Oregon voters will be picking a governor and deciding the fate of several high-profile measures, including one that would repeal the first-in-the nation immigrant sanctuary law.

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Kate Brown has faced a tough challenge from Republican Rep. Knute Buehler. Public polls show Buehler behind Brown by a slim margin.

Supporters of Measure 105, the sanctuary repeal measure, say the law shields people who have committed crimes from potential deportation. Those who back the sanctuary law say it was passed to address racial profiling.

Other measures include Measure 106, an initiative that would ban state funding for most abortions and Measure 1-3, which asks people in Oregon will decide whether to amend the state Constitution to ban future taxes on groceries.

Oregon is an all vote-by-mail state. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day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...

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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...1K Shares Share

On the outside, most American hospitals appear completely modernized. If resources are utilized correctly, they appear equipped for any disaster, any CMS audit and any surprise joint commission inspection that may come. The procedural appearance of hospitals seems robust and reflective to medicine in the 21st century. However, the framework for the daily function of many American hospitals is architecturally weak and weathered (metaphorically speaking). With the progression of times comes the evolution of disease processes and the divergence of various patient populations. Many hospitals have yet to adjust to this phenomenon.

As a result, the foundation is insidiously cracking, and many factors yet to be addressed are culprits for its chipping. We are in serious need of a structural upgrade. And here are examples as to why.

After a patient is admitted to a facility, they are often placed in a joint room with another patient. This decision is often due to bed availability within a given hospital. As part of their diagnostic workup, previously undiagnosed illnesses can be discovered. Patients may have an extended spectrum beta-lactamase urinary tract infection, Clostridium difficile colitis, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus colonization. With the joint room system, the task of having to move the infected patient to a private room to isolate them from other patients, including their roommate, is not uncommon. However, time does not allow regression to prevent exposure of such illnesses. We must seriously re-evaluate the use of the joint room system in patients deemed at risk for infection/colonization that could cause potential transmission to others.

Another problematic issue with the joint room system is the ongoing drug epidemic. This leads to vulnerable patients potentially being exposed to patients who have high-risk behaviors which may be disruptive to their care. Patients with substance use disorders will often attempt to find methods to use their substance of choice while they are being treated in the hospital for conditions that are or arent related to their ongoing drug use. Opioid-dependent, as well as other drug-addicted patients, are a special group of patients who have unique and particular needs.

Often times, the process leading to intervention and treatment for our drug addicted patients is difficult physiologically and psychologically. This requires their health care team to provide undistracted, distinct and specialized care. Therefore, a private-room policy for patients with substance use disorders will allow more directed treatment in providing education and counseling. In turn, this will greater promote the chances for remission.

In many hospitals, an operator announces the conclusion of visiting hours. Recently, I came to the realization that this announcement was more of a formality and not an enforced rule. In my almost ten years of being a medical doctor, I have never seen a hospital staff member escorting visitors to the elevators after visiting hours are over.

If a patient wishes to have a family or friend stay with them during the night that wish should be honored. Hospitalization is often accompanied by fear, and many of our elderly patients experience delirium and sundowning that can complicate their care. Having a familiar face present for patients can be therapeutic and promote an optimal hospital outcome. However, these specified individuals need to be made known to the medical staff and appropriately identified.

With the current system in place in many hospitals, any person can enter the wards with no true surveillance of their activity. With the exception of the locked units, the medical and surgical wards are open, free and available for anyone to enter. Typically, there is no routine placement of security guards on each floor or unit. A security guard may be sitting at the entrance of the hospital, but it is not in their common practice to question each individual that enters the facility.

Unfortunately, there are more security measures found in concert halls, stadiums, and hotels than provided in many hospitals. If we truly want to do no harm, we must work to stop an opportunity for harm to occur. An upgrade in security practices is a must for hospitals in the 21st century. We are severely lagging in this particular area, and drastic measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of hospitalized patients and the medical staff.

In conclusion, I hope my words serve as a spotlight to some of the issues at hand. Many hospitals in our country may be addressing these very issues currently. But a more uniform effort is greatly needed. I fear we are in grave danger of hospitals no longer being safe havens. Undoubtedly, this will have a negative ripple effect in families, communities, and our overall health care delivery system.

I write in hopes that a policymaker, a politician and/or a hospital administrator will allow my commentary to be the voice in generating discussions on how to address these issues. Yes, there will be disagreement about approach. Yes, it will be costly. But in order to preserve the quality of our health care system in hospitals, these discussions and changes are absolutely vital in preserving the practice of hospital medicine in America. We need to reboot progression and reorganize hospital care congruent to our complex societal and medical problems we face in the 21st century.

Andrea Lauffer is a hospitalist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.comEUGENE, Ore. -- The homeless people living at a camp near Highway 99 and Roosevelt Boulevard voiced their concerns about the camp at a Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

County officials opened the new camp near St. Vincent de Pauls Lindholm Service Center so that people could get food, do laundry and take showers.

Lane County currently works with St. Vincent de Paul, but to ensure the increased number of campers in the area have what they need, the county has worked to expand their partnership with the organization.

However, the campers said they want to be self-sufficient and dont want help from St. Vincent de Paul.

County officials said the partnership is necessary because they cant provide the services these campers may need on a day-to-day basis.

It doesn't discount at all the work the campers in the 99 location are doing among themselves and the community they're creating, but we also have the responsibility to provide access to services and opportunities in our community that aren't always easy for individuals to navigate on their own, said Devon Ashbridge, a public information officer with Lane County.

Campers said that isnt the only reason they are upset.

They also said they are upset because they said the county still hasnt provided them with services they said they were promised.

"How dare you trick us into moving out of your face with promises that were absolutely never coming to fruition, homeless advocate Eric Jackson said.

Jackson said many of them have not received bus passes, power or easy access to downtown areas.

County officials said the camp went up quickly and they are doing their best to provide services to the campers.

Officials with St. Vincent de Paul said campers do have access to the services at the Lindholm Service Center and said they strive to provide care in a compassionate way.UPDATE: Republican challenger Knute Buehler has conceded in the Oregon governor's race.

_________________

OREGON -- In a tight race with Republican challenger Knute Buehler, Gov. Kate Brown is leading in early election results as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

With about 60 percent of ballots in, Brown has about 50 percent of the vote. Buehler currently has obtained about 44 percent.

Patrick Starnes, the Independent candidate stepped out of the race in late October and threw his support behind Brown.

Brown is Oregons 38th governor. She initially stepped into the role when former governor John Kitzhaber resigned amid controversy.

Brown won her first elected term in 2016.

Prior to holding the office of governor, Kate Brown served as Oregons Secretary of State from 2009 to 2015.EUGENE, Ore. -- Commissioner Gary Williams has lost his East Lane County seat to challenger Heather Buch.

Buch, who works for St. Vincent de Paul and as a real estate broker, received 56 percent of the vote. Williams took 44 percent.

Leading up to the election, both candidates said that adding jobs and more affordable housing were issues theyd like to address if elected.

Buch said her experience will help the county add more affordable housing.

We really need somebody with that housing background to lend their expertise to make some big decisions that we need to make to move forward on our housing needs locally, Buch said during the campaign.

Both sides received strong financial support during their campaigns. Buch raised more than $170,000, including money from Oregon realtors and several unions.

Williams raised over $200,000, much of it from business interests including timber companies.

Congressman Peter DeFazio endorsed Buch, while Lane County Sheriff Byron Trapp endorsed Williams.

Williams was appointed to replace Faye Stewart in 2017.EUGENE, Ore. -- Dylan Stasack won the KEZIdol contest back in September, and he was set to fly out to Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

KEZI 9 News viewers voted for Stasack to win the prize -- roundtrip airfare for two, hotel accommodations and the experience of a lifetime.

Once in Los Angeles, he will meet with American Idol producers to try and earn a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Stasack said that hes trying to stay realistic about the audition, but at times he does wonder, What if?

"Am I going to look okay on camera? Am I going to sound okay? I'm curious to see what it's like behind the camera. So that's going to be interesting to see what that environment is like, Stasack said.

KEZI 9 News will continue to follow his journey.EUGENE, Ore. -- Students at O'Hara Catholic School honored veterans and servicemen and women at the school's fifth annual Veterans Day Assembly.

O'Hara students prepared for the Monday's assembly and created American-themed artwork to decorate the gym. Members of the local Marine Corps presented the flag, and all the active duty members and veterans in attendance got a chance to speak to the students about their service.

While the event was geared to honor veterans, organizers said it also taught students the importance of Veterans Day.

"I feel like it's a good way for kids to understand how people before us served and gave their lives for us and how we need to honor them because they are such amazing people," eighth-grader Rachel McConaghie said.

"I think it's really respectful, and we need to honor our veterans. And I think everybody should take time to respect them," seventh-grader James Harvey said.

O'Hara's school choir sang "You're a Grand Old Flag."EUGENE, Ore. --- In past elections, especially midterms, young voter turnout has been low but not this year.

KEZI 9 News spoke with teachers at the University of Oregon who said they are shocked by the amount of enthusiasm and participation from students for this election.

"I definitely think theres been a big outreach towards the university student as somebody who needs to get out and vote but also somebody who might be interested in getting out and voting and trying to touch them relate to them and understand that theyre a powerful demographic that has a voice and a voice they want to share," University of Oregon instructor Kaitlin Bane said.

The University of Oregon has a ballot drop box, registration tables for out-of-state students and guest speakers to educate students on what each candidate is pushing for.

"There are opportunities for people to come into your classroom to encourage people to sign up to vote ... we've talked a lot about the civic right to vote the importance of it -- the impact that it can have," teacher Damian Radcliffe said.

A spokesperson with the Associated Students of the University of Oregon told KEZI that she has never seen this many students vote in a midterm.

She said the numbers have already doubled from the last midterm election in 2014.

"I think that millennials are actually putting their vote down now because our politics are just occupying every single part of our life ... its over all our social media ... every single news platform, no matter where they get their news ... we're hearing about it," senior Jaycie Schenone said.

After the results of the 2014 election, some students said they now realize how much of a say they really have and because they're the largest population of voters, they must take action.

"A bunch of my friends who didnt vote in the presidential election registered to vote for the midterms this year because they realized over this past election that the polls arent always correct and people arent going to just be elected because we think they are. We have to take the initiative and go out and vote," student Sophie Wood said.

Students said social media plays a huge role in the shift of students' mindsets because it directly affects their demographic.

Twitter has been a huge proponent on getting people to go out and vote as well as like Instagram creating a sticker that will show you where your nearest polling place is to try and make it easy and accessible so nobody has an excuse not to vote, Wood said.CHARLES CITY, Iowa  Charges of custodial interference are dismissed against a Kensett man.

Abraham Elias Golden, 47, was arrested in October. Authorities say that after an order was issued in Floyd county to remove Goldens child from his custody due to concerns over drug use and violence, Golden took the child to his sisters home in Oklahoma.

Golden challenged his arrest, arguing that his actions did not violate the law, particularly because he was ordered to surrender the child to the Department of Human Services but Iowa law requires a child be placed with a person, which the DHS is not.

A judge has now ruled the evidence does not support Goldens prosecution for violating a custodial order and dismissed all charges against him. The judge, however, notes Golden could still be charged with contempt for refusing to obey a court order.MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa man was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder in the death of his infant son who was found in a maggot-infested baby swing last year.

Jurors took less than an hour to convict Zachary Paul Koehn, 29, of Alta Vista, of first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports . The murder conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole.

Koehn had blamed his son's mother for the death of 4-month-old Sterling Koehn. A trial is pending for the 21-year-old mother, Cheyanne Harris.

Koehn and Harris were arrested after medics were called to an Alta Vista apartment on Aug. 30, 2017, and found the infant dead in a swing in a dark, sweltering back bedroom. An autopsy showed he'd died of malnutrition, dehydration and an E. coli infection caused by being left in a maggot-infested diaper for up to two weeks.

Koehn's defense team had argued that he had entrusted care of the baby to Harris, saying he had been working 70 to 80 hours a week as a trucker to provide for his family. His attorneys said Koehn simply failed to notice signs that Harris may have been suffering from depression, which kept her from caring for the baby.

But prosecutors argued that Koehn was a meth user who also provided Harris with drugs.

Assistant Attorney General Denise Timmins told jurors that Koehn was home often enough to know that the baby wasn't being cared for and did nothing to help him.

"He let Sterling rot in that room. He left him there to die," Timmins said.

Koehn's trial was moved from Chickasaw County to Henry County to counter pretrial publicity in the case.MASON CITY, Iowa  Nearly two pounds of marijuana results in three days in jail.

Drew Richard Nettifee, 35 of Clear Lake, was arrested on July 19 after Clear Lake police say he was found at a vacant home with around 800 grams of marijuana. Officials says thats about $5,000 worth of the drug.

Nettifee pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana-2nd offense and has been sentenced to three days in jail and must pay a $315 fine. Nettifee has also been ordered to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all treatment recommendations.(CNN) -- Democrats on Tuesday captured the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years to exert a major institutional check on President Donald Trump and break the Republican monopoly in power in Washington.

But the GOP solidified their Senate majority after an acerbic midterm election that enshrined America's deep political divides and shaped a highly contentious battleground for the stirring 2020 presidential race.

In his first reaction to a mixed night, Trump chose to celebrate Republican successes.

"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" he tweeted.

The loss of the House is a serious blow to Trump who must now brace for the novel experience of oversight from Capitol Hill with Democratic committee chairmen promising constraints on his power that the GOP never attempted. Within minutes of their victory being confirmed, Democrats were already threatening to go after Trump's tax returns.

Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who is slated to steer the House Judiciary Committee warned that the election was about accountability for Trump.

"He's going to learn that he's not above the law," Nadler told CNN.

Democrats won the House, which will change hands for the third time in 12 volatile years, by performing strongly in suburban areas where Trump's flaming rhetoric is toxic. They also attracted a higher proportion of younger voters than at the last midterm elections four years ago and their new lawmakers will make the House younger, more female and more diverse.

"We have the beginning of a new Democratic Party, younger, browner, cooler, more women, more veterans, can win in Michigan, can win in Pennsylvania, can win in Ohio," said Van Jones, a CNN political commentator.

"It may not be a blue wave, it's a rainbow wave," he said.

A CNN/SSRS poll released Monday showed Democrats with a gaping 55% to 42% lead over Republicans among likely voters in a generic congressional ballot. Trump was badly underwater among women voters -- who favor Democrats 62% to 35% -- a gender gap, that if borne out by real votes, could prove devastating to Republican hopes.

The race they ran

But Republicans performed strongly in the deep red states where Trump mounted a frenetic final campaign blitz and proved that despite his low approval rating he remains a potent political force among conservatives.

And keeping hold of the Senate is especially important for Trump since it will give the White House the chance to press on with one of his major legacy-building initiatives, restocking the federal judiciary with conservatives.

Still, Trump will also have to answer for a scorched earth campaign on immigration in the final days that might have helped tip the House to Democrats, even if he can argue that his magnetism among his followers' candidates, such as Rep. Ron DeSantis, who won the Florida gubernatorial race, according to a CNN projection, Marsha Blackburn who will capture the Tennessee Senate race and Mike Braun, who defeated the incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

The opposite trends in the House and the Senate speak to the quirks of the political system but also the growing divide between urban, diverse, more affluent Democratic areas and largely white, rural conservative regions.

The loss of the House spells the end of a political era for Republicans who rode into town on a Tea Party wave whipped up by fury over Obamacare and huge government spending in the wake of the Great Recession.

The Republican majority will leave town with Obamacare still the law of the land and with a deficit going through the roof on the back of GOP tax cuts.

In theory, the new Democratic majority would have the capacity to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump should there be sufficient grounds in Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation. Though the Republican gains in the Senate make it even less likely that there would be a two-thirds majority needed to convict a president and evict him from office.

Waiting for results

The President had dinner with his family and watched the results, which could have a profound impact on the rest of his term and could reshape Washington's balance of power, in the residence of the White House.

He was joined by Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and the President's ex-campaign aides, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski, a source familiar with the guest list said.

Two other sources close to the White House said that Trump is already blaming retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan for the loss of the House.

"He is really angry at Ryan," one source said on "everything."

Alongside all 435 House seats and a third of the Senate on the ballot on Tuesday were 36 gubernatorial races. Democrats suffered losses in Florida and Maryland where Democrats had hoped for pickups.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.ROCHESTER, Minn. - Friends, co-workers, and community members helped Kari Koen's family celebrate her gift of life at a ceremony on Tuesday at St. Mary's Hospital.

Kari died after being struck by a vehicle just last week. She was able to donate her lung, liver, and her kidneys. The moment leading up to her final act of generosity, documented on video and shared on social media. In the video, people sing 'Amazing Grace' as she is wheeled to the hospital elevator doors.

Tuesday's emotional and powerful ceremony celebrated Kari's gift that is helping four other families. At the event, Kari's family was given their own Donate Life flag and everyone in attendence prayed.

Peace comes to Kari's family knowing this is what she would've wanted.

"There was no doubt that my sister wouldve donated her organs. That's just the kind of person she was. She was a generous person as well," Kendall Koen, Kari's brother, said.

The family said it's their unwaivering faith that is guiding them through this journey. Their faith is also what gives them the strength to forgive. They want the driver of the vehicle in the accident to know this:

"We understand Friday was the worst day of her life as well. And we can't imagine what she's going through, just the guilt and weight that's on her shoulders," Kendall said. "God's grace is offered to her just as it's offered to us. We want her to know we forgive her."MASON CITY, Iowa - Under Iowa Code and Minnesota Statute, employers are required to give employees time to vote. However, there are some slight differences:

Per Iowa Code Ann.  49.109, employers are required to allow an employee up to three hours of time off for voting, unless the polls are open three hours before or after that employee's shift. Employees are also required to to apply for the time off in writing before Election Day, with the employer designating the period of time to be taken, and time off for voting must be paid.

Under Minnesota Stat.  204C.04, the statute allows an employee to be absent from work at any time during their scheduled hours for the necessary time to go to a polling place, cast a ballot and return to work. Leave is with pay, and employees can't be required to use personal leave or vacation time for the time off necessary to vote.

However, getting out to vote on Tuesday may not be easy for everyone.

Many first responders work around the clock, and finding time to get to the polls may not always seem realistic. However, the Mason City Fire Department has a goal to give firefighters and paramedics the ability to go vote, though Captain Dustin Pillard says that voting before their shift is more beneficial. If they're not able to, he says that there is a stipulation as to how to go about voting while on call.

"Most of the time we ask them to respond in a response vehicle. That way if there's additional calls, they're able to continue and respond to the 911 calls on emergencies if needed."

In addition, Iowa and Minnesota voters have the right to register at the polls. While Minnesota has had same day registration since 1974, it's only been in place in Iowa since 2007.

Jayden Smith is a poll worker at Grace Church in Mason City, and says that having this option available could entice potential voters, including younger ones.

"With how our generation, like the younger generation's going, we're like, very low in the voting or polling, with our procrastination and our laziness, it really ups the ante on how we're going to get out and get our voices heard."

Poll workers at Grace Church have accepted around 30 same day voter registrations.DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Republican Kim Reynolds has won her first full term as governor, beating Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell.

Voters elected Reynolds on Tuesday. She became governor in 2017 after Terry Branstad was named ambassador to China, and had previously won two terms at lieutenant governor.

In her campaign, Reynolds pointed to Iowa's low unemployment rate and her support of legislation that lowered taxes, expanded mental health options and sought to outlaw most abortions.

Reynolds becomes the first woman elected governor of Iowa. Before her terms as lieutenant governor, she served in the Legislature.

She overcame a challenge from Hubbell, who argued Reynolds had poorly managed the state and had wasted taxpayer money on corporate tax breaks. Hubbell also criticized Reynolds for her support for privatizing Iowa's Medicaid system for poor and disabled people.MASON CITY, Iowa  A man is pleading guilty to illegally using a former employers credit card.

Eric Jon Scheff, 39 of Grafton, entered a guilty plea in Cerro Gordo County District Court to one count of forgery. Prosecutors say Scheff used the former employers card to spend $4, 433.75 during five trips to Menards in Mason City in June.

He has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation and must pay both a $625 fine and $4,627.73 in restitution to his victim.MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Republican Jim Hagedorn has won southern Minnesota's 1st District race, flipping a Democratic seat that the GOP had targeted in hopes of hanging on to a House majority.

Hagedorn defeated Iraq War veteran Dan Feehan, a Democrat who was an acting assistant secretary of defense in the Obama administration. It was Hagedorn's fourth try for Congress.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Walz vacated the seat to run for governor, setting up an intense contest that drew nearly $15 million in outside spending.

Hagedorn came close to beating Walz in 2016, when President Donald Trump carried the district. He really never stopped running after that, and made his support for the president a centerpiece of his campaign.

Hagedorn is the son of former U.S. Rep. Tom Hagedorn, who once represented part of the same area.

The campaign of DFL candidate Dan Feehan issued the following statement: "With a difference of just 1,311 (.45%) votes separating the two candidates, we believe that it's important to receive the official results that county canvass officers will release in the coming days. As this race is approximately 500 votes away from triggering a recount, the campaigns owe it to voters in the first congressional district to wait until official results are in."ROCHESTER, Minn.  An Owatonna man is going to prison for sexually abusing children in two southeastern Minnesota counties.

Ruben Macias Rodan, 38 and also known at Ruben Roldan Macias, pleaded guilty to 1st degree criminal sexual conduct in Dodge County and 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct in Olmsted County. Authorities say he abused an eight-year-old child in Oronoco and Dodge Center and abused a six or seven year old sibling of his first victim while Rodan lived in Rochester.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the Dodge County abuse and five years and 10 months behind bars for the Olmsted County crime. Rodan will receive credit for 335 days already served and both sentences will be served at the same time. He will also be on conditional release for 99 years after being released from prison.FOREST CITY, Iowa  A Winnebago County teen accused of a string of burglaries pleads guilty to two of them.

Jordan Lee Meier, 19 of Forest City, entered guilty pleas Tuesday to 2nd and 3rd degree burglary. Law enforcement says he illegally entered several Forest City homes in September and October of 2016 and stole firearms, medication, and cigarettes.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Meier previously pleaded guilty to 2nd degree theft, 2nd degree criminal mischief, and 3rd degree burglary in Worth County. Authorities say he broke into several vehicles in Fertile in May 2017, then stole and crashed a white SUV. He was sentenced to two to three years of probation.OSAGE, Iowa  A man accused a drunkenly threatening to kill law enforcement is pleading not guilty.

Dalton Lee Mulhern Meyer, 22 of Lime Springs, is charged with assault on persons in certain occupations. Osage police say he was arrested in the early morning hours of October 13 after officers tried to help an apparently inebriated Meyer check into a motel. Police say he acted like he wanted to fight the officers and threatened to kill them.

Meyers trial is scheduled to begin on December 5.MASON CITY, Iowa  A woman accused of exposing her four-year-old son to a sex offender is pleading not guilty.

Brittany Erin Mulliner, 38 of Albert Lea, was charged with child endangerment after officers conducted a welfare check at a Mason City home on October 6. Police say they got a call from someone who said the child was staying in a room with a known sex offender who is not allowed to be around children.

Officers say Mulliner admitted she knew the man, who is not the childs father, is a sex offender.

Mulliner is scheduled to stand trial on January 29.HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Minn.  One person is hurt after a single-vehicle crash in Freeborn County.

Joan Ann Paczkowski, 83 of Albert Lea, was driving south on Highway 13 when the Minnesota State Patrol says she crossed the northbound lane and went into the ditch around 2:51 pm Tuesday. Paczkowski suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for treatment.

The State Patrol says she was wearing her seat belt.

Gold Cross Ambulance and Freeborn Fire Department assisted at the scene.DECORAH, Iowa  A Winneshiek County man is pleading not guilty to felony drug crimes.

Chase Henry Heying, 25 of Ossian, is charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, and failure to use a drug tax stamp. His trial is set to start on January 16.

Authorities say Heying was implicated in heroin distribution on two occasions in 2017 and connected to bottles of morphine found in Ossian.DECORAH, Iowa  A Winneshiek County burglary is sending a Rochester teen to prison.

Fahad Mohamed Abukar, 19, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, 2nd degree burglary, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and carrying weapons. Authorities say he forced his way into a Calmar apartment on September 6 and fought with a man inside, then fled the scene with a 17-year-old from Rochester and fired a gun as they drove away. Law enforcement says two bullets hit a van.

Investigators say Abukar got into a fight with one of his victims on September 5 in Rochester.

According to court documents, he was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison, with credit for time served.

The Rochester 17-year-old being prosecuted as a juvenile offender, so the name is not being released to the public.ROCHESTER, Minn.  One of the defendants in a child porn case is set to stand trial.

Shahla Marie Thompson, 26 of Rochester, is charged with aiding and abetting 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, aiding and abetting 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, use of a minor in a sexual performance, dissemination of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and child endangerment. Authorities say Thompson assisted Adam Lee Reitz, 28 of Rochester, in sexually abusing a child and possessed and distributed child porn on her own.

Court documents state the abuse and pornography happened between August 2017 and July 2019 and resulted in the victim, who is under 10 years old, taking methamphetamine.

Thompsons trial is scheduled to start on April 29, 2019.

Reitz who accused of 1st and 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, use of a minor in a sexual performance, possession and dissemination of child porn, and child endangerment has not entered a plea.OSAGE, Iowa  A northeast Iowa teen is accused of sex crimes in Mitchell County.

Cody Hageman of Ossian is charged with two counts of 2nd degree sexual abuse. Court documents state the crimes happened between April 2016 and June 2017 and involved two victims, both under the age of 12. The charges were filed on October 25.

Hageman was born in 2002, which means these alleged crimes would have happened when he was between 13 and 15 years old. In many cases, offenses committed at that age would be dealt with in juvenile court. However, Aaron Murphy of the Mitchell County Attorneys Office says the age of the victims and the nature of these alleged crimes led him to decide to prosecute Hageman as a youthful offender.

Murphy says state law on the subject can be confusing but youthful offenders are handled in adult court but cannot be sentenced as adults. While someone convicted in juvenile court would be released at 18, a youthful offender may be reevaluated at 18 and could be ordered to remain behind bars.

Murphy says he thought about this decision a great deal and the impact it could have on Hageman but says he ultimately decided the pattern present in these alleged incidents deserved more than juvenile prosecution.(Kitco News) - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE American: BTG, NSX: B2G), which bills itself as the newest senior gold producer, late Tuesday reported a sharply higher adjusted profit in the third quarter as output soared from a year ago after the opening of the Fekola Mine in Mali in 2017.

The company generated adjusted net income of $45 million, or a nickel per share, compared to $14 million, or a penny, a year ago. Net income came in at $16 million, or a penny per share, compared to $12 million, also a penny, in the third quarter of 2017.

With the Fekola Mine in its first full-year of production, consolidated gold output was a quarterly record 242,040 ounces, which was an increase of 78%, or 106,412 ounces, over the same period last year. Fekola produced 107,002 ounces of gold.

In addition, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines produced 57,542 ounces, its second-highest quarterly output ever. This was 24%, or 10,985 ounces, higher than the third quarter of 2017.

With the higher gold volume, company-wide revenue rose 110% from a year ago to $324 million.

B2Gold said it remains well on target to achieve transformational growth in 2018. Full-year 2018 production is forecast to be at the upper end of the company's guidance range of between 920,000 and 960,000 ounces. This would be an increase in annual gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces from 2017.

The company said it also expects guidance of all-in sustaining costs of between $780 and $830 per ounce.

With the Fekola Mine in production, the resulting increase in gold production levels combined with low costs have dramatically increased B2Gold's production, revenues, cash from operations and free cash flows with ongoing benefits expected to continue for many years, based on current assumptions, the company said in its earnings statement. If a gold price assumption of $1,200 per ounce is used for the balance of 2018, the company expects to generate cash flow from operations of approximately $450 million for the year.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Democrats won governorships on Tuesday in several U.S. states that supported Republican President Donald Trump in 2016 but lost high-profile races in Florida and Ohio, as voters cast ballots in dozens of gubernatorial contests across the country.

The hotly contested race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams was seeking to become the first black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, remained too close to call early on Wednesday.

In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the states first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest that drew national attention.

I still plan to be on the front lines alongside every one of you when it comes to standing up and fighting for what we believe in, Gillum, the 39-year-old mayor of Tallahassee, told supporters at his election night party, where small groups of people embraced, tears streaming down their faces.

Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohios governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray, who served as the first director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers pulled off a narrow win in unseating Republican incumbent Scott Walker, according to data provider DDHQ. The two-term governor, who also survived a Democratic-driven recall election in 2012 after ending collective bargaining for public workers, briefly ran for president in 2016.

In addition to Wisconsin, Democrats also won governor races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016, bolstering the partys hopes of capturing those states in the 2020 presidential election.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette in the contest to replace Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who could not run again due to term limits. In Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally, where outgoing Republican Governor Sam Brownback suffered from low approval ratings.

Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. All told, Democrats had flipped at least seven Republican-held governorships without suffering any losses as of early Wednesday morning.

While much of focus of the elections on Tuesday was on which party would win control of the U.S. Congress, Republicans and Democrats were battling across the country for state-level power, which could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare.

EVERY VOTE COUNTED

In Georgia, Abrams, 44, was locked in a tight battle with Republican Brian Kemp, the states secretary of state. There was a minor party candidate also in the race, and under Georgia law, if no candidate exceeds 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers advance to a December runoff election.

By 2 a.m. EST, Kemp held a three-point lead, but Abrams told her supporters that she expected a runoff once all votes were counted.

I promise you tonight that we are going to make sure every vote is counted, she said. We are still on the verge of history, and the best is yet to come.

Another Democrat trying to make history, Ben Jealous, lost his bid to become Marylands first black governor to incumbent Republican Larry Hogan.

The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters.

Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who traveled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energize Republicans at Make America Great Again rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats, and media star Oprah Winfrey visited Georgia on behalf of Abrams.

Accusations of race-baiting dogged Kemp, 55, and DeSantis, 40, who denied the allegations. Neither Georgia nor Florida has elected a Democratic governor in 20 years.

We all learned in 2016 not to count on anything, not polls, not election integrity, not the electoral mood, Dawn Hucklebridge, 36, a friend of Gillum, said at his election night gathering as it became clear he would likely lose. Im pretty disappointed.

REPUBLICAN DOMINANCE

Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

The Democratic Party said it flipped at least six state legislative chambers on the strength of local races. Democrats now have complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades.

The outcome of elections for state positions could also affect future control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional districts are redrawn after the 2020 Census. In some states, a governors power to sign or veto congressional maps could decide the partisan balance.

Democrats also kept control of Connecticut, a traditionally Democratic state that Republicans had hoped to pick up.

In Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a U.S. state. But Democrat Christine Hallquist lost her bid to become the first openly transgender U.S. governor in Vermont, where Republican incumbent Phil Scott won re-election.

Full election coverage: hereThe Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels.



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New Zealand has only had 12 Chief Justices. Their tenures have been:

Sir Robert Stout 26 years (1899  1926) Sir James Predergast 24 years (1875  1899) Dame Sian Elias 19 years (1999  2018) Sir George Avery 17 years (1858  1875) Sir Michael Myers 17 years (1929  1946) Sir William Martin 16 years (1841  1857) Sir Harold Barrowclough 13 years (1953  1966) Sir Richard Wild 12 years (1966  1978) Sir Ronald Davison 11 years (1978  1999) Sir Thomas Eichelbaum 10 years (1989  1999) Sir Humphrey OLeary 7 years (1946  1953) Sir Charles Skerrett 3 years (1926  1929)

The Prime Minister has announced the process to appoint the 13th Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is appointed by the Prime Minister, unlike all the other senior judges who are appointed by the Attorney-General.

In theory the Prime Minister could appoint any judge to the role of Chief Justice, but it would be very unusual if it wasnt a senior and experienced member of either the current Supreme Court or Court of Appeal.

In deciding whom to appoint, it is worth noting what have been some of the criticisms within the legal profession over the current Chief Justice  mainly that the Supreme Court has often had split decisions (meaning precedent less clear for future cases), and is slow to release judgments. Often the Chief Justice herself has been the dissenting party. Some in the legal fraternity also have a view that 20 years is too long for one person to be Chief Justice, and that the ideal term should be 10  13 years like the four before Elias. So ideal age would be 57 to 60.

The five names most commonly being talked about are:

Justice Mark ORegan. A judge for 19 years including four years on Court of Appeal and four on the Supreme Court. Was Court of Appeal President and widely regarded as excellent in that role. Aged 64. Justice Stephen Kos. A judge for seven years including three years on the Court of Appeal. Currently Court of Appeal President and again widely regarded as excellent in that role. Aged 59. Justice Susan Glazebrook. A judge for 18 years including six years on the Supreme Court. Some lawyers consider her a bit abrupt or rude in court. Once told a lawyer to stop speaking crap (I suspect many Judges have thought the same, just not said it). Aged 62 Justice Helen Winkelmann. A judge for 14 years including three years on the Court of Appeal. Was Chief High Court Judge for five years. A very popular Judge with her colleagues. However has had a lot of decisions over-turned on appeal, especially in the Kim Dotcom cases. Age not clear but estimated to be around 56. Justice Joe Williams. A senior judge for 10 years including eight months on the Court of Appeal. Was Chief Judge of Maori Land Court for nine years and Chair of the Waitangi Tribunal. A very good public speaker. Has been criticized for some very slow judgements and has relative little experience in the appellate courts. Age not clear but estimated to be around 52.

These are just the five names most talked about. As I said, the PM could appoint any member of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal. In theory she could even appoint someone who has never been an appellate judge.

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Ari Mahler writes:

Yes, that Jewish Nurse. The same one that people are talking about in the Pittsburgh shooting that left 11 dead. The trauma nurse in the ER that cared for Robert Bowers who yelled, Death to all Jews, as he was wheeled into the hospital. The Jewish nurse who ran into a room to save his life.

A wonderful twist in such a sad story  he killed 11 Jews, and a Jewish nurse helped save his life.

The FBI and the Southern Poverty Law Center note that Jews only account for two percent of the U.S. population, yet 60% of all religious hate crimes are committed against them. I dont know why people hate us so much, but the underbelly of anti-Semitism seems to be thriving.

Anti-semitism seems to thrive in three key areas. The fascist right, the hard left and Islamists.

Im sure he had no idea I was Jewish. Why thank a Jewish nurse, when 15 minutes beforehand, youd shoot me in the head with no remorse? I didnt say a word to him about my religion. I chose not to say anything to him the entire time. I wanted him to feel compassion. I chose to show him empathy. I felt that the best way to honor his victims was for a Jew to prove him wrong. Besides, if he finds out Im Jewish, does it really matter? The better question is, what does it mean to you?

Love. Thats why I did it. Love as an action is more powerful than words, and love in the face of evil gives others hope. It demonstrates humanity. It reaffirms why were all here. The meaning of life is to give meaning to life, and love is the ultimate force that connects all living beings. I could care less what Robert Bowers thinks, but you, the person reading this, love is the only message I wish instill in you. If my actions mean anything, love means everything.President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the fifth World Internet Conference, which opened Wednesday in Wuzhen of eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

Photo taken on Nov. 6, 2018 shows exhibition booths at the Light of Internet Expo of the fifth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen Township of Tongxiang, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Photo:Xinhua]

The world is going through a broader and deeper science and technology revolution and industrial transformation, Xi said in the letter.

We should speed up the development of the digital economy and promote the global Internet governance system to advance in a just and more reasonable way, so as to inject new impetus to the world economy, Xi said.

Despite having different conditions and facing various challenges, countries across the world share the need to promote the digital economy, the interests in handling challenges to cybersecurity, and the demands for better governance in cyberspace, Xi said.

He called for concrete cooperation among different countries to advance mutual trust and collective governance in cyberspace and create a vigorous "community with a shared future in cyberspace."

The conference is themed "creating a digital world for mutual trust and collective governance -- towards a community with a shared future in cyberspace."

Xi expressed the hope that participants can pool wisdom, accumulate consensus and work for a sustainable digital world.National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong, right, answers questions during a government audit of Cheong Wa Dae and the presidential national security team at the National Assembly, Tuesday. On the left is presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



South Korea is still trying to work out a deal to officially declare an end to the Korean War by the end of this year, expecting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Seoul "soon," presidential National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong said Tuesday.



"Seoul is discussing with key stakeholders in denuclearization talks to make a declaration ending the Korean War by the end of this year," Chung said during a National Assembly audit of Cheong Wa Dae and the presidential national security team.



"Regarding the format (of the war-ending declaration), lots of options remain wide open. It seems like there is much possibility and there are many variables."



Chung, who is also Seoul's top envoy in denuclearization talks, said South Korea is expecting to see "substantial progress" in the North's denuclearization from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's meeting with his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chol early Friday (KST) in New York.



"Following the Pompeo-Kim meeting, Seoul expects working-level talks to follow," Chung said.



Some critics say Seoul's push to end the war is a goal seen as increasingly doubtful in the face of opposition in Washington.



The U.S. has retreated from the formal announcement of the Korean War's end, saying Pyongyang must first present more detailed and concrete plans for giving up its nuclear warheads. But North Korea demands simultaneous moves from the United States in return for its initial steps to dismantle some of its nuclear facilities, with a peace declaration its first priority.



Separately, an official at Cheong Wa Dae said efforts for a peace declaration that would eventually lead to a peace treaty are in line with President Moon Jae-in's greater engagement policy with the North through dialogue and compromise. He said Washington may grant Pyongyang a peace declaration as a "confidence-building measure" after the North discloses the full inventory of its nuclear warheads and agrees to allow nuclear watchdogs to inspect its facilities.



Meanwhile, Chung declined to comment on what conditions are required to finalize the end-of-war declaration.



He said Seoul would deliver humanitarian aid to North Korea if the high-level meeting between the United States and North Korea produces acceptable results.



During the audit, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) engaged in a war of words with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) over presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while President Moon was traveling to European capitals.



The LKP said Lim's visit to inspect mine removal with the unification minister and national security chief was "very inappropriate," claiming the role of the presidential chief of staff is limited and intended to support the President behind the scenes.



The DPK said because Lim is also chief of the presidential committee on inter-Korean affairs, the trip was necessary to check progress on the easing of border tensions.







By Kim Yoo-chul







President Moon Jae-in plans to hold summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of this year's ASEAN and APEC meetings in Singapore and Papua New Guinea, respectively.







In a media briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Nam Gwan-pyo, deputy chief of the presidential national security office, said Moon will visit Singapore for four days from November 13 to participate in summits between South Korea and ASEAN, and ASEAN with South Korea, Japan and China.







Moon then will visit Papua New Guinea for two days from November 17 to participate in the APEC forum, Nam said. APEC is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, while ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.







"A plan for a summit between Moon and Putin has been confirmed," Nam said. "President Moon is set to hold an in-person meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Chances are high that President Moon will hold a face-to-face meeting with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the ASEAN and APEC sessions."







The bilateral summits come after a planned meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chol, scheduled for this week in New York, was delayed.







U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Washington will reconvene the meeting when respective schedules permit, adding that the United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Singapore summit in June.







Cheong Wa Dae said Washington has notified it of the delay. Its spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters Seoul is still hoping to see an early reset of the meeting.







It is still unknown whether President Moon will use the ASEAN and APEC summits to highlight his ambitious "sanctions-easing" message toward North Korea, as Moon's efforts with that pitch fell flat during his recent visit to European capitals.

Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 46F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 27F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Rain. High near 45F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 27F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.It was a good night for Christians. In two of the three states that had ballot initiatives protecting the rights of the unborn, they won: Alabama and West Virginia affirmed the right to life of children in the womb, and they also banned public funding of abortion; Oregon made it easier for a woman to abort her child.

Alabama voters affirmed religious liberty by ensuring that a person's religious beliefs will have no effect on his civil or political rights; they also voted to allow a display of the Ten Commandments on public property.

Pro-life candidates squared off against abortion-rights candidates in the 36 states that had gubernatorial races. In September, National Right to Life listed 26 of the races as the ones to watch. Our own tally today found that the pro-life candidate won 17 of those races; 9 were won by the abortion-rights candidate.

This takes on more significance when we consider that Planned Parenthood launched its largest voter contact campaign for midterm elections in history.

NARAL told voters that abortion is a children's rights issue. "The research is clear. Restricting abortion access doesn't just harm women. It harms their children as well." It also tweeted, "When women are denied abortions, it affects the lives of the kids they already have."

NARAL is right about that, but for the wrong reason: it traumatizes children to learn that their mother aborted their prospective brother or sisterthey realize that it could have been them!

Perhaps the best election news is the uptick in pro-life senators. President Trump will now have an easier time getting judges appointed who are not given to discovering rights that are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution.

London, Nov 7 (PTI) A Bollywood-loving member of the Bahrain royal family is set to fight a nearly USD 42.5-million damages claim brought by an Egyptian businessman when a five-day trial opens in the UK High Court next week.

Ahmed Adel Abdallah Ahmed is suing Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali al-Khalifa, a cousin of the King of Bahrain, for allegedly reneging on a verbal agreement dating back to 2015.

Under the agreement, Ahmed claims the Sheikh had legally contracted his firm, CBSC Events, to arrange private meetings with as many as 26 famous Bollywood stars on a wish list drawn up by him.

However, Sheikh Hamad reportedly went back on the deal after meetings with four Bollywood stars  Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and Aditya Roy Kapoor  in Mumbai and Dubai for which he paid around USD 3 million.

In his legal claim for damages due to inconvenience and loss of earnings, Ahmed alleges that the Sheikh breached the terms of their agreement by refusing to pay the sums for additional meetings arranged and that he made excuses not to meet two further stars  Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan.

"This is an interesting case and involves oral agreements reached in London between two parties from the Middle East, concerning arranging meetings with famous Bollywood stars," said Pavani Reddy, the Managing Partner of Zaiwalla & Co  the London-based law firm representing Ahmed in the trial, which is set to open on Monday.

Neither party in the case has chosen to present any of the Bollywood stars in question as witnesses because they were not privy to what had been agreed between the Sheikh and the businessman.

Sheikh Hamad had an agreement with the Claimant (Ahmed) to arrange the meetings, which Sheikh Hamad later reneged on, resulting in a breach in contract and loss of business for the Claimant, the case notes state.

The Sheikh, who, on his own admission had an "unbridled desire and fancy to establish contacts with Bollywood stars", accepts that an agreement was made to arrange meetings.

However, disputes the actual terms of the said agreement, Ahmed's lawyers argue.

Sheikh Hamad will be represented in the High Court next week by Herbert Smith Freehills law firm after an attempt to move the case to Bahrain had failed last year.

In his defence, the Sheikh argues that he pulled out of the deal after Ahmed "started to put unfair pressure" on him, "making unwarranted demands for very large sums of money and seeking to arrange meetings which were not convenient".

While oral agreements are enforceable in UK courts, the judge will have to determine whether or not any such agreement was in fact breached.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Television's popular actress Hina Khan, who is currently seen in Ekta Kapoor's much-celebrated show Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, is currently holidaying in Maldives with boyfriend Rocky Jaiswal and pictures from their beachside vacation is sure to make you jealous. The couple, who have been posting pictures and videos from their Maldives vacation on their respective Instagram profile, are having a helluva time there. The actress recently took to the photo-sharing app to share a video of the two, where the duo, who is seen snorkeling in the blue waters of Maldives, broke into an impromptu underwater dance. The couple, who never shies away from PDA, are not only giving us travel goals but also relationship goals. Hina Khans Look for Bigg Boss 12 Weekend Ka Vaar Episode Is Stunning and We Cant Stop Drooling Over Her  View Pic

Hina Khan captioned the post as, "An impromptu dance in the deep with a deep fella, the overwhelming serenity of the Deep blue, the breathtaking corals and the complex life forms and cycles all around you in the mighty Indian Ocean its hard not to believe in love after all only love can be droll,deep,defiant yet beautiful  thank you @jumeirahvittaveli for this amazing experience.. #Divers #scubaLove #Maldives #CoralLife #BreathTakinglyBeautiful #DeepBlue #HIRO #JumeirahVittaveli"

Check out the pictures and videos from their Maldives Vacay:

In another picture, the actress was spotted by the poolside soaking up the sun at Jumeirah Vittaveli in Maldives. Alongside the picture, Hina wrote, "Yes I am a water baby coz all the troubles wash away in the water and all u can hear is YOU  @jumeirahvittaveli m loving it #JumeirahVittaveli"

View this post on Instagram Some more fun @jumeirahvittaveli #jumeirahvittaveli A post shared by Hina Khan (@realhinakhan) on Nov 5, 2018 at 9:39pm PST

Rocky Jaiswal too posted a picture on his Instagram handle and wrote, "The pictures are in the actual order of appearances. However the memory is actually engraved forever. Dhamakey before Diwali #instyle with my heartbeat @realhinakhan  #maldivesdiaries @jumeirahvittaveli"

On the professional front, Hina Khan, who was last seen in Salman Khan's Bigg Boss 12, has been roped to play the iconic role of Komolika in Star Plus' Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, which was played by Urvashi Dholakia in the original version. Ekta Kapoor's Show KZK 2 stars Parth Samthaan and Erica Fernandes as Anurag and Prerna respectively. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 11:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Bomdila, November 7: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju Wednesday took stock of the situation arising out of clashes between Army and Arunachal Pradesh Police personnel here. Some soldiers had allegedly vandalised the Bomdila police station and assaulted police personnel and civilians last week. "The Defence Minister (Sitharaman) and I looked into the ongoing conflict between the army and state police personnel. I appeal everyone not to treat it as army versus police and civil administration issue," Rijiju, the Union minister of state for home, told PTI.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said the unfortunate incident that happened at Bomdila on November 2 should be settled amicably through proper understanding. "Both the army and the police are serving the nation with utmost dedication. An incident can't be allowed to tarnish the image of the great institutions," he said. Rafale Deal: Nirmala Sitharaman Embarks On Three-Day France Visit To Take Stock Of Progress In Supply Of 36 Jets.

Both Sitharaman and Rijiju also met members of the civil society as part of confidence building measures. Sitharaman is visiting Arunachal Pradesh to celebrate Diwali along with soldiers posted in the forward areas along the Sino-Indian border. The incident happened when a group of soldiers allegedly misbehaved with civilians and police personnel at the Buddha Mahotsav celebrations in Bomdila, officials said.

Following this, the local station house officer went to the spot and two soldiers were brought to police station. After that some soldiers allegedly vandalised the Bomdila police station, assaulted police personnel and civilians, they said.New Delhi, November 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Wednesday greeted people on the occasion of Diwali. PM Modi took to Twitter to share the greetings of Diwali with the nation, he wrote, "Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyones lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!" For Fifth Year in a Row, PM Modi to Celebrate Diwali With Army Jawans.

Pakistan PM extended its greetings to the Hindu Community celebrating the festival. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief used his Twitter account to wish happy Diwali to Hindu citizens of Pakistan.

Wishing all our Hindu citizens a happy Diwali.  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 7, 2018

Rahul Gandhi while wishing people on Diwali tweeted, "My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness."

     |         ,      My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2018

Last night, PM had an interesting exchange of tweets with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli PM posted a tweet wishing his "dear friend" Modi on Diwali and asked him the city and pictures where he is celebrating, the festival of lights.

PM Modi replied to the Israeli Prime Minister in Hebrew and English saying, "Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes. Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special. I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. :)".

Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes. Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special. I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. :) @netanyahu https://t.co/gnouOA3QGt  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2018

Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Arvind Kejriwal and Kapil Mishra also extended Diwali wishes to the citizens. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. It signifies "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance." During Diwali people create beautiful rangolis in their house to welcome goddess Laxmi. the eternal source of wealth and prosperity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 10:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Harsil, November 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited Harshil district near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said. Happy Diwali 2018: NASAs Fake Image From Space on Diwali Goes Viral Again! Will Netizens Ever Stop Forwarding It?

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. During his interaction with the jawans, he spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/YW0m6YAbTb  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

This the fifth consecutive time that PM Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel. In 2014, the Prime Minister celebrated this auspicious festival with Army troops in Siachen. In 2015, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with BSF soldiers at the LoC near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, while in 2016, he spent it with ITBP troops in Himachal Pradesh. Last year, the Prime Minister rejoiced Diwali with jawans posted along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district. After celebrating jawans, PM Modi arrived at Kedarnath and offered prayers at the holy shrine. He also reviewed the progress of the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects. Ahead of his visit, 5,100 earthen lamps were lit to decorate the holy shrine. It is for the first time in the history of the famous temple that Diwali is being celebrated on such a grand scale.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 11:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Guwahati, November 6: A massive fire broke out in the Harijan Colony at around 7.30 p.m today at the 4th Assam Police Battalion in Kahilipara area of Guwahati District. According to initial reports, the fire was caused due to short circuit. However, locals claimed that the fire broke out due bursting of crackers. Meanwhile, some people also claimed that the fire broke out due to multiple cylinder blasts, but the exact cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet. Mumbai: Level 2 Fire Breaks Out in Andheri's Navpada

Fire broke out in Kahilipara:

VIDEO UPDATE | A massive fire was caught in 4APBN Kahilipara because of fire crackers. Fire Department reached in time to douse. Details awaited. #Assam #Guwahati pic.twitter.com/xBuMWZYko0  G Plus (@guwahatiplus) November 6, 2018

Around 14 houses were gutted in the fire, while several others were also damaged. As per reports, more than 50 families have been rendered shelterless. The injured were immediately rushed to the spot. A few deaths have been also been reported due to the fire. Meanwhile, fire tenders controlled the situation. More details are still awaited on the incident. Moving Car Near Chakala Metro Station in Andheri Catches Fire, Watch Video.

Yesterday, Guwahati police issued guidelines regarding bursting of crackers in the city on Diwali. As per the order passed by Guwahati West Police District, it was notified that crackers sounding more than 125 decibels are prohibited. The order will remain in force up to the midnight of 8th November 2018.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 06, 2018 11:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).New Delhi, November 7: On cards of the Defence Secretary-level talks between India and China next week, is a likely agreement on setting up a hotline between the military headquarters and regional command on both sides of the border. The move is aimed at minimising adventurism and transgressions along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC), said officials privy to the development.

In the meeting to be held on November 13-14 between Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and his Chinese counterpart Lt General Shao Yuanming, an agreement could also be reached on establishing a hotline between the Western Command of People's Liberation Army - overlooking Tibet and Xinjiang region - with a designated top Indian Army officer. PM Modi Celebrates Diwali With Soldiers in Harshil Near India-China Border.

The two sides are also set to ink the bilateral military cooperation agenda for 2019, which will broadly lay the schedule and nature of upcoming joint military drills, strategic exercises and exchanges.

In a major upliftment in Sino-Indian defence ties, the India Army would be participating in the "hand-in-hand" military exercise to be conducted by the PLA in Chengdu. The joint drill, to be held in December, comes after a delay of two years due to the 73-day Doklam standoff.

The hand-in-hand exercise has so far witnessed six editions, with the last being hosted by India in 2016.

Ahead of the much-awaited joint drill, a Special Representative dialogue on boundary issue will be held on November 23, 24 and 25 in Chengdu region. This comes in the wake of border transgressions sharply dipping between two two sides in 2018, after turbulent last year which witnessed a two-and-half-month long lockdown near the Doklam plateau.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).New Delhi, November 7: The United States on Tuesday exempted India from the imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the Chabahar port in Iran, along with the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan. This comes after the US administration imposed their toughest sanctions on Iran and is very restrictive in giving exemptions. However, eight countries were allowed to purchase oil from Iran- India, Italy, China, Greece, South Korea, Japan, Turkey and Taiwan. US Issues List of 8 Countries Exempted From 'Iran Oil Sanctions'.

After extensive consideration, the US Secretary has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 with respect to development of Chabahar Port and construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through Port for Afghanistans use, as well as Afghanistans continued imports of Iranian petroleum products, said US State Department spokesperson reported ANI.

This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistans growth and humanitarian relief. The Presidents South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistans economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India.

The US further said that it seeks to build a close relationship with India and Afghanistan as "we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regimes destabilizing policies in the region and beyond," said US State Department Spokesperson.

This relief comes after India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entitles establishment of business corridor among three-nation using Chabahar Port in May 2016 and the US considers that India has a major role in bringing peace to Afghanistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Chennai, November 7: Makkal Needhi Maiam, the party floated earlier in the year by actor-politician Kamal Haasan, will contest in the bypolls for the 18 legislative assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. The decision was confirmed by Haasan on his 64th birthday on Wednesday.

"We don't know when they will happen but we are ready to contest whenever they take place," said Haasan, adding that the MNM is already gearing up for the Lok Sabha seats to be contested in the state next year. Kamal Haasan Says Ready For 2019 Lok Sabha Elections But Averse to Forming Alliances.

The bypolls, whose schedule is yet to be declared by the Election Commission, were necessitated as the Madras High Court recently upheld the disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK legislators under the anti-defection law.

Haasan, in September, had ruled out contesting the bypolls -- which were then expected to be held only on two seats - Tirvarur and Tiruparankundram - which fall vacant after the demise of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and AIADMK veteran AK Bose.

However, 18 more seats are now slated to go for bypolls, turning it into a major mid-term contest in Tamil Nadu politics.

The by-elections are also seen as an acid test for the E Palaniswamy government, which has 116 MLAs in 234-member assembly -- two less than the majority mark. The government, however, is stable for now since the effective strength of the House has been reduced to 214 due to the death of two legislators and the disqualification of 18 MLAs.

In the upcoming bypolls, the AIADMK will have to win at least 2 seats to remain in power. The battle has caught the nerves of the Palaniswami-Panneerselvam led outfit as the 18 rebel incumbent legislators are banking on the popularity of TTV Dinakaran, the nephew of jailed ex-AIADMK chief V Sasikala.

Dinakaran, who has floated his own party - AMMK - had emerged as a major political player in December 2017, when he won the RK Nagar seat of late Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa with a margin of more than 40,000 votes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 08:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Hyderabad, November 7: 'Hawala' cash to the tune of Rs 7.51 crore, intended for bribing voters, was seized and four people were arrested here Wednesday, in a major haul ahead of the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, police said. The cash was seized from different locations in a joint operation carried out by various wings of the city police and the Static Surveillance Team, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told reporters here.

Four hawala operators were arrested, he said adding the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate were being informed so that they can examine the trail of the financial transactions and involvement of shell companies in routing the cash.

The four operators were planning to distribute crores of rupees in Telangana and this money was coming from other states and probably from abroad through hawala channels for use in the coming assembly elections, the commissioner said. This money would have been used for bribing the voters involved in the election process. This amount is intended for delivery to some political leaders for distribution to the voters and in such deals the accused get huge commission, Kumar said. ED Conducts Searches at 11 Premises of Hawala Operator in New Delhi and Mumbai.

During the search of the house of one of the arrested Bahbut Singh Raj Purohit, a .32 bore revolver of his brother was found along with the hawala cash, he said. We will not allow any individual or political party to influence the election by use of cash, Kumar said, asserting that the city Police was committed to ensuring a free and fair election. In the next few days, checking of vehicles and lodges would be further intensified, the Commissioner added.

In the run up to the polls, the police and the I-T department have seized a total of Rs 56.48 crore unaccounted cash -- Rs 38.71 crore and Rs 17.71 crore respectively -- from different parts of the state up to November 5.India is celebrating Diwali 2018, the festival of lights today, November 7. Every corner of the country is adorned with bright and beautiful lights, earthen lamps, flowers and Rangoli. On WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms, users are sharing their warm greetings using images and meaningful quotes. #HappyDiwali is already trending on Twitter. But that's not the only thing that is trending on the occasion. The infamous fake "NASA" image of "India during Diwali" is going viral on WhatsApp. Once again, the so-called satellite photo of India taken by NASA on Diwali has taken over the internet. WhatsApp Messages, Stickers, GIF Images, SMS, Facebook Status to Send Deepavali Wishes Online.

Sharing this fake picture on Diwali has become a ritual among Indians year-after-year on social media, like buying new clothes and bursting crackers. The picture of a bright and pretty India on Diwali night can tempt many to hit the forward button so that even others can appreciate how beautiful the image looks. But dont! Because the photo is fake. After all these years of confirming that the photo is false, netizens have been still forwarding it. Diwali Recipes 2018: Forget The Store-Bought Mithais, Here Are 5 Sweets You Can Make At Home!

Oh, stop it!

What a wonderful view of Diwali night In India from space . India is Great https://t.co/YT0a2GQ2Bo  Shashi Goswami (@ImShashiG) November 5, 2018

A quick flashback! Like we said, this picture is not a satellite photo of India on Diwali. It is instead a composite image made with overflights from 1992 to 2003. Created by the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, the picture shows the growth of population over time with different colours showing when regions began recording a sharp increase with the said years. This led to the detailed lightmap you can see above. This photo is certainly not a real picture of India taken on Diwali. Hence, you need to calm down and stop forwarding this image on Deepavali 2018.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 11:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).London, November 7: The immigration authorities in the United Kingdom intercepted the entry of 21 illegal immigrants "from Vietnam", including 15 children, who were hiding inside a refrigerated lorry carrying sparkling water. The group was intercepted at the Newhaven port in Sussex. The lorry driver, identified as a Romanian national, has been arrested and charged with assisting unlawful entry.

Out of the six adults among the illegal immigrants group, two have been deported immediately by the authorities, whereas, four others were sent to the detention centres. While the identities are yet to be confirmed, the duo who have been removed from UK are reported to be men aged 18-year-old and 27-year-old respectively. Modern Slavery Cases in UK up by 27% in 2017-18.

The children, though intercepted from a ice-cold lorry, did not require any immediate medical treatment. Their custody has been granted to the social services department. The youngest among them is reported to be aged 12.

While the origin of the illegal immigrants was yet to be confirmed by the authorities, reports citing top officials said they belonged to Vietnam.

The lorry through which they attempted to infiltrate had arrived from French port of Dieppe.

The Theresa May-led government in the UK has adopted a staunch action-plan to thwart the entry of illegal immigrants, while also identifying those who are present on the UK soil without legal permit. To ascertain the exact number of illegal immigrants in the nation, the Cabinet had last month commissioned the task to the Office for National Statistics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 05:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).A high-level UN human rights official has urged the Bangladesh government to halt its repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar unless there is concrete proof of their safety and security is assured.

UN's Special rapporteur on Myanmar Yanghee Lee said a lack of guarantees the refugees wouldn't face new persecution if they returned home was concerning. Lee cited "credible information" that some refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh fear their names turning up on a list of thousands of people who could be repatriated.

On October 30, Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed to begin the return of the refugees in mid-November but the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, said conditions in Rakhine State were "not yet conducive for returns".

"I urge the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar to halt these rushed plans for repatriation," Yanghee Lee, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said on Tuesday, calling on the country to grant the Rohingya their long-sought right to citizenship, freedom of movement and access to public services.

Bangladesh is hosting over 7 lakh Rohingya refugees who fled persecution, death and torture in 2017 after a campaign against them was unleashed by the Myanmars military junta. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as native to their country and have refused to grant them citizenship. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh and were brought over during colonial times.

Last month, Myanmar officials said they verified 5,000 Rohingya refugees so far, with the "first batch" of 2,000 to be repatriated in November.

The UN condemned the repatriation deal, confirming it had not been consulted on the plan.

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the deal had taken the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) by surprise.

"To be clear  UNHCR, which is in lead on the issues of refugees, was not consulted on this matter," said Dujarric.

The UN has accused the military junta for carrying out a premeditated campaign against the Rohingya minority in the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 05:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Washington, November 7: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal. The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement. State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay to the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions. The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leader's right-hand men -- to discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following historic talks between Trump and Kim in June. Second US-North Korea Summit 'Quite Soon'; Kim Jong Un Writes To Donald Trump For Early Meet.

Despite warm words from Trump since meeting Kim in Singapore, his administration has insisted on maintaining pressure on Pyongyang until a final agreement is reached. North Korea said last week that it would "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions. "The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added. Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was "not worried" about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective." But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that the postponement was a bad sign. "This last-minute announcement of a delay is not a good signal as it indicates negotiations were not going well enough to go ahead with the planned meeting," he said.

Pompeo has travelled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord. The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening "fire and fury" after Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world. US critics say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions and it has rejected demands for what it described as its "unilateral disarmament". Pompeo's postponement of talks came amid emerging differences between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

In contrast to Washington's approach, the South's dovish president Moon Jae-in, who brokered the Singapore summit, has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization.

South Korea's foreign ministry said the meeting delay was "regrettable" but insisted that "excessively pessimistic interpretation was unnecessary". "There have been cases in the past when US-North Korea talks were delayed, so there is no need to shift between hope and fear," a senior ministry official told reporters.

Kim Yong Chol is a general and former top intelligence chief. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades. The diplomacy on North Korea has seen a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly to Pyongyang. The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday. Trump heads over the next month to international gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.The presidency has denied reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the new minimum wage of N30,000.

The new minimum wage was proposed by the Tripartite Committee set up to review the national minimum wage.

The media had reported that the president gave his endorsement on Tuesday, November 6, shortly after he received the report of the committee presented to him.

However, in a reaction, the presidency denied endorsing the minimum wage which would have seen Nigerian workers take home a pay check of N30,000.

READ ALSO: Just in: Ekweremadu, wife, son, escape assassination attempt - Spokesperson

The president had promised to forward the new minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for action. He also urged Nigerian workers not to allow themselves be used as political weapons.

Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) suspended its planned strike action following an agreement reached with the federal government.

The Cable had reported that Ayuba Wabba who is the president of the NLC spoke after the tripartite committee meeting held on Monday, November 6.

It was reported that after the long hours of meeting, an agreement was reached followed by signing of documents.

Wabba said: Having reached this position and agreements signed, the proposed strike action is hereby suspended.

Vanguard reports that Ama People who is the chairperson of the committee said the government has suggested N24,000 minimum wage but the NLC insisted on N30,000.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

She said: We have concluded and we have a little challenge with what we call Chapter 5 of our report, that is where we have the numbers and the figures we used for the negotiations and the figures that we concluded with and the committee has two figures: the N24,000 suggested by the federal government and the N30,000 given by the organized labour."

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better.

'Nigeria Needs a Leader That is Not Bigger Than the Country' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: LegitPresident Muhammadu Buhari has commended Nigerian workers on Tuesday, November 6, after receiving the report of the national minimum wage tripartite committee in which N30,000 was negotiated as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The president who enumerated some of the achievements of his administration said he is committed to having a new minimum wage act in the very near future. He also promised to quickly send the bill to the national assembly as soon as possible.

Going further, the president ask for patience as all details concerning the new minimum wage is being sorted out.

READ ALSO: Minimum wage: President Buhari has not endorsed N30,000 - Presidency

The full statement read:

"On 27th November 2017, I inaugurated the National Minimum Wage Committee with a mandate to recommend a new minimum wage for the workers of our country.

"This exercise became necessary for many reasons. The last review took place in 2011. We all know since then, the prices of key consumables have increased and the most vulnerable of our workers are struggling to make ends meet.

"Since 2011, many changes have taken place. Nigeria rebased its GDP to become the largest economy in Africa. We reported very strong GDP growth rates and exceptional performance of our capital markets. However, these reported successes did not flow into the pockets and homes of majority of Nigerians.

"In the last three years, we focused on correcting this deficiency. We are working to create a diversified and inclusive economy.

"We are pushing to clear pension arrears owed to our retired workers with the limited resources available to us.

"We supported state governments to pay workers salary. And of course, we set up a committee in order to review the minimum wage of workers.

"In constituting this committee, we took into account the need for all stakeholders to be adequately represented - the government, the private sector and most importantly the workers. Our goal was to get an outcome that was consensual.

"From the onset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

"I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.

"What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of Nigerian workers. On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today.

"In the past few days, I have been receiving regular updates on your deliberations. And today, I am pleased that you have completed your work in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The entire nation is grateful to you all.

"The Committee Chairman highlighted some of the challenges encountered during your deliberations, especially as it relates to having a consensus position acceptable by all parties.

"I understand, on the government side, the concerns raised were around affordability - that today many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.

"On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.

"In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas. Our plan is to transmit the Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.

"I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

"Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organized labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your hard work. The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

"As the executive arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I therefore would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.

"May I therefore, employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the new minimum wage of N30,000 proposed by the Tripartite Committee set up to review the national minimum wage.

The president gave his endorsement on Tuesday, November 6 shortly after he received the report of the committee presented to him.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better.

'Nigeria Needs a Leader That is Not Bigger Than the Country' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit- A 50-year-old man identified as Lukman Haruna has been arrested for allegedly abusing a 10-year-old girl in Lagos

- According to Lagos State commissioner of police, Imohimi Edgal, the victim pointed to the man who she revealed has been dipping finger in her private part for a while

- Medical examination revealed that the 10-year-old girl has been abused on several occasions

A 50-year-old man from Niger Republic identified as Lukman Haruna has been arrested by the police for allegedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl in Abule Egba area of Lagos. According to reports, the suspect has been dipping his finger in the girl's private area for sometime but was only recently caught.

The victim is said to be daughter of his neighbour who reported him to the police and got him arrested on November 2, after she noticed blood in the girl's private area.

The Lagos State commissioner of police, Imohimi Edgal, who paraded the suspect revealed that the victim pointed at him as the one who has been abusing her for some time. Further medical exam affirmed the abuse of the young girl.

READ ALSO: Lady who was declared wanted by the police for stealing at a party speaks (videos)

50-year-old Lukman Haruna. Photo: Instagram

Source: Instagram

The police commissioner, Edgal stated that the case is being investigated at the Gender Unit of the command. He revealed that as soon as investigation is concluded by the Gender Unit of the command, the suspect would be charged to court.

Meanwhile, just recently, a 15-year-old boy identified as Ernest reportedly defiled a 4-year-old girl in Ebonyi state. Reports revealed that the young girl was entrusted in the hands of Ernest who apparently inserted his genital in her while no one was around.

The victim, Jennifer Iteze, was taken to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development by her father after a physician affirmed that she had been abused. Ernest who is said to be child of a co-tenant was, however, released because there was no N4,000 available to open a case file.

Hello, NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better

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Nigeria Breaking News: 34-Year-Old Woman Gives Birth to a Set of Quintuplets in Awka on Legit TV:

Source: Legit.ng- The police have launched investigations into the reported assassination attempt on Senator Ekweremadu

- A suspect, Mohammed Yusuf, has been arrested in connection with the crime

- The police, however, said the incidence was a burglary and not an assassination attempt

The police have commenced an investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, and his family.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Ekweremadu, his wife and son, were at home when armed men invaded their Apo residence in Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday, November.

Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, spoke on the incident while addressing journalists in Abuja.

TheCable reports that Moshood explained that the incidence was a burglary and not an assassination attempt as previously claimed by the deputy Senate presidents spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu.

READ ALSO: Breaking: President Buhari endorses N30,000 new minimum wage

The policeman spokesman said a similar incident took place at the residence of Haliru Adamu, a neighbour of Ekweremadu.

Investigation so far carried out in the incident does not have any link to assassination attempt, he said.

He said one of the suspects, Mohammed Yusuf, who was arrested by the police was in custody and had made useful statements.

The suspect has been assisting the police in the investigation into the matter. We have intensified efforts to arrest other suspects who escaped from the crime scene, he said.

He said Ekweremadu and Adamu have made statements to the police in respect of the incident.

Moshood said Adamu lost his cell phones and jewellery to the thieves while nothing was reportedly stolen from Ekweremadus house.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Ekweremadu was allegedly plotting to defect from his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to the All Progressives Congress.

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Ekweremadu had allegedly been meeting with top members of the APC to ensure smooth defection to the party.

A source close to the senator had claimed the deputy Senate president was unhappy with the way his party had been treating him since the defection of Senate President Bukola Saraki from the APC.

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Robbers Return Firearms to Nigerian Police (Crime News in Nigeria) | Legit TV

Source: Legit- A group has petitioned the International Criminal Court over the Odi/Zaki-Biam massacre

- The group, Good Governance Advocacy Project called for the prosecution of Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma over their actions in the alleged 'war crimes'

- According to the group, Obasanjo and Danjuma acted below par during the time in office between 1999 and 2007

A civil society organisation has called for the prosecution of a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, an ex-minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma, over their alleged involvement in the crimes against humanity in Odi area of Bayelsa and Zaki Biam, Benue state between 1999 and 2007.

The Good Governance Advocacy Project said the actions taken by the duo in both areas can be described as crimes against humanity and offences bordering on war crimes.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, November 5, the national president of the group, Danelson Momoh, alleged that it was during Danjumas regime as defence minister under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo that troops massacred innocent citizens of Zaki Biam community in Benue state.

Momoh urged Obasanjo and Danjuma to hand themselves in to the International Crime Court of Justice over the massacre of defenceless citizens in their communities.

The group in a petition to the international court said Obasanjo and Danjuma acted below par during the time in office.

READ ALSO: ASUU Strike: ATBU, Bauchi State University join, stop exams

Momoh also said the duo interfered with the running of government in ways that would not only jeopardise good governance but could trigger widespread ethno-religious hostilities

He said: Of note among these yesteryears' men is former military chief, retired General Theophilus Yakubu (TY) Danjuma who of late has become synonymous with being an inciter of adherents of Christianity in the country to go to war with their neighbours under the guise of ethno-religious killings. He had in the past called on people to take up arms against their neighbours for which he was roundly censored by all well-meaning Nigerians. This does not however seem to have deterred him as he is back to lying bald-facedly.

TY Danjuma purportedly issued a statement entitled Choose your own Fulani with care, in which he alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is out to massacre the entire north central and southern parts of the so that he can repopulate the same areas with Fulani from other West African countries.

"While this irresponsible statement is condemnable in the strongest terms, the seeming saving grace is that Danjuma has eaten his words and distance himself from the dangerous utterance.

READ ALSO: New minimum wage: Atiku commends FG for agreeing to pay N30,000

"We, however, want to place on record that it was not enough for him to distance himself from the offensive statement for several reasons.

"One, if he had not been in the business of making divisive utterances, mischief makers would not replicate his style of incitement to attempt doing damage to the country. He has, by the tradition he has created, made Nigeria into a land where ethnic hatred is now being treated as common place.

"We categorically state this because historically, it was Dajumas regime as Defence Minister under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo that troops were massacre innocent citizens of Zaki Biam community in Benue state.

"Much as the history of what happened in Zak Ibiam is being re-written to obscure the actual drivers of that pogrom, Ty Danjuma knows that the genocide that took place there was never about national security but was about protecting narrow interests that were not intended for the benefit of the larger population.

"He and Obasanjo remain the architect of the genocide in Zak Ibiam, which was not their only crime because they also jointly masterminded the scorched-earth pogrom at Odi. These actions were the foundation that sowed the seeds of discord amongst the various ethnic groups in Nigeria," the group said.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Obasanjo on Wednesday, September 12, lamented the recent characterisation of Nigeria as a country where the bulk of the worlds poverty stricken population dwells.

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The former president said the unpleasant status the country has found itself, cant be separated from the poor handling of the economy by current leaders.

He made this known while addressing the Lagos state of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) executive members who visited him in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

Nigeria News 2018: Is Nigeria Truly the Poorest Country in The World? Omisore Speaks | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- Bukola Saraki has said that PDP presidential candidate will sweep votes at the 2019 polls

- Saraki said since Atiku Abubakar's emergence as PDP presidential candidate, there has been renewed hope among Nigerians

- According to the Senate president, PDP is coasting to victory in the February 2019 presidential election

The Senate president and director general of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council, Bukola Saraki, has claimed that the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will sweep votes at the 2019 general election.

Saraki said that given the nationwide support of Nigerians, the PDP presidential candidate is coasting to victory in the February 2019 Presidential election.

Speaking while inspecting the Legacy House headquarters of the PDP presidential campaign council in Abuja on Tuesday, November 6, the Senate president promised to effectively harness and coordinate all efforts and lead the party and its candidate to victory in the elections.

READ ALSO: ASUU strike: ATBU, Bauchi State University join, stop exams

Vanguard reports that Saraki, who was conducted round various offices at the Legacy House by the partys national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said the PDP will actualise citizens quest to rescue Nigeria.

"Since the emergence of Atiku as PDP Presidential candidate, there has been renewed hope among Nigerians towards actualizing their collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the incompetent, divisive and deceptive President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

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Atikus candidacy has reunited Nigerians across board and reawakened our collective consciousness towards the restoration of purposeful leadership and national productivity, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political affiliations," he added.

Also speaking, Secondus urged Nigerians to mobilise en-mass for the election, and tasked them to vote out the APC come 2019.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed his commitment to the re-election ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.

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Tinubu said he remains firmly behind Buharis second term in his mission to rebuild the country from the ruins of the PDP years.

The APC leader was reacting through his media adviser, Tunde Rahman, to a statement by former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abba Gana, that he (Tinubu) will work for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 elections.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit- Rochas Okorocha has accused the police and the EFCC of breaching his fundamental rights by invading his Jos, Plateau state home

- Governor Okorocha wants the court to order the two bodies to pay the sum of N1.025 billion as general damages for the invasion

- He also wants the court to issue a perpetual injunction stopping further invasion and search of his home by the agencies

The governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has reportedly sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris over an alleged breach of his fundamental human rights following an invasion and ransacking of his house in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

The New Telegraph reports that Okorocha filed the suit before Justice Musa Kurya of the Jos Federal High Court and is demanding N1.025 billion as general damages from the two bodies.

The report said the governor joined the commissioner of police in Plateau state as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the suit. Also joined is the Atorney General of the Federation (AGF) and minister of justice.

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Through his counsel, Markus Saleh (SAN), Okorocha told the court that on May 3, the respondents invaded his home in Jos and held his family members and staff hostage in a search conducted without any court warrant.

He wants the court to declare the action illegal, null and void arguing that there was no valid court warrant for such an exercise.

The governor also wants the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further doing anything like that in his homes across the country.

Apart from this, Okorocha seeks for an order declaring that only the Imo House of Assembly has the constitutional rights and power to supervise, monitor, legislate, appropriate and demand accounting of public funds of the state from him.

He, therefore, asked the court to order the respondents to pay him the N1 billion as general damages and N25 million as cost of instituting the case.

Legit.ng learnt that when the case was heard on Tuesday, November 6, the governors lawyer told the court that he had an amended statement of claim and further affidavit, which he wants to move as deemed duly filed and served on all the respondents.

My Lord, I am surprised that the respon dents are not in court today, even though they have been duly served with the notices and amended statement of claim and further affidavit. I wish to move it, since they are all aware of it in accordance with the rule of this court, Saleh prayed the court.

It was learnt that the counsel to the respondents, Wale Adesola (SAN), was not in court and no reason for his absence was given.

Justice Kurya, however, allowed him to move the motion after ruling on the application.

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As a result, Saleh asked for a date to enable the respondents to respond to his amended statement and for him to also reply after their responses.

The judge granted the prayers and adjourned the case to January 24, 2019, for adoption of final written addresses by all parties in the case.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported earlier that the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday, November 5, condemned the APC national chairman Adams Oshiomholes apology to the Roman Catholic Church in the state.

At a meeting with Archbishop of Owerri Catholic diocese, Bishop Anthony Obinna and representatives of the Christian community in Imo state, Oshiomhole had condemned what he described as the governor's lack of respect for the church.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better.

'Nigeria Needs a Leader That is Not Bigger Than the Country' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit- The presidency is warning that President Muhammadu Buhari did not endorse the N30,000 minimum wage as claimed by many Nigerians

- A presidential source explains that Buhari simply expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new national minimum wage

- The source also gives detailed explanation of what President Buhari said when he received the tripartite committee report on the minimum wage

The presidency has reportedly frowned at what it calls a misinterpretation of President Muhammadu Buharis remarks when he received the report of the tripartite committee on the review of national minimum wage from the chairman, Ama Pepple, on Tuesday, November 6.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted a presidential source, who preferred not to be named, as saying the president did not endorse N30,000 as proposed by committee as being reported by some sections of the media.

The report said the source, however, stated that President Buhari had expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new national minimum wage.

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But the presidents speech at the event was immediately made available to the media and nowhere indicated that the president endorsed N30,000 minimum wage.

It is not the duty of the president only to endorse a new national minimum wage. The process involves the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the National Economic Council (NEC) and the National Assembly.

It is imperative for us to always avoid misinterpreting a written speech, he added.

At the submission of the report of the tripartite committee that negotiated a new minimum wage with labour and other stakeholders, President Buhari pledged that the federal government would soon transmit an executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

Our plan is to transmit the executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time. I am fully committed to having a new national minimum wage Act in the very near future," he said.

Buhari also expressed delight that the committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful and non-controversial manner.

Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organised labour and private sector as well as representatives of state and federal governments for all your hard work. The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

As the executive arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks," he said.

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The president, however, enjoined the leadership of the labour unions as well as the Nigerian workers to avoid being used as political weapons.

May I therefore, employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons, he said.

The federal government had said that a comprehensive policy for improved remuneration for teachers and all public servants is being developed.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said this at the 2018 Nigerias Annual Education Conference on Tuesday, November 6, in Abuja.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better.

'My daughter's husband used her for money rituals' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: LegitFollowing the visit of the Prince of Wales Charles George to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the Oba of Benin has asked him to support the agitation for the return of ancient Benin artifacts which were taken in 1897.

According to the Oba of Benin, he disclosed that the return of these artifacts would enable his kingdom establish Oba Palace Museum, which will assist the promotion of tourism in Benin City, Edo state.

He made this demand during a closed door meeting with Prince Charles at the UK high commissioners residence in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, November 6.

Prince Charles meets with traditional rulers in Abuja

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mixed-race toddler proves you can't be born racist in adorable video

Oba Ewure II said: Suffice to say that Nigerians in general and Benin people in particular will be most delighted to have your royal highness throw his royal weight behind our efforts to have some of our ancient artifacts that were taken in 1897 from the Royal Court of Benin returned to Benin to establish Oba Palace Museum for the promotion of tourism in Benin City, Edo state.

The Oba of Benin further disclosed that other things discussed during the meeting include security and development issues affecting the country. This focuses on girl child education, action against human trafficking and illegal migration.

However, other traditional rulers who visited the heir to the British royal throne include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Sultan of Sokoto Saad Abubakar, Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe, Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi among others.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that the British high commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, announced in Abuja on Sunday, November 4, that Prince Charles would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better

British Council Rewards Nigerians | Legit TV.

Source: Legit.ng News- Republicans in the United States have lost their grip on the House of Representatives during the mid-term elections

- Democrats dealt a blow to President Donald Trump by taking control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years

- Female candidates were said to have stolen the spotlight in the midterm elections

In what appears to be a blow to President Donald Trump of the United States, democrats in that country have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections.

Democrats in the United States took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years. Their success will afford them the opportunity to thwart President Trump's agenda, BBC reports.

Legit.ng gathers that the spotlight in the mid-term elections was stolen by female candidates as a lot of them ran for office.

Twenty-nine year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is projected to become the youngest ever congresswoman.

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The democrats' success at the poll will afford them the opportunity to launch investigation into President Trump's administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

President Trump's plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico could also be blocked by the democrats.

Legit.ng previously reported that citizens of the United States of America (USA) were heading to the polls for the first time since President Donald Trump was elected, with majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate hanging in the balance.

Trump had used a nationwide campaign blitz to send serious warnings about the threat posed by illegal immigration and claim credit for the rising economy of the nation.

Led by ex-president Barack Obama, the Democrats concentrated on healthcare, an issue ranked high on voters list of priorities and one the party leadership believes is a weakness of the Republican wing.

In an earlier report by Legit.ng, Trump said members of the United States (US) military sent to the southern border to keep out thousands in a migrant caravan would "fight back" if immigrants threw stones at them.

He said that soldiers might open fire on immigrants, claiming there was "not much difference" between a stone or gun.

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Trump, from his White House office on Thursday, October 1, said that his government was preparing to reform the nation's asylum practices and took on the thousands of migrants fleeing the dangers in central America, heading toward the US.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better

Street Gist: Will Nigeria be a better place with Trump as president? | Legit TV

Source: Legit- Traditional rulers in the Igbo community, especially in Anambra, state have agreed to abolish the Osu caste system

- The monarchs in a statement read on Tuesday, November 6, fixed Friday, December 28, as the date to officially end the practice

- The regent of the ancient Nri Kingdom in the state, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh, said that continuing with the practice is suicidal

Paramount traditional rulers in the southeast have jointly set Friday, December 28, to put an end to the age-long and controversial Osu caste system in the region.

According to the Igbo tradition, the Osu are said to be dedicated to deities (Alusi) while the Ohu are said to be slaves right from birth, Punch reports.

The monarchs in a statement on Tuesday, November 6, said that the event marking the abolition of the Osu caste system in Igbo land would take place at the Nri Palace in Anambra.

In the document, the regent of the ancient Nri Kingdom, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh, said that it would be spiritually suicidal for anyone to continue with the obnoxious Osu practice after it had been abolished.

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Onyesoh's words: Come December 28, 2018, more stringent spiritual implications will be pronounced from Ikpo Eze-Nri against such devaluation of mankind, after an extensive spiritual abrogation exercise.

Moreover, in the statement, the Eri traditional rulers said that they were set for the abolition. The chairman of Eri dynasty traditional rulers forum, Eze Nkeli Nzekwe Kelly, said: The whole world needs to witness what is about to happen in our land on December 28, 2018 because such a thing has never happened before.

The last time in history anything close to this happened was 200 years ago. And mark my words, after these abolition and atonement exercises, anybody who continues to uphold these practices will have themselves to blame.

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Its time to end these once and for all and unite our people for the new era. Its time for our estranged brothers and sisters who were sold into slavery to return home.

"We are more than ready to atone for the sins of our forefathers and reunite with our kits and kins in America, Europe, the Islands, and beyond. Its time."

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that twenty four traditional rulers in Oguta local government areas of Imo had endorsed abolishing the Osu caste system, to free affected people from stigmatisation.

The age-long system is also known in some Igbo tradition as Osu, Diala or Ohu, depicting slavery to either a human being or deity.

The royal fathers believe that the caste system had caused major deprivations, dehumanisation, stigmatisation and lack of marriage among units on a particular class of people in the society considered to be slaves.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better

Top 5 coolest facts about the Igbo people | Legit TV

Source: Legit- President Muhammadu Buhari is not relenting in his ongoing efforts to resolve the APC crisis

- The president met with some APC senators as part of efforts to find a solution to the crisis rocking the party

- Those who attended the meeting with the president are senators who did not secure the partys ticket to seek re-election in 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, November 5, met with some senators elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Legit.ng gathered that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the president to resolve the crisis that followed the primary elections of the party across the country.

The ruling party has been entangled in crisis after the controversial primaries with some key stakeholders of the APC, calling for the removal of its national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

President Buhari has personally waded into the matter, meeting with various interest groups within the party, to ensure the crisis does not fester and affect the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

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The meeting with the senators was held inside the presidents official residence inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Some of the senators who attended the meeting with the president are those who did not secure the partys ticket to seek re-election to the Senate. They were led to the meeting by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.

Those who attended the meeting included Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Senator Sani Mustapha, Senator Olanrewaju Tejuosho, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ibrahim Kurfi.

Some serving ministers were also present, including the minister of state aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika and minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu.

The president had earlier met with aggrieved APC members in the House of Representatives and members of APC Aspirants Forum.

He had also met with aggrieved state governors on many occasions.

On Sunday, November 4, he met with three southwest governors behind closed doors.

The affected governors included Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

Can Sowore Break APC/PDP Stronghold on Nigerians? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng- The campaign office of President Buhari in Ibadan has been reportedly abandoned

- The office complex was rented by the minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu

- There are speculations that Shittu abandoned the complex due to his failure to get the states governorship ticket

- A source close to the minister, however, said he is planning a better office for the campaign project, adding that the rent for the office complex was already overdue

Lunatics and miscreants have reportedly taken over the former southwest campaign office for the APC's presidential candidate and his running mate, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Sources who spoke to Legit.ngs regional reporter in Ibadan, Newman Babson, said that though the office was rented by the minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, the tenancy had expired.

The office complex which was commissioned in January in Ibadan with pomp and ceremony with photographs of President Buhari, Osinbajo, APC leader Senator Bola Tinubu and others has become a ghost of itself with the decorations and party stickers torn and mutilated.

READ ALSO: Good news: FG to improve remuneration for teachers, other workers

Two suspected lunatics, a female and male, who took over the corridors and open space in the complex had been chased out by some vigilantes.

It was alleged that residents of Oke Itunu and Mokola areas have turned the front and back of the building to refuse disposal depot with criminals also hiding at its premises.

A source close to the communications minister, Malik Aderogba, however, clarified that the mischief makers were behind the rumour that Shittu who rented the office complex had abandoned it because he lost his gubernatorial aspiration to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

Aderogba reportedly told some APC loyalists that another better campaign office one would soon be rented by the minister to campaign for Buhari and his party at the appropriate time.

It would be recalled that in January this year, chieftains of the ruling APC, including Dr Orji Kalu, Senator Ken Nnamani and others were, present in Ibadan during the commissioning of the office complex but Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Bola Tinubu, and Chief Bisi Akande shunned the event.

Kalu during an earlier book commissioning at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre had advised Shittu to reconcile with the state governor, Ajimobi, in the interest of their party.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the minister of communications, on Monday, October 15, filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Ibadan, seeking a legal interpretation of non-participation in the one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The minister personally filed the suit, FHC/IB/CS/111/2018, in which the director-general and state co-coordinator of the NYSC were named first and second defendants respectively.

Others mentioned as third and fourth defendants are the NYSC and the Attorney-General of the Federation respectively.

Recall that the minister was recently disqualified as a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo state for failing to present an NYSC exemption or discharge certificate.

Shittu had defended himself by saying that his service as a member of the state House of Assembly should serve as his NYSC certificate.

President Buhari on 2019 Presidential Election: Will You Vote For Him? | Legit TV

Source: Legit- Ahead of the legislative elections that are to take place in December 2018, in Guinea Bissau, President Buhari has sent an envoy to the country

- The delegation consisted of the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and president of the ECOWAS commission, Jean -Claude Kassi Brou

- Onyeama assured Guinea Bissau citizens of Buhari's commitment to ensure peaceful elections in the country

President Muhammadu Buhari, as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) authority of heads of state and government, has sent a special envoy to Guinea Bissau ahead of the countrys legislative elections.

The delegation was led by the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and president of the ECOWAS commission, Jean -Claude Kassi Brou.

The Onyeama-led mission met with the president of Guinea Bissau Jose Mario Vaz and political leaders with other stakeholders.

The minister at a separate meeting appealed to political leaders in the country to embrace peace and unity to ensure the successful conduct of legislative elections re-scheduled for December, 2018.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the elections initially slated for Sunday, November 18, were postponed until December due to technical reasons.

Onyeama reaffirmed President Buharis assurance that Nigeria remained committed to ensuring that Guinea Bissau had successful elections.

While assuring them of Nigerias continued support for political stability in Guinea Bissau, he urged the leaders to work in harmony for the success of the elections.

The minister urged the political leaders to cooperate and mobilise their members to participate in the elections. He stressed that ECOWAS remained committed to ensuring political stability in the country and that the people exercised their authority through ballots.

READ ALSO: Minimum wage: President Buhari has not endorsed N30,000 - Presidency

Onyeama urged the people of Guinea Bissau not to lose confidence in the process or be manipulated by anybody into believing that ECOWAS was somehow not as committed to the process.

He said: We are fully committed, President Muhammadu Buhari who is the president of the ECOWAS Authority of Head of States and Governments, is absolutely determined.

He is determined that the agreement in Lome earlier this year about the election taking place this year, the legislative election, is fully going to be maintained. We are happy that we are all on the same page with government, so the people of Guinea Bissau should not despair."

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Guinea-Bissau has been in the throes of a power struggle since August 2015, following the removal of Prime Minister Domingos Pereira by the countrys President Jose Vaz.

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Vaz replaced Pereira with 44-year old Embalo, a retired general who had served in previous administrations.

NAN also recalls that ECOWAS leaders at their just concluded 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, took note of the political misunderstanding in Guinea-Bissau.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the ECOWAS had 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, General 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.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better

The Next President of Nigeria. Who Will Win the 2019 Elections? | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng- President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with President Paul Biya on his inauguration

- The president commended his Cameroonian counterpart for sustaining the long history of good neighbourliness with Nigeria

- President Buhari wished him success and looks forward to enhanced relations between the governments and peoples of both countries

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with President Paul Biya on his inauguration on Tuesday, November 6, for another term of office following his victory in the October 7, presidential election.

The presidents congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, November 6.

The Nigerian leader commended his Cameroonian counterpart for sustaining the long history of good neighbourliness with Nigeria and cooperating in the current push against Boko Haram insurgents.

READ ALSO: Minimum Wage: President Buhari has not endorsed N30,000 - Presidency

According to President Buhari, as the Cameroonian leader begins a new tenure, he wishes him success and looks forward to enhanced relations between the governments and peoples of both countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cameroons President Paul Biya, who has been in power for almost 36 years, was sworn into office for seven more years on Tuesday, after a landslide victory in the Octobers election.

The 85-year-old, one of Africas longest-ruling leaders, won the October presidential poll for the seventh time.

During his inaugural speech, Biya acknowledged the frustrations of people in the English-speaking north-west and south-west regions, who felt marginalised in the otherwise French-speaking country.

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Legit.ng previously reported that the 85-year-old Cameroonian head of state, Paul Biya, 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.

Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit- A senatorial aspirant in Ondo state, Tunji Abayomi, has promised to dump the APC

- He said he won the election that produced Ajayi Boroffice, and was surprised that his name was removed from list sent to INEC

- Abayomi, who berated Oshiomhole-led working committee, said his next line of action would be revealed soon

The All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for Ondo North senatorial district, Tunji Abayomi, has threatened to leave the party following what he described as an act of injustice meted against him by the Oshiohmole-led working committee.

Sahara Reporters reports that Abayomi, who made this known while speaking with journalists in Akure, claimed that he won the October APC primary but was surprised by the submission of Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice's name to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

Legit.ng gathers that plans are on going for the Okeaagbe-born human rights activist to pitch his tent with Action Alliance (AA) albeit with the backing of the governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu.

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When asked about development that edged him out of the race, Abayomi said: "On October 6, 2018, I participated in my ward in the APC primary with other senatorial aspirants and came first and was declared winner by the party.

"It is therefore strange that my brother Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who did not win in the APC primary, will wrongly, improperly, unlawfully, unjustly and unconstitutionally be declared a candidate for the Ondo North senatorial zone by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

"I found it also disappointing that Senator Borofice would accept an unjust and unfair victory. With regard to the present issue, the constitution of APC forbids automatic ticket.

"A candidate, according to the constitution, means 'any person who has been nominated at primary or party election to contest at the general election'. You must first be nominated at a primary election under APC constitution to become a candidate.

READ ALSO: Minimum wage: President Buhari has not endorsed N30,000 - Presidency

"In section 20 of the APC constitution 'Nomination of candidates for Senate shall be through direct or indirect primary election to be conducted at the appropriate level'. No option is given to APC Chairman of NWC to force any direct primary on any state. It is not like a pool that can be fixed.

"The APC chairman and his National Working Committee (NWC) have become very notorious for false claims, wrong assumption of power and unconstitutionalism. They have become government of persons and not of the law. They have become an unregulated government over the members of the party."

Abayomi added that his next line of action would be revealed after due consultation with people of his constituency.

He revealed: "Oshiomhole and his NWC members have blocked my right to political participation as a winning candidate.

"In consequence, I will not relent in demanding immediate remedy that conform with the constitution of the constitution of Nigeria and that of APC.

"In the meantime, I have begun consultation with the party members in Ondo North senatorial zone to explore all remedies that are available and allowable, taking into consideration the interest of our people."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, the minority leader, and five other lawmakers defected to three different parties.

The clerk of the House, Paul Bankole, read the separate letters of defection by the lawmakers during the plenary session in Ibadan.

Nigeria Latest News: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Two suspects, Emmanuel Okemayin and Austine Anyia, have been arrested by FSARS men in Lagos for attempted kidnap

- Okemayin and Anyia, after being arrested by police officials, confessed that they tried to abduct their boss, Ijeoma Eze-Okafor because of her alleged wickedness

- They further revealed that they planned Ijeoma's kidnap over a period of ten days

The police command in Lagos has arrested two drivers, Emmanuel Okemayin and Austine Anyia, for attempting to kidnap their employer, Ijeoma Eze-Okafor, a businesswoman.

When interrogated by police officers, Okemayin and Anyia, who were employed by the victim and her husband, confessed that they committed the act because of the wickedness of their boss, adding that they planned the unsuccessful operation within a period of ten days.

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Vanguard reports that in the evening of Friday, October 19, the police received intelligence information that a gang of kidnappers had already finalised arrangements to abduct Ijeoma.

The suspects confessed that they committed the act because of the wickedness of their boss

Source: UGC

Moreover, before the police's reception of the information, directives were given to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) officers to infiltrate the camp of the would-be kidnappers and act along with them in a sting operation.

The suspects requested for arms, ammunition and a vehicle from FSARS men, while the suspects, on their path, sent the photographs of the target, details of her vehicle and other information to their new partners, unknown to them they were dealing with policemen.

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The suspects met their doom as they were nabbed just after they surfaced. Upon interrogation, Emmanuel Okemayin said their accomplice, Arowosola Adewale, collected N10,000 from them to enable him hire a native doctor that will protect them after the operation.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that three persons had been arrested by the police for allegedly being involved with the kidnap of the parish priest of St. Emmanuel Catholic Church, Aghalokpe, Okpe local government area of Delta state, Reverend Father Christopher Ogaga.

The men were arrested in Sapele on Friday, September 7, and moved to the police headquarters in Asaba, the state capital.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better

Nigeria News 2018 - John Mikel Obi's Father Was Kidnapped! | Legit TV

Source: Legit- The federal government has faulted the report of the United States Department of Agriculture that Nigeria has imported three million metric tonnes of rice

- Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP had quoted the USDA report, saying the country imported three million metric tonnes of rice this year

- The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, said the report was fake and that the former vice president goofed

The Nigerian federal government on Tuesday, November 6, debunked the report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) World Markets and Trade that Nigeria imported three million metric tonnes of rice in 2018, Vanguard reports.

Legit.ng gathered that the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said that the Atiku Campaign Organisation goofed by relying on what he described as a fake report from the US Department of Agriculture.

The report had said that the import figure is 400,000 metric tonnes higher than the quantity of the product that was imported in 2017, adding that Nigerias local rice production dropped from 2016 to 2018 compared to the situation in 2015.

READ ALSO: New minimum wage: Atiku commends FG for agreeing to pay N30,000

The report ran contrary to several claims by the Nigerian government that local rice production had increased while importation had dropped by up to 90 per cent.

The minister of information and culture briefing State House correspondents, said he had contacted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service, the minister of agriculture and rice millers on the authenticity of the report and that they all dismissed the report as untrue.

According to him, whereas 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice was exported to Nigeria in 2014, the figure declined to 644,000 in 2015 and went further downward to 25,000 in 2016.

He said: I am sure many of you read the report of United States Department of Agriculture World Markets and Trade Report that falsely claimed that Nigeria Nigeria imported three million metric tonnes of rice in 2018, which is 400,000 metric tonnes more than the quantity of the product imported in 2017.

And also that local production was on the decline and that these facts fly in the face of governments claim of what it achieved in the area of rice production.

I want to say categorical that that story is false. Predictably, the Atiku Media Organisation, this afternoon latched onto the story, we are not surprised. I want to say categorically that that story is fake and that Atiku Media Organisation also goofed.

Immediately that story broke out, I contacted Central Bank of Nigeria and Comptroller General of Customs, I had meetings with the Rice Producers Association and also with the Millers and they all confirmed that that story is not true.

For starters, you cant import rice without a Form M being approved. You cant import rice without Letter of Credit. So we challenge the US Department of Agriculture World Markets and Trade Report to provide evidence that Form M was opened to bring in 400,000 metric tonnes over and above that of last year and that Letter of Credit were open for these.

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Two, the records are very clear as to the importation of rice, you dont have to take my words but go to Thailand Rice Miller and the figures are there. In 2014, 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice was exported to Nigeria, in 2015, 644 metric tonnes of rice was exported to Nigeria, by 2015 it went down to 5,000 metric tonnes. These are not my figures, these are figures from the Thailand Rice Association.

And the claim that local rice production is on the decline is again absolutely false. Yesterday (Monday), when I spoke to the millers, all of them said, please just come to Kano, come to my factory you are going to see two kilometers length of trailers waiting to discharge paddy rice.

So I want to say category again without fear of contradiction that the Anchor Borrowers Rice Programme is working. Nigeria has been able to reduce by 90 percent the $1.65 billion it was paying on rice importation, the number of integrated rice processing Mills increased from 13 to 25, those are the majors and that between the smaller ones and the big ones, today the capacity is 4.9 metric tonnes of rice."

The minister expressed confidence that in a year, Nigeria is going to meet the six million metric tonnes of rice production which is the nation's local consumption.

When asked on how he factor the amount of rice being smuggled into the country into these two arguments, Mohammed said one cannot claim that smuggled rice is part of rice imported into the country.

"Yes, we do know we have a challenge with smuggled rice but we have taken steps to ensure that these menace is contained.

You remember that we set up tripartite community between the Republic Benin and Nigeria comprising of the two ministers of finance and agriculture and Comptroller General of Customs of both countries.

Two, we have been able to reach an agreement with the Benin Republic President to allow Nigeria Customs officials to be present at the Cotonou Port. And you know that only a week ago Mr. President jointly commissioned the border building within Benin Republic. These are all attempts made to contain smuggling.

Again to say local rice production has gone down is absolutely untrue. We have grown rice farmers from five million to 12 million, those facts are out there. We have created prosperity for rice farmers. We have about 32 or 34 states that produce rice, you can ask them.

So you see, this kind of information is not only misleading but it is capable of generating a lot of misunderstanding. So I say with all emphasis at my command that that story is part of the fake news we are fighting.

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I am not surprised that the Atiku Media Organisation latched unto this story and unfortunately they goofed because what they ought to have done, when I was in their position as an opposition was to check with Central Bank, with Customs, rice farmers association and the millers. And I have contacted all of them and what I am telling you is what I am telling you," he added.

Legit.ng previously reported that following criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari by Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, the social media aide to the president, Lauretta Onochie, listed 64 achievements of the president in the agricultural sector.

Recall that the federal government was charged by the organisation to list its visible achievements since the APC took the mantle of leadership in 2015.

Onochie took to her Facebook page on Thursday, October 11, to list the achievements, which include the initiation of Home Grown Feeding Programme by the president.

2019 Election: Is Atiku the right man to defeat President Buhari? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- The Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Adamu Onoze, said policy and political will to do what is necessary for the people are what drives a nation

- Onoze said that such patriotism by leaders and citizens of Rwanda was what made them excel and reckoned with globally after the 1994 genocide

- The ambassador said for development to be sustained, citizens must have a sense of ownership and belonging, towards government policies and projects

Political will and determination to succeed on the part of leaders and the citizens of a country brings about sustainable development and Nigerians must imbibe it, Ambassador Adamu Onoze has said.

Onoze, the Nigerian high commissioner to Rwanda, made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, November 7, in Kigali, Rwanda.

He said that such patriotism by leaders and citizens of Rwanda was what made them excel and reckoned with globally after the 1994 genocide.

READ ALSO: Again, El-Zakzaky denied bail

Policy and political will to do what is necessary for the people are what drives a nation and the citizens must also respect the policy.

There is zero tolerance to corruption in Rwanda, anybody caught is dealt with irrespective of his or her position, Onoze said.

The ambassador called on Nigerian leaders and its citizens to be patriotic, adding that the citizens should develop a mindset that accepts the country as their own. He said for development to be sustained, citizens must have a sense of ownership and belonging, towards government policies and projects.

According to him, Nigerian citizens have a responsibility to move the country forward by stopping their nonchalant attitude towards policies.

He told NAN that forgiveness was also a major contributor to the peace, security and economic development in Rwanda after the genocide.

There is a policy here in Rwanda, whether you know the person that killed your parents or not you have no right to take the law into your hands.

Justice must pass through processes and the government had said they should forget what happened in the past and forge ahead. All the citizens are doing that, they even marry from the so-called perceived enemies family to promote peace.

Onoze said the system of governance in Rwanda was more of a socialism and it was tailored after Singapore and China.

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He said there were few Nigerians in Rwandan jail presently and the commission usually intervened to ensure that they were released, particularly those who are ill.

The envoy said the dominant crime in Rwanda was the issue of fake currency but Nigerians in Rwanda were mostly professionals, who are not more than 500 persons.

NAN gathered that Rwanda is one of the most secured and neatest country in Africa. It is also known as The Land of a Thousand Hills because of its topography.

Legit.ng previously reported that the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, arrived in Abuja.

The British high commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, announced in Abuja on Sunday, November 4, that Prince Charles would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

President Buhari on 2019 Presidential Election: Will You Vote For Him? | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng- Southwest governors are reportedly divided over plans to remove Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress

- Governors who are not in support of the move included: Akinwunmi Ambode; Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola; and Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi

- Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu are, however, said to be in support of removing Oshiomhole

The bid to remove national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshimohole has suffered a setback as reports indicated that the six southwest governors are divided over his removal.

Some of the governors who wanted the national chairman out of the party's leadership are said to be dissatisfied with the conduct of the party's primary elections in their states.

READ ALSO: Atiku commends FG for agreeing to pay N30,000 as presidency denies endorsing wage

Punch said the governors against Oshiomholes removal are the ones in the camp of the partys national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. They were named as: Akinwunmi Ambode; Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola; and Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

While the news-outlet named Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu as governors against Oshiomhole.

The report added that the Ogun and ondo state governors are however wooing Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state to their side.

But a source close to Fayemi was reported to have said the former minister did not have issues with the Oshiomole-led national working committee.

You are aware that there were moves to change from indirect to direct primary when hoodlums hijacked the first process of the APC governorship primary where Fayemi was leading.

Perhaps, this would have been successfully done if Oshiomhole were to be in office. We know those behind the plot then. The same set of people may have been the ones working against the interest of both Amosun and Akeredolu.

Dont forget that Amosun and Akeredolu also played major roles in the campaigns and election of Fayemi. While there were those who merely sang songs at the partys mega rally where the President was present, these two men campaigned vigorously for the APC and Fayemi. Therefore, the governor might as well consider it immoral to abandon them when they are facing issues in their states, the source was quoted to have said.

Also, quoting a presidency source, the news outlet reported that it was clear that the issue had divided the governors.

We all know the position of Governor Amosun and Governor Akeredolu as far as the crisis and the fate of the national chairman is concerned.

Despite their calls for the removal of the party chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has made his position clear that Oshiomhole goes nowhere. With Tinubus position, you will expect naturally that Ambode and Aregbesola wont join Amosun and Akeredolu in this journey. You also expect Ajimobi not to join the fray."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Mumakai Unagha, urged the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to caution national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, about his leadership style.

Unagha who made this known in a statement the APC might crumble if Oshiomhole is not removed as national chairman of the party.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better

'Nigeria Needs a Leader That is Not Bigger Than the Country' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV:

Source: LegitIt is common news that Nigeria records high mortality rate almost every year but the disappointing than sad about this issue is the fact that almost more than half of these deaths are preventable.

A promising youth corp member with dreams of achieving his goals, had his life cut short as he recently passed away after a brief battle with malaria.

According to the post shared on an NYSC forum on Facebook, the young man identified as Alswell Daniel was serving in Kwara state and was due to round up his service year in December.

Not so much was shared about his death other than the killer disease, therefore, it is unclear as to whether he was receiving medical treatment prior to his tragic passing.

READ ALSO: Sad! See photos of 23-year-old lady who died from malaria

Alswell Daniel Source: Facebook/NYSC BA & B Corpers Forum

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com)

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

Reacting to the news, many people were of the opinion that the government be blamed for this as corp members are constantly getting posted to remote areas that lack basic amenities such as decent healthcare centers.

This sad news is coming a year after Legit.ng reported the tragic passing of yet another young soul.

23-year old Sochima Sandra Iloka, a student of University of Nigeria (Unizik) was said to have passed away after a brief illness, malaria.

According to reports, Nigeria has one of the highest malaria casualties in the world with 100 million malaria cases and about 300,000 deaths.

So sad!

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Get the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid

'My daughter's husband used her for money rituals' - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng- Senate has raised concern over an alleged politicisation of the FG's social intervention funds

- The motion calling the Senate's attention to the development was raised by Senator Olujimi

- The Senate also used the chance to berate FG's non-nonchalant attitude on the on-going ASUU strike

The Senate plenary was thrown into rowdiness when the minority leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, allegedly questioned why the form of social intervention funds of the federal government would bear on it 'I stand with Buhari,' and why would the federal government demand the Permanent Voter Card number and account details from the beneficiaries.

In a series of tweets by the official Twitter handle of the Nigerian Senate, @NGRSenate, Senator Biodun Olujimi was reported citing Orders 42 & 52 while bringing the Red Chamber's attention to the politicization of the federal government's Social Intervention Fund (SIF).

He said: The funds have been used for political reasons. I have one such forms where your BVN number, PVC number, gender and account details must be written. I urge that an Ad-hoc committee be set up to look into this issue.

See tweets below:

Legit.ng gathers that the Senate, following the observation raised by the senator, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter.

According the resolution, the ad-hoc committee would also investigate the implementation of SURE-P programme.

READ ALSO: Good news: FG to improve remuneration for teachers, other workers

Meanwhile, Orders 42 & 52 were raised by Senator Barau Jibrin, calling the Senate's attention to the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central urged the government to rise up to its responsibility and ensure that the lingering demand of ASUU are responded to.

He said: Nigeria has been dealing with strike with strike. The issues raised by ASUU are genuine. It is to the best interest of education in Nigeria. I demand and call on the federal government to concede to the demands of ASUU."

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According to Senator Mao Ohuabunwa: It is important that the government lives up to its responsibilities. We intervened in the last ASUU strike and promised that their conditions would be looked into but the agreement has not been kept.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Senate finally approved the sum of N234.51 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of 2019 general elections.

The approved amount is about N7.9 billion less than the N242.45 billion requested by President Buhari.

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PC is the worst party in Nigeria, i regret being a member - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Patrons of a deceased individual, Dennis Hof, have voted massively for him, giving him 53% of the total votes cast for a state Assembly seat in US midterm elections

- Before his demise, the deceased had reportedly attempted to mould his political image on that of President Donald Trump

- Procedures are however in place to ensure that local county commissioners may appoint another Republican to fill Hofs seat when his posthumous victory is confirmed

A deceased individual, Dennis Hof, who operated a brothel in Nevada, has emerged victorious in the US midterm elections conducted on Tuesday, November 6, as his patrons voted massively for him, giving him 53% of the total votes cast.

Under Nevada law, Hofs name wasnt scratched off the ballot, even though he died in mid-October, Huffington Post reports.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram terrorists allegedly launch attack on Yobe town

Legit.ng gathers that Hof, a Republican, won a seat in Nevadas state Assembly, with 53% of the votes in his Clark County; defeating Lesia Romanov , a Democrat school administrator and political newcomer, who only managed to amass 47 percent of the votes.

Dennis Hof defeated his democratic rival by amassing 53 percent of the votes cast in Clark County, Nevada (Photo credit: Reno Gazette-Journal)

Source: Depositphotos

Before his demise, the deceased had reportedly attempted to mould his political image on that of President Donald Trump, often referring to himself as Trump from Pahrump after his hometown in Nevada.

He was, however, not destined to see his political victory after winning his partys primary election; as he was found dead at one of his legal brothels, Love Ranch, after his 72nd birthday party.

In accordance with Nevadas legislation, however, Hofs name remained on the ballot, as the deadline for changing the roster had passed.

It has been learnt that there are procedures in place to ensure that local county commissioners may appoint another Republican to fill his seat, when the posthumous victory is confirmed.

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Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that in what appeared to be a blow to President Donald Trump of the United States, democrats in that country took control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections, for the first time in eight years.

Their success will afford them the opportunity to thwart President Trump's agenda and launch investigations into his administration and business affairs; from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!

Street Gist: Will Nigeria be a better place with Trump as president? - on Legit TV:

Source: Legit.ng"WORLD CONFLICT IS OVER; GERMANY SIGNS ARMISTICE," The Bethlehem Globe declared on Nov. 7, 1918 -- 100 years ago today. The headline spurred celebrations across the city as residents cheered the end of World War I.

But the conflict was not over. Germany had not signed the armistice. It wouldn't until Nov. 11.

Bethlehem was celebrating four days too early.

COMING SUNDAY: The story of how the Lehigh Valley celebrated the end of World War I a century ago, as told through archived newspaper reports and headlines.

How did the Globe get it wrong?

The answer appears farther down the Nov. 7 front page. There, another headline brags: "'Globe' through United Press scores beat."

Newspapers then, like today, subscribed to news services like the United Press and Associated Press for news from overseas. The Globe, unlike other local papers, subscribed to both services.

So when the United Press sent a dispatch at 1 p.m. that day declaring the war's end, the Globe believed the report credible. The paper posted flyers outside its office at Fourth Street and Brodhead Avenue, and called industrial plants, churches, schools, the fire department -- any place, it said, "where some sort of heaven-rendering noise could be made."

A patriotic meeting from 1918, around the end of World War I, is seen at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp.'s Lehigh Plant.

The same day that the Globe's front page declared the war over, the headline atop its crosstown rival The Bethlehem Times described continued fighting in Europe. The Times subscribed to the Associated Press and had not received the erroneous report. Instead, in the center of its front page was an AP bulletin headlined: "Armistice terms not signed as reported."

The AP's announcement had come at 2:15 p.m., a little over an hour after the United Press dispatch. A note from the AP that the armistice had not been signed was included in the Globe's story, but buried far down after the jump to page 11.

"This was the truth, the rock-bottom truth," the Times said in a Nov. 8 editorial lambasting its rival, "but the Globe ... preferred to place it where it would not conflict with the false report so elaborately emphasized on its first page."

The Globe, meanwhile, justified its reliance on the United Press and said (via another United Press report) that the initial dispatch was approved by U.S. Navy Admiral Henry B. Wilson. A follow-up dispatch that day saying that the news was not confirmed was "held up by the censors," the report said.

The Globe on Nov. 9 also fired back at the Times' editorial with front-page commentary. "The Times evidently does not know the difference between a hoax, false news and misinformation," the Globe wrote under the defiant headline "Times writhes and froths at editorial mouth."

(The Globe and Times later merged to form the Bethlehem Globe-Times, which in turn joined the Easton Express to become The Express-Times and, eventually, lehighvalleylive.com.)

Within a few days, the war really did come to an end.

"While Thursday's premature celebration was a memorable one," the Times wrote Nov. 11, 1918, "it was tame compared to this morning's uproarious joy making."

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.A woman struck and killed while on her way to vote Tuesday at a Forks Township polling place was identified Tuesday by the Lehigh County Coroner.

Marlene Raub, 83, died after she was struck by a minivan at 10:46 a.m. while walking in the parking lot outside the Forks Township Community Center at 500 Zucksville Road, according to a news release from Lehigh County First Deputy Coroner Eric Minnich.

Police said she was on her way to the polls in the community center when she was hit by a yet-to-be-identified 78-year-old man.

Raub and her husband, Carl, moved in to the Lockwood Congress modular home development 19 years ago, shortly before her neighbor, Margaret McGaughey, moved in.

"She was a sweetheart," McGaughey said.

Minnich handled the case because Raub was transported after the incident to St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County. She was pronounced dead at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday, Minnich reports.

Minnich determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The manner of death was an accident.

People inside the community center said they heard the crash, ran outside and saw the woman on her back, unconscious. Witnesses said someone got a defibrillator and attempted CPR before an ambulance quickly arrived.

The driver remained at the scene during the investigation and cooperated with investigators, police said.

Raub's husband died in 2011, according to his obituary. Most of the couple's children live out of the area, although her daughter lives in Bethlehem Township, the obituary says.

McGaughey called her neighbor "very caring, very knowledgeable, willing to do just about anything for anybody."

The incident is under investigation by the Forks Township Police Department and the Lehigh County coroner's office.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.Here are the unofficial results of key Pennsylvania elections held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, including the race for governor, the battle for a U.S. Senate seat and several state legislative seats.

Nationwide, the Democrats need to win 23 Republican-held seats to take control of the House of Representatives. The House has a total of 435 seats, all of which are being contested in this election.

Of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 35 are being contested today. In order for the Democrats to take control of the Senate, they have to win all of their current seats and grab two seats that are currently held by Republicans.

The results below, compiled by the Associated Press, will be updated throughout the night, so please check back later or refresh the page to see the latest tallies.

Note: In the charts below, (i) denotes incumbents. Click "COUNTY RESULTS" to see the vote breakdown in different counties.

Mobile users: Click here to view results in an optimal display

GOVERNOR RESULTS

U.S. SENATE RESULTS

U.S. HOUSE RESULTS

PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATE RESULTS

PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE RESULTS

MORE ELECTION COVERAGE

The Associated Press contributed to this report.A Monroe County couple admitted Tuesday to calling in seven bomb threats to the county courthouse in Stroudsburg, authorities announced.

Jesus Castrodad, 49, and his girlfriend, 32-year-old Colleen Kasdaglis, both of Scotrun, made the threats by calling 911 and claiming there were bombs in the courthouse and surrounding buildings, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

"Each bomb threat caused the courthouse and neighboring facilities to be evacuated, interrupted daily court and county business and cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity and emergency response costs," Chief County Detective Eric Kerchner says in the release.

The couple were arrested Tuesday after two detectives from the Stroud Area Regional Police Department were in the area of Tobyhanna State Park, where several of the recent bomb threats originated. Detectives Steven Hettel and Daniel Munch were looking for video surveillance cameras that might aid in the investigation, according to court records.

"While in the park, at 8:49 a.m., the detectives were notified that yet another bomb threat had been received and the call had been placed from the beach in the park," Kerchner wrote.

The detectives put out an alert to other law enforcement in the area about a white minivan they'd seen exit the beach parking lot and head south on Route 423.

Pennsylvania State Police stopped the van shortly after 9 a.m. on Route 940 in Mount Pocono, and found Castrodad and Kasdaglis inside, according to the release.

The Stroud Area Regional detectives confirmed that was the van they'd seen, Kerchner said.

"Castrodad and Kasdaglis eventually admitted to being responsible for the bomb threats on July 9, Sept. 10, Oct. 1, Oct. 2, Nov. 2, Nov. 5 and Nov. 6," the release states.

Authorities were continuing to investigate two additional bomb threats from earlier this year, called in May 7 and June 11.

Castrodad and Kasdaglis are charged with threats to use weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threats, false alarms to public safety and related counts. Both were arraigned before District Judge Kristina Anzini in Stroudsburg and sent to the county prison in lieu of $1 million bail each.

Each faces a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19 before Anzini.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has won a second term as Pennsylvania's governor Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Scott Wagner.

MSNBC, ABC News and CNN projected Wolf as the winner of the governor's race just moments after polls closed.

Wagner, the head of a York County waste management firm, trailed the Democratic governor in fundraising and in polls throughout the campaign. Wolf raised nearly $30 million for his re-election effort, doubling Wagner's campaign war chest.

Wagner ran as an anti-tax candidate who touted his experience running a successful business and cast himself as the man who could fix Harrisburg. Wolf pointed to historic investing in schools and the state's strong economic performance as arguments for his re-election.

With the victory, Pennsylvania gets a new lieutenant governor in John Fetterman, the mayor of Braddock. Fetterman won a crowded Democratic primary in the spring to appear as Wolf's running mate, knocking out Mike Stack, the sitting lieutenant governor.

A York County resident, Wolf was elected in 2014, defeating then-Gov. Tom Corbett. He became the first candidate to unseat a sitting governor in decades.

This will be the last time Wolf will be running for governor. In Pennsylvania, governors are limited to two terms.Pennsylvania's Department of State listed a temporary building evacuation at a Lehigh County polling place as one of the few election problems statewide Tuesday.

The polling place in Whitehall Township stayed open a half-hour longer than scheduled, closing at 8:30 p.m., due to the evacuation, Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres said in a news release Tuesday night.

The release lacked any further details on the evacuation, and a call for information to township police was not immediately returned.

Torres' report does not include the death of a voter outside the polls at the Forks Township Community Center, 500 Zucksville Road. Marlene Raub, 83, died after she was hit by a minivan driven by a 78-year-old man about 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the center, as voting continued inside.

Statewide, poll watchers saw no widespread problems at polling places, according to the Department of State.

"The election was carried out statewide with little incident," Torres said in a statement. "Thanks to our well-trained poll workers and well-informed voters, most areas of the state saw only isolated issues."

In addition to the Lehigh County evacuation, the other problems at polling places identified by the department were:

In Allegheny County, 14 polling places reported weather-related power outages. All but one of these polling places restored power quickly using a battery backup. In the remaining location, a generator was used to restore power.

In Chester County, a ballot was incorrectly configured in a Phoenixville precinct. About 93 voters were affected.

Christopher Queen is seen in a booking photo Nov. 6, 2018. The 48-year-old was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot workers at a western Pennsylvania polling place after being told he wasn't registered to vote. He is charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. (Police via AP | For lehighvalleylive.com)

In Washington County, a man was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot poll workers.

In Bedford County, a polling place ran out of printed ballots. Poll workers photocopied blank ballots for voters to use.

According to Tuesday night's release:

"There were reports of voting machines malfunctioning in a few counties. The affected machines were fixed in a timely manner or removed from service.

"Based on conversations with county election officials and anecdotal evidence, turnout appears to have been high for a midterm election, closer to the numbers generally seen during presidential election years, Secretary Torres noted. The Department of State will not have an unofficial estimate of turnout for a few days.

"By the time polls closed at 8 p.m., Department of State staff and volunteers from other state agencies had answered almost 3,600 calls received via the Commonwealth's voter help line (1-877-VOTESPA). Most callers asked if they were registered or for help in locating their polling place.

"The Pennsylvania Inter-Agency Election Preparedness and Security Workgroup and other security partners monitored for issues before and during the polling.

"Torres pointed out that Pennsylvania's election involved 9,160 polling places. He thanked the tens of thousands of Pennsylvania poll workers who assisted with the election."

"Poll workers play a vital role in our democracy," Torres stated. "They interact directly with voters as they administer fair and reliable elections. Poll workers work long hours and have a strong sense of civic responsibility."

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Bob Casey,Lou Barletta

In this 2018 combination of photos Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Bob Casey D-Pa., left, and Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., are shown in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey won a third term on Tuesday, defeating a major ally of President Trump, both Fox News and CBS news predicted shortly after polls closed.

He apparently has defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, the one-time Hazleton mayor who became nationally known for his hard stance against illegal immigrants and who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The news outlets made the call based on exit polls. Incoming ballots results also showed Casey with a big early lead.

Casey, 58, a Scranton native and son of a former Pennsylvania governor, is known as a moderate Democrat. He considers himself pro-life, although he has positioned himself as being against both unnecessary abortions and unwanted pregnancies. His position has enabled him to get high grades from pro-choice advocates.

He has been a solid opponent of Trump, voting against the Republican tax cut, opposing Trump Supreme Court picks Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh and favoring opening Medicare to younger people.

Barletta, 62, a member of the U.S. House since 2011, was one of the first members of Congress to support Donald Trump. Trump endorsed him in race against Casey.

As mayor of Hazleton beginning in 2000, he wrote ordinances designed to combat illegal immigrants which were eventually blocked by federal courts. Still, he became nationally known for his stance against illegal immigrants.

Barletta has been a major supporter of the Trump agenda, voting in favor of things including the tax cut signed by Trump, Trump's rollbacks of carbon pollution regulations and voting multiple time to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

A F&M College poll near the end of the campaign showed Casey with a 15 point lead, and he had registered double-digit leads in various polls for months.

A loss to Casey would mean Barletta will soon be leaving Congress; he chose not to run for a fifth term.Bloodied by ethics woes and months of attack ads, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez defeated Republican Bob Hugin Tuesday after one of the nastiest political races New Jersey has ever seen.

The race was called by the Associated Press, ABC News and NBC News less than an hour before the polls closed at 8 p.m.

With his victory, Menendez will return to Washington for a third term in the Senate.

While Hugin sought to make the race a referendum on Menendez, the senator instead succeeded in tying the challenger to fellow Republican Donald Trump, who polls said was very unpopular in New Jersey.

Despite his best efforts, Hugin could not separate himself the president, especially after contributing $200,000 to help get Trump elected and hundreds of thousands of dollars more to Republican committees that supported the president's agenda.

Hugin, a wealthy former Celgene Corp. executive, helped drive down Menendez's approval ratings and made the Senate contest much closer than expected by spending $36 million of his own money on the race.

That made him the fifth most prolific self-funding New Jersey candidate ever. But it was not enough to end the Republicans' 46-year losing streak in New Jersey Senate contests.

The senator had to travel a rocky road to re-election after a 14-count indictment ended in a hung jury and the Senate Ethics Committee rebuked him. Voters repeatedly rated him unfavorably.

The race featured attack ad after attack ad, charge after countercharge. It surpassed the legendary 1996 mud fight between then-Reps. Robert Torricelli and Dick Zimmer to succeed retiring U.S. Sen Bill Bradley.

It wasn't unusual for words like "slimeball," "embarrassing" and "greedy" to be thrown around on a daily basis by the candidates, who wouldn't even shake hands following their only debate.

Carl Golden, who served as press secretary for two New Jersey governors, said that between Hugin and Menendez, there was "more mud and dirt being thrown around than you could excavate for the Gateway Tunnel."

Thanks to his personal fortune, Hugin outspent Menendez by better than 2 to 1, most of it on attack ads. They took their toll; Menendez led by single digits in most public polls.

National Democrats were so worried that they pumped more than $8 million into a race that shouldn't have been competitive but for the senator's ethical transgressions. Local Democrats, led by Gov. Phil Murphy, fellow New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, and other political leaders, crisscrossed the state to get recalcitrant party members to vote for Menendez despite their misgivings.

Menendez's ethical problems stemmed from his friendship with a West Palm Beach, Florida, ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen. He gave Menendez gifts, trips and campaign donations, and when he had a problem with federal authorities, he asked the senator for help.

Federal prosecutors claimed Menendez's efforts were a payback for Melgen's largesse; the senator argued that the issues he raised were of national interest. Their first effort to convict Menendez ended in a hung jury, and after a federal judge acquitted Menendez of some counts, they dismissed the rest.

The ethics committee then "severely admonished" Menendez for his actions.

Hugin called Menendez "embarrassing," said he was "offended" by the senator's actions, and spent most of his campaign treasury on attack ads.

His more recent commercials, though, resurrected unproven allegations that Menendez slept with underage prostitutes while in the Dominican Republican with Melgen. The anonymous tipster who first made the charges never came forward with any evidence and the FBI never could confirm the allegations.

Menendez responded by calling Hugin "the slimiest of slimeballs."

Hugin had his own ethical issues, however. During his tenure, Celgene paid $280 million to settle charges that it submitted false claims to Medicare and 28 state health care programs, and that it touted two cancer drugs Revlimid and Thalomid for treatments that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The company spent a record amount of money to block legislation that would have made it easier for generic companies to produce a lower-cost alternative to its profitable Revlimid cancer drug, and with its continued monopoly assured, raised its price three times last year, totaling around 20 percent, according to SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

Hugin also fought efforts to admit women to Princeton University's famed eating clubs, an issue Menendez highlighted throughout the campaign.

Menendez also hammered Hugin on Trump, claiming he would be a rubber stamp for the president's unpopular agenda, which included capping the federal deduction for state and local taxes and repealing the Affordable Care Act.

"He will be another vote for Donald Trump," Menendez said during the one Senate debate. "I will stand up to Donald Trump."

And Trump didn't help Hugin's case when he tweeted out an endorsement just hours before the polls closed: "Bob Hugin, successful all of his life, would be a Great Senator from New Jersey. He has my complete and total Endorsement! Get out and Vote for Bob."

Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, suggested that Trump weighed Hugin down.

"It's very difficult in a blue state, where you have a president who may be right on the policy but is wrong on the personality," Bramnick said Tuesday night.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.A 72-year-old woman was in serious condition after her car crashed into a stopped tractor trailer on the side of Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey State Police said.

The crash was reported at 1:40 p.m. Monday, on I-78 East at mile marker 8.2 in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County.

Video taken from the dashboard camera of a passing car on I-78, provided to lehighvalleylive.com, recorded events before, during and after the crash.

The red car can be seen traveling in the merge lane from the rest area, and swerves slightly before crashing into the back of a tractor trailer stopped on the shoulder.

The car driver was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, and was last listed in serious condition, said state police Sgt. Lawrence Peele. No one else was injured.

Peele said the crash is still under investigation.

One person was injured in a crash the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2018, on I-78 East in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County. (Dave Dabour | lehighvalleylive.com contributor)

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Storm Emma, the Beast from the East and other freezing snowy weather led to Laois County Council using thousands of tonnes of extra salt for roads last winter.

Laois County Council figures reveal that the amount needed in 2017/18 was double the amount used during to the previous winter. It was some seven times the total tonnage the council starts the gritting season with.

Kieran Kehoe, Laois County Council Director of Services, outlined the figures.

"The winter maintenance season runs from mid-October up until the end of April and in the 2017/2018 season, Laois County Council carried out over 100 treatments compared with less than half this number over the previous winter.

"In the 2017/2018 season, Laois County Council used 4,380 tonnes of salt compared with circa 2,000 tonnes the previous winter season," he said.

Mr Kehoe said a full salt stock is available for use on roads ahead of the 2018/2019 winter maintenance season, with 600 tonnes of dry salt supplies currently in stock.

He said that, as in previous years, this would be used for the treatment of priority 1 & 2 routes in accordance with the 2018/2019 Winter Maintenance Plan.

Mr Kehoe said salt storage quantities are monitored on a weekly basis and stocks can normally be replenished in less than 48 hours.

The council revealed the demands on its resources after the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross announced that he has secured additional funding for salt stocks as part of his Departments preparation for winter 2018-19.

Minister Ross was speaking the launch of the Partnership Governments 2018-19 be Winter Ready campaign at the National Emergency Coordination Centre in Dublin today.

As Minister for Transport, I am very concerned about safety on our roads, especially in hazardous conditions. Studies show that the use of road salt reduces collisions by up to 85% during a winter event.

"Last years salt reserves were seriously depleted by Storm Emma. Therefore this year I have secured an additional 700,000 in funding for salt supplies in preparation for severe weather events," he said.

He also warned that speeding, particularly in wintry conditions, can be treacherous.Supermac's supremo Pat McDonagh believes the bubble will burst in Dublin in the coming years leaving business opportunities wide open in the Midlands, especially Portlaoise.

The Galway native is the founder of Supermac's, he owns the Papa John's franchise and the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise.

He has developed The Barack Obama Plaza off the M7 at Moneygall, Tipperary Town Plaza, Mallow N20 Plaza and Junction 16 Kiltullagh Plaza.

Next on his agenda is a Portlaoise plaza service station which has just been granted planning approval at Junction 17 off the M7 motorway at Tougher, Portlaoise.

Mr McDonagh spoke to the Leinster Express about how he believes Portlaoise is the ideal location particularly due to how expensive Dublin is becoming for people and businesses.

It is the first step in the beginning of the enterprise park and it is the beginning of a new era for Portlaoise. There is a lot of interest from different business going into Portlaoise from warehouses, it is ideal for logistics. The location is good and should secure Portlaoise as a regional centre of economic development.

As Dublin expands and gets too expensive people look elsewhere and Portlaoise is very well located.

There has been too much pushed into Dublin in the last few years it is time for the Midlands to get some back.

The land is ideally located on the motorway so looking at the possibilities that arise from that there is plenty of room for industry and growth, it is connected by rail and road, he said.

Mr McDonagh thinks this is an exciting time for Portlaoise with Glanbia's announcement to open a factory and he believes logistic companies would be well placed investing in Portlaoise too.

Theres an opportunity for economic development in a national enterprise park focused on heavy and light industry, distributing and logistics which is a major boost for the economy in Portlaoise and in general.

I get a call from time to time from people looking for advice about Portlaoise as a location for business. I envisage Portlaoise will grow by 25 percent over the next ten years, he said.

He is investing in excess of 10 million in this new development at Tougher in Portlaoise and said he will have a focus on promoting local tourism to get people to stay in the area or come back.

It will be up to us to advertise tourist attractions in the area, to get them [customers] in and to look a bit further or that they might visit again.

In Moneygall, the service station enhanced the area. I think it will enhance Portlaoise at least people on the motorway will stop, he said.

Mr McDonagh said he is not phased by the proximity to other service stations in the area including one that has just been given planning permission at Midway on the same junction.

There is plenty of business for both, Portlaoise is the hub of the Midlands, it is getting motorway traffic from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, he said.

There are no facilities for lorries overnight at the moment, he added.

Mr McDonagh hopes to provide services for those working in the area including overnight parking space areas for lorries. He added that any issues raised by Transport Infrastructure Ireland have been dealt with.

He said there is a four week period now for comments on the plans but he expects work to commence on the site in around six months time.

The investment could create up to 200 jobs, including up to 140 full and part-time jobs in shops and restaurants on site and 60-80 construction jobs on the ground as the facility is built.

The state body responsible for policing the construction of motorways and roads raised concerns in relation to the plans for the huge service station at J17 Tougher, Portlaoise.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) outlined a number of concerns over traffic levels, safety and concerns that money that has been invested by the state in roads like the M7 will be put at risk.

TII said it was concerned with how the operation and safety of the national road network that would be affected.

Mr McDonagh claimed that any issues raised by Transport Infrastructure Ireland have been dealt with.

In granting permission for the new motorway service station at Togher, Laois County Council has imposed 20 conditions on the grant of permission, with the developer to pay to the council a development contribution of 27,791.60.

Among the conditions are that surface water drainage is to be installed on the site, as well as safety barriers.

Two street lights with fitted flashing beacon are to be installed on either side of the road at the controlled pedestrian crossing and bollards will be built to prevent trucks parking along the road.

A road safety audit is to be completed and an archaeological appraisal to be carried out of the site.

The developer must implement a waste management plan and mitigate against environmental nuisance such as noise and dust which may arise during construction.

Adequate car parking facilities are to be provided and no parking shall be allowed on the entrance or exit carriageways or the adjoining public thoroughfare.AFTER 20 years of dedicated service, Focus Ireland will mark its anniversary with a Thanksgiving Choral Concert at St Marys Cathedral.

The event will be hosted by Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee and SPIN South Wests Meghann Scully, with popular Soprano Sinead OBrien performing as well as the Unity Gospel Choir, Cantette Childrens Choir and more.

There is something for everyone's musical tastes on the night, with favourites from ABBA to Phantom of the Opera, The Greatest Showman to Sister Act, not to mention some beautiful classical pieces too. Refreshments will be served at the interval and a prize draw with some superb donations from local businesses will close the evening

Ms Holman Lee said: It breaks my heart to see that the number of homeless children has continued to rise. To be given an opportunity to raise awareness and much-needed funds so we can challenge this crisis is something that I feel very passionate about.

As I am a mother and grandmother, my family means more to me than anything else in the world. We have to protect all families and ensure that all children in this country feel safe and secure.

By taking part in the concert, performers and supporters will help Focus Ireland to provide continued support to Limerick families at risk of homelessness, and help those already directly impacted.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ger Spillane, South and Mid-West Area Services Manager of Focus Ireland said: On a daily basis our frontline staff here in Limerick City and County are working with people who have become homeless from the rental sector as rents have been hiked up and they can't afford them.

The housing and homeless crisis is impacting many people, with 3,693 children now homeless across the country. The number of families homeless in Limerick alone has risen to 81, with 170 children currently homeless, a 256% increase on 2016 figures. We in Focus Ireland rely heavily on public support to fund our work and events like this help our frontline services support even more people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. A total of 89c of every euro received goes to frontline Focus Ireland services.

Cllr James Collins, Mayor of Limerick City and County added, "Novembers choral concert will raise vital funds for Focus Ireland services in Limerick city, county and beyond at a time of significant demand for homeless and housing services. There are now almost 10,000 people homeless across Ireland. The concert features a wealth of Limerick talent. Please come out and support this worthy cause."

The concert takes place on November 22 at 7.30pm, tickets cost 10 and are available from St Marys Cathedral and Eventbrite.ie.A YOUNG mother expressed disgust over an unprovoked assault in which she kicked a jogger in the head on the ground, Limerick District Court has heard.

Kayleigh Taylor, 22, of Charlottes Quay, appeared before Judge Marian OLeary on October 31, charged with assault under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Insp Helen Costelloe told the judge that a woman suffered bruises and scratches in an unprovoked attack while jogging on Thomond Bridge on the evening of July 19, 2017.

The court heard that Ms Taylor, who has three previous convictions, was quite intoxicated on the night. A medical report and victim impact statement, which was not read in court, was handed to the judge.

The court heard the injured party was jogging past the defendant when she saw the defendant make a motion and thought she was looking for a lighter before being set upon. Solicitor John Herbert said his client has been on antidepressants and mood stabilisers since she was 13 and is the mother of a young daughter.

He told the court that she began to drink after stopping her medication, and that she was in possession of a naggin of vodka at the time of the incident. Mr Herbert said that Ms Taylor expressed her disgust and sorrow to the gardai after viewing CCTV footage of the incident.

He said that she hasnt touched alcohol since. Judge OLeary said: Could it have been more serious? Kicking somebody in the head on the ground? I dont think I have ever seen a more generous impact statement.

The judge ordered a pre-sanctioned probation report and a garda progress report, adjourning the matter to January 16, 2019.MINISTER for Health Simon Harris said the new 12m Milford Care Centre development will help improve the experience for patients and their families.

This Monday morning, Minister Harris unveiled the new development, comprising 34 single bed rooms, four overnight rooms for families, and 22 additional beds in the nursing home.

Minister for Health Simon Harris arrives at Milford Care Centre for the unveiling of the new inpatient palliative care facility in Limerick @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/tU4Arm3uQ8 November 5, 2018

He said the new facility, which received 1.5m in HSE funding, will better meet the needs of the changing model of palliative care.

As more of us live longer, we need more palliative care services and we are meeting this demand, with expansion of bed capacity and introduction of single occupancy rooms where peoples needs are looked after, and their dignity is respected. These are important aspects of palliative care, placing patients at the centre, and I am confident that the new hospice will result in an even better experience for patients and their families.

Milford Care Centre CEO Pat Quinlan said the new development was the culmination of decades of dedication in providing palliative treatment since 1977.

The driver for this new development is our objective of ensuring respect and dignity at all times for each individual patient and that we have extra bed capacity to meet growing demand. The move to an all single-room configuration in both the expanded hospice and nursing home will ensure that we can achieve this aim going forward. We are also pleased to have the additional overnight accommodation for families in the hospice as palliative care is about caring for the patient but also supporting the family.

He said that bed occupancy has increased from 83% in 2017 to 89% in 2018, levels that have warranted us seeking additional funding to commission four beds in 2019.

This is something that we hope will be given favourable consideration by the HSE for 2019 as such a development would make a major difference in our ongoing capacity to be able to meet patients needs in a timely and responsive manner at a time when there is growing demand for our services.

On the same day, Minister Harris announced government funding for the 19.5m 60-bed modular block, which will act as an interim measure prior to the construction of a 96-bed block sometime after 2021.

Minister Harris also launched a new cataract centre at Nenagh General Hospital.TWO major events, championing languages and dialogue about diversities in todays society, are set to take place this Friday and Saturday at Mary Immaculate College.

On November 9, writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o will be in MIC to speak at the LION Limerick and Languages conference, a major one-day international interdisciplinary bilingual event.

On Saturday November 10, MIC will then host the fourth annual SPHE network conference, with keynote speakers including writer and advocate Sinead Burke and Professor of Equality at UCD Professor Kathleen Lynch.

I am hopeful that major events like LION will provide fresh inspiration and impetus for discussing the role of language in forming identity, Conradh na Gaeilge chief executive Julian de Spainn said.

Free and open to the public, LION is part of the official programme of events for Bliain na Gaeilge. Ngugi wa Thiong'o, currently a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, is one of the guest speakers at the event on Friday, which will bring together leading thinkers to discuss the journey of Conradh na Gaeilge from the Revival period to todays multicultural and globalised Ireland.

As part of the conference this Friday, renowned historian Professor Gearoid O Tuathaig of NUIG, is set to return to his native city to provide a personal perspective on Gaelic revivalism in Limerick circa 1930-1962.

Cuan O Seireadain, the curator of Conradh na Gaeilge, will discuss Douglas Hyde, first President of Ireland and a founder of Conradh na Gaeilge and Professor Timothy G. McMahon of Marquette University will travel from the USA to speak about The Meanings of Revival: The Many Streams of Conradh na Gaeilge.

The SPHE Network conference on Saturday November 10 will aim to bring together academics, teachers, student teachers, postgraduate students, health professionals, policy-makers, NGOs and the wider education community, to engage in dialogue about diversities in todays society with a particular focus on how it is interpreted and addressed within the SPHE curriculum.

Lecturer at MIC Dr Carol OSullivan said: The SPHE Network conference will appeal to all with an interest in how the concept of diversities is evolving and expanding in current society.

The significance of the theme for ongoing reviews of the Irish curriculum, including aspects of SPHE, forms an important backdrop to the deliberations of the 2018 conference.

To book a place for Lion, November 9, visit www.eventbrite.com. To register for the SPHE Network conference, please visit www.sphenetwork.ie/sphe-conference.TWO POTS of gold could be located at Sarsfield House and Arthurs Quay after a stunning photo of a double rainbow taken by Sean Ryan caused a stir online.

The photograph taken at Clancy Strand displays the colourful marvel spanning across the two shores of the River Shannon, set against gorgeous blue skies.

Weather expert Mark Dunphy of Irish Weather Online, said that Mr Ryan, who sent the picture to the Limerick Leader, was very fortunate to capture the two rainbows in his picture.

Youll need just the right angle to see two rainbows, its not a particularly rare phenomenon, but good luck was needed to photograph such a vivid double rainbow as seen in this photo, Mr Dunphy explained.

Mr Dunphy also revealed that triple rainbows are possible and that the upper rainbows colours will always be reversed because the light is reflecting off the raindrops.

The breathtaking photograph caught the eye of many on social media with hundreds of likes clocking up for Sean on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Limerick has been blessed with some good fortune this year, particularly a long-awaited All-Ireland win in August, and perhaps the vibrant rainbow phenomenon could be an indicator of good times ahead for the city this Christmas season.NEWTOWN >> Newtown will celebrate the holiday season on Sunday, Dec. 5 with a festive, hometown holiday parade. Presented by the Newtown Business Association (NBA), the annual McCaffreys Newtown Holiday Parade is scheduled to step off at 2 p.m., rain, snow or shine, with an estimated 1,600 participants. Featured in this years parade will be the Council Rock High School...Is maggot-covered cheese disgusting or delicious?

That's not a trick question. To people from Sardinia, the cheese known as "casu marzu"  a sheep-milk pecorino seasoned liberally with fly poo and crawling with thousands of larvae  is highly prized for its unique flavors, and is eaten along with mouthfuls of the plump maggots that writhe on its surface.

However, if you're encountering casu marzu ("putrid cheese" in Sardinian) for the first time, you might find it a little hard to swallow. The same might be said for certain other regional delicacies, such as China's spicy rabbit heads, Kazakhstan's fermented mare's milk or Peru's roasted guinea pig. All of these are highly popular in their countries of origin but can inspire revulsion or dismay in diners who have never sampled them before.

If you're curious about which bizarre foods are the most likely to trigger queasiness in first-time tasters, wonder no longer. You can now find 80 of the world's most distinctive (and repulsive) edible oddities  including maggoty cheese  in one place: a new exhibit called the Disgusting Food Museum, in Malmo, Sweden. [15 of the World's Most 'Disgusting' Foods (Photos)]

Unfamiliar scents and flavors abound in the museum. Some of the very special foods include frog smoothies from Peru, the foul-smelling durian fruit from Thailand, Finland's salty black licorice, a bull penis from China and slimy, fermented soybeans  a dish known as "natto" that is popular for breakfast in Japan.

To be included in the exhibit, each dish had to qualify not only as potentially gag-inducing due to its smell, taste, appearance or texture, it also had to be thought of as delicious "somewhere in the world," curator and museum director Andreas Ahrens told Live Science.

With those criteria, the exhibit makes it clear that when you call a food "disgusting," that response reflects your cultural background as much as it does the signals from your senses, Ahrens said.

"There is a purpose for disgust," he said. "Disgust is a universal emotion that exists to warn us of potentially dangerous, poisonous foods." However, if a person grows up eating a certain food, they don't feel the aversion that may be experienced by someone who's a newcomer to the dish.

Bull penis, a menu item in China, is sometimes served in soup and is thought to have aphrodisiac properties. (Image credit: Anja Barte Telin )

For example, a well-known Philippine dish called "balut" serves up partially developed duck embryos that are boiled alive inside the egg and then eaten whole. Ahrens told Live Science that he considers himself fairly adventurous when it comes to food  and when he tried balut, he just couldn't keep it down.

"It made me throw up," he said.

On the other hand, Ahrens' wife, who grew up in the Philippines, considers balut to be "absolutely normal," he said.

Another food in the museum that challenges the untrained palate is fermented shark from Iceland called "hakarl"; Ahrens described it as "death in a little can," saying it smells worse than anything in the world.

Don't tell me what's floating in there, I don't want to know. (Image credit: Anja Barte Telin)

But there's something that tastes even worse than hakarl: "su gallu," another cheese from Sardinia. To make su gallu, a person would slaughter a baby goat that's just enjoyed its last meal of mother's milk. Then, they would remove the stomach and hang it up to dry, with the cheese fermenting from the milk that's still inside the kid's gut.

"It tastes like gasoline," Ahrens said. "If you eat too much of that, you have an aftertaste in your mouth for several days afterwards."

Of the 80 "disgusting" foods featured in the exhibit, most are represented by real food; many are "smellable"; and some are available for tasting, according to a museum statement. Perhaps after experiencing the sights and smells of these one-of-a-kind foods, museum visitors will find themselves a little more open-minded about dishes and cultures other than their own, Ahrens said.

Speaking of which, do you remember that maggot-infested cheese from Sardinia? If you try it, make sure to cover your eyes before you take a bite  not to hide the sight of the maggots you're about to gulp down, but to protect your eyeballs from the larvae, which can leap to heights of about 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to Ahrens.

The Disgusting Food Museum is open until Jan. 27, 2019.

Originally published on Live Science.A 40,000-year-old painting of a mysterious, wild cow-like beast discovered in a Borneo cave is the oldest human-made drawing of an animal on record, a new study finds.

The discovery indicates that figurative cave art  one of the most significant innovations in human culture  didn't begin in Europe as many scientists thought, but rather in Southeast Asia during the last ice age, the researchers said.

Drawing animals, an accomplishment in itself, may have been a gateway for illustrating other aspects of the human experience, including hunting and dance. "Initially, humans made figurative painting of large animals and they later start depicting the human world," said study co-lead researcher Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist and geochemist at Griffith University in Australia. [In Photos: The World's Oldest Cave Art]

The ancient artwork covers the walls of secluded limestone caves in the rugged and remote mountains of the East Kalimantan province of Indonesian Borneo. Researchers have known about these human-made drawings since 1994, but they didn't know when the illustrations were created until now, said Aubert, who worked with Indonesia's National Research Centre for Archaeology (ARKENAS) and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

The researchers collected calcium-carbonate samples from the Kalimantan cave drawings so they could do uranium-series dating  a technique made possible by radioactive decay. When rainwater seeps through limestone, it dissolves a small amount of uranium, Aubert told Live Science. As uranium (a radioactive element) decays, it turns into the element thorium. By studying the ratio of uranium to thorium in the calcium carbonate (limestone) that is coating the cave art, researchers determined how old the initial coating was, he said.

This cow-like beast is the oldest known figurative artwork in the world. It's at least 40,000 years old. (Image credit: Luc-Henri Fage)

The oldest figurative art  the mystery animal that is likely a species of wild cattle that once stomped around the jungles of Borneo  was at least 40,000 years old, Aubert said. Previously, the oldest known animal painting in the world was an approximately 35,400-year-old babirusa, or "pig-deer," on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, he said.

Artwork through the ages

The team's results showed that the ancient artwork in East Kalimantan was made during three distinct periods. The first phase, which dates to between 52,000 and 40,000 years ago, includes hand stencils and reddish-orange ochre-drawn animals  mostly the banteng (Bos javanicus), a type of wild cattle that still lives in Borneo, and the mysterious, unknown wild cow, Aubert said.

A major change happened to the culture during the icy Last Glacial Maximum about 20,000 years ago, which led to a new style of rock art  one that focused on the human world. The artists in this phase favored a dark mulberry-purple color and painted hand stencils, abstract signs and human-like figures wearing elaborate headdresses and engaging in various activities, such as hunting or ritualistic dancing, the researchers said.

"We don't know if these [different types of cave art] are from two different groups of humans, or if it represents the evolution of a particular culture," Aubert said. "We are planning archaeological excavation in those caves in order to find more information about these unknown artists."

These mulberry-colored hands were painted over the older, reddish hand stencils found in the Indonesian cave. These two styles were created at least 20,000 years apart. (Image credit: Kinez Riza)

The final phase of rock art includes humanlike figures, boats and geometric designs that were mostly drawn with black pigments, the researchers said. This type of art is found elsewhere in Indonesia and may come from Asian Neolithic farmers who moved into the region about 4,000 years ago, or more recently, the researchers said. [Photos: Oldest Known Drawing Was Made with a Red Crayon]

Location, location

During the last ice age, Borneo (Earth's third-largest island) sat on the easternmost edge of Eurasia.

"It now seems that two early cave art provinces arose at a similar time in remote corners of Paleolithic Eurasia: one in Europe, and one in Indonesia at the opposite end of this ice age world," study co-researcher Adam Brumm, an associate professor of archaeology at Griffith University, said in a statement.

It's possible that rock art spread from Eurasia to Sulawesi, where the babirusa drawing resides, before colonizing humans spread it farther to places like Australia, Aubert said.

These human figures date to at least 13,600 years ago. It's possible they drawn at the height of the last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago. (Image credit: Pindi Setiawan)

The new finding shows further evidence that "the earliest art consisted of large animals painted in a remarkably naturalistic style, with emphasis on the musculature and form of the animal's body," said Susan O'Connor, a professor of archaeology at the College of Asia & the Pacific at Australian National University, who wasn't involved with the research.

"The location of these ancient paintings of animals and hand stencils perhaps marks the passage of the first modern humans as they moved through mainland Asia and out into the islands of Wallacea, lying between the mainland and continental Sahul (Australia and New Guinea which were joined at this time)," O'Connor told Live Science in an email. "They may have used art to mark and 'humanize' these new and unfamiliar landscapes."

The newly dated cave art fits in with the emerging picture of early humans. Homo sapiens left Africa between about 70,000 and 60,000 years ago, and "once they spread out across Eurasia, they developed, after about 40,000 years ago, the desire (or ability) to produce figurative art," Christopher Henshilwood, director of the Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour at the University of Bergen in Norway, who wasn't involved with the study, told Live Science in an email. "This find in Indonesia thus adds to our knowledge regarding the evolution of figurative art, perhaps first in Asia, then in Europe and Africa." (Africa's oldest figurative art dates to about 30,000 years ago at the Apollo 11 Cave in Namibia, Henshilwood noted.)

The study was published online today (Nov. 7) in the journal Nature.

Originally published on Live Science.Voters rushed to the polls in anticipated record numbers around the Bay Area for Tuesdays midterm elections  many galvanized by frustrations over growing national political tensions and fierce debate over the regions housing crisis and homelessness.

In polling places ranging from large gymnasiums to cramped home garages, voters were eager to cast their ballots.

Candia Shepherd, who has served as a poll inspector at San Franciscos Ingleside Branch Library on Ocean Avenue for years, said shes never seen so many voters show up.

This has had a steady turnout of people, she said. Normally, 7 to 8 a.m. would be the rush. But this morning was busy until 9, slowed for half an hour, and picked up again. Theres so much at stake.

At City Hall in San Francisco  where voters began filling booths when the polls opened at 7 a.m.  many sat at tables or huddled near corners, looking up different propositions and candidates on their phones.

We are looking at the highest voter turnout in San Francisco at least since 1974 for a midterm election, said John Arntz, director of the citys Department of Elections.

As of Tuesday morning, voter turnout was already 28 percent, based on mail-in ballots and ballots cast at the City Hall voting center. Since 1974, the average voter turnout at the last 11 midterm elections was 58 percent, Arntz said.

And the crowds didnt die down as the day progressed. Theres still a line out to get in through security, Arntz said later Tuesday.

Across the bay, Contra Costa County elections officials were seeing similar numbers and also expected the highest midterm election turnout in decades.

Voters are voting earlier in greater numbers than what we experienced back in 2014, said Scott Konopasek, the assistant registrar with the county. Its almost on par with November 2016.

In Alameda County, voter turnout was expected to reach 70 percent, compared with 45 percent in the midterms in 2014, said Tim Dupuis, the county registrar.

Daniel Bettelon, 54, voting at the Ingleside library, said even though he has never missed an election, including the midterms that many people skip, this one isnt merely important.

Its REALLY important, he said. Its to thwart Trump and limit what he can do.

Vaishali Ravi, 25, said shes never seen so many celebrities pushing people to vote in the run up to the election. She said her social media timelines had been constantly filled with information about how to register.

I notice my peers shaming each other into voting, she said before dropping her backpack to be checked at security at San Francisco City Hall.

Sweyn Venderbush said he felt like there was a grassroots emphasis to voting in a way he hadnt seen before through social media.

Its not just about casting a ballot, its about casting an informed ballot, the 22-year-old said.

Venderbush said it was important for him to show up to vote on city ballot measures like Proposition C and state Proposition 10.

Prop. C would raise taxes on big businesses to fund homeless services. The measure set off debates between the citys ultra rich, including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who squabbled on social media over the legislation.

Prop. 10 would allow for the expansion of rent control, creating a debate between developers and some renter advocates, with millions spent by groups on either side.

I dont think people are just voting Democrat or Republican, Venderbush said. Theyre thinking deeper about issues that are more complex.

In the Richmond District, poll workers at the San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home had to quickly set up an overflow table outside to manage the number of absentee ballots being dropped off.

Every five minutes, a neighbor walked in, grabbed a ballot to fill out by hand and fed it to the electronic machine.

Thea Hashagen, 42, took bites from a croissant inside the funeral homes gilded walls as she placed an I Voted sticker on her navy blue vest, a sharp red-and-blue contrast to her otherwise all-black outfit. She said it mirrored how she felt about the political climate.

2016 was a wake-up call, Hashagen said.

Chronicle staff writer Nanette Asimov contributed to this story.

Sarah Ravani and Gwendolyn Wu are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani, @gwendolynawuSince the second week of September, a crew of four or five people has been working full time to cover the trees along the River Walk in 17 miles worth of light strings. In less than three weeks, the fruit of their labor will on display for the entire city to see.

The lights will remain up from Nov. 23 until Jan. 6, and then they will be taken down again  another long, arduous process that takes several weeks.

"Putting them up and taking them down has been a many-year tradition," said Paula Schechter, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for The San Antonio River Walk Association.

First, two people spend hours and hours checking each light, carefully wrapping the strands in just the right way and placing them in bins, Schechter said. Those bins are then turned over to a team of four or five other people, who are responsible for throwing them over the trees.

RELATED: Christmas Miracle headed to Houston Street  with cocktails

When finished, the display is one of the most popular holiday attractions in the Alamo City, covering about three miles along the River Walk.

Though the process is incredibly pricey, Schechter said, it's currently unavoidable. If the lights were left up, squirrels and other animals would gnaw on them.

The San Antonio River Walk Association and the city are exploring other options, including a display that could stay up permanently and would be able to change colors to celebrate other major holidays, Schechter said. Currently, they don't have the funds to make the estimated $3 million investment.

But "if there's a Santa Claus out there who wants to knock on our door and give us a call, we'd be happy to have a talk about sponsoring that," she added.

RELATED: San Antonio named one of Travel And Leisure's best places to visit in November. Here's why

This year's River Walk events will remain largely unchanged from previous years, with a few additions.

The free seating area for the Ford Holiday River Parade will be sponsored by all local Krispy Kreme locations, so there will be a Krispy Kreme food truck and a few others as well, a first for the event.

The parade itself, themed "Christmas In San Antonio," will be a salute to the city's tricentennial this year. Each float will highlight a different holiday tradition in the city, such as participating in a Tamalada.

"It's just a really nice representation of what it's like to celebrate Christmas in San Antonio," Schechter said.

RELATED: Spurs left out of Christmas Day game lineup, again

Ahead of the parade, groups from the Alamo City Performing Arts Association will be performing Christmas carols at five foot bridges in the downtown area, entertaining the crowds before the parade reaches them. The caroling is a relatively new addition to the parade.

Festivities will continue in the weeks following the parade. Luminarias will be put out the first three weekends of December (Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16). Groups can also rent out boats for caroling, a longtime tradition that's recently become quite popular, according to Schechter.

"We provide them with recorded caroling music and lyrics, they get to wear Christmas sweaters and have fun," Schechter said. About 130 of the 200 spots have already been claimed, she said, and additional sales are coming in daily.

Its also an anticipated time of year for enjoying regular boat cruises, which can be ordered through GO RIO Cruises. The holiday season does sometimes sell out, she said.

Click through the slideshow to see River Walk Christmas lights by the numbers.

S. M. Chavey is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | @smchaveyDanny Zaragoza, Staff Photographer / Laredo Morning Times

Four of the voting precincts in Laredo's District VI ran out of paper ballots on Tuesday, interim Elections Administrator Jose Salvador Tellez said.

So elections employees began duplicating blank ballots at these precincts, and the voting machines were open there too, he said.The second re-trial for Bernadette Perusquia, who is accused of fatally shooting her husband in 2003, got underway Tuesday in the 49th District Court.

In her opening statement, Webb County Chief Assistant District Attorney Marisela Jacaman said this was a case of a short-lived marriage that ended in murder.

"The evidence will show that on May 14, 2003, Bernadette Perusquia calls 911 and in that 911 call she tells dispatchers three times, 'I shot my husband,'" Jacaman said.

She told the jury that the words "he sexually assaulted me and beat me" were nonexistent before Juan Perusquia, 26, died.

READ ALSO: LPD: Man pulls knife, threatens employees after robbing jewelry from local store

Perusquia's attorneys, Robin Norris and Chris Gober, reserved their right to an opening statement.

Laredo Police Department Officer Jose Sotelo testified that when he first encountered Perusquia after the shooting, she was scared, in a state of panic and had tears in her eyes.

When he saw Juan Perusquia, Sotelo said he was in a lot of pain and a bit angry or upset.

The prosecution showed pictures of Perusquia to Sotelo and asked if she had any visible signs of a struggle at the time he met her. Sotelo testified that he didn't see any injuries on her.

Sotelo testified that he stayed at the house for "a couple of minutes after (Juan) was taken to the hospital. (He) decided to wait for the crime scene investigator (who) took photographs and recovered the evidence."

LPD Sgt. Joe Lombrana testified that he was the only officer at the scene that handled the gun. He told the court that he found a .380 semi automatic handgun on top of the kitchen table.

According to his testimony, the handgun was loaded and had four rounds in the chamber.

"The magazine was inside the weapon," he said. "There were live rounds in the weapon."

LPD Sgt. Fernando Lozano testified that prior to the shooting, there were no other calls from the residence made to Laredo police.

Perusquia, a nurse and mother of two, was first tried in 2006, but the case ended in mistrial after jurors could not come to a verdict after deliberating for 12 hours.

She was retried and sentenced to life in prison in December 2011 for shooting her husband to death.

She appealed the decision in January 2012. The Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio upheld her conviction.

Perusquia then filed an appeal with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The court issued an opinion in June 2016, saying the case should be retried because her counsel did not "provide the convicting court with an available, legally sufficient basis for admissibility of the victim's ex-wife's testimony regarding prior specific acts of physical and sexual violence against her by the victim, and that such deficient performance prejudiced Perusquia."

In August 2016, Perusquia was granted a $200,000 bond.

RELATED: 21-year-old man arrested in central Laredo fatal shooting case

Perusquia reportedly confessed to law enforcement that she shot her husband during a family dispute.

Officers at the scene said they found the 26-year-old security guard's body lying in a hallway of the residence, with a single gunshot wound to his chest area.

Perusquia was initially arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police upgraded the charge to murder when Juan Perusquia died about seven hours later as a result of his injuries.

In Perusquia's call to 911 after the shooting, she told dispatch that her husband had come toward her and that she had shot him.

Maria Salas may be reached 728-2580 or msalas@lmtonline.comA woman was arrested for allegedly leaving her three children  ages 1, 2 and 4  in a vehicle while she went inside a bank, Laredo police said.

Samantha Castillo, 22, was charged with child abandonment with intent to return.A mayoral candidate arrested on a robbery charge about two weeks ago landed behind bars on Election Day, according to Laredo police.

This time, Randell Walden, 54, was arrested on the charge of criminal trespass at about 9:47 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of San Bernardo Avenue.The election for Laredos mayor could be heading to a runoff, according to early voting results.

Incumbent Mayor Pete Saenz was in the lead with about 48 percent of early votes, or 14,560 ballots cast.

Saenz said Tuesday that he is excited, and that these numbers are outstanding for early voting. He remains cautiously optimistic, he said.

(Im) just extremely appreciative of the people who voted for me  that show of confidence, Saenz said.

READ ALSO: Three-way race for Municipal Court judge could head for a runoff

He said he is hoping to get past the 50 percent mark with Election Day results. If not, he and his team will continue fighting until they end up with another four years, Saenz said.

Likely to join him in a runoff election is former City Councilman Roque Vela Jr., who received 8,529 votes, or 28 percent of the ballots cast.

Vela said early voting results show that the majority of Laredoans arent happy with a mayor who voted for President Donald Trump.

Vela and his team are going to take the next 45 days leading up to the runoff to roll up their sleeves, reach out to Laredoans and continue with their grassroots campaign, Vela said.

His campaign spent significantly less on this election than Saenzs. Vela did not buy billboards, for instance, so that affects how they are able to reach people, Vela said. He plans to continue this method of campaigning in the runoff.

Vela said he was mentally prepared to end up in a runoff in this race.

Were looking forward to the opportunity we have in front of us, he said.

Current District VI Councilman Charlie San Miguel came in third, with 21 percent of the early ballots cast.

Saenz won the election for his first term in 2014 with over 50 percent of the vote despite his six opponents.

Ethics was the central theme of Saenzs platform when he first ran, and this year too. His campaign promise is to continue to change the culture of arrogance and corruption at City Hall; and to improve the citys practices to be more business-friendly, fair and ethical.

When news broke in October that a former Webb County commissioner and former Laredo City Council member had pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, Saenz said he would continue to expose any wrongdoing to law enforcement, and encouraged the public to do the same.

We must elect people that rise to our new standards. We will not go back to the arrogance and corruption of the past, he was quoted as saying in a news release from his campaign.

The other central issues of Saenzs re-election campaign have been attracting new businesses to bolster job creation that pays a living wage; reducing the property tax rate and not increasing resident user fees; supporting a mixed-use approach to downtown redevelopment; and the improvement of several roads such as Loop 20, Mines Road and the Hachar-Reuthinger Road.

Vela represented District V on Laredo City Council from 2012 to 2016. He has four central campaign promises on his website. The first is to freeze rising water rates, which Vela said he would do at his first council meeting as mayor.

RELATED: Democrats take lead in local partisan races, early voting results show

The second is to freeze rising property appraisals. He said the second thing he would do at his first meeting is freeze appraisal values for four years. City Council has no jurisdiction over property value appraisals. However, they do decide the tax rate. Vela said he would ask the citys budget department to honor this years property values, and freeze them for four years. This means adopting the effective tax rate.

His third promise is to increase trash pickup to twice a week.

Customer service in this city has become an option and not something that is required. We need to create a program that will allow for a 2nd day of trash pickup for the people of Laredo and provide services they deserve. We will also implement a program to incentivize people to recycle, reads Velas website.

And his fourth promise is to establish a no kill animal shelter at the city by his second year in office.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.comThe entrepreneurial journey is tough and going it alone makes it even tougher. Experienced founders will tell you that having great mentors can make the difference between becoming a bright star or ending up a flaming disaster. But, not all mentors are as helpful as they should be. Some mentors give irrelevant or lousy advice. Others might have a less-than-stellar reputation among industry pros who have been around for a couple of decades -- repelling potential investors or partners from your startup. And then there are always the deadbeat mentors who only show up when they need something.

Related: How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor

So, how can you tell if someone might be a great mentor for you? And what should you expect from a great mentor? Here are three tips to help you find a mentor who will meet your needs, always have your back, and push you to do better than you imagined you could.

What great mentors do and don't

Each entrepreneur is unique and needs different types of support, advice, networks and guidance. A mentor who understands your startup's unique market challenges and opportunities is as important as a mentor who gets your shortcomings as a leader and founder. We all have blind spots and we all need to be pushed on occasion. Great mentors give you what you ask for and, hopefully, what you need but didn't ask for, but sometimes they miss the mark. Here are three red flags your mentor is not helping you:

1. If your mentor doesn't challenge you to tackle your weaknesses and overcome your fears, your mentor is satisfied with the status quo -- which isn't good enough for you! Building a company requires doing the stuff we love and the stuff we wish we could hire someone else to do. If your mentor is worth her salt, she will push you to grow into your weaknesses and throttle past the challenges that scare you.

Takeaway: I've often heard mentors working with startups in our accelerator respond to questions with questions. Mentors don't have to have all of the answers -- but they do need to know how to ask the right questions. This requires a mentor to slow down, listen and focus on you and your startup.

Related: 10 Tips to Find (and Keep) the Perfect Mentor

2. Avoid mentors who seem to give the same advice or ask the same "insightful" question of every entrepreneur they meet. Instead, look for a mentor who actively listens to you as you describe your situation or predicament. Are they asking questions that help them understand the situation more before giving you glib advice? Are they offering to bring a resource that would help you in this particular situation -- or just giving you platitudes? You know you have a solid mentor when they give you advice that is specific, timely and likely effective for you.

Takeaway: Mentors worth your time give you their time.

3. If a mentor isn't calling you back, doesn't show up for meetings or cancels with little notice, this mentor is not using your time well. And your time as a founder is valuable. One way to determine if your mentor is going to give you a reasonable amount of time is to set expectations when you are first exploring the idea of working together. A reasonable amount of time to you might seem like a lot of time to a busy, successful CEO or investor. I suggest meeting by phone for 45 minutes every other month and in person in the off months. However, I always remind mentors that if a startup they are helping hits a wall they might need to jump in and help get things back on track.

Takeaway: Don't be shy about checking in on the process with your mentor. Ask them if they are satisfied with the time and energy they are putting into your success. Take note if your mentor says they have a crazy month next month and offer to reschedule if that helps.

Related: Where to Turn When You Need a Mentor, and Why That Person Can Be Key to Your Success

Are you my mentor?

Now that you have some ideas about how to spot a solid mentor, how do you go about finding a mentor? It's cliche but true: You've got to get out there! Start networking and get used to introducing yourself to business leaders who may seem "out of your league" due to their success as an entrepreneur. Test out a potential mentor by asking for his or her advice on a challenge you are tackling. At a local networking event for entrepreneurs, a friend of mine introduced herself to the former head of operations for Quaker Oats and in the same sentence asked for his suggestion on inventory and logistics software. She applied his advice diligently, followed up with him, and two months later he joined her board of directors.

In addition to networking events you can consider joining an accelerator or incubator. Many programs have a broad network of mentors who are already excited to "give back" to entrepreneurs by sharing their expertise. Do your homework before you join a program and talk to alumni to ensure the mentors are truly available and engaged with participating startups. Ask if the mentors are matched with a specific startup or if all the mentors are available to you. And find out if the mentors receive any sort of training or oversight from the program.

Give it time.

Like all relationships, it takes time to cultivate a meaningful relationship with a mentor. Once you find someone who has agreed to mentor you, your next step is to prove to your mentor that you are worth their time, energy and network connections. (And, vice versa!) Your new mentor might suggest a few minor tasks or ideas to see if you make use of his advice and time. Follow through diligently! You, as well, should be testing out how reliable and trustworthy your mentor is.

After a few months, as you both gain confidence in one another and your trust grows, your mentor should start making introductions to grow your network, build access to market channels and create connections to potential clients, partners, employees and possibly investors. But, it won't happen overnight. And it won't happen at all if you pick a mentor who isn't as invested in your success as you deserve.

Related:

3 Warning Signs Your Mentor Is Not Helping You

How to Forge Your Own Path in Business

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedLITTLE ROCK, Ark,. - Arkansas voters approved a substantial increase to the state minimum wage Tuesday as people across the political spectrum endorsed higher pay for low-wage workers.

A minimum wage increase in Missouri appeared on track to pass as well, with 60.7 percent of the vote in favor with just more than half the vote reported.

The Arkansas result and likely Missouri outcome mark major victories for a liberal cause in two red states that strongly support President Donald Trump. The wins are likely to embolden progressive activists to try to get minimum wage increases on the ballot in 2020 in other conservative states in the South and Midwest.

Arkansas voted to increase the state's current minimum wage of $8.50 an hour to $9.25 on January 1, 2019, $10 on January 1, 2020 and $11 on January 1, 2021, a rapid escalation in one of the nation's poorest states that will result in a quarter the state's workers getting a raise. Missouri voters look almost certain to approve a gradual increase of the state's $7.85 an hour minimum wage to $12 an hour over the next five years, which is expected to result in more than 675,000 workers get a raise.

The ballot measure in Arkansas - known as Issue 5 - passed overwhelmingly with 68 percent of the vote despite opposition from Republican lawmakers in both states. Missouri's Proposition B currently has 61 percent of the vote with just over half of the ballots counted.

Arkansas, Missouri and Arizona will soon have the highest minimum wages among states that went for Trump in the last election and will be among the highest of all states, red or blue.

Some Arkansas workers lauded the change. "This is going to help me a lot right now," said Sharon Jones, a 59-year-old in Pine Bluff, who works two jobs and is trying to save up enough money to repair the stilts under her home that keep it above the flood waters that come down the hill into her neighborhood when there's a rough storm. "I can't saving anything right now. I didn't think I'd ever be in this position."

Jones voted for the minimum wage increase in Arkansas, which will have a direct impact on her life. She makes $8.50 an hour as a home care aide and $9 an hour doing the laundry at a nursing home. She can't remember the last time she received a raise.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, called the move a "job killer" and argued that voters should reject the pay hike and leave the issue for the GOP-controlled legislature to decide. Hutchinson and many business leaders said they fear the state will lose jobs and businesses to other nearby states since almost all the surrounding states still have the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has not changed in nearly a decade.

But Arkansas is one of the poorest in the nation and is routinely ranked in the bottom six for poverty and child poverty, and supporters of the minimum wage increase were able to transcend the usual Democrat-Republican divide.

"People call Arkansas conservative, but it's more populist. People here are socially conservative, but not necessarily free market. The big support for Trump is an indication of that," said Jeremy Horpedahl, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Central Arkansas who has studied the minimum wage issue.

Trump said he supported a $10 federal minimum wage on the campaign trail, telling Fox News, "I know it's not very Republican to say," but his top economic adviser Larry Kudlow told The Washington Post last week that raising the federal minimum wage would be a "terrible idea."

The Arkansas law would give the state effectively the highest minimum wage in the nation in 2021 when compared to the state's median pay. There will be a narrow gap between the $11 minimum wage in Arkansas and the state's median wage of about $14.80 an hour, meaning people at the bottom earning close to what the middle-class does. California and New York will almost certainly have wider gaps between their minimum wages and median wages, according to calculations by Horpedahl using Labor Department data. As for Missouri, its effective minimum wage would be among the top 10 in the country, outranking more liberal New York and Massachusetts.

Economists and business leaders warn that when a minimum wage gets too high it can lead to job losses or cause firms to replace human workers with robots or other machinery. Arkansas could offer a test case of whether higher wages have any negative consequences.

Some Republicans are already discussing whether to try to change the act with a super majority vote in the state legislature or to curb its impact by, for example, exempting teenagers from receiving the higher pay.

But for now, voters have sent a strong message and big employers are taking their own actions. Walmart, which is headquartered in Arkansas and is the largest employer in the nation, raised its starting pay to $11 an hour earlier this year, and Arkansas Children's Hospital system just announced it would raise its entry-level pay from $10.10 an hour to $14 an hour in January. The companies didn't formally take a stand on the Arkansas wage vote, but the moves demonstrate some major employers think they can absorb the costs.

"First of all, $8.50 an hour is not enough. It never was," said David Couch, a lawyer in Little Rock who pushed for the wage increase to be on the ballot this year. "While we are a Republican state, we are compassionate conservative. This is the right thing to do."From head to toe, he is ready for war.

The M4 semiautomatic rifle in his hands is tipped with a suppressor favored by Special Operations to muffle gunshots during clandestine missions.

Just above that is a PEQ-15 laser targeting device, which projects an infrared beam visible with night-vision goggles so the shooter can fire at night or point out targets for comrades and helicopters above. A tactical flashlight and holographic sight round out the rifle. Magazines are at his hip for quick reloading during a firefight.

ARMED RESPONSE: Militia's offer to help stop caravan raises concerns at border

A mask obscures his face, and he wears a noise-canceling tactical headset that would look natural for scouting an Afghan valley for Taliban insurgents.

But photos taken Monday of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents training weeks before a potential arrival of a caravan of Central Americans reveal a southern border already militarized - even before the arrival of thousands of active-duty soldiers.

There are no indications that the mostly Honduran migrants, many of them women and children, pose a threat that would necessitate long- and short-range tactical engagements. But CBP agents have drilled with armored vehicles, riot gear, helicopters and more, photos from the border have shown.

The preparations come amid questions about how much force active-duty soldiers and agents along the border can and should use.

President Donald Trump had suggested that troops should treat rock-throwers as combatants and that rifle fire would be an appropriate response, but he later backtracked on his comments.

Agents wielding military gear may belong to CBP's Border Patrol Special Operations Group - the agency's premier tactical-response team.

BARRIER: Galveston company gets $145 million to build 6 miles of Texas border wall

CBP did not return a request for comment about which unit was shown training on the Texas-Mexico border.

Law enforcement agencies since 1990 have requested billions in military-grade equipment thanks to the 1033 program - a Pentagon initiative that diverts surplus military equipment to civilian authorities.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq created a high-water mark in available equipment, and subsequent drawdowns from each nation have meant law-enforcement operations have browsed everything from excess bayonets and uniforms to sniper rifles and vehicles designed to absorb IED strikes.

Critics have maintained that the weapons produce an overly aggressive posture suitable for combat but not interactions with civilians. The Obama administration restricted the program late in his second term after images of officers atop armored vehicles pointing rifles at protesters in Ferguson, Mo., drew severe criticism.

Trump rolled back those restrictions in August 2017.

That requests have included CBP, which received nearly $40 million in tactical gear from the Defense Department through 2014, the Marshall Project reported. It is unclear whether tactical gear has been recently acquired from the Pentagon for border operations or if other equipment has been purchased directly by the Department of Homeland Security.

Photos from Getty Images also showed CBP agents wearing Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms originally designed for Army use. Green Berets and some Navy SEALs have worn the pattern, which now extends to local police departments.

The agency also operates unmanned drones to combat drug-smuggling activity and helicopters such as the UH-60 Black Hawk for transporting agents, though photos from Getty Images show agents in an helicopter shoulder to shoulder, as troops would sit for tactical insertions.The electoral ouster of Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday means that Democrats are expected to make up the entire congressional delegation representing the immediate Washington area, marking the first time in at least 50 years that one party has had such dominance.

The political monopoly means the local delegation - comprising four U.S. senators, eight members of the House and one delegate whose districts are inside the Capital Beltway or reach close to it - will enjoy unprecedented unity as it deals with issues such as extending federal funding for Metro and protecting federal workers.

But it also is raising concerns that the region will lose some valuable bipartisan flavor, especially as it deals with a Republican in the White House who has little sympathy for the capital area that he routinely mocks as a "swamp" that needs to be drained.

In recent years, Comstock has been the lone Republican in Congress representing constituents in the close-in Washington suburbs. Like her longtime predecessor in the seat, Frank Wolf, R, Comstock sought to capitalize on her unique status by telling voters they needed a Republican voice speaking up on regional issues. Comstock's district includes Loudoun and parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties.

But in an election that became a referendum on President Donald Trump, Comstock lost to state Sen. Jennifer Wexton, D-Loudoun, whose campaign stressed that Comstock voted 98 percent of the time with the president.

The prospect that Democrats would have the entire delegation assumed a victory by businessman David Trone in Maryland's 6th Congressional District, where he was vying to succeed Rep. John Delaney, D; Trone was ahead late Tuesday evening, but the race had not been decided.

"There is a risk of just one party representing the whole D.C. metro area," said Dan Scandling, a longtime former top aide to Wolf. "In the past, when you had a Republican in the White House, a local Republican in the room could temper . . . some of the venom directed at the federal workforce."

Scandling said a GOP member of Congress also aided in obtaining funding for Metro, local airports and other forms of transportation.

"Having that other side of the aisle, [so] it doesn't just look like it's pulling in pork, can be very helpful," he said.

Echoing Scandling's concern - perhaps surprisingly - was liberal Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., whose district includes Arlington, Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County.

It's "a reasonable argument" to favor a bipartisan delegation, Beyer said. "I think balance is really good."

Beyer has introduced legislation that would address the problem by reviving multi-member congressional districts, which were widespread in the United States until the early 1840s. Such a system would lead to more proportional representation, he said, conceding it was "a long-term project" that had little support at present.

Other analysts said that in today's politically polarized environment, it was harder for Comstock to cooperate with Democrats than it had been for Wolf and another longtime Northern Virginia Republican congressman, Tom Davis III. Bipartisan cooperation in the region played a key role in getting federal funding to rebuild the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, for instance, and Davis helped lead the successful campaign for federal funding for Metro 10 years ago.

"You need the delegation working together for the interests of the region," said Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. "In the current climate, it's just easier to get people from the same party to be in sync with each other."

Rozell said there was some downside to Comstock's departure, however. "What the region loses, of course, is a member who has some seniority and great familiarity with the players," he said.

In other federal races in districts with constituents in the immediate Washington region, two Democrats were easily reelected to the U.S. Senate: Benjamin Cardin, Md., and Tim Kaine, Va. They join incumbent Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen, Md., and Mark Warner, Va.

In races for the U.S. House, six Democratic incumbents from the area won reelection: Beyer and Rep. Gerald Connolly in Virginia, and Reps. Anthony Brown, Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin and John Sarbanes in Maryland.

Beyond the district expected to go to Trone, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D, easily was reelected in the District.

The only Republican representing a district near Washington is now Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, who was reelected and whose district stretches into southern Prince William County.

The last time one party had anything approaching the monopoly that Democrats will enjoy in the immediate area was in the early 1970s, when Republicans dominated the region. Even then, independent Harry F. Byrd Jr., who previously had been a Democrat, held a U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. And the District had a Democrat as its nonvoting delegate, Walter Fauntroy.

One bright spot for local Republicans Tuesday was the reelection of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. His victory, together with the reelection of District Mayor Muriel Bowser, D, raised hopes that the region's top three executives can cooperate even if the congressional delegation is at odds with the White House.

Hogan, Bowser and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, D, cooperated effectively in winning dedicated funding for Metro for the first time in its 42-year history.

"I would really encourage the two governors and mayor to think about how to work together," Jack McDougle, chief executive of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, said. "They're pragmatic. If ever we've had an opportunity to come together and think about some regional strategies, then this is it."Democrat Andrew Gillum was defeated in his bid to become Florida's first black governor in one of the nation's most closely watched races Tuesday, but the party still picked up at least two governorships after strong performances by their candidates in some Midwestern states in early results.

Gillum, 39, conceded his race to Republican Ron DeSantis, who is closely associated with President Donald Trump.

"It is not about me. It is about all of us. It is about the collective. If we all do good, we can all do good," Gillum said in his concession speech. "Even in defeat, I believe that to be true."

Even as the nation fixated on the fight for control of Congress, Gillum's loss and the 35 other gubernatorial races on the ballot offered some of the most dramatic examples of America's cultural and ideological divides under Trump.

In Illinois, Democrat J.B. Pritzker easily defeated Gov. Bruce Rauner, R, after one of the nation's most expensive gubernatorial elections. Democrats also won the governorship in Michigan, where Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, a former state legislator, won her race against Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to replace term-limited Gov Rick Snyder, R.

Democrats also won the governor's race in Kansas, where The Associated Press projected victory for Democrat Laura Kelly over Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Kobach is known for his unapologetic, hardline views on immigration and became the face of Trump's anti-voter-fraud panel.

But Democrats were nervously watching results in several other states, including Georgia.

Stacey Abrams, 44, was trailing in her bid for Georgia's governorship and to remake the face of leadership in the Deep South by becoming the nation's first female African American governor. Abrams was running against Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a conservative Republican whose office had been accused of trying to suppress voter turnout. Kemp opened a sizable lead in initial returns, but many urban counties had yet to report results, including Atlanta.

Republicans had held 33 of the nation's 50 governorships. Of the 36 gubernatorial races on the ballot Tuesday, Republicans were defending 26 of them.

The outcomes of those contests will have major implications for Democratic efforts to build a state-level firewall against some of Trump's policies, including his effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act and gut environmental and labor laws. In most states, governors and state legislatures will be drawing new congressional boundaries after the 2020 Census.

Several of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races took place in Midwestern states that formed the linchpin of Trump's 2016 victory. Democratic leaders in those states viewed those contests as a major test of whether the party could win back the white working-class voters who abandoned the party in droves that year.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf, D, beat Republican Scott Wagner, a former state legislator, in a state Trump carried by 44,000 votes two years ago.

In Illinois, Pritzker and Rauner faced off in what may have been the costliest governor's race in U.S. history. Pritzker, the heir of the Hyatt hotel fortune, spent $171 million of his own money on the race, the Associated Press reported.

Other states in the Rust Belt and across the Upper Midwest were expected to be more competitive.

In Ohio, Democrat Richard Cordray, a former Obama administration official, was trailing Republican Mike DeWine in early returns for the seat left open by term-limited Gov. John Kasich, R.. The contest was widely viewed as a dead heat heading into Tuesday as Cordray and DeWine, the attorney general of Ohio, battled over health care, jobs and the state's opioid crisis.

In Wisconsin, Republican incumbent Scott Walker was trying to hold off a stiff challenge from Democrat Tony Evers, the state superintendent of schools.

Walker, who was once viewed as one of the Republican Party's brightest stars, was vying for a third term. In recent years, Walker has faced mounting voter concern about the condition of Wisconsin schools, but he's also overseeing a robust state economy, including a 3 percent unemployment rate.

"I'm making money in the stock market. My property taxes are down. A lot of jobs are out there for people," said Peter Balistreri, 60, a shipping manager for a transformer manufacturer, after voting for Walker in suburban Milwaukee.

In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, was being challenged by Democrat Fred Hubbell.

Iowa has been trending Republican, including supporting Trump by about 10 percentage points in 2016, but Hubbell sought to take advantage of voter unease over access to health insurance and the president's trade war with China, which could impact the state's agricultural community.

Republicans had other reasons for optimism on Tuesday, though.

On the East Coast, Republican Govs. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, both moderates, won reelection. Gov. Phil Scott of Vermont, also a moderate, had a sizable lead in early returns.

In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu, R, was favored over his Democratic challenger, Steve Marchand, the former mayor of Portsmouth.

Republicans also saw an opportunity to win back the governor's mansion in Connecticut, where incumbent Dannel Malloy, D, decided not to seek a third term.

Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski, both businessmen, battled in a race that heavily focused on taxes and the state's projected $2 billion budget deficit.

But even if the GOP won in Connecticut, the party was expected to struggle to hold on to the governorship in Maine, where Gov. Paul LePage, R, is term-limited. Three major candidates were vying to replace LePage: Democrat Janet Mills, the attorney general; Republican Shawn Moody, a businessman; and independent Teresea "Terry" Hayes, a former Democrat and the state treasurer.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates were mounting strong campaigns for governor in heavily Republican Oklahoma, Kansas and South Dakota.

In Oklahoma, Democrat Drew Edmondson was seeking to capitalize on the deep unpopularity of Gov. Mary Fallin, R, who has struggled to mange several rounds of deep budget cuts. Edmondson was facing Republican businessman Kevin Stitt, who campaigned as a strong supporter of Trump.

South Dakota voters were choosing between Billie Sutton - a former rodeo star who was paralyzed in a 2007 riding accident - and Republican Rep. Kristi Noem.

In the West, Democrats were optimistic that Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D, would defeat Rep. Stevan Pearce, R, in New Mexico's governor's race. The two candidates were vying to replace Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who is term-limited.

The Democratic incumbent who seemed most at risk of losing this year was Gov. Kate Brown, D, in Oregon.

Although it's a traditionally Democratic state, Brown was facing a stiff challenge from Republican Knute Buehler, who campaigned against Brown's support for tax increases and the problems the state has encountered in combating homelessness.

But with an all-mail balloting system, it could take days for all of Oregon's ballots to be counted.PARIS - European officials wasted no time in casting the results of the U.S. midterm elections as a rebuttal to the "rudeness" and "racism" of President Donald Trump.

Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's first vice president, declared that the gains that Democrats made in the House of Representatives were a clear sign of growing rift between Trump and the American people.

"Inspired by voters in the U.S. who chose hope over fear, civility over rudeness, inclusion over racism, equality over discrimination," Timmermans wrote in a Twitter post. "They stood up for their values. And so will we."

In France, government officials were mostly silent, in advance of Trump's visit to Paris for the anniversary of the 1918 armistice later this week. But Pierre Moscovici, a former French finance minister and now the EU's commissioner for economic and financial affairs, took his own swipe at Trump, playing on the president's self congratulation. "The Democrats win the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years despite powerful Republican gerrymandering," he wrote in a Twitter post. "Donald Trump is right: 'Tremendous success tonight.'"

Elsewhere in Europe, the reaction was more restrained, albeit still critical of Trump.

Speaking Wednesday morning, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Europe would do well to respond to Trump's "America First" line with "Europe United." Maas also said he had high hopes for what Democratic gains in the House might mean.

"We'll see to what extent that has an impact. We hope that this cooperation will be constructive and lead to constructive results in international politics," he said.

In Russia, the results were also muted.

Asked if the Democratic gains in the House would further complicate relations between Washington and Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said that it was unlikely.

"It's hardly possible to complicate them more. Everything is already quite complicated," Peskov said.

"As for the rest, despite the phobias that exist in the United States, Russia has not meddled, is not meddling, and is not going to meddle in electoral processes in any country in the world, including the U.S.," he added, referencing the conclusion by the U.S. intelligence community that Russian has done precisely that.

- - -

Anton Troianovski contributed to this report from Moscow.Democrats in three local partisan races had commanding leads over their opponents, early voting results show.

Democrat Tano Tijerina, incumbent Webb County judge, received 24,737 votes, or 76 percent of the 32,424 of early ballots cast in the race. His Republican opponent, Alfonso Poncho Casso, received 7,687 votes, or 24 percent.

Were just really excited and proud Team Tano, here, Tijerina said. Weve done a lot these four years, and were going to keep working hard.

The new fairgrounds is going be one of the major projects. Were also going to try for better parking downtown.

Tijerina said his platform has remained true to his original campaign pledge to change the face of the Webb County government.

His primary focus has been to lower the property tax rate and to keep the budget under control through spending accountability.

Unlike in the past, our new business office has streamlined operations, and our bills are now getting paid on time, Tijerina said in a questionnaire published in LMTs Election Guide. Also, unlike in the past, the new civil and legal department is advising all departments.

Tijerina said he has also prioritized safety, taking measures against election fraud, adding two new fire stations and protecting the environment by rejecting the proposed Raven refinery and the Pescadito landfill.

State representative race

Richard Pena Raymond, incumbent and Democratic candidate for state representative for District 42, received 16,902 votes, or 74 percent of the 22,887 early ballots cast in the race. His Republican opponent, Luis De La Garza, received 5,985 votes, or 26 percent.

I am very, very appreciative of the people of Laredo who continue to show trust in my representation of Laredo in the state capitol, Raymond said.

He added, Next week, Im introducing a bill I wrote that will increase funding for education, as well as have the largest property tax cut that the state has ever seen. The bill is ready, and I will be filing it next week. Its time to get to work. Election Day is over.

Raymond said his platform and primary concern is to provide law enforcement agencies necessary funds to keep the Laredo community safe.

Additionally, he said he believes in cutting property taxes, creating jobs and building the economy.

Im going to keep working closely with Democrats and Republicans for the betterment of Texas, Raymond said. We have to keep working together.

U.S. representative race

Henry Cuellar, incumbent and democratic candidate for U.S. representative for Texas 28th congressional district, received 28,281 votes, or 90 percent of the 31,390 of early ballots cast in the race. His Libertarian opponent, Arthur Thomas IV, received 3,109 votes, or 10 percent.

Cuellar could not be immediately reached for comment.

Cuellar was first elected as U.S. representative in 2005. He was the first Laredoan in over 20 years elected to represent the district.

According to his website, he has continued to improve education, national security, access to affordable health care and veterans assistance programs.

As the most degreed member of Congress, he points to education as the platform for his two decades of public service in Texas, his website states.Marijuana advocates scored a number of substantial ballot victories in the middle of the country on Election Day, chief among them the legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan, which becomes the 10th state in the nation to approve recreational use of the drug.

"Michigan will be the first state in the Midwest to end marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system in which marijuana is regulated for adult use," said Marijuana Policy Project deputy director Matthew Schweich, who directed the legalization campaign, in a statement. "Adults will no longer be punished for consuming a substance less harmful than alcohol, and rather than having to resort to the illegal market, they will be able to access it safely and legally from licensed businesses."WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has directed U.S. military commanders to stop calling the deployment of active-duty troops to the southern border "Operation Faithful Patriot," a name derided by critics as overtly political while President Donald Trump played up the mission in stumping for Republican candidates.

The decision was acknowledged Wednesday after the midterm elections, and it was not immediately clear what name the military operation may ultimately take instead.

"We are no longer calling it Operation Faithful Patriot," said a Pentagon spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis. "We are referring to it as border support. I have nothing further at this time."

A second Pentagon spokesman, Chris Sherwood, said that simply referring to the military operation as "border support" is a "more accurate description" because the Department of Homeland Security is overseeing it. The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which said the directive was issued by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis's office on Election Day. He has sought to shield the military from politics, with mixed results.

The operation has come under fire from some retired generals, who say it unnecessarily thrusts the military into politics. Trump sought to characterize migrants traveling north through Mexico from Central America in a "caravan" as an "invasion" of the United States. In reality, the group is believed to consist almost entirely of families who could legally apply for asylum at ports of entry at the border.

The operation, announced Oct. 29, is in support of the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. The Pentagon has sought to stress that it has only a support role, while the president has suggested that the military will face the migrants at the border.

Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Monday that the administration specifically asked for active-duty service members to deploy for the operation. They are limited in what they can do by the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal military from involvement in most domestic law enforcement missions in the United States. About 5,200 active-duty troops were expected to be involved in Faithful Patriot by Monday.

The military has deployed the U.S. military to the border before, but not in such large numbers of active-duty troops in a century. More typically, National Guard units, which operate under state authority, are called upon to provide support.

The U.S. military has released dozens of photos and videos in recent days of service members on the border, including some Tuesday of Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, chief of U.S. Northern Command, visiting service members deployed to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base as part of the operation. To date, the Pentagon has not allowed any independent media to cover the operations and provide a fuller account of what is occurring.The following excerpt is from Ben Angels book Unstoppable: A 90-Day Plan to Biohack Your Mind and Body for Success. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | IndieBound

Its time to dive deep, to bring your body and mind into alignment with that unstoppable version of yourself. To achieve this blissful alignment, the first step involves sleeping for consolidation, rest and rejuvenation.

Lack of sleep causes a number of health issues that can compound over time and impact our mood. Too little sleep upsets our emotions and our ability to make rational decisions. Likewise, excess fatigue can cause stress and irritability and engage decision fatigue well before it would normally be triggered.

We each have a unique circadian rhythm. It is an approximately 24-hour rhythm that ticks away in the background of our daily life, setting the pace for our minds and bodies. By following our natural patterns as much as possible, we feel more rested and experience greater mental clarity.

So how can you improve the quality of your sleep and recharge your battery so youre ready for the day ahead? The following list provides suggestions for getting a good nights sleep (without the use of drugs):

1. Block junk light.

Avoid using your electronic devices before bed, as they emit blue light that inhibits the production of the melatonin hormone, which regulates your sleep/wake cycle. This reduction makes it more difficult to fall asleep. Every time you look at the blue light from a screen, youre sending a signal to your brain that the sun is up. Most new phones now come with a built in blue light filter. Have this set to automatically come on around the same time the sun sets. Second, be sure to get plenty of natural light during the day -- it will help you produce more melatonin at night to help you sleep.

2. Block social media.

You knew this one was coming! Social medias addictive nature can pull us into a news feed and not let us out for hours. Your social media use may be causing you stress before bed. Allow at least one to two hours before sleep for your mind to wind down. Social media app blockers are available for both Android and iOS. After a week, youll realize how many times a day you check your phone and how much better you feel once the pattern is interrupted. Social media can lead to decision fatigue as well. Reduce it and feel your mindset clear.

3. Reduce stimulants.

Many people consume caffeinated drinks like coffee, sodas or tea late in the day, leading to disrupted sleeping patterns. Caffeine has a long half-life, meaning your body will still be processing it hours later. Some of us metabolize caffeine slower, which could result in side effects much later in the day. Also speak to your doctor to see if any medications youre on could be disrupting your sleep or having a stimulant effect, such as asthma medication. This could be corrected by taking the medication in the morning instead of later in the day. A doctor will advise you as to your specific needs.

4. Stick to a routine.

Prioritize your sleep. Its life giving and crucial to optimal cognitive functions that allow you to focus for lengthy periods of time. There isnt any specific time that you should go to bed; that is up to you and your unique circadian rhythm. If youve ever wondered why you get tired or hungry at the same time each day, thats your circadian rhythm at work. Its best that we follow these internal clocks and do what is right for us. Just because the habits of the ultra-successful include getting up at 5 a.m. doesnt mean you should, too. In fact, that could completely disrupt your natural rhythm and throw your life into disarray.

5. Drop the temperature and increase your deep sleep.

Research has found the optimal room temperature for sleep is a cool 60F to 68F. My initial increase in deep sleep correlated with getting stranded at the peak of winter in Canada. It began to decrease again after I returned home to Florida, which doesnt experience much of a winter at all.

6. Supplement with melatonin (sparingly).

Melatonin, an increasingly popular sleep-inducing supplement, comes with a warning. Taken by millions of Americans every year, its only recommended for short-term use (a few months or less). Melatonin may also increase blood sugar, so anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes should avoid its use. It should only be taken sparingly, as more research needs to be done. I use it rarely, such as when Im trying to recover from jet lag and resetting my circadian rhythm to a different time zone. For this reason, I would suggest not going with the cheapest brand.

7. Address vitamin deficiencies.

Three key vitamins are vitamins A, B6 and D. Vitamin D3 deficiencies are associated with sleep disorders, B6 deficiency has been linked to sleep disturbances, and Vitamin A is a vital contributor to setting and maintaining our circadian rhythm.

Without quality sleep, remembering key facts, staying focused and regulating your emotions becomes nearly impossible. Sleep plays a profound role in ensuring our brain can perform at its absolute best. Quality sleep is vital for our brains ability to remember and learn so we can adapt to the changing world around us.

Are you ready to become unstoppable?

Visit areyouunstoppable.com and take your FREE 5-minute online quiz now. By answering a series of simple questions, my software will analyze your results and provide you with a comprehensive report that will indicate your identity type and lead you to the tools and tips you need to close that gap between who you are and who you could be. Take the quiz to get started!

Related:

Priming Your Brain for Success Through Sleep

6 Sleep Habits and Early Morning Rituals of World Cup Champion Alex Morgan

13 Things You Can Do Daily to be Smarter, Healthier and Happier



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedWASHINGTON - President Donald Trump and newly empowered congressional Democrats appeared to be on a collision course over the release of the president's tax returns, as a top Democrat signaled he would demand the information under federal law and Trump insisted he would attempt to block any release.

Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., slated to become the chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, plans to insist Trump voluntarily release his tax returns, he said in an interview. If Trump doesn't, then Neal will file a legal request with the Treasury Secretary that would require the returns be disclosed to a small group of people on Capitol Hill. He predicted the matter would end up in federal court.

At a news conference Wednesday, Trump said his tax returns were already under audit and therefore he would not release them. He said he might consider releasing them at a later date, something he has said since at least 2016.

"Nobody turns over a [tax] return when it's under audit," Trump said during a news conference when asked about the returns.

Later, though, he acknowledged the audit would not prevent the release of his tax returns.

"I didn't say it prevented me, I said lawyers will tell you not to do it," he said. Then he asked the reporter to change the subject.

Democrats have said they want to scrutinize Trump's tax returns to see if he has any conflicts of interest. The inquiry could potentially tie to a broader investigation into any connection between Trump's presidential campaign and Russian involvement in the 2016 election - a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

Neal said there was longstanding precedent of presidents and presidential candidates releasing their tax returns. He acknowledged, though, that the Treasury Department might not quickly provide the information, setting up a legal battle.

"I assume that there would be some sort of a court case, but we'd have to wait and see," he said.

He said he would defer to staff on the Joint Committee on Taxation in Congress to determine what information might be requested and who would have access to it. He said the information could be closely held within Congress, as they'd want to abide by any legal parameters that protect privacy.

It's unclear what powers Trump might use to block the release of these filings, as the White House is not supposed to be part of the decision-making process that was set forth in the 1924 law that gives lawmakers the ability to demand the release of any tax return.

If Democrats demand the returns and Trump refuses to release them, it could set off a series of legal challenges, with federal judges being asked to adjudicate the limits of the president's power.

If Neal formally requests Trump's tax returns, the request would go to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Federal law stipulates that Mnuchin "shall" turn over the tax returns, and doesn't appear to give him much flexibility. It also doesn't appear to give the White House the power to intervene.

Treasury Department officials have been noncommittal about what would happen if Neal submits the request, and an agency spokesperson on Wednesday said "Secretary Mnuchin will review any request with Treasury's General Counsel for legality."

Trump's main reason for saying he wouldn't allow the tax returns to be released is because "people don't understand tax returns."

Neal dismissed that justification.

"How do you do them if nobody understands them?" Neal said, adding, "tax staff over at Joint Tax [Committee], they're pretty capable people."

"I think it's pretty obvious these are going to be complex documents," Neal said.

Trump also said that if Democrats began using their new majority to investigate him, he would direct Senate Republicans to launch investigations targeting Democrats. The investigations, he said, would destroy any prospect of bipartisan cooperation next year.

"All you are going to do is end up in back and forth and back and forth, and two years is going to end up and we won't have done a thing," Trump said.

In first calling on Trump to disclose the records voluntarily, Neal could be setting up a scenario where Trump can disclose a limited amount of records and avoid having Congress comb through all of his past tax returns.

In Tuesday night's midterm elections, Democrats won a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives. They will control the chamber beginning in January when new members are sworn in.

Some leading Democrats have suggested they will use a 1924 law that allows the the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to obtain the tax returns of any American from the Treasury Secretary.

They have said they might do this because during the 2016 presidential campaign Trump became one of the only presidential candidates in recent history who refused to release his tax returns.

The law Democrats would use to demand the tax returns was created during the Teapot Dome scandal in the Harding administration, when lawmakers were investigating conflicts of interest during the White House at that time.

The law says the Treasury Secretary "shall furnish" any "return or return information" requested by the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee.

If Trump ordered Mnuchin not to release his tax returns, Democrats could file a lawsuit and the issue could ultimately end up before the Supreme Court.

George Yin, the former executive director of the Joint Committee on Taxation, said in an interview Wednesday that he doesn't believe there is any legal basis for the White House to assert executive privilege in attempting to block the release of tax returns.

"I can't think of any grounds for executive privilege," said Yin, who is now a professor of law and taxation at the University of Virginia. "All of this seems to me to have nothing to do with his official duties as president."

But he said there would be an onus on Democrats to explain precisely why they are seeking the information, in order to prove there is a legitimate legislative purpose for any inquiry.

Janice Mays, who spent more than 40 years on the House Ways and Means Committee, including as chief counsel, said if Trump sought to block the release of his tax returns, Democrats could file a lawsuit, likely in U.S. District Court. Mays is now a managing director of tax policy services at PwC.

What the White House would want, Mays said, "is to buy two years of time" while the issue was bogged down by lawyers. And then the White House would hope "Republicans take the House [of Representatives in the 2020 election] and nobody is demanding [the tax returns] at that point."

In the interview, Neal said Democrats did not win control of the House by promising to obtain Trump's tax returns, and that it would not be the singular focus of his first year as chairman. He said Americans were more interested in issues like health care and Social Security, things he planned to focus on next year.The night Corey Stewart narrowly lost the Republican nomination for Virginia governor in 2017, he was already plotting his next big move: a "vicious, ruthless" campaign against Sen. Tim Kaine that Stewart vowed would torch the affable Democrat.

Today, Stewart stands in the ashes of what unofficial results show was a 16 percentage point loss to Kaine, D-Va., unsure of what he'll do next and whether his 15-year political career has also finally gone up in smoke.

After losing three statewide elections - Tuesday's loss, the 2017 gubernatorial primary election to Ed Gillespie and a 2013 loss to conservative minister E.W. Jackson for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor - Stewart may be out of running room for high-profile offices in Virginia.

His future also remains uncertain as chair of the Board of Supervisors in Prince William County - where voters chose Kaine on Tuesday by 29 points.

Returning to the Board of Supervisors may be a stale consolation prize for a political showman who sought to ride the Trump era to heights far beyond the mundane concerns of local zoning cases, school funding and traffic.

If Stewart does seek a fifth term as chair next year, he would face a strong Republican nomination challenge from Martin E. Nohe - the board's vice chair - in an increasingly moderate county that may be tired of his fights to preserve Confederate monuments in Virginia, his attacks on undocumented immigrants and his past associations with white nationalists that weighed down Stewart's Senate bid, political analysts say.

In other words, the road to political recovery, if it exists, could be rocky after an election where Virginia's fractured Republican Party also saw disappointing losses in three House races.

"At this point, I don't know what that path would be," said Quentin Kidd, director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.

"It's hard to go back to voters in Prince William County and say: 'I want to be on the Board of Supervisors' when all you've spent your time doing for the past several years is running for other offices, and embarrassing a lot of residents in Prince William County along the way," Kidd said.

Stewart said Tuesday night that he plans to take some time to rest and reflect on what lies ahead.

He has been campaigning for office for four consecutive years, Stewart said, referring to his 2015 reelection as county board chair, the brief stint in 2016 as chair of President Trump's campaign in Virginia, followed by the failed bids for governor and senator.

What's more, his political rhetoric has apparently hurt his international trade law practice.

Earlier this year, a major automobile industry client dropped Stewart as its attorney, slicing his income in half, Stewart said.

"I have not decided what I'm going to do," Stewart said. "I am campaigned out right now, I'll tell you that much."

Stewart's often acidic Senate campaign was both a product of deep divisions within Virginia's Republican Party and a cause of more internal party strife.

His victory in June over state Del. Nicholas "Nick" Freitas, R, for the party's Senate nomination was fueled by arguments that the person to take out Kaine - Virginia's former governor and Hillary Clinton's 2016 running mate - should be a take-no-prisoners conservative who models himself after Trump.

Stewart regularly derided state party leaders, most notably when he called General Assembly members who supported Medicaid expansion "flaccid," "garbage" and "toilet paper" Republicans as he waved a roll in the air outside the state Capitol.

While the tact helped him win in a low-turnout GOP primary, it undercut his general election campaign from the start, with several prominent fundraisers and party leaders immediately distancing themselves from Stewart.

"Attacking your own party and the so-called 'establishment' is counterproductive," said John Whitbeck, who resigned as state party chairman shortly after Stewart's primary election victory. "It leads to people unwilling to donate or volunteer or be generally supportive of a candidacy."

Stewart's campaign suffered further from controversies over his ties to well-known white nationalists such as Paul Nehlen, a self-professed "pro-white"congressional candidate in Wisconsin, and Jason Kessler, an organizer of the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville last year that led to the death of Heather Hyer, 32.

Badly trailing Kaine in polls and campaign cash, Stewart briefly tried to soften his abrasive style in hopes of winning over moderate voters, but that effort didn't last long.

He doubled down on the vitriol by, among other things, implying without evidence that Kaine had been accused of sexual harassment - an attempt to capitalize on Republican anger over the claims of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court nomination battle.

The approach drove away many potential supporters.

"I used to like him," said Miguel Martinez, 27, a former Prince William County police officer who chose Libertarian candidate Matt Waters over Stewart and Kaine on Tuesday. "He's just ventured a little too far right for me."

Overall, the failure underscores a need for Virginia's Republican Party to "retool" in a state where Trump is deeply unpopular, said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.

The gains by Democrats this year and in last year's General Assembly races prove that uber conservatives like Stewart will no longer succeed in a statewide race, Farnsworth said.

"A conversation about Confederate statues will not resonate with a statewide electorate in the same way it did 30 years ago," Farnsworth said.

Nohe (R-Coles) thinks the same thing about Prince William County.

Over the years, Stewart's campaigns for higher office have hampered the board's ability to deal with local concerns, such as traffic congestion or crowded schools, Nohe said.

One example occurred in April, when Stewart introduced a measure that would have tripled the tax rate on computers used by businesses, with the extra income meant to cover a drop in residential property taxes by an average of $32 per year while funneling an extra $9 million to county schools.

Stewart cast the idea as a way to make large computer data centers in the county pay their fair share while helping homeowners and students. He noted that the data centers in the county paid less than in other jurisdictions.

But most of his colleagues on the Republican-controlled board saw it as damaging to all local businesses, while potentially driving away lucrative data center companies and thought Stewart was promoting it as a way to win political support from some voters.

Stewart pulled the plan when he saw he lacked support.

"It didn't make any sense if your goal was to grow the economy in Prince William County," Nohe said.

Elena Schlossberg, a community activist in Prince William, said voters in the county have grown tired of such moves.

Stewart began his political career in 2003 as a slow-growth advocate representing the county's sleepy Occoquan district. Shortly after he won the 2006 special election for the chairman's seat, Stewart began getting contributions from developers and promoted more construction. He then morphed into the scourge of undocumented immigrants that won him national recognition.

"When everything you do is through a lens of votes and there is not a core fundamental belief system, it's a house of cards that eventually falls apart," said Schlossberg.

Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, R, said Stewart would still probably do well in a countywide election, where voters may show their satisfaction with county services under his leadership.

Late last month, Lawson said, she ran into Stewart at a party in Gainesville to celebrate the county's success in blocking Dominion Energy from installing power lines near a group of homes.

Stewart was instrumental in getting state authorities to order Dominion to partially bury the lines beneath Interstate-66 as a way to accommodate a data center complex nearby.

That evening, his looming loss appeared to darken his mood, and he seemed ambivalent about settling back into county politics, Lawson said.

But, she said, Stewart "can change his mind like the wind."

After the results were in Tuesday night, Stewart briefly seemed inclined toward leaving the political spotlight, though he said he hopes to help Trump win reelection in 2020.

"I've been chairman for 12 years," Stewart said. "That's a long, long time."

Surrounded by TV news cameras, he then remarked: "I wish you'd given me this much attention sooner!"The father of a child killed in a violent north Houston crash Wednesday is facing a felony murder charge.

The father had just picked up his 8-year-old and 5-year-old boys from school when he crashed into two tow trucks at a stop light in the 2400 block of West Mount Houston Road around 1:20 p.m., according to Harris County Sheriff's Office Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland.

Neither boy was in any sort of restraint at the time of the crash, Gilliland said.

The force of the crash instantly killed the 8-year-old boy. The father and 5-year-old boy were rushed to area hospitals in critical condition.

DEADLY ROADS: Streak of death days on Texas roads reaches 18 years

Gilliland said the father, who was not immediately identified, admitted to drinking before the crash.

Prosecutors reviewed the case and charged the father with first-degree felony murder.

In Texas, a person can be charged with murder if someone dies while they are committing a felony.

In this case, deputies believe the father was committing felony DWI, namely DWI with a child, and allegedly caused his son's death.

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EL PASO  Beto O'Rourke supporters wholeheartedly believed he would become the first Democrat to win statewide office in more than two decades.

But Tuesday's election results proved that while O'Rourke raised millions of dollars and galvanized many Texans to vote for the first time, it still wasn't enough to clench a victory over Republican incumbent Ted Cruz.

Here are a few explanations for why O'Rourke wasn't able to pull it off in the end.

RELATED: Local O'Rourke supporters sacrificed all for their choice

Dedicated Republican voters: Texas saw a surge of voter turnout in Democrat strongholds like Harris, Travis and Dallas counties. At the polls and on social media, many people said they were voting for the first time in a midterm election. O'Rourke also clinched the vote from college students, who typically don't turn out during midterms. Border counties like El Paso and Hidalgo saw a surge in voter turnout.

Judging from Gov. Greg Abbotts win over his Democratic opponent, O'Rourke was able to persuade some Republicans to vote for him over Cruz, but just not enough. Republican strongholds, like Collin and Montgomery counties, had just enough voters turn out to keep Cruz in office.

Not moderate enough: O'Rourke spent millions on ads portraying himself as the guy who will work for all Texans, regardless of party. But that didn't persuade enough moderate Republicans.

Ultimately, O'Rourke's record in Congress shows that he toes the Democratic party line, supporting pro-choice issues and universal health care. When Cruz attacked him on "open border" policies and said O'Rourke did not believe in abortion limits, O'Rourke rarely fought back. That ultimately cost him.

RELATED: Ted Cruz edges out Beto O'Rourke in an epic Texas race that goes down to the wire

Slow to respond: ORourke touted his grassroots campaign as a badge of honor. He didnt employ pollsters or consultants and ran much of his campaign out of the front seat of his minivan. While that was appealing to some voters, it ultimately hurt ORourke who may have benefited from statewide-campaign experts who could have advised him on the best way to use the millions in campaign cash he raised.

ORourke became more fiery in the last debate against Cruz and in some of his TV ads, but throughout the campaign, his staff was often too slow respond to Cruzs attacks.

When Cruz called ORourke a socialist during the first debate, ORourke shot back that Cruz was acting true to form by refusing to say anything positive about his opponent. ORourke never really denied the underlying claim and was also slow to push back against Cruzs charge that ORourke voted for a $10 per-barrel tax on oil, a claim that dominated many of Cruzs television ads.The Prime Minister has formed five new business councils to advise on how to create the best business conditions in the UK after Brexit.

Each council will aim to meet three times a year, twice with Theresa May and once with a senior cabinet minister, to provide high-level advice and policy recommendations on the critical issues affecting business. The councils will also be a forum for government to share developing policy ideas and seek the views of members.

Co-chaired by two business leaders, each council will have around ten members representing core sectors of the UK economy, as well as a representative from the UKs key business groups.

Infrastructure, construction and housing will be covered by the Industrial, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Committee, which will be co-chaired by Sir Roger Carr (Chairman, BAE Systems) and Ian Davis (Chairman, Rolls Royce). Stephen Phipson (Chief Executive Officer of the EEF) will be the business group representative.

May said: "The UK has always been one of the best places in the world to do business and is a leader in sectors from advanced manufacturing to the creative industries.

"Brexit presents a huge opportunity to build a better, stronger economy for people all over the country. So Ive asked these new councils to advise us on the opportunities and challenges facing business as we shape the UK for the future."

Carr said: "Companies in the industrial, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors are the backbone of the economy and amongst our largest employers. We are a vital part of the wealth creating machinery of the country where improved training, productivity and exporting will be the cornerstones of our global success. Engaging with the Prime Minister to tackle these issues in a focused and practical manner is a welcome and important step forward in achieving our collective growth ambitions."

May is due to welcome the co-chairs at Downing Street for the first time today, when she will set out their objectives and they will discuss cross-cutting issues such as productivity and international investment.

They are:

Jan du Plessis (Chairman, BT Group) and Carolyn McCall (CEO, ITV) will co-chair the Telecoms, Creative, Technology and Media Council. John Allan (President, CBI) and Stephen Martin (Director General, IOD) will be the business group representatives

Sir Roger Carr (Chairman, BAE Systems) and Ian Davis (Chairman, Rolls Royce) will co-chair the Industrial, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Council. Stephen Phipson (CEO, EEF) will be the business group representative

James Timpson (CEO, Timpson), Brent Hoberman (Co-Founder and Chairman, Founders Forum) and Emma Jones (Founder, Enterprise Nation) will co-chair the Small Business, Scale ups and Entrepreneurs Council. Mike Cherry (National Chairman, Federation of Small Business) will be the business group representative

Paul Manduca (Chairman, Prudential) and Shriti Vadera (Chairman, Santander UK) will co-chair the Services - Financial, Professional and Education Services Council. Carolyn Fairbairn, (DG, CBI) will be the business group representative

Dave Lewis (CEO, Tesco) and Emma Walmsley (CEO, GSK) will co-chair the Consumer, Retail and Life Sciences Council. Adam Marshall (DG, British Chambers of Commerce) will be the business group representative.

Jones said: "The overwhelming majority of businesses in the UK are small and they are the heart of our economy  so Im pleased that their voice is formally being recognised in these councils. Im looking forward to representing these entrepreneurs and innovators and discussing their unique perspective with the Prime Minister."

The business councils will provide the Prime Minister and her ministerial team with regular, high-level advice and policy recommendations on critical issues affecting business that will enable companies to invest, grow and succeed in the UK once it leaves the European Union.The Chair of Ireland's Policing Authority has said the only way communities will get the level of service it requires is if they continue to speak out about their concerns and desires.

Josephine Feehily impressed upon the need for sustained communication channels between the Gardai and the wider public to be upheld in order to deliver the best possible results for all concerned.

ALSO READ: No pledge to re-open closed Longford garda stations

In delivering her address in Ballymahon on Monday evening, Ms Feehily referred to comments made by Mr Justice Tony Hunt last week at Dublin's Special Criminal Court.

Ms Feehily said the judge's observations in handing down life sentences to three people for their involvement in the murder of Gareth Hutch two years ago were particularly noteworthy.

That (successful prosecution) came about as a result of an exceptional police investigation and an exceptional presentation by the DPP, said Ms Feehily.

But in reading the judgement, Judge Hunt said: 'The community gets the police service it supports'.

I thought it was a really powerful point.

Whether its domestic violence or bail, or bicycles, you get the policing service you support.

A self-confessed champion of Joint Policing Committees, Ms Feehily stressed it was only through forums of such ilk that those demands can be met.

I am a big fan of JPCs because they are very well placed to harness the collaboration with local authorities, she said.

The Gardai cannot deliver the policing service you want unless you tell them what you want.A man accused of handling stolen property in Edgeworthstown earlier this year, has been sent forward for trial to a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court next year.

Patrick Clyne, of 22 The Hollows, Longford was served with the Book of Evidence by Sgt Martin Bushell at a recent Longford District Court sitting in connection to three charges.

They included the possession of a white Nissan Navara FX at Church Street, Edgeworthstown on January 26 and February 4 2018 contrary to Section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

On the last named date, a further possession of stolen property charge was issued regarding a white Ford Transit.

Judge Seamus Hughes was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had given the go-ahead for the case to be sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on January 15 2019.

The accused was consequently issued with what is known as the alibi warning, meaning that if he intends to use an alibi in his defence he must inform the State solicitor within 14 days.

Judge Hughes approved extending District Court bail to the accused.

An application for legal aid for a junior counsel was also agreed to by the court.Music, Movies & Entertainment, Local News, Business & Finance, Arts & Culture, Press Releases

By Bay Street Theatre Published: November 07 2018

Allen OReilly has been named the new Director of Education and Community Outreach, and Paul Anthony Mongelluzzo joins as Manager of Sales and Sponsorships.

Sag Harbor, NY - November 7, 2018 - Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce two new employees at Bay Street Theater, who will help support continued growth at Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center of The Arts. Allen OReilly has been named the new Director of Education and Community Outreach, and Paul Anthony Mongelluzzo joins as Manager of Sales and Sponsorships.

Allen OReilly has been an educator and professional actor for over thirty years. He has served as Artistic Director at Young Audiences of Atlanta, Education Director at Georgia Shakespeare and most recently Education Programs Manager at Cleveland Play House. Allen has acted at Cleveland Play House, Geva Theatre Center, Clarence Brown Theatre and the Alliance Theatre and was an associate artist at Georgia Shakespeare for twenty-four seasons. TV/film credits include: Sleepy Hollow, TURN: Washingtons Spies, Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius, The Assassins Code and the upcoming Anhedonia.

We are thrilled to welcome Allen as Director of Education & Community Outreach, says Scott Schwartz, Artistic Director at Bay Street Theater. With his years of experience, we know that he will help to build a robust education program, including new initiatives as well as developing even more ties and partnerships with the community.

Paul Anthony Mongelluzzo has been part of the Long Island broadcast community for over 25 years, spending the majority of his career as a Sales Manager with Clear Channels WALK 97.5 Radio. Paul has experience in media sales, marketing, public relations, social media as well as experiential / event marketing. His career has had him working with local accounts, national advertisers and advertising agencies and managing sales teams to develop and grow sources of advertising revenue. Pauls entrepreneurial pursuit is his own company, Long Island Comedy, which produces the annual Long Island Comedy Festival, New Years LAUGHIN Eve and the new 50+ Comedy Tour.

We are thrilled to welcome both Allen and Paul to the Bay Street team, says Tracy Mitchell, Executive Director at Bay Street Theater, Their participation will help Bay Street continue to grow and thrive as a theater and as a center for the arts. Education plays a key role in future development of theater audiences, and having the financial support to allow everyone to participate who wishes to, is at the core our mission of what we offer to our community.Four Suspects Sought by NCPD in Connection with Baldwin Assault and Robbery

Local News, Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 07 2018

23 year-old male victim was beaten and robbed at the 7-11 on Merricks Road by a gang of four men, police say.

Baldwin, NY - November 7, 2018 - The First Squad reports the details of a Robbery that occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:13 p.m. in The First Squad reports the details of a Robbery that occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:13 p.m. in Baldwin

According to detectives, a 23 year-old male victim was inside the 7-11 convenience store located at 964 Merrick Rd. when he was assaulted by four unknown males. The subjects punched and kicked the victim over his body. They then dragged him outside of the store and continued to attack him. The subjects removed jewelry and a cell phone before fleeing the scene in a blue 4-door BMW in an unknown direction.

The subjects are described as follows:

Male black, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, yellow/white jacket with black pants and a white belt.

Male black, wearing a Camo style grey/white/black jacket with black pants.

Male black, wearing black pants with a dark hat and a purple/white jacket.

Male black, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with various injuries.The iPhone XR might not be as cutting-edge as the iPhone XS, but it strikes a perfect balance between affordability and luxury without sacrificing the things that make it great.

We may never know what the R in the iPhone XR actually meansApple VP Phil Schiller himself said that the R doesnt really mean much to Apple. But I have my own guess: reboot.

Before the release of the iPhone X last year, the iPhone 8 was in need of a redesign. It had been some three years since Apple first unveiled its large-screen iPhones, but nothing about them changed much since the iPhone 6. The iPhone 8 brought wireless charging and a better camera, but it didnt look or feel like a 2017 phone, let alone a 2018 one.

But rather than scrap the idea of the iPhone 8 and go all in on the higher-priced and margined X, Apple went back to the drawing board to create a seemingly impossible iPhone that had the specs of a proverbial iPhone 9, the look of an iPhone X, and the price of an iPhone 8.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The iPhone XRs glass back is smooth to the touch but not overly slippery.

Like any reboot of a classic, the iPhone XR could have gone spectacularly wrong. But with the iPhone XR, Apple nailed it. The chip, battery, and storage are all best in class. The price slides nicely in between the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone XS. And the design is close enough to the iPhone X and XS that from a reasonable distance the phones look identicalmaybe you even expected some serious compromises that push people to the upper models in a bait-and-switch move. Thats not the case.

When you take everything into considerationprice, design, storage, camera, battery life, and performancethe iPhone XR might be the best iPhone Apple has ever made, even if its not technically the most advanced. In fact, Id venture to guess that more people are going to buy an iPhone XR over an iPhone XS. Its just that good.

A premium design for less

The iPhone XR is basically the iPhone XSs fraternal twin. It has the same shape, same glass back, same contoured band, same rounded corners. And its got just as big of a notch at the top of the screen. Pick it up and it feels just like a slightly thicker XS.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max (left) is quite a bit bigger than the 6.1-inch iPhone XR.

Beyond their superficial similarities, there are distinct differences between the two phones. Most notably, the XRs glass back comes in a variety of colors that give it a playful personality. The sides are made of aluminum, a material downgrade from the stainless steel on the XS, but theyre anodized to perfectly match whichever color you choose. Its a subtle change that comes down to a matter of preference, but I actually preferred the XRs matte finish to the XSs shiny chrome.

The XR is easily the most unique iPhone since the iPhone 5c, and I suspect most people are going to opt to use it without a case. Apparently Apple does too, so much so that its not selling a first-party case for the XR. To that end, Apple claims that the glass covering the display is stronger than any iPhone that came before, and the rear glass, while not as shatter-resistant as the iPhone XS, is at least as good as the iPhone 8. It also has a tackier feel than the XS, at least to my fingers.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The Lightning port on the iPhone XR (bottom) is slightly off-center as compared to the iPhone XS Max.

If youre a stickler for symmetry, youll notice that the Lightning port on the bottom edge is ever-so-slightly off-center, likely due to the whatever engineering tricks Apple is performing under the screen to get the bezels uniform. And bezels there are. If theres a knock against the iPhone XRs design its that the bezels are distractingly thick, to the point where it almost feels like a cheap iPhone XS knockoff.

Itll surely be a deal-breaker for some, but theres a perfectly valid reason for such thick bezels: the iPhone XR uses an LCD screen so it needs to be constantly backlit. As such, the extra millimeter ensures there wont be any light leakage or bright spots. Its a fine trade-off when you consider the alternative would have been a deeper chin and forehead. Besides, bezels are a superficial issue anyway, and theyll quickly melt away as you use it.

The next best thing to OLED

While the iPhone XRs display might look like the one on the XS, make no mistake: its basically a larger iPhone 8 Plus with rounded corners. That means its 720p HD LCD display is a step below the Full HD screen on the iPhone 8 and a far cry from the near-2K OLED on the XS.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The screen on the iPhone XS Max (right) is noticeable crisper and clearer than the iPhone XR, but youll only notice it if you hold them side by side.

But the iPhone XR is still in the Retina zone, which is all that really matters. When Apple coined the term Retina back in 2010 with the 3.5-inch iPhone 4, its 326 ppi measurement was exactly the same as it is the iPhone XR. That was then, and display tech has improved tremendously over the past eight years, and even giant phones have insanely high pixel densities, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (516) and Google Pixel 3 XL (523). Even if you compare apples to apples with another 6.1-inch LCD phone such as the LG G7, the XR gets trounced (563 ppi to 326 ppi).

Thats a bigger deal on paper than in practice. Anything over 300 ppi is basically indistinguishable to the human eye, so based solely on resolution, the iPhone XR will look just as good as the iPhone XS or Galaxy Note 9. Even when playing scaled-down HD content on Netflix or YouTube, its very hard to discern much of a difference in picture quality between it and a screen with a higher resolution.

However, displays are more than the sum of their pixels, and the color accuracy and saturation on the iPhone XRs LCD is nowhere near as good as a high-quality HDR-certified OLED. Its not nearly as noticeable in everyday use as it is when comparing it side by side with the XS or the Pixel 3, but the LCD on the iPhone is definitely a downgrade from premium OLED phones.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The bezels on the iPhone XR are noticeablt thicker than on the iPhone XS Max.

But within its own context, the XRs LCD is pretty remarkable, with excellent white balance and stunning brightness. It might not have the deep blacks of OLED, but like the iPad Pro, the XR still feels like a modern smartphone display, especially with True Tone turned on.

Apples 120Hz sampling makes elements appear quicker when tapped and touched, and while animations arent quite as speedy as they are on the iPad Pros ProMotion screen, it goes a long way toward making the XR feel faster than it should. And the rounded corners and balanced full-screen design truly belie its price tag. You lose 3D Touch, but something like icon shortcuts can be added later using haptics.

While using the iPhone XR, I didnt really miss my OLED phones much at all, and the only criticism I can level is the viewing angle, which is significantly narrower than older LCD iPhones. What I did miss from those Android OLEDs was an ambient display. Despite the introduction of OLED screens, Apple has stubbornly refused to implement an always-on display on any of its phones. As such, the screen lights up every time a notification comes in, and the lock screen needs to be fully illuminated just to check the time. Id love to see an ambient display added to the iPhone XR in iOS 12.3 as part of Apples customary mid-cycle feature supplement.

Incredible speed, amazing battery life

With fewer pixels to push, the iPhone XR is actually able to beat the iPhone XS and XS Max in one key category: battery life. Even with a sub-3,000 mAh battery capacity, the iPhone XR is one of the longest-lasting phones at this or any price range, and it ran circles around the Pixel 3 XL and Galaxy S9.

It even gave the Galaxy Note 9 and its 4,000 mAh battery a run for its money. I consistently got 7 to 8 hours of hard-pushing screen-on time (games, movies, streaming, etc), and close to 10 on less strenuous days. I never had to charge the iPhone XR before my day was over, including one particularly lengthy stint while streaming Apple Music and using turn-by-turn navigation.

Christopher Hebert/IDG Despite a smaller battery, the iPhone XR (right) actually lasts longer than the iPhone XS Max.

Apple hasnt cut back on performance to boost the iPhone XRs battery life either. The XR has the same A12 Bionic chip as the XS, and its a straight-up screamer. Apps and animations fly across the screen due to a combination of the processors speed and usual iOS optimization, and anyone upgrading from an iPhone 6s or earlierwhich I suspect will comprise a large portion of saleswill see a tremendous speed boost. Even moving from an iPhone 7 will be a profound improvement.

In our Geekbench 4 tests, we found that the iPhone XRs speed falls right in line with the Phone XS and XS Plus. Compared to the iPhone X, the XR is 13 percent faster in single-core performance, and about 10 percent faster in multi-core. You can get the complete story of our benchmark results (which include several other tests) in our iPhone XR benchmark article.

IDG Higher scores/longer bars indicate better performance. Click to enlarge.

And its small thing, but I appreciate the storage tiers on the XR as well. While it has the same 64GB base tier as the higher-end phones, Apple forces customers to spend an extra $150 for 256GB of storage on the XS, artificially inflating the price for more storage than most people will need. On the XR, you can double the storage to 128GB for just $50, which is much more palatable.

Face ID leads the way

A rear fingerprint sensor would have been an easy way out for the iPhone XR, offering a familiar biometric while allowing an even smaller notch on the front. Instead, Apple put a next-generation True Depth camera in the XR, and like the chip and design, it puts Apples cheapest phone on equal footing with its most expensive.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The iPhone XRs notch hides the same True Depth camera and sensors as the iPhone XS.

Face ID on the iPhone XR is every bit as extraordinary as it is on the XS, and slightly quicker and more forgiving than the iPhone X. Its not just an improvement over Touch ID on the iPhone 8, it delivers the same surprisingly delightful ease of use that I felt the first time I used the iPhone 5s fingerprint sensor or the original iPhones slide-to-unlock bar. You wont realize just how clunky reaching for a fingerprint sensor is until you experience Face ID for the first time.

On the iPhone XR, Face ID feels way more mature than it did on the iPhone X. You can add a second face, and the integration with password managers and other apps makes it far more useful than as a mere unlocking mechanism. But most people who buy this phone will care more about Animoji and Memoji, which both work just as well on the iPhone XR. For most people, the True Depth camera is more likely a bonus than a reason to buy the XR, but its presence on the XR goes a long way toward elevating it to top-tier status.

Thats mainly due to iOS 12. Theres nothing here that you cant get with the iPhone 7 or 8, but coupled with the A12 Bionic chip, iOS 12 feels right at home on the XR. Gesture navigation is smart and fluid, Face ID is insanely fast, and app switching is incredibly smooth. Id still like actually split-screen multitasking and an app drawer, but iOS 12 simply shines on the XR.

One camera does the work of two

Other than the display, the other semi-sacrifice the iPhone XR makes is with the camera. Instead of a dual array like the one the iPhone XS, the XR has a solitary lens on the rear. Apple did the same thing to distinguish the iPhone from the Plus models, and just like those phones, you lose the zoom lens.

Christopher Hebert/IDG One of the main differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone XS Max is the camera.

While the lack of a 2X optical zoom could certainly be a deal-breaker for some, I found the XRs digital zoom to be perfectly adequate in most situations. Yes, its noisier than optical zoom and sometimes the zooming algorithm picked the wrong white balance, but the digital-only results are hardly unusable. Unless you rely on zoom a great deal, you probably wont miss it.

Michael Simon/IDG Since the iPhone XR cant take non-person portraits, the Pixel 3 XL (center) and Galaxy Note 9 (right) handled the depth in this photo of a flower much better. In the photos below, you can see the iPhone XRs portrait engine at work. Its digital wide-aperture is just as good as the Pixel 3 XL (center) and Galaxy Note 9 (right). And it nailed the color in my sons cheeks as well. Michael Simon/IDG

To compensate for the zoom lens bokeh duties, Apple has upped up its computational photography game to allow the XR to take portraits, a first for a single-camera iPhone. And theyre quite good. When compared with the Note 9s dual-camera system, the XR was able to discern the background from the subject just as well (and oftentimes better), and was mostly able to keep pace with the Pixel 3 XLs exceptional abilities as well.

Its a bummer that portrait mode doesnt work with anything other than people, but itll be interesting to see how Apple enhances its processing engine, assuming future iterations of the XR stick with a single lens.

Michael Simon/IDG The iPhone XR (left) consistently handles exposure and contrast better than the Pixel 3 XL (center) and Galaxy Note 9 (right).

When taking regular pics, the XR is basically an XS, which is to say its one of the best cameras youre going to get in a smartphone. Even in a season with serious thousand-dollar standouts, the $750 iPhone XR doesnt give up anything to its peers, and I consistently took top-notch, gallery-worthy shots. Apples professing engine often split the difference between Samsungs slight overexposure and Googles artistic underexposure to capture crisp, detailed, and hyper-realistic shots that needed little re-touching. The XR excelled in all kinds of light, and while its low-light mode isnt quite as good as the Pixel 3 XLs fantastic Night Sight, I wouldnt hesitate to recommend the XR to anyone debating between it and a higher priced phone.

Michael Simon/IDG The iPhone XS Max (right) takes clear and color accurate photos when using the 2X optical zoom, but the iPhone XRs digital version isnt terrible.

A few other observations:

I snapped all of my photos with Smart HDR turned on, mainly because Apple makes it needlessly complicated to turn if off. Instead of a toggle in the app, youll need to go the the Camera settings in the Settings app.

Apple has given the XR the same ability to adjust portraits as on the XS: You can adjust the depth of field before taking a shot (by tapping the f button in the top right corner, and after (by tapping Edit in the Photos app).

You cant use stage lighting on the XR.

Even without optical zoom, I missed the one-tap 2X zoom button above the shutter. Its much handier than pinching.

Apples stock camera app still stubbornly lacks a real set of manual controls, but there are a variety of third-party apps that will provide that functionality.

Bottom line

While the iPhone XR obviously takes its cues from Apples thousand-dollar flagship phones, its priced like an iPhone 9 would be. In an alternate reality where the iPhone X never existed, the XR would be the most exciting iPhone in years, and people would be lining up to buy one.

Christopher Hebert/IDG The iPhone XR (right) doesnt have as good of a screen or camera as the iPhone XS Max, but you cant beat the value it provides.

As such, the iPhone XR gets second billing to the iPhone XS and is seen as a lesser alternative. Its most definitely not. It might not be quite as cutting-edge as the XS, but its a massive improvement over the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and even with a single camera, the XR is able to take stellar photos, even portraits. Easily, the iPhone XR is the best entry-level iPhone Apple has ever made, and its not much of a stretch to say that the iPhone XR is the greatest iPhone Apple has made to date, with a perfect blend of good, better, and best.

If youre upgrading from an iPhone 7 or earlier and balk at spending a thousand dollars on a phone, the iPhone XR is really a no-brainer. The new design is a massive improvement over the home button-centric one, and the battery life is the best Ive ever experienced in an iPhone. And iOS 12 just brings it all together.

Quite frankly, anyone on the iPhone Upgrade Program should consider the XR as well. That includes people using an iPhone X. I swapped my 256GB iPhone X for a 128GB XR, and I saved $15 a month in the process, and I havent regretted it. So you can add higher payments to the list of things you wont dont miss with the iPhone XR.An alliance formed around Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans Civic Contract party won an overwhelming majority in the Yerevan city council elections, despite an ongoing smear campaign by media controlled by the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), former president Robert Kocharyan, and their proxies. The election results substantiated Pashinyans determination to dissolve the National Assembly and to hold snap parliamentary elections in December. Despite the confrontational campaign by the RPA and its allies, and their attempts to discredit the government and obstruct investigations into the actions of several former officials, Pashinyans high popular support seems enough to advance his political agenda.

BACKGROUND: Within weeks after the Velvet Revolution and the election of its leader, Nikol Pashinyan, as Armenias new prime minister (see the 05/02/18 Issue of the CACI Analyst), the government became the target of a propaganda campaign by a number of media and social network users, with active participation of MPs from the formerly ruling RPA including former President Serzh Sargsyans staunchest supporters. Denouncements of new government members as too young and inexperienced were soon followed by allegations that they were betraying national and family values through sponsorship of religious sects and the LGBT community, as well as plans to legalize cannabis.

The disinformation campaign, using several media outlets and social networks, further intensified after the launch of a criminal investigation into the events of March 1, 2008, and indictments of several former officials. In 2008, police and army units attacked demonstrators after 12 days of mass protests in Yerevan following a contested presidential election, killing 10 people. Former President Robert Kocharyan, former Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan, and former Deputy Minister of Defense General Yuri Khachaturov, are accused of violating the constitution and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.

The fact that some members of government were formerly employed by Open Society FoundationArmenia (OSF), frequently labeled the Soros Foundation, has become a recurrent propaganda topic. In particular, the campaign has drawn attention to a brother of the head of the Special Investigative Service, who has been employed by OSF. Moreover, allegations abound that the government plans to sell Karabakh, i.e. make unilateral concessions on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Similar assertions constituted powerful leverage in 1998, when then-Prime Minister Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, then Minister of National Security, forced President Levon Ter-Petrossian to resign.

Pashinyan has continued to rely on popular support to advance his agenda, despite the increasingly visible resistance from the remaining RPA parliamentary majority. On August 17, Pashinyans 100th day in office, supporters once again held a rally, expressing their will to protect the results of the Velvet Revolution. They declared plans to speed up the adoption of amendments to the election code, and to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections.

IMPLICATIONS: Despite the propaganda efforts, Pashinyans popularity remains high. The My Move bloc formed around his party, Civic Contract, won an overwhelming majority (58 of 65 seats) in the Yerevan city council elections on September 23. The Prosperous Armenia Party won five seats and the remaining three seats went to the Luys alliance, formed by two parties that were allied with Civic Contract during the previous parliamentary elections in 2017. Although widespread vote buying has become customary in recent decades, only a few such incidents were reported this time. The police, acting upon appropriate orders, effectively prevented most of the attempts and Election Day was unusually calm, without bussing of voters, attempts to cast several ballots, and other familiar violations. During the run-up to the elections, in which the RPA chose not to participate, the Prosperous Armenia and ARF-Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) parties, which joined the minority government in May, opposed Pashinyans declared political course.

While Pashinyans supporters considered the election results to reaffirm the need for snap parliamentary elections, RPA chose to embark on an open confrontation. After the city council elections, Prosperous Armenia and ARFD (the latter gained no seats) also adopted a rhetoric similar to that of RPA.

On October 2, Pashinyan announced that snap parliamentary elections would be held by December. The RPA faction, joined by Prosperous Armenia and ARFD, then managed to organize an extraordinary session of the National Assembly and adopt a resolution altering the procedural rules regarding snap elections in the event of the prime ministers resignation. Thus, they attempted to prevent Pashinyans possible next move  resigning and using the popular movement to prevent the parliament from reaching quorum and appointing another prime minister, leading to its dissolution. In response, thousands of Pashinyans supporters took to the streets again, imposing a blockade of the parliament building. Pashinyan promptly fired ministers and governors representing Prosperous Armenia and ARFD, called on his supporters to allow parliament members to enter or leave the building, and started negotiations with the parliamentary factions.

It is quite clear that the Velvet Revolution was not aimed at former President Sargsyan personally, but at the oligarchy-dominated political system established by his predecessor Kocharyan and then fine-tuned and cemented by Sargsyan. Ostensibly, the pillars of that system  RPA, Prosperous Armenia, and ARFD  realized that their prospects would be limited in the case of snap elections. Moreover, as former top officials facing criminal charges appear ready to use their considerable financial and media resources for discrediting and destabilizing Pashinyans cabinet, the remnants of the old regime seemed determined to maintain their grip of the parliament and some other state institutions.

However, two days later Gagik Tsarukyan, Prosperous Armenias leader, broke the tactical alliance with RPA and hinted that he could support earlier elections if that is the popular will. On October 8, he signed a memorandum with Pashinyan, affirming the partys support for elections in December. In turn, 20 parliament members from the RPA faction had personal meetings with First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and assured their support for earlier elections.

Pashinyan resigned on October 19, and as he suggested, the National Assembly did not appoint a prime minister on October 24. Meanwhile, on October 23 President Armen Sargsyan, after waiting for the maximum period of 21 days, said he would not sign the amendment adopted on October 2 and would send it to the Constitutional Court for review. Therefore, the amendment could not come into force in time to disrupt Pashinyans plan to dissolve the parliament. On November 1, after voting the second time, a prime minister has not been appointed, so the parliament will be dissolved. Snap elections may take place in early December as Pashinyan suggested.

CONCLUSIONS: The RPA and their allies could be planning to avoid the dissolution of the National Assembly until May 8, 2019. From then on, the constitution would allow dismissing the prime minster through a vote of no confidence, which is not possible during the prime ministers first year in office. Pashinyans resignation and using popular support to dissolve the parliament have effectively prevented such a scenario. However, the government has not managed to persuade the departing RPA majority to vote for amendments to the electoral code; the second attempt on October 29 fell short of one vote. Not having a fully proportional system with a lower threshold, as was suggested by the proposed amendments, reduces smaller parties chances, so the RPA may hope to come second in the polls.

The next few weeks will likely determine whether Pashinyans cabinet will be able to leverage the unprecedented popular support for tackling the present crisis, securing the revolutions outcomes, and finding a way to proceed with long-awaited reforms. A rather slow pace of progress has not so far undermined the governments approval rating. There is a general understanding that despite prime ministers sizeable powers, the absence of parliamentary support and the overwhelmingly hostile attitude of the parliamentary majority pose serious obstacles to attempts at changing the entrenched system. However, in the longer term, the absence of substantial improvements to the socio-economic situation may affect the governments public approval.

AUTHORS BIO:

Armen Grigoryan is a Visegrad visiting scholar at the Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. He teaches a graduate course on South Caucasus regional security.

Image source: By: kremlin.ru accessed on 11.7.2018SPRINGFIELD -- With funding from an AARP grant meant to improve public spaces for those of all ages, city and Pioneer Valley Transit Authority officials cut the ribbon Wednesday on a dozen new bus stop benches scattered around Springfield.

"So come over and have a seat," Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said by way of an invitation following a photo opportunity in Court Square.

In July, AARP gave the PVTA $10,000 to install a dozen benches at bus stops so seniors and those those with disabilities using public transportation have a place to sit while they wait.

The benches are at the following locations: Court Square; State and Spring streets; Sumner Avenue at Sumner Terrace; Dickinson and Washington streets; Springfield Technology Park; Wilbraham Road and Rochelle Street; West Street and Riverside Road; Registry of Motor Vehicles; Page Boulevard at Haumont Terrace; and Industry Avenue at Cottage Street.

"We worked with community groups to determine where they were needed and what design would fit best with the location," said Sandra E. Sheehan, PVTA's administrator.

Every winter, riders complain about snow at PVTA stops. Sheehan said it's the transit agency's responsibility to clear snow from bus shelters, and she has a contractor in place to do that work for the winter. But it's a property owner's responsibility to clear snow from bus stops that do not have shelters as those stops are simply part of the sidewalk.

In Court Square, Sheehan said the PVTA worked with the Parks Department and Department of Public Works to install benches at the shelter there that fit with the park's elaborate Victorian look.

This summer, the city replaced benches in the park 13 years after they'd been removed.

Elsewhere in the city, PVTA bought the other benches with a more contemporary look from MassCor, the Massachusetts Department of Correction prison industry program. The benches were built by men incarcerated at MCI Norfolk, said Steve Cristol, a marketing and sales employee of the program who attended the event.

"This gives inmates the skills they need to be employable," Cristol said. "Being employable upon release is so important for these people."

MassCOR has begun marketing its services and products to municipalities, camps, nursing homes, businesses and other potential customers. MassCor inmates make flags for Springfield's Veterans Day observances and built the trash bins on Main Street.

Nationally, AARP -- once known as the American Association of Retired Persons -- awarded $1.3 million to fund 129 "quick action" projects through the AARP Community Challenge grant program. AARP received nearly 1,600 applications from nonprofits and government entities for the program, now in its second year, according to a press release.

Other AARP quick action projects in Massachusetts this year were in East Bridgewater and Lowell.

AARP granted $5,120 for the Old Colony YMCA to fund improvements to a hiking trail in East Bridgewater. The five-mile Hiking Viking trail begins at the town hall, links to the Council on Aging and ends at the Old Colony YMCA East Bridgewater branch. The plans call for new signs and ADA-compliant benches.

AARP also granted $12,098 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell for its Critical Home Repairs program. AARP said the money will purchase new tools and additional equipment for volunteers and staff to use when they repair homes for elders that will allow them to age safely in place.Sacha Baron Cohen stirred the political pot this summer with a slate of new characters on his Showtime series Who Is America?

But the comedian saved an appearance by his most popular creation, fictional Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev, for a four-minute Election Night segment on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Borat visited a wealthy neighborhood in Los Angeles to talk to voters about the midterms and targeted Trump supporters.

The bit contained Cohen's trademark highly offensive humor, capped by a vulgar reference to First Lady Melania Trump.

The sketch received mixed reviews on social media:

Borat is back to tamper with the midterms and it's so, so awkward  Lynne Lynch (@Lynne__Lynch) November 7, 2018

I love how Sacha Cohen's Borat character reveals the true character of the person he's pranking  Kyle Shaun Aquino (@imkyleshaun) November 7, 2018Boston Comedy Festival On Tour returns to downtown Springfield on Saturday, Nov. 17, for a night of fun and laughter.

The yucks begin at CityStage at 7:30 p.m. with three comedians including Boston Comedy Festival standouts Dan Bolger, Jack Lynch and festival founder Jim McCue, who has been producing the festival with his sister, Helen McCue since 2000.

"We've developed a good following in Springfield and generally pack the house at CityStage where we love performing for the great audiences there," McCue said.

The Boston Comedy Festival - a multi-day comedy event in Boston to let the country's hot spots of comedy know that Boston has plenty to offer of its own - is committed to bringing the New England community together through live and filmed comedy. Each year, the Boston Comedy Festival features hundreds of comedians from all over the world, and in-between getting ready for the next festival, McCue and his sister produce comedy shows, workshops, and special events like the Boston Comedy Festival On Tour.

"Tina (D'Agostino) at CityStage took a chance on us when we were putting the tour together. She knew our brand and that we would bring a good, strong show to Springfield, which we've done consistently over the years," McCue said.

Whether in good times or bad, "comedy is always needed," McCue noted.

"Comedy is good for you. It offers a release from all the tension we are under," he said.

McCue has been featured on Comedy Central, RedEye, Comcast Comedy Spotlight, NBC's "Last Comic Standing," and "Roughing It" on NESN. He works in top comedy clubs in Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Dublin, Montreal and Edinburgh. Since 1999 McCue has also entertained U.S. troops at more than 100 bases around the world. An account of his experiences performing for the troops has been published in Embedded Comedian, which McCue describes as a "field manual for comedians in a war zone."

Meet McCue's two comedic friends who will be performing alongside him on Saturday:

Jack Lynch: A 16-year veteran of the Boston comedy scene, Lynch has toured the country and parts of Canada entertaining crowds with his earthy style, on-the-spot impressions, and offering up his clean but sarcastic view of the world. He draws his humor from having lived in the suburbs of Boston while at the same time having the unique perspective of growing up with deaf parents. As a result of his family situation, Lynch got away with more than the average Boston kid and he shares those stories with his audiences.

Dan Boulger: Boulger began his comedy career in late 2004 only one week into his freshman year of college. Quickly becoming a favorite in the New England area, Boulger started performing nationally in 2006 at the age of 20. He has since received recognition from both audiences and industry having performed on Comedy Central, The BBC, the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, as well as multiple appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.After graduating in May, Will Haskell put his plans to attend Georgetown Law School on hold to vie for a seat in the Connecticut State Senate, representing the 26th district.

I think like a lot of people, I woke up the morning after Trumps election and felt like I had to do something, like I had to play some part in fighting against that agenda, Haskell (COL 18) said. As a 22-year-old Georgetown student, that meant thinking locally. I really strongly believe that fight has to start at the state and local level.

Haskell researched his representatives and discovered that most reflected his views, with one exception. I came across my state senator, somebody who votes with the Republican party 97 percent of the time, somebody who filibustered to prevent kids with cancer from getting medical marijuana, he said. Somebody who actually stood up and said that Connecticut went too far in regulating guns after Sandy Hook, when I felt very strongly that we havent gone far enough.

That state Senator, Antonietta Boucher, is now Haskells opponent. Boucher has held the seat since 2009 and has a long tenure in state politics, including 12 years in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Boucher has publicly defended her record on guns, as she voted for sweeping gun-control legislation in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting and was recognized by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America as a gun sense candidate, a distinction Haskell also received. Boucher could not be reached for comment before press time.

Discontented, Haskell wanted to volunteer in support of Bouchers future opponent, but soon found that the Democrats lacked a challenger for her. The response I heard was, Oh, you know, shes been in office for 22 years, shell probably be there another 22 years. Nobody runs against her, Haskell said.

Haskell decided to do it himself. He felt that letting Boucher run uncontested was bad for the Democratic party and the democratic process. And while Boucher won nearly 60 percent of the vote in the three previous elections, Hillary Clinton won the district by 23 points in 2016. Its fundamentally a moderate, level-headed district, Haskell said. Its not Donald Trump territory, so there is no reason we should have a state senator who has embraced Donald Trumps agenda. Thats a large part of why I decided to run.

In March, he officially kicked off his campaign from the living room of his Nevils apartment. Haskell and his roommate-turned-campaign manager, Jack Lynch (COL 18), invited some friends over for the launch party. They received overwhelming support. We had hoped to raise $300, Haskell said. We ended up leaving the night with over $3,000. It was incredible.

Throughout his campaign, Haskell has used his government degreeand even his French minor. I was door knocking, there was a lady who spoke only French, and I was able to give my whole stump speech. That made the minor worth it, he said.

Haskells time on the Hilltop prepared him in less traditional ways, too. He believes his four years working at the Corps Hoya Snaxa fostered the interpersonal skills vital to a campaign.

A lot of that job was just making small talk, just chatting with people as theyre going about their day buying groceries, trying to sort of relate to everybody and just be a friendly face, Haskell said. Honestly, thats a lot like running for office. Going and meeting people, standing at the dump on the weekend, just being a welcoming face, listening to whatever problems they have.

Lynch wrote in an email to the Voice that the Haskell who people knew during his time on campus is the same one running for office. The Will Haskell who speaks at campaign events, who knocks on doors, who makes calls to voters, is just as genuine and down to earth as the Will Haskell who worked at Snaxa and ate at Leos and went to the Tombs, Lynch wrote. Thats a large part of what has made him such a phenomenon in this district over the past few months. Voters can sense when someone is being their authentic self.

After graduating, Haskell moved back to his district and into an apartment in New Canaan, Connecticut. Still living with his old roommate Lynch, he set about trying to unseat the five-term incumbent with a political career as old as he is. That would be no easy task. Her history of landslide victories in a seat that has been held by Republicans since Richard Nixon was president would be discouraging to most, but Haskell believes that he is different.

Haskell said that in the last three elections, one challenger did not have a website, and another did not knock on a single door. She, for the past few cycles, has gone effectively unopposed, Haskell said. Im almost amazed her margins arent higher. Youre in office with those opponents, then you should be getting 70, 80 percent of the vote.

While running for office can be expensive, Haskell has avoided this by publicly financing his campaign. To use public funds, Haskell had to raise $15,000 to give to the state, and in return he received an $85,000 grant. Despite raising over $100,000 in her last three elections, Boucher also opted for public funding this cycle, meaning the candidates will have the same amount of money at their disposal.

On top of public funding, Haskell received additional helpthe endorsement of former President Barack Obama. An intern originally suggested that Haskell contact Obama about a potential endorsement.

I said you know what, maybe we can write him a letter, and then a few weeks later we heard that I was being endorsed, which totally blindsided me. It was so exciting and it is really an honor, Haskell said. Obama tweeted his endorsement of Haskell on Oct. 1, alongside 259 other candidates for state and federal offices.

Because Connecticuts Senate is split, Haskells race has taken on greater national importance for Democrats, who aim to reclaim state legislatures. I do think it is less about me, and it comes down to the fact that the state Senate is tied, Haskell said. Its exceptionally exciting, and its gotten a lot of people involved and gotten a lot of people interested in this district.

Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Jim Hines endorsed Haskell, as well as Planned Parenthood, Run for Something, and the National Organization of Women.

But Haskell still needs to win on the ground, and as the campaign found out, that is not always easy. Campaigns have a steep learning curve, and its been even steeper for Will and I as brand new college graduates, Lynch wrote. But we set a couple of clear goals early on and stuck to them: Weve focused on building a really strong ground game and knocked over 4,000 doors.

Haskell emphasized that he is always trying to reach the voters in the district and has a daily goal to knock on 40 doors. He also has volunteers participating in days-of-action on the weekends.

Were campaigning constantly and trying to meet people where they are, whether thats at the train station meeting the commuters or at the doors, Haskell said. He has a special focus on reaching young people and making sure they vote. In order to do that and meet those voters where they are, you cant go to doors, you cant really call landlines, you have to meet them on their iPhone.

As a young candidate, Haskell has had his age used against him by some, while other voters do not see it as a negative. At a joint candidates forum, when a Republican candidate for state representative mentioned his recent graduation from college while criticizing Haskell, the audience drowned him out with boos.

Haskell does not see his age as a handicap, but as a reason for running. He feels young people often lack voices of their own in Connecticuts Senate. Too often theyre making decisions that are going to impact the state for decades to come, Haskell said. Considering taking out additional debt on the states credit card, and their doing so without any input, without consulting stakeholders in Connecticuts future, and I think thats really problematic.

Haskell said that young people will not want to move back to Connecticut until the state invests in advancing its cities, bettering its infrastructure, and creating an exciting economy. His top priority in attracting young workers to the state is paid family leave.

I was raised by a single working mom. She had to go back to work just two weeks after I was born, and thats true for 25 percent of American moms, but it shouldnt be, Haskell said. Thats a choice that no industrialized nation should force their workers, their parents to make.

Haskell still carries Georgetown with him, both the memory of the outpouring of support when he launched his campaign and the continued help from the community.

The Georgetown community really rallied in a way that I was so touched by. My professors donated not just their financial contributions but also their time and advice, Haskell said. I get emails and calls from professors all the time, Hey, I liked your most recent campaign email or Hey, I hated your most recent campaign email.

I have been obsessing for the last few months about how exactly we are going to spend this time between now and election day, and I really am not sure what is in store for me afterwards, Haskell said. After Nov. 6, Haskell will have either won or lost. But for now, he can only think about the present.

Somebody asked me that other day what my five-year plan is. I have an 18-day plan.

------------

From Time Magazine:

Inside a 22-Year-Old's Historic Victory for a Connecticut State Senate Seat



By ANG LI / WESTPORT, CONN. and ANNE MOST Campaigns rely on young volunteers to do the legwork needed just before the election. But the candidates they are working for are often much older. Thats not the case in Will Haskells campaign, which won a bid to unseat veteran Republican state Sen. Toni Boucher on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Georgetown graduate ran to unseat Republican state Sen. Toni Boucher, who has been in office for as long as Haskell has been alive. And Haskell did it by relying on an army of teen- and college-aged volunteers to knock on doors, hand out fliers and call potential supporters. Although hes young, Haskell is no political newcomer. He has worked for the Democratic National Committee, campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and interned for Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Chris Murphy. He said he came back to his hometown after President Donald Trumps election win and found he disagrees with many political views of Boucher, who represented his home district. He realized that no one was planning on challenging her and then decided he would run. About one in three volunteers who worked for Haskells campaign were either high school students or in their early 20s, the 22-year-old campaign manager Jack Lynch said. Haskells campaign reflected a trend of young people getting involved in politics for this election season. According to Catalist, a voter data organization that works on the left, youth turnout rates among early voters were up 125% compared to the last midterms in 2014. Statewide, the voter registration between ages of 18 to 24 has more than doubled for the 2018 election cycle compared to four years ago, according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State office. A representative democracy should be representative, and it is not right now. Haskell told TIME during an interview recently, Everyday, legislators in Hartford and every state capitol and in Washington as well, they make decisions that are going to impact the state, the community, the country for decades to come, and they often do so without the input of the next generation. Kaila Finn, a 20-year-old writer for the campaign, recalled that she saw Haskells campaign ad on Facebook and was moved by his message about criminal justice reform and education and equality. She said she became more involved after finding out about bills like the Times Up Act, which aims to protect people from workplace harassments and assaults, died on the Connecticut House floor. Finn said she was also frustrated by many elected officials efforts to undercut bills and felt the current policies on issues like womens rights are not progressive enough. She decided to go full steam ahead with the campaign for Haskell, whose policy proposals focus on areas like paid family leave, gender wage gap and workplace harassment. Charlotte Cohen, who was in charge of photography and campaign advertisement designs, said that the activism of Parkland students empowered her as a young person who is unable to vote. She was inspired by Haskells speech at the March for Our Lives rally in Connecticut and later decided to volunteer for a campaign for the first time. I am really mad that I cant vote, the 17-year-old said, I think the best way I could use my power is to help other people get out and vote. Though many young volunteers on Haskells campaign could not vote in the 2018 midterms, he said, There is no minimum age for getting involved and to be on the right side of history.











| BY Ricki Green |

Ogilvy Australia has promoted four of its key leaders in Sydney and Melbourne, as part of a continued push to position itself as Agency of the Future.

Sally Kissane and Michelle Holland have both been elevated to managing directors for Ogilvy Sydney, after working together as managing partners for three years. In Melbourne, Gavin MacMillan and Michael McEwan also become managing directors following three years of working together as managing partners.

Says David Fox, CEO, Ogilvy Australia: All four of these leaders have clearly demonstrated to the business and the broader market that leading an agency with different, but complementary skills, can result in outstanding success.

Ogilvy Australia is heading into its fourth consecutive year of growth, and as we continue to expand our broad capabilities, deeper management of these offices is now required. Gavin and Michael in Melbourne, and Sally and Michelle in Sydney have already proven themselves as formidable management teams that can work together to nurture strong cultures, enabling both organic, and new business growth through our fully integrated digital, social, content and data offers.

But this new promotion is not just about recognising their past success  its also about giving them greater opportunity to build the next level of business change by taking full management responsibility for their respective offices. Theyll be focussed on future-fitting the business with all the marketing armoury that our clients need from marketing automation, consulting, earned influence ideas through to the continued push of full digital services.

Fox said the promotions were effective immediately, with both the Sydney and Melbourne MD teams reporting directly to him as CEO.

Adds Fox: Given the scale of both the Sydney and Melbourne offices, it makes sense to have two MDs in each to ensure all elements of the business are being effectively managed, and growth strategies executed. They have already proven how well it can work and we are excited for the future of these offices under their guidance.

McEwan has over 22 years experience working with some of the worlds most famous brands, both locally and internationally. He commenced his career in Account Management in 1996, moving into international client leadership based in Asia and now Agency Senior Leadership at Ogilvy since 2010. McEwans experience spans multiple categories including tech, finance, packaged goods, retail, automotive, tourism, telecommunications, community service and state/federal government assignments.

MacMillan has 21 years of experience working in leading, global agencies. Based in London for the first half of his career and back home in Melbourne for the second, MacMillan is a strategist by trade and brings a strategic bent to the management of the Melbourne office. His strategies have been recognised by multiple creative and effectiveness awards both here and in the UK. He is a senior lecturer for the Australian Communications Council.

Kissane has spent the majority of her career around the Ogilvy network both here in Australia and in the New York office as part of the global leadership team for the biggest client, IBM.

Sally is passionate about building exceptional teams that deliver exceptional business building results for our valued clients. She first joined Ogilvy in 1988.

Holland has over 27 years experience in the marketing industry. Before joining Ogilvy, she was general manager of Clemenger Proximity for eight years where she delivered innovative and effective digital campaigns and strategies for a range of high-profile clients. Holland joined Ogilvy in 2010 as business director on the American Express account where she led an integrated team before being promoted to managing partner in 2013.A driver for a ride-sharing service is accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger in Dorchester, Boston police said.

Police said members of the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit on Tuesday arrested Michael Squadrito, 40, of Everett for rape.

The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred earlier on Tuesday, according to police.

"In this incident, the female victim was using a ride sharing service returning home from downtown Boston," police said in a statement released Wednesday. "The driver of the service drove to a location in Dorchester where he sexually assaulted the victim."

Squadrito will be arraigned Wednesday in Dorchester District Court.

The name of the ride-sharing company was not released.Andrea Harrington is on pace to win her race to become Berkshire County's next District Attorney, overcoming a write-in challenge from current DA Paul J. Caccaviello.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that celebrations began at Harrington's results party shortly after 9 p.m. after early returns showed her easily carrying the race.

Harrington, who ran on as a progressive promising criminal justice reform, defeated both Caccaviello and veteran attorney Judith Knight in the September Democratic primary.

Caccaviello was the hand-picked successor of former District Attorney David Capeless and was appointed to serve as the district attorney by Gov. Charlie Baker after Capeless' retirement in March.

After Harrington won the Democratic nomination, Caccaviello launched a write-in campaign and secured endorsements from Knight and Berkshire County's chiefs of police, according to the Eagle.

Harrington is a veteran attorney who has worked on criminal defense and labor cases. She worked on overturning death penalty sentences in Florida after graduating law school, according to her campaign website.

She was the sole candidate without experience on the prosecutor's side of the courtroom and centered her campaign on promises of criminal justice reform. She has endorsed treatment beds rather than jail cells for nonviolent drug users, proposed ending cash bail for low-level offenders and criticized the disproportionate prosecution of juvenile minorities.

Caccaviello touted his experience as Berkshire County's First Assistant District Attorney during the campaign, saying he had the know-how to both successfully prosecute cases and implement the criminal justice reforms recently passed by the Massachusetts legislature, Commonwealth Magazine reported.

No Republicans were on the general election ballot.SPRINGFIELD -- Bail was set at $100,000 Wednesday for a suspended city police officer accused of child rape.

The lawyer for Daniel Cintron asked for his client's bail to be set at a total of $10,000. A prosecutor asked to set the bail at $250,000.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Daniel W. Wrenn ultimately set bail at $100,000, $50,000 on each child rape case pending against Cintron, 29, of Monson.

Defense lawyer Joe A. Smith III said the prosecution has no forensic evidence against Cintron, whom he said is the victim of a personal vendetta. Smith said Cintron has been subjected to "salacious" media coverage because he is a police officer.

Smith said he stipulated at a July court hearing that Cintron was dangerous, but that was a tactical move to avoid a dangerousness hearing. Under state law establishing dangerousness, a defendant can be held for 120 days without right to bail.

The bail hearing Wednesday was to establish a bail amount for Cintron.

Assistant District Attorney Rachael T. Eramo asked for the $250,000 bail amount, citing what she said is the chronic nature of the abuse and the strength of the case. She said high bail is necessary to make sure Cintron returns to court.

Smith said everything the prosecution has done to try to corroborate the charges has weakened the case against Cintron. He said child rape is "the most salacious thing you can be charged with."

Cintron has denied 31 criminal charges, including allegations of child rape involving three victims.

Of the charges, 28 are grouped in one case involving two children. The alleged victims are under 10 years old, according to court records. There also are three indictments grouped in a separate case, involving one child who is over 14 but under 16 years old.

The allegations say the crimes happened in Chicopee or Springfield. Most indictments say the acts happened between May 10, 2015, and May 18, 2018.

Cintron is also charged with one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors and one count of engaging children in sexual conduct.

For one child Cintron faces four counts of forcible rape of a child, four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and four counts of intimidation of a witness.

For a second child Cintron faces four counts of forcible rape of a child, six counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and four counts of intimidation of a witness.

For a third child Cintron faces one count of forcible rape of a child under 16 and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

Cintron was suspended without pay in September 2017 after he was charged with unarmed robbery and assault and battery in connection with a dispute outside the Eastfield Mall involving another man and three teens. That case is still pending in Hampden Superior Court.SPRINGFIELD -- Jury selection is set to begin Nov. 14 in Hampden Superior Court for the murder trial of Sherad Therrien, accused of shooting John Alexander to death five years ago.

Judge Mark D. Mason on Monday heard arguments from prosecution and defense about what they think should be allowed for the trial.

Mason ruled Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell can present testimony that Therrien and Alexander were in rival gangs.

She said "rival gang affiliation" provides a motive in this case.

Without the testimony about gangs, the Sept. 28, 2013, shooting appears to be "an unexplained act of violence," Bell said, adding there were other people with Alexander when he was shot.

Defense lawyer Joan M. Williams argued having jurors hear about gang affiliation will be extremely prejudicial to Therrien and would be "highly, highly inflammatory."

Mason said evidence of gang affiliation is relevant and any concerns about juror prejudice can be addressed through questioning of prospective jurors and by giving seated jurors an instruction not to hold gang affiliation against anyone in the trial.

Williams has said the defense will contend at trial Therrien was not the shooter.

"This case rises and falls on identification," Williams said Monday.

Plans call for testimony to start Nov. 26, after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Therrien, 28, of Springfield, was indicted in September 2016 on the murder charge.

Alexander, 22, was shot in the head as he sat in his car in front of 28 Westminster St. around 3 a.m.

Therrien is serving a six-year federal prison sentence following an April 2015 conviction on drug and gun charges. Prosecutors said that on four occasions between September 2013 and March 2014, Therrien sold a loaded gun, powder cocaine and crack cocaine to an FBI informant.

Therrien was serving his federal sentence in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. He is now in the Hampshire County Correctional Center awaiting trial in the murder case.

Bell said her case will say the murder happened with deliberate premeditation and therefore is first degree murder under that legal theory.

Another hard fought issue at Monday's pretrial hearings was Williams' request to have jurors view the shooting scene when it is dark to get an idea of visibility for witnesses who saw the shooting. She said she would prefer jurors not get taken to the scene at all but if they are it should be in the dark.

"Lighting is crucial," she said, contending that if jurors are taken to the scene in the daylight, they will not be able to get out of their minds what visibility is like in the daylight.

"If we turn the lights out here I would not be able to see you with the same clarity," Williams told Mason.

She said jurors would not have to be brought to the scene at 3 a.m. but could be brought as soon as it gets dark.

Mason allowed the prosecution's request for a view of the scene and said it will be done during the court business day. A plaque about Alexander on a tree planted in his memory must be covered, he said.

Bell said there is no way to recreate what lighting was there in September 2013.SPRINGFIELD -- The Massachusetts Package Stores Association Inc. is lobbying the Legislature for permission to let proprietors obtain licenses to run shops that sell recreational marijuana products.

"We're being proactive about it, we're not waiting for it to happen," Robert A. Mellion, association executive director and general counsel, said in a phone interview Monday.

The state legalized marijuana for recreational use with voter passage of a ballot question in 2016. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the measure into law July 28, 2017.

Mellion said his reading of the law is that existing package stores cannot add marijuana products to their shelves. But the law doesn't prevent a package store license holder from obtaining a marijuana sales license from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, he said.

"I'm hoping that they'll enforce it," Mellion said.

Conceivably, a package store owner could open a marijuana sales business next door, he said.

A commission spokeswoman said state law does not prevent an individual or entity that simultaneously seeks separate licenses -- one to sell marijuana or marijuana products, and one to sell alcohol -- from engaging in both activities on one premises. But cities and towns might have restrictions, she said.

Association officials have been talking about the matter with legislators and also plans to contact the commission, he said.

Moises Garcia, a manager with Crazy Andy's Liquors' stores in Springfield and Holyoke, said letting package store license holders get licenses to sell pot would help smaller businesses compete.

"I think it's a good idea. Right now, if you look at it, the people who are obtaining these licenses are people" who can spend $300,000 or $400,000. "I think it should be open to anyone out there. For me it's natural," said Garcia, at the 711 Boston Road store.

The commission has yet to grant final approval for any recreational marijuana businesses to open, but commission officials have said such an opening could happen this month.

Mellion said package store owners would be the natural choice as proprietors of marijuana establishments.

They have experience in running businesses that provide controlled substances. They are adept at complying with and know the importance of state laws that ban sales to those under age 21. And they are trained to promote responsible use of alcohol products by refusing sales to anyone intoxicated, whether because of drinking or drug use, he said.

Establishments that sell alcohol employ nearly 140,000 people in Massachusetts and the industry and its employees pay over $1.08 billion in state and local taxes, and $1.84 billion in federal taxes, according to the Massachusetts Package Stores Association website.

Alcohol and marijuana are intertwined culturally and legally. The recreational marijuana law uses alcoholic beverages laws as references. For example:

"Section 28, (iii) qualifications for licensure and minimum standards for employment that are directly and demonstrably related to the operation of a marijuana establishment and similar to qualifications for licensure and employment standards in connection with alcoholic beverages as regulated under chapter 138 of the General Laws; provided that a prior conviction solely for a marijuana-related offense or for a violation of section 34 of chapter 94C of the General Laws shall not disqualify an individual or otherwise affect eligibility for employment or licensure in connection with a marijuana establishment, unless the offense involved the distribution of a controlled substance, including marijuana, to a minor;"

And:

"SECTION 26. Said section 3 of said chapter 94G, as so appearing, is hereby amended by 393 inserting after the word 'establishments', in line 30, the following:- provided that if a city or town enacts an ordinance or by-law above the commission's standard, no such local ordinance or by-law may impose a standard for signage more restrictive than those applicable to retail establishments that sell alcoholic beverages within that city or town."

The "friend or foe" question with which the alcohol industry has regarded marijuana sales has been answered on the "friend" side in some cases lately. This comes in light of the billion-dollar sales projected for cannabis businesses and the surge in proposals for such establishments.

New York State liquor stores are seeking permission to sell marijuana products, according to newyorkupstate.com

Constellation Brands, parent company of Corona beer, said in August it has invested $4 billion in Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth, according to The New York Times.

If the Granite State legalizes marijuana for recreational use, an official said that the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission would be the logical agency to regulate it, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.HARTFORD - A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a 39-year-old Springfield man for illegally possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.

William Scott was arrested July 2 in Hartford and found in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .380 caliber handgun, according to the of John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the State of Connecticut. Scott has been held in custody since his arrest.

Scott had previously been convicted in 2003 for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and in 2012 for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and for unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to federal law, someone previously convicted of a felony may not possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.A six-month investigation dubbed "Operation Golden Ticket" concluded Wednesday as a suspect known as "Willy Wonka" was sentenced to eight years in prison in connection with what is believed to be the largest burglary prosecution in the history of Massachusetts, officials said.

William Rodriguez, the lead defendant in the case who also goes by the aliases "Willy Wonka" and "Chocolate Man," was handed the eight-year sentence Wednesday after pleading guilty in Salem Superior Court to 36 commercial burglaries in four states, according to the office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

Two months ago, Operation Golden Ticket led to the indictment of four men, including 47-year-old Rodriguez, in connection with 38 burglaries and 20 car thefts, totaling more than $900,000 in stolen cash and property, over the last year.

The "Willy Wonka crew" terrorized businesses, officials said.

"This prosecution is unprecedented in Massachusetts history not only for the number of burglaries solved and prosecuted but also for the speed with which the cases were resolved through guilty pleas," Blodgett said in a statement. "All of the defendants have pleaded guilty, numerous cold case historical burglaries around the region were solved, the defendants were held accountable, and their criminal enterprise has been destroyed."

Other defendants in the case were also sentenced to time in state prison.

Chepiel "Chep" Sanchez pleaded guilty Wednesday to indictments charging him with 10 burglaries and the receipt of five stolen car. He was sentenced to eight to 10 years in state prison.

Nelson "Pito" Rodriguez, 43, pleaded guilty Monday to a 24-count indictment charging him with six burglaries and four car thefts. He is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday to a term of eight to 10 years in state prison.

Ignacio "Iggy" Duran, 41, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a nine-count indictment, charging him with two burglaries and one car theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday to a term of eight to 10 years in state prison.

"Every night for over the past year, these defendants presented a danger to law enforcement and business owners throughout New England," Blodgett said in the statement. "Beyond the physical danger posed by such break-ins and the multiple high-speed car chases that this crew engaged in, there was great financial harm inflicted by these crimes."

About 60 law enforcement agencies in New England reportedly cooperated and collaborated in the investigation.

Blodgett's office said the following burglaries committed by the "Willy Wonka" crew were solved through Operation Golden Ticket:A Yarmouth man accused of attacking a pregnant woman over the weekend failed to show up for his court appearance Monday and is now wanted on several warrants, according to Yarmouth police.

Matthew Vincent Julian, 30, is wanted on warrants of assault and battery on a pregnant woman and violation of a protective order. Julian is a convicted felon and has 41 prior charges on his Massachusetts criminal record.

Police say Julian attacked a pregnant woman Friday night at a home on Long Pond Drive in South Yarmouth. He ran before officers responded to the scene. The victim, who knows Julian, was treated and a protective order was obtained.

On Saturday around 9 p.m. Yarmouth Police found Julian hiding in a basement in a home on Webbers Path in West Yarmouth.

He was taken into custody and had bail set at $540. Julian posted bail on the condition that he would show up in court Monday morning.

Police say Julian did not show up for his court appearance and contacted the victim, violating the protective order.

Julian is 5'11", weighs around 200 pounds, has hazel eyes and brown hair. He has a "JULIAN" tattoo on his left hip, an "ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME" tattoo on his left shoulder and two hearts on his back.

He may be driving a green 2003 GMC Sierra pickup truck with Massachusetts registration S21150.

Anyone with information on Julian's whereabouts is asked to contact police at 508-775-0445, extension 0, or via email at info@yarmouthpolice.com.The number of states in which marijuana use became legal in one form or another grew Tuesday.

Before this week's election, nine states and the District of Columbia permitted recreational use of marijuana. Another 30 states allowed its use for medicinal purposes.

On Tuesday, Michigan brought the number of states with full legalization to 10, becoming the latest to legalize it and the first Midwestern state to do so.

North Dakota was the only state to defeat a marijuana measure Tuesday, with residents there voting 59.5 percent against a bill that would bring full legalization. North Dakota's measure also would have required the expungement of all marijuana-related convictions.

Two other states, Missouri and Utah, both voted in favor of ballot measures approving medical marijuana use in their respective states.

Missouri's measure, which passed with 65.5 percent, imposes a 4 percent tax on sales of medical marijuana, using the funds to pay for the program.

The approved ballot measures come just as Massachusetts prepares to allow its first recreational marijuana shops to open in the state. The journey to legalization began slowly in Massachusetts with the passage of a ballot measure in 2008 that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Four years later, in 2012, 63 percent of Massachusetts voters approved the use of medical marijuana in a measure that eliminated criminal and civil penalties for a 60-day supply for patients possessing a state-issued registration card.

And four years after that, in 2016, voters approved a measure legalizing recreational use. The process has been slow and two years later the first recreational marijuana shops are finally set to open.

Possessing, selling or using marijuana remains illegal under federal law.SPRINGFIELD -- State Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. easily won re-election to his seventh two-year term Tuesday, beating Donald Flannery, a Wilbraham resident and Realtor who ran as an independent.

Puppolo, a Springfield Democrat, declared victory in the 12th Hampden District an hour after the polls closed, as he had a wide margin in the vote. In Springfield, he had 6,036 votes to Flannery's 1,300.

"I'm delighted, overwhelmed by the support from every precinct across the district," Puppolo said. "It's truly humbling."

He thanked voters in the district for their for their continued support and confidence.

Puppolo had touted his experience at the Statehouse and prior service as a Springfield city councilor as well as his track record and work on behalf of constituents.

He gathered with supporters at the Family Pizzeria Europa on Sumner Avenue in Forest Park after the polls closed.

"I love the job," Puppolo said. "I work very hard as a state representative and I am just humbled by the fact that the people came out and overwhelmingly supported me for another two-year term."

Puppolo, 49, of 44 South Shore Drive, was first elected state representative in 2006, defeating Christopher Leisey after the incumbent, Gale Canadaras, ran instead for Senate and won. Previously, Puppolo was a member of the City Council for nine years.

The district includes Wilbraham; East Longmeadow's Precinct 1; and in Springfield, Ward 6, Precincts C, D, G and H, and Ward 7, Precincts B, C, D, E and G.

In his next term, Puppolo said he will continue to focus on constituent service, and will on continue to focus on public safety and education, and advocate for senior citizens and veterans.

During the campaign, Puppolo said a priority is to bring resources and funding to the district. He also said his work in the Legislature has included working on and co-sponsoring key legislation "relative to economic development, green energy, veterans and seniors, public safety and fighting the opioid epidemic."

Flannery, 78, who has not held elective office, stated during the campaign that he wanted to bring "accountability and transparency" to the legislative seat. He said he believed people wanted a change.

Flannery said he has been a real estate broker and Realtor for more than 50 years.

In the days leading up to the election, Puppolo said: "I love my job. I work every day to do as much as I can to help my constituents."

To see live results of all races, click here. For complete 2018 Election coverage, head to our 2018 Elections Headquarters.| BY Ricki Green |

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams last night announced winners of the Premiers Multicultural Communications Awards. Reports on powerful personal journeys of refugees and a comprehensive marketing campaign for multicultural carers were among the winning entries.

Agency Campaign of the Year was awarded to The Monkeys for IAG/CGUs Australian As campaign. The Australian As campaign portrayed migrant small business owners as unmistakably Australian. Grit, determination and hard work  these qualities were the focus of the campaign promoting CGU insurance, which reached more than 15.3 million people and resulted in a 10% increase in online sales.

CBA Business Campaign of the Year was awarded to Havas Melbourne and SBS. The Theres a Reason campaigned developed by Havas Melbourne aimed to help SBS recruit the best talent from across Australia from a diverse range of backgrounds. The six-week campaign delivered more than 2.4 million impressions, created more than 3,000 subscriptions to SBSs job service, and saw an increase in 1,900 applications for live roles.

Says Berejiklian: I congratulate tonights nominees and winners for demonstrating excellence in multicultural communications across media and marketing.

Multicultural communicators ensure everyone has access to information about services and opportunities to participate fully in our society.

Communicating the successes of our multicultural society and identity is core to the success of our harmonious and socially cohesive State.

Williams said the winners and finalists demonstrated the importance of a thriving multicultural communications sector.

Says Williams: Multicultural communications is an essential component of any brand and business today.

These awards set the benchmark of excellence for media and marketing professionals not only in NSW, but across the country.

Mr Eduardo Gonzalez  Cristobal received the Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 40 years of service to the Australian Spanish community as the founder of 24-hour 7-day-a-week Spanish radio station, Radio Austral, and the first weekly national Spanish newspaper, Extra Informativo.

2018 Premiers Multicultural Communications Awards Winners

Best Radio/Audio Report: Xiao Han  2ac Australian Chinese Radio

Best TV/Audio-Visual Report: Sayed Hussainizada

Best News Report: Iman Riman and Maram Ismail  SBS Arabic24

Young Journalist of the Year: Sofia Dmitrieva  RusTalk TV

Photo of the Year: Yusra Hadi  AMUST

Best Use of Digital or Social Media: Why Documentaries

Public Interest Award: Natalia Godoy and Soraya Caicedo  SBS Spanish

Alan Knight Student Award: Ella Tang

Publication of the Year: Indian Link

Lifetime Achievement Award: Eduardo Gonzalez  Cristobal

Agency Campaign of the Year: The Monkeys for IAG/CGU

AFL NSW/ACT Community Campaign of the Year: Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI)

CBA Business Campaign of the Year: Havas Melbourne & SBSUpdated at 10:42 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 to include comments from Daniel Carey supporters John Duda, Owen Zaret and Patrick Brough.

Updated at 10:26 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 to include a video and more comments from election winner Daniel Carey thanking supporters, noting his plans to continue working with the retiring incumbent and that his late grandfather previously held the seat.

EASTHAMPTON -- Democrat Daniel R. Carey claimed victory Tuesday in the election for state representative of the 2nd Hampshire District.

"I'm honored to represent this district," Carey said.

The 33-year-old, Easthampton city councilor thanked supporters at the Glendale Grill, 65 Glendale St., less than a half hour after polls closed at 8 p.m.

"I really appreciate your support, very, very excited. We've got the results in from Easthampton and from Hadley that the numbers are looking great....From the bottom of my heart, thank you," Carey said. (see video above)

Carey field manager Kelly O'Reilly, citing unofficial numbers, said the campaign was claiming victory based on Carey winning Easthampton, 6,963-1,202 and Hadley, 2,011-607.

In official results posted after 10:30 p.m., Peltier defeated Carey in Granby, 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent, or 654-641.

The official results from Hadley mirrored those reported by O'Reilly.

Carey's grandfather, the late William A. Carey of Easthampton, was the district's state representative for six terms from 1974-86.

"I'm very proud to follow in his footsteps," Carey said.

His first steps will be to continue conferring about district priorities with incumbent state Rep. John Scibak, D-Hadley, who is retiring after 16 years and has endorsed Carey.

"I want to work as hard as John did," Carey said.

Carey was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in a race with Republican Donald Peltier. Peltier couldn't be reached for comment.

The district covers Easthampton, Hadley, South Hadley and Precinct 2 in Granby and consists of about 41,000 residents.

Carey is an an assistant district attorney in the office of Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. He is former director of the district attorney's Drug Diversion and Treatment Program.

He also is someone who listens, said John Duda of South Hadley.

"I got to know him over the last couple of years. He's a bright kid. He showed some good experience working on the opioids, so I think it's good to have a nice, friendly guy with a set of experiences representing the district," Duda said.

"Dan is also someone you can call and get answers or some direction if you have questions."

Owen Zaret, a colleague of Carey's on the Easthampton City Council, said it appeared voters valued Carey's experience on the council and School Committee. And his personable nature helped, Zaret said.

"His experience is very important. This was an interview for a job and he has a good resume," Zaret said.

Carey has shown he represents the interests of residents working on boards like the St. Patrick's and school building committees, said Patrick Brough of Easthampton.

"I just always thought he would be a good representative," Brough said.BOSTON -- Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren claimed a resounding U.S. Senate victory Tuesday over Republican challenger Geoff Diehl and independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai -- setting herself up for a possible 2020 White House run.

The Associated Press called the race for the incumbent senator, who is an oft-rumored presidential contender, within minutes after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

Hours later, Warren celebrated her re-election win with other Massachusetts Democrats who gathered for an election night event at the Fairmont Copley Hotel in Boston.

Flanked by other female candidates who ran for office across Massachusetts, Warren reflected on the significance of the 2018 midterms and the events that led to such historic outcomes for women.

"Two years ago, on a very dark Election Night, millions of women watched in horror as Donald Trump was elected president. They didn't like it. But they didn't whimper. They didn't whine. They fought back. ... By the dozens, by the hundreds, women who had never run for anything before stepped up to put their names on the ballot. A record-breaking number of women - especially women of color, including our own Ayanna Pressley -- jumped into the fight," she told supporters. "They ignored the party bosses who said they should wait their turn. They ignored the consultants who said they should cover up their tattoos and smile more. They ignored the powerful men of the Republican Party who never took them seriously. They refused to let anyone shut them up or stand in their way."

That, Warren argued, is "how real change begins."

Newly re-elected US Sen. Elizabeth Warren addresses supporters at Election Night event in Boston. Posted by MassLive on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Despite the outcome of such races, Warren urged women and other Democratic candidates to acknowledge their power and urged them to "stay in the fight," especially given the current occupant of the White House.

"Yes, it's going to be hard," she said. "Nevertheless, we will persist. And we will deliver the change this country deserves. ... So much depends on what we do next. Donald Trump and his corrupt friends have spent the last two years building a wall of anger and division and resentment. Tonight, as the first cracks begin to appear in that wall, let us declare that our fight is not over until we have transformed our government, transformed our government into one that works, not just for the rich and powerful, but for everyone."

Warren added that, beginning Wednesday, she will be "right back in the fight."

Although Warren's victory over Diehl and Ayyadurai guarantees her another six years on Capitol Hill, the Democrat has been coy about whether she intends to serve the full term as a member of the U.S. Senate.

For years, Warren, a progressive leader and high-profile figure in Democratic politics, has faced speculation that she could make a White House run -- with liberal groups unsuccessfully pushing her to enter the 2016 presidential race.

That speculation hit a fever pitch in September, when the senator told supporters at a Holyoke town hall that she would consider running for president after the 2018 midterm election.

"It is time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government and that includes a woman at the top," she said. "After Nov. 6, I will take a hard look at running for president."

The Democrat, who has gained national attention for her vocal criticism of Trump and GOP leaders, doubled down on that plan when asked in a late-October debate whether she'd serve her full term if re-elected.

"I've already said that I will take a look at running for president after the election," she told moderators of the WCVB debate. "But I can guarantee this: No matter what I do, I will work for the people of the commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Amid supporters' calls for the Democrat to run in 2020, Warren reiterated her pledge to continue "never stop working (her) heart out" for the people of Massachusetts.

"I'll make you this promise: We are just getting started," she said.

With focus on Warren's political future dominating much of the 2018 Massachusetts U.S. Senate race, Diehl repeatedly questioned the Democrat's commitment to representing state voters on Capitol Hill.

The Republican, who faced Warren in three televised debates, stressed that he would be "100 percent for Massachusetts" if sent to Washington and accused his opponent of being "obsessed" with Trump and the White House.

Diehl, a Whitman state representative, had further called for Warren to drop out of the race following her campaign's release of a video touting a DNA test supporting her Native American ancestry claims -- an issue that came up in Warren's 2012 race against Republican Scott Brown -- and reports of her campaign activities in other states.

Such things, he argued, demonstrated that Warren is "more focused on her presidential ambitions than being the senator for Massachusetts."

Ayyadurai, meanwhile, took aim at both Warren and Diehl throughout his campaign.

The independent candidate, who is of Indian descent, repeatedly criticized Warren's claims of Native American ancestry, referring to her as a "fake Indian."

He also questioned the sincerity of Diehl's support for the president and cast the GOP U.S. Senate hopeful as a "fake Trumper."

Ayyadurai, who initially entered the race as a Republican before switching to run as an independent, protested his exclusion from debates between Warren and Diehl.

Warren is among several Massachusetts lawmakers whose names have been thrown around as possible 2020 contenders.

Others include: Former Gov. Deval Patrick, former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, and Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, D-Brookline.BOSTON -- Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he thinks the biggest message of his landslide victory was about tone and governing style.

"The biggest part of the mandate is people want us to focus on the work," Baker said. "They want us to collaborate, they want us to be tough on the issues and soft on the people. That was a statement about tone and a statement about a focus on building strong communities and doing the kinds of things we've been doing."

Baker, a Republican, defeated Democrat Jay Gonzalez, 66 percent to 34 percent, on Tuesday to win a second term as governor. His victory came despite the wins of Democrats in all other statewide offices, every Massachusetts congressional seat and the U.S. Senate seat, and a three-seat Democratic pickup in the state Legislature.

Baker focused his campaign on the bipartisan nature of his administration and distanced himself from Republican President Donald Trump and the national party.

Returning to Beacon Hill Wednesday morning, Baker held a meeting for his entire staff, followed by a cabinet meeting, then a press conference. He plans to attend a briefing on recovery efforts in the Merrimack Valley in Lawrence on Wednesday afternoon.

Baker said some of his priorities include continuing to address opioid addiction, investing in fixing public transportation, planning to mitigate the hazards of climate change and adding housing.

Baker introduced a bill last year that would provide financial incentives for communities that build more housing and make it easier for municipalities to rezone neighborhoods to build housing. The Legislature never acted on the bill, and Baker said he wants to "see if we can't nudge that along."

Baker declined to answer a question about whether he anticipates turnover among his cabinet officials heading into his second term. "We think we have a great team, and if they all choose to stay, that's great," Baker said. "If some of them decide to move on I'm sure we'll be able to come up with worthy successors."Gov. Charlie Baker won a second term as Massachusetts governor on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported just after polls closed.

Baker, a Republican, defeated Democrat Jay Gonzalez by convincing state voters of his bipartisan bona fides in a tense national political environment.

Gonzalez called Baker to concede around 9:15 p.m., then publicly congratulated Baker.

"At a time of divisiveness and incivility in our national politics, Gov. Baker deserves credit and our thanks for the civil, respectful and collaborative approach he has taken to governing," Gonzalez said, speaking to supporters at a Massachusetts Democratic Party event.

Baker has repeatedly been ranked as the most popular governor in America, but he faced criticism from voters in both parties over his cool stance toward Republican President Donald Trump even as he backed Trump-aligned candidates in Massachusetts.

Baker insisted that voters judge him by his own record. "The one thing I have heard over and over again ... is people are going to make their decision on (Lt. Gov.) Karyn Polito and me based on our track record," Baker said in an Election Day interview.

In his first term in office, Baker cemented his reputation as a socially moderate Republican focused on fixing state government and managing the state budget.

Baker took office as snowstorms were devastating the MBTA. He appointed a fiscal and management control board, which has been working to fix the rail system, although problems remain.

As an epidemic of opioid addiction rages, Baker signed legislation to address addiction and has made changing prescribing practices, educating the public and adding treatment beds a priority.

Despite a "no new taxes" attitude, Baker signed a bill creating statewide paid family leave, paid for by a payroll tax, and approved a new fee on car rentals to fund municipal police training.

Massachusetts students continue to brag of high test scores, although an achievement gap persists, with black, Latino and poor students performing worse than their white, wealthy counterparts.

Baker lists as priorities for his second term continuing to address opioid addiction, further improving the public transportation system, closing the education achievement gap, and producing more housing so young people and families with moderate income can afford to live near their jobs.

During the campaign, Gonzalez criticized Baker as a "status quo governor."

In an Election Day interview, Gonzalez said the choice is "between a status quo governor and someone who's going to work with a sense of urgency to take on the big challenges working families are facing."

Gonzalez, a former health care executive and top state budget official under Gov. Deval Patrick, said he would "aim higher." Gonzalez wanted to raise taxes on the wealthy and on private college endowments and spend more money on education and transportation. He supports carbon pricing and single-payer health care.

Gonzalez said he would be a more forceful voice against Trump.

The biggest challenge Baker faced was the passion surrounding Trump. Baker has criticized Trump for his divisive rhetoric and for policies ranging from health care to immigration.

At a West Roxbury polling place, a Republican man who refused to give his name asked Baker why he did not support Trump. "You turn me off," the man said. "You're a Republican and ... you should be supporting him."

On the other hand, in Newton, Democrat Susan Bottino voted against Baker because he belongs to the president's party. "I think that all the Republicans should be voted out whenever possible because I'm anti-Trump," Bottino said.

Gonzalez tried to tie Baker to Trump and more conservative Republicans on the Massachusetts ballot. "(People) want a governor who's going to stand up to Donald Trump 100 percent of the time, not try to send people to Washington who will be a rubber stamp for his agenda," Gonzalez said. "He's put his loyalty with the Republican Party above a woman's right to choose and commonsense gun laws and lots of values that I and other people in this state hold as basic principles."

Baker got visibly upset when Aileen Montour, a progressive West Roxbury voter, asked him how women and gay people "can feel safe" with a Baker administration, when the governor endorsed the Republican ticket, including U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl, who was Trump's Massachusetts campaign manager.

"The people he's publicly supporting, fundraising for, promoting, endorsing are homophobic and against women's right to choose," Montour said.

Baker supports abortion rights, gay rights and transgender rights.

Throughout his campaign, Baker stressed his independence from Trump and his ability to work with Democrats. "I hear all the time from people when I'm out that the way they think about us has to do with our work and our record, and I think that's why so many mayors, Democrats and independents, as well as other local officials, have come out and endorsed our ticket," Baker said.

Baker counted on voters like Margaret Ings of Brookline, who voted Democratic for federal office but chose Baker for governor.

"I went with what I thought was best for the state. It's in good shape, it's in good condition, it's breathing well, and I want it to continue," Ings said.

Ings said the Baker administration turned a budget deficit into a surplus, and, "is just totally across the aisle on most topics."

Voters were also divided on Baker's record.

Suzanne Hamner, a Democrat and retired teacher from Cambridge who voted for Gonzalez, said Baker "has done a decent job" and is "sort of coasting along."

"I think we could pay more taxes, and I think the taxes could be better used, and I think we need to do something about infrastructure and health care and education," Hamner said.

Bob Cotto, a West Roxbury voter and retired teacher, said he comes from a "long line of Democrats," yet voted for Baker. "I like his policies. I like his attitude," Cotto said. "I think he knows what it's like to be down here, down on Earth, struggling from month to month."SPRINGFIELD -- Retired district court judge Mary Hurley will serve a second term as the 8th District representative on the Massachusetts Governor's Council.

Hurley, a former Springfield mayor, led by a 4-1 margin over independent candidate Mike Franco, of Holyoke, in early results.

Hurley, of East Longmeadow, celebrated with her supporters at Samuel's restaurant in Springfield. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, who ran unopposed, also celebrated there.

Hurley said, "I want to thank everybody for coming tonight, for all the work that everybody did the first time around. This time around was a little bit easier, I must admit."

The Governor's Council, also known as the Executive Council, is composed of eight councilors and the lieutenant governor, who serves ex officio. The eight councilors are elected from their districts every two years. The 8th District includes most cities and towns in Western Massachusetts.

The council vets for confirmation nominees for gubernatorial appointments such as judges, clerk magistrates, public administrators, members of the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board, Industrial Accident Board and Industrial Accident Reviewing Board, as well as notaries and justices of the peace.

Hurley said one reason she ran for Governors Council was because she was aware of the serious shortage of judges in every department of the trial court in Western Massachusetts.

She said Tuesday night, "We were able to produce a record number of judges for this region and I'm not going to stop here. I'm going to make sure that every vacancy is filled in a timely fashion which means quicker results for the people who come to court."

She said in less than two years while she has been on the council, there were appointments of six District Court judges, three Superior Court judges, three Probate Court judges, two Juvenile Court judges, one Appeals Court judge and two District Court clerks.

Hurley served as associate district court justice in Chicopee from 1995 to 2014. She was a lawyer in private practice before and after the judgeship. She was mayor of Springfield from 1989 to 1991.

Franco has run for a number of offices over the years, including a run as a Republican against Democrat Michael Albano for the Governor's Council in 2012.Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin on Tuesday won a seventh term as the state's top election official, defeating Republican challenger Anthony Amore to keep the office he has held since 1994.

The AP declared Galvin, a Democrat, the winner over Amore and Green-Rainbow candidate Juan Sanchez, of Holyoke, at about 9:45 p.m. With about a quarter of precincts reporting, Galvin had 71 percent of the vote, Amore 25 and Sanchez 4.

Amore had essentially accused Galvin of corruption in office and lax security, and there was no love lost between the two men, who ended their only debate by calling each other "liar" and "faker." Galvin spent the last few months defending his record in office.

"As far as my performance is concerned, my office has been well run," Galvin said in an interview before Election Day. "I have an excellent record, elections were honestly conducted. No one can say otherwise."

In an interview as the results were coming in, Amore called Galvin a "formidable" candidate, who has proven that for decades, and said the system "is geared toward incumbency."

Amore said he has no regrets about running, and he hopes there will be some benefit from his using the bully pulpit of his candidacy to bring up issues like election security.

The election results mean a Democrat will retain the office heading into the 2020 census and 2020 presidential election.

Galvin has been warning that Republican President Donald Trump is trying to "sabotage" the census by adding a question about citizenship. That could make immigrants, with and without legal status, more nervous about returning the census form.

Galvin said his first priority for his next term is making sure the state gets an accurate count of residents, given the challenge of counting both immigrants and college students. Political representation and federal money for various programs hinge on the census count.

"The challenge is to make sure we keep our congressional representation and make sure we get the (federal) assistance we need," Galvin said.

Galvin said his other top priority is expanding opportunities for people to vote, "to make sure everyone who wants to participate in one of the most important presidential elections in recent times will have the opportunity in 2020."

The Legislature this year passed automatic voter registration, which means beginning in 2020, any eligible citizen who completes a transaction at the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles or with MassHealth will be automatically registered to vote, unless they opt out. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office will be charged with implementing this.

Looking ahead, Galvin said he plans to lobby the Legislature to allow same-day voter registration.

Galvin also wants to ask lawmakers to improve early voting, potentially by requiring communities to offer more early voting hours, including on weekends. "I want to ask the Legislature for more authority to make sure early voting is more evenly applied throughout the state," he said.

In the Democratic primary, Galvin defeated Boston city councilor Josh Zakim, 67 percent to 32 percent. Zakim had said Galvin did not do enough to make voting accessible. Zakim said he would push strongly for things like same-day voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting and weekend elections.

In the general election, Amore, the head of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum who previously worked in immigration and airport security, criticized the state's election apparatus for being "antiquated" and insecure. Galvin defended the system.

Amore accused Galvin of politicizing the office. Galvin's employees were caught submitting his nomination papers on state time, after which Galvin docked their pay for that time and reprimanded them. Amore criticized the office for giving historic tax credits to Galvin's political donors.

Amore said Galvin missed catching problems, such as people who voted both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and allegedly fraudulent signatures on nomination papers in the Hampden County register of deeds race.

"I think that the public is fed up with corruption, and I offer the public the opportunity to have a candidate who really puts a premium on public service and is not a career politician and is dedicated to reform, modernization and security," Amore said.SOUTHWICK -- Incumbent Nicholas A. Boldyga, R-Southwick, was re-elected Tuesday to the 3rd Hampden District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Boldyga, 37, secured his fifth term representing Agawam, Southwick and Granville by defeating first-time candidate Forrest Bradford, of Agawam.

With all precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press, Boldyga had 10,902 votes, led with 7,303 votes, or 66 percent, to Bradford's 5,617 votes, or 34 percent.

"I see that Nick Boldyga has won and I congratulate him," Bradford said.

Bradford said he was encouraged by his first venture into electoral politics, and expects to seek office again. "Never doubt for a moment that we can change the world for the positive, and we must," Bradford said.

He also thanked his supporters for their work during the campaign. "They worked very hard for me, and I want them to know how much they are appreciated," he said.

Boldyga could not be reached for comment.

Neither candidate faced opposition in the September primary, and no debates were held during the campaign.

Boldyga was first elected to represent the district in 2010, narrowly defeating three-term Democrat incumbent Rosemary Sandlin.

In 2016, after twice defeating challenger Sam DiSanti of Agawam, Boldyga prevailed again over Sandlin, who mounted a successful write-in campaign to get on the ballot.

An accountant and former police officer, Boldyga first won public office as a member of Southwick's Park and Recreation Commission before being elected to the town's Board of Selectmen.

Bradford, a New Hampshire native who grew up in Agawam, had a career in the hotel industry that took him to California and Hawaii before returning to Agawam to care for his elderly parents.

He has worked as a substitute teacher and school bus driver, and served on the Agawam Beautification Committee, the James Clark School Improvement Council and other community groups.

While both candidates cited education as a top priority during the campaign, Boldyga also stressed the importance of helping small businesses, creating jobs and bolstering public safety.

For his part, Bradford expressed support for unions and consumer issues, including stronger state action to block nuisance phone calls, as well as environmental issues such as global warming.State Rep. Todd Smola, R-Warren, had not been challenged in a race since the first year he ran to be a legislator back in 2004 until this year, but the result was the same: he won handily.

"I am honored and humbled," Smola said in an interview following his re-election to serve the 1st Hampden District.

He was challenged by Sturbridge Democrat Tanya Neslusan and defeated her by about a 2-1 margin, according to unofficial results.

In his hometown of Palmer, Smola beat Neslusan, 3,385 to 1,286 votes. He won Sturbridge by a 2,529 to 1,902 margin, and in Ware, Smola's margin of victory was 1,796 to 680.

The district also includes Wales, Warren, Brimfield and Holland, where Smola won by a 708 to 406 margin, according to unofficial results from the town's clerk.

Smola said he will continue to be a strong advocate for East-West passenger rail service that would include a station in Palmer. The matter is currently under review by the state department of transportation.

To see live results of all races, click here. For complete 2018 Election coverage, head to our 2018 Elections Headquarters.PHILLIPSTON -- Two-term incumbent Susannah Whipps has won reelection in the 2nd Franklin House District, handily defeating political newcomer John W. "Johnny" Arena.

Unofficial counts at 9:30 p.m. showed Whipps, 49, an Athol Independent, leading Arena, 23, a Gill Democrat, by a wide margin.

Democrat House Speaker Robert DeLeo called Whipps at 9:45 p.m. to congratulate her as she hosted her election night party at Twohey's Tavern in Phillipston.

"DeLeo just called it," she said.

For the first time in her political career, Whipps won Belchertown Precinct A and Erving, areas which traditionally have supported Democrats. Whipps carried Orange 1818 to 722, and Templeton 2247 to 777, the unofficial results showed. She dominated in her hometown of Athol, with 2,980 votes compared to 784 for Arena. Small towns such as Royalston and Petersham that use hand-counted ballots were expected to report results later in the evening.

On the campaign trail, Whipps touted her legislative experience, knowledge of the region, commitment to constituent service and willingness to work across party lines.

The former Republican said she will caucus with the Democrats at the Statehouse. She will be the only Independent member of the Massachusetts Legislature.

Arena, a former legislative intern and recent Amherst College graduate, had promised to "shake things up" on Beacon Hill and said he had youthful energy and a vision for economic revitalization.

Whipps left the Republican Party in 2017, saying neither the Democrats nor the Republicans represent her views. In a recent interview, Whipps said she is pro-choice, supports LGBTQ rights, favors spending on public education and addiction treatment, while also being "a strong supporter of the Second Amendment."

She is co-owner of a family manufacturing business, Whipps Inc., but has ceded daily management to her siblings and other family members, she said.

In 2012, Whipps, then known as Susannah Whipps-Lee, narrowly lost a three-way contest to incumbent Democrat Denise Andrews. Whipps returned in 2014 to defeat Andrews. Andrews took out papers in 2016, but suddenly withdrew in September, leaving Whipps to run uncontested.

The largely rural district consists of of Athol, Belchertown's Precinct A, Erving, Gill, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Warwick and Wendell.Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, a Democrat, won a second term in office on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Keiko Orrall.

The Associated Press declared Goldberg the winner with about 28 percent of the votes counted and the incumbent leading with 68 percent to Orrall's 29 percent. Green-Rainbow candidate Jamie Guerin, of Northampton, had 3 percent.

The victory will give Goldberg another four years to push for her priorities, which include advocating for online Lottery sales, taking a socially activist approach to investing, increasing access to college savings plans and helping female business owners and professionals.

"We want to continue to manage all of the areas of the treasurer's office, constantly improving, constantly mission driven, knowing that we are customer service-oriented, that we serve the public," Goldberg said in an interview before Election Day.

Goldberg won the treasurer's office in 2014. She previously held executive positions at Stop & Shop, the grocery chain that her family founded.

In office, Goldberg has created new programs focused on empowering more people financially. She has run salary negotiation workshops for women and financial literacy programs for students.

She has tried to expand access to college savings accounts, most recently announcing SeedMA Baby, which will provide each baby born or adopted in Massachusetts beginning in 2020 with $50 to put in a college savings account.

"I think that four years ago we made promises that we ran on, and over the course of these four years, I feel we have not only accomplished what we set out to do but we've done even more," Goldberg said.

Goldberg chairs the board of the state's pension fund, and she has taken a socially activist approach to investing. She successfully proposed rules that would tie the vote of the state pension board to gender diversity on company boards, wage equality and protections based on gender identity. She supports divesting the pension fund from gun sellers.

That is one area where Goldberg differed from Orrall, who said her approach to investing is about looking out for the bottom line.

Orrall, a Lakeville state representative who is also Massachusetts' Republican national committeewoman, said her views were shaped by growing up in a working-class immigrant family.

"I understand that the money doesn't grow on trees," Orrall said. "You have to work hard for your money. ... We need to have someone ultimately who's going to be looking out for the best use of taxpayer dollars."

Orrall argued during the campaign that she would be a better steward of taxpayer money than Goldberg.

She criticized Goldberg for a plan to break the Lottery's Braintree headquarters into three separate offices. The headquarters will move to Dorchester, but leases have not yet been signed for a warehouse and a South Shore office. Orrall said with two months before the Braintree lease expires in January, the public does not yet know where the Lottery will be moving and at what cost.

Orrall said Goldberg has not done enough to return unclaimed property to the public, a charge Goldberg disputes.

The challenger criticized Goldberg's college savings program, saying it will be costly and not necessarily effective. She noted that a pilot program in Worcester to help low-income families save for college attracted few participants, and cost more to run than families actually saved.

In her next term, Goldberg said she will continue lobbying lawmakers to let her sell Lottery tickets online, which she says is necessary to maintain the Lottery's profitability. She also wants to ask lawmakers to find additional money for the state's School Building Authority, which is now funded through the state sales tax.

Goldberg said she will work to implement SeedMA Baby. She also wants to expand a program that created a state-administered retirement savings plan that small nonprofits can enroll in to provide affordable retirement plans to their employees.

To see live results of all races, click here. For complete 2018 Election coverage, head to our 2018 Elections Headquarters.State Sen. Anne Gobi on Tuesday night said she was declaring victory in her re-election to the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District.

Gobi said in a phone interview shortly after 11 p.m. that even though she was waiting on a few towns -- including Monson, one of the larger towns in her district, as well as a few towns that still hand-count votes -- she was confident that she had more votes than Republican challenger Steven Hall.

"I appreciate the support and don't take friendships and votes for granted," said Gobi.

This will be Gobi's third two-year term in the seat. Gobi said by her tally, she had received 29,384 votes with Hall earning 23,862 votes.

Gobi, of Spencer, has touted her work since 2014 to promote small businesses and combat the opioid epidemic.

She was also involved in passing legislation to create a sexual assault survivor's bill of rights, extending the statute of limitations from six months to 15 years.

Issues for the district include economic development.

Gobi said she was "very anxious" to get a study completed on a possible East-West rail, which would connect Springfield and Boston.

Mill redevelopment is also a priority for Gobi.

"Every one one of my towns has old mills that could use some help," she said.

Before being elected to the state senate, Gobi served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 12 years.

Hall said in a phone interview that he had not yet called Gobi to concede, but that it appeared she would maintain her seat.

"For me it was all about service to the folks that needed some help," said Hall, adding that he was disappointed that he would likely not be the person to help residents in the district.

Hall, of Sturbridge, has spent 13 years as a nursing home administrator and an independent nursing home consultant. He also has 25 years experience as a machinist and toolmaker.

Per Hall's count, he was 3,500 votes behind with 12 towns to go.

Hall promised voters that if elected, he would oppose making Massachusetts a sanctuary state while also supporting legal immigration, as well as support working families, veterans and police.

The district includes 27 communities in Central Massachusetts, stretching from the New Hampshire border down to the Connecticut border.

In 2016, Gobi defeated another Republican opponent.

Gobi beat James Ehrhard, who used his campaign to challenge Gobi's support of the Second Amendment.

To see live results of all races, click here. For complete 2018 Election coverage, head to our 2018 Elections Headquarters.Democrats added to their supermajorities in the Massachusetts Statehouse on Tuesday, ensuring that they can easily override any vetoes by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Democrats picked up two seats in the House and one in the Senate.

That leaves Republicans with just six seats in the 40-member Senate, down from seven seats at the end of the last legislative session. In the 160-member House, Republicans will now hold 32 seats, down from 34. It takes a two-thirds vote of both bodies to override a veto.

In the Senate, the one Democratic pickup was in the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District, where Democrat Becca Rausch narrowly edged out incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Ross by a margin of 2 percent.

Ross, the assistant minority leader, was first elected to the Senate in 2010. Rausch is a health care attorney and a Needham town meeting member.

In her victory speech, Rausch pledged to "fight for reproductive justice, for truly universal health care, for public education funding, for a better transportation system, and for better ways of combating the opioid epidemic."

In the House, the two pickups were in the 18th Essex and the 17th Worcester districts.

In the Essex district, Andover Rep. Jim Lyons, who is one of the most conservative Republicans in the Statehouse and is often a lone voice of dissent on legislation, lost his seat to Democrat Tram Nguyen.

Nguyen, a legal services attorney whose family came to the U.S. as political refugees from Vietnam, beat Lyons 55 percent to 45 percent, with 92 percent of precincts reporting.

In the Worcester district, Republican Kate Campanale of Leicester gave up her seat to run, unsuccessfully, for Worcester Register of Deeds. In the race for that open seat, Democrat David LeBoeuf defeated Republican Paul Fullen, 59 percent to 41 percent.

The Senate will be led by President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, who assumed the presidency in July.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, has said he will seek another term as speaker, a position he has held since January 2009.

In Western Massachusetts, many of the competitive legislative races were decided in the primary.

In the general election, Democratic Sen. Anne Gobi held onto her seat against a Republican challenger.

In the closest House race, in the 2nd Hampden District, Democratic Rep. Brian Ashe held on to his seat, beating back a challenge by Republican Allison Werder by a margin of 56 to 44 percent.

Republican Reps. Nicholas Boldyga and Todd Smola, Democratic Rep. Angelo Puppolo and independent Rep. Susannah Whipps all beat back challenges to retain their seats.

In the 2nd Hampshire District, Democrat Dan Carey will succeed Democratic Rep. John Scibak.

Democrats already had a supermajority in the state Legislature, and Baker said he's been "pretty good at working colleagues on the other side of the aisle with that supermajority" and he does not anticipate a change.

"I think our objective is going to be to continue to set a tone based on collaboration, and I'm sure we'll find plenty of common ground to work with the Legislature on," Baker said.

This story was updated with Baker's comments.Republican Mike Braun, a businessman, and former state representative unseated Sen. Joe Donnelly marking a positive sign for Republicans trying to hold on to control of the Senate.

In days running up to the election, President Donald Trump traveled to Indiana to drum up support for businessman Braun. This Indiana race is seen as an early indicator of how the night will play out, as Indiana voted for President Barack Obama in 2012, but Trump in 2016.

Donnelly was first elected in 2012 and was considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate. He has an A rating from the National Rifle Association. He is pro-life and supports a border wall.

However, Braun capitalized on Donnelly's no vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the campaign trail.Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, won the Utah Senate seat held by Orrin Hatch.

Hatch is retiring.

The Associated Press has projected that Romney will defeat his Democratic opponent Jenny Wilson, who serves on the Salt Lake County council.

On the campaign trail, Romney focused on reducing the national deficit and advocated for immigration reform. He called for a merit-based immigration system, along with the physical barrier President Donald Trump has demanded.

Romney also supports protections for "Dreamers," or people living in the United States who were brought into the country illegally as children.

Romney served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. He was the Republican nominee for President in the 2012 campaign, which he lost to President Barack Obama.

"Humbled by the support and trust of Utahns," Romney tweeted Tuesday night.BOSTON -- When U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren took the stage to claim victory in her re-election bid Tuesday, the Democrat celebrated not just her own campaign's success, but the historic gains women candidates made across the state and country in the 2018 midterm contest.

Surrounded by more than a dozen Massachusetts women who won their respective races for local, state and federal offices, Warren reflected on her victory over Republican challenger Geoff Diehl and the 2018 election's historic significance.

Arguing that the resistance to President Donald Trump "began with women," who "watched in horror" as the Republican won the 2016 election, the Democrat stressed that the movement continues to be led by women.

"They didn't like it. But they didn't whimper. They didn't whine. They fought back. ... By the dozens, by the hundreds, women who had never run for anything before stepped up to put their names on the ballot," she told supporters who gathered for an Election Night event at the Fairmont Copley in Boston. "A record-breaking number of women -- especially women of color, including our own (U.S. Rep.-elect) Ayanna Pressley -- jumped into the fight."

Warren, who noted the different challenges female candidates can face, added that regardless of the 2018 election's outcomes for women running across the country, "real change" has already occurred.

"We've come so far together. We've fought together, cried together, resisted together and we sure as hell persisted together. But tonight, we send a message to the world: We're just getting started," she said.

Pressley, who officially became the first African-American woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress on Tuesday, added that the 2018 election is historic not just for women, but for female candidates of color.

"When a woman of color talks about running for higher office, or public office at all, folks don't just talk about a glass ceiling. Yes, we face the same trials our sisters and women of all colors face when answering the call to serve. But the conversations that occur when a woman of color seeks public office take on a texture all their own," she told Democrats who gathered for Warren's Election Night event. "'Is your appeal broad enough?' 'Are you playing identity politics?' 'Can you really inspire millennials and the faith-based community?' 'Can a congresswoman wear her hair in braids?'"

Pressley argued that "when it comes to women of color candidates, folks don't just talk about a glass ceiling, what they describe is a concrete one."

"But you know what breaks through concrete? Seismic shifts," she said.

Pressley, who defeated longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, of Somerville, in Massachusetts' September primary, added that she was "honored and humbled to share both the ballot and the stage with the many visionary, bold women who raised their hand to run for public office."

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, a Melrose Democrat who joined Pressley in introducing Warren at the Election Night reception, noted that the 2018 election marked the first time Massachusetts voted to send four women to Capitol Hill.

The state had previously sent a total of just six women to Capitol Hill, including Warren and Clark.

"Tonight an historic night for the commonwealth. In fact, tonight we're making 'herstory.' "For the first time in Massachusetts' history we are sending three women" to the U.S. House of Representatives, she said, welcoming Pressley and Democrat Lori Trahan -- who claimed victory in the state's 3rd Congressional District -- to the state's delegation.

Clark, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vice chairwoman of recruitment, added that "when women have a seat at the table, the conversation is changed."

The Democrat defeated Republican challenger John Hugo, of Woburn, to retain her seat in Congress.

The number of Massachusetts women who ran for Congress in 2018 marked a vast increase over previous election cycles, when about the same amount sought U.S. House and Senate seats from 2008 to 2016 combined.

Just over 40 different women, meanwhile, ran for congressional seats in Massachusetts from 1988 through 2016, with only three -- Warren, Clark and U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell -- claiming victory.BOSTON -- Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito declared victory Tuesday night with a strong nod to bipartisanship and a pledge to continue working across party lines.

"The people of Massachusetts elected us four years ago to bring fiscal discipline, a reform minded approach to governing, and a commitment to bipartisanship to state government," Baker said in his victory speech. "We have done just that every single day. And today, the voters have spoken. They like what we are doing and they appreciate the way we work."

Baker, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez and his running mate Quentin Palfrey in a landslide Tuesday night to win a second term as Massachusetts governor. With 52 percent of precincts reporting, Baker led 67 percent to 33 percent.

Gonzalez called Baker to concede around 9:15 p.m. and spoke to supporters at a Massachusetts Democratic Party event soon after that.

"It's not exactly the result we were hoping for, but we gave it one hell of a run, didn't we?" Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez congratulated Baker. "At a time of divisiveness and incivility in our national politics, Gov. Baker deserves credit and our thanks for the civil, respectful and collaborative approach he has taken to governing," Gonzalez said.

Baker was equally gracious to Gonzalez. "He made this campaign a discussion and a debate and a conversation about the issues, not about the personalities," Baker said. "No cheap shots, just working hard to make sure the people of Massachusetts had a chance to hear both sides and they make the call."

Baker has throughout his campaign stressed his commitment to working with Democrats and independents. On election night, Baker and Polito were introduced by a diverse group of supporters: Democratic Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, independent Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Theken, Republican Party Chairwoman Kirsten Hughes and Robert Lewis, founder of The Base, which helps urban student athletes succeed.

"Tomorrow, we're not Republicans and Democrats anymore, I'm unaffiliated, we're human," Theken said.

Rivera even asked for a round of applause for Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who won reelection, drawing a tepid response from the Republican-leaning crowd.

No one who spoke from the podium mentioned the other Republican candidates to run for statewide office from Massachusetts, all of whom lost to Democratic incumbents. And none referred directly to the tight races nationally for control of the U.S. House and Senate.

In his victory speech, Baker spoke about a birthday party he attended for downed Swampscott Marine helicopter pilot Jennifer Harris.

"No one ever asks if a fallen soldier is a Republican or a Democrat," Baker said. "They are American heroes, plain and simple. And it is incumbent on us to appreciate the sacrifices made by them and their families on our behalf."

Baker continued, "It is with humility and gratitude that we take on these awesome responsibilities. To honor the sacrifices of those who serve to keep us free -- and those who put their faith in us with their vote and their support."

Baker pledged to continue working across the aisle, to focus on "the work, not the noise," fix things that are broken, "treat your money like it was ours," and make sure government works for those who need it most.

Polito said the administration will continue working on issues including addressing climate change, improving education and "leading an efficient and effective state government that delivers high quality services while respecting taxpayers."

"If you like what you've been seeing for the past four years, you ain't seen nothing yet," Polito said.Minutes after announcing she is the new Congresswoman for the 3rd Congressional District in Massachusetts, Lori Trahan said she wants to hit the ground running.

Not only is the district sending another woman to Washington D.C., as Trahan will succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, but Massachusetts voters have elected the first Portuguese-American woman elected to Congress, said Trahan, speaking from her election party in Lowell.

"I didn't think there were any firsts left, so I'm delighted. I'm so excited," Trahan said with a laugh, adding that she learned she'd be the first Portuguese-American woman in Congress during a trip to the Hudson Portuguese Club.

The Congresswoman-elect said her grandparents immigrated to the country from Portugal.

"When I came home and told my father, he just looked at me and his eyes welled up and he said my parents would have never believed that in just two generations that someone in their family would be running for Congress," she said. "That is the American Dream."

In the last hours of her campaign, Trahan was in Lawrence with Mayor Dan Rivera.

"I've been in Lawrence a bunch these last two months and it's hard for them to find a way to go out and vote. There are still so many families that are affected. They don't have heat, they're displaced, they're not in their home," Trahan said. "I wanted to show them that I was going to work for their vote right up until the polls closed because they need help. They need help from Washington. They need help from their leaders. And I want to help them."

One of her priorities, she said, is holding Columbia Gas of Massachusetts accountable after gas explosions in September that killed one and injured about 25 others in the Merrimack Valley communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.

"We've got to get this timeline accelerated so people get in their homes faster than what's right now projected because this is a huge disruption to people's lives," she said. "We've got to get under way with these investigations so we can find out what the heck happened. We've got to hold Columbia Gas accountable for certain. We also have to make these families, these small businesses, whole again."

Trahan said local, state and federal leadership needs to have the backs of those affected by the explosions.The Massachusetts Nurses Association union is regrouping and considering its next steps after its latest attempt to enact nurse-patient ratios in hospitals was rejected by voters on Tuesday night.

Ballot question 1 was soundly defeated, with 70 percent of voters opposing the measure, according to preliminary results. The union faced strong political headwinds coming into election day, with polls showing rapidly declining support of the proposal -- from 52 percent in favor in mid September to 59 percent against in late October.

David Schildmeier, a spokesman for the MNA, declined to specify how the union would move forward following the vote. But he said the group will begin reviewing all possibilities, and is committed to fighting for safer staffing levels.

"We're going to evaluate all options that are available to us and determine what's the best course of action," Schildmeier said in a brief phone interview. "You can be sure that nurses will do whatever is necessary to protect their patients. The current conditions in hospitals are dangerousness and cannot be sustained."

Tuesday's ballot measure vote was just the latest in years of union efforts to put nurse staffing ratios into law. The union has previously attempted to enforce ratios through collective bargaining and legislative lobbying, citing studies that show a link between nurse staffing ratios and patient outcomes. In 2014, a compromise measure led to the implementation of staffing ratios in Massachusetts hospital ICUs.

But in a bitterly fought and expensive referendum campaign, hospital leaders and other medical professional organizations described the proposed limits as inflexible and harmful to patients. The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, or MHA, said that community hospitals would have to reduce services to pay for the law's requirements and claimed that strict ratios would lead to longer emergency room wait times.

The union disputed the hospitals' predictions of financial catastrophe, and said they routinely received reports from working nurses describing unsafe work conditions and insufficient staff levels

After the results of the vote, hospitals leaders attempted to strike a conciliatory tone.

"This is the beginning of a conversation, not the end. Question 1 forced some difficult and necessary discussions about the future of health care and the future of our workforce going forward," MHA President and CEO Steve Walsh said in a statement Tuesday night. "These conversations with our care teams and in our communities have been critically important and will continue in bargaining sessions, legislative debates, board rooms and newspapers."

And Tony Berry, a spokesman for UMass Memorial Health Care, said the hospital system was still open to "reasonable conversations" about improving their processes, including nurse staffing levels.

Schildmeier said the union was willing to head back to the table with hospital administrators, but expressed skepticism over their intentions, saying that hospitals had not voluntarily improved labor conditions for 20 years.

The union has not heard from the MHA since the vote last night, according to Schildmeier.

"We're interested to see if they have any ideas," he said.

The proposal would have set specific ratios for a range of clinical situations. Nurses caring for critical, non-stable patients in an emergency room would only be allowed one patient, while ER nurses caring for non-urgent patients could care for five patients. Nurses in maternity wards would be assigned one mother and her child immediately after birth, among other limits.

The law would have taken effect on Jan. 1, and regulations would be written by the state Health Policy Commission, who could refer violations to the state Attorney General. Hospitals in violation could have been fined up to $25,000 per day.Attorney General Jeff Sessions is resigning his post with the Trump administration, various news outlets reported Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported that Sessions had submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump.

Sources told ABC News that his departure was requested by Trump and effective immediately.

Trump announced on Twitter that Session's chief of staff, Matthew G. Whitaker, will become the new acting attorney general.

"We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well. ... .We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date," he said.

....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

News of Sessions' resignation came one day after voters cast ballots in the 2018 midterm election.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Sessions' performance as attorney general, particularly his decision to recuse himself from the Department of Justice's investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 campaign.

The president reportedly spoke with advisers about firing Sessions in July 2017.

More recently, he had criticized his attorney general for "performing badly" on various issues, offering that Sessions was "essentially AWOL."

"I don't have an attorney general. It's very sad," Trump told Hill.TV in September. "I'm so sad over Jeff Sessions because he came to me. He was the first senator that endorsed me. And he wanted to be attorney general, and I didn't see it."

Trump at the time declined to say whether he would fire Sessions.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.UPDATE: The original story declared Kemp the winner after The Associated Press called the race in his favor based on the results. The AP has since removed that declaration due to the closeness of the race and votes yet to be tallied. As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Kemp had not declared victory and challenger Statcey Abrams has not conceded.

_______________

Republican Brian Kemp has a slight lead in Georgia's governor race over Stacey Abrams but as of Wednesday afternoon neither side had declared victory.

Kemp received 1,962,547 votes - just over 50 percent - to Abrams' 1,887,161, 48.6 percent. Just under 1 percent of the vote went to Libertarian candidate Ted Metz. State electoral rules mandate a candidate receive a majority of the vote to win the governorship.

Georgia's governor race was contentious and drew attention with a minute push from President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, who campaigned with Abrams.

Kemp, who is Georgia's Secretary of State, skipped a debate with Abrams to attend a rally with President Donald Trump. He also accused Georgia Democrats of "potential cyber crimes" days before the election.

Georgia has had a Republican governor since 2003, and the state has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1992.

Abrams hopes to be the first Black woman to hold that office.

She has declined to concede, saying, "We believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach, but we cannot seize it until all voices are heard," as reported by NPR.

Concerns regarding certain polling station were lodged by Georgia voters, some voters waiting several hours to cast their ballots due to limited machines. Voters remained in line as late as 11 p.m. Tuesday, hours after polls were scheduled to close due to long lines.SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni gathered with friends Tuesday evening at Samuel's restaurant in Springfield as votes were tallied.

Unlike most other candidates, Gulluni had no opponents.

Gulluni said he is extraordinarily grateful to have so many people who have supported him, and that he's looking forward to the next four years.

Winning an unopposed race is different -- but it's just as gratifying, Gulluni said. Before, he could talk about what he wanted to do. Now, he said, "I actually have done the work."

He said he thinks he can infer from the fact he had no challengers "that people were happy, they are saying, 'We like what you have done and we want you to do more.'"

Gulluni, who said he is proud of many things he and his office have done, said he wants to go into a second term "thoughtfully and meaningfully."

That means taking a critical look at what his office has done well and what his office can do better, Gulluni said.SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, said Wednesday that he plans to request the release of President Donald Trump's tax returns, if named the next House Ways and Means Committee chairman.

Neal, who currently serves as the panel's ranking member, told reporters at a Springfield news conference that he would use the powerful position in the new Democrat-led U.S. House to seek the president's tax information.

"Yes, I think we will," he said when asked whether Ways and Means will pursue the president's tax returns.

The congressman, however, said he hopes Trump will release the documents before any such request is made.

"I think it's is a reminder that it has to be done so that legally it meets the law. I think that there are some precedents for this," he said. "But, I hope that the president would do this on his own, largely because every president since Gerald R. Ford has voluntarily done this."

Congressman Richard Neal reflects on the 2018 midterm election in Springfield. Posted by MassLive on Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Neal noted that while it's illegal for any one member of Congress to release a person's tax returns, the House Ways and Means Committee chairman "has the ability to ask for the president's tax returns."

Although the Ways and Means leader can make such a request, the congressman offered that it would likely face legal challenges.

"I would assume there would be a court case that goes on for a period of time," he said.

Leadership and chairmanship positions for the 116th are not expected to be formally decided for several weeks. Neal told reporters that he's confident he'll take over as the next Ways and Means Committee leader.

The congressman, who became the panel's top Democrat in December 2016, said he plans to focus on health care -- particularly protections for pre-existing conditions -- an infrastructure package, trade policies and retirement savings, if named the next Ways and Means chairman.

Neal, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration's tax system overhaul, said he would also convene hearings on tax policies, as well as be "unyielding in (his) defense of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid."

Despite Democrats' winning control of the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday's election, the congressman said he's going to be realistic about what the party can accomplish on Capitol Hill, where Republicans will be in charge of the U.S. Senate and White House, by pursuing areas of bipartisan agreement.

"There are some opportunities here on infrastructure, on prescription drug benefits and to reset the trade agenda. There are some opportunities here for cooperation," he said.

Neal, however, said he believes Congress "has a Constitutional responsibility to oversee the executive (branch)."

"I think that interacting, finding principle where you agree on common ground makes a good deal of sense," he said. "But, I've also been through three of these tsunamis -- Bill Clinton in 1994, George Bush in 2006 and Barack Obama in 2010 -- where the voter makes a change in the House of Representatives. I think we have to, in some measure, reflect the emotions that were offered last night, but also a rejection of many of the policies that have been embraced over the last eight years."

The congressman's remarks came as Trump, at his own post-election news conference, reportedly warned Democrats against using their new subpoena power to investigate him and his administration's actions.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste taxpayer money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of classified information, and much else, at the Senate level," he further tweeted Wednesday. "Two can play that game!"With Democrats winning control of the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, Western Massachusetts could soon yield major influence in federal policymaking.

The four major television networks -- ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC -- as well as CNN all projected the Democrats would win a House majority.

Having won re-election in their respective 2018 races, the state's two westernmost congressmen -- U.S. Reps. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and Jim McGovern, D-Worcester -- stepped closer to likely chairmanships for two of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill.

Although the new committee chairpersons will not officially be named for some time, Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, is widely considered to be the next leader of the tax-writing panel when the 116th Congress convenes in January.

McGovern, ranking member of the House Rules Committee, is poised to lead that panel -- which decides when and what bills make it to the chamber floor -- in the new Democrat-controlled Congress.

Springfield-based political strategist Tony Cignoli said Western Massachusetts would benefit in various ways with Neal, McGovern or both congressmen chairing such committees.

Pointing to Neal's track record of bringing funds back to the 1st Congressional District, Cignoli argued that the Democrat could focus on larger, legacy-type projects if named Ways and Means chairman.

"Given his seniority and the time that he's had in Congress and that this is perhaps closer to the end of his career than to the beginning, a lot of things that he will do will very much be in regards to what will be his legacy," Cignoli said. "So there could be some very large projects, long-lasting, long-impacting projects throughout Western Massachusetts -- an area that always lags economically behind Boston. This is our time."

Cignoli said Neal's ability to work with Republicans gives such projects a better chance of becoming reality under his potential leadership.

"Neal is a student of history and a professor of history: He knows that for legacy, impactful change in his district and even nationally, he's going to have to be that person that reaches across the aisle. He's got a reputation and a track record -- for the last 15, 16 years -- as being one of the few Democrats that Republicans like and respect," he said. "It's no secret that when it comes to tax code and tax policy, that the policy wonk that is Richard Neal is regarded well by Republicans."

McGovern's potential Rules Committee chairmanship, meanwhile, could give Western Massachusetts power in determining what bills make it to the U.S. House floor. Cignoli said that in a Democratic House, McGovern would also help oversee congressional districts.

"The gerrymandering that both parties are guilty of over the decades -- he's going to have an opportunity to have a say over some of that and how the rules of the House are actually conducted," he said.

Cignoli offered that McGovern would become "kind of like the sheriff of the House of Representatives" if named Rules Committee chairman -- something which, he noted, could further solidify his legacy in politics.

"It's an amazingly powerful committee and the impact McGovern can have can be legacy-like, as well," he said. "He may be able to have a say that's helpful to us, not just in Massachusetts but throughout the nation in correcting some of the voting irregularities ... that we've been hearing so much about."

The prospect of Western Massachusetts lawmakers holding such powerful positions on Capitol Hill has loomed large in the 2018 cycle -- particularly in the 1st Congressional District primary race between Neal and Democratic challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud.

The longtime congressman, who became the House Ways and Means Committee's ranking member in December 2016, argued that his position allowed him to better advocate for the needs of Western Massachusetts on Capitol Hill than his primary opponent.

Neal's message appeared to resonate with 1st Congressional District residents, who decided to send him on to an unopposed November general election with 71 percent of the vote to Amatul-Wadud's 29 percent.

Following his primary win, the congressman turned his full attention to helping other Democrats win House races across the country in hopes of flipping the chamber to the Democratic Party's control.

Neal, who campaigned for candidates in California, Florida, Arizona and New Hampshire, stressed that his focus was on winning 24 seats.

"I just want the House," he said in an interview.

McGovern, who was named the Rules Committee's ranking member in April, also lent support to Democratic candidates across the country in the lead-up to Election Day, despite focusing on his re-election fight against Republican Tracy Lovvorn.

His campaign reported more than $200,000 in contributions to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018, according to Federal Election Commission data.A few months ago, we heard about how Philips and Augusta University Health are working together in a long-term partnership for the co-development of clinical solutions such as a hybrid operating room . To learn more about the partnership as well as the unique, hybrid operating room into which multiple technologies and procedures have been combined, Medgadget heard from Dr. Joe Frassica, Philips CMO and Head of Research for the Americas.

Michael Batista, Medgadget: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us about the recent news regarding Philips partnership with Augusta University Health. To begin, what led to and motivated this partnership, what is unique about the partnership, and why is Augusta University Health well-aligned with Philips?

Dr. Joe Frassica: Augusta University Health  Philips first long-term strategic partnership (LSP), and is a great example of how both Philips and our partners can benefit from this model. This relationship is a departure from traditional client-vendor relationships and allows for co-creating of clinical solutions. Instead, this is a true partnership where we collaborate to understand Augustas needs, and work together to develop a game plan that will enable them to meet their patient care goals.

Augusta University Health (formally Georgia Regents Health) was searching for an innovative way to adopt enterprise-wide solutions for the health system, which would allow for improved patient care and outcomes, while managing costs for this public network. Not only where they industry pioneers, becoming the first LSP in North America by signing a fifteen-year agreement to work alongside Philips to improve patient care, they have realized impressive results by engaging in this model. In the last five years, AU Health has:

Upgraded their diagnostic imaging systems to digital systems, including 800 devices in the first year of the partnership

Experienced a 39% increase of the number of patients they can conduct imaging exams on

Achieved millions in savings thank to better procurement practices

Worked alongside Philips to redesign their childrens hospital

Co-developed innovations in biosensors for lower cost settings

Five years later, we continue to innovate and develop best practices for improved diagnosis and treatment, including the hybrid operating room (OR), which gives Augusta the ability to diagnose confidently and treat lung cancer the same day in a single OR visit.

Medgadget: The press release mentions that the partnership allows for the co-creation of clinical solutions. What does this mean in practice? How do Philips and Augusta University Health work together?

Dr. Frassica: Philips work very closely to understand both the patient and population health challenges in the community Augusta serves and provides Augusta with early access to the latest in Philips technologies. Through a joint Philips and AU Health oversight committee, we look at what solutions will have the biggest impact on their care goals, map those to the latest Philips innovations, and look at how we can co-develop programs and solutions accordingly. Currently, we are implementing this multi-phased approach on biosensors. We are through the first phase of understanding how our biosensor technology can help Augusta tightly monitor patients in a lower cost setting, such as the general ward. This not only helps to keep patients out of higher cost settings such as the ICU, but it also gives staff access to the information they need to intervene before a patients condition becomes acute. Were also looking at how the biosensors can integrate into the system and helping to identify which patients would benefit most from this type of monitoring, as well as how this model could apply to other care settings.

Medgadget: Shifting focus to the hybrid operating room, where did the idea for this collaboration opportunity come about? What is Philips contribution to the hybrid operating room?

Dr. Frassica: As a global leader in image guided therapy (IGT) systems, Philips plays a very important role in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of care. Through continuous innovation in areas such as imaging and navigation, we have been able to improve existing treatments and make new treatments possible. The number of image-guided treatments performed is growing rapidly and these treatments are now becoming more complex and diverse. At the same time, we see enormous cost pressures on healthcare systems, hence the need for more efficient treatments and optimization of resource utilization. We see strong growth in the combination of surgery and image-guided treatment, performed in hybrid operating rooms, that combine the best of both worlds. Minimally invasive procedures have proven to improve clinical outcomes for the patient and lead to significant reductions in the length-of-stay of the patient in the hospital.

The hybrid OR brings together multiple techniques in a single space  navigational bronchoscopy to locate tumors in the patients lungs, percutaneous biopsy for small sections of a lesion to determine if its cancerous, fiducial marker placement to mark the tumor and ensure the entire mass is removed, and video-assisted thorascopic surgery, which enables the use of a tiny video camera to operate inside a patients chest cavity. In the hybrid OR, all three techniques are assisted by intra-operative cone beam CT imaging, which captures images of the inside of a patients chest and allows the surgeon to see the tumor and form the best surgical strategy to biopsy or remove it safely.

Medgadget: Why is the hybrid operating room an improvement upon the capabilities of a standard operating room?

Dr. Frassica: When it comes to surviving cancer, early detection and treatment could be the key to a patients survival. The hybrid OR offers a revolutionary alternative to the traditional approach to surgery and represents a paradigm shift in thoracic surgery. The hybrid OR combines surgery and interventional treatment so that more minimally invasive procedures can be performed in one space using image guidance. Additionally, with the clinician able to do immediate imaging studies, they can use the same anesthesia to do biopsies and perform procedures, which not only allows for a faster diagnosis and treatment, but also reduces costs.

In the case of Augusta, Dr. Carsten Schroeder, a thoracic surgical oncologist, used to take six weeks just to get a diagnosis. Now with the hybrid OR, Dr. Schroeder can tailor the patients care in one day instead of having to schedule multiple follow-up appointments. Hes able to do bio-markers, biopsies and plan further interventions, without having to move the patient from the OR for these imaging studies in order to wait for results. In addition to shorter times between diagnosis and treatment, the surgeon can also detect smaller tumors in a patients lungs, ones that would previously have to grow larger or denser before being caught. This truly makes care more seamless and help reduce costs, while improving patient care and outcomes. In the years to come, we may see that traditional open surgery will cease to exist and minimally invasive surgery will become the standard of care.

Medgadget: Finally, are there any other collaborations that Philips and Augusta University Health are working on, as part of the partnership, that you can share?

Dr. Frassica: As we continue to innovative alongside Augusta, we are looking into other areas to do minimally invasive surgery. For example, the treatment of stroke or of aneurysms in the brain, restricting the blood supply to a tumor and apply local chemotherapy for liver cancer, or spine surgery with placement of screws for spine fusion.

Flashback: Philips Partners with Augusta University Health on Hybrid OR for Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung CA

Related: Hybrid Operating Room streamlines diagnosis, treatment of lung cancerJOB DESCRIPTION

JD Version Date (last revision date): 10/25/2018 (new)

TITLE: Country Representative and Director of Expand FP II program

PROGRAM(S) / DEPARTMENT(S): West and Central Africa

COST CENTER CODE(S): 4210-FPL01-GFP015-FDN-A0A0A0-660

REPORTS TO (Title Only): West and Central Africa Regional Representative

FLSA STATUS: NON U.S. LOCATION

UNION AFFILIATION: NON-UNION / SENIOR MANAGEMENT POSITION

COMPANY SUMMARY:

EngenderHealths vision is a world where sexual and reproductive health rights are respected as human rights, and women and girls have the freedom to reach their full potential. To achieve transformational change leading to true social and economic progress, EngenderHealth collaborates with diverse organizations across sectors with the shared goals of highlighting womens value to sustainable development.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Project Director/Country Representative will lead the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded Expand FP II Project, devoting approximately 85% level of effort to lead and manage the program, focusing on supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to scale up post-partum family planning nationwide. Responsibilities will include ensuring that the project meets all key benchmarks and oversight of the technical, program, managerial and fiscal for day-to-day management of the project. S/he will manage the critical relationships with the Government of DRC and other national and international partners and donors, being the primary liaison with all key stakeholders, including other BMGF partners. In addition, s/he will devote 10% of her time to develop and lead the vision and strategy of EngenderHealths overall country program and support new business development opportunities. S/he will have overall responsibility for the countrys program portfolio, including achieving program results, financial management, accounting and reporting, ensuring compliance with all EH and donors contractual matters and other applicable laws and regulations. S/he will report to EngenderHealths West and Central Africa Regional Representative,and will have direct responsibility for supervision of designated staff and oversee and work closely and in a complementary fashion with other key personnel, internal and external. This role is likely to require up to 25% travel.

REQUIREMENTS: Must possess the following requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation:

Advanced degree in public health, clinical medicine, nursing, social sciences, international development or related field.

5-10 years of experience in implementing SRHR programs in public and/or private health sector in West or Central Africa, preferably Democratic Republic of Congo.

Experience in working collaboratively with national ministries of health to scale up and implement national and preferably reproductive health programs.

Experience in managing and supervising individuals and teams.

Ability to be strategic and entrepreneurial, and to foster a cultural environment of innovation and collaboration. Flexible and adaptable with proven capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to a changing environment.

Excellent partnership and relationship building skills. Proven results in working with multiple collaborators.

Excellent understanding of international public health landscape in developing countries in areas related to sexual and reproductive health, quality improvement and assurance.

Strong knowledge of the donor landscape within the health sector and potential investors for quality assurance.

Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral communications skills.

Ability to travel internationally approximately 25% of the time (equivalent of 16 weeks annually) to work with EngenderHealths field staff and partners.

Experience in integrating reproductive health interventions in public and/or private sector interventions.

Experience in representing organizations in global technical fora.

Comfort with a matrix management approach

ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILLS

Comfortable working in a fast  paced environment and being held accountable for meeting ambitious targets.

Leadership skills to work with autonomy while still being collaborative, prioritize tasks, and positively influence others to follow directives and meet deliverables with global stakeholders.

Systems-thinker whose strength is proactively finding the slightest weakness in a process and implementing a solution.

Problem-solver mentality, with the ability to adapt seamlessly to changing priorities

Ensuring compliance with programmatic and clinical standards.

Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in different socio-cultural contexts.

Organized, high level of accuracy, and meticulous attention to detail.

Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.

PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS:

Fluency in French including business and healthcare terminology.

Ability to use knowledge of the organizational and political climate to solve problems and accomplish goals.

Experience in advocating for the integration of SRHR standards and practices into national policies, systems and training frameworks.

Experience working with multiple donors and multilateral institutions, e.g. USAID, DFID, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA.

Experience in technical tools and materials development.

Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to this job. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Employees can be asked to do other comparable duties as assigned.

For applying please access to the link below :

https://chk.tbe.taleo.net/chk01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ENGENDERHEALTH&cws=1&rid=1284

__________________________________________ ____________________

Acknowledgement (Employee) Date

__________________________________________ ____________________

Maxine Somerville, Vice President, Human Resources Date

EngenderHealth provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, creed, ancestry, citizenship, religion, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, political belief, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, marital status, disability or any other protected characteristic or status under applicable federal, state and local laws.

EngenderHealth complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in the United States in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, November 6, 2018

Carls Jr. has tried all kinds of creative tacks since its pivotal 2017 campaign, from 72andSunny, in which a fictional Carl Hardee Sr. apologized for the sexist ads perpetrated by his son, the hedonistic Carl Hardee Jr., and pledged to focus instead on the brands food.

Over the past 12 months, the QSR brands ads have tweaked its competition with a taco randomizer; ostensibly tried to get Amazon to acquire it by using a tweeting campaign; touted its own Oscars-timed Twitter awards show; and offered Froot Loops Donuts.

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The many ads produced over the years to appeal to Carls Jr.s young, hungry guys audience base by featuring cliched scantily clad women (frequently supermodels) included a particularly notorious 2005 ad featuring Paris Hilton washing a Bentley while somehow simultaneously devouring a burger.

Now, Havas Chicago, which became the brands lead creative agency this year, is tweaking Carls Jr.s past politically incorrect advertising  which looks even more dated in the relatively recent era of #MeToo.

The new campaign  dubbed Famous Stars Eating Famous Stars (the Famous Star being a popular Carls Jr. menu item)  is kicking off with new ads featuring Australian Instagram star Celeste Barber parodying the Hilton ad. In the 30-second ad (below), Barber, whos gained millions of followers by mocking the celebrity culture with her own parodies, is shown washing an old station wagon, and falling over as she tries to eat a Famous Star in the process.

In other ads--spanning network, cable and spot TV, spot radio, paid social media and FSIs--Barber is shown clumsily trying to eat Famous Star Burgers while engaged in other day-to-day activities.

The campaign will also include celebrities--including Joey King, Hunter King and Ashlee Simpson Ross--eating Famous Star Burgers in Instagram posts and at young-hungry-guy-friendly events.

Earlier this year, Havas created ads that were decidedly focused on the brands food, with fast close-ups of its burgers and clever voiceovers by (an unidentified) Matthew McConaughey, along with Instagram promos by other celebrities.by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 6, 2018

In a move that could affect many legal battles over online privacy, the Supreme Court is raising questions about whether Google should have faced a federal class-action lawsuit for allegedly leaking the names of people who used its search engine.

On Tuesday, the court officially called for legal briefs addressing whether the Google users who sued suffered the kind of concrete injury that warranted a lawsuit. The court's move came days after a hearing at which Justice Neil Gorsuch spontaneously questioned why allegations that Google leaked a user's name warranted a lawsuit.

Do we know that he was injured? Gorsuch asked, referring to one of the plaintiffs who sued Google over the alleged data leakage.

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The battle dates to 2010, when Google was hit with a class-action alleging it violated users' privacy by including their search queries in "referer headers" -- the information that's automatically transmitted to sites users click on when they leave Google. Some queries, like people's searches for their own names, can offer clues to users' identities. (Google no longer transmits search queries when people click on links in the results.)

Google agreed to resolve the allegations by donating $5.3 million to six nonprofits and schools -- including at least one that previously received money from Google. The settlement also requires Google to pay more than $2.1 million to the attorneys who brought the lawsuit.

Ted Frank, founder of the Center for Class Action Fairness, challenged the deal. He argued that it should have been rejected because it didn't compensate Google's users.

His challenge was heard by the Supreme Court on October 31. At the hearing, several of the court's conservative judges expressed skepticism toward the settlement. Chief Justice John Roberts asked an attorney for the plaintiffs whether he thought it was just a little bit fishy that the money was going to an organization that Google previously supported.

But some of the judges, including Gorsuch as well as the more liberal Stephen Breyer, questioned whether the people who sued should have been allowed to proceed at all.

Gorsuch wanted to know why leaking a name was actionable. Is there any evidence that his personal information, for example, wasn't already available through the white pages and otherwise published so that there is no injury in fact? he asked.

Breyer referred to allegations by Anthony Italiano, one of the two class representatives named in the case. He alleged that his searches included his name paired with the word bankruptcy, as well as his name with foreclosure, and his name with his home address.

What concrete injury was there because somebody might discover through Google that he made those searches? Breyer asked. I don't quite see how this is some kind of secret or private or information.

The court's newest judge, Brett Kavanaugh, suggested that disclosing people's search history could prove harmful. I don't think anyone would want the disclosure of everything they searched for disclosed to other people. That seems a harm, he said during the argument.by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, November 6, 2018

Etsy wants the world to know how much its makers have to offer the world this holiday season, debuting a new Made with love campaign that showcases the sites quirky individuality and outside-the-gift-box creativity.

Testimonial TV spots from Sandwich Video highlight everything from hand-made personalized jewelry to dog portraits to life-size living room rulers, emphasizing how Etsy offers the chance to find unique items that are a perfect match for someones personality.

Etsy says the campaign grew from local tests in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Baltimore that generated higher awareness, site visits and purchase intent. We gained many insights from our recent local tests, and saw particularly encouraging results from the ads showcasing authentic buyer testimonials, says Patrick Reiter, head of buyer marketing, in an email to Marketing Daily. This gives us confidence to move forward with testing this concept on a national level.

advertisement advertisement

Ads are scheduled to run nationally for four weeks, beginning this week, in both 30 and 15-second versions.

The company is also running illustrations in 575 New York City subway cars, showcasing Etsys breadth.

The online retailer is reprising last years partnership with American Express and Small Business Saturday, with Etsy sellers hosting pop-up markets in San Francisco, Austin, Washington D.C. and Boston. New this year, its teaming up with Brit + Co, offering an Etsy shop with 1,000 curated items, which will use a special shopping tool to steer Brit fans to Etsy items.

Etsy also says its improved its search and discovery function, is continuing to encourage its 2 million sellers to improve shipping offers  and notes that millions of items now ship free.

The Brooklyn-based Etsy just released its latest quarterly financial reports, surprising investors with better-than-expected numbers. Its measure of gross sales rose 20.4% to $922.5 million, up from $766.3 million in the same period a year ago. And revenue climbed 41% to $150.3 million, from $106.4 million in the year-ago period. Net income declined to $19.8 million, from $25.8 million.According to a recent large-scale study, women who are morning people might have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Share on Pinterest Women who function better in the morning may be less likely to develop breast cancer, a study shows. Sleep and circadian rhythms have received a great deal of attention in recent years. A daily cycle governs each of us, and we are all at the mercy of sleep. However, despite the all-pervasive nature of sleep, it still holds a wealth of mysteries. Sleep is clearly important for health, but researchers have not yet determined its exact role in sickness and well-being. The most pressing questions relating to sleep and daily rhythms include how these factors affect disease states and whether it would be possible to modify them to reduce health risks. Recently, researchers designed a study to investigate how sleep might contribute to breast cancer risk.

Sleep and breast cancer Dr. Rebecca Richmond, a research fellow in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and the Cancer Research U.K. Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme, headed up the study. Dr. Richmonds team took data from the UK Biobank project, a long-term study aiming to answer questions about the genetic and environmental causes of disease. The team also accessed information that the international Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) had obtained from a genome-wide association study of breast cancer. In total, the researchers used data from more than 385,000 women. Dr. Richmond summarizes their approach: Using genetic variants associated with peoples preference for morning or evening, sleep duration, and insomnia, [] we investigated whether these sleep traits have a causal contribution to the risk of developing breast cancer. The team presented the study findings earlier this week at the 2018 National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference in Glasgow, U.K. To spot trends in sleep patterns and breast cancer risk, the team used a method called Mendelian randomization . In this type of analysis, scientists use measured variation in genes of known function to assess their effect on disease outcomes. In this case, they studied gene variants that affect sleep traits. As Dr. Richmond explains, this approach is useful for minimizing the impact of potentially confounding variables: The method of Mendelian randomization applied in this research is particularly useful at identifying causal risk factors for disease since the genetic variants identified in relation to the sleep traits are not likely to be influenced by any external or environmental factors, nor by the development of cancer, and can, therefore, be used to determine cause and effect relationships.The protein p53 plays an important role in preventing cancer from forming and spreading, but a mutant version of it easily undoes all its good work. A new study investigates how this happens and looks at the clinical implications of this interaction. Share on Pinterest The mutant twin of the tumor-suppressing protein p53 has more than one ace up its sleeve when it comes to promoting cancer. The p53 gene promotes the expression of the p53 protein, which helps maintain cellular health and has a protective role against the formation of cancer. However, researchers have found that many forms of human cancer present mutations of the p53 protein . Recently, specialists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne and the University of Melbourne, both in Australia, have been studying the role of mutated p53 in the development of cancer. Dr. Brandon Aubrey, Prof. Andreas Strasser, Dr. Gemma Kelly, Prof. Gordon Smyth, and Dr. Yunshun Chen led this complex study, the findings of which now appear in the journal Genes and Development. [The protein] p53 plays a critical role in many pathways that prevent cancer, such as repairing DNA or killing cells if they have irreparable DNA damage, Dr. Kelly explains. Genetic defects in p53 are found in half of all human cancers, but exactly how these changes disrupt p53 function has long been a mystery, she adds.

The mutant proteins are cunning Healthy p53 proteins protect the body against cancer either by safeguarding cell health and repairing any DNA damage that could lead to the development of cancer or by simply destroying the cells that are beyond repair. Normally, Dr. Kelly notes, each cell carries two copies of the p53 gene. Sometimes, however, one of these copies may mutate, leading to the production of abnormal p53 proteins. Early during cancer development, one copy of the gene may undergo a sudden and permanent change through mutation, while the other copy of the gene remains normal. This results in the cell making a mixture of normal and mutant versions of the p53 protein, the researcher explains. In their study, the scientists found that the mutant p53 protein blocks the protective activity of the normal p53 protein. We found that the mutant p53 protein can bind to and tackle the normal p53 protein, blocking it from performing protective roles such as DNA repair, says Dr. Kelly. [This] makes the cell more likely to undergo further genetic changes that accelerate tumor development. However, the whole picture is much more complex. Mutant p53, it turns out, does not stop regular p53 from performing all its normal activity. Instead, the evil twin only blocks certain pathways, so that normal p53 is no longer able to defend cellular health but may still feed cancer tumors once they appear. The mutant proteins are cunning: while they stop p53 from activating pathways that protect against cancer, they still allow p53 to activate pathways that promote tumor growth. p53s role in cancer is clearly more complicated than we had expected. Dr. Gemma KellyUPPER THUMB -- Do it or face litigation was the message Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Thumb Regional Manager Barbara Klimaszewski told Tuscola County Commissioners Monday during their committee of the whole meeting regarding implementing indigent defense changes.

The state is requiring counties comply with new regulations regarding indigent defense. Public Act 93 of 2013 requirements stem from being sued in 2007 on the state's indigent defense approach. Although the case was settled out of court, provisions of the settlement was that Michigan's Indigent Defense (MIDP) make changes.

The indigent defense program provides legal representation to individuals who can't afford an attorney.

"There is $84 million appropriated for this state wide," said Klimaszewski. "The funding is there for this."

Commissioners expressed strong concerns about the state complying with providing their share of the grant funding.

"We have heard so many state promises over the years," said Commission Chair Thom Bardwell. "I don't see any way the county can terminate this. Only the state can terminate this. (If it doesn't work), the county's back is against the wall. Cash is king, and when the state doesn't have it, they look to the counties."

Bardwell pointed to other times the state has faulted on money issues such as cuts to revenue sharing, and back when the state required counties do a roll forward of taxes with early payments because of money issues.

"These are requirements the state is imposing," stated Klimaszewski, noting under state law, the state will pay for the difference in cost between any proposal made to the MID Commission and a three-year average of existing costs for the local share. "This would not be a reimbursement grant. And, there won't be any money until the contract is signed."

According to Klimaszewski, about 30 of the state's 83 counties have signed. For those that haven't or won't sign, there is mediation and then litigation.

"At the end of the day, we have to do this?" Bardwell questioned.

"The state wants this done. It's not an option," said Klimaszewski.

The deadline is Nov. 20.

County Controller Mike Hoagland pointed to other times the state made mandates and then changed funding  "with slight of hand out of one and to theirs."

A study showed Michigan placed 44th in per capita spending for representing defendants who couldn't afford to hire an attorney, which is 38 percent below the national average. And at the time, Michigan was one of only seven states where indigent defense was funded entirely by counties. The study also found that many defense attorneys were inadequately trained or qualified to handle complex cases.

The new standards require: 1. Defense counsel to know certain areas of the law including forensic and scientific issues, use applicable technologies, and annually complete continuing legal education courses.

2. Directs defense counsel to be prepared to interview and to evaluate client capability to participate in their representation after appointment of the counsel and before any court proceeding in a confidential setting.

3. Obligates defense counsel to perform investigations, request funds when appropriate to retain a professional defense investigator, and to seek the assistance of experts if necessary.

4. Mandates that a defense counsel be assigned to a defendant as soon as the individual is determined to be indigent, and counsel must also be provided to defendants at pretrial appearances and for other critical stages at all criminal proceedings.

The changes are expected to improve legal defense for poor residents reducing wrongful convictions, decrease the number of plea bargains, allow for more probation rather than jail time, and save money.

Tuscola submitted its plan to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission in November 2017 with the stipulation "that if the state funding is not provided for all cost over the local share then it is not the county's responsibility to carry out any of the new plan functions of fund any of the state share if the plan costs."

Clearly the county has limited funding capabilities and could not handle the projected more than $800,000 in new cost for the expanded MIDP.

The county's average budget for IDP is about about $286,400, and the IDP in Huron County is tentatively about $209,000.

Commissioners deferred action on signing the MIDF contract, and hiring a MIDP Administrator until the 8 a.m. county meeting Thursday.SEBEWAING -- There will be a power outage Wednesday in part of the village of Sebewaing as part of the upgrades to the electrical system in the village.

The Sebewaing Light and Water Department has been replacing poles over the last three years.

One pole has several lines attached to it and the power will have to be shut off for a couple of hours while it is being replaced, Sebewaing Light and Water Department Superintendent Melody McCoy explained.

The pole, which is at the Bay Street Substation, will go out of service at 8:15 p.m.

"The outage will be along M-25 from Moore Shoreline (dealership) to the Lamplighter and about four residence in that area," said McCoy. "We timed doing to work so (it) wouldn't interrupt the Luke's Market or the restaurant. They each close at 8 p.m. Power will be out for about two to four hours while the work is being done."

Upgrading poles ties in with the project to develop efficient an reliable power for village residents by replacing the Pine Street Power Station with a new station that will have one 4.4 megawatt and one 3.3 megawatt GE engines from Clarke Energy, Waukesha, Wisconsin.

"The engines are expected to arrive in December," said McCoy. "The cement base for them was poured last week. It is curing now and will be ready when the engines arrive."

Because the new engines are too large to fit inside the current structure, a new facility is in the process of being built to house them.

"The project is going well," she said.

In October 2017, the council approved an $8.8 million bond for 15 years to fund the upgrades.

In other matters, the council approved the village's five-year master plan and also accepted the recreation plan. The council met in closed session for about 30 minutes for union contract negations for the village police department.

The council approved the contract proposal, but it has to go back to the union for its approval before details can be released.

According to police Chief Branden Gettel, as a department head he is not in the union and only one of his officers is in the union.Tuesday was a night for incumbents to celebrate as two state representatives running for re-election in central Connecticut easily retained their seats, and the only open seat of the night saw a city treasurer claim victory over a veteran police officer.

In the 32nd District, four-term incumbent Christie Carpino turned back a determined challenge from Democrat and political novice Laurel Steinhauser by a margin of 6,582 to 4,931 in preliminary numbers.

I humbled by the overwhelming support of the people of Cromwell and Portland, and I am honored to serve them in Hartford, Christie said.

In the 33rd District, Democrat Joe Serra, who has served in the state House for 26 years, staved off a challenge from Republican Linda Szynkowicz 2,952 to 1,396.

Just before the polls closed Tuesday, Szynkowicz said the race was too close to call. Im hopeful, but I have to wait for the preliminary results, then the actual results, she said at the point.

Serra was unable to be reached for comment.

In the only open seat of the night, Democrat Quentin Phipps withstood a spirited challenge from school resource officer and Middletown police patrolman Anthony Gennaro in the 100th District. With nine of 14 districts reporting unofficial tallies, Phipps outpolled Gennaro 4,913 to 3,350.

Both Szynkowicz and Gennaro conceded to the winners before 9 p.m.

We saw incredible turnout that far surpassed turnout in 2014. Voters came out strong because they believe in Connecticut values  from local candidates all the way to the top of the ticket, Middletown Democratic Town Committee and Common Councilman Robert Blanchard said.

Democrats, he said, will fight to invest in education, collaborative ways to create jobs, and also ensure [taxpayers] are really relieved of the financial burdens placed upon them, Blanchard added.

Im optimistically cautious, Phipps said Monday. Im feeling very confident that we talked to many members of our community and the feedbacks been great. I think our message of raising wages, having health care no longer be a privilege but a right, and growing our economy both on a riverfront and downtown has really resonated with our community. Im feeling good, he said.

Pounding the pavement talking to potential constituents left him encouraged, Gennaro said Monday. Im ready for it. Its been almost seven, eight months since I considered doing it, and I have a lot going on in my life. Im a father of three, Im married, and I just got a puppy, he said.

I wanted to make sure that if I was going to do it, that I was going to be all in, and give it more than 100 percent. Its been a long time, and I think we are all just ready to see the results of our hard work, Gennaro added.

For weeks, four-term incumbent Carpino and her first-time Democratic challenger Steinhauser have crisscrossed the two-town district in their effort to capture the seat that represents Cromwell and Portland. And even though Tuesday was Election Day, it was no different.

Just after noon, Steinhauser voted with my family, with my kiddos, as she calls her three children.

She was not alone. By 3 p.m., some 2,565 people had cast their votes at the middle school, according to Registrar of Voters Athena Neville. Thats in addition to 423 absentee ballots that had been returned to Town Clerk Ryan J. Curley. In all, some 3,440 people are registered and eligible to vote in Portland.

At the same time, in Cromwell, 4,711 residents had cast their votes, according to Registrar Bonnie Anderson. Cromwell has 10,313 people are eligible to vote, her colleague fellow Registrar Alice Kelley said.WASHINGTON - Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned on Wednesday at President Donald Trump's request, ending the tenure of a beleaguered loyalist whose relationship with the president was ruined when Sessions recused himself from control of the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

In a letter to Trump, Sessions wrote that he had been "honored to serve as Attorney General" and had "worked to implement the law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law that formed a central part of your campaign for the presidency." Trump tweeted that Sessions would be replaced on an acting basis by Matthew Whitaker, who had been serving as Sessions' chief of staff.

"We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well!" Trump tweeted. "A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date."

A Justice Department official said Whitaker would assume authority over the special counsel probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election - though his role will be subject to the normal review process for conflicts. Because Sessions was recused, the special counsel probe had been overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who also has had strained relations with Trump, but is considered safe in his position for the moment. Rosenstein went to the White House on Wednesday afternoon for what an official said was a pre-scheduled meeting.

Though Sessions' removal was long expected, the installation of Whitaker sparked fears that the president might be trying to exert control over the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller III.

A legal commentator before he came into the Justice Department, Whitaker had mused publicly about how a Sessions replacement might reduce Mueller's budget "so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt." He also wrote in an August 2017 column that Mueller had "come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing," after CNN reported that the special counsel could be looking into Trump and his associates' financial ties to Russia. Trump has told advisers that Whitaker is loyal and would not have recused himself from the investigation, current and former White House officials said.

Whitaker said in a statement: "It is a true honor that the President has confidence in my ability to lead the Department of Justice as Acting Attorney General. I am committed to leading a fair Department with the highest ethical standards, that upholds the rule of law, and seeks justice for all Americans."

Democrats and others issued statements Wednesday urging that Mueller be left to do his work and vowing to investigate whether Sessions' ouster was meant to interfere with the special counsel. Come January, Democrats will have subpoena power, having won control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections.

"Congress must now investigate the real reason for this termination, confirm that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is recused from all aspects of the Special Counsel's probe, and ensure that the Department of Justice safeguards the integrity of the Mueller investigation," Rep. Elijah Cummings, Md., the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement.

Sen. Mark Warner, Va., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement: "No one is above the law and any effort to interfere with the Special Counsel's investigation would be a gross abuse of power by the President. While the President may have the authority to replace the Attorney General, this must not be the first step in an attempt to impede, obstruct or end the Mueller investigation."

Senator-elect Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tweeted that it was "imperative" Mueller's work be allowed to continue "unimpeded." Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said that "no new Attorney General can be confirmed who will stop that investigation."

A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment.

A person close to Sessions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to be frank, said the attorney general shared the president's frustration with the pace of the Russia inquiry and wished that it had been completed. But Sessions also thought that by staying in the job, he had protected the investigation's integrity, the person said. In the long run, Sessions is convinced that the country will be better served by the investigation proceeding naturally, as the findings will be more credible to the American public, the person said.

Justice Department officials had been bracing for Sessions' ouster. Sessions told confidants earlier this week that he expected Trump to fire him or push him out soon after the midterm elections, and friends urged him to quit and consider running again for a Senate seat in Alabama. A person close to Sessions said he is considering doing so. Still, some senior leaders at the Justice Department were shocked to hear the news Wednesday.

Sessions received a phone call Wednesday morning from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly - before the president held a news conference to discuss the results of the midterm elections - telling him the president wanted Sessions to resign, an administration official said.

Sessions sought to stay on the job at least until the end of the week, according to people familiar with the discussion. Kelly rejected that suggestion, insisting Wednesday would be Sessions' last day, the people said. Sessions canceled meetings and scheduled one for later in the day, where he would say goodbye to his staff.

A White House official said that Trump had been held at bay until after the elections in demanding Sessions' resignation but that the president talked eagerly about ousting his attorney general as soon as the votes were tallied. Even as election results were coming in, Trump complained about Sessions and said he hoped Republicans would win a large enough margin in the Senate that he could fire the attorney general quickly, a person familiar with the matter said.

Another person said other Cabinet officials also were in jeopardy.

In a matter of hours, Sessions was out and Whitaker was in. About 150 employees gathered in the Justice Department courtyard Wednesday evening to bid farewell to the attorney general. Sessions walked out of the building flanked by Rosenstein; Solicitor General Noel Francisco; Jody Hunt, his former chief of staff; and Whitaker. He shook hands with the four, waved to the crowd and gave a thumbs up before climbing into a black government SUV and leaving.

The White House official said the president liked Whitaker, who was a "backslapping, football kind of guy" who had briefed Trump on many occasions because the president preferred not to talk to Sessions.

"The president never wanted to see Jeff. So a lot of other people at DOJ got to see the president," the person said.

Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a Senate seat in Iowa, played college football at the University of Iowa. In 2014, he chaired the campaign of Sam Clovis, a Republican candidate for Iowa state treasurer. That might present another potential ethics complication for Whitaker's supervision of the special counsel; Clovis went on to work as a Trump campaign adviser and has become a witness in Mueller's investigation.

Justice Department officials said Whitaker will follow the regular process for reviewing possible ethical conflicts as he assumes the new job of the nation's top law enforcement official. That process involves Justice Department ethics lawyers reviewing an official's past work to see if there are any financial or personal conflicts that preclude the official from being involved in specific cases.

The Justice Department advises employees that "generally, an employee should seek advice from an ethics official before participating in any matter in which her impartiality could be questioned." The department's regulations prohibit a Justice Department employee, "without written authorization, from participating in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution."

Two close Trump advisers said the president does not plan on keeping Whitaker permanently. Among those said to be under consideration for the job are Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, former U.S. attorney general Bill Barr and former federal judges Janice Rogers Brown and Michael Luttig. An administration official said the president has also considered selecting another U.S. senator for the position, on the grounds that a lawmaker might have an easier confirmation, but so far GOP lawmakers have privately expressed little interest in the position.

Two other officials said former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, R, might be under consideration. One said Christie has talked with the president about the job.

"I don't see him staying," one Trump aide said of Whitaker. "I think the president will be a lot more deliberate in interviewing potential replacements for Jeff Sessions."

Sessions, 71, was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump, and in many ways he had been the biggest supporter of the president's policies on immigration, crime and law enforcement.

But all of those areas of agreement were overshadowed by the Russia investigation - specifically, Sessions' recusal from the inquiry after it was revealed that he had met more than once with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the 2016 campaign, even though he had said during his confirmation hearing that he had not met with any Russians.

Trump has never forgiven Sessions for his recusal, which he regarded as an act of disloyalty that denied him the protection he thought he deserved from his attorney general. "I don't have an attorney general," he said in September.

Privately, Trump has derided Sessions as "Mr. Magoo," a cartoon character who is elderly, myopic and bumbling, according to people with whom the president has spoken.

Trump also had repeatedly threatened or demanded Sessions' ouster behind closed doors, only to be convinced by aides that removing him could provoke a political crisis within the Republican Party. Former White House counsel Donald McGahn urged the president to keep Sessions in the job until the Mueller probe was over, current and former White House officials said.

After an early confrontation, Sessions gave Trump a resignation letter and let him hold onto it. The move deeply concerned White House aides, including then-Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, who told Sessions that Trump would use the letter to manipulate him.

"You have to get that letter back," Priebus told Sessions, according to people familiar with the conversation. Trump ultimately returned the missive with a short handwritten note about how he was not accepting it.

As the president railed against Sessions through early and mid-2017, Republican senators publicly and privately defended the attorney general. But in recent months, some of Sessions' most prominent defenders, including Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said they were open to a new attorney general after the midterm elections.

Grassley said in a statement Wednesday that Sessions' "leadership, integrity and dedication to our country as Attorney General are admirable and commendable." He added of Whitaker: "The Justice Department is in good hands during this time of transition."

Despite the tension with the White House, Sessions had described the position of top law enforcement officer as his dream job, and he pursued his conservative agenda with gusto. But he also had to live with sometimes humiliating attacks from a president he couldn't seem to please and the suspicions of career staff members who feared the politicization of a Justice Department that prides itself on its independence.

Department veterans have expressed concerns that Trump's repeated public attacks on Sessions, the Justice Department and the FBI could cause lasting damage to federal law enforcement.

Mueller is looking into Trump's statements seeking to fire Sessions or force his resignation in an effort to determine whether those acts are part of a pattern of attempted obstruction of justice, according to people close to the investigation.

Earlier this year, Mueller's team questioned witnesses about Trump's private comments and state of mind in late July and early August of last year, around the time he belittled his "beleaguered" attorney general on Twitter, these people said. The questions sought to determine whether the president's goal was to oust Sessions so he could replace him with someone who would take control of the investigation, these people said.

Sessions usuallydid not respond to the president's criticism - including in his resignation letter, which thanked Trump for the "opportunity" to serve as attorney general - but he has at times pushed back.

After one particularly blistering tweet in February - in which the president said Sessions' actions were "DISGRACEFUL!" - he issued a statement: "As long as I am the Attorney General, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this Department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution.''

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The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig, Karoun Demirjian, Robert Costa, Philip Rucker and Tom Hamburger contributed to this report.

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1) Video: Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced his resignation at President Trump's request Nov. 7, after a rocky tenure overseeing the Justice Department. (Joyce Koh/The Washington Post)

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2) Video: President Trump's attacks on his former attorney general Jeff Sessions escalated in the months before his resignation. Here's a look at their rocky history. (Jenny Starrs /The Washington Post)

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Video: Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced his resignation at President Trump's request Nov. 7, after a rocky tenure overseeing the Justice Department.(Joyce Koh/The Washington Post)

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Video: President Trump's attacks on his former attorney general Jeff Sessions escalated in the months before his resignation. Here's a look at their rocky history.(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Embed code:Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  The two existing telecommunications companies in the country on Wednesday welcomed the entry of a third player, which is seen to break their long-standing duopoly in the market.

The government has declared Mislatel Consortiuma joint venture of Dennis Uy's Udenna Corporation, its logistics arm Chelsea Logistics Holdings and China Telecommunicationsas the country's provisional third telco.

In separate statements, PLDT, Inc. and Globe Telecom said the entry of a challenger will lead to a tighter market competition that will benefit the industry and consumers.

"We welcome competition, that's really part of the business and we think that it will be good for consumers. It will be good for the industry, and the country," Ramon Isberto, PLDT's public affairs head, told CNN Philippines in an interview.

"It's going to be a colorful time. I would expect that competition to be there and it would be a very active market. It's been active even with just two players," he added.

Isberto said lower cost of telco services is "one of the possible effects" of the competition brought by the challenger.

"Even before prices have been going down and, if you look at it, the telco industry is one of the few industries in the country where prices have been going down consistently over the past 10, 20 years," he said.

Globe, meanwhile, said it also welcomes the new player "which is seen to help foster a healthy competitive environment and ultimately benefit consumers."

"The new player has the potential of opening up new sources of revenue streams for telcos while providing consumers with more innovative products and services," it said in a statement.

The Ayala-led company said it hopes the government will "equally support" the existing telco companies amid the entry of a new player.One of the most high-profile platoons in the Marine Corps is under investigation for allegations of hazing, resulting in five Marines being sent to pretrial confinement.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into hazing claims involving members of the Silent Drill Platoon, which is based at Marine Barracks Washington. The case was turned over to NCIS by the Marine Corps, according to a news release from the barracks issued Tuesday.

The command was made aware of the allegations Oct. 31 and immediately began an investigation, according to a Marine official with knowledge of the incident. By Friday, the investigation had been turned over to NCIS, added the official, who spoke to Military.com on the condition of anonymity.

"As far as why, at this point in time due to the fact that it's an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to give out any specifics about why," the official said. "It remains an open investigation with NCIS."

Five Marines were sent to pretrial confinement as a result of the investigation. One of those Marines has since been released and is back at the barracks, the official said. The four remaining in pretrial confinement have initial hearings scheduled this week.

Marine Barracks Washington is cooperating with the NCIS investigation, according to the release.

All of the Silent Drill Platoon's upcoming performances have been canceled.

"That decision was obviously not made lightly," the Marine official said. "... They definitely look forward to performing their drill expedition in the near future."

The Marine Corps expects all personnel to "to uphold the highest standards of conduct," the release states.

"The Marines at the Barracks take pride in their daily duties and their reputation in the community, which was demonstrated in September when Marines helped first responders rescue and provide aid for our neighbors when an apartment complex caught fire," it adds.

The hazing allegations come less than three years after a pattern of hazing and mistreatment was found at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina following the death of a 20-year-old recruit there.

The Marine Corps' Silent Drill Platoon, a 24-person team, performs for hundreds of thousands of spectators annually during events in Washington, D.C.; across the country; and abroad. The highly selective platoon is associated with discipline and professionalism.

Infantry Marines selected to serve with the Silent Drill Platoon typically complete two-year tours at Marine Barracks Washington.

This summer, about 100 Marines from the barracks made dozens of trips into and out of a building that was on fire in Washington, D.C. The Marines helped evacuate bedridden and paralyzed seniors from their apartment complex as it burned.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins.An astounding 172 military veterans are running for Congress this election, including 67 incumbents and 105 challengers or newcomers.

Tonight's returns could see more vets from both sides of the aisle seated in a Congress, a development that experts say could promote a greater sense of bipartisanship and will to work together on key issues.

Other qualities this wave of military veterans may bring to Congress include unique perspectives regarding foreign policy and use of military force; "maverick" attitudes and a willingness to cross party lines; and a collaborative attitude, among other things.

"If you look at satisfaction levels, there are metrics that show how confidence in government is an all-time low," Ellen Zeng, political director for the cross-partisan organization With Honor, told Military.com earlier this week. "People have lost trust in government. ... But at the same time, the military is one of the last institutions where there is still a lot of trust."

Here at Military.com, we'll be following 28 of the most competitive House and Senate races featuring veterans on the ticket, and bringing you updated poll results all night long.

Update: 11:36 p.m.

In Texas' 23rd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Will Hurd held off Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer with tours in Iraq. Ortiz Jones, who would go on to work as an intelligence analyst for U.S. Africa Command, is one of five female veterans who ran in these hotly contested races. So far tonight, two, Elaine Luria and Mikie Sherill, have won their races, and two more, Amy McGrath and Ortiz Jones, have lost. Incumbent Martha McSally's Arizona Senate race has yet to be decided.

Update: 11:18 p.m.

Decisions in two veterans' races in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania's 10th District, where two vets squared off, the Republican incumbent, Scott Perry, is projected to hold his seat against challenger George Scott, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.

Perry is the first general officer to win one of these contested races; he is a one-star in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Perry assumed office in 2013 and is a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

And in Pennsylvania's 16th District, another Republican win: Republican incumbent Mike Kelly holds off veteran challenger Ronald DiNicola, a Marine veteran who won the All-Marine boxing title while in the service.

Update: 10:32 p.m.

In Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, another overturn. Republican incumbent Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL, has been unseated by Democratic challenger Elaine Luria, a former Navy surface warfare officer who retired as a commander.

Taylor was elected in 2016. He served in the SEALS from 1997 to 2005.

Luria, who served 20 years in the Navy, deployed on ships to the Middle East and Western Pacific, among other regions, over the course of her career.

Update: 10:26 p.m.

A Democratic candidate who says he's the first post-9/11 Afghanistan combat veteran to seek office in New York City has won New York's 11th District. Max Rose, an Army veteran who still serves in the Army National Guard, has unseated Republican incumbent Dan Donovan.

Update: 10 p.m.

One veteran unseats another in Colorado, and a former Navy helicopter pilot heads to Congress.

Army veteran Jason Crow, a Democrat has defeated Republican incumbent Mike Coffman to win Colorado's 6th District. Crow, a former member of the Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment, deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, attaining the rank of captain. Following his military career, he advocated for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and advised President Barack Obama's reelection campaign.

Coffman, who served in both the Army and the Marine Corps, has served in Congress since 2009.

In New Jersey, Rebecca Michelle "Mikie" Sherill, a Democrat has been projected to beat Republican Jay Webber in New Jersey's 11th District. Sherill, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who flew the Navy H-3 Sea King helicopter and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander, flew missions throughout the Middle East and Europe, according to her official biography.

Update: 9:27 p.m.

West Virginia's 3rd Congressional District is now being called for Republican Carol Miller, who defeated retired Army Maj. Richard Ojeda, a Democratic candidate for the open seat.

Ojeda served in the Army from 1988 to 2013, retiring as a major. He deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during his career, earning two Bronze stars. His campaign for West Virginia state senate in 2016 made national headlines when he was brutally beaten at an event just before his primary.

Editor's note: An earlier update incorrectly reported that the race had been called for Ojeda. We regret the error.

Update: 9:07 p.m.

After a nail-biter race, one of the most talked-about contests involving a veteran this year has been decided. Democratic challenger Amy McGrath, a retired Marine Corps aviator whose campaign ad focused on her trailblazing career went viral in 2017, lost her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Andy Barr in Kentucky's 6th District.

McGrath told Military.com she wanted to get beyond partisan politics if elected, but added that she was troubled by what she perceived as President Donald Trump's failure to understand his role as commander-in-chief.

Update: 8:55 p.m.

Another fresh face for the House among the veterans' races we're tracking: former Green Beret Michael Waltz, a Republican, has won his race against Democrat Nancy Soderberg, a National Security Council alum from the Clinton administration. Waltz, who served in the Army for 21 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel, deployed twice to Afghanistan and earned four Bronze Stars, according to his campaign biography. His work in Afghanistan included leading the search for Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier who left his post and was subsequently captured by the Taliban.

Waltz has worked for Fox News as a commentator.

Update: 8:45 p.m.

The first loss to report of the night among the 28 races we're tracking: Veteran Marine infantry officer Bob Hugin fails to unseat incumbent Bob Menendez in the New Jersey Senate. Hugin used the hashtag #sendinamarine on his Twitter page to promote his campaign; he served on active duty from 1976 to 1983, and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1983 to 1990.

Update: 8:30 p.m.

More veteran wins to report. ABC is projecting wins for Republican Denver Riggleman of Virginia and Republican incumbent Brian Mast of Florida.

Riggleman is the first military veteran newcomer to the House, winning against investigative journalist Leslie Cockburn, a former reporter for "60 Minutes" in Virginia's 5th Congressional District. The race was considered a toss-up, but Riggleman was projected to win a little more than an hour after polls closed.

A former Air Force intelligence officer, Riggleman joined the service in 1992 as an enlisted airman and later earned his commission, according to his biography. He assisted in planning bombing missions over Afghanistan, according to a Washington Post profile.

Brian Mast, a former Army explosive ordnance disposal technician and double amputee who was elected to Florida's 18th District in 2016, prevailed over Democratic challenger Lauren Baer to hold onto his seat. Mast has said he first thought of running for office while recovering from injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He sits on the House Veterans Affairs and Foreign Affairs committees.

Update, 8:15 p.m.

The first of our hot 28 races featuring veteran candidates has been decided: Republican incumbent Vern Buchanan will stay in his House seat in Florida's 16th District, according to network projections. Buchanan, who has served six terms in Congress, served six years in the Michigan Air National Guard and has championed an array of veterans' issues, including legislation to create a veteran ID card, which became law under President Barack Obama.

Buchanan defeated Democratic challenged David Shapiro to hold onto his seat.

This story will be updated; check back often for the latest.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

-- Gina Harkins contributed to this report.A nail-biter midterm election concluded with a mixed bag of results for military veterans seeking to acquire or retain congressional seats in contested races.

In California's solid-red 50th Congressional District, veteran Marine officer Duncan Hunter managed to fend off controversy, including a criminal indictment involving allegations of personal expenses listed as gifts to wounded warriors, to retain his seat. He handily beat Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar to win another term.

Elsewhere, some of the most talked-about veteran candidates came up short: Retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath in Kentucky's 6th District and former Air Force pilot MJ Hegar in Texas' 31st District, who both made headlines with viral campaign ads touting their trailblazing military careers, were both unable to unseat Republican incumbents in their races.

However, there were key flips that will result in some fresh faces headed to Congress.

Veterans Claim New Seats

Former Navy Surface Warfare Officer Elaine Luria, a Democrat, unseated another vet, former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor, to win Virginia's 2nd District. Max Rose, a member of the Army National Guard in New York City's 11th District, unseated Republican incumbent Dan Donovan.

Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger, defeated Republican incumbent Mike Coffman, a veteran of the Army and Marine Corps, to claim a seat in a much-watched race in Colorado's 6th District. And Rebecca Michelle "Mikie" Sherrill, a retired Navy helicopter pilot, edged out Republican Jay Webber in New Jersey's 11th District.

There were some key gains for Republican candidates too.

Michael Waltz, a decorated former Green Beret and Fox News commentator, will head to Congress as a freshman in Florida's 6th District after defeating Democrat Nancy Soderberg. And Denver Riggleman, a former Air Force intelligence officer, held off Democrat Leslie Cockburn to win in Virginia's 5th Congressional District.

In another key win, former Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw, a Republican, won in Texas' 2nd District Tuesday after finding himself the butt of a "Saturday Night Live" joke over the weekend. Crenshaw, who lost an eye in an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan, was mocked by SNL cast member Pete Davidson for looking like "a hitman in a porno movie" in a joke that was widely criticized by military and veterans organizations.

Crenshaw beat Democrat Todd Litton to win the seat.

Uncalled Races

A few contests remained too close to call.

Perhaps the most high-profile of these races is that of Martha McSally, a retired Air Force colonel who ran for the Senate in Arizona against Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. McSally, a former pilot and outspoken advocate for the aging A-10 Thunderbolt II, which she flew while in service, is making a bid for the Senate after three years in the House.

In another highly contested Senate race in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott, a former Navy radar technician, has declared victory over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson, a veteran Army officer. But with fewer than 35,000 votes dividing the two candidates, Nelson has asked for a recount.

'Put Country First'

According to Military Times, which tracked every House and Senate race involving a veteran candidate from any era, 77 veterans won their races, and another 15 incumbents went unchallenged.

With 10 races yet to be called as of noon Wednesday, it appears that the 116th Congress will not have a larger proportion of veterans than the 115th Congress, which had 76 vets in the house and another 17 in the Senate.

But the freshman class of veterans headed to Congress includes a number of vets from the post-9/11 era, as well as several women, who remain a small minority of veterans in the House and Senate.

The cross-partisan organization With Honor, which endorsed 39 veteran candidates, evenly divided between the two political parties, announced Wednesday morning that 17 of its endorsed candidates had won their races, including newcomers Luria, Sherrill, Rose, Crenshaw and Waltz, among others.

"We need leaders on both sides who will put country first," Rye Barcott a Marine vet who co-founded With Honor, said in a statement. "The problems we are taking on -- hyper-partisanship, dysfunction in Congress, and the decline of veterans in public office -- are debilitating to our country. In our first cycle, I am proud that With Honor has helped at least 17 veterans win across the country, and we are excited to continue to tackle the hard work of fixing our broken politics."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.Air Education and Training Command officials have confirmed that a female airman was given an inappropriate call sign by fellow airmen during a drinking event in what constituted a hostile and dangerous environment at Laughlin Air Force Base's pilot training wing.

Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, last week relieved Col. Charles Velino, commander of the 47th Flying Training Wing, along with the operations group commander and the flying training squadron commander of the Texas base after incidents of dangerous behavior and fostering a threatening environment were reported.

Days later, news of the slur against a female pilot surfaced when Kwast told the San Antonio Express-News that a vulgar name was used as the female airman's call sign, the traditional nickname given to pilots.

"The call sign incident was an unrelated event that was uncovered during the investigation," command spokeswoman Jennifer Gonzalez told Military.com on Wednesday.

The incident came to light as officials looked into accounts of a separate threatening incident, spokeswoman Marilyn Holliday told Air Force Times on Tuesday. Holliday could not elaborate on the threat because officials are still determining appropriate actions, Air Force Times said.

Gonzalez emphasized Wednesday that the threatening incident was not the sole cause of the firings.

"We would really like to emphasize that these actions were motivated by the fact that some airmen were feeling unsafe in their work environment," she said in an email. "Details of the unsafe environment will be released after airmen have had due process."

While the female airman said she did not feel threatened and didnt feel that the name given to her was a "big deal," Air Force officials knew it was unacceptable, Kwast said.

"We all know it is," he told the Express-News. "And she may have said that she didn't feel like it was a big deal because she felt like her future assignment might be at risk because the people that have power over her were naming her."

The incident reportedly happened during a drinking event in which airmen were doing shots.

While not named in the announcement, Col. Robert Pekarek had assumed command of the 47th Operations Group at Laughlin in June 2017, according to an Air Force release. The service confirmed he was relieved of command last week.

Gonzalez told Military.com that officials would not release the name of the training commander because of privacy concerns.

The 47th Flying Training Wing is a major unit that oversees T-1A Jayhawk, T-6A Texan II and T-38C Talon pilot training under the 19th Air Force, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay AheadThe Democrats' takeover of the House deals a potential knockout punch to the plan for a Space Force as a new military branch and also poses challenges to current programs and projected budgets for the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy told Military.com last week that Democrats regaining a majority in the House would likely mean a return to defense budget gridlock and the continuing resolutions and threats of government shutdowns that have delayed Pentagon planning in the past.

One of the immediate results in the new Congress is likely to be a hold on Trump's plan to set up a Space Force as an independent military branch.

Space Force in trouble

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, who is poised to take over the chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee from Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and other Democrats have already made their case for keeping military space programs within the existing structure of the Air Force.

They have also balked at the projected $1 billion price tag for building a new headquarters for the Space Force.

The divided Congress could also put the brakes on Trump-backed initiatives at the VA, with Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, likely to take over from Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

More delay, stalemates

McCarthy said he expected "a lot of continuing resolutions" in reaching an agreement on the next defense budget.

"It will be tough. It will be tough to get a deal," he said, adding that delays could slow momentum behind the Army's modernization drive to replace its major combat systems by 2028.

The election results, with Democrats again in control of the House and Republicans building on their slim majority in the Senate, could also lead to stalemate on the Pentagon's inevitable requests for additional funding to meet unexpected contingencies, such as rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida's Panhandle.

Rebuilding Tyndall

Last week, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told defense reporters in a conference call that she didn't immediately have a cost estimate for rebuilding Tyndall from the damage caused by Hurricane Michael, but the effort will require going to Congress with a supplemental request for additional funding.

She also said that all of more than 50 F-22 Raptors that had been based at Tyndall would operate out of other bases during the rebuilding, which could take several years and make congressional approval of a supplemental request more problematic.

Adding to the uncertainty on a range of issues is the prospect that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis might not be there to argue the Pentagon's case.

Mattis Future

Both Mattis and President Donald Trump have scoffed at speculation that the retired four-star Marine general would step down after the midterm elections, but the rumors spiked when the president did a CBS "60 Minutes" interview last month in which he described Mattis as "sort of a Democrat" while insisting that they maintain a good rapport.

Before the West Coast results started to come in Tuesday night, Fox News, CNN and MSNBC all projected that the Democrats would pick up more than the 23 seats they needed to gain the 218-seat majority in the House.

The projections also showed the Republicans retaining a majority in the Senate, which will keep Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, a position once held by the late Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona.

The election results provide a formula for legislative gridlock on any new initiatives from the president and funding for Trump-backed plans that were already in the works.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, who is likely to return as House speaker, said in statements early Wednesday that the midterms were primarily about "restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump administration."

VA Mission Act

One of the main successes touted by Trump since taking office was passage of the VA Mission Act, which gives veterans more options for choosing private care over the VA's vast system of hospitals and clinics.

The bill passed despite warnings from many Democrats and veterans service organizations, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, that the legislation could be a Trump smokescreen for the ultimate privatization of VA health care.

In the run-up to the elections, the American Federation of Government Employees, representing the majority of the VA's more than 370,000 workers, issued a statement warning that "recent laws have kicked the door wide open for wholesale privatization of veterans' health care."

In July, shortly after the Senate confirmed Robert Wilkie as the new VA secretary, Takano joined other Democrats in backing a resolution warning that unfettered implementation of the VA Mission Act would gut the VA's main health care mission.

"More than nine million veterans depend on the VA to receive the health care services they need, "Takano said in a statement. "However, these services are being sabotaged by Republicans and special-interest groups who are focused on forcing veterans into the for-profit health care system."

Democrats have also questioned the awarding of a projected $10 billion contract, approved by Wilkie as acting secretary, to Cerner Corp. of Kansas City to overhaul the electronic health care records at the VA.

The lame-duck House Veterans Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the contract next week.

The latest election results Wednesday morning showed the Democrats picking up at least 29 seats in the House to give them a slim majority in the 435-seat chamber. Republicans picked up at least three Senate seats to add to their existing 51-49 edge.

Losses by at least two Republican military veterans in their re-election bids will also require a reshuffle of the GOP lineups on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colorado, an Army and Marine Corps veteran who had a seat on both the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, lost to Army veteran and Democrat Jason Crow, who had vowed to be a check on Trump's policies.

Rep. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and member of the Armed Services Committee, lost his re-election bid in a stunning upset to Democratic newcomer Kendra Horn, who made health care her main issue.

Republicans had held the Oklahoma City-area seat for 44 years.

Despite the loss of the House, Trump, who campaigned furiously across the nation to help Republicans in a series of campaign rallies, claimed victory in a series of Tweets.

He warned that Senate investigators would go after Democrats if the House, as expected, launches a series of investigations into his taxes and allegations of Russian collusion in the 2016 election.

"Two can play that game," he said in a tweet.

Trump surprisingly also offered an olive branch to Pelosi, one of his main targets in the campaign, if she runs into opposition with the Democratic caucus to returning as House speaker.

"In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats," he tweeted. "If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!"

One of the president's main targets for defeat, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, may have won re-election. As of noon Wednesday, Tester was holding a 1,000-vote lead over Republican Matt Rosendale in a seesaw battle.

Trump had blamed Tester for scuttling his nomination of Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, the White House physician, to become VA secretary. He later nominated Robert Wilkie for the post, and Tester backed him.

-- Matthew Cox contributed to this report.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.Ahead of Veterans Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has scrapped its "Cross of Malta" logo for a new one in red and gold to symbolize a service organization "just as relevant" as it was when founded 119 years ago, officials said.

"We're excited about the bold, new look," said B.J. Lawrence, national commander of the VFW, in a statement Tuesday. "There's a lot of complex meaning built into our new logo, yet it clearly communicates who we are and what we're about."

The new logo is a big change from the group's traditional eight-pointed "Cross of Malta" shield, a representation of the centuries-old standard for warriors "who were united by a solemn pledge of comradeship to fight for freedom and to aid the sick and the needy," according to the VFW.

The Cross of Malta shield will remain on the 1.6-million member organization's official seal, the VFW said in a release.

In a statement, Lawrence suggested the new logo will convey the VFW's resolve to adapt and rise to meet the concerns of a new generation of veterans from the nation's current conflicts.

It will help show VFW is "just as relevant, if not more so, than any other time in our history. It's time all of America notices us, and I feel confident this is another step in accomplishing just that," he said.

The new logo's two gold bars represent service stripes and the "gold standard" of service to which the group aspires, while the striking "VFW" lettering "represents our sustained and forward movement into achieving the VFW's mission of service to others," according to an organization news release.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.The U.S. Air Force continues to execute a significant mission planning and air defense operation from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, while repairs are ongoing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, following Hurricane Michael.

The 601st Air Operations Center, known as "America's AOC," will remain at Langley until at least the new year, officials announced last week.

The Air Force hopes the center, which plans, directs and assesses air and space operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and controls air defense for the continental U.S., will be back at Tyndall by Jan. 1 at the latest, a spokesman said.

"We have enough personnel to maintain our aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning missions out of Langley," Air Force Capt. Cameron Hillier, a NORAD spokesman, told Military.com on Friday. "The missions are being executed the same way they would at Tyndall. Airmen relocated to Langley conduct our core leadership, planning and execution functions."

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The operations center works with a number of Air National Guard fighter jet units that stay on alert 24/7, including F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor squadrons. It also includes a handful of air refueling tankers and a Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft (AWACS), officials told Military.com last year.

The center also conducts some missile defense operations.

"If Mr. Putin ever decided to send Russian bombers our way, or launch missiles our way, we also do a missile defense portion," said Col. John Ferry, then-601st Air Operations Center commander, in February.

Hillier said operations have been continuous despite the hurricane evacuation and recovery.

"Every adverse situation has challenges that must be overcome. In this case, our entire team at Tyndall has been affected by Hurricane Michael," he said.

But, he added, it will not stifle "Northern Command's ability to conduct its missions of homeland defense, defense support to civil authorities, and theater security cooperation. Homeland defense is the command's number one priority and has not been affected."

A handful of airmen from Tyndall's Air Force Rescue Coordination Center have also moved to Langley, Hillier said.

The RCC is a small unit that falls under 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), dispatching resources at the request of state and federal entities, as well as government agencies in Mexico and Canada. It often helps fill the gap when state or local officials don't have the resources to rescue missing persons within the U.S. On occasion, the center will use domestic drone surveillance flights to locate missing people.

Since its inception in 1974 through 2016, the RCC had saved 16,554 people and boasts the highest saves-to-mission ratio of any command in the service, officials said.

The Air Force did not say whether the RCC will return to Tyndall after the base is restored. Officials have said that some airmen and their families will face a permanent change of station before on-base housing is available again.

"By the winter holidays and, in many cases, well before, we expect all our airmen -- military and civilians -- to have certainty about their options, so that everyone is either on a path or already settled," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said Friday. "It will take us a while to restore buildings and infrastructure, but returning our airmen and their combat missions to full strength -- at Tyndall or somewhere else in the interim -- will happen quickly."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.CBS has announced that it's developing a television series that features med students, residents and attending physicians at the Pentagon's elite Uniformed Services University in Bethesda.

The network, home to military-themed shows like "SEAL Team" and "NCIS," is teaming up with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer ("Top Gun," "Black Hawk Down" and all the "CSI" series). Deadline reports that the Uniformed Services University and the Pentagon are partners in the production.

At the university, all medical personnel are also active-duty military and they treat service members and have been know to treat the president. If the producers are on their game, we could see a show that manages to combine elements from "House," "NCIS" and "SEAL Team."

Writer-producer Josh Reims is working on the pilot script. He and J.J. Abrams co-created the NBC action series "Undercovers" and currently executive produces the CW series "Dynasty."

Networks develop dozens of ideas every year, so there's no guarantee that the as-yet-untitled show will make it to the schedule. But it's interesting that this idea has been announced to the media and that the creators are emphasizing their partnership with the Pentagon.Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

Voters across mid-Michigan voiced their opinions on a number of local races, from city councils to county commissioners, tax millages to bond proposals during the Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 midterm election.

Here's what Mid-Michigan voters are saying as they hit the polls

Here's a look below at the what they decided on at the polls (and through absentee ballots).

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Tax, bond proposals greeted kindly by Genesee County voters

Of the 16 local proposals put forth before Genesee County, only three failed: a charter amendment in Fenton, as well as a request for tax dollars to fund road improvements in Fenton and Linden.

Most local tax proposals approved by Genesee County voters

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State Sen. Ken Horn wins in re-election bid

State Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, will have served 30 years as an elected official at the end of his new term in 2022.

Horn won re-election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, to Michigan's 32nd Senate District, defeating former state Rep. Phil Phelps.

The 32nd District includes all of Saginaw County and the cities of Flushing, Linden and Montrose and the townships of Argentine, Clayton, Fenton, Flushing, Gaines and Montrose in Genesee County.

Ken Horn wins re-election to Senate seat, defeating Phil Phelps

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Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

New judges in Genesee County

A pair of new Genesee Circuit Court judges -- Brian S. Pickell and Elzabeth Kelly -- were selected by voters.

A third Circuit Court judge, Celeste Bell, was elected to the position she was appointed to by Gov. Rick Snyder in February of this year.

Two new faces elected to Genesee Circuit Court judge seats

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Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

New tax levy to support career,technical education in Saginaw County

A new 10-year, 1-mill tax levy approved Tuesday will provide support for technical and career education for students in Saginaw County.

The tax will generate about $5 million a year and $3.64 million will go toward education which will include county programs, transportation and career coach/planning.

Voters pass ISD millage for career technical education in Saginaw County

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Red and blue mix among Genesee County state House and Senate seats

Among the Genesee County state House and Senate races, U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, held onto the 5th Congressional District spot, as did State Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, in the 27th District.

Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, nabbed the 14th District state Senate seat as a Republican newcomer.

Genesee County votes blue for House seats and red for Senate seats

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Jake May | MLive.com

Bus millage renewal and increase approved in Bay County

In Bay County, residents approved a renewal of the county transit millage that will also have an increase starting in 2021.

The county generates roughly $2,090,000 from the current millage ending in 2020.

Voters approved increasing the 0.75 mill levy by 0.25 mills starting in 2021.

Bay Metro General Director Eric Sprague previously said the increase would help generate around $700,000 in additional funding under the new levy.

Bay County bus millage renewal and increase approved by voters

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Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

School boards to get new leadership across Genesee County

Among the school districts holding races on Tuesday included Swartz Creek, Clio, Davison, Grand Blanc, as well as the Mott Community College Board of Trustees.

New school board members elected throughout Genesee County

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Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Familiar faces returning to Genesee County Board of Commissioners

The Genesee County Board of Commissioners will see many of the same faces returning to governing body after Tuesday's election.

All eight incumbents running for re-election retained their positions, with one lone newcomer -- Shaun Shumaker -- in District Six running and winning the seat left open by Drew Shapiro.

Genesee County returns familiar faces to board of commissioners

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Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

Former state rep tops Bay County clerk for state Senate seat

Kevin Daley, a former state House representative, appears headed to victory in the 31st state Senate race.

Daley bested Bay County Clerk Cynthia Luczak.

The district includes Bay, Tuscola and Lapeer counties.

Kevin Daley wins seat for state Senate race over Cynthia Luczak

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Leaders chosen in Genesee County communities

A Swartz Creek council spot, Montrose mayor, Village of Goodrich council seats, and Mt. Morris council positions were among the local government races decided on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in Genesee County.

Results of contested local government races in Genesee County

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Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Special assessment to help pay for Bridgeport Police Department

Residents in Bridgeport renewed the tax that includes a new assessment of about 50 cents a month per property to help fund the department.

The current tax set at $37.80 per year per occupied property will increase to $43.67.

The assessment is expected to raise $182,526.68 in its first year and used to continue funding two full-time police officers and the purchase of uniforms and gear.

Bridgeport voters approve special assessment for police department

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Saginaw and Saginaw Township school boards, county commission races settled

Saginaw Public Schools will have two new faces on the school board -- Charles H. Coleman and Vera G. Harrison -- after they wer elected to six-year terms.

Ruth Ann Knapp, the incumbent, was reelected for the same term. Jason E. Thompson was also reelected to a two-year seat.

In Saginaw Township Community Schools, incumbent Marianne C. Bird was reelected and Janice L. Collison elected to board.

All current Saginaw County Commissioners retained their seats.

Results from Saginaw and Saginaw Township's school boards, county commission

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For a look at all the final numbers

Have a look at all the final numbers from Saginaw, Genesee, and Bay counties:

-Live Genesee County election results for November 2018 midterm

-Saginaw County election results for the November 2018 ballot

-Bay County election results for the November 2018 ballot

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Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Statewide results

If you are curious about the statewide totals and results for the governor race, three ballot proposals and other races, click here.

Don't EditANN ARBOR, MI - Democrat Jeff Hayner is joining the Ann Arbor City Council this month after winning the 1st Ward race.

The vote count was 6,033 to 2,076, giving Hayner 74 percent, winning a four-year term.

Hayner was up against independent Ryan Hughes in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 general election.

The two competed for the 1st Ward seat being vacated by Sumi Kailasapathy, who endorsed Hayner.

Hayner celebrated with his supporters at Necto Nightclub, while Hughes was with his supporters at Detroit Street Filling Station.

"The people have spoken and it's time for some change and it's time to take back the things that we want. It's time to project our shared values," Hayner said.

On the campaign trail, the candidates offered different takes on issues ranging from affordable housing to the city's pursuit of an $86 million new train station in Fuller Park to the future of the city-owned Library Lot and whether it should be sold for development or become a downtown park, another issue on Tuesday's ballot.

Hughes, a democratic socialist and University of Michigan computer programmer, made funding for affordable housing the central theme of his campaign, arguing that rent in Ann Arbor is "too damn high."

Hughes supports putting a city income tax proposal before voters to fund affordable housing.

"The Ann Arbor I fell in love with is diverse, vibrant and creative, but now we're the eighth most segregated metropolitan area in the country and that's a problem," Hughes said.

"That's not a problem that the market is going to solve for us. We have to fix that. We have to commit to funding affordable housing."

Hayner is a skilled tradesman and small business owner with concerns about some of the new development Ann Arbor is seeing.

"With toxins in our water and developers gone wild on permissive zoning, we need a passionate and knowledgable defender of our land and water resources," Hayner said on the campaign trail.

Hayner, a critic of the mayor, council majority and Downtown Development Authority, is politically aligned with the current minority faction on council that will be growing its ranks this month.

Mayor Christopher Taylor and his allies are losing their 7-4 majority on council following this year's elections.

Hayner narrowly defeated Ron Ginyard in a messy Democratic primary battle in August to go on to face Hughes.

Hughes was endorsed by the Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, Huron Valley Democratic Socialists, four current City Council members and two former council members. That includes Kirk Westphal, Julie Grand, Zachary Ackerman, Chip Smith, Sandi Smith and Jason Frenzel, all allies of the mayor.

Multiple businesses in the Kerrytown area, including the Detroit Street Filling Station, have had Hughes' signs on display, while signs of support for Hayner can be found at the headquarters of the Ann Arbor Central Park Ballot Committee, the group behind a proposal for a downtown central park and civic center commons.

Hayner also had endorsements from Anne Bannister, the city's other 1st Ward rep, the local and state chapters of the Sierra Club, and Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward.

Hughes' campaign tested the question of whether an independent can get elected to City Council anymore, now that the city has switched to holding council elections only in even years.

With it being a federal midterm election when many Ann Arborites were casting their votes for Democrats up and down the ballot, Hughes was seen as an underdog, but the fact that straight-ticket voting was banned in Michigan increased his chances.

Hayner said on the campaign trail that if he was elected he would work with Bannister and others on council and in the community to focus priorities on what he thinks people really need from city government: responsiveness, integrity, and a safe, affordable and welcoming place to call home.

"I've worked up some good ideas for bringing transparency to city processes and increasing public notice and public participation opportunities," he said.

Hayner is a Saginaw native who moved to Ann Arbor in 1983 and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987.ANN ARBOR, MI - With four seats up for grabs on the Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education Tuesday, the final spot was decided by just 147 votes, with incumbent Susan Baskett ultimately beating out Lucas Cole.

Baskett joined incumbent Jessica Kelly, Rebecca Lazarus and Bryan Johnson in securing four-year terms on the school board in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election. Lazarus, Johnson and Cole ran together.

Current board president Christine Stead, who has served on the board since 2010, was not re-elected, nor was incumbent Patricia Manley, who has been on the board since 2015.

Baskett is the longest-serving board member, with 15 years of service.

(From left to right) Jessica Kelly, Rebecca Lazarus, Bryan Johnson and Susan Baskett were elected to the Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Courtesy photos)

Here's a look at the percentage of votes each candidate received, according to unofficial results from the Washtenaw County clerk's office:

Jessica Kelly (15.65 percent of votes)

Rebecca Lazarus (15.22 percent)

Bryan L. Johnson (14.46 percent)

Susan Baskett (12.33 percent)

Lucas Cole (12.26 percent)

Christine Stead (11.04 percent)

Patricia Ashford Manley (9.6 percent)

Suzanne Perkins (9.13 percent)

Voter turnout was 57.34 percent in the AAPS district.

Kelly was appointed to a vacant seat on the board in December 2016, so this was the first time she campaigned for election. She has a law degree and experience as a special education advocate and consultant.

"When I was appointed in 2016, I was unknown to the community," Kelly said Tuesday. "I am honored that the voters have selected me to continue serving after watching my work for the past two years. I look forward to being part of the great things to come for our students, teachers and families."

Lazarus, Johnson and Cole ran on a platform of bringing progressive change to AAPS. Lazarus, a UM graduate and business consultant, said the emphasis they placed on including more stakeholders in the board's decision making resonated with voters.

She ran for the school board in November 2016, and then she applied for the vacant seat that ultimately was filled by Kelly.

"We're willing to listen to the people - listen to the parents, listen to the teachers, listen to the students," Lazarus said. "Give the voice back to the community. I think the community has felt that the previous board really was not listening to them. .. They're ready to have their voices heard."

Johnson is the associate director of admissions at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where he completed a master's of business administration in 2002. A Pioneer High School graduate, he is married to an AAPS teacher, and they have two children who attend AAPS.

Cole, who is a freshman at the University of Michigan and a Skyline High School graduate, said his age may have been seen as a downside in the election. He wished Baskett luck and said Johnson and Lazarus will do well on the board.

"I'll be back," he said. "I'll still be involved in the community."

This story was updated to include comment from Rebecca Lazarus.ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan's Board of Regents is losing 40 years of experience, with voters opting to elect two Democratic challengers, Jordan Acker and Paul Brown, to the eight-member board.

Acker and Brown, both UM alums, edged Republican incumbents and longtime board members Andrea Fischer Newman and Andrew Richner in a tight race that came down to Wayne County early Wednesday, Nov. 7. The additions of Acker and Brown shift the makeup of the board to seven Democrats, with regent Ron Weiser serving as the lone Republican.

Acker, 34, is a partner at Goodman Acker, P.C., and a 2006 graduate of UM. He has touted the fact that he would be the first member of the Board of Regents to have earned a degree from UM this century.

"For me, I think that the change is less partisan and more generational, quite frankly," Acker said. "I hear from students that they haven't felt listened to. I think ultimately being out there and being engaged with students is really important and something I will be able to do as a millennial and hope to bring to this board."

A Southfield attorney and former appointee at the Department of Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, Acker put his name out there early, announcing his candidacy for the Board of Regents in September 2017.

He worked with U.S. Rep. John Conyers as a staffer on the House Judiciary Committee, and later worked in the Obama White House and as an adviser to the Secretary of Homeland Security. He served in the White House, and worked on issues including immigration policy and supporting law enforcement after the Boston bombing.

Acker and fellow Democrat challenger Brown campaigned on more board transparency, unveiling a 10-point plan for ethics reform in an effort to change the way regents interact with the public. The plan includes everything from moving regents meetings to the evening so more people can attend and streaming the meetings to not soliciting, accepting or publicizing endorsements from individual university employees or their families.

"I think that transparency is an important part of any public institution, because you need accountability," Acker said. "That's the kind of attitude I hope to bring to the board. When it comes to transparency, I think the university has a long way to go."

Brown also is a UM alum with a bachelor's degree in history. He earned his juris doctorate from Wayne State University and an MBA from UM. He currently is a managing partner at eLab Ventures, which invests in and supports new, life-saving technologies.

Brown, like Acker, said his time as a student at UM changed his life. He doesn't feel that the university is living up to the values with which it was created. Brown said increases to tuition, a decline in the African-American student population and declining in-state enrollment are some areas the university needs to work on.

"It's an amazing institution and these two regents (Fischer Newman and Richner) are a big part of that," Brown said. "But I think everyone in both parties can agree that the cost of education is too high and the level of diversity (at UM) is too low. There just haven't been enough actions taken to solve those problems."

Brown, 46, praised both Richner and Newman, who he believes should be on the "Mount Rushmore" of UM regents for both her longevity on the board and commitment to the university. He hopes the fresh perspectives on the board will help UM position itself as the "leaders and best" into the future.

"On the campaign trail, I said that Michigan is the best public university in the country, but we felt we had not kept our position as the 'leaders and best,'" Brown said. "I think with a fresh perspective, we'll have the ability to regain momentum in delivering the best possible higher education and health care in the country."

Newman has been on the UM Board of Regents since 1995. She received her J.D. from the George Washington University National Law Center in 1983 and was a 1979 graduate of the University of Michigan. She currently serves on the boards of Borden Dairy and Prime Flight Aviation Services.

As a veteran of the Board of Regents, Newman said she wanted to continue working to maintain UM's status as "the greatest public university in the country."

Newman's campaign was focused on affordability for students, noting she has a record of voting against tuition increases.

In a statement, Newman said she was grateful for her 24 years of service to the Board of Regents.

"I am eternally grateful to the people of this great state for granting me the honor of serving on the University of Michigan Board of Regents for 24 years," Newman said. "Together, we fought to keep tuition low and standards high.

"We grew the endowment. We grew the campus," she added. "We grew aspirations and opportunities for both students and faculty. I leave the University of Michigan knowing it will continue to prosper under the Board of Regents and will forever be the nation's premier state university. My heart will always be in Ann Arbor. Go Blue!"

Richner has been on the UM Board of Regents since 2002, where he currently serves as board chair.

He graduated from UM with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and earned a juris doctorate from UM. Richner is a partner in the law firm Clark Hill PLC.

"Serving the people of the State of Michigan as a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents for these past 16 years has been an honor and a privilege of the greatest magnitude," Richner said in a statement. "The University of Michigan is a special place, made that way by the extraordinarily talented people who are part of the University community. I share their love and passion for our University. While my service as a Regent will be ending, my commitment to, and support for, the University's success will never end. Now, and forever, Go Blue!"YPSILANTI, MI - Voters on Tuesday approved an Ypsilanti Community Schools sinking fund millage and elected three people from a field of six candidates to serve on the district's board of education.

The sinking fund millage passed with support from 67.79 percent of voters, according to unofficial results from the Washtenaw County clerk's office.

Voter turnout was 51.66 percent for the YCS district.

The 3-mill property tax will generate about $16.2 million over 10 years to demolish vacant school buildings, fix school roofs, resurface parking lots, upgrade technology and address other infrastructure needs.

"I am so grateful to the Ypsilanti community for their support," said interim Superintendent Alena Zachery-Ross. "The Ypsilanti Community Schools hoped that the voters would come out and support our efforts, knowing that the funds that we'll receive from this sinking fund will really support our infrastructure. It goes directly to our students and allows us to use general fund dollars to support our teachers and programs."

The sinking fund millage applies to all property in the YCS district. It will generate an estimated $1.6 million in 2019, or $16.2 million over 10 years.

The median market value of a house in the city of Ypsilanti is $130,000, according to the most recent Census data. Assuming a taxable value of $65,000, that homeowner would pay an additional $195 a year for the YCS sinking fund.

By law, sinking fund revenue can only be spent on security measures, instructional technology, land purchases or facility construction, repair or improvements. The money cannot be used for employee salaries.

Zachery-Ross said the next step now that the sinking fund proposal has passed will be to bring the school board plans for demolishing the former Thurston and Kettering elementary schools, which have been vacant for years.

Taryn Reid, communications coordinator for YCS, noted the benefit that technology upgrades will bring for students and teachers.

"This is a super exciting time for YCS and the students, especially that we'll be able to get them new technology that is truly needed in the classrooms in order to get them in line with other districts," Reid said.

Other planned uses for the sinking fund revenue include: fixing leaking roofs on all the district's buildings currently occupied by staff and students, upgrading non-functioning security systems, resurfacing parking lots, replacing old flooring and repairing fire sprinkler systems.

School board results

The following candidates came out on top in the school board race: incumbent Celeste Hawkins (23.82 percent of the vote), incumbent Ellen Champagne (18.57 percent) and Gillian Ream Gainsley (17.26 percent), according to unofficial results from all 27 precincts.

The other candidates were: DaQuann Harrison (15.82 percent), Tyler Weston (12.75 percent) and Robert Oliver (11.26 percent).

Hawkins is currently vice president of the school board and has served on the board since November 2012. She is a professor at Eastern Michigan University's School of Social Work. Hawkins said she was humbled and honored to be re-elected.

"My re-election shows the community's support for the policies and priorities that have been set," she said. "I am a tireless advocate and will always fight for what matters most for students, parents, teachers and staff."

Champagne has served on the school board since January 2015, and she works in post-graduate education at the University of Michigan. She said Tuesday evening she was grateful to everyone who voted for her.

Gainsley works in communications and development at Ypsilanti District Library. She has two children attending YCS.

"I think we have an opportunity to really invest in Ypsilanti schools right now," Gainsley said. "We're really on the cusp. We can continue the successes that we've had and continue our enrollment growth and build on that. Our voters just told us unequivocally that's what they want to do."JACKSON, MI - For the second time, Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg has fended off Democratic challenger Gretchen Driskell.

Walberg retained his 7th Congressional District seat, taking 54 percent of the vote in the Nov. 6 election, with 206 of 314 precincts reporting shortly before 1 a.m.

Walberg, R-Tipton, is now poised to serve his sixth term in Congress.

Walberg, reached about 1:10 a.m., said he doesn't take the results lightly, especially in a tough election year.

"We're glad that is over and now we can get started on seeing what's the lay of the land," he said.

Walberg hopes to continue his focus on job opportunities, economic growth, energy and environmental efforts, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, he said. But first and foremost comes navigating the Democrat's takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives. That includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's move toward the speaker position.

"Nancy Pelosi runs the house and schedule differently than the previous speakers - (John) Boehner and (Paul) Ryan," he said. "There will be some changes and we'll have to adjust to that."

Still, he pointed to his time previously serving with Pelosi at the helm, and noted his confidence in bipartisan work.

Shortly before the race was called, addressing a crowd in Jackson, Walberg said it would be an exciting time to work with President Donald Trump. He also cited success in the economy and holding the U.S. Senate in the face of losing the House.

"The president has policies that I have been delighted to support - looking forward to supporting them," he said. "... (We) can do a lot of work in making sure that we don't move in the direction that speaker Pelosi wants to move in, taking us backwards from all of the growth that we've seen go on this year."

The victory may come as little surprise for the Republican-leaning district. It supported President Donald Trump in the 2016 election and includes Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Branch, Jackson and Eaton counties, along with western Washtenaw.

Walberg, a former pastor, and Driskell, a real estate agent and accountant, sparred over issues including affordable health care and climate change during the race. Walberg called himself a proponent of economic growth, fiscal responsibility and "defending our values," while Driskell campaigned as a friend to small businesses, working families, public education and the environment.

Walberg served in Congress from 2007 to 2009, before losing a reelection bid to Democrat Mark Schauer in 2008 and later regaining the seat in a 2010 rematch.

Driskell served six years on the Saline City Council, 14 years as Saline mayor, and two years as 52nd District state representative in Washtenaw County before taking on Walberg two years ago.

"I am grateful to all the volunteers and supporters who dedicated their time and resources to our campaign. Over the last year and half, we have seen unprecedented energy and activism from every corner of our district," Driskell said in a statement. "Although the results were not in our favor tonight, we cannot lose that energy and we must continue to hold our leaders accountable and demand that they put our voices above the special interests."

"As a constituent, I will continue to urge that our congressman, Mr. Walberg, make bold moves to protect our healthcare, prioritize Michigan manufacturing, and guard against cuts to Social Security because the hard working residents of the 7th District deserve nothing less."

In 2016, Walberg defeated Driskell with 55 percent of the vote. Driskell netted 40 percent and Libertarian Ken Proctor earned 5 percent then. This time, Walberg and Driskell faced off without any third parties.

Driskell raised more than her opponent, reporting more than $2.4 million since January 2017, including a recent $150,000 loan of her own. Walberg reported raising just over $2 million.

The two also reported contributions exceeding $2 million in the 2016 election.BAY CITY, MI -- An investigation by coalition of law enforcement agencies has resulted in 10 men across the state facing federal charges of a drug conspiracy.

A grand jury at the federal courthouse in downtown Bay City on Oct. 24 indicted the following men on 12 charges of distributing cocaine, conspiracy to commit that crime, use of a telecommunications facility in the sale of cocaine:

Rodney D. O'Bryan, 52, of Saginaw

Demetrius T. Chappell, 48, of Redford Township

Devitri D. Santos, 40, of Saginaw

Christopher L. Roy, 46, of Detroit

Malcolm D. O'Bryan, 60, of Grand Rapids

Kevin D. Shacks, 52, of Saginaw

Robert E. Brooks, 46, of Saginaw

Edward Bryant Jr., 58, of Saginaw

Thomas J. McKinley, 44, of Saginaw

Mack A. McClain, 32, of Saginaw

The indictment alleges that since at least the summer of 2017, the men conspired to possess and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, Nov. 7, the same day the FBI executed warrants on locations across the state and made several arrests.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Mid-Michigan Safe Streets Task Force and included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the ATF, Michigan State Police, Bay City and Saginaw Police Departments, Western Wayne Narcotics Unit, and the Michigan Army National Guard.

"We intend to continue to do all we can to rid our community and our neighborhoods of illegal drugs and the violence and dysfunction that accompany them," stated U.S. Attorney Schneider. "I'd like to thank the entire law enforcement team that worked so hard on this case. This case demonstrates cooperation and teamwork at its best."

Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBI's Detroit Division echoed Schneider's sentiments.

"Today's arrests in metro Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Detroit highlight the positive impact of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement upon communities throughout Michigan when we use every tool available to combat violent drug trafficking organizations wreaking havoc on our neighborhoods and flooding our communities with dangerous narcotics," Slater said. "Everyone deserves to live in a safe environment free from illicit narcotics and the violence that goes hand-in-hand with these criminal activities. Only concerted collaboration - both among law enforcement and with our community members - will safely return our neighborhoods to the families living their lives in these communities each day."

The men named in the indictment have had their initial appearances in federal court.BAY CITY, MI -- A Bay City woman is heading back to prison for breaking into a stranger's apartment and taking an ax off the wall to try hacking her way into another apartment.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on Monday, Nov. 5, sentenced 25-year-old Angel A. Martinez to 38 months to 10 years in prison, with credit for 94 days already served. Concurrent with that, Sheeran sentenced her to 93 days in jail, with credit for the full time already served.

The judge also ordered Martinez to pay $150 in restitution.

Martinez in September pleaded no contest to single counts of third-degree home invasion and malicious destruction of property less than $200. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed charges of first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, and malicious destruction of a building between $200 and $1,000.

Martinez committed her latest crimes the night of Aug. 3. Police responded to an apartment building in the 300 block of Adams Street on Bay City's East Side after someone called 911 to report what sounded like a gunshot in the downstairs unit. Upon arrival, officers entered the building and found Martinez standing in the stairwell.

Martinez told the officers she lived there, but a man standing beside her made eye contact with police and shook his head in the negative. Police also saw that an upstairs apartment door had been struck multiple times with an object and its handle broken, according to their reports in court files.

Police placed Martinez in handcuffs and took her outside. They then spoke with the male and female residents of the downstairs apartment.

The man said he had been outside smoking a cigarette and when he came back inside, his unit's door was locked. Eventually, the woman he lived with opened it and he entered to see a seated Martinez, a stranger to him.

"She just walked into my house and grabbed an ax and started beating the door down with an ax," the man said, adding the ax had been mounted on his wall. "She came right in our house; we don't know her."

Martinez repeatedly hit an upstairs apartment door with the ax, yelling for a woman inside to open up, the man told police.

"I was scared as (expletive). I've never seen her in my life. This was the scariest (expletive) ever," the man said.

The woman resident of the downstairs apartment told police Martinez walked into her home, demanded a cigarette, grabbed the ax, sat down and told her not to move.

"She locked me in my own house," the woman said. "She said (someone) (expletive)ed her over and broke into her house. She said (he) was going to learn because she's a Martinez. I thought this (expletive) was going to kill somebody. She was for real. She was dead serious."

Martinez's relative at the scene told officers she had heard loud banging on her front door, back door, and window and did not open any of them. She said she didn't want to press charges against Martinez.

A second relative of Martinez told officers she had contacted him a few days prior, wanting his help in fighting someone. This relative refused her, though.

Speaking with police, Martinez said her home had recently been broken into and she had gone to the Adams Street building "to take care of it."

She added, "I didn't do anything wrong."

Martinez's criminal record includes convictions of assaulting police, attempted larceny from a person, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny, the last of which landed her in prison. The Michigan Department of Corrections discharged Martinez in June 2017.Voters in mid-Michigan's big cities gave a big boost to statewide ballot proposals and to Gretchen Whitmer's successful campaign for governor Tuesday, Nov. 7, according to election results in Genesee, Bay and Saginaw counties.

Each of the three counties favored Whitmer to Republican nominee Bill Schuette in the race for governor, and that support was strongest for Whitmer in Genesee (57-37 percent), followed by Saginaw County (51-46 percent), and Bay County (49-46 percent).

Despite Schuette's prosecution of 15 current and former city and state employees for crimes related to the Flint water crisis, he lost every precinct in the city on Tuesday.

Whitmer won every precinct in the cities of Flint, Saginaw and Bay City, overcoming some wins by Schuette in the surrounding suburbs and more rural areas.

On the question of marijuana legalization, every precinct in those three cities also overwhelmingly approved Proposal 1, which was defeated in some less populated parts of the three counties.

Mott Community College professor Paul Rozycki said he didn't see evidence of some national trends, like gains by congressional Democrats, manifested here.

But like other areas, turnout was strong.

"I'm not sure when we have had that turnout in an off-year election," Rozycki said Wednesday.

Turnout in the three-county region was strongest in Bay County, where 59 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls. The percentage was 55 in Saginaw County and 51 in Genesee.

Whitmer's margin of victory here and elsewhere was more than Rozycki expected, and GOP Senate nominee John James' performance was also a surprise.

"John James was much stronger than anyone thought he would be," he said, "and Schuette was a lot weaker than anyone thought."

James actually beat incumbent Debbie Stabenow, the Democrat, in Bay County by 251 votes, and trailed her by just 50-46 percent in Saginaw County.

Stabenow had more breathing room in Genesee County, winning by more than 27,000 votes.

While Genesee County supported Democrat Dana Nessel in the race for attorney general, giving her a 19,000-vote margin of victory, her opponent, Republican Tom Leonard, won by narrow margins in both Bay and Saginaw counties.

James popularity might have helped other Republicans as well.

Political consultant David Forsmark said both Mike Mueller, elected to an open state representative seat in southern Genesee County, and Ken Horn, a Frankenmuth Republican who won re-election to the state Senate, performed "well above their district base."

Statewide ballot proposals 2 and 3 sailed to victory in the state and in the region, and Proposal 1 passed as well but by a lesser margin.

In Genesee County, just 16 of 304 precincts voted against Proposal 1.

Although two of the precincts were in Grand Blanc Township, others were scattered.

In Saginaw County, many townships and small cities rejected Proposal 1, including Frankenmuth and Cheasaning Township, while more precincts in Bay County voted against legalization than for it.

Bay County approved Proposal 1 overall thanks to Bay City, which includes heavily populated precincts, all of which supported the measure.FLINT, MI - The city bought into the Karengnondi Water Authority with millions of dollars it borrowed to clean up a lime-sludge lagoon, and state officials knew about the scheme, the former utilities administrator for the city says.

Daugherty Johnson, former Flint utilities administrator, told Genesee District Court Judge Jennifer Manley Tuesday, Nov. 6, that the city had reached its borrowing limit as it faced a deadline about whether to join the KWA and take part in a massive water pipeline project.

It was only able to do so, Johnson said, after the state Department of Environmental Quality issued an administrative consent order allowing the city to borrow to fix a supposed environmental emergency at the dump on Bray Road.

Testifying during preliminary examinations for four current and former employees of the DEQ, Johnson said he spoke to two of them - Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby - about the plan to use the consent order to continue borrowing even though Flint has reached its debt limit under state law.

The order issued in Flint was designed to address environmental emergencies, Johnson said, which wasn't the case with the lime sludge lagoon which had been in the same condition for many years - an unlicensed dumping ground filled with concrete and other debris.

"We had these contamination issues at the lagoon. The idea was brought up we would use that issue as an emergency to borrow more money," Johnson said in court Tuesday.

The former utilities administrator told Manley that the sludge pit was used for disposing of lime byproducts from the water treatment plant but said using it wasn't a necessity because the state never required lime softening of Flint River water.

Flint used the river water and treatment plant from April 2014 until October 2015, an attempt to save money while the KWA pipeline was being built.

Johnson said he discussed the plan to use the consent order for the sludge lagoon to allow it to borrow for the pipeline.

"You're telling the court that (the Bray Road lagoon) wasn't an emergency ... but you used it as an emergency to get close to $100 million?" special prosecutor Todd Flood asked.

"Correct," Johnson testified, adding he made Busch and Prysby aware of what the city was doing "with our bonding and the (consent order) may be part of that resolution."

Flood has charged Prysby, Busch, Liane Shekter Smith and Patrick Cook, each of whom worked at the DEQ while the city struggled to process river water, with crimes related to the Flint water crisis.

Busch, a district supervisor at DEQ, was in a position to order the treatment plant to be shut down but failed to act even though the city was not producing safe water, Flood has alleged.

In addition to elevated levels of lead and total trihalomethanes in water, the city struggled to control bacteria, and some researchers say the change in water source triggered outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease.

Busch is charged with involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, and two misdemeanor counts for both a treatment and monitoring violation of the Michigan Safe Water Drinking Act.

Shekter-Smith, the only state employee fired by the state for her role in the Flint water crisis, also is facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Flood has argued that as chief of the DEQ Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance, Shekter-Smith was also in a position to order the Flint water treatment plant shut down for failure to produce safe water.

In addition to involuntary manslaughter, she is charged with misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty.

Prysby, an environmental engineer, is charged with two counts each of misconduct in office, tampering with evidence and violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Cook, a specialist for the DEQ's Community Drinking Water Unit, is charged with willful neglect of duty, misconduct in office and conspiracy.

Attorneys for the four defendants in Manley's court have yet to begin to present their cases and their attorneys have not yet cross-examined Johnson, who's testified about problems with equipment and personnel in the Flint water plant during the 17 months the city attempted to produce its own drinking water.

Johnson has been able to describe close contact between city and DEQ officials, particularly Busch and Prysby, in the months before the treatment plant was put into service.

Even though professional engineers estimated the cost of preparing the plant to open at nearly $50 million, Johnson said the DEQ allowed it to operate after an investment of less than $10 million.

The state's involvement in Flint at the time of the water crisis has been a focus of the Flint water criminal prosecutions.

In addition to the oversight agencies like the DEQ and state Department of Health and Human Services, Flint was in financial receivership, run by a series of state-appointed emergency managers, from 2011 until 2015.

State law empowers the managers, appointed by the governor, to make decisions on behalf of cities and school districts where there has been a finding of an financial emergency.

Although the city did buy into the KWA pipeline, using the increased debt allowed by the consent order, the Great Lakes Water Authority later bought out its partial ownership and future bond payment related to the project.

In return, Flint agreed to buy already-treated water for the next 30 years from GLWA.FLINT, MI -- Two new faces and a recent appointee will fill three Genesee Circuit Court judge seats for the next six years.

Elizabeth Kelly and Brian S. Pickell won two open seats on the 7th Judicial Circuit Court bench during the Tuesday, Nov. 6 midterm election.

They bested challengers Chris Christenson and Richard F. McNally and will take over seats that current Judges Geoffrey L. Neithercut and Judith R. Fullerton have surpassed the age limit to seek re-election.

Kelly, 49, is a sole practitioner in her downtown Flint law firm after attending Mott Community College, UM-Flint and Michigan State University.

"It is important that we maintain the integrity and balance of the court," she previously said.

Addiction is the biggest issue facing the Genesee Circuit Court, Kelly said.

"As a judge, I would be committed to more widespread access to services and expanding on the great programs that we have in Genesee County," she commented. "Having empathy and listening is part of who I am. Too many times, I have seen cases herded through the court system and people fall through the cracks because no one notices the details. This is not the answer. Everyone deserves respect, hope and compassion."

Pickell, 49, is an intellectual property law attorney in a private practice. He graduated from the University of Michigan and earned his law degree from Michigan State.

He said he wants to be a circuit court judge to "transform one life."

"I want to give back to this community by making reasoned, sound, timely decisions in a consistent manner from the bench often at a very difficult time in the lives of people who come before the court," Pickell said. "No matter how many regrets people carry, a judge is in a unique position to gently guide them out of their mess and toward hope and triumph."

Pickell said he is qualified to serve as a judge because of his ability to "strike the right balance of justice and mercy."

In a second contested race, current Genesee Circuit Judge Celeste Bell was elected to the seat she was appointed to by Gov. Rick Snyder in February, topping challenger Tabitha Marsh.

Bell, 65, graduated from the University of Michigan and earned a law degree from Golden Gate University.

She previously said she was running because she is the best person for the job, is a good judge and should be elected to retain the position.

"In my eight months on the bench, I have proven that I have the proper judicial temperament and the skills required to run an efficient court," Bell said. "I am patient and empathetic. I know how to listen and treat people - litigants, attorneys and court employees - with respect. Most importantly, I am fair and impartial to all parties."

The biggest issue facing Genesee Circuit Court, Bell said, is jail overcrowding.

"It affects all aspects of the court system - from trial schedules, sentencings, funding allocations, judicial resources and the community resources," she said.

For a look at all total figures, including uncontested Probate and District Court judge races, click here (note: figures may not add up to 100 percent due to over/undervotes).

Here are the final numbers in the Circuit Court judge races (winners in bold) (note: totals may not add up to 100 percent due to over/under votes)

Judge of Circuit Court 7th Circuit Incumbent Position (one, six-year term):

Celeste D. Bell: 78,824/46.14%

Tabitha M. Marsh: 53,381/31.25%

Judge of Circuit Court 7th Circuit Non-Incumbent Position (two, six-year terms)

Chris Christenson: 60,759/17.78%

Elizabeth Kelly: 71,963 21.06%

Richard F. McNally: 35,274 10.32%

Brian S. Pickell: 71,662 20.97%WYOMING, MI -- Republican Tommy Brann won re-election Tuesday, Nov. 6, to keep the 77th District seat in the Michigan House, according to the Associated Press.

Brann, R-Wyoming, had 59.4 percent of the vote, and an almost 8,000-vote lead over the closest challenger, with 73 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, Nov. 7, according to unofficial results from the county clerk's office.

Democrat Dana Knight had 37 percent, or 13,198 votes, with 73 percent of precincts reporting. Patty Malowney (Libertarian) and Brandon Hoezee (U.S. Taxpayers) each had less than 3 percent.

Brann, 66, was elected to the 77th District House seat in 2016 when he beat out Knight with 65.8 percent of the votes cast. The owner of Brann's restaurants advanced to the general election this year after he earned almost 92 percent of the votes in the August Republican primary.

Knight, 53, is active in local politics, including the Black Lives Matter movement in Grand Rapids. She won the Democratic primary by collecting about 67 percent of the votes cast.

The 77th District covers Wyoming and Byron Township in Kent County. Members of the state House can serve up to three two-year terms.OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Luke Meerman, a dairy farmer who sits on the Polktown Township Board of Trustees, won the 88th District state House seat Tuesday, beating out Democrat Heidi Zuniga.

The Associated Press called the race for Meerman, who was leading by 71 percent with 97 percent of precincts reporting, based on unofficial results from the county clerk's office.

Luke Meerman

Meerman, 43, will replace Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, who cannot run again because of term limits and is seeking the 30th District state Senate seat. The Republican-leaning 88th District covers Allendale, Georgetown, Tallmadge, Wright, Chester, Coopersville and Polkton townships.

In addition to his work as a dairy farmer, Meerman owns A&L Machinery and Repair. He's a graduate of Coopersville High School, and he completed Michigan State University's Great Lakes Leadership Academy.

Zuniga, 44, lives in Allendale. She's a former teacher, who taught in grades K-8 for 11 years, and has also worked as a farmer, photographer, life guard and office manager.

In MLive's voter guide, created in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Meerman said his top three legislative priorities are investing in roads and infrastructure, ensuring that students have the "skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's world," and protecting the "most vulnerable in our society."

Zuniga said her top priorities were education, healthcare, and roads and infrastructure.GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Democrats in West Michigan celebrated a red-to-blue state legislative flip Tuesday, Nov. 6, with Rep. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, capturing the open 29th District Senate seat.

Brinks said she was "officially declaring victory," over Republican state Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, before 9:30 p.m. even though the finally tally wasn't in yet. She said her staff determined the race was out of reach.

She did win the seat decisively with 56 percent, according to the Associated Press. She had 16,488 more votes than Afendoulis with the final tally - 61,400 votes to 44,912.

The seat that Republicans have held for decades was open because Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Township, is term-limited pierce.

"We are just very pleased that this is such a definitive win," said Brinks, 50, of East Grand Rapids.

"We felt good about my record of service and my message. I care about the people in this district and what their concerns are and will continue to serve them with all the integrity and energy that I have the last six years in state House.''

The 29th District consists of the cities of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids and Lowell, and the townships of Ada, Cascade, Grand Rapids, Caledonia, Lowell and Bowne.

The district was among a handful of Senate seats Democrats thought they could win to dent the Republicans 27-11 supermajority.

Political strategists reported in October that some early polls showed Brinks, who is term-limited for the 76th District, with a five to 10-point edge.

From the beginning, Democrats were optimistic because they felt her message was resonating beyond their base with independents and particularly suburban women.

They also thought Brinks and others would benefit from high voter turnout spurred by an open governor's seat and the current political climate.

Afendoulis raised more money than Brinks with nearly $895,000 for the cumulative election cycle compared to Brinks more than $549,000, according to pre-election campaign data from the Michigan Secretary of State's office. However, it was not a factor.

Two other candidates ran in the race. Libertarian Robert VanNoller received 1,725 votes and the Working Class Party picked up 1,313 votes.GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Forest Hill School District voters approved a 15-year, $130 million bond proposal Tuesday, Nov. 6, to create 21st century classrooms and upgrade security and aging infrastructure.

School leaders say most of the funding, 55 percent, will go toward modernizing over 550 classrooms to support the dynamic teaching and learning necessary for students to be successful in a global economy.

The measure passed with 17,008 yes votes to 9,564. The district has nearly 10,000 students. The bond was one of seven school tax proposals on the ballot in Kent and Ottawa counties.

"We are grateful for the support and trust of our community,'' said Forest Hills Superintendent Dan Behm.

Behm told voters no tax increase is expected for a few reasons, including issuing the authorized bonds overs eight years to phase in improvements.

Forest Hills was among seven Kent and Ottawa Area ISD districts with tax proposals on the general election ballot, including Kelloggsville, Caledonia, Kenowa Hills, Rockford, Northview, and Spring Lake.

"These bond funds will help to make needed improvements in our buildings and, most importantly, the classrooms where our students spend the majority of their time,'' Behm said.

"Ensuring that we continue to invest in our two million square feet of school buildings, protecting students and staff with safe environments, and inspiring student learning by modernizing our instructional spaces were priorities that resonated with our voting community."

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2019 is 0.45 mill for a 0.10 mill net decrease over the prior year's levy. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.99 mills.

Here is a breakdown of how the other six measures fared:

Kelloggsville

Rockford

Northview

Northview also passed a second sinking fund proposal with no tax increase - 4,748 votes to 3,623. With a 2017 change in state law, voters must approve the expanded use of millage dollars for security and technology. The proposal is for six years, 2019 to 2024, and would generate approximately $785,050 in 2019.

Spring LakeGRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Republican U.S. Rep. Justin Amash won another term in office Tuesday, beating out Democratic challenger Cathy Albro, a former teacher and small business owner from Middleville.

The Associated Press called the race for Amash, a Cascade Township resident who was first elected in 2010. The news service said Amash was leading Albro 55 percent to 43 percent, with 31 percent of precincts reporting, based on unofficial vote totals.

The Republican leaning 3rd Congressional District is comprised of Kent, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm and Calhoun counties.

Shortly after the AP called the race, Amash issued a tweet thanking his supporters.

Amash, in an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters in partnership with MLive.com, identified his top three national priorities are, "Defending liberty and economic prosperity, and eliminating corporate welfare."

Albro said her top priorities were: A "public education system that prepares ALL children for success in life, health care for all, and an economy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, not just survive."

Theodore Gerrard, who ran as a member of the U.S. Taxpayers Party, was also seeking Amash's seat.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Federico Luis Cruz was 16 years old when he said he murdered a fellow teen, cut his head off, and attempted to rip his heart out as a "sacrifice to Satan."

Now 39, Cruz was in court Monday making a case that his rehabilitation progress has been enough to earn him resentencing from his current term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

But Circuit Judge Dennis Leiber stood by the life sentence from 1997, calling the murder of 17-year-old David Lee Crawford and the mutilation of his body a "savage butchering."

"I have fortunately in my experience never had a case of this nature before or since," Leiber said. "The circumstances of mutilation of a dead body and the reasons for it still mystify and elude me. But it is my conclusion that given the totality of circumstances, even affording any inference of a life more favorable to Mr. Cruz than before does not justify a re-sentence."

In making his decision, Leiber took into account Cruz's extensive record, the circumstances of the crime, the development and home life of the juvenile, and whether or not he could have been charged with a lesser sentence at the time of the murder.

Cruz was eligible for resentencing because of a June 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling -- Miller v. Alabama -- that juveniles cannot be sentenced to mandatory life without the possibility of parole. The ruling made 367 Michigan prisoners eligible for resentencing.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Cruz's actions weren't a "transient immaturity" worthy of re-examination, but rather there was something "substantially and seriously wrong" with him.

In 1996, Cruz admitted to bludgeoning and suffocating Crawford after luring him into the woods in Kent County. He left Crawford's lifeless body, but came back that evening to mutilate it by cutting off the head and attempting to remove the victim's heart and spine.

Cruz said Monday that he wanted to gain access into the "inner circle" of his friend group -- a group that listened to heavy metal music and appeared to be into things like "being in-serviced to the devil."

"At the time, I thought that I could communicate with demons, with the spirits," Cruz said. "I had an Iron Maiden poster that was speaking to me and some other posters and they were talking to me, I believed they were talking to me. Looking back now it was just, I was making it up. It was imaginary."

Cruz videotaped himself mutilating his victim's head in his bedroom. He showed it off to his friends, one of which reported it to his father who notified police.

During the murder investigation, Cruz was found competent by a trio of forensic experts who testified in his case. Their reports, summarized by Leiber on Wednesday, found that Cruz had "an average or above average IQ" of 104, and that he "failed to control his impulses" and "lacked basic human empathy."

Cruz's defense attorney, Andrew Rodenhouse, argued earlier this week that his client's troubled years came after the then-10-year-old Cruz was molested by his male cousin.

Cruz went on to be expelled from Sparta High School for fighting, and was terminated from an alternate education program for "gang-related activities," Leiber said. He had a "regrettably lengthy" juvenile record that included multiple charges of assault and battery, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, home invasion, resisting and obstructing police, and malicious destruction of property, according to the judge.

But Leiber referred to the forensic center reports, which showed trouble before the sexual assault. The judge said Cruz admitted to starting fires, torturing animals, and even attempting to poison his family's milk with paint thinner before the assault occurred.

Cruz was convicted of first-degree murder and mutilation of a body in Crawford's death in December 1997, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In prison, Cruz attempted to kill himself. He said he considered it a self-sacrifice to Satan that would allow him to "change from an unworthy vessel to a better, more worthy one."

"Looking back, I was crazy," he said. "Ludicrous."

During his prison stay, Cruz has had 11 citations to date, including multiple assaults and incidents of disobedience to prison staff. In one instance in 2002, he beat a staff member to serious injury and was sent to the state's only level-six security lockup, where he was held for more than three years.

It was there, in the "almost suffocating" darkness, that Cruz said he realized the magnitude of what he did to Crawford and "began to see value" in himself and other human life.

"The staff there, they were kind of brutal," he said. "They'd jump on guys, beat on guys, beat guys with shower chains, break hands in the door slots, it was horrible. They way they'd treat people ... it hit me really hard to my heart.

"How can this happen what's going on here? Something came to mind, it's the same thing you did. You did that to somebody."

After he got out of "the hole," Cruz said he started participating in programs available to him to better himself. He also sought help from psychiatric services.

Cruz pursued educational programs in building trades, alternate dispute resolution, and ministerial studies. He got his GED and is taking classes through Calvin College in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in ministry leadership.

Additionally, he's involved in a program that trains puppies to be service dogs for the blind, and said he has donated "about $25 a month" to Feed the Children for the last 19 years.

"I do not condemn these efforts, I applaud them," Leiber said. "These things are commendable, though I don't know what relation they have that this can be a cure for the pathology with which the defendant exhibited as young as 5 years old.

"They're a commendable use of time and perhaps it can be that he'll have the ability to use these talents of ministerial leadership with a population to which he presently resides."

Asked what he would say to Crawford's family members who were in the courtroom this week, Cruz said there's nothing he could say.

"I took something from them that I can never give back," Cruz said. "There's memories I stole from them. They didn't deserve it but I was a coward when I was a kid ... There's nothing I can say to them."

Cruz is housed at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, a level II security prison in Ionia County.GRAND RAPIDS, M - Kathy Crosby and Sheryl Siegel won seats on the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees in the Tuesday, Nov. 6, general election.

The other candidates for the two positions were Carlos Sanchez and Troy Williams.

The school provides a cost-effective higher-education opportunity and serves a diverse student body.

Trustee Richard Stewart did not seek re-election. Sanchez, who was appointed to fill the expired term of Bert Bleke, who left the state, finished third in the race for the six-year terms.

Crosby, 70, of Grandville, has been CEO and president of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, which provides job training and placement services, since 2006 but is retiring in December.

Sheryl Siegel

Sheryl Siegel, 67, of East Grand Rapids, is president of the school board for the charter school, Wellspring Preparatory High School. She is a former teacher and co-owns Siegel Jewelers with her husband.

Carlos Sanchez, 52, of Grand Rapids, is director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center created by Ferris State University. Troy Williams, 38, of Kentwood, is executive director of United in Christ Ministries (UICM) and co-owns Elle Interiors and Custom Furniture with his wife.

Like other community colleges in the country, GRCC is facing declining enrollment. Enrollment in the fall was 13,825, down 460 students from last year or 3.2 percent. Tuition went up only $1.

Here are the unofficial vote totals:

- Crosby 100,824

- Siegel 80,628

- Sanchez 78,708

- Troy Williams 59,920GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A teen who became Kent County's youngest killer in 2014 when he fatally stabbed a 9-year-old on a playground is doing well in a rehabilitative program.

Jamarion Lawhorn, now 16, was just 12 when he stabbed Conner Verkerke.

Lawhorn was in court Tuesday, Nov. 6 for a review hearing on his progress at Muskegon River Youth Home.

He was incarcerated there after his 2015 conviction for first-degree murder and, if he successfully completes a multi-step program focused on both education and behavioral changes, he could be released at age 21.

At Tuesday's hearing, counselors at the youth home said Lawhorn was doing well and staying on course.

But they also said he seems to do better with more contact from his family.

His mother, Anita Lawhorn, has visited him twice in the past six months.

The mother, who was at Tuesday's hearing, said financial constraints prevented her from visiting her son more often.

Youth home counselors said they would give Anita Lawhorn a gas card or provide other transportation opportunities if that would help.

Kent County Family Court Judge Paul Denenfeld said he was was "impressed" with Jamarion Lawhorn's responses to his questions and the teen's progress at the youth home.

Denenfeld, who said he is moving out of the Family Court division in January, plans to keep Jamarion Lawhorn's case on his schedule. The case is reviewed every six months.

"I want to see this through to the end," Denenfeld said.U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, has won a fifth term in congress.

With 65 percent of precincts reporting in, Huizenga beat out Democrat Rob Davidson by a vote of 132,210 to 107,491, according to the Associated Press.

Huizenga's team, along with the Michigan GOP, declared the win.

A third challenger for Michigan's 2nd Congressional District seat, U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Robert Graeser, took home 4,042 votes at the time of reporting.

Huizenga, speaking to MLive after the win, said it was "hard-fought race" against out-of-state campaign money and national headwinds.

Campaign finance reports show Huizenga has raised more cash with about $1.9 million in total receipts compared to Davidson's $966,232.

The 49-year-old congressman said he hopes Democrats in the U.S. House are ready to work and be bipartisan.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I hope that the Democrats ... are actually interested in solving issues and not just playing politics for two years," he said.

Michigan's 2nd Congressional District covers Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Lake and Newaygo counties as well as parts of Mason, Allegan and Kent counties.

It has long been held by Republicans.

Huizenga is a former state representative and aide to former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra.

Huizenga won the congressional seat after Hoekstra stepped down to run an unsuccessful bid for Michigan governor in 2010.

Huizenga's fifth term begins Jan. 3, 2019. There are no term limits for U.S. Representatives.HOLLAND, MI -- The Ottawa County treasurer has won a seat in the state House.

Republican and Ottawa County Treasurer Bradley Slagh beat out Democrat Christopher Banks in a vote of 23,710 to 12,535, according to county election unofficial results with 89 percent of precincts reporting in.

Michigan's 90th House District encompasses Holland, Hudsonville, Zeeland and Jamestown Township.

Slagh has spent the last 10 years as Ottawa County treasurer. The Zeeland native was in the banking and finance industry before running for public office. He was previously supervisor of Zeeland Township for five years.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Daniela Garcia, R-Holland. She held the seat since 2014 but decided to run for state senate this year instead.

Garcia lost in the Republican primary to Roger Victory.

Slagh's two-year term begins in January 2019.HOLLAND, MI - Ottawa County voters Tuesday approved a millage proposal that will give traditional and charter schools across the county an additional $11.2 million in funding over the next 10 years.

With most precincts reporting, the Ottawa Area ISD and superintendents declared victory Tuesday, Nov. 6, for the 0.9 mill regional enhancement millage. The finally tally was 65,530 yes votes to 57,987 no votes.

School leaders said additional funding was necessary to address what they describe as inadequate funding from the state, citing a few studies.

The owner of a $100,000 home will pay an additional $45 per year, according to the Ottawa Area ISD.

"I cannot thank our community members enough for their vote of confidence in our schools,'' said Holland Superintendent Brian Davis, in a statement. "We receive about 11 percent less today in state funding than what we received in 2000."

The millage funds will give public schools an extra $226 per-student to expand efforts to ensure student safety, to provide assistance for students with greater mental/emotional health needs, and for programs that create greater connections to college and careers for students, officials say.

Davis said the recent School Finance Research Collaborative study indicates districts should be receiving a little over $9,500 per student based upon the graduation requirements of our state. He said that is well above the $7,871 most districts receive.

"These millage funds will help close that gap to some extent to preserve the quality schools and quality programs that exist throughout our region," Davis added.

Funding for the 11 Ottawa ISD districts and seven charter schools is based on school population. Funding ranges from $41,282 to $1.5 million per system.

Kent County voters approved a 10-year, $19.9 million regional enhancement millage for its 20 Kent ISD districts in 2017.

A handful of other counties have passed millages including: Wayne County (2.0 mills), Kalamazoo (1.5 mills), Muskegon (1.0 mills), Monroe (0.99 mills), and Midland (1.5 mills).ISDs can seek up to 3 mills.

"West Michigan cares for kids and education,'' said Zeeland Superintendent Cal DeKuiper, about the community support the millage.

"Our communities want to make sure that our schools have the resources to do their best work. School leaders listen to their communities and work in partnership with families to make sure that their children have the best possible future."

DeKuiper said the funding is going to help districts in multiple ways. In Zeeland, he said it is going to sustain their technology-based curriculum and secure their budget.

Visit district and charter websites to see areas of focus for the additional funds. Below is a breakdown of how much of the millage each school system will be allocated based on the current enrollment and tax base:

Traditional Districts

Allendale - $600,364

Coopersville - $603,197

Grand Haven - $1.39 million

Hamilton - $672,088

Holland - $851,637

Hudsonville - $1.5 million

Jenison - $1.1 million

Saugatuck - $195,734

Spring Lake - $564, 963

West Ottawa - $1.5 million

Zeeland - $1.37 million

Charters

Black River - $215, 958

Eagle Crest - $159,921

iCademy - $42,315

Innocademy - $64,246

Vanderbilt - $102,585

Walden Green - $41,282

West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics - $110,432GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Former Michigan Rep. Aric Nesbitt has won the open 26th District Michigan Senate seat, according to the Associated Press.

With 70 percent of precincts reporting, Nesbitt, R-Lawton, had almost a 17,000-vote lead over Democrat Garnet Lewis, according to unofficial results from the county clerk's office.

Nesbitt led Garnet and the other two candidates with almost 58 percent of the votes cast. Libertarian Erwin Haas and Green Party candidate Robert Alway had 2.28 and 1.09 percent of the votes, respectively.

"Thank you to all of the wonderful supporters who have stood by me over the past several months as I have worked to earn the privilege of representing West Michigan in the State Senate," Nesbitt posted on Facebook early Wednesday morning.

"I am truly humbled and blessed by the tremendous support shown by yourselves and for the great team of hard working volunteers who helped along this amazing journey."

Nesbitt, 38, served parts of West Michigan as the 66th District representative in the Michigan House in 2011-2016 before he was term-limited.

He spent two years as majority floor leader for the Michigan House, and had a seat in Governor Rick Snyder's cabinet before resigning in March to run for the Michigan Senate seat.

Nesbitt will replace current senator Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawson, who is term-limited. She unsuccessfully ran for Michigan attorney general in 2018.

Lewis, 56, of Saugatuck, is a small-business owner, former educator and retired Northern Michigan University administrator. She lives in Saugatuck, where she is the chairwoman of the city planning commission and a member of the city's board of review.

She had about 38.7 percent of the vote with 70 percent of precincts reporting.

The 26th District includes Allegan and Van Buren counties, and Kentwood and Gaines Township of Kent County.Democrat Elissa Slotkin cinched the victory in Michigan's 8th Congressional District, marking a crucial win for Democrats nationally in a district that has been held by Republicans for nearly two decades.

Slotkin declared victory early Wednesday morning. With 98.1 percent of precincts reporting, Slotkin won 49.04 percent of the vote to incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop's 48.26 percent of the vote. The Associated Press had not yet declared the race, although Bishop has conceded.

At her election watch party in Clarkston, Slotkin said she'd been told the 8th was an unwinnable race. Her field work, volunteers and dedicated campaign staff helped put her over the edge, she said.

"We can teach something to Washington about what we did on this campaign," Slotkin said. "They have no idea what's coming for them."

Addressing those in the 8th District who didn't support her campaign, Slotkin said, "It's my job to support you...I will do my level best to support the 8th District."

In a concession speech filmed by the Detroit Free Press, Bishop said the race didn't work out the way he had anticipated, but said he would work with Slotkin during the transition.

"I really do feel blessed in so many ways," Bishop said, thanking his family and his team. "To serve my country, to serve my community in the U.S. Congress has been a great thrill and a huge honor."

It was the race everyone was watching in 2018, and Tuesday's results lived up to the hype.

Michigan's 8th Congressional District, which incorporates Ingham, Livingston and parts of Oakland counties, has been a solidly Republican district for the last several election cycles.

This year, Slotkin flipped that presumption on its head, raising millions of dollars and challenging Bishop's record on health care, his unwillingness to participate in public town halls and more.

Slotkin, of Holly, served three tours in Iraq with the CIA before holding several positions with the U.S. State Department and the Department of Defense. Slotkin most recently served as a top adviser to two Secretaries of Defense on the Middle East, Europe and NATO, Russia, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. She recently moved back to her family's farm in Holly after 15 years holding several intelligence and national defense posts during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The race is on track to shatter existing campaign finance records in Michigan, with both the candidates and outside PACs supporting them pumping millions into campaign material and television ads.

Bishop was first elected to Congress in 2014. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Bishop was an influential voice in tax reform discussions in Congress and supported the final legislation. Prior to his time in Congress, Bishop was the state Senate Majority Leader in the Michigan Legislature.Incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow won reelection to her seat Tuesday night, fending off a challenge from Republican John James.

With 54.2 precincts reporting, Stabenow earned 52.02 percent of the vote to James' 45.92 percent of the vote. The Associated Press called the election in Stabenow's favor around 11:30 p.m.

Stabenow came onstage as confetti streamed down at a Democratic gathering in Detroit on Tuesday. She said she had received a concession call from James, and thanked those in attendance for her victory.

"We've had some wonderful wins in Michigan tonight because of all of you. Thank you so much, people who have worked so hard, who believe in us, believe in what we stand for as Democrats, who understand what it is that we need to do together to move Michigan and our country forward," Stabenow said.

She said she gets up every morning and goes to work for Michigan in a tough political climate.

"Starting again tomorrow I'm going to work my heart out for each and every one of you," Stabenow said.

Stabenow was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and is Michigan's first female U.S. Senator. She is also one of two women who has served in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of the federal legislature.

In 2006 and 2012, Stabenow defeated Republican challengers Mike Bouchard and Pete Hoekstra by double-digit margins.

Throughout the election, James, a businessman and Iraq veteran, was touted by state and national Republicans as a rising star in the Republican party and a formidable challenger to Stabenow.

James sought to paint himself as a political outsider who could bring a fresh perspective to the Senate, criticizing Stabenow for not doing enough during the 18 years she's spent in the Senate.

James was heartily endorsed by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and drew large crowds during rallies with Pence, Donald Trump Jr., Kellyanne Conway and other high-profile Republican visitors.

Stabenow spent her campaign pointing to legislative victories she'd achieved while in the Senate, touting her record supporting Michigan farms, small businesses and the environment. Her last big push with voters consisted of a "Made in Michigan" tour, where she toured various businesses throughout the state with small groups of supporters.

Stabenow also rallied with big Democratic names in Michigan, such as former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.DETROIT, MI - The next governor of Michigan will be Gretchen Whitmer.

The Associated Press called the race for Whitmer at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

With 18 percent of precincts reporting, Whitmer is leading Schuette 51 to 46 percent.

She is expected to address an audience of over 1,000 people in Detroit this evening.

Whitmer is a former state lawmaker, first elected in 2000, who rose through the ranks to become the Senate Minority Leader in the 2011-2015 Senate session. She comes from a political family - her mom worked for former Attorney General Frank Kelly, and her father for former Gov. William Milliken. She went into law, completing her undergraduate education and law school at Michigan State University.

Most recently, before hitting the campaign trail, she served as an interim prosecutor for Ingham County in 2016.

During her time as Senate Minority Leader she was a vocal advocate for liberal causes. She gained statewide attention for sharing the story of her own sexual assault on the House floor in 2013. She failed to sway the legislation she made the speech for but established herself as a statewide political figure.

In her run for governor she struck a more moderate tone. She often cited her campaign logo, a rendering of the Mackinac Bridge, as a symbol of what she wanted to accomplish in terms of bringing people together.

Her signature issue and campaign slogan was to "fix the damn roads," something she plans to accomplish by raising $2 billion in revenue to put into a statewide infrastructure bank and use to draw down another $1 billion in federal funding.

She also focused on improvements to the state education systems, clean drinking water and skilled trades during her campaign.

Her main opponent, Republican Bill Schuette, is also the state's outgoing Attorney General. He has a long political history, including in the state legislature, congress and the cabinet of former Gov. John Engler.

His campaign catchphrase focused on whether Michigan would move forward or backward, and he ran on a "paycheck agenda." He compared Whitmer to former Gov. Jennifer Granholm on the campaign trail, at one point confusing the names of the two during a debate.

The candidates were combative during the two general election debates, with Schuette painting Whitmer as an ineffective former lawmaker who would move Michigan backward and Whitmer portraying Schuette as somebody who only did work when the cameras were on.

At the Michigan Democratic Party's watch party in Detroit, people came to see the results roll in. Asif Hossain, of Troy, is an independent who came because he thinks the results will reflect what people think of the job President Donald Trump is doing.

He thinks the country can do better, and in Michigan he's supporting Whitmer.

"Everything is so divided, right? I think she's got the personality to cross over the aisle and get things done," he said, more so than Schuette.

Adam Bingman with SEIU was at the event to cheer on the candidates and see the results of the union's support of Whitmer and other candidate.

"Our union has done the legwork since this summer to knock doors, text individuals, reach out and make sure that not only voters are informed about the candidates but also about the issues," he said.

Close to 1,000 people crowded into the Democratic event at the Sound Board theater at Motor City Casino in Detroit to await results.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Times up for a Detroit man who allegedly stole Rolex watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from a New York jewelry store.

Davonta Hill, 23, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on Tuesday.

The Hobbs Act prohibits robberies affecting interstate or foreign commerce. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges against Hill are related to a robbery that occurred at the Reeds-Jenss Jewelry Store in Amherst, New York at 6:35 p.m. on Feb. 2.

Prosecutors say Hill and three other hooded men smashed glass cases inside the store and left with the watches worth approximately $400,000. An additional $100,000 worth in watches were damaged during the breaking of the case, according to a news release.

Detectives recovered high-quality surveillance footage of the robbery and noted that one of the suspects was wearing brightly-colored orange sneakers and a distinctive brand jacket; evidence that would prove to be important following a separate incident in Strongsville, Ohio on Feb. 14.

That's when police responded to a call from Sheiban's Jewelers regarding two suspicious, hooded men who had entered the store without making a purchase.

When police attempted to stop the tan SUV they were seen getting into, a high-speed chase ensued, resulting in several vehicles being damaged. When police finally stopped the SUV, the driver was identified as Hill and taken into custody.

Strongsville Police contacted Amherst Police believing that the two robberies were connected. A search of the tan SUV revealed that was the case when police recovered two hammers and a gym bag containing an orange pair of sneakers.

They also found a lock box with two loaded firearms; a quantity of marijuana; and the title for the tan SUV in the name of Hill.Michigan voters have approved Proposal 3, which enacts sweeping election reforms.

With about 46 precincts reporting, 67 percent of voters approved Proposal 3, also known as "Promote the Vote."

The new law:

Automatically registers people to vote when they obtain or renew their driver's license or state identification card, as long as they are a U.S. citizen and age 18 or older. Currently, Michigan residents must request and fill out separate paperwork for voter registration.

Allows people to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, including on Election Day. The current registration deadline is 30 days before the election.

Allows voters to obtain an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Absentee balloting is currently limited to people who are age 60 and older, disabled, poll workers or who sign an affidavit saying they will be out of town on Election Day.

Reinstates the option of a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party by marking one spot on the ballot. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law ending that practice, and this November election will be the first time that option is not allowed.

Proposal 3 also allows voters to seek an audit of statewide elections.

In addition, it will add the current legal requirements for secret ballots and military and overseas voting to the Michigan constitution. Currently, the right to a secret ballot and the military/oversees voting timetables are part of Michigan election law but are not in the constitution.

The petition campaign to put Proposal 3 on the ballot was largely funded by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The initiative also was backed by the League of Women Voters of Michigan, the Detroit chapter of the NAACP and the Michigan League for Public Policy.

The newly elected Democratic governor and secretary of state, Gretchen Whitmer and Jocelyn Benson, backed Proposal 3, while the Republican candidates for those offices, Bill Schuette and Mary Treder Lang, were opposed.

Republicans were particularly critical of the potential reinstatement of straight-ticket voting and same-day registration and voting.LANSING - A circuit court judge denied a motion Wednesday, Nov. 7 to dismiss the criminal cases against William Strampel, the former Michigan State University dean who was Larry Nassar's boss.

The prosecution will also be allowed to have additional women testify at trial not directly connected to the charges, Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk ruled.

Strampel is charged with misconduct in office and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for acts unrelated to Nassar's own abuse of females over the years.

John D. Dakmak, Strampel's attorney, argued that the case should be dismissed because Strampel's position as dean of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine isn't technically a public officer and that the alleged acts don't rise to the level of crimes.

Strampel is accused of offering female students advancement or help in exchange for sexual favors. He also allegedly grabbed the buttocks of a female student, which is what the sexual assault charge stems from.

"There was no quid pro quo," Dakmak said. "There was no ... attempt at quid pro quo."

Bill Rollstin, lead attorney for the Attorney General's Office, called Strampel a "crafty individual" who knew how to manipulate young women.

He detailed several occasions from previous testimony both in court and during the investigation.

"In each of these instances, it's Dr. Strampel who raises the topic of sex with these individuals,' he said. "He is crafty in his approach with these young ladies."

Whenever they asked him for help, Strampel allegedly "raised the specter of sex," Rollstin said.

Draganchuk agreed with the prosecution on that matter and denied the motion. The judge maintained there was enough evidence and testimony presented at Strampel's preliminary examination this past summer to show there was probable cause crimes were committed and Strampel was the person who committed them.

Chief Legal Counsel for the Attorney General's Office Eric Restuccia argued a separate motion involving the admission of different witnesses and evidence.

Throughout the course of their investigation, the AG's office has interviewed other women who have had encounters with Strampel but weren't made part of the criminal cases. In some instances, the alleged incidents happened too long ago to be charged, according to Restuccia. He argued those women should be allowed to testify under the state's 404b rule of evidence laws.

The women included a doctor who served with Strampel in the Army in 1984. The woman said Strampel bragged about sleeping with all the interns and then didn't promote her when she didn't acquiesce to his sexual advances.

Draganchuk said she would allow the woman to testify.

"It shows that there's an intent and a willingness to use his position improperly and manipulatively with those who are subordinate to him and that he will do that in order to potentially gain sexual favors," she said.

The judge ruled to allow three other women who had encounters with Strampel to testify at trial. The prosecution wasn't entirely successful, however. A woman who said she felt uncomfortable when Strampel asked her out to drinks at a conference in Las Vegas when she was a student will not be allowed to testify, the judge ruled.

The incident didn't reach the threshold of relevancy per state law, according to the judge.

Still at issue are a series of pictures found on Strampel's work computer, several of them featuring partially nude women wearing Spartan garb. It's unclear whether they will be allowed into evidence at this point.

Restuccia argued the women in the pictures were likely students who had sent pictures to Strampel, possibly in exchange for something.

Draganchuk agreed with Dakmack that it's impossible to know who is in the pictures and how they got on Strampel's computer. The pictures were being offered as evidence in the criminal cases. The judge said she would possibly consider them as 404b evidence, but that would require a different motion.

There are no future dates set in the case at this time.

Strampel is facing one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a high court misdemeanor, and one count of misconduct in office, a five-year felony.

He is free on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

Strampel retired from MSU effective June 30.The attorney general race in Michigan is too close to call.

As of 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Democrat Dana Nessel led Republican Tom Leonard by 40,000 votes with 75 percent of precincts reporting.

Late Tuesday night, Nessel swept onstage at the Michigan Democratic Party gathering in Detroit.

"We are up in the polls and it's looking very good for us, so that's good news," Nessel said. "Tom Leonard if you're watching this feel free to call me and concede at any time."

She thanked her campaign staff and her family, kissing her wife onstage after saying, "For all of you out there that can't handle the fact that I'm about to become the first openly gay person to hold statewide office --"

Meanwhile in Lansing, Leonard, R-DeWitt, and his campaign were still reviewing election returns as of 2 a.m.

Leonard spokesman Gideon D'Assandro said they were still waiting for results to come in from precincts in places like Kent and Monroe counties.

Leonard has represented parts of Gratiot and Clinton counties in the Michigan House since 2012, and was term-limited from running again. Leonard has served as the Speaker of the House since 2016.

Nessel rose to prominence in Michigan after she challenged the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2012, a case that was later consolidated before the U.S. Supreme Court and led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S. Tuesday night the plaintiffs in that landmark Michigan gay marriage case -- April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse -- were on stage with Nessel as she rallied her supporters.The opposition campaign to the recreational marijuana ballot proposal lost their battle in Michigan Tuesday -- but they vowed to continue to the fight.

"We're not done with Michigan," said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the national group backing the opposition campaign in Michigan. "We're going to make sure it's a long road to pot shops."

Michigan voters passed Proposal 1 with nearly 56 percent of the vote. Scott Greenlee, president of Healthy and Productive Michigan, said he believed voters were "misguided and misinformed."

"We've heard overnight from a number of communities around Michigan -- literally 20 or 25 -- that were essentially saying, 'This is awful. Not in our community. How do we opt out?" Greenlee said.

Ten days after the results of the election are certified, Proposal 1 will take effect -- meaning adults 21 and over will be able to consume marijuana at home and to possess up to 2.5 ounces on their person.

The state will have to develop rules and regulations for launching a licensed commercial retail industry for marijuana. Meanwhile, cities, townships and villages in Michigan will have a large say in shaping what that ultimately looks like: they can add restrictions and bans on businesses.

Greenlee said they are planning to help communities pass those bans. Bans would require a vote of a city council or township board, or a ballot question in a general election, according to the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

Healthy and Productive Michigan will now have to go back to its donors, Sabet said, as its campaign funds have been spent prior to the election.

Sabet said the legislature could act to pass caps on potency or to limit pesticides used in marijuana grows.

"I think most of us don't want our doctor high. I think most of us don't want our kids' bus driver high. And that's where this goes from being an individual liberty decision to a decision that affects non-users," Sabet said.

In other states where marijuana has been legalized, Sabet said legal challenges are just starting.

"We do think that this fight is not over," Sabet said. "We will be exploring all legal and all policy options."

-- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com.

Read more from MLive about recreational marijuana.Michigan has elected its first openly gay official to hold a statewide office: Dana Nessel.

Nessel, a Democrat, won a five-way contest for the office of Michigan attorney general.

With 96 percent of the vote count, she had 48.5 percent of the vote Tuesday, Nov. 6, besting Republican Speaker of the House Tom Leonard who garnered 46.8 percent.

Libertarian Lisa Lane Gioia received 2 percent of the vote. Independent Chris Graveline, who had to sue the state in order to get his name on the ballot, also received 2 percent of the vote. Gerald Van Sickle of the U.S. Taxpayers Party had 1 percent.

Leonard conceded the race this morning.

Nessel's victory cemented a win for Democratic leadership in the state: Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor and Jocelyn Benson was elected Secretary of State.

The campaign for Michigan's top lawyer wasn't a clean one, as Nessel's and Leonard's campaigns traded jabs and ads. Leonard's campaign sought to brand Nessel as "Dangerous Dana" while Nessel's campaign attacked Leonard's financial backers and experience.

Nessel rose to prominence in Michigan after she challenged the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2012, a case that was later consolidated before the U.S. Supreme Court and led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S.

Tuesday night the plaintiffs in that landmark Michigan gay marriage case -- April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse -- were on stage with Nessel as she rallied her supporters. She said inclusion of the LGBT community was important to her, because before that case, "I wasn't part of this state. My family was not part of this state. And our government was openly hostile to us."

Nessel, who has twin sons with her wife, Alanna Maguire, came under fire in her campaign for her own sexuality. The vice president of the Flint branch of the NAACP said he wouldn't vote for her because of it.

Nessel has promised to shut down Line 5, the controversial Enbridge oil pipelines that flow underneath the Straits of Mackinac. Outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced plans to build a tunnel under the straits to address issues with Line 5.

Nessel has also pledged to file lawsuits to protect the Affordable Care Act, and to go after the manufacturers of PFAS -- a slate of pervasive toxic chemicals used in manufacturing processes and in firefighting foam -- that continue to be found in drinking water systems across the state.

She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. She is also the president of the Fair Michigan Foundation, an anti-hate crime task force.

For her main opponent, Leonard, R-DeWitt, he'll be out of a job in January due to term limits after serving as Speaker of the House since 2016.Marijuana legalization has passed in Michigan.

Proposal 1 garnered 57.7 percent of the vote, with 53 percent of the precincts responding.

At 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol campaign declared victory. Supporters gathered at the Radisson hotel in downtown Lansing Tuesday night to celebrate the win.

"This was a campaign for facts versus fear," said Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition. "Voters looked at the facts ... and were able to make a smart policy decision."

Michigan is now the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana in the U.S. -- and the first in the Midwest. The law allows for recreational use for adults 21 and over in the privacy of their own homes, and requires the state to create a regulatory structure to license businesses.

The law will take effect after the results of the election are certified by the Board of State Canvassers, which will likely occur in December.

Tim Beck was stunned Tuesday night. Beck has been advocating for marijuana policy reform in Michigan for two decades, and helped get the 2008 medical law on the ballot.

"I'm trying to let it settle in," Beck said about the win. "This has been my life for 16 years."

The Mitten state now joins the ranks of Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington D.C. Also Tuesday night, voters in North Dakota were also deciding the fate of a recreational marijuana ballot proposal.

"I've been campaigning for it all my life," said Vaughn Schneider, 75, of Bath Township. "I never thought I'd see it. It's long overdue."

To many marijuana advocates, the result of the Tuesday, Nov. 6, election was the end of prohibition.

"I knew it was going to happen, but not this soon," said Delores Saltzman, 80, of Lake George.

Saltzman has become the face of the Proposal 1 campaign, after she was arrested for marijuana possession at her home in July after her marijuana card expired. After the arrest and serving jail time, Saltzman said she made her peace with the stigma about smoking marijuana and decided to advocate for legalization.

"It's a weight off of my shoulders," Saltzman said.

Scott Greenlee, president of the opposition group Healthy and Productive Michigan, issued the following statement: "Obviously the results of today's election were not what we hoped for. It is important to note that more Michiganders voted no on Proposal 18.1 than on the other two proposals. While our side lost tonight, it is important to recognize the level of responsibility that now rests on the shoulders of those who have voted yes."

Kevin Sabet, director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said the anti-legalization side won't be finished even if the final numbers make marijuana legal, citing that it's still technically against federal law.

"We are currently looking at legal options," Sabet said Tuesday night.

The anti-legalization group has a press conference planned for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning in Lansing.

The battle for recreational marijuana started quietly, as a group of drug policy reform advocates, marijuana lawyers and the ACLU gathered signatures to put the measure to a vote.

Faced with the possibility of a statewide ballot issue, the Republican-dominated Michigan legislature mulled an adopt-and-amend plan to adopt the proposal put forward by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, and then make changes. But lawmakers failed to act by a June deadline -- and so Proposal 1 headed to the ballot.

"I don't think Proposal 1 is a big deal," said Republican voter Carol Rupp as she exited her polling station in Saginaw Tuesday. " I think a lot of people who are in prison for nonviolent crimes are because maybe they had a little bit for their own. I don't do it myself, but I have friends that do and I don't have a problem with it."

Campaigning was quiet during the summer months, as outside money poured in to the fight in Michigan. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is backed by the national group, Marijuana Policy Project.

The opposition -- Healthy and Productive Michigan -- is backed by Smart Approaches to Marijuana, also a national group. They push for decriminalization over legalization.

In September and October, the opposition campaign hit full stride: holding press conferences with community leaders across the state and speaking at public health forums. Healthy and Productive Michigan amassed a long list of county sheriffs and prosecutors who opposed Proposal 1, and multiple chamber of commerce organizations joined in. DTE Energy executives, as well as Michigan businesses including Haworth, Dow Corporation and Gordon Food Services.The U.S. Senate election in Michigan is currently too close to call, with incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow holding a slight lead over Republican challenger John James.

With 36.5 percent reporting, Stabenow was slightly ahead with 51 percent of the vote to James' 47 percent. Stabenow was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000.

As the crowd of more than 1,000 at the Michigan Democratic Party prepared to celebrate a win for gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer in Detroit Tuesday night, uncertainty hung in the air around the U.S. Senate race.

Chris McClain was watching results roll in in Detroit.

He said in the Senate, seniority was important. He wants to see Stabenow continue her work there, and pointed to her recent support of Soo Locks funding as a success.

"I'm still optimistic. The night isn't over," he said. "I think that she is a phenomenal legislator."

At James' watch party, located at his family's business in Detroit, the mood was optimistic about the Farmington Hills businessman and veteran's chances.

Vikki Parman, a volunteer with James' campaign, said she first learned about James' candidacy a year ago from her brother and sister-in-law, who live in North Carolina.

"I looked him up and started following him, I got my whole family involved," she said. "I think he's going to be exceptional. I pray to God he wins...I think he's going to do a lot of good things."About 4.3 million Michigan residents cast ballots in Tuesday's election, blowing well past the previous record for a mid-term election.

There were 4,290,621 ballots recorded as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, with 12 precincts in Wayne County that had yet to report. The state has 4,808 precincts.

Turnout in this election was up about 35 percent statewide compared to 2014, the last time Michigan residents voted for governor.

About 3.2 million voted in 2014. The turnout record for an gubernatorial election was set in 2006, when 3.85 million Michigan voters went to the polls.

A few more data points about the turnout numbers:

About 55 percent of Michigan residents age 18 and older cast a ballot compared to 42 percent in 2014.

Leelanau County in the northern Lower Peninsula had a turnout of 80 percent, the highest in the state.

Isabella County, home of Mount Pleasant, had the lowest turnout at 39 percent of the voting-age population.

All 83 counties experienced a double-digit percentage increase in the number of voters compared to 2014.

While the 2018 election had a record turnout for a midterm, it was still below the levels seen in presidential elections. Almost 5 million voted in 2016, the last presidential election.

Michigan has almost 7.7 million residents age 18 and older, and almost 7.5 million are registered to vote.

Below is a map that shows the turnout by county. You can put your cursor over a county to see the underlying data.Michigan has a yearning for freaky fast sandwiches when it comes to fast food.

Jimmy John's, the Campaign, Illinois-based sandwich chain known for fresh ingredients and its quick delivery service, is the most-popular fast food chain when it comes to new restaurants opening in Michigan based on Google search volume data.

Michigan is one of five states that have a clamoring for Jimmy John's over every other fast food chain. It is joined by fellow Midwest states Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri as well as Washington in the American Northwest.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the average start-up cost for a Jimmy John's is relatively cheap compared to other fast food chains. Investors can expect to spend $329,500 to $557,000 on a store. There is also just a 4 percent failure rate, which might explain why the sandwich shops are so popular in Michigan.

Per Google search volume data, Chick-Fil-A is the most popular fast food franchise to open nationally, especially in states closer to its headquarters in Atlanta. The second-most popular franchise to open in the country is Dunkin' Donuts and coming in third place is Subway.

Detroit-based Little Caesars is also a popular franchise choice around the country with Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Kentucky opening them the most.

Surprisingly, the fast food kings, McDonald's, is only the most popular to open in California and Massachusetts, and fast food giant Taco Bell only reigned supreme in Oregon and North Dakota.

KFC was only the most popular in Alaska, Idaho and Maine, and just two states were big franchisers of the southern favorite, Waffle House: Iowa and West Virginia.

In total, more than 13,000 new franchises opened between 2017 and 2018, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.LANSING, MI -- Michigan Republicans maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate in Tuesday's elections, despite Democrats gaining seats in both bodies.

In the Senate, Democrats picked up at least five seats, and a sixth race was too close to call. But they fell short of picking up eight which would have given them joint control of the chamber, or nine, which would have given them a majority.

Still, as of early Wednesday morning the Democrats had made additions to their 11 current seats, bringing them out of super-minority status. That is significant in the Senate, where bills need two-thirds votes to take immediate effect and Republicans will no longer be able to do that alone.

Some notable wins for Democrats included the 7th District, currently held by the term-limited Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton. Republican Laura Cox, a formidable presence in the House where she serves as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, lost to Democrat Dayna Polehanki. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, Polehanki led 52-46.

Sorry, but your browser does not support frames.

And in the 13th District, Democrat Mallory McMorrow beat incumbent Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy. With 100 percent of precincts reporting she was showing 52 to his 48 percent.

Democrats also had pick-ups in the House. As of 8:30 a.m. they look poised to gain at least five seats. While several seats are still too close to call, it seems clear Republicans will maintain a majority.

House Republicans declared victory in retaining the majority early Wednesday morning.

"Our team of candidates earned this victory, and now they have the privilege of guiding Michigan's comeback for another two years," said Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-Dewitt, in a statement. "Republican candidates had real plans that addressed the biggest challenges faced by local families. We had the candidates who were willing to lead, and this is the caucus that earned the trust of Michigan residents all across the state."

Gov. Rick Snyder released a statement Wednesday morning congratulating Republicans on their wins.

"I want to congratulate the Senate and House Republicans on retaining majority as we stay focused on keeping Michigan's momentum going," Snyder said in the statement.

"The state Legislature will play an important role in ensuring Michigan's reinvention continues on our path forward. We are firmly positioned to pay down long-term debt, improve our infrastructure, and retain Michigan's role as a leader in manufacturing job growth and the mobility sector."

Democrats didn't quite concede but put out a statement on the preliminary results.

"As we expected, Democrats have exceeded expectations in districts across the state because working families are sick and tired of failed Republican policies in Lansing," said Senate Minority Leader Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, in a statement early Wednesday morning.

"No matter the ultimate outcome, Michiganders have made it clear that they are ready for change at the state house and House Democrats are ready to get the job done alongside our next governor, Gretchen Whitmer."

Some notable pick-ups for Democrats included the 20th House District in Wayne County, which encompasses the Northville and Plymouth areas. Incumbent Jeff Noble, a Republican, was knocked off by Democrat Matt Koleszar 52 to 47 percent.

Also, in the open 40th House District, Democrat Mari Manoogian beat Republican David Wolkinson 57 to 43 percent.

In the open 110th House District seat in the Upper Peninsula, Republicans picked up a seat from Democrats. Republican Gregory Markkanen won over Democrat Ken Summers 51 to 49 percent.

The Republican legislature will be working with Democratic governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer, a change of pace from current Republican Gov. Rick Snyder. For eight years, the House, Senate and governor's office have all been controlled by Republicans.LANSING -- Republican Bill Schuette said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family after his loss to Democrat Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan's gubernatorial race.

He conceded the race about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday night.

"I had terrific victory speech in my pocket. We'll save that for another time," he told reporters after addressing a crowd of supporters at the Lansing Center. "What an honor it's been being the Republican nominee for governor. It's a challenging time in many respects, but it's been an incredible honor. I learned so much about Michigan."

Schuette said the loss was in part due to the harsh political climate nationwide.

"It's a tough political environment. Look across the country," he said. "There's some close races. Some races that didn't go the Republican way. Midterm elections. All those things come into play."

Schuette spoke with Whitmer over the phone shortly before taking the stage.

"I had a very pleasant conversation," he said. "I wished her well and success in the future."

Fellow Republicans Tom Leonard, running for attorney general, and Mary Treder Lang, running for Secretary of State, still hadn't conceded as of 1 a.m. Wednesday, though both were down in the polls.

Schuette said the party will have to come together after losing the biggest office in the state.

"The party will have to be rebuilt," he said.

Larry Ward, of Williamston, said he wasn't surprised Schuette lost.

"I think Schuette summed it up very well in his speech," Ward said. "Every eight years, Michigan switches."

Ward was one of several people at the party sporting Donald Trump gear. Schuette said he didn't think Trump's endorsement hurt him.

"I think the Trump endorsement was a positive thing," he said.

Delton resident Carol Price said she was disappointed Schuette lost, but also because it appeared the ballot proposals dealing with marijuana, redistricting and voting laws passed.

"I thought maybe people were smarter, especially when it comes to the proposals," she said. "I don't think people realize what they just voted for."

Mike Nevin, the president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association, said he wants Whitmer to take a closer look at public safety in the Michigan.

"(Schuette's) stance on public safety is really strong," he said. "He's very safety-oriented. We're hoping Gretchen takes a close look at Detroit and helps brings our numbers up. Right now, Detroit is critically understaffed."LANSING, MI -- The mood is tense at the Radisson hotel in downtown Lansing as marijuana advocates await election results.

On the ballot Tuesday is Proposal 1, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adult use in the state. If passed, it would make Michigan the 10th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use -- and the first in the Midwest.

Addressing a crowd of about 70 supporters, lawyer Barton Morris of Cannabis Legal Group tried to rally the crowd.

"I'm not usually nervous, but tonight I'm nervous," Morris said.

Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said he was 85 percent confident the measure would pass.

Early results from the Associated Press showed Proposal 1 winning by a small margin. With 14.8 percent of precincts reporting, it was winning with 57.02 percent for and 42.98 percent against.

Jeff Hank, the founder of MI Legalize, said the last two weeks of the campaign have been busy.

The opposition, Healthy and Productive Michigan, poured nearly $1 million in to ads in the final two weeks. Hank said he's spent a lot of time addressing inaccuracies in the ads.

"To see your friends get sent away to prison for this..." said Vaughn Schneider, 74, of Bath Township, during the watch party, of the criminal attitude towards marijuana. "I've been campaigning for it all my life."Health officials in Oakland County say they have confirmed with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that two people with measles arrived on a flight to Detroit in late October.

The Oakland County Health Division reports in a Tuesday, Nov. 6 news release that the two people arrived at about 5 p.m. Oct. 23 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Anyone who traveled through the Detroit airport around that date, is advised to keep a keen eye on any developing symptoms and illnesses.

"If symptoms develop, it is crucial to call ahead to the healthcare provider you plan to visit so they can take proper precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals," the release from the Oakland County reads.

"Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air by a contagious person sneezing or coughing. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person coughed or sneezed."

Measles symptoms typically develop about a week or two after exposure, but can even take as long as three weeks in some scenarios. Typical symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots in and around the mouth, and a rash on either the face, truck or extremities.

Russel Faust, Oakland County's medical director, tells the Detroit News that the airport doesn't need to take any further action since the measles virus has a two-hour shelf life in the air or on surfaces. He told the newspaper that Oakland County has had three reported Measles cases in 2018, and that the first was also at the airport back in early March.

The Measles vaccine is a two-dose series that costs $71 per dose, and there is a $7 fee per person. Oakland County's health division says it accepts health insurance and Medicaid, and that there are no added fees for using a credit or debit card.

"No one will be denied access due to inability to pay," the health department's news release reads.Marijuana is now legal in Michigan for recreational use.

Well, almost.

Here's what you need to know following the vote to pass recreational marijuana in Michigan.

1. The law doesn't go into effect right away.

The law doesn't take effect until 10 days after the results of the election are certified by the Board of State Canvassers -- a process that starts in each county.

Secretary of State spokesman Fred Woodhams said the certification has to legally occur by Nov. 26.

Once the results are certified, it is legal for adults age 21 and over to consume marijuana in their homes and on their property.

"One day your 12 marijuana plants are illegal and the next day you're within your lawful rights," said Doug Mains, a lawyer with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. "It frees up law enforcement from figuring out if you're supposed to have this or not."

2. Retail shops won't be open for at least a year.

It will likely take state officials up to a year to come up with new rules and regulations for shops and marijuana products. The law requires the state to start licensing businesses in 2020.

Licensed medical marijuana businesses in Michigan will be allowed to apply for recreational licenses first.

3. The law could still change.

The recreational marijuana program could be changed significantly before it launches -- as state lawmakers could pass laws altering it with a three-fourths majority of both the House and the Senate. A three-fourths majority in both legislative bodies is difficult to obtain.

4. Local officials might pass bans.

Cities, villages and townships in Michigan now face a choice: whether to pass an ordinance to further regulate, limit or ban recreational marijuana businesses altogether.

Any business -- a grower, processor, testing lab, secure transporter or retail store -- has to gain local approval before getting a state license. That said, municipalities can add further oversight to the program by passing local laws.

Many of the actions cities and townships took on medical marijuana could foreshadow what's to come under the recreational marijuana program.

5. You can't buy medical marijuana for recreational use.

Medical marijuana provisioning centers will continue to sell marijuana products only to card-carrying patients. However, caregivers -- allowed to grow marijuana for medical patients under a 2008 law -- are able to give weed, but not sell, to non-patients, Mains said.

6. Don't smoke and drive.

It is still illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana, and to consume it while driving. Passengers also cannot consume in a vehicle. It is also still illegal to consume marijuana in public.

Possessing marijuana in a vehicle would not be a crime, Mains said. However, if a police officer has probable cause to think someone was consuming it they may try to charge you, Mains said.

"It comes down to people being responsible," Mains said. "Don't be driving down the road with your ounce of weed sitting in the passenger seat."

7. You can still get fired for weed.

Employers across Michigan are now reviewing their drug testing policies.

Companies can still fire employees for marijuana use if a drug test comes back positive, said Nikole Canute, a lawyer with Mika Meyers in Grand Rapids.

"It (Proposal 1) does not prohibit employers from having a zero-tolerance policy," Canute said.

Federal contractors are required to have zero-tolerance drug polices due to the Drug Free Workforce Act of 1988.

-- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com.

Read more from MLive about recreational marijuana.Proposal 2 backers declared victory shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday, clearing the way for the creation of an independent commission to decide Michigan's political districts ahead of the next redistricting process.

With 41.1 percent of precincts reporting, Proposal 2 was ahead with 60.79 percent voting yes, and 39.21 percent voting no. The Associated Press has not yet called the election as of 11:01 p.m.

At Voters Not Politicians' main election night party in Detroit, founder Katie Fahey and other backers of the campaign thanked their volunteers and said what they accomplished sets an example for what ordinary people looking to impact their government can do.

"The thing we proved tonight is that we are our own saviors," Fahey said. "We the people can save ourselves."

Under the leadership of Fahey, Voters Not Politicians built a formidable statewide campaign that ultimately led to national attention from the likes of former President Barack Obama and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as millions of dollars in fundraising towards the end of the election cycle.

Proposal 2 will shift the responsibility of drawing Michigan's state and federal political districts every 10 years to a 13-member independent redistricting commission consisting of five independent members, four self-declared Democrats and four self-declared Republicans.

Up to this point, that process had been in the hands of the Michigan legislature, which Proposal 2 supporters equated to politicians picking their own district lines.

Elected officials, candidates, lobbyists and political consultants or staffers -- as well as family members of politicians or other insiders -- will be barred from participating within six years of their politically-affiliated position.

The commissioners will be selected randomly from a pool of registered voters who submitted applications to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will be required to circulate commissioner applications to 10,000 registered Michigan voters at random from various regions of the state.

Supporters of Proposal 2 contend the plan will prevent political gerrymandering in Michigan by circumventing the process entirely, although critics argued the proposal would remove power from the voters by putting redistricting power in the hands of an unelected commission with no stated checks or balances.

They also argued Proposal 2's stipulation to provide funding for the commission's operations would lead to unchecked spending that would be footed by Michigan taxpayers.

Tuesday's vote came after a lengthy journey by Voters Not Politicians to get the plan on the ballot in the first place.

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.

Despite a lack of paid petition gatherers and intense opposition that took the proposed initiative into a protracted court battle, Voters Not Politicians supporters managed to get enough signatures and the go-ahead from the State Supreme Court to get Proposal 2 on the ballot.DETROIT, MI - Gretchen Whitmer stuck with the bipartisan tone of her campaign in an acceptance speech shortly after winning the election on Tuesday, vowing to fix the roads and bring Michiganders together.

"Today the voters of Michigan made a choice in this election. The people have spoken, and we chose hope and inclusion. We chose respect and collaboration. And we chose bridges over walls," she said, a reference to the border wall being pursued by Republican President Donald Trump.

Michiganders voted for Trump in 2016, turning the state red for the first time in decades. But the wall reference was one line in a speech where Whitmer otherwise struck a moderate tone and focused on bringing Michigan forward, especially when it came to her signature issue.

"I guess we're gonna have to fix the damn roads now, right?" she said to cheers.

Live: Whitmer Delivers Victory Speech Democrat Gretchen Whitmer speaks after being announced as Michigan's next governor. Posted by MLive.com on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Her campaign logo was the Mackinac Bridge, something she said was a symbol of Michiganders coming together and accomplishing something big.

"We may have all gone to the polls for very different reasons, but today we as Michiganders came out because we love this state, and because we want a Michigan that works for every single one of us," Whitmer said.

Whitmer is a former state lawmaker, first elected in 2000, who rose through the ranks to become the Senate Minority Leader in the 2011-2015 Senate session. She comes from a political family - her mom worked for former Attorney General Frank Kelly, and her father for former Gov. William Milliken. She went into law, completing her undergraduate education and law school at Michigan State University.

Most recently, before hitting the campaign trail, she served as an interim prosecutor for Ingham County in 2016.

Her running mate, Lieutenant Governor-elect Garlin Gilchrist, praised her as a leader and a fighter.

"I am so humbled to be on this journey with her," Gilchrist said.

At the Michigan Democratic Party's watch party in Detroit, more than 1,000 people came to see the results roll in. Asif Hossain, of Troy, is an independent who came because he thinks the results will reflect what people think of the job President Donald Trump is doing.

He thinks the country can do better, and in Michigan he's supporting Whitmer.

"Everything is so divided, right? I think she's got the personality to cross over the aisle and get things done," he said, more so than Schuette.

The Democratic gathering was still going on late Tuesday night, with attendees waiting for results further down the ticket to be announced.Michigan voters said yes to legalizing marijuana Tuesday.

Overseeing the new industry will be the state's next governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.

The ballot proposal did not provide for criminal record expungement.

However, Whitmer said she'll consider using her executive power to grant clemency to jailed marijuana offenders early into her term.

"I think that the people of Michigan have said that for conduct that would not be considered legal no one should bear a lifelong record for that conduct," Whitmer said to reporters in Detroit Wednesday morning.

Whitmer said she'll be working with the new attorney general, Democrat Dana Nessel, to develop thoughtful regulations to govern the new industry.

Proposal 1 passed in Michigan with 55.75 percent of the vote, with 96.5 percent of precincts reporting as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.

In other states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, pardons for marijuana crimes have been limited.

In Colorado where marijuana has been legal for six years, Gov. John Hickenlooper pardoned seven people in 2017 convicted of marijuana possession crimes who applied for clemency.

This year Hickenlooper's administration proactively identified 40 prisoners serving sentences for only marijuana crimes -- but has yet to issue his decision on whether all of them are eligible to apply for clemency.

In Oregon, one person has been granted clemency for a marijuana conviction under Gov. Kate Brown. Voters agreed to legalize there in Nov. 204.

-- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com.

Read more from MLive about recreational marijuana.Beth Clement and Megan Kathleen Cavanagh appear poised to win the two Michigan Supreme Court seats at stake in Tuesday's election.

The two are the top vote-getters with 99.9 percent of precincts reporting as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Clement was an incumbent, while Cavanagh will replace Kurtis Wilder, a justice appointed to the bench by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2017.

Although they ran on the nonpartisan ballot, Clement was nominated by the Republican Party and Cavanagh by the Democrats.

The election results means the court will have four Republicans and three Democrats on the bench.

The unofficial vote total, with 4,803 of 4,808 of precincts reporting: Clement, 1,856,307; Cavanagh, 1,570,756; Wilder, 1,516,271; Samuel Bagenstos, 710,090; Kerry Lee Morgan, 358,435, and Doug Dern, 208,631.

Wilder was nominated by the Michigan Republican Party; Bagenstos by the Democrats; Morgan by Libertarian Party, and Dern by the Natural Law Party.

Clement, 40, was appointed to the Supreme Court in November 2017. She formerly served as Snyder's chief legal counsel.

Clement filled a seat being vacated by Joan Larsen, who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The mother of four children, Clement has a bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State University and her law degree from Wayne State University. She was a legislative aide and legal counsel for state Senate Republicans before joining the Snyder administration.

Her husband, Thomas Clement, is the Supreme Court's legal counsel.

Clement angered some conservatives earlier this year when she sided with fellow justices David Viviano, Bridget Mary McCormack and Richard Bernstein in a majority ruling that put the Voters Not Politicians ballot initiative on the ballot. If approved, the proposal would implement an independent redistricting commission in Michigan.

In her candidate questionnaire for the League of Women Voters, Clement said the two biggest issues facing the Supreme Court were trial court funding and indigent defense.

"The public deserves fines and fees that are fair, reasonable, and affordable," Clement wrote in her questionnaire. "Those involved in the criminal system deserve their Constitutional promise of an attorney if they cannot afford one."

Cavanagh is a partner in the Detroit law firm of Garan Lucow Miller.

She is a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering and a 2000 graduate of Wayne State's law school.

An experienced appellate attorney, she wrote her experience "reflects a commitment to improving the fairness of Michigan's justice system."

In her League of Women Voters questionnaire, Cavanagh wrote the two areas in greatest need of judicial reform in Michigan are "reform of the juvenile justice system and improving access to justice."SUMMIT TWP., MI - Three dogs and five cats were killed in a house fire that started in the basement of a Summit Township home Tuesday afternoon.

Fire crews were called about 5:19 p.m. Nov. 6 to the two-story home in the 2000 block of Park Drive after flames and heavy smoke were seen coming from a basement window, Summit Township Fire Capt. Brian Ledford said.

Crews entered through the front of the home and began extinguishing the fire, which had quickly spread to the living room and worked its way into the basement, stopping the spread and knocking the fire out, Ledford said.

Fire crews could not see anything as they searched the smoke-filled basement for anyone who might have been inside, Ledford said.

No one was home when the fire started and there were no injuries reported, Ledford said. Fire crews later found three dogs and five cats deceased inside the home.

While the home appears to be repairable, the five adults and three children who lived at the home were displaced. It was uninhabitable after the fire, Ledford said.

The Red Cross was assisting the residents. The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

The Jackson Fire Department, Napoleon Township Fire, Liberty Township Fire and Spring Arbor Township Fire assisted at the scene.JACKSON COUNTY, MI - Republican candidate Bill Schuette lost the war to become Michigan's next governor, but he won the battle for votes in Jackson County.

The historically red county swung for the Republicans again, with Schuette earning 52.6 percent of the votes and Democrat Gretchen Whitmer earning 43.9 percent of the county vote.

Statewide, the script was flipped - with Whitmer winning 53.2 percent, compared to Schuette's 44 percent.

Only two Democrats have won the Jackson County vote for governor in the past eight decades - and both were incumbents.

Whitmer's support in Jackson County centered around the city of Jackson - with all 16 precincts leaning Democratic. To see the full precinct-by-precinct results in Jackson County, click here.

Jackson County voters also sided with Republican Mary Treder Lang for secretary of state, Tom Leonard for attorney general and John James for U.S. Senate. All three lost to their Democratic challengers.

On statewide ballot proposals, Jackson County said 'yes' to all three. Michigan voters as a whole passed them all. Here's a look at the margins in Jackson County:LEONI TWP., MI - A short-lived plan to funnel a portion of medical marijuana business application fees into the pockets of Leoni Township elected officials has resulted in the recall of two of the three people at the center of the controversial plan.

Tempers ran hot late Tuesday after results from the Nov. 6 election revealed voters recalled Clerk Michele Manke and Treasurer Lori Stack. Supervisor Howard Linnabary retained his seat.

Democrats Manke and Stack were ousted by Republican newcomers Mark Carpenter and Patrick Clemente.

At 12:27 a.m. Wednesday, Blackman-Leoni Township public safety officers were called to the Leoni Township Hall, 913 Fifth St., for a reported assault, Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl said.

Officers arriving at the scene discovered the individuals involved in the fight were all current and former Leoni Township officials. They subsequently contacted the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for assistance, Kuhl said.

Witnesses told police the victim was using his cellphone to record people taking items from the building when the suspect assaulted him, slapping the phone out of his hand, Kuhl said.

Deputies began investigating the incident and ordered everyone to leave. There were no injuries and no immediate arrests, Kuhl said.

A report of the incident will be sent to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office for review and possible charges, Kuhl said. He would not release the names of those involved.

Animosity began earlier this year, when citizens learned elected officials were earning money for every medical marijuana application they processed.

Linnabary, Manke and Stack earned a combined $19,800 to process 18 applications before the board changed how it distributed application fee money. The board voted to change the policy in February, following outrage from residents.

Per state law, application money can only be spent on marijuana-related administrative and enforcement costs.

Leoni Township has approved 84 licenses across 53 facilities, Marihuana Compliance Officer Sgt. Steve Stowe said last month.

Stowe was hired by the board to take over all medical marijuana-related administration work. For more on how Leoni Township has handled medical marijuana, click here.

Officials on either side of the dispute told MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot late Tuesday it would be a challenge working together. The next township board meeting is Nov. 13.

"I don't like, frankly, the call that I stole money and that if I'd have stayed in there, I'd have made $49 billion," Linnabary said. "I don't want anything to do with anybody that does believe it. It's called stupidity."

Linnabary said he's willing to work with anybody, but won't take the blame if Carpenter and Clemente can't do the job.

"I'll tell you what, if the other two people come in here, if they can't do their job, do you think I'm going to back them up?" Linnabary said. "No, I'll say, 'Public, you're the one who put them in here.'"

Carpenter and Clemente said they were disappointed Linnabary retained his seat. Linnabary's behavior during the recall was "disgusting," Carpenter added. The group filing the recall supported Carpenter, Clemente and Gough to win the seats.

"He's really compromised the supervisor position of our township," Carpenter said. "It's going to be really hard to work with somebody that doesn't go about it in a professional manner."

Despite animosity, Clemente hopes he can find a way to connect with Linnabary, for the good of the township. Clemente is a former marine and Linnabary is a Vietnam Army veteran - something Clemente hopes they can bond over.

"I think it's incumbent upon all of us to try and bridge those gaps to try to heal some of those wounds," Clemente said.

Manke and Stack combined for 20 years of experience in their respective roles with the township. Linnabary was first elected supervisor in 2016.

For a look at the vote totals in Leoni Township from the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election, click here.

Recreational marijuana was passed by Michigan voters Tuesday.

Leoni Township voters were on board with the proposal, with 54.8 percent of voters favoring legalization.

Reporter Nathan Clark contributed to this story.OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI -- Police are looking for a man who robbed a cash advance store Wednesday.

Kalamazoo County Sheriff's deputies responded at 10:15 a.m. to Advance America, 5601 W. Main St., in Oshtemo Township. Witnesses told police the suspect entered the store, demanded money and threatened the clerk with pepper spray. He took money from the store, then ran in an unknown direction.

Sheriff's deputies used a dog to try to track the suspect, but did not locate him.

Police describe the suspect as an African American male who stands approximately 6 feet tall. He was wearing a gray hoodie with University of Michigan on the front in blue. He was wearing a white surgical mask.

Silent Observer is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anyone with information on the robbery can call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office at (269) 383-8748 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.KALAMAZOO, MI -- A 22-year-old Kalamazoo man was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for a 2017 shooting death he claimed was self defense.

Cornell Head Jr. was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison Tuesday, Nov. 6, for second-degree murder in the July 25, 2017 shooting death of Gabriel Juarez-Montanez.

Head also was sentenced to two years each for two counts of felony firearm which will be served concurrently to the murder sentence. Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Lightvoet also handed down sentences of three to five years in prison for weapons possession by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon.

Head received credit for 392 days already served in jail.

Head was found guilty of the murder charge in September, though his attorney argued it was done in self defense.

Juarez-Montanez, 31, was gunned down in the 1300 block of Portage Street, near his on-again, off-again girlfriend's apartment.

Officers at the scene found Juarez-Montanez on the ground in a party store parking lot with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Police found a blood trail near the victim and another blood spot 10 to 15 feet away, behind a car. Two women approached officers at the scene to say they had seen Juarez-Montanez on the ground at the other blood spot, about 30 yards north of where police found him.

Officers also found two gun shell casings in the parking lot. Juarez-Montanez's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and his manner of death was ruled a homicide.KALAMAZOO, MI -- Four years ago in 2014, about 60 votes kept Sean McCann from being elected to the Michigan Senate.

After the vote totals were tallied in the early morning of Wednesday, Nov. 7, the day after Michigan's general election, McCann took the microphone to give a victory speech.

McCann received 60,523 votes and Republican Margaret O'Brien, the incumbent, took 48,197 votes, unofficial vote tallies from Kalamazoo County show. Libertarian Lorence Wenke secured 5,273 votes, and 171 write-in votes were cast.

"I'm just in deep gratitude for voters for giving me this opportunity," McCann said on Nov. 7. "I will do my very best to serve everyone in Kalamazoo County and do what's best in the interest of our community. It's an amazing, wonderful community and hopefully I can help make it even better."

O'Brien conceded to McCann just after midnight on Nov. 7, speaking to her supporters at a GOP watch party in Portage.

"There are so many needs to be done and I thought I was well positioned to do that," she said. "Whatever I cannot get done by Dec. 31 we need to expect and demand that the next sen serve this community."

O'Brien served two terms in the State House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014 before she was elected in November 2014 to represent the 20th Senate District.

The 2018 general election did not bring the outcome she hoped for, she said, but she has a wonderful husband and children, and life is good.

"I cant ask for anything better than that," she said, hugging a supporter.

McCann gave a victory speech at a Democratic Party watch party in downtown Kalamazoo, thanking his supporters while pointing to vote tallies on a projection screen.

"Tonight's victory is for the people of Kalamazoo County. The voters spoke loud and clear, and they're ready for a leader who will put our communities, and the families who live here, first," McCann said in a prepared statement.

"Tonight's victory is for the people of Kalamazoo County. The voters spoke loud and clear, and they're ready for a leader who will put our communities, and the families who live here, first," McCann said in a prepared statement.

"Thank you to my supporters, volunteers and staff for their tireless effort that made tonight possible. I look forward to serving the residents of Kalamazoo County," he said.

McCann said he considered a number of factors and spoke with family members before he decided to run again, knowing it would be a long hard road.

The victory felt surreal, he said.

He started jotting down a list of issues at the watch party and said many of the topics he brought up on the campaign trail such as schools, roads, water, healthcare and gerrymandering reform, seemed to resonate with voters.

"There are a thousand other factors," he said. "At the end of the day, I think we stuck to the issues. I think there is a need to work on these issues in seriousness."

McCann said he is interested in statewide campaign finance reform, noting the ads and mail stuffing mailboxes during campaign season.

"This sort of thing is fueled by a huge money system," he said, "a lot of which is not transparent."TEXAS TOWNSHIP, MI -- Julia Buck, Dawn DeLuca and incumbent Susan Miller were chosen as leaders of Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Tuesday's midterm election.

Miller, 61, kept her seat on the board with about 19 percent of the vote. There were 37,530 votes cast in her favor. She is the current board secretary and has served since 2003.

DeLuca won 38,837 votes, about 20 percent of the total. Buck was elected to the board with about 16 percent of the total votes cast. There were 31,624 votes cast in her favor.

Candidates Derl Oberlin and Scott Zondervan each brought in about 10 percent and 11 percent of the vote, respectively. Greg Vlietstra won about 14 percent of the votes. Paul Foust won about 8 percent of the votes.

Current trustees Chris Schauer and Ken Young did not seek re-election.

DeLuca, 40, is a Health Career Pathways coordinator for the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. She holds a bachelor degree in music education from Florida State University and a masters degree from Western Michigan University. She worked as a teacher for Battle Creek Public Schools for 12 years and sits on boards for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and the Kalamazoo Literacy Council.

Buck is a business banking consultant with a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Western Michigan University. She also pursued additionally teaching at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She worked as a community outreach coordinator for WMU Students for a Sustainable Earth in 2014 and a volunteer for the Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce between 2000 and 2015.

Foust, 30, is a substitute teacher with bachelor and masters degrees from Western Michigan. He unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the KVCC board in 2014, and during the August 2018 election season, he withdrew his name from the 63rd District State House race.

Oberlin, 61, formerly served on the KVCC board from 2007 to 2014 and has 35 years of volunteer experience in Kalamazoo County.

Vlietstra, 43, is the deputy director of support services at the Central County Transportation Authority, he said. He earned a masters of business administration from the University of Phoenix after earning a masters degree from Western Michigan University and a bachelors from Hope College.

Zondervan, 58, has 15 years as a college instructor and finance director. He holds a masters degree in finance and applied economics from Western Michigan University and a bachelors degree in business administration from Calvin College.DOWAGIAC, MI -- A tense race between incumbents and challengers campaigning on a need for change ended Tuesday with voters for Southwestern Michigan College choosing one of each.

Candidate Elaine Foster and longtime incumbent Keith McKenzie won the two seats on the college's Board of Trustees.

Candidates Tom Buszek and Foster challenged incumbents McKenzie and Todd Obren, in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election.

Foster won 9,047 votes, 31 percent of the total. McKenzie held his seat on the board with 26 percent of the total, bringing in 7,622 votes in his favor.

The small college in a rural corner of Michigan has been under the spotlight for months. A Facebook group of over 500 people has leveled criticism at current board members and President David Mathews over tax payment, the president's salary and spending and what the critics call a lack of transparency.

Foster worked 27 years at SMC teaching nursing and eventually becoming a dean in the department. She left about seven years ago and is now a dean of an online nursing program based out of Colorado.

McKenzie, who first became a trustee in 1987, is the owner and operator of McKenzie Farms and has served as the past president of the Michigan Livestock Exchange and of Michigan Pork Producers, and was appointed to the Michigan Agriculture Commission by Gov. John Engler, according to his campaign Facebook page.

Incumbent Obren lost his seat with 6,584 votes, 23 percent of the total. Buszek won 5,669 votes, 19 percent of the total votes cast.KALAMAZOO, MI -- Funding for medical school scholarships for Kalamazoo students is the goal behind a new endowment campaign at WMed.

An endowment looks to fund scholarships at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, according to a press release from the medical school.

"We are in constant motion to try and raise money for the medical school," Associate Dean for Development Doug Czajkowski said.

The endowment will fund medical school scholarships for Southwest Michigan students, with preference given to graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools who completed the Early Introduction to Health Careers II at WMed.

EIH II, an initiative for 10th-grade students, is one of two pipeline programs at WMed. The program is comprised of monthly Saturday Science academies led by WMed faculty and students that are held from October to May. At its conclusion a group of students is chosen for a summer camp that is conducted in partnership with Kalamazoo College.

The program is made possible through partnerships with Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University. It is supported through grants from the Harold and Grace Upjohn, Dorothy U. Dalton and Irving S. Gilmore foundations, according to the release.

The programs began to "champion the biomedical science and healthcare career aspirations of underrepresented youth" from KPS, the release said.

Within a year after the endowment is established, the school plans to begin awarding scholarships, the first fruits of the endowment, Czajkowski said. "We want to raise as much money as possible."

Dr. Cheryl Dickson, associate dean of health equity and community affairs, started the program in 2014 to reach underprivileged students who may not otherwise see themselves in medical professions.

In its first year, 26 students completed the program. Today, the program sees, on average, 52 to 55 students. And the goal is to keep on growing, Dickson said.

"We really want the program to be sustainable," she said.

Steady funding is necessary to keep the program afloat and eventually expand it to the larger region, Dickson said.

The program's first cohort is now enrolled in their undergraduate studies. The goal is to increase diversity and help disadvantaged students. Programs like it keep students engaged and creates competitive applicants for medical school, Dickson said.

Next May, Trustee Ken Miller and his wife, Julie, will champion the endowment campaign at the 2019 Imagine Gala, an annual fundraiser for the program.

The event's importance and the value of the program it benefits cannot be overstated, Miller said in the release.

"The event is an important vehicle to enrich the lives of the young students who call Kalamazoo home," he said. "Education has always been of the utmost importance to us just as it was for my parents."

The chosen hosts for the annual gala are "leading citizens" in Kalamazoo, Czajkowski said.

"Ken championing this new endeavor will bring a lot of people to the table," he said.

Kalamazoo Public Schools students have full-ride scholarships for their undergraduate degrees through the Kalamazoo Promise. This new endowment helps them with the next step toward their dream, WMed Director of Communications Laura Eller said.

The program also provides a platform for WMed students to teach and design interactive learning experiences to help younger students develop leadership, team-building and problem-solving skills, according to the release.MUSKEGON, MI - Incumbents Tasha Bibbs-Oakes and G. Lynnette Marks maintained their seats on the Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 8, 2018.

Bibbs-Oakes garnered the most votes. She had 5,808 votes, or 23.62 percent, according to unofficial results. Marks won the second seat by garnering the second-most votes. She had 3,690 votes, or 15 percent.

There were four candidates for the two six-year terms. Candidates who will not be seated on the board are Troy Hamel and Lowell Kirksey. Nickolas Davros also appeared on the ballot, but withdrew from the race prior to election day.

Bibbs-Oakes and Marks will retain their seats on the seven-member board that has been split on several issues - most notably whether Superintendent Justin Jennings is fit for his job - during the past year.

Bibbs-Oakes currently serves as board treasurer. Marks currently serves as board secretary.

Prior to the election, Bibbs-Oakes identified her top three priorities: supporting teachers to give students an opportunity at educational excellence; transparency to rebuild report with teachers, parents and our community; and increasing enrollment.

Bibbs-Oakes is a Muskegon native and alumna of Muskegon Public Schools who earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1994. She is a branch manager from Lake Michigan Credit Union and has been in the field for about 24 years.

She has been on the board for six years and knows the district as a "PARENT and BOARD MEMBER." She is a "passionate" advocate for children's education.

Prior to the election, Marks also identified her top three priorities: accountability, fiscal responsibility and academic excellence.

Marks considers herself a "champion for fiscal responsibility and transparency." She has served on the board for eight years, including four as secretary.

Marks is a quality engineer at Shape Corp. She has worked in the field for about 32 years after earning a Bachelor of Science in ceramic engineering from the University of Washington. She grew up in Washington state and attended K-12 school there.

School board elections are non-partisan.MUSKEGON, MI - Republicans hung onto the 34th District Michigan Senate seat with a victory by former state Rep. Jon Bumstead Tuesday.

Bumstead, of Newaygo, beat Poppy Sias-Hernandez of Muskegon by capturing 50.7 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results.

Vote totals show Bumstead receiving 50,267 votes to beat Sias-Hernandez's 45,993 votes.

Libertarian Max Riekse received 2,899, according to unofficial results.

Bumstead told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle that he was "very pleased" with his campaign's effort to recapture the district, but he was especially pleased with the number of registered voters who turned out to cast ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

"Poppy did a good job in her campaign, getting voters out and so did we," Bumstead said.

Overall, Bumstead said both he and his opponent ran an honorable race.

The race was too close to call early Wednesday until Newaygo County results were submitted. They were enough to give Bumstead, who is from Newaygo, the edge.

Hernandez won Muskegon County, but Bumstead trailed her by a narrow margin. The former state representative handily won Oceana County by more than 60 percent.

The final hours of the race were a bit of a nail-biter, Bumstead said.

"You never know the mood of the voters out there," he said. "We were trying to shoot for a certain percentage, which was about 45 percent. It's a new county for me, so the name ID, we were hoping it resonated, and it seemed to."

Bumstead will replace incumbent Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, who could not seek re-election due to term limits. Michigan's 34th District covers Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties.

In a Facebook message, Bumstead thanked the voters for the "long fought" win.

"I am so grateful to everyone on my campaign team who knocked thousands of doors to get our message out," he wrote. "Regardless of who each voter supported, I will work hard for everyone who lives in Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana Counties."

Bumstead represented Michigan's 100th District in the state House from 2010-16. He did not seek re-election to the House due to term limits.

The owner of a construction firm, Bumstead said lowering taxes for families and businesses is a top priority for him. He also said paying down the state's long-term debt is "vital."

He has said he is an advocate for job training and education.

"I am supportive of ensuring that Michigan has a competitive and friendly business environment that will attract job providers," Bumstead said prior to the election. "It is dangerous and expensive for Michigan to use incentives that pick and choose winners as opposed to treating all companies equally."BIRCH RUN, MI -- Kate Spade, the newest store coming to Birch Run Premium Outlets, will feature clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry and shoes, select home goods, fragrances and cosmetics.

Kate Spade is expected to open at Birch Run Premium Outlets in spring 2019.

The more than 4,000-square-foot addition will be joining over 100 stores including Columbia Sportswear, Express, Nike Factory Store, Pottery Barn, The North Face and Under Armour at the outlets,12240 S. Beyer Road.

The store is coming to Birch Run just five months after New York fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, was found dead in her apartment on Tuesday, June 5.

"People have been clamoring for a Kate Spade at Birch Run Premium Outlets for years, and now we are excited to announce that it's becoming a reality," said Lindsay Carpenter, general manager at Birch Run Premium Outlets. "Adding an iconic brand like Kate Spade further drives home our commitment to bring the most sought-after retailers to Birch Run Premium Outlets for our shoppers to enjoy."

The Kate Spade brand is known for its crisp colors, graphic prints and playful sophistication.SpaceX says that Starman, the mannequin spaceman in the driver's seat of a Tesla Roadster that Elon Musk launched into space, is officially on its way to "the restaurant at the end of the universe."

The aerospace company posted the update on Spaceman's whereabouts to its Twitter account back on Nov. 2. As seen in the photo below, the Tesla Roadster launched by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket back in February is now outside of Mars' orbit.

Starmans current location. Next stop, the restaurant at the end of the universe. pic.twitter.com/Ty5m8IjJpE  SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 3, 2018

Live view of Starman https://t.co/gvSlztlE6l  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 6, 2018

Third burn successful. Exceeded Mars orbit and kept going to the Asteroid Belt. pic.twitter.com/bKhRN73WHF  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2018

--

A study found in Cornell University's library claims that the Roadster won't have another close encounter with Earth until about 2091, and could survive millions of years in space. After its first close encounter with Earth, Musk's Roadster will do so every other 30 years or so.

The Canadian and Czech researchers behind the study, say the Roadster has a 6 percent chance of colliding with the Earth and a 2.5 percent chance of hitting Venus.

BBC reported in the past that its 240 computer simulations claim there is a slim chance the Roadster hits the sun, and nearly zero chance of hitting Mars. If the electric car does re-enter Earth's atmosphere, it is expected to burn up completely and leave nothing but small chunks falling to the ground.

Musk named the mannequin astronaut "Spaceman" after the famous David Bowie song.

In the month after its launch, researchers at Purdue University called the red Tesla Roadster launched into space "the largest load of earthly bacteria to ever enter space."

Alina Alexeenko, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the university, said that the electric car "could be considered a biothreat, or a backup copy of life on Earth."

The risk of spreading earthly bacteria to planets is low because the Roadster was not intended to land on another planet. The Purdue researchers claim that while NASA's Office of Planetary Protections ensures spacecrafts landing on other planets are sterile, it doesn't regulate those intended to stay off of planets and in orbit.

"It's a very small object so I'm not sure how easy it will be to observe it over a year or so -- I think it will be very faint," researcher Dr. Hanno Rein previously told BBC. "But the next time it comes back to a relatively close distance to Earth, 30 years from now, it would be fun to see if we could find it again.

"This thing will be in space for several million years before it hits anything."WASHINGTON -- Democrats seized the House majority from President Donald Trump's Republican Party on Tuesday in a suburban revolt that threatened what's left of the president's governing agenda. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate and preserved key governorships, beating back a "blue wave" that never fully materialized.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nation's suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion."

Blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggression.

Still, a new Democratic House majority would end the Republican Party's dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending. The president's party will maintain control of the executive and judicial branches of U.S. government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps -- and his long-withheld tax returns.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

There were signs of extraordinary turnout in several states, including Georgia, where voters waited hours in the rain to vote in some cases, and in Nevada, where the last voters cast their ballots nearly three hours after polls were scheduled to close.

It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses with 2020 implications in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.

"I want to encourage you to stick to the fight," Gillum, thought to be a rising star with national ambitions, told dejected supporters.

Yet Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their "blue wall" Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by state education chief Tony Evers.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP's Senate majority, even as the party's foothold in the more competitive House battlefield appeared to be slipping.

"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Trump tweeted.

History was working against the president in the Senate: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority, which was always unlikely, were shattered after losses in many of the top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas.

Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trump's most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Democrats, whose very relevance in the Trump era depended on winning at least one chamber of Congress, were laser-focused on health care as they poured hundreds of millions of dollars onto surging anti-Trump energy to break up the GOP's monopoly in Washington and state governments.

While Democratic losses were expected, particularly in the Senate, some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Democrats' fate in high-profile governorships in Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

In Indiana, Trump-backed businessman Mike Braun defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly. In Missouri, Josh Hawley knocked off Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. And in Tennessee, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a top Democratic recruit.

Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin won re-election. And in New Jersey, Democrats re-elected embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, who, less than a year ago, stood trial for federal corruption charges. The Justice Department dropped the charges after his trial ended in a hung jury.

Meanwhile, several 2020 presidential prospects easily won re-election, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Tuesday's elections also tested the strength of a Trump-era political realignment defined by evolving divisions among voters by race, gender, and especially education.

Trump's Republican coalition is increasingly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have a college degree. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate -- with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters -- conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

The races ushered in a series of firsts. Women had won 76 seats and were assured of nine more, a record.

The House was getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become America's first black female governor, though Democrats in Florida and Maryland lost their bids to become their states' first black governors.

By Steve Peoples, Associated Press. Eric Tucker, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Kantele Franko and Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report.DETROIT -- A Muslim woman from Detroit has won the congressional seat long held by Democratic Rep. John Conyers, who stepped down amid sexual harassment claims by former staffers.

Democrat Rashida Tlaib was elected to represent Michigan's 13th House District on Tuesday, defeating three other candidates, including a write-in campaign by Detroit's City Council president, Brenda Jones.

No Republicans were on the ballot in the heavily Democratic district, which represents parts of Detroit and some suburbs.

The 42-year-old Tlaib is a Palestinian-American. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Democrat who ran for the House in Minnesota, will join Tlaib in Congress. They are the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

Democratic Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison was the first Muslim elected to Congress. He was running Tuesday to be Minnesota attorney general.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  A company operating for decades is not giving up on its bid to become the third major telecommunications player just yet, as it vows to challenge its disqualification from the selection process.

Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (PT&T) on Wednesday said it will "definitely" file an appeal on the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) decision that disqualified it for lack of a certification of technical capability, one of the requirements in the terms of reference (ToR) to bid for the new major player slot.

"As far as we're concerned, it's not yet done because there's still the avenue for motion for reconsideration. We're gonna file, we're gonna raise our concern. We don't agree with their ruling that we're not qualified," James Velasquez, PT&T president and CEO, told CNN Philippines, adding that the decision was "discriminatory" and "in a way anti-Filipino."

Velasquez said a sudden change in the ToR rules out PT&T as operating on a national scale for the last 10 years.

"The bid bulletin which is after we bought the documents changed it to say that the definition of region only applied to a foreign telco and not to a local telco, which our team finds unfair," he said.

Based on the requirement, local firms should have operations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to be considered as national telco company.

"We have been around for 56 years and in the last 10 years we're innovating, we're now into broadband," he said. "I think the rules were clear in the memorandum circular, we just want the NTC to take a look at that."

Velasquez also refuted the NTC's claim that his company refused to accept a prior notice of disqualification days before the bidding process.

"Until today I was there they didn't give us the notice," he said.

The government has announced that Mislatel Consortium, a joint venture of Davao-based Udenna Corporation, its logistics arm Chelsea Logistics Holdings, and state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation, will be the provisional third telco player.Photo: The Canadian Press

The long effort to replace Canada's aging fighter jets took another surprise twist on Tuesday, as multiple sources revealed that French fighter-jet maker Dassault is pulling out of the multibillion-dollar competition.

The decision comes just over a week after the federal government published the military's requirements for a replacement for Canada's CF-18s as well as a draft process by which a winning supplier will be chosen.

Dassault had repeatedly pitched its Rafale aircraft to Canada over the years as successive governments in Ottawa have wrestled with selecting a new fighter jet. Dassault's pitch included significant promises, including that it would assemble the planes in Canada.

But sources tell The Canadian Press that Dassault's decision to withdraw was related to the fact France is not a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which counts the U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada as members. The five members have very specific requirements for how their equipment works together.

The French government, which had been closely working with Dassault as the most recent iteration of Canada's fighter-replacement program has inched along over the past year, was preparing to notify Ottawa of the company's withdrawal.

The move leaves four companies  U.S. aerospace giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing, European competitor Airbus and Swedish firm Saab  competing for the $19-billion contract to replace Canada's 76 CF-18s with 88 new fighters.

A contract isn't expected to be awarded until 2021 or 2022, with delivery of the first new aircraft slated for 2025. In the meantime, the government is planning to upgrade its CF-18s and buy 25 used fighters from Australia as a stopgap.

Dassault faced several significant challenges in meeting Canada's requirements for a new fighter, said defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and while they weren't insurmountable, they would have cost time and money.

Those challenges included meeting those Five-Eyes intelligence-sharing requirements, which Perry said put Dassault at a distinct disadvantage in the competition when compared to Lockheed Martin, Boeing and, to a certain degree, Airbus.

"For any of the non-American companies, solving the Five-Eyes interoperability issues is going to be challenging," he said, noting that the U.S. in particular is very sensitive about data-sharing.

"And it costs companies a lot of money to mount and pursue bids. So if they think at this point in time that it's not a realistic prospect, then pulling out is pretty understandable."

That could explain why Dassault never established a strong presence in Canada during the many years when it was trying to sell the Rafale as a replacement for the CF-18, he added.

The CF-18s are about 35 years old. Canada's attempts to buy a new fighter jet have dragged on for nearly a decade after the previous Conservative government announced in 2010 that Canada would buy 65 F-35s without a competition, with the first to be delivered in 2015.Photo: Mike Biden

A cyclist had to be helped out by the Penticton Fire Department Tuesday morning after he became stuck in a large hole on the path of the KVR Trail in the West Bench area.

He was stuck in the hole for around half an hour before he was discovered by a jogger, who called for help. The man was found stuck up to his ankles in the hole, according to a witness, and was not seriously injured.

This West Bench area of the KVR Trail has been plagued with potholes and infrastructure issues for years, and unfortunately the question of who is responsible for its management is a little unclear, even to the RDOS.

Mark Woods, community services manager with the RDOS, said that while the district is aware of the issues on the trail, they are personally unclear whether Canadian Pacific Railway, which previously had jurisdiction, or the Penticton Indian Band, which the RDOS understood was due to take over jurisdiction in recent years, is currently in control.

Woods said the RDOS wants to help, but isn't sure where to turn.

"For the past number of years we've had a standing request [with the Penticton Indian Band] to manage the land," Woods said. "We're just in a holding pattern on that."

Castanet has reached out to the Penticton Indian Band for their input, and will provide more information as it becomes available.City-based start-up HireMee, a digital portal and mobile application, said Wednesday it plans to expand its operations nationally after its success in the South, assessing 191,718 students in 2,050 colleges within a year.

HireMee is a job-matching platform that assesses graduating students on general key skills and specific subject knowledge that help employers identify the most suitable candidates and provides the results to prospective employers for their recruitment needs.

Within a year of the signing of an MoU between All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and HireMee in September 2017, the Bengaluru headquartered startup has assessed 191,718 students in 2,050 colleges in five South Indian states and in Puducherry, the company said here.

During the one-year period 1,700 companies with over 80,000 job opportunities, drawn mainly from technology, IT services, manufacturing, banking and financial services sectors, accessed candidates results and profiles on HireMees recruitment platform, it said in a release.

Announcing its plans for the second year of operations, HireMee founder and CEO Chockalingam Valliappa said expanding operations would enable the firm to cover the rest of the 10,000 plus AICTE accredited colleges across India.

HireMee is a CSR programme supported by its parent company, Vee Technologies from the Sona Group, which has been pursuing philanthropic work in the education.

It is supported by the Academic Industry Council as an advisory board, the release said, adding, senior academics from different domains are drawn to help in the creation of the question bank.

Industry experts advise on strategy, employability criteria and question pattern.

In addition to AICTE, HireMee has also entered into similar MoUs to handle assessment of students of 1,900 colleges in over a dozen universities and the Directorates of Education-both technical and collegiate--in different states without any charge to the students, colleges or recruiters, the release said.

HireMee tires to bridge the gap between recruiters and fresh graduates, especially in tier II and III towns, and urban areas as well, the company said.Rafale jet

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Amid a political slugfest over the Rafale fighter jet deal, state-run HAL's Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan on Wednesday said the aircraft manufacturing company is contending not to be an offset partner of any original equipment manufacturer. But it would like to be a "total technology transfer partner" for production of aircraft, he said.

Madhavan's reply came when he was asked to clarify on one among many charges that defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had been deprived of an offset contract from the Rafale deal.

"We are not contending to be an offset partner to any OEM, rather HAL would like to be a total technology transfer partner for production of aircraft," he told PTI here.

He also said HAL's basic focus was on manufacturing of aircraft, helicopters, associated accessories and their repair and overhaul, and not in garnering offset business.

Production of aircraft from transfer of technology is totally different from offsets, according to him.

Some portion of the offset business from various other programmes were being administered at the HAL, but it does not form a major business, Madhavan said.

"HAL will continue to get these offset business," he added.

The Congress recently accused the government of forcing Dassault Aviation to make Reliance Defence its offset partner for the Rs 58,000 crore deal to purchase 36 Rafale jets.

It alleged that the government was helping the Anil Ambani group get a contract worth Rs 30,000 crore from the deal.

However, the Reliance Group, in a statement, has said Dassault Aviation's investment in Reliance Airport Developers Limited has no link with the Rafale fighter jet deal, and has accused the Congress of resorting to "blatant lies" for political gains.

Reliance has also said the Indian government, the French government, Dassault and Reliance have clarified on multiple occasions that there was no offset contract for Rs 30,000 crore to Reliance as alleged by the Congress.

Earlier, in an interaction with the media on November 2, Madhavan had said that the HAL was completely out of the Rafale deal, but at one point of time, it was part of it, which did not kick-off.

"We are not in that (Rafale) business now. We were in it at one point of time. It is a direct purchase by the government and (I) cannot make any comments on pricing and policy changes," he had said.

Escalating his campaign against the Modi government over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi last month accused it of destroying the "strategic asset", state-run aerospace company HAL, and told its employees that "Rafale is your right."

In an interaction, Gandhi had sought to reach out to present and former HAL employees, alleging that "temples of modern India are being attacked and destroyed; we cannot allow it to be done."

The Congress has also been demanding answers on why the HAL was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA regime.live bse live

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Manappuram Finance on Wednesday said its board has approved equity infusion of up to Rs 150 crore in its arm Asirvad Micro Finance.

"The Board of Directors at their meeting dated November 6, 2018 approved equity infusion up to Rs 150 cr in its subsidiary Asirvad Micro Finance Ltd(Asirvad)," Manappuram Finance said in a BSE filing.

Asirvad Micro Finance has paid up capital of Rs 42.56 crore with turnover of Rs 437.25 crore (as at March 2018), the filing added.

The capital infusion is a related party transaction and will be made at arms length, it said.

Asirvad operates in the micro finance sector. The capital infusion will facilitate in business growth of the subsidiary. Being the largest business, after gold loans, micro finance is strategically important to the company, Manappuram Finance added.

The company also said no governmental/regulatory approvals are required for the proposed capital infusion and the time period for the transaction will be five months.

Asirvad is an NBFC (non-banking finance company) incorporated on August 29 2007 with registered office in Chennai.

It was set up by its present Managing Director S V Raja Vaidyanathan. In February 2015, Manappuram Finance acquired 85 per cent stake in Asirvad and subsequently increased it to 92.30 per cent.3. Beware of the start-stop scam. A common method pumps use to scam motorists is filling up a lower amount by mistake. For example, say you have asked for fuel worth Rs 1,500. The attendant fills up only Rs 500 worth and after being pointed out his mistake goes ahead and pretends to reset the machine and fills up to Rs 1,000. All the while, you could be under the impression that you received Rs 1,500 worth of fuel. (Representative image)

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Shares of oil marketing companies (OMCs) rose up to 2 percent on the Muhurat trading day as crude oil prices are trading around USD 73 per barrel.

In the global market, oil prices rebounded towards USD 73 after hitting a lowest level since August,

Brent crude rose USD 1.15 to USD 73.35 a barrel after hitting lowest level of USD 71.18 in the previous session since August 16.live bse live

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Auto stocks are in the buying mode on the Muhurat trading day as they are up between 1-2 percent.

All the sectoral indices are trading green led by Nifty Auto Index with over 1 percent gain.

At 18:12 hrs Tata Motors was quoting at Rs 195.50, up 1.37 percent, Mahindra and Mahindra was quoting at Rs 793.75, up 2 percent.National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said.

He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.

"Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said.

The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity.

"We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added.

Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam.

"In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict".

"Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added.

Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed".live bse live

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it had attached 11 properties worth over Rs 56 crore of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi in Dubai in connection with its money-laundering probe in the $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The central probe agency said the assets were in the name of "Modi and his group company M/s Firestar Diamond FZE and they bear a market value of $7.79 million, which is equivalent to Rs 56.8 crore".

The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment of these assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Last month, the agency had attached assets worth Rs 637 crore of Modi and his family members, including two apartments at New York's iconic Central Park.

Sources in the agency said the ED would soon get multiple letters rogatory (judicial requests) issued by a Mumbai court for the legal formalisation of the attachment of these assets in coordination with its counterpart in Dubai.

Once the LRs were issued, India could freeze the foreign assets of an accused as part of a global legal cooperation in criminal matters, they added.

Modi has been absconding since the alleged bank fraud, by far the biggest in the country, came to light early this year and an Interpol arrest warrant was recently notified against him even as India is working to get him extradited from the UK, where he was last reported to have been based.

The agency has attached assets worth over Rs 700 crore of Modi and his family in the country till now. It has also filed a chargesheet against the fugitive diamond jeweller, alleging that he laundered and diverted over Rs 6,400 crore of bank funds to dummy companies abroad, which were under his and his family's control.Photo: Contributed

A plaque has been unveiled by police in Abbotsford in honour of a constable who was shot to death in the line of duty a year ago.

Const. John Davidson's colleagues held a private service to remember him and added the plaque to the Wall of Heroes at a square outside their department.

Davidson was killed when he and other officers confronted a suspect after receiving a call about a stolen truck.

Chief Const. Mike Serr told the service 53-year-old Davidson made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the community but no one should walk past the plaque with sadness.

Serr says Davidson had a strong impact on the people he served, especially youth, and one email his family received after his death showed how much he cared.

It was from a man who shared that when he got into some trouble as a teenager, Davidson showed up at his high school and supported him when every other adult including his parents and principal turned their backs on him.Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook on their arrival at the Queen Huh Park in Ayodhya, Tuesday. Nov 6, 2018. (PTI Photo/Nand Kumar) (PTI11_6_2018_000097B)

South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook celebrated Diwali in Ayodhya on November 6, where she was treated to a dazzling display of over three lakh earthen lamps on the ghats of the Sarayu river, besides a spectacular sound-and-light show.

Kim, who attended the "Deepotsav" function at the Ram ki Paidi, also performed a ceremonial "aarti" along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the venue, before being treated to the display of over three lakh "diya" and the sound-and-light show on the water surface.

Earlier in the day, after arriving in Ayodhya around 2:30 pm from Lucknow in a special chopper, Kim began her tour by offering tributes at the Queen Heo Memorial.

Accompanied by Adityanath, she attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya, who went to Korea and married a king there in 48 AD.

From there, she went to attend the festivities at the Ram Katha Park, where she was greeted by artists donning the avatar of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, who arrived at the Park in a ceremonial chopper as part of the "Ram Durbar".

Kim garlanded "Sita" as they got off the helicopter and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Adityanath welcomed "Lord Ram" and "Laxman".

In her address at the park, she recalled the historic ties between India and Korea and said she prayed for both the countries as they moved towards a future of peace and prosperity together.

"Darkness cannot defeat light and if we all light lamps together, we can remove any darkness," she said in Korean.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed delight that Kim wore a saree at the event and tweeted pictures of her.

"It is a matter of immense joy and pride that Mrs. Kim Jung-sook, First Lady of the Republic of Korea visited Ayodhya and also wore traditional Indian clothing. The people of India deeply appreciate this gesture. @moonriver365," Modi tweeted.

Kim, in her speech at the park, thanked Modi for inviting her to India.

"Ayodhya and South Korea have an ancient link. This link forms the cornerstone of historical and civilisational bonds between India and the Republic of Korea," Modi said in another tweet.

Kim's standalone visit to India, which began on November 4, has rekindled the interest in the legendary princess who married a Korean king.

According to Korean legend, the princess of Ayodhya went to Korea in 48 AD and married king Kim-Suro.

A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess, who is known as queen Heo Hwang-ok.

"The legend of queen Heo Hwang-ok binds the two countries together culturally and her (Kim's) visit will further promote our people-to-people ties," a senior official at the cultural wing of the South Korean Embassy in India told PTI.

An agreement regarding the Queen Suriratna Memorial Project was signed to facilitate the upgrade and expansion of the existing monument, commemorating princess Suriratna (queen Heo Hwang-ok).

In July, the two countries had signed the agreement for the expansion of the Suriratna memorial project.

Uttam Das, a seer from Ayodhya, told PTI, "It was a matter of honour for Ayodhya that she (Kim) visited the place."

"A princess of Ayodhya had gone to Korea around 2,000 years ago and now, the first lady is visiting Ayodhya. Life has come full circle," he said.

As part of the Deepotsav festivities, a Ramlila was performed by artistes from Russia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Trinidad and Tobago.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 6 said he would celebrate Diwali on November 7 with Army jawans and share pictures of his experience.

Responding to Diwali greetings from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi said, "Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special."

He said he would share the photos of the same Wednesday evening.

Modi also thanked Bibi, as Netanyahu is called, for the Diwali wishes.

Sources in the government had on November 5 said the prime minister would offer prayers at the Kedarnath shrine on Diwali.

"On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to wish my dear friend @narendramodi and the people of India a joyous Diwali. May this luminous festival of lights bring you happiness and prosperity. Reply to this tweet with the name of the city where you're celebrating!," the Israel premier had tweeted.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent Diwali at Siachen with Army jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit had coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

In 2016, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh, where he spent time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost.N Chandrababu Naidu | Andhra Pradesh | Total cases: 3 | Serious IPC: Nil

TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabhaelections next year, will meet former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy here on Thursday.

Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also bepresent during the meeting, JD(S) said on Wednesday.

Interestingly, Naidu's meeting with the JD(S) supremo comesin the backdrop of Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving tocontest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP,buoyed by the victory in the bypolls.

The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity.

BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat. The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combine's "spectacular victory" in the by-elections. JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidu's meeting with Gowdais in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with "secular" party leaders across the country.

"The bypolls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowda's cooperation," he added. Naidu had also recently met NCP chief Sharad Pawarand National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, amongothers.India's Telecoms Minister Kapil Sibal gestures during a news conference in New Delhi April 11, 2011. Merger and acquisition guidelines in India's crowded telecoms sector need to be liberal, Sibal said on Monday. India is overhauling its decade-old telecoms policy in a bid to make the world's second-largest market for mobile phone services more transparent after the sector was hit by a multi-billion-dollar telecoms licensing scandal. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) - GM1E74B19NQ01

Congress leader and former Union minister Kapil Sibal has accused the CEO of French aviation company Dassault of trying to hide the truth in the 2016 sale of 36 Rafale planes to India and warned that the company is "falling into its own trap."

"Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has deliberately tried in recent interviews to 'muddy the waters' over the Rafale deal and Dassault now is trying to hide the truth. Unfortunately it is falling into its own trap," Sibal told reporters here Tuesday night.

"I would warn Dassault that the more they continue to hide the deal, the more likely it is that they will get into serious trouble in time to come," he said.

He said, "we are asking the CEO of Dassault not to muddy the water. We want an inquiry as there is corruption at the highest level in the deal."

Congress party has escalated its campaign against the Modi government over the Rafale deal in recent weeks, with its president Rahul Gandhi alleging that the government forced Dassault Aviation to make Reliance Defence its offset partner for the deal.

However, the BJP and Reliance Defence have dismissed all the allegations as false.

Under Indian defence procurement rules, foreign companies winning contracts must "offset" or reinvest half the total value - in this case around eight billion euros - in joint ventures or purchases with Indian firms.

Sibal said he was also worried about "what is happening in the economic field and sought to know why the banks are selling their non-productive assets to two or three entities and who is backing the bidders.

"There are various forms of corruption, some hidden and some open.Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool - RC1BD12454F0

China on Wednesday once again declined to quantify the financial assistance it is willing to provide to Pakistan after the just concluded visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing even as it termed his talks with top Chinese leaders "very successful".

Khan visited China from November 2 to 5 during which he held talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for China's help to tide over the serious economic crisis faced by cash-strapped Pakistan which included balance of payments.

During Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia last month, the Gulf Kingdom agreed to provide Pakistan USD 3 billion in balance of payment support and additionally give oil worth USD 3 billion on deferred payment.

Earlier reports from Pakistan said Beijing has committed a similar amount during Khan's visit but Chinese officials declined to confirm it.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar who accompanied Khan said on Tuesday that China had promised at the highest level to help through an assistance package to tide over the crisis but did not reveal the amount.

A team of Pakistani officials was expected to arrive here on November 9 to finalise the details.

Asked for her reaction to Umar's comments and how much China has offered to Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Beijing would provide assistant to the best of its capacity but did not specify the amount.

"Pakistan is China's all weather partner. We enjoy very good relationship that has been operating at a very high level," she said.

"We have been offering our assistance to Pakistan within the best of our capacity. In the future, in the light of Pakistan's need and as per our mutual agreement, we will continue to offer help economically and for betterment of people's livelihoods," she said.

In his comments on Tuesday, Umar said "we had told you about the USD 12 billion financing gap, of which USD 6 billion have come from Saudi Arabia, and the rest has come from China. So the immediate balance of payments crisis of Pakistan has ended. I want to make that clear in unequivocal terms that we do not have any balance of payments crisis now."

Before his visit to China, Umar had said that at present Pakistan faced a total of USD 27 billion deficit which included USD nine billion debt repayment this year.

Umar's comments of China's assistance came in the backdrop of criticism in the Pakistan media that Khan has returned home empty handed without securing firm commitment from Beijing as it remained circumspect due his past criticism of projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an ambitious project of President Xi.

Some of his ministers too sounded critical of it.

Pakistan has recently approached the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package and wants to minimise its loans with the international lender apprehending stringent financial conditions which included scrutiny of the confidential details of the CPEC.

During Khan's visit to China, Pakistan media reported that Beijing had agreed to provide USD 6 billion in aid to the cash-strapped country which included a loan of USD 1.5 billion along with an additional package of USD 3 billion for the CPEC.

About the outcome of Khan's visit, Hua said, "we believe his visit is very successful".

This being his first trip after he took over as Prime Minister, his talks with President Xi and Premier Li helped to establish good working relationship, she said.

"We believe our ties withstood the test of times in domestic and international changes," she said.

Besides agreeing to strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership, both the countries have also agreed to expand the CPEC projects and establish strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers, she said.Democrats seized control of the lower house of Congress in midterm elections on November 7, dealing a stern rebuke to Donald Trump almost two years into his polarizing, rollercoaster presidency.

Fox and NBC television networks called the result in the US House of Representatives, while confirming expectations that Trump's Republicans will retain control of the Senate.

The result upends the balance of power in Washington, where Trump has enjoyed an easy ride from Republican dominance of both houses of Congress since his shock election in 2016.

Democrats will now be able to block legislation and light a fire under Trump's feet with investigations of his opaque finances and Russian interference in his 2016 election, and possibly push for impeachment.

The verdicts in the House and Senate were based on incomplete results as vote counting continued across the country and some states were still voting in a congressional election cast as an unofficial referendum on Trump.

Giddy predictions by Democrats of a so-called "blue wave" landslide in the House were still premature, even if a majority appeared guaranteed.

Trump was watching the results roll in from the White House, where he spent the day holed up with friends and family.

Americans voted enthusiastically, with long lines quickly forming at polling stations from New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Democrats quickly made important gains in the House, but Republicans defended in crucial races, like incumbent Andy Barr of Kentucky, whose House seat had seemed at risk.

In the Senate, Republican Mike Braun snatched the seat from Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, but corruption scandal-tainted Senator Bob Menendez saved his seat for the Democrats in New Jersey.

Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 presidential prediction wrong, urged caution.

Trump had fought hard before polling day, crisscrossing the country to claim that Democrats would introduce socialism and making incendiary attacks on illegal immigration that opponents denounced as racist.

Even so, Democrats were highly confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory." Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd have been "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

Results were to continue trickling in through the night, with the last polls closing in Alaska at 0600 GMT Wednesday.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz all day.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."

Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."

But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."

Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat who lost in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.Isaac Stone Fish, senior fellow at the Asia Society's Center on US-China Relations says that the meeting with Kim is a huge gamble for Trump. He also says that in the event of the meeting not going well, Trump could lose a lot of credibility. (Image Source: Reuters)

The Kremlin says it hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia next year. Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Wednesday that "I hope the visit could be possible next year."

The announcement contrasted with earlier Kremlin statements that Kim was expected to visit Russia this fall.

Last month, the Kremlin said Putin had extended an invitation to Kim to visit Russia and that Moscow was working on the details of where and when that meeting could happen.

North Korea entered talks with the US and South Korea earlier this year, saying it's willing to negotiate away its advancing nuclear arsenal. Nuclear diplomacy later stalled because of suspicions over how sincere North Korea is about its disarmament pledge.Russia's President Vladimir Putin talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1C662BA130

Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak "briefly" with his US counterpart Donald Trump when they meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday.

"It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," foreign policy advisor Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported.Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple, in Uttarakhand. (Image: PTI)

Indian and Pakistani army men pose for a group photograph after exchanging sweets on the occasion of Diwali festival, in Poonch. (Image: PTI)

A view of the Golden Temple illuminated on the eve of Diwali festival in Amritsar. (Image: PTI)

People light earthen lamps on the banks of River Saryu during Deepotsav (grand Diwali celebrations) in Ayodhya. (Image: PTI)

An illuminated Akshardham Temple on the occasion of Diwali festival, in Gandhinagar. (Image: PTI)

US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi celebrates the Democrats winning a majority in the US House of Representatives in the US midterm elections during a Democratic election night party in Washington. (Image: Reuters)

Participants attend a military parade to mark the anniversary of a historical parade in 1941, when Soviet soldiers marched towards the front lines during World War II, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. (Image: Reuters)US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly shelved plans to meet a top North Korean official in New York, the latest twist in diplomatic attempts to secure a potentially landmark peace deal.

The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement.

State Department officials gave no further reasons for the delay to the meeting, although North Korea has stepped up its demands that the United States lift sanctions.

The State Department had just one day earlier confirmed that Pompeo would meet in New York with Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leader's right-hand men -- to discuss progress toward a denuclearization pact and to work to arrange a second summit following historic talks between Trump and Kim in June.

Despite warm words from Trump since meeting Kim in Singapore, his administration has insisted on maintaining pressure on Pyongyang until a final agreement is reached.

North Korea said last week that it would "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons unless Washington lifts sanctions.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added. Pompeo, speaking Sunday on Fox News, said he was "not worried" about the North Korean demands and insisted there would be "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective." But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that the postponement was a bad sign.

"This last-minute announcement of a delay is not a good signal as it indicates negotiations were not going well enough to go ahead with the planned meeting," he said.

Pompeo has travelled four times this year to North Korea, for decades a US pariah, in hopes of securing an accord.

The diplomacy comes a year after fears mounted of war, with Trump threatening "fire and fury" after Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

Trump has cast North Korea as a crowning diplomatic achievement and is eager for a fresh summit with Kim at which the two may formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has long sought US recognition as a nuclear state and guarantees for the survival of the generational Kim regime, which human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world.

US critics say that North Korea has yet to make any concrete concessions and it has rejected demands for what it described as its "unilateral disarmament".

Pompeo's postponement of talks came amid emerging differences between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

In contrast to Washington's approach, the South's dovish president Moon Jae-in, who brokered the Singapore summit, has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization.

South Korea's foreign ministry said the meeting delay was "regrettable" but insisted that "excessively pessimistic interpretation was unnecessary".

"There have been cases in the past when US-North Korea talks were delayed, so there is no need to shift between hope and fear," a senior ministry official told reporters.

Kim Yong Chol is a general and former top intelligence chief. He visited New York in May for talks with Pompeo in what was the highest-level trip by a North Korean to the United States in nearly two decades.

The diplomacy on North Korea has seen a series of fits and starts, with Trump at one point scrapping a trip by Pompeo just as he was set to fly to Pyongyang.

The latest New York meeting was set to come ahead of a busy season of diplomacy, with Pompeo meeting senior Chinese officials in Washington on Friday.

Trump heads over the next month to international gatherings in Paris and Buenos Aires, while Vice President Mike Pence will tour Asia.November 07, 2018

A Short Take On The Midterm Elections

The midterm elections in the United States had mixed results. Both sides will claim victory. There was no landslide in either direction.

The Republicans extended their majority in the Senate while the Democrats took the House of Representatives.

My hunch, that the Republicans would keep a majority in the House, was wrong. I underestimated the turnout for the Democrats. Some 114 million people voted yesterday compared to 88 million in the 2014 midterms.

The Democrats won at least 26 additional seats in the House. They needed 23 seats to gain a majority. Republicans increased their majority of 51 seats in the Senate to at least 54 seats.

The Democrats will chair all House committees and will run dozens of investigations against President Trump and his administration. They will subpoena his tax records, launch more 'Russian collusion' investigations and will question the ethics of Trump administration members. It will be a lot of political theater with little value. With a solid Republican majority in the Senate there is no chance that Trump will be impeached.

Trump's domestic agenda will be hindered by the new House majority. He may well compensate for that with a more aggressive foreign policy.

With more than $5 billion spent on midterm election campaigns the elected people are more indebted to their rich donors than ever before.

Florida passed an amendment that will restore the voting rights of some 1.4 million people with past felony convictions. This will change the political landscape. Most of the felons are people of color, often convicted for very minor crimes. In 2016 Trump carried the state by 100,000 votes.

Brothel owner Dennis Hof, who died on October 16, defeated Democrat Lesia Romanov and wins a Republican seat in the Nevada state assembly.

The campaign for the 2020 election has begun.

Posted by b on November 7, 2018 at 8:04 UTC | Permalink

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next page Every time they go to work, they are literally putting their well being at risk.

And a North Okanagan man thinks the RCMP deserve a day of thanks and recognition for all they do.

Andy Wylie started a petition to have the government declare Feb. 1 RCMP Appreciation Day and he needs as many signatures as he can get.

Wylie will be at the Vernon Vipers game tonight at Kal Tire Place North collecting signatures. Petitions can also be found at various locations around town.

Wylie said the idea is not to have grand parades, but to simply set aside one day of the year to the members of the RCMP know they are appreciated.

What they wouldn't mind is a pat on the back, a thank you, said Wylie. They do such a spectacular job. They are the finest constabulary in the world, the rock upon which Western Canada was built.

Wylie said he has no connection to the RCMP other than a Canadian citizen who appreciates their hard work.

The last day for signing will be Nov. 10. After that, Wylie will collect the petitions and present it to MLA Eric Foster.Photo: The Canadian Press People cast their vote in the scanner machine at polling place during the U.S. midterm election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Silver Spring, Md. Democrats were showing early signs of strength as results trickle in across the eastern United States in midterm elections widely expected to pass judgment on the first two years of Donald Trump's presidency.

Democratic candidates buoyed by widespread opposition to Donald Trump seized the balance of power on Capitol Hill, but Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections failed to produce what critics had hoped would be an even more scolding rebuke of the most controversial and divisive president of the modern era.

In the bid to turn 23 seats and claim a majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives, two key races went to the Democrats early: Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock went down to defeat to prosecutor Jennifer Wexton, while Clinton-era cabinet member Donna Shalala toppled television personality Maria Elvira Salazar.

But an important battle in Trump-friendly Kentucky went to the Republicans as incumbent Andy Barr held off a strong challenge from Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot, putting a dent in Democratic promises of a so-called blue wave.

For weeks, pollsters have been projecting that the Republicans would lose control of the House but maintain control of the Senate, the result being a divided Congress that would untether some of Trump's most vociferous political challengers.

As the night progressed, it shaped up precisely that way as Democrats picked off seat after seat from their rivals  only to see their aspirations of an even more impressive breakthrough gradually fade away.

In a closely watched governor's race in Florida, where it's been nearly 25 years since a Democrat held the job, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum  aspiring to be the state's first African-American governor  conceded defeat in a taut battle with Republican challenger Ron DeSantis.

That state's Democratic senator, Bill Nelson, also suffered a narrow loss at the hands of Republican opponent Rick Scott, with all signs pointing towards the GOP actually widening its Senate majority as Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Missouri's Claire McCaskill went down to defeat.

In Texas, one of the most closely watched races of the 2018 political season, Republican incumbent and one-time Trump foil Ted Cruz managed to fend off a concerted challenge from the charismatic Beto O'Rourke, whose youthful exuberance and ability to mobilize younger voters made him a national Democratic superstar.

And Republican Mike Braun defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in a key Senate battle in Indiana, a state Trump carried mightily in 2016.

There were, of course, critical Democratic victories. Retired navy commander Elaine Luria wrested a House seat away from former navy SEAL and first-term congressman Scott Taylor in Virginia's 2nd district, a region where the president has proven deeply unpopular.

And early results in a Montana House race showed a narrow lead for Kathleen Williams over Republican Greg Gianforte, famous for a physical skirmish with a reporter in May 2017 that earned him a misdemeanour assault conviction and plaudits from Trump during a recent rally.

A Democratic House represents a likely threat to Trump's legislative agenda for the next two years, and provides Democrats subpoena power to investigate the president  his long-elusive tax returns are high on their wish list  or even trigger impeachment proceedings, although that seems unlikely with a Republican Senate.We think autonomous vehicles will be one of the most dramatic changes to humanity this century. The move to AVs will have many ramifications in and out of the automotive industry, as not only will vehicle interiors and design change, but so will the manner in which people use their new free time because they eventually will not have to watch the road. Over the next decade, we see the industry moving toward Level 4 autonomy, in which vehicles operate without a steering wheel or pedals within a geofenced area, most likely in dense city centers. We expect these vehicles will operate as part of fleets managed by ride-hailing firms such as Uber and Lyft, as well as by ride-hailing operations yet to be formed by automakers. We don't think automakers will want consumers buying an AV soon because of liability reasons, and we don't see consumers willing to embrace car-sharing in large volume because of the accelerated depreciation.

AVs are not a trend that will go away in a recession. In our view, there's too much brainpower in the technology and auto industries for AVs not to come to fruition. It's also an area where for once, the auto industry and U.S. regulators both want to bring AVs to market. Regulators want to curb fatalities, while automakers want to monetize AV services such as ride-hailing, deliveries for small businesses, and e-commerce. Also, if the auto industry does not change, we think Silicon Valley will steal the industry's pie, so automakers must adapt or die. The AV pie in the United States alone is too big for automakers to ignore. Sales of automobiles in the U.S., assuming 17 million annual sales at about $34,000 a unit on average, is a nearly $600 billion industry. However, if we assume that in 2030, U.S. passengers will travel about 5.1 trillion miles, with consumers paying $0.25 per mile, then mobility is a $1.3 trillion industry. The latter figure assumes no private vehicle ownership, so it's probably too large for 2030, but this possible market size expansion is one reason AVs are drawing so much interest from tech firms and should be a topic investors understand.The Bank of Canadas estimated range for the neutral rate is still flexible and open to the influence of global developments, Governor Stephen Poloz said.

Poloz emphasized that the range  which is somewhere between 2.5% and 3.5% -- remains in principle movable, and the current elevated household debt levels might actually play a role in keeping neutral rates at lower levels.

There is increased sensitivity there that one needs to take into account, Poloz told reporters earlier this week, as quoted by Bloomberg.Photo: File photo

Canada's top two elections officials say a bill to modernize election laws will make it difficult to stop computer hackers from sowing chaos that confuses voters, deterring them from casting ballots and undermining confidence in the electoral system.

Bill C-76, omnibus legislation to reform election laws, creates a new offence of computer interference in response to attempts by hackers in other countries to undermine the electoral process.

While he supports the additional offence, chief electoral officer Stephane Perrault says the bill requires proof that the offender intended to affect the result of the election.

He says that qualifier will "greatly restrict the application of the new offence," letting off the hook hackers who simply sow confusion.

Yves Cote, the commissioner of elections, echoes Perrault's concern.

The two watchdogs registered their concern during testimony on the bill before the Senate, which is beginning its examination of the legislation.

"Recent history suggests that interference may be designed with the intent to sow distrust and confusion, potentially undermining voters' confidence in the process or willingness to vote  not necessarily to affect the result of the election," Perrault told the upper house Tuesday.

He suggested that the offence should be simplified to apply to any attempt to interfere with a computer system used in relation to an election, without any qualifiers.

Cote said he agrees with Perrault's concern and added another of his own: a provision that makes it an offence to make false statements about a candidate for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election.

That would cover only specific types of false statements  for instance, about the citizenship or birth place of a candidate, Cote said. But it would exclude a whole range of other false statements about a candidate's character or beliefs, such as accusing someone of being a racist or homophobic  allegations that "can be among the most serious and the most injurious" and are currently prohibited under the Canada Elections Act.

"As these types of false statements appear to be resorted to more and more, as you very well know, in various electoral contests, this proposed amendment seems to me to be step in the wrong direction," Cote told the Senate.

Both Perrault and Cote also reiterated their belief that political parties, which have amassed huge data bases on voters, should be compelled to abide by privacy laws that apply to other private or public sector operations. As it stands, the bill only requires parties to develop and publicly post their privacy protection policies.

However, noting that the next federal election is less than a year away, they suggested it's likely best to wait until after the election to impose such a major change on political parties.

Despite their concerns about some deficiencies in the bill, both officials praised it overall as a significant improvement to the Canada Elections Act.An internal error that led to hundreds of Wells Fargo customers being improperly foreclosed on impacted hundreds more people than originally thought, the banking giant has announced.

Over the summer, Wells Fargo disclosed that a software error miscalculated eligibility for mortgage modifications, leading to about 625 customers being improperly denied modifications. The bank originally said about 400 of those customers eventually lost their homes to foreclosure.

However, the bank now says that an expanded review has found that the number of customers incorrectly denied a modification is about 870. About 545 of those borrowers lost their homes, the bank said. Wells Fargo made the disclosure in a regulatory filing Tuesday.The Reporter-Telegram and its parent company, Hearst, continue their tradition of honoring the area's energy industry with the Hearst Energy Awards. The 2018 awards were presented Tuesday evening during a dinner at Midland Country Club.

Ervin Well Site Consultants, recipient of the Hearst Energy Award for Company Performance, opened its doors in 1997 as a one-man operation comprised of founder Andy Ervin. Today, the company has contracts with more than 100 companies and a presence that ranges from Texas to Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania to the Bakken play in North Dakota.

Ervin said he takes pride in providing clients with experienced consultants skilled in everything from drilling and completions to safety and integrity. The secret to his success, he said, is his gift for spotting talent with expertise to offer his clients.

Lifetime Achievement honoree Dick Saulsbury is founder of what is now Saulsbury Industries. In 1967 he founded Saulsbury Electric, an electrical and instrumentation services contractor. From that beginning, it has grown into a full-service engineering, procurement and construction contractor active across the country in industries ranging from gas processing and treatment to nuclear power to terminals and logistics. He is quick to credit the company's 5,000 employees for helping grow the company.

Despite the various industries Saulsbury serves, "everything we are, everything we have, comes from oil. We keep that in mind," he said.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America, which received the Industry Advocacy Award, is about to celebrate 90 years of representing the independent producers that drill 95 percent of the nation's oil and gas wells.

Jeff Eshelman, IPAA's senior vice president, operations and public affairs, said it is an honor to advocate for an independent energy industry that is relied upon by every American for energy to power, heat and cool homes, businesses and factories and that fuels the economy.

Oilfield technology legends Sam Gibbs and Ken Nolen knew they should consider themselves retired, but they kept coming up with new ideas, and their latest earned them the Technology award. GreenShot, can accurately shoot multiple fluid levels daily per well, when paired with the SAM Pump-Off controller, variable frequency drives and SCADA systems.

Matt Raglin, founder and chief executive officer of WellWorx Energy, which purchased GreenShot earlier this year, said with the tweaks he has in mind, GreenShot will be a fundamental change from the way fluid levels are currently measured.

This year's Bruno Hanson/Midland College Environmental Excellence Award was presented to the Dark Skies Initiative, which shed light on a problem that intensified as oilfield development neared the McDonald Observatory.

Bill Wren with the observatory approached companies active near the observatory, and Pioneer Energy Services first allowed him on their service rigs to experiment with lighting to reduce the glare from drilling rigs and service rigs and allow the observatory to better perform its work. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association helped spearhead the effort, distributing best practices suggestions to its members.When 82-year-old Gracie Lou Phillips returned from early voting last week in North Texas, she "danced a little jig" around her walker, then sat down and raised her fists into the air, her family said.

"I voted!" she declared.

TEXANS TURN OUT IN DROVES: Where early voting took off across the state

Until then, Phillips, from Grand Prairie, had never cast a ballot - the result of misapprehension about voting and the belief that she didn't have a voice, her family said.

But her son-in-law, Jeff Griffith, said that in recent years, voting had become extremely important to Phillips, and she wanted to have a say in the 2018 midterm elections.

So despite being gravely ill, Phillips cast her first-ever ballot during early voting Thursday in Grand Prairie.

On Monday, she died.

Phillips was a beautician; her husband, Bill, worked in construction.

They had their hands full caring for seven children, and Griffith said his mother-in-law never voted because her husband, before his death a decade ago, always worried that the couple would get called for jury duty and "not be able to make ends meet." Plus, he did not want them to be political for fear that it might sway business, the family said.

But after watching the elections in recent years, Griffith said, his mother-in-law wanted to participate.

She registered to vote, but then she became ill with pneumonia and sepsis, Griffith said. Still, he said, while Phillips was in the hospital, she kept talking about the election.

"She was asking, 'Isn't there some way I can vote? Don't they let people vote from the hospital?' " he said. "It was really important to her." He added that when she got home, "she kept insisting."

So Thursday afternoon, Phillips, who was in hospice care, went to the polls - a church near her home.

Phillips, who was on oxygen, stayed in the vehicle and poll workers brought her a paper ballot, Griffith said. When she finished filling it out, he said, they clapped and cheered.

A video from her family showed Phillips sitting in the vehicle, holding a souvenir pen and a sticker.

"I voted today," she said, reading the words printed on the seal.

But the next morning, Phillips was unable to get out of bed or to drink her morning coffee, her family said.

"She said, 'At least I voted,' " her son-in-law recalled. "It was one of the last coherent things she said to us."

She died just before 2 a.m. Monday, with her daughters by her side, but her vote having been logged.

"She was very proud," Griffith said. "She wanted to drain the swamp. She voted straight-ticket Republican."

He added: "She was very happy. She kept saying she finally got to vote."

---

https://wapo.st/2Dq5v7cFrom head to toe, he is ready for war.

The M4 semiautomatic rifle in his hands is tipped with a suppressor favored by Special Operations to muffle gunshots during clandestine missions.

Just above that is a PEQ-15 laser targeting device, which projects an infrared beam visible with night-vision goggles so the shooter can fire at night or point out targets for comrades and helicopters above. A tactical flashlight and holographic sight round out the rifle. Magazines are at his hip for quick reloading during a firefight.

A mask obscures his face, and he wears a noise-canceling tactical headset that would look natural for scouting an Afghan valley for Taliban insurgents.

But photos taken Monday of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents training weeks before a potential arrival of a caravan of Central Americans reveal a southern border already militarized - even before the arrival of thousands of active-duty soldiers.

There are no indications that the mostly Honduran migrants, many of them women and children, pose a threat that would necessitate long- and short-range tactical engagements. But CBP agents have drilled with armored vehicles, riot gear, helicopters and more, photos from the border have shown.

The preparations come amid questions about how much force active-duty soldiers and agents along the border can and should use.

President Donald Trump had suggested that troops should treat rock-throwers as combatants and that rifle fire would be an appropriate response, but he later backtracked on his comments.

Agents wielding military gear may belong to CBP's Border Patrol Special Operations Group - the agency's premier tactical-response team.

CBP did not return a request for comment about which unit was shown training on the Texas-Mexico border.

Law enforcement agencies since 1990 have requested billions in military-grade equipment thanks to the 1033 program - a Pentagon initiative that diverts surplus military equipment to civilian authorities.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq created a high-water mark in available equipment, and subsequent drawdowns from each nation have meant law-enforcement operations have browsed everything from excess bayonets and uniforms to sniper rifles and vehicles designed to absorb IED strikes.

Critics have maintained that the weapons produce an overly aggressive posture suitable for combat but not interactions with civilians. The Obama administration restricted the program late in his second term after images of officers atop armored vehicles pointing rifles at protesters in Ferguson, Mo., drew severe criticism.

Trump rolled back those restrictions in August 2017.

That requests have included CBP, which received nearly $40 million in tactical gear from the Defense Department through 2014, the Marshall Project reported. It is unclear whether tactical gear has been recently acquired from the Pentagon for border operations or if other equipment has been purchased directly by the Department of Homeland Security.

Photos from Getty Images also showed CBP agents wearing Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms originally designed for Army use. Green Berets and some Navy SEALs have worn the pattern, which now extends to local police departments.

The agency also operates unmanned drones to combat drug-smuggling activity and helicopters such as the UH-60 Black Hawk for transporting agents, though photos from Getty Images show agents in an helicopter shoulder to shoulder, as troops would sit for tactical insertions.Photo: The Canadian Press In this courtroom sketch, pipe bombs suspect Cesar Sayoc seated in court, raises his arm to swear to the truth of his statement of need for assigned counsel, during his presentment in Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in New York. Sayoc, who faces charges for allegedly mailing more than a dozen explosive devices to prominent Democrats, CNN and critics of Republican President Donald Trump, has been ordered held without bail in New York. At left is Federal Defender Sarah Baumgartel, while standing far right are U.S. marshals.

A Bangladeshi immigrant was convicted Tuesday of setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station, disputing in court that he was supporting the Islamic State group and saying he was instead motivated by anger at President Donald Trump.

The unusual outburst by Akayed Ullah, who was convicted in Manhattan federal court of supporting the terrorist group, capped a trial in which the defence maintained he intended to kill only himself last Dec. 11. Nobody died, and most of the injuries were not serious.

Prosecutors said Ullah sought to maim or kill commuters in response to calls for "lone wolf" terrorist attacks by the terror group. Just after jurors walked out, Ullah announced he had something to say and repeatedly insisted he did not act on the Islamic State group's behalf.

"I was angry with Donald Trump because he says he will bomb the Middle East and then he will protect his nation. So I said: 'Donald Trump, you cannot do like this.' Nobody likes bombing, your honour."

Judge Richard J. Sullivan told him: "Right now is not the time for a statement."

"Your honour, you heard what the government is trying to do. They are trying to put me in the group, which I don't support, your honour," Ullah told Sullivan.

"Mr. Ullah, now is not the time for this," said the judge, who set sentencing for April 5. Ullah faces a mandatory 30-year prison sentence and could be sent to prison for life.

Hearing about Ullah's new claims, juror Linda Artis told reporters Ullah could have swayed some jurors by taking the witness stand.

"He did it. The big question was why," she said. "And a lot of it couldn't be answered because he didn't testify. That was the big hang-up for me."

Artis, 38, of Manhattan, said she worried some vague laws might allow a lot of people to be "labeled a terrorist if they are just a random whack job."

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said the Election Day verdict on Ullah's attempt to make a political statement with deadly violence "fittingly underscores the core principles of American democracy and spirit: Americans engage in the political process through votes, not violence."

At trial, prosecutors said Ullah would not have worn a bomb had he wanted to kill only himself. They cited Ullah's social media postings and said he told an investigator: "I did it for the Islamic State."

The weeklong trial featured surveillance video of Ullah the morning when his pipe bomb barely exploded, seriously burning him in a corridor beneath Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal, where most subway lines converge.

Ullah, 28, of Brooklyn, was confronted with his post-arrest statements and his social media comments, such as when he taunted Trump on Facebook before the attack.

Within hours of Ullah's blast, Trump was assailing the immigration system that had allowed Ullah  and multitudes of law-abiding Bangladeshis  to enter the U.S.

Ullah got an entry visa in 2011 because he had an uncle who was already a U.S. citizen. Trump said allowing foreigners to follow relatives to the U.S. was "incompatible with national security."A Midland man was arrested Friday after he allegedly used a stick to hit a man in the head, according to court documents.

Jose Ernesto Flores Jr., 28, was being held Tuesday on a $40,000 bond for a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.For those looking for a person to come out of nowhere to win the night, there was Heidi Kirk.

She led early and all night in the race for Midland ISD District 5. Kirk collected 37.85 percent of the vote, which means she will have to battle second-place Thomas Wolfmueller in the run-off.

Kirk went into election night having been outspent by both her opponents, but she said her race was about giving people, especially the teachers and parents a voice. They wanted someone who is real, she said.

RELATED: MISD board president wins re-election

For those thinking that one vote doesnt matter, meet Wolfmueller. He ran as the candidate who was most against the status quo of the district. His run to the run-off was different as he made up 46 votes on the final precinct box to beat out John Trischitti III by one vote.

The runoff is scheduled for Dec. 11.

What Kirk said about her win: This is so awesome. I was told, Dont bother doing it; you wont make it, so I am very excited.  This is not about the bank account. It is about being heard and giving he people a voice. People wanted someone to stand up and say something. I was the most vocal.

What Wolfmueller said about the comeback: This is amazing. The people wanted change and they have spoken. If we have a runoff between Heidi and me, it will be about reform for both of us.

District 5: Covers an area of central to north Midland and includes Early College High School, Goddard Junior High, San Jacinto Junior High, Emerson Elementary and Santa Rita Elementary. Some prominent areas/developments include Midland College, Racquet Club, the heavy growth area east and west of State Highway 158, north of Loop 250 and Saddle Club and the Midland Polo Fields.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6)  Filipino-American internet sensation Bretman Rock will to release a new makeup collection, inspired by the Philippines.

In an Instagram post, he said the collection  which was made in collaboration with United States makeup brand Colourpop  is set for release on November 9.

The first images to promote the collection shared by Bretman on his Instagram page featured him wearing a red, sequined minidress with the iconic terno sleeves, and a Barong Tagalog.

There are no official images of the collection available yet, but images and videos shared by beauty vloggers revealed one of the eyeshadow shades is named "Bading," a Tagalog word for gay.

Bretman is not shy of his Filipino roots. He often speaks Ilocano in videos featuring his mother, and just this past Halloween, he dressed up as Darna, whom he called "a strong Filipino woman."Photo: Contributed

How hilarious is it? I flew all the way to Las Vegas to buy legal cannabis for the first time?

I mean, I didnt fly to Las Vegas just to buy weed. We were in Vegas on holiday, and there just happened to be a dispensary between our hotel and the gift shop down the street.

With the entire worlds eyes on Canada because of our decision to legalize marijuana, its entirely ironic it wasnt until I spent $800 on airfare and hotel accommodations that I could buy a few edibles.

Actually, it was the first time I purchased pot of any kind, legal or not, and I was curious to see what the fuss is about.

Besides, I cant buy edibles in B.C., and I cant speak to anyone unless I drive two hours to Kamloops.

Ive been writing a lot about legalization for my good friends new website, and I really wanted to experience it firsthand.

Yes, I could have just driven to Kamloops, but my wife would have not been thrilled to spend a weekend in Kamloops celebrating our 10th anniversary.

Nevada legalized last July, so while Canada is getting all the attention, Nevada is raking in the cash. No surprise there, eh?

Walking into Essence on the Las Vegas strip was an intimidating experience.

There were no windows to see inside. Its on the corner of a busy, six-lane intersection on the other end of Las Vegas Boulevard. Heck, even the door was hard to find, with the entire exterior of the building an eerie, Martian-green colour.

It wasnt much better inside. Bare concrete walls and a security guard funneled you toward the actual dispensary and made it feel like some kind of prison. There was a line for medical users and one for recreational users.

Velvety ropes that ushered customers into the line of their choice were of little comfort. Music blared and all eyes find you as you walk into the place.

But the welcoming Essence staff compensated for the lobbys stark, grey walls.

Once my eyes adjusted, I realized the security guard  a wisp of a girl no more than 25 years old  was dancing to that music.

The employees behind the security glass checking my ID were downright chatty.

This is pretty intense, my wife said.

A happy young man smiled and nodded.

Yeah, weve heard other places arent as secure, but better safe than sorry, he said in a voice that sounded theatre-trained.

He spotted our Canadian ID.

Oh, congratulations!

Americans now know at least one thing about Canada.

Once I was inside the actual dispensary, there was more to absorb.

No cellphone use, the doorman shouted to the steady lineup of customers. Do not take product out of the bags.

On our left, a row of salespeople sat behind desks waiting for medical customers.

Recreational users stood and viewed pipes, papers and product through glass cases on the right.

Nevadas first year of pot sales (the state legalized July 1, 2017) have exceeded expectations.

Customers have spent $530 million on pot and generated $70 million in tax revenue.

It was 40 per cent more than expected.

With almost no medical users in Essence  seven of 10 Nevada customers in Year 1 were recreational  another staffer waded into the middle of the room and shouted, Next!

Nobody moved.

Next! Who wants to go next?

We raised our hands, Well go next.

Great, come on!

She slammed down a chair for us at an open desk, and we were welcomed again by middle-aged Carole.

We explained that we were curious about oils and edibles, but we are infrequent users.

I was keen to try CBD oil to help manage chronic back pain and lift my mood.

Once Carole had a handle on what she thought would interest us, we were offered an array of products to choose from.

Two staff members spent at least 15 minutes with us going over our options  and they seem unlimited.

She offered us a nifty cartridge vape system. They were sleek and easy to use, but because you cant buy replacement cartridges in Canada, we had to pass.

We choose $24 CBD Gummiez and a $51 disposable vape pen from Experience Premium Cannabis.

With tax, it was about $80. Prices are steep, but everything in Vegas is overpriced.

We couldnt spend much more since we were only in Vegas for a long weekend.

We would never attempt to bring it back across the border, because that would just be wrong (at least we think it wouldve been).

With our purchases in hand  and its cash only, by the way  Carole wished us well, and a safe return trip to Canada.

Congratulations on legalization, she says.

One day, maybe well even have a store in Kelowna to celebrate.Michigan Technological Universitys thought leaders share their ideas to prepare students and the University for a rapidly changing future. Janet Callahan, dean of the College of Engineering, explains the value of a growth mindset.

Weve entered a new era: enabled by 5G, the internet of things and overwhelming amounts of big data. As with most new eras, we characterize it first by descriptive analytics (hindsight, what happened), then by diagnostic analytics (insight, what happened and why) and finally by predictive analytics (foresight, what will happen and why). But now we can add prescriptive analytics: simulation-driven, decision-making analysis of all this data in order to prevent accidents, diagnose and treat health conditions, and more. Cognitive analytics, using self-learning and automation, is the new challenge. In other words, the new era requires us to leverage and integrate simulation and actions using artificial and augmented intelligence (AI).

Ive just returned to Houghton from travel that took me from an engineering conference in Minneapolis, to leading an international accreditation team for engineering programs across Asia. I met Michigan Tech alumni at all stages of their careers, ranging from a PhD student enrolled at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to an alumnus who graduated more than 50 years ago, who transformed his fathers family business from simple metal working to manufacturing mufflers on a global scale. It was incredible to hear these stories and to reflect on their common elements. It turns out that Michigan Tech is a refinery for tenacitythe belief that hard work, perseverance and unwavering single-mindedness will eventually solve the problem.

Our students and alumniand the University itselfconverge with this new digital era, the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution, as described in the book by Klaus Schwab. In this new era, what should we do in order to continue to meet workforce needs and graduate alumni who continue to be as aggressively recruited as they were at this years near record-breaking Career Fair? How can we further distinguish Michigan Technological University in this emergent world?

Alumni who are actively working in an engineering role in the workforce reassure us that were on the right track by saying, Michigan Tech taught me that I can do anything, and, You need to keep doing what youre doing. They report that they have the tools for learning and the confidence to know they can do it.

From those out in the workforce less than 20 years, there is a clear interest in exploring the new skills that are coming to bear in this AI/big data/digital world. It seems a cluster of courses focused on a topic, such as machine learning, data analytics or computational modeling, would be very attractive to help them learn the new technical art. Our alumni have the wherewithal and the tenacity piece: theyve got that. Helping our alumni to augment their talent with new skills for a new age, and integrating these new skills into our curricula, is certainly an area where we will focus in the College of Engineering.

From our global corporate leader alumni, I heard their companies are moving so swiftly in this digital world that a big challenge is to find and grow employees with these new skills. They emphasized that the basics in science, math and engineering are still the backbone, but as each company aggressively leapfrogs forward in this digital space, and looks beyond, having employees who can be nimble and adaptable in this space is critical.

The overwhelming value of tenacity was the message that resonated from everyone I spoke toor, if I may use a modern educational term, the growth mindset. The most important thing we can continue to foster here at Michigan Tech is this general idea that you can succeed with hard work, looking again and again at difficult problems, confident in the belief that you can solve them. When we solve any sort of problem, it strengthens us, it gives us confidence, it helps us know that we belong. Tenacious problem solving and critical thinking skills distinguish our alumni.

And yes, there must be something about the relentless snow in Houghton that contributes to tenacity. Like tea steeping in hot water, our alumni were soaked in snow, emerging with the flavor of tenacity. I heard stories about students losing their cars for the depth of snow upon them; stories about driving home with a companion car in tandem, taking turns getting stuck going up the hill. In meeting our alumni, some one-on-one and some in group settings, snow always gets mentioned, often with a grin and shrug of the shoulders.

Artificial and augmented intelligence? Weve got this.

#Tenacity

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, the University offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.Photo: Contributed Lisa Westermark, VJH Foundation executive director with anaesthesia machine.

It's time for the annual Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation's annual Light A Bulb Campaign.

The 31st annual campaign launched Wednesday with the goal of raising $275,000 for critical equipment at VJH.

The funding will give VJH surgeons the ability to perform more surgeries, ultimately reducing wait times and improving patient outcomes.

Funds raised through Light A Bulb will go towards the purchase of six new state-of-the-art anaesthetic machines.

This is a part of VJH Foundations larger campaign, OPERATION: Surgical Care for Life, which will equip an additional operating room, purchase anaesthetic machines and a new urology table with real-time imaging.

Not one surgery in the hospital takes place without the administration of some sort of anaesthesia and more than 8,000 procedures are performed annually at VJH.

Having all surgical rooms equipped with the same anaesthetic machines at the same time is crucial so the anaesthesiologists can focus on the patient instead of figuring out different equipment.

We need to have equipment that you can count on, that youre familiar with, and that you know inside and out so during a crisis or emergency, theres no second guessing, said Dr. Tom Cull, Anaesthesiologist and Head, VJH Department of Anesthesia.

The tree on top of Vernon Jubilee Hospital was fully lit Wednesday to mark the beginning of the campaign.

Next week, the lights will be turned off and lit throughout the campaign in stages as the donations come in.

Light A Bulb brochures will be delivered in mailboxes throughout the North Okanagan in the next week, barring strike action by Canada Post employees.

Any school or group interested in starting their own fundraiser in support of the campaign can call 250-558-1362.

Each $35 tax deductible gift will light one bulb on the tree of lights; $500 will light an entire string.

Donations can be made online or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, 2101  32nd Street Vernon BC, V1T 5L2.ALTON  In terms of natural disasters, the Alton area is best known for floods and an occasional tornado. Sometimes, though, the events are underground.

Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the last significant earthquake to hit the Alton area, a 5.4 shaker centered in southeastern Illinois at 11:02 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 1968.

Felt across 23 states and as far away as Boston, that quake caused considerable damage in McLeansboro in Hamilton County, including the local high school. An estimated 90 percent of county buildings in McLeansboro sustained some form of physical compromise, including the courthouse. Chimneys fell in Chicago in what is considered the largest recorded earthquake ever in Illinois.

However, the tremor paled in comparison to the best known earthquake to rock Illinois, the New Madrid event of 1811-1812, which was actually a series of three quakes. Though the Richter scale had not been created, various estimates place the New Madrid quakes from the 7.0 to 8.0 range. According to the Illinois State Geological Survey, that event was the largest release of seismic energy ever documented in the continental United States.

The 1968 quake caused some damage in the Alton area and rattled plenty of nerves. The Telegraph reported the shaker caused buildings to rumble (and) people to flee outside in fear.

The Alton Police Department switchboard was clogged with calls from residents inquiring about the shock. The deluge knocked out at least two lines of the police telephone system and prevented any outgoing calls.

The Bell Telephone outlet in Alton called every available personinto service and cancelled lunch breaks to ensure phone service would not fail. Bell reported that by noon the situation had calmed down and was returning to normal.

In the second floor offices at the Telegraph, employees noted that radiators and windows wobbled while a few papers fell from the desks. At one local variety store, the manager was seen running up and down the aisles as toys and dishes vibrated dangerously on the shelves. A worker in an Alton office told reporters that I had goose pimples all over me.

Stores on Main Street in Edwardsville were busy until the quake, when doors flew open and crowds erupted into the street. Within seconds, shaken people were debating if the shaking was the result of an earthquake or a tremendous explosion. Several business owners said that large amounts of plaster had fallen from their ceilings.

Elsewhere, the Jersey County Sheriffs Department said there was much traffic between police stations, while other towns reported definite shocks. The tremor was timed at 45 seconds in Carlinville, where a Telegraph correspondent said that chandeliers shook at his home. He described the initial shock was like a dog would shake a rat; then it subsided, then it reoccurred.

A week after the quake, the Telegraph reported that Altons No. 3 firehouse, on State Street near Belle, required emergency repairs because inside walls had separated from the ceiling. Cracks on both outside and inside walls were also detected, though the mayor declared the building was structurally sound.

Still, some found humor in the event. The Alton Junior Service Leagues charity ball, scheduled for later that night, had a San Francisco  Chinatown theme, an irony due to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake that remains one of the worst in American history. The Telegraph wrote that members wryly insisted the earthquake was purely occidental.

Others saw opportunity. Four days after the shaking, a display ad in the Telegraph for a Bethalto insurance agency blared Home Owners  Is Your Home Covered for Damage by Earthquake?

Tremors are noticed in the Alton area every few years. Around 5 a.m. on Halloween 1895, Alton residents felt a 6.8 quake centered near Charleston in southeastern Missouri, the last strong quake to hit the Midwest.

The Telegraph jocularly reported that a feeling of the complete instability of all things terrestrial was felt by residents. Several chimneys collapsed, including one at a Bluff Street residence that sent bricks tumbling into rooms below.

More recent Illinois quakes include a 5.0 event near Olney on June 10, 1987 that was felt in sixteen states and left minor damage, especially in Lawrence and Richland counties. Another 5.0 quake was measured near Mt. Vernon on June 18, 2002.

A network of faults lay under much of southern Illinois, where over 90 percent of the states quakes have occurred. The Illinois State Genealogical Survey reports that eight quakes were centered in Madison County between 1795-2015, including one near Roxana on Sept. 11, 1953. Four of the countys quakes measured between 3.0 and 3.9 on the Richter scale.

At 4:37 a.m. on April 18, 2008, an earthquake measuring 5.2 was centered near Mt. Carmel and felt as far away as Canada, setting news programs and social media abuzz in the Riverbend and elsewhere. Some structural damage was reported in the communities near the epicenter. Oddly, it was the 102nd anniversary of the destructive San Francisco quake that cost an estimated 3,000 lives.

The 2008 quake occurred along the Wabash Valley Fault, which has produced most of the recent southern Illinois tremors. In contrast, the more famous New Madrid fault has not produced a significant earthquake in decades.

In 2005, seismologists predicted a 90 percent chance that an earthquake of 6.0 to 7.0 would hit the Midwest again in the next half-century, likely on the Wabash Valley Fault. With urban centers like St. Louis, Memphis, and Chicago in close proximity, such an event could cause extensive damage. The History Channel and others have theorized that possibility in various television programs in recent years.

The 2005 finding appears much stronger than wild claims from crack scientist Iben Browning in 1990 that a severe New Madrid earthquake was imminent, which never occurred but left some Midwestern residents terrified of an impending disaster.

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.Photo: The Canadian Press

Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned Wednesday as the country's chief law enforcement officer after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks over his recusal from the Russia investigation.

Sessions announced his resignation in a letter to President Donald Trump. He said the resignation came at "your request."

Trump announced in a separate tweet that he was naming Sessions' chief of staff Matthew Whitaker, a former United States attorney from Iowa, as acting attorney general.

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into the attorney general's tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential co-ordination between the president's campaign and Russia.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.E-levy is not the best of ...Photo: CTV

A warning from firefighters after fire destroyed much of a homeless encampment in East Vancouver.

As temperatures continue to fall, scenes like this could happen again.

A number of tents and tarps off Main Street, between the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, went up in flames Wednesday morning.

Fire Capt. Jonathon Gormick said people living outdoors will do anything to keep warm, including putting heaters inside tents.

"We've seen fatalities ... when fire has spread to synthetic materials like tarps and tents, and it traps people and burns them severely," he said.

Instead, he suggested the homeless use layers of clothing and blankets to stay warm.

Overnight lows in Vancouver are expected to fall to between 2 and 5 C the next several days.

No one was at the camp when firefighters arrived.

 with files from CTV VancouverAfghan officials say at least 20 Afghan border troops have been killed in a Taliban attack on their base in western Farah province.

Abdul Samad Salehi, a provincial council member, says more than 45 border forces were at the base in Posht Koh district; only three of them could reach a nearby village, rest of them are either killed or arrested by the Taliban.

At least 20 soldiers were killed and similar number were missing, most probably arrested by Taliban, said a senior army official said, who was not authorised to speak with the media.

The late Monday night gun battle lasted for more than two hours before insurgents overran the base and communications were lost, said the official.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack.David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Two energy-related propositions that saw the oil and gas industry pump tens of millions of dollars into Washington state and Colorado were defeated Tuesday, while a rollback on California's gas tax was voted down.

A carbon fee in Washington that could have raised billions of dollars for renewable energy and other investments and the extension of oil and gas drilling setbacks from homes and businesses that would have blocked most drilling in Colorado's were rejected by voters. In Washington 56.3 percent voted against a proposed carbon fee, while 56.8 percent of Coloradans rejected increasing setbacks for oil and gas drilling to 2,500 feet.The U.S. stockpile of commercial crude oil continued to rise with the country's record oil production estimated at 11.6 million barrels a day, and domestic oil prices are now down to their lowest levels since March.

The U.S. Energy Department said commercial crude inventories rose by 5.8 million barrels last week and gasoline stocks jumped by 1.9 million barrels. Total petroleum inventories increased by 4.8 million barrels, offset partially by a dip in distillate fuel oil, which is used to make diesel fuel and heating oils.San Antonio's missions may be some of the city's most-photographed landmarks, with historic value and generations of brides and debutantes who use the settings as backdrops for photos to document their special days.

One set, by San Francisco-based photographer, William Trang, was recently showcased by Magnolia Rouge, a New Zealand-based wedding blog and magazine.

The photos feature a "newlywed bride" named Meaghann, hair undone and at times barefoot, wandering through Mission Concepcion, which served as the "something old" in the inspirational shoot's "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," motif, according to the website.

Trang told mySA.com that he collaborated with fellow photographer Simon Ly, of Simon Ly Photography, on the concept to use the 17th century mission.

"We specifically chose Mission Concepcion because it was so grand and we had learned that it is the best preserved of missions in Texas," he said.

RELATED: Photographer captures the reserved beauty of life in San Antonio's flea markets

Trang described his style of shooting with medium format film as "more fluid and natural."

"I aim to capture real moments, which are more beautiful and more treasured by my couples than manufactured ones," he added. "And it was easy to capture such lovely images in San Antonio, as the city beautifully blends the old and the new."

Magnolia Rouge featured the photos after Trang submitted his work.

"They are highly selective in what they feature since everything on that site is so beautiful, so I'm honored," he added.

Though he is based out of California, Trang's ability to travel throughout the country makes him available for hire by customers in San Antonio. The photographer asked brides interested in working with him to contact him via his website, williamtrang.com, or Instagram, @williamtrangphoto.

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Usually, its attractions like the Alamo and the River Walk that draw tourist attention to San Antonio. But a recent travel magazine named the Alamo City one of the best 10 fall vacations because the city looks pretty damn good for 300.

Theres little question that San Antonio is flourishing, despite its old age. The city ranks No. 1 in population growth nationwide and major business and education developments are popping up regularly  all while the city maintains its citys sought-after reputation as one of the taco capitals of the country.

So it's probably not shocking to most that the city has made yet another prestigious travel magazine list of best fall vacations in the continent.

RELATED: Conde Nast names San Antonio the 6th best city in the country, skips over the rest of Texas

Other cities listed in the report include Newport, R.I.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Kansas City, Mo.; Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita, Mexico; Maryland's eastern shore; Great Lakes via Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited; Skaneateles, Finger Lakes, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Prince Edward Island, Canada, and (bonus location) Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia.

The majority of the locations are in the North, so their attractions include apple picking and fall foliage. San Antonio stands out as one of the only southern picks on the list.

Click through the slideshow to see why San Antonio was included.

S. M. Chavey is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | @smchaveyWhat Connecticut can expect after Tuesdays election of the states first black congresswoman is an agenda of progressive initiatives, from a $15 hourly minimum wage to Medicare for all.

Jahana Hayes, who beat Trump Republican Manny Santos on a platform of supporting public education, creating citizenship programs for immigrants, passing gun safety legislation, closing the equity gap, and making health care available to everyone, will have a hard time passing any of those measures with a hardline conservative in the White House and a Republican-led U.S. Senate.

But Hayes wont be alone.

Going to Washington, D.C., with her in 2019 as part of the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives will be a record number of women  including progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York, and Ayanna Pressley, of Massachusetts  both of whom, like Hayes, defeated establishment Democrats in their primaries.

As such, Hayes is not only considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, but a standard-bearer among progressives.

Her victory is a victory for everything she stands for: Medicare for all, retirement security, and an opportunity to succeed no matter the color of your skin, your economic status, or where you come from, said Lindsay Farrell, state director of the Connecticut Working Families Party, in a prepared statement. Amid the stark contrast between Jahanas progressive, inclusive vision and her opponent's Trumpian politics, voters made their choice clear.

One of Hayes earliest supporters, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, agreed.

Jahana Hayes is going to be a rock star in the House of Representatives, Murphy said in a prepared statement. Jahana is part of an impressive group of new members in the House who will help lead the country away from the past eight years of disastrous Republican leadership, and instead fight to grow wages, protect health care, invest in education, and hold President Trump accountable.

Although Hayes was a political newcomer and relatively unknown in Connecticuts 5th District except for her selection in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year, Hayes never trailed Santos. Her aggressive fundraising, her ability to inspire campaign volunteers and her charisma with voters had Washington election forecasters calling her the favorite as soon as she trounced her primary opponent.

But it was Hayes ability to translate her personal story of hardship into a message of hope, and her focus on the issues that gave her what state Democratic Party Chairman Nick Balletto called unstoppable momentum and propelled her to a 30,000-vote victory over Santos.

Santos was gracious in his concession.

I and my opponent ran a relatively clean campaign, focusing on the issues, Santos said in social media post. The outcome was not as we had wanted; nonetheless, the voters of the district have spoken and have elected Jahana Hayes.

Hayes herself credited constituents of the 5th District, which stretches from the Danbury area, north to Massachusetts, and from the New York border to New Britain and Middlefield.

When I started this campaign, I knew I couldnt do it alone but I asked you to trust me with your vote and to trust me with your voice, Hayes said in a social media post. Thank you for choosing me to be your congresswoman and trusting me with your voice.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342UPDATE: 12:30 AM

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill told supporters at a Democratic Election night reception in Hartford that thousands of ballots may have to be hand-counted as many races unfold into the early morning hours Wednesday without a result.

We are in the back room still counting numbers because so many people voted, Merrill said at about 12:20 a.m. A lot of cities are still counting. We have, believe it or not, wet ballots. We are telling them get out your hairdryer. Dry them out.

But in some cases thousands of ballots may have to be hand counted, she added. So a little bit of a delay, but its all going to work out.

Merrill, who is seeking re-election, precticted it is going to be a good night for Democrats.

Emilie Munson

UPDATE: 12:20 AM

The governors race remained too close to call as the tallying stretched into Wednesday morning.

Stefanowski led Lamont by about 37,000 votes with almost 60 percent of precincts reporting just before 12:20 a.m. Major cities and towns still had yet to submit their unofficial results at that time.

UPDATE: 12 AM

Democrats Ken Gucker and Anne Huges both secured upsets against incumbent state representatives late Tuesday night.

Gucker narrowly defeated Rep. Michael Ferguson in a tightly contested race for the 138th District and Huges won against Rep. Adam Dunsby.

Gucker secured 4,793 votes  just under 200 votes more than Fergusons 4,597.

Huges secured 6,097 votes to Dunsbys 5,337 votes.

UPDATE: 11:45 PM

The race for governor remained too close to call with almost half of precincts reporting.

Republican Bob Stefanowski led by about 30,000 votes with about 46 percent of precincts reporting just before midnight, but many votes remain outstanding from the states biggest cities.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has said wet ballots have slowed the vote counting process and that a final tally of all votes in the race until Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE: 11 PM

Young Democrat Will Haskell has upset incumbent Republican state Sen. Toni Boucher for the 26th District.

UPDATE: 10:55 PM

Democrat Jahana Hayes has declared victory in the race for Connecticuts 5th Congressional District.

The votes show that you also believe that we are so much better together, she told supporters in Waterbury. You also believe we have to protect the future we promised for our kids. You also believe we have an obligation to be of service to someone else. You also believe that true leaders lead from the front and lead by example and reject all of this hate and intolerance and this indescribable fear that does not define who we are.

UPDATE: 10:55 PM

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy applauded passage of a constitutional amendment Tuesday that guarantees funding set aside for transportation will be used to improve roads, rails and bridges.

This is an enormous victory for our states future as Connecticut desperately needs investment in transportation infrastructure, Malloy said.

While surrounding states have made real investments, Connecticut has allowed our roads, bridges, tunnels, and rails to fall into a state of disrepair, hurting our economy and making our infrastructure less safe for the traveling public, the governor said.

The so-called lock box was opposed by many Republicans who claimed the amendment represented a path to electronic highway tolls.

Bill Cummings

UPDATE: 10:50 PM

Democrats will keep control of the state legislature in both houses and win back their majority in the Senate after knocking off Republican incumbents in a few key races.

Democrat Julie Kushner beat Republican incumbent Mike McLachlan in Danbury, and Mary Abrams, a Democrat, defeated Len Suzio, a one-term Republican from Meriden.

Kaitlyn Krasselt

UPDATE: 10:35 PM

The Associated Press has declared that both statewide ballot questions  over the so-called transportation lockbox and the procedure for the sale of public lands  have passed.

UPDATE: 10:10 PM

Democrat Julie Kushner upset incumbent Republican state Sen. Mike McLachlan for the 24th District seat representing Danbury.

I felt like we were building a movement. Its something bigger in Danbury. Its about coming together as a community and saying we are one community.

I think its about hope and vision. I think its wanting things better for working people.

McLachlan, who has held the seat for a decade, was stunned by the loss.

The voters have spoken, but Im still scratching my head, McLachlan said after conceding the race.

UPDATE: 9:55 PM

With three of four Ridgefield polling stations reporting their numbers, Republican John Frey leads Democrat Aimee Berger-Girvalo 4,065 to 3,666 votes. Yanity Middle School polling station numbers remain unreported due to a ballot machine problem.

Steve Coulter

UPDATE: 9:45 PM

Independent gubernatorial candidate Oz Griebel and runningmate Monte Frank have conceded the race to Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski, who remain neck-and-neck as results trickle in.

UPDATE: 9:25 PM

ACLU of Connecticut legal director Dan Barrett issued a statement in response to the fight over last-minute voter registrations in New Haven.

New Haven's repeated failure to staff its polling places with enough workers to ensure people's rights to vote is practically inviting a lawsuit, Barrett said. The long lines and discouraged voters we saw today were a completely avoidable situation.

Connecticut's Election Day registration law is also clearly intended to allow people who are in line to register to vote by 8 p.m. to cast their ballots that same day. The 8 p.m. cutoff imposed today in New Haven is artificial, does not carry the weight of the law, and is based on a non-binding advisory opinion from the Secretary of the State's office, not the letter of the law.

If you are an eligible voter who traveled to New Haven to vote tonight and were turned away, the ACLU of Connecticut would like to hear about your experience.

UPDATE: 9:15 PM

Jim Maroney keeps the vacant State Senate 14th District seat in Democratic control by beating Republican Pam Staneski 20,165 to 19,592. The district includes Milford Orange and parts of West Haven and Woodbridge. The seat was vacated by Democrat Gayle Slossberg who chose to retire after 14 years.

Michael Mayko

UPDATE: 9:15 PM

New Havens Rosa DeLauro will be going back to Washington as a congresswoman from Connecticut for a 15th term in an election that no one doubted was hers.

The candidate, as expected, overwhelmed her opponent, Angel Cadena, for the second election in a row.

UPDATE: 9:05 PM

Democrat Julie Kusher is leading incumbent Republican state Sen. Mike McLachlan 4,935 to 2,917 for the 24th District seat in Danbury.

McLachlan has held the seat for a decade and flipping it could help break the tie between the two parties in the state Senate.

Anna Quinn

UPDATE: 9 PM

The Secretary of the States office has advised New Haven to separate the line of voters at City Hall into people who are new and people who have (registered) before in Connecticut, spokesman Gabe Rosenberg said.

People who were registered already were allowed to vote after the registrar called the town in which they were registered to make sure they had not voted.

Those who had never been registered in Connecticut before filled out forms and then made the attestation as a group that this was true, Rosenberg said.

They raised their hand and attested they had never registered in Connecticut before and every one of the people (there) was registered by 8 p.m., he said.

However, while those votes from the attestants will be counted, out of an abundance of caution, the ballots were separated and will be available if needed, Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg said he had not heard that any court action would be taken over the ballots and therefore could not comment on it.

State Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano said, "At the end of the day if you are not registered by 8 p.m., you are not allowed to vote. That was guidance given by the Secretary of the State earlier in the day. And what happened is these two rogue cities decided to not honor what the Secretary of the State told them to do and theyve caused major problems throughout the state of Connecticut.

UPDATE: 8:45 PM

Bob Stefanowski confirmed the filing for an injunction in a tweet, calling the process a mass swearing in.

They need to be registered AND processed before 8pm, he tweeted. That checks the statewide system to ensure they havent voted elsewhere. Mass swearing in circumvents this vital process to our election integrity.

Our ask of the Superior Court of Hartford is to issue an injunction to separate the ballots, not disqualify them, he continued.

UPDATE: 8:30 PM

Republicans and Democrats will wage court fight over the voting in New Haven and which votes can be counted.

Hundreds were still in line attempting to register before the 8 p.m. deadline in New Haven and more were waiting at the University of Connecticut.

Republican Bob Stefanowski decried the possibility that some would be allowed to register after the 8 p.m. cutoff in a series of tweets and the campaign filed for a temporary injunction in court to stop it.

Mary OLeary

UPDATE: 8:25 PM

Election officials in Ridgefield do not expect local results until late Tuesday evening following ballot machine problems at two of the towns three polling stations.

According to First Selectman Rudy Marconi, around 2,000 ballots at Scotts Ridge Middle School have yet to be counted and another 1,900 ballots have not been counted from Yanity Middle School.

Although no exact timetable has been given yet, the registrars office believes ballot counts wont be completed until at least 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. Official results could take even longer to be reported.

The Ridgefield Press

UPDATE: 8:21 PM

Republican Kathy Kennedy leads Democrat Ellen Beatty 2,214 to 2,116 in the State House District 119 race, according to early results.

Republican state Sen. Pam Staneski took an early lead over Democrat Jim Maroney  5,716 to 5,534 for the Senates 14th District in West Haven.

Michael Mayko

UPDATE: 8:02 PM

The Associated Press is projecting U.S. Sen Chris Murphy will win re-election over Republican challenger Matthew Corey.

Polls closed across Connecticut at 8 p.m. and the first results are expected within minutes.

Voter turnout was headed for possible record numbers statewide at about 5 p.m., when Secretary of State Denise Merrill announced about 40 percent turnout statewide.

But hundreds more would-be voters were still in line in New Haven City Hall trying to register to vote in time to cast their ballots tonight, but a shortage of staff and computers left many waiting for hours.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski was already casting doubt about the last-minute process, tweeting that any attempt to process registrations after 8 p.m. would be illegal

The same day registration is allowed before 8pm (sic), but not after, he tweeted. Unlike the oplls, you have to be completed before 8pm, not just in line. Then they must be processed BEFORE they can vote.Voters across the Danbury area supported Tuesday spending millions to renovate their library, build a new police station and upgrade wastewater treatment plants in their towns.

In New Milford, residents approved a $6.5 million renovation to its library. The project had failed twice before, but passed 7,780 to 3,290 this time.

We are so grateful to the town coming through for us, Library Director Sally Tornow said. It really shows were needed.

The library will expand from 15,000 to 22,000 square feet, adding meeting space as well as expanding and relocating the children and young adult sections. The plan will also make the library compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The library will hear at the end of the month whether it will receive a $1 million state grant to help with the overall $8.5 million construction.

Wastewater treatment

Both Danbury and Ridgefield supported projects for their wastewater treatment plants.

Danbury residents voted 15,207 to 3,222 in favor of the $102.6 million upgrades to the plant, which has not undergone major improvements in 25 years. New state environmental discharge regulations require a massive rebuild of the existing systems.

City officials unsuccessfully battled those regulations in court for years and now must complete the upgrades by 2022, including having a complete design by July 1 to receive 10s of millions in state funding.

Im glad the voters agreed with us that we have to move forward with this, Mayor Mark Boughton said. Were already into it in terms of design and to meet our goal of getting it into the state to meet its deadline and receive our state funding.

Ridgefields $48 million project for the towns sewer system passed by a vote of 7,067 to 4,687. These upgrades will also make the system complaint with new state and federal guidelines.

Under the plan, the Route 7 facility will be closed and the 120,000 gallons it treats per day will be pumped to the South Street facility, which will be upgraded.

Wastewater infrastructure is often out of sight and out of mind, so we are grateful that people recognized its value as they came out to vote (Tuesday), Amy Siebert, chair of the Water Pollution Control Authority, said.

The town is seeking $11.5 million in grants for the work, but the rest of the project will be covered by increased sewer rates and $8 million from the general taxpayers.

Police station

In Newtown, voters approved $14.8 million for a new police station, and to buy land on South Main Street and Pecks Lane for the new headquarters. The referendum passed with about 62 percent of the vote, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said.

Its a nice message to send to the men and woman of the police department that voters backed the plan, Rosenthal said.

The existing building on South Main Street is in disrepair and too small for the department, which has more than doubled its officers since the old station was built in the early 1980s.

Charter revisions

In Ridgefield, voters resoundingly passed a controversial plan to separate the Inland Wetlands Board from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The current system has the same nine members acting as both the board and the commission.

But three of the nine charter questions failed - including proposals to make the town treasurer and tax collector positions appointed instead of elected and a requirement to have 2 percent of the voter population present at the annual budget meeting to make a change to the town or school budget. Among other questions that passed was a rule prohibiting candidates from running for more than one elected office with overlapping terms at once, which had caused confusion after the 2017 elections.

In New Milford, residents approved charter revisions that dealt with town finances and the finance board, with other changes cleaning up the language.

Under one change, a failed budget will go back to the finance board and only the rejected budget would be changed. Previously, the Town Council could revise both the schools and town budgets if one of them failed.In the aftermath of a tough competition, cherish the little blessings: No one has lopped off the losers' heads, slathered them in an embalming fluid and mounted them for all to see.

It was another story in France, 2,300 years ago. A new study describes the art of the severed head as practiced by the Celts, an Iron Age tribe, living in the southern Gaul region. Archaeologists recently detected chemical traces of conifer resin on skull bones at a Gaul site, suggesting the Celts preserved the heads for prolonged showings. Heads, after all, have unique power, according to cultures across space and time.

Heads act "as a shorthand for the whole being," said Ian Armit, an archaeologist at the University of Leicester who, as an expert in Bronze and Iron Age violence, has studied prehistoric headhunting in Europe. (He was not a part of the new Gaul study.) No other body part represents a person like the head. It is the center of vision, language and thought. Vastly different human cultures recognize its symbolic power: "The head is important in societies that have absolutely no connection with each other, geographically or chronologically," Armit said.

Plus, "it's a bit easy" to cut off a head, said Rejane Roure, an archaeologist at Paul Valery University at Montpellier in France and author of the study published Wednesday in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Severed heads were a fixture on the London Bridge and elsewhere in Britain as recently as the 17th century. For nearly three decades, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell's head peered from Westminster Hall, according to popular account. The English Civil War general was three years dead before his decapitation: In 1661, Cromwell was "posthumously executed" - his corpse dug up, hanged, the head struck from his body and stuck on a spike.

The earliest hints of mounted heads in the European archaeological record occurred 8,000 years ago in Sweden. Stockholm University archaeologist Anna Kjellstrom and her colleagues recently excavated old skulls from a southern Swedish lake. Two of the skulls, as the scientists described in a paper published in February, had wooden stakes still inside the bones, fragments from when they were mounted. To Kjellstrom's knowledge, she said, those skulls are the oldest evidence of head displays in Europe.

Those skulls were mounted near water. One cranium had its brain preserved, meaning it must have quickly been submerged in an oxygen-poor environment, "probably underwater," Kjellstrom said. The other skulls "may have been mounted above the water surface for a time."

The authors of the Swedish study were cautious when interpreting the results. The adult skulls showed signs of trauma, but in many cases those injuries had healed. The blows could have been accidents, the authors say, so it is unclear if these were war trophies. But the signs of mounting are a departure from other nearby funeral habits. "The placement and treatment of the crania are distinctly different from the burial tradition" in the hunter-gatherer graves located 330 feet to the north, Kjellstrom said.

"Whether this should be understood as intended for display is questionable, since the pole was very short and the head may barely have extended above the pool in which it was placed," said Rick Schulting, a University of Oxford archaeologist, "or at least done so only occasionally when water levels were low."

Archaeologist Michelle Bonogofsky, editor of the textbook "The Bioarchaeology of the Human Head: Decapitation, Decoration, and Deformation," said it is tough to know what purposes the heads served. As she told Slate in 2011: "We're not sure if they were using them to decorate, or if they were saying, 'This is our portrait of Mom that we're going to keep around.' "

Until the Iron Age, displays are sparse, Schulting said, with possible examples of the remains of Bronze Age children in Scotland's Sculptor Cave. By the time of the Gauls, however, the records firm up. "There is more secure evidence of display of human heads in later prehistory," he said.

Greek philosophers like Strabo made contemporary accounts of the Gaul tribes' penchant for heads. The Gauls embalmed heads from enemies "of high repute," Strabo wrote about 2,000 years ago, "in cedar-oil . . . they would not deign to give them back even for a ransom of an equal weight of gold."

At the archaeological site, named Le Cailar, Roure and her colleagues uncovered about 50 human heads, smashed into a total of 2,500 pieces. They theorize these heads were probably battle trophies, though Roure mentioned many cultures also kept their ancestors' heads, and it was possible the Celts did, too. Either way, the tiny fragments provided enough biochemical evidence for a plant-based embalming resin. This study "is the first confirmation that the Greek and Roman texts are very precise" on the subject of severed heads, Roure said.

The Greeks spoke of cedar oil, but the embalming materials may have come from other local pine trees. Pine resin is pungent, which would mask bad smells and preserve "the severed heads a long time, to show the power of the warrior," Roure said.

Modern scholars are aware ancient chroniclers were frequently "prone to exaggerating," Armit said. But, in this instance, the detection of resin in the skulls allows modern scholars to place "a little more trust in classical sources than we might otherwise."

Halfway across the globe, in Mexico, a recent find confirmed another old headhunting practice. Spanish soldiers, who invaded Aztec Mesoamerica along with Hernan Cortes in the 1500s, described a "tower of skulls." One soldier suggested he saw 100,000 skulls in a single display. Scientists who excavated a rack of skulls near Mexico City tallied 700 skulls. This concentration of heads indicated the skull racks could have, perhaps, numbered in the thousands.

Head displays have touched almost every corner of the world, Armit said, though some cultures seem more taken with the idea than others. In certain headhunting societies, collecting the heads was not a byproduct of warfare - it was the primary motivation. In the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, a headhunting craze in the 19th century had a "major impact" on local populations, Armit said.

In 1942, Ralph Morse, a 25-year-old photographer for Life magazine, snapped an image of the head of a Japanese soldier mounted on a Japanese tank at Guadalcanal. The caption published in the magazine suggested Americans had impaled the head. Morse, years later, recalled the Japanese may have set it on the tank as a trap to lure curious U.S. soldiers. A severed head, 8,000 years of human history shows, always commands attention.President Donald Trump will soon be on the receiving end of something he didn't see much from a Republican-led Congress: orders, backed up by subpoenas, for officials to answer questions on controversial policies like the dispatch of thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Two can play that game!" Trump wrote Wednesday on Twitter.

Now that Democrats have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, they will be able to force administration officials to testify and provide documents. That will subject Trump's decision-making -- as well as his personal finances and potential conflicts of interest -- to deeper public and private examination by key committees, as the national focus shifts to the 2020 presidential election.

"The American people voted to give the House of Representatives a mandate to conduct credible, independent, robust, and responsible oversight of the Trump administration," said Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who is likely to be the Oversight chairman.

The president said on Twitter: "If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level."

Democrats say that when it comes to the administration's response, for example, to the "caravan" of Central American immigrants, they want answers about the rationale behind the troop deployments and details on the force's rules of engagement.

"It's not like we're going to go drunk-crazy with subpoenas. But it may seem that way because we are coming off a two-year drought of no subpoenas," said Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Oversight subcommittee on government operations.

Democrats say they want to pursue unanswered questions about Russian interference in the 2016 election and end what they call a campaign by House Republicans to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation. But Democratic leaders also play down Republican predictions that they're out to impeach the president.

For the past two years, Republicans have subjected Trump to relatively little oversight, spurning most requests from the minority party. Democrats say that will change almost immediately when the 116th Congress opens on Jan. 3. They have a very long list of topics they plan to look into, including financial deregulation, Trump's business interests and Russia's election interference.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., who is likely to become chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has made it clear one of the first topics he wants the new Democratic-held House to hold hearings on is troop deployments to the Mexican border.

Smith and more than 100 other current House Democrats have already sent a letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis seeking a response. They contend the president is exploiting a humanitarian issue for "political gain."

So far, the administration has ignored their questions. Next year, Democrats will have the power to demand that the defense secretary answer such questions in public.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence panel, Adam Schiff of California, has pushed for answers on the administration's response to the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives in Turkey.

"I do think we need the Intelligence Committee to do a deep dive -- a probe," Schiff told ABC News last month. "We also also have to determine whether financial motives are motivating the president and the first family."

Republican already are sounding warnings about obstructive partisan abuses and threats, saying the Democrats will harass and try to immobilize the Trump administration in the guise of congressional investigations.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday, "Democrats have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is good strategy."

When House Republicans impeached President Bill Clinton in the late 1990s and he was acquitted after a Senate trial, "his numbers went up and ours went down," said McConnell of Kentucky.

Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, the Republican who is now chairman of the Oversight subcommittee on government operations and a close Trump ally, said he respects Cummings and will be willing to work with him on "true oversight."

But Meadows said he fears "there will probably be a lot more subpoenas issued for fishing expeditions that may or may not be based on anything but speculation."

Republicans point to comments like those from Democrat Maxine Waters of California, a favorite Trump target of ridicule, who is likely to head the Financial Services Committee. She has said that when she takes that panel's gavel, it will be "payback time" for Wall Street, banks and insurance companies.

Her office hasn't provided an more precise explanation. But she has included among her pursuits the administration's financial deregulation efforts, housing issues, and financial ties between Trump and his family with Deutsche Bank and Russia.

Schiff said he also he plans to reopen parts of the Intelligence panel's Russia-election interference inquiry that Democrats say was prematurely closed by Republicans. Much of what his panel does could depend on the timing and content of Mueller's report. Democrats say questions remain about Russian money laundering and Trump's businesses.

And other Democrats, including Jerrold Nadler of New York on Judiciary and Richard Neal of Massachusetts on Ways and Means, have their own lists of anticipated inquiries.

The Ways and Means panel, for example, has the authority to compel Trump to hand over his long-sought tax returns. The members aren't allowed to release them publicly, though.

More broadly, Democrats want to scrutinize the multiple ethics scandals involving administration officials, including most recently Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is under investigation for his travel and business ties.

Among other topics they plan to look into are whether top-secret security clearances are being handled properly and how to control rising prescription drug and health-care prices.

Congress has broad constitutional authority to conduct oversight and investigations, a power that has been upheld in numerous Supreme Court cases, some of them dating to issues arising from the Teapot Dome scandal of the 1920s. The majority party in the House controls almost all of the subpoena power and other investigative tools.

Republicans complain that Democrats are mostly interested in assembling a case to impeach Trump.

"I do think they will definitely try to impeach almost immediately," said Meadows, even though Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders have downplayed that issue during the campaign.

Pelosi suggested that the new majority's emphasis will be more about traditional checks and balances than investigative excess.

"In a stark contrast to the GOP Congress, the Democratic Congress will be led with transparency and openness so that the public can see what is happening and how it affects them," she said in a victory speech to Democrats on Tuesday night.Washington

The Democrats picked up at least 23 House seats on Tuesday and appeared on track to retake control of the chamber, a victory that could put a check on President Donald Trump's agenda over the next two years and lead to a multitude of investigations into his business dealings and administration.

As the one of the most volatile midterm elections in U.S. history wound down, the Democrats pulled closer to the 218 seats needed for a majority. A Democratic majority would break the Republicans' eight-year hold on the House that began with the tea party revolt of 2010.

While the Republican Party maintained control of the Senate, a win for the Democrats in the House would end the GOP monopoly on power in Washington and open a new era of divided government.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said at a victory party in Washington.

The Democrats needed a net gain of 23 seats to take back the House.

Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. They also made inroads into Trump country as Democrats tried to win back white working-class voters.

Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, and GOP incumbents were on the defensive in many races across the country.

The Democrats benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities, many of them motivated by alarm over Trump's rise.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of nasty rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, health care and the role of Congress in overseeing the president.

To stem Republican losses, Trump sprinted through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark and foreboding warnings about what Democratic power would mean for the nation.

The debate was dominated not by the GOP's $1.5 trillion tax cuts but by Trump's dire prediction of "invasion" from the migrant caravan and what he called the "radical" agenda of speaker-in-waiting Pelosi.

GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana predicted his party would retain a slim majority, saying on election eve: "In the end, we hold the House because of the strong economy."

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate conducted by AP. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their votes. For Democrats, the road to the majority ran through the two dozen suburban districts Clinton won and through swaths of Trump country in the Rust Belt and heartland where voters backed the president two years ago. Women and independent voters were expected to play a major role in the outcome.

In the suburbs outside the nation's capital, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock  among the most endangered GOP incumbents, branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator. Wexton was among the record number of women running this year.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration Cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in another district.

Pennsylvania looked particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play. Democratic favorite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House.

But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time tea party favorite Rep. Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the GOP vote to gut the Affordable Care Act. Like other Democrats across the country, Spanberger emphasized protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage or charged more by insurers.

In a suburban battleground in Atlanta, Republican Rep. Karen Handel won a costly special election earlier this cycle but faced an upstart challenge from Lucy McBath, whose 17-year-old son was shot and killed at a gas station. The GOP's hold on the majority was complicated by an unusually large number of retirements as well as conflict centered on the question of allegiance to Trump.A few decades ago, Republicans enjoyed a so-called lock on the electoral college. Later it was Democrats and a substantial blue wall of states that seemed to give them the edge in presidential races. Tuesday's midterm results underscored that, for now, those days are gone. Neither party can claim a clear advantage in the arithmetic that will decide who will win the White House in 2020.

Voters delivered divided government to Washington on Tuesday, ousting the Republican majority in the House while reinforcing the GOP majority in the Senate. Those results, state by state and district by district, framed the geographic and demographic challenges for both President Trump and whoever becomes the Democratic presidential nominee two years from now.

Tuesday's results highlighted the fact that the focal point of the struggle for electoral superiority over the next two years and probably beyond will be in the suburbs. Democrats dominate the big urban centers and Trump, heading a reconstituted Republican Party, has tightened the GOP's grip on rural America. That leaves the one place of true competition, the suburban voters, many of whom have long favored Republicans but who staged a revolt against the president Tuesday by voting for Democratic candidates.

The road to the White House ultimately depends on a handful of states. Two years ago, Trump secured his victory by winning two big prizes, Ohio easily and Florida narrowly, and then carrying Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania by the thinnest or margins - less that one percentage point in each state.

On Tuesday, voters in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania backed Democratic candidates for both governor and the Senate; in Wisconsin and Michigan, they reversed eight years of GOP rule in the governor's mansion. What that means for 2020 is not entirely clear, given that two of the senators and one of the governors elected were incumbents.

At the least, the Democratic victories provided a morale boost, and in demonstrating the coalition needed to win, may represent at least a symbolic roadblock to the president as he maps his 2020 strategy. But party strategists acknowledged Wednesday that much work remains to be done in those Midwest battlegrounds.

Tuesday's results in Ohio and Florida serve as a reminder to Democrats of challenges the party's nominee could face in two states that have provided some of the most hard-fought presidential contests of the past two decades.

In Ohio, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown won his reelection bid, offering Democrats one model for winning a competitive state with a progressive record and message. But in the governor's race, Republican attorney general Mike DeWine defeated Democrat Richard Cordray,

Trump won Ohio by nine points two years ago, and DeWine's victory continued the GOP's general dominance in statewide races. Ohio long has been a fiercely contested state, though one with a slight Republican edge. That may have shifted recently to give Republicans a greater advantage than in the past.

Florida did what it always does, delivering races as close as any in the country. Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis claimed the governorship over Democrat Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, by less than a point, while the Senate contest between Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Gov. Rick Scott is heading for a recount.

As one Democrat put it on Wednesday, "We have not figured out Florida, which is a problem." By that this strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to speak about his party's problems, meant that Democrats continue to underperform among white voters, especially those without college degrees, and cannot count on being able to motivate minority voters in numbers needed to turn narrow losses into narrow victories.

Results elsewhere on Tuesday speak to changes underway in other states that traditionally figure into the competition in presidential races. Democrats again scored well in Virginia, which has moved from a solid red state to a purple state to one with in increasingly blue tint. Democrats picked up three House seats, benefiting from strong support from suburban voters.

In Colorado, another purple state, Democrats maintained their hold on the governor's mansion and picked up a suburban House seat. In Nevada, another purple state, Democrats defeated an incumbent Republican senator (Dean Heller) and captured the governorship.

Democrats have had their eye on other Sun Belt states in recent presidential elections, namely Georgia, Arizona and Texas. After Tuesday's results, which saw Democrats narrowly lose a Senate race in Texas and fall behind in the Georgia governor's contest and the Arizona Senate race, party strategists worry that 2020 might be too soon to put them into the Democratic column.

Yet House results show the changing patterns in suburban America, even in some places where the statewide contests went against them. Democrats built their new House majority with victories in suburban territory where Republicans have enjoyed long-standing support.

The shifts from Republican to Democrat were substantial in many of those districts. But also striking was how many of the House races were decided by margins of five points or less. A rough analysis of the races showed 18 Democrats who either were victorious or were leading on Wednesday won their races by five percentage points or fewer.

Republicans will be aiming to take those back in two years. But a measure of how much bigger the overall Democratic House majority could have been is that about two dozen Republicans won or were leading led by similarly narrow margins of five points or fewer.

Trump's rhetoric, his style and his divisiveness clearly cost the Republican Party on Tuesday in these suburban House districts and will complicate his prospects for reelection in two years. But Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel argued Wednesday that Democrats must build an urban-suburban coalition through issues like health care and education and thereby prevent the president from driving a wedge between the two constituencies on other issues.

Emanuel, who as a member of Congress oversaw his party's takeover of the House in 2006, said he has no doubt that what took place Tuesday in House races was a rejection of the president, especially given the strength of the economy and the degree to which congressional district lines favor the Republicans.

"But it's not a realignment," he added, "unless we do the hard work, both in 2020 and beyond."Republican incumbent Roger Hauck will keep his 99th State House seat, beating Democratic challenger Kristen Brown by more than 2,100 votes.

The final updated voting count in Midland County was Hauck winning 5,043 votes to Brown's 2,891. In Isabella County, Hauck had 11,084 to Brown's 11,171.

"I feel great. Midland County came through big for me," Hauck said. "The rural townships in Isabella County really helped."

He credits his win to on the ground campaign awareness, saying Hauck's campaign knocked on roughly 20,000 doors to make voters aware of his race.

Hauck was elected to the 99th State House seat in 2016, beating Democratic opponent Bryan Milke by more than 3,000 votes according to the 2016 Michigan Secretary of State election reports. His seat represents Edenville, Geneva, Greendale, Hope, Ingersoll, Jasper, Mills, Mount Haley, Porter and Warren townships in Midland County as well as all of Isabella County.

Prizing himself as a working man who fights against career politicians, Hauck ran on a platform of no-fault auto-insurance reform, fixing state and local infrastructure and education spending reform.

Brown issued a press release in the early hours of Wednesday morning, wishing Hauck luck with his continued occupation of the seat.

"Running to represent the 99th District has been a humbling experience, and it was a pleasure to talk with voters about the issues impacting them and their families every day," she said. "I look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors and making the 99th House District a better place for all our families."

Hauck said his first order of business will be to continue focusing on infrastructure and no-fault auto-insurance, calling the latter issue "totally broken."

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, Hauck served as vice chair of the energy policy committee and sat as a member of the Health Policy, Regulatory Reform and Local Government committees. He has sponsored 25 bills during his time in the State House.

A former Union Township trustee, Hauck is an active member of the National Rifle Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Eagles Club. He graduated from Beal City High School in 1980 and attended Central Michigan University.State Rep. Matt Lesser, a Democrat, handily won his bid for the Senates 9th District Tuesday, beating his Republican opponent, Rocky Hill Town Councilman Ed Charamut, 18,545 to 17,005 in unofficial results.

At press time, the 33rd Senate race was too close to call. At 9:35 p.m., Norm Needleman trailed challenger state Rep. Melissa Ziobron, R-East Haddam, by some 150 votes.

Needleman said the race may not be decided Tuesday evening. We may be close enough for a recount. I heard they had some problem in East Hampton and then there are the absentee ballots, so we may not know tonight.

We have nothing official. Its extremely tight, said Ed Odell, Ziobrons spokesperson, as he awaited results from Colchester and Clinton.

Lesser, a five-term legislator in Middletowns 100th House District, will now serve the municipalities of Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield in the Senate.

The 33th state Senate seat was left vacant when two-term incumbent state Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, abandoned it in a quest to win the GOP nomination for state treasurer. That effort was unsuccessful, however. But it opened the door for Ziobron, who had a safe seat in the state House, to take a gamble in taking over Linares seat.

Earlier in the day, Needleman said hes not one to express confidence in a race until numbers start coming after the polls close. Given the overwhelming turnout today, and given that no one really knows who exactly is turning out, it is very hard to tell, he said.

Ziobron represented the region in the state House of Representatives for three terms. With that background and the name recognition that goes with it, she was widely expected to be an almost sure bet to win the Senate seat.

The 33rd Senate District encompasses 12 towns: Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.

After being out at the polls in four towns, Lesser said response to his candidacy has been tremendous across the 9th District Tuesday afternoon. He has taken a level approach to his candidacy.

Im optimistic. Im seeing high turnout consistently all day throughout the district, he said. He was pleased candidates Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut, and lieutenant governor-hopeful Susan Bysiewicz, of Middletown, stood by him part of the day to greet voters.

Im really encouraged. People are showing the (Trump) Administration theyre frustrated by whats happening in Washington. People are really upset about the negative tone of campaigning in Connecticut, even turning out in the driving rains at times, Lesser said.WASHINGTON - House Democrats are prepared to open multiple investigations of President Donald Trump when they take control in January but are wary of immediately pursuing impeachment - working to balance the demands of an energized base with the voters they need in the next election.

Trump's Wednesday threat to adopt a "warlike posture" in response to any probes of his presidency or personal finances angered rank-and-file Democrats, some of whom argued they should get "very aggressive" and try to beat Trump at his own game.

"The American people like and respect fighters, and they have elected us to put a check on the executive branch," Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who said he has been talking to his colleagues about pushing ahead with investigations of Trump, starting with his tax returns.

But Khanna stopped short of calling for impeachment proceedings against the president, an explosive move that party leaders worry could create peril in 2020 for lawmakers who represent districts the president carried in his first bid.

Though they have not determined precisely which investigations to launch when they take the majority next year, Democrats are expected to scrutinize Trump administration policies on immigration, education and health care, and to examine his personal finances and potential connections to Russia.

"For those who want impeachment, that's not what our caucus is about," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told PBS' "NewsHour" on Tuesday before her party clinched the majority. She said she would not move to impeach Trump unless at least some Republicans were on board.

Pelosi added that she will wait for the outcome of the special counsel investigation but noted that a call for impeachment "would have to be bipartisan, and the evidence would have to be so conclusive."

But Trump threatened Wednesday to turn the Republican-led Senate on Democrats who cross him.

"They can play that game, but we can play it better, because we have a thing called the United States Senate," the president said. "I could see it being extremely good for me politically because I think I'm better at that game than they are, actually, but we'll find out."

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders' resistance to embracing an impeachment effort could cause a significant backlash among the party's restive liberal flank.

According to a Washington Post-Schar School poll Tuesday of voters in battleground districts, nearly two-thirds of those who voted for Democratic House candidates want Congress to begin impeachment proceedings, which could lead to Trump's removal from office.

But party leaders said they need to be judicious about using new committee gavels to strike at Trump - knowing that their actions could energize an angry Republican base if they beat him up indiscriminately.

"We have to be as strategic and methodical as we possibly can," said one senior Democratic aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy. "If subpoenas go flying, and lawsuits go flying, you're in the mud with [Trump] - and that's what he wants."

On Wednesday, key Democrats said it would be premature to begin impeachment proceedings, adding that such a conversation should take place after special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has completed his inquiry. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told CNN that it is "way too early" to discuss that step.

Some moderate Democrats urged restraint more broadly, saying the focus should be on governing.

Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., whose district voted for Trump by two points in 2016, told CNN that he did not wish to go after the president's tax returns. And Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., said that those seeking to inflict revenge on Trump are "wrong," tweeting that it is not "payback time" but "time to govern."

Even Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, who intends to push for Trump's tax returns, said in an interview that launching investigations "cannot be the sole purpose of this election."

"Proportionality is everything," Neal said.

To start, Democrats are expected to focus their scrutiny on areas in which they think Trump's actions are demonstrably unethical or unconstitutional and on administrative decisions that affect Americans' security and livelihoods, officials said.

"Where people go wrong is in seeing oversight in this really small prism of 'How are you going to go after Donald Trump?' That's not it at all," said Ashley Etienne, a spokeswoman for Pelosi, who is expected to be elected House speaker.

"We're going to run two lanes: protecting and defending the Constitution, and addressing the things we're fighting for, like access to health care and the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs," she said.

The House Judiciary Committee is likely to take the lead on health care, beginning with an investigation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions' refusal to defend the Obama-era Affordable Care Act against a lawsuit from Republican-led states.

Nadler, who is set to become the panel's chairman next year, tweeted late Tuesday: "@realDonaldTrump may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people."

Meanwhile, Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee are poised to examine Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' efforts to relax regulations for for-profit colleges and limit student loan forgiveness.

Democrats think both issues will resonate with voters struggling to meet mounting costs of health care and higher education, regardless of party.

Party leaders are also eager to look into Trump's finances - beginning with his tax returns, which he has refused to release, unlike his predecessors.

Neal said he intends to obtain them using a 1924 law that gives heads of the congressional tax-writing committees the right to request any person's tax returns. The panel could then make them public with a simple majority vote.

Trump and other conservatives have suggested that the White House might fight any effort by Democrats to obtain the returns, setting up a possible constitutional challenge that tests a nearly 94-year-old law.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who is fiercely loyal to Trump, recently told the New York Times that he would review any request from lawmakers with the relevant officials at the Treasury Department.

Trump also could try to exert executive privilege over the material in a way that attempts to block it from being revealed.

Separately, presumptive House Financial Services Committee chair Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and presumed House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff, D-Calif., could seek to unearth other information regarding Trump's holdings.

Waters has requested - and as the committee head, could subpoena - records that could dislodge closely held details of Deutsche Bank's relationship with the Trump Organization.

The German bank lent Trump more than $400 million during a decade-long real estate buying spree that began in 2005, largely through its private wealth management office, not the commercial banking division that typically handles real estate.

Schiff also has pledged to scrutinize "serious and credible allegations" that Russians may have laundered money through Trump's businesses, potentially giving the Kremlin leverage over the president.

And he plans to investigate Russian election interference more fiercely than have Republicans, whom Schiff accused of using the intelligence panel to discredit Mueller's investigation.

"We'll fill in the gaps on the Russia investigations," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC on Wednesday.

On the Intelligence Committee, Schiff wants to scrutinize Trump's efforts to strike a nuclear deal with North Korea and the administration's willingness to cut deals with China, despite the national security threats the country poses.

Democrats on his panel also plan to investigate Saudi Arabia and the Oct. 2 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which could further complicate Trump's efforts to pursue weapons deals with the kingdom.

On the Judiciary Committee, Nadler is expected to dedicate attention to the rise of white supremacy and the proliferation of firearms - national debates that have been exacerbated by deadly shootings at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh last month and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in February.

Nadler also recently told the New York Times that he would scrutinize the FBI's review of sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which Democrats have complained was too limited.

To dig into Trump's allegiances abroad, Democrats may scrutinize Trump's hotel in downtown Washington - and the foreign clients who frequent it.

Foreign dignitaries from Kuwait, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere have patronized the hotel. Such transactions have prompted two lawsuits alleging that Trump is violating the Constitution's prohibition on presidents taking "emoluments," or payments, from foreign states.

Such an investigation probably would be handled by the House Oversight Committee, where incoming chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., already plans to look the "zero tolerance" policy that caused the detention of thousands of migrant children who were separated from their families while trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, and the administration's intention to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

The panel is also planning a broad investigation of the White House's security clearance process, after Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and former staff secretary Rob Porter were revealed to be working without full clearances.

The panel wants to balance those inquiries with renewed attention to the administration's widely criticized response to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and the continuing water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

Although panel Democrats have not yet determined how many investigations they will open in January, any number would be "going up from zero," one Democratic committee staff member said, complaining that "literally not one document, not one subpoena was issued to the White House" by Republicans.

---

The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis, David A. Fahrenthold, Seung Min Kim, Damian Paletta, Elise Viebeck and Erica Werner contributed to this report.New York

The man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump was ordered held without bail after his first court appearance in New York on Tuesday.

Cesar Sayoc, who was transferred from federal custody in Florida, hugged his lawyer after a hearing in which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim called him "a serious risk of danger to the public and a flight risk."

Sayoc has been accused of sending improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, Trump critics and media outlets in a scare that heightened tensions before the crucial midterm elections Tuesday. None of the devices exploded, and no one was injured in the pipe bomb scare.

He was arrested outside a South Florida auto parts store. He was living in a van covered with stickers of Trump and showing images of some of the president's opponents with red crosshairs over their faces.

Sayoc faces nearly 50 years in prison if convicted on five federal charges that were filed in New York because some of the devices were recovered there.

Assistant Federal Defender Sarah Baumgartel declined to comment after the hearing, in which Sayoc presented himself as polite and soft-spoken and responded "Yes, sir" to the judge's questions. He wore navy blue jail scrubs and a gray pony tail.

At one point during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, Sayoc told U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger that he understood his rights "100 percent." He appeared taken aback, however, when Lehrburger noted that Sayoc is charged with assaulting federal officials, among other counts.

His lawyers decided not to seek his release on bail after prosecutors released a letter outlining more evidence against him, including DNA linking him to 10 of the explosive devices and fingerprints on two of them.

Other evidence includes online searches Sayoc did on his laptop and cellphone for addresses and photos of some intended targets, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Packages went to CNN in New York and Atlanta.

Prosecutors say the most recent crude bomb was recovered Friday in California, addressed to the liberal activist Tom Steyer.

Sayoc is scheduled to return to federal court Monday for a preliminary hearing.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is preparing for the most direct step yet in a drive to subdue the country's judiciary, ignoring efforts by the European Union to push back against such moves.

The Cabinet in Budapest plans to take political control over a newly created high court for public administration. The EU's top court just weeks ago ordered Poland to halt a court revamp that would open the way for the ouster of supreme court justices. The two illiberal allies are under monitoring for alleged rule-of-law violations, which may result in the suspension of their voting rights.

The proposed court will be split from the supreme court and operate as a separate entity under the justice minister, according to a bill posted on parliament's website on Tuesday. The head of the new court will report directly to the minister, who will pick new judges and control the institution's budget. The bill cites the need for the minister to "take greater political responsibility" for the court's work. It also pledges to respect "the principle of judicial independence and separation of powers."

Hungary's judiciary has been one the last state institutions to retain a measure of independence even after Orban appointed his lawmakers to the benches, sent some judges into early retirement and appointed a powerful court administrator to oversee appointments. The steps were part of an unprecedented consolidation of power in the EU that also saw crackdowns against universities and civil society as well as Orban's allies take over much of the media.

Christian Wigand, a spokesman for the European Commission, wasn't immediately available for comment on the proposed legislation.

Orban declared the end of liberal democracy in Hungary in 2014, defying the EU and converting him into an ideological ringleader of the continent's resurgent nationalists. Populist forces are angling to take control over the world's largest trading bloc in elections for European Parliament in May.

The court bill's passage is assured as Orban's lawmakers hold a two-thirds parliamentary majority, which allows them to pass any law without opposition support. The new top court is planned to begin its work on Jan. 1, 2020.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6)  Jeepney operators and drivers are disappointed at the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) over the slow releasing of fare matrices, which would allow them to charge the 1 fare hike to passengers.

"'Yung ipinagkaloob sa amin na taas na pasahe, hindi pa rin namin nakukuha dahil sa bagal ng sistema sa kalakaran ng LTFRB na hindi naman pala sila handa. Kaya kami luging-lugi na kami ngayon," said Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations President Efren de Luna.

[Translation: We still have not enjoyed the fare increase because of the slow processes at the LTFRB, which show that they are not prepared. That is why we're operating at a loss.]

A phone video obtained by CNN Philippines showed jeepney operators and drivers having to queue in long lines stretching all the way up to the third floor of the LTFRB National Capital Region office just to obtain a fare matrix.

"Grabe napakahirap. Gutom tsaka pagod," jeepney operator Dang Pajel said. "Matagal na nga kami sa rooftop kanina  tapos mabagal umusad ['yung pila.]"

[Translation: It's so difficult. We're hungry and tired. We waited for so long on the rooftop, and the line moves slow.]

Aside from this, some also find that the 610 they pay for a fare matrix is too much for what they are getting.

"Signature lang tsaka plate number, tsaka wala 'yung mga landmark, wala 'yung lugar  Wala siyang dry seal," she said. "Parang Xerox nga lang siya eh. 'Yung last time na [nagtaas ng] minimum [fare] ng 8, may color tapos makapal na paper."

[Translation: It only has a signature and the plate number, and it doesn't have the landmarks, it doesn't have the places  It doesn't have a dry seal. It's like it was photocopied. The last time the minimum fare was raised to 8, it was colored and printed on thick paper.]

However, the LTFRB officials denied that they are unprepared for the influx of jeepney operators and drivers seeking for a fare matrix.

"Hindi naman din po tayo nagkulang kasi [We didn't lack in preparations because] the fare matrix have been (sic) ready even a week before that week before the holiday," LTFRB Chairperson Martin Delgra said. "I just don't know why the driver operators did not opt to get fare matrix early on," he added.

Jeepney drivers may only charge commuters the additional 1 to the minimum fare if they have posted a fare matrix from the LTFRB.

The apparent sluggish pace of the releasing of fare matrices left some commuters confused.

"Iba-iba 'yung singil," said John Edward Yoni. "Nagte-take advantage sila since hindi alam ng tao 'yung exact distance sa certain destination."

[Translation: The fares they charge vary. They take advantage of the situation since people do not know the exact distance to a certain destination.]

With all these, some operators want Delgra out of the LTFRB.

"Ang problema kasi kay Chairman Delgra hindi siya marunong makipag-dialogue  Ang lumalabas kasi dito ay zero back... sa parte ng karanasan bilang public servant," De Luna said.

[Translation: The problem with Chairman Delgra is that he does not know how to dialogue. It appears that he has zero back experience as a public servant.]

But Delgra scoffed at renewed calls for his resignation from the helm of the LTFRB.

"You want a soundbite? Trabaho lang. [It's just work.]" Delgra said.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Triciah Terada contributed to this report.WASHINGTON - To Jeff Sessions, President Donald Trump was the man who could do no wrong. To Trump, Sessions was the attorney general who could do no right.

On questions of immigration, police work, and civil rights, the president could hardly find a more eager champion of his administration's policies.

But on the issue that seemed to matter most to the president - protecting him and his White House from the criminal investigation into 2016 election interference by Russia - Sessions recused himself shortly after becoming the attorney general.

The president never forgave him. And on Wednesday, Sessions resigned at Trump's request.

By the time Trump declared in September, "I don't have an attorney general," even his torturous relationship with Sessions had become a subject of scrutiny for special counsel Robert Mueller. Specifically, Mueller has examined whether Trump's efforts to pressure Sessions into resigning in 2017 might amount to an attempt to obstruct justice.

Sessions has said publicly and privately that he does not regret the recusal, believing it was the right course of action. According to a person familiar with Sessions' thinking, he has shared the president's frustration with the pace of the Mueller probe and would like it to be finished, but also feels that it is important for the country that the investigation continue unimpeded, so that its final results are accepted by the public.

Sessions also believes that even though he was recused from the Russia probe, he played a positive role at the Justice Department, shielding that probe from political interference, even as his boss publicly scorned him, this person said.

As much as the shadow of the Russia probe has loomed over Sessions' tenure as attorney general, he has sought to make his time in that job about more than that - a return, as he calls it, to the principles of pro-police, anti-illegal immigrationlaw enforcement.

In May, standing before a sparkling Pacific Ocean and a looming border fence, Sessions emphasized his vision for America.

"Today we'rehere to send a message to the world that we are not going to let the country be overwhelmed," Sessions said. "People are not going to caravan or otherwise stampede our border . . . If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you. And that child may be separated from you as required by law."

While the family-separation policy pursued by the administration has been shelved, at least for now, the broader set of immigration actions pursued by Sessions became a central argument for Trump and the Republicans as they sought to retain control of Congress.

Avideh Moussavian, legislative director at the National Immigration Law Center, said Sessions "came in with a very strong anti-immigrant ideology, and a very deeply ingrained world view that is rooted in exclusion."

Whether his directive that prosecutors bring cases against anyone who crosses the border illegally, his defense of Trump's ban of travelers from certain majority-Muslim countries or family separation, his effort to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted a reprieve from deportation to people who had come here without documentation as children, or his opinions attempting to restrict asylum, Sessions has "demonstrated a willingness to radically transform our immigration system in ways that run around Congress and are sort of death by a thousand cuts, if you will," Moussavian said.

"I think that he's trying intentionally to turn the immigration courts into fast-track deportation machines, and to turn immigration judges into mass deportation agents, and limiting their discretion," Moussavian said.

As the nation's highest law enforcement official for 20 months, Sessions will be remembered for remaining loyal to a president who turned virulently against him, even as that attorney general pushed Trump's controversial policies more aggressively than any other member of his Cabinet.

"In my view, there has never been a Republican attorney general - a conservative attorney general - who can be credited with more achievements in advancing the conservative legal policy agenda," said Charles Cooper, Sessions' longtime friend and attorney and the former assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel under President Ronald Reagan. "What he's managed to accomplish, despite the distractions, has been nothing short of astounding."

Cooper pointed to Sessions' undoing of Obama-era criminal justice policies, his immigration policies, and his push against drug trafficking.

"In virtually every area of legal policy, he has done exactly what conservatives like me had hoped and expected that he would do," Cooper said. "But he's done it more energetically, more effectively than we could have imagined."

Civil rights activists, however, view Sessions' achievements as troubling. They point tosteps he took to loosen federal protections for African-Americans and Latinos, along with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including restrictions on immigration and the Justice Department's reversal of Obama administration policies on civil rights, criminal justice, policing and voting.

"Sessions has been terrible for civil rights in this country," said Vanita Gupta, the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division in the Obama administration who is now the chief executive of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

"He's turned back the clock from trying to recreate mass incarceration policies to his view of the voting rights act as intrusive to his abdication of the mission of the civil rights division on a range of issues including addressing systemic police misconduct, voting rights and LGBQT rights," Gupta said.

After a rocky confirmation battle amid charges that he was racially insensitive, Sessions, the former senator from Alabama, took the helm of the Justice Department in February 2017 with the full support of Trump, whom he supported for president in early 2016 before any other senator.

"It is with great pride - very great pride - that I say these words to you right now: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, welcome to the White House," Trump said during Sessions' swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office on Feb. 9, 2017. "He's a man of integrity, a man of principle and a man of total, utter resolve."

Those feelings sharply changed just a few weeks later.

Trump became enraged when Sessions held a news conference on March 2 announcing that, upon the advice of ethics lawyers and others at the Justice Department, he was recusing himself from the investigation into possible conspiracy between Russian officials and the Trump administration during the 2016 presidential election. The bond between the two men was shattered.

For the rest of Sessions' tenure, Trump berated and humiliated his attorney general on Twitter and in interviews. He publicly called him "beleaguered" and "very weak." In September, Trump told reporters he was "very disappointed in Jeff. Very disappointed. "

Through it all, Sessions continued to speak effusively about the president - even while he was mocked on "Saturday Night Live" for his unwavering loyalty - and moved aggressively to reshape the Justice Department to reflect his hard-line views.

One of the first actions Sessions took in April 2017 was to order the Justice Department to conduct a sweeping review of all reform agreements - or consent decrees - with troubled police departments nationwide, saying it was necessary to ensure that the pacts didn't work against the Trump administration's goals of promoting officer safety and morale while fighting violent crime.

"We've been very pleased with Attorney General Sessions from day one," said Chuck Canterbury, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "He's been much more supportive of the law enforcement mission in this country. And officers around the country know it and feel it."

Sessions' actions regarding police investigations, along with a strong effort to reach out to local police officers whenever he traveled to give speeches, endeared him to law enforcement on the ground. He would often say to them, "we have your backs and you have our thanks."

"They think extraordinarily highly of him," said Steven Cook, the associate deputy attorney general for the director of the Office of Law Enforcement Affairs. "He has worked especially hard to reverse the false narrative that law enforcement people are racist, that it's not an honorable profession. And law enforcement appreciate that support."

"These consent decrees, while well-intended, drive a wedge between law enforcement and the community," Cook said. "What they signal is that the United States Department of Justice has said that this department is - fill in the blank - racist, abusive. It always casts a shadow over the entire department."

Law enforcement officials in local communities also point to the aggressive approach Sessions has taken to fighting crime, both with his rhetoric and a string of new initiatives, particularly focused on the country's opioid crisis. The Justice Department, for example, has tripled it's prosecutions of fentanyl cases and last year brought the first cases charging Chinese nationals with selling large quantities of the drug to Americans.

Sessions proposed a change to national drug policy by limiting the amount of opioids that companies can manufacture each year. He created a team of agents and analysts to disrupt illicit opioid sales online, and started a unit to target opioid-related health-care fraud.

But civil rights leaders say they see Sessions' actions, particularly with regard to agreements reached with police in places like Chicago, as an effort by the Justice Department to walk away from its obligation to ensure that state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide are following the Constitution.

"Sessions abandoned the Justice Department's investigation and duty by law to remedy the findings of systemic police misconduct in the Chicago Police department," Gupta said. The Obama administration had opened 25 investigations into law enforcement agencies and had been enforcing 14 consent decrees, along with some other agreements before Sessions became attorney general.

Sessions also reversed the charging policy of former Attorney General Eric Holder and in May 2017 directed his federal prosecutors to aggressively target drug traffickers and charge defendants with the most serious, provable crimes. Holder, five years ago, had directed his prosecutors to stop charging low-level, nonviolent drug offenders with offenses that impose severe mandatory minimum sentences.

Civil rights groups, some Republican lawmakers and even the conservative Koch brothers criticized Sessions' new policy, saying that he was taking the country backward after there had been a bipartisan consensus in Congress about criminal justice reform.

But many prosecutors praised the measure, saying it gave them more tools to do their jobs, which they felt had been taken away in the Obama administration.

"That was huge," said Cook, a former prosecutor in Tennessee. "It unhandcuffed prosecutors who were demoralized when they were told not to charge drug traffickers - even drug traffickers who had large quantities of controlled substances - with the actual crimes they committed."

Sessions also methodically rolled back Obama administration positions in court cases over voting rights. In the same month Sessions became attorney general, the Justice Department dropped its long-standing position that Texas intended to discriminate when it passed a strict voter-ID law. And, several months later, the department sided with Ohio in its controversial effort to purge thousands of people from its rolls for not voting in recent elections, a position upheld in a 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court.

"There has not been a single case brought by this administration to enforce the Voting Rights Act or to take up the crisis with voter suppression that we are seeing in the country right now, and that is deeply troubling," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "What we have seen from the Justice Department is the agency reversing course on cases involving the Texas ID law and Ohio's voter purge program."

Sessions' defenders, however, point to several cases that illustrate a concerted focus on hate-crimes prosecutions under Sessions. Since January 2017, the Justice Department has indicted 50 defendants involved in committing hate crimes and secured convictions of 51 defendants for hate crimes incidents, according to Justice officials.

"I will acknowledge that the civil rights division has continued to pursue important work in the hate crimes area," Clarke said. "But when it comes to voting rights and confronting systemic police misconduct and other areas of the civil rights division, we've seen work come to a complete standstill."Tuesday night, Democrats won control of the House of Representatives.

Already they've promised a raft of ambitious domestic shifts. Those will be hard enough without control of the Senate or the presidency. But look beyond the country's borders, and things get tougher.

The Democrats cannot do much to change the president's foreign policy course. "It's not at all obvious that the midterms will have much effect on foreign policy," said Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. "Under our system, almost all of the initiative resides with the executive branch. That's not going to change."

But what the Democrats can do is turn up the heat with hearings and investigations. And that is exactly what they're planning, leaders say. House leaders have promised greater scrutiny of Pentagon and State Department operations. They also are hoping to kick-start U.S. investment to combat climate change and global poverty.

They have also promised to use their perch to better understand Trump's relationship with foreign powers and the influence his business dealings might have.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., likely chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told Vox he would use his new position to investigate the military's disaster response and "lack of a consistent policy concerning civilian casualties." He said he also would audit the Pentagon "to ensure that we are getting the best value for the taxpayer dollars we are spending."

Smith also hopes to push back against Trump's efforts to increase and modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Some on Smith's committee want to go even further. Rep. Ro Khanna, who describes himself as a "foreign policy populist," wants to invite the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., to a three-day hearing to "justify every military deployment," according to Vox.

Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., who will likely lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Vox he plans to prioritize oversight of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which have been gutted by the administration. He is also keen to investigate the Trump administration's potential conflicts of interest abroad.

Eliot said he is interested in strengthening the U.S. response to Russia's election interference. And he intends to push to end America's support for a Saudi-led coalition waging war in Yemen.

Democrats may restart Congress's Russia probe into interference in the 2016 election. They could also push for investigations into Trump's trade war with China and ties to Saudi Arabia.

But they may well find themselves pushing back against a president who becomes even more aggressive in his foreign policy approach, since he will have trouble moving domestic legislation through Congress.

"He wouldn't be the first [president] to turn to foreign policy" after a midterm loss, Haass said. But since Trump has already charted a very independent foreign policy, Haass is not sure how different that would look.

"If he's stymied domestically, it would possibly increase his view that foreign policy is a domain where he can 'get things done.'" Haass said. But it "wouldn't be a fundamental change, since he's already acting relatively unconstrained."In 1868, Florida's white elites faced a threat every bit as grave as the Civil War that had ended in Confederate defeat three years earlier. Congress had just forced Florida to rewrite its constitution to allow every man the right to vote. But adding thousands of newly eligible black residents to the rolls would abruptly make whites a voting minority.

The old guard's only hope was to somehow ban black voters without violating Reconstruction acts passed by Congress after the Civil War. Huddled in Tallahassee backrooms throughout that cool January, they found just the ticket: a lifetime voting ban on anyone with a felony conviction. Combined with postwar laws that made it comically easy to saddle black residents with criminal records, legislators knew they could suppress black votes indefinitely.

Or at least for a century and a half. On Tuesday, Florida voted to end that 150-year-old ban by backing Amendment 4, which will return voting rights to more than 1 million Floridians who have already served out their sentences. The amendment garnered 64 percent of the vote.

Historians say the vote also ends a law with roots so blatantly racist that one state leader later boasted that the postwar constitution would prevent Florida from becoming taken over by blacks, using a racial slur to describe them.

"Their intent was quite clear: to eliminate as many black voters as possible," Darryl Paulson, an emeritus professor of government at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, told The Washington Post.

The ban was remarkably effective at doing so, even 150 years later. As of 2016, more than 1 in 5 black Floridians couldn't vote thanks to the rule, according to an analysis by the Sentencing Project.

"We can't have a democracy with permanent second-class citizens," Howard Simon, the American Civil Liberty Union's Florida executive director, told the Miami Herald.

The origins of Florida's ban trace back to the blood-soaked days just after Robert E. Lee's surrender. As southern states like Florida rejoined the Union, many tried to explicitly ban black voters. Florida's first post-war state constitution in 1865 only gave the right to vote to "free white males," according to a 2016 report by the Brennan Center for Justice.

White lawmakers had a tactical reason to fear newly empowered black voters. While blacks made up about 45 percent of Florida's population after the war, thousands of white residents had lost their right to vote over their Confederate ties. By 1867, Paulson found, there were 15,434 black voters registered in Florida and just 11,148 who were white.

"There was this real fear that blacks would do to whites what whites had done to them for so long, which was to outright discriminate," Paulson said.

Even as Congress forced southern states' hand with the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, which freed slaves and gave them citizenship and the right to vote, Florida legislators laid the groundwork to disenfranchise those black residents. In 1865, the state passed a package of laws known as the "Black Codes" that upped the penalties for charges easy to pin on freed blacks, including assaulting a white woman, disobedience and "vagrancy," a crime with such a broad definition nearly anyone could be charged.

That was the perfect precursor to including a voting ban on felons in the 1868 constitution. Legislators also included a more broad voting prohibition against anyone convicted of more minor "Black Code" crimes, like larceny.

"Felony disenfranchisement was a way of reducing the effect of the despised black suffrage that Conservatives knew they had no alternative but to accept," wrote historian Jerrell Shofner in a piece on the drafting of Florida's 1868 constitution.

The law was just one among many the state adopted to keep African Americans away from the polls. In 1889, Florida became the first state to adopt a poll tax, charging $2 annually with full knowledge that poor blacks would be disproportionately affected. It later adopted literacy laws and residency rules aimed at cutting out black voters, Paulson said.

Those efforts were astoundingly effective. As little as 3 percent of black Floridians were registered to vote in 1940. By 1961 in Gadsden County in Florida's Panhandle, there were 12,261 African Americans old enough to vote - but only seven were registered, according to the Brennan Center.

Most of those outright discriminatory rules ended in the civil rights era of the 1960s, but Florida's felony voting ban stubbornly continued. In 1968, Florida legislators watered down the rule but kept the ban on felons. When black voters took the state to court, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit found there was "racial animus" behind the original law, the Brennan Center noted, and no compelling reason to keep it on the books. But that decision was later reversed by the full court sitting en banc.

More recently, then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist eased the rules for many felons to get their rights back, restoring tens of thousands to the electoral rolls. But Gov. Rick Scott erased those reforms in 2011, adding a new five-year waiting period and requiring felons to appear before a clemency board in person to plead their case.

That has led to a system so bizarre that John Oliver panned it as "insane" in a recent piece on "Last Week Tonight." "It may be the dumbest thing about Florida, which is saying something," Oliver said.

As a massive backlog grew of more than 10,000 people waiting to be heard by the clemency board, Scott's decisions neatly fit the historic patterns of the ban. The Palm Beach Post found that Scott returned voting rights to three times as many white men as black men.

Amendment 4 nabbed more than 1.1 million signatures to land on Tuesday's statewide ballot and found support from a surprising breadth of backers, from the Koch Brothers-funded Freedom Partners to the ACLU. But it did face opposition from mainstream GOP candidates, including Scott, who remains ahead in his Senate bid as of early Wednesday, and Florida's governor-elect Ron DeSantis. Both argued the amendment was too broad, although it does exclude anyone convicted of murder or sexual crimes.

In the end, Amendment 4 easily crossed the state's 60 percent threshold - a victory that should stand as a rebuke to decades of racial oppression, said Paulson.

"It has been a real embarrassment for Florida to be leader in keeping people away from voting," Paulson said. "The United States should do everything humanly possible to make voting as accessible as possible to everyone who wants to vote."

---

https://youtu.be/NpPyLcQ2vdITwo years ago, when President Donald Trump was still on the campaign trail, he told an audience during a rally at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that Minnesota had "suffered enough" at the hands of Somali immigrants, who began moving there as refugees in the early 1990s.

He told the crowd that "large numbers of Somali refugees [are] coming into your state without your knowledge, without your support or approval, and with some of them then joining ISIS and spreading their extremist views all over our country and all over the world." (ISIS is an alternative acronym for the Islamic State militant group.)

Trump's assertion was met with confusion and anger in some parts of Minnesota, where tens of thousands of Somali refugees were relocated from their Horn of Africa homeland after its government collapsed in 1991 and civil war broke out. And on Tuesday, one of those refugees won a seat in Congress.

Ilhan Omar took home 78 percent of the vote in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, becoming the first Somali-American, first refugee and first hijab-wearing Muslim woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She also became the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress. "When people were selling the politics of fear and division and destruction, we were talking about hope. We were talking about the politics of joy," Omar said in her victory speech.

Omar already knew what it meant to be a "first." In 2016, she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, which made her the first Somali American in history to be elected legislator in the United States.

Omar's win "reinforces the idea that all is possible in America," said Cawo Abdi, a professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. It also repudiates Trump's efforts to use the Somali community "to show the failure of the immigration system," Abdi said.

Omar, 36, was born in Somalia but fled with her family to Kenya as a refugee when she was 8. They lived in a refugee camp for four years before being resettled in Minneapolis in 1997. Her campaign website says she became interested in politics at age 14, when she would interpret for her grandfather at local caucuses.

In recent years, a small number of Minnesotans either joined the Islamic State or were caught conspiring to do so.

But Omar's win has the potential to change the way the community is viewed by outsiders, Abdi said. "The rhetoric of exclusion really can be undermined by having these types of stories and these types of successes," she said.

"There has been an extreme level of scrutiny, and the community is really feeling under siege," Abdi said. "This type of thing is something really positive."

Duchess Harris, a professor of American studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of "Black Feminist Politics from Kennedy to Trump," said Omar's win is "a tremendous success for the people of the 5th District."

The area Omar will represent "has changed so drastically in the last 30 years that you know she clearly reflects a voice and a sentiment for the community," Harris said.

"This is a win for all Americans because we are a country that espouses freedom of religion, and I think for people to see someone who wears a hijab on the congressional floor is an important symbol for that fact."

---

Video Embed Code

Video: State Rep. Ilhan Omar was the Democratic nominee for Congress in Minnesota's 5th District. She became one of two Muslim women elected to Congress on Nov. 6.(Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

Embed code:U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has begun briefing her Cabinet on the text of the almost-complete Brexit deal, as her negotiators seek to finalize the last outstanding issue in Brussels.

Senior ministers have been invited into a private reading room in a building adjoining May's offices to examine the 95 percent of the withdrawal package that's been agreed so far, according to people familiar with the matter.

What's missing is the most contentious part of the deal -- the guarantee to keep goods trade flowing freely across the Irish border. Options are now being negotiated in detail by British and European officials in Brussels, according to people familiar with the positions of both sides.

If these talks are successful, officials will declare that "decisive progress" has been made on the terms of the U.K.'s exit from the bloc. British officials say this could happen next week or even as early as Thursday.

May will still need to get the deal, including the so-called Irish border backstop plan, approved by her Cabinet and later by Parliament -- where she's likely to face considerable opposition.

But two people familiar with the issue suggested she would not need to wait for Cabinet approval before signing up in principle to the terms negotiated in Brussels.

There was no agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday as ministers were still discussing a fix for the Irish border issue. They expect another meeting to be called within days, when May is likely to press them to sign off on her deal.

She still faces one major hurdle to getting that Cabinet agreement. Pro-Brexit ministers led by Environment Secretary Michael Gove are demanding to see the full legal advice on which May's plans are based.

Gove and his euroskeptic Cabinet colleagues are concerned May will tie the U.K. into an open-ended customs union with the EU -- all as part of the backstop plan for the Irish border. Pro-Brexit members of May's Tory party will see that as a betrayal of the U.K.'s 2016 vote to leave the EU, and could try to block the Brexit deal and even attempt to oust her.WEST ALTON, Missouri  Being one with nature is beneficial, energizing and beautiful.

The Waters Edge Art Walk, currently installed at The Audubon Center at Riverlands through the end of the year, provides the setting for guests to make that natural connection through the beauty of the Riverlands combined with the art  as the artists did while creating the pieces, many which are site specific.

Materials include felled wood, from flooding or natural progression, found objects, glass, twine, vines and eco-dyed canvas, with subjects revolving around birds, the environment, wildlife and the rivers. The exhibit contains both indoor and outdoor elements that serve as a backdrop for the swans and pelicans, which have already started to return to the area for the winter, and fuel the anticipation for the American bald eagles, who wont be far behind.

Audubon Center advisory board member and curator of the exhibit, Penny Schmidt, said that the hope was for artists to be inspired by the location, and thats exactly what happened.

Its a fresh lens. Its a way for people to appreciate the river, along with the art, Schmidt said. It adds a new and different perspective to the location.

Danne Rhaesa, assistant professor of studio art at Principia College, created her multi-faceted piece, No Longer Burning for the Waters Edge Art Walk.

The installation includes three large pyres, each representing a group of avian species in trouble. One group represents 29 North American birds that are already extinct, another represents 20 endangered species, and the third, 20 critically endangered. That is a lot of birds to lose from one continent  and thats just since records have been kept  beginning sometime in the 19th century.

Rhaesa wanted to raise awareness of the loss of such creatures. Using found wood, she built the pyres and added local rocks and feathers, along with oxidized canvas to create banners  each representing the name of a different species.

I love the river, and I want to help make people stop and admire the environment, she said. Before I started, I visited the center and I knew right away I wanted to do something about birds. Once I started researching and found the numbers that are extinct, I wanted to build awareness and help find a way so we can all champion some of the species that are endangered.

Rhaesa will fully explain her techniques and motives at her talk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17.

In addition, Rhaesa, in collaboration with Duncan Martin, professor of studio art and the chair of the studio art and art history department at Principia, led the students enrolled in the Ideas and Visual Form class at Principia as they brainstormed, designed and installed a site-specific piece for the Waters Edge Art Walk entitled We Belong to the Earth; the Earth Doesnt Belong to Us.

Rhaesa took the 17 students through an explorative process to choose what the project would be, the scope of it, and how it would fit into the environmental space at the Riverlands.

The students experimented with ideas on their own, and in the end, the professors chose the four strongest that were then voted on. The end result was to be inclusive of all four concepts  an arch, waves, a landing and a bird, each with a significance all its own.

We used materials that we had on hand or that were easily available, Rhaesa said. We used felled logs from a farm in Nutwood that is dedicated to becoming an entirely native

wetlands and prairie. We gathered willows, and deconstructed some past projects we had at the college.

When it came time to do the full-scale, on-site installation, Rhaesa told them that due to the weather that might produce rain and even high winds in the outdoor setting over the course of the exhibit, the sculpture could not merely be lain together. I told them to think like a beaver, she said. Everything had to be woven together. If it could be pushed off, then it wasnt going to work.

Libby Reuters piece is entitled Confluence Cairne. Reuters artistic mission is to bring attention to the fragility of the Mississippis watershed, which is now the third largest in the world.

The watershed is so fragile, Reuter said. And really thats the point of my work  to point that out. People see the cairnes in an outdoor environment and realize how easily they could break. Our water is that important, and that brittle.

Also included in the exhibition are photographs by Joshua Rowan, who works in collaboration with Reuter to take pictures of the cairns (so named as a representation of stacks of rocks that hikers make as trail markers) that are marking a water source in some of the most tenuous environments.

Ann B. Coddingtons work with basket-like forms contrast solid and open structures comparing fertile and barren, strong and fragile, free and captive, eternal and ephemeral.

The open, netted shapes transcend to the natural setting and materials she used for her outdoor display in the Waters Edge Art Walk.

Sun Foret-Smiths contributions extend throughout the outdoor space as small nests created using textile techniques and placed in trees and shrubs along the way, just when you least expect them. She also has several pieces on view in the indoor displays. Much of her past work has revolved around textiles and the river in the form of large-scale quilts. The knotting technique she used in the nests is a relatively new endeavor.

We want to welcome a broader audience to the center by making more people aware of the natural beauty of the river and the bird sanctuary, Schmidt said. We are so lucky to have a center like this. Its one of only about 40 in the country, and one of the few that has an indoor facility where you can get in out of the weather and watch the birds and the river through the telescopes. And its free.

The Waters Edge Opening Reception will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, featuring special lighting by Rick Vaughn to illuminate the art. The event will include a special dance, As We Meet and Part, performed by eight women, that revolves around the space and is also site specific. Choreographer Erin Lane, assistant professor of dance at Principia, created the piece to evoke the association between people and the environment.

I wanted the dancers to engage with the space and sculptures to show the relationship humans have with nature, yet we try to change it, and we try to imitate it, Lane said.

She said the dance has evolved as the group has rehearsed on site and further developed a connection to the waters edge and surrounding nature that has subtly woven itself into the choreography.

Music will be provided by professional musician Darin Pierce on keyboard, along with students on drum and violin.

The reception will also include hors doeuvres and cocktails, and an opportunity to meet and chat with the artists. The suggested donation of $50 is tax-deductible and will help support the Audubon Centers mission.

The Waters Edge Art Walk is sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy, Rivers Office Project of the St. Louis District USACE, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, Nancy Reynolds, Dwyer Brown, and other donors

The Audubon Center at Riverlands opened in 2011, and is a project of the National Audubon Society, in collaboration with the Rivers Project Office, which manages the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuarys 3,700 acres of public lands and water where the center is located. In its site near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the center and sanctuary combine an opportunity to combine science, education, public engagement and the environment.

Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven-days-a-week, though the outdoor elements can be viewed from sunrise to sunset. At 11 a.m, on various Saturday mornings during the exhibit, each artist will give a guided tour and share information about his or her own process, materials, inspiration and intent. For more information and a schedule of the artist talks, visit riverlands.audubon.org, or call (636) 899-0090.RICHMOND, Va. - The first sign came last year. Chesterfield County, a stretch of suburban and rural communities southwest of Richmond, backed a Democrat for governor for the first time since 1961.

Since then, in Chesterfield, and in Loudoun County outside Washington and in parts of Hampton Roads - all once reliable GOP suburbs - anger toward President Donald Trump has been building. And on Tuesday, voters in those populous communities flipped three Republican congressional seats, electing a trio of Democratic women.

In the communities nearest Washington, where national politics are inescapable, it had long been predicted that Democrat Jennifer Wexton would beat Rep. Barbara Comstock, a classic establishment Republican - and she did, easily.

More telling was the razor thin victory of Democrat Abigail Spanberger over Rep. Dave Brat in the Richmond suburbs that include Chesterfield, as well as the squeaker that Democrat Elaine Luria pulled off against Rep. Scott Taylor in the Hampton Roads area.

In Virginia and around the country, Democrats tapped into outrage from suburbanites, particularly college-educated women but also immigrants and some white men who had voted for Trump in 2016, to help them win control of the House.

"It's the suburban transformation that has undermined Republican chances in Virginia," said Bob Holsworth, a longtime political analyst in the state.

Tuesday's outcome underlined that fact by showing that even in a year when a huge flow of outside money and big voter turnout brought Virginia Democrats the outcome they wanted, rural parts of the state resisted the trend. Voters there stood with Trump and voted Republican.

The suburbs were the fault lines, the place where the opposite poles overlapped. Partly driven by women's groups like the Liberal Women of Chesterfield County, suburban areas broke in favor of Democratic candidates after years of supporting the GOP.

That happened in a big way in Loudoun County for Wexton, who won the rapidly developing bedroom community by a dramatic 20-point margin. In 2014, Loudoun went for Comstock over her Democratic opponent by more than 10 percentage points. In 2016, Comstock lost Loudoun by fewer than 200 votes. This year she lost by nearly 33,000 votes.

In the 2nd District in Hampton Roads, it was an edge in Virginia Beach - a sprawling city that's almost all suburbs - that put Luria past Taylor. Two years ago, Taylor won Virginia Beach over another Democrat by 24 percentage points.

The shift is good news for moderate statewide Democrats such as Sen. Tim Kaine, who easily won re-election Tuesday, and Gov. Ralph Northam, whose win last year capped a huge sweep of victories for his party in the House of Delegates.

But it would be a mistake to conclude that all Virginia suburbs have become blue, Holsworth said. Rather, the suburbs - less crowded than the Democratic cities but more populated than the Republican countryside - are now in play in a way they weren't before.

On Tuesday, Spanberger's win in the 7th District outside Richmond was a good illustration of the role the suburbs played. The sprawling district stretches from Culpeper County to Nottaway Count y in the central part of the state, and includes neatly ordered suburbs as well as sparsely populated farmland.

Chesterfield County, the part of the district that borders Richmond, saw a 25 percent jump in population between 2000 and 2016. While it's still largely white, the percentages of blacks and Latinos have been growing.

As the suburban sections of the 7th district have become more populous and diverse, Republican margins have been shrinking.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the congressional district by 11 percentage points in 2012. Trump won it by six points in 2016. In the 2017 governor's race, Republican Ed Gillespie beat Democrat Ralph Northam there by 3.5 points, although Northam went on to carry the state by a large margin.

"That district is not blue," Holsworth said. About 35 percent of the voters in the 7th live in rural areas and are reliably red, he said, so a Democrat has to do extraordinarily well in the suburban parts to win the whole district.

Spanberger "had to push those margins up, and she did, then she ran slightly better than Northam (in 2017) in those rural jurisdictions," Holsworth said. "She doubled Northam's margin in Chesterfield."

He credited her energetic campaign, which began more than a year ago and raised the most money of any Virginia congressional candidate. And he faulted Republicans - not only Brat, whose campaign was "almost invisible," he said - but also Corey Stewart, atop the ticket as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

A divisive and bombastic candidate who ran in the mold of Trump, Stewart was toxic to many suburban voters. Other Republicans steered clear of him.

"If the Republicans had a more effective Senate candidate, more money could have come into the state and there could have been more collaboration with Republican campaigns. And as close as things were in VA-2 and 7, a stronger candidate at the top of the ticket could have made the difference in those House races," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.

Tucker Martin, a longtime GOP strategist, said the suburbs have become more challenging for Republicans over time due to demographic changes - a problem exacerbated in the Trump era.

"It's tough out there, man, it's tough for Virginia Republicans. When President Trump won, they went to the parties and went to the balls. But it's come with a price in the commonwealth," said Martin, who was spokesman for the last Republican to win statewide - former Gov. Bob McDonnell, nearly 10 years ago.

Trump is particularly unpopular in Virginia's diverse suburbs and among women. Except for Stewart, who likes to say he was "Trump before Trump was Trump", Virginia Republicans have struggled find the right tone when campaigning in the president's shadow. Add to that the huge number of voters who now live in suburban swing districts, and the calculus for Republicans is daunting.

But it's not impossible, Martin said.

"If you look at Larry Hogan in Maryland, Bob McDonnell in 2009, Charlie Baker in Massachusetts - these are candidates who ran very policy-focused campaigns and presented voters with something different," Martin said. "If you present voters in Virginia, Maryland or Massachusetts with a standard-issue Republican and a standard-issue Democrat, you lose because it's a math problem. You have to get back to persuading. We actually have to bring voters to our side."Last week, I attended the first global Gender-Smart Investing Summit, in London. Summit sessions explored ways to unlock barriers to deploy capital in a gender-smart way.

Related: 98 Percent of VC Funding Goes to Men. Can Women Entrepreneurs Change a Sexist System?

Meanwhile, back in California, All Raise, a group which was started by leading women venture capitalists and aims to double the number of female VC partners and increase funding to companies with female founders, held its own first summit.

This week in New York, Acumen will also host a first conversation on investing with a gender lens.

Why this sudden upsurge in events focusing on women and investment? Perhaps for the very first time, we are seeing noteworthy groups take serious action to address the persistent funding gap between women-led startups and their male-led counterparts.

In fact, this seems to be a watershed moment -- and a welcome one in the world of women entrepreneurs where Ive been focused for the past 11 years through the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program.

Like the record number of women vying in this week's midterm elections for House and Senate seats and for governorships in multiple states, more women in investment are stepping up to transform the status quo and create solutions for ourselves. In this ecosystem, which encourages and supports entrepreneurship, various turning points have helped foster change. Here are some of the points emphasized at last week's summit:

Women entrepreneurs are now scaling businesses -- and doing well.

When I began working with women founders back in 2008, the landscape for women entrepreneurs was far less encouraging than it is today. There were fewer high-growth women-led firms and fewer programs that addressed the needs of women founders on the rise, particularly for funding.

That has changed, however, thanks in part to the women who have built enormously successful companies. A long list of founders has proved the business case for investing in women and often demonstrated that there are greater benefits to be had, as well.

Related: 3 Ways to Play the VC Game if You're Not a White Guy

The list includes Phyllis Newhouse, CEO of cybersecurity firm XtremeSolutions. Newhouse, who co-founded her nearly $150 million company in 2002. A military veteran, Newhouse is a powerful advocate for veterans. She's worked on behalf of homeless veterans and with Women Veterans of Social Justice, which addresses challenges faced by women in both the military and veteran communities. She has also partnered with actress Viola Davis in a new movement for women called Shoulder Up.

Tory Burch, who founded her billion-dollar namesake fashion company in 2004, is yet another entrepreneur paying it forward, with her Tory Burch Foundation. Launched in 2009, the foundation supports the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, with programs providing access to capital and entrepreneurial education, and to mentoring and networking opportunities.

Women are clearing a path for others to follow.

When Sherry Deutschmann sought funding for LetterLogic, the patient billing company she founded in 2002, banks rejected her and she couldnt get favorable terms from local investors. Undaunted, she sold her household furniture and drained her 401(k) to launch the business from her basement. Fourteen years later, Deutschmann sold LetterLogic, to the private equity firm WestView Capital. At that point, LetterLogic had sales of over $40 million.

She then established her own angel investment fund, Sunset Ventures, which invests primarily in women-led companies.

Easier access to funding could have eased the way for these founders. But because of the successes they and other women have had, more financiers now believe women can build large, high-value companies; and more women who are interested in entrepreneurship believe it, too. This combination will almost certainly lead to more investments in female-led organizations.

The challenge: If more women gain easier access to growth capital, they too will need to remember to stick to their values, and support one another, which becomes ever more challenging in high-growth companies.

The VC funding statistics for women are grim, but they're now getting noticed.

Fifty-seven percent of all public U.S. companies founded since 1979 have been VC-backed, as have five of the top seven S&P 500 companies, according to Stanford University faculty research. Yet, according to the M&A, private equity and VC database PitchBook, just 2 percent of VC funding went to U.S. women CEOs in 2017.

The numbers arent much better even for companies that include at least one woman on their management team. Those companies got just 12 percent of VC funding.

External funding matters.

Although women like Newhouse, Burch, and Deutshmann have scaled businesses without VC funding, they are rare exceptions. Only 4.2 percent of companies founded by women have achieved sales over $1 million. And that number drops precipitously when you count only entrepreneurial women of color.

While these statistics are widely known today, the scenario they describe has not always been the case. Around the time we launched our Winning Women program, much was being written about the fact that women-led businesses did not generally grow as fast or as large as those led by men. Observers lamented this state of affairs, yet few seemed to recognize its causes or offer any solutions. Once the statistics made news, that coverage helped focus attention on the problem, including further scrutiny of the $330 billion U.S. venture industry.

We need to continue to push for more measurement and accountability in this space and to foster innovative thinking on what kinds of funding models work best for a diverse range of businesses. Traditional venture capital, and the returns it expects, are vital fuel for entrepreneurship in America. But, as we are seeing at the current gender-smart summits, traditional models are the not the only way to foster business growth.

We need to make sure we understand what is moving the needle and getting more funding to women; we need to double down on those efforts. At the same time, we must continue to create alternative funding solutions that match different kinds of companies and a variety of definitions of success.

Women need to put VC industry practices under a microscope.

It turns out women are not underrepresented only as a share of CEOs who get VC funding: They are also sharply underrepresented at VC firms.

Just 9 percent of U.S. VCs are women, and 74 percent of U.S. VC firms are all-male. The scant number of women VCs has clear implications for women founders. Data from Babson Universitys Diana Project shows that companies with a woman in management are twice as likely to be funded by VC firms that have a woman partner.

Our organization also discovered that women face discrimination beyond a lack of funding. Harassment allegations like those leveraged against early-stage VCs like Justin Caldbeck, formerly of Binary Capital, and Dave McClure, formerly of 500 Startups, shed new light on bad behavior.

Both VCs resigned in disgrace after accusations of sexual harassment and even sexual assault reverberated throughout the tech industry in 2017. That process accelerated with the advent of the #MeToo movement, leading to the collapse of Caldbecks firm and to investor Reid Hoffmans call for a decency pledge.

The more both men and women root out the unconscious and blatant bias, and call out bad behavior, the more the entrepreneurial ecosystem will actually nurture and finance the high-potential entrepreneurs among us and not just a select few.

Women need to step up with goals and a plan.

Awareness of the funding hurdles that women founders face is critical, but not enough. The numbers of women-led firms getting funded has barely budged in recent years. That is why it is so noteworthy -- and heartening -- to learn that professional investors, including the team behind All Raise, are banding together to help remake the VC-backed startup ecosystem.

All Raise has set clear goals. One is to double, in ten years, the number of female VC partners from 9 percent to 18 percent in U.S.-based, technology-oriented venture firms with more than $25 million under active management. Another is to increase funding to companies with a female founder from 15 percent to 25 percent of VC-funded companies in five years.

Related: New Data Illuminates VC Bias Against Women

Still, despite the lists of top women in business that seem to be more ubiquitous, I have a bigger goal in mind. I aspire for the day when we no longer talk about women entrepreneurs or need a separate list to highlight their accomplishments. Instead, I envision a time when we will marvel at one list that features a gender-diverse group of entrepreneurs building exciting high-growth companies that are changing the world.

With efforts like those, I believe we will get there.

Related:

Women Are (Finally) Turning the VC Funding Tide

98 Percent of VC Funding Goes to Men. Can Women Entrepreneurs Change a Sexist System?

You Can't Get VC Funding for Your Startup. Now, What?



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedElection returns came in late for San Antonio's controversial charter amendments and the results were split, with voters rejecting one proposition and approving two.

Bexar County residents voted down Proposition A, which would have made it easier for citizens to challenge city council decisions by ballot referendum. They passed Propositions B and C, which will limit the salary and tenure of future city managers and will provide the firefighters' union with unilateral authority to declare an impasse in contract negotiations with the city and force the city into binding arbitration.When newly elected District Attorney Joe Gonzales takes office Jan. 1, hell review how to revive a seldom-used cite-and-release program that allows individuals suspected of certain low-level misdemeanors to take a class and pay a fine rather than have an arrest on their record.

That is one the district attorney elects first priorities for his first few days in office, he said Wednesday, a day after he soundly defeated Republican Tylden Shaeffer in the election.

That has been a pet project of mine, Gonzales said of such a program, which would likely include possession of small amounts of marijuana. I want to know how to do it on a larger scale.

Gonzales detailed plan to implement cite and release in Bexar County comes almost a year after current District Attorney Nico LaHood, whom Gonzales defeated in the Democratic primary, announced a plan of his own.

On ExpressNews.com: New program treats misdemeanors similar to traffic offenses

But LaHoods program was marred by problems from the beginning. Officials with the his office were working to finalize the policy two days before LaHood announced it was available for use, according to records obtained by the San Antonio Express-News.

The pilot program was rolled out in partnership with the Bexar County Sheriffs Office first, and within 60 days, the district attorneys office said it intended to provide guidelines to the dozens of other law enforcement agencies in Bexar County so they could use the program, too, if they so chose.

But at the end of 60 days, many department heads said they still had not received any guidance regarding the program. In total, 31 citations were issued during the pilot program.

On ExpressNews.com: Records show cite and release had rocky beginning

Gonzales said Wednesday he needs to speak with LaHoods staff to determine what exactly went wrong, but he suspects it has to do with a lack of guidance from the District Attorneys Office.

Gonzales said he has already spoken to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar about reviving the cite and release program, which they support.

He said he intends to reach out to officials with other police agencies in Bexar County to discuss the program with them, too.

Said Gonzales: I want to go back in there and say Look, were going to start from scratch. Were going to start anew. Lets work together.

Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeatonPolice fatally shot a suspect who opened fire on them early Wednesday in downtown San Antonio.

Officers responded to a gun disturbance at about 12:55 a.m. at the intersection of Commerce and Navarro streets, where they found the suspect, a man in his 20s, and approached him.

RELATED: Three dead, one injured in far West Side shooting

According to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, the suspect became aggressive towards the two officers, so they attempted to use a stun gun on him.

When that failed, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun, racked the slide and fired a shot off in the officers' direction.

The officers returned fire, fatally striking the man. Paramedics later pronounced him dead at the scene.

RELATED: SAPD: Woman had sex with autistic 14-year-old boy while grandparents watched

Detectives are now investigating the shooting.

McManus said two officers involved are a 17-year veteran and a probationary officer with two years of experience. Both service in the department's Park Police Unit and will be placed on administrative duty.

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 family dispute led to the shooting deaths of two sisters and the apparent suicide of their attacker, police said Wednesday.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office identified the dead Wednesday as Alexander Hyde, 19, and sisters Delma Lou Ann and Cassandra Ann Pereida. The three were found dead just after 4 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 10300 block of Cone Hill.

A neighbor had called police saying that they heard shots fired in the area, according to preliminary information from a police report.

RELATED: BCSO: Neighborhood feud leads to fatal shooting on NE side

SAPD spokesman Officer Douglas Greene said that as police made their way to the area, a second caller led police to the home. Greene said that caller had been talking to one of the victims via social media when the shooting occurred.

When officers arrived, they heard someone inside the house calling for help and forced their way in. Inside, they found a man and two women dead and a wounded 52-year-old woman.

The woman was shot in both arms and lost a lot of blood, Greene said. She was taken to University Hospital, where she remained in critical condition Wednesday.

A family member said Wednesday evening that the woman was in her second surgery.

Investigators said that Hyde came to the home unannounced Tuesday and shot all three women before turning the gun on himself.

There had been a recent family argument which caused the suspect to become disgruntled over the last few days, a preliminary report states.

RELATED: Prosecutor calls Uvalde church bus crash a "mass killing"

Delma Lou Ann Pereida, 19, was found with a shotgun wound to the head and neck. Cassandra, 17, had a shotgun wound to her torso, according to the medical examiner. Their deaths were ruled a homicide.

Hyde died as a result of a shotgun wound to the head, the medical examiner said. His death was ruled a suicide.

John Maglinte, who owns the home where the incident occurred, said the injured woman lives there with her two daughters.

He said the three had been living there for about a year, and that they had just renewed their lease.

The news caught neighbors by surprise.

To me, its always been a quiet street, said Refugio Villafana, a 74-year-old who lives across the street from the family.

Villafana said he knows most of the residents on the street, but did not know the victims of the shooting.

They keep to themselves, he said.

Villafana recalled hearing a few loud noises, but initially thought the neighbors were moving furniture around.

I thought nothing of it, he said. About 20 minutes later, I looked outside and it was a whole different scene.

Villafana said the shooting left him feeling concerned about the family.

Thats kind of hitting close to home, he said. You dont like to see that or hear about it. Our prayers go out to them. Thats a big loss.

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The race in Congressional District 23 came down to the last precinct  and election workers there misreported their vote tally, officials said.

That error temporarily gave Democratic challenger Gina Ortiz Jones a 282-vote lead around 2:30 a.m.  causing the Associated Press to rescind its call that the race had gone to incumbent Republican Will Hurd. But once it was corrected, Hurd was again ahead, although only by 689 votes.

The Hurd campaign declared victory Wednesday morning after the late-night dramatics.

RELATED: Julian Castro 'hoping' to run for president; encouraged by midterm results

"With all precincts reporting, I'm proud to have won another tough re-election in the 23rd Congressional District of Texas," Hurd said in a statement. "I'm proud to be the first person to hold this tough seat three elections in a row (in) more than two decades. I'm ready to get back to work for my constituents."

But Wednesday afternoon, Gina Ortiz Jones campaign declared in a tweet that the race wasnt over.

This election is not over  every vote matters and must be counted. Ginas campaign has been powered by grassroots energy from day one, and we wont stop working until every provisional ballot, absentee ballot, and military or overseas ballot has been counted, according to a statement by Ortiz Jones spokeswoman Noelle Rosellini. The statement was tweeted out on Ortiz Jones Twitter account.

There are still overseas military ballots and provisional ballots to be counted, according to Sam Taylor, communications director for the secretary of state. But he didnt say how many of them are still out.

Taylor said the current results are unofficial. He also pointed out that Ortiz Jones is will within the margin to request a recount.

The secretary of states office has not received word that Ortiz Jones campaign has done that yet, Taylor said.

The district is one of the only perennial swing seats in Texas. Hurd won his previous two elections by just 1.33 percentage points in 2016 and 2.1 percentage points in 2014.

As it stands now, this years race was decided by one-third of a percentage point. Hurd has 102,903 votes to Ortiz Jones 102,214.

But Tuesday night, for about a 30-minute window  there was a point where Ortiz Jones had appeared to win by 282 votes, Taylor said.

Then it was discovered that a precinct in Medina County  the last in the district to report its numbers  had neglected to include Election Day votes in the tally they had sent in, according to Sam Taylor, communications director for the secretary of state.

RELATED: Analysis: How Ted Cruz pulled off the win against Beto

The state quickly reached out to Medina, which corrected its error.

At Ortiz Jones election night party Tuesday, the candidate never addressed the 150 or so supporters that gathered in a business office courtyard on the West Side to watch the results.

We keep asking, but theyre not responding, one clearly frustrated Democratic Party official said as the night wore on.

After supporters left, workers dismantled the stage and the Associated Press initially called the race for Hurd, Ortiz Jones finally surfaced and appeared to concede.

I am extremely proud, she said, of the campaign that my team and I have a run. Its been an amazing opportunity to give voice to the issues that matter to Texans all across Texas 23. Its been my honor to speak with communities and to really think about how best to serve these communities. So while it didnt shake out the way we would want we ran a campaign that we are proud of and that really reflected Texas values.

She and her staff then left the building without answering questions from reporters.

Staff Writer Richard Marini contributed to this report. | 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Democrat Joe Gonzales will be the next Bexar County district attorney after Republican Tylden Shaeffer called him to concede the race.

Gonzales will fill the seat previously held by Nico LaHood, who he had defeated in the Democratic primary.Voters casting midterm election ballots in Texas are divided over the state of the nation, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate.

As voters cast ballots for governor, U.S. Senate and members of Congress in Tuesday's elections, AP VoteCast found that 49 percent of Texas voters said the country is on the right track, compared with 50 percent who said the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Here's a snapshot of who voted and why in Texas, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, an innovative nationwide survey of about 135,000 voters and nonvoters _ including 3,711 voters and 827 nonvoters in the state of Texas _ conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

FOLLOW ALONG: Live updates of the 2018 Texas midterm elections in the Houston region



TOP ISSUE: IMMIGRATION

Immigration was at the forefront of voters' minds: 30 percent named it as the most important issue facing the nation in this year's midterm elections. Others considered health care (23 percent), the economy (19 percent), gun policy (7 percent) and terrorism (6 percent) to be the top issue.



STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later.

Voters have a positive view of the nation's current economic outlook _ 71 percent said the nation's economy is good, compared with 29 percent who said it's not good.

CASTING BALLOTS: Hundreds of Prairie View college students march to the polls to vote



TRUMP FACTOR

For 36 percent of Texas voters, President Donald Trump was not a factor they considered while casting their vote. By comparison, 63 percent said Trump was a reason for their vote.



CONTROL OF CONGRESS

Tuesday's elections will determine control of Congress in the final two years of Trump's first term in office, and 74 percent of Texas voters said which party will hold control was very important as they considered their vote. Another 19 percent said it was somewhat important.



AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate in all 50 states conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 3,711 voters and 827 nonvoters in Texas was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English or Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files and self-identified registered voters selected from opt-in online panels. Participants in the probability-based portion of the survey were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 2.0 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including from sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.On Nov. 5, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a joint resolution passed by Congress that designated November 1988 as National Alzheimers Disease Month.

The resolution referred to the two and one-half million Americans affected by Alzheimers disease and the $25 billion annual cost of nursing home admissions.

Today, 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimers disease, which costs the nation $277 billion a year. Nearly one-third of our seniors die with a form of dementia, and every 65 seconds, someone in our great nation develops Alzheimers.

Texas ranks fourth nationally in the number of Alzheimers cases at 380,000 and is second in Alzheimers-related deaths (9,135 in 2016). Mirroring a national trend, deaths among Texans with Alzheimers rose 180 percent between 2000 and 2015.

Hispanics, who account for 40 percent of the states population, have a 30 to 50 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimers.

More troubling, this tidal wave is intensifying.

Unless effective prevention and cures are discovered, the number of Americans living with Alzheimers disease is expected to nearly triple to 13.8 million by 2050. By that time, Texas families may be assisting 1 million of their loved ones affected by the disease.

Earlier this year, I discussed these issues at a meeting of the University of Texas System Board of Regents.

Responding to the Alzheimers Tsunami was the theme, which was fitting because we truly face a health care storm of immense proportions. The loss of memories and decision-making skills by those who have Alzheimers is only part of the toll on families. Caregivers who manage their loved ones affairs and daily needs experience untold stress and anxiety.

For more than two decades Ive worked as a researcher of dementia, and I am a senior investigator in the Framingham Heart Study. This New England-based study has enrolled three generations of people since 1948. We are learning valuable insights by analyzing the health outcomes of these participants, including associations between heart health and dementia.

In December 2017, I joined UT Health San Antonio to serve as the founding director of the new Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The Biggs Institute, backed by $50 million raised from the San Antonio community, will tackle the Alzheimers challenge from all sides  by caring for caregivers, by providing novel therapies in clinical trials, by understanding risk factors in Hispanics, and by identifying molecular signatures of the disease and new pathways to prevent and treat it.

The Biggs Institute is an all-out commitment to quelling the rising tsunami. We do it for patients and families, in memory of a great friend to the San Antonio community, Glenn Biggs.

Known for his dedication and service to the community, Mr. Biggs was a prominent figure whose leadership influenced economic development across San Antonio. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, he and his family struggled to find comprehensive care.

This search led him to approach UT Health San Antonio President William L. Henrich and many other community leaders to address the need for a comprehensive center dedicated to understanding Alzheimers disease.

His vision of a center to transform care and advance discovery is now the Biggs Institute at UT Health San Antonio.

Partnering with the community, we at the Biggs Institute will respond to the Alzheimers tsunami by understanding the biology of this complex disease, which will lead us to ways of preventing it and delivering personalized treatment.

Our children and grandchildren will be the beneficiaries.

Sudha Seshadri, M.D., is professor of neurology at UT Health San Antonio and founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Dr. Seshadri holds the Robert R. Barker Distinguished University Chair for the Director of the Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases, and the USAA Foundation Presidents Distinguished University Chair in Neurosciences.As conventional wisdom goes, the midterm election is done  on to the 2020 election, with the White House, all of Congress, governorships in other states, state houses and an array of down-ballot races in play.

Thats right; we seem to be in a state of perpetual election. Our hope  dim as it is  is that we will not continue to see the divisiveness and rancor in the next election cycle that we experienced in this one. It was not pretty. Not by a long shot.

There is one genuinely good lesson, however, that emerges from this bruising midterm election. It can be drawn from the closeness of some of these races  particularly in Texas. As of this writing, a few are still too close to call.

Consider that in a state where a Democrat hasnt won statewide office since 1994, a Democrat  Beto ORourke  came whisker close to unseating an incumbent U.S. senator, Republican Ted Cruz. And while that much-talked-about blue wave didnt achieve the broad gains Democrats wanted, the closeness of some of the statewide races should logically be read this way: Those who won should reconcile themselves to the notion that they represent deeply divided constituencies.

Two choices then present themselves. The winners can view their margins of victory as mandates  license to govern from extremes. Or they can recognize that near majorities of their constituents turned out in direct repudiation of that. They can represent to unite, or they can represent to divide.

We vote for unity.

Yes, this is a tall order. All the dynamics that made the midterm elections so tribal will not go away for the 2020 election. But this can at least be toned down  newly elected officials and those returned to office stepping out of character and showing us how its done.

The big news of the night was that Democrats captured the U.S. House. On the positive side, this represents a much-needed check on presidential power. It also makes more likely needed inquiry into matters a GOP-controlled House simply ignored or willfully bungled for partisan purposes. We speak here of genuine inquiry into Russian meddling in U.S. elections  with the goal of strengthening our election process to guard against this  and whether the president is abusing the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution.

But there is a clear danger here of overreach. It will be as harmful to the republic as has been lack of congressional curiosity into these matters.

Pushed aside by the din that overtook this election, there is still the special counsel investigation into whether there was Trump campaign collusion with the Russians and whether obstruction of justice occurred.

Wait for that investigation to conclude before jumping to cries for impeachment.

Yes, the House has a duty to investigate. But this should be seriously undertaken, and not with its outcome predetermined. With GOP gains of a few seats in the Senate, impeachment would go nowhere, in any case, and would further divide the nation as many would view such efforts as attempts to nullify the presidential election.

In Texas, the state House and Senate will see the GOP majority winnowed. Democrats picked up 12 House seats, so what was a 95-55 majority has decreased to 83-67. In the Senate, Democrats picked up two seats.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick retains a Senate supermajority, which means Republicans can still bring legislation to floor votes without Democrats. But we urge Patrick to glean some meaning from his historically low margin of victory over Democrat Mike Collier.

Though Collier was a quality candidate and a strong challenger, we suspect he got an estimated 46.5 percent of the vote largely because of Patricks fondness for such divisive issues as the bathroom bill. This and other culture-war issues should not be reprised in the next legislative session in January.

Naked partisanship hurts. And that was nowhere more evident in these midterms elections than in Bexar County, where a blue wave did hit. And what that means is that quality judges lost their seats simply because they were Republican, and some quality Republican challengers failed for the same reason. If ever there was an example for why judicial races should not be partisan, this is it.

The final lesson in these midterms is that Texans, when energized, will turn out to vote in near presidential election-year numbers. In 2016, nearly 9 million voted. This month, 8.3 million voted.

Yes, this might be a one-off because of the Trump effect. Our hope, however, is that Texans will remain as energized to vote for someone or something as to vote against someone or something.Maria Horn defeated Republican incumbent Brian Ohler Wednesday morning to secure the state House 64 seat with less than 60 votes separating the two.

Horn received 50.22 percent, or 5,860 votes, and Ohler received about 49.78 percent, or 5,805 votes, according to the Secretary of the State website.

In an email sent to supporters Wednesday morning, Horn announced that Ohler called this morning to concede the election and graciously offered his full support in managing the transition ahead.

In a close election such as this, it is truly the case that every vote counted, every volunteer made an impact, and every conversation mattered, Horn wrote to her supporters. That includes the many conversations I have had with those who may have supported my opponent: I have learned from all of you and look forward to continuing that conversation as we begin the work ahead. We all want to live in a vibrant, healthy and harmonious community and I will work hard to support and protect those values for us in Hartford.

The 64th district includes Kent, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon and Torrington.

Creating jobs that offer higher wages was the biggest issue for both candidates but they differed on how to do it.

Horn proposes funding education should be the states priority. This spans from the K-12 level up through the state colleges so that colleges can be accessible and affordable. She said its also important to make sure theres job training at the community colleges and offer apprenticeships to connect students to the community.

She also said small business owners have a lot of expenses and the state should help offset those, including health care, so they can increase their employees wages.

Ohler proposed state incentives for small businesses who hire Connecticut residents, veterans and new graduates from the states high schools and community colleges, as well as recommended these companies speak with these students about their options while theyre still in school. He said there also needs to be more of an emphasis on vocational training at schools across the board in the state because those jobs pay well.Harley-Davidson announced Tuesday plans to recall roughly 238,300 motorcycles due to clutch problems that could result in an increased risk of crash.

Details of the Harley Davidson Clutch Recall

According to USA Today, the recall affects all model year 2017 and 2018 Harley Davidson Touring, Trike, and CVO Touring models as well as certain 2017 Harley Davidson Softails.

The National Highway Traffic Safety and Transportation Administration (NHTSA) says that the faulty clutches can leak fluid to the point that the clutch does not have enough life to disengage the bikes from gears. The agency says this can cause riders to lose control and crash.

Dealers will install a new secondary clutch actuator piston assembly to resolve the issue. Repairs will be made at no cost owners.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 5,286 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2016 with roughly 61 deaths occurring for every 100,000 registered motorcycles. An additional 88,000 motorcyclists are injured in accidents every year.

Among the leading injuries sustained my motorcyclists are:

Fractures and broken bones

Burns

Head injuries

Neck and back injuries

Traumatic brain injuries

Death

Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Recall Attorney

If you or a loved one were injured due to a recalled or defective motorcycle, contact Thomas J. Henry immediately. Our experienced vehicle recall lawyers are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim. Our team of legal professionals are ready to take immediate action on your case. You may be entitled to compensation if a manufacturers negligence lead to your injuries.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free case review  attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends. Call us today for a free legal consultation.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.California Found

4.9 overall rating

11 Ratings | 2 Reviews

California Found is a monthly subscription box which features products from California makers that can typically only be found in California! Subscribers receive several items per month that could be beauty, gourmet, style, or home goods.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About California Found

The Subscription Box: California Found

The Cost: $49 per month with discounts available for longer subscription commitments

COUPON: Use code SHIPSFREE to get free shipping to US addresses.

The Products: A minimum of $90 worth of California lifestyle goods, made by California based artisans

Ships to: US for free

California Found October 2018 Review

Instead of a booklet or pamphlet, California Found sends these really cool info cards for each product. They are very nice quality and informative. It also points out that they donate 10% of their profit every month to a charitable cause, and this month its The Sierra Club Foundation. They are a pretty famous environmental conservation organization that has recently grown in scope to include climate solutions. Also, the little band holding the cards together is embedded with wildflower seeds, so its plantable! So awesome! And finally, they have added a Golden Ticket contest  so if you find one in your sizzle, you get a free box for yourself or a friend!

Owl Feather Watercolor Art Print by Mika Harmony Art  Retail Value $22

This feather painting is really pretty! I think the colors are perfect for fall. The inspiration for artist Mika Harmonys feather are the owls near her studio in Ventura, California. I read that much of her inspiration comes from her view of the Channel Islands, which is one of my favorite places on Earth!

Naked Zen Scrub (4 oz.) by Naked Scrubs  Retail Value $10

This body scrub smells amazing! It contains lavender, rose buds, eucalyptus, chamomile, and coconut oil! That is indeed an all natural and winning combination for my skin. It had a deep de-stressing effect while I was using it, and it left my skin feeling really soft and super clean. Its awesome! Naked Scrubs was founded by Angela Johnson-Rogers in Long Beach, California.

Nail Polish in Spring Bliss by 7True  Retail Value $15

Even though I am all about nontoxic nail polish, this shade is just not for me. I am sure some people would consider it gorgeous, I just prefer my nail polish to stand out a bit. I will say, however, that the polish has lasted several days without much wear and tear, and even held up reasonably well against guitar playing. The name of the line comes from it being free of the seven most common dangerous chemicals found in many nail polishes. The nail polish is also vegan and cruelty-free. 7True was founded by three moms in Southern California.

Travel Tin (6 oz.) in I Wish I Was Apple Picking by Rush Candle Company  Retail Value $13.50

This candle smells incredible! It smells just like apple pie! It has a sweeter smell than apples, and has hints of cinnamon yum! Rush Candle Company, out of Brea California, was founded by Kevin and Katie Rush and is proud to pour pure soy candles on lead-free wicks. All their candles are non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free, and long burning. I love a good fall scented candle!

Moonlight Herbal Blend (1.5 oz) by Luna Tea Company  Retail Value $15

I dont know if I would consider tea a lifestyle, as Luna founder Jenni Curtice does, but I do love a good cup of hot tea in the cool months! This is a blend of peppermint, lavender, and basil, which is really unusual but tastes amazing! I am also always happy to have mint tea on hand as it is so good for calming the stomach. Luna Tea Co. is based out of Livermore, California.

Repurposed Leather and Gemstone Earrings by MB Bead and Stitch  Retail Value $35

These might be my new favorite earrings! I just love them! I love leather earrings, and the stylish addition of the bar of gemstones is so gorgeous! They are so funky and cool. The artist behind MB Bead and Stitch is Michelle Sanders, who works with organic and repurposed materials. She is based out of San Diego, California.

The Verdict: California Found has become one of my favorite subscription boxes! This was another awesome box! I love the autumn candle, the scrub smells amazing, and these earrings are just divine! The value of everything adds up to $110.50, which is more than the promised value of $90, and the box costs only $49, including free shipping!!!



To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the November box. From California Found:

If you subscribe on or before the 30th of the month, you will receive that months box. If you subscribe after the 30th, your subscription will begin with the next months shipment. If we are sold out of boxes the month you subscribe, you will be notified and your subscription will begin the following month.

Coupon  Use code MSALOVE20 to save 20% off your first box!

Value Breakdown: At $49 for this box, heres what you are paying approximately per item:

Print  $9.76

Scrub  $4.43

Nail Polish  $6.65

Candle  $5.99

Tea  $6.65

Earrings  $15.52

Check out all of our California Found reviews and more lifestyle boxes in the Womens Subscription Box List!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of California Found? What was your favorite item?Nyanga South Member of Parliament and former Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security Supa Mandiwanzira was yesterday arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office and spent a night at Matapi Police Station pending his appearance in court today.

Mandiwanzira handed himself to the police soon after his return from an overseas trip.

He is facing two counts of criminal abuse of office as a public officer during his tenure as a Cabinet minister.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Mandiwanziras arrest yesterday.

The ZRP confirms the arrest of Nyanga South Member of Parliament and former Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security Cde Supa Mandiwanzira in connection with two counts of contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, chapter 9:23 criminal abuse of office, he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said Mandiwanzira allegedly engaged Megawatt Company to do consultancy work for NetOne without going to tender before directing NetOne to pay $5 million to the said company.

This is in connection with audit contract awarded to Megawatt Company without going to tender, an entity in which Cde Mandiwanzira had interests and subsequent directive by him for NetOne to pay $4 million for the service and $1 million for consultancy, he said.

The payments were stopped by Procurement Regulating Authority of Zimbabwe since Megawatt Company had been unprocedurally awarded the contract.

On the second count, Mandiwanzira is said to have unprocedurally appointed his personal assistant, Tawanda Chinembiri to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) board.

Cde Mandiwanzira is also accused of unprocedurally seconding Tawanda Chinembiri to the Potraz board without following the required due process, Asst Comm Nyathi said.

According to the police, Potraz lost $35 000 through allowances drawn by Chinembiri.

Mandiwanzira is being represented by Advocates Thembinkosi Magwaliba and Brian Hungwe, instructed by Mr Selby Hwacha of Dube, Manikai & Hwacha.

The defence team said Mandiwanzira was denying the charges, saying Megawatt offered consultancy services at no cost to Government.

He denied the allegations and advised the police that Megawatt offered consultancy services at no cost to the government, said Adv Hungwe.

He also advised them that the consultancy led to the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for NetOne.

He explained that no corporate governance principles or any circular were violated in the appointment of the PA as a Potraz board member.

President Mnangagwa has made the fight against corruption a key policy plank.

Former Energy minister Samuel Undenge was recently convicted for criminal abuse of office during his tenure and was jailed before being freed on bail pending appeal.

He is also on trial on another case of a similar nature.

Other former ministers who have been arrested include Ignatius Chombo, Walter Mzembi, Saviour Kasukuwere and David Parirenyatwa, and their cases are still pending at the courts.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsCIVIL servants have demanded salaries in United States dollars following the price increases and rejection of the bond note and electronic transfers by some shop owners and service providers.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) and the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) said their salaries were too low and no longer worth much in the face of galloping commodity prices.

Zina general secretary Mr Enock Dongo said the prevailing economic environment had taken a toll on nurses.

We demand that our salaries be paid in United States dollars since some shops are not accepting any other form of payment. We also call on the government to adopt flexible duties for the nurses.

For example, nurses can work from 7AM to 7PM working shifts for three days a week instead of the current 7AM to 4PM for five days a week to mitigate increased transport costs, said Mr Dongo.

He said the cost of basic commodities, transport, accommodation and the general cost of living have risen by almost three fold in local bond notes to meet the original US$ value.

This development has impacted negatively on our membership whose salaries are sadly still pegged in local bond notes and worse still in Real Time Gross Settlement format, said Mr Dongo.

According to him, service provision in public health institutions has also been compromised because of the drug and resource shortages, making it difficult for nurses to effectively discharge their duties.

Zimta secretary general Mr Tapson Nganunu Sibanda said the association was piling pressure on the Government to seriously consider paying them in foreign currency so that they are in a position to meet their daily monetary commitments.

Having observed that we have been hardest hit by the recent monetary pronouncements and measures, were no longer in a position to meet our daily monetary commitments and are therefore incapacitated.

Were therefore calling for an immediate cushioning of teachers through payment of salaries in foreign currency, aid Mr Sibanda.

He said their demands were justified looking at the recent price hikes that had impoverished most people in the country.

Our demand is informed by the fact that teachers can no longer afford to pay for daily commuting to work, buy food, rentals, and medical bills as all service providers are demanding payments in foreign currency.

The Government must be reminded that teachers have already been earning below poverty datum line (PDL) salaries and as such were worse off before and are now incapacitated. Our current salaries can no longer sustain our mere existence as teachers in Zimbabwe, said Mr Sibanda.

He urged Government to heed their plight in order to maintain sanity in the education sector.

Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza yesterday said the Government was engaging unions and a labour office to find a way forward.

I fully understand the difficult situation of civil servants in the current economic climate.

Were engaged with the unions and the labour office to find a way forward, said Dr Nzenza.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsZIMBABWE Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) founder, Ezekiel Gutis son-in-law is in trouble with the law after he allegedly bashed his wife and fired a bullet through the roof of the couples home while threatening to kill the archbishops daughter over adultery claims.

Lindsay Nyajeka (35) was Thursday hauled before a Harare magistrates facing charges of contravening the Firearms Act and the Domestic Violence Act.

He was not asked to plead and his case was remanded to November 17 for trial commencement.

His 29-year-old wife failed to come to court citing health problems.

It is the States case that sometime in December last year, Nyajeka had a misunderstanding with his wife Ethanim Perfect Munamato Nyajeka over extra marital affairs. Nyajeka accused his wife of having an extra marital affair with her workmate Gilbert Chadyemhunga who is also a pastor in their church, read the court papers.

Prosecuting, Devoted Nyagano Gwashavanhu told court that the wife tried to explain that she was not having an affair but Nyajeka became violent and suddenly drew a pistol from his drawer and pointed it at her.

It is further alleged that due to fear, his wife peed on herself while screaming for help.

Nyajeka then pointed his gun to the ceiling and fired a shot.

It is also alleged that he went outside the house and fired another shot before he went away only to return home during early hours of the following day.

On another incident, he is accused of bashing his wife for wearing trousers.

Court heard he assaulted her when she was about to leave for work ordering her to remove the trousers she was wearing and further scolding her for being a spoilt child.

Nyakeka is employed by his in-laws and works at the churchs headquarters in Harare.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsIt was a hive of activity on Tuesday at the Harare Magistrate courts with ZANU PF heavyweights appearing for routine remand on various corruption charges allegedly committed under the era of Robert Mugabe.

First to arrive was Robert Mugabe s son in law Simba Chikore who is facing charges of detaining a former Zimbabwe Airways employee against her will during a dispute.

Simba allegedly had Zimbabwe Airways legal head Bertha Zakeyo detained for two hours at the airline s offices in June.

Chikore was accompanied by his wife Bona Mugabe Chikore.

Next to arrive was expelled ZANU PF member Saviour Kasukuwere. He is facing three counts of abuse of office related to former first lady Grace Mugabes sister, Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma and a fourth one involving a tender that was improperly given to a Harare businessman during a time that he was the Indigenisation minister.

Gumbochuma, aged 61, is facing three counts of fraud, involving corrupt acquisition of large tracts of land in Harare.

Wicknell Chivayo who is represented by Lewis Uriri and Wilson Manase arrived for a further remand on charges related to a solar tender that he was supposed to implement in Gwanda but he never did. The case sucked in Former Minister of energy Samuel Udenge.

The last to enter the courts was Former Cabinet Minister Supa Mandiwanzira who is accused of two counts of abuse of office. Supa allegedly engaged Megawatt company to do consultancy work for NetOne without going to tender.

He also allegedly appointed his Personal Assistant, a government employee at deputy director level, to the Potraz Board in violation of corporate governance principles and a Cabinet circular.

Supa who was arrested yesterday arrived at the Harare Magistrate court in the company of his lawyers Advocates Thembinkosi Magwaliba and Brian Hungwe for initial appearance after his arrest on Tuesday.

The continuous arrest of ZANU PF linked officials signifies how corruption was promoted and implemented under the Mugabe regime.

Below we publish the list of Former Ministers and officials who have been nabbed and are answering various charges in court.

1. Professor Jonathan Moyo  Former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education

2. Saviour Kasukuwere  Former Minister of Local Government

3. Ignatius Chombo  Former Minister of Finance

4. Walter Chidhakwa  Former Minister of Mines (Mugabe nephew)

5. David Parirenyatwa  Former Minister of Health

6. Walter Mzembi  Former Minister of Tourism

7. Samuel Undenge  Former Minister of Energy

8. Supa Mandiwanzira  Former Minister of ICT

9. Dr Godfrey Gandawa  Former Deputy Minister Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education

10. Francis Gudyanga  Former permanent secretary Ministry of Mines

11. Simba Chikore  Former Air Zimbabwe chief operating officer (Mugabe son-in-law)

Soon after taking power in November last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised zero tolerance in his governments push to punish corruption that stifled political freedom and economic growth under Robert Mugabes 37-year rule.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsNorton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has described William Gerald Mutumanje popularly known as Acie Lumumba as an insane person whom people must not give too much attention to.

The continued public and political infatuation with Acie Lumumbas theatrics is very disturbing for us as a people. It speaks to a defective society that we have become, Mliswa said.

The guy is not normal, and I blame all those who are continuously dealing and infatuated with him for the mess. I have always been on record questioning his sanity.

Mliswa said he once met the stranded Lumumba loitering around OR Tambo airpot in Johannesburg, South Africa and assisted him with transport fares.

I once assisted the guy at OR Tambo airport whilst he was looking for money to go back home and he was looking like a destitute at a marketplace.

Mutumanje was last month briefly appointed as the head of a communications taskforce in the Finance ministry.

Ncube was later pressured to sack him after he made staggering allegations on Facebook, on supposed illegal foreign currency dealings at the central bank  claims which shook Zanu-PF and the government to their core.

In that social media blast, Mutumanje named the four senior RBZ officials and Tagwirei as being at the centre of illegal foreign currency dealings- leading to the precautionary suspension of the central bank executives by governor John Mangudya.

In a leaked recorded voice message, Mutumanje revealed seemingly nonchalantly that he had sold his soul to the devil by accepting the money which he claimed he needed desperately to send his ailing father for treatment in India.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsYves here. Further confirmation that the gig economy is not what it is cracked up to be. Sex workers in the UK have less privacy, lower returns, and much less safety in the days of online platforms than they did when brothels dominated the profession.

By Ava Caradonna, a migrant, a sex worker, a student, a mother, a citizen, a trans person, a person of colour, a teacher, a queer, a lesbian, and a militant. Ava allows us to speak from different positions as sex workers and as allies, without the stigma of using our real names, and allows us to speak to the different realities in the sex industry and beyond. Originally published at openDemocracy

For decades, the British sex industry has straddled both informal and illegal work. This is because while the buying and selling of sex is technically legal in the UK, everything that produces the exchange of sex for money  advertising, employing support staff, renting premises, working collectively  is criminalised. As a result, our workplaces in flats (small scale brothels), saunas, and hostess clubs have never been stable or safe places.

There has never been any job or income security in the sex industry. You only make money if it is busy, and the house takes a percentage of your earnings  sometimes as high as 65-70%. However, up until recently, the way the system usually worked was that the flat manager would cover overheads. Buildings come with rent, utilities, and maintenance costs. Venues also need interior decorating, furniture, bedding, towels, equipment, and cleaning, and in our corner of the service industry also condoms and lube. Bosses would produce and place ads in newspapers and cards in red telephone boxes. They would provide security and often a receptionist, who would screen clients either on the phone or at the door. Similar arrangements existed for escort agencies, although in their case workers were often required to sort out somewhere to receive in-calls.

While we were never paid for the hours spent waiting for clients, and while we had to cover the cost of our own work clothes and grooming, sex workers were not expected to invest time, money, and skills into our work when we were not on the job. Our only investment in marketing was the construction of a work persona. This persona existed in clearly demarcated ways. It appeared when we came into direct contact with clients  either in the room, when actively earning money, or when introducing ourselves to potential clients  and disappeared just as quickly. This meant that sex work was clearly defined as a labour practice within time and space. A job with its uniforms and costumes, tools and office politics. A performed role, which you could stop performing when not actively working. In the past five to ten years, this has changed completely.

The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Sex Worker

In the last decade, working in flats and saunas has become increasingly risky and difficult. This is in part due to increased immigration raids, neighbourhood gentrification, and the closure of many premises by police with the help of abolitionist feminists. It is also partly a consequence of the broader incorporation of informal service work into the online, freelance, customer-reviewed gig economy.

Today an increasing number of sex workers in Britain  although certainly not all  are independent. They are ostensibly self-employed, freelance entrepreneurs. It is a shift that has affected every aspect of sex workers lives. Unlike flat managers, individual sex workers can rarely secure and afford to rent long term work premises. Instead they hire hotels or rooms by the hour and go to clients hotels and homes. And with expensive print advertising out of the question, sex workers must now drum up clients online. They maintain profiles on platforms such as AdultWork, promote themselves on social networks, and many even have their own websites.

The work of digital self-promotion is never-ending. Online marketplace websites require constantly updated picture galleries; a personal story; details of services available; an active blog; reviews of clients; accepting clients reviews of you; and often a web-cam presence. Platforms like AdultWork penalise you or delete your profile if your response time isnt quick enough, or if your phrasing isnt to their liking.

If you have your own website, you also need to spend money on web hosting and web design, or, if you have the skills, spend hours doing it yourself. You need to pay for photographers, outfits, and work tools. You need to spend hours on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. You need to communicate with clients via phone, Whatsapp, Skype and email. You need to have and engage with a work phone, which you are expected to check constantly. All this before you make one penny.

To understand how sex work has changed requires thinking through how both our labour conditions and the political economy of the industry has been transformed. We are no longer forced to hand over hefty house fees to a boss, but our overheads are now much higher. The economic risk of investment has been shifted onto the worker. At the same time, we are now required to invest nearly infinite amounts of unpaid labour into our businesses. Working hours now stretch into every waking moment and working spaces become everywhere and nowhere.

The Isolation of Independence

The term independent brings to mind freedom and agency, but the very opposite is often the case. As an independent sex worker, you are not exploited by a single employer within a capitalist framework, but by the nebulous yet crushing demands of an entire market. Independent workers are constantly on display while being dangerously isolated. They work alone in spaces hired by the hour, with no cleaners, drivers, or security, and with no check-in/check-out practices. Many new workers dont even know the buddy safety system, and lots of workers dont have friends who can do this for them due to stigma, immigration, parenting or employability concerns.

You can no longer go to work in an anonymous destination. Your activities are all registered online. They are connected to your IP address, and in many cases, to your email and social media accounts. Many workers report clients mysteriously appearing on their private social media profiles. In order to access adult websites, you need to provide your full identity details and passport. In most cases, your face and body are also plastered all over the internet. In neoliberal speak you can choose to not show your face in these images, but the price will be lost work. That means only workers who can afford to pick and choose can take this protective measure.

When many of us started working  in brothels, flats, peep shows, escort agencies or outdoors  we had the benefit of other workers showing us the ropes. We received recommendations or warnings about workplaces along with other imparted knowledge. How to take and store the money; how to define and protect boundaries; how to give a good service while minimising strain and risk; how to guard against dangerous clients; how to recognise burnout symptoms; how to get out of hairy situations. This shared community knowledge encompassed not just toys, tools, and anatomy, but how to handle the job psychologically and physically.

Sex workers demonstrate in London in July 2018 against a possible prohibition of online advertising for sex work. juno mac/Flickr. (cc by-nc-nd)

Safety in Numbers

Working in flats and brothels, sex workers could also share health concerns. We showed each other symptoms we are worried about, and shared information about treatment, prevention, and the best clinics. The long-established sex workers knowledge and vigilance regarding our health has been alarmingly diluted over the past five years.

Rarely do public discussions of sex work actually reach into the practicalities of the work. However, it is crucial that we do so. Oral sex without a condom is quickly becoming normalised, often with very little extra charged for this service. The perils of STDs are either poorly understood or viewed as an unavoidable hazard by many new independent workers.

Vaginal sex without a condom used to be almost non-existent. It was something workers would do in secret, charging a hefty sum for the risk. It is now becoming common. Anal sex, hitherto a very specialised and high price service in the case of cis women sex workers, has also become a much more widespread and cheaper practice. The alarming decline in safety and the reduction of prices is directly related to workers isolation. New workers no longer come into contact with more experienced workers, and they are deprived of the knowledge, support, and pressure of their peers.

This is not to say that everything used to be roses. Of course some flat managers used to put indirect pressure on workers to provide oral without a condom. They behaved like any other bad contractor or manager who wanted workers to comply with unsafe conditions in order to keep the client happy and increase their cut. However, in our experience this was relatively rare and never compulsory. Moreover, such flats quickly acquired bad reputations as workplaces to be avoided. The pressure on independent workers is much more subtle and oppressive. If oral sex without a condom becomes a common service, you feel that you have no one but yourself to blame if you cant make ends meet when not offering it.

At Risk for Less and Less

Platforms such as AdultWork are major contributors to the decline in workers safer sex standards. Their check list of services is particularly damaging. This list contains a long list of practices, many of them unsafe. It indicates to new workers  and, crucially, clients  that risky practices are no longer seen as exceptional. And while a sex worker can certainly choose to opt out of them, doing so now seems oddly limiting  to quote many clients, conservative.

Who profits from this new arrangement? Many clients are taking more health risks now, but they are also getting much more for their money. Workers also face increased risks yet earn less for their labour. Prices have dropped dramatically over the past few years. This is partly due to stiffer competition, austerity, and a lack of industry standards due to the vanishing of flats. However, there is another, perhaps more important reason: the illusion that we are making more money thanks to the elimination of the middle-person.

As independents, we are no longer obliged to give the lions share of our hourly rate to mediators and managers. The sum we charge the client is all ours. As a result, we feel we can afford to charge less in order to get more clients. However, the sums dont add up. Independent workers, in fact, invest a lot of money and labour in getting and maintaining clients. The long hours of unpaid marketing and admin work, and the stress caused by constantly being at the clients beck and call, arent neither visible nor financially accounted for.

Sitting in a flat waiting for clients was also unpaid labour. But at least when we worked in this system we knew when we were working. We were able to calculate our real hourly wage by dividing our take by the actual time we were at work. We could see if we were earning enough at a specific workplace, and if we werent we could try somewhere else. So, as is often the case with neoliberal notion of freedom and choice, the consumer pays less, and the worker puts in more invisibilised, unwaged labour. And this time theres no recourse, since, allegedly, we are all our own bosses.Yves here. This Real News Network interview with former Cigna executive Wendell Potter, who among other things now heads Tarbell.org, a site that investigates money in politics, provided a point-by-point takedown of the factually-challenged criticisms Trump has made of single payer. The fact that this rebuttal comes from a former health industry insider may make it more persuasive to skeptics in your circle.

And let us not forget that polls shortly before the election showed that health care was the most important issue to voters, but as we know, the Vichy Dems are much more willing to give lip service to the idea of addressing this inefficient and too often predatory industry than doing something about it.

GREG WILPERT: Its The Real News Network, and Im Greg Wilpert coming to you from Baltimore.

For the midterm elections this year, Republicans have been blasting Democrats on two main issues: immigration and health care. While Trumps remarks on immigration have been receiving a lot of attention, what he has been saying about healthcare has not received so much attention. In general, Trump is accusing Democrats of wanting to impose socialism, and he uses single-payer healthcare, also known as Medicare for All, as one of his main examples. Heres what he said recently in one of his rallies.

DONALD TRUMP: A majority of House Democrats have already signed up for socialist healthcare. By the way, it doesnt work anywhere in the world. Just so you understand. It doesnt work. Its good if you dont mind waiting, like, five weeks to see your doctor. They come from socialist countries. Frankly, they come from Canada because they want to use our doctors. They come from all over the world. And were making it now better. And they want to destroy everything thats been built. All of that great foundation.

GREG WILPERT: Meanwhile, the White House, under the direction of the Council of Economic Advisers, released a pamphlet last month titled The Opportunity Costs of Socialism. This pamphlet develops a detailed critique of state socialism as it was practiced in the Soviet Union, as well as a social democratic government of Scandinavia. One of the main areas of focus of the document is the healthcare system in single-payer countries, system-payer countries, as well as Medicare for All, a bill that Senator Bernie Sanders introduced earlier this year.

Joining me now to take a look at some of the criticisms of single-payer healthcare is Wendell Potter. Hes a former health insurance executive and author of several books, including Deadly Spin, Obamacare: Whats In It for Me? and his latest is Nation on the Take. Hes also the founder of Tarbell.org, an investigative site that examines the role of money in politics. Thanks for joining us today, Wendell.

WENDELL POTTER: My pleasure, Greg.

GREG WILPERT: So there are many criticisms that Republicans have leveled against single-payer healthcare systems; both the proposals for the U.S. healthcare and also the ones that have been implemented in countries such as Canada and various countries of Europe. We cant go over all of these criticisms, but some of the main ones include increased costs, worse health outcomes, loss of medical innovation, and longer wait times. Lets take these one by one.

So first, regarding costs, proponents of single-payer healthcare say that increases in taxes will be offset by not having to pay insurance premiums of private insurance companies. Critics, though, say that higher taxes distort the economy, which reduces economic activity, and thus makes the overall cost of healthcare greater. Whats your response to this argument? I mean, what is the balance in terms of the costs? Which would be cheaper, according to your analysis?

WENDELL POTTER: According to my analysis and that of many others, the proponents of Medicare for All have it right. We would be paying ultimately far less than we will be, that we are paying now or will be paying in the future, if we maintain the status quo. The problem is in a multipayer system like we have in the United States, the payers being the insurance companies, the multiple insurance companies that we have supposedly competing with each other, they just dont have the clout to negotiate good deals with their customers, with big hospital systems and big physician groups, and certainly with the pharmaceutical industry.

So what we have in this country in the US is a classic example of market failure, because the system does not work to control costs, nor does it work to bring everyone into coverage. We still have almost 30 million Americans who do not have insurance. But under a Medicare for All-type plan you can bring everyone into coverage, and you can cover everyone and have better outcomes than you have under our current system.

And when you look at- what people need to do is kind of have a paradigm shift in their thinking. You would no longer have to pay the ever-increasing premiums to your health insurance company, or the ever-increasing deductibles, which means that your insurance doesnt even kick in until youve spent several thousand dollars out of your own pocket, even though youre making payments for your insurance.

So that would go away. You instead would be making the equivalent of your premium payments in taxes, and the system will be structured so that everyone could be brought into coverage. And studies have shown even in this country that- not only that, but a single-payer system in this country would do much more to control healthcare costs than our multipayer system does now.

GREG WILPERT: Now, a related argument in this regard is that single-payer healthcare costs save money in terms of administrative costs, but those savings are lost then again through fraud. In other words, that there are people who would try to cheat the system. And they claim that theres a lot of fraud in the Medicare system in the United States, and that doesnt happen so much in the private system. Whats your response to that?

WENDELL POTTER: I would say thats absolute nonsense. And having worked in the private system for more than 20 years, I can tell you that fraud is just as prevalent, and probably more so, in the system that we have, the private system of insurance. The company that I worked for most recently, Cigna, instituted a system several years ago to try to detect fraudulent billing. So I can tell you its just as rampant, probably more so, in the private system. For one reason, because private companies just dont have the resources to combat fraud and abuse as much as a single system with combined resources would have.

So its a completely bogus argument. In fact, we see, when you look at statistics for other countries that have a single payer or a similar system, theres far, far less fraud and abuse in those countries and their healthcare system than in the U.S. system.

GREG WILPERT: So now the other main argument that the White House critique of single-payer brings up is that health outcomes would be worse. They cite a fairly specific study of life expectancy in the U.S. and in Europe which claims to show that once cancer is diagnosed, U.S. patients tend to live longer. And the argument is basically that under single-payer healthcare, cancer treatment would be rationed, especially for seniors. And they give examples in Europe, basically, while in the U.S. cancer patients tend to receive better care. Whats the response to this claim in terms of outcomes, health outcomes?

WENDELL POTTER: Well, what youre seeing here, and as in many of their arguments, they being the opponents of moving to a single-payer system, is the selective use of data and the confusing and misleading use of data.

The reality is that most of the developed countries around the world- and many of them have a single-payer system- all do a better job, broadly, in healthcare outcomes than we do. The Commonwealth Fund in the United States has annually done an analysis of the performance of healthcare systems around the world. They look at 11 countries, developed countries, including the U.S. And the United States consistently, even after the Affordable Care Act was passed, brings up the rear. Its always number 11 in the composite score. So outcomes are typically better across the board, or in many, by many measurements in other systems.

And as far as cancer treatment is concerned, or life expectancy in particular, the United States is alone in the developed world over the last two years in which life expectancy has been declining. And those are statistics from the government. And were seeing that in the other countries, in both the developing and developed world, life expectancy is going up. And were pretty much alone in the world going in the opposite, in the wrong direction.

Now, with regards to cancer, you have a lot of people in this country who do not have insurance and who cannot afford to get the care that they need. Period. So we have a lot of people in this country who just simply- and also, even if they have insurance, as I mentioned earlier, people have very high deductibles in most of their plans, if they have a private insurance company. And a lot of those people just dont have the money to pay out of pocket for the care that they need to spend money for before their their coverage kicks in. So again, its the selective use of data and trying to scare people, when in reality the outcomes across the board in other countries are generally far better than they are in the U.S.

GREG WILPERT: Actually, related to this issue of health care outcomes is also the question of innovation. The White House paper argues that single-payer healthcare would reduce innovation; that is, more expensive treatments in the U.S. result in more innovation because theres more money available for such innovation, whereas price controls, which are usual in single-payer systems, would reduce innovation because theres less money available for them. Whats your response to this argument?

WENDELL POTTER: The question we often used in the industry- and they still do, obviously- is that any kind of reforms that would move us away from the status quo would have a chilling effect on innovation. But thats not, its not true at all. In fact, most of the innovation, actually, in the health insurance industry has been innovation that has been detrimental to the needs of patients in this country. The most prevalent innovation in this country has been shifting more and more of the cost of care from insurance companies and employers to regular folks. So that is a kind of example that I think we could move away from and everyone would benefit from it.

But theres no, theres no evidence that suggests that moving to a single-payer system would mean that there would be less innovation on the provider side. In fact, were seeing quite a bit of innovation in the UK and Canada that this country should adopt. In the UK, for example, hospitals have a way of treating people. They can admit them, but theres kind of a blend of inpatient and outpatient that saves the system a lot of money and allows the patient to get much of their care outside of an inpatient setting. So theres a lot of innovation that youre saying in single-payer systems that we have not adopted yet in this country. So theres no reason why if we move to a system like that we would have less innovation than we have now, and probably would have innovation that benefits patients more than we have now.

GREG WILPERT: So finally, the White House paper that I cited earlier argues that wait times in the U.S. are shorter mainly because in single payer systems there are no market signals about what type of care is needed, and that the lack of deductibles and all that would cause an overuse of certain treatments. And so as a result, single-payer systems have much longer wait times. And they specifically cite the example of Canada actually having one of the longest wait times, whereas the U.S. in an international comparison supposedly has the shortest. Whats your response to that argument?

WENDELL POTTER: Well, once again, when youre looking at the U.S. compared to other countries, keep in mind that many millions of us wait forever for the care that we need because we dont have the money, and we have dont have insurance. And 30 million of us dont have insurance. The wait is indefinite. And so thats something that needs to be factored in, as well, too. There are people in this country who just simply cannot access care at any point. So the wait lines, or the waiting period, is endless for a lot of people.

But even in Canada, the waits have been dramatized in the U.S. by opponents. There is a very short wait for essential care in Canada. Now, it is true that for elective procedures like joint replacement, a knee replacement, for example, the wait time can be fairly long; possibly longer than it would be for some patients to get the same procedure done in the U.S. But the majority, the vast majority of people in Canada, get knee and hip replacements and cataract surgery within the recommended period of time. So again, for essential care, for life-threatening events and for other kinds of care and to see a physician its not a significant problem in Canada or other single-payer systems. But in the U.S. for many people its an indefinite wait.

GREG WILPERT: OK. Well, were going to leave it there for now, but Im sure were going to get back to this topic again very soon. I was speaking to Wendell Potter, former health insurance executive and founder of the website Tarbell.org. Thanks again, Wendell, for having joined us today.

WENDELL POTTER: My pleasure. Thank you, Greg.

GREG WILPERT: And thank you for joining The Real News Network.Idiot jumps into crocodile pit wearing Crocs, gets bitten by a croc BGR (David L). Only in America

Overwhelmed passengers abandoned an Indonesian flight crammed with 2 tons of a notoriously smelly tropical fruit Business Insider

ESOcast 182 Light: ALMA and MUSE Detect Galactic Fountain (4K UHD) ESO. UserFriendly: Wow, this is new and surprising. Galaxys are known to shoot out gas like this, but never so weakly that it collapses back into the galaxy.

Climate change killed the aliens, and it might kill us too, new simulation suggests NBC. UserFriendly: few months old, still relevant.

Large hydropower dams not sustainable in the developing world BBC (David L)

Floating solar is more than panels on a platformits hydroelectrics symbiont ars technica. Chuck L:

The recreational boating crowd will love these floatovoltaic installations. Not. However that sort of snark wont apply to the USBR and USACE since it will give them ammunition to push back against those advocating dam dismantlement to let the rivers run free again.

Energy cost of mining bitcoin more than twice that of copper or gold Guardian

We Need an FDA For Algorithms: UK mathematician Hannah Fry on the promise and danger of an AI world. Nautilus (Dr. Kevin)

The Key to a Long Life Has Little to Do With Good Genes Wired (David L)

Male infants and birth complications are associated with increased incidence of postnatal depression ScienceDirect

The Largest Act of Terrorism in Human History  Daniel Ellsberg Real News Network (UserFriendly)

China?

Three European Countries Block Tax on Tech Giants Bloomberg. Note this doesnt prevent countries from acting individually.

Macron wants Euro army to combat China, Russia and US Sydney Morning Herald (Kevin W)

The consequences of Italys increasing dependence on domestic debt-holders Bruegel

Brexit

Public urged to learn DIY surgery in run up to NHS winter crisis Daily Mash

New Cold War

Russian business trio told to stay away from Davos Financial Times

Syraqistan

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Imperial Collapse Watch

The CIAs communications suffered a catastrophic compromise. It started in Iran. Yahoo (Glenn F). From a few days ago, still relevant.

Trade Traitors

Election Wrap. Well try to be sparing, since Lambert will have more to say in Water Cooler:

The Resistance Is Not a Call for Restoration Nation. Mlle. Detroit: If there were a T-shirt, Id order it.

Poll: One In Three College Students Believe Violence Is Justified To Stop Hate Speech Jonathan Turley

Spit PsyOps Spitballing Limited Hangout (UserFriendly)

Money Still Rules US Politics Jacobin

The $6 Trillion Barrier Holding Electric Cars Back Bloomberg. UserFriendly: We are all so dead.

Guillotine Watch

Today on the Bloomberg: hedge-fund manager John Paulson, worth $5 billion, plans to move to Puerto Rico. Its the only place a U.S. citizen can go and literally avoid, legally, all their taxes.  Zachary Mider (@zachmider) November 6, 2018 Woman who spent 16m in Harrods arrested BBC and Target of UKs first unexplained wealth order fights extradition Financial Times. A tax buddy said something to the effect of: So the UK is now trying to pretend it isnt a haven for dirty money. Everyone knows Azerbaijan is crooked. Wake me when they go after Russian oligarchs.

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. Tracie H: Oh nooo, dont pout little fishy. Cheer up.

And a bonus video:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.Wellie, for those of you who were hoping that the UK might wake up from it derangement,1 channel its inner Emily Litella, and say Never mind to Brexit, the Government has dug itself in deeper on its current plans.

Some readers had pointed hopefully to a case lodged at the European Court of Justice by the Inner House of the Court of Session in Scotland on whether the UK could unilaterally withdraw its Article 50 notice. We were at a loss to understand how this case would be helpful to the Remain camp, since the EU has all but said it would let the UK back out of Brexit up to the very last moment. But for that to happen, the UK has to ask, and we didnt see that happening.

This reading was confirmed by a policy paper published yesterday on the case, Wightman and Others v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. I infer that this paper summarizes the arguments that the UK is making before the ECJ. Key section:

The United Kingdom Government contests the admissibility of these Questions which amount on any view to a request for an advisory opinion, on the basis that the CJEU has long refused for very good reasons (a) to answer hypothetical questions; or (b) to provide advisory opinions. Any true dispute about the meaning of Article 50 (which is a provision operating on the inter-state plane) would have to be between the UK and the remaining EU Member States (EU27). The Questions are hypothetical for two very simple reasons. First, the United Kingdom Government does not intend to revoke the Notice it has given (following the passing of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act 2017 by Parliament) and such revocation is simply not in any sense meaningfully in prospect. Second, the reaction of the EU27 and EU institutions to any such imagined revocation is unknown. So, even were the EU27 to take the view that their consent was required, they might agree to it as proposed in any event. This means that the terms of any dispute are theoretical without the full facts and context of: (a) a hypothetical revocation being known; and (b) the reaction of the EU27 and EU institutions to that particular hypothetical revocation being clear The Treaties make provision for the CJEU to provide advisory opinions, but only in strictly limited cases: the opinion must concern the legality of a proposed international agreement; and the opinion must be sought by an EU Member State or institution, rather than a private person. To allow national proceedings to be used as a route to circumvent these limitations would be a misuse of the preliminary reference procedure.

So full speed ahead!

On a different front, some bad news for those who thought a trade deal with the US could make up for the dampening effect of reduced exports to the EU. Auto parts are one of the UKs major export sectors. Readers like vlade had already pooh-poohed the idea that the UK would be able to make progress in selling more car inputs to US automakers (ie, theyd presumably already have been trying for decades; an increased sense of urgency would not be likely to yield better results).

Politico this evening describes that EU officials are concerned that Trump plans to force European carmakers to shift more high-end production to the US:

Brussels fears U.S. President Donald Trump is out to poach the most valuable part of the European auto sector: the manufacturing of engine components, from electrical systems to fuel injection pumps. Europes big car exporters such as Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic are looking on with horror as Washingtons trade negotiators seek to bring in a new points-based system within car quotas that rewards foreign carmakers for making more parts on American soil. Looking at the way Trump is seeking to roll out quota deals with Canada and Mexico, it has become increasingly clear to EU trade officials that the U.S. strategy is to snatch top-end auto manufacturing away from Latin America, Asia and Europe and bring it to the U.S. The American plan is playing especially badly in Germany, heartland of the EU motor industry. While big German carmakers assemble vehicles in the U.S. and Mexico, many high value-added components are still made in German factories.

One of the big impediments to the US bringing manufacturing back to the US is the loss of skills, not so much factory floor level but of supervisory and managerial personnel. Forcing multinationals to move their experienced employees to the US is one way to solve this problem.

Also, if you have a strong enough stomach, you must read a leak to the BBC, In full: The notes of apparent plan to sell Brexit deal. Reuters reports that No. 10 denied it:

The misspelling and childish language in this document should be enough to make clear it doesnt represent the governments thinking. You would expect the government to have plans for all situations  to be clear, this isnt one of them.

In fact, the Governments own Brexit papers have famously had typos, so an internal memo not being polished isnt the most credible basis for a denial. In addition, it reads like conventional marketing blather. So its not nuts to think that this was indeed a plan that was under consideration. And in any event, the plan it set forth has been trumped by events, since the Cabinet did not review a new deal on Tuesday as planned. The Prime Minister has apparently told them to be on call for a special session later this week. Needless to say, any slippage on an already very tight schedule does not bode well for having an emergency EU Council summit later this month.

______

1 We are not saying Brexit was intrinsically a bad idea. However, for it not to produce tremendous economic and legal dislocation, as well as a permanent reduction in the standard of living of UK citizens, the Government would have had to undertaken a war-level mobilization of resources and expertise, as well as engage in industrial planning, to which Tories are allergic. The UK even now seems to have no clue as to what it means to be in the Single Market, and what adaptations it need to make to function outside it.Boston Scientific in Clonmel is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The first group of employees was hired on the November 2, 1998 and the site on the Cashel Road currently employs close to 1,000 people from Clonmel and its environs.

The site manufactures medical devices including pacemakers and defibrillators for cardiac rhythm conditions such as sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation, deep brain stimulators for movement disorders including Parkin- sons disease and spinal cord stimulators for chronic pain. Earlier this year, the site reached the milestone of impacting over two million patients worldwide with devices manufactured and distributed by the Clonmel facility.

The week started with each employee receiving a branded jacket or hoodie as a gift to mark the occasion. On Wednesday, Conor Russell, vice-president, Operations for Boston Scientific, hosted lunch for a group of external guests including Seamus Healy, TD and Richard Molloy, Mayor of Clonmel as well as other guests from the local community including the local council, schools, businesses, Clonmel Chamber, the fire services, the Gardai, South Tipperary General Hospital, IDA and various local charitable organisations including Rehab and the Cancer Care.

The guests were given an insight into the life-changing impact that the plant and its deeply talented and engaged employees have on transforming the lives of patients worldwide and whilst also providing quality employment and support to the local community.

On Thursday, local radio station Beat FM came to site and broadcasted live from the Boston Bistro whilst a celebration lunch and open employee draw of wonderful prizes was held to recognise the dedication and hard work of the Clonmel employees over the past 20 years. Prizes included Smart TVs, iPads, laptops, games consoles and other goodies but the most popular prizes were the weeks additional holiday won by four lucky recipients. Employees were also given a reusable bamboo tea/coffee mug as part of Boston Scientifics corporate com- mitment to become carbon neutral by 2030 and efforts towards sustainability.

On Friday the celebrations culminated with a special lunch event recognising the original group of 20 employees hired in November 1998. They were presented with a gift that recognised the rest of the site was standing on the shoulders of these giants in all that has been achieved in the past 20 years.

Conor Russell said: I am extremely proud of the site, its employees and Boston Scientifics contribution to its patients and the local community of Clonmel. I would like to specifically recognise the unique talents and on-going dedication of all of our employees to enhancing the lives of so many people in need of our therapies. In September, the Boston Scientific Clonmel site began groundworks for a $12m facility expansion for future manufacturing and supply chain growth opportunities.

Boston Scientific employs over 5,000 people in Ireland at its facilities in Clonmel, Cork and Galway. For information on career opportunities, visit the Careers section at www.BostonScientific.com.last weekend, have seized the security forces in Guatemala and Colombia, in two different missions a total of 2.5 tons of cocaine. At the airport of Bogota, discovered by sniffer dogs on Sunday, a washing machine hidden cargo of 500 kilograms of cocaine, which should be transported to the Colombian island of San Andres. From there, the noise would have been poison to the police with speed boats in the United States smuggled.

Two more tons of cocaine from Colombia were intercepted by the Guatemalan Navy on Board a Grandbetting dive boat in the Caribbean, according to the newspaper "Prensa Libre" reported on Sunday. Three Colombians had been detained. This drug charge would have to be marketed accordingly, also in the United States. The authorities estimated the market value of the the dive boat discovered cocaine on the equivalent of 25 million euros.

science is What explains solves coke in our brain? Were smuggled in last year, 1,400 tonnes of cocaine in the United States?

In the past year, was seized by Guatemalan security forces of a total of 13.7 tons of cocaine, to be smuggled from South America into the United States. The U.S. state Department estimates that about Guatemalan's territory were smuggled in the same year, 1,400 tonnes of cocaine, more than a hundred times, successfully in the United States.

Updated Date: 07 November 2018, 08:01

sve / DPAClare Hutchinson, Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, visited NATOs peace-keeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) on Wednesday (7 November 2018). Ms. Hutchinson discussed the promotion of the Women, Peace and Security agenda with the commander of KFOR, Major General Salvatore Cuoci. The commander briefed the Special Representative on the many initiatives to ensure a gender perspective is incorporated across all KFOR operations and training.

KFOR supports the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and is committed to show the leadership required to further this mandate. Progress has been made in integrating gender perspectives into military planning and decision making processes, and through the deployment of a Gender Adviser to the Commander. KFOR has also strengthened its engagement with women in civil society organizations, to enhance its operational effectiveness

During her visit to Kosovo, Ms. Hutchinson also addressed a meeting of the Kosovo Womens Network on NATOs Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 - Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Ms. Hutchinson also met senior officials with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.Bottom line? Democrats will run the House for two years, beginning January of 2019. This will actually prime the American people to come out in droves and vote against the left-wing lunacy in 2020, when President Trump will be back on the ticket. Events are lining up right now for a sweeping GOP victory in 2020.

About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below.

Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep.

The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract.

Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution.

Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books.

In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products.

In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories.

With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies.

Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics.

Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness.

In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics.

Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com.

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Webseed.com(Natural News) Most people know that chocolates come from the cocoa tree; however, only the seeds of the tree are used, with most industries discarding the husks that house these seeds. However, a study published in the OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences may breathe new life into these husks, thanks to rot fungi  which can be used to produce high-quality compost from the husks which can be used to replace inorganic fertilizers. The study, led by researchers from the Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, identified which species of rot fungi were able to render phosphate soluble, as well as further examine the husk compost on cocoa seeds.

Earlier studies have already explored the potential of cocoa pod husks  in particular, its potential uses outside cocoa harvest. Researchers have already found the husks to be a potential source of organic matter; however, for these to be obtained, the husks must first be decomposed. This is when researchers looked at rot fungi, which are able to break down organic materials into simple compounds, which plants then use as nutrients. White rot fungi, especially, can decompose large amounts of lignin, which is the chief component of wood, with little damage to cellulose. In this process, secondary metabolites are produced to help with phosphate absorption and make it available to plants.

For the study, the team isolated various species of rot fungi from decaying cocoa stems and purified these. These were then grown on solid Pikovskayas media that have been mixed in with 0.5 percent tricalcium phosphate (Ca 3 PO 4 ) to serve as a phosphate source. The team also looked at how adding compost would affect cocoa seedling growth.

Phosphorus, of course, is a key component in fertilizers, as it helps regulate the plants protein synthesis. Its also needed in cell division and new tissue growth, and it plays a role in complex energy transformations in the plant. In terms of morphology, phosphorus promotes root growth and speeds up the maturation process in plants.

Based on the results, researchers identified eight species of rot fungi that were isolated: Mycena sp. , Lycoperdon sp. , Auricularia sp. , Schizoshyllum sp. , Coprinus sp. , Tremetes sp. , Pleurotus sp. , and Tremella sp. While all species were able to produce soluble phosphate from substrates, Lycoperdon sp. and Pleurotus sp. were the most effective. This is because fungi are better-equipped to dissolve phosphate than bacteria. The soils pH level was also a factor in the effectiveness of certain fungal strains in breaking down phosphates.

The two fungal species also posted similar results to that of chemical fertilizers when measured on certain key markers such as the ratio of leaf area, plant dry weight, root canopy ratio, and net assimilation rate.

Researchers concluded that Lycoperdon sp. and Pleurotus sp. could be potential decomposing agents in making high-quality fertilizers from cocoa pod husks. Cocoa pod husk compost produced using rot fungi were comparable with the inorganic fertilizer in promoting cocoa seedling growth, the researchers wrote. Thus, cocoa pod husks can be utilized as an organic fertilizer.

Of course, the results of this study build upon the need to switch to organic fertilizers: It reduces soil acidity and increases a plants yield and size. And to learn more about the benefits of organic farming, head over to Harvest.news today.

Sources include:

Science.news

TheSciPub.com [PDF]

Britannica.com

Passel.UNL.edu(Natural News) Its a mothers instinct to protect her children, to nurture and care for them. Why would a self-ascribed mom go on a crusade to take away the right of mothers and fathers to protect their children? Why would this heroic mom want to restrict the familys ability to protect the ones they love? Why would that mother want to take away protections for school kids, emboldening evil by creating and promoting more gun-free zones? Why would anyone get behind that same mom who worked for Monsanto, who promoted cancer-causing herbicide in childrens breakfast cereals?

Who is this mom and what does she want?

Her name is Shannon Watts. She wants your attention. She wants you to think she is a dedicated mom who cares about your children. She wants all moms to think like her, because she supposedly cares about the children. Shannon Watts is the face of Moms Demand Action, a progressive activist group that demands unconscionable restrictions on personal self defense. After children were massacred in the Newtown Connecticut school shooting in 2012, Shannon Watts took up the gun control mantle to limit self defense of law abiding citizens. Instead of calling for more armed protections to thwart future school shooters, Shannon Watts argues for more stripping away of gun rights!

Shannon Watts protected Monsanto as they hid glyphosates carcinogenicity

Before she took up the mantle to take away gun rights, Shannon Watts worked for Monsanto and promoted glyphosate. From 1998 to 2001, Watts directed a team that managed crises for Monsanto and Bayer. The most current crisis for Monsanto is their court loss in California, a $290 million case that confirmed that Monsantos glyphosate-containing products cause cancer  and the corporation hid the fact for years. After defending Monsanto for three years, Watts was promoted to Director, Global Public and Corporate Affairs Company for Monsanto. Watts provided corporate communications strategy and support in support of Monsantos agricultural life sciences. The lawsuit found that Monsanto hid the cancer risks of glyphosate during the time Shannon Watts was defending Monsanto.

Trying to appear as a heroic mom, Watts claims she was a stay-at-home mother during her tenure defending Monsanto. Glyphosate, found at unprecedented levels in childrens breakfast cereals, is a known carcinogen. If Watts cares about the children, then why does she want them more vulnerable in schools and why does she not care about their health?

The safety of children is more important than Shannon Watts narcissistic crusade for gun control

Its because Shannon Watts is all about getting attention and getting paid well for it. The progressive left uses her by funneling money into her Moms Demand Action group. It doesnt matter what kind of hapless cause she promotes; its obvious, she is just doing it all for herself, all for the money. Moms Demand Action is fooling loving moms by making them think they are doing something heroic for their children. They are not. This group is an attack on mothers and fathers, an effort to take away the right of self defense, and a policy platform that is a form of neglect toward children everywhere.

If moms are concerned about the safety of their children, its time to get real about the evil in the world and take actionable steps toward protecting children. When guns are feared, evil takes advantage. Guns are a tool of self defense to deter the intentions of evil. Good mothers and fathers must realize the stark reality of the world we live in and take steps to minimize the risk of evil in the world. Supporting Moms Demand Action is a helpless act that only feeds the narcissism of its flagship mom and carries out the gun control agenda of the left.

Sources include:

AmmoLand.com

MomsDemandAction.org(Natural News) The fruit orchards of California are under attack by Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri). These insect pests spread the huanglongbing disease that kills profitable citrus plants. To combat them, researchers are using two parasitoid wasps from Pakistan, the original home of the psyllid menace.

The psyllids are an invasive species from southern Asia that first appeared in the U.S. in 2008. They harm plants through two ways: By draining the juices of young plants, and by serving as infection vectors for the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus.

This gram-negative bacteria causes huanglongbing, a disease that weakens and kills citrus plants. Currently, all citrus species are prone to infection.

Huanglongbing is a serious threat to Californias profitable citrus industry. Asian citrus psyllids are able to spread the disease very quickly because they reproduce quickly, jump and fly very well, and are light enough to be carried by the wind over long distances.

Earlier efforts to eradicate them saw the use of chemical pesticides in residential areas. While the insecticides successfully killed the insects, the treatments were expensive and could only protect a small fraction of the citrus trees in urban areas. (Related: Insect-killing laser battle robot can zap 20 insects per second.)

Fighting Pakistani pests with Pakistani wasps

Due to the ineffectiveness of insecticide management, researchers from the University of California Riverside (UCR) sought out other means of controlling the booming populations of Asian citrus psyllids. They devised a classical biological control program that would use natural enemies of the pests.

The psyllids originally came from the Indian subcontinent. With that in mind, the American researchers visited the Punjab province of Pakistan. The climate there is similar to California, so insects from that region will have a better chance of acclimatizing to their intended new home.

The researchers looked for parasitoid species that lay eggs inside the nymphs of the Asian citrus psyllids. The eggs will hatch into larvae that would eat the psyllids from within.

They eventually collected and tested 13 species, of which two were very common. One was Tamarixia radiata, a parasitoid wasp that was first identified in a 1927 treatise by Hussain and Nath. The other was Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis, another wasp. Both parasitoids laid their eggs in psyllid nymphs at different stages.

Both wasp species were thoroughly tested to make sure that they will not target anything other than psyllids. They were cleared for rearing, with T. radiata released in southern California starting in 2011 and D. aligarhensis in 2014. Researchers monitored the parasitoids acclimatization and effect on the psyllids.

Biological approach more successful than pesticides in controlling Asian citrus psyllids

T. radiata became the first natural enemy species released in California. Most releases are performed in urban areas because commercial citrus orchards still use insecticides that are lethal to the wasp.

Post-release monitoring showed that the wasp was active in 95 percent of the release areas. Depending on the site, 12 to 63 percent of the Asian citrus psyllids showed signs of parasitism. When combined with native equivalents like syrphid flies, T. radiata can reduce psyllid populations by more than 90 percent.

The other wasp species, D. aligarhensis, is still being introduced. While T. radiata and D. aligarhensis target the same psyllid, they attack during different stages of the pests life. The two wasps could therefore possibly complement each other.

The UCR researchers add that the two Pakistani wasps are supported by generalist native predators, like syrphid flies and lacewings. Their opponents are ants, which treat psyllids as milk cows and protect the pests. They believe further approaches should neutralize these ants in order to improve the effectiveness of the psyllids natural enemies.

For more stories about bug wars between beneficial insects and pests, visit Ecology.news.

Sources include:

Science.news

APSNet.org

CalAg.UCANR.edu

CISR.UCR.edu(Natural News) Thanks to a range of causes, election officials in a number of states have begun reporting problems and other issues with voting and vote-tallying machines as lines at polling stations that are much longer than they they normally are during midterm elections are forming across the country.

In South Carolina, for example, voters have alerted officials that machines were actually selecting the opposite candidates they were trying to choose, The Hill reports.

According to a local CBS affiliate, several voters complained that the choices in several contests including the governors race were being changed to a party they had not selected. Voters noticed the changes when they reviewed the electronic voting machines confirmation page before actually submitting their ballot. One said she tried several times to make choices and selections she preferred but the machine would not accept her ballots as cast so she was moved to a different machine. It wasnt clear if voting officials took her machine offline. Also, its not clear how many voters are similarly submitting their ballots without checking to make sure their choices are correct.

In North Carolina, meanwhile, some polling places reported that there are issues with voters trying to feed paper ballots into counting machines, which officials blamed on high levels of humidity.

When ballots cannot be read by tabulators, they are stored securely in emergency bins and will be tabulated as soon as possible, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, which issued a statement Tuesday, the Washington Examiner reported. Most of the problems were reported in Wake County, the news site noted.

In Georgia, where the race for governor between Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Stacy Abrams has narrowed in recent weeks, election officials are looking into a series of voting machine technical glitches at a number of polling stations in Gwinett County, the New York Daily News reports.

The state has been embroiled in two election controversies. On Monday, Kemp announced that election officials had opened an investigation into the state Democratic Party for allegedly attempting to hack voter registration rolls. The secretary of states office has also alerted the FBI and Homeland Security.

Also, Georgia Democrats won a victory in federal court last week over the states exact match law, which requires voter ID to match voting records on file exactly. About 50,000 people had been identified under the system as potential illegal voters but the judge ordered that most of them be permitted to cast ballots. (Related: If illegal aliens werent counted in the U.S. census, Democrats would lose dozens of House seats.)

Dont go making a fool of yourself

The Houston Chronicle reports that in Texas, there are very long lines at several polling places around the state so it is taking longer than normal for many to cast ballots. Also, there are problems with barcode readers and other balloting technology, the paper noted:

Lacy Johnson tried to cast her ballot but a mistake by poll workers made it impossible.

Johnson handed her drivers license to poll workers to get checked in. They printed out a bar code, which when scanned, would produce an access code she could use to cast her ballot.

But the bar code didnt scan. And the first poll worker had already moved away from the check-in screen, so the system showed that she had already voted. Her only option was to cast a provisional ballot at that point.

In Arizona, AZ Central reported that a foreclosure on a polling station along with malfunctioning ballot printers and long voting lines have all complicated efforts to cast ballots in todays midterms.

Five polling places in Maricopa County  which encompasses Phoenix  were not ready to go when they were supposed to open at 6 a.m. Others ran out of ballots because of printer problems.

And one polling place in Pennsylvania appeared to be in blatant violation of state laws against electioneering and vote tampering. A sign appeared on the door that read, Vote Straight Democrat, The Gateway Pundit reported. When one person complained to polling officials about the sign, they were allegedly told dont go making a fool of yourself.

Read more about Democrat vote fraud at VoteFraud.news.

Sources include:

AZCentral.com

Chron.com

TheHill.com

TheNationalSentinel.com(Natural News) People who swear by the effects of vitamin E in keeping their skin healthy might soon add maintaining bone health to its long list of benefits. In a study, which appeared in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, researchers from Toyo University in Japan have found that a vitamin E derivative called tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) can regulate certain cell signals that result in bone degradation.

The team investigated whether TRF could inhibit a process called Janus kinase (JAK) signaling, which plays an important role in bone development and metabolism. An earlier study had identified JAK signaling to affect the formation and differentiation of bone cells, in particular, whether they become osteoclasts (cells that absorb bone tissue) or osteoblasts (those that help with bone formation). They also looked at how TRF affects the expression of a protein called lysyl oxidase (LOX), a compound essential in the development of bone cells and one that JAK signaling suppresses when it is activated.

In the study, the team looked at how TRF affects LOX expression in osteoblasts by using cultured bone cell lines. The cell lines were applied with differing doses of TRF and were observed for a whole day. After the cell lines were tested, the team found that those that were treated with TRF had increased LOX expression, which meant improved bone formation and development, as well as reduced JAK protein expression and activation.

From the findings, the researchers concluded that TRF has the potential to prevent bone deterioration.

Prevent bone fractures with vitamin E

The results proffered by the team from Japan were comparable to that made by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The research, led by scientists from Uppsala University and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, suggested that supplementing with alpha-tocopherol  the most active form of vitamin E  can help reduce the incidence of bone fractures, especially for the elderly. The study, which examined data from nearly 15,000 women over a 19-year period, found that women with low alpha-tocopherol levels were 86 percent more likely to experience hip fractures, while those who used alpha-tocopherol supplements reduced their fracture rate by 22 percent. Similar results were seen in men, based on data that included more than 1,100 men over a 12-year duration. (Related: Vitamin E found to have bone health benefits: Research finds it improves bone density in postmenopausal women.)

Vitamin E has been proposed to have positive effects on both bone and muscle mass owing to its antioxidant properties, rendering a theoretical consequential lower fracture risk with a higher alpha-tocopherol intake, the researchers wrote. Our results support these experimental findings: higher intakes were associated with higher BMD [bone mineral density], higher lean muscle mass, and lower fracture risk. In addition, recent randomized trials have indicated that vitamin E and C supplements have a positive effect on BMD and muscle mass in elderly women and men.

Getting more vitamin E

Fortunately, many foods are rich in vitamin E. Here are just some foods to get you started. (h/t to Healthline.com)

Wheat germ oil  Just a tablespoon of wheat germ oil contains 135 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin E.

 Just a tablespoon of wheat germ oil contains 135 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin E. Sunflower seeds  An ounce of these delectable seeds already means that youve gotten half of your daily requirement.

 An ounce of these delectable seeds already means that youve gotten half of your daily requirement. Almonds  A serving of almonds also provide half the daily requirement for vitamin E.

Learn more about how vitamin E can improve bone health at NaturalCures.news.

Sources include:

Science.news

PDF.SemanticScholar.org

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

NutraIngredients-USA.com

Healthline.com(Natural News) You may recall that months ago, I warned of a particular scenario that would lead to an eruption of mass violence on the Left, escalating to a civil war. That scenario involved two triggers: 1) Kavanaugh being confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and 2) The GOP holding the House in the mid-term elections.

As we all now know, the GOP lost the House, handing Dems enough of a split victory to avoid them taking to the streets in an eruption of violence. Thus, the worst case civil war scenario has been avoided for now.

But make no mistake: Democrats only accept the outcome of this election because they won something. Had they failed to take the House, they would have denounced the election process and revolted with violence. They were fully prepared to do this, and the most radical Democrats remain dedicated to their goal of sweeping all constitutionalists out of power, assassinating the President and installing a communist leader to run their utopian society rooted in authoritarianism.

Last night, America dodged a bullet but the violence, the tyranny and the absolute hatred toward America remains very much alive and well in the hearts and minds of the Democrats. This election outcome may have delayed the civil war, but it has in no way healed the sharp divide that now exists across America.

Get ready for two years of pure comedy from the House

Radical left-wing socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will take office in January as the youngest woman to ever be elected to the House. Her economic illiteracy will provide two solid years of pure comedy, showcasing the economic lunacy of the Left.

Shes just getting warmed up, by the way, when she says that the way to pay for her $40+ trillion demands in new spending is to just pay for it. And when asked where, exactly, that money would come from, her new answer is, You havent earned the right to ask me that question. Its only going to get even funnier from here.

Ocasio-Cortez winning a House seat is a dream come true for the GOP. The Left should make her Speaker of the House, especially given the fact that Nanzy Pelosi is suffering from such an advanced stage of dementia, she can barely speak at all. The Dems are about to prove they are the champions of medicated legislating, where the proposed laws that come spilling out of the House are echoes of Big Pharmas drug side effects.

In another fact that writes its own punch line, crazed idiot Adam Schiff will take take over the intelligence committee. This wide-eyed loony displays a shivering resemblance to a man named Applewhite, the former cult leader of a California cult named Heavens Gate. Applewhite told his followers an alien mothership hiding behind Haleys comet would rendezvous with them to rescue the group from Earth. Believing his bizarre story, the cult members committed mass suicide to teleport themselves to the mothership. To the great disappointment of rational California voters, Schiff was not among them.

Now, Schiff has his own cult. Its called California democrat voters, and theyre about as connected to reality as the Heavens Gate cult loonies.

Schiff promises to use his newfound congressional powers to investigate Russia collusion  a fabricated hoax that has has about as much chance of being true as an alien mothership hiding behind Haleys comet.

And then theres Mad Maxine Waters. I cant even do justice to this womans caricature of a frantic lawmaker, but shes going to provide a never-ending stream of comedic episodes that will keep us all rolling on the floor through 2020. Shes also dangerous, too, so we have to find ways to keep a lid on her repeated calls for impeachment and mob violence. Mad Maxine is exactly what you get when mass chemical poisoning and media programming dumbs down voters to the intellect of a ferret.

Its time to push back against the lunacy and lawlessness

To save America, its time for us all to push back against the Lefts lunacy, lawlessness, censorship and fraud.

Early next week, I plan to release a 20-point plan of attack for how America defeat the lawless Left, the treasonous deep state, the criminal tech giants and the anti-American media thats run by globalists who are diligently working to destroy our constitutional republic.

Watch for that over the next few days. America is on the verge of being overrun, but there is a way to defend her from the onslaught. More articles and videos coming soon

See Brighteon.com for new videos every hour, posted by patriots who love America.(Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control recently revealed they are investigating 155 possible cases of polio-like syndrome, or acute flaccid myelitis. So far, 80 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) have been confirmed in 25 states, as of November 2, 2018.

While health officials say they dont know whats causing the outbreak of polio-like symptoms in children, there are a few potential causes that are going unreported: Vaccines, migration and exposure to toxins are all potential vectors of disease  but saying so isnt politically correct. Scientists have long-since known that the oral polio vaccine can (and does) cause polio-like symptoms.

Further, the CDCs own page on AFM notes that environmental toxins are another potential cause. The toxicity of agrochemicals like glyphosate, atrazine and other pesticides is well-documented, yet instead of addressing these issues, the CDC and the mainstream media are simply doubling down on their pro-vaccine rhetoric.

Ironically, the CDC itself is claiming that these AFM cases are not the polio virus, yet states that staying up-to-date on your vaccines will somehow help prevent this mysterious illness.

What is AFM, and why would it be caused by vaccines?

AFM is a polio-like syndrome thats characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. It is considered a neurological condition, which has degenerative effects on the central nervous system  specifically, the spinal cord.

So far, it has predominantly been affecting children and CDC officials say they do not know what is causing the uptick in AFM. We dont know what caused the increase in AFM cases starting in 2014, the federal agencys website states.

According to NBC, doctors say, the pattern of the reported cases strongly points to a virus. Experts reportedly say that the primary suspect is a distant relative of polio called enterovirus D68 or EV-D68.

But, are doctors neglecting the fact that the polio vaccine causes more cases of disease than wild polio? In 2017, NPR reported that vaccine-derived polio-like illness was far more common than wild polio.

These cases look remarkably similar to regular polio. But laboratory tests show theyre caused by remnants of the oral polio vaccine that have gotten loose in the environment, mutated and regained their ability to paralyze unvaccinated children, Jason Beaubien writes for NPR.

Raul Andino, a professor of microbiology at the University of California at San Francisco, told NPR, We discovered theres only a few [mutations] that have to happen and they happen rather quickly in the first month or two post-vaccination. As the virus starts circulating in the community, it acquires further mutations that make it basically indistinguishable from the wild-type virus. Its polio in terms of virulence and in terms of how the virus spreads.

Who is to say that this new polio-like illness is not the result of an unanticipated mutation? As NPR notes, the oral polio vaccine (the main driver of vaccine-derived polio) is still used in many countries around the world.

This is one way in which mass migration could be fueling the AFM epidemic: People who are vaccinated with the oral polio vaccine and then migrate to the U.S. could very well be spreading disease. Illegal immigration has long been indicated as a potential vector of disease for an array of reasons.

So while CDC experts say that AFM is not being caused by any form of polio, it could be possible that its not being caused by a form of polio they know of.

While officials are saying EV-D68 is a potential cause of AFM, sources say that just two of the initial 23 patients with AFM tested positive for EV-D68. If this virus was a driving force in AFM, one would expect more patients to test positive for it.

Scientists have yet to find a common thread in the onset of AFM among all patients, yet the left-wing media is bent on blaming some enterovirus that has apparently appeared in our environment out of thin air.

Could it be environmental toxins?

Another potential cause of the AFM outbreak is simple: Exposure to toxins. Whether we recognize it or not, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other noxious compounds have become a fixture of our environment. Whether we are talking about DDT, glyphosate, or something else entirely, it seems as though our health officials have forgotten that these chemicals we are spraying on the food we eat (and into the air we breathe) are ultimately poisons.

As sources report:

Through this intellectually paralyzing atmosphere, Dr. Biskind had the composure to argue what he thought was the most obvious explanation for the polio epidemic: Central nervous system diseases (CNS) such as polio are actually the physiological and symptomatic manifestations of the ongoing government- and industry-sponsored inundation of the worlds populace with central nervous system poisons.

It would seem self-evident that neurotoxins are cause enough for a neurological problem like AFM. And surely, the countrys best and brightest scientists are aware of this fact. Moreover, this outbreak of AFM reportedly began in 2014  nearly four years ago. Does anyone really believe that after four years, the CDC still has no idea what is causing this problem?

When Brazils microcephaly crisis hit the worlds stage in 2016, CDC officials were almost immediately certain that it was caused by the Zika virus. It was later revealed, however, that this was a sham intended to cover-up the fact that the government had dumped a toxic larvacide into local water supplies.

The federal government may never reveal the true cause of this AFM outbreak to the public, but the CDC will probably come up with a vaccine for EV-D68 anyways.

Sources for this article include:

NBCNews.com

NPR.org

CDC.gov

WestonAPrice.org(Natural News) Millions of Americans are taking prescription medications just to deal with the side effects of their other prescription medications. This latest epidemic has been termed S.E.S. for Side Effect Syndrome, and its no joke. Understanding why all prescription medications are made in laboratories using chemicals is key to comprehending the root cause of S.E.S. and being able to fathom why medical doctors, who attend college for eight long years, would dangerously prescribe more experimental chemicals for the health detriment caused by the other experimental chemicals their patients are already taking, all according to their recommendations.

It gets even worse. The new medications, solely aimed at treating the side effects and new symptoms caused by the other medications, carry with them brand new side effects that further punish the health of those victims of SES, thus compounding the epidemic. How many band aids can you pile on an infection before you figure out the cover up isnt working, but making matters worse?

Two hundred million Americans are taking prescription medications just to deal with the side effects of their other prescription medications

A century ago in America, the American Medical Association (AMA) decided that medical doctors could no longer recommend natural remedies for anything, ever. Nearly all nutritional classes were cancelled at medical colleges, and if a medicine wasnt created using chemicals in a laboratory, and if it couldnt be patented and sold for massive profit, then it wouldnt be considered medicine at all. In fact, anyone treating any disease, disorder, allergy, rash, head cold, fever, flu, headache, stomach ache, or any other malady, with natural remedy was labeled a quack.

Shortly after the AMA began running their massive chemical medication Ponzi scheme, the FDA and CDC hopped aboard. Then, during and after WWII, American food was being processed with chemical additives and preservatives, canned, and shipped out for mass consumption. This guaranteed that unsuspecting consumers would eat the chemical-laden food and then seek medical advice for their chemically-driven health symptoms.

Nobody realized that the very medicine they would be prescribed for their chemical food disorders would only address and manage the symptoms of disease and cell disorder, but never cure them. Their cleansing organs were being flooded with toxins while burning the proverbial candle at both ends.

Then came the advent of vaccines  injections of known neurotoxins and carcinogens that supposedly saved Americans from all infectious diseases. That too was a huge con. Ever researched the true history of the polio vaccine? Youll be shocked to find out how the vaccine con all began, and the CDC was at the root of all the propaganda.

Allopathic America was well planned and insidiously weaved. When Hitler was killed and Nazi Germany dismantled, the legend of Big Pharma lived on, perpetuated in the Land of the Free, where toxic food and chemical medicine hit like a tsunami. Then came genetically modified crops (a.k.a. Frankenfoods) in the mid-1980s, and the vicious increase of the highly experimental vaccine schedule to include more than 50 jabs for babies and children before age seven. Welcome to the chemical-medical-industrial complex, where WMDs are actually prescription medications taken as directed.

If prescription medications work, then why do the people who take them remain the sickest Americans?

Know anybody who has been on blood thinners for decades? What about cholesterol medications or beta blockers? Did you know that cancer, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, and dementia are NOT inherited? People who take chemical medications for extended periods of time are some of the sickest Americans, battling preventable diseases with lab-made concoctions that have zero chance of curing them.

Did you know chemotherapy creates new cancers in the body, and only staves off the cancer being treated three percent of the time? That means chemotherapy, which is a prescription, fails 97 percent of the time, on average. Would you board a plane that only has a three percent chance of landing successfully?

Are you suffering from Side Effect Syndrome? Its time to eat mainly organic food and check with a Naturopathic Physician in your area, who looks first for the root of your health problems, seeks non-invasive cures and remedies, and understands that you are what you eat. Once you stop eating, drinking, injecting, and putting chemicals on your body, your cleansing organs can do their innate jobs, and your blood can cleanse itself, your brain fog disappears, and the inflammation disappears. After all, chronic inflammation and nutrient deficiency are the root of almost every disease and disorder known to mankind.

Learn more about the dangers of modern medicine at PrescriptionWarning.com.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org

TruthWiki.org

CDC.news

Health.Harvard.Edu

FindaTopDoc.com(Natural News) With the emergence of microbial species resistant to antimicrobial drugs, the search for alternative sources of antibacterial and antifungal compounds has become a top priority. Researchers from Quad-i-Azam University proposed that the leaves of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Decne) Rehder are potential sources for potent antibacterial and antifungal agents that the world needs.

Infectious diseases, which are caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, are the leading causes of death worldwide. Diseases under this category are easily transmittable from person to person, from animal to person, or any other type of exposure. This is why infectious diseases are so widespread even though there are antimicrobial drugs available for their treatment and prevention. Aiding to to the prevalence of infectious diseases, is the emergence of microbial species that are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs. This causes mortality rates and medical costs to increase since treatments have become less accessible and more complex.

P. jacquemontiana is plant species commonly found in Pakistan. Leaves and stem extracts from this plant have been used as traditional medicine for treating wounds and skin infections. This is why it is hypothesized that P. jacquemontiana has potential antibacterial property. For wounds to heal, there should be no harmful bacteria present, which is why antibiotics are either applied on the infected area or ingested. Otherwise, wound infections can occur due to bacterial invasion. Although P. jacquemontiana is used as a traditional antibiotic, no studies have been published regarding the biological activities of this plant.

In this study, which was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative medicine, the researchers looked at the effects of P. jacquemontiana leaf extracts on clinical multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, as well as different fungal strains. A total of 19 bacterial strains and eight fungal strains were used. They evaluated antibacterial and antifungal activities based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC). MIC refers to the lowest concentration needed for inhibition of microbial growth while MBC and MFC refer to the minimum concentration for bacteria and fungi to be eliminated. Results show that even at low doses of leaf extracts, potent antibacterial and antifungal activities can be observed.

In addition to this, the phytochemical content of P. jacquemontiana leaf extracts was also determined. Qualitative phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins. Subsequent quantitative analyses also led to the same observations.

From this study, it can be concluded that P. jacquemontiana leaf extracts possess potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can be attributed to the presence of different phytochemicals. Its strong bioactivity makes it a potential alternative for commercial drugs since these have lost their effectiveness against microbial species that have developed multiple drug resistance. (Related: Antimicrobial resistance: what you need to know, and how to keep yourself protected.)

Natural antibiotics

Aside from P. jacquemontiana, the following also exhibit antibacterial activity:

Honey  Honey has long been used as an antibiotic. It owes its antibacterial activity to its natural hydrogen peroxide content. In addition to this, it also has high sugar content that inhibits bacterial growth and low pH level, which leads to the dehydration and consequent death of bacteria.

 Honey has long been used as an antibiotic. It owes its antibacterial activity to its natural hydrogen peroxide content. In addition to this, it also has high sugar content that inhibits bacterial growth and low pH level, which leads to the dehydration and consequent death of bacteria. Myrrh  Studies have shown that myrrh extracts have the ability to kill common bacteria, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition to these, myrrh extracts can also kill Candida albicans, which is a species of fungi.

 Studies have shown that myrrh extracts have the ability to kill common bacteria, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition to these, myrrh extracts can also kill Candida albicans, which is a species of fungi. Thyme  Essential oils derived from thyme are common ingredients of natural household cleaners. According to previous studies, thyme essential oil is effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is important to not that thyme essential oils cannot be taken by mouth, they can only be used for external purposes.

Learn more about the antimicrobial potential of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Decne) Rehder by visiting Herbs.news today.

Sources include:

Science.news

BMCComplementAlternMed.BioMedCentral.com

MayoClinic.org

Hindawi.com

WoundSource.com

Healthline.comBerkeley voters appear to have approved two related measures in Tuesday's election that will raise funds to address affordable housing and homelessness.

With 85 percent of precincts reporting as of early Wednesday morning, Measure O, a $135 million bond measure that aims to create more affordable housing in Berkeley, had 75 percent of the vote, more than the two-thirds margin needed for victory.

Measure P, which is expected to bring in $6 million to $8 million annually for homeless services by increasing the transfer tax for the top third of residential and commercial property sales by 1 percent annually, only needs a simple approval but had 70 percent of the vote.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said early this morning, "I want to say thank you to the voters of Berkeley for promoting the needs of our most vulnerable people and making sure our city has an equitable future."

Arreguin, former Mayor Tom Bates and other supporters of Measure O said in their ballot argument that the bond measure is needed because, "Many in Berkeley are struggling to find or keep their homes and longtime residents are being displaced."

They said the measure will create and preserve affordable housing for working people and their families, support affordable ownership opportunities such as co=ops and land trusts and protect seniors, the homeless and others by ensuring they have access to safe housing with necessary services.

"We have projects that are shovel-ready," Arreguin said early this morning.

Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley said the city expects Measure O to cost property owners $22 per $100,000 of assessed value until 2025, when it will jump to $33 per $100,000.

Dan Walden, the executive director of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, and Marcus Crawley, an Oakland resident who describes himself as a "concerned taxpayer," said in their argument opposing the measure that it has "bad accountability by design" and alleged that the city "is already planning to play fast and loose with the bond funds."

Arreguin, Bates and other supporters of Measure P said it's needed because "Berkeley is facing a crisis, with homelessness rising almost 20 percent in just two years."

Supporters said the measure will generate general funds that can be used for navigation centers, mental health and substance abuse services, housing subsidies and job training for the homeless.

Arreguin said this morning, "Within a year Berkeley will have a plan to provide shelter for out entire unsheltered population. Housing first is the solution to homelessness."

Walden and Crawley, who also opposed Measure P, said, "Homelessness is a very important issue for our community but using the homelessness issue merely to pass a new tax is dishonest and unethical."

They said, "Berkeley already has California's highest transfer tax and raising it will ensure only the rich will be able to survive in Berkeley."Spending for California's 2018 election cycle, which included congressional midterms, a gubernatorial race and several statewide initiatives, topped $1 billion, NBC News reported.

Campaign data publication California Target Book estimates that figure to include over $287 million on congressional candidates, plus $20 million alone on a U.S. Senate race between two Democrats. For top statewide offices, including governor, spending exceeded $222 million. Spending for state legislative seats surpassed $156 million.

There was more than $366 million spent on statewide initiatives, which included a proposal to allow cities to expand rent control and another that would repeal a 12 cents per-gallon gas tax.Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be the governor of the deep blue state of California, winning a decisive victory Tuesday night against Republican John Cox.

Cox conceded the race around 9:30 p.m. as Newsom continued to widen his lead as vote-counting continued. The San Diego businessman said he was proud of the campaign and the message he conveyed.

"We highlighted the incredible struggle that the people of this state have had for years under the people that are running this state," Cox told supporters in San Diego. "We identified the needs of these people. They can't afford housing, the can't afford gasoline, they can't afford the basics of life."

He vowed that the Republican Party is not going away in California.

"Our path to success is going to be based upon delivering the quality of life that people need so desperately," Cox said. "... I'm not going anywhere. I love this state and I'm going to stay involved."

Despite being the overwhelming favorite in the race, Newsom told the Los Angeles Times earlier he wasn't taking anything for granted.

"I'm anxious, always, because there's a lot at stake. I don't want to experience what we experienced in 2016," Newsom told the newspaper in a reference to Donald Trump's election.

On Tuesday night in downtown Los Angeles, however, he looked to the future.

"This victory is really your victory, because of you, the future belongs to California," he said at the Exchange LA nightclub. Taking aim at President Donald Trump without mentioning him by name, Newsom said, "It's time to roll the credits on the politics of chaos and the politics of cruelty."

Both candidates maintained a heavy campaign schedule to the end, traveling up and down the state in the final days before the election. A final pre-election poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showed Newsom leading Cox by 58 to 40 percent among likely California voters.

If the votes ultimately tracked polling results, Newsom's win was due in part to strong support among non-partisan voters, who now outnumber Republicans statewide, as well as from Latino voters. Newsom built his political career in San Francisco, where he was elected mayor in 2004. He drew national attention when, roughly a month after his swearing in, he directed the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of state law.

From 1996 to 2004, Newsom served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where he championed a policy initiative dubbed "Care Not Cash," slashing cash benefits for homeless individuals in favor of housing and services. Newsom has proposed a goal of building 3.5 million new homes by 2025 through an expansion of the low-income housing tax credit program and other incentives.

Another of his top priorities is universal healthcare for Californians and he has expressed support for Senate Bill 562 that aims to create a single-payer system, although Newsom has also raised concerns about the hurdles for passage and funding.

Newsom has promised to oppose the Trump administration's immigration policies and gun control -- setting himself in stark opposition to Cox -- and has called for universal preschool and two years of free community college as part of a push to distinguish himself as more progressive than Brown.

Cox efforts to characterize the state's high poverty rate, underperforming schools and lack of affordable housing as problems that happened "on Gavin Newsom's watch" did not win the day.

Cox had also focused on repealing Brown's $52 billion gas tax increase, which he calls a regressive tax, urging voters to support Proposition 6, which also looks likely to be defeated tonight. After distancing himself from Trump early on in his primary campaign, Cox picked up the president's endorsement before the June 5th primary.

The San Diego-based businessman has since echoed some of Trump's themes on the campaign trail, including his plan to "clean out the barn" in Sacramento as Trump promised to "drain the swamp" in Washington, D.C. Cox has taken a hard line on immigration -- including supporting construction of a wall along the U.S.- Mexico border and ending "sanctuary state" policies -- though he said he was against separating children from their parents at the border.

Newsom will now pivot from campaigning to governing as he picks his cabinet and readies his team.Sen. Dianne Feinstein has won her Senate seat.

Feinstein, 85, is a Democrat and senior senator from California. The former San Francisco mayor was accompanied by her husband, Richard Blum, and stopped to greet fellow voters and people passing by.

Her challenger was fellow Democrat state Sen. Kevin de Leon.

De Leon got a burst of national attention last summer when the California Democratic Party endorsed him for U.S. Senate over incumbent Feinstein.

It seemed it could be the spark the former state Senate leader needed to make headway against a Goliath of California politics. But de Leon never parlayed the endorsement into significant campaign cash to boost his name recognition among California's nearly 20 million voters.

State and national Democratic activists largely stayed laser-focused on efforts to flip U.S. House seats.

Meanwhile, Feinstein blunted some of de Leon's argument that she's not tough enough against President Donald Trump when she became the target of Republican ire during confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.The polling place at a San Francisco school experienced lighting problems Tuesday, and a poll inspector says things worsened as the day progressed.

The voting is taking place in a small lobby of Sheridan Elementary School, and the overhead lights are out. Inspector Deborah Nagle-Burks said she began calling the election hotline for help before she opened at 7 a.m.

Election workers first brought light bulbs, Nagle-Burks said, but there was no way to put them in. Another worker brought out a few floor lights.

Finally, a third worker had to exchange some of the voting units because they did not have working lights.

Nagle-Burks said she was worried because the problem may discourage voters.

"I have people im concerned about ... they need to vote and need to be safe," she said. "And not be worried in this neighborhood that its too frightening to be here in the dark."San Francisco voters approved a tax on the city's wealthiest companies Tuesday in an attempt to alleviate homelessness in a place where residents at risk of being priced out routinely encounter people sleeping on the streets.

Despite opposition from the mayor and some business leaders, about 60 percent of voters supported Proposition C, but it was falling short of a two-thirds majority that would ward off litigation. Critics say it's a "special tax" dedicated to specific needs and so under state law requires more than the simple majority required for a general tax.

Threat of legal action didn't dampen the joy of proponents, including billionaire Marc Benioff, whose financial support upended the dynamics of the campaign and ticked off other prominent tech leaders.

Benioff, whose cloud-computing company Salesforce is the largest private employer in the city, donated at least $8 million to the cause. He went against Mayor London Breed, who said the measure lacked accountability and consensus. He got into Twitter fights with Twitter and Square chief executive Jack Dorsey and Zynga chairman Mark Pincus over their responsibilities to San Francisco.

"Prop C's victory means the homeless will have a home & the help they truly need! Let the city come together in Love for those who need it most!" Benioff tweeted Tuesday night.

No on C spokesman Jess Montejano chastised proponents of the measure for failing "to earn the two-thirds voter support necessary for San Francisco to ever see a penny that Proposition C promised."

San Francisco's outcome was the opposite of what occurred earlier this year in Seattle, where city leaders repealed a proposal to tax business for homelessness services after pushback from Starbucks and Amazon. The City Council of Cupertino in Silicon Valley scuttled a similar head tax proposal after opposition from its largest employer, Apple Inc.

A measure to raise $6 million a year from a per-employee tax passed easily Tuesday in Mountain View, another Silicon Valley city. The tax, most of which will be paid by Google, will go largely to ease congestion.

Homelessness has become a driving issue along the West Coast as growing numbers of well-paying tech jobs and a history of under-building prices out middle-class and lower-income people from the tight housing market.

A family of four in San Francisco earning $117,000 is considered low-income. Some streets are so filthy from used syringes, encampment detritus and human waste that officials launched a special "poop patrol."

Proposition C would raise up to $300 million a year, nearly doubling the city's current annual $380 million spending to combat homelessness, from a total city budget of $10 billion.

The measure would levy the tax mostly by revenue rather than by number of employees  an average half-percent tax increase on companies' revenue above $50 million each year. Benioff says Salesforce would pay an additional $10 million a year.

"I think that Benioff's endorsement and his money helped immensely to get the message out, but beyond that, the homelessness issue is something that San Franciscans see every day," said Jennifer Webber, a political consultant who was not involved in the contest.

Even though Breed's position lost, "she will be the beneficiary of the funding that is coming from the measure," Webber said.

As mayor, she also will be even more accountable for addressing homelessness in San Francisco if hundreds of millions of dollars in funding comes her way.

Breed said in a statement Wednesday that she would work with both sides to deliver on the measure's goals and address any legal uncertainties.

"The voters sent a clear message that they want an increase in funding to help meet this urgent challenge," she said.

California's constitution calls for "special taxes" put on the ballot by elected officials to pass a two-thirds threshold, but courts have not ruled on whether that requirement applies to tax measures backed by citizen initiative.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera said in a statement that his office will defend Proposition C if it is challenged in court since it was backed by a clear majority of voters.

He is currently asking the Superior Court to verify that tax initiatives put on the ballot by voters need only a simple majority. The question is in reference to a parcel tax for teachers that San Francisco voters approved in June.

A separate June measure that raised revenue taxes on commercial rents for childcare services is also pending in court because it did not meet the two-thirds threshold.

San Francisco's treasurer plans to collect the new tax for the 2019 tax year, although the money will be held in a separate account until it can be spent, said city Controller Ben Rosenfield in a memo issued Wednesday.Italy said Tuesday that it is working to help relocate the family of a Pakistani Christian woman acquitted eight years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy, amid warnings from her husband that the family's life is in danger in Pakistan.

The Foreign Ministry said it was coordinating with other countries to ensure safety for Asia Bibi and her family. In a statement, the ministry said it was ready to act on whatever the Italian government might decide  an indication that an offer of asylum might be in the offing.

Also Tuesday, a lawmaker in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party called for Germany to grant Bibi refuge, after her husband Ashiq Masih appealed for help from the West to relocate the family.

Bibi was convicted in 2010 of insulting Islam's prophet, but Pakistan's top court acquitted her last week. Protests by hardline Islamists prompted the government to impose a travel ban on Bibi until her case is reviewed.

Bibi's case has been closely followed in Italy for years, and Pope Francis met earlier this year with her family in a show of solidarity.

Even Italy's hardline, anti-migrant interior minister Matteo Salvini stressed that he would do "all that is humanly possible" to ensure Bibi and her family are safe, either in Italy or some other country.

Salvini distinguished between Bibi and the tens of thousands of migrants who try to seek out a better life in Italy via smugglers' boats from Libya.What to Know Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman initially said, "We have nothing to hide"

Saudi Arabia describes claims in the media that there were "orders to kill (Khashoggi)" as "lies and baseless allegations

Saudi Arabia then said preliminary investigations show an "altercation" and "fistfight" led to Khashoggi's death at the consulate

The official Saudi statements on the fate of journalist Jamal Khashoggi have changed several times since he mysteriously disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.

The latest announcement on Saturday, declaring that Khashoggi had died in a "fistfight" with officials that came to see him there, increased criticism over Saudi's handling of the case and concern over the kingdom's possible complicity in the killing of the prominent Washington Post columnist.

Here is a look at the Saudi narrative regarding Khashoggi, as it developed.

___

Oct. 2: Khashoggi enters the Saudi consulate in a leafy neighborhood in Istanbul at 1.14 p.m. on Tuesday. He had left his mobile phones with his Turkish fiance, who waited for him outside the consulate. She calls friends hours later to tell them that Khashoggi never emerged from the consulate.

Oct. 3: In a wide-ranging interview, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman tells Bloomberg he understands that Khashoggi left the consulate after "a few minutes or one hour." Bin Salman says his kingdom's authorities are in talks with the Turkish government to determine what happened. He insists Khashoggi is no longer inside the consulate and says Turkish authorities are welcome to search the diplomatic mission. "We have nothing to hide," says the crown prince.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, is feared dead after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week and has not been seen since. Khashoggi has been a vocal critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Khashoggi went to the consulate to pick up paperwork in order to marry his fiancee.

Oct. 4: On Twitter, the Saudi consulate in Istanbul says it is following up on media reports of Khashoggi's disappearance "after he left the building" of the consulate.

Oct. 4: Turkey summons the Saudi ambassador.

Oct. 6: Saudi Arabia says it has dispatched a team to "investigate and cooperate" with Turkish officials over Khashoggi's case.

Oct. 7: Turkish officials say Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate. A Saudi government statement describes the Turkish allegations as "baseless."

Oct. 9: Turkey says it will search the consulate.

Oct. 11: Turkey says it has agreed with Saudi Arabia to form a joint group to shed light on the disappeared journalist's fate. The Saudi team arrives in Istanbul a day later.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, is missing and feared dead after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. President Donald Trump says he wants to learn more about the incident but does not want to place sanctions on Saudi Arabia.

Oct. 13: Saudi Arabia's interior minister describes claims in the media that there were "orders to kill (Khashoggi)" as "lies and baseless allegations." Turkish media quote officials as saying Khashoggi has been killed and dismembered inside the consulate.

Oct. 14: Turkey's Foreign Ministry renews calls on Saudi Arabia to allow investigators to search the consulate.

Oct. 15: Nearly two weeks after Khashoggi's disappearance, teams of Turkish investigators enter the consulate to start their search.

Oct. 15: A Saudi-owned satellite news channel says the 15-member team referred to by Turkish media as Khashoggi's "hit squad" were "tourists" visiting Turkey.

Oct. 16: Without warning, the Saudi consul in Istanbul, a key witness in the case, leaves Turkey to Saudi Arabia.

Some members of Congress say the U.S. must act against Saudi Arabia if the country's leaders are responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but they differ on exactly what that action would entail.

Oct. 17: Turkish authorities begin searching the consul's residence in Istanbul.

Oct. 19: In a late-night announcement, Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor says preliminary investigations show an "altercation" and "fistfight" led to Khashoggi's death shortly after he arrived at the consulate. He adds that 18 Saudi nationals were detained. A Saudi foreign ministry official says the kingdom is investigating the "regrettable and painful incident of Jamal Khashoggi's death" and forming a committee to hold those responsible accountable.The Democrats took back the House with a surge of fresh new candidates and an outpouring of voter enthusiasm Tuesday, breaking the GOP's monopoly on power in Washington and setting the stage for a multitude of investigations of President Donald Trump that could engulf his administration over the next two years.

Ending eight years of Republican control that began with the tea party revolt of 2010, Democrats picked off more than two dozen GOP-held districts in suburbs across the nation on the way to securing the 218 seats needed for a majority.

As of early Wednesday, Democrats had won 222 races and the Republicans 199, with winners undetermined in 14 races, according to NBC News. NBC News estimates that Democrats will win about eight of those races. The final count is likely to leave Democrats with a narrow majority that could be difficult to manage and preserve.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is seeking to reclaim the gavel as House speaker, called it a "new day in America." She saluted "those dynamic, diverse and incredible candidates who have taken back the House for the American people."

Pelosi also credited Democrats' defense of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid, a major issue party candidates focus their campaigns on, as a factor in their House win. She told reporters at a news conference Wednesday that voters delivered a resounding verdict against congressional Republicans' attacks on health care.

"Health care was on the ballot and health care won," Pelosi told reporters at a news conference Wednesday, adding "when it comes to health care all politics is personal."

With the Republicans keeping control of the Senate, the outcome in the House could mean gridlock for Trump's agenda on Capitol Hill  or, conversely, it could open a new era of deal-making.

As the majority party, the Democrats will chair important committees and will have expansive powers to investigate the president, his business dealings and the inner workings of his administration, including whether anyone from the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

They will have authority to request Trump's tax returns and subpoena power to obtain documents, emails and testimony.

However, any attempt to impeach Trump is likely to run headlong into resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Still, Pelosi said Wednesday that Democrats will strive for bipartisanship and she had already spoken to the president about working together on an infrastructure package in order to "create jobs from sea to shining sea."

"We believe that we have a responsibility to seek common ground where we can -- where we cannot, we must stand our ground. But we must try," she added.

Pelosi, meanwhile, is likely to face a challenge for the speakership from newer or younger members later this month. And the Democrats could see a struggle inside the party over how aggressively to confront the Trump administration.

During the campaign, Pelosi urged candidates to focus on lowering health care costs and creating jobs with infrastructure investment, and she tamped down calls for impeachment.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of ugly rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, health care and the role of Congress in overseeing the president.

In locking down a majority, Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Denver and Dallas that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Democrats made only slight inroads in Trump country, where they tried to win back white working-class voters.

Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, but the GOP's hold on power was further weakened by an unusually large number of retirements as well as infighting between conservatives and centrists over their allegiance to Trump.

The Democrats, in turn, benefited from extraordinary voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities, many of them motivated by revulsion over Trump.

As the returns came in, voters were on track to send at least 98 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. Perhaps the biggest new political star among them is New York's 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal firebrand from the Bronx.

Also among them are the first two Native American women elected to the House  Democrats Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico  and the first two Muslim-American women, Rhasida Tlaib of Michigan and Minnesota's Ilhan Oman.

The Republican side of the aisle elected mostly white men.

In trying to stem Republican losses, Trump made only passing reference to his $1.5 trillion tax cut  the GOP Congress' signature achievement  and instead barnstormed through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark and foreboding warnings. He predicted an "invasion" from the migrant caravan making its way toward the U.S. and decried the "radical" agenda of speaker-in-waiting Pelosi.

On Tuesday night, he called to congratulate Pelosi and acknowledged her plea for bipartisanship, the leader's spokesman said.

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots, according to a survey of the American electorate by The Associated Press. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their votes.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration Cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in a nearby district.

In the suburbs outside the nation's capital, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock  among the most endangered GOP incumbents, branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator.

And outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time tea party favorite Rep. Dave Brat lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the GOP vote to gut the Affordable Care Act. Like other Democrats across the country, Spanberger emphasized protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage or charged more by insurers.

Pennsylvania was particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play. Democratic favorite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

In Kentucky, the heart of Trump country, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Republicans had expected the GOP tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the East and West coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.

The tax law was particularly problematic for Republicans in high-tax New Jersey, where at least three GOP-held seats flipped. The winners included Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who ran for a suburban Newark seat.

The GOP campaign committee distanced itself from eight-term Rep. Steve King of Iowa after he was accused of racism and anti-Semitism, but he won anyway.

In California, four GOP seats in the one-time Republican stronghold of Orange County were in play, along with three other seats to the north beyond Los Angeles and into the Central Valley.

"We always knew these races are going to be close," said Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, co-chair of House Democrats' recruitment efforts. "It's just a very robust class of candidates that really reflects who we are as a country."The surge of women running in the midterm elections, many of them Democrats spurred by antipathy toward President Donald Trump, smashed a U.S. House of Representatives record, with 100 winning election or re-election by Thursday.

Their victories eclipsed the current tally of 84 seats held by women in the current House session.

The elections got off to a promising start for breaking barriers not only in the House but also the U.S. Senate and governor's races with the first result to be recorded: the territory of Guam chose Democrat Lou Leon Guerrero as its first female governor.

When the first flip of a House seat of Tuesday night came, from Republican to Democrat, it was in a Virginia race where state Sen. Jennifer Wexton defeated the two-term GOP incumbent, Barbara Comstock. The second Democratic gain went to a woman, too. Donna Shalala, secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton, beat Republican Maria Elvira Salazar to replace Republican Rep. Ileana Pos-Lehtinen.

By the end of the night, Democrats had taken control of the House.

Other firsts among Democratic women: Sharice Davids became the first gay, Native-American congresswoman in Kansas while in New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to Congress at 29. The first Muslim-American women were elected, Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and Ilhan Omar in Minnesota. Pennsylvania went from having no women in its delegation to having four. A surprise win came in in Oklahoma where Kendra Horn won what was thought a safe House seat for Republicans. And Ayanna Pressley will become the fist black woman in Congress representing Massachusetts.

In the governor's races, Laura Kelly beat Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach in Kansas and Gretchen Whitmer won in Michigan. In New Mexico, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham was projected to become the first Democratic Hispanic woman to be elected governor.

Among Republicans, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, was elected Tennessees first woman U.S. senator. In the gubernatorial races, Republican Kay Ivey retained her seat in Alabama.

"Were seeing this pretty important shift in the makeup, especially on the Democratic side, in terms of the leadership and who are going to be the rising stars in that party," said Eric Schickler, the Jeffrey & Ashley McDermott Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. "I do think that is one of the noteworthy shifts. Whenever theres an open seat or a potential vulnerable Republican, female candidates did really well, probably mobilized in part by anger over Trump. And I expect to see that continue."

But some incumbents suffered losses. Senators Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri, Democrats serving in red states, came up short.

Challenger Amy McGrath, who became the first woman Marine to pilot an F-18 in combat, lost in Kentucky for a House seat.

A record number of women ran for office this year: 237 women for the House, up from 167 four years ago, and 23 women for the Senate, beating 2012s record of 18, according to The Center for American Women and Politics, a division of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Sixteen women ran for governor.

Democrats led in nominations: 77 percent of women in the House, Senate and governors races.

Among progressive Democratic women, the 2016 presidential election appeared to have been a catalyst, said Kelly Dittmar, the centers Gender Watch 2018 project director.

Even if they were already engaged in politics in other ways, their sense of urgency for making their voice heard in politics was even greater after the 2016 election, she said. Because  not just Donald Trump specifically, I think hes often given credit in this  but more generally that it was going to be a Republican controlled government.

They competed to preserve health care, preserve environmental regulations and push back against other parts of the Republican agenda, she said. Many were first time candidates who worried less than women before them about having all of the right experience and credentials. Trumps success, against Hillary Clinton, a candidate with more government qualifications, may have convinced them to dive in, Dittmar said.

Early results from the NBC News Exit Poll showed a divide between the parties on the importance of electing more women to public office. Some 46 percent of voters said it was very important for more women to be elected; among them a large majority of Democrats, but just 18 percent of Republicans and 41 percent of independents.

Another window into voters positions was their view of the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, accused on sexual misconduct, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Voters were more likely to oppose than support his appointment, 48 percent to 43 percent, and women even more so, 53 percent to 37 percent in support. Men on the other hand supported it 50 percent to 44 percent against.

Sierra Jackson contributed to this story.Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appeared to rule out a 2020 presidential run in a press conference Wednesday morning, a day after he won re-election to a second term.

Baker, a moderate Republican popular with voters in heavily Democratic Massachusetts, is the most popular governor in America, and his name has occasionally been mentioned as a potential 2020 contender. Boston Globe columnist Joan Vennochi wrote a column Wednesday speculating about a potential presidential run.

But while speaking Wednesday about everything he hopes to accomplish over the next four years, Baker said he "absolutely" plans to serve out his entire term. He was also asked if he plans to seek a third term as Massachusetts governor, but said it's way to early to answer that question.

"We're not really thinking yet about that. We've been talking mostly about what we want to get done in a second term. It does seem really premature."

Baker said he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have really enjoyed their jobs and have appreciated the chance to work with their colleagues on issues they care deeply about.

"I really like this job, and I really appreciate the voters' decision to give us a chance to do it," he said. "Any decision about something like that would get made way down the road."

Baker did speak extensively about what Tuesday's election results said about what voters want from their politicians.

He said other moderate Republican governors Phil Scott in Vermont, Chris Sununu in New Hampshire and Larry Hogan in Maryland also won re-election, a sign that voters want to see their elected officials work together to get things done instead of sniping at each other.

"People want their public officials to spend a little less time yelling at each other and a little more time trying to actually accomplish things," he said.

Baker also spoke about some of his priorities for the coming years, including continuing to address the opioid epidemic, building more housing, developing Airbnb legislation, and finishing the work to fix the MBTA and the state's roads and bridges.

"There's plenty to do," he said. "I think the big message from voters last night was what people really want more than anything is progress, progress on the things that are really going to improve the quality of their lives here in Massachusetts."

Unofficial returns from Tuesday showed Baker winning about two-thirds of the vote in his race against Democrat Jay Gonzalez, including solid showings in Boston and other typically Democratic-leaning urban areas.

During the campaign, Baker touted the state's strong economy and low unemployment, his administration's progress in stabilizing the state's finances without broad tax increases, and steps taken to tackle the opioid addiction crisis.Democrats were dominating in Illinois on Tuesday, winning all statewide offices and flipping two Republican-held congressional seats, including one that's been in GOP hands for decades.

Billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker defeated Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who conceded the race less than an hour after polls closed, while Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul topped Republican attorney Erika Harold for the open attorney general seat.

Republican Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton lost his bid for a seventh term to Democrat Sean Casten in a suburban Chicago district, while Democrat Lauren Underwood defeated GOP Rep. Randy Hultgren in another Chicago-area district the party had targeted in its effort to win House control.

Other Democrats who won re-election statewide: Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Secretary of State Jesse White and Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

The election saw higher-than-normal turnout, as Democrats pushed back against President Donald Trump and his policies and Republicans tried to hold on to some power in the left-leaning state.

Here's a look:

CONGRESS

Casten, a scientist and businessman from Downers Grove, defeated Roskam, arguing that he was too conservative and too cozy with the president to continue representing Illinois' 6th District, which supported Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016. He criticized Roskam for his long record of opposing abortion and for helping draft the GOP tax plan, which Casten said hurts the district's residents. Roskam warned Casten wants to raise taxes and criticized the first-time candidate for name-calling and "embracing the politics of ridicule," saying he uses the same kind of divisive talk  and tweets  that has turned the district's voters against Trump.

Underwood, a 32-year-old African-American nurse from Naperville, topped Hultgren to become the first woman and first minority to win the congressional seat once held by GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Underwood said she was motivated to run for her first political office after Hultgren supported health care legislation that would've made coverage of pre-existing conditions more expensive. She also criticized him for not being accessible to district residents. Hultgren argued voters knew his track record of getting things done for the district, a rural and suburban area north and west of Chicago that backed Trump by 4 points over Clinton.

In central Illinois, three-term Republican Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville had a slight lead over Springfield Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. Londrigan also made health care a central focus of her campaign, recounting her son's life-threatening illness and saying her family could have faced bankruptcy if they hadn't had health insurance. She's criticized Davis for supporting legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, then joining a White House celebration of the House vote. Davis argued Londrigan is too extreme for the 13th District. Vice President Mike Pence headlined a fundraiser for Davis in October, and Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, campaigned with him.

Republican Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro was ahead of St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly of Swansea in southern Illinois' 12th District. The once reliably Democratic district strongly backed Trump in 2016, and the president campaigned for Bost last month. Trump also was in the district in August, where he touted his trade policies at U.S. Steel in Granite City. Bost is a former state representative first elected to the House in 2014. Both he and Kelly are veterans  Kelly served in the Navy and Bost in the Marines. Green Party nominee Randy Auxier of Murphysboro also is running.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Raoul, who was appointed to the state Senate in 2004 to replace the U.S. Senate-bound Barack Obama, pledged to fight Trump and his policies as attorney general.

"We reject the hate that has come from Donald Trump," he told supporters at a victory party in Chicago after winning the seat vacated by Democrat Lisa Madigan.

Raoul, 54, boasts a variety of legal experiences, including as an assistant Cook County state's attorney, and he criticized Harold's lack of experience as a prosecutor.

Harold, an Urbana lawyer who used scholarship winnings as Miss America 2003 to get a degree from Harvard Law School, is a civil litigator who dismissed Raoul's complaints and posits herself as an able administrator willing to take on public corruption.

Harold wished Raoul well in her concession speech.

"We need an attorney general who will be able to take the politics out of the office and to be able to bring us all together," she told her supporters.

Raoul has built a record in the Legislature of fighting illegal guns and restructuring workers' compensation laws to curb abuses.

He said the attorney general's role has expanded in modern times to include defending taxpayers against federal overreach on issues such as the Muslim travel ban and keeping immigrant families together. He pledged to expand the post's vigilance in fighting online sexual predators and fighting gun violence with better trauma treatment of victims who research shows sometimes become perpetrators.

Libertarian Bubba Harsy of DuQuoin also was on the ballot.

___

LEGISLATURE

Democrats, who have controlled both houses of the General Assembly for 30 of the past 42 years, were looking to expand their majorities after a rare and minor setback in 2016.

The biggest question for the majority party was whether it will regain a 71-seat supermajority in the House, which would give Democrats enough votes to override any veto by the governor. Senate Democrats have enjoyed a supermajority of 36 or more seats since 2007.

The biggest issue for Republicans, struggling to maintain the six seats, including four in the House, they picked off in 2016, is what they don't have: Gov. Bruce Rauner's money. The wealthy former private-equity investor and his top backers poured more than $40 million into legislative races in 2016. But Rauner focused more this election on his own bid for re-election.

Rauner produced $16 million to help GOP candidates this year, no small change. But it's a fraction of his contribution two years ago and is offset by more than $22 million in Democratic party-building contributions from Pritzker.Democrat Tony Evers ousted Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday, denying the polarizing Republican and one-time presidential candidate a third term and succeeding where his party had failed in three previous attempts, including a 2012 recall.

Evers' victory is a monumental win for Democrats and a steep fall for Walker, who just three years ago was seen as an early front-runner in the GOP primary for president. When Walker dropped out of the presidential race, he focused on rebuilding his low approval ratings in Wisconsin.

Walker had promised if he won the third term would have been his last, but voters decided that two was enough.

Evers, 67, a former teacher and state superintendent since 2009, used his folksy, nondescript personality to his advantage in the campaign, using words like "jeepers" and "holy mackerel" while arguing that voters were tired of divisiveness and yearned for more collegial politics.

The win gives Democrats a boost after President Donald Trump narrowly carried Wisconsin by less than 1 point in 2016. It also puts Evers in position to dismantle much of what Walker and Republicans did over the past eight years, including rolling back portions of the law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public workers.

Democratic voters were ecstatic about ousting Walker.

"Tony Evers provides us with a new direction that a lot of people want to go," said Danielle Moehring, 27, a scientist from Madison.

Moehring said she thought anger over Trump was motivating people to "come out of the woodwork," get involved and vote.

Ellen Martin, a 67-year-old retired occupational therapist from Madison, said she voted for Evers because he will "save our state, especially the environment, education."

Martin said she thought voters in Wisconsin were tired of Walker after eight years in office.

"I never liked him," Martin said. "He's shamed our state, embarrassed our state, ruined our politics."

Evers, a cancer survivor, campaigned on supporting the national health care law and its guarantees of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. He also promised to cut middle class taxes by 10 percent, paid for by all-but repealing a manufacturing and agriculture tax credit program Walker enacted. Evers is also open to raising the gas tax to pay for road repair and construction, although he hasn't released a specific plan.

Walker, the 51-year-old son of a Baptist preacher, swept into office in 2010, part of a Republican wave that saw the GOP take over control of the state Legislature as well. With Republican partners in the Statehouse, Walker pushed through a law that effectively ended collective bargaining for teachers and most public workers.

Anger over that law led to the failed 2012 recall election. Walker's stature among conservatives and national profile skyrocketed after the union fight and the passage of a host of Republican priorities, including making Wisconsin a right-to-work state; cutting taxes by $8 billion; implementing a voter ID law; expanding the private school voucher program statewide; freezing tuition at the University of Wisconsin; rejecting federal Medicaid expansion money under the Affordable Care Act; and restricting access to abortion.

Walker ran for president in 2015, but dropped out before any votes were cast, out of money and down in the polls. His voter approval rating in Wisconsin dropped to its lowest levels.

Last year, working closely with the Trump administration, Walker signed a deal with Taiwan-based Foxconn to build a display screen factory in the state that could result in $10 billion in investments and 13,000 jobs. He's pointed to that as signs of the state's economic recovery.

Evers wants to renegotiate the deal, saying the potential $4 billion in state and local tax breaks for the Taiwan-based company is too much. Evers has also vowed, on his first day in office, to withdraw Wisconsin from a federal lawsuit seeking repeal of the Affordable Care Act.Editor's note: Watch LIVE special election coverage from across the Chicago area starting at 8 p.m. in the player above.



Voters in Illinois will play a role in deciding the direction of the country with four critical Congressional seats at stake, two of which are in the Chicago area.



In the race pitting 14th District incumbent Randy Hultgren against Democratic challenger Lauren Underwood, President Donald Trump on Tuesday sent out an 11th-hour, Election Day appeal.

"Congressman Randy Hultgren (R) of Illinois is doing a great job," Trump tweeted." Get out and Vote for Randy - Total Endorsement!"

Hultgren is opposed by Underwood, a political newcomer, and the race is tight.

Democrats believe they have a good chance of flipping that long-held GOP seat out in the western suburbs and beyond.

Just to the north, 6th District Republican Peter Roskam is challenged by another political new comer, Sean Casten, and like Hultgren, Roskam's seat is considered a toss-up.

In both races, as in so many around the country, health care is a principal issue and women voters are key.

One of the key statewide races is Illinois attorney general.

Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul is battling Erika Harold, an attorney and former Miss America from Champaign.

Raoul's pitch has included his connection to former President Barack Obama. Harold's closing argument has been to try and tie Raoul to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Both Raoul and Harold have flooded television markets with campaign commercials, but who's ahead? It's hard to tell and could be the last of the statewide races to declare a winner.

In the nitty gritty of Illinois politics, one man stands out from the rest: Madigan, the nemisis of Illinois Republicans and the man who controls the Democratic state party, not to mention millions in campaign money.

There are 67 Democrats and 51 Republicans in the Illinois House. Democrats need to pick up four seats to give Madigan and his side a super majority.

Out of 118 seats up for election, 54 candidates have no opposition, and the great majority of those are Democrats. There are 59 Illinois state senators, but not all are up for re-election.

Democrats are looking to increase their number.

How well Republicans do or don't do in those legislative races will tie back to the Illinois governor's race.

Democrats have been more liberal in their spending for state House races than Republicans.

Gov. Bruce Rauner campaigned four years ago on a pledge to "shake up Springfield." Tonight will decide if state government was shaken---or whether the governor just stirred up a whole lot of voter anger.New London Police arrested a teenager who they said used a BB gun during an armed robbery on Tuesday.

Officers were called to a report of an armed robbery on Governor Winthrop Boulevard around 3:09 p.m.

Police said they learned the suspect displayed a gun and threatened the victims. Officers were also given a description of the suspect.

Officers quickly located the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, and a police K-9 was able to locate the gun used, later identified as a BB gun.

The 15-year-old was arrested and is facing charges including carrying a dangerous weapon, threatening, reckless endangerment and breach of peace.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you have information about the incident, you're encouraged to call New London Police at (860) 447-5269 ext. 0. Anonymous information can also be submitted through the New London Tips 411 system by texting "NLPDTip" plus the information to Tip411 (847411).A 27-year-old man died after the stolen motorcycle he was driving collided with another vehicle on Franklin Avenue in Hartford Wednesday, according to police.

Police identified the motorcyclist as 27-year-old Brian Rivera Morales, of Hartford. They said he was driving a 2006 Honda CBR600 that was reported stolen to the New York Police Department on Tuesday and collided with another vehicle in the area of Franklin Avenue and Elliott Street.

When crews arrived, the motorcycle and part of the other vehicle were on fire.

Morales was not wearing a helmet, suffered severe injuries and died at Hartford Hospital, police said. His license had been suspended on May 11, according to police.

The driver of the second vehicle involved remained at the scene and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The Hartford Police Crime Scene Division is investigating. Franklin Avenue was closed in the area but has reopened.

Hartford police said a lot of people witnessed the crash and many tried to help.

"The incident was captured on our C4 cameras in the city and we do have our accident reconstruction teams here. They're going to look at a lot of things, speed, weather, traffic conditions, vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, if there was alcohol or drug intoxication that may have been a part of it as well so it's going to be a long road, long process in regards to coming to a proper conclusion, determination as to why the accident occurred," said Hartford Police Lt. Paul Cicero.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Lt. Jay Lee at 860-757-4341.CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS

Democrat Ned Lamont is now Governor-elect of Connecticut. Republican Bob Stefanowski conceded the governor's race on Wednesday morning.

Stefanowski made the initial concession announcement during an interview on the Chaz and AJ radio show around 8:50 a.m., then posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter.

The announcement comes following a race for governor that was too close to call through Wednesday morning. Both campaigns called it a night around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and said they would wait for more votes to be counted in the morning.

Shortly after Stefanowski's announcement, Lamont released a statement.

Earlier this morning, I received a call from Bob Stefanowski. After a long campaign, he could not have been more gracious, and I could not be more appreciative. I look forward to working with him, because we all need to come together  regardless of party  to solve our states biggest challenges. Im humbled and I want every resident to know how grateful I am for this extraordinary honor. I will work every day  honestly and thoughtfully  to move this state forward and be a champion for Connecticut."

Lamont delivered his first remarks as governor-elect at noon at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford.

Some issues at the polls Tuesday delayed the counting of some ballots.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said ballots at some polling locations were wet, so they not able to be fed through the tabulation machines to be counted. Those ballots could are being counted by hand, she said.

At the time of Stefanowski's announcement, Lamont had 48 percent of the votes and Stefanowski had 47 percent with 91 percent of precincts reporting. Less than 10,000 votes separated the two and there are still a number of uncounted votes.

The Lamont and Stefanowski campaigns both called it a night and said they would wait for Wednesday for the final votes to be counted.

The other issue that surrounded the race between Stefanowski and Lamont involved same-day registration of voters.

Hundreds of people in New Haven spent hours trying to register to vote before the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Merrill said the registrar's office in New Haven "took some shortcuts" to make sure about 100 or so voters were registered in time.

Stefanowski's campaign asked a judge Tuesday to separate those ballots until it could be determined if they could be counted.

According to Merrill, a judge did agree to set aside those ballots but ruled they could be counted as provisional ballots in the event of a close race.

On Tuesday, State GOP chairman J.R. Romano told NBC Connecticut that the issue was not resolved and there would be a hearing on Friday.

After Stefanowski conceded, he said the hearing would be canceled.

Voters across the state also weighed in on one US Senate Seat, re-electing incumbent Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, over Republican Matthew Corey.

Voters also decided to make two amendments to the state constitution.

One ballot question asks whether the constitution should be changed to ensure transportation revenues are spent on transportation projects. The second amendment calls for placing limits on the General Assembly when it attempts to transfer or sell state-owned property to a non-state entity.

Other statewide races include Secretary of the State, between incumbent Denise Merrill, a Democrat and Republican Susan Chapman, treasurer, between Democrat Shawn Wooden and Republican Thad Gray, Comptroller, between incumbent Kevin Lembo, a Democrat, and Republican Kurt Miller, and attorney general, between Democrat William Tong and Republican Sue Hatfield.

While not a statewide race, the race for US House of Representatives in Connecticut's 5th District has captured a lot of interest.

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty announced she would not run for a fourth term in the wake of allegations of abuse in her office and decided to retire after her handling of those allegations became public.

Manny Santos is the Republican Party candidate for the seat and Jahana Hayes, is the Democratic Party candidate. Hayes claimed victory Tuesday night, but the race was still close and Santos has not conceded.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes has been re-elected to a fourth term in the House representing the southwest corner of Connecticut. The Democrat on Tuesday defeated Republican candidate Harry Arora, an investment manager who grew up in India and became a U.S. citizen after coming to the states for graduate school.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has won re-election to a seventh term representing eastern Connecticut. The Democrat from Vernon has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2007.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro is returning for another term in the U.S. House seat she has held since 1991.

DeLauro, a Democrat, was re-elected Tuesday for a 15th term. She was facing a rematch against the same Republican challenger from the previous election, Angel Cadena Jr., a Marine Corps veteran and truck driver from Shelton.

DeLauro is 75. She says her highest priority is improving the economy and ensuring economic policies benefit families and businesses in her district, including the city of New Haven.

Cadena had called for exploration of ways to ease traffic and endorsed the idea of a bridge over Long Island Sound to connect the New Haven area with New York state. During the campaign, he joked about the GOP not giving him money because it wanted to spend it on races it could win.

For the live results on all the Connecticut races, click here.

For more on midterm elections, click here.William Tong has claimed victory in the race for Connecticuts attorney general to succeed George Jepsen, who announced that he would not seek a third term.

Im ready to protect and defend Connecticut families and to be your fireball and I could not be more grateful for your confidence and support, he said during his victory speech.

Tong, a Democrat, was in a race against Republican Sue Hatfield and led 52 percent to 47 percent with 93 percent of precincts reporting.

Tong credited Hatfield with running a tremendous campaign and said she called him around 9 a.m. Wednesday to congratulate him.

I look forward to working with her going forward, Tong said.

SEE THE FULL ELECTION RESULTS HERE.

We worked hard, and made many friends along the way, but we fell just short. It was an amazing effort, and we should be proud of the enthusiasm we generated and the broad support of people across the political spectrum that rallied to our cause, Hatfield wrote in a Facebook post.

During a news conference Wednesday, Tong talked about issues including consumer protection, investigations into the opioid crisis, prescription drug price fixing, privacy and the crumbling foundations crisis.

He said he is grateful to the people of the state for giving his family a chance as immigrants to make it in this state and to succeed in a historic candidacy to be the first Asian-American attorney general, the first Asian-American constitutional officer in the history of our state and only the second elected Asian-American attorney general in the history of our great nation.As some 3,000 Hondurans made their way through Guatemala, attention turned to Mexico, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to close the U.S.-Mexico border if authorities there fail to stop them  a nearly unthinkable move that would disrupt hundreds of thousands of legal freight, vehicle and pedestrian crossings each day.

With less than three weeks before the Nov. 6 midterm elections, Trump seized on the migrant caravan to make border security a political issue and energize his Republican base.

"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!" Trump tweeted, adding that he blamed Democrats for what he called "weak laws!"

The threat followed another one earlier this week to cut off aid to Central American countries if the migrants weren't stopped. Trump made a similar vow over another large migrant caravan in April, but didn't follow through and it largely petered out in Mexico.

Trump at a rally on Thursday also suggested, without evidence, that Democrats or their allies are supporting a caravan of Central American migrants traveling north toward the U.S.

Addressing thousands of supporters in Montana he said immigration is now one of the leading issues in the 2018 midterms, and he accused Democrats of supporting the migrants because they "figure everybody coming in is going to vote Democrat."

On Thursday, Mexico's foreign ministry said the government was assisting members of the caravan who had already crossed into Mexican territory. It was explaining the options to migrants and helping those who chose to apply for refugee status to navigate the lengthy process.

Mexico had also dispatched additional police to its southern border after the Casa del Migrante shelter on the Guatemalan side of the border reported that hundreds of Hondurans had already arrived there.

Apparently pleased with that response, in the evening Trump retweeted a BuzzFeed journalist's tweet of a video clip showing the police deployment, adding his own comment: "Thank you Mexico, we look forward to working with you!"

Mexican federal police and immigration officials also detained immigration activist Irineo Mujica, who led a caravan of migrants through Mexico last spring.

His organization Pueblo Sin Fronteras, or People without Borders, said via Twitter that he was arrested Thursday in Ciudad Hidalgo on the Mexico-Guatemala border while participating in a peaceful march.

Mexican immigration officials said Mujica, who has dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship, was accused of property damage and resisting arrest. A statement from the officials said Mujica attacked immigration agents, as well as local and federal police, after he was asked for his identification as he gathered foreigners for a protest.

Mexican officials had said the Hondurans would not be allowed to enter as a group and would either have to show a passport and visa  something few have  or apply individually for refugee status, a process that can mean waiting for up to 90 days for approval. They also said migrants caught without papers would be deported.

Marcelo Ebrard, who is set to become foreign relations secretary when President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office Dec. 1, said Trump's tweets need to be understood in the context of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

"The electoral process is very near, so he is making a political calculation," Ebrard said in an interview with Radio Centro.

Trump's stance, he said, was "what he has always presented," adding he saw "nothing surprising in it."

Current Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Videgaray was also sanguine and viewed things through the lens of U.S. politics.

"Nobody likes them (Trump's comments). There's no reason to give them greater transcendence or importance," Videgaray said from the United Nations where he sought the world body's help processing asylum requests from the migrants. "What is important to us is the migrants, respect for human rights, their due protection, particularly the most vulnerable."

Still, the idea that Mexico could close its porous southern border  or that the United States would choke off the lucrative trade and other traffic between the two nations  strained the imagination.

"There would be huge economic impacts for both the United States and Mexico ... but limited effect on illegal immigration," said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute.

"The president certainly can slow down crossing at legal border crossings where about a million people cross each day. That would really hurt legal transit between the two countries and manufacturing and trade, which would affect American workers," Selee said. "But it would have much less impact on illegal border crossings between ports of entry."

Stephanie Leutert, director of the Mexico Security Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin, said she interpreted the tweet to mean Trump could send troops not to ports of entry but elsewhere where the illegal crossings take place.

"If that's the case, I don't think Mexico should be too worried because in a sense ... it's the same kind of thing U.S. administrations have been doing for a long time," Leutert said.

Like Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico is a country of many migrants, raising the question of whether the political will exists for a confrontation.

Lopez Obrador wants to avoid repression against migrants and also to avoid angering the United States. He said this week that Mexico would offer jobs to Central Americans. "Anyone who wants to work in our country ... will have a work visa," he said.

Juan Escobar, 24, said he had heard about Trump's comments but said they would not dissuade the migrants from continuing their journey.

"Only God on high can stop us," Escobar said.

Carlos Lopez, 27, said he was concerned by Trump's threats, but "you have to keep fighting."

Trump also warned that he prioritizes border security over even the recently struck trade deal to replace NAFTA, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.

"The assault on our country at our Southern Border, including the Criminal elements and DRUGS pouring in, is far more important to me, as President, than Trade or the USMCA. Hopefully Mexico will stop this onslaught at their Northern Border," Trump tweeted.

Analysts didn't see the pact as being in imminent danger, though trade attorney Daniel Ujczo of Dickinson Wright PLLC said there is "a significant concern" Trump could hold the agreement hostage over future issues.

"Leaders around the world are skeptical that any deal with this U.S. administration is actually final," Ujczo said.

U.S.-bound migrant caravans have been going on for years  with traveling in numbers seen as offering protection from assaults, robberies, even shakedowns by police. They're also a cheaper alternative to the $7,000 to $10,000 that smugglers, charge for passage to the border, Leutert noted.

Still, it wasn't until this year that the caravans received widespread attention.

"There have been these caravans through the years, but they become prominent because the president tweets about them," Selee said.

He predicted that, like the caravan in April, Mexico will respond with measures like granting asylum to some migrants who qualify while deporting others who don't, perhaps not eliminating the caravan entirely but significantly reducing its size before it reaches the U.S. border.

But the direct, public pressure from Trump puts Mexico, already an uneasy ally the last two years, in an uncomfortable spotlight.

"Ironically, the way President Trump responds to these caravans makes it harder for the Mexican government to cooperate with the U.S. on immigration enforcement," Selee said. "There is a lot of disposition in both the current and the incoming Mexican government to cooperate with the U.S. on some aspects of immigration control. But it becomes much harder when President Trump makes this a political issue in which he bashes Mexico."

Associated Press writer Paul Wiseman contributed to this report.A day after Election Day in Connecticut the numbers show there are several close races, some separated by fewer than 100 votes. In a stunning result, one of those races involves the current speaker of the house for his seat as state representative in Berlin and Southington, a seat hes held for 14 years.

Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz feels he headed back to the general assembly for another term after Connecticut Democrats once again secured the majority in the State House.

Although there is no official winner declared, Aresimowicz is claiming victory. The Secretary of the States office data shows him leading the 30th House District race by just 37 votes.

I believe Ned Lamont lost my district by over 2,000 votes, he said. I believe Matt Corey beat Chris Murphy in my district by a large margin. I think Im a rock star.

His opponent, Republican Michael Gagliardi, entered the race only a few weeks ago after the other GOP candidate dropped out. Gagliardi is not quite ready to concede.

It was tight, Gagliardi said. We kind of knew it would be. I thought it would be an uphill battle since I entered the race only three weeks before Election Day. As we saw the results come in, we saw how tight it would be.

The race may not be over. In Connecticut, if the margin of victory is less than half of one percent of all votes cast an automatic recount is triggered which would be the case for this race.

I think I owe it to the voters on such a close race to double count the ballots, Gagliardi said.

My district is tough, Aresimowicz said. I, as the speaker of the house, have to take some positions that are out of line with my district but in line with my caucus.

Its still unclear how many of the other close races may require a recount.The Republican candidate for governor raised concerns Tuesday night about what he called a "mass swearing in" of new voters in New Haven and at the University of Connecticut.

In a series of tweets, Bob Stefanowski's campaign claimed people were being allowed to vote even though their Election Day registrations had not been processed. The campaign said such ballots "should be kept separate and counted as provisional," claiming what's allegedly happening is illegal.

According to State Statues Title 9: They need to be registered AND processed before 8pm. That checks the statewide system to ensure they haven't voted elsewhere. Mass swearing in circumvents this vital process to our election integrity. https://t.co/PwfjKmO6lI #ctgov #ctpolitics  Bob Stefanowski (@bobforgovernor) November 7, 2018

Connecticut GOP party chairman JR Romano said they were hearing some local registrars held mass swearing-ins to register voters last minute. Romano said this is against the law.

The Secretary of the State's office said some new, first-time voters in New Haven were allowed to vote after swearing as a group they've never been registered to vote before in Connecticut. Hundreds of people waited in long lines in New Haven for same-day voter registration.

Spokesman Gabe Rosenberg said there was a long line Tuesday at the city's registrar's office, where only two people were working. He said the city's election staff asked state officials for guidance.

While the new voters' ballots will count, he said they were separated "out of an abundance of caution."

Rosenberg added that he was confident everything in New Haven was legal.

There was a similar situation in Mansfield. The Mansfield Registrar of Voters also segregated ballots. On Wednesday morning they will call on all of them to ensure none of those voters cast ballots elsewhere.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said Tuesday night a judge decided that the ballots in New Haven would be set aside and counted in the event of a close election, essentially treating them as provisional ballots.

Connecticut law requires people to be registered and in the system before the polls closed at 8 p.m.

Romano said the party was prepared to go to court over the counting of those ballots and a hearing was tentatively scheduled for Friday morning.

After conceding, Stefanowski said that is off the table at this point.If you're from here, then you are well aware. But if you're new to North Texas, you might look on in wonder  why swarms of birds seemingly take over store parking lots and other places.

With each sunset, comes a symphony of cackling and screeching.

It's a pretty eerie sound, said David Mosher, who lives in British Columbia, but comes to Denton for work. Especially right around dusk."

As eerie as it may sound, swarms of grackles can look like something from out of this world. Thousands of birds, in trees and on power lines, and lined up on poles and stoplights at intersections near the Kroger on Loop 288.

Pretty gross, said Christina Weddle of Denton. I mean it's cool there are so many here.

Not cool, is how the birds sit on top of cars, even while shoppers come and go.

They have no fear, she said. They're just like, 'whatever.'"

It's very interesting, said Michael Robertson, of Chico. I'm having fun watching everybody come out of Kroger, and looking up."

North Texans have come to expect the large flocks each fall. The birds migrate south for the fall and winter. Still, many dont know what the birds are called.

'Grackle?' That's a weird name, said Randy Wallick, of Denton. Sounds like something you'd see in a scary movie.

They look like they could be straight out of a Hitchcock movie. Shoppers to and from their cars. Others stopped and took pictures.

I think the interest in grackles comes from the extreme numbers we see here in the winter time, said Dr. Ken Steigman, a wildlife scientist at UNT who is also director of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area.

Steigman says grackles have become urban birds for good reason. Because of development and landscaping trends, their natural habitat is disappearing. So they land in urban and suburban areas.

Well, there's a food source there, he said.

The birds eat several species of insects, and tend to gather near fast food restaurants, munching on whatever food patrons drop on the ground. That is helpful, he says, though farmers consider them pests because of their appetite for grain.

Human perception of that they are and what value they have varies, he said.

Grackles leave their mark in other ways. They leave their droppings on sidewalks and vehicles.

I generally try to avoid the trees, for sure, said Mosher, regarding where he parks his car.

Grackles are a federally-protected bird, covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Killing them is illegal, though they can be moved if they because a nuisance, or pose a public health threat. About a decade ago, the city of Denton attempted to shoo the birds by using loud noises from propane cannons  an effort which was unsuccessful.

Like them or not, two things are unavoidable. The sight of grackles  and the unmistakable sound.

"It's not a melodic sound, laughed Mosher. It's not pleasant certainly. And there's thousands of them here right now."A 10-year-old girl appeared in court Monday on a charge of killing an infant in northwestern Wisconsin.

The girl, whom NBC is not naming, was taken into juvenile custody last week after a 6-month-old boy was found at a day care in Wheaton bleeding from the head with what were later determined to be skull fractures, Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said in a news release.

The boy died after being airlifted to a hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday. Investigators interviewed the girl twice; she confessed to harming him in the second interview.

She appeared in Chippewa County Circuit Court on Monday, according to NBC affiliate WEAU. Cash bond was set at $50,000.

The girl was in foster care at the home, which also served as a day care, District Attorney Wade Newell told the station. She accidentally dropped the boy and panicked when he started crying.

"She panicked and didn't know what to do and didn't want to get into trouble and then she proceeded to stomp on the 6 month-old's head," Wade said.

While the girl is being tried in adult court, the case may move to juvenile court, WEAU reported.

Wheaton is about 85 miles (135 kilometers) east of St. Paul.What to Know Democrats took control of the U.S. House by taking the 23 seats they had needed to wrest from the GOP

Republicans retained control of the U.S. Senate, beating Democrats in many of the top Senate battlegrounds

A nationwide survey indicated that nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote

Two years into Donald Trump's presidency, Democrats grabbed control of the U.S. House on Tuesday as the country made a move to the left.

Republicans retained control of the Senate but Trump now has a tougher path to implementing his agenda, including a border wall. The midterm election was widely seen as a referendum on Trump, and the results reflected a divided country.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nation's suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion" while blue-collar voters and rural America embraced them.

Still, the new Democratic House majority ends the Republican Party's dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending. The president's party will maintain control of the executive and judicial branches of U.S. government, in addition to the Senate, but Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump's personal and professional missteps  and his long-withheld tax returns.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would be in line to become the next House speaker.

There were signs of extraordinary turnout in several states, including Georgia, where voters waited hours in the rain to vote in some cases, and in Nevada, where the last voters cast their ballots nearly three hours after polls were scheduled to close.

The Democrats picked up the 23 seats they had needed to wrest from the GOP, with more races to be decided.

Women were assured of 85 seats in the House, a record.

The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver.

The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr.

Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP's Senate majority, even as the party's foothold in the more competitive House battlefield appeared to be slipping.

"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Trump tweeted.

Eric Schickler, a political science professor at University of California, Berkeley, said "the Democrats takeover of the House is really going to really change a lot of things for President Trump in terms of his relationship with Congress for the next two years."

"Its the return to divide government like we had in the last years of Obama, but now with a president in Trump, who is much more likely to be very combative with the democratic House," he said. "We could be in for quite a lot of confrontation.

History was working against the president in the Senate: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats' dreams of the Senate majority, which was always unlikely, were shattered after losses in many of the top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas. They also suffered a stinging loss in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid to become the state's first African-American governor.

"I want to encourage you to stick to the fight," said Gillum, who was thought to be a rising star with national ambitions.

Trump encouraged voters to view the 2018 midterms as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, the national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.

The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

One of Trump's most vocal defenders on immigration, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, lost his bid for governor.

Kobach had built a national profile as an advocate of tough immigration policies and strict voter photo ID laws. He served as vice chairman of Trump's now-defunct commission on voter fraud.

The president found partial success despite his current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era. Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Democrats, whose very relevance in the Trump era depended on winning at least one chamber of Congress, were laser-focused on health care as they poured hundreds of millions of dollars onto surging anti-Trump energy to break up the GOP's monopoly in Washington and state governments.

While Democratic losses were expected, particularly in the Senate, some hurt worse than others.

In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O'Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.

Democrats' fate in high-profile governorships in Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.

In Wisconsin, Tony Evers defeated incumbent Gov. Scott Walker, denying the polarizing Republican and one-time presidential candidate a third term.

Evers' win on Tuesday is a huge victory for Democrats, who couldn't find the recipe to take out Walker in three previous elections, including a 2012 recall.

In Indiana, Trump-backed businessman Mike Braun defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly. In Missouri, Josh Hawley knocked off Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. And in Tennessee, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a top Democratic recruit.

Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin won re-election. And in New Jersey, Democrats re-elected embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, who, less than a year ago, stood trial for federal corruption charges. The Justice Department dropped the charges after his trial ended in an hung jury.

Meanwhile, several 2020 presidential prospects easily won re-election, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Tuesday's elections also tested the strength of a Trump-era political realignment defined by evolving divisions among voters by race, gender, and especially education.

Trump's Republican coalition is increasingly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have a college degree. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates.

Women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate  with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for the Republican, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

In suburban areas where key House races were decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

The races ushered in a series of firsts. Women had won 76 seats and were assured of nine more, a record.

The House was getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, was in a fierce battle to become America's first black woman governor, though Democrats in Florida and Maryland lost their bids to become their states' first black governors.

The race between Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp remained too close to call as of Wednesday morning.

Paul Frymer, director of the Program in Law and Public Affairs at Princeton University, said the election results "will probably lead to more polarized gridlock."

"With an election year coming up, Trumps reelection, thats just going to be more snipping and not a lot getting done, he said.California voters overwhelmingly approved a measure Tuesday requiring that all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free hens by 2022.

Proposition 12 also bans the sale of pork and veal in California from farm animals raised in cages that don't meet the new minimum size requirements. That means the Golden State's new rules will apply to farmers nationwide whose eggs, veal and pork are sold in California.

Supporters say the measure is a big step toward more humane farming practices, while opponents say it is misleading and maintains cruel practices for animals.

Dubbed the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, Proposition 12 builds on an earlier ballot measure, Proposition 2, that passed in 2008 and banned keeping hens, calves and pigs in tiny cages so cramped they couldn't stand up, lie down or turn around.

That measure took effect in 2015 but lacked specific size requirements and did not apply to out-of-state farmers whose products were sold in California.

Proposition 12 specifies how much floor space farmers need to give each animal.

"Change is coming," said Josh Balk, vice president at the Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored and financed the measure. "This vote is a massive blow against industrial animal agriculture's abusive confinement systems."

It requires that, starting in 2020, calves confined for production have at least 43 square feet (4 square meters) of usable floor space, while breeding pigs be given at least 24 square feet (2.2 square meters) of floor space in their pens starting in 2022.

Starting in 2020, egg-laying hens must be been given 1 square foot (144 square inches) of floor space each on the way to being cage-free by 2022.

The measure also had support from several animal welfare groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Sierra Club and Center for Food Safety, and a variety of veterinarians and religious organizations.

The Humane Society, which also sponsored Proposition 2, says the upgrade will strengthen the earlier measure and restore California as a leader in the ethical treatment of farm animals.

A decade ago, Proposition 2 was the furthest-reaching law for farm animals in the country. Since then a dozen states have banned or restricted confinement for at least one farm animal. Massachusetts passed a comprehensive measure in 2016 that is similar to Proposition 12.

Among those opposed to the measure were the National Pork Producers Council and the Association of California Egg Farmers, which said it will raise costs for farmers and, as a result, prices for consumers.

Bradley Miller, a spokesman for Californians against Cruelty, Cages and Fraud, which led a "No on Proposition 12" campaign, said the measure makes misleading claims and does little to end cruelty to animals in the near term.

"We are vehemently opposed to the 1 square foot per hen cage space," said Miller, who is also president of the Humane Farming Association. "It is a cruel step backward."

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office says Proposition 12 would likely result in an increase in prices for eggs, pork and veal partly because farmers would have to remodel or build new housing for animals.

It could also cost the state as much as $10 million a year to enforce and millions of dollars more a year in lost tax revenues from farm businesses that choose to stop or reduce production because of higher costs, the office said.FBI agents were at the home and City Hall office of Los Angeles council member Wednesday serving an unspecified search warrant, law enforcement sources told NBC Investigations.

The federal warrant is being served at the office and home of Councilman Jose Huizar, law enforcement sources familiar with the case told NBC Investigations.

FBI officials had no immediate comment on whose office or offices were being searched or which individuals may be the targeted of the search because the warrant is sealed. There is no known threat to the public, according to the sources.

No arrest appears imminent in the case, according to two law enforcement sources, and it was unclear what agents were searching for.

The Los Angeles Times reported that agents were seen carrying boxes out of the office. Aerial video showed agents filling boxes at the council member's home.

NBC4 has reached out to Huizar's office for comment.

"We are assessing the situation and have no further comment at this time," said his attorney, Stephen Kaufman.

Huizar was elected to the council in 2005. He represents the Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock and downtown Los Angeles areas.

Huizar was the target of two recent lawsuits by two former employees who accused him of doctoring his schedule in an attempt to hide information from the media.

His wife, Richelle Huizar, is running in the 2020 election to succeed him in Los Angeles' 14th District. Jose Huizar will term-out at that time.

Huizar has denied the accusations contained in both lawsuits.

NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report.Nearly $70,000 had been raised as of Monday for a 64-year-old music teacher jailed after a fight with a 14-year-old boy in a classroom at an alternative high school in Maywood.

The confrontation between Marston Riley and the student occurred at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Maywood Academy High School at 6125 Pine Ave., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The school is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Video showed Riley slugging it out with the student as other students and a woman wearing a yellow safety vest try to intervene. Some students could be seen recording the fight on their cellphones.

School police relayed information about what happened to the deputies and Riley was arrested and taken to the sheriff's station for booking on suspicion of committing cruelty against a child. He was booked there on $50,000 bail, officials said.

Riley was released Saturday morning, according to the sheriff's Inmate Information Center.

The gofundme effort, which had raised $68,638 as of Monday evening, was started by Cecilia Diaz, who identified herself as a Maywood resident who works for the school district and formerly worked at Maywood Academy.

"These funds will be spent to lessen any burdens that Mr. Riley may endure during this process," she wrote.

The gofundme's goal was to raise $50,000 on the teacher's behalf.

The LAUSD released the following statement Saturday: "We are extremely disturbed by the reports of the events that occurred at Maywood Academy High School. We take this matter very seriously and do not condone violence or intolerance of any kind. Los Angeles Unified is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating this incident."

District Superintendent Austin Beutner was on hand to meet with the school's principal, teachers, counselors and parents Monday morning "to offer his full support to the school community during this challenging time," the district's Shannon Haber said.

Meetings were also held among students, staff and parents.

Crisis counselors will be present throughout the coming week and school police will also monitor the campus, according to district spokeswoman Shannon Haber.

The fight was over the uniform worn by the student, who allegedly directed racial epithets at Riley, according to a broadcast report.

Deputies from the sheriff's East Los Angeles Station responded to the school after being called by the principal, the sheriff's department reported.

"The incident we saw does not reflect the values of Maywood Academy High School and the wonderful teachers and students who make up the Maywood community," Beutner said. "We will continue our work to make each school a safe and welcoming learning environment for students and to provide teachers and staff with the support they deserve."

Riley's arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 30 at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Courthouse, the Sheriff's Information Bureau reported. The investigation was being handled by the Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau.

The student suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, the sheriff's department said.An investigation has begun after a City of Miami firefighter was found dead inside a fire station early Wednesday morning.

Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignaitus Carroll told reporters that the firefighter was found inside Station 14 located off SW 19th Street and Coral Way around 4:30 a.m.

Carroll said that when just two of the three firefighters stationed inside responded to the truck after a call around that time, they went back inside and discovered the body of their male co-worker unconscious inside.

Carroll said lifesaving efforts were performed, but were not successful.

Officials have not released the identity of the victim until next of kin is notified. The station remains closed during the investigation by Miami Police as crews from nearby stations will work the area.What to Know Pastor Al Carlisle of the Grace of God Church in New Port Richey, located north of Tampa, posted the sign.

Officials added the church wont be used again after receiving numerous complaints.

A pastor in Central Florida is defending his decision to put up a sign criticizing churchgoers who vote for Democrats near his church that was used as a voting location during the 2018 elections.

Pastor Al Carlisle of the Grace of God Church in New Port Richey, located north of Tampa, posted the sign that read Dont vote for Democrats on Tuesday and sing Oh, how I love Jesus on Sunday  telling NBC affiliate WFLA-TV that he was expressing his First Amendment rights.

That doesnt make sense do you mean that I lose my rights as a citizen if I become a pastor and a proprietor of a polling place I lose my right to voice an opinion, Carlisle told the station.

Officials with the Pasco County Democratic Party were outraged with the sign.

As a Christian and someone with two ministry degrees I find it appalling that we would say you have to vote for a certain party or not vote for a certain party and pray Jesus they get elected, member Meghan Hamer said.

The countys Supervisor of Elections said he asked Carlisle to remove the sign despite it being legal as it was more than 100 feet from the precinct, calling it inappropriate because if Carlisles position with the facility being used.

Officials added the church wont be used again after receiving numerous complaints.Democratic representatives Ted Deutch, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Republican representative Mario Diaz-Balart have won reelection into the House of Representatives.

Democratic US Rep. Ted Deutch was elected to a fifth term in Florida's congressional district 22, which represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Deutch defeated Republican Nicolas Kimaz on Tuesday in the 22nd congressional district, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Deutch is an attorney and former state senator who has been active in gun-control issues since the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Kimaz is a business entrepreneur who also describes himself as a "holistic healer" on his campaign website.

Wasserman Schultz was elected Tuesday to an eighth term in Congress in the 23rd District, which includes several cities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

She defeated Republican candidate Joe Kaufman, a writer and researcher who specializes in national security and Middle East policies. There were also two independent candidates in the race, including Tim Canova, whom Wasserman Shultz defeated in 2016.

Wasserman Schultz is a former National Democratic Committee chairwoman and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump. She recently gained national notice when packages containing a series of pipe bombs used her office as a return address. The packages were sent to prominent Democrats, the news media and others. A Florida man has been charged in the bomb case.

GOP Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart won re-election to a ninth House term in district 25, denying Democrats' hopes for an additional seat.

Diaz-Balart defeated Democrat Mary Barzee Flores on Tuesday in Florida's 25th District, which includes western Miami suburbs and areas near Naples to the west.

The 56-year-old Cuban-American Republican campaigned on his experience and powerful position on the House Appropriations Committee, while mostly staying out of controversies involving President Donald Trump.

Attorney and former judge Barzee Flores sought to link Diaz-Balart to Trump and to money from the National Rifle Association. Barzee Flores was nominated to a federal judgeship by President Barack Obama, but she never got a Senate vote.

Diaz-Balart's brother Lincoln also served in the House and another brother, Jose, is a network news anchor.

Democratic Rep. Wasserman Schultz re-elected to eighth House term in Florida's 23rd District.

Democratic US Rep. Ted Deutch elected to 5th term in Florida district representing parts of Broward, Palm Beach .What to Know Jeff Sessions said he resigned as attorney general at the request of Trump

The acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, is a Trump loyalist

The move has potentially ominous implications for special counsel Robert Mueller's probe

Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out Wednesday after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks from President Donald Trump, who inserted in his place a Republican Party loyalist with authority to oversee the remainder of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

The move has potentially ominous implications for special counsel Robert Mueller's probe given that the new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, until now Sessions' chief of staff, has questioned the inquiry's scope and spoke publicly before joining the Justice Department about ways an attorney general could theoretically stymie the investigation.

Congressional Democrats, concerned about protecting Mueller, called on Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation in its final but potentially explosive stages.

That duty has belonged to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and closely monitors his work.

The resignation, in a one-page letter to Trump, came one day after Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives and was the first of several expected post-midterms Cabinet and White House departures. Though Sessions was an early and prominent campaign backer of Trump, his departure letter lacked effusive praise for the president and made clear the resignation came "at your request."

"Since the day I was honored to be sworn in as attorney general of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country," Sessions wrote.

The departure was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into Sessions' tenure, when he stepped aside from the Russia investigation because of his campaign advocacy and following the revelation that he had met twice in 2016 with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.

Trump blamed the recusal for the appointment of Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation two months later and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct the probe.

The investigation has so far produced 32 criminal charges and guilty pleas from four former Trump aides. But the work is not done and critical decisions await that could shape the remainder of Trump's presidency.

Mueller's grand jury, for instance, has heard testimony for months about Trump confidant Roger Stone and what advance knowledge he may have had about Russian hacking of Democratic emails. Mueller's team has also been pressing for an interview with Trump. And the department is expected at some point to receive a confidential report of Mueller's findings, though it's unclear how much will be public.

Separately, Justice Department prosecutors in New York secured a guilty plea from Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who said the president directed him to arrange hush-money payments before the 2016 election to two women who said they had sex with Trump.

Trump had repeatedly been talked out of firing Sessions until after the midterms, but he told confidants in recent weeks that he wanted Sessions out as soon as possible after the elections, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations.

The president deflected questions about Sessions' expected departure at a White House news conference Wednesday. He did not mention that White House chief of staff John Kelly had called Sessions beforehand to ask for his resignation. The undated letter was then sent to the White House.

The Justice Department did not directly answer whether Whitaker would assume control of Mueller's investigation, with spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores saying he would be "in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice."

Rosenstein remains at the department and could still be involved in oversight. He has previously said that he saw no basis for firing Mueller. Trump said Wednesday that he did not plan to stop the investigation.

Without Sessions' campaign or Russia entanglements, there's no legal reason Whitaker couldn't immediately oversee the probe. And since Sessions technically resigned instead of forcing the White House to fire him, he opened the door under federal law to allowing the president to choose his successor instead of simply elevating Rosenstein, said University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck.

"Sessions did not do the thing he could have done to better protect Rosenstein, and through Rosenstein, the Mueller investigation," Vladeck said.

That left Whitaker in charge, at least for now, though Democrats, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer, said he should recuse himself because of his comments on the probe. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said he wants "answers immediately" and "we will hold people accountable."

Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney from Iowa who twice ran unsuccessfully for statewide office and founded a law firm with other Republican Party activists, once opined about a scenario in which Trump could fire Sessions and then appoint an acting attorney general who could stifle the funding of Mueller's probe.

In that scenario, Mueller's budget could be reduced "so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt," Whitaker said during an interview with CNN in July 2017 before he joined the Justice Department.

In a CNN op-ed last year, Whitaker wrote, "Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing."

Trump's relentless attacks on Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump and despite the fact his crime-fighting agenda and priorities, particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies, largely mirrored the president's.

He found satisfaction in being able to reverse Obama-era policies that conservatives say flouted the will of Congress, encouraging prosecutors to pursue the most serious charges they could and promoting more aggressive enforcement of federal marijuana law.

He also announced media leak crackdowns and tougher policies against opioids, and his Justice Department defended a since-abandoned administration policy that resulted in migrant parents being separated from their children at the border.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

Trump repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse himself. The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller two months later after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

In piercing attacks, Trump called Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he wasn't more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it "disgraceful" that Sessions wasn't more serious in scrutinizing the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Department's inspector general to examine those claims.

The broadsides escalated in recent months, with Trump telling an interviewer that Sessions "never had control" of the Justice Department.

Sessions endured most of the name-calling in silence, though he did issue two public statements defending the department, including one in which he said he would serve "with integrity and honor" for as long as he was in the job.

Sessions, who likely suspected his ouster was imminent, was spotted by reporters giving some of his grandchildren a tour of the White House over the weekend. He did not respond when asked why he was there.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  An international human rights group urged the Philippines to create an independent team to investigate the alleged involvement of police officers in killing for drug syndicates.

A top police official in Central Visayas earlier revealed that retired and possibly active police and military officers are hired by drug syndicates to serve as "hitmen."

The Human Rights Watch said the police chief's revelation further proves the Duterte administration's complicity in addressing drug war killings.

"Given the total failure of the police to stop these abuses, it's clear that any serious investigation of the police role in the war on drugs needs full independence," HRW Asia Director Brad Adams said on Monday.

He said the team that will be tasked to investigate should be independent from the Philippine National Police and the Office of the President.

PNP Central Visayas Regional Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, in a Facebook Live interview with Cebu Daily News on October 31, said former and active police and military officers are responsible for the drug-related killings in the country, especially in Central Visayas.

"I'll admit that I think there are active police officers who are into these killings that we do not know of," he said.

The Central Visayas top cop said hitmen are also used to kill erring drug distributors, who are also part of the syndicate, who fail to transmit drug sales to collectors.

President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has left more than 4,800 killed in various police operations, while human rights groups peg the number way beyond 12,000. The President had previously said that his "only sin against the country is the extrajudicial killings," which critics believe is an admission that the deaths are perpetrated by the state.

Palace slams HRW

The government castigated the proposal of HRW, slamming its constant "instrusion" in the country's domestic affairs.

Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo said there is nothing new in Sinas' revelation. In December 2018, an investigative report by international news agency Reuters also linked eight cops from Davao to hundreds of deaths during police operations in Quezon City. Davao City was the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"[It] cannot be a valid ground for such reckless proposal. This is not new and is no different from those hurled by desperate critiques," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He added PNP's own Internal Affairs Service has been investigating erring police. He said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Congress are also conducting probes on reported abuses of authorities.

"These, among other governmental bodies engaged in counterbalancing measures, are functioning. We thus reiterate our position that we do not need schooling from outsiders on how to run the country," Panelo said.Most congressional and gubernatorial races for the 2018 midterm elections have been called, but a few elections are still awaiting decisions. In two toss-up Senate elections, Republicans have narrow leads. Republicans also have narrow leads in some gubernatorial races. Democrats are leading in half of the House races that have not yet been called.

Heres where the results stand for some of the key contests as of Wednesday morning:

Mississippi Senate Special Election Goes to Runoff

A GOP favored Senate race in Mississippi between incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Michael Epsy, a former U.S. secretary of agriculture, resulted in a run-off because neither candidate garnered 50 percent of the vote, NBC News reported. Hyde-Smith notched 41.5 percent of the vote and Espy 40.6 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Another Republican, Chris McDaniel, had 16.5 percent. The special election was held to fill a seat by retired Sen. Thad Cochran. Hyde-Smith and Epsy next compete in a runoff on Tuesday, Nov. 27, NBC News reported.

Arizona Senate Too Close to Call Before Historic Outcome

In the U.S. Senate race to represent Arizona, Republican Rep. Martha McSally has a 0.9 percentage point lead over Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, the pair separated by nearly 16,000 votes with 75 percent of results in. McSally, a former combat pilot, competed against Sinema, a former Green party activist who campaigned as a pragmatist for the seat held by outgoing GOP Sen. Jeff Flake. Whoever wins will become Arizona's first female senator. It could take days before the victor is determined, the Arizona Republic reported. "There are a lot of outstanding ballots  especially those mailed-in  and a lot of reasons to feel good!" Sinema tweeted Wednesday. The Maricopa County recorders office had 472,000 ballots left to count, according to KPNX reporter Brahm Resnik.

Florida Senate Expected to Go to Recount

In the Florida race for U.S. Senate, Republican Gov. Rick Scott has a .4 percentage point lead over three-term Democrat incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, with 99 percent of the vote in. State law requires a recount when candidates are within one-half a point of each other. Nelsons chief of staff said that the candidate has no intentions to concede the race, a move that Scott's campaign slammed after having declared victory. This race is over. Its a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career," spokesman Chris Hartline told NBC. "He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists." Florida officials will not order a recount until the first set of official returns are due on Saturday, The Associated Press reported.

Will Stacey Abrams Force a Runoff in Georgia?

Georgias much-watched election for governor between Republican two-term Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams, a lawyer, former state legislative leader and romance novelist, is also still too close to call. Kemp has a 1.7 percentage point lead with 99 percent of the votes in for the race, for a lead of 66,316 votes. Kemp said that even with absentee, mail-in and provisional ballots left to count the "math is on our side." Abrams' campaign countered that there are at least 87,000 early votes and mail-in ballots left to count that could help them trigger a runoff, The Associated Press reported. Abrams campaign estimates it needs to notch nearly 25,000 votes to do so. She would become the nation's first black female governor, if elected.

14 House Races Yet to Be Decided

There are also 14 House races that still have no apparent winner, six of them in California. Democrats currently lead in seven races: three in California and one each in Maine, Washington, Georgia and Utah. Republican candidates lead in seven: three in California and one each in Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina and New Jersey.

Among the candidates still fighting to stay ahead of their opponents is Democrat Gil Cisneros for Californias 2nd District. Cisneros is a former Navy veteran and lottery winner.

Republican incumbent Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in Californias 48th District is also struggling to get ahead of his challenger. Rohrabacher has cast himself as a maverick, but his Russia-friendly behavior became a weapon for the Democrats trying defeat him.

Republican incumbent Rep. Mia Love is also facing the possibility of a narrow loss for Utahs 4th District. Love famously refused to vote for President Trump as the Republican candidate for president in 2016. At a press conference Wednesday, Trump commented on the race by saying, Mia Love gave me no love. And she lost.

Among the candidates still fighting to stay ahead of their opponents is Democrat Gil Cisneros for Californias 2nd District. Cisneros is a former Navy veteran and lottery winner.

Republican incumbent Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in Californias 48th District is also struggling to get ahead of his challenger. Rohrabacher has cast himself as a maverick, but his Russia-friendly behavior became a weapon for the Democrats trying defeat him.

Republican incumbent Rep. Mia Love is also facing the possibility of a narrow loss for Utahs 4th District. Love famously refused to vote for President Trump as the Republican candidate for president in 2016. At a press conference Wednesday, Trump commented on the race by saying, Mia Love gave me no love. And she lost.

Daniel Macht and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Attorney General Jeff Sessions has resigned "at the request" of President Donald Trump, according to a letter he submitted to the White House, released Wednesday.



Here is the complete text of that undated letter.

Jeff Sessions Resignation Letter by CNBCDigital on ScribdWhat to Know Two years into Donald Trump's presidency, Democrats grabbed control of the U.S. House as the country made a move to the left

Election Day got off to a rocky start for some across the tri-state area, with a number of voters reporting widespread issues at the polls

Amazon will split its new headquarters, dubbed HQ2, between two cities, according to reports by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018

Happy Wednesday! What a difference a few hours can make. Today is going to be a pleasant fall day all around the tri-state with highs in NYC right around 60 degrees. As always, get the latest forecast at nbcnewyork.com/weather.

1. Democrats Take Control of House, GOP Keeps Senate

Two years into Donald Trump's presidency, Democrats grabbed control of the U.S. House as the country made a move to the left.

Republicans retained control of the Senate but Trump now has a tougher path to implementing his agenda, including a border wall. The midterm election was widely seen as a referendum on Trump, and the results reflected a divided country.

The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's young presidency underscored the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the nation's suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant "invasion" while blue-collar voters and rural America embraced them.

Read more here.

2. NYC Speaker Calls on BOE Exec to Resign Amid Polling Chaos

Election Day got off to a rocky start for some across the tri-state area, with a number of voters reporting widespread issues at the polls  from broken scanners and missing names to huge lines and mass confusion.

The widespread problems in New York City prompted City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to call for Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan's resignation.

In Brooklyn, voters at a number of polling sites reported long lines and broken scanners that led some to abandon their ballots.

Read more here.

3. Amazon Will Split HQ2 Between 2 Cities: Reports

Amazon will split its new headquarters, dubbed HQ2, between two cities, according to reports by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.

The update follows a pair of weekend reports naming the Crystal City area of Arlington, Va., and other cities as front runners in the tightening race for Amazons second headquarters. Its been more than a year since the company issued a call for proposals.

In addition to confirming that a deal is in the works with Crystal City, The New York Times reported Long Island City is nearing an agreement with the tech giant. The paper cited two people briefed on the discussions about the Queens neighborhood.

Read more here.

For the latest entertainment news and things to do, tune in to New York Live, Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. on NBC 4 New York.What to Know Max Rose, who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2013, beat the odds in defeating Donovan in a district that covers Staten Island and Brooklyn

NY's 11th Congressional District was Trump Country in the last national election and the president remains popular in much of that area

The Democratic Rose stuck to nonpartisan issues such as the need to rebuild infrastructure and find a way to deal with opioid addiction

Army veteran Max Rose, a moderate Democrat, defeated U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan on Tuesday, unseating the only Republican member of New York City's congressional delegation.

Track election results live.

Rose, who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2013, beat the odds in defeating Donovan in a district that covers Staten Island and a small part of Brooklyn. New York's 11th Congressional District was Trump Country in the last national election and the president remains popular in much of suburban Staten Island.

A jubilant Rose thanked supporters, at one point letting out an enthusiastic expletive as he praised their fundraising and canvassing efforts.

Decision 2018: Live Election Results

"We were never in this to win an election," Rose said. "We were in this to change politics irrevocably in this country."

Unlike other Democratic candidates in liberal New York, Rose, a former health care executive who is just 31, didn't make President Donald Trump's leadership a central issue of his campaign.

Even as liberal Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez soaked up media attention for seeking to push the party to the left, Rose stuck to nonpartisan issues such as the need to rebuild infrastructure and find a way to deal with opioid addiction.

He also said during the campaign that he wasn't going to Washington "with a partisan pitchfork in my hand," and was willing to work with the president. Rose said he wouldn't vote to make U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi House speaker if elected and criticized New York City's liberal mayor, Bill de Blasio, for "ignoring" Staten Island.

Rose also highlighted his military service on the campaign trail. He was one of 19 veterans around the country supported by an effort from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee focusing on swing districts.

Donovan was Staten Island's district attorney before being elected to Congress in 2015 in a special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and served prison time.

He was re-elected for a full term in 2016, then beat back a spirited challenge from Grimm in this year's Republican primary.

"I don't look at this as a sad occasion. I look at this as the end of something that I have enjoyed so much," an emotional Donovan told supporters on Staten Island. "You have given me an opportunity of a lifetime and I will treasure it always."

During the primary, Donovan tacked to the right, sparring with Grimm over who would better advance the president's agenda. President Donald Trump ultimately endorsed Donovan, saying Grimm couldn't win in the general election because of his criminal record.

[NATL] The 2018 Midterm Elections in Photos

For the general election, Donovan swung back toward the center, highlighting instances where he had been an independent voice in Congress, including voting against the Republican tax overhaul.

Rose grew up in Brooklyn, and joined the military after being educated at Wesleyan University and the London School of Economics.

He was injured in Afghanistan when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device, and was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

He moved to Staten Island in 2015 after leaving active service and remains a captain in the National Guard.

In Pictures: Overcrowding at the Polls as Scanners Break Down Across Tri-StateWhat to Know Thomas Kolding, 15, has been missing since he took a train to NYC the day before Halloween, his family says

Kolding took a train to New York's Penn Station, and was spotted at a train station in New Jersey on Nov. 3, prosecutors say

Anyone with information is asked to call the Mountain Lakes Police Department at 973-334-1413

A New Jersey teen who has been missing since he took a train to New York City on Oct. 30 was spotted at a train station in New Jersey over the weekend, officials said.

Thomas Kolding, 15, left his familys home in Mountain Lakes the day before Halloween and traveled from Denville to Newark-Broad Street Station before heading from there to Penn Station in Manhattan, the Morris County Prosecutors Office said.

On Saturday, he was spotted at the Walter Rand Train Station in Camden, New Jersey, wearing an orange and black striped hooded sweatshirt, a camouflage jacket and dark pants, prosecutors said Wednesday.

He was also carrying a blue Adidas backpack, according to prosecutors.

Anyone with information about is asked to call the Mountain Lakes Police Department at 973-334-1413.What to Know An alleged kingpin just wants to "embrace" his wife before his trial begins, according to a request made to the judge by his lawyer

Defense Attorney Mariel Colon Miro made the request on behalf of his client, alleged Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman

Miro says the humanitarian gesture request is being made given that Guzman has not been allowed any contact with his wife

An alleged notorious drug lord just wants to "embrace" his wife before his trial begins, according to a letter his lawyer sent the judge presiding over the case.

Defense Attorney Mariel Colon Miro made the request on behalf of his client, alleged Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

In the letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan, Miro writes to request that Mr. Guzman be allowed to give his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, a brief momentary greeting to include perhaps an embrace on Tuesday, November 13th right before the beginning of the opening statements. It can be a brief embrace in open court with the courtroom railing between them.

Miro says the humanitarian gesture request is being made given that Guzman has not been allowed any contact with his wife by telephone or in person since his arrival to New York.

In the letter, Miro also produces a glimpse into Guzmans life behind bars since his detainment of nearly two years at MCC in solitary confinement.

Mr. Guzman has been confined to a very small, windowless cell for 23 hours a day Mondays through Fridays and 24 hours a day during the weekend. Except for legal visits, Mr. Guzman has been completely isolated. As a result, Mr. Guzmans mental and emotional health have deteriorated, a portion of the letter reads.

It is well known that solitary confinement possess negative effect to a person's sanity. It is of dire concern that Mr. Guzman's deterioration of his mental and emotional health could lead potentially to a problem in his ability to effectively assist in his defense, Miros letter continues.

Jury selection at the U.S. trial for Guzman was completed Wednesday.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to charges that his Sinaloa cartel smuggled tons of cocaine and other drugs, laundered billions of dollars and oversaw a ruthless campaign of murders and kidnappings. He faces life in prison if convicted. Opening statements in the trial are expected Nov. 13.What to Know Dorothy Bruns, 44, was found dead in her NYC home sometime Tuesday afternoon of an apparent suicide, a senior law enforcement official said

Broadway star Ruthie Ann Miles was injured in the Brooklyn crash along with her friend; both of their young children were killed

Miles, who was expecting a baby girl with her husband Jonathan Blumenstein, lost the unborn baby due to injuries from the March crash

The woman charged in the Brooklyn crash that killed Broadway star Ruthie Ann Miles' young daughter and unborn child has died of an apparent suicide, a senior law enforcement official briefed on the case tells NBC 4 New York.

Dorothy Bruns, 44, was found dead in her Staten Island home Tuesday afternoon, the senior law enforcement official said. Authorities say pills and a note were found nearby.

Miles was walking with her friend and their two young children in Park Slope on March 5 when Bruns allegedly blew through a red light and plowed into the group, killing both children  Miles daughter, Abigail, and the friend's 1-year-old son, Joshua. All four were found on the pavement with various injuries.

Miles' unborn daughter initially survived the crash, but the actress miscarried a month before she was due. The loss was related to injuries from the crash.

Bruns was eventually indicted in connection with the case; she was arrested at her Staten Island home May 3 on a 10-count indictment charging her with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and other crimes. She had faced 15 years in jail.

Bruns told police at the time she had medical issues  and though her license had been suspended she had not been criminally charged in the case until about two months after the crash. Prosecutors said she had suffered a seizure at the time of the collision, and had been driving in direct defiance of a doctor's orders following a hospitalization less than eight weeks prior. That hospitalization stemmed from yet another car crash  that time into a parked vehicle.

Police are investigating Bruns' death, the senior law enforcement official said.What to Know Complaints about problems at the polls are coming in across the tri-state area; we're tracking them in the interactive map above

They're broken out into five categories: scanners broken, no ballot sleeves, elevators out, ballot boxes broken and overcrowded

Are you having problems at the polls? We want to know about them. Email tips@nbcnewyork.com

Are you having a problem at the polls? We want to hear about it.

Election Day got off to a rocky start for some across the tri-state area, with a number of voters reporting widespread issues at the polls  from broken scanners and missing names to huge lines and mass confusion.

The widespread problems in New York City prompted City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to call for Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan's resignation.

"Bad weather and high turnout are no excuse when we have forecasts for both," Johnson wrote in a tweet. "Michael Ryan needs to resign and we need a full top to bottom review of what went wrong today."

New York City voters turned out in large numbers but problems started almost as soon as the polls opened on Election Day. Pei-Sze Cheng reports from Brooklyn, and Rana Novini reports from the Bronx.

Voters at P.S. 22 in Crown Heights described a scene of "complete chaos," with a line extending down the sidewalk outside the polling site and waits of more than an hour.

Early Voting Turnout: 2018 vs. 2014

Just one day before Election Day, 2018 early voting numbers in 27 states have already surpassed early voting in the previous midterm elections, according to data collected by Michael McDonald of the United States Elections Project. Early ballots submitted for six states doubled compared to ballots submitted for 2014.



Click on each state to see the number of early votes cast there so far. Some states may not have data for both years.

Endless spiraling lines. Everyone is mad. This is my nightmare. #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/PgGK8Y63lV  Barry Hott (@binghott) November 6, 2018

"ALL SCANNERS ARE BROKEN AT PS 22. They just announced that they will be collecting ballots in an emergency collection box to scan later," voter Barry Hott tweeted. "People are very skeptical. Totally unacceptable."

Voter Jennifer Gaston told NBC 4 New York she and her daughter stood in line to vote for two hours.

"The lines were crazy and the staff was arguing," she said. "...[F]inally they told us that all of the machines were not working and that we should do an emergency ballot. What a mess."

In Pictures: Overcrowding at the Polls as Scanners Break Down Across Tri-State

At I.S. 746, one News 4 viewer said only one of 12 scanners was working as of 7:30 a.m. Lines were out the door at P.S. 29, where only three of five scanners were working, another voter said. More broken scanners plagued the Fort Hamilton Senior Center in Bay Ridge, where voters described huge lines and mass frustration. One voter in Sunset Park had to try three times to get a ballot counted; again, that voter said broken scanners were to blame.

ALL SCANNERS OUT. Poll workers trying to thin out lines by collecting ballots by hand to scan later. Some Voters are leaving ballots on the floor or walking out with ballot in hand, at Ingersoll Community Center Fort Greene BK. #Election2018 @TheDemocrats @CNN @nytimes  Angela Palladino (@angpal) November 6, 2018

Hey @BOENYC  absolute chaos, no working scanners at polling place located at 386 Marlborough Rd in Brooklyn. Coordinator cant get ahold of the board to fix the issue. Ive witnessed groups of people leaving the line with their ballot and not voting. You need to do something.  Teryn Gray (@teryn_gray) November 6, 2018

On the Upper West Side, at Manhattan School for Children on West 93rd Street, one voter said volunteers announced that two scanners were down around 8:15 a.m. As of around 9:30 a.m., five scanners were down, according to another voter.

At Frank McCourt High School on West 84th Street, poll workers were telling voters to "come back later," as scanners were broken and lines were several hours long, voter Chris Vitale told News 4. Vitale said she planned to return to the site to vote Tuesday evening.

And in Chelsea, voter Jeffrey Grossman said only one of three scanners was working at his polling location on West 23rd Street, leading to "long lines."

"The same thing happened in 2016," Grossman tweeted, adding that the city's Board of Elections and elected officials "need[ed] to do something about this."

In the Bronx, meanwhile, the lock on the door at the Marble Hill Senior Citizens Center polling site had to be broken around 6 a.m. because no one had the keys for the site, according to Rochelle Roman-Mack, whose husband went there to vote.

Roman-Mack's husband was eventually able to cast his vote, but it took around an hour, she told NBC 4 New York.

Another Bronx voter on Twitter said several ballot boxes were broken at his polling site, P.S. 103 Hector Fontanez in Wakefield.

"... I came to the polling site at 7:10 [a.m.] and finally voted at 9:15 [a.m.]," he tweeted at News 4.

And at the Bronx County Supreme Court House, only one out of the five scanners were working as of around 11:30 a.m., one Twitter user reported.

"The line is at least an hour long, and the coordinator at the site said they have been calling for a technician before 7 a.m. but no one has come," the user wrote.

Lines wrapped around at the polls today in the Bronx at #PS103 with only one machine working!! pic.twitter.com/PyiPyNUaG2  Chan (@ChantelCreates) November 6, 2018

At P.S. 22 in Brooklyn, where voting problems were particularly acute Tuesday morning, the BOE's Ryan told reporters the rate of ballots getting jammed  leading to scanner issues  seemed to be higher this year than in past years.

Ryan attributed the jams to high turnout, as well as a two-page ballot being used in every borough except Staten Island.

Next months mid-term election will feature a first: a two-page ballot to accommodate the long list of candidates that voters will have to decide between. Melissa Russo has a preview.

Tuesday's rainy weather was also a factor, he maintained, with damp coats and umbrellas wetting some ballots, making jams more likely.

In a tweet, Johnson corroborated Ryan's explanation, but called for the issue to be avoided in the future.

"Wet ballots  caused by people waiting in the rain  are causing scanners to malfunction at my poll site (208 W 13)," he tweeted. "This is a predictable problem we MUST fix and plan for next time!"

Wet ballots - caused by people waiting in the rain - are causing scanners to malfunction at my poll site (208 W 13). All scanners are down except one.



This is a predictable problem we MUST fix and plan for next time! @BOENYC pic.twitter.com/r1FiJwewZD  NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) November 6, 2018

A spokeswoman for the BOE didn't immediately respond to request for comment.

In New Jersey, at least one voter shouted out Gov. Murphy on Twitter, wondering why a polling location had its doors locked when it should have been open. Still other voters described errant addresses  and missing keys.

One Twitter user reported a wait of more than an hour and a half at a polling site at 111 Bright Street in Jersey City, with only two functional voting booths.

How about this video...... pic.twitter.com/cjbEwkAAf1  Gary Salzman (@salzman_gary) November 6, 2018

And it's not just the tri-state area. Early voting leading up to Tuesday's midterm election revealed a wide variety of concerns with voting and registration systems around the country  from machines that changed voter selections to registration forms tossed out because of clerical errors.

Election officials and voting rights groups fear that voter confidence in the results could be undermined if such problems become even more widespread on Election Day, as millions of Americans head to the polls to decide pivotal races for Congress and governor.

Already there is concern that last-minute court rulings on voter ID requirements, the handling of absentee ballots and other issues in a handful of states will sow confusion among voters and poll workers.

"We expect poll workers will be overwhelmed, just as voters are overwhelmed, and there will be lots of provisional ballots," said Sara Henderson, head of Common Cause in Georgia, where voting-rights groups have been raising numerous concerns about election security and voter access.

The problems come amid a surge of interest, with registrations and early-voting turnout running well ahead of what is typically seen during a midterm election.

The election marks the first nationwide voting since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 presidential race. Federal, state and local officials have been working to make the nation's myriad election systems more secure. They have beefed up their cybersecurity protections and improved communications and intelligence-sharing.

Nationally, some 6,500 poll watchers are being deployed by a coalition of civil rights and voting advocacy groups to assist people who encounter problems at the polls. That is more than double the number sent to polling places in 2016, while the number of federal election monitors has declined.A crucial sensor that is the subject of a Boeing Co. safety bulletin was replaced on a Lion Air jet the day before it plunged into the Java Sea and possibly worsened other problems with the plane, Indonesian investigators said Wednesday.

Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee said it had agreed with Boeing on procedures that the airplane manufacturer should distribute globally on how flight crews can deal with "angle of attack" sensor problems following the Oct. 29 crash that killed all 189 people on board.

The sensor keeps track of the angle of the aircraft nose relative to oncoming air to prevent the plane from stalling and diving.

But a Boeing statement said a safety bulletin, sent to airlines on Tuesday, directs flight crews to existing guidelines on how they should respond to erroneous "angle of attack" data. It wasn't immediately clear if it plans an update, though comments from Indonesian officials indicate they expect one.

Soerjanto Tjahjono, chairman of the transport safety committee, said Wednesday that airspeed indicator malfunctions on the jet's last four flights, which were revealed by an analysis of the flight data recorder, were intertwined with the sensor issue.

"The point is that after the AOA (sensor) is replaced the problem is not solved but the problem might even increase. Is this fatal? NTSC wants to explore this," he said.

Lion Air's first two attempts to address the airspeed indicator problem didn't work and for the Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane's second-to-last flight on Oct. 28, the angle of attack sensors were replaced, Tjahjono said.

On that flight, from Bali to Jakarta, the pilot's and copilot's sensors disagreed. The 2-month-old plane went into a sudden dive minutes after takeoff, which the pilots were able to recover from. They decided to fly on to Jakarta at a lower than normal altitude.

Indonesian investigators said their flight procedure recommendations to Boeing were based on how the flight crew responded to problems on the Bali to Jakarta flight.

"The draft of what will be conveyed by Boeing this morning has been presented to us," said air accident investigator Nurcahyo Utomo.

"There are some things that we ask for explanation and some that we ask to be removed, and there has been an agreement between NTSC and Boeing to release a new procedure to all Boeing 737 MAX users in the world," he said.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency on Wednesday extended the search effort for a second time, saying it will continue until Sunday. Body parts are still being recovered and searchers continue to hunt for the cockpit voice recorder.

The plane hit the water at very high speed just 13 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. Its flight crew had requested permission to return to the airport several minutes after taking off.

The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board.

Lion Air is one of Indonesia's youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people.At the start of election night, when results first started dripping in, liberal twitter started to panic: Was this 2016 all over again?

In the end, the Democrats delivered a big win, swinging enough seats from Red to Blue to take control of the House of Representatives.

But for a few tense hours, it seemed like deja vu.

Writer Toure tweeted: "Its funny, this is just about the time I started freaking out on Election Day 2016. And tonight theres still not much to be happy about. Yet."

That tone was set early by MSNBC pundit and former Clinton stragetist James Carville, who gave a dour prognosis on MSNBC while analyzing results in Florida, where Democrat Andrew Gillum lost the governor's race to Ron DeSantis and Bill Nelson lost to Rick Scott.

The Blue Wave, Carville said, wasn't going to happen.

Twitter's response:

"James Carville just threw water on my parade."

"James Carville really stomped on my Democratic hopes & dreams. Stop talking to him msnbc."

As Republicans locked up key Senate seats, winning key races in Tennessee, North Dakota, Texas and more, the outlook appeared bleak for Democrats.

"Im literally about to throw up."

But then a funny thing happened: A bunch of House races started to turn blue, just as the polls in the weeks leading up to the election predicted they would.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, elected to Congress representing New York. She's the youngest woman to be elected to the House.

Kansas elected Sharice Davids, the first lesbian Native American woman elected to Congress.

First-time candidate Donna Shalala, 77, was elected to Congress in Florida, turning the 27th Congressional district blue after decades under Republican control.

Kendra Horn is the first Democrat to win a Congressional seat in Oklahoma's 5th district in four decades.

And once again, James Carville set the tone.

"I can breathe again. James Carville is smiling."

"My mood is totally dictated by @JamesCarville. If hes sad Im sad. If hes smiling, so am I."

See more reaction to the election results alluding to a flashback to 2016 as seen on Twitter.Police surrounded a North Philadelphia home where a man in his 60s was shot Wednesday morning.

Police said the mans gunshot wound to his right side was possibly related to the barricade along the 400 block of West Indiana Avenue in the Fairhill neighborhood after 9 a.m.

The 63-year-old man was rushed to the hospital in critical but stable condition. It was unclear who shot him.

People working nearby say they heard gunshots and people running away from the scene.

Officers in SWAT gear could be seen gathering near the home where initially they said a 25-year-old man was armed with a gun.

The officers entered the home shortly before 11 a.m. They came out minutes later without anyone appearing to be in custody.

The situation appeared to be over.

It was unclear why police first responded to the block.With a dominant win in the 181st District, Malcolm Kenyatta will make history by becoming the first openly gay person of color to join the Pennsylvania statehouse.

Kenyatta, a 28-year-old Temple University graduate, takes over a district held for decades by Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, who did not seek reelection. The majority black district includes large portions of North Philadelphia and Northern Liberties. Temple University also falls within the district, injecting young voters into his constituency.

"We decided to choose love over hate. We decided to choose the future over the past. We decided to choose innovation over stagnation. And we decided to choose a vision of our city and of our district where we get things done together," Kenyatta said of his historic win.

During the campaign, Kenyatta positioned himself firmly against President Donald Trump's "racist, homophobic and hateful priorities." The rhetoric espoused by the president, Kenyatta said, has seeped into local politics.

Kenyatta was the subject of homophobic attacks over the course of his run for office. Flyers that depicted a red "No" symbol superimposed over a picture of him and his ex-husband were distributed during the May primary.

In the general election, homophobic slurs were directed at Kenyatta, according to Sean Meloy, senior director for the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which backed the candidate.

Kenyatta, however, believes that his victory demonstrates that the majority of the electorate rejects such views. "People made it clear that bigotry has no place in our politics," he said.

Running on a platform of better schools, housing security for seniors and raising the minimum wage, Kenyatta handily beat out Republican opponent Milton Street, garnering more than 95 percent of the vote.

Kenyatta, who was also backed by Run for Something, a group dedicated to electing young progressive candidates, said he hopes he can serve as a beacon for other young people thinking of running for office and for marginalized groups who have not had role models to look up to in the past.

"I really do hope that it inspires other kids who might be LGBTQ or young, or come from a poor background, or may feel left out and left behind, that they can run, that they can organize their communities and that they can win," he said.What to Know Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, 58, sought a third term in the U.S. Senate.

His challenger, two-term U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, had the backing of President Donald Trump.

Delaware's Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, faced off against a Republican businessman.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is the projected winner of a third term to represent Pennsylvania, defeating Republican challenger and strong Trump ally Lou Barletta, according to NBC News.

In Delaware, incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Carper beat back a challenge Tuesday from Republican businessman and Sussex County Councilman Rob Arlett.

Casey, the son of a former Pennsylvania governor, polled well ahead of Barletta throughout the campaign. Despite serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Wilkes-Barre region, Barletta could not gain traction with voters on a statewide level.

Like many contests throughout the country, the race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania turned, very early on, into a referendum on President Donald Trump.

Casey has needled Trump the last two years on economic and immigration issues. Barletta positioned himself as a Trump advocate. Political observers described him as Trump before Trump. Indeed, Barletta made national headlines more than a decade ago when, as mayor of Hazleton in northeast Pennsylvania, he pushed hard-line anti-immigration laws locally.

Casey's name recognition and broad coalition of supporters proved too strong. He was backed by labor unions, gay-rights organizations and environmental advocacy groups.



Carper, one of the most prominent politicians in the First State's history, has served previously as governor and congressman.



Tuesday's election wasn't likely to change the political hue in solidly blue Delaware, although voters did have the chance to make the picture a little rosier for Republicans, who hoped Tuesday to end one-party control of the state legislature. That outcome remains uncertain.What to Know Philadelphia police officer Paul Sulock was shot in Kensington Wednesday morning.

Sulock is a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and a father of four.

He was hit by gunfire while attempting to break up a potential shooting, police said.

Two suspects are in custody after 31-year-old Philadelphia police officer Paul Sulock was struck by gunfire while attempting to thwart a shooting near Kensington, Philadelphia police said.

Sulock, 10-year police force veteran and married father of four, was shot in the right thigh, police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in stable condition.

Sulock's father, also a police officer, was by his side as he recovered.

"We are very fortunate right now given those circumstances," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said. "He is in good spirits."

Chaos erupted around 11:10 a.m. near Madison and G streets in the shadow of SEPTA's Market Frankford Line.

Photos: Kensington Police Officer Shot

Sulock and his partner had been patrolling nearby when they saw two men crouched behind cars, possibly preparing to shoot at each other, Ross said. At least one of the men had a gun.

Sulock and his partner got out of their car and approached the two men. One of them opened fire on the police officers.

Despite his injury, Sulock chased down the suspects and apprehended one of them, Ross said.

"This is valor to the highest degree," Ross said. "[The officers] probably saved the life of the guy who shot him."

Surveillance video obtained by NBC10 shows one of the gunmen running away from the scene while Sulock's partner chases after him.

SkyForce10 / Philadelphia

Sulock's partner and the two suspects were not injured, Ross said.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joined Ross and Mayor Jim Kenney outside the hospital where Sulock was being treated Tuesday. He promised swift justice.

"We are here to support this truly heroic officer," Krasner said. "We want you know that the District Attorney's Office is taking this case extremely seriously."

The matter will be assigned to the legal unit that handles homicide and shooting matters, Krasner added.

At least three dozen police cars from the city and SEPTA police departments flooded nearby Allegheny Avenue as the investigation continued. Armed officers could be seen running through back alleys behind homes in the area.

"I'm shot. I'm shot in the leg," Sulock could be heard saying over the police department's radio system after he was shot.

SkyForce10 was overhead as several other people were also arrested and taken into custody. Police will not try to piece together what led to the confrontation between the two suspects.

A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the leg while responding to a gun battle in the Kensington neighborhood Wednesday morning, police sources say.What to Know Many Pennsylvanians voted in new districts after the state supreme court redrew the congressional map this spring.

A historic number of women ran for Pennsylvania's open seats. In Southeast Pennsylvania, 4 women were elected.

Women also won re-election to Congress in New Jersey and Delaware.

Mary Gay Scanlon, a civil rights attorney in Philadelphia, was the first. But she was certainly not the last Tuesday night: four women are now projected winners of Congressional seats in Pennsylvania.

Scanlon was officially the first woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania in three years, winning Pennsylvania's 5th District seat in suburban Philadelphia. That's a new seat, created by redistricting.

But she was quickly joined by the rest of the "Fab Four," as they call themselves.

Former State Rep. Madeleine Dean, who was elected in Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District, said she is "a little overwhelmed" but "utterly thrilled" by the love and support from family, friends and supporters.

She said she visited about 25 polling sites Tuesday. "This just felt like a truly American day in all the senses," she said.

Air Force veteran and former business executive Chrissy Houlahan, Allentowns former solicitor Susan Wild and Dean joined Scanlon a short time later when NBC News projected all of them winners against Republican challengers in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Getty Images

The wave swept farther than just Pennsylvania. In Delaware, Lisa Blunt Rochester was re-elected to the state's lone House seat.

And Democratic incumbent Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman beat Republican Daryl Kipnis in New Jersey's 12th district, which includes Princeton. Add Coleman to the wave of women elected or re-elected from Philadelphia's suburbs on Tuesday.

Voters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware filled a combined 31 seats for the three states by the end of the night, with only one race remaining uncalled because the vote tally was so close.

A historic number of women were on Pennsylvania ballots as one of the two major party candidates in seven of the 18 races.A prominent political data expert expects turnout in California to near 60 percent, which is on the higher end for mid-term elections but not extraordinary.

Paul Mitchell says that's because some counties, including Orange, have exciting congressional races where turnout might near presidential levels.

But voters in other California counties are casting votes for a more routine slate of statewide office as well as 11 propositions.

The registration tally translates into about 78 percent of eligible voters, the highest percentage of registered voters in a midterm election since 1950. The number is likely buoyed by a new automatic voter registration program that registers eligible people who visit the Department of Motor Vehicles unless they opt out.

Several county elections officers reported higher-than-usual activity.

San Diego County's Registrar of Voters Michael Vu said his office is expecting a 64 to 68 percent turnout. A total of 1.77 million voters were registered in San Diego County.

San Francisco Elections Director John Arntz said turnout might exceed the 61 percent reached in 2010. Voters were weighing a local measure, Proposition C, which would raise taxes on wealthy companies for homeless services.

Tim Dupuis, the registrar of voters in Alameda County, told the San Francisco Chronicle that turnout was expected to reach 70 percent compared with 45 percent in 2014. The county includes Oakland, where voters were choosing a mayor.

Mitchell said statewide turnout could range from 56 percent to 60 percent. He called it the tale of "two Californias."

Mitchell is vice president of the non-partisan research firm Political Data, Inc.

A spokesman with the Los Angeles County Registrar said the wait time at its headquarters in Norwalk was about two hours Tuesday. But he could not immediately confirm a Los Angeles Times reporter's account that people were receiving tickets to use the bathroom or get food without losing their spot or giving up entirely.

In Merced County, Democrats scrambled after an early morning break-in at a campaign office where computers and literature were stolen, affecting the campaign for state Senate candidate Ana Caballero.

But overall, glitches were few in a state with more than 19.6 million registered voters.Homes on Camp Pendleton and other military bases across the country were found to have mice infestations and mold problems, according to a Reuters report.

A letter signed by California Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris asked Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis and the Pentagon to conduct a fact-finding mission into the problems.

Lincoln Military Housing (LMH), a private company that owns and operates housing on military bases, told NBC 7 the report contains inaccuracies and omits important facts.

According to LMH, only 1 percent of the service requests in 2017 were for mold. The company also said that rodent issues are handled quickly with a follow-up.

Brian Lepore with the Government Accountability Office told NBC 7 the agency has already started putting together a housing study.

We have been directed by the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to conduct a review of the condition of the military privatized housing, he said.

Lepore added that the review will give his office a sense of the condition of privatized homes and whether military families are satisfied with them.

The study was authorized in September due in part to a previous Reuters report detailing the discovery of lead paint in 40 Army base homes.

Camp Pendleton referred NBC 7 to the bases webpage where housing complaints can be submitted.Editor's Note: The voting results of each proposition will be updated below.

There were ballot measures that could change the way you eat, how much you pay for gas, and even change the time of day in California in Tuesday's statewide election.

Scroll down for results updates.

Prop 1: Veterans' Home Loans

With 23,622 of 24,312 precincts reporting (97 percent)

Yes, 3,651,760 - 54 percent

No, 3,095,915 - 46 percent

This proposal allows the state to sell general obligation bonds for $4 billion to finance affordable housing for low-income people, including war veterans.

Its financial impact in California is an increase in state costs to reimburse the average amount of these bonds of about $170 million per year over the next 35 years.

Those for the measure say the best part is it finds a solution, while not raising taxes.

Those against the measure say there are better ways to fix California's housing crisis. They also argue it would waste taxpayer money on interest payments.

Proposition 1 would allow the state to sell general obligation bonds for $4 billion to finance affordable housing for low-income people, including war veterans. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 2: Homelessness Prevention

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,136,994 - 61 percent

No, 2,629,166 - 39 percent

This proposal would allow the state to use funds from county mental health programs to fund housing for the homeless with mental issues.

The approval of this proposal would not increase state taxes and makes the existing legislation that establishes the program official.

Homeless advocates, social workers, doctors and emergency responders urge voters to say yes to Prop 2.

Those against it however, say it makes no sense to take money away from mental health services to build homes with that money.

Proposition 2 would authorize the state to use revenue from Proposition 63 (2004)  a 1 percent tax on income above $1 million for mental health services  on $2 billion in revenue bonds for homelessness prevention housing for persons in need of mental health services. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 3: Water and Environmental Projects

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

Yes, 3,187,440 - 48 percent

No, 3,501,515 - 52 percent

The proposition authorizes the use of $8.877 billion in general obligation state bonds to finance aquifer and environmental projects.

The fiscal impact for the state would be the increase in costs to pay bonds of $430 million as an annual average for more than 40 years. However, the state government could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually in water-related projects in the coming decades.

Proponents say it is a measure that will guarantee safe drinking water and drought protection. But those against it say it hands money over to a lot of different organizations, but doesn't provide a new way of getting clean water.

They also say "interest payments on the bonds will double the amount that has to be repaid." They say it does nothing to solve our water shortage problems.

Proposition 3 would authorize $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, groundwater supplies and storage, surface water storage and dam repairs, watershed and fisheries improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 4: Children's Hospitals

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,098,796 - 61 percent

No, 2,666,599 - 39 percent

It would allow the state to sell $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds to finance the construction, expansion, renovation and equipping of children's hospitals.

The fiscal impact for the state would be the increase in costs to reimburse bonds of $80 million per year over the next 35 years.

Those for the measure argue the hospital systems are like cellphones -- think of how much they've increased in technology over the last 10 years. They argue the demand for specialized pediatric care has only gone up, and hospitals are needed to meet that demand.

Those against say the proposition really only benefits the hospitals backing the measure, and that the money could be spent in a better way.

Proposition 4 authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds for the construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of children's hospitals in California. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 5: Home-buyers' Taxes

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

Yes, 2,815,851 - 42 percent

x-No, 3,909,288 - 58 percent

The approval of this prop would allow all homeowners over 55 years of age, of any property contaminated or affected by a natural disaster, and severely disabled owners, to be eligible for property tax savings should they move to another home.

The fiscal impact would be for schools and local governments, which would lose more than $100 million per year in property taxes.

It essentially the "moving penalty."

Those against it say it cuts "$1 billion in local revenue from public schools, fire, police, health care and other services" but doesn't build any new housing. They say it's going to make it harder for cities to pay for schools while giving a nice tax break to the wealthy.

Proposition 5 would amend Proposition 13 (1978) to allow homebuyers who are 55 or older or severely disabled to transfer their tax assessments, with a possible adjustment, from their prior home to their new home, no matter (a) the new home's market value; the new home's location in the state; or the buyer's number of moves. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 6: Gas Tax

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reported (100 percent)

Yes, 3,141,881 - 45 percent

x-No, 3,857,819 - 55 percent

Prop 6 would have repealed a 12-cent gas tax and an increase in vehicle registration that was approved last year to fund road fixes and better transit programs. The aim was to pay for $5 billion a year in improvements, and raise $52 billion over a decade for road repairs. The gas tax took effect last November.

Construction industry and firefighter unions opposed repealing the measure.

Former Republican councilman Carl DeMaio proposed it, saying the cost of living in California is outrageous enough as it is.

"Everything in California is so much more expensive and the question is why," he once said.

Voting no keeps the tax right where it is.

Opponents say since cars are becoming more energy efficient and using less gas, there won't be enough funds to support the program.

Opponents contend there aren't enough funds to keep up with the transit needs of California's 40 million people. Over the last two decades, automobiles have become more fuel efficient  a boon for the environment but a challenge to transportation budgets as drivers need less gasoline.

Approval of Prop 6 would repeal the gas and diesel tax increases and vehicle fees that were enacted in 2017 and require voter approval for fuel tax and vehicle fee increases in the future. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 7: Daylight Saving Time

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,014,400 - 60 percent

No, 2,694,858 - 40 percent

Daylight saving time may not seem that big of a deal to most Californians, but its a divided issue.

If Californians vote yes, theyd be asking to end daylight saving time, meaning no "spring forward" nor "fall back." But voting yes wouldnt make it a done deal -- the measure would still need to clear the hurdle in the federal government. The measure would need a two-thirds vote from the Legislature.

Basically, the time wouldnt change twice a year, like in other states that dont follow Daylight Saving Time: Hawaii and Arizona (except for in Arizonas Navajo Nation).

Voting no would mean that everything would stay how it is  you lose an hour in spring, and gain an hour in fall.

Some proponents say the idea is very outdated. It all started during WWI as an energy saving program. They argue that studies have shown that daylight saving time may actually increase electricity use in the summertime. They also argue that daylight saving time would cause more pedestrian crashes because the sun sometimes doesnt rise until 8 a.m. in winter.

Those who are against the measure say its too much change, and Californians are used to switching their clocks back and forth.

Proposition 7 would allow the California State Legislature to (1) change the dates and times of the daylight saving time (DST) period, as consistent with federal law, by a two-thirds vote and (2) establish permanent, year-round DST in California by a two-thirds vote if federal law is changed to allow for permanent DST. NBC4s Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 8: Dialysis Clinics Refunds

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reporting (100 percent)

Yes, 2,660,633 - 38 percent

x-No, 4,260,758 - 62 percent

Proposition 8, while at first glance is not as controversial as the gas tax or daylight savings props, actually is a source of heated debate. If passed, it would cap profits at kidney dialysis clinics by using a formula.

Proponents of 8 say big dialysis companies are netting monster profits without putting enough money back into sanitation and patient care. Those in support, like the Democratic Party and veterans, say the proposition would stop the companies from overcharging, and would help provide quality care for patients.

But those against the prop  which includes nurses, doctors and physicians  say many clinics would be forced to close if the prop passes. Many people without functioning kidneys depend on the clinics, and those against the prop say it would increase costs for tax payers, and reduce access to care because clinics would have to close.

A "yes" vote on Proposition 8 supports requiring dialysis clinics to issue refunds to patients or patients' payers for revenue above 115 percent of the costs of direct patient care and healthcare improvements. A "no" vote would oppose that requirement. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 10: Regulating Rent

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reporting (100 percent)

Yes, 2,675,378 - 38 percent

x-No, 4,310,298 - 62 percent

This was set to be a big source of debate in November. Voting yes would have meant state law would not limit rent control laws in cities and counties. What that means is it would establish rent control authority in communities, in hopes to keep people in their homes and reduce the homeless population.

But those opposing the measure say that if state law is not allowed to continue overseeing rent control, it would actually make the housing crisis worse. They argue Prop 10 is bad for homeowners because it allows the regulation of single family homes and would allow more fees on top of rent.

Those against it say it will hurt homeowners because it will lower real estate values. They also say it would limit new construction and cut the already-choked housing supply in California. Opponents also say landlords who managed smaller properties would struggle or be pushed out.

Prop 10 repeals Costa-Hawkins Housing Act, and it is one of the most expensive propositions on the ballot.

According to the state, renters in California already spend more than half their income on rent.

Those in favor say Prop 10 would help people getting pushed out of their homes, because it would control how much landlords increase rent per year as well as regulate how much they are asking of new renters.

A yes vote on Proposition 10 supports allowing local governments to adopt rent control on any type of rental housing, thus repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 11: On Call Ambulances

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,019,252 - 59 percent

No, 2,744,992 - 41 percent

With Prop 11, ambulance workers would have to stay on call during their paid lunchbreaks so they could respond to 911 calls. It would also give them more training. Proponents argue it's a proposition that would save lives.

Voting no means EMT's and paramedics would have to remain unreachable while on a paid break, and cannot provide care, even if they are the closest ambulance available.

State Assembly Member Freddie Rodriguez argues however that the proposition is not what it seems.

Rodriguez says it would allow private companies to get out of paying millions in wages.

If Proposition 11 passes, ambulance workers would have to stay on call during their paid lunchbreaks so they could respond to 911 calls. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 12: Ban Selling Meat From Confined Animals

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,126,366 - 61 percent

No, 2,635,545 - 39 percent

A yes vote requires farmers to provide more space to caged animals used for meat or food, like egg-laying hens, pigs, and calves. It would ban the sale of meat and eggs from animals in cages that do not meet specific measurements.

If it sounds familiar, it's because in 2008, Prop 2 was passed preventing caged animals from being raised in confinements so small they couldnt move.

But its back in the form of Prop 12, because out-of-state farmers arent subjected to the same requirements. Also, there were no specific measurements in Prop 2.

Hens would also have to be totally cage free by 2022.

Starting in 2020, a calf would have to be given at least 43 square feet of floor space.

Pigs would need 24 square feet starting in 2022.

In 2020, egg-laying hens, would need 1 square foot of floor space each  the cages would be totally gone by 2022.

Costs would probably rise for the foods produced by using meat and eggs from these animals, the state's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office found.

The Association of California Egg Farmers says it could cause a shortage of eggs for sale because farmers would have to make a lot of unforeseen changes to structures.

Proposition 12 would prohibit the confinement of calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens in areas below a specific number of square feet, rather than restrictions based on animal behavior and movement. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.Democrat Mike Levin claimed he was victorious over Republican challenger Diane Harkey in the 49th Congressional District on election night.

The environmental lawyer and champion for clean energy said that retiring congressman Darrell Issa called him to congratulate him and offered help in advice during his transition.

"We have finally flipped California's 49th Congressional District," Levin exclaimed.

The race was one of several contested congressional districts in California that could cause a shift in the balance of power.

District 49, which encompasses Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad and a small part of Orange County, was represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa who announced his retirement in January.

With 100 percent of San Diego County precincts reported, Levin held a 55 percent to 45 percent lead over his opponent. That doesn't account for votes in Orange County or absentee voters.

The winner has yet to be officially announced.

Democratic candidate for Congressional District 49, Mike Levin, speaks with NBC 7 after the polls close.

Republican Diane Harkey earned an endorsement of President Donald Trump who described her as "an extraordinary woman of great accomplishment & potential.

Democrat Mike Levin was praised in a speech by President Barack Obama as a champion for environmental issues and climate change.

The race for the 49th District seat was one of the most closely-watched races in the country.

Diane Harkey spoke out against her opponent Mike Levin an hour after the polls closed on their race for the 49th Congressional District.U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter is projected to retain his seat in the 50th Congressional District in eastern San Diego County, despite his recent indictment on federal criminal charges, NBC News projects.

Hunter was favored against his opponent, a first-time candidate in the largely GOP district.

Though numbers had not been finalized by the California Registrar of Voters, the Republican representative claimed victory in the district Wednesday morning, comparing the wants of San Diego voters to be consistent with President Donald Trump's.

"This election reflects what is important to us here in San Diego and Riverside Counties, issues on which President Trump has had success, but understanding that there is undoubtedly more work to be done," Hunter's statement read.

The race was one of several contested congressional districts in California that could cause a shift in the balance of power.

Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, 29, worked in the Obama administration. He is Latino and Arab-American who was born in San Diego and raised by his mother.

Campa-Najjar told supporters after the polls closed that he still has faith he can pull ahead of his Republican opponent, with about a two-thirds of the vote left to be counted.

After @NBCNews calls #CA50 for @Rep_Hunter, challenger @ACampaNajjar tells his supporters to keep the faith. With 2/3 of the vote still out, Campa-Najjar tells the crowd he can still pull out a win. @nbcsandiego pic.twitter.com/Ux7381QN9Y  Danny Freeman (@DannyEFreeman) November 7, 2018

By Wednesday afternoon, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters reported 54 percent of the vote was going towards Hunter.

In the weeks leading up to the election, Hunter's campaign ran an ad saying Campa-Najjar changed his name to "hide his family's ties to terrorism" and now wants to "infiltrate" Congress.

There are currently 139,636 registered Republicans in the 50th district according to the Registrar of Voters. That is much higher than the 94,699 registered Democrats.

Hunter, 41, is one of two indicted Republican congressmen that sought re-election. The other is New York Rep. Chris Collins, accused of insider trading.

He and his wife, who served as his campaign chair, are accused of misusing more than $250,000 in campaign funds, including more than $400 on tequila shots at a bachelor party, $250 on airfare for a pet rabbit and $14,000 for an Italian vacation. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges.The Metropolitan Grand Central bus terminal in this city where the migrant caravan traveling through Mexico originated more than three weeks ago is a place of crossing destinies for Hondurans dreaming of seeking a better life in the United States.

Some of the dozens of people sleeping on the concrete floor or outside on the grass underneath palm trees bathed by the light of street lamps are awaiting buses to the Guatemalan border to begin the journey north. Others are arriving after failing to complete the trip and are being ferried back to the precarious lives they left behind.

Hundreds of the mostly Honduran migrants who set out with the caravan that has traversed hundreds of miles through three countries before arriving in Mexico City this week have returned home, according to the Mexican government. Some grew disillusioned. Others simply wore out. Still others were detained and returned, or gave up on waiting for possible asylum in Mexico and accepted bus rides back home.

Disembarking at the bus station in San Pedro Sula, nearly all of those returning said the same thing: Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they intend to try again.

"I would go 30 times more if possible," said Daniel Castaneda, an 18-year-old from the central city of Comayagua. He was detained shortly after migrants in a caravan following in the footsteps of the first one clashed with police on a bridge on the Mexican border with Guatemala late last month.

"I can't say when, but I am going to keep going. ... This country is going to be left empty," he said.

Reny Maudiel a fresh-faced 16-year-old in a green T-shirt, a mop of curly hair sticking skyward from his head, said he was turned off by the violence of last month's border clashes. He was also exhausted, and his feet hurt  but already his mind was turning northward.

"I hope another opportunity emerges," he said.

While U.S. President Donald Trump seized on the caravan as a campaign issue for Tuesday's midterm elections and suggested that criminals had infiltrated the group, the migrants say they are fleeing poverty, lack of jobs and rampant violence.

In a country that is one of the world's deadliest by homicide rates, San Pedro Sula is among the most violent cities as the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 street gang, fights street-by-street with the rival 18th Street gang for territory. It's also seen a harsh crackdown by security forces including documented abuses. Nationwide nearly two-thirds of Hondurans, or some 5.5 million people, live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Pablo Alba choked up thinking about how his 11-year-old son wrapped his arms around his neck and begged to be taken on the journey north. Alba said no, not wanting the boy to risk the arduous trek.

"If there must be suffering, I will go alone," he said, recalling that Oct. 13 day when he set off to join the caravan with only the clothes on his back.

The 64-year-old had never thought about emigrating before because he had always been able to find work. A trained veterinarian, he ended up selling tamales cooked by his landlady, and it wasn't nearly enough to support his family.

Mexican authorities say some 3,230 migrants from the caravan have requested refuge. Alba used to be one of them. But shut in at an immigration center and unable to communicate with his children  he had no money or cell phone  he dropped his application and agreed to return to Honduras. Some 480 others have done the same, according to the Mexican government.

He intends to try again in March  only this time he will bring his kids.

According to data from Mexico's National Immigration Institute, on average 136 Honduran migrants per day have been returned to their country this year. Women and children are taken directly to a shelter in San Pedro Sula. Men go by bus to the Caribbean coastal city of Omoa, and from there are transferred to the San Pedro terminal.

Some days they're met at the bus station by government officials sitting behind a plastic table offering "solidarity bags" of basic goods such as rice and dried spaghetti, along with a photo of President Juan Orlando Hernandez and a note saying it comes from his government.

Jorge Marquez said they were taking returnees' information to "follow up with them" and allow them to benefit from aid that Hernandez has promised in response to the caravan, which at its peak numbered more than 7,000 people.

But such vows largely ring hollow in this deeply troubled and politically unstable country. In interviews with The Associated Press, most returnees said they faced only a bleak future if they remained in Honduras.

However, some, like Gerardo Castillo, a 35-year-old mason, did find encouragement in promises by Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who takes office Dec. 1, to give special visas to Central Americans to work in his country.

Castillo, who left two children back home in Olancho and has two more in the United States, complained that immigration agents under the current Mexican administration were detaining migrants who separated from the main caravan, as happened to him. In Lopez Obrador, he sees a possible future in Mexico.

"On Dec. 1, I will be in Tecun Uman," Castillo said, referring to the Guatemalan city across the river border from Mexico.

Olvin Fernando Murillo, 20, made it almost 200 miles (300 kilometers) north of that crossing to the town of Arriaga  still far from Phoenix, Arizona, where a brother lives.

That's when his 16-year-old girlfriend got sick. When it became clear she wasn't getting better they decided to return to their Honduran hometown of El Paraiso on the border with Nicaragua.

He sold his cellphone to raise a bit of money and had little more than a donated green backpack he picked up after crossing into Mexico.

But his plans were clear. "To rest for a while, and in January, another caravan," he said.

Rumors that yet more caravans will form are flying in every corner of Honduras. They're attractive for the perception that they provide safety in numbers, and because they're a way to avoid paying thousands of dollars to a smuggler.

But the reality is far less certain.

Those few who make it to the United States face a tough road to be able to stay legally; poverty and violence are not supposed to be considered as qualifying factors for asylum. Trump has talked of making asylum even more difficult, of detaining applicants in tent cities and of sending 15,000 U.S. troops to the southern border.

Still, 27-year-old Claudia Noriega was determined to risk it, saying she can no longer make a living selling sweets since sugar prices have soared. She was aware she could end up back here in a few weeks' time, just like the men sleeping on the bus terminal floor.

"The important thing is to try," she said. "And if you can't, you'll have to see what to do then."The body of a Utah mayor and Army National Guard member who urged Americans to vote before he was killed in Afghanistan has been returned to U.S. soil.

Military officials said 39-year-old North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor was shot to death Saturday by an Afghan commando he was training, who was then killed by Afghan forces.

Major Taylor had been expecting to return as Mayor Taylor in January. His death leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and their seven children, ranging from 11 months to 13 years old.

She was there as his remains were returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

"Brent may have died on Afghan soil, but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both of our countries," she said in a statement that referred to her husband's final post on Facebook, which urged Americans to exercise their "precious right to vote."

"It seems only fitting," her statement said, that her husband "has come home to US soil in a flag draped casket on our Election Day."

Taylor's post , drawing a connection between democracy abroad and at home, has been seen and shared thousands of times.

"It was beautiful to see over four million Afghan men and women brave threats and deadly attacks to vote in Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections in eight years. The strong turnout, despite the attacks and challenges, was a success for the long- suffering people of Afghanistan and for the cause of human freedom," he wrote.

"As the USA gets ready to vote in our own election next week, I hope everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote. And that whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us. "United we stand, divided we fall." God bless America."

Taylor, a military intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters, served two tours in Iraq and was on his second tour in Afghanistan.

"He was with folks he was helping and training. That's what's so painful about this. It's bitter," Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, said on Sunday. "I do believe that Major Taylor felt he was among friends, with people he was working with."

An Afghan military officer who served with Taylor wrote an open letter to Taylor's family saying he "gained a great deal of knowledge from him" and was "a better person for having met him, NBC News reported.

Maj. Abdul Rahman Rahmani, who is U.S. Marine Corps University graduate, wrote in the letter posted on Twitter that Taylor "died on our soil but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both our countries." Rahmani also said that Taylor's values had an impact on his own life.

Here, a woman cannot express herself fully, either inside or outside the house. Here, most families treat children unfairly, Rahmani wrote. Let me admit that, before I met Brent, even I did not think that women and men should be treated equally. Your husband taught me to love my wife Hamida as an equal and treat my children as treasured gifts, to be a better father, to be a better husband and to be a better man.

Taylor had become mayor in 2013, and had a local hero's farewell when he was being deployed last January. Hundreds of residents of North Ogden, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City, lined the street to see him off as police escorted him and his family around the community of about 17,000.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Taylor "was there to help. He was a leader. He loved the people of Afghanistan... This is a sad day for Utah, for America."

"Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend," U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said on Twitter. "News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his seven young children. His service will always be remembered."What to Know The News4 I-Team found that most voter complaints in the D-C area were about long lines from equipment shortages or malfunctions.

In Prince George's County, several polling locations ran out of paper ballots, officials said.

More than 38 million Americans cast early or absentee ballots before election day, NBC News reported,

Voters across D.C., Maryland and Virginia withstood rainstorms and lines Tuesday to cast their votes in the 2018 midterm elections.

Some D.C. voters reported having to wait 90 minutes to cast their ballots.

In drenching rain, lines stretched outside schools and civic buildings transformed into voter centers in neighborhoods including Dupont Circle and Van Ness. Photos showed Washingtonians huddled under umbrellas and clad in raincoats.

The News4 I-Team investigated voter complaints across the D.C. area and found that most grievances were about long lines that stemmed from equipment shortages or malfunctions.

Former News4 reporter Tom Sherwood tweeted that lines in Eastern Market stretched around the block as election workers tried to process ballots with only one vote-counting machine for two precincts.

Later in the day, the polling place was outfitted with two more voting machines. Lines continued to stretch out the door of Eastern Market after 5 p.m.

In Prince George's County, several polling locations ran out of paper ballots, officials said.

Election officials delivered more ballots to Upper Marlboro Community Center after one Twitter user reported that voters waited for more than two hours. Some did decide to leave.

The Maryland Democratic Party gave the following statement about the issue:

Due to unprecedented turnout in Prince Georges County, several polling locations have run low on ballots. All voters should be aware that the Prince Georges County Board of Elections is required, by law, to keep all affected polling locations open as long as required for all voters in line at 8:00 p.m. to cast their ballot. We urge anyone facing difficulties voting to contact the Maryland Democratic Partys voter hotline at 1-888-678-VOTE."

Photos showed dozens of people sitting in chairs while waiting for ballots.

Some voters said they had to insert their ballot into the box manually and poll workers said the ballots would be counted later, News4 Investigative Reporter Jodie Fleischer found. Fleischer reported that since each precinct records everyone who checks in to vote, every ballot should be accurately counted at the end of the night.

Many voters didn't have to face the elements or lines on Tuesday; they already had voted. More than 38 million Americans cast early or absentee ballots before election day, NBC News reported, far surpassing the 21 million early votes cast in the 2014 midterms.

A Fairfax County election official said about 53 percent of voters had either cast an absentee ballot or had voted in person by 4 p.m. Tuesday, topping the total turnout percentages in the 2014 and 2010 midterms. In Loudoun County, midterm turnout records were shattered by mid-afternoon.

In Virginia's 10th district  which includes Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick counties, Manassas and parts of Fairfax County  a heated race between Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock and Democratic challenger Jennifer Wexton drew a crowd before the workday. Wexton unseated Comstock in that race.

In the parking lot of one 10th District polling place, many voters made clear that they were galvanized to vote in support of or opposition to President Donald Trump's agenda. Others said divisive and hot-button issues such as gun safety and the congressional hearings on allegations of sexual misconduct by Justice Brett Kavanaugh brought them out.

"Kavanaugh," one woman said when asked to describe why she voted. "Just watching the hearings made me sort of sick. I thought he was unfairly treated."

"Gun safety. That's why I came to vote," another woman said. "I voted for the person who takes the least amount of money from gun lobbyists."

In Maryland, gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous spent the final hours of the campaign promoting his progressive platform to voters in Silver Spring. Jealous is challenging incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan, who is trying to become Maryland's first two-term Republican governor since the 1950s.

Despite Hogan's popularity, some voters on the left are looking to Jealous for a progressive platform in light of Republicans' two-year control of the presidency, House and Senate.

"All the things happening right now, I don't trust the Republican party," one woman said. "Even though I don't know Jealous as well as I should."

Another voter told why he was supporting Hogan.

"I like Larry Hogan, but, you know, I think Jealous makes a lot of good points," he said. "I wish him well in future politics, but right now I'm sticking with Hogan."

In D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and her baby daughter, Miranda, both sported pink coats when they headed to the mayor's polling place. Bowser is facing three challengers in her bid for re-election.

Competitive down-ballot races, including the school board and at-large Council seat, motivated some D.C. voters.

"I think we will see higher youth turnout, especially in blue cities like D.C.," one voter said.

Lines and bad weather that some D.C. voters faced were inconveniences that paled in comparison to disenfranchisement and voter suppression that many citizens remembered.

One such citizen is 104-year-old Margaret Norwood, who was born before women were allowed to vote.

Decked out in a raincoat and leopard print hat, Norwood cast her ballot in Northeast D.C.

Polls were set to close in Virginia at 7 p.m. and in D.C. and Maryland at 8 p.m. If you're in line when polls close, you'll be able to vote. Find more information here on how to vote.A D.C. firefighter is facing hate crime charges after allegedly tailgating a truck in Pennsylvania and lobbing racial slurs and threats at the drivers.

Adam Kraus, a 32-year-old firefighter who started working for D.C. Fire and EMS in June 2015, is charged under Pennsylvanias hate crime statute with ethnic intimidation.

Kraus allegedly was driving outside Harrisburg in Lower Allen Township June 30, according to court records.

Court records say Kraus was driving his pickup truck on Route 15 behind a car occupied by two African-American people. At some point, Kraus began flashing his high beams.

Then the cars stopped at an intersection, Kraus waived a handgun in the air and started yelling at the two occupants of the car. He also used a racial slur, according to court documents.

Kraus was off-duty at the time, but didnt report it to the D.C. fire department as required. The incident was discovered during a routine background check.

D.C. Fire issued a statement saying the department was aware of the criminal charges and that Kraus is on leave pending the outcome of his criminal proceedings.

Kraus did not respond to a request for comment.What to Know Some voters in Prince George's County, Maryland, waited as long as six hours to vote because of ballot shortages at some polling sites.

The county election board said they underestimated voter turnout.

About 5 percent of the county's precincts were affected, officials said.

Several polling locations ran out of paper ballots before the polls closed in Prince George's County, Maryland, on Tuesday, leaving many people waiting in line for hours.

About 1,500 people were in line at Brandywine Elementary School after the location ran out of ballots at about 4 p.m., News4's Shomari Stone reported. Some people waited for six hours to cast their votes.

"It's been, what, about three to four hours," voter Bobbi White said after she voted Tuesday evening. "But it felt good. We stuck in there and ate candy and survived. We made it."

Someone donated pizza to help feed voters waiting in line.

One woman took off her high heels as she waited.

"Forget it. My feet hurt," she said.

"Everyone's frustrated. ... It's been a long day. We've been waiting a long time," voter Steven Dew said.

Prince George's County Board of Elections Administrator Alisha Alexander said officials underestimated voter turnout. The board based the ballot allocations on turnout for the 2016 presidential election, but for Tuesday's midterm election that number was just not enough.

"We always use historical data at the various precincts to determine our ballot allocations, and that's what occurred. And unfortunately, there just weren't enough ballots," Alexander said.

When elections officials were notified of the problem, they sent couriers to deliver more ballots, but they got stuck in traffic. It took about four hours for officials to get more ballots to Brandywine Elementary.

The new ballots arrived just before 8 p.m., just before the polls were scheduled to close. Everyone in line voted, but not without a wait.

News4's Shomari Stone explains a ballot shortage left voters waiting for as many as six hours.

Election officials also delivered more ballots to Upper Marlboro Community Center after a Twitter user reported that voters had waited for more than two hours. Some people did decide to leave.

About 5 percent of the countys precincts were affected, the election board said.

News4 confirmed that the following locations ran out of ballots:

Brandywine Elementary School

Upper Marlboro Community Center

Faith United Methodist Church in Accokeek

Green Valley Academy in Temple Hills

Voters reported ballots also ran out at other locations, including:

Gwynn Park High School

Baden Elementary School

Hyattsville Elementary School

Kettering Middle School

The Maryland Democratic Party said "unprecedented turnout" led to the shortage. On Tuesday, they reminded voters that anyone who was in line at 8 p.m. would be able to vote.

The issue may have led to slow election results. On election night, the Maryland State Board of Elections said on its website that it would not post election results until all polls had closed.

However, as of early Wednesday, the site was sharing results, with 1,983 of 1,991 precincts reported as of 5:25 a.m. That included 272 of 274 precincts in Prince George's County. The numbers did not yet include results for absentee or provisional ballots.

The Prince George's election board was set to meet Thursday morning, with the problems Tuesday at the top of their agenda.

Alexander said that in the future, officials would do their best to have more ballots on hand at polling sites.What to Know The Baltimore County Council passed a nonbinding resolution calling on the mall to ban unaccompanied minors on Friday and Saturday nights.

However, the company that owns the mall said it has no plans to institute a youth curfew there.

A fight at the White Marsh Mall in August resulted in the arrests of seven minors and two 19-year-olds.

A Maryland mall has no plans to enact a curfew on unaccompanied teenagers, despite the urging of a county council following a fight this summer.

News outlets report the Baltimore County Council unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution Monday calling on White Marsh Mall to ban unaccompanied minors on Friday and Saturday nights.

Several councilmembers have been trying to convince mall management to adopt such a policy after an August fight at the mall resulted in the arrests of seven minors and two 19-year-olds.

The resolution encourages the mall to adopt the policy that's in effect at Towson Town Center, which is also owned by Brookfield Property Partners. But a Brookfield spokeswoman told The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday the company has no plans to institute a youth curfew at White Marsh.What to Know The governor's race and the U.S. Senate race are the key races in Vermont on Election Day.

Incumbent Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, beat Democrat Christine Hallquist in the gubernatorial.

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch easily defeated their challengers, as well.

Voters in Vermont re-elected their governor, U.S. senator and U.S. representative Tuesday.

According to NBC News, Republican Gov. Phil Scott has warded off a challenge from Democrat Christine Hallquist, the first transgender gubernatorial nominee from a major party in U.S. history. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Rep. Peter Welch also held onto their seats.

Hallquist campaigned on the issues of fighting climate change, raising the minimum wage and bringing more reliable internet access to Vermont's more rural areas.

Decision 2018: Live Election Results

Scott, a Republican who was named the fourth most popular governor in the U.S., has worked across the aisle in his time in office. He signed a controversial new gun law in April. And last year, after President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement, Scott issued an executive order to create a climate change action commission.

"Despite what's going on in Washington, I am committed to doing our part," he said at the time.

Hallquist, who would have been the first transgender governor if elected, received death threats during the race. Scott has called for civility in politics, and before polls closed Tuesday, he expressed his appreciation for a clean race against Hallquist.

"I think we can both be proud of the campaigns we ran, and again  rose above negativity," Scott said. "Some of what we've seen across the country has been mean-spirited. And I think that [rising above] is the Vermont way."

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats and ran for that party's nomination in the 2016 presidential election, will serve a third term after easily defeating Republican businessman Lawrence Zupan and seven other candidates.

Zupan, a Manchester real estate broker with experience in international trade, campaigned against what he felt was big government and social welfare programs. But his candidacy never gained traction and his campaign drew little attention.

Long one of Vermont's most popular politicians, Sanders spent little time campaigning ahead of Tuesday's election, instead traveling the country to support Democratic candidates and an array of policy issues. He has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the state's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Welch, who replaced Sanders in the House, also won his race against Republican challenger Anya Tynio.

Republican H. Brooke Paige, who is running for secretary of state, initially won his party's nomination for the Senate and the House. He withdrew from five of the six races he won in the primary, leaving the state's Republican Party to name Zupan and Tynio as the nominees to battle Sanders and Welch, respectively.

A perennial candidate, Paige said he ran for so many nominations because he feared the Democratic incumbents would end up running unopposed in the general election.

All 180 seats in the Vermont Legislature were also on state ballots.Gov. Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican popular with voters in heavily Democratic Massachusetts, has been re-elected to a second four-year term.

Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito turned back a challenge Tuesday from Democrat Jay Gonzalez, a former state budget official, and his running mate, Quentin Palfrey.

"I think at the end of the day, leadership won," said Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, a Democrat who crossed party lines to support Baker.

Baker touted the state's strong economy and low unemployment, his administration's progress in stabilizing the state's finances without broad tax increases, and steps taken to tackle the opioid addiction crisis.

"Folks, your hard work paid off  our hard work paid off," Baker said in his victory speech. "The people of the Commonwealth like what we do and they like how we do it, so much so they gave us a big win and the rest of the night off. But they want us back to work in the morning, and you know what, we're going to be there."

The governor also spoke to the divisive nature of politics in the country today, saying, "we won't always agree." But he said the only way to make progress is by working together.

"Today, the voters have spoken, and it seems like they like what we're doing and the way we go about it," he said. "So here's the good news  that colalborative, purposeful and humble approach to governing is exactly what you're going to get from us and from our team for the next four years, and that's going to be non-stop, pedal to the metal, let it rock!"

Baker has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, who is unpopular in Massachusetts. But Gonzalez criticized Baker for endorsing other pro-Trump Republicans, including U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl, who lost Tuesday.

Decision 2018: Live Election Results

"It's not exactly the result we were hoping for, but we gave it one hell of a run, didn't we?" Gonzalez said in his concession speech. He congratulated Baker on his re-election and thanked him for his service and for committing to serve another four years.

"It's a demanding job," he said. "It's not easy putting yourself out there in a public way every single day, and anyone who does it deserves our respect and our thanks. In a time of divisiveness and incivility in our national politics, Governor Baker also deserves credit and our thanks for the civil, respectful and collaborative approach he has taken to governing."

At the polls Tuesday, Baker had said he felt good about his chances.

"I do feel very good about what I've been hearing out and about for the past few weeks from voters  from Democrats, Republicans and independents  about how much they appreciate the collaborative approach we've taken to governing."

With a 70 percent approval rating, Baker is the most popular governor in the country.Massachusetts' marijuana regulators have cleared additional hurdles for recreational marijuana sales in the Bay State to roll out after giving the OK to two independent testing laboratories to start operations.

The commission announced Wednesday that Salem-based CDX Analytics and Framingham-based MCR Labs have received notices to commence operations. The labs were given their final licenses in mid-October but still needed final inspections.

According to the commission, both satisfied specific conditions, fingerprinted lab agents and became established in a mandatory seed-to-sale tracking system.

The move allows the labs to test marijuana and marijuana products for recreational sale.

"When Massachusetts voters legalized adult-use cannabis, they communicated a desire to purchase products that are safely regulated and properly tested," Shawn Collins, a CCC executive director, said in a statement. "The Commission has done scrupulous due diligence to make that vision a reality and ensure licensed independent testing labs maximize public health and public safety."

The commission has approved 64 provisional licenses, 12 of which have received final licenses so far.

Massachusetts voters approved of recreational marijuana sales in a 2016 ballot question.

The Boston Globe reports that the commission will have to give "commence full operations" notices to the only two retail stores with final licenses - New England Treatment Access in Northampton and Cultivate in Leicester - and that after doing so, the locations could open for recreational sales within a week or two.It's an unprecedented power struggle at the State House in Concord, New Hampshire, as Republican Gov. Chris Sununu faces a Democrat-controlled House and Senate in the Granite State. Sununu, who won a second term on Tuesday, said he is ready for the challenge.

I guess I am just excited to get back to work, he told NBC10 Boston in an interview just hours after he claimed victory in the midterm elections.

It may be back to work for the second-term governor, but it's not business as usual.

The Democrats now control the house and the Senate, but were a purple state. Thats the way it is, Sununu said.

Granite Staters went to the polls in record numbers, electing Democrats to take over the house and senate while putting a Republican back in the corner office.

New Hampshire voters dont look at party affiliation, said New Hampshire Political Analyst Scott Spradling. They dont traditionally vote a straight ticket, they like to see the measure of a candidate and what are you going to do for them.

Sununu says he wont be pushed around, but hes also prepared to sharpen his negotiation skills and work across the aisle.

Im a believer that if you can work it out ahead of time, theres a compromise going forward, Sununu said.

The new power struggle at the state level is similar to that in Washington.

President Trump lost the majority of the U.S. House so he now has to figure out how to play well in the sandbox to get anything done, Spradling said.

But thats something that Representative Steve Shurtleff, a Democrat, says is already happening in Concord.

About 80 to 90 percent of the bills that are passed are done in a bipartisan manner, Shurtleff told NCB10 Boston Wednesday. We work together for the common good of the state.

And Sununu agrees, saying Granite Staters could show D.C. how its done.

Positive leadership, collaboration, working together, Sununu said. Its how we do it here, were going to set that example, and hold people accountable to that.

Sununu says he fully expects some tough fights but promises to keep things cordial at the State House.Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren defeated two challengers Tuesday in an election that will also decide a slew of congressional races, a gubernatorial contest and whether Massachusetts should keep legal protections for transgender people.

[CLICK HERE FOR LIVE ELECTION RESULTS]

Topping Tuesday's ballot was the Senate race. Republican state Rep. Geoff Diehl and independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai were hoping to deny Warren a second six-year term.

"When I first ran for the Senate six years ago, I asked you to take a chance on someone who had never even run for office before," Warren said Tuesday night. "You took that chance, you sent me into the fight, and tonight, you told me to stay in the fight."

Decision 2018: Live Election Results

Now that Warren has won, expect attention to quickly turn to the 2020 election. She has promised to take "a hard look" at a possible presidential run.

Warren refused to say Tuesday that the midterm elections in Massachusetts were about President Donald Trump.

"I try to stay focused on the issues, not on division and hate," she said.

She did, however, acknowledge that the Democrats needed allies in Washington to protect and fight for "shared values."

In the race for governor, Republican Charlie Baker won re-election, defeating Democrat Jay Gonzalez.

"Today, the voters have spoken, and it seems like they like what we're doing and the way we go about it," Baker said. "So here's the good news -- that colalborative, purposeful and humble approach to governing is exactly what you're going to get from us and from our team for the next four years, and that's going to be non-stop, pedal to the metal, let it rock!"

There were also three questions on the ballot and five contested U.S. House races.

Democrat Ayanna Pressley sailed through Tuesday's general election unopposed, two months after she unseated 10-term U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano in a national political stunner in the state primary.

"What we are issuing here and now is a mandate for hope," she said Tuesday. "Tonight is just the beginning."

With no Republican in the race, her September victory had all but assured the 44-year-old Pressley the office, with only the remote possibility of a write-in campaign to potentially stop her. That scenario behind her, she'll now represent the 7th congressional district -- the first in Massachusetts where minorities make up a majority of the voting population.

Also winning re-election Tuesday were Attorney General Maura Healey, Secretary of State William Galvin, State Treasurer Deb Goldberg and State Auditor Suzanne Bump.

Several Massachusetts voters said Tuesday they headed to the polls to place a check on the Republican president.

Joe Robinson, a 62-year-old Episcopal priest from Cambridge, said he was driven to vote to combat the "negativity" of the Trump administration.

He voted for Warren and Democratic U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark.

Madeleine Schulman, a writer from Brookline, said she hopes Democrats retake the House to provide a check on Trump, whose rhetoric she called "dangerous."

The 47-year-old Schulman she was disturbed by the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced questions at a Congressional hearing over allegations of sexual misconduct brought by professor Christine Blasey Ford. Kavanaugh denied the allegations.

Here's a look at some of the other big races across New England on Election Day:

NEW HAMPSHIRE

In New Hampshire, Democratic challenger Molly Kelly conceded to Republican incumbent Chris Sununu in the Granite State's gubernatorial race. This will be Sununu's second term as the state's top executive.

Meanwhile, Democrat Annie Kuster won a fourth term in the 2nd Congressional District against Republican state Rep. Steve Negron.

The open 1st Congressional District seat will be filled by Democrat Chris Pappas, who becomes the state's first openly gay congressman, after he defeated Republican Eddie Edwards, who would have been the state's first black member of Congress.

Also in New Hampshire, a woman who moved to the U.S. from Afghanistan has been elected to the 400-member House of Representatives, making her the first former refugee to win a seat in the state Legislature.

Safiya Wazir, a Democrat from Concord, beat Republican Dennis Soucy on Tuesday. She defeated a four-term incumbent in September's Democratic primary.

Wazir was 6 when her family fled the Taliban in 1997, and she spent 10 years in Uzbekistan before moving to Concord. She started high school at age 16, studying the dictionary at night and working jobs at Walmart and Goodwill. She became a U.S. citizen in 2013, and earned a business degree from Concord's community college. She and her husband have two daughters and another baby due in January.

MAINE

Janet Mills made history in Maine after her Republican opponent, businessman Shawn Moody, conceded in the states governors race to replace outgoing Gov. Paul LePage. The Democratic state attorney general will become Maines first woman governor

The most expensive race was in the 2nd Congressional District where Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin faces Democratic state lawmaker Jared Golden. That race was also too close to call.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree in the 1st Congressional District and independent U.S. Sen. Angus King both won their three-way contests.

Pingree claimed victory on Tuesday evening, and one of her opponents, independent Marty Grohman, conceded. King also declared victory, and WCSH projected him winning a second U.S. Senate term. However, the AP has not called either race.

Ranked-choice voting is being used in the federal races. The system lets voters rank all candidates on the ballot. If no one gets a majority, then there are additional rounds of tallies.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island voted Tuesday to re-elect its Democratic governor, senator and representatives.

Gov. Gina Raimondo defeated Allan Fung, the Republican nominee in the 2014 race that first elected her governor. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse also won a third term after fending off a challenge from Republican Bob Flanders.

Both of Rhode Island's U.S. representatives, Democrats James Langevin and David Cicilline, also held onto their seats, according to NBC News. Republican Patrick Donovan challenged Cicilline in the 1st Congressional District while Langevin beat Republican Salvatore Caiozzo in the 2nd District.

All three questions on Rhode Island's ballot passed. Question 1, approving $250 million to fund the first phase of an ambitious plan to rebuild schools, has passed. Raimondo championed it, asking voters to make a "once-in-a-generation investment to fix our schools" after years of neglect.

Question 2 authorizes $70 million in bonds for higher education facilities. Question 3 adds $47.3 million for environmental, water and recreational projects.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut voters re-elected Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and were deciding the winner of the state's latest close battle for governor.

Polling leading up to Tuesday's election showed Greenwich Democrat Ned Lamont and Madison Republican Bob Stefanowski in a tight race to fill the seat being vacated by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

The race was too close to call late Tuesday night and the final results may not be known before Wednesday morning, according to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill.

Besides governor, there were battles for other statewide offices and the Legislature. In many cases, Republicans are accusing Democrats of supporting Malloy, while Democrats have accused Republicans of backing President Donald Trump.

VERMONT

Voters in Vermont re-elected their governor, U.S. senator and U.S. representative Tuesday.

According to NBC News, Republican Gov. Phil Scott warded off a challenge from Democrat Christine Hallquist, the first transgender gubernatorial nominee from a major party in U.S. history. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Rep. Peter Welch also held onto their seats.

Scott, a Republican who was named the fourth most popular governor in the U.S., has worked across the aisle in his time in office. He signed a controversial new gun law in April. And last year, after President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement, Scott issued an executive order to create a climate change action commission.

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats and ran for that party's nomination in the 2016 presidential election, will serve a third term after easily defeating Republican businessman Lawrence Zupan and seven other candidates.

Welch, who replaced Sanders in the House of Representatives, also won his race against Republican challenger Anya Tynio.

All 180 seats in the Vermont Legislature were also on state ballots.The campaign is over, but the results will have to wait in Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin is in a virtual tie with Democrat Jared Golden. No matter who wins, the race will make history. It will be the first time a U.S. Congressional race will be decided by ranked choice voting.

"If we need to, we will start to send out the couriers tomorrow morning," said Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.

All of the ME-2 ballots would have to be collected by the courier service and brought to a central location for instant run-off tabulations.

Under this new system, voters were able to rank their choices in this four-way race for the House of Representatives. Because no candidate achieved 50 percent, ranked choice voting kicks in. Ballots for last place finisher, Independent Will Hoar, will be removed. The second choices on Hoar's ballots will be counted instead. If no candidate achieves 50 percent in that first round, a second round would remove the ballots going to third place finisher, Independent Tiffany Bond. The second choice candidate on Bond's ballots would be counted, giving either Poliquin or Golden a majority.

"It's going to be interesting, to say the least," said Don Hebert, a voter in Lewiston who supported Golden. He was surprised to learn it could take a week before final results are tabulated. "I'm going to be glad that it's after."

Maine became the first state to approve Ranked Choice Voting in 2016. Supporters hoped it would eliminate spoiler candidates and elect people who appealed to the majority.

Neither the Golden nor Poliquin campaign released a statement about the state of the race Wednesday. With more than 80 precincts reporting, the difference between the two candidates is a few hundred votes.

"I'm not surprised that it's that close," said John Stass, a Lewiston voter who supported Poliquin. "I think [Poliquin] would have done measurably better if he would have been more clear on support for Trump policies."

President Donald Trump won Maine's 2nd Congressional District in 2016.

Poliquin is the only Republican Congressman in the New England delegation.Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) revealed the Zen 2 architecture for its family of both desktop/laptop and server microprocessors that it plans to launch in 2019, with a promise of twice the performance throughput over the previous generation. The news came at a briefing in San Francisco that saw a number of AMD announcements.

Zen is the core architecture. On the desktop and notebooks, its sold under the Ryzen brand name. For servers, its sold under the Epyc brand. The next generation of Epyc, code-named Rome, is due next year.

Zen made AMD competitive with Intel once again after the disastrous line of subpar processors named after heavy equipment (Bulldozer, Piledriver, Steamroller). With Zen 2, AMD hopes to surpass Intel in all aspects of performance.

One big differentiator is AMDs manufacturing partner, TSMC. AMD used to make its own chips but spun them out years ago as Globalfoundaries, where it was a major customer. However, Globalfoundaries found it extremely hard to keep up with bleeding-edge manufacturing processes and bowed out of the race to 10nm and 7nm.

TSMC, however, had the resources to do it and is making 7nm parts for AMD.

Intel, meanwhile, has been stuck at 14nm for three years, with 10nm still a way off. A 7nm chip offers twice the transistor density as a 14nm chip, which means reduced power consumption at the same level of performance, or increased performance at the same power draw. You can guess which option AMD will choose.

One way Zen 2 will improve performance is to go to native 256-bit AVX2 operations instead of 128-bit AVX2. This will double the bandwidth for floating-point execution, while integer workloads such as branch prediction and prefetching will be more accurate.

Zen 2 will also offer improved hardware protection against some variants of the Spectre attacks and better built-in security, where data can be fully encrypted as it is transferred to memory. One of the big features of Zen was it offered full in-memory virtual machine encryption, something Intel has yet to offer with its Xeon processors.

AMD said Zen 2 chips are sampling today at 7nm and on track to ship next year. Zen 3 is on track to debut on an enhanced 7nm process in 2020.

AMD's Zen 4 in the works

As part of the news conference, AMD acknowledged that Zen 4 is in design, meaning still on paper. Given Zen 3 is due in 2020, dont figure on seeing Zen 4 until 2022 or so. Beyond that, the company said only it would offer higher performance and performance per watt when compared to prior generations.

Its been a good few weeks for AMD and EPYC. Last week, Oracle announced it would offer bare-metal instances on Epyc, and today Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced that Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) will use Epyc CPUs, as well, so customers can get access today to instances running on the AMD processors. Intel noted that it, too, has an extensive relationship with AWS.

So, now AMD has license deals with all of the major server vendors (HPE, Dell, Lenovo, Cisco) and almost all of the major cloud vendors. It had previously announced deals with Microsoft Azure and Chinas Baidu and Tencent.

Is that translating into sales? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Mercury Research said AMDs server share is 1.6 percent. Yes, thats paltry, but a year ago  before Epyc shipped  it was 0.3 percent, so the momentum is certainly in the right direction.

And Mercury noted that AMDs share has grown every quarter this year, when Epyc started shipping in volume. Server sales are slow to change because companies dont replace too frequently, hyperscalers not included. So, the momentum continues to build.Dance to the Holidays with Tony Dovolani & Karina Smirnoff, which had been set to take place at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, Nov. 18, has been postponed until next year because of a scheduling conflict.

If you have tickets and want to keep your current seats for the new date, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, The Ridgefield Playhouse will reissue new tickets.For years, volunteers from area companies have met once a year at Lighthouse Park in New Haven for a night of setting up safety cones and collecting money during Fantasy of Lights. Trust us; its a heartwarming tradition for volunteers and the hundreds of people who attend alike.

You pay a small fee and you drive slowly through the park, which is lit with thousands of colorful lights in festive designs.

Of course many of you know this because you do it every year. Volunteers enjoy greeting holiday-spirited visitors and also when folks pull up during an interstate trip and say they saw the sign for the event on the highway.

Each display, said a spokeswoman, is sponsored by a local area business, corporation, individual or organization. All of the displays have gone green, fitted with new LED light bulbs that save electricity and make the displays even more vibrant and colorful. Thanks to sponsors, all proceeds help to support Goodwill of Southern New Englands mission to enhance employment, educational, social and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges.

A few tips for the light show from organizers:

You can tune your radio to 87.9 to hear holiday music and information about the displays. For a different view, 3D glasses are $2 per pair and include coupons to use in Goodwill stores.For the safety of yourself and others, all attendees must remain inside their vehicle at all times on the roughly one-mile route.

Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven. Thursday, Nov. 15, to Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cash admission $10 per car, $25 per mini-bus, $50 per full-sized bus. In extreme weather, call 203-777-2000. goodwillsne.orgContributed / Yale New Haven Health

TRUMBULL  Bridgeport Hospitals Support Group for Mothers will meet 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Nov. 7 and 21, at Park Avenue Medical Center, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull. The group provides a safe and non-judgmental place for expectant mothers and those with children under one year old to express their concerns, ask questions and resolve some of their anxieties related to motherhood. Facilitated by a certified lactation consultant, group participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns.BRIDGEPORT  A 23-year-old Bridgeport woman took her own life in Beardsley Park early Tuesday morning, police said.

Jamie Gil died from a self-inflicted ... gunshot wound, according to a police report.

Its so sad, Police Chief Armando Perez said. Medics were on scene but there wasnt much they could do.

Around 1:30 a.m., police went to the park in response to a report of a potential attempted suicide. When officers got there, they spoke to a friend of Gils who told them Gil was in a car near a playground and was threatening to kill herself, police said.

Police said they tried talk Gil into putting down the gun she was holding, but were unsuccessful. After the gunshot rang out, Gil was taken to St. Vincents Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 2:44 p.m., police said.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story has been edited to remove some details and graphic content.TRUMBULL - The son of West Havens mayor has been charged with embezzling more than $80,000 from two restaurants he was managing.

Stephen Rossi, of Aircraft Road, West Haven, the son of Mayor Nancy Rossi, was charged with first-degree larceny, first-degree computer crime and criminal impersonation.

He was released after posting $50,000 bond.

Rossi had been manager of the Sitting Duck restaurants in Trumbull and Stratford.

From what I'm told, it's an employee-employer dispute," Mayor Rossi said. I believe in the Constitution, he's innocent until proven guilty."

Police said they received a complaint from William da Silva, co-owner of the Sitting Duck restaurants in Trumbull and Stratford, that Rossi had been embezzling from the restaurants.

An audit determined that between Nov. 1, 2015, and April 21, 2018, Rossi had taken cash from sales at the restaurants and had inflated inventory at the restaurants, pocketing the difference, police said. They said the loss totaled $80,511.56.

Police said they reviewed the video surveillance footage from inside the Trumbull restaurant which they said showed Rossi counting cash in the office of the restaurant and putting some in his pocket.

Detectives later recorded a conversation between Rossi and da Silva in which police said da Silva accused Rossi of stealing money.

How do we fix this without it blowing up completely, police said Rossi asked da Silva, volunteering to repay the money in payments.NEW MILFORD  Monty Robson peered at a computer screen at the John J. McCarthy Observatory, examining a streak at the bottom of the image of a recent night sky.

Thats the moon and that might be something, Robson, the observatorys director, said as he clicked to play the video of the night event. Yeah, thats a meteor.

Observing meteors is one of three areas of focus at the observatory and the topic of this Saturdays program, which lasts from 7 to 9 p.m. It also specializes in asteroid confirmation and meteorite studies.

The facility, which is funded only by donations and grants, began observing meteors with the Leonid Meteor Storm of November 2001, drawing a crowd of about 1,000 people just less than a year after opening.

In 2013 the observatory installed its first all-sky camera. What we found with the camera is theres a heck of a lot more meteor activity than we thought, Robson said.

About two meteors are observed each clear night and sometimes the camera will register four. Each one is broken out into a picture, video, spreadsheet and text file with time stamps.

By using photos taken of the same portion of sky at the correct time, then factoring in the distance between the observatories, astronomers are able to determine the trajectory, orbit and rate of meteors and confirm asteroids through various networks. This can also determine where the meteorite hits so pieces can be recovered. The McCarthy Observatory is known for being accurate in determining the sky positions.

The observatory is able to capture 600 kilometers of night sky, covering most of New England, a portion of Canada, out to the Pennsylvania, Ohio border and down to Virginia. Robson said the Czechs have the best meteor and asteroid programs, determining accuracy within meters.

I know we dont have the resources to be as good as the Czechs but we want to be as close as we can, Robson said. Were a near sea level, amateur observatory thats open to the public and tops in the world in nearly everything we do.

The McCarthy Observatory is only one of three locations in the North East in the Sky Sentinel Meteor Network, which it joined this spring. The other two are in Pennsylvania, leaving a large area uncovered.

Robson is hoping to change that. A high-resolution digital camera and video camera are expected to be operational this year to improve the accuracy and quality of the observation programs. Once they get the bugs out he hopes to encourage other observatories in the area to join a new network so that they could monitor this part of the country, which both the Sky Sentinel and NASA acknowledge are under covered.

New Milford has a history with fireballs.

A meteor was seen coming down from Albany, N.Y., in December 1807, exploding right over New Milford. Pieces fell and landed in Weston, dubbing it the Weston meteorite. This was North Americas first recorded fall, which means it was seen in the sky and then the meteorite was recovered on the ground.

It shook the houses for 50 miles, especially to the north, Robson said. If there was a seismograph, it would have registered.

A piece of that meteorite is at the observatory, just one of a robust collection that includes samples from 230 different locations.

Its important to learn about the meteors, asteroids and meteorites because its inevitable something large will hit the Earth, Robson said. These are always monitored and NASA tracts them out in 100 year increments to determine the possibility and danger of something hitting the Earth.

The more we know about it, the better prepared well be and the more we can predict, he said.

Robson also views the observatory as an important tool to get students interested in science. The facility is located at the high school and volunteers hold programs at the schools. Area schools and scouting troops also come to the site on field trips and students will team up with the observatory to do projects.

Underlying all of that, our main goal is to excite students to the value of learning and to promote science literacy  thats our mission, Robson said.

kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345Those who know Joseph LaNoce can attest to his deepest passion: food.

Its a labor of love, said LaNoce of why he pursued a career as an executive chef.

LaNoces more than 40 years in the food industry  first with Saks Fifth Avenue and later in the film industry  have contributed to his recipe for success in the field.

When you make food for someone, it makes them happy, LaNoce said. What Im doing is something (others) love and appreciate. Its all about making people happy.

The chef recently left the film industry to open LaNoces Gourmet Market & Catering at 28 Merryall Road in New Milford.

With his culinary expertise, (Joe) and his staff have created a wonderful market of homemade foods and desserts that remind you of a New York City deli and pizzeria, said New Milford Mayor Pete Bass.

LaNoce said having driven past the building every day for nearly 20 years and seeing other businesses go in and out, now seemed like the right time to bring his expertise to the community.

Lets do this, LaNoce said his wife, Jean Marie, said of launching the business. She designed the interior of the market, complete with a wall-to-wall blackboard that showcases the markets offerings.

A wood kitchen table, said to have belonged to a customers grandmother and used in each of the prior deli/markets housed there, is the focal point in the reception area, a nod to the buildings past.

The table is where many of the regulars, like resident Bill Cipolla, sit as they sip their morning coffee while waiting for an egg sandwich or pastry.

Everything they do there is top shelf, said Cipolla of the markets fare.

Free coffee is available for all first responders and active or retired military personnel.

The market offers a variety of prepared foods. Everything is made on site, from the smoking of meats right down to the grinding of meat for meatballs.

The staff bakes bread, and makes salads, soups and sauces from scratch. Cake and pastries are also made fresh daily.

Blue plate specials are available Mondays through Fridays. They include meatloaf, pasta, fish, and the slow roasting of turkey, brisket, pork or chicken.

The food is wonderfulits all so delicious, said resident Sue DeLucia, who added that she eats there almost every day, not only for the food, but because of the warm environment and friendly staff.

His egg sandwich and home fries are out of this world, DeLucia said. And the pork tenderloin.

Food is made with the best ingredients LaNoce can find, he said.

I only make would I would eat. I taste food for a living, LaNoce said. I have to make sure its absolutely perfect.

He planned the kitchen designed and built for chefs to work in, according to LaNoce. I have the best equipment to do any job and make any kind of food.

Five retired chefs  who are award winning, have worked in New York City establishments, and studied pastries in Austria  work alongside LaNoce. Combined, they have more than 160 years in the industry.

In addition, John Macchaverna of New Milford, is an apprentice, having served alongside LaNoce for the past two years.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Macchaverna said. Its been life changing. I came here without a path and (LaNoce) took him under his wing.

The market also has a mobile kitchen, suitable for off-site needs.

Award-winning director and restauranteur Bob Giraldi, of Giraldi Productions, said he looks forward to (Joes) fabulous truck filled with the most delicious seasonal cuisine heavily influenced by his Neapolitan roots.

Hes comfortable serving stars, star chefs and crew  all are the same; especially at the end of the meal when everyone shares the same respect and admiration, he said. It doesnt get much better than Joe.

Jack Noone, a television commercial executive producer from New York who has worked with LaNoce several times, said two things come to mind when he thinks of LaNoce: commitment to the product and commitment to service.

He said LaNoce is clearly passionate about cooking and that comes through in the quality, taste and presentation of his food.

For more information, call the 28 Merryall Road market at 860-350-0407 or visit https://lanocesgourmetmarket.com/home.This is an artistic impression of the perovskite-polymer heterostructure used in LEDs.

Researchers have set a new efficiency record for LEDs based on perovskite semiconductors, rivalling that of the best organic LEDs (OLEDs).

Compared to OLEDs, which are widely used in high-end consumer electronics, the perovskite-based LEDs, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, can be made at much lower costs, and can be tuned to emit light across the visible and near-infrared spectra with high colour purity.

The researchers have engineered the perovskite layer in the LEDs to show close to 100% internal luminescence efficiency, opening up future applications in display, lighting and communications, as well as next-generation solar cells.

These perovskite materials are of the same type as those found to make highly efficient solar cells that could one day replace commercial silicon solar cells. While perovskite-based LEDs have already been developed, they have not been nearly as efficient as conventional OLEDs at converting electricity into light.

Earlier hybrid perovskite LEDs, first developed by Professor Sir Richard Friend's group at the University's Cavendish Laboratory four years ago, were promising, but losses from the perovskite layer, caused by tiny defects in the crystal structure, limited their light-emission efficiency.

Now, Cambridge researchers from the same group and their collaborators have shown that by forming a composite layer of the perovskites together with a polymer, it is possible to achieve much higher light-emission efficiencies, close to the theoretical efficiency limit of thin-film OLEDs.

"This perovskite-polymer structure effectively eliminates non-emissive losses, the first time this has been achieved in a perovskite-based device," said Dr Dawei Di from Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory, one of the corresponding authors of the paper. "By blending the two, we can basically prevent the electrons and positive charges from recombining via the defects in the perovskite structure."

The perovskite-polymer blend used in the LED devices, known as a bulk heterostructure, is made of two-dimensional and three-dimensional perovskite components and an insulating polymer. When an ultra-fast laser is shone on the structures, pairs of electric charges that carry energy move from the 2D regions to the 3D regions in a trillionth of a second: much faster than earlier layered perovskite structures used in LEDs. Separated charges in the 3D regions then recombine and emit light extremely efficiently.

"Since the energy migration from 2D regions to 3D regions happens so quickly, and the charges in the 3D regions are isolated from the defects by the polymer, these mechanisms prevent the defects from getting involved, thereby preventing energy loss," said Di.

"The best external quantum efficiencies of these devices are higher than 20% at current densities relevant to display applications, setting a new record for perovskite LEDs, which is a similar efficiency value to the best OLEDs on the market today," said Baodan Zhao, the paper's first author.

While perovskite-based LEDs are beginning to rival OLEDs in terms of efficiency, they still need better stability if they are to be adopted in consumer electronics. When perovskite-based LEDs were first developed, they had a lifetime of just a few seconds. The LEDs developed in the current research have a half-life close to 50 hours, which is a huge improvement in just four years, but still nowhere near the lifetimes required for commercial applications, which will require an extensive industrial development programme. "Understand the degradation mechanisms of the LEDs is a key to future improvements," said Di.The Litchfield Hills Rowing Club recently took five boats to the prestigious 54th Head of the Charles Regatta on the Charles River in Cambridge, Mass.

Two Warren residents, Anderson Warshaw and Frank Anctil, participated in the Mens Youth Four boat.

Other youth that participated are from Bantam, Litchfield, Morris and Northfield, and New York State.

Founded in 1965, HOCR is the worlds largest two-day rowing event attracting more than 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators.

At a head regatta classification, the race is generally three miles long and the boats race against the clock and each other, entering the course at 15 second intervals.

The course on the Charles River is known for its many turns and six arched bridges to navigate under.

The Oct. 20-21 race is sanctioned by USRowing.

This year there were a total of 2,308 entries from 805 Clubs from around the world.

For the three Youth boats, the second day of racing brought weather conditions of colder temps, early morning rain, and late morning wind.

Starting the morning in a Mens Youth Single was Oliver Sanchez coming in at a time of 20:42.8, with a placing of 20th out of 36.

Ruby Hatfield and Landry Langlais were in the Womens Youth Double with a time of 26:36.7 and placed 40th out of 43.

Earning seats in the Mens Youth Four were Anderson Warshaw, Antonio James Butler, Harley Harris and Frank Anctil, coxed by Faye DeVaux.

Their time was 19:55.2 with a placing of 60th out of 85. All but one of the youth participating are high school juniors.

In other news, the Womens Senior Master Eight, for ages 50-plus, had a guaranteed entry for their boat this year because of their top 50 percent placing last year, where they placed 12th out of 36.

They continued to compete strong this year and placed 14th out of 44 boats with a time of 19:20.9, and once again guaranteed an invitation to race next year.

Rowing the Eight were Renee Jones, Gail Zaharek, Wendy Baldauf, Ashley Shepard, Bridget Brody, Nicole Holly Stone, Sue Edelstein, Mary Ewing, and coxed by Becca Beldner.

The second Masters boat entered was the Womens Master Double for ages 40-plus, and the crew that earned the seats were Katy Varga-Wells and Abby Doolittle.

They came in 12th out of 15 with a time of 23:14.9.Diagram of how the geothermal energy would be used for energy production, and two types of desalination (MED and AD). Red lines indicate hot water, while blue lines are cooled water. At the end of the process, distilled water would be available for consumers and aquifer storage, and the chilled water could be used in air conditioning for the plant. The whole theoretical system is carbon-neutral.

Water shortages are hitting some areas of the world hard, and with increasing global temperatures, more regions may be experiencing drought conditions.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia rely on desalination plants to provide drinking water to their residents, producing 5 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day. The method requires a high amount of energy, which can limit the use of the process in many parts of the world.

Researchers have been working on using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to power desalination plants, and reduce the need for traditional, fossil fuel-powered methods. Now, new research presents an untapped resource for powering desalination: geothermal energy.

"We're searching the world right now for better methods, low carbon methods, to create energy," says Thomas Missimer, of Florida Gulf Coast University. "We want electricity that's generated at base load -- in other words, generated 24 hours a day without interruption. Geothermal is one of those types of energies."

Missimer says geothermal provides energy in two ways: wet rock and dry rock. Wet areas, like Iceland, use the hot water from deep in the earth to provide the energy to move turbines and produce energy. But this type of geothermal heat is rare.

On the other hand, dry rock geothermal potential is more wide-spread globally. Missimer suggests using these areas--regions like southern California, North Africa, and the Red Sea region -- to heat water that can be used to produce energy.

Dry rock geothermal methods are currently being used in parts of the world for energy production, but Missimer says that the heat can be used in more efficient ways, especially with desalination. Details of the new research constructing a "geothermal energy-water campus" will be presented at the 2018 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Usually, geothermally heated water from the ground is converted to steam, that steam powers a turbine to create electricity, then the heated water is vented to the atmosphere while it's still hot -- still over 100 degrees Celcius in most cases. Instead of venting, the team wants to use that hot steam in their desalination processes.

The first desalination process is multiple effect distillation (MED), which requires hot water (above 100 degrees Celsius), but the second process, adsorption desalination (AD), can be run on cooler water, says Missimer. As the steam moves through the system and cools, it is still effective for powering desalination. "Now you have an efficient system where you have conserved the latent heat that you've captured in the ground through three processes: turbine electricity generation, MED and AD."

At the end of the desalination process, Missimer says that distilled water and chilled water (from the AD process) are the final products. While the distilled water can be consumed, even the chilled water is reused--the cool water can be recycled through the plant to help with air conditioning.

Lastly, the researchers propose to store excess water in aquifers for later use, which Missimer says is a future energy saver. "By storing some of that excess water, you can use that water seasonally when more water is required and sort of even out the changes in demand to the system."

The benefits of a system like this are broad: there is no carbon dioxide being produced at the plant, as it is all self-contained and powered by geothermal energy, rather than fossil fuels. It also has an economic benefit. "If you look at the benefit to the place like Saudi Arabia, saving 6 million barrels of oil a day, at $100 a barrel -- that's a bloody fortune," says Missimer.

Missimer says it is even more effective than a solar-powered plant, because it can be run 24 hours a day, compared to just daylight hours. He adds that the benefits really come with the efficiency of operation. "In a facility like this, if it's run properly, you're not consuming a resource," says Missimer, adding that the heat keeps flowing and is renewable.

For now, the idea is theoretical and hasn't been put into practice. But Missimer adds that the individual parts of the plant and the technology have been around for a while -- it just hasn't been combined all together into one plant. "We've learned that sometimes you don't need new technology to make advances," he says. "Sometimes it's piecing together old technology in a constructive way to provide more efficient operation." He and his colleagues are hoping to put their carbon-neutral desalination ideas into practice in the near future.Artificial intelligence (AI) tools trained to detect pneumonia on chest X-rays suffered significant decreases in performance when tested on data from outside health systems, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount and published in a special issue of PLOS Medicine on machine learning and health care. These findings suggest that artificial intelligence in the medical space must be carefully tested for performance across a wide range of populations; otherwise, the deep learning models may not perform as accurately as expected.

As interest in the use of computer system frameworks called convolutional neural networks (CNN) to analyze medical imaging and provide a computer-aided diagnosis grows, recent studies have suggested that AI image classification may not generalize to new data as well as commonly portrayed.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai assessed how AI models identified pneumonia in 158,000 chest X-rays across three medical institutions: the National Institutes of Health; The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Indiana University Hospital. Researchers chose to study the diagnosis of pneumonia on chest X-rays for its common occurrence, clinical significance, and prevalence in the research community.

In three out of five comparisons, CNNs' performance in diagnosing diseases on X-rays from hospitals outside of its own network was significantly lower than on X-rays from the original health system. However, CNNs were able to detect the hospital system where an X-ray was acquired with a high-degree of accuracy, and cheated at their predictive task based on the prevalence of pneumonia at the training institution. Researchers found that the difficulty of using deep learning models in medicine is that they use a massive number of parameters, making it challenging to identify specific variables driving predictions, such as the types of CT scanners used at a hospital and the resolution quality of imaging.

"Our findings should give pause to those considering rapid deployment of artificial intelligence platforms without rigorously assessing their performance in real-world clinical settings reflective of where they are being deployed," says senior author Eric Oermann, MD, Instructor in Neurosurgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Deep learning models trained to perform medical diagnosis can generalize well, but this cannot be taken for granted since patient populations and imaging techniques differ significantly across institutions."

"If CNN systems are to be used for medical diagnosis, they must be tailored to carefully consider clinical questions, tested for a variety of real-world scenarios, and carefully assessed to determine how they impact accurate diagnosis," says first author John Zech, a medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

This research builds on papers published earlier this year in the journals Radiology and Nature Medicine, which laid the framework for applying computer vision and deep learning techniques, including natural language processing algorithms, for identifying clinical concepts in radiology reports for CT scans.

Source: https://www.mountsinai.org/A group of Brazilian researchers succeeded in preventing allergic asthma from progressing in experimental models by increasing the amount of a protein. This increase, in turn, blocked the CD4+ T lymphocytes responsible for producing a cytokine that triggers a cascade of events resulting in the onset and progression of the disease.

This knowledge of how the disease can be resolved in cell cultures and animals will form a basis for the research and development of a drug to control expression of this protein in experimental models and humans.

The study was conducted by members of the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), a Research, Innovation & Dissemination Center (RIDC) funded by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP.

The results were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and are part of a Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP-supported postdoctoral research project for which the grantee is Luciana Benevides, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP) and first author of the article.

"People with allergic or bronchial asthma are currently prescribed drugs such as antihistamines, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids, which inhibit the symptoms of the disease but also inhibit the cellular response, including that of TH2 lymphocytes," said Joao Santana da Silva, a professor at FMRP and principal investigator for the project.

"TH2 lymphocytes lead to the production of substances that cause the symptoms, so this treatment strategy targets only symptoms such as rhinorrhea [runny nose], breathlessness and so on. What we discovered is that, if other T lymphocytes called TH9 cells are blocked, the disease will be effectively resolved and the production of substances that cause the symptoms will stop," Silva said.

To achieve these results, the researchers performed experiments with cell cultures from mice and humans as well as transgenic mice.

The experiments confirmed that when the gene Blimp-1 is overexpressed, production of the protein it encodes, which is also called Blimp-1, increases, and this protein blocks the action of the lymphocytes that produce IL-9, a cytokine that causes allergic airway inflammation. "The key point is that blocking IL-9 weakens the response by TH2 cells, slowing progression of the disease," Benevides.

Blimp-1 gene

To test the hypothesis that Blimp-1 plays an important role in allergy resolution, the researchers created transgenic mice with this gene switched off in their T lymphocytes.

Because the gene has other functions, it could not be completely silenced, so they used a technique called conditional knockout, so the gene would fail to function only in T-cells.

Next, both transgenic mice with Blimp-1 deleted in their T-cells and control mice were submitted to a procedure that induced an allergy. The researchers injected doses of ovalbumin and then introduced the same substance into the animals' nostrils (intranasal instillation), producing airway inflammatory disease as a result of an allergy to egg white protein.

When they analyzed the reactions in the two groups of animals, they found that the mice without Blimp-1 suffered the effects of allergy much more than the mice that had the active gene.

"Although both groups developed the allergy, we showed that the animals without Blimp-1 in their T-cells had far more intense lung inflammation than the control animals," Benevides said.

Having demonstrated the role of Blimp-1 in inflammation, the researchers created a method for overexpressing the gene to see whether the abnormally large amount of protein produced would inhibit production of the cytokine IL-9.

They then collected samples of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which are widely used in immunology research. Samples were collected from healthy individuals and people with allergic asthma.

The blood cells received an innocuous virus or a virus that contained Blimp-1, which became part of the cells' DNA. In cells from both healthy and asthmatic individuals, Blimp-1 produced large amounts of protein and inhibited the production of TH9, which produces IL-9.

Although IL-9 was expressed in the cells from both healthy and asthmatic individuals, its expression was more intense in the latter. The same result was observed in a similar experiment with murine cells.

Use in other diseases

Based on these findings, the group now plans to develop drugs capable of inducing Blimp-1 expression to control TH9 cells. "We're testing its role in the regulation of TH9 cells using other experimental models, such as tumors, but it's too soon to draw any conclusions," Benevides said.

In the case of cancers such as melanoma, preliminary experiments that have not yet been published show that when Blimp-1 expression is reduced, the resulting increase in TH9 cells leads to a reduction in tumor size.

A cancer drug developed on this basis would therefore inhibit Blimp-1 expression, whereas a drug for asthma and autoimmune diseases would boost Blimp-1 expression.

"The most important discovery is a new function for a well-known transcription factor, which we now know to also be capable of inhibiting the differentiation of IL-9-producing T-cells. This opens up the prospect of research on several diseases in which TH9 cells are involved," Benevides said.New research has found that providing bilingual therapy is vital to improving developmental language disorders in dual-language children.

The study, which brought together Birmingham City University academics and members of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, also found that there is no evidence to suggest providing second language therapy is more effective than bilingual therapy.

A systematic review was conducted in which articles were screened, reviewed and appraised independently by two reviewers in accordance with the research questions. The study found that bilingual therapy is equally effective as second-language therapy in improving the second-language, but also improves first-language skills which are vital to helping children remain active in their communities.

Approximately seven per cent of children experience developmental language disorder, which is characterised by difficulties learning new words, understanding language and expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Speech and language therapy aims to develop a child's language abilities to their full potential and teach children, and those around them, strategies to reduce the impact of their difficulties.

The research saw Birmingham City University academic Dr Sarahjane Jones, and trainee research assistants deliver a hands-on research project whilst also increasing the research skills of clinicians at the Trust, including Speech and Language Therapist Hazel Allaway.

Dr Sarahjane Jones said: "It has been brilliant working with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on this research. Our collaboration demonstrates that when frontline clinicians work with researchers to undertake real-world, practice-based research training, it can be of high quality and have wide implications beneficial to the community."

Hazel Allaway added: "Our findings have important implications for how speech and language disorders are treated. Often the focus is on improving the second language, but for dual-language children, it's really important that they improve in their home language skills too so they can remain active and included in their communities."

The partnership, which began in 2014, aims to support professionals in carrying out real-world research under the supervision of a more experienced researcher.

Amit Kulkarni, Research and Development Manager at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists commented: "I am delighted to see this high level research, which informs speech and language therapy intervention choices concerning children who have developmental language disorder and who are bilingual.

"Around seven per cent of children in the UK start school with developmental language disorder, so it is vital that research continues in this field to ensure that the support available to them is the best it can be."Jayne Weiss, MD, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, is the lead author of an editorial about inaccuracies in the medical literature that medical professionals rely upon to diagnose corneal dystrophies, as well as a free resource that provides correct information. The paper is published in the November 2018, issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, available at https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(18)30440-9/fulltext.

Corneal dystrophies comprise a group of relatively rare genetic eye disorders in which material accumulates in the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye. This abnormal material can cloud the cornea, resulting in blurred or loss of vision in some patients. These disorders can affect both eyes, progress slowly and are hereditary. While there are some common characteristics, there are 22 distinct corneal dystrophies, and an accurate diagnosis is critical to proper treatment. Correctly characterizing a corneal dystrophy can be challenging, even for experts, much less clinicians who have never seen one. So clinicians frequently turn to the worldwide medical literature to learn about corneal dystrophies and often base their diagnoses upon information they find there.

Dr. Weiss and her colleagues write that publications on corneal dystrophies in the medical literature, however, can be confusing, contradictory or simply wrong. Errors arise from historical descriptions made before the invention of equipment like the slit lamp, confounding translations from scientific papers written in foreign languages, ignorance of previously published findings, misleading nomenclature, and difficulty in purging erroneous information from peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. As well, advances in molecular genetics and newly discovered information in other disciplines have expanded or changed our knowledge.

In 2005, Weiss created and continues to chair the International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) to decrease published inaccuracies leading to confusion and provide clarity in diagnosing these disorders. Members from around the world are geneticists, pathologists and ophthalmologists specializing in corneal diseases with expertise in specific dystrophies.

A dynamic effort, IC3D periodically updates and revises its information. Its most recent article, a revision of its 2008 publication, was published in Cornea in 2015, available at http://www. corneasociety. org/ sites/ default/ files/ publications/ ic3d_classification_of_corneal_dystrophies_edition. 1. pdf .

This revision of the IC3D classification includes an updated anatomic classification of corneal dystrophies more accurately classifying one of the forms of corneal dystrophies that affect multiple layers rather than being confined to one corneal layer. Typical histopathologic and confocal images were also added to the corneal dystrophy templates.

"Our IC3D nomenclature for corneal dystrophies has become accepted internationally as the standard and is also used by the American Academy of Ophthalmology," notes Weiss. "I am proud that its easy accessibility by patients and clinicians alike has facilitated diagnosis and potentially treatment in individuals with these conditions."A new computer model that uses machine learning and de-identified and aggregated search and location data from logged-in Google users was significantly more accurate in identifying potentially unsafe restaurants when compared with existing methods of consumer complaints and routine inspections, according to new research led by Google and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The findings indicate that the model can help identify lapses in food safety in near real time.

"Foodborne illnesses are common, costly, and land thousands of Americans in emergency rooms every year. This new technique, developed by Google, can help restaurants and local health departments find problems more quickly, before they become bigger public health problems," said corresponding author Ashish Jha, K.T. Li Professor of Global Health at Harvard Chan School and director of the Harvard Global Health Institute.

The study will be published online November 6, 2018 in npj Digital Medicine.

Foodborne illnesses are a persistent problem in the U.S. and current methods by restaurants and local health departments for determining an outbreak rely primarily on consumer complaints or routine inspections. These methods can be slow and cumbersome, often resulting in delayed responses and further spread of disease.

To counter these shortcomings, Google researchers developed a machine-learned model and worked with Harvard to test it in Chicago and Las Vegas. The model works by first classifying search queries that can indicate foodborne illness, such as "stomach cramps" or "diarrhea." The model then uses de-identified and aggregated location history data from the smartphones of people who have opted to save it, to determine which restaurants people searching those terms had recently visited.

Health departments in each city were then given a list of restaurants that were identified by the model as being potential sources of foodborne illness. The city would then dispatch health inspectors to these restaurants, though the health inspectors did not know whether their inspection was prompted by this new model or traditional methods. During the period of the study, health departments continued to follow their usual inspection procedures as well.

In Chicago, where the model was deployed between November 2016 and March 2017, the model prompted 71 inspections. The study found that the rate of unsafe restaurants among those detected by the model was 52.1% compared with 39.4% among inspections triggered by a complaint-based system. The researchers noted that Chicago has one of the most advanced monitoring programs in the nation and already employs social media mining techniques, yet this new model proved more precise in identifying restaurants that had food safety violations.

In Las Vegas, the model was deployed between May and August 2016. Compared with routine inspections performed by the health department, it had a higher precision rate of identifying unsafe restaurants.

When the researchers compared the model with routine inspections by health departments in Las Vegas and Chicago, they found that the overall rate across both cities of unsafe restaurants detected by the model was 52.3%, whereas the overall rate of detection of unsafe restaurants via routine inspections across the two cities was 22.7%.

Interestingly, the study showed that in 38% of all cases identified by this model, the restaurant potentially causing foodborne illness was not the most recent one visited by the person who was searching keywords related to symptoms. The authors said this is important because previous research has shown that people tend to blame the last restaurant they visited and therefore may be likely to file a complaint for the wrong restaurant. Yet clinically, foodborne illnesses can take 48 hours or even longer to become symptomatic after someone has been exposed, the authors said.

The new model outperformed complaint-based inspections and routine inspections in terms of precision, scale, and latency (the time that passed between people becoming sick and the outbreak being identified). The researchers noted that the model would be best leveraged as a supplement to existing methods used by health departments and restaurants, allowing them to better prioritize inspections and perform internal food safety evaluations. More proactive and timely responses to incidents could mean better public health outcomes. Additionally, the model could prove valuable for small and mid-size restaurants that can't afford safety operations personnel to apply advanced food safety monitoring and data analysis techniques.

"In this study, we have just scratched the surface of what is possible in the realm of machine-learned epidemiology. I like the analogy to the work of Dr. John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, who in 1854 had to go door to door in Central London, asking people where they took their water from to find the source of a cholera outbreak. Today, we can use online data to make epidemiological observations in near real-time, with the potential for significantly improving public health in a timely and cost-efficient manner," said Evgeniy Gabrilovich, senior staff research scientist at Google and a co-author of the study.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  Millions of pesos and a trip to Hong Kong await policemen who kill their superiors for being involved in drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday.

The President reiterated his administration's campaign against rogue cops as he welcomed the death of Supt. Santiago Rapiz, who was killed in a drug bust in Dipolog City Monday night.

"May pinatay kagabi na police colonel. Pinatay din siya ng pulis, pulis rin. Tama 'yon. Paki-ano, sir. I am going to reward that policeman," Duterte said during a lecture in Malacanang on militarization and the drug problem.

[Translation: A police colonel was killed last night. He was killed by a fellow policeman. That's right. I am going to reward that policeman."]

The Zamboanga peninsula police stressed that the anti-drug operation that led to Rapiz's death "was a legitimate operation" conducted by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Duterte said, "Any policeman who will kill his superior because the superior is into drugs, I will give you a prize and a trip to Hong Kong. Oo, totoo (Yes, that's true). "

He added that a high-ranking police officer would most likely fight back during an anti-drug operation.

"Tutal ang superior na mga pulis lalaban man talaga 'yan. Hindi 'yan magpapahuli. One is that hindi 'yan magpakahiya," Duterte said.

[Translation: "Anyway, a superior police officer would really fight back. He won't surrender. He would not want to be embarrassed."]

The President earlier put up a 5 million bounty on the head of each "ninja cop"  or policeman who use drugs or involved in illegal drugs operations. He said he was not asking people to kill drug-tainted cops, but offered only 10,000 to anyone who can bring him a rogue cop alive.

READ: Duterte: 5M reward for each dead 'ninja cop,' 10,000 if aliveA cup of coffee can be served and consumed in one hot minute.

Or it can be skillfully brewed, poured and appreciated, as exemplified at Whispers Coffee and Tea, where a couple visiting from Seattle has just placed an order. When Whispers owner Musa Hammad prepares the couple's lattes by brewing shots of espresso and steaming milk, science and art converge.

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According to Hammad, who has been a barista for 15 years, the espresso must be used within 18 to 22 seconds from the time of brewing and the milk should be steamed to 140 to 150 degrees before pouring. After the espresso is in a cup or mug, then comes the creamy, steamed foam falling into the espresso in a calculated, wavy motion.

With the mug filled to the top, Hammad then manipulates the foam using the tip of a thermometer like a paintbrush. People waiting in line watch as a perfectly shaped drawing of a butterfly appears on the surface of the drink.

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Larry Rome, of Seattle, points it out to his wife.

"Look at that," he says. "This is great coffee, and the guy took enough time to acknowledge that I'm a human being."

Whether it be a free pour  "drawing" a design onto the surface of the coffee by manipulating the pour of the steamed milk  or an etching, in which a barista uses a thermometer end or some tool to whip up images such as animals, flowers and much more, several locations delight customers with a consumable piece of art.

Here are a few stops:

Whispers Coffee and Tea:

Just ask owner Hammad for a butterfly, dog or something wildly abstract and it will be done. Or simply order a latte or mocha and see what Hammad can come up with using Whispers' own brand of coffee. Etching and free pouring are constant here.

520 N. Michigan Ave., North Bridge Mall

Caffe RoM:

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The foamy creativity never runs out here. Kara Sydnor, one of RoM's three baristas, makes a kitty-cat latte in the Caffe Umbria-brand brewed beverages.

180 N. Stetson Ave., Prudential Plaza

Metropolis:

Tinuade Oyelowo, one of several baristas, creates a tulip from an extra-fresh pour as The Roasting Garage, where the cafe gets its own Metropolis coffee brand, is only blocks away.

1039 W. Granville Ave.

Dollop:

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The cozy interior suggests one should bring a thick book to read while sipping a hearty drink. Dollop barista Beth Stelling shows customers the love by serving a heart in the Metropolis brand coffee.

4181 N. Clarendon Ave.

Stella Espresso Co.:

Eight-year barista Bekki Wasmuth warms up customers on a chilly Sunday as early as 7:30 a.m., turning Kickapoo brand coffee into intricate rosetta-topped lattes. And for mocha fans, this place is a must.

1259 W. Devon Ave.

The Coffee Studio:

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Intelligentsia-brand brewed beverages look beautiful and go well with locally based pastries on the menu. Lauren Pineda, a barista for three years, will top your latte with a rosetta.

5628 N. Clark St.

Lavazza Cafe:

Barista James Smith is the go-to guy for finishing touches on an orange mocha mio, arguably the cafe's most impressive drink, brewed with Lavassa's Top Class blend of espresso.

162 E. Ohio St.

atplay@tribune.comResearchers at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, make an unexpected and vital contribution to an international collaborative effort in Parkinson's disease research.

An international team of scientists led by the University of Dundee, UK have verified that a molecular pathway that has been studied for years under laboratory conditions, is also disrupted in Parkinson's disease patients.

Parkinson's disease is a relentless neurodegenerative disorder for which no cure currently exists. Mutations in two genes called PINK1 and Parkin are associated with early-onset forms of Parkinson's. These genes encode distinct enzymes that are predicted to play a pivotal role in protecting the brain against stress.

Previous work established that PINK1 works by detecting damage to the cellular 'power grid', and prevents further damage by activating a critical "molecular switch" in Parkin called Serine 65. This finding published in 2012 was led by the laboratory of Professor Miratul Muqit FRCP, Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Fellow at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit at the University of Dundee, UK. Although it remains the most cited study in Open Biology, the importance of this "molecular switch" in Parkinson's patients has remained elusive.

To further understand its importance, Muqit developed a genetically engineered mouse to study the Parkin switch in tissues, but researchers were unaware of its significance in humans. The ambitious project was spearheaded by Tom McWilliams, who recently relocated to Finland as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor and Academy Scientist at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. Remarkably, through a collaboration involving Academy Professor Anu Suomalainen-Wartiovaara, Professor Pentti Tienari and Risto Pohjolan-Pirhonen, MD, at Molecular Neurology Programme of University of Helsinki, a Finnish patient was also identified to have a mutation in the same Serine 65 switch.

Strikingly, both the mouse and the patient lack the ability of PINK1 to activate the Parkin enzyme. Thanks to the Progressive Parkinson's Markers Initiative study coordinated by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a second patient in the United States was identified. This discovery confirms the central importance of the PINK1-Parkin pathway in Parkinson's patients and will likely prove vital for therapeutic development efforts in this area.

Remarking on the discovery, McWilliams says: "It was particularly gratifying to see that findings from discovery-based science can have such unexpected relevance in Parkinson's patients. The Helsinki team made an outstanding contribution to this work, and thanks to their collaborative spirit and expertise, we were able to make rapid progress in this area. It will be interesting to determine the mitophagy-independent roles of this pathway in vivo."Epigenetic changes often play an important role in cancer, because they cause the genetic material to be read incorrectly at certain locations. Genes that are especially critical are those that control the growth and death of cells. Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen have now discovered new details about the UHRF1 protein. UHRF1 catalyses particular steps that are required for marking DNA with epigenetic modifications that suppress parts of the genome. As reported in 'Molecular Cell', the molecule may serve as a target for drug therapies because it is produced at elevated levels in cancer cells.

All the cells in our body have the same complement of genes yet perform entirely different functions. This is because genes are read differently depending on the type of cell in which they occur. Gene activity is regulated not only at the level of the DNA sequence but also at the epigenetic level by a variety of chemical modifications made to DNA and histones. "Histones are proteins that 'package' the DNA strands in the nucleus into chromosomes. But they also play an important role in controlling gene expression", says Prof. Dr. Robert Schneider, Director of the Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE) at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen. Together with other proteins, DNA molecules and histones form chromatin. This constitutes a chemical method for condensing genetic information within the small space of the cell nucleus. Very little is known about these regulatory processes that are the focus of the research at IFE.

UHRF1: a molecule controls key steps in DNA methylation

Researchers know, however, that the protein UHRF1 (Ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains) plays an important role in the methylation of DNA strands. Methyl tags are chemical modifications to a DNA molecule that do not alter the genetic code, i.e. the sequence of bases of the DNA. However, they affect the activity of genes encoded in the base sequence. Methylation of DNA molecules usually acts to repress gene transcription.

UHRF1 controls DNA methylation by ensuring that an enzyme which attaches methyl groups to DNA can bind to newly formed chromatin. To accomplish this task, UHRF1 must first bind to newly formed chromatin itself and, in a second step, transfer an ubiquitin molecule (a small protein that alters the properties of other proteins) to a histone protein. To this end, UHRF1 uses various protein domains, regions with special three-dimensional structures and functions in the same molecule.

"It was not previously known exactly how this works," says Dr. Till Bartke, Deputy Director of the IFE, who supervised the study. Together with his colleague Dr. Benjamin Foster (post-doctoral researcher at the IFE), he has applied various methods in a bid to shed light on this ubiquitin-transfer step, including chemical crosslinking of molecules, mass spectroscopic studies and the use of recombinant chromatin molecules that were modified with methyl groups. "We found that an ubiquitin-like domain (UBL) must be present to transfer ubiquitin molecules", Bartke says. This is a special structural element involved in rearrangements of UHRF1 after it has bound to chromatin. In collaboration with a research group led by Dr. Sebastian Bultmann at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, the researchers were also able to show that the UBL domain is required for the methylation of DNA in cells.

"Our analysis of the enzymatic mechanism of UHRF1 reveals an unexpected function of the UBL domain and defines a new role of this domain in DNA methylation," the scientist explains. Because other groups have found elevated concentrations of UHRF1 in several cancers, including lung and colorectal cancer, the protein, he believes, is well-suited as a target for future therapies.Scientists from Germany and abroad will be meeting in Magdeburg from 27 to 29 November 2018 to discuss latest research on spatial cognition in aging and neurodegeneration. The symposium is hosted by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

"This unique interdisciplinary conference will gather leading experts from different disciplines from Europe and overseas. We are expecting about 70 participants," says Prof. Thomas Wolbers, a senior scientist at the DZNE and one of the symposium's organizers.

The program covers a wide spectrum of research on spatial orientation and navigation. This includes e. g. studies based on human brain imaging, online-gaming as well as virtual reality.

"Elderly people often have difficulties finding their way around in new environments, which can impair their mobility, their autonomy and thus their general quality of life," says Wolbers. "In view of an aging population, it is important to understand the mechanisms governing spatial cognition and how these mechanisms are affected by aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. This may help to devise strategies for a self-determined life in advanced age and support the development of novel tools to diagnose dementia."'I need this - can you grab my pills?' 'Can you help me with this?' 'Can you go in my bag and get me my medicine?'

For more than half of her 16 years, 10th grader Destiny has answered calls like this to help her grandmother and great-grandmother manage their medications.

"I've been helping out basically most of my life," she said.

Despite the essential role Destiny and other youth caregivers play, little is known about how they learn to manage medications, what they know about the medicine they administer, and what kind of rewards and challenges they encounter day to day.

To find out more, Julia Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine physician-researcher and pediatrician, and colleagues studied 28 middle school and high school students 12 to 19 years old. Their study is the first of its kind to take a comprehensive look at this population; they reported their findings online in the Journal of Adolescence.

Through a series of qualitative focus groups, the investigators asked the youth about medication management. They used semi-structured interviews to assess their responsibilities, medication knowledge, and more. The caregivers were part of the Caregiving Youth Project of the American Association of Caregiving Youth. Their mean age was about 15, and 71 percent were female.

For physicians, greater awareness is the first step. "It is important for all physicians, regardless of specialty, to know that this population of caregiving youth exists. Physicians should take this into consideration when they are making plans for the care of their patients," said Dr. Belkowitz, who is associate professor of pediatrics.

"One of the things we discovered in this study is that some of the kids reported that not only were they taking on the responsibilities of managing medications at home, they were actually the ones receiving the instructions directly," said Dr. Belkowitz.

This finding underlines the importance of determining who is responsible for medication management.

"The only way to do this is to ask."

Proceed carefully, however. "It is important to know that some parents fear that if others know about the medication role and other caregiving responsibilities of their children that their families would be split apart, so these conversations need to be done in a sensitive and nonjudgmental manner."

Several participants in the study reported difficulty understanding instructions, either written or as instructed in person by a health care professional.

The data from this study also indicates that youth caregivers interact substantially with medical professionals, providing an opportunity for physicians and others to support them and recognize their contribution to the patient's well-being.

"Back when my grandmother was walking, the doctor offered to help us with installing rails if we needed them," Destiny said. "And they said they would even install a chair in our shower so she could sit down and wash herself."

"Once kids have been identified as caregivers, we need to ask them how they are doing," Dr. Belkowitz said. Inquire about challenges they face and what type of support they need to succeed in school, in their home environments and as caregivers.

"We know from the literature that caregiving can have a significant impact on mental health and school performance of children and young people, and we have heard many stories of kids who have experienced physical injuries as well," she said. "Of course, we should use available screening tools and guidelines to identify children who may be suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression."

One in five youths said their caregiving made them miss a school activity or an after-school activity, 15 percent said it has kept them from doing schoolwork, and 8 percent said it has made them miss homework, according to a 2005 national survey. In addition, young caregivers said they missed school, "38 percent at least sometimes."

Destiny has managed to find a way to balance caring for her relatives so that it does not detract from her school or social life. "I've learned to do really well with time management," she said.

When properly supported, these children and teenagers can experience benefits such as pride and a closer personal relationship with their care recipient.

Grandparents were the most common care recipients in the study, followed by parents and siblings. Other relatives, such as cousins and aunts or uncles, as well as unrelated people also relied on the youth for help with their medications.

Neurologic-related diseases topped the list of care recipient conditions at 12, followed by diabetes at 7, and an equal number of people - 4 each - with diabetes, functional decline/mobility loss, asthma, vision loss and other conditions.

"What was also important about this study is that we were able to hear their perspectives directly from youth," Dr. Belkowitz said. "We learned that these kids take on multiple important responsibilities, often without formal education, surrounding their role."

Destiny learned on the job. Her grandmother showed her which medicines she needs when to manage her Parkinson's disease. Her great-grandmother, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, did the same, until she passed away in September.

An estimated 1.4 million children and teenagers between 8 and 18 years old help family members take their medicine and perform necessary activities of daily living, according to a 2005 survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Since then, experts believe the number of youth caregivers has mushroomed due to the aging of the U.S. population, the opioid epidemic, a shift toward more home care, and other factors.

In terms of solutions, the researchers noted that teenagers are typically tech savvy and those with resources are closely connected to smart phones. Devising strategies to use this technology could be of great potential benefit for adolescents managing medications.

That's precisely the advice Destiny would offer other youth caregivers. "Have reminders on your phone five minutes before it's time to give the medicine. That way you can prepare, get a cup of water, and sometimes they need to take it with food, so you need to grab a quick snack or cook something good."

Many unanswered questions remain, including the current prevalence of caregiving youth in the United States. Future research could expand the age range to include children younger than 12. In addition, Dr. Belkowitz said, "We are currently looking at perspectives of pediatric health care providers about this issue and the impact of poverty on the role of children as caregivers."

In the meantime, Destiny's grandmother recently progressed to an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. "My grandmother is now on bed rest. She can't walk, talk or sit up for a long period of time," she said. "She has good and bad days. Sometimes I really can't understand her - and have to get real close to understand what she is saying. Other days are really good days, and she speaks in full sentences and laughs."

Another piece of advice, based on experience, is telling care recipients that you will always be there to support them. "Constantly remind the person you're caring for that you love them and that you're doing this for them - that it doesn't bother you," Destiny said.

She said her grandmother apologized once 'for being a hassle.' "That was really hard for me, because I don't want her to think that," Destiny said. "I do this for her because I want her to be taken care of."

Always being there is the most important part, Destiny added. "It lets her know I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep her well."Greg Clark, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Center), confirmed today (Tuesday 6 November) that UK Research and Innovation will invest 10 million in The London Medical Imaging & Artificial Intelligence Center for Value-Based Healthcare as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

He said: "AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and improve lives for the better. That's why our modern Industrial Strategy puts pioneering technologies at the heart of our plans to build a Britain fit for the future. The innovation at these new centers will help diagnose disease earlier to give people more options when it comes to their treatment, and make reporting more efficient, freeing up time for our much-admired NHS staff time to spend on direct patient care."

Led by King's College London, the new Center will train sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms from NHS medical images and patient data, to provide tools for clinicians to speed up and improve diagnosis and care across a number of patient pathways including dementia, heart failure and cancer.

In order to achieve these results, the Center brings together an ambitious consortium including two other universities (Imperial and Queen Mary's University London), King's Health Partners NHS Foundation Trust partners, Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley, with Bart's Health, multinational industry (Siemens, NVIDIA, IBM, GSK), 10 UK-based SME's and the Health Innovation Network.

The Center will have a focus on transformation and value-based healthcare, and how advanced imaging and AI technologies can be used to improve the patient journey. From earlier diagnosis if there is a problem and reassurance if not, to moving quickly to a treatment which is tailored to the patient and will result in the best possible outcome. By optimizing triage and targeting resources, these technologies will also allow the NHS to reduce wasted effort that is not supporting patient care, and deliver significant financial savings.

Center Director Professor Reza Razavi from King's College London said: "The Center will provide a fantastic opportunity to transform 12 different patient pathways by using advanced imaging and AI and help make the products that will substantially improve the experience for our patients and their clinical outcomes. It will also allow us to better utilize the resources within the NHS. This builds on a great on-going partnership between our researchers, clinicians and industry colleagues that will help put the UK at the forefront of developing and applying new technologies to improve healthcare."

Importantly the Center will also ensure that the technologies developed become products that can be used across the NHS and also exported internationally. To achieve this, the Center, based at St Thomas' Hospital, will co-locate researchers and clinicians from King's College London, two other leading universities, Guy's and St Thomas' and three other leading NHS Trusts with staff from industry including 10 UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Siemens Healthineers is making a substantial 6.6M investment into the UK by making the Centre their European Stratifies Medicine Hub. This along with other major investments from NVIDIA, IBM and GSK will help to leverage UK research strengths and clinical knowledge into becoming a leading industrial player in AI and healthcare.

Professor Sebastien Ourselin, Head of the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London said:

"This Center marks a significant chapter in the future of AI-enabled NHS hospitals. We are bringing together a critical mass of industry and university partners which will allow us to share and analyze data on a scale that has not previously been possible for the NHS. The infrastructure is an essential part of building new AI tools which will benefit both patients and the whole healthcare system."

Planned to open in early 2019, the Center is one of a number of initiatives that will feed into longer-term plans to make the St Thomas' Hospital campus a major MedTech Hub for the UK. The work is supported by the existing Wellcome / EPSRC Center for Medical Engineering, the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences and TOHETI.

Prof Sir Robert Lechler, Executive Director of King's Health Partners, said: "We welcome the government's commitment to funding transformational research and innovations that will lead to better patient care. The new Center gives us the opportunity to deliver improved outcomes for patients with a focus on driving quality and sustainability by using a value-based healthcare approach.

"As an Academic Health Sciences Center, our purpose is to bring cutting-edge innovation into patient care. Partnership working enables us to deliver this ambition by bringing together advanced technologies such as imaging and AI, with our researchers, clinicians and industry partners, to accelerate and improve diagnosis and care."

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Professor Sir Mark Walport said: "Early diagnosis of illness can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment and save lives.

"The centers announced today bring together the teams that will develop artificial intelligence tools that can analyze medical images varying from x-rays to microscopic sections from tissue biopsies. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the speed and accuracy of medical diagnosis."

Source: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/news-article.aspx?id=1d945f60-f586-400d-9514-5df7dfb09300The U.S. Department of Defense has granted the "Impact Award" to explore new therapeutic options against advanced prostate cancer - scientifically known as castration-resistant or hormone therapy resistant prostate cancer- to a multidisciplinary team of researchers made up of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Research Unit of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), led by David Olmos, the Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group of the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), led by Joaquin Mateo, and the Genetics and Solid Tumors Laboratory of the University of Washington, led by Colin Pritchard. The team will receive a 2 million dollar grant for this 3-year project and will examine the identification of new markers as predictors of response to treatment, with the aim of identifying which patients will respond worse to therapy and thus offer them other therapeutic options.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in males in Spain and in the West and the second world-wide. It is the third most common cause of male death in Europe, even though over the last several years the survival rate is continually rising, most likely due to early detection. The most common treatment in the advanced stage is the hormone-blocking therapy, but some patients develop aggressive tumors that are resistant to this type of treatment: up to 90% of the patients that develop resistance also develop metastasis, most commonly in the bones and lymph nodes, but also occasionally in the liver and lungs. The average survival rate of the patients in the advanced stage is about 2 years after the diagnosis. Moreover, one in three patients respond worse to the approved therapies for prostate cancer, but until this day we do not have a better way of identifying and predicting their response to treatment.

The project will try to identify this group of patients through the development of new markers as predictors of response to treatment and will conduct a clinical trial to test if the therapy that works for other tumor types like breast and ovarian cancer could prove to be effective for the patients with advanced prostate cancer that show these markers.

Disruption of DNA repair mechanisms in tumors

The researchers will investigate the genetic and molecular changes associated with defects in the DNA repair mechanisms; that is, if the tumor cells repair the errors produced in their genetic material correctly or not. "Our line of work has always looked into those mechanisms" explains Elena Castro, from the CNIO Prostate Cancer Clinical Research Unit. "It is an approximation that has given very good results in prostate cancer research". The researchers expect these tumors to respond to carboplatin therapy, a drug that is very effective in the tumor types that show these kinds of defects, such as breast and ovarian cancer. "These therapies work by impeding that the cells repair their DNA defects. Due to the fact that cancer cells have far many more genetic defects than normal cells, these drugs are very effective in producing their breakdown and death.

In the first part of this project, we will study the tumor samples that were collected from the patients participating in the PROREPAIR-B study; the first worldwide prospective study conducted, to date, in patients with advanced prostate cancer that carry heritable mutations. PROREPAIR-B is a study coordinated by CNIO that has monitored more than 400 patients since 2013, to analyze if their DNA damage repair genes have inherited genetic alterations and how these affect their response to treatment. Now these samples will be sequenced to check the behavior of the alterations in these genes that are not inherited and that only occur in the tumor.

After that, the VHIO team led by Joaquin Mateo will search for biomarkers for DNA repair defects in those patients, since these defects not always originate from an inherited genetic mutation. "Over the last few years we have shown that an important number of patients with advanced prostate cancer develop DNA repair defects in their tumors, even though there is no inherited mutation", explains Joaquin Mateo, VHIO researcher and Vall d'Hebron University Hospital oncologist. "We also know that some of the tumors behave in a similar manner to the ones having these mutations, even if we don't identify them. This is why we wish to study the biological patterns associated with the clinical patterns and to do that we will study these tumors using different tools in the laboratory", adds Mateo. The goal is to find new signs of these errors (more than just genetic mutations) that would permit a faster decision-making on which treatments to choose.

Lastly, the CNIO team, with the help of VHIO and other Spanish centres, will conduct a clinical trial to confirm if the carboplatin therapy could be effective in advanced prostate cancer. "We know that carboplatin works really well in tumors with DNA repair defects from patients with breast and ovarian cancer, and we suppose that it will also work for patients with prostate cancer, but we are not certain at this stage", says Olmos. "But instead of selecting patients based on them having genetic mutations that could provoke defects in DNA repair, as is commonly done, they will be selected using biomarkers that were previously detected, as we believe that it will be more reliable when determining the efficacy of the treatment. In other words, we will select patients based on whether the tumor repairs its DNA or not, independently of their genetic profile".

Another advantage is that this therapy is affordable and easily accessible. A type of drugs that are known to be effective on tumors with DNA repair defects are the PARP inhibitors, but their price is high. "If carboplatin proves to be a good therapeutic option, the results of our trial will have a positive impact on the patients", concludes Olmos. Mateo adds: "Since it is a drug that has already been approved and has been routinely used for other types of cancer, like breast and ovarian cancer, carboplatin's way to the clinic to benefit patients with prostate cancer will be much shorter than usual. There is little experience with this drug for the treatment of the prostate cancer, but for now it looks promising. What we aim with this study is to be able to confirm it".

The U.S. Department of Defense created the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) in 1992; one of the nation's most important sources of funding for biomedical research, together with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 1997, they launched the Prostate Cancer Research Program to fund high-impact research with near-term clinical relevance for this type of tumor.The examples of AI and its applications in healthcare potentially offer affordable healthcare, efficient clinical trials, improved success rates, and a better quality of life. While many of us may be familiar with AI in the context of self-driving cars, Siri, or Alexa, we are beginning to slowly comprehend the full potential of AIs clinical applications. AIs steadily increasing impact in the healthcare industry can be demonstrated by analyzing the following five sectors of the industry.

1) AI Assistance in Keeping Well

One of AIs biggest potential applications in healthcare, which promises to significantly impact the consumer directly, is its ability in aiding people to maintain their health. Growing significantly in the last ten years, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) application is on the rise. Healthy behavior in individuals is encouraged by healthcare apps. Mainstream companies such as Apple are beginning to make the tracking of cardiac health, emergency SOS, and fall detection significant products in their portfolio.

Consequently, it seems as though IoMT is here to stay. Allied Market Research has published a report suggesting that by 2021, the market for IoT healthcare will reach $136.8 billion worldwide, with a CAGR 12.5% between 2015 and 2021.

2) AI-Assisted Robotic Surgery

While it is still in its infancy, AI can improve surgical performance in terms of practice. In general, the outcome of surgeries  especially new or complex procedures  can vary depending on the surgeons skill. Case-to-case variations can be reduced by the use of AI, which can even help to increase even the best surgeons efficiency.

As an example, a three-dimensional magnification can be provided by robots controlled by AI, for performance and articulation with greater precision and miniaturization. Basic acts of precision cutting and stitching can be performed by AI enabled robots. Surgeons were seen using AI assisted robotics in 2017, in order to suture exceptionally narrow blood vessels  0.03 to 0.08 millimeters across  at the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

The surgeon, of course, still retains control of the robotic suturing. There are a number of small, complex tasks throughout a surgical procedure which certainly require the nuanced skills of a surgeon. Before we are able to witness an AI utopia in which robots replace nurses and surgeons, we still have a long way to go. For now, however, they are fantastic assistants who can reduce the variability of outcomes.

3) Clinical Judgement or Diagnosis

The early detection of diseases such as cancer and retinopathies can and is already being improved by AI. By using AI to analyze and review radiology and mammogram images it is possible to increase the processs speed as much as 30 fold, with a 99% accuracy. A study which described the successful use of AI algorithms in order to detect skin cancer against the diagnoses of 21 dermatologists was published by Stanford University in 2017. This year, a neural network was trained to detect over 50 types of eye disease by Googles DeepMind technology. This was part of a collaborative study with the joint research of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, UK, and worked via the analysis of 3D retinal scans. This studys biggest advance upon the work of its predecessors is the greater ability to explain how the computer reached some of its interpretations. The trust and reliability of this application are reinforced by the overcoming of a previous black box of data interpretation and inference.

It is important to acknowledge and emphasize most of all the benefit of combining the powers of physicians with those of the AI algorithms. A competition took place at the International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging which competed for computational systems which were programmed to detect metastatic breast cancer from biopsy images against each other. The winning program in this competition made the diagnosis with a success rate of 92.5%, however, when combined with the opinions and expertise of human pathologists, that number increased to a success rate of 99.5%.

4) Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is one of the most valuable examples of the use of AI in healthcare. It is currently being touted as a paradigm-shifting healthcare practice. The enormous amount of data which is collected from many disruptive technological innovations, including cheap genome sequencing, advanced biotechnology, and health sensors patients use at home, is the bedrock of precision medicine.

The definition of precision medicine is the "tailoring of medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient." Medical practices are shifting quickly towards adopting a more personalized format for making decisions which were previously based on a few seemingly overlapping features among patients.

Precision medicine makes use of physicians' cognitive capabilities on a new scale as it depends on advanced supercomputing algorithms with deep learning. In the present climate in which it is simple to access genomic data, one of the challenges faced is persevering in order to identify genetic variants which increase the risk of disease. Collaborating with California based Scripps Research Institute, Intel has developed a deep learning algorithm which was able to detect 23 patients who had increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These patients were not identified by conventional statistic methods, and the algorithm detected them with an accuracy rate of 85%. With the ultimate aim of creating a "cognitive assistant which has a range of clinical knowledge, analytical and reasoning capabilities, Google DeepMind and IBM Watson lead the globe in the mining of medical records.

5) Drug Discovery

Clinical trials in their current format encompass decades of research and cost billions of dollars. Only five in 5,000 of the drugs that begin preclinical testing ever make it to human testing and just one of these five is ever approved for human usage, according to the California Biomedical Research Association.

Pharmaceutical companies can be aided in the streamlining of drugs, as well as drug repurposing, by using AI in drug discovery. Sanofi, Genentech, Pfizer, and many other pharma giants are beginning to form partnerships with AI service providers  Exscientias Artificial Intelligence, GNS Healthcare, and IBM Watson respectively  in order to drive their oncology drug discovery programs.

Causes of various diseases which were previously unknown can be pinpointed by AI, which can then enable the testing of more compounds with a higher degree of accuracy and reproducibility. We would be able to do away with the traditional trial and error approach if we used AI for drug discovery, and consequently embrace a biology which is more patient-driven by using more data-derived predictive hypotheses.

In 2016, a drug development company called Atomwise used AI to analyze whether or not existing medicines could be redesigned to target the Ebola virus. The analysis was accomplished in a single day and led to two potential hits. Via conventional means, this process would have taken months or even years. Although in silico modeling techniques are becoming more important in modern research and development and drug research, they are still a long way from replacing the standard pharmaceutical-industry R&D productivity.

While the practices mentioned above constitute some of the cooler AI applications, working behind the scenes unnoticed is AIs administrative workflow assistance, which has an estimated value of $18 billion.

AI has helped in the routine data collection jobs, recording, and long-term storage of doctors and nurses by mobilizing the automation of administrative jobs. AI may be able to give physicians more time to see patients regularly, by doing away with the repetitive parts of the caretakers job.

Ethical Concerns

The flip side of the flashy elements of AI in healthcare is issues concerning data privacy and its ethical usage. Some ethical issues concerning the use of AI include, but are not limited to, the following:

If machine errors led to the mismanagement of care, who would be held accountable?

Would pre-existing biases (for instance, over- or under-represented patient subgroups) inherent within the data used to train the AI, reinforce biases in diagnoses and analyses rather than eliminating them?

Would patients be told about the extent to which AI was playing a role in their treatment?

Would AI indulge in self-diagnosis and medication, rather than encouraging patients to seek advice from a medical practitioner?

Could healthcare practitioners feel that AI potentially threatened their authority and autonomy? Would their medical practice be affected by this in turn?

Evidently, AI, as a newly developing technology, is a tightrope which requires careful treading. If the relevant ethical and data privacy criteria are kept in mind, and it is used responsibly, AI has the potential to make unprecedented transformations in how the healthcare industry works.

While we are still in the process of transitioning towards its use, medical professionals must be trained about the use of AI. AI is currently a buzzword which is frequently over-hyped, so it is important to avoid being bamboozled by realizing what does and does not actually help. AI may not be anywhere close to eliminating human involvement in the healthcare sector, however, jobs could surely start to favor practitioners who are educated about and accepting of AI in the sector.

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Original piece written by Maya Raghunandan. Maya Raghunandan obtained her Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota, USA. Currently, she is a cancer biology scientist at Universite Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.

Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments.The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Thomas Jefferson Special Reserve Medium Dry: This is a remarkable wine, a Madeira of ever-unfolding complexity, nuance, invitation and depth. It honors Jefferson's own blend, a taste he preferred and invented for himself: one-tenth "superfine" old sweet Malmsey to nine-tenths drier Madeira such as verdelho, as he wrote, "a dry wine dashed with a little sweetness, barely sensible to the palate." Because Rare Wine Co. has at its disposal stocks of very old refined Madeira, it can create blends of this fashion. What stands out for me: scents of chalk, wet stone, cellar pavement overlying the dark chocolate and toffee pudding base notes; the orange threading in the dark tawny coloring; a flick of sugar and  snap!  the squeegee of Madeira's acidity to swipe it away. $65So it was bold for Colbert to go back to that acrid well Tuesday to do another live, late-night show as the first nationwide voting results of the Trump-as-president era came in. If things didnt go his way again, in the mid-term elections, the Colbert bump the CBS Late Show host used to talk about might be recast as the Colbert curse.CHICAGO  Missouri voters were sharply divided over the state of the nation as they cast ballots in the midterm election, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate.



About half of the state's voters said the country is on the right track, while the other half said it's headed the wrong way, AP VoteCast found.



The state's voters did agree on something: they didn't like the way Congress is doing its job  73 percent said they disapprove.



Here's a snapshot of who voted and why in Missouri, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, an innovative nationwide survey of about 139,000 voters and nonvoters  including 3,930 voters and 664 nonvoters in the state of Missouri  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .



___



RA



Voters ousted incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and elected the state's Republican attorney general, Josh Hawley, to replace her.



Fifty two percent of voters said they held a somewhat or very unfavorable view of McCaskill.



Hawley drew more support from white, male and older voters. Minority voters favored McCaskill, with 91 percent of black voters casting ballots for her.



A majority of Hawley voters  82 percent  believed the country is headed in the right direction.



Republican retiree Richard Rice, 73, who attended a pro-Hawley rally in Jefferson City Monday, said he supported Hawley because Hawley backs President Donald Trump , whom Rice credits for a booming economy and a better relationship with North Korea.



"He has a sound idea of where we need to go," Rice said of Hawley. "And, I like the fact that he stands up and supports the president."



___



TOP ISSUE: HEALTH CARE



Nearly 3 in 10 voters said health care is the most important issue facing the nation.



The issue was foremost for Dan Stewart, 57, vice president of a human resources company in Columbia. He said he doesn't think any candidate has a good solution for overhauling the way Americans get health insurance.



"I wish someone would say what's causing the high costs," said Stewart, a Republican. "My big fear is that with Obamacare having failed so badly that everyone is going to run to a single-payer system."



Six in 10 Missouri voters said they wanted to see the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 law that overhauled the nation's health insurance system, partly or entirely repealed.



Health care was a major theme in Missouri campaign ads. Hawley is among 20 Republican attorney generals who have asked the courts to rule the health care law as unconstitutional.



Other voters cited immigration, the economy, terrorism and the environment as the top issue.



___



STATE OF THE ECONOMY



A majority of Missouri voters had a favorable view of the nation's economy.



This summer, Missouri hit its lowest unemployment rate since 2000 but Democrats emphasized the negative effect President Donald Trump's tariffs had on some agricultural prices and manufacturing industries.



Richard Rice's wife, Linda Rice, 68, of Jefferson City, praised Trump for economy and said she planned to support Republicans in the election.



"I think he has our best interests at heart," Linda Rice said of the president.



___



TRUMP FACTOR



Six in 10 Missouri voters said Trump influenced their vote, with half saying they voted to support Trump and the other half to oppose him.



Monica Miller, a 53-year-old public school teacher, said racial tensions and the political climate have gotten worse since Trump took office.



"You hope that this is somebody who will rise to the occasion, but your worst fears are realized," Miller said, adding, "name-calling seems to be the norm."



However, 53 percent of the state's voters said they like how Trump is performing.



The president visited Missouri twice in the week before Election Day as he stumped for Hawley.



___



CONTROL OF CONGRESS



Tuesday's election will determine control of Congress in the final two years of Trump's term, and nearly 7 in 10 Missouri voters said which party will hold control was very important as they considered their vote.



Matthew J. Smith, a 23-year-old Republican studying at Missouri State University in Springfield, said the idea of Democrats controlling the House worried him.



"If Democrats take over the House, we could see a potential impeachment of the president, for no reason at all," Smith said.



Meanwhile, Deborah Zemke, a 64-year-old children's book author and illustrator from Columbia, said the Republican-led Congress is not doing enough to counter Trump, whose rhetoric she does not like.



"It's essential that we exercise some checks and balances on the current administration," Zemke said.



___



ST



In Missouri, a majority of voters who did not cast a ballot in the midterm were younger than 45, with a wide share  83 percent being those who do not have a college degree.



___



AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate in all 50 states conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 3,926 voters and 664 nonvoters in Missouri was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English or Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files and self-identified registered voters selected from opt-in online panels. Participants in the probability-based portion of the survey were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 2.0 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including from sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.



___



Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this story.



___



Online:



http://apne.ws/APPolitics







Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich won re-election to a second term Tuesday in a three-way race against a Republican political newcomer and a Libertarian former governor.



The 47-year-old engineer and former congressman finished ahead of construction contractor Mick Rich and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson .



Heinrich's victory further solidified Democratic control over the state's Senate delegation. Democrats have won every Senate election in New Mexico since the final re-election in 2002 of Sen. Pete Domenici .



Heinrich cast himself as a vigorous adversary of President Donald Trump 's policies and campaigned on promises to defend federal health care and retirement programs.



Acknowledging victory Tuesday evening, Heinrich said voters "responded to a vision that was actually positive and was about unifying our state."



He said the top priority for his second term will be initiatives that can improve the state economy.



"I'm still going to be working for our (federal) laboratories and military bases, for our outdoor recreation economy," Heinrich said. "I'm going to be working to protect Social Security and Medicare ."



Democrats swept a long list of statewide political contests, including the race to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez . Beyond New Mexico, Republicans retained majority control of the Senate, as they ousted Democratic incumbents in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri.



Heinrich recently became an advocate for decriminalizing marijuana, co-opting one of Johnson's signature Libertarian issues against government interference. He derided Johnson's proposals to slash federal spending on Medicare, Medicaid and the military.



Rich ran unsuccessfully on his reputation as a businessman while embracing Trump  echoing the president's dire warnings about a migrant caravan approaching the United States from Mexico  and voicing anti-abortion sentiments.



In 2012, Heinrich won his first Senate race after the retirement of Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman .



New Mexico's senior senator is Democrat Tom Udall , whose second term ends in 2020. He has not indicated whether he will seek re-election.



Udall and Heinrich have been prominent figures in Democratic resistance to Trump's effort to shrink national monuments and unravel environmental protections.



Tuesday's election adds a new defeat to Johnson's political resume, after two bids for president under the Libertarian banner in 2012 and 2016. Johnson served two terms as a Republican governor starting in 1994.



On Tuesday, he congratulated Heinrich without renouncing his dedication to the Libertarian cause.



"Ours is a difficult task," Johnson said. "Third-party candidates have a critical role to play in our increasingly partisan political and policy landscape."



Johnson's 2016 campaign for president won 9 percent of the vote in New Mexico, as Hillary Clinton cruised to victory in the state with an 8 percentage point margin over Trump.



Albuquerque-based pollster Brian Sanderoff said Heinrich's hold on the Senate seat never truly came into contention.



"His opponents were underfunded, couldn't get their message out," he said.



___



For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Inside the best The Flash story of all time with Mark Waid, Greg Larocque, and Brian Augustyn

Looking back at the greatest Flash story of all time"We're going to meet with those guys and say, 'You know, you may or may not consider me your congressman, but I consider you my constituents," Green said of the Democrats. "'You're my boss and we're going to work together and we're going to listen.'"Sorry!

This content is not available in your regionNew Delhi:

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will meet former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday, acc ording to sources. Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also be present during the meeting, JD-S sources said on Wednesday. Naidu is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year.



ALSO READ | Diwali 2018: PM Narendra Modi celebrates with soldiers near India-China border in Uttarakhand



Naidu's meeting with the JD(S) supremo comes in the backdrop of Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving. The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity.



BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat.



The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.



Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combine's "spectacular victory" in the by-elections.



ALSO READ | Dont live in India if you like players from other countries, Virat Kohli lashes out at fan



JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidu's meeting with Gowda is in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with "secular" party leaders across the country.

"The by-polls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowda's cooperation," he added.



Earlier, Naidu held talks with Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He also met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in the national capital to take forward the alliance talks for the December Assembly elections in Telangana. This move indicates that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would join the national opposition front forming against the BJP for the 2019 polls, according to TDP sources.



(With PTI inputs)New Delhi:

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Aanand L Rais upcoming film Zero was recently in a bit of trouble, when immediately after its grand trailer launch on the superstars birthday, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday filed a criminal complaint against Shah Rukh and others for hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community in the Zero promo by showing the actor wearing Kirpan in one of the sequences. The makers have now issued an official statement which reads that the film or the makers have no intention of hurting any religious sentiments. They also clarified that SRK is not wearing a Gatra Kirpan (Article of Sikh Faith), but a dagger popularly known as Katar in the films trailer.

Also Read | Malaika and Arjun Kapoor to tie the knot in April 2019: Report

The statement reads, The concern is duly noted and we wish to respectfully clarify that the film does not depict a Kirpan but in fact has used what is commonly known as a Katar. The filmmakers have been careful not to hurt the feelings of any community including the Sikh community. The film is about celebrating incompleteness and to tell a heartfelt story. We trust you (MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa) will appreciate our stand that any concern this may have caused in completely inadvertent.

We are writing on behalf of the makers of the Film, Zero. Your concern is duly noted and we wish to respectfully clarify that the film does not depict a Kirpan. The film makers have been careful not to hurt the feelings of any community including the Sikh community. (1/2)  Spice (@SpiceSocial1) November 5, 2018

Sir we have replied to all your concerns, hope this helps. pic.twitter.com/h4fDB1S9b2  Spice (@SpiceSocial1) November 6, 2018

Manjinder Singh had earlier exclaimed that Sikhs will not tolerate that any movie star or the film itself shows the Sikh tenants or their articles of faith in a bad light. He further said that in the trailer, Shah Rukh not only wears the Kirpan but also the poster shows the star in a lighter mood, which asserts that the Sikh article of faith is also taken in a lighter sense. He said that Sikh Guru Sahiban has blessed enough power and strength to the Sikhs to fight with such atrocities.

Also Read | Ranveer Singh to go through Vidaayi ceremony after tying the knot with Deepika Padukone

Aanand L Rai directorial Zero, also starring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif is slated to release on December 21, 2018.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Diwali 2018 is upon us and as the nation rejoices and celebrates the Festival of Lights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine in Kedarnath and will review the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects Wednesday- November 7. The prime minister arrived at the holy pilgrimage town at around 9:45 am this morning and is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the carnival of lights. After offering prayers at the temple, Modi took a stock of the reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri. He was shown a video at the guest house within the temple premises to apprise him about the progress of the projects at the township.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is celebrating Diwali with the Indian Army troops deployed at forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley, along with Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane and other senior Army officials. She will fly over the Dibang Valley and visit Anini and Andrala Omkar forward posts in the district and meet the troops there, Kohima-based Defence spokesman Col Chiranjit Konwer told reporters.

Read | Deepotsav: Faizabad district to be renamed as Ayodhya; hospital, airport will be built: Yogi Adityanath

Diwali, the 'festival of lights' is one of the biggest carnivals in India. It is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across India and abroad. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, calling for a fresh start with the opportunity to let go of past grudges, and make merry.

As part of the Diwali festivity, thousands of Indians from across the globe return home and enjoy the warmth of families and friends to paint a perfect picture of the celebrations. Candlelights, earthen lamps, homes filled with the delicious aroma of mouth-watering sweets, delicacies and fireworks are also an important part of the festivity.

Based on their religious believe, people worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama and Goddess Kali in different parts of the country. In most of the regions, Diwali is believed to be the homecoming of Lord Rama with Sita and Laxmana after a long exile of 14 years.

Read | Dhanteras 2018: Gold never disappoints its investors | Know why

Here are the LIVE updates from Diwali celebrations 2018:

13:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work



On #Diwali, PM Modi visited Kedarnath today. He offered prayers at Kedarnath Temple. He extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ZL38dK6PIZ

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In As an RSS member, I got the opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension. Many governments came and left. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So, after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP: PM Modi



As an RSS member,I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension.Many govts came&left.Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So,after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP:PM in Harsil pic.twitter.com/SjcB59EOLn

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil earlier today, where he celebrated #Diwali with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/eOLx6Hugip

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of Diwali



Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of #Diwali pic.twitter.com/3Aih3CsYl3

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



11:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Diwali



Punjab: Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border today, on the occasion of #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/CuO8VG7CfL

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple



Uttarakhand: PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/GHvnjcqCwr

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He is gearing up to celebrate Diwali at the divine pilgrimage town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He will celebrate #Diwali here today. pic.twitter.com/k4tcUnUiY8

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi said India is taking great strides forward in defence. He mentioned various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including One Rank, One Pension. The prime minister said that Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/YW0m6YAbTb

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi addresses Indian Armed Forces in Uttarakhand's Harsil: Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, says PM Modi



Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians: PM Modi to Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil in Uttarakhand #Diwali (file pic) pic.twitter.com/C2bMq38AuS

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



07:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun to celebrate the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun; he will celebrate the festival of #Diwali in Kedarnath pic.twitter.com/rAhdGJg1Dd

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



07:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends Diwali greetings to the nation: Happy #Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyones lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!



aaaaaaa aa aaa aaaaaaaaaa aa aaaaaaa aaaaa aaaa aaaaa aa aa aaaaaa aa aa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaa aaa, aaaaa aaa aaaaaaa aaaa aaaa



Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyones lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018



For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Long lines are the bane of the airline passenger's existence, especially during peak holiday travel. A cascade of them, from check-in to security to boarding, and then through immigration and customs clearance, isn't just annoying: these lines can make you miss your flight, especially if navigating an unfamiliar airport, and more so if you arrive with little time to spare before take off, or your connection is tight.



Even "fast lane" departure and arrival lines, meant for business and first-class passengers, when and where offered, provide no panacea. Lines are the great leveler, like death. You may have flown to London in first class but end up waiting in the same queue as the poor guy in the middle seat at the back of the plane by the lavatory.



Here are some of the ways you can shorten the wait, or even eliminate waiting altogether.



Government programs



You've probably already heard of TSA Precheck and Global Entry, but if not let me explain. Precheck ($85 for five years) sends passengers into shorter and quicker TSA lines, allowing you to keep your shoes on and your laptop and size-compliant liquids and gels inside your carry-on. I prefer Global Entry ($100 for five years) because it includes Precheck and also ensures a quick, line-free re-entry into the U.S. through immigration and customs (sometimes the customs inspection lines are worse than immigration I've noticed).



Other countries offer quick or automated immigration only for residents, but if you travel to the United Kingdom at least twice a year, own an eligible passport, and you're willing to pay the 70 pound annual fee, look into the Registered Traveller service, which allows automated processing through immigration at most U.K. airports as well as at Eurostar terminals.



Airline offerings



Airlines offer line-beating perks that you can buy when you book your airfare. For $10 JetBlue, for example, will let you use the same TSA security line that its first-class customers enjoy; for $15 Delta will let you board the plane along with its preferred frequent fliers, giving you early access to the overhead bins; and for the same price United will let you use the priority check-in line or board the plane earlier than your fare would otherwise warrant. If lines are horrendously long, these $10 and $15 upgrades can make the difference between catching your flight or not.



Higher up the pecking order, United Airlines offers a "Signature Service" for VIP treatment at 11 airports, with prices starting at $250 per passenger. American offers its "5-Star Service" also at $250 per passenger in the U.S. and $300 overseas. Both programs include priority security lines and immigration processing, but American's is only for business and first-class passengers.



Or, for a lucky few, VIP service might cost nothing at all: it could be included in your airfare. Airlines such as British Airways and Emirates employ cadres of special service agents who wave their magic wands and make lines disappear for celebrities and uber-frequent-fliers. A few years ago, on a British Airways London-to-Los Angeles flight, I was asked to switch seats with Angelina Jolie so she could sit next to her son. Upon landing I enviously watched her and her son get met at the airplane's door and whisked through immigration by one of these facilitators.



Not a celebrity? Neither am I, but when I flew first class on Air France not long ago an agent met me at check in, escorted me to the head of the TSA line, then to the lounge, then to the gate and just in case I might have imbibed too much Champagne in the lounge, I guess, all the way to my seat. On landing, I was met at the plane's door, brought down to the tarmac, and handed over to a driver who sped me to the terminal. Not in first class? Air France offers a meet-and-greet service to any customer at four French airports with prices starting at 120 euros for the first passenger and 10 to 20 euros for additional passengers.



VIP Airport Concierges



But most of these programs don't help with security or immigration at airports outside the U.S., such at Heathrow, where I have spent many an hour zigzagging back and forth between crowd-control stanchions, in jet-lagged stupor, even with "fast lane" access.



So that's where VIP airport concierges come in. For a fee these enterprises promise to meet you at the curb or at the airplane's door and "expedite" you through security and passport control, and, when airport policy allows, even ushering you to the front of the lines.



Frankfurt Airport offers a VIP experience for any connecting passenger starting at 119 euros. It includes gate-to-gate transfer by electric cart or in some cases via a luxury car on the airport's tarmac. Some other airports offer similar perks.



One of the largest firms, London-based Global Airport Concierge (globalairportconciergeservice.com), works in over 700 airports worldwide, with prices starting at $150 per service. In 100 of those airports the company offers a VVIP service whereby passengers wait in a private lounge or private terminal while security and other formalities are processed far from the maddening crowds and the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Prices vary depending on airport (at LAX and London's Heathrow, the fee is over $4,000, but those two are anomalies and the service at most airports costs much less).



Then there's Blacklane Pass (pass.blacklane.com), a product from Berlin-based Blacklane, which works with nearly 300 airport concierge firms, including Global Airport Concierge. Known mostly for its private chauffeur services, Blacklane has re-imagined the VIP airport concierge business by charging a flat $100 per service in over 500 airports.



"There was a lot of pricing disparity, a lot of add-on fees and a lot of confusion," says Adam Parken, Blacklane's spokesperson. The rates varied from airport to airport and some were "base" prices, he says, not necessarily the final cost.



And indeed, fees do vary so compare prices. Occasionally dealing directly with a local or smaller provider such as Marhaba (marhabaservices.com), Asia Fast Track (asiafasttrack.com) or Fast Track Aero (fasttrack.aero) might cost less than Blacklane's flat $100 fee.



And for something really special ...



Then there are the ultra VVIP opportunities, ones only affordable to the Thurston Howell IIIs of the world. Normally, these people fly "private" on their Gulfstreams and Cessna Citations. But when circumstances compel them to fly merely in first class on a "commercial" flight (I can just hear Lovey Howell sighing "Oh Thurston, this is ghastly!" as she often did, when displeased, on "Gilligan's Island") a few airports offer ultra-exclusive experiences. At the Los Angeles airport celebrities and CEOs are treated to the "Private Suite Experience," which takes place in a very private, gated terminal far from the maddening crowds, with its own line-free security and immigration access (theprivatesuite.com). London's Heathrow offers something similar (heathrowvip.com) as does Frankfurt Airport (vip.frankfurt-airport.com/en).



If you have to ask how much all this costs (let's just say "thousands") you, like me, probably can't afford it.



The end of the line for lines?



The good news is that one day your face will be your passport and your boarding pass. Long lines will be a thing of the past. Airlines are working with airports and government agencies to introduce biometric passenger identification: look into a camera, walk through the gate, and onto the plane. I saw this in action at a British Airways gate in Los Angeles and witnessed a jumbo jet loaded in a matter of minutes. Eventually, your mug will take you from airport check-in to boarding and through security and on to passport control, without a piece of paper in sight.New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border in Uttarakhands Harshil cantonment area. After becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi has been celebrating Diwali with jawans. The devotion towards duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation, said the prime minister while greeting the soldiers.



Through their commitment and discipline, they are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people, he said. Army Chief Bipin Rawat was also present on the occasion.



ALSO READ | Gujarat government follows path of UP CM Yogi Adiyanath; to rename Ahmedabad as Karnavati



Speaking to the soldiers Modi said, "You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians."

Likening the soldiers with 'diyas' (earthen lamps), the prime minister said, "The way a diya burns itself to light up the world you lead a hard life to spread the light of fearlessness all around."



The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector.



Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world. "I feel proud when the Indian peacekeeping forces are praised for their skills, valour and discipline across the world," he said. Remembering his long association with the forces, he said he had a chance to spend time in the company of soldiers early during his career and he was sensitive to their needs.



ALSO READ | Delhi Air Quality Index witnesses slight improvement; drops from 'very poor' to 'poor'

He described the implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) for ex-servicemen, which had been hanging fire for over 40 years, a result of this close association with defence personnel.



"As an RSS member, I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time, I heard a lot about 'one rank, one pension'. Many governments came and went. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So after becoming prime minister, it was my responsibility to fulfil your dream," Modi said.



"Though its implementation required huge funds to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, it was done. Today I am happy that over Rs 11,000 crore has already been paid under 'one rank, one pension'," the prime minister said.



He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.



After his address, the prime minister distributed sweets among soldiers. He also met residents of the border village of Bagori and offered prayers on the banks of Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganga in Harshil.



The prime minister spent about 1.15 hours in Harshil, a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.



The prime minister later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.



Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.



A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. He interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex.



The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.



ALSO READ | Demonetisation Anniversary: Congress demands apology from PM Modi; calls for nationwide protest tomorrow



The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters.



(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Kareena Kapoor Khan is raising the temperatures once again with her Vogue photoshoot. Winning the Vogue and IWC Schaffhausen Style Icon Of The Year, 2018, the Begum had a photoshoot that enabled all kinds of hotness.



Vogue India posted four pictures of the actor on their Instagram profile looking gorgeous and equally sexy. The actor's photoshoot in different types of patterns, styles, designs looking incredibly sexy makes her true to her Win.



One showed her in a black, sports-bra-like wear which she unusually matched it with a bright red, frilled palazzo pants and strappy, black heels.

The other showed the Begum wearing a little red dress with an oval-chested opening and pulled straps with full sleeves.

While the other two showed her in a sheer, seafoam shirt with the same material belt and a sexy, printed swim-suit like innerwear.

And the last one showed in a knitted-grey sweater, a messy hair and a seductive look in a monochrome picture.





In an interview to the magazine, Kareena spoke about the importance of being a working mother, interviewing Sunny and more. Kareena said, I wanted to be a mother, but at the same time I was not ready to give up my entire life. Its important that Taimur sees a woman who comes home after a hard days work and is happy. Also, lets be honest, women are better at multitasking.

Also Read | Disha Patani disables comments after being trolled



She also spoke about fashion and style and said, Im all about comfort, but when I dress up I like to be sexy and glamorous. I am not a red-carpet girl; I dont like to turn up in big gowns. For my own birthday, I was in jeans and a T-shirt. Look at Kate Mossshes always so cool in jeans and jacket, and you look at her and think, God! Thats how I want to be.

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt also had their wins in the Vogue Women of the Year, 2018

Other Tinsel towners who had their mention of names in the Vogue Women of the Year Award, 2018 were Ranbir Kapoor who won the Vogue Man of the Year. While Alia Bhatt, who is dating Ranbir Kapoor also won Vogue and Lamborghini Youth icon of the Year.



Kareena Kappor Khan will be seen next in in Takht by Karan Johar. The film also stars Ranveer Singh, Bhumi Pednekar and Janhvi Kapoor.New Delhi:

Do you know which are the most unexplored places in the world? Are you raring to travel and explore? The world of tourism has opened up a whole wide world for the travel bugs to explore for a fun-filled ventures and adventures. However, there are still some parts of the globe untouched by human civilization. Next holiday, take the time to explore the thick ice sheets of Antarctica and head for the jungles of Papua New Guinea. These are listed among the most unexplored places in the world by several travel sites.

Also Read | Travel destinations: Eight safest countries to holiday in

Galapagos islands in the Pacific Ocean

Home to just around 23000 human population, this volcanic archipelago remains as one of the most unexplored places in the world. The archipelago is home to giant tortoises, iguanas, sea lions, penguins, whales and fish and has been a biological marine preserve for 50 years. Given the richness of the flora and fauna, this island is also believed to have inspired Charles Darwin to write his Theory of Evolution.

2. Papua, New Guinea

The rugged terrain of these country makes it impossible for human civilisation to creep in. The place remains largely unexplored and many scientists believe that many of the worlds undiscovered spices of plants and animals and indigenous tribes exist in the interior of the jungle. Hence, it retains its status as one of the most unexplored places in the world.

Also Read | Budget travel during monsoon: Cheapest countries to visit

3. Seychelles in the Indian Ocean

Perhaps it is safe to assume that as long as human civilisation does not touch a particular place, nature is preserved at its finest. With very few visitors, Seychelles, a country off East Africa has the largest percentage of land under conservation of any country, about 50 per cent of the island nation is preserved. The place hence deems with natural landscapes of islands, landscapes, birds and animals.





4. Bhutan

This hotspot for biodiversity is deemed as the happiest country. Neighbouring the Himalayan mountain and Tibet, Bhutan is yet another least explored places. More than 60 per cent of the country is under forest cover, with a quarter of its territory has been designated as national parks or protected areas.



5. Antarctica



The smallest continent, Antarctica still remains one of the most unexplored places in the world. Ninety-six 96 per cent of the island is covered with ice, which averages more than a mile thick. Given the fact that it remains mostly unexplored, Antarctica is now conducting and supporting scientific research and other work throughout the year. This coldest place in the world also serves as a habitat to species like penguins, whales, seals, polar bears and so on.

Also Read | Breezing through Grand Teton National Park, Yellow Stone National Park



6. Atacama Desert, Chile



A place so dead unlike the others, Atacama Desert in Chile has one of the world's strangest landscapes. One among the desert that really gets no rain at all. Given the places lifelessness, its high-altitude dry air and lack of pollution with no radio interference and almost alien like NASA can design their Mars ground tests. The desert also serves as the perfect place to conduct astronomical observations.



7. Daintree National Park, Australia



One of Australias remaining tracts of rainforests, Daintree National park is also believed to have one of the oldest ecosystems and is home to thousands of plant species and animals. An ecosystem so old, Daintree National park is believed to even contain a 110-million-year-old rainforest with trees that are more than 2,500 years old. This park is a place back in time.

For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Travel News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The CongressJD(S) alliance on Tuesday won the Karnataka by-elections 4:1 but what may appear a shot in the arm for the Congress leaves numerous questions unanswered--is there something in between the lines? Did the BJP play a strategic card which just passed unnoticed by the Congress leadership? Can strong regional alliances take on the aggressive BJP? Perhaps yes or may be no but there seems a lot more behind the scene at work.

The trail of possibilities

The Karnataka bypolls might have not been keenly contested by the BJP. It seems as if they have intentionally let go of them because of some obvious reasons. May be, BJPs loss in the Ballari constituency is a subtle message to Sushma Swaraj who in past was alleged to have close links with the mining baron Reddy brothers, conveying that the diamond belt is still stronger than the cow belt faction in the saffron party.

Another possibility could be, the BJP knows very well that the win in Karnataka will be credited solely to the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. As a consequence of which Rahul will get projected as the most acceptable face for the PM post. This is what the BJP ideally wants because given the public persona of Rahul Gandhi, it can conveniently counter all his poll strategies. Rahuls projections as the future leadership of the Grand alliance, will also curtail the Prime Ministerial aspirations of some of the political heavy weights.

The third take can be, with all recent wins of the Grand alliance partners,the BJP perchance wants to win the trust of Opposition parties on the EVM technology to ensure no hue and cry is made over EVMs during the final battle of the Lok Sabha polls, at the same time ensure the sanctity of the Election Commission.

Read | Karnataka bypoll results: Setback for BJP as Cong-JD(S) wins four of five seats

The litmus test for the BJP

The litmus test for the BJP is the upcoming five state assembly elections. In the initial days, it appeared as if the Congress was in the drivers seat in Madhya Pradesh but some latest developments have swayed public opinion. The Congress appears to be battling a strong infighting within the Madhya Pradesh unit which has also surfaced in public domain. This has given the BJP a chance to bounce back. Recent tiff between Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia has brought the feud in public notice. Reports also suggests that Kamal Nath appears unhappy with Rahuls proximity with Jyotiraditya, as he may be eyeing the CMs post as a reward for decades of his loyalty to the party. On the other hand, in the BJP, the leadership of Shivrajsingh Chouhan remains mostly in challenged with the saffron party also throwing its weight behind him. In spite of strong anti-incumbency, the BJP still has an edge, courtesy to the triangular contest within the Congress itself .

Also, in the Congress bastion in Mizoram, already there is dissent in the party and a few members have joined the BJP recently. And the anti-incumbency factor at play. However, the chief minister is confident of the people's faith in his government.

In Chhattisgarh, the fight between the Congress and the BJP may be spoilt by an ex-congressman, Ajit Jogi. He may emerge as the king maker or perhaps end up giving an edge to the BJP. Chances are there of dissent votes being cast for Jogi instead of the Congress, driven by the anti-incumbency factor. In case Jogi bags sufficient number of seats, the Congress may be forced to forge an alliance with him like Karnataka, giving the Chief Ministerial baton to Jogi despite winning more number of seats.

Read | Karnataka By-Elections 2018: Bellary records highest turnout

Rajasthan sees a trend of alternate government every five years. The BJP under the leadership of Vasundhara Raje Scindia may not have been able to win public sentiments but the Congress seems to be more organised. Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot are two pillars of the Congress here, but question arises whom will the Congress leadership favour. Reports suggests that while Sachin is close to Rahul, Gehlot is trusted more by Sonia. What may be the politics inside the party but it hasnt surfaced in the open unlike Madhya Pradesh. Anti-incumbency against the Raje government and better perception management by the Congress gives it an advantage in Rajasthan.

So, is the BJP testing poll waters?

As the country enters into the election season, the BJP seems to be testing waters with these bypolls results. Its election machinery is yet to go full throttle and the coming days will witness a blistering campaign by the BJP to retain is strongholds. However, by now, the BJP must have realised that strong regional combinations may pose a challenge in 2019.New Delhi:

The second wave of US sanctions on Iran has started and it will hit its oil exports, shipping and banksall considered as key parts of the Middle-East countrys economy. This apart, the US Treasury and the Department of State have placed over 700 Iranian firms and individuals in the sections list. The stated aim of US sanctions is to cripple Irans missile and nuclear programme and hit its economy hard so that it may lose its political, diplomatic and strategic weight in the Middle-East region. Eight countries, including India, Japan and China, have been temporarily granted a waiver from US sanctions on their import of oil from Iran. That means after a few months, specifically six months from November 5 when the second phase of US sanctions on Iran began--those countries which have been currently granted the waiver will face the music if they continue to have a business with Tehran.

This is certainly a dictate that no sovereign country will accept. India has already stated in the public that it abides by sanctions imposed by the United Nations and not those imposed by any another country. India, the second largest Iranian oil buyer after China, imports more than 17 per cent of crude oil from Iran. The US asks it to restrict its monthly purchase to 1.25 million tonnes or 15 million tonnes a year from 22.6 million tonnes bought in the 2017-18 financial year. Given the circumstance when global oil price is increasing and national currency against US dollar has weakened substantially, India has no intention to abide by the US dictates to bring oil import from Iran to zero level even after May 2019. Even China, which is already not sharing good relations with the US on the trade and commerce front, will do what suits its economic, political and strategic interests.

Read | US issued strongest sanctions on Iran ever: Donald Trump

In fact, the ongoing geopolitical situation across the world and current global economic realities show that the Trump administration will have to realise that its move to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and impose sanctions on the country will prove futile. A broad hint in this regard has already been given by Europe too as it has set up a mechanism to rescue Iran from the stifling economic sanctions. Under a proposed measure known as a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Europe will help persuade Tehran to stay inside the deal and not break it even at the face of provocations from the US. Major European powers like France, Germany and England which were part of P5+1 that had signed the deal with Iran on the nuclear issue in 2015, have opposed the US unilateral decision on Iran. They have, in many words and innuendoes, made it clear that the decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal is based on President Donald Trumps subjective beliefs and perception and not on facts, logic or larger public interests.

Read | Dharmendra Pradhan gives credit to PM Modi after US allows India, seven nations to buy Iran oil

There is a fear that Americas move to bring Tehran under sanctions regime will further escalate oil prices. The US itself is not equipped enough to fill demand and supply gap that cut in Iranian oil supply will cause. Nor is the combined strength of Saudi Arabia, Libya, the UAE, Angola and Nigeriaall major Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)--able to match loss caused by cut in supply of oil from Iran and Venezuela, the Latin American nation which is mired in protected economic crisis and continues to lose oil production. The ongoing trade war between China and the US is hitting below the belt already stressed economy of the world. In this situation, what disruptions American sanctions on Iran will cause in the oil market, especially 180-day after exemptions granted to eight countriesIndia, China, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and Turkey, expires. Analysts predict a more economic downturn in 2019. They say the rise in oil prices could slow down demand in the market. American leadership seems to be unflustered with international concern. Donald Trump blinded by his ego, in fact, is bent on pulling the world, especially developing economies into the well of distress and misery.Washington:

Four Indian-American Congressmen from the Democratic party were re-elected to the US House of Representatives and more than a dozen others won various other races across the country in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday.

In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi was re-elected for the second term by a comfortable margin of more than 30 percentage points. He defeated his Indian American Republican opponent J D Diganvker.



ALSO READ | Srinagar freezes at sub-zero temperature, records coldest night of season

Three-term lawmaker Dr Ami Bera was re-elected for a record fourth consecutive time from the seventh Congressional District of California. Unlike the previous three elections, Bera did not had to wait for weeks for recounting of votes. He defeated Andrew Grant of the Republican party by a small five percentage margin.

In the Silicon Valley, Indian-American Ro Khanna defeated Ron Cohen of the Republican party with a massive 44 percentage point in the 17th Congressional District of California.

"Tonight was a great night for our campaign and for Democrats across the country. I'm grateful to the voters of #CA17 for giving me the opportunity to continue to represent you in Congress. This has been the honour of my life," Khanna said.

"With Democrats in control of the House, we will push for economic and foreign policy populism," he said.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the only Indian-American woman lawmaker in the House of Representatives, defeated her GOP rival Craig Keller by a massive 66 percentage points.

"The American people voted to put the Democrats back in control of the US House of Representatives. Now, we are primed to restore the balance of power between the branches of government and push back even more strongly against the Trump administration's deeply destructive policies. Our communities are sick and tired of the corruption and injustice," Jayapal said in her victory speech in Seattle.

"With new and diverse voices joining our ranks, we are building a movement that truly represents the people of this country," she said.

None of the more than half a dozen new Indian Americans candidates, many of whom caught national attention by giving tough fight to their opponents and outraising them in the fund raisers, could make it to the House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in the Indian parliament.

However, Indian-Americans picked up more seats in the State assemblies.



ALSO READ | Mizoram CEO leaves for Delhi on EC summons amid demands for his ouster

In Wisconsin State, Democratic Josh Kaul created history by becoming the first Indian-American to win the race for Attorney General by defeating incumbent Brad Schimel of the Republican Party.

Democratic Nima Kulkarni defeated Joshua Neubert from the GOP to make her maiden entry into the Kentucky Assembly from State District 40. A practicing and recognised lawyer, she owns Indus Law Firm specialising in immigration, employment and business law.

Amish Shah made his maiden entry into the Arizona Assembly from State Legislature District 24. So did, Kevin Thomas from the New York Senate District 6 for the New York State Assembly.

Mujtaba Mohammed entered the North Carolina State Senate from the Senate District 38. A former staff attorney at the Council for Children's Rights and assistant public defender, Mohammed defeated Richard Rivette.

Incumbent Jay Chaudhuri, an accomplished entrepreneur, was re-elected to North Carolina Senate from the State Senate District 15.

Republican Niraj Atani, 27, registered his third consecutive electoral victory from Ohio House 42nd District. He is the youngest Indian-American elected official in the US. He also is the second Indian-American state elected official in Ohio history, and the first Indian-American Republican.

In Washington State, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter were re-elected for the State Senate. Among others re-elected at the State level are Sabi Kumar in Tennessee and Ash Kalra (California) and Kumar Bharve from Maryland.

Juli Mathew won the Fort Bend City Court at Law No 3 in Texas, K P George won the race for Fort Bend County Judge in Texas and Shalini Bahl-Milne for the Amherst Town Council District 4 in Massachusetts.

The emergence of a large number of young Indian-Americans candidates reflects the growing desire of this small ethnic community comprising just one per cent of the US population of 32.57 crores.

"It was a good night for Indian American candidates. We re-elected every incumbent, including all four members of the US House of Representatives, and also elected at least six new state legislators, four of whom will be the very first ever elected to that office in Kentucky, New York, Illinois, and Arizona," Gautam Raghavan from the "Impact" organisation told PTI after the election results were declared.

"Perhaps our biggest win of the evening was Josh Kaul winning his campaign for attorney general of Wisconsin, which makes him the only Indian American to serve in statewide office today," he said.



ALSO READ | Diwali 2018: BSF, Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border

However, none of the dozen other Indian Americans running for the Congress could be win their races.

"I know some may be disappointed that we weren't able to elect any new Members of Congress, but each of them outperformed prior challengers in their districts," he said.

"It's also worth remembering that most Members of Congress - including Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, and Raja Krishnamoorthi - lost their first campaigns, so we hope to see them on the ballot again in future years," Raghavan, a former Obama Administration official, said in response to a question.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.The numbers are so large, it will get to the point where taxes become ludicrous, or our police and fire see massive cuts in pensions or service, he says. You see it most in destroying home values. And when it hits, whoever can leave will and whoever cant will be stuck by the bill.But free rides are all scooter-sharing companies can offer in Chicago right now since scooters, which have proved controversial in other cities, are not yet permitted for commercial use. The citys departments of Transportation and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection are gathering data about electric scooters before giving any company the go-ahead.DANBURY  Voters across the Danbury area delivered sharp rebukes to incumbent Republican legislators this week by sending a a half-dozen Democrats to upset victories in some districts the party has not won in decades.

First-time candidates Julie Kushner and Will Haskell both defeated incumbent Republicans for state Senate districts that Democrats have not won in Danbury since the early 1990s and in Wilton since the early 1970s.

Fellow Democrats Ken Gucker and Raghib Allie-Brennan, who have run before, finally broke through to win seats Republicans have held for most, if not all, of the past 20 years.

Those flipped seats have helped propel Democrats to control of both chambers of the state legislature  breaking the 18-18 tie in the Senate  and have turned the traditionally red legislative delegation markedly blue.

Although local Republicans dismiss the wins as the spoils from a record turnout in opposition to President Donald Trump, Democrats hope the results add even more momentum to what has been a spate of victories in local Republican strongholds over the past two years.

In the end, we were inspired, we were tireless and we were unstoppable, said Danbury Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Andrea Gartner.

Defying history

Democrats defied decades of voting history on Tuesday night when they upset a half-dozen incumbents across the legislative delegation.

Haskell, a 22-year-old recent Georgetown University graduate, stunned Republicans with his defeat of state Sen. Toni Boucher, who has served in the state legislature as long as Haskell has been alive.

Kushner, a retired union organizer in Hartford, defeated Sen. Mike McLachlan, a longtime Danbury GOP leader and former chief of staff to Mayor Mark Boughton.

Both Boucher and McLachlan had held their 24th and 26th District seats for a decade and Republicans had preceded them decades before that.

The voters have spoken but Im still scratching my head, McLachlan said.

Allie-Brennan defeated Republican state Rep. Will Duff in a rematch of their 2016 race for the 2nd District seat in Bethel that has been held by a GOP member for 11 of the past 15 years.

Gucker, a Danbury community activist, defeated Republican state Rep. Michael Ferguson for the 138th District.

Thats the Republican stronghold seat Boughton won 20 years ago, before he became mayor in 2001, followed by now-Danbury Town Clerk Janice Giegler, who held it for 14 years before being elected to City Hall.

Democrat Anne Hughes topped Republican state Rep. Adam Dunsby for the 135th District in Redding, Easton and Weston  another seat held almost exclusively by Republicans going back to at least the 1970s.

Maria Horn also narrowly defeated incumbent Republican state Rep. Brian Ohler for the 64th District seat in Kent, returning a Democrat to the traditionally blue seat.

They join re-elected Democratic state Reps. David Arconti and Bob Godfrey, the deputy speaker pro tempore who is himself an institution after 30 years in the legislature.

People want a different vision and I feel like that, here in our part of Connecticut, made a huge difference, Kushner said.

Even some of the area Republicans who retained their posts, like Reps. Steve Harding and John Frey, faced stiff competition.

Frey held off Democrat Aimee Berger-Girvalo by fewer than 500 votes. Although Harding won easily, Democrat Daniel Pearson received more than 40 percent of the vote just two years after Harding won re-election unopposed.

Skeptical Republicans

Republicans across the state have bristled at the idea that the Democratic wave that swept state government on Tuesday was a turning point for Connecticut Republicans.

Instead, they have argued that the record turnout nationwide and in parts of the state was driven mostly by opposition to the president instead of opposition to local Republicans policies.

I think this was really an anti-Trump vote for a lot of people, Boughton said Wednesday morning. It was also a confluence of very well-funded and well-managed campaigns 

Legislators on both sides of the aisle often praised the legislative delegation for its bipartisanship, and new members said this week they hope to continue the streak.

I havent had a chance to really discuss the issues in depth with a lot of my new Democratic colleagues, but it seems like were on the same page regarding what we want for the people of this district  and thats whats best, Harding said.

It will be up to that entire delegation, especially the new Democrats, to accomplish more for western Connecticut or else that momentum really will stall, Kushner added.

We have to do things, we have to get things done that are going to make a difference in peoples lives. she said. We have to take on the tough issues and move forward.

News-Times staff members Katrina Koerting, Julia Perkins and Anna Quinn contributed to this report.OXFORD  Republican incumbent David Labriola apparently won re-election over Democratic challenger James Krochko Tuesday night.

While districts were still reporting, Krochko tweeted: Thank you everyone who came out today! Although we did not win, we saw record turnouts in Oxford, Southbury and Naugatuck. Thank you for all your support! Im not giving up. I hope you dont either.

Initial tabulations had Labriola with 69 percent of the vote.

Labriola, a 57-year-old Oxford resident, was first elected to represent the district, which covers Oxford and portions of Naugatuck and Southbury, in 2002. This would be his ninth term in office.

I consider it an honor to be able to serve the people of Naugatuck, Oxford, and Southbury, he said during his campaign.

Labriola, who works as a lawyer at the Naugatuck-based law firm Labriola and Labriola, said the process of law making is what drives him to continue to run for office.

I enjoy the give and take of the law making process and fashioning solutions that benefit the people of our community, Labriola said.

Krochko is a 19-year-old Oxford resident.

I am very grateful to be the Democratic nominee for the 131st District, he told the Republican-American after receiving his partys nomination. Its good to see the energy of the Democratic Party right now, not just in the district but in the country.

Krochko, who is the closing manager at ShopRite in Southbury and is studying for a degree in special education at Southern Connecticut State University, said he became involved in politics after the presidential election.Ald. Joe Moore, 49th, who happened to be in the vicinity of the shooting in 2014, sent out a letter to his constituents on Wednesday lauding the community members who came forward and identified Vaughn and the teenagers as the perpetrators of the shooting. Moore said the shooting continues to haunt him.For decades, young brands have relied on the news media to establish their credibility among customers. Getting featured in a newspaper, magazine or TV program meant that some of the trust readers and viewers had in those outlets would rub off onto you and your brand, building customer trust in your fledgling business.

Related: You Can't Lead Effectively Without Trust

But in an era when people have stopped trusting the media venues they once counted on for reliable information, how do you establish your brand?

Americans are losing trust in the media -- our survey numbers.

In October 2018, my company conducted a Google Survey of 400 American adults ages 18 and up. When we asked which source they trusted more for accurate and unbiased information, in the run-up to today's 2018 Midterm Election:

28 percent said they trusted news media (55 years and older were at 32 percent)

6 percent named social media (here, women were the low, at 4 percent)

6 percent said they trusted candidates (millennials were a surprising high, at 9 percent)

60 percent said they didn't trust any of these sources

These findings, though nonscientific, still aligned with the lack of overall faith in the election overall. This was echoed by other findings in our study, such as one in which 63 percent of those surveyed expressed concern about the security of voting systems in today's vote.

In conducting this survey, we also wondered which of the "two largest, most popular" media sources those surveys trusted more as a source of accurate and unbiased information for the 2018 midterm elections. And here, 76 percent in our study said they trusted the New York Times more than Facebook; and only 24 percent said they trusted Facebook more than the Times. (There was less than a 2 percent variance across all gender and age groups.)

Trust, of course, is crucial to attracting and retaining customers. But when a majority of customers no longer trust traditional or newer media channels as sources of information, what can businesses do to establish themselves as trustworthy?

How to win customer trust in an age of distrust.

There are three pillars you need in order to build trust, according to Harvard Business School professor (and former Uber exec) Frances Frei, who, in a TED talk, said:

"There's three things about trust. If you sense that I am being authentic, you are much more likely to trust me. If you sense that I have real rigor in my logic, you are far more likely to trust me. And if you believe that my empathy is directed towards you, you are far more likely to trust me."

Based on Frei's tenets, here are three tips for entrepreneurs trying to succeed in an era when the public is growing increasingly suspicious of institutions and traditional forms of authority.

1. Be authentic and build your community around this authenticity.

First, be clear about what you as a brand value. Everything must stem from this. As Simon Sinek has famously said, People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

Identify what your team genuinely cares about and deliver meaningful, impactful content that reflects these values and benefits your customers. Our friends at Mozilla, for example, found in a study that among those customers familiar with the organizations work to support internet health -- including web literacy, policy and advocacy programs and technology innovations -- 69 percent were more likely to be engaged users and supporters of the Mozilla Firefox browser.

Related: How Entrepreneurs Can Navigate the Crisis of Trust

Given this insight, the company launched a branded podcast covering key internet health-related topics, such as net neutrality, personal data and surveillance. Hosted by longtime tech media personality Veronica Belmont, the podcast got over 1 million downloads in its first seven-episode season.

Not everyone can (or should) launch a podcast, but every brand can find ways to create value-driven content and work with trusted experts to boost the credibility of that content and, by extension, the brand itself.

Takeaway: Be sure to communicate consistently and regularly. How and how often we talk about certain topics implicitly indicates how much we value them. Nothing screams "We don't care as much as we claim to" louder than a neglected blog or social media account.

If you can't figure out what content your community finds useful, why not ask? Just as you seek to engage and understand your customers during product development. you should involve these people in your content and communications process. Listen to them and iterate based on their feedback. When your customers can see that you care about the same things that they do, you'll be able to build the community you want around your brand.

2. Show, dont tell, how youve got customers' best interests at heart.

Trust in institutions is rapidly eroding, in large part because people no longer see leaders and organizations acting in ways that align with their interests. This is particularly true if your business is novel and complex in ways that are not logically intuitive for customers.

Instead of simply trying to explain how youre acting in the service of your customers, offer evidence by being transparent. Take data privacy, for example. With massive data breaches regularly making headlines, its no surprise that consumers are rapidly losing faith in the ability of companies to do the right thing.

Our survey found that more than 7 in 10 of those surveyed (71 percent) wanted to be able to vote on whether or not the government can regulate online personal data collection. Notably, this finding was consistent across gender and all age groups -- all within 2 percent.

Takeaway: Its not enough to say, Your data is safe with us or, Were collecting this data to improve your experience. Customers know that they can no longer believe that. Customers need to see exactly what data youre collecting, what youre doing with it and how youre protecting it. This will go a long way to help your customers feel confident entrusting their business to you.

At ExpressVPN, weve published extensive details in our Trust Center about our approach to security and what measures are in place to protect customer data. We've also worked with the non-profit Center for Democracy & Technology to establish a list of questions that any trustworthy VPN should be able to answer about its privacy, security and data-use practices.

3. Listen to your community with empathy.

So, you've built your community around your brand and your customers can see that youve got their backs. Now what happens when someone from your community comes to you with feedback  and it's negative?

When most of us get criticism, sometimes our first instinct is to be defensive, to adopt an us versus them mentality, especially when our team members have poured their earts and souls into a project. Resist that instinct. Remember that your customers are offering feedback because they see themselves as part of your community; they want to be involved in shaping your brand. This is a good thing!

Takeaway: Try to see things from their point of view, validate their perspective and listen with an open mind. Ask them questions. And work with them to find a resolution that doesnt just satisfy them, but makes your product or service better.

One brand that learned the hard way that it needed to be better at listening was Uber. After a series of controversies hurt its business in early 2017, Uber took steps to make its relationship with drivers less combative and more trusting. The company talked with thousands of drivers -- one on one, in groups, at events, and through surveys -- and used the lessons learned to implement changes such as tipping, and payment for wait times in a 180 Days of Change campaign.

Uber was able to bounce back quickly from its rocky start in 2017, growing business by 15 percent from March to September, according to credit card analytics company Second Measure.

If you and your community can work together, use criticism from customers, and transform your brand for the better, then you'll strengthen your credibility as a brand, attract even more customers and turn your existing customers into evangelists.

Related: Want to Build a High-Performance Team? Start with Trust.

In an age where people are growing more cynical and suspicious of traditional news outlets and social media, there are still ways you can establish trust with your customers.

Related:

It's Election Day! But in This Age of Media Distrust, How Can Businesses Win People Over?

You Can't Lead Effectively Without Trust

5 Effective Ways to Build Trust In 'Low-Trust' Industries



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedMetro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  A human rights lawyer was shot dead Tuesday in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

Atty. Benjamin Tarug Ramos, a founding member of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), was gunned down by motorcyle-riding men in Brgy. Binucuil in Kabankalan. He sustained three gunshot wounds on his chest and was declared dead on arrival at the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital, authorities said.

"The passionate, dedicated and articulate yet amiable and jolly Ben, was a founding member of NUPL. Despite limitations, he was for the longest time the 'go-to' pro-bono lawyer of peasants, environmentalists, activists, political prisoners and mass organizations in Negros," NUPL said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

NUPL said Ramos also assisted members of National Federation of Sugar Workers killed in the massacre of 9 farmers in Sagay, Negros Occidental.

Ramos, called "Ben" by his colleagues, was the 34th lawyer killed under the Duterte administration according to the NUPL.

"Excluding judges and prosecutors, he is the 24th member of the profession killed and the 8th in the Visayas," the group said.

It added that other NUPL members have been receiving threats for handling cases of political prisoners, suspected rebels, environmentalists, and suspected drug users.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacanang "strongly condemned" Ramos' killing, saying "any form of violence, other than legal, has no place in a civilized society."

Panelo added authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident and make sure those responsible would be brought to justice.

However, Panelo said it was "reckless, irresponsible, and baseless "to blame the government for the slaying as it will merely "inflame the emotions of those outraged by the senseless death."

Panelo said, "He (President Rodrigo Duterte) expresses his condolences to the grieving family and gives his assurance that there will be no stone left unturned in the solution of the killing of a fellow member of the bar."

International rights group Human Rights Watch denounced the killings, calling it "a blow to the human rights movement in the country."

"Ramos was a human rights defender who took on pro bono cases representing some of the most marginalized sectors in the Philippines. His murder is a further indictment of the impunity that has worsened under the administration of President Duterte," he said.

Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, meanwhile, said, "Any government that does not act to stop the rampant killing of defense lawyers, by such inaction, kills not only its citizens and their defenders, but also the rule of law, and thereby, extinguishes hopes for a just and humane future."

In a statement Wednesday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation is already investigating the incident.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines condemned the murder, noting the "quick succession of violent attacks" against lawyers.

"Our pens and typewriters are helpless against guns and bullets that have tilted the scales of justice alarmingly in favor of impunity and lawlessness," it said in a statement.

It urged the government to quickly act on the case.

"Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges are being targeted with surging frequency and impunity. Each unsolved and unprosecuted murder of the officers of our court of law is an attack against the rule of law," IBP said.

The Philippine National Police has ordered an immediate investigation to resolve the case.

"We assure the family of the victim of a thorough investigation to ensure the immediate arrest of the perpetrators so that justice will be served to the victim and his family," Western Visayas Police Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said in a statement.This puts every single judge on notice that you need to be a little more connected to the community, a little bit more responsive to the community, and you need to be a little more conscious of the decision-making and the demeanor you have, said Brendan Shiller, an attorney who had worked toward Coghlans ouster.Lawrences court-appointed lawyer, Sergio Rodriguez, an assistant federal defender, said Lawrence deserved to be punished but that the proposed sentencing guideline range of about six to seven years was too harsh. He noted the extensive trauma that Lawrence had been through from an early age and that she has the support of family members, including her 11-year-old son and mother, who is now sober.When the smoke from the midterm election clears, one thing is certain: You will be seeing the name of Robert Mueller a lot more than you have for the past two months, no matter whether the Democrats manage to take the U.S. House or not.

For one thing, Mueller has kept himself and his investigation into Donald Trump's campaign deliberately out of the headlines by observing the Justice Department custom of not issuing indictments connected to politics in the 60 days leading up to the election.

Just about the only real news related to the special counsel's office has been a slow drip of information about the connections between Trump adviser Roger Stone and WikiLeaks. And that seems to have leaked from Stone and those around him, not Mueller's team. (There was also some outrageous fake news designed to impugn Mueller's credibility, but that faded fast.)

With the election over, Mueller will be back into action. His team will likely have more indictments to make.

Mueller will also have to decide how to communicate the information he has gathered to Congress. Last week, a federal judge ordered the release of a 1974 grand jury report that was part of special prosecutor Leon Jaworski's report to Congress about President Richard Nixon. The document could have lessons for Mueller.

Of course, Mueller's investigation has worked quietly and methodically so far, and we don't know how quickly he might act after the election - only that he is free to do so.

If the Democrats win Congress, they will be able to initiate extensive oversight investigations into areas of Trump's career and possible ties with Russia. That would certainly overlap with Mueller's work, and add a further element of overt partisanship to the saga of the special counsel's investigation and Trump's efforts to discredit or end it.

More dramatic still, a Democratic House would have the ability to impeach Trump - even if it knew for sure that Republicans in the Senate would acquit Trump after a trial there.

That would raise the stakes considerably for whatever recommendation or report Mueller makes to Congress. Most Democrats played down the impeachment idea in the midterm campaign, judging (rightly or wrongly) that it would be more likely to turn out angry Republican voters than supportive Democratic ones.

That calculus could change with presidential elections still two years away. Impeachment would distract Trump from his agenda. It might weaken him to have to spend months or even years defending himself against detailed charges.

Mueller's evidence would be at the center of any impeachment effort. His investigation, cleverly farmed out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, already got Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen to testify under oath in open court that the president directed him to commit an election law felony. That would be a significant piece of any impeachment effort.

Mueller's findings still need to be pinned down more precisely around the question of Trump campaign coordination with Russia, the very issue with which the investigation began.

With respect to the firing of FBI Director James Comey, it seems highly unlikely that there will be any more concrete information than what the public already knows. There's ample evidence for the Democrats to claim that Trump obstructed justice, but there's also room for Trump and his Republican defenders to say that the president had no corrupt intent when he fired Comey.

Therefore, Mueller's findings on the Russia connection will be hugely consequential. The investigation has already uncovered compelling evidence that Russian intelligence operatives were involved in hacking the Democratic National Committee during the election. If Trump's campaign was knowingly involved, then the whole setup begins to look much more like Watergate, in which Republican-hired operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee offices. The key question would then become, as it was in Watergate, what the president knew and when he knew it. The possibility of a coverup would loom large. More information about such a potential coverup could change public perception of the Comey firing.

The strongest potential connection of which we are now aware is Stone. Recently released email indicates that he told officials in the Trump campaign about upcoming WikiLeaks leaks before they were made public. Because the Russians were the ultimate source of the emails released by WikiLeaks, that brings the chain between Russia and the Trump campaign one link closer to being established. To be sure, the chain is not complete, much less solid.

All this leads inexorably to the question of how Mueller should communicate with Congress. The newly released Watergate grand jury report is a spare, indeed laconic, document that simply lists presidential statements and refers to evidence that might show the statements to be false. It was more a road map for congressional investigation than a detailed report and recommendation of the kind prepared by independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr for what became the Bill Clinton impeachment.

At the Lawfare blog, my Harvard Law colleague Jack Goldsmith and Lawfare editor in chief Benjamin Wittes praise the Jaworski report and suggest that its objective, non-interpretive tone would be suitable for Mueller, in part because it would help preserve some sort of objectivity.

I'm skeptical of whether a similar effort would have any effect in the contemporary political environment. Trump has already claimed that Mueller and his team are entirely partisan. He's not going to change his tune if Mueller presents a report with no narrative or interpretation attached.

What Mueller should do is provide a detailed account of the facts his team has found and possible interpretations, both inculpatory and exculpatory.

Without some explanation and interpretation, the facts may simply be too complex for Congress and the public to follow.

And Mueller should submit the identical document to a Republican House (if that's what we get) as he would to a Democratic House that might impeach. One could even argue that Mueller and his report will be more important if the Republicans control the House - because the report will then be the sole official governmental source on just what the president knew and did.

- - -

Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of law at Harvard University and was a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter. His books include "The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President."RIDGEFIELD  Republican incumbent John Frey will serve his 11th term in the state House of Representatives, beating out first-time Democratic challenger Aimee Berger-Girvalo.

Frey, 55, said around 11 p.m. that Berger-Girvalo had called him to concede. Unofficial results from the towns four polling districts show Frey with 5,732 votes to Berger-Girvalos 5,214, according to The Ridgefield Press.Democratic challenger Ken Gucker narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Michael Ferguson to represent the State Houses 138th District.

The race, called just before midnight, showed Gucker winning by 196 votes, with 4,793 votes for Gucker and 4,597 for Ferguson.

Gucker, a small business owner and community activist, credited his win to his outreach with voters throughout the campaign. He knocked on over 3,800 doors in the district, Gucker said.

Its just proof that a lot of hard work and listening to constituents really paid off, Gucker said. A lot of what I was hearing from people in the district was that, You came to my door, you listened to me and thats why Im voting for you.

Gucker, 54, is a New Fairfield native who now lives in Danbury. He has advocated for local issues, including preserving the McLean House on Danburys Main Street or preventing a proposal to put herbicides in Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield.

Ferguson, 27, is finishing his first term in office and had pointed to his work on the bipartisan budget, advocating for education and working with a business mentoring program as his accomplishments.

During a speech to his supporters as the numbers were calculated, Ferguson said he had no regrets about his time serving the district.

It has always been an honor to hold this seat, he said. It has been a privilege.

aquinn@newstimes.comDemocratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy won his widely expected re-election victory over Republican challenger Matthew Corey shortly after the polls closed Tuesday night.

New Haven officials overrun by residents, students trying to register to vote

Connecticut is worth fighting for, said Murphy in an acceptance speech at the Yard Goats Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford a couple hours later. Thats why I asked for this job and thats why I am so fired up for the next six years.

The Associated Press immediately called the race when polls closed at 8 p.m. Officials totals were not available. In an Oct. 30 poll by Quinnipiac University, Murphy lead Corey 56 to 41.

The win awarded Murphy, 45, his second six-year term as U.S. senator, following three terms in the U.S. House representing Connecticuts fifth district and four terms in the Connecticut General Assembly. Murphy was joined by his wife and two children at a Democratic Election night reception in Hartford Tuesday evening.

Murphy, a Cheshire resident, is an outspoken leader for gun control in Congress. The deadly shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school occurred in his congressional district in 2012.

Tonight, we have a chance to say loud and clear that the gun lobby is no longer in charge of our gun laws, Murphy told a cheering crowd Tuesday night.

Corey, who owns a window washing business in Hartford, tried to use his blue collar background to attract support. Corey, who lives in Manchester, cited his fundraising disadvantage as the reason for the loss, and called on Murphy to pay more attention to Connecticut.

I told him, There are bigger issues facing Connecticut than whats happening in Washington, Corey said. Its not always about parties. Its about people.

With a campaign war chest of more than $14 million to back his re-election, Murphy organized a 24-hour fundraising blitz to help Democrats who back gun control measures and have close races get elected. Murphy also spent significant time campaigning with other Democrats around Connecticut.

Murphy voted in Cheshire Tuesday morning before crisscrossing the state to visit polling places. He made stops in Westport and Waterbury, among others. He also continued an Election Day tradition of eating lunch at Burger King in Torrington.

Corey visited Norwalk, Berlin, Waterbury, Southington, Seymour, Shelton, West Haven, East Windsor and Enfield.Republican Craig Miner will serve another term for the state Senate District 30 after defeating Democrat challenger David Lawson.

Results came in Wednesday morning, giving Miner about 53.6 percent, or 22,750 votes, and Lawson about 46.1 percent or 19,500 votes, according to the Secretary of the State website.

Miner, 62, of Litchfield, just finished his first term in the state Senate, though he previously served eight terms as the state representative for the 66th District.

Im happy again to have the support of the majority of the district, Miner said. In some ways it is a recognition for the hard work I put in for the position.

Miner ran to continue to improve on the states fiscal problems and said it will be interesting to see how to address those challenges in January.

Its going to take an extraordinary amount of cooperation to find a pathway to push the state going forward into the future where its not dead last or near dead last, Miner said.

He said the support for Lawson shows there are other viewpoints in the Northwest corner and will factor into how the legislature addresses these challenges. He said people may have voted on particular issues more so than a holistic approach for Connecticut, including opposition to President Donald Trump.

Miner, who served on the appropriations committee sees consolidation and privatization as the key ways to cut state spending. He said certain state programs and efforts are duplicated and should be reviewed so that it can become more efficient.

His opponent, Lawson, 60, of New Milford, has served on the New Milford school board since 2003. He ran because he said the states priorities need to be restructured, including more of an emphasis on education.

The 30th District includes New Milford, Brookfield, Kent, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Litchfield, Morris, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren and Winchester.In a record turnout for a mid-term election, educated suburban voters combined with Connecticuts cities to create the blue wave that drowned Republican dreams of regaining a piece or two of state government, and put Democrats in solid control for at least the next two years.

While Republican Bob Stefanowski won solid support in rural areas and blue-collar regions including the Naugatuck Valley, support for Democrat Ned Lamont emerged in formerly rock-ribbed GOP territory, including the heart of Connecticuts Gold Coast in wealthy enclaves like Greenwich and Wilton, where veteran state Sens. L. Scott Frantz and Toni Boucher, were the high-profile face of losing Republicans.

The economy was the biggest issue on the minds of Connecticut voters, and was by far the most talked about concern on the campaign trail. But experts suggest that at the very least, it was opposition to President Donald Trump that ultimately drew record turnout in Connecticut that led to Lamonts victory.

The pushback against the Trump administration played a role, said Gayle Alberda, political science professor at Fairfield University. People being really upset about the stuff that was happening at the White House and coming out to vote because of that.

Alberda said there was an indication the blue wave would occur because of the surge of new voters who registered in Connecticut since the 2016 election, a trend that ultimately tipped the scales in Lamonts favor. Scott McLean, a professor of political science at Quinnipiac University agreed, stressing that he thought the voter wave of early 2018 would translate to lines at the polls on Election Day.

Trump helped define the issues, McLean said Wednesday afternoon.

In all, about 1.3 million of 2.1 million eligible voters cast ballots.

Jonathan Wharton, a political science professor at Southern Connecticut State University, said the energized voters in Connecticuts suburbs  especially Fairfield County, where Democrats had several upsets in long-time Republican districts  played a large role in Stefanowskis loss. He also cited turnout in New Haven and Hamden as playing a major role in the outcome of the governors race.

Clearly there was an interest in New Haven of not supporting Trump, so that was definitely part of it, Wharton said.

Gary L. Rose, chairman of the Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies at Sacred Heart University, believes that the turnout was a the result of several factors, including the high-profile fight for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The way in which the congressional elections were nationalized, I think, added a level of intensity and interest, even though Connecticut voters knew very well the incumbents would win, Rose said. The intensity of the gubernatorial contest certainly brought people to the polls. Everyone knew it was a close election. Their differences in tax policy brought many to the polls who might not have voted. And with President Trump, it was no longer a local race because it had national consequences.

Plus, with the huge field of candidates and the contentious August primaries, state residents had a stake in who won. The ads on TV that were absolutley omnipresent throughout the campaign, seemed to start serving as a mechanism to draw people, Rose said. The plethora of primaries facilitated more turnout in November, but you cant narrow it down to one factor that brought out voters.H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

DANBURY  State Rep. Bob Godfrey easily won re-election to the 110th District of the state House of Representatives on Tuesday night.

The long-time Democratic leader is the Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore and was first elected 30 years ago in 1988.Heading into the election, much of the focus nationally was on the fate of the U.S. House rather than the Republican-controlled Senate, where Democrats needed a net pickup of two seats. But faced with defending 26 of the 35 Senate seats up for election, Democrats long odds of taking control of the chamber were dashed when, in neighboring Indiana, Republican Mike Braun defeated Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly. In Missouri, Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill was trailing heavily to Republican Josh Hawley.SODUS, N.Y. -- A third person has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a couple shot last month in Sodus.

Bron Bohlar was arrested Tuesday evening at his home in Dumas, Texas, announced the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. The 34-year-old police officer was wanted on a warrant accusing him of being part of the conspiracy that led to the deaths of Joshua Niles and Amber Washburn.

Bohlar has been charged with second-degree conspiracy, a felony. Deputies said he is a police officer in Sunray, Texas.

Niles, 28, and Washburn, 24, were shot to death in the driveway of their Carlton Street home on Oct. 22. At the time of the shooting, the couple's 4-year-old son was in the back seat of a car parked in the driveway. He was not injured.

Bohlar was third person arrested this week in connection with the double homicide.

Charlene Childers and her husband, Timothy Dean, were charged Monday. Dean is accused of killing the Sodus couple. Childers has been charged with repeatedly talking about killing Niles and helping her husband rent a car to drive to New York.

Bron Bohlar (left), a Texas police officer, was arrested and accused of being part of conspiracy to kill a Sodus couple. Previously charged are Charlene Childers (center) and her husband, Timothy Dean.

Dean was formerly the police chief in Sunray, Texas.

Niles is the father of Childers' two children. The exes were involved in a "heated" custody dispute before Niles' death, reported WHEC. A few months ago, Niles was granted custody of their children, a family member told the Democrat & Chronicle.

Childers and Dean live in Sunray, Texas.

The sheriff's office said it appears Childers was in Texas when Niles and Washburn were killed. She traveled to Sodus after the double homicide and attended a vigil for the victims.

Childers and Dean were previously charged with injuring a child in Texas in May 2018. Both were arrested last week in connection with the Texas case.

In the Sodus case, Childers has been charged with second-degree conspiracy and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Dean has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree conspiracy and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Bohlar and Dean were both held in custody in Texas pending extradition to New York. Childers is being held in the Wayne County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash or a $200,000 bond.

Wayne County detectives and Texas investigators are continuing to investigate, deputies said.Iconic outdoor goods retailer L.L. Bean is planning to close its outlet store in Orange at the start of 2019, a company spokesman confirmed this week.

L.L. Bean has had an outlet store in the Orange Meadow Shopping Center since 2007, Mac McKeever, a spokesman for the Freeport, Maine, retailer, said. But as part of an annual review the company does with all of its stores across the country, McKeever said a determination was made to close the Orange store in January.

We do a thorough examination of our entire array of stores throughout the country and conduct an evaluation, based on a variety of factors that make the basis for store opening and closing decisions, he said. One of these factors was the close proximity between our Orange outlet and our new full retail store in New Haven, which is just 10 miles away. In addition, the store was in need of a large remodel, so considering these elements, among others, we decided not to renew our lease.

The New Haven store, in the citys Broadway shopping district, opened in August. The roughly 20 employees who work at the Orange store were informed of the closing this summer, McKeever said.

We wanted to give our employees as much of a heads-up as possible, he said. We informed employees of opportunities to apply at the New Haven store and we have also provided severance and outplacement for year-round employees to assist with finding other positions.

McKeever said the company has no plans to close any of its other Connecticut locations. The company has 55 stores in 19 states including Connecticut.

The Orange store is L.L. Beans only outlet center in the state. In addition to the New Haven location, L.L. Bean has stores is Danbury at the Danbury Fair Mall and in South Windsor at the Promenade Shop at Evergreen Walk.

The Orange store is a little more than 13,000 square feet, in a shopping center with tenants including Trader Joes and Talbots Outlet.

Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli said Wednesday that neither L.L. Bean officials nor the owner of the Orange Meadows Shopping Center, Greenwich-based Urstadt Biddle Properties, contacted town officials about the closing. Zeoli said he recently purchased a pair of sneakers at the store, which he said is more convenient for shoppers than the New Haven location.

Its extremely unfortunate to hear about this, Zeoli said. I think the store has been a real asset to the community and I think they are making a mistake by comparing it to their store in New Haven. They are two different types of stores with different clientele.

New of L.L. Beans Orange store closing comes on the heels of Mondays announcement that home improvement retailer Lowes is closing its Boston Post Road store on the east side of Orange, near the West Haven line . And warehouse shopping club giant Sams Club announced in January that it was closing it Orange store.

Zeoli said hes concerned the store closings could portend the coming of another recession.

The economy took a dive shortly after I took office in 2005 and Im seeing some of the same signs now, Zeoli said. This (the store closings) is casualty of the economic times and it just seems as though the economy is headed into the deep end of the pool.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.comWhen choosing a job, you might not research the chances of getting killed while at work, but the information is available for those interested in finding out.

Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles this information across a range of industries and occupations. In 2016 alone, there were 5,160 on-the-job deaths in the U.S., or about 3.6 per 100,000 people in full-time jobs with regular hours.BRIDGEPORT - A local man, mangled in a rock crushing machine at a Newtown construction site two years ago, has filed a $20 million lawsuit against machines manufacturer and the construction company.

Roy Lawrence suffered a fracture of the humerus, a long bone located between the elbow joint and the shoulder, and a traumatic nerve-root tear from the spinal cord, requiring surgery to remove a blood clot from inside an artery, said his lawyer, Thomas Ganim. Other injuries, some permanent, occurred to the right elbow and shoulder, tear of tendons and nerve damage to right arm, Ganim said.

This is a gruesome example of what can occur at an unsafe work place, said Ganim. As a result, my clients livelihood will never be the same. His arm was nearly torn clean off.

The suit, filed in Superior Court here, seeks $10 million against the machines manufacturer, Tennessee-based Kleemann, Inc, and another $10 million from W.I. Clark of Wallingford that leased the machine to Lawrences employer.

Neither could be reached for comment.

On Sept.30, 2016 Lawrence was assigned by his employer to the former Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown for the demolition of a building. During the rock crushing operation, the lawsuit states that Lawrence was required to stand along the side of the machine opposite the control panel to separate the material being crushed. He tripped on loose stones emitted from the machine causing him to fall forward into the unit, trapping his right arm in the moving conveyor belt and violently twisting his torso, it states.

The defendants, as parts of their business, manufactured, sold, assembled, leased and distributed a product that was unsafe, says Ganim. The rock crushing machine was not fit and safe for the purposes for which it was manufactured, sold and used so that it could not be used without extreme danger to those using the machine.State Rep. Charles Ferraro, R-West Haven, won a third term in the 117th District Tuesday, defeating Milford Democrat Cindy Wolfe Boynton by about 1,200 votes.

With all polling places reporting, but before absentee votes could be counted, Ferraro had 5,643 votes and Boynton had 4,416 votes. The campaign board at Republican headquarters in Milford broke this down to 56.1 percent for Ferraro and 43.9 percent for Boynton.

The district includes sections of Milford, West Haven, Orange and Woodbridge.

Ferraro, 65, emerged from a back room when he believed he had received enough votes to win, despite not knowing the absentee vote total.

Before speaking to his supporters, Ferraro told the New Haven Register, It was a tough race. My opponent made a very good run. We both want good things for Connecticut. We just have different ways of doing it.

He said he wished to thank his supporters for having confidence in me and giving me an opportunity to go back to Hartford to continue to be their voice.

Boynton, 51, a writer and adjunct journalism professor, is a political novice who was inspired to run for office because of the difficulties her elderly parents encountered while trying to locate and pay for home health aides so they could remain in their home. And so she made health care reform the prime issue of her campaign.

Boynton conceded Tuesday night she had lost the race but said, I think we ran a tremendous campaign. Im privileged to have been supported by so many wonderful volunteers and I met some incredible people.

She said, But I feel strongly the issues I fought for should continue to be pushed: affordable health care, lowering taxes for the middle class and protecting collective bargaining.

Boynton had called health care a right and also said, I believe in Medicare for all.

She also focused her campaign on the need for lower property taxes and equal pay for women.

Ferraro, who has owned the West Haven Academy of Karate for 42 years, has said he will work to help the state provide more and better jobs. During his campaign he said Connecticut legislators need to make serious structural changes to deal with billions of dollars in deficits. He cited the need to deal with about $100 million in unfunded pension liabilities for our teachers and our state worker pensions.

In addition, Ferraro campaigned against proposals for mandatory family paid leave and a mandatory $15 minimum wage, saying these would negatively affect small businesses.

randall.beach@hearstmediact.comMILFORD  Kathy Klein started baking Mandel bread and marketing it as a cookie 19 years ago after she was laid off from an advertising agency.

That was the start of a dream come true.

First came the cookies, then the wholesale orders, the expanded menu of baked goods and the 800-square foot retail shop. On Wednesday, a ribbon-cutting marked the expansion into a 1,600-square-foot storefront in the Adams Supermarket Plaza at 1365 New Haven Ave. The business was previously in a low-profile location nearby, at 252 Melba St.

Kathys Famous Cookies  which now sells many varieties of cookies, biscotti, cookie cakes, cupcakes, scones, muffins and more  is sold in Kleins shop and at fine coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores in New Haven and Fairfield counties. I love it, Klein said of the business, all these years later. We never stop perfecting what we do.

She said everything is made fresh daily from scratch and there are no preservatives. If a cookie or other baked product is a day old, it gets marked down. Klein has said no one knows her recipes, as, Its all in my head.

The success of her business  and doubling of its size  was celebrated Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting attended by Mayor Ben Blake and Chamber of Commerce board member Gary Johnson, who is also president of the United Way of Milford.

I am politically, morally and philosophically pro-cookie, Blake said. We love when all businesses in Milford expand, but especially when theyre so delicious.

Johnson said he stops at Kathys Famous Cookies frequently because the coffee is so good, and as scrumptious as the baked goods are, hes waiting for a low-calorie line. Its nice to see a business growing and thriving, Johnson said.

While Klein and her team, including cupcake manager Sally Hehn, do not have a low-calorie offering  yet  they do have just about everything else, including gluten-free products. The scones  maple walnut with a maple glaze, raspberry chocolate chip banana blueberry  and the biscotti  pistachio chocolate chip, almond joy, and lemon white chocolate  have become almost as famous as the cookies.

Customer Kathie A. Powell of Stratford said she is so crazy for the magic bars of butterscotch, chocolate and coconut that she visits

Kathys Famous Cookies once a week and portions out her goodies.

Powell was dramatic and passionate about the magic in those bars as well as Kleins other products.

I fell in love with her lemon bars at Cafe Atlantique, she said. Desperate to find out who baked them, I extracted info from the wait person like a dentist who wanted to extract a tooth.

She spoke of bringing guests there and needing a magic bar.

The staff at the shop gets impromptu creative in the kitchen. Hehn  who brought her secret cupcake recipe to the business  said shell make any custom cookie cake and, on Wednesday, took a shot at one made with peanut butter and toffee cookies, brownies, vanilla buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache. By ribbon-cutting time, she was trying to come up with a name for the new creation.

Klein sold her first dessert 19 years or so ago to Amity Meat Center in Woodbridge, but now supplies stores and markets statewide.

Customers call us and say they never had a cupcake that tasted like ours, or I never had a cookie like this,  she has said. Its extremely gratifying that people take the time to call.

As is the case with so many others, a pink slip was Kleins gateway to entrepreneurial success, she said. When laid off, she had two young sons, 4 months and 2 years old. She decided to go with the bread her mother taught her to bake as a youngster, but she called it a cookie. The cookie menu has expanded greatly since then. While her husband remodeled her space, her boys are the ones who keep her working, she said.

I inspire them and they inspire me, Klein said of her sons, now 19 and 20. Its really for them.

Correction: An earlier version of this story spelled customer Kathie A. Powells first name incorrectly.And although they hail from the same state, residents had many different reasons for voting: The prospect of legalized recreational marijuana enticed some voters in Lakeview, while lingering regret over the outcome of the 2016 presidential election pushed a 72-year-old to the polls in Chinatown. In Woodlawn, a young couple wanted corrupt judges ousted. Farther north, in the heart of the Loop, one college student cast her ballot with immigration reform in mind. Many relayed discontent with the current state of political affairs locally and nationally.MIDDLETOWN  Recent strides in treatment show annual breast cancer screenings have a better chance than ever of detecting the disease early in women, according to Dr. Andrea M. Malon, medical director of the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center.

During October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, health officials are driving that message home by encouraging females to visit their physician on an annual basis for a routine breast exam.

One in eight American women will develop the disease over a lifetime. With early detection, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. By comparison, in the 1970s, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed was 1 in 11, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Our goal is to identify it as early as possible in everybody, because thats our best chance at curing it. The smaller it is, the earlier stage, theres less need for certain treatments, Malon said.

With 250,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed each year, the disease is the most common cancer in women in the United States, according to Middlesex Hospital, which, this month, opened a comprehensive breast center at 540 Saybrook Road. It is designed to help women with an established high risk for breast cancer, as well as those who may be at high risk due to family history or benign breast disease.

The estimated number of new cases of breast cancer in Connecticut women is 89.4 percent, according to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative. The five-year survival rate for Stage 4 breast cancer is 25.9 percent. When breast cancer is diagnosed early and confined to the breast, that rate increases to 98.6 percent, the CBHI reports.

The average woman may not be able to detect an abnormality in the breast, because these cancers are sometimes so small only a physician can identify them. Self-exams, in combination with routine physician visits, offer the best chance of pinpointing anomalies, Malon said.

Eight of every nine women diagnosed with the disease have no family history.

Most everybody has lumpy breasts, so when people are doing their self-exams, they will tend to find a lot of lumps, and that will provoke concern, appropriately so, and (prompt women to) have them evaluated, Malon said.

The reality is, if a woman is going to her providers and getting her screening, which is a mammo(gram), with the ultrasound if dense, and a breast exam, the odds are the mammogram is going to find it before you ever felt it, Malon said.

In wealthier states such as Connecticut, more people have access to health care and undergo routine mammograms. The more you look, the more youll find. We want that, because we want to find these small cancers and cure them then, rather than find them three, four, five years down the road when we cant do anything about it, Malon said.

Since 2015, Middlesex has been the only hospital in New England to offer dual-headed molecular breast imaging, which uses a radioactive tracer to better detect breast cancer cells. The hospital also offers Genius 3D Mammography exams, which allows doctors to examine breast tissue layer by layer and detect the disease with greater accuracy regardless of a womans age or breast density, according to Middlesex.

Cure rates for patients diagnosed with Stage 1 and 2 breast cancer are 85 to 90 percent, Malon said. We have more people living now who were diagnosed and treated than ever, because we can find them and we can cure them.

Women over 40 are encouraged to get annual mammographies, and, if they have dense breasts (which occurs in about half of American women), an ultrasound. There are different published guidelines across the planet, but for the majority of people in the U.S., they still recommend and start screening at 40, Malon said.

Risk is determined by how many relatives have what cancers, so a patient with an increased chance of developing the disease might have relatives with breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Just having one relative who had breast cancer when she was 90 years old  youre still going to have average risk. But depending on who had what cancers at what age, you would have increased risk, she said.

About 1 percent of all breast cancer cases in the nation occur in men, which translates to over 2,000 new cases expected each year. About 400 men in America are expected to die from breast cancer each year, according to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For men, the highest incidence is cancer of the prostate.

Male breast cancer develops in a different location than females.

When a human baby is born, theres a bud of breast tissue right behind the nipple, and, during puberty for the average female with normal development, the hormones make that develop into what we see as the female breast, said Malon.

During puberty, the XY male, those same hormones are there, but it doesnt develop, said Malon, who added the average age she has diagnosed women is in their mid to late 60s. Ive seen patients as old as 100 and as young as 21. Its across the spectrum.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, women on average live to 81, while life expectancy for males is 76.

Cancer in general has to do with cells and mutations within cells. It has to do with the cells in our body that are changing every day. The longer that humans live, and dont die of routine things they used to die of, the more chance there is for cancerous mutations to occur in our bodies, Malon said.

The hospital is sponsoring a number of goPINK activities, including salons offering dyed pink streaks or hair extensions for $20. For details, visit https://bit.ly/2ynAIUx. For information on the breast center, call 860-358-2850 or visit bit.ly/2OYdD4d.In East Haven and North Haven, the races for state representative returned incumbents to their seats.

In East Haven, incumbent Democrat James Albis defeated Republican challenger Robert Parente for the 99th District seat.

I am overwhelmed with the amount of support I received from residents, volunteers, and my family, Albis said. I am grateful for the trust the residents of East Haven put in me once again.

In North Haven, Republican incumbent state Rep. David Yaccarino defeated Democratic challenger Theresa Ranciato-Viele to represent the 87th District.

I ran a very clean race, Yaccarino said. It was a team effort. The people of North Haven spoke and they like the job I have done. I represent everyone in North Haven, Republican or Democrat. I want to thank everyone for their confidence and support.

During his campaign, Albis stressed to voters that he would focus on balancing the states budget and working to make the tax code fair. He pledged to gauge public opinion on a statewide mill rate for education funding, to help address disparity between communities.

Parente, chairman of East Havens Republican Town Committee, asserted his background as a business owner would serve him well in the legislature, as he has owned and operated a remodeling business, gas station/convenience stores, and car dealerships.

Yaccarino, who has served four terms in office, pledged to voters that he would continue to work hard, be accessible, and represent all North Haven residents needs. Yaccarino pledged to continue to address the states financial challenges, fight for local education funding, and work to grow the states economy and create jobs.

Ranciato-Viele said, I am happy I ran this race  it was a challenging one due to a popular incumbent and an unpopular governor. That being said, I thank the people of North Haven who supported me. In our room tonight, we had people of every background, and we will continue to fight for unity. I appreciate all of the votes.

Michelle Tuccitto Sullo can be reached at mtuccittoster@gmail.com.WEST HAVEN  West Haven Democratic incumbent state Reps. Dorinda Borer and Michael DiMassa easily rolled to victory Tuesday in the 115th and 116th districts, defeating Republican challengers Lynne Schlosser and City Councilman Richard DePalma by significant margins.

Borer defeated Schlosser by an unofficial 4990-1980 tally in the 115th District, winning by a 73 percent to 26.5 percent margin to win her second term.

DiMassa defeated DePalma by a significant margin, although votes from the 4th District were not yet fully totaled. Without the 4th, DiMassa said he appeared to be ahead by 1,600-1,700 votes. He said DePalma had called to congratulate him.

The 116th District includes part of the Hill section of New Haven as well as West Havens Allingtown district. DiMassa said he won by an unofficial 167-8 total in the Hill.

Borer told about 30 supporters in her headquarters in the Savin Rock Parkade shopping center that we are a team ... I dont do this alone. I want to thank West Haven. I love my hometown!

She said later that she thought the substantial win is a reflection on the work that Ive done during my first term. I made a commitment last time I ran that I wanted to attain certain goals because her constituents deserve no less.

She felt shed met those goals.

DiMassa, who received the election results with about 15-20 supporters in his headquarters in a commercial building on Forest Road, called the win a great feeling  the idea that people came out ... or they put their faith in me for another two years.

For the people who didnt support him, I have to do my best and make that that I represent everyone in West Haven, he said by phone. So, now the work begins.

He said he had nothing but the utmost response for Richie DePalma. Hes a great guy. Hes a friend.

DePalma, reached by phone, said the two get along really well and wished DiMassa luck.

Its just real tough here to get elected as a Republican, he said. But I gave it a shot. What are you going to do?

Schlosser, also reached by phone, congratulated Borer, called her a great person and said, Im sure shell do a great job for West Haven. The people have voted, she said.

Schlosser also called her race an uphill battle no matter what we do and said she would work with Borero for the betterment of West Haven.NEW HAVEN  Students at ACES Educational Center for the Arts dreaming of careers in theater were introduced to a face to which they can grow accustomed Wednesday.

Television and stage actress Lauren Ambrose, a 1996 alumna of the arts magnet school in New Haven, was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the 2018 Tony Awards for her performance as Eliza Doolittle in the My Fair Lady revival on Broadway. She stopped by the program to run a workshop for students.

My goal is to make (the workshop) an exercise in making the work as personal as possible, Ambrose said. I want to talk about making sure they know that they are enough and they are unique. Because thats what we need.

Ambrose said she was excited to work with the high school students because they have feelings and emotions in every pore of their skin, something she knew she could harness and develop. When she was a student, she said, she was grateful to the program for giving her somewhere to harness and develop her own feelings.

Ingrid Schaeffer, chairwoman of the schools theater department, said she remembers Ambrose from her days as a student as being passionate and incredibly creative with a strong emotional instrument.

Ambrose said she was always intent on a career in theater, and she credits ACES ECA for pushing her outside of her comfort zone and instilling in her the fundamentals of acting.

When I was here, it was a crumbling synagogue, she said, marveling at the buildings facade.

Schaeffer said the program grew grown from 24 students to 60 in the time since Ambrose graduated.

Several of the students in Ambroses Wednesday workshop expressed emotions ranging from humility to excitement at being able to hear from the actor.

I havent met a lot of people who have been on Broadway, said New Haven sophomore Sam Crumlish.

Senior Elena Keogh from Madison said it was an honor to meet someone she had seen on the Tony Awards.

Its nice that we have that alumni connection and support, she said.

The timing of having the lead actor in My Fair Lady visit the school just as they are rehearsing a production of the same musical was optimal, Crumlish and Keogh said.

Hannah Stein and Justyn Velez, both juniors from Wallingford , said they recognized studying under Ambrose would be a great experience.

I saw her in My Fair Lady this summer and met her after and we talked about what it was like at ECA, Stein said. Shes someone who is now a star.

Velez said he felt Wednesdays exercise was an opportunity to be part of something great.

Its really wonderful for them to hear her story and to learn whats possible to do if they apply themselves, said ECA instructor Carolyn Ladd. Its an opportunity to ask questions about what her world is like.

In addition to her Broadway role, Ambrose is known for her role as Claire Fisher in the HBO series Six Feet Under, Denise Fleming in Cant Hardly Wait and Jilly Kitzinger in the TV series Torchwood. She has also had roles in Party of Five, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The X-Files.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.comForest Park officials rejected initial efforts by the community to put the question on the ballot through a voter petition. The issue wound up in appeals court, where judges sided with proponents of the ban and said the local electoral board was clearly erroneous in rejecting all of the petition signatures over a few pages of signatures that were found to be invalid.State Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, said Tuesday night that he won re-election and Democratic challenger Dan Fontaine had called to concede, and that he was ahead by 550 votes with only two districts in Cheshire left to report.

My opponent called to congratulate me, Fishbein said at about 9:35 p.m. As for the next session of the General Assembly, facing massive budget deficits, Fishbein said, I have to figure out whos on my team with me because he had heard other Republicans were losing.

Fontaine said unofficial totals showed Fishbein with 5,632 votes to his 4,846, not including absentee ballots.

I think there was a huge upward climb to begin with, Fontaine said. Im really proud of the campaign, he said. The issues we put out really resonated with people, which would lay the groundwork for a progressive agenda in the future.

The district is composed of parts of Wallingford and Cheshire.

Fishbein, 53, who also serves on Wallingfords Town Council, boasts that he has never voted for a tax increase. He calls the capital investment tax one of the biggest hindrances to economic activity in the state.

Fontaine, 36, who also lives in Wallingford, said the states tax structure needs to be fixed. But Fontaine said the problem with Connecticuts tax structure is that we struggle with  extreme inequality. He would ask wealthier taxpayers and businesses to contribute more.

Neither candidate favored one of the most-talked-about issues this campaign season: tolls. Fontaine said priorities need to be set so that infrastructure receives the money needed for road improvements.

Fishbein, an attorney, opposes tolls and said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamonts proposal to put tolls only on tractor-trailers, as Rhode Island does, will be declared unconstitutional.

In contrast to his opposition to tolls, Fishbein prefers user fees to pay for many government services rather than increasing taxes. He is also opposed to offering incentives to businesses to move into or stay in Connecticut.Chicago residents also likely recall photos of former Gov. Pat Quinn traveling across the city as he collected petition signatures for two questions that voters got to have a say on  term limits for the office of Chicago mayor and an elected consumer advocate. And while those two questions did end up on the ballot, the public wont immediately see the results because the questions are being examined in the courts.NEW HAVEN  A Superior Court judge late Tuesday ruled that about 64 Connecticut residents caught in same-day registration chaos at City Hall can vote, but the ballots were set aside until a challenge to the process goes to a hearing Friday.

The Connecticut Republican Party went to court Tuesday night challenging, mainly Yale students, who were sworn in by election officials after filling out voter registration applications and allowed to cast a ballot, but who had not yet been entered into the secretary of the states database.

Those ballots were counted, but separated out, to be sent to the secretary of the states office as the legal challenge plays out.

From 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., hundreds of people wound their way around the atrium on the second floor of City Hall as they went through three lines to cast a ballot, with many waiting some four hours to do so.

The main holdup, which was the same problem that occurred in two previous elections, was the decision to have only two people entering the registrations into the secretary of the states database.

Democratic Registrar of Voters Shannel Evans didnt answer when asked why more people werent trained and vetted for the last step in the process.

When word went out that hundreds of people might not be able to vote, a contingent of some two-dozen Yale Law School students, as well as lawyers with the Democratic Party and Dan Livingston of the SEIU, showed up at City Hall to help with the delays. Attorney William Bloss was representing the Democrats in Superior Court in Hartford.

In the end, Corporation Counsel John Rose, after a conversation with Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, said people in line before 8 p.m., who attested that they had never voted before in Connecticut and registered to vote, could cast a ballot.

By 6 p.m. U.S. Rep Rosa DeLauro, D-3, also showed up to try to find a solution, as officials looked for additional computers, which never materialized.

Kevin Arnold, the moderator for the same-day registration process, said if the students had taken advantage of registering earlier they would not have had to face Tuesdays long process.

New Haven Democratic Town Committee Chairman Vincent Mauro said going to court over an EDR (Election Day Registration) fight to me robs all the other work that was done throughout the city and the numbers that were put up. This is just one part of a huge day in New Haven.

Several Yale students reported having problems receiving absentee ballots from their home states. They said if they had not paid for a post office box at the university, the ballots were automatically sent back, something they werent aware of until it was too late.

Grace Jin, a student at Yale, said her parents were never able to vote, which is why Im standing here to register. I really want to be able to contribute something to our democracy.

Arnold said about 150 people were turned away in the last same-day registration; he did not know how many may not have been able to vote on Tuesday.

Arnold said one of the solutions is, in addition to getting people to register sooner, is to get more people to work the day of the election so the system can function smoothly.

About 400 people had been processed by about 5:30 p.m.

Gabe Rosenberg, spokesman for Merrill, said the office advised (New Haven ) to separate the line of voters at City Hall into people who are new and people who have (registered) before in Connecticut.

People who were registered already then went in and were allowed to vote after the registrar called the town in which they were registered to make sure they had not voted, he said.

Those who had never been registered in Connecticut before filled out forms and then made the attestation as a group that this was true, Rosenberg said.

They raised their hand and attested they had never registered in Connecticut before and everyone of the people (there) was registered by 8 p.m., he said.

However, while those votes from the attestants were counted, out of an abundance of caution the ballots were separated and will be available if needed, Rosenberg said.

State Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano said, At the end of the day if you are not registered by 8 p.m., you are not allowed to vote. That was guidance given by the Secretary of the State earlier in the day. And what happened is these two rogue cities (New Haven and Manchester) decided to not honor what the Secretary of the State told them to do and theyve caused major problems throughout the state of Connecticut.

The ACLU of Connecticut had other issues with New Haven.

Dan Barrett, legal director the ACLU, said in a statement, New Haven's repeated failure to staff its polling places with enough workers to ensure people's rights to vote is practically inviting a lawsuit. The long lines and discouraged voters we saw today were a completely avoidable situation.

Connecticut's Election Day registration law is also clearly intended to allow people who are in line to register to vote by 8 p.m. to cast their ballots that same day. The 8 p.m. cutoff imposed today in New Haven is artificial, does not carry the weight of the law, and is based on a non-binding advisory opinion from the Secretary of the State's office, not the letter of the law.

If you are an eligible voter who traveled to New Haven to vote tonight and were turned away, the ACLU of Connecticut would like to hear about your experience at https://action.aclu.org/legal-intake/ct-legal-intake.

Another issue late Tuesday, at one point, was the inability of staff computers to input data.

Mauro said several voting polls also had problems with the machines as ballots that had gotten wet were not being processed. Those votes were expected to be counted eventually.

Arnold said beyond the slow pace, there were no other issues there earlier in the day. He did agree with the ACLU and others

In tweets late Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski said: Concerns about mass swearing in of same-day registrations of voters in New Haven and UCONN  these ballots should be keep separate and counted as provisional.

The registration applications must be processed by 8pm. Were getting reports that THEY ARENT EVEN PROCESSING THEM and allowing them to vote without being fully registered, he tweeted.

According to the New Haven Independent, the state Republicans sent a team of poll challengers to New Haven. This included those stationed at polling places at the Hall of Records, Wilbur Cross High School, the Woodward Avenue Firehouse, Nathan Hale School, Lincoln-Bassett School, Edgewood School, Mauro Sheridan, (Clarence) Rogers, other locations and the City Hall spot for same-day registration.

Tad Bistor, an attorney, spent many hours at City Hall watching the process and adding up how many residents were voting, but had not been entered into the secretary of the states data base. He said he wasnt representing any candidate, but told Arnold at the end of the night that he was challenging the process.

Rosenberg said in an earlier email that the office had received many phone calls this past week from registrars of voters about the appointment of unofficial checkers and challengers.

Unofficial checkers are partisan designees. They have no authority and may not interfere in the voting process. They may be removed by the moderator if disruptive. The appointment of unofficial checkers by the registrar is discretionary and any submitted names must be provided by the town chairman of the party of the registrar at least 48 hours before the opening of the polls. Unofficial checkers may not wander throughout town and enter a polling place other than the one they have been assigned without prior consent of the Registrars of Voters, according to the information shared by Rosenberg.

Although anyone rightfully in the polling place may challenge the right of anyone offering to vote, the registrars have the discretion to appoint one or two challengers for each polling place. Challenges to voters must not be indiscriminate and are made under oath. A person who challenges a voters eligibility to vote must know, suspect, or reasonably believe that the voter is not who they say they are, does not live where they say they live, or is disenfranchised, under penalty of false statement. The moderator then decides on the right of the challenged person to vote. If the moderator believes that the challenge is without merit, the voter is given a regular ballot and allowed to cast a vote. If the moderator decides against a challenged voter, that voter has the right to both a challenged ballot and a provisional ballot. Challengers are considered official poll workers by state statute and as such would be working for the municipality and not a party. In addition, because they are official poll workers the restriction on conducting political activity on Election Day would also apply, the email said.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com: 203-641-2577Popular Democrat Kim Rose sailed easily to victory for a fifth term as state representative in the 118th District. In the 119th District, where the race was wide open, Republican Kathleen Kennedy beat Democrat Ellen Beatty to win the seat.

Rose, who holds many leadership positions in Hartford, beat Republican newcomer Connie Jagodzinski, though official numbers were not immediately available.

I am so humbled by the peoples vote of confidence in me, Rose said. Im so proud to be part of the Connecticut legislature. This is an historic time in politics. Rose said that, as always, shell do her best to represent constituents.

Both Rose and Jagodzinski put balancing the state budget at the top of their priority list, both are against raising taxes and neither wants to see tolls on Connecticut highways.

Rose, who has held many leadership positions during her time in the legislature, is currently Democratic co-chairwoman of the Womens Bipartisan Caucus, vice-chairwoman of the housing committee, a member of the veterans committee and assistant majority whip.

Jagodzinski, a U.S. Air Force veteran, writer and career computer operator, said she decided to run because Connecticut residents are over-taxed and she wants to keep people here, including her own children and grandchildren.

Jagodzinski said It was never about me, but about the people of Milford.

So tonight, Ill clean my house instead of going to Hartford, she said. That was plan B.

Kennedy, who works three jobs and still finds time to volunteer, has said the overriding message shes heard from knocking on doors is that residents, are not able to make ends meet.

Kennedy, immediate past president of Connecticut PTA, has testified in Hartford at hearings regarding education and sports.

I am truly humbled, she said. I met a lot of people, knocked on a lot of doors. I am honored and privileged to serve the people.

Jill Dion of Milford Mirror contributed to this story.ALBANY  New York health officials say there are now nine suspected cases of acute flaccid myelitis in the state, a mysterious condition that's paralyzing children nationwide.

The last known report from state Department of Health officials put the number of suspected cases at five in late October. On Wednesday, they confirmed four additional cases are under investigation.

They declined to say where the suspected cases originated, other than outside of New York City, citing patient confidentiality laws.

None of the nine cases have been confirmed yet, said department spokesman Jeffrey Hammond.

Acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, is a rare but serious condition that affects a person's nervous system, specifically the gray matter of the spinal cord, causing weakness in the arms and legs. In some cases, patients recover quickly; in others, they experience paralysis and require ongoing care.

A diagnosis is made when a patient's symptoms include acute onset of weakness in the limbs, and an MRI test shows a lesion in the gray matter of the spinal cord.

There is no known cause, though a link has been made with the mostly harmless enterovirus D68, which mimics the common cold.

It's been on the national radar since 2014, when a surge of children coming down with a polio-like illness made national headlines. Since then, an uptick has been reported every other year. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 120 cases, followed by just 22 the next year. In 2016, it confirmed 149 cases, followed by only 33 in 2017.

So far this year, the CDC has confirmed 80 out of 219 suspected cases of acute flaccid myelitis. The cases have been reported across 25 states, with an increase occurring in August and continuing through September and October  similar to other spike years.

While a cause for AFM remains elusive, health officials are reminding people to practice regular disease prevention steps, such as staying up to date on vaccines, washing hands and protecting against mosquito bites.In addition to naming his running mate, Lt. Gov.-elect Juliana Stratton as chair of the transition team, Pritzker included in his transition efforts Illinois AFL-CIO President Mike Carrigan, GCM Grosvenor CEO Michael Sacks, who has been a donor and adviser to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former state Comptroller Dan Hynes and Marty Nesbitt, a close friend, donor and adviser to former President Barack Obama.Trump has seized on the caravan and portrayed it as a major threat, though such caravans have sprung up regularly over the years and largely passed unnoticed. He ordered thousands of troops to the Mexico-U.S. border, threatened to detain asylum seekers and insinuated without proof that there are criminals or even terrorists in the group.Mueller's grand jury, for instance, has heard testimony for months about Trump confidant Roger Stone and what advance knowledge he may have had about Russian hacking of Democratic emails. Mueller's team has also been pressing for an interview with Trump. And the department is expected at some point to receive a confidential report of Mueller's findings, though it's unclear how much will be public.To quote one of the most famous Republicans of the modern age, Tear down this wall.

The wall in question does not divide nations. This one seeks to stifle the free press, and it has become higher in the United States in recent months.

During the fevered final hours of the Connecticut gubernatorial race on Election Night, GOP candidate Bob Stefanowskis camp tried to stop Hearst Connecticut Group reporter Kaitlyn Krasselt and photographer Peter Hvizdak from entering the Rocky Hill ballroom where Stefanowski and other Republicans were awaiting results.

They were told by members of Stefanowskis campaign staff that Hearst journalists were not welcome, citing objections to coverage.

Its not the first collision Connecticut journalists have had with the campaign. Stefanowski has resisted meetings with editorial boards as well as reporters queries on policy as well as his background. Elected officials need to have a thick skin.

Journalists from the Hartford Courant, Connecticut Mirror, CT News Junkie, WNPR and WSHU jumped to our defense in Rocky Hill, and the showdown went viral.

Hartford Courant Publisher and Editor Andrew Julien, who was poised to pull his staff from the scene, tweeted that the newspaper stands by its colleagues.

Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists President Bruno Matarazzo released a statement that Connecticuts constitution reinforces the First Amendment right to a free press, and we would expect any candidate looking to oversee the executive branch to respect that.

Connecticut GOP Chairman J.R. Romano must have experienced deja vu when he learned of the standoff. Two years ago, he denied access to a former Hearst reporter at the partys state convention. He used that incident to try to raise money, instead drawing heat from multiple outlets.

Under pressure, Republicans opted to credential our journalists.

Politicians dont get to elect who covers them, despite a set of phantom rules quoted from the Donald Trump Playbook.

Elections can become emotional  particularly for novice candidates  and bad decisions can be made. But a states highest elected official needs to recognize the vital role of the media within a democracy, and have the fortitude to welcome feedback that doesnt come from acolytes. It will come from opinion columnists and editorial writers, but it will mostly come from constituents.

Its our job to ensure such voices have a public forum.

Like Tom Foley four years ago, Stefanowski will likely vanish from the political scene in the wake of Ned Lamonts narrow victory Wednesday morning.

That wont change our mission. We must hold all parties accountable, especially with Democrats tipping the scales in Hartford squarely in their favor. One-party rule demands scrutiny.

Competing news outlets standing together Tuesday for that ideal was a proud moment for the Connecticut journalism community, said Matt DeRienzo, vice president of news and digital content for Hearsts Connecticut newspapers.

It also was a reminder that while a wall can block out people, it also holds the potential to hush those within. On this Election Day, we were grateful for peers who formed a wall of their own to shield the First Amendment.J. Fiereck Photography

Over the past few months, the Connecticut Association of Realtors (CT Realtors), hosted three gubernatorial candidate debates at the Shubert Theater attended by nearly 4,000 Realtors and their guests. We hosted one for the Republican primary in June, one for the Democratic primary in July and one between Ned Lamont and Bob Stefanowski in September.

Why? As Realtors, we are on the front lines with home buyers, sellers and business owners every day and work with Connecticut property owners across all income levels. We see firsthand the homeowners and business owners that are leaving the state. The reality is not that people are simply leaving to retire to a warmer climate, they are leaving because they can no longer afford to live and or do business here.Kelly is a veteran state senator from Topeka. She made the election a referendum on former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's ill-fated 2012-13 experiment in slashing state income taxes that legislators largely reversed in 2017.For the second time in six weeks, authorities are investigating swastikas found in a Bergen County school, according to a letter sent to parents.

On Tuesday morning, three swastikas were found by Pascack Valley High School staff members, Superintendent Erik Gundersen said.

The areas were immediately closed off to remove the symbols of hate, and Hillsdale Police was called to investigate.

The graffiti comes one day after a Board of Education meeting that addressed a September incident when a swastika was found in two boys' bathroom stalls at the high school.

Gundersen condemned all acts of intolerance, violence and hate in the letter, adding that programs promoting a compassionate and respectful environment will be instituted in the coming weeks "to help us address what has unfortunately gone beyond isolated incidents."

The superintendent contacted local religious leaders and the Anti-Defamation League regarding the incidents, as well as reaching out to student leaders, he said.

"We cannot let an individual, or small group of individuals, who spreads a message of hate, become a cloud casting a shadow over our wonderful community," the letter sent to parents read. "Pascack Valley's students and educators strive toward mutual respect and understanding, which has and continues to shine in so many ways."

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen, whose 15-year-old daughter attends Pascack Valley High School, said the school should have relayed the issues to parents more quickly.

Schepisi said she heard of the incidents from her daughter and believes the school briefed parents about the second incident after her Facebook post gained traction in a local group.

It has just come to my attention that anti-Semitic drawings were found at my daughters high school. Two swastikas were... Posted by Holly Schepisi on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

"We need to call it out each and every time it happens. We have to teach our children how unacceptable religious intolerance is," she added.

Schepisi said she hopes school officials use this as an opportunity to teach students about core values and denounce hate in all forms, especially after two incidents.

"We all need to start working together to condemn this stuff on a bipartisan matter, and really start leading by example," she said. "We need to show this is totally unacceptable in our society."

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsBergen County voters elected Anthony Cureton Tuesday to fill the role of sheriff after the departure of disgraced former Sheriff Michael Saudino earlier this year.

According to unofficial results, Cureton, a Democrat, got 53 percent of the votes, while Republican John "Jack" DeLorenzo got 37 percent. Independents James M. Ahearn got 1 percent, Robert J Kugler and Robert P. Tormo each got about 4 percent.

"When we started, we knew that not only would this be a challenging campaign but that this was a critical time for the Sheriff's office," Cureton said during his victory speech. "That it was time for new leadership to move the department forward."

Saudino resigned Sept. 21 after a recording of him making racist comments was made public and everyone from the governor to the attorney general called on him to step down.

State officials then grappled with conflicting election laws and decided that 41 days was far enough out to hold an election for a full sheriff's term.

The political parties scrambled to identify candidates for the three-year office.

Cureton retired as a detective sergeant from the Englewood Police Department in July 2014. The NAACP president was backed by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.

DeLorenzo retired as a detective captain from the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department after serving 25 years. He is a U.S. Army veteran, served in the Military Peace Corps and three terms on the Hasbrouck Heights Board of Education before being elected mayor. His current term ends in 2019.

Kugler, who is chief of police in Saddle Brook, sued to try to stop the election two weeks ago, saying Gov. Phil Murphy should appoint a sheriff until next year's election. His bid was denied by Judge Mitchel E. Ostrer, who said Kugler could contest the election after it is held.

Ahearn retired in 2003 from the Rutherford Police Department. And Tormo retired in 2017 from the State Police.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.The pickup truck driver involved in a head-on crash that killed a Teaneck father and his four daughters on a Delaware highway last summer has been charged with vehicular homicide, authorities said Wednesday.

Alvin Hubbard III, 45, of East New Market, Maryland, was indicted by a New Castle County grand jury on Monday on five counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, three counts of vehicular assault, inattentive driving, driving on the wrong side of the road and failure to obey a traffic device, according to Delaware officials.

Delaware State Police said Hubbard was driving a pickup truck July 6 when he crossed over a grassy median on Route 1 in Delaware, side-swiped another car and collided with a van carrying six members of the Trinidad family.

Audie Trinidad, 61, and his daughters - Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17, Allison and Melissa, twin 13-year-olds - were killed.

The family's mother, Mary Rose, 53, survived.

The Trinidads had been returning from a beach vacation in Maryland when the crash occurred.

"The indictment alleges that Hubbard operated his truck in a criminally negligent manner when he exited his lane of travel, crossed the center median between a multi-lane highway, and crashed into oncoming traffic," said Julia Lawes, state justice department spokeswoman.

Investigators found no evidence drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, Lawes said.

In Delaware, each count of second-degree vehicular homicide carries a prison sentence of one to eight years.

"I'm not happy about these charges," Danny Trinidad, brother of Audie, said Wednesday from his nursing job in Florida. "I was looking for something stronger - manslaughter or something that would put him away for a long time."

Trinidad said the accident and aftermath has left the remaining members of his family shattered.

"The way they died was awful," Trinidad said. "We had a closed-casket funeral because the injuries were so severe. We had pictures on top of the caskets. This has been so painful for us."

A GoFundMe set up for the family has raised nearly $300,000.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Police have identified the man whose body was pulled from the Hackensack River Tuesday, three days after he disappeared during a swim.

Jose Cortez, 39, of Hackensack, was pulled from the river about 3 p.m. by divers and other rescue workers, according to police Capt. Frank Aquila.

"Cortez had not been seen since he entered the water on Sunday," Aquila said in an email. "His body was discovered in close proximity to where he had originally entered the river."

An autopsy will be performed by the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office, Aquila said.

Aquila said Cortez entered the river about 3 p.m. Sunday near 80 South River Street over the protests of two friends. The friends told police Cortez was swimming toward Bogota.

"It was reported the victim began struggling to remain above water and disappeared below the surface," Aquila said.

The friends searched the area for more than an hour. The victim's nephew called police after he failed to return home, Aquila said.

The river and surrounding banks were searched by Hackensack police and fire department, members of the Bogota Police Department, Maywood's K9 unit, a New Jersey State Police helicopter, members of the Bergen Regional Scuba Task Force, and the Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Squad.

"Our deepest condolences go out to (Cortez's) family. I would like to thank all agencies that assisted," Aquila said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A Montclair lawyer accused of killing his girlfriend has been arrested on murder charges after a lengthy manhunt.

James Ray III, 55, was booked in the Essex County Correctional Facility Tuesday on a charge of murder, jail records show.

James R. Ray III

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. to release further information about the case.

Ray, the prime suspect in the death of Angela Bledsoe, has been at large since last month.

Bledsoe, 44, was found shot to death Oct. 23 at a home on North Mountain Avenue in Montclair she shared with Ray.

Ray was not present at the home when police arrived. Prosecutors announced shortly after the crime that he was at large and should be considered armed and dangerous.

The couple had a child together who was in the care of family members.

NJ Advance Media reported after the incident that Ray was previously sued by a paralegal he allegedly pressured to become his third wife.

A civil complaint filed in U.S. District Court in 2013 said Ray subjected the paralegal to numerous unwanted conversations about polygamy and pornography while she worked for him in 2012.

The woman was eventually fired by Ray after she rebuffed his advances, the complaint said.

The lawsuit was settled out of court, records show.

Ray was also made headlines in 2017 when he was a witness in the child rape trial of Jelani Maraj, the brother of rapper Nicki Minaj. Newsday reported Ray previously had been hired by the 11-year-old victim's mother to seek damages from Maraj, who was convicted in November.

A graduate of Florida A&M in 1997, Bledsoe served as the parliamentarian of the school's national alumni association.

The association's president, Col. Gregory Clark, told the Tallahassee Democrat that Bledsoe was a "fantastic person."

"(She was) so loving and caring and was one of my principal advisers," he told the news organization. "She loved FAMU dearly and will be truly missed."

After college, Bledsoe worked as an analyst with Chase Manhattan Bank and later as an associate with JPMorgan Chase, People Magazine reported.

She also volunteered with her daughter's Girl Scouts of America group.

Ray was a practicing attorney in New York City.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsMetro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  The hole in the Earth's ozone layer -- the layer of the atmosphere which protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation -- is gradually healing, according to a new United Nations (UN) report.

Updated projections by climate change experts said the Antarctic ozone hole is expected to close, with column ozone values returning to 80s levels by about 2060.

Ozone levels in the Northern Hemisphere will also return to 80s values by 2030, while the Southern Hemispheres sees its ozone levels to normalize by 2050.

The ozone holes were first discovered in the 80s, and scientists have pointed to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the main culprit. In 1987, the UN Environment Programme adopted the Montreal Protocol which bans the use of ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs.

CFCs are found in cooling and refrigeration systems, aerosols. The CFCs destroy the ozone in the atmosphere, allowing UV radiation to get through.

Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment said the Montreal Protocol, is "one of the most successful multilateral agreements in history."

"The careful mix of authoritative science and collaborative action that has defined the Protocol for more than 30 years and was set to heal our ozone layer is precisely why the Kigali Amendment holds such promise for climate action in future," it said.

The Kigali Amendment is set to revise targets under the Montreal Protocol, and will mandate the search for alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) present in refrigerants and cooling appliances are a form of greenhouse gas that trap sunlight in the earth's atmosphere.

If this is ratified by 2019, the Earth may avoid a 0.2 to 0.4C increase. This is in line with the Paris Agreement's plan to limit global temperatures to 1.5C.During a contentious campaign, Hogan and Jealous fiercely disagreed on the direction of the state and the other's man ability to lead it. Hogan took credit for the state's growing economy, improved Chesapeake Bay and a bipartisan deal to lower health care costs,. He also touted his role in bringing hundreds of millions in tax, toll and fee cuts to Marylanders. The governor and his surrogates accused Jealous of being extreme, reckless and a socialist.Over the course of one weekend in January 2016, East Orange resident Jeffrey Holland claimed the lives of two ex-girlfriends and the new boyfriend of one of the women during a "killing spree" through Newark, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday.

"Less than 24 hours," Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab told the jury, assembled in a sixth-floor courtroom at the Veterans Courthouse in Newark. "That's all it took for the defendant, Jeffrey Holland, to take the lives of these innocent young individuals."

Opening arguments in Holland's triple murder trial began Wednesday morning before Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler, the presiding judge of the court's criminal division in Newark.

Holland's proverbial day in court came well over two years after detectives arrested him in the slayings of Tiniquah Rouse, 21, Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28 -- all killed between Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 of that year at two apartments in the city.

Rouse was the first to die.

Holland choked and drowned in her in a bathtub, before sexually assaulting her, Edwab said. The first officer at the scene, a Newark police detective, found her 5-month-old child in a closet of the Stratford Place apartment, covered with clothing but unharmed.

The next day, Edwab said, Holland kicked open the door of Jones' Clinton Place apartment and confronted her and Marshall in the bedroom with a gun. Marshall was shot numerous times, Edwab said, while Jones -- curled up in the fetal position -- was shot twice in the head.

The prosecutor's office at the time said domestic violence appeared to be a factor in the killings, noting Jones had an active restraining order against Holland.

First responders found Jones' two children and Marshall's child -- all under the age of five -- inside the home when they arrived, authorities said at the time. They were physically unharmed.

In addition to murder, Holland, 30, faces charges that include desecrating human remains and endangering the welfare of children.

While the jury will see surveillance video and photos connecting Holland to the crime scenes, and hear expert testimony that Marshall and Jones were shot with the same gun, there is no DNA evidence nor an alleged murder weapon for them to consider, the prosecutor said.

Holland, who has remained jailed at the Essex County Correctional Facility since his arrest on Jan. 31, 2016, appeared in court Wednesday wearing a white dress shirt and pinstriped gray dress pants. He showed little reaction as the prosecutor spoke to the jury.

Defense attorney Sterling Kinsale, in his own opening remarks, argued the state's evidence wouldn't be nearly enough to prove Holland's guilt on the charges at hand.

"The judge will tell you what murder is and what murder is not in this case," Kinsale said, referencing the instructions given to jurors before they begin their deliberations.

While the state can provide evidence Holland had prior relationships with the women and visited their homes, he said, there were no eyewitness who could say they saw Holland take someone's life.

"It's association by coincidence," Kinsale said, asking the jurors to keep an open mind.

The jury Wednesday morning heard from both the Newark police detective who responded to Rouse's home, and a paramedic who examined her and her child.

The trial was scheduled to continue Wednesday afternoon.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsA Montclair lawyer accused of killing his girlfriend -- the mother of their young child -- was arrested by FBI agents in Cuba, local and federal authorities announced Wednesday.

James R. Ray III

James R. Ray III, 55, was booked in the Essex County Correctional Facility Tuesday on a charge of murder, jail records show.

Ray, whose offices are in New York City, was the prime suspect in the shooting death of Angela Bledsoe on Oct. 23. Bledsoe, 44, was found dead at the home the two shared on North Mountain Avenue.

At a Wednesday press conference, officials said Ray left the couple's child with family members after the slaying, before heading to the Southwest and then Mexico. Once across the border, he took a plane to Cuba, officials said.

FBI agents received word that Ray was in Cuba on Oct. 28. Cuban authorities then detained Ray after federal officials obtained a warrant in U.S. District Court that allowed for his arrest for "unlawful flight to avoid prosecution," FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory Ehrie said.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens declined to provide any information on a suspected motive or any evidence gathered by detectives. He said there have been no plea negotiations at this point.

The FBI took custody of Ray in Cuba and returned him to New Jersey via a flight to Teterboro Airport. He was lodged in the Essex County Correctional Facility on Tuesday.

Ray is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Martin G. Cronin in Newark on Tuesday for a detention hearing, Stephens said.

NJ Advance Media previously reported that Ray was sued by a paralegal he allegedly pressured to become his third wife in 2013.

A civil complaint filed in U.S. District Court said Ray subjected the paralegal to numerous unwanted conversations about polygamy and pornography while she worked for him in 2012.

The woman was eventually fired by Ray after she rebuffed his advances, the complaint said.

The lawsuit was settled out of court, records show.

A graduate of Florida A&M in 1997, Bledsoe served as the parliamentarian of the school's national alumni association.

The association's president, Col. Gregory Clark, told the Tallahassee Democrat that Bledsoe was a "fantastic person."

"(She was) so loving and caring and was one of my principal advisers," he told the news organization. "She loved FAMU dearly and will be truly missed."

After college, Bledsoe worked as an analyst with Chase Manhattan Bank and later as an associate with JPMorgan Chase, People Magazine reported.

She also volunteered with her daughter's Girl Scouts of America group.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsNew Jersey voters are deciding which candidates will serve in the U.S. Senate and House. (AP photo)

Here are the unofficial results of New Jersey elections held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, including the hotly contested U.S. Senate battle between Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez and his Republican challenger, Bob Hugin, as well as key races in several congressional districts that are being closely watched during this historic mid-term election.

Four of New Jersey's five Republican-held House seats are under a nationwide microscope today -- an Election Day that is widely viewed as a referendum on GOP President Donald Trump.

Across the nation, the Democrats need to win 23 Republican-held seats to take control of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress. The House has a total of 435 seats, all of which are being contested in this election.

Of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 35 are being contested. In order for the Democrats to take control of the Senate, they have to win all of their current seats and grab two seats that are currently held by the GOP.

The results below, compiled by the Associated Press, will be updated throughout the night, so check back later or refresh the page to see the latest numbers.

If you are having trouble viewing the charts, please click here.

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N.J. HOUSE RACES

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N.J. SCHOOL BOND ISSUE

This public ballot question asked New Jersey voters whether the state should borrow $500 million for school security, county colleges, vocational schools and water improvement projects.

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N.J. LEGISLATIVE RACES

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The sun sets over the West Wing of the White House on election day. @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/y6gSxhgDNA  Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) November 6, 2018

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MORE ELECTION COVERAGE

Local and county election results

Menendez defeats Hugin in N.J. Senate race after nasty campaign

We may have to wait days to declare winners of close N.J. races

A quick guide to election-night punditry - take a deep breath

N.J. voters report problems, big lines at the polls

'I voted' stickers: Didn't get one on Election Day? You're not alone

What exit polls say about President Trump

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Stunning Election Day sunset in Washington DC after rain moves out of area. @capitalweather @suepalkafox5dc @StormHour pic.twitter.com/XvQXBORDqW  C on the scene (@Conthescene) November 6, 2018

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Police have charged three men in connection with a series of armed robberies in three South Jersey counties.

Franklin Township Police responded to a robbery at Franklinville Liquor Mart, located on Delsea Drive, on Oct. 27 and learned that the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects was also spotted in similar armed robberies the night before at 7-Eleven stores in Bridgeton and Millville.

Members of Franklin, Bridgeton and Millville police departments, joined by New Jersey State Police personnel, served a search warrant at a High Street residence in Millville on Oct. 31, seizing evidence related to the robberies, Franklin police reported.

Armando Rodriguez, 18, of Millville, was arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the crimes, police said.

He was charged with armed robbery of the Franklin, Millville and Bridgeton businesses, as well as the Oct. 16 robbery of Belco Liquors in Mays Landing.

David Garcia, 18, of Vineland, was also charged with armed robbery in all but the Millville incident, and remained at large until he was arrested Nov. 5 in Vineland by members of the Franklin department, Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office and U.S. Marshals Service.

Gabriel Gutierrez, 19, of Buena, was arrested by New Jersey State Police and charged with armed robbery for the Belco Liquors hold-up.

Rodriguez was placed in Cumberland County Jail, Garcia was placed in Salem County Correctional Facility and Gutierrez was jailed in Atlantic County.

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.HOBOKEN  Hudson County Democrats spent months fretting about U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's chances this year, only to have all their fears vanish in an instant on Tuesday night. Poof.

Many of them didn't even get to experience the euphoria political supporters feel when they're stuck in a ballroom together awaiting results and watch them flash across a monitor. The televisions at the Menendez party on the second floor of the W hotel in Hoboken were tuned to CNN, which did not mention the New Jersey senate race until 9:45. The race had been called by others more than an hour earlier, when some of Menendez's top allies weren't in the room.

"I'm getting ready. I'm putting mascara on. It's like 8:32 and they're like, we're calling it for Bob Menendez," said Amy DeGise, the Hudson County Democratic chair. "A little anti-climactic, but I'll take it."

Menendez defeated his Republican opponent, Bob Hugin, by a 10-point, 264,000-vote margin. That would be a romp in most any other race, but not if you consider Menendez won re-election in 2012 by nearly 20 points.

The comparative closeness of the Menendez-Hugin contest had Democrats in Hudson County antsy well into the fall that they might lose their guy in the U.S. Senate the same year they lost the state Assembly speakership and two years after losing the chance to nab the governor's mansion.

Not that they'd ever admit that publicly. While sipping wine and munching on gourmet sliders at the W on Tuesday night, Democrats told The Jersey Journal they never doubted Menendez's chances.

"Every race I've ever been on, you always run scared," said Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. "This is no different but we've always had confidence in Bob Menendez."

Jersey City Assemblyman Raj Mukherji also admitted to no fears that Hugin had a path to victory.

"No, because New Jersyans aren't that dumb," Mukherji said.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.For award-winning artist Willie Cole, inspiration came from a bottle.

Cole had been invited to do a show at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, but was told there was no production budget. His challenge was to create artwork without spending a lot of money.

Soon afterward, Cole was relaxing by a pond on a friend's property, drinking water from a plastic bottle. And then it hit him.

"I realized that the bottle has all these ridges and lines in it, so it collapses easy, and I was able to shift the bottle into a fish during that conversation (with his friend)," Cole says.

"I decided then that I would make something out of water bottles. That evening, I dreamed about a chandelier made out of water bottles. ... And after that, it was just like a building block."

That show at Grounds for Sculpture, where he debuted his water bottle artwork about four years ago, featured three pieces: a full-size car, a chandelier and a mandala (a Hindu and Buddhist spiritual symbol).

Since then, Cole has added large birds, canopies, umbrellas and framed, wall-mounted pieces to his inventory and has displayed installations throughout the Northeast and as far away as Colombia, South America.

At the outset, Cole began stockpiling empty 16-ounce water bottles and employed three assistants to poke holes in the tops and bottoms, so he could run wires to attach them together. For his framed, wall-mounted work, which involves crushing the bottles, he applies resin to hold everything in place. These days, when it's time to sculpt, Cole pulls from a supply stored in shipping containers that are filled with bottles either saved for him by friends and acquaintances or donated. He estimates that he has used about 50,000 bottles to date for his art.

Cole has received commissions for water bottle sculptures from the University of Maryland, New Jersey Clean Communities Council, and Wells Bring Hope, which drills deep-water wells in West Africa to provide access to safe, clean water.

Recently, he collaborated with students at the Pingry School in Short Hills to create a piece for the school's property.

Not only is Cole's artwork eco-friendly, it has a philanthropic bent, as well. He has donated a portion of his fees to Wells Bring Hope and hopes to give more with future commissions.

Born in Somerville, raised in Newark (he attended the city's Arts High School) and now living in Mine Hill, Cole is best known for his imaginative and compelling sculptures that incorporate such everyday domestic objects as irons and hair dryers. He also is widely recognized for commemorating African-American culture.

The water bottle art has added another dimension to his work.

"Everybody loves this work. It brings about conversation on the environment," he says. "It's always interesting and positive, and it has given me opportunities.

"My art to me is not so dogmatic. I'm not trying to hit people over the head or anything," Cole says. "But all of my work is about the spirit that is in everything, whether it be animate or inanimate. So, to me, the water bottle represents a vehicle that contains a life-giving substance, but the vehicle itself is deadly to the environment, so it's a contradiction ... of treasure, trash, of life and death, all those kinds of things."The father of a Morris County teen missing for more than a week said Wednesday that his son was seen on surveillance footage at a South Jersey train station early Saturday afternoon.

In a brief phone interview on Wednesday morning, Nicolai Kolding told NJ Advance Media authorities showed him multiple images of a teen he is certain is his 15-year-old son Thomas Kolding.

Missing Mountain Lakes teenager Thomas Kolding was spotted at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden in (Morris County Prosecutor's Office)

"He looks in control," Nicolai Kolding said. "We're buoyed by it, but we're realists. We know we're still a long ways off, but we're seeing real progress. I know and trust these detectives are doing their jobs."

Thomas Kolding, of Mountain Lakes, left his home on Oct. 30 and traveled by train from Denville to New York Penn Station after transferring at Broad Street Station in Newark, authorities said.

Kolding was seen on a platform Saturday at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Wednesday. The teen was wearing an orange and black striped hooded sweatshirt, a camouflage jacket and dark pants. He was carrying a blue backpack.

Kolding took $1,000 in cash with him but left his cell phone and laptop behind, his father told CBS-2.

His parents previously told police their son, who is 5-foot-3 and weighs between 100 and 115 pounds, had a strong interest in traveling to California, possibly the Bay Area.

"If anyone sees him (especially those unfamiliar to him), think of him and talk to him like a 25- year-old not a 15-year-old. Just please tell Thomas that his mom, his dad, his brothers, his friends and extended family, and more people than he can possibly imagine love and admire him," Nicolai Kolding wrote Wednesday.

Family and friends will hold a vigil for the teen at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on the turf field at Mountain Lakes High School.

"We just want him home more than anything," Nicolai Kolding said during the phone call.

Anyone with information about Thomas Kolding is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Missing Persons Unit at 973-285-2900, or email Detective/Supervisor Leah Atterbury at latterbury@co.morris.nj.us. Tipster can also Mountain Lakes police at 973-334-1413 and ask for Det. John Hukowski.

The New Jersey State Police's Missing Persons Unit is also involved in the investigation.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Bob Hugin's house in Summit was dark and quiet on Election Day, and the drenching rain made the all-brick Tudor mansion seem even more still and fortress-like.

The only evidence that the Republican Senate candidate lived there were two Bob HUGIN U.S. Senate signs in blue, and a yellow sign that said FIRE corrupt Menendez.

At the house next door, a Dutch Colonial, just a few square-feet shy of mansion status, the walkway and sidewalks were lined with about 50 blue Malinowski Congress signs and the signs with STOP TRUMP in the top red half, and VOTE MENENDEZ on the blue lower half.

Clearly, the people living there wanted everyone to know they weren't starstruck living next to the potential senator. In fact, in this normally quiet neighborhood of some of Summit's most stately homes, the display could have been viewed as a finger-in-the-eye -- or just plain finger -- statement.

There was another sign in this yard, this one handwritten, telling volunteer canvassers they were in the right place, and directing them to the part of the house to pick up the door knob hangers and other literature to promote Tom Malinowski and Sen. Bob Menendez.

In the pouring rain, about 100 people came and went, huddled under umbrellas or half-hidden by rain jacket hoods. They were evidence of the passions this mid-term election has elicited.

Just a few blocks away, at Summit's Lincoln School, the voters came as steady as the rain splashing through the puddles in the parking lot.

They, too, were evidence of how this midterm election has mobilized people on both sides, red or blue. The scene in Hugin's neighborhood is an microcosm of the neighbor vs. neighbor civil war going throughout America, especially in purple towns like Summit.

While the importance galvanized people along political battle lines, there seemed to be agreement on one issue.

Politics seems more sleazy than ever and the negativity of the Hugin-Menendez campaign has reached new lows.

"I just think all the negativity is unnecessary," said Glenys Hardy, 74. "They can get their points across without going for the jugular. It's not civil. It diminishes everybody."

Bob Hugin's home in Summit. His neighbors posted dozens of signs supporting Democrats Bob Menendez and congressional candidate Tom Malinowski (Mark Di Ionno | NJ Advance Media)

For mom Carolyn Sheiman, 41, who was at the polling place with her daughter, Anna, 10, the campaign violated the Golden Rule.

"We tell our children, 'Be nice to people' and 'don't call names,'" she said.

Abigail Falls says both sides need to settle down.

"There's a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth," she said.

"But everybody's yelling. It is incredibly ugly. The mudslinging has to stop."

Falls says this and then revealed she doesn't even have "live TV" in the house.

For Sheiman, some of the ads on TV required parental controls.

"Then you turn on the TV and you hear the most outrageous things. It deflects from the important issues," she said. "There are things going on, at the core level, that require our attention. These negative ads are inefficient and wasteful. They should be talking about the core issues."

James Eng, 65, said the "negativity really turned me off. I want to know what they believe in. I want to know what they're going to do for me."

At the home next to Hugin's, Malinowski spoke of maintaining dignity in campaign advertising.

We ran negative ads on his (Lance's) healthcare votes, which I think were perfectly fair," Malinowski said. "But you can make a case for yourself without demonizing them."

One ad aimed at Malinowki said he "supported terrorists" when he lobbied, with John McCain, on laws to ban torture during the Iraq war. Malinowski was the advocacy director of the Human Rights Watch at the time.

"One woman came up to me and said, 'I'm voting for you because of the negative ads (directed at him)," Malinowski said.

At my home voting place this morning, I saw a volunteer I've known for years. The best way to identify voting districts is by what day your neighborhood has the trash picked up.

"That's appropriate, especially for this election," Art Muti, Sr., said.

The real danger here, and it's been escalating for years, is that people not willing to lower their own dignity bar, will decide to forego character assassination and not run.

"I just hope good people aren't driven out by lowlife politics," Malinowski said. "Politics matter because elections have consequences for the character of the country."

Read more Mark Di Ionno

Mark Di Ionno may be reached at mdiionno@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkDiIonno. Find NJ.com on Facebook.It terrifies me that every political divide in America is growing wider, that we are sorting ourselves into two hostile camps, and digging our trenches deeper by region, race, age, and gender. You wonder if we can ever put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

But today, I'm putting off that worry. Today, I'm going to exhale.

Democrats just put up a guardrail that will contain the damage for the next two years, thank God. Republicans can't repeal Obamacare now, or cut Social Security and Medicare to the bone, or give rich donors another tax windfall. And my best friend, Robert Mueller, is now probably going to be free to do his sacred work.

New Jersey now is all-in with Democrats. Of the 12 members of Congress, Democrats will now hold at least 10 seats, the most lopsided margin in more than a century. With one race still too close to call, it could rise to 11.

The margins were remarkable. Mikie Sherrill, the rock star of the evening, crushed her Republican opponent by 13 points in a district that Trump won two years ago. She is 46, and if she plays her cards right, is destined to become the most powerful woman in New Jersey politics since Gov. Christie Whitman.

Sen. Robert Menendez cruised to a 9-point victory. That's even more amazing than Sherrill's margin when you consider that most voters in New Jersey would lock up their jewelry before letting him into their homes. They just knew he'd fight Trump. That was enough.

And the president, in a comically stupid move, helped Menendez by tweeting support for Republican Bob Hugin on the morning of the vote. So much for the theory that Trump is an evil genius. Evil, yes. Genius, no.

The anti-Trump wave in New Jersey was so strong that it even swept away the most centrist Republican of the bunch, Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th,, after a decade in office.

Lance saw it coming, so he offered himself as a check on Trump within the party, an infiltrator behind Republican lines who could nudge the party to more sensible ground. He voted against the Obamacare repeal and the tax cut.

But it wasn't enough. Voters didn't buy the disguise, and they sent Lance packing after a decade. Tom Malinowski, another smart centrist, will replace him.

Every Democratic incumbent won by double-digits, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer in the 5th, a North Jersey suburban district that leans solidly Republican in normal times, but just handed Gottheimer a second term with a whopping 11-point win.

Remember, this blue wave in New Jersey follows Gov. Phil Murphy's win last year by 14 points.

I asked Jon Bramnick, R-Union, the Republican leader in the Assembly, to diagnose the disaster for his party in New Jersey. He blamed Trump, too.

"When you have a president who gets people so mad, voters can't even hear when our policies are really good policies," he said. "I'm deeply concerned."

His best hope is that Democrats get cocky and blow this moment. And as any casual student of history knows, that's entirely possible. Here's how it could unfold:

First, Murphy could raise taxes, let NJ Transit flounder for another year or two, and beat back all efforts to trim benefits for public workers, ensuring that the state remains broke and stagnant for years to come.

Democrats in Congress could move to impeach Trump, eliminate ICE, and raise taxes to finance Medicare for all.

Tone is important, too. If Democrats want to lose, a heavy dose of moral condescension would help, driving a message that every last Trump supporter is a bigot.

I don't think New Jersey Democrats are that stupid. And that brings me back to Sherrill, the star of the night.

Sherrill's strategy was to run as herself, a centrist who is offended by what Trump is doing to the country, a patriot who flew Navy helicopters in the Mideast before a second career as a federal prosecutor in Newark.

Her opponent, Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris, ran as a mini-Trump. He lied about Sherrill over and over, inventing stuff like the charge that she wanted to eliminate ICE.

But when Sherrill debated him, she answered not with anger, but with a steely resolve, and a relentless appeal to common ground.

At her celebration Tuesday night, hundreds of ecstatic supporters packed a giant ballroom at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, and heard something so rare today you have to read history books to find it.

She was personally gracious. A mother of four, she went out of her way to thank Webber, a father of seven, for his sacrifice.

"I can tell you running for office with a family is very hard," Sherrill told the crowd. "So I applaud all of those who make the sacrifice."

Make America Great Again? The combat veteran grabbed the mantle of patriotism from the grifter with bone spurs.

Her campaign, she said, was "born of our deep belief in what we have to do to make America what it can be, and what it should be...I've never stopped believing in the idea of America and its promise."

There's a lot of anger out there today, and I feel it myself. The temptation is to follow Trump down his rathole.

But here's hoping that Democrats are strategic above all else. This midterm was just a warmup, after all. The big fight for 2020 has yet to begin.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.By Carl Goldberg

New Jersey: home to some of the most diverse, educated and hard-working residents in the country. Our education system is ranked second in the nation and we boast a workforce of more than four million dedicated workers. We have more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere in the U.S. and New Jersey awards the second-highest percentage of STEM degrees.

But there's a catch: New Jersey only retains thirty-eight percent of our college graduates, with more of our talent leaving the state after graduation than in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland. Over 60,000 high-skilled job openings go unfilled each month; at the same time, there are not enough workers to round out our mid-skilled labor force, with approximately 22,000 positions a month going unfilled.

These statistics come from a recent report by the Governor's office on "The State of Innovation," in which Governor Murphy outlines a five-point plan to advance New Jersey's economy over the next several years. The Governor's plan speaks to specific goals for investment in people, places and industries but notes that we need to make New Jersey a more attractive, more affordable place for young talent to live and work.

He's right, and we're not there yet. Though we were once the wealthiest state in the nation and a benchmark of suburban growth for the generation following World War II, suburbia is no longer the first place today's generation of millennials want to live, work and play.

Importantly, millennials are not the only ones looking for these things as lifestyle components: our older residents, retirees and mixed-income families are also seeking the same affordable, walkable, mixed-use environments. They want close-in suburbs that have been designed - or redesigned - to look as much like urban neighborhoods as possible: outdoor shopping districts with multiple options for dining; apartments and condominiums above and adjacent to the retail centers.

These developments are often, though not always, easily accessible by train. While no one has the illusion that these developments actually recreate traditional city neighborhoods, what they do offer is very different than today's typical suburb.

The Governor's report offers some exciting and innovative ideas on incentives to move development projects such as these forward, including a new environmental remediation and development tax credit program to support brownfield redevelopment as well as new state historic preservation tax credit program for the revitalization of historic buildings across the State.

These are potentially important tools for both developers and municipalities as they seek ways to meet the needs of a changing New Jersey. We should also be looking at the affordable housing obligations under Mt. Laurel to create new opportunities for all tenants and purchasers, including workforce housing, and provide our diverse, educated and hard-working residents as well as prospective employers the ability to live, work and play where they have grown up, studied, and put down roots.

Smart, creative planning builds on existing regional assets and transportation options; offers price point diversity and variety and choice of housing stock for all income levels; provides new open space opportunities for residents; and enhances a municipality's tax base. The Governor's proposed initiatives, if implemented, can help accelerate the development of new, 21st-century communities and propel New Jersey toward decades of economic prosperity.

Carl Goldberg serves as co-chair for the Center for Real Estate at Rutgers University and is a managing member of Canoe Brook Investors.

Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," Trump tweeted, "then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!" It wasn't clear what "leaks" he was referring to.MOUNTAINSIDE - The first hint that it wasn't going to be a good night for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin came even before the polls closed.

I got talking to Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick and he showed me some vote-by-mail results from Hunterdon County. Even though that's a reliably Republican district, Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez was holding a slight lead.

"This is what happens when you piss people off," said Bramnick. "Don't piss people off."

He wasn't talking about Hugin, the former Marine and pharmaceutical executive who is as cordial a candidate as you will ever meet. He was talking about President Trump.

It is Bramnick's theory that The Donald is all too abrasive in selling his policies - and that the abrasiveness ended up costing the Republicans a lot of votes in places like the Union County suburbs where the Hugin victory party was set to take place.

That's Bramnick's turf and he knows it as well as anyone. Trump's tactics may be more effective in places like my own Ocean County. But the early results seemed to show that it cost Hugin some key votes in the northern suburbs.

Around 9 p.m. Bramnick got up behind the microphone to give what sounded an awful lot like a concession speech - or at least a prelude to a concession.

"We got an uphill fight because we know it's a blue state," said Bramnick. "Republicans always come back. It's just a question of when. My message to Democrats is look behind you. We're coming. We're coming."

By that time two networks had already called the race for incumbent Bob Menendez, though most of the party faithful in the room didn't seem to know that. They were still sharing in a moment of euphoria stemming from an early report that Hugin was holding a 10-point lead, but with just 9 percent of the vote in.

All was not yet lost, however. Soon former state senator Diane Allen showed up. The campaign co-chair - and former TV anchor - promptly questioned the verdict from the current TV crowd.

"We're not giving up," she told the crowd.

The campaign was still holding out hope based on incomplete returns.

"We don't have all the numbers, but no one else does either," she said.

She went on to recount how Maine Senator Susan Collins was once counted out early by the networks in a race the Republican went on to win.

That was not to be the case this time. At 10:15 Hugin took the stage to give his concession.

One thing he wouldn't concede however was the moral high ground.

"The people of New Jersey do deserve better," he said. "The reality is that Senator Menendez is going to be our senator for the next six years."

After a few more comments, he repeated "The people of New Jersey do deserve better."

He certainly had a point there. Menendez had more baggage than a Samsonite store. He was indicted by the Barack Obama Justice Department on charges he accepted all sorts of free flights and travel from a Florida eye doctor whom he helped out in a Medicare dispute with the government.

Dr. Salomon Melgen is now doing 17 years in federal prison for overcharging Medicare by an astounding $73 million. Menendez escaped the rap via a hung jury, but was later censured by his Senate colleagues.

In an interview after the speech, I asked Hugin why he didn't offer the usual compliments to his opponent.

"I've always lived my life with honor and integrity," he said.

"I do hope we can raise the level of public servants. It's not good for America. I respect Senator Menendez but I hope he will raise the level of his personal life to be something we can be proud of."

Till then, this result looks like one of those Jersey jokes out-of-staters always seem to think are funny.

You know, the sort of "joke" where the guy says, "You're from Joisey" and you have to tell him that nobody in Jersey calls it "Joisey."

But when it comes to electing politicians who are better at cutting deals for themselves than their constituents, we now have to concede the point.

This Jersey joke is on us.Many countries have elections, but we often refer to American version as "free and fair." It is one of our proudest boasts. It confers a legitimacy that might not be inherent in, say, Russia, Uganda, or Honduras. It is a threshold that other democracies hope to attain.

Yet the ideal is often elusive. It does not exist in some parts of the U.S., usually in places where one political party changes election laws to make the voting process as difficult as possible, with rules that limit access to the ballot box.

Virtually all of these laws are remnants of Jim Crow, originating in Republican-controlled legislatures, where votes are suppressed in countless and imaginative ways, particularly since the Supreme Court reduced protections against racial discrimination in the Voting Rights Act in 2013.

Now it is common for states to close polling places, purge rolls, shorten voting periods, enact voter ID laws, keep ex-felons disenfranchised, and use outdated equipment in areas with minority populations that usually vote Democratic - all while gerrymandering prevents these rules-makers from being bounced from their seats of power.

Indeed, this 2018 cycle cries out for a new Voting Rights Act, one that can obviate the subversion of democracy.

Consider Georgia, where Secretary of State Brian Kemp oversees elections, including processing voter registration requests. He put 53,000 registrants on hold for Tuesday's election, and as it turned out, 70 percent of those frozen applications belonged to African-Americans - an odd coincidence, given that Georgia is only 32 percent black.

Kemp, as you've probably heard, was also the Republican nominee for governor, running against an African-American woman, and that they were running neck-and-neck before Tuesday.

Or consider Kansas, where Secretary of State and voter fraud fabulist Kris Kobach has control over polling sites. Most of his state's polling sites average 1,200 voters. But Dodge City, which is 60 percent Latino, has 13,000 voters. Guess which city had its only polling station moved six miles out of town?

Kobach, surprise, was also in a tight race for governor.

Then there's North Dakota, where Senator Heidi Heitkamp won by 3,000 votes in 2014 with overwhelming Native American support and was running even with a Republican opponent. The state government passed a law that requires a residential address to vote, which could prevent thousands of Native Americans to vote since most live on reservations and rely on PO boxes.

There are dozens of other onerous laws recently passed by GOP legislatures, usually after learning that the number of voters who actually like GOP ideas is cratering. North Carolina was the worst: In 2013, its Republican legislature shortened early voting by a week, eliminated same-day registration, abolished pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, and established a strict photo-ID requirement.

These laws are often written under the bogus premise that voter fraud is rampant - recall President Trump's hair-on-fire lie that 3 million fraudulent votes were cast in 2016 - and that the best response is to purge the phantom offenders.

These claims, however, are cynical fabrications - rarely backed up with indictments or prosecutions. Instances of fraud are so rare that the Brennan Center for Justice found that an individual "is more likely to be struck by lightning than impersonate another voter at the polls."

Still, 51 percent of Americans think elections are rigged, and we can't blame them. As long as one party consistently tries to block citizens from this basic right, we need to modernize the system.

One way is to nationalize Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), which New Jersey did in April. This registers citizens after their information is recorded at the motor vehicle agency or some other government list.

We can also adopt online voter registration (13 states still don't have it), offer same-day registration (35 states don't have it), and extend early voting opportunities - particularly for weekends, when voters don't have work on their minds.

It's time. This cycle proved again that our system isn't always free and fair: Election integrity is under attack, because some want to make voting an endurance test. The enemies of democracy, usually driven by political cowardice, must not prevail.

Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesdays Election (or Early Voting). Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2018

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.The blue wave struck hard: America stood up to President Trump.



Despite deliberate efforts to subvert democracy in places like Florida, Georgia and Texas, where districts are gerrymandered to suppress the minority vote and Republicans often won by slim margins, Democrats took back the House. Decisively.



In New Jersey, even the moderate Leonard Lance, who's held his seat for a decade, was a casualty. At most, we are left with just two Republicans in Congress, Chris Smith and Tom MacArthur - although the MacArthur race is still too close to call.

This wave hit despite the daunting Senate map this year. Imagine if the Democrats hadn't been defending 26 Senate seats to the Republicans' nine. They might have won the upper chamber, too.

And as Trump himself said, this election is "a referendum about me."

It is a collective scream over his effort to strip health coverage from 23 million, the giant tax cuts he lavished on the uber-rich and corporations, his false promise to drain the swamp and fattening of the leeches.



It is a recognition of the breathtaking scope of his war on truth - with delusions so profound that every unflattering poll is "fake," every public failure a "fraud," even his loss of the popular vote for president.



It is a recoiling from his unrepentant bigotry; his good-people-on-both-sides boosterism of white supremacy and villainization of immigrants, capped with a campaign ad so racist that even Fox News stopped running it.



Most Americans don't like this, which is why his approval rating is so low, at 41 percent.

One of the best numbers of the night, and perhaps the worst for Trump: It appears that more than 100 women were elected to Congress, including New Jersey's Mikie Sherrill.

Republicans still retain control of the Senate, thanks to a map heavily tilted in their favor. Heidi Heitkamp lost her seat in North Dakota, after she took a brave stand against Brett Kavanaugh. Texas re-elected the repellent Ted Cruz over rising star Beto O'Rourke. Two hotly contested governorships, in Florida and Georgia, were tainted by shameless voter disenfranchisement.



But the major victors of the night were Democrats. When he ultimately erupts in fury, Trump is likely to go even more hardline, and the Republicans left in Congress will lean more conservative, and close ranks around him and his cultish base.



He can still appoint judges who side with polluters, the NRA or shadowy political donors, and has already decisively tipped the court against abortion rights. Democratic priorities like climate change are probably headed nowhere, since Republicans still hold the Senate.



Yet in other crucial ways, this will limit Trump. He won't be able to do his tax plan, as the Democrats push back against its favoring of the wealthy, with cuts aimed at working and middle-class families. He can't simply ram through another attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, leaving people with cancer or diabetes to the mercy of insurers.



And he will no longer be able to sail above scrutiny, openly profiteering off his presidency and flouting ethical rules. Americans have spoken: They want vigorous congressional oversight of this administration, and Trump in particular.



This includes issues crucial to our national security, from investigating his ties to Russia to checking his unbecoming love for bloody dictators and wasteful use of our military.

Case in point: his absurd bid to spend millions on a showy parade, while the death toll from Puerto Rico's hurricane climbed; or send troops to the border in anticipation not of an invading army, but a bunch of tired migrants and shoeless children, with the casual instruction to treat rocks like "rifles."



Voters want Democrats to take steps to protect Robert Mueller, too, as he completes his investigation of Russian meddling in our 2016 election. They want Congress to subpoena Trump's business records, to see if he's taken gifts from foreign governments. They want to know about shady dealings at the Trump International Hotel in D.C., a favorite of lobbyists and leaders who seek to curry favor with the president.



And what about Trump's strange relationship with Saudi Arabia, from whom he initially accepted the explanation that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was mistakenly killed in a fist-fight, involving 15 men and a bone saw? Or his advocacy for a Chinese company, just days after China's government gave the Trump Organization a $500 million loan?



Democrats controlling these House committees can now hold hearings and issue subpoenas. They will launch a series of investigations into Trump's finances, with the top priority of forcing the release of his tax returns, a pet cause of New Jersey's Rep. Bill Pascrell.



Trump tried to claim last night's results as a "tremendous success," and they were - a check on his power, and a win for democracy.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.To everyone who voted yesterday: Thank you.

The only way our American experiment works is through participation at the polls. And early indications were that voters were especially determined to cast their ballots this year, despite pouring rain here in Hudson County, long lines and the occasional story of broken machines or incompetent poll workers.

We heard from folks who celebrated with first-time voters and waited in lines that stretched inside and outside buildings. We heard from people who supported the Democratic line, the Republican line and a mix. All went out to ensure their voices would be heard, their opinions counted.

In perhaps our favorite anecdote of the day, Maren Nicholson of Hoboken described how she'd hit the polls on her way to work, was told she wasn't in the book, went back home to get her sample ballot as proof she was in the right place, was still told she wasn't in the book, found her own name in the book for the poll worker and cast her ballot.

Yes, she persisted.

We must all persist in order for the people to be the ultimate judge of the direction of our school districts, our local and state governments and our federal government.

Yesterday's turnout was a positive step.

Let's keep up the momentum and come out in force again next year for local and state Assembly races and then in 2020 when the presidency and New Jersey's second U.S. Senate seat will be decided.

Regardless of how you vote, it's the act itself that matters most.

Submit letters to the editor and guest columns to jjletters@jjournal.com.One of only two jobs in President Donald Trump's administration that former Gov. Chris Christie said would have prompted him to leave office early just opened up.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out as the country's chief law enforcement officer Wednesday. Sessions told the president in a one-page letter that he was submitting his resignation "at your request."

Sessions's job was one Christie coveted.

The former governor said early last year during an interview on Fox News that he likely would have resigned as governor if Trump had offered him the post of U.S. attorney general.

Now, with Sessions out, the question opens up as to whether Christie could be in contention for the position.

Christie did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

Christie has long said the president had been "ill-served" by some of his top advisers and has been equally critical of special prosecutors, saying in 2017 that "they are generally a bad idea" because they go off on tangents.

Robert Mueller was tapped to lead an investigation into potential coordination between the president's Republican campaign and Russia after Sessions recused himself from the matter.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel on Sessions.

"That would have been a hard thing to turn down," Christie said on Fox News in February 2017.

The other position Christie hoped to get was as Trump's running mate in 2016. But that was given to former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

"Of course you're disappointed," Christie said in reaction to getting passed over for that job on the eve of the Republican National Convention in 2016. "I mean, you know, I don't ever get into anything that I don't want to win, and so when you're not picked, of course you're disappointed."

"It didn't happen," he added. "That's fine."

Sessions had been protected for much of his tenure by the support of Senate Republicans, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who had said he would not schedule a confirmation hearing for another attorney general if Trump fired him.

But that support began to fade, with Grassley suggesting over the summer that he might have time for a hearing after all.

And Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Judiciary Committee member who once said there'd be "holy hell to pay" if Trump fired Sessions, called the relationship "dysfunctional" and said he thought the president had the right after the midterm to select a new attorney general.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.U.S. Sen. Cory Booker on Wednesday called Attorney General Jeff Sessions' dismissal "an alarming development" and warned that curtailing the probe into possible collusion between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian officials could lead to "a constitutional crisis."

The investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller has been overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, but the acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, could take over supervision and limit the scope of the probe.

Whitaker took over the Justice Department Wednesday as Trump requested and obtained the Sessions' resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions a day after the midterm elections.

"Jeff Sessions' firing at the hands of the president is an alarming development that brings us one step closer to a constitutional crisis," said Booker, D-N.J.

"I'm concerned that President Trump made this decision based on his fear of being implicated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and frustration with Sessions' recusal from that investigation."

Sessions had recused himself from the probe following revelations that he did have contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign after saying during those confirmation hearings said he hadn't talked to any Russian official.

Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sponsor of a bipartisan bill making it harder to fire the special counsel, said Whitaker should also rescue himself "given his past comments targeting the Mueller investigation and advocating for limits on its scope and cuts to its funding."

The senator cited the ongoing probe when he opposed the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying he could sit in judgment of the president who picked him.

Booker's legislation, sponsored with U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Chris Coons, D-Del., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., would allow Mueller to be fired only for good cause by a senior Justice Department official, require that the reasons be given in writing, and give him 10 days to appeal his dismissal to a federal judge.

While the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the measure in April, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has refused to bring it up for a vote by the full Senate.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez told supporters he will "never back down from fighting" after sailing to a re-election victory over Repubican challenger Bob Hugin on Tuesday night.

"Thank you, New Jersey!" Menendez told some 200 to 300 supporters at his victory party at a Hoboken hotel.

"I never back down from fighting," he said. "Some say I'm persistent. I just say it's the Jersey in me."

The race was called for Menendez within an hour after polls in the state closed. But Menendez didn't take the stage until about 10:30 p.m.

He blasted his opponent, who spent at least $36 million of his own personal fortune to try and oust Menendez, over the "false, salacious (and) negative adds" that ran on TV in the months leading up to the election.

"But what he failed to understand ... is that this election was always about all of you," Menendez told his supporters.

He never trailed in polls. But Menendez, who survived a trial on criminal corruption charges but was later rebuked by his colleagues, only led by single digits in early polls in Democratic-heavy New Jersey. The Cook Political Report, meanwhile, called the race a "tossup." Later polls showed him pulling ahead.

Gov. Phil Murphy, who appeared alongside Menendez on the campaign trail in the lead-up to the election, was there to welcome Menendez to the stage.

"We the people have said we want Sen. Bob Menendez," he declared, saying the re-election of him was a repudiation of Republican President Donald Trump.

"We the people have said we want Sen. Bob Menendez," Murphy said. "We the people told Donald Trump that New Jersey would not be part of an agenda that disparages our communities."

Murphy added: "His leadership and his determination have never been needed more."

When news broke that Democratic Menendez handily won another term, as supporters listened to music that included the hit-song "Survivor," there was a noteworthy supporter at his victory part: a woman who served as a juror during his criminal trial.

Evelyn Arroyo-Maultsby, of Hillside, made headlines last year after she accused federal prosecutors of "trying to throw a good man under the bus." She was earlier dismissed from Menendez's bribery case so she could keep a pre-arranged vacation. She said she would have voted to acquit him.

"He's just so special to me because of what happened in that courtroom, and I just felt like I needed to be here to support him," Arroyo-Maultsby said at the party Tuesday night.

"A lot of people were confused," she said. "He's really a good man. What they're saying about him is not true."

Menendez's trial resulted in a hung jury, and federal prosecutors declined to retry him.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.The nasty political slugfest between incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and businessman Bob Hugin generated about 900,000 more votes than New Jersey's last Senate race, according to preliminary data.

While official turnout figures aren't yet available, vote tallies for the top race on this year's ballot already show a 48 percent increase in votes cast compared to the 2014 midterm elections.

This year's race, a Menendez victory, saw 2,767,892 total votes, with 98 percent of precincts reporting. That works out to 47 percent of the state's more than 5.9 million registered voters.

The 2014 Senate race, featuring rising political star Cory Booker, drew a total of 1,869,535 votes.

Of course, the Menendez-Hugin battle was a far more competitive race than when Booker, the Democratic incumbent, faced Republican Jeff Bell, a conservative with little campaign cash. Booker won easily.

It was a record low turnout that year with just 36 percent of registered voters coming out to the polls, which experts attributed to a projected Booker blowout.

In Menendez' case, polls showed a tighter race between the Union City natives, with pollsters projecting a Menendez win fueled by voter antipathy toward President Donald Trump.

Still, Democrats apparently weren't taking any chances. Not after Hugin ran a no-holds-barred campaign that included spending $36 million of his own fortune and resurrecting unproven allegations that the incumbent slept with underage prostitutes.

Menendez drew 1,470,379 votes, compared to 1,210,986 for Hugin with 98 percent of precincts reporting. The remaining votes went to six third-party candidates.

The total voter turnout figures are expected to be higher than 47 percent once all the ballots are counted and the election is certified. But the Senate figures show this is the highest turnout for a non-presidential year since the 2009 governor's race between Chris Christie and Jon Corzine also drew 47 percent.

This likely higher voter turnout for a midterm election is in line with what was seen nationally Tuesday. The New York Times estimated 114 million ballots were cast in House races, compared with 83 million in 2014.

Midterm elections typically draw fewer voters to the polls than in presidential election years. New Jersey voter turnout was 68 percent in 2016, with nearly 4 million people casting ballots.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.Lamenting he had "let down" his supporters, Republican Bob Hugin conceded the U.S. Senate race to Democratic incumbent Robert Menendez on Tuesday night, ending one of New Jersey's most bitter contests.

And Hugin kept to the tough talk about Menendez he'd repeated countless times during the campaign.

"The people of New Jersey deserve better (than Menendez)," Hugin said during his concession speech at a Mountainside restaurant. "I let you down."

The thinning crowd that stuck around for his speech at 10:12 p.m. cheered him on and even broke into a chorus of "lock him up," aimed at Menendez.

"I'm so disappointed, we came up short," Hugin said. "I am proud of the campaign we have all run. There's lot of challenges, affordability and the failure to deliver for our people. I promise you, I will continue to fight for those issues."

The battle of the Bobs pitted two-term incumbent Menendez against Hugin, a retired pharmaceutical executive who had never run for office. Borrowing from his service as an active duty infantry officer, Hugin pitched himself to New Jersey voters by telling them to "Send in a Marine."

Yet Hugin's campaign will likely be remembered for its vitriolic ads reminding voters that Menendez had been indicted on federal corruption charges. Ultimately he was acquitted at trial on some counts while the jury deadlocked on others. The Senate Ethics Committee "severely admonished" him.

Hugin also ran ads featuring the unproven allegations that Menendez was involved with prostitutes during trips to the Dominican Republic with friend and campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen.

Hugin said he was proud of his campaign. "I have my self-respect today," he said.

Menendez's ethical baggage made what should have been a cakewalk into a nail-biting uphill slog for most of the campaign. But because President Donald Trump is deeply unpopular in New Jersey, Hugin could not overcome even a weakened Menendez.

Trump's divisive rhetoric made it harder for Hugin to be heard, state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, said.

"I think Hugin is a class guy, but I think it's very difficult in a blue state, where you have a president who may be right on the policy but is wrong on the personality," Bramnick said.

"One thing in politics -- don't get people mad," he added. "They may not like you. Don't make them hate you. If you make people hate you, they will respond."

Until the final days of the campaign, pollsters and political scientists suggested Hugin was running a close race and could become New Jersey's first Republican U.S. Senator in 46 years. But Hugin never led in any poll, and on Monday, Quinnipiac University's poll said Menendez was 15 points ahead.

Early Monday night, around 8:15 p.m. Hugin and his wife, Kathy came out to greet the jovial crowd at the Stage House Tavern in Mountainside. Typically candidates sequester themselves until the race is called, but Hugin said he wanted to express his thanks and explain how he could not allow Menendez go unchallenged.

"New Jersey. deserves better," Hugin said. "New Jersey is a great state headed in the wrong direction and we are going to turn it around."

Moments after they left the stage, numerous TV networks declared Menendez the winner. The Hugin camp declined to concede for two hours, saying it was too close to call.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.Despite cries from some in their party, U.S. House Democrats made it clear during the campaign: impeaching Republican President Donald Trump is not high on their agenda.

Now that they have the power to do so after winning a majority Tuesday, the impeachment question will be asked again.

"Nothing is going to happen right away," said Jim Manley, a former aide to then-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"If they are to make such a move, the House leadership will only do so after a long, drawn-out investigation and numerous hearings," Manley said. "In the meantime, I expect them to move through the bulk of their domestic legislative agenda while conducting oversight of the administration."

From House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on down, most of the party's congressional candidates focused on pocketbook issues, not on removing the president from office if they regained the majority. Pelosi, D-Calif., told CNN last year: "It's not some place that I think we should go."

And the incoming House Judiciary Committee chairman, Jerrold Nadler of New York, listed the Democratic plans to hold Trump accountable. Impeachment was not mentioned.

"The American people said definitively that they want to see a government that is being held accountable to our laws, to our values and to the interests of the American people," Nadler said in a statement Tuesday evening.

Tonight, the American people have demanded accountability from their government and sent a clear message of what they want from Congress. @realDonaldTrump may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people. pic.twitter.com/EgVpwUWAJe  (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) November 7, 2018

What the Democrats are certain to do with their majority is take steps to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Russian officials during the 2016 elections.

The new Democratic majority also is expected to hold hearings on the Trump administration, including trying to get his income tax returns. Trump is the first president in 40 years to refuse to disclose his returns.

"To me, oversight does not mean political fishing expeditions," said New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a Democrat from New Jersey's 9th District.

"Oversight means pursuing the facts wherever they lead, and from that toiling to make American government healthier - that includes any discussions of impeachment or presidential censure."

While Trump and Republicans warned of impeachment should the GOP lose its congressional majorities, Democratic candidates laser-focused on issues such as health care. Republicans tried and failed to replace the Affordable Care Act with legislation that would have left as many as 32 million more Americans uninsured.

That was the topic of two-thirds of all commercials run by Democratic House and Senate candidates last month, according to the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks advertising.

"We have to focus on the most important things in people's lives, health care and making sure they have the dignity of a good job," said Rep. Donald Norcross, a Democrat from New Jersey's 1st District.

"It's about our focus on why we're asking America to trust us," Norcross said. "It's about jobs, making sure the wages are raised for those who are making less than $1 million a year. Education has to be affordable. And health care, health care, health care."

Granted, there will be some pressure to act quickly. Billionaire investor Tom Steyer has spent more than $8 million of his own money to urge Congress to impeach Trump, and some progressives have joined the cause.

Americans were divided on the question in a September CNN poll, with 47 percent supporting impeachment and 48 percent opposing it.

"Lots of other priorities before the 'I' word," said Israel Klein, a West Orange native and former aide to now-Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who runs a lobbying firm in Washington. "Democratic leadership has said that unless there are 67 votes (in the Senate) for impeachment, it won't be on the table."

They've learned a lesson from House Republicans, who insisted on impeaching President Bill Clinton, largely along party lines, after he lied about having an extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The Senate, which has the power to remove an impeached president, acquitted Clinton.

The GOP lost seats in the 1998 midterm election, an almost unheard-of failure for the party out of power, and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was carrying on his own affair at the time, was forced out of his leadership position.

"Impeachment should not be partisan," Nadler said in September at a forum sponsored by Crain's, a business publisher.

"You have to be in a situation to undertake impeachment where you believe that once all the evidence is public, not a majority but a good fraction of the opposition voters who supported the president would say, 'Well, they had to do it. It was the right thing to do.'"

In addition, as the Republicans learned two decades ago, two-thirds of the Senate would have to remove Trump from office no matter what the House does.

"There is no way he would ever be convicted in the Senate," said Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. For Democrats, "running that fool's errand would hurt them in the long run," he said.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has said he opposes the idea of the interview, worried that Mueller would accuse Trump of perjury. The president - who once voiced eagerness to set the record straight - is now cool to the notion of speaking to the special counsel, according to people familiar with his views.Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Rev. Douglas J. Haefner's attorney.

The longtime pastor of a Catholic church in Somerset County resigned last week after officials said he took $500,000 from his parish's coffers because of his "compulsive behaviors."

The allegations against Rev. Douglas J. Haefner, who for 27 years has served as the pastor of St. Matthias Church in Franklin Township, came to light in a Nov. 2 letter from the Diocese of Metuchen to the church's parishioners.

"It is with sadness that I must inform you that Father's resignation coincides with serious questions and concerns that recently have been raised regarding the handling of parish finances," the letter states. "... Father came to me about his own health problems and these financial issues in recent weeks and has expressed his sorrow for his actions and for letting us all down."

The revelation that the money was missing came in a private conversation between Haefner and Bishop James F. Checchio. Haefner had come to Checchio and said he "borrowed" approximately $500,000, the bishop told a gathering of a couple hundred parishioners in a Monday evening address. That figure is approximate because an internal audit is ongoing.

A spokeswoman for the diocese, Erin Friedlander, said law enforcement is investigating the disappearance of the funds. Friedlander declined to say what agency was leading the investigation.

The Franklin Police Department referred comment to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Tuesday, which declined to comment on the matter.

Friedlander said it's too early to tell the exact amount of money involved, and from where within the parish it came from.

Checchio told the congregation that Haefner came to him a few weeks ago to express his disappointment for acting out on "emotional problems." The discussion with the parishioners was reported by the local TAP media website and the content of the conversation was confirmed by Friedlander.

"(Haefner) came to see me in my office, and he said, 'I need help,'" Checchio told the congregation. "'I've been sick. My physical but also emotional problems that I've been struggling with are feeding off each other. Some of my emotional problems have led to compulsive behavior on my part, and the compulsive behavior cost money.' (Haefner) said, 'I borrowed money from the parish.'"

Checchio had also told Haefner to seek an evaluation of his physical and mental health.

When Haefner returned to the church, about a week later, the two agreed that the longtime pastor should step down.

The bishop was not immediately available for an interview with NJ Advance Media.

St. Matthias currently has 3,225 registered families, Friedlander said.

The St. Matthias School operates on a separate budget and hasn't been operating on a deficit, Checchio told the crowd. However, he stressed that it can't be ruled out that the school's funds were affected.

"I do know that the school is going to be cared for and the parish is going to be cared for," Checchio said. "There's no deficit showing on the books right now for the school. As soon as we're able, we're going to release whatever we can, but that's not up to me."

An attorney for Haefner, Matthew Adams, emailed NJ Advance Media the following statement on behalf of his client:

"To know Father Doug is to know a caring man who has spent decades ministering to parishioners from all walks of life, including during times of extreme peril," Adams said. "Father Doug has indeed stepped back from his public ministry to address serious health issues. It is quite unfortunate that, as he steps out of the public, some have used the opportunity to violate the confidentiality that, as a matter of law, attaches to those health-related issues. With respect to the allegations being leveled against him, Father Doug enjoys the same constitutional presumption of innocence as any other citizen."

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsUPDATE: MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports the Cardinals are interested in Andrew Miller.

Sources: #STLCards interested in Andrew Miller and are active in the reliever market overall. @MLB @MLBNetwork  Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 7, 2018

With all the focus on Yankees general manager Brian Cashman's quest for a starting pitcher (or two), it's easy to forget there is also some work to be done in the bullpen.

Lance Lynn, Zach Britton and David Robertson are free agents, and none is assured of returning to the Bronx.

SNY's Andy Martino reports the Yankees could look to an old friend on the open market:

Both the Yankees and Mets have expressed interest in free agent reliever Andrew Miller, but he is not close to a deal with either team.

Coming off a down year caused by patellar tendinitis in his left knee, Miller is seeking a multi-year deal, according to major league sources. Interested teams are waiting to see if the medicals give them pause, and hope that an offseason of rest will restore Miller's health.

The 33-year-old Miller made 37 appearances in 2018, going 2-4 with two saves and a 4.24 ERA.

But he was an All-Star in 2016 and 2017, when he compiled a 1.44 ERA over 127 appearances.

Miller is well-traveled in his 13-year career.

He came up with the Detroit Tigers in 2006, before moving on to the Florida Marlins in 2008, Boston Red Sox in 2011 and the Baltimore Orioles in 2014.

Miller signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Yankees in December of 2014.

On July 31, 2016, the Yankees traded Miller to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor leaguers J.P. Feyereisen, Clint Frazier, Ben Heller and Justus Sheffield.

Frazier and Sheffield now represent two of the top prospects in the Yankees' system.

If the Yankees do end up with Miller, wouldn't it be something if he helped the big league team in 2019 before Frazier and Sheffield  Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 7, 2018

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A New Orleans man convicted in June of kidnapping a woman, then shoving her from a moving vehicle on Interstate 10 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Authorities said Dave Turner, 42, forced his way into a womans home in St. Charles Parish on Feb. 1, 2016, where he raped her and choked her unconscious. He then forced her into an SUV and drove to New Orleans, according to authorities.

The Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office said witnesses saw Turner punch the woman before he pushed her from the moving vehicle.

Turner was booked in St. Charles Parish with attempted first-degree murder and rape in the same crime. Those charges are pending.

New Orleans man jailed in rape, kidnapping of St. Rose woman

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Criminal District Judge Daryl Derbigny sentenced Turner Monday (Nov. 5) to 15 years in prison for attempted manslaughter, and five years in prison for simple kidnapping, according to court records. He ordered the sentences to run concurrent.

The victim and two other women read impact statements inside the judges chambers before sentencing, according to court records.

Assistant District Attorneys Missy Bucher and Darius Greene prosecuted the case.

Court records show Turners defense attorney, Dennis Moore, withdrew from the case after sentencing. Derbigny appointed the Louisiana Appellate Project to handle Turners appeal.A pair of masked gunmen with an assault-style rifle demanded entry to a Meraux home Monday afternoon (Nov. 5) and then stole cash and prescription pain medication, according to the St. Bernard Parish Sheriffs Office. A third man is also suspected of playing a role in the crime, authorities said.

Cory Catanese, 26, of Meraux and Jermaine Miller, 37, of Violet were booked Monday with four counts each of armed robbery. A third man, 30-year-old Cory Kelly of Violet, has also been arrested on four counts of armed robbery, authorities said Tuesday night. Kelly remained at large earlier in the day.

The robbery was reported about 1 p.m. Monday in the 2800 block of Munster Boulevard, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said in a news release.

The four robbery victims told deputies that two masked gunmen had approached one of them in the driveway and brandished an assault-style rifle while demanding to be let into the home.

According to Pohlmann, the victims said the masked gunmen made one of them go into a bedroom and open a safe. The gunmen stole pain medication and $100 in cash before fleeing.

Detectives believe the robbers knew that one of the victims had just filled a prescription for pain medication, Pohlmann said.

Eyewitness accounts led detectives to identify Catanese as a suspect in the robbery, authorities said. Both he and Miller were arrested when investigators conducted a search of Cataneses home.

Kelly was identified as a suspect through video surveillance, authorities said.

The victims were not injured in the robbery, and the gun used in the robbery was recovered, Pohlmann said.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Cory Kelly or other information about the case is asked to call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office at 504-271-2501 or submit an anonymous tip by calling Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

The armed robbery in Meraux was one of two separate robberies reported in St. Bernard Parish within roughly 24 hours, according to the Sheriffs Office.

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Two men are accused in an attempted robbery targeting a man and woman in Chalmette overnight Monday, Pohlmann said.

Treyvon Magee, 19, of Chalmette was booked with two counts of attempted first-degree robbery. Dayton Walters, 17, of Chalmette was booked with two counts of principle to first-degree robbery, authorities said.

Magee and Walters were arrested after Magee sought medical treatment for a wound caused by one of the victims.

The robbery was reported shortly after midnight in the 3000 block of Jean Lafitte Parkway. The victims told police that they were walking a couple of blocks away on Jean Lafitte, near Galleon Drive, when two men approached in a black Toyota sedan.

One of the men got out of the car and, with his hand beneath his shirt to imply that he had a weapon, demanded the woman hand over her purse, authorities said.

The man and woman told deputies that they tried to get away, but encountered the two men again nearby.

The man said one of the would-be robbers, later identified as Magee, lunged at him, prompting him to stab Magee in self-defense with a pocketknife, Pohlmann said in a news release.

Magee and Walters were captured when Magee went to a nearby hospital for treatment. Walters was booked into the St. Bernard Parish jail. Magee was also booked into the jail after he was treated and released from the hospital, authorities said.

A background check of Magee revealed that he was wanted on an armed robbery charge out of Picayune, Mississippi, the Sheriffs Office said.

Booking photos of Magee and Walters were not available.People were drawn to 16-year-old Selicia Nabor, her parents say. Whether they wanted stylish braids in their hair or a fun-loving sidekick for a party, friends and family sought out Nabor, says her mother, Anicia Chatters.

Selicia Nabor was the cool kid in school, said her father, Smith Nabor, adding that his daughter used her influence to help those who struggled socially, befriending those who were bullied.

Still, Chatters said she did not realize the extent of her daughters impact until the 16-year-old was struck by a bullet at a Hollygrove park in September. As the teenager fought to recover, people continued to flock to her side, packing a hospital waiting area with her friends, former teachers, the assistant principal at the middle school she attended, and others.

Just from her, the waiting room was so crowded, Chatters said. There was just so much love and support.

Selicia Nabor had been attending a party in Hollygroves Conrad Park when, about 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, gunfire broke out. She spent roughly a week in the hospital before she died, ultimately succumbing to the gunshot wound to her head. Two boys, ages 15 and 16, are accused of second-degree murder in the shooting, which also left a 23-year-old man critically injured, police said.

Less than two months later, Selicia Nabors parents are struggling to adjust to a world without their vivacious firstborn child. Chatters also has a 12-year-old daughter, and Smith Nabor has two sons, ages 9 and 10.

Though Chatters and Smith Nabor are no longer a couple, Chatters said they remain best friends and together adored their eldest child.

Selicia Nabor was beginning her junior year at John F. Kennedy High School but previously attended Livingston Collegiate Academy, through which she performed as a majorette with Livingstons sister school, Abramson Sci Academy. She wanted to march with her new high school, but missed the tryouts, Chatters said.

She loved being a majorette, she said.

During Selicia Nabors funeral, the Abramson majorettes performed a salute at the end, as her casket was placed in the hearse, Chatter said.

Popular with her peers, Selicia Nabor was bubbly, goofy and very outspoken, eager to share her thoughts and unafraid of others reactions to them, Chatters said. She loved hanging out with her best friend and her guy friend, Chatters said.

She was the life of the party, she said. Everybody pretty much wanted to be with Selicia, to hang with Selicia.

Their 16-year-old was also known for styling hair, her parents said.

Everybody used to go to her to get braids done, Chatters said.

Smith Nabor, who works as a barber, said his daughter enjoyed helping other girls gain the confidence boost that often accompanies a new, pretty hairstyle.

She also liked shopping for clothes and shoes, he said, relishing the latest and trendiest.

But what stood out most about Selicia Nabor, her father said, was her propensity to give and to care for others.

If she saw someone in need shaking a cup, she had to put something in there, Smith Nabor said.

Thats why I told her to become a police officer, to help people, he said.

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She initially wanted to be a pediatrician, Smith Nabor said. Then her goals changed to NOPD detective.

She wanted to do it all, said Smith Nabor, who lives in Savannah, Georgia, but saw his daughter at least twice a year. She was striving to become the best person she could be.

Smith Nabor and Chatters both said they tended to be overprotective of their teen daughter and, concerned about New Orleans violence, Chatters said she had been telling the 16-year-old no when she asked to go out.

In the hours before Selicia Nabor was fatally shot, she was inside of her 7th Ward home, styling someones hair and asking to go to a party. Chatters said this time, she relented.

A couple of hours later, Chatters said, a friend of Selicias called to say that Selicia had been shot. Chatters said she rushed to the scene near Hamilton and Edinburgh streets, where she could go no further than the yellow police tape.

I saw her from where I was standing, Chatters said. I saw her lying on the ground.

Chatters said she saw her daughter placed into the ambulance and then did not see her again until she came out of surgery.

16-year-old girl among 2 shot Sunday in Hollygrove park: NOPD

Smith Nabor said he had just gotten out of the shower to find his phone had been ringing and then a relative called to tell him his daughter had been shot.

Im saying, Huh? because Im trying to make sure what Im hearing is correct, he remembered. Its like my whole body starts shaking, because Im like, Not my baby.

The shooting and its location brought back tragic memories. Smith Nabor said he was 5 years old when his older brother, Smith Nabor III, 19, was found shot to death in the Hollygrove area. Smith Nabor III was pronounced dead at the scene in the 8100 block of Olive Street in September 1988, according to a Sept. 7, 1988 The Times-Picayune report.

This reopened old wounds, Smith Nabor said.

The first night in the hospital, Selicia shifted a lot in her hospital bed and though she was not speaking, she could respond to her family by squeezing their hands.

When they urged her to open her eyes, she strained to do so, squinting in effort.

During the next week, Selicia Nabors condition deteriorated and she was declared brain dead. Her parents opted to donate her organs, giving her heart, kidneys and liver.

We felt like now that our daughter was no longer there, she could, we wanted her to live through someone else, Chatters said. Our daughters a hero to us. She was able to save four lives.

Still, Chatters and Nabor Smith find themselves waiting for their bubbly girl to walk through the door, to tell them about her day, to plead for shopping money.

Every day, Selicia Nabor would come home from school and curl up next to her mother.

Every day, she had a story to tell me about what happened that day, Chatters said. I would sit there looking forward to it.Lawyers representing three former officers of the Make It Right Foundation, who are accused in a lawsuit of building substandard houses, have moved their clients case from Orleans Parish Civil District Court to United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, according to a court document acquired by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.

In the years after Hurricane Katrina, Make It Right built 109 experimental modernist homes in New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward to replace those lost to flooding. The nonprofit enterprise, spearheaded by actor Brad Pitt, sold the houses to former residents of the area at affordable prices reestablishing the neighborhood, which became a post-K tourist attraction.

But on Sept. 7, two Lower Ninth Ward residents sued Make It Right, accusing Pitt and several officers of the company of building houses that are flawed and deteriorating rapidly. As a proposed class action, the suit is intended to represent everyone who bought a Make it Right house.

Brad Pitt's Make It Right group sued over post-Katrina houses it built in New Orleans

The lawsuit, filed by New Orleans attorney Ron Austin, alleges that the houses were deficiently constructed and built with defective products that caused mold, poor air quality, structural failures, faulty heating, ventilation and cooling, electrical malfunctions, plumbing mishaps and rotting wood.

On Sept. 19, Make It Right acknowledged the problems with the homes when the organization sued its principal architect John C. Williams in Civil District Court, accusing him of defective design work that led to leaks and other problems in the homes. According to the lawsuit, filed by attorney Victor J. Franckiewicz, Jr., repairing the damage caused by rain and humidity could run Make It Right $20 million.

Brad Pitt's Make It Right charity sues architect for leaky construction

Now, in a case filed on Oct. 24, lawyers from the Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann firm have asked the federal court to transfer the cases of former Make It Right officers Samuel W. Whitt, S.H. Jim Fogleman, and LaToya King to federal court. The proposed reasons for the move are: first, that the three former officers live in North Carolina; second, Make It Right was incorporated in Delaware; third, the number of class action plaintiffs could reach over 100; and fourth, the lawsuit could result in a settlement of more than $5 million.

The Ninth Ward residents who are suing Make It Right, have 30 days from the date the case was transferred to file a motion to remand, asking the federal court to send the suit back to state court.

Neither Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann or Ron Austins offices returned requests for comment on the removal.

Thanks to attorney Nicole Babb, of the King and Jurgens law firm, for explaining the removal process. Neither Babb nor her firm are involved in the Make It Right cases.

Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream."New Mexico made history tonight," Haaland said. "I want to thank every single person who poured their heart and soul into this campaign. Congress has never heard a voice like mine, but when the 116th session of Congress begins, they will hear my voice."The Louisiana secretary of states race is headed to a runoff election Dec. 8 between interim office holder Kyle Ardoin, a Republican, and Gwen Collins-Greenup, a little-known Democrat.

Ardoin and Collins-Greenup beat out seven other candidates Tuesday (Nov. 6) to advance to the general election. Tom Schedler, who held the position for 10 years, resigned in May following a sexual harassment scandal involving a department employee.

Ardoin has served as secretary of state since Schedler stepped down. Before that, he served as first assistant secretary of state, the number two position in the office. He previously worked for the Louisiana House of Representatives and ran his own lobbying firm. His prior experience as an elected official was on the West Baton Rouge School Board.

Louisiana Secretary of State candidates make closing arguments ahead of Nov. 6

Collins-Greenup graduated from Southern University Law Center and has graduate degree from Liberty University Theological Seminary, according to her website. Prior to graduating law school, she lists experience as a licensed notary and small businesses owner. She was also a legal secretary with the Louisiana Department of Labor, a deputy clerk with the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court and in the Baton Rouge City Court, according to her website.

Collins-Greenups advancement to the runoff was a bit of a surprise, as she reported having only a few thousand dollars for her campaign. Many candidates she beat in the race had raised tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds of thousands, for their campaigns. Collins-Greenup was not invited to participate in some candidates forums for the race because her fundraising was seen as so lackluster.

The other Democrat in the race, former first assistant secretary of state Renee Fontenot Free, had a more robust campaign and raised more money. She had also received the endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

If Collins-Greenup continues to struggle to raise money for her campaign, Ardoin should have a large advantage over her in the runoff election. Ardoin had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and should be able to mount a statewide advertising campaign if needed.

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All major Louisiana secretary of state candidates have loaned their campaigns money

Despite taking over for Schedler last spring, Ardoin was a late arrival to the statewide race. He initially told the news media and state lawmakers in public hearings that he had no intention of running for the office. He then changed his mind and signed up for the election in the last few minutes of qualifying for candidates in July.

Ardoin has made the runoff election, despite finding himself in the middle of a couple controversies during his short tenure as secretary of state. The Louisiana Division of Administration determined that the elections division in Ardoins agency didnt handle the states voting machine contract bid process properly. As result, the state has had to rebid the contract.

Ardoin was also in charge of human resources when Schedlers alleged harassment took place. Hes specifically mentioned in the lawsuit the employee brought against Schedler. She said Ardoin advised her to stay out of Schedlers way when Schedler was angry at the woman for not returning his advances.

Vendor appeals rejection of Louisiana voting machine contract

Ardoin said he did not realize the dispute between the woman and Schedler had to do with alleged sexual harassment. Had he known that, Ardoin said he would have approached the situation differently.

After the scandal broke, Ardoin implemented a new, stricter sexual harassment policy for the agency, among the most stringent in state government, he said.Last year was one of the worst flu seasons the United States has experienced in close to four decadesclaiming the lives of nearly 80,000 Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were an estimated 15,000 hospitalizations and 1,600 deaths related to the flu last year in Louisiana alone, according to data provided by the states Department of Health. Normally, the flu causes approximately 500 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations each year in Louisiana.

At one point in January, emergency rooms across the New Orleans metro area were overwhelmed with flu patients.

Doctors say its too soon to predict whether this flu season will be as bad as last years, but they hope to see a boost in the number of patients getting vaccinated against the flu this year.

I almost see it as a personal or civic responsibility, not just to protect yourself but to protect others from the flu, said Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at LSU Health Sciences New Orleans.

Only about 29.2 percent of adults in Louisiana were vaccinated against the flu last year, a decrease of 7.8 percent from the year before, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Across the U.S., fewer than 50 percent of people who should have gotten vaccinated last year were immunized, Lopez said.

Power up soups, smoothies and teas to fight flu season

The flu vaccine is typically about 40 to 60 percent effective in protecting a person against the flu. The CDC said this years flu vaccines have been updated to better match the circulating flu viruses and provide more protection. A nasal spray flu vaccine is also available for patients older than two years of age and those who are not immunocompromised.

I would hope that this year is not as bad as last year, but it will take months before we know for sure, said Dr. James K. Treadway Jr., a pediatrician with Childrens Hospital.

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He is pushing to vaccinate all of his patients and talking to their parents as well about the importance of vaccination. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. The elderly, the immunocompromised and very young children are typically more susceptible to catching the flu. However, doctors warn that even people who fall outside those categories should be vaccinated to avoid getting others sick.

There is greater access to flu shots now than there has been in the past, Lopez said, with more employers, health clinics, and pharmacies offering free to low-cost options for the uninsured or under-insured. Flu vaccines are covered by most insurance companies.

If you dont have insurance these are a few places you can get the vaccine at little to no cost.

Federally qualified health centers provide preventative services, including vaccines, and may offer these services on a sliding scale based on your income. You can click here to find a health center near you.

In October the Louisiana Department of Health started scheduling one-day clinics that allow people to come in and get a flu shot at little to no cost. The vaccines cost $10 out of pocket. A one-day clinic will be held this Saturday (Nov. 10) at Joe Brown Park at 5601 Read Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The New Orleans Musicians' Clinics You Got This program is offering free flu shots at their Taco Tuesday event at Buffas located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. from 5- 7 p.m. every Tuesday in November. The You Got This program hosts five weekly wellness events open to all local members of the creative community for low or no cost. For more information click here.

Vaccines for Children Program

Are you under 19 or have a child who is? This program provides vaccines to protect babies, kids and teens again 16 different diseases including the flu. A child is eligible for the VFC program if they are under the age of 19 and are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian or Alaskan Native. Learn more here.

Local pharmacies

This interactive map show local pharmacies that offer up to 11 different types of vaccines including the flu shot. At CVS the seasonal flu vaccine costs $40.99 and the dose for senior citizens costs $66.99 out of pocket. The flu shot may be entirely free depending on your health insurance plan or for Medicare Part B patients. Certain Walgreens locations offer the same prices. You will want to contact your local branch ahead of time for pricing details and availability.Five months after the St. Tammany Parish School Board committed up to $4 million a year to put police officers and mental health providers in each school, the school district says it has received a $500,000 grant to underwrite training programs aimed at reducing the risk of school violence.

The school district is partnering with Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit organization, to secure the federal grant. Money will be used for programs to teach students, teacher and administrators to identify and assist students exhibiting signs that they might be dangerous to others or themselves.

The grant comes at a time when national incidents of school violence, including the mass fatal shooting at a Florida high school in February, have raised the national and local profile of school safety. Moreover, numerous candidates seeking School Board seats in this falls elections noted that school safety was foremost on the minds of many parents they encountered while campaigning.

Its such a hot topic in the news, said board member Jack Loup, who was re-elected to his post on Tuesday (Nov. 6). No matter where it is (violent events at schools), its the big thing.

St. Tammany Parish public schools open

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In May, the School Board overwhelmingly agreed to put officers and mental health providers on each of the districts campuses, at an estimated cost of up to $4 million annually. Under that initiative, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office and the police departments in Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, Slidell and Pearl River contract with the school district to staff each school with officers.

The $500,000 grant is coming through the STOP School Violence Act.

Schools Superintendent Trey Folse said the grant will support the training of our students and educator in prevention methods to maximize safety and security measures.

The school district will use several programs developed by Sandy Hook Promise:Fining Entergy New Orleans just $5 million for seeking to subvert the democratic process, mislead the City Council and wage war on residents hardly seems adequate.

For starters, there is the question of whether a $5 million fine will get the attention, let alone change the behavior, of a company with annual revenues of $11 billion and literal power over 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

And then there is the sheer hubris the company displayed in trying to rig a political process that was already so embarrassingly weighted in its favor that no self-respecting Las Vegas bookie would have taken odds against council approval of the companys plans for a new gas-fired power plant in New Orleans East.

Taking council members at their word that the 6-1 vote for the plant last March was based on the testimony of experts, what advantage did Entergy gain by hiring actors to show up at hearings in matching orange T-shirts, carrying mass-produced signs and reading heartfelt pleas for jobs, power and an end to cascading outages from prepared scripts?

I voted stickers are the new participation trophies

Was then-Entergy CEO Charles Rice really that obsessed with overwhelming and humiliating activists and concerned residents with a shock and awe campaign of paid protesters? Text messages and other previously private communications uncovered by an independent City Council investigation certainly suggest that.

"This is a war and we need all the foot shoulders [soldiers] we can muster," he says in a discussion of whether Entergy would be willing to pony up for more ersatz supporters.

Its never a good look when the head of a major utility is caught equating what is supposed to be a fair and open democratic process with all-out warfare, especially when his side has actual nuclear power and the resistance is mostly worried about how a new plant will affect their property values, quality of life and their childrens health.

This is the worst use of political dirty tricks since Richard Nixons Committee to Re-Elect the President, CREEP, tried to bug the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate in the campaign against South Dakota Sen. George McGovern. The third-rate burglary eventually spawned an investigation that forced Nixon to resign from his second term in the face of impeachment.

Nixon, by the way, defeated McGovern in a historic landslide with the Democratic challenger winning only in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia while losing everywhere else, including his home state of South Dakota.

There has never been any evidence that any of Nixons subversive political knavery had much impact on the electoral outcome. But thats what happens when the political process, which is supposed to be war by other means, is embraced as actual warfare.

Only in this case, the foot shoulders were more Hogans Heroes than Saving Private Ryan. Did anybody really think that hiring local actors to appear in public venues was going to escape detection?

At some point isnt someone going to notice that a beer-drinking buddy who used to be laser-beam focused on playing a cadaver on NCIS: New Orleans was suddenly a rabid convert to extolling the virtues of a safe, reliable gas-fired peaking power plant over the alternative of being 100 percent reliant on transmission during a storm."

They must have thought we were all that stupid.

And even as the City Councils investigation uncovered damning communications between top Entergy executives, the company continued to claim it has been duped by the outside public relations firm it hired to sell the plant proposal. Investigators also complained that Entergy has been less than forthcoming in forking over information requested. Not exactly encouraging signs moving forward.

The most important election ever ... until the next one

Rice abruptly stepped down as Entergys CEO in August to take on a new role in  Im not making this up  the companys legal department.

Perhaps he will get to review the resolutions passed last week by the City Council that could include that $5 million fine and other requirements meant to induce a sea-change in the corporate culture at Entergy New Orleans.

City Councilwoman Helena Moreno called the episode just plain sad and disappointing" and lamented that Entergy had "lost sight of the company theyve always claimed to be.

Im not sure a slap on the bottom line is enough to change that.

Tim Morris is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write to Tim at tmorris@nola.com.A hard-liner on issues like crime and immigration, King has campaigned on a reputation for bipartisanship on other issues, like supporting health programs for Sept. 11 rescue and recovery workers.Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, right, and Jeremy O'Donnell look at the general election voting results during a gathering of politicians and others at the Aiken County Government Center on Nov. 6.North Augusta, SC (29841)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High 69F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.He has spent the past year touting his record as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a position to which he was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama. He also served a former state treasurer and attorney general.NPS Photo

October 26, 2018

Contact: Daniel Peterson, 605-665-0209 ext 23

River of Change  a new film of the Missouri National Recreational River will premiere on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Dakota Theater located on Walnut Street in downtown Yankton, South Dakota.

River of Change features the Missouri National Recreational River in all seasons with stunning views of its scenery, fish and wildlife, ecology, geology, history, and recreational values that made it eligible for designation in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1978, said says Rick Clark, Missouri National Recreational River Superintendent. Over the course of the last three years the National Park Service has worked to develop the parks first ever visitor educational film.

The film is intended to provide glimpses of the river in every season for first-time visitors to the Missouri National Recreational River. As a unit of the National Park Service, the 98 miles of the river is not only home to a variety of wildlife, but home to people that have lived along its edges. The film includes interviews from landowners, anglers, hunters, recreational boaters and the people who have been connected to this sacred river for thousands of years; the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Santee Sioux Tribe, and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Missouri National Recreational River protects 98 miles of relatively natural, free-flowing river, from Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, South Dakota to Ponca State Park, Nebraska; excludes Lewis and Clark Lake. The park also includes 20 miles of the lower Niobrara River and 8 miles of the lower Verdigre Creek, both of which are tributaries of the Missouri River. Established in 1978, the stretches of the river that Congress designated as Wild and Scenic flows fast and wide through shale and chalk bluffs where willows and cottonwoods, and bur oak trees flourish. Wildlife is abundant. Bald eagles, deer, turkey, piping plovers and least terns are among those often seen along this significant flyway for migratory birds.

River of Change River of Change will be available for viewing at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Niobrara and Ponca State Parks, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, and at the National Park Service headquarters building located in Yankton during regular business hours. was produced by Argentine Productions of Mt Lebanon, Pennsylvania, under contract with the National Park Service. The production features amazing aerial and scenic views of the river, up-close wildlife photography, and interviews of people that call the river their home and place to recreate. Argentine Productions also created five short videos for the MNRRs website ( www.nps.gov/mnrr ) that will be made available after the November 10, 2018 premiere.will be available for viewing at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Niobrara and Ponca State Parks, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, and at the National Park Service headquarters building located in Yankton during regular business hours.

Cant make the premiere showing at the Dakota Theater? Additional showings of the film will be offered in Lynch Nebraska, Vermillion and Wagner South Dakota. The free events are sponsored by the Friends of the Missouri National Recreational River who will provide complimentary popcorn and refreshments (e.g. non-alcoholic beverages) at the Dakota and Wagner Theaters before each showing.

Saturday, November 10 : Two evening showings at the Dakota Theater in Yankton, SD, one beginning at 7:00 p.m., and one beginning at 8:00 p.m. Address: 328 Walnut Street.

Saturday, November 17: Matinee showing at 2:00 p.m. at the Lynn Theater, Lynch, NE. Address: 135 4 th Street.

Saturday, November 17 : Matinee showing at 4:00 p.m. at the Wagner Theater, Wagner, SD Address: 218 Main Avenue South.

Monday, November 19: One evening showing at the Coyote Twin Theater, Vermillion, SD Theater beginning at 7:00 p.m. Address: 10 E Main Street.

No tickets are required and seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. The film is approximately 20 minutes in length. At the November 10 premier in Yankton, SD following the showing of the film there will be an optional question and answer panel session, including the films producer, production manager and NPS staff.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which currently preserves about  of 1 percent of river miles in the United States. Most of these rivers, like the Missouri National Recreational River, are managed in partnership with local landowners and communities. The films debut coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Missouri National Recreational River being established.October 31, 2018 Brent Everitt , (202) 245-4676

Vietnam Womens Memorial to Commemorate 25th Anniversary



Veterans Day weekend events set to honor women veterans of the Vietnam era

Washington, D.C.  This Veterans Day weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Womens Memorial on the National Mall. To commemorate this milestone, a weekend of poignant events will honor the service and sacrifice of the 265,000 women veteransmilitary and civilianwho served during the Vietnam era.



Hosted by Eastern National in coordination with the Vietnam Womens Memorial Advisory Group, the National Park Service, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, programs will include a candlelight ceremony on Saturday evening, November 10, 2018, at 6 pm and a storytelling program on Sunday morning, Veterans Day, November 11, 2018, from 9 am to noon. The weekend will culminate in a 1 pm Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where the annual Observance at the Wall will be dedicated to the commemoration of the Vietnam Womens Memorials 25th anniversary.



The master of ceremonies for the Veterans Day Observance at the Wall will be Diane Carlson Evans, chair of the Vietnam Womens Memorial Advisory Group and founder of the Vietnam Womens Memorial. A former army combat nurse and Vietnam veteran, Ms. Evans led a 10-year mission to complete the circle of healing and place a memorial on the National Mall to the women who served in the Vietnam era. With its 1993 dedication, the Vietnam Womens Memorial became the first in the nations capital to recognize the service of military womenas well as the patriotic service of civilian womento their country.



Other noted speakers include Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; Patricia Trap, acting superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks; and Vietnam veterans Allen Hoe, civilian aide to the secretary of the army, and Colonel A. Jane Carson, USA (Ret.).



Anniversary events are open to the public and will be held on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall; the candlelight and storytelling programs will take place at the Vietnam Womens Memorial statue, 300 feet from the Wall. View the full schedule of events at VietnamWomensMemorial.org.



About the Vietnam Womens Memorial Advisory Group



In 2015, the Vietnam Womens Memorial Foundation became the Vietnam Womens Memorial Advisory Group when it joined Eastern National. The Vietnam Womens Memorial Advisory Group supports Eastern National in its dedication to honoring the women who served during the Vietnam era. For additional information on the memorial, related educational programs, research on women who served in the Vietnam era, and commemorative products please visit the Vietnam Womens Memorial website at www.VietnamWomensMemorial.org. To learn more about the founder of the Vietnam Womens Memorial and her efforts, visit www.dianecarlsonevans.com.



About Eastern National



Eastern National, a not-for-profit cooperating association, promotes the publics understanding and support of Americas national parks and other public trust partners by providing quality educational experiences, products, and services. Since 1947, Eastern National has provided over $149 million to the National Park Service in the form of direct and in-kind aid to parks that support vital educational and interpretive programs. Learn more at www.EasternNational.org.Stewart is a conservative provocateur best known for his outspoken support of Confederate imagery and hard-line views on immigration. He struggled to raise money and was ignored by national GOP groups.He generated more than $6 million in contributions by the end of July but had plenty of problems. He failed to pay child support and has been arrested nine times.Managing Editor

Having lived and worked in Indy on and off since 1977, and currently living in Carmel, I've seen the city change a great deal. I love covering the arts in all its forms, and the places where the arts and broader cultural issues intersect.

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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.COMPIEGNE, FRANCE  Adolf Hitler went in wartime for revenge. Angela Merkel plans a pilgrimage in the name of peace. Two German chancellors, with opposite aims and the same destination: a train car in a French forest.



Hitler tried literally to rewrite history in 1940 when the Nazi leader commandeered the dining coach to serve France the same humiliation Germany suffered there on the last day of World War I.



This time, Merkel will have the French president by her side as she visits what remains of the Wagon of Compiegne, the carriage-turned-office where the Allies and Germany signed the armistice on Nov. 11, 1918.



An unusual journey took Wagons-Lits Co. carriage 2419D from serving sauteed veal and boeuf bourguignon to passengers in the seaside town of Deauville to serving as a crucible for world peace while stopped in the middle of a forest in Compiegne.



Puzzled tourists often ask Bernard Letemps, the curator of the Armistice Museum, why the Allies signed the cease-fire agreement that ended the atrocities of the Western Front in that humble setting instead of a grand military building or a glittering palace.



At the time, the official headquarters in Senlis of the Allied commander, French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, would have been the expected place to sign a cease-fire.



But the town had endured a brutal German assault. Its inhabitants were taken hostage and its mayor shot in September 1914, before the first Battle of the Marne. How the bruised townspeople would react to the presence of a German delegation, even one coming with the goal of peace, was a serious concern.



"It was out of the question to receive the plenipotentiary Germans in (such a) town," Letemps said.



A moveable train carriage in the nearby Compiegne forest was deemed ideal: The isolated location would deter intruders and the calm and secrecy offered a measure of respect to the defeated Germans.



As it happened, Foch had fitted out a mobile office just the month before  a dining car chosen at random from the French passenger train fleet. And so 2419D became known as the "Wagon of Compiegne."



The Armistice was signed just after 5 a.m., but officials held out six hours to put it into effect out of a sense of poetry  the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. That delay, rather unpoetically, cost lives on both sides at the end of a war that had already left 17 million dead.



"The train car represents the end of fighting. The end, when people found peace," Letemps said.



He added, smiling: "It fulfilled its role of dining car before becoming famous."



The Armistice Museum lays on the train tracks on the site of the signing in the middle of forest.



Foch was immortalized in statues ubiquitous across France and gave his name to one of the broad, leafy avenues radiating out from the Arc de Triomphe.



The same reception was not reserved for the losing side: One of the Germans to sign the document, Matthias Erzberger, was vilified for his role in the surrender. He was assassinated in 1921.



The story of dining car 2419D and Compiegne didn't end with the war.



For throngs of French mourners in the post-war years, the dining car became a shrine to peace and catharsis.



The car was taken to Paris for display in the courtyard of the Invalides, the final resting place of Napoleon, before it went back to Compiegne in 1927 to sit in a specially-made memorial constructed on the site of today's museum.



Letemps said the wagon received over 190,000 visitors in one year alone in the 1930s as it became a focus for mourning France's 1.4 million fallen soldiers.



For Hitler in those same years, it became a rallying cry during his ascent to power as he exploited the German public's contempt for the punitive terms of surrender.



The Nazi leader visited the site in 1940 when his armies conquered France.



The Fuhrer ordered the dining car brought out of the memorial and returned to the tracks in the spot in the forest it occupied in 1918.



What ensued was Hitler's surreal theatrical restaging of the 1918 armistice, one of history's most famous events, with literally the tables' turned.



The 1940 Armistice was dictated in that train  with Germany the victor and France the loser.



"General (Wilhelm) Keitel read the conditions for the Armistice in the car, with Chancellor Hitler sitting in the place of Marshal Foch," Letemps said.



Hitler then ordered the car to be hauled to Germany and displayed, like a notorious prisoner of war, at the Berlin Cathedral.



The dining car was destroyed at the end of World War II , though how that happened has been lost to time. Some accounts blame members of the Nazi SS, others a random airstrike.



In 1950, French manufacturer Wagons-Lits, the company that ran the Orient Express, donated a car from the same series to the museum  2439D is identical to its ravaged twin from its polished wooden finishes to its studded, leather-bound chairs. It is parked beside the display of the original car remains: a few fragments of bronze decoration and two access ramps.



On Saturday, Merkel becomes the first German chancellor in 78 years to visit the forest clearing where the end of the globe's first conflict was written.



She will be joined by French President Emmanuel Macron in a scene reminiscent of 1984 when Chancellor Helmut Kohl poignantly held President Francois Mitterrand's hand at an ossuary near Verdun.



On the centenary of the conflict's end, this visit will make for soul-searing images of its own.



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Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamson_K



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Full coverage of WWI commemoration events at: https://www.apnews.com/WorldWarI



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"World War I: An AP Centennial Commemorative Edition" is available now exclusively on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JGrx5U



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  Two joint oil and gas exploration deals in the West Philippine Sea await President Rodrigo Duterte's signature, the Department of Energy said Wednesday.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi did not specify the deals' terms of agreements, but noted that one may be signed by the Philippine National Oil Company in partnership with a China state-owned oil producer, China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

"Well, there are two (deals up for signature)," Cusi said in a Malacanang media briefing.

"If I remember, (it's) service contract number 57 and this is an issue of farming-in for a company-to-be because that service contract is owned by PNOC-EC (Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation) and they needed a partner to pursue further exploration and exploitation if (and) when the time comes," he told reporters.

"So, they have been looking for partners and one partner that (has) shown that interest is the CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation)," Cusi said.

"So, that needs amendment and, as we have submitted our recommendation for each amendment, so that we can already sign that exploration," he added.

Palace officials previously said an agreement could be signed this month in time for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country.

But Cusi said he would rather not disclose whether a deal will be signed before or during Xi's visit.

"Well, I don't like to preempt what will be the discussion during the visit of President Xi Jinping, and the topics are being taken care of by DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs)," Cusi said.

He added that the department has also recommended the lifting of the moratorium on oil and gas explorations in the West Philippine Sea, to move forward with an agreement with China.

In 2012, former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III issued a ban on all exploration and drilling works in the West Philippine Sea amid rising tension with China.

On October 17, the country inked a deal with Israel firm Ratio Petroleum Ltd.-- allowing it to explore the waters east of Palawan for oil and gas resources. This was the first Petroleum Service Contract signed by the Duterte administration.Then "I saw the windows go dark, the light go out, a layer of mud was moving across the floor," Giordano said, Then, he said he was swept away from the house by the force of the water.Thank you for reading The Cascadia Advocate, the Northwest Progressive Institutes journal of world, national, and local politics.

Founded in March of 2004, The Cascadia Advocate has been helping people throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond make sense of current events with rigorous analysis and thought-provoking commentary for more than fifteen years. The Cascadia Advocate is funded by readers like you and trusted sponsors. We dont run ads or publish content in exchange for money.

Help us keep The Cascadia Advocate editorially independent and freely available to all by becoming a member of the Northwest Progressive Institute today. Or make a donation to sustain our essential research and advocacy journalism.

Your contribution will allow us to continue bringing you features like Last Week In Congress, live coverage of events like Netroots Nation or the Democratic National Convention, and reviews of books and documentary films.

Become an NPI member Make a one-time donationTwo major artworks from the collection of the artist Robert Indiana will be offered at auction in New York this month to help pay for his estates mounting legal fees and repairs to his former mansion in Maine.

The executor of the estate, James W. Brannan, said that, while the probate proceedings over the artists will are far from over, he needs money now in light of the houses leaking roof and the expense of contesting a lawsuit filed in United States District Court in Manhattan against the estate.

Litigation is expensive, especially in New York, said Mr. Brannan, a lawyer in Rockland, Me. Speaking of New York lawyers, he added jokingly: If any papers so much as cast a shadow on a desk, they bill for it.

The works by Ed Ruscha and Ellsworth Kelly could together bring in more than $4 million, according to estimates by Christies, which is offering them at its morning postwar and contemporary art sale on Nov. 16.Many of our neighbors are still struggling in this economy, and this could be an amazing transformational thing to have 25,000 jobs come to the community, she said. But we have to ensure we dont see another wave of mass displacement of working-class residents.

Some of the HQ2 finalists promised enormous tax incentives to try to lure Amazon to their cities  a strategy criticized by many economists, who say such deals rarely pay off. It isnt yet clear what subsidies Virginia and New York offered Amazon, but there are signs the project didnt come cheap. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Monday that the state had offered a great incentive package, and quipped that he would change his name to Amazon Cuomo if thats what it takes to land the deal.

Timothy J. Bartik, an economist for the Upjohn Institute in Kalamazoo, Mich., who has studied tax incentives, said comments such as Mr. Cuomos were concerning. He and other economists worry about a race to the bottom, where state and local governments compete to offer ever-bigger subsidies.

In one case, Wisconsin offered billions of dollars in incentives to attract a manufacturing plant from Foxconn, a Taiwan-based technology company. Since the project was announced last year, the price tag has grown, while the number of jobs has not. Mr. Bartik estimated this year that Wisconsin was paying more than eight times as much per job for the project as it did in earlier deals.

Its easy to hand out cash, and its especially easy to hand out cash if its going to be the next governors problem, Mr. Bartik said.

But not all incentives are created equal, he noted. Efforts to streamline regulatory and permitting processes, for example, can make projects more attractive to companies without costing taxpayers much if anything. And investments in infrastructure or job training can reap benefits for the community even if they are initially promised as a way to help a specific company.

I would be trying to leverage this into improvements that wouldnt just benefit Amazon but benefit you more broadly, Mr. Bartik said.Does Congress really still believe that? This ought to be an issue on which the two parties can come together  not on whether marijuana should be legal but on whether states should be allowed to make their own choices. Last year, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky joined with Democratic colleagues Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York to propose ending the federal prohibition on medical cannabis.His Fox News colleague Jeanine Pirro also appeared on the rally stage that night. Do you like the fact that this man is the tip of the spear that goes out there every day and fights for us? she said, to cheers.

For all his many faults, Mr. Ailes understood the value of maintaining at least the semblance of separation between the network and the political party he was effectively commandeering from his desk in Manhattan. And he believed he had to protect his stable of news correspondents and producers to give Fox News some credibility beyond the core viewers who tuned in for its opinion hosts.

So, for instance, when Mr. Hannity went to Cincinnati to headline a planned Tea Party event in 2010, the boss forced him to cancel, angry that he had even said yes to such a thing.

These days, it seems, Fox News doesnt have anyone drawing the line. It has been that way since the departure of Mr. Ailes, who was booted from the network in 2016 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment and who died the next year.

Before he died, Mr. Ailes went to work as an adviser to Mr. Trump. He would not be the last Fox News alumnus to make that move. The networks former co-president, Bill Shine, followed in Mr. Ailess footsteps this year when he became the presidents deputy chief of staff, overseeing communications.

Mr. Shine left Fox News at a time when the output from its pundits increasingly matched Mr. Trumps initiatives and outbursts. Mr. Hannity has called the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, part of a deep state conspiracy run by a crime family. Laura Ingraham has likened the federal detention facilities holding migrant children to summer camps. And Tucker Carlson has described the caravan of asylum seekers as highly dangerous.[See the results for the House of Representatives, the Senate and governors races, and read our analysis.]

Representative Steve King, a Republican from Iowa who has a history of making inflammatory remarks, barred the states largest newspaper from covering his election night event on Tuesday.

Carol Hunter, the executive editor of the newspaper  The Des Moines Register  said Mr. Kings son Jeff King denied a request for credentials to the event, calling the newspaper in an email a leftist propaganda media outlet with no concern for reporting the truth.

Mr. King narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent, J. D. Scholten, earning a ninth term in Congress, according to The Associated Press. Jeff King is a paid staff member on his fathers campaign.Get live election analysis and real-time results.

By 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Van Jones of CNN had called the midterm elections heartbreaking for liberals, John Dickerson of CBS was opining that Planet House isnt spinning the way Democrats want it to, and George Stephanopoulos, on ABC, declared that the Democrats were having a disappointing night.

Then blue-state redemption arrived from an unlikely source: Fox News.

In an aggressive call on a night when many television networks played it safe, Fox News was the first major news organization to project that the Democrats would retake control of the House of Representatives, dealing a blow to the channels most famous viewer, President Trump.

I know a lot of listeners out there, their heads are exploding, the Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace said. But this is going to be a very different Washington.

About 50 minutes after Fox Newss call, NBC News followed suit. CNN did not weigh in with a definitive projection on the House until 11 p.m.WEDNESDAY PUZZLE  I love it when I can travel from my seat. I love it when I can actually go places, of course, but when you travel from your armchair, there is no air travel to contend with, no lines to wait in and no unpacking to do when you get home.

Today, Timothy Polin takes us on a tour of a very special landmark, although I must caution you not to adjust your puzzle; while it might not seem exactly symmetrical, everything is just as it should be.

Tricky Clues

16A: The plant that gives us most of our teas is called CAMELLIA Sinensis (other sub-varieties are grown). Different drying and fermenting processes yield different types of tea, like green, black, white, oolong and pu-erh. Herbal teas, like chamomile, mint or rooibos, come from other plants.

25A: Wordplay alert! Got ready to run? sounds, on the surface like we should be lacing up our running shoes, but what other kind of running do you know? In this case, were supposed to think about running an article, and the answer is EDITED.We have to recognize, to win in the future, thats the template, thats the blueprint, he told supporters in Mountainside. We need to make sure people feel that if we win, were going to represent all New Jerseyans.

The president loomed over every contest in New Jersey, though the dynamic shifted slightly in the House races. The Democratic candidates were quick to seize on two of Mr. Trumps top agenda items  the newly passed federal tax law that capped the state and local tax deduction at $10,000, and the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act  as indicative of the presidents effort to target blue states.

In the Seventh District, in the northwestern part of the state, the mere party association with Mr. Trump was too much for Representative Leonard Lance, a moderate Republican who voted against the tax bill, in his effort against Mr. Malinowski.

In the 11th District, where Mr. Frelinghuysen retired after 24 years, Ms. Sherrill focused heavily on the tax bill and standing up to Mr. Trump while running against Jay Webber, a state legislator who was among the most conservative Republican candidates in New Jersey.

Mr. Menendezs victory was a referendum on Mr. Trump as much as it was a recognition of the senators extensive legislative record  the senior senator was one of the authors of the Affordable Care Act and helped steer $60 billion in federal relief funds to the state after Hurricane Sandy. Still, he was never quite able to overcome the tarnish of his corruption trial.

After the trial ended in a hung jury last November, Democratic leaders in the state quickly coalesced around him, dampening any enthusiasm for a serious primary challenge.Letitia James was overwhelmingly elected as the attorney general of New York on Tuesday, shattering a trio of racial and gender barriers and placing herself in position to be at the forefront of the countrys legal bulwark against the policies of President Trump.

[New York Attorney General Letitia James sues the NRA.]

With her victory over Republican nominee Keith H. Wofford, Ms. James, 60, the public advocate for New York City, becomes the first woman in New York to be elected as attorney general, the first African-American woman to be elected to statewide office and the first black person to serve as attorney general.

The victory follows a rugged political season that arose after the surprise resignation of former attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman, following charges that he physically abused multiple women. Ms. James will succeed Barbara D. Underwood, who was appointed by the State Legislature in May to complete Mr. Schneidermans term.

Ms. Underwood already has dozens of cases pending against Mr. Trump, including an investigation into his charity and lawsuits to stop immigrant families from being separated at the border and to block the rollback of net neutrality and environmental regulations.Muriel Manings, who performed with the left-leaning New Dance Group during the politically anxious middle decades of the last century and later championed dance through teaching and advocacy work, died on Oct. 25 at her home in Manhattan. She was 95.

Her daughter-in-law, Marcia Van Wagner, confirmed her death.

Ms. Manings came of age during an energized, impassioned time for American culture, when various dance, theater and other artistic groups infused their work with social and political meanings. The New Dance Group, a collective formed in 1932, was among the most prominent of these.

Its mission included bringing dance to working-class New Yorkers of all backgrounds, in part by offering inexpensive classes. Some members were in the Communist Party, and the dance works the group created (some to the music of Woody Guthrie) often addressed issues like homelessness and economic inequality.

Ms. Manings came to the New Dance Group in the early 1940s to take dance lessons after her classes at Brooklyn College. She soon became a regular. She also taught classes for the group and, later in life, would help resurrect the dances from its heyday. In 1993 she organized a gala at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, where signature works from the 1930s through the 70s were revived.An Amazon spokesman said Mr. Grella was not involved in the headquarters search. The spokesman also said that the company had added more than 6,000 jobs this year in cities that applied for the headquarters but did not make the list of finalists, and that Amazon expected similar hiring in finalist cities that were not selected.

Officials from the finalist cities spent more than a year compiling thousands of pages of documents, producing slick videos and hosting Amazon officials for tours and dinners at some of their areas best restaurants. Many proposals included billions of dollars in tax incentives. New Jersey offered $7 billion in tax breaks if Amazon chose Newark. Atlantas mayor said the city had offered more incentives to attract Amazon than it did for the Summer Olympics in 1996.

In a 218-page proposal, Boston pitched a recently closed thoroughbred racetrack as a site, as well as mass-transit extensions and an Amazon task force of city officials to act as the companys contacts at City Hall.

The Columbus Dispatch obtained more than 1,300 pages of documents prepared for the Ohio citys pitch, which detailed everything from the size of sewer lines on sites it was pitching to detailed hate crime rates in the city. Columbus also said Amazon would not have to pay property taxes for 15 years.

Toronto did not offer tax incentives but told Amazon that it would save billions of dollars because of Canadas universal health care, lower cost of labor and lower overall taxes. And Denver pitched a site near its airport and more than $100 million in incentives.

New Yorks most recognized landmarks even turned orange for Amazon for a night.

In recent years, the AOL founder Steve Case has toured the country promoting the rise of the rest, the idea that the tech boom will eventually spill out into smaller cities in the middle of the country. But in focusing on two coastal megacities, Amazon may have called that narrative into question.

It actually is deflating that maybe in this environment, there isnt a lot of opportunity for midsize cities, said Amy Liu, director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.During his campaign for governor, Mr. Kobach, 52, presented himself as an effective policymaker who did not yield to opposition. He promised to crack down on undocumented immigrants, cut the size of state government and reduce taxes.

Some people on the left may disagree with some of the things I say, Mr. Kobach told a crowd at a debate last month. But, he said, Ill deliver and Ill get it done.

At his watch party in Topeka, the mood turned somber soon after the polls closed. Mr. Kobach circulated through the crowd early in the night, pausing to pray with a group of supporters. But the crowd dwindled as Ms. Kelly ran up large margins and news agencies started to call the race for her.

Shortly before 11 p.m. local time, Mr. Kobach told the crowd that he had called to congratulate Ms. Kelly. It was a tough, tough race, he said. We battled close to the very end. But this one just wasnt Gods will.

Ms. Kelly was relentless in trying to tie Mr. Kobach to former Gov. Sam Brownback, an unpopular Republican who left Kansas in January after presiding over big tax cuts and revenue shortfalls. Mr. Brownback, who served seven years as governor, was elected along with Mr. Kobach in 2010, and the two men have long shared a commitment to cutting taxes and enacting socially conservative policies.

Mr. Brownback, now a United States ambassador, promised Kansans that his signature tax cuts would provide a shot of adrenaline to the economy. But that growth failed to materialize, and the state was forced to make deep cuts to government services. Last year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers overrode Mr. Brownbacks veto and reversed most of the tax policy.

Mr. Kobach, who tried to distance himself from that policy on the campaign trail, said Mr. Brownbacks mistake was reducing taxes without first making large cuts to the size of state government.Motel 6 then introduced a policy prohibiting its locations from sharing information about its guests with law enforcement officials unless the hotels are compelled to.

Of the $8.9 million that Motel 6 agreed to pay, up to $7.6 million would go to plaintiffs across the country, said Thomas A. Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the nonprofit that represents the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. The rest of the money, $1.3 million, would go to the plaintiffs legal fees and to pay for the administration of the settlement.

The proposed settlement, filed last week in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, would offer monetary damages to guests across the country who come forward and show that their private information had been offered to the government beginning in February 2017. The agreement requires the approval of the District Court, which has yet to rule on it.

Former guests who were interrogated by immigration authorities as a result of having their information leaked would receive a class-wide total of $1 million, while those who were placed in immigration removal proceedings would receive a total of up to $5.6 million, according to court documents. Plaintiffs whose information was shared but who were not affected further would receive a total of up to $1 million.

The proposed settlement also calls for Motel 6 to put into effect a policy requiring employees to withhold guests information from immigration authorities in the event that they do not have a warrant or subpoena  unless there is reason to believe doing so is necessary to prevent a significant crime, according to court documents.Roskam and Hultgren are conservatives who were in step with the majorities that elected them. Both saw Trumps unpopularity and could have run away from him. Instead they took difficult votes that helped to goose the booming U.S. economy. Roskam was an architect of the tax reform package Trump championed; that by itself made him a target of Democrats in this election cycle.RICHMOND, Ky.  Representative Andy Barr, an incumbent Republican, defeated one of the Democratic Partys most prominent challengers, Amy McGrath, on Tuesday in a deeply conservative district here, according to The Associated Press, giving his party hope of limiting losses in the race for control of the House.

The contest took on national importance as a proxy for whether Democrats could win over white working class voters in rural areas and whether women would rise up against the barbed-wire rhetoric and harsh policies of the Trump presidency.

It was among about 30 tossup districts, including many, like Mr. Barrs, where Republicans held a distinct partisan advantage. Public polling seesawed between a Republican lead and a Democratic lead, ending this week in an exact tie. Mr. Barrs victory on Tuesday signaled that Republican-controlled districts were still asserting their allegiance to the president, and may have been swayed by the issue of immigration and the Supreme Court nomination fight over Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh.Ever since the Senate voted narrowly to confirm Justice Kavanaugh despite the accusations against him, Mr. Trump had stoked a conservative backlash and sought to use it to motivate supporters to come out to vote. For a while, he said that this will be an election of Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order, and common sense.

The Kavanaugh case has indeed proved to be a strong motivator for many conservatives who resented the way the nominee was treated and blamed Democrats for what they saw as a political hit job. Even Justice Kavanaughs name became a rallying cry for Republicans on the campaign trail over the last few weeks in a way no other Supreme Court justice has in decades.

Some accusations lodged against Justice Kavanaugh did fall apart under scrutiny, or were withdrawn.

But the main accuser, Dr. Blasey, never wavered in her testimony about a party in the early 1980s when she said Justice Kavanaugh, then a 17-year-old high school student, pinned her to a bed, groped her, tried to take her clothes off and covered her mouth when she screamed.

Dr. Blaseys account remains in dispute. Justice Kavanaugh adamantly denied it, and the other people she named being in the house at the time all said they did not remember the episode she described. During her testimony, she could not remember certain details like exactly where and when it took place.

But she passed a lie-detector test and many Republicans  including Mr. Trump at first  said Dr. Blasey appeared credible even though they ultimately stood by Justice Kavanaugh, citing the lack of corroborating evidence.Democrats wrested control of governorships from Republicans in seven states on Tuesday including Wisconsin, where they ousted Scott Walker after eight tumultuous years as the states chief executive, and Kansas, a surprise victory in a longtime Republican stronghold.

But Republicans fended off strong Democratic challenges to hold on to the governorships of Florida, Ohio and Iowa, maintaining their control of three states likely to be crucial in the 2020 presidential elections.

The victories expanded the number of states with Democratic chief executives  an important consideration as legislatures begin the process of drawing congressional district lines. In addition to Kansas and Wisconsin, Democrats also picked up governors seats in Nevada, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico and Maine.

Still, the results reflected a night of mixed tidings for the party out of power, given that Democrats were hoping to install a rising young star in Florida and sweep the midwest states where President Trump forged the core of his unexpected victory two years ago.WEST FARGO, N.D.  Representative Kevin Cramer, who latched onto Donald J. Trump even before he was president and never let go, ousted North Dakotas incumbent Democratic senator, Heidi Heitkamp, on Tuesday, flipping a key seat that was vital to Republican efforts to hold the Senate.

In an election that largely became a referendum on the president, voters here cast out the centrist Ms. Heitkamp, replacing an increasingly rare moderate voice in the Senate with a proud and fiercely conservative partisan.

Mr. Cramers win affirmed the states support for Mr. Trump, who swept North Dakota in 2016 with a 36-percentage-point margin of victory. Eager to defeat Ms. Heitkamp, considered the Democrats most vulnerable senator, the president rallied here three times in support of the congressman in an effort to energize the Republican base.I like the direction that our country is going in right now, said Julie Hickert, 53, after casting a ballot Tuesday morning in Chesterfield, a St. Louis suburb. He is going to continue fighting the fight.

For Ms. McCaskill, 65, who swept into office amid Democrats last wave, in 2006, and was re-elected after a stroke of luck sank her opponents campaign in 2012, the undertow of conservative strength here proved too much this time around. Republicans made her one of their top national targets, and hammered away in personal and sometimes visceral terms.

Ms. McCaskill raised huge sums of money, rallied women in the states suburbs and cities, and worked furiously to preserve enough rural support to eke out a win. But it was not enough in Missouri, where Republicans have exploited deep divisions over cultural issues like abortion and race relations to execute a rapid statewide takeover.

Widely regarded as a shrewd campaigner, Ms. McCaskill turned heads in the campaigns closing days by backing Mr. Trumps polarizing approach to a caravan of asylum seekers marching toward the Southern border and releasing a radio ad that described her as not one of those crazy Democrats. She later elaborated on Fox News.

The ad and backlash against it among liberal and black voters in St. Louis and Kansas City perfectly encapsulated Ms. McCaskills challenge in a state that has substantial liberal, urban populations as well as rural and exurban swing voters who have moved toward the Republicans.

In the end, Ms. McCaskill suffered steep losses across the states rural interior.

The loss likely marks the end of life in public office for Ms. McCaskill, a singular figure in Missouri politics who began her public career more than three decades ago in a male-dominated State Capitol and outlasted most of her Democratic peers. She has long coveted the states governorship, having narrowly lost a bid in 2004, but on Tuesday night, she signaled that she had run her final race, though she said she would be unencumbered in speaking her mind.

Believe it or not, Ive really had to be kind of careful, she told supporters here. Not anymore. I will be out there fighting with you. I am not going away.

The results were equally stinging for Democrats here and in Washington. As Ms. McCaskill warned Democratic voters at events across the state in the races final days, it may well be a long time before Democrats can compete successfully on a statewide level here again. Senate Democrats will lose an influential voice of Midwestern moderation at a time when the party is still wrestling with how best to counter Mr. Trumps electoral success in 2020. The loss of Ms. McCaskill and other moderate Democrats, like Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, is all but certain shift Senate Democrats center considerably leftward in the next two years.See the results for the House of Representatives, the Senate and governors races, and read our analysis.

Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who defied the Supreme Court and was jailed in 2015 for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, lost her re-election bid on Tuesday.

Ms. Davis, who emerged as a hero of the religious right and ran for re-election as a Republican, lost by fewer than 700 votes among nearly 7,800 cast.

Her Democratic opponent, Elwood Caudill Jr., bested her in the race for clerk of Rowan County, a rural patch of eastern Kentucky that voted for President Trump in 2016 but where Democrats typically win local office.[cheers] The Democrats have won control of the House. We want our community back. We want our country back. And we want our state back. Change came tonight. We are standing in our power. A victory for our country. Here are some of the new faces: People like us, with unique names and different backgrounds. Theres never been a Native American woman. When we vote, this is what happens. But what comes next? For starters, a lot of potential Donald Trump-related investigations. Democrats will now take control of House committees. That gives them the power to launch investigations and issue subpoenas. The people most likely overseeing some of these committees: They include many Trump foes. Hes a liar. He stiffs everybody. You cant trust him. Thats what Ive learned. This is Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New Yorker whos been feuding with Trump since the 1990s, when he tried to block one of Trumps real estate projects. As the likely new head of the Judiciary Committee, Nadler has promised he will open investigations into Trumps alleged interference with the F.B.I. and Justice Department. Another Trump nemesis is Representative Maxine Waters of California. Maxine, a seriously low I.Q. person. This president has displayed the most despicable behavior that any human being could do. She will now likely oversee the Financial Services Committee and may try to reinstate consumer protections rolled back by Republicans. Representative Elijah Cummings has promised to look into accusations of voter suppression and potential fraud and abuse by the White House and federal agencies. And then theres Representative Adam Schiff, who said hed reopen targeted inquiries into alleged ties between Trump and Russia. Well be able to get answers the Republicans were unwilling to pursue. So, whats on the agenda? House Democrats have promised to make fighting climate change a priority and tackle gerrymandering. A set of maps that distorts public sentiment. They may try to team up with with Republicans on infrastructure spending and lowering prescription drug costs. Were going to work to drive down health care costs, strengthen the Affordable Care Act and dramatically reduce the cost of prescription drugs. But getting buy-in on their legislative agenda from the Republican-controlled Senate would be a tall order on many issues. What about impeaching Trump? Its not the party line  for now. Impeachment is a very divisive approach. Theyd also need the Senates help. But Democratic House members may be able to get a hold of Trumps tax returns, using an obscure 100-year-old precedent. And the leadership? Nancy Pelosi, the current Democratic leader, will be up for re-election in December. But there are others who may be interested in the job and many who want her out. Its time for people to know when to go. Will you vote for Nancy Pelosi? Probably not. I dont support Nancy Pelosi. So, when do they start? The 116th House of Representatives will be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2019.Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. Im Lisa Lerer, your host.

Happy Election Day! As we send this email, polls have closed in most of Indiana and eastern Kentucky. While we all wait for returns, we thought wed share how to follow along with everything were doing tonight.

First, heres a handy election night cheat sheet, so you know which races to pay close attention to.

Whats the mood of the country today? From what weve heard, anxious, anxious and just really anxious.

Im spending my night working on our live story, which well be updating all evening with reporting from across the country.

Im also part of the team offering live analysis of where the night is headed, along with a few of my colleagues. You can see that on all of our results pages, and on the Timess home page.The Republican Partys post-mortem after Mitt Romney lost his presidential bid to Barack Obama in 2012 was brutally straightforward: Expand the tent or risk extinction. We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them, too, party leaders wrote.

Regardless of the results on Tuesday, that playbook is gone, burned and buried, and it is not going to be easy to retrieve it from the dump. The Republican Party is now the party of President Trump.

The dark politics of anger, division and fear were on display in campaigns across the country this year, as Republican candidates for Congress and governor  and fringe groups who support them  embraced the racially inflammatory brand of politics that Mr. Trump unleashed in 2016. With the presidential campaign of 2020 effectively underway on Wednesday, there is little reason to think Mr. Trump will back away from a tactic that clearly rallies his base.

[See the results for governors races, the House of Representatives and the Senate.]

And as he showed his party in the closing days of the midterms, there may be no way for Republicans to escape his shadow.[See the results for the Senate race in Texas and other states.]

Im as inspired, Im as hopeful as Ive ever been in my life, and tonights loss does nothing to diminish the way I feel about Texas or this country, he said, later stepping off the stage as John Lennons Imagine played on the loudspeakers.

Republican strategists and insiders said Mr. Cruzs narrow victory did not mean that Democrats stood to make substantial gains in Texas. Rather, they believed it had more to do with Mr. Cruz himself, one of the most divisive political figures in the state, and the anti-Trump energy of Democrats.

Pivotal factors in the tightness of the election results were the Republican and independent voters who voted for Mr. ORourke but also cast ballots for top Republicans in other races. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican whose views are in line with Mr. Cruzs but whose style is far less abrasive, easily won re-election, and a sizable number of Republicans appeared to have split their votes for Mr. Abbott and for Mr. ORourke.

It was political nitroglycerin from the minute this campaign started, said Ted Delisi, a Republican political consultant in Austin who was Senator John Cornyns chief campaign strategist in 2002. Beto ORourke couldnt have run this race against John Cornyn. He couldnt have run this race against Greg Abbott. This race had to be run against Ted Cruz, and it had to be run this year. This was the once-every-20-years opportunity.

For months on the campaign trail, Mr. Cruz was more often on the ropes than not, a surprising position for a top Republican incumbent in a state where Democrats hold no statewide offices.The talent is there. House and Senate members who managed to fend off challengers  Sens. Neil Anderson of Andalusia and John Curran of Downers Grove, along with Reps. Mark Batinick of Plainfield, Tom Morrison of Palatine, Tom Demmer of Dixon, Grant Wehrli of Naperville, to name a few  will have to retread this party. And theyll have to do it without worrying about the next election. Dont go weak. Go big  that is, as big as a minority party can go. Give the people of Illinois fresh ideas for fixing this states government and economy.When his pregnant wife and two daughters disappeared this summer, Christopher Watts went on television and begged for their return. Shanann, Bella, Celeste, if youre out there, just come back, he pleaded.

When the police investigation narrowed in on him as a suspect, he tried to turn the blame on his wife, claiming it was she who strangled their daughters  and that he strangled her out of rage.

Now, Mr. Watts, 33, of Frederick, Colo., has admitted that he killed his wife and two children.

On Tuesday, Mr. Watts pleaded guilty to nine criminal counts  including murder, the unlawful termination of a pregnancy and tampering with a dead body  in exchange for an agreement that prosecutors would not pursue the death penalty, according to the Weld County district attorneys office.

Mr. Wattss wife, Shanann, was 15 weeks pregnant when she and their two daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, disappeared. The case drew national attention but came to a heart-wrenching end when their bodies were found on an oil site  and Mr. Watts was arrested.OTTAWA  A former cabinet minister and current member of Parliament was asked to leave the Conservative caucus on Wednesday after acknowledging he had sent sexually explicit photographs and a video to a woman over a three-week period.

Tony Clement, the ex-minister who twice ran for the leadership of the Conservatives, said in a statement on Tuesday night that he had believed the recipient was consenting. But he said, without offering details, that he had been targeted for the purpose of financial extortion.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Clement resigned from several parliamentary posts, including a spot on a committee with access to national security intelligence. But on Wednesday afternoon, the leader of the Conservatives, Andrew Scheer, asked him to leave the caucus as well.

I took him at his word that this was an isolated incident, Mr. Scheer told reporters. Since then, there have been numerous reports of other incidents, allegations.Having a documentary made about you can prompt reflection, and Every Act of Life is having that effect on its subject, the four-time Tony-winning playwright and librettist Terrence McNally, who just turned 80.

Its very emotional for me, Mr. McNally said the other day, seated in his light-filled Greenwich Village apartment with his husband, Tom Kirdahy. Every Act of Life was released digitally this week, after making the festival rounds.

It brings up conflicting emotions, Mr. McNally added, that are sometimes funny, sometimes painful.

But there is no conflict in Mr. McNallys art-collecting principles, which are as clearheaded and articulately stated as the words he gives his characters in plays like Master Class and Love! Valour! Compassion!VIENNA  Wes Anderson looked tired. The filmmaker was wearing a red blazer and a striped tie, standing beneath the elaborate 19th-century cupola of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. His partner, the author and designer Juman Malouf, was by his side.

Dozens of friends  the actors Tilda Swinton and Jason Schwartzman; the filmmaker Jake Paltrow; and a pair of lesser-known Coppolas among them  stood around him. Photographers jostled for angles.

It wasnt a movie premiere, but the exhibition opening for Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures, which Mr. Anderson and Ms. Malouf curated, certainly had the air of one.

Mr. Anderson and Ms. Malouf were asked to put the show together from objects in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austrias largest. When Mr. Anderson stepped up to the microphone on Monday to address the guests, it was with the weariness of someone who had gone to battle and come back changed.Maruja Mallo

Through Dec. 1. Ortuzar Projects, 9 White Street, Manhattan; 212-257-0033; ortuzarprojects.com.

Maruja Mallo  whose given name was Ana Maria Gomez Gonzalez  was an avant-garde painter living in Madrid in the 1920s and early 30s, before fleeing to Argentina at the start of the Spanish Civil War. (She returned to Spain in 1965.) Mallo pursued Surrealism in the company of Salvador Dali, the filmmaker Luis Bunuel and the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, but as with many female artists, her contributions are only beginning to be studied.

Paintings 1926-1952, the current exhibition of Mallos work at Ortuzar Projects, is her second ever in New York City, after one in 1948. It presents a small selection of paintings made over a 26-year period in which she moved through distinct styles, from varieties of Surrealism to a riff on social realism to portraiture. The result is somewhat hodgepodge, but its best treated as an introduction.

The standout is Arquitectura Humana/El Pescador (Human Architecture/The Fisherman), a 1937 painting thats dominated by a blocky, androgynous human who wears a net like a nuns habit and holds up a fish. This muted work is mesmerizing and enigmatic: It suggests a muralist paean to working-class life on the sea but lacks the expected energy of celebration. Along with the shows other strong paintings, it demonstrates Mallos skill at composing scenes that subtly unsettle. She does so to lighter effect in three 1942 examples from her series Naturalezas Vivas (Living Nature), all featuring shells, flowers and other natural objects floating atop one another, like miniature, fanciful totem poles. Their rounded forms and pointed protrusions tease out a latent eroticism, while the composite constructions look almost mechanistic. Set against indeterminate backgrounds, they seem to represent the delicate and mysterious balance of the world. JILLIAN STEINHAUERIt took a remarkable effort to sound so casual. Thats one lesson of the hugely expanded 50th anniversary reissue of The Beatles, the double album that has been known as the White Album since its release in November 1968.

On the surface, the White Album marked a shift from the orchestral formality and sonic experimentation of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Its core approach returned to the four Beatles strumming and picking guitar and bass, pounding a piano and socking the drums. There are giggles and hoots and wisecracks scattered through the album, as if making the music was a lark.

But as Beatlephiles have long known and the reissue documents, the White Album was by no means back to basics. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr worked painstakingly, using start-to-finish live-studio performances as a foundation but then building around them. In the studio, the Beatles ran through songs again and again, often in all-night sessions that ended up wearing down their producers and engineers. The new White Album package peers deeply into their labors; it includes, for instance, Take 102 of George Harrisons Not Guilty, a song that never reached the finished album.

[Never miss a pop music story: Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Louder.]

The anniversary edition holds six CDs (two with remixes of the original LPs, four with mostly unreleased recordings) and a Blu-ray disc with high-definition mixes, packed in a hard-bound tome of exhaustive annotations and images of handwritten lyrics. One CD collects what are called the Esher demos: four-track recordings, mostly just acoustic guitars and vocals. Theyre workmanlike, sometimes jokey sketches, clearly awaiting further development. The other three discs draw from the protracted studio sessions. While Beatles lore has depicted the making of the White Album as the beginning of the groups breakup, the hours of previously unreleased tapes reveal a band patiently and often jovially working together.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox.

Cruzs Victory and Colberts Emergency Drink

This time, when Stephen Colbert broke out the bourbon, it was only to mourn the defeat of one Senate candidate. Hes seen much worse.

In 2016, broadcasting live on Election Day, he was stunned by the defeat of Hillary Clinton  and his uncorking of the booze became the symbolic beginning of late-night TVs reckoning with a Trump presidency.

On Tuesday, again broadcasting live as the midterm election results came in, Colbert reported, with relief, that Democrats had won control of the House. Then he delivered the news that Ted Cruz of Texas  a favorite late-night punching bag  had defeated his challenger for the Senate, Beto ORourke, and all of a sudden Colbert was reaching for an emergency drink again, dramatically breaking the glass on a box guarding his tumbler.LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) on Netflix. After watching him spray zombie guts around for the past eight years as the star of The Walking Dead, it may be hard to remember that the actor Andrew Lincoln ever played any roles that didnt involve reanimated flesh monsters  or a Southern accent. But among all the members of the bountiful ensemble directed by Richard Curtis in this Christmas-themed romantic comedy (Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson among them), a younger Lincoln stands out thanks to a scene involving Keira Knightley, a boombox and some memorably deployed cue cards. The movie is eagerly revisited by some devotees around this time of year, though others may find it hokey. In his review for The Times, A.O. Scott called the film an indigestible Christmas pudding that is more like a record labels greatest-hits compilation or a very special sitcom clip-reel show than an actual movie.Ebos story is told in flashbacks, beginning with his later journey across the Mediterranean and then alternating with his earlier trek across Africa. Structural flashbacks like these are often used as a shortcut to plunge the reader into narrative action, and apart from that, theres no obvious reason Illegal couldnt be told in chronological order. But the contrast between the warm golds and browns of Africa make a stunning visual pattern as they alternate with the blues, greens, grays and purples of the sea voyage, and it works. The visual aspect of Illegal is both manageable and richly complex; there is a gorgeous and glorious level of detail and attention to hue in Riganos illustrations, which lift a relatively straightforward story to a higher plane. The graphic novel format, and Riganos inspired illustrations, drive and enhance Colfer and Donkins written dialogue. The complete package is a highly accessible introduction to the plight of all refugees.

The surprising reunions at the end of Nowhere Boy and Illegal give us the taste of hope. But hope is relative. Like Holocaust victims, our main characters lose entire families during their journeys: a situation so desperately grim, and so unthinkable, that one single other survivor constitutes a happy miracle. When a story doesnt end in the worst-case scenario, the death of the main character, it fools us into thinking that losing your home and most of your family can have a happy ending.

Image From Zenobia.

There is no such miracle in the graphic novel ZENOBIA (Seven Stories, 94 pp., $19.95; ages 11 and up), written by Morten Durr and illustrated by Lars Horneman. Zenobia is not so much a novel as a fable, a vignette in a lost life. Amina is a Syrian child whose parents vanish (presumably killed in the war that we see shattering her city) and who attempts to leave her devastated and war-torn home with her uncle. The fragile ship Amina boards for the Mediterranean crossing to Europe, like that of Ahmed and Ebo, is lost at sea.

Zenobia was a warrior queen who united Syria and conquered surrounding civilizations in ancient times. Amina uses her national heros name as an inspiration for strength and courage, even in the moment of her death. The legacy of Zenobia is Aminas only comfort on her pointless journey; but is it pointless if we learn from it? Zenobia highlights, with simple clarity, Syrias noble historical legacy as well as the plight of its modern people. Aminas short and tragic story, inspired no doubt by 2015s searing media image of the drowned Syrian child Alan Kurdi, is harrowing and instructive.

If there is a single moment from these books that will prove impossible to forget, it is the full-page spread in Illegal in which Ebos drowned brother drifts lifeless beneath the sea, surrounded by the other lifeless bodies of friends and strangers, fish nibbling at their exposed skin. This image, shocking and moving, represents the theme of wasted life that runs through all three books  a memorial to the dead and, to the unstoppable living, a call to action.He prefers to focus on the dilemmas, successes and struggles of particular Asian-Americans, including Cho; Eddie Huang, the rebel celebrity chef; and Amy Chua, the notorious tiger mom. While he admires Huang more than Chua, he considers both to be resolute individualists who refuse to back down when faced with the disapproval of Asian-Americans or Americans as a whole. They know who they are, even if who they are happens to be contradictory and provocative. This self-assertion  or brashness  makes them characteristically American.

Image

Cho represents the flip side of their success, and Yangs essay on the shooter, which was first published in n + 1 in 2008 and established Yang as a writer to reckon with, remains his best work, probably because here he comes face to face with himself most vividly. Cho was an Asian-American man whose depression and rage appeared to be tied to his misogyny and his experience of being rejected by women. Contemplating Cho, Yang says: The Asian man knows something of the resentment of the embattled white man  and something of the resentments of the rising social-justice warrior.  Tasting of the frustrations of both, he is denied the entitlements of either.

Cho was an extreme manifestation of this resentful, racialized masculinity, and Yang confesses an ambivalent kinship with him as an unlovable man himself. Looking at Chos face, Yang feels a very personal revulsion.  Those lugubrious eyes, that elongated face behind wire-frame glasses: He looks like me. This is the emotional crux of the book, one Yang barely pursues beyond this essay. If Yang had pressed further in examining himself or other Asian-Americans, he might have been able to develop a new approach to the Asian-American condition, one that addressed the hatreds and self-hatreds born from racism and internalized racism.

The older approach to this problem emerged after 1968, when radical college students coined the term Asian-American. Being Asian-American meant being anti-imperialist, antiwar, antiracist and anticapitalist. If racism harmed you as an individual, the solution was both to change yourself, by developing a political consciousness, and to undertake collective action, by attacking racism and everything related to it. That legacy of merging individual and collective transformation still exists today in nonprofit organizations, grass-roots activism, some campus student groups and even among some elected politicians, including Jane Kim, who serves on San Franciscos Board of Supervisors, and the California congresswoman Judy Chu.

This Asian-American legacy in politics and art is invisible to Yang, who does not even mention Frank Chin, the writer who most forcefully dealt with the agonies of Asian-American manhood. Chin, who connected racial emasculation to the treatment of Asian-Americans as objects of racist love (as opposed to the racist hate directed against African-Americans), argued that Asian-American writing had to be a form of fighting. Yang flails rather than fights, which suggests that there is something inadequate about the Asian-American legacy for him. He may not be alone. His neglect of historical forebears and his almost exclusive focus on the personal is indicative of a generational shift in Asian-American thinking; revolution is not very fashionable today.Ever-higher taxation risks aggravating the Illinois Exodus  the flight of Illinois residents and employers to other states for their educations or their careers. Not only do those refugees take their taxable income with them, they also raise the tax burden on those of us still here. Pritzker will be an Illinois hero if he parlays his victory and Democratic majorities in the legislature to restore government solvency and a jobs-friendly economy here.SYDNEY  Li Ka-shing may be one of the most influential businessmen in Asia, but that reputation  and fear of Chinese influence  is working against his companys ambitions to buy a critical gas operation in Australia.

The Australian government, seeking to balance national security interests and economic growth, said on Wednesday that it was likely to block CK Group, a company led by Mr. Li, a Hong Kong billionaire, from acquiring APA Group, the countrys largest gas and pipeline company. A final decision is expected in two weeks, according to a Treasury statement.

In February, Australias Treasury announced it was tightening rules on investments in electricity and agriculture because of questions about Chinas influence on such deals. As much as $90 billion in Chinese investment has flowed to Australia since 2007.

Australias treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, said his preliminary view of CK Groups bid of 12.98 billion Australian dollars ($9.6 billion) was to turn it down because it would be contrary to the national interest.Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines  and the power-brokers who shape them.

__________

The reported purchase of an upmarket London hotel by Qatar suggests that the states $300 billion national wealth fund is shifting its investment focus.

Qatar is reportedly buying the high-profile London hotel Grosvenor House, according to Reuters, which cited unidentified sources. The acquisition of the hotel had reportedly been agreed on Tuesday with the vendor, the private U.S. real estate investment firm Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., for an undisclosed sum. Qatar already owns other hotels in London, including the Connaught, the InterContinental London Park Lane and Claridges, as well as one of New Yorks most iconic buildings, the Plaza Hotel.

Since its 2005 formation, the Qatar Investment Authority, which is fueled by Qatars natural gas wealth, has been through three phases. Until 2014, under the sway of the former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani (known as HBJ), it blazed an aggressive acquisition trail that involved buying Western financial groups that had been crippled by the 2008 financial crisis, as well as high-profile assets like Harrods, the upmarket London department store.Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines  and the power-brokers who shape them.

__________

The healthy economy was a helpful running mate for Republicans in Tuesdays midterms  but some locations hit by retaliatory tariffs arising from President Trumps trade war became weak spots for his team.

Mr. Trumps tariffs are popular in Pennsylvanias steel country. But some areas, like the states seventh congressional district, are home to farmers who are hit by retaliatory duties and manufacturers whose costs have gone up. That helped Susan Wild, a lawyer and first-time Democratic candidate, defeat Marty Nothstein, a Republican former Olympic and professional cyclist, to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Democrats nationwide have won a majority.

Duties on U.S. agricultural products imposed by China and other nations have particularly hurt Iowa. Representative David Young, a Republican who represents the states third district in Congress, criticized Trumps tariffs and even wrote an op-ed in the Des Moines Register saying that they are bad for the state. But he still lost to Cindy Axne, a Democratic businesswoman.The financial crisis was raging at the time, and Mr. Lewis was under fire for Bank of Americas purchases of two teetering financial firms, Countrywide Financial and Merrill Lynch. But Ms. Davis said she still thought he was all right.

When asked about the wave of foreclosures that were then pushing the United States economy into a deep recession, she said, I feel bad for all of these people who lost so much, but you have to expect that Wall Street is not a one-way street.

Evelyn Yvonne DeJong was born on Aug. 16, 1929, in Amsterdam, the daughter of Herman H. and Marianna (Witteboon) DeJong. Her mother was a psychologist, her father a neurologist. The family was wealthy; Ms. Davis liked to say that she had been born on the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean but on the very right side of the tracks.

The DeJongs Jewish roots made them a target of the invading Nazis after World War II began. Evelyn and several other members of her family were arrested. She was imprisoned for a time in a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia before she was released. Making her way to the United States, she, her parents and her brother, Rudolph, settled near Washington in 1942.

After graduating from high school she attended Western Maryland University and George Washington University but did not graduate. She later moved to New York and began investing in companies and public bonds, using money she had inherited from her father when he died in 1956.

Though she bought shares in more than 80 companies, Ms. Davis kept a significant portion of her money in safe, low-yielding bonds, which helped her weather several stock market slumps. Tax filings show her charitable foundation had assets of more than $11 million at the end of 2017.Ill tell you what: CNN should be ashamed of itself, having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldnt be working for CNN. Go ahead. And  Theyre hundreds of miles away though. Theyre hundreds and hundreds of miles away. You know what? I think you should  Thats not an invasion. Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings would be much better. Let me ask you. If I may ask one question, Mr. President, if I may ask one other question. Are you worried  Thats enough. Thats enough. Mr. President, well, I was going to ask  Mr. President, I had one other question, if I may ask, on the Russia investigation. Are you concerned that you may have  Im not concerned about anything with the Russia investigation because its a hoax. Are you  Thats enough. Put down the mic. Go ahead, Peter. Go ahead. In Jims defense, Ive traveled with him and watched him. Hes a diligent reporter who busts  Well, Im not a big fan of yours either, so  I understand.  to be honest with you. Well, when you  when you report fake news  no, when you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people. Go ahead. On the campaign trail, you called yourself a nationalist. Some people saw that as emboldening white nationalists. Now, people are also saying  I dont know why youd say that. Thats such a racist question. There are some people that say that now the Republican Party is seen as supporting white nationalists because of your rhetoric. Oh, I dont believe that. I dont believe that. What do you make of that? I dont believe it. Just  well, I dont know. Why do I have my highest poll numbers ever with African-Americans? You just have to  sit down, please. Sit down! I didnt call you. I didnt call you. I didnt call you. I didnt call you. Ill give you voter suppression. Take a look at the CNN polls, how inaccurate they were. Thats called voter suppression. Now that the  now that the House of Representatives  Very hostile. Its such a hostile media. Its so sad. You ask me about  no, you rudely interrupted him. You rudely interrupted him. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. President.Shamla Naidoo, global chief information security officer for IBM, has had success reaching out to mothers returning to work, as well as to veterans, to find potential cybersecurity workers.

Weve been talking about this for the last few years, Ms. Naidoo said. The first year, I spent a lot of time worrying about it. After that I thought, theres no point in worrying about it, Im going to have to go act, and Im going to have to act in a nontraditional way. Posting a job description and hoping people are going to show up and apply to the job wasnt working because the people just didnt exist. So rather than trying to hire the skills and knowing theyre not as easily available, lets create the skills internally.

She created a system open to hiring people who have little or no experience, and, in many cases, even skills, in cybersecurity, with the understanding that they will come in, join a more experienced team and learn on the job. They are formed into teams of five to seven people solving one problem at a time, with the new employees teaming with more experienced security experts to watch.

Many skills from other industries are transferable to the cybersecurity field. Cybersecurity experts need to be able to communicate policies to, as Ms. Naidoo put it, increase the cybersecurity I.Q. of an entire organization. For example, people from a finance background might be able to educate their co-workers in accounting about cyberrisk.

Shes grown her team by about 25 percent over the last year with developers, consultants and research professionals. She said being more flexible in hiring, and hiring outside of the normal pipeline, had evened out some of the inequities in the field  like a relative dearth of minorities and women.

To solve the skills shortage, we have to hire people who have the right aptitude, who have the right attitude, people who are curious, are willing to learn, Ms. Naidoo said. Outside of that, I have very few other criteria. Im opening the aperture for where we look. Im trying to hire in nontraditional places, nontraditional groups of people, and so I dont expect them to have the skills or the experience that we need. I will hire people wherever I can find them.

Michael Doran, 38, was a police officer in St. Louis for almost 10 years before going into cybersecurity.Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter.

WASHINGTON  The results of Tuesdays elections could have a significant influence on how the United States deals with global warming in several ways.

In the Trump era, much of the action to fight climate change has been happening at the state level. On that front, the results were mixed: Several key climate policies on the ballot, including a carbon tax in Washington State and an aggressive renewable power target in Arizona, were defeated soundly. But Democrats who favor clean energy also took control of a number of key governorships and state legislatures, opening doors for expanded action.

On the national level, Democrats recaptured the House and are expected to put climate change back on the agenda, albeit cautiously. But the electoral churn also meant that one of the congressional Republicans who was, in theory, most open to engaging on the issue lost his seat.

Here are five key points from Tuesday:

Carbon taxes are a tough sell

The biggest climate policy news of the night came in Washington State, where voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have imposed the countrys first tax on carbon dioxide pollution.Welcome to the Climate Fwd: newsletter. The New York Times climate team emails readers once a week with stories and insights about climate change. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Up late last night? We were, too, on the climate desk, sorting through Americas mixed bag of election results on climate change.

In the most direct rejection Tuesday of a plan to tame greenhouse gas emissions, voters in Washington state defeated a proposed tax on carbon. The vote was a critical state-level test of whether carbon pricing can win broader support at the national level.

Its not at all clear, however, that a carbon price is even on the agenda for Democrats, who handily won control of the House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi, widely expected to become House speaker, has vowed to revive a select committee on global warming, a panel she initiated the last time Democrats controlled the chamber. But she has been vague about what, if any, legislation Democrats will seek.WASHINGTON  Despite the uncertainty and partisan gridlock that Tuesdays election results ensure, one policy change seems guaranteed: hundreds of thousands more poor Americans in red states will qualify for free health coverage through Medicaid.

Voters in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, which President Trump won easily in 2016, approved ballot initiatives to expand the government insurance program under the Affordable Care Act. Democratic victories in governors races also improved the chances of Medicaid expansion in Kansas and Wisconsin, and all but ensured it in Maine. As a result, Medicaid could see its biggest enrollment bump since the health law began allowing expansion in 2014.

For all the campaign warfare over the health laws effect on insurance premiums and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Medicaid has remained quite popular. In a Kaiser poll last month, 56 percent of people across the 17 states that had not yet expanded Medicaid said they favored doing so. And the share of people saying Medicaid was very important to them grew to nearly half during efforts to repeal the health law last year, Kaiser found.

Medicaid per se is much more popular than the Affordable Care Act, said Robert Blendon, a health policy expert at Harvard who has closely followed public opinion of the health law. And the people organizing these referendums on Medicaid expansion arent making them about the A.C.A. Theyre taking a program thats been in the state for years and adding to it, saying, All these other people need coverage and we can get outside money for it.Meanwhile in Washington, expect that every day will be a struggle for control of the government  and the political narrative. With their House victories, Democrats are no longer strictly the voice of opposition in D.C. Chances are any major legislation passed during the second half of Trumps term  can Americans even hope for legislative solutions in a gridlocked capital?  will require cooperation from Democrats. Maybe there will be no such cooperation, which some in the party would see as capitulation.This is the idea that took over the world. First there was one democracy  then 10, then 20. There were some setbacks, but people really seemed to want democracy. And eventually, most of them got one. But 15 years ago, democracy stopped spreading, and it might not pick back up again. Even some places that seemed safely democratic turned out not to be. And people are even getting worried about established democracies like the U.S. So is there something wrong with democracy? Im Max Fisher. Im Amanda Taub. Were journalists at The New York Times. And this is the Interpreter. We can measure democracy kind of like a health score. Over here, there are full democracies like the United States. And over there are dictatorships like North Korea. So the further left a country is, the less democratic it is and the further right a country, the more democratic it is. Now lets see what happens when we add how rich the countries are. The higher on the graph, the richer the country and the lower on the graph, the poorer the country. Generally, countries have moved up and right. As they got richer, they became more democratic. Youve got your Englands, your Latvias, your Indonesias. You see a pattern? Countries getting richer. Countries getting more democratic. But look at countries like China and Saudi Arabia. They got richer, but never got more democratic. Look at Russia and Venezuela. They got democratic, but then backslid, which wasnt supposed to happen. So whats going on? China looked exactly like places we thought would become democracies next. They built up the rule of law, civil society and some institutions. Normally, those are the building blocks that eventually add up to democracy. But they were really designed to make citizens just happy enough to protect the authoritarian system from the will of the people. And whenever the government feels like it could lose control, it uses the other side of its strategy: violent oppression and coercion. Were seeing this in more places where dictators are learning how to stop democracy from forming. And at the same time, some elected leaders are developing their own playbook for pulling democratic systems down from within. A handful of seemingly established democracies are sliding back towards dictatorship. These countries didnt have coups or invasions. In each case, voters elected strongman leaders who dismantled their democracies from within. Venezuela had been democratic for 40 years, then Hugo Chavez rose on a message that only he spoke for the people. People cheered as he accrued power for himself, jailed his opponents and tore down the democratic institutions that constrained him. And when the dust settled, Chavez was unchecked. Society descended into chaos that is getting worse every day. Other elected leaders are using similar tactics, but always bit by bit  in ways that arent obvious and might even be popular at the time. One of the most powerful forces that can turn people against democracy is polarization. When people feel scared enough of their political opponents, it feels more important to protect their side than it does to protect democracy. Leaders can exploit that fear. So if youre Russian and you support Putin, you might blame societys problems on gay people or nefarious Western plots. If youre Turkish and support Erdogan, you fear the secular elites will impose military rule. And were seeing that kind of polarization and fear start to take hold in established democracies. You are a racist, no good American. I was just called a racist. Could it happen in the United States? It still feels impossible. And it might be. So far, the system is resilient. But the warning signs are here. Polarization. Populism. Distrust of institutions. A desire for strongman leaders to smash the system. These things dont necessarily mean that democracy is doomed. But they show that in times of social stress, even a free people can dismantle their own democracy without realizing theyre doing it. Democracy is still a pretty new system of government. That century-long trend might not have been a trend at all. Just a few one-time moments that we mistook for inevitability. We want to believe it will last forever, but we cant be sure.How much attention did you pay to the midterm elections? How do you feel about the results? What do you think they mean for you, your community, your state and our nation as a whole?

For a basic overview, read What Happened on Midterm Election Day? Heres What We Know. The article begins this way:

The final results are not all tallied, but the lasting impact of the 2018 election  one of the most hotly contested midterms in modern history, notable for the exceptionally high turnout and underscored by considerable angst  is becoming clear. Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, ending one-party rule in Washington and establishing a major barrier to President Trumps legislative agenda. But Republicans strengthened their majority in the Senate. Governors races were a mixed bag, with Republicans claiming high-profile victories in Georgia and Florida while Democrats gained seats in Kansas and Michigan. Many voters braved long lines or soggy weather to cast their ballots in races that covered everything from referendums to state and local races to congressional seats. Here are some photos from the day, and an analysis of what the results could mean for the country, Congress and Mr. Trump.

It ends this way:

In an election that was in many ways a national referendum on Mr. Trump, the results were decidedly split. Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate while Democrats won some key victories with a more diverse array of candidates, many of them women, first-time contenders or both. Mr. Trump was quick to put a positive spin on the overall results, tweeting shortly after 11 p.m. that the night had been a tremendous success. But a blue House of Representatives will be a serious obstacle for the president. More broadly, the results indicate that the stark political and cultural divisions in the United States may only be deepening. The split Congress will likely frustrate parts of Mr. Trumps agenda, push through others and investigate many aspects of his administration.

Students, read the entire article  or this related overview weve chosen for Article of the Day  then tell us:

 How do you feel about the results of the midterm elections? Surprised? Excited? Angry? Worried? The Times Opinion section asked people across the country to select an emoji to capture their feelings on Tuesday, and produced the live map you can see here as a result. What emoji would you choose?

 What issues or candidates did you care about most? Why?

 How did you learn about the results? Did you wake up in the morning to find out who won, or were you watching coverage on Tuesday night?

 What does a Democratic majority in the House and a Republican majority in the Senate mean for the United States? What predictions can you make?

 The Times writes that Tuesdays elections show the political and cultural divisions that lifted Mr. Trump two years ago may only be deepening. Do you see those divisions in your own life, whether in your family, your school or neighborhood, or in any other communities you belong to? What do you think Americans should do about this divide?

 Who was elected in your state? What ballot initiatives were approved or rejected? What is your reaction these results and why? What impact will they have on you and your community?

 What did you think was most interesting about the election results? Why?

 Did your friends and family who were eligible to vote go to the polls on Tuesday? Why or why not? Do you think you will vote when you are eligible?

Related Lesson Plans:

Seven Ways to Teach the Midterms With The New York Times

Wasted Ballots? A Lesson Exploring Why More Young People Dont Vote, and What Students Can Do About ItAt first, Mr. Laffont made money however he could: He gave bicycle lessons to children in Riverside Park; he photographed parties; he did portraits for aspiring models. A year later, he began photographing for Status Magazine, which eventually got him a green card and, as a result, the ability to freelance.

But the possibilities of a life in photojournalism only truly presented themselves to Mr. Laffont in 1968 when an old classmate, Hubert Henrotte, asked him to become the first foreign correspondent for the French photo agency Gamma. Along with his new wife, Eliane, Mr. Laffont launched the agencys American bureau.

He could finally have the life he wanted, Mrs. Laffont said.

In the following decades, Mr. Laffont traveled the globe shooting the biggest stories of the day. In between assignments, he returned home to New York, where the city always seemed to present something worth of photographing, whether he was covering the news or simply walking down the street.In 1996, Microsoft unleashed Clippit, better known as Clippy, on users of Microsoft Office. The legendarily irritating mascot-helper spent the following years hovering around the edges of documents, blinking dumbly under his lascivious eyebrows and blurting out, It looks like youre writing a letter, until he was sidelined by the company in 2001, officially recognized as a mistake. Clippys problems were manifold. He announced his presence, via a personified avatar, to tell us something that we already knew (or that should have been obvious in the first place) and then proudly offered us little in the way of actual help. He sat and watched us and learned nothing, and repeated himself. He said too much and did too little.

Nevertheless, over 20 years later, the spawn of Clippy are hiding everywhere, guessing what were trying to do and offering to help. But Clippys successors are doing their best to avoid his mistakes. Most of the time they are faceless, and if they speak, they do so in a disembodied but humanlike voice. They tend to wait to be asked for help, rather than telling us what they think they know unprompted. And when they do offer help, they tend to be more subtle, more accurate or both. They have perhaps more in common with Clippys unassuming partners, like Spelling and Grammar Check or AutoCorrect, which spoke through red underlines or small actions carried out on reasonable assumptions (who would intentionally type teh?). These tools have followed us and our clumsy fingers to our new smartphones, where they have become both more assertive and more useful, correcting us and only occasionally requiring us to correct them back, and learning all the while.

What does the tech industry want to assist us with now? Email. If you use Gmail, youve probably interacted with either Smart Reply or Smart Compose, whether or not you know them by name. Google introduced Smart Reply in 2015, and Smart Compose began rolling out this year. Both, in execution, are self-explanatory. Smart Reply suggests canned responses to inbound emails, based on the companys best guess at what most emailers might be about to type. The suggestions are short, peppy and often adequate, at least as a start. Sometimes their tone prompts unhappy realizations about what Gmail sees in us. The frequency with which they use exclamation marks emphasizes just how peculiar the language of professional email communication has become (Sounds great! Very cool! Love it!). Smart Compose, in contrast, offers word and phrase suggestions, based on similar judgments, as the user types in real time. You write Take a look, and ghostly text might appear to its right: and let me know what you think. Its assumptions are more personalized, and they feel that way because it is constantly, visibly, guessing what youre thinking.

Smart Compose and Smart Reply are, at their core, artificial-intelligence technologies: They are programmed to perform tasks, but also to adapt. To start, Smart Reply was trained on publicly available bodies of email text. (Among the most widely used for such projects is the cache of some 500,000 emails collected during the discovery phase of the Enron investigation.) What makes machine learning different from regular programming is you look at corpuses of data to make guesses about things, says Paul Lambert, a product manager for Gmail. You create a model.[See the results for the House of Representatives, the Senate and governors races, and read our analysis]

As Democrats picked up at least six new governor seats across the country on Tuesday, Republicans remained optimistic about prevailing in a tight Connecticut race, hoping to capitalize on an unpopular incumbent governor and a sluggish economy.

But, hours after polls closed, voters were left waiting for results: Wet ballots had delayed a final count.

Secretary of State Denise W. Merrill said early Wednesday that voters dripped water onto their ballots after standing in the rain waiting to vote, and poll workers were unable to scan potentially thousands of soggy cards into the tally machines.Democrats seized control of the New York State Senate for just the third time in 50 years on Tuesday, a victory that could fundamentally alter the states economic and political fabric next year and beyond.

The Senate had been the Republican Partys last foothold of power in an increasingly blue state. But after a closely watched, expensive battle, Democrats won eight Republican-held seats, giving their party decisive command of Albanys triumvirate of power and positioning them to unleash a cascade of long-stymied progressive legislation.

Democrats had needed to flip only one seat to erase the Republicans razor-thin majority. They blew past that number, unseating five incumbents and winning three open seats.

Thank you for sending us our biggest majority ever, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the leader of the Senate Democrats, told supporters on Long Island.Still there will most be a push for even more: There is already chatter about legalizing recreational marijuana; investing more in the crumbling subways; addressing climate change; and installing an early voting system for the first time, all ideas that the governor has previously offered differing degrees of support for.

And after a tumultuous primary season in which liberal challengers ousted seven more moderate Democratic state senators, the virtual Holy Grail of current progressive thought seems within reach: a state-run universal health care system. Mr. Cuomo stopped short of fully embracing the proposal, saying it has merit.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who is slated to become the first woman and first female African-American to lead the New York State Senate, also struck a note of caution about the Democratic agenda. You eat the elephant one issue at a time, she said on Tuesday, as votes began to roll in for her party.

There also will likely be, of course, intraparty differences. The Senate that Ms. Stewart-Cousins will lead is very likely to contain several factions, including New York City liberals and more moderate members from the citys suburbs. Fifteen of her members will be new to Albany, and its vagaries, with many of that cohort never before having held public office  or, in some cases, even having an office.

[What drove the rogue group of Senate Democrats to work with Republicans? Read more here.]

Gustavo Rivera, a Democratic state senator from the Bronx, said that Democrats had failed to keep the trust of voters during their brief time in charge nearly a decade ago and know they must do better this time.

Governing is a very complicated matter, Mr. Rivera said. Its not just giving raises to your staff and getting nicer offices.Eric Garner died on July 17, 2014, when a New York City police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, wrapped his arm around Mr. Garners neck and, along with other officers, wrestled him to the ground during an arrest after he was seen selling untaxed cigarettes on a Staten Island street.

Officer Pantaleos actions were captured on video and seen around the world, and calls for his indictment immediately followed. Many assumed he would be fired quickly.

Neither of those things happened.

On the criminal track, Officer Pantaleo, who is white, faced a Staten Island grand jury in 2014, but was not indicted. The decision sparked waves of protests in the early months of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Federal prosecutors, for their part, spent years weighing whether to bring charges against the officer. They failed to reach a decision during former President Barack Obamas term. After President Trump took office, the stalemate remained.Mike Duhaime, a Republican strategist in New Jersey who has worked on national campaigns, said his fear is that were shrinking ideologically as a party  and thats a problem.

Some of the diversity of the party is leaving. If were going to be competitive in these suburban areas, if were going to take back Congress, it is going to have to be in these suburban areas, Mr. Duhaime said. And our brand is going to need to be more than just Trump.

Nowhere was the fracture with the Trump-led Republican Party more potent than in a swath of wealthy suburban enclaves in the northeastern part of New Jersey, where Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, defeated her Republican opponent by more than 12 percentage points. It was a stunning margin in a seat that had been held for 24 years by Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen, a genteel, moderate Republican deal maker who rose to become the powerful chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The district had not elected a Democrat since President Ronald Reagans administration.

Ms. Sherrills victory was one of seven for Democrats along the so-called Acela corridor between Washington and New York: one in Northern Virginia, three in the Philadelphia region, three in New Jersey and one in New York City. In New York, Max Rose, a 31-year-old military veteran, ousted Representative Dan Donovan in a district centered on Staten Island, long a Republican stronghold and where Mr. Trump had remained relatively popular.

John McLaughlin, who served as a pollster for Mr. Trump in 2016 and who was involved in House races in 2018, blamed Republican congressional leaders more than the president for the losses in the region, citing the tax bill in particular as a policy mistake that hurt many Republicans in the Northeast and others in high-income suburbs.

While the measure cut taxes across the board, it placed a cap on the popular state and local tax deduction that is heavily used in the wealthier parts of high-tax states like New York and New Jersey. The tax cut was good policy to grow the economy and create jobs, but when Republican leadership refused to negotiate a higher cap or phase it out over time, it made many suburban Republicans vulnerable, Mr. McLaughlin said.Ned Lamont, a Democrat and wealthy business owner, won the governors race in Connecticut on Wednesday, helping his party hold on to a vulnerable seat and overcoming a fierce challenge from a Republican opponent who tried to tie him to the states unpopular incumbent and a slumping economy.

Mr. Lamont, 64, defeated Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate and a former business executive, according to The Associated Press. The vote count had been delayed overnight, and Mr. Lamont was not declared the winner until Wednesday morning.

In his victory speech, Mr. Lamont struck a unifying tone, calling on members of both parties to work together to guide the state through financial straits.

Ive got to bring people together to make sure this is a state that hangs together going forward, making decisions we need to get this state growing again, Mr. Lamont said.Trump blew off 40 years of precedent by refusing to release his tax returns during the presidential campaign. Given his business ties around the globe, that was a decision voters should have deemed unacceptable. And now, with his oddly supine handling of countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia, there is an urgent need to know the details of his foreign business entanglements.Good morning on this radiant Wednesday.

It has been a bruising, expensive and drawn-out election season here in New York, and it finally came to an end last night.

Here are the big takeaways.

Andrew M. Cuomo slides to victory

Mr. Cuomo won a third time in the race for governor of New York, easily beating his Republican rival, Marcus Molinaro. He ran on his record, which includes same sex-marriage, gun control measures and paid family leave. Just like his father, Mr. Cuomo won a third term as governor, and just like his father, he has denied that he has presidential ambitions.

[Read more about Mr. Cuomos win.]

Democrats take New York seats in the House

New York State had nine incumbent House Republicans, out of 27 total House representatives. Yesterday, three of those Republicans lost their seats. The most notable was John J. Faso, a Republican who represented New Yorks 19th Congressional District, whom Antonio Delgado defeated. Here in the city, Max Rose defeated Representative Dan Donovan in Staten Island, and in central New York, Anthony Brindisi beat Representative Claudia Tenney.

Democrats seize control of the State Senate

Democrats won control of the New York State Senate for the first time in nearly a decade. The Democratic senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is slated to become the next majority leader, which would make her the first black woman to lead the Senate, and the first woman to lead the State Senate or Assembly.[See the results for the House of Representatives, the Senate and governors races, and read our analysis]

Three of nine Republican House incumbents were ousted in a wave of Democratic disenchantment in New York on Tuesday, each defeated by first-time candidates.

Most prominent was Antonio Delgado, who defeated Representative John J. Faso in a race rich with intrigue, big-name donors and controversy: Critics accused Republicans of engaging in dog-whistle politics for airing ads that depicted Mr. Delgado, a Rhodes scholar and a Harvard Law graduate, as a big-city rapper. The ads seized on his brief career as a rap artist to highlight lyrics that Mr. Faso said glorified drug use and pornography.

The other Democratic wins came on Staten Island, where Max Rose defeated Representative Dan Donovan, and in Central New York, where Anthony Brindisi declared victory over Representative Claudia Tenney.Barbara Jonas, who with her husband collected Abstract Expressionist paintings and sold them three decades later to promote a cause seldom embraced by philanthropists  the recruitment and training of nurses  died on Oct. 23 in Manhattan. She was 84.

The cause was complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, her son, John Jonas, said.

In 2006, Mrs. Jonas and her husband, Donald, a founder and former chairman of Lechters, a household goods retailer, auctioned off half of their art collection for $44 million to create Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare.

Barbara Jonas had a deep understanding of the value that doctoral education could have on health policy outcomes, and how influential that could be in nursing, said Professor Bobbie Berkowitz, dean emeritus of the Columbia University School of Nursing.

The couple broadened their commitment to medical education and research in 2018, when they established Jonas Philanthropies, not only to advance the nursing profession but also to help returning veterans, treat low vision and blindness and address the impact of toxic chemicals, contaminants and pollutants on prenatal and child health.That changed after Donald Trump won the 2016 election, in ways that both enlarged and further polarized the electorate. A dozen groups like Be the Change sprung up  Our Revolution, Indivisible Manteca, Patterson Progressive Alliance. The groups came together as the CA 10 Progressive Alliance, united in their determination to flip the district. They reached out to engage the young and disenfranchised. And they registered voters; the total in the district increased 18 percent since the last midterm, almost double the statewide average.

As in the rest of California, the biggest increase came in independent voters, whose numbers since the last midterm grew more than 50 percent; they now make up almost a quarter of the districts voters. That further complicates the political calculus, underscoring the degree to which personal beliefs and connections outweigh party loyalty.

Mr. Denham, who won re-election two years ago by less than 4 percent, campaigned on his familiar name and identification as a businessman who shares the districts values. The words veteran and farmer figured prominently on his signs. In an agricultural and industrial area where guns are popular and abortion is not, Mr. Denham was outspoken in support of the Second Amendment and in opposition to abortion. He ran a vicious television advertisement that used an out-of-context clip to suggest Mr. Harder supported taxpayer-financed abortions through the ninth month.

It will take weeks of analyzing votes that have not even been tallied to determine exactly who voted and how much of the race turned on support or opposition to President Trump versus the contest between Mr. Denham and Mr. Harder. That the Republican may have eked out another win is a testament to the strength of incumbency and the convictions of his conservative base, who vote far more reliably than the new and the disillusioned voters whom the Harder coalition worked to enfranchise.

On the issues, Mr. Denhams alliance with the president increased his vulnerability. Growers have been among Mr. Denhams core supporters, but Trump policies on immigration and trade have hurt the walnut and almond growers and dairies that are bulwarks of the local economy. The congressman highlighted Mr. Trumps commitment to help get more water for farms, although the promises have yet to translate to action. And on health care, a key concern for many in a district that relies heavily on Obamacare, Mr. Denham reneged on a promise to vote against cuts in the Affordable Care Act, joining Republicans unsuccessful effort to repeal and replace.

Theres an elephant in the race for Californias 10th Congressional District, and Jeff Denham is carrying him on his back, wrote The Modesto Bee, endorsing Mr. Harder after having supported Mr. Denham in all but one of his previous races. That orange elephants name is Donald.

Mr. Denhams campaign script sought to distract attention from the issues and sow doubts about the values of the man he only referred to as Bay Area Harder, often adding liberal as the ultimate pejorative. Like many young people, Mr. Harder had left the valley  in his case to attend Stanford and Harvard and work at a venture capital firm. He was not politically involved and did not even vote until he moved back to Turlock to run for Congress, galvanized by the election of Mr. Trump.Brent Taylor, the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, and a major in the National Guard, was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday on his fourth deployment to a war zone. As Americans headed to the polls early Tuesday, Jennie Taylor, his wife and the mother of his seven children, was at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to meet his remains. Their two oldest sons were by her side. It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents something so much greater than any of our own individual lives, she said, has come home to U.S. soil in a flag-draped casket on our Election Day. Major Taylor, 39, had guided several large infrastructure improvements as mayor since 2013. In his final Facebook post , in late October, Major Taylor, a Republican, said that he hoped everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote and said that whether Republicans or Democrats win, We all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.I woke up Wednesday morning and, as people like me are wont to do, glanced over the Senate seats that will be up for re-election in 2020. On paper, they look better for the Democrats. This year, the Democrats were defending 26 seats, and the Republicans just nine. The Democrats 26 included 10 incumbents in states that President Trump carried. In 2020, its the Republicans wholl be defending a majority of the seats  22 out of 33.

Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond.

write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Tory Gavito and Adam Jentleson write that the Virgina loss should "shock Democrats into confronting the powerful role that racially coded attacks play in American politics."

write that the Virgina loss should "shock Democrats into confronting the powerful role that racially coded attacks play in American politics." Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging.

speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Ross Douthat writes that the outcome of the Virginia gubernatorial race shows Democrats need a new way to talk about progressive ideology and education.

That sounds hopeful, if youre a Democrat. But if you look at the map, you see that most of the Republican-held seats are in states that would elect a dog before theyd elect a Democrat. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming  you get the picture. All told, there are about 14 states where the idea of electing a Democrat to the Senate is all but inconceivable, and another three or four where its perhaps not inconceivable but where the stars would need to align just so. The numbers for comparably Democratic states are perhaps 12 and I think zero.

Specifically with respect to 2020, if you had to ponder five possible pickups that would give the Democrats control, here are the states and senators on whom the Democrats need to focus: Susan Collins of Maine; first-termer Joni Ernst of Iowa; Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another first-termer; Cory Gardner of Colorado, a third first-termer; Jon Kyl of Arizona; and I suppose David Perdue of Georgia, or maybe John Cornyn of Texas, should the exciting Beto ORourke decide to take him on.

From that list, I trust you can see the problem. If Democrats are having to count on North Carolina (where the party last elected a senator in 2008) and Georgia (2000) and Arizona (1988), theyre barking up an awfully tall tree.

What can they do? People discuss long-term  and long-shot  fixes, like adding the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as states the first chance they get. At an even greater extreme, maybe someday we should do to the Senate what Britain did to the House of Lords in 1911 and strip it of real lawmaking power. That may sound crazy, but something must be done. On Tuesday, according to The Times, Democratic Senate candidates garnered 45 million votes, and Republicans just 33 million (57 percent to 42 percent). Yet, the Republicans will gain perhaps three seats. That is not democracy.After Donald Trump won the election in 2016, he was in a position of great power to cut taxes, repeal Obamacare and build border walls to his hearts content  if congressional Republicans cooperated. Of course, they didnt always cooperate, but Mr. Trump was also able to push forward his agenda using the presidencys unilateral powers  to deregulate, start trade wars and expel undocumented immigrants  and his power to appoint conservative judges with the consent of the Senate.

That was then. When newly elected members of Congress take their seats in January, creating a Democratic majority in the House, the presidents power will shrink  not to nothing but significantly.

The reason is not that a hostile Congress will block legislation that Mr. Trump seeks. Even without party control of both houses, many presidents employed their unilateral powers and skillful deal-making to score political victories. Ronald Reagan cut taxes, weakened regulations and negotiated historic nuclear arms reduction agreements with the Soviet Union. Bill Clinton pursued his New Democrat vision with a largely Republican-dominated Congress. George W. Bushs war on terror was almost entirely formulated by the executive branch. Barack Obama pursued several progressive measures  in the areas of immigration, affirmative action and campus speech  on his own.

Nor is Mr. Trumps problem impeachment, at least, not in the short term. Removal requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, and Republicans will almost certainly not oblige.Speaking of Emails

I got one from my friend Bob Kerrey, the former senator and former Nebraska governor, who is one of the most thoughtful Democrats I know. It had some terrific points, which he permitted me to share:

It could have been worse. My (free) advice to congressional Democrats (they define what the party stands for more than the governors) is to:

Ask the Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin delegation to set the House agenda . . . What do we need to do to win the electoral college votes of these four states? If Dems get this right, they will celebrate a very satisfying victory over Trump in 2020. They do not need to impeach him; they need to defeat him!

Look for proposals that are difficult for the G.O.P. For example, propose to take the cap off income that is taxed for Social Security and use the money to cut the payroll tax for everyone else. Health care must be another but let Stabenow, Casey, Brown and Baldwin write the bill. (Note from me: Kerrey is referring to Democratic senators from, respectively, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin  all crucial battleground states in a presidential election.)

Push the immigration compromise front and center. Let Americans know that Trump is lying on this. We want a secure border. Build the wall will not work.

Be much stronger on national security.

Push our women into the spotlight to highlight the differences between what female G.O.P. members of Congress want and what female Democrats want.

Help Americans understand how conservative judges will shift power from individuals to corporations.

And a question: Will Fox News and their President talk about the caravan crisis any more? I seriously doubt it. The leftists in Honduras who set the caravan in motion cost us Senate seats in Missouri, Indiana, Arizona, Nevada and perhaps Texas. Trump-Hannity lied about this to bring out the fear vote BUT it was a very effective lie.

A Gay Day in America

The overarching question of whether Democrats would seize control of at least one chamber of Congress eclipsed many other story lines during this election season, including the likelihood that Representative Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat, would become the first politician to be elected a governor in America as an openly gay person. That likelihood became a reality on Tuesday, and its a significant mile marker on the long road toward equality for  and full acceptance of  L.G.B.T. people.Hell find a way to feel validated and vindicated. He always does.

And there were disappointments for Democrats, many of which should cause concern and prompt careful re-examination of their strategy going forward. High-profile progressives, including Andrew Gillum in Florida and Beto ORourke in Texas, didnt fulfill the dreams that so many Democrats had for them. There may well be a lesson for 2020 in that, and Im not confident that the party will learn it.

I also worry that House Democrats, flush with the newfound ability to torment a president who has earned it, will go too far, and become the foils against which he thunders profitably as he reaches for a second term. There are ways to contain and expose him shy of an all-out subpoena-palooza. The answer to a freak-show presidency isnt a carnival that leaves Americans confused about where the most blinding lights and obnoxious noise are coming from.

But lets save all of that for other columns. Lets use this one to rejoice. Trump needed a comeuppance, and the decisive swing of the House into the Democratic column was precisely that. You know what else was? The profiles of the Democrats who made that swing happen.

[Go beyond the headlines and behind the curtain with Frank Brunis candid reflections on politics, culture, higher education and more every week. Sign up for his newsletter.]

Many of the candidates for the House who turned red seats blue were women. A record number of them ran for Congress this year, and it seemed likely early Wednesday morning, even before all the counting of ballots was done, that the next Congress would also contain a record number of them: more than the 107 currently there. So a president who has acted and spoken with such vulgar disregard for women will deal with more female lawmakers than any of his predecessors did. Thats a measure of sweet justice.I dont know whether Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat and one of Trumps favorite punching bags in his rally speeches, can or will use the chairmanship of the House Financial Services Committee, for which she is next in line, to subpoena the presidents tax returns, which he refuses to release. But, ah, isnt it pretty to think she will?Despite the extraordinary success of the special counsel, Robert Mueller  or more likely because of it  faces his most serious threat yet: the forced resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Early last year, Mr. Sessions, as a former Trump campaign official, recused himself from the Russia investigation, handing over its oversight to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. As acting attorney general in that capacity, Mr. Rosenstein has overseen and vigorously defended the investigation, led by Mr. Mueller.

After requesting and receiving Mr. Sessionss resignation on Wednesday, President Trump wasted no time in naming Matthew Whitaker, Mr. Sessionss chief of staff, as acting attorney general, and shifted the oversight role from Mr. Rosenstein back to the attorney generals office and its new acting head.

As ethics experts, we believe Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from the investigation. If we have ever seen an appearance of impropriety in our decades of experience, this is it: a criminal subject president appointing his own prosecutor  one who has evidently prejudged aspects of the investigation and mused about how it can be hampered.[The Opinion section is now on Instagram. Follow us at @nytopinion.]

But since 2013, when the Supreme Court gutted Section 4 of the act, that power to prevent the use of discriminatory devices has been greatly hobbled. That was evident as my nonagenarian passenger struggled to pull out of her wallet a government-issued photo ID so that the poll workers, who have known her for decades, could allow her to vote.

In addition to voter ID laws, Georgia had implemented a program called exact match that a judge had previously ruled was racially discriminatory but was, nonetheless, reborn with all of its defects by the Georgia legislature and in full operation in 2018. This voter registration program was its own literacy test as it required information on the voter registration card to be an exact image of that stored in a state database or Social Security office. An accent or hyphen in one better be there in the other. In this election alone, Mr. Kemp had trapped 53,000 voter registration cards using exact match, and 70 percent of the applicants kicked into electoral purgatory were African-American, including one of my colleagues, a faculty member at Emory University.

Then there was the basic election processes that wreaked havoc at the polls. Voting machines in Snellville in Metro Atlanta arrived with no power cords. People were waiting for hours in a line that was not moving and were finally forced to leave without voting because they had to get to their jobs. This was the same area where absentee ballots were rejected at almost 10 times the state average.

Those Neo-Jim Crow barriers were rising up from Georgias Confederate soil like ghosts.

And I kept driving. Another one of my passengers was well into her 80s. She had a special type of wisdom. Sometimes it came like ice and other times like fire. She looked at me while we were coming back from the polls and remarked that she was proud to be able to vote for Ms. Abrams.

Then came the burn. Stacey Abrams is smart, she said with a smile. Just like Obama. Smart. And, as the smile melted away, they will hate her just as much.HOUSTON  The condolence emails are already coming in, from New York, and California, and from my neighbors down the street, who are mostly limiting themselves to unprintable but predictable four-letter words. Yes, Beto ORourke lost to Ted Cruz, 51-48 percent, an outcome that surprised almost no seasoned politicos around these parts  theyve been predicting it for months, some since the congressman from El Paso first announced his candidacy last year. Rest assured that the Monday-morning quarterbacking will proceed apace starting  now.

In fact, it kind of started last Sunday, Nov. 4, with a lengthy critique in Politico that quoted mostly Republican operatives  Karl Rove, back from the dead  who cited Mr. ORourkes failure to tack toward the middle, instead doing crazy things (in Texas, at least) like supporting the N.F.L. players who took a knee to protest police brutality. Did Beto Blow It? was the pre-emptory headline.

There will be a lot more reasons given for why Mr. ORourke lost: Some experts will suggest old ideas, stressing the power of the incumbency, and others newer ideas, as in, Mr. ORourke spent too much time on social media encouraging the same like-minded folks to keep talking to one another. People will say that the campaign was disorganized, more focused on the candidates winning personality than real issues. That Mr. ORourke let Mr. Cruz define him, instead of the opposite  and Mr. Cruz did just that, painting Mr. ORourke as a far-left-wing nut who would let terrorists cross the Rio Grande and endanger the lives of God-fearing Texans. Whenever I heard Mr. Cruz opine that Mr. ORourke was just wrong for Texas, my stomach would lurch a little.

Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond.

write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Tory Gavito and Adam Jentleson write that the Virgina loss should "shock Democrats into confronting the powerful role that racially coded attacks play in American politics."

write that the Virgina loss should "shock Democrats into confronting the powerful role that racially coded attacks play in American politics." Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging.

speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Ross Douthat writes that the outcome of the Virginia gubernatorial race shows Democrats need a new way to talk about progressive ideology and education.

[The Opinion section is now on Instagram. Follow us at @nytopinion.]

But before all of Mr. ORourkes errors are carved in stone in the next few hours, maybe its worth taking a minute to say that, whatever his flaws, Mr. ORourke came very close to defeating a powerful incumbent  O.K., not one who was exactly beloved  and he did it pretty much as he promised, without going negative and by raising a whole bunch of money without the help of PACs or fancy political consultants. (The early fears that Mr. ORourke would be eclipsed by Mr. Cruzs millions in dark money never materialized; Mr. Cruz raised $40 million to Mr. ORourkes $70 million.)Times Insider delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how news, features and opinion come together at The New York Times.

The Timess legal department plays various roles in the Times newsroom, from prepublication review of stories to overseeing libel litigation, but an essential one is challenging secrecy in the courts and bringing litigation aimed at getting reporters access to government documents. A recent seven-day period serves as a snapshot of that work.

During this short time span, lawyers for The Times were involved in six motions to unseal court records, won the release of hundreds of pages of documents in a case against the C.I.A. and began work on an appellate argument in a long-running dispute over secret Justice Department documents on the interrogation of terrorism suspects.

EL CHAPO TRIAL

Last Tuesday, a federal judge in Brooklyn ruled in favor of The Times in the trial of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Mr. Guzman, the former head of the Sinaloa cartel, is accused of overseeing a massive drug-trafficking enterprise and conspiring in the murder of cartel enemies. The judge had initially wanted to hold jury selection in chambers and out of view of the news media, believing that a closed session would encourage the would-be jurors to be candid. In early October, the Times lawyers David McCraw and Al-Amyn Sumar challenged the plan on First Amendment grounds. In response, the judge reconsidered his position. While stopping short of granting full public access, he ruled that jury selection would be held in the courtroom with five reporters present to watch.On the wall of a cave deep in the jungles of Borneo, there is an image of a thick-bodied, spindly-legged animal, drawn in reddish ocher.

It may be a crude image. But it also is more than 40,000 years old, scientists reported on Wednesday, making this the oldest figurative art in the world.

Until now, the oldest known human-made figures were ivory sculptures found in Germany. Scientists have estimated that those figurines  of horses, birds and people  were at most 40,000 years old.

Researchers have found older man-made images, but these were abstract patterns, such as crisscrossing lines. The switch to figurative art represented an important shift in how people thought about the world around them  and possibly themselves.SEATTLE  For more than a year, Amazon searched for a second headquarters, a home to as many as 50,000 workers that would be coequal to its current home in Seattle. Instead, Amazon is closing in on deals to split what it called HQ2 into two locations, according to people briefed on the discussions . The company appears ready to move to Long Island City in Queens, according to two of the people. It is also close to a deal to move to a spot in Arlington, Va., just across the Potomac River from Washington, one of the people said.

Much of the process has been secret, and Amazon had local officials and real estate developers sign nondisclosure agreements during negotiations. Here is what we dont know so far.

Where exactly will the two sites be?

The specific location in Long Island City is not known, but about 10 million square feet of potential office space was identified in the area, according to a third person briefed on the discussions. Amazon exec utives used the term campus to refer to the location during negotiations, another person said.

Amazon estimates 170 square feet per employee, according to a 2017 email from Amazon to a Colorado official disclosed in a public records request.While Facebook linked the new influence network to the Internet Research Agency, the company stopped short of fully tying the Russian troll farm to the activity. In the statement, Mr. Gleicher said that a website that claimed to be affiliated with the group appeared to take responsibility for some of the accounts Facebook had removed.

Facebook took down the accounts on Monday, a day before it provided more details. The Facebook accounts were largely communicating in French and Russian, while the Instagram accounts were aimed at an English-language audience, Mr. Gleicher said in a blog post.

The company has spent the past 18 months grappling with the scope of its disinformation problem, and it has spent millions on additional resources and employees to deal with it. Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, has compared the effort to an arms race between company security teams and groups trying to spread disinformation.

As far back as 2013, the Internet Research Agency has been linked to influence campaigns on social media. Based in St. Petersburg, Russia, the agency served as a kind of professional online trolling network, carrying out information operations intended to sway public opinion among the groups it targets.

The group, which has been linked to the Kremlin, specializes in pumping out legions of Twitter bots, YouTube videos and Facebook posts under the guise of activism, often posing as both far-right and left-wing groups.

In 2014, the troll farm began targeting candidates in the United States presidential race, according to a February indictment naming 13 Russians linked to the agency. More than 126 million Americans were exposed to Russia-linked content through Facebook alone, the company said last year. The Internet Research Agency also uploaded more than 1,000 videos to YouTube and posted more than 131,000 Twitter messages.

Last month, the Justice Department announced it had uncovered another attempt by Russian state-backed actors to meddle in the midterm elections.We have an incredibly engaged group of people, and we arent going to stop escalating this, she continued. The group isnt really going to back down from this or a host of other things. The walkout was not like a blowing-off-steam exercise.

The walkout was sparked by a specific grievance: a report in The New York Times that Google gave a $90 million exit payment to Andy Rubin, the creator of Android, after he was accused of coercing a woman to perform oral sex in a hotel room (a charge that he denies but that the company found credible).

The organizers said their aims were far larger, though, than sexual harassment and abuse.

Our discussions expanded very quickly, Ms. Stapleton said. What is it that we want the company to be, and what should we do with the power that we very quickly see we are harnessing? Is Google for good? Do we think that technology is toxic? Are we navigating through a host of complex issues online in a positive way?

Speaking to Ms. Stapleton and several of her fellow organizers, I was struck by their intoxicating optimism. They brimmed with confidence about their capacity to push for a new moral, ethical and social framework in tech. And because Googles culture is a model for the industry and much of corporate America, they saw the idea of changing the company as part of a larger social and political struggle to make a dent in the universe.

I think what we did was disprove the myth that its too hard to take collective action, said Celie ONeil-Hart, who works in YouTubes marketing department. She described the meticulous way that she and other organizers of the walkout distilled the thousands of discussions flowing through their group into a list of demands. Their secret? Googles own technology.

I was getting hundreds of pieces of feedback on these demands, but ironically thanks to Googles products, like Google Groups and Docs and comments, I was able to get this constant stream of real-time feedback from a collective group of hundreds of Googlers, all while doing my day job, Ms. ONeil-Hart said. She noted, too, that many Googlers had been hired for their work-endless-hours drive; now that drive was marshaled in the service of a movement.

Stephanie Parker, a policy specialist at YouTube, described organizing the protest in a way that sounded to me like designing and releasing a new Google product, only with a group that was more passionate and personally invested.SAN FRANCISCO  Voters in San Francisco approved a tax increase on the citys largest businesses that would nearly double its budget for homeless services, a measure seen as an effort to hold wealthy technology companies accountable for exacerbating the local housing crisis.

Tech executives have poured money into the campaigns for and against the measure. Jack Dorsey, the chief executive of Twitter and the payments company Square, spent $125,000 to oppose it, while Marc Benioff, the chief executive of Salesforce, spent $2 million to support it. Salesforce contributed an additional $5 million to the campaign in favor of the initiative, known as Proposition C.

Mr. Benioff and Mr. Dorsey sparred on Twitter over Proposition C in October, fueling a debate that coursed through the tech industry in the run-up to the election. The battle continued in the days before the vote, with Mark Pincus, the co-founder of the online gaming company Zynga, tweeting Saturday that Proposition C is the dumbest, least thought out initiative and asking his followers to vote against it.The family with school-age children

Youre looking to get away with the entire family, but are somewhat hemmed in by school vacations and swim practice. Youll likely need to pounce the moment a good deal arises. Another wrinkle: Youre competing with thousands of other parents who are looking to get away at the same time, which will likely include the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

Set your price alerts

Sites like Kayak, Skyscanner, Hopper and Google Flights have alerts that will track flight prices and notify you of changes. On the flight results page, simply elect to track or follow the prices, and youll receive email or mobile phone notifications. Hopper and Kayak will even advise you on the results page whether to buy tickets now, or wait for a better deal.

If youre watching a particular route or date range closely, I recommend enabling push notifications on your phone  when prices drop, they dont always last very long. Hopper and Kayak also allow you to set alerts hotel rooms, in addition to flights.

Target places with deals for children

Vacationing with children can certainly be expensive. A ski vacation neednt burden the wallet, however, given the number of opportunities for kids to get free lift tickets or ones at a greatly reduced cost. In New York , third and fourth graders can receive three free lift tickets from a selection of over two dozen resorts in the state ( and you dont have to be from New York to take advantage of this ). The program, through I Ski NY, grants eligible children the free tickets with the purchase of adult tickets (there is a $27 processing fee). Several other states, including Pennsylvania, Utah and Vermont, have similar programs that grant childrens lift tickets for a nominal fee when applied for ahead of time.

Individual resorts have their own deals, as well. At June Mountain, near Yosemite National Park, children aged 12 and under always receive free lift tickets. Keystone Resort in Colorado allows children 12 and under to ski for free with a stay of two nights or longer. The popular Mammoth Mountain isnt quite as generous, but even they have a deal: children age 4 and under, and seniors 80 and above ski for free.

Book early

While many early-bird, ski-package specials have deadlines in the summer, its not too late to find a deal for booking early. Even popular resorts like Whistler Blackcomb and Aspen Snowmass offer reduced lodging rates for those who are willing to make a commitment. When you know youre working with firm dates, it can be a good idea to book as far in advance as possible.The money that poured into the race was just as big as the names. Hultgren, who raised about $1 million during an easy win two years ago, brought in twice as much this time around. Underwood raised even more: Her contributions topped $4 million and came mostly from individual donors who live outside of Illinois.With Californias overall politics having turned more liberal in recent decades, much of the national spotlight before the election was on congressional seats in two historically conservative bastions that have become more Democratic: Orange County, the birthplace of Richard M. Nixon, and the Central Valley, the agricultural heart of California.

The Democratic Party targeted seven Republican-held districts across the state that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential race, hoping to flip them and help the party secure control of the House of Representatives.

In and around Orange County, four districts long held by Republicans had been seen as vulnerable, reflecting how political leanings have changed over the last decade in a region that once symbolized conservative politics. These seats include those held by Dana Rohrabacher, a conservative who has served in the House since 1989, and Mimi Walters. Democrats also mounted stiff challenges for the seats currently held by Darrell Issa and Ed Royce, Republicans who are retiring.

In another district, in northern Los Angeles County, the Republican incumbent, Steve Knight, had been locked in a competitive race against the Democratic challenger, Katie Hill, a 30-year-old who has been an advocate for the homeless.

In the Central Valley, Democrats had focused on trying to defeat the incumbent Republican, Jeff Denham, who faced Josh Harder, a venture capitalist. Mr. Denham barely eked out re-election in 2016, and significant concern about the Trump administrations immigration policies  Hispanics make up 40 percent of the population in the farming region  made this years environment favorable for Mr. Harder.

But throughout the campaign season, the central question  here, as across the nation  had been whether young people and Latinos would turn out in large numbers to vote, which would heavily favor Democrats like Mr. Harder, who made his case at a town hall last month to an audience of Latino voters.

The way we do it is by making sure people vote, he said. Many of the challenges we have date back to the fact that not everybody has their voices heard in the political process. We have to change that this year.Good morning.

(Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.)

As we warned  it was indeed a long night in California.

The two top statewide races were called early for Democrats, with Gavin Newsom ascending to the governors mansion and Dianne Feinstein easily winning re-election to the Senate.

But when the clock struck midnight, nearly every contested congressional race was still undecided.

So heres what we know  and what we dont.

Mr. Newsom is likely to intensify the fight between the state and the Trump administration on climate change, immigration and health care. But he is also tasked with managing crises at home that have deeply frustrated Californians, including homelessness and extreme income inequality. [Read more about Mr. Newsoms win here.]PEWAUKEE, Wis.  Scott Walker, who moved Wisconsin to the right over the last eight years, cutting taxes and sharply diminishing the power of labor unions, conceded the governors race on Wednesday to the Democrat, Tony Evers, the state schools superintendent.

The advantage for Mr. Evers was razor thin, a little over 1 percentage point. With more than 2.6 million votes cast and 100 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. Evers led by about 30,000 votes.

For hours overnight, Mr. Walker said the campaign was waiting for more information before deciding how to proceed. But on Wednesday afternoon, the campaign said that Mr. Walker had called Mr. Evers and that any additional counting of votes would not be enough to change the outcome. The Wisconsin Elections Commission said that the race was outside the margin to qualify for a recount.

Weve come a long way together and it is my sincere hope that the progress weve made during our time in office will continue and that we can keep Wisconsin working for generations to come, Mr. Walker said in a statement.For three weeks in October, Harvards admissions system was on trial before an often standing-room-only crowd in a federal courtroom in Boston. Harvard was accused of discriminating against Asian-American applicants, but the university firmly denied this throughout the trial, which ended last week.

Through testimony and internal documents, the case provided an eye-opening look into the often guarded and opaque admissions process at Harvard. With some 40,000 applicants and about 1,600 available seats, Harvard argued, some students would inevitably be left out.

[The Harvard admissions lawsuit, explained.]

How admissions officers went about that sifting process seemed to some in the gallery like an exercise in cynicism, which perpetuated the established ruling class, and to others like a noble pursuit, which lifted diamonds in the rough, of all backgrounds, into the future elite. Heres what we learned about who gets an admissions edge:

A.L.D.C.s

Harvard gives advantages to recruited athletes (As); legacies (Ls), or the children of Harvard graduates; applicants on the deans or directors interest list (Ds), which often include the children of very wealthy donors and prominent people, mostly white; and the children (Cs) of faculty and staff. ALDCs make up only about 5 percent of applicants but 30 percent of admitted students.

[Five Harvard freshmen have a frank talk about how they got in.]

While being an A.L.D.C. helps  their acceptance rate is about 45 percent, compared with 4.5 to 5 percent for the rest of the pool  it is no guarantee. (One of those rejected despite being a legacy was the judge in the federal case, Allison D. Burroughs. She went to Middlebury College instead.)The Abrams campaign said it would immediately begin running radio and print ads encouraging voters to do so.

Although Republicans believed Mr. Kemp was the clear winner in the race, The Associated Press and other major news organizations refrained from projecting him as the victor on Wednesday, defying pressure from party leaders. The A.P. sent an advisory to its members on Wednesday saying that the race remained too close to call, in part because election officials say tabulation continues in several large counties.

If a runoff is required, it will only intensify a race that was already among the nations most contentious  not least because of Mr. Kemps decision to remain secretary of state.

Democrats have sharply criticized his record on voting issues in the state. Mr. Kemp, who has called accusations that he encouraged voter suppression a farce, oversaw legal purges of voter rolls and embraced a rigorous exact match approach to processing voter registrations, among other steps that have drawn criticism.

The argument over Mr. Kemps role sharpened on Sunday, when his office announced that it had opened an inquiry into the Democratic Party of Georgia for what state officials said was an attempted hacking of the voter registration system. Mr. Kemps office provided little information about its allegations, which sparked an inquiry by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Democrats assailed the announcement as a political stunt.

Mistrust of Mr. Kemp and the states election machinery was palpable on the campus of Morehouse College, the historically black mens school west of downtown Atlanta. The polling place on the campus had stayed open three extra hours Tuesday evening after reports emerged that numerous students who had registered to vote were not listed in the poll books.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, William Pounds, 19, of Macon, Ga., stood on the Morehouse campus with a group of fellow students who had all voted absentee. Mr. Pounds said that it was difficult not to consider that Mr. Kemp, who is white and bragged that he would round up criminal illegals in his campaign ads, might be acting to disenfranchise people of color.RICHMOND, Ky.  At 5 a.m. on Election Day, Mark Nickolas awoke to write a speech he thought would never be delivered.

Mr. Nickolas, the campaign manager for Amy McGrath, one of the Democratic Partys most high-profile candidates for Congress, quickly drafted a 400-word concession, printed it, sealed it in an envelope, and then deleted it from his computer.

He had hoped to burn it after Ms. McGrath claimed victory. Instead, at 8:28 p.m., he pulled out the envelope and handed it to her.

Ms. McGraths loss to Representative Andy Barr in this central Kentucky congressional district made vivid the yawning divide between rural America and the rest of the nation. Her campaigns election model called for her to win 57 percent of the vote in Fayette County, home of the districts largest city, Lexington, and the University of Kentucky. She won almost 60 percent.WASHINGTON  A day after Democrats recaptured the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi, the longtime party leader, promised to work with President Trump and Senate Republicans on issues where they could agree, while vowing the new majority would assert itself when necessary.

We have a responsibility to find common ground where we can, Ms. Pelosi, of California, said Wednesday in an interview. If not, we stand our ground.

It did not take Mr. Trump long to test Ms. Pelosis resolve, abruptly firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Democrats were alarmed, worried that the president was moving toward shutting down the special counsels investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The turn of events encapsulated the conflicting pressures on Ms. Pelosi and her new Democratic majority. Voters in traditionally Republican districts in the suburbs joined those in more heavily Democratic communities to elevate Democrats to power as a check on Mr. Trump after he spent the past two years largely unconstrained by a compliant House and Senate led by Republicans.Even before Mr. Trump began thundering against an invasion from Latin America  spurning with finality the moderate swing voters that Republicans desperately needed  his partys facade of election-year unity was crumbling.

Panic mounting, Republican factions began looking out for themselves: Mr. McCarthy, currying favor with the right as he positioned himself to succeed Mr. Ryan, revived a push to fund Mr. Trumps border wall. On the weekend before the election, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, a far-right rival of Mr. McCarthy, began calling colleagues to gauge their interest in supporting him for minority leader in a Democratic-led House.

As Mr. Trump swallowed the already-faint Republican economic message with deafening appeals to right-wing nationalism, Republican campaign chiefs began expressing discomfort with his turn toward raw racial politics. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, head of the Republican Senate committee, expressed anxiety to allies that Mr. Trumps obsession with a migrant caravan could harm his Senate re-election in 2020.

Among White House aides, improvisation and favor-trading overrode any semblance of political strategy. Even Vice President Mike Pence, aides noted, appeared less than deliberate in his approach: When conservative media began rippling with interest in John James, a long-shot Senate candidate in Michigan, Mr. Pence phoned the president from the state and urged him to campaign there. The same day, a public poll found Mr. James losing by 17 points to Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Johnny DeStefano, counselor to the president, told an associate he used every ounce of capital to keep Mr. Trump from visiting Michigan and other states where his party was sure to lose.

And in a move that baffled their political peers, both Mr. Pence and Mr. McCarthy visited Kansas City on the Friday before the election to campaign with Mr. Yoder, among other Republicans  more than a month after the N.R.C.C. concluded Mr. Yoder could not win.

Last weekend, the gulf between the two parties  in strategy and message, in political tenacity and internal cohesion  could not have been greater. Meeting with campaign donors in San Francisco, Ms. Pelosi declared confidently that the House majority would soon be in Democratic hands. Next up, she said, would be a huge amount of work to repair the fabric of the country, according to a person in attendance who paraphrased her comments.As of Wednesday afternoon, he had received more than 63 percent of the vote.

Mr. Hof had previously run for State Assembly as a libertarian in 2016. It was his first run at public office, Mr. Muth said, and he lost to the incumbent, James Oscarson. In June, Mr. Hof defeated Mr. Oscarson in the Republican primary.

Mr. Hof was born in Phoenix on Oct. 14, 1946, according to his website. His first job was delivering newspapers, and he later pumped gas. He went on to open several gas stations of his own, first in Arizona and then in Nevada, before entering the brothel business.

When he died, Mr. Hof had gained a national reputation as an outspoken supporter of brothels in Nevada, the only state in the country where they are legal in some counties. Nye County said in a report this year that in 2016 and 2017, brothels generated more than $392,000 for the county, offset by costs of just over $31,000.

In a 2012 interview with Channel 4 News in Britain, Mr. Hof said that if prostitution were illegal, it would be run by criminals instead of being safe and regulated in a legal sphere. Mr. Hof was the star of the HBO television series Cathouse, which focused on the Moonlite BunnyRanch, his brothel east of Carson City.

In 2015, the former N.B.A. player Lamar Odom was hospitalized after he was found unconscious at one of Mr. Hofs brothels.

In April, two women told The Las Vegas Review-Journal that Mr. Hof had sexually assaulted them. One of them, Jennifer OKane, said that he put his hands around her throat one night in 2011, told her she was his and raped her, and that she was raped and battered daily by Mr. Hof.

Mr. Hof denied the claims, telling The Review-Journal that they were muckraking in the political cesspool that keeps so many good people from running for office.The divergent outcomes in the House and Senate  a Democratic takeover in one chamber, and Republican gains in the other  exposed an ever-deepening gulf separating rural communities from Americas cities and suburbs.

Democratic gains in the House came in densely populated, educated and diverse enclaves around the country, around major liberal cities like New York and Philadelphia and also red-state population centers like Houston and Oklahoma City. The Republican Partys traditional base in these districts collapsed, with college-educated white voters joining with growing minority communities to repudiate President Trump and his party.

Republican victories in the Senate came mainly in the conservative strongholds where Mr. Trumps popularity has remained steady or grown since 2016. With rural voters moving rightward and the national Democratic Party moving left, Senate Democrats like Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Joe Donnelly of Indiana found it impossible to reassemble the political coalitions that elected them in the past.

As a long-term proposition, Democrats may be getting the better end of the bargain: They are winning over voters in growing communities that look more like the country as a whole, while Republicans are increasingly reliant on an aging population of conservative whites to hold up their electoral map. And for now, the Democrats eclectic coalition of white moderates, young liberals and African-American, Latino and Asian-American voters was more than enough to seize the House.In Chicago, Jones had gotten more than 10,295 votes as of 11 p.m. Tuesday; in Will County, he received 11,576 votes in the county; and in DuPage County, he got 176 votes, according to unofficial tallies. Jones won four of Will Countys 43 precincts, taking one in Lockport and three in Homer Glen by just dozens of votes, with 100 percent of precincts reporting and according to unofficial results.But after eight years in the minority, most Democrats believe they will need to do more than embarrass the White House with subpoenas and investigative hearings if they want to be more than a one-term majority and reclaim the presidency in 2020. Ms. Pelosi made clear her party would only bend so far. Democrats are not going to lowest common denominator to get a presidential signature, she said.

Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Ms. Pelosis longtime No. 2, said Mr. Trumps stances would speak for themselves to 2020 voters. The best politics for us is trying to work toward adopting the best policy for the American people, he added.

As they talked up possible bipartisan initiatives, Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Hoyer said that Democrats would push through  on party-line votes if necessary  other more liberal agenda items they say enjoy broad public support but have been stymied for years by Republican majorities. They include gun safety legislation; a bill to give permanent legal status and a path to citizenship to young, undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children; and the Equality Act, which would amend longstanding civil rights laws to extend legal protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ms. Pelosi said that she would urge her caucus to revive a select committee focused on climate change, similar to the one that Democrats financed from 2007 to early 2011, to prepare the way with evidence for energy conservation and other climate change mitigation legislation. Republicans defunded the panel when they took the majority, but Ms. Pelosi said it was clearly still needed to educate the public about the impact of more frequent extreme weather events.

The template for 2020 is getting built in the House, said Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona, a progressive in line to chair the Natural Resources Committee, summing up another Democratic view.

Democrats have also prepared detailed, more liberal approaches for a $1 trillion infrastructure package and how to slow the increases in prescription drug costs, but indicated that they would steer proposals through the regular committee process in an effort to try to build a consensus with Republicans first. Mr. Hoyer said Democrats and Republicans would disagree over how to fund infrastructure spending, but they could bridge the gap with Mr. Trumps help.

At least in theory, Democrats view election and ethics reform as another issue of potential collaboration. But their legislative package of more than a dozen bills, overseen by Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland, looks more like a retort to Mr. Trumps popular campaign claims that he would drain the swamp in Washington  a difference Democrats have weaponized on the campaign trail.There are 100 senators in total, two per state. Each is elected to a six-year term.

George Washington is said to have explained the purpose of the Senate as to be more deliberative than the House: We pour legislation into the Senate saucer to cool it.

The Constitution gives the Senate the power to approve presidential nominations, including Supreme Court justices. Senators are also tasked with approving treaties with foreign countries.

The Senate has a long history of closely watched investigative hearings. A Senate committee investigated the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, for example, as well as allegations of sexual harassment against Justice Clarence Thomas in the 1990s.

Though impeachment proceedings begin in the House, the matter is then sent to the Senate, whose chambers act as a courtroom for the trial. The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, essentially serving as the jury, as it did when it acquitted President Bill Clinton in 1999.

At least two-thirds of senators have to find the president guilty to remove him from office.

Which body has more power?

Although the Senate and the House have similar responsibilities to provide government oversight, the founding fathers gave them certain specialties, said Mr. Baker, the Rutgers professor.

They have very distinct and separate functions to play, he said. In the Senate, its nominations and treaties, and in the House, its taxes and spending.

Leading up to the midterm elections, House Democrats were preparing for an onslaught of hearings, subpoenas and investigations into nearly every corner of the Trump administration. The Democrat in line to be chairman of the Judiciary Committee also promised to open an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct and perjury against Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh if the Democrats won a House majority.The firing of Mr. Sessions came a day after midterm elections that handed control of the House to Democrats, dealing a major blow to Mr. Trump for the final two years of his term. Republicans preserved their hold on the Senate and increased their majority slightly, making it likelier that Mr. Trump would be able to confirm a replacement.

But House Democrats have made clear that they plan to use the subpoena power that will come with their majority to reopen the lower chambers own investigation into the Russia matter.

The abrupt ouster of Mr. Sessions resembled in some ways the decision by President George W. Bush to oust Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in 2006 the day after a similar electoral defeat in midterm elections. In that case, Mr. Bush was attempting to mollify his critics. Mr. Trumps decision to fire Mr. Sessions appeared likely to inflame his adversaries on Capitol Hill.

John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, called Mr. Sessions before the presidents postelection news conference on Wednesday to tell the attorney general that Mr. Trump wanted him to step down, the administration official said. Mr. Trump, who did not speak with Mr. Sessions himself, then ducked questions about Mr. Sessionss fate at the news conference.

Mr. Sessions then had his letter, which was undated, delivered to the White House. Dear Mr. President, at your request I am submitting my resignation, he wrote. He added, Most importantly, in my time as attorney general we have restored and upheld the rule of law, and thanked the president.

Mr. Trump announced the resignation and Mr. Whitakers assignment on Twitter. We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! he wrote. A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.

Though Mr. Trump has said for months that he wished to replace Mr. Sessions, lawmakers and administration officials believed that firing the attorney general before the midterm elections would have had negative consequences for Republicans in tight races. So it came as little surprise when Mr. Sessions was asked to resign the day after the midterms were over.Marijuana initiatives appeared on ballots in four states in the midterm elections. In Michigan and North Dakota, initiatives gave voters the opportunity to legalize marijuana for recreational use. In Missouri and Utah, voters chose whether to allow people who are sick to use the drug for medical reasons.

Here are the results of those initiatives.

Michigan voters legalized the sale and use of marijuana

Michigan became the first Midwestern state to legalize recreational marijuana, and the 10th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to allow adults to possess the drug in small amounts for recreational use. Fifty-six percent of the states voters cast ballots in favor of the measure.

In doing so, voters endorsed Proposal 1, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, which permits people who are 21 or older to possess and grow cannabis and related concentrates for personal use. It also licenses commercial production and retail sales of marijuana.

[Voters weighed in on key issues through more than 150 ballot initiatives nationwide.]

Advocates of legalization said the measure would curb arrests and redirect tax money. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which tracked the progress of the Michigan vote and the marijuana ballot initiatives in other states, said voters approval of Proposal 1 was a resounding rebuke of the states policy of prohibition and of its racist application of arrests.The final results are not all tallied, but the lasting impact of the 2018 election  one of the most hotly contested midterms in modern history, notable for the exceptionally high turnout and underscored by considerable angst  is becoming clear.

Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, ending one-party rule in Washington and establishing a major barrier to President Trumps legislative agenda. But Republicans strengthened their majority in the Senate. Governors races were a mixed bag, with Republicans claiming high-profile victories in Georgia and Florida while Democrats gained seats in Kansas and Michigan. It was also a night of historic firsts for female candidates, particularly women of color, in races across the country.

Many voters braved long lines or soggy weather to cast their ballots in races that covered everything from referendums to state and local races to congressional seats. Here are some photos from the day, and an analysis of what the results could mean for the country, Congress and Mr. Trump.Arizona

Vote counting continued on Friday in Arizona, where the Senate race between Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, and Martha McSally, a Republican, has yet to be called.

Ms. Sinema, a former Green Party activist who reinvented herself as a centrist Democrat, was leading Ms. McSally by less than one percentage point on Friday, according to unofficial results posted online by Arizonas Secretary of State Michele Reagan.

Read the latest from Arizona here.

Georgia

Two races have yet to be called in Georgia: the governors race between the Democrat Stacey Abrams and the Republican Brian Kemp and the House race in the Seventh District, between the Democrat, Carolyn Bourdeaux, and the Republican incumbent, Rob Woodall.

In the governors race, Mr. Kemp leads Ms. Abrams, but she believes enough votes remain outstanding to put a runoff or recount within reach. We will continue to advocate for every ballot to be counted and take the appropriate legal measures to ensure the legitimacy of this election, said Lauren Groh-Wargo, her campaign manager.

The Abrams campaign said there are a few types of votes yet to be counted: provisional ballots, which are filled out if there are questions about identification or a persons registration, and ballots from military servicemembers and Americans living overseas that were not due until Friday. A federal judge ruled Friday that regular absentee ballots in one southwest Georgia county, delayed because of Hurricane Michael and other circumstances, could be counted if they arrived by Friday.Under the regulation, if Mr. Whitaker were to block any of Mr. Muellers steps, Congress must be notified.

Mr. Trump was clearly motivated to replace Mr. Sessions to affect the Mueller investigation, said David Kris, a founder of the Culper Partners consulting firm who led the Justice Departments national security division during the Obama administration.

An open question, he said, is what Mr. Whitaker will do  and what reactions that will provoke from Mr. Mueller, other federal prosecutors and House Democrats.

What guerrilla-war tactics will he try to take to limit Muellers activities? Mr. Kris said of Mr. Whitaker. Under the regulation, he has a bunch of supervisory actions he can take and if he does undertake those actions, the more extreme they are, the more likely they will provoke reactions from other players in this drama.

Can Mr. Whitaker fire Mr. Mueller?

The regulation that Mr. Rosenstein invoked when appointing Mr. Mueller also made it more difficult to fire him. It said that the attorney general may remove the special counsel only for cause, like misconduct of some kind, rather than at will.

Mr. Whitaker could decide that Mr. Mueller has committed misconduct and fire him, or he could revoke the protections that the regulation provides to Mr. Mueller and then fire him without cause.

Can Mr. Whitaker quash a Mueller report?

When Mr. Mueller completes his work, he is to deliver a report about his findings to the attorney general, according to the regulation. It would then be up to the attorney general  now Mr. Whitaker  to decide whether to turn that document over to Congress or keep it secret.WASHINGTON  Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the highest-ranking House Democrat, declared on Wednesday that she was confident that her newly ascendant colleagues would elect her speaker, as she moved aggressively to hold off a challenge to her leadership that could fracture the party.

The day after midterm elections that handed her party control of the House, Ms. Pelosi curtly brushed aside questions about whether she was convinced she would continue to lead her caucus  Yes, I am, she said  even as other Democrats jockeyed for position. Republicans, after stinging losses, braced for a leadership battle of their own.

The maneuverings were the first signs of potentially bruising battles over the direction of both parties in a new era of divided government, in which Democrats and Republicans will both face internal struggles to define their messages and their tactics. Democrats faced immediate decisions on how aggressively, and where, to use their oversight powers to investigate President Trump and his administration, and how far to go in seeking compromise or confrontation with a commander in chief who has labeled them sworn enemies.

Mr. Trump began the day offering Ms. Pelosi an early, if unusual, endorsement on Twitter. In a backhanded compliment to an adversary he relishes attacking, he later said during a formal postelection news conference that he would even supply her with Republican votes to win the speakership if there was not sufficient support among Democrats to elect her.In a stark display of the nations divide, the lower and upper chamber of every legislature but one  Minnesota  will be controlled by the same party following Tuesdays midterm elections. It will be the first time in 104 years that only one state will have a divided legislature.

That emerging political dynamic has potentially serious policy implications. Without a divided government, these single-party state houses are in a position to enact legislation at a time when Washington faces a new round of gridlock after Democrats captured the House and Republicans expanded their control of the Senate.

Its a reflection of polarization, Tim Storey, the director of state services for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said Wednesday. We have red state legislatures and blue state legislatures.

The political lineup of the legislatures came into focus as the Democrats captured control of seven statehouse chambers on Tuesday, a relatively weak showing that left Republicans dominant in an overwhelming majority of state governments. By contrast, Republicans seized more than 20 statehouse chambers from Democrats in the critical 2010 midterm elections, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.WASHINGTON  In 2012, American sailors injured in a terrorist attack won a $314 million default judgment against the government of Sudan. The award was at risk at the Supreme Court on Wednesday over what might otherwise have seemed a minor and technical question: whether the sailors had properly served Sudan by sending their lawsuit to its embassy in the United States.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said he was inclined to say yes.

That would be my first thought, he said. Why dont I deliver it to the embassy? I mean, the idea of mailing it to the foreign minister in some country and assuming its going to get there in any reasonable time  I think youre much more likely to reach them through the embassy.

As the argument developed, though, several justices voiced doubts about allowing service of process at embassies in light of a federal law on the question and some doubts about how best to let foreign countries know that they are defendants in an American lawsuit.

The case, Republic of Sudan v. Harrison, No. 16-1094, arose from the 2000 bombing of the destroyer Cole in Yemen by Qaeda operatives, an attack that killed 17 American sailors and injured 42 more. Fifteen of the injured sailors and three of their spouses sued Sudan, saying it had harbored and supported Osama bin Laden and other members of Al Qaeda in the years before the bombing.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  Senator Gringo Honasan might be appointed as Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary as early as November 12, when Congress resumes after a one month break, Senate President Tito Sotto said Wednesday.

At a Kapihan sa Cafe Adriatico media forum, Sotto confirmed the rumors that have been swirling for months regarding Honasan's impending transfer to the DICT, saying this was discussed during the senators' meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte last month.

"Last October 29, we had a meeting with the President, Senator [Ping] Lacson, Senator Honasan and myself, together with [Executive Secretary Salvador] Medialdea and Secretary Bong Go, of course the President  Napagusapan 'yun (Honasan's appointment). Kung pwede, November 12 na si Greg. [It was discussed. If possible, Greg can go on November 12,]" Sotto said.

"I think he (Honasan) will be an asset sa DICT. Because ang nakikita lang natin doon sa DICT, communications, pero hindi eh. Ang laking factor nun sa national security," he said.

[Translation: I think he will be an asset sa DICT. Because what we only see in the DICT are communications, but it's not only that. It's a big factor in national security.]

Sotto said Malacanang long had an "overture" to invite Honasan to "help the DICT," but was put off "because we were thinking that we needed Greg in the Senate."

The Senate President added that Honasan would be a "big loss" to the Senate, but would still be useful to the upper chamber as a ranking official of the executive department.

"Every now and then, pwede namin siyang patawag. Pwede namin siyang pagalitan ni Senator Lacson," Sotto said in jest.

[Translation: Every now and then, we can summon him. Senator Lacson and I can scold him.]

Honasan, a former rebel soldier, heads the Senate defense and peace committees. Resolutions seeking probes into China's reported incursions in the West Philippine Sea, among others, are pending in the defense panel.

Sotto said Lacson, a former top cop, would "likely" replace Honasan in those committees, but added that the Senate majority would still discuss this matter.

Honasan would continue serving as a senator until his appointment is confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, Sotto said.

By tradition, the CA, composed of members of Congress, gives incumbent and former lawmakers a breezy confirmation hearing. For example, former Senator Alan Peter Cayetano got a swift nod from the CA when he was appointed as Foreign Affairs secretary.

Sotto said Honasan would hopefully be confirmed by the CA before Congress goes on break for the holidays in December, so he would not be bypassed.

"Kapag ikaw ay [If you are a] former member of Congress, you are given the courtesy of a swift approval, especially if you are a former member of the CA. Eh Senator Honasan is a current member of the CA. So I'm very optimistic that he would breeze through the CA," Sotto said.The Hyde Park Democrat spent much of the race differentiating himself from Harold, who he portrayed as out of step with much of Illinois on social issues, attacking her past opposition to gay marriage and continued opposition to abortion rights. Harold labeled Raouls campaign ads as disingenuous, and insisted that as an opponent of abortion she supported the right of same-sex couples to adopt and that she considered abortion rights and same-sex marriage as settled law.WASHINGTON  President Trump gave a wide-ranging, nearly 90-minute news conference on Wednesday, boasting about the Republicans victories a day earlier, even as his party lost control of the House.

The president brandished new historic statistics, familiar complaints about what he described as the hostile news media and self-praise for personally delivering important victories.

Republicans retained and strengthened their majority in the Senate, defeating three Democratic incumbents, but they lost their grip on the House, ceding 26 seats to Democrats.

Though this years midterm elections reflected a deeply divided nation, with some voters who supported Mr. Trump in the 2016 election choosing Democratic candidates this time around, Mr. Trump said the greatest lesson from Tuesdays results was that people like me.The subpoena process and investigations will be difficult, said Marc Short, a former White House legislative director for Mr. Trump. But theres probably nothing that could help the presidents re-election prospects better than having Nancy Pelosi as speaker.

[Make sense of the countrys political landscape with our newsletter.]

Former Representative Steve Israel, Democrat of New York, said the election results were a mixed bag for the president. With a House Democratic majority, he has the foil he needs for his re-election campaign in 2020, Mr. Israel said. But no president wants the other party with subpoena power  certainly not this president.

On the campaign trail, Mr. Trump characterized the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency, telling supporters that they needed to vote for Republicans to continue his policies and guard him against impeachment. He made clear that he would cast a victory as a personal vindication while pre-emptively insisting that if Republicans lost, it would not be a repudiation of him.

In the days leading up to the elections, Mr. Trump emphasized that history was against him because most presidents see their party lose seats in midterm elections, in effect trying to inoculate himself against any backlash that might come with a defeat. He had a point. In the 39 midterm elections since 1862, the presidents party lost House seats 35 times and seats in the Senate 24 times.

Moreover, Mr. Trump was spared the worst outcome as Republicans held onto the Senate, ensuring his ability to continue confirming judges and other appointees. The Senate will most likely block any unfriendly legislation that House Democrats might advance, avoiding the need for the president to use his veto power.

But Republican setbacks in governors races in key states could complicate Mr. Trumps re-election campaign in two years. Democrats captured the governors mansions in states like Kansas and Michigan that Mr. Trump won two years ago, and their control over governments in those places could make it harder for the president to repeat his feat in 2020.WASHINGTON  President Trump threatened on Wednesday to adopt a warlike posture against Democrats if they use their newly won control of the House to investigate his financial and political dealings, drawing a line at the start of a new era of divided government.

The president began a postelection news conference with an offer to work across party lines, but his conciliatory tone quickly turned contentious. And barely an hour later, he announced the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in defiance of Democrats who saw an effort to impede the Russia investigation.

House Democrats also made the traditional nod to bipartisanship after their victory in Tuesdays midterm elections even as they emphasized that they would scrutinize everything from Mr. Trumps taxes to his campaigns ties to Russia in 2016. But after Mr. Sessions was fired, the incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said the decision would be investigated once Democrats took over in January.

[Read the latest on Jeff Sessionss resignation.]

The instant exchange of fire indicated that there may be no lull in the conflict that has cleaved Washington during the Trump era, and if anything, it may escalate beyond what the last two years have brought. Once in control of all the levers of power in the capital, the president and his party now face the prospect of an opposition House armed with subpoena power and stocked by Democrats who won office on the promise of imposing a check on him.WASHINGTON  President Trump said on Wednesday that he will not meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia this weekend, contradicting the Kremlin, which said earlier in the day that the two would have a discussion while in Paris for an unrelated gathering of world leaders.

The on-again, off-again meeting has been the subject of confusion and conflicting reports in recent weeks. At one point last month, the two sides indicated that the presidents would meet in Paris, then Mr. Trump said earlier this week that they would probably not, then the Kremlin said Wednesday that they would at least meet briefly during lunch on Sunday.

At a news conference at the White House later Wednesday, Mr. Trump said that was not the case. They would both attend a lunch for world leaders scheduled on Sunday, he said, but were not set to have a conversation.

I dont think we have anything scheduled in Paris and Im coming back very quickly, the president said. I dont think we have time set aside for that meeting.If one thing became clear on Election Day, it was that Americans were eager to vote.

They turned out in huge numbers on Tuesday, capping off a tumultuous, monthslong midterm campaign marked by racial division, bitter disputes over immigration and two episodes of domestic terrorism, including one that left 11 people dead at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Turnout was significantly higher this year than in the 2014 midterm elections, when Republicans made sweeping gains in the House and Senate during President Barack Obamas final term. The number of voters was up by double-digit percentages in some counties even before all votes were counted.

But the demographic breakdown of those who voted was not clear on Tuesday night, and it was impossible to say yet whether, as voting rights advocates feared, restrictive voting laws in some states had deterred African-American and Hispanic voters.

The increases appeared to happen across the board, in both Democratic- and Republican-leaning counties. In Florida, with 98 percent of precincts reporting statewide, turnout in Duval and Pasco Counties  both Republican  was up by 38 percent and 29 percent over 2014. In Broward and Hillsborough Counties, both Democratic, turnout was up by 30 and 35 percent.DAKAR, Senegal  Dozens of students kidnapped from a boarding school in a restive region of Cameroon were freed late Tuesday after being held hostage for about two days, according to local and military officials.

The circumstances of the mass kidnapping were mired in confusion, but more than 70 teenage students were dropped off at the campus of their Presbyterian Secondary School by masked men around 11 p.m., said Samuel Fonki, a pastor in Bamenda who works with the school.

He added that no ransom had been paid for the release of the children, who were taken sometime Sunday or Monday from their campus in Nkwen, a small village outside Bamenda, where separatists are waging a violent battle for independence from Cameroon.

Mr. Fonki said the students all appeared healthy and were immediately taken to security forces for questioning. He said a teacher and a principal were still being held captive, but military officials indicated that all hostages were freed. It remains unclear who abducted the hostages, but the military said they had been abandoned by their captors after the area was sealed off by soldiers.Hundreds of thousands of oil lamps illuminated the northern Indian city of Ayodhya as part of the festival of Diwali, casting a glowing light over the city on Tuesday.

But the lamps did not just set the scene for the annual five-day celebration, also known as the festival of lights, celebrated by millions in India and around the world. They also set a world record, according to officials.

The 300,150 oil lamps broke a Guinness world record when they burned simultaneously for more than five minutes and provided a stunning spectacle for thousands of city residents and visitors who took part in the lighting. The flickering lamps cast a glow on the Sarayu River, considered sacred in the Hindu religion.WASHINGTON  The goal of a diplomatic meeting set for Thursday seemed simple: Nail down a plan for a second summit between President Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

But finalizing the meeting itself  between Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, and one of Mr. Kims top compatriots  proved harder than expected. The State Department announced early Wednesday that it had been canceled.

Ongoing conversations continue to take place, the statement said tersely.

The cancellation leaves little doubt that the diplomatic process between the United States and North Korea is now mired in quicksand after peaking in Singapore with the initial summit between the two leaders. There are mismatched demands and expectations on both sides, and the pitfalls have only gotten more obvious in recent weeks.

At the White House later Wednesday, Mr. Trump said the meeting would be rescheduled and insisted that were very happy with how its going with North Korea.MANILA  One of the founding members of a Philippine lawyers group at the forefront of opposing President Rodrigo Dutertes lethal war on drugs was gunned down on Tuesday, killed by three bullets as he was leaving his office for the night.

The attorney, Benjamin Ramos, 56, was the 34th lawyer killed since Mr. Duterte became president two years ago. His group, the National Union of Peoples Lawyers, specialized in doing no-cost work for poor clients whose families have been targeted by the police, soldiers and death squads associated with the presidents drug war.

We are shocked, devastated and enraged at the premeditated, coldblooded murder of our colleague and fellow peoples lawyer, said Edre Olalia, a leader of the group. We are disturbed and unbowed. These are dangerous times.

Initial police reports said that Mr. Ramos had just finished work when he was shot by motorcycle-riding men near the central town of Kabankalan on Tuesday night. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.HONG KONG  A meeting in New York this week between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Koreas leading nuclear weapons negotiator has been called off, the State Department said Wednesday.

The meeting, which had been scheduled for Thursday, will now take place at a later date, Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, said in a written statement. We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit.

No reason was given for the decision, and the statement did not indicate which side requested it. The postponement of the meeting threw another wrench in Washingtons efforts to get North Korea to denuclearize.

The State Department had said earlier that Mr. Pompeo planned to meet with Kim Yong-chol, North Koreas former intelligence chief and top diplomat. They were expected to discuss the goals established at the June summit meeting in Singapore between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, Ms. Nauert said.As soon as Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced in early September that he wouldnt seek a third term, Mendozas name surfaced on the short list of high-profile candidates who might vie to succeed him. She has since said she was concentrating on getting elected to a first full term as comptroller, while not ruling out a run for mayor.On Monday, New Brunswick became the latest province to confront a shortage as Cannabis NB, the provincial government agency charged with selling marijuana, temporarily closed half of its 20 stores, citing a production bottleneck. After about 20 percent of its first order was delivered, it said it was waiting for more marijuana deliveries to help plug the gap.

That followed the decision by Quebecs provincial cannabis agency to shutter its 12 cannabis outlets three days a week until the supply can be replenished.

[Want more Canadian coverage in your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly Canada Letter newsletter.]

In Ontario, some frustrated pot smokers say they have returned to their illegal dealers. The Ontario Cannabis Store, the government retailer, received 150,000 orders in its first week of business and has been struggling to keep up with soaring demand. The problems have been exacerbated by a postal strike.

The government is just feeding the black market and our customers are going there, said Mr. Tobin, the shopkeeper. We are called High North. But legal weed is in such short supply that no one is getting high on it.

Mr. Tobin said that after opening the store on Oct. 17, the day of legalization, his entire marijuana supply sold out in four hours. Among the items flying off the shelves were a potent sativa strain that gives people a creative and social buzz, and pre-rolled joints, he said.

After waiting two weeks to get a new cannabis shipment, he said he had been forced to shutter the store for a week. He said he and his mother had invested about 100,000 Canadian dollars in the shop and were struggling to pay their bills.

His suppliers, who are licensed by the provincial government, had told him that they had underestimated demand. The store, which has now reopened, is trying to scrape by with the sales of paraphernalia like bongs and rolling papers. But Mr. Tobin said it was not enough for the business to be profitable.OTTAWA  Canadians will closely watch the fate of a newly negotiated trade pact, analysts said, after the American midterm elections brought Democrats to power in the House and injected a new element of uncertainty in trade relations.

Polls show that President Trump is widely unpopular among Canadians, experts noted, so the results may have given a measure of satisfaction to some.

Theyre going to be happy that this is a bit of a slap in the face of this president, said Dane Rowlands, director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa.

But while many Canadians didnt like Mr. Trumps negotiating tactics and some aspects of the new trade accord, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, there is a broad consensus that it is better than not having a deal at all with the United States, Canadas largest export market.ROME  At a police convention in October, Matteo Salvini, the most powerful figure in Italys populist government, ran his hands over an enormous military-grade sniper rifle and posed with a submachine gun. Before elections this year, he campaigned at a gun show and signed a cooperation pledge with a group advocating looser gun laws in Italy.

Its tradition, Mr. Salvini said of hunting and responsible gun ownership when he signed the pledge. Its culture.

Italian culture, linked in the popular imagination with fine art, fashion and good food, does not typically conjure up the image of assault weapons. But in September, the government loosened gun laws, making it possible to own more guns like the AR-15, an assault rifle that has been used in numerous mass shootings in the United States, most recently a Pennsylvania synagogue where 11 were killed.

Opponents of Mr. Salvini wonder why he would want to import the freewheeling gun culture so associated with the United States, which is far and away the developed worlds leader in mass shootings and other gun-related violence. The easy answer seems to be politics.MARSEILLE, France  The death toll in the collapse of two dilapidated buildings in the southern French city of Marseille rose to six on Wednesday, drawing outrage from residents who say the authorities routinely ignore warnings about the state of housing in low-income neighborhoods.

Rescue workers sifting through the rubble of the adjacent buildings, which crumbled Monday morning in Noailles, near the citys Old Port, have so far retrieved the bodies of four men and two women, said the Marseille prosecutor, Xavier Tarabeux.

The interior minister, Christophe Castaner, said that 120 police officers and 80 firefighters had joined the search-and-rescue operation, and that they had identified air pockets in the debris that meant there could be survivors.

Were working hard, so theres still hope, a rescue worker said at dawn on Wednesday as his team, which included sniffer dogs, searched the rubble. No survivors have been found so far.MOSCOW  One of Russias most daring and innovative directors went on trial on Wednesday, charged in a financial fraud case widely seen among the countrys intelligentsia as a test of artistic freedom.

The director, Kirill Serebrennikov, and his three co-defendants pleaded not guilty to conspiring to embezzle 133 million rubles, or more than $2 million, in government funds allocated to a groundbreaking theater festival. They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

I have never stolen anything from anybody and have never organized any gang apart from a theater group, Mr. Serebrennikov, a theater and movie director acclaimed across Europe and beyond, said in entering his plea in Moscows Meshchansky District Court.

Although the charges are focused on a festival that ended almost four years ago, Russias artistic community considers it a much larger issue revolving around freedom of expression. In their eyes, the administration of President Vladimir V. Putin, having long since tamed the news media and the countrys once politically active oligarchs, is now determined to bring the arts to heel.Tonights successes were achieved not by trying to divide people, but by looking to what unites us. Not by running from responsibility, but by speaking honestly about the challenges we face, Madigan said in a statement. This will be our path forward with a new Democratic governor, expanded majorities in the state House and Senate.  We look forward to putting the long-term health of our state first again. And I look forward to continuing to work with Democrats and Republicans throughout Illinois to get our state back on track.A review of how CNN, Fox News and MSNBC covered the election results on Tuesday night provides a glimpse at how the three 24-hour cable networks came up with slightly different themes and narratives as the votes came in. Heres our hour-by-hour, compare-and-contrast guide.

8 PM ET

MSNBC CNN Fox News

On MSNBC, the veteran Democratic political consultant James Carville said he wasnt expecting much of a blue wave. Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, also sounded less than sanguine about her partys chances. I have no flippin idea whats going to happen tonight, Ms. McCaskill said during an interview with the anchor Rachel Maddow.

(She ended up losing big.)

Over at Fox News, the focus was on the Florida governors race between Ron DeSantis, a Republican backed by President Trump, and Mayor Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee, a Democrat. The pundit Laura Ingraham, on panel duty for the night, said that if Mr. DeSantis squeaks out a victory here, I gotta say its all Donald Trump who won this for him.

The Senate contest in Texas was a big topic on CNN. Working the interactive map known as the Magic Wall, John King wondered aloud whether Beto ORourke, the Democrat challenging Senator Ted Cruz, the Republican incumbent, was pulling off the Texas miracle.

Mr. King also hit on a theme that would harden into conventional wisdom by nights end: The suburbs in America are revolting against President Trump.

9 PM ET

MSNBC CNN Fox News

Fox News broke away from the media pack at 9:33 p.m. with a bold prognostication from the anchor Bret Baier: We are now ready to make one of the biggest calls of the night. The Fox News decision desk can now project the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years.

Led by its polling chief, Arnon Mishkin, Fox News was using a different set of voter data than its rivals  and it paid off. Chris Wallace said that after taking control of the House, Democrats could open investigations of Mr. Trump. It is a very, very big deal, he said. This will be a different Washington.

While Fox News was considering the downside of a flipped House for the president, the mood at the liberal-leaning MSNBC was wary, if not glum. Chris Matthews tried to buck up the mood, predicting that Democrats could end up picking up what I would call a wave by 2 a.m. Toward the end of the hour  at 9:57 p.m.  NBC News gave Democrats a 90 percent chance of taking control of the House.

Also lagging behind Fox News, CNN offered a panel discussion led by Anderson Cooper on the lack of Democratic momentum. This is heartbreaking, said the liberal panelist Van Jones.

10 PM ET

MSNBC CNN Fox News

With few races to call at the top of the hour, MSNBC resembled the local New York news channel NY1 during a lengthy discussion of transportation infrastructure in the New York tristate area. The proceedings came back to life with the projection that Mr. Cruz had beaten Mr. ORourke, a rising Democratic star, and a definitive call that the Democrats would take the House.

Fox News had already moved on, informing viewers that Republicans would expand their majority in the Senate.

The bottom line is that the conservative judicial train will keep running, said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina. Toward the end of an interview conducted remotely, Mr. Graham went on to warn House Democrats against trying to impeach Mr. Trump: It will blow up in their face, he said.

On CNN, the graphics were glitzy and the fanfare music blared with each call, but the networks projections remained cautious, with the anchors deciding against making the call for a Democratic House until.

11 PM ET

MSNBC CNN Fox News

Wolf Blitzer, CNNs host, finally projected that the Democrats would take the House as the 11 oclock hour began. He called the development a very significant defeat for Mr. Trump.

In a rare cutaway to a scene outside the studio, the correspondent Manu Raju, reporting from Democratic headquarters in Washington, said that party members were already planning to look into the presidents tax returns and his relationships with foreign governments.

MSNBC opened the hour with Mr. Gillums concession speech before Ms. Maddow and her team filled the time with educated guesses about how a House under Democratic control might change the country. At Fox News, Mr. Baier and his fellow anchor Martha MacCallum interviewed Floridas governor-elect, Mr. DeSantis, to discuss his narrow victory.

Back in CNNs studio, Mr. Jones said that his heart has been restored with the end of one-party rule in the United States, thank God.Mr. Adler is a computational research specialist at Princeton Universitys Princeton Gerrymandering Project. Mr. Thompson is the graphics director for Opinion.

Mr. Adler is a computational research specialist at Princeton Universitys Princeton Gerrymandering Project. Mr. Thompson is the graphics director for Opinion.

The midterms saw a blue wave of Democratic support, with the party gaining at least 26 House seats and winning the popular vote by seven points. While it was a significant victory that gave control of the House to the Democrats, they could have won even more seats if not for gerrymanders  carefully manipulated district maps that have given Republicans a substantial advantage in House elections since 2012.

Particularly in four states  Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas  Democratic candidates gained support from voters relative to 2016, but gained relatively few seats.

The popular vote increased for Democrats in these states ... ... but they gained no seats Ohio 42.5% +5.4 pct. pts. Dem. 2018 4 seats Dem. 2016 +0 seats Dem. 2018 North Carolina 46.4% Dem. 2016 +2.9 pct. pts. Dem. 2018 3 seats Dem. 2016 +0 seats Dem. 2018 Note: Popular vote reflects average of two-party vote share across districts. While the popular vote increased for Democrats in Ohio and N.C., the number of seats did not Ohio Popular vote 42.5% Dem. 2016 +5.4 pct. pts. Dem. 2018 Seats 4 seats Dem. 2016 +0 seats Dem. 2018 North Carolina Popular vote 46.4% Dem. 2016 +2.9 pct. pts. Dem. 2018 Seats 3 seats Dem. 2016 +0 seats Dem. 2018 Note: Popular vote reflects average of two-party vote share across districts.

In Ohio, Democrats Couldnt Translate Votes to Seats

The Democratic disadvantage is most glaring in Ohio: While Democrats won 48 percent of the popular vote there, up from 43 percent in 2016, they collected only 25 percent of the states House seats  the same four seats they have held since 2012.

Contrast these results against a fairer system in which either party can capture, say, 11 seats if it wins 57 percent of the vote. In that scenario, the 2016 election results could have looked like this: evenly spaced, where each additional seat requires the same overall vote gain by either party.

Democratic vote share

But thats not what happened. The results were tilted toward Republicans.

When the Republican-controlled State Legislature and Republican governor redrew the congressional map in 2011, they distorted how voters are distributed. They packed voters who tended to vote Democratic into four districts (the Third, Ninth, 11th and 13th). The remaining left-leaning voters were scattered among across a large number of districts in which Republicans won by safe margins.

The map was still in effect this year. The gerrymandering advantage built by Republicans withstood the blue wave.

Democratic vote share

The gerrymander was drafted with large enough margins that even the five-point shift toward the Democrats this year failed to push a single Republican district into the blue, leaving the 124 seat split intact.

Gerrymandering in North Carolina, Michigan and Texas

Republican gerrymanders in North Carolina, Michigan and Texas also withstood the blue wave, with few or no districts flipping in the Democrats favor:

In North Carolina, the Democrats gained 2.9 percentage points, but flipped no seats...

Democratic vote share

In Michigan, Democrats flipped two seats, but got only 50 percent of the seats despite winning 54 percent of the vote...

Democratic vote share

In Texas, the blue wave pushed almost every district toward the Democrats (including a major upset in the 32nd District), but a large number of districts just barely fail to cross the 50 percent mark

Democratic vote share

Redistricting Reform Makes Progress

After decades of blatant partisan gerrymandering, things may finally be changing. In May, Ohioans voted overwhelmingly to put redistricting in the hands of a bipartisan commission rather than self-interested legislators, and, on Tuesday, voters also approved reform measures in Colorado, Michigan and Missouri. (Utahns voted on a measure, too, but as of Wednesday afternoon the vote was too close to call.)

Colorado: Independent Commission for Congressional Redistricting Answer Votes Pct. Yes 1,300,912 70.8 % 1,837,017 votes, 81% reporting (2,597 of 3,219 precincts) Missouri: Revise State Redistricting Answer Votes Pct. Yes 1,459,576 62.0 % 2,354,588 votes, 100% reporting (3,256 of 3,256 precincts) Michigan: Create Redistricting Commission Answer Votes Pct. Yes 2,449,302 61.1 % 4,005,445 votes, 98% reporting (4,710 of 4,808 precincts) Utah: Redistricting Commission Answer Votes Pct. For 368,248 50.3 % 732,449 votes, 74% reporting (1,836 of 2,492 precincts)

A Fairer Future

The congressional district maps will next be redrawn in 2021. If voters continue to demand redistricting reform, those maps should be much fairer and better reflect their interests.

They may look similar to California and Arizona, two states where the maps were drawn by independent citizens commissions  the gold standard of redistricting.

Democratic vote share

Democratic vote shareDemocrats won the House as voters across nearly all demographic groups moved to the left, especially women and young people, according to exit polls.

White women swung left, but House Democrats failed to win the group outright.

In the 2016 presidential election, 55 percent of white women voted for Republicans. And this year, the group backed Democrats and Republicans evenly.

Historically, women, people of color and young voters have been more likely to cast ballots for Democrats, while men and wealthier voters have tended to favor Republicans. These demographic divisions held in 2018, but the last few decades of exit polls show that that has not always been the case.

Women broke hard for Democrats this year, even more so than usual.

The gender gap has remained relatively consistent since the 1980s, but it has been widening in recent years. Political scientists attribute this to women placing more of an emphasis on social welfare issues like health care and child care, which generally align with the Democratic Party, whereas men are more concerned with issues like taxes and national security.

The age divide among voters is a relatively new phenomenon.

There was not much of a partisan age gap until the mid-2000s, fueled in part by young Americans discontent with the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, and propelled by Barack Obamas presidential candidacy, said Brian F. Schaffner, a political scientist at Tufts University. This year, voters under age 30 broke for Democrats by a 35-point margin.

All racial groups moved left, but white voters remain solidly Republican.

Race is the most pronounced partisan difference in how people vote, especially among white and black voters, said Dr. Schaffner. Latino voters, on the other hand, are a much less homogeneous group. This year, Asian voters swung left more than any other voters of color.

Middle-income voters returned to the Democratic Party."I thought that was so brave. I think she's got the moxie and the courage to stand up for her beliefs," said Kristin Schrader, a 51-year-old marketing and communications officer for a Girl Scouts organization who voted for Whitmer. The resident of Superior Township near Ann Arbor called Whitmer pragmatic and credited her for working across the aisle and staying positive despite being in the minority party for so long. Others who voted for Whitmer cited her pledge to press for a multibillion-dollar plan to improve deteriorating roads.ORLANDO, FLA.  Former Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis put his thanks squarely where it was due after declaring victory in Florida's governor election: with President Donald Trump .



He said Trump's support made all the difference in his defeat of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum , who was hoping to be Florida's first black governor and the first Democrat elected governor since 1994.



"I'd like to thank our president for standing by me, for standing by me when it wasn't necessarily the smart thing," DeSantis said after the vote count gave him the edge. "Mr. President, I look forward to working with you to advance Florida's priorities."



Trump tweeted his congratulations early Wednesday: "Ron DeSantis showed great courage in his hard fought campaign to become the Governor of Florida. Congratulations to Ron and family!"



Republicans have now won the governor's office six consecutive times. The Capitol will enter its third decade under complete Republican rule when DeSantis takes office in January.



Gillum trailed by about 1 percentage point and fewer than 80,000 votes when he conceded. He had built a lot of enthusiasm around his campaign and led in most polls leading up to the final week of the election.



But that's when Trump came to Florida  twice  to boost turnout for DeSantis.



Trump, who carried Florida in his presidential win, also helped save DeSantis in the GOP primary, when he entered the race as an underdog against a better-known and better funded Republican opponent. Trump tweeted his support and held a rally, and DeSantis easily defeated Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, despite failing to lay out a plan of what he would do if elected.



DeSantis, 40, said the "political and media classes" had been eager to write his political obituary.



"On Election Day, it's the voice of the people that roars," he said. Election Day "is the one day the elites don't call the shots ... and they don't set the agenda."



DeSantis presented himself as a political outsider despite serving three terms in Congress and running for U.S. Senate in 2016. He dropped out of that race when Republican Sen. Marco Rubio decided to run for re-election.



"Ron DeSantis has made a career out of protecting citizens. He did it in the military, he did it as a prosecutor and now he will do it as governor," said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. "We're excited to get this thing done. It's been a long political season."



Gillum, 39, told his supporters he's not going away.



"We have a choice to make tomorrow morning. Are we going to wake up and bask in sorrow and defeat, or are we going to get up and reassert ourselves to the mission at hand? Are we going to get up and fight for the things we believe in? Are we going to get up and say we still deserve our seat at our table?"



He choked up a bit when he made reference to his campaign slogan, "Bring it home."



"This was from the very beginning an extremely, extremely difficult task. I sincerely regret that I couldn't bring it home to you," Gillum said.



After his concession speech, supporters hugged one another. Many cried.



"In four years, he'll be able to run again," said Cindy Martin, 50, of Pensacola. "Maybe 80,000 people will wake up and say, 'OK, we didn't vote the last time.'"



Florida A&M student Jalen McClees said that regardless of the result, Gillum made him proud.



"The polls might say the opposite, but Andrew Gillum really won. He set the tone for us as African-Americans to do certain things," said McClees, 18. "He inspired a lot of people, and he made a movement."



DeSantis stumbled out of the gate after winning the Aug. 28 primary, telling Fox News that voters shouldn't "monkey this up" by electing Florida's first black nominee for governor. DeSantis angrily disputed that he's been racially insensitive during a debate.



DeSantis tried to connect with working-class families by pointing out in campaign ads that his first job paid $6 an hour and that he later traded in his work boots for military boots, highlighting his service in Iraq. DeSantis also spent time at the Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.



DeSantis told reporters after his speech that the most pressing issue he will address as governor is Florida's water problems.



"I've talked to the president about this. He understands it. He cares about Florida," DeSantis said. "And I told him some of this infrastructure needs to get going ... It will be a top priority for me."



___



Farrington reported from Tallahassee.



This story has been corrected to show that Republicans have won six, not seven, consecutive governor races.



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.RWest has been named agency of record for Spains Rioja Wines. The agency will work with the Consejo Regulador (Regulatory Wine Council) of DOCa Rioja. to bring the regions wines and lifestyle to a wider North American audience. RWest efforts for the Rioja brand are to include PR, social media, digital, paid media and a dedicated Rioja Trade Program. Rioja wines are protected by the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain, which administers highly sophisticated and stringent quality control in the winemaking process, from viniculture to bottling.

Brandware has been selected as public agency of record for American Freedom Distillery. Brandware will manage both regional and national media communications for the company, including local influencer campaigns as it launches in new markets. The St. Petersburg, Florida-based craft distillery produces American-made premium spirits, including the Rekker Rum and Horse Soldier Bourbon brands. Its bourbon bottles are pressed in molds made out of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center site.

Matter Communications has brought on seven new clients as part of the Boston's shop expansion that amplified its digital services and added 10 new staffers, including general manager Jeff Tahnk. The new clients include CureDuchenne, which works to improve and extend the lives of boys and young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Medical robotic company Myomo; payments, human resources and benefits outsourcing company Paychex; Radius Bank; web security firm Sectigo; Theracycle, a motorized exercise bike geared toward patients with such movement disorders as Parkinsons disease and MS; and the Tree Care Industry Association.Netflix has put out a call in Ireland to find tall girls for a brand new comedy series.

Netflix will soon begin production on a new original comedy, Tall Girl, a John Hughesian story of a 16-year olds struggles with her height.

McGs Wonderland production company will oversee a production led by Greys Anatomy alum Nzingha Stewart, but what the movie still needs is a lead, according to reports.

In an ad on IrishJobs.ie, Netflix is looking for girls between 13 and 21 to audition of the role of Jodi, a 16-year-old, six-foot-tall girl who is trying to navigate high school while being labelled the school's tall girl.

Tall Girl is about all the places where we feel awkward or tender, and learning not only to accept those places, but to shower them with unconditional and radical love, Stewart said in a statement.

"Jodis story finds her falling for a hunky, also-tall foreign exchange student named Stig. Theres also mention of a love triangle and a best friend named Dunkleman, who were just gonna go ahead and assume is the Ducky of the Tall Girl universe."

Girls who want to audition can visit www.tallgirlcasting.com and submit between November 5, 2018 and November 21, 2018. Tall Girl will begin shooting in January of 2019.

You can also find out more here.Introducing her amendment to the Abortion Bill, Independent Offaly TD Carol Nolan once again voiced her opposition to abortions being paid for by taxpayers.

Irish taxpayers did not vote to fund abortion. In using taxpayers money in this way, Fine Gaels Leo Varadkar and Simon Harris selectively discriminate against Taxpayers and the unborn child," Nolan claimed.

"Government Ministers sponsored funding of abortion goes against the principles of their own party members, the voters wishes and opens the door to tourism abortion at Irish taxpayers expense. Even 100 Million of tax funding wont be enough for the abortion industry. It is an abhorrent misuse of public money, she fumed.

She said she was "vocalising concerns of taxpayers in her Constituency and the many hundreds of thousands in Ireland who voted both yes and no" in the 8th Amendment referendum earlier this year.

"At no time was the voter told that their hard earned money would be used to discriminate against unborn children.

This type of funding is not a Health Service and does nothing to benefit communities. Taxpayers money must not be used to fund abortion and abortion clinics throughout Ireland," she continued.

"Like many, my conscience will not allow me to support taxpayers money being used to fund abortion, because it is not only unethical but a breach of voter trust."

It is time for a nationwide petition by Taxpayers to prevent this misuse of their money, Carol concluded.Latest weather models continue to show an area of severe low pressure approaching Ireland.

The stormy conditions look set to arrive in Ireland early on Friday morning and continue for much of the day and into Saturday morning.

Met Eireann and a number of regional weather forecasters are predicting severely stormy conditions on Friday with heavy rain and strong winds expected.

Met Eireann says, "Friday will see heavy rain arrive in the west and southwest early in the morning, quickly spreading countrywide."

"Fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds will accompany the rain with gales or strong gales likely in coastal areas. The strongest winds will be in the morning and early afternoon," the national forecaster added.

"The winds will veer southwest and moderate through the late afternoon and evening as the rain gives way to showers, but strong and gusty conditions will continue in coastal regions. Maximum temperatures 9 to 13 degrees."

Cathal Nolan from the Midland Weather Channel also told the Offaly Express that he expects "winds reaching as high as 130 km/h in some coastal areas during Friday and into Friday night."

"Presently the projected strength of the storm has the potential to produce winds of over 120 km/h, with maximum gusts at present ranging anywhere between 120-130 km/h," he added.

He said that while the coasts will experience the worst of the winds, all areas are expected to see strong winds and rain. Gusts could reach 100km/h in inland counties.Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia won re-election over a firebrand Republican supporter of President Donald Trump with strong backing from voters who say the country is headed in the wrong direction, a wide-ranging survey of the electorate shows.



Kaine, a former governor and Hillary Clinton 's running mate in 2016, beat die-hard conservative Corey Stewart to retain the Senate seat he won in 2012. As voters elected members of the U.S. Senate and Congress in Tuesday's midterm contests, AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 of Virginia voters believed the country is headed down the wrong path, compared with 4 in 10 who deemed it to be on the right track.



The survey found those who considered health care, gun policy or the environment the top issues besetting the nation backed Kaine by lopsided margins of 7 in 10 voters  or more  against his rival.



Kaine had been heavily favored during the campaign against a rival who waged a fiery Trump-style attack campaign but ran largely bereft of any support from the White House or national Republicans next door in the nation's capital.



Here's a snapshot of who voted and why in Virginia, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, an innovative nationwide survey of about 139,000 voters and nonvoters  including 4,066 voters and 702 nonvoters in the state of Virginia  conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.



___



RACE FOR THE SENATE



Kaine was about tied with Stewart among white voters. Whites with a college education preferred Kaine, and whites without a college degree were more likely to favor Stewart. Kaine had a sizable advantage among black voters and also led among Hispanic voters. Voters under 45 favored Kaine; those ages 45 and older were split.



___



KE



Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia was the first congressional incumbent to lose as her Northern Virginia district expressed continued dislike of Trump. Democratic state Sen. Jennifer Wexton won easily in the wealthy suburban district outside Washington, which Hillary Clinton had won by 10 percentage points. Comstock tried to emphasize her independence from Trump, but Wexton, a former prosecutor, portrayed the two-term incumbent as a Trump ally out of touch with the diverse, well-educated district.



Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated two-term Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Brat in Virginia's 7th District Congressional race. Brat made history by upsetting former U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor four years ago. Now it was Spanberger scoring a dramatic win. A former CIA officer and political newcomer, Spanberger cast herself as a moderate and slammed Brat for being out of touch with voters in the district covering suburbs west of Richmond and rural areas. Brat, a former economics professor, touted the strong economy.



Democrat Elaine Luria unseated Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Luria's win marked a swift change of heart in this traditionally Republican district on Virginia's coast. Luria's victory was likely boosted by antipathy toward President Donald Trump. National Democrats backed Luria. She had a military background vital for running in a district that's home to the world's largest Navy base and many veterans. Luria is a former Navy commander. Taylor is a former Navy SEAL.



__



TOP ISSUE: HEALTH CARE



Health care was at the forefront of voters' minds: Nearly a third of voters named it as the most important issue facing the nation in this year's midterm elections. Others considered immigration (2 in 10), the economy (2 in 10) as top issues, trialed by gun policy and the environment.



___



STATE OF THE ECONOMY



Voters have a positive view of the nation's current economic outlook  more than 6 in 10 said the nation's economy is good, compared with a third who said it's not good.



___



TRUMP FACTOR



For a third of Virginia voters, Trump was not a factor they considered while casting their votes. By comparison, a quarter said a reason for their vote was to express support for Trump, and 4 in 10 said they voted to express opposition to Trump.



A majority of voters in Virginia had negative views of Trump: about 6 in 10 said they disapprove of how he is handling his job as president, while 4 in 10 said they approve of Trump.



___



CONTROL OF CONGRESS



Tuesday's elections determined control of Congress in the final two years of Trump's first term in office, and three quarters of Virginia voters said which party will hold control was very important as they considered their vote. A fifth of voters said it was somewhat important.



___



ST



In Virginia, 7 in 10 registered voters who chose not to vote Tuesday were younger than 45. A wide share of those who did not vote  8 in 10  did not have a college degree. About as many nonvoters were Democrats (one third) as Republicans (one third).



___



AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate in all 50 states conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 4,066 voters and 702 nonvoters in Virginia was conducted Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, concluding as polls close on Election Day. It combines interviews in English or Spanish with a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files and self-identified registered voters selected from opt-in online panels. Participants in the probability-based portion of the survey were contacted by phone and mail, and had the opportunity to take the survey by phone or online. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error, including from sampling, question wording and order, and nonresponse. Find more details about AP VoteCast's methodology at http://www.ap.org/votecast.



___



Online:



For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics



Associated Press writer Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this report.



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Stacey Abrams opponent, Republican Brian Kemp, maintains a narrow lead over her.

Stacey Abrams refuses to concede Georgias governor race to Republican Brian Kemp as the final votes are being counted.

READ: Georgia Voters Receive Racist Robocall Calling Oprah A Magical Negro, Stacey Abrams A Poor Mans Aunt Jemima

Abrams, who would be the nations first black female governor, addressed her supporters early Wednesday morning, telling them: Im here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted. Theres voices that are waiting to be heard.

CNN received a statement from Abrams campaign saying theyre holding off on conceding to see if a runoff  another election or race  is possible. A runoff will be required if neither Abrams or Brian Kemp gets the majority-vote margin they need to win the race outright.

The statement CNN received from Abrams campaign cited multiple instances that could result in a runoff including:

three of the states largest counties that have reported only a portion of the votes that were submitted by early mail and four other large counties that have reported exactly 0 votes by mail, according to the campaign. Together, it said, the seven counties are expected to return a minimum of 77,000 ballots.'

These counties also represent heavily-Democratic leaning constituencies, and the majority of those votes are anticipated to be for Stacey Abrams, the statement continued.

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes, Kemp has a slim lead over Abrams. A Google search of the election results for the two shows Kemp at 50.5% and Abrams at 48.6%. The results were updated at 9:18am EST.

Source: CNNDr. Emerson Falls Delivers Chapel Message Nov. 7 at OBU November 7, 2018

Dr. Emerson Falls, Native American ministries specialist with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, delivered the chapel message Wednesday, Nov. 7, at OBU in Shawnee. The service took place in Raley Chapels Potter Auditorium.

Falls spoke over several passages including Revelation 5:9. He recited the passage and emphasized that Jesus blood purchased, persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

He spoke of his Native American heritage and his childhood as a Christian growing up in the Native American culture. He shared that it was difficult being a Christian and a Native American at that time, as his fellow Native Americans viewed Christianity with suspicion due to the cultural baggage that often accompanied Christianization. He shared his burden for Native American people, that they would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I believe that because Jesus came, we have the power to change the world, he said. I believe that we have the power to change society.

When I look back and I see the great social problems and the things that we have had to deal with in history, it has been the church that has made the biggest impact in society, he said. Where Gods kingdom is, we are salt and we are light and we can make a better world. So, I believe that there is going to be a great awakening in America.

Falls is a Native American of Sac and Fox and Choctaw descent. Born and raised in Oklahoma, he left to attend Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in California where he earned both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. For many years, he pastored churches in California and Arizona. He is currently the pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

In 1989, he was the founding director of the Rocky Mountain Campus of Golden Gate Seminary, located in Denver, Colorado, and he has served as president of Cook College and Theological School. He was the first elected Native American to serve as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He currently serves as president of the Gathering, campaign chairman for Indian Falls Creek and chairman of Native American Christians.

He is married to his wife, Shirley, who is a talented musician. They have two children and three grandchildren.

To view this or other chapel messages, visit OBU Spiritual Life.RALEIGH, N.C.  North Carolina's official death toll from Hurricane Florence is now 41, after a man whose home was damaged by two hurricanes in the past three years took his own life.



The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner added the 69-year-old Robeson County man to the Florence death count last week. He died Oct. 22, more than a month after Florence made landfall on Sept. 14. He had also suffered losses from Hurricane Matthew in 2016.



The man is the second suicide on the official death count. An 82-year-old Carteret County man whose home was condemned due to Florence-related flooding also killed himself.



The state's official tally says 10 of the dead drowned in their vehicles, the top cause of fatalities. Six other storm-related deaths were the result of motor vehicle crashes.



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.ATLANTA  The bruising race for governor of Georgia has been roiled by unsupported, eleventh-hour allegations from Republican candidate Brian Kemp , who is also the state's chief election official, that Democrats sought to hack the voter registration system.



His Democratic opponent, Stacey Abrams , said he is making a baseless accusation to deflect attention from an apparently severe security flaw in the system Kemp is responsible for overseeing.



Here's a look at the dispute, how it unfolded and what's at stake.



THE ALLEGATION



Kemp asked the FBI on Sunday to investigate the Democratic Party, accusing it of trying to hack the system he controls as secretary of state. He offered no evidence in support of his request for a probe of the opposition.



The FBI declined to comment.



Kemp leveled the allegation after an attorney for election-security advocates notified the FBI and Kemp's office on Saturday that a private citizen alerted him to what appeared to be a major flaw in the database used to check in voters at the polls.



Independent computer scientists told The Associated Press that the flaw would enable anyone with access to an individual voter's personal information to log on to Georgia's MyVoter registration portal and alter or delete any voter's record, potentially causing havoc.



THE DEMOCRATS' RESPONSE



Abrams on Monday called him a "bald-faced liar" who cooked up the allegation to deflect attention from his record of incompetence as secretary of state presiding over an antiquated, vulnerability-laced elections system.



"There was never a hack," she told a gathering at a Savannah union hall. "What was wrong is that he failed to do his job. He is abusing his power."



THE BACKGROUND



The finger-pointing is the latest turn in a campaign whose final weeks have been dominated by charges of voter suppression and countercharges of attempted voter fraud.



Polls suggest Kemp and Abrams are locked in a tight race in a contest that has taken on historic significance because Abrams could become the nation's first black female governor.



She has accused Kemp of using his post as secretary of state to make it harder for certain voters to cast ballots. Kemp has countered that he is following the law and that Abrams and advocacy groups are trying to help noncitizens and others cast ballots illegally.



Last month, a federal judge endorsed plaintiffs' arguments that Kemp has been derelict in his management of the state election system and that the setup is lacking in reliability.



The atmosphere has left partisans and good-government advocates alike worrying that the losing side will not accept Tuesday's results.



HOW THE LATEST ALLEGATION UNFOLDED



According to AP interviews and records released by the Georgia Democratic Party, a lawyer for election-security advocates, David Cross, notified both the FBI and Kemp's counsel Saturday that a citizen had alerted him to the flaw.



The citizen also separately informed the Georgia Democratic Party, whose voter protection director then sent an email to two Georgia Tech computer security experts, one of whom sits on a commission created by Kemp.



"If this report is accurate, it is a massive vulnerability," wrote the director, Sara Tindall Ghazal.



The online news outlet WhoWhatWhy obtained copies of some of the correspondence and published a story about the system flaw on Sunday  just as Kemp's office issued the first of two statements accusing Democrats of a "failed cyberattack."



That statement  bereft of specifics  remained prominent on his office's main web page late Monday afternoon.



THE FLAW



Four security experts independently confirmed to the AP that the voter registration site is highly vulnerable to hacking.



They said they could not duplicate the worst vulnerability identified by the "private citizen" because that would require illegal tampering. But they said the flaw would let any user logging onto the system to access and alter the records of anyone in the system.



The experts were also able to identify additional flaws. One would allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the voter registration site that could spy on visitors or steal or alter data. Another flaw: The site lacks "URL sanitizing," standard code for preventing infections from visitors.



"This is the easiest part of an assignment that we give to undergrad students in a security class. It's unbelievable how they didn't do this," University of Michigan computer scientist Matthew Bernhard told the AP.



Another computer expert who reviewed the vulnerability, Kris Constable of PrivaSecTech in Vancouver, Canada, said the system "clearly has never been audited by any computer security professional."



During a campaign stop Monday, Kemp acknowledged "a potential vulnerability that we found about" but insisted without offering details that the state's election systems are secure.



GEORGIA'S PAST PROBLEMS



The state is one of just five that continue to rely exclusively on aged electronic voting machines that computer scientists have long criticized as untrustworthy because they are easily hacked and don't leave a paper trail that can be audited in case of problems.



In 2015, Kemp's office inadvertently released the Social Security numbers and other identifying information of millions of Georgia voters. His office blamed a clerical error.



His office made headlines again last year after security experts disclosed a gaping security hole that wasn't fixed until six months after it was first reported to election authorities. Personal data was again exposed for Georgia voters  6.7 million at the time  as were passwords used by county officials to access files.



Kemp's office blamed that breach on Kennesaw State University, which managed the system on Kemp's behalf.



___



Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long and Jill Colvin in Washington;Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; and Ben Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report. Bajak reported from Boston.



___



For AP's complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics



Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.PHOTOS How to negotiate a salary

Talking about salary with a potential or current employer can be intimidating. While 81% of employees surveyed by Glassdoor in 2019 believed they deserved a raise, 40% accepted their initial salary offer and did not negotiate in their current or most recent job. Rather than wallow in low wages, leverage these tips to overcome the sweaty palms and self-doubt that come with salary negotiation.CANASTOTA, N.Y.  Thomas Burgess, the pastor of Hope Christian Fellowship in Canastota and a case supervisor with Onondaga County Adult Protective Services (APS), was recently invited to share on subjects related to the abuse of vulnerable adults.

Burgess was a panelist at the 25th annual New York State Adult Abuse Training Institute, held Sept. 26 and 27 at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany where he shared about the newly-developed Financial Exploitation Investigation Suite of Tools (FEIST) and Onondaga Countys experience as one of the pilot counties. Also on the panel were: Alan Lawitz, Esq., director, Bureau of Adult Services, New York State Office of Children and Family Services; and forensic accountant Karen Webber, CPA, CFE, Webber CPA, LLC.

On Oct. 29, Burgess presented an overview of protective services available for vulnerable adult residents of Onondaga County to 80 care coordinators at a Lunch and Learn held at St. Josephs Hospital in Syracuse.

A life-long Central New Yorker, Burgess is a 1971 graduate of Canastota High School. He then attended Syracuse University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications and Education, and subsequently completed post-graduate work at Le Moyne College to earn certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. An educator in elementary, secondary and adult education for over two decades prior to working for Onondaga County, he now frequently presents to various agencies and community groups. He is a past recipient of an Onondaga County Volunteer Award for his work with abused children and youth and a National Adult Protective Services Association Award for his work on elder justice.Verona, N.Y.  The Oneida Indian Nation hosted its 18th annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony and breakfast this past Saturday, Nov. 3 in honor of Veterans Day. Known as Americas First Allies, the Oneida Indian Nation has a legacy of supporting the United States military and honors Central New York veterans and active service men and women of the military in many ways throughout the year.

More than 400 local veterans and active service members were in attendance. Colonel Kenneth Dean Harrison, United States Army Fort Drum Garrison Commander, spoke about Fort Drums continued efforts to boost community interaction and involvement, highlighting the importance of its continued collaboration with the Oneida Nation, which he credits for jumpstarting the Forts outreach efforts.

Were working hard to open the gates of Ft. Drum to the community, Harrison said. This friendship and cooperation with the Oneida Nation is a treasure.

Preceding Harrisons keynote address, Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, an Army veteran and chair of the New York State Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans, addressed the group. An Upstate New York native, Hunter serves the 128th Assembly District, which includes parts of the city of Syracuse.

Hunter addressed her continued efforts in the New York State Assembly to fight for additional resources for the states veterans. As the only female veteran in the state Legislature, she says its incumbent on all citizens to honor the men and women in the military. She also highlighted a recent bill that makes it easier for individuals to get into civil service and said she works every day to ensure veterans have every opportunity to succeed.

U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veteran and Oneida Nation Wolf Clan Councilmember Keller George presented Harrison and Hunter with a friendship feather and a copy of the book, Forgotten Allies, which details the Oneida Nations history as the countrys First Allies.

During Saturdays event, the Oneida Nation Foundation also donated $1,000 to Feed Our Vets, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing fully-stocked food pantries for veterans in need.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7)  Embattled Senator Antonio Trillanes IV formally asked a Makati court to declare as unconstitutional President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial proclamation voiding his amnesty.

In his motion for partial reconsideration he filed on Wednesday, Trillanes formally asked Judge Andres Soriano of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 to reverse an earlier ruling upholding the legality of Duterte's proclamation.

Proclamation No. 572 voided the amnesty granted to Trillanes in 2011 and ordered Trillanes' arrest on rebellion and coup d'etat charges.

Soriano, who handled the coup d'etat case, rejected the Justice Department's plea to arrest Trillanes, but upheld the validity of Duterte's proclamation.

Trillanes' lawyer, Reynaldo Robles, stressed that Soriano's ruling would set a "dangerous precedent" because it gives the President the power to set aside a court decision that has been closed for years.

The Department of Justice has five days to file its comment on Trillanes' latest move.

Trillanes, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, is out on bail after another branch of the Makati Regional Trial Court revived his rebellion case and ordered him arrested in line with Duterte's voidance of his amnesty.Once residents had the information, there was really only one obvious decision to make, he said. Going forward, we will use this experience to foster better communication between residents and city government and at the same time make sure people understand what the issues are.DA benefit

The Arunachal Pradesh government announced a hike in the DA and DR to 9 per cent from the existing 7 per cent. The hike would be effective from July 1 onwards.

Arrears

The employees would also get their arrears for four months as the hike is effective from July 1 onwards. The amount would be credited to their bank accounts. The hike would be applicable only for state government employees and not for those from institutions that receive grant in aid from the government.

Odisha, Bihar

In Odisha a two percent hike in DA has been announced for the employees of the state public sector undertakings. The DA has been increased from 7 per cent to 9 per cent with effect July 1 2018. In Bihar the government announced a DA hike for employees and pensioners by two per cent. The DA now stands at 9 per cent and this would add an additional burden of Rs 419 crore on the state's exchequer.

In UP

In UP too there was some news relating to the 7th Pay Commission. Apart from a DA hike, a 30 day bonus was announced. This would add an additional amount of Rs 967 crore to the state's exchequer. The DA hike would be effective July 1 2018.Induction of Congress MLAs into BJP is death of Parrikar's legacy, says outgoing Goa deputy CM

Ailing Manohar Parrikar releases audio message extends Diwali greetings

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Panaji, Nov 7: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment for months now, has wished the people of his state a happy Diwali.

"Namaskar. I wish all Goans Diwali greetings. I pray to God that the coming year be full of happiness and fulfilment. Diwali greetings to you all," the CM said.

The audio clip was issued by the Department of Information and Publicity. He also extended the greetings on Twitter.

This is Parrikar's first direct communication with the people of his state since May 13 when he had delivered a video address while speaking with BJP booth workers at a meeting. BJP national president Amit Shah was present at that meeting.

Ever since he returned from New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences last month, Parrikar has not made a public appearance, barring three meetings -- one each with the state cabinet, top state BJP leaders and the state Investment Promotion Board.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 9:58 [IST]Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya

The event also witnessed some important announcements. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya. "Ayodhya is a symbol of our pride. Ayodhya's identity is with Lord Ram. From today, Faizabad district's name will be Ayodhya," he said.

Three lakh Diyas on banks of river Sarayu

The mega Deepostav 2018 celebrations which began today with an aim to set a world record, entered the Guinness Book of Record for lighting as many as 3,01,152 earthen lamps, on the bank of River Sarayu. More than three lakh diyas' or earthen lamps' were lit on both sides of the banks of River Saryu.

30-feet statue of Lord Ram

A massive 30-feet statue of Lord Ram was also installed on the banks of Saryu, along with that of Lord Hanuman, for Diwali celebrations in the city.

Ayodhya Deepotsav 2018

The Deepotsav is an initiative by the Tourism and Cultural Department of Uttar Pradesh to celebrate Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and return to His kingdom in Ayodhya.Bihar Ex-minister Manju Verma pleads with court not declare her absconder

India

pti-PTI

Begusarai, Nov 6: Former Bihar minister Manju Verma Tuesday moved a Begusarai court pleading with it not to declare her an "absconder" in an Arms Act case after the alleged recovery of a huge cache of ammunition from her residence.

Verma had to resign as the social welfare minister from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet in August after reports suggested "close links" between her husband Chandrashekhar Verma and prime accused Brajesh Thakur in the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal.

Verma was subsequently booked in an Arms Act case, which was lodged after recovery of a huge cache of ammunition from her residence in Begusarai during a raid by the CBI sleuths, probing the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal.

Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to be honoured with education award in Dubai

Verma's counsel Satya Narayan Mahto moved the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Prabhat Trivedi Tuesday soon after the police approached it to declare the former minister a "proclaimed offender" for evading the arrest.

A court declaring an accused a proclaimed offender entitles the police to paste a legal notice on the walls of the residence of accused, asking him or her to surrender before the court within a stipulated period, failing which the property of the accused is liable to be confiscated and auctioned.

Tej Pratap Yadav files for divorce from Aishwarya Rai

The former minister's counsel submitted to the magisterial court that his client was not evading arrest but only following the due process of law to get a relief against arrest.

Mahto argued that the former minister was not an absconder but had approached the Supreme Court to seek bail in the case after the Patna High Court had turned down her anticipatory bail plea on October 9. The Supreme Court, however, had pulled up the Bihar Police on October 30 for not arresting Verma till then, despite dismissal of her anticipatory bail plea by the high court.

The next day the apex court bench was informed that the former minister was in "hiding". The Begusarai court subsequently issued an arrest warrant against Verma on October 31.

Over 30 girls and women were allegedly raped and sexually abused at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur and it had come to light that Chandrashekhar Verma had spoken to Thakur several times between January and June.

An FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 people, including Thakur, who was running the shelter home. The probe into the case was later handed ober to the CBI by the Bihar government.

An FIR was lodged against Manju Verma under Arms Act in August at Cheria Bariarpur police station of Begusarai district after the seizure of about 50 live cartridges from her residence. The seizure was made by the CBI raids at Verma's family residences in Patna and Begusarai during its probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal.

On October 25, the apex court had asked the Bihar government and the CBI to explain why there was a delay in tracing whereabouts of Chandrashekhar Verma, who is wanted for alleged illegal possession of ammunition in large quantity. Chandrashekhar Verma surrendered before the Begusarai court on October 29.

PTIUP BJP chief to workers: Have tea with Dalits, make them understand votes are cast on nationalism, not caste

BJP's bypoll woes: Just won 4 out of 23 since 2014

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Nov 7: From losing Gorakhpur and Phulpur earlier this year to dismal show in the Karnataka by-elections, the BJP's performance in the bypolls since 2014 has been abysmal. To put it in numbers, the BJP has managed to win just four out of 23 Lok Sabha bypolls since storming to power in 2014.

While this is a cause of concern for the BJP, it has bolstered the confidence of the opposition, especially the Congress. But more than Congress, it is the regional parties who have gained from these polls. In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, considered as the BJP strongholds, the Samajwadi Party managed to trounce the mighty BJP.

Loss in Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls was a major blow to the BJP for two reasons. One is that these seats were held by tall BJP leaders like Keshav Prasad Maurya and Yogi Adityanath. Another is that the BJP had swept UP in 2014 by winning over 70 seats, which many see as one of the major reasons for BJP getting an absolute majority in Lok Sabha. Other than these, one also must consider that Gorakhpur seat was held by Adityanath for five consecutive terms before losing to SP in 2018.

Of the 23 Lok Sabha seats that witnessed bypolls since 2014, 10 were previously held by the BJP. The party has not added any new seats to its kitty, but has lost six. It has managed to hold on to just four seats.

[Karnataka By-Election Results: It's 4:1 victory for Congress-JD(S) alliance]

In contrast, the Congress has won five of these bypoll battles - more than any other party. It managed to retain the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat and wrested the others from the BJP.

Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, Gurdaspur in Punjab, Alwar and Ajmer in Rajasthan were the seats which were originally held by the BJP but snatched away by the Congress in bypolls.

In 2016, the BJP retained the Lakhimpur seat in Assam and the Shahdol seat in Madhya Pradesh, but failed to wrest the Trinamool strongholds of Coochbehar and Tamluk in West Bengal.

TMC's performance was best when compared to other parties, as it managed to retain all the four seats that went to bypolls since 2014.

The BJP leaders have attributed these losses to local issues playing a role in byelections, and have rejected notions that it may have any impact on the 2019 General Elections.Hopeful IT panel will take up Pegasus; officials may have been instructed to skip last meet: Tharoor

'Chest infection, on antibiotics': Tharoor dispels 'disappearance' rumours

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Nov 7: Responding to rumours that he had 'disappeared', Tharoor on Tuesday issued a clarification stating that he has been bed-ridden and recovering from a "bad chest infection".

"For all my hyper-imaginative friends reading political motives behind my 'disappearance': I am in bed with a bad chest infection, on antibiotics, and have been advised a few days' complete rest. Have cancelled all functions for three days...Please don't listen to rumours," Tharoor tweeted.

Tharoor said he was advised to take rest for a few days, adding that he has cancelled all scheduled events and is not responding to phone calls. He also urged people not to believe in brewing rumours about his low-profile in the media in recent days.

'Hero on a white stallion': Shashi Tharoor takes dig at PM Narendra Modi

Tharoor further posted on Karnataka by-poll results saying, "Terrific news from Karnataka" after the Congress-JD(S) alliance won four out of five seats that went to bypolls in the state.

A couple of days ago, with the Ram Mandir movement gathering momentum, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said no Hindu text condones the use of violence to get one's way and scriptures say people should build Ram in their hearts.

Tharoor sends legal notice to Ravi Shankar Prasad

"In fact, if anything, there is a scripture that says build Ram in your heart. And if Ram is built in our heart it should little matter where else he is or he is not, because he is everywhere," Tharoor said in an exclusive interview to PTI.

The Congress MP was responding to a question about his recent remark that no good Hindu would want a temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site.

Tharoor reiterated his point asking if a good Hindu would want to build a Ram Temple at the expense of an act of violence.

"My only point is, would a Hindu have wanted to build such a precious place at the expense of conducting an act of violence. A good Hindu is a law-abiding Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who has 'insaaniyat'," the Congress leader asked.

He went on to argue that while a good Hindu was also obviously somebody who worshipped and believed in his worship, Hindu scriptures do not allow the use of violence to have one's way.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 15:33 [IST]Four years since demonetisation, what PM Modi said on the move

Five years of demonetisation: Notes in circulation on rise; so are digital payments

Demonetisation anniversary: Congress to hold nationwide protest, demands apology from Modi

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Nov 7: To mark the second anniversary of demonetisation, the Congress said on Tuesday that it will hold protests across the country on November 9 and also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the nation for "ruining and wrecking the Indian economy". Congress workers will hold protest demonstrations between 11am to 1pm that day.

[RBI governor Urjit Patel to brief parliamentary panel on demonetisation on Nov 12]

While speaking to reporters, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said,''Two years ago, the Prime Minister announced demonetisation and gave three reasons for it - to curb black money, weed out fake notes and proscribe terror funding. Two years later, none of those objectives has materialised."

The contentious demonetisation exercise, which Tewari compared to that of Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq's ill-judged monetary reforms in the 14th century, led to never-ending queues outside the banks and ATMs across India.

[Highest quality fake Indian currency seized since demonetisation and Pak has perfected it]

"In fact, there is more cash in circulation today than it was two years ago when Modi announced demonetisation," Tewari said.

The decision to ban the two high-value currency notes was taken on November 8, the main opposition party has decided to defer the agitation by a day in view of the festival season.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 12:14 [IST]President Kovind wishes a prosperous Diwali

Taking to his Twitter handle, President Kovind said, "Wishing all fellow citizens a happy and prosperous Diwali. May the Festival of Lights illuminate every home and every family, in our country and across our shared planet."

PM Modi extends Diwali greetings

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to greet the nation on the occasion of Diwali. In his tweet he wrote, "Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyone's lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!"

This year, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans at one of the remotest border posts in Uttarakhand. He also offered prayers at Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.

Naidu tweets on Diwali

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in a series of tweets said that Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil.

"I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil and reaffirms our faith in the noble qualities that Lord Ram embodied.

"Also associated with Goddess Lakshmi - the harbinger of wealth, grace and prosperity - Diwali is celebrated not only in India but all over the world by the people of Indian origin. May this festival bring illumination, peace, prosperity and happiness in our lives," Naidu said.

Rahul Gandhi greets nation on Diwali

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wished a Happy Diwali to the people through Twitter. He wrote, "My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace and happiness."Lamps lit at Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar

President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his greetings to the people, urging citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged. He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights.

"On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world. This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us," the president said in his Diwali message on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with people on Diwali at Harsil in Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat joined soldiers on Wednesday on the occasion. Modi celebrated his Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border, saying their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation.

"You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians," Modi, dressed in heavy mountain gear, told the soldiers in the presence of Army Chief Rawat.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrating Diwali with soldiers, their families at Hyulong in Arunachal Pradesh

Sitharaman celebrated the occasion with Army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-India border.

In a tweet, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said, "My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness."

Indian and Pakistani army men pose for a group photograph after exchanging sweets in Poonch

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings on the festival of lights at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, officials said. The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture.

Air quality in Delhi oscillated between "poor" and "very poor"

In the national capital, the air quality on Diwali oscillated between "poor" and "very poor" categories as authorities warned of severe deterioration even if "partial toxic crackers" are burned compared to last year. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded the overall air quality index at 319, which falls in "very poor" category.'

[Delhi: 242.6 Kgs of crackers seized on Diwali day]

Eyeing rising pollution levels in cities across the country, the Supreme Court last month said people can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals. The court has only allowedmanufactureand sale of just the "green crackers" which havelowemission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

Diwai stamps released by UN

To mark the festival of lights, the United Nations Wednesday issued specialpostalstamps to commemorate Diwali. The stamps were released by the UN Postal Administration. The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps, diyas. Bollywood turned to Twitter to greet people on theoccasion.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan

"Greetings for a happy prosperous and successful Diwali ..," actor Amitabh Bachchan said.

Director Karan Johar said, "Happy Diwali to all of you! Love and light for life.....stay as positive as you can this year."

Greeting people on the occasion, actor Anushka Sharma in a tweet said, "Happy Diwali toall.Hope you all find the light inyou .Behappy,be kind, be safe."Akshardham Temple

Lamps lit at Akshardham Temple on the occasion of Diwali festival, in Gandhinagar, Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (PTI Photo/Santosh Hirlekar)

Rongoli in Guwahati

Students create a rongoli to celebrate Diwali festival in Guwahati, Tuesday, November 6, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Exchanging sweets

Indian and Pakistani army men pose for a group photograph after exchanging sweets on the occasion of Diwali festival, in Poonch, Tuesday, Nov 6, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Diwali 2018: Here is the time slot for bursting firecrackers in your city

Campaign crackers

Volunteers display placards during a campaign against the use of crackers on Diwali, in Guwahati, Tuesday, Nov 6, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Golden Temple

A view of the Golden Temple illuminated on the eve of Diwali festival in Amritsar, Tuesday, Nov 6, 2018. (PTI Photo)

Deepotsav in Ayodhya

People light earthen lamps on the banks of River Saryu during Deepotsav (grand Diwali celebrations) in Ayodhya, Tuesday, Nov 6 2018. (PTI Photo)Hain said that the Kane County sheriff has to stand up in the face of rising violent crime in the county, including more officer-involved shootings. He also said he would try to make the sheriffs office more transparent, including handling more press inquiries and information about incidents himself, instead of through a public information officer.Hyderabad rape case: The rapist will be caught and killed in encounter, Telangana minister

Hyderabad: 4 puppies burnt alive in front of helpless mother; cops scan CCTV footage for clues

India

oi-PTI

Hyderabad, Nov 7: In a horrific instance of cruelty, four puppies sleeping in a garbage dump here were allegedly set on fire by some people, leaving three dead and the other seriously injured.

The police are examining CCTV footage of the area to find out who is responsible for carrying out such an inhuman act.

The puppies were set on fire while their mother watched helplessly, howling, and attempting to save her newborns. She was later seen crying near the dead puppies.

The incident occurred on Saturday following which a member of an animal welfare organisation lodged a complaint on November 5 alleging that some people set the puppies ablaze, they said.

Diwali is a dark time for owls in India: Here's Why

A case under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and IPC was registered, they added.

Investigation revealed that some people had set the garbage ablaze at the site trapping the puppies sleeping there, police said, adding the injured pup was shifted to a veterinarian hospital.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 14:07 [IST]ISI plans to hit northeast through its high commissions

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Nov 7: Two more high commissions of Pakistan have come under the scanner of the Indian agencies. The embassies at both Nepal and Dhaka are being closely watched as the ISI has added more agents in a bid to plot terror attacks against India.

Indian agencies say that there has been increased activity in the high commission at Nepal in recent times. Funds are being pumped in through the high commission. In fact it has also come to light that an NGO has been set up, through which the officials in the high commission are pumping in funds, which in turn reach terrorists.

BSF jawan shared numbers of senior officials with ISI

Pakistan has been undertaking such operations so openly that recently the Bangladesh government refused to accept the new Pakistan envoy stating that Islamabad was using diplomacy as a cover for ISI related activities. The Bangladesh government said that it believed that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka had emerged as a centre for anti government activities.

Hitting northeast:

Recently, an intelligence report spoke about a discussion within the high commission in Nepal, where a plan was being floated to hit the northeastern states. They even set up an NGO, through which money was to be pumped into. The money was intended to reach operatives who would carry out terror attacks in the NE states.

Gen Rawat is spot on: Why ISI backed Punjab terror will be biggest destabilising factor

The plot according to the report is being hatched to strike just ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The NRC would be a major issue during the elections and now there are fresh demands to undertake a similar exercise in other northeastern states as well.

The decision to use the high commission was taken as it gives the perfect cover. Using an envoy to undertake terror related activities provides a perfect cover for the ISI. The envoy enjoys diplomatic immunity as a result of which he cannot be held on the land that he is serving in.

In November 2016, investigations revealed a major plot being hatched in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. The ISI officer posted as an envoy admitted that he along with four others were on the verge of carrying out subversive activities in India. The officer, Mehmood Akthar, who had served in the Pakistan army's Baloch regiment was detained by the crime branch of the Delhi police. He said that he was only following instructions of the ISI. He was however deported as he could not be held in India owing to diplomatic immunity.

A similar case was reported from the high commission in Colombo. This was a larger plot that was being hatched by the ISI to further its activities in South India. The scanner was on a top Pakistan diplomat, Amir Zubair Siddiqui who was tasked with setting up southern modules.

Another Referendum 2020 fails as police busts ISI backed Khalistan Gadar Force module

Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that when the infiltrations become difficult, the High Commission facilitates the entry of terrorists through a legal route. On their arrival at India they get in touch with a tanzeem in the Valley, following which they blend in with the rest of the terrorists.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 11:06 [IST]Karnataka by-poll results: Lessons both for BJP and Opposition to learn

India

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Bengaluru, Nov 6: When the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to wrest control of Karnataka from the Congress in the Assembly elections in May, it was not just a simple defeat but also a humiliation of sort for the party couldn't accept the fact that it fell short of the majority mark despite ending up as the largest party. For the Opposition, the result was welcome and especially for the Congress, it meant that it did not lose its last big state in the country. The BJP kept on waiting for the coalition government between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) to collapse for it believed that the cooperation between the two parties was temporary.

Almost six months since the Karnataka Assembly election results came out, the BJP was in for more shock. By-elections were held in five seats (three Lok Sabha and two Assembly) and the Congress-JD(S) combine won the battle 4-1. The alliance won Mandya and Bellary Lok Sabha seats and Ramnagara and Jamkhandi Assembly seats while the saffron party could succeed in retaining Shimoga, the fortress of its heavyweight state leader BS Yeddyurappa.

Karnataka by-polls: Why the JD(S) victories in Ramanagara, Mandya should worry the Congress

Days before the next set of Assembly elections in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh that are ruled by the BJP besides Telangana and Mizoram, the by-election results in Karnataka will put the BJP in some kind of doubt.

BJP's national and local scripts dashed

There are two major reasons for this doubt. One, both the BJP's national and local scripts have somewhat been dashed in Karnataka, six months apart. The party's top brass had made development the central agenda during the Assembly elections in May but yet could not give the finishing touches to its 'Congress-Mukt' Bharat campaign.

Locally, BSY was given a free hand during that election and he failed miserably. In the by-election also, the BJP nowhere found a BSY magic to do the job which means the regional heavyweight has fast found himself as a dented force. There is also a growing dissatisfaction over BSY within the BJP and the two losses in one year mean those dissenting voices will grow stronger. The anti-BSY voices will actually be unhappy that the BJP managed to keep BSY's fortress under its control as a loss there would have ensured the Lingayat leader's fall even faster.

The fall of BSY might make its critics in the party happy but for the party, it will not be a too happy news for the saffron brigade doesn't have too many local faces in Karnataka, or for that matter in South India, to bank on. BSY was their first chief minister in South India who came to power in 2008 but in the last decade, the leader has slipped. Patriarch LK Advani, who had once strongly objected to BSY's return to the party because of his corrupt image, will be happy.

The Karnataka by-poll results will mean the BJP is yet to produce a bigger magic in South India, even under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The battle in these parts is different from the one the saffron party fights in the North and the latest by-poll verdict (the margins of some of which, for example in Bellary, are really worrying for the BJP) will make the top brass burn even more midnight oil in six months from now.

For Oppn, these results mean poll-winning alliance is possible

For the Opposition, these results will be confidence-boosting. The Congress will be particularly happy and should now concentrate on replicating the Karnataka model to other parts of the country ahead of the next Lok Sabha election.

In Mandya, Ramanagara by-poll results, BJP has something to smile about

It recently received blows from an important regional leader like Mayawati but it now depends on its president Rahul Gandhi and his aides to ensure that the Congress makes fast business to win more stable allies across the nation. The by-election results proved that if the top leaders can bury their differences and settle for a stable alliance, the anti-BJP votes can solidify and come to the Opposition's kitty and make the apparently tough mission of defeating Modi look possible.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 6:42 [IST]Karnataka by-polls: Why the JD(S) victories in Ramanagara, Mandya should worry the Congress

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Bengaluru, Nov 7: The alliance in Karnataka may have handed out a defeat to the BJP in the by-elections. The JD(S)-Congress combine won four seats as opposed to the one by the BJP.

While the alliance chemistry did work, the Congress would however not be entirely happy about the results in Ramanagara and Mandya.

Karnataka by-poll: Alliance chemistry worked, Central BJP need to micro-manage state

Take the case of the Mandya elections. L R Shivarame Gowda of the JD(S) won the seat with 5,53374 votes. However the big surprise was the BJP's candidate, Dr. Siddaramaiah polling 2,44,377 votes. This is traditionally not a BJP belt, but the fact that its candidate polled over 2 lakh votes is a good sign for the party and a matter of worry for the Congress.

This means that there has been a massive transfer of votes to the BJP and it is a result of the ground level workers of the Congress expressing their unhappiness over a tie up with the JD(S). While at the top, the Congress and JD(S) have come together at the ground level, the workers still engage in rivalry. The rivalry was in fact escalated after the JD(S) had swept the Mandya polls in the May assembly elections.

Many local leaders from Mandya are unhappy with the alliance with the JD(S). Upset with the decision, M Honne Gowda had rebelled against the Congress. He polled 17,842 votes. On the other hand there 15,478 votes that we're polled in favour of NOTA.

The case for the Congress is similar in Ramanagara, the seat won by Anita Kumaraswamy, wife of Karnataka Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy. Anita managed to better her husband's tally and polled 1,25,043 votes. L Chandrashekhar of the BJP polled 15,906 votes. It may be recalled that he had switched over to the Congress two days before polling.

Karnataka By-Election Results: It's 4:1 victory for Congress-JD(S) alliance

In the May assembly poll, the Congress candidate up against Kumaraswamy polled 69,990 votes. Kumaraswamy won the elections by a margin of just 22,636 votes. The fact that in the by-elections, Anita managed to win by such a huge margin has worried the local Congress leaders. They feel that the BJP and JD(S) had benefited from the decision of the Congress not fielding a candidate.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 5:49 [IST]West Bengal elections: 35 constituencies to go to polls in final phase, fate of 283 candidates to be sealed

Madhya Pradesh polls: What is the SAPAKS effect that has the BJP worried

Madhya Pradesh polls: Out of 177 BJP has 125 re-contesting candidates

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Bhopal, Nov 7: The battle for Madhya Pradesh is underway and the BJP is facing an uphill task to ensure that it retains the state. The party has been in power for the past 15 years now and the biggest challenge for it is to beat the anti-incumbency factor.

The real battle for Madhya Pradesh Assembly to be fought in Malwa-Nimar region

The BJP has so far announced 177 candidates. Out of this 125 are re-contesting candidates.

Out of the Congress's list of 171 announced as on November 6 there are 99 who are re-contesting candidates, says a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The BJP's list has 28 candidates with criminal cases pending, while the Congress has fielded 41 such candidates. 18 and 27 are the number of re-contesting candidates in the BJP's and Congress's list respectively who have serious criminal cases pending against them.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress releases list of 13 candidates

At a glance:

Party No. of Candidates Announced as of 6th Nov '18 No. of re-contesting candidates No. of re-contesting candidates with Criminal Cases No. of re-contesting candidates with Serious Criminal Cases % of re-contesting candidates with Criminal Cases % of re-contesting candidates with Serious Criminal Cases No. of re-contesting Crorepati Candidates % of re-contesting Crorepati Candidates BJP 177 125 28 18 22% 14% 89 71% INC 171 99 41 27 41% 27% 71 72%Mandir tha, mandir hai, aur mandir rahega, says Adityanath assures Ram temple will be built

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Lucknow, Nov 7: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday thanked people for making 'Deepotsav' a success. He also confirmed plans to construct a statue of Lord Ram here as he offered prayers on the occasion of Diwali a day after renaming Faizabad district as Ayodhya.

[Ayodhya Deepotsav 2018 enters Guinness Book of World Records: Over 3 lakh diyas lit]

Speaking to media, Yogi said,''The Centre and the state government has made a lot of programs and I have personally surveyed many places.''

''We are also taking steps to maintain the Sarayu River. We are also mulling doing away with live wires and introducing underground cabling,'' said Uttar Pradesh CM.

[Yogi in Ayodhya: Faizabad district to be called Ayodhya]

''Scores of people from India as well as abroad visit Ayodhya and steps will be implemented to ensure cleanliness of the place. Depending on the availability of land, we will also come up with a place for destitute women and orphaned children,'' he also said.

On demands for construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site, the CM said,''We have identified a few spots for the Ram statue and in the days to come, we will also hold discussions regarding it. Ayodhya is identified by Lord Ram. Madir tha, mandir hai, aur mandir rahega, there is no doubt this. We have faith in the constitution and we will follow the law in this matter'' He also said,''After Ayodhya, our focus will be on Kumbh.''

The CM had on Tuesday had announced that Faizabad will henceforth be known as Ayodhya, the second renaming of a city following Allahabad's rechristening as Prayagraj. "We have come here to assure you that nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya, no force in the world can do that," Adityanath had said at a grand 'Deepotsav' event organised in the pilgrim town, around 120 km from Lucknow.

He had also announced the setting up of a new airport in Ayodhya named after Lord Ram and a medical college in the name of king Dasarath, father of Lord Ram, in the district.

Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya this time are taking place amid a growing chorus in the party and the Sangh Parivar for the construction of a temple at the Ramjanmabhoomi through an ordinance.

The plan to build the statue was announced by the state government last year, but there has been no forward movement on it. There is speculation that the statue may be as tall as the one of Sardar Patel in Gujarat, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.MP polls: Congress eyes 15 districts where it was not a single seat

India

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Bhopal, Nov 7: Both the ruling BJP and Congress have announced candidates for most number of seats in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. Both have been cautious over distribution of tickets to maximise their winning potential. However, both have concern over the outcome in 15 districts of the state on December 11 when the results will be declared.

Madhya Pradesh polls: Out of 177 BJP has 125 re-contesting candidates

According to a report in Jargan, the BJP had won all but two seats in these districts in the 2013 Assembly election and those two were won by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The Congress failed to win a single seat in these districts although they are known to be influenced by senior leaders of the party. The Grand Old Party had even failed to win a single seat in a number of these key districts in the 2008 election either. The BJP is in power in the state since 2003 and will be looking to bag the fourth consecutive mandate on November 28.

These 15 districts have a total of 59 seats and the Congress knows very well that if it wishes to reclaim MP after a decade and a half, it has to make serious inroads into the BJP's fortresses in these zones. In 2013, the BJP won 165 out of 230 Assembly seats in MP while the Congress won just 58 and the BSP four.

The real battle for Madhya Pradesh Assembly to be fought in Malwa-Nimar region

Some of these 15 districts under the lens of all parties are Umaria, Dewas, Daatia, Hoshangabad, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Agar-Malwa, Narsimhapur and Shajapur.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 16:45 [IST]Karnataka by-polls: Why the JD(S) victories in Ramanagara, Mandya should worry the Congress

In Mandya, Ramanagara by-poll results, BJP has something to smile about

Mr & Mrs Kumaraswamy script history in Karnataka

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

Bengaluru, Nov 7: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy have scripted history in the recently held byelections in the state. In a first, a chief minister will be entering state assembly with his wife.

The ruling combine's candidate for the Karnataka by-election wins in crucial Ramanagara assembly seat with a margin of 1,09,137 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had suffered a big jolt in the Ramanagara seat after its pick L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest, accusing state BJP leaders of "non-cooperation and disinterest".

Karnataka bypolls 2018: Why is victory in Bellary very special for Congress?

Ramanagara is one of the old Mysuru districts where the rivalry between the Congress and JD(S) is legendary. This was the first election in four decades without a Congress-JDS fight.

In Ramanagaram, the seat from where Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy is contesting, 73.71 per cent voting was registered.

Ramanagara seat fell vacant after Kumaraswamy preferred to retain Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won in the assembly election in May.

In Mandya, Ramanagara by-poll results, BJP has something to smile about

Anitha Kumaraswamy had represented Madhugiri assembly constituency from 2008-2013.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 10:33 [IST]NIA arrests one in terror funding case

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Nov 7: The National Investigation Agency has arrested one person in connection with a terror funding case.

The NIA arrested Subhan Miya for his active role in the case relating to terror funding of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC).

NIA charges 4 persons in fake Indian currency case

Subhan Miya, a CCL employee has been found involved in the conspiracy of extortion by TPC and Village Committee members in the Amrapali Magadh Coal region. Incriminating evidence has come on record establishing his role in planning and organising meetings between top leaders of TPC, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and Village Committee members. Arrested accused was also involved in collecting funds through his transport Co. M/s TD Enterprises, and aiding in terror financing of TPC.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 6:05 [IST]I want to emphasize that its all been very professional and peaceful but there seems to be a misunderstanding in what a poll watcher can and cannot do, McMahon said Tuesday. Weve had a couple of situations where a poll watcher has brought literature from a specific party into a polling place, and thats electioneering.As PM led panel gets set to meet, here are the officers in contention to become next CBI chief

No wrong doings by me, CBI director Alok Verma tells CVC

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Nov 7: CBI director in exile, Alok Verma has told the Central Vigilance Commission that the allegations of bribe against him are false. He submitted his reply to the CVC which was ordered by the Supreme Court to probe the allegations against him and submit a report in two weeks time.

CVC violating rules, PMO trying to influence autonomous bodies: Kharge

During the course of the inquiry, the CVC sent a detailed questionnaire to Verma seeking his responses to the allegations. Verma in his reply denied the allegations and also explained why the FIR registered against CBI special director, Rakesh Asthana was not uploaded on the website.

He said that the CBI took time to upload the copy as the search operations were being conducted on the basis of the FIR and a report of the same was to be given to the court. He however said that the mandatory provision of sending a copy of the FIR to the court was done within 24 hours.

On being asked why Satish Babu Sana, the alleged bribe giver was not booked, Verma, while referring to the amended provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act said that it gives protection to someone who is forced to give bribe, but reports the matter within seven days.

Kharge in SC to challenge govt decision on CBI chief Verma

He said that though Babu had started paying bribe in December last year as per his complaint, giving bribe became an offence only this July under the amended PC act. After the amendment, he had paid another bribe through Hawala, but the matter was reported within seven days, Verma contended. He said that this is the reason why he was not treated as an accused despite paying bribes since December 2017.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 11:53 [IST]Curfew in Ahmedabad extended till 6am on May 21; Night curfew to continue in 36 cities for another 3 days

Into the deep: Ahmedabads Science City gets a boost! Nature Park, Aquatic, Robotic Galleries and more!

Gujarat: Over 2,000 people get COVID-19 vaccine at home in Ahmedabad

Now, Ahmedabad to be renamed as Karnavati

India

oi-Deepika S

Ahmedabad, Nov 7: The Gujarat government on Tuesday said it was keen on renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles.

The decision comes hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya.

Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past the legal hurdles and receives required support.

"People are still having a feeling that Ahmedabad should be renamed as Karnavati. If we get required support to overcome the legal hurdles, we are always ready to change the name of the city," Patel told reporters when asked if the state government had a plan to rename India's only city having the 'World Heritage' tag.

How Ahmedabad was named Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval. Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river. Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed. Govt mulls change in name, critised "We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time," Patel added. Slamming the BJP government over the issue, state unit Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the promise to rename Ahmedabad was just another "poll gimmick" by the ruling party. "For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus," said Doshi. "BJP leaders dump such issues after coming to power. They only cheated Hindus all these years," he added. Faizabad renamed as Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the eve of Diwali announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya. "Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)," Yogi Adityanath said in Ayodhya. The BJP government in the northern state had already renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 10:08 [IST]Delhi: No major fire incident reported this Diwali; fire dept gets 152 calls, 25% less than last year

This company gifts e-scooters to employees on occasion of Diwali 2021

On Diwali, a special gift from UN to India

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Nov 7: India on Wednesday thanked the UN Postal Administration for issuing special postal stamps to commemorate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

The United Nations Postal Administration issued a special event sheet on October 19 to commemorate the festival of Diwali.

"The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN. Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

Vendors protest against SC verdict on green crackers

The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.

The background of the sheet features the United Nations Headquarters building illuminated with the message of "Happy Diwali" to celebrate the spirit of the festival.

"Diwali, also known as Deepawali is the joyous and popular festival of lights, which is celebrated in India and by followers of many faiths across the world," the UN agency had said in its description accompanying information about the stamps.

Diwali is a dark time for owls in India: Here's Why

During the celebration clay lamps known as diyas are lit to signify the victory of good over evil. The festival also symbolises the start of a New year for many communities, it said.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) had in October 2016 launched a commemorative stamp in honour of the festival of Diwali.

The USPS Diwali stamp became a reality after seven-years-long efforts and advocacy by the Indian-American community and several Congressional resolutions by influential American lawmakers such as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 15:51 [IST]No Bitcoin scam, says ruling BJP; No foul play in investigation: Bengaluru police

Bengaluru Apartment Fire Accident Today: Fire breaks out at building in Electronic City, no causality reported

Day after Ballary poll, why is Janardhan Reddy on the run

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

Bengaluru, Nov 7: Bengaluru CCB conducted raids on mining baron Janardhana Reddy's Parijatha apartment on Wednesday. Police and ED are conducting raids simultaneously in multiple locations.

Bengaluru police commissioner T Suneel Kumar said that Janardhana Reddy is on the run.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar, said, "Several cases were registered against Ambidant. The company cheated people by promising to double investments More people are involved in this scam, can't reveal the details now."

Meanwhile, Janardhana Reddy's close aide Ali Khan got anticipatory bail in Ponzi scam case.

"We are conducting a probe in tandem with Enforcement Directorate, " said the Police Commissioner.

Karnataka bypolls 2018: Why is victory in Bellary very special for Congress?

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) formed a team to nab Reddy for his alleged involvement in a Ponzi scam.

At the age of 21, Janardhana Reddy had established a Residuary Non-Banking Finance Company under RBI in the year 1989 and name of the company was Enable India Savings & Investment Company Limited spreading across South India with total 125 branches with turnover of 350 crores company is still working but it has stopped collecting deposits from 2003 and he surrendered the Certificate of Registration to RBI after paying back the entire money with interest to all his depositors and he was the first person in India from Non-Banking sector to obtain an appreciation letter from RBI.

According to reports, Reddy's Enable India Company received 57kg gold bars from Ambidant Company, an investment firm. The owner of Ambidant Company, Fareed approached Reddy for this deal through latter's close-associate Ali Khan.

Ali Khan allegedly purchased gold bars in the name of Enable India Company. In June, the Income Tax department had carried out a raid in Ambidant Company related to ponzi scam. Reddy's involvement has been unearthed during the investigation against the company.

In Mandya, Ramanagara by-poll results, BJP has something to smile about

Meanwhile, BJP MLA B Sriramulu claimed that he was not aware of the case against Janardhana Reddy.

The alleged case comes after the Congress-JDS alliance put up a good show in byelections held for 3 Lok Sabha and 2 assembly seats were held in Karnataka. The alliance won 4 seats and BJP won only Shimoga Lok Sabha seat. Sriramulu' sister J Shantha lost against Congress leader VS Ugrappa in Bellary.There is a reason why D K Shivakumar is a troubleshooter

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

Bengaluru, Nov 7: In 2004, a TV anchor-turned-politician Tejashwini Ramesh who contested election for the first time handed out a humiliating defeat to former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. She humbled Gowda by over 1.22 lakh votes in Kanakapura Lok Sabha (now Bangalore Rural) constituency.

It wasn't possible without a giant-killer called DK Shivakumar who hails from Satanur Taluk of Kanakapura district. Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga strongman, proved that he could be an alternative to Gowda family in the state politics.

Karnataka bypolls 2018: Why is victory in Bellary very special for Congress?

The political rivalry between DK Shivakumar and Gowda family dates back to 1989. Shivakumar emerged as a Goliath in the fight against giant David in 1989. He came to political limelight first when he defeated former PM HD Deve Gowda in his stronghold of Kanakpura in 1989. This was his first Assembly election.

His crisis management skills are not only proved handy for the party in the state but also saving Congress governments in other states. In 2002, he played a pivotal role in saving Vilas Rao Deshmukh government in Maharashtra. Deshmukh, facing a floor test, moved his MLAs to Karnataka. The task was assigned to Shivakumar, who herded the MLAs at Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru. He also escorted the MLAs back to Maharashtra Assembly. This was not the first and last time he saved his party.

A similar task was assigned to him during elections to Rajya Sabha in which Congress leader Ahmed Patel was contesting. Consequently, properties linked to the minister raided probe agencies. But, with the victory in Bellary, Shivakumar proved that he unstoppable. He is the man who could deliver what the party want.

Mr & Mrs Kumaraswamy script history in Karnataka

There were dissensions in the party while he was made in-charge of the campaign in Bellary. However, reclaiming of Bellary after a gap of 14 years silenced his critiques. The difference was the election was fought on pre-poll alliance with Janata Dal (Secular), led by Deve Gowda and his son CM HD Kumaraswamy, which has no base in the district.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 17:07 [IST]Tigress Avni killed: NGO writes to PM Modi, demands CBI probe

India

oi-Deepika S

Pune, Nov 7: A Mumbai-based NGO has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded a CBI probe into the killing of tigress Avni.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of National Board for Wildlife (NBFW), RAWW, which works for wildlife rescue, has pointed to "serious violations of many laws" in the entire operation that led to the killing of tigress T1, popularly known as Avni.

It alleges that prohibited drugs were used without a legally authorised person, referring to the absence of a veterinarian.

"No tranquilizers or guns were supposed to be used between to kill and eliminate the tigress," a ToI report quoted Pawan Sharma, president of RAWW saying. "The tigress was immediately taken for autopsy and disposal which smacks of foul play."it said.

Tigress Avni shot dead, now question looms large on her cubs

Amid a war or words over the killing of tigress Avni, Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has said that Union minister Maneka Gandhi was no one to decide whether he should be removed from the Cabinet. He also advised Gandhi to instead focus on working against malnutrition and child deaths.

His remarks came shortly after Maneka Gandhi today again blamed the Maharashtra minister for the death of the tigress. She appealed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to fix responsibility for the killing of the tigress.

"Tigress Avni could have been saved if Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had been little more patient, sensitive and persistent. Request you to fix responsibility of killing and consider removing the minister from his post," Gandhi said to the Maharashtra CM.

A bullet finally ends tigress Avni's fight for survival: A look at Man-eaters eliminated since 2012

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ordered a probe into the killing of Pandharkawada Tigress T1, who was believed to be responsible for deaths of several people, to ascertain whether "there were any lapses in the operation" by the state Forest department.

The tigress, survived by her two 10 months old cubs, was believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the past two years. She was shot dead by sharp-shooter Asgar Ali in the Borati forest in Yavatmal district Friday as part of an operation.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 16:15 [IST]Incessant rains leave 42 more dead in Uttarakhand, Nainital cut off from rest of state

Amit Shah kicks off poll campaign in Uttarakhand, accuses Congress of doing appeasement politics

Uttarakhand opinion poll 2022: Who will form next government? Here's what ABP-Cvoter survey shows

U'khand: After offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple, PM celebrates Diwali with jawans at Harsil

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Dehradun, Nov 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali 2018 with Army jawans and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Harsil near the India-China border in Uttarakhand on Wednesday morning. He later visited the Lord Shiva's Kedarnath Temple to offer prayers.

The prime minister visited Kedarnath and offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine and review Kedarpur. He is expected to inspect the reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri, news agency PTI reported.

Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath. pic.twitter.com/Mdi9fRRWwX  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

Modi also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his Diwali greetings. Netanyahu greeted Mr Modi and the people of India on the joyous occasion.

President Ramnath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu have also greeted the people on the occasion. In his message, Kovind said, Deepawali is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. He said, Deepawali guides people from darkness towards light. Kovind also urged all citizens to commit themselves to celebrating a pollution-free and safe Deepawali.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will celebrate Diwali at Andra La-Omkar and Anini in Arunachal Pradesh with Indian troops deployed in forward areas. Mrs Sitharaman will also handover paintings of school children to soldiers as Diwali gifts and meet the families of martyrs.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent Diwali at Siachen with Army jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit had coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

In 2016, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh, where he spent time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost.Vendors protest against SC verdict on green crackers

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

New Delhi, Nov 7: Sadar Bazar Welfare Association in the national capital is staging a protest against the Supreme Court order on green crackers, by putting firecrackers inside green vegetables.

President of the Association HS Chhabra says, "We don't even know what green crackers are. There is no green cracker in the market."

Pollution in Delhi relents slightly, drops from 'very poor' to 'poor'

"We don't know what green crackers are. When we asked them (SHOs), they said they'll give us a list of crackers. But the next day they said it'll take 2 more days. There is no green cracker in the market. This should've been done one year in advance," ANi quoted Chhabra saying.

On October 31st, a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said firecrackers already produced can be sold in this festival season only in other parts of the country. In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and other southern states, firecrackers can be burst from 4 am-5 am and from 9 pm-10 pm during festivals, the apex court said.

Diwali 2018: Here is the time slot for bursting firecrackers in your city

It said its direction on community bursting of firecrackers will apply pan India for two hours. Its directions on the ban on sale of firecrackers through e-commerce websites will apply pan India, the court said.

(With PTI inputs)

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 15:31 [IST]Why MIRV technology is key in India-Pak missile race?

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Nov 7: Both India and Pakistan have been developing a variety of missiles with varying capabilities and range to assert supremacy in the subcontinent. These missiles can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, and are primarily aimed to serve as deterrents.

India has achieved its nuclear triad which means that it can fire nuclear-tipped missiles from all three platforms- land, sea and air. The successful deterrence patrol of INS Arihant has ensured that India also has second strike capability. India also has developed a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system to stop an incoming missile, but can it really stop a missile which is equipped with Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Ballistic missiles equipped with MIRVs release their warheads typically in the post-boost phase, and reduces the effectiveness of a missile defence system, which relies on intercepting individual warheads. It works like this, a BMD system has a radar which first tracks the incoming ballistic missile, then the computer system predicts the trajectory that the missile would follow, and based on this an interceptor is launched to meet the incoming missile mid-air. While an MIRV equipped attacking missile can have multiple warheads, interceptors have a single warhead.

The Pakistani military first announced its test of the MIRV-capable missile on January 24, 2017. With the 2017 test, Ababeel became the first ballistic missile in South Asia which is equipped with MIRV.

However, many experts have questioned whether Pakistan really had developed or tested a MIRV. A report published in nationalinterest.org quoted the Center for Strategic and International Studies' as saying, "Some experts have expressed scepticism as to whether Pakistan has indeed surmounted the various technological hurdles required for MIRVed missiles. MIRV warheads are typically much smaller than unitary warheads, and thus require greater miniaturization. It is unclear if the country has manufactured a miniaturized nuclear warhead small enough to use in a MIRV."

[How advanced is Pakistan's cruise missile technology]

A BBC report claims that Pakistan may have developed MIRV-capable missile with the help from China, Islamabad's 'all-weather' friend. A report published in delhidefencereview.com claims that the Ababeel thermal fairing (heat shield) has a larger diameter than its core vehicle. The extra volume thus available is consistent with the requirements for MIRV capabilities. The report, however, says that a number of other factors must to considered before inferring that Pakistan has succeeded in developing MIRV capability.

Coming to the question whether India has developed MIRV technology or not, there is no clear answer as there is no official confirmation. As per the information available in the public domain, India is working on a four-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) - Agni VI - which may have a strike range of 8,000 km to 12,000 km. Agni-VI is expected to be capable of Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle as well as Maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV).

[From Babur to Ghaznavi: About names of Pakistani missile]

If Ababeel is equipped with full-fledged MIRV capabilty, then it is a cause of concern for India. It is not known how advanced is Ababeel's MIRV capability or how many warheads can it actually release. The best way to stop an MIRV equipped missile is to intercept it before the warheads separate from main cone, but is extremely difficult. Once multiple warheads enter the atmosphere, then it is just too difficult to track them separately and launch interceptors to block them.

India has not openly made any announcement about MIRV technology, but many experts believe that India may have carried out the MIRV test with Agni 5.With a new chief at the helm, why the naxalites will get extremely aggressive now

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Nov 7: A leadership change, followed by a plethora of surrenders. There was plenty of activity, where the naxalites were concerned. The police probing the killing of a TDP MLA and a former lawmaker at Araku has revealed that the top naxalite leader, Muppala Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathy has been replaced.

The new chief of the naxalites now is Nambala Keshav Rao, who originally hails from Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. The decision to change the leader was taken as the naxalites wanted a younger man to head the outfit.

Moreover a large number of the cadres felt that in order to get more aggressive, a new and young leader should be appointed. Ganapathy has headed the CPI (Maoist) since it was formed in 2004. The outfit was merged with the Peoples' War Group, CPI (Marxist-Lennist) and the Maoist Communist Centre of India.

With a change in leadership, the naxalites want to infuse fresh life into the movement. With the security agencies attaining major success in bringing down the naxal spread, the cadres felt the need for a regime change. Further the number of naxal surrenders have gone up and each one of them has cited disillusionment as the primary reason. It may be recalled that earlier this week a total of 64 naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh stating that they were disillusioned with the ideology.

After Rao took over, there have been two major incidents and the modus operandi suggests that the new strategy would be more aggressive. The first was killing of the two leaders at Araku. They were surrounded by 50 naxals and ten of them opened fire on the two leaders.

Why is India's most wanted man a naxalite and not a jihadi

The other incident took place in Chhattisgarh last week, when a Doordarshan cameraman and two security personnel were killed. Both according to the security agencies were hits ordered by the new chief.

An Intelligence Bureau official told OneIndia that this change is clearly aimed at breathing new life into the movement. Ganapathy has led for long. He is 72 years old and cannot lead the movement as effectively. The new chief on the other hand is 63 and has ample experience. For the security forces, this would be a new challenge as Keshav Rao is known for his aggressive tactics.

The IB officer also said that this change could also be a way of reducing the heat on Ganapathy, who today is India's most wanted man. The total bounty on him is Rs 2.52 crore.

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.

Keshav Rao has been Ganapathy's second in command for long. He carries a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, that has been offered by the NIA.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 12:17 [IST]Jackson, of the 1700 block of Wessel Court, sexually assaulted the victim between 2013 and 2015, according to the release. He knew the victim, who was younger than 18 years old.Blow to Indias soft power: Why Gandhi is hated in Malawi

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Blantyre (Malawi), Nov 7: Mahatma Gandhi is often seen as a man whose legacy spreads across global barriers. He had a close connection with South Africa where he had also spoken against racial inequalities. However, in Malawi, another nation located in southern Africa, India's 'Father of the Nation' is not as popular as he is elsewhere. In fact, the local sentiments against the man are so strong that a local court recently stalled work on the erection of a statue of Gandhi which was scheduled to be inaugurated by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu during his recent tri-nation tour of Africa.

On October 31, activists opposing construction of the statue won an injunction to temporarily stop the work on the statue which was to be made as part of a $10-million deal with India in Blantyre, the African nation's commercial capital. Gandhi, whose 150th birth anniversary falls next year, was accused of using racial slur and spreading hate during his stay in the continent.

Why not bigger statue of Mahatma Gandhi, asks CPI leader

The Indian vice president did not make any direct reference to the statue issue after he returned to India and only mentioned about the Government of India's 'India for Humanity' initiative, which aims at spreading Gandhi's message to all parts of the globe.

In Malawi, Naidu said it was in Africa where the iconic leader had drawn sustenance for his crusade against discrimination and colonial domination with the help of truth and non-violence.

But not all are convinced about Gandhi in Malawi. It is said that Gandhi has a negative image in the southeast African nation because of some alleged statements that he made after reaching South Africa in 1893. Those remarks were extracted from a controversial book on Gandhi's life in South Africa and from the 'Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi' and they have led to protests against honouring the freedom fighter, a report in The Quint said.

Gandhi used abusive language against Africans?

As per a book titled 'The South African Gandhi: Stretcher - Bearer of Empire', the leader had often slammed Africans as "savage" and "raw" who lived a life of "indolence and nakedness", the report said, adding that he allegedly also used terms like "kaffirs", a racial slur used against black Africans.

MEA to collaborate with makers of Jaipur Foot to celebrate Gandhi's 150 anniversary year

According to a report in Washington Post, authors Ashwin Desai and Goolam Vahed, both professors at the University of Johannesburg and University of KwaZuku Natal, the halo that surrounds the Indian leader today was a result of a repackaging that was done cleverly.

"As we examined Gandhi's actions and contemporary writings during his South African stay and compared these with what he wrote in his autobiography and 'Satyagraha in South Africa,' it was apparent that he indulged in some 'tidying up.' He was effectively rewriting his own history," the authors were quoted as saying.

Malawi saw the launch of a campaign named 'Gandhi Must Fall' by a group of over 180 people who protested after learning that the Indian government had talks with Blantyre City Council over a proposal to build a statue of the leader who was assassinated on January 30, 1948, months after India attained independence.

A petition asking the Malawian government to stop the statue's construction was signed by around 3,500 citizens of the country, The Quint report added.

One of the organisers of the campaign, Mpambira Aubrey Kambewa, said the statue was being built as a "precondition" to the Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Blantyre, which India had pledged to put funds into.

"Our main protest is aligned to the fact that Gandhi is a known racist. He propagated racist sentiments against black people. He has been well quoted, including in some of his own work, saying that black Africans are sub-human and that they are at a lower level than Indians and Europeans - mainly during his time as a lawyer in South Africa," Kambewa was quoted as saying by The Quint.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 14:00 [IST]Pakistan hit my mysterious viral fever: All you need to know

US designates Pakistan, China as countries of particular concern for religious freedom violation

Data of almost all Pakistani banks hacked, 10 banks targeted: Report

International

oi-PTI

Islamabad, Nov 7: In a major security breach, data of most of the banks operating in Pakistan has been hacked, a media report said Tuesday quoting a senior cybercrime official.

The disclosure comes days after around 10 banks blocked all international transactions on their cards, following concerns raised about a breach of credit and debit card data, Geo News reported.

In a shocking revelation, Director of cyber crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Capt Mohammad Shoaib said: "According to a recent report we have received, data from almost all Pakistani banks has been reportedly hacked".

Asia Bibi row: Twitter suspends protesting leader Rizvi's account

He said the FIA has written to all banks, and a meeting of the banks' heads and security management was being called.

"Banks are the custodians of the money people have stored in them," Shoaib said, adding they are also responsible if their security features are weak that they result in pilferage.

Last week, the official said, a gang was arrested, whose members used to disguise themselves as army officials and withdraw money from banks after collecting people's data. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been informed by several commercial banks that they have blocked international payments on debit and credit cards as a precautionary measure following cyber attacks on the accounts of their clients, the Dawn reported quoting sources.

China will help Pak but latter needs to use funds efficiently, says Chinese media

Data of over 8,000 account holders of about 10 Pakistani banks was sold in a market of hackers, the report said quoting a digital security website krebsonsecurity.com.

The first case of a cyber attack on a Pakistan's bank was reported by BankIslami on October 27.

The bank said that Rs 2.6 million was stolen from international payment cards after which it has stopped such transactions and allowed biometrically verified payments only on ATM cards within Pakistan, the report said.

The following day, the central bank (SBP) issued directives to all banks to ensure that security measures on all information technology systems - including those related to card operations - are continuously updated to meet future challenges, ensure real-time monitoring of card operations related systems and transactions.

They were asked to immediately coordinate with all the integrated payment schemes, switch operators and media service providers, the report said.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 11:08 [IST]Police man in Bengaluru stabbed as he stopped some men from smoking in public

Explainer: What is parricide and is the phenomenon on verge in India?

Here is why the ISI may have killed father of Taliban Maulana Samiul Haq

International

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Nov 7: Last week a top Pakistani cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', was stabbed to death at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Haq, 82, was the head of the Islamic religious seminary Darul Uloom Haqqania in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Akora Khattak town and also the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room.

ISI plans to hit northeast through its high commissions

The big question is what could have led to the killing of Haq. It has now become increasingly clear that he was killed at the behest of the Pakistan's ISI. Haq had in fact recently shown his willingness to encourage the Taliban to join the Afghan reconciliation process.

He had in fact assured the Americans that he would speak with all stake-holders. The ISI was however not happy with this and it is clear that the spy agency has been trying its best to stall the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. The US has been urging that the process get underway and Haq had offered his services for the same.

The same was also discussed among several lawmakers in Afghanistan recently. Jumma Din Gyanwal, a lawmaker from the Paktika province too had said that Haq may have been killed by the ISI as he wanted to play a part in the reconciliation process. He had also said all individuals working against the interests of the ISI would perish, even if they had served them in the past.

BSF jawan shared numbers of senior officials with ISI

Another lawmaker, Lailuma Ahmadi had told the Taliban that the the lesson to be learnt from Haq's killing is that whoever acts against the interests of the ISI will be killed.

So far no outfit has taken responsibility for the killing.

Haq was elected twice to Pakistan's parliament on Islami Jamhoori Itehad ticket.

He was also the chairman of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council -- an umbrella coalition of more than 40 groups, including Hafeez Saeed-led Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD) and the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba.

Haq's madrassa in Akora Khattak is known for having several top Afghan Taliban leaders among its alumni, including Mullah Omar who had received an honorary doctorate from the seminary.

Gen Rawat is spot on: Why ISI backed Punjab terror will be biggest destabilising factor

Haqqani Network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AIQS) leader Asim Umar and slain Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor were also among the alumni of the seminary which is dubbed as the "University of Jihad".US imposes tougher sanctions on Iran

The US on Monday imposed "the toughest ever" sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime's "behaviour". The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.

Eight countries allowed to buy Oil

However, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that eight countries -- India, China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey -- were temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed "significant reduction" in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country.

To a question on the fate of Chabahar port after the US reimposed all its sanctions on Iran, the spokesperson said, "This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief."

2016 pact

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Mike Pompeo's decision to give India exemption from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the port is driven by the South Asian strategy, which was announced by President Donald Trump in August. It states that India has a major role in bringing peace and development in Afghanistan.

"The president's South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," the state department spokesperson said.

"We seek to build on our close relationships with both the countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regime's destabilising policies in the region and beyond," the spokesperson added.After skipping India's security dialogue on Afghanistan, China to attend Paks Troika Plus meet

With 8 new routes from PoK, Pakistans ISI plans massive infiltration bid

US Congress report says Pakistan playing active and disruptive role in Afghanistan

Pakistan hit my mysterious viral fever: All you need to know

US designates Pakistan, China as countries of particular concern for religious freedom violation

Pakistan gives Kulbhushan Jadhav right to appeal against death sentence

PM Imran Khan discusses security situation with Army Chief Bajwa

International

pti-PTI

Islamabad, Nov 6: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday discussed the security situation in the country with Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and top military officials.

Khan chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee at his office.

"The meeting concluded that progress and prosperity of Pakistan lies in peace, stability and rule of law," according to the Prime Minister's Office. The prime minister also apprised the military officials about his recent visit to China.

Data of almost all Pakistani banks hacked, 10 banks targeted: Report

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Finance Minister Asad Umar, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, and senior military officials.

Earlier, Gen Bajwa called on Khan and exchanged views on the prevailing situation in the country.

PTITalks with China will not help says USA NSA on situation on Ladakh

20 members of a family removed from US flight after mask of 1 slipped under nose

AUKUS will be game-changer in Indo-Pacific, won't compete with Quad: US Deputy Secretary

US mid-term polls: Two Muslim women elected, for first time

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Washington, Nov 7: Tuesday, November 6, witnessed making of history in the US midterm elections as two Muslim women were elected to the US Congress for the first time. The duo is Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib and Somali-American Ilhan Omar.

Democrat Tlaib, 42, won Michigan's 13th congressional district after being in the fray as the only major party candidate. Thirty-six-year-old Omar won Minnesota's Democratic fifth congressional district and replaced Keith Ellison, the first Muslim congressman who ran for the state's attorney general position.

Midterm polls: Colorado elects USA's first openly gay governor

Tlaib, born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents, became the first Muslim woman to win a seat in Michigan Legislature in 2008. Her campaign saw pledges to secure a minimum wage of $15, preventing cuts to welfare measures and also halting tax reliefs to big corporations.

Omar, who fled the Somalian civil war and reached the US at the age of 14, also campaigned over progressive ideas like universal healthcare and tuition-free colleges.

Omar's political journey began when she started attending caucuses of the local Democratic Farmer Labour party with her grandfather after arriving in America.

The election of Tlaib and Omar is significant for the current times have seen negative campaigns against American-Muslims.

US midterm polls: Democrats claw back to prominence

Congratulations to my sister @RashidaTlaib on your victory!



I cannot wait to serve with you, inshallah.   Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018

Omar congratulated Tlaib in a tweet after the results came out saying she was looking forward to serve with her.US midterm elections: Trump uses tremendous yet again, despite losing House

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Washington, Nov 7: The Republicans led by President Donald Trump hit a wall in the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections held on Tuesday, November 6, as they lost the chamber to a resurgent Democratic Party. The results will mean American politics preparing for more showdowns between Trump and the House Democrats for the rest of his term.

However, the president himself was in no mood to concede and called the results a "tremendous success" in a tweet on Tuesday night. He also put the focus on the Republican Party retaining the Senate and mentioned in another tweet, the following quote: "There's only been 5 times in the last 105 years that an incumbent President has won seats in the Senate in the off year election. Mr. Trump has magic about him. This guy has magic coming out of his ears. He is an astonishing vote getter & campaigner. The Republicans are........."

US midterm polls: Democrats claw back to prominence

Theres only been 5 times in the last 105 years that an incumbent President has won seats in the Senate in the off year election. Mr. Trump has magic about him. This guy has magic coming out of his ears. He is an astonishing vote getter & campaigner. The Republicans are.........  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

The White House, too, was happy with the results. Press Secretary Sarah Hucakbee Sanders, who said there was no blue wave, termed them as a "huge victory for the president" as the GOP managed to maintain its grip over the upper chamber.

Others from Trump's camp were also happy. "The fact that we're not talking about a 'shellacking' tonight ... really tells you a lot about our president and my boss," Kellyanne Conway, counsellor to Trump, told reporters at the White House, bringing back to currency the humbling word that former president Barack Obama had used to describe the Democrats' big losses in 2010.

US midterm polls: Why Republicans use an elephant & Democrats a donkey

President Trump and his supporters might be still putting up a happy face over the results in the House of Representatives but we will certainly witness more fireworks as the president will find running it tough against a bolstered opposition in the house.

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 14:19 [IST]Talks with China will not help says USA NSA on situation on Ladakh

US midterm polls: 82-year-old woman dies after casting her first ballot in life

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Washington, Nov 7: It seems she lived her entire life for this one day. Grace Lou Phillips went to cast her ballot early in the midterm polls held in the US, with her medical equipment and after carrying out the all-important duty of a democratic citizen for the first time in her life, passed away. She was 82.

US mid-term polls: Two Muslim women elected, for first time

According to a report in NBC station, Fort Worth/Dallas, her family took Grace, who was under treatment in the hospital (she was battling pneumonia), to the polling booth to cast an early ballot in Brand Prairie, Texas. Her grand-daughters said Grace had never voted in her life before this for she thought it wouldn't matter. Also, she was too busy to make out time for casting ballot.

According to the Washington Post who spoke to her son-in-law Jeff Griffith, Grace, a mother of seven children and also a beautician by profession, also did not go to vote as her husband believed that they could be called for jury duty, resulting in compromise of their income.

Grace, however, had a changed mind this time as she felt convinced that her vote also mattered.

Midterm polls: Colorado elects USA's first openly gay governor

"She kept telling everybody: 'I'm voting. I'm going to vote this year and my vote counts,'" Grace's granddaughter Michelle Phillips told the station.

The elderly woman then died, surrounded by her family. Griffith told The Post that one of the last things she said before her death was "at least I voted".Buhay, of the 1100 block of Dorr Drive, now faces a second lengthy sentence of a minimum of 51 years in prison. The sentence will be served consecutively to a 45-year sentence Buhay is serving for a March 17, 2017, conviction for sexually assaulting a foster child who was living with his family.We encourage all veterans to come help us celebrate the Marine Corps birthday and honor all of our veterans, said Jim Butler, of the Fox Valley Marine Corps League. This is an opportunity for us to say thank you to everyone who has served their country in the military by sharing cake and a gift of food. We hope all veterans in the community will join us.If the referendum was approved, the non-home-rule sales tax in Barrington would have increased the combined sales tax rate for shoppers in Lake County from 7 percent to 8 percent, while shoppers in Cook County would have saw the rate go from 9 percent to 10 percent, village officials have said.Because it not only offers our students more opportunities for their careers, but its also a great way to attract businesses to our state, said Gillespie, who previously has worked as an attorney and primarily spent her career in the health care sector. My experience in the business world is that businesses locate to places with skilled labor.The first phase of construction, including the remodeling of security entrances at all of the districts school buildings and the installation of air conditioning systems, will begin in June 2019 and could be completed by the the start of the 2019-20 school year, Beach said.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  As a long-time journalist from Mindanao, I have witnessed a fair amount of violence in different forms.

From being caught in the middle of heavy firefight between government troops and hardcore terrorists to being held as a "captive" for a few days. From documenting the retrieval of cadavers of slain soldiers inside a rebel camp to having seen a severed head of a decapitated kidnap victim.

Yet nothing prepared me for the fury and violence of nature that was Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan) in 2013.

Western Mindanao, though perennially facing threats to peace and order, is also often spared from killer typhoons.

It was also my first time in Leyte. When people said they were used to having to deal with extreme weather since the island is on the country's typhoon path, I honestly had no idea what that meant or entailed.

Throughout my more-than-a-decade career, I had not covered a major storm or typhoon. I wasn't really sure what to expect when our newsroom decided to deploy me to pursue Yolanda.

But like a battle-hardened soldier, so to speak, I psyched myself up to be ready to face any situation. I believed some of my dangerous assignments in Mindanao should have prepared me for this coverage.

On the eve before Yolanda made landfall, we were instructed to travel to the coastal town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar because the weather forecast kept changing as to the direction of the typhoon.

My team -- cameraman Alvin Villafranca and assistant cameraman Harold Paras -- and I reached Guiuan just before midnight of November 7.

The team of David Santos, cameraman Alvin Villafranca, and assistant cameraman Harold Paras. (FILE PHOTO)

Guiuan was already a ghost town at that hour. It was eerily quiet and all you could hear were trees swaying and iron sheets of roofs creaking because of the winds blowing from the sea.

I knew it was going to be a long day ahead so we decided to catch a few winks.

About three hours later, we were roused from our beds by the heavy downpour and strong winds.

The roof of the inn we were staying in was about to be blown off so we immediately collected our belongings. We thought we should find a sturdier structure to seek refuge from the storm.

It was a risky, last-minute decision. Outside the inn, we could barely walk through the very forceful winds. Add to that the risk of being hit by the flying sheets of iron and all sorts of debris. It was a terrifying scene.

But we knew we had to transfer, as the inn, which was largely made of wood, would not withstand the typhoon's fury.

Once we got into our car, our driver, a resident of Tacloban, figured it was both difficult and dangerous to be driving in such extreme weather. Also, none of us knew exactly where to go. I had wanted to go the town hall but we did not know the way since it was our first time in Guiuan.

We ended up transferring to a building nearest the inn -- the Immaculate Concepcion Clinic and Hospital.

A burly man in white coat, who happened to be the hospital's resident surgeon and whom we initally asked for directions, prevailed on us to stay for our own safety.

"Huwag na kayo tumuloy. Delikado [Forget about moving out. It's dangerous out there]," the man, Dr. Oscar Perez, told us while making a hand gesture for us to come in.

Thus, the hospital became our refuge. Despite being concrete, you could actually feel the structure shaking when Yolanda made its first landfall in Guiuan before daybreak of November 8.

Having surveyed Yolanda's catastrophic impact in Guiuan hours after the storms has passed, we saw the urgent need for help to come in. The local government unit distributed the relief packs it had prepared days before. But it was not enough. Some residents had resorted to looting business establishments which were also damaged by the typhoon.

The local police force, backed by a small contingent Philippine Army unit, despite their very limited number, tried their best to respond to calls for assistance.

Many of the injured crowded the Immaculate Concepcion hospital, the only medical facility that remained open. Cadavers of the dead also began to pile up.

Some fallen power lines blocked roads in Guiuan, Eastern Samar after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the town.

Utilities including telecommunications were all down.

We waited the entire day for any sign of disaster response. It never came. So I took matters in my own hands. I felt the need to put the news out on what had happened to Guiuan and that people were desperately needing help.

On November 9, Saturday, we decided to travel to Tacloban. Taking the motobike was the only option since fallen trees and power lines littered the streets. Some parts of the highway were also destroyed and were impassable for four-wheel vehicles.

What should have been a four-hour ride to Tacloban took us 16 hours. We needed to clear the streets from felled trees. At times, we had to carry the motorbikes over the road obstructions. We ran out of gas. We had to replace flat tires. We hadn't had anything to eat except drink 'buko' juice.

We arrived in Tacloban in the wee hours of Sunday, November 10, and our worst fears were realized. Contrary to what we had initially thought, the situation in Tacloban was far more dire than in Guiuan. It was apocalyptic.

I still vividly remember walking in the rain, while carrying our LiveU pack which I protected with my raincoat, crying out of frustration, hunger and sheer exhaustion.

Later in the morning, I was able to call one of my bosses to relay to him we survived Yolanda. We were instructed to pull out of Tacloban.

While on the plane back to Manila, I kept on looking back to what happened to us in the past 72 hours. I realized that I could never have prepared enough for Yolanda. Or maybe I was like some of the residents - complacent, fatalistic, ill-prepared.

A body being transported to Guiuan, Eastern Samar in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. More than 6,000 people have been reported dead after the Category 5 storm hit the Philippines.

But when confronted with difficult situations, one has no choice but to step up. You have to make crucial decisions for your team and the people around you. You simply could not wait for things to happen. In Guiuan, it took a while for rescue teams to descend to the town to deliver aid. I strongly felt the need to act.

Aside from having to brave Yolanda, travelling for a gruelling 16 hours under the punishing afternoon sun and intermittent rains were the most difficult part of that coverage. It was not only physically challenging, it was also nerve-wracking.

But soon, these too seemed puny compared to what other people had to endure. People lost their loved ones - some, like those engulfed by the sea during the surge, didn't even have bodies to bury. Almost everyone lost their homes, properties and some even their dignity. And many more, because they didn't have the means to go anywhere else, or simply chose to stay and rebuild what is left, had to stay behind and endure more suffering.

While we got out of Tacloban, I saw it as an opportunity to connect to the world and report on the situation in Guiuan. While Tacloban was understandably getting most of the global attention, my team and I saw the need to do our share by also sending out information about that isolated town.

For me, Yolanda was and never will be about us - journalists being praised to have survived the typhoon. It was about the people who showed extraordinary strength to inspire us to do our jobs better. These were the people, who despite extreme personal circumstances and difficulty, had the generosity to help, spoke to us, shared their meals and their time to make us understand what they were all going through.

And through their eyes, we told the world their stories.

[Editor's Note: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author.]We knew that our message was resonating with people, and that they wanted a change in government by electing someone who is responsible to the needs of the community  someone who will fight corruption, lower taxes, protect health care benefits and push back against what is happening with Trump in Washington, Didech said Wednesday.She was eastbound on the interstate and drove off the right side of the road, according to Illinois State Police, who are still investigating the accident.Inaugural EGC Raises the Baltic and Balkan Regions, and Shines West for 2019

Published November 7, 2018 by Lee R

The inaugural EGC was a hit among many, and promises to grow and diversify in 2019.

After splashing down to rave reviews, European Gaming Congress EGC has built on that by announcing a new destination for 2019.

The Conference

The European Gaming Media and Events promoted event took place this year in Ljubljana, Slovenia on October 16th, as a new type of conference targeting a broader European audience through panel discussions of regional markets.

Promoter Head Speaks

European Gaming Media and Events Co-Owner and Head of Business Zoltan Tundik expressed happiness with the turnout and feedback from attending operators, service providers and industry experts, further explaining that his company designed EGC to complement our already established events in the Baltic, Scandinavian and CEE regions.

New Site

As determined by post event survey, the 2019 site was awarded to Milan, Italy.

Attendee Testimonials

Testimonials from luminaries gave a better picture of the type of conference that EGC is evolving to become. MME Legal AG Senior Legal Associate Dr. Alexandra Korner called the inaugural EGC a boutique event that brings together experts from all over Europe to exchange experiences from different countries as well as to develop thoughts and knowledge in various areas of gaming law, characterizing the event overall as a Great experience with wonderful people!"

OSM Co-Founder Martin Stofler called the event "an extremely informative and well organized get-together of gaming and gambling professionals. The European Gaming Media team have managed to pull together a great mix of professionals in a very accommodating and enjoyable location. OSM Solutions will definitely return for the 2019 congress."

Tom Horn Gaming Compliance Manager Lucia Chmelova called the event "Another exciting event in the iGaming industry, adding that the event provided valuable information about the current status quo in regulated markets and shared insights into the compliance issues many of my industry colleagues have been facing.

Stoiximan.gr and Betano legal counsel lauded the "excellent insight into the Balkan and Slovenian markets.

Outlook

As the Central and Eastern Europe markets emerge, and EGC further establishes that foothold while revealing how specific approaches, techniques and technologies in that region can add to the overall development of global iGaming integration. Next year's move west to Milan can only build on that.Pragmatic Play Inks New Deal with Kindred Group

Published November 7, 2018 by Brett C

Leading online casino software provider Pragmatic Play has struck a deal with Kindred Group to roll out an exciting selection of new games for players.

Online casino software provider Pragmatic Play has inked a deal with Kindred Group to tap into an expanded range of regulated gambling markets. As one of the premier online casino games providers, Pragmatic Play offers a large selection of live casino games, video slots games and online casino games. The new deal with Kindred Group expands Pragmatic Plays offerings to players.

As a leading European provider of online casino games, the Kindred Group has offices in a dozen countries including Holland, Denmark, England, Malta, Sweden and France. The company is also licensed in a dozen jurisdictions.

Exciting Games Added to Pragmatic Plays Offerings

Fans of Pragmatic Play can access a wide range of offerings, including Wolf Gold and Ancient Egypt Classic. The CCO of Pragmatic Play, Melissa Summerfield indicated that the company is delighted to be partnering with the Kindred Group, with an expanded range of gaming products. Kindred Groups Head of Gaming, Cristiano Blanco expressed equal optimism with the deal.

Live casino games vis-a-vis Extreme Live Gaming are an important component of Pragmatic Plays offerings. As the leading content provider for the online gaming industry, Pragmatic Play delivers innovative solutions to players with a full quota of mobile gaming options. Among others, players can experience bingo, jackpot slots, classic slots, live casino and others.

Boosting the Gaming Portfolio for Players

Pragmatic Play strives to deliver adrenaline-loaded entertainment with every game on its platform. Engagement ranks high for this operator and the inclusion of Kindred Group games adds value to the overall gaming experience. This deal is perceived as a bellwether for a successful partnership.St. Michael Parish: 14327 Highland Ave.  The Prayer Shawl Ministry Hooks and Needles, will meet from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month to knit or crochet prayer shawls, hats and scarves. The items will be donated to hospitals, hospice units, food pantry, cancer units, the American Red Cross and individuals. There are also six evening meetings a year. Information: call Donna at 708-403-2122.Throughout my childhood there was little to eat and much to endure, he wrote. My mother, who suffered the triple damnation of a drunken husband, a large and growing family, and hopeless poverty, did the very best she could by all of us and continually sacrificed her own needs so that we could survive.State Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, was not up for re-election this year. I asked him Wednesday whether he agreed with the view that blue states are becoming more blue and red states are becoming more red. Many believe the partisan divide in America is becoming worse with each election.I see pedestrians all the time on the side of the road. If we did (the engineering) and didnt get the grant, we still would like a bike path or something. But it would be great to get it all fixed, Super said.Liquid Toothpaste Market Research Report Global Forecast 2018-25 Estimated with Top Key Players like: Colgate-Palmolive, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson

Liquid Toothpaste

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UpMarketResearch published an exclusive report on Liquid Toothpaste market delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibits on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability. This report focuses on the Liquid Toothpaste 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, segments and application.Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Report @Liquid Toothpaste 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 Liquid Toothpaste 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 visit:The following manufacturers are covered in this report: Colgate-Palmolive Procter & Gamble GlaxoSmithKline Johnson & Johnson Henkel Church & Dwight Boryung PharmaceuticalLiquid Toothpaste Production by Region North America Asia-Pacific Europe Central & South America Middle East & AfricaGet Best Discount On This Report @Global Liquid Toothpaste Market: Product Segment Analysis Liquid GelatinousLiquid Toothpaste Breakdown Data by Application Adults Liquid Toothpaste Children Liquid Toothpaste Babies Liquid ToothpasteGet Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Report @The report categorizes the market into segments by companies, end-use, type and potential regions. As an enterprise owner or a market entrant, the report offers you a comprehensive analysis beneficial for you to take a positive traction as and when needed. It offers a complete study of analytics necessary to decide on trending segments and potential market areas to operate.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.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Liquid Toothpaste are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025To buy this report please visit:Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Liquid Toothpaste Industry 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 Liquid Toothpaste market analysis and forecast 2018-2025.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.About UpMarketResearch: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IoT Fleet Management Market to 2017 - 2025: IBM Corporation, AT&T, Inc., Intel Corporation, Verizon Communications, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc.,

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "IoT Fleet Management Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.Global IoT Fleet Management Market: OverviewThe Internet of Things helps in smooth connectivity of all the vehicles in a fleet, which not only helps to gain better insight into the drivers behavior but also assists in monitoring the health of the fleet from any device. Rising demand for fleet safety and data management coupled with the growing need to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) and achieve fuel efficiency are anticipated to drive the adoption of IoT technology in fleet management systems. The global IoT fleet management market has been segmented on the basis of cloud type, application and fleet type. The market has been further segmented by geography broadly into five major regions, namely: North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific (APAC) and Latin America.Global IoT Fleet Management Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe primary factor that is driving the growth of the global IoT fleet management market is growing demand for operational efficiency. Though the logistics companies have connectivity options such as GPS sensors and mobile phones, the Internet of Things offers several new tools, such as driver mobile applications and in-vehicle steaming cameras, to make communications prompt and easier. Some of the additional benefits offered by IoT include vehicle and driver tracking, scheduling, effective routing and load management. Additionally, decreasing theft and unauthorized use coupled with preventive maintenance of fleets that can be achieved by the deployment of the Internet of Things in fleet management is influencing the growth of the global market positively. Thus, the conjoint effect of all these drivers is projected to strongly bolster the growth of the global IoT fleet management market in the coming years from 2017 - 2025.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Increasing concerns about driver privacy and lack of IoT awareness and infrastructure could pose to be threats to the growth of the global IoT fleet management market. However, the growing advancements in cloud computing analytics and deployment of fog layer in the Internet of Things is facilitating the speedy adoption of IoT in fleet management and offering lucrative opportunities to the growth of the global market. Moreover, the developing nations of Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa are also offering potential growth opportunities for the expansion of the market in these regions during the forecast period.Global IoT Fleet Management Market: Competitive LandscapeThe major players who are operating in the IoT fleet management market globally have been profiled thoroughly and competitively in the study across all the give broad geographical regions that are covered under the purview of the report. The competitive analysis of all the market players is inclusive of their recent developments regarding IoT fleet management and the unique business strategies formulized by the companies to compete and retain their position in the global market. In addition to these, the report also includes an exhaustive SWOT analysis of each of the players to identify and analyze their positioning in the market further. Additionally, the report offers the market attractiveness analysis of the segment, cloud type in order to offer a comprehensive insight into the most attractive cloud type in the present market scenario. The market dynamics of the IoT fleet management market which have also been analyzed exhaustively under the scope of the report includes market drivers, restrains and the key opportunities. Therefore, the report on global IoT fleet management market provides a thorough and in depth study of the global market along with providing the market revenue forecast for the period to 2017 to 2025.Some of the key players operating in the IoT fleet management market globally include IBM Corporation, AT&T, Inc., Intel Corporation, Verizon Communications, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., TomTom International BV, Sierra Wireless, Trimble Inc., and Omnitracs LLC among others.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @The global IoT fleet management market has been segmented into:IoT Fleet Management Market, by Cloud TypePublicPrivateHybridIoT Fleet Management Market, by ApplicationRouting ManagementTracking and MonitoringFuel ManagementRemote DiagnosticsOthersIoT Fleet Management Market, by Fleet TypePassenger VehiclesCommercial VehiclesIoT Fleet Management Market, by Geography: The market is broadly segmented on the basis of geography into:North AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaUAESouth AfricaRest of Middle East and AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaMake An Enquiry @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @Dynamic Application Security Testing Market Analysis Focusing on Top Key Players  IBM, Veracode, Pradeo, Rapid7, Micro Focus, Synopsys, Tieto, WhiteHat Security, Trustwave

Dynamic Application Security Testing

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Market Study Report adds Global Dynamic Application Security Testing market report t evaluates the growth trends of the industry through historical study and estimates future prospects based on comprehensive research. The report extensively provides the market share, growth, trends and forecasts for the period 2018-2024.Web-based application security testing is the dominant segment across the application landscape of DAST market, owing to a growing number of organizations embracing DAST solutions to protect their digital assets from likely vulnerabilities and malicious activities. DAST market share from mobile application security testing however, is expected to garner massive demand in 2018-2024 due to escalating penetration of mobile phones and cloud services.Before finalizing the purchase of Dynamic Application Security Testing report, get your questions answered via:Despicable security apprehensions like application manipulation for illegal access, unveiling of sensitive data, modification, and breach are likely to spur the DAST solutions market. Also, establishments are incessantly concentrating on application security testing to detect cyber-attacks and internal flaws to deliver a secure, and trustworthy working environment that assists business goals. However, it is imperative to mention that monetary constraints and a dearth of trained people to perform DAST are likely to be the main constrictions decelerating market growth.Dynamic Application Security Testing Market has gained positive momentum in the last few years, mainly driven by the amplifying business risks attributable to cyber-attacks and application vulnerabilities. Outrageous events of security breaches worldwide are stimulating businesses to deploy cutting-edge application security testing solutions in order to alleviate hacker attack risks. Incidentally, the DAST technique has the potential to rightly spot vulnerabilities in running applications, allowing technology professionals to locate and evade bugs prior to product?s release. Other promising advantages of DAST include risk reduction, security function and feature enhancement like auditing, authentication, and encryption.It is prudent to mention that industries like IT & telecom, BFSI, retail, and healthcare are leveraging the power of DAST technology to guard their business against cyber-attacks. Apparently, BFSI is the prime end-user of the DAST market attributed to digitization and surge in demand for online banking and mobile banking. With a growing number of business applications, application security becomes inevitable. DAST market from the healthcare space is also anticipated to grow at a commendable pace owing to the robust deployment of DAST for security and safety in healthcare applications.Asia Pacific DAST market is expected to exhibit unparalleled growth in future, which will be fueled by the rapid advancement in IT infrastructure and digitization drives in the region. In the face of growing application related problems, the security solution vendors in the region strive to encounter the challenges and ascending data vulnerabilities. Last year, Promon and SecureMetric collaborated to support organizations in Southeast Asia to escalate data protection and lessen data breaches by shielding the mobile phone applications. Furthermore, with the budding software application milieu, the necessity of competent processes for quality assurance and security has augmented in the app development lifecycle.To Get information of TOC At:Speaking about the geographical outlook, North America is projected to lead the global market owing to rising instances of breaches in private organizations & government networks. To mitigate these risks, private and public organizations are joining forces with security companies. A classic example worth mentioning is that of IBM and Cisco where they both collaborated to manage cyber threats. As a part of this venture, Cisco incorporated its security solutions with QRadar of IBM, an enterprise safety solution to safeguard organizations across endpoints, cloud, and networks.The most renowned players in the global DAST market include Accenture, IBM, Veracode, Pradeo, Rapid7, Micro Focus, Synopsys, Tieto, WhiteHat Security, and Trustwave. Indeed, these market leaders undertake strategic partnerships to expand their product range and enhance their customer base. For instance, HCL and IBM joined forces to spark growth and facilitate advancement in the application security domain. Likewise, recently WhiteHat Security joined hands with RiskSense for application security risk administration in a bid to automate business impact evaluation of web vulnerabilities, management, and scoring.For more information on this report, Please visit at:Related Report:Global Dynamic Application Security Testing Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025This report studies the global Dynamic Application Security Testing market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global Dynamic Application Security Testing market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Read More on this report at: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:Manned Security Services Market Is Booming Worldwide | Beijing Baoan, Transguard, Control Risks, Allied Universal, Covenant

Manned Security Services Market

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HTF MI released a new market study on Global Manned Security Services Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for Global Manned Security Services Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are G4S, Securitas, Allied Universal, US Security Associates, SIS, TOPSGRUP, Beijing Baoan, OCS Group, ICTS Europe, Transguard, Andrews International, Control Risks, Covenant, China Security & Protection Group, Axis Security & DWSS.Click to get Global Manned Security Services Market Research Sample PDF Copy Here @:#Summary: , it is mainly include the service and equipment; the applications are concentrated in the Commercial Buildings, Industrial Buildings and Residential Buildings.The global Manned Security Services market will reach xxx Million USD in 2017 and CAGR xx% 2011-2017. The report begins from overview of Industry Chain structure, and describes industry environment, then analyses market size and forecast of Manned Security Services by product, region and application, in addition, this report introduces market competition situation among the vendors and company profile, besides, market price analysis and value chain features areImportant Features that are under offering & key highlights of the report :1) What all companies are currently profiled in the report?Following are list of players that are currently profiled in the the report "G4S, Securitas, Allied Universal, US Security Associates, SIS, TOPSGRUP, Beijing Baoan, OCS Group, ICTS Europe, Transguard, Andrews International, Control Risks, Covenant, China Security & Protection Group, Axis Security & DWSS"** List of companies mentioned may vary in the final report subject to Name Change / Merger etc.2) Can we add or profiled new company as per our need?Yes, we can add or profile new company as per client need in the report. Final confirmation to be provided by research team depending upon the difficulty of survey.** Data availability will be confirmed by research in case of privately held company. Upto 3 players can be added at no added cost.3) What all regional segmentation covered? Can specific country of interest be added?Currently, research report gives special attention and focus on following regions:North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East & Africa** One country of specific interest can be included at no added cost. For inclusion of more regional segment quote may vary.4) Can inclusion of additional Segmentation / Market breakdown is possible?Yes, inclusion of additional segmentation / Market breakdown is possible subject to data availability and difficulty of survey. However a detailed requirement needs to be shared with our research before giving final confirmation to client.** Depending upon the requirement the deliverable time and quote will vary.Enquire for customization in Report @To comprehend Global Manned Security Services market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Manned Security Services market is analyzed across major global regions. HTF MI also provides customized specific regional and country-level reports for the following areas. North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico. South & Central America: Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa. Europe: UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Russia. Asia-Pacific: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia.2-Page profiles for 10+ leading manufacturers and 10+ leading retailers is included, along with 3 years financial history to illustrate the recent performance of the market. Revised and updated discussion for 2018 of key macro and micro market influences impacting the sector are provided with a thought-provoking qualitative comment on future opportunities and threats. This report combines the best of both statistically relevant quantitative data from the industry, coupled with relevant and insightful qualitative comment and analysis.Global Manned Security Services Product Types In-Depth: , Service & EquipmentGlobal Manned Security Services Major Applications/End users: Commercial Buildings, Industrial Buildings & Residential BuildingsGeographical Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East & AfricaIn 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.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 G4S, Securitas, Allied Universal, US Security Associates, SIS, TOPSGRUP, Beijing Baoan, OCS Group, ICTS Europe, Transguard, Andrews International, Control Risks, Covenant, China Security & Protection Group, Axis Security & DWSS 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.Buy Full Copy Global Manned Security Services Report 2018 @In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Global Manned Security Services are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Key Stakeholders/Global Reports:Manned Security Services ManufacturersManned Security Services Distributors/Traders/WholesalersManned Security Services Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsBrowse for Full Report at @:Actual Numbers & In-Depth Analysis, Business opportunities, Market Size Estimation Available in Full Report.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Beverage Refrigeration Market Size, Revenue, Trend & Regional Forecast 2018-2024 By Top Players - Electrolux, Whirlpool Corporation, Dover Corporation, GE, Haier

Beverage Refrigeration Market

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North America Beverage Refrigeration Market is anticipated to surpass USD 1 billion by 2024. This can be credited to escalating consumption of refreshment drinks and technological improvements in refrigeration systems. In addition, government encouraging utilization of energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies in refrigerators.Beverage Refrigeration Market to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2024. Escalating demand for refrigerators to store and serve drinks for social gathering and private events, is a key factor driving beverage refrigeration market growth. Ongoing technological advances to reduce the overall cooling time and consumer demand for distinctive features such as bottom freezer drawer and powerful filtered water will boost beverage refrigeration market.Sample copy of this Report @Manufacturers are anticipated to invest in new product development to comply with new energy standards implemented by the regulatory bodies. Further, increasing penetration of refrigerators that employ specific features such as modifiable shelves to accommodate bottles and cans will boost product sales.Increasing consumer preference for packaged drinks which are convenient to consume at home will support the product demand. According to recent statistics, the global consumption of packaged drinks was estimated more than 1.05 trillion liters in 2016 and Chinese consumption amounted to about 178.6 billion liters.Beverage Refrigeration Market, By Producto Under counter beverage refrigerator Gliding door Swing Dooro Countertop beverage refrigerator Gliding door Swing doorMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @Under counter beverage refrigerator was valued at over USD 1 billion in 2016. Product offering such as stainless-steel body or custom panel-ready fronts are stimulating the demand. In addition, better shelving and temperature control will support segment penetration over the forecast period.Rising demand to preserve milk in dairy shops will propel coolers demand over the projected timeframe. Diary companies are upgrading their existing capacities, and setting up cold storages along with the processing plant. This will generate the overall revenue over the forecast period.Asia Pacific market holds over 20% of overall industry share in 2016. According to industry estimates, the region is anticipated to account for more than two-thirds of the global beverages consumption by 2020. The region accounts for 60% of the world population and increasing consumption will provide lucrative opportunities for manufacturers.Browse Report Summery @Global Beverage Refrigeration Market is fragmented in nature. Key industry players are Electrolux, Daikin Industries, Avanti, Dover Corporation, KingsBottle, Whirlpool Corporation, Edgestar, Haier, Ford and General Electrics. Other Industry participants are Koolatron, Coca-Cola, Danfoss, Gamko, Liebherr, Marvel, Kegco, Danby, Johnson Controls, U-line, HABCO, Allavino, Kenmore, Marvel, United Technologies Corporation and Illinois Tool Works.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 biotechnologyContact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Improve your quality of life with home automation Home automation can be as simple or as full-on as you want it to be. If you just want to be able to turn the heating on while you're at work, or make sure the lights are switched off at night, that's fine. However, if you want complete smart control of your home, you can pretty much have it. Home automation is A Beaverton man who killed his mother last year and burned her remains in their backyard fire pit was sentenced last week to life in state psychiatric custody.

Matthew Gutierrez, 26, was found guilty except for insanity of murder and guilty of first-degree abuse of a corpse in the July 2017 death of 57-year-old Katherine McDowell. Court records show an Oregon State Hospital psychologist concluded in October that Gutierrez suffered from schizophrenia when he killed his mother, he wasn't taking medication, and his mental illness at the time hampered his ability to comply with the law.

A Washington County circuit judge had previously found Gutierrez unable to assist in his own defense from August 2017 through much of this year, court records show. Gutierrez will be committed to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office said last year that it wasn't able to determine how McDowell was killed but ruled her manner of death as homicide.

Gutierrez's sister called 911 on July 17, 2017, and requested police check on their mother after she couldn't reach her, Beaverton police said. Officers found Gutierrez at home but no sign of McDowell in the house they shared in the 11500 block of Southwest 11th Street. Officers arrested Gutierrez after he told investigators he burned her body, police said.

Gutierrez is at least the third Oregon man in the past two years found guilty except for insanity for murder in killing their mother. All three were found to have been in mental crisis during the killings due to symptoms of schizophrenia.

Jose Manzur-Roldan, now 24, was sentenced to the state hospital in Marion County in May 2017 for the February 2016 fatal stabbing of 45-year-old Maria Roldan DeManzur.

Joshua Webb, now 38, was sentenced to the state hospital in Clackamas County in June in the May 2017 killing of 59-year-old Tina Webb. He also killed his dog, decapitated his mother, drove to a grocery store in a neighboring town with her severed head, and stabbed an employee inside.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBaileySherry Lenz said she was off work Tuesday, while her husband, Tom, had just finished his shift at a local food pantry. The couple said they noticed early voting was busier at the library over the weekend than the Salvation Army polling place was on Tuesday.Oregon voters have again rejected an initiative that would have overhauled the state's tax system.

This time it was Measure 103, which would have prohibited most new taxes on grocers and banned soda taxes anywhere in the state. The initiative was rejected 42.6 percent to 57.4 percent Tuesday with nearly 1.8 million votes counted.

Measure 103 was in large part a reaction to Measure 97, the failed, union-backed initiative from 2016 that sought to raise $3 billion a year with a broad tax on business revenue. Legislators have subsequently considered a similar gross-receipts tax, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Grocers and soda companies sought to preempt that, spending $5.3 million on Measure 103 to exempt them and their products from new taxes, with most of the money coming from the American Beverage Association. But the big companies had no better results this year than the unions did two years ago.

Measure 103 backers pitched it as a ban on taxing food, but campaign finance records show the real focus was on one element of the initiative: a sweeping ban on soda taxes. Oregon has no soda taxes now, and Measure 103 was meant to ensure it never would.

A handful of communities across the country have established soda taxes, either to discourage consumption of unhealthy beverages or to raise money for public spending. Academic studies have shown sales fall sharply in communities with soda taxes.

A similar ballot measure in Washington, I-1634, passed handily Tuesday. It leaves in place a soda tax in Seattle but precludes a tax hike and new taxes in other jurisdictions.

Most of the money in support of Oregon's initiative came from the American Beverage Association, which sought to amend Oregon's constitution to establish a tax exemption for its industry, along with a prohibition on its products ever being taxed.

Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire and former mayor of New York, gave $2.1 million to the campaign against Measure 103. He's an advocate for taxing soda as a means to improving public health.

"The beverage industry fears sugary drink taxes precisely because these taxes workthey reduce consumption of drinks that have no nutritional value and are tied to chronic diseases, and they raise critical revenue for a variety of health initiatives," said Kelly Henning, head of Bloomberg Philanthropies' public health programs, in a written statement.

Public unions and big companies, including Nike, formed a rare alliance and spent heavily in opposition of the ballot initiative. Unions feared it would limit public spending, while businesses worried that exempting grocers and soda companies would push any new taxes onto other industries at a disproportionate rate.

"Measure 103 was always about protecting special interests and never about helping Oregonians put food on the table," said Annie Kirschner, director of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, in a written statement.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699As with much of the nation, voter turnout in Oregon was explosive Tuesday. And while it wasn't enough to break records, the deep blue of the wave was vividly clear. Here are some of The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board's takes on election night, and look for continued coverage on elections results in coming days.

Oregon governor's race

Gov. Kate Brown's victory over her Republican challenger proved one thing without a doubt: This election, for Oregonians, was very definitely about President Donald Trump.

The hope for Democratic domination that stalled in some parts of the country found no such opposition in Oregon. Despite polls predicting a close race between Brown and Knute Buehler, a moderate Republican legislator, Brown brought home a decisive win.

But even as Brown has defined her governorship in taking aim at Trump Administration policies, we hope that she will show the same passion for tackling the state's most entrenched problems, including the state's struggling K-12 educational system, the massive pension debt and the state's inequitable revenue system. Let the next four years prove that Oregonians made the right call.

Measure 102

Voters wisely approved the constitutional tweak that will allow municipalities across the state to stretch their affordable housing dollars. The measure lets local governments use affordable housing dollars more efficiently and better leverage federal assistance. Portlanders should see the benefits soon, as the change allows city officials to build hundreds more housing units than originally planned with the money from the 2016 bond.

Measures 103 and Measure 104

Oregonians made the right call in rejecting Measures 103 and 104. The two proposed constitutional amendments - one seeking to ban taxes on groceries and the other requiring a three-fifths majority for the Legislature to pass revenue-raising bills - were such sweeping and poorly-constructed solutions that their passage would have thrust Oregon into a legal morass and legislative gridlock. As tempting as the measures might have seemed to Oregonians wary of their lawmakers, voters smartly said no.

Elected officials should recognize the suspicion and frustration underlying the two measures. They were born out of genuine concerns about how the state operates and the questionable fairness with which it sets policy -- concerns that won't fade away on their own.

Leaders shouldn't simply dismiss what 103 and 104 stood for. They can continue with business as usual, pursuing hyper-partisan, win-at-any-cost politics or reset their focus to prioritize broadly bipartisan legislation that takes into account the needs of the state as a whole. With lawmakers eyeing carbon reduction policies, new taxes for funding Medicaid and rapidly increasing pension contributions for public employers, they should act with the understanding that how they pass a policy matters to Oregonians as well as what they pass.

Measure 105

Thankfully, voters saw through the fear-mongering behind this divisive measure and easily defeated the attempt to repeal Oregon's 31-year-old racial profiling law. Keeping this law in place will help keep our communities safer, ensuring Latino crime victims or witnesses can feel safe turning to local law enforcement without fear of deportation. Oregon legislators could head off any further attempts to toss our sanctuary status by clarifying several issues that have arisen recently from sheriffs' varying interpretation of the law. The law forbids local law enforcement from using their resources to investigate or apprehend anyone whose only offense is their immigration status.

Measure 106

Seven times Oregon has seen attempts to politicize an issue on which Oregonians have agreed for three decades: Abortion is a medical procedure offered within basic health care. Measure 106 supporters sought to block the use of state tax dollars to pay for most abortions. For the seventh time, voters made their beliefs clear that this is a personal medical decision that Oregonians can be trusted to make.

Oregon House Dist. 37

Democrat Rachel Prusak defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Julie Parrish. That's a loss for the residents of her West Linn district and for the state. Parrish is a fierce, straight-talking lawmaker known for her detailed knowledge of state spending, moderate social stances and political independence - something often lacking in Salem.

Portland City Council

Jo Ann Hardesty easily won this historic race, becoming the first African American woman to serve on the Portland City Council. She has the experience and hunger for the role, yet should be careful in her transition from the role of advocate to policy maker. Hardesty would be well-served to rely on data - not populist talking points -- to shape solutions to the city's critical issues.

Metro's affordable housing bond

Tri-county residents resoundingly supported Metro's $652.8 million bond that promises 3,900 more affordable units in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties (without Measure 102, the total was estimated to be closer to 2,400). It is good for local leaders to see such broad support, especially in suburban cities that failed in the past to meet affordable housing goals that Metro had previously set.

The win is good for the region, yet much work remains ahead to keep Metro's largest-ever bond on track. And while the bond provides a much-needed boost, local governments should continue to look for ways they can encourage private investments during our housing crisis, such as streamlining permitting and temporarily lowering fees.

Elsewhere

In Louisiana, a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous juries for felony convictions handily passed. With that win, Oregon holds the dubious distinction of being the only state in the country that allows defendants to be convicted of non-murder felonies by as few as 10 of 12 jurors.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Therese Bottomly and John Maher.

Members of the board meet regularly to determine our institutional stance on issues of the day. We publish editorials when we believe our unique perspective can lend clarity and influence an upcoming decision of great public interest. Editorials are opinion pieces and therefore different from news articles. However, editorials are reported and written by either Laura Gunderson or Helen Jung.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below,

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If you have questions about the opinion section,

, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.Oregon is now the only state to allow non-unanimous jury verdicts after voters in Louisiana approved a constitutional amendment to end their system of split-verdict convictions.

For decades, juries in both states had been allowed to convict most felony defendants with a 10-2 vote, though Oregon still requires a unanimous vote to find defendants guilty of murder.

Louisiana reversed course Tuesday night with 65 percent of voters rejecting the Jim Crow-era practice, first enacted there more than century ago, election results show.

The amendment, which takes effect Jan. 1, received support from both liberal and conservative lawmakers, advocacy groups and political organizations.

"It's an awful and racist provision, and I hope Oregon will soon follow suit," said Aliza Kaplan, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, where she directs the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic.

Last year, Kaplan published an influential article in the Oregon Law Review that argued how non-unanimous juries undermined the state's criminal justice system and remained a relic of Oregon's less-tolerant past.

Critics have long claimed that non-unanimous juries are deeply flawed and punitive toward nonwhite defendants. Critics have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review their constitutionality, though the high court hasn't taken up the cases.

In both Oregon and Louisiana, opponents have said these systems, which no other state has ever used, are remnants from an era when suspicion of nonwhites swirled in the open and discrimination toward racial and religious minorities was endemic to public life.

Louisiana's majority verdict system was adopted during the state's 1898 constitutional convention to diminish the influence of black jurors upon verdicts, scholars claim.

In Oregon nearly four decades later, it was a sensational murder trial involving a Jewish suspect that prompted voters in 1934 to enshrine a non-unanimous jury system into the state constitution, according to advocates and legal scholars.

A number of prosecutors in Oregon, however, support the system and reject the characterization that it's rooted in racism. They say it helps reduce the number of hung juries, which ultimately benefits crime victims.



Still, Oregon and Louisiana's jury systems drew scrutiny last year when lawyers for a man in Louisiana petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review that state's jury law, claiming that such statutes deprive some defendants of equal protection under the law and should be ruled unconstitutional.

The high court declined to hear the case.

Oregon legislators have the ability to refer a proposal to voters to change the system back to a 12-0 vote. State lawmakers have not tackled the issue of non-unanimous juries since it first recommended a public vote eight decades ago, Kaplan said.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh

skavanaugh@oregonian.com

503-294-7632 || @shanedkavanaughOregon voters voted Tuesday to amend the state Constitution to give local governments more flexibility to use bond dollars for affordable housing developments.

Measure 102 won 56.7 percent to 43.3 percent. The measure faced no organized opposition, and it even had the support of vocal opponents of an affordable housing bond being put before Portland-area voters.

The measure would let local governments put bond money toward privately owned projects. That means bond proceeds  such as from the $258 million bond Portland voters approved in 2016  could be combined with the revenue from selling tax credits in projects belonging to housing nonprofits.

The Oregon Constitution currently prohibits spending bond money on anything that isn't fully owned and operated by the government.

But most affordable housing these days is built by private developers, many of them nonprofits. Federal tax credits, sold to private investors who are usually part-owners in the project, are a key source of funding.

Measure 102 was intended to give governments the flexibility to use bond dollars to partially fund affordable housing projects, which supporters say would help build more units more quickly.

Voters in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties also approved the $652.8 million affordable housing bond referred by the Metro regional government. Measure 26-199, supporters said, would mean the difference between that bond producing 2,400 and 3,900 homes for low-income residents.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjusOregon voters have had their say. At least 1.87 million of them cast ballots and decided a governor's race, the balance of power in the Legislature, the fate of state and local measures, and more.

We have compiled all the key results for you.

Here are 5 key takeaways:

1. The biggest races  the governor's contest and five statewide ballot measures  were lopsided victories for Democrats and labor.

Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, won re-election against moderate Republican Knute Buehler by about 5 percentage points.

Measures to ban taxes on soda and other groceries, to end Oregon's sanctuary protections for immigrants and to restrict public spending on abortion went down by even larger margins (a gigantic 14, 26 and 28 percentage points, respectively).

Polls that suggested some of these might be close were wrong. The pro-Brown anti-measures coalition, heavily funded by public employee unions and joined by national pro-Democrat political action committees, didn't just win. They dominated.

2. Voter turnout wasn't sky high.

Unlike the national narrative and what seemed to be the case early the state's election cycle, turnout among Oregon voters didn't set a 25-year record or even come close. It didn't even match 2014.

The high early voter turnout in Oregon was exactly that: early. It was not extra. In the end, at least 1.87 million voters cast ballots. That is a huge number, but as a share of registered voters, it unlikely to match the 70.6 percent turnout rate from the 2014 midterm election or the 71.9 percent turnout recorded in 2010, when Republican Chris Dudley came close to defeating Democrat John Kitzhaber for governor.

Despite the hype, plenty of registered Oregon voters, even those who registered as Democrats or Republicans, sat out.

3. Oregon voters, particularly in the three-county Portland metro area, care about schoolchildren.

All three metro-area school money measures on the ballot  in North Clackamas, Tigard-Tualatin and Oregon City  passed handily. So did school bond measures in Eugene, Astoria and Ashland.

4. Dennis Richardson, Oregon's Republican secretary of state, is a political unicorn and may remain so for some time.

When Richardson won statewide office in 2016, he was the first Republican to do so in 14 years. He planted a stake in blue Oregon as a Republican who could win big, suggesting others could, too.

Many thought state Rep. Knute Buehler, a moderate Republican who broke with President Donald Trump and cast himself as a bipartisan willing to broker smart policy compromises, could win or at least come close. Not so.

He did not chart a path for other Oregon GOP candidates to find victory, either.

Republicans were rebuffed in their runs not only for governor but for the state House and Senate. And they can't find solace or signs of near-term statewide victories in any of Tuesday's election results.

5. Democrats' new supermajority in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature means corporate tax increases and progressive policy changes could be an easy sell in the 2019 session.

Proponents of Measure 104 sought to restrict the ability of Oregon lawmakers to raise taxes and fees, requiring a three-fifths majority in both chambers to approve not only outright tax hikes but also other policy changes that would increase revenues. Voters said no.

But it might not have mattered. Oregon voters have installed a three-fifths majority of Democrats in both the state House and Senate starting in January 2019. As a result, Oregonians can expect that controversial progressive policies, as well as tax or fee hikes, will find a more receptive audience in the next legislative session.

-- Betsy Hammond

betsyhammond@oregonian.comA ballot measure to restrict state funds for abortions was decisively rejected, 64.5 percent to 35.6 percent, in Tuesday's election.

Oregon has long upheld abortion rights, even as other states have put restrictions on women's ability to obtain or pay for the procedure. Oregon is one of 17 states that allows state funds to pay for abortions.

Still, the measure was significant because it was the first abortion-related ballot initiative since 2006. Oregon Life United, the group behind Measure 106, failed in two earlier attempts to get the issue on the ballot. This year, it captured a mere 221 signatures more than the minimum required.

Measure 106 would have amended Oregon's Constitution to ban any public funds from being used on abortions, unless medically necessary to save the mother's life. Currently, anyone on publicly funded health insurance, such as the Oregon Health Plan, can receive an abortion if approved by a medical professional.

Supporters say that taxpayers shouldn't foot the cost of abortions, especially if they are morally opposed to them.

However, the state estimates that the measure will actually add $4.8 million to taxpayers' bills, because more babies will be on government health insurance.

The measure faced long odds; Oregon Life United was significantly outspent by organizations that support abortion rights. Several prominent groups, such as City Club of Portland and the ACLU Oregon, and public employee unions had urged voters to reject the measure.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbargerClackamas County voters re-elected incumbents in contested countywide offices Tuesday.

Sherry Hall defeated Pamela White in the race for Clackamas County clerk, winning 51.9 percent to 47.6 percent to retain her position in partial returns Tuesday.

Meanwhile Tami Little defeated Mike Grant for the position of Clackamas County assessor and tax collector, winning 64.5 percent to 35.0 percent.

Brian T. Nava was also elected county treasurer after running the race unopposed.

The Clackamas County races were more subdued than previous years, thanks in large part to the absence of any contentious county commissioner races. The five-member, nonpartisan board was selected in the May primary.

The most hotly contested race was for county clerk, pitting incumbent Hall against White, the development and communications director for the Oregon Citizens Utility Board.

White has criticized Hall for a lack of transparency and for including the the county clerk's name on the envelopes of vote-by-mail ballots sent to county voters, calling it "astounding" that Hall continues to do so. At least one resident threatened to lodge a complaint about the practice in October, but county officials said nothing in local statutes prohibits it. Clerks in surrounding counties do not follow Hall's practice.

Elected in 2003, Hall acknowledged some mistakes that have happened under her tenure in the position  including misprinted ballots that were sent out 2010  but defended her work as decidedly nonpartisan.

The race for county assessor pit the incumbent Little against Grant, who works as a commercial and industrial appraiser for Clackamas County.

Little has been in the office only since May, appointed to the position after Bob Vroman resigned. She's worked in the county assessor's office for more than 34 years, serving as the assessment and taxation manager since 2007.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesBWASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats were locked in a district-by-district battle for control of the House Tuesday night while a setback in Indiana squeezed their already narrow path to a Senate majority.

With control of Congress, statehouses and President Donald Trump's agenda at stake, many of the nation's top elections were too close to call.

Democrats won at least five of the roughly two dozen seats they needed to claim House control with dozens more competitive contests remaining, But victories in contested House races in Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Minnesota gave them cause for optimism.

But Republicans seized victory in Indiana's high-profile Senate contest on Tuesday, as Trump-backed businessman Mike Braun defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly. And Marsha Blackburn won in Tennessee.

The mixed results unfolded as an anxious nation watched to see whether voters would reward or reject the GOP in the first nationwide election of Trump's turbulent presidency.

In the leadup to the election, Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away. The GOP's grip on high-profile governorships in Florida , Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well. Fundraising, polls and history were not on the president's side.

"Everything we have achieved is at stake," Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.

Long lines and malfunctioning machines marred the first hours of voting in some precincts, including in Georgia, where some voters reported waiting up to three hours to vote in a hotly contested gubernatorial election.

More than 40 million Americans had already voted, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to an AP analysis. Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump.

The nationwide survey indicated that nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote. Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good.

Two issues more than any others were on voters' minds: 25 percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.

Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies. He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant "invasion" that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.

Several television networks, including the president's favorite Fox News Channel, yanked a Trump campaign advertisement off the air on the eve of the election, determining that its portrayal of a murderous immigrant went too far.

The president's current job approval, set at 40 percent by Gallup, was the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era.

Both Barack Obama's and Bill Clinton's numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.

Democrats needed to pick up two dozen seats to seize the House majority and two seats to control the Senate.

Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin won re-election. And in New Jersey, Democrats re-elected embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, who, less than a year ago, stood trial for federal corruption charges. The Justice Department dropped the charges after his trial ended in an hung jury.

Democrats' performance in the House battlefield was mixed.

In Virginia, political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock. The Republican incumbent had been branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats in a race that pointed to Trump's unpopularity among college-educated women in the suburbs.

In south Florida, former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar.

Democrats failed to defeat a vulnerable incumbent in Kentucky, where Republican Rep. Andy Barr won over former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath.

All 435 seats in the U.S. House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive. Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.

Meanwhile, several 2020 presidential prospects easily won re-election, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Trump spent the day at the White House, tweeting, making calls, monitoring the races and meeting with his political team. He and the first lady were to host an evening watch party for family and friends. Among those expected: Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal adviser to the president.

Democrats, whose very relevance in the Trump era depended on winning at least one chamber of Congress, were laser-focused on health care as they predicted victories that would break up the GOP's monopoly in Washington and state governments.

The political and practical stakes were sky-high. Democrats could derail Trump's legislative agenda for the next two years should they win control of the House or the Senate. Perhaps more important, they would claim subpoena power to investigate Trump's personal and professional shortcomings.

Some Democrats have already vowed to force the release of his tax returns. Others have pledged to pursue impeachment, although removal from office is unlikely so long as the GOP controls the Senate or even maintains a healthy minority.

-- Steve Peoples, The Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP)  The Democrats appeared close to taking back the House on Tuesday in a victory that could slap a check on President Donald Trump's agenda over the next two years and lead to a multitude of investigations into his business dealings and his administration.

The party needed a net gain of 23 seats to break the Republicans' eight-year hold on the House that began with the tea party revolt of 2010. By late evening, as the polls on the West Coast closed, the Democrats had picked up at least 18 seats GOP-held seats in one of the most volatile midterm elections in modern U.S. history.

While the Republican Party maintained control of the Senate, a win for the Democrats in the House would end the GOP monopoly on power in Washington and open a new era of divided government.

"Tomorrow will be a new day in America," Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said at a victory party in Washington.

Democratic candidates for the House flipped seats in several suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. They also made inroads into Trump country as Democrats tried to win back white working-class voters.

Midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power, and GOP incumbents were on the defensive in many races across the country.

As Election Day unfolded, Democrats were increasingly confident, predicting a House majority on the strength of voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates. More women than ever were running, along with veterans and minorities, many of them motivated by Trump's rise.

The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of heated rhetoric and angry debates on immigration, health care and the role of Congress in overseeing the president.

To stem Republican losses, Trump sprinted through mostly white regions of the country, interjecting dark and foreboding warnings about what Democratic power would mean for the nation.

The debate was dominated not by the GOP's $1.5 trillion tax cuts but by Trump's dire prediction of "invasion" from the migrant caravan and what he called the "radical" agenda of speaker-in-waiting Pelosi.

GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana predicted his party would retain a slim majority, saying on election eve: "In the end, we hold the House because of the strong economy."

Health care and immigration were high on voters' minds as they cast ballots, according to a wide-ranging survey of the American electorate conducted by AP. AP VoteCast also showed a majority of voters considered Trump a factor in their votes.

For Democrats, the road to the 218-seat majority ran through the two dozen suburban districts Clinton won and through swaths of Trump country in the Rust Belt and heartland where voters backed the president two years ago. How women and independent voters cast their ballots was likely to determine the outcome.

In the suburbs outside the nation's capital, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock  among the most endangered GOP incumbents, branded Barbara "Trumpstock" by Democrats  lost to Jennifer Wexton, a prosecutor and state legislator. Wexton was among the record number of women running this year.

In the Miami area, former Clinton administration Cabinet member Donna Shalala won an open seat, while GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo lost his bid for a third term in another district.

Pennsylvania looked particularly daunting for Republicans after court-imposed redistricting and a rash of retirements put several seats in play. Democratic favorite Conor Lamb, who stunned Washington by winning a special election in the state, beat Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in a new district. At least three other red districts flipped to blue.

In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House.

But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Outside Richmond, Virginia, one-time tea party favorite Rep. Dave Brat faced an unusually strong challenge from Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative motivated to run for office after the GOP vote to gut the Affordable Care Act. Like other Democrats across the country, Spanberger emphasized protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage or charged more by insurers.

In a suburban battleground in Atlanta, Republican Rep. Karen Handel won a costly special election earlier this cycle but faced an upstart challenge from Lucy McBath, whose 17-year-old son was shot and killed at a gas station.

The GOP's hold on the majority was complicated by an unusually large number of retirements as well as persistent infighting between conservatives and centrists, with much of the conflict centered on the question of allegiance to Trump.

Republicans had expected the GOP tax plan would be the cornerstone of their election agenda this year, but it became a potential liability in key states along the East and West coasts where residents could face higher tax bills because of limits on property and sales tax deductions.

The tax law has been particularly problematic for Republicans in New Jersey, where four of five GOP-held seats were being seriously contested. Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, was favored for a suburban Newark seat.

The GOP campaign committee distanced itself from eight-term Rep. Steve King of Iowa after racial remarks, and his seat was unexpectedly contested in the final week of the campaign.

In California, four GOP seats in the one-time Republican stronghold of Orange County were in play, along with three other seats to the north beyond Los Angeles and into the Central Valley.

"We always knew these races are going to be close," said Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, co-chair of House Democrats' recruitment efforts. "It's just a very robust class of candidates that really reflects who we are as a country."

--Lisa MascaroDemocrats tried Tuesday to fight their way back to power in state capitols across the country by reclaiming governor's seats in key Midwest states, major steps in their nationwide strategy to reverse years of Republican gains in state capitols.

Still, their early victories in Kansas, Illinois and Michigan were balanced by Republicans holding on to one of the top prizes, Florida, and the governor's offices in Ohio and Arizona. All three states will figure prominently in the presidential map in two years.

The other most closely watched governor's race, in Georgia, remained too close to call Tuesday night.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer defeated Republican Bill Schuette, upending years of Republican control in the state. The former legislative leader will become the second female governor in a state where Democrats heavily targeted other statewide and legislative offices.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in Illinois lost his bid for a second term to Democrat J.B. Pritzker. The billionaire appears to have capitalized not only on Rauner's lack of popularity but broader dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump.

And in Kansas, Democratic state lawmaker Laura Kelly defeated Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a close ally of Trump.

New Mexico also tipped into the Democratic column, with voters choosing Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham to succeed two-term Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. The campaign had been defined by conflicts over struggling public schools and high poverty rates.

Democrats Andrew Cuomo in New York and Tom Wolf in Pennsylvania easily won re-election, as did two Republicans in Democratic-leaning states  Larry Hogan in Maryland and Charlie Baker in Massachusetts.

In all, voters were choosing 36 governors and 6,089 state legislators in general and special elections that have attracted record amounts of spending from national Democratic and Republican groups.

Republicans are in control more often than not in state capitols across the country, but Democrats were trying to pull a little closer in Tuesday's elections. Democrats were hoping enthusiasm among their voters also could flip the governor's seat in Iowa, as well as in traditional battleground states Nevada and Wisconsin.

The political parties are trying not only to win now, but also to put themselves in strong position for the elections two years from now that will determine which party will have the upper hand in redrawing congressional and state legislative districts.

Voters also were deciding ballot measures in four states  Colorado, Michigan, Missouri and Utah  that propose to overhaul the redistricting process and reduce the likelihood of partisan gerrymandering by either major party.

Republicans entered Tuesday's election with a sizable advantage, controlling two-thirds of the 99 state legislative chambers and 33 governors' offices. The GOP held a trifecta of power in 25 states, compared with just eight for Democrats.

Democrats will gain full control in Illinois by winning the governor's race, and in New York even a slight gain by Democrats could wrest the state Senate from Republicans and give them a governing trifecta.

Republicans were largely on defense but also were angling for gains in a few traditionally Democratic states, such Connecticut.

The governor's races have extra emphasis in 28 states where the winners will serve four-year terms with the potential power to approve or reject district boundaries drawn for Congress or state legislatures. The Democratic Governors Association had focused on nine swing states  Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  where it believes the governorships could be pivotal in congressional redistricting.

Republicans currently hold trifectas in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The rest have split partisan control.

-- The Associated PressJasmine Luna Diaz, 21, of the 5300 block of West Ohio Street, Chicago, was charged with driving on a suspended license and given a local ordinance citation for possession of cannabis Oct. 26 after a traffic accident in the 1800 block of Thatcher Avenue, police said.Ben Souede -- who was appointed by Gov. Kate Brown more than 16 months ago to the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench -- fended off Portland lawyer and challenger Bob Callahan in the county's only contested circuit court judge race.

Callahan ran on the platform of giving voters a choice. Too often, Callahan contended, judges retire before their terms are up, leaving the governor the choice of whom to appoint as a replacement. When the next election rolls around, voters almost always re-elect the "incumbent."

Souede had worked as general counsel for the governors office from 2015-17. But Callahan failed to gain the wide support Souede did. Among Souedes endorsements: Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, all seven state Supreme Court justices and 35 of his 37 Multnomah County Circuit Court colleagues.

Souede said his 16 years of experience in various areas of law since he graduated from Harvard Law School and his judicial track record have shown others that hes right for the job.

Callahan had 30 years of experience as a lawyer, and thought the more than 100 jury trials hes been in during his career made him the better candidate.

-- Aimee GreenMOREHEAD, Ky.  Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples, lost Tuesday in her re-election bid for the Rowan County clerkship.

Davis, a Republican, lost to Democratic challenger Elwood Caudill Jr. by about 700 votes. Her loss marks at least temporarily an end to the controversy that has surrounded the clerks office since 2015, when Davis was jailed for five days after refusing to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

The controversy gave Davis a heros reputation to some on the right, including Gov. Matt Bevin and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who praised her decision as a self-sacrificing expression of religious liberty.

Davis was strongly criticized by many on the left. Critics called her refusal to sign marriage licenses a bigoted neglect of her official duties.

Since her incarceration and subsequent rise to fame, Davis continued to work as clerk and published a book about her experience, Under Gods Authority: The Kim Davis Story.A description of her book reads: Kim chronicles her dramatic encounters with furious, fist-pounding homosexual men and the hate mail that flooded her office.

But despite Davis fame, Caudill, the chief deputy property valuation administrator for Rowan County, won the election. This was Caudills second time running for the office.

In 2014, he lost to Davis by just 23 votes in the primary. Davis changed parties in 2015.

Much of the attention to Caudills campaign focused on his primary opponent David Ermold, a gay man who was denied a marriage license by Davis in 2015.

Ermolds campaign for county clerk received more than $200,000 in donations from supporters across the country. Despite the financial advantage  Caudill raised $6,000 for his primary bid  Ermold lost the primary by more than 1,000 votes.

After his loss, Ermold declined to support Caudill. Instead, he has called Caudill a homophobe and said the Kentucky Fairness Campaigns endorsement of Caudill was personally offensive.

Caudill repeatedly denied Ermolds accusations of bigotry. He said that when it comes to marriage licenses, he plans to treat everybody equally.

-- Will Wright, Lexington Herald-Leader via The Associated PressMeasure 104, which sought to make it harder for lawmakers to raise new revenue, was decisively defeated by voters in Tuesday's election.

Voters rejected the initiative 65.3 percent to 34.7 percent, according to preliminary results. The measure not only would have required three-fifths of the legislators in each chamber to sign off on tax increases, as is required today, but it would have applied the same benchmark to any action meant to raise revenue, such as increased fees or legislation to repeal tax credits or deductions.

The ballot measure was heavily backed by the Oregon Association of Realtors, which contributed nearly $700,000 to the "yes" campaign. The group's primary focus was to maintain the deductibility of mortgage interest from state taxes, a long-standing policy that came under threat during the 2017 legislative session. But the bill that sought to limit the deduction never made it out of a house committee.

Critics said Measure 104 would have given a small minority of lawmakers outsized power over the Legislature and, as a result, Oregonians. They also believed it would have exacerbated partisan gridlock at the Capitol.

Had it passed, for example, it would have placed a high hurdle in front of climate change legislation that's expected to come up during the 2019 session. The so-called Clean Energy Jobs bill would require big emitters of greenhouse gases to purchase emissions allowances at state auctions, a requirement that would raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue each year that advocates are looking to spend on various programs to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

503-913-4211; @tedsickingerATLANTA (AP)  Problem signs that arose during weeks of early voting carried into Election Day as some voters across the country faced hours-long lines, malfunctioning voting equipment and unexpectedly closed polling places.

Some of the biggest backups were in Georgia, where the governor's race was among the nation's most-watched midterm contests and was generating heavy turnout.

One voter in Gwinnett County, Ontaria Woods, waited more than three hours and said she saw about two dozen people who had come to vote leave because of the lines.

"We've been trying to tell them to wait, but people have children," Woods said. "People are getting hungry. People are tired."

The good-government group Common Cause blamed high turnout combined with too few voting machines, ballots and workers.

Fulton County elections director Richard Barron acknowledged that some precincts did have lines of voters but said that was due to the length of the ballots and voting machines taken from use because of an ongoing lawsuit.

While voting went on without a hitch in many communities, voters from New York to Arizona faced long lines and malfunctioning equipment.

By Tuesday afternoon, the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline had received about 17,500 calls from voters reporting problems at their polling places. Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which helps run the hotline, said that number was well ahead of the last midterm election in 2014, when it had received about 10,400 calls by the same time.

Tuesday's election marked the first nationwide voting since Russia targeted state election systems in the 2016 presidential race. Federal, state and local officials have been working to make the nation's myriad election systems more secure, and those efforts appeared to pay off.

There were no signs throughout the day that Russia or any other foreign actor had tried to launch cyberattacks against voting systems in any state, federal authorities said. There was also no indication that any systems have been compromised that would prevent voting, change vote counts or disrupt the ability to tally votes, U.S. officials said.

That was little comfort to voters who found themselves waiting in long lines or dealing with malfunctioning voting equipment.

Across New York City, reports of broken ballot scanners surfaced at several polling places.

Turnout was so heavy at one packed precinct on Manhattan's Upper West Side that the line to scan ballots stretched around a junior high school gym. Poll workers there told voters that two of the roughly half-dozen scanners were malfunctioning and repairs were underway.

Voters arriving at two polling stations discovered that most scanners had broken down, forcing some people to drop their ballots in emergency ballot boxes or vote using affidavit ballots.

"There are broken scanners everywhere in Brooklyn," said Stefan Ringel, spokesman for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Ringel said Adams and his staff were being flooded with phone calls, emails and text messages reporting breakdowns in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Compared with the 2016 elections, he said, "anecdotally, it seems worse, and there's confusion among poll workers about what to do."

Many voters nevertheless stuck it out, determined to cast their ballots.

"People are grumpy and frustrated but positive in a weird way, making jokes and talking to one another. I think it's because we all are in the 'no one will stop our vote today' mood," said Nikki Euell, an advertising producer who waited more than two hours to vote in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood.

The local breakdowns are a symptom of a larger problem with the nation's voting infrastructure, said Lawrence Norden, a voting technology expert with the Brennan Center.

More than 40 states use computerized voting machines that are more than a decade old or are no longer manufactured.

"It's further evidence, if any was needed, that it's long past time to modernize our voting infrastructure," Norden said. "Voters have a right to be frustrated by long lines. And they have a right to expect voting machines that work and have a paper backup."

Elsewhere, polling place confusion caused problems for voters and poll workers.

In Phoenix, a polling site was foreclosed on overnight, forcing poll workers to move it just in time for polls to open.

For about an hour after polls opened, a Sarasota County, Florida, precinct had to tell voters to come back later because their ballots were unavailable.

In one Indiana county, voting was snarled for hours because of what election officials said were computer problems checking in voters, while in another part of the state a judge ordered 12 polling places to stay open late after voting didn't start as scheduled.

In Texas, home of a hotly contested U.S. Senate race, delays were reported in Houston after apparent issues with registration check-in machines at some polling places. Later in the day, a judge ruled that nine Houston-area polling places would stay open beyond the usual closing time after advocacy groups complained that they didn't open on time and forced many voters to leave without casting ballots.

And in El Paso, the U.S. Border Patrol canceled a crowd control exercise that was scheduled for Tuesday, following criticism from civil liberties groups that it could dissuade people from voting.

Border Patrol agent Fidel Baca confirmed Tuesday that the exercise, in a Latino neighborhood, was canceled but declined to say why. The Texas Civil Rights Project said the exercise, billed by the Border Patrol as a mobile field force demonstration, was to be held within a half-mile (0.8 kilometers) of a polling site.

--Christina A. Cassidy, Colleen Long and Michael Balsamo

Associated Press writers Frank Bajak in Boston, Thomas Davies in Indianapolis, Verena Dobnik and Jennifer Peltz in New York, Jennifer Kay in Miami and Ryan Tarinelli in Dallas contributed to this story.Happy day after the election, Oregon. We're keeping tabs on races and measures across the state and closely watching the few contests that have yet to be settled.

See our updated full results page here.

8:35 a.m. One contest in the Oregon Legislature remained too close to call last night. Republican Chuck Thomsen of Hood River was in a dead heat with his Democratic challenger Chrissy Reitz in his bid for reelection to the Oregon Senate, with just 11 votes separating them. Now Thomsen appears to have pulled ahead and is leading Reitz by 663 votes.

Even with that race up in the air, Democrats have won a super majority in the Oregon Senate, as well as in the House.

8:29 a.m. Here are 5 takeaways from last night's results

10:44 p.m.: Oregon Democrats win a super majority in state Senate:

9:32 p.m.: Kate Brown addresses supporters after re-election:

9:24 p.m.: Gun rights:

9:08 p.m.: In the Oregon House:

9 p.m.: In Washington state:

8:56 p.m.: Knute Buehler concedes:

Its time for Oregonians to unite and find common ground, Buehler said, lbecause there are significant challenges in this state, big problems that we have drawn attention to throughout this campaign.  Michael Russell (@tdmrussell) November 7, 2018

8:47 p.m.: Oregon City schools bond:

8:45 p.m.: Metro council:

8:41 p.m.: In the 'burbs:

8:39 p.m.: Auditor's race:

8:31 p.m.:

8:29 p.m.:

8:25 p.m.:

8:23 p.m.: Gov. Kate Brown wins:

8:21 p.m.: Results are pouring in:

8:19 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Governor for Kate Brown (D). More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:17 p.m.: In the counties:

8:12 p.m.: Affordable housing

8:11 p.m.:

8:09 p.m.: Grocery tax ban fails.

8:08 p.m.:

8:06 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Oregon Ballot Measure 103, Prohibits grocery taxes: Fails. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:05 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Oregon Ballot Measure 105, Repeals limitations on immigration enforcement: Fails. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:05 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Oregon Ballot Measure 106, Prohibits public abortion funding: Fails. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:04 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Portland City Commission, Pos. 3 for Jo Ann Hardesty. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:03 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Oregon Ballot Measure 102, Affordable housing bonds: Passes. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:03 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls Oregon Ballot Measure 104, Requires 3/5 legislative majority to raise revenue: Fails. More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8:02 p.m.:

The Oregonian calls U.S. House Dist. 4 for Peter DeFazio (D). More results at https://t.co/kLTvMS68eC #orpol  Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) November 7, 2018

8 p.m.: The deadline has passed to turn in ballots. Stay tuned for results.

7:55 p.m.: Two of the things being decided tonight:

7:38 p.m.: Results should start coming in in about 90 minutes. You'll be able to see them here.

6:43 p.m.: If there are close races on the statewide ballot or in Multnomah County, it could be a long night before the winners are known. Multnomah County voters are turning in ballots by the tens of thousands in the final hours of Election Day, elections office spokesman Eric Sample reports. So that office has hired election workers to work on an overnight graveyard shift. The votes of the many, many Multnomah County residents who turned in their ballots this afternoon or who are rushing to turn them in during the next hour and a half won't have their votes counted until very late this evening or, more likely, the wee hours of tomorrow morning.

6:27 p.m.: Yep.

No long lines. No faulty machines. It just works. Posted by The Oregonian on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

6:09 p.m.: Meanwhile, on our Facebook page, we'll have real-time updates, fast local results, commentary and more.

2018 election results ELECTION NIGHT 2018: Follow us live all night for national and Oregon election results. Well have real-time updates, fast local results, commentary and more. Posted by The Oregonian on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

5:56 p.m.: Update on voter turnout: More than 1.5 million Oregon ballots have been received by elections officials, up from 1.3 million this morning. It appears the state's voters are no longer on track to record the highest turnout rate in 25 years. But more than 1.8 million of the state's voters could cast their votes.

5:40 p.m.: Meanwhile, in Washington:

5:28 p.m.: Take a look at what's at stake in the state Legislature:

4:46 p.m.: Here's a look at who and what our editorial board endorsed:

4:40 p.m.: Still undecided on your pick for governor? This might help:

4:34 p.m.: FYI:

Wondering how to get election analysis, minute-by-minute race updates and other election night info? @Oregonian will be live-streaming on our Facebook all night with me, Wolf Blitzer (Im not Wolf Blitzer). Itll start around 6, 6:30.https://t.co/7L4QiWaJs9  Molly Harbarger (@MollyHarbarger) November 7, 2018

4:24 p.m.: A recent poll indicated the governor's race was tight:

4:16 p.m.: Here's a look at what's at stake in Multnomah County:

4:06 p.m.: Some businesses are encouraging folks to vote.

It's election day! Be sure to get to the polls and vote! Stop by the bakery with a voting sticker or a picture dropping... Posted by Delectable Baked Goods on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

4:05 p.m.: Turnout's high.

4:04 p.m.: Have you voted? It's not too late! You have until 8 p.m. to turn in your ballot.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLiveOregon Gov. Kate Brown is headed into the next four years with the wind at her back, after she decisively beat Republican Rep. Knute Buehler and Democrats expanded their hold on the state Legislature.

Democrats' voter registration advantage helped carry Brown to victory, in a year with unusually high voter turnout for both parties in the state and across the country.

The crowd at the Democratic Party of Oregon's party at the downtown Portland Hilton had already heard that Brown had been re-elected before she took the stage Tuesday night, and they greeted her with cheers and applause.

"This election was about the future, and this is what it looks like," Brown said, indicating a group of children standing behind her on stage.

On the campaign trail, Brown tried to make the governor's race a referendum on President Donald Trump and Buehler's character, while Buehler attacked Brown for not doing enough to improve K-12 education.

"Are you ready to go to work?" Brown said, as the crowd whooped in approval and shouted, "Kate! Kate! Kate!"

It had been billed as a tight race by multiple polls, with Brown's lead ranging from 3 to 5 percentage points in the weeks leading to Election Day. Though the Democratic incumbent benefitted from better name recognition, she struggled against stubbornly high negative approval ratings.

Buehler, who spent the afternoon making thank you calls and watching early returns with his family, took the ballroom stage at the Sentinel Hotel around 8:30 p.m. and began his concession speech with a conciliatory note.

"It's time for Oregonians to unite and find common ground," Buehler said, "because there are significant challenges in this state, big problems that we have drawn attention to throughout this campaign."

Democrats outnumber Republicans in Oregon by nearly 10 percentage points, meaning Buehler's challenge was "always going to be overcoming a huge disparity in registration," said Tim Nashif, a conservative pollster from the Hoffman Research Group in Portland. "The higher voter turnout, the higher advantage to Kate."

Kevin Looper, a political strategist for Brown and Oregon's last two Democratic governors, said the campaign's polling showed Brown solidified her lead by persuading voters they could not trust Buehler.

"What we know is, 'You can't trust Knute Buehler' turned the tide," Looper said. He complimented Buehler for running as a "new kind of Republican" who is "pro-choice, pro-environment, pro-education."

"The beauty of Knute Buehler's campaign is it really does re-coalesce the idea of Oregon values," Looper said.

Spending in the race shattered the previous record, exceeding $36 million as of Tuesday with many last-minute expenditures still yet to be reported.

On the campaign trail since her last win in 2016, Brown worked this fall to sow mistrust of her GOP rival, a legislator and surgeon from Bend, and tie him to Trump. Buehler tried to distance himself from the White House and put the focus on the state's mediocre K-12 education outcomes and $22 billion public pension shortfall  problems he said Brown failed to adequately address.

In recent weeks, Brown signed an executive order aimed at blocking offshore drilling and announced plans to introduce legislation next year that will copy pre-Trump federal air and water rules into state law. Although Trump proposed opening the nation's coastal waters to drilling in January, the oil industry hasn't shown much interest in Oregon's coast for decades.

In an appeal to women voters, Brown and her supporters sought to cast the pro-choice Buehler as "faux choice." Oregon has some of the most liberal abortion laws in the nation, and Brown took Buehler to task for voting against a 2017 bill that expanded the state's Medicaid program to cover abortions for women in the country illegally. The law also eliminated insurance copayments for the procedure at all but one insurer, Catholic-affiliated Providence Health Plan.

A week before the election, a candidate who likely drew votes from both Brown and Buehler  Independent Party of Oregon candidate Patrick Starnes  dropped out of the race and endorsed Brown. His name remained on the ballot, however, and he kept any votes cast for him. A poll done around the same time found 4 percent of respondents  including those who had already cast ballots  said they voted or planned to vote for Starnes.

The governor's re-election is also a win for Oregon's public employee unions, whose members' pensions and salaries the Democrat vowed to protect. Buehler had proposed completely shifting public employees to a 401(k)-style plan they currently receive in addition to their pensions, and getting school boards to limit school employees' annual pay increases to 3.4 percent or the consumer price index, whichever is higher. Whereas Buehler wanted to tie K-12 spending to educational outcomes, Brown said she would not do so.

Brown's election makes it more likely a plan to begin charging utilities and other companies for their greenhouse gas emissions will pass in the 2019 Legislature.

Other policy and budget impacts are less clear because Brown refused to say until after the election how she'd pay for proposals such as education improvements that could cost more than half a billion dollars. She also declined to state a position on issues such as corporate tax policy.

Now 58, Brown won't be eligible to run for governor again until 2026 because the state Constitution prohibits candidates from serving more than eight years in the office during any 12-year period. Former Gov. John Kitzhaber was able to run for third and fourth terms, in 2010 and 2014, because he'd been out of office since 2003.

Staff writers Kristi Turnquist and Michael Russell contributed to this report.

-- Hillary Borrud

503-294-4034; @hborrudUpdated 9:50 p.m.

Oregon voters rejected an effort to repeal the state's pioneering sanctuary law, delivering a victory to progressives and immigrant rights groups seeking to defy the animating issue of the Trump presidency.

Measure 105 would have overturned the decades-old law, which forbids local law enforcement from using public resources to find or detain undocumented immigrants not suspected of a crime.

Opponents of the measure significantly outspent those seeking to remove Oregon's sanctuary designation.

In the end, the measure's critics also outnumbered its supporters at the polls. With nearly 1.8 million votes tallied, Measure 105 opponents won 63.3 percent to 36.7 percent.

Long before Donald Trump stoked fears of a ramped-up deportation force, Oregon lawmakers from both parties tackled reports of racial profiling by police. The result was the state's 1987 sanctuary law, the first of its kind.

Then came Trump and his aggressive stance against immigration. During his first week as president, he issued an executive order that unsuccessfully aimed to strip local governments identifying as sanctuaries of millions of dollars in federal funding.

Proponents of Measure 105, led by the group Oregonians for Immigration Reform, said those living in the country illegally are prone to a host of criminal activities and social problems. They also argued the state's sanctuary law shielded a rogues' gallery of undocumented drug dealers, killers and rapists from justice.

The measure's opponents offered research that showed immigrants living in the U.S. without permission do not contribute to an increase in crime, including studies that found they commit crimes at lower rates than those who are U.S.-born.

Critics of the measure also argued that Oregon's sanctuary law fosters trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement and allows police to devote their resources elsewhere.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh

skavanaugh@oregonian.com

503-294-7632 || @shanedkavanaughJo Ann Hardesty won a seat on the Portland City Council, easily defeating Loretta Smith, according to partial returns tallied Tuesday.

Given that the council is only five members, Hardesty's victory is sure to change the governing body's politics and make it even more liberal for years to come. She will replace Commissioner Dan Saltzman, a moderate and the most-tenured member of the council, who is retiring after 20 years.

"This victory tonight is Portland's victory," Hardesty said to a passionate crowd of supporters Tuesday, declaring her win a mandate for change within City Hall.

"Time for a different kind of Portland," she said. "Time for regular voices to be center at City Hall."

Hardesty's win is also historic because she will be the first ever black woman on the city council and it is the first time the council will be majority women.

Mayor Ted Wheeler has said he will assign Hardesty, 61, the portfolio of bureaus currently run by Saltzman, putting her in a position of day-to-day oversight of the city fire department, 911 center and emergency preparedness agency.

Wheeler congratulated Hardesty on her win, tweeting "I look forward to working together to promote the needs of all Portlanders, and to make Portland a more prosperous and welcoming city for all." Yet in a sign of her dissatisfaction with the status quo, Hardesty derided Wheeler in her victory speech Tuesday, referring to him as "mayor what's his name."

Hardesty will sit on the city council during a pivotal moment for Portland. The city and its leaders have been grappling with a need for more affordable housing, rising rates of homelessness and political protests that frequently erupt into street brawls, all during a time of tremendous economic growth that has not trickled down to Portland's neediest.

Commissioners Chloe Eudaly and Amanda Fritz's politics align more closely with Hardesty's than they do with that of Wheeler and Commissioner Nick Fish. If Eudaly, Fritz and Hardesty decide to vote as a bloc, they would hold sway over council policy and could even overrule the mayor, giving Hardesty unusual leverage for a first-term commissioner.

Both Hardesty and challenger Smith, a Multnomah County Commissioner, weathered accusations of poor leadership throughout the campaign that raised questions about their ability to oversee bureaus that spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

Smith, who will remain a county commissioner until her term expires in January, has had eight chiefs of staff in as many years on the county board and had been the subject of a county investigation that found she may have bullied subordinates.

Hardesty was the subject of an investigation by Oregon Public Broadcasting that found that while she was head of the city's NAACP chapter she steered a $10,000 project to her consulting firm without board approval and did not report the income to the IRS.

On Tuesday, Hardesty's supporters looked ahead, to a new council that they hope can better tackle the everyday worries that making Portland increasingly difficult to afford. Rent is too high, they said. Good paying jobs hard to come by.

They want Hardesty to make a difference, and made their high expectations clear.

Addressing the crowd, she ended her speech with a toast, raising a plastic cup of beer in the air. "To Portland," she said.

 Gordon R. Friedman

Tom Hallman of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed reporting.Portland voters have overwhelmingly adopted Measure 26-200, establishing strict campaign finance limits for city races -- limits that are likely to be challenged in court.

The measure amends the city charter to limit individual or political committee donations to $500 per election cycle, limits campaign spending and requires campaigns to disclose advertising funders, among other restrictions. The limits apply to races for Portland mayor, commissioner and auditor.

Multnomah County voters adopted a nearly identical measure in 2016, but it was struck down by a judge this year. Judge Eric Bloch of the Multnomah County Circuit Court ruled campaign spending caps created by the county measure were "impermissible" under the Oregon Constitution's free speech protections. Supporters have appealed.

Jason Kafoury, an attorney and organizer for the county and city measures, has said his coalition hopes the Oregon Supreme Court will eventually reverse its 1997 decision striking down campaign finance caps. Several of the justices at the time were Republican appointees; today, they are all Democratic appointees.

-- Gordon R. FriedmanThe Monday afternoon call was innocuous at first.

Brenda Battel, a staff writer for the Huron Daily Tribune in rural Michigan, was seeking a chance to speak with Republican Senate candidate John James on Wednesday after the election.

Battel left a voicemail message with the James campaign and alerted it to a potential follow-up email to further discuss his campaign against Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Then Battel appeared to think she'd hung up. She had not.

"Man, if he beats her . . . Jesus! (Expletive) John James. That would suck!" Battel is heard saying in a voicemail released by the James campaign. "I don't think it's going to happen though."

It's not clear whether Battel was talking to herself or to other people.

The incident prompted the Daily Tribune to fire Battel later Monday after less than three years on staff, Editor Kate Hessling said. Hessling said accountability was a primary concern for her decision to terminate Battel, amid plummeting public trust in reporters and withering attacks on the news media from President Donald Trump.

"It's imperative that our reporters act professional and neutral when dealing with the public, and that was not done in this situation," Hessling told The Washington Post on Tuesday. "And that was inexcusable."

The voicemail message posted on YouTube by the James campaign was authentic, Hessling said.

Hessling said in a longer statement posted on the paper's website: "The Huron Daily Tribune sincerely apologizes to Mr. James and to the public. These statements do not represent the views of the Tribune as a whole, nor do they reflect the actions of a responsible journalist."

Battel could not be reached for comment.

The paper, which serves a rural area in Michigan's so-called upper thumb area, has been reduced to three full-time staff writers and five total staff members, Hessling said.

"We're a very tiny newspaper," she said.

James' campaign seized upon the incident to attempt to draw a wide correlation between the Huron paper and other forms of media.

"It shows you that some media will do anything to keep the status quo and career politicians in power," campaign manager Tori Sachs said.

James trailed double digits behind Stabenow, but his campaign - which accepted money from a white supremacist, according to the Detroit Metro Times - has sought Trump's help to raise the candidate's profile.

-- Alex Horton, The Washington Post(CNN)  Democrats on Tuesday captured the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years to exert a major institutional check on President Donald Trump and break the Republican monopoly in power in Washington.

But the GOP solidified their Senate majority after an acerbic midterm election that enshrined America's deep political divides and shaped a highly contentious battleground for the stirring 2020 presidential race.

In his first reaction to a mixed night, Trump chose to celebrate Republican successes.

"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" he tweeted.

The loss of the House is a serious blow to Trump who must now brace for the novel experience of oversight from Capitol Hill with Democratic committee chairmen promising constraints on his power that the GOP never attempted. Within minutes of their victory being confirmed, Democrats were already threatening to go after Trump's tax returns.

Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who is slated to steer the House Judiciary Committee warned that the election was about accountability for Trump.

"He's going to learn that he's not above the law," Nadler told CNN.

Democrats won the House, which will change hands for the third time in 12 volatile years, by performing strongly in suburban areas where Trump's flaming rhetoric is toxic. They also attracted a higher proportion of younger voters than at the last midterm elections four years ago and their new lawmakers will make the House younger, more female and more diverse.

"We have the beginning of a new Democratic Party, younger, browner, cooler, more women, more veterans, can win in Michigan, can win in Pennsylvania, can win in Ohio," said Van Jones, a CNN political commentator.

"It may not be a blue wave, it's a rainbow wave," he said.

A CNN/SSRS poll released Monday showed Democrats with a gaping 55% to 42% lead over Republicans among likely voters in a generic congressional ballot. Trump was badly underwater among women voters -- who favor Democrats 62% to 35% -- a gender gap, that if borne out by real votes, could prove devastating to Republican hopes.

The race they ran

But Republicans performed strongly in the deep red states where Trump mounted a frenetic final campaign blitz and proved that despite his low approval rating he remains a potent political force among conservatives.

And keeping hold of the Senate is especially important for Trump since it will give the White House the chance to press on with one of his major legacy-building initiatives, restocking the federal judiciary with conservatives.

Still, Trump will also have to answer for a scorched earth campaign on immigration in the final days that might have helped tip the House to Democrats, even if he can argue that his magnetism among his followers' candidates, such as Rep. Ron DeSantis, who won the Florida gubernatorial race, according to a CNN projection, Marsha Blackburn who will capture the Tennessee Senate race and Mike Braun, who defeated the incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana.

The opposite trends in the House and the Senate speak to the quirks of the political system but also the growing divide between urban, diverse, more affluent Democratic areas and largely white, rural conservative regions.

The loss of the House spells the end of a political era for Republicans who rode into town on a Tea Party wave whipped up by fury over Obamacare and huge government spending in the wake of the Great Recession.

The Republican majority will leave town with Obamacare still the law of the land and with a deficit going through the roof on the back of GOP tax cuts.

In theory, the new Democratic majority would have the capacity to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump should there be sufficient grounds in Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation. Though the Republican gains in the Senate make it even less likely that there would be a two-thirds majority needed to convict a president and evict him from office.

Waiting for results

The President had dinner with his family and watched the results, which could have a profound impact on the rest of his term and could reshape Washington's balance of power, in the residence of the White House.

He was joined by Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and the President's ex-campaign aides, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski, a source familiar with the guest list said.

Two other sources close to the White House said that Trump is already blaming retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan for the loss of the House.

"He is really angry at Ryan," one source said on "everything."

Alongside all 435 House seats and a third of the Senate on the ballot on Tuesday were 36 gubernatorial races. Democrats suffered losses in Florida and Maryland where Democrats had hoped for pickups.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Democrats capture House, GOP holds Senate"Patricia A. ONeill-Cynkar, 66, of the 2200 block of Sherman Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence following an incident Oct. 27 in the 1000 block of Noyes Street. ONeill-Cynkar is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 4.Republicans moved closer to cementing a more conservative majority in the Senate Tuesday with victories in the crucial battlegrounds of Indiana and Tennessee.

The wins by Indiana businessman Mike Braun and Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, two staunch allies of President Donald Trump, came over centrist Democrats in races that drew tens of millions of dollars in spending from both parties.

Elsewhere, close races were being decided in a national contest that held implications for coming battles over the federal judiciary, trade, health care, government spending and immigration.

It also held significance for Trump - not only for his agenda, but because his administration could face an onslaught of investigations beginning next year. Some Democrats have even raised the possibility of impeachment.

With the map in their favor, Republicans - who currently control both chambers of Congress - looked to preserve and possibly expand their 51-49 advantage in the Senate. Analysts across the political spectrum had favored them to remain in power, even as they said Democrats could wrest control of the House.

"I see two things," said Jim Manley, a former top Democratic Senate aide, looking ahead. "A president unwilling to tone down his rhetoric, along with the Senate Republicans unwilling to break with him."

Some of the most closely-watched Senate races pitted centrist Democrats against conservative Republicans who ardently embraced Trump. Contests in Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana, West Virginia and Tennessee fell into this category.

Even before Tuesday's vote, Senate Republicans were poised for a more pro-Trump roster next year. Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who have frequently voiced concerns about Trump's tone and his governing philosophy, are retiring. John McCain, a vocal Trump critic, passed away in August.

Democrats tried to defeat candidates who marched in lockstep with Trump by running on preserving health-care protections and other so-called "kitchen table" issues. That contrast was put to the test all across the country.

In North Dakota, Republicans were confident heading into the election that Rep. Kevin Cramer would defeat Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, the most vulnerable Democratic senator. A Cramer win would mean that one of the chamber's few moderate Democrats would be replaced by a close ally of Trump.

To the east in Missouri, state Attorney General Josh Hawley, R, sought to oust Sen. Claire McCaskill, D, in a race with similar dynamics. Hawley, like Cramer, championed Trump's views on trade, even as he faced criticism that farmers in his state would suffer under the president's tariffs.

Two states over in Indiana, Braun won as an outsider eager to shake up Washington.

One wildcard next year is Mitt Romney. The former Republican presidential nominee won the seat of retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R. Romney has criticized Trump, including in a speech opposing his candidacy in 2016. But lately, he has been less openly hostile to the president.

Democrats also looked to gain a pair of seats in the Sun Belt, with Rep. Jacky Rosen, D, trying to unseat Sen. Dean Heller, R, a onetime Trump critic who warmed up to the president during the campaign.

In Arizona, Democratic leaders were hopeful that Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Green Party activist who ran as moderate Democrat, would win Flake's seat. Her opponent was Rep. Martha McSally, a onetime Trump critic who dialed down her hostility in the campaign.

Florida, another state with a diverse population, was the site of the expensive and pivotal showdown between Sen. Bill Nelson, D, and Gov. Rick Scott, R. Scott, unlike most other top Senate candidates, distanced himself from the president in the campaign.

Many Democratic Senate contenders have railed against Trump's tariffs. In Tennessee, former Gov. Phil Bredesen, who lost to Blackburn, cast the tariffs as harmful to the state's automobile, farming and whiskey industries. Senate Democrats were hoping to hold on to some key seats.

They were defending 26 of the 35 seats on the ballot, including 10 in states Trump won.

Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia held onto his seat. Manchin was the only Democrat to vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He has touted areas of cooperation with the president, and would be continue to be a top Republican target for crossover support in divisive battles.

Democrats were hopeful Jon Tester, D-Mont., would keep his seat, despite Trump holding a rally in his state in the final stage of the campaign.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has held off Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D, the AP projects, after a closely watched and unexpectedly tight race. Cruz had clashed sharply with Trump in the 2016 primary but then lined up squarely behind him in his campaign against O'Rourke, a challenger who achieved rock star status on the left. The president held a rally in Texas with Cruz in October.

The Senate Republican agenda is not expected to be nearly as ambitious as the past two years, when the GOP controlled the federal government following Trump's surprise win.

A Democratic House takeover would likely be a major impediment to reaching an agreement on most big issues, should Republicans retain the Senate. Even in that scenario, the Senate will still have to navigate some high-stakes battles. The Trump administration is preparing for a massive, post-midterm shakeup, which could trigger nominations for attorney general and other cabinet posts the Senate would be tasked with confirming in the months ahead.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has made confirming federal judges a top priority. That is a task carried out by the Senate alone, and McConnell's allies said that will continue to be a focal point in the next Congress if Republicans retain control of the chamber.

"I think that the one thing that becomes really important, both to the administration and Senate Republicans, is to continue to be in the personnel business," said Josh Holmes, a former McConnell chief of staff and one of his closest confidants. "I think the remaking the judiciary is high on the agenda, no matter what."

One race both parties were not expecting to conclude on Tuesday was in Mississippi. The special election to succeed retired Republican Thad Cochran was could be headed to a runoff on Nov. 27.

-- Sean Sullivan, The Washington PostDemocrats on Tuesday celebrated a one seat gain in the state Senate that gave them a three-fifths supermajority in the upper chamber.

The supermajority, which Democrats also gained in the House, could make it easier for the Legislature to pass tax increases, which have been a priority of some Democrats. A larger Democratic majority might also make it easier to pass controversial proposals like climate change legislation that have been held up by opposition on both sides of the aisle.

But it remains to be seen how empowering the results of the election will be. The Legislature will still find itself in familiar territory in 2019  facing a structural deficit despite a booming economy and trying to address poorly performing public schools while looking to patch a $22 billion deficit in the public pension system.

Phil Keisling, director of the Center for Public Service at Portland State University, said the consequences of the partisan balance in the Legislature were probably never as promising or as dire as either side suggested because of another other mechanism in Oregon law  the ability of voters to bring any controversial decision to the ballot, particularly on taxes.

"Just because you can get a supermajority doesn't mean it will stick," he said.

Democrat Jeff Golden and Republican Jessica Gomez battled for the Senate District 3 seat.

Key races included Senate District 3 in southern Oregon, where Democrat Jeff Golden, who has worked in both government policy and private sector media jobs, defeated Jessica Gomez, a moderate Republican businesswoman.

This closely watched race was set up by the retirement of Sen. Alan DeBoer, R-Ashland, in a district where Democrats had a nearly 8-percentage-point voter registration advantage. Democrats lost this seat in a special election after the death of Democratic Sen. Alan Bates in 2016, but DeBoer's victory was narrow. He won by 400 votes in a race where 65,000 were cast.

Golden had received 56 percent of the vote in preliminary results, versus 43 percent for Gomez.

Republicans made a goal-line stand in this district, pumping nearly $570,000 into Gomez's campaign, including $410,000 since the May 15 primaries, much of it from business interests. That compares with Golden's $207,000 in fundraising, $132,000 since the primary.

One of the key planks of Golden's campaign was his refusal to take money from political action committees. He also disavowed the negative messaging about his opponent that the independent PAC expenditures funded.

The PACs showed up in a major way, despite his wishes. The Senate Democrat Leadership PAC, along with unions and trial lawyers, poured $445,000 into the Southern Oregon Priorities PAC, money that bought mailers, radio, TV and digital ads.

Tom Powers, executive director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, said some of that money went to supporting Gov. Kate Brown's campaign and defeating Measure 106, which would prevent taxpayer funding of abortions. But he said most of the money went to the Golden campaign.

"This was a Democratic seat for 12 years" before Bates' death, he said. "There's been a lot of enthusiasm in this race, starting in the primaries, and that hasn't stopped. The turnout is incredible in this district especially on the Democratic side."

Paul Rainey, a spokesman for the Republican's No Supermajorities PAC, said it was hypocritical for Golden to disavow PAC spending when he had a half-million dollars in special interest money supporting him.

"They essentially ran a campaign for him," Rainey said.

Golden is a Democrat's Democrat. During the campaign, he expressed support for raising corporate taxes to support education, raising beer and wine taxes and scrapping the state kicker refund. He also supports charging companies for their greenhouse gas emissions and wants to expand Oregon's Medicaid health insurance program for the poor, with the goal of allowing any Oregonian to get coverage.

Golden has a personal stake in the state's underfunded pension system. He's a Tier One beneficiary and potentially set up for a relatively generous benefit under the system's lucrative money match formula after two relatively short but well-timed stints in the public sector: four years as a Jackson County commissioner starting in the late 1980s and working on water policy for the city of Portland in the mid-1990s.

Golden said he's open to asking employees to chip in money to cover some of their pension costs and might be amenable to some of the other reforms being floated, but he doesn't see the benefit of "pistol-whipping" average employees for the system's funding problems.

OTHER KEY SENATE RACES

In Hood River, Republican Sen. Chuck Thomsen narrowly fended off a challenge from Democrat Chrissy Reitz in a district where the Democrats have a 7-percentage-point voter registration edge. On Wednesday afternoon, with most all the votes counted, Thomsen maintained a 599 vote lead. He had 50.5 percent of the vote versus 49.4 percent for Reitz - a big enough margin to avoid triggering a recount.

Senate District 26 reaches into Multnomah, east Clackamas and Hood River counties. Clackamas County voters broke heavily for Thomsen, while the reverse was true in Hood River County. Thomsen, who was running for his third term, is a fourth-generation orchardist. Reitz is a school board member and former neonatal intensive care nurse.

In Senate District 20, where Democrats hold a slight voter registration advantage, Republican Sen. Alan Olsen  a general contractor successfully defended his seat against Democratic challenger and Oregon Health Authority policy adviser Charles Gallia.

In the Senate District 15 race in Washington County, Democratic Sen. Chuck Riley easily warded off a challenge from Republican Alexander Flores, a supply chain analyst for Daimler Trucks North America. Both candidates are from Hillsboro.

in Senate District 10, Senate Republican leader Jackie Winters won her bid for re-election in a race with Democrat Deb Patterson, a health care advocate with faith-based organizations.

Winters was ahead by 53 percent to 46 percent in early returns.

This was a more contentious race than some observers might have predicted earlier this year. In August, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Winters' homeowners association board  on which she serves  was sued this year by the parents of a girl with disabilities after the board barred her school bus from the subdivision. Winters and other board members were concerned that allowing a school bus into the subdivision could damage streets and endanger other pedestrians, according to the association's lawyers.

Winters' fundraising, $530,000 in this cycle, dwarfed Patterson's $93,000 haul.

503-221-8505; @tedsickingerGeorgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp  who is also in charge of the state's election  had problems voting.

The Georgia governor's race is one of the most closely-watched in the country, due in part to an ongoing dispute over Kemp's management of the election system.

Kemp had an issue with his voter card when he went to cast his ballot, but it was fixed quickly. He walked by reporters and said: "Take Two."

There have been widespread reports of technical malfunctions and long lines at polling stations across the state. Over the weekend, a private citizen alerted the Georgia Democratic Party and a private attorney of potential vulnerability in the online voter database that Kemp oversees in his current job as secretary of state.

Kemp later announced, without providing any evidence, that he was launching an investigation into Georgia Democrats for "possible cybercrimes."

-- The Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump knows he's on the line.

The president spent election night watching returns with family and friends at the White House, after concluding a six-day rally blitz in Missouri late Monday. Trump packed his closing argument with hard-line immigration rhetoric and harsh attacks on Democrats as he stared down the prospect of Republican losses that could shadow his presidency.

"Everything we have achieved is at stake," he said. "Because they can take it apart just as fast as we built it."

Faced with the possibility of keeping the Senate but losing the House, aides have begun laying out the political reality to Trump, who could face an onslaught of Democratic-run investigations and paralysis of his policy agenda.

In turn, Trump has already been trying out defensive arguments, noting that midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House, pointing out a high number of GOP retirements and stressing that he had kept his focus on the Senate.

As the first polls were closing Tuesday, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement reinforcing Trump's point. She stressed the president's efforts to mobilize GOP voters in a ground game aimed at "defying midterm history."

Aides set up televisions in the White House residence for Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their guests to watch election results come in, with the sets tuned to different cable news channels. Among those expected were Trump's adult children, White House aides, Republican officials and presidential friends.

The election also likely served as a referendum on Trump's racially charged appeals and the strength of the coalition that powered him to the White House  a group he will need again in just two years.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

Trump's scorched-earth campaigning came to define the 2018 campaign. In the final days, he sought to motivate supporters with the battle over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh -- at one point mocking a woman who claimed the judge had sexually assaulted her when they were in high school. Returning to his immigration-heavy 2016 playbook, Trump went on to unleash his full fury on a caravan of migrants slowly making their way to the southern border.

His take-no-prisoners approach troubled many Republicans seeking to appeal to moderate voters in suburban House districts, but Trump prioritized base voters in the deep red states that could determine the fate of the Senate. At times he even appeared at odds with his own campaign, which in the election's final days released a gauzy ad aimed at suburban women.

Trump did not care for the soft-focus ad, which notably did not mention him, according to a person familiar with the president's thinking who was not authorized to speak publicly. Instead he promoted a shocking, expletive-loaded video featuring a Latino man convicted of murdering two police officers, which was widely decried as being racist.

But while Trump's plays to his most loyal supporters help rev up the crowds in small towns and rural areas in red states, they were viewed as a turnoff to moderates, independents and women in the suburban districts needed to keep the House in GOP hands. Still, Trump brushed off criticism that he was alienating moderate voters as he continued his massive rallies and overheated rhetoric.

"These rallies are the best thing we've done. I think that the rallies have really been the thing that's caused this whole big fervor to start and to continue," he told reporters on Sunday.

During the final stretch of the race, Trump tore across the country, holding 11 rallies over six days. On Monday, he blitzed through a trio of Midwest states he won in 2016  Ohio, Indiana and Missouri  exhorting his supporters to help send Republicans to Capitol Hill to help safeguard his administration's accomplishments and a booming economy.

"It's all fragile. Everything I told you, it can be undone and changed by Democrats if they get in," Trump told supporters during a telephone town-hall organized by his campaign before Air Force One took off for Cleveland. "You see how they've behaved. You see what's happening with them. They've really become radicalized."

Trump pointed to his boisterous rally crowds as proof that Republicans were surging at the right time, rejecting suggestions that Democrats entered Election Day with an edge in enthusiasm.

He frequently invoked his upset win in 2016 and tried to recapture that energy in his final rallies, at times relegating the candidates he had traveled to endorse to supporting actors in the theater of a Trump rally.

And he plowed forward despite a spate of election-season violence that gripped the nation. He continued to hold events amid a mail bomb scare that targeted his political opponents and went forward with a rally hours after a gunman massacred 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue.

While Trump condemned violence and anti-Semitism, he bemoaned the fact that "two maniacs" had blunted GOP campaign "momentum."

--Catherin Lucey and Jonathan LemireJennifer McGuirk decisively beat Scott Learn in the race for Multnomah County auditor, according to preliminary results.

McGuirk swept past Learn by about 56 percent to 44 percent.

The race that pitted two practicing auditors and former journalists was expected to be close. McGuirk captured 43.5 percent of the vote in May's three-way primary. Learn followed with 40.6 percent and Mark Ulanowicz finished with 15.7 percent.

"I appreciate the faith you've put in me, and I promise to work every day to ensure county services are delivered effectively and efficiently," McGuirk told her supporters Tuesday evening. "I am excited to get going on the agenda I've pledged to enact since the start of my campaign."

McGuirk, 43, has worked in the county auditor's office for six years. The Alaska native has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in public administration from Portland State University.

She was backed by organized labor, which helped her raise $16,993 in campaign donations.

Learn is on the auditing staff at the Oregon Secretary of State's office and is a former certified public accountant at Price Waterhouse. Learn received most of the major press endorsements, including that of The Oregonian/OregonLive, where he worked as a reporter for 17 years.

Learn raised $18,536 in campaign contributions.

Both candidates vowed to bring a new energy to the office and have been critical of current auditor Steve March for being too slow to move on important issues.

-- Jeff ManningBy a margin of 65.1 percent to 34.9 percent, Portland voters approved Measure 26-201, a tax on large businesses that will fund clean energy programs and job training in an effort to meet clean energy goals set by the city.

The measure, which appeared on ballots as the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Initiative, but which was called the Portland Gross Receipts Tax by its detractors, will levy a 1 percent tax on businesses that make over $1 billion in gross revenues nationally and $500,000 locally.

Groceries, medicine and health care services would be exempt.

Proponents  including environmental and social justice advocacy groups like the Sierra Club's Oregon Chapter, the Coalition of Communities of Color and the NAACP of Oregon  have said the program would raise roughly $30 million a year for Portland's Climate Action Plan, which calls for using clean, renewable energy for 100 percent of the city's power needs.

Those opposing the measure  most notably the 1,900-member Portland Business Alliance  have argued the tax is regressive and businesses would likely pass their costs on to consumers, raising prices on goods across all income levels in the city.

The City Club of Portland, which endorsed the measure, conducted an analysis that found no evidence the tax would affect prices for consumers. The editorial boards of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Willamette Week both called for a no vote on the measure, saying the language is too vague to be effective and that tax policy should be left to the Legislature.

-- Kale Williams

503-294-4048Updated at 9:20 p.m.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered at Portland City Hall two hours before election polls closed Tuesday for a rally protesting against a ballot measure that would repeal Oregon's sanctuary state law.

The protest was organized by Abolish ICE PDX, whose members set up a camp outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Southwest Portland for about five weeks during the summer, temporarily causing the building to close.

Demonstrators oppose Measure 105, which would, if passed, withdraw a 31-year-old state law that forbids law enforcement from inquiring about a person's immigration status or apprehending them unless the person is suspected of a criminal offense.

As of 6 p.m., at least 10 police officers stood between City Hall and protesters as they chanted "Abolish ICE." Demonstrators set up several signs outside the building including ones that read "sanctuary now," "smash fascism" and "RIP ICE" on a mock tombstone and coffin.

Protesters also set up a table with bread, avocados and jars of queso dip.

Portland activist Francisco Aguirre told the crowd that he believes Portland is a city that cares about immigrants and said having a sanctuary law protects everyone in a country that was built by immigrants. Aguirre once took refuge in a Portland Lutheran church while facing a federal illegal reentry charge and deportation. The charge was later dismissed.

"If we don't fight in favor of sanctuary law, pretty soon we all are going to have worst laws that will divide us," he said.

Portland police earlier parked at least half a dozen motorcycles and a transport van outside of its downtown precinct in anticipation of the protest. The federal courthouse nearby closed around 4:15 p.m. to allow people to leave the area before the demonstration began.

Mayor Ted Wheeler earlier tweeted that he expected the protests to remain peaceful and that Abolish ICE PDX and other groups he'd heard were participating hadn't been in contact with police beforehand nor applied for a city permit to march.

Abolish ICE PDX confirmed police reached out to members before the protest. The group said it was disappointed the Police Bureau wouldn't discuss officers' use of flash bang grenades in prior downtown Portland rallies. The group also said it didn't agree to cooperate with police.

People who said they were injured by the devices during an Aug. 4 rally have announced plans to sue the city.

The election night protest comes two days before the Portland City Council is set to hold a hearing on a proposed Protest Safety Ordinance that would allow the mayor and police to restrict the time, location and manner of protests. The ordinance would apply if a group or groups planning to protest have a history of violence or if authorities believe there's a strong chance violence could occur at the event, according to an draft of the ordinance.

Wheeler has said previously that the proposal is an attempt to lessen brawls that have erupted during political demonstrations on city streets in recent years.

As of about 6:35 p.m., police had mostly backed away from the protest at City Hall and demonstrators were across the street holding signs in opposition of ICE.

Around 7:30 p.m., the crowd began marching along the sidewalks around downtown Portland chanting "Abolish ICE," "ICE out of Portland" and "Whose streets? Our streets." They later stopped at Pioneer Courthouse Square around 8:15 p.m.

By then the polls had closed and Measure 105 had been rejected by voters.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive"Not another flight that smells bad," Matthew Meehan recalled thinking as he boarded Delta flight 1949 in Atlanta on Thursday night - 115 years into the age of powered flight and God knows how long into the nightmare of modern air travel.

Meehan told Yahoo News that he noticed his neighbor mate was also in apparent olfactory distress. He bent down under his seat to find a phone charger, and instead discovered the foulness's source.

"It's not just a smell," he told Yahoo, reliving the memory. "It's actually feces and it's all over the back of my legs, it's all over the floor, all over the wall of the plane. And I sat in it."

In the initial confusion, Meehan said, he didn't know who or what the feces came from, or how it got on his flight to Miami.

"Originally, the flight crew said that it was a German shepherd," he told Yahoo. "And then the gate agent said in his paperwork that it was an older man who got sick upon landing."

He asked the crew for help, expecting perhaps a biohazard kit. Instead, he told WNEM, "I was handed two paper towels and one of those miniature bottles of Bombay Sapphire."

Meehan slid past passengers still finding their seats and stowing their bags, and ducked into a bathroom with his paper towels and cleaning gin. His suit pants and ankles were smeared in filth, he told reporters. He pulled off a partially-coated loafer and held it up to his phone in the mirror.

"I'm NOT HAPPY DELTA!" he wrote as he posted the photo to Facebook. "Is this even legal? This is a HEALTH CODE VIOLATION!"

When Meehan left the bathroom, he said, the mess was still spread across his seating area. He asked the flight crew what was being done about the poo. He said the flight crew told him to talk to a gate agent.

"I'm in a Delta flight and I just sat in human feces," Meehan said into his cellphone camera as he paced the jet bridge a few minutes later, unsure of what to do. A passenger walked past him, luggage in tow, and boarded the plane he'd stepped off.

Meehan said he found a manager at the gate. "What's your problem?" she asked him, he told WNEM. He told the agent what his problem and, in his opinion, everyone on the plane's problem was.

"I said, 'Can we get that cleaned up so I can sit down?'" he recalled to Yahoo. "So she says, 'Sir, it's almost time for that plane to leave. You can sit in your seat or you can be left behind.'"

He went back to the plane. When he got there, he said, several passengers were staging a sort of stand-in protest at the front of the cabin, refusing to sit down until someone cleaned up the feces.

In a statement this week, Delta apologized to Meehan and acknowledged that "the area around his seat was not appropriately cleaned following an incident involving an ill emotional support animal."

The company said a cleaning crew finally boarded after Meehan complained and disinfected the area. Meehan remembers his final minutes on the ground in Atlanta differently; he didn't recall seeing any sanitizer.

"To avoid causing a commotion, the manager had someone clean that area with paper towels," he told Yahoo.

He later sent The Washington Post a video of a swollen garbage liner containing many wads of brown-stained paper towels and a disused latex glove. Afterward, he told reporters, the upholstery was still obviously soiled. He said passengers laid blankets across it before the plane took off, and then endured nearly two smelly hours to Miami.

A Delta spokesman said the plane was taken out of service upon landing, then deep cleaned and disinfected.

The airline has not explained when the emotional support animal - dog or otherwise - got sick on the previous flight, and how the mess went uncleaned until Meehan and his fellow passengers boarded. But the airline says it's investigating and intends "to prevent this from happening again."

Meehan has been offered a refund for his flight, shoes and suit, according to the airline. He told reporters it's too little too late, and he's talking to lawyers. Landing in Miami was not the end of his ordeal, he told Yahoo. He said he had a connecting flight to Tampa, but took a four-hour Uber ride rather than board another plane.

-- Avi Selk, The Washington PostWASHINGTON -- The Latest on President Donald Trump and the midterm elections (all times local):

1:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's (pahm-PAY'-ohz) meeting with his North Korean counterpart was postponed but is being rescheduled.

Pompeo had been scheduled to meet with Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday.

Trump says he's likely to meet with the North Korea leader early next year and there's "no rush" to engaging in denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.

Trump met Kim Jong Un in June for a landmark meeting in Singapore, where the two leaders agreed on vague goals of denuclearization. There's been little progress since then.

North Korea has continued a yearlong halt in weapon tests but wants U.S. sanctions eased. In recent days, North Korea criticized the U.S. for its continued support of sanctions and hinted it may resume nuclear development.

Trump says he'd "love to take the sanctions off" but North Korea has to make concessions, too.

1:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he would consider raising other tax rates to pay for a middle-class tax cut.

Trump said at a Wednesday press conference that if Democrats offer an idea for tax cuts he would work with them, even if it would require "some adjustment" to other rates.

The president did not say what any changes to rates could look like but said, "I would certainly be willing to do a little bit." He says Democrats would need to propose a plan, given that he would need bipartisan support in the Senate.

Trump said during the midterm campaign that he would offer a plan for a 10 percent middle income tax cut. But he has not provided any details. Republicans passed a massive tax cut package last year.

12:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Vice President Mike Pence will be his running mate in 2020, impromptu confirmation that could give sign makers a head start on printing political signs for the next presidential election.

In the middle of a news conference at the White House on Wednesday, the Republican president was unexpectedly asked if Pence would be on the ticket.

Trump said he hadn't asked Pence yet but then turned to the vice president and said: "Mike, will you be my running mate? Will you?"

Pence acknowledged that he would.

___

12:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump has sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another he's a "rude, terrible" person.

He told yet another reporter he's "not a fan of yours, either."

The president's 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 man's actions to the caravan.

Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all.

___

12:35 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he's happy with "most" of his Cabinet as he suggests changes may be coming.

Trump said at a Wednesday press conference that he is "looking at different people for different positions," adding that "it is very common after the midterms."

Asked specifically about the future of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Trump says, "I'd rather answer that at a little bit different time."

Trump has long been frustrated with Sessions over his recusal from the Russia investigation. Rosenstein's future appeared uncertain after reports that he discussed secretly recording Trump.

On Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (ZIN'-kee), Trump says he wants to "study whatever is being said." Trump adds that he's doing an "excellent job." Zinke faces a series of inquiries into his conduct.

___

12:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump is warning House Democrats about spending the remaining years of his presidency investigating him and the administration.

Trump said at a post-election news conference Wednesday that Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together for the American people.

Democrats won back control of the House. Many have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions.

Trump says he's been hearing about investigations since he began running for president and refers to it as "investigation fatigue."

He says he will respond in kind if House Democrats flood his administration with subpoenas and government will come to a halt.

Trump adds that Democrats have "nothing, zero" on him.

___

12:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is calling out Republican candidates who apparently did not support him enough and lost congressional seats in Tuesday's elections.

At a news conference in the White House East Room on Wednesday, Trump crowed that Republicans held control of the Senate and then took aim at members of the House, where the GOP lost.

Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado blames his loss on resentment toward Trump in his Denver-area district. The president responded: "Too bad, Mike."

As for Utah Rep. Mia Love's loss Tuesday, Trump said: "Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost," adding, "Sorry about that, Mia."

Trump says his vigorous campaigning stopped a so-called "blue wave," ''if there ever was such a thing."

The GOP is expected to add to its Senate edge, but Democrats regained control of the House.

___

12:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Republicans "defied history" in the midterms as he seeks to take credit for expected Republican gains in the Senate while minimizing House losses.

Trump discussed the election results at a White House press conference on Wednesday. He says Republicans "dramatically outperformed historical precedents."

The GOP is expected to add to its Senate edge, but Democrats regained control of the House. The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency showed the limits of his hardline immigration rhetoric in today's political landscape.

Midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House. Trump stressed the anticipated Republican pickups in the Senate and said the GOP had surpassed expectations in the House, citing the high number of retirements.

___

9 a.m.

President Donald Trump says Democrat Nancy Pelosi "deserves" to be the next House speaker.

Democrats won back control of the chamber in Tuesday's election and Pelosi would be in line to be elected speaker. The California Democrat was the nation's first female speaker from 2007-2011. But a number of House Democratic candidates have said they won't support her for the top role.

Trump said Wednesday that "if they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!"

House Democrats meet later this month to elect party leaders and Pelosi is expected to win most of those votes. But being elected speaker in January requires a majority of House votes.

Pelosi has been up front about not wanting to pursue impeaching Trump.

___

8:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is warning Democrats against using their new majority in the House of Representatives to investigate his administration. He said in a tweet Wednesday that if they do, the Republican-controlled Senate may investigate Democrats.

With the Democrats in the majority they will have the power to launch investigations and subpoena records, including possibly Trump's tax filings and private business dealings.

Trump said that if the Democrats plan to "waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level," then Republicans "will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level."

He said that "two can play that game!"

It wasn't clear what leaks he was referring to.

Asked about potential investigations, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said in a CNN interview Wednesday that "the president is not nervous about anything."

__

7:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump is praising candidates who embraced his policies and principles during the midterm election, saying they "did very well."

In a tweet Wednesday, Trump tells those candidates who avoided him to "say goodbye!"

Trump campaigned repeatedly for Republican Senate and gubernatorial candidates in Missouri, West Virginia, North Dakota, Florida, Georgia and other states where he won in 2016. Several of those candidates won their races Tuesday night, while other contests remained too close to call.

Trump says Tuesday's "Big Win" for Republicans was achieved "all under the pressure of a Nasty and Hostile Media!"

But Tuesday didn't bring complete good news for Republicans; Democrats won back control of the House.

Trump is scheduled to "discuss our success in the Midterms!" at a White House news conference later Wednesday.

__

7:40 a.m.

President Donald Trump will address the midterm election results at a late-morning White House news conference.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Twitter that Trump will take questions from reporters at the White House at 11:30 a.m. EST.

Democrats took back control of the House from Trump's Republican Party. But the GOP gained ground in the Senate by defeating several Democrats in states where Trump was elected by wide margins in 2016. Republicans also preserved governorships in key states like Ohio and Florida.

Trump campaigned aggressively in the closing days of the campaign, mostly to help Republican Senate candidates.

__

With the loss of the Republican majority in the House, President Donald Trump is facing the prospect of endless House investigations and fresh questions about the resilience of his unorthodox political coalition.

Still, he celebrated GOP success hanging on to the Senate and distanced himself from any blame. Late Tuesday, Trump tweeted: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Early Wednesday, Trump added: "Now we can all get back to work and get things done!"

On Tuesday, Trump called House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, a conversation that her office said included congratulations and a nod to her pitch for bipartisanship.

--The Associated PressDOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Delaware (AP) -- The grief-stricken widow of a Utah mayor killed in Afghanistan paid tribute to her husband on Election Day by urging Americans to get out and vote and carry on his legacy in fighting for democracy.

The body of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor was returned to American solo after the Army National Guard major was shot to death last weekend by an Afghan commando he was training.

The father of seven had implored Americans in his final Facebook post to vote. The post became widely shared online and received more attention Tuesday as his widow talked about Taylor's service in Afghanistan that coincided with recent parliamentary elections there. Her comments were televised nationally on the same day that millions of Americans turned out to vote.

"It seems only fitting that Brent, who in death now represents so much greater than any of our own individual lives, has come home to U.S. soil in a flag-draped casket on our Election Day," Jennie Taylor told reporters after Brent Taylor's flag-draped coffin arrived at Dover Air force Base in Delaware.

"Brent may have died on Afghan soil but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both our countries," she added.

Major Taylor had been expecting to return as Mayor Taylor in January. His death leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and their seven children, ranging from 11 months to 13 years old.

Taylor's post , drawing a connection between democracy abroad and at home, has been seen and shared thousands of times.

"It was beautiful to see over four million Afghan men and women brave threats and deadly attacks to vote in Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections in eight years. The strong turnout, despite the attacks and challenges, was a success for the long- suffering people of Afghanistan and for the cause of human freedom," he wrote.

"As the USA gets ready to vote in our own election next week, I hope everyone back home exercises their precious right to vote. And that whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us."

Taylor, a military intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters, served two tours in Iraq and was on his second tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor had become mayor in 2013, and had a local hero's farewell when he was being deployed last January. Hundreds of residents of North Ogden, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City, lined the street to see him off as police escorted him and his family around the community of about 17,000.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Taylor "was there to help. He was a leader. He loved the people of Afghanistan... This is a sad day for Utah, for America."Jose and Alicia Costilla and Shaheen Development of Saginaw have announced the grand opening of the Costela Brazilian Steak House at 110 Uptown Drive, Uptown Place, Bay City.

Costela Brazilian Steak House brings an authentic Churrascaria experience to the Great Lakes Bay Region. It has been a dream of the Costillas to open an authentic Churrascaria. That dream will come true on Saturday, when Costela Brazilian Steak House opens to the public.

On Thursday, Costela will host a VIP Grand Opening dinner as a fundraiser for the Bay Area Community Foundation. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the foundation's Bay Commitment Scholarship Program, a scholarship for first-generation college students. For reservations, contact guest services at the restaurant at 989-778-2640.

Costela promises to create a distinctive dining experience in Bay City, located on the first floor of Uptown Place on the corner of Uptown Drive and Columbus. The Costillas live in Bay City and have been successful local entrepreneurs for more than two decades.

Jose Costilla said he was introduced to a Brazilian steak house, an authentic Churrascaria, 15 years ago.

"I am so pleased to be bringing an authentic Brazilian steak house to my hometown of Bay City," he said. "We have brought in authentic woodfire grills from Brazil and will serve only the finest meats and produce available."

The restaurant will feature a continuous parade of 15 authentic Brazilian cuts of beef, pork, poultry and freshly-made sausages carved tableside by Gaucho chefs. Guests will begin their meal with a gourmet Brazilian market table complete with fresh salads, smoked fish, meats, soups, vegetables and accompaniments. Fine wines and a full bar selection will offer guests many unique options. The restaurant will specialize in preparing Caipirinha cocktails, Brazil's national cocktail featuring Cachaca liquor and fresh lime. The Costillas have been perfecting the recipes during the last several months.

The interiors have been carefully planned and personally designed by Alicia Costilla with the help of Pinnacle Design, a local interior design firm. The restaurant decor includes hand-painted murals and locally produced artwork. Finishing touches on the interiors are now being completed.

"Bay City has always been a great city for food lovers. We are excited to add another independent, high-quality restaurant to our dining scene," said Sara Dimitroff, economic development manager for the City of Bay City.

Dana Muscott, city manager adds, "It is very exciting to see great progress in our city. There is a great mix of local entrepreneurs opening small businesses throughout Bay City from specialty retail, and restaurants to great places to live and work. The City of Bay City is proud to be a catalyst for this investment."

"Shaheen Development and Alicia and Jose Costilla share a passion for investing in the community where they live and creating a vibrant, thriving region," said Dr. Sam Shaheen. "Costela Brazilian Steak House will offer a high quality dining and very fun experience the community will love. We are thrilled to help bring this dining destination to the Great Lakes Bay Region."

The public is invited to grand opening events including a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at 5 p.m. Thursday. A VIP grand opening fundraising dinner in support of the Bay Area Community Foundation's Bay Commitment Scholarship Program will be held immediately following at $125 per person. Reservations are available from 5:30 to 8 pm. The evening includes an authentic Brazilian-inspired dinner featuring some of Costela's finest entrees paired with the gourmet Brazilian market table and a special selection of wine.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of Costela Brazilian Steak House in such a special way," said Diane Fong, president and CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation. "The Bay Commitment Scholarship has been helping first-generation Bay County students achieve their educational dreams for ten years. We are thankful for the support of the Costilla family and Shaheen Development."

The restaurant opens to the public on Saturday, Nov. 10. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Normal hours of operation will be:

 Monday-Thursday: Lunch 11 a.m. -- 2:30 p.m.; dinner 5 - 10 p.m.

 Friday: Lunch 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; dinner 5 - 10:30 p.m.

 Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

 Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Bennett said the Republican National Committee had its hands full trying to save the seats of 60 embattled Republican incumbents in tough races. With finances tight, Bennett said his campaign focused on getting its message out to persuadable voters rather than trying to influence people who are deep red or blue.SAGINAW (AP) -- World War I ended 100 years ago, but Saginaw County's connection to the Great War lives on.

"On the Home Front" is the latest exhibit at the Castle Museum in downtown Saginaw, and it is meant to show how the war affected the county a century ago.

"November 11 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I," Tom Trombley, vice president and chief historian of the museum, said in a news release. "This exhibit offers visitors a window in Saginaw County's contribution and the impact of the war on the community."

The exhibit features photographs, newspaper clippings, an American Red Cross bed, a Marine uniform and other artifacts.

Trombley said one of the first connections to the war was the Saginaw Shipbuilding Co., located in Carrollton Township, as well as the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill Co.

Both of those companies had major roles in manufacturing materials for the war in Saginaw.

He said the shipbuilding company helped send off 18 ocean vessels that were constructed during the war.

The wool company, which still exists in Frankenmuth today, helped keep soldiers warm during the colder winter months by making roughly 66,000 pairs of socks.

The exhibit features many photos from that time frame, and one aspect of it is hospital workers who helped fight against the worst influenza epidemic Michigan has ever seen that was occurring at the time.

That's not all.

"Another component of the exhibit is how Saginaw had a strong number of German ancestors that emigrated from Germany," Trombley told The Saginaw News . "One of the few things that happened on the street where the museum is, before 1917, it was known as Germania (or German) ... and that was changed during World War I."

The name of the street was changed to Federal Avenue after the war.

The exhibit runs until mid-January and Trombley hopes people will learn something about the area that they might not have known before.

"People look at the nature of the events and see how the world was transformed, (but) the local community, it really did happen and have a profound impact," he said.

Admission to the exhibit is $1 per person, 50 cents for children and free for members of the museum. Visit the museum's website to learn more or purchase tickets.

Information from: The Saginaw News, http://www.mlive.com/saginawHold onto your hats today. And find the winter coats and mittens for later this week.

Snow is on the way.To the editor:

Transforming the Worlds Response to Conflict is the focus of the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) Midland Chapter. Locally our teaching team of Sandy Collinson, Jeannie Dellar, Randi Kawakita, Kathleen List, Judy Timmons, Elaine Warakomski and I volunteer to enhance anti-bullying practices already being taught in the schools. We are grateful for invitations to do this over the last five years.

October is our fundraising month to support NPs international work in South Sudan and other countries. Thank you to St. Johns Episcopal whose Endowment Committee has provided two very generous grants to this work. They also hosted a recent gathering at which over 30 attendees heard the sad and yet hopeful story of Hunter Dalli, who grew up amid the violence of South Sudan. As a young man he chose to become a professionally trained NP Unarmed Protection Officer with a commitment to help build a better world for Sudanese and for humanity in general. Hunter also spoke at Creative 360 along with Amy Hansen from NPs St. Paul, Minnesota, office.

Thanks to all donors for your past and hopefully yet-to-come 2018 generosity. Thanks also to Maureen Donker, Jim Crissman and Jill Haven-Crissman who shared, in our fundraising letter, why they support NPs international work. We are also very grateful to Lisa and Howard Ungerleider for a generous donation that will help provide materials for our work in schools or for local conflict resolution trainings for youth and adults as we continue to collaborate in this effort with Midlands Noon Rotary.

JEANNE LOUND SCHALLER

MidlandIf you dont say sammich, we wont make it, said co-owner Ed Nero. People come in here and say its like dinner and a show. When they ask for a sandwich and we say no, we dont have those, people will take a step back and look at the menu. Someone behind them will say, Ask for a sammich!Bailey when he realized that his ex-wife was dead outside the home, he freaked, called his girlfriend and asked her to pick up his children in the Wisconsin Dells because there had been an accident. He then went back into the home and cleaned up in the bathroom, where his blood was everywhere, Bailey said.Democrat John Wasik, a business journalist who also co-founded a local group working to make the government more transparent and accountable to residents, was leading with nearly 56 percent of the vote against incumbent Republican Jeff Werfel, a 12-year Grayslake Village Board member who is in his first term on the County Board.The Qualcomm battle with Apple is going terribly wrong for Qualcomm. This month alone a Munich Court threw out the patent infringement lawsuit against Apple and an ITC Judge pointed out that a Qualcomm witness against Apple that was paid millions had no credibility. On October 16 Qualcomm sought to make a settlement with the FTC so that there would be no ruling on Qualcomm forcing Apple to use their chips in iDevices. Today, a U.S. court ruled against Qualcomm again in the FTC case.

The preliminary ruling by Judge Lucy Koh in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said that Qualcomm must license some patents involved in making so-called modem chips, which help smart phones connect to wireless data networks, to rival chip firms.

The court order read: Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") sues Defendant Qualcomm, Incorporated ("Qualcomm") for violation of  5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA), 15 U.S.C.  45. Before the Court is the FTCs motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of whether two industry agreements obligate Qualcomm to license its essential patents to competing modem chip suppliers. Having considered the submissions of the parties, the relevant law, and the record in this case, the Court GRANTS the FTCs motion for partial summary judgment.

The Court Grants the FTCs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

1 Court Order Granting Partial Summary Judgment Against Qualcomm by Jack Purcher on Scribd





While this may be good news for Intel making modem chips for Apple, the lawsuit is still scheduled to go to trial next year.

Qualcomm and the FTC had jointly asked Koh last month to delay ruling on the issue for up to 30 days while they pursued settlement talks. Koh denied that motion on Tuesday.

Settling with U.S. regulators would be a turning point for the San Diego chip firm, which has been defending its business model amid lawsuits from large customers such as Apple and Huawei Technologies, as well as dealing with regulatory challenges to its practices around the world.

At issue in the civil litigation and regulatory disputes is whether Qualcomms patent licensing practices, when combined with its chip business, constitute anticompetitive behavior.

In August, Qualcomm settled with Taiwanese regulators for $93 million and an agreement to invest $700 million in the country over the next five years.It's being reported that Apple has hired Rebekah Horne as its new head of Music and other services in Australia and New Zealand. According to Music Business Worldwide, Sydney-based Horne (pictured) has been named Country Director for Apple Music, Apple News, Apple Books, iTunes and the App Store in the region.

She moves to Apple from the National Rugby League (NRL), where she was Chief Digital & Data Officer for the past two and a half years.

The Music Business Worldwide report added that "Prior to joining NRL in 2016, Horne was the Chief Digital Officer of Network Ten for three years, where she grew digital revenue by 74% and yield by 27%.

The exec is well-known in music circles for the five years she spent at Fox Interactive Media from 2006 to 2011, when the company owned MySpace.

Horne was MySpaces first Australian employee. She then became GM of Europe and Australia, before being named MD and SVP of MySpace International.

She personally negotiated licensing deals for the launch of MySpace Music in the UK (with PRS) and Australia (with APRA/AMCOS)."On Sunday Patently Apple posted a report titled "As the Smartphone Market is undergoing a Huge Tectonic Shift in Leadership, 2019 could be a Disruptive Year to Remember." The report pointed to how Chinese smartphone OEM's were now dominating China with one time leaders Apple and Samsung now sitting in the cellar. The report also noted how Xiaomi has now become the leader in India and will have 100 retail stores opened by the end of 2018 while Apple, according to Apple's CEO, is still negotiating with the Indian government to open their first store. It's actually embarrassing for Apple that after years of negotiating with the Indian government they have nothing to show for it. Counterpoint Research stated back in an August report that Apple had less than 1% market share in India. Today Reuters reports on how Apple is losing its grip on India.

Reuters pointed to empty Apple authorized stores. "Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is peak selling time for electronics in India, but the Apple-licensed store in one of Bengalurus big shopping malls was deserted this past Saturday.

Salesman Aejaz Ahmed stated that "Features of the emerging phones are very similar to an iPhone. Volumes have fallen in the past few months. It is very difficult to make out the difference from a distance because they even look so alike."

The sales staff at several stores in Bengaluru and nearby Chennai pointed to the launch this year of the latest OnePlus phone as a major problem for the U.S. phonemaker with one model at 37,999 rupees or US$526.

The result, says Neil Shah, from Counterpoint, is that Apples user base in India is set to decline about 10 percent to nine million users this year. That compares to an estimated 436 million Android users. Shah stated that "If your user base is declining, you are losing grip on the market. The new customer base is not coming;" A quote we highlighted in our Sunday report.



Check out the full Reuters report for more on this story.Many years ago, back during the relatively moderate Iranian presidency of Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, I was invited to participate as an all-expense-paid guest in a conference in Tehran that focused on the thought of the early seventeenth-century Iranian philosopher Mulla Sadra.

Then as now, going to Iran as an American was slightly unusual, and it remains one of the most interesting experiences I have ever had. I think, accordingly, that Ill jot down a few reminiscinces of that trip. Today will be the first installment, but probably not the last.

I flew from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis/St. Paul, and from there to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, I boarded an IranAir flight to Tehran. I think that this was the first point at which the curiousness of what I was doing began to really sink in. Ive flown many times on Middle Eastern or Islamic airlines, but it was something of a jolt to be tended to by flight attendants wearing chadors. (The uniforms were slightly more functional, actually, than the full chador, allowing the flight attendants to do their work, but, still . . . )

When I landed in Tehran, I was greeted by a committee of officials and further attendants. It had been a long journey, and I was extremely tired, but I was happy that I would soon be in bed. The time was somewhat past midnight, and I looked forward to a reasonably good nights sleep.

I was mistaken. With others who had arrived on my flight (and whom I did not know until then), I was ushered into a reception, with scads and scads of food, as well as scads and scads of television cameras. Getting a handful of Western (and especially American) academics to come to Iran was clearly a big deal. The festivities went on for a remarkably long time, and I wondered whether those who had planned the affair had ever flown intercontinentally.

Finally, we were taken to our hotel. While I was waiting to be assigned my room, I read the inscription around the base of the dome above the lobby: America, it said in Persian, is the common enemy of all humanity.

I felt very welcome.

***

News from the Middle East and the world of Islam, as well as some related items:

Anger erupts in Egypt after massacre of Christian pilgrims

Canadian broadcaster offers to sponsor Christian woman spared death in Pakistan

In Pittsburgh, Muslims are eager to join Jews in fight against immigrant hate

This next one is a very thought-provoking piece:

As religion wanes, religious hatred grows

Someone asked me just yesterday, I think, why (in my opinion) Muslim states have been so notably silent about the gross mistreatment by the regime that currently rules China of that nations Uyghur Muslim minority. As it happens, my answer, given pretty much off the top of my head, was very much along the lines of the following article:

Why Muslim news media have shied away from covering the Uighur persecution story

The appearance in theaters of Bohemian Rhapsody provides a good opportunity to think about a little-known religious tradition that ranks among the worlds oldest:

Freddie Mercurys family faith: The ancient religion of ZoroastrianismThe rash of bomb threats called into a Pennsylvania courthouse turned out to be bogus. But police are treating two suspects arrested Tuesday very seriously.

As WNEP-TV reports, the two arrested in the case in Monroe County, Pa., are Jesus Castrodad and Colleen Kasdaglis, both of Scotrun, Pa.

At last report, they were being held on $1 million bail each, charged with making bogus bomb threats against the county courthouse from July to November, leading to nearly a dozen evacuations.

As a possible motive in the case, investigators told WNEP some of the threats were made on days when Castrodad had court appearances at the courthouse.

Authorities traced the threat calls back to Tobyhanna State Park, and detectives were at the park Tuesday morning looking for video surveillance cameras when another threat was called in.

As WNEP reports, the detectives noticed a white van leaving the park and sent an alert for the vehicle, which was later stopped with the suspects inside.

Monroe County Detective Brian Webbe told WNEP:

It was really just good luck and good police work. Two of the detectives for Stroud Regional were up at the state park where a lot of the calls originated from and they happened to be there in the park when todays call came in."WASHINGTON (AP)  Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out Wednesday as the countrys chief law enforcement officer after enduring more than a year of blistering and personal attacks from President Donald Trump over his recusal from the Russia investigation.

Sessions told the president in a one-page letter that he was submitting his resignation "at your request."

Trump announced in a tweet that he was naming Sessions' chief of staff Matthew Whitaker, a former United States attorney from Iowa, as acting attorney general.

We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into the attorney general's tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential coordination between the president's Republican campaign and Russia.

Trump blamed the decision for opening the door to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation and began examining whether Trump's hectoring of Sessions was part of a broader effort to obstruct justice and stymie the probe.

The implications for Mueller's investigation were not immediately clear. The Justice Department did not announce a departure for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller more than a year and a half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

The relentless attacks on Sessions came even though the Alabama Republican was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump and despite the fact that his crime-fighting agenda and priorities  particularly his hawkish immigration enforcement policies  largely mirrored the president's.

But the relationship was irreparably damaged in March 2017 when Sessions, acknowledging previously undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador and citing his work as a campaign aide, recused himself from the Russia investigation.

The decision infuriated Trump, who repeatedly lamented that he would have never selected Sessions if he had known the attorney general would recuse. The recusal left the investigation in the hands of Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel two months later after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

The rift lingered for the duration of Sessions' tenure, and the attorney general, despite praising the president's agenda and hewing to his priorities, never managed to return to Trump's good graces.

The deteriorating relationship became a soap opera stalemate for the administration. Trump belittled Sessions but, perhaps following the advice of aides, held off on firing him. The attorney general, for his part, proved determined to remain in the position until dismissed. A logjam broke when Republican senators who had publicly backed Sessions began signaling a willingness to consider a new attorney general.

In attacks delivered on Twitter, in person and in interviews, Trump called Sessions weak and beleaguered, complained that he wasn't more aggressively pursuing allegations of corruption against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and called it "disgraceful" that Sessions wasn't more serious in scrutinizing the origins of the Russia investigation for possible law enforcement bias  even though the attorney general did ask the Justice Department's inspector general to look into those claims.

The broadsides escalated in recent months, with Trump telling a television interviewer that Sessions "had never had control" of the Justice Department and snidely accusing him on Twitter of not protecting Republican interests by allowing two GOP congressmen to be indicted before the election.

Sessions endured most of the name-calling in silence, though he did issue two public statements defending the department, including one in which he said he would serve "with integrity and honor" for as long as he was in the job.

The recusal from the Russia investigation allowed him to pursue the conservative issues he had long championed as a senator, often in isolation among fellow Republicans.

He found satisfaction in being able to reverse Obama-era policies that he and other conservatives say flouted the will of Congress, including by encouraging prosecutors to pursue the most serious charges they could and by promoting more aggressive enforcement of federal marijuana law. He also announced media leak crackdowns, tougher policies against opioids and his Justice Department defended a since-abandoned administration policy that resulted in parents being separated from their children at the border.

His agenda unsettled liberals who said that Sessions' focus on tough prosecutions marked a return to failed drug war tactics that unduly hurt minorities and the poor, and that his rollbacks of protections for gay and transgender people amount to discrimination.

Some Democrats also considered Sessions too eager to do Trump's bidding and overly receptive to his grievances.

Sessions, for instance, directed senior prosecutors to examine potential corruption in a uranium field transaction that some Republicans have said may have implicated Clinton in wrongdoing and benefited donors of the Clinton Foundation. He also fired one of the president's primary antagonists, former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, just before he was to have retired  a move Trump hailed as a "great day for democracy."

Despite it all, Sessions never found himself back in favor with the president.

Their relationship wasn't always fractured. Sessions was a close campaign aide, attending national security meetings and introducing him at rallies in a red "Make America Great Again" hat.

But the problems started after he told senators during his confirmation hearing that he had never met with Russians during the campaign. The Justice Department, responding to a Washington Post report, soon acknowledged that Sessions had actually had two encounters during the campaign with the then-Russian ambassador. He recused himself the next day, saying it would be inappropriate to oversee an investigation into a campaign he was part of.

The announcement set off a frenzy inside the White House, with Trump directing his White House counsel to call Sessions beforehand and urge him not to step aside. Sessions rejected the entreaty. Mueller's team, which has interviewed Sessions, has been investigating the president's attacks on him and his demands to have a loyalist in charge of the Russia investigation.

Sessions had been protected for much of his tenure by the support of Senate Republicans, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who had said he would not schedule a confirmation hearing for another attorney general if Trump fired him.

But that support began to fade, with Grassley suggesting over the summer that he might have time for a hearing after all.

And Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Judiciary Committee member who once said thered be holy hell to pay if Trump fired Sessions, called the relationship dysfunctional and said he thought the president had the right after the midterm to select a new attorney general.Democratic women and incumbents from both parties dominated Pennsylvanias congressional races Tuesday night after a court-drawn map reshuffled constituencies statewide.

In all, four seats shifted to Democrats in this election compared to 2016, contributing to a larger shift in the U.S. House.

Madeleine Dean, a state representative from Montgomery County, emphasized decency in her victory speech against Republican businessman Dan David. The car she was riding in from one 4th district campaign event to another was involved in a minor collision earlier in the evening.

Decency might be simple but its powerful and it will overcome this intolerant time, this intolerant administration, she said. Tomorrow will be better because of you. Tomorrow the real work begins.

Female Democrats also emerged victorious across other suburban Philadelphia districts: Chrissy Houlahan in the 6th, Mary Gay Scanlon in the 5th and Susan Wild in the 7th.

Susan Wild, Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, delivers a speech after defeating her opponent Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018, in Allentown, Pa. Wild faced Republican Marty Nothstein for the seat held by Charlie Dent, who retired. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)AP

Wild emerged victorious against Republican Marty Nothstein in a district once largely represented by moderate Republican Charlie Dent, who resigned earlier this year. She said her primary message was one of hope.

With your votes and your shoe leather and your phone calls and all the work youve done, you carried that message all throughout our district and tonight its resonating all the way to Washington, she said Tuesday night.

Prior to Tuesday night, Pennsylvania had sent seven women to Congress, the last of them being Democrat Allyson Schwartz, who stepped down to run in the gubernatorial primary in 2014. Come January, the state will have four congresswomen.

Republican candidates had won 13 of Pennsylvanias 18 seats in the last three general elections due in large part to a district lines drawn in 2011 that heavily favored the party. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court threw out that map and, after the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf failed to agree on a new one, drew new district boundaries.

Based on preliminary results, the new map will result in an even split among Pennsylvanias congressional delegation. Republican incumbents emerged victorious in the Bucks County-centered 1st District, the Harrisburg and York-area 10th district and the Lancaster-based 11th district despite strong Democratic challenges in each.

One quirk of the courts map was a race between two incumbents--Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Keith Rothfus--for the 17th district. Voters in the Pittsburgh suburban district voted for President Donald Trump by a 49-47 margin in 2016.

Lamb won a special congressional election earlier this year in the old 18th district, which shared a portion of his new district.

We did it again! He exclaimed on Tuesday night, in front of a crowd of supporters. You did it again! You did it again!

Many analysts saw Pennsylvania as a vital component of Democrats' strategy for retaking the U.S. House. As of midnight Wednesday, CNN, Fox News and several other media outlets projected that Democrats would be successful, although many national races remained too close to call.

Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook.

Read the 'TAPPED OUT' special investigation of drinking water and share your comments on Facebook.NCMEC has a program that uses algorithms and other technical means to determine if people are downloading or uploading child pornography, Monahan said. Because this person resides in Mundelein, which they knew because of the IP address, the AG contacted us and the Lake County States Attorneys Office.With huge amounts of income at stake, Dauphin County, Harrisburg and its school district, Swatara Township and Central Dauphin School District are going to war against a massive tax break granted Norfolk Southern Corp.

The enemy, in this case, is the countys own Board of Assessment Appeals, which two months ago granted property tax exemptions for the railroad firms sprawling local holdings, including the Rutherford Yard.

County commissioners and township and school officials are asking a county judge to overturn those exemptions.

According to petitions each entity filed with the court, the appeals board granted the exemptions under the state Public Utility Realty Tax Act, which shields public utilities. Norfolk Southern had applied for the exemptions.

County commissioners are insisting PURTA is unconstitutional and that the appeals board illegally applied it in the railroad case.

In addition to the Rutherford Yard, the other Swatara Township/Central Dauphin properties targeted in the court fight are on Milroy and Grayson roads and Derry Street. Both Harrisburg properties are on Industrial Road.

This is a high-dollar dispute.

For example, the Harrisburg properties alone would generate nearly $1.2 million in combined annual property tax revenue for the county, city and Harrisburg School District without any exemptions.NEW CUMBERLAND  It was a hard-fought and close race, but Democrat George Scott, the challenger in Pennsylvanias newly-redistricted 10th Congressional District, delivered his concession speech around 11 p.m. at the Clarion in New Cumberland.

We didnt quite make it, Scott told his supporters. Tonight didnt turn out the way we hoped that it would, and I know that your hearts are heavy with disappointment.

Despite that outcome, he told his supporters, I am humbled and proud in this moment, particularly by the support of each and every one of you."

See Scotts speech here:

It was a festive atmosphere through the night with an Irish band playing and the results appearing to be neck-and-neck at times with incumbent Rep. Scott Perry. But the Republican congressman pulled ahead as more results came in, leading with 51.21 percent of the vote with 96.2 percent of precincts reporting in. Thats 144,450 votes to 137,616.

Scotts supporters were hoping for more, and they were optimistic throughout the night until the very end.

I support George Scott because I think he can bring back some sanity and moderation to politics, which is so desperately needed, said Alex Reber, vice president of the Dauphin County Democrats. He can bring people together. Hes a good consensus builder.

I love his policy positions. I cant believe how honest and above board he is, said supporter Bill Bellinger.

Scott concluded his speech by saying though he lost, there is a larger context to the national picture with Democrats winning many of the House seats that were up for election.

There is indeed a blue wave across the country, but that wave just did not make it to the shores here in the 10th Congressional District, Scott said.

With that in mind, he said he called Perry and wished him well, but he also hopes his opponent realizes the district has changed. It now covers Dauphin, most of Cumberland and northern York counties as set out by the state court last winter in response to a gerrymandering lawsuit.

The 10th Congressional district is far, far different from the district that he has served for the last six years. They are not the same thing, he said and encouraged his supporters to continue to stay involved in politics, to pay attention and to vote.

Scott was a career Army officer who retired from active duty in 2004 and, more recently, has been serving as a Lutheran pastor in East Berlin, Adams County.

He had been working to show himself as a centrist Democrat voters - including those who typically never vote for Democrats - could feel comfortable with, citing his childhood on a farm, his Army service, and his faith life.At least in Pennsylvania, the endorsement of President Donald Trump wasnt nearly enough to flip a U.S. Senate seat in favor of Republicans.

With more than 80 percent of precincts reporting, Democrat Bob Casey had a comfortable lead over Republican challenger Lou Barletta, claiming 55 percent of votes to 43 percent for Barletta. In fact, within minutes of the closing of the polls, Fox News and CBS News had called the race in favor of Casey, based on exit polling.

Libertarian Dale Kerns Jr. and Green Party candidate Neal Taylor Gale had accounted for less than two percent of the vote.

Casey, running for his third Senate term, had stronger fund-raising to go along with support from unions, gay rights organizations and environmental groups.

Barletta, along with Trumps endorsement, has a national reputation for being hard on illegal immigration. Despite the obvious weight of that in some parts of the nation, it was far from enough in Pennsylvania.

Casey, while known as a moderate among Democrats, has been a staunch opponent of Trump, voting against the Republican tax cut, opposing Trump Supreme Court picks Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and pushing to expand the benefits and protections of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Barletta, a member of the U.S. House since 2011, voted multiple times to repeal Obamacare. That surely didnt help in an election where, according to a exit polls, health care was a top issue for the majority of voters.

Barletta was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump. Since then, he has been an ardent backer of the Trump agenda, voting in favor of things including the tax cut signed by Trump, Trumps rollbacks of carbon pollution regulations and sharing Trumps views regarding illegal immigration. In fact, Barletta, as mayor of Hazleton beginning in 2000, wrote ordinances designed to combat illegal immigrants which were eventually blocked by federal courts. Still, those actions pushed him to national prominence.

Barletta made strong showings in some Harrisburg region counties. In Perry County, he was ahead of Casey 68 percent to 30 percent with 97 percent of the vote counted. In Cumberland, he was ahead 53 percent to 45 percent with 80 percent of votes counted. In Lebanon County, he was ahead 60 percent to 38 percent with 92 percent of the vote counted. He also had 55 percent of the vote in York County with about half of precincts reporting.

It was closer in Lancaster County, where Barletta had 50 percent of the vote to 48 percent for Casey with just over half of precincts reporting.

Casey was making a strong showing in Dauphin County, where he had 74 percent of the vote to 24 percent for Barletta with about half of precincts reporting.

Overall, Trump, who won Pennsylvania by a narrow margin in 2016, isnt especially popular in Pennsylvania, according to recent polls. Likewise, polls throughout the campaign showed Casey with a double digit lead against Barletta, and there apparently was little narrowing of that, even as Trump doubled down on immigration-immigration during he final stretch.

The results mean Barletta will soon leave Congress after opting not to run for a fifth term in the House.

His loss also means the make up of Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate delegation remains the same until at least 2022, when Republican Pat Toomey is up for re-election.

Casey, meanwhile, has shifted left. The son of a former Pennsylvania governor, Casey was long known as a strong gun rights supporter. However, he said his position shifted as the result of school shootings that have taken place since he was sworn in in 2007, and he now supports a ban on so-called assault weapons. While considers himself pro-life, he has described himself as being against both unnecessary abortions and unwanted pregnancies. His position has enabled him to get high grades from pro-choice advocates.Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is urging Philadelphians to ignore rainy weather and vote before the polls close.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says the Democrat was broadcasting that message from a megaphone mounted on top of a car late Tuesday.

Rendell, who is also a former mayor of Philadelphia, is telling city residents they have "one thing to do," and rain can't stop them.

He says they should "get out and vote."

Rendell was stumping for a Democrat running in a newly redrawn congressional district.

You have one thing to do between now and 8 oclock, former Gov. Ed Rendell tells South Philadelphians from a megaphone atop a car. Vote. pic.twitter.com/Rug1jTHDSi  Erin McCarthy (@erinK_mccarthy) November 6, 2018

Rendell said he has been all over the Lehigh Valley today and noticed a common theme: Anger at Donald Trump. That anger seemed most pronounced in African-American communities, which he saw turning out in high numbers, he said. And  Erin McCarthy (@erinK_mccarthy) November 6, 2018While some issues made headlines across the state, the problems at the polls were few and far between, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Here are some of the issues reported by the DOS:

Chester County had to contact 93 people from a Phoenixville precinct due to a ballot configuration issue.

In Washington County, a man was charged for threatening to shoot poll workers.

Allegheny County had 14 power outages at polling places that were weather related. All but one of the locations had their power restored quickly, using battery backup, and a generator was used to restore power to the last precinct, the DOS said.

A polling place in Lehigh County stayed open late an extra 30 minutes due to a temporary building evacuation Tuesday evening, the DOS said. Officials did not list a cause for the evacuation.

In Bedford County, a polling place ran out of printed ballots, the DOS said. Poll workers remedied the issue by photocopying blank ballots for voters to use.

The DOS confirmed reports of voting machine malfunctions in a few counties, and said the machines were fixed in a timely manner or removed from service. Lackawanna County confirmed calibration issues in some of their machines to PennLive earlier Tuesday.

The DOS said conversations with county election officials leads them to believe there was a high turnout for a mid-term election, with numbers more like the what is seen on presidential election years. No official turnout estimate will be available for a few days.

Secretary of State Robert Torres thanked poll workers for the lack of issues in the election.As the final votes were tallied on Tuesday night, Republicans appeared to have largely dominated four State Senate races in central Pennsylvania.

At 11:10 pm, the Associated Press declared Republicans Kristin Phillips-Hill and Ryan Aument the winners in their respective races for Pennsylvania's 28th and 36th Senatorial districts. The former district covers York County and the latter district covers Lancaster County.

Meanwhile, Republicans Mike Folmer and Judy Ward had comfortable leads in their own contests for Pennsylvania's 48th and 30th Senatorial districts. The former district covers Lebanon and parts of Dauphin and York counties, the latter district covers Blair and Fulton counties and parts of Cumberland, Franklin and Huntingdon counties.

Below is a breakdown of those races as midnight Tuesday. All vote totals are unofficial:

28th Senatorial District

Area: York County

Republican Kristin Phillips Hill: 61,168 votes (62.7 percent)

Democrat Judith Higgins: 36,362 votes (37.28 percent)

30th Senatorial District

Area: All of Blair County and Fulton County and parts of Cumberland County, Franklin County and Huntingdon County.

Republican Judy Ward: 62,417 votes (72.93 percent)

Democrat Emily Best: 23,167 votes (27.07 percent)

36th Senatorial District

Area: Lancaster County

Republican Ryan Aument: 68,6888 votes (66.051 percent)

Democrat Bill Troutman: 34,579 votes (33.49 percent)

48th Senatorial District

Area: Lebanon County, parts of Dauphin and York counties

Republican Mike Folmer: 60,134 votes (62.96 percent)

Democrat Lois Herr: 35,370 votes (36.59 percent)Patients of a now-closed Northampton County dentist should get tested for hepatitis and HIV, the Pennsylvania health department advised on Tuesday.

Dentist Palmer Cotturo, of Cotturo Dental Associates, on Aug. 23 was ordered to shut down his practice at 2094 S. Delaware Drive in Upper Mount Bethel Township because he failed to dispose of used needles and couldn't prove he kept his office clean, according to a cease-and-desist letter later obtained by lehighvalleylive.com.

Specifically, the health department says that anyone who visited the practice or had dental procedures performed there between January 2007 and Sept. 14, 2018, should get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Patients can call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) for more information.

In September, Cotturo told lehighvalleylive.com that the surprise inspection came on a day when he wasn't seeing patients. He said the patient care area would be properly cleaned before any patients came in the next day.

"I would never compromise the health and safety of any of my patients," he wrote. "I would never expose any of my patients to an unsafe environment."

Cotturo surrendered his license to the state department on Sept. 14, according to the health department. His practice's website and phone number were no longer active as of Tuesday.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Democratic incumbent Tom Wolf had to wait all of a minute after the polls closed before he was projected on MSNBC to be the winner in Tuesdays general election, claiming a second four-year term as Pennsylvanias governor.

The crowd erupted at 8:01 p.m. when MSNBC projected Wolf to be the winner based on exit polls  two minutes sooner than national television networks called his victory in 2014.

When Wolfs face flashed on the large screen at his crowded election night celebration at The Bond in York a second time four minutes later, the cheer that arose from the packed room was even more enthusiastic.

The 69-year-old governor handily beat his fellow York Countian, Republican challenger Scott Wagner, and two third-party candidates, Libertarian Ken Krawchuk and Green Party candidate Paul Glover to win four more years.

Wolfs running mate John Fetterman, dressed in a black Dickie work shirt and jeans and standing by his wife and children, reminded the crowd of that when he introduced Wolf to the jubilant crowd around 9:15 p.m.

In Pennsylvania in 2018, the union way of life was on the ballot, Fetterman said. In Pennsylvania 2018, womens reproductive freedom and choice was on the ballot. In Pennsylvania, public education was on the ballot. LGBTQ rights were on the ballot. And you know what Pennsylvania did? .... Pennsylvania gave Tom Wolf four more years, he said, leading the crowd in a chant of four more years.

When Wolf, dressed in a suit and tie, stepped to the podium, he introduced himself in a modest manner.

"I am Tom Wolf. I am John Fettermans running mate, Wolf said, adding he looks forward to working with him in a second term.

We are going to do some great things for Pennsylvania, he said, before introducing his family by name and thanking them.

Then he turned to his supporters in the crowd.

I owe you everything. You did everything to make this possible, he said, crediting them with making calls and getting people out to vote.

What you did I think is make a great future for Pennsylvania," Wolf said.

The governor said Pennsylvanians were voting to make schools better and for access to quality and affordable health care. And they voted to make Pennsylvania a better place for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, who they love, their faith or gender, Wolf said.

In his victory speech that lasted a little more than 3 minutes, he said Pennsylvanians voted for a stronger economy, family sustaining jobs, protecting seniors and protecting women.

Today you voted for a Pennsylvania that has a really bright future, he said. We still have a lot of work to do so lets get back to work.

With that, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause and then returned to their partying ways.

Union leaders came into the party confident a Wolf victory was at hand and jubilant that the gubernatorial candidate their unions invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in will stick around for four years.

"Its a good night, said David Fillman, executive director of AFSCME Council 13.Republicans no longer control both chambers of Congress.

The GOP retained its majority in the U.S. Senate, the Associated Press and other media outlets report. But Democrats appear to have won a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, ABC News, CNN and NBC News report.

The results set the stage for more partisan battles in Washington as President Donald Trump faces the challenge of pursuing his goals with a divided Congress.

Democrats needed to swing 23 seats to regain the House and it appears they have done that.

Democrats flipped a few seats in Pennsylvania.

Democrat Chrissy Houlahan won the 6th District seat held by the formerly by retiring U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, a Chester County Republican. Susan Wild, another Democrat, won the 7th District seat once held by former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Lehigh County Republican who stepped down earlier this year. Mary Gay Scanlon won in the 5th District; the seat had been held by former U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, a Republican who left office earlier this year.

While the presidents name wasnt on the ballot, voters across Pennsylvanians said Trump motivated their choices one way or the other in congressional races.Scott Wagner campaigned for governor on a promise to eradicate school taxes.

While the election didn't go his way, Wagner continued his push against school property taxes in his concession speech Tuesday night.

Wagner addressed supporters at about 10:30 p.m. in a York-area hotel conference room, several hours after polls closed and after many media outlets called the race in Wolf's favor. Wagner said he had just phoned Wolf to concede and he also asked Wolf for a favor.

"Gov. Wolf," Wagner said. "I'm asking you to do something about seniors who are losing their homes to taxes."

Wagner said he met senior citizens during hundreds of campaign events who could not afford school taxes on their fixed incomes. He talked to a 78-year-old woman this week in Scranton who told him she had no money left after paying school taxes and that she had to take out a reverse mortgage.

"That's not what America's all about," Wagner said. "I implore Gov. Wolf to do something for the seniors of this state."

As a senator, Wagner co-sponsored a proposal known as the Property Tax Independence Act. The legislation would increase statewide sales and income taxes, currently 6 percent and 3.07 percent respectively, to finance school districts while zeroing out school property taxes. Wagner said he would minimize tax increases in part by reducing government spending. But the measure got rejected by the Legislature and Wolf has not supported the legislation even though Wolf originally campaigned on property tax reform in 2014.

Wagner's political career began in 2013 when he became the first write-in candidate to win election to the Pennsylvania State Senate in history. He announced his run for governor in 2017 and thanked his staffers and volunteers for their hard work Tuesday night.

Wagner's political future is unclear. He did not answer questions from reporters after Tuesday night's concession speech and staffers said they did not yet know his future plans in politics.

But Wagner said this much after two years of campaigning across the Commonwealth: "I'm going to take a vacation, I know that," Wagner said.Whats on the menu? Pizza, pizza and more pizza stars at Aurelios. Choose from more than 20 toppings and thin crust, thick crust, or their famous calabrese pizza, which is stuffed with ingredients and then baked in an enclosed crust (similar to a calzone). Equally tempting are the many appetizers, pastas, lasagna, salads, sandwiches and desserts. They also offer gluten-free pizza with a crust specially developed for Aurelios and gluten-free ravioli.A youth leader from a church in Maryland is facing charges after investigators say he sexually abused two children during a church trip to Lancaster County in August.

Rodney O. Harmon Jr. is already charged with sexual abuse offenses in Maryland, where he is incarcerated, according to a news release from the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office.

Pennsylvania State Police recently filed 12 new charges regarding alleged incidents in Lancaster County over the summer.

Police say Harmon was a youth director with Bayside Community Church in Pocomoke City, Md., when the incidents happened. The victims were among a group from Harmons church who attended the trip.

WBOC16 reported in September that Harmon was charged with 19 counts of making and distributing pornographic videos and other sex acts, involving four people, three of them minors.

Those charges were filed stemming from alleged incidents between May 2017 to August 2018, according to the report.

Harmon has not yet been arraigned on his newest charges.By Greg Sargent

The 2018 elections are being widely painted as a "split decision" for President Donald Trump - Democrats won the House while losing seats in the Senate - but this framing actually undercuts just how much there is for Democrats and progressives to celebrate about the results.

Three of the biggest narratives driving our politics now lie in ruins, and their deaths carry important implications for the future of the Trump presidency, public opinion in the Trump era, and the character of our country.

--Trump has magical political powers, and his lies are "working."

For a year and a half, many of us who got it badly wrong in 2016 have been in a kind of defensive crouch, assuming that Trump possesses a mystical grasp on public opinion that must mean polls revealing his deep unpopularity are missing something.

They weren't missing something, and neither were we. Trump really is deeply unpopular, and that translated into a large rebuke at the polls, in the form of the Democratic takeover of the House, which was driven by a widespread desire for a check on his presidency.

As of Wednesday morning, Democrats have picked up 26 House seats, and may be on track for many as 230 seats when it's all over. The path to the Dem majority ran through flipping not just blue-leaning suburban districts, but also some surprise areas that leaned red. This was made possible by a huge outpouring of money and organizing, as well as good candidates in tough areas, which combined to broaden the map, factors that were undoubtedly driven by a backlash to Trump. As one GOP operative put it, in these elections, voters were "checking yes or no when it comes to the president."

All this came after Trump escalated the lying to an extraordinary degree. Perhaps most prominently, he (and Republicans) lied relentlessly about their desire to protect people with preexisting conditions. The sheer frequency of the lies led some to hand-wring that he was overwhelming our political system's capacity for absorbing untruths. But exit polls showed large majorities said Democrats would better protect preexisting conditions, and huge majorities of those who ranked health care as most important picked Democrats. Three red states are on track to pass ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid.

Trump also escalated the lying about the migrant caravan, which goes to the second component of the "Trump has magical powers" narrative: That he possesses total mastery over the news cycle. Because he willed it, the elections were magically transformed into a contest about immigration, which, if kept in the headlines, guaranteed a Republican win. Related to this idea is that Trump's mystical sense of public opinion leads him to speak to real public anxieties about the issue that we're all missing.

But by the end, Republicans conceded that Trump's stoking of xenophobic and racial panic was putting House GOP incumbents in educated, suburban districts in greater peril. Regardless, despite Trump's best efforts to make the elections all about immigration, it is Democrats who largely set the election's agenda, by keeping the focus on health care. One analysis found that health care was the most commonly discussed topic in television ads in 45 percent of local media markets this year. And it was the most important issue for voters.

--Democrats have no answer to the nationalist backlash. Trump tried to turn the elections into a referendum on xenophobic populist ethno-nationalism, hyping destitute migrants hundreds of miles away into a national emergency orchestrated by globalists bent on undermining America from within, and even vowing to end birthright citizenship. Some argued Democrats handed Trump an opening to do this by failing to offer an answer to legitimate worries about immigration and globalization tapped by Trump, as if they were merely stumbling around shouting "Abolish ICE," giving Trump more fodder to paint them as pro-open borders. This is also an argument that advisers like Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller love to make.

It's true that Democrats focused more on health care than on immigration. But this was a strategic decision (a correct one). At the same time, many Democrats did offer an answer to Trump's racial nationalism: What you might call inclusive patriotism or civic nationalism, the idea that our national pride should be located in our commitment to political equality and economic opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnic background, or religion.

Indeed, Democrats widely condemned Trump's race-baiting and xenophobia, stressed their support for sane immigration reform, which entails legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants, and denounced Trump's inhumanity towards asylum seekers as contrary to American values. In a sense, Democrats offered another answer to Trump's racial nationalism by fielding a crop of candidates with extraordinary racial and ethnic diversity. Candidates like Anthony Delgado of New York, the target of one of the most racist ads of the cycle, pulled off surprise wins by showcasing qualifications and merit.

It's true that this argument is far from settled. The Democratic House must put forth a real immigration agenda. Trump's 2020 reelection campaign looms as another big test of the Democratic response to the supposedly vaunted nationalist backlash. But Tuesday night's results did showcase a resounding answer to it.

What's more, another key component of Trump's nationalism - trade policy - arguably failed him Tuesday night in an important way. Democrats easily won Senate races in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and won governorships in the last three of those, including ousting anti-worker Scott Walker in Wisconsin, a tremendous Dem win. It amounted to a remarkable turnaround in the "blue wall" states Trump cracked, supposedly with his emphasis on trade. Trump's trade wars and theatrical belligerence toward China did nothing for Republicans in "Trump country."

--Democrats can't assemble a multi-racial majority to confront Trumpism.

Trump's advisers and supporters constantly make veiled variations of this argument. They have suggested objections to Trump's racist, xenophobic, and cultural provocations (and his cruel immigration agenda) are only confined to the identity-politics-obsessed left, and that they aren't merely about galvanizing the blue collar white GOP base but also have tacit majority appeal. But it's hard to square this with what happened Tuesday night.

Here some major caveats are in order. Trump's closing strategy probably did galvanize the white vote in numerous red states, enabling Republicans to win Senate seats in Indiana, North Dakota, Missouri and Florida. Andrew Gillum's loss in the Florida gubernatorial race to one of the worst Trumpists in the country (remember Ron DeSantis' racial dogwhistling and his attendance at conferences organized by a fellow who believes the "only serious race war" is against whites?) is a terrible blow.

But, for all the reasons noted above, the results in the House do show a multi-racial majority rising up to confront Trumpism. As Ron Brownstein predicted, all those Trump provocations further polarized the country between blue collar, rural, evangelical and aging white voters on one side, and all those groups on the other side of this cultural divide: Young voters, minorities, and secularized, socially liberal college educated and suburban whites, especially women.

Those latter groups helped assemble a majority in the battle for the House. Fueled by enormous turnout for a midterm, Democrats may end up winning the House popular vote by seven points. It's true that this majority ran into a wall of voters on Trump's side of the divide in red state Senate races, and it's an open question whether a longer term realignment is under way, in which college educated whites defect to Democrats.

But, while it remains to be seen whether this anti-Trump majority will endure against him in 2020, it can and did mobilize itself, rising up to put a big check on the Trump presidency, and on Trump himself.

Greg Sargent covers politics for The Washington Post. His work appears frequently on PennLive Opinion.An exuberant U.S. Rep. Scott Perry said his tight win over Democrat George Scott was one of the most exhilarating of his political career.

And the York County Republican said it's left him newly-energized to represent South Central Pennsylvania in Congress.

"This victory (the win)... belongs to all these folks, and the people in this new 10th District," Perry said, gesturing around at a small army of volunteers at his Fairview Township victory celebration.

"I'm very humbled by their support and I'm invigorated to go to Washington D.C. and represent them in this new Congress, and it's just my honor and my privilege to do that."

With just four of 341 precincts still uncounted, unofficial vote totals showed Perry with 148,790, or 51.4 percent, to 140,956, or 48.6 percent, for Scott.

Perry's win came on the back of an especially strong showing in the portions of northern York County that he has represented in either Harrisburg or Washington for 12 years running.

That was key for the incumbent given a rare mid-decade redistricting in Pennsylvania that forced Perry to run in a district that was more than 40 percent new to him.

Asked about his loss in Dauphin County, Perry said he's eager to prove himself to everyone in the new 10th.

"The people that know me best know that I stick up for the things that I believe in, the things that they believe in, and that I'm a man of my word.

"That's who they know, and so I suspect that over time, the people in the new parts of the district will learn the same things about me."

Perry said he took a concession call from Scott shortly before 11 p.m.

"He said his numbers looked like we had a good solid victory and that he was conceding the race to me, and wished me and my family well. And I did the same for him."

Perry added that he also wanted to congratulate Scott for entering the race.

"I applaud anybody willing to steps into the arena. This is a tough, tough place."

Perry will go back to Washington as a member of the minority party in the new session of Congress.

Democrats regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday night. Republicans still hold the U.S. Senate.

Perry, a member of the arch-conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he'll be ready to work with anyone when the new session begins in January.

"I think we're going to see a lot of resistance and not a whole lot of results if the Democrats take control, but, look, we'll be optimistic, and hopefully they'll be willing to work for the American people as opposed to against President Trump," Perry said.

As for top priorities?

Perry said his would be taking another shot at the full repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

The House's repeal effort fell just short in the U.S. Senate last year. With Democrats regaining control of the House, repealing the ACA will be a difficult task.History museum to host 'market at the museum' for holiday shopping

The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society will soon be hosting two holiday markets to help shop local this holiday season.We need to figure out what we need to do, he said. The demographics here have changed, and we need to do a better job connecting with people who are newer to DuPage County and getting some young people involved in the Republican Party here."Katharina Saurwein: When you top out, it's windy and you realise all your clothes are still at the belay. Photo by archive Saurwein

Katharina Saurwein, belayed by Jorg Verhoeven, climbing Tainted Love on The Chief above Squamish, Canada. The corner was first ascended in 2017 by Hazel Findlay Photo by Jessica Talley

Katharina Saurwein and Jorg Verhoeven tick Tainted Love at Squamish in Canada

Austria's Katharina Saurwein and Jorg Verhoeven from the Netherlands have both repeated Tainted Love, the 5.13d crack climb located on The Chief above Squamish, Canada freed by Hazel Findlay in 2017.

Katharina Saurwein from Austria and her husband Jorg Verhoeven from the Netherlands have made fast repeats of Tainted Love, a stunning and bold trad corner climb high up on The Chief above Squamish, Canada, first ascended by England's Hazel Findlay in 2017 who opted not to place any bolts. Repeated previously by Sean Villanueva-O'Driscoll, interestingly and somewhat unusually it was Saurwein who bagged the third ascent, shortly before Verhoeven. Saurwein, who like Jorg bid farewell to 15 successful years of climbing competitions a month ago, reports.



Tainted Love by Katharina Saurwein

Jorg and I have wanted to go to Squamish for years, but somehow we never made it. This year we finally managed to make it there, and we immediately fell in love with the place. The lines and rock formations seem to be made specifically with rock climbing in mind. Although we came here for the trad climbing, what makes this place so special is its variety. Five star sport climbs, multi-pitches, trad climbs and boulders are all located right next to each other.



Before coming here I had two routes in my mind: Cobra Crack and Tainted Love. Both are impressive lines that follow some very obvious features. Tainted Love is an amazing stemming corner with an extremely thin crack that is almost completely closed and utterly blank sidewalls, first ascended only recently by Hazel Findlay. It's between fifteen to twenty meters high and is protected by small offset wires and one cam.

At first both Jorg and I had a hard time just getting off the ground, we didn't know how to move and how to position our body. From one try to the next our feeling with this open dihedral improved and we learned how to position hips and shoulders and, importantly, to trust the tiny smears. This process, this experience of learning something new even after twenty years of climbing, trying moves we had never done before, is what fascinated me the most.



Due to its technical nature, Tainted Love was the first route Jorg and I worked on together and climbed in a similar time span. Jorg is usually much quicker than I am and soon moves on to a new project, while I'm left working on the old one.

We had two top rope sessions on the route, then one more on lead with preplaced gear in order to trust the pro and to learn how to stay calm as we climbed on the small wires. At one point we both had our own beta, mine was actually quite different from Jorg's due to our height difference. I had to use closer stems than Jorg and make many much smaller moves. We had a hard time not getting confused by the others' beta.

On our fourth session our goal was to simply to get used to placing the gear, but when I started climbing I felt great, so I just kept on going. Jorg talked me through the whole route and this kept me calm and helped me control my fear. Actually, I was so focused on the climbing that I didn't have time to get scared and as I slowly made my way higher and higher I suddenly found myself up on top, even before realising what had happened. Everything just worked out perfectly: I got the beta right, I'd trusted the feet and hit every hold correctly. I couldn't believe it. I was so happy, so proud, so overwhelmed!

Half an hour later Jorg had climbed it as well, in his own words messing up all the sequences' and having a really hard time', and we both sat on the top ledge and enjoyed the sun. We couldn't believe our little project was over, how great this climb was and how much we'd enjoyed the process.

We both also tried Cobra Crack and Jorg was starting to look very solid on it (he only had problems with the infamous one-finger lock) while I have to admit I struggled a lot. Most of the finger locks are pretty good, but some of the moves are quite reachy and I needed at least five layers of tape to get my fingers fat' enough for the crack. We're both really keen to get back to it. We'll try to improve crack climbing techniques and come back next year!

Now that Jorg and I have retired from competition climbing we can devote more of our time to climbing outside, something I'm really looking forward to. I have so many projects in mind, so many places I still want to visit. In particular though I want to improve my trad climbing skills. I've realised that I really enjoy crack climbing, but with all my training and competing, I never had enough time to do much of it. This is now going to change ;-)



Links: FB Katharina Saurwein, FB Jorg Verhoeven, La Sportiva, Petzl, MarmotWritten by Jess Lee

Updated Sep 24, 2021

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Morocco's top tourist attractions range from grand Roman ruins to orange-toned mud-brick kasbah architecture, which makes it one of north Africa's most interesting historic destinations.

While the souqs of Marrakesh and Fes, crammed to the brim with local artisan crafts, have made it one of the world's best places to visit for shoppers, head out of the cities, and a Moroccan trip becomes an adventure into some of the region's most dramatic scenery.

The craggy heights of the Atlas Mountains cut through the center of Morocco and are prime territory for trekking and other outdoor activities, while for those willing to make the long journey out east, sleeping amid the towering sand dunes of the Sahara remains one of the country's top things to do.

Morocco is also a journey into a timeless, tranquil world of cute coastal villages, colorful-painted towns that cling to hillsides, and remote mountain outposts defended by fortress walls.

This fascinating country is a merging of the African and Arab worlds and is steeped in age-old customs. It's no wonder Morocco has been feted by artists and writers for decades, and continues to enchant all who visit.

Discover the best places to visit in this captivating country with our list of the top tourist attractions in Morocco.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.Written by Andrew Birbeck

Updated Jan 13, 2021

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With its rich history and varied landscapes, Sweden is a traveler's paradise. If you love the outdoors, it's certainly hard to beat. The air and water are crystal clean, and there are thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and majestic lakes to explore, not to mention vast archipelagos along its coasts.

The roads and public transport are excellent, the citizens are invariably friendly and helpful, and in recent years, Swedish cuisine has undergone what can only be described as a revolution. Throw in a mind-boggling history, from notorious Viking invaders to Royal dynasties and imperial intrigue, and one thing is certain: you'll never be bored.

Sweden's tourist attractions range from opulent palaces and ancient towns to vast Arctic landscapes and the famed Ice Hotel. There are so many things to do that you'll want to allow plenty of time to enjoy all its outdoor adventures and historic treasures.

To help you make the most of your Scandinavian travel itinerary, we've pulled together our list of the top tourist attractions in Sweden.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.Win a Pair of Just for Kix Nutcracker LeggingsDr Annette Idler, Senior Research Fellow at DPIR and Pembroke College, and Director of Studies at the Changing Character of War Centre (CCW), participated in The Economists Global Illicit Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi, where she discussed the changing dynamic of modern warfare and its connection with the booming trade in bootleg markets, as reported by The National.

The Summit brought together stakeholders from governments, the private sector, international organisations, law enforcement agencies and civil society for a series of action-driven dialogues about combating illicit trade.

Terrorist groups funding their actions through illicit trade is only one part of the bigger picture, Dr Idler said. There is a huge profit behind organised crime but it is more nuanced than that. Groups need to pay their soldiers and to buy their weapons. They are thriving in a war economy. In Colombia, the cocaine trade has helped fuel conflict, as has opium in Myanmar. Sierra Leone has endured years of conflict funded by the diamond trade.

Dr Idlers research focuses on the interface of conflict, security, transnational organized crime and peacebuilding. Specifically, she explores the role of violent non-state groups in changing security landscapes and their impact on people-centred security. At CCW, she currently directs the Changing Character of Conflict Platform project and the From Conflict Actors to Architects of Peace programme that focus on these matters.